Slyder Smith New Single “Killing The Machine”

Slyder Smith New Single “Killing The Machine”

Slyder Smith Unleashes New Single “Killing The Machine” on 10th April
A Powerful Anthem Confronting the Rise of Technology and Human Disconnection & unveils new line-up with a string of UK dates


UK rock singer-songwriter Slyder Smith returns with his explosive new single “Killing The Machine”, released on 10 April 2026 — a hard-hitting, thought-provoking track that tackles the growing fear and reality of technology overtaking human connection and control.

Blending gritty guitars, anthemic melodies, and his trademark raw lyricism, “Killing The Machine” channels both urgency and unease, capturing the tension between modern dependence on technology and the instinct to resist it. The track stands as one of Slyder’s most socially charged releases to date, reflecting a world increasingly dominated by screens, algorithms, and artificial noise.
“This one’s about that disturbing feeling that we’re losing control,” says Slyder. “We’ve built something that’s meant to serve us, but it’s starting to feel like it’s shaping us instead. It’s about fighting back — holding onto what makes us human.”

Produced by Robin Wynn Evans (Manic Street Preachers, The View, Sam Brown, Dodgy) at TPot Studio, the single showcases a bold evolution in Slyder’s sound — combining a modern sonic edge with the timeless energy of classic rock. Evans’ production brings clarity and punch to a track that is both sonically powerful and lyrically resonant.

Killing The Machine follows a string of acclaimed releases including “Plan To Fail” and “Nobody’s Listening”, further cementing Slyder’s reputation as an artist unafraid to confront uncomfortable truths – from self-doubt and addiction to isolation and societal disconnection. 
The release also comes as a limited edition numbered CD bundle. Including a signed CD, signed poster & lyric sheet featuring 2 tracks recorded live at a sold-out Forfar 10 Bar show last summer. 

The release coincides with a run of UK live shows:
10th April – Bannermans, Edinburgh
1st May – Audio (w/Bonifide), Glasgow
24th May – 10 Bar, Forfar
11th July – Rock Bottom, Falkirk
12th July – Trillians, Newcastle

Now fronting a powerful four-piece band featuring Brian Kerr (guitar), Kevin Skelly (bass, backing vocals), and John McAvoy (drums), Slyder continues to build momentum with electrifying live performances that have already seen sold-out shows and glowing praise from the UK rock press.
“The new band is sounding awesome in rehearsal; moving to a 4-piece was a great move that brings much more depth to the sound & we genuinely can’t wait to put it in front of a live audience”

Following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album Charm Offensive (2022), Slyder Smith remains a compelling voice in modern rock — delivering music that is fearless, honest, and deeply relevant to the times we live in.

“Killing The Machine” is available on all major streaming platforms from 10 April 2026.

Slyder Smith & the Oblivion Kids – Website

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Rachel Mayfield Group – History Aligned

Rachel Mayfield Group – History Aligned

Rachel Mayfield is joined by former Black Bomber Rhythm section Darren Birch and Dave Twist, and have created the video below, as well as new material that will make up the new album ‘Collect The Hearts’ to be released soon.

This song is taken from Rachel Mayfield’s previous album titled ‘Truth to Material’. The band brought it to their live set while forming and writing new material for ‘Collect The Hearts’, with an attitude not unlike Patti Smith Group, it’s not a solo album with hired hands, but a proper band and if you want to be as good as you can be, then who better to get involved with than Birmingham’s finest. Mayfield has assembled a formidable rhythm section that will help deliver whatever her vision might be.

