Rebellion Festival Announce more bands for 2020

Rebellion Festival Announce more bands for 2020

Finally, Friends of RPM ONLINE The Hip Priests get added to the bill for 2020 along with some other heavyweight bands we love.  No doubt all roads lead North West for the Spasm Gang along with Bouncing Souls and T.S.O.L these additions have excited us here at RPM HQ that’s for sure.

If you’ve never heard of the Hip Priests then you should have a word with yourself but before you do check out their epic call to arms –

 

Here is the list of today’s announcements to accompany what has already been announced.  2020 is already shaping up to one hell of a Rebellion

BOUNCING SOULS
T.S.O.L.
DYS
D.I.
ADRENALIN O.D.
999
THE MEN THEY COULDN’T HANG
AUTHORITY ZERO
NEWTOWN NEUROTICS
ALTERNATIVE TV
MENACE
GOLDBLADE
SPLOGENESSABOUNDS
LOS FASTIDIOS
CHAOTIC DISCHORD
CRIM
GIMPFIST
HOBO JONES & THE JUNKYARD DOGS
FUNERAL DRESS
CONTROL
RISKEE AND THE RIDICULE
CALL ME MALCOLM
CRASHED OUT
EXTERNAL MENACE
ROUND EYE ( CHINA)
HEADSTICKS
LIINES
CRACKED ACTORS
LA INQUISICION
VIRUS
THE LONG GAME
DANGEROUS DAVE & THE SIDE EFFECTS
ALCOHOL LICKS
TERMINAL RAGE
AMBITION DEMOLITION
WHITE RIBBONS
CHAOS 8
HIP PRIESTS
SLOW FACTION
DESENSITISED
COMPLETE DYSFUNCTION

Tickets

The Wildhearts, Janus Stark – Komedia, Bath 16/10/19

The Wildhearts, Janus Stark – Komedia, Bath 16/10/19

Bath Komedia was a new venue for the intrepid travellers from South Wales but we love an adventure and tonight we had to get there on time to catch the support of Janus Stark seeing as we’ve heard the new album and loved what we heard and wanted to see if Gizz Butt could knock it out live. After negotiating the Bath one-way system and eventually finding a place to park by the time we reached the venue the band had already taken the stage and were knocking out songs old and new.  they reminded me of a punkier Eureka Machines and Gizz is something of a guitar players guitarist with a great sound in the venue they were entertaining and engaging and the catchy power pop/rock sounded great. these were the perfect opener for The Wildhearts and ending the set with the best track off ‘Great Adventure Cigar’ was a bonus because ‘Every Little Thing Counts’ is just about spot on.  I can look forward to hearing a lot more of the band when the album is released hopefully in December.

When it was announced that The Wildhearts were adding another string of dates and that there would be the Renaissance Men tour part 2 I couldn’t wait to get another slice of loud rock’n’roll live-action after catching the boys in Cardiff on the first leg of the tour earlier in the year.

The nearest venue to me was the Komedia in Bath with a couple of hundred miles round trip (on a school night) I planned my latest Wildhearts action. Around 9:15 pm I heard the opening guitar riff to the lead-off track to the bands latest great ep the title track ‘Diagnosis’ and bam the band were on stage and away we go. 

The band are tight and as the glorious noize of ‘Diagnosis’ comes to an end the band launch into another Renaissance men soon to be live classic ‘let em go’ and this anthem gets the Bath crowd jumping and singing along with Cj taking lead vocals on the bridge doing the Frank Turner vocals.  Next up we have that all-time classic hearts tune ‘I Wanna Go Where The People Go’ and Ginger is on top form with some blistering guitar work and those rough yet melodic vocals of his soaring loud and proud. Some familiar favourites such as ‘Sick Of Drugs’ is welcomed and this night is turning out to be a show and a half as both band and crowd are right up for it in the confines of a really nice tight venue tucked away in the narrow streets of Bath.

‘The Revolution Will Be Televised’ sees the white album being represented and this leads us into ‘My Kinda Movie’.  Ginger announces that each band member is taking his turn in picking a track to play live and tonight’s choice is by Danny and what has mister McCormack picked, well he’s treated us to a P.H.U.Q. b-side the stunning “Mindslide” and that throbbing bass of his leads us into a rare treat and what seeing The Wildhearts on form is all about. ‘Caffeine Bomb’ is up next and this fast as lightning track showcases what a machine of a drummer Ritch Battersby is and why he is one of my favourite drummers and boy does he hit those skins hard.

