Music News & Reviews from the Rock, Metal, Blues, Prog, Punk & Jazz Genres as well as stage and festival shows
‘Everybody Rains On My Parade’ ‘Everybody Rains On My Parade’ by Jo Dog and Paul Black’s Sonic Boom is released on CD, 180gm vinyl and via all digital / streaming sites through Black City Records on May 13, 2022. ‘Everybody Rains On My Parade’ takes […]
NewsTo coincide with the release of their album today, Marillion have emblazoned iconic London black cabs with the “An Hour Before It’s Dark” artwork. Any lucky Marillion fan who spots and flags down one of the taxis can ask the cabbie to take them anywhere […]
NewsJust a quick selection of gigs from vintage bands appearing at the Robin 2 next month. March 3rd sees progressive rock band Curved Air returning to the venue. At the front it’s still Sonja Kristina who has been there since the band formed in 1970. […]
News“With Friends At St David’s” will be available on May 28th, 2021. On May 28th, Marillion will release their new live album “With Friends At St David’s”, recorded in Cardiff in November 2019. It all started with the release of “With Friends From The Orchestra” […]
News“With Friends At St David’s” will be available on May 28th, 2021.
On May 28th, Marillion will release their new live album “With Friends At St David’s”, recorded in Cardiff in November 2019.
It all started with the release of “With Friends From The Orchestra” in 2019, when Marillion teamed up with “In Praise of Folly”, a string quartet accompanied by Sam Morris (French Horn) and Emma Halnan (Flute), to record a stunning album full of re-arranged Marillion treasures.
That same year, Marillion took these very special versions on tour and even added a few more highlights like “Gaza” and “Zeperated Out” to the setlist, presenting them in a whole new light.
“With Friends At St David’s” is not only a visually and sonically remarkable live album, but also a dedication to crossing musical boundaries and making “friends” outside of one genre and musical universe. The Blu-ray of this release offer even more, as they come with the previously unreleased documentary “Making Friends“, which shows Marillion in the studio during the making of “With Friends From The Orchestra”.
With this release, Marillion offer a special treat to the fans and sweeten the wait for their new studio album currently in the works, the follow-up to the critically acclaimed and chart-topping “F*** Everyone And Run (F E A R)”.
Steve Hogarth about the album and tour: “Possibly our favourite ever tour. A chance for us to occasionally pause and lose ourselves in our six “classical” musicians interpreting our Producer Mike’s beautiful arrangements, bringing another emotional dimension, and often a playful joy to our music.“
“Seasons End”, originally from 1989’s album of the same name, is the first song to be revealed from this album along with an official video that grants an exclusive peak into a special and emotional evening, recorded on the 16th November 2019 during the Friends From The Orchestra Tour.
The official video can be watched on Marillion’s official Youtube channel:
“With Friends At St David’s” is going to be released on earMUSIC as CD Digipak, 3LP Gatefold (180g), Ltd. Coloured 3LP (Violet transparent), DVD and Blu-ray on May 28th, 2021. Pre-order “With Friends At St David’s” here: https://Marillion.lnk.to/StDavids
TRACKLIST
VIDEO BONUS-CONTENT
We have some bad news and some good news. Bad News 1We have been advised by our European tour agents, that the concerts on-sale in France, The Netherlands and Germany for October 2021 may not be able to take place as planned. We have reluctantly […]
NewsWe have some bad news and some good news.
Bad News 1
We have been advised by our European tour agents, that the concerts on-sale in France, The Netherlands and Germany for October 2021 may not be able to take place as planned. We have reluctantly agreed that we should move that part of the tour into 2022 and are arranging new dates right now.
For those of you who have already purchased tickets you will be able to get a refund or exchange them for the new dates.
To say we are disappointed would be an understatement, but we have to allow countries to get to a point where they are able to have a large proportion of their populations vaccinated so that mass gatherings, such as concerts, can take place without restrictions.
