After four decades as the driving force behind Skid Row, bassist and songwriter Rachel Bolan steps forward with his first-ever solo album under the name BOLAN. “Gargoyle of the Garden State” is a bold, deeply personal debut rooted in the grit, attitude, and storytelling spirit of his New Jersey upbringing.
Produced by multi‑Grammy winner Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Skid Row, Rush, Evanescence, Alice In Chains)The album began as a simple conversation between friends. What started casually quickly evolved into a record that would ultimately define Bolan’s voice as both a songwriter and storyteller.
“Gargoyle of the Garden State is not a project, it is every bit of my soul,” says Bolan. “Like me, it knows when to be serious and also knows where the party is.”
Musically, the album delivers hook-driven, anthemic songs that fuse punk energy with melodic sensibility, wrapped in swagger and raw edge what early listeners have already called “quintessentially New Jersey.” Among its standout moments is a surprising cover of Oasis’ “Rock And Roll Star”, reimagined through Bolan’s distinctive lens.
Expanding beyond his role as a bassist, Bolan performs the majority of instruments, shaping the record from the ground up. Drawing on influences from Brit Pop and Glam to Punk Rock and New Wave, the album represents a lifetime in music.
“Gargoyle of the Garden State” also features an impressive lineup of guests, including Corey Taylor, Danko Jones, Nuno Bettencourt, Damon Johnson, Steve Conte, and fellow Skid Row members Scotti Hill, Dave “Snake” Sabo and Rob Hammersmith.
“It was incredible to work with so many of my talented friends an experience I wish everyone could have at least once,” Bolan adds.
The album is out on June 12th and will be available as CD digipak, LP gatefold, as well as digital and download. PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM HERE
At its core, “Gargoyle of the Garden State” is Bolan at his most honest, a record full of attitude, melody, and personality unmistakably his own.
EU tour with Canadian rockers Danko Jones confirmed for October
“The sound of trouble.”Iggy Pop BBC 6MUSIC
“As a listener you are left with an unshakable feeling that this is the type of record British music has needed for some time.”CLASH
“Irrepressible, irresistible – their essential manual for street level rock thrills.”Kerrang!
Bristol punk rock ‘n rollers Split Dogs are back with the first taste of their new album ‘Nice ‘N’ Rough’, due for release September 25th via Venn Records.
Titled ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Business’, the new single sees Split Dogs hardly pausing for breath as they roar through two-minutes-forty seconds of prime heads down, no nonsense high voltage strut. Their heroic approach to touring and relentless gigging in the EU and UK over the last two years (including a massive tour with Gogol Bordello in 2025 and gigs with Bad Nerves and Teen Mortgage, among many others) has seen the band turn heads and win hearts wherever they go, and there’s no stopping them now.
2026 already sees the band heading out on their own headline tour this month, before multiple festival appearances, a headline German tour in July, a string of instore performances in September (ticket link HERE) and an EU tour with Canadian rockers Danko Jones in October, and that’s just for starters. Split Dogs do things on their own terms only and ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Business’ perfectly demonstrates that.
“Rock ‘N’ Roll Business imagines the music industry as a classic British gangster film,” states singer Harry Martinez. “Dirty deeds, big egos and people you wouldn’t trust with your last ciggie. It’s tongue-in-cheek but it’s also our big middle finger to the whole thing cus it’s mostly true. Half the time it’s run like a shady deal in a British gangster film, so that’s exactly how we made the video.
“The day before the shoot we realised we needed a proper classic motor,” continues Harry. “A mate of ours who gets tattooed by Mil linked us up with Pip and his amazing black Chevrolet Chevelle.
We asked him if he wanted to be in the video, told him the vibe and he just said, “I’m your man, you want me in black leather? The garage we used is another mate of ours. He let us use his garage in exchange for a tattoo.”
Recorded at The Station House, a recording studio based in a repurposed Victorian police station in Leeds, Split Dogs quickly discovered the studio also boasts one of the country’s finest VHS collections. Fuelled with classics like ‘Heavy Metal’, ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’, and a Tina Turner live tape, the Bristol based four-piece went to work capturing their sophomore album, ‘Nice N’ Rough’, with producer Jonah Falco (High Vis, Rifle, and drummer of Canadian punks Fucked Up) and engineer James Atkinson (formerly of seminal hardcore band Voorhees).
