BOB MOULD Hits the UK & Ireland

BOB MOULD Hits the UK & Ireland

LISTEN BACK TO BOB IN SESSION FOR JOHN KENNEDY ON RADIO X HERE

NEW LIVE EP, THE OCEAN,
OUT NOW ON MERGE RECORDS

his eagerly anticipated Solo Electric: Distortion & Blue Hearts! Tour having previously taken the show on the road across the US and Canada earlier this year. Kicking off at Brighton‘s Concorde 2 on June 9th and running through July 1st at Whelan’s in Dublin, these dates are Mould’s first on this side of the pond since the release of both his critically acclaimed 2020 album Blue Hearts on Merge Records, as well as his solo career-encompassing Distortion boxset series, available now on Demon Music Group. Catch a show across Mould’s nearly month-long UK/Ireland residency and you can expect to hear solo takes on classics from across his beloved solo back catalogue, from his iconic time with Hüsker Dü and right through to Blue Hearts. Support on all dates comes from ascendant UK singer-songwriter Katie Malco.

Of the upcoming dates, Mould says: “I’m looking forward to the upcoming Solo Electric shows in the UK and Ireland. I’m excited to be performing songs from 2020’s Blue Hearts, as well as revisiting the prior 40 years of my songbook.” 

Ahead of his UK dates, Mould recently appeared in session on John Kennedy‘s Radio X show to perform a series of tracks from across his career: ‘Makes No Sense At All‘ (from Hüsker Dü’s 1985 LP Flip Your Wig), ‘Hoover Dam‘ (from Sugar‘s 1992 opus Copper Blue), ‘The Descent‘ (from his revelatory 2012 solo set Silver Age) and ‘The Ocean‘ (from Blue Hearts). Listen back to the session and interview in full here.

UK/IE tour dates:

June 9th | Brighton, UK – Concorde 2
June 10th | Ramsgate, UK – Ramsgate Music Hall SOLD OUT
June 12th | Birmingham, UK – The Mill
June 13th | Southampton, UK – Engine Rooms
June 14th | Oxford, UK – Oxford O2 Academy 2
June 16th | London, UK – Islington Assembly Hall
June 17th  Nottingham, UK – Rescue Rooms
June 18th | Stoke-on-Trent, UK – The Sugarmill
June 20th | Bristol, UK – Thekla
June 22nd | Glasgow, UK – Oran Mor SOLD OUT
June 23rd | Newcastle, UK – Riverside
June 24th | Liverpool, UK – Arts Club
June 25th | Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club
June 27th | Chester, UK – The Live Rooms
June 28th | Cardiff, UK – The Globe
June 30th | Belfast, UK – Limelight 2
July 1st | Dublin, IE – Whelan’s SOLD OUT

Tickets for all shows available at https://bobmould.com/tour/

Website / Facebook

Michael Monroe – ‘I Live Too Fast To Die Young’ (Silver Lining Music)

Michael Monroe – ‘I Live Too Fast To Die Young’ (Silver Lining Music)

The gang are back, just in time for summer. Perhaps ironically, it all kicks off with lead single ‘Murder The Summer Of Love’, a typically punchy but slick opener. ‘Young Drunks, Old Alcoholics’ if anything, would have been a better choice, hook-laden with a sleazy solo.

‘Derelict Palace’ is reminiscent of a mid-paced Lords song, especially the bass line and hanging chords. Here, Monroe has never sounded better, I have to wonder if he was thinking of Stiv at the time of recording. ‘All Fighter’ starts off like The Damned’s ‘Ignite’, no bad thing, obviously. “Sing it all for the hopeless and rejected”,  there’s no resting on laurels just yet.

‘Everybody’s Nobody’ is the story of a “Coulda been a contender” musician. Hmm, I think a lot of us know the feeling. ‘Antisocialite’ is the inevitable, piano-led ballad, but, to his credit, cheesy cliches are avoided and it sounds like he means it.

You might already have heard ‘Can’t Stop Falling Apart’ via the video, another fine singalong number. ‘Pagan Prayer’ is a timely, full-speed-ahead rocker, bound to be great live.

The title track comes with a guest solo from Slash. I guess that will appeal to some, and I understand it helps shift units, but the band is great regardless of guest appearances, as is the song. ‘Dearly Departed’ A somber note to end on, but remains moving, nonetheless. It’s unlike anything else on the album, and a brave choice.