‘Dislocated’ is greeted by this reviewer with a huge smile on my chops as this is my favourite track off ‘The Renaissance Men’ album and the guys blast it out with some real punk rock fury.  Great also to hear “Jackson Whites” being blasted through again at a furious pace. A real fan favourite is “Red light green light” and already this set is proving to be an excellent reason to venture out on a School night for a shot of Rock and Roll – could this night get any better?

‘Vanilla Radio’ has the Bath crowd singing “where’s my Elvis” in unison and that leads us into the 5th ‘Renaissance Men’ track of the night ‘The Fine Art Of Deception’ which is another Ginger penned classic. Tonight seems like the night for the lesser-known rare track getting a good airing as we are treated to ‘Action Panzer’ Nestled in with all the classics you’d expect to hear at a Wildhearts show.

The lights come up and with that the band walk off to a thunderous roar of appreciation from the crowd  – you’d think there was a couple of thousand in tonight by the sounds of them and shouts of “more, more, more” and as if by magic the boys walk back onstage and launch into the mighty riff of ‘Greetings From Shitsville’ and this crowd goes nuts.  Part two of the encore we are treated to the icing on this particular party cake as the band unleash the stunning earth vs b-side ‘Beautifull Thing You’ and indeed it is a glorious racket of loud harmonic beauty. It’s not quite done yet as there is one last song of the night and the fan fav ’29 X The Pain’ and with both band and fans singing their hearts out it is truly a great end to a special night.

All that is left for this reviewer to say is if you can get to a Wildhearts show please do as the band are on top form and are tight and clearly enjoying themselves and you will not be disappointed. Bring on round three and the doubleheader of the Backyard Babies slugging it out with the in-form and on fire Wildhearts Bring it on! 2020 is shaping up nicely if tonight was anything to go by.

 

Author: Gareth ‘Hotshot’ Hooper

Facebook

‘Diagnosis’ Review Here

Tour Dates for 2020 Here 

‘Renaissance Men’ Review Here

 

Annihilator album pre sales and Euro tour dates

Annihilator album pre sales and Euro tour dates
Album Pre-Orders Available From Today  here


ANNIHILATOR– A name that should not need an introduction in the METAL World but, for those who need one: this is a METAL band that started in Canada in late 1984 and since then, ANNIHILATOR has been touring and releasing records (selling millions of Albums to date), non-stop, for 30 years.  January 24, 2020 marks the release of their 17thStudio Album, BALLISTIC, SADISTIC.

The belligerent and pugnacious first single, “I AM WARFARE”, is available now and can be streamed here
Cited by bands in the likes of Megadeth, Pantera, Dream Theater, Children Of Bodom, Lamb of God, Opeth, Trivium and many, many more as having some influence on their music, guitarist/vocalist JEFF WATERS (Annihilator’s founder, producer and song-writer) and ANNIHILATOR have continued to tour the world, year after year, whilst consistently putting  out high-quality true-metal music.
Written, performed, engineered and produced by none other than Waters himself, BALLISTIC, SADISTIC was recorded at the brand new, state of the art, WATERSOUND STUDIOS UK, in Durham earlier this year.
“Almost every artist, initially, loves the songs they create. They are like your babies! In my case, it is difficult to be the main writer/producer and stay fresh, come up with new ideas or make old one’s better and I am well aware of that. Since “we” love what we do, we can be blinded to just how good or bad a song or record really is. Time will tell.  Press, fans, band members, label, etc… They ALL will tell you what they think and, in their own ways, they are usually right!” Said Waters. “In this case, I throw that nonsense in the garbage and can tell you that we have made a record that is angry, technical, back to the first 3 records vibes and it is going to be difficult to continue writing another record after releasing this one!!  Best record I’ve made since 2005’s Schizo Deluxe and I think many will argue that this new one is in the top 3. From the ‘Stonewall-esque’ track “PSYCHO WARD” to the haunting “I AM WARFARE”, the pissed-off “THE ATTITUDE” to the aggression and old-school technicality of “OUT WITH THE GARBAGE”, the record is like this: take the Alice, Neverland and Set The World On Fire records, make them angry, combine the old-school production with modern hi-tech studio gear, then add the best guitar work I didn’t know I still had in me, and you’ve got the best we could possibly offer. I honestly cannot wait for everyone to hear this.”
It takes a long time to reach legendary status, and no one can dispute that ANNIHILATOR and Jeff Waters are inspirations, teachers, legends and a force showing what hard work and love of your craft can bring to the world.  It’s about the music. Nothing else.
BALLISTIC, SADISTICwill be available as a Limited Edition Digipak, Coloured Vinyl and Digital formats.
Unstoppable and relentless, ANNIHILATOR will now embark on a 43 date, 18 country, European Tour, which will kick-off at Newcastle’s Riverside on October 12th.