The band are set to play a live instore in London on Saturday July 4th. Details will go on their Facebook page and, no doubt, Bandcamp. Bookmark the page and keep an eye on what happens next.

www.RachelMayfield.Bandcamp.com / Facebook

Split Dogs/Wench!/Helle – Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds – 27th March 2026

Split Dogs/Wench!/Helle – Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds – 27th March 2026

Who’s up for a night of feminist shouty punk in a teeny, tiny venue at the arse end of Leeds then? Bristol punk n’ rollers Split Dogs certainly are. Riding high on a recent tour with Gogol Bordello, a new album to be released in September and a stonking new single in ‘Rock n’ Roll Business’ to promote. Tonight, they bring their wares to the ultra hipster Hyde Park Book Club, a prime student hangout filled with books, art, food, and a dark downstairs venue that is perfectly suited for sweaty punk rock debauchery.

Local band Helle are already halfway through their set as I arrive, and they seem to have guitar issues. It doesn’t phase singer Elsie, and she continues to smile and deliver her gothic-tinged riot grrl tunes, while the guitarist and soundman frantically try to fix the issue. The band continue to an already busy room with just bass, drums and an ethereal demeanour. Guitars reinstated, there’s a cool energy that makes me wish I’d turned up 15 minutes earlier. Imagine Siouxsie meets the Slits with a heady dose of Daisy Chainsaw for good measure. The girls look like rock stars, the boys look like…boys. Great stuff.

“Wench are not a girl band!” So states the blue-haired drummer from Hull-based shouty feminist punks Wench!, halfway through their set. I beg to differ as the 3-piece band are certainly girls. But I get it, when you’re playing to a largely male populated room, you gotta rage. And Wench certainly rage, with a raw and more visceral sound than the openers, their brand of aggro punk fits the bill nicely. The fact that the drummer and guitarist both handle lead vocals is pretty cool too, and gives some diversity. Two support bands that prove Northern grrls can riot with the best of ‘em.

Split Dogs are the rock n’ roll business from the moment they hit the stage. Dressed in a sparkly red number, singer Harry is the main focus, it’s difficult to take your eyes off her. Some singers just have a certain presence, and Harri is one of those singers who delivers. And by the time the new single “Rock n’ Roll Business” has floored us about 4 songs in, it’s clear they have the tunes to match.

Guitarist Mil Martinez wears his influences on his tattooed sleeves. The riffs sound like Sleazy Quo, the guitar tone is sublime, and the delivery is a Motörhead-style assault. Newish Bassist Suez is now broken in and holds down the low end, the new shirtless and moustachioed drummer already fits like a leather glove. 

“There’s room here at the front!” sneers Harry, beckoning those holding back to come forward and sweat. ‘Lafayette’ sounds killer, ‘Monster Truck’ is a beast and set closer ‘And What’ is as good as it gets. 

The relentless touring has paid off, it seems, as Split Dogs are a bit of a damn good live proposition. In a world where Amyl & The Sniffers are playing Enormodomes, it’s a travesty that a band as good as this are still playing small clubs. But hey, let’s keep it our little secret for now, ok. It’s 2026, and I watched 3 great bands for £12, now that’s a bargain night out in anyone’s book. 

Author: Ben Hughes

Marc Valentine – ‘Uncommon Side Effects’ (Wicked Cool Records)

Marc Valentine – ‘Uncommon Side Effects’ (Wicked Cool Records)

Some people just have a way with a tune, don’t they? You know that, when it’s time to release an album, it’ll be chock full of earworms. Step forward, Marc Valentine, former Last Great Dreamer, with his third long player, the second on Little Steven’s Wicked Cool label. After 2024’s ‘Basement Sparks’, it should be clear that he knows his stuff.

With ‘Uncommon Side Effects’, you get ten quality tunes, the kind you used to hear on the radio. From ‘NY UAP’, with its simple keyboard melody, we’re straight into territory from the notebook of The Boys. An understandable influence, given Marc’s recent tour dates with the band. ‘High On The Underground’ shamelessly nicks from ‘Sweet Jane’, and reminds these ears of ex-Boy, Duncan Reid. 

