Lee Love Affair – EP (Lux Noise Records) A man that doesn’t need any introduction other than to say Brother Lee Love has gone Rogue on those Hip Priests and knocked up a four-track EP and got Lux Noise to snap it up and release the bad boy.
Like an explosion of Garage Rock and Roll through the medium of Northern Soul as the guitars then bass line kicks in on ‘Hold Me Down’ a big rumbling hip swinging foot twisting slab of is kicking through my speakers. It’s Detroit Baby but UK Style. What a choon this is. Of course, it isn’t a wall of noise like the day job but it’s got swing and a catchy chorus and weighs in like equal measures of International Noise Conspiracy and some of that 80s alternative underground post-punk rock n roll courtesy of the likes of 60 ft Dolls. ‘Better Man’ has a choppy dry electric guitar riff that is a straight-down-the-line Rock n Rolla heading to the chorus with some sweet guitar licks along the way – excellent stuff.
‘Real Cool Time’ is of course self-explanatory the clue is in the title garage rock, it’s got the beating heart of Ann Arbour and a honking rhythm of Detroit. Wrapping up this four-track dalliance is ‘AAA’ which has some “Greebo” scene going on with yet another strong melody and some wicked playing, all that’s missing is some honking horns and that one-finger piano roll and this would be perfect. EP of the month? Fucking right it is
The Penetrators – ‘Skateboard Girl’ (code 213 records) Another fantastic 7″ this time from New Yorks The Penetrators. With a laid back New York Groove thats handed down from Lou Reed and David Johannsen this single has it going on from the NYC licks to the sweet handclaps The Penetrators have penned a super summer seven inch. Claiming to be the kings of Basement Rock wont be too far away from the truth if they keep releasign records this good. Check out the dynamic duo on Facebook
Scumbag Millionaires – ‘So Long’ (Screaming Crow Records) From Gothenburg, Sweden, Scumbag Millionaire have offered up a killer track for Screaming Crow Records Action Rock Jukebox 45 series. These dirty bastards took ABBA’s 70’s hit “So Long” and injected it with a whole heap of Scumbag Rock n Fuckin’ Roll and a little attitude and a heap of swing. It’s given a make under not over and sounds terrific. The B side is their own “Gluehead!” which just about makes this the record of the week in my eyes. A fantastic slab of wax and just what a 45 should be. What a killer 45rpm, it’s even a large holed 7″ pressed on regular black vinyl and limited orange vinyl with a custom 45 adapter, sticker, and jukebox title card. YES, these are made to go on a 45 playing jukebox!. Beautiful workScumbags and those at Screaming Crow – Top of the class!
RMBLR – ‘Breakin’ It Off’ (Self Release) RMBLR are one of those bands that have pedigree and history that dictates that it’s impossible to release a bad record. This new track was released without fanfare via Bandcamp and just oozes quality. What else can I say? It’s a banger of a Rock and Roll tune and RMBLR just get “IT” whatever “IT” is.
You’ll be singing along before the end of the first chorus and fist punching the air in your cut-off battle jacket wondering where the party is. It’s only Rock and Roll and I like it RMBLR just delivers…again Check it out Here
Andy McCoy – ‘Take Me I’m Yours’ (Cleopatra Records) Lifted from his brand new covers album Andy takes on this classic Squeeze track and being one of the finer tracks off the album, He nails it McCoy style. It maintains the original groove and melody but Andy gives it the McCoy treatment and twists it before draping it as only he can. It’s a grower of a tune and discarding the video that is a bit bizarre but so McCoy it’s well worth checking out ‘Jukebox Junkies’ is exactly that full of mystery, intrigue, and quality from one of the undergrounds greatest ever talents
Tropical Fuck Storm – ‘Ann’ (Joyful Noise Rexcordings) What a twisted take on The Stooges but the video is pure genius. Lifted from the EP. Bassist Fiona Kitschin steps up to the microphone on a cover that swaps Ron Asheton‘s scorching guitar part for a deranged sound collage of guitar freakouts, siren noises, and electronics. The EP also has a Talking Heads cover to twist your mellon. Will the EP be up their with their satanic slumber party who knows but covering the Stooges is a great starting point.
