Another month passes, and another cracking bunch of singles passes through Ginger Quiff towers… new bands, old bands, new songs, classic cover versions… you name it, it’s here. If you feel so inclined, share this blog and share some love for these songs. There is a link below to a Spotify playlist…(I know… I hate Spotify too). Follow the bands, buy their music.
The Fades – You Follow Me Around
The latest single to be released from forthcoming album, Night Terrors, is this boisterous garage rock romp with Dave writing & singing about what on the face of it seems to be about dealing with a cat that can’t leave him alone from the moment he walks through the door, I think all cat owners can relate to that, especially anyone that had to work from home during COVID. On digging deeper though, the real source of consternation is the harassing behaviour of an ex…
The Best Bad Influence – It Only Hurts (When It’s You)
Everybody’s favourite Glasgow city centre buskers, and one of the hardest gigging bands on the circuit, this young Rockabilly trio are gathering new fans all the time and this new dreamy break-up single dials back on their trademark full-throttle adrenaline fuelled rockabilly, the song purrs along effortlessly and proves there is nothing these young wolves can’t turn their hand to. There is so much more under the bonnet for this band to give, they are cruising just now… rockabilly is in safe hands for a long time to come…
Suede – 15 Again
It may just be the stage of life I’m at but I’m reading a lot about age into songs, recent Pizza Crunch single Wilting Youth bringing a realisation that I’ve reached the top of the hill and I’m now making my way down the other side. However, the band (Pizza Crunch) played a gig at the weekend that made me feel 15 Again, so this new singles from glam indie stars Suede shows that age doesn’t stop you from releasing a barnstormer of a single, Suede still have attitude in spades, Brett really giving it laldy here. Fuck it, it’s just a number…
Dendrons – Vain Repeating
From newly released album 5-3-8 is this jagged post punk anthem, Vain Repeating, packed with searingly incisive guitars and bouncing stilted stop start rhythms.
Stereolab + Nurse With Wound – Simple Headphone Mind
New collaboration between French avant-garde experimental electro-pop specialists Stereolab and Nurse with Wound is exactly what you could hope for from this band, an addictively hypnotic sweeping electropop soundscape littered with bleeps and squelches that draws you in and causing you to lose all sense of time and space.
On – Underdog
Underdog is an ardent and urgent guitar driven piledriver packed with full on gritty riffing and comes from the bands self-titled album released in September
Jo Carley & the Old Dry Skulls – The Devil
It’s getting closer to that time of year again, so it only seems fair to share this one from the magnificent Jo Carley & the Old Dry Skulls. Just remember though kids, music is for life, not just Halloween…
Jo Carley & the Old Dry Skulls
The Paranoyds – Single Origin Experience
Hard to pigeonhole, easy to love. The first of two singles from The Paranoyds in this month’s round up is a mix of garage rock and spacey sixties synths.
Sunnbrella – Wrong
Back to the 90s with Sunnbrella and some glorious multi-layered shoegaze akin to Chapterhouse for your delectation. Soar away on their blissed out melodies.
Sister John – Young at Heart
I got over-excited in my last singles round up and included a link to the first radio plays of this and its companion song. I had to share it again, it deserves to be played from the rooftops for all to hear. The inimitable and simply wonderful Sister John cover one of the most recognisable songs from the 80s and make it their very own. Gorgeous. And be at Glad Cafe on 23rd September as Sister John celebrate the 5-year anniversary of debut album Returned From Sea. This will be one of the gigs of the year, guaranteed
The Bluebells – Glasgow is a Rainbow
Can’t have one without the other… One of Glasgow’s iconic band’s still delighting live audiences to this day take on what is quite possibly the best song ever written about my home city and in doing so, do it much justice.
Deux Furieuses – Know the Score
The follow up to Bring Down the Government by this punk duo is a lithe and dexterous foot stomper that’s for sure, dig into the lyrics of this powerfully upbeat song and you realise it is so much more, this is a song of defiance. This is a full on protest song, using the forceful beat to make a serious point about violence against women and not feeling safe on the streets of the UK. This is an anthem of power to women who are fed up, women who “know the score” rising up to reclaim the streets. As their closing refrain reminds us, there are too many forgotten victims… “say her name, say her name…”
Susie Merry – The Well
The Well comes from Susie Merry’s EP Body in Time, this folky acoustic ballad is tinged with sadness and poignancy yet it still has an air of calm and positivity.
Tallies – Memento
Like Sunnbrella earlier, Memento takes me back to a time in the 90’s when I was obsessed by bands such as Slowdive, Chapterhouse, Shellyann Orphan and their ilk. This single soars into the ether with shades of light and dark, the choruses layering heavily textured instrumentation atop the breezy floataway verses.
