The Rods – ‘Metal Will Never Die’ (Hear No Evil Recordings/Cherry Red)

The Rods – ‘Metal Will Never Die’ (Hear No Evil Recordings/Cherry Red)

Hot on the heels of High Roller Records’ sensational set of vinyl reissues covering The Rods back catalogue from their 1980 debut right up to their 2011 reunion, this 4CD set from Cherry Red provides a rather poignant addendum to the band’s back story covering as it does the same period in time, albeit from a “live in-concert” perspective.

Formed in 1980 in Cortland New York, The Rods came from an age when sub-genres of rock/metal didn’t really exist, or in fact matter, and if “you rocked” – “you rocked”. As such, mainstays, guitarist and lead vocalist David ‘Rock’ Feinstein (guitarist and lead vocals) and drummer Carl Canedy – who are both still in the band to this very day – along with then bassist Steven Starmer, set out their clear mission statement by naming their excellent debut release ‘Rock Hard’.

Swapping out Stamer, for one Garry Bordonaro, before then being snapped up by Arista Records, who revamped and rejigged their debut and re-released it as a self titled album (set to take the rock world by storm). CD one of ‘Metal Will Never Die’ perfectly captures this fledgling version of the band via a dozen tracks recorded during two shows from 1981 and 1982 in El Paso, Texas.

If you have sampled any of Hear No Evil’s previous “bootleg” box sets from the likes of Riot or Humble Pie, it’s worth noting that that these archive Rods recordings are not finished live albums – like say ‘Live And Dangerous’ or ‘Live After Death’ – nah these recordings are rough ‘n’ ready, warts ‘n’ all, and originate for a variety of different sources, although most importantly they are all fully approved by the band themselves. In fact, you only have to leaf through the excellent 16-page booklet that accompanies this set to find out exactly what they think of the shows in question as David and Carl take you on a whistle-stop tour through their band history.

It’s the second CD that will probably be of most interest to UK based Rods’ fans. Recorded at Portsmouth Guildhall on 8th March 1982, this ten tracker is the band’s setlist from when they were supporting Iron Maiden on the UK leg of their Beast On The Road tour, and I must admit it’s an absolute riot to listen to four decades on. Okay granted the bass drops out during the opening couple of tracks ‘Rockin’ N Rollin’ Again’ and oddly they choose to follow this with ‘Waiting for Tomorrow’, another tune the band had yet to release (they both came from the band’s third album ‘Wild Dogs’), but as soon as the boogie-tastic ‘Get Ready To Rock And Roll’ kicks in everything just seems to click and just as I recall (from seeing them three nights later in Bristol) they really were on fire back then. The quality of this recording sounds (to my ears at least) to be taken from the soundboard and is totally (ahem) ‘In The Raw’. Great stuff!

From this tour onwards there seemed to be missed opportunities alongside each new album and numerous record deals that seemed to promise so much yet ended up providing the band with diminishing returns with each subsequent release. I mean, does anyone remember the ‘Hell On Earth’ UK tour from 1984 that was due to see The Rods play 11 shows alongside Exciter and a then little-known band by the name of Metallica? Nope, well it was cancelled due to poor ticket sales.

In the late 80s, with the band slowly becoming disillusioned with their management and record labels they began to drift apart and move on to new musical projects before disappearing from the scene altogether. Feinstein, Bordonaro and Canedy finally being tempted out of their self-imposed hiatus in 2008 to play a few live shows in Europe, and with their success the gig list just grew and grew, CD three showcasing the band at Germany’s Headbangers Festival in July 2009 and CD four boasting a great sounding 2010 home town show.

The Rods quickly followed this 2010 gig with their 2011 album ‘Vengeance’ and ‘Brotherhood Of Metal’ in 2019, and as I mentioned at the top of this review, still continue to this day, albeit as a newly expanded (and Bordonaro-less) four piece with their next studio album ‘Shockwave’ planned for a 2022. In the meantime, you’ve got those aforementioned High Roller vinyl reissues to invest in and of course this box set to enjoy too, this proving that ‘Metal Will Never Die’.

