Jonzip/Razor Ramon, EX- and PowderKeg singles

December 27, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Over the last few weeks I got my greasy mits on a few new singles/EPs, two from bands/artists I was already familiar with and another from a band who tick all the right boxes in becoming a band I want to hear a lot more of in the future.

Jonzip & Razor Ramon

First up is a new single from the legendary globetrotting Jonzip (of The Zips/Passionate Friends fame). This time feeding my vinyl addiction releasing a new joint 7” release with Portugal’s Razor Ramon (not to be mistaken for the wrestler of the same name).

Three top quality punkobillytastic tracks.… Read the rest

Garry Alexander Borland – Tribute gig – Audio, Glasgow 9/12

December 11, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

High on Emotion

This weekend ended on a pretty bloody special note. A night that will live long in the memory. No, scratch that, a night that I will never forget.

The weekend had kicked off on a high with a brilliant works night out, so it was fitting that it should end on a high too. There were moments of emotion throughout my weekend. My first viewing of It’s A Wonderful Life for the year always ends with my eyes watering slightly, well, quite a lot. And I welled up again during Sunday morning’s Santa Dash. I know, I’m a sap. … Read the rest

The DeRellas – Bellfield Tavern (Kilmarnock) Guest Review

December 3, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

The DeRellas – Bellfield Tavern (Kilmarnock)

Number two in an occasional series of guest reviews. This time its from leader of the Reservoir Droogs himself, Mr Alex “Mainy” Main.

Kilmarnock…

When you ask people if they have heard of the Scottish town of Kilmarnock the response usually starts off on a positive note and then it quickly goes downhill.

A sad but true fact. Those of us who live there are pretty much used to this reaction by now.

It normally starts with “It was home to Johnnie Walkers whisky wasn’t it?” and then we get “Robert Burns had his first book of poems printed there didn’t he?”… Read the rest

The Interrupters – Live in Glasgow

November 27, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Fight the Good Fight

Three albums in and seven years down the line, The Interrupters played their debut Scottish gig to a fervent sold-out crowd in The Garage. It may have been a long time waiting for many of those in attendance last night, judging by the comments on my Facebook feed before the gig. The wait was worth it for them all.

It may have been a long time coming, but the band have spent their time well, and taken heed from their mentors, working with the likes of Rancid’s Tim Armstrong, ensuring that their debut gig in Glasgow would be a night to remember.… Read the rest

Heavy Drapes – Crashing Like Stars

November 23, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Crashing Like Stars

The day finally arrived. Crashing Like Stars dropped onto my doormat. I, like many, have been waiting with anticipation for this album for a couple of years having witnessed the songs in a live environment on numerous occasions over that period.

RIP Garry

Tragically, the circumstances around the eventual release are far removed from what anyone would have expected or wished for. Garry’s sudden death earlier this year hit people hard. Heavy Drapes live shows were incendiary affairs and Garry’s alter-ego De-Liberate an incandescent frontman who lit up the stage. For Heavy Drapes fans, the release of the album will give some comfort and it ensures the legacy of Garry and the band will live on.… Read the rest

Duncan Reid and the Big Heads, Reaction & Powderkeg – Live in Glasgow

November 19, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Music is good for the soul

Music is good for your very being, listening to some of your favourite music in a live environment does make a difference.

There is an element of unfairness here. So many creative, artistic people are struck by mental health illness yet music itself has the ability to lift the soul and raise the spirits. It certainly forms an important part in keeping my body and soul together. Granted it is not the only thing, but without it, there would be a black hole…

If Carlsberg made Friday night gigs in Glasgow…

Duncan Reid and the Big Heads would be headlining, with Airdrie late 70’s punk legends Reaction and young rock stars in the making PowderKeg…

Oh, wait…

Substitute Mainy for Carlsberg and the dream becomes a reality.… Read the rest

Duncan Reid & the Big Heads Live in Scotland

November 15, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Reservoir Droog

Live music fans in Glasgow and Edinburgh are in for a treat this weekend as one of the highlights of the live music calendar comes to both cities. It also marks the beginning of the end of an era for one promoter.

Arch Droog and all-round gentleman Alex “Mainy” Main is the promoter for this weekend’s gigs in Glasgow’s Nice n Sleazy on Friday and Bannermans in Edinburgh on Saturday. These are two of the last few gigs he will be promoting, but what a way to bow out. Whatever you do, if you love live music, do yourself a huge favour, don’t miss this weekend’s gigs.… Read the rest

Reaction – Keep it Weird, Keep it Wired: Album review and some…

November 6, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Airdrie – So Much to Answer For…

I didn’t think I would see myself focussing so much of my leisure time on the outputs of the Lanarkshire town of Airdrie.

Airdrie. A town I don’t know much about, apart from it being home to a few friends, the Diamonds (Airdrieonians FC) and that one of its famous landmarks is something I remember hearing about on the radio and TV from my youth, the Blackhill transmitter.

Interesting fact fans. Airdrieonians FC are the first football team in the World to have a fans group as the main sponsor of their kit. Life-long Airdrie fan Mark Allison’s image appeared on the shirts having tragically died from pancreatic cancer aged only 49.… Read the rest

IDLES – Glasgow QMU

October 21, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

A Date to Remember

Saturday the 20th October was a pretty unremarkable day. I spent it doing tedious household chores. Pretty unmemorable really.

But come 10pm that had all changed. Saturday evening of the 20th October 2018 in the QMU in Glasgow from around 8.30pm until 10pm was extraordinary 90 minutes, long to live in the memory, a date to be written into my history.

Joy as an Act of Resistance

For too long I have listened to people long in the tooth dissing the music of today…No originality. They are just trying to be the new…whoever. Is there such a thing as originality now, can anyone do something that hasn’t been done before?… Read the rest

Cockwomble All of the Koney! None of the Style! EP cover

Cockwomble : All of the Money! None of the Style! EP review

September 24, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Cockwomble

My favourite modern made-up word and one of the new derogatory terms aimed at the 45th person, I use the term loosely, to run the most powerful country in the word. By default, then, also my favourite new band name, alongside Psychedelic Porn Crumpets.

All of the Money! None of the Style!

The band’s four track EP of alt-pop/punk injected with an element of humour proves that you can be in a band with a sense of humour, have fun, enjoy what you do, but aim to make a point with your music while making a pleasing racket at the same time.… Read the rest