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Gone But Not Forgotten – Scott Asheton ‘Rock Action’

Gone But Not Forgotten – Scott Asheton ‘Rock Action’

Scott Randolph Asheton (August 16, 1949 – March 15, 2014) born in Washington, D.C. but famous for when he and his brother Ron moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan where He co-formed the Stooges in 1967 along with his older brother, Iggy Pop, and Dave Alexander. The rest, as they say, is history.

During the Stooges’ separation, Scott was one of the few ex-members to play again with Pop, with the mini-reunion occurring during a 1978 European tour. Asheton also played drums with Scott Morgan in different bands, among which were the Scott Morgan Band, Scots Pirates, and most notably Sonic’s Rendezvous Band. He then went on to play drums touring in a late incarnation of Destroy All Monsters, under the name Dark Carnival. He also recorded extensively with Sonny Vincent, playing drums on four full studio albums along with Captain Sensible on bass, as well as making special guest appearances on other Vincent releases. In addition to recording with Sonny, Asheton toured the U.S. and Europe with Sonny and Steve Baise (on bass) of the Devil Dogs.

The Stooges reformed in 2003, and remained active until 2016, releasing a fourth album in 2007. Following the death of Ron Asheton, the group worked with guitarist James Williamson. Other than Iggy Pop, Asheton was the only consistent member of the Stooges after the death of his brother, guitarist Ron, in 2009.

After they played Hellfest Festival on June 17, 2011, he went into temporary retirement from live duty. He was replaced by Larry Mullins (a.k.a. Toby Dammit), who had played in Iggy Pop’s band in the 1990s. He died of a heart attack in March 2014 at the age of 64.

 

I love that during an interview about the Ashton Brothers Iggy said of Scott hes the least talkative person I know any words he needs to say he does it with his drums.  He played on some of the most influential records of all time for many of us here at RPM no question about it and it was pleasing that before he passed away he was able to reap some of the benefits of his work finally after the Stooges split the first time he was reduced to teaching drums to anyone who wants teaching and scratching around for a wage which is a travesty considering his contribution to an industry that couldn’t particularly give two shits for a period.  A rock and roll hall of Famer and drum legend.

Scott leaves behind a pretty impressive catalogue of records he played on from The Stooges and Sonny Vincent to Sonic’s Rendezvous band The guy deserves legend status and that’s what we afford him, Rest In Peace Rock Action you had rhythm coursing through your veins and a style and swagger that was the power behind such a monumental band as the Stooges. Gone but never forgotten.

The Dwarves take The Dahmers for European Tour Dates

The Dwarves take The Dahmers for European Tour Dates

THE DAHMERS takes their high energy horror rock n’ roll out on the European roads again, supporting US legends THE DWARVES! You can also catch them on their own at two Swedish spots.  Wow, those lucky peeps in Mainland Europe are in for a treat – I’d love to see this show hit the UK that’s for sure. Us UK mortals have to wait until Rebellion to catch The Dwarves

                                                                                 Live Dates:

2/5 – Grand – Malmö, SWE
13/6 – Slaktkyrkan – Stockholm, SWE *
14/6 – Røverstaden – Oslo, NO *
15/6 – Musikens Hus – Gothenburg, SWE *
16/6 – Underwerket – Copenhagen, DK *
18/6 – Patronaat – Haarlem, NL *
19/6 – Club Vaudeville – Lindau, GER *
12/7 – Midnight Light Festival – Vilhelmina, SWE

* supporting The Dwarves

Pizzatramp pre-release for Grand Relapse

Pizzatramp pre-release for Grand Relapse

PIZZATRAMP!


NEW PIZZATRAMP. Yes mate! This album is available for pre-order now and will be released on the 5th April. Also… PICTURE DISC! And Orange Vinyl. And CD. There is also a Koozie. Winner. So you can keep your hands warm and your rola-cola warmer.

It’s finally here. The second album from Pizzatramp is now available to pre-order from the TNSrecords webstore on Picture Disc, Orange vinyl and CD. 

Head here to pre-order: Here

Frequenters of UK DIY gigs know who Pizzatramp are.  Chances are, they love them.  Knocked up in 2014, they’ve built a strong following for their no nonsense fast thrash-punk noise.  Their new album, Grand Relapse, is out 5th April on TNSrecords.

