Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ray Stevenson/REX/Shutterstock

John Anthony Genzale (July 15, 1952 – April 23, 1991) Otherwise known as the legend that was Johnny Thunders.  What could possibly be said that hasn’t already been said.  He was the lead guitarist in the New York Dolls.  He fronted possibly the finest of all American ’77 punk bands and went on to have varying degrees of success in his own rite with some amazing backing bands and releasing some of the best records ever from any decade. ‘Que Sera Sera’, ‘Hurt Me’, ‘So Alone’ do I need to go on?  If you don’t own them why don’t you own them?.  His solo shows ranged from car crash but amazing to religious experience and amazing to simply just being out there one of a kind guy and amazing.

 

There have been several films about Johnny from the aborted and dark ‘Born To Lose’ The Last Rock And Roll Movie with its numerous cuts to the wonderful ‘Looking For Johnny’, with a fantastic array of stars talking about their friend and fellow musician to the recent drama about his last days in New Orleans that’s yet to hit the shops.  Johnny met a tragic end on this back in ’91 and I can remember where I was when I heard the news that almost broke my heart.

An autopsy confirmed evidence of advanced leukemia which might just have finished Thunders off anyway but to go the way he did was an absolute tragedy and at such a young age as well, he seemed to cram so much in such a short space of time.  Leaving behind a couple of Dolls records – One Heartbreakers classic – a couple of solo records and a covers album along with a plethora of bootlegs and demos and who could forget Gang War a much-underrated record he co-wrote with Wayne Kramer.

 

We can argue and debate all day and night about what period of his career was best; was it the Dolls and their trailblazing crossdressing rock ‘n’ roll or was it the Noo Yawk swagger of the Heartbreakers who didn’t give two flying fucks and lived every day like it was their last leaving behind one of the finest albums ever put to tape in ‘L.A.M.F’.  I loved Gang War and I loved his acoustic balladeering of ‘Hurt Me’ as much as I loved his rock and roll excess of ‘So Alone’ with its cast of Rock and roll legends from Marriott to Lynott to his comrade in Rock n Roll Gerry. What about  ‘Que Sera Sera’ (it just had a fine RSD make over). Some of those covers on ‘Copy Cats’ were superb interpretations of what made Johnny tick at the time and a bunch of tunes that were coursing through his veins.  I only wish the Oddballs had gotten to record their album with his as those demos they were working on could have eclipsed everything that went before it but sadly we’ll never ever know.  I miss going to his shows which when he played the Marquee were more like events than shows wondering which Johnny would turn up but he never let me down and was always memorable and backed by some amazingly talented people that he always surrounded himself with no matter what the situation he found himself in.

Thunders should have been a huge huge superstar but circumstances and choices probably meant this would and could never happen but he will always be my favourite and if I’m happy or sad feeling up or down Johnny Thunders always had a tune for me from that incredible back catalogue.  Johnny rest in Peace and today raise a glass to his brilliance and if you ever picked up a yellow Jr and curled your top lip or flicked your head because you wanted to be as cool as Johnny Thunders well done and always keep his memory alive.

 

 

After releasing their new critically acclaimed album “Shock” in March 2019, Tesla will play worldwide throughout 2019.

The band has a series of European dates in June 2019. The band has just added a UK headline date to their existing June 2019 tour. Details below
 

TESLA NEW STUDIO ALBUM, ‘SHOCK,’ AVAILABLE NOW ON 
CD, DIGITAL & VINYL VIA Ume

EUROPEAN DATES JUNE 2019

UK HEADLINE SHOW ADDED

The legendary American rock band TESLA released their new studio album, SHOCK, worldwide on March 8 2019 via UMe. The album is available on CD, digital, black vinyl, and limited edition translucent blue vinyl formats. Produced and co-written by Phil Collen (Def Leppard), SHOCK is TESLA’s eighth studio album. TESLA is actively touring across North America, Europe, and elsewhere around the globe throughout 2019, including a performance at the UK iconic Download Festival.

Order SHOCK and check out the album’s lead single, “Shock”: Here

One of the world’s most celebrated and enduring rock bands with a diehard, loyal fanbase, TESLA has enjoyed international chart, radio, and tour success for nearly 35 years, with global album sales topping 15 million.