The result is thirteen thumping tracks featuring lightning-fast guitar licks, raspy hooks and cues from greats like Plasmatics, New York Dolls, Motörhead and The Stooges. Front-person Harry Martinez delivers a larger-than-life, undeniable rock ‘n’ roll performance, injecting the band’s reputable live energy straight into the vocal booth.
Despite the glam rock glimmer, the music possesses depth and soul that can easily be missed. Album opener ‘Be Somebody’ reminds the listener to shine in whatever they do, ‘Speed Demon’ highlights the importance of tuning out the noise that can plague mental health, while the Danzig-esque ‘Suffer’ tackles the lasting shadow of parental abuse. Overall, the message is clear: go out there and live your life how you want to. ‘Nice N’ Rough’ is playful yet pure, steeped in honesty and the soundtrack to all your future best days.
Catch Split Dogs live at the following dates in 2026:
HEADINE TOUR
26-Mar-2026 UK Glasgow Hug & Pint 27-Mar-2026 UK Leeds Hyde Park Book Club 01-Apr-2026 UK Nottingham The Bodega 02-Apr-2026 UK Brighton Green Door Store 03-Apr-2026 UK London Underworld
17-Apr-2026 UK Bristol St Nicholas Market
FESTIVAL TOUR 05-Apr-2026 UK Manchester Punk Festival 25-Apr-2026 UK Edinburgh Scotland Calling 21-May-2026 UK Burton Upon Trent Bearded Theory Festival
18-Jun-2026 SP Bilbao Azkena Rock 26-Jun-2026 PL Zelebsko Ultra Chaos Pinik 08-Jul-2026 UK Cheltenham 2000 Trees 10-Jul-2026 B Gierle Sjock Fest 17-Jul-2026 NL Lichetnworde Zwarte Cross
GERMAN HEADLINE 18-Jul-2026 GER Selters Seepgo 19-Jul-2026 GER Augsburg Ballonfabrik 20-Jul-2026 GER Tubingen Blauer Salon 22-Jul-2026 GER Coolgne Sonic Ballroom 24-Jul-2026 GER Hnxe Ruhrpott Rodeo 25-Jul-2026 GER Trebur Trebur Open Air 26-Jul-2026 GER Munich X bar 27-Jul-2026 GER Bamberg Live Club 28-Jul-2026 GER Dresden Ostpol 29-Jul-2026 GER Erfurt MuseumsKeller 30-Jul-2026 GER Hamburg Welt TurboJugend 31-Jul-2026 GER Goldenstadt Afreiht un Buten
FESTIVALS
07-Aug-2026 UK Blackpool Rebellion Fest 13-Aug-2026 Slov Tolmin Punk Rock Holiday 16-Aug-2026 UK Winchester Boomtown Festival 21-Aug-2026 DK Vordingborg Gutter Island 22-Aug-2026 UK Devon Beautiful Days
INSTORE PERFORMANCES 25-Sep-2026 UK Leeds Crash Records 26-Sep-2026 UK Glasgow Blitzkrieg 27-Sep-2026 UK Liverpool Rough Trade 28-Sep-2026 UK Coventry Just Dropped in 29-Sep-2026 UK Bristol Rough Trade 30-Sep-2026 UK Nottingham Rough Trade 01-Oct-2026 UK Rough Trade East
TOUR W/ DANKO JONES
12-Oct-2026 GER Potsdam Waschhaus 13-Oct-2026 GER Nurnberg Löwensaal 14-Oct-2026 AT Wien Flex 15-Oct-2026 HU Budapest A38 16-Oct-2026 ROM Bucharest Quantic 17-Oct-2026 Bulg Sofia Pirotska 5 Event Center 19-Oct-2026 ROM Cluj Form Space 21-Oct-2026 Cro Zagreb Vintage Industrial Bar 22-Oct-2026 Slov Ljubljana Kino Siska 23-Oct-2026 AT Salzburg Rockhouse 24-Oct-2026 CH Rubingen Muhle Hunzinken 25-Oct-2026 CH Zurich Dynamo 27-Oct-2026 GER Oberhausen Turbinenhalle 2 28-Oct-2026 B Ghent Handelsbeurs 29-Oct-2026 GER Frankfurt Batschkapp 30-Oct-2026 NL Haarlem Patronaat 31-Oct-2026 NL Tilburg Next Stage 01-Nov-2026 NL Leuwaarden Neusoorn
Now Steve Conte really caught my attention when he was drafted in to play guitar alongside Sylvain Sylvain in the Dolls and following that the solo career he was forging was all killer and no filler and even when he played in Michael Monroe band and wrote songs for someone as talented as Monroe to sing he couldn’t put a foot wrong it would seem. ‘Bronx Cheer’ was his last offering and to be fair I loved it I thought he had written some of his best material on that album and his vocals seemed to have been elevated to the next level as well. Fast forward a couple of years and after much social media jibber jabber about writing new material for another solo album I thought Conte can’t possibly top the last album but after running through this album for a couple of months I truly believe he’s mixed up his Rock album formula with a new found new wave pop seam and mined it to the maximum and taking a side step into some new territory works well and drafting in someone he really admires and holds in high regards a certain Andy Partridge from XTC is both interesting and unexpected but ultimately a fine move from the evidence of the co written tunes that make up the opening side of this album.
