Monthly Archives: October 2014

DVD review: DEEP PURPLE with Orchestra – Live In Verona

DEEP PURPLE with Orchestra - Live In Verona

Eagle Rock [Release date 30.10.14] Deep Purple and orchestras go back a long way – to 1969 when John Lord composed The Concerto for Group and Orchestra with lyrics written by Ian Gillan and which was first performed by Deep … Continue reading

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DVD review: GENESIS – Three Sides Live

Genesis - Three Sides Live DVD

Eagle Rock [Release date 03.11.14] Appallingly imbalanced as the recent BBC documentary was, it did reveal one thing – that Genesis weren’t a band of happy campers – more a group of individuals where individual expression and experimentation was suppressed … Continue reading

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Quick plays: CHRIS WHILE & JULIE MATTHEWS, RUN BOY RUN, SUNJAY, MICHELLE LEWIS

CHRIS WHILE & JULIE MATTHEWS Who We Are

CHRIS WHILE & JULIE MATTHEWS Who We Are For those unaware of the charms of Chris While & Julie Matthews, their ninth studio album celebrating their 20th anniversary is unlikely to unlock any previously closed doors. Winners of the best … Continue reading

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Album review: BILLY IDOL – Kings & Queens Of The Underground

BILLY IDOL - Kings & Queens Of The Underground

BFI records [Release date 20.10.14] What has Billy Idol ever done?  Well he was a very obvious ‘gobbing’ target in his Generation X 1976 – 1981 heyday, and he was unquestionably a poster boy of choice when he dominated MTV … Continue reading

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Interview with MARCEL “SCHMIER” SCHIRMER (Destruction) – 8 October 2014

Fronting a band as legendary as the Thrash Metal trio Destruction for the better part of 31 years is probably not easy but Marcel “Schmier” Schirmer has managed to do so with passion and professionalism. Following a four year hiatus, … Continue reading

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Album review: ALVIN STARDUST – Alvin

Alvin Stardust - Alvin

Conehead UK [Release date 01.12.14] It must be difficult working with an “established” artist who hasn’t made an album for 30 years.  Which direction do you go in?  Do you leave the past behind?  Do you embrace the past?  In … Continue reading

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Video interview: STEVE CROPPER – Stax legend, guitarist and producer – 18 October 2014

Steve Cropper and David Randall

The term legend or legendary is used perhaps too flippantly in the context of music, but the term can be firmly applied to Steve Cropper. Steve was a member of the Stax Records house band from the early-1960s and lent … Continue reading

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Gig review: ALESTORM – The Arches, Glasgow, 19 October 2014

ALESTORM – The Arches, Glasgow, 19 October 2014

There was many a bemused look from passers-by as a motley crew of cut-throats and blaggards gathered outside The Arches in anticipation of a night of piratical fun. In fact the last time a group of pirates this size was … Continue reading

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Gig review: MELODIC ROCK FEST 4, H.O.M.E.Bar, Arlington Heights,Chicago, USA, 3-5 October 2014

The Radio Sun - Melodic Rock Fest 4, Chicago, October 2014

After the success of the third Melodic Rock Fest last September, the attempt to bring to the Americans the cult melodic rock bands that are seen at Firefest and other places, melodicrock.com supremo Andrew McNeice swiftly moved forward with plans … Continue reading

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Gig review: MR. BIG – Koko, Camden, London, 17 October 2014

MR. BIG - Koko, Camden, London, 17 October 2014

Mr Big’s European tour to capitalise on their back-to-form new album ‘Stories We Could Tell’ squeezed in just a solitary UK show, their first in three years. It was unsurprising that the opulent surroundings of Koko were sold out, perhaps … Continue reading

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Album review: DEVON ALLMAN – Ragged & Dirty

Album review: DEVON ALLMAN – Ragged & Dirty

Ruf [Release date 20.10.14] ‘Ragged & Dirty’ takes its inspiration from the late Luther Allison’s funky wah-wah driven title track and provides Devon Allman with his overdue moment in the solo spotlight. It’s a chunky, funky, gritty example of the … Continue reading

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Gig review: HOUSTON, The Barfly, Camden, London, 16 October 2014

HOUSTON, The Barfly, Camden, London, 16 October 2014

When an AOR revival suddenly became flavour of the month late in 2010, the debut album by Swedes Houston was seen as the standard bearer of the new revolution. Even if live performances were a mixed bag, the quality of … Continue reading

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Album review: KISS – Love Gun