That they are still roaring and soaring should be no surprise. That’s just how they are built. TESLA may have been born in the mid ‘80s eruption of leather, spandex and big hair, but this band has never been about those things. Their bluesy, soulful sound is strongly embedded in the roots of organic, authentic 1970s rock and roll. The same roots that produced bands like the Allman Brothers, Grand Funk Railroad, AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Aerosmith.

TESLA’s legacy is alive and well as they continue to record and sellout venues all over the world. As worn in and comfortable as your favorite pair of jeans, as tough and dependable as your coolest leather jacket, TESLA endures because they are a celebration of the greatest spirits of rock and roll.

TESLA play worldwide throughout 2019. The band have a series of European dates in June 2019. The band have just added a UK headline date to their existing June 2019 tour. Details below

Fri 14thJune 2019                             Download Festival, Donington UK
Sun 16thJune 2019                           O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London UK
Wed 19thJune 2019                          Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg GERMANY headline
Thurs 20thJune 2019                       Rock The Ring Festival, Hinwil SWITZERLAND
Sat 22ndJune 2019                            Azkena Festival, Vitoria SPAIN
Sun 23rdJune 2019                           Hellfest Festival, Clisson FRANCE

For Shepherds Bush Empire date tickets are onsale Thursday 28thMarch 2019 at 9am GMT HERE

For all dates visit Here

TESLA is always ready to rock, and they invite everyone to join them with SHOCK.

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TESLA is:
Brian Wheat – Bass / Keyboards / Piano / Backing Vocals
Frank Hannon – Guitars / Backing Vocals
Jeff Keith – Lead Vocals
Troy Luccketta – Drums / Percussion
Dave Rude – Guitar / Backing Vocals

Los Angeles, CA (23rd April 2019) – “People are going to herald this as one of the best albums of the year.” That’s what SiriusXM radio host Larry Flick said about TENDERNESS, the upcoming solo album from Guns N’ Roses Duff McKagan. “This is Americana-Duff McKagan,” says Flick. “It’s not what you expect.”

 

Produced by (and featuring) recent Grammy winner Shooter Jennings, TENDERNESS (UME) is released on the 31st May 2019. McKagan is giving fans another sneak peek at the much-anticipated record with the release of its closing track, “Don’t Look Behind You” – click HERE to listen.

 

“’Don’t Look Behind You’ was truly inspired by a sense of peace that washed over me after a few months of turning off the TV and social media,” says McKagan. “It was also inspired by the sense of real community I felt while traveling and talking to people around the world on tour during this somewhat tenuous time. This period of sturm und drang will indeed pass. The song seemed to be the final summation that rang loudly from the topics on Tenderness.”

 

“The recording sessions for this album also saw us re-assemble, for the first time since the Use Your Illusion recordings, The Suicide Horn Section, featuring my brother Matt McKagan on trombone, the great Chuck Findlay on trumpet, and the impossible Brian Scanlon on sax,” he adds. “On the very last day of recording, they came down to the studio and laid down the amazing horn lines for ‘Don’t Look Behind You.’ I’ll never forget the culmination of Matt and The Suicide Horns mixed with the Waters singing group sending this song and album out, as Shooter and I just watched it all with goosebumps.”

 

“Don’t Look Behind You” follows previously released songs “Chip Away” and title track “Tenderness” and all three are available as instant downloads by clicking HERE to pre-order TENDERNESS ahead of its 31st May release.

 

TENDERNESS sees McKagan reflecting on his experiences traveling the globe over two and a half years on Guns N’ Roses’  Not In This Lifetime tour.  Encountering heartbreak, anger, fear, confusion and divide on his travels during this tumultuous time in our world history, McKagan channeled a collective hurt into songs of monolithic power.

 

“We’re becoming divided at a time when we need each other most,” says McKagan. “When huge industries get replaced because of modernization, it’s time to retrain and bolster up those who get swept aside. Homelessness and drug addiction are avoidable in this country if we come together and get private and public cogs turning together in a positive direction. We can at least try to tackle mental illness while we’re at it. But alas, we stump and lie, point fingers and divide. We’re way better than this.”

