Continental Lovers – Hanger 18 Swansea 08.11.25

Continental Lovers – Hanger 18 Swansea 08.11.25

On a depressingly cold and wet night, Nottingham’s Rock n Rollas Continental Lovers brought the glamour and the tunes for a rock n roll support slot that kicked the backside of many a band. It was a pleasure to catch Nottingham’s finest at the early onstage time of seven thirty, but it was showtime, and the chaps from the East Midlands didn’t disappoint and proceeded to shake their shit and put on a down n dirty sleazy showcase that was exactly what the rock n roll doctor ordered.

Opening up a show can be a tricky proposition, but when you have the tunes on board and the unmistakable look of a rock n roll band, you can be sure as hell that they can walk the walk and talk the talk. With a swagger and a cheeky smile, Joe, Ben, Kerri and Ace had great on-stage chemistry and looked like they were true believers, hashing out some dirty Rock n Roll handed down by the good and the great, a smidge of Thunders and his Heartbreakers, the undeniable Ragged Glory of The Dogs D’Amour and that swagger I mentioned of Stiv Bators and his lords. No denim jeans, or Nike running shoes with a high street T Shirt for these boys, it’s Rock n Roll SLippers and Leather jackets all the way, baby just like Baby Jesus intended Rock n Roll bands to look and sound. Playing a relatively short but very sweet set, there were plenty of tunes from the band’s most excellent CD and even time for some new tunes. ‘Tape Deck’ is snotty, and ‘St Joan’ adds some dirt to the snot as we all hail the first Lady of Rock n Roll. The band move around when they deliver the punches, and Joe holds court centre stage whilst Ace Carlton pours petrol on the drums in the engine room, whilst giving those drums a good seeing to. They burn through the songs quickly, and the standouts happened to be the single ‘Wedding Song’ and a special mention for ‘The Girl’ power pop at its finest, delivered in style.

Joe has always written great tunes, but with the Continental Lovers, he’s found his sweet spot, and the rest of the band gives sparkle and dirt to the power pop, making it sound glorious.

Easily as good as any of the bands marauding across the US of A, like The Poison Boys and Ravagers. It’s refreshing to see and hear a band that looks like they know how it’s done and, more importantly, sound like they know how it’s done. Borrowing from the good and the great, it’s satisfying that Dirty power pop is in such good hands. I look forward to seeing them again and hearing the new songs in the studio. Get on it, boys n girls, that is if you want a great time and top tunes from a band who love to rock n roll.

Buy Continental Lovers Here

Cheap Trick – ‘All Washed Up’ (BMG)

Cheap Trick – ‘All Washed Up’ (BMG)

Celebrating their fiftieth year of playing this Rock n Roll game, the mighty Cheap Trick ain’t done yet, and with this, their latest offering, ‘All Washed Up’, is a tongue-in-cheek title because on the evidence herein, they are on fire and sounding as hungry as the day they first broke out of Rockford. From the opening few bars of the title track, you kinda know exactly what you’re in for. The band sounds vibrant and kicking it with the energy coming from the engine room, which is now driven by Rick’s son Daxx, who is proving to be a real power house and driving the music on, adding a ton of x factor to proceedings.

To be fair they are on fire here and turning everything up to 11 they’re rockin hard. by the time you get to the third track, Nielsen has decided that he wants to show everyone hes lost none of his fire and love for loud guitars as he rinses ever last drop out of how ever many necks he feels like swinging around these days. Hell, they are right on it for ‘Bet It All’ with the musicianship being put to the test and throwing down the gauntlet to anyone within earshot. I remember when Aerosmith returned decades ago after ‘Done With Mirrors’ and every man and his dog wanted to champion the band for their hunger and quality, well, this reminds me a lot of the spirit captured in these here tracks. Even the first slower ballad-like track, ‘The Best Thing’ (of course it’s called that and with slushy tempo and dreamy solo it’s built for American Radio if that’s still a thing.

Another point apart from the rhythm section and lead breaks sounding fantastic, a special mention to the amazing vocals courtesy of Robin Zander, who is pealing back the years. I’m not even sure a guy of his years should be allowed to possess a voice that bloody good; it might be illegal these days.

