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The Virginmarys/iDestroy – Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds – 31st May 2026

The Virginmarys/iDestroy – Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds – 31st May 2026

Macclesfield’s finest export, The Virginmarys, follow up their 2024 album ‘The House Beyond The Fires’ with a companion album ‘Beyond The House Of Fires’, a piano-led re-working where the songs have been stripped back and reimagined. Chords and structures have been changed, words have been rewritten, and it’s very much a different album sonically. To promote it, singer/songwriter Ally Dickaty and drummer Danny Dolan now take the show on the road for some intimate MTV unplugged-style shows. 

First up are Bristol band iDestroy. Bec on guitar and Nic on bass haven’t done acoustic shows before, but they embrace the format. Bec gets a bit of a rapport going, some crowd participation, and they have some great tunes. “All My Friends Are Plastic” and “Headphones” are particularly memorable. There’s a bit of Brit Pop and a smattering of Grunge going on, Elastica meets Hole could be a good starting point. They go down well and warm things up nicely.

The stage is set, iridescent candles shimmer, and pink LEDs draped across the amps glow as The Virginmarys take to the stage of an already hot n’ sweaty room. With guitarist and songwriter Ally taking on keyboards for this tour, The Virginmarys are joined by guitarist Gareth Price to boost the band to a 3-piece for this tour.

The thing I like most about this new album is that some songs that maybe didn’t stand out on the original album now come into their own. One such song opens the show tonight. Stripped of the jagged riffs and regimental beats, ‘My Nettle’ takes on a new lease of life, emotive and cinematic, it just hits in the feels. We watch in silence as Ally fingers a lush piano melody. Danny does not take his eyes off his musical partner’s fingers either, as he matches the raw and emotional vocal with a rousing beat. You could hear a pin drop for the entirety, and that’s not the only time that happens tonight.

‘Dance to the City’ follows, with its rousing chorus screaming the album title. It’s over in a flash. The songs flow by quickly, too quickly, they seem shorter somehow. ‘There Ain’t No Future’ still sounds as powerful without the killer power chords,  and ‘When The Lights Go Down’ is simply stunning, Gareth’s effect-ridden guitars adding a touch of Pink Floyd to proceedings. 

‘Urban Seagull’ is another that benefits from the reworking. Ally plays a lush arpeggio while Danny plays a regimental but subtle beat. A song that was made to be played in this setting. 

The set is mainly these new songs, none of the usual hits is to be heard in this format, but they fill it out with a few obscurities, just Ally solo. A cover of Leonard Cohen’s  ‘Everybody Knows’ fits the bill, ‘Sleep’ and ‘Cast The First Stone’ are heartfelt and beautiful and will make you want to revisit those early EPs. 

They capture that magical unplugged, laid-back vibe well, the intimate dark room helps magnify the cinematic, ethereal feel of these new reworked songs.

The only time the pace picks up is on the penultimate song, ‘Veteran Soldier’, an older song that was originally recorded acoustically and has been given the opposite treatment. The atmospheric intro leads into an almost Tarantino-esque spaghetti western vibe. A song of gratitude and undying friendship, it’s an album highlight and a gig highlight as well. But the best has been kept for last. ‘White Knuckle Riding’ for me is the kingpin of the whole album. Ally’s unfaltering vocals are sublime over the tinkling of the ivories, it builds with Danny’s gentle, regimented beats, just enough to accentuate things. Unsurprisingly, the emotive lyrics with the Northern references hit home in this intimate Leeds venue, and it’s a stunning end to a masterful set. No encores, no returns…job done.

The idea with this project was to recapture that 90’s MTV Unplugged vibe, and with both album and tour, The Virginmarys have succeeded. While this is more of a between-album project and not a new direction for the band, it was one of the most magical gigs I have seen them do. 

