The Bathers - The Ginger Quiff

Albums of the Year 2023

December 30, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

Before I list my favourite “Albums of the Year 2023”, an apology.

I have been inundated this year with new music, new albums, requests for reviews and features. First, I’m happy that there is so much great music out there and that I’m party to being able to hear and share that new music, but secondly, a huge apology to many bands and artists whose music I’ve loved and planned to review/feature but it hasn’t happened. I’d love nothing more than to spend my life listening to and writing about music (and the book I keep meaning to finish), but that doesn’t pay the bills.… Read the rest

Singles of the Year 2023

December 28, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

I have no idea how John Peel narrowed songs down to a Festive 50 every year, he must have received 1000 times the number of songs I receive on a yearly basis. Maybe if I did a Singles of the Year 2023 blog again tomorrow or the next day, things would change slightly as I think of another song that needs to be included, as in the singles round-ups (links to all the round ups of the year at the foot of the blog) I must have listed between 400 and 500 songs this year, another bumper year for new music.… Read the rest

The Bathers, The Cowboy Mouth & Sister John – live in the GUU Debating Chamber

October 28, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

The second “grown ups” gig of the week, this time in the impressive surroundings of the GUU Debating Chamber, a first for me, and the third in a triumvirate of gigs featuring the classy trio of Sister John, The Cowboy Mouth and, celebrating the release of the astounding new album Sirenesque, The Bathers.

This time the turn of kicking off what was to be a very special night indeed was down to the multi-talented Sister John, who never fail to impress. Tonight was no different as they treated the gathered throng of music fans to their unique brand of laidback folky rock that takes in all the best bits of the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Velvet Underground, and everything in between, some 60s psychedelia, some tasty Neil Young riffs… As usual I was mesmerised throughout, the soothing effect of their music creating an overall feeling of well-being, especially on Over Again washing away the stresses of the working week. … Read the rest

The Bathers – Sirenesque – Album (of the year?) review

October 20, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

Unassumingly announcing its arrival with solitary and delicately understated piano paired with birdsong in the form of the calming beauty of Culzean, the long-awaited new album from Glasgow’s very own legendary band The Bathers, Sirenesque, then segues smoothly into its majestic title track. When Chris Thomson’s well-kent, instantly recognisable and richly expressive smooth brogue kicks in it almost induces tears, such is the effect of his highly emotive style, a welcome sound that rolls back the years both with a sense of ebullience, but also tinged with an element of melancholia, the song has an element of Blackstar Bowie to it, before the guitar break takes over and the sense of hopeful buoyancy takes the lead once more.… Read the rest

The Bathers, Sister John & The Cowboy Mouth – LNFG triple bill – live review

May 29, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

This was the second weekend in a row I took in a triple bill of Last Night From Glasgow acts, having been wowed the previous Friday by the album launch show for Slime City in the excellent St Luke’s and the Winged Ox venue, a gig also featuring bis and Casual Worker.

Converted churches seem to be order of the day, this time round Websters Theatre in the city’s West End hosting the trio of Graham Skinner and Douglas McIntyre’s The Cowboy Mouth, the band who have the prestige of being LNFG’s first album release, Sister John and, as I once saw them billed, a seminal Glasgow band, The Bathers.… Read the rest

GingerQuiff – Final lists of 2020

December 31, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Following on from my albums of the year list, the following are my final lists for 2021.

I don’t have a top gigs list for 2021 as I only went to a handful at the start of the year not realising what the year had in store. Though The Wildhearts, Backyard Babies, The Interrupters, Savage Cut and Outstandifold & the Wettygrippers were a pretty good start to what should have been a great year of gigs..

Re-Releases

Bob Mould – Distortion (1989 – 2019) – what can I say, Santa was good to me this year. What a fantastic box set this is.

… Read the rest

Starless – Earthbound – album review

May 28, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

The indefatigable Last Night From Glasgow show no signs of letting up in the light of COVID 19. With a bulging release schedule and a roster already bursting at the seams with talent, things are just ramping up.

The latest release from the label comes in the form of a roll call from many of the great and good of the Scottish music scene past and present.

Starless is the brainchild of the eminently talented Paul McGeechan. Writer, composer, engineer, producer and famed around these parts for being part of seminal Glasgow bands Friends Again and Love and Money.

Unfettered Charm & Beauty

Starless are releasing their second album, Earthbound, following on from the unfettered charm and beauty of their debut a couple of years ago.… Read the rest