Interview - The Ginger Quiff

Review of the Year – 2022

January 7, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

If I don’t get my arse in gear, it’ll be February before I publish my round up of 2022. To be honest, I’ve still got a (virtual) pile of albums still to review… as a result, some of my favourite records of 2022 will be in the lists but remain unreviewed!

Singles of the Year

I already published my top 15 singles of the year (well actually I published a list of 80 songs…. but my top 15 were as follows:

15 – Dumb Poets – Magic Happens

14 – Dream Wife – Leech

13 – Syvdoh – As I Lay Dying

12 – The Bobby Lees – Monkey Mind

11 – Collars – Baby I’m Bored

10 – Keeley – Shadows on the Hill

9 – His Lordship – All Cranked Up

8 – Brontes – First Hand Arrogance

7 – Jemma Freeman and the Cosmic Something Easy Peelers

6 – Sacred Noise – Part of Me

5 – Junk Pups – Miss Behave

4 – Horsegirl – Anti Glory

3 – Pizza Crunch – Wilting Youth

2 – Water Machine – Hot Real Estate

1 – Monica Queen – What is Home?

… Read the rest

Anti Social Worker – Annual Report, Q&A with Paul Wellings

September 26, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

(Courtesy of guest contributor Craig White)

Early Spring saw the release from out of nowhere of ‘Militant Business And Grime Poetry’, an album, as the title would suggest, of street poetry recited to a mix of urban and hip-hop sounds – It’s a very good collection of hard hitting tunes, the words likewise at times, but also autobiographical and tender as well. I produced a very favourable review, amongst others as positive, including one from his old colleague Attila The Stockbroker. It has received useful radio exposure, and he has taken his poetry to a number of festivals, appearances which drew much praise from contemporaries and audiences.… 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

Introducing the Band… Sacred Noise

March 21, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

Sacred Noise, one of my ”22 for ‘22” recently released their second single Part of Me, and are due to play their debut live gig in Glasgow’s Bloc+ on Thursday this week (24th March).

Unfortunately, having followed the band since their inception, I am missing this debut as I am out of the country with work… That doesn’t stop me encouraging the rest of you to throw caution to the wind and get your glad rags on and head over to Bloc+ on Thursday for a cracking night’s entertainment.

Sacred Noise indulged me and agreed to answer a few questions by way of an introduction to the band and their music…

Introducing the Band

GQ: I feel as if I’ve been on a journey with you as a band, following your social media for some time and hearing you grow.… Read the rest

Review of the the Year – The Best of 2021

December 9, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

Yet another bumper year for new releases by new artists, classic re-issues and comebacks from some old favourites.

Despite what the salivating broadcasters and media will have you believe, there was so much more to the year than a new album by A****e, the banality of which didn’t even register on the gingerquiff seismograph such was its insignificance in the shadow of so much in the way of superb and exciting music that moved me. (Yes, I know she has a great voice, but oh so dull).

Anyway, no more focussing on negatives, There were so many remarkable albums this year that, once again, I can’t narrow them down to my ten favourites, so before I run down my Top 10 albums of the year, here are those…

In 11th Place (in no particular order)…

It was so hard to leave anyone out this year, I have loved records by so many wonderful and diverse bands and artists.… Read the rest

Interview: 5 minutes with silken-voiced Katherine Aly

December 1, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

Silken voiced Katherine Aly released her latest single, Rules, last week. The single is the follow up to her powerful and compelling previous single, and its equally powerful accompanying video, Pariah.

I interviewed Katherine last month following her thoroughly captivating gig in Glasgow’s intimate Hug & Pint venue.

Katherine Aly

The Ginger Quiff: For anyone who doesn’t know about Katherine Aly, tell me a bit about your background, how you first got into playing music, influences and so on.

Katherine Aly: I’m originally from Greece where I started playing and releasing music but I’ve been an Edinburgh-based artist for some time now.… Read the rest

Hodge on Hodge – Carol Hodge – Interview and album review

August 12, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

Hodge on Hodge

The master of the torch song, punk pianist extraordinaire, and all round good egg, Carol Hodge is back. Her new album, The Crippling Space Between has been one of my go to listens over the last while since she gave early access to anyone who had signed up to her Patreon page.

The last time I spoke to Carol was in February of last year before all the shit hit the fan. At that point, I was hoping there would be a real-life Hodge meet up at that years Scotland Calling Punk Festival. She was due to be playing piano and keyboards playing Crass songs with Steve Ignorant.… Read the rest

Marianne Dissard – Interview

July 26, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

Marianne Dissard

Marianne Dissard is a French born singer/songwriter, who spent a large part of her life living in Tucson, Arizona. She started her career as a film-maker before taking up singing, and releasing her first album in 2006.

I am making up for lost time listening to her wonderful back catalogue having been introduced to her music through her sultry re-working of Richie Valens Come on Let’s Go and the remarkable Prisencolinensinainciusol by Adrian Celentano. These were initially planned to be part of a covers album, although having now released several of her covers as singles, the album might not materialise imminently.… Read the rest

Run Into The Night – band interview

January 31, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

Last year, Run Into the Night announced a change to their line-up with Ellie moving on to pastures new and her seat at the drum kit being taken by the sartorially elegant Androo. I had the opportunity to catch up with Christina and Androo at the turn of the year to talk about the future for Run Into the Night

Line Up Changes

The Ginger Quiff: Before I ask about the new line up and plans for the future, I’d like to look back. Christina, tell us about some of your highlights so far with Run Into the Night and Ellie on drums?… Read the rest

Interview with Tulsa Queen

July 2, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

On the eve of her debut “live” gig, I had an opportunity to catch up with Wiggy from Curdle about her solo country (and beyond) project, Tulsa Queen.

Tulsa Queen

The Ginger Quiff: I’m assuming the name comes from the great Emmylou Harris song, tell me about the inspiration behind Tulsa Queen? Which other country artists inspire you?

Tulsa Queen: It sure does. I absolutely love that song. When i first heard it i couldn’t get the chord changes and the lyrics and the whole feel of it out of my head for weeks, it’s so gorgeous. I just love country music (the good country music, not the shite!)… Read the rest