Clever clogs album title aside this might well prove to be Conte’s finest work to date which is no small feat for someone who has quite an impressive output over the last decade or so. Ian Hunter, Danko Jones, Steve Lillywhite, Nasty Suicide and Glen Matlock raise an eyebrow alongside several other impressive talents on show. The Melodies are constant and at every turn and the pop songs wear many outfits from bluesy rockers or more punky-edged songs Conte has covered all bases yet made a cohesive and truly wonderful album.
Ultimately Conte has evolved his repertoire and moved in another direction and quite possibly turned in his finest album thus far in an ever-impressive collection of mightily fine albums. Don’t just take my word for it check it out for yourself and immerse yourself in a fantastic album brimming with glorious songs where he goes from here, who knows, at this point, the world is his oyster and I’m happy to spend the next couple of years marvelling at ‘The Concrete Jangle’ my only complaint is it could have gone on and on, no should have gone on and on. Buy IT!
Rock icons Danko Jones announce two livestream performances in celebration of the release of their 10th studio album Power Trio, out August 27th via MATE in Germany. The livestreams are set for Saturday, August 28th at 8:00PM ET / 5:00PM PT and at 8:00PM CET and will be streamed live from Bridgeworks in Hamilton, Ontario.
To add to the excitement, the band will also be doing a Q&A for viewers after the performances. Tickets & info can be found HERE
Along with the livestream show announcements, the band has also released a new song today, “Start The Show”. Stream it HERE! And watch the lyric video HERE!
Ironically the last song on ‘Power Trio’, it is essentially Danko Jones’ answer to Cheap Trick’s “Hello There” – i.e., a song tailor-made to be the first song played at a Danko Jones show. It’s a reaffirmation of everything he was put on this earth to do. But in the wake of this pandemic-plagued year, the song also makes for a surprisingly poignant album closer, because it’s a reminder of all the shows that Danko didn’t get to play this past year, and a reminder of how much we’ve all missed that goosebump-inducing feeling of being in a packed club when the house lights go down, the music playing over the PA cuts out, and your favourite power trio emerges from the darkness to kick into their opening tune. And yet despite this bittersweet subtext, “Start the Show” is brimming with the promise that we will experience that feeling once again—and, after the black cloud of COVID clears, Danko Jones will be there ready to give it to you.
“Start The Show” follows previously released singles “Saturday” and “I Want Out“. Hitting #1 at German Rock Radio and Top 15 at Canadian Rock Radio, “I Want Out” has seen success with airplay around the globe. In April the band also released a fan-only track “Flaunt It”. Album pre-orders are available HERE!
Power Trio sees Danko Jones delivering each engine-revving riff, soul-shaking stomp, and shout-it-loud hook with a sniper’s precision. It’s such a simple, self-evident title, but one loaded with significance, as it speaks to the special triangular alchemy Danko shares with his trusty bass-slinging accomplice JC and drummer Rich Knox. It also stakes out the band’s place on a storied lineage of three-piece titans Jimi Hendrix Experience, ZZ Top, Rush, Motörhead, Venom, Dinosaur Jr., and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, to name a few.
