Amaru: GoFund Me Campaign Launched For Saliva Guitarist’s Daughter

Posted on March 27, 2023 by philspicks

Courtesy: O’Donnell Media Group

Following the untimely passing of Saliva founding member and guitarist Wayne Swinny last week, a GoFund Me campaign was established for Swinny’s daughter.

According to front man Bobby Amaru, the campaign was launched after he talked with Swinny’s sister, Linda about launching the campaign in order to establish a trust for Swinny’s daughter.

As of early Monday afternoon, the campaign had raised more than $49,000 since it was launched, according to its information. That is from a total of 200 donations. The campaign’s goal is to raise $100,000 for the trust.

Swinny died March 22 as the result of a spontaneous brain hemorrhage.

According to the National Library of Medicine, which is directly associated with the National Center for Biotechnology Information, spontaneous brain hemorrhage is a brain bleed that leads to strokes.

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is the cause for at least half of the spontaneous brain hemorrhages reported to hospitals nationwide annually, according to the agency. The organization’s information states factors, such as tumors, aneurysms, blood disorders, inflammation of blood vessels, and abnormalities of blood vessels and lymph vessels lead to all of the other brain hemorrhages reported each year.

Amaru said in a recently released statement, that while Swinny’s death was tragic, Swinny was an organ donor and through donation of his liver and kidneys, he helped save the lives of two people.

He said the band is grateful for the donations already made and the emotional support Swinny’s family has received as well as the band.

“The Saliva family is overwhelmed by the amount of love we have received,” Amaru said. “Thank you all for the posts, calls, e-mails, texts, and prayers. They are greatly appreciated and helping everyone cope during this very trying time.”

Saliva was on tour in support of its latest single, ‘High On Me’ when Swinny died. The band had been touring alongside Any Given Sin and Through Fire at the time of Swinny’s passing. As a result of Swinny’s passing, the remainder of the tour was forced to be canceled.

More information on Swinny’s passing is available along with all of Saliva’s latest news at:

Website: https://salivaofficial.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialSaliva

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Saliva Guitarist Dies

Posted on March 23, 2023 by philspicks

Courtesy: O’Donnell Media Group

Saliva guitarist Wayne Swinny died unexpectedly Wednesday during the band’s current tour.

According to reports, Swinny, who was one of the band’s founding members, died from a spontaneous brain hemorrhage, according to reports. According to the National Library of Medicine, which is directly associated with the National Center for Biotechnology Information, spontaneous brain hemorrhage is a brain bleed that leads to strokes.

Saliva Front man Bobby Amaru expressed his grief at Swinny’s passing in a prepared statement, saying he was heartbroken.

“I’m not even sure what to think or how to feel right now,” Amaru said. “My heart aches for Wayne’s family, his friends, and anyone who had the joy of being around him. My heart aches for his daughter Nikki. He loved that little girl so much. He was a Guitar Hero onstage with all the Rock ‘N’ Roll swag that most guitar players dream of. Offstage he was a proud father, an Ancient Aliens expert, and an incredible human who had zero enemies! He would go out of his way to make sure you had a good time.”

Amaru added, “I’m grateful that I got to share almost 12 years of my life with Wayne on the stage and most importantly off the stage. He was the older brother I never had. I learned so much from him and we had a fucking blast together! I will cherish it all for the rest of my life! God Bless you Wayne. I know we’ll meet again!!”

Amaru is just one of the well-known figures who have expressed sadness over Swinny’s passing and condolences to his friends and family. The members of Soil issued a statement about Swinny’s death on the band’s Facebook page late Wednesday night. The band said of Swinny in part in the statement, “You couldn’t ask for a bigger hearted and great human being. He always had a smile on his face and the time of day for a friend. You’ll be very missed. Until we all meet again.”

Otherwise toured briefly with Saliva last year, and guitarist Ryan Patrick also expressed his sorrow over Swinny’s death Wednesday night in a prepared statement.