Buy Here

Cherry Red Records

Author: Johnny Hayward

Former Pooh Sticks reunite for political indiepop punk band with a new album

Former Pooh Sticks reunite for political indiepop punk band with a new album
Swansea Sound: a band that came into being during lockdown and decided that fast, loud, political indiepop punk was the answer to being stuck indoors.  Who needs introspection?   

 

Hue Williams is reunited with Pooh Sticks singing partner Amelia Fletcher (ex- Talulah Gosh, Heavenly). Rob Pursey (also ex-Heavenly) and Ian Button (Wreckless Eric’s live collaborator) provide the noise.  
Swansea Sound are the funny, angry, gleeful and savage past, present and future of indie.  The band has played just one gig in real life – but there will be more in 2022.

 

On debut album ‘Live at the Rum Puncheon’, the opening track ‘Rock N Roll Void’ catches you up on the past: a two-minute revision session to make sure you haven’t forgotten The Kinks, The Ramones, and the brief explosion of noise pollution that was C86 pop.

 

The second track ‘I Sold My Soul on eBay’, also two minutes long, savages the corporate piracy of our digital present, where anyone can earn plenty of ‘likes’, but no-one gets paid any money.

 

Next, ‘I’m OK When You’re Around’ is a love song to all the people Swansea Sound would like to meet in the future. People they’ve fallen in love with in digital chatrooms: new allies all over the world who are standing up to the digital giants and the shit-stirring racist trolls everyone’s forced to share the internet with. 

Track 4: ‘The Pooh Sticks’.  Hue pays tribute to his former self in an apparently sincere tribute to one of the great lost indie bands of the 90s.  (No one else was going to do it.)  We have all become our own archivists these days.  We’ve all become our own covers bands...

 

This album whizzes by very quickly: you’re already near the end of Side One.  Four of the tracks have already been released as short-run singles on a variety of formats. ‘Corporate Indie Band’ was cassette-only. ‘I Sold My Soul on eBay’ was a one-off lathe cut 7” single that got auctioned on eBay (with a £400 winning bid). ‘Indies of the World’ was a 7” single/cassette, which briefly hit the UK physical Top Ten chart, before selling out.

 

Most recently, ‘Swansea Sound’ was released as a limited edition cassette/mini-CD on 1st September. This was the date, exactly one year ago when the much-treasured South Wales radio station, Swansea Sound, was re-branded by its new corporate owners and its old name became available.  The song is a requiem for that lost radio station – a DJ describing his final day at work before his show is ‘rationalised’ – but it’s also a wider protest about the culturally stultifying effect of corporatisation.

 

Some of the songs are reflexive – ‘Swansea Sound’ and ‘The Pooh Sticks’.  Others are searching for hope – ‘Let It Happen’, ‘I’m OK When You’re Around’, ‘Pasadena’, ‘Angry Girl’. Whereas ‘Je Ne Sais Quoi’ is pure pop throwaway fun.  The other songs are catchy too, they just happen to express sickness and a contempt for the state of things.  ‘Corporate Indie Band’ is about a group who have mortgaged their creativity to a major label and sold their identities to an online marketing team of public schoolboys.  Freedom of Speechtakes a look at three contemporary ‘alternative’ music stars and considers how they’ve responded to BLM, the pandemic and the rise of right-wing populism.   ‘Like self-serving arseholes’, is the unfortunate answer.  (You won’t struggle to work out who the three ‘alternative’ stars are.) Backing vocals are provided by queer indie punk band The Crystal Furs (Portland, Oregon).

 

Swansea Sound took their name from a radio station, and they even use its abandoned logo.   Something modern, acidic, and angry has taken up residence in a familiar, borrowed frame, just as it has in these indiepunk pop songs.   You can throw yourself around to Swansea Sound like it’s 1986, but if you catch the lyrics you’ll remember you’re in 2021.  Sorry about that.

