Second EP offering from this Philly trio of noise makers who live in the shadows and walk on the sleezy side of town, where shit happens and the music is rough and ready. Brought up on a steady diet of T Rex rhythms and dreams but with a darker reality of festering punk rock, Problem Addict have got it going on. ‘Back In Jail’ is what the kids would describe as Fire, or the slightly older amongst us would say is banging. Me I’d say it has the beating heart of Bolan played through TSOL’s instruments and the DK’s four-track recorder.
What it lacks in finesse and big studio edits and sheen, it has a beating heart full of napalm and it ain’t afraid to let it all hang out. ‘Damaged In Transit’ is the sound of cheap alcohol fueled punk rock giving the listener the middle finger right up in their grill.
It’s short and oh so sweet, and we love that here at RPM Online, it’s got heart and soul in spades and a pocket full of great ideas and tunes, and boy is it gonna let ’em out. Hell, to finish they even open Pandora’s box of pop shit just to fuck with you some more. Bad drugs Bowie and Bolan mixed with some more noisy fuckers but with a style and swagger Problem Addict might get to make a diamond long player with great tunes or they really might end up in jail or as Michael Monroe once said ‘Dead Jail or Rock n Roll’ one of the three only they can decide but lets hop for the latter. top tunes.
Bryan Adams, now an independent artist on his own label Bad Records, is promoting his brand new album ‘Roll With the Punches’ with a series of intimate album release shows in select clubs across the UK.
I was not going to miss the opportunity to catch a multi-million selling artist up close and personal in my favourite venue, The Brudenell in Leeds.
With a strict no phones/recording policy in place, no support act and an early start, this proves to be anything but a normal show for the artist and punter alike.
The no phones system actually works really well. After queuing in the rain, you are handed a pouch to place your phone in, which is then locked and handed back, and you keep it on you for the entire show.
It sounds like a bit of a faff, but it’s not. It’s well worth it to be free from a sea of screens in front of you, filming the entire thing.
The four-piece band take to the stage bang at 8 pm. Dressed in a tight black T-shirt, blue jeans and regulation short back & sides, Bryan Adams looks shorter than I imagined, and has barely aged in years. He smiles, straps on a bass and tells us what to expect. No hits tonight, they don’t have time, this is all about the new album. They will play the whole thing and answer questions in between songs. Then they proceed to kick out the jams with the opening title track. It’s a song with an instant, classic Adams chorus and a punchy, jarring riff, a great opener. With Adams handling bass duties, long-serving members Keith Scott on guitar, Mickey Curry on drums and Gary Breit on keyboards, the four-piece band sounds tight and they truly rock. The sound is great, the vocals spot on, to be honest, it sounds like the goddamn record!
Next up is ‘Make Up Your Mind’, another classic sounding Adams signature single. With a chorus that may be designed to be sung en masse in stadiums across the world but sounds perfect here in a small, sweaty club. It feels really surreal seeing a guy of this stature playing a small club show right in front of my eyes.
‘Never Let You Go’ is an anthem that is as euphoric as it gets. That rousing chorus builds and builds. It’s a strong song,
possibly the best on the album. Is that goosebumps I feel travelling up my arms? I’m sure I’m not the only one.
It turns out they are playing the album in sequence, albeit with between-song breaks for Q&A’s. There is a certain ebb & flow to the show as the sequencing has been designed for the album listening experience.
The band are doing 3 sets each night on this promotional tour, when questioned as to the motives, Bryan explains that’s how they started in bars, doing 3-4 sets a night, so it’s a sort of return to the band’s roots.
And there is a nostalgic feel to the album as a whole, whether that is intentional I don’t know, maybe I should’ve stuck my hand up to ask the question!
The second half of the set, as with the album, shifts the mood from the upbeat, arena rockers to the more reflective and dare I say ‘power ballad’ territory. Bryan swaps his bass for an acoustic guitar and a harmonica to channel his inner Bob Dylan on the emotive anti-war anthem ‘Love Is Stronger Than Hate’.
The following ‘How’s That Working For Ya’ sounds like it could’ve been lifted from the ‘18 Til I Die’ sessions, it has that punchy, radio friendly bravado going on.
