Author Archives: jason

Gig review: FOREIGNER, Styx and Don Felder – PNC Music Pavilion, Charlotte, USA, 31 May 2014

Posted on June 2, 2014 by jason

Apologies in advance, but I’m afraid this write up will be a little heavy on KISS rants, despite it not being a KISS show. Originally I was going to see Adrenaline Mob at Tremont, and then I heard that Styx … Continue reading →

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Album review: BROTHER FIRETRIBE – Diamond In The Firepit

Posted on June 2, 2014 by jason

Spinefarm Records [Released 03.06.14] Album number three from the excellent Brother Firetribe and they have kept us waiting as their last album was released back in 2008. Vocalist Pekka Ansio Heino certainly has an amazing set of pipes on him … Continue reading →

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Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2016)

Posted on June 1, 2014 by jason

Please check with venue and/or relevant website(s) to confirm availability. Compiled by Jason Ritchie Updated 02/11/2016 FESTIVALS Hard Rock Hell 2016 (Thursday 10th-Sunday 13th November) Haven, Pwllheli, Gwynedd Ugly Kid Joe + Ratt + Bonfire + the Treatmeant + Glenn … Continue reading →

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Quick Plays: HUMBUCKER, DIESEL, MORNING DWELL, AZORIA

Posted on June 1, 2014 by jason

DIESEL – Into The Fire Escape Music www.escape-music.com [Out now] Diesel is a new, British rock outfit touted to play solid traditional rock in the manner of Bad Company, with firm roots in the classic vein of British hard Rock … Continue reading →

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Album review: TESLA – Simplicity

Posted on May 30, 2014 by jason

Frontiers www.frontiers.it [Released 9.6.14] It’s hard to think that Tesla’s first album, “Mechanical Resonance”, came out in 1986- and now here we are nearly 30 years later and their seventhstudio album “Simplicity” is about to be released (although, if you … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE ROCKET DOLLS – Eyes

Posted on May 27, 2014 by jason
The Rocket Dolls - Eyes

www.facebook.com/therocketdolls [Released 28.07.14] The Rocket Dolls hail from Brighton and consist of vocalist and guitarist Nikki Smash, Benji Knopfler (son of a fairly famous guitarist!) on drums and bassist Tommy K. I reviewed their EP way back in 2009 and … Continue reading →

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Rising Stars interview: AMY SIMPSON

Posted on May 27, 2014 by jason
Amy Simpson

Amy Simpson is only seventeen yet she has just released the excellent EP ‘Fairytales, Stories & Myths’ and The Huffington Post tipped her as one of their’Ten Artists to Watch’… 1.     What have you got planned for the next few … Continue reading →

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Single review: PAUL MENEL & THE ESSENTIALS – Spirit Of ’66

Posted on May 25, 2014 by jason

www.facebook.com/paulmenel Former IQ singer Paul Menel returns with a timely release, a song for England supporters ahead of this year’s World Cup in Brazil. Starting with a Queen approved drum beat the song has a good sing-a-long chorus that you … Continue reading →

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Album review: DIESEL – Into The Fire

Posted on May 20, 2014 by jason
Diesel - Into The Fire

Escape Music [Release date 23.05.14] www.escape-music.com This is an interesting one, as it sees the return of Robert Hart, formerly of Bad Company, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band and the excellent Distance album working with FM’s guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick. Drummer Jimmy … Continue reading →

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Album review: WAMI – Kill The King

Posted on May 20, 2014 by jason

Metal Mind Records [Released 13.05.14] Who is WAMI? Well they are a new band built around young Polish guitarist Iggy Gwadera from Anti Tank Nun (what a legendary band name!), after Marco Mendoza was impressed seeing him perform as a … Continue reading →

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Album review: JEFF GREEN PROJECT – Elder Creek

Posted on May 17, 2014 by jason
JEFF GREEN PROJECT – Elder Creek

F2 Records This is a really fine album. Full of poise, creativity and craft. It is Jeff Green’s second album and has been some while in the making since the debut ‘Jessica’ appeared in 2009. Not that Green has been … Continue reading →

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Gig review: THE YOUNG FOLK – Surya, King’s Cross, London,15 May 2014

Posted on May 16, 2014 by jason

It’s amazing the gig venues you keep discovering in London as I had never heard of the Surya before and it has a whole host of gigs put on by the promoters Glasswerks. A dinky little venue with a bar … Continue reading →

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Album review: DAWN OF DESTINY – Forgotten, Enslaved, Admired, Released

Posted on May 13, 2014 by jason

www.phonotraxx.de [Released March 2014] If like me you’ve become a little fed up of the seemingly endless stream of power/prog metal bands releasing so-so albums then rejoice as Dawn Of Destiny have created a mighty album here. It’s a concept … Continue reading →