Author: Ben Hughes

Di’Anno ‘Iron Maidens Lost Singer’ (Cleopatra Entertainment)

Di’Anno ‘Iron Maidens Lost Singer’ (Cleopatra Entertainment)

From spearheading the front runners of NWOBHM with what seemingly was the world in the palm of your hands to destitute Jailbird rags to riches and back again, a hellish fairytale that is brutal and brilliant in equal measures, but the one thing he never lost was that powerhouse vocal.

Written, directed, and edited by Wes Orshoski, whose previous ventures into rock n roll movie-making are well worth investigating. His biopics on Lemmy and The Damned are superb pieces of cinema, and now you can add this Di’Anno to the list.

So before Bruce ‘Tory Boy’ Dickinson Maiden had the rough and ready punk rocker on the mic Paul Di’Anno and I’m sure preching to the converted he led the first two Maiden records and splits opinion as to their finest hour his or post Paul sure, they hit paydirt when he’d gone that isn’t in question but when he left so did a certain attitude which is delivered here along with some great footage and insightful opinion from people who were there.

His post Maiden career was checkered to say the least and whilst they touched upon the parp of his namesake pilot suited band they didn’t really delve to deeply into Battlezone but the movie is more about the later years and his fight with his health and lifestyle choices and it pulls no punches giving the reality of his situation but it also told of his demons and how they got the better of him without glossing over it. Paul had some pretty decent humans around him who were there to help in his darkest hour and go to extraordinary lengths to help him literally get back on his feet again.

Some of the footage is raw as fuck, and operating theatre footage might put some of you off your tea no question about it.

There is some lovely footage of his reunion with Steve Harris, who made a lovely gesture with regard to Paul’s mounting health costs, and some of the talking heads helping praise on his vocal skills as well as the man behind the mic, are grade A from Metallica members to Gene Simmons and one of his replacements in Maiden, Blaze Bailey whos a lovely bloke himself who toured with Paul and spoke fondly of that time. But ultimately, it all ends abruptly with Paul’s passing and the moment the day after, when maiden holds a moment’s silence where you could hear a pin drop, which is captured on film and puts a dramatic full stop on this captivating film. If you’re a fan of Maiden its a no-brainer, if you’re a fan of Metal and its roots, then it’s a no-brainer. If you’re a docufilm fan, then it’s a no-brainer if your after a life lesson, then this is a must-see. Rest in peace, Mr Di’Anno, your legacy is captured and documented and along with those albums shall be cemented in history for all to hear one hell of a voice and one hell of a life, warts n all. Watch this film.

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Friends of Jesse Malin: ‘I Would Do It For You – Vol. 1’

Friends of Jesse Malin: ‘I Would Do It For You – Vol. 1’

Wicked Cool Records Announces Friends of Jesse Malin: I Would Do It For You – Vol. 1; Valley Lodge Launch Tribute Album With “Too Loose”

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26-Track Tribute Collection Featuring Gogol Bordello, Dead Milkmen, Bebe Buell, Sami Yaffa, James Maddock, Valley Lodge and More Arrives September 11

Wicked Cool Records has announced Friends of Jesse Malin: I Would Do It For You – Vol. 1 (September 11) a new tribute album celebrating the music and enduring influence of Jesse Malin. In the 90s, Malin fronted the band D Generation, and leading the album’s rollout is a version of their anthem “Too Loose,” by Dave Hill’s band, Valley Lodge. Listen here, and pre-order the vinyl and CD.

Friends of Jesse Malin: I Would Do It For You – Vol. 1 brings together musicians from the worlds of rock, punk, Americana, and the underground to celebrate one of modern rock’s most respected songwriters.

“I’ve been a fan of Jesse Malin for decades now so I was thrilled when Valley Lodge was asked to be a part of the tribute album,” says Dave Hill. The song originally appeared on D Generation’s 1996 album, No Lunch. “‘Too Loose’ has always been one of my favorites—a great and timeless rock song that we had a blast re-interpreting.”

