Single review: JONNY COLA & THE A-GRADES – Straight To Video/Marlborough Road

Double A-side released April 4th

Single trailer:

The back story to this band would make a movie itself as lead singer Jonny Cola was diagnosed with kidney failure last year. He carried on though and his fiancee became a living donor meaning his health improved massively and the band are now back. That really is the power of love and Jonny Cola & the A-Grades give you the power of rock ‘n’ roll on this excellent double A-side.

Novel approach as it comes in DVD form with the accompanying video cleverly linking the two songs by way of a video called ‘Straight To Video’. The video is well worth a watch if nothing else to see a band get ready for a gig in the back of black cab!

The music? Well ‘Straight To Video’ recalls a 70′s glam rock heyday (you can see vintage posters of David Bowie, the Sweet and Suzi Quatro amongst others in the video) by way of the storytelling lyrics of Jarvis Cocker and Ian Hunter. The song nicely ebbs and flows based around Jonny Cola’s vocals and a piano riff. If you like 70′s glam rock mixed up with 90′s indie punk and rock this song will hit the spot.

‘Marlborough Road’ is a more straight ahead rocking affair, Oasis with Bowie on vocals perhaps? Nice, monster guitar solo in the middle of the song as well.

Based on these two songs Jonny Cola & the A-Grades upcoming debut album is one to await with eager anticipation…

****1/2

Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 24 March 2025

HARRI LARKIN Too Close To The Sun (Robot Distro)
SANDNESS Not Your Dog (Rockshots Records)
DOCTOR BLACK Drag Me Down (indie)
COHEED AND CAMBRIA Goodbye Sunshine (Virgin Music Group)
LEONI JANE KENNEDY Closer (indie)
SMALL TOWN POLITICS Red Lights (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 24 March 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

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