SEE ANNIHILATOR (JEFF WATERS, AARON HOMMA, RICH HINKS & FAIO ALESSANDRINI) ON TOUR:
12 OCT – Riverside –  Newcastle (UK)
13 OCT – Slay  –  Glasgow (UK)
15 OCT – Rebellion  –  Manchester (UK)
16 OCT – Steelmill  –  Wolverhampton (UK)
18 OCT – Pumpe  –  Kiel (DE)
19 OCT – Tivoli  –  Bremen (DE)
20 OCT – Zeche  –  Bochum (DE)
22 OCT – Luxor  –  Köln (DE)
23 OCT – Victorie  –  Alkmaar (NL)
24 OCT – Hedon  –  Zwolle (NL)
25 OCT – Biebob  –  Vosselaar (BE)
26 OCT – Underworld  –  London (UK)
27 OCT – Le Petit Bain  –  Paris (FR)
29 OCT – Illyade  –  Grenoble (FR)
30 OCT – Le Metronum  –  Toulouse (FR)
31 OCT – Santana 27  –  Bilbao (ES)
01 NOV – Sala Mon  –  Madrid (ES)
02 NOV – Rock City  –  Valencia (ES)
03 NOV – Razzmatazz 2  –  Barcelona (ES)
05 NOV – Locomotiv –  Bologna (IT)
06 NOV – Legend Club  –  Milan (IT)
07 NOV – Kofmehl  –  Solothurn (CH)
08 NOV – Kaminwerk  –  Memmingen (DE)
09 NOV – Explosiv  –  Graz (AT)
10 NOV – Boogaloo  –  Zagreb (HR)
11 NOV – SKC Fabrika  –  Novi Sad (RS)
13 NOV – Havana Club  –  Tel Aviv (IL)
15 NOV – Fuzz Club  –  Athens (GR)
16 NOV – Principal Club  –  Thessaloniki (GR)
17 NOV – Joy Station  –  Sofia (BG)
19 NOV – Quantic Club  –  Bucharest (RO)
20 NOV – Form Space  –  Cluj-Napoca (RO)
21 NOV – Barba Negra  –  Budapest (HU)
22 NOV – Szene  –  Wien (AT)
23 NOV – Kwadrat  –  Krakow (PL)
24 NOV – Proxima  –  Warsaw (PL)
26 NOV – Lido  –  Berlin (DE)
27 NOV – Colos Saal  –  Aschaffenburg (DE)
28 NOV – Hirsch  –  Nürnberg (DE)
29 NOV – F-Haus  –  Jena (DE)
30 NOV – Substage  –  Karlsruhe (DE)
02 NOV – Red Club  –  Moscow (RU)
03 NOV – Club Zal  –  Sankt Petersburg (RU)

For tickets visit: annihilatormetal.com

Produced, engineered, edited and mixed by: JEFF WATERS at WATERSOUND STUDIOS UK
Additional engineering and editing by RICH HINKS

ANNIHILATOR ARE:
Jeff Waters (vocals/guitar), Rich Hinks (bass), Aaron Homma (guitar), Fabio Alessandrini (drums)

FOLLOW ANNIHILATOR on: Facebook  Instagram   Twitter  Website

ANTI-FLAG ANNOUNCE UK/ EURO TOUR FOR JANUARY 2020

ANTI-FLAG ANNOUNCE UK/ EURO TOUR FOR JANUARY 2020

Pittsburgh political punk band Anti-Flag announce vital UK and European tour dates for January 2020.

