Music - The Ginger Quiff

Rats from a Sinking Ship – With Love and Violence EP

March 21, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

“…with loves, and hates, and passions just like mine…”

Rats from a Sinking Ship have unleashed their new 7” EP and the words I have taken “on loan” from The Smiths Cemetry Gates sum it up perfectly. Rats have a passion for a cause that shines through on the somewhat confrontational songs on this EP. “I am a pacifist, don’t take that as a sign of weakness”. Lusty makes his point clear on lead track, he won’t mince his words.

The 4-track EP is titled “With Love and Violence” handing out equal degrees of each to the pro- and antagonists in the songs in question.… Read the rest

Red or Dead: Plugged – EP review

March 20, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Red or Dead have a new 4 track EP “Plugged” out imminently

They have ramped things up a few notches with this release. Robin Murray’s love of The Clash shines through on these 4 tracks of punk influenced rock ‘n’ roll. The Clash aren’t the only punk influence on show here with elements of X-Ray Spex apparent on a couple of tracks.

One of these is Decontrol, the opening track on the EP. The track references several punk songs (and ideologies) along the way. Remote/Complete Control obviously, with lyrics advocating the many taking back the power form the few, with lyrical nods to songs of The Damned and The Stranglers, smashing things up and pleading that something better change.… Read the rest

VoiceX: Live in Glasgow (Mono Café Bar)

March 11, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Waiting

I have been waiting some time to see a live performance from post-punk “supergroup” VoiceX and I’m pleased to report they were worth the wait. It is just a shame that more of Glasgow’s gig going punters couldn’t have witnessed the set. But never say never, there is always next time…

There were several gigs around the city that could have led to indecision and taken away some of the band’s potential audience. The punk crowd having the options of the MeninBlack and the Bard of Salford in town. There was also a potential crossover and carve up of the audience with an all-day gig at the Glad Café celebrating International Women’s Day featuring several bands L-Space and Curdle among them.… Read the rest

Jason How – Seven Mile Lane – Album Review

March 6, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Jason How returns with his fourth album, here he continues to demonstrate and hone his innate skill for writing addictive melodies and hooks, telling stories and painting pictures that draw the listener into his world.

This time around, he has taken inspiration from his home surroundings and his experiences cycling around the Kent countryside. On Seven Mile Lane he manages to turn the everyday into sunshine soaked harmonies, and intriguing tales as well picking up local myths and legends of the deeper darker murkier tales that often go un-noticed or get forgotten over time.

“Say goodbye to sorrow” is one of the lines from opening track She Can Make Me See.… Read the rest

The Lee Harveys, Reaction and Fire Exit – Glasgow Audio

February 24, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Party Cities

Glasgow and Dublin are famed for their music heritage and the love of a good party, the two came together in fine form last night in an evening not to be forgotten.

The date – 23^rd February 2019, the venue – Audio in Glasgow, the bands – Reaction, Fire Exit and The Lee Harveys. Just an average Saturday gig night in the city with my best mate? Not a chance.

Something was afoot, the planets somehow aligning bringing everything together in harmonious union. This wasn’t just your average gig, this was a celebration. The atmosphere was euphoric throughout, one which started with eager anticipation and ended with enraptured and slightly merry exhilaration.… Read the rest

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