Author Archives: Davoski

Gig review: MARILLION – Hammersmith Apollo, 30 September 2022

Posted on October 6, 2022 by Davoski

Late 2021’s Hammersmith gigs gave a taster of what Marillion had in store for 2022 when they played a sneak preview of the ‘Be Hard On Yourself’ suite. Nine months later the band is back at the venue to play … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 30 September 2022, gig, Hammersmith Apollo, live, Marillion, neo prog, prog, review, Steve Hogarth, Steve Rothery | 1 Comment

Gig review: JOE BONAMASSA – Royal Albert Hall, London, 6 May 2022

Posted on May 10, 2022 by Davoski

There’s a palpable sense of anticipation amongst the faithful in a full Royal Albert Hall. The stuttering recovery of the live scene after Covid feels like it might hit a more purposeful stride tonight. Joe Bonamassa loves a grand stage … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 6 May 2022, blues, blues rock, gig, Joe Bonamassa, live, Reese Wynans, review, Royal Albert Hall, Stevie Ray Vaughan | Leave a comment

Gig review: JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR – Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, 26 April 2022

Posted on April 30, 2022 by Davoski

Toby Lee is a prodigious talent. At 17 years old he is touring his own four-piece band with two albums and an EP already on the racks. As a star of the School of Rock West End production, he played … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 26 April 2022, blues, gig, Joanne Shaw Taylor, live, London, review, rock, Shepherd's Bush Empire, Toby Lee | Leave a comment

Gig review: BAD TOUCH – O2 Islington Academy, London, 2 December 2021

Posted on December 6, 2021 by Davoski

The gig was in the upstairs portion of Academy, which is more intimate than the main ground floor venue and provided for a vibrant, enthusiastic atmosphere. Something Piston appeared to thrive on. Their short, powerful set was packed with crowd … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 2 December 2021, Bad Touch, classic rock, gig, Islington Academy, live, Piston, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: MARILLION – Hammersmith Apollo, London, 26 November 2021

Posted on November 29, 2021 by Davoski

Marillion are one of the hardest working live bands around and no surprise that they have wasted little time in getting back on the road after their enforced pandemic hiatus. Tonight was the first of a brace of gigs at … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 26 November 2021, gig, Hammersmith Apollo, live, Marillion, prog, review, Steve Hogarth, Steve Rothery | Leave a comment

Album review: GEEZER BUTLER – Manipulations of the Mind – The Complete Collection/The Very Best of Geezer Butler

Posted on July 31, 2021 by Davoski

BMG [Release date: 30.07.21] Widely respected as the bassist that invented the heavyweight bottom-end of the metal genre, and rightly held in esteem for being the main lyricist of Black Sabbath, Geezer Butler’s solo material has been packaged into a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, bass, best of Black Sabbath, Burton C Bell, Deen Castronovo, Doom, Geezer Butler, Industrial, metal, review | Leave a comment

Album review: PAT McMANUS & ERIC McFADDEN – Two Big MC’s Live at Patrimonio

Posted on June 17, 2021 by Davoski

Bad Reputation [Release date: 01.06.21] Guitarists Pat McManus and Eric McFadden are currently label mates at French company Bad Reputation. They initially met in Paris and went on to perform at the ‘Night of the Guitars’ event at Patrimonio in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Eric McFadden, live, Mama's Boys, Pat McManus, Patrimonio, rock, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: ERIC McFADDEN – Starving At The Feast

Posted on June 17, 2021 by Davoski

Bad Reputation [Release date: 01.06.2021] Known far better on the US western seaboard than in the UK, singer, songwriter and guitarist Eric McFadden is enjoying a diverse career. Alongside output with Bay Area bands such as Liar, Alien Lovestock, Angry … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, blues, Eric McFadden, latin, rock, singer songwriter, Solo | Leave a comment

