BLACK LABEL DOUBLE BILL! – Penelope Spheeris ‘Suburbia’ released

BLACK LABEL DOUBLE BILL! – Penelope Spheeris ‘Suburbia’ released

BLACK LABEL DOUBLE BILL!
On 6th September it’s a 101 Films Black Label double bill, with two powerful early works from iconic director Penelope Spheeris (The Decline of Western Civilisation, Wayne’s World).

Title 021 on the Black Label is SUBURBIA (1983), a searing drama that is both an authentic and compassionate study of the Los Angeles punk rock scene of the early 1980s, and a bleak indictment of the American suburban experiment. Starring real-life punks rather than trained actors, and featuring live performances from punk bands D.I., T.S.O.L. and the Vandals, special features in include a brand new, 30-minute interview with director Penelope Spheeris, and two commentaries with filmmakers and cast.

Continuing the theme of suburban alienation, title 022 on our premium imprint is THE BOYS NEXT DOOR (1985), a violent and disturbing crime thriller starring Maxwell Caulfield and Charlie Sheen as a pair of handsome teenagers who embark on a sickening killing spree in Los Angeles.

While Spheeris would go on to become best known for her documentary and comedy filmmaking, this pair of uncompromising films — her first two narrative features — remain among the director’s strongest and most hard-hitting work.

Both packages include a limited edition slipcase and booklet, with new writing on the making and context of the films.

 

Pre Order Here

The DeRellas – ‘Somethings Gotta Give’ (Rockaway Records)

The DeRellas – ‘Somethings Gotta Give’ (Rockaway Records)

23The mainstays of The DeRellas Timmy and Luca decided before Covid hit the world that the band must evolve and a shake-up of personnel was undertaken.  It was both a brave and bold move considering how well the lineup was producing the goods in the studio and on stages up and down the country but you snooze you loose and so we entered Lockdown 2020 with plans afoot for The Derellas to enter the studio to follow up the excellent High Rise Supersize single.  A successful Kickstarter campaign ensued and the band entered Perry Vale Studios with the legendary Pat Collier to begin work on the ‘Somethings Gotta Give’ album and finally, in August of 2021, it will hit the streets with a bang! Crash! & bit of a Wallop!

 

Right from the off it is fair to say the production is top notch and a fuller more hard edge to the songs takes DeRellas 2021 in a different direction maybe less Glam punk and more focussed punk rock sounding DeRellas.  Sure the song topics are about the down n dirty, Glam Punk staple diet of love, life, booze, one night stands and rolling from day to day enjoying life.  ‘Don’t Tell Me What I Did Last Night’ has Timmy delivering a sympathetic vocal and to be fair he does it very well and its the one or rather one of the most notable things is the vocals suit the songs very well and the Subs influenced tones sit very well on this record.

 

Its got a dash of early Manics very mich in evidence on songs like the sleazy ‘Underground LUV’ which is an excellent laid back ode to love L-U-V. Lucas tone and solos sit very nicely in the mix and to be fair is the shining star on the record.  Its like the DeRellas coming of age album and finally after all the line up changes have finally cracked the code for whatever it was they were searchign to destroy.  ‘Emergency 2020’ deals with the current times in a nutshell with a great Stonesy riff and melody up to the Sonic Temple like solo leaving just enough headroom for the Sweet like breakdown to take this one back to the chorus.  Great stuff.

I guess fitting in all your influences and whats in your DNA into a decent song is what every artist is searchign for and whilst this isn’t perfect its the best thing the DeRellas have naild onto tape by some considerable length.  The flow of the album in its pace of each song is well lthought and the studo shine from Mr. Collier is most complimentry and will give these songs longevity long after the dayglo spray paint has dried and the guyliner has faded.

