Wednesday 28 December 2016

Grammy Award Winning Mix Engineer Bob Horn Discusses Importance of Collaboration & Cooperation Between Musicians & Producers



Grammy Winning Mix Engineer Bob Horn (Michael Jackson, Usher, Timbaland, Ashanti, Dave Koz, Akon) recently sat down with Joey Sturgis Tones for their series Unleash Your Creativity to discuss the importance for musicians to understand the recording process on a more practical level; by being familiar with how things work in the studio, musicians can better communicate their vision to the production team. Horn discusses why he chooses JST Plugins for not only their unique sound, but the efficiency in creating the best sounds almost immediately.


"In my opinion, the key to a great production is not over-producing. So many things these days have just layers and layers of sounds and tracks and kind of, to me, distract from the song. The lyrics and melody and the vocal in most genres are what you're selling, and if the production is too dense and too distracting, it can really take the listener away from the song. So the maturity of just putting exactly what's needed to enhance the song itself is the best way to go about production"

"I have been able to manipulate audio in a way that nothing else has been able to do as smooth" JST Transify is a particular favorite of Bob’s, as he points out “You can do really amazing things [using Transify on] reverbs, choosing which parts of the reverb you want to elongate or shorten. I put it on piano today, it really brought out the attack...which normally I would have to use a lot of EQ to do that.”.” Using Transify on more than just drums, Bob has proven the versatility of JST Plugins. - Bob Horn

REBELS & RENEGADES TOUR Featuring Shallow Side, Seasons After and Guns Out At Sundown



Seasons After are happy to announce that they are heading out on tour with the guys in SHALLOW SIDE and GUNS OUT AT SUNDOWN. Additional dates are being added so keep checking in for cities near you! Seasons After VIP Packages for this tour will become available soon. Including a Private Hang-Out, Acoustic Performance, Signed CD, Merch & MORE! We will announce details once the VIP Packages launch.

Tuesday 20 December 2016

DECADE ANNOUNCE UK HEADLINE TOUR FOR MARCH 2017


British alternative rockers Decade have announced a UK headline tour for March 2017 in support of their new album, Pleasantries, out on 24th February 2017 via Rude Records.

The nine-date tour will commence on 3rd March in Birmingham and conclude in Bath on 11th March, including a date at London’s Boston Music Room.

"We're really excited to celebrate the release of Pleasantries with a UK Tour and we can't wait! See you in 2017!" - Decade

Tour dates are as follows: 03.03 Birmingham, Asylum 04.03 Leicester, The Cookie 05.03 Newcastle, Think Tank 06.03 Glasgow, Audio 07.03 Leeds, The Key Club 08.03 Manchester, Star & Garter 09.03 London, Boston Music Room 10.03 Nottingham, Rock City Basement 11.03 Bath, Moles

Monday 19 December 2016

Schiller - New Music Video "Not In Love" (with Arlissa)


Photo Credit: Philip Glaser

After 4 years, the wait is finally over for SCHILLER fans with the release of his brand new album, Future, made available today, Friday, December 16, 2016 via OK!Good Records. Future is the ninth studio album from the multi-Gold and Platinum awarded electronic musician, producer, and composer Christopher von Deylen, who has collaborated with well-known artists such as Colbie Caillat, Sarah Brightman, Lang Lang, and more. Inspired by electronic icons like Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk and Jean-Michel Jarre, Schiller is known for creating visionary sounds that are ahead of their time. Listeners are sure to be moved by Schiller’s new emotional electronic-pop album, which has been met with critical acclaim as it went straight to the top of the German Pop Album Charts marking his fifth #1 album in his home country.

Future is an appropriate title for this innovative masterpiece by one of Electronic Music’s most fascinating artists. Mixing intoxicating and exciting sounds with timeless intensity, each song has its own cinematic quality to experience. Schiller describes the album as a movie soundtrack, taking listeners on a sonic-journey through moods, feelings, and landscapes. Future is the ideal album to escape from everyday life and immerse oneself in dreams of the “future.” Dreamscape melodies and artful arrangements create an extraordinary experience with compositions of epic power and breathtaking fragility. "Time flies so fast, and the future is so precious, whether it is the future as a feeling of life or whether we feel our own grit… I would be happy if 'Future' can provide the soundtrack for this journey,” says Schiller.

To create this new album, Schiller embarked on one of his most fascinating trips of musical and spiritual discovery. While traveling back and forth between the pulsing metropolis of Los Angeles and the infinite openness of the Mojave Desert, Schiller was inspired to create a “gravity free” album by matching his epic instrumental tracks with impressive and often surprising guest vocalists. Featured artists include Kéta, Emma Hewitt, Tawgs Salter, Sheppard Solomon, along with Lacuna Coil’s Cristina Scabbia. With their dedication and passion, they have become an integral part of the musical expedition of Future.

The OK!Good Records release of Schiller’s ‘Future’ is available for physical purchase at music retailers nationwide, on Amazon, and in the OK!Good Records Shop. Future is available for digital purchase on Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, and Bandcamp. It is also available to stream on all major streaming platforms including Spotify and SoundCloud.

WATCH "NOT IN LOVE" HERE

Ohio Indie Outfit CLUBHOUSE Premiere "Blame The Weather"



Despite being a young band just breaking the music scene, CLUBHOUSE has already earned both gratuitous praise and amazing opportunities. Their immersive and energetic live shows have earned them opportunities to perform with HAIM, FOALS, Wolf Alice, Silversun Pickups and Circa Waves—all within the first year of the group’s formation.

With their genre-bending mix of funky guitar riffs, smooth synth hooks, and rhythmic drive; the band’s undeniably catchy and infectious vocal melodies immediately capture audience attention.

The band’s success has not stopped there. While gaining nearly half of a million streams on Spotify and getting featured on their editors’ playlist “Canción del Día (Song of the Day),” CLUBHOUSE gained enough momentum to share the stage at music festivals alongside X Ambassadors, Passion Pit, Matt & Kim, Børns, and Ra Ra Riot. With the releases of their new single “Blame the Weather,” CLUBHOUSE is eager to reach new and larger audiences, across the globe.

CLUBHOUSE is: Max Reichert (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Ari Blumer (Guitar), Zak Blumer (Drums), Michael Berthold (Keyboard/Synth, Backup Vocals), Ben Saulnier (Bass, Backup Vocals.)

Thursday 15 December 2016

FORMER MISFITS GUITARIST DOYLE WOLFGANG VON FRANKENSTEIN SIGNS LABEL/DISTRIBUTION DEAL WITH EMP LABEL GROUP



As announced on the Black Carpet at the The Epiphone Revolver Music Awards 12/13, former MISFITS guitarist DOYLE WOLFGANG VON FRANKENSTEIN has signed a label and distribution deal with EMP LABEL GROUP, who will not only release AS WE DIE, the upcoming sophomore LP from the legendary guitarist’s eponymous project DOYLE, but distribute all releases for the guitarist’s label MONSTERMAN RECORDS.

EMP, the label vessel of Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, with operations headed up by former Corporate Punishment President/A&R/Marketing exec Thom Hazaert, home to artists including A Killer’s Confession, Motograter, Heaven Below (featuring Patrick Kennison of Lita Ford/Union Underground), Broken Teeth, Doll Skin, Helstar, Cage9, Green Death, Arise in Chaos, former Faith No More vocalist Chuck Mosley, and many more, started out with deep ties into the Doyle camp, according to EMP’s Hazaert.

“I worked really closely with Bruce (Miyaki – Doyle’s Manager) and MONSTERMAN on (Doyle’s 2013 release) Abominator, and I was actually the marketing director out of the gate on that release. Over the years, I’ve stayed involved, and we’re all good friends, and with David (Ellefson), who also has a great relationship with DOYLE, eventually as EMP came to fruition the conversation inevitably came up about seeing if there was a fit there. With everything else going on in all of our Worlds, it took a bit of a detour to finally get here, but I can’t express how excited we are to finally be able to put this all together. The legacy of someone like DOYLE, who is SUCH a legendary talent, is always such an amazing gift when it comes to putting out records, especially for a label like EMP, where we are all HUGE, genuine music fans. And there’s really not many out there who can hold a candle to DOYLE, in terms of talent OR legacy.”

EMP President David Ellefson agrees. “I’ve always loved Doyle and we’ve had a great relationship that goes back a long time. We’d started some talk last year when Doyle and Alissa (White-Gluz) came out to do some stuff with Metal Allegiance, and it just became an ongoing conversation over the past year. Now that it’s official, we’re extremely excited to be able to not only push out this new DOYLE record, which is amazing, but all the killer MONSTERMAN titles via EMP.”

Says Doyle, “When Dave came to me with an offer for our new CD As We Die it was a no brainer. He has been a good friend of mine for 20 + years, and has never done me wrong, and in this business that’s unheard of. We didn’t want to release it ourselves on Monster Man, we wanted a bigger push and EMP has a lot of exciting things happening in 2017 that will do that for us.”