 

“We need these shows. We need this tour. We need to set the pace for the work that lies ahead in 2020. Our individual strength, optimism and hope comes directly from the interactions and exchanges we have at shows like these. It is a space where individual energy transforms into collective energy and power is born.

 

We cannot wait to unveil our new record. New songs are our bridge to reach out, reconnect, energize and organize. An opportunity to put names to faces, city to city, town to town. We are living in a time where minorities are being increasingly marginalized and cast out of society, where their mere existence has become illegality. Those victimized by the current administration need much more than allies, they need accomplices. We can no longer be shocked or distracted by defeat. Now is the time to remind each other that we are not alone and together we can beat back injustice.

 

We hope that this collection of songs, the congregation of folks around the shows, will all serve as tools of solidarity in the face of oppression and empire – solidarity with the poor, the marginalized and the scapegoated who are all catching hell.

 

Sometimes people say “enough” and a riot echoes forever.”

 

 

FULL UK & EUROPEAN TOUR DATES AS FOLLOWS: –

8/1 Lisboa, PT – RCA Club
9/1 Madrid, ES – Caracol
10/1 Vitoria, ES – Kubik
11/1 Zaragoza, ES – Sala López
12/1 Barcelona, ES – Estrapelo
14/1 Milano, IT – HT Factory
16/1 Zurich, CH – Dynamo
17/1 Graz, AT – PPC
18/1 Vienna, AT – Flex
19/1 Prague, CZ – Roxy
21/1 Berlin, DE – SO36
22/1 Munich, DE  – Backstage Werk
23/1 Nuremberg, DE – Lowensaal
24/1 Chemnitz, DE – Talschock
26/1 Warsaw, PL – Proxima
28/1 Hamburg, DE – Fabrik
29/1 Köln, DE  – Essigfabrik
30/1 Haarlem, NL – Patronaat
2/2 Brighton, UK – Chalk
4/2 London, UK –02 Academy Islington
5/2 Manchester, UK – Club Academy
6/2 Birmingham, UK – The Mill
7/2 Glasgow, UK – The Garage

Tickets go on sale on Friday 4th October @ 10am UK time / 11am CET.

Anti-Flag are currently putting the final touches on their new studio album, further details will be revealed in due course.

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

ANVIL head back to the UK for a 17 date tour March 2020

ANVIL head back to the UK for a 17 date tour March 2020


Of course there are bands that have garnered higher chart positions, sold more albums and filled bigger venues than Anvil. Yet there are few metal acts that have earned as much respect from their colleagues as the Canadian act surrounding vocalist/guitarist Steve ´Lips` Kudlow, Robb Reiner and Chris Robertson.

The most renowned Anvil aficionados include, among others, international stars such as Metallica and the late Lemmy of Motörhead, who have expressed their unreserved admiration time and again.

Expect a romp around the country in sold out, sweaty, hard rocking/metal shows to tell your mates about from these living legends that are an inspiration to many.

Tickets go on sale 24th September and will be available from the venues and various ticket outlets as listed on the band’s website Here

Special guests are yet to be announced.

March 2020:
4th Bannermans, Edinburgh
5th Flowerpot, Derby
6th Tivoli, Buckley
7th Nightrain, Bradford
8th Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes
9th Academy3, Manchester
11th Limelight 2, Belfast
12th Voodoo Lounge, Dublin
13th Queens Hall, Nuneaton
14th Lantern, Halifax
15th Cobblestones, Bridgwater
17th Level 3, Swindon
18th Exchange, Bristol
19th The Haunt, Brighton
20th The 1865, Southampton
21st O2 Academy, Islington
22nd Y Llew Coch & Y Plas Machynlleth

http://www.anvil-metal-pounders-union.com/
https://twitter.com/AnvilMetal666
https://www.instagram.com/anvil.metal/

Dinosaur Pile Up announce extra date

Dinosaur Pile Up announce extra date

O2 PRE-SALE – WEDS OCT 2nd
For early access pre-sale sign up here:
VIA http://www.dinosaurpileup.com/

GENERAL SALE – FRI OCT 4th
VIA MYTICKET

DECEMBER UK HEADLINE TOUR
**SOLD OUT**

Dinosaur Pile-Up have announced a landmark headline show at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town on April 3rd. Tickets are available on O2 pre-sale on Wednesday October 2nd, and go on general sale on Friday October 4th via MyTicket.

