My Glass World: Multiverse of sound and song on ambitious ‘Assorted Marvels’.
‘Assorted Marvels’ by My Glass World is released on 15th January 2023 on Luxury Noise Records. The new album veers from the sax-driven stomp of ‘White Out’, the first single, to the almost soulful slant of ‘Genghis Khan’, via the claustrophobic plaintive bump of ‘Citizen of Nowhere’. This latter track, […]
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New Model Army announce new album ‘Unbroken’.
UNBROKEN; BRAND NEW STUDIO ALBUM – OUT JAN 26TH 2024 VIA EARMUSIC – PRE-ORDER HERE ‘FIRST SUMMER AFTER’ THE FIRST SINGLE RELEASED NOV 3RD & FIRST TOUR DATES FOR 2024 ANNOUNCED The brand-new studio album Unbroken, released on January 26th, 2024, on earMUSIC, is the modern […]
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The Darkness release trailer and first look stills for new documentary.
WATCH THE TRAILER HERE AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL DOWNLOAD AND BLU-RAY FROM DECEMBER 4TH PERMISSION TO LAND… AGAIN; 20TH ANNIVERSARY REISSUE OF CHART-TOPPING DEBUT ALBUM OUT NOW VIA WARNER MUSIC, STREAM / PURCHASE HERE SOLD OUT UK ANNIVERSARY TOUR IN DECEMBER Lightbulb Film Distribution are excited to share first […]
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BEYOND UNBROKEN (feat. co-founding members of Escape The Fate) release new single ‘Blood On My Hands’, out now on FiXT.
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX_eD6pgPcc Beyond Unbroken Releases Haunting New Metalcore Single “Blood On My Hands” For Fans Of Bad Omens, Spiritbox, Sleep Token, Wage War, Falling In Reverse, Escape The Fate, Bring Me The Horizon. Immerse yourself in a sonic storm of Rock, Metal, Metalcore, Hard […]
NewsWatch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX_eD6pgPcc
Beyond Unbroken Releases Haunting New Metalcore Single “Blood On My Hands” For Fans Of Bad Omens, Spiritbox, Sleep Token, Wage War, Falling In Reverse, Escape The Fate, Bring Me The Horizon.
Immerse yourself in a sonic storm of Rock, Metal, Metalcore, Hard Rock, and Alternative Metal as Beyond Unbroken delivers their electrifying inaugural single with FiXT, “Blood On My Hands” with an ominous official music video directed by the Money brothers, Michael and Monte.
Purchase/Stream: https://link.fixtmusic.com/blood_on_my_hands
A track that is significant with starting over as well as facing down the past, “Blood On My Hands” is a powerful anthem that delivers raw intensity and emotional depth. Its intricately crafted lyrics are expertly illustrated through an intense vocal duet by the Money brothers. Monte’s passionate vocal performance complements Michael’s brutal screaming, creating a raw and profound dichotomy that is reflected in both the lyrics and perfectly encapsulated in their striking official music video.
Incorporating a dynamic blend of instruments, the track features powerful guitars, thundering bass, relentless drums, and pulsating synthesizers, all expertly delivered. “Blood On My Hands” offers a high-octane musical experience like no other, serving as a testament to Beyond Unbroken’s ability to captivate their audience while exploring the human experience and pushing the boundaries of Metal and Rock music.
“‘Blood On My Hands’ is an incredibly captivating story, taken aback by the lyrics,” explains Beyond Unbroken. “The electrifying energy and unbridled realism that Beyond Unbroken presents in their music video premiere is an astonishing and emotional connection between artist and listener that will have you at the edge of your seat.”
In a world of boundaries Beyond Unbroken refuses to be defined by one genre. Founded by former Escape The Fate members, brothers Monte and Michael Money, the band habitually crosses the lines, mixing genres the way an artist mixes paint with results that often defy expectation.
They released their first single “Under Your Skin” in 2015 and debuted their first independent EP Don’t Wake The Dead in 2017 with producer Matt Good of From First To Last. The EP was well received with the animated video “Overdose” earning millions of views upon release. Their first debut album, Running Out of Time, followed in 2020 with singles earning millions of streams and premiering on Alt Press.
On April 29, 2020, the band covered Lil Peep and Twenty One Pilots mashup, “Falling Down + Heathens” and it remains the band’s most streamed track to this day. In 2021 the band released a one-off single “With Or Without Me” on the FiXT Radium Compilation which eventually led to the band signing with the label in 2023.
“Blood On My Hands“ is now available from FiXT.
Watch the “Blood On My Hands” Official Music Video HERE.