Produced by Lyle Hysen, Friends of Jesse Malin: I Would Do It For You Vol 1. is the first in a two-volume series of nearly 80 songs (!) recorded by Jesse’s friends and community. Proceeds from the album will benefit Malin’s healthcare as he recovers from a paralyzing spinal stroke. Vol. 2 will feature Thurston Moore, Willie Nile, and many more.

“Friends, collaborators, and artists from every corner of Jesse’s world wanted to be involved,” says Hysen. “The songs just kept coming. What started as a single collection quickly grew into something much bigger, encompassing almost the entire Malinverse. We’re excited that this is only the first chapter.”

The compilation features contributions from Amanda Cross, Bebe Buell, Trapper Schoepp, Valley Lodge, Danny Sage, James Maddock, Gogol Bordello, Ursa Minor, Sami Yaffa, Prima Donna, Das Damen, Rene & Grace Mata, Dead Milkmen, Cat Popper & Sasha Dobson, Robinlee Garber, The Seashore Sharks featuring Jesse and Alexei Sanoff, Derek Cruz, Jill Fiore, Matt Madly & Co., Davey La, American Dream, Joe McGinty, Randy Schrager, Stephen Chopek, Ben Foley, and Kelley Swindall.

Friends of Jesse Malin: I Would Do It For You – Vol. 1 will be available digitally, on vinyl, and as a deluxe double-CD edition. The vinyl release features twelve tracks across two sides and includes a download code for the complete digital collection, while the CD edition presents all 26 songs across two discs.

Digital Edition

  1. Amanda Cross – “Shining Down”
  2. Bebe Buell – “Dance With The System”
  3. Trapper Schoepp – “Almost Grown”
  4. Valley Lodge – “Too Loose”
  5. Danny Sage – “I Would Do It For You”
  6. James Maddock – “Bar Life”
  7. Gogol Bordello – “Here’s The Situation”
  8. Ursa Minor – “Keep On Burning”
  9. Sami Yaffa – “Black Haired Girl”
  10. Prima Donna – “Everybody Wants To Rock And Roll”
  11. Das Damen – “Don’t Let Them Take You Down (Beautiful Day!)”
  12. Rene & Grace Mata – “Broken Radio”
  13. Dead Milkmen – “She Don’t Love Me Now”
  14. Cat Popper & Sasha Dobson – “Brooklyn”
  15. Robinlee Garber – “Cigarettes and Violets”
  16. The Seashore Sharks featuring Jesse and Alexei Sanoff – “In The Summer”
  17. Derek Cruz – “Silver Manhattan”
  18. Jill Fiore – “Since You’re In Love”
  19. Matt Madly & Co. – “NY Nights”
  20. Davey La – “Ameri’ka”
  21. American Dream – “Xmas”
  22. Joe McGinty – “Wendy”
  23. Randy Schrager – “Burning The Bowery”
  24. Stephen Chopek – “High Lonesome”
  25. Ben Foley – “She’s So Dangerous”
  26. Kelley Swindall – “You Know It’s Dark When Atheists Start To Pray”

Vinyl Edition

Side A

  1. Amanda Cross – “Shining Down”
  2. Bebe Buell – “Dance With The System”
  3. Trapper Schoepp – “Almost Grown”
  4. Valley Lodge – “Too Loose”
  5. Danny Sage – “I Would Do It For You”
  6. James Maddock – “Bar Life”

Side B

  1. Gogol Bordello – “Here’s The Situation”
  2. Ursa Minor – “Keep On Burning”
  3. Sami Yaffa – “Black Haired Girl”
  4. Prima Donna – “Everybody Wants To Rock And Roll”
  5. Das Damen – “Don’t Let Them Take You Down (Beautiful Day!)”
  6. Rene & Grace Mata – “Broken Radio”

VOÏVOD – ‘Symphonique’ (Century Media Records)

VOÏVOD – ‘Symphonique’ (Century Media Records)

Forty years deep, Canada’s prog/punk sci-fi metal innovators VOÏVOD are here with ‘Symphonique‘, a special live release together with the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, none of us saw this one coming.