 

The tip of the hat to the mid 80s glory days when every turn was a Hanoi Rocks or A Lords Of The New Church or a Dogs D’Amour slamming into a Soho Roses and a Cheap and Nasty filled the gaps its been a long time for bands to delve into the best that period had to offer and ‘Lifes Crashing’ fills that void very nicely in style and delivery. ‘Pressure Gonna Get Ya’ is another that sails on the influence of maybe a ‘Holy Bible’ era preachers and Timmys distressed vocal is perfect for this and he delivers it in spades some fo his best lyrics to boot.

 

If you just want snotty punk the ‘Sonic Detonator’ will get you pogoing, along with the wonderfully glamarous Jonesy chug of ‘Soho Hotel’ it’ll give you the chance to join in on the chorus and punch the air and rejoice. One of the albums best songs for me is the laid back ‘Our World Tomorrow’ and as it builds like the bastard child of Stiv and Billy Halo its something that sets this album apart from the previous albums and confirms that maybe this was indeed the right path for the band to head down.

 

The album isn’t front loaded as we head into the home straight and an updated version of a fantastic glam punk stomp of ‘High Rise Supersize’ signs of a really impressive album thats been well worth the wait.  I leave you in no doubt at all that if you were undecided about this then fear not because you wont have any regrets at all because as a listener nothings gotta give because ‘Something’s Gotta Give’ gives everything and more.  Get It!

 

 

Buy Here

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Author: Dom Daley

BOB MOULD ANNOUNCES 2022 SOLO ELECTRIC UK + IRELAND TOUR DATES

BOB MOULD ANNOUNCES 2022 SOLO ELECTRIC UK + IRELAND TOUR DATES

BOB MOULD

ANNOUNCES 2022 SOLO ELECTRIC UK + IRELAND TOUR DATES

8LP DISTORTION: LIVE BOX RELEASED AUG 6th ON DEMON

Legendary musician Bob Mould today announces a run of Solo Electric 2022 UK and Ireland tour dates beginning January 19th at Whelan’s in Dublin. The tour, perfectly timed with the incoming release of Mould’s Distortion: Live vinyl boxset, will see him perform solo versions of music from across his 40+ year career, including songs from the Distortion collection and from his landmark band Hüsker Dü, as well as from last year’s explosive and critically acclaimed Blue Hearts album. As Mould notes: “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.”

On top of that Mould has also shared a video in which he, along with his friend, actor, comedian and avid Mould fan Fred Armisen, open the boxes of the different vinyl volumes of Mould’s career retrospective boxset Distortion. Armisen penned the introduction to Mould’s massive 24-CD Distortion box which was released last autumn by Demon.  The vinyl volumes have been released periodically over the last year, with the fourth and final vinyl box Distortion: Live now scheduled to be released by Demon on August 6th. The 8LP set includes live recordings from Mould’s solo career as well as performances by his band, Sugar.

 

As on the previously released box sets in the Distortion collection, the fourth volume sees each album being mastered by Jeff Lipton and Maria Rice at Peerless Mastering in Boston and is presented with brand new artwork designed by illustrator Simon Marchner and pressed on 140g clear vinyl with unique splatter effects. This box set includes 4 live albums: Live At The Cabaret Metro, 1989 (first time on vinyl); the Sugar album The Joke Is Always On Us, Sometimes; LiveDog98 (first time on vinyl), and Live at ATP 2008 (first time on vinyl). In addition, the set includes a 28-page companion booklet featuring liner notes by journalist Keith Cameron; contributions from Bully’s Alicia Bognanno; rare photographs and memorabilia, and a bonus LP Distortion Plus: Live, which features live rarities including B-Sides and stand-out tracks from the Circle of Friends concert film.

