Holywell Street

Celtic, Music and Subculture for lads and lassies

Tag: music

  • Paul Gallagher with Holywell Street

    Holywell Street has been catching up with Paul Gallagher, Liam’s and Noel’s older brother. Paul has been giving us his musical opinions, influences, and the bands he has worked with, as well as his DJ experiences. This is perfect for our football, Celtic, terrace scene, and counterculture section.

    Thanks for chatting to HWS Paul, how’s things with you?

    Hi yeah, all good. Just sitting in a freezer and avoiding the sunshine, amongst other things.

    We believe you had a radio slot with Islington Radio. I tuned into Boogaloo Radio when you had a slot. It was an education getting to hear bands that had perhaps bypassed me. Do you still do radio?

    Yeah, there are a few reasons why. In the past five years, there has been an influx of amazing music that deserves to be heard, and for whatever reason, the UK radio owners and beyond are obsessed with ignoring new music and sticking to the old acts. Now, whether that is to do with demographics bullshit or the probability that they – the labels and publishers want another return on the music they have paid for years ago and are pretty happy to ignore the new stuff – which they won’t see a return on it? Everything comes down to free money with rich folk. So I will play it!

    How would you describe your musical upbringing, and did you influence your younger siblings with that?

    Like most of my mates in Manchester, we grew up in an Irish house. My father was an Irish Country and western DJ, so the music was everywhere. When you hang out with your mates, you hear different sounds and then find your own path.

    You are doing a photography these days as well, I believe?

    Yeah, I think I’m in the most creative part of my life just now. I have no idea how things worked out, but they did. I just follow what I like and yeah, I do a few things to keep alive.

    We are aware of your DJing career—it appears you travel to obscure places. What music do you play?

    It has been a bit of a roller-coaster. I am with Liam now and do his pre-shows, which differ from playing in a club, so you have to adapt to whatever you’re at. Thankfully, it has been great.

    What would you say was the best band you signed when looking back?

    I didn’t sign many bands they were mostly publishing within Creation Records but I can name them – Own Lady Owner, Wireless, Super J Lounge.

    This could be tricky … your favourite five albums of all time are? …

    I am not an album guy per se, but if I’m pushed …

    Odessa – Bee Gees

    Universal Hall – The Waterboys

    Sound Affects – The Jam

    The Specials – The Specials

    Pure Comedy – Father John Misty

    Do you think Man City will retain the league, is there a period of domination for them?

    Is this a trick question … of course, YES and YES

    Apart from the fact City are the best team in England do you miss the old ground and area instead of to the corporate structure?

    I suppose we all need to move on. If we were still at Maine Road, we wouldn’t have what we have now?

    You and the brothers are also Celtic fans. Do you still make it to many games? I know you came up in the ’90s, even when things were not so great.

    Yes. I came up to many games. But I am done with all football stadia these days so the last game was Porto in 2021 Champions league final.

    You were given a Celtic mug as a kid, did it all start from there?

    Yeah, and of course we’re an Irish family also it’s a big thing innit?

    What would your most memorable Celtic team?

    Any team Jimmy Johnstone played in, I just remember seeing footage of him racing down the wing.

    What do you think of Kyogo at Celtic?

    Yes, he’s tops. Let’s see what he does this season. They have to do it all again; second is no good in Glasgow.

    Do you and the family get over to visit Ireland as much?

    Yeah, my mother has a house there and I get back when I can.

    What bands are you listening to just now – do you still try and get to as many gigs to check out new bands?

    I listen to a variety of genres. I can’t possibly name just one, two, or even 10.

    Are there any bands you would like to promote?

    There are far too many great acts out there right now to single them all out, but, in the UK in 2022 then … Joe unkown, Holy Youth Movement, Noisy. In the USA it’s even harder but … Jaialai, Nick Leng, Kevin Morby, FJM , Nathaniel Rateliff, Curtis Harding, Anderson East, Gregory Porter. In Europe … The Liminanas.

    Thanks for speaking to us Paul.

    No worries.

  • Magnetic Book Review

    HWS has finally had the opportunity to read Magnetic a tribute to the late Massimo Osti and his renowned clothing labels: C.P. Company, Boneville, and Stone Island. These prestigious Italian brands need no introduction. The book explores the evolution of these labels as they rose to prominence in the UK from the mid-eighties to the early nineties. I have had the pleasure of knowing Tony Rivers for quite some time, and he has co-authored this insightful work alongside James Burnett.

