The OhNos – ‘Waving From Hades’ (Beluga Records)

The OhNos – ‘Waving From Hades’ (Beluga Records)

Malmö is the place The OhNos are the band. 2017 was when they released their first album ‘Sounds From The Basement’ after they dipped their collective toes in the murky pool of shark-infested Rock n Roll waters that we know and love. you might be forgiven for thinking (such is their confident swagger) that they’ve been at this pop-punk lark for a lot longer. Signing to Beluga Records is most definitely a seal of quality and points to the fact they don’t sign and release rubbish records so be safe in the knowledge ‘Waving From Hades’ is well worth getting your mitts on.

The album struts into life with the title track and easy to see why it was picked for a video, with its catchy hook and familiar-sounding melody. It’s catchy and will ease you into this album like a ray of early morning sunshine but be careful it might get darker. And so it turns down an altogether more punchy alley with ‘Final Call’. Rattling out of the speakers with fists windmilling and some great thrashing guitars raining down on you, it’s always a beautiful thing.

‘Trouble On Legs’ has got swagger and some fierce Backing Vocals. Once the ‘Light’ gets going it’s a swirling mass of snare drum and guitars being rinsing within an inch of their life. Narrowly avoiding chaos.

‘Message’ has shades of PJ Harvey which is never a bad place to find yourself oh and I love those BV’s. ‘Kiss The Boots’ has the tone of prime-time Steve Diggle and is easy to see why it was picked to be a single, Damn, you pick anything off this record there are so many great tunes at every turn. There is some great arrangement going on on ‘Desert Dreams’ which ebbs and flows really well.

‘Tommy Gun’ (no not a cover) has a great melody and guitar lick that gets inside your ear and burrows into your brain, complete with groovy breakdown before heading down the pop-punk route. Before they sign off they offer up ‘Stop’ with its punchy verse juddering towards the chorus. They then sign off with a big grinding ‘NGBG’ like Sonic Youth covering some T Rex. ‘NGBG’ (as far as I know) is a Swedish street festival native to Malmö. All in all an excellent album with variety, attitude, great arrangements, and an album that most certainly rocks but with an eye on the pop and being able to carry all that off with consummate ease. Check this album out!

Buy Here

Facebook

Author: Dom Daley

The Virginmarys – Hit The Road

The Virginmarys – Hit The Road

 ‘THE DEVIL KEEPS COMING TOUR’ IS ROLLING TO TOWN IN OCTOBER 2022!!!!!!!

After a successful support slot on the recent Ricky Warwick tour around the UK, The Virginmarys announce a bunch of headline shows for October

Dates & Tickets Here

Geoff Tate – Patti Pavilion, Swansea (08 05 22)

Geoff Tate – Patti Pavilion, Swansea (08 05 22)

Swansea on a beautiful sunny May evening is a great place to be. The historic Patti Pavilion is where I was heading to see the legendary Geoff Tate perform not just Queensryche’s 1986 album Rage For Order in its entirety, but also their most successful album, 1990s Empire. Much has been said over recent years regarding the seemingly never-ending drama regarding Queensryche and ex-members. It does seem, however, that Tate has settled into his stride with his current band and is more than happy to be a legacy act. The number of punters wandering around wearing Queensryche T-shirts gives you a good idea of the demographic here tonight.

Before we get to the main event, we had a short but impressive set from openers Mark Daly & the Ravens. Mixing up a blend of southern rock with some Alice In Chains tinged tunes, Daly puts in an energetic performance. The sparse but appreciative audience thoroughly enjoys what they see and hear. Definitely, someone to keep an eye on.

By the time we are presented with Tate’s entrance, the room fills up considerably and there is an air of anticipation. I’ve been checking out some YouTube videos of recent performances and it seemed like Tate has been firing on all cylinders vocally. Taking to the stage with the classic ‘Walk In the Shadows’, when Tate strolls casually up to the microphone and nails that initial scream, everyone in attendance goes nuts. Snazzily dressed and looking the picture of health, Tate has the audience in the palm of his hand from the get-go. The band works their way through Rage For Order’s tracks and there is only a noticeable lull from the audience when lesser-known songs such as Neue Regel and London are being played. A fantastic rendition of ‘I Will Remember’ closes the first act with style.