We will put all details of the new tour dates and how to obtain your refund, if necessary, onto our website as soon as we get the information. It is currently impossible to obtain COVID related insurance for these dates so moving was our only option in the end.
We hope you understand.
Bad News 2
We are sorry to say that we must move the Port Zelande Marillion Weekend in March 2022, to March 2023!
This is because Marillion finance and organise the PZ Weekend ourselves. Up-front costs are huge and if the event had to be cancelled (as a consequence of another lockdown by the Dutch Government) the loss could sink us.
As we are unable to insure the event against Covid related cancellation, we are unable to take that risk.
BUT…..
Good News 1
We fully intend to hold the other Marillion Weekends next year (2022) and will be announcing the dates soon. They will be in Leicester (UK), Stockholm (Sweden), Lodz (Poland), Montreal (Canada) and Lisbon (Portugal). We will also be taking part in the Cruise To The Edge.
Good News 2
The UK part of the tour in November looks to be full steam ahead (as much as anyone can be sure of anything at the moment), but all signs are pointing to concerts being permitted with no Covid restrictions in the UK in the Autumn.
Hurrah!
As you know, tickets are on sale and selling extremely well so don’t delay in grabbing yours.
We are also very pleased to announce that we will be doing a livestream of the 2nd night at the Eventim Apollo (Hammy O) and we will be putting tickets on sale for this soon. We hope that our fans from Europe and around the world will be able to join us for what should be a very special night.
Good News 3
In album news, we are still in the studio every day and the album has started to take shape. Within the next few weeks we will be launching one of our world famous pre-order campaigns and we hope you will join in!
Keep an eye on our You Tube Channel (www.youtube.com/marillionofficial) for regular updates and lets all keep our fingers crossed that this is the end of the bad news.
h, Ian, Mark, Pete and Steve
Legendary Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green passed away, peacefully in his sleep, on July 25th 2020. For the past 4 years Peter worked directly with Rufus Publications to produce a huge, illustrated visual book of his life and career. Mark Smith at Rufus has been […]
NewsLegendary Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green passed away, peacefully in his sleep, on July 25th 2020.
For the past 4 years Peter worked directly with Rufus Publications to produce a huge, illustrated visual book of his life and career. Mark Smith at Rufus has been travelling down to Canvey Island on a regular basis to talk to Peter about his life, look through his personal archive and discuss his love for fishing, drawing and listening to a wide range of music on a daily basis. During this time a book of rare images, memorabilia, lyrics and notes from his time in Fleetwood Mac has been assembled with Peter having full control over the book’s direction and details. Peter also played guitar for Mark on occasion, delicately going back through a lifetime of influential music. The resulting book, “The Albatross Man” by Peter Green, will be shipping in October 2021 on what would be his 75th birthday.
During the evolution of the book, it was decided to include some unique music as part of the project. A newly discovered vocal take by Peter, recorded in the mid sixties in his mother’s attic on a tape recorder, of “Need Your Love So Bad” formed the basis of the first song with guitars provided by Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, a huge fan of Peter’s work. The track was produced by Laurie Latham. Peter heard and approved mixes of the track and the short promotional video created for “Need Your Love So Bad”. The second track chosen was “Man of the World” and Kirk Hammett of Metallica, another huge Peter Green fan and current owner of the legendary Greeny guitar, was approached and quickly joined the project. He flew into London and on January 6th 2020 he went into London’s Abbey Road with producer Rob Cass to record the guitar parts for his revised vision of the song, all using Greeny. The following day Kirk went down to Canvey Island to meet with Peter and hand him Greeny once more, but also to play him the guitar parts to “Man of the World”. Again Peter approved the music and approach. The track has now been mixed and finished in LA and also features Mick Fleetwood on drums. The bass and production were handled by legendary producer Bob Rock. Both tracks have been recorded for the book project and offer widely different interpretations of Peter’s work.
