Ah, the mighty Saxon. The band that turned me into a metal head back in 1986. Up until that point it was all about the top 40 and whatever was on Top of the Pops for me! A friend from school did me a mix tape and lent me his vinyl copy of the compilation ‘Strong Arm Metal’ and I was hooked. It was all about heavy metal for me from that pivotal moment. There was something about early Saxon that I connected with and I’ve (mostly) been a fan ever since. They have been through their ups and downs over the years and a few line up changes, but Saxon have had a resurgence over the last 10 years or so and have released some fantastic albums. 2013’s ‘Sacrifice’ and 2015’s ‘Battering Ram’ is up there with their best work, as is 2018’s ‘Thunderbolt’. Enlisting Andy Sneap (Sabbat/Judas Priest) as producer gave their sound a thunderous edge and pushed Saxon back into the big leagues of metal.
The band had been busier than ever in the live arena until the dreaded virus put paid to any dates that were scheduled. What do you do when you have lots of free time on your hands? Put out an album of covers from the bands and artists that have influenced you of course! That’s exactly what Saxon have done here with some fantastic results. It’s a celebration of the music that makes Saxon the band they are. They have gone down the old school route to record the album at Brockfield House near York, using real drums, and lots of Marshall amps! Frontman Biff Byford along with Jacky Lehmann have produced the album and it benefits from a great mix.
The band have dabbled with covers in the past with a great version of The Sweet’s ‘Set Me Free’ on 1984s ‘Crusader’ album and this foray into the bands influences throws up some tracks I would never have dreamed of a band like Saxon covering. The albums kicks off with a crunchy version of The Rolling Stones ‘Paint it Black’, this was the first release from Inspirations and there’s a cool behind the scenes video to accompany it. Zeppelin’s ‘Immigrant Song’ is up next and Biff shows his vocal prowess here (yes, he handles the high notes in his own inimitable style), the bands groove is relentless behind him, this is a great version. The next track is one of the songs that shouldn’t work but it does somehow! The Beatles ‘Paperback Writer’ sounds great with heavier guitars and the vocal harmonies really work well.
We get back on more familiar ground with Black Sabbath’s ‘Evil Woman’, a real showcase for Tim ‘Nibbs’ Carter who is undoubtedly one of metals most underrated bass players. Next up we have a version of Jimi Hendrix’s classic anthem ‘Stone Free’, the band sound like they are having a blast with this one, you can feel the energy. I don’t think Saxon fans would be very happy if there wasn’t a Motorhead cover on here, of course they deliver with a brilliant version of ‘Bomber’ with drummer Nigel Glockler in full double bass monster mode. A great tribute to their old friends.
A frenetic take on Deep Purple’s ‘Speed King’ again highlights the vocal range of Biff Byford, he screams like a man possessed here and guitarists Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt play an absolute blinder with some serious shredding. A lesser know Thin Lizzy track gets the Saxon treatment, ‘The Rocker’ is a welcome addition instead of the usual Lizzy covers. Byford surprises again here with his range and really carries the song. A true to the original version of ‘Hold the Line’ by Toto grooves along nicely with Glockler showing he can handle the famous ‘Porcaro Shuffle’ with ease. (Google it kids). AC/DC’s ‘Problem Child’ doesn’t have the raw energy of the original, but it’s a solid effort all the same with Biff doing his best Bon impression. To close the album, we have a version of The Kinks ‘See My Friends’ which is probably the only track that doesn’t transition very well over to the metal titans even though it does chunk up towards the end.
Saxon have done a great job here and the main thing is to remember that it’s a bit of fun to try and lighten up these darkest of days that we have all been experiencing over the last year. Don’t take it too seriously, Saxon certainly haven’t. Crank it up with a beer in hand and sing along, you know the words!
unfortunately, Biff Byford announces the cancellation of his UK and European Tour dates.
We are very sorry to announce the cancellation of the BIFF BYFORD solo tour previously scheduled for April & May 2020. The cancellation is mainly due to low ticket sales, which may or may not have been affected by the current Worldwide Covid 19 Virus pandemic.
Biff Byford “The honest truth is the tickets for the forthcoming tour have just not sold as everyone expected for whatever reason, so we have cancelled the dates as scheduled with a view to hopefully re-visiting at a later date.
