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Wardruna – Barbican Centre, York – Saturday 22nd March 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Those lovely folk at the Modern Record asked me to review Wardruna in York at the weekend. I am always up for experiencing something a bit different, so obviously I went! I have been going to gigs for many years now and I have never seen anything quite like Wardruna. My friend from work, Eva,…
On This Day The Fabs Won And Failed To Turn Up While Elvis’ Dad Drank Lemonade! | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
On 23rd March 1967 at a ceremony held at the Playhouse Theatre in London, The Beatles were awarded three Ivor Novello awards. These were for 1966: Best-selling British single "Yellow Submarine",(Effectively the 'A' Side of the Record Issued in 1966 Which Achieved the Highest Certified British Sales) most-performed song "Michelle", and next-most-performed song "Yesterday". Incidentally…
The WJAHOM Interview Podcast – David Hepworth | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing ace music journalist, presenter and writer David Hepworth a few days ago. He has worked on Sounds, NME and Smash Hits and is the man behind Q Magazine and Mojo. He was a presenter on the Old Grey Whistle Test and Live Aid. He has also written a…
“This Is Life” – Winnetka Bowling League | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Los Angeles trio Winnetka Bowling League issued a deluxe edition of last years "This Is Life" single recorded with Dawes and Medium Build. This edition features the original song, a live version and an acoustic version. Sadly, the song passed me by last summer, but I am so glad I have found it now. It…
“Wednesday” – Pick The Flowers | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Chloe Munt a.k.a. Pick The Flowers has just released another single, "Wednesday". This is around a year since her last release and oh boy has it been worth the wait. This dark, haunting, mesmeric, chilled, trance-like, cinematic anthem is her best yet. The soft electro sounds wash over you and just when you think you…
“Hand In Hand” – Drop Dead McPhee | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Regular readers will have read about York's Drop Dead McPhee on these pages before. I reviewed their support slot for Asylum last month, check that out here. They have just released their first single, "Hand In Hand". When I saw them last month I likened them to Brinsley Schwarz and I think the new track…
On This Day Stinky Got A Bingo Hand Job! | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
On 14th March 1991 R.E.M. played the first of two nights at London's Borderline Club under the name of Bingo Hand Job. The group were in the UK to promote their seventh studio album 'Out Of Time' and their current single "Losing My Religion". The single hit number 4 on the US Billboard chart, number…
The Mayhem Charts – February 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Here is the Mayhem chart for February 2025. Regular readers know the chart is based on my streaming listening habits. These are gathered over the last month by obscurify.com. After a slight blip last month my taste in music remains 99% more obscure than the rest of the UK! The chart remains contemporary-ish (but if…
On This Day The Temptations Were On Cloud Nine! | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
On March 11th 1969 the Temptations became the first Motown act to win a Grammy Award for "Cloud Nine" for the Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance. The single reached Number 2 on the US R&B chart, number 6 on the US Billboard chart, number 9 in Canada and number 15 in the UK. All…
On This Day Claude Had A Lightbulb Moment, His Last! | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
On March 11th 1978 French pop singer, composer, songwriter, record producer, drummer and dancer Claude Francois, also known as Cloclo, was electrocuted changing a light bulb while standing in his bathtub. He was aged just 39. This was on the eve of a scheduled US tour. He sold more than 20 million records during his…
“Songs In The Key Of You” – David Judson Clemmons | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
David Judson Clemmons has been an incredibly inventive musical artist for many years he is not afraid to try new things musically. He currently lives in a small town just north of Berlin, Germany, where he works as a full-time guitar teacher, an experience he describes as his greatest source of inspiration to date. He…
Mayhem Virgins – abs | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
This is the 24th entry in the Mayhem Virgins series where we showcase artists that have never featured in these pages before. This time it is the turn of supremely talented abs. She is a rising star in music and has been building a good following since 2019. This has been through a great collection…
‘Why Britain Rocked’ – Elizabeth Sharkey | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Most people, particularly Americans, assume (or are absolutely certain) that rock and roll began as a distinct musical style in the United States during the mid-1950s. It drew heavily from rhythm and blues, blues, jump blues, boogie-woogie, up-tempo jazz, and swing music. Clearly some elements of its make up existed earlier in the 20th Century…
