Author Archives: jason

Quick plays: SAGA, CUDDLY SHARK, THADEUS GONZALEZ

Posted on May 30, 2018 by jason

SAGA Live In Hamburg earMUSIC [Release date 01.06.18] ‘Live In Hamburg’ was recorded back in 2015 in one of Saga’s main national fan bases Germany. It was originally released as limited-edition, however now it gets a full release. Some of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, alternative, CUDDLY SHARK, live, Live In Hamburg, prog, punk pop, reviews, rock, Saga, Silver Inside, Thadeus Gonzalez | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACK COFFEE – Take One

Posted on May 29, 2018 by jason

[Release date 21.04.18] Columbus, Ohio represents the US industrial heartland the same way Birmingham and Wolverhampton do in the UK so it’s entirely unsurprising that Black Coffee hail from there. Formed in 2017 by drummer Tommy McCullough, singer/bassist Ehab Omran … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Black Coffee, classic rock, debut, Ehab Omran, melodic, review, rock, Stoner, Take One | Leave a comment

Album review: ASH JOHNSON – The Mad Ship

Posted on May 24, 2018 by jason

Stunted Records www.stuntedrecords.co.uk [Release date 25.06.18] Ash Johnson has been a key figure on the North Lincolnshire music scene for many years working in various bands in the area. Now on the suggestion of the record label boss he has … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged album, alternative, Americana, Ash Johnson, Mad Ship, review, rock, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Interview: JIM LEA

Posted on May 22, 2018 by jason

Jim Lea, the former Slade bass-player and one half of the mega-hit Holder-Lea song-writing duo, has a brand new six-track EP out: Lost In Space. I caught up with Jim to discuss the inspiration behind the title track and the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged bassist, Classic Albums, classic rock, Cuz I Luv You, Dave Swarbrick, EP, interview, Jim Lea, Lost In Space, Noddy Holder, rock, Slade, songwriter | 1 Comment

Quick plays: MISHAPED PEARLS, LORDS OF BLACK

Posted on May 22, 2018 by jason

MISHAPED PEARLS Shivelight [Release date 25.05.18] Mishaped Pearls latest album’s title Shivelight comes from a word created by the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins. The word describes the lances of sunshine that pierce through a woodland canopy. An apt description as Mishaped Pearls have … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged albums, country, folk, Frontiers, Lords Of Black, metal, Mishaped Pearls, Rainbow, review, Ritchie Blackmore, rock, Ronnie Romero, Shivelight | Leave a comment

Album review: PRAYING MANTIS – Gravity

Posted on May 17, 2018 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 11.05.18] Originally part of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, albeit at the more melodic almost AOR end of the spectrum, Praying Mantis are still going strong. This new album is their 10th studio outing, 11 if you include … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Chris Troy, Friontiers, GRAVITY, melodic, melodic rock, NWOBHM, Praying Mantis, review, Rodney Matthews, Tino Troy | Leave a comment

Album review: MANSUN – Attack Of The Grey Lantern

Posted on May 17, 2018 by jason

Kscope [Release date 08.06.18] Mansun’s ‘Attack Of The Grey Lantern’ gets a 21st anniversary re-issue with all the bells and whistles you’d expect. This reissue is remastered from the original multi-tracks and is available on all digital platforms and as a media book … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 21st anniversary, Attack of the Grey Lantern, Britpop, classic album, Kscope, Mansun, Paul Draper, progressive, re-issues, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACK SABBATH – Supersonic Years The Seventies Singles Box Set

Posted on May 17, 2018 by jason

BMG [Release date 08.06.18] This is no ordinary reissue; for a catalogue that has been reissued more times stamps have first day covers, last year’s 8LP + crucistick box took reissues to a new sonic and packing level, and this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 7" singles, Bill Ward, Black Sabbath, box set, classic rock, Geezer Butler, metal, Ozzy Osbourne, review, rock, the 70s Collection, The Supersonic Years, Tony Iommi, Vinyl | Leave a comment