Since ‘Sensory Overdrive’, all Monroe’s albums have been solid, some more exciting than others and all have some real belters. This album shows the band’s strengths to good effect. I have a preference for the rockers, but you’ve got to respect his canon of work. And I look forward to seeing them take the roof off a venue somewhere soon.

With I Live Too Fast To Die Young, it is clear Michael Monroe is striding into the summer with a triumphant roar to offer you the real rock ‘n’ roll escape of 2022. It’s been way too long. Besides Nobody does sleazy Rock and Roll better than Michael Monroe that’s a fact!

I Live Too Fast To Die Young’ will be available on CD Digipak, 12” Red Vinyl, Signed Limited Edition 12” Vinyl with Alternative Artwork, Digital Download, Streaming and special D2C bundles. Available to pre-order Here

Author: Martin Chamarette

Follow Michael Monroe:
www.facebook.com/michaelmonroeofficial 
www.twitter.com/michaelmonroe 
www.instagram.com/michaelmonroeofficial
www.michaelmonroe.com/web/ 

Christmas comes early

Christmas comes early

German Hardcore punks in Christmas are coming for a small tour to the UK. It’s the first time they’re touring the UK with their new album “Hot Nights In Saint Vandal”, which was released in 2020 by TNS Records.

The band is delivering 40 minutes of sweat, blood and energy each night!

06.23.2022 – Stockwell – The Queens Head

06.24.2022 – Abertillery – Slugfest

06.25.2022 – Brighton – The Cowley Club

JANUS STARK – ‘Face Your Biggest Fear’ (Time & Matter Records)

JANUS STARK – ‘Face Your Biggest Fear’ (Time & Matter Records)

“The album opens with a track that is so full of life and boundless energy that it’s ridiculous. ‘Father Time’ has a hook that will light up the joy endorphins of Wildhearts fans and anyone who loves a bit of loud Slade-like melodies”. Now that opening blurb got the juices flowing. Slade and The Wildhearts in the same sentence, Wow!- It is indeed a Rockin way to open up the new album. A rousing sing-song with guitar licks and thrills that are the equivalent of a fire-breather at the circus. Giz Butt is throwing out the shapes left right and center and all around him are layers of gang vocals belting out the sing-song like it’s New years eve – oh, it’s also got some bonkers guitar breaks for good measure. The band gets their riff on for ‘Rollin With The Punches’ and marches right through your speakers. Giz Butt is on fire (like you weren’t expecting that?)

The record sounds more accomplished than ‘Angel In The Flames’ it has the feel of a band that is or has gelled and their creative juices have been overflowing. It’s hard and heavy on tracks like ‘I Don’t Want Your Sympathy’ with Giz leaning heavily on more melody in the vocals, I’d also suggest that the department of vocals has gotten stronger here with every sinew of the vocal chord being pushed to the limit on this bruising tune.

It’s a real riff-a-rama of an album with songs like ‘One More Ghost’ with its big chorus and the vocals are lush enough to break into America surely? ‘Clusterfuck’ is cheeky enough to not offend the odd Gammon with a great verse that thrashes and bashes around on the verses before heading down a dark path on the chorus you’ll be nodding along and then singing along before the second chorus – guarantee it. I think the album flows better than its predecessor which is all we can ask for from the bands we love. Progress and ‘FYBF’ certainly does that. Pound for pound and song for song this is a grower no doubt about it.

‘Mariana Trench’ has boundless energy as it gallops by on its hooky melody that digs in and burrows in. ‘Stick’ will please and draw in a new audience of classic rockers from its thick end bass thump to the assured riff to the almost spoken verse. Punch the air and bang your head it’s all good fun. Stick around because ‘My Culling’ rocks as well like a runaway monster truck it’s got some welly and resists adding big gang vocals on the chorus and just hunkers down like a good deep cut should echoing some of that Thin Lizzy spirit locked in its DNA.

Hell, Have we reached the end? With just the qwerky ‘Shoot Me If I Don’t Have The Right’ isn’t a traditional ballad but more an atmospheric opening verse that builds for the first ninety seconds before shifting gears but in a restrained manner – a song Dave Grohl would possibly write. Janus Stark clearly spent lockdowns honing their craft and writing some great songs that flow as an album and cross style and genres with style and quality. Buy It!

