Five Hundred Bucks Releases New Album, ‘$500’; Debuts ‘Follicles’ Video

Posted on April 30, 2022 by philspicks

Independent punk rock band Five Hundred Bucks debuted the video for its latest single this week.

The band premiered the video for its new single, ‘Follicles’ Friday through New Noise magazine. The single is featured in the band’s brand new album, $500. The single is the album’s fourth behind, ‘Animal,’ ‘Spinal,’ and ‘S*** Shaped Heart.’ The entire album is available to stream and download here.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Follicles’ is a sort of neo-folk-meets pop punk/rock style composition. The first comparison that comes to mind in listening to the song is to some of Pearl Jam’s songs.

Front man Jeff Riddle said the song’s lyrical theme is a deeply contemplative rumination about his parents.

“It’s about my parents and their shortcomings as a mother and father,” Riddle said. “It’s about growing older and having perspective on the situation and realizing who they were and what they were going through and despite my best efforts to separate myself from them at an early age and not want to be like them, fighting some of the same battles that they fought — depression, anxiety, addiction etc.”

The video for the new single is a unique presentation that involves an alien and a man befriending one another. It should be noted that there is a very direct drug reference in the video, so viewer discretion is advised.

“The video is a narrative driven video about a lonely person who lives in rural America and a UFO crashes and he finds this dead alien.,” Riddle said of the video’s treatment. “He brings it inside and cleans it up and develops an attachment and friendship with it and it’s the closest he’s ever felt to being accepted by anyone. We didn’t make the video as a direct correlation to the song, but it has a lot of thematic parallels.”

In other news, Five Hundred Bucks is scheduled to launch a tour in support of its new album May 4 in Richmond, VA. The band’s tour schedule is noted below.

Upcoming Shows:

Richmond, VA 5/4 @ Hot For Pizza

with Bashful and Dead Format

Charlotte, NC 5/5 @ Spoke Easy

with Paint Fumes, Comino, ACNE, and Dipstick

Atlanta, GA 5/6 @ The Earl

with Reconciler, New Junk City, and The Howdymen

Gainesville, FL 5/7 @ Loosey’s

with Reconciler, New Junk City, and The Howdymen

Pittsburgh, PA 5/14 @ Polish Hills Tennis Court

with Big Baby, Lizard Academy, Go. No. Go

Philadelphia, PA 7/19 @ Silk City

with Signals Midwest and Downhaul

More information on Five Hundred Bucks’ upcoming tour, its new album and single is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://fivehundredbucks.bandcamp.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fivehundredbux

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fivehundredbux

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Indie Folk Punk Duo Debuts New Album’s Second Single

Posted on April 30, 2022 by philspicks

Acoustic folk duo Steve and Ginie Jackson gave audiences another preview of the pair’s new album this week.

The duo premiered its new single, ‘Tear My Voice‘ Monday. The song is the second single from the band’s forthcoming album, Colder Than The Sea, which is scheduled for release May 26 through Thousand Islands Records. Its debut Monday follows that of the album’s lead single, ‘7 Billion People,’ which the duo debuted April 3.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Tear My Voice’ is a stark contrast to that of the album’s lead single. Where ‘7 Billion People’ is a happy, upbeat composition, ‘Tear My Voice’ is more melancholy in its sound and style. The neo-folk sound and approach here is also more evident than in the song’s predecessor. That song did present some folk leaning, but had more of a punk leaning along with that influence.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the press release announcing the single’s release. No lyrics are available with the song, either. A close listen leads one on one side to interpret the song as a socially conscious composition. On another hand, one could argue that the song centers on a person’s mental health in connection to seeing the world in a certain way. Again, this is all just this critic’s interpretation, not having an explanation to reference.

Along with planning the release of its new album (its second and third overall studio recording following its 2017 debut LP, Leaving For Today and its follow-up, the 2019 EP, Dance Away), the Jacksons are also planning a tour in support of its new album. Details for the tour are under consideration.

More information on the Jacksons’ new album, single, and tour is available along with all of the duo’s latest news at:

Website: https://steveandginiejackson.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveandginie

Derek Sherinian Debuts New Album’s Lead Single

Posted on April 30, 2022 by philspicks

Derek Sherinian offered audiences their first taste of his new album to open the weekend.