 

With that in mind, McKagan has created a campaign that puts the album’s themes into action and he’s inviting fans to join him in an effort to give support to organizations doing great work. Those include Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission320 Changes Direction, and To Write Love on Her Arms, among others. For more information, please visit propeller.la/duff.

 

McKagan, backed by Shooter Jennings and his band, will be taking these songs on the road for a North American tour that kicks off on 30th May at TLA in Philadelphia. Announced today is a full European tour, below in red, that begins on the 22nd August in Poland. Tour dates are as follows:

DUFF McKAGAN

FEAT. SHOOTER JENNINGS

 

Thursday 30th May 2019​​TLA, Philadelphia, PA USA

Friday 31st May 2019​​​City Winery, Washington, DC USA

Saturday 1st June 2019​​City Winery, Boston, MA USA

Monday 3rd June 2019​​Irving Plaza, New York, NY

Thursday 6th June 2019​​Thalia Hall, Chicago, IL USA

Saturday 8th June 2019​​Cannery Ballroom, Nashville, TN USA

Monday 10th June 2019​​Historic Scoot Inn, Austin, TX USA

Thursday 13th June 2019​​El Rey, Los Angeles, CA USA

Friday 14th June 2019​​​Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA USA

Saturday 15th June 2019​​Aladdin Theater, Portland, OR USA

Sunday 16th June 2019​​Showbox Presents, Seattle, WA USA

Thursday 22nd August 2019​​Stodola, Warsaw POLAND

Friday 23rd August 2019​​Astra, Berlin GERMANY

Saturday 24th August 2019​​Blue Moon Festival, Amsterdam HOLLAND

Monday 26th August 2019​​Gloria, Cologne GERMANY

Tuesday 27th August 2019​​Alte Feurwache, Mannheim GERMANY

Thursday 29th August 2019​​Islington Assembly Hall, London UK

Saturday 31st August 2019​​Electric Picnic Festival, Dublin EIRE

Sunday 1st September 2019​​Manchester Academy 3, Manchester UK

Tuesday 3rd September 2019​​Le Trabendo, Paris FRANCE

Wednesday 4th September 2019​Ancienne Belgique, Brussels BELGIUM

Friday 6th September 2019​​Dynamo, Zurich SWITZERLAND

Sunday 8th September 2019​​Santeria Club, Milan ITALY

 

European headline dates go onsale at 9am GMT Friday 26thApril 2019.

For tickets please see www.livenation.co.uk

 

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Heavy as a sledgehammer but with plenty of melodies to help digest all that groove.  This Swiss trio sound like a dozen bandmembers as they lay waste to your speakers with a riff – after – riff after motherfuckin riff. sure there are times when they’re going for it they sound like their influences ‘South Is The new west’ has shades of the Soundgarden’s and sludgy Audioslave for sure as the band build the song around a ridiculously heavy fuzzy riff.  If your listening to Jimmy Page and maybe some RATM then sure why wouldn’t it come out in your songs? ‘Golgotha Beach’ being a good example and case in point.

 

One of the good things is ‘Hey Satan’ keep it short and don’t dwell on a riff or elongate a song for the sake of it whilst they whig out. that’s important to me if you like the short sharp shock and aren’t impressed with guitar noodling anyway.  The growling Therapy meets Lemmy meets ‘Show Me Your Teeth Fucker!’ is excellent and as they turn the amps up they also soup up the engine and go for it.  There’s also a bit of Rollins band here maybe in attitude at times whilst the Zepplin influenced ‘Prayers Are For Cowards’ is a side step rather than a progression Before the band take this record home the title track is a heavy stoner groove and closing the album is the longest song on the record clocking in at a shade over four minutes – its a catchy groove that climbs and falls nicely and rounds of a really impressive record.  Not something I was expecting when I read the Zepplin and RATM references. but don’t always believe what you read (unless it’s on RPM of course)  Something for the weekend sir? turn it up tune in and drop out these Riffs are gonna get you.

