Punk - The Ginger Quiff

The Spangles – Sweet F.A. – album review

May 30, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Spangles or Chips?

Spangles? Despite having an urge for some old-fashioned boiled sweets, and a bag of chips from the get-go (listen and you’ll know why) I managed to hold off the impulse for 30 odd minutes. Well, to be honest it wasn’t difficult to hold off, the music on offer from Sweet FA is as addictive as the thought of a good old bag of salty, vinegary chips

Growing Up?

I was smitten from the first song. “Everybody’s growing up, I’m just growing old”. Too right. Growing up is over-rated. Live for the moment.

The Only One, the delight that is One Good Reason, these songs are worming their way into my consciousness trying to make me believe I’ve known them forever.… Read the rest

Black Bombers – Vol 4 – mini album review

May 24, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Black Bombers

Black Bombers are a three piece rock’n’roll band featuring Alan Byron on Guitar/vocals, Darren Birch on bass and Dave Twist in drums. Their latest release is a sumptuous 6 track selection of prime deep down and dirty punky/bluesy garage rock ‘n’ roll. There is a nod to Black Sabbath in the monochromatic cover art and the title and its typeface.

So what of the tracks on offer? First and foremost, this a trio of accomplished musicians between them having notched up connections and appearances with several high-profile bands and artists. Lead singer Alan has an instantly likeable gruff raw vocal which is a perfect match for the matching the sound of the band, their fuzzy grungy guitar, sublime bass and thunderous drum sound perfectly.… Read the rest

Duncan Reid and the Big Heads at Scotland Calling

Scotland Calling 2019 – a rambling review (of sorts)

April 29, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Having been to every Scotland Calling since its inception, tickets were duly purchased 12 months in advance for this year’s event before really looking at who was on the bill. It may sound strange to say but largely, it hasn’t mattered in years gone by. Not to say that it doesn’t matter at all, obviously the bill will switch off and turn on different people accordingly and of course, being a fan of live music, it is always great to see be at a gig. But for me, Scotland Calling has become an annual day out spent with two of my closest pals.… Read the rest

Punk Fests – Old v New – Scotland Calling & Dammit-Fest 2019

April 22, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Scotland Calling

This weekend sees the return of Glasgow’s annual festival of punk, Scotland Calling. Into its 6th year now, I’ve been to them all so far and it has always been a good day out and an opportunity to catch up with friends.

Like every festival, there are bands that suit our tastes and others that give us an opportunity to take a break. Head out for a drink or something to eat in the many hostelries and eating establishments on and around Sauchiehall Street.

We have joked every year about the line-up, with some bands making several appearances.… Read the rest

DELINQUENTS – Sober on Sunday EP – review

April 20, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Dundee’s DELINQUENTS released one of my favourite albums of 2017 in the eminently listenable About Last Night, a raucous selection of punk rock tunes.

This four track E.P. is a step progression from their debut, if anything the four tracks here are a cut above, strong musically and lyrically and a sign of greater things to come. This is the sound of David Hennessey and the band making headway, and signalling their future intent. If About Last Night was Saturday, today it is Sunday, and we know what that means…

The band announce their arrival with full throttle pedal to the metal punk riffing and an ode to drinking too much.… Read the rest

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

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