Uncategorized - The Ginger Quiff

Shakespears Sister - Live in Glasgow poster

Shakespears Sister: Live in Glasgow – review

November 13, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

As I am on a bit of a forced sabbatical from the Ginger Quiff, Alex “Mainy” Main is filling the void for me. A while ago, I did something I do all too often. I purchased tickets for a gig without checking the dates…schoolboy error. Anyway, thankfully Mainy was happy to take the tickets for Shakespears Sister off my hands and in return, he has shared his thoughts for the GQ.

Cheers Mainy…

Once upon a time I stood in a field and watched Shakespears Sister take the preconceived perception of them as a lightweight pop band and savagely tear it up before casting it to the wind.… Read the rest

LoGOz – Psycho Radio – review

October 7, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Guest reviewer Alex “Mainy” Main reviews LoGOz, fresh from watching them play The Great British Alternative Weekend in Skegness. I think it is safe to say they were one of his highlights:

The Third Wave

When the second wave of punk that was loosely termed UK82 gave way to a third wave of pop ska hardcore punk from the US those of us who preferred melody rejoiced. The umbrella that the third wave of populist punk rested under was as broad as the initial punk one was. From the tongue in cheek humour of Blink 182 to the politically charged Propaghandi we had it good.… Read the rest

The Zips – IOU

September 14, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

The Zips , arguably the finest Scottish punk band to emerge from the first wave of punk, and definitely, and defiantly, the most vital and valid to this day, just listen to Hear Hear from Down With The Zips, a more perfect analogy for the debacle that is Westminster you will never hear. Jonzip is a prophet.

Another prophetic announcement arrived this week in the form of the artwork for The Zips new album due later in the year. The artwork is a collaboration of Strummer/Clash fans, the band and local talented artists Stephen Scott. Stephen has produced a number of paintings of The Clash over the years (a print of one of these takes pride of place on my living room wall).… Read the rest

Spotlight on Curdle

September 12, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Curdle

Curdle is a 4 piece Glasgow-based band playing their unique blend of riot grrl infused goth horror punk with lashings of 1960s trippy pop psychedelia for good meassure.

The band consists of:

Wiggy – Guitar, Bass, Theremin, Vocals
Sarah – Guitar, Bass, Synth, Vocals
Clare – Drums
Lucy – Guitar, Bass, Backing Vocals

Their mesmerising debut album is receiving a vinyl release later in the year on the wonderful Double A Side records. (I recently revisited this for a review on the site). The band kindly took some time out of their busy schedule to speak to the Ginger Quiff.… Read the rest

Raucous Rockabilly Rebellion

August 25, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

It was Gretsch-a-go-go in Glasgow’s Audio last night.

Four bands made up this showcase, each taking rock’n’roll/rockabilly as a base, and adapting it to their own ends.

The heat of the day was reflected with the venue turning into a veritable sweatbox. The searing heat was reflecting in the blistering performances from each band on the bill.

The Best Bad Influence

It was pleasing to see the venue packed from the off with The Best Bad Influence opening the night. The buzz around this band has been palpable, one I have been excited to see live since witnessing the busking videos they have posted on their social media pages.… Read the rest

Slime City – Single review

July 24, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Remember when Malcolm Middleton reminded us “We’re All Going to Die”? Well for the pragmatists amongst you, you’ll not be surprised by the fact that reality hasn’t changed. This time it is the turn of Glasgow’s Slime City to remind us of the fact we are all mortal with the wonderful “You and Everybody That You Love Will One Day Die”

Challenging Win for song title length (It May Be Beautiful Sky Tonight But It’s Only a Shelter for a World at Risk) this three minutes of blissful hook laden trashy rock makes you feel cool about the fact we’re going to go the way of all flesh one day as the song charms and enchants.… Read the rest

Baby Shakes – Live, The Flying Duck, Glasgow

July 18, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

I love a good gig, and usually have a few to look forward to weeks or months in advance. There is something to be said though for Impromptu gig nights. The other night in Glasgow was a case in point.

I’d seen the Baby Shakes gig advertised and had swithered whether I should go, mid-week, last few days before I’m off for a couple of weeks so busy at work. I’d unconsciously put a mental x against it as one of those, I’d like to go, but I’ll stay in.

Of course, if that had been the case, there wouldn’t have been much more to write about.… Read the rest

A Beautiful Night Out – Therapy? & The Levellers in Kelvingrove

July 3, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Another West End evening

Sunday night and I found myself Kelvingrove bound for the second time in a week.

Having experienced a couple of days that hadn’t quite gone to plan up until then, I was hoping for a positive end to the weekend. Great company was a good omen for starters, and despite the Glasgow summer being as unpredictable as the next gig announcement in a year of pleasant surprises so far, it looked like the rain would hold off.

Idlewild frontman Roddy Woomble was playing an acoustic support set as we stood shooting the breeze while waiting outside for a ticket to arrive.… 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

World Mental Health Day 2018

October 10, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

10th October is World Mental Health Day

I couldn’t let today pass without at least a short blog, a day designed to raise awareness of and education for mental health issues and to provide advocacy for those who are impacted.

Several years have passed since I first experienced crippling anxiety leading to an extended period of depression. The experience had a lasting effect on me and, despite a lapse back into my depression and anxiety controlling me in more recent years, it has changed my whole outlook on life and the way I deal with my own mental health. I am in control and though you can never say never, I intend to keep it that way.… Read the rest