Gigs in Glasgow - The Ginger Quiff

Albums of the Year 2023

December 30, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

Before I list my favourite “Albums of the Year 2023”, an apology.

I have been inundated this year with new music, new albums, requests for reviews and features. First, I’m happy that there is so much great music out there and that I’m party to being able to hear and share that new music, but secondly, a huge apology to many bands and artists whose music I’ve loved and planned to review/feature but it hasn’t happened. I’d love nothing more than to spend my life listening to and writing about music (and the book I keep meaning to finish), but that doesn’t pay the bills.… Read the rest

Bar Stool Preachers/Ultrabomb/Billy Liar – live in Stereo

December 16, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

This week has been one of those that never seems to end. Work all day, head to hotel, eat, work all evening… eat, work, sleep in perpetual motion. So when it got to Thursday it really felt like it should be Friday, I was so tired I had to stop the car for fear of falling asleep…

If I’m honest the thought of hauling my arse out again when I got home didn’t fill me with joy, but I’d been looking forward to it for an age… Time was tight, from arriving home to getting to the station (throwing some food down in between) took around 20 minutes.… Read the rest

Dancer – As Well – EP review

December 4, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

At the end of this week at La Chunky in Glasgow’s West End, the scene is set for what is to be one of the gig events of December when three band’s come together to play an exclusive gig to the lucky 40 punters who manage to secure a ticket. The three bands are, the oft-featured in these pages, Water Machine and Brenda, alongside Dancer, who recently released their latest 5 track EP, As Well.

Dancer is made up of members of bands such as Nightshift, Order of the Toad and Robert Sotelo: Gemma Fleet (Vocals), Chris Taylor (Guitar/Keytar). Andrew Doig (Bass) and Gavin Murdoch Drums) who, when they come together, make one glorious racket.… Read the rest

The Hedrons – Tired of Taking – album review

November 29, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

The Hedrons announced their return with a bang playing an energised set in SWG3 towards the end of last year to mark the re-release (& for the first time on vinyl) of their debut album, One More Won’t Kill Us on Past Night from Glasgow, with the promise of more to come. A few months later they teased us with the hotly anticipated rollicking rollercoaster that was their killer single Heartache, now the long awaited follow up to that impressive debut, Tired of Taking, is finally available on your chosen digital platform for your aural delectation. For sure this album proves the title of that debut, one more won’t kill them, damn right, it’ll only make them stronger.… Read the rest

King Kurt & The Three ‘n’ Eights live in Rocknrollas

November 12, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

As the chorus of their opening song says, King Kurt are back again, and the way my body feels this morning, it was the first steps on my own road to rack and ruin. I need to remember in the future I’m a man in my 50s and perhaps wrecking should be in the past. But fuck it, it was King Kurt what was I supposed to do?

My first time in Rocknrolla’s in Paisley and it certainly is an imposing and impressive venue. What wasn’t my first time though was seeing tonight’s support band, The Three ‘n’ Eights. A band who, for the uninitiated, play, in their own inimitable style, their unique combination of country punkabiilly, for want of a better description.… Read the rest

His Lordship – Room 2, Glasgow – live review

November 10, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

Entering Glasgow’s Room 2 for the second time in as many weeks, I had an overwhelming feeling of deja-vu, the same suave soothing sounds and dulcet tones of the duskily debonair Louise McVey and the Cracks in the Concrete emanating from the stage as the last time I visited, their music creating a hypnotic air of calming re-assurance. The venue wasn’t quite as pitch black as last time though, meaning I was able to see your friendly neighbourhood promoter this time, rather than walk straight into him. His Lordship obviously draw from the same pool of music fans as Kid Congo, as I bumped (not literally this time) into many friendly faces around the venue, as well as noticing several of the same good folks of discerning music tastes from Glasgow and its environs in the crowd, and also having an impromptu school re-union – and believe me when I say that wasn’t yesterday (I’ll get you that pint next time Douglas…)

His Lordship seem to like playing Glasgow, this being the third time I’ve witnessed His Lordship’s live extravaganza in a couple of years (you could say four if you count The Pretenders…) so you would be forgiven for thinking there would be an element of being prepared for what James, Kristoffer and Dave were about to serve up.… Read the rest

Water Machine – live in the Hug and Pint

November 9, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

After a brief break from gigging in their home city, touring south of the border and recording their hotly anticipated debut album, Water Machine returned to gigging at the Great Western at the weekend, so this gig supporting Snooper was their second Glasgow date in three days.

After a stressful day, a gig is always the perfect antidote. That is unless you come up against transport issues and your stress is multiplied… Unfit, out of shape and bedraggled, I walked into the venue just as the band were assembling to start their set. A joyful sight, especially as I had almost ditched any attempt at making it there on time.… Read the rest

The Bathers, The Cowboy Mouth & Sister John – live in the GUU Debating Chamber

October 28, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

The second “grown ups” gig of the week, this time in the impressive surroundings of the GUU Debating Chamber, a first for me, and the third in a triumvirate of gigs featuring the classy trio of Sister John, The Cowboy Mouth and, celebrating the release of the astounding new album Sirenesque, The Bathers.

This time the turn of kicking off what was to be a very special night indeed was down to the multi-talented Sister John, who never fail to impress. Tonight was no different as they treated the gathered throng of music fans to their unique brand of laidback folky rock that takes in all the best bits of the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Velvet Underground, and everything in between, some 60s psychedelia, some tasty Neil Young riffs… As usual I was mesmerised throughout, the soothing effect of their music creating an overall feeling of well-being, especially on Over Again washing away the stresses of the working week. … Read the rest

Sarah Borges & Carol Hodge – Live in the Glad Cafe

October 28, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

The first of two civilised “sit doon” gigs to end the week and the return of Hodge and Borges. And slightly different affair this time around, with Ms Hodge sans band, and Ms Borges joined by just Keith on bass/vocals.

Not that it made a difference entertainment wise, Carol always puts on a show whether it is performing Penis Envy Crass songs, full band performances or solo. Tonight was no exception, with a performance including many of my favourite Hodge compositions – kicking off with Moan of a Thousand Years, and taking us through all her themes – worrying, death, anxiety… including the songs that could be the soundtrack to my own life Stop Worrying Baby, Bear With Me, her cover of Offspring’s Smash and one of the top anti-Thatcher songs out there, The Witch is Dead.… Read the rest

Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds – Room 2

October 26, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

If you’re reading this expecting a detailed in depth review of Kid Congo Powers at Room 2, you should probably exit. This isn’t so much a review as the rambling thoughts of an aging music fan with social anxiety issues.

On the way to the gig I posted a throwaway comment on Facebook, (mis)quoting Bill Shankly, “Some people believe music is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.”

That statement, no matter how throwaway it seemed when I posted it, translated in a way I couldn’t have imagined as I headed into Room 2.… Read the rest