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Welcome to FabricationsHQ
Home to the musical articles, reviews and promotional features by
Ross Muir
Freelance Music Writer, Music Promotion & PR
"Putting the Words to the Music"
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Contributing writer & reviewer: Nelson McFarlane
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Welcome to FabricationsHQ
Home to the musical articles, reviews and promotional features by
Ross Muir
Freelance Music Writer, Music Promotion & PR
"Putting the Words to the Music"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contributing writer & reviewer: Nelson McFarlane
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Muirsical Thoughts, Muirsical News
Jethro Tull have announced the upcoming release of their 23rd studio album, RökFlöte, which will be available from the 21st April via InsideOutMusic.
Following last year’s The Zealot Gene (the band's first Top 10 in the UK Album Chart since 1972) Ian Anderson and his Tull bandmates David Goodier (bass), John O’Hara (keys), Scott Hammond (drums) and Joe Parrish-James (guitars, mandolin) return with an album based on the characters and roles of some of the principle gods of the old Norse paganism, while at the same time exploring the RökFlöte (rock flute), which Jethro Tull & Ian Anderson have made iconic.
The album is preceded by led-off single 'Ginnungagap,' which is supported by an animated video created by Costin Chioreanu
The track takes inspiration from the god Ymir, a proto/ primeval being born from venom that dripped from the icy rivers called the Élivágar, and lived in the grassless void of Ginnungagap.
Following last year’s The Zealot Gene (the band's first Top 10 in the UK Album Chart since 1972) Ian Anderson and his Tull bandmates David Goodier (bass), John O’Hara (keys), Scott Hammond (drums) and Joe Parrish-James (guitars, mandolin) return with an album based on the characters and roles of some of the principle gods of the old Norse paganism, while at the same time exploring the RökFlöte (rock flute), which Jethro Tull & Ian Anderson have made iconic.
The album is preceded by led-off single 'Ginnungagap,' which is supported by an animated video created by Costin Chioreanu
The track takes inspiration from the god Ymir, a proto/ primeval being born from venom that dripped from the icy rivers called the Élivágar, and lived in the grassless void of Ginnungagap.
Of the album and its background Ian Anderson explains:
"The title of this offering went through a little change or two along the way. I started with the idea of a predominantly instrumental album for rock flute - as in rock music.
When the subject material of the album presented itself, I was drawn to the term Ragnarök from Norse mythology, their version of apocalyptic end times or Biblical Armageddon - the 'final showdown' scenario is ubiquitous and inherent in Hinduism, Christianity and Islam, for example.
I just can't miss the glorious opportunity for a good and legitimate umlaut!!
RökFlöte will be available on several different formats including two limited deluxe versions, each of which will feature bonus demo material, extensive liner notes and Blu-ray featuring Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround sound, alternative stereo mixes by Bruce Soord (The Pineapple Thief), a bonus track and an interview with Ian Anderson.
The album will also be available digitally in the spatial audio formats Dolby Atmos & Sony 360 RA.
The full list of formats are:
Ltd Deluxe Dark Red 2LP+2CD+Blu-ray, with Art book (incl. 2 x art-prints)
Ltd Deluxe 2CD+Blu-ray, with Art book
Special Edition CD Digipak
Gatefold 180g LP+LP-booklet
Digital Album
Pre-order now at: https://jethrotullband.lnk.to/RokFlote
RökFlöte track listing:
1. Voluspo; 2. Ginnungagap; 3. Allfather; 4. The Feathered Consort; 5. Hammer On Hammer
6. Wolf Unchained; 7. The Perfect One; 8. Trickster (And The Mistletoe); 9. Cornucopia; 10. The Navigators
11. Guardian’s Watch; 12. Ithavoll
Jethro Tull have now confirmed a number of 2023 live dates across mainland Europe.
Full list of shows at: https://jethrotull.com/tour-dates/
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"The title of this offering went through a little change or two along the way. I started with the idea of a predominantly instrumental album for rock flute - as in rock music.
When the subject material of the album presented itself, I was drawn to the term Ragnarök from Norse mythology, their version of apocalyptic end times or Biblical Armageddon - the 'final showdown' scenario is ubiquitous and inherent in Hinduism, Christianity and Islam, for example.
I just can't miss the glorious opportunity for a good and legitimate umlaut!!
RökFlöte will be available on several different formats including two limited deluxe versions, each of which will feature bonus demo material, extensive liner notes and Blu-ray featuring Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround sound, alternative stereo mixes by Bruce Soord (The Pineapple Thief), a bonus track and an interview with Ian Anderson.
The album will also be available digitally in the spatial audio formats Dolby Atmos & Sony 360 RA.
The full list of formats are:
Ltd Deluxe Dark Red 2LP+2CD+Blu-ray, with Art book (incl. 2 x art-prints)
Ltd Deluxe 2CD+Blu-ray, with Art book
Special Edition CD Digipak
Gatefold 180g LP+LP-booklet
Digital Album
Pre-order now at: https://jethrotullband.lnk.to/RokFlote
RökFlöte track listing:
1. Voluspo; 2. Ginnungagap; 3. Allfather; 4. The Feathered Consort; 5. Hammer On Hammer
6. Wolf Unchained; 7. The Perfect One; 8. Trickster (And The Mistletoe); 9. Cornucopia; 10. The Navigators
11. Guardian’s Watch; 12. Ithavoll
Jethro Tull have now confirmed a number of 2023 live dates across mainland Europe.
Full list of shows at: https://jethrotull.com/tour-dates/
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Following ion form the recently announced double-headline UK tour with The Commoners in April, (see News Item further below), British blues rock singer and slide maestro Troy Redfern has released a new single, 'The Fever.'
The song will appear on Redfern’s forthcoming album, due for release later in the year.
In December, after the success of two storming sets at Planet Rock’s Rockstock Festival, and on the back of critically acclaimed 2022 album The Wings Of Salvation, Troy Redfern headed back into the studio with the same 'Wings team - 'The Fever' was produced by Dave Marks (who also plays bass), features Paul Stewart on drums and was mixed by Jo Webb.
"The plan for The Fever was to make something bigger and ballsier than what has come before; I wanted to expand the musical landscape with new colours and sonic horizons says Redfern, who says of the lyrics:
"It’s about pushing back and breaking through all the obstacles when you're feeling held down; it’s about feeling as if it’s you against the world."”
The song will appear on Redfern’s forthcoming album, due for release later in the year.
In December, after the success of two storming sets at Planet Rock’s Rockstock Festival, and on the back of critically acclaimed 2022 album The Wings Of Salvation, Troy Redfern headed back into the studio with the same 'Wings team - 'The Fever' was produced by Dave Marks (who also plays bass), features Paul Stewart on drums and was mixed by Jo Webb.
"The plan for The Fever was to make something bigger and ballsier than what has come before; I wanted to expand the musical landscape with new colours and sonic horizons says Redfern, who says of the lyrics:
"It’s about pushing back and breaking through all the obstacles when you're feeling held down; it’s about feeling as if it’s you against the world."”
Stream & download The Fever from https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/troyredfern/the-fever
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After a seven-year hiatus, Northern Irish rockers The Answer are set to make a spectacular and long-awaited return with a brand-new studio album scheduled for release on St. Patricks day, March 17th.
Titled Sundowners, and released on Golden Robot Records and 7Hz, the album has been produced and mixed by rising British rock producer Dan Weller (Enter Shikari, Bury Tomorrow); it will be supported by a run of limited capacity 17 date UK and European album launch shows (see venues and dates further below).
Following taster single 'Blood Brother,' a short, sharp and ear-catching stomp rockin’ blues with impacting groove, comes, on the back of the band's storming comeback show at this year’s Planet Rock Festival, a second digital track 'Want You To Love Me.'
Of the song front man Cormac Neeson says "When a friend asks me to give them a sneak peak of what this new album of ours sounds like, the first song I play them is Want You To Love Me.
I just sit back and watch their heads start to bob up and down. This song is what we’re all about right now, dirty blues rock that hopefully makes you feel pretty damn good! The video captures the uncompromising energy of the song perfectly and it looks even better with a whisky in your hand, too. Watch responsibly!
Titled Sundowners, and released on Golden Robot Records and 7Hz, the album has been produced and mixed by rising British rock producer Dan Weller (Enter Shikari, Bury Tomorrow); it will be supported by a run of limited capacity 17 date UK and European album launch shows (see venues and dates further below).
