Saxon Announces New Touring Guitarist

Posted on April 6, 2023 by philspicks

Early last month, Saxon guitarist Paul Quinn announced his touring days are over.

Now almost a month later, the band has announced who will replace Quinn on stage. Brian Tatler (Diamond Head) was announced Thursday as the band’s new touring guitarist. Tatler will start his touring stint with the band beginning July 7 in Athens, Greece.

Front man Biff Byford welcomed Tatler to the band’s lineup in a brief statement.

“We welcome our good friend Brian Tatler aboard the Saxon battleship on our live journey across the World … Bring It On!!,” Byford said.

Saxon’s Summer European Tour Schedule is as follows:

Friday July 7^th – GREECE, Athens – Rockwave Festival

Monday July 8^th – SWEDEN, Knislinge – Time To Rock Festival

Thursday July 13^th – GERMANY, Balingen – Bang Your Head Festival

Saturday July 22^nd – ITALY, Cremona – Luppolo In Rock Festival

Saturday July 29^th – GERMANY, Pyras – Classic Rock Night Festival

Saturday August 5^th – SWEDEN, Rejmyre – Skogsrojet Festival

Saturday August 12^th – DENMARK, Horsens – Jailbreak Festival

Saxon’s upcoming dates are in support of its new compilation record, More Inspirations, which was released March 24 through Silver Lining Music. The record has produced two singles so far, one being a cover of The Sensation Alex Harvey Band’s ‘The Faith Healer’. The other is a cover of Nazareth’s ‘Razamanaz‘.

More Inspirations‘ 10-track body is composed of songs from a wide range of acts, most just as well known as Saxon. They include and are not limited to: Alice Cooper’s ‘From The Inside,’ KISS’ ‘Detroit Rock City’ and Rainbow’s ‘Man on the Silver Mountain.’

The record’s track listing is noted below:

Track Listing:

1. We’ve Gotta Get Out of This Place

2. The Faith Healer

3. From the Inside

4. Chevrolet

5. Substitute

6. Gypsy

7. Man On the Silver Mountain

8. Detroit Rock City

9. Razamanaz

10. Tales of Brave Ulysses

More information on Saxon’s new compilation record, single and video is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: http://www.saxon747.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/saxon

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SaxonOfficial

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Saxon Debuts New Single, ‘Razamanaz,’ Companion Video

Posted on March 21, 2023 by philspicks

Veteran hard rock band Saxon debuted the latest single from its forthcoming covers compilation record, More Inspirations this week.

The band debuted its new single, ‘Razamanaz‘ and its companion video Tuesday. The song is a cover of the hit single from fellow veteran rock act Nazareth. The bluesy, up-tempo rocker stays largely true to its source material. The only real difference between the original and Saxon’s updated take is the production values and that is because production technology has improved between the time the original was recorded and the current era of music making.

Front man Biff Byford said Nazareth inspired the band because of Saxon’s experiences on the road with Nazareth.

“In the seventies we’d go and see Nazareth,” Byford said. “They were one of the premier touring hard rock bands. We were lucky to tour with them in 1980. They used to open the show with this song. It’s about the audience performed to an audience… brilliant stuff!”

‘Razamanaz’ is the second single the band has released from its forthcoming compilation, which is scheduled for release Friday through Silver Linings Music. The band premiered the set’s lead single — a cover of The Sensation Alex Harvey Band’s ‘The Faith Healer’ — in January.

The video for the band’s new single is a straight forward presentation. It features the band live on stage as the band’s take on Nazareth’s song plays over the visualization. No information was provided about where the footage was recorded in the news release announcing the premiere of the new single and video.

The record’s track listing is noted below:

Track Listing:

1. We’ve Gotta Get Out of This Place

2. The Faith Healer

3. From the Inside

4. Chevrolet

5. Substitute

6. Gypsy

7. Man On the Silver Mountain

8. Detroit Rock City

9. Razamanaz

10. Tales of Brave Ulysses

In other news, Saxon just wrapped a tour with Rage over the weekend in support of its new compilation. The European tour took the bands to cities, such as Hamburg, Germany; Linz, Austria and Warsaw, Poland.