 

The Rum Puncheon, a notorious pub in Swansea, closed down decades ago.

 

The sleeve is designed by Catrin Saran James. Amelia, Roband Ian also perform in The Catenary Wires.

 

The album is released by – 
SKEP WAX (Vinyl, CD, Bandcamp)
LAVENDER SWEEP (Cassette)

 

In North America, it is released by – 
HHBTM (Vinyl, CD)
AUSTIN TOWN HALL (Cassette)

 

In Indonesia, it is released by – 
SHINY HAPPY RECORDS (Cassette)

 

The album will not be released on streaming sites.

 

Swansea Sound: Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / Bandcamp

 

The Boatsmen – ‘Verses The Boatsmen’ (Ghost Highway Records/Spaghetty Town Records)

The Boatsmen – ‘Verses The Boatsmen’ (Ghost Highway Records/Spaghetty Town Records)

Woah! I wasn’t expecting that.

When the needle dropped and you get that initial feeling as you sit back and relax,  It was less than 20 seconds in and I was gripping the armrests and holding on for dear life as ‘Action Delivery’ handed me my ears ringing on a platter of feedback, wah! and a thunderous rhythm all wrapped in a majestic pop tune with melody and hooks galore.

I had no time to recover because ‘Friday Night Forever’ sent me over the edge.  Punky as fuck but in a HArd rockin’ sort of way, these jolly seamen don’t hold anything back in reserve and you get a shot right across the bow as the volume is relentless and the energy captured in these grooves is infectious, exciting and exactly what the noise doctors ordered.  Never mind ingesting bats full of mutating viruses this is my poison of choice and consumed in large quantities is most advisable to help get you through all the real life tribulations.

 

‘Blame It On Me’ is awesome, like the Hives jamming on some Turbo with an unhealthy amount of punk rock blaring through your ears. It’s like a violent headwind that’s out of control.  Then to serve up a steady dose of DC with added woo hoos! sees ‘The Thirst Song’ boogie and swing like a good un – they must know they’ve written a corker here and it must have been hard to record through such a ten-mile wide grin across their faces. I’m delighted they’ve still got a thirst and raise a glass in celebration of such an exciting record.

 

The Boatsmen have hinted at greatness but narrowly avoided it in the past or held back for one reason or another but now is their moment to shine and like a blazing sun they are right on the button. ‘Saved By Rock’ be fucked, they’ve picked up the flag and are carrying it to the top of the mountain triumphant in the knowledge that the Boatsmen are serving up a one-stop Rockin treat and covering all bases of loud in your face good time rock and roll that is this album.

 

It’s relentless in its quality and tune after tune it’s a twist and turn to emphasise how damn good these songs are. Just don’t get me started on ‘Even The Good Times Were Bad’ it’s like bottled lightning and ‘I Don’t Wanna Lose This Time’ is more restrained in comparison but then they up the ante again with the drinking song ‘When I’m Drunk’.

 

Put the beer down you might spill it as ‘Big Waves’ roll around and it’s a chance for us all to raise another glass and sing along. We get our groove on for ‘Clap Canon’ and some cock-rock and roll with a little tip to the 70’s glam stomp of a T Rex and Sweet. I hope you caught your breath as ‘Take Your Money’ is rapid and like a runaway train speeding toward the buffers without a care in the world.

 

It’s not all hard Rockin and Rollin and party party party.  ‘Better Man’ is a laid back brooding, grinding song that paints a darker atmosphere but no lesser quality, that’s a given and the harmonica is an awesome addition to the texture of the record. The temptation to throw in as many puns or going overboard, seamen and piraty themes is difficult but let’s let the music do the talking because, trust me here me hearties, these tunes are superb as is the whole albums feel, attitude and playing.  The Boatsmen ‘Versus The Boatsmen’ is going to be one of the albums of the year no question about it. so hoist the sails and get out there and purchase a copy because I wouldn’t want you to miss out – land ahoy! me hearties Boatsmen ahead.