Following taster single 'Blood Brother,' a short, sharp and ear-catching stomp rockin’ blues with impacting groove, comes, on the back of the band's storming comeback show at this year’s Planet Rock Festival, a second digital track 'Want You To Love Me.'
Of the song front man Cormac Neeson says "When a friend asks me to give them a sneak peak of what this new album of ours sounds like, the first song I play them is Want You To Love Me.
I just sit back and watch their heads start to bob up and down. This song is what we’re all about right now, dirty blues rock that hopefully makes you feel pretty damn good! The video captures the uncompromising energy of the song perfectly and it looks even better with a whisky in your hand, too. Watch responsibly!
Sundowners was recorded in April 2022 at Middlefarm studios, Devon and was the first time the band had been together in a studio since 2015.
Cormac Neeson continues: "After six albums and a lot of road miles we felt we needed to step back from it all and reset. Whilst that wasn’t an easy decision, with retrospect it’s possibly the best decision we’ve ever made because after seven years away we all came back fired up and the end result is an album we’ve been waiting to make our whole lives… full of good time rock n roll and positive energy created by four brothers who quite frankly just really missed each other. We’re back and we’re ready to bring our best album ever to you!"
Sundowners will be released in several formats including CD Gatefold Digi sleeve, Gatefold 12" 180g black vinyl, 2 x 12" colour vinyl exclusives (Red and Amber), a 12" fan collectible Picture Disk and Digital.
There will also be various limited 'retail exclusive' versions with HMV, Rough Trade, Crash and Assai Records.
Pre-order: https://ada.lnk.to/Sundowners
TOUR DATES
UK MARCH 2023
Mar 16th Blackpool, Waterloo Bar
Mar 17th Birmingham O2 Institute
Mar 19th Bristol Thekla
Mar 20th London 100 Club SOLD OUT
Mar 21st Leeds Key Club
Mar 23rd Belfast Limelight 2 SOLD OUT
Tickets:
https://myticket.co.uk/artists/the-answer
EUROPE MARCH & APRIL 2023
Mar 25th Haarlem, Patronaat - Holland
Mar 26th Den Bosch, Willem Twee - Holland
Mar 28th Essen, Turock - Germany
Mar 29th Hamburg, Logo - Germany
Mar 30th Berlin, Franz Club – Germany
Mar 31st Munich, Strom - Germany
Apr 1st Dornbirn, Conrad-Sohm, Austria
Apr 2nd Zurich, Plaza - Switzerland Apr 4th Strasbourg, La Laiterie – France
Apr 5 Savigny, L’Empreinte - France Apr 6th. Vorselaar, De Dreef - Belgium
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Cormac Neeson continues: "After six albums and a lot of road miles we felt we needed to step back from it all and reset. Whilst that wasn’t an easy decision, with retrospect it’s possibly the best decision we’ve ever made because after seven years away we all came back fired up and the end result is an album we’ve been waiting to make our whole lives… full of good time rock n roll and positive energy created by four brothers who quite frankly just really missed each other. We’re back and we’re ready to bring our best album ever to you!"
Sundowners will be released in several formats including CD Gatefold Digi sleeve, Gatefold 12" 180g black vinyl, 2 x 12" colour vinyl exclusives (Red and Amber), a 12" fan collectible Picture Disk and Digital.
There will also be various limited 'retail exclusive' versions with HMV, Rough Trade, Crash and Assai Records.
Pre-order: https://ada.lnk.to/Sundowners
TOUR DATES
UK MARCH 2023
Mar 16th Blackpool, Waterloo Bar
Mar 17th Birmingham O2 Institute
Mar 19th Bristol Thekla
Mar 20th London 100 Club SOLD OUT
Mar 21st Leeds Key Club
Mar 23rd Belfast Limelight 2 SOLD OUT
Tickets:
https://myticket.co.uk/artists/the-answer
EUROPE MARCH & APRIL 2023
Mar 25th Haarlem, Patronaat - Holland
Mar 26th Den Bosch, Willem Twee - Holland
Mar 28th Essen, Turock - Germany
Mar 29th Hamburg, Logo - Germany
Mar 30th Berlin, Franz Club – Germany
Mar 31st Munich, Strom - Germany
Apr 1st Dornbirn, Conrad-Sohm, Austria
Apr 2nd Zurich, Plaza - Switzerland Apr 4th Strasbourg, La Laiterie – France
Apr 5 Savigny, L’Empreinte - France Apr 6th. Vorselaar, De Dreef - Belgium
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This worrying but absolutely spot-on video from Rick Beato video doesn’t need any introductory or conclusion words from me (AI generated or otherwise)…
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Toronto based roots/blues rockers The Commoners, who released the critically acclaimed Find a Better Way last year, will embark on a co-headlining 15-date UK tour in April with blues rocking slide maestro Troy Redfern, who released his own excellent album, The Wings Of Salvation, in 2022.
Planet Rock’s 48-hour ticket pre-sale starts at 10am on Wednesday 11th January, via the following ticket link:
https://planetrock.gigantic.com/the-commoners-/-troy-redfern-tickets-presale-8488
Tickets go on general sale on Friday 13th January from www.alttickets.com, www.gigantic.com, www.thecommoners.ca and www.troyredfern.com
Planet Rock’s 48-hour ticket pre-sale starts at 10am on Wednesday 11th January, via the following ticket link:
https://planetrock.gigantic.com/the-commoners-/-troy-redfern-tickets-presale-8488
Tickets go on general sale on Friday 13th January from www.alttickets.com, www.gigantic.com, www.thecommoners.ca and www.troyredfern.com
The Commoners – Chris Medhurst (lead vocals), Ross Hays Citrullo (guitars), Ben Spiller (bass), Adam Cannon (drums) and Miles Evans (keys) – released Find A Better Way in 2022; the album featured the singles 'Fill My Cup,' 'Too Much' and the title track, which was mixed by award-winning producer Kevin Shirley.
Praise for Fill My Cup:
"The Commoners have delivered a real beauty dripping in quality, rich in its roots/rock heritage."
- Rock N Load
"The Commoners are well-named in terms of their everyman (and woman) outlook and perspective – musically however, they are uncommonly good. " - FabricationsHQ
On the back of recent singles 'Come On,' 'Gasoline,' 'Sweet Carolina' and 'Mercy,' The Wings of Salvation by Troy Redfern (winner of Hard Rock Hell’s Blues Artist of the Year award) has fast become his best-selling album to date.
After releasing an unprecedented six albums in just under two years, The Wings of Salvation has also been hailed as the singer-guitarist's most compelling work to date.
Over the past fifteen months, Troy Redfern has toured the UK with Robert Jon & The Wreck, The Quireboys, The Sweet, DARE, and When Rivers Meet, picking up new fans along the way.
Redfern also recently played Planet Rock’s Rockstock Festival and will play Planet Rock’s Winter’s End Festival on February 5th.
Praise for The Wings Of Salvation:
"Troy Redfern really comes over as a breath of fresh air in the blues rock world today." - Music News.com
"Troy Redfern has the best record of his career on his hands with The Wings of Salvation." - Rock Blues Muse
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Praise for Fill My Cup:
"The Commoners have delivered a real beauty dripping in quality, rich in its roots/rock heritage."
- Rock N Load
"The Commoners are well-named in terms of their everyman (and woman) outlook and perspective – musically however, they are uncommonly good. " - FabricationsHQ
On the back of recent singles 'Come On,' 'Gasoline,' 'Sweet Carolina' and 'Mercy,' The Wings of Salvation by Troy Redfern (winner of Hard Rock Hell’s Blues Artist of the Year award) has fast become his best-selling album to date.
After releasing an unprecedented six albums in just under two years, The Wings of Salvation has also been hailed as the singer-guitarist's most compelling work to date.
Over the past fifteen months, Troy Redfern has toured the UK with Robert Jon & The Wreck, The Quireboys, The Sweet, DARE, and When Rivers Meet, picking up new fans along the way.
Redfern also recently played Planet Rock’s Rockstock Festival and will play Planet Rock’s Winter’s End Festival on February 5th.
Praise for The Wings Of Salvation:
"Troy Redfern really comes over as a breath of fresh air in the blues rock world today." - Music News.com
"Troy Redfern has the best record of his career on his hands with The Wings of Salvation." - Rock Blues Muse
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Chris Daughtry of American Idol fame and Lzzy Hale of Halestorm have joined forces for a metalised, end-of-relationship cover of the Journey classic 'Separate Ways (Worlds Apart).'