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Author: Dom Daley

Everybody loves a compilation album, don’t they?  Even if its a taster that’ll put you on notice to never buy a Ted Nugent record ever after hearing Axe Attack as a kid.

When you hear some band from a far off land pre-internet and then have to go on a ten-year hunt to find that record that was only released in Australia we’ve all been there haven’t we?  Well in 2019 and with all the playlists under the sun I find myself getting quite excited with the release of a couple of compilation albums and The Last Testament is one of those records that has some bands I’m familiar with and some I’m not which has me intrigued and rather like my ten-year-old self quite excited at the prospect of maybe discovering my new favourite band.

I did chuckle to myself when I read the press sheet and it asked the questions are you fed up of wimpy kids with effects pedals?  Uh, Yes!  Do you like hard drugs and cannibalism?  Um, not really but I’m listening. and then do you want to punch a cop in the face? Fuckin’ Hell yeah!  How about six bands two songs each spread out over roughly twenty-five minute?  Not going to tax even the most easily distracted hipster.  If I were to inform you that the six bands were Black Mambas, the Cavemen, The Scaners, The Fadeaways, Les Lullies and Nave Nodriza. Now you’re interested!

Those Black Mambas are ‘Up All Night’ shaking their shit like its the last night on earth and they’re the house band.  Catchy and punchy as fuck Man I love Black Mambas. The Cavemen play fast live faster and get to the end of the tune fastest.  Its garage punk it’s lightning fast and it’s a fuckin’ banger if you know the band you know what to expect its a chaotic one and a half minutes that’s barely hanging on to reality let alone any sanity ‘My Baby Knows’ is a killer! the Scaners start off like a cold vintage car before igniting the jet engine and away we go.

The Fadeaways do slow it down on ‘I’m Useless’ with a groovy slice of garage rock n roll before Les Lullies turn the amps right up and slam out some rapid rock and roll like a cross between Sonny Vincent and Chuck Berry there are some awesome guitar licks in there and one of the best tracks on offer on this collection.  I’ve been blown away by Les Lullies and what I’ve heard so far.  Side one is closed with Nava Nodriza with ‘Destruyete’ that’s like Captin sensible joined Motorhead and just Destroyed it.  That’s side one shut down then now to flip it and see what’s cooking on the dark side.

Well, more of the same from the same bands (no surprise there then) What you do get is another six excellent tunes.  If I were to pick a winner it might go to Black Mambas for their Cramps meets Quo meets Stray Cats amped up rock n roll ‘Baby I’ll Give It To You’ which is just superb.  Dirty Water has released some fantastic records over the years and introduced some awesome bands that have lightened up a special corner of my life and no doubt countless others.  Compilation albums like this can only be a good thing no make that a great thing.  Check it out then check out the individual bands and we’re all winners.  Brilliant – loud – wild rock and roll just how I like it!

 

RPM was contacted by Razorbats as they had a brand new video and single hitting the streets and asked if we’d like to launch the video.  Of course, when they asked the only questions we had was when can we have it and how can we help you? Our favourite Norweigan band has released ‘The City’ via digital platforms and as a split 7″ with The Sick Things from Canada –  it’ll come out via Gods Candy in North America and the bands Norweigan label Rob Mules Records in Europe. UK fans can expect Glunk Records to carry copies as soon as they become available. As Well as reviewing the single in the 45 rpm round up here’s yesterday we can now exclusively reveal the video…  Fanfare please.  Ladies and Gentlemen, we give you the excellent Razorbats and their brand new video for ‘The City’

 

From April through June the band will tour in support of the release, with a bunch of club gigs and festivals including the Call of the Wild festival in England with The Wildhearts/The Virginmarys/Hardcore Superstar and Odal Rockfestival with The Dead Boys/Nashville Pussy/Sator.

Razorbats: homepage
Razorbats: Facebook

As it was the old mans Birthday yesterday we thought this special Easter Monday Should be a three from one and not perhaps his most obvious performances either.  Firstly it’s

his guest vocal on ‘Punkrocker’ by Teddybears

Next up is a video for the awesome ‘Five Foot One’ and a video that just doesn’t get made anymore with Iggy looking like a Geography Teacher well for part of the video anyway.