 

PREORDER NOW!!
Ghost Highway Records / Spaghetty Town Facebook / Bandcamp

Author: Dom Daley

Duncan Reid & The Big Heads – ‘Don’t Blame Yourself’ (Little Big Head Records/Cherry Red Records)

Duncan Reid & The Big Heads – ‘Don’t Blame Yourself’ (Little Big Head Records/Cherry Red Records)

The not so difficult fourth album is upon us it would seem. He might have been in this game for several decades but as a solo artist, Duncan is a mere pup, a fresh-faced newbie of sorts (he’s still playing the introducing stages). With a line-up that’s been in situ for some time – well, more time than any other line up he’s assembled since going his own way and on ‘Don’t Blame Yourself’ they’ve really spread their collective wings and are soaring, trust me on this.

My criticism (not really a criticism I love this guys music) of previous efforts was that (as great as they were) they didn’t really reflect the band live and how bloody good they are and how much punch they give to the most excellent melodies and tunes they were playing.  Well, pop pickers that has been put to bed as ‘Don’t Blame Yourself’ has plenty of grunt under the hood and Rock out with the big boys on record as they do live. Result then?  Hell Yeah!

‘Don’t Blame Yourself’ offers up fourteen slices of powerpoppin’ Rock and Roll of all shades and sounds and has pushed Duncan and his songwriting talents to the max and on multiple plays its paid dividends each and every time. It’s reflective, humorous and on the odd occasion, it’s on political point and always insightful, damn educational even who’d have thought it? Rock and Roll teaching the masses. Above all I think Duncan has penned his best record since taking the plunge and with no better example than the opener ‘Future Ex Wife’ as it comes roaring out of the traps.

Some of the record has been road-tested live and worked, I know that because I’ve seen and heard ’em played and it looks and sounds like a great choice to do that. theres always a heap of charm with Duncan’s solo records either with wicked melodies or vocal arrangments and harmonies pretty much all over the place.

I particularly like that Duncan has sat on the fence with ‘Motherfucker’ and can’t wait for his next political observation,  Hell yeah! Brother. The flow of the record is great as you get picked up and a lyric jumps out and makes you smile only to have your thought taken somewhere else due to a killer hook or vocal arrangement, thrown together it certainly wasn’t and if it was..well, the guys clearly a genius. To make it a trio of opening cuts ‘Welcome To My World’ is a slice of power pop where the guitars weave towards the chorus where you get the layered vocals cap off another top tune.

He still throws a curveball and a change of pace. The hypnotic ‘Tea & Sympathy’ has a larger slice of pop than the previous songs as it heads down a new wave maybe XTC sort of avenue. ‘To Live Or Live Not’ is classic Reid  But wait, ‘The Grim Reaper’ sounds like ’70s New York pop or Supertramp but it doesn’t sound out of place with all its trumpet tooting grandeur.

The first time I heard ‘For All We Know’ it was instantly imprinted on my brain and its still a winner on record capturing the backstory of the song perfectly. If you were to hear it being told this is how it would sound in your head. A top tune to end side one. Side two begins with the dreamy qualities of ‘Oh What A Lovely Day’  If the keyboards of classic Damned ‘Strawberries’ and ‘Black Album’ era possibly Sensibles style and touch are your things then songs like this are right up your street.  Layers of vocals and keyboards with the hint of some guitars to take it home. After the Big Heads get their tune. The title track is like the band has channeled Bolans boogie and chosen the medium of Les Paul riffs to express themselves. Stripped it back with a sparse arrangement, unfussy riff-a-rama, and no big layered harmonies and it really works well even the guitar solo is minimal and that fits perfectly.

I could waffle here all day (some might say I do anyway),  that only gives them ‘Big Heads’ bigger heads but it would be a dereliction of duty if I didn’t big up the Big Heads and this most excellent LP. Rockin’, Rollin’, thoughtful, insightful, soothing, amusing to name a few of its qualities, as far as albums released this year goes this will unquestionably be up there as the best released in what is unfolding as the strangest years ever but ‘Don’t Blame Yourself’ is a bonafide Banger!