The cover was released exactly 40 years after Journey released the song as a single; it would also feature as the lead-off track on Journey’s Frontiers album, which was released in February 1983.
Of the cover and duet, Lzzy Hale commented that "Chris Daughtry and I have been threatening to unleash a duet for years. What better way to do that than by paying tribute to one of our mutual influences... Journey! This song is not only part of the Stranger Things soundtrack, but has been my go-to for karaoke for as long as I can remember!"
The cover was released exactly 40 years after Journey released the song as a single; it would also feature as the lead-off track on Journey’s Frontiers album, which was released in February 1983.
Of the cover and duet, Lzzy Hale commented that "Chris Daughtry and I have been threatening to unleash a duet for years. What better way to do that than by paying tribute to one of our mutual influences... Journey! This song is not only part of the Stranger Things soundtrack, but has been my go-to for karaoke for as long as I can remember!"
The single marks the first new music from Chris Daughtry since 2021’s Dearly Beloved.
Halestorm released a new album, Back from the Dead, in May 2022.
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Halestorm released a new album, Back from the Dead, in May 2022.
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California based southern roots rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck have released a new single entitled 'Who Can You Love.' Stream the single here.
The Americana-infused ballad, produced by multi-Grammy Award winner Don Was and recorded at Hensen Studios in Los Angeles, will feature on the band’s forthcoming EP One Of A Kind, which will be released on 10th March 2023 via Journeyman Records.
"Don is a mysterious guy," commented frontman Robert Jon Burrison on the collaboration with the legendary producer. "He’s so much about the vibe of the song, rather than the details, and he loves making stuff that sounds raw. He would tell awesome stories about the Dead and the Stones, and there was just so much gravity in his words because he’s been in those legendary rooms! It’s hard not to be intimidated but he made us feel right at home."
"There aren’t a lot of great rock and roll bands out there playing’ right now," added Was. "It’s a real thrill to be able to record this kind of music with such a great band."
The Americana-infused ballad, produced by multi-Grammy Award winner Don Was and recorded at Hensen Studios in Los Angeles, will feature on the band’s forthcoming EP One Of A Kind, which will be released on 10th March 2023 via Journeyman Records.
"Don is a mysterious guy," commented frontman Robert Jon Burrison on the collaboration with the legendary producer. "He’s so much about the vibe of the song, rather than the details, and he loves making stuff that sounds raw. He would tell awesome stories about the Dead and the Stones, and there was just so much gravity in his words because he’s been in those legendary rooms! It’s hard not to be intimidated but he made us feel right at home."
"There aren’t a lot of great rock and roll bands out there playing’ right now," added Was. "It’s a real thrill to be able to record this kind of music with such a great band."
The reflective and questioning 'Who Can You Love' is the latest in a series of singles that Robert Jon & The Wreck will roll out over the next year, beyond the release of the One Of A Kind EP.
The band’s new partnership with Joe Bonamassa’s independent Journeyman Records affords them the opportunity to work with the world’s top producers and release a steady stream of high quality singles on an ongoing basis, cutting through industry chaos and ensuring new music is accessible to fans as intended.
Journeyman Records is the newest endeavour between Blues Rock Icon Joe Bonamassa and his long-time manager Roy Weisman.
The Journeyman brand is a part of a new integrated music management and marketing company, Journeyman Inc, focussing on tour promotion, album releases, digital marketing and social media, to build the artists’ awareness worldwide.
Robert Jon & The Wreck will return to the UK in February 2023 for a 12 date tour, with special guests Meghan Parnell and Dave Barnes of Bywater Call.
Tickets for the UK tour are available from https://robertjonandthewreck.com/pages/tour
The band’s new partnership with Joe Bonamassa’s independent Journeyman Records affords them the opportunity to work with the world’s top producers and release a steady stream of high quality singles on an ongoing basis, cutting through industry chaos and ensuring new music is accessible to fans as intended.
Journeyman Records is the newest endeavour between Blues Rock Icon Joe Bonamassa and his long-time manager Roy Weisman.
The Journeyman brand is a part of a new integrated music management and marketing company, Journeyman Inc, focussing on tour promotion, album releases, digital marketing and social media, to build the artists’ awareness worldwide.
Robert Jon & The Wreck will return to the UK in February 2023 for a 12 date tour, with special guests Meghan Parnell and Dave Barnes of Bywater Call.
Tickets for the UK tour are available from https://robertjonandthewreck.com/pages/tour
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Rootsy blues songstress Samantha Fish and Outlaw Country artist Jesse Dayton have released a 3-track EP entitled The Stardust Sessions.
The EP is available digitally via https://found.ee/SFJDStardust
In what started out as a co-writing session between the two musicians, where blues was married with alt-rock, the last day in the studio saw the pair jamming together in the company of bassist Austin Clements (Omari Neville) and drummer Mike Dillon (Rickie Lee Jones, Les Claypool Garage Jazz Band) and the tape rolling.
The results were The Stardust Sessions, featuring 'Feelin' Good' by Magic Sam, 'I'll Be Here in The Morning' by Townes Van Zandt and a punkabilly take of 'Brand New Cadillac' (made famous by The Clash but written in the late 1950s by Vince Taylor).
The EP is available digitally via https://found.ee/SFJDStardust
In what started out as a co-writing session between the two musicians, where blues was married with alt-rock, the last day in the studio saw the pair jamming together in the company of bassist Austin Clements (Omari Neville) and drummer Mike Dillon (Rickie Lee Jones, Les Claypool Garage Jazz Band) and the tape rolling.
The results were The Stardust Sessions, featuring 'Feelin' Good' by Magic Sam, 'I'll Be Here in The Morning' by Townes Van Zandt and a punkabilly take of 'Brand New Cadillac' (made famous by The Clash but written in the late 1950s by Vince Taylor).
The Stardust Sessions precedes a full-length album entitled Death Wish Blues.
The album, a collection of ten new original songs written by the pair and produced by Jon Spencer, will be released in late spring of 2023 via Rounder Records.
In early December the pair embarked on the first of a number of dates together including a live-stream show at LA's famous Whiskey-A-Go Go.
Award-winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Samantha Fish has released six albums over the course of her acclaimed career, with 2019's Faster and 2021's Kill or Be Kind both appearing on Rounder Records.
"It's not pure rock and roll, it's not pure blues, it's not pure soul, it's not pure pop — it's a mixture of everything," she says of her genre-bending sound, which has taken Fish around the world, performing 200 shows yearly, domestically and abroad.
Jesse Dayton has been bringing his unique mashup of East Texas/Louisiana Blues, old-school country and punk rock to the world since he released his debut album in 1995.
Thirteen records later he remains a staple on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country and the Americana Radio charts, where his debut LP Raising Cain reached Number 1.
He has recorded with legends such as Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, and Willie Nelson and recorded three soundtracks for filmmaker Rob Zombie.
You can read about Jesse Dayton in his 2022 memoir, Beaumonster.
SAMANTHA FISH UK TOUR DATES OCTOBER 2023
Oct 19 Sunderland - The Fire Station
Oct 20 Glasgow - Barrowlands
Oct 21 Manchester - Ritz
Oct 22 Bristol - SWX
Oct 24 York - Barbican
Oct 25 Cambridge - Junction
Oct 26 Bournemouth - O2 Academy
Oct 27 Bexhill De La Warr - Pavilion
Oct 28 Birmingham - O2 Institute
Tickets:
www.alttickets.com/samantha-fish-tickets
www.gigantic.com/samantha-fish-tickets
www.samanthafish.com/tour
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The album, a collection of ten new original songs written by the pair and produced by Jon Spencer, will be released in late spring of 2023 via Rounder Records.
In early December the pair embarked on the first of a number of dates together including a live-stream show at LA's famous Whiskey-A-Go Go.
Award-winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Samantha Fish has released six albums over the course of her acclaimed career, with 2019's Faster and 2021's Kill or Be Kind both appearing on Rounder Records.
"It's not pure rock and roll, it's not pure blues, it's not pure soul, it's not pure pop — it's a mixture of everything," she says of her genre-bending sound, which has taken Fish around the world, performing 200 shows yearly, domestically and abroad.
Jesse Dayton has been bringing his unique mashup of East Texas/Louisiana Blues, old-school country and punk rock to the world since he released his debut album in 1995.
Thirteen records later he remains a staple on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country and the Americana Radio charts, where his debut LP Raising Cain reached Number 1.
He has recorded with legends such as Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, and Willie Nelson and recorded three soundtracks for filmmaker Rob Zombie.