Rob Murray – Dead Flowers
Frontman of Welsh punks Red or Dead goes solo on this song, a beautiful acoustic ballad that would bring a tear to a glass eye, lyrics straight from the heart and a forlorn beauty to the delicately strummed guitar..
Scorpio Leisure – Give Us Some Space/Toxic
Not to be confused with Edinburgh “ahem” business…the line-up of Scorpio Leisure is like a who’s who in the history of alternative Scottish music – read ‘em and weep: Hettie Noir (The Gussets )on vocals, Ricky Maymi (The Brian Jonestown Massacre ) on guitars, Rusty Burn (Fire Engines, Win ,Trama Dolls, Opium Kitchen ,Boots for Dancing redux, The Bum Clocks) on Drums and production duties, CC Whitson (Gin Goblins, Opium Kitchen, Boots for Dancing , Voicex, The Bum Clocks) on bass. The single, Give Us Some Space also has Gareth Sager from The Pop Group “throwing in some piano” and also Malcolm Ross on guitar …”there also a guy called Mungo who has the record shop next to / under tha Barrowland throwing some guitar on the album”. (Courtesy of CC)
If that doesn’t whet your appetite you have no soul…
And the songs are as genre defying as they are hypnotic and mesmerising. I was just going to include the single Give Us Some Space, a song about ”getting spangled on the dancefloor”, but when I heard the incredible cover of Britney’s Toxic, how could I not include that too?
The album is……. coming soon. Not soon enough….
Her Picture – The Nature of It
With the single title hinting at their origins, Her Picture create an intensely sonorous heady brew of layered instruments, building to an incredibly impassioned crescendo.
Philomenah – Lavendar
I don’t know why I’ve not included some of Philomenah’s previous songs in my round ups, but better kate than never. Lavendar is a chill out song, a soothing trip hop track that gives you a feeling of ease and wellbeing.
Buzzkill Joy – Lehman Weekend
Blending pop punk with the observational lyrical style of The King Blues, this song is a lot of fun. Great storytelling and a style and persona that’ll please fans of the likes of Yungblud.
Keeley – Where the Monster Lives
Taken from the album Drawn to the Flame album, this single is written using excerpts from the diary of German backpacker Inga Maria Hauser when she was in Inverness prior to leaving for Ireland. The double meaning in the lyrics reflecting the mythical monster in Loch Ness and the real monster who took Inga Marias life. If you follow the Ginger Quiff, you’ll already know of my love for Keeley’s music, if you are a first time visitor, make sure you check the band out.
Pete Astor – Time on Earth
The Loft/The Weather Prophets frontman has a new solo album out ahead of his support dates on the forthcoming House of Love tour, this affecting single explores the transience of life and people who drift in and out of your life.
The Kaplans – It’s Mine
The welcome sound of the familiar throbbing bass, and distorted guitar riffs in the intro is enough to know that The Kaplans are back with another slice of their hard-edged bone-crushing darkly brooding rock. Another belter from The Kaplans camp. Think they should team up with pMad for a gig…
Girls in Synthesis – Watch with Mother
Be afraid, be very afraid, Girls in Synthesis continue to scare dogs and small children with their unique blend of sleazy, searing, scything guitars and thunderously foreboding rhythm section, and an ominous and menacing vocal. Pure class.
Lloyds House – Heather
Brilliant new single from Lloyds House ahead of their gig in Mono this weekend (3rd September) with Junk Pups supporting. Initially addictive in its lo-fi elegance, the song layers and builds to a monster of a song that will have you swaying and “oh a oh”ing along to it. Just try not to.
Dusk Amadeus – Rot
First single released by Dusk Amadeus since I managed to catch the second half of their set in the Hug and Pint at the start of August. Thrillingly ominous in a spirited and majestically gothic manner. No cowbells in this one 😉
Lunavela – Next of Kin
Next of Kin is underpinned by an insistent throbbing bass over which is built a tapestry of disquiet, distant vocals and a mellow laidback groove are layered with driving guitars to create an sombre and affecting mood.
Blush Club – Spices
Near spoken observational lyrics backed by mellow laidback guitar rhythms which build to a sonorous peak on this Glasgow band’s single from their Ornamental Ponds EP, the song recalls recalls the alt pop indie jangle of the Blue Aeroplanes.
pMad – Sisters
pMad add to their now burgeoning selection of heavy bass driven brooding guitar anthems with their latest offering Sister. Effect laden vocals pair with crunching gritty riffs, atop the ever present entrancing bass to creat yet another epic slice of goth tinged modern rock.
cloth – Low Sun
Talking of brooding, the masters of introspective soul searching rumination provide another gorgeously reflective slice of bear whispered genius.
