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Broadcast, Glasgow
Saturday 18th November, 2023

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Glasgow’s Broadcast was home to a Weekend concert by the New York Band ‘Lip Critic’ who are enjoying a larger than life tour this year that will take them to Europe, they give it all at every gig. After forming in 2018 and releasing a few E.P’s one of which they called ‘Kill Lip Critic’ (an ironic title that sets a scene) they’ve released their debut album in 2020 called ‘Lip Critic II’ they’ve shaved their heads and have embarked on a rampage of noise.

I absolutely loved the support bands’ 40 min efforts, they go under the title ‘Engine of Ruin’. So much that I’ll be going to their own gig early next year in the Hairdressers down Renfield Lane, all I can say about them now is that they are a duo who sound like a five piece. This eve’s music had words like ‘War Metal’ and ‘Bestial Black Metal’ bandying about and it was of a genre I hadn’t listened to in a while.

The Punk energy and Attitude rolling from the very hips of ‘Lip Critic’ seemed to be double jointed with the heavy techno like business of creative sounds of the two samplers, that did nothing to halt the vocal screaming and the gesticulation’s of the powerfully charged vocal master from New York. I’m not sure why but the room was less than half full as he paraded through us, crawling as a demon and simultaneously calling us to the weapons of joy, taunting and childlike with no less than two booming drums.

Yes two booming drums, each of whose expressions were comically in pain and ecstasy. It came across with throbbing beats that sent yearnings that to a larger crowd could have meant a very serious, out of control fun party to gobble up the goblins and fire up the weapons furnace (so to speak). But their tweaks are quite interesting, Black Metal (and what not) that grew during the 80’s and 90’s out of some very negative strains often lent lyrics about inner pain, bloodshed and offered anger at the system.

Their live events were far from a downer though, instead it boomed on the electric guitars and had the crowds in waves like an AC/DC concert. Now all these decades later it seems to have moved from that far plain to vocals that instead are created by this sampling of electric music. Lip Critic are what you get when you mix metal with techno, quite the fete, and you get the vivacious punk that were the sounds we heard last night.

So for the crowd it was like a new double whammy where you can pick and choose which you’d like to celebrate while remaining true to the original codes that back then worked so well. But either way it was loud piled on top of loud, with a kind of rap style influenced vocal technique and that more than aggressive attitude it also used to have.

So much happened in a gig that was no more than 50 min long, vocals and collaborations set to invite the room to a state of near implosion, and attacked a sheer need to explode with everything remaining remarkably somehow intact. It may come that this reworking of heavy metal past may be spreading again through a youth who are still willing to mosh nights away and just connect through what seems like rage but may actually just be a desire for union in a world of uncertainty they set on fire with music.

Daniel Donnelly

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33 Oldham Street
Manchester
Nov 16, 2023

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Well, I weren’t expecting that – fucking hell! A bit like a punch to the jaw that floors you without hurting ya, from out of nowhere like, & yer just completely buzzing anyway, last night in Manchester reminded me in its totality that, just as the Italians & Germans have their operas & the Russians explore the human existence soul & psyche with their novels, the English genius for guitar music is just so innate & native – we’re amazing at it.

So, to the touring Velvet Hands & two more bands, a reyt tasty three course meal of music in Manchester on a pre-Christmassy Thursday night. Despite their proper dodgy self-deprecating name, but fresh from winning a battle of bands in Wigan the previous night; MUNDANE ACT serv’d up a right nice dish of subtle baroquey cardigan rock, full of clever bits & the Kooks… & they were fuckin’ 17 n’all – Manchester has some wee gems on it’s hands there, like. That tune whose hook was ‘Living for the Weekend’ was smashing, still ringing round mi ‘ead as I type.

Next up were GREY MARE, a slight improvement on choice of name, tho’ I did feel like I was down the fucking dogs or summat! This gaggle of students from Manchester uni were brimming with class aboveness & an absorbing psychedelia full of promise – Joy Division on ketamine. If they ever manage to get to a farmhouse together for a bit they’d create a right a bangin’ album. Somewhere in North Wales lads, where one of the members is from – roundabout mushroom season.

A touching moment was when the band’s singer’s girlfriend’s mate went to the girlfriend, ‘this is your song,’ & the wee laddie had only gone & written an absolute belter of an uptempo paean to their amorous shenanigans. Honestly, three bands full of poets & poet-warriors with axes you can slap on the distortion… a proper night’s music, like I said.

Then came THE VELVET HANDS – the best named band of the night & the main course, of course, from which band of slick amigos every tune was like somebody whacking a massive gong & going on, ‘have a listen to this shit, it’s reyt fucking good.’ That’s every tune, that is, honestly. These Cornish lads had relocated to London, & are a result of a Celtic passion for music, combining with London’s cutting edge band scene. More electric guitars than pan pipes, like, they had a fantastic vibe & sound, especially the guitarist’s foppish Keith Richards swagger. I were loving that, like, nice to see.

I’m not saying owt denigrating about the other bands, but you could hear the maturity in work of the Velvet Hands. What I mean is from 17-year-olds, thro’ 20-year old students, to the mid-late 20s or so of the VH, I witness’d guitar music working itself out naturally thro’ its ever evolving exponents. But at each level there were masterclasses all round!