DOYLE the current project of Von Frankenstein, with CANCERSLUG vocalist Alex “Wolfman” Story, and a current lineup rounded out by bassist Brandon Strate and drummer Brandon Pertzborn, continues the lineage of Doyle’s former projects, pairing crushing metal riffs with ferocious Punk Rock swagger and the theatrical intensity one would expect from one of the reigning kings, and erstwhile creators, of Horror-Core.

In addition to the upcoming sophomore release from DOYLE, EMP/MONSTERMAN will release several limited edition vinyl configurations, as well as a CD reissue of DOYLE’s Critically-acclaimed ABOMINATOR, the upcoming LP from LA Industrial Metal mainstays DEAD GIRLS CORP., and several additional 2017 releases TBA.

New video from LA four-piece alt rock/garage grunge band Love Ghost



Inspired by the 90’s grunge subculture, Los Angeles based Love Ghost successfully pays tribute to the most influential genre of alternative rock, while creating a unique and modern sound. Having grown up together, the five-piece are able to poignantly express both the hardships and joys of suburban teenage culture within their music. The band was formed by 15-year-old frontman Finn Bell who demonstrates a maturity beyond his years with his soulful lyrics and arrangements. Despite the band all being teenagers, their raw musical skill creates a nostalgic triumph of distorted guitar melodies, heavy drums and emotionally stimulated lyrics. Love Ghost’s musical composition is inspired by a mix of old universal horror films meshed with iconic grunge artists such as Nirvana and Alice in Chains.

Smashing Pumpkins inspired ‘Friday Afternoon’ aims to reflect the importance of standing up for oneself especially during a time of hardship in teenage years. Written in the Spring of 2015, Bell reflects upon his own experiences through creation, and actively urges his audience to do the same.

Love Ghost’s lead vocalist and lyricist, describes his process as a continuous stream of consciousness, drawn from his emotional response. Bell expresses ‘It’s a shame that people tend to shy away from anything that feels too personal, because those types of things let you know who you really are.’ Despite only being together for a little over a year, the band has seen tremendous success, opening for such artists as The Tubes, Berlin, Ozomatli and Buckcherry. Love Ghost has also played several high profile festivals including Make Music Pasadena and Echo Park Rising.

Love Ghost "Forgive Me"

Tuesday 13 December 2016

Alice Cooper returns to the UK for 2017 UK Headline with: THE MISSION and The Tubes



Let's face it, 2016 has not been the best of years - turmoil, conflict, rock star deaths, only one Alice Cooper UK show..... So 2017 is already looking up - more Alice, more of the time, in more of the UK with more gore, more fun and more I’m Eighteen, Billion Dollar Babies, Under My Wheels, School’s Out, Poison, No More Mr Nice Guy and the rest. We feel better already.

Alice Cooper's first headline UK tour in 5 years comes with the anticipation of a big 2017 for Coop. The seeds have been sewn this year, with Alice having just ended his more than 90 show 2016 tour with a final night at the legendary Pantages Theatre in Hollywood - joined for a celebratory "School's Out" by rocker Butch Walker and fellow Hollywood Vampire Johnny Depp.

And America's Black Friday Record Store Day saw the instant sellout of a limited edition vinyl 45 of "I'm Eighteen/Is It My Body" recorded live in Dallas in 2015 by Alice with fellow original Alice Cooper members Dennis Dunaway, Neal Smith and Michael Bruce. The old high school and Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame friends had reunited for a surprise performance at local store Good Records.

Alice has also talked about his former fellow band members writing songs together for a new Alice Cooper album, being recorded with longtime producer Bob Ezrin this winter, due for 2017 release. And for the UK tour, Alice is bringing 2 bands with him to reflect two of his best sides - outrageous theatrical controversy and the darker, gothic rock that Alice influenced.

The Mission were formed by two members of Sisters Of Mercy in 1986, Wayne Hussey and Craig Adams. Songs like Wasteland, Tower Of Strength and Deliverance became classics of the 1980's goth rock scene and beyond. The band were heroes of alt rock, headlining Reading Festival twice and, on one tour, selling out 7 consecutive nights at London's legendary Astoria Theatre.

“I remember during the summer of 1972 being on scout camp and hearing this new song on the radio that absolutely mesmerised me. School’s Out by Alice Cooper. Loved it, still do," said The Mission's Wayne Hussey. "Fast forward to 1987 and our first headline spot on the Friday night at Reading Festival. Headlining the Sunday was Alice Cooper. And now we’ve been invited by Alice to join him on his UK tour next November."

The Tubes come from the same art school, shock rock background as Alice Cooper and, originally, the same city (and actually the same schools) - being formed by Phoenix, Arizona natives and appalling some of the same UK cities in the 1970s.

They made their name in psychedelic San Francisco however, honing their satirical act, concept albums and ambitious stage shows that showed an Alice level preference for self made props and costumes. Frontman Fee Waybill's characters – like addled British glam rocker Quay Lewd caused outrage in the UK, as did their bondage gear. 1977 saw their show banned in many British cities but the music cut through with the seminal White Punks On Dope defining their sound and they are still going strong with latest album Mondo Pulp.

Alice Cooper, plus The Mission and The Tubes presented by AEG live in the UK:

November 2017: 11th - Leeds - First Direct Arena 12th - Glasgow - The SSE Hydro 14th - Birmingham - Barclaycard Arena 15th - Manchester - Manchester Arena 16th - London – The SSE Arena, Wembley

Alice Cooper fan Pre-sale: 9 AM Wednesday 14 December Tickets on general sale: 9 AM Friday 16 December

More about Alice Cooper, the man, the myth, the legend: Alice Cooper pioneered a grandly theatrical brand of hard rock drawing equally from horror movies, vaudeville, and garage rock. With his influence on rock & roll long since acknowledged, his place in rock history and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame secure, and his multiple gold & platinum albums, sold-out tours plus countless honours and career achievement awards, there is little that Alice Cooper hasn’t achieved in his remarkable career. Cooper has rattled the cages and undermined the authority of generations of guardians of the status quo, continuing to surprise fans and exude danger at every turn, like a great horror movie, even in an era where 24 hour cable news can present real life shocking images. Still touring worldwide year-in and year-out, still hosting his worldwide syndicated radio show (heard on Planet Rock 5 days a week in the UK), still writing and recording new music, Alice Cooper show no sign of slowing down.

More about The Mission: Following the release of their critically acclaimed and UK Top 40 new studio album Another Fall From Grace, this year, The Mission also headline six UK dates in 2017. The dates start in Bournemouth on May 17th and includes Wayne’s Birthday celebration show in Sheffield, before concluding in Leicester on May 27th.

The Mission dates May: Wed 17th O2 Academy Bournemouth Thu 18th O2 Academy Oxford Fri 19th O2 Academy Liverpool Sat 20th O2 Academy Newcastle Fri 26th O2 Academy Sheffield (Wayne’s Birthday celebration show) Sat 27th O2 Academy Leicester

Monday 12 December 2016

Loose Buttons - "Milk & Roses"



"Breakups may suck, but they can be songwriting gold. NYC-based band Loose Buttons prove just that with their single “Milk & Roses,” premiering exclusively with Billboard, from their upcoming EP Sundays, due in February. The promising quartet met while playing for different local bands as teens, eventually coming together and releasing their debut EP, Damage Gallery,in 2014. Since then, Loose Buttons have honed in on a blend of new wave and pop that is all their own.

Drawing from the pain of a recent breakup, lead vocalist Eric Nizgretsky channeled it all into Sunday. "Milk & Roses,” the EPs closer, acts as the last step of the foursome’s aim to get you through every stage of a breakup.

“After copious amounts of sushi and ramen with my bandmates, I had the realization that it was time to move on and stop dwelling on my breakup,” said Nizgretsky. “There is a restaurant in Greenpoint called “Milk & Roses” and it was the last spot my ex and I went to before we broke up. It felt like the best lyric to signify moving on.”

As Nizgretsky deftly delivers lyrics like, “So it goes/ As in that book you know/ Our worlds, they will resume,” the beguiling melody carries you along; resolving the chaos of a breakup for you so you can move forward. And with Loose Buttons on the rise, it only makes sense to follow their lead.

Sunday 11 December 2016

Helmet - "Dead To The World", Released October 28th, 2016 via earMUSIC - ALBUM REVIEW


Helmet - "Dead To The World"
Released October 28th, 2016 via earMUSIC

This is the first album for Helmet in 6 years. This is the 8th studio album of the band. Nowadays Page Hamilton is Helmet and Helmet is Page Hamilton. The front man and leader of the group has been in charge of the last four albums besides all his numerous projects. Accomplished producer - "Dead to the World" has been produced by the man himself.

Originally from New York, the group is highly respected by the HC community but their music is more considered as being part of the alt rock movement, post HC or experimental HC. Labels aside, this LP album is, while not being as heavy as its predecessors, still a sonic wall of death in its own right.

