Pulled Apart By Horses/Baba Naga/Dactyl Terra – Newport, Le Pub – 2nd October 2019

Pulled Apart By Horses/Baba Naga/Dactyl Terra – Newport, Le Pub – 2nd October 2019

Next month marks the 30th anniversary of me and RPM’s Nev Brooks attending gigs together, our itinerary starting back in November 1989 when we were lucky enough to catch a just about to break big Mudhoney annihilate a packed to the rafters Bristol Bierkeller. Also on the bill that night, the cosmic psychedelia of The Telescopes, and in many ways tonight’s show bears more than just the odd striking similarity to that most memorable of first date nights.

It’s not just the fact that three decades on Brooks is somehow still putting up with my antics but that tonight’s show also perfectly blends those punk rock/psychedelia genres once again. Tonight is also long since sold out as two years on from the release for their excellent ‘The Haze’ album Leeds based rockers Pulled Apart By Horses look to premiere brand new songs from their yet to be recorded fifth studio album by playing a series of fourteen shows across the UK in some the most intimate venues they’ve played in years.

It’s great to see Le Pub’s live room packed out for the arrival of local openers Dactyl Terra (geddit?) too, a trio who in turn proceed to deliver a size ten alt-rock boot up the arse of all the UK bands who currently think it’s cool to wear cowboy hats and wax their facial hair whilst worshiping at the temple of 70s and 80s hard rock dinosaurs (sorry I couldn’t resist it).

Which also rather tenuously brings me to tour main support, Baba Naga. This trio is already renowned as Sheffield’s finest exponents of pagan doom and are also a band I quite often see being compared to… ahem Pink Floyd. So, whilst there’s certainly a few quieter Floyd-like transient moments during tonight’s all too brief 30 minute set, for me the Babas have much more in common with the aforementioned Telescopes or perhaps ‘Gravity Grave’ era The Verve whilst at their more rockier moments they actually kind of remind me of The Heads from just over the other side of the river Severn.

There’s no between song Baba banter just the sound of their intro tape looping away like some kind of hypnotic mantra and as a result I have no idea what songs the guys played tonight, I just found that I had this compelling urge to go  buy myself a Baba Naga tour kaftan at the end of their set…ha!

Owning all of the Pulled Apart By Horses albums but never actually having seen them live before tonight I really wasn’t too sure what to expect as the band stepped up onto Le Pub’s legendary low stage, and I must admit my first impressions weren’t that positive at all. Opening with new track ‘Pipe Dream’ singer Tom Hudson complete with matching black jacket and ¾ length trousers (keeping his ankles cool obviously) seemed kind of uninterested in the events at hand exuding an almost Kasabian-like arrogant swagger, that is until the track suddenly changed pace half way through and he instantly transformed into one of my new favourite frontmen, marching through the packed crowd mic in hand barking out lyrical orders to his devoted followers, he is now equal parts Iggy Pop and  Matt Caughtran.

‘First World Problems’ quickly follows and this along with ‘Rinse & Repeat’ aired later on after two cuts from ‘The Haze’ are the perhaps the immediate hits from the (I think?) eight new tracks played tonight, something that is never an easy thing to do, but all of them seem to go down well with the Horses faithful.

The superb 3 minute pop punk anthem ‘V.E.N.O.M’ is thankfully still in the set being the first song I ever heard by the band back in 2011 on Radio 6 Music and closing things out tonight we have the old school debut album mayhem of ‘High Five, Swan Dive, Nose Dive’ and ‘Punched A Lion In The Throat’ to send everyone home drenched in sweat.

Of course I’d have liked to have heard some tracks like the immense ‘Hot Squash’ from ‘Blood’  slotted into tonight’s set, but you know what, the new stuff worked just fine and this must be the first time, since I witnessed The Bronx preview the whole of ‘Bronx IV’ live long before its release, that such a feat was done with so much aplomb.

I leave Le Pub totally euphoric with what I have just witnessed, and its gigs like this that will always have me bowling back to the car arms laden with merch ready to tell the world what they have been missing out on.

Pulled Apart By Horses were fucking phenomenal tonight – FACT!