If you are familiar with Duncan and his music you’re going to love it and there is so much on offer you could pick out a new favourite track each time. If you’re still reading and still curious and have no idea about Duncan Reid & The Big Heads then don’t be shy – jump in they don’t bite, my advice –  just buy it! sit in the garden open all your windows and your lockdown has just got 87% more bearable. Hell, shout over the fence to your neighborhood, “Enjoy the tunes – They’re Fuckin’ Great” then tell ’em they can pick up a copy from the link.my work here is done.

Buy ‘Don’t Blame Yourself’ Here

Author: Dom Daley

 

Subhumans – Crisis Point (Pirates Press)

Subhumans – Crisis Point (Pirates Press)

The first new record from Lucas and his Subhumans in a while (Twelve Years?) and with the current global situation its not like Lucas has had writers block or lacking the inspiration.  Everywhere you look there’s a meltdown – climate change, government leaders lying, despots taking over, smiling, lying and cheating yet it seems OK to the public. Nobody loses their jobs its all fair game. Summed up nicely on ‘Fear & Confusion’. A more polished sounding record that their last outing ‘Internal Riot’ but it every bit as sharp and relevant.

To be fair Subhumans have always released intelligent records their Anarcho leanings have always been dressed really well in big riffs, tight time changes and some sharp as fuck punk rock. ‘Crisis Point’ seems apt as Lucas starts the war cry with the flurry of opening punches on ‘Terrorist In Waiting’ great lyrics (as usual) thunderous drumming and riffs raining down on the listener with an energy and excitement that sets the album up really well.

throughout the albums eleven tracks the ebb and flow is excellent.  I love the attitude on ‘Atom Screen War’ emanating from the riff as it pounds away but it’s nicely pinned by the bass thats rumbling away underneath.  To be fair the sound is reminiscent of the last few UK Subs albums. ‘Follow The Leader’ takes that edginess up a notch as the album has warmed up and is really taking flight. Strange land has the feel and sound the band had back in the ’80s with that flange riff and repetitive beat its a really good tune and one that shows how bloody good a band Subhumans are.

Its no good looking for a weakness because there isn’t one.  Its a really consistent album its focused and as you’d imagine thought provoking with excellent lyrics and a great production. ‘Crisis Point’ is ticking all the boxes whats not to like? If you want fast no nonsense heads down punk rock then Subhumans do that ‘Poison’ if you want intricate musicianship Subhumans can do that for you, if you want lyrics that are well constructed and thought provoking to prick your conscience subhumans can do that. They were a big part of that early ’80s punk explosion and are still going strong along with the Subs,  they always turned in better records than Crass and Conflict in my humble opinion and this record is proof that they are as relevant now as they always were. ‘Crisis Point’ can cover all your modern punk rock needs as well as you old school punks wondering if Dick has still got it.  Of course he has. My advice is get hold of ‘Crisis Point’ now and get on board its never too late. Buy it!

Pick up a Copy Here 

Author: Dom Daley

 

STONE BROKEN RE-ISSUE THEIR DEBUT ALBUM – ‘ALL IN TIME’ – AVAILABLE OCTOBER 11TH

STONE BROKEN RE-ISSUE THEIR DEBUT ALBUM – ‘ALL IN TIME’ – AVAILABLE OCTOBER 11TH

FEATURING 6 UNRELEASED BONUS TRACKS, INCLUDING 2019 VERSION OF ‘WAIT FOR YOU’

REMASTERED AUDIO

REVISED & EXPANDED ARTWORK as the band head out on tour to support Black Star Riders.

Stone Broken officially re-issue ‘All In Time’, the debut album that started it all back in 2016.

Previously only available as a low-key digital release and limited CD merch item, ‘All In Time’ will now finally be available with revised artwork and lovingly remastered audio, along with expanded liner notes and premium physical packaging, including song lyrics and band reflections.