    As the book illustrates, the story is not a tribute to the paninaro scene or the football terraces; rather, it explores how various labels began to establish themselves in the UK, even with celebrities and musicians. Regarding the football terrace scene, I have always maintained that the concept of ‘casuals’ was on the decline, perhaps as early as 1989, before these labels gained widespread popularity. While I did observe elements of it in the ’80s, it became more prominent later on and into the ’90s, particularly within the club scene. I am glad this book considers this assessment to be fairly accurate as well. I also remember Stone Island being much more affordable in the early days and certainly of better quality.

    The photos in the book complement its authenticity. They primarily consist of old Kodak pictures that effectively capture the era. The stories are also genuine, as significant effort was made to track down the highly sought-after labels of Massimo Osti. The proper independent retailers are where you were prepared to travel in search of the latest CP Company or Stone Island. The book narrates the story of a young man from Portsmouth who travels to London early in the morning to pick up some new clothes, hoping to return in time for their home match against Charlton. Upon arriving at Waterloo Station, he notices that the Charlton lads are already early and about to make their way to Portsmouth, prompting him to call ahead to his Portsmouth lads. This illustrates the lengths youths would go in pursuit of these threads.

    It is an educational document that shares stories from connoisseurs and, more intriguingly, explores shops from a time before online shopping. These shops had a personal touch where people would gather and become familiar with the staff and owners. One amusing story involves the shop Woodies in Cardiff, which had three red Stone Island duffle coats in stock. Two of them were quickly purchased by Tony, the co-author, and a rival lad from Swansea. The third coat was bought by the England goalkeeper at the time, David James. There are debates about which shops in London stocked the labels first. I can recall visiting Woodhouse and Jones in Covent Garden in the early ’90s, and it appears they may well have been the first.

    In our opinion, the Osti labels have always had a certain mystique, particularly in their early years. This document helps fill in many of the gaps regarding their history. In addition to those with their roots in working-class backgrounds and football terraces and the club scene, several musicians also embraced these labels, including Nick Heyward, who contributes his own section. Other notable admirers of the labels include Johnny Marr. As mentioned earlier, the old photos some unseen until now, contribute to its authenticity. These include Dermo from Northside and Tim Dorney from Flowered Up wearing the labels. It is very pleasing to see a good tribute and article from Graham ‘Kerso’ Kerr included as well.

    The HWS team has been eagerly anticipating this essential coffee table addition, and we believe the wait of two and a half years has certainly been worthwhile. Hats off!

    *If you would like to purchase a copy of MAGNETIC, please e-mail magnetic990@gmail.com, providing your full name and address.

  • Eddie Clarke picks his five favourite albums for Holywell Street …

    Recently, HWS met up with Eddie Clarke at McChuills Bar in Glasgow. During our conversation, we discussed his five favourite and most influential albums of all time. As you can imagine, this topic was quite challenging and deserving of a separate article. Now, let’s hear from Eddie.

    I don’t think I could ever choose my top 5 BEST albums, so I’ve went for my top 5 most influential albums. The thing with music is it’s very much based on my perception at the time and my mood for it to resonate with me.

    Being born in the mid ’70s, I was far too young to remember a lot of the music around at that time, but my first introduction to what the youth were listening to then were the words ‘The Jam’ spray painted on the side of a house just down from me in my scheme. It must have been the early to mid-eighties. I remember squads of youths dressed as ‘Mods’ and remember thinking that they were cool as fuck. They stood out from the average lads at the time and they seemed to take great pride in their appearance. I admired the haircuts, the Fred Perrys and the parkas. It was a style, that even today, I still lean to.

    No. 1 – The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses

    But at 10 years old, I was still too young to show much interest in the actual music. It wasn’t until 1989 that I actually got my first real introduction to something that would grab my attention musically, and it blew my mind. My older brother came home with a tape of a band Called ‘The Stone Roses’, and it was to become somewhat the soundtrack to my youth, and beyond. I instantly became obsessed.

    When I first heard the opening track ‘I Wanna Be Adored’ all the way to track 11, the final tune on the album, ‘I Am The Resurrection’, I was totally gripped. Even at 13 years old the sound gave me a glimpse of the effect music can have on your mood and lift you out of the shit. This opened up the door for lads my age to be part of what would be known as Indie/baggy/Madchester scene. Baggy jeans were purchased, hair was grown in the style of lead singer Ian Brown, and long-sleeved t-shirts were the uniform for the foreseeable. We had arrived.