Elsewhere, ‘Two Arms To Hold You’ is a declaration of love that straddles Bon Jovi radio rock and the following ‘Be The Reason’ screams ‘album track’ on first listen and could be the only song that comes close to being classed as ‘filler’ tonight.
Poignant set closer and new single ‘Will We Ever Be Friends Again’ leaves things on a reflective note. And that’s it, 1 hour, job done.
Hats off to Bryan Adams for arranging these shows. Not only for playing intimate venues, but for insisting on a no phones policy to make sure everyone gets the true live experience every musician surely wants for their fan base: to experience living in the moment and not watching a gig through a screen.
Ok, so some of the hits would’ve been nice, but tonight was about the new album and showing the fanbase that he can still write a good tune or two, and is excited to perform new songs with the conviction and passion they deserve.
A truly special, one-of-a-kind night that surely has to go down as one of the highlights of the gigging year.
Life is full of surprises. It seems like just the other day I was reviewing ‘Damn Right’, the first Dr Feelgood album to contain all original songs, and damn fine it is too. That was an unexpected treat. And in March, I finally got to see the band live, in France, with Robert Kane in his element. Now, after an illustrious career, I’m listening to his debut solo album, ‘Blues Is Blues’.
The blues can be a tricky one. Simple, yes. Easy, no. I freely admit that, as a young man, I really overdid my blues obsession, and, rhythm and blues aside, don’t listen to that much now. I am, inevitably, a bit of a snob, musically speaking. I like my blues rough, economical and from the heart. Thankfully, this was pretty much Robert’s instruction to the musicians involved in the recording.
So, we have 11 songs, mainly originals that he hadn’t previously recorded, but felt that they deserved to be heard. Every track was nailed on the first or second take, predominantly live, and this is partly why they really stand out. Lead single, ‘Halfway To Memphis’, hits out with some slide guitar and his wailing harmonica, which are also both present on ‘Heart Attack Baby’. A fine way to start. ‘Staying Home’ really pares things back, just a lone vocal and a picked guitar melody. Suitably mellow for the subject matter; “Life ain’t easy, but life is good. Gonna stay home and live the way I should”. I hear you.
‘How Many Times’ uses a refrain you will indeed have heard many times before, but we are dealing with a medium that generally uses three chords, so it shouldn’t be a surprise. What counts is that, when done properly, as here, that’s all you need. ‘Man Who’s Got The Blues’ broadens the blues palette, with some classy keyboard playing, yet never overplayed. Perfect for a smoky club.
‘Baby, Please Come Home’ is essentially a rewrite of ‘Baby, Please Don’t Go’, and Robert’s version of ‘The Ballad Of Staggerlee’ has added some new verses to the blues classic. But, rawest of all is the album closer ‘Jawbone’. A lone vocal describes the mythical character, which could easily be a lost blues traditional. I’ve always said that Mr Brilleaux was the greatest white rhythm and blues singer ever. After 26 years and counting with Dr Feelgood, it’s clear that Mr Kane is a blues voice to be reckoned with. He is steeped in the music, assured in his place, and it’s a pleasure to hear.
No Glory is the brainchild of Stefan from City Saints and Arild from Troublemakers, and if you’re after a rock-solid bastard child of Rancid and Cock Sparrer, then look no further. With a bouncing and well-defined production, this record is up for a good time right out of the traps. ‘Wild Young And Free’ sets the tone, and everything follows as you’d hope it to. Big hooks, good times and full of melodies and riffs.
With their colours nailed to the mast and wanting to pay tribute to the mighty Sparrer, they drafted in Chips Kiesbye (SATOR, Millencolin, Michael Monroe, The Hellacopters, The Boys), and it all fell into place, The album leans on really strong melodies and good time lyrics it follows, ‘Drunk on Dreams’ and there isn’t much to split over the strongest songs but I love ‘Pay The Price’ for the riff and the melody works really well.
