---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to FabricationsHQ
Home to the musical articles, reviews and features by
Ross Muir
Independent Music Reviewer & Music Promotion
Freelance Writer
"Putting the Words to the Music"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to FabricationsHQ
Home to the musical articles, reviews and features by
Ross Muir
Independent Music Reviewer & Music Promotion
Freelance Writer
"Putting the Words to the Music"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Muirsical Thoughts, Muirsical News
Hard rock trio The Bad Flowers have launched an Official Music / Lyric Video for new single 'Who Needs a Soul;' the new single dovetails with the band’s co-headline UK tour with Federal Charm (and special guest support from Those Damn Crows) which kicked off in Bristol on the 19th of September.
(fans attending the Nottingham date should note the upcoming show has been changed to The Bodega on Friday 21st September).
(fans attending the Nottingham date should note the upcoming show has been changed to The Bodega on Friday 21st September).
'Who Needs a Soul' is the third single taken from the Bad Flowers’ debut album Starting Gun; it follows in from the radio airplay singles 'Thunder Child' and 'Hurricane.'
The Bad Flowers released their critically acclaimed, full-length debut in February; the band embarked on a UK tour supporting Stone Broken and Jared James Nichols the same month.
In the summer, with two Planet Rock airplay singles under their belts, The Bad Flowers play several music festivals including Steelhouse, Stone Free and Hard Rock Hell; they will also play Planet Rockstock in December.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bad Flowers released their critically acclaimed, full-length debut in February; the band embarked on a UK tour supporting Stone Broken and Jared James Nichols the same month.
In the summer, with two Planet Rock airplay singles under their belts, The Bad Flowers play several music festivals including Steelhouse, Stone Free and Hard Rock Hell; they will also play Planet Rockstock in December.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As stated above, Midlands based hard rock band The Bad Flowers and Federal Charm have undertaken a co-headline Planet Rock Presents tour; the tour ends on Sunday the 30th September at London’s Borderline.
British contemporary rock outfit Those Damn Crows will support on all dates.
Following their self-titled EP in 2016, The Bad Flowers – Tom Leighton (vocals, guitar), Dale Bollard Tonks (bass), Karl Selickis (drums) – released the critically acclaimed debut album Starting Gun in February of this year.
Of releasing their debut album, and the attention it has received, the band have enthusiastically responded:
"It feels great! A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into the writing of those songs and the response has been incredible to them, better than we could have imagined. We charted in the UK rock charts at number 17, something we’re immensely proud of, and massively thankful to the fans for helping us achieve!"
After a successful Planet Rock Roadstars triple bill tour with SIMO and Aaron Keylock at the end of 2016 Federal Charm recorded some new demos in an away-from-it-all cottage in Wales.
The demos ultimately led to line-up changes a few months later; founding members Paul Bowe (guitar) and L.D. Morawski (bass) recruited Southampton vocalist Tom Guyer and top Manchester drummer Josh Zahler.
With a new energy and purpose the retooled Federal Charm team of Bowe, Morawski, Guyer, Zahler and second guitarist and keyboardist Kyle Ross released the excellent Passenger album earlier this month, of which FabricationsHQ stared in review is "one of the best in breaking blues rock albums."
British contemporary rock outfit Those Damn Crows will support on all dates.
Following their self-titled EP in 2016, The Bad Flowers – Tom Leighton (vocals, guitar), Dale Bollard Tonks (bass), Karl Selickis (drums) – released the critically acclaimed debut album Starting Gun in February of this year.
Of releasing their debut album, and the attention it has received, the band have enthusiastically responded:
"It feels great! A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into the writing of those songs and the response has been incredible to them, better than we could have imagined. We charted in the UK rock charts at number 17, something we’re immensely proud of, and massively thankful to the fans for helping us achieve!"
After a successful Planet Rock Roadstars triple bill tour with SIMO and Aaron Keylock at the end of 2016 Federal Charm recorded some new demos in an away-from-it-all cottage in Wales.
The demos ultimately led to line-up changes a few months later; founding members Paul Bowe (guitar) and L.D. Morawski (bass) recruited Southampton vocalist Tom Guyer and top Manchester drummer Josh Zahler.
With a new energy and purpose the retooled Federal Charm team of Bowe, Morawski, Guyer, Zahler and second guitarist and keyboardist Kyle Ross released the excellent Passenger album earlier this month, of which FabricationsHQ stared in review is "one of the best in breaking blues rock albums."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York progressive rock outfit Edensong will perform their first ever overseas tour dates when they head to the UK in October to play seven dates including the Summers End Festival in Wales.
Edensong UK dates:
Sunday October 7th – Summer’s End Festival, Chepstow
Monday 8th October – Robin 2, Bilston
Tuesday 9th October - The 1865, Southampton
Wednesday 10th October – The Musician, Leicester
Thursday 11th October – The Ruby Lounge, Manchester
Friday 12th October – The Zanzibar Bar, Liverpool
Sunday 14th October - 229 Venue, London
Ticket and tour information:
http://www.edensongtheband.com/shows
The announcement, and dates, follow what was a highly successful return to live performance in 2017 in support of their 2016 album Years in the Garden of Years.
Edensong UK dates:
Sunday October 7th – Summer’s End Festival, Chepstow
Monday 8th October – Robin 2, Bilston
Tuesday 9th October - The 1865, Southampton
Wednesday 10th October – The Musician, Leicester
Thursday 11th October – The Ruby Lounge, Manchester
Friday 12th October – The Zanzibar Bar, Liverpool
Sunday 14th October - 229 Venue, London
Ticket and tour information:
http://www.edensongtheband.com/shows
The announcement, and dates, follow what was a highly successful return to live performance in 2017 in support of their 2016 album Years in the Garden of Years.
Edensong’s history is as unpredictable as its music, which features flute, koto and varied percussion with the more standard instrumentation of guitars, bass and drums.
The latest line-up includes long-time members James Schoen (vocals, guitar), TD Towers (bass, second vocalist) and Barry Seroff (flute). Joining the trio are virtuoso Koto player and composer Kento Iwasaki and drummer Nicholas DiGregorio, whose improvisational skill and jazz background makes him the perfect addition to the Edensong line-up.
The band’s self-released 2008 debut The Fruit Fallen helped pave the way for a run of incendiary live shows and notable festival appearances throughout North America, including Progday in North Carolina, Three Rivers Progressive Rock Festival in Pittsburgh and Festival Terra Incognita in Quebec City, where Edensong shared the stage with acts such as the Ozric Tentacles, Kings X and Discipline.
Edensong’s long-awaited follow-up, Years in the Garden of Years, was released in September 2016 through Laser’s Edge. The concept album further explored the bands intricately composed, eclectic and orchestral rock style but with more invention and percussive elements (including hang drum and Balinese gamelan).
In 2017 Edensong returned to live performance; the band toured the US and Canada and appeared at several festival including a prominent appearance at RoSfest 2017; they also shared the stage with the likes of Pain of Salvation, Neal Morse and Anglagard.
The latest line-up includes long-time members James Schoen (vocals, guitar), TD Towers (bass, second vocalist) and Barry Seroff (flute). Joining the trio are virtuoso Koto player and composer Kento Iwasaki and drummer Nicholas DiGregorio, whose improvisational skill and jazz background makes him the perfect addition to the Edensong line-up.
The band’s self-released 2008 debut The Fruit Fallen helped pave the way for a run of incendiary live shows and notable festival appearances throughout North America, including Progday in North Carolina, Three Rivers Progressive Rock Festival in Pittsburgh and Festival Terra Incognita in Quebec City, where Edensong shared the stage with acts such as the Ozric Tentacles, Kings X and Discipline.
Edensong’s long-awaited follow-up, Years in the Garden of Years, was released in September 2016 through Laser’s Edge. The concept album further explored the bands intricately composed, eclectic and orchestral rock style but with more invention and percussive elements (including hang drum and Balinese gamelan).
In 2017 Edensong returned to live performance; the band toured the US and Canada and appeared at several festival including a prominent appearance at RoSfest 2017; they also shared the stage with the likes of Pain of Salvation, Neal Morse and Anglagard.
Edensong:
James Schoen – vocals/guitar; TD Towers – bass/vocals; Barry Seroff – flute; Kento Iwasaki – koto; Nicholas DiGregorio– drums
"A great example of the contemporary face of progressive rock"
- Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull)
"An intricate and at times complex sound, both contemporary and classic (shades of early era Kansas)."
- Ross Muir (FabricationsHQ)
James Schoen – vocals/guitar; TD Towers – bass/vocals; Barry Seroff – flute; Kento Iwasaki – koto; Nicholas DiGregorio– drums
"A great example of the contemporary face of progressive rock"
- Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull)
"An intricate and at times complex sound, both contemporary and classic (shades of early era Kansas)."
- Ross Muir (FabricationsHQ)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the reasons Canadian blues artist JW-Jones hasn’t released a live album until now could well be because it’s impossible to capture and record the energy of those shows along with the animated antics when the band kick in to the fun stuff such as the now famous Medley of Themes and their instrument changing routines.
JW-Jones Live however comes as close as its possible without the visuals (or the instrument switching); featuring a collection of old blues tunes and deeper cut covers (a one-off, specially chosen set for this live recording) it’s as blues smooth as it is rock ‘n’ roll raucous.
JW-Jones Live will be released on the 28th September on Solid Blues Records
JW-Jones Live however comes as close as its possible without the visuals (or the instrument switching); featuring a collection of old blues tunes and deeper cut covers (a one-off, specially chosen set for this live recording) it’s as blues smooth as it is rock ‘n’ roll raucous.
JW-Jones Live will be released on the 28th September on Solid Blues Records
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blues rock guitarist and songstress Chantel McGregor has just kicked off her UK string of dates, which beginbs with a show at the Face Bar in Reading.
While it has already been well announced it’s also worth reminding Glasgow ticket holders and those wishing to attend the Friday 28th September show that the gig is at the Hard Rock Café and not the 02 ABC2 as was originally scheduled.
Chantel McGregor is one of the most original and talented performers on the blues rock circuit.
Delivering songs that salute contemporary rock while displaying her gradual transition from conventional blues to a harder, bigger and bolder rock sound, Chantel McGregor’s progressive and southern gothic influences can be heard to great effect on her outstanding 2015 album, Lose Control.
While it has already been well announced it’s also worth reminding Glasgow ticket holders and those wishing to attend the Friday 28th September show that the gig is at the Hard Rock Café and not the 02 ABC2 as was originally scheduled.
Chantel McGregor is one of the most original and talented performers on the blues rock circuit.
Delivering songs that salute contemporary rock while displaying her gradual transition from conventional blues to a harder, bigger and bolder rock sound, Chantel McGregor’s progressive and southern gothic influences can be heard to great effect on her outstanding 2015 album, Lose Control.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saxon's now classic live album The Eagle has Landed, which reached No. 5 in UK album charts in 1982, will be re-issued on the 19th of October.
Continuing the re-release series of Saxon back catalogue albums on Union Square, the CD includes the bonus tracks that were recorded live at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1981 and 1982.
The vinyl edition retains the original album track listing but comes in red & black splatter vinyl.
Pre-order link: https://saxonband.lnk.to/TheEagleHasLanded
Continuing the re-release series of Saxon back catalogue albums on Union Square, the CD includes the bonus tracks that were recorded live at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1981 and 1982.
The vinyl edition retains the original album track listing but comes in red & black splatter vinyl.
Pre-order link: https://saxonband.lnk.to/TheEagleHasLanded
Over the decades Saxon have gone from being pioneers of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal movement to becoming one of UK’s most successful rock acts.
From 1979's eponymous debut album to current album Thunderbolt, the band have enjoyed considerable success including five Top 40 albums in the UK and four Top 20 singles.
Originally released in May 1982, The Eagle Has Landed was Saxon’s first live album and first recording to feature long standing drummer, Nigel Glockler.
Taking its name from the bands huge, eagle lighting rig as well as a nod to the famous Neil Armstrong quote upon lunar touchdown in 1969 (the band recorded a song about that very event entitled 'The Eagle Has Landed' on 1983’s Power & The Glory), the tracks chosen for the live album were recorded on the European leg of their Denim And Leather tour during 1981.
The album was then mixed at Manor And Bray Sound Studio and was an instant hit upon release, reaching No. 5 in the UK album charts.
Original (and Vinyl) track listing:
1. Motorcycle Man
2. 747 Strangers In The Night
3. Princess Of The Night
4. Strong Arm Of The Law
5. Heavy Metal Thunder
6. 20,000 Ft
7. Wheels Of Steel
8. Never Surrender
9. Fire in The Sky
10. Machine Gun
CD Bonus Tracks (Hammersmith Odeon, 1981 & 1982)
11. And The Bands Played On
12. See The Light Shining
13. Frozen Rainbow
14. Midnight Rider
15. Dallas 1PM
16. Hungry Years
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From 1979's eponymous debut album to current album Thunderbolt, the band have enjoyed considerable success including five Top 40 albums in the UK and four Top 20 singles.
Originally released in May 1982, The Eagle Has Landed was Saxon’s first live album and first recording to feature long standing drummer, Nigel Glockler.
Taking its name from the bands huge, eagle lighting rig as well as a nod to the famous Neil Armstrong quote upon lunar touchdown in 1969 (the band recorded a song about that very event entitled 'The Eagle Has Landed' on 1983’s Power & The Glory), the tracks chosen for the live album were recorded on the European leg of their Denim And Leather tour during 1981.
The album was then mixed at Manor And Bray Sound Studio and was an instant hit upon release, reaching No. 5 in the UK album charts.
Original (and Vinyl) track listing:
1. Motorcycle Man
2. 747 Strangers In The Night
3. Princess Of The Night
4. Strong Arm Of The Law
5. Heavy Metal Thunder
6. 20,000 Ft
7. Wheels Of Steel
8. Never Surrender
9. Fire in The Sky
10. Machine Gun
CD Bonus Tracks (Hammersmith Odeon, 1981 & 1982)
11. And The Bands Played On
12. See The Light Shining
13. Frozen Rainbow
14. Midnight Rider
15. Dallas 1PM
16. Hungry Years
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Michael Schenker Fest, featuring a sextet of ex MSG alumni - vocalists Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet, Robin McAuley and musicians Chris Glen (bass), Ted McKenna (drums) and Steve Mann (keys/ guitars) - play their anticipated UK dates in November.
The MSF band, who also feature Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock front man Doogie White, will be performing classic Barden-Bonnet-McAuley era MSG songs as well as tracks from Temple of Rock and MSF album Resurrection, which was released earlier this year.
Scottish fans and ticket holders for the Glasgow date should note the venue is now SWG3 and not the O2 ABC as originally scheduled.
Special Guests across all dates are multinational melodic metal exponents Eden’s Curse, a band who have made their melodic metal mark with albums such as Symphony of Sin and latest and strongest release to date, 2016’s Cardinal.
Between MSF dates Eden’s Curse will be headlining a show at the Fuel Rock Club in Cardiff on 7th November; the band will also be appearing at the WinterStorm Rock Weekender in Troon on the 24th November.
Michael Schenker Fest with Special Guests Eden's Curse, UK Dates:
5th November - SWG3, Glasgow
6th November - O2 Institute, Birmingham
8th November - Hard Rock Hell Festival, North Wales (SOLD OUT)
9th November - O2 Academy, Newcastle
0th November - O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London
11th November - Academy, Manchester
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The MSF band, who also feature Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock front man Doogie White, will be performing classic Barden-Bonnet-McAuley era MSG songs as well as tracks from Temple of Rock and MSF album Resurrection, which was released earlier this year.
Scottish fans and ticket holders for the Glasgow date should note the venue is now SWG3 and not the O2 ABC as originally scheduled.
Special Guests across all dates are multinational melodic metal exponents Eden’s Curse, a band who have made their melodic metal mark with albums such as Symphony of Sin and latest and strongest release to date, 2016’s Cardinal.
Between MSF dates Eden’s Curse will be headlining a show at the Fuel Rock Club in Cardiff on 7th November; the band will also be appearing at the WinterStorm Rock Weekender in Troon on the 24th November.
Michael Schenker Fest with Special Guests Eden's Curse, UK Dates:
5th November - SWG3, Glasgow
6th November - O2 Institute, Birmingham
8th November - Hard Rock Hell Festival, North Wales (SOLD OUT)
9th November - O2 Academy, Newcastle
0th November - O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London
11th November - Academy, Manchester
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swedish guitarist and vocalist Kee Marcello, best known for his time with multi-platinum Swedish rock giants Europe, will play seven UK shows as part of his Scaling Up tour in October.
The performances will feature songs from the Europe album Out of This World, which celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year, solo material and tracks from Marcello’s current album, Scaling Up.
Scaling Up marks a return to the melodic rock genre
for Kee Marcello – fans of Europe will be familiar with Le Baron Boys, a pseudonym Europe used during a now legendary time when the band were working on follow up material to their hit album Out Of This World; Marcello and his band will perform material from this era on the tour, some of which also features on the Scaling Up album.
The Kee Marcello Band includes long-time collaborator Ken Sandin (Alien, Joe Lynne-Turner, Eric Martin) and Tim Brown (Don Airey, Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash, Aynsley Lister).
Tour Dates are:-
October 11th Bilston (West Midlands) The Robin 2
October 12th London (Camden) The Underworld
October 13th Merthyr Tydfil The New Crown
October 14th Stoke-on-Trent Eleven
October 17th Manchester Rebellion
October 18th Glasgow The Ferry
October 19th Nuneaton Queen’s Hall
Tickets are available from the venues and https://www.seetickets.com/tour/kee-marcello
From the successful Swedish glam-pop group Noise in the early 80s through to the first US major label deal ever signed by a Scandinavian group (Easy Action, Warner Bros) and on to multi-million selling success with Europe, Kee Marcello has quite the track record.
More recently Marcello published his top selling autobiography The Rock Star God Forgot, released a DVD (Live From The Third Rock); undertook a hugely successful lead role in a Swedish version of Broadway musical Rock of Ages and was inducted into the Swedish Music Hall of Fame.
Latest album Scaling Up, Kee Marcello’s fifth solo release, is available on the Frontiers srl label.
There are also imminent plans for the release of a new live album.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The performances will feature songs from the Europe album Out of This World, which celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year, solo material and tracks from Marcello’s current album, Scaling Up.
Scaling Up marks a return to the melodic rock genre
for Kee Marcello – fans of Europe will be familiar with Le Baron Boys, a pseudonym Europe used during a now legendary time when the band were working on follow up material to their hit album Out Of This World; Marcello and his band will perform material from this era on the tour, some of which also features on the Scaling Up album.
The Kee Marcello Band includes long-time collaborator Ken Sandin (Alien, Joe Lynne-Turner, Eric Martin) and Tim Brown (Don Airey, Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash, Aynsley Lister).
Tour Dates are:-
October 11th Bilston (West Midlands) The Robin 2
October 12th London (Camden) The Underworld
October 13th Merthyr Tydfil The New Crown
October 14th Stoke-on-Trent Eleven
October 17th Manchester Rebellion
October 18th Glasgow The Ferry
October 19th Nuneaton Queen’s Hall
Tickets are available from the venues and https://www.seetickets.com/tour/kee-marcello
From the successful Swedish glam-pop group Noise in the early 80s through to the first US major label deal ever signed by a Scandinavian group (Easy Action, Warner Bros) and on to multi-million selling success with Europe, Kee Marcello has quite the track record.
More recently Marcello published his top selling autobiography The Rock Star God Forgot, released a DVD (Live From The Third Rock); undertook a hugely successful lead role in a Swedish version of Broadway musical Rock of Ages and was inducted into the Swedish Music Hall of Fame.
Latest album Scaling Up, Kee Marcello’s fifth solo release, is available on the Frontiers srl label.