 

Pre-order:

Pre-order Distortion: Live here: http://smarturl.it/DistortionLive

UK/IE tour dates:

Jan 19th | Dublin, IE – Whelan’s
Jan 21st | Liverpool, UK – Arts Club
Jan 23rd | Cardiff, UK – The Globe
Jan 24th | Chester, UK – The Live Rooms
Jan 25th | Birmingham, UK – The Mill
Jan 27th | Stoke, UK – The Sugarmill
Jan 28th | Bristol, UK – Thekla
Jan 29th | Nottingham, UK – Rescue Rooms
Jan 31st | Glasgow, UK – Oran Mor
Feb 1st | Newcastle, UK – Riverside
Feb 3rd | Southampton, UK – Engine Rooms
Feb 4th | Brighton, UK – Concorde 2
Feb 5th | Oxford, UK – O2 Academy 2
Feb 7th | Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club

Tickets for all shows available Here

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Descendents – ‘9th & Walnut’ (Epitaph Records)

Descendents – ‘9th & Walnut’ (Epitaph Records)

Formed in L.A.’s South Bay in the late 70s, Descendents began as a power trio featuring bassist Tony Lombardo, drummer Bill Stevenson, and guitarist Frank Navetta (d. 2008). The band recruited vocalist Milo Aukerman in 1980 and set about acquainting themselves with the Southern California Punk movement. Over the years, the band has sustained a potent catalogue and single vision, further cementing them as US punk legends.

‘9th & Walnut’ is the location in Long Beach, Southern California, at which the band wrote their earliest music. The first release was the Fat EP back in 1981, then followed it up with the scene-defining ‘Milo Goes To College’ the following year. This much is known. What is about to unfold are the songs the group wrote before anyone had heard their name even if it’s the last thing they’ve released. (it’ll all make sense)

In 2002, the original four-piece lineup — Frank Navetta, Tony Lombardo, Bill Stevenson, and Milo Aukerman — got back into the studio to finally record their first-ever songs. The songs were written by the band before recording the ‘Fat EP’ (1981).  In a (Wal)nut shell, this is the Descendents’ earliest material, something of a “lost” until now that is.

 

From the band’s distinct surf-beats to the crunching guitars, it’s all here.  packed with a tonne of great melodies and harmonies. From the classic punk (“Sailor’s Choice,” “I’m Shaky”), antisocial gonzo punk (“You Make Me Sick”), Damn they even murder ‘Glad All Over’ (in a good way) marrying the harmonies with the rapid guitar attack taking ownership I guess.  It’s eighteen songs in twenty-five minutes so there’s no time to get bored or skip tracks.

 

Some of these songs were written when Frank was only 14 years old.” When the band reconvened to record them, it was just like the earliest days: “We just fell right into our old mode. It was so natural.” said Frank.  It’s incredible to think really and it must have been a lot of fun for the band to do, that urgency and youthful energy comes across in the recordings.  the progtastic ‘Nightage’ clocking in at a ridiculous post two minutes is just showing off. ‘Mohicans’ is almost collage pop-rock with enthusiasm and loud guitars but the melody is poptastic.

 

There are freshly recorded versions of  ‘Like the Way I Know,’ in all its sub-one-minute splendor. Descendents’ debut tracks “Ride the Wild” and ”It’s a Hectic World” (heard here for the first time with vocals by Milo). Considering these songs’ age (40 fuckin years) they sound as potent and fresh as the day they were written. Which is a tribute to both the band’s talent, enduring, and endearing qualities.

 

Californian punk bands are a much-maligned bunch and the ones who crashed and burnt tend to have the fondest regards looking back but to be fair and give credit where it’s due.  Sure X, Germs and Fear delivered some seminal moments but it’s the bands who lasted the course that should get the biggest pat on the back and accolades like the Adolescents, Bad Religion and of course The Descendents.  Cherish it and play it loud.  Whilst it might not get the credit their latter releases get (which is fair) but it will make a very nice addition to a lot of people’s record collection mine included.

Pre-order ‘9th & Walnut’ HERE:

Descendents are vocalist Milo Aukerman, bassist Tony Lombardo, late guitarist Frank Navetta, and drummer Bill Stevenson.

visit: WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

Author: Dom Daley

Clowns release new video for new single ‘Sarah’

Clowns release new video for new single ‘Sarah’

brand-new song off their upcoming double A-side 7, ‘Does It Matter?’ Out November 19th and is available for pre-order.