Marc knows the power of the key change outro, as ‘The Other Side’ shows. Simple, effective and very catchy. In fact, that is the thread throughout the album. Writing simple, memorable songs is anything but easy. Another top songwriter, Chris Catalyst, would, I suspect, enjoy these tunes. ‘Loneliest Part’ and ‘Tiger On Glass’ have echoes of his work and Eureka Machines. They’re responsible for some of my favourite songs ever, so this is no random comparison. 

‘Half Moon Pendant’ is a lovely, brief acoustic interlude, before ‘Temporary Buzz’ clouts you round the head like it’s shouting “potential hit single!”. ‘When The Light Has Gone’ ends on a glimmer of hope and a minimal, Buzzcocks-style melody; another EM motif, and a great song. Marc should be proud of this collection of songs. In troubled times, we need a little spark of optimism and joy. Preorder, and catch him on tour in April and May. 

Buy Here

Author: Martin Chamarette

Fancy Weapon release the ‘Squid’

Fancy Weapon release the ‘Squid’

Poison City is thrilled to introduce you to Fancy Weapon, a new Melbourne-based group featuring musicians that have all spent decades in the rock n roll game & continue to leave indelible marks across the underground music landscape. Fancy Weapon are Mick Turner, Claire Birchall, Joel Silbersher and Guy Maddison. Their first single ’Squid’, with a lead vocal by Claire, who also produced the single’s video, is out today in the digital world with the debut album set for JUNE 19th.

 Fancy Weapon’s debut album will be available on limited edition ‘Deep Sea Blue’ colour vinyl (first 100 copies signed by the band!), CD and all digital stores world-wide.Preorders available now via Poison City E-Store and Bandcamp.

PRE-ORDERS for the Fancy Weapon LP/CD available from Poison City: https://poisoncityestore.com/ and Bandcamp: https://poisoncityrecords.bandcamp.com

And ahead of the album’s release Melbourne audiences will have two opportunities to catch Fancy Weapon live:
Friday May 1st at the Thornbury Bowlo, with Savak (from Brooklyn)
Saturday May 30th at The Corner, with Tortoise (from Chicago). 

Fancy Weapon. An unlikely band name and a most unlikely band. With a line up as unexpected as a ball of lightning, the band sees a cross-generational bunch of Melbourne music perennials – Mick Turner, Joel Silbersher and Claire Birchall – joined by recent transplant Guy Maddison, to make a singular brand of minimalist, incandescent guitar-heavy rock music in the manner that other singular, minimalist, incandescent guitar-heavy rock bands have been making for 50 years or so.  

The “Melbourne music perennials” thing is key here, even if Guy is a latecomer to the local scene. In a city of dedicated musicians, the Fancy Weapon people are dedicated. They’re not kids, but they all still play in multiple bands. They all have always played in multiple bands. Music oozes from the pores of all four. Indeed, it pours from the ooze of Fancy Weapon.

Guy Maddisoncame out of the 80’s Perth Punk Rock scene in the band Greenhouse Effect. Relocating with the Effect to Sydney, he soon started throwing musical mudpies around with Lubricated Goat, whose “In The Raw” ABC TV escapades and a contract with Minneapolis based Amphetamine Reptile Records saw them touring the US in the late 80’s. In 1992 Maddison relocated, with Sydney based band Monroe’s Fur, to Seattle, where he joined the Seattle based incarnation of Adelaide band Bloodloss, working again alongside longtime collaborator Martin Bland (the two are still active in La Paire D’Or) and Mark Arm. Recordings on In The Red and RepriseRecords ensued. Guy joined Mudhoney in 2001, replacing original bassist Matt Lukin, and remains the 4-stringer for Seattle’s finest to this day. Returning to Australia in the post pandemic malaise of 2022, he hooked up with old friend MIck Turner, who invited him to join in on what would soon become Fancy Weapon.   