After an extended break, the band returns to the stage while the intro to ‘Best I Can’ blasts through the PA. Rapturous applause from the crowd pushes the energy of the band and yet again, Tate is nailing it. For a man in his sixties to be singing this well is no mean feat. Tate gets his saxophone out for ‘The Thin Line’ and the band seems to be having the time of their lives. Scottish guitarist Kieran Robertson gets a great reaction from the crowd every time he sticks his tongue out and nails his parts with gusto. Crowd favourite ‘Jet City Woman’ goes down a storm as does ‘Another Rainy Night’ and ‘Empire’ in its full-blown glory.  The sound mix tends to be a little muddy in places and drummer Daniel Laverde is obviously a very capable and talented drummer, but as a drummer myself I don’t like the fact that Daniel is using electronic drums. They just look naff, Queensryche’s original drummer Scott Rockenfield was renowned for the huge drum kits that he used, and it just doesn’t work visually for me in a hard rock/metal setting. Just my opinion of course.

‘Silent Lucidity’ sounds amazing as always. You forget how great that song is and looking around at the crowd singing every word is goosebump enticing. Tate is a master at keeping everyone in attendance entertained, even his anecdote about having to go grocery shopping for the first time in his life due to Covid canceling all his tour plans is very funny. After ‘Anybody Listening?’ the band leaves the stage to more rabid applause, shouts, and screams for more. They return for an encore of ‘Last Time in Paris’ and ‘Take Hold of the Flame’. The band has played for around two and a half hours, Tate is certainly giving his loyal fan base value for money. He is happy to press the flesh with the many fans who are front of stage trying to get a reaction from their hero. He seems genuinely over the moon to back out playing live.

The voice is well and truly alive and well. Go and see Geoff Tate if you get the chance, you won’t be disappointed, but you will be thoroughly entertained.

Author: Kenny Kendrick

Billy Idol – Rescheduled UK Tour 2022

Billy Idol – Rescheduled UK Tour 2022

THE ROADSIDE TOUR 2022 

WITH VERY SPECIAL GUESTS 

TELEVISION 

12th May 2022:  The world’s favourite rebel Billy Idol has rescheduled The Roadside Tour 2022 with new dates now set for October 2022. All existing tickets are still valid for the revised dates.  

Says Billy Idol: “As many of you know, this year has dealt me some health challenges which are nearly, but not quite resolved. While my recovery is almost complete, I have been given doctor’s orders to stay off the road until August – and so it is with great frustration that we must reschedule the UK Tour for October of this year. Thank you for everyone’s understanding and support. These shows will be worth the wait!” 

Billy will come to the UK with new music and a stack of timeless classics. For his first appearances in the UK since 2018, Billy will play 6 Arena shows with the rescheduled dates listed below.  

Supporting Billy Idol, and replacing The Go-Go’s on the original dates, are very special guests Television including original frontman Tom Verlaine. 

Says Billy Idol: “Sadly, The Go-Go’s are no longer able to join us. I am thrilled to share that now opening all UK shows will be Television, one of my favourite bands from the original New York punk scene and an inspiration to me throughout my career. I will be honoured to share the stage with them and hope everyone will come early to enjoy their set!” 

The global lockdown of 2020 gave Billy time to reflect and thoughts turned to his near-fatal motorcycle accident of 1990, how he dealt with it and how it related to the current crisis. “It seemed quite logical and natural to write something about my motorcycle accident,” he says. “I may have been saying, well, this is what people go through when they are in trouble. I think I was unconsciously making that connection. 

“Certainly, the motorcycle accident was the catharsis, the wake-up moment. A little bit of me got left by the side of that road. Maybe I left behind the irreverent, youthful Billy and opened the door for a more attentive father and more sensitive musician. Something did get left by the roadside, but it was not necessarily a bad thing in the end.” 

Billy’s reflections are captured in the lyrics of Bitter Taste, one of four tracks on his 2021 EP The Roadside, which was his first new music for seven years and as hard-hitting and relevant as ever. 

Billy’s touring band features his long-time guitarist and collaborator Steve Stevens along with Stephen McGrath (bass, backing vocals), Billy Morrison (guitar, backing vocals), Paul Trudeau (keyboards, backing vocals) and drummer Erik Eldenius. 

Billy Idol The Roadside Tour 2022 dates: 

Thursday 13 October Manchester AO Arena 

Monday 17 October Cardiff Motorpoint Arena  

Wednesday 19 October London OVO Arena, Wembley 

Friday 21 October Glasgow OVO Hydro  

Sunday 23 October Birmingham Resorts World Arena 

Tuesday 25 October Leeds First Direct Arena 

Tickets for The Roadside Tour 2022 can be purchased from www.aegpresents.co.uk/billy-idol.  