2020 was going to be a colossal year for CLOWNS. The Melbourne, Australian five-piece was locked into worldwide touring to support their 2019 full-length and FAT debut, Nature/Nurture. The album included 11 blistering songs that veered from frantic punk to slower, more nuanced, and psychedelic-tinged rock. However, before the band could really roll out their epic touring plans, that nettlesome global pandemic hit, and the world was shut down.

 

Luckily, CLOWNS are not one to rest on their laurels and harnessed their solitude to write music. The pause on being an active band allowed the group to record a batch of new songs, with two standing out as their favorites. Out November 11th, you’ll get a healthy dose of quarantine-blues curing melody in the form of their double A-side single Does It Matter?

 

“Does It Matter?” was the first single to be released in May of 2020 and is about breaking the law, says CLOWNS vocalist Stevie Williams. “We all do it sometimes-and if you say you don’t, then chances are you are a liar or a coward. Musically, we wrote this song during lockdown as the world was melting around us.” The single is a hook-heavy raucous number that demonstrates the prowess of their current lineup. Now completed by drummer and founding member Jake Laderman, vocalist Stevie Williams, bassist/vocalist Hanny J and guitarists Rod Goon and Cam Rust.

 

The second A-side single, “Sarah,” completes the release with the kind of sound that you’ve come to expect from Clowns:  blazing guitars, huge vocals, and infectious melodies. Vocalist Stevie Williams expands, “Sarah explores the idea of how love can be like a drug. Dizzying highs and soul-destroying lows. It can elevate your life to heights you never knew were possible, but can at the same time, be life-crushingly addictive.” The song was recorded at Red Door studio with producer Wood Annison (The Living End) and co-wrote the tune with Matt Squire (One Direction, Panic! At The Disco).

 

Additionally, in 2019, CLOWNS started a record label/booking agency called Damaged who’ll release Does it Matter?, in Australia, with FAT distributing the release everywhere else. What’s next for CLOWNS? Vocalist Stevie Williams shares, “While we feel happy to be living a relatively normal life after our COVID episode, we are still unable to leave Australia and tour. We’re using this time as wisely as possible, writing all kinds of new music and playing shows where we can. Expect lots of new tunes until it’s legal for us come to you!”

 

Black Swamp Water – ‘Awakening’ (Mighty Music / Spv)

Black Swamp Water – ‘Awakening’ (Mighty Music / Spv)

What comes to mind when you think of Denmark? Bacon? Carlsberg? Pretty Maids? Lars Ulrich? Lego? The Little Mermaid? It’s pretty much that for me (no bacon for this vegan scribe though!). The country isn’t really known for its musical exports but that may be about to change with the release of Black Swamp Water’s third long player ‘Awakening’. The band have built up a solid following and their track ‘Bitter Harvest’ from their second album ‘Distant Thunder’ has over two million streams on Spotify…. impressive.

For their latest work the band have used producer Tue Madsen (Moonspell, Artillery, Dark Tranquillity) and the result is a crystal clear, punchy mix. A sound that ranges from Down style Southern sludge to traditional heavy metal with a touch of thrash thrown in shows that these boys don’t like to be pigeonholed. This proves to be problematic as I’ll discuss later in this review.

There are some great riffs thrown around and the first single released from the album ‘Endless War’ has a great drum intro (it sounds a bit like ‘Painkiller’) from Kim Langkjær Jensen who really showcases his ability. There’s a great horror-themed video to accompany it too. The only criticism from me is that there isn’t any coherence or continuity with the songs. I get that they are trying to be diverse, but I think the heavier, thrashier tunes suit the band more. The ballad ‘Send Me Away’ really feels out of place and doesn’t work in my opinion. A well-played but pointless cover of Sabbath’s ‘Children of the Grave’ doesn’t need to be here at all, we want more of your own material guys!!