Though the punk world had been waiting for them since the early 70’s, it was 2014 when the band burst onto the scene.  They’ve got years of experience, but the band describe this as their best album yet, spitting out any normal conventions of song writing. Prepare for your ears to bleed and your feet to stomp.

Discussing the album, guitarist and vocalist Jim said: “This album tackles the cult of Scientology, the dangers of taking pills on school nights, the stupidity of white racist scum, the systematic destruction of the NHS, the mindless hell of working rubbish jobs and a load of songs about hangovers, comedowns and drinking.”

This 15 song offering very quickly tells you what you’re in for – fast, thrashy punk with dark undertones of a faltering society.  TNSrecords love the album; it sums up everything the DIY community stands for.  It’s a massive middle finger to the norm which will make your heart boom and your soul dance.

Pizzatramp are arguably one of the leaders of the DIY scene and this new album will be a welcome addition for many a record collection.  After an amazing gig at Rebellion 2018, they’ve shown they can easily dance with the big boys.  These are exciting times in the punk rock world.

 

Black Bombers – Volume 4 (Easy Action)

Black Bombers – Volume 4 (Easy Action)

One of shit Islands finest “Best-kept secrets” Black Bombers have only gone and recorded another barnstorming slab of garage rock n roll that played at volume will I guarantee – knock you off your feet. the only downside is this is only six tracks but then for the sake of our sanity it makes sense as anything more would be a waste besides, why release ten when you can say it all in six? ‘Volume 4’ begins with the call to arms riff-o-la and anvil pound before Alan Byron joins in with his vocals as his drawl is hitting the nail squarely on the head as the off kilt melody draws you in and then slips a Black Bomber under your tongue then you can relax as the trip takes you through a garage wormhole that’s dripping with attitude and bang on the money tunes. Over the next three minutes and fifty-two seconds this power trio give you a fantastic one-note guitar solo a bass and drums breakdown that is as good as anyone and all roads lead to the smashing climax and we’re straight into ‘Relentless’ and its train kept a-rollin’ rhythm mixed with enough Brian James tone playing some fuzzed up Stooges licks that is healthy to try and once you imagine that you’re in the right ballpark.  Its taken me quite a few plays to get through this record because as soon as one finishes rather than let the next one play I can’t help but press repeat.

Dave Twist (drums), Darren Birch (bass guitar), and Alan Byron (guitar and vocals) were clearly paying attention to what was the good and the great when spinning the black circles in their bedrooms now older and (hopefully) wiser they are unraveling all that pent up aggression and knowledge into their records with Black Bombers because this is excellent.  Sure there are shades of previous bands happening here and there (why wouldn’t there be) but the power and execution is exquisite on ‘Animals And Cages’ even with the ‘I Wanna Be Your dog’ lift it nails their colours to the mast with style but the real ace in the pack here is ‘Gnarley’ Now this is something I never thought I’d be saying out loud but a song with no words is absolutely fuckin’ killer.  Brooding with menace and mesmerizing from the opening chord through the Bass breakdown its worth the price all on its own.  Astounding stuff.

‘Sometimes’ is more of the same with its raw power (sorry couldn’t help myself) and boundless energy. Closing with a cover of the most excellent ‘Hair Of The Dog’ that’s every bit as sleazy and hanging on by a thread as the original if you’re going to do a cover then this is how you do it.

These Black Bombers aren’t illegal but they will keep you up all night my only advice would be to pick up a copy of this right now and enjoy the trip it’s awesome.

 

Buy Vol 4 Here

 

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Author: Dom Daley

Buckcherry – ‘Warpaint’ (Century Media)

Buckcherry – ‘Warpaint’ (Century Media)

It’s just a few days since I was last sat behind the keyboard waxing lyrical about the return of Swedish sleaze rockers Backyard Babies, now Century Media are at it again, messing with my musical memory banks with the return of Buckcherry, another band who thankfully saved me from a life a beige back at the tail end of the nineties.

The connections don’t end there either as just like with BYBs I pretty much fell out of love with Buckcherry around the time their albums started to contain the same amount of ballads you’d expect to find on a Celine Dion long player, and then when the news broke In May 2017 that guitarist Keith Nelson was leaving the band you’ll forgive me for thinking that things might just be over for Buckcherry.