I love My Guru. It is a wicked track with an insane guitar, great riffs, soft breaks and this nervous and possessed trademark voice that Hamilton has on every record. You may read in the press that Bad News has a Beatles feel and no one can deny this when you hear the track. It would be reductive to leave it, it is an engaging and melodic Helmet track.

Drunk In The Afternoon is a traditional Helmet title with a typical Helmet sound introduced by a heavy intro. Red Scare could probably be considered as the best song of the album insofar as it does encompass some recognizable Helmet components, such as strong riffs, possessed drums and onvincing voice - the whole together leading to an hypnotic deluge of sound. Die Alone, the following track, will not give you the opportunity to recover from the previous punch and it is more than likely that the guitar solo will ultimately terminate any predispositions you had towards an attempt to listen to the latest Bon Jovi.

Call it faux pas or experiment: Green Shirt, the unexpected pop song, sounding like a d-list track from Elvis Costello, is a bit like a UFO on this album. But this is not overly important as the remainder of the album is solid, nervous, agitated and cohesive.

Overall: Get your Helmet on, you will need it!
If I was to pick 3 only: I Love My Guru, Die Alone, Red Scare
Live Test: Guess what, they are not coming in Ireland. :(

Review by Pascal Derrien

Saturday 10 December 2016

The Regrettes announce debut album "Feel Your Feelings, Fool", available 13 January 2017 via Warner Bros. Records



Perfectly imperfect - that’s one way to describe LA based punk act, The Regrettes. Writing songs that proudly bear a brazen and unabashed attitude in the vein of acts Courtney Barnett or Karen O - with a pop aesthetic reminiscent of 50’s and 60’s acts a la the Temptations or Buddy Holly - the LA based four piece create infectious, punk driven tracks.

Today, the band announce their debut record, "Feel Your Feelings Fool!", available January 13, 2017 via Warner Bros. Records. Alongside the announcement, the band share a special cover of classic, "Marshmallow World," just in time for the holidays and will be available on 7 inch vinyl as part of Record Store Day.

Lead by outspoken front woman, Lydia Night, and comprised of Genessa Gariano on guitar, Sage Chavis on bass and drummer Maxx Morando, the group have left the rock scene floored, managing to capture the hearts of jaded rock critics while opening for acts like Sleigh Bells, Kate Nash, Jack Off Jill, Bleached, Pins and more. With a handful of singles released, the group have already caught the attention from outlets like NPR, Brooklyn Vegan, The Observer, Vogue, Noisey and more, with NYLON heralding them as a “punk act you should be listening to”.

From the opening moments on a track by The Regrettes, we’re greeted with a wall of guitars, infectious melodies and a wistful nostalgia that continues right until the final notes. Taking cues from acts like Hinds and Hole, there’s a wistful sense of youth and vulnerability that lies at the heart of each song.

A song by The Regrettes is, essentially, a diary entry into 16 year old Lydia’s life. “My music is a spectrum of every emotion that I have felt in the last year, and you can hear that when you hear the songs. Everything that is happening in my life influences me. It’s everything from boys, to friends, to being pissed off at people, to being really sad. Just everything.”

The most intoxicating draw of The Regrettes is their bashful, heart-on-your-sleeve temperament - writing urgent and fast-paced pop songs with a punk rock mentality. “The way that we write, it’s all based on honesty,” muses Lydia on the group’s punk aesthetic. “If I finish a song, I’ll just leave it - I won’t really go back to it. I like things to feel in the moment and I don’t want it to be perfect. If I work on something too much I lose it and get bored and I want to do the next one..”

Wednesday 7 December 2016

Gotta Catch 'Em All! TENGGER CAVALRY Releases Mongolian Metal-Style Pokémon Gym Battle Theme Cover


Global Music Award-winning Nomadic Mongolian folk metal group TENGGER CAVALRY are feeling Pokémon fever with the recent buzz around Pokémon Go and Pokémon Sun and Moon. Naturally, the only cure for this fever was to record a cover track! TENGGER CAVALRY just dropped a Mongolian metal-style cover of the Pokémon Gym Battle Theme, which you can hear now via Metal Injection. Listen HERE.

Right now, you can pre-order TENGGER CAVALRY's upcoming kAAn EP via Bandcamp, where you can also stream a new track "Wasted". The band surprised fans with the EP announcement late last month. The album will be available next Monday, December 12, and fans should expect a new music video for the title track coming soon.

TENGGER CAVALRY will perform one of their only local shows this winter at Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn, NY on Friday, December 16 at 8:00pm. The band will be joined by Tungsten, Entropy and Goblin Hovel.

This show follows the band's recent honorary performance at the 29th Annual Chinggis Khaan Memorial Ceremony in Princeton, NJ, a conference dedicated to the legendary Mongolian.

Nature Ganganbaigal and TENGGER CAVALRY have been turning heads in the music world since the band's inception in 2010. In 2014, Ganganbaigal released his Mongolian New Age album To Where Tengger Leads Me. The album won a bronze medal from Global Music Awards and a nomination from Hollywood Music in Media Awards. In 2015, Nature moved to New York City from China and re-located the band with brand new American members. On Christmas Eve 2015, TENGGER CAVALRY sold out the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.

TENGGER CAVALRY blends the nomadic music tradition of Central Asia with heavy metal music, creating the unique music genre mentioned above, Mongolian folk metal. Nature Ganganbaigal performs multiple Mongolian nomadic instruments including Mongolian horse-head fiddle Morin Khuur, Mongolian flute, Tibetan horn, Mongolian guitar (Tovshuur) and other instruments native to the region. He is also able to sing using the ancient Mongolian singing tradition of Khoomei, also known as throat singing or overtone singing. After the release of four studio albums in Europe and United States, TENGGER CAVALRY has become known as one of the most unique, innovative and exciting metal bands in Asia.

Margate - "Snow Day EP", Released 16 December 2016 via Cyber Tracks - EP REVIEW


Margate - "Snow Day EP"
Released 16 December 2016 via Cyber Tracks

If you are addicted to Xmas FM (105.20 ... I pretend it is for my kids) here in Ireland you can forget to drive home for Christmas with Chris Rea. It is really not "cool" to believe in a Pogues fairy tale, even if it is from New York, and I would even go as far as saying that Kylie Minogue’s complaint about 'Christmas is not Christmas' until you get here is a bit of a pile of rubbish. What you need for Xmas is good 5 track EP from Margate; with 3 original titles and two acoustic versions of Snow Day and I Had a Tall One.

Well if you don’t believe me, maybe you will when you will find out that the big guy in red is well known for listening to punk rock when he is on his skates and I would dare you to make sure you amalgamate no other artists with Margate because that is the favourite band of his favourite playmate (Kids go to bed now).

Not sure if we are going to have a white Christmas but if there is some white stuff on a frozen ground you can be sure Snow day will be sung by all the snow boarder heroes in your neighbourhood. A short, inviting and good mood tune. I Had a Tall One is one of those simple songs which I am sure some elves likes Pulley or No Use For a Name would have loved to have manufactured in their own workshop.

By the way, you know what? If you don’t get to go home or if you end up on your own at Xmas I suggest you have Xmas at Potsie’s. There will be some beautifully pop punk holiday anthems with some mainstream Christmas themes in it. In less than two minutes and seven seconds joy, happiness, guitars and beautiful vocals will take you on a sing along sleigh all the way to awesomeness. Now in the unlikely event it was too loud for your delicate little ears you can still listen to the excellent acoustic version of Snow Day.

The beach Boys of punk are back with a light hearted take on our favourite holiday of the year. Now I am telling you it is not too late to add the Snow Day EP on your list, just saying.

Ah yeah, almost forgot: Merry Xmas everybody!

Santa’s Track: Snow Day
Chimney Track: I Had A Tall One
Red Hot After Dark Holiday Karaoke Top 3:Xmas At Potsie’s

Review by Pascal Derrien

Tuesday 6 December 2016

Highly Suspect - GRAMMY nomination w/ David Bowie, Metallica, Radiohead + Twenty One Pilots



This morning Highly Suspect, who has the number one alternative album via the Billboard Music Chart, picked up their third Grammy nomination in 18 months for Best Rock Song. 'My Name Is Human' is the lead single off the band's critically acclaimed Sophomore album 'The Boy Who Died Wolf' and has sat atop the rock radio charts for several weeks.

Highly Suspect is reigniting the rock genre through their progressive rock sound, attitude and powerful vocals. Born out of the bustling indie rock-centric borough of Brooklyn, NYC, the Cape Cod-bred rockers formed around the talents of Johnny Stevens (guitar, vocals, synths) and twin siblings Ryan (drums, vocals) and Rich (bass, vocals) Meyer.

Their debut album, Mister Asylum, produced by Joel Hamilton (Black Keys, Elvis Costello) earned two Grammy nominations for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Album. The boys performed their song 'Lydia' at the Grammy's pre-telecast show. Their Grammy journey was documented by Billboard, The New York Times, and more.

