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“Potentially the worst rock ‘n’ roll band in the whole world. They’re that good!” Sounds Magazine ‘Livin’ Out Rock ‘n’ Roll’ is the story of The Babysitters (and The Last of the Teenage Idols), arguably the best “worst rock ‘n’ roll band in the world.” Lovingly hand-made, in true Punk rock style by Paolo Sedazarri, the film brings to life the chaos and the humour in a series of hilarious laugh-out-loud anecdotes told by the former band members, some 30 years on. Featuring interviews with well-known music journalists and cleverly intercut with film footage, stills and the music itself, this is a brand new ‘rockumentary’ not unlike ‘Anvil – The Story of Anvil’ and with as many belly laughs as ‘This is Spinal Tap’.  The Music Out of the London backstreets of the 80s, behind the Sloane Square ‘Yuppies,’ was a different kind of style. London’s Soho was the centre of a newly emerging music scene, as far away from the clean cut Sloane Rangers and New Romantics as you could get. Anarchic Punk Rock met sexy Glam and a sleazy, tantalisingly trashy sound and style was born. America’s New York Dolls then Hanoi Rocks and our very own Dogs D’Amour… And then one band crashed into Soho with an attitude, a sound and a style all of its own – they were The Babysitters. With mad hair and ‘guyliner’, they played music like they meant it and knew how to have a good time! This was wild rock with abandon and all the excesses of the 80s. The Babysitters produced some unnervingly catchy hits such as Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken and with their very British sense of humour, one wonders if early 80s Comic Strip film ‘Bad News’ was actually art imitating life… In fact The Darkness could even be a modern day tribute to their legacy. So 30 years on, how did the film come about? Having achieved notable success touring with rock giants Hawkwind and with stories that made front page news at the time, it’s amazing this band are not remembered by everyone of a certain age. Or maybe they are and we have all just been too embarrassed to admit it. Until now!  The Film When a chance encounter on eBay between a fan and the lead singer, the interestingly named Buttz, led to an entertaining interview which later appeared in an American Fanzine, it was clear to Sedazzari that it would make a compelling film - and so it does. Here’s just a taster of the interview by Carl Isonhart, courtesy of fellow musician, and equally unusually-named Andy Guttercat. When asked how much success they had enjoyed, Buttz answered: “At the time, I was happy with our success, I think we all realized that a bunch of drunks could only go so far… We were the best live band in London in '85. The press loved us, and we slept with most of them to show our appreciation!” Interviewed in the film are respected music journalists Ben Marshall and David Stubbs who provide a great insight into the band and the whole London music scene of the time. With cameo appearances from Captain Sensible and Mike Read, the film uses humorous signage between film clips, stills and interviews to great effect. It’s a funny film with its moments of pathos as the much-loved and now deceased former drummer Razzle, and news editor of Melody Maker, Carol Clerk were both remembered fondly. The band’s manager Dave Beal ‘the Wheel’ also sadly died shortly after being interviewed. The film also tells of the demise of The Babysitters and the start of the Last of the Teenage Idols, lead singer and grinning frontman Buttz being the thread that joined the two. Watch the Livin’ Out Rock ‘n’ Roll trailer and you’ll see what I mean.  