Fur Dixon live – Edinburgh Opium. WTFukushima

July 16, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

32 year wait…

Saturday night saw the culmination of a 32 year wait. Well to be fair I haven’t been sitting in a darkened room since 1986 waiting for this gig. However, since the tour of the UK and Spain was announced & I had the opportunity to interview her and review her debut solo album under the Fur Dixon (WTFukushima) banner for Louder Than War, I have been excited about the opportunity to see her live and in person.

Having seen her posts on social media since the gigs kicked off in London on Thursday in the Moth Club, the anticipation had been growing.… Read the rest

The Waterboys – Live – Glasgow Barrowland

July 4, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Hot in the City

As the heatwave continues across Scotland, confusing and delighting in equal measure. What is this bright light in the sky? Why is it giving us heat? I joined the hordes of people heading east. I’m not talking far. I’m talking Glasgow Barrowland. Judging by the age of many of the folk around me and their attire, I was pretty certain most of them weren’t heading to the same place as me. They were going further…

Tonight on Glasgow Green it was the turn of nasal whiner extraordinaire to bore, sorry entertain the crowds. I was more than happy to swing into the Barrowland and avoid the risk of sunstroke and hayfever.… Read the rest

The Vapors – Live in the Bungalow Bar, Paisley. 1st July 2018

July 2, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Paisleys burning…

What a way to round off a smouldering hot weekend.

Another scorcher. The weather? Well yes, it was. The scorcher to which I’m referring though was another all-conquering night of entertainment in Paisley’s famous Bungalow Bar.

The Vapors blazed a trail though their back catalogue with barely a chance to take breath. Granted, with the heat outside and in the venue, there wasn’t much of an opportunity to draw breath. I reckon even without the weather I’d be wiping the sweat from my brow at the end of this blistering gig.

WHT TH FCK S TRSMT?

As half of Glasgow seemed to be heading to enjoy the sunshine on Glasgow Green for Arctic Monkeys only festival appearance this year.… Read the rest

Hollywood Vampires – undead in Glasgow, 19th June

June 20, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

The last of a rash of gigs over a few days. This time the turn of LA “super group” The Hollywood Vampires.

It was a Hydro gig so I was already managing my expectations in terms of what the atmosphere would be like. The venue is cavernous and soulless at the best of times. Many bands struggle to build an atmosphere despite their best efforts. This and the fact that there were tickets selling on Groupon in the run up at less than half price suggesting poor sales.

On arrival, I noticed many seats were curtained off. I don’t know if that was due to the sales or it was always the plan to only have some of the sections open.… Read the rest

The Skids – Kelvingrove Bandstand 17th June

June 18, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Mixed Feelings

This gig was the culmination of a rollercoaster weekend in terms of music related matters.

Garry

The weekend started on a low with a celebration of the life of Garry from Heavy Drapes at West Lothian Crematorium. Although it was a low, it was heartening to see the number of people who turned up for his send off. And there were many more watching across the UK.

The eulogy was uplifting and while it was a sad and solemn occasion, there were opportunities to smile as we remembered Garry. It was also the only time I’ve ever heard a spontaneous round of applause at a funeral when the guy leading the ceremony finished by paraphrasing one of Garry’s onstage comments – Garry Alexander Borland, he was a fucking punk rock singer.… Read the rest

PiL – Live in Glasgow

June 15, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

The Public Image is Rotten

PiL Glasgow kicked of a number of gigs for me in the next week. With loads going on in and outside of work, just a quick review of the PiL gig (and nae photies).

I’m off to see lots of the old guard in the next week or so, starting with PiL (supported by The Wonderstuff’s Miles Hunt). Next up Skids on Sunday (with Big Country/From the Jam) & Hollywood Vampires next week (with The Darkness/The Damned).

Miles Hunt

Before the appearance of Lydon, it was the turn of Wonderstuff front-man Miles Hunt to warm up the crowd.… Read the rest

Southern Approach – Be Mine – video

June 12, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

The first band to feature on my blog when I started last August, Southern Approach, have released the video for their new song, Be Mine.

The song is the first to feature new vocalist, Zoe Lewis. Zoe has taken up the reigns as a foil to Munro’s dulcet tones following Shirley Guthrie moving on.

Be Mine has a massive melodic chorus. The song reflects and builds on the vast sweeping sound of the songs on their debut album, Restitution. The video is an atmospheric black and white battle of the sexes. The video premiered on their Facebook feed on Sunday evening, watch the video here:

… Read the rest

Razur Cuts V – launch – Behindthewall Falkirk, Saturday 9th June 2018

June 11, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Razur Cuts

Saturday finally saw the launch of Razur Cuts V and the culmination of muckle hard work by Derek Steel. The latest edition of the cutting edge street literature magazine was promising to be a cracker. The biggest issue to date at 80 pages including an exclusive interview with The Stranglers powerhouse bassist JJ Burnell.

Such an issue was deserving of a bells and whistles launch and Derek and his team pulled out all the stops to make the launch go with a bang, putting on what can only be described as an extravaganza in Falkirk venue Behind the Wall.… Read the rest

Garry Alexander Borland – Heavy Drapes

June 6, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Garry Alexander Borland

There are many people today trying to come to terms with the news this morning of the sudden death of the inimitable husband, father, brother, son and effervescent arresting front-man of Heavy Drapes, Garry Alexander Borland.

I first met Garry only a few years ago when someone brought Heavy Drapes to my attention. Hooked from the first clip I saw of the band and its alluring front-man. In the short time I’d known him, Garry was a larger than life colourful character and it was a pleasure to have made his acquaintance. And also seen him strut his stuff on stage with Heavy Drapes over the last few years.… Read the rest

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