Buy Here / Time & Matter

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Author: Dom Daley

JANUS STARK ‘FACE YOU BIGGEST FEAR’ 2022 TOUR
JULY
22: London, 100 Club – ALBUM LAUNCH PARTY
(with Dealing with Damage / Spring Park / Healthy Junkies)
TICKETS: Here

23: Leeds, Santiago Bar
(with Healthy Junkies / Articulate Outburst)
TICKETS: https://ticketsource.co.uk/songsofpreysgigs/janus-stark-live-in-leeds-with-healthy-junkies-and-articulate-outburst/e-pykzxo

29: Stamford, Mama Liz’s – Rebellion Warm Up
(with Spring Park / Laserchrist / Misinformed)
TICKETS: https://wegottickets.com/event/547370
AUGUST

04: Blackpool, Rebellion Festival
TICKETS: https://rebellion.keekmerch.com/

19: Luton, The Castle Tavern
TICKETS: https://facebook.com/Thecastlelive/

20: Corby Clubhouse Music Venue (Unity Festival)
TICKETS: FREE Supporting British Red Cross Ukraine Appeal, MIND Northants & Project 1615 Homeless Charity Sponsored by Unite The Union Northants Central
SEPTEMBER

03: Liverpool, The Outpost
TICKETS: https://skiddle.com/e/36086643

08: Canterbury, The Lady Luck
TICKETS: https://theladyluck.co.uk/

17: Stamford, Mama Liz’s (Scary Clown Presents)
(with Midwich Cuckoos / All Fall Down / Top Left Club)
TICKETS: https://thescaryclownpresents.co.uk/product/janus-stark-mama-lizs-tickets/

OCTOBER
13: Grantham, The Nobody Inn
TICKETS: https://facebook.com/nobodyinn/

14: Gateshead, The Black Bull
TICKETS: https://theblackbullvenue.co.uk/

15: Aberdeen, Krakatoa
TICKETS: https://krakatoa.bar/

27: Edinburgh, Bannermans
TICKETS: https://tickets-scotland.com//venues.html?event_method=viewevent&event_id=aa7b79cc-ba65-11ec-bee6-068a576e08fe

28: Glasgow, Nice and Sleazy
TICKETS: http://t-s.co/janu1

29: Dundee, Beat Generator Live, (Punktober Festival)
(with Left For Dead / Loaded 44)
TICKETS: punktoberfestdundee.bigcartel.com
NOVEMBER

05: Pontypool, The Dragonffli
(With The Mighty Human Generator / Masenko)
TICKETS: https://facebook.com/Thedragonffli/

17: Bristol, The Crofters Rights
(with The Diaz Brothers / Nosebleed)
TICKETS: https://eventbrite.co.uk/e/janus-stark-diaz-brothers-nosebleed-at-the-crofters-rights-bristol-tickets-339587253617

18: TBA in September (Cambridgeshire)
(with The Diaz Brothers / Nosebleed)

19: Bradford Tapestry
(with The Diaz Brothers / Nosebleed)
TICKETS: https://ticketsource.co.uk/songsofpreysgigs

20: Newcastle, Little Building
(with The Diaz Brothers / Nosebleed)
TICKETS: https://ticketsource.co.uk/songsofpreysgigs

Rainy Days & Mondays

Rainy Days & Mondays

NEW ALBUM ‘BEYOND EVERYTHING’ OUT JUNE 10TH ON IN THE RED RECORDS ON ALL DIGITAL PLATFORMS & LIMITED EDITION COLORED VINYL (PRE-ORDER)

After releasing his self-titled debut album in 2017, Dion Lunadon (The D4, ex-A Place To Bury Strangers) is set to release his sophomore album ‘Beyond Everything‘ on June 10th via In The Red Records. Available for pre-order HERE.    Today, Dion shares a brand new video for ‘By My Side‘, which he produced in collaboration with Blau! Production. “This is a song that has taken on new meaning to me. It’s one of those songs where the lyrics are up to the listener’s interpretation, as opposed to a straightforward narrative. Lyrically, it evokes cinematic images more than a feeling. Musically, it all started with the idea of a strange dissonant hum that gives way to the song dropping. I love Hitchcock and crime movies, so the video is placing pictures to the score…Crime and dissonance.”

www.facebook.com/dionlunadon
www.instagram.com/dionlunadon
www.twitter.com/dionlunadon

Ulysses Trash is the sophomore album from Australian born, UK based artist Dez Dare. With the pandemic still raging, Dez took a meagre amount of time to buy some new gear and expand his studio. Spending late 2021 writing and recording 18 tracks that delve further into themes of the ethical vacuum of modern capitalism and politics as well as the destructive course of the digital society we live in, that filled the debut album, ‘Hairline Ego Trip’ (4th June 2021).