‘Symphonique‘, which functions like an epic widescreen piece of cinema, these pioneering futuristic metalheads always throw a curveball, so why stop now? With the strains of a symphony orchestra, behind the Voivod wall of sound, this carefully curated VOÏVOD best-of setlist, composed of twelve songs across 73 minutes, was recorded live on 4th June 2025 at the Grand Théâtre in Québec City, Canada. (of course it was).

A longtime dream of the band to push the boundaries further than normal (normal, hell, you know Voivod normal)

It’s truly Mad Max meets metal punk with a twist of classical thrown in for further head fuckery, and to be fair, it works. From the ‘Killing Technology’ cuts, the only disappointment for me is that the band’s title track isn’t closing this set. Imagine the track Voivod with horns, strings and bassoons. insane or what.

Opening with wind and brass, rounded off with apocalyptic bells being struck, it’s a hefty listen, one you have to give oneself up to, the investment will pay off like a headfucked War of the Worlds. Of course, the opening ‘Experiments’ is truly epic and sets the tone for the next hour and a half.

‘The Unknown Knows’ is epic, and ‘The End OF Democracy’ begins with a fanfare of end-of-days proportions. When Metallica and the Scorpions did orchestral records, they never sounded like this.

If there ever is a ‘Nuclear War’, I hope someone has the wherewithal to play that song over loudspeakers globally so we can truly appreciate its epicness. A batshit bonkers concept from the kings of batshit bonkers concepts, but once again it’s a winner and if they were to bring this around the globe, I’d be right in the front row headbanging to the wind section, never mind the brass or guitars, it’s all about the wind section. Buy this record.

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Author: Dom Daley

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The Dwarves – ‘Damned If I Do’

The Dwarves – ‘Damned If I Do’

With ‘Jenkum’ stuck to turntables around the world, and before we check in once again with the ringmaster Blag, it’s time for another new video off the album, this time ‘Damned If I Do’ lights up the internet. Whilst you’re in the mood, why not check out the list of dates for the summer and get out there?

U.S. Dates

06/12 — Austin, TX @ Austin Noise Fest w/ Prong
06/13 — Dallas, TX @ Dusty’s
06/14 — San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill w/ The Pandoras

Europe & U.K. Dates
06/17 — Barcelona, ES @ Razzmatazz 3
06/18 — Valencia, ES @ 16 Toneladas
06/19 — Vitoria, ES @ Azkena Rock Festival
06/20 — Tours, FR @ Bateau Ivre w/ Eye Hate God (Free Show)
06/21 — Clisson, FR @ Hellfest
06/23 — Utrecht, NL @ DB
06/24 — Düsseldorf, DE @ Pitcher
06/25 — Haarlem, NL @ Patronaat w/ Eye Hate God
06/26 — Ysselstyn, NL @ Jera On Air
06/26 — Deventer, NL @ Burgerweeshuis w/ Truckfighters
06/27 — Hamburg, DE @ Hedi (2 Sets)
06/28 — Berlin, DE @ BiNuu w/ Eye Hate God
06/29 — Regensburg, DE @ Alte Mälzerei w/ Eye Hate God
07/01 — Trutnov, CZ @ Obscene Extreme Festival
07/02 — Brno, CZ @ Kabinet
07/03 — Zabok, HR @ Regenerator
07/04 — Pula, HR @ Monteparadiso w/ Eye Hate God
07/05 — Treviso, IT @ Nomad (Free Show)
07/08 — Athens, GR @ Gazarte Ground Stage
07/09 — Prolsdorf, DE @ Krach am Bach Festival
07/10 — Stuttgart, DE @ Goldmarks
07/11 — Essen, DE @ Don’t Panic
07/12 — Gierle, BE @ Sjock Fest
07/15 — Marseille, FR @ Molotov
07/16 — Bergamo, IT @ Punk Rock Raduno (Free Show)
07/17 — Turin, IT @ Blah Blah
07/18 — Theley, DE @ Backside Festival

