The Ginger Quiff – Goodbye 2018

December 29, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

It is that time again…

Yes, it is that time again. Time to reflect on the year gone by as we approach the end of 2018.

In terms of music, I think you could say it was an up and down year.

On the plus side, the year that confirmed to me that while the charts are filled with artists who release/stream “tracks”, and in the last few days, HMV have announced they are in trouble again, the album is still hanging on in there and vinyl continues to make a revival. There have been some tremendous albums released in the past 12 months, several of which I have had the pleasure of reviewing here or for Louder Than War, but probably an equal number that I have loved but for one reason or the other, never got around to reviewing.… 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

Speed of Life – spoken word & music from Richard Jobson & Martin Metcalfe

August 29, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Speed of Life

After 2 successful and well received shows in Edinburgh and Irvine, Richard Jobson & Martin Metcalfe take this unusual and enthralling performance on tour across the UK over 6 dates.

This project isn’t be the first time the multi-faceted Jobson and Metcalfe have worked together. Jobson has previously provided the vocal for Isa & the Filthy Tongues track Bus Shelter and more recently the pair collaborated on a number of songs on the Skids recent comeback album “Burning Cities.” I’m sure this collaboration won’t be the last.

Green and Blue

The dates will be a combination of spoken word, music, songs and a Q&A
Jobson will read excerpts from his acclaimed new sci-fi novel “Speed of Life”, its name taken from the instrumental track of the same name on Bowies “Low” album.… 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

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

Reaction – Out of My Head – 7″

February 19, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

White Vinyl

To keep Reaction fans going until the new album, they have a limited edition white vinyl 7″ out now for ordering on Tarbeach Records.

The two songs on this 7” show two different sides to the band. On one side, “Out of My Head” with its driving guitar, pounding bass and drums intro & refrain is the sophisticated melodic punk rock that the band have become known for. engaging guitar breaks, cymbal crashes and tambourine all add up to this being a stonker of a tune. Carson my want “you out of my head”, but I’m quite happy for this tune to stay there all day.… Read the rest

A Motley Mish-Mash of Melodious Musical Merriment

January 18, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Since the turn of the year, I’ve been listening to a variety of music – new and old – and in a variety of formats. I’ve never been a fan of streaming, but I’m trying to get into the 21st Century and using these formats where there isn’t an alternative.

I’ve been playing catch up on music I’ve been sent over the last few months as well as listening to Christmas presents and recent recommendations from friends.

Speaking of recommendations – I recently wrote a blog about Jason How, if you haven’t already checked him out. I’d recommend a listen, regardless of what “genre” you normally listen to.… Read the rest

The Red Eyes – Man and Boy – Alan Bishop

January 14, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Alan Bishop – The Red Eyes

2017 was a big year for The Red Eyes. They released their 4^th album – the masterpiece that is “Man and Boy” and marked their 20^th anniversary with a tremendous gig in Audio playing 2 sets – one with original 90’s line up and their headline “Man and Boy” set. The Red Eyes were joined on the night backed up by Fudgie McFadden’s “Strung Out Nights” and Heavy Drapes, who are due to release their debut album in 2018.

I caught up with Alan Bishop to find out a bit more about his thoughts and experiences of the last 20 years.… Read the rest

The Media Whores – Mercury prize nominees for Dangerous Minds

September 25, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

Who are The Media Whores?

The Media Whores are a Falkirk based “political power pop punk” band (description courtesy of Vive Le Rock) who have now have three albums to their name.

Debut “Starfishing”
2013’s “Pornophonica” (9/10 in Vive Le Rock)
and latest release “Dangerous Minds” (2016) (again 9/10 in Vive Le Rock) and was also long-listed for the Mercury Music Prize.

Although Dangerous Minds has been out for a while now, it seemed like a good time to catch up with the band following the Mercury long-listing.

Band members are:

Craig A – vocals & rhythm guitar
Doogie Mackie – bass guitar & backing vocs
Martyn Heath – lead guitar & backing vocs
Andy Russell – drums

Recent shows

The Media Whores have been prominent and noticeably busy since the album release.… Read the rest

Crimedesk and Thirteen – Album/EP reviews

September 11, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

It’s a bit of a coincidence that I received Crimedesk’s album and Thirteen’s EP within a few days of each other.

I say this, as I’ve recently featured Drunk Gods and earlier this year I saw all 3 bands in Ivory Blacks. It was a great nights entertainment. 3 very different bands in sound but all enjoyed by a small but enthusiastic crowd.

In another coincidence, the gig should also have featured Heavy Drapes. I also wrote about recently, unfortunately they had to pull out at the last-minute.

Crimedesk – Louder…..FASTER

Crimedesk have been around and about since ’79 and are a hard-gigging 3 piece punk band from Fife featuring the 2 Alan(n)s on guitar and bass & vocals and John on drums.… Read the rest