Throughout the eleven songs that unmistakable Cheap Trick power pop is there for all to hear, of course, it is its part of them like a gas or the lifeblood that courses through their veins, it’s always there. ‘Twelve Gates’ is a great example of the old dog and new tricks, it’s power pop gold. Hang on, ‘Bad Blood’ is even more Cheap Trick with a fantastic melody and a thick edge on the Bass, whilst Nielsen is having the time of his life all over this record. Even the parts where they might be cruising, Rick has something fire up his sleeve just so you don’t get complacent.

Finally, I’d just like to say that when they turn it up, they really do capture some magic, and whilst the production is slick and thick, it’s when they up the RPM that they hit the dizzy heights on ‘All Washed Up’, and those are the songs that take this to the next level.

To produce a product this good, this deep into a career, is nothing short of remarkable. I’ll even forgive them the skiffle and jazzy outro of ‘Wham Boom Bang’, they’ve earned it because Cheap Trick are still the cats whiskers and this is the mutts nuts now wham boom bang that one and buy this album!

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

AFI – ‘Silver Bleeds The Black Sun’ (RFC Records)

AFI – ‘Silver Bleeds The Black Sun’ (RFC Records)

Those in the know have been enjoying Davey and the lads leaning further and further into their 80s Goth tinged influences for some time now. No redundant modern catch-all Post Punk labelling here. AFI will always be the real deal. Stark guitars married with lush synths, balancing the brighter moments with the crucial doom and gloom. You’d think Steve Lilleywhite and Flood were behind the desk.

Following upon 2012’s tremendous Bodies was never going to be a simple exercise. Which in itself was also a love letter to 80s counter culture and dark aesthetics. But Silver Bleeds the Black Sun is right up there, shoulder to shoulder.

Opening with the galloping Bunnymen-esque “the Bird of Prey”, urgent, dreamy and anthemic all at once. “Behind the Clock” is a much different animal all together, heavier and pummeling, but with a groove so infectious it’s devastating when it ends. “Holy Visions” is a dancier number, exquisite guitars, the sound landing somewhere between A Flock of Seagulls and Ministry.

Although some of the styles and influences on the record can be quite apparent, this does not make what AFI are doing redundant or generic. It still has a twist uniquely their own and a distinct signature as well as the fingerprints of all the impactful artists when creating the sound to the record without being too obvious or unoriginal.

Credit as always, needs to be given to guitarist Jade Puget. A game changer for the band’s output since joining and always helping raise the game record after record. “Ash Speck in a Green Eye” offers up sublime guitar lines and a fast paced rhythm akin to overlooked 80s outfit the Sound. Leading on to the rapid “Voidward, I Bend Back”, the dark textured guitar is married to a rattling bass that takes command of your very being.

It’s a record that gets better and better with every listen. Being rounded out with the dark and brooding “A World Unmade”. With the slow and pensively (almost) spoken word vocals, reminiscent of The The’s Matt Johnson. Final track “Nooneunderground” is a screeching Deathrock anthem, at times giving the odd Punk Rock nod to their past. Just when you thought it was safe to pack away the Halloween decorations.

Another stellar record from a band that simply refuses to be pigeonholed. Thirty years into their career, they are constantly adapting and adding new facets to how they are perceived. 

Buy Here

Author: Dan Kasm

N.E. Vains – ‘Running Down Pylons’ (Big Neck Records)

N.E. Vains – ‘Running Down Pylons’ (Big Neck Records)

Originally formed in the autumn of 2022 during the doldrums of the lockdown, the project N.E. Vains was originally called “The Vains” but expanded their name to avoid confusion with other groups. For the band’s four Americans, the N.E. stands for New England, and for the sole Canadian in the band, it means North Eastern. (Simple as that).

With the additional efforts of Shandy Lawnson (lead guitar), Bill Bates (bass) and Elvis Belushi (drums), Jeffrey Thunders (rhythm guitar), the collaboration put together a collection of 14 songs, three of which ended up on a split 7″ with Chinese Junk in 2023 on Big Neck Records (Buffalo N.Y.) and Brassneck Records (U.K). Tragically, Bates passed in 2023 and the split was dedicated to his incredible memory. With New Haven area rock musician and engineer, Scott Fitch, taking over on bass, the band have compiled their latest 11-track LP ‘Running Down Pylons’, Think wonderfully trashy rock n roll with the DNA mixture of The Dolls, The Misfits melodies equal parts punk n roll and wonderful sloppy junkshop hand me down rock n roll.