The Premiere and Film Festivals 'Livin’ Out Rock 'n' Roll' was first screened to an audience in Soho in March of this year, to rapturous applause! I was there alongside the producer, band members and assorted music industry aficionados and heard the comments and the laughter first hand as the film played its premiere. The next film festival screening will be at London’s Portobello Film Festival on Friday 30th August at the Portobello Pop Up Cinema under London’s Westway. The U.S. premiere will be at New York’s CBGB Music & Film Festival running from 9th-13th October which also celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The film is an entertaining hour or so long and has been so successful it has even generated its own merch spin off so you can now have your very own Livin’ Out Rock ‘n’ Roll t shirt (for your dog!) Yes, really. More Than Just a Film Livin’ Out Rock ‘n’ Roll is more than just the name of a Babysitter’s song. It is a film about a long lost London music scene, its survivors and the tales they tell. The final moments of the film are, for me, the essence of what it was all about, as Sedazarri takes the viewer on a visual tour of inner London, then and now. This is a must-see rockumentary set to become a cult film for anyone who likes music, and indeed anyone who doesn’t! Seek it out, and tell them I sent you. You won’t be disappointed.  You can read more of Kate's writing http://katethompson.webs.com/
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Release 19th August 2013 Toxic Arrow Records. Distribution - Cargo.  What happens when Stampede’s singer Reuben Archer (Stampede, Lautrec, Wild Horses, Lionheart) and guitarist Rob Wolverson get together to write? …. ‘Personal Sin’, that’s what. Along come a couple of other guitarists (Chris Clowsley and Vince Neades) and together they write a few more tracks and an album is born with a little help from their friends and when I say friends, I mean astounding group of people who’ve played in the best bands, most probably some of the ones you grew up with. Dave Meniketti (Y&T), John ‘Rhino’ Edwards (Status Quo), Neil Murray (Whitesnake, Gary Moore, Coliseum 2, Snakecharmer). Harry James (Magnum, Thunder, Snakecharmer). Luke Morley (The Union, Thunder), Paul Quinn (Saxon), Paul Raymond (UFO, Paul Raymond Project). Derek Holt (Climax Blues Band), Rocky Newton (Lionheart, Michael Schenker Group), Kevin Riddles (Angel Witch, Tytan), Steve Holbrook (Lautrec), Chris Clowsley (Stampede). Christain Nokes (IO Earth). Chris Dyer (Ruff Kutz, Skalinskis). Paul Gooderman (The Remnants, Archer Marriott Band), Steve Graystone (Stampede). Vince Neades (Archer Marriott Band). Al Cormel (Slide Boy Roy & The Decades). Joe Blanks (The Howling, The Timics). Elizabeth Fields. Dulcie Phoenix. I think I may need a hoover to pick up all the names I’ve dropped, but this really is an album with collaborations of the highest quality and what makes it so great is that it’s really just a collection of good mates doing what they do best…making music. Recorded and mixed by Rob Wolverson (Stampede) and Sheena Sear. Mastered by Ade Emsley (Iron Maiden, Steve Harris). Even the album design is done by Hugh Gilmour (Pig Iron). If you’ve fallen in to the ways of the download, you’ll be missing out on the physical copy of art work, complete with foreword from the legend that is Malcolm Dome, great photos, the ALWAYS welcomed centre fold of band montage pictures and lyrics. RIGHT! On with the album - I’ve written about every song, as believe me there are no duds on here, but to spare you some long ass article, here’s as brief a summarisation as I can edit. London is experiencing a heat wave, I was heading out to the garden to listen through headphones on my laptop, but then I decided to go all old school on myself and play it through a proper stereo. Oh my! The sound is SO good; the mix is warm and clear. These kinds of levels are something I’ve missed so much in modern recordings, hats off to the engineers. The bass and drums are balanced beautifully, none of this ‘forget the rhythm section, let’s turn the guitar and vocals up to full pelt’ business. No one is up to eleven. They’ve got something of content to say/play so they don’t need to shriek. Instead Reuben Archer’s Personal Sin builds breaks and harmonises with groove and precision.  Classic rock structures, atmospheric bass, dreamlike guitar licks and subtle suggestive drums lead you back in to power rock and half time endings come in the form of ‘Bulletproof’. A great beginning that grabs your attention and leaves you wanting more.