Album review: DR FEELGOOD – Greatest Hits

Posted on April 21, 2021 by Davoski

Grand Records [Release date 02.04.21] This compilation marks the 50th anniversary of Dr Feelgood, the Canvey Island rhythm and blues maestros originally led by the incendiary guitarist Wilko Johnson and gravel-voiced frontman/harmonica player Lee Brilleaux. The band was at its … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Canvey Island, Dr Feelgood, Lee Brilleaux, r'n'b, review, Wilko Johnson | Leave a comment

Album review: FISH – Weltschmerz

Posted on October 12, 2020 by Davoski

Fish Music [Release date: 25.09.20] Put simply, if this is to be Fish’s final studio production, he leaves us with a masterpiece. The release has been much delayed. After the project was announced back in 2015, Fish has suffered the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Fish, Marillion, prog, review, Steve Vantsis, Weltschmerz | Leave a comment

Album review: MIKE ROSS – The Clovis Limit, Pt 2

Posted on October 8, 2020 by Davoski

Pete Feenstra chatted to Mike Ross for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in June 2021. Taller Records (Release date: 30.10.20) Talented Brighton-based blues/americana merchant Mike Ross is back with a follow up to last year’s ‘The Clovis Limit, Pt 1’. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, Americana, blues, country, Mike Ross, The Clovis Limit | Leave a comment

Album review: VIOLENT SOHO – Everything is A-OK

Posted on July 1, 2020 by Davoski

I Oh You Records [Release date: 03.04.20] Accomplished indie/alt rock from Brisbane. I assume the title is not meant to be ironic. The album surfaced in the Spring and the recording/packaging would have been created long before the Covid-19 pandemic. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alt, Brisbane, Everything is A-OK, indy, review, rock, Smashing Pumpkins, Violent Soho | Leave a comment

Album review: PURUSA – Amnesia

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Davoski

Prepaid Friends [release date: 01.12.19] This album had a low profile download/streaming-only self-release at the end of last year and has only just come on to my radar. It is a little gem that polishes up 24-carat quality. Pretty much … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Amnesia, Kris Kirkman, Oregon, Purusa, review, rock, Seattle, Zach Hinkleman | Leave a comment

Album review: THE UNITY – Pride

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Davoski

Steamhammer/SPV [release date: 13.03.20] As Euro power metal projects go, this third studio album from The Unity passes muster with flying colours. If a mesh of tight production and bombastic musical posturing is your thing, then step in line. And … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Gamma Ray, melodic metal, power metal, Pride, review, The Unity | Leave a comment

Album review: DIRTY SHIRLEY – s/t

Posted on February 16, 2020 by Davoski

Frontiers Music [release date: 20.01.20] Yep. George Lynch has pretty much nailed this. Dirty Shirley is a rich and classy hard rock album that holds the ‘80’s/early ‘90’s template tight to its chest, but offers enough twists and turns to keep … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dino Jelusic, Dirty Shirley, Dokken, George Lynch, guitarist, hard rock, Lynch Mob, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: ALTER BRIDGE – O2 Arena, London, 21 December 2019

Posted on December 26, 2019 by Davoski

Gig review: ALTER BRIDGE/Shinedown – O2 Arena, London, 21 December 2019

Oh, what to make of Shinedown. Despite their second-billing on this tour, the multi-million selling Floridian quartet smashed out their anthemic tunes to an enthusiastic O2 Arena. The music mostly went down well. My problem is Brent Smith’s grandstanding audience participation … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 21 December 2019, ALTER BRIDGE, Blackbird, Brent Smith, gig, hard rock, live, Mark Tremonti, Myles Kennedy, O2 Arena, review, Shinedown, Walk The Sky | Leave a comment