How can you not love ‘Through With It’ with its rapid rampage through some serious sloppy rock n roll with howling feedback and sloppy timing, it’s a glorious noise wrapped in a melody Sylvain would have loved, then turn up the amps when the engineer isn’t looking and hash out ‘Time For You’ and its danceable rhythm and ear-splitting guitar tones.

Hell, ‘My Ammunition’ is a riot on wax and the snotty ‘Pinched Nerve’ is exactly where The mighty Dead Boys would be today if Stiv and the boys crawled out of the gutter in 2025, fuckin glorious noise. I love Rock n Roll that makes me feel alive and on edge, and NE Vains do just that. The cacophony of guitars rampaging over the thuggish Bass and Drums is dangerous and exciting, and the heady mix of punk and cheap drugs can only make a good time cocktail to think this was created at a distance under isolation during the global pandemic is probably for the best because buildings would have been devastated had they had the freedom of seedy clubs and ropey PA systems.

The swan song is ‘Wrong Step’ with its dark, seedy back alley swagger, it’s a great sing-a-long to take this bad boy home. A wonderful tribute to their fallen brother and a record I can’t recommend highly enough. Put on your creepers and leather jacket and get out there, pick up a guitar and turn it up. NE Vains play Rock n Roll, they play it loud and they play i toh so good. Get in on it! NOW!

Buy Here

Cosmic Psychos – ‘I Really Like Beer’ (Subway Records)

Cosmic Psychos – ‘I Really Like Beer’ (Subway Records)

State the fuckin obvious. Them Cosmic Psychos always did things their own way with a cheeky nod and a grin and a tune penned for beer money to supplement the farming game, but d’you know what they quickly found out they were bloody good at it. They might well have peaked when they penned ‘Nice Day To Go To The Pub’ not like they had writers block or anything they just wrote about what they saw ever fuckin day be it nice day to go to the pub or a tale about Fuckwit City they always wrapped the lyrics in huge fuckin riffs with plenty of cowshit and snot to compensate for the manly smell of beer n bellies so why not finally put pen to paper and title this one what they really wanted to call their records.

Leading the way for decades treading paths so the scamps in The Chats or Amyl and her sniffers could follow. Giving those C.O.F.F.I.N. boys the confidence to do it like they wanna or making things ok for the civics and stiff Richards of the world to follow, thereafter the Cosmic Psychos have been there, done it and worn out the beer n piss stained t shirt.

‘I Really Like Beer’ is the culmination of a sober five minutes to complete what amounts to a stonking riff-heavy barnstormer all about one of their favourite life hacks – Beer. Of course, they could only come from the land down under, much like the other bands I mentioned, and lump in Grindhouse to that and drunk mums, hell, its only The Saints and Birdman who escape the idiot circus at this rate and The Cosmics are the daddies!

There’s a bluntness about this lot, they don’t do fancy, there’s no tunes about trendy fruit flavoured Beer, nor pouring it over Ice, it’s straight down the line, meat n tatoes Pub Punk from the wailing opener and title track, the tempo is set. Mad Macca is playing a blinder with his SG resting on his keg like gut the guys on fire.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and their brand of thuggish punk rock is timeless and classic, and why would you want them to change anyways? It’s a sure-fire winner. There’s something quite poetic about twelve beer-soaked rockers, “You are the new age, I’m from the stone age”, so there’s a rousing middle finger right there, deal with it. ‘This Could Be The Greatest Beer Of My Life’ is a magic title, and the riff is up there with the best of em.

It’s not all crash bang wallop ‘Do It Again’ starts off with a cool run as bass and guitars lock in, and ‘Hey Mick Your Sick’ would give old Steve Jones a run for his money if he were to write for an album again, these boys could be his writing partners. ‘Have One More’ is so immature; ‘Spaghetti Weston’ is a classic play on words and the melody is supersnotty to the max, then we go out as we came in with ‘I Really Really Really Like Beer’ so lets fuck this off and go to the pub for a few sneaky looseners and hope they’ve go t ajukebox so we can crank out some Cosmic Psychos – Thirst work this writing lark is so all thats lef tis fo rme to tell you to buy this album you’ll reall reall reall like it!