Twitter – @BillyIdol – Facebook – BillyIdol – Instagram – @billyidol
Facebook – Television Official – Instagram – television__band

The Fuzztones – ‘Encore’ (Cleopatra Records)

The Fuzztones – ‘Encore’ (Cleopatra Records)

After the last studio album from The Fuzztones paid homage to the scene in NYC that they crawled out of it seems right that Rudi and the gang tie up all the loose ends with this rather fine collection of odds and sods fittingly entitled ‘Encore’ The Fuzztones offer up no faux retirements or fake goodbyes much like the Ramones did their adios amigos and they were gone. Let’s just take a short pause from 2020’s ‘NYC’ and then get the fuck out of dodge leaving a whiff of dry ice and an ear full of top tunes. A little something extra for those who stuck by the band for the long haul so to speak. Rudi Protrudi has gathered the gang for one last wheeze of that organ and damn the fuzzed-up tones have only brought the cowbell for added groove and included Iggy for good measure. What’s not to love here folks? Exactly.

Cover versions of obscure gems such as ‘Land Of Nod’ by Rare Earth, ‘Plastic People’ by late ’60s psych-rockers The Wildwood. The shimmering cymbal clash of ‘Marble Hall’ with its cathedral-like backing vocals. But don’t think that The Fuzztones can’t still rock out when they need to as ‘Eyes In The Back Of My Head’ testifies. It also features special guest appearances by Steve Mackay of The Stooges and Wally Waller of The Pretty Things for weight and added authenticity.

The closing track is a natty ‘Santa Clause’ before the Fuzz pedal is put away and the record groove loops out. I hope Gene and Paul have a word with Rudi and the gang and can find it in themselves to not stop and retire because it’ll be a sad day when I don’t get to spin a new Fuzztones record a band I’ve listened to and loved since I saw them support the Damned in the mid-80s. If it is that last refrain from these NYC legends then take a bow and lap up the applause which is thoroughly deserved. ‘Encore’ a fitting a worthy bow right there. Great stuff!

Buy Here

Doe St – ‘Doe St’ (Legless Records)

Doe St – ‘Doe St’ (Legless Records)

Australia has always delivered great bands but over the past half-decade or so, it’s been delivering by the bucket load. Some of the finest alternative bands and records anywhere in this spinning rock we inhabit.

From old school rockers like AC/DC to proto-punk legends like Radio Birdman or The Saints to relative newcomers like Amyl & The Sniffers, The Chats or Legends like The New Christs, Hard-Ons, The Living end, and The Cosmic Psychos to modern-day (Comparative) newcomers who are carving out rave reviews with us like Civic and Clowns (*By no means an exhaustive list mind – further proof of how rich the current talent is down under) One of the best we’ve covered would have to be Stiff Richards. Well, whilst we wait for the new Stiff Richards long-player how about Doe St, a name you can add to this impressive and illustrious list of artists. Doe St consists of ‘Tom Duell’ from Peninsula-based blues-rockers ‘BLEACH’ is on Lead Vocals / Guitar, ‘Sharni Paris’ on Guitar / Vocals / Harp.‘Mawson’ (STIFF RICHARDS) on bass & finally ‘Kalani Vozzo’ on drums.

‘Doe St’ is an eclectic mix of alternative music not particularly Australian punk rock nor is it indie but if you were to throw Lemonheads into a mixer with a lot of the bands mentioned we might be getting towards the sound that makes up Doe st.

It’s an eclectic mix but there is a flow to the music and the arrangments are sometimes brilliant ‘Pandanus’ being catchy and laid back and incorporating some harmonica and a choppy riff to cultivate an absolute banger!

Recorded during the pandemic (what wasn’t these days) this record holds seven tunes ranging from the uptempo opener ‘Race To 25’ with the spoken/narrated lyrics to the over-driven guitars to the chorus with a cool harmony vocal. ‘Ringing’ is laid back and widescreen in its appeal building into a great chorus (possibly a favourite on the album).

‘Noble Pride’ is somewhat dreamy in the picked guitar intro riffing on something of a Pavement tip if you’re looking for a loose reference point. Then to close the record off we are taken on a cinematic journey over six minutes long it’s an epic song and leaves you feeling positive and full of energy. Great song and a great record. ‘Doe St’ deserves your attention so don’t take my word for it get out there and live life and have this as the soundtrack.

Buy Here

The Atom Age/Pizzatramp – Newport, Le Pub – 4th May 2022

The Atom Age/Pizzatramp – Newport, Le Pub – 4th May 2022

Whilst this isn’t going to be the longest review I’ve ever penned (for reasons I’ll soon get into) I just had to get something down on (virtual) paper, simply because tonight is the reason that I still love going to see live bands so much.

