I remember I was at work when I really wanted a new female fronted band to listen to. I go through phases and during this particular time all I was listening to was The Runaways and Joan Jett, Pat Benetar, Gretchen Wilson, Stevie Nicks….which we all know are amazing. But I had a thirst for something that was happening now. So I posted on Facebook and asked if anyone knew of someone. A while later Matt posted the link to Saint Jude’s MySpace page. I hadn’t heard any of their stuff before so I clicked on “Little Queen” and instantly I was in a trance. They were literally music to my ears. I loved the opening guitar riff, I was so excited. Then Lynne’s voice just belted out. “You wear it oh so well….” She blew me away.

At the time they had a monthly residency at the 100 club that I always seemed to be financially challenged just in time for. So never made it, I heard that Ronnie Wood even got up and played with the band which happened a few times, but this was definitely one of those kick yourself moments, because you knew you should have been there. I did manage to finally see them at the Bull and Gate in Kentish town with my friend Sky in 2010. I remember the night in general was running quite late so we had a good girly catch up and bumped into a fair few people we knew so it was a great atmosphere. Saint Jude came on and I couldn’t stop dancing. The musicianship was outstanding and they were so tight. Lynne has such a soulful and bluesy voice. Don’t think I stopped smiling the entire gig.

Saint Jude this past year or two have exploded as a band and have been playing the festival circuit this summer. Their album Diary of a Soul fiend has received rave reviews. Saint Jude has received many accolades from Classic Rock Magazine, Total Rock Radio, Metal Hammer and Planet Rock. Saint Jude is also nominated for “Best New Band” on Classic Rock’s 7th Annual Roll of Honour. Jimmy Page and Ronnie Wood are also known fans.

For a band that has been working since 2005 and with such amazing talent it is great to finally see they get the recognition that they deserve. Saint Jude are definitely going to be one of the greats and are already half way there. I can’t wait to see what the coming years will bring them. They are currently writing and getting ready for album number 2 which is going to be an eagerly awaited release with all eyes on them.

When I asked Lynne if she would take part in the blog, she said yes and I was absolutely thrilled. It’s been a delight to write about Saint Jude and especially how I came across such a truly wonderful band. Here is Lynne’s rock blog 5.

        1) When did you first know you wanted to be a musician? How old were you?

I always loved music and used to listen to radio all the time and my parent’s record collection. I remember singing on the field at school with my mates just for a laugh and I remember them actually finding it entertaining......I started learning guitar when I was about 10yrs old, all I really wanted to do was sing.  I remember singing when I was about 13, to my guitar teacher; he was impressed so I went out gigging with him doing shows 3nights a week in working men's clubs and other such places. It was invaluable experience and I'll never forget it, it's set me up for life.  This is how I learnt to sing as I have never had a lesson.

        2) Who are your major influences? Is there any one unusual that people that listen to your music wouldn't expect?

It's no secret that I'm a massive Aretha Franklin fan, I love crooners and people who can really pull your heart strings when they sing, I grew up listening to, and still do, to Etta James, Roberta Flack, Stevie Wonder, Led Zeppelin,  Sam and Dave, Queen, Frank Sinatra, The faces, Gladys Knight, The Rolling Stones.  Way too many to mention.  I have a very diverse taste in music, of course I love my Rock n roll and soul I tend to like music from any genre as long as it's quality.  In the same hour I can happily listen to anything from ACDC to Frank Zappa to The Allman Brothers to Alan Bennett................

        3) What are the biggest personal struggles you have encountered as an artist? How did you overcome them?

It's never easy pursuing and making true sacrifices for what you love, the reward has to be that you get to do what you love.  Making each day special.  When you choose to bring music to the business it takes on a whole new meaning, anyone will tell you that the music industry is not an easy one to fight your way through but despite all the hard work I live for those moments when I get up on stage or go the studio and record, it makes any shit time well worth it.  I guess nothing good comes easy and it's funny how the harder I work the luckier I become ;o)  

        4) When you write a song is there a particular process you follow or is it different every time?