How wrong could I be though, as here they are back with a bang in 2019 with studio album number eight and wearing the ‘Warpaint’ this time around singer Josh Todd is the sole survivor from the ‘Lit Up’ years whilst guitarist Stevie D is still there at his side from Crazy Bitch’ era. Also in attendance this time around are ex-Orson man Kevin Roentgen on guitar (he was also in the rather splendid American Pearl who opened for Buckcherry back in the early 00s), bassist Kelly LeMieux and the already departed Sean Winchester on drums.

Having rolled my eyes into the back of my horse’s head at the band’s pointless cover of Nine Inch Nail’s ‘Head Like A Hole’ which is also included here, I’d deliberately stayed away from any other album teasers as I really wanted to fall in love with Buckcherry all over again, and with ‘Warpaint’ kicking off with the album’s title track I’m pleased to say that some of that initial fire the band had in their stomachs around the time of their first two albums appears to have returned, BUT, and this is a big BUT, the overall feel I get is one of a band slightly holding back, as the acoustic lead ‘Right Now’ proves. This is a track that should explode from the speakers after the initial strut of the verse but instead, it pops and fizzes along where it should really be ripping your throat out.

I thought it was me initially, but I’ve also noted some other people on social media commenting about the mix being a bit subdued, however to point the finger solely at Mike Plotnikoff (who manned the desk on this project as he had done on their third album’15’) to me seems a bit harsh as when the band do ultimately slip into ballad territory as they do on ‘Radio Song’ and ‘The Hunger’ the sound simply soars. Surely there were more pairs of ears in the control room than Mike’s when the bite and crunch that should be there on the guitars on the opening riff for ‘The Vacuum’ end up muffled below the rhythm section? Still, it’s a good song, with a great vocal melody from Todd. I just wish again that the killer instinct was a bit more to the front.

Where ‘Warpaint’ does score a full 10 for me is on the superb ‘Bent’ (a track that could have fallen off the band’s classic and hugely underrated ‘Time Bomb’ album) and on the double time almost country-tinged shuffle of ‘No Regrets’, both tracks showing that Buckcherry are anything but a spent musical force.

Likewise, the gospel-tinged ‘Back Down’ is a sultry little number that could be a sleeper hit single whilst ‘Closer’ thunders along on an AC/DC like staccato riff that immediately has me tapping my hoof.

Look I’d love to say this is the best thing Buckcherry have recorded since ‘15’ just like Josh Todd is doing in the press rounds right now, but I can’t, simply because it isn’t, and tracks like ‘The Alarm’ plus album closer’ The Devil’s In The Detail’ just aren’t up there with the likes of ‘Onset’ and ‘Broken Glass’ the tracks they (kind of) correspond with if you stand the two albums alongside one another.

Make no mistake though ‘Warpaint’ is still a really decent hard rock album, and it is a breath of fresh air compared to the turgid bullshit being peddled as the next big thing by certain other record labels, it’s just for me it lacks that immediate knockout punch that some of the band’s previous album possessed in spades, so for now, I’ll leave my love-light on standby.

Buy ‘Warpaint’: Here

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Author: Johnny Hayward

 

 

 

 

 

T.S.O.L. release new cover single with video

T.S.O.L. release new cover single with video

Not like T.S.O.L. to twist your melon man so what do they do?  They only go and cover Amerie’s 2005 hit single “1 Thing.”  Bet ya didn’t see that coming.  Jack had this to say –

“I like go-go music and soul and anything that really moves. I first heard Amerie’s “1 Thing” in 2005, when it was released. Fucking infectious man, the way that groove keeps rolling, and she’s such a great vocalist. The lyrics were your basic relationship trip but then it hit me, this isn’t just a song about some dude, these lyrics read like a song to a system or a government that’d been up to no good. When she sang, “memories keep ringing bells” I was thinking of the state of our union today, the turmoil in our society, and where we’d been before—I was musing on our involvement in the Middle East, Latin America, Vietnam. I was thinking about the dirty deeds that this nation had been up to and then she sang, “why don’t you just admit it” and I realized that no one in power, not in this country, was ever gonna admit that we were wrong.”

The vinyl is available on limited edition vinyl in transparent red, white or blue and w/ black and white silk-screened American flag on the reverse side. This is limited to 150 units of each color. Records ship late March.

The record is now available for pre-sale via the Hardline Entertainment web store: Here.  If you live outside the USA take a deep deep breath because This single isn’t cheap.Ouch!

