Cockwomble – Conspiracy EP

March 29, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Cockwomble continue to impress with their socially conscious pop punk ideologies on their latest EP Conspiracy.

Taking swipes at deserving targets throughout the four tracks on offer here the band are both eminently entertaining and laden with messages for those that should know better. “It was you” is the message they give to those who are convinced that everything is conspiring against them. “Has reality lost its grip on you” is the message as the antagonist of the song is ridiculed.

One track in and I’m screaming for a Cockwomble album to be released.

Sitting somewhere between The Ramones, The Toy Dolls and The King Blues, Cockwomble are the missing link between seriously solemn punk rock and the much-ridiculed pop punkers.,… Read the rest

The Lee Harveys – Resistance is Not Terrorism

February 2, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

If it wasn’t for a certain Garry Alexander Borland and Danny Mac’s Testifying Times Radio Show, I might never had heard The Lee Harveys. But, as it is, thanks to a recommendation from Garry, and Danny playing and interviewing them on his show, I am the proud owner of all their albums; Still Angry, Gun City and Bullet for the President.

I can now add to that their latest unmissable release Resistance is Not Terrorism. The 6 track EP comes on CD and on extended edition coloured vinyl. Side one of which is the EP with side two collating fan selected remastered highlights from previous releases.… Read the rest

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