DVD review: THE MOODY BLUES – Days of Future Passed – Live

Posted on May 17, 2018 by jason

Eagle Vision [Release date 23.03.18] Over the past few years a number of bands that have been releasing records since the 1960’s have reached that impressive milestone that is celebrating 50 years of being together, the other side to this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged classic rock, Days Of Future Passed - Live, DVD, Eagle Vision, John Lodge, JUSTIN HAYWARD, pop, review, rock, The Moody Blues | Leave a comment

DVD review: IGGY POP – American Valhalla

Posted on May 17, 2018 by jason

Eagle Vision [Release date 06.03.18] “American Valhalla” tells the story of Iggy Pop and Josh Homme’s experiences creating Pop’s 2016 “Post Pop Depression” album. We get to watch the very inception of the album from idea to finished product, and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, alternative, American Valhalla, DVD, Eagle Vision, Iggy Pop, Josh Homme, Post Pop Depression, punk, QOTSA, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: RYAN ROXIE – Imagine Your Reality

Posted on May 16, 2018 by jason

Cargo When I look through my record collection there are not many other guitarists that feature as much as Ryan Roxie. Having recorded with the likes of Slash, Gilby Clarke, Electric Angels, Casablanca, Roxie 77, more than a few Alice … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged album, Alice Cooper, Cheap Trick, Coldplay, guitarist, Hollywood Vampires, Imagine Your Reality, interview, melodic rock, review, Robin Zander, rock, Ryan Roxie | Leave a comment

Album review: JAMES CHRISTIAN – Craving

Posted on May 15, 2018 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 20.04.18] Fourth solo album from House Of Lords frontman James Christian sees him work with a variety of songwriters including Tommy Denander (who also plays guitars, bass and keys), Cliff Magness (who has his solo album released … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Craving, Frontiers, hard rock, House of Lords, James Christian, melodic, melodic rock, review, Tommy Denander | Leave a comment

Album review: BULLETBOYS – From Out Of The Skies

Posted on May 14, 2018 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 23.03.18] I’ll be honest, I was never a huge fan of the Bulletboys , sure they were on my radar but that was about as far as it got. So when I saw that long term fans … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Bulletboys, From Out Of The Skies, Frontiers, hair metal, hard rock, Marq Torien, melodic, melodic rock, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: LAST GREAT DREAMERS – 13th Floor Renegades

Posted on May 12, 2018 by jason

Ray Records [Release date 13.04.18] Last Great Dreamers first surfaced in the UK in the 90′s, previously going under the name Silveheart and split in 1997, coming back to life again in 2014 with original members Marc Valentine (vocals/guitar) and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions | Leave a comment

Album review: SPOCK’S BEARD – Noise Floor

Posted on May 12, 2018 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 25.05.18] Spock’s Beard return with their thirteenth album and it also marks the return of original drummer Nick D’Virgilio who guests on the album, after the previous drummer Jimmy Keegan left the band in 2016. On … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Morse, album, Dave Meros, Enchant, Inside Out, Kansas, melodic, Nick D’Virgilio, Noise Floor, prog, progressive, review, rock, Ryo Okumoto, Spock's Beard, Ted Leonard, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: MASS – When 2 Worlds Collide

Posted on May 10, 2018 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 25.05.18] This is album number eight from Mass who have been making music since the mid-80′s. On this album the added keys/strings provided by Jeremy Heussi add another dimension to the band’s classy melodic hard rock … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS | Tagged album, Escape Music, hard rock, interview, Mass, melodic rock, Michael Sweet, review, rock, Stryper, When 2 Worlds Collide | Leave a comment

Quick plays: SHARKS, GIG, SANDERS & SAVAGE

Posted on May 7, 2018 by jason

SHARKS Ready Steady Go 3MS Music [Release date 29.06.18] Sharks can trace their origins back to 1972 when they were formed by former Free bass player Andy Fraser, guitarist Chris Spedding and vocalist Steve ‘Snips’ Parsons, both of who are in this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Awake, blues, Brave New World, Bruce Gaitsch, Chris Spedding, Dave Innis, folk, gig, Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage, melodic, pop, Randy Goodrum, Ready Set Go, review, rock, Sharks, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: SAXON – Denim And Leather, Power And The Glory, Crusader (reissues)