Claire Birchall has been making music for the last 30-odd years and is prolific as hell too. Coming out of the Geelong scene in the ’90s, Claire avoided Geetroit expectations and made her mark as a somewhat experimental DIY solo artist before leading bands including Paper Planes and the Phantom Hitchhikers in Melbourne.  In more recent years she has charted another new course as a solo synth-pop artist (on Melbourne’s It Records) while at the same time constantly collaborating. Concurrent with Fancy Weapon, Claire is a mainstay of Kim Salmon’s Smoked Salmon project. Her most recent solo album is 2024’s The Haunting. Usually playing guitar or keyboards as well as singing, Claire came into Fancy Weapon as the drummer and co-wrote and sung a handful of songs on this first album. She’ll be doing more of that on the next one.

Joel Silbersher, at the age of 15 in 1986, wrote and sung a song called “My Pal”, which he’s been trying to avoid ever since. A huge influence on the whole Melbourne/Geelong scene that followed – Magic Dirt, Spiderbait, through to the Drones et al – Joel and his fellow botherers in GOD were too troublesome to cash in their indie chart-topping chips for Triple J success in the ’90s. But Joel’s next group Hoss did become standard bearers of a certain type of Melbourne rock in the 90s, before expanding their horizons to create music that has is closely connected to what Joel is doing with Fancy Weapon. Having made a number of solo records (including one, in 2002, for Mick Turner’s King Crab label), Joel has also worked with The Sunset Strip, Charlie Owens (in the duo Tendrils), played occasional bass for the Dirty Three, Tex Perkins and the Simon Juliff Band, and has been sitting on a ‘new’ Hoss album for at least ten years while he finishes the lyrics. Joel’s long-held desire to form a band with Mick Turner has significantly shaped the band that Fancy Weapon has become.

And finally there’s Mick Turner himself. Seen now as something of a musical citizen of the world with the internationally revered Dirty Three, Mick is primarily a Melbourne musician, and has been since he deafened punk audiences with the Sick Things at the beginning of the ’80s. Admittedly he did spend time in the UK in the ‘80s with the Moodists (alongside Dave Graney and Clare Moore) but his iconoclastic and noisy outfits Fungus Brains and Venom P Stinger both had strong local roots, and existed before Mick seemingly became the milder post-rock musician we hear in Dirty Three (and more recently Mess Esque and Bleak Squad). While Fancy Weapon don’t reach Sick Things levels of volume, distortion or belligerence, the band does show that Mick is still happy to sometimes help whip up some sonic disturbance with a clobbering rhythm section for support.  

First playing out in early 2025, Fancy Weapon have a number of well-received local shows with the likes of The Double, The Beasts, Penny Ikinger and Toody Cole of Dead Moon behind them, and now, with their first album finished and ready for release, they are set to take on the world.

 Fancy Weapon’s self-titled first album was recorded in a single session at Finn Keane’s Head Gap studios in Preston in late 2024, about a week before the studio burned to the ground after a neighbouring business was criminally torched. Further mixing sessions were completed at another venue under the name Head Gap. The album was engineered by Finn Keane and produced by Finn and Fancy Weapon.

The album reflects a self-assured and creative outfit bursting at the seams with ideas. Joel and Claire share lead vocals – Joel on more than half the songs, Claire on three of them, and they share a duet. The vocal melodies are ragged but beautiful as are their occasional harmonies. Joel and Mick share the guitars, and, as a cursory listen reveals, it is very much a guitar record. They are two very distinctive players, and their singular styles mesh spectacularly. Guy on bass and Claire on drums lay solid, powerful and always gripping and striking foundations. It all gets back to that minimalist, incandescent guitar-heavy rock music that we mentioned earlier, and Fancy Weapon do it so well.