Additional U.S. Dates
09/04 — Philadelphia, PA
09/05 — Brooklyn, NY
09/06 — Montague, MA @ RPM Fest
09/11 — Scottsdale, AZ w/ The Exploited, Total Chaos
09/12 — Los Angeles, CA w/ The Exploited, Total Chaos
09/13 — Murrieta, CA w/ Total Chaos
09/16 — Las Vegas, NV w/ Total Chaos
09/17 — Orange County, CA w/ The Exploited, Total Chaos
09/18 — San Francisco, CA w/ The Exploited, Total Chaos
09/20 — Sacramento, CA w/ The Exploited

Get the album here. 

Grocery Bag -‘Deadvolt’ (Self-Released)

Grocery Bag -‘Deadvolt’ (Self-Released)

I take my duty of sharing great music with everyone very seriously, so I knew as soon as I heard this band, I would want to write a review of this EP. Texas has a very diverse musical range featuring everything from country and red dirt to death metal and black metal. On the punk side, there is, of course, Die Spitz, who have made themselves very well known over the past couple of years. Please allow me to introduce a band who may follow in their footsteps- Grocery Bag. I am not sure the story behind their name, but I assume it is an interesting one. Formed in San Antonio and now based in Austin, they serve up a great blend of punk with grunge flourishes- think the Sonics/ Green River/ Mudhoney as opposed to Alice in Chains. The band members are known to swap instruments onstage, so let’s just name them- Bell Martinez, Dillon Aitala, Logan Kerman, and Jimmy Mercado. This EP collects recent singles and presents them as a great EP.

Opener ‘Lies’ has a hooky guitar riff that becomes even more powerful as it barrels through the chorus, giving it a bit of a Groop Dogdrill feel. There is a great musical break in the middle, which I could see being a great place for an extended jam before a vital guitar solo carries us to the final chorus. They slow the beat a little with ‘Watching TV’ where the lead vocals would steal the show if the music was not just as powerful. The guitar at the end provides a climactic end to the tremendous four minutes of music.

The groovy ‘Stop Calling Me Out’ continues the musical onslaught. The vocals by Martinez have an excellent cadence and texture to provide an immediate identity for the band here. In less than three minutes here, though, each member serves up an incredible performance with the breakdown in the song making it one of the best nuggets you will hear this year.  ‘Grave’ explodes to life and is another excellent nugget that goes many places in just over two minutes. The production and mix on these songs are simply perfect, as each instrument can be heard. The drum sound on ‘Grave’ pounds out of the speaker.

While each song has razor-sharp hooks, the band continues to sharpen them on ‘Reason’, where there is a more psychedelic feel to the vocals and rhythm. Like ‘Lies,’ there is a jam in the middle of the song that would lend itself to an extended few minutes in the live setting before returning to hook the listener in again. The band then delivers a closer in ‘Deadvolt’ that may be one of the best songs you will hear. There is a swagger to the music and vocals that defies description. There is not a wasted second in this musical beast.

In six songs, Grocery Bag has crafted a diamond deserving of reaching a wide audience. The blend of garage rock (where those early grunge pioneers also drew from) combined with more modern influences and a dose of psychedelic touches, makes Grocery Bag’s ‘Deadvolt’ a must listen. I will soon be going back to listen to their 2023 release,’ Break You.’ I have a feeling that if you are new to Grocery Bag, your path will be identical to mine. Now, let’s see how high my volume can go.

‘Deadvolt’ is available now.     

https://www.facebook.com/grocerybag.tx

https://www.instagram.com/grocerybag.tx

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Author: Gerald Stansbury

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L.A. Guns get set for new live album

L.A. Guns get set for new live album

June 3, 2026 — July 3 sees the release of one of the most anticipated live albums of the metal year, a full all-format release for Live From The Guild Theatre, recorded almost exactly one year earlier at the onstage launch of L.A. Guns’ most acclaimed album in years, the mighty Leopard Skin.

