From February 2009 until September 2018 this blog was, in the words of Leo Sayer, a “One Man Band”. The first member in addition to me, Bill, was Tom Ray who joined the blog as a reviewer in 2018. In 2020 we were joined by Paul Bamlett a self-confessed music nut. In early 2022, we were joined by another music fanatic, Juan Brooks. Now in the summer of 2022 we have published the first article from Jeremy Good. In August 2022 we have been joined by the enigmatic (and evil?) Buffy Frobisher Smythe. I certainly hope he will be writing more for us. This lot are, like me, music maniacs! We look forward to giving you lots of interesting stuff to check out, listen to and watch! Always with just a small hint of mayhem, obviously!
You can find With Just A Hint Of Mayhem all over the virtual world these days.
Would you like to join our merry band of music-mad writers and reviewers at With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? You would? Then please get in touch. Don’t be shy, we don’t bite 😉
Bill Adamson – With Just A Hint Of Mayhem Blog Founder, Writer & Reviewer
I am an old bloke (60-something) from the UK who is old enough to know better but clearly doesn’t.
Music has been one of my passions for many years. I bought my first single, “Sugar Sugar” by the Archies when I was just 10 years old in 1969. The first gig I ever saw was the Jackson 5 way before Michael even knew what plastic surgery was back in November 1972. I am also a retired Mobile DJ and I read a lot too. Does everyone have a novel within them? Maybe, but with me, it’s probably just wind 😉
I live in York in the UK with my wife Catherine aka Catwoman (she is not so protective of her secret identity any more), our cat Poppy and our cute little dog Ziggy Jones. (She was named before Mr Bowie sadly passed away ok, I’m weird, just not that weird!)
My heroes are David Bowie, Stephen King, Johnny Nash, Bob Marley, Joe Strummer, Levi Stubbs, Douglas Coupland, Stan Lee, Frances Farmer, Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Kate Bush, Gillian Anderson (ok Gillian may not be a heroine to me, but let’s just say I find her attractive!) and of course the Silver Surfer and the Fantastic Four. Tragically many of my heroes are no longer with us, maybe that is just a sign of me getting old.
In January 2020 I promoted my first gig. It was for the great York-based charity, SASH who support young people facing homelessness. It was at the Crescent in York and featured three excellent York bands; The Receivers, My Wonderful Daze and Lost Trends. It was an amazing night which means that there will be more on the promotion side of things. Watch this space! UPDATE …… and then there was Covid, so you will need to watch this space quite a bit longer!
For my day job I work as an IT Programme Manager, but let’s face it that’s pretty boring so, “Nuff Said”
I started this blog back in February 2009 and I still appreciate all your comments and encouragement.
Those of you who don’t know much about me can find out just how warped I really am here https://www.facebook.com/bill.adamson.581
Buffy Frobisher Smythe Esquire – Butcher Of Rock Deities
I asked if I could join the With Just A Hint Of Mayhem team to run a series that plans to rip apart the rock bands and singers that have been raised to the level of deities. God doesn’t exist so how can you worship your favourite washed up or dead rock star? The series will be called ‘BUTCHERING AND BURNING ROCK MUSIC’S SACRED COWS’. No stone will be left rolling, no insects will live, the King will be dethroned and star men will no longer shine. Feel free to suggest targets for my butchery skills.
I am told that I need to provide some level of garbage about me. Firstly Buffy Frobisher Smythe Esquire is not my real name, although depending on where this series goes that may be revealed! My favourite band is Right Said Fred. My favourite album is Lou Reed’s ‘Metal Machine Music’ and my favourite song is ‘Vindaloo’ by Fat Les. Are all those favourites true? Maybe, maybe not, hell if I can’t reveal my real name why can’t I be an enigma?
Jeremy Good – With Just A Hint Of Mayhem Writer and Published Author
I don’t think I actually saw the Top of the Pops moment when David Bowie pointed down the camera lens singing “Starman”, but I saw it enough times since to know we were hooked on each other.