It’s sad as I was looking forward to the spoken word & live band show but it’s just not to be at this time. I want to thank everyone who bought the album and supported me. Keep the faith and see you on the road with Saxon”
The show was to take an “evening with” format and will be split into two halves. The first half featured a spoken word show compared by American Comedian and star of VH1 Classic’s “That Metal Show” DON JAMIESON, where Don would quiz Biff on all aspects of his life and career. The second half consisted of a live show with Biff and his band.
Ticket refunds are available from point of purchase.
Saxon We’re always a fixture of the Hard Rock magazines when I was a kid and went to see them when they rolled through South Wales and always remember going home thoroughly entertained particularly from Biff Byford and his banter as much as his vocal dynamics on their classic catalogue of songs. Fast forward many years and apart from the odd crossed paths at festivals Saxons popularity ebbed and flowed and in recent years people seem to have given them the respect they deserved and that’s due in no small part to frontman and Bard of Barnsley Mr Biff Byford.
I’ll admit its been quite some time since I played a Saxon record but always read interviews and had a lot of kudos for Biff and when I heard he was set to release a solo album I was intrigued and sought out the press kit in order to catch up with the legend and see if he was going to take this somewhere he could ever take his band Saxon and if so would he stand or fall in what is a super competitive market and with music being the forum it is today it’s easy to get lost in a sea of streams and downloads so I opened the Email quite excited as to what was going to greet me in the ‘School Of Hard Knocks’.
The first thing I noticed was the pipes that have been the silver-haired frontman’s trademark are still impressive and intact even at the tender age of 69. The album tackles topics such as the county that Biff has always championed – Yorkshire. Biff sings from the heart and bears his soul throughout the record and even has time to throw in a cover of ‘Scarborough Fair’ where he excels in his display of power and I come out from behind the sofa and without a hint of irony or sarcasm he did himself proud. There is also time later on the record for a cover of Wishbone Ash ‘Throw Down The Sword’. Of course, there is room for guest appearances to be fair that’s the point of a solo album anyway, isn’t it? Indulge yourself, be the boss and take the record in any direction you choose. This record isn’t short of names with guest appearances by Phil Campbell (Motörhead/Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons), Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody of Fire and Turilli / Lione Rhapsody), Nick Barker (Voices), Dave Kemp (Wayward Sons) and Nibbs Carter (Saxon) all present and correct.
worry not there isn’t any cod reggae or disco going on and at times its all hard rockin’ stuff but when he does stray it provides the record with its highlights such as the Wishbone Ash cover and the acoustic song from the heart ‘Me And You’. The albums title track is the only time he comes anywhere near what Saxon is famed for but then he is telling his story so I guess its only fitting there should be one of those Saxon like riffs and to be fair it’s one of the best songs on offer.
There are some long songs that are a journey in themselves like ‘The Pit And The Pendulum’ and the Wishbone Ash cover but you also get spoken-word interlude ‘Inquisitor’ that just showing off guitar noodling and if its possible I’m sure I heard Biff grinning. So all in all an album that will please fans of Biff will have people tipping their hat in respect to his service and dedication and I have some tracks I will take with me more than others but I always love hearing his voice be it on a ballad or rockin out screaming his lungs out Biff Byford has earned his stripes and stab at a successful solo album and if anyone has a bad word to say about Sir Biff of Byford send em to me I’ll sort em out.
Biff has certainly been through the School of hard knocks and has one of the genre of Rocks’ most distinguishable vocals and sang some of the best most enduring and endearing songs he wanted to tell his story and does it well. Without a hint of smugness or over-inflated egos like a lot of his contemporaries, Biff has always remained true to himself and been as honest as the day is long. He has always come across as a man well-grounded and proud of who and where he came from and now he’s been able to release a record and sing about his extraordinary life from his heart and by bearing his soul he gets the thumbs up from me. Arise, Sir Biff of Byford a true hard rockin’ legend.