Sherinian premiered his new single, ‘The Vortex‘ Friday. The song is the title track from his forthcoming album, Vortex, which is scheduled for release July 1 through InsideOut Music. The record’s release will come more than two years after the release of his then latest album, The Phoenix. That album produced the singles, ‘Empyrean Sky,’ ‘Dragonfly,’ and ‘Them Changes‘ (a cover of the Buddy Miles classic).

The arrangement in this full-on instrumental track is everything that audiences have come to expect from Sherinian, who has made quite the name for himself throughout his career, working with the likes of Alice Cooper, Dream Theater, and currently Sons of Apollo. The frenetic energy exhibited throughout the arrangement does well to illustrate what one thinks of when one thinks of a tornado.

Sherinian announced last March, that he had started work on Vortex. He said at the time, drummer Simon Phillips would return for the album, which has been confirmed for this album. Also making guest appearances at Steve Stevens, Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne band, Black Label Society), and Michael Schenker (Temple of Rock, Michael Schenker Group, Michael Schenker Fest), all of whom he has worked previously.

Sherinian made a guest appearance on Schenker’s latest Micheal Schenker Group record, Immortal, last year, while Wylde has previously appeared on some of Sherinian’s early solo releases. Also making appearances this time out are the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Steve Lukather (Toto), and his Sons of Apollo band mate Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal.

The track listing for Vortex is noted below.

Tracklisting:
1 The Vortex feat. Steve Stevens
2 Fire Horse feat. Nuno Bettencourt
3 Scorpion
4 Seven Seas feat. Steve Stevens
5 Key Lime Blues feat. Joe Bonamassa, Steve Lukather
6 Die Kobra feat. Michael Schenker, Zakk Wylde
7 Nomad’s Land feat. Mike Stern
8 Aurora Australis feat. Bumblefoot

More information on Derek Sherinian’s new album is available along with all of his latest news at:

Website: https://www.dereksherinian.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Derek-Sherinian-Official-361589234010473/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DerekSherinian

Nothing More Premieres New Single, ‘Tired Of Winning,’ Companion Video

Posted on April 30, 2022 by philspicks

Hard rock band Nothing More opened the weekend by premiering its latest single and the song’s companion video.

The band debuted its new single, ‘Tired Of Winning‘ Friday, along with the song’s video. The song and its predecessor, ‘Turn It Up Like (Stand In The Fire)‘ are expected for inclusion in the band’s next, as yet untitled album. The album’s title, release date and other information is all under consideration.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Tired Of Winning’ is grounded in its guitar line, which presents a distinct djent style approach. Alongside that djent style sound and approach is a more melodic hard rock sound that when blended with the noted element, makes the arrangement in whole a unique presentation that will certainly engage and entertain audiences.

According to information about the song, its lyrical theme presents a socially conscious theme. The theme in question is a rumination on the state of mankind, the information states.

Front man Johnny Hawkins said of the song’s lyrical theme, “We find ourselves in the same position humanity has found itself over and over again…at the end of a series of self-made problems,” he said. “When we wake up to this, we realize that we are our own worst enemy, yet we focus so much of our energy on externalizing our problems. This song is a bird’s eye view of human nature.”

The video for Nothing More’s new single features the band performing its new single on a specially list sound stage. It blends that with a rather paranormal style story that involves a man’s encounter with beings from another world.

In other news, Nothing More is scheduled to join Asking Alexandria on the road this spring and summer, starting May 13 in Kansas City, MO. The bands’ tour is scheduled to run through June 19 in Houston, TX and features performances in cities, such as Silver Spring, MD; Denver, CO and Phoenix, AZ.

The bands’ tour schedule is noted below. Tickets are available here.

NOTHING MORE Spring U.S. Tour Dates (with Asking Alexandria):

May 13 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater

May 14 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion

May 15 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom

May 17 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle

May 18 – New Orleans, LA – The Fillmore New Orleans

May 20 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company

May 21 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome to Rockville*

May 23 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE*

May 24 – Rochester, NY – Main Street Armory*

May 25 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore

May 27 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater

May 28 – Wallingford, CT – The Dome at Oakdale

May 29 – Reading, PA – Theatre at Santander Arena*

May 31 – Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J Brady Music Center

June 1 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works

June 3 – Chicago, IL – The Riviera*

June 4 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room @ Old National Centre

June 5 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theater*

June 7 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit

June 8 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee

June 9 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant

June 12 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium

June 13 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex

June 15 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues

June 16 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren

June 18 – San Antoni, TX – Tech Port Center + Arena

June 19 – Houston, TX – House of Blues

More information on Nothing More’s new single, video, album, and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://nothingmore.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nothingmore

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nothingmorerock

Neonfly Announces New Live Dates

Posted on April 30, 2022 by philspicks

Courtesy: O’Donnell Media Group/Noble Demon

Neonfly will join Epica on the road this spring.