The main rule I tend to write by is that it has to sound good acoustically first, that way you know you have a good tune and not relying upon production or trickery to make it sound good!  Sometimes we set up in a room and start with a raw riff and then a song comes from there, kinda jamming.  And others, me and the guitarists will sit down and write the melody and lyrics and then take it to the band to add their magic to it, there really is no set formula, just whatever works.

        5) What is your top 5 bands that you would love to tour with & why?

Well we'd love to tour with band that kick it live and give 100% ACDC, The Black Crowes, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones and Iron Maiden.
All these bands, maybe some in their earlier days, give it all they've got and give their fans a great show, that's what it's all about! X

As I said before Saint Jude are currently nominated for “Best New Band” on Classic Rock’s 7th annual Roll of Honour you can vote for them here http://awards2011.classicrockmagazine.com/vote.html

If you want to see Saint Jude live in action then you can see them at Rhythm Festival in Bedfordshire on August 28th or at the Off the tracks festival in Derby on September 3rd. Keep an eye on http://www.saintjudemusic.com for news, and updates.

                                                                               

If you are enjoying the blog why not go to my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Chelles-Rock-Blog/144676218949668 and like it so you don’t miss out on future pieces. And trust me when I tell you there are many exciting things to come.

Until then, I hope you all had a great weekend.

Keep Rockin’

Chelle Xxx \m/ xxX

© 2011 by Michelle Nevill

Since forming in 2009 The Mercy House are striking while the iron is hot!  This band is powerful and raw, heavy and hard hitting! The Mercy House are a young band in comparison to how long many other bands have been together. Yet with each success they become more obvious as one of the bands to watch.

In their brief history they have had their songs featured on Classic Rock and Metal Hammer’s cover CD’s. In 2010 they won the Kerrang! Guitar heroes competition and got their track featured in the game, and now they are about to hit the ground running on a UK summer tour in 2011.

This week on the rock blog Lead singer Drew Davies has answered the Rock Blog 5…….

        1)            When did you first know you wanted to be a musician? How old were you? 

I was always fascinated with music from an early age, my mother and grandmother being strong singers and musicians.  I guess my interest came from there. I remember first hearing  Bon Jovi aged 8 or 9 then getting hugely into Queen, I think hearing and dancing around to A Night at the Opera's 'Death on two legs' shortly after that was the first point I felt I had to 'do this'.

        2)            Who are your major influences? Is there any one unusual that people that listen to your music
                       wouldn't expect? 

Obviously I have a love of heavy rock like Soundgarden, Alice in chains, Pearl Jam, Korn and Guns 'n' Roses...all with great singers who use their voices very well. However, melodically my influences are more unusual. The harmonies in music from Prince and especially Annie Lennox's album 'Diva' would I guess be major 'unusual' influence for me. You will hear these influences in some of our music, especially on tracks like 'the end' and 'blind'. 

        3)            What are the biggest personal struggles you have encountered as an artist? How did you overcome them?

My biggest personal struggle would be money, or lack of it and the problems this has caused me. Sex, drugs and rock n roll is something I've never really been able to afford in London, nor craved. A lack of money has obvious side effects, not enough good food which will negatively affect your health. Also whilst working a full time job it’s hard to then find time to write, rehearse, record, gig and tour. I find it difficult because you have to find a way to help finance the band while still affording to keep a roof over your head. Again this leaves you tired...but I’m a firm believer that you have to work very hard to get anything you really want. To me that's the harsh reality of doing what we do...

        4)            When you write a song is there a particular process you follow or is it different every time? 

Song writing can take many different forms. Jamming, starting with a riff from someone and building, a groove or vocal melody...Even just a theme or lyric to inspire someone to write something with a particular tone...it all revolves around us working together on our respective areas until we are all happy. Normally with some conflict thrown in for good measure :)

        5)            What is your top 5 bands that you would love to tour with & why? 

Top 5 bands to tour with, that's a tricky one. I will take a fantasy approach. Queen, Soundgarden, Korn, Living Colour and/or Alice in Chains...