Wolf Rd – ‘Burn All Of Your Bridges’ Noisy shouty kids mixing up melodic metal and hardcore sludgy riffs. Might be good in a tiny club at ear shattering volume but in my liounge on a laptop it just doesn’t cut through to be fair its got tones of Chester Benningtons Linkin Park tip but its not for everyone but it does have an energy. Make your own mind up. Chicago noise bringers can be found on Facebook Here
Belushi Speed Ball – ‘Magic Conch’ (sonaBlast Records) Great name for a band and releasing it on Nintendo 64 sort of tells you where this arty goofy combo are coming from with their super fast punk rock with full on goofyness and wacko solos from the Berkley school of music speed licks – check out the video and it should all make sense or not either way its made the cut
THE GASÖLINES – ‘Rum Runner 500’ (Speed Club Records) described as high octane rockers is just about on the money. Loud guitars oily injection fueled Rock n Roll. The song is well constructed and I’m sure the guy live it like they love it and walk the walk. If they have some variety in the songwriting then they could be onto a winner with it. I look forward to what they serve up on this evidence.
As a follow up to their debut album ‘Rum Runner 500’ is the perfect take on Cars, booze and hellraising whats not to like? Facebook
Gun – ‘Word Up’ (Cherry Red Records) Glaswegian rockers GUN are back with their latest release from the forthcoming album, ‘The Calton Songs’ and finally it’s the turn of ‘Word Up’ TODAY, 28 July. So tell all the boys and girls, Tell your brother, your sister, And mama too… This massive track was originally covered by GUN in 1994, winning an MTV Europe Music Award for Best Cover and featuring on the Top 5 album ‘Swagger’. The song itself is of course a retooled version of the evergreen Cameo hit from 1986, but now in 2022 it has been reimagined and revived and sounds amazing. This new version is a totally different beast to the one that the fans know. The track now also boasts the vocal talents of Beverley Skeete & The Sisterhood [ Noel Gallagher, The Chemical Brothers, Mick Jagger] and The Selecter provide some phenomenal Brass. The band are describing it as the ‘Word Up Summer Jam’ and it has all the energy that implies!
Dead City Ruins – ‘The Sorcerer’ (AFM Records) Melbourne’s DEAD CITY RUINS new single & video ‘The Sorcerer’, lifted from their new album ‘Shockwave’ out on 19th August. Its a big phat slice of Rock hailing back to the likes of Zepplin and Sabbath influences with big grooves and musicianship.
Marc Valentine – ‘Death Is Overrated/Break My Heart Anyway’ (Arcane Wires Records) ‘Death Is Overrated’ c/w ‘Break My Heart Anyway’ is out This is his third solo single, ‘Death Is Overrated’ features special guess Wreckless Eric which both tracks are lifted from the superb solo album ‘Future Obscure’.
Marc said he wanted to release two tracks as a perfect taster to the album and show how varied the record is. The opener is a dreamy retro slice of power pop balladeering from Valentine, Exactly what you’d expect but to be fair its of the highest quality. The AA Side is more a party on your stereo as the band go for a steady backbeat and a real slice of sunshine Rock n Roll over a backdrop of perfectly labeled Summer trash pop! Wonderful track – Record of the week? It certainly is!
The Gong Rats – (I Want Some) Cereal’ (Dragstrip Records) What a banger. Plain and simple this is bullshit-free Punk Rock n Roll, Its Motorhead meets the Ramones with some twisted synth added for good measure. It’ll make you hungry for punk n roll if you diet on nothing but this noise. Rapid, energetic, beautiful noise is what it is.
Regardless of the wacky lyrics its got a bucket load of energy and that’s the point Feast on this
Chuck Norris Experiment – ‘All Your Bridges Are Burning’ (Bandcamp) A track that originally came out on their 7″ album – yeah? what of it? From sub-one minute to a full almost three minutes of hard rockin punk attitude loud rock and roll CNE are in the Club baby and they’ve brought their fleshed out big guns. It’s fair to say this ones is a banger, no-nonsense, Bullshit free Hard Rockin shit. CNE do it by the dozen. they simply don’t do bad records and one of our favourite Swedish exports are at it again. New music please gents you’ve had almost two years off now we want more loud guitars and we want them now and if they sound like this then play on! Now where did I leave my flame thrower? those Bridges aren’t going to burn themselves. Here
Dead Horse – ‘Hot Marty’ (Self Release) ‘Hot Martyr’ is the second EP from Dead Horse following up from their lockdown EP release ‘Dead Horse I’. It is also the first release featuring new Organ/Synth member Shallum Intonti. With its slow build-up before some cool horn honking it reminds me of Gallon Drunk in places with its brooding menacing undertones threatening to boil over but never quite breaking out. Excellent garage rock n roll now with added keys.