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

The Saints – ‘Long March Through The Jazz Age’ (Fire Records)

The Saints – ‘Long March Through The Jazz Age’ (Fire Records)

On 28th November 2025, Fire Records will release ‘Long March Through the Jazz Age’, the last recorded work by Chris Bailey and The Saints, coinciding closely with what would have been Bailey’s 69th birthday. It’s a moving farewell – a testament to a restless, uncompromising artist who always moved forward, one of rock’s great lyricists and iconoclasts. Sure, he was a different fella to the youth who came up with ‘I’m Stranded’ and there might no thave been the same rage as he had many years previous but he matured into a quality artist and had gravitas and can still capture a room when his music comes through the speakers.

Recorded at Church Street Studios in Sydney, Bailey and longtime Saints drummer Pete Wilkinson flew in from Europe to reunite with guitarist/engineer Sean Carey, who had previously toured and recorded with the band. They were joined by Davey Lane (You Am I) on guitar, plus a handpicked ensemble of Sydney’s most exciting young horn, string and keyboard players.

From Bailey’s rough demos, ‘Long March Through the Jazz Age’ is the sound of a man who grew up and his take on modern times.

Lead single ‘Empires (Sometimes We Fall)’ is the album’s anthemic opener, the western guitars sit nicely behind Bailey’s words: “Sometimes we rise, sometimes we fall”. It’s a great intro on an album that has gravitas and a swagger with Bailey’s punk rock heart beat flowing nicely in a really well-produced album.

‘Judas’, is a big piece, with space and thoughtfulness in the arrangement. ‘Gasoline’ has some Stones country honk in its DNA, whilst ‘Bruises’ is an introspective look inside the mind of a legend. Loads of kids who grew up in the glare of the public mellowed later on, take Westerberg as a prime example, add Bailey to that list

There are a few really epic long songs on offer here, and towards the close of the record, I love the cracks in the vocal, which is flawed and rasping on ‘Resurrection Day’ with its uplifting chorus, with beautifully poised horns and strings. It’s a crack of sun poking through the sky on a wet and rainy day, a big panoramic widescreen track.

Over four decade of doing whatever the fuck he liked Bailey and his band The Saints were truly the best from down under make no mistake, utterly pierless and groundbreaking on a global stage and this final offering shows another side of the legend and the best was saved till last with the epic trumpet-punctuated jazzy ‘Carnivore’ as the seven plus minutes unfold like a cinematic widescreen road movie with the vocal sounding both strong and vulnerable at the same time its wonderful through some good speakers or headphones. As it builds, it never really spills over but it does make your heart ache for what could have should have been.

Leaving the whistful acoustic ‘Will You Still Be There’ to carry this fine record home. Saints fans will love it, and I’m sure new fans will find it uplifting, and the full stop of this majestic band brought on for one finale. Buy this record.

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

BAD NERVES – 59-SECOND SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM WITH NEW SINGLE ‘LONER’

BAD NERVES – 59-SECOND SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM WITH NEW SINGLE ‘LONER’

SINGLE AND OFFICIAL VIDEO OUT 18TH NOVEMBER

“The best band in England right now”

– Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day)

PRE-SAVE HERE

To kick off their UK headline tour, Bad Nerves – the “bastard child of a Ramones/Strokes one-night stand” – announce their new single ‘Loner’, a fierce, 59-second blast of raw energy. The song’s release day also marks the first day of their explosive UK tour. Alongside the single, the band have announced an exclusive 7” vinyl, set to drop in December featuring the new single and never-heard-before live recordings of ‘Loner’ and ‘Antidote’ from their US headline tour in May 2025, alongside an exclusive demo of ‘Braindead’.

Their UK headline tour kicks off today across the UK, culminating in their biggest UK headline show to date at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

Watch the live video for ‘Loner’ below. Single and official video out 18th November.

PRE-SAVE ON ALL PLATFORMS HERE – PRE-ORDER EXCLUSIVE 7” VINYL HERE

Equal parts adrenaline and outrage, ‘Loner’ is a snarling 59 second, high-voltage critique of media manipulation and its divisive tactics. It channels paranoia and resistance in equal measure. The track’s instruments were captured live at Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard’s Studio Litho in Seattle, just days before the band kicked off their U.S. headline run. Vocalist Bobby Nerves later tracked his vocal take on the band’s tour bus in Dallas fresh from a visit to the site of JFK’s assassination.

When Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong called Bad Nerves “the best band in England right now”  before wearing their merch on the red carpet at the Grammys, punk’s worst-kept secret went global. Armstrong later invited the Essex five-piece to join Green Day on their explosive South American stadium tour in summer 2025, where they tore through their sets with the blistering speed that has become their signature.

Bad Nerves are an Essex five-piece blending the speed of the Ramones with the hooks of The Strokes. Hailed by Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong as “the best band in England right now” (before he was spotted wearing their merch at the Grammys), their self-titled debut (2020) and explosive follow-up Still Nervous (2024) won heavy support from BBC Radio 1, Radio X, Kerrang! and Classic Rock, alongside praise from legends like Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard and The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins. This was then complete with BBC Radio 1 hailing Bad Nerves as “your favourite band’s favourite band”.

Now signed to Loosegroove Records (the label owned by Gossard), the band’s sophomore record Still Nervous (May 2024) cemented their status as one of modern rock’s most vital forces, with anthems like ‘USA’, ‘You’ve Got The Nerve’, and ‘Sorry’ dominating airwaves across BBC Radio 1, BBC 6music, Radio X, Kerrang!, and beyond

United Kingdom

2025-11-18 O2 Institute 2, Birmingham

2025-11-19 The Grove, Newcastle

2025-11-20 Art School, Glasgow

2025-11-22 The Wardrobe, Leeds

2025-11-23 O2 Academy 2, Liverpool

2025-11-25 O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London

2026-07-09 2000Trees Festival

Australia

2025-12-02 Crowbar, Sydney*

2025-12-03 Max Watts, Melbourne*

2025-12-05 Good Things Festival, Melbourne

2025-12-06 Good Things Festival, Sydney

2025-12-07 Good Things Festival, Brisbane

2025-12-08 The Triffid, Brisbane*

*(co-headline with Dead Poets Society)

Japan

2025-12-10 Daikanyama UNIT, Tokyo

Bad Nerves’ new single ‘Loner’ is out 18th November. Stream here.

FOLLOW BAD NERVES

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Francis Rossi – ‘The Accidental’ Solo Album

Francis Rossi – ‘The Accidental’ Solo Album

Pre Order

‘The Accidental’ by Francis Rossi, released by earMUSIC on 30th January 2026 on CD, LP and Digital formats, comes as something of a surprise… It was a surprise, certainly, to Francis, who had no plans to record an album. “This truly came out of nowhere”, says Rossi. “I spend my life in and out of the studio, rehearsing, tinkering, but something happened earlier this year and, before I knew it, we had created something special.”



While Rossi’s previous solo albums explored his love for acoustic ballads, vocal harmonies, and the blend of British rock with country influences, this album, Francis Rossi’s first in seven years, marks a true return to the energetic, guitar-driven sound that made him a legend with Status Quo.

Listen Here

‘The Accidental’ sees Francis Rossi playing to his strengths, but taking risks, cutting loose, and exploring new territory – this album is all about old bones and fresh blood.

The fresh blood in question comes largely from Hiran Ilangantilike, a guitarist who was originally a school friend of one of Francis’ children, and co-producer Andy Brook. What became the sessions for ‘The Accidental’ was initially born of just plugging in and making some serious noise, but something clicked in the studio. Lightening was indeed bottled: there was a swing and a groove, and the songs started pouring out. With John ‘Rhino’ Edwards and Leon Cave later laying down the bass and drums parts, and Amy Smith again bringing an extra dimension on back-up vocals, this became a project with a bite and DNA all of its own; albeit Francis’ playing is a distinctive as ever. Almost all of the songwriting credits reflect this fresh and collaborative ethos, though there are two that bear the classic Quo hallmark: Rossi / Young. Francis Rossi produced ‘The Accidental’; co-producer Andy Brook recorded, mastered, engineered, and played on the record, and co-wrote three tracks.

