Gig preview - The Ginger Quiff

22 for ‘22

January 6, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

In no particular order…22 bands I’m looking forward to hearing more from, albums I’m looking forward to getting my grubby mitts on, and gigs or tours I’m looking forward to attending (fingers and toes crossed) in 2022

1. The Courettes

The band that never rests is already looking ahead to what’s next. Not one’s to rest on their laurels or take a well earned break after an ecstatically received album in Back in Mono, supported by 71 dates across 9 countries, Martin and Flavia have already been in the studio laying down tracks for their follow up. Let’s hope for some more UK dates this year, Back in Mono (live in Mono!)… Read the rest

Broken Chanter – Catastrophe Hits – album review

November 17, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

Another Last Night From Glasgow album launch gig beckons this Friday in Glasgow’s CCA, this time around it is Broken Chanter peddling their wares ably supported by label mates wotjek the bear who released their latest album, heaven by the back door, earlier in 2021. The gig is to promote Broken Chanter’s superb new album, Catastrophe Hits, which came out on all the usual streaming platforms and to download the other week, with vinyl to follow (the current world shortage of vinyl delaying releases…)

Is the new album any good or is it a catastrophe? Of course it’s not a catastrophe, but a selection of ten epic new songs demonstrating David’s knack for writing lyrics that can be thought provoking, sentimentally touching and humorous within one song, Add to that immense tunes, driving beats and melodies that soar, filling the air with captivating harmonies.… Read the rest

Mickey 9s – Modern Kunst – album review

August 30, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

The delay in writing this review is very remiss of me, I’ve had the latest Mickey 9s album for what seems like aeons. Certainly at least a few months before it was actually released, I’m sure the residents of Simshill/Castlemilk/Kings Park and the surrounding Glasgow Southside environs are probably sick of it blasting out my car windows on repeat. Either that or they’re now all fully fledged Mickey 9s converts. I’d like to think the latter.

I mean how can you NOT like this album? Playing it in the car was probably a bad idea. You can’t really listen to this album without getting sucked in by the high octane addictive post punk-funk.… Read the rest

Interview with Tulsa Queen

July 2, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

On the eve of her debut “live” gig, I had an opportunity to catch up with Wiggy from Curdle about her solo country (and beyond) project, Tulsa Queen.

Tulsa Queen

The Ginger Quiff: I’m assuming the name comes from the great Emmylou Harris song, tell me about the inspiration behind Tulsa Queen? Which other country artists inspire you?

Tulsa Queen: It sure does. I absolutely love that song. When i first heard it i couldn’t get the chord changes and the lyrics and the whole feel of it out of my head for weeks, it’s so gorgeous. I just love country music (the good country music, not the shite!)… Read the rest

SEIL LIEN – Shatter album review

April 14, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

SEIL LIEN (the band fronted by Marie Claire White) release their debut album this week. Those who have been looking forward to this won’t be disappointed, those who don’t know about her/the band, use your lockdown time to check them out. For those interested, the band name means “little lotus”, Marie Claire’s Chinese name, she has a Scottish mother and a Chinese father.

SEIL LIEN – the artist

SEIL LIEN is more than just a band though. Marie Claire is a consummate professional who cares not only about the music, but the entire package that goes with it. She is also an artist in the true sense of the word.… Read the rest

Run Into The Night – Blow a Kiss/Catch a Knife – Interview

March 20, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Run Into the Night. I know I bang on about this band a lot. There is a simple reason for that, they are, quite frankly, wonderful. A dazzling light shining in the dark times we find ourselves in – not only because of their music, but because they are genuine, lovely people too. Since I first saw/heard them they have sustained their glorious ascendency getting better and better each time I see them live.

On the eve of their new single, Blow a Kiss/Catch a Knife (out today), I had the pleasure of being able to ask Christina and Ellie a few questions about the single, inspirations, the current climate and how it is affecting bands and venues, and what is coming next for the band.… Read the rest

The Bikini Bottoms – Inversion/Mental Records – Graveyard Tapes Vol 2

March 9, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

If you haven’t already made yourself familiar with them, there are a couple of compilation/companion albums you need to get yer lugs round.

The Bikini Bottoms – Inversion

First up, the companion release to one of last year’s top albums, Bikiniland from The Bikini Bottoms. Inversion is available to stream and features seven tracks; demos and live versions of songs that ended up in their polished form on the final cut of Bikiniland.

I’ve been stung before with albums that purport to be a document of the bands’ roots or sold as some amazing unearthed and unheard before demoes. On listening you realise they should have remained unearthed as you vow never to listen again to the grainy tinny shite recorded on a C90 on a battered old mono tape deck.… Read the rest

Rudebeard – Wideos on the Rise EP review

February 10, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Live a Bit.

That is the opening mantra on the new Rudebeard EP, and I couldn’t agree more. The older I get, the more important this becomes. This declaration of intent sets up the remaining tracks perfectly. A feel-good song that will start off with you tapping your feet before just wanting to jump up and dance.

Live your own life. Thrown Away skanks along at pace bemoaning wasting the best years of your life working for The Man before you are no longer of any use and you are dumped on the scrap heap.

The feel-good ska sound continues throughout the six tracks, but a warning, Rudebeard don’t hold back on their social commentary – pick your place for blaring out the tunes.… Read the rest

Garlands Outstandifold Savage Cut Nice N Sleazy

Ones That Got Away – Outstandifold & the Wettygrippers & Garlands

January 29, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

First (maybe even last) in a random series of albums that got away. Ones from last year that I maybe didn’t get around to writing about or that for whatever reason never really got to listen to properly.

Bit of a double whammy this one – and it may, or may not, have something to do with both bands appearing on the same bill in Glasgow at Nice ‘n’ Sleazy this Saturday (1^st February).

Outstandifold & the Wettygrippers

The unusually monikered Outstandifold followed up their last (and rather good) album Box with their (who would have guessed) fourth album. Go Fourth, sees them metaphorically do just that.… Read the rest

Spotlight on Curdle

September 12, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Curdle

Curdle is a 4 piece Glasgow-based band playing their unique blend of riot grrl infused goth horror punk with lashings of 1960s trippy pop psychedelia for good meassure.

The band consists of:

Wiggy – Guitar, Bass, Theremin, Vocals
Sarah – Guitar, Bass, Synth, Vocals
Clare – Drums
Lucy – Guitar, Bass, Backing Vocals

Their mesmerising debut album is receiving a vinyl release later in the year on the wonderful Double A Side records. (I recently revisited this for a review on the site). The band kindly took some time out of their busy schedule to speak to the Ginger Quiff.… Read the rest