It was my brother who first introduced me to Bowie and a whole lot of other music from Maria Callas to Sparks, Tangerine Dream to The Sex Pistols – I was the first kid in school to have a copy of “Anarchy In The UK”. It was in my brother’s bedroom that I first heard ‘Aladdin Sane’. I can see me now, lying on his bed, besotted with the cover image and the lyrics inside the double fold-out sleeve. Seeing the video for “Life On Mars” was my Bowie moment, the day I realised there were such beings as aliens, and it gave me hope.
Today, I live in Chichester on the south coast of the UK, and spend a good deal of my time writing gay non-fiction books under the name, David Ledain. I am one of the Rainbow Dads podcast team and featured in series 1.
You can find me and my writing here www.davidledain.com
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin @davidledain
Paul Bamlett – With Just A Hint Of Mayhem Writer & Reviewer
It started with Slade in 72 and then took a wild left turn into Alice Cooper who I have seen more than 20 times since. If I am not listening I am playing. I started on piano playing versions of Fripp/Eno tracks and then I served in the punk wars, watching Siouxsie, Wayne County and the Passions amongst many others while writing our own stuff and even recording some of it
All the time Bowie and the Velvets are playing in the background. Watched so many bands, taste is very what they call eclectic, Radiohead and Metallica anyone? I love and live for music and can bore anyone to beyond tears. I like Jazz, punk, funk, metal, glam, mod, basically anything with soul and an interesting rhythm. Back playing bass again now with a fantastic singer and guitarist in a band called Tranquility Beach hoping to go places and I think they will. Also working on some fab tribute band concerts during the summer. It’s all music and I like to hear and feel as much as possible.
Juan Brooks – With Just A Hint Of Mayhem Writer & Reviewer
New to music blogging but not new to all things music. I was playing the piano and keyboards at 8 years old and listening to my older brothers vinyl collection. A quick thumb through his collection: Bowie, Roxy Music, Lou Reed and Trex and some funky gems too like Brass Construction. Also hiding in the shadows, a number of artists like Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Rolling Stones and one which captured my imagination. A blind musician called Moondog. I think this was the beginnings of my eclectic musical tastes. My first single was “Melting Pot” by Blue Mink, and first LP was ‘Slayed’ when I was 10. During my high school/college years I fell into punk and new wave, leaving behind all other music for the likes of Kate Bush, Talking Heads, Stranglers, Clash, Jam and Ian Dury. A short trip to Holland in the mid 70’s introduced me to reggae and in particular dub; Tapper Zukie, I-Roy, U-Roy and Dillinger. This would make a second coming in the 80’s with my passion for anything connected to the On-U Sound label. Saw all of these punk/new wave bands live during the 70’s whilst discovering prog rock. In my head this didn’t make sense. It does now. A look through my vinyl collection or Spotify playlists and you will see literally all genres sitting together and played together. My love of music goes past it’s style. Every artist or band I listen to holds a different attraction. “Le Freak” by Chic or “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk makes me want to dance or Ojos de Brujo remind me of my Spanish roots. In my early twenties played drums in a few bands. ‘Fictitious Names’ was the first – click here to check us out. Being with other musicians and playing our own music opened my tastes even more. Wedding Present, Be Bop Deluxe, REM, Pixies and Nirvana were added to my faves to name a few. Music is a constant in my life…there is always music being listened to or in the background and my music tastes are constantly being added to. Since the nineties, more new styles have been on my radar…trip hop like Portishead and Massive Attack and electronica like the Cinematic Orchestra. I love nothing more than reading reviews, listening to new music, live or otherwise and different styles; appreciating it for what it is and the emotions and thoughts it conjures up.
Tom Ray – With Just A Hint Of Mayhem Writer & Reviewer
I am a music obsessive from York who plays synthesisers in a band (Nauseous Skies), ukulele and guitar in my spare room and write about indie and electronic music in my pyjamas. I also produce weirdo electronic music as Home Taper. I have a beard.