There are also imminent plans for the release of a new live album.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Due to popular demand Brian Downey’s Alive and Dangerous will play five dates in the UK in September and October as part of their ongoing performance tribute to the 40th Anniversary of Thin Lizzy’s iconic live album Live and Dangerous.
Tickets are on sale now, direct from the venues.
Original Thin Lizzy member and one of the great rock drummers, Brian Downey, says of the shows:
"We will be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Live and Dangerous by performing the album in its entirety when we tour it in the UK in September and October. Thin Lizzy fans have been asking us when we will embark on a UK tour. The time has finally arrived!"
Brian Downey’s Alive And Dangerous features Brian Grace (best known as the guitarist for the Commitments’ Andrew Strong), plus former Low Rider band members Matt Wilson (lead vocals, bass), and Phil Edgar (lead guitar).
Brian Downey’s Alive And Dangerous - September/October UK Dates
South Shields, Queen Vic - Tuesday 25th September
Stoke, Eleven - Thursday 27th September
London, Camden Underworld - Friday 28th September
Wolverhampton, The Robin 2 - Saturday 29th September
Glasgow, The Cathouse - Monday 1st October
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tickets are on sale now, direct from the venues.
Original Thin Lizzy member and one of the great rock drummers, Brian Downey, says of the shows:
"We will be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Live and Dangerous by performing the album in its entirety when we tour it in the UK in September and October. Thin Lizzy fans have been asking us when we will embark on a UK tour. The time has finally arrived!"
Brian Downey’s Alive And Dangerous features Brian Grace (best known as the guitarist for the Commitments’ Andrew Strong), plus former Low Rider band members Matt Wilson (lead vocals, bass), and Phil Edgar (lead guitar).
Brian Downey’s Alive And Dangerous - September/October UK Dates
South Shields, Queen Vic - Tuesday 25th September
Stoke, Eleven - Thursday 27th September
London, Camden Underworld - Friday 28th September
Wolverhampton, The Robin 2 - Saturday 29th September
Glasgow, The Cathouse - Monday 1st October
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UFO, with ever-present Phil Mogg second from left, on their Starters and Last Orders for the 2019 UK tour
UFO will embark on a very special 50th anniversary UK & Ireland tour next spring.
The influential British hard rockers will play a total of 22 shows, opening at Bristol O2 Academy on Thursday 7th March and wrapping up four weeks later at London Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Thursday 4th April.
Tickets are on sale now.
As well as commemorating the band’s half-century, the dates will also be their last UK & Ireland shows with co-founder and only sole, constant member, vocalist Phil Mogg.
The band’s ever-present front man announced his retirement in May, with a statement that confirmed he had considered stepping away from the UFO microphone earlier but that the time was now right:
“I’ve considered stepping down at the end of UFO’s previous two tours. I don’t want to call this a farewell tour as I hate that word, but next year’s gigs will represent my final tap-dancing appearances with the band.
2019 marks UFO’s 50th anniversary, so the timing feels right.
Being out on the road isn’t always tremendously luxurious and although the playing is as great as it ever was, the stuff that surrounds it becomes very tiresome. I always told myself that when I reached that stage I would step down, and that’s what I’m going to do. This is the right time for me to quit.”
UFO 50th Anniversary / Last Orders Tour:
MARCH 2019
Bristol O2 Academy – Thu 7th
Leamington Spa The Assembly – Fri 8th
Oxford O2 Academy – Sat 9th
Bournemouth O2 Academy – Sun 10th
Cardiff Tramshed – Tue 12th
Birmingham Town Hall – Thu 14th
Pwllheli Hard Rock Hell AOR Fest – Fri 15th
Manchester O2 Ritz – Sat 16th
Leeds O2 Academy – Sun 17th
*Dublin Academy – Tue 19th
*Belfast The Limelight 1 – Wed 20th
Cambridge The Junction – Fri 22nd
Northampton Roadmender – Sat 23rd
Norwich The Waterfront – Sun 24th
Nottingham Rock City – Tue 26th
Newcastle O2 Academy – Thu 28th
Edinburgh Queen’s Hall – Fri 29th
Inverness Ironworks – Sat 30th
Glasgow O2 Academy – Sun 31st
APRIL 2019
Hull City Hall – Tue 2nd
Southampton The Brook - Wed 3rd
London Shepherd’s Bush Empire – Thu 4th
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The influential British hard rockers will play a total of 22 shows, opening at Bristol O2 Academy on Thursday 7th March and wrapping up four weeks later at London Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Thursday 4th April.
Tickets are on sale now.
As well as commemorating the band’s half-century, the dates will also be their last UK & Ireland shows with co-founder and only sole, constant member, vocalist Phil Mogg.
The band’s ever-present front man announced his retirement in May, with a statement that confirmed he had considered stepping away from the UFO microphone earlier but that the time was now right:
“I’ve considered stepping down at the end of UFO’s previous two tours. I don’t want to call this a farewell tour as I hate that word, but next year’s gigs will represent my final tap-dancing appearances with the band.
2019 marks UFO’s 50th anniversary, so the timing feels right.
Being out on the road isn’t always tremendously luxurious and although the playing is as great as it ever was, the stuff that surrounds it becomes very tiresome. I always told myself that when I reached that stage I would step down, and that’s what I’m going to do. This is the right time for me to quit.”
UFO 50th Anniversary / Last Orders Tour:
MARCH 2019
Bristol O2 Academy – Thu 7th
Leamington Spa The Assembly – Fri 8th
Oxford O2 Academy – Sat 9th
Bournemouth O2 Academy – Sun 10th
Cardiff Tramshed – Tue 12th
Birmingham Town Hall – Thu 14th
Pwllheli Hard Rock Hell AOR Fest – Fri 15th
Manchester O2 Ritz – Sat 16th
Leeds O2 Academy – Sun 17th
*Dublin Academy – Tue 19th
*Belfast The Limelight 1 – Wed 20th
Cambridge The Junction – Fri 22nd
Northampton Roadmender – Sat 23rd
Norwich The Waterfront – Sun 24th
Nottingham Rock City – Tue 26th
Newcastle O2 Academy – Thu 28th
Edinburgh Queen’s Hall – Fri 29th
Inverness Ironworks – Sat 30th
Glasgow O2 Academy – Sun 31st
APRIL 2019
Hull City Hall – Tue 2nd
Southampton The Brook - Wed 3rd
London Shepherd’s Bush Empire – Thu 4th
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As a South Ayrshire based music writer and reviewer it’s exceptionally gratifying to have, and be able to to report on, a rock weekender event in the county – it's even more pleasing to be able to report that it's now a sold out rock weekender event, nearly three months before it kicks off, in only its third annual outing.
WinterStorm 2018 is also an excellent mix of name bands (including Magnum, GUN, Dead Daisies and Geoff Tate), breaking bands and those that are just starting to emerge outside of their own territories and hopefully on to bigger things.
Of the latter, Welsh heavy blues rockers Everyday Heroes recently picked up the Stormbreakers Battle of the Five Bands win at the Dreadnoughtrock in Bathgate; their thoroughly deserved win sees them opening up the Saturday 24th November running order at WinterStorm, which includes such acts as the Dead Daisies, Geoff Tate, Girlschool, Wayward Sons and their fellow Welsh men and women, Kane'd.
WinterStorm 2018 is also an excellent mix of name bands (including Magnum, GUN, Dead Daisies and Geoff Tate), breaking bands and those that are just starting to emerge outside of their own territories and hopefully on to bigger things.
Of the latter, Welsh heavy blues rockers Everyday Heroes recently picked up the Stormbreakers Battle of the Five Bands win at the Dreadnoughtrock in Bathgate; their thoroughly deserved win sees them opening up the Saturday 24th November running order at WinterStorm, which includes such acts as the Dead Daisies, Geoff Tate, Girlschool, Wayward Sons and their fellow Welsh men and women, Kane'd.
Second place at Stormbreakers 2018, which wins them an opening slot at WinterStorm on the Friday 23rd November, went to Tyneside’s weighty rock quintet Tomorrow is Lost, fronted Cass King, who has a voice as big as the band’s sound...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wisconsin born, L.A. based singer-guitarist Jared James Nichols, whose feisty brand of blues rock should be written as blues rawk, has released a new single 'End of Time.'
The song is taken from his latest album Black Magic and coincides with his UK tour with L.A. Guns, which is currently underway.
The song is taken from his latest album Black Magic and coincides with his UK tour with L.A. Guns, which is currently underway.
L.A Guns UK Tour with special guest Jared James Nichols
Remaining Dates:
Tivoli, Buckley - Saturday 8th September
HRH C.R.O.W.S, Sheffield - Sunday 9th September
Hair Metal Haven, Hull - Sunday 16th September
"Black Magic showcases the raw power and raucous overtones of Jared James Nichols and his uncluttered brand of blues rock." - FabricationsHQ
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remaining Dates:
Tivoli, Buckley - Saturday 8th September
HRH C.R.O.W.S, Sheffield - Sunday 9th September
Hair Metal Haven, Hull - Sunday 16th September
"Black Magic showcases the raw power and raucous overtones of Jared James Nichols and his uncluttered brand of blues rock." - FabricationsHQ
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wigan based hard rock band Bigfoot recently confirmed the replacement for departed lead vocalist Antony Ant Ellis.
Sean Seabrook is the band's new front man; he and his new band-mates can be seen and heard when they hit the UK road again from mid-September (starting with a home town gig in Wigan) through to mid-December.
Bigfoot have also recently released an Official Music Video for 'Uninvited;' the song is lifted from their excellent self-titled debut album, which was released last year.
Sean Seabrook is the band's new front man; he and his new band-mates can be seen and heard when they hit the UK road again from mid-September (starting with a home town gig in Wigan) through to mid-December.
Bigfoot have also recently released an Official Music Video for 'Uninvited;' the song is lifted from their excellent self-titled debut album, which was released last year.
Bigfoot on tour:
13.09.18 WIGAN, Boulevard
18.09.18 STOKE, Eleven
29.09.18 MANCHESTER, Rebellion
30.09.18 GRIMSBY, Yardbirds
04.10.18 EVESHAM, Ironroad
05.10.18 NUNEATON, Queens Hall
06.10.18 LONDON, New Cross Inn
07.10.18 CARDIFF, Fuel
10.10.18 YORK, Fulford Arms
11.10.18 EDINBURGH, Bannermans
12.10.18 NEWCASTLE, Cluny 2
13.10.18 CARLISLE, Brickyard
14.10.18 SHEFFIELD, Corporation
18.10.18 BLACKPOOL, Waterloo
19.10.18 LEEDS, Key Club
20.10.18 NOTTINGHAM, Rockingham Festival
03.11.18 PONTYPRIDD, Muni Arts Centre
30.11.18 WOLVERHAMPTON, Slade Rooms
01.12.18 TRECCO BAY, Planet Rockstock
14.12.18 BRADFORD, Underground
15.12.18 PRESTON, 53 Degrees
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.09.18 WIGAN, Boulevard
18.09.18 STOKE, Eleven
29.09.18 MANCHESTER, Rebellion
30.09.18 GRIMSBY, Yardbirds
04.10.18 EVESHAM, Ironroad
05.10.18 NUNEATON, Queens Hall
06.10.18 LONDON, New Cross Inn
07.10.18 CARDIFF, Fuel
10.10.18 YORK, Fulford Arms
11.10.18 EDINBURGH, Bannermans
12.10.18 NEWCASTLE, Cluny 2
13.10.18 CARLISLE, Brickyard
14.10.18 SHEFFIELD, Corporation
18.10.18 BLACKPOOL, Waterloo
19.10.18 LEEDS, Key Club
20.10.18 NOTTINGHAM, Rockingham Festival
03.11.18 PONTYPRIDD, Muni Arts Centre
30.11.18 WOLVERHAMPTON, Slade Rooms
01.12.18 TRECCO BAY, Planet Rockstock
14.12.18 BRADFORD, Underground
15.12.18 PRESTON, 53 Degrees
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Burnt Out Wreck, the hard rock quintet fronted by ex Heavy Pettin’ drummer (and the band’s primary songwriter) Gary Moat, have just released their own branded Whisky.
The blended Scotch Whisky is available now from WVA Whisky Auctions and will be available soon from Amazon and all good Whisky sales outlets.
The Whisky, and Burnt Out Wreck branded wine (which will follow at the end of September), are a Moat And Norrie venture (Scottish winemaker, whisky aficionado and rock fan Andrew Norrie blended the whisky and wine exclusively for Burnt Out Wreck).
For those with the nose, palate and taste for a wee dram the whisky is described by Tim Shepherd of Whisky Master Class as a "well-structured and balanced blend, which shows its quality.”
Nose: Light floral notes, undiluted it has barley sugar, ginger and oak which opens up with a drop of water to show chocolate and vanilla.
Palate: a creamy and buttery texture, well rounded and silky.
Taste: dried Fruits and candied peel develop on the tongue with some peppery spicy notes.
An article in Tom Cannavan's Wine Pages.com provides further background and blended detail on the wine:
"This wine was made/blended for a British hard rock band called Burnt Out Wreck, a project and musical genre close to Andrew Norrie’s heart.
The wine is 80% Touriga Nacional and 20% Touriga Franca from the Tua Valley, foot trodden in lagars before four months in French oak. Deeply coloured, there's a lovely violet edge to the fruit, pepper and a sense of elegance to red and black berries.
Very pure, essence of blackberry fruit on the palate, a nice biting edge of cherry skin and plum skin acidity."
It can’t be coincidence that phrases such as "well-structured," "quality," "spicy notes," and "biting edge" are being used in product connected to Burnt Out Wreck, a band who delivered an excellent and equally tasty, hard hitting debut album entitled Swallow last year.
The blended Scotch Whisky is available now from WVA Whisky Auctions and will be available soon from Amazon and all good Whisky sales outlets.
The Whisky, and Burnt Out Wreck branded wine (which will follow at the end of September), are a Moat And Norrie venture (Scottish winemaker, whisky aficionado and rock fan Andrew Norrie blended the whisky and wine exclusively for Burnt Out Wreck).
For those with the nose, palate and taste for a wee dram the whisky is described by Tim Shepherd of Whisky Master Class as a "well-structured and balanced blend, which shows its quality.”
Nose: Light floral notes, undiluted it has barley sugar, ginger and oak which opens up with a drop of water to show chocolate and vanilla.
Palate: a creamy and buttery texture, well rounded and silky.
Taste: dried Fruits and candied peel develop on the tongue with some peppery spicy notes.
An article in Tom Cannavan's Wine Pages.com provides further background and blended detail on the wine:
"This wine was made/blended for a British hard rock band called Burnt Out Wreck, a project and musical genre close to Andrew Norrie’s heart.
The wine is 80% Touriga Nacional and 20% Touriga Franca from the Tua Valley, foot trodden in lagars before four months in French oak. Deeply coloured, there's a lovely violet edge to the fruit, pepper and a sense of elegance to red and black berries.
Very pure, essence of blackberry fruit on the palate, a nice biting edge of cherry skin and plum skin acidity."
It can’t be coincidence that phrases such as "well-structured," "quality," "spicy notes," and "biting edge" are being used in product connected to Burnt Out Wreck, a band who delivered an excellent and equally tasty, hard hitting debut album entitled Swallow last year.
Burnt Out Wreck - live dates:
20th September - The Shed, Leicester
5th October - New Cross Inn (with Diamond Head)
3rd November - Ilfracombe Rocks, Ilfracombe
10th November - Monster Fest (featuring The Dead Daisies and Dan Reed Network)
11th November - Pontins, Southport
13th November - Robin 2 (with Pat McManus Band)
17th November - New Cross Inn, London (with Pure DC)
24th November – Jägermeister Stage, WinterStorm Rock Weekender, Troon, South Ayrshire
14th December - Trillians Rock Bar, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
15th December - The Cave, Paisley
16th December - Church, Dundee
Confirmed for 2019
18th January - Great British Rock and Blues Festival, Skegness
15th February - Hard Rock Café, Glasgow
16th February - Bannermans, Edinburgh
Burnt Out Wreck:
Gary Moat - vocals, Adrian Dunn - guitar, backing vocals, Alex Carmichael - bass, backing vocals
Miles Goodman, guitar, Paul Gray - drums
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20th September - The Shed, Leicester
5th October - New Cross Inn (with Diamond Head)
3rd November - Ilfracombe Rocks, Ilfracombe
10th November - Monster Fest (featuring The Dead Daisies and Dan Reed Network)
11th November - Pontins, Southport
13th November - Robin 2 (with Pat McManus Band)
17th November - New Cross Inn, London (with Pure DC)
24th November – Jägermeister Stage, WinterStorm Rock Weekender, Troon, South Ayrshire
14th December - Trillians Rock Bar, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
15th December - The Cave, Paisley
16th December - Church, Dundee
Confirmed for 2019
18th January - Great British Rock and Blues Festival, Skegness
15th February - Hard Rock Café, Glasgow
16th February - Bannermans, Edinburgh
Burnt Out Wreck:
Gary Moat - vocals, Adrian Dunn - guitar, backing vocals, Alex Carmichael - bass, backing vocals
Miles Goodman, guitar, Paul Gray - drums
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Solid Entertainments have announced that young French singer-songwriter guitarist Félix Rabin will be appearing as special guest on the upcoming Wishbone Ash XLIX UK tour.
For ticket information please visit http://wishboneash.com/tourdates/
The 23 year old was inspired by musicians and bands such as Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Pink Floyd; Rabin’s style embodies those influences and blends them with a contemporary blues rock sound.
Having picked up his first guitar at 15 years old, Félix Rabin would later tour around France before playing several times at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, where he has lived since childhood.
Félix Rabin has since taken his music to other territories including the UK, where he received positive responses to what are, thus far, only a handful of appearances.
Those appearances are set to increase dramatically in number when Félix Rabin tours with Wishbone Ash as their special guest – Rabin and his band will play at 28 of the 31 Wishbone Ash shows through October & November.
Of this tour, Rabin says he is "extremely excited to be part of this adventure with such a legendary band.
I feel very honoured and can't wait to hit the road, hoping to be a great discovery for the UK audience!"
Although a selection of songs have already been made available on CD (Down Our Roads EP), Félix Rabin is planning to release his full-length debut album in 2019.
For further information, head to: https://www.felixrabin.com/
For ticket information please visit http://wishboneash.com/tourdates/
The 23 year old was inspired by musicians and bands such as Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Pink Floyd; Rabin’s style embodies those influences and blends them with a contemporary blues rock sound.
Having picked up his first guitar at 15 years old, Félix Rabin would later tour around France before playing several times at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, where he has lived since childhood.
Félix Rabin has since taken his music to other territories including the UK, where he received positive responses to what are, thus far, only a handful of appearances.
Those appearances are set to increase dramatically in number when Félix Rabin tours with Wishbone Ash as their special guest – Rabin and his band will play at 28 of the 31 Wishbone Ash shows through October & November.
Of this tour, Rabin says he is "extremely excited to be part of this adventure with such a legendary band.
I feel very honoured and can't wait to hit the road, hoping to be a great discovery for the UK audience!"
Although a selection of songs have already been made available on CD (Down Our Roads EP), Félix Rabin is planning to release his full-length debut album in 2019.
For further information, head to: https://www.felixrabin.com/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the back of the news for Joe Bonamassa’s highly anticipated new album Redemption (click here for FabricationsHQ's Feature review of the album), comes word that the noted blues rock musician will return to the Royal Albert Hall for three shows in April of 2019 (Wednesday 24th, Thursday 25th and Friday 26th).
Prior to the Royal Albert Hall run of dates Bonamassa will play a show in Glasgow at the SEC Armadillo on Monday 22nd April 2019.
A 48-hour ticket pre-sale for the Glasgow concert starts at www.planetrocktickets.co.uk from Wednesday 29th August.
