paul RESEARCH – skate THE ROYAL MILE

March 24, 2021 By neilho27@sky.com

Scars legendary guitarist returns following his adventures with Voicex for this arresting and eclectic collection of songs, collaborating across the miles (from Edinburgh to Barcelona, New York City to Rome and closer to home in England) none of the albums contributors met during the recording of the album during 2020 and ’21.

The songs and music are all written and played by the maestro himself while the vocals are shared between Leanne (LeeLoo) Greenman featuring on five of the nine songs, singing duties split equally on the remaining songs between Carrie Furniss and the enigmatically named James.

This album is clearly a labour of love from Paul.… Read the rest

Fistymuffs – We Fight EP review

April 28, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Feisty feminist Riot Grrrl/punks Fistymuffs have recently released their second EP, We Fight. And I’m delighted to say the four tracks on offer live up to the EP title. The four songs see the trio pulling no punches as they deliver their manifesto in a powerfully incisive manner.

Hey You! is typically vociferous rallying cry. Ashley’s urgent vocal pleading with the listener, over choppy dissonant post punk guitars, to give themselves a metaphorical shake, to wake up and smell the coffee and stand up for themselves. “Listen to me” she implores with increased desperation as the song reaches its climax.

Ashley and her co-vocalist Suky are both performance poets and it is Suky who takes lead vocal on Riots Not Diets.… Read the rest

VoiceX: Live in Glasgow (Mono Café Bar)

March 11, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Waiting

I have been waiting some time to see a live performance from post-punk “supergroup” VoiceX and I’m pleased to report they were worth the wait. It is just a shame that more of Glasgow’s gig going punters couldn’t have witnessed the set. But never say never, there is always next time…

There were several gigs around the city that could have led to indecision and taken away some of the band’s potential audience. The punk crowd having the options of the MeninBlack and the Bard of Salford in town. There was also a potential crossover and carve up of the audience with an all-day gig at the Glad Café celebrating International Women’s Day featuring several bands L-Space and Curdle among them.… Read the rest

Voicex plus plus – CD review

September 20, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Voicex plus plus

I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a copy of Voicex plus plus CD. The 8 track CD was given away to anyone pre-ordering tickets for their recent Leith Depot gig . I couldn’t make the gig, but the band had some CDs left that can be purchased by contacting the band/Paul. I think they may be gone now, but I’m sure if there is a demand, more can be produced.

Post-punk supergroup

Voicex are a genuine post-punk supergroup, featuring ex-members of luminaries like the influential and fabled Scars (Paul Research), Boots for Dancing & Gin Goblins (Coco Whitson) and Matt Vinyl & the Decorators (Colin Bendall) and contributions from current Fire Exit guitarist (also of Heavy Drapes, Twisted Nerve and Baby’s Got a Gun) Richie Simpson.… Read the rest

VoiCeX DeBuT GiG ReVieW 18/05/18 – Hector Heathcoat Guest review

May 22, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

A Guest Review

Something new for the blog – a guest reviewer!

You may have seen me mention Voicex in previous blogs. The post punk “supergroup” is the brainchild of Scars guitarist Paul Research alongside Coco Whitson of Boots for Dancing, Colin Bendall of Matt Vinyl and the Decorators with vocals from poet Suky Goodfellow, and the band played their debut gig in Edinburgh last Friday (18th May).

Unfortunately I couldn’t be there. However, man of mystery Hector Heathcoat was in attendance and shares his thoughts below. By all accounts I don’t want to miss the next one.

All words by Hector Heathcoat.… Read the rest

Voicex – Waiting

February 19, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Voicex – Waiting…

Following on from “Never”, the Scottish post-punk super-group (Scars, Boots for Dancing, Heavy Drapes) follow up with second offering “Waiting”.

It is a jangly indie-guitar masterpiece.

Shades of 60’s buzz pop/The Primitives in the intro, and capturing the spirit of many bands of the classic 80’s era in Weather Prophets, Shop Assistants and their ilk, with shades of Bunnymen thrown in to boot.

Don’t get me wrong though, Voicex have their own individual sound when you add Suky’s impassioned vocal to the mix. Listen for yourself:

I’ve been fortunate to hear a sneak preview of another track and if you like, nay, love the 2 tracks so far, you won’t be disappointed.… Read the rest