Regarding the show frontman Matt Bigland says, “We’re blown away to be headlining the Forum. Just so so pumped. Some of the best shows I’ve ever seen have been in that room, and we’ve supported countless bands there, and the fact that we’re now going to headline that stage is something we’re really grateful for and super f***ing excited about. It’s our turn, and I can’t wait to play on that stage.”

They announce the Forum on the back of selling out their forthcoming UK headline tour in December in support of the critically acclaimed new album Celebrity Mansions out now on Parlophone.

The new album has seen Dinosaur Pile-Up lay claim to 2019 as one of the UK’s most exciting and talked about rock bands.

Dinosaur Pile-Up recently completed a monumental nine week US tour, which saw them play 37-dates, as they toured arenas across the country with Shinedown before embarking on their first ever headline tour of the country.

On return to the UK the band jumped straight into Reading & Leeds Festival where they performed as the specially requested guests of Radio 1’s Dan P Carter.

Celebrity Mansions’ singles ‘Back Foot’, ‘Thrash Metal Cassette’ and ‘K West’ have all received great support from Radio 1, so much so the band made a ‘Back Foot’ jingle for the Breakfast show following the song being added to the Radio 1 playlist. The singles have also made the playlists of Radio X and ‘Back Foot’ is now proving a hit in the States and is the highest UK entry in the Active Rock Chart at No.5.

Before embarking on their forthcoming UK headline tour, the band are heading back across the Atlantic to play arenas in Canada on a 14-date tour with The Offspring and Sum 41 next month. Full Dinosaur Pile-Up tour dates can be found below:

DINOSAUR PILE-UP TOUR DATES

CANADA (W) THE OFFSPRING & SUM 41
NOVEMBER
12th – Halifax, Scotiabank Centre
13th – Moncton, Avenir Centre
15th – St Catharines, Meridian Centre
16th – Sudbury, Sudbury Arena
17th – Laval, Place Bell
19th – Sault Ste Marie, GFL Memorial Gardens
21st – Winnipeg, Bell MTS Place
22nd – Moose Jaw, Mosaic Place
23rd – Medicine Hat, Canalta Centre
27th – Cranbrook, Western Financial Place
29th – Penticton, South Okanagan Events Centre
30th – Abbotsford, Abbotsford Centre
DECEMBER
2nd – Kamloops, Sandman Centre

DECEMBER UK HEADLINE TOUR **SOLD OUT**
6th – Bristol, Exchange
8th – Birmingham, Institute
9th – Glasgow, Garage (Attic Bar)
10th – Manchester, Academy 3
11th – London, Scala

APRIL
3rd – London, O2 Forum Kentish Town

Gun Announce Best of and tour Dates

Gun Announce Best of and tour Dates

Scottish rock veterans GUN are thrilled to announce the release of their best of album “R3L0ADED”, due out on 29thNovember via Silver Lining Music. In addition the band will launch the first single “Superstition”.

“R3L0ADED” is a real declaration of intent. GUN are looking to the road ahead, to new challenges, unfulfilled ambitions. While the album is a celebration of the band’s illustrious past, it also forcibly underlines that their focus is fixed firmly on the future. There’s a real feeling of optimism and creativity… of so much more to be achieved.

Whilst celebrating the 30thAnniversary of “Taking On The World”, the band’s 1989 debut album, the double record gathers in one collection GUN’s best singles, taken from their award-winning career spanning three decades. “R3L0ADED” is presented as a double album, Disc 1 features singles from the band’s seven albums, such as first chart hit ’Better Days’ (1989), ‘Steal Your Fire’ (1992), ‘Don’t Say It’s Over’ (1994) and ‘Favourite Pleasures’ (2017).