More information on Saxon’s new compilation record, single and video is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: http://www.saxon747.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/saxon

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SaxonOfficial

Colossal Street Jam’s Fans, Guitar Rock Purists Alike Will Appreciate Band’s Latest LP

Posted on February 13, 2023 by philspicks

Five years is a long time for a well-known band to go between new studio recordings. It is an even longer time frame for independent bands that are trying to make names for themselves, but that is just what the independent rock band Colossal Street Jam did when it released its latest studio recording, No Way To Live. Released Friday, it is only the band’s second album behind the band’s 2016 debut album, Live Free and the band’s third album behind the release of the band’s 2018 EP, Take Hold. Colossal Street Jam’s established audiences will agree the 11-song record was worth the wait, as its featured musical arrangements show. They will be discussed shortly. The lyrical themes that accompany the record’s musical arrangements make for their own interest and will be examined a little later. The record’s production rounds out its most important elements and will also be examined later. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of No Way To Live. All things considered, this album proves itself a work that will appeal to guitar rock purists and Colossal Street Jam’s established audiences.

No Way To Live, the sophomore album from independent rock band Colossal Street Jam, is a positive new outing for the band that proves it was worth the wait. That is proven in part through its featured musical arrangements. As with both of the band’s existing records, the arrangements featured in this record throw back to another era of rock, a more creative era. The record’s title track, which also opens the album, immediately exhibits influence from the likes of Deep Purple and Heaven & Earth, what with the pairing of the keyboards and guitars. Front man Gene Potts’ vocal delivery offers an enjoyable subtle sort of 80s rock front man vibe. That is meant in the most respectful fashion possible. The whole makes for such an engaging and entertaining composition.

On a completely different note, the fully instrumental composition that is ‘Morning Light’ completely changes things. Yes, the classic rock influence is just as evident here as at any other point in the record’s 47-minute run time, but it stands so starkly apart from the rest of the arrangements. In listening through the nearly three-minute composition, the almost ethereal opening bars, what with the subtle keyboard line, gives the song an almost Pink Floyd-esque sort of sound and approach. That is just this critic’s interpretation. The subtle, controlled use of the cymbal rolls – performed by drummer Dave Halpern – and equally controlled guitar line from Sal Marra add even more to that sense. It would certainly be interesting to know if in fact the band was trying to emulate Pink Floyd here, because the comparison is inescapable, but in a wholly positive fashion.

On yet another completely different note, a track, such as the record’s penultimate entry, ‘Nothing Like It’ takes listeners in yet another direction, this time in a composition something very similar, stylistically, to works from KISS. That is evidenced through the bombastic, guitar-driven approach and sound featured throughout the arrangement. Right from the song’s outset, the KISS comparison with the pairing of the guitars, vocals and drums. The choral approach taken in the choruses add even more to that sense. The overall arrangement is among the best of the record’s arrangements and is certain to fully engage and entertain audiences. When it is considered along with the other arrangements examined here and with the rest of the album’s musical content, the whole leaves no doubt that the album’s musical content plays a crucial part in the album’s presentation.

As important as the album’s musical arrangements are to its presentation, they are just part of what makes No Way To Live worth hearing. The lyrical themes that accompany the album’s musical arrangements make for their own interest. Staying on ‘Nothing Like It,’ it is just one example of the importance of the album’s lyrical content. That is because this song’s lyrical content is a full on celebration of rock and roll. Potts and company make no bones about it, either, singing in the song’s chorus, “Turn up the volume/Let’s crank it high/Let’s tear the roof off until the sky/When you feel it coming on/Let me tell you/There’s nothing like rock and roll.” Again, this is just a full-on celebration of rock and roll and the joy that it brings. The rest of the song’s lyrical theme follows in similar fashion, proving this even more. Between that celebratory theme and equally infectious musical arrangement, this song proves even more to be among the best of the album’s best songs.

Changing things up slightly is ‘Look It Here.’ This song is interesting in that it comes across as being one of those songs that centers on the all too familiar topic of relationship troubles. This is inferred as Potts sings, “Look here/What are you trying to tell me/Look here/What it is, I don’t know/It was only yesterday/I was feelin’ so fine/Can’t understand/Why you and I fight.” From here, he continues in the song’s second verse about thinking things were going right, only to get an unpleasant surprise even more so. This is a familiar theme in so many songs across the musical universe. What’s really interesting here is that the theme here takes a new identity thanks to the infectious bluesy groove established in the song’s arrangement. It would have been so easy for the band to go in a more traditionally melancholy direction. Rather than do that all too easy track, the band instead opted to take a different road, and in turn made the moment more of a moment of introspection but not in a negative way. It all makes this theme fully bearable even despite being so familiar. In turn it will resonate all the more with listeners, showing even more the importance of the album’s lyrical content.