OK, kids, The Singles club is open for March and with a few choice picks we got a right mixed bag of genre-hopping choices to suit every pallet. WE’ve got punk of all persuasions and old rockers – we’ve got some legends of several scenes and a few eyebrow raisers as well as some really exciting new bands for you starting with the single of the month as Lemmy said March or Die…
Dead Meat – Dead Meat EP (No Front Teeth Records) What a way to start the singles club round up. A four track EP on one of my favourite labels some trashy punk rock featuring some of my favourite bands out there making a noise at the moment. This one is chuffin’ awesome. Snotty, fast, down n dirty Rock and Roll. Blink and you’ll miss this one it features four track lasting between a minute and some and two minutes and some and the players have pedigree featuring members of THE CAVEMEN, SUICIDE GENERATION and THE SPEEDWAYS need I say any more? Put it this way if you don’t curl out a smile when pogoing to ‘I Give Up’ then real Rock and Roll maybe isn’t for you. Just buy it out get out of here its a keeper and my record of the month! Buy it here
Faz Waltz – ‘Grown Up Guy’ (Spaghetty Town Records (USA) and Wanda Records (Germany)) Since forming in 2007 Faz Waltz have been a non-stop rock machine recording six albums these boys are relentless. ‘Grown Up Guy’ is what Faz Waltz do they Rock and Roll with the best of them. You wanna call it retro 70s bubblegum boot boy rock and roll then fine but this lot are tough and that riff is a cracker as are those BV’s.
The B side is just as punchy it’s like a party on plastic they’ve captured the mood perfectly and this one comes with added shakers and handclaps so what’s not to like? Faz does breakdowns and solos with the best of them and this ones no exception. Just like the TV Times, I didn’t realise there was so much in it!
The Scaners – ‘X-Ray Glasses: On’ (Spaghetty Town Records (USA), Adrenalin Fix Music (FR), Dangerhouse Skylab (FR) and Ghost Highway Records (Spain) Supersonic gonzo-synth punk – Intergalactic swirling garage rock’n roll spaceship – Soundtrack for UFO pilots and weird aliens and decent thinking punk rockers (with taste)
First, it appeared on the 2019 LP The Scaners II, and two brand new songs are the order of the day for these loons. Blink and you’ll miss opener ‘Alien Boy’ with its sub-one-minute slam dance. What a mint tune that’s how to do it punk rockers. In contrast, the numanoid feast that is ‘X-Ray Glasses’. Sounding like a really cool Tubaway Army thumper from the dumbed-down bass line to the swirling synth and robotic vocals – great stuff. ‘I Really Wanna Know’ isn’t hanging about either. Brief and fleeting but a lot of fun. The Scaners are delivering the good big time on this right smart offering. What a top single.
The Outliners – ‘House Of Thieves’ (self Release)
Unleashing slamming punk cuts and appealing hooks, Brit threesome THE OUTLINES are planning their attack across the UK with the release of their new EP, House Of Thieves, It features the track ‘Mind Trip’ which they were kind enough to shoot a video for. they are the creation of singer and guitarist, Kyle Peters, who formed the band in 2015 after leaving Ferocious Dog. Peters enlisted old school friends Martyn Brown (Bass) and Dean Hill (Drums), and the newly rejuvenated three-piece began rehearsals to craft a live set and to shape a sound that would be powerful and raw, but also refined. As you will notice the song is built around a sharp guitar riff and full-bodied sound. It should do really well and will go down really well live. ‘Man Down’ is a lively opener as it comes out of the speakers swinging. Bullish and full-bloodied. ‘Mind Trip’ is more of the same with a great production giving the songs a bright punchy sound and giving it the room to just do its thing. The title track of the EP is a bit of a beast with some piraty backing vocals as the verses swirl around a decent riff it’s a really strong introduction to the band who can rock out and show restraint. Go check em out Website / Spotify
Dystopian Future Movies – ‘Black Cloaked’ (Lasairfhíona Records) Second single off their soon to be released album ‘Inviolate’
Bona Rays – ‘Poser’ ( Flashback Records) Bona Rays’ Poser, is the last great undiscovered UK 1970’s Punk single to see light of day and the only UK punk single recorded in the 1970s fronted by a woman of West Indian descent. Poser is finally released on limited 7 on 28th February.
Back in 1978, Punk Songwriter and Guitarist Tony Keating had a few songs he’d written and was looking for a singer. A friend encountered Chas at a tube station after a gig and asked her if she was interested in singing on Tony’s tracks. A few weeks later, they had christened themselves Bona Rays These tracks were pushed around labels in ’78 but to no avail that is until now. sounding a little dated it’s Drum Toms and synth giving it some on ‘Poser’.
