Check out my interview with one of the UK’s finest solo artists. The award-winning Pope of Passionate Folk-Punk music, Joe Solo. As well as being a singer and performer he is a writer, an activist, a poet, a broadcaster, and (in his own words) a rabble-rousing Socialist big mouth! Look out for a review of his current album ‘Sledgehammer Songs’ coming to these pages soon. We could have talked for hours, so I hope to have Joe Solo the Interview Part 2 in the future too! Click here to have a listen. If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on; Facebook ..read more

This is the 23rd song in the Play It Again Mayhem series, which began in 2020. Check out the previous entries along with this new one in the Play It Again Mayhem Spotify Playlist click here to take a listen! So far, 15 of the 23 songs are from the 1970s. But this one was originally released in 1997, and following it being used to soundtrack a Rolling Rock beer advert it went to number 3 in the UK chart in 1999. It is by Canadian rock and hip hop collective Bran Van 3000 and is called “Drinking In L.A.” This is a perfect summer song in my opinion, what do you think? If you have enjoyed this a ..read more

I reviewed “Finally See Me” the stunning new single from Delilah Bon last week. Click here to check out what I thought of it. Yesterday Delilah launched the video to accompany the track and it is very special indeed! Delilah plays her devilish, demonic, bad-ass bitch persona perfectly with controlled anger and confidence. She lays waste to those who bullied her at school and once again gives hope to anyone who has ever been bullied, held back and put down by education or the system in general. This really is a clarion call for all those who might be afraid to be a bit different, or at least la ..read more

“Cinderhaze” the new track from ambient genius Stumbleine is a taster for his new studio album, his 8th, ‘Deleted Scene’. It is scheduled for release on 14th June via Monotreme Records. The song bathes you in a gorgeous mix of sound and sonic swirls that swim around your head before taking up residence in your mind. It is emotional, reflecting all sides of the spectrum from happy to sad and back again and again. The vocals and bass synth riff are as close to perfect as it is possible to get. One of the most beautiful tracks I have heard this year so far! If you have enjoyed this article, fee ..read more

The new single from Everything After Midnight opens like a more upbeat Cocteau Twins track and then at around 40 seconds in it expands its musical scope into something so much bigger. The guitar chops are as funky as fuck and Steph’s voice is ethereal and soars heavenward with immaculate ease. The band have spoken about the song and said that it “is about the bittersweet feeling of sharing intimacy one last time before parting. The lyrics “dial and comply, recite the cliché, if this is goodbye then that is okay” encapsulates the clichés of break ups, post break up sex, relief, sadness, love ..read more

It is official, I have now seen Avalanche Party more than any other act. Frank Turner is a close second with David Bowie just behind him! I haven’t been to gigs at Oporto very often, the last one was an acoustic set from the Murder Capital back in 2022. But before I tell you about the mighty Avalanche Party I need to fill you in about the two support bands that played in this intimate, sweaty Leeds venue on Friday. First up was another band with party in their name, Freeparty. They play souped-up, dark indie pop with a smattering of punky overtones that reminded me at times (no pun intended ..read more

On 14th April 1994, Kurt Cobain was cremated at the Bleitz Funeral Home, in Seattle. The death certificate listed Cobain’s occupation as Poet/Musician and his type of business as Punk Rock. On that same date in 1980 Gary Numan issued ‘The Touring Principle’, which was apparently the first long-form rock video to be made commercially available in the UK. In 1970, also on April 14th, Creedence Clearwater Revival played their first UK shows. Nothing low key though, just two nights at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Back in 1967 on 14th April David Bowie released one of his best-loved (maybe not ..read more

From the fly buzzing sound that introduces this song to the weird horror vibe of the music to the deeply personal and inspirational lyrics, “Finally See Me” is Delilah Bon at her best. The song deals with Delilah/ Lauren being bullied at school and appears to be a paen of her triumphing over those who bullied her by becoming the incredibly talented artist that she now is. She passionately stands up for the bullied, the misfits, and the outcasts and she deserves huge respect for that. With this latest release, another precursor to her forthcoming album things bode incredibly well for the conti ..read more

This is the second in what I hope will be a very long-running series. I have decided to look at the most popular songs from every year I have existed. There will be some artistic licence on my part as I will always seek to include at least a few of my favourites from each year. The format will be a top ten for each year and will cover the music and songs I grew up with, came of age with, and achieved my greatest success alongside music that comforted me in bad times. This second top ten goes back to the year of my first birthday, 1960, I know it is very hard to believe but I really am that ol ..read more

Here is Under The Covers With Mayhem Chapter 4, this one features iconic band Sparks with their cover of the Beatles’ “I Want To Hold Your Hand”. This was originally released as a single in 1976 and sadly failed to chart. It got another lease of life as a bonus track on the reissue of the ‘Indiscreet’ album in 1994. The lush orchestration and slowed pace make it more of a soul ballad than the Moptops original from 1964. I have said previously that my ideal cover version has a different slant from the original rather than just a facsimile-style cover. So the generic boy bands are probably neve ..read more