‘Choose’ adds a little psychosis to proceedings sounding a little unhinged is deffo a plus. ‘Snake Eyes’ adds some surf and is my pick of the pops on this splendid EP that gives it all in an exhausting five-song salvo of jittering, noisy, unhinged Garage Rock n Roll extravaganza. Play on please this is excellent. Pick it up off their Bandcamp page Here
As well as the digital release there is a limited edition run of 50 physical cassettes with four exclusive bonus tracks and a brand new Dead Horse Zine that has been specially created for the release
Gun – ‘Backstreet Brothers’ (Cherry Red Records) Glaswegian rockers GUN are back with a brand new album, ‘Calton Songs’ released on Cherry Red Records on 14 October 2022 and will be available on Cherry Red-coloured vinyl, CD, cassette and digital. ‘Calton Songs’ is a full-blooded celebration of the band’s career so far with enthusiastic and brand new acoustic reinterpretations of the songs that made their name and took GUN to the four corners of the world. These retooled classics are bolstered by the addition of the single ‘Backstreet Brothers’
The Recoils – ‘Breakdown EP’ (Coast Road Records) Sounding somewhere between a raw rough and ready Crazyhead and Early Nowhere League all wrapped up in a garage perfect sound this is something of a john peel wet dream as ‘Breakdown’ shows what its got right from the start – something of a banger from the barely “hanging on” verse. That raw guitar slashing away and the catchy punk rock n roll melody on the chorus is complete with the Diggle delicious guitar solo.
It’s old school and enjoyable just like it should be. Whilst the B side ‘Grifter’ rides the crest of a surf-like guitar lick. with some garage rockin vocals, this is a wicked tune with some synth fleshing out such a cool song. love how the guitar solo is hyper like a Cheetah Chrome lead break just because he can. As far as debut singles go this one is an absolute winner! Bandcamp / Website
The Special Bombs – ‘Punkrock Is Not Cool Anymore’ (SBÄM Records) Is punk rock still cool? What was celebrated as a lifestyle by millions of kids back then has now become a small scene for the 30+ generation. You could say that it’s normal and that no generation has ever heard the songs of their parents. You could… You could also say that it is normal when people “grow up” their enthusiasm for music and subculture decreases. You could…You could also refuse to accept “the normal”
Mudfight – ‘Another Boy’ (SBÄM Records)Another Boy is the second single from Mudfight’s forthcoming debut album Time For Revolution. Anthemic Pop Punk leaning heavily on Green Day vibes makes for a pretty decent single – Don’t take my word for it hit the video link.
Black Star Riders – ‘Better Than Saturday Night’ (Earache Records) from the new album ‘Wrong Side of Paradise’, this is an upbeat slice of dueling distorted 70s Rock with a fair dose of hard rockin’ power-pop with undertones of Suzi Quattro meets Sweet. It’s an Excellent single, full of that summer sunshine rock and roll but with a modern twist. Anthemic and Glittery stomping Rock n Roll (if there’s such a genre this is it) out 20th January 2023 from Here. At the same time you could book for one of the dates on their extensive jaunt around the UK and Ireland around the albums release.
Rebel Priest – ‘Lesson In Love’ (Batcave Records / Thundermoose Entertainment) I just had to include this because I don’t know if I secretly love it or am horrified. I think they might have been trapped in a Batcave since 1986 and only just escaped suck is their image and those post NWOBHM riffs and the finger tapping rapid solo it’s retro alright but is it ironic or are they ahead of the next curve? My brain is fried I know that much. Flesh, Facial hair, flash bombs (probably), booze, boobs, and battered eardrums. Bang your head and throw them horns in the air Rebel Preist are coming to a dive bar near you and they’re bringing the R-O-C-K.