Finally, an excellent song he collaborated on with Peaches.  Take it away the odd couple…

 

As a lover of all things punk’n’roll I couldn’t wait to listen to the brand new album from Swedish band “Demons”.

“Demons” are built around the songwriting genius of Mathias *Hep Cat Matt* Carlsson guitars/vocals and have been around for over 20 years and have never released anything short of quality music.

New album “Kiss Off” not only carries on with the quality stakes but in my opinion is “Demons” best album and also a contender for the title of album of the year.

The album kicks off with the track “Baphomet Briefs” and the listener is instantly caught with a great guitar riff, driving bass and crashing drums. Mathias’s vocals are spot on and the song is an instant earworm.

To follow up such a great opener is no easy job but “Mojo Rojo” a song the band has been keen to promote prior to this being released to give people a taster of what’s to come will give you the answer and its a positive, of course they can follow it by just writing another great tune. It’s another fast-paced track which hooks the listener in even more to what’s promising to be such a strong album.

“Bad Neighbourhood” has a slightly punkier edge with a great chanting chorus. This was released as a single so should be familiar with many. “Kids are gonna cry” starts off at a slightly slower pace but soon picks up speed and has a killer guitar solo in the middle of what can only be described as anthemic or maybe triumphant as we can all throw our fist in the air behind that chorus.

“Standing in for joy” sounds like a band that loves what it does as does “Hold sway” follows and these two tracks keep the album flowing at such high quality the addition of a swirling organ layered in the background is a great addition.

“Street corner of no return” is a great sing-along track which gets in the listener’s brain upon first listen. From the rumbling bass through the drum roll that drives the song on it has touches of old school punk rock n roll in it’s Slade like verses that lead towards the hook on the chorus -great stuff.

As the album sails gloriously into the second half ‘Hemisexual’ has some neat 12-bar and those gang vocals!  Mean Street Beat’ begins with a really crisp riff and you have to love the keyboards running with the melody into the chorus “Demons” have really hit the jackpot with this one.

“Blackhearted pearl of a girl” is another top-notch chunk of punk’n’roll – A  tune which picks up the pace as the track progresses and builds and builds.

“Keep on doing it wrong ( ‘til you’re getting it right)” closes out this great album on another high. It’s a great foot stomper which gets you humming along and goes out with a clap of thunderous Rock n Roll rather than a whimper or throwing in a slow ballad they go out as they came in.

It’s hard to put into words how great this album really is as it is quality from start to finish, and every tune on here is a sure-fire winner. Even after the first play, there is a feeling that something really cool is happening and you’ve just heard a most excellent record. Make no mistake about that.

Thanks “Demons” for such a great album. I can’t write anymore as I’m off to play this bad boy again and again and again.

Author: Gareth ‘Hotshot’ Hooper

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“Demons” Matt interview: Here

Stephen Peter Marriott born 30 January 1947 passed away on 20 April 1991 at his home after a fire thought to have been caused from a discarded cigarette, the fire swept through his 16th Century home in Essex Marriott never survived the tragic accident.

Known for fronting not just one legendary band but two – The Small Faces and later Humble Pie.

Marriott was a born and bred A proper East London boy. Spending his formative years in East Ham Pie and mash, Jellied Eels, and Tate & Lyle ran through his veins this Mod was a walking talking cliche of the finest kind.  As a singer and songwriter Marriott will be remembered for writing some of the brightest songs of the ’60s and the British invasion songs that still resonate today and sound as fresh as the day they were written.  Songs like ‘All Or Nothing’, ‘Tin Soldiers’, ‘Itchycoo Park’ and ‘Lazy Sunday’ are iconic Mod classics In September 2007 Marriott, along with the other members of the Small Faces and manager Don Arden, were honoured with a plaque unveiled in Carnaby Street, on the site of Don Arden’s offices, the spiritual home of the band in the 1960s

His influence can be traced through music as the batton was handed down as the likes of Cock Sparrer, The Sex Pistols, The Jam, The Dogs D’Amour, and Oasis all took something from his songs and used his influence. there isn’t enough space to do someone like Marriott justice and get everything in.  He certainly lived a colourful life with several marriages hit after hit could turn his hand to anything he even had his brushes with New York crime families had it all lost it all and lived life to the full.  Rest In Peace Steve certainly worthy of being called a legend a word often overused and people not worthy Marriott certainly was.