Guitarist Giuliano “Jools” Gizzi comments: “R3L0ADED is a collection of our best singles.  We wrote a bunch of songs – the best we could do and had no idea if they’d be successful or if people would connect with them.” He then continues: “They are the soundtrack to a lot of good times and bad.  Now, people come up to us to say how these songs have touched them or made an impact, however small, in their lives. In 1989, we WERE taking on the world. We still are.”

Frontman Dante Gizzi adds: “Taking On The World really put us on the map.  Thirty years ago, our dream was simply to sign a record deal, release an album and maybe go on tour, no more than that. So it’s great to recognise something which means so much to us, and also to the people who have stayed with us over the years.“

Disc 2 is a collection of cover songs, which includes ‘Word Up’ by Cameo (1986), for which the band won the prestigious MTV Europe Music Award for Best Cover.  The band have recorded new versions of ‘Every 1’s A Winner’ by Hot Chocolate (1978), ‘(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)’ by The Beastie Boys (1986), ‘Union City Blue’ by Blondie (1979), ‘Rock The Casbah’ by The Clash (1982), ‘Everybody Knows’ by Dixie Chicks (2006), ‘Diamonds’ by Rihanna (2012) and ‘Take Me To Church’ by Hozier (2013).  Firm proof GUN can also pull some real musical aces from the pack are the inclusion of the classic ‘Superstition’ by Stevie Wonder (1972) and ‘Success’ by Iggy Pop (1977).

Jools reveals: “These tracks are our favourite songs by acts we’ve grown up with.  But we tried not to pick the obvious ones. Our aim was to make heavy rock versions of these great songs.  It’s what we do.  It’s become one of our strengths both live and in the studio.”

Dante continues: “There are many people out there who still want to hear GUN… We have an incredibly loyal fan base, so we owe it to them – as well as ourselves – to keep shooting for goal. Everything is a challenge or a pressure… but it’s a good challenge or a good pressure.  We’ve never had it any other way.  You always want to march on.  But the feeling is that there is still so much more to be done.  We’re far from finished.  R3L0ADED is just the beginning… the start of a new chapter.”

To coincide with the album release and the 30thanniversary of seminal debut album “Taking On The World”, the band will embark on a full UK tour alongside other two rock legendary names: FM and Dan Reed Network.

The Big 3-0 Tour Dates
9thDecember – Bristol – o2 Academy
10thDecember – Southampton – Engine Rooms
11thDecember – London – o2 Shepherds Bush Empire
13thDecember – Wolverhampton – KK’s Steel Mill
14thDecember – Norwich – LCR UEA
15thDecember – Nottingham – Rock City
17thDecember Newcastle – o2 Academy
18thDecember – Leeds – o2 Academy
20thDecember – Manchester – Academy 2
21stDecember – Glasgow – Barrowland

The Bar Stool Preachers, Rich Ragany & The Digressions, Social Experiment Sat 21st Sept Clwb Ifor Bach

The Bar Stool Preachers, Rich Ragany & The Digressions, Social Experiment Sat 21st Sept Clwb Ifor Bach

Social Experiment hit the stage at the early time of seven-fifteen due to Cardiff seemingly giving up its city to the busiest night in a long time as the Stadium Across the road having seventy thousand petrol heads in for a show but the clued in people of South Wales braved the gridlock for the main event happening on one side of Womanby Street. Puddle is quite the striking frontman with his wonderfully pert mowhawk as he belted out the words to their songs stalking the front of the stage like a caged beast the four-piece sound tight and deliver their hardcore punk with gusto.  Tackling social issues and hammering out tracks drawn from their most excellent album ‘Rumours Of Our Demise Are Not Greatly Exaggerated’. The only local boys on tonight’s bill kick things off with a really impressive set they’re hard to ignore and certainly prove to be a tasty chaser for tonights session.

 

Rich Ragany and The Digressions have battled horrendous motorway traffic and vuvuzela brandishing speedway maniacs to make their Welsh debut tonight. So, after all that just as they launch into the sublime late summer sounds of ‘Little Let Down’ and guitarist Gaff’s amp decides to go up in flames, I must admit my heart kind of sinks a little bit for them.