Overall, it’s a decent effort with some solid heavy metal. The band needs to concentrate on what kind of metal band they are though. The guys are great musicians and work well as a unit, and hopefully, they will find their own niche soon. More THRASH, please!

Buy Black Swamp Water Here

Author: Kenny Kendrick

 

Singles Club – July it’s a sizzler

Singles Club – July it’s a sizzler

EXCESSIVE FORCE – ‘Live Life For Idiots’ (Riot Records)  Hardcore as fuck.  Old school Agnostic Front style hardcore from down under.  To claim it is one of the more mellow songs on the album (soon to be released) it’s an ode to those fools blinded by bull*hit. This is one angry slab of old-school hardcore. What’s not to love?  It’s got a breeze block heavy guitar riff and lyrics to boot.  Get on it kids it’s a belter.

 

 

 

 

 

The Wildhearts – Sort Your Fucking Shit Out’ (Graphite Records)  The second single lifted from the brand new September released album from The Wildhearts is a bonafide banger.  Don’t believe me then take a listen on the youtube link.  Hookey (is that a word) as fuck from the thumping Danny bassline to Ginger’s melody to the humorous but serious message in the title and lyrics.  Everything a Wildhearts fan wants to hear.  Summery as fuck but with the heaviness like a pint of Guinness on a 27-degree day’s sunshine.  Take off your shoes and dance – indeed.  Bring on the album it’s what we all need.   To purchase / stream Sort Your Fucking Shit Out go to: https://ffm.to/syfso  whilst your at it hit this up  to pre-order and pre save 21st Century Love Songs go to: https://ffm.to/21stcenturylovesongs

 

The Dirty Denims – ‘Rock and Roll All Night / Better Believe It’ (Action Rock Jukebox 45 single)(Screaming Crow Records)  A perfectly passable cover of the Kiss Klassic from The Dirty Denims.  Their original submission is an uptempo rocker ‘Better Believe It’. 

 Each band has submitted a rockin’ version of a song that would have been found on your local jukebox in the 70s & 80s backed with an original track from the band. These large-holed 45s are perfect for that old jukebox in your basement. Each single comes with a jukebox title card and a custom 45 adapter in case you don’t have one of those cool old jukeboxes. Each release will feature 100 color vinyl  and 200 black vinyl versions. The first 50 copies sold will be autographed by the band. Right now the singles will only be available on Screaming Crow’s and the bands’ websites. Once all the singles are out, Screaming Crow will compile them into one killer double LP and CD and release them through our normal retail channels.
Website /Bandcamp / Facebook 

 

Black Sheriff – ‘Centerfold / Johnny’s Fight’ (Action Rock Jukebox 45 single)(Screaming Crow Records) A stone cold pop rock classic gets the Sheriff treatment and in fairness its gonna be tough to beat the original but points are awarded for daring to go there and in truth pulling off a pretty impressive take on ‘Centrefold’.  

 

The band sounds more comfortable on their own turf kicking up a shitstorm with ‘Johnny’s Fight’. With a rumbling bassline that heads into a gang-filled chorus that’ll have the boys and girls windmilling and pogoing.

Website / Facebook

 

 

Twiggy Branches – ‘The Radiant Twist.’ (Self Release) Recorded live in the studio by Paul Kostabi (also did cover art) and is mixed by Grammy winner Carl Glanville (U2). Twiggy Branches throw the kitchen sink into ‘The Radiant Twist’ with some super cool Horns a honkin and a hook laden bonafide creppy crawler of a tune.  Another mighty fine slice of Rock and Roll on offer right here.  Fill yer digital boots kids you wont regret it.
SPOTIFY PRE-SAVE: Here / Bandcamp / Facebook
Autogramm – ‘I Am A Situation’ (Nevado Records)  Infectious power-popin post-punk rock from Autogramm as they synth n slide into your noggin via this earworm.  Coming on like an 80s rock band who fell in love with post Tubeway Army Numan and just discovered Kraftwerk.  Splendid stuff ya? The black and white video portrays a Kraftwerk-like, day in the life of actress Kim Kraczon in mid-pandemic Berlin. The video echoes the sentiment of the song’s despondent lyrics. Buy the album Here

