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

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)