The single ‘Play My Rock ‘n’ Roll’ is being released as a double A Side with track 4 ‘Lately’ on July 22nd. Both these tracks grab you. If, like me, you can’t remember a time before you listened to Thin Lizzy and Free then I think you’ll appreciate the blend of Blues and Rock incorporated within. Whether you recognise the intro’s reference of “Mama Don’t Allow No“ from Bo Diddley’s Twisting, early Jimmy Page’s Skiffle or (as I did) from J.J Cale’s ‘Mama Don’t Like’, I think you’ll like the rocked related version that leads you in to the song. The vocals echo, almost as a voice from the past, teleporting you to now with an honest inherent reaction where your body feels the music. In particular I was tickled by Joe Blanks’ bass drum triplets and Rocky Newton’s bass levels. Of course Rob’s trills and drags on guitar simply leave you in awe. There’s a cracking video for it too. ‘Lately’ - Think a bit Alice Cooper ‘School’s Out’, Thin Lizzy ‘Don’t Believe a Word’ and Allman Brothers ‘Jessica’ blended with lyrics we can all identify with. Old friends reverberate in your mind. Vocally ‘Personal Sin’ is faultless and lyrically again, you can’t argue with what’s being expressed. There’s talk of old days, old friends, comment on modern culture and all with the gesture of moving on, remembering the good times and reminding us we live now and the future is ours to make the best of. The album possesses you with thirteen tracks, taking you on a little trip away via rock, blues, flamenco a little twist of metal and a splash of almost jazz funk at certain moments. You can expect jaw dropping guitars wailing and complex runs complimented with controlled simplicity as a balance - that is a skill in itself, endings that make you say ‘Ooh yeah, that was good!’ Drum led section changes. Grooves that interrupt and wake you from getting lost in the moment for too long, power drum fills winding up and building tension. Intravenous Bass lines that just flow, keeping you alive and enthralled. Scene setting piano pieces melodically sombre and fitting, harmonica and backing vocals, always a treat. Castanets snapping and Tango stomping rhythms inspiring the matador in you, blues breaks back in to rock outros. I imagine smiling bikers tuned in to iPods as they ride on the open road to a meet (responsibly of course) at The ‘Ace Café’. I cannot rate the level of musicianship highly enough on this album. If it was half as much fun to make as to listen to, then they must all be still smiling! Here are some of my highlights... ‘Desperation Train’ has a dragging harmonica that brings a bluesy twinkle along with the pounding you can feel the rock core building ‘til you get to the line “Riding on this desperation train”. There’s a cut to a synchronised kind of harmonic moment where everyone plays the melody of the chorus in unison, a feat that is so effective, it just gets better and better. I loved it. ‘TV Junkie’ is a bar song, evidently you wouldn’t be watching TV, but I think that’s the point. You want to hear it coming on, just so you liven up. You need to dance; you have to tap your glass and air guitar with your mates. Be prepared to duck when someone decides they want to be the drummer in your ‘air band’ or you’ll probably get a whipping at some point. ‘Shakin’ All Over ‘ is a cover (Johnny Kid & The Pirates), normally I’m not a big fan, but I’ve always loved this song, so thought ‘why the hell not!’….. OH WHAT! DRUMS! F-ing Hell Fire!! The drummer kicks ten tones (not tonnes) of rhythm. If you like drum machines/sequencers/ drum programs, all I’d say is get your head out of some techno geek’s ass and listen to this. If Joe Blanks doesn’t have you ‘shaking all over’ then you are dead, get thine own self to an undertakers immediately!! This album has made my week. You know when you’re drunk and you try to say musician and it comes out a bit like magician, but more some kind of hybrid between the two? ‘Mujician’ I think we’ve found the owners of this label. Please put this on a stereo to hear it properly. I’ve listened to it now through headphones, laptop speakers and it’s not the same. Give it a try just for me, remind yourself how music should sound, if not this album, any cd, record or even tape, before you forget completely. I’m off to listen to this again. The band are as above. Rueben Archer’s Personal Sin album is released on August 19th Toxic Arrow Records/ Cargo 1 Bulletproof 2 Play My Rock ‘n’ Roll 3 Personal Sin 4 Lately 5 Time On My Hands 6 Desperation Train 7 TV Junkie 8 Ace Café 9 Spanish Nights 10 Reuben’s Blues 11 Shakin’ All Over 12 Like A Clown 13 Sooner or Later www.reubenarcher.com www.toxicarrowrecords.com https://www.facebook.com/ReubenArchersPersonalSin  Photo Credit: Bjwok.com In a converted railway tunnel under Bristol’s Victorian Temple Meads station, Australian rock band Tracer played an electrifying set of powerful music, fast as a bullet from the smoking gun of El Pistolero – their aptly named new album. Wall of sound A hard-hitting new-wave grunge sound with high-energy 70s rock inflections. this is intense and exhilarating music, with intelligent lyrics and exciting riff changes, all set at a breathless pace. With traces of Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age and Nirvana all apparent, it’s amazing to think just three people can create such a wall of sound.  