Ulysses Trash is built on the dichotomy of clarity in the world we are presented, and the sanguine nihilism of accepting your life is without control. Ulysses is a hero. A leader. Ulysses also means the wrathful, the hater. There is a pervasive movement within our leaders who champion destructive behaviour, smiling while destroying all in their path. Presenting themselves as saviour, while smirking and damaging the people they serve. Not only are we lied to by our leaders, but we lie to ourselves. Making justifications that allow us to feel better about our choices. The lies we tell ourselves to survive.

This album is a call to inaction, surely we have to try? An open letter to embrace our place in the ecosystem in which we exist and understand where we fit in the grand scheme. To remember that beauty is in the minutia, the quanta in which we all are made.

Dez Dare unleashes new single ‘They Scream, My Head is so Full I Can’t Dream’ – a song that Darren says deals with “the birth of the 24-hour news cycle and the introduction of social media feeds have filled our eyes and brains to the point of exhaustion. We are screaming out for silence.”

Follow Dez Dare online at:

On June 17th 2022 The Alarm release the new album ‘OMEGA’ into record stores and music streaming services across the globe. Check out the brand new video for ‘Fail’ lifted from the album.

The online streaming edition of Omega features a brand new 2022 mix and is also available to be heard in Dolby Atmos Spacial Audio at various online providers who offer this specialised listening service.

Omega is also available to pre-order as a limited Deluxe Edition here

The Sweet Things – ‘Brown Leather’ (Wendigo Productions NYC/ Spaghetty Town Records/Dragstrip Riot Records (EU))

The Sweet Things – ‘Brown Leather’ (Wendigo Productions NYC/ Spaghetty Town Records/Dragstrip Riot Records (EU))

It’s Ho-down time and a big rousing yeehaw! from RPMHQ as we get the horses ready to saddle up and ride on outta town with The Sweet Things on the stereo and a bunch of new tunes in our hearts as these Bluesy Rockin mofos hit all the sweet spots with their take on Sleazy Rock n Fuckin Roll.

It’s been a while and not without its bumps in the road but these East Coast rockers are back in the saddle and going guns a blazing once again. They absolutely nail that bluesy soul-drenched Rock n Roll sound that so many bands miss the point of playing right. It’s either in your soul or it isn’t and if you force it you miss the point. Growing up on a steady diet of Keith and Ronnie riffs and some sweet soul music for the down times has stood these cats in good stead for writing authentic Rock n Roll. Whilst the devil might only have made it to Georgia he sent his forwarding address for those who wanted to sell their soul for some top tunes.

The album kicks off with a swagger and a swirl of the organ before the barroom descents into a maelstrom of heaving slide guitar and toe-tapping boogie. Hell, there’s enough whisky-soaked energy in this self-titled opener to put a big shit-kicking grin on a corpse. The hook on the chorus is delicious and they throw the kitchen sink at it and boy it just hits the spot.

They’re sitting out on the porch for ‘Ya Know I Don’t Mind’ and a laid-back Primal Scream meets Jagger swagger floats by. Man, there are several factors needed to pull this shit off and handclaps are a massive tick of that box and the subtle swirl of the keyboards gives it depth to carry home those light acoustic guitar chords. It’s inner-city countrified blues alright.

It’s time to rev up the engine for ‘Ride It Home’ and make a quick dash across the border. IT’s plain and simple Rock and Roll kids but it’s done properly and again The Sweet Things nail it. Like they nail it on ‘Keep On Movin’ that’s got me thinking of early Green On Red – maybe they were torn from the West coast with this uptempo jaunt with its carefree lyrics it’s another side step on their musical journey that’s flowing finding its way through all the twists and turns life throws their way.

