Author Archives: jason

Gig review: JOHN OTWAY – Face Bar, Reading, Thursday 15 December 2022

John Otway, Odeon Leicester Square, London, 7 October 2012

This time last year when penning my John  Otway gig I noted… “Welcome to the Brave New World/1984 as this was the first gig I was asked to show my covid pass. Sign of the times but if it keeps … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE KUT – The Six Six Bar, Cambridge, Sunday 20 November 2022

221120_kut1

It’s been quite the year for The Kut, with leading light Princess Maha having been awarded two song writing awards and latest album GRIT having hit the Number One spot in the rock charts. Rounding off 2022 in celebratory style … Continue reading

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Album review: AMBERIAN DAWN – Take a Chance – A Metal Tribute to ABBA

AMBERIAN DAWN - Take a Chance - A Metal Tribute to ABBA

Napalm Records [Release date 02.12.22] Amberian Dawn go full on ABBA tribute mode on their latest album, after doing a sterling job of ABBA’s ‘Lay All Your Love On Me’ (which is also on here) on their previous album, ‘Looking … Continue reading

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News: METALLICA, POWER WOLF, KHYMERA (December 2022)

Ace Frehley is finishing off his new album for a planned release in early 2023. The Balladmongrels is a new band featuring Dogs D’amour frontman Tyla J. Pallas and  singer songwriter Matty James Cassidy. Their debut album, ‘Trouble’, is set … Continue reading

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Quick plays: STAR CIRCUS, THE ROADS

Star Circus Separate Sides

STAR CIRCUS Seperate Sides  Diamond Formation Music [Release date 02.12.22] Star Circus is the brainchild of Dave Winkler (Bordello Rose, Renegade Playboys, Trophies of Man). After a detour playing guitar and touring as a hired gun for acts such as … Continue reading

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Album review: TRIALS OF CATO – Gog Magog

TRIALS OF CATO - Gog Magog

Website [Release date 25.11.22] Trials Of Cato have been building a healthy following alongside rave reviews from the likes of Mark Radcliffe and John Davis of Metropolois Studios, who has dubbed them ‘”the Sex Pistols of folk”. Will Addison left … Continue reading

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Album review: THE CITY KIDS – Filth

THE CITY KIDS - Filth

Website [Release date 25.11.22] The City Kids, according to their bio are “forged from Northern grit and Danish flair, a bunch of ragtag, rock n’ roll reprobates, part punk, part sleazy gutter-trash dirt.” They have released a rather good Motorhead covers … Continue reading

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Album review: THRESHOLD – Dividing Lines

THRESHOLD - Dividing Lines

Nuclear Blast [Release date 18.11.22] Album number twelve from Threshold and their first in five years since the excellent ‘The Legend of the Shires’, which also marked the return of vocalist Glynn Morgan. A darker style and sound overall than … Continue reading

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Gig review: TEIGER – Strongroom Bar, London, Thursday 10 November 2022

teiger

It’s a mark of just what a buzz there is around Teiger that, despite transport strikes hitting the Capitol, people had seemingly made their way by planes, trains and automobiles to Central London’s Strongroom Bar and packed the place out. … Continue reading

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Album review: LADY MAISERY – Tender

LADY MAISERY - Tender

www.ladymaisery.com [Release date 11.11.22] Lady Maisery return with ‘Tender’, their first studio album in six years. Lady Maisery combines the talents of Hazel Askew, Hannah James and Rowan Rheingans. All three contribute vocally and between themselves add in harp, banjo, … Continue reading

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EP review: LAST IN LINE – A Day In The Life

LAST IN LINE - A Day In The Life

Edel/earMusic [Release date 11.11.22] Last In Line, a name taken after the second Dio album (1984), features former Dio members, and were formed after the passing of renowned vocalist Ronnie James Dio. Playing all original material given the line-up, the … Continue reading

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Gig review: BEAUX GRIS GRIS AND THE APOCALYPSE – The Duke of York, Ipswich, Wednesday 9 November 2022

BEAU GRIS GRIS AND THE APOCALYPSE - November 2022

It takes a special kind of love that brings Californian based band Beaux Gris Gris and the Apocalypse to an Ipswich pub on a Wednesday night in late Autumn but rewarded with a packed and enthusiastic audience, it seems like … Continue reading

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Album review: JERUSALEM – Jerusalem

JERUSALEM - Jerusalem

Talking Elephant Records [28.10.22] The one and only album by Jerusalem was originally released back in 1971 on Deram Records. It has since been released on a number of unofficial and bootleg editions before this official CD release on Talking … Continue reading

