2024 - The Ginger Quiff

For Your Audio Pleasure – Scorpio Leisure Interview and gig review

April 18, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

Scorpio Leisure had me transfixed from the minute I first heard their music, this was courtesy of their bass player Coco sharing an enigmatic video clip of their hypnotic song Driving. The band had an air of mystery about them at the time, other than Coco, I had very little knowledge of the who was in the band. The one thing I knew was they had the potential to be one of my new musical obsessions.

And so it transpired, trying to see the band as often as life and work permits, having been wowed by the first time I saw them in The Rum Shack – even heading out East to catch gigs in Sneaky Pete’s and La Belle Angele, I don’t do that for just any band.… Read the rest

VIDEO PREMIERE – Paul Morricone – Laughing at You

April 11, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

Today sees the release of the latest single, Laughing at You, from the new album by Paul Morricone Go Sanction Yourself released on April 19th on Wrath Records. The Ginger Quiff is delighted to bring you the video premiere of the single.

This single, alongside other tracks in the album such as ‘Dining Out (On That Particular Buffet)’ (“about about a certain floppy haired “pantomime philanderer”), has a strong political message in it’s lyrics:

“Well I, I for one

Welcome our new insect overlords

Said the turkey voting for

Navidad and a Joyeaux Noel”

Paul Morricone on Laughing at You:

“This track started off as an exercise in minimalism – could I write just a bassline and create a song?… Read the rest

VIDEO PREMIERE – Carol Hodge – Manoeuvres

April 11, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

Today sees the release the first single from the forthcoming fifth studio album ‘Effortless Insecurity’ from Carol Hodge and The Ginger Quiff is delighted to present the video premiere of ‘Manoeuvres’ by videographer Rob Heilig. “A black and white, hypnotically manic world of witchcraft and disturbingly lifelike doll faces, the video was shot on location in a ruined cottage in the Colne Valley in West Yorkshire.“

A long time favourite of TGQ, Carol Hodge says; “Manoeuvres is a gloves off, claws out retort to the fakers” she further explains the ire and disappointment behind the song, “I’m sick and tired of the lack of authenticity from public figures.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2024 – Part 3 – March

April 10, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

Another month, another singles round up, and a bumper selection it is too, 61 songs in this month’s list, This month’s selection comes from a range of bands and singers from newer talent such as Dancer, Soapbox and recent BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year Bottle Rockets through to established legends such as Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon, as well as home grown legends Arab Strap and the continued welcome return of James King and the Lonewolves ahead of their new album The Mortality Arcade.

The Top 25

Single of the Month

Soapbox – Fascist Bob

Several reasons for this being single of the month for March, first and foremost it’s a fucking great song cementing Soapbox as one of the best of the current crop of Scottish bands displaying a punk attitude in the true spirit of the first wave of punk, kicking against the pricks and railing against the right wing.… Read the rest

House Guest Festival 2024 – review

April 9, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

First things first, a huge congratulations must go to Scottish Music Collective and Crowded Flat for pulling off a superb inaugural House Guest event. Not only was the sold out day a huge success due to the phenomenal line up, bulging at the seams with a smorgasbord of new Scottish talent, the day ran like clockwork, the dream team in Sleazy’s (where, despite plans, I based myself all day) from bar staff to event management ensuring things ran like clockwork. I hope the success helps this event to go on to be a celebrated annual event much like its template events such as Tenement Trail. … Read the rest

Eater/Jo Jo & the Teeth – live in Broadcast

March 26, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

For the second weekend in a row it was a Sunday visit to Broadcast that was to bring the weekend to a celebratory conclusion. This was a night bristling with expectation after waiting for what seemed like a lifetime to witness the glory of Jo Jo and the Teeth live after being wowed by their debut album in 2022. Not only that but it was a double whammy as the band also transformed into Eater with the estimable Andy Blade to create a venerable punk rock riot.

Chemicalwhiteroom

The riot started early with the arrival of support act Chemicalwhiteroom to the Broadcast stage.… Read the rest

Death Valley Girls with Junk Pups and Tanzana – Broadcast

March 19, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

The last time I caught Death Valley Girls live was on a dreich and miserable Monday night in the self same venue, but with the stage where the bar is, and vice versa. Bonnie and the band were on top form back then with local duo Run Into the Night in tow. This time around they outshone themselves with a mind-bending stellar performance.

Before the headliners took to the stage though, they already had a lot to live up to after the performances from the two support bands for the evening.

First up it was the turn of fresh faced quintet Tanzana.… Read the rest

The Laurettes – Meet Me at the Mainstage – album review

March 8, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

What better way to celebrate both Friday and more importantly International Women’s Day than with the long-awaited debut album by The Laurettes, an album which just so happens to be hitting the airwaves and making its indelible mark on the world this weekend.

Having worked harder than just about every band I could think of on the live circuit, perhaps with the exception of Tbe Courettes, The Laurettes have tirelessly played gigs and festivals, big and small, building their reputation as a fearsome live prospect and the ultimate party starters. This has led up to where they find themselves today, paving their way to the release of Meet Me at the Mainstage, and in doing so, they have continued to make their own way up the bills of festivals left, right and centre, soon to be Mainstage headliners if their stellar trajectory continues on its current path.… Read the rest

Scorpio Leisure – Apology E.P. review

March 7, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

2024 is set to be a bumper year for releases by some of the Scottish music scene’s rising talents. Not satisfied with the release of their self titled debut album later in the year, Edinburgh based post-punk supergroup Scorpio Leisure release their 4 track EP, Apology this month, a treat for those who have a voracious appetite for the band’s music and need an amuse-bouche to keep them going ahead of the main course.

The band is the coming together of like-minded friends and musicians from a variety of bands past and present, representing a cross section of the alternative music scene, all throwing their individual styles and influences into the melting pot and resulting in the serving up of an unconventionally unique and luscious offering in their own inimitable style.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2024 – Part 2 – February

March 3, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

February was another formidable month for singles, with the round up for this month including a whopping 50 top tunes.

As usual, I’ve collected them all on a Spotify playlist, against my better judgement, for you to sample should you choose. If you like the songs, go and search out the bands music, buy their merchandise and go to their gigs. It’s the only way to ensure the future of new music and keep music venues open.

Single(s) of the Month

Here’s my top 15 singles of the month for February… at the top of the list and earning the “trophy” for single of the month is a band on the ascendency…

Junk Pups – Trophy Wife

It feels like an age since Junk Pups released their last single, Miss Behave, but have certainly not been sitting doing nothing, gigging constantly, the latest of which was headlining the last night of January’s New Year’s Revolution in King Tuts (review).… Read the rest