Author: Johnny Hayward

 

Jim Jones & The Righteous Mind / Joe Kelly – Clwb Ifor Bach Cardiff 28.09.19

Jim Jones & The Righteous Mind / Joe Kelly – Clwb Ifor Bach Cardiff 28.09.19

What I hear you say Two live reviews from Jim Jones in a couple of weeks.  Well, one is from the start of the tour and the other (this) from the tail of the tour.  Besides it would seem both nights were fucking spectacular so the internet being flooded (ok maybe not flooded) with Rock and Roll can only be a good thing and if you’ve never seen this band then take some advice and get down and get with it if they’re ever playing near you (which they probably will)

Johnny took care of the support act as I was busy negotiating the M4 that had taken on the look of a rapid river such was the downpour this evening.

If uber did arks you can bet your bottom dollar there would be a rank of them parked on Castle St just around the corner from Clwb Ifor Bach tonight. Such is the ferocity of the rain that walking up to the venue I think to myself that maybe I’ve walked onto the film set of Seven…or perhaps make that Severn as I by the time I do finally reach the gig I look like I’ve been for a dip in said river.

Why am I telling you all this? Well, it’s on nights like this that gigs can tend to suffer attendance-wise especially with walk-up crowds and some lost souls even when they have bought tickets in advance then simply can’t be arsed to get wet and make the effort to get out the front door. Not so tonight though as even before the ungodly hour of 7:30 pm there is more than a healthy number of Righteous Minds in attendance to bid a very warm welcome to last-minute support act Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy.

Joe’s mix of deep south (wales) blues and folk actually proves to be the perfect pick me up tonic after our early evening soaking as the two-piece set up (of guitar and drums) deliver songs like ‘Home’ from their recent ‘The Road’ EP that spark and glow like a warm campfire that the audience can huddle around to dry off.

There’s a haunting quality to Joe’s guitar that recalls David Lynch movie soundtracks and his husky sour mash fermented vocals are straight outta the Usk Delta, whilst on earlier songs like ‘Babylon’ I can see why some folks are getting a little bit excited and calling him a modern-day Dylan.  As a band dropped in at the last minute to replace two other acts that had sadly fallen by the wayside due to illness Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy just make their left of field take on this rock ‘n’ roll malarkey look oh so easy…

 

What, We carried a review from York on this tour but such is the undeniable force of nature that is Jim Jones & The Righteous Mind how could we not top and tail the tour? Having only seen the band play a few months ago on the opening night of the album’s release this was JJ&TRM having bedded in the new tunes and with some distance from their birth, this was another perfect night to check out one of the UK’s finest Rock and Roll bands currently treading the boards.  Like a finely tuned beast and with a new single on show they were never going to disappoint it was more a question of how good they were going to be.

 

In fairness to Jim he has always played this neck of the woods and this must have been the umpteenth time I’ve seen him perform with one line up or another and I’ve never left a show unenthused or thinking about missing the next time he breezes through town. Kicking off with the wonderful stomp of ‘Get Down Get With It’ it’s hard to believe that things can’t go anywhere but downhill from here but following on from the glam tastic cover its ‘Boil Yer Blood’ and a couple more from the marvelous debut ‘Super Natural’ before we get a peek behind the curtail and the band wheel in a wonderful dramatic ‘Shazam’. ‘Sex Robot’ and ‘Satan Got His Heart Set On You’ as the band then flip flop from one album to the other picking the audience up then slamming them down before knocking out a rough house version of ‘Helter Skelter’ the band are absolutely in tune with one and other as they spar off each other trading guitar lick or bass line or percussion fill with the lap steel and piano chipping in with uplifting fills at every opportunity.

Looking like the Cult of real Rock and Roll in their roll necks  or some brothers in arms armed with Guitars and music rather than Bullets and Bombs they’ll be queuing out the door to sign up to join the collective with these guys providing the soundtrack and message. It warms my heart to hear them rally against Austerity and tory Britain and how Shit Island is heading down the pan with clowns and Jokers at every turn but whilst were led by the snout by greedy politicians and right-wing loons I’ll take this soundtrack and I guess selfishly Great Rock and Roll always rises up in tough times and hearing the sermon of ‘I Found A Love’ for one evening the world outside can wait whilst I get carried away on a wave of Righteous Rock and Roll.  After taking a walk through the audience and taking the message to the people on ‘Base Is Loaded’ they are called back for an encore that they richly deserve.

With the clock ticking the band has time for ‘Hold up’ and a blistering ‘Alpha Shit’ before we rejoin the rank and file on the rainy street of Cardiff with our ears ringing and another night of the finest Rock and Roll you could wish for pumping around our hearts.  Amen to that Brothers Jim and the rest of the Righteous Mind you raised the bar a little higher than before – now when can we do it all again?