My favourite band is probably Radiohead, though a few others are constantly jostling for the top spot in my brain. Mainly Sonic Youth, Pavement and Grandaddy. The best gig I’ve ever attended was The Flaming Lips in 2006 and my most recent by a well-known band was Wire in 2017.
I read a lot, mainly Science Fiction, music journalism and poetry. My favourite books are the Manifold Space trilogy by Stephen Baxter. I also enjoy Terry Pratchett, Alastair Reynolds, Peter F Hamilton, Boris & Arkady Strugatsky and Stephen King (underrated as a Sci-fi writer in my opinion). My favourite music journalist is Robert Christgau and my favourite poet is David Berman.
My personal blog, Home Taping Is Saving Music.
With Just A Hint Of Mayhem 
wow! can’t believe i’m the first to leave a comment here!!! anyway, blog looks pretty damn good!!! keep up with the trivia, i’m learning more and more each day!!! and as weird as he is, good to see a bit about mr. george o’dowd!!! it’s a bit strange, but his songwriting with culture club is actually very good… those are examples of perfect pop songs, (imho)… anyway, keep up the good wurk!!! i’ll checking back here everyday!!!!
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Vik, it’s an honour to have yours as the first comment 🙂
Cheers
Bill
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We’ll build a glass asylum…
The title of your blog just stopped me in my tracks. I was watching blog after blog flow by via condron and there it was. Lyrics from what I consider the best album ever made. You’ve got my attention.
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Terry,
thanks for the comment. I’m sure some readers thought I was just trying to be wacky in some way. But you hit the nail right on the head. Diamond Dogs is my all time favourite Bowie album and I have them all! I’ve been a fan since 1972 and I’ve seen him 8 times. Funnily enough I almost called the blog Glass Asylum, you’d have guessed thta one as well though!
Cheers
Bill
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I know now why I liked you instantly! This is good stuff, keep it up!
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Yeah we hit it off quite well, thanks for the comments and keep reading, Cheers Bill
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hi Bill, Thanks for being so kind there,,,, i am sure you could have said more, by the way what car do you drive……XXXXX
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wow what can I say? I have occasionally mentioned people from the past in my posts kind of hoping for a response eventually but I usually don’t get one. But then I mention you in a post and I get a reply less than 48 hours afterwards. It really was a wonderful surprise. How did you find it so quickly?
As for mentioning more, my dear Gay I am a gentleman 😉
Anyway how the devil are you? I’ll e mail you later if that’s ok
As for the car, well now I drive a sleek black Limo………….. did I say Limo? I meant Volvo V50, it is sleek and black though, not one of those old box shaped Volvos
xxxxxxx
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Well i saw the your post the next day you wrote it. I was actually looking for my facebook, i still have no idea why i typed my name in, then saw your page. I was so shocked that anyone had written something about me. Well my kids and friends have had a good laugh about what you had written, but like i said to them you have now forgiven me, which is good,THANKs It was a friend who said i should mail you, about the car, i hope you took it as a joke,,, i guess you did. Well good luck with the writing. and i am sooooo jealous you went to Reading, hoping to go next year, only if i can VIP tickets,,,,dont think i could use those loos.. xxxxxx
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Was originally browsing through to look at pictures and am definitely interested in following your blog. You have some good insights into some classic music that I wish I knew more about. Keep up the good posts!
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Thanks for the comment and I’m glad you like the blog. I checked out your website earlier too. You have some great artwork there 🙂
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Hi,
Really loved your blog and description as well 🙂 For me, music is my life as well, and that is why I started my blog, in this case, http://www.muzikablog.com. Would you mind exchanging links? Contact me on bruce@muzikablog.com.
keep it up
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Bruce
thanks for the excellent comment. I have read some of your blog posts too and have added yours to my blog roll. I love the post about the Who! Their Quadraphenia album is still one of my favourite albums.
You’ve got a good blog going on!