Tickets go on general sale on Friday 31st August from www.jbonamassa.com/tour-dates and www.ticketmaster.co.uk.
Joe Bonamassa will also be in the UK this October for his three arena dates in support of Redemption.
Joe Bonamassa – October 2018 UK Arena dates
Book online : www.jbonamassa.com/tour-dates and www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Plymouth Pavilions - 11th October
Nottingham Motorpoint Arena - 12th October
Bournemouth International Centre - 13th October
Joe Bonamassa's thirteenth studio album Redemption is both a definitive album in the career of Bonamassa and a defining musical moment in the life of the acclaimed blues rock singer-guitarist; a twelve song collection, the new album reflects the re-birth that Bonamassa is currently going through.
"I’m going through some other stuff in my life I didn’t expect to be going through" explains the musician, adding that "it’s a rising, it’s contrition, it’s acceptance, it’s everything.
It’s painful, but knowing that there’s a rising coming."
You can pre-order the album (CD and Vinyl) here: https://www.mascotlabelgroup.com/joe-bonamassa
Prior to the Royal Albert Hall run of dates Bonamassa will play a show in Glasgow at the SEC Armadillo on Monday 22nd April 2019.
A 48-hour ticket pre-sale for the Glasgow concert starts at www.planetrocktickets.co.uk from Wednesday 29th August.
Tickets go on general sale on Friday 31st August from www.jbonamassa.com/tour-dates and www.ticketmaster.co.uk.
Joe Bonamassa will also be in the UK this October for his three arena dates in support of Redemption.
Joe Bonamassa – October 2018 UK Arena dates
Book online : www.jbonamassa.com/tour-dates and www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Plymouth Pavilions - 11th October
Nottingham Motorpoint Arena - 12th October
Bournemouth International Centre - 13th October
Joe Bonamassa's thirteenth studio album Redemption is both a definitive album in the career of Bonamassa and a defining musical moment in the life of the acclaimed blues rock singer-guitarist; a twelve song collection, the new album reflects the re-birth that Bonamassa is currently going through.
"I’m going through some other stuff in my life I didn’t expect to be going through" explains the musician, adding that "it’s a rising, it’s contrition, it’s acceptance, it’s everything.
It’s painful, but knowing that there’s a rising coming."
You can pre-order the album (CD and Vinyl) here: https://www.mascotlabelgroup.com/joe-bonamassa
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Martin Barre, best-known as guitarist in Jethro Tull (and the band’s longest serving member after Ian Anderson), will release his new solo album Roads Less Travelled on Garage Records on October 5th.
Martin Barre developed his own distinctive style within the framework of Jethro Tull and his instantly recognisable, original sound form the basis of Roads Less Travelled; the album features eleven original tracks by Barre, which reflect his esteemed, fifty year musical career.
Reflecting on the tracks and recording of the album, Martin Barre says "I’ve concentrated on improving my songwriting over the last few years and as a result, I am really pleased with this new CD.
Although my playing has a lot of space in the music, I’ve worked a lot harder on the arrangements and lyrics. My goal is to have a CD that keeps the listener from beginning to end. Roads Less Travelled reflects my belief in taking music somewhere new."
While all the songs showcase his exceptional electric guitar, acoustic guitar and mandolin playing, the Martin Barre Band also shine throughout Roads Less Travelled.
A long-time resident of Devon, Barre’s band features several talented, local musicians - Dan Crisp (vocals), Alan Thompson (bass / fretless bass), Darby Todd (drums), Becca Langsford (vocals / backing vocals),
Josiah J (Percussion / Hammond), Aaron Graham (drums), Alex Hart (vocals / backing vocals) Buster Cottam (stand-up bass).
Martin Barre – Roads Less Travelled. Released Friday October 5th.
Track listing:
1. Lone Wolf 2. Out of Time 3. On My Way 4. Roads Less Travelled 5. Badcore Blues 6. Seattle
7. For No Man 8. (This Is) My Driving Song 9. You Are An Angel 10. Trinity 11 And The Band Played On
Martin Barre was the guitarist for folk-rock/progressive band Jethro Tull from 1969 to 2012; his solo on the song 'Aqualung' has been repeatedly voted as one of the top guitar solos of all time.
For four decades, Barre’s career focused on Jethro Tull but in the 1990s Barre began to perform as a solo artist and has since released seven studio albums.
In addition to his Jethro Tull and solo work, the noted guitarist has worked live with many other artists including Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa and Chris Thompson.
Martin Barre has also been cited as an important influence by many virtuoso players including Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and the aforementioned Joe Bonamassa.
He can also count the likes of Mark Knopfler and Geddy Lee amongst his many fans.
For more information and upcoming shows: www.martinbarre.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Martin Barre developed his own distinctive style within the framework of Jethro Tull and his instantly recognisable, original sound form the basis of Roads Less Travelled; the album features eleven original tracks by Barre, which reflect his esteemed, fifty year musical career.
Reflecting on the tracks and recording of the album, Martin Barre says "I’ve concentrated on improving my songwriting over the last few years and as a result, I am really pleased with this new CD.
Although my playing has a lot of space in the music, I’ve worked a lot harder on the arrangements and lyrics. My goal is to have a CD that keeps the listener from beginning to end. Roads Less Travelled reflects my belief in taking music somewhere new."
While all the songs showcase his exceptional electric guitar, acoustic guitar and mandolin playing, the Martin Barre Band also shine throughout Roads Less Travelled.
A long-time resident of Devon, Barre’s band features several talented, local musicians - Dan Crisp (vocals), Alan Thompson (bass / fretless bass), Darby Todd (drums), Becca Langsford (vocals / backing vocals),
Josiah J (Percussion / Hammond), Aaron Graham (drums), Alex Hart (vocals / backing vocals) Buster Cottam (stand-up bass).
Martin Barre – Roads Less Travelled. Released Friday October 5th.
Track listing:
1. Lone Wolf 2. Out of Time 3. On My Way 4. Roads Less Travelled 5. Badcore Blues 6. Seattle
7. For No Man 8. (This Is) My Driving Song 9. You Are An Angel 10. Trinity 11 And The Band Played On
Martin Barre was the guitarist for folk-rock/progressive band Jethro Tull from 1969 to 2012; his solo on the song 'Aqualung' has been repeatedly voted as one of the top guitar solos of all time.
For four decades, Barre’s career focused on Jethro Tull but in the 1990s Barre began to perform as a solo artist and has since released seven studio albums.
In addition to his Jethro Tull and solo work, the noted guitarist has worked live with many other artists including Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa and Chris Thompson.
Martin Barre has also been cited as an important influence by many virtuoso players including Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and the aforementioned Joe Bonamassa.
He can also count the likes of Mark Knopfler and Geddy Lee amongst his many fans.
For more information and upcoming shows: www.martinbarre.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acoustic roots & Americana duo Martin Harley and Daniel Kimbro have announced a September 2018 UK tour in support of their acclaimed 2017 album Static in the Wires.
Martin Harley & Daniel Kimbro are a dynamic, transatlantic duo consisting of acoustic/ slide guitar (Harley), double bass (Kimbro) and delightful harmonies.
In March of this year the celebrated pair filled London’s Union Chapel in Islington, cementing their reputation in the UK’s burgeoning Americana scene (a DVD/ download of the concert will be available soon)...
Martin Harley & Daniel Kimbro are a dynamic, transatlantic duo consisting of acoustic/ slide guitar (Harley), double bass (Kimbro) and delightful harmonies.
In March of this year the celebrated pair filled London’s Union Chapel in Islington, cementing their reputation in the UK’s burgeoning Americana scene (a DVD/ download of the concert will be available soon)...
Martin Harley & Daniel Kimbro’s original recordings benefit from the pair’s continual pursuit in pushing the boundaries of blues, folk and American roots music.
Live, song improvisation and good-humoured banter are vital ingredients of their live shows, which have featured across a number of significant world stages including Glastonbury, The Royal Albert Hall, Grand Ole Opry, New Orleans Jazz Fest, The Blue Note and the Transatlantic Sessions.
Martin Harley grew up in South East London and was heavily influenced by the decades of blues music synonymous with the area. Total Guitar rated him at #16 in their best acoustic guitarists in the world 2017. Harley is a rambler, a story teller, and a highly original slide guitarist.
From an early age Daniel Kimbro performed in Appalachian and Bluegrass bands throughout East Tennessee before studying double bass at the local university. He’s a member of the Grammy-nominated Jerry Douglas band and recently toured with the Transatlantic Sessions.
Static in the Wires was recorded in Nashville and follows their 2015 debut Live at Southern Ground.
The album, voted 'Best Roots/ Acoustic Based Release of 2017' by FabricationsHQ, features 14-time Grammy winner Jerry Douglas along with Derek Mixon (Chris Stapleton) and Micah Hulscher (Alabama Shakes, Margo Price).
MARTIN HARLEY AND DANIEL KIMBRO - SEPTEMBER 2018 UK TOUR
Wed 19th – Hereford, Courtyard Theatre
Thu 20th - Selby, North Yorkshire, Selby Town Hall
Fri 21st – Guildford, Holy Trinity Church
Sat 22nd - Hornchurch, East London, Fairkytes Arts Centre
Sun 23rd - Looe, Cornwall, Looe Music Festival
Wed 26th – Southampton, The 1865
Sun 30th - Honiton, Devon, The Beehive
"…they have a similar sort of musical telepathy to that of the late John Martyn with the great Danny Thompson." - Blabber ‘n’ Smoke
"The songwriting, the guitar, the singing - are all masterful." -Blues Matters!
"…one of the best examples of acoustic based roots and blues music you’ll find this side of the Mississippi Delta" -FabricationsHQ
"Static in the Wires, an album that surprises and delights at every turn." -fRoots
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Live, song improvisation and good-humoured banter are vital ingredients of their live shows, which have featured across a number of significant world stages including Glastonbury, The Royal Albert Hall, Grand Ole Opry, New Orleans Jazz Fest, The Blue Note and the Transatlantic Sessions.
Martin Harley grew up in South East London and was heavily influenced by the decades of blues music synonymous with the area. Total Guitar rated him at #16 in their best acoustic guitarists in the world 2017. Harley is a rambler, a story teller, and a highly original slide guitarist.
From an early age Daniel Kimbro performed in Appalachian and Bluegrass bands throughout East Tennessee before studying double bass at the local university. He’s a member of the Grammy-nominated Jerry Douglas band and recently toured with the Transatlantic Sessions.
Static in the Wires was recorded in Nashville and follows their 2015 debut Live at Southern Ground.
The album, voted 'Best Roots/ Acoustic Based Release of 2017' by FabricationsHQ, features 14-time Grammy winner Jerry Douglas along with Derek Mixon (Chris Stapleton) and Micah Hulscher (Alabama Shakes, Margo Price).
MARTIN HARLEY AND DANIEL KIMBRO - SEPTEMBER 2018 UK TOUR
Wed 19th – Hereford, Courtyard Theatre
Thu 20th - Selby, North Yorkshire, Selby Town Hall
Fri 21st – Guildford, Holy Trinity Church
Sat 22nd - Hornchurch, East London, Fairkytes Arts Centre
Sun 23rd - Looe, Cornwall, Looe Music Festival
Wed 26th – Southampton, The 1865
Sun 30th - Honiton, Devon, The Beehive
"…they have a similar sort of musical telepathy to that of the late John Martyn with the great Danny Thompson." - Blabber ‘n’ Smoke
"The songwriting, the guitar, the singing - are all masterful." -Blues Matters!
"…one of the best examples of acoustic based roots and blues music you’ll find this side of the Mississippi Delta" -FabricationsHQ
"Static in the Wires, an album that surprises and delights at every turn." -fRoots
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"It's been a long time comin'..." indeed.
No Erasin' is the first track to be featured from Steve Perry's long-awaited would-it-ever-happen new solo album Traces.
A geared for radio airplay 'homecoming' of sorts (certainly lyrically) and typical of what would be expected, song structure wise, the album however promises to be lyrically emotional and musically eclectic, with themes of memories, closures and catharsis.
Vocally thinner now and that rasp is even thicker but I hope the naysayers and critics don't home in on that – I mean, what would you expect and/ or have of the guy?
Steve Perry has been pretty much retired for two decades and is 70 in a few months time but he still has that rich tone, those little trademark vowel/ note lifts and is more vocally soulful now than he ever was back in the day.
Doesn't seem like more than twenty years since his last major vocal hurrah but his true Trial By Fire, however, will come on October 5th when the album is released.
Nice to see/ hear you back, Steve – now excuse me, I'm off to start the now necessary update of the One in a Million ePaper...
No Erasin' is the first track to be featured from Steve Perry's long-awaited would-it-ever-happen new solo album Traces.
A geared for radio airplay 'homecoming' of sorts (certainly lyrically) and typical of what would be expected, song structure wise, the album however promises to be lyrically emotional and musically eclectic, with themes of memories, closures and catharsis.
Vocally thinner now and that rasp is even thicker but I hope the naysayers and critics don't home in on that – I mean, what would you expect and/ or have of the guy?
Steve Perry has been pretty much retired for two decades and is 70 in a few months time but he still has that rich tone, those little trademark vowel/ note lifts and is more vocally soulful now than he ever was back in the day.
Doesn't seem like more than twenty years since his last major vocal hurrah but his true Trial By Fire, however, will come on October 5th when the album is released.
Nice to see/ hear you back, Steve – now excuse me, I'm off to start the now necessary update of the One in a Million ePaper...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dan Reed Network have just released a brand new single, 'Fade To Light;' the song is lifted from their forthcoming new studio album Origins, which will be released on November 23rd.
The Music Video for 'Fade To Light' encapsulates the whole experience of recording Origins, as Dan Reed explains:
“The video for Fade To Light is taken from the inaugural live studio recording session at Blueprint Studios in Manchester and is the perfect microcosm for this entire process. What I think really translates throughout is how having an audience in the room fed the band with a unique energy that pushed us to expand our creative horizons. We’re thrilled with the results.”
While recording Origins DRN invited fans and members of the public to be a part of an exclusive series of recording sessions that spanned the globe (Blueprint Studios in Manchester, The Power Station in NYC, Nia Studios in Portland and Studio 4 in Stockholm); those sessions produced tracks that would eventually become part of the album Origins.
The concept allowed supporters of the band to intimately witness the whole process of recording a brand new song from scratch with the band individually tracking drums, bass, guitar, keyboards and vocals before inviting the audience to participate and provide backing vocals...
The Music Video for 'Fade To Light' encapsulates the whole experience of recording Origins, as Dan Reed explains:
“The video for Fade To Light is taken from the inaugural live studio recording session at Blueprint Studios in Manchester and is the perfect microcosm for this entire process. What I think really translates throughout is how having an audience in the room fed the band with a unique energy that pushed us to expand our creative horizons. We’re thrilled with the results.”
While recording Origins DRN invited fans and members of the public to be a part of an exclusive series of recording sessions that spanned the globe (Blueprint Studios in Manchester, The Power Station in NYC, Nia Studios in Portland and Studio 4 in Stockholm); those sessions produced tracks that would eventually become part of the album Origins.
The concept allowed supporters of the band to intimately witness the whole process of recording a brand new song from scratch with the band individually tracking drums, bass, guitar, keyboards and vocals before inviting the audience to participate and provide backing vocals...
Dan Reed Network will head out on their Origins tour of the UK in November.
Joining the Dan Reed Network on tour in November are two of the best up and coming British rock bands, Mason Hill and Hollowstar; their potential, and the burgeoning New Wave of British Rock scene, is something Dan Reed is well aware of: "There’s a whole new wave of energetic rock bands in the UK who are ready to explode. DRN are thoroughly looking forward to sharing the stage with these talented young bands and hopefully we can help be a small part of their rise to the top!"
Glasgow based contemporary hard rock-metal band Mason Hill, who have been making a serious name for themselves with a number of high-impact shows, are currently working on their debut album which will be released on Frontiers Records.
Hollowstar, the Cambridgeshire based contemporary rock outfit, caught some attention with latest single 'All I Gotta Say.' The high-energy number follows on from the success of last year’s Top 20 iTunes rock chart EP, Some Things Matter.
Dan Reed Network Origins November 2018 UK Tour
Special Guests : Mason Hill & Hollowstar
Tickets: www.danreed-network.com/tickets
Bilston, The Robin 2 - Wednesday 7 November
Newcastle, Riverside - Thursday 8 November
Inverness, Monsterfest, The Ironworks - Saturday 10 November
Glasgow, The Garage - Tuesday 13 November
Wakefield, Warehouse 23 - Wednesday 14 November
Pontypridd, Muni Arts Centre - Friday 16 November
Chester, The Live Rooms - Saturday 17 November
Bristol, The Fleece - Tuesday 18 November
Stoke, Eleven - Wednesday 21 November
Derby, The Venue - Thursday 22 November
London, 229 Venue – Album Launch Party - Friday 23 November
*London, The Landor – Exclusive Album Listening Party - Saturday 24 November (SOLD OUT)
Manchester, Club Academy - Sunday 25th November
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joining the Dan Reed Network on tour in November are two of the best up and coming British rock bands, Mason Hill and Hollowstar; their potential, and the burgeoning New Wave of British Rock scene, is something Dan Reed is well aware of: "There’s a whole new wave of energetic rock bands in the UK who are ready to explode. DRN are thoroughly looking forward to sharing the stage with these talented young bands and hopefully we can help be a small part of their rise to the top!"
Glasgow based contemporary hard rock-metal band Mason Hill, who have been making a serious name for themselves with a number of high-impact shows, are currently working on their debut album which will be released on Frontiers Records.
Hollowstar, the Cambridgeshire based contemporary rock outfit, caught some attention with latest single 'All I Gotta Say.' The high-energy number follows on from the success of last year’s Top 20 iTunes rock chart EP, Some Things Matter.
Dan Reed Network Origins November 2018 UK Tour
Special Guests : Mason Hill & Hollowstar
Tickets: www.danreed-network.com/tickets
Bilston, The Robin 2 - Wednesday 7 November
Newcastle, Riverside - Thursday 8 November
Inverness, Monsterfest, The Ironworks - Saturday 10 November
Glasgow, The Garage - Tuesday 13 November
Wakefield, Warehouse 23 - Wednesday 14 November
Pontypridd, Muni Arts Centre - Friday 16 November
Chester, The Live Rooms - Saturday 17 November
Bristol, The Fleece - Tuesday 18 November
Stoke, Eleven - Wednesday 21 November
Derby, The Venue - Thursday 22 November
London, 229 Venue – Album Launch Party - Friday 23 November
*London, The Landor – Exclusive Album Listening Party - Saturday 24 November (SOLD OUT)
Manchester, Club Academy - Sunday 25th November
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Norfolk based blues rockers Bad Touch have released a new single, 'Skyman.'
The song is a big beat, blues raucous and air punching nod to the high times and all-too-short life of Duane "Skydog" Allman of the Allman Brothers.
The song is a big beat, blues raucous and air punching nod to the high times and all-too-short life of Duane "Skydog" Allman of the Allman Brothers.
'Skyman' is lifted from the band’s forthcoming third album, Shake A Leg, released worldwide on Marshall Records on the 5th of October.
The new album, which will be available on CD, Gold vinyl and digital download, delivers in the southern affected blues rock vein of predecessors Half Way Home (2015) and Truth Be Told (2016) but with a bolder, bigger sound and more personal lyrical statements.
Anyone that has caught the band live of late will have caught a great taster of what’s in store via a number of new songs including the swaggering, southern-tinged slice of Bad Touch blues rock entitled 'Take Me Away.'
Other Shake A Leg numbers previewed live include the up-tempo rock ‘n’ good times roll number 'Lift Me Up' and 'I Belong,' which has become a fan favourite over the last year or so.