    ‘Don’t waste your words
    I don’t need anything from you
    I don’t care where you’ve been
    Or what you plan to do’

    • I Am The Resurrection

    No. 2 – HAPPY MONDAYS – BUMMED

    The revelation of The Stone Roses self-titled album opened a door for me into the already developed Manchester music scene at the time. Under-age nights were now being held in nightclubs all around and along with the dance music were indie tunes remixed with heavy bass lines such as The Stones Roses masterpiece ‘Fools Gold’ along with thee stand out song for me from this album ‘Wrote For Luck’. This was my first introduction to The Happy Mondays and Shaun Ryder. Although a very different sound to The Roses, Shaun Ryders vocals were raw with a punky vibe which resonated with the rebelliousness which we were all part of at the time. right on cue, Thrills’Pills’and Bellyaches would arrive along with the types of drugs that would make it sound epic.

    ‘And I wrote for luck
    They sent me you
    And I sent for juice
    You give me poison’

    • Wrote For Luck

    No.3 – DEFINITELY MAYBE – OASIS

    1994, 18 years old and feeling like I could take on the world Oasis arrived on the scene with what might well be one of the greatest debut albums of all time. The timing was perfect for me and this album just said everything in music that me and my mates couldn’t ever put together in words. It was a ‘Fuck you, we’ll take it from here’ statement and each track seemed to be better than the other. ‘SuperSonic’ ‘Cigarettes and Alcohol’ and ‘Live Forever’ total anthems that would be screamed at the tops of our voices in every boozer we’d frequent.

    Oasis had arrived and taken clean over from the void left by The Stone Roses over that period (Although they did release The Second Coming later on that same year). It felt like we were absolutely spoiled for great guitar bands back then compared to the shite we’re subjected to nowadays. I don’t think there’s been a band since Oasis who’ve represented the working class so accurately.

    One of the biggest attractions to the band themselves for myself was also their openness about their Irish background and their love for Irish rebel music, with Noel quoting –


    “I feel as Irish as the next person. The first music I was ever exposed to was the rebel songs the bands used to sing in the Irish club in Manchester. Do you know, I think that’s where Oasis songs get their punch-the-air quality – from me being exposed to those rousing rebel songs. It was all rebel songs and that godawful Irish country and western music”

    No.4 – THE VELVET UNDERGROUND AND NICO

    This album is a bit out of place alongside my first 3 album choices but definitely had a significant effect on what I love about variants of musical tastes. Again, I was total obsessed from the day I heard this album and Lou Reeds influence mesmerised me from the first listen, along with Nico’s haunting vocals on ‘Sunday Morning’ and ‘Femme Fatale’.

    The Velvet Underground released this album in the same year that the Lions won the European cup so the album release date is always etched on my brain. Not only is it an incredibly unique and varied listen, but it defines Lou Reed and the velvets to their core. It’s rough, there’s songs about substance use, there’s songs where the production was influenced by substance use, it’s edgy, revolutionary, fucked up and I just couldn’t and still haven’t stopped listening.

    ‘I don’t know just where I’m going
    But I’m gonna try for the kingdom, if I can
    ‘Cause it makes me feel like I’m a man
    When I put a spike into my vien
    And I tell you things aren’t quite the same’

    • Heroin

    No.5 – ‘ALL MOD CONS’ – THE JAM

    From way back in the mid-eighties when I seen ‘The Jam’ spray-painted on the side of a house not far from where I lived, it took me another 10-15 years before I really listened to their music. Noel Gallagher had recently released an acoustic cover from this album called ‘To Be Someone’ and it was outstanding. Noel’s cover took me to check which album the track was from and it was The Jams 1978 album ‘All Mod Cons’, which included timeless masterpieces like ‘Down In The Tune Station At Midnight’, ‘A Bomb In Wardour Street’ and ‘David Watts’. I’m sure this album would have been the voice of the working class at the time and had as much of an impact as to what The Stone Roses and Oasis had on me at my coming of age. Again, an album that I regularly revisit and I feel is a reflection of The Jam in their prime.

    ‘To be someone must be a wonderful thing,
    A famous footballer, a rock singer
    Or a big film star
    Yes, I think that I would like, I would like that’

    • To Be Someone

    Thanks to Nick at McChuills for looking after us and Derek Monaghan for his input and photos.