Tracks like ‘Born A Loser’ will see a soaked dance floor with all that spilt beer, and the Oi rock n roll of ‘Run Away’ with its boundless energy will no doubt be a favourite. The pace increases for ‘Raise Your Voice’, but I do like the details of adding harmonica on ‘Like A Drug’, sounding like something Michael Monroe would record.
The main theme is a tip of the hat to those who trailblazed a scene, but there is more to this than just a tribute. It stands tall next to their peers on merit, and with a pint of beer in their hand, they’ll hold their own. Of course, the album has plenty of sing-along moments, none more so than the encore of ‘One More Day’. It signs off as strong as it kicked off. Excellent album, polished and delivered with love and quality. Go and get it Oi Oi!
Exclusive world premiere of the title track – Album out October 3rd
What was already a standout moment of this year’s Wacken Open Air, the world’s largest metal festival, turned into something even bigger when Michael Schenker pulled a surprise no one saw coming. After delivering a fierce My Years With UFO set to tens of thousands of attendees on Thursday night, the architect of hard rock used the world’s loudest stage to announce a brand-new Michael Schenker Group studio album: Don’t Sell Your Soul will be released on October 3rd via earMUSIC.
To mark the occasion, Schenker and his band closed the show with a world-exclusive live premiere of the new album’s title track – a powerful encore that took the Wacken crowd by surprise and was met with instant enthusiasm on the muddy festival fields.
Earlier in the set, the Wacken faithful had already been treated to a once-in-a-lifetime moment: Slash walked on stage as a surprise guest, joining Schenker on the UFO classic “Mother Mary”. Two of rock’s most iconic guitarists side by side – a scene few will forget.
Don’t Sell Your Soul is the latest studio album by the Michael Schenker Group and the second part of an album trilogy that began with 2024’s My Years With UFO.
The album was produced by Michael Schenker and Michael Voss, and recorded with Schenker’s longtime allies: Bodo Schopf (drums), Barend Courbois (bass), and Steve Mann (guitar, keys). On vocals: the impeccable Erik Grönwall – undoubtedly one of the finest rock voices of his generation. Guest appearances on vocals by Robin McAuley, Dimitri “Lia” Liapakis, and Michael Voss round out the cast.
Don’t Sell Your Soul will be available on CD, LP, and limited transparent red vinyl. Pre-orders start Friday, August 1st.
Monty has been a valued member of The Mighty Damned since 1996 and has contributed to the songwriting process, and has also written and played with the Captain, but did you know he is a trained Psychiatric nurse and Psychotherapist
Now its fair to say The Damned have been the pioneers of Punk since its inception and have easily weaved their magic through many of its subgenres as the pioneers never afraid to take a chance and always had diversity in th e records introducing keyboards and having songs with synths so it might only have been a matter of time before someone in the camp inspired Monty to get in a studio and lay down his parts or interpritations for many of the bands best loved songs adding another flavour to many classics and some not so classic. Join Monty on this magical mystery ride.
Now I’m not sure if his tongue is firmly in his cheek or this is a deadly serious project, either way I was intrigued to investigate all nineteen tracks. Sure, we would all agree there are some quite beautiful songs that either already have significant piano parts or involve keys in some fashion, so beginning with ‘Beauty Of The Beast’ is safe territory, but having no vocals and just piano and no synths is very interesting. ‘Blackout’ had me upright and not sure whether to laugh out loud or to appreciate the majesty of the melody or scratch my head at the blasphemy of hearing it like this. Sure, the breakdown sounds wonderful, but whatever gets you through, I guess.
Monty often has me scratching my head as he dances on the side of the stage or leaps up and down, but when the band do the huge songs like ‘Absinth’ I see his worth and like what I hear. There are some safe tunes like ‘History Of The World’ where it works, and others like ‘Smash It Up’ that sound like it belongs on Blackpool sea front, amusing old punks in their kiss me quick hats.
‘Life Goes On’ sounds fantastic, and is it rude of me to prefer Captain’s performance of ‘Just Can’t Be Happy’? ‘Shadow Of Love’ works as does ‘Limit Club’, a song the band should get back in the set and leave it there in place of ‘Eloise’ if anyone’s asking. ‘The Dog’, ‘Disco Man’, ‘Generals’, ‘Natures Dark Passion’ and the beautiful ‘Under The Floor’ make this all worthwhile.