You can read about Jesse Dayton in his 2022 memoir, Beaumonster.
SAMANTHA FISH UK TOUR DATES OCTOBER 2023
Oct 19 Sunderland - The Fire Station
Oct 20 Glasgow - Barrowlands
Oct 21 Manchester - Ritz
Oct 22 Bristol - SWX
Oct 24 York - Barbican
Oct 25 Cambridge - Junction
Oct 26 Bournemouth - O2 Academy
Oct 27 Bexhill De La Warr - Pavilion
Oct 28 Birmingham - O2 Institute
Tickets:
www.alttickets.com/samantha-fish-tickets
www.gigantic.com/samantha-fish-tickets
www.samanthafish.com/tour
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Alt rock quartet Skinny Knowledge have released a new single entitled 'Class A Dummy.'
The fast paced, punk infused rock song is available now on all digital platforms: https://lnk.to/ClassADummy
"Class A Dummy does exactly what it says on the tin! It’s a tongue n’ cheek song about partying, getting wasted, and having a good time, featuring a catchy singalong, big riffs, guitar solo and a whole heap of energy… everything you’d expect from a Skinny Knowledge song!" says front man/ guitarist Andy L Smooth with a grin.
Accompanying the track is a fun and engaging video directed by Joe Hoey (Blackwater Country).
"What you see is what you get with us. This is 100% what to expect at our shows, you’re going to have a good time and possibly a hangover the next day!" continues Andy L Smooth.
The fast paced, punk infused rock song is available now on all digital platforms: https://lnk.to/ClassADummy
"Class A Dummy does exactly what it says on the tin! It’s a tongue n’ cheek song about partying, getting wasted, and having a good time, featuring a catchy singalong, big riffs, guitar solo and a whole heap of energy… everything you’d expect from a Skinny Knowledge song!" says front man/ guitarist Andy L Smooth with a grin.
Accompanying the track is a fun and engaging video directed by Joe Hoey (Blackwater Country).
"What you see is what you get with us. This is 100% what to expect at our shows, you’re going to have a good time and possibly a hangover the next day!" continues Andy L Smooth.
'Class A Dummy' was written by the band and co-produced/ mixed by Andy L Smooth and Tom Auton (Chanel Yates); additional engineering was by Joe Burgess at The Ranch Production House in Southampton and mastering by Grant Berry of Fader Mastering.
Hailing from the south coast of England and formed in 2020 by Andy L Smooth, the Skinny Knowledge sound captures the vibrancy of the raw and raucous, early 90's grunge and pop-punk scenes.
The band has had praise and airplay from a number of high-profile music platforms, including Kerrang!, Classic Rock Magazine (the single 'I Wonder' was voted Classic Rock Magazine's 'Track of the Week'), Planet Rock, BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio, Emerging Rock Bands and many more.
Since the release of their well-received debut album Don't Turn Out the Lights in 2021 the band have gone on to release a number of singles, undertaken tours and played at various festivals.
They are currently in the process of writing and recording a second album for release in 2023 -- a Kickstarter campaign featuring exclusive, and some very creative, perks to help fund the album has just been launched:
http://kck.st/3EgWxX8
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Hailing from the south coast of England and formed in 2020 by Andy L Smooth, the Skinny Knowledge sound captures the vibrancy of the raw and raucous, early 90's grunge and pop-punk scenes.
The band has had praise and airplay from a number of high-profile music platforms, including Kerrang!, Classic Rock Magazine (the single 'I Wonder' was voted Classic Rock Magazine's 'Track of the Week'), Planet Rock, BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio, Emerging Rock Bands and many more.
Since the release of their well-received debut album Don't Turn Out the Lights in 2021 the band have gone on to release a number of singles, undertaken tours and played at various festivals.
They are currently in the process of writing and recording a second album for release in 2023 -- a Kickstarter campaign featuring exclusive, and some very creative, perks to help fund the album has just been launched:
http://kck.st/3EgWxX8
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Following on from previous single 'Love to Hate You,' Los Angeles based indie-rockers Bittersweethearts have followed up with the swirling and psychedelic-tinged 'Polly Plastic.'
The song’s Tarantino-esque rock vibe conjures images of Blondie mixing a cocktail with Mazzy Star (plus a garnish of Shirley Manson); lyrically front-gal lady Zoe Infante says of the track:
"Polly is about your typical fake friend in LA. It’s about how hard it is to make real genuine connections when it feels like everyone is so materialistic and they only care for themselves."
With the band being fans of pop-culture imagery the accompanying video, shot by Vicente Cordero of Industrial Films (Richie Kotzen, Mr Big, Black Veil Brides), sees the group taking a trip through LA while encountering the types of nefarious and counterfeit characters the lyrics of the song speak of.
The song’s Tarantino-esque rock vibe conjures images of Blondie mixing a cocktail with Mazzy Star (plus a garnish of Shirley Manson); lyrically front-gal lady Zoe Infante says of the track:
"Polly is about your typical fake friend in LA. It’s about how hard it is to make real genuine connections when it feels like everyone is so materialistic and they only care for themselves."
With the band being fans of pop-culture imagery the accompanying video, shot by Vicente Cordero of Industrial Films (Richie Kotzen, Mr Big, Black Veil Brides), sees the group taking a trip through LA while encountering the types of nefarious and counterfeit characters the lyrics of the song speak of.
Of the new single's recording, band guitarist/ producer and song co-writer Declan O’Raidy adds:
"This song was recorded much like any of the others that will appear on our upcoming album. The room at Strawhorse Studios did most of the heavy lifting sound-wise and it ended up being a really easy song to get through; I believe it was recorded in 3 or 4 takes at most. We love playing it live, pulling the audience into our world."
Stream/ download links: https://li.sten.to/pollyplastic
Bittersweetheart are swiftly gaining new fans through playing legendary venues such as Whisky A Go Go, The Viper Room and The Mint on the California coast.
Their captivating live show will come across the pond when the band embark on a winter European tour in 2023.
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"This song was recorded much like any of the others that will appear on our upcoming album. The room at Strawhorse Studios did most of the heavy lifting sound-wise and it ended up being a really easy song to get through; I believe it was recorded in 3 or 4 takes at most. We love playing it live, pulling the audience into our world."
Stream/ download links: https://li.sten.to/pollyplastic
Bittersweetheart are swiftly gaining new fans through playing legendary venues such as Whisky A Go Go, The Viper Room and The Mint on the California coast.
Their captivating live show will come across the pond when the band embark on a winter European tour in 2023.
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Nashville-based, genre-dodging guitarist, singer & songwriter JD Simo will release a live album featuring his Trio band entitled Songs From The House Of Grease on January 13th 2023.
The album, which features JD Simo's long-time collaborator Adam Abrashoff (drums) and Todd Bolden (bass), can be pre-ordered/pre-saved at https://orcd.co/greasepre
A new single from the album, entitled ‘Afro Blue’, has now been released.
Ostensibly an interpretation of John Coltrane’s arrangement of the minor key jazz standard by Mongo Santamaria, the sultry and slinky instrumental contrasts with its first-single predecessor, an incendiary cover of the classic ‘Mortgage On My Soul' by hill country blues pioneer Mississippi Fred McDowell.
"Afro Blue is a cornerstone tune in the language of music," says JD Simo. "We just played it off hand during the sessions and ended up capturing a lovely moment. It's hard to approach such hallowed material but I'm proud of it and really enjoy playing it."
The album, which features JD Simo's long-time collaborator Adam Abrashoff (drums) and Todd Bolden (bass), can be pre-ordered/pre-saved at https://orcd.co/greasepre
A new single from the album, entitled ‘Afro Blue’, has now been released.
Ostensibly an interpretation of John Coltrane’s arrangement of the minor key jazz standard by Mongo Santamaria, the sultry and slinky instrumental contrasts with its first-single predecessor, an incendiary cover of the classic ‘Mortgage On My Soul' by hill country blues pioneer Mississippi Fred McDowell.
"Afro Blue is a cornerstone tune in the language of music," says JD Simo. "We just played it off hand during the sessions and ended up capturing a lovely moment. It's hard to approach such hallowed material but I'm proud of it and really enjoy playing it."
Containing five songs with a total running time of 40 minutes, Songs From The House Of Grease features 'Mortgage On My Soul,' 'Afro Blue' and Blind Alfred Reed's 'How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live.' There’s also a free jazz take on Simo’s own 'Higher Plane' (from his self-titled 2020 solo record) and a brand new, Meters inspired cut, entitled 'Missy’s Strut.'