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Interview: 10Q’s with JEFF GREEN

Posted on May 13, 2014 by jason

Jeff Green has just released his latest album ‘Elder Creek’ is out now on the Festival Music label and you catch him this summer at the Cambridge Rock Festival in August… Album review 1. What have you got planned for the … Continue reading →

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Singles and EP reviews: THE YOUNG FOLK, AMY SIMPSON, UNISONIC

Posted on May 12, 2014 by jason

THE YOUNG FOLK – Way Home Pixie Pace Records [Released 26.05.14] www.theyoungfolk.com Dublin based alt-folk band The Young Folk release their debut UK single and feature Anthony Furey (son of George from the legendary the Fureys & Davy Arthur). This … Continue reading →

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Album review: ELVENKING – The Pagan Manifesto

Posted on May 12, 2014 by jason
Elvenking - The Pagan Manifesto

AFM Records [Release date 12.05.14] Hmm…folk power metal…well I do like Steeleye Span and I do like power metal so let’s see how Elvenking mix the two shall we! Elvenking were formed back in 1997 in Northern Italy and The … Continue reading →

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Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2016)

Posted on May 12, 2014 by jason

Please check with venue and/or relevant website(s) to confirm availability. Compiled by Jason Ritchie Updated 02/11/2016 ALTER BRIDGE Sat April 01 AUCKLAND Powerstation Mon April 03 BRISBANE Eatons Hill Hotel Tue April 04 SYDNEY Enmore Theatre Thu April 06 MELBOURNE … Continue reading →

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News: CELEBR8.3 Prog Festival 31 May and 1 June 2014

Posted on May 7, 2014 by jason
It Bites, photo by Noel Buckley

Now in its 3rd year and this time being held in Central London, the final line up for Celebr8.3 can confirm many exclusives: A one off London performance by Anathema Acoustic. The last performance from Twelfth Night, the first ever … Continue reading →

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Album Review: THE BERMONDSEY JOYRIDERS – Flamboyant Thugs

Posted on May 6, 2014 by jason
THE BERMONDSEY JOYRIDERS – Flamboyant Thugs

Fuel Injection Records The Joyrider’s third album is at first blush a continuation of their previous outings: a high octane mix of power punk and dirty blues. With its instant appeal of fat hook and big riffs, it certainly fits … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: KJETIL BY featuring ROBIN BECK,LEXIE GREEN, JON ALLEN

Posted on May 6, 2014 by jason
Kjetil By -feat. ROBIN BECK - Better Days

KJETIL BY featuring ROBIN BECK – Better Days www.kjetilby.com This is the fourth solo album from Norwegian guitarist Kjetil and the songs on this album are all co-written with Claudia Scott. His biggest coup is enlisting the help of Robin … Continue reading →

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Gig review: MAGNUM – Islington Town Hall, 4 May 2014

Posted on May 5, 2014 by jason
Magnum - Islington Academy, London, 4 May 2014

Turning to item 5.1 on the agenda…oh wait, sorry thought I was in a council meeting given tonight’s venue. The hall features a rather grand stage with stalls (complete with springing floor) and a small circle. A new venue to … Continue reading →

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Album review: HELSTAR – This Wicked Nest

Posted on April 29, 2014 by jason

AFM Records www.afmrecords.de [Released 28.04.14] I believe the cover of Helstar’s latest release This Wicked Nest says it all really…a suit wearing skeleton complete with devil horns and a pentagram worked into the band logo. After listening…well yeah I was … Continue reading →

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Album review: JONES – To The Bones

Posted on April 28, 2014 by jason

www.miraclemile.co.uk/store.html [Released 16.06.14] Trevor Jones is back with his new solo album (he also produces music as part of Miracle Mile). He is joined on here by Marcus Cliffe (he plays the majority of the instruments on the album) who … Continue reading →

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10 Q’s with BRANDON BOYD (SONS OF THE SEA/INCUBUS)

Posted on April 27, 2014 by jason

Brandon Boyd is best known for fronting Incubus, who have been on hiatus (more on their future plans below), released the excellent Sons Of The Sea album earlier this year. This was a collaboration with producer Brenden O’Brien and it … Continue reading →

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Album review: ALIEN – Eternity

Posted on April 24, 2014 by jason
ALIEN – Eternity

AOR Heaven www.alientheband.com [Released 28.04.14] Alien date way back to the mid-80’s and became one of the key Swedish melodic rock bands until they quit in the mid-90’s, bar a brief reunion in 2005. That looked to be it until … Continue reading →

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