40 years later, Chas was moving house and decided to sell her records. She took them to Flashback Records where owner Mark Burgess bought the collection. In amongst these records was an unknown 7” acetate. After Chas left the shop, intrigued by this oddity, Mark played ‘Poser’ on the shop system. Fate stepped in as Chas walked back into the shop at that moment to sell a few DVDs she’d forgotten to bring along earlier and said – “Oh – you’re playing our song”. What are the chances eh? www.bonarays.bandcamp.com
Billy Talent – ‘Reckless Paradise’ (Spinefarm Records) Canadian rockers Billy Talent have released the first official single from their forthcoming album, due out this fall. The song, “Reckless Paradise” showcases the powerful driving riffs and pointed lyrics the band is famous for. Produced by Billy Talent guitarist and Juno Award nominee (Producer of the Year) Ian D’Sa, “Reckless Paradise” is available now everywhere you listen to music. With a huge riff and distinctive vocals, Billy Talent sits between ‘Dookie’ and something totally harder rockin’ if that’s a place but the layered vocals and heavy guitar will lend itself to a wide audience.
City Saints – ‘Peter and the Test Tube Babies on the Radio’ (Sunny Bastards Records)
Swedish punks City Saints play loud guitar, bass and drums street punk. With the A-side, good old sing along with a happy go lucky hook on the chorus and a gang vocal even the drunkest of listener can join in with.
Recorded with Peter Bywaters from peter and the Test Tube Babies. It features just the one original and two covers. The band managed to capture a lot of big fun in the recording of this A-Side and having Peter from the Test Tube Babies shouting along is great I’m not sure he would shit em though they’re a bunch of buff lads.
There does seem to be a theme with the two other tunes as they follow on the time-honored tradition of Peter & his Test Tube Babies as they smash ‘Alcohol’. Then they rock and roll their way through ‘Giving Up Drinking’ with aplomb. Peter will be pleased with the credits but I think more so the fact he’s been honored with two fine takes by this handy band of Swedes who sure do know how to Rock and Roll. Facebook
Biff Byford – ‘Me And You’ (Silver Lining Music) Now everyone loves a bit of Biff. his endearing endurance is something to celebrate and his singlemindedness to carry on through the decades with Saxon and then when it was announced he was going to release solo album eyebrows were raise. you know what it is something different from the singer and opening his heart like this is great stuff it’s not what was expected and using the saxophone worked for me and this should be celebrated as a triumph. Good on you Mr. Byford you are a true legend and long may you continue to perform and make music – RPM Salutes you. to get your copy visit www.biffbyford.com
The Empty Hearts – Remember Days Like These (Wicked Cool Records) You want power pop from a supergroup? Hell, we all do. the Empty Hearts dish up a delicious helping of Rickenbacker backbeat power pop with the emphasis on the pop. With lush backing vocals and daydreams of laying on cut grass staring up at the clouds in a deep blue sky Hell they’ve even managed to rope in Ringo Star on the drums for the lead track and Clem Burke sits it out. Truly a supergroup. Elliot Easton – guitar, backing vocals Wally Palmar – lead vocals, guitar, Clem Burke – drums, backing vocals, percussion and Andy Babiuk – bass, backing vocals. The B side or is that AA side ‘Tell Me Reasons Why’ is my pick of the two tracks on offer and is the sound of some guys loving what they’re playing and delivering the good. For lovers of Rickenbacker power pop garage. Bandcamp
Johnny Jetson – ‘Love Me For My Car’ (Minnie Apple Records) Two tracks taken from his brand new soon to be released album ‘Make Your Move’ Jetson plays in yer face Rock and Roll. He’s stewed it in a vat of influences including the good and the greats. Bolan and T Rex are in the DNA for sure as the tune gyrates and does a virtual lapdance all through your ears and that’s a great feeling. Fuzzy guitars and tambourine and shakers behind a tried and tested riff that’s where this bad boy is hanging and we’re down with that for sure. ‘Knocked Out’ is an altogether nastier, sleazy slab of rock n roll. Mashing up some Pistols with the Coop as it rushes to finish before the cops turn up and throw this track in the clink. A welcome return for Mr. Jetson its been a while. We missed your confident strut and your fistful of rock n roll tunes. Keep em coming we like it! Facebook