Download Press Photos HERE.
https://www.youtube.com/c/beyondunbroken
https://beyondunbroken.com/
https://twitter.com/beyondunbroken
https://www.facebook.com/beyondunbroken
https://www.instagram.com/beyondunbroken/
SPOTIFY
Video Director: Monte Money & Michael Money
Produced by: Monte Money, Nikki Lopez
Samantha Fish & Jesse Dayton ‘Death Wish Blues’ with The Commoners as support; O2 Institute, Birmingham.
It was a dark and very wet evening – sounds like the start to a new horror story, but it was, in fact, true. A group of people outside, me included, who were expecting the doors to open at 6pm were both disappointed and soaked […]
Gig reviewsIt was a dark and very wet evening – sounds like the start to a new horror story, but it was, in fact, true. A group of people outside, me included, who were expecting the doors to open at 6pm were both disappointed and soaked through by the time the doors DID open at 7pm!
I last saw Samantha Fish and her band towards the end of last year when she played at KK’s Steelmill just across in Wolverhampton. That was a superb gig – was this one going to be just as good having partnered on this tour with Jesse Dayton, better known as a Country Music guitarist? Was the Blues/Country mash-up going to work? Well, we’ll just have to wait until after support band, The Commoners, have had their say.
Recognised as a ‘Roots Rock’ band and hailing from Canada, the touring 5-piece band hit the stage running and opened with More Than Mistakes, taken from last years’ album Find a Better Way but, in reality, there could hardly be a better way to start. The band had around 40 minutes to impress, and that they certainly did! Frontman, Chris Medhurst crooned admirably, often with a sense of 60’s psychedelia, adding a second guitar in support of Ross Hayes Citrullo’s lead. The band, as a whole, were pretty lively and the addition of the touring keyboards, played by Miles Evans-Branagh, rounds out the sound perfectly. Tonight there were 3 songs taken from last year’s album, plus a new single, Devil Teasin’ Me, released in September and several new songs presumably being aired ahead of a new album planned for release next year. The shortish set was finished off with the title track from their newest album, Find a Better Way. A rock band? They certainly are. A roots rock band? Sure, the songs drew in aspects of folk, blues and country; was this a reflection of what was to come from the Fish-Dayton headliners?
Samantha Fish is best known as an outstanding blues-rock musician but tonight promised to be something slightly different with the addition of co-frontrunner Jesse Dayton. Dayton is known as a musician, actor and producer and in the guise of the first of these has worked alongside country music legends such as Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. In addition he’s been working quite recently with Rob Zombie as a provider of music to his films.
The country music influence imposed by JD was clear at times but, on the whole, the blues-rock description remains pretty safe!
They start the evening with a cover of MC5’s Kick Out the Jams, a proper rocker to get the crowd going before embarking on the first of the 12 songs taken from the pair’s new album, strangely enough called Death Wish Blues! Interspersed with the entire listing of the new album were a few songs taken from earlier Samantha Fish albums as well as the 2022 EP recorded by them called The Stardust Sessions. Probably my favourite of the night was one of those earlier Samantha Fish songs, Bulletproof, taken from 2019’s Kill or be Kind, and this was a proper stomper.
Throughout the set the pair fire off riff after riff of solid blues-rock mashed up with some soulful tunes such as No Apology, some country-rock such as Brand New Cadillac. While JD plays alongside Samantha Fish she definitely leads the way on stage and the fans loved it.
Two more covers make the song sheet in 7 by 7 is, a 1966 hit from Love (look them up if you’re not old enough to remember them) and the final song of the night Goin’ Down South from blues legend RL Burnside.
Another triumphant show from Samantha Fish with her co-star Jesse Dayton, here’s til next time!
Setlists:
The Commoners
More than Mistakes
Shake You Off
Who Are You?
Devil Teasin’ Me
Restless
The Way I Am
Fill My Cup
Find a Better Way
Samantha Fish/Jesse Dayton
Kickout the Jams (MC5 cover)
Deathwish
Feels So Good
Hello Stranger
Brand New Cadillac
Settle For Less
Bulletproof
Down in the Mud
No Apology
Trauma
I’ll be Here in the Morning
Baby’s Long Gone
Lover on the Side
Dangerous People
Supadupabad
Flooded Love
Rippin’ and Runnin’
I Put a Spell on You
7 by 7 is (Love cover)
Riders
You Know my Heart
Goin’ Down South (RL Burnside cover)
Words & images: Reg Richardson (RockStarsRising Music & Performance Photography)
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Ash, The Subways co-headliner with Jealous Nostril, O2 Ritz, Manchester.
It’s a Tuesday night here in Manchester and it’s an evening ready for mid-2000s rock! Tonight Ash and The Subways take over Manchester’s 02 Ritz, with songs that you’ve probably not heard in a decade, but send you back to a happier place. Jealous Nostril […]
Gig reviewsIt’s a Tuesday night here in Manchester and it’s an evening ready for mid-2000s rock! Tonight Ash and The Subways take over Manchester’s 02 Ritz, with songs that you’ve probably not heard in a decade, but send you back to a happier place.