This year the band is beyond excited about their nomination and are humbled to be nominated along side such iconic artists as David Bowie, Metallica, Radiohead and Twenty One Pilots.

THIEVERY CORPORATION Announce "The Temple of I & I" for Feb. 10, 2017


Photo credit: Jen Maler

"The innovation, spirit and power of Jamaican music is a constant source of creative manna for us," explains Eric Hilton of DC-based electronic band THIEVERY CORPORATION about their new album THE TEMPLE OF I & I (release date: February 10, 2017 via ESL Music). "On the musical map, Jamaica is an entire continent. Frankly, we could have spent a year there, soaking up the vibes in the air and the strength and resilience resonating from the people. And for us, the only way to connect with this rich source of inspiration was to work in that environment - to feel the pulse of the place."

Infused with the culture and rhythm of Jamaica, The Temple of I & I is an extension of the dub ethos and aesthetic that they’ve harbored since their debut EP Sounds from Thievery Hi-Fi, except this time, they dove headfirst into the rich and warm musical environs of Port Antonio, Jamaica and surrounded themselves with the island’s magic. Kicking off in February 2015, Hilton, Rob Garza and their DC-based live rhythm section settled into the deep part of Jamaica – Port Antonio – and began recording in Geejam Studios. "People couldn't believe Robbie Myers, our guitarist, wasn't Jamaican," laughs Hilton. "I think they're used to people coming down from London or LA to record rock and pop records, and they were thrilled that we had such a handle on their sound. It felt like the respect was mutual. It was beyond gratifying. High Grade ganja and bottles of Appleton rum started to show up on the reg."

Rife with inspired sounds of the island, The Temple of I & I kicks off with “Thief Rockers”, easing the listener into a reverb-heavy tropical sway that introduces Kingston-newcomer, vocalist Racquel Jones. “I met her on my first trip to Port Antonio and she played some demos at Geejam. She had actually used Thievery Corporation as her demo backing track, and it was a perfect match when I heard it. We've been waiting years to find a conscious, brilliant, female Jamaican singer and MC. As a model and former Miss Jamaica contestant, you'd never expect the pure lyrical fire and tough delivery could come out of her. It's impressive," explains Hilton.

"The Temple of I & I is a place of worship that exists only in our imagination; a place where all people are chosen people and the unity of living things is possible,” explains Hilton about the album’s title. “So much of the world is divided into tribes and belief systems that have imprisoned people's consciousness and allowed a few to control the many. Culture can be a blessing and a curse. Humanity transcends tribe and culture. This has been a constant theme in Thievery Corporation's message since day one"

Thievery Corporation is Eric Hilton and Rob Garza. The Temple of I & I will be released on February 10, 2017 via ESL Records.

TOUR DATES US: Dec 07 Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA Dec 08 The National - Richmond, VA Dec 09 Terminal 5 - New York, NY Dec 10 The Fillmore - Philadelphia, PA Dec 12 State Theatre - Portland, ME Dec 13 House of Blues - Boston, MA Dec 14 College Street Music Hall - New Haven, CT Dec 15 9:30 Club - Washington, DC Dec 16 9:30 Club - Washington, DC Dec 17 9:30 Club - Washington, DC

Europe: Feb 15 Lisbon Coliseum - Lisbon, Portugal Feb 17 Razzmatazz - Barcelona, Spain Feb 19 Fabrique - Milan, Italy Feb 20 Kaserne Basel - Basel, Switzerland Feb 22 L'Alhambra - Paris, France Feb 24 Astra - Berlin, Germany Feb 25 Roxy - Prague, Czech Republic Feb 25 Megaclub - Katowice, Poland Feb 26 Konzerthaus - Vienna, Austria Feb 28 Batschkapp - Frankfurt, Germany Mar 01 Paradiso - Amsterdam, Netherlands Mar 02 Den Atelier - Luxembourg, Luxembourg Mar 04 Ancienne Belgique - Brussels, Belgium Mar 05 The Roundhouse - London, United Kingdom

Demo Taped x Stereogum: "Stay ft. Amber Mark"



With a sound that is built around upbeat rhythms, soft vocals, and synth melodies combined with effortless electronic R&B textures, 18 year old Atlanta native, Demo Taped arrives today with a dreamy new track, "Stay ft. Amber Mark". Premiering on Stereogum, with a heavy bass line, slow building melodies and flourishes of electronica reminiscent of 90's Nintendo soundtracks, "Stay" is another staggering installment in the rising artists already impressive catalogue, which has garnered over 7 million streams on Spotify, and seen him top the charts of the HypeMachine. The track had it's first spin by Zane Lowe.

The young artist has already garnered attention from major outlets including Complex, Noisey, Fader and Pigeons and Planes, who named him as a Top 20 Artist Under 20. Speaking about the track, Stereogum noted: "18-year-old ATLien Demo Taped melds R&B sensibilities with inventive synth sculpting for a sound all his own. “Stay” is a paragon of what he’s capable of. His velvety tenor floats over 8-bit Super Mario synth flourishes, deep synth bass, and just enough swing to keep the R&B vibes off-kilter. Vocalist Amber Mark darkens the mood beautifully as well. It’s easy to gloss over her lyrics, but their deceptive potency won’t let you. The track aesthetically sounds like it belongs on a baby-making playlist with its smooth, sultry edges, but it’s actually about something much deeper and harder to process."

With a sound that is built around upbeat rhythms, soft vocals, and synth melodies combined with effortless electronic R&B textures, 18 year old Atlanta native, Demo Taped arrives today with a dreamy new track, "Stay ft. Amber Mark". Premiering on Stereogum, with a heavy bass line, slow building melodies and flourishes of electronica reminiscent of 90's Nintendo soundtracks, "Stay" is another staggering installment in the rising artists already impressive catalogue, which has garnered over 7 million streams on Spotify, and seen him top the charts of the HypeMachine. The track had it's first spin by Zane Lowe.

The young artist has already garnered attention from major outlets including Complex, Noisey, Fader and Pigeons and Planes, who named him as a Top 20 Artist Under 20. Speaking about the track, Stereogum noted: "18-year-old ATLien Demo Taped melds R&B sensibilities with inventive synth sculpting for a sound all his own. “Stay” is a paragon of what he’s capable of. His velvety tenor floats over 8-bit Super Mario synth flourishes, deep synth bass, and just enough swing to keep the R&B vibes off-kilter. Vocalist Amber Mark darkens the mood beautifully as well. It’s easy to gloss over her lyrics, but their deceptive potency won’t let you. The track aesthetically sounds like it belongs on a baby-making playlist with its smooth, sultry edges, but it’s actually about something much deeper and harder to process."

Demo Taped explained the meaning behind the track: “Stay” is about loss. It is trying to cope and move on, but also a plea for things to stay the same. I’ve always been afraid of change and I’d say that’s what the song represents to me. I’m so happy that Amber Mark is a part of the record. She captured the mood and meaning of the song perfectly."

After spending some time this year in the UK supporting Nao, Demo Taped aka Adam Alexander is fresh off a tour with WET that saw him hit major markets including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles as well as his home town of Atlanta. "Stay ft. Amber Mark" is available via 300 Entertainment.

Ginger Wildheart raises awareness for Suicide Prevention & releases Charity single ‘Fuck You Brain’



Ginger Wildheart is releasing a single for Suicide Prevention at Christmas to promote Mental Health Awareness and the proceeds will go to The Samaritans.

The lead track is called Fuck You Brain, recorded with Ginger’s friend Ryan Hamilton. Along with Fuck You Brain, the single includes two extra original and previously unreleased songs, all for £5.00 (minimum).

“Ironically I struggled even getting to the studio to record my parts for this single, deep as was in my current battle with depression. The same attack that almost killed me a week ago. My depression wants me dead. So far I'm winning on weight advantage, but the battle is never over. This is a very vulnerable time of year for sufferers of mental health issues, and suicide sees a marked increase over Christmas and New Year. So the help provided by The Samaritans is invaluable, especially over this period. Please help us in helping someone this year. Obviously severe depression is not seasonal, but the reminder that you yourself are 'not doing so bad' is reinforced over this Festive holiday. If you have a healthy family, loved ones who are safe, a warm home, a job and a hot meal staring at you at some point, then you are doing better than many people this Xmas. To simply say "thank you" for what you have, please donate for those suffering from suicidal thoughts, struggling with depression/anxiety, or for those helping such a person through this holiday period.