Additionally, fans will receive 6 never-before-released bonus tracks, including a stunning 2019 recording of fan anthem ‘Wait For You’, featuring strings by The Bristol Ensemble. SB chose to re-visit ‘Wait For You’ to spotlight its significance to their ever-growing fan-base, The Broken Army, who have effectively taken ownership of both the sentiment and the song, using it to celebrate key moments of happiness and as a source of hope in more reflective times.

All In Time 2019 will be released by Spinefarm on CD / DL / LP, with the vinyl version carrying a download card so all of the bonus content can be included.

 

Stone Broken frontman, Rich Moss, says: – 

“‘All In Time’ wasn’t just a stepping stone for us, it wasn’t just our debut record… it literally changed our lives! When we were writing the album, I don’t think any of us realised just how important it was going to be. We released it independently, and within the first couple of hours, the CD stocks had all sold out! We managed to tour right across the UK and Europe and gain some incredible fans and friends along the way! We feel now is the right moment to put ‘All In Time’ back into production and to let people have a piece of our history”

Pre-order your copy Here:

Having just completed a highly successful run of European shows with Black Stone Cherry, Stone Broken – completed by Chris Davis (lead guitars), Kieron Conroy (bass) & Robyn Haycock (drums) – will play a 14-date tour of the UK & Ireland this October as Special Guests to Black Star Riders. Wayward Sons are also on the bill.

Tour dates w/ Black Star Riders

Thu 10th    Oct       O2 Academy, Bristol

Fri 11th      Oct       Corn Exchange, Cambridge

Sat 12th     Oct       O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London

Sun 13th    Oct       William Aston Hall, Wrexham

Wed 16th  Oct       Academy, Dublin *

Thu 17th    Oct       Limelight, Belfast *

Sat  19th    Oct       O2 Academy, Newcastle

Sun 20th    Oct       Rock City, Nottingham

Tues 22nd  Oct           De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill

Wed 23rd  Oct       O2 Academy,  Bournemouth

Thu 24th    Oct       University Great Hall, Cardiff

Fri 25th      Oct       KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton

Sat 26th     Oct       O2 Academy, Leeds

Sun 27th    Oct       O2 Ritz, Manchester

Frank Turner – ‘No Man’s Land’ (Xtra Mile Recordings)

Frank Turner – ‘No Man’s Land’ (Xtra Mile Recordings)

Everyone’s favourite Etonian punk poet Frank Turner is back in familiar territory on album number 8, musically anyway. Turner has stated that he does not want to repeat himself with each album and ‘No Man’s Land’ sees the troubadour approach writing an album from a different angle. ‘No Man’s Land’ is a concept album based on the tales of forgotten women in history. From a 17th century Camden landlady who poisoned and cooked her lovers, to a Dutch courtesan, executed by firing squad, onto the tale of an Egyptian feminist, history buff Turner has done his homework .

A series of podcasts entitled ‘Tales From No Man’s Land’ accompany each song, and the themes of strong women stretch further than just the lyrical content. Gone (for now) is his band The Sleeping Souls, replaced by a full female backing band and producer to boot.

 

Frank’s canny lyricism and his knack of telling a fine tale does have a tendency to draw you in, and you can’t help but immerse yourself in the lives of these women. Some you will have heard of, some you won’t have a clue about, but after a few listens you will find yourself reaching for Wikipedia to find out a bit more. While over the course of a 3 and a half minute song the songwriter can only say so much, the point is made, and it’s up to the listener to find out more. Sometimes it works a treat and other times… not so much.

Opener ‘Jinny Bingham’s Ghost’ is a mighty fine, upbeat drinking song. Fiddles and skiffle beats fill the air like The Urban Voodoo Machine partying with The Pogues, as Frank reels off the first of many tall tales. Interestingly, the story is set in Camden Town, at The Underworld, on the spot where Jinny Bingham ran the tavern where she committed her dirty deeds.

The following ‘Sister Rosetta’ is typical Turner radio fodder. A pop-laced, perfect single about the godmother of rock ‘n’ roll, who I first learned about through the teachings of Alabama 3. A nifty accompanying guitar riff and a crisp production job courtesy of Catherine Marks makes this song sparkle and shine.