 

Andy McCoy – ‘21st Century Rocks’ (Ainoa Productions)

Andy McCoy – ‘21st Century Rocks’ (Ainoa Productions)

It’s been a while since we heard anything from the Sherriff McCoy. In fact, its 10 years since Hanoi Rocks performed their last hurrah and put the band to bed with a final show at the Tavastia in Helsinki. So what has Michael Monroe’s former partner in crime been up to? Well, if you believe the comments on YouTube, it appears he has been a lighthouse keeper for 10 years! While I would love that to be true, apart from the short-lived Grease Helmet and a few guest appearances, it seems he has done little musically to speak of and has spent more time on his artwork, clothes design and even a stint on Finland’s Celebrity Big Brother.

But the guitar legend is back with a 12 song slab of ‘21st Century Rocks’, his first solo album since ‘Building On Tradition’ that came out way back in 1995. And what a welcome surprise it is.

 

Lead single ‘Seven Seas’ came out of nowhere a month back and actually upstaged Monroe’s first offering from the highly anticipated ‘One Man Band’. Andy always had an ear for melody and ‘Seven Seas’ confirms he still has a trick or two up his sleeve. A definite classic Hanoi feel comes across, as it builds to a fantastic uplifting chorus that fills the ears and soul with a feeling of euphoria no drug can give. Can Andy McCoy possibly be the king of all comebacks? We will have to see if the rest of the album holds up to the same quality.

That familiar guitar tone blasts from the speakers as the title track sets the scene for the album. The even more familiar vocal drawl follows. Andy McCoy’s vocals are certainly an acquired taste, but let’s not forget Hanoi Rocks’ back catalogue would not be the same without those quirky ‘out of tune’ backing vocals of his. And that guitar solo… no one plays guitar quite like Andy McCoy! Killer stuff indeed.

 

The ghost of his bastard past is never far away. ‘Undertow’ comes on like ‘A Day Late, A Dollar Short’, there’s even a sax solo to boot. I wonder if it originated from those sessions. Whether it did or not, it’s a cool tune for sure. Then ‘Batteram’ takes things way back in time. That melody comes on like Hanoi’s ‘Desperado’ to these ears. And the way he sings “round” and “ground” in the chorus with an unmistakeable accent is cool as fuck.

Andy’s songwriting and guitar playing has always been more experimental, taking in eastern and reggae influences, and he certainly creates a few more mental beats to make a diverse album. While Monroe has stuck to his rock ‘n’ roll roots for his whole solo career, (and we wouldn’t want it any other way, right?) McCoy explores the obscure and recaptures the quirky influences that peppered Hanoi’s earlier albums.

‘Maria Maria’ is pure class. Mariachi vibes all over as trumpets and strummed acoustics take us into spaghetti western territory. The Urban Voodoo Machine comes to mind as Andy transports us to the Mexican border to smoke a doobie or two, down tequila and jam out in the scorching sun with a chiquita or two. That is what I imagine Andy has been doing in the wilderness years! While I don’t think Andy is even allowed anywhere near any US boarders anytime soon due to his past antics, the idea is spot on.

‘Soul Satisfaction’ is another track that is out there, even in Andy McCoy terms. A tripped-out pre chorus leads into a 70’s New York groove as the main man slurs his words like Keith Richards on his second bottle of Jack.

‘Bible and a Gun’ could sit nicely anywhere in his discography. A bluesy, Stonesy little number with honky tonk piano and a cool barroom boogie groove. Elsewhere, Andy makes his guitar gently weep on the opening riff of ‘The Hunger’. The laid back, jangly backing, harmonised guitars and the ‘Village Girl’ style breakdown to fade makes this a rapturous and satisfying ride.

As we reach the final stretch it comes to mind that Andy McCoy actually comes on like vintage Alice Cooper, which is something that I never realised.  Take away the smoky sax on ‘Gimme Time’ and listen intently to closer ‘This is Rock ‘n’ Roll’ with its gang backing vocals and Detroit garage rock delivery and maybe you’ll catch my drift.

 

Obviously, ‘21st Century Rocks’ will be measured up against ‘One Man Gang’ as they literally come out within weeks of each other. Michael Monroe has an established career as a solo artist and has one of the best live bands in the business, and Andy is…well he’s just Andy McCoy, the guitar-slinging outlaw! Let’s not take anything away from either camp. Both are living legends that together produced some of the greatest albums in my record collection and influenced a whole generation of bands.