 

 

 

 

Little Triggers – ‘YEH MAN’   (ingrooves)  With influences stretching from Humble Pie and the MC5 to The Hives, Wolfmother and QOTSA. Tom Hamilton (lead vocals & guitars) and Jay Radcliffe (drums & backing vocals) make one hell of a din for a duo.  ‘Yeah Man’  is a thumping headache the morning after with a chaotic claustrophobic sound that gets exciting after the brain fog clears.  From the rasping vocals to the distorted bass and thrashing guitars.  Very exciting times for the Liverpool-based pair.  Check em out here 

 

 

 

 

Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard – ‘Crescent Man v Demolition Man’  Those south Wales rascals are back and as barking as ever with a brand new one for your listening pleasure.

Jenny ‘Trajinero’ Video Exclusive & single links

Jenny ‘Trajinero’ Video Exclusive & single links

Buy the single Here
“Trajinero” music video was animated by Miguel Jara and Celestial Brizuela at Estudio Pneuma, Mexico City, 2021.
JENNY “Trajinero b/w Kids of Today” is the sophomore EP by Justin Maurer (CLOROX GIRLS, MANIAC, SUSPECT PARTS, L.A. DRUGZ) featuring a little help from his friends Jacobo Fernandez (LAS BRUSCAS, LES TRAGIQUES, DESOBEDIENTES) and Gabriel Lopez (ESPECTROPLASMA, SONIDO GALLO NEGRO) as well as his former bandmates in LA DRUGZ who play on the B-Side “Kids of Today”. “Trajinero” is JENNY’s debut Spanish language single with the B-side “Kids of Today” sung in English. “Trajinero” was conceived during Maurer’s visit to Mexico City in November 2020. Maurer, Fernandez, and his girlfriend Corey were enjoying a Sunday afternoon boat ride in the swamps of Xochimilco, Mexico City, and Maurer was fascinated by the rough and tumble trajineros who expertly manned their hand-painted gondolas in the canals.
Over a bottle of ice-cold Don Julio Blanco, Maurer and Fernandez envisioned a plot where a lovelorn working-class trajinero must commit crimes to keep his upper-middle class fresa girlfriend happy. Loosely based on the plot of Emilio “El Indio” Fernández 1943 film Maria Candelaria, our protagonist commits a crime of passion and ends up in jail. He makes a plea to himself for his own happiness and survival, a passionate cry of “Ni Carcel/Ni Ella/Ni Nerds” which translates to “Not jail, not her, not nerds.” (The Mexican Spanish equivalent of nerds, ñoños, is sung on the final word of the song.) Maurer has been a student of the Spanish language for a couple of decades with stints living and working in both Spain and Mexico. Native Spanish speaker and homegrown chilango, Fernandez, helped him with the lyrics – scrawled quickly during an acoustic rehearsal on the rooftop of his Mexico City apartment a few days before entering T-Vox Studios to record. Covid-19 was in full swing in Mexico City in November 2020 when “Trajinero” was laid down and Maurer, Fernandez, and engineer Gabriel Lopez all double masked in the studio which is attached to the Lopez family home in Aragon; near the airport where Maurer had his flight home a few hours later. He nearly missed his flight, but a stone-cold hit was recorded. Lopez’s uncle Miguel Angel was dancing around the studio throughout the session which the boys took to be a good sign. Along with engineering and mixing the single, Lopez also played lead guitar and Vox Organ. “Kids Of Today” is a catchy banger recorded by Grammy award-winning engineer Mark Rains at Stationhouse Studios Los Angeles. The up-tempo B-side features former LA DRUGZ bandmates Cezar Mora (THE BAD MACHINE, THE WAYWARD CHAPEL), James Carman (REFLECTORS, MANIAC, IMAGES), and Johnny “JD” Reyes (REFLECTORS) handily backing Maurer up. Both sides were mastered by Daniel “Hadji” Husayn (RED DONS) at North London Bomb Factory. The limited first pressing of 300 is the complete package with beautiful cover layout and design by Snake Davis.
JENNY “Trajinero b/w Kids Of Today” 300 first-pressing copies available now for pre-order. 100 on clear vinyl, 200 on black.  
Pre-Order “Trajinero b/w Kids Of Today” in North America from Dirt Cult Records: Here
Pre-Order “Trajinero b/w Kids Of Today” in Europe from Wanda Records: Here
Follow JENNY: Bandcamp:Here
Facebook: @JENNY.POWERPOP.BAND
Instagram: @JENNY.POWERPOP.BAND