At over 450 pages the large, coffee table book, “The Albatross Man” is a perfect celebration of one of the UK’s leading guitarists, songwriters and performers. Not only does it feature Peter’s personal pictures, Fleetwood Mac notes and essays and a stunning array of photography (many previously unpublished) it also includes written contributions from Mike and Richard Vernon, Neil Slaven, Dinky Dawson, Kirk Hammett, Bernie Marsden and many others.
Three editions of the book are available:
EDITION 1 – The Ultra Limited Personally Signed Peter Green edition 50 numbered copies only.
Leather case bound and presented in a special clamshell box and comes with two single-sided 7” vinyl singles (also on CD) of the two recordings and a unique piece of hand drawn Peter Green art. Each book is personally signed by Peter Green either with his full name or PG. Also includes a unique Peter Green T-shirt. £2000 per copy
Edition 1 is a physically bigger book than the other editions and measures 420mm x 330mm wide, the entire package weighs in at around 11kilos.
EDITION 2 – The Deluxe Man of the World edition 500 numbered copies only.
Beautifully quarter bound in a slipcase with a vinyl single of the “Man of the World” track plus both tracks on CD. Includes a limited and numbered “litho” print of one of Peter’s own artworks. Also includes a unique Peter Green T-shirt. £295 per copy.
Personally signed by Kirk Hammett
This edition measures 355mm x 280mm
EDITION 3 – The Standard Edition
Hardback book, printed, laminated cover, supplied in a slipcase. £95 per copy
This edition measures 355mm x 280mm
Pre-orders for the book from www.rufuspublications
Steelhouse fans are in for a real treat as The Darkness have been given ‘Permission To Land’, and have booked their One Way Tickets To The Top Of The Mountain… And Back. Fans should do the same. Who better to fill the prestigious Saturday night […]
NewsSteelhouse fans are in for a real treat as The Darkness have been given ‘Permission To Land’, and have booked their One Way Tickets To The Top Of The Mountain… And Back. Fans should do the same. Who better to fill the prestigious Saturday night headliner slot as Britain emerges from the shadow of Covid ahead of what should be a wonderful Summer?
Justin Hawkins of The Darkness said, “People of rock! We are so happy to be able to come out and play with you again at the one and only Steelhouse festival! F*** Covid – let’s put our thumbs in our belt loops and rock like there’s no tomorrow… or yesterday”.
Promoters Mikey Evans and Max Rhead said, “It gives us enormous pleasure to announce The Darkness as our SH2021 Saturday night headliners – a band so mighty that at the start of this century they single-handedly pulled the music we love out of depths and set it squarely back in front of the eyes and ears of our fair nation. They are the very best of British, dare we say a ‘National Treasure’. Welcome back boys!
“It makes us so happy to be able to announce something positive for the summer. There’s a feeling of optimism in the air following the announcement by the UK government. Couple that with the incredible vaccination roll-out and thankfully, the week-on-week fall in figures relating to the pandemic, we believe that Steelhouse is perfectly placed to finally celebrate its 10th anniversary…Thanks again to the Steelhouse family for their patience, understanding, sticking with us and wanting the festival to move forward”
Glamping is now sold out.
Weekend tickets are £110 in advance, Saturday and Sunday day tickets are £65…Friday is free to anyone holding a weekend or single Sat/Sun day ticket.
About Steelhouse Festival: With its unique mountain top setting on the edge of the beautiful Brecon Beacons, this family friendly great value event has built up a true following and a real heritage of its own over nine successful years. Previous performers at The Steelhouse Festival have included Thin Lizzy, Glenn Hughes, Myles Kennedy, Black Star Riders, The Wildhearts, Thunder, The Darkness, UFO, Europe, Rival Sons, Saxon, Anvil, Michael Schenker, and Skindred. The event now includes a larger stage, an official Friday night, more glamping and an official signing tent sponsored by our media partner Planet Rock where the fans will get to meet a selection of musicians rocking the mountain in July. See also: http://teamrock.com/feature/2016-06-27/steelhouse-the-underdog-tale-of-a-monthly-rock-club-that-built-a-festival
‘As Yet Untitled’ was originally released by Doogie White a full decade ago, and is to be reissued on 2CD through The Store For Music [Cat No SJPCD641] on 4 June 2021. The first CD features the full ten track album, plus two bonus songs, […]
News‘As Yet Untitled’ was originally released by Doogie White a full decade ago, and is to be reissued on 2CD through The Store For Music [Cat No SJPCD641] on 4 June 2021. The first CD features the full ten track album, plus two bonus songs, whilst CD2 boasts a dozen previously unreleased tracks created with an enviable group of friends and peers collected over the Scottish vocalist’s remarkable career. ‘As Yet Untitled’ is his only solo album.