Ultimately, that was one of the very best structured nights I’ve witness’d for a long time – big shout out to the promoter like, clearly some kind of segue-ninja, & a big shout out should go to the venue, 33 Oldham Street, a place where if you stand outside the whole world will pass you eventually, where inside the beers were well priced & the music selection on both the playlist & in band room was top notch. I also notic’d that the crowd gather’d for the gig was very healthy in terms of both numbers & spirits – a great place to be & enjoy yourself, for sure. Onwards & upwards for everybody involv’d !

Words: Damo Bullen
Photography: Peter Rooney

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Room 2, Glasgow
Wednesday 08th November, 2023

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Glasgow’s Room 2 was packed for this November gig. It’s one of the coolest venues, with a great steaming atmosphere. We were there for the much anticipated His Lordship, a band of normally only two who play guitar and vocals and the other drums (beat), but we were treated to a bass for this rhythmical class act. It felt like two gigs after support act, the revered Louis McVey & Cracks in the Concrete, who collaborate for a super rock n’ roll.

This November tour around UK (a single special gig in Glasgow) kicked off with their super abundant energy, and an immediate playfulness stormed the room with a punk filled rock n’ roll.

Their engine of music is off the back of an Album called ‘Buzzkill’ released this year, and their roots have been replanted in an expertly happy return from that lock down thing.

The sound that filled the room has come from Rock royalty roots, these guys have played and written with the likes of the Pretenders, the Pogues, Chrissie Hynde, and they have set about making fresh music as His Lordship that has grown arms and legs.

This new project is all about re-finding those roots, they have recalled the reason they play music in the first place and this gig was a fired up return from bleak days like a new arrow ready to fire. The crowd lapped up their like for a band who were loud, jovial and played with an experienced energy with great themes and vivaciously fun sheer electric music.

Combining many things that went straight into the joy of a room enthralled. Hailing from everything from early blues, 50’s rock n’ roll and with a very clearly stated exploration of the here and now. Their interviews are as energetic and explosive as their succeeding renewal of a music that rocks with delectation, precision, passion and bursting with the ability to create a return and a propelling future.

Bursting in their cheap suits, with a completion of a music as pure as Robert Johnson, as lively as Jerry Lee Lewis and as fruitful as James Brown. In a venue that come’s alive more than anywhere in the City, the gig took everything to its absolute limit especially that of enjoying music. Using it to express an urge and urgency with a skill that blew the room into a cacophony, rock n’ roll magic on a quiet Wednesday evening in November.

Can’t wait for their next one, their 8 shows left on this tour are set to be something special, as they knock the roof off with meticulous energy, sincerity expressed to the point of absurdity of what can be done in music and how much we can revere the music on stage, if they come to a venue near you it’s worth going.

Daniel Donnelly

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Voodoo Rooms
Edinburgh 5 / 11/ 2023

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Rosie Sullivan is one of Scotland’s breakthrough artists of recent times. Formerly from the Isle of Lewis on the west coast, Rosie is now based in the capital city Edinburgh, where she has been working and collaborating on her musical journey. With a band of talented and merrie musicians by her side, Rosie has created a loyal and devoted fan-base stretching to all the corners of the UK.

With the beautifully written “So It Is” debut single now firmly under her belt, Rosie is embarking on a live tour to promote up and coming new EP, “In My Nature,” and brought her show to the iconic and magical Edinburgh venue, The Voodoo Rooms, for a fireworks display of her back catalogue and newly released material.

Growing up on the Isle of Lewis with her 5 dogs was a massive influence on her style of music, with beautifully layered lyrics to top it off, no doubt inspired by the tranquil and mind blowing scenery surrounding her. Rosie’s childhood must have been full of lyrical diaries and dreams of turning her words into little songs of warmth and love. Cosy nights by a log fire with acoustic guitar in hand must hold many a memory for Rosie and the people of the Isle of Lewis.

After many a year in Edinburgh it appears Rosie has found her well deserve recognition within the central belts music scene. Pulling in big crowds to her shows has been a long time coming and it was a joy to see a near full house for her Edinburgh gig. Having beautifully crafted and sculptured songs such as “Chapters,” “Fragments, “Expectations,” and the newest release on the block “Timeless”, Rosie has been able to turn a different corner by incorporating her soft silky smooth voice into thought provoking masterpieces.

Every song has her own sprinkling of traditional folk music that brings a meditative state of mind to her listeners. Music can encourage the human feelings that make us feel safe and at peace and Rosie does this in abundance. Projecting a voice that is heartwarming and honest with every word sung, Rosie obviously holds much love for her beloved homeland, Scotland.

Rosie evocates all that is Scottish; her connection to the hills, glens and shores of home are so evident in her lyrics. If music could turn the darkness into light, then Rosie is the one to do it. Life is for the living, dreams are for the dreamers, hope is for the hoping and love is for the loving are just a mere example of Rosies impeccable writing skills. Touching on a huge expanse of human feelings is definitely an area of lyrical exploration that Rosie has recognized well.

When a gig that is an hour long goes by in an instance you know it was well executed. Rosie is an amazing, true, unique and deeply honest singer songwriter in her own right and her voice says it all… a beautiful night in the company of the beautiful artist Rosie H Sullivan… at the Voodoo Rooms Edinburgh on Guy Fawkes Night. Perfect !!

Raymond Speedie