Kiss - Love Gun

Universal [Release date 27.10.14] US glam/hard rock legends Kiss celebrate their 40th anniversary with this 2CD remastered edition of their 6th studio album. Released in 1977, it was the 6th album in three years (four if you count the classic … Continue reading

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Book review: Tales of Deeply Vale Festival by Chris Hewitt

Tales of Deeply Vale Festival by Chris Hewitt

Ozit Morpheous records and books [Publication date October 2014] ‘Tales of Deeply Vale Festival’ is an aptly titled box comprising a book, and 6 CD’s. It was effectively started in 1996, when author Chris Hewitt, Dave Edwards, Cliff Jackson and … Continue reading

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Gig review: STEVE CROPPER with ANIMALS & FRIENDS – Live Rooms, Chester, 18 October 2014

Steve Cropper - Chester Live Rooms, 18 October 2014

Interview with Steve Cropper, chatting about his career (18 October 2014) I last saw The Animals and Steve Cropper back in 2011.  Sadly the setlist hasn’t changed much since then, inevitably built around the “hits” and some Colonel fans may … Continue reading

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News: STEVE CROPPER tour with ANIMALS & FRIENDS – Interview and Feature

Steve Cropper - Great British Rock & Blues, 27 February 2013

Photo: Noel Buckley Stax legend Steve Cropper heads out on the road again in October/November as special guest of Animals and Friends. Following their critically-acclaimed and hugely successful tours together in 2008, 2011 and 2012 this legendary combination of musicians … Continue reading

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Album review: ELECTRIC SIX – The Human Zoo

Electric Six - The Human Zoo

Metropolis Records [Released 14.10.14] Electric Six have been going for some time now, first coming to many people’s attention with ‘Danger, High Voltage’ and ‘Gay Bar’, plus more recently a video with mainman Dick Valentine dressed as Freddie Mercury covering … Continue reading

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Album review: DENNIS DEYOUNG – The Music of Styx : Live in Los Angeles

DENNIS DEYOUNG – The Music of Styx : Live in Los Angeles

Frontiers Records [Release date 20.10.14] Styx are one of my all time favourite bands and Dennis DeYoung was the vocalist, keyboard maestro and genius behind some of their biggest hits…but their biggest hit Babe, which is obviously featured on here, … Continue reading

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Gig review: JUSTIN FURSTENFELD – Islington Academy Hall, 17 October 2014

Justin Fustenfeld is the main man of US band Blue October, a band I only discovered last year after reviewing their excellent ‘Sway’ album. Tonight it was just Justin and his acoustic guitar, as he played the second of three … Continue reading

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Gig review: DAUGHTRY, The Roundhouse, Camden, London, 12 October 2014

Daughtry - London Roundhouse, 12 October 2014

Chris Daughtry spoke to Get Ready to ROCK! Radio from deepest Virginia in August 2014.  In this edit he chats about American Idol and his album releases. (6:07) Six months on from a pair of shows at Shepherds Bush Empire, … Continue reading

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Gig review: MESSENGER – The Borderline, London, 15 October 2014

MESSENGER – The Borderline, London, 15 October 2014

Review by Yiannis (John) Stefanis Photos by Yiannis (John) Stefanis In the short period since they first came together as a band back in 2012, Psychedelic/Progressive Rock troupe Messenger have really made their presence felt in the music world. Having … Continue reading

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Album review: LYRIEL – Skin And Bones

Lyriel - Skin And Bones

AFM Records [Release date 26.09.14] Lyriel are another one of AFM’s roster that has totally passed me by until now. This German band formed way back in 2003 and debut “Prisonworld” was released in 2005. “Autumntales”, “Paranoid Circus” and “Leverage” … Continue reading

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Album review: THE TREWS – The Trews

The Trews

[Release date 29.04.14] The Trews are, like Collective Soul, a band who have released a string of enjoyable albums yet fly mostly unnoticed under the mainstream musical radar. I only knew this album was out when it was given away … Continue reading

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Album review: LUNATIC SOUL – Walking On A Flashlight Beam

LUNATIC SOUL – Walking On A Flashlight Beam

Kscope – Out Now. Inspiration is an interesting thing. While most us mere mortals struggle to come up with anything remotely interesting to offer to the world in artistic terms, others like the Polish musician/composer Mariusz Duda are constantly creating … Continue reading

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Album review: JIMMY BARNES – Hindsight

Jimmy Barnes - Hindsight

Provogue [Release date  27.10.14] While there’s still a healthy roll call of artists who can look back on a 30 year recording career, few of them still retain the fire and range of Australia’s adopted Scotsman Jimmy Barnes. ‘Hindsight’ is full … Continue reading

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