Music - The Ginger Quiff

GIFTSHOP – Big in Astoria

February 22, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Following the two tracks provided for the New York compilation NYC 2019 Vol 1, GIFTSHOP released their new 5 track EP last weekend with what by all accounts was a triumphant, EP launch gig at Coney Island Baby.

Big in Astoria

My favourite of the current crop of NYC bands, though by no means the only one I’m listening to, GIFTSHOP’s EP had me wishing I was at that gig. With such vibrancy in the NYC underground music scene, it’s a shame I can’t just nip out to a gig …the commute from Glasgow is just a little difficult.

Anyway, as track three of the EP, Stacked, says, the “chips are stacked” in favour of GIFTSHOP.… Read the rest

The Media Whores – A Decade of Defiance

February 17, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Mercury Music Award nominated for their last album (read more here), the magnificent work of art that is Dangerous Minds, The Media Whores release this phenomenal compilation as a precursor to their fourth long-player coming later in the year.

A look at the album cover and track listing tells you a lot about the band and their stance on a variety of subjects.

The cover represents a wall covered in graffiti and posters. One poster bearing the legend “Stop Making Stupid People Famous” a salient comment on today’s society and the surfeit of talentless vacuous celebrities (I use the word loosely) who are only famous for being famous.… Read the rest

Turning Black Like Lizards – Spiral Eyes

February 17, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

The lead track on this 3 track EP from Turning Black Like Lizards is fast becoming a go-to tune on my playlists. In fact, all three tracks are.

This EP is yet another reason to seek out what is below the surface noise of the shite that clogs up the majority of mainstream airwaves and the charts these days (for what they are worth).

Don’t settle for what the industry thinks you should be listening to. Get off your arse and seek out music that stimulates rather than that which is designed to torpify.

Spiral Eyes is an awesome anthem that spans countless music influences with great effect.… Read the rest

The Godfathers – This is War! – Live

February 9, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Live music

Live music. It is all consuming. It is a therapy. A great gig can have so many positive effects on the soul, on mental health, it can take away all the shite of the day and help you escape to another dimension where all that matters is the music.

I have come out of so many gigs in my life and uttered something along the lines of “best gig ever”, every gig can be the best gig ever, just because of living in the moment. The euphoria and endorphins released due to the pure unadulterated enjoyment of experiencing everything that goes along with.… Read the rest

The Lee Harveys – Resistance is Not Terrorism

February 2, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

If it wasn’t for a certain Garry Alexander Borland and Danny Mac’s Testifying Times Radio Show, I might never had heard The Lee Harveys. But, as it is, thanks to a recommendation from Garry, and Danny playing and interviewing them on his show, I am the proud owner of all their albums; Still Angry, Gun City and Bullet for the President.

I can now add to that their latest unmissable release Resistance is Not Terrorism. The 6 track EP comes on CD and on extended edition coloured vinyl. Side one of which is the EP with side two collating fan selected remastered highlights from previous releases.… Read the rest

The Super Pumas – Prop Drop

January 27, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Inverclyde 3 piece The Super Pumas release their new single on Monday 28^th January.

The band are Lee on Guitar/vocals, Jim on bass and Div on Drums

Prop Drop is a more than worthy follow up to last year’s addictive hook laden Circles Roaming single.

The bands grungey alt-rock style is represented perfectly on the new single and accompanying video which will appeal to fans of Biffy Clyro, Foo Fighters and Therapy?. Kicking off with staccato drums and guitar, before assaulting the eardrums with full on riffing, the song develops, and rises and falls throughout. Bursts of full on energy assault your senses,
“Prop Drop police they are raging, raging”, before bringing the tempo down with delicate husky vocal and gentle guitar between,“Find your shelter, any which way that you like”.… Read the rest

New Year, New York

January 27, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

New York

The name conjures up so many images in my head. Granted, many are from the movies, but probably more arise from the allure the NY underground music scene holds for me, and the fascinating stories and tragic tales that surround it.

Times Square, New York Dolls, CBGBs, The Ramones, Johnny Thunders, Max’s Kansas City, Blondie, Patti Smith, Suicide, The Chelsea Hotel, Sid ‘n Nancy, Television, The Velvet Underground, Lou Reed…

“New York City is the place where they said: Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side”

Mainstream

In more recent years bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Strokes, The Hold Steady and The National (among many others) rose to mainstream prominence having formed in, played their initial gigs or been associated with New York.… Read the rest

The Gold Needles – Pearls: Album review

January 4, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

One of my most listened to albums from later in 2018 finally gets the gingerquiff review treatment.

The Gold Needles released Pearls way back in March, but like a bunch of other albums in my “must listen to” pile, events and life took over resulting in me now having a pile of “still must listen to” albums.

When I finally get around to listening, a lot of this pile has had me kicking myself that I didn’t get to them earlier as they have been a revelation and long-term fixtures on my turntable, CD player or iPod.

Gold Needles album is one of those.… Read the rest

Joe Strummer Night – King Tuts, Glasgow: 22nd Dec 2018

January 4, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

22nd December

22nd December 2002. A date that resonates with people of a certain age and musical persuasion. The date that saw the untimely death of a musical hero to many, John Graham Mellor. Better known to most as Joe Strummer, lead singer of the Clash, the Mescalero’s, Latino Rockabilly War, the 101ers…

22nd December. Since 2003, a date that is now also synonymous with an annual pilgrimage to King Tuts Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow to pay tribute to the man, the myth, the legend – Joe Strummer.

22nd December 2018. 16 years down the line was no different. Or was it?… Read the rest

HMV Matters

January 2, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Music makes me feel.

That’s it. It makes me feel.

Alive.

Euphoric.

Sad.

Emotional.

Joyful.

Music makes me feel.

Music doesn’t fix anything per se, but it can go a long way to helping. It can soothe the soul. It can get the anger out. Or the tears. I can’t imagine life without music.

The Voice is fading

It is also one reasons why I was upset at the news of HMV (and by default Fopp) going into administration for the second time. I’ve read a lot of disparaging things about HMV both in the press (an ill-judged and badly worded article in the Guardian) and from the music fans and the general public including some friends that surprised me at their dismissal.… Read the rest