‘Before I Sleep Again’ is another example of the importance of the album’s lyrical themes. Right from the song’s outset, Potts sings about the morning’s first light waking him up and looking forward to the start of the day “so I can breath some more/Before I sleep again.” How often can a band or musical act of any kind say it has a song that fully celebrates simply living another day and welcoming each day? This is a theme that is sure to resonate with audiences just as much as the others examined here. When all of these themes are considered together and with the rest of the album’s themes, the whole makes just as clear why it collectively is just as important to this record as the album’s musical content. Together with the musical content, that collective gives audiences all the more reason to hear this record.

As much as the overall content featured in No Way To Live does to make the album engaging and entertaining, it is just part of what makes the record worth hearing. The cord’s production rounds out its most important elements. That is because of its role in the album’s general effect. From song to song, each composition’s instrumentation is expertly balanced to ensure no one member of the band overpowers his band mates. That includes Potts. Even with so much going on in so many of the songs, what with the energy and instrumentation, it would have been easy for the production to allow the songs to get muddied, but thankfully that did not happen. The result is a positive general effect that is certain to keep listeners engaged and entertained just as much as the album’s content. All things considered, the production and content featured in No Way To Live makes the album a work that is certain to appeal to Colossal Street Jam’s established audiences and to guitar rock purists alike.

No Way To Live, the latest album from Colossal Street Jam, is a strong new offering from the independent rock band. That is proven in part through its featured musical arrangements. The arrangements featured here follow a stylistic model established in the band’s 2016 debut album, Live Free while also establishing their own identities. That is done by once again leaning on the band’s classic rock influences. The lyrical themes that accompany the album’s musical arrangements are just as important to note. That is because of their familiarity and accessibility. In many cases, when those themes pair with the songs’ arrangements, the lyrical themes create a whole new identity that is certain to engage and entertain audiences all the more. The production that went into this record puts the finishing touch to its presentation. It ensures a positive general effect for the album, finishing the record’s production. Each item examined is important in its own way to the whole of the album’s presentation. All things considered, No Way To Live proves itself an early candidate for a spot among this year’s top new independent albums.

No Way To Live is available now. More information on the album is available along with all of Colossal Street Jam’s latest news at:

Website: http://www.colossalstreetjam.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/colossalstreetjam

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ColossalStreetJ

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

The Answer Debuts New Album’s Latest Single

Posted on February 2, 2023 by philspicks

Rock band The Answer took audiences back to the future this week with its latest single.

The band debuted its new single, ‘Livin’ On the Line’ Monday. The premiere came a week after the band debuted the song’s video.

‘Livin’ On The Line’ is the third single from the band’s forthcoming album, Sundowners, which is scheduled for release March 17 through Golden Robot Records. The band premiered the album’s second single, ‘Want You To Love Me‘ last month. It released the record’s lead single, ‘Blood Brother‘ in November.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Livin’ On The Line’ is an infectious composition that will appeal easily to any guitar rock purist. That is due to the obvious influence of bands, such as KISS, Black Crowes, and just so many others. It is such a fun song for any real rock fan.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the news release announcing the song’s debut. No lyrics are provided with the video, either. In listening to the song though, it can be inferred that the song’s lyrical theme is one of someone just trying to get through life day to day. That is just this critic’s interpretation.

In other news, The Answer has a handful of UK and European dates scheduled in support of its new album this spring, starting March 16 in Blackpool, England. The UK leg of the tour is scheduled to run through March 23 in Belfast, Ireland.

The European leg of the tour is scheduled to launch March 25 in Haarlem, Holland and to run through April 6 in Vorselaar, Belgium.

The tour’s schedule is noted below. Tickets for the UK leg are available here. Tickets for the European leg are available here.