Sami Yaffa – The Innermost Journey to Your Outermost Mind – pre sales

Sami Yaffa – The Innermost Journey to Your Outermost Mind – pre sales

SAMI YAFFA, best known for his work with New York Dolls, Michael Monroe Band and Hanoi Rocks has announced the release of his first solo album “The Innermost Journey to Your Outermost Mind”, out on September 3rd, 2021 via Livewire/Cargo Records.

 

SAMI YAFFA has had a long and unique career as a musician. He played at the tender age of 16 on the Finnish punk legends Pelle Miljoona Oy’s legendary album Moottoritie On Kuuma. As an original member of the band Hanoi Rocks (1980-85) he recorded 5 albums with the band and toured the world extensively until the tragic events that ended the flight of the pioneering band. Hanoi Rocks became a major influence on many bands that later became huge like the Guns N`Roses and Pearl Jam.

Yaffa’s career continued after the break-up of Hanoi and ended up playing with Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, the legendary New York Dolls, the Swedish RnR machine The Hellacopters and many more artists. Sami began playing with the Hanoi Rocks lead singer Michael Monroe again in 2010, the collaboration with Michael continues to this day.

But now it’s time to put out an album under his own name. “The idea for the solo album started to take shape a few years back. I had written music for the New York Dolls and the Michael Monroe Band, but a lot of the songs and ideas were starting to sound more like me than the other bands.”

Recording lineup:

Sami Yaffa (HANOI ROCKS, MICHAEL MONROE, NEW YORK DOLLS) – Vocals, Bass Guitar
Rich Jones (MICHAEL MONROE) – Guitar
Christian Martucci (STONE SOUR) – Guitar
Rane Raitsikka (SMACK) – Guitar
Timo Kaltio (IZZY STRADLIN, CHEAP AND NASTY) – Guitar
Janne Haavisto – Drums

What kind of music does Yaffa then release under his own name? Versatile. “I’ve always loved the music of the bands like The Clash and The Rolling Stones. They can play country, funk, reggae and rock`n`roll, and still sound like themselves. I wanted the same kind of versatility for my own album. ” The album has influences on a fairly wide scale, but it hardly surprises those who have followed Yaffa’s career: in addition to his own music career, he has been seen getting to know the musical cultures of different parts of the world as a host of the Sami Yaffa: Soundtracker TV series. However, the beating heart of the album is in rock`n`roll and punk, I don’t shy away from that.”

Even though it’s a solo album, Yaffa mentions a few of names without whom the album wouldn’t have been completed. One being the drummer Janne Haavisto, with whom Sami played already as a teenager. And the other being his Michael Monroe Bands band mate Rich Jones who co-wrote a bulk of the songs with Sami. Also the Stone Sour guitarist Christian Martucci and Smack guitarist Rane played an important role in the creation of the album.

