neilho27@sky.com - The Ginger Quiff

Black Lives Still Matter

August 30, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

I’ve started writing this blog several times and ended up deleting it every time. The reason? I was constantly doubting myself. Was I the right person to comment on the topic? Did I have a right to write about it? After all, I’m a white West of Scotland male, what do I know about being at the end of sharp end of racism?

Recently, the more time I spent on Facebook, the more time I spent feeling exasperated and incensed. Yes, I know Facebook isn’t the real world, and I should let it wash over me, but there seems to be an unabated increasing level of unsavoury types commenting on news stories or posting frankly exasperating statuses on social media.… Read the rest

Carla J. Easton – Weirdo – album review

August 25, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Weirdo. What a magnificently peculiar word. One of those words that sounds stranger the more you say it. Also, one of those words that is bandied about as an insult but more often than not can be worn as a badge of honour. Anyone that has had the word casually thrown at them (usually by tracksuit & baseball cap wearing identikit neds) because of the way they dress, the way they style their hair or the music they listen to will know what I mean. On this more-ish pop-tastic album Carla J Easton is claiming back the word for all the weirdos out there.… Read the rest

Monsterpop – Another Dream EP review

August 25, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Monster /ˈmɒnstə/ (noun)

a thing of extraordinary or daunting size.

Pop /pɒp/ (noun)

a light explosive sound.

“there were a few pops, perhaps from pistols”

(noun)

Commercial popular music. In particular accessible, tuneful music of a kind popular since the 1950s. Sometimes contrasted with rock, soul, or other forms of popular music.

Based on these definitions and to coin an old phrase. Monsterpop does exactly what it says on the tin. And I intentionally left in the example sentence used under the definition of pop.

The new EP (available now on Bandcamp) Another Dream amplifies the explosive pop sound to daunting proportions.… Read the rest

Terry Edwards Very Terry Edwards/Stop Trtying to Sell Me Back My Past

Terry Edwards – Very Terry Edwards/Stop Trying to Sell Me Back My Past – review

August 22, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Very Terry Edwards

I’m not sure where to start with this one, or should I say these ones, having received not one, but two Terry Edwards compilations weighing in at a mighty 80 tracks in total. Not only quite a phenomenal collection of tunes, but also a who’s who of just about every musical style you could list or comprehend.

The first, Very Terry Edwards is a career spanning collection of tracks celebrating the 60^th birthday year of this most bountifully talented multi-instrumentalist, with a track for every year of his life. This is an extraordinarily effusive body of work, even more extraordinary when you see the list of some of the bands he has recorded with that don’t appear across this 3 disc set, stand up Siouxsie, Julian Cope, Madness, Tindersticks, Hot Chip and PJ Harvey.… Read the rest

Folk Devils – Forever EP – review

August 19, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

The most recent re-incarnation of the prowling post-punk outsiders Folk Devils recently revealed the lead track, their first new music for 33 years, from their forthcoming Forever EP. The full three track EP is due to be released on the 18^th of September on 10” red vinyl and CD

Lead vocals are provided Dave Hodgson in the current line up following the death of Ian Lowery in 2001. A shimmering intro before Hodgson provides a sinisterly gruff and effects distorted drawl, atop a muscular guitar line underpinned by heavy bass, thunderous drums and crashing cymbals. The track rumbles along with a threatening undercurrent, “remember to smile and laugh at the jokes” Hodgson warns before spitting out the line “nothing lasts forever”.… Read the rest

Ty Murray – Treefort – album review

August 19, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Frontman for Chapter 11, Ty Murray had his album Treefort re-released on CD on Astoria, NY label Tarbeach Records last week. Two of his tracks have appeared previously on Tarbeach , with Monkey Don’t Care covering She Goes Her Own Way and the albums closing track, After My Time.

Thankfully (for someone who loves a vast range of musical styles and hates labels) it is hard to pigeonhole/label Ty. His music is good old straight up rock music. Sure, there are influences that can be heard here and there. Opening track Fallen Angel has a Start! rhythm running throughout. While the second track Re-Enactor has its roots somewhere in the world of reggae, mixing this with classic rock riffing.… Read the rest

Rudebeard – Disgrace EP – review

August 13, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Well, I didn’t expect that Rudebeard…

The latest Rudebeard EP was released at the end of July. The last of their lockdown releases. As I DID expect it is packed with their own signature brand of raucous ska that deserves its place on a live stage so you can have a wild no-holds barred skank. As usual their songs and music are a celebration of life. With a substantial injection of dry humour and their wry observations on life.

First you’ve got Disgrace. the tale of a drunken stoner ne’er-do-well, and stories of drunken escapades. Not the sort “you could take home to meet your parents”.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up – Lockdown Summer 2020

August 4, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Over the period of lockdown (and I admit even before that) I’ve been sent a variety of singles/songs/demos for my listening pleasure. Unfortunately, some don’t get past the delete button (not always because they are… well, you know) but because I’m overwhelmed and don’t have the headspace to deal with them.

Over the last couple of weeks when I was on holiday in between day trips (avoiding the crowds and sweating masses) and decorating, I filtered out some of them….

Katherine Aly – God Breed

Following up her previous singles, The Skin I’m Made of, Sunny Days and Misty Me, this time around the silkily angelic-voiced Katherine Aly serves up a slice of absorbing brooding electronica with her latest single, God Breed.… Read the rest

The Muldoons – Made for Each Other – album review

July 30, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

I have recently been expounding my love for a certain record label, the wonderful Tarbeach Records from Astoria, NY with links to home soil in Airdrie. Another of my favourite labels is altogether closer to home. Last Night From Glasgow, and its various offshoots Hive and Komponist have not let the grass grow under their feet during lockdown, with a seemingly endless supply of announcements and releases to delight and excite.

As I’ve recently reviewed two of the latest releases from Tarbeach It seems only fair that I balance this out and expound the virtues of Last Night From Glasgow too.… Read the rest

Aw Naw – No Again EP review

July 27, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Aw Naw? The only aw naw moment here is that it’s taken me so long to get around to getting a review uploaded for the debut EP, No Again from Aw Naw.

Everything about this EP is Aw Yass. With the three tracks ranging from the sublime (Secret Face) to the mirthful (Demon Drink).

The Demon Drink tells the story of an empty at Big Stevie’s. Or more precisely, the effects of a certain type of wreck the hoose juice on the protagonist. The lyrics will have you laughing and cringing as you realise you’ve either met (or been) that person at house parties.… Read the rest