While they made magic together, they continue to do the same on their own terms. ‘21st Century Rocks’ is a testament to that, a surprise hit on many levels. Who’s for a UK tour then?

Buy 21st Century Rocks Here  (Finland)

Buy 21st Century Rocks Here (Amazon)

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Author: Ben Hughes

 

 

 

Rainy Days & Mondays

Rainy Days & Mondays

First up on this windswept and wet Monday we have The Badrocks take on Portisheads ‘Glory Box’.

 

In Direct contrast and seeing as they’re over here in the UK this week how about some Black Flag.

Finally, in tribute to Kim Shattuck we pay our respects by adding ‘Sad Tomorrow’ from The Muffs turn it up kids and listen to the Muffs.

 

Cyanide Pills/Continental Quilts/LoGOz – York, The Fulford Arms – 27th September 2019

Cyanide Pills/Continental Quilts/LoGOz – York, The Fulford Arms – 27th September 2019

Certain people at RPM have been banging on about Leeds punk mob Cyanide Pills for some time now. We dig ‘em and we own all their albums, of course we do. We may even go as far to say they are the natural successors to the likes of The Buzzcocks and even the Ramones. Don’t believe us? Take one listen to the back catalogue and thank us later!

Yet, the only chance we get to catch the elusive mob is at Rebellion or the odd London date. They seem to tour mostly in Europe, and who can blame them. Germany, Spain, Italy…they love the pogo-ing punk rock of Cyanide Pills.

This band have the back catalogue and the live reputation to match, and I was not going to miss the rare chance of catching the spikey oiks on (near to) home turf.

 

First up tonight are LoGOz. They have been doing the rounds for a while now, some recent support slots with the likes of Maid Of Ace and The Bar Stool Preachers have seen them get the word out to a wider audience.

Tonight the four piece band seems to be missing a bass player. It matters not one bit. 2 guitars and drums seem to suffice for the catchy, punk pop the trio deliver. Singer Peesh wears his SG swinging from his knees and delivers his tunes like Billie Joe Armstrong meets Captain Sensible. Which is quite fitting, as they do remind me of mid-nineties Green Day with the quirky vocals of The Toy Dolls.

Short, sharp songs with buckets of energy. The likes of ‘Bones Of Yesterday’ and the topical ‘Anti Social Media’ are instant slabs of pop punk goodness with buzzsaw guitars and great harmonies. They go down well, a great band worth getting down early for.

 

Up next are Gateshead yob rockers Continental Quilts. I don’t know what the singer’s called, but she looks like a Debbie, so we’ll go with that for the sake of argument. Debbie looks like she’s off to a 50’s rock n roll convention with her dirty uncles in their matching baseball jackets and shoes. But looks can be deceptive.

She looks like butter wouldn’t melt, but happens to be a fiery little demon once their set kicks off. This band is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, as musically they are trashy as hell and deliver a high energy set. Recent single ‘C’mon Get Back To Gettin’ It On’ is a glorious, glam rock stomper that nods its head to Suzi Quatro or The Sweet. I think they played it twice! And ‘Motor Sicko Fever’ is raw, high energy garage rock at its finest.

Great gang backing vocals and bundles of enthusiasm make the Continental Quilts experience something worth dragging your sorry ass away from the bar for.

Four songs into Cyanide Pills set and singer Phil Privilege (not his real name) has already put his head through the ceiling of The Fulford Arms. Sporting a battered white leather jacket, the singer shakes the plasterboard from his hair, rubs the dust from his eyes and carries on singing ‘Making Her Mind Up’, one of many highlights from a 45 minute thriller of a set. Yes, Cyanide Pills have a clenched fist full of bangers and they deliver the lot at a frantic pace tonight. Seriously, this is an ‘all killer, no filler’ show.

The songs are so short that their 45 minute setlist is scrawled on the back on an old A3 poster. That set mixes up all three albums nicely and there is much to get excited about. ‘I Don’t Remember’ and ‘Alone Tonight’ from last year’s excellent ‘Sliced and Diced’ fit the set like old friends, and ‘Sit Tight’ and ‘I’m Bored’ are full on, high energy Buzzcocks style anthems for a jilted generation.

In biker jackets and skinny jeans, guitarists Alex and Sy point their guitars to the ceiling as they peel off every Thunders lick they know, while new (stand in?) bassist Conor Hussey holds down the low end, looking every inch the Sid Vicious clone he plays in The Sex Pistols Experience.