The jazzy ‘Nica’ is a complete contrast from anything else and works really well. Full of brass, woodwind and smoky juke joint vibes, it mirrors the subject matter perfectly. Elsewhere, the album falters in just a few places. ‘Silent Key’, about tragic Challenger Space Shuttle astronaut Christa McAuliffe, is a song that first featured on the album ‘Positive Songs For Negative People’. It’s a bit of a (space) oddity to be honest. Frank just seems to be going through the motions here with a lazy vocal melody that doesn’t really go anywhere. And closing track ‘Rosemary Jane’, a song about his mum, while heartfelt and personal to Frank, is just plain dull.

But there certainly are flashes of brilliance to behold. The stripped back country of ‘Eye Of The Day’ closes side one ‘Nebraska’ style, just the man and his acoustic laid bare, recounting the tragic tale of Mata Hari and her untimely death. Simple, heartfelt and probably my favourite track right now.

Soaring choruses in the likes of ‘I Believed You, William Blake’, written through the eyes of his long suffering wife Catherine, and the epic feel of side 2 opener ‘The Death Of Dora Hand’ stay with me long after my white vinyl album has stopped spinning and I turn my attention to find more about these remarkable women.

 

‘No Man’s Land’ is a perfectly executed album, to be listened to from start to finish as a body of work. The podcasts are interesting, though not essential to enjoy the album to its fullest. Some have labelled the concept of this album as ‘gimmicky’ before even hearing the fruits of his labour, but I say this album is far from it. Is it Frank’s best album? No, but it’s up there with his best and has already had the most plays since ‘England Keep My Bones’ was released for me, so he must be doing something right. A lot of thought has gone into the production, the concept and the lavish packaging and it makes ‘No Man’s Land’ a welcome addition to anyone’s collection. Fascinating stuff indeed.

Facebook

Buy No Mans Land Here

Author: Ben Hughes

 

 

 

 

Andy McCoy sets release date for new Album ’21st Century Rocks’

Andy McCoy sets release date for new Album ’21st Century Rocks’

Andy McCoy has set a date for the release of his brand new solo album and sets the time and place for the launch show –  Facebook. The Album titled ’21st Century Rocks’ is coming out on Ainoa Productions and can be pre ordered Here

New Andy McCoy single ‘Seven Seas’ was released on August 15th, 2019 (digital) and full album (CD and digital) September 25th, 2019. Vinyl release later in November. The Tracklist is ’21st Century Rocks’, ‘Undertow’, ‘Seven Seas’, ‘Batteram’, ‘Maria Maria’, ‘Bible And A Gun’, ‘The Hunger’, ‘Give A Minute Steal A Year’, ‘Love It Loud’ and ‘This Is Rock And Roll’.

HOT BREATH SET TO RELEASE THEIR SELF TITLED DEBUT

HOT BREATH SET TO RELEASE THEIR SELF TITLED DEBUT

Hot Breath delivers a six track K.O that is set for release the 18th of October on The Sign Records. Blending immortalized classic rock with pure attitude, add a bit of just all those influences that you like and you get Hot Breath’s self-titled debut.

Guitar solos, side by side with Jennifer Israelssons (previously seen fronting Honeymoon Disease) cocky vocals and a brilliant rhythm section in Jimi Karlsson (ex Honeymoon Disease) and Anton Frick Kallmin (Hypnos). Its no doubt that Hot Breath is a guitar-based rock band, but Karl Edfeldt (Grand) and Jennifer’s guitar works are mostly a tease, that makes you want more. Hot Breath provides the soundtrack to the last drink sip that never ends. 

Recorded and mixed by Jamie Elton (ex Amulet) in Stockholm during the summer of 2019. Axel Söderberg (Horisont) have helped out on keys on the recording. Mastered by Hans Olsson Brookes at Svenska Grammofon Studion. Artwork by Jimi Karlsson. Cover photo by Marcus Eriksson. The release will be available on CD in Digipack, 180g Vinyl and Digital formats. Hot Breath is touring and kicks of their first Swedish tour joining a four date The Sign Fest making four stops in Sweden.

