Scottish Punk - The Ginger Quiff

Walter Lure’s L.A.M.F. live in Glasgow

August 9, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

I almost don’t know where to start.

When you return to work after a chilled out two weeks off to four of the most stressful days you’ve had in a long time, and you seriously consider not going to a gig because of your headspace.

But you realise.

And I’m going to use two of my most hated overused words.

Iconic Legend…

You realise the gig is one that features an iconic legend. There. I said it. I used both words, and adjacent to reach other!

But I mean it. It hit me when I was standing taking in the second support of the night, Hateful (and a mighty fine set it was too…), and I watched Walter Lure, or more affectionately Waldo, walk in the door and into the minimal band space in Glasgow’s Audio venue.… Read the rest

Skaghoors – The Four Play EP – review

August 7, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Fresh from their recent trip to Rebellion to teach the gathered punk hordes in Blackpool a thing or two about the Ayrshire punk scene, Skaghoors release a delectable selection of tracks on their new Four Play EP on which they dabble in a variety of styles to satisfy every listener.

Kicking off with a giggling child singing London Bridge is Falling Down (or could it be that “charismatic” buffoon Boris Johnson, not sure) before cleverly weaving the melody into the ska punk n roll of (No More) UK Bombs despairing at the state of the nation under an increasingly undemocratic democracy…while the lyrical exasperation levels ramp up several notches for Gender Vendor, a full throttle punk rock romp lamenting the increasingly complex and baffling world of gender identity.… Read the rest

Reaction – Keep It Weird, Keep It Wired – album launch review

June 17, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

It seemed a long time in coming but Saturday’s launch gig for the vinyl version of one of 2018’s standout albums and the SAY listed Keep it Weird, Keep it Wired.

McChuills

There was a buzz of anticipation around the excellent McChuills venue on Glasgow’s High Street and an opportunity to catch up with friends old and new over a few drinks in the relaxed and friendly bar ahead of the evenings festivities as the inimitable dapper gentleman that is the one and only Nicky Stewart warmed up the crowd with some punk classics on the decks.

Talking of dapper gents, the equally debonair Alex “Mainy” Main was manning the merchandise and as grabbed a couple of words with him, I noticed a piece of ReAction merchandise that I didn’t own.… Read the rest

Thirteen – Controversy – album review

June 17, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Unlucky for some?

Falkirk based punk rock ‘n’ rollers Thirteen launch their latest album Controversy at the end of June. Fans of the band will be familiar with a few of the tracks, with Tattered Sleeve, We Will Overcome and Spirit of Resistance taken from their EP of the same name as the latter. It hasnt been an easy ride getting this album made with Dolly sans band-mates at one point.

Controversy…ain’t what it used to be

It hasnt stopped him getting a solid album together. Dolly gives us another ten tracks in the same raucous rebellious spirit as the EP.… Read the rest

Ex- EP 7 review

May 31, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

I’m not sure if Meek ever sleeps. His creative juices seem to flow 24/7 – what with writing many of his own books and compiling the works of others in the “For the Many, Not the Few” series, now onto its 8^th volume, the musical output from him (and the rest of Ex- of course) takes some beating.

The latest EP Ex- 7 is a case in point.

The three tracks here are of the now expected superior quality I’ve come to expect from Ex-, their melodic punk/NY garage-rock sounds complemented by Meek’s satisfying rich burr.

Ex- songs always have an intelligent lyric and an eminently memorable refrain or chorus.… 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

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

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