Single review: THE SIDESHOWS – Brand New

November 22nd, 2025 by jason

Sami Yaffa has been the bass player for some mighty fine bands over the years – Hanoi Rocks, New York Dolls, Michael Monroe Band, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and several more. He has now teamed up with songwriter Rich Ragany (Role Models, Rich Ragany & The Digressions) and drummer Simon Maxwell (Yo-Yos, The Loyalties, Role Models) to form The Sideshows and the band have just released debut single ‘Brand New’.

Recorded in Yaffa’s own Mallorcan studios and produced by him and Ragany, both the title track and B-side ‘The Start’ are the type of good solid slices of anthemic rock ‘n’ roll that the repeat button was invented for.

The vocals remind me of Duff McKagan’s solo material at times and work really well here. ‘Brand New’ has more of a punk edge to it and is more bass driven than ‘The Start’ which almost has a reflective feel to it, and although each of the songs has a different feel to them, they both work perfectly together.

Hopefully this is a band that will now go on to produce a full album as I am now already looking forward to some live shows from The Sideshows.

Review by Nikk Gunns

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