Our suggestion is £5:00, but if you're doing okay this year then please add a little. The people involved in this single all gave their time for free, and we'll even be dropping a 'thank you' donation into the box. Let's do this selflessly and with love. I'd like to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to make sure that this single happens in time to help. My warm thanks extend to every one of you for helping save someone's life this Christmas. “ Gx

Watch now the video for Fuck You Brain :



To purchase the Fuck You Brain single go to: roundrecords.bandcamp.com


On December 14th The Wildhearts set out on a 5 date UK tour, including Ginger’s Annual Birthday Bash at the O2 Forum in London on December 17th. The Wildhearts, with the line up of Ginger and CJ on guitars and vocals, bassist Jon Poole and Ritch Battersby on drums, continuing to hold firm, are supported by Danny McCormack’s band The Main Grains and Dirt Box Disco. With the exception of Manchester, where it will be Hey! Hello! in place of Dirt Box Disco and Ginger’s Annual Birthday Bash in London, which features a formidable seven bands.

On top of this Danny will be joining The Wildhearts each night for a few songs on the encore. The impressive cast supporting The Wildhearts at Ginger’s Birthday Bash is - Dirt Box Disco, Jim Jones & The Righteous Mind, Hey! Hello!, The Dowling Poole, The Main Grains and Elvana.

The Wildhearts December UK tour dates: Wed 14th Glasgow O2 ABC w/ Dirt Box Disco & The Main Grains Thur 15th Newcastle Riverside w/ Dirt Box Disco & The Main Grains Fri 16th Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall w/ Dirt Box Disco & The Main Grains Sat 17th London O2 Forum w/ Dirt Box Disco, Jim Jones & The Righteous Mind, Hey! Hello!, The Dowling Poole, The Main Grains and Elvana Sun 18th Manchester Ritz w/ Hey! Hello! & The Main Grains

Skillet play a sold out show at London’s KOKO this Friday December 9th



Skillet has cemented its place as one of the 21st century’s most successful rock bands. Selling more than 11 million units worldwide, the Wisconsin quartet have received two GRAMMY® Award nominations and won a Billboard Music Award for the platinum-certified Awake. Their double-platinum single “Monster” is “the eighth most-streamed rock song of 2015” with a total of 57 million plays (and counting) on Spotify and would earn the distinction of becoming “the best-selling digital single in the history of Christian Music.” 2013’s Rise bowed at #4 on the Billboard Top 200 upon release, received resounding and eclectic acclaim from the likes of USA Today, New York Times, Revolver Loudwire, etc. and was recently certified gold by the RIAA.

WHISKEY MYERS EUROPEAN TOUR ANNOUNCED FOR MAY 2017



Whiskey Myers have confirmed a headline European tour for May 2017, including dates in Germany, the Netherlands, France and the UK - these follow on from the band's recent UK visit which saw venues being upgraded and all shows selling out.

To date, Whiskey Myers - Cody Cannon, Vocals & Guitar / Cody Tate, Guitar & Vocals | John Jeffers, Guitar & Vocals | Gary Brown, Bass | Jeff Hogg, Drums / Tony Kent, Percussion - have focussed mainly on the UK, appearing at festivals(including Download & Ramblin' Man), guesting with good friends The Cadillac Three, then packing out halls on their debut headline run, but now they're ready to set sights on mainland Europe, too...

Says Cody Cannon: "Travelling overseas has opened a whole new chapter in the story of the band. The audiences are really knowledgeable, they know all of the lyrics and they love to get involved, which suits us just fine. We've been playing for over two hours every night, and we've had a helluva time. And remember, this is just the tip!"

EUROPEAN TOUR MAY 2017: 17 May - UK - Newcastle O2 Academy 2 | 18 May - UK - Glasgow O2 | 20 May - UK - Manchester O2 | 21 May - UK - Birmingham O2 | 22 May - UK - Nottingham Rescue Rooms 23 May - UK - Norwich Waterfront | 24 May - UK - Cardiff Tramshed 25 May - UK - London Electric Ballroom 27 May - DE - Hamburg Prinzenbar 28 May - DE - Berlin Privatclub 30 May - NL - Amsterdam Paradiso (Upstairs) 31 May - FR - Paris Les Etoiles

The follow-up to 'Early Morning Shakes' (2014), the band's latest studio album 'Mud' - available now via Spinefarm Records - spotlights 10 new tracks, including 'Hank' (which references the Hank Williams Jnr. album 'The Pressure Is On'), 'Frogman' (co-penned with Rich Robinson of Black Crowes repute and inspired by friends in the US military) and 'Good Ol' Days' (featuring Georgia-born singer / song-writer Brent Cobb, cousin of Dave).

Produced by Grammy winner Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Rival Sons), 'Mud' sees the East Texans taking their emotive style and sound to fresh levels, straddling a number of different genres (soul, country, classic rock, blues, etc.) in the process, with the title track standing as one of WM's weightiest recordings, both in terms of the sonics and the sentiment. Whiskey Myers: Wilder than a cyclone, smoother than home-grown.

Monday 5 December 2016

MARGATE Announces 'Snow Day EP', To Be Released December 16 via Cyber Tracks


Photo credit: Denise Borders

In a season full of constantly replayed traditional holiday music whimsically imagining a “White Christmas”, MARGATE has created a melodic punk soundtrack to a raging, debauched Christmas season for the black sheeps of the world, with the release of their upcoming SNOW DAY EP (digital release date: December 16, 2016) on Cyber Tracks. The physical release will be limited to CDs only available at the band’s shows, first available at the Cyber Tracks Christmas Show at L.A.’s famous Whisky a Go-Go (featuring performances by Unwritten Law, Pulley, Implants, This Legend, and a DJ set by Cyber Tracks’ co-owner/NOFX’s El Hefe).

With Snow Day, Margate has given an anthemic voice to a Christmas spirit more mischievous than merry - as evidenced by the title track’s nostalgic call to “pile it up and watch it burn”, along with “I Had a Tall One”, an ode to winter drinking declaring “Holiday’s are for thinking, but in between’s for drinking”, and the fantasized Happy Days-inspired track, “Xmas at Potsie’s.” With production from Paul Miner (New Found Glory, Thrice, Death By Stereo), Snow Day sounds as crisp as the lyrics are debauched, really channeling the beer-in-hand sing-a-long spirit of the music. Acoustic versions of the title track and “I Had a Tall One” are also included, lending a campfire, “party’s over” conclusion to the off-the-rails energetic essence to the full-band tracks that start the EP.

Formed in 2003, Margate’s music and ethos has embodied the DIY punk spirit into a success story. Self-releasing two full-length albums (On the Other Side and Songs in the Key of Awesome) and an EP (Rock ‘n Roll Reserve), along with making a weekly YouTube video series (“Live from Room 57”), Margate’s hustle and passion caught the attention of Aaron Abeyta (aka NOFX’s El Hefe) and his wife Jennifer Abeyta, making the band the first signing of their label, Cyber Tracks. Since then, Margate has released two full-lengths on Cyber Tracks (Margate and Beards in Paradise), a split with Strike Twelve on Felony Records (Strike Twelve and Margate Do Each Other), and have toured the U.S., U.K., and the Netherlands, playing alongside the likes of NOFX, Less Than Jake, Anti-Nowhere League, The Ataris, Teenage Bottlerocket, and many more.

With a penchant for fast drum beats and melody and a work ethic to match, Margate continues to turn the grit of punk into shine with Snow Day. This release serves as both a celebration, for the band and listeners alike, of embracing tongue-in-cheek, absurd humor, partying, and actually having fun despite the neurotic over-seriousness that life and especially the winter bring.

Margate is Alex Helbig (drums/lead vocals), Doug Mitchell (guitar/backing vocals), Steve Weil (bass/backing vocals), and Jeff Dahlin (rhythm guitar).

1. "Snow Day" 2. "Xmas At Potsie's" 3. "I Had A Tall One" 4. "Snow Day" (Acoustic) 5. "I Had A Tall One" (Acoustic)

Sunday 4 December 2016

THE GODFATHERS Ready To Give You "A Big Bad Beautiful Noise" on February 10th


Photo credit: Sean Robert Howarth

“THE GODFATHERS do not intend to rely on past glories - we can always do it bigger, badder and more beautiful than before,” says the iconic British rock group's vocalist Peter Coyne about their appropriately named brand new album A Big Bad Beautiful Noise (release date February 10, 2017 via Metropolis Records). “We'd like to think that The Godfathers have made a very special new album, but we'd very happily let other people make their own judgement on that! I guess it is an artistic triumph of sorts.”

Representing an exciting new chapter for the London band, A Big Bad Beautiful Noise updates their trademark epic anthems and packs them with solid, fresh hooks and melodies. Kicking the doors open with the searing title track, the band delivers a four minute bruiser that fuses social unrest, disorder, rebellion and a Stooges-like Rock & Roll feel into a joyous, new Godfathers' anthem. From the chiming wall of sound “Till My Heart Stops Beating” (“a testimony to the triumph of the human spirit”), to the yearning of “One Good Reason” (“the ghost of Lou Reed channeled into a dark, brooding tale of unrequited love & bitter-sweet regret”), to the percussive banger “Let’s Get Higher” (“a riff-heavy hymn to the 'joys' of dope smoking... destined to become a live favourite”), A Big Bad Beautiful Noise is an album rife with vigor and vitality, defying any belief that the band packs three decades of existence in their pockets.

