Singles Round Up 2025 – January – Part 6

Swervedriver – Volume Control

The last part of the round up finished with Miki Berenyi, one of the most recognisable vocalist/guitarists of the 1990s indie scene fronting Lush. The part starts with one of the prime movers in the shoegaze scene of the era, blasting into the scene with mighty juggernauts of sound like Son of Mustang Ford. The band now have 6 albums under their belts and in January released this track from a new EP coming in March.

Swervedriver

Ditz – Four

Four is one of the highlights of the bands new album, Never Exhale, the follow up to the potent debut, The Great Regression.… Read the rest

f.o. machete – Mother of a Thousand – Album Review

After an extended hiatus of a dozen or so years, the mighty machete returned to the fray in style around this time last year with a live show supporting another legendary Scottish band who had also returned after too long out of the limelight. That show in Room 2 featuring The Hedrons and f.o. machete will live long in the memory, both bands at the top of their game, with The Hedrons celebrating the release of their long awaited sophomore album and f.o. machete quite obviously just stoked to be back playing live. Now it is f.o. machete’s turn to release a new album, their hotly anticipated follow up to My First Machete.… Read the rest

The Best of ‘24

Life has kind of caught up on me this year and I’ve pretty much missed the boat for “Best of 2024” lists, so this is probably a much abridged version than published in previous years.

2024 was another phenomenal year for music with a myriad of new albums and EPs from bands old and new, a cornucopia of singles (725 in total across the years singles round up playlists (links below)) and a plethora of brilliant live experiences.

For anything not mentioned here, just take a trip through last year’s blogs and you’ll find many other joys to treat your eardrums and warm your souls.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2025 – January – Pt 3

A mix of the old and new on part three with established acts such as Gareth Sager rubbing shoulder with the new breed in the shape of Vanderlye and others.

The Yets – Enemy

The duo from South Carolina open up part three of January’s round up with this dreamily ethereal alt rock song. The Enemy channels elements of Medicine and their ilk and wouldn’t have sounded out of place on the soundtrack for the original Crow movie.

The Yets

Vanderlye – Romantic Anarchy

A close second to Tanzana for single of the month is this slice of heaven from another of my hopes for greater things, Vanderlye.… Read the rest

Lambrini Girls – Who Let the Dogs Out – album review

Lambrini Girls first caught my attention with their 2023 single Lads Lads Lads, which spurred me into purchasing their impressive  “You’re Welcome” EP and to take a trip over to Glasgow’s West End to catch the band live in the Hug and Pint. That was where I experienced the Lambrini Girls tour de force in full effect, playing a no holds barred set and laying waste to the heaving mass of bodies in the tiny and very sweaty basement venue. I would defy anyone to have walked away from that gig without a look of euphoric startled bewilderment on their faces and filled with a feeling of solidarity and righteous empowerment.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2025 – January – Part 2

Six more of the best music January had to offer with the exceptional debut from Tanzana, an anti-Trump anthem from Smoking Pope’s, Amy adding an extra layer of brilliance to Bob Vylan, another anthem from singles round up stalwarts pMad, Glasgow post rock legends Mogwai and hypnotic trip rock from Heartworms.

pMad – Feed

pMad are more or less a permanent feature in the singles round up, releasing a steady stream of consistently top quality gothic tinged dark post punk singles over the last few years. Feed is no exception, with an anti-capitalist sentiment st its core, “the life of a value is more important than the value of a life”.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up – 2025 – January – Part 1

2025 has got off to a bang with some singles that I imagine I’ll still be loving in 12 months as we reach the end of the year. As usual there is an eclectic mixes of styles representing in this cross section of what January had to offer, this is Part 1, I’ll include a link to a playlist of ALL of January’s featured singles when I get to the last part…

Voitures – Doesn’t Know It Yet

A great start to the year from Glasgow’s Voitures with buzzsaw guitars aplenty on this addictive slice of psych rock that channels elements of The Beatles and Mansun on the hypnotic Doesn’t Know It Yet.… Read the rest

New Years Revolution 2025 – King Tuts Wah Wah Hut – Martha May and the Mondays, Human Renegade, Count the Days and Marf.

Just under a week on from my last visit to the venue for a varied four band bill headlined by the excellent Tanzana (whose presence was noted at this gig, along with members of the mighty Sister Madds and one of my tips for 2025, Alcatraz (whose appearance in Tuts last week I unfortunately missed) among others) it was time for another visit and another pick ‘n’ mix selection of genres.

Opening act, Marf., started off their accomplished bluesy rock set with a track exuding a smooth jazzy charm. As their set progressed, so did the intense power and energy of their music, all topped with a compellingly potent and soulful vocal from the first Martha of the evening, before closing out their set with an impressive version of Gorillaz Feel Good Inc.… Read the rest

Children of Gaza Benefit – Scorpio Leisure, Kirsten Adamson, The Filthy Tongues, The Countess of Fife, The Rezillos – Voodoo Rooms

The last gig of 2024 for me was a late addition to the gig calendar, at a hastily arranged (and quickly sold out) gig arranged by Fay and Martin. I did swither over it, what with getting over bruised ribs and a sprained ankle, the weather being miserable and the thought of getting home afterwards. However, the deal was sealed as the reason for the gig was to raise money for the children of Gaza/Palestine, which, if anyone follows my socials will know is a subject close to my heart. And of course the line-up featured some of the best acts Scotland has to offer…

I’ve said this before, but I think the future is in gigs with loads of bands playing short sets and a quick change over in between.… Read the rest

December Singles Round Up – Part 5 – Guided By Voices, The Cides, English Teacher, Onat Önol, Middle Class Guilt, Everyone Says Hi, Lightnin’ Truck, benefits

Guided by Voices – The Great Man

Probably one of the most productive bands in the planet seemingly releasing an album every time I turn around, whether in the guise of Guided By Voices or offshoot Cub Scout Bowling Pins. The Great Man comes from the bands 41st album The Universe released in February and is a comment on all the “great men” in world politics… ahem.

Guided By Voices

The Cides – The Rebel

Latest single from The Cides who have appeared in the roundup a few times. The song harks back to the old mantra in the late 70s that punk wasn’t a style of music but an attitude, with lyrics acknowledging that there is a “rebel inside me” and with a desire to make a difference…to take action against injustice.… Read the rest