Doogie White currently sings for Alcatrazz but is also known for stints performing with other amazing bands including Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force, Praying Mantis, Tank, La Paz and Michael Schenker’s Temple Of Rock.
Featured artists on the solo album include Patti Russo [Meatloaf, Queen etc], Tony Carey [Rainbow etc], Paul Logue [Eden’s Curse], renowned guitarist Phil Hilborne, Neil Murray [Whitesnake, Sabbath etc], Greg Smith [Alice Cooper, Rainbow], Thomas Broman [Great King Rat, Electric Boys], Patrick Johansson [NorthTale], Marcus Jidell [Avatarium etc]. The album was produced by Pontus Norgren [Hammerfall], who also added some guitar. ‘As Yet Untitled’ features four songs written with Alex Dickson [Midnight Blue, Gun], and a couple with Mick Tucker [Tank]. ‘Small Town Saturday Night’ was written with Alex Dickson and was deemed too beautiful and fragile to fit on the original album, but is too good to leave off the reissue, ‘Dishing The Dirt’ was created by Doogie White and Mick Tucker.
The second disc draws together a selection of carefully chosen cover versions that Doogie White has recorded over the years. These songs are real classics from the likes of Whitesnake, The Stones, Iron Maiden and more and this anniversary reissue provided the perfect occasion to pull them all together into one place for the first time ever.
‘As Yet Untitled’ is a dramatic and hard-hitting album and, a decade on from its original release, remains compelling and fresh. This 2CD reissue, packed with great songs and great musicians celebrates not only the anniversary but the career and talent of Doogie White himself.
TRACKLISTING CD1 1. Come Taste The Band 2. Time Machine 3. Dreams Lie Down And Die 4. Lonely 5. Land Of The Deceiver 6. Secret Jesus 7. Sea Of Emotion 8. Catz Got Yer Tongue 9. Living On The Cheap 10. Times Like These 11. Dishing the Dirt (Bonus) 12. Small Town Saturday Night (Bonus) CD2 1. The Clairvoyant 2. Too Hot To Handle 3. Judgement Day 4. Let’s Spend The Night Together 5. This Flight Tonight 6. Long Gone 7. Emerald 8. Crying In The Rain 9. Love Hurts 10. Not Fade Away 11. Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter 12. Twistin The Night Away |
Emerging South Wales Alt-Rock outfit, TRIBELESS follow-up a successful stint supporting Those Damn Crows last year with new single, ‘Formed By Us’, available to stream and download now. After releasing several lockdown videos throughout 2020, the band started 2021 by welcoming new members Craig Williams (guitar) […]
NewsEmerging South Wales Alt-Rock outfit, TRIBELESS follow-up a successful stint supporting Those Damn Crows last year with new single, ‘Formed By Us’, available to stream and download now.
After releasing several lockdown videos throughout 2020, the band started 2021 by welcoming new members Craig Williams (guitar) and Morgan Price (bass) into the fold. When it was safe to do so, they wasted no time in entering the studio with Grammy-nominated producer, Romesh Dodangoda (Bring Me The Horizon, Holding Absence, Motorhead, Twin Atlantic, Lower Than Atlantis) to record their first songs as a four-piece.
The first track to be released is ‘Formed By Us’ – a precision-drilled slab of contemporary rock centred around an emotionally-charged vocal by Lydia McDonald that showcases both her power and vulnerability..