Jealous Nostril kick off the night, three lads including Johnny Borrell (Razorlight/The Libertines/Florence and the Machine), Jack Flanagan (Mystery Jets) and Ellis D from London, all dressed in baggy jeans, pinup shirts, casual as you can be as they take to the stage and start the show with little to no introduction, no seriously, they took to the stage and didn’t say a word before jumping into their first track.
This set was a little bit of a surprise as for the previous dates on the tour there hasn’t been a set advertised, so this might have been a shock to most of the fans when they turned up and saw a band already on the stage.
This band is the definition of soft rock but not soft enough to put them within the Indie genre, if you had to find a way to describe them by comparison then I’d put them down with Madness but make them a little heavier, similar drowned out vocals but with slightly heavier riffs. Despite this band being a mix of others, they do sound a lot like Johnny Borell’s other band, The Libertines, which is weird to create a new band with new members but make the sound exactly the same with only slight changes added. The stage presence gives off the vibe of an Indie band with the awkwardness of them on stage and the lack of movement. Despite some songs having a fast tempo the movement is little to none with all members staying in the same place throughout the performance, it could be nerves or it could be “Let’s be Arctic Monkeys but less indie; let’s give off that vibe” The Monkeys are known for their lack of stage presence so they could be going for that?
5/10
Setlist
- Lovebomb
- Paper.scissor.needle
- Phase 6
- California is Their Kryptonite
- Stop & Stop
- The Kink in the King
- Everyday NDA
- Cry Cry
Now time for part one of the headliners on this tour, The Subways. This band is one of those where you cannot not have heard at least one of their songs over the past twenty years, whether it’s on tv or in a movie you’ve heard a few songs without a doubt. A band that’s been going for twenty years now and certainly knows how to move across the stage.
With a happy vibe of 2000s soft rock, they move with the tempo of every song, with bassist Charlotte Cooper with the most amount of energy as she shuffled across the stage and her hair flying everywhere, with the energy and glittery converse it’s hard not to miss every second of her performance.
Fans are screaming across The Ritz and heads are banging left to right, the stage presence definitely reflects onto the room with everyone matching each other’s energy. After having the upbeat vibes for most of the set the tone has to be slowed down for a while, the riffs become slower and deeper along with the lyrics, the crowd going wild and the singalong begins it sounds like pain being let out throughout the room.
The Subways have killed it with their performance tonight and certainly brought the house alive! The bass and guitar along with the drums were perfectly done with each song and everything worked together from presence to the performance of each track itself. But of course they had to finish this set with their legendary song Rock N’ Roll Queen! If you think you’ve never heard of The Subways you know this song at least, if not then you’ve been living under a rock. Definitely one of their heavier songs and an absolute banger and it’s amazing to be able to see this performed live!
And to complete everything, frontman Billy Lunn jumped from the stage and into the crowd for a crowd surfing finisher.
9/10
Setlist:
- Oh Yeah
- Young for Eternity
- Black Wax
- We Don’t Need Money to Have a Good Time
- Taking All the Blame
- Kalifornia
- Turnaround
- I Want to Hear What You Have Got to Say
- Influencer Killed the Rock Star
- At 1 Am
- Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
- Girls & Boys
- With You
- Rock & Roll Queen
Finally it’s time for Ash: part two of the headliners for the evening. The band was founded in Northern Ireland in the early 90s, by Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton and Rick McMurry. The night kicked off with their explosive anthem “Like a God” from their 2023 album, “Race the Night.” Tim’s guitar riffs set the tone for the night of unbridled rock. We go into “Race The Night”, again, from their latest album, showcasing their ability to blend in their classic sound with something more modern.
“Goldfinger”, a throwback to their 90s heyday with the album “1977” had the crowd singing along to every word. Mark Hamilton’s bassline provided the backbone, while Rick McMurray’s drums drove the rhythm with unrelenting force.
The band then took the audience into a dreamlike state with its haunting melodies of “A Life Less Ordinary”, a song written for the film of the same name starring Cameron Diaz and Ewan McGregor, in fact it was he who got the band onboard.
“Confessions in the Pool”, followed on before Tim Wheeler announced that it was going to get a bit punkier from now on with “Braindead” which showcased ASH’s ability to craft infectious hooks while maintaining their trademark edge. The relentless energy of “Kung Fu” had the crowd going insane, moshing and going completely off their heads.
As the familiar chords of “Girl from Mars” kicked in, the crowd went into a frenzy! This is one of their most known songs from their breakthrough album “1977”, and it remains a timeless anthem that brought them into success.
They delivered this song as if time has been frozen for the past couple of decades and like this was their first time performing it.