Cheers
Bill
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I am the present headteacher of Ryefield School. I bumped into the website by chance – actually the picture. It is our 50th anniversary, visit our website there will soon be lots of historical pictures. If you have any positive stories or memories, let me know.
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Hello, I like your blog. And I think we have something in common, our love for David Bowie. He’s on the same level with the Beatles for me, my favorite album is Low, but most of him albums are great.
My blog is mostly about indie music, but I write about all quality music. I write personal stuff on it too. It’s not always easy as my first language is not English, but I enjoy it.
Maybe you want to exchange links? I already added your blog in my list. 🙂
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did your cousin Deborah Schofield live in the Hounslow/Isleworth area and pass about 11 or 12 years ago now with an embolism ? Forgive me if the wrong person, but if not, would love to speak to you as she was a dear dear friend !
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Hi,
Just wanted to drop you a line and tell you that I’ve linked to one of your images on my blog, check it out at dailyfarce.blogspot.com, if you want it removed, just let me know. Anyway, thanks alot, I’m enjoying your blog too.
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Hey, we saw your post in WP.com’s forum and since the thread is already closed, we thought we could reach you through your blog, right here!
The thing is, Zemanta unfortunately doesn’t work in the WordPress’s default Dashboard anymore, but can be easily re-installed via our browser extension.
It comes with all the features you’re already used to (images, in-text links, related posts & tags) and is really easy to set it up. Just follow the link to our downloads page and install the appropriate extension for your browser.
Here’s the link: http://zem.si/PqCSDD
And please do let me know how it goes or if you have any more questions what-so-ever, since I’ll be more than glad to help you out!
Here’s my email address: support[at]zemanta[dot]com
Take care & I’m looking forward to your reply!
Best,
Silvo
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I share the same passion for music, can’t go trough a single day without my heroes 🙂 and I use to say that music is like breathing to my soul. The best medicine and, sometimes, the only cure when rainy days seem endless. Your blog is captivating, I’m reading it, enjoying both the music and your excellent writing style.
Thank you for following my blog, I’m honored and I feel blessed for discovering your written voice!
Best regards,
Carissa
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Thanks for following The Immortal Jukebox. I hope you will enjoy the wide variety of music covered and some entertaining writing. I welcome comments from readers. I usually post on a weekly basis. If it has been a while since you last visited come on over and see what’s new! Regards and good luck with all your projects. Thom.
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Hi! Thanks a lot for joining me!
Great blog! 🙂
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It is a pleasure and thanks for having us 🙂
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Very much welcome!
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Hi guys
How do you we get songs to you for reviewing?
Thanks
Kevin
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Hi Kevin, email is the best route at withjustahintofmayhem@gmail.com, Cheers Bill
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Hi
Hope this finds you well, and curious for music new.
Really excited to be releasing my 3rd studio album on 19/11/19 (as an independent release this time).
Wondered how best I might get my music and press release to you?
Best wishes, and thanks
Edd
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Hi Edd,
feel free to drop me a line at withjustahintofmayhem@gmail.com, with a streaming link or MP3s.
I am a little behind with reviews at the moment so it might take a couple of weeks.
Cheers
Bill
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Hello ,
We have loads of great bands on roster and all have great music coming out if you would like to be on our mailing list for reviews etc please feel free to drop me an email
Thanks
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Hi Martin,
we are already on your mailing list. 🙂
The Living Dead Stars email arrived today. We will take a listen to that very soon 🙂
For information our email address is withjustahintofmayhem@gmail.com
Cheers
Bill
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Hi
Just wanted to say love your reviews that arrive by email and really like the obvious genuine interest and passion you have for music. Definitely brightens my week and that is saying something this year!!😃👍
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So pleased you enjoy them and I really appreciate the feedback too. You can also find me on Twitter and there is a FaceBook page if you’re interested 🙂
Thank you
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I would love to have my single “Kicked Out Of The Sky” on your Blog. Here is the video link: https://youtu.be/7zPW4Q5THXU
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Hi Matt, having just had a listen I reckon we can give the song a review at some point soon 🙂 I love it!
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