TOUR DATES

UK March 2023

Mar 16^th Blackpool, Waterloo Bar
Mar 17^th Birmingham O2 Institute.
Mar 19^th Bristol Thekla
Mar 20^th London 100 Club
Mar 21^st Leeds Key Club
Mar 23^rd Belfast Limelight 2

EUROPE March & April 2023
Mar 25^th Haarlem, Patronaat – Holland
Mar 26^th Den Bosch, Willem Twee – Holland
Mar 28^th Essen, Turock – Germany
Mar 29^th Hamburg, Logo – Germany
Mar 30^th Berlin, Franz Club – Germany
Mar 31^st Munich, Strom – Germany
Apr 1^st Dornbirn, Conrad-Sohm, Austria
Apr 2^nd Zurich, Plaza – Switzerland
Apr 4^th Strasbourg, La Laiterie – France
Apr 5^th Savigny, L’Empreinte – France
Apr 6^th.Vorselaar, De Dreef – Belgium

More information on The Answer’s new album, single, video, and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://theanswerrock.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/theanswerrocks

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Sonic Temple Organizers Announce Festival’s Band Lineup

Posted on January 11, 2023 by philspicks

The Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival will return this summer to Columbus, Ohio.

The festival’s return will come three years after it was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Foo Fighters, Tool, Avenged Sevenfold and KISS will serve as headliners for the four-day festival, which is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents.

M. Shadows, Avenged Sevenfold front man, said he and his band mates are looking forward to taking part in the festival.

“We’ve always enjoyed playing Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus and are excited to be a part of this year’s Sonic Temple,” Shadows said. “It’ll be a blast to share the stage with Tool, Foo Fighters and others, we can’t wait to see and play for all of our amazing fans again.”

Danny Wimmer Presents founder Danny Wimmer shared Shadows’ excitement. He said the headliners will join more than 75 other bands for the festival, making this year’s edition of the festival its largest ever just in terms of band lineups.

Among the many other bands set to perform at this year’s festival are: Nothing More, Black Stone Cherry, and Pennywise.

The festival’s full lineup is noted below:

Thursday, May 25: Tool, Godsmack, Beartooth, Bullet For My Valentine, Pennywise, Bad Omens, Suicidal Tendencies, Fever 333, Anti-Flag, Joey Valence & Brae, Bones UK, Ho99o9, The Warning, Oxymorrons, Angel Du$t, Bloodywood, Wargasm, Malevolence, Bastardane, OTTTO

Friday, May 26: Avenged Sevenfold, Queens of the Stone Age, Chevelle, I Prevail, Knocked Loose, Sleeping With Sirens, Badflower, Dorothy, Black Stone Cherry, Converge, Born of Osiris, Band-Maid, Lilith Czar, Des Rocs, Mothica, Fame on Fire, Dayseeker, Vended, Mike’s Dead

Saturday, May 27: KISS, Rob Zombie, Falling in Reverse, Puscifer, Trivium, Black Veil Brides, Rival Sons, Yelawolf Presents: Sometimes Y, Avatar, Senses Fail, From Ashes To New, Giovannie & The Hired Guns, Brutus, Dead Poet Society, The Violent, Point North, Tallah, Varials, Tigercub, Capital Theatre

Sunday, May 28: Foo Fighters, Deftones, Sublime with Rome, Jawbreaker, The Pretty Reckless, Awolnation, Nothing More, Grandson, White Reaper, Filter, Ayron Jones, The Bronx, Poorstacy, Zero 9:36, New Years Day, Nova Twins, Bob Vylan, Aeir, Starcrawler

Pre-sales for the festival are open now. General admission sales start Friday.

More information on this year’s SOnic Temple festival is available at:

Website: https://sonictemplefestival.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sonictemplefest

Dirty Honey Announces New Tour, Record, Single Plans

Posted on April 6, 2022 by philspicks

Dirty Honey is going to be quite busy this spring and summer.

The band announced Monday, it will join KISS and Guns ‘N Roses on the road this summer for a tour of Europe. The tour is scheduled to launch June 6 in Malmo, Sweden and to run through July 15 in Hannover, Germany. The tour features performances in other cities across Europe, such as Norwich, UK; Zargreb, Croatia and Clisson, France.