There is a big Ballad in the shape of ‘Ain’t Got Enough Room (In My Heart)’ but in a 70s vibe and not some manufactured cheesy way. Sounds like they’ve been let loose on daddys Glen Campbell records that were tucked away in their early 70s Stones records. I wasn’t going to mention the Faces but I got ‘Cold Feet’ and had to mention them as a major influence from the ballads to the keyboard barroom rockers that pepper this record but its not just a rip off as the vocals are quite different as is the welcome addition of those horns which add colour and depth all over the place and who doesn’t love a “Whoo-Hoo”? Can I get a Hell Yeah! ‘Familiar Face’ is finger-licking – finger picking honky tonk as we kick back and settle in on the rocking chair and let the booze take effect as the stereo player gets louder.

Blow that harmonica as the military snare gets beaten, the Sweet Things get the ladies to howl the chorus as the gypsy blues bop n stroll wanders by with some fine Woody slide takes the chorus home. As we head home into the final third of the record we get loose with ‘Problematic Life’ before the curtain falls with an oh so sweet ‘Ride The River’ winds its steel guitar over the closing instrumental outro.

Grab a glass of moonshine, kick back and let The Sweet Things take you on a musical journey that travels from coast to coast not knowing where it’ll lay its head or when. This can be the soundtrack to your summer and beyond – Rock and Roll played with heart and soul. Get on it Y’all its top quality.

Pick it up here (Stateside) EU people pick it up Here

THE SWEET THINGS online at:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

SV & The Eruptions – ‘Knackers Yard’ (Avenue Recordz)

SV & The Eruptions – ‘Knackers Yard’ (Avenue Recordz)

Initially formed back around 2011/12 as a vehicle for Dirt Box Disco guitarist and songwriting supremo Spunk Volcano to air the tunes he’d written that didn’t really fit with the day job (although some might argue some actually do fit – especially after Weab made off to pastures new) I now find myself in possession of Eruptions’ album number SIX, and I’m left thinking, where did the time go eh?

That’s because this time around we’re all going down the ‘Knackers Yard’ as the band prepares to take a well-deserved break after their decade long burst of creativity and insanity. That’s right, it’s a break, they’re not splitting up, just pressing pause on the ‘TV God’ remote control whilst Spunk and Maff concentrate on the next Dirt Box Disco record, Joey goes off to work with MeMe Detroit and Scott “allegedly” goes back to being a full-time serial killer and Faxe drinker. It’s certainly been a prolific (and most excellent) run of releases to date though (let’s not forget the 5 EPs the band also released during this time too) with many stone-cold Eruptions classics written along the way. The bazillion dollar question I guess your wondering though, is does ‘Knackers Yard’ provide the fitting finale (for now)?

Well, the immediate thing that hits me about ‘Knackers Yard’ is that after the more melodic leaning ‘Barry Milner Is Thick’ album from 2020 this time around a large proportion of the tunes once again lean more towards the darker/heavier side of Mr Volcano’s songwriting portfolio and there are a few tunes on here that could have easily been part of the hard as nails ‘Double Bastard’ album, with opener ‘I Am A Capsule’ complete with its UK82 guitar riff and “Fuck Off Leave Me Alone” gang vocal as good a place to start as any. Likewise, ‘Madhouse’ (or should that be “Fooking Madhouse”?) which whilst not being a cover of a certain tune by a legendary NYC thrash band, could very easily have come out of that scene, complete with a monster chugger of a riff and mid-section that flies off in all directions and is held together by a potty mouthed Spunk chorus that somehow also manages to twist and turn its way into a super catchy second chorus too. Genius stuff!

And therein lies the real appeal of Spunk Volcano & The Eruptions for me though, because whilst ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ and the sublime ‘My Tears Get Washed Away’ (which somehow manages to make me think of both Wolfsbane and Showaddywaddy in the same 3 minutes run time) are the type of “sing your heads off” top-quality tunes that Spunk has become renowned for penning at a truly alarming rate. It’s the polar opposites of the vicious ‘Manky Man’ and the sombre ‘Dead And The Mirror’ (yes that’s keyboards you can hear) with its almost murder-ballad feel where The Eruptions truly stand apart from Dirt Box Disco.  Likewise clock the the flawed brilliance of ‘Mordrake’ (which you have to hear to fully understand what I’m on about) and then try and second guess what is up next? How about the kick in the coin purse that is ‘Pit Bull Facelift’, a song GBH would have been proud of writing back in their early Clay Records days.

