Free Gig Tickets – Reservoir Droog’s gigs

May 22, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Free Gig Tickets

I’m sure that heading has got your attention…

Fellow blogger (Reservoir Droogs), lover of music, vinyl, books & film, gig promoter and all round good guy Alex “Mainy” Main is keen to ensure those who love live music aren’t disadvantaged by their circumstances.

He is introducing an initiative with gigs he is promoting (and spreading the word amongst other bands and promoters) to allow music lovers who might not otherwise have been able to attend, to go to a gig they may really want to attend.

I asked him to share some information about this and allow the word to spread….… Read the rest

Britrock Must Be Destroyed – May 19th, Glasgow

May 20, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

May 19th 2018 – a date to remember

So apparently today is some sort of big day. Something involving a ginger (small g) bloke and a (bad) actress celebrating a good feeling? Oh, and a number of games involving 22 blokes kicking a spherical object around for 90 minutes to try to win some silver things.

All that pales into insignificance, none of it really matters as the main event is happening in the O2 Academy. There is some premier 90’s rock to be had for the discerning Glaswegian punter. Anticipation has been building for this event for some time. The great and the good will be in attendance for this not to be missed event, only the select few will get this opportunity.… Read the rest

Mental Health Awareness Week 2018

May 14, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Today marks the start of Mental Health Awareness week (14th – 20th May 2018), so I couldn’t let it pass without a blog.

You’ll know by now if you’ve read my blogs that I’m passionate about raising awareness of mental health, a passion that stems from my own experiences.

My own mental health and that of others has been fresh in my mind in recent days and weeks.

From a personal perspective events have conspired to test my resolve. Events that in years gone would have seen me crumble, letting my negative thoughts in and letting them win. A time where I would have catastrophised every situation visualising the worst possible outcome, filtering out all potentially positive outcomes to paint a bleak picture of the future.… Read the rest

ILL – We are ILL – album review

May 7, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

ILL vs Music Today

I like music to inspire, to excite and invigorate. To take me off in unexpected directions and escape reality, or at least give me a different take on reality. I like my music to provoke thought but not be too po-faced. Music is for enjoyment, it can be fun even if you’re trying to make a point.

I can’t stand the unending conveyor belt of beige, insipid, uninspiring bands (groups?) that appear in droves these days. On one hand I blame reality shows like X Factor. All because a similar group/pretty boy with a guitar released an instantly forgettable ditty that became massive.… Read the rest

Ginger Wildheart Interview

May 1, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Ginger – Ghost in the Tanglewood

Ginger Wildheart has recently released his latest solo album, Ghost in the Tanglewood, recently reviewed on my blog. Personally, I found the album to be inspirational. I wanted to talk to Ginger about the background to this very personal album, much of which focuses on his own battle with depression.

While people are more open about talking about Mental Health these days, there is still too much of a stigma around it. The more people like Ginger are willing to share their personal experiences, the further society can progress. It can only help in understanding and supporting those who do battle depression and other Mental Health issues.… Read the rest

Accept Yourself

April 15, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

“When will you accept yourself?” (Morrissey, The Smiths, 1983)

Despite what the start of this blog looks like, this isn’t a music post. It doesn’t actually have anything to do with the Smiths or Morrissey per se, but everything to do with that lyric. It says a lot to me about my life.

I’ve had a number of conversations recently that has brought this to mind and I took that as an opportunity to post this blog.

Talk about your Mental Health

At work I have recently joined a team of Mental Health and Wellbeing Champions with a remit of raising awareness of mental health in the workplace.… Read the rest

Time to Talk Day 2018 – Mental Health Awareness

January 28, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Time to Talk Day 2018

This coming week heralds a new month. Where has January gone? And on February 1^st it is “Time to Talk Day 2018”. The aim of this day is to get people talking about mental health issues and reduce the taboo. To make it easy for people to ask for help when they need it without feeling as if they will be judged.

No matter who you are, where you are, what you do, what age you are, we all have mental health. Like our physical health we all have the potential to suffer from poor health from time to time.… Read the rest

Razur Cuts

January 4, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Razur Cuts

Compiled and produced by Derek S, Razur Cuts is for fans of stories, poetry and music and caters for those who yearn for the days of self-published fanzines. Get your hands on Razur Cuts IV before it sells out.

With its glossy cover it is a bit more high-tech than the old photocopied fanzines of old but the principle is still there. And it’s something tangible for those who still prefer a physical magazine or book.

The magazine features contributions from a variety of people, both new or more established, showcasing their short stories, poetry, interviews and articles.… Read the rest

The Price of Progress?

December 19, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

The Price of Progress?

I was listening to a news story on the radio the other day about technology, specifically around the music industry.

It was on the back of publication Spotify executive’s salaries and the way we access music in the 21^st Century. The general gist of the story was that the Apple store will probably disappear in the next 5 years as people won’t own the music but stream only. It all smacks to me that the changes are for those high up in Apple and Spotify and less to do with the artists or giving the public what they “want”.… Read the rest

The Dark Side of Christmas

December 15, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

The Dark Side of Christmas

At this time of year, we tend to get caught up in our own bubble. While Christmas is a time of joy and happiness for many, it is also a struggle in countless ways for too many others.

In recent weeks, I have seen a lot of posts on social media promoting things like “Sleep in the Park” and “Social Bite” to support rough sleepers and those without a permanent address. It is great that so many are supporting others. Where is the government?

Rough Sleepers

However, I have also seen some appalling & callous comments on Facebook from people who have no sympathy for rough sleepers: “I have no sympathy”, “give them a shovel” and “it is their choice”.… Read the rest