Bigfatbig – Shut Up
A big shout out… I mean shut up, to all those boys with guitars and over inflated egos and opinions who think they’re the big “I Am”, while others keep their heads down and work hard. this is a raucous thrill ride of a song all the way from Sunderland.
The Persian Leaps – Maybe Time Will Let Me Forget
The Persian Leaps doing what they do best and creating sunshine melodies with big impactful power pop riffs, soaraway choruses and delicious harmonies.
The Bowling Green – Wonky
Micko Westmoreland of Velvet Goldmine and Micko and the Mellotronics fame returns to his first musical project, the experimental electronica of The Bowling Green with the gloriously woozy laidback groove of Wonky complete with what sounds like perfectly plucked banjo topped with melodica. This is the first single to appear from an album due out later in the year.
Slim Wrist – Details
Ghostly and ethereal in its feel, this perfectly formed synth laden electronica single comes from the Edinburgh duo’s forthcoming album Closer for Comforting out next week.
The Paranoyds – BWP
The second appearance this month from The Paranoyds has them go all intense and psychedelic on us. The album should be epic.
Jackal Trades – Make It Happen
A touchingly heartbreaking autobiographical lyric that I’m sure will touch a nerve with many. Sometimes you just know you have to do the right thing and make something happen, however hard it may be.
The latest cut from one of the hardest working blokes on the Scottish music scene.
The song certainly struck a chord with me having met an amazing young bloke on the train from Perth to Glasgow this week, 18 years old, a wheelchair user and taking solo trips on his favourite trains around the Uk. I’m hopeful I’ll manage to make one of his train related dreams come to fruition.
King Wine – Sad Dance Party
Once this song lodges in your head its not going to leave. It’ll take up residency. The seemingly light hearted and addictive 8-bit Super Marioesque rhythms actually soundtracking the tears of a break up. From King Wine’s new self titled album.
Dropkick Murphys – Ten Times More
The Dropkick Murphys continue in their impressive effort to bring the words of Woody Guthrie to the masses. The legendary protester/folk singer famous for the legend on his guitar “This Machine Kills Fascists” has inspired many singers and bands over the years. Its just a shame that thanks mainly to the tories, the lyrics ring as true today as the day Guthrie wrote them.
Deadstock 33s & Brix Smith – Brix Goes Tubular
The inimitable Brix Smith joins forces with Deadstock 33 on this dance anthem. check out the dub and extended versions.
Telefis – The Age of Cling
Yet another triumphant single from Telefis, featuring vocals from the late great Cathal Coughlan, with this single also featuring the talents of Echo and the Bunnymen guitar maestro Will Sergeant. What’s not to love?
Tropical Fuck Storm – Moonburn
An utter headfuck of a single, what else is there to say, swinging between calm and mesmerizing to disturbingly turbulent and tempestuous.
Static – Torn Apart
The first of two that probably wouldn’t have been here if I hadn’t attended the fantastic four band bill headlined by the almighty Pizza Crunch at the weekend. Static opened proceedings in style at the gig and Torn Apart is their latest high octane adrenaline rush of a release,
Tina Sandwich – Up All Night
Ok, so this is a bit of a cheat as it’s not an August release. But as I missed it when it first came out and given that I loved Tina Sandwich’s live set so much last week, I couldn’t not include this!
Tom McGuire & the Brassholes – 24/7
With a new album on the horizon, new single 24/7 follows up their previous single, the raucous 2008, and is another feel good anthem which promises great things from their new long player.
Tom McGuire and the Brassholes
Simon Love – L-O-T-H-A-R-I-O
Unfortunately, I missed Simon’s recent in-store performance in Glasgow’s Love Music, but fortunately I did get an opportunity to shoot the breeze with him earlier this year when the album, Love Sex and Death Etc came out (read it here)
New single from the album is one of the “love” themed songs on the album L-O-T-H-A-R-I-O and is a complex and intriguing tale of relationships, and in particular, disastrous one-night stands, Simon displaying his knack for telling a tale in his accomplished song writing
As usual, where these songs are available on the evil Spoitfy, I’ve added them to a playlist for your delight and delecatation. Just remember. If you like it, go buy it from the band, or their albums, t-shirts or gig tickets. Support music. Or you’ll lose it.
Another day, and more Neil sneering at millions of working class people, many of whom are less privileged than you are, for having the audacity to think differently than you do.
Keep getting the likes from your nasty echo chamber , but you won’t get anywhere til you look in the mirror and recognise that the face you are looking at isn’t the one you think you are projecting.
Ah lovely, an anonymous troll who doesn’t have the courage to post a comment with their own name. Stroll on.