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

Red or Dead – UK Publicity Machine – review

May 15, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

You may remember I reviewed Red or Dead’s album a while back.

The folk punks with a conscience are back. The UK Publicity Machine is inspired (inspired sounds too positive – disheartened maybe?) by events surrounding this weekend. The wedding that no-one can escape no matter how hard you try.

The wedding and the constant publicity around it is more of a distraction from the real problems going on in the world. The obscene expenditure is something the taxpayers can ill afford. Especially when you consider the flipside of the events in Windsor this weekend and what the money could be used for.… Read the rest

Cyanide Sundae – Nothing to Lose EP review

May 7, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Not a new release but one of these “new to me” bands that I have been listening to over the weekend.

Nothing to Lose EP

Nothing to Lose is a 4 track EP of sonically appealing gravelly vocalled melodic hard rock, with well-structured and thought out songs. They appeal to the side of me that loves The Yo Yos, Wildhearts, The Main Grains, Therapy?, Zodiac Mindwarp – rock music that dips its toe into a bit of punk attitude.

Lead track, What Can I Do?, the track which provides the name of the EP, is all driving guitar, pulsating bass and crashing drums.… 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

ILL – We are ILL – album review

May 7, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

ILL vs Music Today

I like music to inspire, to excite and invigorate. To take me off in unexpected directions and escape reality, or at least give me a different take on reality. I like my music to provoke thought but not be too po-faced. Music is for enjoyment, it can be fun even if you’re trying to make a point.

I can’t stand the unending conveyor belt of beige, insipid, uninspiring bands (groups?) that appear in droves these days. On one hand I blame reality shows like X Factor. All because a similar group/pretty boy with a guitar released an instantly forgettable ditty that became massive.… Read the rest

Ginger Wildheart – Ghost in the Tanglewood – album review

April 18, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Ginger Wildheart

It took me a while to finally get round to picking up a copy of Ginger Wildheart’s latest album. Historically I have this image of Country & Western music being depressing and this generally draws me away from it. I don’t know why that has been the case, perhaps it is a perception I have built over the years through mis-representation and falsehoods. Maybe similar to strange beliefs some people have about mental health based on mis-conceptions and false perceptions.

With Ginger having had some public battles with his own mental health over the years, I wondered how this would play out.… Read the rest

The Filthy Tongues – Back to Hell – album review

April 16, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Martin Metcalfe is a multi-faceted and very busy man.

Playing live in various guises, recording, painting and organising art shows/books and on top of his own workload, writing for other bands.

The Fornicators in Glasgow Part 2

In recent weeks I picked up the second CD (Part 2) of a gig recorded in Glasgow’s Audio last year. Playing under one of his many guises, Martin Metcalfe and the Fornicators, the gig was an acoustic affair. The band played a selection of tracks from the various bands Martin has been involved with over the years, along with some of the songs they have covered and have been an influence on him/the bands he has played in.… 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 Claudettes: Dance Scandal at the Gymnasium – album review

April 13, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

The Claudettes

Two of my favourite TV shows in recent years have been Tremé & Twin Peaks. The former telling the tragic, but in some ways uplifting stories of those affected by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Largely ignored and forgotten by the government leaving them to rebuild their lives themselves. The latter being the return of the strange world created by the mind of David Lynch.

So why do I mention these here? After all this isn’t a TV review.

Music for New Orleans or perhaps the Bang Bang Club?

Let me explain. I have been listening to a new album Dance Scandal at the Gymnasium this week.… Read the rest

Ya Ya Logic – Own the World

April 8, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Some Ginger Quiff ramblings…

When I started my blog, it was for a number of reasons, mainly to give me a release and something to occupy my mind in the times where my thoughts would take me to places I didn’t want to go.

My thought was It would help me focus and write about music I love and raise awareness of Mental Health Issues, if no-one ever read it, then it was still worthwhile for my own sanity.

It has led to much more than that though, I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to write reviews for Louder Than War – both online and in the magazine, and write articles for other blogs.… Read the rest