The album follows the band’s electrifying, world charting album, ‘A Rock Supreme’ released in 2019. It also sees the band once again tapping into the production prowess of Eric Ratz, who previously amped up the bone-breaking boogie of 2017’s full-throttle rocker ‘Wild Cat’ and 2015’s bloodlusty Fire Music. Band Photo By Dustin Rabin
Rock juggernauts DANKO JONES release their newest single “Saturday” along with a music video. The track is the second single off of the band’s highly anticipated album, Power Trio out August 27th via Mate in Germany.
“Saturday” follows the first single off of the album, “I Want Out” released in March which has since seen global success. It was #1 on the German Rock Radio Charts, Top 15 in Canada and has seen success with airplay around the globe. In April the band also released a fan-only track “Flaunt It”. Album pre-orders are available HERE!
New garage punk blitz, “Flaunt It” along with a lyric video. This is a fan-only single. The lyric video commemorates the band’s 25th Anniversary and comes off of their upcoming album Power Trio out August 27th via Mate In Germany. Album pre-orders are available HERE!
Photo by Dustin Rabin
“Power Trio” sees Danko Jones delivering each engine-revving riff, soul-shaking stomp, and shout-it-loud hook with a sniper’s precision. It’s such a simple, self-evident title, but one loaded with significance, as it speaks to the special triangular alchemy Danko shares with his trusty bass-slinging accomplice JC and drummer Rich Knox. It also stakes out the band’s place on a storied lineage of three-piece titans Jimi Hendrix Experience, ZZ Top, Rush, Motörhead, Venom, Dinosaur Jr., and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, to name a few.
When you choose to start a power trio, you’re not simply forming a band, you’re entering a blood pact—a tacit acknowledgement that all three members need to carry their equal share of the weight lest the whole enterprise collapse. There’s nowhere to hide in a power trio—no second guitarist to cover your mistakes, no keyboard player to smooth things over, no horn section to distract the crowd. If you fuck up, the whole band fucks up. Everybody needs to be on their A-game at all times.
“Power Trio” follows the band’s electrifying, world charting album, “A Rock Supreme” released in 2019. It also sees the band once again tapping into the production prowess of Eric Ratz, who previously amped up the bone-breaking boogie of 2017’s full-throttle rocker “Wild Cat” and 2015’s bloodlusty “Fire Music”.
He cried More More More. Once again this month we just had to open the singles club due to some of our favourite bands knocking out a 7″.
We begin with a single reviewed by Kenny Kendrick…
Madysin Hatter – Wild & Strange (Self Release)
The latest single from New Jersey rocker Madysin Hatter is called Wild & Strange. It’s a heady mix of 80s sleaze, rap & pop. Madysin has a unique voice and the song really showcases her talent. She has assembled an all star cast on the song, Tyler Bryant (frontman of Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown), Frank Ferrer (of Guns N’ Roses), Rob Bailey (David Johansen), and Brett Bass (Gregg Allman). The song was co-written by Madysin Hatter and Rob Bailey, who also produced. Wild & Strange is a strong track and the accompanying video is a lot of fun with Madysin showing off her kickboxing skills!
Madysin has built up a strong reputation in the US and has played live with such luminaries as Winger, Faster Pussycat, Tom Keifer and Lita Ford to name a few. After checking out some live performances online, it’s obvious that Madysin is a formidable force live. After playing Wild & Strange a few times, it’s been stuck in my head all day! I’ll look forward to hearing more from Madysin Hatter, and hopefully, she can grace some stages in the UK when the madness of the pandemic is over.
Madysin Hatter is definitely an artist to keep an eye on!
“Wild & Strange” is available on all digital & streaming platforms. Here www.MadysinHatter.com / Facebook
Los Pepes – ‘Want You Back’ (Self Release) Coming out on various coloured variants it’s Londons very own music machine Los Pepe. Man, I love this band never less than 100% they manage to capture their Rock and Roll like a rocket in a bottle they have awesome melodies and a sharp sense of arrangement and usually at Ramones levels of speed and drive.