“Crashed Out Wasted” brought some nostalgia into a new song for the long-term fans, with its raw, punk-inspired energy harking back to their early days. This began from the band taking a brief moment to walk off the stage for only a few minutes, the calls and cheers for more brought them back smiling for the final three songs.
The collaboration with The Subways on “Oh Yeah” came about as both bands have a song of the same title. With six musicians now on stage, they infected a fresh dynamic into the set, they merged the two sounds and talents together to create something new and amazing and it blew the crowd away.
The final two songs came quickly after Billy, Charlotte and Camille had left the stage, leaving the remaining band on the stage, “Angel Interceptor” and “Burn Baby Burn” finishing the night with the anthem from the early 2000s, to leave fans with the nostalgia as they leave the stage, and the lights go up everyone tonight left the Ritz happy with such an incredible set. I mean how can you not be!
8/10
Setlist:
- Like a God
- Race The Night
- Goldfinger
- A Life Less Ordinary
- Usual Place
- Reward In Mind
- Orpheus
- Confessions in the Pool
- Shining Light
- Oslo
- Peanut Brain
- Braindead
- Kung Fu
- Girl From Mars
- Crashed Out Wasted
- Oh Yeah – W/ The Subways
- Angel Interceptor
- Burn Baby Burn
Words & Images: Lauren Allard, assisted by Jacob Robinson
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Kids in Glass Houses s/b The Nightmares at the O2 Ritz, Manchester.
It’s been a long wait for this night. Kids In Glass Houses have returned to our lives again after almost 10 years. Back in 2014 the band broke up with the thought of never getting back together and making music again, the alternative music scene […]
Gig reviewsIt’s been a long wait for this night. Kids In Glass Houses have returned to our lives again after almost 10 years. Back in 2014 the band broke up with the thought of never getting back together and making music again, the alternative music scene was heartbroken. But last year an amazing thing happened with the announcement of the Slam Dunk 2023 line up, and Kids In Glass Houses were on the bill. With their first performance in 9 years taking place on the last May bank holiday this year, the announcement was made about a 15 year anniversary tour of their album Smart Casual. Months later and the night has landed in Manchester at O2 Ritz, an upgrade from the original location of Manchester Academy 2, and a sold out show.
With support from Newport’s, The Nightmares, who take to the stage first to an already packed out room. The Nightmares at first glance look like your typical gothic band, the style of wearing all black with dark makeup tells you that instantly and the first thing that came to mind was the band Creeper, which is ironic considering The Nightmares will also be supporting Creeper on their next UK tour. The lights are down low with a huge throw of red to add to the gothic themes of the band. The band’s brand of 80s-tinged synth-rock goes perfectly as a way to start the night off. With their album Seance being released recently this year, they’re ready to show the crowd who they are!
The performance was simple and beautifully done, with many in the crowd cheering them on, they’re a band that’s up and coming and with the publicity they’re getting recently they’re going to bring a lot of people to them. They know how to kick start a show, with their set mostly focusing around their latest album. The new album being inspired by them conducting seance’s at home, hence the title. They had such a unique take on noir-pop, retro goth, and punk creating something that was truly beautiful to listen to and witness being performed live.
During their performance you can see the heavy influences from Creeper to The Cure and even to The Distillers, the entire performance was just fantastic to say the least.
Setlist:
- It Follows
- Pink and Grey
- Cruelly Yours
- Heartless
- From Above
- Cursed
Now it’s time for the main event, Kids In Glass Houses finally back together again ready to play their debut album in full front to back. Opener Fisticuffs kicks into full gear with every single word being roared back at the band by the crowd, a lot if not all of the people in this room spent their teenage years worshipping these songs. They threw in the hits like Give Me What I Want and Saturday which are my personal favourites from them. And I did join in by roaring back every single word to them, tracks such as Lovely Bones and Shameless get a much deserved sing along moments.
Frontman Aled Philips, sports a white t-shirt under a blazer and suit pants with a pair of trainers, really adding to the Smart Casual theme. I saw Kids In Glass Houses a few months ago at their reunion show at Slam-Dunk Festival 2023, and seeing them then and now makes me so happy that the scene is coming back together again. The energy that Aled has on this stage is something else, he’s running back and forth to every section of the stage even with the mic stand in hand, dropping it in dramatics and climbing on the drummers platform to see everyone just that much better with his fellow bandmates by his side.
Just watching this band perform again you can see on each of their faces that this is something they have missed on an insane level, with a smile for each and every one of them looking out into the crowd, you see the fans from each section of the room looking like they feel like a kid again. Like the world has healed for them at this moment, there’s something about your favourite bands coming back together again that just makes everything okay again.
As the band goes off stage for what I like to call band peekaboo, to come back on for the encore, we’re welcomed with the final five songs. The night for me felt like it ended kind of early, with the show finishing at 10:15pm, but it’s like they know the ages of all their fans now, we can’t afford to be staying out late on a Monday night.