Contact Fancy Weapon – 

fancyweaponmusic@gmail.com / www.facebook.com/fancyweapon / www.instagram.com/fancyweapon

George Thorogood and The Destroyers Final tour of the UK

George Thorogood and The Destroyers Final tour of the UK

The Baddest Show on Earth, 2 dates in June 2026

Final tour of the UK

George Thorogood and The Destroyers have announced the final tour of the UK, as part of The Baddest Show on Earth tour of North America and Europe. There will be just two shows:Monday 29th June 2026 at University of Wolverhampton at the Civic Hall, followed by Tuesday 30th June 2026 at indigo at The O2 in London. Tickets are on sale now [all links below]. This is the last chance to witness this incendiary performer live on UK stages.


For more than 50 years, George Thorogood and The Destroyers have remained one of the most consistent—and consistently passionate—progenitors of blues-based rock. And no one knows that better than the millions of fans who’ve seen them live. Formed in 1973 by guitarist, singer, and songwriter George Thorogood and drummer Jeff Simon, the Delaware-based band honed their sound on stages across the Northeast, building a devoted word-of-mouth following through their high-energy performances and blistering grooves.

Speaking about The Baddest Show on Earth, Thorogood says, “When the lights go down, the downbeat hits and the audience erupts; all bets are off. The Destroyers are at their best when we play for the people, and these are some of our favourite—and rarest—performances from the past five decades. You wanted the baddest, you got it.”

Today, George Thorogood and The Destroyers—which currently consists of Jeff Simon (drums, percussion), Bill Blough (bass guitar), Jim Suhler (rhythm guitar), and Buddy Leach (saxophone)—have played more than 8,000 live shows. Career highlights include their record-breaking 50 States in 50 Dates tour in 1981; numerous high-profile tours alongside The Rolling Stones, Sammy Hagar, and ZZ Top, among others; over 15 million albums sold worldwide; plus landmark performances at Live Aid and Saturday Night Live.
 

Dwarves ready for June LP drop

Dwarves ready for June LP drop

New DWARVES LP drops JUNE 5! Hello, are you paying attention? ‘The JENKEM’ album harkens back to the hard, fast sound of the ‘Blood, Guts & Pussy’ era DWARVES! Thirteen short, sharp bursts of madness, and one mid-tempo classic to rope in the masses. Look for an avalanche of cool live and animated videos and a slew of cool 7″s! Get them all signed at thedwarves.com

Grade 2 – ‘Talk About It’ (Hellcat Records)

Grade 2 – ‘Talk About It’ (Hellcat Records)

Well, we’re a few months into a new year, and there’s already been plenty of quality new music, but I think there’s a big contender for album of the year already, up step Isle Of Wight finest the brilliant Grade 2 with the excellent ‘Talk About It’

This 3 piece are going from strength to strength and just keep getting better with every album. Being well into over a decade of making music from the earlier Oi!  And Street Punk influence Grade 2 are now fully cementing themselves as one of the UK’s finest melodic high-energy punk rockers. 

Sid (Vocals/Bass), Jack (Guitar/Vocals) and Jacob (Drums) are certainly honing their craft, and since singing to legendary Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong label Hellcat Records a few albums ago, they just keep stepping it up a notch. I could give lots more superlatives, but let’s get down to it, the new album. 

First up we get one of the singles ahead of the release and it’s a banger ‘Cut Throat’ starts with guitar feedback and you immediately sense this is going to be aggressive and in your face and that it is, a opening guitar lick that will be stuck in your head and a brilliant and prominent bass line throughout that Matt Freeman would be proud of. This sounds huge and brilliantly produced, these boys aren’t messing about here with the message being even in this Cut Throat world, Grade 2 are here to stay. 

Next up, we have the insanely catchy ‘Hanging On To You’ which showcases both Jack and Sid exchanging vocals on the verses, and with a chorus, I dare you to try not to sing along to. 

‘Standing In The Downpour’ will surely have audiences bouncing up and down on the band’s current UK and European tour. I’ve had a smile on my face every time I’ve heard it, it took a few listens to notice, but when the chorus kicks in, I’m sure fans of The Clash will also have that same grin as well. 