Saying that the tribute pieces to end this album, dedicated to Cap, Dave, Paul, Stu, and Pinch, are lovely, but not something I will be returning to, (Jazz just goes over my head or on this case right through it) even if the one for Paul sounds like the same amount of notes Paul hits every song hes ever played on. For Damned completists, no doubt a lovely piece of curio from a maverick figure in the most glorious and wonderful punk rock band that ever made a note of music. Long live The Damned and everything they do, even the bat shit crazy piano lounge albums with no words just piano. Respect to Monty and whoever commissioned this crazy album. I await the tour dates as Monty heads out on a solo tour with this bad boy.
The 2026 dates will be the first UK and EU headline solo shows since the band’s mammoth sold out tour run in 2023 alongside Mötley Crüe. The 2023 tour saw the band headline venues across Europe including selling out the iconic Wembley Stadium. That tour was part of a two year run that saw Def Leppard & Mötley Crüe selling over 2.1 million tickets across the globe while performing in 27 countries and on five continents!
Joe Elliott says, “We’re looking forward to playing Radio 2 in the Park in Chelmsford this week…our only UK date of 2025. But we’re also very buzzed to announce our UK and Euro dates in 2026! Playing to our home crowd and our fans in Europe is very important to us, and we’ll be bringing a brand new show that will feature some surprises as well as the classics! See you soon!!”
With more than 110 million albums sold worldwide and two prestigious Diamond Awards in the U.S., Rock & Roll Hall of Fame® inductees Def Leppard has produced a series of classic ground-breaking albums that set the bar for generations of music fans and artists alike. The group’s spectacular live shows and arsenal of hits have become synonymous with their name. Def Leppard’s influential career includes numerous hit singles and multi-platinum albums, including two of the best-selling albums of all time, Pyromania and Hysteria capturing the group’s legendary tracks such as “Rock of Ages”, Pour Some Sugar on Me”, “Animal” and “Foolin.” Testament to Def Leppard’s enduring and ever growing appeal is their 20 million followers across social media platforms.
This week see’s Def Leppard headline the final night of the Radio 2 In the Park Festival on Sunday 7thSeptember 2025 before returning to the USA in early 2026 for a month long Las Vegas residency.
Phil Collen says, “It’s a dream to be coming back to the UK and Europe in June and July next year. And to be coming back with our good friends, Extreme, is a bonus. It’s going to be an incredible night for all the fans!”
2023 also saw the band release their innovative last studio album, “Drastic Symphonies” alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The critically acclaimed album charted at No 4 in the UK – the band highest UK chart position in 32 years. Recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios it led to the band performing a stunning set on BBC Radio 2’s Piano Rooms – their version of “Pour Some Sugar On Me” featuring Emm Gryner and the BBC Concert Orchestra is available to see HERE.
DEF LEPPARD CONFIRMED 2025 AND 2026 TOUR DATES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
2025
Sunday 7th September 2025 – Radio 2 In The Park, Chelmsford UK
Sat 11th October 2025 – Hard Rock Casino, Northern Indiana USA
2026
Tuesday 3rd February 2026 – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas USA
Thursday 5th February 2026 – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas USA
Saturday 7th February 2026 – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas USA
Tuesday 10th February 2026 – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas USA
Thursday 12th February 2026 – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas USA
Saturday 14th February 2026 – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas USA
Tuesday 17th February 2026 – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas USA
Thursday 19th February 2026 – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas USA
Saturday 21st February 2026 – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas USA
Tuesday 24th February 2026 – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas USA
Thursday 26th February 2026 – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas USA
Saturday 28th February 2026 – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas USA
Just Announced UK & EU Tour 2026. Dates announced so far:
Saturday 13th June 2026 – Dalhalla, Rättvik SWEDEN *
Tuesday 16th June 2026 – Veikkaus Arena, Helsinki FINLAND
Thursday 19th June 2026 – Hallenstadion, Zurich SWITZERLAND
Tuesday 23rd June 2026 – Westfalenhalle, Dortmund GERMANY
Friday 26th June 2026 – Belsonic, Belfast UK
Sunday 28th June 2026 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow UK
Tuesday 30th June 2026 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield UK
Thursday 2nd July 2026 – The O2, London UK
Saturday 4th July 2026 – bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham UK
Monday 6th July 2026 – Co-op Live, Manchester UK
Thursday 30th July 2026 – Wacken Open Air, Wacken GERMANY ▲
All Dates With Special Guest EXTREME unless indicated
* An Evening With
▲ Festival
Sunday 2nd August 2026 – Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai UAE
UK and EU tour dates general onsale 10am local time Friday 5th September 2025For tickets and further information www.defleppard.comMastercard cardholders have special access to presale tickets in Finland. Mastercard Presale starts on Wednesday, September 3 at 10am local. Plus, Preferred ticket access to some of the best tickets in Finland and the UK are available from Friday, September 5 at 10am local. Check out priceless.com/music for details.