“Eat My TV” – Liliths Army | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Liliths Army are Sylvie Studente on vocals and guitar, Tommy Mayo on bass and Sam Sherwood on drums. They are based in the UK in Northamptonshire. Their new single, "Eat My TV" is the finest slice of lo-fi British punk that I have heard for a long while. The song bemoans the fact that, in…
Catch! – Fulford Arms, York – Monday 24th February 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
I try to never pass up the chance to see a band or artist that I have never seen before, so this was an easy choice. There were four bands on the bill, none of which I had seen before. This was another gig put together by the delightful human known as Simon P for…
Asylum – Fulford Arms, York – Wednesday 26th February 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
The volume of gigs so far for 2025 is simmering nicely. This was a bill with three bands and only one, the headliners Asylum, that I have seen before. First on stage were Rejected Reality a classic power trio playing punky power pop seething with emotion. The band were tight and played off each other…
On This Day Dweezil And Moon Unit Went Fred For The Space Cadet With Steve And Eddie! | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
On March 4th 1982 two of Frank Zappa's kids son Dweezil and daughter Moon Unit formed a band called Fred Zeppelin. They were aged 12 and 14 at the time. Their first single was "My Mother Is A Space Cadet". That is a great band name in my opinion! In fact there is a Led…
‘Hope I Get Old Before I Die: Why Rock Stars Never Retire’ – David Hepworth | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
David Hepworth is a talented, world class music journalist. He began his career in journalism writing for the NME and Sounds (two of the classic UK music "inkies"). He joined Smash Hits magazine in 1979, and having turned it around financially and made it profitable, became its editor. He was behind the launch of a…
Under The Covers With Mayhem – Chapter 13 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Here comes Under The Covers With Mayhem Chapter 13, featuring the iconic reggae band the Paragons with Roslyn Sweat and their take on the Beatles (Paul McCartney) song "Blackbird". Their version is titled "Blackbird Singing" and I think it came out in 1974 on the Treasure Isle label. The band formed in Jamaica the 1960s.…
On This Day The Who Took A Bet On MTV! | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
On February 28th 1981 the Who released their first single since the death of drummer, Keith Moon, who died in 1978. Former Faces and Small Faces drummer Kenney Jones, took Moon's place behind the drums. The song was called "You Better You Bet". The single peaked at Number 9 in the UK and Number 18…
Roberta Flack RIP | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Many of you may know by now that the music world has lost another monumental talent with the passing of Roberta Flack. Her biggest hits were "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", "Killing Me Softly With His Song", and "Feel Like Makin' Love". In 1972, 1973 and 1974 respectively. All three of those…
“Peace” – Dr Pushkin | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Austin, TX via Bolgatanga in Ghana uber talented hip-hop artist Dr. Pushkin has just released a new single featuring Isolirium and Ataman Nikita. The release precedes his SXSW performance on March 12th. The track includes a great blend of Ghanian Kologo guitar with some great Hip-Hop and R & B beats. The lyrics seek hope…
Gwen McCrae – RIP | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Supremely talented soul singer Gwen McCrae passed away recently aged 81. Gwen was a prominent singer and performer for many years after working as a duo with her then husband George McCrae. Singer Betty Wright helped the pair get a recording contract with TK Records in 1967. Gwen followed her husband's huge 1974 hit "Rock…
On This Day Jimi Experienced Being Mobbed! | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
On 24th February 1969 the Jimi Hendrix Experience played their last ever British performance when they appeared at the Royal Albert Hall in London. I am not entirely sure why, but during the encore of "Purple Haze" and "Wild Child" the stage was invaded by fans, police, bouncers, floor managers and practically the entire audience.…
“BLOW” – Kety Fusco | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Kety Fusco is an unbridled and immensely talented musician. She has been dubbed the Queen of the Electric Harp. She was born in Pisa, Italy in 1995 and is Swiss by adoption. She has a Master of Arts in Music Performance at the Swiss Italian Conservatory. She first discovered the electric harp at just six…
GOO – Fulford Arms York – Saturday 8th February 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
I am more than two weeks late with this post, humble apologies to everyone who played. But I am old school and write my notes in a paper notebook. Said notebook was misplaced, but now I have found it! This was to be the first time I had seen GOO and who would turn down…
“Born All Wrong” – Museum Of Light | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Photo by Scott Evans Seattle band Museum Of Light have just released their third single of 2025, "Born All Wrong" on Spartan Records. The track follows hot on the heels of "Blunt Force Drama" and "Undone". All three tracks will form a part of their sophomore album, 'Diviner', produced by Scott Evans, which will be…