“This is such sad, heartbreaking news, to know that this absolute legendary soul has left us,” the statement reads. “He was literally a Rock N Roll wizard. Wayne, it was an honor to watch you play every night & you my brother & I like equals, like friends, like rocknroll brothers. Every time we spoke, it was some kind of magic. Of heart, of soul, of rock n roll, life/death & music…You honored us with your graciousness from the start. We opened up to you & you were so kind to us.”

Patrick added, “Your riffs and the songs you wrote inspired so many people, including the two of us. It truly was such an honor to get to watch you play guitar. I just saw you a few weeks ago in Vegas & we enjoyed a true heart to heart in RockNRoll fashion…You were literally a walking guitar god. You played in a way that made me a better guitarist from just watching your magic. Your use of drop tuning riffs & hard rock pentatonic blues was LITERALLY the greatest okaying in this style I’ve ever witnessed live…”

Patrick concluded, “You are in the halls of people we will deeply miss…RIP Wayne. It truly was an honor & we will continue the same good fight we shared in common, in your honor…”

Condolences and prayers have also poured out from other well-known acts, such as Texas Hippie Coalition, Taproot, and Messer to Swinny’s family and friends along with countless other members of the music community.

Saliva was on tour in support of its latest single, ‘High On Me’ when Swinny died. The band had been touring alongside Any Given Sin and Through Fire at the time of Swinny’s passing. According to a posting placed on Any Given Sin’s Facebook page late Thursday morning, the remainder of the dates for the tour have been cancelled due to Swinny’s death.

More information on Swinny’s passing is available along with all of Saliva’s latest news at:

Website: https://salivaofficial.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialSaliva

Through Fire Releases New Album’s Third Single; Announces New Live Dates

Posted on March 14, 2023 by philspicks

Rock band Through Fire gave audiences another preview of its new album this week with the premiere of the album’s latest single.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Devolution‘ Tuesday. The song is the third single from the band’s forthcoming album, Devil’s Got You Dreamin’, which is scheduled for release April 21. The record has also produced the singles, ‘Lose It‘ and ‘Karma Kills.’

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Devolution’ is similar to that of ‘Lose It’ what with its melodic hard rock approach. Yet again, the sound and stylistic approach taken here is easily comparable to works from the likes of Awake At Last, Three Days Grace and others of that ilk.

The song’s lyrical theme presents a familiar social commentary about the state of the world and how mankind is handling everything that has happened and is happening. The band addressed this in a prepared statement.

“Devolve, destruct, in God we trust… so many things in the world seem to be going in reverse,” the statement reads. “One step forward and two steps back. This song is about keeping our eyes open to everything going on around us.”

In other news, Through Fire has expanded its tour plans for the spring and summer. On top of already announced dates with Saliva, the band was recently announced as support for Ill Nino’s spring headlining tour in celebration of its classic album, Confession. Tickets are available here.

The tour is scheduled to launch May 4 in Jacksonville, NC and to run through June 4 in Tyler, TX. The upcoming tour will see Through Fire share time alongside Dropout Kings as support for Ill Nino and will take the bands largely through America’s heartland, with most of the dates in states, such as Montana, Colorado, Illinois, and Texas. The tour’s few east coast dates open its run between May 4 May 10.

Through Fire’s full schedule with Saliva and Ill Nino is noted below.

Through Fire Upcoming Tour Dates
3/17 – Amelia Island, FL @ Saddler Ranch
3/18 – Orlando, FL @ The Beacham Theatre
3/20 – Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl3/21 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Jergel’s
3/23 – Ft. Wayne, IN @ Piere’s
3/24 – Wyandotte, MI @ District 142
3/25 – Joliet, IL @ The Forge
3/26 – McHenry, IL @ The Vixen
3/27 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s
3/29 – Colorado Springs, CO @ Sunshine Studios
3/30 – Ft. Collins, CO @ The Coast
4/2 – Phoenix, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
4/5 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Beer City Music Hall