The band announced Thursday, it will serve as support for a trio of upcoming dates with Epica. It will also perform a pair of headlining shows, and live on Sonidos Siniestros Metal TV. The TV performance is scheduled to take place May 11 while the live, on-stage dates follow immediately after.

The band’s performance schedule is noted below.

Dates as follows:

11.05. Mexico City – Sonidos Siniestros Metal TV (live TV appearance)

12.05 Toluca – Teatro Morelos (supporting Epica)

13.05 Mexico City – Pepsi Center (supporting Epica)

15.05 Querétaro – Black Dog (Neonfly headline)

21.05 León – Foro del Lago (supporting Epica)

22.05 Mexico City – No Somos Nada (Neonfly headline)

The performances are in support of Neonfly’s most recent album, 2021’s The Future Tonight. The record produced the singles, ‘Beating Hearts,‘ ‘Steal The World,’ and the album’s title track.

The track listing for The Future Tonight is noted below.

The album’s track listing is noted below.

TRACKLIST

This World is Burning
Last of Our Kind
Flesh and Blood
The Future, Tonight (ft.Bjord Strid)
Beating Hearts
More Than a Lifetime
Another Eden (ft. Kaan Tasan)
Steal the World (ft. Kaan Tasan)
Final Warning
The Things We Left Behind (And The Things That Slipped Away)

The Future, Tonight is available now through Noble Demon. More information on the album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.neonfly.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NeonflyUK

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NeonflyUK

Lybica Premieres Double Single, ‘Palatial/Ferment’; Announces Upcoming Live Performance

Posted on April 30, 2022 by philspicks

Hard rock collective Lybica, which features Killswitch Engage drummer Justin Foley on guitar, debuted a new double single this week.

The band premiered its double single, ‘Palatial/Ferment‘ Thursday. The songs are expected for inclusion in the band’s as yet untitled album, whose release date and other information is also under consideration.

Foley had the following to say of the songs.

“These tunes were two early ones that came together when we first started jamming, so it’s fitting that they’re the first songs we’re sharing with everyone. “I think they sum up what we’re all about, blending loud with soft, heavy with hooks.”

Both songs are full instrumental compositions. The ambient nature of the arrangements and their heaviness present elements of both post rock and post metal. At the same time, there is the most subtle element of melodic metalcore in ‘Palatial.’ The whole of the songs immediately lends them to comparison to early works from A Perfect Circle at the very least.

Lybica actually premiered the video for ‘Ferment’ Sept. 30. It features each of the band members — Joey Johson (guitar), Doug French (bass), Chris Lane (drums), and Foley on guitar — recording their parts to the song separately. One has to assume that is because the COVID-19 pandemic forced the song to be recorded as such at the time.

The video for ‘Palatial,’ which premiered Thursday,’ features the band together on a sound stage, performing its new single. That footage is blended with the visual of a skull being overwhelmed by red smoke.

In other news, Lybica is scheduled to perform live May 7 in Winter Park, FL.

More information on Lybica’s new double single, album, and concert is available along with all of the band’s latest news at https://www.facebook.com/lybicaband.

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Tesla Expands “Let’s Get Real Tour”; Releases ‘Cold Blue Steel’ Radio Edit

Posted on April 30, 2022 by philspicks

Veteran rock band Tesla announced this week it has expanded its “Let’s Get Real Tour.”

The tour, which is scheduled to launch May 5 in Waterloo, NY and to run through Sept. 18 in New Orleans, LA, recently added dates in Aug. 26 in Northfield, OH; July 23 in Shelton, WA; and a series of dates from Sept. 9 in Dallas, TX to Sept. 15 in San Antonio, TX, as well as the current tour finale Sept. 18 in New Orleans, LA.

Guitarist Frank Hannon said he and his band mates are looking forward to getting out on the road.