The Mercy House as I said previously are about to hit the road on a UK Tour. You can find the tour dates below. Please also go check them out at  http://www.myspace.com/themercyhouse and also on their facebook page http://www.facebook.com/themercyhouse

AUGUST
28 BIRMINGHAM Scruffy Murphy’s
29 LEEDS Carpe Diem
30 SHEFFIELD Corporation

SEPTEMBER
1 READING Face Bar
2 BOURNEMOUTH Sound Circus
7 LONDON Purple Turtle
16 CARDIFF The Globe
24 BRIGHTON Concorde 2 (Grand Finale Festival)

These guys work hard but they rock even harder so brace yourselves and hold onto the edge of your seats as The Mercy House hit a town near you! Horns in the air now please! \m/

Thanks once again to all you rockin' folk for reading the Rock Blog and on the next edition the fabulous Lynne Jackaman of Saint Jude will be with us!!

Please also don't forget to like http://www.facebook.com/chellesrockblog#!/pages/Chelles-Rock-Blog/144676218949668 to receive the blog updates.

Until then Keep on Rockin’

Chelle Xxx \m/ xxX

© 2011 by Michelle Nevill

I’ve known Matt now for years. He has always stood out to me as one of the best guitarists currently playing on the London / Camden rock scene. We met while he was playing with Metalwork’s many moons ago. He has, over the years started projects such as Rockworks. A sensational covers band that never failed to deliver a brilliant gig and went from strength to strength rapidly. He is also of course lead guitarist in Voodoo Six

I have always believed in Voodoo six since the first time I saw them. Why wouldn’t I?
Back in the day Henry Rundell was on vocals I remember being pretty impressed and thought that they were, even then, a force to be reckoned with. Who would have known what was in store for them. Henry departed the band and I just hoped that they would find a singer worthy of the music.

Then they found Luke Purdie.  If you are already familiar with V6 and have heard their latest album Fluke?, you will know what I mean when I say hallelujah!!!! Not only do V6 write good, strong head banging’, hip shakin’ tunes but now they have the man with the voice to compliment the music! Finally!

Matt, Tony, Grav, Luke and Chris have toured with Extreme, Michael Monroe, Cinderella and UFO!!  Fluke? Is definitely a must have album for the collection. Produced and engineered by bassist Tony Newton.  Fluke? definitely showcases the amazing talent of these guys as a collective!! So hold on to your hats folks because V6 are coming for you! Quite frankly I cannot wait! There are big things destined for these boys and my god don’t they deserve it.

So now Matt Pearce is in the rock blog seat, here’s what he said. 

        1)      When did you first know you wanted to be a musician? How old were you? 

Well I got my first guitar when I was 13; I’d been exposed to my big brother’s record collection since I was a kid, and loved them. Van Halen, AC/DC, Rush etc.  When I got the guitar and pretty quickly realised I could get on ok with it, I think that was the start of thinking seriously about it…

        2)      Who are your major influences? Is there any one unusual that people that listen to your music wouldn't expect? 

There are the obvious influences as a guitarist, the old school players, Jimmy Page, Angus Young, Michael Schenker, Mick Taylor etc. An unusual one? Possibly Prince. He is a total musical genius but also one of the best guitarists I’ve ever seen. I like people who make it look effortless.

        3)      What are the biggest personal struggles you have encountered as an artist? How did you overcome them?

Ha, finding a good singer that’s not a dick..! We’re really lucky to have found Luke for Voodoo Six. The way the music business has changed recently, it’s got harder to make money from releasing music. The positive side is it’s much more about live performance which we love doing.

        4)      When you write a song is there a particular process you follow or is it different every time? 

With V6 the process tends to be contributing ideas to songs that Tony’s working on, so sometimes he’ll email over ideas and I’ll see what I can add to it, or we’ll get in his studio and see what happens. With past bands I’ve worked best writing with a singer, rather than coming up with the complete song, which is a harder process.

        5)      What is your top 5 bands that you would love to tour with & why? 

I’d love to tour with AC/DC, Aerosmith or The Black Crowes just because I’d love to watch them every night, but to get our music to big crowds that would like what we’re doing, Iron Maiden, Sound garden, Alice in Chains, the list goes on…

Touring with UFO was a lot of fun because I’ve loved their music forever and they were nice guys, so a great experience.