"This album is a live snapshot of me and the fellas playing some favourite tracks that hadn't been captured yet on record. I hadn't planned on releasing something so fast but couldn't be prouder of this snapshot in time. It's honestly my best playing ever captured!" – JD Simo
JD Simo’s love and respect for the roots of blues and rock ’n roll led him to be chosen by music supervisor David Cobb to record all the guitar parts for the recent blockbuster biopic Elvis.
In an interview with Guitar World magazine about his role in creating its soundtrack, JD said, "I’m such a fan of Elvis’ music, but also the music of that period and the other stuff we recorded for the film. Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup, Muddy Waters, B.B. King – all of that is a big part of my musical DNA."
“JD knows how to blend genres within a guitar trio format. Blues-rock with a late 60s/ early 70s edge… highly recommended."
- GUITAR TECHNIQUES
"Mixes things up while keeping the humility and honesty of the blues genre at the forefront of his music." - BLUES MATTERS
"All over the place, which is OK when the places he’s going to are great." - POWERPLAY
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"This album is a live snapshot of me and the fellas playing some favourite tracks that hadn't been captured yet on record. I hadn't planned on releasing something so fast but couldn't be prouder of this snapshot in time. It's honestly my best playing ever captured!" – JD Simo
JD Simo’s love and respect for the roots of blues and rock ’n roll led him to be chosen by music supervisor David Cobb to record all the guitar parts for the recent blockbuster biopic Elvis.
In an interview with Guitar World magazine about his role in creating its soundtrack, JD said, "I’m such a fan of Elvis’ music, but also the music of that period and the other stuff we recorded for the film. Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup, Muddy Waters, B.B. King – all of that is a big part of my musical DNA."
“JD knows how to blend genres within a guitar trio format. Blues-rock with a late 60s/ early 70s edge… highly recommended."
- GUITAR TECHNIQUES
"Mixes things up while keeping the humility and honesty of the blues genre at the forefront of his music." - BLUES MATTERS
"All over the place, which is OK when the places he’s going to are great." - POWERPLAY
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Blues raucous singer-songwriter-guitarist and Gibson brand ambassador Jared James Nichols has announced the forthcoming release of his self-titled new album, released January 13th via Black Hill Records.
His third full-length offering, the new album features recent single 'Down The Drain' (you can check out the recently released live version of the number below) and previous single 'Hard Wired.'
Pre-order the album at https://jjn.ffm.to/jaredjamesnichols
Of the forthcoming album, Jared James Nichols says: "I made a record to serve as the menu for the live show. There’s an element of excitement and danger. It’s my version of rock ‘n’ roll with a little more humanity.
The album is a day in the life with the ups and downs, but it musically rings true to who I am as an artist.
I’m not trying to be anybody but myself and play the music I love for today. I’m giving you loud ass guitars and no fucks given rock ‘n’ roll, and I’m loving it!"
His third full-length offering, the new album features recent single 'Down The Drain' (you can check out the recently released live version of the number below) and previous single 'Hard Wired.'
Pre-order the album at https://jjn.ffm.to/jaredjamesnichols
Of the forthcoming album, Jared James Nichols says: "I made a record to serve as the menu for the live show. There’s an element of excitement and danger. It’s my version of rock ‘n’ roll with a little more humanity.
The album is a day in the life with the ups and downs, but it musically rings true to who I am as an artist.
I’m not trying to be anybody but myself and play the music I love for today. I’m giving you loud ass guitars and no fucks given rock ‘n’ roll, and I’m loving it!"
Photo by David McClister
Jared James Nichols churns out the kind of rock that rips, roars, and rolls without filter or apology.
Since emerging in 2015 with his debut album Old Glory & The Wild Revival, Nichols has racked up millions of streams and acclaim from the likes of American Songwriter, Guitar World, Relix, and many more; he has performed alongside icons such as Slash, Billy Gibbons, Zakk Wylde, Joe Bonamassa, and the late Leslie West, to name but five.
If you’ve never witnessed Jared James Nichols onstage, you’re missing out, big time.
He practically strangles his instrument into submission (sans pick, of course), unleashing torrents of incendiary riffs and licks and ripping out howling, hotwire solos jam-packed with blazing note bursts, screaming, vocal-like bends and tasty, blues-drenched phrases"
- Guitar World
"Jared James Nichols is a larger-than-life guitar player.
When he picks up the electric guitar, there is little chance he's going to tickle the thing. Nichols prefers to keep things primal, with a fingerstyle technique that throttles the instrument."
– MusicRadar
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Since emerging in 2015 with his debut album Old Glory & The Wild Revival, Nichols has racked up millions of streams and acclaim from the likes of American Songwriter, Guitar World, Relix, and many more; he has performed alongside icons such as Slash, Billy Gibbons, Zakk Wylde, Joe Bonamassa, and the late Leslie West, to name but five.
If you’ve never witnessed Jared James Nichols onstage, you’re missing out, big time.
He practically strangles his instrument into submission (sans pick, of course), unleashing torrents of incendiary riffs and licks and ripping out howling, hotwire solos jam-packed with blazing note bursts, screaming, vocal-like bends and tasty, blues-drenched phrases"
- Guitar World
"Jared James Nichols is a larger-than-life guitar player.
When he picks up the electric guitar, there is little chance he's going to tickle the thing. Nichols prefers to keep things primal, with a fingerstyle technique that throttles the instrument."
– MusicRadar
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Delta-blues inspired Scottish guitarist The Gator has just released his debut single, 'Dunoon Boat Song.'
Fittingly Celtic blues in arrangement and resonance, the instrumental tells, though delicate and expressive guitar-lyricism, of a ferry trip to Dunoon to rekindle a loving relationship with mother and son.
The evocative tune however, goes beyond the personal; it also create scenes, emotions or memories for the listener from his or her own life, something an instrument, in the right hands, can do as well – if not better –than words.
Fittingly Celtic blues in arrangement and resonance, the instrumental tells, though delicate and expressive guitar-lyricism, of a ferry trip to Dunoon to rekindle a loving relationship with mother and son.
The evocative tune however, goes beyond the personal; it also create scenes, emotions or memories for the listener from his or her own life, something an instrument, in the right hands, can do as well – if not better –than words.
Purchase/ download 'Dunoon Boat Song' at https://iamthegator.bandcamp.com/releases
The Gator is currently working on his Transatlantic blues album.
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The Gator is currently working on his Transatlantic blues album.
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FabricationsHQ is delighted to be able to confirm and reveal that SOLID ENTERTAINMENTS have announced the date for the second Glasgow Blues Rhythm & Rock Festival.
The next GBR&R event will return to the Oran Mor in the west end of Glasgow on Sunday 28th May 2023, and will run from 2pm -10pm.
Says promoter and Solid Entertainments founder Stephen Stanley, of what is now destined to be a recurring event after the success of the inaugural festival earlier this month:
"Following the fantastic audience response and the sheer number of ‘when's the next one’ requests we could NOT have this as an annual event – in fact the plan is to have not one but TWO Glasgow Blues Rhythm & Rock festivals each year!
Confirmed acts will be announced shortly and EARLY BIRD tickets, at just £25 each, will be going on sale at 9am this Friday, 18th November.”
The next GBR&R event will return to the Oran Mor in the west end of Glasgow on Sunday 28th May 2023, and will run from 2pm -10pm.
Says promoter and Solid Entertainments founder Stephen Stanley, of what is now destined to be a recurring event after the success of the inaugural festival earlier this month:
"Following the fantastic audience response and the sheer number of ‘when's the next one’ requests we could NOT have this as an annual event – in fact the plan is to have not one but TWO Glasgow Blues Rhythm & Rock festivals each year!
Confirmed acts will be announced shortly and EARLY BIRD tickets, at just £25 each, will be going on sale at 9am this Friday, 18th November.”
For all Solid Entertainments events and tickets head to:
www.solidentertainments.com
There is also a Card Hotline (with NO booking fee) open Mon - Fri 9am to 4pm.
Real tickets posted out free of charge when full line up in place.
Tel: 01472 349222
Email: solidentertainments@live.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/solidentertainments
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www.solidentertainments.com
There is also a Card Hotline (with NO booking fee) open Mon - Fri 9am to 4pm.
Real tickets posted out free of charge when full line up in place.
Tel: 01472 349222
Email: solidentertainments@live.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/solidentertainments
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Award winning husky voiced & rootsy songstress Elles Bailey, who has been nominated for three awards at the UK Americana Awards 2023, will take her hit album Shining in the Half Light out on the road on a headline 18 date 2023 UK tour next March & April.