Off the back of an incredibly successful 2019, Scottish rockers GUN will return to the UK stages with a series of shows in March / April 2020– entitled “R3L0aded: The Best Of GUN – Up Close and Personal Tour”. The band also just announced their supporting acts, which include: Anchor Lane, Gin Annie, The Howling Tides and Tribeless.
The band recently embarked on an epic co-headline UK tour with Dan Reed Network & FM, to celebrate their 30thAnniversary. With these new dates the party will continue in 2020 and will see GUN taking a greatest hits set into some smaller rooms to be “Up Close and Personal” with their audience.
In late 2019, GUN released the critically acclaimed “R3L0ADED” album, a double CD set, featuring choice cuts from their previous studio albums as a “Best Of” package together with some great cover versions and live favourites. The “Up Close and Personal” Tour will combine tracks from this album together with a few other surprises. Tickets are priced at just £18.00 including all booking fees.
Gun’s Dante Gizzi “We thought it would be great to take in some small clubs where we can play our songs in a very intimate setting and can keep the ticket price to a minimum – to really give back to our fans for 30 plus years of support. We are really looking forward to this, so hope to see you all there!”
Scottish rockers GUN are thrilled to announce a series of UK shows in March / April next year – entitled “R3L0aded: The Best Of GUN – Up Close and Personal Tour”.
The band, who are currently out on their co-headline UK tour with Dan Reed Network & FM, continue their 30thAnniversary celebrations into 2020, taking a greatest hits set into some smaller rooms to be “Up Close and Personal” with their audience.
Last Month, GUN celebrated the release of their critically acclaimed “R3L0ADED” album, a double CD set, featuring choice cuts from their previous studio albums as a “Best Of” package together with some great cover versions and live favourites. The “Up Close and Personal” Tour will combine tracks from this album together with a few other surprises. Tickets are priced at just £18.00 including all booking fees.
Gun’s Dante Gizzi “We thought it would be great to take in some small clubs where we can play our songs in a very intimate setting and can keep the ticket price to a minimum – to really give back to our fans for 30 plus years of support. We are really looking forward to this, so hope to see you all there!”
Tour Dates are as follows:
31stMarch – Cambridge – Portland Arms 1stApril – Nottingham – Rescue Rooms 2ndApril – Cardiff – The Globe 3rdApril – Manchester – Night People 4thApril – Keighley – Studio 5 Live 5thApril – Newcastle – The Cluny
Tickets are on Sale from Saturday December 20thfrom www.gigantic.com
Doors for all shows 7:30pm
There will be a different guest act in each city – to be announced soon.
GUN have also been announced to play Stonedead Festival, Newark, UK – 29thAugust 2020
GUN are – Dante Gizzi – Lead Vocals; Giuliano Gizzi – Guitar; Paul McManus – Drums,
Andy Carr – Bass, Tommy Gentry – Guitar
Ho Ho Ho!, Nothing Christmassy about this bunch of records except to say I’d be one happy chappy if these were hanging in my stocking come the big day. It’s always quality before quantity here at RPM Singles round-up. As we welcome back old friends and applaud like a bunch of performing seals when the music hits the airwaves… With an immense array of talent on offer we bring you the pick of the new releases because we’re like that and its the season to give, give, give…
Motherfuckin’ Motherfuckers – ‘Trillion Dollar Man’ (Lux Noise Records) Its always a pretty good bet that as soon as I get things in order to write up a compilation of new singles and videos that are about to drop Those Lovely Hip Priests boys appear as if by magic (either its coincidence or they have my house tapped) but hang on before you get carried away this is only half of the Hip Priests together with half of Bitch Queens under the umbrella of Motherfuckin’ Motherfuckers (never a more appropriate name eh?)
Following on from that glorious cacophony of noise that was the debut mini-album ‘Trillion Dollar Man’ is the fearless foursome back for more with a two-minute one-second rip ride of unadulterated punk rock and roll. from the intro tape to the snot fueled solo it hits you like a speedball if you flip it over side two is more of the same. Too much drugs, too much booze, too many amps and guitars will ki… Never be enough! we live in tough time kids so when you have a band put together as a bet that can turn up and knock these out then things aren’t all bad proving once again that they can go toe to toe with the greats and channelling their inner Motorhead, MC5, early Hellacopters you get the idea where these punks are coming from. Just buy it for fuck’s sake you know you want to. Click here and let em know your order before they all go, which they will. Then you’ll still be uncool and not even have the new Motherfuckin’ Motherfucker single in your possession either. Oh and they cover D4 as well it’s almost as if D4 knew one day it would happen and some bunch of ne’er-do-wells would turn it up and kick out the jams on their classic and bring it to a whole new generation of rock n rollas. so, what are you waiting for?