 

Bullets And Octane announce UK Tour and new limited vinyl

Bullets And Octane announce UK Tour and new limited vinyl
Buckle Up UK Gene and the boys are heading over to Shit Island to make a noise.  Also the latest album is getting a vinyl release and its a limited edition “Waking Up Dead”. This vinyl will have two unreleased tracks that will not be available anywhere else. It comes in red vinyl with only 300 copies available. Each copy will be numbered and signed by the band. Hurry as this new vinyl will only be available for a limited time. Pre-order today: Here 

Find your city below and get your Tickets for the up and coming 2019 Spring UK tour at http://www.bulletsmusic.com , your normal ticket outlets or at the links below.

‪May 16th – Cavern – Exeter – UK (http://www.wegottickets.com/event/466280)‬

‪May 17th – Temple of Boom – Leeds – UK ‬

‪May 19th – Garage Attic – Glasgow – UK (https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/360056679B064EEE)‬

‪May 21st – O2 Academy Islington 2 – London – UK‬

‪May 22nd – Sin City – Swansea – UK (https://www.sincityclub.co.uk/…/b2c8a3f6-7044-4b8c-905e-355…)‬

‪May 23rd – Beta – Nottingham – UK‬

‪May 24th – The Crauford Arms – Milton Keynes – UK (https://www.seetickets.com/…/bull…/the-craufurd-arms/1326778)‬

‪May 25th – Satan’s Hollow – Manchester – UK‬

‪May 26th – Call of the Wild Festival – Lincolnshire – UK‬

‪May 28th – The Flapper – Birmingham – UK (https://www.seetickets.com/…/bullets-an…/the-flapper/1326574)‬

‪May 29th – Bannerman’s Edinburgh – UK‬

‪May 30th – Head of Steam – Newcastle – UK (https://www.seetickets.com/promoter/eastside/7803)‬

‪May 31st – The Anvil – Bournemouth – UK‬

‪June 1st – Waterfront – Norwich – UK (https://www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk/ents/event/7356/)‬

See you all soon
Gene Louis, Felipe Rodrigo, Zachary Kibbee and Jonny Udell

Bullets and Octane exploded onto the scene in 2003 with their debut EP “One Night Stand Rock N Roll Band” on Critereon Records. 2004 saw the 2nd EP “Bullets And Octane” and their debut album “The Revelry” produced by Gilby Clark of Guns And Roses also on Critereon Records. In 2005-2006 they Supported Avenged Sevenfold in America and Europe on the City Of Evil Tour.
2006 was a big year for the band as they were signed to RCA/BMG Records. They released their first major label album “In The Mouth Of The Young”, which was produced by Page Hamilton of Helmet. They played The Download Festival and where on “The Family Values Tour” with Korn, Stone Sour, Flyleaf and Deftones. They headlined their own UK tour as well.
2007 saw them Leave RCA for Ares Records, release “Songs For The Underdog” album and tour with Unwritten Law. They had headlining UK Tour with The Knives that year as well. In 2009 they released “Bullets and Octane ” a full length album and Toured the U.K. with Gunfire 76 (Wednesday 13’s project).
In 2016 they played Lost Highway motorcycle show and concert with Social Distortion, Foghat and Eagles Of Death Metal as well as releasing a new song “Burning At Both Wicks”. In 2017 back at it full time with a solid line up, released songs and videos for “Bad Mother Fucker” and “Waking Up Dead”, headlined a very successful tour of the U.K and Sweden. They finished the “Waking Up Dead” album and played a string of successful shows in Hollywood, Orange County and Las Vegas. In 2018 they are looking to release the album “Waking Up Dead”. They are already slated to headline U.K. dates and Sweden dates in February to kick off the 20 Year anniversary of the band with what has been touted as the most solid line up in it’s history.

Money For Rope – Picture Us (Cheersquad Records & Tapes)

Money For Rope – Picture Us (Cheersquad Records & Tapes)

Australia is easily producing some of the best new records anywhere on the planet currently and Melbourne garage rockers Money For Rope add further weight to that assumption with their new long player ‘Picture Us’. From the restrained introduction of ‘Hold’ works well before easing us into ‘Actually’ again quite restrained to begin with it builds steadily rises to the solo then falls back into line again maybe reflecting the fact this was recording during another balmy Australian summer so nothing too frantic which is understandable.