“We are so excited about getting back to performing ‘real’ live concerts again” said Hannon. “There’s nothing like the energy of being in the same spontaneous moment with an audience of people. Tesla has always taken pride in being a high-energy live band, relying on performances without any backing tracks or pre-recorded help.”

The band’s current tour schedule is noted below. Tickets are available here.

TESLA 2022 “LET’S GET REAL” TOUR DATES:

5/5/22 Del Lago Resort & Casino – Waterloo, NY SOLD OUT

5/7/22 Penn’s Peak – Jim Thorpe, PA SOLD OUT

5/8/22 M3 Rock Festival / Merriweather Post Pavilion -Columbia, MD

5/10/22 Aura – Portland, ME

5/12/22 Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom – Hampton Beach, NH

5/13/22 Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom – Hampton NH

6/11/22 Thunder Valley Casino Resort – Lincoln, CA

6/17/22 Q Casino (Back Waters Stage) – Dubuque, IA

6/18/22 The Pageant – St. Louis, MO

6/21/22 The Louisville Palace – Louisville, KY

6/23/22 Lakes Jam – Brainerd, MN

6/24/22 Treasure Island Resort & Casino – Island Event Center – Welch, MN

6/26/22 Des Plaines Theatre – Des Plaines, IL

6/29/22 Hard Rock Live (Tulsa) – Catoosa, OK

7/1/22 Harrah’s Stir Cove – Council Bluffs, IA

7/2/22 Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells – Baraboo, WI

7/4/22 National Cherry Festival – Traverse City, MI

7/9/22 Matanuska Brewing Company – Eagle River, AK

7/12/22 Red River Valley Fair – W Fargo, ND

7/22/22 Yakama Legends Casino – Toppenish, WA

7/23/22 Little Creek Casino Resort – Shelton, WA

7/31/22 Indian Ranch – Webster, MA

8/02/22 Cape Cod Melody Tent – Hyannis, MA

8/03/22 Bold Point Pavillion – East Providence, RI

8/05/22 Hard Rock Casino – Gary, IN

8/06/22 Monroe County Fair – Monroe, MI

8/08/22 Full Throttle Saloon – Sturgis, SD

8/20/22 Shoeshone-Bannock Casino Hotel – Fort Hall, ID

8/21/22 Northern Quest Resort & Casino – Airway Heights, WA

8/26/22 MGM Northfield Park – Northfield, OH

9/09/22 House Of Blues – Dallas, TX

9/10/22 House Of Blues – Houston, TX

9/12/22 Wagner Noel PAC – Midland, TX

9/13/22 Lubbock Memorial Civic Center – Lubbock, TX

9/15/22 The Aztec Theatre – San Antonio, TX

9/18/22 House Of Blues – New Orleans

In other news, Tesla recently released a radio edit of its latest single, ‘Cold Blue Steel,’ which it originally premiered Aug. 26. The song features a rich, heavy, blues-rock style musical arrangement and a clearly sociopolitical lyrical message.

Hannon had the following to say about the radio edit.

“The 2022 radio remix features louder guitars and vocals,” he said. “Some folks were reluctant to play the track with its explicit lyrics in the verse, so I created a clean version for radio with a bleep. As a band member and being the producer, we approve of these changes and really love the remixed audio enhancement for radio play. This is Tesla in real honest form and independently producing our music for the first time as an official release.”

More information on Tesla’s new live dates and its single is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://teslatheband.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teslaband

Twitter: https://twitter.com/teslaband

Saliva Announces Tour With Otherwise; Premieres New Single’s Video

Posted on April 30, 2022 by philspicks

Saliva is set to join fellow rock band Otherwise on the road this summer.

The band is scheduled to join Otherwise for a three week run starting June 2 in Columbia, SC. The tour is scheduled to run through June 23 and features performances in cities, such as Cleveland, OH; Mechanicsburg, PA and Springfield, MO.

The tour’s schedule is noted below.

