Jason How Seven Mile Lane

Jason How – Seven Mile Lane – Album Review

Jason How returns with his fourth album, here he continues to demonstrate and hone his innate skill for writing addictive melodies and hooks, telling stories and painting pictures that draw the listener into his world.

This time around, he has taken inspiration from his home surroundings and his experiences cycling around the Kent countryside. On Seven Mile Lane he manages to turn the everyday into sunshine soaked harmonies, and intriguing tales as well picking up local myths and legends of the deeper darker murkier tales that often go un-noticed or get forgotten over time.

“Say goodbye to sorrow” is one of the lines from opening track She Can Make Me See.… Read the rest

Lee Harveys Fire Exit Reaction

The Lee Harveys, Reaction and Fire Exit – Glasgow Audio

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 – 23rd 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

GIFTSHOP Big In Astori

GIFTSHOP – Big in Astoria

Following the two tracks provided for the New York compilation NYC 2019 Vol 1, GIFTSHOP released their new 5 track EP last weekend with what by all accounts was a triumphant, EP launch gig at Coney Island Baby.

Big in Astoria

My favourite of the current crop of NYC bands, though by no means the only one I’m listening to, GIFTSHOP’s EP had me wishing I was at that gig. With such vibrancy in the NYC underground music scene, it’s a shame I can’t just nip out to a gig …the commute from Glasgow is just a little difficult.

Anyway, as track three of the EP, Stacked, says, the “chips are stacked” in favour of GIFTSHOP.… Read the rest

A Decade of Defiance

The Media Whores – A Decade of Defiance

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

Turning Black Like Lizards

Turning Black Like Lizards – Spiral Eyes

The lead track on this 3 track EP from Turning Black Like Lizards is fast becoming a go-to tune on my playlists. In fact, all three tracks are.

This EP is yet another reason to seek out what is below the surface noise of the shite that clogs up the majority of mainstream airwaves and the charts these days (for what they are worth).

Don’t settle for what the industry thinks you should be listening to. Get off your arse and seek out music that stimulates rather than that which is designed to torpify.

Spiral Eyes is an awesome anthem that spans countless music influences with great effect.… Read the rest

Godfathers-war-cover

The Godfathers – This is War! – Live

Live music

Live music. It is all consuming. It is a therapy. A great gig can have so many positive effects on the soul, on mental health, it can take away all the shite of the day and help you escape to another dimension where all that matters is the music.

I have come out of so many gigs in my life and uttered something along the lines of “best gig ever”, every gig can be the best gig ever, just because of living in the moment. The euphoria and endorphins released due to the pure unadulterated enjoyment of experiencing everything that goes along with.… Read the rest

The Lee Harveys Resistance is Not Terrorism

The Lee Harveys – Resistance is Not Terrorism

If it wasn’t for a certain Garry Alexander Borland and Danny Mac’s Testifying Times Radio Show, I might never had heard The Lee Harveys. But, as it is, thanks to a recommendation from Garry, and Danny playing and interviewing them on his show, I am the proud owner of all their albums; Still Angry, Gun City and Bullet for the President.

I can now add to that their latest unmissable release Resistance is Not Terrorism. The 6 track EP comes on CD and on extended edition coloured vinyl. Side one of which is the EP with side two collating fan selected remastered highlights from previous releases.… Read the rest

Prop Drop cover art

The Super Pumas – Prop Drop

Inverclyde 3 piece The Super Pumas release their new single on Monday 28th January.

The band are Lee on Guitar/vocals, Jim on bass and Div on Drums

The Super Pumas

Prop Drop is a more than worthy follow up to last year’s addictive hook laden Circles Roaming single.

The bands grungey alt-rock style is represented perfectly on the new single and accompanying video which will appeal to fans of Biffy Clyro, Foo Fighters and Therapy?. Kicking off with staccato drums and guitar, before assaulting the eardrums with full on riffing, the song develops, and rises and falls throughout. Bursts of full on energy assault your senses,
“Prop Drop police they are raging, raging”, before bringing the tempo down with delicate husky vocal and gentle guitar between,“Find your shelter, any which way that you like”.… Read the rest

Bowery Electric

New Year, New York

New York

The name conjures up so many images in my head. Granted, many are from the movies, but probably more arise from the allure the NY underground music scene holds for me, and the fascinating stories and tragic tales that surround it.

Times Square, New York Dolls, CBGBs, The Ramones, Johnny Thunders, Max’s Kansas City, Blondie, Patti Smith, Suicide, The Chelsea Hotel, Sid ‘n Nancy, Television, The Velvet Underground, Lou Reed…

“New York City is the place where they said: Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side”

Mainstream

In more recent years bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Strokes, The Hold Steady and The National (among many others) rose to mainstream prominence having formed in, played their initial gigs or been associated with New York.… Read the rest

Gold Needles

The Gold Needles – Pearls: Album review

One of my most listened to albums from later in 2018 finally gets the gingerquiff review treatment.

The Gold Needles released Pearls way back in March, but like a bunch of other albums in my “must listen to” pile, events and life took over resulting in me now having a pile of “still must listen to” albums.

When I finally get around to listening, a lot of this pile has had me kicking myself that I didn’t get to them earlier as they have been a revelation and long-term fixtures on my turntable, CD player or iPod.

Gold Needles album is one of those.… Read the rest

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