It nails it here, too, sliding in between “Hellraisers Ball” and “Like A Drug,” but Live From The Guild Theatre is explosive from start to finish, the Gunners firing off killer versions of fan favorites tracing as far back as the band’s debut album – “Sex Action,” for example, probably hasn’t featured in the repertoire since the eighties, but it’s alive and kickin’ here.

Sophomore set Cocked and Loaded, meanwhile, spits out some of the most powerful shotgun blasts in the band’s entire arsenal – “I Wanna Be Your Man,” “The Ballad of Jayne,” “Rip and Tear,” and the set-ender, “Never Enough.”  And Leopard Skin gets both a triumphant airing and a delirious response.

In fact, longtime vocalist Phil Lewis and the man who put the Guns in L.A. Guns, Tracii Guns, have never sounded better – quite an achievement for a band that’s been tearing up the stages of the world since 1983!  Ace Von Johnson (guitar), Johnny Martin (bass) and Shawn Duncan (drums) complete the line-up.

The first single from the album, “Electric Gypsy” which is now available to stream and download HERE, is another from the self-titled debut, and it sounds as fresh now as it did way back then…drop it into your streaming playlist and it won’t simply wake up the neighbors, it’ll have them hammering on your door, demanding to know what you’re listening to.

Yes, you’ll tell them it’s L.A. Guns – who else could it be?  But you can also tell them that it’s not only coming out on CD and vinyl, but there’s a DVD and a cassette. 

CD/DVD/VINYL/CASSETTE: https://cleorecs.com/search?q=l.a.+guns+live+from+the+guild+theatre

DIGITAL: https://orcd.co/laguns_livefromtheguildtheatre

Here’s the track listing for LIVE FROM THE GUILD THEATRE:

1. Intro – Taste It
2. Cannonball
3. Electric Gypsy
4. Sex Action
5. Hellraisers Ball
6. Hit and Run
7. Like a Drug
8. Speed
9. One More Reason
10. Theremin Jam
11. Over the Edge
12. Guitar Solo
13. I Wanna Be Your Man
14. Lucky Motherfucker
15. Never Enough
16. The Ballad of Jayne
17. Rip and Tear

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The Lemon Twigs/The Stones – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds – 23rd May 2026

The Lemon Twigs/The Stones – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds – 23rd May 2026

New York power pop sensations The Lemon Twigs return to the Brudenell for a sold-out 2-night stand promoting their 7th studio album ‘Look For Your Mind!’. Brothers Brian & Michael D’Addario have been crafting the perfect harmony-soaked tunes for more than a decade now, and with a now stable four-piece lineup, completed by bassist Danny Ayala and Uni Boys singer/guitarist Reza Matin on the drums, it seems The Lemon Twigs have hit their peak musically, sonically and maybe even commercially on their new opus.

Their brand of jangly, harmony-filled tunes evokes the best of The Beatles, The Byrds and The Beach Boys. For me, they bridge the gap between Redd Kross and the much-missed Jellyfish, and they are a band that is renowned for their energetic live performances. This was a show not to be missed.

First up, though, we have fellow New Yorkers The Stones. Who, apart from choosing the worst band name ever and having no online presence that I could find (try Googling The Stones!), are actually pretty tasty. The four-piece is about as retro as you can get, but not in the same way as the headliners. The singer channels early 90’s Chris Robinson so well, he could front a Black Crowes tribute band, while his guitar-wielding bandmate goes for an early 2000s Strokes look.

Their brand of ramshackle rock n’ roll fits the bill nicely, coming across like a heady mix of The Faces and The Libertines. They certainly have a swagger, and with an energetic and confident performance that goes down well with the packed crowd. I’d like to hear more…if only I could find them!