An emotive and highly effective song about place and home, 'I Belong' is a perfect example of the band's more personal approach to the lyrics on Shake A Leg, as lead guitarist Ron Glendinning confirms:
"We wanted to the album to embody songs that not only sounded fresh and exciting, but also communicated lyrics that meant something to us on a personal level that our fans could identify with."
Shake A Leg was recorded at Orange Tree Studios in Norfolk, produced and mixed by Andy Hodgson and mastered at Abbey Road Studios; it can be pre-ordered from the band’s Pledge Music page: www.pledgemusic.com/badtouch
Anyone pre-ordering the album will receive 'Skyman' as instant digital download grat track.
The album will be supported by a nationwide 18-date UK headline tour through October and November, with Special Guests Aaron Buchanan & The Cult Classics and Daxx & Roxanne.
Tickets: www.planetrocktickets.co.uk
Newcastle, University Union - Wednesday 17 October
Glasgow, The Cathouse - Thursday 18 October
Inverness, Ironworks - Friday 19 October
Edinburgh, Bannerman’s - Saturday 20 October
Manchester, Academy 3 - Wednesday 31 October
Derby, The Flowerpot - Thursday 1 November
Hull, The Welly - Friday 2 November
Sheffield, Corporation - Saturday 3 November
Leeds, The Wardrobe - Monday 5 November
Stockton-on-Tees, ARC - Tuesday 6 November
Stoke-On-Trent, Eleven - Thursday 8 November
Norwich, The Waterfront - Friday 9 November
London, ULU Live - Saturday 10 November
Southampton, The 1865 - Thursday 15 November
Bridgewater, Cobblestones - Friday 16 November
Saltash, Livewire - Saturday 17 November
Oxford, The Bullingdon - Sunday 18 November
Wolverhampton, The Robin 2 - Monday 19 November
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The new album, which will be available on CD, Gold vinyl and digital download, delivers in the southern affected blues rock vein of predecessors Half Way Home (2015) and Truth Be Told (2016) but with a bolder, bigger sound and more personal lyrical statements.
Anyone that has caught the band live of late will have caught a great taster of what’s in store via a number of new songs including the swaggering, southern-tinged slice of Bad Touch blues rock entitled 'Take Me Away.'
Other Shake A Leg numbers previewed live include the up-tempo rock ‘n’ good times roll number 'Lift Me Up' and 'I Belong,' which has become a fan favourite over the last year or so.
An emotive and highly effective song about place and home, 'I Belong' is a perfect example of the band's more personal approach to the lyrics on Shake A Leg, as lead guitarist Ron Glendinning confirms:
"We wanted to the album to embody songs that not only sounded fresh and exciting, but also communicated lyrics that meant something to us on a personal level that our fans could identify with."
Shake A Leg was recorded at Orange Tree Studios in Norfolk, produced and mixed by Andy Hodgson and mastered at Abbey Road Studios; it can be pre-ordered from the band’s Pledge Music page: www.pledgemusic.com/badtouch
Anyone pre-ordering the album will receive 'Skyman' as instant digital download grat track.
The album will be supported by a nationwide 18-date UK headline tour through October and November, with Special Guests Aaron Buchanan & The Cult Classics and Daxx & Roxanne.
Tickets: www.planetrocktickets.co.uk
Newcastle, University Union - Wednesday 17 October
Glasgow, The Cathouse - Thursday 18 October
Inverness, Ironworks - Friday 19 October
Edinburgh, Bannerman’s - Saturday 20 October
Manchester, Academy 3 - Wednesday 31 October
Derby, The Flowerpot - Thursday 1 November
Hull, The Welly - Friday 2 November
Sheffield, Corporation - Saturday 3 November
Leeds, The Wardrobe - Monday 5 November
Stockton-on-Tees, ARC - Tuesday 6 November
Stoke-On-Trent, Eleven - Thursday 8 November
Norwich, The Waterfront - Friday 9 November
London, ULU Live - Saturday 10 November
Southampton, The 1865 - Thursday 15 November
Bridgewater, Cobblestones - Friday 16 November
Saltash, Livewire - Saturday 17 November
Oxford, The Bullingdon - Sunday 18 November
Wolverhampton, The Robin 2 - Monday 19 November
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Photo by Alwyn R Coates
Blues rocking Scottish siblings Alan and Stevie Nimmo may be making musical waves via the celebrated and multi-award winning act King King and with the Stevie Nimmo Trio/ as solo artist (Sky Won’t Fall) respectively, but as the highly regarded Nimmo Brothers the guitar and vocal pair have been producing high-energy performances and delivering blues-rock solid albums for nigh on twenty years.
Or were, until the success of the aforementioned King King and the Stevie Nimmo Trio took touring and performing priority.
Good news indeed then that the Manhaton Records recording artists return to the stage as The Nimmo Bothers for an eleven date reunion tour across the UK this November.
Nov 2 – Glasgow, Oran Mor
https://www.ents24.com/glasgow-events/oran-mor/the-nimmo-brothers/5387709
Nov 4 – Aberdeen, Lemon Tree
https://www.ents24.com/aberdeen-events/the-lemon-tree/the-nimmo-brothers/1073903898
Nov 5 – Preston, Live Room @ The Guild Hall
https://prestonguildhall.co.uk/shows/the-nimmo-brothers-the-stumble/
Nov 6 – Darlington, The Forum
https://www.ticketweb.uk/event/the-nimmo-brothers-darlington-forum-music-centre-tickets/8624995
Nov 7 – Carlisle, Old Fire Station
https://www.oldfirestation.carlisle.city
Nov 8 – York, Fibbers
https://www.ents24.com/york-events/fibbers-moved/the-nimmo-brothers/5381537
Nov 10 - The Hammersmith Club, London
http://www.feenstra.co.uk
Nov 11 Derby, Flowerpot
https://www.ents24.com/derby-events/the-flowerpot/the-nimmo-brothers/5381445
Nov 12 Southampton, 1865 Club
https://www.ents24.com/southampton-events/the-1865/the-nimmo-brothers/5381505
Nov 13 Shoreham, Ropetackle Arts
https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk
Nov 14 Exeter, Barnfield Theatre
http://www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk/whats-on/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Or were, until the success of the aforementioned King King and the Stevie Nimmo Trio took touring and performing priority.
Good news indeed then that the Manhaton Records recording artists return to the stage as The Nimmo Bothers for an eleven date reunion tour across the UK this November.
Nov 2 – Glasgow, Oran Mor
https://www.ents24.com/glasgow-events/oran-mor/the-nimmo-brothers/5387709
Nov 4 – Aberdeen, Lemon Tree
https://www.ents24.com/aberdeen-events/the-lemon-tree/the-nimmo-brothers/1073903898
Nov 5 – Preston, Live Room @ The Guild Hall
https://prestonguildhall.co.uk/shows/the-nimmo-brothers-the-stumble/
Nov 6 – Darlington, The Forum
https://www.ticketweb.uk/event/the-nimmo-brothers-darlington-forum-music-centre-tickets/8624995
Nov 7 – Carlisle, Old Fire Station
https://www.oldfirestation.carlisle.city
Nov 8 – York, Fibbers
https://www.ents24.com/york-events/fibbers-moved/the-nimmo-brothers/5381537
Nov 10 - The Hammersmith Club, London
http://www.feenstra.co.uk
Nov 11 Derby, Flowerpot
https://www.ents24.com/derby-events/the-flowerpot/the-nimmo-brothers/5381445
Nov 12 Southampton, 1865 Club
https://www.ents24.com/southampton-events/the-1865/the-nimmo-brothers/5381505
Nov 13 Shoreham, Ropetackle Arts
https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk
Nov 14 Exeter, Barnfield Theatre
http://www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk/whats-on/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steve Hackett has announced the release of a 6CD & 2DVD box set entitled Broken Skies - Outspread Wings (1984-2006); the comprehensive and collectible set will be released on the 5th October via InsideOutMusic.
Following on from 2015’s box set Premonitions (1975-1983), this special art-book compiles the albums Till We Have Faces, Guitar Noir, Darktown, Feedback 86, To Watch The Storms and Wild Orchids, all newly remastered, alongside a host of bonus tracks.
In addition, two DVDs are included which feature several recent live rarities and 5.1 mixes of selected songs, as well as the Somewhere in South America DVD featuring a Steve Hackett set from Buenos Aires.
This package is completed by brand new artwork from Roger Dean, beautifully presented as a 60-page book with liner notes, rare photos, lyrics and more.
"I'm excited to announce the release of a special bumper retrospective 1984 - 2006 box set. This will include six remastered albums, several 5.1 surround sound tracks including a new version of the GTR track When the Heart Rules the Mind, three previously unreleased live videos and the whole of the DVD Somewhere in South America.
I'm incredibly proud of this collection which highlights a huge variety of styles and musical dreams in development over the course of more than twenty years."
-Steve Hackett
Steve Hackett and his band will also play eight special UK shows in October, accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra.
The decision to undertake this tour was cemented following the critical success of last year’s one-off US performance of the Genesis Revisited music with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Bradley Thachuk.
Additionally, such was the gusto and verve brought to the performance by the charismatic Bradley Thachuk that he will fly over to the UK to conduct the October shows.
The show will feature some of the best-loved songs from the Genesis catalogue (including 'Supper’s Ready,' 'Dancing with the Moonlit Knight' and 'Firth of Fifth') but Steve Hackett will not be neglecting his remarkable solo repertoire; a number of classic Hackett tracks will be included such as 'Shadow of the Hierophant,' 'El Niño' and 'The Steppes.'
A number of the shows have already sold out tickets for the remaining dates are available from https://myticket.co.uk/artists/steve-hackett and venue box offices.
1st October - Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
3rd October - Bridgewater Hall, Manchester SOLD OUT
4th October - Royal Festival Hall, London SOLD OUT
5th October - Symphony Hall, Birmingham SOLD OUT
7th October - The Sage, Gateshead
8th October - Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
10th October - Regent, Ipswich
11th October -Palladium, London
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following on from 2015’s box set Premonitions (1975-1983), this special art-book compiles the albums Till We Have Faces, Guitar Noir, Darktown, Feedback 86, To Watch The Storms and Wild Orchids, all newly remastered, alongside a host of bonus tracks.
In addition, two DVDs are included which feature several recent live rarities and 5.1 mixes of selected songs, as well as the Somewhere in South America DVD featuring a Steve Hackett set from Buenos Aires.
This package is completed by brand new artwork from Roger Dean, beautifully presented as a 60-page book with liner notes, rare photos, lyrics and more.
"I'm excited to announce the release of a special bumper retrospective 1984 - 2006 box set. This will include six remastered albums, several 5.1 surround sound tracks including a new version of the GTR track When the Heart Rules the Mind, three previously unreleased live videos and the whole of the DVD Somewhere in South America.
I'm incredibly proud of this collection which highlights a huge variety of styles and musical dreams in development over the course of more than twenty years."
-Steve Hackett
Steve Hackett and his band will also play eight special UK shows in October, accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra.
The decision to undertake this tour was cemented following the critical success of last year’s one-off US performance of the Genesis Revisited music with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Bradley Thachuk.
Additionally, such was the gusto and verve brought to the performance by the charismatic Bradley Thachuk that he will fly over to the UK to conduct the October shows.
The show will feature some of the best-loved songs from the Genesis catalogue (including 'Supper’s Ready,' 'Dancing with the Moonlit Knight' and 'Firth of Fifth') but Steve Hackett will not be neglecting his remarkable solo repertoire; a number of classic Hackett tracks will be included such as 'Shadow of the Hierophant,' 'El Niño' and 'The Steppes.'
A number of the shows have already sold out tickets for the remaining dates are available from https://myticket.co.uk/artists/steve-hackett and venue box offices.
1st October - Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
3rd October - Bridgewater Hall, Manchester SOLD OUT
4th October - Royal Festival Hall, London SOLD OUT
5th October - Symphony Hall, Birmingham SOLD OUT
7th October - The Sage, Gateshead
8th October - Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
10th October - Regent, Ipswich
11th October -Palladium, London
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ex Magnum keyboardist Mark Stanway, an integral part of that melodically progressive band’s sound through their classic era and later highly successful reunion in 2001 and on through a number of critically acclaimed albums until his departure in 2016, has put together a new live band for a celebration of Magnum’s highly regarded back catalogue circa 1978-1994.
Kingdom of Madness, named after Magnum’s debut album and its now classic title track, features Magnum alumni Mark Stanway, Micky Barker and original member Richard Bailey along with Laurence Archer, Neil Murray, Chris Ousey and Mo Birch.
Both Archer and Birch made contributions to Magnum while Neil Murray needs no introduction to rock and blues rock fans. Murray also plays alongside singer Chris Ousey (also of Heartland) in blues rock supergroup Snakecharmer.
Outside of the Magnum material, a number of Grand Slam songs will also be performed; the sadly short-lived band formed and fronted by Phil Lynott in 1984-1985 featured Mark Stanway and Laurence Archer.
Kingdom of Madness
Mark Stanway – keyboards
(Magnum 1980-2016)
Micky Barker - drums
(Magnum 1985-2005)
Laurence Archer – guitars
(Magnum 1984, Grand Slam, Stampede)
Chris Ousey – vocals
(Snakecharmer, Heartland)
Richard Bailey - keyboards / flute (Magnum 1975-80)
Mo Birch - backing vocals / percussion (Magnum, Go West, UB40)
Neil Murray – bass
(Whitesnake, Snakecharmer)
One of the UK’s finest exponents of melodic rock music, Magnum achieved high album and singles chart positions in both the UK and Europe and gained a reputation as one of the hardest-working bands on the touring circuit.
Highlights of the band’s career include regular sold-out theatre tours, including a memorable five nights at London’s legendary Hammersmith Odeon in 1988 together with headline appearances at Birmingham NEC and Wembley Arena.
"There is an extensive catalogue of great songs from the classic years of Magnum which have not been performed on stage in many years and which audiences have constantly requested.
Having said that, I should state that we by no means consider ourselves a Magnum "tribute" – how can it be when five of the members have a shared legacy with the band?
I’m delighted to be working with Richard, Micky, Laurence and Mo again and in Neil and Chris we have two musicians with their own distinct history who will obviously bring their personal musical identity to the project.
In addition, with our focus being firmly on the music from the earlier period, we do not perceive ourselves as being in "competition" with the current Magnum.
There is more than enough music to keep both bands busy - a fitting testament to the song-writing of Tony Clarkin. I’m truly looking forward to performing classic Magnum music with such a prestigious line-up."
- Mark Stanway
Confirmed dates:
Sheffield – Corporation, December 15th
Wolverhampton - Newhampton Arts Centre, December 21st
Swindon - Level III, December 22nd
Rock & Blues Festival, Skegness - January 20th 2019
Giants of Rock festival, Minehead - January 26th 2019
York - Fibbers, March 2nd 2019
http://www.kingdomofmadness.co.uk
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kingdom of Madness, named after Magnum’s debut album and its now classic title track, features Magnum alumni Mark Stanway, Micky Barker and original member Richard Bailey along with Laurence Archer, Neil Murray, Chris Ousey and Mo Birch.
Both Archer and Birch made contributions to Magnum while Neil Murray needs no introduction to rock and blues rock fans. Murray also plays alongside singer Chris Ousey (also of Heartland) in blues rock supergroup Snakecharmer.
Outside of the Magnum material, a number of Grand Slam songs will also be performed; the sadly short-lived band formed and fronted by Phil Lynott in 1984-1985 featured Mark Stanway and Laurence Archer.
Kingdom of Madness
Mark Stanway – keyboards
(Magnum 1980-2016)
Micky Barker - drums
(Magnum 1985-2005)
Laurence Archer – guitars
(Magnum 1984, Grand Slam, Stampede)
Chris Ousey – vocals
(Snakecharmer, Heartland)
Richard Bailey - keyboards / flute (Magnum 1975-80)
Mo Birch - backing vocals / percussion (Magnum, Go West, UB40)
Neil Murray – bass
(Whitesnake, Snakecharmer)
One of the UK’s finest exponents of melodic rock music, Magnum achieved high album and singles chart positions in both the UK and Europe and gained a reputation as one of the hardest-working bands on the touring circuit.
Highlights of the band’s career include regular sold-out theatre tours, including a memorable five nights at London’s legendary Hammersmith Odeon in 1988 together with headline appearances at Birmingham NEC and Wembley Arena.
"There is an extensive catalogue of great songs from the classic years of Magnum which have not been performed on stage in many years and which audiences have constantly requested.
Having said that, I should state that we by no means consider ourselves a Magnum "tribute" – how can it be when five of the members have a shared legacy with the band?
I’m delighted to be working with Richard, Micky, Laurence and Mo again and in Neil and Chris we have two musicians with their own distinct history who will obviously bring their personal musical identity to the project.
In addition, with our focus being firmly on the music from the earlier period, we do not perceive ourselves as being in "competition" with the current Magnum.
There is more than enough music to keep both bands busy - a fitting testament to the song-writing of Tony Clarkin. I’m truly looking forward to performing classic Magnum music with such a prestigious line-up."
- Mark Stanway
Confirmed dates:
Sheffield – Corporation, December 15th
Wolverhampton - Newhampton Arts Centre, December 21st
Swindon - Level III, December 22nd
Rock & Blues Festival, Skegness - January 20th 2019
Giants of Rock festival, Minehead - January 26th 2019
York - Fibbers, March 2nd 2019
http://www.kingdomofmadness.co.uk
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Early days for The Chosen Few (labelled as "New Blues & Rock from Cornwall") but this is as tasty as the pasties they seemingly demolished during the one-day session...
"Back in April We got together to do a bit of recording. We just had the one day – we were using a large canteen building, and a cobbled together set of microphones, but had the talents of Ramsey Racekite at the mixing desk and keyboards.
On vocals we have Bill Smith of The Salt Flat Rats, Archie Fugill on guitar and Alan Williams on drums.
A good day all round (we took a break for pasties, thank you Archie Fugill) and then back to it... a lot of fun to do!" - Tim Chapple, July 2018.
The Chosen Few – The Pasty Sessions – recorded in Cornwall, April 2018
Archie Fugill - Guitar; Bill Smith - Vocals; Alan Williams - Drums
Tim Chapple - Bass; Ramsey Racekite - Keyboards
1. Sent By Angels (Arc Angels); 2. Feeding Time (The Hoax); 3. Living In A Dream (Arc Angels); 4. Full Time Lover (Fabulous Thunderbirds); 5. White Room (Cream)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On vocals we have Bill Smith of The Salt Flat Rats, Archie Fugill on guitar and Alan Williams on drums.
A good day all round (we took a break for pasties, thank you Archie Fugill) and then back to it... a lot of fun to do!" - Tim Chapple, July 2018.
The Chosen Few – The Pasty Sessions – recorded in Cornwall, April 2018
Archie Fugill - Guitar; Bill Smith - Vocals; Alan Williams - Drums
Tim Chapple - Bass; Ramsey Racekite - Keyboards
1. Sent By Angels (Arc Angels); 2. Feeding Time (The Hoax); 3. Living In A Dream (Arc Angels); 4. Full Time Lover (Fabulous Thunderbirds); 5. White Room (Cream)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Germany’s hottest young rock band The New Roses embark on an 11-date UK Headline Tour in November and December, presented by Shock City Productions in association with Brainstorm Music Marketing AG.
Special guests on the tour are British hard rock band Departed, except for the shows in Carlisle (Heartbreak Remedy), Newcastle (Saints Of Arcadia) Southampton (Voodoo Vegas) and The Brink.
The band, whose song 'Without a Trace' (the title track of their 2013 debut) was featured on the soundtrack of the US cult series Sons Of Anarchy, made their breakthrough when their 2017 album One More For The Road became a Top 20 success on the German Album Charts.
The album also received rave reviews from the British media, Powerplay Magazine stating that One More For The Road was "an album for any self-respecting hard rock fan."