After months of speculation Babyshambles are delighted to announce their live return, after eleven long years, with ten shows this autumn and winter.
The tour coincides with the 20th anniversary of Babyshambles’ much-loved, critically lauded debut album Down In Albion. Ittakes in a whole host of venues that were the scene of many of their previous triumphs: in Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Leeds, Nottingham, Norwich, Plymouth and London’s celebrated Brixton Academy.
Peter Doherty: “It’s unfinished business and everywhere I go I get ‘what’s happening with the ‘shambles.’ It’s a no brainer for me, a real desire to play some of them old tunes and have a little shindig.”
Drew McConnell:“The death of Patrick (Walden) made us determined that we have to tour now.”
Tickets go on general sale at 10:00am Friday 5th September fromGENERAL TICKET LINK To make sure you bagsie a ticket an exclusive pre-sale is available at 10:00am on Wednesday 3rd September, sign up herePRE-SALE TICKET LINK
NOVEMBER
14th FRI Norwich The Nick Rayns LCR
16th SUN London O2 Academy – Brixton
26th WED Birmingham O2 Academy
29th SAT Liverpool Mountford Hall
30th SUN Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse
DECEMBER
2nd TUE Newcastle O2 City Hall
4th THU Glasgow O2 Academy
7th SUN Leeds O2 Academy
8th MON Nottingham Rock City
10th WED Plymouth Pavilions
Babyshambles have released three Top 10 albums: Down In Albion (2005), Shotter’s Nation (2007) and Sequel To ThePrequel (2013)… scored four Top 10 Singles Killamangiro, Fuck Forever, Albion and Delivery.
Babyshambles are Peter Doherty (vocals/ guitar), Mick Whitnall (guitar), Drew McConnell (bass guitar)and Adam Ficek (drums).
Anyone out there looking for a punk n roll band and thinking they have all been found? You have likely not explored Peru. I know I had not until I stumbled upon Los Flechados. With a sound that feels like 50’s rock filtered through the Ramones with some touches of the Backyard Babies Humpers, and others, they should not be just Peru’s secret as I know they have potential fans all over the world. I believe this full-length album was released several years ago in Peru, but it appears to have just got a new lease on life through Alive Music. ‘Revolucion’ is a brand-new song and was what I first heard by the band a few weeks ago. These releases are going to be digital only right now, but the band is looking for a label to release them on vinyl. Hopefully, someone sees this one way or another to make that possible.
Let’s start with ‘Revolucion’, where the band release a scorching song with a killer hook that makes me want to go storm the streets of Lima. The guitar riff jumps out of the speaker, and the vocals fit like a glove. Hopefully, the band will have more new songs soon, as this one immediately entered my Songs of 25 playlist and has been on repeat a lot.
The new song sent me looking for more, and I found ‘Lejos de Esta Ciudad’ which is an awesome album. ‘Vicio’ kicks things off with a hint of old Rancid punk with terrific, shouted backing vocals. The production allows everything to be heard in the mix. There is no let up with ‘Radio Punk Rock’ providing a hook filled timeless guitar riff over a punk and roll frame. That leads us into their new video for the title track, where the band dials it down just a little bit to create another hook filled monster of a song. If you don’t speak Spanish, people may soon think you do, as you will be singing along to these songs in no time.