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

Confirmed dates for Dirty Honey’s June and July 2022 European tour are as follows:

JUNE

6 B, Malmo SWEDEN support to Rival Sons

7 Pustervik, Gothenburg SWEDEN support to Rival Sons

8 Train, Aarhus DENMARK support to Rival Sons

9 Sweden Rock Festival, Solvesborg SWEDEN

11 Download Festival, Derbyshire UK

12 The Cathouse, Glasgow UK

14 Oslo, London UK

16 Azkena Rock Festival, Vitoria-Gasteiz SPAIN

18 Rock The Ring Festival, Hinwill SWITZERLAND

19 Graspop Metal Meeting, Dessel BELGIUM

20 PGE Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw POLAND supporting Guns N’ Roses

22 Beatpol, Dresden GERMANY

24 Retro C Trop Festival, Amiens FRANCE

25 Hellfest Festival, Clisson FRANCE

27 UEA, Norwich UK support to Rival Sons

28 O2 Academy, Sheffield UK support to Rival Sons

30 Academy, Dublin IRELAND support to Rival Sons

JULY

1 Limelight, Belfast UK support to Rival Sons

2 King George’s Hall, Blackburn UK support to Rival Sons

4 University (Great Hall), Cardiff UK support to Rival Sons

5 Rock City, Nottingham UK support to Rival Sons

6 O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London UK support to Rival Sons

8 Olympiastadion, Munich GERMANY supporting Guns N’ Roses

9 Arena Zagreb, Zagreb CROATIA supporting KISS

10 San Siro, Milan ITALY supporting Guns ‘N’ Roses

12 Sequoie Music Festival, Bologna ITALY supporting Guns N’ Roses

14 Budapest Arena, Budapest HUNGARY supporting KISS

15 HDI Arena, Hannover GERMANY supporting Guns N’ Roses

In other news, Dirty Honey also announced it is scheduled to release a new EP/LP package May 20 in the UK and Europe through Dirt Records. No domestic release date was mentioned in the press release announcing the set’s release. In anticipation of the set’s release, the band will release its first single, ‘When I’m Gone’ April 22. The band debuted the song’s video in 2019.

Front man Marc LaBelle expressed his anticipation for the tour’s launch and the group’s new record in a prepared statement.

“It’s an honor to finally bring our music across the Atlantic,” LaBelle said. “I’ve always thought we’d be well-received in the UK and Europe, and it just felt right to release both the EP and LP together after having had to wait so long to get there. It really feels like the right time to introduce Europe to our particular brand of Filthy rock n’ roll, and I also can’t wait to bring our live show to European audiences. Our maiden voyage across the pond is literally hitting every type of venue, from our own headlining club shows to theaters with Rival Sons and stadiums with Guns N’ Roses and KISS. I can vividly remember busking in Piazza di Santa Croce in Florence, and never in my wildest dreams did I think we’d be playing some of the biggest stadiums in Europe.”

For “Dirty Honey EP / LP” sales information as well as tour information, please click HERE.

EP tracklisting:

1. When I’m Gone

2. Rolling 7s

3. Heartbreaker

4. Down The Road

5. Scars

6. Break You

LP tracklisting:

1. California Dreamin’

2. The Wire

3. Tied Up

4. Take My Hand

5. Gypsy

6. No Warning

7. Another Last Time

8. The Morning

More information on Dirty Honey’s new tour schedule, EP/LP set, single and video is available along with the group’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.dirtyhoney.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dirtyhoneyband

Marc Rizzo Announces New Project, Solo Album, Live Dates; Group Debuts KISS Cover

Posted on August 5, 2021 by philspicks

Courtesy: O’Donnell Media Group

Marc Rizzo has joined with two well-known friends to form a new band.

The announcement was made Thursday through a press release. Rizzo, Tony Campos (Static-X, Soulfly), and Christian “Opus” Lawrence (Dead By Wednesday, Ellefson) have formed the new super group, Hail The Horns. The group premiered the lyric video for its cover of KISS’ song, ‘God Of Thunder’ Tuesday.

The video features the original song’s lyrics over imagers of skulls and occasional shots of the band. The band’s take on the original song is a presentation that audiences will find interesting. That is due to the stark contrast of the homage that the instrumentation pays to the original work against Campos’ heavy vocals. Campos’ vocals are far heavier and gritter than those of Gene Simmons, who provided vocals to the original song.

