Friday 13 April 2018

OOMPH! – Sign worldwide deal with Napalm Records


Photo Credit: Agata Nigrovskaya

The pioneers of German Rock are now heavy part of the Napalm Records family! 

Since their founding back in 1990, OOMPH! have been leaders in the scene and have created their very own version of hard Rock music. Along their journey they were never afraid of fusing any influences. This courage was rewarded by creating their own niche between Metal, Industrial, EBM and Gothic! They have shaped a new musical genre in Germany with bands such as  Rammstein, who have named OOMPH! as one of their influences.

Gold and Platinum Awards, international chart entries, the #1 single "Augen Auf!" are just a few examples of their remarkable success. For OOMPH! being on top of German Rock music is the result of lots of hard work and fearless creativity. Now they have found a strong partner with Napalm Records!

OOMPH! on the signing with Napalm Records: “Right between both of our last tours in Russia and Europe, we started to gather new ideas for our upcoming 13th studio album! With these first new songs we contacted various record labels and were able to choose from 8 very promising offers in the end!  

We are extremely happy to have found in Napalm Records a strong and broad partner world-wide, who has worked extremely successfully in all different areas of Rock and Metal with their artists in recent years. Napalm Records offers exactly the right prerequisites for our next steps and we look forward to a long-term collaboration!"

Thomas Caser, CEO Napalm Records states: “With OOMPH! we proudly present one of the most exciting and influential German Rock bands as a brand new signing on Napalm Records! We are very much looking forward to a successful future with the band!” 

OOMPH! are currently working on a new studio album – scheduled for a 2019 release via Napalm Records! 

Thursday 12 April 2018

40 Years in the Rock 'n'Roll Wilderness BY James Stevenson



LABEL PInk Gun RELEASE 27 April 2018

James Stevenson started playing guitar professionally in 1977 forty years ago hence the title of his retrospective 2 CD pack ’40 Years In The Rock ‘n’ Roll Wilderness’.   His career has included Chelsea, Generation X, Kim Wilde, Hot Club (with Glen Matlock), Gene Loves Jezebel, Annabel Lamb, The Cult, The Alarm, The International Swingers (with Glen Matlock and Clem Burke), Tricky, Scott Walker, Holy Holy (with Woody Woodmansey and Tony Visconti) and many more.  

He’s played on a around 400 tracks. This is his own selection of some of his favourites. “It was hard choosing, but I didn’t want it to run to more than two CDs” says James.  

There are 32 tracks on the two discs. Some were hits – such as 'Water On Glass’ by Kim Wilde and ‘Brand New You’re Retro’ by Tricky. Others are more obscure – a rare live recording of Gen X performing Bowie’s ‘Andy Warhol’ and Henry Badowski’s ‘Baby Sign Here With Me’. There’s also the previously unreleased ‘Big Tears’ featuring Gary Holton on lead vocals.  

‘40 Years In The Rock n Roll Wilderness’ is fascinating collection of music spanning the forty year career of one London’s most remarkable guitarists and will be available  HERE.

Comeback Kid to release MIDNIGHT OIL cover 'Beds Are Burning'



Canada's finest hardcore/punk outfit Comeback Kid have announced the release of brand new music in the form of a two track single titled Beds Are Burning. The single will include the band's cover of the Midnight Oil classic of the same name, as well as previously unreleased song 'Little Soldier' which came together during the Outsider sessions.

Commented singer Andrew Neufeld: "A while back I randomly saw the video for the song Beds Are Burning. I had heard it in passing many times before but the video intrigued me at that particular time. After finding out that it was a protest song about giving back lands to an indigenous group in Australia,  it resonated with me because of the current situation our Canadian government has with its indigenous people."

The single will be released digitally on May 4th via Nuclear Blast. A limited print run of 500 7" vinyl will be (mainly) available on tour during their upcoming Australian dates onward. See the tour schedule below.

