Live review - The Ginger Quiff

The First Big Weekend…

September 13, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

My return to live music kicked off in style last weekend with Hugh Reed & the Velvet Underpants in the Bungalow Bar in Paisley. This weekend was what you could call the First Big Weekend (copyright: Arab Strap) of my 2021 gig calendar with not two but three consecutive nights of live music. Bring it on. (Not sure if I should be apologising to my family or whether they were just glad to see the back of me for three nights…)

I’m not going to deny, it wasn’t without some trepidation that I was returning to gigs, and not just due to COVID and everything that goes along with that, but also the being around people in general, and social anxiety aspect of it all.… Read the rest

Hugh Reed & the Velvet Underpants – Live in Paisley

September 6, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

It had been 576 days since my last live gig (not that I was counting or anything) and I will admit to a bit of trepidation. Since the easing of lockdown I’ve experienced having dinner in a pub that the punters were acting as if COVID had never happened, but to counter that I’ve also had pleasant experiences elsewhere when everyone was still acting with a air of caution and sensibility.

In fact, I’d been in Perth for a couple of days with work and on my way home, tired and lethargic, I almost talked myself into not going. Thankfully, I didn’t take that course of action, gave myself a shake and jumped in the car to Paisley.… Read the rest

Live Music – The Best Bad (Good) Influence…

July 10, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

This is a post I started writing earlier, but the outcome has changed as a result of today’s activity…

Rollercoaster of Emotions

I’ve been on a bit of a rollercoaster for the last few weeks, experiencing some of the highest highs and the lowest lows I’ve felt in a long time from a mental health perspective.

Yesterday I finished delivering a two week induction training course in Perth for 10 new starts, and I’m now emotionally and physically drained after two weeks of putting my heart and soul entirely into work. I’m glad to say the actual training was an entirely positive experience, with the odd left field issue thrown in to test me.… Read the rest

New York Junk – Live from The Bowery Electric

January 27, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

It is almost a year since I last attended a real, live gig. Let me tell you, I have missed live music terribly, and things don’t look rosy for a return to sweaty club gigs, or any other kind of gig any time soon. After we entered the first lockdown in those dim and distant days of early 2020 little would we know we would be in the same, or maybe worse situation a year down the line with no end in sight.

Online Fatigue

Over spring and summer last year I enjoyed watching a variety of online gigs, from acoustic guitars in front rooms, to full blown electric sets from bands playing to camera’s in empty clubs.… Read the rest

The Countess of Fife – Live EP – review

May 17, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

The quality lockdown releases are coming thick and fast. With the lack of ability to go crate digging in these times, I’m relying on one of my favourite people just now, the postman, to bring me my regular fix.

This week has seen a few quality releases drop on the doormat including the new 4 track live EP from The Countess of Fife. The EP dropped hot on the heels of their debut online live performance, and arrived with me just shy of last nights second such event. This was one of the best online sets I’ve seen since I started attending remote gigs…

Powerful rich vocal

I first heard the band when they supported Goodbye Mr MacKenzie on their triumphant return to Glasgow’s Garage last May when I wrote: “The Countess of Fife, the band fronted by Fay Fife of Rezillos fame, still drew a substantial crowd.… Read the rest

Garlands Outstandifold Savage Cut Nice N Sleazy

Savage Cut & Outstandifold & the Wettygrippers – live

February 2, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

A sneaky extra gig this one. One of these will I/won’t I nights that ended up as an I will. I was on drop off and pick up duties for Strictly, so it was only a partial gig, having to leave before the headliners, but as the now vegan Meatloaf once said, 2 out of 3 isn’t bad. This was living on the edge for me – gigs three nights in a row. Jeez I’m 50-man, ma lugs can’t cope.

So, three bands on offer for a fiver. Can’t say fairer than that. Especially not in a week when I re-mortgaged the house in order to get tickets for Guns ‘n’ Roses.… Read the rest

The Interrupters – Live in Glasgow

February 2, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

One of the questions on my mind had to be, how do The Interrupters follow a gig as good as The Wildhearts?

It didn’t take long for them to answer my question.

First up though it was the turn of Buster Shuffle and The Skints. We arrived just as Buster Shuffle were finishing – though I heard enough to tempt me to investigate more of what sounded to me like a Chas n Dave meets ska mash up. The Skints impressed me musically. Some cracking bass lines and laid-back tunes – and you can’t beat a bit of sax. A lovely version of Dawn Penn’s You Don’t Love Me into the bargain.… Read the rest

The Wildhearts & Backyard Babies – live review

January 31, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

The Northmen are coming…

The Norse Gods were smiling on Glasgow tonight, offering up not one but two of the premiere purveyors of punk-tinged sleazy rock ’n’ roll in the world today. (For all I know it could have been three, but due to early doors/stage times I was unable to make it in time for CKY)

Unlike historic visits from the Northmen, this time they came in peace. Well I say peace, but they created an unholy racket, the pillaging and destroying down to convincing guitar shredding and a thumping rhythm section.

Son of Ragnar

Looking like a son of Ragnar, with hair shaved at the sides and a long-braided ponytail, Nicke Borg kicked proverbial arse alongside guitar hero Dregen, bass beast Johan Blomqvist and powerhouse Peder Carlsson took to the QMU stage to a warm Glasgow welcome.… Read the rest

Graveyard Bash 2020 – gig review

January 19, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

My 2020 gig duck is broken. Graveyard Bash 2020, what a way to break it.

I’ve seen all three bands on the same bill previously but this was my first Graveyard Bash. Based on tonight’s experience, it won’t be my last.

Unfortunately, the fourth band on the bill, Thee Girl Fridays, had to pull out, but to be honest (and taking nothing away from them) the night was perfectly formed despite their absence.

There was nothing not to love about the whole package on offer tonight…

McChuills

Anyone who has been to a gig in McChuills will tell you it is a fantastic wee venue.… Read the rest

Goodbye Mr MacKenzie – Live in Barrowland

December 23, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Its Monday. I’ve just about finished peeling myself off the ceiling after the festivities of Friday night. No, it wasn’t Christmas night out madness on the last Friday before Christmas, trying to avoid the once a year drinkers and unbearable queues at bars where people don’t have a clue what they are ordering. No, although there were a few beers involved, this was a far more cultured affair. It was the return of all conquering heroes, Goodbye Mr Mackenzie, to the world’s greatest music venue, the legendary Glasgow Barrowland.

Who knew 12 months ago, this would be the last gig I attend in 2019.… Read the rest