The Lemon Twigs are the real deal live. What we have here are four lead singers/multi-instrumentalists playing a set of songs so well crafted and so well played that they are just timeless. The sound from the PA tonight is great as well and benefits the multi-layered harmonies and jangly guitars. The opening salvo of recent single ‘Look For Your Mind’ and the glorious ‘My Golden Years’ sets the pace. It’s a great mix of classics and soon-to -be classics.

Both brothers take lead vocals on their respective written songs, and band members switch instruments for certain songs. So, you may get Brian on bass, Danny on keyboards and Reza and Michael swapping instruments at some point. There is more ‘jump-shot’ action than a classic Van Halen show, which is unexpected given the laid-back approach of the songs, but it sure keeps the photographers on their toes. The brothers laugh and joke with the crowd and amongst themselves, everyone is having a jolly good time. Michael even suggested we all “go get cheesy chips after the show”.

When The Lemon Twigs do rock out, they do it well. ‘Bring You Down’ rocks the house like The Beatles in Berlin, and main set closer ‘Rock On (Over & Over)’ is a Bolan-esque glam rock stomper to be proud of.

Brian returns with just an acoustic for his usual solo section. In recent times, it’s rare to silence a crowd during the quieter moments of a set, there are always some idiots who continue to chat, but you could hear a pin drop during his stunning rendition of ‘Joy’ from the new album. His very own ‘Blackbird’ probably gets the biggest reaction of the set so far. He follows it with the twee falsetto-drenched ‘Corner Of My Eye’, before calling back the “rest of the group for a few more numbers”. As Michael plays the riff to the Bobby Fuller Four’s ‘Let Her Dance’, you know it’s the perfect moment for those down the front to let their hair down and dance like no one’s watching, before the band bow out with the sun-drenched anthem ‘How Can I Love Her More’.

While it’s easy to pigeonhole the likes of The Lemon Twigs, they do seem to literally be a band out of time. While sometimes their melodies may drift a bit too close to their heroes for some, they do that multi-layered harmony thing perfectly. For me, they are a band that just gets better and better with each album. At the end of the day, a good song is a good song, and The Lemon Twigs have loads of ‘em!

I’ve seen them twice now, and they are fantastic live, and I would not hesitate to see them again.

Author: Ben Hughes

Pillarstone – ‘Mono Lit’ (Pillarstone Records)

Pillarstone – ‘Mono Lit’ (Pillarstone Records)

Coming out of Waterford, Ireland, Pillastone have a love for gentle lilts with fiddles and a waft of Americana running through their music. Think a gentler, less drunken/troublesome Green On Red and a lot of the good stuff, maybe some Jesse Malin and Ryan Adams for good measure. The album opens with the first single ‘Run Fox Run’, an electric run through the louder moments, whilst ‘September Sun’ is the gentler side with those fiddles and acoustic guitars cut up with some rim shots and lush melodies leaning into the countrier side of the Waterboys. Very well produced and superbly delivered and arranged. It’s rooted in the themes you might expect call it playing safe if you like but if you deal in Americana with some wholesome rock n roll then thats who you are and the amps are turned up for ‘Wait In This World’ maybe a dash of Brian Fallon is present jammign on some Mellencamp there are polenty of reference points jumping out all over the place and a late evening summer sunshine record it might be but the performances on show are excellent and the arrangments let the music shine bright.

‘Fog Of War’ is some roots rock n roll with a great sound and production, but it never all out breaks free from the restraints of the acoustic and lush, fulsome bass groove, but it does have a very nice guitar solo raging quietly. I also like ‘Wise Up’ and the more uptempo ‘Cry’, but the standout track is ‘Like A Fool’ with its picked acoustic guitar like a less miserable Ryan Adams, and the barroom piano dropping in and out lifts the track.

The loudest track has to be ‘Hammer That Nail as the band veers into Drive By Truckers territory, and it’s something they do really well. The closing track is ‘Call For Mercy’ which paints an upbeat vibe and closes off a very impressive record proving that light and shade are required in one’s palette and this worked really well on a Sunday morning or a late night listen. Go check ’em out.