On This Day Catherine Of Kent Was Kicked Inside! | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
On February 17th 1978 Kate Bush released her debut studio album 'The Kick Inside' which included her UK Number 1 hit, "Wuthering Heights". That song was the first time a female singer-songwriter topped the UK charts with a self-penned song. She was still only 19 years old and had written some of the songs when…
Wow That’s What I Call Mayhem – Volume 6 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
I continue to send my humblest of apologies to the creators of the iconic NOW music compilation series of tri-annual releases. Their compilations began in 1983. I posted and compiled the first WOW That's What I Call Mayhem collection back in March 2024. Volumes 2, 3 and 4 followed in August and September. Volume 5…
‘Modern Mirror’ EP – The Bricks | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
York's very own alternative rock gang continue to furrow their unique and mightily wonderful direction with their new EP 'Modern Mirror'. The Bricks are Guy (Guitar), Gemma (Vox), Marc (Drums) and Paul (Bass). The title track and the first song on the EP, "Modern Mirror" is dark, sharp and oozes post punk energy with Gemma's…
‘Becoming Led Zeppelin’ – Documentary | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
'Becoming Led Zeppelin' is the first authorised documentary of the globe straddling rock monster that Led Zeppelin became. It ends in 1970 with a triumphant homeland gig at the Royal Albert Hall just a few weeks after the release of 'Led Zeppelin II'. I suspect that some hardcore fans will likely be disappointed that the…
“All Together On 3” – Push Puppets | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Push Puppets have one of the best names in music today and they have just released a classy new single "All Together On 3". The band are based in the Palatine community near Chicago, Illinois in the USA. The track is a taster for their fourth album 'Tethered Together', slated for release later this year.…
Mayhem’s Most Popular Posts – January 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
This is the sixth issue in our fun (well I am enjoying it) series where we share the latest post with the most views for a given month and the archive post with the most views. This one covers January 2025. The biggest read post was my review of Johnnie Walker's Final Sounds Of The…
With Just A Hint Of Mayhem Is 16 Years Old Today! | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
started my journey with the With Just A Hint Of Mayhem blog back on February 9th 2009. It started as just a few posts with me rattling on about some odd pieces of music trivia. Then it grew into me reviewing almost all gigs that I go to and then reviewing singles, albums and EPs.…
“Dancing With Ghosts” – Pink Turns Blue | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Pink Turns Blue are a classy European band who took their name from a Hüsker Dü song. They have been around a long while and they have just released the third single, "Dancing With Ghosts", from their forthcoming album 'Black Swan'. The album is slated for release on 28th February. The song has dark overtones…
The Mayhem Charts – January 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Here is the Mayhem chart for January 2025. Regular readers know the chart is based on my Spotify listening habits. These are gathered over the last month by obscurify.com. After a slight blip last month my taste in music is now apparently 99% more obscure than the rest of the UK! The chart remains contemporary-ish…
On This Day Michael And The Boys Didn’t Go Back To Rockville To Do Some Night Gardening! | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
On February 8th 1981 R.E.M. made their first ever-recording sessions at Bombay Studios in Smyrna, Georgia. Not India, obviously! The tracks they recorded that day included "Gardening At Night", "Radio Free Europe" and "(Don't Go Back To) Rockville." None of these three recordings were hits. But the band rerecorded "Radio Free Europe" in 1983 and…
On This Day Cupid Finds Janis! | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
On February 14th 1977 US singer songwriter Janis Ian received 461 Valentine's day cards after indicating in the lyrics of her song 'At Seventeen', she had never received any. The particular line from the song which produced this rather kind gesture was "To those of us who knew the pain of valentines that never came".…
Smashing Pumpkins Announce Huge Gunnersbury Park Show For August! | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Gunnersbury Park in west London is now established as one of the capital’s favourite outdoor venues and plays host to a series of day shows offering an eclectic mix of music genres and incredible acts in August 2025. Those already confirmed include shows with Khruangbin, The Libertines, PAWSA and Martin Garrix. Now the iconic masters…
On This Day Syd Got The Boys To Play On The Street Named Arnold Layne! | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
On February 1st 1967 Pink Floyd spent the day recording parts for the Syd Barrett songs "Arnold Layne' and "Candy And A Current Bun" at Sound Techniques Studios, Chelsea, London. The Floyd also turned professional on this day after signing a deal with EMI Records. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3DGpINHX5Q If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to…