The Black Halos – Geisterbahn ii (Yeah Right! Records) A band that shouldn’t need an introduction but we’re giving them one anyway. Hailing from Vancouver and been in some sort of semi-hibernation until now. Seemingly out of nowhere this old/new single drops. the A-side is something familiar to those who pay attention as it was released a while back when they played the Black Heart in London and some shows in Spain a few years ago but the single was delayed due to one thing or another until now. the band has been writing new songs back in Canada and we are about to hear the benefits of that. Original members Billy Hopeless, Rich Jones, and Jay Millette have reunited and are joined by the rhythm section of Danni Action and John Kerns on these new recordings. These songs mixed by long-time collaborator Jack Endino C’mon folks it’s a banger from the off. Its got the wonderful vocal delivery from Billy (who else?) and a vibrant workout from a band who sound like they love to crank it up and get on with their business. I for one can’t wait for the album next year it’s going to be special and on the evidence of these samplers one, you should be interested in no question. Recorded back in Berlin by RDO TV Mork and features Rags n CC Voltage (they don’t need an introduction here do they?) just buy it! Bandcamp
THE ILLICITS ‘Left Behind / Born Slippy’ (Creation 23) The elephant in the room here is these cats have only bagged themselves a guest slot from the one and only Steve ‘Fuckin’Jones! Yeah, that’s right the lonely Boys strapped on his Les Paul and threw down a riff on ‘Left Behind’. What’s it like then you ask. Well its a pretty decent noise to be fair as is their take on ‘Born Slippy’. Terrace punk would be a fair description somewhere between the pub rock of early britpop and Jonesys Professionals these guys have a swagger cutting through their record and its impressive, maybe the time is right for some real guitar bands to kick out the jams once again and give this industry a good fuckin’ shakin’. Get on it here
Märvel – ‘Marvellous’ (The Sign) Märvels debut EP “Märvellous” claimed to be recorded in 2002 for the American label New York Powerhitters during the bands exchange semester in Colorado. Märvel returned to Sweden before the songs got a release, and the EP never got to see the light of day… Until now! After the success of their ‘Guilty Pleasures’ album, the barons of rock have re-recorded their “lost EP”. After seventeen years of making albums and touring, the band has a long tradition of writing hits while constantly developing their sound which has enabled them to re-record an almost twenty year old EP and make it sound as if it was written yesterday. ‘Märvellous’ will officially be released January 24th through The Sign Records. go check it out.
Rotten Mind – Burn For You (Lövely Records) the first single taken from Rotten Minds upcoming album Rat City Dog Boy. “Burn For You” is a melody-driven, upbeat punk anthem clocking in at just under two minutes. Despite its relatively short length, it manages to capture the essence of Rotten Mind; defiant lyrics sung from the heart, accompanied by a fast drum beat and poisonous guitar melodies drenched in reverb, creating a thick yet vibrant soundscape. It’s a captivating track with a somewhat uplifting atmosphere, and yet there’s something melancholic lurking in the shadows.
Combining elements of 77’punk, post-punk and garage rock, Swedish indie- force Rotten Mind are back with their fourth full length album. With Rat City Dog Boy, Rotten Mind returns to their musical roots while embracing new influences to create an album that sounds both fresh and vintage, making Rotting Mind appealing to old-school punks as well as newfound lovers of the scene
The Doghunters – Hitchhiker (Tonzonen Records) Taken from the German Bands soon to be released album ‘Splitter Phaser Naked’. Some smooth indie rock that’s well recorded and delivered and is a bit of a grower to be fair. Bandcamp
Autogramm – ‘Bad Day’ (Self Release) Again Autogramm deliver some quality synth-driven power pop. Its got a great infectious hook on the chorus but carries a serious message. The fact that all profits go to a great worthy cause, of course, we’re going to champion this single. Check out the video below and make a donation or pick up a physical single – you know it makes sense.