This is a show I won’t ever forget.
One thing to add that will make everyone happy, the band takes a picture with the crowd only to post later on, on Instagram that a new album will be gracing us all soon. Kids In Glass Houses came back to us and they’re not leaving us again any time soon, and I can’t wait to see what they manage to do.
Setlist:
- Fisticuffs
- Easy Tiger
- Give Me What I Want
- Saturday
- Lovely Bones
- Shameless
- Girls
- Good Boys Gone Rad
- Dance All Night
- Pillow Talk
- Raise Hell
- Church Tongue
- Sunshine
- The Best Is Yet to Come
- Lilli Rose
- Youngblood (Let It Out)
- Matters at All
Words: Lauren Allard and Jacob Robinson
Images: Lauren Allard
Drunken Monkey Rock Festival 2023.
This year’s event, in memory of Ian Downton and supporting the Air Ambulance service, returned with another great mix of new and veteran bands. With the multi-stage setup, Drunken Monkey brings us original acts, alongside some of the very best crowd pleasing cover and tribute […]
Gig reviewsThis year’s event, in memory of Ian Downton and supporting the Air Ambulance service, returned with another great mix of new and veteran bands. With the multi-stage setup, Drunken Monkey brings us original acts, alongside some of the very best crowd pleasing cover and tribute bands.
After the 2022 heat wave with melting roads, heatstroke and a desperate need for shade, this year brought a true Glastonbury like experience, with the full gamut of British weather. Sunday proved the most challenging with sunshine suddenly turning to torrential rain that at times threatened to electrocute the performers and drown the photographers, as high winds dumped buckets of water off the stage roof and over the PA gear.
But the show went on and a massive shout out goes to the organisers and stewards and volunteers who made this one the most fun, relaxed and entertaining festivals around.
The Blue Lena Band
The Blue Lena are a rock band based around the songwriting partnership of former High Treason vocalist Peter Yeomans and guitarist Nick Singleton. With their first live outing at last year’s Drunken Monkey they returned in 2023 with an even more extended line up, adding keyboard player Matt Raynor, and a refined sound.
Whilst previously the overwhelming influence seemed to be Fleetwood Mac, with beautiful vocal harmonies between Fi Channon, Richie Yeates and Peter, their new sound has grittier a blues and Southern Rock edge, which was a truly enjoyable way to open this year’s main stage.
We are looking forward to their first album, which is due out soon.
Fort Royal
Friday afternoon on the Tower Stage bought the welcome return of Fort Royal, with their bouncy energetic rock. This Worcestershire based five piece, have been away from touring for several years, with their absence also coinciding with a band name change. Fans of the band will remember them as Ronin UK with several excellent CDs and a very promising run to the final of the 2016 Metal to the Masses competition.
The guys return to the stage in 2023 with the same energy and fun as before, and hopefully will quickly re-establish their fan base, under the new name. Front man Kit delivers some thought provoking lyrics complimented with rich and layered, blues based tunes.
The sparse crowd was more a reflection on the festival audience preferring old Sabbath tunes, on the main stage, to new music, but they missed a treat as the band gave the attentive audience their high energy best.
Fort Royal are a welcome return to the Worcestershire rock scene and we look forward to some new music from them soon.
7 Year War
This young band are going from strength to strength and it is clear that they are continuing to mature. Not just in the sense that some of them are now old enough to shave, but musically the last 12 months has seen a great improvement in musicianship and stage craft.
Last year they opened the Breaking Bands Festival with a handful of covers, but already the signs of promise were there as they went on to impress the Drunken Monkey 22 festival crowd with 3 appearances. 2023 gave them a well-deserved headline slot on the Tower Stage.
As the sun went down their music was accompanied with an atmospheric light show and dry ice. Surely the stadium rock dream of all schoolboy musicians.
Frontman and bassist Tom Ball exuded confidence, engaging with the audience to orchestrate mad mosh pits and was relaxed enough to crack a smile between songs.
Guitarist Cass wielded the axe like a master, but what can we expect from a lad whose first step onto this very stage was already 4 years ago at the tender age of 12!. Ollie is more focussed on his guitar work and is a super versatile musician that keeps the heavy riffs coming. Finally drummer Si pounds the skins expertly, and is not shy about encouraging the crowd, undoubtedly a fan of Lars. Despite going head to head with the excellent Soul Stripper, who had the lion’s share of the audience on the man stage, with superb AC/DC covers, 7 Year War pulled in a decent and enthusiastically headbanging crowd.
The set was primarily Sepultura and Metallica but the new single ‘Baby Killer’ shows that their original material is going to be excellent and well on a par with their metal heroes.