The 20 Year Anniversary of Confession Tour

5/4/2023 – Jacksonville, NC – Hooligans

5/5/2023 – Winchester, VA – Blue Fox Billiards

5/6/2023 – Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom

5/7/2023 – Horseheads, NY - The L

5/9/2023 – Mechanicsburg, PA – Lovedraft’s

5/10/2023 – Pittsburgh, PA - Crafthouse

5/11/2023 – Lakewood, OH - Winchester Music Tavern

5/12/2023 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop

5/13/2023 – Angola, IN - Eclectic Room

5/14/2023 – Joliet, IL – The Forge

5/16/2023 - Bloomington, IL – The Castle Theatre

5/17/2023 - Belvidere, IL – The Apollo Theater

5/18/2023 - Omaha NE – The Waiting Room

5/19/2023 - Sioux Falls, SD - Bigs Bar

5/20/2023 - Billings, MT – The Pub Station

5/21/2023 – Great Falls, MT - The Newberry

5/23/2023 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater

5/24/2023 – Colorado Springs, CO - Sunshine Studios

5/25/2023 – Grand Junction, CO - Mesa Theater

5/26/2023 - Phoenix, AZ – Rebel Lounge

5/27/2023 - El Paso, TX – Rockhouse

5/30/2023 - Lubbock, TX – Jakes

5/31/2023 - Corpus Christi, TX - House Of Rock

6/1/2023 – Houston, TX - Warehouse Live

6/2/2023 – San Antonio, TX – The Rock Box

6/3/2023 – Fort Worth, TX – The Rail Club

6/4/2023 - Tyler, TX - Country River Club

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

Website: https://throughfiremusic.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TFIREMUSIC

Through Fire Announces New Album, Tour Details; Debuts New Single, Lyric Video

Posted on February 19, 2023 by philspicks

Rock band Through Fire is scheduled to release its new album this spring, and in anticipation, the band has debuted the album’s lead single and its companion video.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Lose It‘ and the song’s companion lyric video Tuesday. The song is featured in the band’s forthcoming album, Devil’s Got You Dreamin’, which is scheduled for release April 21.

The musical arrangement featured in the band’s new single is an easy fit for any active rock radio programmer’s play list. That is due to the melodic hard rock approach that the band took to the song and the fully accessible sound that said approach generates. The guitar riffs and the melancholy vocal delivery style immediately make the arrangement comparable to works from the likes of Awake At Last, Three Days Grace and others of that ilk.

No information about the song’s lyrical theme was presented in the news release announcing the debut of the single and video. Judging from the lyrical content, it comes across as a commentary about how divided the nation has become.

The lyrics in question are presented in the song’s lyric video over the image of a skeleton in a burning bed. A clock stands next to the bed, with stars in the background.

In other news, Through Fire is scheduled to join Saliva on tour from March 17 to April 5 in Oklahoma City, OK. The bands’ run together features performances scheduled in Des Moines, IA; Nashville, TN and Wyandotte, MI. The tour’s schedule is noted below:

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

Website: https://throughfiremusic.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TFIREMUSIC

Saliva Debuts New Single, ‘Crows’

Posted on June 5, 2022 by philspicks

Saliva released its latest single this weekend.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Crows‘ Friday. The single’s premiere comes more than two months after the premiere of the band’s then latest single, ‘Revelation Man.‘ The band debuted that song’s video April 22, less than a month after the band debuted the single by itself.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Crows’ is a heavy, rich composition that has all of the trademarks of Saliva’s early works. At the same time, the subtle screams incorporated at points and the melodic hard rock approach here make the song really something unique. That is because as front man Bobby Amaru points out in a prepared statement, the song centers on the emotional and mental impact of dealing with a broken relationship that finds one person refusing to let go.

“‘Crows’ is about a broken relationship with someone that is unable to accept what and who they really are,” Amaru said. “Someone you try and fix but cannot. When I say “I’m not bowing to the crows inside your head! That means I’m done giving into the same s*** that’s been eating this relationship alive. I think many people can relate who have been in this situation before. They continue to let the other person drag them down until enough is enough!”