Posted on May 7, 2018 by jason

BMG [Release date 25.05.18] BMG continue with their Saxon reissue campaign and have produced fine editions of their fourth, fifth and sixth albums. And we can announce these the same week as the first three remasters (Saxon, Wheels Of Steel … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Biff Byford, classic rock, Crusader, Denim And Leather, heavy metal, Power And The Glory, re-issue, Saxon | Leave a comment

Gig review: NINEBARROW – South Hill Park, Bracknell, 3 May 2018

Posted on May 4, 2018 by jason

South Hill Park is a lovely venue on the outskirts of Bracknell and tonight’s gig was in the cellar bar, perfect for a folk gig. Before Ninebarrow we had Edward Naismith who performed a short set and his vocals and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Edward Naismith, folk, gig, Jay LaBouchardiere, Jon Whitley, Led Zeppelin, live, mellow, melodic, Ninebarrow, review, Simon & Garfunkel, The Waters Wild, traditional | Leave a comment

Quick plays: HEARTWIND, CAPTAIN BLACK BEARD

Posted on May 1, 2018 by jason

HEARTWIND Higher and Higher AOR Heaven [Release date 25.04.18] Heartwind hail from Sweden and were formed by guitarist Goran Engvall (ex-Hitworks) and keyboard player Mikael Rosengren (Constancia, Token). They are joined by drummer Peter Svensson (Constancia, Faith), vocalist German Pascual … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Captain Black Beard, hard rock, Heartwind, Higher and Higher, review, rock, Struck By Lightning | Leave a comment

Gig review: JESUS JONES – Sub 89, Reading, 29 April 2018

Posted on April 30, 2018 by jason

A decent turn out for a Sunday night to see Jesus Jones who have been playing a few UK dates in support of their excellent new album ‘Passages’. First up were three piece Beautiful Mechanica who mixed synths/programming with a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged beautiful Mechanica, dance rock, gig, grebo, Jesus Jones, live music, reading, review, rock, Sub 89 | Leave a comment

Single & EP reviews: THE JADE ASSEMBLY, THE ELATION

Posted on April 28, 2018 by jason

THE JADE ASSEMBLY Nothing Changes [Release date 04.05.18] The Jade Assembly are a four piece hailing from Bolton consisting of John Foster (vocals & guitar), Gareth Smedley (lead guitar), Andy Watson (drums) and Danny Hayes (bass). They have been creating … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged alt rock, Anywhere But Here, Click Bait, EP, Gainstrive, indie, Nothing Changes. The Elation, review, rock, single, The Jade Assembly | Leave a comment

Album review: TONY BUTLER – My Time

Posted on April 28, 2018 by jason

Phoenix Rising Records [Release date 01.06.18] Former Big Country bassist Tony Butler Big Country started working on this album when he left Big Country in 2012. He is managed by former Big Country manager Ian Grant and the band’s drummer Mark … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, bassist, Big Country, Mark Brzezicki, My Time, pop, review, rock, Stuart Adamson, Tony Butler | Leave a comment

Album review: STONELAKE – Thunder And Rain

Posted on April 26, 2018 by jason

MelodicRock Records [Release date 20.04.18] This is album number seven from StoneLake, who return with their first album in five years and the band’s first for MelodicRock Records. The band features founder members Jan Akesson (S.A.Y./Jan Akesson’s Shadow Rain) … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Europe, melodic, melodic rock, MelodicRock Records, review, Skagarack, Stonelake, Thunder And Rain | Leave a comment

Album review: FARGO – Constellation

Posted on April 23, 2018 by jason

SPV [Release date 25.05.18] Right, strap yourself in – I’m going to be as charitable as I can here because I think it’s crass and churlish to be overly critical if someone else has been there and done it and … Continue reading →