Every now and then a particular voice steps forward which just rings true for ears musically and thoughts lyrically. It is like they, whether a single artist or band, tap into the psyche and breath of the daily world around you in a broad or intimate honesty easy to find unity with. Singer/songwriter GLENN HODGE is one such protagonist; an alternative folk singer, often tagged as anti-folk, who fuses soulful roars and punk attitude into the mix. His songs are a rousing enticement or impacting incitement, general both simultaneously, which just hit the spot emotively and socially with mischievous and honest devilry.
Glenn was born in Ashford in Kent and raised in the flat lands of East Anglia, areas no doubt colouring his lyrical prowess though maybe not as dramatically as the city he is now based in, London. There is no doubting that the capital’s landscape, and life within it, has been a potent inspiration to his music and words, a striking and at times imposingly creative union which has seen Glenn an eagerly devoured encounter on London’s live music scene with an acclaimed reputation to match. 2014 debut single ‘Faces on Tables’, which you can currently grab as a free download at Glenn’s Bandcamp profile, drew strong and enthused praise from its first day. It instantly brought Glenn Hodge Banned to a new host of fans; the song a taster for the “Iconoclast” EP, released later that same year, which just as swiftly sparked a broader tide of keen interest and greedy appetites.
Consisting of five tracks built around the working class ethos, the release jumps at ears and imagination with emotive zeal and lyrical relish from opener ‘Ignoramus’, proceeding to take the listener on an acoustically seeded walk through city life, personal relationships, and honest social commentary. Instantly there is a straight talking edge and potency to tracks but with a mischievous character too. It is one of those songs which allows no half-hearted reactions to its lyrical painting and infectious revelry, setting the tone for the release and soon seeds to a hungry appetite in a great many newcomers to man and band. Through tracks such as the contagion of swaying chords, vibrant melodies, and folkish strings that is ‘Intrepid Thing’ and the addictive and anthemic roar of ‘Wasted Labour’, the EP provided a spiky and magnetic enticement high on fresh imaginative adventure and vocal passion.
Acclaim and support flooded towards the release of “Iconoclast”; Billy Bragg calling it “Really good stuff!” and Louder Than War declaring “Glenn Hodge is a unique talent and hopefully it will be recognised soon” whilst The Ringmaster Review announced “Glenn Hodge Banned is a proposition to set ears and thoughts alight, and push passions towards tenacious greed.”
Soon radio shows and podcasts were featuring tracks from the EP with enthusiasm, a live session coming for BBC London amongst them, before Glenn followed up its success with a charity single promoting and supporting the efforts of hardworking Big Issue sellers; the Christmas release of ‘Santa’s Coming Round This Time Next Week’ reinforcing the growing appetite for the perpetually talked about emergence of Glenn Hodge.
Continuing to be a striking proposal on the live scene within London and across many festivals, Glenn Hodge Banned released the single ‘Family Man’ early 2015, a lively encounter which from its 
stirring acoustic entrance expands in melodic and harmonic colour as it heads towards another chorus from the man which has anthem running through its heart as it stirs up ears and emotions alike. The track epitomised the Glenn Hodge Banned sound; fusing emotional calms with rousing tenacity and passion whilst revealing new growth in an ever magnetic piece of songwriting, its success sparking some to place Glenn Hodge towards the same realm of artists such as Billy Bragg, Ste McCabe, and Frank Turner.
Across a summer which has seen Richard Nottingham, Michael Monaghan, Ray Griffin, and Oisin O’regan alongside Glenn as Glenn Hodge Banned, playing The Big Noise Festival, the Brentwood Festival, Croydon’s Ambition Festival, and most recently Devon’s Beautiful Days Festival, amongst many other events, it is fair to say that the past few months have made for a big year for Glenn Hodge though you get the feeling not as massive as 2016 promises to be for him, the band, and us.
Explore Glenn Hodge Banned further at https://www.facebook.com/GlennHodgeBanned http://www.glennhodge.com/ https://twitter.com/GHodgeBanned
See the band’s full profile page at http://www.zykotika.com/
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