Fear not though (power)pop pickers as after a quick on-stage tactical reshuffle this little hiccup is quickly put to one side and the remaining Digressers set about delivering a finely woven set of songs largely drawn from the ‘Like We’ll Never Make It’ album, Rich’s debut solo release.

Highlights? Well, there’s the rambunctious ‘Scotty Thompson’ which crops up mid-set, which is a song that could very easily out Cockney tonight’s headliners in its composition. Then there’s the bristling energy of ‘Your Distance’ where Rich along with rhythm guitarist Kit Swing combine their voices to lift even the hardest of hearts in attendance tonight.

Having already supported the likes of alt-rock legends The Lemonheads and The Rolling Stones buddies The Dirty Strangers it’s easy to see why Rich Ragany and The Digressions have such a broad church appeal and I must admit I was enjoying myself so much along with most of the rest of the audience that I didn’t really scribble down anything else. Then again isn’t this what Saturday nights are supposed to be all about?

With the good decision to take this to the main room it was time for headliners The Bar Stool Preachers to stand tall and show the good people of this city exactly what all the fuss is about.  Without fanfare they didn’t so much hit the stage but gave it a right seeing to with a size ten. The energy and enjoyment oozing from the band is a joy to see and they waste no time at all winning the crowd over who have come to dance and have a seriously good time.

Without the blink of an eye this (now) five piece really work the stage and audience alike and their love of the music wins over even the hardest cynic and with ‘One Fool Down’ coming fairly early on in the set is a real blast.  There are plenty of people singing every word as the songs from their first two studio albums get peeled off the bands hard work ethic is really paying off as they might be a guitar lite they are still tighter than a pair of soaking wet rizlas the three out front lock-in and move like its been choreographed or rather a well-oiled machine who’ve toured their backsides off in Europe and America over the last few years.

There was time for a few new songs as well which even on first or second time of hearing already sound like the band has taken another step up the ladder thats not to say songs of the first two are weak because they are absolutely not but this is shaping up to be next level stuff. older sounds are welcomed like old mates songs like ‘Ballad Of The M1’ and ‘Start New’ are fresh and ‘DLTDHYOTWO’ sounded magnificent and Tom was (Bar Stool) preaching to converted as he expressed his feelings towards the current unwanted encombant of Number 10.  It’s great to hear a band so driven and right up for it and bloody well enjoying every second of their journey and its a journey I’m more than happy to jump on board with.  One of the best bands the UK has to offer right now and if you get the chance to see them play a club show anytime soon then take it because when the next album comes out you’ll be having to see them headline venues the size of the University across town and who knows from there.

One of the most enjoyable night’s entertainment for a long long time with three quite different bands but all with a common bond – they love music and play with their hearts on their sleeves and leave nothing behind (well apart from a Bass guitar), They have something to say and say it well – with passion, conviction and enthusiasm that’s infectious and great to see.

This was The Bar Stool Preachers third time in South Wales and their first headline show and they totally owned it and looked so comfortable like they’d been headlining for years and years.  Come the revolution if there’s to be a soundtrack then these boys will provide it.

Author: Dom Daley & Johnny Hayward (who reviewed Rich Ragany)

EVIL SCARECROW hit the road for ‘Lost In Antartarctica’ shows beginning tomorrow

EVIL SCARECROW hit the road for ‘Lost In Antartarctica’ shows beginning tomorrow

EVIL SCARECROW hit the road for their final run of their fabulous ‘Lost In Antartarctica’ shows and kick off their run in Oxford this weekend!

Final run of ‘Lost In Antartarctica’ tour dates:
28th September, O2 Academy, Oxford
31st October, Asylum Birmingham
1st November, The Face Bar, Reading
2nd November, Corporation Sheffield
9th November, MACMILLAN FEST Bristol
7th December, The Live Rooms Chester
2020
4th January, Yadbirds, Grimsby

EVIL SCARECROW’s album ‘Chapter IV: Antartarctica‘ was released at the end of 2018.
Evil Scarecrow’s fourth album saw them take another giant leap forward with the release of the sumptuous monster of a record, blending metal and melodies with riffs, roars and razor wit, it was everything you would expect from these multi-talented and exceptionally creative musicians. Chapter IV: Antartarctica sees this unique band keeping their own surreal space-time continuum moving ever onwards & upwards, running as smoothly as only Evil Scarecrow can.