‘Better Today’ is up next and has a great message for anyone who’s struggling in this world, be it with mental health or loneliness. Speak to people, you are not alone, this is euphoric stuff. 

Title track ‘Talk About It’ comes in close to the halfway mark and is my personal highlight, with a brilliant opening riff that bursts into a “Nah Nah Nah” right out of the Lars Frederiksen playbook, with the surprise of piano playing throughout, this 2:37 song will have everyone pogoing around the room, no doubt about it. 

‘Don’t Worry About Me’ lyrically is brilliant and is a middle finger to the naysayers and people who try to push in certain directions. “I mean everything I say, I’m doing it my way, I never need anyone to validate me, so don’t worry about me”.

We’re getting deep into the album now and the next three songs “Crash And Burn”, “Smugglers Haven” and “Rotten” show off how tight this band have become, Jacob the man with the sticks keeps the pace up throughout and Sid’s bass-lines are right up front in the mix and of course there’s some monster riffs in here from Jack and some great vocal exchanges, this is like going back to the Rancid classic 2000 album and that’s a big compliment. 

And to finish this superb album, we get a double salvo of the dark, brooding atmosphere of ‘Wasteland’, which tackles the dying towns and cities of the UK, whether it’s the Isle of Wight or the country in general, it’s very apt. The writing is on the wall indeed. This is followed by the light at the end of the tunnel, the excellent ‘Otherside’, which is a song full of hope and looking forward, not backwards, overcoming difficulties. Grade 2 have made it through to the other side and is exactly where they should be!!!! 

There we have it, ladies and Gentlemen, 11 songs, 25 minutes, and we have one of the albums of the year with Grade2 and ‘Talk About It’. Once this album is in your head, it will be on repeat. Catch them on their current tour and buy yourself a copy, it’s an absolute banger. 

Buy Here

Author: Christian Davies 

The 69 Eyes get set to Survive in a ‘Cold Sweat’

The 69 Eyes get set to Survive in a ‘Cold Sweat’

Finnish rock band The 69 Eyes is thrilled to announce the release of the new EP “I Survive”, out on June 5, 2026, via BLKIIBLK.

To celebrate the announcement, the band share today a cover of the timeless Thin Lizzy hit “Cold Sweat”. 

After touring Europe earlier this year with D-A-D on the Cowpunks & Glampires tour and continuing with shows in Finland, the new single is a fresh-sounding and hard-rocking take on the song, originally released in 1983. 

The 69 Eyes version is produced by Erno Laitinen and mixed by Barry Pointer (Ozzy Osbourne, Mötley Crüe). The video for the song was filmed in January during the band’s recent European tour. It features a cameo by Portuguese goth legend Fernando Ribeiro from Moonspell. 

“A friend of mine sent me our demo of “Cold Sweat” from over ten years ago and asked why we never released it. After hearing the demo, Gabi Hakanen, head of Vallila Music House, said this is exactly The 69 Eyes at their best. Rock for the radio!”, said Jyrki 69. “Every respectable rock band also covers Thin Lizzy at some point, so now that is done as well.”

The band will continue touring in Finland until early April, after which they will return to the rest of Europe. See the updated tour dates HERE.


Pre-Order “I Survive” HERE

Once you’ve survived the 80’s rock scene, you become unstoppable – and The 69 Eyes are living proof. Formed in Helsinki in 1989 and still going strong with the same line-up some four decades later, the Helsinki Vampires have earned their legendary status. 

In a world with fewer and fewer true believers in leather jackets, midnight sunglasses and low-slung guitars, The 69 Eyes keep the Johnny Thunders’ flame burning like an endless sleazy club night back in the days.

Their biggest hit, “Lost Boys”, from 2005, was made into an iconic music video by MTV’s Jackass star and skater Bam Margera and the song still remains on annual Halloween rock playlists. 