Gig review: PETE WAY BAND – Camden Underworld, 24 October 2019

Posted on November 3, 2019 by Davoski

Everyone wants to be a lead singer these days. Burnt Out Wreck, who emerged to the bouncy theme music from the kids’ TV programme ‘Rhubarb and Custard’, are fronted by Gary Moat who used to be the drummer in Heavy Pettin’. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 24 October 2019, Burnt Out Wreck, Camden Underworld, classic rock, Clive Edwards, Gary Moat, gig, Heavy Pettin', Laurence Archer, live, Pete Way, UFO | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE WATERBOYS – Auditorio Burjassot, Valencia, Spain, 28 June 2019

Posted on July 3, 2019 by Davoski

If the legend that is Andy Nathan can report on an AOR convention from Sweden, surely, I can cover The Waterboys from Spain… This outdoor arena on the outskirts of Valencia was a steeply banked affair with a rigid cantilevered roof open … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 28 June 2019, Burjassot, gig, live, Mike Scott, review, The Big Music, The Waterboys, The Whole of the Moon | Leave a comment

Gig review: TESLA – Shepherd’s Bush Empire, 16 June 2019

Posted on June 20, 2019 by Davoski

No surprise to see a healthy crowd in on this damp Sunday evening to see Wayward Sons. The band has been cutting a noteworthy profile since its establishment in 2016 and already a second album is in the can. ‘Don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 16 June 2019, gig, hard rock, live, review, Shepherd's Bush Empire, Tesla, Toby Jepson, Wayward Sons | Leave a comment

Gig review: CAMDEN ROCKS FESTIVAL – Camden Town, London, 1-2 June 2019

Posted on June 11, 2019 by Davoski

This annual gathering, wedged tightly into the crammed streets of central north London, has been on the go since 2009. It started with 25 bands and 5 venues. This year over 400 acts will be appearing across 20 stages. Saturday … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged As Sirens Fall, Bad Touch, Brand New Friend, Camden Rocks 2019, Cavalcade, Daxx and Roxane, Dig Lazarus, festival, gig, King Nun, Offend My Ego, Phoxjaw, review, The Last Internationale, The Virginmarys, The Wonder Stuff | Leave a comment

Album review: DIAMOND HEAD – The Coffin Train

Posted on May 24, 2019 by Davoski

Silver Lining Music [release date: 24.05.19] Ah, the enigma that is Diamond Head. The band who are rightly regarded as pioneers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal; and who inspired the first wave of thrash in the shape … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Brian Tatler, Diamond Head, metal, NWOBHM, review, rock, The Coffin Train | Leave a comment

Album review: HOLLOWSTAR

Posted on May 15, 2019 by Davoski

www.hollowstar.co.uk [Release date: 03.05.19] This is a full debut album from four-piece hard rockers Hollowstar, who have previously put out only a couple of EPs up until this point. The album has been worth the wait. It serves up a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, Hollowstar, review | Leave a comment

Album review: FAT COPS – s/t

Posted on April 15, 2019 by Davoski

Absolute [release date: 01.03.19] It’s hard to work out whether this Fat Cops ensemble is a serious project, or whether a bunch of blokes with other, loftier careers have simply got together to have a bit of a blast. Maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Al Murray, album review, Chris Deerin, Fat Cops, indie, pop, psychedelic, review, rock, The Wee Besoms | Leave a comment

Gig review: UFO – Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 4 April 2019

Posted on April 8, 2019 by Davoski

Can this really be the end? Whilst part of me dearly hopes not, there is something of a delicious irony about ever-present vocalist Phil Mogg choosing to fold the band on his own terms. During a ride that for about … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 4 April 2019, gig, Last Orders, live, Michael Schenker, Paul Raymond, Phil Mogg, review, Shepherd's Bush Empire, UFO | Leave a comment

Album review: THE THREE TREMORS – s/t

Posted on January 24, 2019 by Davoski

Steel Cartel [release date: 18.01.19] If your mojo is shaken and stirred by high octane falsetto metal shrieking, then this album will put it through a nutribullet. The Three Tremors is a fearsome triumvirate of lung-busting vocal power, headed by … Continue reading →