2 Sevens – Not for Resale EP

June 13, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

I was recently on holiday in the USA and I wondered why Glasgow’s 2Sevens kept popping into my head as I’d never actually heard any of their music. It was only when I got home I realised it was an unconscious observational moment – the bands original logo was based on the US 7 Eleven retail stores chain…

Well, I can now say I have heard the band’s music, with the band releasing their debut EP, physical copies of which will be available at the bands upcoming gigs.

Not for Resale

The band make a thoroughly enjoyable punk rock noise, I Can’t Take It launching the 3 tracks with persistent riffing, Into You builds to a crescendo from its initial understated bass and drums (not to be mistaken with drum and bass) intro.… Read the rest

Ex- EP 7 review

May 31, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

I’m not sure if Meek ever sleeps. His creative juices seem to flow 24/7 – what with writing many of his own books and compiling the works of others in the “For the Many, Not the Few” series, now onto its 8^th volume, the musical output from him (and the rest of Ex- of course) takes some beating.

The latest EP Ex- 7 is a case in point.

The three tracks here are of the now expected superior quality I’ve come to expect from Ex-, their melodic punk/NY garage-rock sounds complemented by Meek’s satisfying rich burr.

Ex- songs always have an intelligent lyric and an eminently memorable refrain or chorus.… Read the rest

Duncan Reid and the Big Heads at Scotland Calling

Scotland Calling 2019 – a rambling review (of sorts)

April 29, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Having been to every Scotland Calling since its inception, tickets were duly purchased 12 months in advance for this year’s event before really looking at who was on the bill. It may sound strange to say but largely, it hasn’t mattered in years gone by. Not to say that it doesn’t matter at all, obviously the bill will switch off and turn on different people accordingly and of course, being a fan of live music, it is always great to see be at a gig. But for me, Scotland Calling has become an annual day out spent with two of my closest pals.… Read the rest

DELINQUENTS – Sober on Sunday EP – review

April 20, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Dundee’s DELINQUENTS released one of my favourite albums of 2017 in the eminently listenable About Last Night, a raucous selection of punk rock tunes.

This four track E.P. is a step progression from their debut, if anything the four tracks here are a cut above, strong musically and lyrically and a sign of greater things to come. This is the sound of David Hennessey and the band making headway, and signalling their future intent. If About Last Night was Saturday, today it is Sunday, and we know what that means…

The band announce their arrival with full throttle pedal to the metal punk riffing and an ode to drinking too much.… Read the rest

The Lee Harveys, Reaction and Fire Exit – Glasgow Audio

February 24, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Party Cities

Glasgow and Dublin are famed for their music heritage and the love of a good party, the two came together in fine form last night in an evening not to be forgotten.

The date – 23^rd February 2019, the venue – Audio in Glasgow, the bands – Reaction, Fire Exit and The Lee Harveys. Just an average Saturday gig night in the city with my best mate? Not a chance.

Something was afoot, the planets somehow aligning bringing everything together in harmonious union. This wasn’t just your average gig, this was a celebration. The atmosphere was euphoric throughout, one which started with eager anticipation and ended with enraptured and slightly merry exhilaration.… Read the rest

The Media Whores – A Decade of Defiance

February 17, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Mercury Music Award nominated for their last album (read more here), the magnificent work of art that is Dangerous Minds, The Media Whores release this phenomenal compilation as a precursor to their fourth long-player coming later in the year.

A look at the album cover and track listing tells you a lot about the band and their stance on a variety of subjects.

The cover represents a wall covered in graffiti and posters. One poster bearing the legend “Stop Making Stupid People Famous” a salient comment on today’s society and the surfeit of talentless vacuous celebrities (I use the word loosely) who are only famous for being famous.… Read the rest

The Ginger Quiff – Goodbye 2018

December 29, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

It is that time again…

Yes, it is that time again. Time to reflect on the year gone by as we approach the end of 2018.

In terms of music, I think you could say it was an up and down year.

On the plus side, the year that confirmed to me that while the charts are filled with artists who release/stream “tracks”, and in the last few days, HMV have announced they are in trouble again, the album is still hanging on in there and vinyl continues to make a revival. There have been some tremendous albums released in the past 12 months, several of which I have had the pleasure of reviewing here or for Louder Than War, but probably an equal number that I have loved but for one reason or the other, never got around to reviewing.… Read the rest

Garry Alexander Borland – Tribute gig – Audio, Glasgow 9/12

December 11, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

High on Emotion

This weekend ended on a pretty bloody special note. A night that will live long in the memory. No, scratch that, a night that I will never forget.

The weekend had kicked off on a high with a brilliant works night out, so it was fitting that it should end on a high too. There were moments of emotion throughout my weekend. My first viewing of It’s A Wonderful Life for the year always ends with my eyes watering slightly, well, quite a lot. And I welled up again during Sunday morning’s Santa Dash. I know, I’m a sap. … 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

The Fuck Ups & Soeur EP reviews

April 14, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Why you should go to gigs early

Next up, it’s a couple of CD EPs I’ve recently picked up as a result of seeing some great support bands at gigs.

Anyone that doesn’t turn up early to gigs to see the support bands isn’t only doing a dis-service to the bands who put the effort in, but they are missing the opportunity to see some great bands.

The Fuck Ups – Lies

First up, it’s the Fuck-Ups from Ayrshire and their new EP Lies. I recently caught the band playing as support to Rats From a Sinking Ship in the Hug and Pint in Glasgow.… Read the rest