While the band jerk about like men possessed, their singer nonchalantly swigs from a can of cider and sprays mouthfuls of Dark Fruits in the general direction of the seemingly oblivious bassist and guitarist to his right. Full on, edgy punk rock man!

At other times he’s in the crowd, loving the moment, living the punk rock dream. “Johnny Thunders lived in York!” he shouts, as an introduction to the fabulous ‘Johnny Thunders Lived In Leeds’. It’s a song that is as cool as the title suggests it should be. One of many set highlights along with the topical ‘Government’, with its “robbing me blind” refrain, and the sublime ‘Suicide Bomber’, surely one of the greatest punk rock songs of modern times.

 

Forget buying a ticket to see Green Day in an enormodome. This is where true punk rock is at people. As we always say, the smaller and more intimate, the better. This is where the likes of Green Day started anyway, the sort of venue where they learnt their trade. The sort of venue where you can see the whites of their eyes, feel the sweat as it splashes against your own drenched t shirt, and feel the blood rush through your veins as the power of yet another classic anthem beats through your chest.

Cyanide Pills left their mark on The Fulford Arms both physically and mentally tonight. They are arguably the best punk rock band in the UK right now, and I would pay good money to see them any day of the week. In fact, I like them so much I might just move to Germany in the hope of catching them live more often.

 

Author: Ben Hughes

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October Playlist

October Playlist

With 2019 quickly rolling downhill towards 2020 and with Halloween just around the corner and Shit Island still under Tory rule heres a playlist to take you away from the humdrum of real-life and to take a peek at whats on the RPM turntables and MP3 players this month.

Alice Cooper is in the house with Go Man Go taken from his excellent EP ‘The Breadcrumbs EP’ and how could we not include Jim Jones & The Righteous Mind so get down and get with it as ‘Shazam’ is in the house on the virtual player.

Also on the live front we’ve caught up with the awesome Cyanide Pills who are ‘Still Bored’. this month we’ve got an exclusive interview we recently did with Spunk Volcano so it seems right we should include ‘Shit Excuse’ from ‘Double Bastard’.  It seems that every man and his dog is attending one of The Cult winter tour dates so why not play ‘New York City’ from the 30th Anniversary ‘Sonic Temple’.

Hands up if you’re heading to one of the Black Flag dates around the UK this month?  We are so ‘My War’ is on the list. Pulled Apart By Horses rode into Newport and left a mark so ‘The Big What If’ is on the list.

As for new albums we’ve reviewed how about a few new ones starting off with Pardon Us with the opening track on their debut album ‘Wait’ ‘check out ‘Beyond The Valley Of The Wolves’. The Hangmen are back with ‘Cactusville’ as are Starcrawler who we’ve included with the excellent rock and rolla ‘No More Pennies’, Bitch Queens bring ‘Superboy’ and their brothers from different mother are back with a new single.  The Hip Priests ‘I Hate The City’ from their recent split but fear not pop pickers they have another single on the way this month we’ve heard it and its a no brainer kids all killer and no filler was written for them.

As we say goodbye to Barrie Masters we’ve included Eddie And The Hot Rods cover of ‘Once Bitten Twice Shy’.  Since they’re having a movie made about them we think it’s apt that we include the awesome Redd Kross with ‘Motorboat’ on this months playlist.  turn it up baby because Charger make the paylist with ‘Victim’ from their self titled record. Cockroach Clan released their new/old record so why not sample some Norweigan punk rock whilst youre here.

It wouldn’t seem right not to have a Wildhearts tune in our playlist seeing as they have a new mini-album out this month and are playing the UK again so heres ‘A Song About Drinking’.  Supporting them on this round of dates are Janus Stark who also have a headliner at the hope & Anchor so with news of their new album released last week heres one from them for good measure – We can’t play you anything new but trust us when we say it’s going to be worth the wait so to keep you going heres ‘Every Little Thing Counts’.  It only seems fair we offer up some Shitbaby Mammals with the opener from their record ‘Heart On My Sleeve’.  To wrap up this months playlist heres some Black Star Riders with the second track from their new album and title track ‘Another State Of Grace’. So until next month…

The Jellybricks – Some Kind Of Lucky (Wicked Cool Records)

The Jellybricks – Some Kind Of Lucky (Wicked Cool Records)

Signed to Wicked Cool seems to be the seal of quality any band needs because I’ve not heard a dud yet but that’s not to say this Rock and Roll lark is a piece of piss either.  It ain’t.  Churning out quality tunes is something bands can do if they work hard enough but not everyone can make it good enough that other people will jump on board. Guitars, bass, and drums with a layer of strong harmonies might well be the vital ingredients but you still need the tunes and I’m happy to say The Jellybricks have got a record full of em. The fact that they’ve been around for twenty years means nothing maybe they just needed that break and maybe Wicked Cool is that break.