Kicking off with a flourish ‘Much Better’ segues into the ebullient ‘Go Man Go’, teeing up future classic ‘Push Comes To Shove’ and the plaintive yet strutting blues singalong of ‘Back On Our Home Ground’ [who will be the first Sports team to adopt this one?]. By then, the engine is well and truly running, and the highlights keep coming. The chug and chant and choppy chords of ‘Something In The Air (Stormy Weather)’ give way to the cantering ‘Picture Perfect’, which could only be a Rossi number. The long strides of ‘November Again’ distil a melancholy refrain into a catchy chorus, and the epic ‘Beautiful World’ channels vintage era Quo with enough guitar to get the balcony of the Glasgow Apollo bouncing again. ‘Time To Remember’ is built around a piano line and swaying melody and serves as a poignant and powerful coda to an extraordinarily strong set of new songs.

Today’s announcement coincides with the launch of the first two songs: ‘Something In The Air (Stormy Weather)’ and ‘Go Man Go’ are available for streaming and download with immediate effect.

“For anyone who liked any of my solo albums previously”, says Francis Rossi, “… well, I’ve no idea what you’ll make of this one because it’s a real departure, but I love it. It’s loud, the guitars are right to the fore, and there are some great songs there”.

This new album finds Francis Rossi once more at the top of his game, with a searing yet thoughtful collection of rockers that will please anyone who likes their dose of heavy cut with melody and verve. Mark Twain said that the accident is “the greatest of all inventors”: when there are no rules, expectations or preconceptions, anything can – and will – happen. ‘The Accidental’ proves that amazing things unfold when an artist with an unrivalled track record is inspired to create new music – even after more than 50 years of success – by the sheer love of playing. That unbridled joy is where the elemental magic that animates ‘The Accidental’ is conjured.

Twisted Sister on a mountain in Wales? Yes please you SMF

Twisted Sister on a mountain in Wales? Yes please you SMF

Steelhouse XV

24-26th July 2026

Festival’s 15 year celebrations marked in style by  TWISTED SISTER as they celebrate half a century of Metal

Buy Tickets Here

Steelhouse – the festival on the top of a Welsh mountain – will welcome American metal legends, TWISTED SISTER, who will headline and close out the festival’s 15th year celebrations on Sunday, the 26th July 2026, as they themselves celebrate a milestone: an incredible half a century as one of most notorious names in rock, having re-formed after a 10 year hiatus. 

Also confirmed as part of a monster first announcement are Friday headliners, The Temperance Movement and Saturday night special guests, Reef. Alien Ant Farm, make their first trip to the Mountain with Tyketto, Von Hertzen Brothers, Darren Wharton’s Renegade, Mason Hill, Dan Byrne, Luke Morley, Anthony Gomes, Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse, AMH, Parker Barrow, LN, King Kraken and Blue Nation all being added to the bill. 

“We thought 15 years was worth celebrating in the biggest possible way”, say Steelhouse promoters, Max and Mikey. “And what better way to do that with one of the most iconic names in metal – TWISTED F***** SISTER!! To have them come and celebrate their milestone 50 years with us is an absolute and unbelievable honour.” 

“When DEE SNIDER came and laid waste to Steelhouse a decade ago – and more than any other headliner, fundamentally got what we were trying to do as an independent rock festival – we hoped that perhaps he would one day return with the band he made his name with… In our 15th year and their 50th, this is coming to pass…TWISTED SISTER on The Mountain is going to be HUGE!!!! 

We’re also extremely excited that The Temperance Movement headline SHXV’s opening night. Their own return has been a hugely welcome and successful one. Their shows last year were akin to going to church! They have history with us which goes back to both our and their early days. We’re so happy they’re making another trip up that road…Get your singing voices ready!” 

2026 marks the 15th iteration of Steelhouse, a now essential fixture on the summer festival map. Tickets are on sale now. For those wanting to spread the cost, a monthly payment plan is available on weekend arena tickets.  VIP upgrades are also available for those wanting VIP bar access, luxury facilities, acoustic sets and more!
 
The Festival at the top of the mountain boasts not only the best views of any UK rock event but one of the most passionate, friendly and loyal followings. With a reputation for not only bringing in the biggest and best names from the international world of Rock, Steelhouse also understands the role it can play in throwing open its prestigious stage to the best of the new breed of bands. It all adds up to a compelling mix of classic and cutting-edge rock, old and new.