Formed in 1985, The Godfathers busted into the international rock scene with their incendiary breakthrough Billboard Top 40 single "Birth School Work Death" (from the 1988 album of the same name) whose video enjoyed heavy rotation on MTV. Numerous seminal singles followed including “Cause I Said So”, “She Gives Me Love”, and "Unreal World" among others. Their blistering live shows have set venues alight internationally, and the band have become increasingly influential in recent years with artists such as Local H and Spoon releasing covers of “Birth School Work Death" and "This Damn Nation" respectively, and modern progrock band Mars Volta citing The Godfathers’ primal sound as a direct influence on their Noctourniquet album.

"I can honestly say I really am proud of every single song on this record," Coyne states. "We wanted to make a contemporary Rock & Roll album that kicked like a mule, and I think we've achieved that. Be warned though! A Big Bad Beautiful Noise is a very addictive album and you just might get hooked!"

The Godfathers is Peter Coyne (lead vocals), Steve Crittall (guitar, vocals), Mauro Venegas (guitar, vocals), Tim James (drums, vocals), and Darren Birch (bass, vocals). A Big Bad Beautiful Noise will be released on February 10, 2016 via Metropolis Records.

Saturday 3 December 2016

Against Me - "Shape Shift With Me", Released September 16th, 2016 via Total Treble Music


Against Me - "Shape Shift With Me"
Released September 16th, 2016 via Total Treble Music

The previous album "Transgender Dysphoria Blues" was a cathartic effort for Laura Jane (previously Tom) and I would consider "Shape Shift with Me" as an evolution album on the journey that Laura has undertaken.

Produced mainly by Laura Jane herself I see this album as a transition act (no pun intended). It is a mix of politics and personal stuff as you would expect but also general observations e.g. Provision L3. The latter and album opening track is a nervous, chaotic but classic punk song about airports scanners while 12.03 has a more settled tempo and displays all the characteristics of an AM gem. Its sharp, energetic and supported by the ever charismatic voice from Laura Jane.

There is a trio of songs that I like to listen on this album. It is Crash, Boyfriend and Delicate, petite and all other Things I’ll Never Be. Crash is a power pop song which is easy to remember with its chorus and backing vocals. It’s simple but powerful and rather efficient. The video supporting the track is showing a light-hearted side of AM that you don’t get to see that often. Boyfriend with its Sonic Youth / Pixie-ish intro almost gives me the feeling of a grand animalesque carnival; a musical Ying and Yang with a lot of smiles and tears. The third track is probably more reflective of the personal evolution that Laura is going thru but this is a fantastic song, musically speaking, too.

333 is probably one of the stand out song of the album. At first it sounds easy in terms of melody but I cannot get it out of my head for the last few days. Haunting, Haunted, Haunts sounds Pogues-ish, Dead Rats is anecdotal to be honest but Rebecca and Norse Truth are very strong AM tunes with Norse Truth spoken words resonating towards All This(and More)- a perfect recap song for a strong and solid album.

This 7th album is not the strongest of the band but is very good by any means. The songs are solid and there are two to three tunes that I would be very curious to see on stage. This time around the album is not necessarily a platform or a statement for a life changing decision. It should rather be viewed as a collection of vignettes on life, reflections on politics and other stuff.

This album in my opinion is a stepping stone towards a coming masterpiece.

Overall: If not the best - it does still pass the Against Me classics test.
If I was To Pick 3 only: Crash, Boyfriend, 333
Live Test: if only they could come to Ireland

Review by Pascal Derrien

Wednesday 30 November 2016

ROYAL REPUBLIC RETURN TO THE UK IN MARCH 2017



Royal Republic will return to British shores in Spring 2017!    Fresh from a sold out tour of Germany, these irrepressible party starters from Sweden have lined up headline shows in Glasgow, Manchester & London, with tickets going on sale starting at 10am on Friday, December 2nd and available from www.livenation.co.uk

"The Sold-Out UK shows in October were amazing, and has left us with the opportunity to come back in spring! We will seize this opportunity and could not be more stoked!"   

Dates as follows:   30 March 2017 – GLASGOW, The Garage 31 March 2017 – MANCHESTER, Academy 2 01 April 2017 – LONDON, Electric Ballroom

As well as opening the newly-crowned ‘Lemmy Stage’ at this year’s Download Festival, Royal Republic recently completed a sold out headline run in the UK as part of their ‘Weekend Man’ tour, with three venues being upgraded due to huge demand; this tour was in support of the Republic-ans latest studio album, ‘Weekend Man’, released in February 2016 via Spinefarm Records, the start of a new relationship with the label.

Crafted in Berlin’s Fuzz Factory Studios by producers Christian Neander & Michael Tibes, ‘Weekend Man’ (the album) sees the dapper Swedes delivering their customary rock thrills with even greater gusto – a bold statement of wild-eyed intent founded on big hooks, mountainous melodies and a signature sense of fun. Generally speaking, the aim is to put smiles on faces, but now an’ then a deeper, darker side peeps through, as displayed on the band’s video for ‘Any Given Sunday’ – an “epic tale of love, death & desperation” featuring legendary Swedish soap star Gunnar Mosen.    

Tuesday 29 November 2016

The Wild! Debut New Music Video



Canadian rockers THE WILD! have debuted a brand new music video today for their recently released track "Ready To Roll" exclusively via REVOLVER MAGAZINE. "When we made our first video, it was over the top & really turned a lot of heads," says frontman Dylan Villain. "So we knew when we were making this one, we had to really step it up." The video was filmed in Okanagan Canada near the band's home town of Kelowna, BC by longtime video director Stuey Kubrick. "From lighting guitars on fire, jumping off cliffs, guns, random explosions, excessive pyro, playing our instruments on top of a moving RV while ripping down a desert highway & then actually blowing up that RV with explosives...I’d say we did alright"

The Wild! will release Wild At Heart on February 17, 2017 via Entertainment One (eOne). Villain adds, "This record is a big one for me. All of us, man. I really had to go through some shit to get things right on this one. I can honestly sit here today & tell you that we made the best record we possibly could. I'm proud as hell of it and I can't wait for all of you to hear it. It's everything I wanted it to be." The tracklist and artwork is also available below. Produced by Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Metallica, Airbourne, Aerosmith) at Armoury Studios in Vancouver, Wild At Heart will serve as the follow-up to their debut EP GxDxWxB, which stands for "God Damn Wild Boys," that was released in 2015. Wild At Heart will be their first full-length for Entertainment One (eOne). On vocals/lead guitar, DYLAN VILLAIN embodies all of the reckless abandon and good-natured devilish charm that could only be born in a very small backwoods community. Counterbalancing Villain's snakebite rasp is bassist/vocalist BOOZUS. Beer drinkin’, beard havin’, fly-fishin’ are his favorite past times.

Kickin’ ass & keeping time is drummer REESE LIGHTNING. A beast with beats & everyone’s favorite asshole. You’ll love him! Rounding out THE WILD!'s lineup is “THE KID” on rhythm guitar and backing vocals. Young blood and zero fucks given. What The Kid lacks in age, he makes up in attitude and swagger.

“I feel like for every thousand bands that are out there right now you’ll get maybe ten that believe the things they’re singing about, which is the most important thing to me in any genre,” says VILLAIN. “I don’t give a shit what kind of music you play. If you care about it then really give yourself to that moment. Our fans aren’t stupid and I feel that they’re hungry for things that aren’t so disposable.”

The Wild! just wrapped up supporting tours with both Airbourne, Sebastian Bach and Buckcherry and will be announcing more tour dates very soon.

PETER MURPHY Gets "Stripped" For Winter 2016 Tour



On the night of April 1, 2016 at the Irenic Theater in San Diego, California, PETER MURPHY began his Stripped Tour, a worldwide maelstrom of over sixty concerts in fourteen countries. He is continuing his tour with a second U.S. leg, starting tonight at San Diego's The Observatory and continuing straight up the California coast before venturing out East for a handful of shows including Boston, New York City and Baltimore (full dates below).

Stripped hones a new sound for Murphy, reviving legendary songs to the exposed heart of his voice as never before heard in his epochal stage career, from "Marlene Dietrich’s Favorite Poem" (from his album Deep) to the title track on his latest album, Lion. He is strong as ever, tapping the pulse of his muse as a trio with his longstanding collaborators, guitarist John Andrews and bassist/electric-violinist Emilio “Zef” China.

First emerging from the British punk and rock underground in the late 70s, Murphy (along with bandmates Daniel Ash, David J and Kevin Haskins) fronted the groundbreaking iconic rock band Bauhaus which spawned four iconoclastic and ultra-seminal albums as well as keystone singles "She's In Parties", "Silent Hedges", and, of course, "Bela Lugosi's Dead" before disbanding in 1983. Murphy launched a successful solo career that has yielded ten solo albums so far, including his latest LION, released in 2014 (a companion remix compilation was released last year). The Stripped Tour spans the breadth of Murphy's material including his solo albums and his earlier Bauhaus works, as well as a cover or two for good measure.

