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