SHXV – Come Out And Play!! 

Dead Pioneers new Single ‘Freedom Means Something’

Dead Pioneers new Single ‘Freedom Means Something’

DEAD PIONEERS RAIL AGAINST CURRENT AMERICAN POLITICS IN NEW SINGLE ‘FREEDOM MEANS SOMETHING’

STREAM/DL HERE:

UK AND EU DATES CONFIRMED FOR FEBRUARY/MARCH 2026 – TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE:

Dead Pioneers, the indigenous punk rock band from Denver, have never been afraid to use their art as a vehicle to express their beliefs and anger at the current political landscape in America. Over two albums – their self-titled debut in 2023 and ‘PO$T AMERICAN’ from earlier this year, the band have concocted a unique blend of spoken word, hypnotic post-rock and punk roots that has quickly caught the imagination of music fans searching for something new, something real and a band with something to say.

Dead Pioneers have now returned with a new single that is perhaps their most enraged work to date. ‘Freedom Means Something’ was recorded at the same time as ‘PO$T AMERICAN’, but didn’t make the album at the time, yet despite being written over a year ago, it captures the political and social moment of the United States and the anger, fear and vitriol that comes in policy changes and egregious decisions being made by this current administration.

“It was one of a few pieces we did that didn’t make the album cut at the time,” clarifies frontman Gregg Deal. “It wasn’t an issue of good or not, so much as curating our second record to something that made sense. We are so pleased to be releasing this piece now. Much like our second record, we wrote for the moment and didn’t expect the message of the music to be more relevant to what is currently happening here. We stand by our message, politically, socially and culturally, in hopes for change. These statements are meant to be in the moment of recognising that there are those among us, the most vulnerable, who will be the first to feel the effects of what we can only call oppressive. It is our moral duty and obligation to say the quiet thing out loud in an effort to use the medium of music to provide another way to hear ideas that stand in opposition of policies that align with the principles of white supremacy and fascism and nazi ideology, undermining the basic principles of freedom. We hope you see this in Freedom Means Something.”

“We will tar and feather you with your money and prepare you for your place in the annals of historical genocide. Amidst the nationalistic maniacs that destroy families and land, and legacy and truth and decency. Your end is near,” says Gregg in the song’s closing verse. It’s powerful, intense and righteous.

Dead Pioneers are confirmed to play their first EU and UK tour in February and March, 2026. Support for all UK shows comes from Yakkie, featuring Janey Starling formerly of Dream Nails. Go HERE for tickets.

Dead Pioneers emerged as a dynamic extension of vocalist Gregg Deal’s performance art, seamlessly blending music with critical cultural commentary. Rooted in the same themes of identity and resistance that define his visual work, the band’s sound acts as a powerful platform for addressing the complexities of Indigenous experience. Deal harnesses the raw energy of punk and alternative influences to challenge prevailing narratives, using lyrics that provoke thought and evoke emotion. Just as his performance art confronts the legacies of colonisation and systemic marginalisation, Dead Pioneers – completed by Josh Rivera and Abe Brennan on guitars, bassist Lee Tesche (Algiers) and drummer Shane Zweygardt – engages audiences in a visceral dialogue about survival, resilience, and reclamation of voice. This musical endeavour not only amplifies his artistic vision but also creates a space for collective expression and solidarity, inviting listeners to reflect on the intersections of culture, history, and identity in a contemporary context. Through Dead Pioneers, Deal continues to assert that art, in all its forms, can be a powerful vehicle for activism and change. 

The band are currently playing shows in the US and working on new material and will start recording their third album later this year.

See Dead Pioneers at the following dates in the UK and EU in 2026:

February

26th UK Bristol, The Croft

27th UK Manchester, Rebellion

28th UK Leeds, Key Club

March

1st UK London, The Underworld

3rd NL Arnhem, Willemeen

5th DE Wiesbaden, Schlachthof

6th DE Stuttgart, Juha West

7th DE Cologne, Helios37

9th CH Zurich, Bogen F

11th AT Vienna, Arena

12th DE Munich, Backstage

13th DE Berlin, Cassiopeia

14th DE Hamburg, Hafenklang

Find Dead Pioneers online HERE: