Punk - The Ginger Quiff

Lungleg and Curdle – live in The Hug and Pint

July 15, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

Photo courtesy of Chris Hogge Photography

Sometimes the planets align to create to what, for all intent and purpose, is a perfect night. Some knuckle dragging morons celebrate the date of this gig for what can only be described as their own brain dead reasons, however, the lucky gathering in one of Glasgow’s best venues, The Hug and Pint, had much more of a reason to celebrate in the presence of legendary riot grrrl punks, the wonderful Lungleg and the prime proponents of their unique brand of darkly humorous gore, the one and only Curdle, coming together in the presence of a fervent home crowd to create an electric atmosphere from the off. … Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2023 – Part 6 – June

July 1, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

June singles round up featuring some of the best new music around including joint “Singles of the Month” by the mighty Water Machine, Brenda, Bin Juice and KEELEY

I’m afraid time is not currently my friend, so like the May round up…. only just published in July…. There are no write ups of the songs featured.

That doesn’t mean I haven’t listened to all of them. After all, none of them would be here if I didn’t love them all …

Hopefully my time management will improve and normal service will be resumed in July

Water Machine – Water Machine Pt.

… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2023 – Part 5 – May

July 1, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

It’s taken me much longer than it should have to get May’s Singles Round Up done. I blame fatigue from the onset of unseasonably hot weather in Glasgow… as well as a general inability to fit everything I need to do into a seven day week.

Apologies to all the featured bands and artists this month for not getting an individual write up, suffice to say, every single song has been listened to and loved. Much kudos to the vast number of great new songs in May from Glasgow/Scottish based bands and artists here. I hate to choose favourites but special mention to “Singles of the Month” from Sacred Noise, Kohla, Pedalo, Parliamo, Quad 90 and Jemma Freeman and the Cosmic Something….you… Read the rest

Guns ‘n’ Roses & The Pretenders – live in Bellahouston Park

June 28, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

It’s not without an element of happy surprise that I’m writing this blog. I’ve never hidden the fact that I’m not what you’d call a hardcore fan of Guns ‘n’ Roses, or more particularly the voice of Axl Rose, having a tendency to lean more towards the guitars in the band, I did have the pleasure of witnessing Slash and Duff several times in their guise of Velvet Revolver. Don’t get me wrong, I think Appetite for Destruction is a classic debut, one that took its blueprint from the likes of Hanoi Rocks and The Heartbreakers and added their own hard rock edge and punk attitude to create the sound that many others would try, and fail, to replicate.… Read the rest

Ex-, 2 Sevens and Buzzbomb – live in Glasgow

June 18, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

Second gig of the weekend, and another first for me, this time around, for whatever reason, it was the first time I’d managed to catch Glasgow’s 2 Sevens live, on a triple bill also featuring Ex- and Buzzbomb.

Currently riding high following the release of their recent EP, 13 (count ’em!), Ex- are always a pleasure to witness live, Colin Meek with current line up, Scott on drums, Dave on bass and Tam on Guitar producing an always sublime selection of first wave of punk influenced guitar band sounds, alongside thought provoking and contemplative lyrics, Meek being a prolific and talented writer also having a wheen of books to his name too.… Read the rest

Lambrini Girls & Bin Juice – Live in the Hug and Pint, Glasgow

June 17, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

In a week which ended in a day spent in a sweltering workplace with no air conditioning, a journey home on train full of bams with a lack of any social airs or graces, delivery companies that just don’t deliver, and a thunder and lightning storm that did little to reduce the humidity, I was in need of some light relief. I nearly turned back from the station as I was running late, doubting I would make it in time for the mighty Bin Juice, and I felt like a hideous sweaty mess, even my eyeballs were sweating, and my hay fever was getting the better of me, but I fortuitously looked at my phone to see that Bin Juice stage time was 15 minutes later than I first thought.… Read the rest

Buzz Cutz Pt 3 – Lambrini Girls, Ex-, Big Girls Blouse, Casual Worker – EP reviews

June 5, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

Buzz Cutz Part 3 is the latest in an irregular regular series of short, sharp reviews in an attempt to catch on a backlog of releases…. so without further ado, Lambrini Girls have something to say.

Lambrini Girls – You’re Welcome EP

You’re Welcome is a lesson, nay a warning for all homophobes, transphobes, Terfs, sexists, toxic males, dinosaurs in the music industry, white van men, and generally just those who are too stupid to understand a way of life that doesn’t fit their own narrow blinkered view (case in point, extraordinary single – Help Me I’m Gay)… I could go on, you name it, they’re a target for Lambrini Girls and fuck me, they don’t miss their targets.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2023 – Part 4 – April

April 29, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

Four months into 2023 and the new music keeps coming thick and fast, so much to listen to, so much to love. As usual, there is the evil Spotify playlist at the end, try then buy….

Lambrini Girls – Lads, Lads, Lads

Ahead of the release of their EP, You’re Welcome, comes single number three from feisty punks Lambrini Girls, this time tackling the subject of lad culture and toxic masculinity with great gusto, venting their spleen with impassioned fury. Be sure to catch them when they play The Hug and Pint in June, and if you’re going south for Iggy’s Dog Day Afternoon, get their early to see them.… Read the rest

Drunk Gods – The Immortality Project – album review

April 17, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

I honestly thought after hearing nothing from Drunk Gods since their single Found the Lord & Lost My Soul/Pet Hate, back in 2018, that Ewan was on an indefinite hiatus, maybe he had found “the lord” and lost the music mojo? Thankfully this is not the case, with Ewan taking to social media at the turn of the year announcing the imminent return of Drunk Gods, this return now cemented with the release of The Immortality Project, the follow up to 2015’s self titled debut, and album title perhaps a wry observation and a hint that you can’t keep a good man down.… Read the rest

His Lordship/Bruno & The Outrageous Methods of Presentation – Live in Stereo

April 11, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

The month of April, and a week of annual leave, got off to a remarkable start gigs wise. What with a double header from The Fabulous Courettes on the Monday, including the most unusual venue for a gig I’ve ever been to, in the chapel in Barlinnie Prison, and the second with Three n Eights in tow, closely followed by the return of His Lordship to Glasgow after a triumphant slaying of the McChuills crowd last year. Two of the best live bands on the go just now, back to back, what more could a body ask for?

I’ll tell you what more a body could ask for.… Read the rest