Comeback Kid will be playing at the three Slam Dunk Festival dates next month, don't miss their killer performances at those shows!

26.05. UK Leeds - Slam Dunk Festival North 27.05. UK Hatfield - Slam Dunk Festival South 28.05. UK Birmingham - Slam Dunk Festival Midlands

Wednesday 11 April 2018

RadioDriveBy's Trent Clark Joins Craig Owens' badXchannels


Photo credit: Matt Cardinal

As badXchannels' mastermind CRAIG OWENS continues his musical metamorphosis of the more experimental side of rhythm-based alternative music, he has tapped friend and fellow musician TRENT CLARK of alt-rock band RadioDriveBy to join in the evolution. "Trent’s a close friend, who’s been on a similar path in life," explains Craig. "We spend our days trying to make sense of it all, and when making music it kind of all becomes one thing. The collaboration allows for a focus of purity and expression when creating. It’s nice to be able to let go of control, it’s exciting, and makes me want to make music again." 

Adds Trent: "The meeting of our minds was such an organic experience, and I think that lends itself to the music we've been making. I had played a show with Craig awhile back, and he asked if I'd ever be interested in doing some writing together. From there we just started jamming out on a pretty consistent basis, and then *boom* here we are now! It's been a great ride so far. The universe has a funny way of putting you in the right place, at the right times."

As the product of their collaboration, badXchannels have released the new video "Memory". Originally premiering on Alternative Press, the video was filmed in Sedona, Arizona by Swiss director John Osterman, offering an atmospheric and cinematic glimpse inside which Altpress describes as the "slow-evolving, late-night-listening grooves of badXchanels."    

"One of the songs we've done together that I am super proud of is 'Memory', which was a really great experience composing together," Trent says. "I love working with Craig because he is very driven and passionate about making great music. When we write together, we never know what we are going to come up with, which is really exciting."

In addition, badXchannels have announced a trio of Texas shows in May with the ethereal Fifty Grand and the experimentally ambient Eastghost. 

May 18th - Austin, TX @ Sidewinder May 19th - Dallas, TX @ Prophet Bar May 20th - Houston, TX @ Houston Undrgrnd

"I know we've got a bunch of stuff that you'll be hearing in the future that I am excited to share with the world," explains Craig. "We've been super inspired by all sorts of ethereal, dark, and raw sounds as of late, and have been especially inspired by movie scoring and sound design. We keep a very open mind to music, and draw inspiration from an eclectic mix. The new stuff to come will definitely speak for itself!"

The mastermind behind such seminal alternative bands Chiodos, Cinematic Sunrise, The Sound of Animals Fighting, and Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows, Owens took some time off after the final breakup of Chiodos in early 2015 to re-find his muse. In the two years since, he has moved back home to Detroit after a brief stint in Los Angeles and gotten back to what drew him to music in the first place – the desire to create and shape the music within his soul. Keeping a low profile and recording music as badXchannels, Owens drew inspiration from a broad swath of music that includes film soundtracks and scores, Kendrick Lamar and Frank Ocean. Having collaborated with such luminaries as Dr. Dre, D12, Fifty Grand (of TeamSesh) and gotten support from underground superstar Bones, Owens leaves no stone unturned, creating music from inspiration rather than record label demands.

With more music on the horizon and more surprises in store, Craig and his new cohort Trent are planning on experimenting and writing new material.  "We’re going to continue releasing single after single over the next few months, begin touring, and continue on the journey that seems to be just getting started with badXchannels," he concludes. "The goal is to continue releasing quality content and leave a legacy in the strength, and entirety of our musical catalogue - to communicate with the world and hopefully leave an indentation for those who feel the same way about life as we do."

badXchannels "Memory"
WATCH VIDEO HERE

Janet Gardner announces UK tour in May 



After encountering a recent health scare, Janet Gardner has announced a UK tour at the end of May 2018 kicking off in Edinburgh on the 23rd.  

