HMV Matters

January 2, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Music makes me feel.

That’s it. It makes me feel.

Alive.

Euphoric.

Sad.

Emotional.

Joyful.

Music makes me feel.

Music doesn’t fix anything per se, but it can go a long way to helping. It can soothe the soul. It can get the anger out. Or the tears. I can’t imagine life without music.

The Voice is fading

It is also one reasons why I was upset at the news of HMV (and by default Fopp) going into administration for the second time. I’ve read a lot of disparaging things about HMV both in the press (an ill-judged and badly worded article in the Guardian) and from the music fans and the general public including some friends that surprised me at their dismissal.… Read the rest

The Ginger Quiff – Goodbye 2018

December 29, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

It is that time again…

Yes, it is that time again. Time to reflect on the year gone by as we approach the end of 2018.

In terms of music, I think you could say it was an up and down year.

On the plus side, the year that confirmed to me that while the charts are filled with artists who release/stream “tracks”, and in the last few days, HMV have announced they are in trouble again, the album is still hanging on in there and vinyl continues to make a revival. There have been some tremendous albums released in the past 12 months, several of which I have had the pleasure of reviewing here or for Louder Than War, but probably an equal number that I have loved but for one reason or the other, never got around to reviewing.… Read the rest

The DeRellas – Bellfield Tavern (Kilmarnock) Guest Review

December 3, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

The DeRellas – Bellfield Tavern (Kilmarnock)

Number two in an occasional series of guest reviews. This time its from leader of the Reservoir Droogs himself, Mr Alex “Mainy” Main.

Kilmarnock…

When you ask people if they have heard of the Scottish town of Kilmarnock the response usually starts off on a positive note and then it quickly goes downhill.

A sad but true fact. Those of us who live there are pretty much used to this reaction by now.

It normally starts with “It was home to Johnnie Walkers whisky wasn’t it?” and then we get “Robert Burns had his first book of poems printed there didn’t he?”… Read the rest

Pop Life – Tom Kirkham Interview

November 28, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

I have recently finished reading, and thoroughly enjoying, “Pop Life, The Story of a Minor Musical Expedition” by Tom Kirkham and reviewed the book for Louder Than War. Fortunately, I also had the opportunity to ask Tom a few questions. I could see a lot of parallels between him and I, so that was where I started.

TGQ: We sound quite similar in many ways. We are music fans with eclectic taste (although I can’t stand Oasis). We’ve been impacted by periods of poor mental health and we use writing as a way of dealing with and overcoming mental health issues.… Read the rest

Duncan Reid & the Big Heads Live in Scotland

November 15, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Reservoir Droog

Live music fans in Glasgow and Edinburgh are in for a treat this weekend as one of the highlights of the live music calendar comes to both cities. It also marks the beginning of the end of an era for one promoter.

Arch Droog and all-round gentleman Alex “Mainy” Main is the promoter for this weekend’s gigs in Glasgow’s Nice n Sleazy on Friday and Bannermans in Edinburgh on Saturday. These are two of the last few gigs he will be promoting, but what a way to bow out. Whatever you do, if you love live music, do yourself a huge favour, don’t miss this weekend’s gigs.… Read the rest

Tenement Trail 2018 – The Garage

October 7, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Tenement Trail

This is the first time I had attended this festival. To be fair, this post doesn’t do the Tenement Trail justice. I had a lot on the day of the trail so was unable to take full advantage of the entire day’s events. Featuring as it does, 60 bands across 10 venues in Glasgow. What I did see was enough to know that the Trail is a worthy, special event. One that I’m likely to frequent in the future.

Tijuana Bibles

Having picked up my wristband earlier in the day and finishing off what I needed to do, I headed to the Garage early evening.… Read the rest

Gig Etiquette – or how not to piss someone off at a gig

September 17, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Gig Etiquette

Having recently been to see the magnificent The The live at the famous Glasgow Barrowland, I felt inspired to write this slightly tongue in cheek commentary on gig etiquette.

Why, I hear you ask?

Firstly, there were posters all around the venue urging us to enjoy the live music experience, well…live I suppose. Matt Johnson’s opening request on taking to the stage was the same – please don’t video, leave your phones in your pockets and enjoy the live experience.

Secondly, was at one point being stuck behind a bloke of Andre the Giant proportions who appeared to have taken up ballet dancing instead of wrestling .… Read the rest

The Speed of Life – review Glasgow 9th September

September 10, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

The Speed of Life

It seems like I had been looking forward to being entertained by Richard Jobson, punk frontman, actor, author, model, presenter, raconteur and the multi-talented Martin Metcalfe writer, musician, composer, artist for aeons when the day finally came around. With those two involved it was sure to be an interesting and intriguing evening’s entertainment.

We were glad to finally take our seats having endured the typical Scottish summertime in getting to The Admiral. Sun splitting the sky, interspersed with monsoon like rain. In typical fashion the sunny bits were just before leaving the house and while waiting in the station/on then train.… Read the rest

PYLON – Theatre preview: 15th September Mitchell Theatre, Glasgow

September 3, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

PYLON

Glasgow theatre-goers and live music fans have an opportunity to see a the highly acclaimed production, PYLON, at the Mitchell Theatre on the 15th of September. This is the third outing for the unique and exciting production, based on real life events in Shortlees, Kilmarnock, which has been given high praise by critics on its previous showings. The performance is more than just theatre, as it includes live music more akin to live music gigs than stage acting.

The play tells the story of residents of Shortlees through the eyes of Davie who is searching for answers when questions are raised about the electricity pylons in the area causing an increased level of cancer diagnoses in the area.… Read the rest

The Blinders – Columbia – album review

August 30, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Hotly anticipated

Alongside Joy as an Act of Resistance from IDLES, The Blinders debut Columbia is one of the most hotly anticipated albums of 2018.

I was in fortunate to receive early copies of both releases, IDLES having the earlier release date and being mesmerised by their release in recent weeks, The Blinders album had a lot to live up to.

Columbia

I’m glad to say it did not disappoint. Columbia provides the listener with an evocative blend of light and shade, dark matters, imploring pleas and optimistic hopes for the future. The album title comes from the name given to a promised Utopia.… Read the rest