Looking at Amaru’s statement, the brooding nature in the song’s arrangement perhaps delves into the mind of that person who is just so upset over dealing with the situation. At the same time, the arrangement could have been even heavier, considering that as Amaru pointed out, the song is about someone having had too much of said toxic relationship. It just makes for an interesting whole that is certain to engage and entertain audiences even being such an overly common theme.

In other news Saliva is on the road with Otherwise. The bands’ current schedule is noted below.

Saliva with Otherwise Dates:

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

‘Crows’ is just one more 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

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

Saliva Tackles Addiction, Recovery In New Single

Posted on April 2, 2022 by philspicks

Saliva debuted its new single this week.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Revelation Man‘ Thursday. The currently standalone single 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.

Website: https://salivaofficial.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialSaliva

ColdWards Debuts New Album’s Lead Single, Video

Posted on November 2, 2021 by philspicks

Saliva drummer Paul Crosby and his sons have started their own new band.

The group — composed of Crosby and his sons Zac and Sean, and bassist Richie Hey — is known as ColdWards (pronounced Cold Words). The band is scheduled to release its debut album, Bloodwork in 2022. An exact release date is under consideration.

In anticipation of the album’s release, the band premiered the album’s lead single, ‘Say Something‘ and its companion video Thursday. The song’s musical arrangement is a melodic hard rock style composition that also incorporates a touch of emo punk for a unique overall approach and sound. Crosby’s oldest son Sean handles vocal duties on the song while youngest song Zac handles backing vocals and electronics in the song.

Paul talked about the song’s lyrical theme in a prepared statement.

“’Say Something’ is about a person’s struggle with their addiction and the battle that they endure within themselves while feeling like they’re alone in their own personal war, like they’re a complete outcast in a room full of people just waiting for someone to reach out to them about it,” he said.

The song’s video features the band in a dark forest setting as the band performs the new single. Various, quick shots are edited together along with varying blue, and black and white filters to add to the overall impact.

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

Pop Evil’s Latest LP Lives Up To Its Title Through Its Musical, Lyrical Content Together

Posted on May 20, 2021 by philspicks

When Pop Evil releases its new album, Versatile Friday, its release will end a wait of more than three years for the record. The wait was well worth it, as its already existing singles – ‘Let The Chaos Reign,’ ‘Set Me Free,’ ‘Work,’ and ‘Breathe Again’ – show. The singles paint a rich, melodic hard rock picture of the album that also boasts some engaging and accessible lyrical content. They are just a portion of that overall picture, as they make up the first quarter of its 12-song body. ‘Same Blood,’ the album’s penultimate entry, is another example of what makes Versatile successful. It will be discussed shortly. The infectious song of determination and self-confidence that is ‘Raise Your Flag’ is another example of what makes Versatile stand out among this year’s field of new hard rock and metal albums. It will be discussed a little later. Much the same can be said of ‘Survivor,’ another of the album’s late entries. All three songs do their own, clear part to make Versatile successful. When they are considered along with the album’s existing singles and the rest of its songs, the whole becomes one more of this year’s best new hard rock and metal offerings.

Pop Evil’s forthcoming album Versatile is a strong return for the established hard rock band. It is a record that was worth the wait of more than three years. All four of the singles that the album has already produced do their own part to support the noted statement. They are only a portion of what makes the album stand out. The whole album offers something for audiences to appreciate, including its penultimate offering, ‘Same Blood.’ The musical arrangement featured in ‘Same Blood’ is part of what makes this song stand out. It is a very Sevendust-type composition. That is evidenced in the juxtaposition of the heavy choruses and the softer, more contemplative verses. That sort of point/counterpoint of the two approaches makes this arrangement just as much of a hit as the noted singles. What’s more, it is just as viable of an option for the band in a live setting, as the choruses are sure to have audiences pumping their fists in the air as they sing along. The power exuded by the arrangement (on both sides) works well with the song’s message of unity in its lyrical content to make the song even more memorable.