All proceeds from digital sales will be donated to World Federation For Mental Health Save “Bad Day” to your preferred music service: https://orcd.co/badday Donate to The World Federation for Mental Health: https://wfmh.global
Gun – Rock The Casbah (Silver Lining Records) Lifted from their album ‘R3loaded’ this is a pretty impressive cover to be fair. Gun seem to get it (whatever it is) their take on this Clash Classic is available for you to see as well as hear below so click away kids Facebook
Bitch Queens, The Lombego Surfers, Nicole Bernegger, Luc Montini – Gimme Shelter (Lux Noise Records) – An extremely limited edition of only 100 red records here, all for a good cause the charity ‘Save Free Spaces’ sees this collaboration cover the stones classic not once but twice!
Whilst the fast side sort of whizzes through its got a suitably dirty guitar sound that is befitting such a classic, upping the tempo misses the dirty dangerous groove that the original delivered but hey its a cover so why try to reproduce the original right? right! Saying that its the slower version that grabbed my attention and boy do they nail such an iconic tune. Nicole Berneggers vocals are exceptional to be fair and well worth checking out if you haven’t already. Bandcamp
Stevie R Pearce & The Hooligans – ‘Rush Of Blood To The Head’ (Cargo Records) With a new album recorded live in Blackpool entitled ‘Give Me Everything’ ‘Rush Of Blood’ is a brand new track to follow on from last years studio album. You want loud guitars and Rockin’ tunes with a heap of attitude then Stevie and his bunch of Hooligans are your boys just ask Jizzy Pearl and Kory Clarke they know a thing or two about guitar players. reunited with two of the Black Bullets players Stevie has got Carl and Lance in to rock out as his new Hooligans a line up completed by Richard Jones. Stevie recons it’s the lightest of the new songs they’ve written but the chorus is a keeper and couldn’t be ignored he’s not wrong it’ll lodge itself in your noggin’ and you’ll be humming it all bloody day long. It’s gritty yet polished and if this is the lightest he’s come up with then I’m intrigued – Top tune make no mistake about that, America listen up – This could and probably should rule the FM airwaves. Facebook
The Electric Shakes – 2019 EP (self Released) Why not treat yourself to some of the digital records you know, flac or mp3. so it’s not something you can put in a jukebox but these four tracks sure do rock and fuckin’ roll. From the garage fuzz of the catchy ‘Phoney High’ Electric Shakes have got it going on. this Bournemouth three-piece make a wonderful noise and a cautionary tale about cheap narcotics. ‘Rye And Dry’ ups the tempo with some lovely Poison Ivy stylings on that six-string whilst the rhythm section holds down the backbeat to the chorus that’s like a rush of adrenaline. Cool stuff. Probably my pick of the four tracks on offer would be the spikey ‘Hound Dog’ with its distorted riff-a-rama that takes you to the holin’ chorus. Oh wait don’t jump the gun because they saved the best till last as ‘Trash’ is one angry motherfucker as it rallies against the modern world and the disdain poured onto the people at the bottom of the ladder and the homeless or those who just struggle. Good on you Electric Shakes this is a band we like and will support, a band with a moral compass and a bunch of top tunes to boot give them a shout folks and get behind them they rock. Pick up the EP Here
The Zeros – ‘In The Spotlight’ (Munster Records) The Zeros are back baby and this December sees the first new music in God knows how long (over twenty years). It’s Released on Munster Records outta Spain and this slice of Rock and Roll shows that Javier Escovedo has lost none of his spark and these two blistering tunes are full of energy and are as vibrant as anything their contemporaries can put out in 2019. I hear rumours of an album and If these tunes are an indication of what we could expect from a long-player in 2020 then bring it on brothers because these tunes are fantastic. Sleazy Rock n Roll from the heart with some wicked lead breaks mixed with some howling harmonica on the lead track whilst ‘Nowhere To Run’ has boundless energy mixed with plenty of snotty rock n roll. Welcome back boys we’ve missed ya!