Special guests on the tour are British hard rock band Departed, except for the shows in Carlisle (Heartbreak Remedy), Newcastle (Saints Of Arcadia) Southampton (Voodoo Vegas) and The Brink.
The band, whose song 'Without a Trace' (the title track of their 2013 debut) was featured on the soundtrack of the US cult series Sons Of Anarchy, made their breakthrough when their 2017 album One More For The Road became a Top 20 success on the German Album Charts.
The album also received rave reviews from the British media, Powerplay Magazine stating that One More For The Road was "an album for any self-respecting hard rock fan."
Just before hitting the road in the UK The New Roses will hit the high seas as the only European act to be featured on the KISS KRUISE VIII, from 31st October to 5th November, from Miami to Nassau to Key West.
This year the band have already toured Germany and France, were special guests on The Dead Daisies European tour and will play more than thirty festivals this summer including Sweden Rock, Open Road Fest, Matapaloz, Rock Of Ages and Rock Hard Festival.
THE NEW ROSES – ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 UK HEADLINE TOUR
With Special Guests Departed except at *(Heartbreak Remedy), **(Saints Of Arcadia), ^(Voodoo Vegas)
Tickets: www.thenewroses.com/tour
*The Brickyard, Carlisle - Wednesday 21st November
Yardbird Rock, Grimsby - Thursday 22nd November
Winter Storm, Troon - Friday 23rd November
Corporation, Sheffield - Saturday 24th November
**Trillians, Newcastle - Sunday 25th November
The Louisiana, Bristol - Tuesday 27th November
^The 1865, Southampton - Wednesday 28th November
The Underworld Camden, London - Thursday 29th November
Rebellion, Manchester - Friday 30th November
Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff - Saturday 1st December
The Robin 2, Bilston - Sunday 2nd December
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This year the band have already toured Germany and France, were special guests on The Dead Daisies European tour and will play more than thirty festivals this summer including Sweden Rock, Open Road Fest, Matapaloz, Rock Of Ages and Rock Hard Festival.
THE NEW ROSES – ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 UK HEADLINE TOUR
With Special Guests Departed except at *(Heartbreak Remedy), **(Saints Of Arcadia), ^(Voodoo Vegas)
Tickets: www.thenewroses.com/tour
*The Brickyard, Carlisle - Wednesday 21st November
Yardbird Rock, Grimsby - Thursday 22nd November
Winter Storm, Troon - Friday 23rd November
Corporation, Sheffield - Saturday 24th November
**Trillians, Newcastle - Sunday 25th November
The Louisiana, Bristol - Tuesday 27th November
^The 1865, Southampton - Wednesday 28th November
The Underworld Camden, London - Thursday 29th November
Rebellion, Manchester - Friday 30th November
Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff - Saturday 1st December
The Robin 2, Bilston - Sunday 2nd December
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Cream was a chemical explosion like no other" reads part of the text on the promo video for The Music of Cream 50th Anniversary Tour.
If the original was a chemical explosion The Music of Cream, who celebrate and perform Cream’s timeless and truly classic material, is rooted in the DNA and familial ties that link directly to Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton.
The Music of Cream touring band, hugely successful on their inaugural visits to Australia and New Zealand in 2017, feature Malcolm Bruce, son of Jack Bruce, on bass and vocals, Ginger Baker’s son Kofi Baker on drums and guitarist & vocalist Will Johns, son of noted Rolling Stones engineer and producer, the late Andy Johns.
To complete the family circle, Will Johns is also the nephew through marriage of Eric Clapton.
The Music of Cream 50th Anniversary tour will play the UK for the first time this November; the shows will feature all of Cream’s seminal songs while the band is accompanied by a giant screen showing archive footage of Cream plus rare family snaps of Malcolm Bruce and Kofi Baker with their fathers.
The results are a true multi-media concert and a fitting tribute to one of the most successful and greatest ever power-trios.
If the original was a chemical explosion The Music of Cream, who celebrate and perform Cream’s timeless and truly classic material, is rooted in the DNA and familial ties that link directly to Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton.
The Music of Cream touring band, hugely successful on their inaugural visits to Australia and New Zealand in 2017, feature Malcolm Bruce, son of Jack Bruce, on bass and vocals, Ginger Baker’s son Kofi Baker on drums and guitarist & vocalist Will Johns, son of noted Rolling Stones engineer and producer, the late Andy Johns.
To complete the family circle, Will Johns is also the nephew through marriage of Eric Clapton.
The Music of Cream 50th Anniversary tour will play the UK for the first time this November; the shows will feature all of Cream’s seminal songs while the band is accompanied by a giant screen showing archive footage of Cream plus rare family snaps of Malcolm Bruce and Kofi Baker with their fathers.
The results are a true multi-media concert and a fitting tribute to one of the most successful and greatest ever power-trios.
Roger Brooks Photography
In a recent interview for The Sunday Post with Scottish music journalist and DJ Billy Sloan, Malcolm Bruce stated that "We honour the music in the right way.
We’re not just apeing it, we’re improvising on what already exists. We’re also integrating some home video footage of my dad, Eric and Ginger playing together – and Tony Palmer has given us permission to use shots from his movie.
There will be times you will see Cream on the big screens and we’re playing along with them.”
You can read the full interview by clicking here
The four-date UK tour starts at the Glasgow O2 Academy on Friday 23rd November; the UK dates also celebrate fifty years since Cream’s farewell UK concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London on November 26th, 1968.
The Music of Cream 50th Anniversary World Tour.
UK Dates:
Glasgow, O2 Academy - Friday 23rd November
Leamington Spa, Assembly - Saturday 24th November
London, O2 Forum - Sunday 25th November
Manchester, Ritz - Monday 26th November
Book Tickets at www.themjrgroup.com/moc50th/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We’re not just apeing it, we’re improvising on what already exists. We’re also integrating some home video footage of my dad, Eric and Ginger playing together – and Tony Palmer has given us permission to use shots from his movie.
There will be times you will see Cream on the big screens and we’re playing along with them.”
You can read the full interview by clicking here
The four-date UK tour starts at the Glasgow O2 Academy on Friday 23rd November; the UK dates also celebrate fifty years since Cream’s farewell UK concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London on November 26th, 1968.
The Music of Cream 50th Anniversary World Tour.
UK Dates:
Glasgow, O2 Academy - Friday 23rd November
Leamington Spa, Assembly - Saturday 24th November
London, O2 Forum - Sunday 25th November
Manchester, Ritz - Monday 26th November
Book Tickets at www.themjrgroup.com/moc50th/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Martin Turner and his band return to touring duty this autumn to perform another classic Wishbone Ash album from the "Vintage Years" in both a celebration of the band’s iconic and critically acclaimed 1970 self-titled debut and the recently released Deluxe Limited Edition 30CD retrospective box-set.
The upcoming tour follows on from the successful 2017 and spring 2018 excursions in which Turner and band performed Wishbone Ash’s seminal 1972 album Argus, and 1974’s There’s the Rub, respectively.
The current success being enjoyed by Martin Turner includes the recent release of the 2CD/DVD set via Cherry Red Records, The Beauty of Chaos : Live at the Citadel.
The live album was recorded on the Written in the Stars Tour (promoting Turner’s 2015 solo album) and features the current line-up of the band, Martin Turner (vocals, bass), Danny Willson (guitars, vocals), Misha Nikolic (guitars) and Tim Brown (drums, vocals).
Earlier this year Wishbone Ash released a Limited Edition, Deluxe 30CD career retrospective box-set entitled The Vintage Years (1970-1991).
Including all the studios albums over that period, a collection of live recordings and loaded with rarities, memorabilia, new interview and lavish 156-page hardback book, a third of the collection features previously unheard & unreleased material.
Released in December 1970, the Wishbone Ash debut album contained an eclectic mix of progressive rock, hard-rock, blues, jazz and folk influences, with the band’s pioneering twin guitar harmonies showcased throughout.
Unlike many groups who develop an identifiable style across the course of several albums, the still youthful band set the distinct and memorable Wishbone Ash blueprint with their very first offering.
Featuring perennial stage favourites such as 'Blind Eye,' 'Lady Whiskey' and album closing tour-de-force, 'Phoenix,' Wishbone Ash received rave reviews from the music media with legendary broadcaster John Peel proclaiming "I haven't been so impressed with a relatively new band for a long time. Their music is original, exciting and beautifully played."
Five decades on the album remains a firm favourite with fans of the band and the classic rock genre.
Further vintage album tours from Martin Turner and his band are likely in the future (including New England, confirmed for spring 2019); a chance to experience these much-loved works performed live, and in full.
Martin Turner plays the music of Wishbone Ash.
UK Tour Dates:
September
Thurs 13th - Chislehurst, Beaverwood Club
Fri 14th - Worthing Pier, Southern Pavilion,
Sat 15th - Maidenhead, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts
Fri 21st - Buckley, Tivoli
Sat 22nd - St. Helens, Citadel Arts Center
Sat 29th - Deal, The Astor
Sun 30th - Colchester, Arts Centre
October
Fri 5th - London, Boom Boom Club @ Sutton FC
Sat 6th - Pocklington, Arts Centre
Sun 7th - Sutton in Ashfield, The Diamond
Sun 21st - Cardiff, The Globe
Thurs 25th - Bilston, Robin 2
Fri 26th - Darlington, The Forum Music Centre
Sat 27th - Rotherham, Cutlers Arms
For tickets go to: https://www.martinturnermusic.com/concerts
www.martinturnermusic.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The upcoming tour follows on from the successful 2017 and spring 2018 excursions in which Turner and band performed Wishbone Ash’s seminal 1972 album Argus, and 1974’s There’s the Rub, respectively.
The current success being enjoyed by Martin Turner includes the recent release of the 2CD/DVD set via Cherry Red Records, The Beauty of Chaos : Live at the Citadel.
The live album was recorded on the Written in the Stars Tour (promoting Turner’s 2015 solo album) and features the current line-up of the band, Martin Turner (vocals, bass), Danny Willson (guitars, vocals), Misha Nikolic (guitars) and Tim Brown (drums, vocals).
Earlier this year Wishbone Ash released a Limited Edition, Deluxe 30CD career retrospective box-set entitled The Vintage Years (1970-1991).
Including all the studios albums over that period, a collection of live recordings and loaded with rarities, memorabilia, new interview and lavish 156-page hardback book, a third of the collection features previously unheard & unreleased material.
Released in December 1970, the Wishbone Ash debut album contained an eclectic mix of progressive rock, hard-rock, blues, jazz and folk influences, with the band’s pioneering twin guitar harmonies showcased throughout.
Unlike many groups who develop an identifiable style across the course of several albums, the still youthful band set the distinct and memorable Wishbone Ash blueprint with their very first offering.
Featuring perennial stage favourites such as 'Blind Eye,' 'Lady Whiskey' and album closing tour-de-force, 'Phoenix,' Wishbone Ash received rave reviews from the music media with legendary broadcaster John Peel proclaiming "I haven't been so impressed with a relatively new band for a long time. Their music is original, exciting and beautifully played."
Five decades on the album remains a firm favourite with fans of the band and the classic rock genre.
Further vintage album tours from Martin Turner and his band are likely in the future (including New England, confirmed for spring 2019); a chance to experience these much-loved works performed live, and in full.
Martin Turner plays the music of Wishbone Ash.
UK Tour Dates:
September
Thurs 13th - Chislehurst, Beaverwood Club
Fri 14th - Worthing Pier, Southern Pavilion,
Sat 15th - Maidenhead, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts
Fri 21st - Buckley, Tivoli
Sat 22nd - St. Helens, Citadel Arts Center
Sat 29th - Deal, The Astor
Sun 30th - Colchester, Arts Centre
October
Fri 5th - London, Boom Boom Club @ Sutton FC
Sat 6th - Pocklington, Arts Centre
Sun 7th - Sutton in Ashfield, The Diamond
Sun 21st - Cardiff, The Globe
Thurs 25th - Bilston, Robin 2
Fri 26th - Darlington, The Forum Music Centre
Sat 27th - Rotherham, Cutlers Arms
For tickets go to: https://www.martinturnermusic.com/concerts
www.martinturnermusic.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fresh off his G3 European and UK tour with Joe Satriani and John Petrucci, former Scorpions guitarist Uli Jon Roth, widely regarded as one of the great rock guitar players, will celebrate his upcoming 50th Anniversary as a performer (he played his first ever show in December 1968 at the age of 13) with six very special UK concerts.
The two hour-plus show will consist of selected highlights from Uli Jon Roth’s entire musical career, including revisiting his Scorpions days, as was done in such fine fashion with the Scorpions Revisited 2CD set in 2015 and the Tokyo Tapes Revisited - Live in Tokyo 2015 DVD/Blu-Ray, released in 2016.
The 50th Anniversary shows will naturally include the best of that timeless material, including 'The Sails of Charon,' 'In Trance' and 'Fly to the Rainbow,' among others.
ULI JON ROTH – 50TH ANNIVERSARY UK TOUR
Tickets: www.seetickets.com, stables.org, www.ulijonroth.com/tourdates
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The two hour-plus show will consist of selected highlights from Uli Jon Roth’s entire musical career, including revisiting his Scorpions days, as was done in such fine fashion with the Scorpions Revisited 2CD set in 2015 and the Tokyo Tapes Revisited - Live in Tokyo 2015 DVD/Blu-Ray, released in 2016.
The 50th Anniversary shows will naturally include the best of that timeless material, including 'The Sails of Charon,' 'In Trance' and 'Fly to the Rainbow,' among others.
ULI JON ROTH – 50TH ANNIVERSARY UK TOUR
Tickets: www.seetickets.com, stables.org, www.ulijonroth.com/tourdates
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DBA (Downes Braide Association) have announced their debut live performance at Trading Boundaries (voted #2 venue on Prog Magazine’s 2017 poll, after the Royal Albert Hall) in East Sussex, on Friday 28th of September.
For the performance Geoff Downes and Chris Braide will be joined by bassist Andy Hodge, who worked with the duo on their recent album Skyscraper Souls (which was a a Feature Review album on FabricationsHQ).
Other guests are expected to be announced shortly.
DBA is a labour of love for both Geoff Downes and Chris Braide and a unique combination of musical influences that has delivered high-quality progressive pop.
Together the pair have produced three critically acclaimed albums with Skyscraper Souls being their most ambitious yet – it features the talents not only of the principals but a number of guest singers and musicians including Marc Almond, Kate Pierson (B-52s), Andy Partridge (XTC), Ash Soan (The Voice) and David Longdon (Big Big Train).
"Working with Geoff on the Skyscraper Souls album and its two predecessors has reacquainted me with the kind of music I love. Epic and euphoric. To be able to make music like this with my dear friend is a real pleasure and reminds me why I got into music in the first place. I’m looking forward to opening up the songs in a live setting." - Chris Braide
For the performance Geoff Downes and Chris Braide will be joined by bassist Andy Hodge, who worked with the duo on their recent album Skyscraper Souls (which was a a Feature Review album on FabricationsHQ).
Other guests are expected to be announced shortly.
DBA is a labour of love for both Geoff Downes and Chris Braide and a unique combination of musical influences that has delivered high-quality progressive pop.
Together the pair have produced three critically acclaimed albums with Skyscraper Souls being their most ambitious yet – it features the talents not only of the principals but a number of guest singers and musicians including Marc Almond, Kate Pierson (B-52s), Andy Partridge (XTC), Ash Soan (The Voice) and David Longdon (Big Big Train).
"Working with Geoff on the Skyscraper Souls album and its two predecessors has reacquainted me with the kind of music I love. Epic and euphoric. To be able to make music like this with my dear friend is a real pleasure and reminds me why I got into music in the first place. I’m looking forward to opening up the songs in a live setting." - Chris Braide
"It’s been both a revelation and inspiration for me, working with Chris on our DBA project together, and long may it continue. He is extremely gifted, both as a writer and producer, and I am very proud of our collaboration. We immediately hit it off when we first met some eight years ago, and since then, have gently nurtured our way through three studio albums. Now, taking this onto the live stage is going to be a real thrill for both of us." - Geoff Downes
Roger Dean created the cover artwork for Skyscraper Souls; the original painting will be on display on the night.
Sponsored by Prog magazine, this rare live show is going to be a very special evening of music from DBA and their special guests, in the candlelit, atmospheric surroundings of Trading Boundaries, a shop, café, music venue and gallery situated within in a Georgian manor house with beautiful surroundings.
DBA at Trading Boundaries - Friday 28 September 2018
Tickets: £55 with dining, £25 standing
Box office: 01825 790200 www.tradingboundariesmusic.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roger Dean created the cover artwork for Skyscraper Souls; the original painting will be on display on the night.
Sponsored by Prog magazine, this rare live show is going to be a very special evening of music from DBA and their special guests, in the candlelit, atmospheric surroundings of Trading Boundaries, a shop, café, music venue and gallery situated within in a Georgian manor house with beautiful surroundings.
DBA at Trading Boundaries - Friday 28 September 2018
Tickets: £55 with dining, £25 standing
Box office: 01825 790200 www.tradingboundariesmusic.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In celebration of their 50th Anniversary Nazareth will release a new album, Tattooed On My Brain, on Frontiers Music sol on October 12th.
The album is the first to feature singer Carl Sentence (ex Persian Risk, Don Airy) who joined the band in 2015. It’s also Nazareth's first studio album since 2014’s Rock 'N' Roll Telephone, which was the last to feature original singer Dan McCafferty, who retired from the band for health reasons.
You can pre-order Tattooed On My Brain, which will be available on CD, vinyl and digital, here:
http://radi.al/TattooedOnMyBrain
An exclusive 2xLP Red Splatter Colour Vinyl edition is available direct from the Frontiers EU webstore: https://bit.ly/2NXo4Sp
The first track to be released from the album, 'Pole to Pole,' is also available as an instant download with all digital pre-orders.|
Remaining founding member, bassist Pete Agnew, says of the new album:
"What I know and expect is that this record, because of our new line up, will come under the highest scrutiny of any record in Nazareth’s history and after that, hopefully be judged as one of the best of Nazareth’s career.
While there is always going to be hints of the classic Nazareth sound on our albums, what is fresh, and inspired the new songs and new approach, is the fact that we have a new singer, Carl Sentance.
There is nothing that changes a band’s approach so definitively as the sound, style and performance of a new frontman; it also influences the way the other guys write songs because mostly when you write a song for the band you have in mind whether it will suit your singer’s style and how he’ll sound singing it.
And of course, with Carl we have not only a new singer but a great new songwriter as well, so the whole project was always going to be fresher than a new laid egg. Tastes fantastic, by the way!"
The album is the first to feature singer Carl Sentence (ex Persian Risk, Don Airy) who joined the band in 2015. It’s also Nazareth's first studio album since 2014’s Rock 'N' Roll Telephone, which was the last to feature original singer Dan McCafferty, who retired from the band for health reasons.
You can pre-order Tattooed On My Brain, which will be available on CD, vinyl and digital, here:
http://radi.al/TattooedOnMyBrain
An exclusive 2xLP Red Splatter Colour Vinyl edition is available direct from the Frontiers EU webstore: https://bit.ly/2NXo4Sp
The first track to be released from the album, 'Pole to Pole,' is also available as an instant download with all digital pre-orders.|
Remaining founding member, bassist Pete Agnew, says of the new album:
"What I know and expect is that this record, because of our new line up, will come under the highest scrutiny of any record in Nazareth’s history and after that, hopefully be judged as one of the best of Nazareth’s career.
While there is always going to be hints of the classic Nazareth sound on our albums, what is fresh, and inspired the new songs and new approach, is the fact that we have a new singer, Carl Sentance.