Janet can’t wait to land:   “It’s always an honor to take the stage in the stomping grounds of so many legendary bands. We can’t get across the pond fast enough!”  

JANET GARDNER May 2018:   23rd         EDINBURGH – Bannermans 24th         NOTTINGHAM – Rock City Basement 26th         MANCHESTER – The Factory 27th         BRIDGWATER – Cobblestones 28th         LONDON - Underworld

Best known as the lead vocalist of the all-female rock band Vixen, Janet Gardner's powerful vocals propelled Vixen to the top of the Billboard charts with crossover hits "Edge of a Broken Heart" and "Cryin'," and found the band opening for the likes of Deep Purple, Ozzy Osbourne, The Scorpions, Kiss, and Bon Jovi.  

Teaming up with guitarist/songwriter/producer Justin James (having worked with Staind, Collective Soul, and Tyketto), Gardner has ventured into the solo realm to unleash a new side of her musical creativity. Together, Janet and Justin have penned a collection of emotionally charged songs with gritty grooves, infectious hooks, and inspired lyrics that merge hard rock influences from the last four decades.  

A sample teaser was put up on YouTube and literally exploded overnight. This quickly landed a deal with Pavement Entertainment. Early feedback on the album has stated that "Janet's voice is just as dynamic and powerful as it was back in 1988. Rock fans are going to be blown away by this solo album."  

The full-length self-titled debut was released on August 18, 2017, worldwide via Pavement Entertainment in conjunction with Pavement's cohorts Eternal Sound Records for Europe.  

In an era primarily dominated by male rock musicians, Vixen's all-female line up, matched with their undeniable musicianship and Gardner's unique and powerful vocal style, propelled the band quickly to Gold Album status and earned the band critically acclaimed success that is still celebrated to this day. Vixen, along with their predecessors, helped pave the way for the current wave and success of female-fronted acts such as Halestorm, In This Moment, The Pretty Reckless, and many others.

LORD OF THE LOST ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM & EUROPEAN TOURDATES



LORD OF THE LOST are a multi-talented, modern metal band whose music presents itself far beyond genre stereotypes: a solid metal base featuring industrial parts or other dark rock elements – nothing is impossible. This band takes a flying leap beyond genre parameters – better than ever! Their previous releases topped the German album charts already, while the upcoming release THORNSTAR will in no way be inferior to past efforts. This, their sixth studio album, reveals even more sonic facets of the band, all the while remaining hard and forceful.

The deep and emotional concept behind the album follows the story of a doomed high civilization - THORNSTAR is a record unique in both sound and concept.

Singer Chris Harms on this concept: “From the beginning it has been a big vision we had with THORNSTAR – the concept demands a lot of responsibility. And the final result overtook us completely.”

Tracklisting: CD1: 1. On This Rock I Will Build My Church 2. Loreley 3. Black Halo 4. In Our Hands 5. Morgana 6. Haythor 7. Naxxar 8. Cut Me Out 9. The Mortarian 10. Under The Sun 11. In Darkness, In Light 12. Forevermore 13. Ruins      CD2: 1. Abracadabra (feat. Dero Goi) 2. Voodoo Doll 3. The Art Of Love 4. Lily Of The Vale 5. Penta 6. Free Radicals 7. Live Pray Die Repeat

LORD OF THE LOST live with THORNSTAR 2018: 04.10.18 DE - Frankfurt / Batschkapp 05.10.18 DE - Hannover / Musikzentrum 06.10.18 DE - Berlin / Columbia Theater 11.10.18 DE - Nuremberg / Hirsch 12.10.18 DE - Cologne / Essigfabrik 13.10.18 DE - Dresden / Alter Schlachthof 18.10.18 CH - Pratteln / Z7 19.10.18 DE - Munich / Backstage 20.10.18 DE - Stuttgart / Im Wizemann 26.10.18 DE - Leipzig / Werk 2 27.10.18 DE - Hamburg / Markthalle 31.10.18 ES - Barcelona / Salamandra 1 01.11.18 FR - Toulouse / Rex 02.11.18 FR - Nantes / Ferrailleur 03.11.18 FR - Paris / Boule Noire 21.11.18 UK - Newcastle Upon Tyne / The Cluny 22.11.18 UK - Glasgow / Ivory Blacks 23.11.18 UK - Manchester / The Ruby Lounge 24.11.18 UK - London / Electrowerkz 25.11.18 UK - Bristol / The Fleece Bristol