Follow the band on social media

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Jim Jones And The Righteous Mind/Ming City Rockers – York, The Fulford Arms – 19th September 2019

Jim Jones And The Righteous Mind/Ming City Rockers – York, The Fulford Arms – 19th September 2019

It only seems two minutes ago that Jim Jones And The Righteous Mind released their fantastic sophomore long player ‘CollectiV’ on the world. But after a three month break they are back with a new stand alone single entitled ‘Get Down Get With It’ on hot pink 7” and they are doing a run of live dates to support its release. The first date happens to be at my favourite local gig venue The Fulford Arms. Having only witnessed this band in full flow supporting in larger venues and festivals, it would be rude not to attend a full headline show, right?

 

Immingham’s finest exports Ming City Rockers open the evening’s entertainment in fine form to an already packed out room. The core of singer/guitarist Clancy and guitarist Morley seem to be keeping the good ship Ming flying, yet it seems every time I catch them they have a different rhythm section. That seems to be beside the point though, as whoever they have on bass and drums this week are pretty much up to scratch. The band’s sound is raw and ramshackle, but tight and punchy as fuck. In fact this is the best I have seen them and playing to a full room where the temperature is rapidly rising, can only be helping.

It’s not long before Clancy is stripped to the waist and shouting in-between songs at the crowd like Zed from Police Academy. The garage punk cool of ‘Sell Me A Lemon’ and ‘She’s A Wrong Un’ go down well and are perfectly delivered with the style and attitude that many of their peers can only dream of.

Clancy demands a volunteer from the audience to come and play his guitar for the final number or he will jump in and pick someone himself. Luckily some hapless punter steps up to the challenge, removes his shirt and straps on Clancy’s guitar as the smiling singer disappears into the crowd to sing the final song and bring their set to a chaotic climax.

They came, they saw, they conquered. Someone give these dudes a support tour sharpish.

The atmosphere is electric and the anticipation high as the headliners finally takes to the stage and Jim Jones peels off the opening riff to ‘Boil Yer Blood’. The familiar tribal beats fill the room as the song builds and the singer has the attention of every man, woman and child in the room. To his left Matt Millership bangs the keys, to his right Gavin Jay brings the low end, and just out of sight guitarist Mal plays some sweet pedal steel.

‘No Fool’ follows, drummer Andy Marvel beats out the most powerful of regimental beats as the frontman matches with dirty guitar and a deep bluesy hollerin’. If you thought Jim Jones And The Righteous Mind needed a gig or two to brush off the cobwebs after a 3 month live hiatus, you would be sadly mistaken. Dressed all in black, with matching turtlenecks and necklaces, the band fire on all cylinders for the next hour and a half and the energy levels do not diminish whatsoever. Even the claustrophobic confines of The Fulford Arms cannot hold back the raw power of the JJATRM machine.

‘Till It’s All Gone’ is all mad tribal percussion, maracas and cool as you like full band backing chants.

Jim and Mal ring seven shades of shit from their guitars, licks and riffs are peeled off with ease as the pair and the bassist aim their instruments to the crowd and to the ceiling for the majority of the set.

This is how live rock ‘n’ roll should be; raw, loud and sweaty… sublime. None of this Liam Gallagher ‘staring at the floor’ shit! This band gives everything they’ve got and they deliver songs, without pausing for breath, like they are unloading the magazine of an AK47 on an unsuspecting crowd.

 

The likes of ‘Satan’s Got His Heart Set On You’ and ‘Sex Robot’ from the recently released ‘CollectiV’ fit the set perfectly,  as the singer struts the stage and hollers from the depths of his soul, channelling rock ‘n’ roll from another era. The aforementioned new single ‘Get Down Get With It’ is suitably raw and powerful and a highlight of tonight’s frantic set.

I thought I had already witnessed the hottest gig of the year, but tonight Jim Jones And The Righteous Mind turned it up another notch. You could say tonight was a near religious experience, but whether Jim and his band took us to church, or towards the gates of Hell is up for debate. One thing’s for sure though, tonight was a lesson in how to fucking deliver and raise the stakes for all who follow.

Author: Ben Hughes