In related news, Hail The Horns has announced a brief tour in November. The brief Midwest tour is scheduled to run from Nov. 18 in Lombard, IL to Nov. 21 in Braidwood, IL, with performances in Fort Wayne, IN and Des Moines, IA in between. The tour’s schedule is noted below.

The group have announced Midwest tour dates for November 2021:
Nov 18 – Lombard, IL – Brauerhouse
Nov 19 – Fort Wayne, IN – Piere’s
Nov 20 – Des Moines, IA – Venue TBA
Nov 21 – Braidwood, IL – Top Fuel Saloon
More dates to be announced!

In other news, Rizzo is scheduled to release his first ever hits compilation, Living Shred Vol. 1 Sept. 10 through Godsize Records. The 11-song record will pull songs from all four of Rizzo’s solo albums.

Rizzo’s tour dates with Hail the Horns are not his only live dates scheduled this year. He is also scheduled to tour with Whiskeydick this month. The band’s tour dates are noted below.

Catch Rizzo Solo on tour this August with WHISKEYDICK :
August 13 – Sioux Falls, SD – Big’s Bar w/ Enuff Z’Nuff
August 14 – New Market, MN – The Doublewide
August 15 – Green Bay, WI – Old School Bar
August 16 – Pekin, IL – Twisted Spoke Saloon
August 17 – Braidwood, IL – Top Fuel Saloon
August 18 – Lombard, IL – Brauerhouse
August 19 – Kansas City, MO – The Westport Saloon
August 20 – Durham, CT -Soft Tail Saloon
August 21 – Syracuse, NY – Outdoor Event
August 24 – Denver, CO – Lion’s Lair
August 25 – Colorado Springs, CO – The Triple Nickel
August 26 – Amarillo, TX – Zombiez
August 27 – Fort Worth, TX – The Rail Club

In other touring news, Rizzo was originally scheduled to tour with Soulfly. However an announcement from Nuclear Blast Records Thursday revealed that Fear Factory founding guitarist Dino Cazares has allegedly taken Rizzo’s place on the tour. The announcement offered no explanation as to whether Cazares was replacing Rizzo and whether Rizzo is still a member of Soulfly.

When he was asked about that matter, Rizzo offered the following brief statement:

“I’m super excited to move foward with my solo project, Hail the Horns, and Revenge Beast!!! These last few years have been too much of a stress on my life and being home this past year focusing on my projects has been super healthy for me. Much love to all the fans and I can’t wait to hang with you guys after my shows and talk more in person!!

More information on Rizzo’s new band is available along with all of its and his latest news at:

Website: https://www.hailthehorns.com

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

Jared James Nichols Premieres New EP’s Second Single, Companion Video; Reveals Full Tour Schedule

Posted on July 28, 2021 by philspicks

Jared James Nichols debuted another single and video from his latest EP this week.

James premiered the song ‘Bad Roots‘ and its companion lyric video Wednesday. The song is the second single from Nichols’ forthcoming EP, Shadow Dancer, which is scheduled for release Sept. 17 through Black Hill Records. The premiere of the song and its lyric video comes more than a month after Nichols premiered the EP’s lead single, ‘Skin ‘n Bones‘ and its lyric video.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Bad Roots’ is a driving, blues-rock style composition. The fuzz from the guitars and the richness in the bass and drums works with Nichols’ subtle vocal delivery to fully engage and entertain audiences. One can actually argue that to a point, the arrangement even bears a hint of stoner rock influence alongside the more prominent blues rock leaning.

No information was provided about the lyrical theme featured in Nichols’ new single. However, a close listen leads to the inference that the song’s lyrical theme is something of a contemplative presentation. It is as if the song’s subject is wondering why things are the way they are and realizing exactly why. That is of course just this critic’s interpretation and should not be taken as the only interpretation.

The lyric video features the song’s lyrics over footage of Nichols performing his new single in a dimly lit house setting, perhaps.

In other news, Nichols has announced a series of live dates in support of his forthcoming EP. The three week-plus tour is scheduled to launch Aug. 10 in Iowa City, IA and to run through Sept. 18 in Ocean City, MD at the OC Bike Fest. It also features performances in cities, such as Leesburg, VA; Fort Wayne, IN and Birmingham, AL. A stint on the KISS Kruise is also on Nichols’ live schedule from Oct. 29-Nov. 3.