Starting with ‘Corner Of My Eye’ sees the band take the basics of guitar, bass and drums and a collection of Cars albums and maybe Big Star would have featured in their collective collections?  It’s polished for sure and there is an air of familiarity about ‘Brooklyn’ which just happens to be a very decent tune again sticking to the formula and having a strong chorus with plenty of light in the harmonies and energy in that solo -top tun.

‘Some Kind Of Lucky’ is the lighter side of the Posies whereas ‘Mrs. Misery’ is a sprightly little number that would have fitted in well with the more energetic tunes from Gaslight Anthem with a hint of Replacements (but only a hint) I like it so far its got energy and flows really well.

It’s a strange thing that a band this decent would never have flown across my radar until now.  ‘Faith’ has got radio appeal and would do well I’m sure of it like a latter-day Soul Asylum. I would say this album is very up in a happy and confident kinda way from top to bottom if you dig any of the bands I have name-checked then the chances are there is something on here that you will enjoy and if not you’ll be smiling anyway it’s so feelgood your jaw will ache.  they even find the time to turn to token ballad into a beaming ray of sunshine as the title track and last number puts a decent full stop on a really impressive record.  The Jellybricks might be a new one on me but it won’t be the last no doubt about it. Power Pop tastic!

Buy ‘Some Kind Of Lucky’ Here

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Author: Dom Daley

HRH Punk 2 line up and ticket details

HRH Punk 2 line up and ticket details

HRH Punk II, Anarchy in Sheffield 2020 just went live with the first 18 bands and a 30 quid killer deal!

This is just the first bang – there are plenty more bands to come very shortly!

HRH PUNK I sold out in record time and looks to be an absolute belter, next years will go up a gear and to make it all work we have some incredible early bird deals for the next 4 days.

The first tranche of bands next year include UK Subs – one of the pioneers of UK punk – formed in London in 1976 as UK Subversives.  They had hit singles such as “Stranglehold” including a classic performance on Top of the Pops featuring the ever-present frontman Charlie Harper.

Also confirmed for HRH Punk II are Ruts DC – perhaps best known for their 1979 hit “Babylon’s Burning”, they bring their reggae-infused punk to Sheffield’s O2 Academy next September.  Since their reformation in 2007 Ruts DC have kept busy with gigs alongside Alabama 3, Rancid, Buzzcocks, Public Image Ltd and many more.

Another alumn of the original UK punk scene, The Boys bring us their power-pop-punk which has influenced the likes of Die Toten Hosen and The Exploding Hearts. The Boys also enjoyed a new-found spike in popularity in Japan thanks to Japanese garage rock band Thee Michelle Gun Elephant covering their song Soda Pressing.

Here’s the deal : For 4 days only, all standard weekend passes will be 30 GBP no booking fee and Royalty passes 50 GBP no booking fee as they last.

Now listen up because this is really Killer… The HRH Hotels (gotta love ’em) have provided a real Killer Early Bird Incentive too. There are only 50 rooms per hotel that never last long, but for 4 days only (or until they sell out – as this will fly) this is how it rolls…

Standard HRH Hotel with breakfast & standard weekend ticket will be 95 GBP a person & Royalty HRH Hotel with breakfast & weekend Royalty ticket will 120 GBP per person.

Remember 2 minimum sharing, but what a friggin’ deal! This is only available until the end of the event, but please remember there are only 50 rooms per hotel which won’t last long, especially at this price!

HRH PUNK 2 goes on sale Thursday 3rd October @ 11.00am UK time, but only lasts until the end of the event 4 days later (midnight Sunday 6th October to be exact). Link to the online store here: http://www.hrhpunk.com/product-category/punk-ii/

Everything is subject to availability and as you’ve seen HRH PUNK is one of the hottest, fastest-selling city events HRH put on. It will be a scream as usual, so get on board. Attendees have early picking until Friday 4th October then it’s on general sale over the weekend.