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Album review: AVANTASIA – A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society

AVANTASIA - A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society

Nuclear Blast [Release date 21.10.22] The ninth studio album from Avantasia, the musical concept created by Tobias Sammet. Vocal wise the list is as impressive as ever with Bob Catley, Floor Jansen, Geoff Tate, Ronnie Atkins and Eric Martin amongst … Continue reading

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Single reviews: BEN HEMMING, KIT TRIGG, DYLAN JAMES

Ben Hemming - The End

BEN HEMMING The End Facebook Ben Hemming on his Facebok bio is described as nu blues, which is a fair appraisal of this song. It has a distinctive blues feel coupled with a hint of Pearl Jam/grunge. It is a … Continue reading

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Feature: IT’S CHRISTMAS! (2022 Style)

Love - Expressions Tell Everything (Box set)

Here we round-up the Christmas offerings for this year, be they singles, EPs or albums. Get your favourite tipple and mince pies at the ready as we delve into 2022′s Christmas offerings… Pylon Poets give us ‘Say That You’ll Stay, a … Continue reading

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Album review: MIKE VASS – Decemberwell Decade

MIKE VASS - Decemberwell Decade

Bandcamp [Release date 18.02.22] Mike Vass is always an artist coming up with new musical ideas that are both intriguing and enjoyable. On ‘Decemberwell Decade’ he celebrates his 2011 classic winter album with a brand new incarnation. The original album … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE DIRTY STRANGERS – Esquires, Bedford, Thursday 27 October 2022

THE DIRTY STRANGERS – Esquires, Bedford, Thursday 27 October 2022

Without doubt, The Dirty Strangers are one of the best rock ‘n’ roll bands in the country. A bold statement maybe but for anyone who’s ever witnessed them live will understand. There’s an honesty here that’s shorn of any bull, … Continue reading

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Album review: JANICE BURNS & JON DORAN – No More Green Hills

janice burns & jon doran No More Green Hills

Bandcamp [Release date 28.10.22] Janice Burns & Jon Doran are an Anglo-Scottish duo who formed in 2017, after discovering a shared love of traditional music. As the duo explain the album’s theme is one of “songs of love, loss, and … Continue reading

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Album review: JOE LYNN TURNER – Belly Of The Beast

JOE LYNN TURNER - Belly Of The Beast

Mascot Label Group [Release date 28.10.22] The album’s title gives a clue to Joe Lynn Tyner going full on metal, courtesy of his new found musical companion producer/songwriter Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy, Pain, Lindemann). He has also recently revealed he has … Continue reading

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News: JOURNEY, REVOLUTION SAINTS, STONEDEAD, (November 2022)

The original line-up of Biohazard has reformed and play a series of summer festival dates including Bloodstock next year. The band are also planning to record new music. Buckcherry have completed work on their tenth studio album due for release … Continue reading

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EP review: THE HOWLING TIDES – Blue Moon

THE HOWLING TIDES - Blue Moon

Website [Release date 18.11.22] The Howling Tides are made up of Rob Baynes (lead vocals/guitar), Hayden Kirk (guitar/backing vocals), Adam Brewell (bass/backing vocals) and Steven ‘Herbie’ Herbert (drums). They’ve built their reputation and momentum with a series of releases and … Continue reading

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Album review: FOXTON & HASTINGS – The Butterfly Effect

FOXTON & HASTINGS – The Butterfly Effect

Absolute [Release date 28.10.22] Few bands have continued the legacy of a truly legendary act than From The Jam, their original line-up two thirds of the seminal outfit. Whilst never being just purely a tribute act, The Jam bass player … Continue reading

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Gig review: QUARANTUNE ROCKS 2022, The Victoria Bikers Pub, Coalville 21 & 22 October 2022

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A group of rock music fans who supported each other during Lockdown gathered at the Victoria Bikers Pub, Coalville on 21-22 October, for Quarantune Rocks 2022, a weekend of live music supporting new rock bands and small music venues. “For … Continue reading

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Quick plays: MOON LETTERS, SILVER NIGHTMARES, MITCHELL’S KISS OF THE GYPSY

MOON LETTERS Thank You From The Future

MOON LETTERS Thank You From The Future  Website Moon Letters hail from Seattle having formed in 2016 and this is their second album. Their line-up consists of guitarist Dave Webb, vocalist and flautist Michael Trew, drummer Kelly Mynes, bassist Mike … Continue reading

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