Author Archives: jason

Quick plays: NEOPERA, GRAMERCY ARMS, KNIFEWORLD

Posted on July 27, 2014 by jason

NEOPERA – Destined Ways earMusic www.neopera.com [Released 21.07.14] Neopera were formed by guitarist Jorn Schubert (Dark Age) in 2010 and the line-up includes Gamma Ray’s Dirk Schlächter, along with two operatic styled vocalist Nina Jiers (soprano) and Thorsten Schuck (baritone) … Continue reading →

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Interview: 10Q’s with Wille Dowling of THE DOWLING POOLE

Posted on July 25, 2014 by jason
The Dowling Poole

The Dowling Poole feature Willie Dowling (ex-Jackdaw4/Honeycrack) and Jon Poole (ex-Cardiacs). They have released their debut album, ‘Bleak Strategies’ and they have recently played a series of Pledger gigs as part of their recent Pledge Music campaign to fund the … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE BEAT – The Complete Studio Recordings

Posted on July 23, 2014 by jason
THE BEAT - The Complete Studio Recordings

Edsel [Release date 12.05.14] Formed in Birmingham in 1979, The Beat had a string of hit singles and released 3 studio albums- 1980’s “I Just Can’t Stop It”, followed by 1981’s “Wha’ppen” and 1982’s “Special Beat Service”. I’d like to … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE QUIREBOYS – Black Eyed Sons

Posted on July 23, 2014 by jason
THE QUIREBOYS - Black Eyed Sons

Off Yer Rocka Recordings [Release date 16.06.14] 2-CD/DVD The Quireboys are currently celebrating 30 years as a band – 30 years, where did that go, it seems like only yesterday that the band were being heralded as the next big … Continue reading →

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Book reviews: KILLERS – THE ORIGINS OF IRON MAIDEN 1975-1983 by Neil Daniels

Posted on July 23, 2014 by jason
Killers - The Origins of Iron Maiden by Neil Daniels

Soundcheck Books [Publication date 10.04.14] Prolific music writer Neil Daniels has done it again. We all know the Iron Maiden story, or do we? From their inception on Christmas Day in 1975, bass player Steve Harris has steered England’s best … Continue reading →

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Album review: AOR – LA Connection

Posted on July 22, 2014 by jason
AOR - LA Connection

Escape Music www.escape-music.com [Released 21.07.14] Frederic Slama is back with album number thirteen under the AOR handle and a new label after the last couple of releases were on the aptly named AOR Heaven label. On this album he is … Continue reading →

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Gig review: MR B THE GENTLEMAN RHYMER – Guilfest, 19 July 2014

Posted on July 20, 2014 by jason

Now you may be wondering what Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer is doing on GRTR! Well he name checked Slayer and he did an indie rock medley accompanied by his trusty banjolele. Plus he’s damn fine and talented chap. He … Continue reading →

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Gig review: GUILFEST – 19-20 July 2014

Posted on July 20, 2014 by jason

Saturday saw the weather again being kind to Guilfest and a bigger crowd too. Arrived to The Farm doing their hit ‘All Together Now’ on the main stage and they seemed to have gone down well with the crowd. Next … Continue reading →

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Gig review: GUILFEST – 18 July 2014

Posted on July 19, 2014 by jason

Good to have the Guilfest back after the previous company running it went into liquidation after 2012’s festival. Last year they had two one day line-ups sponsored by Magic FM. The amount of stages has remained the same with two … Continue reading →

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Gig review: KANSAS – Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 17 July 2014

Posted on July 18, 2014 by jason

Kansas were back after a nine year gap since their last London date and this was always going to be a special gig as Steve Walsh had announced a couple of weeks earlier that he was leaving the band after … Continue reading →

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Album review: FOZZY – Do You Wanna Start A War

Posted on July 14, 2014 by jason
FOZZY – Do You Wanna Start A War

Century Media [Released 21.07.14] Amazingly Fozzy have been going nearly fifteen years and this album is possibly their most commercial and accessible to date. Now that vocalist Chris Jericho is winding down his wrestling career the band are touring (the … Continue reading →

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Album review: RICHARD THOMPSON – Acoustic Classics

Posted on July 14, 2014 by jason
Richard Thompson - Acoustic Classics

Beeswing/Proper Records [Release date 21.07.14] Amazingly this is the first acoustic release (excluding live recordings) in over thirty years. This collection of his most famous songs newly recorded in acoustic form provides the perfect accompaniment to his solo acoustic shows. … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: PETER FRAMPTON, FRANCO AND THE DREADNOUGHT, ARCELIA