With ‘Knackers Yard’ Spunk Volcano takes the life experiences and the heart and soul that a decade of songwriting and touring offers a band and once again turns them into a dozen tracks that pack a punch so fierce, they will shock you to the core, and is that a little tear I feel welling in my eye as the forementioned ‘Dead And The Mirror’ segues into the CD only final track ‘Shit Stirrers & Scaremongers’?

With five final live shows booked running through June to September, which also see The Eruptions back to being a 5-piece once again as Tom returns on guitar, it’s no time to be down in the mouth, as its time to party and get yourself down the ‘Knackers Yard’ when it’s released via the band’s own Avenue Recordz label on CD only (no vinyl this time) on July 1st.  You can also pre-order your copy right now, along with a rather wonderful-looking limited-edition T-shirt from the link below.

There’s only one way to give SV & The Eruptions a proper send-off, and that’s by booking your trip to the ‘Knackers Yard’. We’re all going, are you???

Buy Here

website / Facebook

Author: Johnny Hayward

Pat Todd & the Rankoutsiders – ‘Blues, Soul & Rock ‘N’ Roll’ (Beluga Records/Ghost Highway Recordings and KOTJ)

Pat Todd & the Rankoutsiders – ‘Blues, Soul & Rock ‘N’ Roll’ (Beluga Records/Ghost Highway Recordings and KOTJ)

Woohoo! Rooting tootin Rockin and a Rolling. Pat Todd & His band of merry men get their jig on as they cough up a ‘Rooster Blues’ rock and roll extravaganza as they honk the harmonica along with some sleazy garage rock n roll. Proceedings get underway with a howling ‘Rooster Blues’. Todd then goes down to the crossroads and cuts the deal with the Devil for some of those cool tunes and gets the smoldering ‘I’m A Cool Teenager’ whilst the mirrorball casts light the band gets the slow dance underway.

‘No Good Lover’ will have you chicken dancing like a prime time Lux Interior as the band cut up the floor with a smashing tune. ‘Promised Land’ is the jewel in the Rockin crown as the band kicks out the jams and Todd is on whip-cracking form. It’s a howling good time being had in the bestust Chuck Berry way it’s like hearing prime time Georgia Satellites.

If there is anything to complain about it would have to be this is way too brief with only six tracks blowing up your stereo. ‘Blues Soul & Rock and Roll’ is a banger short, sharp & oh so sweet. You know the drill by now Pat Todd & The Rank Outsiders deliver top-notch Rock n Roll and this is the proof. Blues Soul Rock and Roll does exactly what it says on the Tin! Buy It!

Buy Here / Ghost Highway Website Here

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Author: Dom Daley

Steve Vincent – ‘All He Wants To Do Is Recover From His Past on Paradise Alley’

Steve Vincent – ‘All He Wants To Do Is Recover From His Past on Paradise Alley’

Pre-order Here

Steve kept himself busy during lockdowns writing and planning, not one but two releases. Calling a few favours from some very talented musicians he’s managed to put together an EP under the Paradise Alley banner and release a solo album.

For over thirty years now Steve Vincent has been no stranger to the underground rock’n’roll scene, First as a member of Glasgow Glamsters Indian Angel before decamping to London where after a brief tenure fronting Scarlet Tears, Steve put together his own band, Paradise Alley. After two albums, multiple tours all over the planet flirting with both success and disaster, a brief name change to Neon Bomb and then a return to the scene in 2019 with the ‘Class Of 92’ single, Vincent finally decided to dip his toe in the solo water.

What started as demo sessions for songs to submit to Paradise Alley soon morphed into a full-blown album’s worth of music. Nine songs were written solely by Steve with a tenth co-written with longtime friend Miqu December from Plastic Tears, these ten songs come together on the debut solo album Recovered From My Past due on Bombshell Records in August 2022.

Influenced by classic rock’n’roll from Little Richard to The Sweet, The New York Dolls to Lords Of The New Church, The Chesterfield Kings to The Ramones, the album covers all bases.

While Steve provides vocals, harmonica, guitars, bass and drum programming on the album, he is joined by an enviable guest list of musicians with Andy Christie (Swamp Born Assassins) (guitars) heading things up on several songs with the other lead guitars being provided by Steve Conte (New York Dolls/Michael Monroe), Mattias Johannson (Trench Dogs), Alex Holmes (Suicide Notes), Ben Marsden (The Spangles/Main Grains) and Rhoades D’ablo (Los Swamp Monsters) alongside Danny McCormack (The Wildhearts) on bass, Matt Connor (keyboards) and Miqu December (Plastic Tears) on guest vocals.