Photo Credit: Kate Thompson The award Fresh from scooping the Best New Band award from Classic Rock magazine at the end of last year, Tracer are touring the UK for the second time in recent months and to packed audiences promoting the new concept album. I finally got to see why. The musicians Tracer are: · the charismatic Michael Brown with his powerfully throaty vocals and fast-fingered lead guitar · the darkly intense Andre Wise with his hot and heavy drumming reminiscent of Led Zeppelin’s legendary John Bonham · and the highly animated and equally talented new addition to the band, bassist Jett. The live show Without so much as a word they crashed straight into the high tempo Too Much (or ‘Three More’ as it appeared cryptically on their hand-written set list!) with its flirtatious lyrical seduction just as it starts off their roaring debut album of 2011, Spaces in Between. “…You keep me on edge while you take your time…” “…You can't decide if you need to come or go… and it's cool that you wanted to come…” And the audience were certainly all glad they made the effort to come that night…The sensational set was like a sexual tease with a well thought out flow of clever build-ups to climactic peaks interspersed with just enough Spaces in Between to get your breath back and take stock of what just happened. Dirty Little Secret from the new album blended right in and was followed by one of Tracer’s finest songs Voice in the Rain which the audience were encouraged to sing. It was testament to the success of their debut album just how many of the audience knew every word: “I don’t want to run, I don’t want to hide, what will be, will be and I’ll just sit and watch the world go by… Am I alive? ‘Cause I don’t feel like I’m living today…And it all comes crashing down…” The beautiful vocal intonation of the line: “I don’t want to rock and I don’t want to roll,” showed the control Michael has and the versatility in his powerful voice is apparent in this thought-provoking song, that goes on: “I just want to sing my song and let the music save my soul…” I don’t think he needs to worry somehow. A mass sigh finished the songalong and then came a somewhat eerie instrumental followed, as on the album of the same name, by the brilliant track Spaces In Between: “Fire fills the sky with violence and love, they’re oblivious to what’s above, The same day in, day out, it brings me down, But the voices in my head tell me, what’s lost can be found” Then darkness came. There was a pause to catch our breath, a slowing of the pace, a definite change of mood. And then… El Pistolero - ‘The Gunman’ crashed, in fury, into our ears like a torrent of unstoppable molten lava. Overly dramatic? Well, yes, it was. It was one hell of a night.  Photo Credit: Penn O'Gara The sound There were sound problems, starting with the mics being too low at the start, the bass was also way too high and overall the sound seemed to be an ongoing issue. The band were never put off and still played a great set which veered brilliantly from angry primal scream to thoughtful singalong to concept album storytelling. The audience The audience was interestingly eclectic with noticeably more men than women, several older gents and a smattering of teen Beiber-haired boys who looked like they’d come to their first gig. And what a first gig! I thought I spied Jeremy Clarkson too and there were a small handful of very attractive girls to even things up. The man doing his unique freestyle dance was clearly loving the band as indeed the whole throng seemed to. Last word Tracer have proved they are consistently good with an album as finely created as their first. This is a must-see band with two must-have albums. Tell them I sent you. Live show rating: 4.5/5 (only the sound let them down) What the band are really like: Great people with a good sense of humour and for wild men of rock they really were quite polite! The Support: Cage the Gods were well worth seeing - these are the Rival Sons of the future. I was so impressed I bought their album that night. You can find out more about Tracer at Tracer-band.com and find them on Facebook and Twitter too. Seek them out.  Tracer – Andre, Jett and Michael get friendly with me, the Rock Writing Goddess Set List Complete with Cryptic Titles