Slumlord Radio – ‘Gonna Be A Riot’ (White Elephant records) Dirty hard-rocking mofos with a cowbell. What’s not to like? With one foot on the wedge owned by the likes of Warrior Soul with a dash of The Forr Horsemen thrown in fo rgood measure this Michigan born beat combo is dishing up a shitstorm of hard-rockin’ tunes with plenty of attitude and for extra bonus points, who doesn’t love a band who kick out the jams on ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’. they treat it with due care and attention and don’t fuck it up but give it plenty of menacing roffola which is cool and add in that beautiful 1 finger piano riff – check it out. Pick it up Here
Lucy And The Rats – ‘Dark Clouds’/’Get Down’ (Stardumb Records, Dirty Water Records) Taken from their second album this new single is Lucy raining down some wonderful power pop on us. With lush melodies on the chorus its atop glimpse into what we can expect from the new album (hopefully), it is rounded off with a thoroughly splendid guitar break. If only all power-pop singles were this good, the charts would be in much better shape if Lucy was in the top 10 and when you got in your car for the ride to work this happened to be blaring on the radio. Until that happens go visit the band on their Facebook page and check em out – you won’t be disappointed Facebook
Eddie Money & The Grave – The Lost 79 tapes (Still Unbeatable Records)The Lost 1979 Manchester Studio Recordings + new bonus track! Recently discovered in the USA and sent over to the UK! Remastered from the original tapes! Original 1979 Power Pop Punk! Available on 7” vinyl 45rpm with a limited run on coloured vinyl you have to check this out just for the lyrics. Absolute class and of its time. It’s one for fans of The Boys and classic power-pop-punk rock. Its got that analogue crackle for good measure to give all the audiophiles a warm tingle when playing this one. Buy Here
Cockroach Clan – A New England (Fysisk Format) A song that’s been covered a couple of times and some gets the Cockroach Clan treatment. It did test my gag reflex watching the video with Farage and Widdicombe flashing up on the screen waving their butchers aprons but hey ho it takes all sorts I guess. It’s a decent stab at a great tune but sadly not as good as the original or the Kirsty McCall version but its worth a listen and stick with the video even after the intro the outro is worth the wait. Nice one guys!
Go Mod Go! – ‘Duke’s Jetty’ (Fandango Records, Ghost Highway Recordings, KOTJ Records) Go Mod Go! Whats not to like here. It’s something totally different and harks back to the swinging 60s for sure. A project consisting of Jake Starr (Adam West, Jake Starr and The Delicious Fullness) and Tom Barrick (Adam West) featuring a 10-piece powerhouse band with horns, keyboards, and a dynamic woman vocalist.
After the band recorded their debut album “Alright!”, they went into the studio to record a few new songs with original vocalist Jamie Boyd. Jamie soon left the band and was replaced by superstar vocalist Mundy, and the band started recording their upcoming second album.
These two songs are the final recordings with Jamie and showcase the 60s garage side (“Duke’s Jetty”) and the sultry French Yé-Yé side (“Zou Bisou Bisou”). Oh, la la tre bien Mr. Starr this is something left of centre and why not? Released on a limited edition 7″ of 200 on bubblegum pink vinyl, this is the perfect bridge between Go Mod Go! albums. Kiss kiss! Bandcamp
OK, so we’re flying into March 2020 already? Hell, this year is roaring for sure so this month Spotify playlist is as follows.
First up we have Sick Bags and the track ‘Boys Bleed Too’ from the awesome NFT/Spaghetty Town Records EP ‘Only Thee Young Die Good’ if you love a blast of Punk Rock with plenty of Roll and a howling attitude then check it out.
Next up we have the magnificent Jeff Dahl and ‘The Violence Squad’ taken from his recent album ‘Electric Junk’. A sparkling track from an equally sparkling album – Worthy of any Spotify playlist.
Green Day slipped a brand new album out there as well recently and it seems to have shaken a few as to their expectations for what a “punk Band” should sound like. Well, ‘Stab You In The Heart’ sees the band rip it up old school and what an excellent job Butch Walker did on the production front. We love it.
Deathtraps make a noise and we love that. With a brand new album out right about now we dig into their back catalogue and bring you the awesome ‘The Death Of Rock And Roll’ taken off their second album ‘Gotta Get Some’ but you can check out the review of the new album here.
