2020 - The Ginger Quiff

Power of Dreams America Across the Shannon

Power of Dreams – Across the Shannon/America – review

July 9, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Dreams never end….

My lasting memory of Power of Dreams is them playing to a fervent packed out King Tuts, in front of a sweaty heaving mass of bodies. They attracted an ardent hardcore of fans. I remember people standing outside, having travelled far and wide following the band around the country. Many turned up without tickets hoping to be able to get in on the night and to find a friendly face to let them kip on their couch or floor.

Immigrants, Emigrants and Me set the scene for me, with sophomore release 2 Hell with Common Sense introducing a more powerful edge to their sound.… Read the rest

The Filthy Tongues – Gas Mask Blues review

July 8, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Scotland’s premier providers of sinister darkwave goth stuck their heads above the parapet last week adding their voice to the proliferation of lockdown anthems in a tentative step towards the some sort of return to normality – wearing a mask of course.

The Filthy Tongues Gas Mask Blues is everything you would hope from a Metcalfe composition about the COVID 19 landscape. Electric violin kicks off this moody broodingly hypnotic track. The enigmatic elegant singers understated vocal just breathing out the pithy lyrics. The chorus rises to a near falsetto (in Metcalfe’s terms) before seemingly bringing the track to a halting end.… Read the rest

The Godfathers – I’m Not Your Slave/Wild & Free – review

July 6, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

I’m slowly but surely picking away at the mountain of e-mails in my inbox. Despite the apparent wasteland that has seen empty streets over the last few months and kept people confined to barracks, this hasn’t meant a barren wasteland of new music being produced judging by the number of emails. 2020 has been a great year for new music so far from bands old and new.

So, I finally get round to picking up on the double A side released in mid-June by an old band, with a new line up.

Old Band, New Line Up

Releasing the first tracks since being joined by ex-Heavy Drapes/Baby’s Got a Gun pair Billy Duncanson and Richie Simpson following the tragic, untimely death of charismatic and inspiring frontman Garry Borland, The Godfathers revealed two new songs.… Read the rest

David Delinquent – Better Yourself

July 6, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

David Delinquent’s latest song Better Yourself has been available via bandcamp for a couple of weeks now. This isn’t really a review, as I feel that the song, the lyrics and David’s message speak for themselves. Suffice to say, I’m in the process of writing a piece for my blog that mirrors the sentiments contained in David’s lyrics. We can all be better people.

Please head over to Bandcamp and name your price, all proceeds from the sale of the song go to CRER (Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights) Scotland and Stop Hate.UK.

David Delinquent Bandcamp

I will leave the rest of this blog to David himself (taken from his Bandcamp page)

I chose this artwork for a couple of reasons, first and foremost to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and the events currently taking place in the US and here in the UK.

… Read the rest

udebeard - As You Walk Away e.p - front cover

Rudebeard – As You Walk Away review

July 5, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

My last two blogs have been rockabilly and country focussed respectively, in the spirit of fairness and variety, next up it’s a bit of pirate ska. This time, courtesy of Rudebeard and their follow up to the Wideos on the Rise EP

Incorporating Liquidator style keyboards into the welcoming introduction to As You Walk Away, the lyrics kick in with a less welcoming message. The typical Glasweegie farewell “Don’t let the door hit you on the arse, as you walk away”. Having said that the laid-back mellow groove of the track is most relaxed and easy-going. A great wee vibe to kick-off the three tracks.… Read the rest

Interview with Tulsa Queen

July 2, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

On the eve of her debut “live” gig, I had an opportunity to catch up with Wiggy from Curdle about her solo country (and beyond) project, Tulsa Queen.

Tulsa Queen

The Ginger Quiff: I’m assuming the name comes from the great Emmylou Harris song, tell me about the inspiration behind Tulsa Queen? Which other country artists inspire you?

Tulsa Queen: It sure does. I absolutely love that song. When i first heard it i couldn’t get the chord changes and the lyrics and the whole feel of it out of my head for weeks, it’s so gorgeous. I just love country music (the good country music, not the shite!)… Read the rest

The Best Bad Influence – Rock-It! album review and interview

July 2, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Vibrant and Animated

Last year in a short interview with The Best Bad Influence, I described them as “one of the bands I am most excited about”, that label still stands today. They are one of the most vibrant and animated live bands I’ve had the pleasure to witness in recent years, bringing the raucous spirit of rockabilly to a new generation, much like the 80’s revival did for me. In doing so, they also allow the likes of older music fans like myself to regain some of their youthful enthusiasm for the music. Their bouncing gigs are a melee of old and young.… Read the rest

Vulpynes – Sister – track review

June 24, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

I’m way behind on catching up with new music. Work has been full on, but I’ve got a few days off now so a bit of breathing space to share my thoughts on a few recent single drops…

Dublin grunge punks, Vulpynes, recently dropped a new track Sister. Powerful duo Kaz and Molly are a force to be reckoned with, a boisterous duo with a luscious line in scuzzy grunge punk. Sister is as raw and visceral as you would expect. Vocals filled with rage and fury. “I’m your real friend, sister” the lyrics seethe, making you feel fear for that sister.… Read the rest

Shot Balowski – Eton’s Burning EP review

June 24, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Shot Balowski, the purveyors of one of the Ginger Quiff top ten album of last year, released a three track EP last week. If you are of the “keep politics out of music” brigade, look away now. Eton’s Burning is the lead lockdown anthem taking a swipe at the old boys’ club.

Kicking off with Debbie’s sonorous bass throb, the dynamic thrusting guitars crunch into life with Simon’s distorted vocal spitting venom backed by Tef’s thundering drums. The track ends on a plea. “Don’t dial 999”, in a squall of Manic Street Preacher style guitars. Class.

England’s (not) Dreaming

As a former Morrissey devotee, you may be forgiven for thinking I may be offended by track two.… Read the rest

The Claudettes: Johnny Iguana Interview

June 13, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Chicago’s piano blues based jazzsters with added rockabilly flare and punk attitude The Claudettes recently released their stunning new album High Times in the Dark. Reviewed by yours truly for Louder Than War. Shortly thereafter, their touring plans (along with those of every other band) to promote the record, including a trip over the Atlantic to the UK, fell foul of COVID 19. Leaving 2020 as a barren gigless wasteland.

Johnny Iguana

Lead Claudette and pianist extraordinaire, Johnny Iguana, took some time out to share some thoughts on the lockdown brought about by the pandemic, the new album, and the current world-wide climate.… Read the rest