‘Three More’ Too Much ‘Crazy Five Ya’ Manic For Ya ‘Stroll Together’ - Walk Alone ‘Filthy Big Truth’ - Dirty little secret ‘Remember My Title’ - Don't Forget My Name ‘Shout in the Sun’ - Voice in the Rain ‘’Matter Either Side’ - Spaces ‘The Gunman’ – El Pistoleros ‘Construction Square’ - Wrecking Ball ‘Man Birther’ - Lady Killer ‘There’s a Woman’ - There's a Man ‘Alive Pavement’ - Dead garden Encore: ‘Saint Cecilia’ - Santa Cecilia ‘Demon Drive’ - Devil Ride Please read more of Kate's writing at http://katethompson.webs.com/music Live Review: March 8th 2013 Venue:The Golden Lion, Gloucester Road, Bristol ‘‘The Last Days are Coming’… spend them making Jazz hands to this gloriously ‘apocalyptic carnival Rock n Roll’ sound of the weirdly named Tankus the Henge. A fine end-of-the-world tribute indeed. Intelligent, uplifting gypsy style jump about and stomp your feet music, Tankus the Henge bring colour and sound to life, as vivid and as vibrant as your psychedelic dreams. This London-based band have been tipped for great things by the PRS (Performing Right Society) and featured in the Top 10 Acts to See at Glastonbury. And I can see why. I pride myself on my journalistic integrity and I’m well-known for ‘saying it like it is’. My only criticism is they need to write more songs and play more gigs! This band IS amazing. Here’s why… A rock n roll sound with a difference A raucously sonorous and gloriously vintage-sounding six-piece band of incredibly talented musicians playing not just the usual guitars and drums, but a piano, trumpet, sax and even an accordion! And rumour has it there was also a trombone. I thought I’d imagined it but it was real… They transformed the quiet Bristol night into a wild and frenzied circus of energy and fun. It’s a curious mixture of Rock n Roll meets Jazz with trace elements of Reggae (yes really) and perhaps even Ska, set off by a Victorian fairground vibe in its gypsy-carnival, folk rock cacophony. They really are quite unique and not like any other band I have ever seen - in a good way. Jaz Delorean the showmaster Jaz Delorean (his real name!) is the good looking, piano playing showman who whips up the crowd like a circus master with his passion and presence. His voice is a pitch-perfect gravel on velvet that could make a girl melt but is so damn loud has everyone just jumping up and down. He’s a great front man in that he engages well with the audience and there’s an underlying sense of humour there which makes him very watchable. The audience seem to hang on his every word. His bright red, flamboyantly frilly shirt cut quite a dash alongside the bowlers, top hats and squeeze box. 
The set (throws ‘Jazz hands’ just thinking of it) Regulars of the festival circuit, this high energy band had the venue packed and every single person clapping, singing along and stamping their feet. There was not a dull moment from start to finish. The 1920s Jazz-age feel of the night came early on with the song Tango, which we duly all did in a sea of swaying smiles. The crowd was a stylish mix of colourfully dressed students and older discerning music lovers of all sorts of styles and persuasions. Students don’t look like they used to - cocktail dresses with vintage fur stoles, feathers in their hair and Ugg boots… Jaz invited us all to “Scream at the top of your voice!” to Life is a Grimm Tale and we did. There was such an end-of-the-world frenzy we’d have done anything he said. Smiling Makes the Day Go Quicker was lots of fun and Recurring Dream a fast-paced extravaganza of a song including the lyrics: “Screaming your name as we crash through the skylight…” This is curiously cryptic story-telling with high drama to traces of the passion of Flamenco! It goes on: “Will someone please explain to me why I can’t seem to break free, every night a recurring dream. I can’t unravel what it means.” No Jaz, just accept it, you’ve channelled it into this great song! What is a Henge and why is it called Tankus? I asked Jaz about the unusual name of the band – I mean, what is a Tankus the Henge? Is it anything to do with tanks or Stone Henge? He told me: “The name of the band was written in ink on the label of a bottle we found on a beach in Louisiana. Still don't know what it means!” On how the band met, Jaz said: “Some of us met at college, then the others were found after we went on a gay speed dating day as a joke.” Liking his style… Secrets of the band members
UK Tour and debut album Tankus the Henge are now on a UK tour to celebrate the launch of their same-titled debut album of eleven songs which range from upbeat to thoughtful, including the stonking Recurring Dream and the gorgeously ethereal Riddles. One of the best tracks on the album is The Deviationist Society with its lyric: “The fool who brings a knife to a gunfight - ends up - six foot below!” It is vaguely reminiscent of Carter the USM from the late 80s when these boys were still in nappies (when I left school!) and brings the CD to an exciting climax before the perfect ending of The Last Days are Coming. This is an upbeat powerhouse party of an album that will lift your spirits and take you on a journey of joy. It could be the best tenner you ever spend. Next stop is London’s Lexington on Wednesday 13th March – don’t miss seeing them live. It’ll be the end of the world one day…. Go see. You won’t regret it, I promise you. 