Rewind a few weeks then, and completely out of the blue Fraser from Deathtraps/SLAB sends me a video clip of a band he’s discovered called The Atom Age asking if I’d go and see them when they play Newport, I play the song a couple of times, think it’s pretty decent but then I somehow forget about it. In fact, it’s only a few hours before doors tonight that I suddenly remember the gig is still very much happening and we then find ourselves having a proper old man stroll through Commercial St reminiscing about all the old shops we used to frequent (and in fact work in) as we make our way up to Le Pub handing over the King’s ransom of £7 to get in.

It’s at this point I do have to wonder where all those lockdown social media warriors are – you know the ones demanding they should be able to go see live bands when it really wasn’t safe to – yet now it is safe, they seem to be still in the house, on the internet. Ah well….

Thankfully any Bad News in Grantham style crowd worries are immediately waylaid though due to the fact that local crossover me(n)talists Pizzatramp are also on the bill and they bring with them not only the usual set of razor-sharp witted hardcore tunes, but also a very healthy number of fans who seemingly still can’t get enough of them. Me, it’s the first time I’ve seen them in quite some time, certainly since bassist Sam has left their ranks, and last-minute stand in bassist Rhys once again helps dig Jimbob and Dan out of the proverbial doo doo. Not that you would know it’s all last-minute mind. Not until Jimbob lets the cat out the bag straight after a frantic blast through ‘Millions Of Dead Goths’ early on. Admittedly there’s a Sam sized hole on the stage (as he’s stood behind me watching), and if you’ve grown up with the band from the ‘Two Quid/War Or Nothing’ days then you’re obviously going to notice that, but what the guys really need to do right now is to get someone like Rhys in fulltime and hopefully not lose any of the fantastic momentum they’ve gained so far. That task might have just got a whole lot harder to fulfil mind after Jimbob admits he actually likes the theme song to ‘In The Name Of The Father’ (tongue firmly placed in cheek) before the band close their set down with, what else but, ‘Bono’s A Cunt’. And that right there folks is why I will always love me a slice of live Pizzatramp.

And so, we come to the reason this review isn’t really that long. That’s because in spite of the fact that The Atom Age (all the way from Oakland California I might add) have recorded four albums since they formed back in 2009, I’ve heard the grand total of one song before they hit the stage, and that song they play straight off, so where I’d normally go track by track through a band’s set, this time I just think “fuck it – lets enjoy the racket”, and boy what a joyous racket it is. Imagine if you will a band drenched in the essence of Rocket From The Crypt, but with the odd hint of Dick Dale or The Cramps whilst also laying down some mighty fine Dirtbombs style rock n soul riffs flavoured with just the merest hint of Fuzztones psychedelia, and that brothers and sisters, is The Atom Age. 

The six piece deliver their set like they are headlining a packed arena not a pub with about 50 odd people in it, and dripping in sweat they also manage to get a well-deserved encore out of their newly acquired Newport fanbase….and this, this is what I meant right at the start of the review. This is what going to see live music is all about. I left with 2 LPs and a T-shirt and a huge smile on my face (and so did a fair few others). This is what live music is all about and The Atom Age are a band just waiting for you to discover. Get on it!!!!!  

Pizzatramp Facebook

The Atom Age Facebook

Author: Johnny Hayward

King’s X – sign with InsideOutMusic/Sony Music & complete work on first new album in 14 years

King’s X – sign with InsideOutMusic/Sony Music & complete work on first new album in 14 years

The legendary King’s X, comprised of dUg Pinnick, Ty Tabor & Jerry Gaskill, are pleased to announce they have signed with InsideOutMusic/Sony Music worldwide. They will be the label-home for the band’s forthcoming 13th studio album and first new music in 14 years, which has just been completed, the long-awaited new record will see the light of day on the 2nd of September 2022. 

The band comments:

“I feel like it’s been forever since we put out a new album, and I’m ready for the world to hear our latest offering, hopefully there’s a little bit of everything that you love about Kings X, three sides of one is the best way to describe it. The groove is with us!” – dUg Pinnick

 “It’s really gonna happen! The new record is coming out soon. I’m happy to be working with the team at InsideOut/Sony Music. I’m happy with the record. I’m happy everybody gets to hear it. It’s a happy day. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself. Hope you enjoy it!!!” – Jerry Gaskill

“I have a long-standing relationship with InsideOut and am so pleased that InsideOut/Sony is releasing the new King’s X album.”  – Ty Tabor

InsideOutMusic label-head Thomas Waber adds: “We have known the guys since forever and have been fans even before then. We are really looking forward to adding another album to their impressive legacy. Working on a King’s X album is always a highlight and an honour!”