The noted theme of unity is presented relatively clearly throughout the song. It is clear right from the song’s outset as front man Leigh Kakaty sings, “We’re all the same blood” before adding, “Some people grow up/Too afraid to change/Some people wake up/In a place they hate/Some people give up/When it’s hard to stay/Some people press on.When the world begins to shake/I’ve seen a million different faces/Now I’m starting to see/We’re all the same blood/Every child, every race/Every life, we can’t replace.” That clear message is presented just as clearly in the song’s second verse, in which Kakaty asks, “Who are we/To judge and pray/Dividing lines/Machines of fate/Finding my footsteps/I’m breathing again/Out of the trenches/We get the lions again.” These are some straight forward comments that are full of so much emotion. That emotion is translated just as well through the song’s musical arrangement, again. Considering the impact of that musical and lyrical content together, there is no doubt as to the power of ‘Same Blood’ to Versatile’s overall presentation. The heavy, melodic musical arrangement and call for unity together makes this song just as viable a single as the album’s existing singles and the album’s other works.

‘Same Blood’ is just one more of the songs featured in this record that makes it successful. ‘Raise Your Flag’ also serves to exhibit the album’s strength.

‘Raise Your Flag’ is important because it is so different from ‘Same Blood’ and much of the rest of the album in terms of its musical arrangement. This song is one of those works whose musical arrangement makes it heavy without being heavy. The arrangement is more of a mainstream pop rock type composition a la Imagine Dragons. This is a sign of evolution from Pop Evil because it has never really been known for going lighter and more poppy. Where it is similar to the rest of the album’s musical content is that it is just as sure to be a hit on record and in live situations as the rest of the album’s works.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Raise Your Flag’ is just part of what makes it such a certain hit in its own right. Its lyrical content, which delivers a message of self-confidence and determination, adds to its impact. That message is delivered clearly in the song’s lead verse as Kakaty sings, “Nothing ever feels like it used to/No common ground we can break through/Time to change our ways/Or close the door/Same place/Same temptation/Life full of limitations/My pride/No more patience/Wave your flag/Stop running away/Face everything/Raise your flag/Don’t need to complain…Raise your flag/Stop running away/Lets raise our flag.” The message is delivered just as clearly in the song’s second verse, which finds Kakty singing, “Howl at the moon/Go up in smoke/Just live your life/Some things to choke/This time/Turn around and close the door/Inside, the same frustration/Each day more motivation/My pride/No more patience/Raise your flag/Stop running away/Face everything.” Again, here is a song that reminds listeners not to give up even in difficult times. It is a familiar, message that is just as welcome here as is from any other act across the musical universe. The addition of the song’s moving, infectious musical arrangement to the mix makes the song even more memorable. Together with ‘Same Blood’ the songs show even more what makes Versatile such a strong new offering from Pop Evil. It is hardly the last of the album’s most notable works, too. ‘Survivor’ is one more example of what makes this record successful.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Survivor’ is the first thing that listeners will notice from the song. The 90s rock type approach and sound immediately lends itself to comparison to works from Saliva and so many other bands. Once again, this is a distinct change of pace and style from Pop Evil. It is a change that many (if not most) audiences will welcome from the band, too. That is because it shows the band is not afraid to take a chance. What’s more the chance that the band took here paid off just as much as those taken with much of the rest of the album’s musical arrangements. It is just one part of what makes the song stand out. Its lyrical counterpart adds even more to its impact.

