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

Speed of Life – spoken word & music from Richard Jobson & Martin Metcalfe

August 29, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Speed of Life

After 2 successful and well received shows in Edinburgh and Irvine, Richard Jobson & Martin Metcalfe take this unusual and enthralling performance on tour across the UK over 6 dates.

This project isn’t be the first time the multi-faceted Jobson and Metcalfe have worked together. Jobson has previously provided the vocal for Isa & the Filthy Tongues track Bus Shelter and more recently the pair collaborated on a number of songs on the Skids recent comeback album “Burning Cities.” I’m sure this collaboration won’t be the last.

Green and Blue

The dates will be a combination of spoken word, music, songs and a Q&A
Jobson will read excerpts from his acclaimed new sci-fi novel “Speed of Life”, its name taken from the instrumental track of the same name on Bowies “Low” album.… Read the rest

Developing Resilience

August 11, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

I haven’t written directly about mental health unrelated to music for a while. It isn’t that this is something that is no longer important to me, or something that I’ve forgotten about. On the contrary, forgetting is not an option. In fact this blog is about just how much mental health has been to the fore in my mind and the way I deal with it has been put in the spotlight in recent weeks.

Dealing daily with your Mental Health

When you are someone who lives with anxiety and depression, every day brings its challenges. Every day. There is no end as such, there is no miracle cure.… Read the rest

Southern Approach – Be Mine – video

June 12, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

The first band to feature on my blog when I started last August, Southern Approach, have released the video for their new song, Be Mine.

The song is the first to feature new vocalist, Zoe Lewis. Zoe has taken up the reigns as a foil to Munro’s dulcet tones following Shirley Guthrie moving on.

Be Mine has a massive melodic chorus. The song reflects and builds on the vast sweeping sound of the songs on their debut album, Restitution. The video is an atmospheric black and white battle of the sexes. The video premiered on their Facebook feed on Sunday evening, watch the video here:

… Read the rest

Razur Cuts V – launch – Behindthewall Falkirk, Saturday 9th June 2018

June 11, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Razur Cuts

Saturday finally saw the launch of Razur Cuts V and the culmination of muckle hard work by Derek Steel. The latest edition of the cutting edge street literature magazine was promising to be a cracker. The biggest issue to date at 80 pages including an exclusive interview with The Stranglers powerhouse bassist JJ Burnell.

Such an issue was deserving of a bells and whistles launch and Derek and his team pulled out all the stops to make the launch go with a bang, putting on what can only be described as an extravaganza in Falkirk venue Behind the Wall.… Read the rest

Garry Alexander Borland – Heavy Drapes

June 6, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Garry Alexander Borland

There are many people today trying to come to terms with the news this morning of the sudden death of the inimitable husband, father, brother, son and effervescent arresting front-man of Heavy Drapes, Garry Alexander Borland.

I first met Garry only a few years ago when someone brought Heavy Drapes to my attention. Hooked from the first clip I saw of the band and its alluring front-man. In the short time I’d known him, Garry was a larger than life colourful character and it was a pleasure to have made his acquaintance. And also seen him strut his stuff on stage with Heavy Drapes over the last few years.… Read the rest

The Filthy Tongues – Back to Hell album launch gig

June 2, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Back to Hell

The Filthy Tongues sophomore album Back to Hell, the second in a trilogy started with their masterful debut, Jacob’s ladder, is another triumph. It continues to build on the tremendous reputation of Metcalfe, Fin and Kelly as an accomplished unit and backbone of several of my favourite bands though the years. Joined by Asim and Alex and the wonderful Susannah Clarke on violin Back to Hell got its official live launch tonight in Glasgow.

This is a gig I have been looking forward to for some time and it was like the planets aligned tonight to make it one of those memorable gig nights.… Read the rest

Kilmarnock Calling

May 24, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

The Bellfield Tavern

I had been meaning to get across to Kilmarnock for some time to see a gig in The Bellfield Tavern. There are regularly plenty of not to be missed great gigs on in the venue. Unfortunately, up until recently I had missed every single one of them. Hmmmm. I rectified that recently and vowed not to be a stranger to the quality wee venue.

I finally managed to get along a couple of weeks ago to see a fantastic punk triple bill – Fife’s Crimedesk, West Lothian’s Heavy Drapes and all the way from Belfast, The Defects.… Read the rest

Free Gig Tickets – Reservoir Droog’s gigs

May 22, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Free Gig Tickets

I’m sure that heading has got your attention…

Fellow blogger (Reservoir Droogs), lover of music, vinyl, books & film, gig promoter and all round good guy Alex “Mainy” Main is keen to ensure those who love live music aren’t disadvantaged by their circumstances.

He is introducing an initiative with gigs he is promoting (and spreading the word amongst other bands and promoters) to allow music lovers who might not otherwise have been able to attend, to go to a gig they may really want to attend.

I asked him to share some information about this and allow the word to spread….… Read the rest