For more words from Kate Thompson - http://katethompson.webs.com/
I came across this band from Stoke-on-Trent while I was wandering in twitter land and their psychedelic rock immediately caught my ear. They’re kind of new although they’ve been around for just over 5 years. They were formerly known as The Riots and if you visit their MySpace they still have that name there despite being Translucid since 2011. They underwent plenty of changes to the line-up leaving just guitarist Steve Pye and drummer Joe Walsh as original [founding] members. I’m yet to see/hear them live which means I don’t have a full opinion yet. But I own a copy of their lengthy [6 songs] EP which gives me plenty of enjoyment with every listen. The untitled EP was recorded between June 2011 and early 2012 with great input from singer Dan Watkin adding strong vocal work with the swagger of the Kasabian lot whilst Pye’s guitar work defines each song with hints of the edgier Stone Roses and the best moments of a 70s Pink Floyd jam. To be perfectly honest every so often they remind me of early Kula Shaker minus the mystical side with the impetus of Hawkwind but with less space-ness in their rock. Whichever way they have a rich repertoire and enough ingredients to get them out there with the good working bands. Perhaps they need to be on the road more and even come up with a very creative video so that more people are exposed to their music. 
I can easily hear “Can you feel it” on the radio waves and/or “Echoes” earning them credibility on a high profile Neo-Psychedelic Rock compilation. They display plenty of songs on each of their social media profiles [Facebook, Reverbnation, MySpace] and I highly recommend you take the time to lend Translucid a good ear. They will take you on a music trip which may make you feel like you’re kind of getting high with your coolest friends. They have just the right amount of reverb, delay and backwards tracks to get you there… LEOGUN are a three-piece band from London, surging with a mix of blues, soul and a whole lotta rock & roll. Currently taking the U.S. by storm, LEOGUN will be playing one date at The Borderline in London with support from The Graveltones on 20th December 2012.  Freshly on home soil from a successful tour in The States LEOGUN are keen to be back in their hometown of London to play this very special show. LEOGUN recently released their debut self-titled EP in October. Which has been received with open arms both here and in the U.S. receiving rave reviews. The guy's have also been busy recording their debut album at the Yamaha Studio's in Nashville TN which is planned for release in February 2013. In association with NineLives UK we have a pair of tickets to give away. So if you fancy a night of brilliant rock 'n' roll on 20th December at The Borderline in London then all you have to do is answer this question. Where did LEOGUN record their debut album? Email the answer to chellesrockblog@gmail.com to be in with a chance of winning. Competition closes 12 Midnight on 17th December. Good luck and see ya down the front!!! Congratulations - Mike Gammie you have won two tickets to the show! See you there!  