Nichols’ full tour schedule is noted below.

More information on Nichols’ new honor, tour, and music is available along with all of his latest news at:

Website: https://jaredjamesnichols.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JJNicholsMusic

Details Announced For Roadie Relief’s Latest Auction

Posted on April 3, 2021 by philspicks

An organization aimed at helping tour crews impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will continue its efforts with another special event.

Roadie Relief is scheduled to hold its second music memorabilia April 14. The auction will feature items, such as a cymbal used at Rage Against The Machine’s last show and signed by the band’s drummer Brad Wilk; a signed skate deck and posters from 311, and Gibson Les Paul guitar used by Bon Jovi guitarist Phil X for sale. The full list of items that will go up for auction is available to see complete with pictures here.

KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer said in a prepared statement, road crews are crucial for the live music industry.

“Before I became the lead guitarist for KISS almost 20 years ago, I worked behind the scenes with Kiss on and off the road,” he said. “I have a unique perspective and appreciation for how hard our crew works day in and day out. I’ve been there.”

311 bassist Aaron “PNUT” Wills offered his own warm words about the work that roadies do for the live music industry.

“I’ve been a touring musician for over twenty eight years and roadies have made it possibly at every step of my career,” said Wills. “Roadies are free spirits who solve a myriad of problems daily while out on the road. I donated cause I love talking to awesome people and I thought it could motivate our audience to dig deep and help our industry get back on its feet.”

More information on Roadie Relief’s forthcoming auction is available along with all of its latest news at https://www.roadrierelief.org.

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fan can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Grande Royale’s Latest EP Is A Grand Pure Rock Record

Posted on March 23, 2021 by philspicks

Rock and roll is not dead. Despite what KISS bassist Gene Simmons and others want to believe, it is anything but. People have tried to claim that the genre (and metal) is dead. Apparently, even the Recording Industry Association of America wants audiences to believe rock is dead. Thankfully, year after year, so many bands prove that quite the contrary is the reality. Independent rock band Grande Royale is just the latest band to prove the critics wrong thanks to its forthcoming album, Carry On. Scheduled for release Friday, the band’s fifth album leaves no doubt that real, pure guitar rock is alive and well. That is evidenced clearly in the record’s collective musical arrangements, which will be discussed shortly. The arrangements’ companion lyrical content does just as much to support the noted statements. It will be discussed a little later. The record’s production puts the finishing touch to its presentation and will also be discussed later. Each item noted here is important in its own way to the whole of this latest offering from Grande Royale. All things considered, they make the album clear proof that rock and roll is indeed alive and well.

Independent rock band Grande Royale’s fifth full-length studio recording, Carry On, is proof positive that despite the continued claims by so many that real guitar rock is dead, it clearly is anything but dead. In fact, it is pure, guitar rock at its finest, and proves that the genre is alive and well. That is proven in large part through the album’s collective musical arrangements. The arrangements are everything that guitar rock purists have come to love about the genre. The rich, driving guitar riffs start off the album with a sound and stylistic approach that is closely similar to that of Pearl Jam circa 2000 in ‘Troublemaker.’ ‘One of a Kind,’ which immediately follows, incorporates the most subtle touch of vintage guitar rock and pairs that with an equally subtle touch of vintage punk for yet another interesting composition. ‘Bang,’ the album’s very next song, incorporates even more of a vintage guitar rock influence for its body, changing things up. As if all of that is not enough, the band even gives listeners a touch of 90s pop rock late in the album’s 32-minute run in ‘Staying Dry.’ It’s just one more example of what makes the album’s musical arrangements so enjoyable. Between these arrangements, the stoner rock approach of ‘Schizoid Lullaby,’ the raucous ‘Just As Bad As You,’ and everything else featured here, there is no doubt that the musical arrangements featured throughout this album give plenty of reason for audiences to hear the album. They are just a portion of what makes this latest offering from Grand Royale so enjoyable. The lyrical themes that accompany the album’s musical arrangements add to the record’s appeal even more.