It’s not until ‘Stretched My Neck’ does the tempo break a sweat with some great vocals and backing vocals the temperature gets raise as the solo soars.  Guitarist, singer and songwriter Jules McKenzie is a talented guy and has a great handle on writing pop-tinged garage psych songs never overstaying their welcome and managing to keep things fresh and interesting throughout the record. ‘O’Chelles’ is quirky yet listenable something along the lines of new wave maybe a slightly fucked up XTC maybe?

‘Earl Grey’ is perhaps inspired by the bands time spent in North London before writing and recording the album but again its got a slightly spacey new wave feel to proceedings with a solid backbeat courtesy of the bands double drumming approach. Again a slightly restrained feel until it breaks out and the tempo raises. The best track on the album so far.

To be fair this is the albums purple patch as ‘Trashtown’ takes a walk on the wild side and has a psychedelic stretch out . To close off the record McKenzie lays back with the acoustic guitar for a gentle strum through ‘What Takes So Long’ on a simple yet enjoyable tune.  File under fairly easy listening and if the weather gets nice n hot over the summer then sling this on when it’ll all make perfect sense and ‘Picture Us’ will come into its own.

 

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Author: Dom Daley

The Entrepreneurs – Noise And Romance (Tambourhinoceros)

The Entrepreneurs – Noise And Romance (Tambourhinoceros)

Copenhagen trio like to make Noise Rock and they hit the spot with an angular post-punk explosion that often head fucks your ears but with pop music Not chart music but dark pop. ‘Session 1’ is firing from the Sonic Youth territory with plenty of surface noise which is good because as they say life has surface noise.

Its a theme carried on through the record as Mathias Bertelsen (lead vox + guitar), Anders Hvass (backing vox + baritone guitar) and Jonas Wetterslev (drums) can make a noise and not having a bass guitar and replacing it with the baritone Guitar is an original and interesting move maybe not something conventional rock music is totally ready for but on several plays this has legs.  ‘Joaquin’ has shades of Janes Addiction but the rhythm is in the Cure camp perhaps and that’s a good thing right?

 

‘Sail Away’ is more guitar-based pop and quite European in style I love Belgium off the wall alt-rockers Deus and Sail Away sounds inspired and qwerky.   Whilst most of the tunes are short and sharp towards the middle of the record a couple of tunes go into extended overplay with a Buzzcocks like a repetitive rolling riff on ‘Be Mine’ that is a relative of ‘Why Can’t I Touch It’ but they do and it really works and is followed by the dark brooding tones of ‘Heroine’ in its six-minute epic. It twists and turns like Sonic Youth meets a more conventional Smashing Pumpkins or Dinosaur Jnr all making as much noise as possible.  Frank Black would like this.

The songs fall back into line toward the end with the shorter tunes and the lovely ‘Morning Son’ with its simple strum and melody. ‘Noise & Romance’ is both and after many plays was an excellent joy on my ears as not everything has to beat you over the head sometimes it’s nice to be greeted with a twisted grunge-like crooked smile and we can all then go about our day.

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Author: Seb Boyd

Gone But Not Forgotten and other news

Gone But Not Forgotten and other news

Born January 1969 Cranford would or should have just turned 50 but sadly never made it this far. Cranford left behind a wife and two children when he checked out in 2002 from drug releated issues.

Cranford headed up his band The Malakas as well as playing solo sadly he didn’t make it long enough to record a lot of the songs he was working on which are available on his website. Cranford struggled with addiction during his brief life but he was able to write some great tunes like the one we’re playing here he pretty much wrote straight from the head and the heart singing about what he saw and how he was living.  I thought he was a massive talent and its such a shame that he never got to show off those songs to a wider audience.  R.I.P Cranford Gone but not forgotten.

Also on this day in 2013 Iron Maiden Drummer Clive Burr lost his battle with multiple sclerosis. Burr was Maidens drummer between 79 and 82. R.I.P. Clive had previously plied his trade with Samson before moving onto Maiden and played on their three finest records before being replaced after falling foul of Harris. Strangely enough, Burr went on to replace his replacement Nicko McBrain in Trust.  funny old world eh? Oh and for all you metal fans The guy who fired Burr celebrates his Birthday today Born in 1956 Happy Birthday Steve Harris.

But we can’t have all this sadness without a ripple of light coming through on this day so Happy Birthday Graham Coxon guitarist with Blur who was born on this day in Germany to English parents and finally Peter Doherty was also born on this day in 1979.