Punk - The Ginger Quiff

The Ones That Got Away… Punk Double Feature – The Pulsebeats & Year Zero

April 3, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

A couple of first wave of punk influenced records here from The Pulsebeats & Year Zero, most definitely on the melodic end of the scale here, with The Pulsebeats verging on power pop, we’re talking Buzzcocks/The Vapors crossed with Husker Du territory here, with Year Zero continuing in the vein of energetic classic punk rock taking their lead from the usual suspects but putting their own spin on things with influences from throughout the decades.

Apologies to both bands as these were albums that were sent to me an age ago and ended up on my “to listen to and review” list for way too long, ending up getting lost amongst the chaos, a great shame and pity that I haven’t shared these before now as they are both exuberant collections of sing/dance/pogo along to punk anthems.… Read the rest

Sacred Noise – live in Bloc+

March 25, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

This time last week I was still gutted that I wouldn’t catch Sacred Noise play their debut gig in Glasgow’s Bloc+.

I was resigned to this fact so to appease myself slightly I endeavoured to metaphorically shout about the band with a wee Introducing the Band feature.

Little did I know at the time but I was to be the only delegate on my training in Darlington, so we shot through the day at pace and I was on a train back home an evening earlier than expected. Still, I expected not to be back in time…

If i wasn’t an atheist, I’d say someone was looking out for me as, despite nipping into the office to finish some work, I managed to get to Bloc+ before the band made their appearance.… Read the rest

Bela and the Lugosis – Vampire Kiss – album review

February 21, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

Before you press play on any of these songs, I imagine you will have some idea of the style of music, Bela and the Lugosis – Vampire Kiss, screams 70s disco crossed with grime doesn’t it? I jest of course. If you are yearning for the days you wore only back, came out only in the hours of darkness with your pale complexion, eyeliner (or guyliner!) and black nail varnish, this album will have you re-living nights in the Tech. Actually, if that is still how you roll, this album is for you.

Of course, the band name recalls the gothest of all goth bands (cue debate from all the ”real” goths out there), the mighty Bauhaus.… Read the rest

From Berlin to Russia, Punky Rock n Roll to Reggae and everything in between… bitesize album reviews (Joe Whyte)

February 15, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

My output has been sparse to say the least in 2022, it is therefore with great thanks due to Joe Whyte (Vive Le Rock writer and guitarist with legendary Airdrie punks Reaction) that this blog contains not one but four album reviews covering the globe and providing a gamut of musical styles to suit all tastes…

First up, from one of my favourite record labels, Tarbeach, is an album from Two Hearts, a band I only became aware of last year after they performed as part of Cynthia Ross birthday bash streaming live from NYC…

Two Hearts

Rock ‘N’ Roll 2020 (Tarbeach)

7/10

A Japanese love letter to NYC

I’d have to say that this one was a slow-burner for me; the first couple of listens didn’t convince and I found the lo-fi, clattering production slightly irritating.… Read the rest

The Ones That Got Away… Filthy Filthy – Getting Away With It – album review

December 30, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

Continuing in my attempt to get some last reviews in before we hit 2022, for some albums that I was late in getting to, or that were just too late to get into my end of year blog posts.

Next up its some old school punk rock n’ roll courtesy of Hull’s Filthy Filthy. Having noted that I hadn’t featured many albums that could be classified as “punk” in my top 25 albums of the year, I’ve been enjoying this and the debut from Year Zero which was also released in the latter stages of the year. More on Year Zero in another post though..… Read the rest

A Damaged Christmas Gift For You – Review

December 20, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

There are several Christmas albums that I would consider essential listening for this time of year. The 2000 compilation Its a Cool Cool Christmas for one, with a host of quality songs from the likes of Eels, El Vez, Drugstore no a personal family favourite, Christmas Boogaloo by Big Boss Man. Christmas by Low, whose Just Like Christmas appears on the aforementioned compilation, is another must listen at Christmas, while a modern classic, Ghost Stories fro Christmas (Aidan Moffat and RM Hubert) jumped straight into my all time favourite Christmas albums list on its release a few years ago.

Of course, one of the all time classics is A Christmas Gift for You, featuring the famous wall of sound in contributions from Darlene Love, The Ronettes, Bob B Soxx and the Blue Jeans and The Crystals.… Read the rest

Thirteen – Ego Trap – EP review

November 23, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

“We are Thirteen, punk rock and roll” yell’s Dolly Robinson on the bands theme song and literally the closing number on their new Ego Trap EP, a full frontal assault on the senses, this is a mighty head rush of exactly what the band claim to be on heir eponymous song.

Dolly Robinson is the only remaining member of the original line up. The band formed in 2013 and have so far released two EPs and two full length albums. There was a bit of an enforced hiatus when Dolly was looking to recruit new band members following the departure of original members, but I’m glad to say, this search for new members has been a more than fruitful one.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2021 – Part 11

October 10, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

Another bumper batch of singles, demoes, or tracks that have somehow made their way into my slightly detached world . I’ve been trying desperately to keep on top of all the new releases and singles that keep catching my eye/ear, evidently I am only human and there are loads I’ve missed, and some probably included here that have been out for a while but I’m only getting my lugs around them now.

As always, these are in no particular order and where available, they’ve been added to the Ginger Quiff 2021 Playlist.

First up, its a bittersweet song…

The Jazz Butcher – Time

Many of us will have been shocked and saddened by the sudden passing this week of one of independent music’s most highly respected and talented free spirits in The Jazz Butcher iconoclast himself, Pat Fish.… Read the rest

The Muslims – Fuck These Fuckin Fascists – album review

September 15, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

As John Lydon does all he can to piss on the legacy of punk and the Sex Pistols, through wearing his MAGA hats and moving further to the right and dissing the left, the true voice of punk in the 21^st Century belongs to the likes of the visceral voice and unyielding energy of Bob Vylan, the most important UK punk act to emerge in recent years. And from the US, while musically treading a poppier punk path but with no less anger and resentment towards a countless list of deserving targets it’s the turn of THE MUSLIMS “a crunchy, kickass punk band of Black + brown queer muzzies.”… Read the rest

GIFTSHOP – Kewl With Me & More Than That

August 28, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

I recently interviewed Carol Hodge, and reviewed her new album The Crippling Space Between, for the Ginger Quiff (read it here), during our chat we talked about streaming gigs, and how over the period of lockdown, we initially religiously tuned into every stream going, but eventually got tired of doing so, longing for the real thing.

However, two of the most memorable live streams for me were the two I stayed up into the wee small hours for, both “live” from the Big Apple. One was to watch the wonderful New York Junk supported by an incredible set from Beechwood and songs from a host of other supporting acts (including Glasgow homeboy and friend of the blog, Jonzip).… Read the rest