THE CHERRY DOLLS – State Of Mine (Bread And Butter Records) with a brand new record Australias Cherry Dolls rock up with something that has a hint of The Strokes mixed with something darker from the origins of The Stooges for sure. ‘State Of Mind’ is a fuzzed up slice of Rock and Roll that we love around these parts and this is a welcome addition to our singles club. Go check them out on Bandcamp and Facebook and tell em RPM Sent You!
Tom Baker and the Snakes- ‘Cancel It’ (Rum Bar Records) It’s always a rockin good day when a Rum Bar Records record drops through the ether. It’s like the quality stamp of approval you don’t even need to ask who it is because chances are its gonna lodge itself in your noggin and take root. The fact its Tom Baker backed by The Snakes is something of an afterthought. (God knows who? Tom Baker has never made a bad record either) lifted from ‘Dirty Snakes’ its an absolute throwback rocker think Georgia Sats kicking it out with Mellencamp when he turned up the amps. Its a corker and in a few weeks the full album will be released Facebook
Tensheds – Goldtooth (Tensheds Music) taken from the soon to be released album ‘Deathrow Disco’ the more observant of you might notice the keyboard player from a certain Jim Jones & The Righteous Minds. This has been described as a cross between Jerry Lee and Lady Gaga but its more White Stripes with a great big dirty Rhodes organ instead of a guitar it’s like James Leg has a UK based twin but with a more style and better hair. Facebook
Beat Hotel – Feel It (Occultation Recordings) The first single off this Brighton based bands self-titled mini album with a great sense of songwriting with great lyrics and well worked arrangments it’s a great slab of noisy pop taking chunks of influence from the alternative scene of the 80s with bands like the Bunnymen and Teenage fanclub clearly having some influence as well as a most welcome dash of Jesus & Mary Chain. Great song and I look forward to hearing the full minialbum. Keep up with Beat Hotel Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | Twitter | Soundcloud | Spotify | Vinyl order | Press contact
Pist – Fools Gave Chase (APF Records) As we’re such a broad church here is the latest offering from those heavy as a 10000 tonne boulder Pist are in the club with the rifftastic ‘Fools Gave Chase’ in all its non-single length glory. Taken from the album ‘Hailz’ Available Here
Grande Royale / Liar Thief Bandit – Split (The Sign Records) Action Rockers strap yourself in for a royale showdown as Liar Thief Bandit lay down the challenge with some classic Action Rock riff-a-rama as they offer up ‘Virtue As A Vice’ whilst fellow Action rockers Grande Royale announce that they were ‘Saved By Rock ‘n’ Roll’ its limited to only 300 pieces its an easy chorus to remember Saved by rock n roll wohoho! so get out your tennis racket and play along and don’t spare the sweatbands
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
Steelhouse Festival is the annual Welsh Classic Rock Festival situated on top of a mountain in Ebbw Vale, which now in its ninth year, is a little gem of a festival which slowly grows year on year despite its reputation for being generally a bit on the damp side.
After the particularly wet event last year I was half expecting to see a smaller attendance, but no, still people turned up in their thousands and that is down to the repeatedly great line ups and the sheer friendliness and affordability of this festival, I mean, what other festivals can you go to and get 4 pints for a mere £15!
Those in attendance were not only rewarded with a whole weekend of glorious weather, but with some great performances across the weekend from both the old stagers and the up and coming bands.
Friday nights entertainment started off with solid sets from both Blackwater Conspiracy (6/10) and The Rising Souls (7/10), but it was local boys Those Damn Crowes (8/10), who despite not being my thing, were the first band to really win over the whole crowd and put in a great performance.
However Massive Wagons (9/10) a band I have previously described as “sloppy pub rock” took the honours of the day in style. The energy from the stage took the crowd to the next level and sporadic Dad dancing was seen all over the top of the mountain especially as they kicked out the Rick Parfitt tribute ‘Back to the Stack’ and the fantastic set closer of Slade’s ‘Come Feel the Noise’, which saw all the other bands join them for a triumphant sing along. A great way to end day one.
Day two openers Liberty Lies (6/10) didn’t do much for me musically, but it has to said that frontman Shaun Richards is not only a great singer, but also knows how to keep the crowd engaged which some funny in between-song banter. Ryder’s Creed (8/10) however were on a completely different level and looked like 5 guys who had been force-fed Red Bull and Haribo all morning before being unleashed onto the stage. Great catchy tunes and the sheer enjoyment on the band’s faces was just contagious.