 

It’s been a while but the 45 RPM fun bag has been opened and a new bunch of records fell out.  As is the case these days not all singles come out pressed on 7″ pieces of plastic some just drop out of the sky via the interweb on streaming services and some in the form of the video single.  Well worry not RPM has a varied bag of singles for you this April some your traditional 45 (hooray) others via video so dig in and check out what has been tickling our fancy at RPM HQ.

 

Christmas / The Skinny Millionaires – Split 7(LSD)

Buy Split Here

Only 250 copies of this split pressed it sees Christmas, doing their version of GG Allin’s ‘Don’t Talk To Me’. the band claimed to have seen  GG Allin as a big influence to the band, with this being their favourite track so a no brainer to be fair.

‘Negotiations Didn’t Go So Well’ The Skinny Millionaires, Rhode Island residents release their first track in five years. Singer Miky Millionaire might be a familiar face for many people. He plays the guitar in The Turbo A.C.’s as well. The fact these tunes are so different works well. A class split and one we’re delighted to include at the top of our roundup and cool that after Christmas and turbo AC’s have split a 7″ before its a cool introduction to the Skinny Millionaires. Two top tunes

Razorbats / the Sick Things (Gods Candy Records and Rob Mules Records). ‘The City’ is the lead track from this most excellent split single featuring two really exciting bands currently writing really strong material one from Norway and the other Canada but both singing off the same rock and roll hymn sheet. With a thumping Bassline and some 80’s inspired riff-a-rama Razorbats are on fire.  With a settled line up the band release these two songs before tipping up at a couple of great festivals you can expect a great hook and catchy chorus which is the staple of Razorbats work.  It sounds like you’ve been listening to these songs for years but you haven’t of course.  However, I love the riff of ‘Summer OF Head’ it’s got a bunch of Stiv Bator meets cheap trick and who doesn’t love those teenage lyrics complete with gang vocals.  A big winner in my book and a real feelgood song.  Buy it and let some sunshine into your life because Razorbats are like a big ball of blazing sunshine and songs this good make me feel all warm and happy. Go to the band’s Facebook page to find out how you can get your hands on a copy before their live shows so you can sing along. Facebook

D-A-D ‘Burning Star’ (AFM Records) Next up is a new song released from Denmarks favorite hard-rockin’ sons D-A-D.  It’s their first new music in eight years and a spikey angry tune it is too as you can hear from the youtube clip. Facebook

 

The Briefs – I Hate The World (Damaged Goods Records) A new album and new single released the same day makes for one hell of a good day in my house and picking up this one was a no brainer.  So the A side is the second single from the brand new album ‘Platinum Rats’ its a short sharp slab of Briefs punk rock.  It’s catchy with a great hook and gang vocals a chorus a child could remember what’s not to like?  The louder the better as well. the B Side features another new song ‘Lonely Satellite’ which makes you wonder how the hell this slipped off the album and onto a B Side which is another reason to pick this up.  ITs a must have single – it’s The Briefs for Gawd’s sake! Facebook

 

Iggy Pop – The Villagers (Caroline International) A really curious RSd single this one.  Taken from ‘Zombie Birdhouse’ this Chris Stein produced pair of songs is pressed on a green vinyl sees a previously unreleased version of ‘Pain And Suffering on the B Side which made it a must-have for RSD for us Iggy Completists.  The B side also features Steins Fellow Blondie bandmember Debbie Harry on backing vocals which incidentally isn’t the first time they’ve sung together on record.  they dueted on ‘Did You Evah!’.  If you can pick up a copy of this for its original price then do so it’s from an underrated album as well.  and for no other reason than its Iggy fuckin’ Pop. Pain & Suffering did, however, get released on the two-disc 2003 CD of ‘Zombie Birdhouse’ a little fact for all you fact geeks there.