After announcing the first leg of the Stripped Tour for U.S. audiences earlier this year, he sold out eight shows coast-to-coast. In light of this success, Murphy is planning to release a live album from the initial U.S. tour on Metropolis Records in the new year. More information on that release is forthcoming.

STRIPPED Tour Dates: Nov 29 The Observatory North Park San Diego, CA Nov 30 The Observatory Santa Ana, CA Dec 02 Rio Theater Santa Cruz, CA Dec 03 Sweetwater Music Hall Mill Valley, CA Dec 04 Harlow's Rest. & Nightclub Sacramento, CA Dec 05 The Chapel San Francisco, CA Dec 07 Sellersville Theater 1894 Sellersville, PA Dec 08 The Ballroom @ Outer Space Hamden, CT Dec 09 Middle East Cambridge, MA Dec 11 City Winery New York, NY Dec 11 City Winery LATE SHOW New York, NY Dec 12 Baltimore Soundstage Baltimore, MD

Monday 28 November 2016

Highly Suspect Explodes with #1 Alternative Album + #1 Single via Billboard Charts


Photo credit: Meagan Donohue

2x Grammy nominated act, Highly Suspect's sophomore LP, The Boy Who Died Wolf, is topping charts, selling and streaming over two times that of their first album, and is garnering rave reviews from the likes of NPR, Associated Press, Entertainment Weekly, and more . The sonically eclectic album had an overall consumption of 18,381 units which includes 1.4MM album streams. The album is available for streaming and purchase on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and Google Play.

The Boy Who Died Wolf is a staggering effort for the Brooklyn via Cape Cod trio, comprised of Johnny Stevens, and twins Rich and Ryan Meyer. The expansive, layered collection of songs is receiving early praise from Associated Press who calls it “Stellar” and NPR who’s deemed it “smoldering, dynamic and soulful.” The album touches on a range of personal experiences from heartbreak to the death of a close friend, the record features quiet and subtle moments, like the piano ballad "Chicago", to barbed wire riffs like the jarring, "Viper Strike," and slow-building dreamscapes, like album closer, "Wolf". Lead single, "My Name Is Human," is turning into a smash, generating heavy radio play as a chart topping, #1 hit at Active Rock and climbing the charts at Alternative radio.

2x Grammy nominated act, Highly Suspect's sophomore LP, The Boy Who Died Wolf, is topping charts, selling and streaming over two times that of their first album, and is garnering rave reviews from the likes of NPR, Associated Press, Entertainment Weekly, and more . The sonically eclectic album had an overall consumption of 18,381 units which includes 1.4MM album streams. The album is available for streaming and purchase on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and Google Play.

The Boy Who Died Wolf is a staggering effort for the Brooklyn via Cape Cod trio, comprised of Johnny Stevens, and twins Rich and Ryan Meyer. The expansive, layered collection of songs is receiving early praise from Associated Press who calls it “Stellar” and NPR who’s deemed it “smoldering, dynamic and soulful.” The album touches on a range of personal experiences from heartbreak to the death of a close friend, the record features quiet and subtle moments, like the piano ballad "Chicago", to barbed wire riffs like the jarring, "Viper Strike," and slow-building dreamscapes, like album closer, "Wolf". Lead single, "My Name Is Human," is turning into a smash, generating heavy radio play as a chart topping, #1 hit at Active Rock and climbing the charts at Alternative radio.

In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly; band frontman, Johnny Stevens said, “I was the boy, and was a wolf,” he explains referencing a hard upbringing in Cape Cod and the last eight years as a band desperate for a break in Brooklyn. “Everything was a fight and a struggle. I killed that part of me, and now the man is left.” The album was recorded in Bogota, Colombia and Brooklyn, New York with Joel Hamilton (The Black Keys, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello), who also worked with the band on their 2015 debut breakthrough record, Mister Asylum which was nominated for 2x Grammys- one for Best Rock Album, and a nomination for Best Rock Song, for their single, "Lydia." The band also performed the song at the Grammy's pre-telecast.

The 300 Entertainment recording act is one of the music industry’s most exciting artist development stories. Mister Asylum was released in July 2015 to critical praise from FADER, Consequence Of Sound, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly and many more. Highly Suspect also made their network television debut on Late Night With Seth Meyers last September, as well as a performance on CONAN this past January.

Since the release of Mister Asylum, the band has been on the road tirelessly as a headliner and also opening for acts like Catfish And The Bottlemen and The Struts while playing various festivals around the globe including Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, the RIDE Festival (w/ Pearl Jam) as well as Reading/Leeds in the UK. Highly Suspect are fresh off a headlining US tour, which included festival stops at Riot Fest and Life Is Beautiful, and sold-out shows in major markets like Los Angeles.

WARS REVEAL NEW VIDEO FOR ‘THE ART OF NOT KNOWING’



DEBUT ALBUM, ‘WE ARE ISLANDS, AFTER ALL’ DUE TO BE RELEASED ON JANUARY 27TH VIA SPINEFARM RECORDS

Wars can now finally reveal their first official music video since signing to Spinefarm Records; the clip accompanies ‘The Art Of Not Knowing’, the second single to be released from forthcoming debut album, ‘We Are Islands, After All’, due for release on January 27th.

“The music video for 'The Art of Not Knowing' came from a really personal place,” says Rob Vicars, wars front person. “There's this empty, unstable feeling you get when you start to question how well you really know yourself, (it's the kind of train of thought that can take you to some unnervingly dark places pretty abruptly) this song talks of confronting that issue, the ambivalence and learning to live beyond it.

“The shoot itself felt like a real coming together of brilliant people, it's amazing to have a cameo from This Is England's George Newton in there, and our leading girl absolutely nailed every scene. We're unbelievably proud and excited to put this video out” Watch the official video for ‘The Art Of Not Knowing’ here:

‘We are Islands, After All’ has been produced by Matt O’ Grady (You Me At Six, Deaf Havana, Don Broco, etc.), with Alan Douches, chief engineer at West West Side Music handling the mastering.

Robin Schulz & David Guetta debut new track: "Shed A Light" ft. Cheat Codes



Grammy nominated producer Robin Schulz joins forces with globally renowned record-breaker David Guetta on a track featuring the finest mix of electronic and pop ballad elements, “Shed a Light (feat. Cheat Codes)”; their new single is a bound to leave a lasting impression with the track’s poignant vocals and LA-based electronic three-piece Cheat Codes added to the mix.

Underlined by a catchy, driving beat and slowly building, beautifully anthemic strings, “Shed a Light” shines its perpetual, crystal clear light to counter the impending darkness. More than anything the deeply moving song sends a message of hope, urging fans to heed the call of our hearts.

“I have been supporting Robin since day one. We have been touring together and for this particular track I was very excited to work with him. Robin’s tracks are very musical and emotional. So to me working with Robin was an obvious choice. It felt like the right match.” - David Guetta

“I’m very excited about the upcoming collaboration with my friend David Guetta. I think ‘Shed A Light’ is a fantastic combination, which is characterized by both styles, perfectly supported by the great voice of Cheat Codes” - Robin Schulz

Getting to work with two legends has been just a remarkable experience for us. This song is about that classic situation where you're falling for someone; but you're unsure if they feel the same. It's truly an honor to collaborate with Robin and David on this track. They are two of the key artists that inspired us to get into dance music in the first place and start this journey as Cheat Codes! We hope you all enjoy this record as much as we do." - Cheat Codes

Shed A Light (feat Cheat Codes)

Hunter & The Bear Release Video For New Single 'I Am What I Am'



Ahead of their much-anticipated debut album set to drop in Spring 2017, UK rockers Hunter & The Bear release the brand new single ‘I Am What I Am’. In contrast to the high-octane, raw energy of their previous offering ‘Who’s Gonna Hear You?’, their new single presents a deeper, more sensitive aspect to the band that highlights their skills as accomplished songwriters. ‘I Am What I Am’ is a song full of feeling that provides an honest and emotional portrayal of human relationships, delivered with the charisma that has built Hunter & The Bear a fierce reputation and cult following throughout the UK, Europe and beyond.

Fresh off the back of the bands’ show stopping performance at the Unsigned Music Awards held at London’s Troxy in October, Hunter & The Bear continue to attract an ever increasing swathe of positive attention as a band who are leading a strong resurgence of rock & roll into the UK music industry. A pivotal moment in their career to date emerged when they caught the ear of rock icon Eric Clapton, who subsequently invited them to support him on his most recent UK arena tour.

Since then the band’s tenacious attitude to touring has seen them win a legion of fans wherever their live show takes them, packing out tents at Reading and Leeds, headlining European festivals and captivating a range of followers across the globe. ‘I Am What I Am’ is a song that will speak for itself, set to introduce a new audience to the band’s unique and inspirational work.