The song’s lead verse is difficult to decipher sans lyrics to reference, but the song’s lead chorus is clear enough that the message becomes obvious. The message in question is that of learning from one’s life experiences and continuing on. That is made clear as Kakty sings, “I’m a survivor/Come ride with me/Through hell and back/Don’t need your sympathy/Everything I want is right in front of me/I’m a survivor/Come ride with me.” The message is made even clearer in the song’s second verse, which starts off just as difficult to decipher. However, as the song continues, the message is easier to understand as Kakaty sings about the tide changing and getting those negative emotions, wanting the world to see. The short and simple here is, again, that message of pushing on through life’s difficult times, having no remorse about it, moving on past those experiences. It is, overall, a message that will resonate just as much with listeners as the messages in the album’s other songs. To that end, it and its musical counterpart make it one more obvious example of how much Versatile has to offer audiences. Between this message, the familiar theme of a broken relationship in ‘Worst of Me,’ the message of personal strength and determination in ‘Stronger (The Time is Now),’ and that of the same in ‘Fire Inside,’ the album’s lyrical content offers audiences plenty of motivation, engagement, and entertainment. The addition of those songs’ musical arrangements to those noted here and those of the album’s existing singles makes for even more appeal. All things considered, this record shows that it more than deserves a spot on any critic’s list of the year’s top new hard rock and metal albums.

Pop Evil’s forthcoming album Versatile is a strong new offering from the veteran hard rock outfit. That is proven through its musical and lyrical content alike. The songs’ musical arrangements show some familiarity to listeners as well as some growth and change from the band. That aside, it all comes together to make this part of the album enjoyable from start to end. The album’s lyrical content adds its own share of appeal to the whole because of its overall accessibility. From themes of determination and drive, to the equally familiar matter of a broken relationship, to that of dealing with the stresses of work, and even things going on in the world, the themes add their own touch to the album’s presentation. The album’s singles and songs examined here all serve to support the noted statements about the album’s appeal. When they are considered along with the rest of the record’s songs, the whole makes Versatile an easy candidate for a spot on any critic’s list of the year’s best new hard rock and metal albums. Versatile is scheduled for release Friday through eOne.

In other news, Pop Evil has scheduled a series of tentative live dates in support of Versatile. The dates are noted below.

POP EVIL will perform live at the following shows:

Fri. 8/6 – Mt. Pleasant, MI @ Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort & **SOLD OUT**

Wed. 8/11 – Camdenton, MO @ Ozarks Amphitheater

Fri. 9/24 – Orlando, FL @ Monster Energy Rebel Rock at Central Florida Fairgrounds

Thu. 10/7 – Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock at Discovery Park & w/Shinedown

More information on Pop Evil’s new music is available online along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.PopEvil.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/popevil

Saliva’s ‘Every Six Seconds’ Tribute EP Will Appease Audiences While They Await The Band’s Next Album

Posted on May 8, 2021 by philspicks

Twenty years after Saliva made its major label debut (and second overall album) with Every Six Seconds, the band is revisiting that record with its new EP, Every Twenty Years. The six-song record features a handful of re-worked versions of songs from Every Six Seconds that make up the majority of the record. Those songs are certain to engage and entertain listeners in their own way. They will be discussed shortly. While the majority of the songs featured in Every Twenty Years are lifted from Every Six Seconds, there are two songs that were not featured in that album. Their inclusion in the record adds their own level of appeal to the EP. They will be discussed a little later. The performances of the updated songs put the finishing touch to the EP and will also be discussed later. When this aspect is considered along with the songs themselves and the two bonus tracks, the EP in whole proves itself a presentation that any Saliva fan will enjoy.

Saliva’s brand new EP, Every Twenty Years is a tribute to the band’s debut album, Every Six Seconds, that despite its brief nature, will appeal widely to the band’s established audience base. That is due in part to the EP’s featured songs. The majority of the record’s songs (four in all) are lifted from Every Six Seconds. They are ‘Your Disease,’ ‘Click, Click, Boom,’ ‘After Me,’ and ‘Greater Than/Less Than.’ ‘Your Disease’ and ‘Click, Click, Boom’ were both hit singles spawned from Every Six Seconds. “Greater Than/Less Than’ meanwhile was a carryover from the band’s self-titled 1997 debut album. ‘After Me’ garnered its own appeal among audiences following the release of Every Six Seconds, too. This collection of songs is a brief tribute to the legacy of Every Six Seconds, but considering the popularity of the songs’ source material, these re-worked renditions are certain to garner renewed interest in the band’s noted major label debut. That in turn makes these primary songs a good starting point in examining this EP’s appeal. The two bonus tracks that accompany the EP’s primary content build on the appeal of those works to make the EP increasingly engaging and entertaining.