Book online @ www.hrhpunk.com – if you need any assistance, grab the Live Chat service on the website.

https://www.facebook.com/HRHPunk

Timeless Concert Images – 40 Years Of Rock Concert Experiences

Timeless Concert Images – 40 Years Of Rock Concert Experiences
Rock photographer Bill O’Leary has a book Featuring over 175 full color concert images from the ’70s through ’90s of icons like Van Halen, Rush, Judas Priest, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne, Queen, Pink Floyd, Zappa, and more Available Here
During his career, photographer Bill O’Leary took pictures of some of rock’s biggest names at the peak of their powers – Van Halen, Rush, Judas Priest, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne, Queen, Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, etc. And now, he has opened his archives for the first time ever – assembling a collection of not only his best images, but also, offering stories and recollections behind concerts he shot over the years. Indeed, this book is comprised of over 175 full color, live concert images photographed primarily from the late 1970’s through the 1990’s.

Artists include…AC/DC, Albert King, The Allman Brothers Band, Anthrax, Blues Traveler, Bob Seger, Cheap Trick, Def Leppard, Dixie Dregs, Foreigner, Frank Zappa, Grateful Dead, Hot Tuna, Jeff Beck, Jethro Tull, Joan Jett, Judas Priest, Kiss, Marillion, Mercyful Fate, Michael Schenker Group, Molly Hatchet, Mötley Crüe, Motörhead, Outlaws, Overkill, Ozzy Osbourne, Pat Travers, Phish, Pink Floyd (The Wall), The Police, Queen, Rainbow, Reo Speedwagon, The Romantics, Rossington Collins Band, Rush, Scorpions, Slayer, Styx, Ted Nugent, Todd Rundgren’s Utopia, Triumph, UFO, Van Halen, White Zombie, XTC, Yes, Yngwie Malmsteen with Alcatrazz, and ZZ Top.

O’Leary says:
“Hard to believe that I have been shooting concerts for 4 decades now, beginning in the mid 70’s when I went to my first concert at the world famous Madison Square Garden in New York City. I felt at home among the walls of speakers and the towering lighting rigs, I also immediately knew that leaving the show with a ticket stub, program and maybe a t-shirt would not be enough, so I had to capture the memory permanently. Within’ weeks I had traded my Sony home stereo system for a black leather jacket and my first Minolta SLR camera. After a brief learning period experimenting with the constantly changing lighting and vast array of colors, film speeds and the quick movements of the artists, I was told by many people that I was a “natural”. I have always felt that “knowing” the music deeply and being passionate about it as well, really was the “secret” to capturing the “moment”. With that confidence, I was soon shooting many concerts, 46 in 1980 alone. By then I was also being published in many major magazines as well. In the early days, I practiced “gorilla type tactics” to get my equipment into the venue’s. Later, I was forced to play the game of securing credentials in order to shoot shows. All too soon, promoter and band management rules and demands on photographers began to take the excitement out of shooting shows. Then the ” first 3 song” rule became common, NO more pictures after the third song. Pro concert photographers know that the “best” part of a shows production comes later in the event. In the end, I’m glad to have been a part of the glory days of concert photography.”

FOREWARD by Freddie Salem of The Outlaws:
“Bill O’Leary has played an extremely important part in the rock n’ roll world, as the consummate live performance photographer for over 40 years. As a professional musician, rock photographers are a part of the music scene – whether it be shooting promotional shoots, live concerts, or simply capturing life on tour. Bill first photographed us back in 1979 – a couple years after I joined the Outlaws, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. We were touring in support of our latest album, In the Eye of the Storm. Madison Square Garden is a big show for any touring band – as well as me personally, as a musician. A landmark venue. The following year, 1980, Bill again photographed me onstage – twice. Once at a Pat Travers Band show at the Palladium in Lower Manhattan in April, then again later that fall in November, as the Outlaws were touring in support of our latest album, Ghost Riders. This time, we were playing a smaller venue in Passaic, New Jersey, called the Capitol Theatre. Hundreds upon hundreds of marquis performers from all over the world have been captured on film by Bill – with the help of his trusty camera. I am surely anticipating the release of Bill O’Leary’s book, featuring his life’s passion and his iconic photography work. Looking at the thousands of live photos Bill has shot over the years one thing is very clear – he knows when to “pull the trigger.”

The Hangmen – Cactusville (Acetate Records)

The Hangmen – Cactusville (Acetate Records)

The Hangmen release records when they want to release records. The Hangmen don’t seem to have a mapped out plan to their rock and Roll and it would seem have a more organic approach, a natural approach to what they do.  The one thing that shines like a beacon is when they do decide its time to put out a record its always quality and well worth the wait.