With the brand new album scheduled for release in April we got excited that a new long-player from new yorks Wyldlife was on the way so we added the last single ‘Neon Nightmare’ Can’t wait for ‘The Year Of The Snake’ to drop as I think you’ll be hearing a lot more from these boys this year.
Another band I caught up with recently is Empty Suits and their EP that blew me away, We recently welcomed Dave Prince to the team and he delivered a review of the brand new Brian Fallon album ‘Local Honey’ so here’s the mellow tune ‘I Don’t Mind’.
Ben reviewed the new offering from Stone Temple Pilots ‘Perdida‘ so we’ve included the track ‘Miles Away’. Also with a new album coming out soon is Dirtbox Disco so here’s a reminder of what they were all about and with Spunk Volcano now handling the vocals you can find out soon enough but we’ve heard it and you have nothing to worry about.
Having just landed the support on the Status Quo winter tour of the UK Rich Ragany & The Digressions also released a video for the title track so we’ve added it to this months playlist.
Also heading out on tour this month are The Bar Stool Preachers so why not warm up to ‘8.6 Days (All The Broken Hearts)’.
Bang Records are releasing the ‘In Heat’ album by The Fuzztones as it was intended so of course, we’re reviewing that in the coming weeks. It would be rude not to include the title track off that. Continuing along the Garage Rock line Thee Hypnotics are treading the boards again so here’s the classic ‘Shakedown’.
Finally, for March, we’ve got the lead track off the Biff Byford solo album ‘Me And You’. A true legend of hard rock Biff has decided than now was the right time for a solo album. Good luck to him we all have a bit of Biff in our hearts of that there is no doubt. Enjoy our mixed bag kids and we hope you find something you like.
Give us a like or a follow or whatever you do on streaming services and hey buy an album and support the bands they deserve it. Thank you.
On February 21st 2020, legendary Saxon frontman Biff Byford will step into the spotlight with his first ever solo album, School Of Hard Knocks. The album will be supported with an 10-date UK Tour in April which features 2 halves – Biff in conversation with American comedian Don Jamieson about his life and career, followed by live performance featuring a selection of new material, covers and a sprinkling of Saxon.
With his roots firmly in The North of England, Biff has earned the right to be considered The Heavy Metal Bard Of The North and his debut album reflects the man and his personality, his loves and his musical versatility.
School Of Hard Knocks fulfils Biff Byford’s long-standing wish to explore rock ‘n’ roll a little more. The album is a personal journey highlighting his life and his passionate interests, from the history of the Middle Ages to growing up in the industrial North. A classic, masterfully constructed old-school British hard rock album, School Of Hard Knocks embraces a variety of musical genres and includes the Yorkshire folk classic Scarborough Fair, famously covered by Simon and Garfunkel. Byford and Fredrik Åkesson’s arrangement breathes new life into the legendary song.
Watch the previously released videos for “Welcome to the Show” and “School Of Hard Knocks” HERE.
School Of Hard Knocks features Biff Byford on vocals (and a spot of four string thunder) along with Fredrik Åkesson (Opeth) on guitars, drummer Christian Lundqvist and bass player Gus Macricostas. The album also features guest appearances by Phil Campbell (Motörhead/Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons), Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody of Fire and Turilli / Lione Rhapsody), Nick Barker (Voices), Dave Kemp (Wayward Sons) and Nibbs Carter (Saxon). The album was produced by Biff Byford, recorded by Jacky Lehmann at Brighton Electric Studios in Brighton (UK) and mixed at Queen Street Studios in Stockholm (Sweden) by Mats Valentin.
School Of Hard Knocks UK Tour
Byford recently announced his first ever solo tour dates. The tour begins in the UK in April and continues to Europe in May.
The show, in the form of ‘An evening with…’, will be split into two halves. The first features Biff in conversation with Don Jamieson (American comedian and star of VH1 Classic’s That Metal Show) on all aspects of his life and career. After the break Biff and his band will play some new songs, covers and, maybe, a Saxon song or two.
Biff says: “It’s a show I’ve wanted to do for a long time and one which I don’t think has been done in hard rock before. It’ll be something different and a lot of fun.”
