Strung Out Nights EP reviews

August 22, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

 

Strung Out Nights is the brainchild of Fudgie McFadden (once of The Cherry Reds). Basically it is him and his acoustic guitar.

Fudgie: “I had written a song called Better Days when I was still in the Cherry Reds which at the time didn’t fit in with the sound and was also a song I didn’t feel comfortable playing live as it was very different and personal. But once I had left, I was inspired by the likes of The Homeless Gospel Choir, Pat The Bunny, Mischief Brew and Days N Daze to just say “f*ck it” and try out the acoustic thing.”

… Read the rest

Cud

August 19, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

Cud live in Glasgow! At long last, I’ve waited a long time for this one.

Judging by some of the folk I met tonight, I’m not the only one!

As folk started to take up their positions stage front, I got talking to a couple of other lone gig goers. Both were from Cud’s neck of the woods originally, Wakefield and Leeds to be precise. Like me they had both waited a long time for this. For Kirsty it was 26 years since she saw them last and for Mark it was going to be the first time he’d seen them.… Read the rest

Dead Hope – Songs from the Second Floor – Album and gig

August 18, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com
DEAD HOPE
LIVE AT THE OLD HAIRDRESSERS

I ticked 2 new boxes last week.

I went to the Old Hairdressers for a gig for the first time (tick 1). That gig was by Dead Hope who were launching their debut album “Songs from the Second Floor” (tick 2).

I’d be promising Keith that I would go to see them every time they’ve played a gig. Unfortunately I had missed every one to date. Due to a prior engagement, I wasn’t sure if I’d make this one either. In the end, I got there in time to see the last few songs by support band, Curdle.… Read the rest

Music is My Escape – using music as a coping strategy

August 16, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

Music is my Escape……..I posted this image on Facebook some time ago. However, I only recently took some time to really think about what this means to me. Mainly in terms of music being one of my “strategies” to deal with anxiety/depression.

I know there are many people who have different ways of dealing with their own mental health. Music isn’t something that helps everyone, but for me it is important.

I’m in a good place thanks to strategies I have in place. That includes using this blog as kind of a therapy. I have dealt with anxiety and depression for some time.… Read the rest

There is a Night that Never Goes Out…..

August 13, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

I had a catch up with an old friend the other day. I say “old” friend as it was only when we talked we realised just how long we’d known each other! That friend is Robert Winning and when we spoke we realised it must have been about 26 years ago when we first met.

It was 1991 and I’d been to see Morrissey at the Caird Hall in Dundee. The gig had finished early after around an hour as Morrissey was losing his voice. He was due to be playing the following night at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow. … Read the rest

Heavy Drapes – coming to a venue near you soon….

August 13, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

News on the Heavy Drapes front. With the departure of Jerry Crowe on bass (all the best Jerry), the band are joined by former Scars guitarist Paul Research!

Look out for a Heavy Drapes feature on my blog soon.

In the meantime, here is a link to all the news on the band changes from Joe Whyte. (Louder Than War/Vive Le Rock/Re@ction/Jericho Hill)

Heavy Drapes meets Scars Exclusive

Post Views: 378
… Read the rest

Ginger Wildheart

August 10, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

Ginger Wildheart is another artist who has a history of mental illness. His latest episode has led to arrest, attempted suicide and his being sectioned.

Ginger has an amazing wealth of talent and a tremendous back catalogue. I hope he gets the support he needs to get through his latest setback and continue to add to this. I don’t want to wake up to the news of another Chris Cornell or Chester Bennington this year.

Its an old record I keep playing, but I’ll say it again, mental illness, anxiety, depression – they don’t discriminate. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do.… Read the rest

Pixies triumphant return to Glasgow

August 8, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

Pixies Live in Glasgow

Its Monday, what is the best remedy for a weekend dominated by back to school shopping and reading about how great Rebellion Festival was by all and sundry on Facebook? (Note to self: get to Rebellion soon…..). Well, for this Monday it was going to see Pixies as part of Magner’s Summer Nights at Kelvingrove Bandstand.

I’d been looking forward to seeing them for ages, especially after missing out in December when they played Barrowland. It would be the first time I’d seen them since Paz Lenchantin joined the band following Kim Deal’s departure. I was slightly worried about what songs which heavily featured Kim would be like, but was looking forward to the gig immensely.… Read the rest

Sinead O’Connor

August 8, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

Its tragic to see what has happened to Sinead O’Connor over the last few years with her obvious struggles with mental health. It is not for me, or anyone else, to discuss the whys and wherefores about what her issues are. So I have been disgusted at some of the comments directed towards her on social media today.

I understand that she divides opinion due to her being an outspoken individual. Over the years she has rubbed people up the wrong way with her opinions and actions. But the woman is obviously suffering and for people to criticize her for what she has done in posting a video about how she is feeling in which she is visibly upset and obviously needs help is disgusting.… Read the rest

Southern Approach – Interview with David Munro Orr – Kilmarnock “legend”

August 5, 2017 By neilho27@sky.com

So, when I decided I was going to start a blog, I knew I wanted to share my love for music and I wanted to shout about some of the bands that (in my opinion) deserve to get more recognition and exposure. (Not that this blog is going to get them that but hey, I can try!) So how would I get them on board and involved?

I thought, maybe I could approach someone I know that has been in bands all his life and has released some great tunes? But failing that maybe Munro would help (I jest Davy!)

So, here it is – my first blog and I’ve roped in David Munro Orr (Davy, Munro…..… Read the rest

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