Tuesday 10 April 2018

Manic Street Preachers Releases Track "International Blue" From New Album RESISTANCE IS FUTILE



"International Blue" is the first new release from MANIC STREET PREACHERS in four years and is available today in the U.S. Taken from the band’s thirteenth studio album RESISTANCE IS FUTILE out on Shornday/The Orchard on April 13, 2017, the single is unfiltered and classic Manic Street Preachers. Inspired by the city of Nice in the mid winter sun and the life’s work of French Nouveau realisme artist Yves Klein, the song is built over an immense riff that echoes the twin Manics album peaks of Generation Terrorists and Everything Must Go.  

Nicky Wire (bass guitar, lyrics) explained “I’d been digesting the lyric for five years, since being in Nice and finally joining the dots between Yves Klein’s International Klein Blue and the vast open blue of the Mediterranean Sea. It was a moment of connection that felt perfectly natural – not forced or intellectualized. A different kind of enrichment that feels increasingly difficult to find. The track itself is carried by the kind of naïve energy that powered ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’”.

James Dean Bradfield (lead vocals, lead guitar) added “Often I just need a great title to set me off. Seeing the word 'blue' struck a chord and set off memories of pure pop records we grew up with – things like the ‘Story of the Blues’ by Wah!, ‘Moon is Blue’ by Colourbox, Orange Juice’s ‘Blue Boy’ and’ In Bluer Skies’ by Echo and the Bunnymen. I immediately thought of the kind of shiny freedom pop we used to hear on the radio as kids and that quickly became the M.O. in my head when writing. I just wanted to make a great Manic Street Preachers driving song; something that evoked the heat haze you see on empty open roads in America. I wanted to channel a Springsteen/War on Drugs sensibility, but through our European filter. Sometimes, aiming for a feeling is enough to make it work”.

Of their first new recordings in four years, the band said: “The main themes of ‘Resistance is Futile’ are memory and loss; forgotten history; confused reality and art as a hiding place and inspiration. It’s obsessively melodic - in many ways referencing both the naive energy of ‘Generation Terrorists’ and the orchestral sweep of ‘Everything Must Go’. After delay and difficulties getting started, the record has come together really quickly over the last few months through a surge of creativity and some old school hard work.”

Following the twin musical departures of 2013’s largely acoustic Rewind the Film and the glacial electronics of 2014’s Futurology, Resistance Is Futile heralds a return to a classic Manics sound described by the band as “widescreen melancholia”. The songs on the album are the first recorded in the band’s new Door to the River studio (near Newport, UK).

The band head out on tour in the UK in April and play their biggest shows in a decade. They will also be playing several festivals including Robert Smith’s Meltdown and will play with Guns ‘n’ Roses at shows in Germany and Denmark.  Manic Street Preachers recently received the Inspiration Award at the Q Awards at the Roundhouse in London. Previous winners include U2, David Bowie and Patti Smith. The band performed a greatest hits set on the night with support from Sleaford Mods.

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE Track listing: 1. People Give In 2. International Blue 3. Distant Colours 4. Vivian 5. Dylan & Caitlin 6. Liverpool Revisited 7. Sequels of Forgotten Wars 8. Hold Me Like a Heaven 9. In Eternity 10. Broken Algorithms 11. A Song for the Sadness 12. The Left Behind

MANIC STREET PREACHERS "International Blue"
WATCH VIDEO HERE