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Jack Grisham And The Life Undone – ‘Jack Grisham And The Life Undone’ (Lost in Berlin Records)

Jack Grisham And The Life Undone – ‘Jack Grisham And The Life Undone’ (Lost in Berlin Records)

Jack Grisham and the Life Undone is a new project by Jack Grisham and Lars Triesch. Grisham is known as the frontman of TSOL and The Joykiller. He has been active for over four decades—in literature, film work, and most importantly, independent music—with more than 70 million streams and over 2,000 live shows under his belt. Grisham remains a constant figure in and beyond the American punk scene. TSOL were and are one of the finest bands to have been birthed from the 77 punk scene in the USA.

Triesch comes out of the German ’90s punk and hardcore scene, later moving into indie with his band Profession Reporter. A fella that hasn’t appeared on my radar until now.

The power of this here interweb came into play, and Jack and Lars had many a Zoom meeting working on tunes that can now be heard on this magnificent album. Firstly, there would be no point in Jack making a new TSOL record with cats from another continent. This is most definitely not a TSOL record, even if Jack’s distinct tone is front and centre. This record leans on melodies and soundscapes not often ventured into by his band. This record from the first play is one hell of an earworm as the sonic assault takes hold, pianos tinkling here, there and everywhere over subtle melodies and layered vocals with lush guitars on big backing vocals. This is a huge-sounding record that fills your heart to bursting, then explodes in colour. Take ‘These Things’ as an example. Could and should be a huge global hit. But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. The album opens with ‘Pain Goes Around’, which is effectively a summer pop song with a mega hook and lush Bvs and a melody that just screams joy. Worry not, it all fits perfectly, it’s not a record that will have you recoiling in horror, just the opposite to be honest. The second track is full of boundless energy and a wicked riff, ‘Piece Of The Sun’, with a chorus to die for.

If this sounds like one of those right-place-at-the-right-time things, it is. Jack sounds happy, and this record has no weak links. The songs are all well-crafted and sound amazing. Easily one of the best records I’ve heard in ages.

After the boundless energy of the previous track, ‘John Says’ is more dreamy and laid back with such an infectious melody and vocal from Grisham.

Grisham and Lars are joined by Trevor Lucca—a guitarist known for his onstage work with Dick Dale and T.S.O.L.—and the whole project was guided by the production team of Kurt Ebelhäuser and Michel Wern.

Thirteen tracks were laid down in ten days—the bulk of the album—and additional vocal and keyboard recordings were done in Los Angeles at Kitten Robot Studios, engineered by Paul Roessler, and this is a record they should be so proud of making.

We have acoustic guitars and cellos for ‘Loser’ and the stunning ‘Angel Funeral’ where Grisham wrings every bit of emotion out of his well-worn voice. The flip side is the full tilt rocker of ‘Lazing In The Bed All Day’, which is more familiar territory and a full-bloodied riff, but it’s the night and day as the record seemlessly shifts from light to shade where the magic lies.

‘Black Ties’ has a Bowie feel to proceedings with the distressed snare roll and lush strings, showing a wonderful, darker side. This is a record that needs to be listened to with a clear head and given undivided attention to fully appreciate how fuckin good it is. ‘Phone Call’ sounds menacing and dark, with the strings and soft acoustic guitar, with Grisham almost whispering into the speakers. Then the record finishes off with the broad acoustic chords of ‘Darker Side Of Nowhere’. This record won’t be for everyone, but I instantly got drawn in and can’t get enough of it. Being a big fan of Graham’s work with TSOL, Joykillers, Tender Fury, and Manic Low, the guy has never put a musical foot wrong in my eyes or ears. It’s great to hear him spread his wings and deliver a different flavour of alternative rock n roll and do it so well on what I can only describe as a magnificent album packed with magnificent tunes, and every play drags out a different reaction to the previous play. Get this album in your ear and let it take hold. You’ll be delighted you listened. Buy it!

Buy here at some point

Author: Dom Daley