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“Settle Down” – Apollo Junction (with Briana Corrigan) | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Apollo Junction seem to have an ability to up the ante with every release and there new single takes their talents up yet another notch. "Settle Down" is dripping with humongous hooks and pumped with pop passion. The AP lads are joined on this song by Briana Corrigan, formerly of the Beautiful South and a…
“BLAIR!” – Industry Standard | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
There is so much ignorance and apathy regarding climate change and environmental collapse. We should be thankful that some people are speaking up about it rather loudly. Industry Standard's new single "BLAIR!" highlights lead singer Gaby's stress, worry, fear and concern about our planet. It is a powerful call to arms as Gaby repeats the…
On This Day The Mop Tops Mopped Up The Chart! | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
On 17th April 1971 all four Beatles had solo singles in the UK charts, Paul McCartney with "Another Day" (no. 11), John Lennon "Power To The People" (no. 10), George Harrison "My Sweet Lord" (no. 25) and Ringo Starr "It Don't Come Easy" (no. 29). The most successful of the four was George Harrison as…
The Mayhem Charts – March 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Here is the Mayhem chart for March 2025. Regular readers know the chart is based on my streaming listening habits. These are gathered over the last month by obscurify.com. My taste in music remains 99% more obscure than the rest of the UK! The chart remains contemporary-ish (but if a classic artist releases something new…
The WJAHOM Interview Podcast – Abs | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
It was an absolute pleasure to interview uber talented soulful, sultry singer songwriter Abs recently. We spoke about her music roots and what is next for her. She also gave us a couple of exclusives! Take a listen. It was a really enjoyable chat. I hope that you like it too. Just a quick note.…
The WJAHOM Interview Podcast – Elizabeth Sharkey | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
It was a delight and an honour to interview of historian, author, music fanatic and actress Elizabeth Sharkey recently. We spoke mainly about her excellent book, 'Why Britain Rocked' which I reviewed recently. You can find my review of that book by clicking here. It was a really enjoyable chat. I hope that you like it…
Millie Manders and the Shutup – The Crescent, York – Sunday 30th March 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
This was the fifth time that I have witnessed Millie Manders and the Shutup live. How good were they this time? I will tell you later, first you need to read about the excellent support acts. As usual Millie herself was in the audience to witness both support acts. First up was Wrex, a band…
Ruth Lyon – Fulford Arms, York – Friday 28th March 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Do you remember that wonderful band Holy Moly and the Crackers? You do? Well the band are no more but front woman Ruth Lyon has now embarked on a solo career. I was lucky enough to catch her live at the fabulous Fulford Arms in York last week. But before I tell you about Ruth…
“Clickbait Reissued” – Sally Pepper featuring Millie Manders | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Sally Pepper's songs are powerful, meaningful message carriers that issue a clarion call to the masses. “Click Bait” in its original form a fabulous song. Now Sally has rerecorded it with some support from her bestie Millie Manders. The new version, entitled, "Clickbait Reissued", is as punk as fuck and rocks out like a barely…
“Speak Medieval” – Erotic Secrets Of Pompeii | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Two years ago I had an absolute blast witnessing Erotic Secrets Of Pompeii live for the first time, at the Fulford Arms in York. In my review of that night I used the opening narration from Rod Serling's original Twilight Zone TV Series to try and give some flavour and explanation of what Erotic Secrets…
On This Day Action Eminem Or G.I. Marshall Was Banned! | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
On 26th March 2001 The toy figure of Eminem was banned by some UK shops. Woolworth's and Hamleys refused to stock the dolls. Psychologists had warned that parents who buy the dolls for children will be inadvertently giving their approval to bad language. Well that sounds like total fucking nonsense to me! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lexLAjh8fPA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFYQQPAOz7Y If…
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…
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…
“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…
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…
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…
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…
‘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…
“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…
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…
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…
“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…
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.…
“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…
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…
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…