There is nothing that changes a band’s approach so definitively as the sound, style and performance of a new frontman; it also influences the way the other guys write songs because mostly when you write a song for the band you have in mind whether it will suit your singer’s style and how he’ll sound singing it.
And of course, with Carl we have not only a new singer but a great new songwriter as well, so the whole project was always going to be fresher than a new laid egg. Tastes fantastic, by the way!"
Nazareth formed in Dunfermline, Scotland in 1968, releasing their eponymous debut album in 1971.
The band broke through to a larger audience when, after supporting Deep Purple on tour, they released the Roger Glover-produced Razamanaz album in 1973.
A string of hit albums including Loud 'N Proud, Rampant and their biggest success Hair of the Dog, plus a host of hit singles including worldwide success with 'Love Hurts,' helped cement the band's legacy in the history of hard rock.
Nazareth – Tattooed On My Brain. Released on Frontiers Records 12th October
Track listing:
Never Dance With The Devil; Tattooed On My Brain; State Of Emergency; Rubik’s Romance; Pole To Pole; Push; The Secret Is Out; Don’t Throw Your Love Away; Crazy Molly; Silent Symphony; What Goes Around; Change; You Call Me
Pete Agnew - Bass, backing vocals; Carl Sentance - Lead vocals
Jimmy Murrison - Guitars; Lee Agnew - Drums
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The band broke through to a larger audience when, after supporting Deep Purple on tour, they released the Roger Glover-produced Razamanaz album in 1973.
A string of hit albums including Loud 'N Proud, Rampant and their biggest success Hair of the Dog, plus a host of hit singles including worldwide success with 'Love Hurts,' helped cement the band's legacy in the history of hard rock.
Nazareth – Tattooed On My Brain. Released on Frontiers Records 12th October
Track listing:
Never Dance With The Devil; Tattooed On My Brain; State Of Emergency; Rubik’s Romance; Pole To Pole; Push; The Secret Is Out; Don’t Throw Your Love Away; Crazy Molly; Silent Symphony; What Goes Around; Change; You Call Me
Pete Agnew - Bass, backing vocals; Carl Sentance - Lead vocals
Jimmy Murrison - Guitars; Lee Agnew - Drums
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swedish melodic rockers Snakes In Paradise will make a welcome comeback/ return on September 14th when they release Step Into The Light on Frontiers Records.
Snakes In Paradise came to the attention of melodic rock fans in 1993 when they acted as the back-up band for Mark Free. The band then introduced themselves formally with a debut album of original material in 1994. The album mixed British hard rock with American AOR fronted Stefan Berggren’s strong and soulful blues rock voice.
The band’s second album, Garden of Eden, followed in 1999 and was inspired by Whitesnake and that band’s most popular and well-known material; following the release of Dangerous Love in 2002 the band called it a day.
Stefan Berggren went on to work with Company of Snakes (formed by classic Whitesnake alumni Bernie Marsden, Micky Moody, and Neil Murray) before recording an album with Lee Kerslake (ex-Uriah Heep, Ozzy Osbourne); he then worked with Razorback for a stretch of time.
In 2016, the members of Snakes In Paradise reconvened to discuss making more music together.
"I was asked to write some songs in the Snakes style by a few different musicans" says Berggren, continuing that "one of them was Alessandro Del Vecchio, with whom I did an album called Revolution Road.
On that album, some of the Snakes guys were guests. The album turned out great and, eventually, the Snakes started to get lots of show offers. I then decided to send one of the songs I had written to Serafino, the President of the Frontiers label. He liked what he heard and offered us a record deal immediately.
And here we are!"
Step Into The Light is the band's first album in sixteen years and melds the melodies of 80s US AOR with classic hard rock. "Fans should expect a Snakes In Paradise album with a familiar sound," continues Stefan Berggren. "Not much has changed musically from the first couple of albums, still the same drum kit and same guys playing together! That makes this our signature sound, but perhaps this time a bit beefier and more mature. This could be the strongest album of all the albums we have done. We also hope to see the fans on the road someday soon!"
Snakes In Paradise came to the attention of melodic rock fans in 1993 when they acted as the back-up band for Mark Free. The band then introduced themselves formally with a debut album of original material in 1994. The album mixed British hard rock with American AOR fronted Stefan Berggren’s strong and soulful blues rock voice.
The band’s second album, Garden of Eden, followed in 1999 and was inspired by Whitesnake and that band’s most popular and well-known material; following the release of Dangerous Love in 2002 the band called it a day.
Stefan Berggren went on to work with Company of Snakes (formed by classic Whitesnake alumni Bernie Marsden, Micky Moody, and Neil Murray) before recording an album with Lee Kerslake (ex-Uriah Heep, Ozzy Osbourne); he then worked with Razorback for a stretch of time.
In 2016, the members of Snakes In Paradise reconvened to discuss making more music together.
"I was asked to write some songs in the Snakes style by a few different musicans" says Berggren, continuing that "one of them was Alessandro Del Vecchio, with whom I did an album called Revolution Road.
On that album, some of the Snakes guys were guests. The album turned out great and, eventually, the Snakes started to get lots of show offers. I then decided to send one of the songs I had written to Serafino, the President of the Frontiers label. He liked what he heard and offered us a record deal immediately.
And here we are!"
Step Into The Light is the band's first album in sixteen years and melds the melodies of 80s US AOR with classic hard rock. "Fans should expect a Snakes In Paradise album with a familiar sound," continues Stefan Berggren. "Not much has changed musically from the first couple of albums, still the same drum kit and same guys playing together! That makes this our signature sound, but perhaps this time a bit beefier and more mature. This could be the strongest album of all the albums we have done. We also hope to see the fans on the road someday soon!"
Snakes In Paradise – Step Into The Light. Released on Frontiers Records on September 14th.
Stefan Berggren - Lead vocals, acoustic guitar & keyboards
Thomas Jakobsson - Electric guitar & acoustic guitar
Stefan Zimman Jonsson - Lead guitar
Tomas Pomma Thorberg – Bass
Peter Petterson - Drums
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stefan Berggren - Lead vocals, acoustic guitar & keyboards
Thomas Jakobsson - Electric guitar & acoustic guitar
Stefan Zimman Jonsson - Lead guitar
Tomas Pomma Thorberg – Bass
Peter Petterson - Drums
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The passing of "of an age" musicians in rock and pop or those who made an name for themselves or their bands impact over the decades is a fact of life and death in the 21st century.
In June 2018 four drummers who played their parts in dramatically differing genres, and who all made a successful, significant or highly impacting mark in those genres, passed away.
Jon Hiseman, founder and percussive driving force behind the ground-breaking and innovative jazz-rock fusion band Colosseum (as well as a number of other notable bands or projects including Jon Hiseman’s Tempest, Colosseum II and most lately the JCM trio with fellow Colosseum alumni Clem Clempson and Mark Clarke) lost his battle with a cancerous brain tumour on June 12th. He was 73.
The next day D.J. (Dominic Joseph) Fontana, one of the most legendary names in rock and roll drumming, passed away at 87.
In 1954 D.J. Fontana hired to play drums for Presley; it was the beginning of a fifteen-year relationship with Presley and a hiring that saw him join Presley, guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black.
Initially known as The Blue Moon Boys, they were also the band that recorded the majority of Presley's hits of the 1950s, including 'Heartbreak Hotel,' 'Hound Dog' and 'Jailhouse Rock.'
In June 2018 four drummers who played their parts in dramatically differing genres, and who all made a successful, significant or highly impacting mark in those genres, passed away.
Jon Hiseman, founder and percussive driving force behind the ground-breaking and innovative jazz-rock fusion band Colosseum (as well as a number of other notable bands or projects including Jon Hiseman’s Tempest, Colosseum II and most lately the JCM trio with fellow Colosseum alumni Clem Clempson and Mark Clarke) lost his battle with a cancerous brain tumour on June 12th. He was 73.
The next day D.J. (Dominic Joseph) Fontana, one of the most legendary names in rock and roll drumming, passed away at 87.
In 1954 D.J. Fontana hired to play drums for Presley; it was the beginning of a fifteen-year relationship with Presley and a hiring that saw him join Presley, guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black.
Initially known as The Blue Moon Boys, they were also the band that recorded the majority of Presley's hits of the 1950s, including 'Heartbreak Hotel,' 'Hound Dog' and 'Jailhouse Rock.'
The Cramps were as far removed from Elvis Presley in time and musical style as you could get but the psychobilly-garage band from California did, curiously, hit their largest popularity and appeal in 1986 on the back of third album A Date With Elvis (an appropriation of the 1959 Presley album of the same name) and European tour that same year.
Drummer Nick Knox (born Nicholas George Stephanoff) was part of that successful era and also The Cramps longest-serving drummer (1977-1991) across the band's thirty-three year career.
Nick Knox died on the 15th June; he was 60.
A week later, on June 22nd, Vincent Paul Abbott, best known as Vinnie Paul and the drummer/ co-founder (with his guitarist brother Dimebag Darrell (Darrell Lance Abbott)) of successful US metal band Pantera, died at the age of only 54.
From glam metal beginning in the 80s Pantera hit the groove metal heights in the 90s with multi-Platinum sales and a #1 Billboard album in the shape of Beyond Driven.
Following the break-up of Pantera in 2003 the Abbott brothers formed Damageplan; the band were short-lived, suffering the tragedy of Dimebag Darrell being shot dead on stage in a nightclub in Columbus Ohio in 2004.
In 2006 Vinnie Paul joined metal supergroup HELLYEAH; the band have released five albums since 2007 with all five making the Top 25 of Billboard including two in the Top 10.
Drummer Nick Knox (born Nicholas George Stephanoff) was part of that successful era and also The Cramps longest-serving drummer (1977-1991) across the band's thirty-three year career.
Nick Knox died on the 15th June; he was 60.
A week later, on June 22nd, Vincent Paul Abbott, best known as Vinnie Paul and the drummer/ co-founder (with his guitarist brother Dimebag Darrell (Darrell Lance Abbott)) of successful US metal band Pantera, died at the age of only 54.
From glam metal beginning in the 80s Pantera hit the groove metal heights in the 90s with multi-Platinum sales and a #1 Billboard album in the shape of Beyond Driven.
Following the break-up of Pantera in 2003 the Abbott brothers formed Damageplan; the band were short-lived, suffering the tragedy of Dimebag Darrell being shot dead on stage in a nightclub in Columbus Ohio in 2004.
In 2006 Vinnie Paul joined metal supergroup HELLYEAH; the band have released five albums since 2007 with all five making the Top 25 of Billboard including two in the Top 10.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Having recently been delighted to report on the Dreadnoughtrock in Bathgate being recognised at the Scottish Hospitality Awards with a Highly Commended nod (see news item directly below this one), it’s great to also be able to report on a truly fantastic achievement for the Edinburgh Blues Club, which picked up the award for Best Blues Club of the Year at the UK Blues Awards 2018.
The EBC beat out competition from the likes of London’s St Harmonica Blues Club and Manchester’s Blue Funk Rhythm and Blues Club; the award is all the more impressive when you consider the Edinburgh Blues Club was only established in 2014 and is a not for profit endeavour run by volunteers who are passionate about their blues based music and bringing the best of that blues to Edinburgh.
The Edinburgh Blues Club is also programming and promoting The Edinburgh Blues ‘N’ Rock Festival 2018 which takes place at the Corn Exchange on the 22nd of September; the festival will feature British blues rock stalwarts Ten Years After and American blues soul songstress Dana Fuchs, who released her excellent Memphis/Southern Soul album Love Lives On earlier this year.
With the ‘Nought’s Highly Commended nod and The Edinburgh Blues Club’s prestigious British Blues award, it’s not a bad time for live rock and blues over Lothian way.
Serious and hearty congratulations from the other side of the country/ FabricationsHQ to both clubs.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The EBC beat out competition from the likes of London’s St Harmonica Blues Club and Manchester’s Blue Funk Rhythm and Blues Club; the award is all the more impressive when you consider the Edinburgh Blues Club was only established in 2014 and is a not for profit endeavour run by volunteers who are passionate about their blues based music and bringing the best of that blues to Edinburgh.
The Edinburgh Blues Club is also programming and promoting The Edinburgh Blues ‘N’ Rock Festival 2018 which takes place at the Corn Exchange on the 22nd of September; the festival will feature British blues rock stalwarts Ten Years After and American blues soul songstress Dana Fuchs, who released her excellent Memphis/Southern Soul album Love Lives On earlier this year.
With the ‘Nought’s Highly Commended nod and The Edinburgh Blues Club’s prestigious British Blues award, it’s not a bad time for live rock and blues over Lothian way.
Serious and hearty congratulations from the other side of the country/ FabricationsHQ to both clubs.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alan Russell (photo: The Daily Record)
As mentioned above, fantastic to see and hear that the Dreadnoughtrock music venue in Bathgate had been recognised at the Scottish Hospitality Awards.
Scotland’s longest running rock club (which has played host to numerous international and national rock based artists over the decades including The Quireboys, Gun, Dan Reed of the Dan Reed Network and original Thin Lizzy guitarist Eric Bell) was Highly Commended at the national awards ceremony after being nominated in the Best Live Music Venue category.
Alan Russell, part of the team who make the Dreadnoughtrock the friendly and renowned rock club it is, said of the recognition to the Daily Record:
"We at the Dreadnought work very hard to make it a great place to be, and find it a great honour to have this recognised by the public and to be shortlisted for such a prestigious event as The Scottish Hospitality Awards.
"Our live music sessions have featured some top internationally renowned bands and artist from all over the world and this has helped to enhance the standing of the club as being a great place to play.
"We have also been working hard to establish, nurture and feature local original bands, some of which have gone on to bigger and better things in the music industry. This has been one of our goals from the outset, to keep live music growing in the area.
"In order to achieve this and to keep the venue popular as a live music platform, we try to make the experience just as enjoyable for the artists as it is for the customers who come to see and hear them."
The Dreadnoughtrock also makes significant contributions for charity – the venue has raised over £35,000 through their annual RushFest Scotland events for causes such as Teenage Cancer Trust and McMillan Cancer Support (this year’s RushFest event raised £6500 for St Columba’s Hospice).
The club also hosts an annual event for the music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins Scotland, with this year’s event scheduled for the 18th of August (you can read the review of last year’s event here including a little more on Nordoff Robbins Scotland and those it helps).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scotland’s longest running rock club (which has played host to numerous international and national rock based artists over the decades including The Quireboys, Gun, Dan Reed of the Dan Reed Network and original Thin Lizzy guitarist Eric Bell) was Highly Commended at the national awards ceremony after being nominated in the Best Live Music Venue category.
Alan Russell, part of the team who make the Dreadnoughtrock the friendly and renowned rock club it is, said of the recognition to the Daily Record:
"We at the Dreadnought work very hard to make it a great place to be, and find it a great honour to have this recognised by the public and to be shortlisted for such a prestigious event as The Scottish Hospitality Awards.
"Our live music sessions have featured some top internationally renowned bands and artist from all over the world and this has helped to enhance the standing of the club as being a great place to play.
"We have also been working hard to establish, nurture and feature local original bands, some of which have gone on to bigger and better things in the music industry. This has been one of our goals from the outset, to keep live music growing in the area.
"In order to achieve this and to keep the venue popular as a live music platform, we try to make the experience just as enjoyable for the artists as it is for the customers who come to see and hear them."
The Dreadnoughtrock also makes significant contributions for charity – the venue has raised over £35,000 through their annual RushFest Scotland events for causes such as Teenage Cancer Trust and McMillan Cancer Support (this year’s RushFest event raised £6500 for St Columba’s Hospice).
The club also hosts an annual event for the music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins Scotland, with this year’s event scheduled for the 18th of August (you can read the review of last year’s event here including a little more on Nordoff Robbins Scotland and those it helps).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Uriah Heep will play a quintet of dates in the UK in December to promote their latest studio album Living The Dream, which was released via Frontiers Music Srl. on the 14th of September.
The ‘eavy and ‘umble rockers will play shows in Manchester (Ritz, 12th December), Glasgow (SWG3, 13th December), London (Shepherd's Bush Empire, 14th December), Nottingham (Rock City, 15th December) and Hull (City Hall, 16th December).
Co-founder and guitarist of Uriah Heep Mick Box says: "We are excited to announce the release of our new album. The producer for this project was famed producer Jay Ruston, and the album rocks!
Thanks to our fans and your continued support, we are still Living that Dream! 'Appy days!"
Heep’s lead vocalist Bernie Shaw adds that "Jay Rushton’s production has brought the power from our live shows onto the record. A now invaluable member of the 'Heep Family!' Can’t wait to play these songs live!"
The ‘eavy and ‘umble rockers will play shows in Manchester (Ritz, 12th December), Glasgow (SWG3, 13th December), London (Shepherd's Bush Empire, 14th December), Nottingham (Rock City, 15th December) and Hull (City Hall, 16th December).
Co-founder and guitarist of Uriah Heep Mick Box says: "We are excited to announce the release of our new album. The producer for this project was famed producer Jay Ruston, and the album rocks!
Thanks to our fans and your continued support, we are still Living that Dream! 'Appy days!"
Heep’s lead vocalist Bernie Shaw adds that "Jay Rushton’s production has brought the power from our live shows onto the record. A now invaluable member of the 'Heep Family!' Can’t wait to play these songs live!"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blues rock singer-guitarist Kris Barras and his band, who released their third album The Divine And Dirty earlier this year, will embark on a seventeen date tour of the UK through September.
The tour kicks off at the Phoenix in Exeter on the 7th of September and culminates with a headline slot at the Kent Blues Collective Festival in Gillingham on the 29th of September.
The Kris Barras Band gave themselves a hard to act to follow with second album Lucky 13 in 2016, of which FabricationsHQ said in review "Barras, with Lucky 13, is clearly rolling sevens."
Two years on, with The Divine And Dirty, Kris Barras and band (bassist Elliott Blackler, drummer Will Beavis, keyboardist Josiah J Manning) are rolling the dice again – new label Provogue and Barras are hoping their numbers come up with an album that mixes the blues rock sound of the band's self-titled debut and Lucky 13 alongside tracks with AOR polish, 80s styled melodic rock sounds and bigger production values.
You can read FabricationsHQ’s review of The Divine And Dirty over on the 2018 Album Reviews page
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The tour kicks off at the Phoenix in Exeter on the 7th of September and culminates with a headline slot at the Kent Blues Collective Festival in Gillingham on the 29th of September.
The Kris Barras Band gave themselves a hard to act to follow with second album Lucky 13 in 2016, of which FabricationsHQ said in review "Barras, with Lucky 13, is clearly rolling sevens."
Two years on, with The Divine And Dirty, Kris Barras and band (bassist Elliott Blackler, drummer Will Beavis, keyboardist Josiah J Manning) are rolling the dice again – new label Provogue and Barras are hoping their numbers come up with an album that mixes the blues rock sound of the band's self-titled debut and Lucky 13 alongside tracks with AOR polish, 80s styled melodic rock sounds and bigger production values.
You can read FabricationsHQ’s review of The Divine And Dirty over on the 2018 Album Reviews page
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It’s easy to see, hear and assume the new wave of classic rock is just that; a contemporary variation on the musical themes that made 60s and early 70s blues-rock, later 70s heavy rock, the melodically rocking 80s and grungier, weightier 90s the successes they were.
But there’s rootsier based materials being re-imaginatively mined too.
Providing a serious slice of hillbilly home brewed, double bass, banjo picking, down home, dirty country bluegrass that’s full of contemporary-fied (or should that be contemporary Cajun-fried) Dixie goodness are the Outlaw Orchestra, who have just released The Devil Made Me Do It EP.