With a few original pieces like this it will not be long before 7 Year War will be getting a slot at Bloodstock. Catch these future metal stars when you can.
Tygers of Pan Tang
After many years of trying, Drunken Monkey finally get Tygers of Pan Tang to headline. With original guitarist Robb Weir we get a link to the beginnings of this NWOBHM band and a time when they had hits in the charts and the great John Sykes on guitar. Disputes with the record label forced them to disband and, despite a brief re-use of the name in the mid-eighties, it was not until Robb Weir recognised in 1999 how much the Tygers were missed that the band properly reformed with Craig Ellis on drums and Jack Meille on vocals forming the core band we see today.
With a classic NOWOBHM sound of twin guitars and bass, the Tygers show that they have still got it. With a great stage entrance, great hair, vocals and very appreciative and enthusiastic crowd, the Saturday night audience (having endured some miserable rain) are genuinely excited. Despite the cold mid-summer evening we get some high energy bluesy rock with a classic 80s rock sound. Not content to re-hash old styles though, their latest track ‘Edge of the World’ off their new album ‘Bloodlines’ has a more modern and technical rock sound, possibly thanks to the twiddling guitar virtuosity of Francesco Marras, a new member to the lineup, providing fresher influences.
Phon
Phon returned to the Tower stage after last year’s great performance. 2022 gave us a sweltering heat wave but this year we are dodging torrential rain with bassist Jack choosing to play in a clear plastic poncho. Lead singer and guitarist Ollie was obviously much taken by playing last year’s set in a floral frock, to deal with the heat, and this year sports a kilt with a nod to last year’s unusual attire and excellent performance.
Phon bring a high energy set with the edgy lyrics and twangy distorted guitars reminiscent of the Violent Femmes. Ollie has a superb vocal range whilst Jack’s bass lines are reminiscent of Flea of the Chili Peppers. Rich on drums provides the heavy grooves underlying it all, and was probably glad to be on the back line sheltered from the rain. For a band only formed in 2021 these guys have a great set of original heavy music and are a band to catch live.
Chug
Chug are a fun two piece rock duo of guitar and drums, not to be confused with the Cheltenham Ukulele Group, hailing from Cheltenham themselves. Whilst Chug is a three piece, only the guitarist and drummer made it to this gig. However, a missing band member did not deter this very versatile pair. Showing off their musical influences with covers of Foo Fighters, Metallica, Nu Metal and punk today we got a preview of a couple of great original tracks that are being prepared for their upcoming EP.
Baron Greenback
With Hawaiian shirts brightening the stage, this great four-piece, formed in 2009, avoid them being marginalised to a single style and bring us funky bass lines, great vocals and metal power chords with the very atmospheric reverberating bass lines driving away the rain to bring out the sun.
Trident Waters
This superb blues rock three piece from North London (and the world) got a well-deserved outing on the Saturday afternoon main stage. With some of the finest original blues rock, these guys gave us some power riffs, with smile along, sing along and dance along tracks. A follow-up album to last year’s excellent Opus Armada is well overdue.
Today they battled the elements and survived. On and off torrential rain drove the audience in and out of the beer tent and threw literal bucketful’s of water onto the stage. Tarpaulins were rushed out mid-set to cover the PA gear and reduce the very literal risk of electrocution. Undaunted, Trident Waters played on and blew away the clouds with their up-beat sunshine rock and roll.
The Offshore
Dropping the moniker Joe Wheldon for 2023, but not Joe himself, this original Worcestershire five piece entertained the crowd with a mix of covers and original tracks.
The Offshore bring great vocals together with rhythmic modern rock and a wealth of influences from Pearl Jam and Chilli Peppers through to hints of Ska.
This is an energetic and entertaining band with some great original tracks, such as 2020’s upbeat and bouncy ‘What a Shame’ and the upcoming single ‘Molecules’ showcases Joe’s wonderful vocal range that belies his appearance as a ‘Kaleb Cooper’ style farmer from the Cotswolds.
Chevy Chase Stole My Wife
With the quirkiest name and raucous 2 minute punk songs, these were perhaps the most fun find of the weekend. As the sun came out on the final day this unique band hit the stage in a blaze of pink hair, a set of original tunes and were fresh from a successful set at Glastonbury.
Chevy Chase Stole My Wife describe themselves as “an alternative and surreal UK band. If you like your rock catchy, or you like your pop dirty, and appreciate love songs for inanimate objects, the ‘Chasers are your new best friends.’”
They entertained with an upbeat set of fast paced punky tunes full of rock guitar riffs, mad jumping around and sudden abrupt ends. A great fun band with the potential for some potty mouthed rants, the Chasers’ lyrics are well worth digging into with some serious messaging. With a back catalogue of EPs going back to 2013 they have plenty of material to choose from, including tracks such as ‘Give us a Smile’ and ‘All the Handsome Men are Dead’. Be sure to catch this band in performance when you can.