With a much hyped headline show at new venue The Camden Assembly on 1st December, followed by an extensive tour of Scotland in 2017 and multiple dates around the UK and Europe to follow, Hunter & The Bear continue to progress from strength to strength.

Sunday 27 November 2016

DEVILSKIN new album debuts at Number 1 & band tour with DISTURBED and HALESTORM



History repeats for Devilskin as their new album Be Like The River enters their domestic album chart at #1 on the week of issue. Just 16 months ago their debut album We Rise spent 3 weeks in the pole position. This is unprecedented in rock music in New Zealand and is a testament to the excellence of Devilskin’s second studio album Be Like The River.

Devilskin exclaimed "The band are absolutely blown away, extremely proud and truly humbled to debut at number one with Be Like The River. This is a true testament to the love and loyalty of our friends and fans and we are very grateful. We can't wait to see you all on tour. Big love! -Paul, Nail, Nic and Jen”

Following a tour with Disturbed in December, Devilskin “start 2017 with a massive gig in Christchurch outdoors and next to Canterbury Cathedral that was damaged in the earthquakes in 2010, we see the New Year in with our friends HALESTORM before we head to Australia with them for some shows on the East Coast. We definitely want to get back to the UK and Europe early in the new year and we are currently locking in dates. Watch this space! “ To coincide with the release of Be Like The River, the band unveiled a video for the single Pray. Pray is a killer track with a punchy, combative riff and a deep message about friendship, betrayal and hope. Watch now the Pray video directed by Tim Van Dammen here.

The Be Like The River album was recorded at Modern World Studios, Tetbury in the United Kingdom after Devilskin’s European Tour. Following the success of We Rise the band maintained their strong working relationships, continuing the very successful and creative association with Producer Clint Murphy, Murphy produced and mixed the album, and working alongside Ryan Smith from Sterling Sound New York who mastered both albums.

The band explained "The title comes from a lyric of ours 'Be like the river and cut through the stone', the message is about reaching your goals through perseverance and unwavering determination. It has been an incredible journey so far for Devilskin and we feel this album really encapsulates and represents our evolution as a band, as songwriters and as people.”

Barny Bewick from Indium Design created the artwork for the album. Devilskin say “we are incredibly proud of these songs and it was crucial to have the right visuals for the album so we again utilised the talents of Barny to create artwork that is as stunning and evocative as the music on the album.”

Devilskin have established themselves as a household name in their native New Zealand. Formed in Hamilton in 2010 this four piece rock band are bonded by blood. Paul (bass) and Nic (drums) are father and son, Jennie (vocals) is Nics’ Aunt and Pauls’ sister in law, Nail (guitar) is Pauls evil twin.

Saturday 26 November 2016

Jimmy Eat World - "Integrity Blues", Released 21 October 2016 via RCA Records - ALBUM REVIEW


Jimmy Eat World - "Integrity Blues"
Released 21 October 2016 via RCA Records

I have been following Jimmy Eat World for the best part of 20 years at this stage. Their music has been important to me and has accompanied me around the world and thru the various milestones that one can have during his life. Not too many bands can adequately fit the bill of the emotion roller coaster but JEW can, and for that reason this is very unique in rock business.

So what’s the new JEW album (released on October 21st) like? Hang on, will you. There is no rush. You got to delicately click on the first title or open the CD if you have gone for that option. Well, the first track is 'You With Me' and it is a gentle introduction to a superb album from the Arizona quartet. This album is probably the best one they have released in 10 years. Not that the previous ones were not good, but this one has a togetherness cachet.

It was encouraging to hear acoustic versions of 'Sure and Certain' and 'Get it Right' prior to the album being issued and the studio versions don’t disappoint. They have become JEW classics in their own right already, if I judge by the reaction of the crowd at a recent concert in Dublin. 'Pass the Baby' is innovative (not Radiohead like) and alternates different atmospheres with its reflective mood until one minute before the end when it concludes more nervously, a title which is becoming my favourite of the album.

'You are Free' and 'The End is Beautiful' are equally strong titles - very mature, beautiful arrangements. I like the lyrics from Jim, especially on 'Integrity Blues' which is not one the strongest tracks. If you don’t push toward 'Pol Roger', that’s alright. It is a weak and forgettable song; albeit the only one on a brilliant album.

It’s solid, tense, emotional reflective and nervous. Jimmy is still hungry and has not finished to eat the world. Don’t miss them on stage. They are one of those rare bands who almost sound better on stage than they do in studio. And when you know the quality of their productions... I let you imagine...

Overall: Not to miss.
If I was to pick 3 only: Get it Right, Pass The Baby, Pretty Grids
Live Test: A cut above - a different league!!!

Review by Pascal Derrien

Tuesday 22 November 2016

Metallica - "Hardwired... to Self-Destruct", Released November 18, 2016 via Blackened Recordings - ALBUM REVIEW


Metallica - "Hardwired... to Self-Destruct"
Released November 18, 2016 via Blackened Recordings

Hardwired...To Self-Destruct is number one in a staggering 57 countries, Top 3 in 75 countries and Top 5 in 105 countries so I suppose this review will probably not make any difference. But here is my take on the new album from Metallica!!!

I was introduced to Metallica via a k7 demo. I think it was four tracks, long before they were even signed by a label. I went to see them supporting Motorhead in Europe when they released Kill Em All in 1983 and like for many of my generation the first decade of the band’s activity was a defining moment not only for us as a generation but also for the music industry. Fair to say that by and large Metallica redefined the rock-hard business and revolutionized the foundations of trash metal. They are as important as Led Zeppelin or the Rolling Stones for that matter and their influence has been felt way beyond the boundaries of head banging music only.

Then we all grew up and evolved. The band made a few mistakes and some hard-core fans did not forgive them. Metallica made some attempts to readapt themselves but failed short on a few occasions (St Anger/Lulu). Death Magnetic gave hope but most of us had low expectations, some had even written the band off. BIG MISTAKE.

2016, Hardwired....... to Self-Destruct is the album I am reviewing. A 3 CD version including a live section composed mainly of titles from the first albums except one track. The same title Hardwired....... to Self-Destruct is opening the ball and damn it is good. It is not mind blowing but the shortest title is punchy, the riffs are elegant, the voice is James all over and the production is excellent. From that point onwards:

The Stand Outs: Hardwired, Moth into Flame, Now That We’re Dead , Spit Out the Bone, Here Comes Revenge. The Latter is a real song, not a succession of riffs or break. James voice evolves in softer territories at times and this is showing a direction that personally I would have liked to see on more tracks. Kirk’s soli are creative and sharp and incisive while the bass player is doing a fantastic job to support the ensemble in a very efficient if not innovative manner.

The Not So stand Outs: Halo On Fire, Confusion and Atlas Rise are good and solid titles but it is a bit awkward to hear Metallica copying Metallica in some parts of the three songs. Personally, I kind of think Kirk and Robert should have been more involved in the crafting of the album. Lars and James creativity clearly show some weakness and the innovation boundaries are quickly meet on those two tracks.

The Average: The four studio tracks on CD3 are forgettable and add marginal value. Lords of The Summer is more palatable with the video back up but I don’t understand why those titles have not been kept for B-sides or rarities. I find When a Blind Man Cries relatively painful. On CD2 Am I Savage and ManUNKind are good titles in their own right but don’t really suffer any comparison with the stronger titles from whom they come across as a pale version of them.

Now we should be grateful to have the pleasure of having a strong Metallica album to rejoice our ears. Metallica is still as relevant as ever, however we should not be stuck in a time warp and expect them to recapture an era which is long gone.

As far as I am concerned I am already looking forward to the next chapter, hoping it won’t take 8 years that time around.

Welcome back Metallica!

Overall: The best effort in more than 20 years
If I was to pick 3 Only: Hardwired..., Spit Out The Bone, Homes Revenge
Live test: I have never been disappointed

Tracking Listing

Deluxe Edition (Digital Download & CD): Disc One Hardwired Atlas, Rise! Now That We’re Dead Moth into Flame Dream No More Halo On Fire

Disc Two: Confusion ManUNkind Here Comes Revenge Am I Savage? Murder One Spit Out the Bone

Disc Three (Bonus): Lords of Summer (2016) Ronnie Rising Medley When a Blind Man Cries Remember Tomorrow Helpless (Live at Rasputin Music) Hit the Lights (Live at Rasputin Music) The Four Horsemen (Live at Rasputin Music) Ride the Lightning (Live at Rasputin Music) Fade to Black (Live at Rasputin Music) Jump in the Fire (Live at Rasputin Music) For Whom the Bell Tolls (Live at Rasputin Music) Creeping Death (Live at Rasputin Music) Metal Militia (Live at Rasputin Music) Hardwired (Live in Minneapolis)

Review by Pascal Derrien