It might only be an EP but the songs, including 'Back To Georgia,' sound like the band (a line-up change means these Outlaws are now orchestrated around David Roux - guitars/ lead vocals, Ryan Smith - drums/ percussion/ vocals, Stephen Welch - banjo and Alex Barter - double bass/ vocals) are becoming an even stronger proposition than heard on 2017 debut album Dirty Diesel (although it’s hard to argue with the cheekily titled 'Too Much Willie Nelson' and the barn dancin' bluegrass in overdrive of 'Hangin’ Tree').
Keep on Cajun rockin', boys.
But there’s rootsier based materials being re-imaginatively mined too.
Providing a serious slice of hillbilly home brewed, double bass, banjo picking, down home, dirty country bluegrass that’s full of contemporary-fied (or should that be contemporary Cajun-fried) Dixie goodness are the Outlaw Orchestra, who have just released The Devil Made Me Do It EP.
It might only be an EP but the songs, including 'Back To Georgia,' sound like the band (a line-up change means these Outlaws are now orchestrated around David Roux - guitars/ lead vocals, Ryan Smith - drums/ percussion/ vocals, Stephen Welch - banjo and Alex Barter - double bass/ vocals) are becoming an even stronger proposition than heard on 2017 debut album Dirty Diesel (although it’s hard to argue with the cheekily titled 'Too Much Willie Nelson' and the barn dancin' bluegrass in overdrive of 'Hangin’ Tree').
Keep on Cajun rockin', boys.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iconic 80s Canadian rock band Glass Tiger, best known for their 1986 transatlantic hit single 'Don’t Forget Me (When I'm Gone)' (#1 Canada, #2 USA, #29 UK) and other chart successes including 'Someday' and 'My Town' (featuring Rod Stewart), will return to the UK for the first time in twenty-seven years to play two shows.
The band, last in the UK when they supported Roxette on their 1991 nationwide UK tour, play the University of London Union on Friday 19th October and the Rockingham Festival at Nottingham Trent University on Sunday 21st October.
Tickets for the University of London concert can be booked from Eventbrite, Eventim, and Gigantic.
Tickets for Glass Tiger’s Rockingham Festival performance are available from Ticketsource.
To celebrate the band’s longevity, the band released 31 earlier this year.
The fifteen track release is a re-recorded and reimagined compilation of their hits with contributions from a number of guest artists; the album also features two new songs.
Glass Tiger feature original members Alan Frew (lead vocals, guitar), Sam Reid (keyboards), Al Connelly (guitars) and Wayne Parker (bass).
Drummer Chris McNeill joined in 2000 when the band reformed after a seven year hiatus.
Glass Tiger’s Jim Vallance produced debut album, The Thin Red Line (1986), became the fastest selling debut recording in Canadian history and reached quadruple-platinum sales in their home country.
The band also won three Juno Awards that year.
The album and its success led to far wider recognition, arena tours with bands such as Journey and support to Tina Turner on her 1987 UK tour.
Subsequent albums Diamond Sun (1988) and Simple Mission (1991) solidified Glass Tiger’s reputation as Canada’s premier melodic rock and hard pop outfit.
Glass Tiger UK dates:
University of London Union - Friday 19th October
Rockingham Festival, Nottingham - Sunday 21sr October
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The band, last in the UK when they supported Roxette on their 1991 nationwide UK tour, play the University of London Union on Friday 19th October and the Rockingham Festival at Nottingham Trent University on Sunday 21st October.
Tickets for the University of London concert can be booked from Eventbrite, Eventim, and Gigantic.
Tickets for Glass Tiger’s Rockingham Festival performance are available from Ticketsource.
To celebrate the band’s longevity, the band released 31 earlier this year.
The fifteen track release is a re-recorded and reimagined compilation of their hits with contributions from a number of guest artists; the album also features two new songs.
Glass Tiger feature original members Alan Frew (lead vocals, guitar), Sam Reid (keyboards), Al Connelly (guitars) and Wayne Parker (bass).
Drummer Chris McNeill joined in 2000 when the band reformed after a seven year hiatus.
Glass Tiger’s Jim Vallance produced debut album, The Thin Red Line (1986), became the fastest selling debut recording in Canadian history and reached quadruple-platinum sales in their home country.
The band also won three Juno Awards that year.
The album and its success led to far wider recognition, arena tours with bands such as Journey and support to Tina Turner on her 1987 UK tour.
Subsequent albums Diamond Sun (1988) and Simple Mission (1991) solidified Glass Tiger’s reputation as Canada’s premier melodic rock and hard pop outfit.
Glass Tiger UK dates:
University of London Union - Friday 19th October
Rockingham Festival, Nottingham - Sunday 21sr October
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cambridgeshire-based rock band Hollowstar have released a new single 'All I Gotta Say.'
The single follows on from their Some Things Matter EP, a critically acclaimed six track release that featured 'Lay Down' and the slow build 'Feel the Burn.' The 2017 EP made #13 on the iTunes rock chart.
Hollowstar have been cited as taking inspiration from Blackstone Cherry, Thunder and Slash but as 'All I Gotta Say' emphatically declares, with some serious swagger and a whole dose of sonic energy, they are fast developing their own contemporary rockin’ sound with storytelling lyricism, as front man and bassist Joe Bonson explains:
"The song is about that moment when you reach your end and you come to the realisation that something isn’t right for you. You no longer have the desire to fight for something you recognise as wrong and are happy to walk away and start again. With every end comes a new beginning."
The single follows on from their Some Things Matter EP, a critically acclaimed six track release that featured 'Lay Down' and the slow build 'Feel the Burn.' The 2017 EP made #13 on the iTunes rock chart.
Hollowstar have been cited as taking inspiration from Blackstone Cherry, Thunder and Slash but as 'All I Gotta Say' emphatically declares, with some serious swagger and a whole dose of sonic energy, they are fast developing their own contemporary rockin’ sound with storytelling lyricism, as front man and bassist Joe Bonson explains:
"The song is about that moment when you reach your end and you come to the realisation that something isn’t right for you. You no longer have the desire to fight for something you recognise as wrong and are happy to walk away and start again. With every end comes a new beginning."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legendary Mountain drummer, songwriter, singer and raconteur Corky Laing will return to the UK this October to play seven shows including headline performances at both the Whitby and Clitheroe Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festivals (see article on the festival further down).
The UK shows double as part of Corky Laing’s 70th Birthday Celebration Tour and a celebration of the classic Mountain songs as they were originally written and heard on the original recordings (a number of West, Bruce & Laing tunes will also feature).
For the performances Corky Laing will be accompanied by Chris Shutters (guitar, vocals & flute), Mark Mikel (bass, vocals & keyboards) and Phil Baker (guitar, vocals and keyboards).
Although best known as a long-time member of the pioneering American hard rock band Mountain and as part of the noted power trio West, Bruce & Laing, the ever active musician continues to play both one man shows and gigs around the world with his band; Corky Laing also lectures at Universities and has recently completed his memoirs (to be released soon as Letters to Sarah).
Corky Laing, who turned 70 this January, says of his life "I never expected to make it here, but regardless, here I am and I plan on keeping going! I’m lucky to be alive and so very lucky to have all these wonderful people collaborating with me on various projects; it seems like there’s always new stuff to get excited about. If nothing else, I still get the kicks just rehearsing daily on my kit, and when I’m performing to audiences together with the brilliant musicians sharing the stage with me, well, that’s when it all comes together.
It doesn’t matter whether I’m playing for dozens, hundreds or thousands of people, it’s always exhilarating. Looking forward to seeing you at the gigs!"
The UK shows double as part of Corky Laing’s 70th Birthday Celebration Tour and a celebration of the classic Mountain songs as they were originally written and heard on the original recordings (a number of West, Bruce & Laing tunes will also feature).
For the performances Corky Laing will be accompanied by Chris Shutters (guitar, vocals & flute), Mark Mikel (bass, vocals & keyboards) and Phil Baker (guitar, vocals and keyboards).
Although best known as a long-time member of the pioneering American hard rock band Mountain and as part of the noted power trio West, Bruce & Laing, the ever active musician continues to play both one man shows and gigs around the world with his band; Corky Laing also lectures at Universities and has recently completed his memoirs (to be released soon as Letters to Sarah).
Corky Laing, who turned 70 this January, says of his life "I never expected to make it here, but regardless, here I am and I plan on keeping going! I’m lucky to be alive and so very lucky to have all these wonderful people collaborating with me on various projects; it seems like there’s always new stuff to get excited about. If nothing else, I still get the kicks just rehearsing daily on my kit, and when I’m performing to audiences together with the brilliant musicians sharing the stage with me, well, that’s when it all comes together.
It doesn’t matter whether I’m playing for dozens, hundreds or thousands of people, it’s always exhilarating. Looking forward to seeing you at the gigs!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soild Entertainments list of high-quality summer blues-rock based festivals for 2018 continues with the announcement of the back-to-back Whitby & Clitheroe Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festivals.
With Corky Laing headlining and five other attention grabbing bands on the bill (each delivering their brand of blues rock with their own identities and influences, from southern gothic and progressive blues to r&b and shades of soul-funk), blues rock fans in and around Northern England should be marking their diaries for either the 13th or 14th of October and the Whitby Pavilion or The Grand in Clitheroe as the places to be.
Corky Laing, the legendary Mountain drummer, songwriter, singer and raconteur from Montreal, will be playing seven shows in the UK with his band (Chris Shutters - guitar, vocals, flute; Mark Mikel - bass, vocals, keyboards; Phil Baker - guitar, vocals, keyboards) including the headline slots at the Whitby & Clitheroe festivals.
Mountain forged a style and sound that made them one of the rock bands of the 70s.
Driven by the powerhouse drumming of Corky Liang and fronted by the great Leslie West, Mountain produced many a classic including 'Mississippi Queen,' 'Nantucket Sleighride' and their cover of the Pete Brown - Jack Bruce penned 'Theme from an Imaginary Western.'
Although Corky Liang is best known as a long-time member of Mountain and as part of the impressive power trio West, Bruce & Laing, during the past few years he has been living, and thriving, in the fast lane.
In between his one-man shows, playing with his band, lecturing at Universities around the world, creating Playing God: The Rock Opera and doing some production work, Laing has found time to complete his memoirs, which will be released as a book soon, titled Letters to Sarah.
For this tour Corky Laing and his band will be playing the classic Mountain songs as they were originally written and heard on the original recordings; a number of West, Bruce & Laing tunes will also feature.
Also performing at Whitby & Clitheroe:
Chantel McGregor – delivering songs that salutes contemporary rock while displaying her gradual transition from conventional blues to a harder, bigger and bolder rock sound with progressive and southern gothic influences, as delivered to great effect on her 2015 album, Lose Control.
Stevie Nimmo Trio – enjoying making music now as much as at any point throughout his twenty years in the business, Stevie Nimmo, one half of the Nimmo Brothers with younger sibling Alan, loves to play live.
His multi-faceted blues rock album Sky Won’t Fall was critically acclaimed upon its 2016 release.
Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion – this acclaimed outfit don’t just have the chemistry (excellent new album The Blues and I Should Have a Party is the band’s fifth studio album in six years and seventh overall); their vibrant R&B swing stylings (incorporating jazz, pop and trad. blues) also deliver one of the coolest and original sounds on the blues circuit, courtesy of a vocal and guitar led song writing tandem and a groove driven organ-drums rhythm section.
Catfish – British Blues Award winners have carved a reputation as an excellent live band, bolstered by the dovetailing guitar-keyboard sound as delivered by father and son team Paul Long (keyboards, guitars) and Matt Long (vocals guitars).
|ith latest offering, 2017’s Broken Man, the band have produced a thoroughly entertaining and diversified album (traditional blues meets contemporary meets progressive) that showcases an outstanding band.
Southbound – with inspirations drawing from blues, rock, jazz, funk and soul, the band provide a highly distinctive take on British Blues, with serious groove.
The Whitby & Clitheroe Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festivals 2018
Saturday 13th October (Whitby) & Sunday 14th October (Clitheroe).
Early Bird tickets are only £24.00 and can be purchased by calling 01472 349 222 or head online to http://www.solidentertainments.com/presents.htm to see all the Solid Entertainments events.
Times (both events): Doors open at 1.30pm; Music starts at 2.00pm; Events end at 10.00 pm.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With Corky Laing headlining and five other attention grabbing bands on the bill (each delivering their brand of blues rock with their own identities and influences, from southern gothic and progressive blues to r&b and shades of soul-funk), blues rock fans in and around Northern England should be marking their diaries for either the 13th or 14th of October and the Whitby Pavilion or The Grand in Clitheroe as the places to be.
Corky Laing, the legendary Mountain drummer, songwriter, singer and raconteur from Montreal, will be playing seven shows in the UK with his band (Chris Shutters - guitar, vocals, flute; Mark Mikel - bass, vocals, keyboards; Phil Baker - guitar, vocals, keyboards) including the headline slots at the Whitby & Clitheroe festivals.
Mountain forged a style and sound that made them one of the rock bands of the 70s.
Driven by the powerhouse drumming of Corky Liang and fronted by the great Leslie West, Mountain produced many a classic including 'Mississippi Queen,' 'Nantucket Sleighride' and their cover of the Pete Brown - Jack Bruce penned 'Theme from an Imaginary Western.'
Although Corky Liang is best known as a long-time member of Mountain and as part of the impressive power trio West, Bruce & Laing, during the past few years he has been living, and thriving, in the fast lane.
In between his one-man shows, playing with his band, lecturing at Universities around the world, creating Playing God: The Rock Opera and doing some production work, Laing has found time to complete his memoirs, which will be released as a book soon, titled Letters to Sarah.
For this tour Corky Laing and his band will be playing the classic Mountain songs as they were originally written and heard on the original recordings; a number of West, Bruce & Laing tunes will also feature.
Also performing at Whitby & Clitheroe:
Chantel McGregor – delivering songs that salutes contemporary rock while displaying her gradual transition from conventional blues to a harder, bigger and bolder rock sound with progressive and southern gothic influences, as delivered to great effect on her 2015 album, Lose Control.
Stevie Nimmo Trio – enjoying making music now as much as at any point throughout his twenty years in the business, Stevie Nimmo, one half of the Nimmo Brothers with younger sibling Alan, loves to play live.
His multi-faceted blues rock album Sky Won’t Fall was critically acclaimed upon its 2016 release.
Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion – this acclaimed outfit don’t just have the chemistry (excellent new album The Blues and I Should Have a Party is the band’s fifth studio album in six years and seventh overall); their vibrant R&B swing stylings (incorporating jazz, pop and trad. blues) also deliver one of the coolest and original sounds on the blues circuit, courtesy of a vocal and guitar led song writing tandem and a groove driven organ-drums rhythm section.
Catfish – British Blues Award winners have carved a reputation as an excellent live band, bolstered by the dovetailing guitar-keyboard sound as delivered by father and son team Paul Long (keyboards, guitars) and Matt Long (vocals guitars).
|ith latest offering, 2017’s Broken Man, the band have produced a thoroughly entertaining and diversified album (traditional blues meets contemporary meets progressive) that showcases an outstanding band.
Southbound – with inspirations drawing from blues, rock, jazz, funk and soul, the band provide a highly distinctive take on British Blues, with serious groove.
The Whitby & Clitheroe Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festivals 2018
Saturday 13th October (Whitby) & Sunday 14th October (Clitheroe).
Early Bird tickets are only £24.00 and can be purchased by calling 01472 349 222 or head online to http://www.solidentertainments.com/presents.htm to see all the Solid Entertainments events.
Times (both events): Doors open at 1.30pm; Music starts at 2.00pm; Events end at 10.00 pm.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Solid Entertainments have announced an eye and ear catching three day event in Bude.
The Bude Blues, Rhythm and Rock Festival will take place at Penstowe Manor Resort across the Friday 9th, Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th of November.
Traditionally held in Ilfracombe, the 2018 edition has been relocated 17 miles down the road across the border into North Cornwall to Penstowe Manor.
To celebrate the new venue and location, Solid Entertainments are presenting one of their most ambitious events and certainly the largest as regards their previous festivals held in the region.
With a mix of noted classic rock and blues rock names and from the UK and around the world, the three day event – featuring Focus, Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado and Wishbone Ash as headliners - will be one not to miss for blues and rock fans in the South West of England.
Friday 9th November:
Focus – Aynsley Lister – John Verity Band – Storm Warning – Federal Charm – Chris King Robinson
With their unique brand of progressive primarily instrumental rock, Focus manifested themselves at the start of the '70s as the most successful and appreciated of all the Dutch pop-rock exports.
Fronted by founding member, keyboardist and flautist Thijs Van Leer, and best known for their hits 'Hocus Pocus,' 'House of The King' and 'Sylvia,' as well as a number of critically acclaimed albums including Moving Waves, Focus 3 and Hamburger Concerto, the iconic Dutch music masters returned with the acclaimed Focus X in 2012 followed by Golden Oldies, which features newly recorded versions of some of their most popular songs from their classic back catalogue.
Saturday 10th November:
Thorbjørn Risager & the Black Tornado - Grainne Duffy – Steve Hill – The Luke Doherty Band - Connor Selby Band - Born Healer
Now in their fourteenth year, Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado have opened new doors in many new territories; and with all the hard work they put into their artistry, they surely deserve it.
The Danish outfit have become one of the most successful blues & roots bands on the European continent, so it’s no surprise when they sell out most venues when they return to play for only the second time.
Sunday 11th November:
Wishbone Ash – Chantel McGregor - Erja Lyytinen – Billy Walton Band - Lightnin' Willie & The Poor Boys – The Zoe Green Band
Wishbone Ash remain one of the most enduring and popular bands in British Rock.
With millions of albums sold, their iconic twin-guitar sound inspired bands from the classic rock of Thin Lizzy to the iconic metal of Iron Maiden; the band have written and delivered countless classic tracks including 'The King Will Come,' 'Throw Down The Sword' and 'Blowin’ Free.'
Combining old songs with the new, Wishbone Ash still deliver quality live sets, one year short of fifty on the road.
The Bude Blues, Rhythm and Rock Festival will take place at Penstowe Manor Resort across the Friday 9th, Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th of November.
Traditionally held in Ilfracombe, the 2018 edition has been relocated 17 miles down the road across the border into North Cornwall to Penstowe Manor.
To celebrate the new venue and location, Solid Entertainments are presenting one of their most ambitious events and certainly the largest as regards their previous festivals held in the region.
With a mix of noted classic rock and blues rock names and from the UK and around the world, the three day event – featuring Focus, Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado and Wishbone Ash as headliners - will be one not to miss for blues and rock fans in the South West of England.
Friday 9th November:
Focus – Aynsley Lister – John Verity Band – Storm Warning – Federal Charm – Chris King Robinson
With their unique brand of progressive primarily instrumental rock, Focus manifested themselves at the start of the '70s as the most successful and appreciated of all the Dutch pop-rock exports.
Fronted by founding member, keyboardist and flautist Thijs Van Leer, and best known for their hits 'Hocus Pocus,' 'House of The King' and 'Sylvia,' as well as a number of critically acclaimed albums including Moving Waves, Focus 3 and Hamburger Concerto, the iconic Dutch music masters returned with the acclaimed Focus X in 2012 followed by Golden Oldies, which features newly recorded versions of some of their most popular songs from their classic back catalogue.
Saturday 10th November:
Thorbjørn Risager & the Black Tornado - Grainne Duffy – Steve Hill – The Luke Doherty Band - Connor Selby Band - Born Healer
Now in their fourteenth year, Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado have opened new doors in many new territories; and with all the hard work they put into their artistry, they surely deserve it.
The Danish outfit have become one of the most successful blues & roots bands on the European continent, so it’s no surprise when they sell out most venues when they return to play for only the second time.
Sunday 11th November:
Wishbone Ash – Chantel McGregor - Erja Lyytinen – Billy Walton Band - Lightnin' Willie & The Poor Boys – The Zoe Green Band
Wishbone Ash remain one of the most enduring and popular bands in British Rock.