Elles Bailey was regarded as one of the country’s hardest-working blues/Americana singers until her touring, like every other artist, came to a halt because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the lockdown & shutdown setbacks, the ever-resilient and independent Bailey continued her upward trajectory through online performances, winning Blues Artist of the Year 2020 at the UK Blues Awards, releasing singles for charity and issuing a live album of one of her online performances.
Towards the latter part of 2021, Elles Bailey completed work on her third studio album Shining in the Half Light; the album not only reached the top of the genre charts it also appeared on the radar of the UK’s main album chart.
More lately Bailey has joined Planet Rock to present a regular show on the high-profile British radio station, supported both Walter Trout and Don McLean, opened for Van Morrison, sailed & played on Joe Bonamassa's Keep the Blues Alive at Sea cruise and headlined multiple festivals.
Along with the three UK Americana nominations mentioned at the top of this article (Live Act of the Year, Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for Shining In The Half Light) her long-standing guitarist Joe Wilkins is in the running for Instrumentalist of the Year.
The 2023 UK Americana Music Week will take place in venues in Hackney, London between January 23rd and 26th. It's the UK's biggest celebration of American roots music, featuring showcase performances, expert panels and special events, rounded off by the prestigious awards show, held at the Hackney Empire on 26th January.
Elles Bailey was regarded as one of the country’s hardest-working blues/Americana singers until her touring, like every other artist, came to a halt because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the lockdown & shutdown setbacks, the ever-resilient and independent Bailey continued her upward trajectory through online performances, winning Blues Artist of the Year 2020 at the UK Blues Awards, releasing singles for charity and issuing a live album of one of her online performances.
Towards the latter part of 2021, Elles Bailey completed work on her third studio album Shining in the Half Light; the album not only reached the top of the genre charts it also appeared on the radar of the UK’s main album chart.
More lately Bailey has joined Planet Rock to present a regular show on the high-profile British radio station, supported both Walter Trout and Don McLean, opened for Van Morrison, sailed & played on Joe Bonamassa's Keep the Blues Alive at Sea cruise and headlined multiple festivals.
Along with the three UK Americana nominations mentioned at the top of this article (Live Act of the Year, Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for Shining In The Half Light) her long-standing guitarist Joe Wilkins is in the running for Instrumentalist of the Year.
The 2023 UK Americana Music Week will take place in venues in Hackney, London between January 23rd and 26th. It's the UK's biggest celebration of American roots music, featuring showcase performances, expert panels and special events, rounded off by the prestigious awards show, held at the Hackney Empire on 26th January.
Photo by Catalin Margarit
Headline 2023 Tour & Appearances
February
3rd - Winters End, Trecco Bay
4th - Academy 2, Manchester
(co-headline with Chantel McGregor)
5th - The Stables, Milton Keynes
(co-headline with Chantel McGregor)
March
3rd - The Globe, Cardiff
4th - The Phoenix, Exeter
9th – O2 Academy 2, Liverpool
10th - The Social, Hull
11th – The Firestation, Sunderland
14th - KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
15th - The Crescent Arts Centre, York
16th - The Caves, Edinburgh
17th - The Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
(co-headline with Chantel McGregor)
21st - Komedia, Brighton
22nd - Junction 2, Cambridge
23rd - 1865, Southampton
April
1st - Lafayette, London
14th - Arlington Arts, Newbury
15th - Trinity Centre, Bristol
Tickets via https://www.planetrocktickets.co.uk and https://www.ellesbailey.com/
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February
3rd - Winters End, Trecco Bay
4th - Academy 2, Manchester
(co-headline with Chantel McGregor)
5th - The Stables, Milton Keynes
(co-headline with Chantel McGregor)
March
3rd - The Globe, Cardiff
4th - The Phoenix, Exeter
9th – O2 Academy 2, Liverpool
10th - The Social, Hull
11th – The Firestation, Sunderland
14th - KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
15th - The Crescent Arts Centre, York
16th - The Caves, Edinburgh
17th - The Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
(co-headline with Chantel McGregor)
21st - Komedia, Brighton
22nd - Junction 2, Cambridge
23rd - 1865, Southampton
April
1st - Lafayette, London
14th - Arlington Arts, Newbury
15th - Trinity Centre, Bristol
Tickets via https://www.planetrocktickets.co.uk and https://www.ellesbailey.com/
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Outstanding multi-styled vocalist Hayley Griffiths (Riverdance, Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, Karnataka) will deliver a musically and vocally captivating two-for-one on January 20th when she releases not one but two brand new albums.
The progressive meets symphonic & contemporary rock of The Hayley Griffiths Band will release their new album MELANIE alongside Hayley Griffiths' latest solo album Far From Here, which follows in the evocative Celtic footsteps of Silver Screen and Celtic Rose.
(You can check out FabricationsHQ's Feature Double Review of the albums here).
Far From Here was produced by Mike Stobbie (founding member of Pallas), who also wrote the title track (since released as a single), a mythical Celtic/ romance song about a Princess who had to ex-communicate herself from her own country because of the infidelity of her lover.
The remaining ten tracks are new arrangements of much loved Celtic classics, thus becoming a celebration of Hayley Griffith’s Celtic roots and touring career to date.
The Hayley Griffiths Band's upcoming album MELANIE, will be their first official studio album; it features seven brand new tracks including the single 'Melanie,' and three bonus songs.
The band features Hayley Griffiths and her former Karnataka band mates Cagri Tozluoglu (keys) and Jimmy Pallagrosi (drums) alongside virtuoso guitarist Mathieu Spaeter (Franck Carducci / Drifting Sun) and Jordan Brown (bass).
Big Big Train drummer/vocalist Nick D’Virgilio features as a guest vocalist on the track 'Dust To Gold.'
Hayley Griffiths will be further sharing this diversity with her unique touring show in 2023.
Act 1 will present Far From Here with Act 2 featuring MELANIE -- from beautiful Celtic ballads to heavy symphonic rock anthems, combined with virtuoso musicianship.
The progressive meets symphonic & contemporary rock of The Hayley Griffiths Band will release their new album MELANIE alongside Hayley Griffiths' latest solo album Far From Here, which follows in the evocative Celtic footsteps of Silver Screen and Celtic Rose.
(You can check out FabricationsHQ's Feature Double Review of the albums here).
Far From Here was produced by Mike Stobbie (founding member of Pallas), who also wrote the title track (since released as a single), a mythical Celtic/ romance song about a Princess who had to ex-communicate herself from her own country because of the infidelity of her lover.
The remaining ten tracks are new arrangements of much loved Celtic classics, thus becoming a celebration of Hayley Griffith’s Celtic roots and touring career to date.
The Hayley Griffiths Band's upcoming album MELANIE, will be their first official studio album; it features seven brand new tracks including the single 'Melanie,' and three bonus songs.
The band features Hayley Griffiths and her former Karnataka band mates Cagri Tozluoglu (keys) and Jimmy Pallagrosi (drums) alongside virtuoso guitarist Mathieu Spaeter (Franck Carducci / Drifting Sun) and Jordan Brown (bass).
Big Big Train drummer/vocalist Nick D’Virgilio features as a guest vocalist on the track 'Dust To Gold.'
Hayley Griffiths will be further sharing this diversity with her unique touring show in 2023.
Act 1 will present Far From Here with Act 2 featuring MELANIE -- from beautiful Celtic ballads to heavy symphonic rock anthems, combined with virtuoso musicianship.
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British rock blues stalwarts King King have just announced one of their biggest UK tours to date.
The 18 date tour runs through March 2023 with Squeeze frontman Glenn Tilbrook as Very Special Guest.
Ticket Pre-sale is open now at https://bit.ly/KK_GT_Presale
KING KING
(with Very Special Guest Glenn Tilbrook)
UK Tour March 2023
02 Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow
04 O2 Academy, Leeds
05 Boiler Shop, Newcastle
09 Electric Ballroom, London
10 The Waterfront, Norwich
11 Manchester, Academy
12 ROCK CITY, Nottingham
14 Floral Pavilion, New Brighton
16 Y Plas Nightclub, Cardiff
17 KK'S Steel Mill- Live Music Wolverhampton
18 O2 Academy, Oxford
19 The De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill
22 Assembly, Leamington
24 Exeter, Phoenix
25 Cheese and Grain, Frome
26 The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth
29 Junction, Cambridge
30 King Georges Hall, Blackburn
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The 18 date tour runs through March 2023 with Squeeze frontman Glenn Tilbrook as Very Special Guest.