Honourable Mentions
The Westlands
If you like your rock to have a country edge then The Westlands are well worth tracking down. Normally a five piece, The Westlands put on a great show despite a missing guitarist and both singers suffering from colds.
The Westlands brought some great original ‘Black Country’ rock tunes to the stage with wonderful vocal harmonies and plenty of fun banter. With a new album on the way and health restored, be sure to listen out for tracks such as ‘Country Life for Me’, ‘Whiskey Chaser’ and ‘Hits me Hard’.
Jiksaw
This young four piece from Worcestershire brought some superb soaring guitar work with both emotional blues licks and overdriven metal riffs, to the stage. The bass work was excellent, with great grooves and rhythm combined with fabulous vocal harmonies that are reminiscent of a heavier version of Fleetwood Mac. This young band brought a great mix of accessible and catchy rock to the stage. Check out the video ‘Feed me Lies’ for a sense of what they have to offer then catch them live.
Dhampyres
With the award for scariest makeup and best dramatic rock performance of the festival this band are reminiscent of Sisters of Mercy with a more metal edge. Their new album, out later in the year, should be one for fans of Goth Industrial music.
That’s all f-f-folks, til next year!
Images: Nicki Sharp
Words: Nic Smith
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Robben Ford: Single out now ahead of ‘Night In The City’ album Dec 1st.
ARTIST ANNOUNCES BRAND-NEW LIVE ALBUM “NIGHT IN THE CITY” DUE DECEMBER 1st ON earMUSIC. FIRST SINGLE “ANTO’NATE’N’TATE” – OUT NOW! Listen to “Anto’Nate’n’Tate” on all digital platforms HERE “If a live recording really represents the best of you – that’s a real, and even rare […]
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Blue October: New video for “Down Here Waiting” from Spinning the Truth Around Part II.
Blue October is sharing a brand new video for “Down Here Waiting” the first single from Spinning the Truth Around Part II, the next chapter in the band’s three-part opus (album is out 29 Sept). The band will be touring the US this Autumn, following their […]
NewsBlue October is sharing a brand new video for “Down Here Waiting” the first single from Spinning the Truth Around Part II, the next chapter in the band’s three-part opus (album is out 29 Sept). The band will be touring the US this Autumn, following their big return to Europe. Frontman Justin Furstenfeld will also lead the immersive workshop Write Your Own Song August 14-18 in Big Indian, NY with a US run of solo Open Book shows, including August 20 and 21 at City Winery in New York. Tickets are on sale now.
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| Photocredit: Abel Longoria |
Recorded during Furstenfeld’s creative streak at his own Up / Down Studios in San Marcos, TX, the Spinning the Truth Around series is “bringing back the transportive experience of the old-school album journey,” writes Spin, and “marks a significant turning point in the band’s decades-long canon.”
The platinum-certified band—Justin Furstenfeld [vocals, guitar, songwriter], Jeremy Furstenfeld [drums], Ryan Delahoussaye [violin, mandolin, piano], Steve Schlitz [guitar], and Matt Noveskey [bass]—consistently evolves with an outlier perspective. Since 1998’s The Answers, Blue October has been touring the world with a boundless approach, generating north of one billion total streams and charting 18 hits.
“We feel like we’re at the height of our craft,” says Furstenfeld, who found inspiration in R&B and hip-hop, namely J Dilla and Marvin Gaye. The album is the story of two people growing apart. “Even if you did love someone, it’s okay if you both fall out of love. It’s the story about a loving relationship that changed, when the world was falling apart. Nobody had a rule book. You don’t have to end a relationship and hate each other. Life is so short. There is love out there.”
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Graham Parker: Diabolical new Single from ‘Last Chance To Learn The Twist’.
Hear It Now! Celebrate the keenly-anticipated release of GRAHAM PARKER’s new album LAST CHANCE TO LEARN THE TWIST with the street date release of a diabolical new single. The album’s lead track (and perhaps its manifesto) “The Music Of The Devil” gets a standalone release […]
NewsCelebrate the keenly-anticipated release of GRAHAM PARKER’s new album LAST CHANCE TO LEARN THE TWIST with the street date release of a diabolical new single. The album’s lead track (and perhaps its manifesto) “The Music Of The Devil” gets a standalone release alongside the album on September 8 and can be pre-ordered or pre-saved now (https://orcd.co/grahamparker-tmotd) while the album itself hits record store shelves in CD form. And as of now, the Limited LP Edition (on clear bottle green vinyl) can be pre-ordered ahead of its official October 27 release, with copies ordered directly from Big Stir Records shipping to arrive immediately.