SAMI YAFFA is ready to hit the road after the release of the album with a line up of Janne Haavisto on drums, Linde Lindström (HIM) on guitar and Burton (HIM) on keyboards.

www.instagram.com/samiyaffaofficial
www.facebook.com/sami.yaffa

Rebellion Festival – Celebrating 25 Years since Holidays In The Sun…

Rebellion Festival – Celebrating 25 Years since Holidays In The Sun…

REBELLION FESTIVAL AND BLACKPOOL WINTER GARDENS PRESENT:

 

HITS 25 – Celebrating 25 Years since Holidays In The Sun…

 

TICKETS FOR SATURDAY 7th AUGUST 2021 ON SALE NOW!

Despite Rebellion Festival being postponed again this year due to the ongoing restrictions with the Covid pandemic, one point that became clear to the dedicated organisers early on was that, festival or no festival, punks from all over the country were still going to head to Blackpool. Previously due to take place August 5th – 8th at the famous Winter Gardens, one of the things that makes Rebellion Festival different to many other music festivals is the undeniable fact that the audience, bands, promoters and everyone involved are all one big family. Long established as the world’s largest punk festival, the fact that so many regular attendees were still prepared to come to Blackpool and support the city that has always welcomed them, and spend time with their extended punk family, without the festival even being on, meant that if it was possible to host at least some kind of gig for the people heading down, Rebellion would.

So, when news came that covid restrictions were going to be lifted on July 19th, Team Rebellion went into overdrive and have successfully pulled together in record time ‘Hits 25 – Celebrating 25 years since Holidays In The Sun’, the event from which Rebellion Festival was originally born.

To be held in the Empress Ballroom and an acoustic stage in the Pavilion on Saturday August 7th, Cock Sparrer, Cockney Rejects, UK Subs, GBH, The Barstool Preachers, Dirt Box Disco, Maid Of Ace, Gimp Fist, Fire Exit, Death Trails, Mille Manders and the Shutup are all confirmed to perform, whilst the acoustic stage in the Pavilion will see TV Smith, Atilla The Stockbroker, Carol Hodge and more provide a more relaxed soundtrack.

It’s testament to the goodwill that the bands and audience have for the festival and with thanks to the Winter Gardens and Blackpool Council that they’ve been able to bring together such a strong line-up in such short time, for the incredible value of only £21.50 on the door, or online in advance with booking fee.

Rebellion Festival tickets have nothing to do with this gig. Rebellion 2020 and 2021 tickets remain rolled over to 2022. It’s only a one stage main gig, so capacity is limited and therefore there obviously won’t be as many tickets available as usual.

The Winter Gardens, however, will have FREE ENTRY for Thursday / Friday and Sunday, giving everyone a place to meet up and hang out on those days.

Tickets are available from: https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1F005AE5C06D6E89

HITS25 is an All-Ages show with under 14s getting in free of charge. Everyone under 18 needs to be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Rebellion Festival 2022 is already well underway, and the promoters are rebooking many of the headline bands from the cancelled 2020/21 events and have also booked three bands that were not due to play either of those years. English rock legends The Stranglers and first-wave Los Angeles punks The Dickies are now confirmed to return to the festival in 2022 and are joined by Brighton folk-rock maestros The Levellers, who play the festival for the very first time.  The Levellers are still one of the most popular independent bands in the UK, and headlined Glastonbury Festival in 1994, where they performed to a record-breaking crowd of 300,000 people! Their anthemic, uplifting set is sure to be a highlight of Rebellion Festival in 2022.

These join returning and rebooked artists such as Circle Jerks, Bad Religion, The Undertones, Tom Robinson and Stiff Little Fingers, Ruts DC, Sham 69 and many more.

Rebellion Festival in 2022 will also see the welcome return of an outdoor stage, the council have agreed for the festival to have the area of the promenade right in front of Blackpool Tower (Tower Headland, on the ‘comedy carpet’). This is an amazing space for an outdoor stage. A straight walk down from the Winter Gardens. Rebellion can double the capacity with this area and have some fantastic plans to make both sites amazing.

For those who don’t have tickets rolling over from 2020/21, tickets for Rebellion 2022 will be available from August 5th.

Head to www.rebellionfestivals.com for more information.

 

Twitter: @rebellionfest 

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