TRIBELESS hail from the fertile musical hotbed of South Wales – an area renowned for producing a fine lineage of stellar, globally successful talent.
Theirs is music founded on taut and technical percussive arrangements – dynamic and skilfully arranged songs built to fill large rooms – intricate melodies paired with giant-sized choruses, equal parts anthemic firepower, subtle electronic nuance and progressive, modern alt-rock.
TRIBELESS are:
Lydia McDonald – Vocals
Max Rhead – Drums/Keyboards/Vocals
Craig Williams – Guitar
Morgan Price – Bass
TRIBELESS Live:
FOCUS: Wales, Wrexham – October 9th, Planet Rockstock, Trecco Bay – November 13th, Steelhouse Away Day with Those Damn Crows, The Tramshed, Cardiff – Feb 5th 2022, Soundbay Festival, Swansea – March 26th 2022.
AEG Presents are delighted to announce that Britain’s best-loved rockers STATUS QUO are coming back to reclaim their position on the live circuit – with a brand new tour. The ‘Out Out Quoing’ UK & Eire Spring Tour in 2022 will visit 14 venues before […]
NewsAEG Presents are delighted to announce that Britain’s best-loved rockers STATUS QUO are coming back to reclaim their position on the live circuit – with a brand new tour. The ‘Out Out Quoing’ UK & Eire Spring Tour in 2022 will visit 14 venues before the band head out into Europe. Tickets for the UK mainland shows are onsale from Friday 23rd April 2021 at 10am from aegpresents.co.uk/quo.
In September 2019, QUO performed a triumphant set at the massive Radio 2 ‘Festival in a Day’ event in London’s Hyde Park in front of 65,000 fans. That turned out to be their last UK show as the ‘Backbone’ Winter Tour of 2020 was cancelled in its entirety due to Covid-19. Now, STATUS QUO are delighted to be able to announce their long overdue return to the stage with the ‘Out Out Quoing’ tour.
Francis Rossi said, “We cannot wait to play again. Every gig is special for Quo but it’s been too long since we got to play anywhere. Going out is something that we all took for granted. Not any more. Going out, going out properly – ‘going out out’, as some would have it – became a bit of dream but now that dream can come true. The name of the tour is a bit of humour, but a celebration too. However, I’d urge fans not to overthink it and just prepare for all the hits and some serious live music energy!”
STATUS QUO is a band known for their live performances across their incredible fifty year career, it’s time to get back to doing what they do best. After such an unwanted layoff, the band is more ready than ever, making the ‘Out Out Quoing’ tour unmissable.
FULL TICKET LINKS
UK mainland shows: aegpresents.co.uk/quo
MCD show in Belfast: https://www.ticketmaster.ie/venueartist/459370/747939?did=elaserpdcm
MCD show in Dublin: https://www.ticketmaster.ie/venueartist/198239/747939?did=elaserpdcm
‘OUT OUT QUOING’ TOUR 2022
FEBRUARY 2022
Sun 27 – Waterfront, BELFAST
Mon 28 – Olympia, DUBLIN
MARCH 2022
Weds 2 – Bonus Arena, HULL
Thurs 3 – Globe, STOCKTON
Sat 5 – Philharmonic Hall, LIVERPOOL
Sun 6 – Symphony Hall, BIRMINGHAM
Tues 8 – Cliffs Pavillion, SOUTHEND
Weds 9 – Regent Theatre, IPSWICH
Fri 11 – De Montfort Hall, LEICESTER
Sat 12 – G Live, GUILDFORD
Mon 14 – Bridgewater Hall, MANCHESTER
Tues 15 – St David’s Hall, CARDIFF
Thur 17 – New Theatre, OXFORD
Fri 18 – The Forum, BATH
Available for pre-order now from Rufus Publications In 1980, Black Sabbath recruited powerhouse vocalist Ronnie James Dio at the start of a new era for the band. ‘Heaven and Hell’, the first studio album they released is now regarded as one of the most iconic rock […]
NewsAvailable for pre-order now from Rufus Publications
In 1980, Black Sabbath recruited powerhouse vocalist Ronnie James Dio at the start of a new era for the band.
