Viscount Spoon Plays the Sounds of the Cheeky Warm

Jason How – Four albums of Psychedelic & Pure Power Pop Genius

January 15, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Jason How

I’ve only recently been introduced to the music of Jason How (cheers Joe Whyte). I’m so glad I am no longer a stranger to his music. Jason is a prolific songwriter, releasing an album per year over the last 4 years.

It would be difficult to pin Jason down to a specific music genre or style as there is a great variety of influences across the albums. His influences are apparent in the music, US West Coast psychedelia standing out, but also with the influence of 70’s punk/power pop and 80s indie.

Certain elements come together and bring to mind different bands and/or singers.… Read the rest

The Red Eyes – Man and Boy – Alan Bishop

January 14, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Alan Bishop – The Red Eyes

2017 was a big year for The Red Eyes. They released their 4^th album – the masterpiece that is “Man and Boy” and marked their 20^th anniversary with a tremendous gig in Audio playing 2 sets – one with original 90’s line up and their headline “Man and Boy” set. The Red Eyes were joined on the night backed up by Fudgie McFadden’s “Strung Out Nights” and Heavy Drapes, who are due to release their debut album in 2018.

I caught up with Alan Bishop to find out a bit more about his thoughts and experiences of the last 20 years.… Read the rest

Red or Dead – Trotsky Waltz – New Album

January 4, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Red or Dead

Red or Dead are:

Rob Murray – Guitar, Mandolin and Vocals.
Emma Sunerton-Burl – Cajon mandolin and Backing Vocals.
Gala Elvira – Vocals.
Dave Sunerton-Burl – Bass, Guitars, Backing Vocals.

The band met protesting outside a UKIP conference mid 2015. They ended up playing an anti-UKIP song Rob had written and made the first item on the BBC 6 O’Clock News that night.

Since then they have had some high profile support slots. Including Hugh Cornwell, Mike Peters, Ferocious Dog and the Christians (Twice).

Musically their heroes and inspirations are The Clash, The Stranglers, X Ray Spex, The Pistols, Iggy and so on.… Read the rest

Razur Cuts

January 4, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Razur Cuts

Compiled and produced by Derek S, Razur Cuts is for fans of stories, poetry and music and caters for those who yearn for the days of self-published fanzines. Get your hands on Razur Cuts IV before it sells out.

With its glossy cover it is a bit more high-tech than the old photocopied fanzines of old but the principle is still there. And it’s something tangible for those who still prefer a physical magazine or book.

The magazine features contributions from a variety of people, both new or more established, showcasing their short stories, poetry, interviews and articles.… Read the rest

thegingerquiff – 2017 – Looking Back

December 31, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

Looking back on 2017

It is that time of year when everyone reflects on their “best of” lists for the past year. Why should I be any different? I may as well join in.

I’m not going to write lists as such, or limit myself to a top 5/10 or whatever. I’ll just go with the flow and shout out some of my personal favourites of the year…

I only started thegingerquiff blog in August and have enjoyed many albums, singles and gigs since then that have featured on my blog, but there were plenty from earlier in the year though too.… Read the rest

The Price of Progress?

December 19, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

The Price of Progress?

I was listening to a news story on the radio the other day about technology, specifically around the music industry.

It was on the back of publication Spotify executive’s salaries and the way we access music in the 21^st Century. The general gist of the story was that the Apple store will probably disappear in the next 5 years as people won’t own the music but stream only. It all smacks to me that the changes are for those high up in Apple and Spotify and less to do with the artists or giving the public what they “want”.… Read the rest

The Dark Side of Christmas

December 15, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

The Dark Side of Christmas

At this time of year, we tend to get caught up in our own bubble. While Christmas is a time of joy and happiness for many, it is also a struggle in countless ways for too many others.

In recent weeks, I have seen a lot of posts on social media promoting things like “Sleep in the Park” and “Social Bite” to support rough sleepers and those without a permanent address. It is great that so many are supporting others. Where is the government?

Rough Sleepers

However, I have also seen some appalling & callous comments on Facebook from people who have no sympathy for rough sleepers: “I have no sympathy”, “give them a shovel” and “it is their choice”.… 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

The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl - A Fairytale of New York

Christmas songs

December 6, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

Its Chriiiisssssstmas

For many it is now that dreaded time of year when they are bombarded with Christmas songs everywhere they go. Actually, for many it is just that dreaded time of year.

Christmas itself is a great divider of opinion. I could go on at great lengths about commercialism and consumerism, the continued Americanisation of our culture (Black Friday) slowly turning us into the 51^st state. Or the age-old religion versus paganism debate about where many of the Christmas traditions came from and what they symbolise. However, I wanted this blog to be about music.

Not all wine and roses

It did get me to thinking though.… Read the rest

Drunk Gods, Sway & Reptilians from Andromeda

December 3, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

Drunk Gods, Sway and Reptilians from Andromeda…

Playing catch up with blog posts with few recent releases that deserve your attention.

Drunk Gods

Drunk Gods officially launched their new single tonight in Glasgow’s 13^th Note.

The double AA single is available on CD at gigs and from the band members, but will also available to download from the 4^th of December

See my review of the blistering new single(s) on louderthanwar website.

If you haven’t got their debut album – my first question is why? – but its not too late, you can download it from bandcamp or iTunes

Sway

To Be a Man – new single

Sway have recently come to my attention and are a distinctive melodic guitar driven 4 piece from Paisley.… Read the rest