Category: Album/Single Review

Anti Social Worker

Anti-Social Worker – Militant Business & Grime Poetry – album review

August 6, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

Guest review by Craig White


The velvet glove wields a barbed and telling flail – might be the over-riding motto of this album, a diverse and compelling set of tunes to welcome you in, before the poetry gives you a good slap, and then a bludgeoning for necessary good measure! 

Anti Social Worker (Paul Wellings) has been a busy boy (‘hustler, writer, MC, DJ, musician, author, freedom fighter’) since 1983’s ‘Punky Reggae Party’ record, and sees now is time for the follow up. He’s not wrong – almost in some poetry blessed alignment with Atilla The Stockbroker’s dub poetry album (yes, they sit well together as testaments to troubled times), punk style adopting a more relevant, and less predictable delivery!… Read the rest

Monica Queen Stop That Girl

Monica Queen – Stop That Girl – album review

August 2, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

Monica Queen is making a concerted effort to appear in my top 10 albums of the year for possibly the third year in a row with this stunning collection of cover versions and original songs.

An integral part of the Glasgow music scene going back to the 80’s, Monica owns what is surely the most stunningly recognisable voice on the circuit, ebullient and versatile and constantly in demand. Talking of in demand, partner in crime Johnny Smillie is surely one of the most sought after guitarists and producers in Glasgow, what he can’t do with a guitar just isn’t worth knowing.… Read the rest

The Reverse Cowgirls Fortis Et Fidus

The Reverse Cowgirls – Fortus et Fidus

August 1, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

Hugh Mclachlan and co. return with this exquisite and fitting 10 song tribute to his late sister Kim. The album title comes from the motto of the MacLachlan clan, translating as strong and faithful, an appropriate title for the ten emotionally charged songs on show here.

Reflecting the album’s title, the game is strong on the Glasgow quartets new collection of songs, coming across both as vigorously brawny in their own inimitable brusque garage rock cowpunk style, but dig into the song titles and lyrics and there is a touching depth to them, the love and passion for Hugh’s sister shining through on these songs, such as the seagull backed achingly beautiful lament that is Born for You.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2022 July

Singles Round Up Part 7 – July 2022

July 30, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

I’m ahead of the game this month for a change, the round up published before the month ends!. As usual, some absolute belters again this month. I’, especially enjoying Rabbit Heart and looking forward to Collars album coming soon…

Pizza Crunch – Wilting Youth

They’ve gone from Young Excitement to Wilting Youth. I know my youth is well and truly wilted… but inside I’m still 19, and listening to the constant stream of top quality singles from Glasgow’s Pizza Crunch helps keep me that way. Well, most of the time… Wilting Youth is the latest in a long line of their infectious post-punk tinged singles.… Read the rest

The Dead Thatchers Perfect Vision

The Dead Thatchers – Nae Pasaran Ya Bass/Perfect Vision – album/EP review

July 29, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

Taking nothing away from the band or their deeply engrossing and engaging music, it is actually embarrassing that a band such as this needs to exist in 21st Century Britain. It’s almost like 1979 never happened and we’ve not learnt a thing. Rising interest rates, poverty, food bands, a summer of discontent, strikes left, right and centre, a Tory government that is doing its best to increase the gap between the rich and poor and to top that off a pair of clueless Thatcher-lite puppets who just seem to spend their time arguing about who will be the worst Prime Minster for the country.… Read the rest

His Lordship – Live in McChuills

July 10, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

While the hordes of fake tanned youths and lads with bum bags descended upon Glasgow Green and a large contingent of the potential His Lordship crowd were lording it up at Pineda psychobilly festival, a small gathering in Glasgow could have a smug grin on their faces that they were at an insanely epic gig by the aforementioned His Lordship in the small but perfectly formed McChuills venue.

Nicky Stewart was spinning the tunes in the main bar, the bar staff serving drinks to Fontaines DC who had popped in for a pint after their TRNSMT set, meanwhile in the venue, the early birds were enjoying a superb set by Zydell Henry, the Rockytonk troubadour, proving that its always a good idea to get in early for the support.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2022 - May/June

Singles Round Up 2022 – Part 5/6 – May/June

July 5, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

In an effort to clear my backlog, its a bumper singles round up this time around….as usual, there should be something for everyone here,

Michael Monroe – Can’t Stop Falling Apart/Everybody’s Nobody

When it comes to good time rock ’n’ roll you can’t get much better than Finland’s premier rock star, Michael Monroe, two recent singles here in the shape of the bluesy Can’t Stop Falling Apart and in the nostalgia fuelled Everybody’s Nobody. I look forward to seeing his energetic live show again next year.

Michael Monroe

Bodega – How Can I Help Ya?

Addictive eccentric NYC indie from Bodega in the shape of How Can I Help Ya?… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2022 Pt 4

Singles Round Up 2022 – Part 4 – April (yes, I know its June now…)

June 23, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

I know, I know, I know….its June. And I started this blog post in April, and I’ve still got May and June to go… but seeing as I started – I’ll finish… singles round up for April is another bumper collection featuring everything from a band releasing its parting shot to new releases from one of Glasgow’s musical royalty…

The Bikini Bottoms – The Game

When Jack moved to London and Evan announced his departure from The Bikini Bottoms thought it was all over. Then Jack announced a new line-up and a new single in Monster Love and all was well with the world again.… Read the rest

Goodbye Mr MacKenzie live

Goodbye Mr MacKenzie/Lola in Slacks/Callum Easter – live in Barrowland

June 18, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

Who knew that after the last time Goodbye Mr MacKenzie played Barrowland in 2019 we’d have such a long wait until they returned, but return they did and boy was it worth the wait. The gig in The Garage in 2018 was special because it was a gig I thought I’d never see again, the heightened emotions from all in attendance meant a night that will live long in the memory, as will the return to Barrowland the following year, another special night. How would they be able to follow such a pair of remarkable Glasgow gigs?

Before I reveal all, I can’t omit the support bands.… Read the rest

2 Sevens

2 Sevens – Back on Track – album review

June 17, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

No Guitars were Harmed in the Recording of this Album*

John Kenny is known for launching his guitar during a live performance… 2 Sevens launch their debut album Back on Track on an unsuspecting public today. I’ve witnessed pictures of his broken guitars and In a broken Britain (there is a slight irony on the album title given current circumstances) the album is a much needed tonic, its a lot of fun, one of these albums that you put on to blow the cobwebs away and just blast out some good old punk rock n roll.

With a name like they have, you can probably work out where their key influences come from, and without meaning any disrespect to the band, that is exactly what you get on Back on Track.… Read the rest