‘Cactusville’ is the group’s new record their first since 2012 and builds on ‘East Of Western’ with subtle string and harmonies in their arrangements. It still has their hallmark country-infused punk style and attitude, The Hangmen have penned a record that singer and guitarist Bryan Small describes as “A fully realized effort.”

It’s dark at times but, its also glorious technicolour,  Small’s songwriting stands in contrast from his Los Angeles peers, choosing to chronicle outlaw folklore and broken romances, The Hangmen are in the house and whilst keeping their identity and the style that fans love they have finally returned with newly found urgency.

Being unhappy with aspects of the last studio album Smalls was determined to wright what he saw as the previous records wrongs and then The Hangmen went on what Small called a ‘forced hiatus’, prompting longtime bassist Angelique Congleton to ask if the band existed or would even resume.

Small felt sufficient time had passed and began writing but with no plan in mind, who knows how long it might take him to follow it up. Thankfully Smalls must have been inspired and the music began to flow. Congleton kept active with her chef position while Small continued spending time with his family.

‘Cactusville’ might be slightly darker and the songs more measured than ‘East Of Western’ it might be partly due to the revolving door of band members this time new drummer Jorge E. Disguster takes the stool along with Smalls and longtime six string companion Jimmy James.

“I know we’ve had a lot of lineups since that first record back in ’86 but I believe in the songs, still play some of those tracks. Looking back to when I first saw Jimmy James play, I loved how simple yet powerful he was. I knew he was the right guitarist for me. Angelique has been with me since ‘Metallic I.O.U.’ came out and I’m grateful because playing in a band is never really easy, and I wouldn’t say The Hangmen are what people would consider a full-time thing. We don’t really have the infrastructure that other groups do. Social media is dominating and of course every band uses it but for me, it’s like pulling teeth to use. Jorge is interested in doing that and Acetate has done more for us than Capitol Records ever did back in the day, that experience ended up being such a joke,”.

Here and now the record starts with the title track and with a laid back groove it’s a sonic masterclass sounding like Smalls has indeed put previous production foibles to bed and moved on with a bright and roomy opener.  With a lead guitar that sits on top of the mix giving it a real air of quality and you’ll stop what you’re doing to check out who and what your hearing. ‘Looking For Blood’ is more upbeat with a swagger in the rhythm and its got handclaps so I’m all in.

Some of the guitar work on this record is exceptional.  Not in the fact they’re doing anything groundbreaking but they sound like a pair of guitarists who just click and feed off each other.  ‘Man In Blacks Hand’ has got a cool as guitar lick and its the sound of a writer who knows what he’s after and what he’s steeped in and should rightfully be proud of these songs marrying a great lick to a recognisable sound isn’t an easy thing in 2019 but this is 100% Hangmen but it does sound fresh at the same time.  Those country-tinged phrasings come to the fore on ‘Nobody’s Girl’ and the subtle strings fill the sound making it sound huge but Smalls snarl trading off the guitar lick is great and by the time you hit the chorus you should be nodding like a dog.

Never wanting to overstay their welcome The Hangmen keep it to a super solid nine tracks on ‘Cactusville’ with ‘Cold Memory Blues’ is the lap steel countrified inner city blues that Smalls writes so well. It’s widescreen Rock and Roll alright and is the cover artwork in music. ‘Don’t Count Me Out’ is a beautiful song with some fantastic harmonies and exceptional arrangments.  A record that just keeps on giving play after play it goes through the gears but remains totally The Hangmen old fans will be delighted with the songwriting quality and new fans will be wondering how they’ve been so late to the party.  Take a trip on the dark side of the Hollywood tracks where the Hangmen dwell just out of sight from the glitz and fake glamour this is where the real beauty lies. The album closer is the acoustic-driven ‘Don’t Look Back’ thats heartbreaking in delivery as Smalls croons with his trusty acoustic before being joined by the rest of the band. Who then weave and meander through over six minutes of what it’s fair to describe as an epic journey with some stunning guitar breaks.

‘Cactusville’ is pretty much exactly what I wanted to hear on a new Hangmen record and they bloody well nailed it. Hopefully, this will light a fire under Smalls songwriting timeline and we won’t have to wait so long between records and it would be awesome if the band would come to the UK.  I’d be there, would you? Stunning new album buy it!

Buy Cactusville Here

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Author: Dom Daley