Steve also handled engineering and production duties on the album with assistance from long-time associate Wan Hewitt on mixing and mastering. A live band has been assembled too and is now ready to take the songs from Recovered From My Past to stages the world over with UK dates starting in August 2022. The album and the lead single “All I Wanna Do” are available to pre-order now on Bandcamp.

But while writing and recording what has become his debut solo album, Steve started work on four brand new songs for Paradise Alley and the end result is the new EP, ‘Bad Timing & Silver Linings’, available to pre-order now on Bandcamp. Live dates are booked for a 30th Anniversary Tour alongside Plastic Tears and 2022 is looking brighter than ever for the best-kept secret in rock’n’roll.

Sat 27 Aug – Sheffield, HRH Sleaze

Thu 1 Sep – Newcastle, Trillians

Fri 2 Sep – Edinburgh, Bannermans

Sat 3 Sep – TBC

Sun 4 Sep – Blackpool, Waterloo

Facebook / Paradise Alley Facebook

Pre-order Here / Paradise Alley EP Pre Order Here

For booking/media inquiries contact: info@stevevincent.co.uk

Pic credit- Andy Guttercat

Starcrawler – The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge – 29th May 2022

Starcrawler – The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge – 29th May 2022

Taking a break from opening stadiums for My Chemical Romance, L.A. shock rockers Starcrawler take a visit to the sleepy Yorkshire town of Hebden Bridge for one of only 2 UK headline shows. The intimate Trades Club is the venue and its not even sold out, probably due to the fact that Aussie punks Amyl & the Sniffers are playing down the road in Leeds, taking away some potential punters.

It is busy though, and from the first howl that Arrow De Wilde yells during opener ‘Goodtime Girl’ and the ensuing goosebumps, I can tell it’s going to be a killer show. I knew Starcrawler were going to be good, but not this good. With just white satin trousers and a bikini top covering her sleight frame, Arrow struts the stage pulling all the cool rock star moves, she screams like a banshee and you can’t take your eyes off her. With a dark stage and good backlighting, she looks almost ethereal with her long blonde hair, teased higher and better than any 80’s glam band you care to mention. Imagine Patti Smith meets Michael Monroe and you’re getting close.

Live, Starcrawler are definitely the Arrow & Henri show. The livewire guitar player does not stand still and spends the majority of the one-hour set wringing seven shades of shit out of his guitar. He wrestles with the instrument like it is a weapon, like he is fighting for every note, when in reality that is far from the truth.

It doesn’t all run smoothly though. At one point he loses his guitar strap mid-song, causing a Stevie Ray Vaughn style strap change, while not dropping a note[or the guitar], very slick. The guitar player halts the show during a storming version of the Ramones ‘Pet Semetary’, when he thinks he spots some aggro in the animated and rowdy crowd. Turns out to be a false alarm and the onstage chaos and disorder resumes.

New single ‘Roadkill’ sounds fantastic, ‘I Love LA’ is a given and the country-tinged Jackass theme ‘If You’re Gonna Be Dumb, You Gotta Be Tough’ transcends into punk rock chaos of the highest degree, the crowd lap it up.

The Pretenders-like single ‘No More Pennies’ is a cool respite from the Stooges-like raw, punk power that has the crowd excited, but material like closer ‘Beat My Brain’, with its sonically overdriven guitar lick is where this band truly shine.

Encore ‘Chicken Woman’ is a filthy wall of Sabbath-inspired grunge that culminates with the singer jumping into the crowd for a pogo before disappearing for good. Meanwhile, her guitar-wielding cohort has coaxed a female fan onto the stage and strapped his guitar on to the bewildered girl, leaving her to strum out unknown chords to a wall of feedback, as the guitarist casually walks offstage for the final time. A brilliant climax to a short but sweet set.

Starcrawler have been wowing the My Chemical Romance fans and it is easy to see why. They have the looks, the energy and the stagecraft. They also have some bloody good tunes under their studded belts. I’d heard they were good live, but I must say I was more than impressed tonight. With 2 great albums already, an imminent 3 and a formidable live reputation, the future looks great for Starcrawler. They may not play such intimate venues on their next visit, but you must see them.

Author: Ben Hughes

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