‘Want You Back’ has added harmonica as it motors along with crisp riff-a-rama and a great big hook its terrific. ‘Never Get It Right’ turns it up a notch or two as Ban and the boys just nail it. It’s like they’ve shaved off a little of the early Damned attitude. Adding a third track just for luck is the massive sing a long of ‘Tell Me’. Another thoroughly enjoyable trio from Los Pepes and it only helps whet my appetite for another album so come on guys get it on. Pick it up Here
Prima Donna – ‘Atomic Love’ (Wicked Cool Records) Christmas single aside it seems like an age since we had a record from the awesome Prima Donna. The wait is over as ‘Atomic Love’ comes exploding out of the distance and the radio-friendly handclapping singalong comes bursting out of the speakers. Sure it’s cool, Sure it’s stylish, sure it’s great. From those handclaps to the slide solo its an awesome 7″ and if there was a top of the pops this was made to be on the show. Preston knows that a perfect single is 3:10 seconds which is why ‘Atomic Love’ is exactly that and you’ll be singing along before the final chorus. The flip side is a bright and breezy cover of Gene Pitney’s ‘He’s A Rebel’ Perfect. Buy Here
BBQT/ Appaloosa – ‘Jump Outs / Nod Out’ – ‘Seasons Of Change’(No Front Teeth Records) Glam Stomping Punk Rockin Rock and Roll from Austins BBQT. Its trash tastic as ‘Jump Outs’ is like the perfect tribute to the Dolls and everything that followed. A new band on me is Appaloosa who also ploughs a glam trashy punk rock furrow and I like it a lot. Perhaps it’s a close runner up to BBQT but it’s the width of an eyeliner stroke in it. 100% of proceeds earned from both bands on Bandcamp from this release will go directly to the Sex Workers Outreach Project (www.swopbehindbars.org). Another great single pick it up here
Black River Delta – ‘Californian Sun’ (Sofaburn Records) Black River Delta is blues-rock band originating from Bollnäs, Sweden. The foursome have released two studio albums – Devil on the Loose (2016) and Vol. II (2018), and are poised to drop their latest heavy-hitting full-length effort Shakin’ this spring. I’m hearing the likes of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and even some INXS, especially in the voice. A fairly refreshing take on modern blues and rock. Check em out on their Bandcamp Page
Beastwood – The Long Road To Ho (Coffin & Bolt Records) Possibly the most disturbing sleeve I’ve seen in a long time but then I clicked play and after the big rolling guitar lick and solid rhythm the gravel and whisky vocals kicked in and off we went on some dirty greasy hard rockin tip and I fuckin liked it. ‘Electric Gangbang’ is a dirty rockin noise that certainly had my attention. Can anyone come? I’ll bring a bottle.
I’m not going to Salt Lake City by the Dwarves springs to mind every time I hear the place and that’s where Rock and Roll gave birth to these degenerates. Not all bad then. All four tracks are loud and proud I’d imagine its SG’s and Rickenbackers all the way with these guys and the engineer left the session with a banging headache because these have to have been recorded loudly. Quality check it out Here
The Flaming Sideburns – ‘A Song For Robert’ (Svart Records) A fitting tribute to Strings from The Flaming Sideburns. Lifted from their brand new album released later this week its a really fitting tribute and a great tune long overdue from The Flaming Sideburns its been a while but it’s great to have them back. (Album review coming this week) get on it Here
Teenage Fanclub – ‘In Our Dreams’ (PeMe And Murge) From the forthcoming album ‘Endless Arcade’ with its 60s dreamy verse and fuzzy guitar break it’s always a good day for the Fannies to be making records. The video was filmed in Motherwell – not something you hear every day when discussing pop videos. Pre Order it Here
Poison Heart – Sailors Stories’ (Heavy Medication Records) Poison Heart delivers two new songs, their first new material since 2018’s “Heart of Black City” album. Only 150 copies pressed so will sell out its a classic slice of garage Rock and Roll with some hard rockin guitar stylings. With a new six stringer on board the two new tracks rock like fuck as these Warsaw boys show that Poland can rock out with the best of them. ‘Good Times’ could just about be the size of it as Poison Heart have the chops to step up to the plate and take on Europes finest and head further afield on this evidence. Really strong single offering can’t wait to hear more.