The band moves from strength to strength with ‘Mi Corazon’ starting with a Ramones-style count to the song. There is a passion to these songs that transcends the music itself. You can feel it bleeding through the speakers. I love the guitar licks that pop up across the song. If your fist is not in the air and you are not singing the chorus, make sure you are not freezing cold, and there is not a tag on your toe. ‘La Rockandroll’ (sic) is a 100-second stomper that again reminds me a bit of Rancid with generous sprinkles of the Humpers. Wrapping up what will hopefully be side 1 of a 12” album is ‘Muriendo en Mi Ley’, which feels like Chuck Berry’s guitar cutting across the mix and leading to another catchy chorus.
Kicking off side 2 (let’s will it into existence) with ‘Ya No Quiero Ser Tu Perro,’ the band takes us back about 70 years for a rock-a-billy flavored rocker with horns. There is no let up on the album as the band just unleashes gem after gem. The sax solo here provides a nice new flavor to the album, and the guitar solo mandates playing the air guitar to it. ‘Destruir’ brings us back to another punk and roll ripper. It’s not hard to think of a large crowd headbanging in unison to it. Up next, ‘Fuerza Rojinegra’ front loads a hook to maximum effect before the song starts. The band gradually increases the tempo before changing gears completely to deliver another killer song. The chorus comes from the school of the Ramones with more sax here to take the song to another level.
At the final quarter pole, we start with ‘Agonizando’ where the guitars deliver a great melody. This is another one that will have you singing along to it in no time. ‘En Una Prison’ embodies the spirit of rock and roll with the vocals taking front and centre through the verses and leading into a glorious hook-filled chorus. Get those drinks in the air for this one. Closing out the album ‘Fuguemonos de Clase’ brings some snotty-sounding 77-style punk that takes elements of the U.K. Subs and puts it through their own blender.
I strongly believe music is a universal language. Los Flechados have delivered songs crafted from their heart and soul. There is a large audience across the world that is just needs to learn about this band. Give these songs a listen and tell your friends you know will like it. Let’s help get these songs heard across the world and help the band play some shows outside of Peru. Let’s also get their name in front of some people who can get these songs pressed on vinyl. That album cover illustration should be 12×12.
‘Revolucion’ and ‘Lejos de Esta Ciudad’ are available digitally.
So there will be blood, apparently. Not really, I’m sure they’re nice chaps, but it’s the full bloodied opening track from their brand new long player ‘Vandalheart’. Birmingham neerdowells The Liarbilitys play full tilt wholesome street punk n roll with a passion and belief in what they do, and there is a wholesome honesty about the brand of street punk they peddle. It’s loud and toe-to-toe with the listener. There are plenty of sing-alongs in a Bad Religion meets Frank Turner on full tilt happening here, and I like it. The Levellers, if they turned to electric guitars instead of bodhrans and fiddles and sped it up a few BPMs.
The arrangements are clear and have vocals that sing melodies with attitude, like a Dirtbox disco meets Cock Sparrer which really works to be fair. Take the title track as an example. Lived in lyrics that are relatable, singing about yesteryear, be in nostalgic or just to convey a story, works wel,l and hearing “Twats” used in a song is heart on the sleeve stuff.
I like the aggression of ‘Strangways’ whilst ‘Sin Em All’ has the heart and soul of a Sparrer old school glunk about the rhythm. The pace is varied like the heartfelt ‘Gutta Percha’ that breaks out in timely fashion before the upbeat call to arms of ‘Battering Wall’ and the closing time sing-a-long of ‘Daisy You’re Gonna Wind Up Dead’.
All in all, it’s a well-constructed, varied album of anthemic street punk n roll that’s well produced and arranged and played. It signs off with the pacey ‘The Armada’ it might be a safe path to tread but you still have to deliver it well and The Liarbilitys do exactly that. I’m sure live they’ll sound exactly like the record and if you’re looking for a good time and a sing song then you need to get on this one.
Recent Comments