Machine gun and mortar fire lead into the musical intro of ‘Total Warfare’ the new album from KREMATED. The bass drums and guitar take over like the heavy artillery. Music at this intensity can act like a helicopter gun ship. This is the point of thrash! As has been the intention of many great musicians in history, this is another attempt to re-create the impact, the charge of the light brigade had on the world of classical. The problem is though that they are affiliated with the independent rock fraternity, they have "no discipline" not like the glorified tribute/cover bands that parade the corridors of the guild hall, they wouldn't engage in such debauchery... My hope with KREMATED is as it has been with most other thrash metal bands that they will break through and be recognised for their excellent reproduction of the chaos of the front line. This is the energy and sound of modern warfare but unlike all the heroin addicts and alcoholics of the classical scene that celebrate the beauty of empire, KREMATED question the integrity of massacre or megadeath (not the band). This is just as good as MEGADETH (the band) if you like real thrash with expert precision then you seriously need to check out ‘Total Warfare’ from KREMATED. This is the beginning of something. 
KREMATED are:
Pete Dee - Guitar and Vocals Phil Roberts - Guitar Jimmy Martin - Drums Alex Lewis - Bass http://www.kremated.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Kremated?fref=ts Soldierfield release debut video ‘Leave You In Dirt’, the third track from their debut EP ‘Bury The Ones We Love’ Keep an eye on the bands website for upcoming live shows, news of acoustic tracks and possibly a debut album.... www.soldierfieldband.co.uk  BlackWolf, based in Bristol are a hard rock band that have recently won themselves a slot on the Hard Rock Hell line up, and not without reason. Their debut EP ‘Taking Root’ is doing just that within the industry. As Scott comes howling in on the first track ‘Stairway Ticket’, the song just instantly hits you in the face. BlackWolf are straight up, high energy, in your face hard rock ‘n’ roll. I particularly love the drum fills in this track as they really bring some massive attitude, and along with Scott’s growling vocals, it is definitely a winner. Second track ‘Finding Fables’ is another sure fire thing. As far as technicality goes, BlackWolf might not be the most technical but I believe in this case less is more. Filled with major chords they do not fail to please. Guaranteed to get your toe tapping and head banging they are definitely a must see. ‘Wayward One’ and ‘Seeds’ very much follow suit with thunderous drum beats and riffs that will make you want to rock your ass off. All in all I can’t fault BlackWolf and look forward to rockin’ out with them soon. I suggest you do the same. 'Stairway Ticket' Live at The 100 Club: You can find the current tour dates for BlackWolf here:
http://www.ukblackwolf.com/#/shows/4565967891  The Firefly’s released their second record ‘Cathedral For Your Ashes’ much earlier this year and it’s quite the record. Although it’s probably a tad too poppy for my usual taste, in fact it most definitely is. I still think that this is a fantastic soft rock album that has been written exceptionally well. I would say this record will bode well for the mainstream and is incredibly radio friendly. I think everyone should really listen to this record at least once as it is filled with fantastic guitar solos and riffs from Lee Wylding. Solid (and I mean solid) bass lines. Andie Packer is flying the female drummer flag high and this whole album is great in so many different ways. It is definitely a grower and needs to be listened to a few times. Each time you get a little more lost in the guitar work on ‘Jenny, Play Your Guitar’ or especially ‘Is He Hurting You?’ and ‘Dear Emily’, a personal favourite of mine in that respect. It’s on these tracks and similar I think this band really stand out.  I also like the more up-beat tracks like ‘Pack a Punch’ where Lee’s vocals get slightly rougher, perhaps more gravelly in places in which it sounds more excited and hungry. I like that and would have liked to see this raspy tone a little more throughout the album. Stephen Roberts on bass has some fantastic stand out bass lines – especially on tracks such as ‘Rolling River’ where you can hear he is able to stretch his legs a bit and really gets into the funk of the track. Clearly very talented musicians, The Firefly’s have done well on their second release and the third is already being planned for release in the first half of 2013. I would like to hear a slightly more raucous and up-beat tone to the new album as the majority of songs on ‘Cathedral For Your Ashes’ are quite subdued. There have been a few occasions where I have been dying for the songs to get heavier or take a thunderous drum solo here and there. ‘Cathedral For Your Ashes’ is an incredibly strong album which is played and written incredibly well with lots of outstanding guitar work.  |
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August 2013
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