The bands forthcoming new album saw them working with Emmy Award-winning engineer, mixer, and producer Michael Parnin (Rage Against the Machine, Mark Lanegan) at his Blacksound Studio in California. He comments: “I am very proud of the energy and work put into this album, especially of all the different vocal performances and varied musical influences mixed together as one. In true King’s X fashion, we had several obstacles to overcome, and it wasn’t easy but hopefully worth it to the amazing die-hard fans out there who have been waiting so patiently and to the new listeners hearing King’s X for the first time. It’s an honest labour of love that I am excited the world finally gets to hear.”

King’s X are set to return to stages in 2022, heading to Europe in September and returning to North America for more dates in October. Find the full list of shows below: 

Europe & UK

1st September – Backstage Halle, Munich, Germany

2nd September – Veruno Musica Festival, Veruno, Italy

3rd September – Old  Capitol, Langenthal, Switzerland

6th September – Hirsch, Nürnberg, Germany

7th September – Colos-Saal – Aschaffenburg, Germany

9th September – Boerderij, Zoetermeer, Netherlands

10th September – Fabrik, Hamburg, Germany

12th September – Spirit of 66, Verviers, Belgium

13th September – Kantine, Cologne, Germany

14th September – Le Forum, Vaureal (Paris), France

16th September – The Brook, Southampton, UK

17th September – Picturedrome, Holmfirth, UK

18th September – Wylam Brewery, Newcastle, UK

20th September – Garage, Glasgow, UK

22nd September – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, UK

23rd September – Junction, Cambridge, UK

24th September – KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton, UK

26th September – Islington Assembly Hall, London, UK

27th September – Academy 2, Manchester, UK

28th September – Tramshed, Cardiff, UK

30th September – Biebob, Vosselaar, Belgium

1st October – Hypothalamus, Rheine, Germany 

North America

28th July – Gramercy Theatre, NYC, NY, USA

29th July – Sellersville Theatre, Sellersville, PA, USA

19th October – Amos’ Southend, Charlotte, NC, USA

20th October – The Concourse, Knoxville, TN, USA

21st October – The Forum, Hazard, KY, USA

23rd October – Brooklyn Bowl, Nashville, TN, USA

25th October – The Howlin’ Wolf, New Orleans, LA, USA

27th October – Come and Take It Live, Austin, TX, USA

28th October – Trees, Dallas, TX, USA

29th October – Warehouse Live, Houston, TX, USA

Look out for more info on the new album in the coming months!

KING’S X online:

https://www.kingsxrocks.com/

https://www.facebook.com/KingsXofficial/

https://www.instagram.com/kingsxofficial/

INSIDEOUTMUSIC online:

www.insideoutmusic.com

www.youtube.com/InsideOutMusicTV

www.facebook.com/InsideOutMusic

www.twitter.com/insideouteu

Hard Times are coming!

Hard Times are coming!

Spaghetty Town Records / Surfin’ KI Records / Family Spree Recordings join forces to knock out some sleazy punk n roll. get an earful of this bad boy and get those pre-orders in.

What happens when members of well-known sleaze rock bands Suicide Generation, Sick Bags and Desperate Fün get together in a sweaty London warehouse out of covid lockdown boredom, they form Hard Times!  A mix of sleazy, heavy and obscure rock’n’roll  , put on vinyl, that despite months of delays is finally being released! 

Spaghetty Town Records, along with Surfin’ Ki (Italy) and Family Spree Recordings (Spain) are excited to bring you the debut release of “Little Satan” to North America and Europe. Also available on all major streaming/download sites.

The Mighty Headswim Return

The Mighty Headswim Return

Flood #Redux released October 7th, 2022

original line up reform for an intimate album launch show

 headswim.co.uk

Trapped Animal Records is proud to announce the return of 90’s legends Headswim, with a reissue of their seminal psych-grunge masterpiece, ‘Flood’, on October 7th.  Released on double vinyl and double CD, this deluxe re-issue will feature previously unreleased BBC sessions, studio B sides, and experiments by the band and their mad scientist friends on disc two! 


To celebrate the release, Headswim’s original lineup will be performing Flood in its entirety at The Camden Underworld on Friday, October 7th. This will be the Headswim’s first performance in over two decades!


“If you’d told me 28 years ago that in 2022 Headswim would be performing the entirety of their debut LP at The Camden Underworld, I’d have eaten my hat. Pass the salt.” exclaimed Clovis Taylor.


To pre-order Flood #Reduxon three different double vinyl formats, double CD and download go to  headswim.co.uk 

There are also bundles available and tickets for the Underworld.

We will be raising money for C.A.L.M – The Campaign Against Living Misery and donating 5% from the sales on headswim.co.uk to the charity. https://www.thecalmzone.net/