Rockabilly - The Ginger Quiff

The CundeeZ – Geeez it! – album review

June 16, 2022 By neilho27@sky.com

If you looked in as an outsider, The CundeeZ are one of these bands who are always labelled as “punk”, but when you peel away the layers there is much more than that. What does punk really mean anyway? Bring half a dozen old punks into a room and they’ll all have a different view of what it means to them… Never a band to conform to the norms (I mean, a punk band with bagpipes that wear kilts onstage?) the latest album, Geeez It!, like its predecessor, Teckle & Hide, while undeniably the sound of The CundeeZ, dips its toes into a variety of genres, this time taking in rockabilly territory, as well as other genres like new wave/post-punk and folk.… Read the rest

The Hurricanes Devil's Choice album cover

The Hurricanes – Devil’s Choice – album review

August 22, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

Neil Young once sang in Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black) that rock and roll can never die. A sentiment I couldn’t agree with more. So it is with a huge amount of joy I’m glad to say that, one of the purest forms of rock ‘n’ roll is in rude health.

Certainly rockabilly on the streets of Glasgow is appealing to a whole new generation thanks to the efforts of young wolves, The Best Bad Influence. The band draw huge crowds on Glasgow’s Buchanan Street when they ply their trade. The Bikini Bottoms left Glasgow for pastures new.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2021 – Pt 8

August 16, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

This is a singles round up of mammoth proportions. I spent some time scrolling through the wealth of e-mails I received over the last few months, and other singles I’ve been particularly enjoying. 2021 has been a treasure trove of new music across so many genres. Even though this is my biggest singles round up of the year so far, it still only scratches the surface of what is going on just now…

…and then there are all the albums, just recently, over and above the ones I’ve already featured/reviewed I’ve been enjoying the new albums from The Media Whores, monsterpop, The Hurricanes, Jackal Trades, Mickey 9s, Jeshua and The Strays to name but a few.… Read the rest

Live Music – The Best Bad (Good) Influence…

July 10, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

This is a post I started writing earlier, but the outcome has changed as a result of today’s activity…

Rollercoaster of Emotions

I’ve been on a bit of a rollercoaster for the last few weeks, experiencing some of the highest highs and the lowest lows I’ve felt in a long time from a mental health perspective.

Yesterday I finished delivering a two week induction training course in Perth for 10 new starts, and I’m now emotionally and physically drained after two weeks of putting my heart and soul entirely into work. I’m glad to say the actual training was an entirely positive experience, with the odd left field issue thrown in to test me.… Read the rest

Natalie Pryce – Bad Men – album review

April 9, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

The mysteriously enigmatic band Natalie Pryce unveiled their latest album Bad Men recently. As usual this is an unsettlingly enjoyable listen. The musical content of the 10 male-monikered songs to be found within is suitably reflected in the cover art featuring a sinisterly creepy masked man in crumpled pyjamas reclining aggressively on a bed…

This album comes at a time where issues like taking back the streets for women are to the fore in the wake of recent events following the murder of Sarah Everard at the hands of a serving policeman. I’m sure the messages portrayed on this album won’t be popular with the “not all men are like that” brigade.… Read the rest

GingerQuiff – Final lists of 2020

December 31, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Following on from my albums of the year list, the following are my final lists for 2021.

I don’t have a top gigs list for 2021 as I only went to a handful at the start of the year not realising what the year had in store. Though The Wildhearts, Backyard Babies, The Interrupters, Savage Cut and Outstandifold & the Wettygrippers were a pretty good start to what should have been a great year of gigs..

Re-Releases

Bob Mould – Distortion (1989 – 2019) – what can I say, Santa was good to me this year. What a fantastic box set this is.

… Read the rest

The Ginger Quiff – 2020 review

December 23, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Albums of the year

2020 might have been a year to forget for uncountable reasons, a year many would rather forget. However, the amount, and quality, of new music that saw the light of day in 2020 was astounding. So much so, narrowing down my favourite albums of this year to a top ten was a nigh on impossible task.

Even now as I have committed to and published this list, I am still making changes in my head. To say that some of these albums were “better” than others would be to dismiss the quality of said albums. Just know that I appreciate and applaud the time and love that has gone into the recording of all of these albums.… Read the rest

Lou Kyme – What’s the Worst That Can Happen? – album review

September 11, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Straight out of the deep south comes the melody packed debut mini album from Lou Kyme. I should point out, the deep south I speak of is deepest darkest Southampton. However, you would be forgiven for thinking these seven radiant slices of Americana/country same straight out of the USA.

Chuck magic

In fact, that isn’t so very far from the truth. Despite Lou’s English roots, and wealth of experience treading the boards with her dads’ band, the Okeh Wranglers, there are several American rootsy factors at play here. None more so than an appearance from legendary Green on Red axe man, and general guitar slinging legend Mr Chuck Prophet.… Read the rest

The Best Bad Influence – Rock-It! album review and interview

July 2, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Vibrant and Animated

Last year in a short interview with The Best Bad Influence, I described them as “one of the bands I am most excited about”, that label still stands today. They are one of the most vibrant and animated live bands I’ve had the pleasure to witness in recent years, bringing the raucous spirit of rockabilly to a new generation, much like the 80’s revival did for me. In doing so, they also allow the likes of older music fans like myself to regain some of their youthful enthusiasm for the music. Their bouncing gigs are a melee of old and young.… Read the rest

The Claudettes: Johnny Iguana Interview

June 13, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Chicago’s piano blues based jazzsters with added rockabilly flare and punk attitude The Claudettes recently released their stunning new album High Times in the Dark. Reviewed by yours truly for Louder Than War. Shortly thereafter, their touring plans (along with those of every other band) to promote the record, including a trip over the Atlantic to the UK, fell foul of COVID 19. Leaving 2020 as a barren gigless wasteland.

Johnny Iguana

Lead Claudette and pianist extraordinaire, Johnny Iguana, took some time out to share some thoughts on the lockdown brought about by the pandemic, the new album, and the current world-wide climate.… Read the rest