Deep Sky Objects – Desire – new single

July 23, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Desire

I have had a song shared with me recently that I find myself returning to time and again. The track, Desire, is out today and is the latest release from 3-piece Irish band Deep Sky Objects.

The single is a heady mix of hard-riffing guitars exuding the ire of Rage Against the Machine teamed with a warm ostentatious soaring power-pop vocal in the vein of White Lies & Interpol, underlined by a crashing drum-line and solid crunching bass.

The band members include brothers Kevin O’Brien (lead vocals, guitar), Thomas O’Brien (drums and backing vocals) and DD Foley (bass guitar and backing vocals).… Read the rest

The Eddies – Still Takin’ the Mick EP review

July 19, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

The Eddies

Dundee’s The Eddies cement themselves as one of Scotland’s premier punk outfits with their new EP, Still Takin’ the Mick, dedicated to Mick Kilbride. Five tracks in total, and while it may sound like an old cliché the tracks are all killer, no filler.

The band have an flair for a full-throttle humdinger of a tune with a chorus that has you joining in from the off, take the first 2 songs on the EP as prime examples – “No way, not now, go away cos I’m not listening” and “My game – my rules.”

This EP highlights the knack they have and how accomplished they are at this opus.… Read the rest

Kilmarnock Calling

May 24, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

The Bellfield Tavern

I had been meaning to get across to Kilmarnock for some time to see a gig in The Bellfield Tavern. There are regularly plenty of not to be missed great gigs on in the venue. Unfortunately, up until recently I had missed every single one of them. Hmmmm. I rectified that recently and vowed not to be a stranger to the quality wee venue.

I finally managed to get along a couple of weeks ago to see a fantastic punk triple bill – Fife’s Crimedesk, West Lothian’s Heavy Drapes and all the way from Belfast, The Defects.… Read the rest

Red or Dead – UK Publicity Machine – review

May 15, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

You may remember I reviewed Red or Dead’s album a while back.

The folk punks with a conscience are back. The UK Publicity Machine is inspired (inspired sounds too positive – disheartened maybe?) by events surrounding this weekend. The wedding that no-one can escape no matter how hard you try.

The wedding and the constant publicity around it is more of a distraction from the real problems going on in the world. The obscene expenditure is something the taxpayers can ill afford. Especially when you consider the flipside of the events in Windsor this weekend and what the money could be used for.… Read the rest

Cyanide Sundae – Nothing to Lose EP review

May 7, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Not a new release but one of these “new to me” bands that I have been listening to over the weekend.

Nothing to Lose EP

Nothing to Lose is a 4 track EP of sonically appealing gravelly vocalled melodic hard rock, with well-structured and thought out songs. They appeal to the side of me that loves The Yo Yos, Wildhearts, The Main Grains, Therapy?, Zodiac Mindwarp – rock music that dips its toe into a bit of punk attitude.

Lead track, What Can I Do?, the track which provides the name of the EP, is all driving guitar, pulsating bass and crashing drums.… Read the rest

The Vulpynes – EP review

May 7, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Vulpynes

One of the most exciting bands I’ve seen or heard in recent years is a two-piece from Scotland – Jo and Nicky Darc of The Twistettes.

There must be something in the Celtic water as I’ve just experienced the debut EP from cousins in spirit from across the water. Dublin 2-piece The Vulpynes (Maeve Molly – vocals & guitar & Kaz – drums).

Like the Twistettes, Vulpynes make a supremely loud and eminently listenable racket for a 2 piece eschewing the need for un-necessary additional members.

The four tracks on the EP showcase the bands obvious talents. Maeve providing sophisticated dirty, grungey garage rock guitar licks while Kaz does a mighty fine job as rhythm section with intricate tight pulsing drumming, a perfect foil for the rich vibrant vocals provided by Maeve.… 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

Ginger Wildheart – Ghost in the Tanglewood – album review

April 18, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Ginger Wildheart

It took me a while to finally get round to picking up a copy of Ginger Wildheart’s latest album. Historically I have this image of Country & Western music being depressing and this generally draws me away from it. I don’t know why that has been the case, perhaps it is a perception I have built over the years through mis-representation and falsehoods. Maybe similar to strange beliefs some people have about mental health based on mis-conceptions and false perceptions.

With Ginger having had some public battles with his own mental health over the years, I wondered how this would play out.… Read the rest

The Filthy Tongues – Back to Hell – album review

April 16, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Martin Metcalfe is a multi-faceted and very busy man.

Playing live in various guises, recording, painting and organising art shows/books and on top of his own workload, writing for other bands.

The Fornicators in Glasgow Part 2

In recent weeks I picked up the second CD (Part 2) of a gig recorded in Glasgow’s Audio last year. Playing under one of his many guises, Martin Metcalfe and the Fornicators, the gig was an acoustic affair. The band played a selection of tracks from the various bands Martin has been involved with over the years, along with some of the songs they have covered and have been an influence on him/the bands he has played in.… Read the rest