Ticket Pre-sale is open now at https://bit.ly/KK_GT_Presale
KING KING
(with Very Special Guest Glenn Tilbrook)
UK Tour March 2023
02 Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow
04 O2 Academy, Leeds
05 Boiler Shop, Newcastle
09 Electric Ballroom, London
10 The Waterfront, Norwich
11 Manchester, Academy
12 ROCK CITY, Nottingham
14 Floral Pavilion, New Brighton
16 Y Plas Nightclub, Cardiff
17 KK'S Steel Mill- Live Music Wolverhampton
18 O2 Academy, Oxford
19 The De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill
22 Assembly, Leamington
24 Exeter, Phoenix
25 Cheese and Grain, Frome
26 The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth
29 Junction, Cambridge
30 King Georges Hall, Blackburn
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Is there such a thing as a double positive?
Why YES, YES there is, or there certainly will be next year as confirmed by the following two News Item announcements…
Progressive rock luminaries YES have announced the rescheduled UK dates for their Relayer Album Series tour for June 2023. The tour was originally planned for 2020 but postponed due to first, the pandemic, then last year’s 50th anniversary tour of the Close To The Edge album.
The eight UK shows will feature the 1974 Relayer album in its entirety together with a selection of other classic YES favourites.
Tickets for the tour (dates below) are on sale from 10am on Friday 14th October.
The coming tour features the current iteration of the band, which sees classic era & long standing member Steve Howe (guitars), Geoff Downes (keys; 1980-81; 2011- ), Jon Davison (lead vocals, acoustic guitar; 2012- ) and Billy Sherwood (bass; 1994, 1997-2000, 2015- ) joined by Jay Schellen (drums, percussion).
Schellen officially took over the drum stool with the sad passing of 50 year YES veteran Alan White in May of this year.
Relayer, the band’s seventh studio album releases in November 1974, marked a slight change in direction; it brought with it an edgier feel as well as passages of prog rock-jazz fusion.
The album reached #4 in the UK Albums chart and #5 in the US Billboard chart.
The current line-up of YES, along with Alan White, released their twenty-second studio album, The Quest, in 2021, which reached #20 in the Official UK Album Chart.
YES – Relayer Album Series UK Tour 2023:
Saturday 10 June – Birmingham, Symphony Hall
Sunday 11 June – Southend, Cliffs Pavilion
Monday 12 June – York, Barbican
Wednesday 14 June – Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall
Thursday 15 June – Gateshead, The Sage
Friday 16 June - Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall
Saturday 18 June - Manchester, Bridgewater Hall
Tuesday 20 June - London, Eventim Apollo
Tickets are available from Yesworld.com, Bookingsdirect.com and all usual outlets.
Why YES, YES there is, or there certainly will be next year as confirmed by the following two News Item announcements…
Progressive rock luminaries YES have announced the rescheduled UK dates for their Relayer Album Series tour for June 2023. The tour was originally planned for 2020 but postponed due to first, the pandemic, then last year’s 50th anniversary tour of the Close To The Edge album.
The eight UK shows will feature the 1974 Relayer album in its entirety together with a selection of other classic YES favourites.
Tickets for the tour (dates below) are on sale from 10am on Friday 14th October.
The coming tour features the current iteration of the band, which sees classic era & long standing member Steve Howe (guitars), Geoff Downes (keys; 1980-81; 2011- ), Jon Davison (lead vocals, acoustic guitar; 2012- ) and Billy Sherwood (bass; 1994, 1997-2000, 2015- ) joined by Jay Schellen (drums, percussion).
Schellen officially took over the drum stool with the sad passing of 50 year YES veteran Alan White in May of this year.
Relayer, the band’s seventh studio album releases in November 1974, marked a slight change in direction; it brought with it an edgier feel as well as passages of prog rock-jazz fusion.
The album reached #4 in the UK Albums chart and #5 in the US Billboard chart.
The current line-up of YES, along with Alan White, released their twenty-second studio album, The Quest, in 2021, which reached #20 in the Official UK Album Chart.
YES – Relayer Album Series UK Tour 2023:
Saturday 10 June – Birmingham, Symphony Hall
Sunday 11 June – Southend, Cliffs Pavilion
Monday 12 June – York, Barbican
Wednesday 14 June – Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall
Thursday 15 June – Gateshead, The Sage
Friday 16 June - Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall
Saturday 18 June - Manchester, Bridgewater Hall
Tuesday 20 June - London, Eventim Apollo
Tickets are available from Yesworld.com, Bookingsdirect.com and all usual outlets.
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For those who still miss the alto-tenor tones of YES co-founder Jon Anderson singing the band’s classics, it’s a case of YES please! when Anderson tours with the highly successful YouTube/ Podcast tribute ensemble the Band Geeks in the Spring of 2023.
Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks will be performing a number of classic YES tracks including 'And You
And I,' 'Starship Trooper' and 'Heart of the Sunrise' along with truly epic prog works such as 'Close To The Edge,' 'The Gates of Delirium' and 'Awaken.'
Says Jon Anderson, now 14 years removed from YES:
"It’s true, I never left YES in my heart and soul…ever! Too many amazingly powerful memories and, of course, the music never left me.
So here I am, 77 years old, still wanting to sing the songs again, and bring my true feelings to the lyrics.
Melody and lyrics has always been my passion; I sing them now with an older and I hope wiser state of mind… I’ve been wanting to have that feeling again…of performing the songs I lived for, and the music I helped to create and design, with the sound of the band of old around me once more.
The first time I heard the Band Geeks I truly freaked out – they sound just like the classic YES of the seventies, the YES that I know and love – that’s what I’m wanting to bring to you on this tour…
YES Music is forever!!" – Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks will be performing a number of classic YES tracks including 'And You
And I,' 'Starship Trooper' and 'Heart of the Sunrise' along with truly epic prog works such as 'Close To The Edge,' 'The Gates of Delirium' and 'Awaken.'
Says Jon Anderson, now 14 years removed from YES:
"It’s true, I never left YES in my heart and soul…ever! Too many amazingly powerful memories and, of course, the music never left me.
So here I am, 77 years old, still wanting to sing the songs again, and bring my true feelings to the lyrics.
Melody and lyrics has always been my passion; I sing them now with an older and I hope wiser state of mind… I’ve been wanting to have that feeling again…of performing the songs I lived for, and the music I helped to create and design, with the sound of the band of old around me once more.
The first time I heard the Band Geeks I truly freaked out – they sound just like the classic YES of the seventies, the YES that I know and love – that’s what I’m wanting to bring to you on this tour…
YES Music is forever!!" – Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson, one of the most recognizable voices in music, was, other than the band’s Drama period of 1980-1981, the lead vocalist of YES from their 1968 inception to 2008.
Anderson was the author and a major creative influence behind the ground-breaking album Fragile as well as many of the band’s most complex and revered pieces such as 'Awaken,' 'Gates of Delirium' and 'Close to the Edge.'
Anderson also co-authored many of the group’s biggest hits, including 'I’ve Seen All Good People,' 'Roundabout' and 'Owner of a Lonely Heart.'
Across 50 years of success, Anderson has worked with many variations of YES, as well as collaborations with Vangelis, Kitaro, Roine Stolt and Jean-Luc Ponty. He has released several critically acclaimed solo albums including Olias of Sunhillow, Song of Seven, Animation, Toltec, Survival And Other Stories and, most recently, 1000 Hands.
The Band Geeks began as the house band for the Band Geek podcast, an internet show created by Richie Castellano of Blue Öyster Cult. The band gained popularity on YouTube with their incredibly detailed recreations of music by artists such as Genesis, Boston and YES, earning the ensemble cast over 30 million views.
The current Band Geeks line-up includes: Richie Castellano (Blue Öyster Cult) - bass, guitar; Chris Clark (Brand X, John Entwistle) - keys; Andy Ascolese (Kasim Sulton’s Utopia, Celebrating Meat Loaf) - drums; Robert Kipp (Kashmir) - keys, guitar; Andy Graziano - guitar, bass.
Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks
US Tour Dates Spring 2023
(more shows TBA):
Friday, April 14, 2023 Westbury, NY
Sunday, April 16, 2023 Newark, NJ
Friday, April 21, 2023 NYC
Sunday, April 23, 2023 Reading, PA
Friday, April 28, 2023 Collingswood, NJ
Saturday, April 29, 2023 Collingswood, NJ
Wednesday, May 03, 2023 Tysons Corner, VA
Saturday, May 06, 2023 Baltimore, MD
Tuesday, May 09, 2023 St. Charles, MO
Friday, May 12, 2023 St. Charles, IL
Saturday, May 13, 2023 Des Plaines, IL
Tuesday, May 16, 2023 North Tonawanda, NY
For more information:
The Band Geeks official website: https://richiecastellano.com/bandgeek/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonandersonyesepicsandclassics/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIvSkw_3SAs1Yy2Ro68GzLw
Anderson was the author and a major creative influence behind the ground-breaking album Fragile as well as many of the band’s most complex and revered pieces such as 'Awaken,' 'Gates of Delirium' and 'Close to the Edge.'
Anderson also co-authored many of the group’s biggest hits, including 'I’ve Seen All Good People,' 'Roundabout' and 'Owner of a Lonely Heart.'
Across 50 years of success, Anderson has worked with many variations of YES, as well as collaborations with Vangelis, Kitaro, Roine Stolt and Jean-Luc Ponty. He has released several critically acclaimed solo albums including Olias of Sunhillow, Song of Seven, Animation, Toltec, Survival And Other Stories and, most recently, 1000 Hands.
The Band Geeks began as the house band for the Band Geek podcast, an internet show created by Richie Castellano of Blue Öyster Cult. The band gained popularity on YouTube with their incredibly detailed recreations of music by artists such as Genesis, Boston and YES, earning the ensemble cast over 30 million views.
The current Band Geeks line-up includes: Richie Castellano (Blue Öyster Cult) - bass, guitar; Chris Clark (Brand X, John Entwistle) - keys; Andy Ascolese (Kasim Sulton’s Utopia, Celebrating Meat Loaf) - drums; Robert Kipp (Kashmir) - keys, guitar; Andy Graziano - guitar, bass.
Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks
US Tour Dates Spring 2023
(more shows TBA):
Friday, April 14, 2023 Westbury, NY
Sunday, April 16, 2023 Newark, NJ
Friday, April 21, 2023 NYC
Sunday, April 23, 2023 Reading, PA
Friday, April 28, 2023 Collingswood, NJ
Saturday, April 29, 2023 Collingswood, NJ
Wednesday, May 03, 2023 Tysons Corner, VA
Saturday, May 06, 2023 Baltimore, MD
Tuesday, May 09, 2023 St. Charles, MO
Friday, May 12, 2023 St. Charles, IL
Saturday, May 13, 2023 Des Plaines, IL
Tuesday, May 16, 2023 North Tonawanda, NY
For more information:
The Band Geeks official website: https://richiecastellano.com/bandgeek/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonandersonyesepicsandclassics/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIvSkw_3SAs1Yy2Ro68GzLw
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British blues & southern styled rockers Sons of Liberty will undertake a co-headline tour with American band Preacher Stone in March 2023.
A transatlantic line-up of two of the hardest Southern Rockers on the current music scene, the tour consists of nine dates, including a return hometown show for The ‘Sons at The Thekla in Bristol.
Tickets: https://www.sonsoflibertyband.com/shows
A transatlantic line-up of two of the hardest Southern Rockers on the current music scene, the tour consists of nine dates, including a return hometown show for The ‘Sons at The Thekla in Bristol.
Tickets: https://www.sonsoflibertyband.com/shows
Sons of Liberty are well-travelled, having played venues all over the UK and festivals including Planet Rock Winter’s End, Winterstorm, HRH, Loverocks and most recently Raismes Fest (France), all of which were extremely well received.
They released their second album Aces & Eights in 2021 to huge acclaim from critics and fans alike, with rave reviews across the board. The band were playlisted on Planet Rock, featured in Classic Rock Magazine's Tracks of The Week and recently toured as Special Guest support to both FM and Grand Slam.
Preacher Stone are a turbo-charged, high-octane, 200 proof, rock ‘n’ roll band out of North Carolina.
The band’s guitar-driven songs about the common man and the swagger of their live performances have earned them a legion of faithful fans known as “The Congregation”. Their song 'Not Today' was featured on two seasons of the hit Fox TV series Sons of Anarchy.
The band has toured the US and parts of Europe including Scandinavia; they have shared the stage with acts such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top and Deep Purple.
This will be the first time Preacher Stone have reached UK shores; fans of heavy southern rock should not miss the opportunity.
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They released their second album Aces & Eights in 2021 to huge acclaim from critics and fans alike, with rave reviews across the board. The band were playlisted on Planet Rock, featured in Classic Rock Magazine's Tracks of The Week and recently toured as Special Guest support to both FM and Grand Slam.
Preacher Stone are a turbo-charged, high-octane, 200 proof, rock ‘n’ roll band out of North Carolina.
The band’s guitar-driven songs about the common man and the swagger of their live performances have earned them a legion of faithful fans known as “The Congregation”. Their song 'Not Today' was featured on two seasons of the hit Fox TV series Sons of Anarchy.
The band has toured the US and parts of Europe including Scandinavia; they have shared the stage with acts such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top and Deep Purple.
This will be the first time Preacher Stone have reached UK shores; fans of heavy southern rock should not miss the opportunity.
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Derby based contemporary heavy rockers Doomsday Outlaw have announced their latest album, Damaged Goods, which will see release on 3rd February 2023 via Republic of Music.
Pre-order the album at: https://lnk.to/DamagedGoods
As Doomsday Outlaw began work on the new album, they knew they wanted to step up to the next level and deliver on the promise of previous albums Suffer More and Hard Times.
For Damaged Goods the band have retained the musical heaviness of those albums and, along with front man Phil Poole's big, soulful vocals, turbo-charged their sound with some retro rock feel-good vibes.
Evolving from a sound that mixed the likes of Black Stone Cherry with heavy blues stomp and southern rock, the band have expanded their sound to channel the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Aerosmith and The Faces.
Latest single 'Runaway' has already become the band’s calling card on stage.
A hard-driving modern rock song with an infectious and melodically charged hook chorus, lyrically the song expounds upon facing up to your problems and building up the courage it takes to be honest.
Pre-order the album at: https://lnk.to/DamagedGoods
As Doomsday Outlaw began work on the new album, they knew they wanted to step up to the next level and deliver on the promise of previous albums Suffer More and Hard Times.
For Damaged Goods the band have retained the musical heaviness of those albums and, along with front man Phil Poole's big, soulful vocals, turbo-charged their sound with some retro rock feel-good vibes.
Evolving from a sound that mixed the likes of Black Stone Cherry with heavy blues stomp and southern rock, the band have expanded their sound to channel the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Aerosmith and The Faces.
Latest single 'Runaway' has already become the band’s calling card on stage.
A hard-driving modern rock song with an infectious and melodically charged hook chorus, lyrically the song expounds upon facing up to your problems and building up the courage it takes to be honest.
Lyrically, Damaged Goods is a personal insight into vocalist Phil Poole’s life and motivations.
"This album is a continuation of the stories of my life, played out for all to see, filled with heartbreak and redemption," confirms Poole. "It’s my own version of therapy, Damaged Goods is the latest chapter in my life."
The band’s bassist, Indy, continues: "It’s been a hard slog these last couple of years with Covid cutting short our European adventures, and generally waiting for live music to see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, but these new tunes have kept us going. The excellent response we’ve had to playing the songs live has been great to see; we can’t wait to get everything out there for people to hear."
The album also includes 'One More Sip,' which was released back in July of 2022.
Doomsday Outlaw have featured on Planet Rock, with a number of singles enjoying six straight playlisted weeks; the band has reached over 68 stations worldwide and received critical praise from BBC Radio 2, BBC Introducing, Powerplay, Fireworks and Gigantic.
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"This album is a continuation of the stories of my life, played out for all to see, filled with heartbreak and redemption," confirms Poole. "It’s my own version of therapy, Damaged Goods is the latest chapter in my life."
The band’s bassist, Indy, continues: "It’s been a hard slog these last couple of years with Covid cutting short our European adventures, and generally waiting for live music to see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, but these new tunes have kept us going. The excellent response we’ve had to playing the songs live has been great to see; we can’t wait to get everything out there for people to hear."
The album also includes 'One More Sip,' which was released back in July of 2022.
Doomsday Outlaw have featured on Planet Rock, with a number of singles enjoying six straight playlisted weeks; the band has reached over 68 stations worldwide and received critical praise from BBC Radio 2, BBC Introducing, Powerplay, Fireworks and Gigantic.
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"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
Victor Wooten