Heavy Drapes – Crashing Like Stars

November 23, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Crashing Like Stars

The day finally arrived. Crashing Like Stars dropped onto my doormat. I, like many, have been waiting with anticipation for this album for a couple of years having witnessed the songs in a live environment on numerous occasions over that period.

RIP Garry

Tragically, the circumstances around the eventual release are far removed from what anyone would have expected or wished for. Garry’s sudden death earlier this year hit people hard. Heavy Drapes live shows were incendiary affairs and Garry’s alter-ego De-Liberate an incandescent frontman who lit up the stage. For Heavy Drapes fans, the release of the album will give some comfort and it ensures the legacy of Garry and the band will live on.… Read the rest

Reaction – Keep it Weird, Keep it Wired: Album review and some…

November 6, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Airdrie – So Much to Answer For…

I didn’t think I would see myself focussing so much of my leisure time on the outputs of the Lanarkshire town of Airdrie.

Airdrie. A town I don’t know much about, apart from it being home to a few friends, the Diamonds (Airdrieonians FC) and that one of its famous landmarks is something I remember hearing about on the radio and TV from my youth, the Blackhill transmitter.

Interesting fact fans. Airdrieonians FC are the first football team in the World to have a fans group as the main sponsor of their kit. Life-long Airdrie fan Mark Allison’s image appeared on the shirts having tragically died from pancreatic cancer aged only 49.… Read the rest

The Super Pumas – Circles Roaming

October 9, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Earworm

I’ve had a new single by The Super Pumas on heavy rotation in the last few days. You know when you hear a song and it just catches your imagination? So much so that you play it on repeat and you don’t tire of it. Anyone reading this who is a generation or two younger than me may not understand the next bit, but I remember filling one side of a C60 mixtape with The Tourist’s version of the Dusty Springfield classic I Only Want to Be With You a song I was obsessed with at the time. I’m still not tired of it.… Read the rest

Cockwomble All of the Koney! None of the Style! EP cover

Cockwomble : All of the Money! None of the Style! EP review

September 24, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Cockwomble

My favourite modern made-up word and one of the new derogatory terms aimed at the 45th person, I use the term loosely, to run the most powerful country in the word. By default, then, also my favourite new band name, alongside Psychedelic Porn Crumpets.

All of the Money! None of the Style!

The band’s four track EP of alt-pop/punk injected with an element of humour proves that you can be in a band with a sense of humour, have fun, enjoy what you do, but aim to make a point with your music while making a pleasing racket at the same time.… Read the rest

Voicex plus plus – CD review

September 20, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Voicex plus plus

I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a copy of Voicex plus plus CD. The 8 track CD was given away to anyone pre-ordering tickets for their recent Leith Depot gig . I couldn’t make the gig, but the band had some CDs left that can be purchased by contacting the band/Paul. I think they may be gone now, but I’m sure if there is a demand, more can be produced.

Post-punk supergroup

Voicex are a genuine post-punk supergroup, featuring ex-members of luminaries like the influential and fabled Scars (Paul Research), Boots for Dancing & Gin Goblins (Coco Whitson) and Matt Vinyl & the Decorators (Colin Bendall) and contributions from current Fire Exit guitarist (also of Heavy Drapes, Twisted Nerve and Baby’s Got a Gun) Richie Simpson.… Read the rest

Reaction/Desperate Measures – Split 7″ on Tarbeach

September 19, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Tarbeach new release

I have finally got round to a wee write-up of Tarbeach Records latest release. Apologies for the delay, its been out a while now. It is another collector’s slab of shocking pink coloured vinyl on 7 inch. On one side a new song from Tarbeach regulars, Airdrie’s Reaction. New Zealand’s Desperate Measures, with Vive Le Rock’s Eugene Butcher, featuring on the AA. This is another Tarbeach release to savour and treasure.

Eldorado

Eldorado definition: the name of a fictitious country or city abounding in gold, formerly believed to exist somewhere in the region of the Orinoco and Amazon Rivers or more generally a place of great abundance.… Read the rest

The Apparents – Singin’ Songs & Righting Wrongs

September 17, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

The Apparents

The Apparents new CD album dropped through the letterbox the other day. Having previously reviewed their earlier EP, I was looking forward to popping the CD from the box and listening to the latest offering.

Singin’ Songs & Righting Wrongs

Singin’ Songs and Righting Wrongs. The album title sums up pretty much what you can expect from listening. There is no hiding the bands political leanings given the subject matter, or should I say targets, of some of the songs. Expect passionate rants aplenty, but don’t imagine for a minute that this band are po-faced protesters without a sense of humour.… Read the rest

The Blinders – Columbia – album review

August 30, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Hotly anticipated

Alongside Joy as an Act of Resistance from IDLES, The Blinders debut Columbia is one of the most hotly anticipated albums of 2018.

I was in fortunate to receive early copies of both releases, IDLES having the earlier release date and being mesmerised by their release in recent weeks, The Blinders album had a lot to live up to.

Columbia

I’m glad to say it did not disappoint. Columbia provides the listener with an evocative blend of light and shade, dark matters, imploring pleas and optimistic hopes for the future. The album title comes from the name given to a promised Utopia.… Read the rest

IDLES – Joy as an Act of Resistance – Album review

August 4, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Resistance…

As I tried to review this album, technology was resisting me and not causing me joy. Due to the highly anticipated nature of this album, the only preview copies available were via stream. Being an aging gentleman, my preferred listening is via physical format, vinyl or CD, followed by download and streaming only if I really have to. (The album is due for release on 31st August on Partisan)

Colossus

Technology was against me as I managed to listen to lead track Colossus several times before every device I was using turned against me. Fortunately Colossus lives up to its name a gigantic song both musically and lyrically.… Read the rest

SIEL LIEN – I Am Fire/A Little While More

July 24, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Neil Tells the Truth…

Glasgow music fans are in for a treat this Thursday (26th July)

New York Doll, Sylvain Sylvain is visiting to play St Lukes & the Winged Ox. The gig is in support of his book – “There’s No Bones in Ice Cream”.

Not only do you get an original New York Doll, but you get treated to a set by the darkly majestic Filthy Tongues. Metcalfe, Kelly, Fin and company will make your year playing tracks from the first two albums of their magnum opus.

Jacob’s Ladder was one of the albums of 2016 and the second album of a trilogy, this year’s Back to Hell, is already being celebrated as one of the albums of the year in Louder Than War’s mid-year list.… Read the rest