Album review: DEVIL CITY ANGELS

Century Media [Release date 11.09.15]

You may hear that Devil City Angels comprises of members of L.A Guns, Cinderella and Poison and think ”oh great, yet another super group”, and yet this time the band really may be on to something.

Devil City Angels comprises of Poison drummer Rikki Rockett, L.A Guns’ Tracii Guns on guitar, the relatively unknown vocals of Cheap Thrills’ Brandon Gibbs and Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Dio etc) taking over bass duties from Cinderella’s Eric Brittingham – and it is the vocals that make this band impossible to compare to any of those mentioned above.

The album has a big 70’s/80’s feel, as you would imagine, which combines big groove driven and bluesy rock with those great backing vocals and little musical touches that you would expect.

There are elements of Led Zep here and there, a touch of Mr Big in places and “All My People” has a nice Aerosmith vibe to it. “No Angels” is a song that Bon Jovi would kill for right now, “Ride With Me” would make a great single in the US, while “I’m Living” is a great radio friendly number that you could well imagine Poison playing live.

The album is full of well written, easy to listen to songs such as the ballad like “Gone Forever”, the pop friendly “All I Need” or the Sammy Hagar meets Led Zep feel of opening track “Numb”. However, for me, the real winners here are the likes of “Back To The Drive” with its 70’s glam rock drums, big vocals and great guitars, “Boneyard” and “Bad Decisions”.

Devil City Angels would no doubt make a great live entity and a second album could only build upon the great work here. However, the band may have already moved on as Guns and Sarzo are touring with the heavier Gunzo, whilst Gibbs and Rockett have formed The Special Guests with fellow Poison members C.C Deville and Bobby Dall – and in the absence of Poison front man Bret Michaels are touring the band’s live show.

That said, if “Devil City Angels” is the sole album from this short lived ‘80’s super group , then it is well worth enjoying right here, right now. *****

Review by Nikk Gunns

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.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

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)