Unfortunately, Hollowstar (5/10) couldn’t follow that, and despite being perfectly competent and getting a good reception from the rest of the crowd sent me to the bar, which is where I stayed for a while causing me to, unfortunately, miss The Wild who I did hear good things about.
Crobot (9/10) were one of my must-watch bands of the weekend after picking up a copy of their Something Supernatural album 5 years ago and they didn’t disappoint. Kicking off with Legend of the Spaceborn Killer, frontman Brandon Yeagley took to the stage looking like some crazy merman and he didn’t let up for the whole gig, completely owning the stage and in fact the mountain. Tight, heavy, big riffs and catchy choruses, job done!
After that, I found Gun (8/10) a bit strange. To watch they were a bit dull, but the sheer strength of their songs made their performance work and work well. Watching people drunker than I sing along joyously to the likes of ‘Steel your Fire’, ‘Better Days’ and ‘Taking on the World’ really made me want to go home and dig out those albums again.
The Temperance Movement (9/10) were my band of the day and had me throwing some hideously drunken shapes from the minute they walked on until the minute they walked off. The standard of musicianship was second to none as they drifted from epic strutting singalongs like ‘Only Friend’ to the stunning Deeper Cut which completely sent shivers up my spine. After that performance, I wouldn’t expect it to be long to see them return as a headliner.
Thunder (8/10) don’t do bad gigs, and though they didn’t deliver the best gig I have seen them play, still had the crowd eating out the palms of their hands and singing along word for word from the minute they kicked off with ‘Loser’ to the minute they finished with a song I can’t remember due to a long days drinking and enjoying myself!
The final day was opened up by fellow Cornishmen Willie and the Bandits (8/10) who I felt sorry for as they didn’t get the crowd they deserved due to issues getting into the arena with bag searches. Their laid back Bluesy Rock was the perfect start to the day and was a performance worth far better than their lowly spot on the bill. Sadly the good start to the day came crashing down to earth with The Amorettes (3/10) who frankly looked and sounded like two average bands had been stuck together with cheap sellotape to make one below average band.
Completely the opposite of that were Tax the Heat (8/10) who returned to the mountain with another great display of slick, stylish rock and roll. Scott Gorham loves this band for a reason, even if he had to berate them for driving too slowly up the mountain!
The charismatic Mango Kid himself Mr Danko Jones (8/10) brings a blistering set of balls-out garage rock and certainly wins over a legion of new fans. As an old fan, my only complaint was that he missed the golden opportunity to play the track Mountain which would have been perfect for the occasion.
Band of the weekend? Well, that goes to Uriah Heep (10/10) who provided a set of absolute perfection. The sound, the musicianship, Bernie Shaw’s timeless vocals, and Mick Box’s huge smile completely stole the show. How a band soon to be moving into their 50th year can still play gigs sounding this fresh and exciting is beyond me. Happy Daze indeed!
At one point Corey Glover of Living Colour (8/10) said “who’s idea was it for us to follow Uriah Heep?” and that was the only problem with their set. While perhaps a band that didn’t quite fit in and draw the crowd that the Heep did, Living Colour came on and played superbly for those prepared to listen to them, and bringing out the festival legend Bernie Marsden for a cover of Cream’s ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’ was a masterstroke.
Closing the whole weekend was then left for Thin Lizzy (9/10) who were celebrating the 40th anniversary of the legendary ‘Black Rose’ album by playing it in its entirety. I was a little sceptical in advance but I have to say Thin Lizzy absolutely smashed it. This was in no small part to a rhythm section made up Mastodon’s Troy Sanders and Judas Priests Scott Travis, who were one of the most impressive I have heard in many years, but for me the star of the show was Mr. Ricky Warwick, who has gone and proved himself time and again to be someone who not only sings the songs of the late great Phil Lynott with style but who almost makes you think that perhaps he was the man who wrote and sang them first time around. No disrespect is meant it that comment, but Ricky Warwick does the job perfectly with the utmost respect and deserves that respect right back.
With a closing ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ finished off with a great fireworks display Thin Lizzy were the perfect end to an amazing weekend, the only problem now is how are Steelhouse going to top that for their 10th Anniversary?!
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