One foot on glam, another one on goth, The 69 Eyes have released thirteen albums, reaching gold and platinum and a mainstream status in their native Finland, where they are signed to Gabi Hakanen’s Vallila Music House. Their previous studio album “Death Of Darkness” was released in 2023, and they have been touring without any notable breaks all over the world the last twenty years. 

Vocals, a lead and a rhythm guitar, a bass and drums are the classic rock band line-up. The 69 Eyes have that magic on stage that is needed for these elements to carry on beyond the rock’n’roll dreams, theirs and their cult following.

Follow THE 69 EYES: 
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Rock In Peace – Ross The Boss

Rock In Peace – Ross The Boss

Ross Friedman (January 3, 1954 – March 26, 2026), also known as Ross the Boss, was an American guitarist, known as a founding member of both the punk band the Dictators and the heavy metal band Manowar.

On February 9, 2026, Friedman announced that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He died of the disease a month later, on March 26, at the age of 72.

Ross was born in the Bronx, New York, on January 3, 1954. He formed the punk rock band the Dictators with Andy Shernoff in New Paltz, New York, in 1973. Before this, Friedman had played in a local band, Total Crudd. After recording three albums with the Dictators, Friedman went to France and worked for one year in Fabienne Shine’s band Shakin’ Street.

On Black Sabbath’s Heaven and Hell tour in 1980 (on which Shakin’ Street were the support act), Friedman was introduced to bass player Joey DeMaio by Ronnie James Dio. Later in 1980, Friedman and DeMaio formed Manowar, with whom he recorded six albums before DeMaio asked him to leave the band after the 1988 album Kings of Metal.

In 1990, Friedman joined Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom with fellow Dictators Andy Shernoff and Handsome Dick Manitoba. With drummer J. P. Patterson the band released the album …And You? to critical acclaim.

In 1994, Friedman had a blues rock band called “Heyday”, and in 1999, CMC records released the Spinatras album @Midnight.com, a band whom Friedman described as “The Dictators meet Cheap Trick”.

The Dictators started playing again in 1996, touring heavily. In 2001, with original rhythm guitar player Scott Kempner now back in the fold, the band released their best effort, the mighty album “D.F.F.D.”, which they then toured to support in the U.S. and Europe. A resulting live album was released from the European tour, entitled “Viva Dictators”.

In 2004, Friedman joined Albert Bouchard, the original drummer for Blue Öyster Cult, in his band Brain Surgeons. He also recorded an instrumental album with Dictators drummer JP Thunderbolt Patterson, called imaginatively Thunderboss.

In July 2005, Friedman joined Manowar onstage at the Earthshaker Festival, performing “Metal Daze” and “Dark Avenger” with them. At the end of the concert, he also performed “Battle Hymn” with other past and present members of Manowar.

In October 2006, Friedman and The Dictators played Friday and Saturday nights of the closing weekend at punk rock venue CBGBs, one of the clubs where they got their start.

In 2008, it included an appearance with old sparring partner Handsome Dick Manitoba in Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom at the 2008 Joey Ramone Birthday Bash, performances with Shakin’ Street at the Sweden Rock Festival, and a few tour dates in Spain with The Dictators. He released a new album in August with his German metal band under the name “Ross the Boss” called “New Metal Leader”. The following month, he appeared on Inner Demons, the second album by the New Jersey metallers Skullshifter, playing lead guitar on the track “Etched in Sand”.

He recently played in a reimagined lineup of The Dictators without HDM, but released an impressive album that was self-titled. Managed to meet him several times, and he was always very pleasant, polite and courteous even when joking with Manitoba.

On January 18, 2017, Friedman was inducted into the Hall of Heavy Metal History for his contributions to Speed Metal while in Manowar. His musical output was varied to say the least, but leaves behind classics from The Dictators and Metal titans Manowar. Rock in peace, Mr Boss. The world is a quieter place without you in it. Go play a Dictators record or ‘All Men Play On Ten’ and remember Ross The Fuckin’ Boss.