Saliva with Otherwise Dates:

6/2 – Columbia, SC – New Brookland Tavern
6/3 – Corbin, KY – Icehouse
6/4 – Huntsville, AL – Shagnasty’s
6/5 – Clarksville, TN – The Warehouse
6/8 – Horseheads, NY – The L
6/9 – Cleveland, OH – The Odeon
6/10 – Angola, IN – The Eclectic Room
6/11 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop
6/14 – Mechanicsburg, PA – Lovedrafts
6/15 – Columbus, OH – The King of Clubs
6/16 – Joliet, IL – The Forge
6/17 – Green Bay, WI – Epic Event Center
6/19 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon
6/21 – Springfield, MO – Kiss Bar and Grill
6/22 – Arnold, MO – 21 Rock
6/23 – Lawrence, KS – The Bottleneck

In other news, Saliva premiered the video for its latest single this month. The band premiered the video for its latest single, ‘Revelation Man‘ April 22. The video’s premiere comes more than a month after the band debuted the song. The video features the band performing its new single in a desert setting as the song plays over the visualization.

The song’s musical arrangement features a base that takes audiences back to Saliva’s early days while also giving the song a sense of where the band stands today.

The song’s lyrical theme takes on the impact of addiction and recovering from it, said front man Bobby Amaru.

“‘Revelation Man’ is about a guy who couldn’t accept the struggles of his own addictions,” said Amaru. “He had to hit rock bottom to see the light. When I say “had to die to find a revelation” I don’t mean dying literally but there were moments in my life where I felt like I had. It particularly relates with me because of my sobriety of 3 1/2 years. I went through a lot of things before I got sober. “

‘Revelation Man’ is just one of a handful of singles that the band says it has planned for release this year ahead of a new album set for release later this year. More information on that album and the coming singles is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://salivaofficial.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Saliva

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialSaliva

Huxley Premieres ‘Second Chances’ Lyric Video

Posted on April 30, 2022 by philspicks

Rock band Huxley debuted the lyric video for its latest single this month.

The band premiered the lyric video for its single, ‘Second Chances‘ April 18. The video features the song’s lyrics presented over a burned out candle.

The song’s musical arrangement is an upbeat, guitar-driven composition. The chants in the chorus and the drums, bass, and vocals add even more to its impact. The energy in the collective instrumentation and vocals immediately makes the song a surefire hit for any active rock radio station programmer’s play list. It is easily comparable to works from the likes of Eve To Adam, Buckcherry, and others of that ilk.

The song’s lyrical theme is that of perseverance against people who would otherwise prefer to make a person’s life miserable, according to a statement from the band.

“‘Second Chances’ is about not letting people take advantage of you and learning to move on and be strong on your own,” the statement reads.

More information on Huxley’s new video and single is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.facebook.com/dohux.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/huxleytheband

Twitter: https://twitter.com/huxleytheband

Nova Rex Debuts ‘Time Is Up For You’ Video

Posted on April 30, 2022 by philspicks

Hair metal band Nova Rex debuted the video for its latest single this week.

The band premiered the video for its new single, ‘Time Is Up For You’ Tuesday. The song is featured in the new documentary, It Ain’t Easy Being Cheesy.

The video is a straight forward, familiar style presentation. It features the band performing its new single in a forested setting at night, a large bonfire burning behind the group as it sings.

The musical arrangement featured in the band’s new single is full on 80s hair metal. Comparisons can easily be made to vintage music from the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Poison, and Motley Crue throughout the arrangement. That is evidenced through the rich, bass and guitar-driven composition.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme. No lyrics are provided with the video, either. A close listen to the song adds even more to that vintage hair metal sense. That is because the whole thing is heavy with so much lyrical tough guy bravado that is so common from that era.

More information on Nova Rex’s new single and video is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://novarox.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NovaRexRocks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NovaRexRocks

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Monthly Archives: April 2022

Five Hundred Bucks Releases New Album, ‘$500’; Debuts ‘Follicles’ Video

Upcoming Shows:

Indie Folk Punk Duo Debuts New Album’s Second Single

Derek Sherinian Debuts New Album’s Lead Single

Nothing More Premieres New Single, ‘Tired Of Winning,’ Companion Video

Neonfly Announces New Live Dates

Lybica Premieres Double Single, ‘Palatial/Ferment’; Announces Upcoming Live Performance

Tesla Expands “Let’s Get Real Tour”; Releases ‘Cold Blue Steel’ Radio Edit

Saliva Announces Tour With Otherwise; Premieres New Single’s Video

Huxley Premieres ‘Second Chances’ Lyric Video

Nova Rex Debuts ‘Time Is Up For You’ Video