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

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

Kilmarnock Calling

May 24, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

The Bellfield Tavern

I had been meaning to get across to Kilmarnock for some time to see a gig in The Bellfield Tavern. There are regularly plenty of not to be missed great gigs on in the venue. Unfortunately, up until recently I had missed every single one of them. Hmmmm. I rectified that recently and vowed not to be a stranger to the quality wee venue.

I finally managed to get along a couple of weeks ago to see a fantastic punk triple bill – Fife’s Crimedesk, West Lothian’s Heavy Drapes and all the way from Belfast, The Defects.… Read the rest

Britrock Must Be Destroyed – May 19th, Glasgow

May 20, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

May 19th 2018 – a date to remember

So apparently today is some sort of big day. Something involving a ginger (small g) bloke and a (bad) actress celebrating a good feeling? Oh, and a number of games involving 22 blokes kicking a spherical object around for 90 minutes to try to win some silver things.

All that pales into insignificance, none of it really matters as the main event is happening in the O2 Academy. There is some premier 90’s rock to be had for the discerning Glaswegian punter. Anticipation has been building for this event for some time. The great and the good will be in attendance for this not to be missed event, only the select few will get this opportunity.… Read the rest

Mental Health Awareness Week 2018

May 14, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Today marks the start of Mental Health Awareness week (14th – 20th May 2018), so I couldn’t let it pass without a blog.

You’ll know by now if you’ve read my blogs that I’m passionate about raising awareness of mental health, a passion that stems from my own experiences.

My own mental health and that of others has been fresh in my mind in recent days and weeks.

From a personal perspective events have conspired to test my resolve. Events that in years gone would have seen me crumble, letting my negative thoughts in and letting them win. A time where I would have catastrophised every situation visualising the worst possible outcome, filtering out all potentially positive outcomes to paint a bleak picture of the future.… Read the rest

The Vulpynes – EP review

May 7, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Vulpynes

One of the most exciting bands I’ve seen or heard in recent years is a two-piece from Scotland – Jo and Nicky Darc of The Twistettes.

There must be something in the Celtic water as I’ve just experienced the debut EP from cousins in spirit from across the water. Dublin 2-piece The Vulpynes (Maeve Molly – vocals & guitar & Kaz – drums).

Like the Twistettes, Vulpynes make a supremely loud and eminently listenable racket for a 2 piece eschewing the need for un-necessary additional members.

The four tracks on the EP showcase the bands obvious talents. Maeve providing sophisticated dirty, grungey garage rock guitar licks while Kaz does a mighty fine job as rhythm section with intricate tight pulsing drumming, a perfect foil for the rich vibrant vocals provided by Maeve.… Read the rest

The Fuck Ups & Soeur EP reviews

April 14, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Why you should go to gigs early

Next up, it’s a couple of CD EPs I’ve recently picked up as a result of seeing some great support bands at gigs.

Anyone that doesn’t turn up early to gigs to see the support bands isn’t only doing a dis-service to the bands who put the effort in, but they are missing the opportunity to see some great bands.

The Fuck Ups – Lies

First up, it’s the Fuck-Ups from Ayrshire and their new EP Lies. I recently caught the band playing as support to Rats From a Sinking Ship in the Hug and Pint in Glasgow.… Read the rest

The Jackhammers, Cundeez & Texas Mod Crushers – Vinyl Rules

April 8, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Vinyl Rules

Two cracking 7” singles arrived at The Ginger Quiff towers recently. (Well one of them was a few weeks ago, but I’ve been AWOL from the log in recent weeks…)

The Jackhammers

First up it’s the mighty Jackhammers with Jim Shit on vocals & bass, Andy Drankit on Drums and Horace Cockpuppet on guitar and vocals. I’m pretty sure they are not the names they were christened with.

The 3 track 7” is available from their bandcamp site. It has 3 different covers available. Standard orange cover (100 copies), white cover (50 copies) and you’re too late for the black cover – only 5 of those exist.… Read the rest

Rats From a Sinking Ship – Fight the Future – Album review

March 5, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Fight the Future

Rats From a Sinking Ship release “Fight the Future”, their 3^rd album, on 17^th March with a launch gig in Glasgow at the Hug and Pint. Ably supported by The Fuck Ups and The Chibmarks along with some punk poetry from Mark McG.

If you are already a fan of the band, you will be familiar with the sound and stance. You won’t be disappointed with either on this storming new album. If you’ve not heard them before, where have you been? It is about time you rectified that.

Vitriolic inspiration

The way of the world at the moment has given Alex Lusty plenty of material on which to base his vitriol on this new album.… Read the rest