April UK tour dates:
Friday 17th Gateshead Sage 2
Saturday 18th Birmingham Town Hall
Monday 20th Glasgow St. Lukes
Tuesday 21st Leeds City Varieties
Wednesday 22nd Bath Komedia
Friday 24th Liverpool Arts Club
Saturday 25th Aberdare Coliseum Theatre
Monday 27th Milton Keynes Stables
Tuesday 28th London Islington Assembly Hall
Wednesday 29th Brighton Old Market
Tickets are available from myticket.co.uk
May EU tour dates:May EU tour dates:
Friday 1st THE NETHERLANDS Tilburg, 013
Saturday 2nd GERMANY Essen, Turock
Sunday 3rd BELGIUM Sint-Niklaas, Casino
Tuesday 5th GERMANY Hamburg, Gruenspan
Wednesday 6th GERMANY Osnabruck, Rosenhof
Friday 8th SWEDEN Malmo, Kulturbolaget
Saturday 9th SWEDEN Trollhattan, N3 Stagebox
Sunday 10th SWEDEN Stockholm, Nalen
Tuesday 12th GERMANY Berlin, Passionskirche
Wednesday 13th GERMANY Munich, Technikum
Thursday 14th SWITZERLAND Zurich, Dynamo
Friday 15th FRANCE Vaureal, Le Forum
Tickets are available from all usual outlets and agents
As a special bonus, fans buying tickets prior to 2nd of March 2020 for the European shows only will receive a personally signed 10”x8” photo together with entry into a draw to win one of 10 VIP Meet and Greets for each show.
Legendary Saxon frontman, Biff Byford releases his debut solo album ‘School of Hard Knocks’ on 21st February.
The album features guest appearances by Phil Campbell, Alex Holzwart, Nick Barker, Dave Kemp and Nibbs Carter.
On February 21st 2020, legendary Saxon frontman Biff Byford will step into the spotlight with his first-ever solo album, ‘School of Hard Knocks’.
The North of England is everything you saw in Game of Thrones and more. It is the true heart of England, the region where its soul resides, and Biff Byford has earned the right to be considered its true heavy metal bard.
Biff takes on not just tales and stories from his heart and soul, but also investigates the Middle Ages and Medieval history amongst other subjects.
“It’s been great to break new ground, explore new territories and work with some old friends”, concludes Biff, “and having waited so long to make this album, I have to say, I am delighted with it! It has a whole range of styles, from the ridiculously heavy to ballads, and it is certainly my album.”
Available to pre-order from October 25 on CD, Vinyl, Digital formats and special D2C bundles Here
It is with regret that we have to announce the rescheduling of the remaining SAXON shows in 2019. Lead Vocalist Biff Byford has been diagnosed with a heart condition that requires immediate surgery and a post op recovery period that will last into the new year.
The shows affected are as follows:
September 26thSweden, Stockholm – Grona Lund
October 5th– The Netherlands, Eindhoven – Oktober Metal Fest
October 18th– UK, Glasgow – Braehead Arena
October 19th– UK, London – Eventim Apollo
October 20th– UK, Manchester – O2 Apollo
October 26th– Germany, Dusseldorf – Mitsubishi Electric Halle
December 1st– Mexico, Mexico City – Forcefest
December 6th– Colombia, Bogota – Knot Fest
The UK, London Eventim Apollo show has been rescheduled for Saturday March 28th2020
And UK, Manchester O2 Apollo for Sunday March 29th2020
The UK, Glasgow Braehead Arena & Germany, Dusseldorf Mitsubishi Electric Halle shows will be rescheduled and new dates announced as soon as possible.
All existing tickets will remain valid for new dates and in the case of a required refund
Ah, the mighty Saxon. The band that turned me into a metal head back in 1986. Up until that point it was all about the top 40 and whatever was on Top of the Pops for me! A friend from school did me a mix tape and lent me his vinyl copy of the compilation ‘Strong Arm Metal’ and I was hooked. It was all about heavy metal for me from that pivotal moment. There was something about early Saxon that I connected with and I’ve (mostly) been a fan ever since. They have been through their ups and downs over the years and a few line up changes, but Saxon have had a resurgence over the last 10 years or so and have released some fantastic albums. 2013’s ‘Sacrifice’ and 2015’s ‘Battering Ram’ is up there with their best work, as is 2018’s ‘Thunderbolt’. Enlisting Andy Sneap (Sabbat/Judas Priest) as producer gave their sound a thunderous edge and pushed Saxon back into the big leagues of metal.
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