The Music Of The Devil” serves as both the kick off track for LAST CHANCE TO LEARN THE TWIST and a mission statement of sorts for not just the album but perhaps even Parker himself. A sly, rootsy ode to the acclaimed singer-songwriter’s chosen art form, rock and roll, it sets the tone for the record by being at once genuinely funny and authentically dark while scratching the surface of deeper truths. PARKER’s current crack backing band THE GOLDTOPS – SIMON EDWARDS(bass), JIM RUSSELL(drums), MARTIN BELMONT (lead guitar) and GERAINT WATKINS on keys – come crashing in with a monster movie intro before cooking up an invitingly sinister groove over which Parker tells a tale that’s part music history, part subcultural rallying cry, and maybe just a little bit autobiography.
Parker, who’s been noted to be in particularly fine voice on the new album, is aided and abetted on vocals by THE LADY BUGS (Marietta Smith and Paige Stubley). “The Lady Bugs float like the choirgirls that they actually are on this album’s ballads, infused with old soul,” says Graham, “but on this one they sing like street corner ruffians!” Also commanding attention are Watkins’ swirling organ, circling around the infamous tritone known as “the Devil’s interval”. All the while, Parker sings with inimitable bluesy grit of the enduring power of rock and roll: “They tried to eliminate it, good luck with that /Pushed it underground but it just grew back / It just grew stronger with every iteration /The music of the devil was the new sensation.
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If that sounds like a parallel with the Graham Parker story itself–that of a voice alternately celebrated and then marginalized, only to come back stronger, more accomplished, and more commanding each time, he won’t disagree with you. “I made my decision to be wicked and tough,” he sings midway through the tune: “I made my choice and it was nasty stuff: The music of the devil.” And while there’s nothing genuinely demonic about Parker’s approach, it remains as darkly compelling as ever on LAST CHANCE TO LEARN THE TWIST. The album has already been hailed as one of his best, with Keith Creighton of Popdose calling it “just a majestic record” and Power Pop News declaring that Parker’s “lyrical wit, biting commentary and most of all, soul, all are on full display.” And Blitzed Magazine says the songs “do what great music should… there is an originality combined with influence that is the mainstay of this gentleman’s work ever since he opened up the world to his vision.” Graham Parker remains an original indeed: you can hear it in the engrossing shuffle of “The Music Of The Devil” and you’ll hear it all over LAST CHANCE TO LEARN THE TWIST as both arrived on September 8.
MOLYBARON release video for “Reality Show,” 4th single from new album SOMETHING OMINOUS.
French/Irish alternative rock-metal outfit MOLYBARON, known for their energetic, hard-hitting sound, are set to release their new album Something Ominous in just 2 weeks, on the 15th of September via InsideOutMusic/Sony Music. Today, MOLYBARON are pleased to share the epic 4th single from the album “Reality Show,” a high-energy […]
NewsFrench/Irish alternative rock-metal outfit MOLYBARON, known for their energetic, hard-hitting sound, are set to release their new album Something Ominous in just 2 weeks, on the 15th of September via InsideOutMusic/Sony Music.
Today, MOLYBARON are pleased to share the epic 4th single from the album “Reality Show,” a high-energy track, fusing driving guitars and bass with soaring synths, alongside a catchy memorable vocal melody.
You can check out the video here:
Tracklisting:
1 Something Ominous 4:07
2 Set Alight 3:26
3 Billion Dollar Shakedown 3:39
4 Breakdown 3:17
5 Anyway 4:15
6 Daylight Dies In Darkness 4:07
7 Dead On Arrival 3:22
8 Pendulum 3:35
9 Reality Show 4:18
10 Vampires 3:46
Stream the singles and pre-order the album here:
https://molybaron.lnk.to/SomethingOminous
“Something Ominous” video:
“Breakdown” video”
Formed in Paris, early 2015, by Dublin-born singer/guitarist Gary Kelly, MOLYBARON have become one of the most talked-about bands in the modern metal scene.
Fusing together elements of alt rock, hard rock, and modern metal to create an eclectic, sonically dynamic experience, MOLYBARON deliver an intensely raw, original musical signature, appealing to fans across the genres.
MOLYBARON are:
Gary Kelly – Guitar/Vocals
Florian Soum – Lead Guitar
Sébastien de Saint-Angel – Bass
Camille Greneron – Drums
MOLYBARON online:
Greta Van Fleet unveil brand new video for ‘The Falling Sky’.
PLAYING LIVE IN THE UK & IRELAND NOVEMBER 2023:November 14—London, UK—OVO Arena WembleyNovember 16—Dublin, Ireland—3ArenaNovember 19—Manchester, UK—AO ArenaNovember 20—Glasgow, UK—OVO Hydro Greta Van Fleet have unveiled the new video for their much-lauded track ‘The Falling Sky’, directed by the band alongside Gus Black; watch/share HERE. […]
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