The importance of the album’s lyrics is shown in part late in the album’s run in the form of ‘Ain’t Got Soul.’ This two minute, 40 second opus is classic rock right to the bone in its lyrical theme. The song’s chorus gives listeners every reason to raise the horns as it states against the arrangement’s high energy, “You got no role/I am swinging to the beat/You better watch out/I’m swinging to the beat/Do not stand there and shout, ‘Over and out’/’Cause you ain’t got soul/Unless you rock n roll/’Cause you ain’t got soul/An eternal case where we all belong.” The tribute continues as the song’s subject states in the song’s second verse, “All the rules you make/I am guilty of the crime/Guilty of the charge/Playing the blues/I am a slave to my passion/Do not tell me what to do/Go back to your pretty city.” Again, this is just a tribute to rock and roll, and to simply rocking out. It is just as pure rock and roll as any of the album’s musical arrangements.

‘Troublemaker’ is its own pure rock and roll work in its lyrical content just as much as its musical arrangement. This is one of those familiar, accessible works that finds its subject addressing someone who is toxic. That is inferred right from the song’s outset in its lead verse. The subject states in the song’s lead verse, “All that you are in your tattered soul/Leave it all behind/You got no options my friend/All that you need/You better hit the speed/You don’t need to pretend/I’m here to take a stand.” The commentary continues in the song’s second verse, which finds the subject telling that second person, “

I cannot stand this anymore/We’ve been here before/Knocking at your door/You are trouble, the devil/I cannot stand your face oh/My cannon is loose/Are you ready for some news?” The song’s chorus adds to the statement even more as the subject is addressing that person, who turns out to apparently be a woman, stating, “So, darling meet me at the Troublemaker Street/Calling you a rascal, calling me a fraud/Darling, you’re the queen of the Troublemaker Street/Calling you a rascal, calling me a fraud” Whether the song’s subject is addressing solely a woman, overall or two different people, the fact of the matter is that this familiar rock and roll theme. It will connect with any rock and roll purist.

‘Just As Bad As You’ is one more example of what makes this record’s lyrical content so important. This song’s lyrical theme comes across as being one of those classic “partners in crime” type songs in regards to its lyrical content. That is inferred early on in the song’s lead verse, which states, “Yeah, we are in the game/No need to put out the flame/Just me and you/Into the hall of fame/We are in the game/And who are you to blame?/Just you and me/And the power of gain.” That seeming message continues as the song states, “Darling, you are wild/We can’t go on/This life lies way beyond/But I’m just as bad as you/Cause you are wild/We can’t go on/But I’m just as bad as you/Yeah, we are in the zone/Nothing left to atone/Just you and me/Descending the throne.” Again, this “just the two of us” style theme is familiar to rock fans as the other themes noted here. Between these themes and those in the record’s other songs, little question is left as to the appeal of the album’s lyrical content to its presentation. When this overall element is considered along with the album’s musical arrangements, the album’s appeal increases even more. The overall content is still only a portion of what makes the album a success. The record’s production rounds out its most important content.

The production that went into Carry On is important to note because of the impact that it has on the album’s general effect. One need not listen too closely to catch the raw, garage rock sound at the center of each of the album’s songs. The richness and thickness in the drums and bass, the cutting but still so raw, driving guitars, and even the effect used on the vocals put their own touch to the record’s presentation. That is all thanks to the production that went into making each item sound so good. What’s more, each instrument is so well-balanced with the others and the vocals throughout. The result is that the record will appeal to listeners as much for its general effect as for its overall content. Keeping all of that in mind, the album overall proves itself to be a welcome return for Grande Royale.

Grande Royale’s latest album, Carry On, is a presentation that the band’s established will find a welcome return from the group. At the same time, audiences who are less familiar with the band and its catalog will find it just as welcome an introduction to the band. That is due in no small part to the record’s featured musical arrangements. The arrangements are pure, guitar rock at its finest. The lyrical themes featured alongside the album’s musical arrangements are vintage rock and roll in their own right, and are accessible in their own right. The record’s production puts the final touch to its presentation, bringing everything together. Each item noted is important in its own right to the whole of the album’s presentation. All things considered, they make Carry On one more of this year’s top new rock and independent albums. Carry On is scheduled for release Friday through The Sign Records. More information on Carry On is available along with all of Grande Royale’s latest news at:

Website: https://grandroyaleofficial.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GR.sweden

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