Feature - The Ginger Quiff

Return to Returned from Sea – Sister John live in the Glad Cafe

September 24, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

glad (adjective) “feeling pleasure or happiness”

I have to say that after a few weeks of feeling little pleasure or happiness, last night, The Glad Cafe was an appropriately named venue for the fifth birthday celebration of Returned from Sea, the gloriously emotional debut album from Sister John. Nights like this should be available on prescription. the power that live music can have over me cannot be emphasised enough.

I think I can be fairly sure I’m not just speaking for myself when I say how special this night was. A quick scan around the venue during Sister John’s set and I observing rapt faces entirely transfixed by the perfect performance from the effortlessly cool quartet of Jonathan (complete with broken finger), Amanda, Sophie and Heather.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up Part 8 – August 2022

September 5, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

Another month passes, and another cracking bunch of singles passes through Ginger Quiff towers… new bands, old bands, new songs, classic cover versions… you name it, it’s here. If you feel so inclined, share this blog and share some love for these songs. There is a link below to a Spotify playlist…(I know… I hate Spotify too). Follow the bands, buy their music.

The Fades – You Follow Me Around

The latest single to be released from forthcoming album, Night Terrors, is this boisterous garage rock romp with Dave writing & singing about what on the face of it seems to be about dealing with a cat that can’t leave him alone from the moment he walks through the door, I think all cat owners can relate to that, especially anyone that had to work from home during COVID.… Read the rest

Junk Pups – Live in Mono, Glasgow

September 4, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

After being highly impressed by their brace of funky post punk singles, Front Yard Flamingo, opening the set tonight and the magnificent Miss Behave, I finally managed to haul my arse along to a Junk Pups gig. Last night they were sandwiched on a bill in Mono between Pinc Wafer & Lloyds House, and while both of them played strong sets, I’m going to focus all my attention on the extraordinary talents of Junk Pups.

I believe you could still count the number of gigs the band have played on both hands, despite this, they already have the assured confidence of a band that has been playing the circuit for a lot longer.… Read the rest

Pizza Crunch, Vansleep, Tina Sandwich & Static – Summer Sessions live in King Tuts

August 28, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

I used to be a regular visitor to Tuts, but my visits now seem to be few and far between. I first ventured there when it was still called Saints and Sinners for a 40th birthday party, attended the opening night as King Tuts Wah Wah Hut (before half of last nights audience was born probably…) and I’ve been to some pretty special nights there over the years – Suede, Radiohead supporting Kingmaker, Scamheads (secret Skunk Anansie show), Trashcan Sinatras, Fatima Mansions…the list goes on. I’m what you could call a long in the tooth gig goer now, or just old, but that doesn’t mean I just go to gigs by what i hear called ”heritage” acts (who makes these things up?)… Read the rest

Collars – Clyde – album review

August 26, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

I’ve been a fan of Collars since the came to my attention with their 2021 single Over You, their fourth single. With each single since, they have piqued my interest more and more, honing their sound and creating a series of indispensable and compelling releases in the process. I’d been crying out for an album full of these addictive songs, so when I received the email with the forthcoming album, Clyde, attached I downloaded it at breakneck speed with an irascibly skittish exhilaration. Well, as speedily as my aging laptop would allow at least…

I’ll come back to that stirring and vivacious music shortly.… Read the rest

Introducing the Band – Earl of Hell – Interview and EP review

August 19, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

Earlier this year Earl of Hell released their debut EP, Get Smoked which includes the single, Blood Disco, one of my favourite songs from last year and the one which first brought the band to my attention.

The band were kind enough to take some time out to answer some questions for the Ginger Quiff.

A review of the EP appears below the interview.

The Ginger Quiff: Tell me about the band – who is everyone – how did you get together as a band?

Earl of Hell:

Eric – Vocals

Lewis – Guitar & Vocals

Dan – Guitar

Dean – Bass

Ryan – Drums

We got together as a 4-piece in March 2020 after seeing Lewis’s “Uncle Sam-style” advert.… Read the rest

Bob Vylan – Live in Oran Mor

August 8, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

Bob Vylan exploded onto the punk scene a couple of years ago with their incendiary commentary of life as a black man in 20th Century Britain, We Live Here (of course one of tonights highlights) which captured the imagination of the nation and was a much needed shot in the arm to a scene whose ageing fan base includes a number of right wing curmudgeons who appear to be oblivious to, or have forgotten, some of what the original punk scene was standing up against back in the 70s. Maybe they are taking the lead from the once great but increasingly irrelevant John ”Rotten” Lydon.… Read the rest

Brat Coven, Brenda & Dusk Amadeus – live in The Hug and Pint

August 7, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

My working week last week was bookended by two of the Endless Summer nights in the Hug and Pint, the latter featuring the darkly gothic shoegaze of Dusk Amadeus, the utter joy that is the experience of a Brenda show, and the first headline show for the angry riot grrrl punks, Brat Coven.

Dusk Amadeus

Events were conspiring to have me miss this gig, having firstly to turn for home realising I’d forgotten my wallet, then eventually getting to the station to discover my train was cancelled. Thankfully though, although I missed the start of Dusk Amadeus set, i did catch the second half.… Read the rest

Slim Jim Phantom Trio & The Hurricanes – Live in Mono

August 6, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

I’ve never managed to see The Stray Cats live. I’ve come close a few times, having seen Brian Setzer solo, and havlng had tickets for the ill fated final tour when the headline draw of tonights show fell off the stage before the Glasgow date, leading to the rest of the farewell tour being cancelled! After tonight I only now need to add Lee Rocker to that list.

Walking into Mono on Friday night was like taking a step back in time. A most welcome one I should add, the sea of quiffs of different shapes and sizes, the variety of vintage clothing styles and classic old school rockabilly fashion was a joy to behold.… Read the rest