 

 

 

Press Club – Get Better (Hassle Records) Australian rockers Press Club unleash new track before heading to this side of the globe to entertain Europe and the UK with their Guitar based alternative post-punk songs.  Having released their debut album in January this is a new track written and recorded by the band in their own studio in Melbourne.  Natalie Foster has a great voice full of passion and paints great images with her delivery and energy.   Facebook 

 

Ming City Rockers – Lolli Popper (Mad Monkey Records) Whatever happened to Ming City Rockers you might well ask yourselves they seemed to have the world on a string then they went to the US of A to record with Steve Albini and then it seemed to go a bit tits up and they sort of went away for a while.  Changed bass player then changed again and then we arrived here.  An Instagram campaign of weird messages than a single then some canceled shows then this a RSD single called ‘Lolli Popper’.  I missed ’em, I thought ‘Lemon’ was good and this is a lot rawer with a guitar sound that’s like sandpaper on the speakers its the first glimpse into the new album that should be along any time soon (i Hope)

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Where We Sleep – Experiments In The Dark (Self Release) Five track EP From the ashes of London’s beloved indie rock outfit BLINDNESS comes WHERE WE SLEEP. Vocalist-guitarist BETH RETTIG is at the helm with a rotating cast of guest musicians. The debut EP ‘Experiments in the Dark’ does feature a guest appearance by DEBBIE SMITH (Curve, Echobelly, SPC ECO and Snowpony with My Bloody Valentine’s Debbie Googe and Moonshake’s Katharine Gifford). BEN PRITCHARD (The Fall, Manc Floyd) also contributes, as does AXEL RAY (United Ghosts, The Black Windmill, Cadet A), the latter spinning gorgeous lead guitar on the first single ‘The Desert’. Sure there are elements of Garbage in the smooth production and arrangments as well as a shade of Polly Harvey in the vocal delivery but its engaging and enjoyable as the video for the lead track the Desert will testify. It’s dark atmospheric and engaging – Check it out Facebook

Plague Vendor – All Of The Above (Epitaph Records) The second taste from their upcoming new album ‘By Night’. The brooding track is an internal monologue that’s disintegrating over a sci-fi punk drumbeat or something like that. Bla Bla Bla goes the press blurb but I’d rather just listen and make my own mind up.

It can’t always be crash band wallop, can it? No, which is why we like to venture out into the big wide world of alternative music and see what’s happening.  The new record is out early June and this is the second taster from it.  It might not be as instant as ‘New Comedown’ but it’s got some 80’s Bowie going on and that’s never a bad thing. Plague Vendor might just have one of the best names in music at the moment and by the look and sound of it they have one hell of an album up their sleeve as well. Facebook

We Are Interview – ‘Chicago’ (Self Release) Swiss rockers release a new single on digital platforms.  The band plays impressive garage rock with inspiration from the likes of QOTSA and Foo Fighters as well with its wall of guitars ‘Chicago’ follows on from the impressive ‘Thunder Cry’. The track was released on an EP entitled ‘Monster Monster’ which features five tracks all entitled after cities around the world that came out last year. The track has a bit of Sabbath happening in the riff and the ebb and flow is excellent and for only a few Swiss francs whats to lose?  check em out here 

 

 

 

To shut up this shop of 45’s we have to draw the line somewhere so it might as well be with an absolute banger in the shape of Cheap Gunslingers and their ‘Good Times’…

Cheap Gunslinger – ‘Good Times’ (Rum Bar Records) ITs a fantastic slice of new wave rock and roll with loud guitars a fantastic melody not too dissimilar from The Boys with backing vocals like the good old days of 45’s when bands wrote songs to get in the charts and made em catchy and with some swing and a lot of punch.  Cheap Gunslingers have all of that and more and if the rest of their album is half as good as this then bring it on it’s going to be amazing but then its no surprise as Rum Bar can’t put a foot wrong and have their finger on the pulse of good time rock and roll! ooh, and did I mention this one is for free! so you have nothing to lose go fill yer boots at the link –Rum Bar: Free Track

 

So until next time keep spinning those 45’s – watching the videos – downloading the tunes and keep supporting the bands who make the music otherwise there won’t be any music.