Posted on July 13, 2014 by jason
Franco And The Dreadnought

PETER FRAMPTON – Hummingbird In A Box Red/Sony Music [Released 07.07.14] Peter Frampton has seen his popularity increase of late following a couple of recent, well received studio albums backed by relentless touring (at the time of writing he’s touring … Continue reading →

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Gig review: HALL AND OATES – Hammersmith Apollo, 11 July 2014

Posted on July 12, 2014 by jason

At a sold out Apollo it was a chance to witness musical legends Daryl Hall and John Oates, the most successful duo in US chart history, even surpassing the Everly Brothers. They can still draw a crowd (all the UK … Continue reading →

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Rising Stars: enkElination interview, July 2014

Posted on July 7, 2014 by jason

enkElination (enkeli – meaning Angel in Finnish) was formed in November 2011 by the classically trained, former opera singer Elina Siirala. In 2012 she started working with a guitar player Shadow Venger (ex-Empyreal Destroyer) and since then they’ve been joined by … Continue reading →

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Album review: SAGA – Sagacity

Posted on July 5, 2014 by jason
Saga - Sagacity

earMUSIC [Release date 04.07.14] Saga release their latest album and the second since vocalist Michael Sadler returned to the band’s line-up a few years ago. This is not as instant as their last album ‘20/20’ taking a few plays to … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: THE REE-VAHS!, TARJA, CROWN OF GLORY, AVALON STEEL, SEVEN THORNS

Posted on July 3, 2014 by jason
The Ree-Vahs! - Geordieland

THE REE-VAHS! – Geordieland www.theree-vahs.co.uk [Released 09.06.14] The Ree-Vahs! Hail from County Durham and carry on the tradition of North Durham singing, although it’s not that heavily accented and you can listen to the lyrics easily enough. Andy Loan has … Continue reading →

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Album review: MIDGE URE – Fragile

Posted on July 2, 2014 by jason
Midge Ure - Fragile

Hypertension Music [Released 07.07.14] Midge Ure returns with his first solo album of original material in over a decade. In between he has been touring with the revived Ultravox who also released an album. I will be honest and say … Continue reading →

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Gig review: STEVIE WONDER – Calling Festival, Clapham Common, 29 June 2014

Posted on June 30, 2014 by jason

The Calling Festival continues its nomadic existence having moved from its previous home at Hyde Park to the Queen Elizabeth stadium last year and now at Clapham Common. It has also been reduced to two, one day festivals (Aerosmith headlined … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE LAST VEGAS – Sweet Salvation

Posted on June 26, 2014 by jason
The Last Vegas - Sweet Salvation

Frostbyte Media [Release date 02.06.14] Originally formed in 2003, Chicago, The Last Vegas really took off when joined by current vocalist Chad Cherry in 2008. The band beat 8,000 others to a prize which included opening for Motley Crue, a … Continue reading →

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Book review: Let It Rock: The Making of Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet by Neil Daniels

Posted on June 26, 2014 by jason
Let It Rock: The Making of Bon Jovi

Soundcheck Books [Published 2014] www.soundcheckbooks.co.uk A compact little tome that looks at Bon Jovi’s biggest selling album (a mere 28 million copies plus) ‘Slippery When Wet’ with a track by track review by the author, fellow rock journalist recollections of … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE YOUNG FOLK – The Little Battle

Posted on June 25, 2014 by jason
The Young Folk - The Little Battle

Pixie Pace Records [Released 08.09.14] Having witnessed an excellent gig by the band earlier this year in London I was looking forward to hearing their debut release. The band consists of Anthony Furey (vocals/guitar), Tony McCaughlin (bass/mandolin/vocals), Paul Butler (keyboards/vocals) … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE DOWLING POOLE – Bleak Strategies

Posted on June 25, 2014 by jason
The Dowling Poole - Bleak Strategies

369 Records [Release date:  11.08.14] https://www.facebook.com/TheDowlingPoole Not a Drowning Pool tribute band but the latest poprocktastic creation from Willie Dowling (Honeycrack/Jackdaw4) and his co-collaborator Jon Poole (ex-Cardiacs). They have funded this via Pledge Music and they sing and play all … Continue reading →

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Album review: SEVEN – 7

Posted on June 21, 2014 by jason
Seven - 7

Escape Music www.escape-music.com [Out now] Back in the late 80’s and into the early 90’s the AOR/melodic rock scene was thriving and record labels were signing up UK based acts like FM, Airrace, Little Angels, Dare and this band Seven … Continue reading →

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Interview: PAUL MENEL

Posted on June 20, 2014 by jason

Paul Menel is a former singer with prog rockers IQ and released a very enjoyable solo album ‘Into Insignificance I Will Pale’, and he has an unofficial England World Cup song out now with the Essentials… Hi Jason Firstly, thanks … Continue reading →

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