So as Matt and the guy’s take time to do their thing. We are left waiting. However not for long as the boys are playing Hard Rock Hell in December and currently getting ready to rock your asses off!!! In the meantime you can go their website http://www.voodoosix.com/main.html for all things voodoo. So until then turn up your headphones and listen to the glory that is Voodoo Six!!

Next time Drew Davies from The Mercy House!!! Oh hell yes! \m/

Also make sure that you go onto Chelle's Rock Blog facebook page and like http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Chelles-Rock-Blog/144676218949668 for regular updates!! :-)

Keep on Rockin’

Chelle Xxx\m/xxX

© 2011 by Michelle Nevill

By day he can be found holding down the fort at The Monarch. By night, Gabor is bass player for the mighty Wasted Sinners! In 2008 Gabor aka Dude Rock picked up a bass for the first time and started jamming with Pete (Drummer). He instantly knew that he wanted to play in a rock and roll band and so it began........

2010 saw the releaseof their EP "Unleashed and Dangerous" and Wasted Sinners soon became one of the bands for you to go and rock your ass off with. Known for their dirty, sleazy sounds they have developed a great reputation for their live shows.

So I asked Gabor the rock blog questions to find out what made him tick and fall in love with this crazy rockin’ lifestyle and here is what he said.

    1)   When did you first know you wanted to be a musician? How old were you?

That is an unusual story with me because I knew I wanted to be a musician but didn't go for it for a very long time because I was seriously into sport.
I always hung out with musicians, my father was one too and I was always close to the music scene. I actually started playing bass 3 and half years ago when I was 28. I feel very lucky, even having a little instrumental knowledge I met the right people in Roxx Hydi, Pete Sin, Gary 'tasty' Dainty they had great musicianship and experience to form our band the Wasted Sinners.

    2)    Who are your major influences? Is there anyone unusual that people who listen to your music wouldn’t expect?

I grew up listening to Deep Purple, Rainbow and Queen. My first favorite band was Europe. Guns ‘n’ roses when I first heard them instantly became my all-time favorite band.  They are my main influences along with Motley Crue, Aerosmith, Buckcherry and of course many more.
I don’t think there's anything unusual in what I'm listening to. A good song is a good song in many different styles so I like a lot of different music but mainly I'm of course into Hard Rock!

    3)   What are the biggest personal struggles you have encountered as an artist? How did you overcome them?

That's very simple the biggest struggles are money, women, drugs & booze. These all cause troubles every now and then. Sometimes it's really hard work to deal with but in the end you have to know what the priorities are. And my priority is my Band!

    4)   When you write a song is there a particular process you follow or is it different every time?

I usually sing a melody on to my phone when it pops into my head, I write the lyrics to it then together with the guys we create the music behind it. It is the most important part of the process for me. Some songs are coming from Roxx with his riffs and some song ideas from Dainty as well. Pete is doing a lot of arrangements and always gives a finishing touch to the songs. It’s a team effort.

    5)  What are your top 5 bands you would love to tour with & why?

I would like to go back in time a bit with this. The top 5 bands for me are Guns ‘n' Roses, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Queen & Motley Crue and there are so many more, but the list is just too long.  These are the bands in my eyes that I would love to be on the road with!!!

Wasted Sinners are currently rehearsing to bring you a series of shows to go and get down and dirty to. From what I have heard, yet again they will be hitting the stage hard to an ever increasing fan base. If you want to catch them live you can see them at The Purple Turtle in Camden on the 7th September. The guys are also headlining at The Monarch on the 5th October, playing with Roxville and Crash Mansion…so lock up your daughters!
Check out more from the boys on http://www.reverbnation.com/wastedsinners or http://www.facebook.com/wastedsinners

I would just like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has so far taken part in this blog and also to you all you rockin' cats for reading it. It's early days, but it's had a great response. I have a lot coming up for you in the coming weeks, I'm really excited and you should be too!
Hope you're all having a cracking weekend! Until next time...

Keep Rockin'
Chelle Xxx \m/ xxX

© 2011 by Michelle Nevill