The Filthy Tongues – Back to Hell album launch gig

June 2, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Back to Hell

The Filthy Tongues sophomore album Back to Hell, the second in a trilogy started with their masterful debut, Jacob’s ladder, is another triumph. It continues to build on the tremendous reputation of Metcalfe, Fin and Kelly as an accomplished unit and backbone of several of my favourite bands though the years. Joined by Asim and Alex and the wonderful Susannah Clarke on violin Back to Hell got its official live launch tonight in Glasgow.

This is a gig I have been looking forward to for some time and it was like the planets aligned tonight to make it one of those memorable gig nights.… Read the rest

Free Gig Tickets – Reservoir Droog’s gigs

May 22, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Free Gig Tickets

I’m sure that heading has got your attention…

Fellow blogger (Reservoir Droogs), lover of music, vinyl, books & film, gig promoter and all round good guy Alex “Mainy” Main is keen to ensure those who love live music aren’t disadvantaged by their circumstances.

He is introducing an initiative with gigs he is promoting (and spreading the word amongst other bands and promoters) to allow music lovers who might not otherwise have been able to attend, to go to a gig they may really want to attend.

I asked him to share some information about this and allow the word to spread….… Read the rest

Britrock Must Be Destroyed – May 19th, Glasgow

May 20, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

May 19th 2018 – a date to remember

So apparently today is some sort of big day. Something involving a ginger (small g) bloke and a (bad) actress celebrating a good feeling? Oh, and a number of games involving 22 blokes kicking a spherical object around for 90 minutes to try to win some silver things.

All that pales into insignificance, none of it really matters as the main event is happening in the O2 Academy. There is some premier 90’s rock to be had for the discerning Glaswegian punter. Anticipation has been building for this event for some time. The great and the good will be in attendance for this not to be missed event, only the select few will get this opportunity.… Read the rest

Mental Health Awareness Week 2018

May 14, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Today marks the start of Mental Health Awareness week (14th – 20th May 2018), so I couldn’t let it pass without a blog.

You’ll know by now if you’ve read my blogs that I’m passionate about raising awareness of mental health, a passion that stems from my own experiences.

My own mental health and that of others has been fresh in my mind in recent days and weeks.

From a personal perspective events have conspired to test my resolve. Events that in years gone would have seen me crumble, letting my negative thoughts in and letting them win. A time where I would have catastrophised every situation visualising the worst possible outcome, filtering out all potentially positive outcomes to paint a bleak picture of the future.… Read the rest

Rats From a Sinking Ship – Fight the Future – Album review

March 5, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Fight the Future

Rats From a Sinking Ship release “Fight the Future”, their 3^rd album, on 17^th March with a launch gig in Glasgow at the Hug and Pint. Ably supported by The Fuck Ups and The Chibmarks along with some punk poetry from Mark McG.

If you are already a fan of the band, you will be familiar with the sound and stance. You won’t be disappointed with either on this storming new album. If you’ve not heard them before, where have you been? It is about time you rectified that.

Vitriolic inspiration

The way of the world at the moment has given Alex Lusty plenty of material on which to base his vitriol on this new album.… Read the rest

Morrissey and Me

February 18, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Not a review

I went to see Morrissey play the Hydro in Glasgow last night.

This isn’t a review of the night. More of a reflection. It may seem self-indulgent, which is one of the things that I may have criticised Morrissey for recently, but I’m in danger of dwelling too much on this and overthinking it, so I just need to get it off my chest and move on. That may seem melodramatic and yes, to an extent it probably is. But I’ve experienced what overthinking and dwelling too much on things does to me, and those who have to live with me!… Read the rest

Ian Donaldson – Live – Websters Theatre 9th February 2018

February 12, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Ian Donaldson

It has been a long time in coming. Ian Donaldson performing his first live solo shows since H2O (and a Few Good Men).

Over the last few years Ian is back in the limelight and has been busy, having launched his first novel “A Rainbow in the Basement” and earlier this year releasing his debut solo album, as well as having his own radio show on Your Radio 103FM.

Friday night is gig night

Websters Theatre is an imposing venue from the outside, a converted church in the West End of Glasgow. It is a venue I’d never been in before.… Read the rest

Marilyn Manson – Heaven Upside Down tour – Glasgow O2 Academy – 5th December 2017

December 12, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

MARILYN MANSON – Heaven Upside Down

Manson recently released his 10th studio album “Heaven Upside Down” signalling a return to form after a few lack-lustre affairs. He injured himself on-stage in New York at the beginning of October when an oversize gun which formed part of the stage-set fell on him. Add the sacking of long-term band-mate Twiggy Ramirez at the end of October due to rape allegations from his ex-girlfriend, this was building up to be an interesting night in the company of Brian Warner.

And so it proved.

A little bit broken

After the elongated intro-music of The Cure’s “Killing an Arab, followed by The Door’s “The End”, the curtain dropped.… Read the rest

GUN – Live – King Tuts Wah Wah Hut – 28th November 2017

December 2, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

GUN – Favourite Pleasures – Live

Arriving before the doors to the upstairs venue opened, there wasn’t room in the bar to swing a cat. Just getting to the bar was no mean feat. However, the doors opened and the crowd dispersed quickly with all vying for the perfect vantage points to see the gig.

Gun – King Tuts

Gun are no strangers to playing this club sized venue having played a “secret” gig as NUG in an earlier incarnation and more recently a series of dates playing “Taking on the World”, “Gallus” and “Swagger”.

Nordoff Robbins

Tonight’s gig served both as a fundraiser for the fantastic Nordoff Robbins charity, in conjunction with the Sunday Mails 7 Nights, and also as a warm up to the bands forthcoming weekend gigs in Ayr and Glasgow Barrowland.… Read the rest

Theatre of Hate and Southern Approach – Live at The Bungalow, Paisley

October 25, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

Three firsts for me tonight.

First time in The Bungalow, first time I’ve seen Southern Approach live & first time I’ve see Theatre of Hate live.

The Bungalow, Paisley

The Bungalow didn’t let me down.

Unassuming from the outside, but a perfect intimate venue for a gig inside. The venue has loads of great vantage points to watch the bands and with a great line up of acts due to visit, I’m sure I’ll be back

Southern Approach

Southern Approach didn’t let me down.

The Kilmarnock band had formed over 30 years ago but split up before they released an album, due to public demand according to frontman Munro.… Read the rest