Hot Laundry – ‘Shake Slide Twist’ (Die Laughing Records) Rock and Roll with attitude and a tonne of energy. The 12 bar of ‘Shake’ is infectious as San Francisco based Garage Rockers HOT LAUNDRY released their new EP ‘Shake Slide Twist’ I didn’t see that solo coming but I love it. To be fair all four tracks are bangers whilst ‘What Would I Do’ is more measured and more akin to The grooves The Bellrays get into. There is variety throughout the four tracks on offer with ‘Glitter And Gold’ which has a real swagger about it. Quality EP check it out
Danko Jones – ‘Flaunt It’ (SPV Records) Motormouth Danko Jones always seems to have a plan and on his social media he’s generally spot on as he is with his band and their Rock and Roll. ‘Flaunt It’ is a top tune lifted from their new album due late summer ‘Power Trio’. If this is a taste of what we can expect then bring it on what a rocket ride rip-snorting track it is. turn it up and Rock!
Millie Manders and The Shutup – ‘Broken Record’ (, taken from their debut album ‘Telling Truths, Breaking Ties’ released in August of last year. Its a break-up tune with attitude Millie has a thoroughly engaging powerful voice and who doesn’t love some saxophone with their rock and roll? It’s released to coincide with the bands run of shows starting this summer that was originally pencilled in for last year. Facebook
OK, so restrictions are easing off on plague Island UK so let’s celebrate with some Rockin tunes. First up is the new one from Danko Jones ahead of the new album ‘I Want Out’ will do for starters. turn it up, kids!
If that wasn’t loud enough try The Kids for size. ‘Go Back To Canberra’ has all the melody of a shark alarm. It’s a dogged no nonsense song, an attack ode to the bleak and oppressive landscape of Canberra. A city that undeservedly is the epicentre of Australian democracy, home of weak-willed politicians, bank rolling a nation into mediocrity. Facebook / Golden Robot page / Instagram
Finally Acid Blood bring ‘Wartime’ album. You can also watch the band play a 9-song live-set at the Algoderock Festival Internacional Here
CANADIAN ROCK ICONS DANKO JONES ANNOUNCE 25TH ANNIVERSARY LIVESTREAM SHOWS
DANKO JONES exists to rock. It’s his innate, guttural mode of expression. His daily ritual. His life’s work. Now, after 25 years, 10 albums, world tours with the rock gods like Ozzy Osbourne, Guns ‘n’ Roses and Motörhead, the band announces their return to the stage with two livestream shows performed at Hamilton, Ontario’s premiere venue, Bridgeworks.
Over the past 25 years, the band has made a name for themselves as a must-see live band and after a year with no shows, they’re itching to get back out there. Danko Jones, the band’s front man and namesake comments, ”2021 is the 25th anniversary of our band. 25 years of non-stop performing, touring and recording. To celebrate our silver jubilee, we are holding our first ever livestreams and we may even be premiering some new material… This has been the longest break in the history of our band so without a doubt, these livestreams will be like letting wild animals out of cages. Are you ready? We’re goddamn ready.”
The livestream shows will take place on March 12, 2021 at 8:00PM EST // 5:00PM PST
in North America, and on March 13th at 8:00PM (20.00) CET in Europe, but you will be able to tune in to both shows from anywhere in the world.
Tickets and information is available at www.eventrbrite.ca and dankojones.com.
ABOUT DANKO JONES:
Acclaimed hard rock trio Danko Jones has earned their place as Canadian music legends. The group has gone gold and platinum internationally, had seven singles crack the US Active Rock Top 40 and had their single “Gonna Be A Fight Tonight” used as the WWE official theme song for the 2015 Royal Rumble.
ABOUT THE VENUE:
Located in a former industrial workspace on the edge of Hamilton, Ontario’s gritty north end, Bridgeworks is a new, multi-functional events hub focusing on community, arts, and special events. The venue gets its name from The Hamilton Bridge Works Company which made its name building iron and steel bridges for Canada’s railway system.
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