With millions of albums sold, their iconic twin-guitar sound inspired bands from the classic rock of Thin Lizzy to the iconic metal of Iron Maiden; the band have written and delivered countless classic tracks including 'The King Will Come,' 'Throw Down The Sword' and 'Blowin’ Free.'
Combining old songs with the new, Wishbone Ash still deliver quality live sets, one year short of fifty on the road.
Situated in a beautiful part of the country and set in private grounds, the Penstowe Manor holiday resort has a wide range of self-catering accommodation with facilities that include two bars, a restaurant (and a take-away), indoor heated swimming pool, on site gymnasium, coffee shop and an amusement room.
Additionally, car parking is free for the weekend.
The festival itself will also have a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available and a varied food menu.
Situated close to the Hartland Cornwall Heritage Coast and a stone’s throw from the historic village of Kilkhampton, Penstowe Park is ideally located for exploring the many delights of North Cornwall.
The Bude Blues, Rhythm and Rock Festival - 9th, 10th and 11th November 2018
Penstowe Manor Resort, Penstowe Road, Kilkhampton, Bude, North Cornwall EX23 9QY
Advance Ticket of £129 per person based on 4, 5 or 6 persons sharing 2 or 3 bedroom apartment
Advance Ticket of £139 per person based on 3 persons sharing 2 bedroom apartment
Advance Ticket of £149 per person based on 2 persons sharing 1 or 2 bedroom apartment
Above prices Include 3 Nights Self Catering Accommodation and 3 Day Festival Ticket
PLEASE NOTE Advance Single Tickets (own apartment) have now sold out
Advance Ticket of £85 per person 3 day festival ticket (accommodation NOT included)
£60 for 3 nights of Motor Home or Caravan serviced pitches are now available
Tickets can be purchased at 01472 349 222 and online at: http://www.solidentertainments.com/blues/bude/tickets.html
To find out more about line up and the festival in general, please visit: http://www.solidentertainments.com/blues/bude/index.html
Doors open at 1.30 p.m., Music starts at 2.00 p.m. Festival ends at 11.30 p.m. each day.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additionally, car parking is free for the weekend.
The festival itself will also have a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available and a varied food menu.
Situated close to the Hartland Cornwall Heritage Coast and a stone’s throw from the historic village of Kilkhampton, Penstowe Park is ideally located for exploring the many delights of North Cornwall.
The Bude Blues, Rhythm and Rock Festival - 9th, 10th and 11th November 2018
Penstowe Manor Resort, Penstowe Road, Kilkhampton, Bude, North Cornwall EX23 9QY
Advance Ticket of £129 per person based on 4, 5 or 6 persons sharing 2 or 3 bedroom apartment
Advance Ticket of £139 per person based on 3 persons sharing 2 bedroom apartment
Advance Ticket of £149 per person based on 2 persons sharing 1 or 2 bedroom apartment
Above prices Include 3 Nights Self Catering Accommodation and 3 Day Festival Ticket
PLEASE NOTE Advance Single Tickets (own apartment) have now sold out
Advance Ticket of £85 per person 3 day festival ticket (accommodation NOT included)
£60 for 3 nights of Motor Home or Caravan serviced pitches are now available
Tickets can be purchased at 01472 349 222 and online at: http://www.solidentertainments.com/blues/bude/tickets.html
To find out more about line up and the festival in general, please visit: http://www.solidentertainments.com/blues/bude/index.html
Doors open at 1.30 p.m., Music starts at 2.00 p.m. Festival ends at 11.30 p.m. each day.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edinburgh heavy soul-blues outfit The Rising Souls have released a new song entitled 'Escape.'
The contemporary soul-blues meets spacious, Zeppelin-esque sound of the song also acts as a precursor to a full album that the band are currently working towards.
The contemporary soul-blues meets spacious, Zeppelin-esque sound of the song also acts as a precursor to a full album that the band are currently working towards.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diamond Black, the London based dark-rock quartet founded by Sisters of Mercy guitarist Ben Christo have just released a new single entitled 'Ghost in the Glass.'
The new song and debut single 'Sorrow,' released in October of last year, help define and describe what Diamond Black are all about musically and lyrically - intense riffs, electronica and cinematic choruses; powerful and muscular musicality that can also be fragile and haunting, with lyrical themes that are often nuanced, introspective and emotive with vocals ranging from brooding whispers to venomous screams.
The band’s influences are as musically diverse as Katatonia, Depeche Mode, Type O Negative and The Cult but with Finnish singer J.I. Turunen’s distinctly Scandinavian melancholy, backed by Ben Christo’s thick riffs and emotive lead-lines and a powerful rhythm section in the shape of drummer Jan-Vincent Velazco and bassist Adam Lightspeed (all encased within the darkwave/electro-rock production of noted Finnish musician and producer Jaani Peuhu) the results are definitively, and dynamically, Diamond Black.
The new song and debut single 'Sorrow,' released in October of last year, help define and describe what Diamond Black are all about musically and lyrically - intense riffs, electronica and cinematic choruses; powerful and muscular musicality that can also be fragile and haunting, with lyrical themes that are often nuanced, introspective and emotive with vocals ranging from brooding whispers to venomous screams.
The band’s influences are as musically diverse as Katatonia, Depeche Mode, Type O Negative and The Cult but with Finnish singer J.I. Turunen’s distinctly Scandinavian melancholy, backed by Ben Christo’s thick riffs and emotive lead-lines and a powerful rhythm section in the shape of drummer Jan-Vincent Velazco and bassist Adam Lightspeed (all encased within the darkwave/electro-rock production of noted Finnish musician and producer Jaani Peuhu) the results are definitively, and dynamically, Diamond Black.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Photo by Laurence Harvey
Following his sold-out Perfection Kills March 2018 UK Tour, South African singer-songwriter and blues rock guitarist Dan Patlansky will return to the UK in November for a further nine dates.
Patlansky’s latest album Perfection Kills is the follow up to 2016’s Introvertigo which was met with universal critical acclaim and voted #1 Blues Rock Album 2016 by Blues Rock Review.
Perfection Kills was recorded at Scherzo Productions, a recording studio in Dan Patlansky’s home town of Pretoria, South Africa. The musician chose Scherzo because he wanted to make a different sounding record and he felt it was the right studio for his vision.
Dan Patlansky was nominated as one of Classic Rock magazine’s hotly tipped new artists of 2015 when his Dear Silence Thieves album received numerous accolades and praise from the British blues and rock press. He’s been voted Most Promising Male Blues Artist by Blues & Soul Magazine and was also nominated as Best International Solo Artist at the Planet Rock Radio ‘Rocks’ Awards.
Dan Patlansky – November 2018 UK Dates
(Tickets - thegigcartel.com, danpatlansky.com )
Nottingham, Rescue Rooms - Wednesday 21st November
Norwich, The Waterfront - Thursday 22nd November
Newbury, Arlington Arts Centre - Friday 23rd November
Chester, The Live Rooms - Saturday 24th November
Bury, The Met - Sunday 25th November
Leeds, Brudenell Social Club - Tuesday 27th November
Bromsgrove, Artrix - Wednesday 28th November
London, O2 Academy Islington - Thursday 29th November
Bristol, The Tunnels - Friday 30th November
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Patlansky’s latest album Perfection Kills is the follow up to 2016’s Introvertigo which was met with universal critical acclaim and voted #1 Blues Rock Album 2016 by Blues Rock Review.
Perfection Kills was recorded at Scherzo Productions, a recording studio in Dan Patlansky’s home town of Pretoria, South Africa. The musician chose Scherzo because he wanted to make a different sounding record and he felt it was the right studio for his vision.
Dan Patlansky was nominated as one of Classic Rock magazine’s hotly tipped new artists of 2015 when his Dear Silence Thieves album received numerous accolades and praise from the British blues and rock press. He’s been voted Most Promising Male Blues Artist by Blues & Soul Magazine and was also nominated as Best International Solo Artist at the Planet Rock Radio ‘Rocks’ Awards.
Dan Patlansky – November 2018 UK Dates
(Tickets - thegigcartel.com, danpatlansky.com )
Nottingham, Rescue Rooms - Wednesday 21st November
Norwich, The Waterfront - Thursday 22nd November
Newbury, Arlington Arts Centre - Friday 23rd November
Chester, The Live Rooms - Saturday 24th November
Bury, The Met - Sunday 25th November
Leeds, Brudenell Social Club - Tuesday 27th November
Bromsgrove, Artrix - Wednesday 28th November
London, O2 Academy Islington - Thursday 29th November
Bristol, The Tunnels - Friday 30th November
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finnish singer-songwriter and outstanding slide guitarist Erja Lyytinen has released a brand new single, 'Without You.'
The song, a bluesy rock number with a funky undertone (an Erja Lyytinen strength and trait), lyrically deals with having to live with something or someone now out of reach. It will also feature on what will be Lyytinen's next studio album, due for release in the autumn.
'Without You' was written by Erja Lyytinen and recorded with her new band, which features Kasperi Kallio (keyboards), Tatu Back (bass) and Iiro Laitinen (drums).
Says Erja Lyytinen of the song "I started writing Without You a few years back, but never found the right moment to finish it. I brought the song into the rehearsal studio at the beginning of 2018 and the band and I started to work on it. The arrangement was completely different at first, with some R&B elements, but it turned out to be something that I´m keen doing on stage nowadays – it’s loud, rocky and frank!"
The song, a bluesy rock number with a funky undertone (an Erja Lyytinen strength and trait), lyrically deals with having to live with something or someone now out of reach. It will also feature on what will be Lyytinen's next studio album, due for release in the autumn.
'Without You' was written by Erja Lyytinen and recorded with her new band, which features Kasperi Kallio (keyboards), Tatu Back (bass) and Iiro Laitinen (drums).
Says Erja Lyytinen of the song "I started writing Without You a few years back, but never found the right moment to finish it. I brought the song into the rehearsal studio at the beginning of 2018 and the band and I started to work on it. The arrangement was completely different at first, with some R&B elements, but it turned out to be something that I´m keen doing on stage nowadays – it’s loud, rocky and frank!"
Erja Lyytinen has also confirmed a clutch of headlining UK tour shows for November 2018 to support the release of the forthcoming album:
London, Borderline - Tuesday 6th November
Bridgwater, Bar Brunel - Wednesday 7th November
Wolverhampton, Robin 2 - Thursday 8th November
Darlington, R&B Club - Friday 9th November
Bude, Blues Festival - Sunday 11th November
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
London, Borderline - Tuesday 6th November
Bridgwater, Bar Brunel - Wednesday 7th November
Wolverhampton, Robin 2 - Thursday 8th November
Darlington, R&B Club - Friday 9th November
Bude, Blues Festival - Sunday 11th November
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glenn Hughes, known to millions of music fans as the 'Voice of Rock,' a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with Deep Purple and front man for rock super group Black Country Communion, has announced he will be performing Deep Purple only material with his "Glenn Hughes Performs Classic Deep Purple Live" show when he plays the UK in October.
The nine October dates, preceded by two Irish shows in September in Belfast (Waterfront, 29th) and Dublin (Olympia, 30th), promise to be a dynamic, turn-back-the-clocks homage to Hughes' tenure in the MK III and MK IV incarnations of Deep Purple, one of music history’s most seminal and influential rock and roll groups.
"I'm excited to be touring the Classic Deep Purple Live in the UK this October. I first toured Classic Deep Purple Live in Australia and New Zealand last year and it went down like a storm. We’re also touring the show throughout South America in April, and festivals throughout the summer. By the time we tour the UK in October, we’ll be on fire!" -- Glenn Hughes
GLENN HUGHES PERFORMS CLASSIC DEEP PURPLE LIVE – OCTOBER 2018 UK TOUR
Tickets: 08444 780 898 (24HR Box Office) www.thegigcartel.com All Tickets £27.50 (Except London: £30.00)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The nine October dates, preceded by two Irish shows in September in Belfast (Waterfront, 29th) and Dublin (Olympia, 30th), promise to be a dynamic, turn-back-the-clocks homage to Hughes' tenure in the MK III and MK IV incarnations of Deep Purple, one of music history’s most seminal and influential rock and roll groups.
"I'm excited to be touring the Classic Deep Purple Live in the UK this October. I first toured Classic Deep Purple Live in Australia and New Zealand last year and it went down like a storm. We’re also touring the show throughout South America in April, and festivals throughout the summer. By the time we tour the UK in October, we’ll be on fire!" -- Glenn Hughes
GLENN HUGHES PERFORMS CLASSIC DEEP PURPLE LIVE – OCTOBER 2018 UK TOUR
Tickets: 08444 780 898 (24HR Box Office) www.thegigcartel.com All Tickets £27.50 (Except London: £30.00)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good to see and hear Belfast based rock outfit Baleful Creed starting to make a noise (and a heavy, weighty one at that) with second album Seismic Shifter.
On the latest album the band – Fin Finlay (vocals, guitar), John Allen (guitar), Davy Greer (bass, vocals) and Dave Jeffers (drums) – mix stoner rock and more contemporary influences with the purposeful riffage of Black Sabbath while lyrically shunning the usual suspects for weightier, real life subjects (the album’s title reflects the changing political landscapes, nationally and globally, and not the ground shaking volume of the music within).
Baleful Creed have already picked up some solid recognition through dedicated rock radio stations on both sides of the pond and more lately featured on Planet Rock; on the strength of Seismic Shifter the band’s debut album (a remixed and remastered package of earlier EP releases) is now close to selling out in its hard copy/ CD form.
On the latest album the band – Fin Finlay (vocals, guitar), John Allen (guitar), Davy Greer (bass, vocals) and Dave Jeffers (drums) – mix stoner rock and more contemporary influences with the purposeful riffage of Black Sabbath while lyrically shunning the usual suspects for weightier, real life subjects (the album’s title reflects the changing political landscapes, nationally and globally, and not the ground shaking volume of the music within).
Baleful Creed have already picked up some solid recognition through dedicated rock radio stations on both sides of the pond and more lately featured on Planet Rock; on the strength of Seismic Shifter the band’s debut album (a remixed and remastered package of earlier EP releases) is now close to selling out in its hard copy/ CD form.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's always an ears-pricked-up pleasure when something or somebody comes out of left field to pique your musical interest or adds a different colour to what you perceived to be their chosen pallette.
Making very different musical marks from previous or current endeavours are two Scottish musicians by the names of Edward Mackay and Fraser Clark.
With the greatest respect Ed Mackay is not a name that will be familiar to those outside of the Ayrshire music scene or Gourock, where he now resides.
Ed was a member of Ayrshire based band Rose Parade, a group whose indie-folk and quirky, melodic charm should have got them well beyond the Radio One airplay and FabricationsHQ page space they received and on to the wider alt-pop appeal they deserved, but destined never to achieve.
Ed Mackay’s latest venture, under the name Point Cove (inspired by the Isle of Lewis where Mackay grew up) is, at this stage, a collection of four home/ computer recorded tracks known collectively as the They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To EP.
Ed is now actively seeking routes toward making Point Cove and the debut EP a distributor based or self-released realisation.
Based on a mixture of computer created rhythms, post-rock, string effects, pop and the use of vintage, spoken word recordings the four tracks link to themes about our relationship with, and discovery of, sound through technology.
'Written in Wax' is about the original vinyl record; 'I Am the Edison Phonograph' declares itself just that; 'From Any Place at Any Time' heralds the advent of radio; 'Hear Me Speak' features some of the earliest recordings of peoples' voices.
The results are a mini-work that remind of Bill Nelson’s similarly themed instrumental-with-spoken-word creations that pepper his vast solo catalogue (an exceptionally creative artist whose pop & rock-art stylings mean his mainstream, rock star days are decades behind him, Nelson manages a successful and satisfying (but small scale) cottage industry career).
The point (cove) being, if you’re compared to Bill Nelson, you’re doing something right – and creative.
Making very different musical marks from previous or current endeavours are two Scottish musicians by the names of Edward Mackay and Fraser Clark.
With the greatest respect Ed Mackay is not a name that will be familiar to those outside of the Ayrshire music scene or Gourock, where he now resides.
Ed was a member of Ayrshire based band Rose Parade, a group whose indie-folk and quirky, melodic charm should have got them well beyond the Radio One airplay and FabricationsHQ page space they received and on to the wider alt-pop appeal they deserved, but destined never to achieve.
Ed Mackay’s latest venture, under the name Point Cove (inspired by the Isle of Lewis where Mackay grew up) is, at this stage, a collection of four home/ computer recorded tracks known collectively as the They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To EP.
Ed is now actively seeking routes toward making Point Cove and the debut EP a distributor based or self-released realisation.
Based on a mixture of computer created rhythms, post-rock, string effects, pop and the use of vintage, spoken word recordings the four tracks link to themes about our relationship with, and discovery of, sound through technology.
'Written in Wax' is about the original vinyl record; 'I Am the Edison Phonograph' declares itself just that; 'From Any Place at Any Time' heralds the advent of radio; 'Hear Me Speak' features some of the earliest recordings of peoples' voices.
The results are a mini-work that remind of Bill Nelson’s similarly themed instrumental-with-spoken-word creations that pepper his vast solo catalogue (an exceptionally creative artist whose pop & rock-art stylings mean his mainstream, rock star days are decades behind him, Nelson manages a successful and satisfying (but small scale) cottage industry career).
The point (cove) being, if you’re compared to Bill Nelson, you’re doing something right – and creative.
Coming from an entirely different musical angle, but one that is equally creative, is the From The Depths EP by Fraser Clark, a keyboard player whose name will be familiar to anyone who follows the UK’s blues rock scene and the "soul-deep rhythm and blues" outfit Redfish (who recently opened the main day of the returning Carlisle Blues Festival).
Fraser Clark’s highly animated on stage persona and bluesified keyboard remarks have been exchanged for a far calmer and contemporary solo venture – his piano instrumental offering are about as far removed from the Redfish brand of rhythm and blues as you could imagine – but his nu classical / semi-progressive piano pieces are imagined very well indeed.
Opening with the slightly sinister 'From The Depths' (not so much "look out behind you" as "look out below you") the space between the notes (reflecting what lies hidden beneath the surface) adds atmosphere to the EP's title track.
'Broken' adds traditional, yet still contemporary, melancholic contrast before the eight minute 'Glacier' acts as a slow moving soundtrack to the much slower moving icy giant.
The delicate 'Dust' and brighter allegro of 'Silver' close out what could be described as a Redfish out of Water but, like Ed Mackay and Point Cove, From the Depths is artistic passion over musical fashion – and that’s the kind of melody that will always appeal to, and be supported by, FabricationsHQ.
Fraser Clark’s highly animated on stage persona and bluesified keyboard remarks have been exchanged for a far calmer and contemporary solo venture – his piano instrumental offering are about as far removed from the Redfish brand of rhythm and blues as you could imagine – but his nu classical / semi-progressive piano pieces are imagined very well indeed.
Opening with the slightly sinister 'From The Depths' (not so much "look out behind you" as "look out below you") the space between the notes (reflecting what lies hidden beneath the surface) adds atmosphere to the EP's title track.
'Broken' adds traditional, yet still contemporary, melancholic contrast before the eight minute 'Glacier' acts as a slow moving soundtrack to the much slower moving icy giant.
The delicate 'Dust' and brighter allegro of 'Silver' close out what could be described as a Redfish out of Water but, like Ed Mackay and Point Cove, From the Depths is artistic passion over musical fashion – and that’s the kind of melody that will always appeal to, and be supported by, FabricationsHQ.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"A language works best when we have something interesting to say. Many music teachers never find out what their students have to say; we only tell them what they are supposed to say."
Victor Wooten, musician
"What Victor said."
Ross Muir, FabricationsHQ
Victor Wooten, musician
"What Victor said."
Ross Muir, FabricationsHQ