‘Heaven and Hell’, the first studio album they released is now regarded as one of the most iconic rock albums of the 80s. Rolling Stone Magazine voted the album number 37 in the greatest heavy metal albums of all time.
This huge coffee table book from Rufus Publications celebrates this era of the band right through to the ‘Heaven and Hell’ project with a wealth of unseen pictures and memorabilia and with a linking text from rock journalist Howard Johnson who interviewed Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler to discuss this era. With more than 440 pages, this is an epic illustrated record of one of metals greatest bands.
“I first met Ronnie at our rehearsal house in Beverley Hills. He arrived in this massive brown Cadillac that looked too big for him to drive. He seemed pleasant enough, but when he started singing I was blown away – so much power in such a diminutive stature. He quickly got to work on some of the ideas we had and turned them into songs for what became the ‘Heaven and Hell’ album”.
Geezer Butler
The book has been put together with the full co-operation of the band and features pictures from Wendy Dio’s own personal archive.
Available in three amazing editions including two personally signed by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Vinnie Appice and Wendy Dio.
SABBATH – THE DIO YEARS
Available in three amazing editions including two personally signed by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Vinnie Appice and Wendy Dio.
The Standard Edition
Measuring 300mm square with a printed hardback cover and supplied in a black cloth slipcase. £99 each.
The Deluxe Leather Edition
ONLY 225 COPIES WORLDWIDE
Measuring 300mm square this leather bound book features a Heaven and Hell zinc cross embedded in the black recycled leather and silver foil. It comes in a black leather clamshell box with a beautiful numbered print print of Harry Carmean’s drawing of the band and a fold out poster. This book is signed by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Vinnie Appice and Wendy Dio. Numbered 76 to 300. £375 each
The Giant Epic Leather and Metal Edition
ONLY 75 COPIES WORLDWIDE
This giant book measures 370mm square, is bound in leather and features a Heaven and Hell zinc cross embedded in the black leather and silver foil. It comes in a black metal slipcase with a beautiful numbered print of Harry Carmean’s drawing of the band and a fold out poster plus two numbered giclee prints of the band exclusive to this edition. The book is signed by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Vinnie Appice and Wendy Dio. Numbered 1 to 75. This edition also ships with a copy of the standard edition. £999 each
PRE-ORDER DETAILS
The books will ship in September 2021 and the pre-order starts on Friday April 23rd at 3pm UK time from https://www.rufuspublications.com/rufusbooks/sabbath
Beartooth announce that their new album “Below” will be released on Friday, June 25th! Pre-orders are LIVE on BeartoothBand.com You can listen to their “The Past Is Dead” Music Video here: bit.ly/3spkcxn Also announced is a 15-date European tour for early 2022 supported by Motionless […]
NewsBeartooth announce that their new album “Below” will be released on Friday, June 25th! Pre-orders are LIVE on BeartoothBand.com
You can listen to their “The Past Is Dead” Music Video here: bit.ly/3spkcxn
Also announced is a 15-date European tour for early 2022 supported by Motionless in White:
Tickets for the tour are on sale now and you can find more information on the Beartooth and Motionless in White web and Facebook pages.
https://www.facebook.com/BEARTOOTHband
Stonedead returns with a stunning line-up of bands including the Black Star Riders, Tygers of Pan Tang, H.E.A.T. and many more. After a year off the festival comes back bigger and better than before. For more information on the line-up and remaining tickets head to […]
NewsStonedead returns with a stunning line-up of bands including the Black Star Riders, Tygers of Pan Tang, H.E.A.T. and many more. After a year off the festival comes back bigger and better than before.
For more information on the line-up and remaining tickets head to https://www.stonedeadfestival.co.uk/ to see what’s in store this year.