 

Pre-Order Physical Album
Pre-Save Album on Spotify/Apple
Hot Breath at Bandcamp

Live:
26th September – Gothenburg (With The Obsessed)
18 October – The Sign Fest Linköping (Festival/Tour)
19 October – The Sign Fest Stockholm (Festival/Tour)
25/26 Oktober – Skövde In Rock (Festival)
8 November – The Sign Fest Gothenburg (Festival/Tour)
9 November – The Sign Fest Malmö (Festival/Tour)
more live dates to be announced….

 

Hot Breath on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/hotbreathgbg/

The Sign Records on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thesignrecords/

The Brothers Steve, featuring members of Tsar, Re-form, Release New Album, #1

The Brothers Steve, featuring members of Tsar, Re-form, Release New Album, #1
“Let’s get the superlatives out of the way right off the bat: holy lord is this ever a fab record. Grade: A” – Goldmine
“I keep wondering if I went back through American Bandstand if I could find The Brothers Steve playing on the show in some weird time travel paradox. These songs are packed with hooks, diversity, and instant accessibility.” – RPM
Years ago, in the magical world of Southern California, five young rockers formed a band called The Brothers Steve. They wrote some songs, played some parties, and promptly broke up, leaving their wonderful original songs unheard by all but a handful of lucky party-goers.
Luckily for us, the legend of The Brothers Steve was not over. The band reformed, triumphantly returning to the stage at this year’s International Pop Overthrow Festival in Los Angeles.
They’ve also recorded their classic songs on a fantastic new album (#1), containing 9 hot rockin’ tracks and one acoustic jam, any of which would sound right at home blasting from the radio of a ’66 Cadillac Coup DeVille.
The band has crafted a heady mix of British Invasion, indie rock, bubblegum, and power pop, which singer Jeff Whalen described thusly: “The Brothers Steve to me is like a ‘60s meets ‘90s kind of record. I don’t think the ‘60s thing here was super-intentional. It’s more like when Os and I get together to sing and write, we very often end up in this early-Bee Gees/Association/Nilsson territory.”
The band is Jeff Whalen (vocals, guitar), Os Tyler (vocals), Dylan Champion (vocals, guitar), Jeff Solomon (bass) and Coulter (drums).
Now that these long-dormant songs have been revived, how do The Brother Steve hope to be remembered?
 
Os: Fondly. 
Jeff:  With people’s brains.
“The album will be released in mid-late September. Produced by Luke Tierney, #1 is now available for pre-order on CD.”
Dig what these cool cats are saying:
 
“…the best thing that I’ve heard this year… #1 is the shot in the arm that Guitar Pop needed so badly.” – I Don’t Hear A Single
“The Brothers Steve debut album #1 is a concentrated dose of poprock goodness. This baby is all killer, no filler, beginning to end.” – Poprock Record
“The Brothers Steve have channelled the spirits of The Banana Splits and The Monkees for this airy fun slice of California pie album.” – Full Blast Music
“3 members of Tsar play in The Brothers Steve, but the music of the band is more influenced by Teenage Fanclub, Guided By Voices or The Kinks. The 60s powerpop influences perfectly mix with 90s alternative Brit pop…’ – Veglam
 

TRACK LIST:

Angeline / We Got The Hits / She / Carolanne / C’mon Pappy / Songwriter / Carry Me / Good Deal Of Love / Beat Generation Poet Turned Assassin / Sunlight

Read RPMs Fantastic review HERE
UK/Europe CD Orders from Here
USA and Vinyl Here

"Angeline" by The Brothers Steve

"Angeline." The second video from the debut album by The Brothers Steve—available on vinyl July 27, 2019, at thebrotherssteve.com. #pterodactyl

Posted by The Brothers Steve on Monday, 15 July 2019