Album/Single Review - The Ginger Quiff

Pizza Crunch – That Serene Age – EP Review

September 28, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

Pizza Crunch are undoubtedly one of my bands of 2022, so it is no surprise that their new EP, That Serene Age, which comes out this Friday, cements my love for a band who I nearly didn’t listen to initially because of their name. A name which I incidentally now love for a variety of reasons.

You may be familiar now with some of the singles that have preceded the EP, Wilting Youth is a particular standout for me and, I’d hazard a guess at it being one of my most listened to songs of the year. The titles of the other singles, Young Excitement and Romanticised Past, may give an indication as to the subject matter tackled on the EP.… Read the rest

Return to Returned from Sea – Sister John live in the Glad Cafe

September 24, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

glad (adjective) “feeling pleasure or happiness”

I have to say that after a few weeks of feeling little pleasure or happiness, last night, The Glad Cafe was an appropriately named venue for the fifth birthday celebration of Returned from Sea, the gloriously emotional debut album from Sister John. Nights like this should be available on prescription. the power that live music can have over me cannot be emphasised enough.

I think I can be fairly sure I’m not just speaking for myself when I say how special this night was. A quick scan around the venue during Sister John’s set and I observing rapt faces entirely transfixed by the perfect performance from the effortlessly cool quartet of Jonathan (complete with broken finger), Amanda, Sophie and Heather.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up Part 8 – August 2022

September 5, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

Another month passes, and another cracking bunch of singles passes through Ginger Quiff towers… new bands, old bands, new songs, classic cover versions… you name it, it’s here. If you feel so inclined, share this blog and share some love for these songs. There is a link below to a Spotify playlist…(I know… I hate Spotify too). Follow the bands, buy their music.

The Fades – You Follow Me Around

The latest single to be released from forthcoming album, Night Terrors, is this boisterous garage rock romp with Dave writing & singing about what on the face of it seems to be about dealing with a cat that can’t leave him alone from the moment he walks through the door, I think all cat owners can relate to that, especially anyone that had to work from home during COVID.… Read the rest

Collars – Clyde – album review

August 26, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

I’ve been a fan of Collars since the came to my attention with their 2021 single Over You, their fourth single. With each single since, they have piqued my interest more and more, honing their sound and creating a series of indispensable and compelling releases in the process. I’d been crying out for an album full of these addictive songs, so when I received the email with the forthcoming album, Clyde, attached I downloaded it at breakneck speed with an irascibly skittish exhilaration. Well, as speedily as my aging laptop would allow at least…

I’ll come back to that stirring and vivacious music shortly.… Read the rest

Sloan Brothers – System Update – album review

August 24, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

I made a rash statement about Sloan Brothers earlier this year after hearing the first single from this album. I said that if the rest of the album was as good, it was destined to be one of my favourite albums of the year. Turns out my radar was on point, as System Update has become one of my most played albums of the year, so it has been extremely remiss of me not to have featured it in some way before now. Time to redeem myself.

Athens, Georgia is already responsible for one of the most successful bands to come out of the USA, which just so happen to be up there with my most beloved bands, and is home to R Sloan Simpson who, having documented and recorded music over the twenty years previously, suddenly had nothing to do during 2020/21 following the decimation of the live music scene.… Read the rest

Introducing the Band – Earl of Hell – Interview and EP review

August 19, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

Earlier this year Earl of Hell released their debut EP, Get Smoked which includes the single, Blood Disco, one of my favourite songs from last year and the one which first brought the band to my attention.

The band were kind enough to take some time out to answer some questions for the Ginger Quiff.

A review of the EP appears below the interview.

The Ginger Quiff: Tell me about the band – who is everyone – how did you get together as a band?

Earl of Hell:

Eric – Vocals

Lewis – Guitar & Vocals

Dan – Guitar

Dean – Bass

Ryan – Drums

We got together as a 4-piece in March 2020 after seeing Lewis’s “Uncle Sam-style” advert.… Read the rest

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 – 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 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