The two bonus songs featured in Every Twenty Years are a re-worked take of the band’s 2001 cover of Henry Mancini’s ‘Theme From Peter Gunn’ and a cover of Soundgarden’s hit 1994 single, ‘Spoonman.’ Saliva’s take on ‘Spoonman’ largely stays true to its source material, which will appeal to fans of both bands. Front man Bobby Amaru’s vocal delivery holds its own here against that of the late great Chris Cornell while his band mates – Paul Crosby (drums), Brad Stewart (bass), and Wayne Swinny (guitar, vocals) — are just as applause worthy in their own performances here.

Saliva’s take on ‘Theme From Peter Gunn’ was not featured as part of Every Six Seconds despite also being released in 2001. It was re-named ‘Spyhunter’ as it was featured in the soundtrack to the 2001 reboot of the vintage video game “Spyhunter.” Both versions clock in at four minutes, 22 seconds in length, so needless to say not much has changed between the original and this song. The variations are in fact that subtle. Considering that the original rendition is likely difficult to find today other than through YouTube, having this version included in an official Saliva record makes for even more appeal here.

Speaking of variations, the variations between the original and updated takes of the songs from Every Six Seconds make for their own appeal, too. That speaks to the importance of the band’s performance of said songs. While there are many similarities between the original and updated version of ‘Click Click Boom’ for instance, there are also clear differences. The differences are most clear from the second verse on. They come in part through the vocal delivery of current front man Bobby Amaru and former front man Josey Scott. Amaru’s vocal delivery style is noticeably heavier heavier than that of Scott in the verses while the two have roughly similar styles in the more melodic choruses. In terms of the instrumentation here, there are clear moments throughout when Swinny’s guitar riffs are heavier than in the original. There are also certain effects used here that were not used in the original composition. All things considered, the band’s updated take of ‘Click, Click, Boom’ is actually an improvement over the original work and just part of the proof of the importance of the band’s performances here.

Just the two renditions of ‘Click, Click, Boom’ are relatively similar, save for some subtle variances, so are the two renditions of ‘Your Disease.’ The updated take featured in Every Twenty Years is different from its source material primarily in the fact that it is more amped up in the verses than the original take. The choruses meanwhile are just as controlled and melodic. There is a slight change in the guitar arrangement in the song’s chorus refrain that adds a nice touch, too. Other than that and the noted heavier approach to the song’s verses, the song’s update is largely the same as the original. That marriage of something old and something new (yes, that awful wedding pun was intended) make this presentation yet another example of what makes the band’s performances of the updated songs so important to the EP’s presentation. The band’s performance in the updated take of ‘Better Than/Less Than’ is yet another example of the importance of the band’s performances here.

Saliva’s updated take of ‘Better Than/Less Than’ is just as subtle in its performance as the band’s performance in the other examined updates. Swinney’s guitar line is once more amped up here in comparison to the band’s initial performance. The result is that the song’s distinctly Alice in Chains style sound and style is even more evident here than in the original. That is not to say that it was not evident in the original work. It is just so much more pronounced in this case. Taking this update into account along with the performances in the other examined updates and that in the band’s updated take of ‘After Me,’ the importance of the band’s performances here become that much clearer. When they are considered along with the EP’s main body and its bonus songs, the whole makes this EP a mostly enjoyable presentation that will tide audiences over until the band releases its next album.

Saliva’s brand new EP Every Twenty Years is a presentation that will appeal to the band’s established audience base. That is due in part to its featured songs. The songs are for the most part, lifted from the band’s 2001 album, Every Six Seconds. However, there are two “bonus” tracks added to the mix to enhance the EP’s presentation. One of the songs is an updated take of a cover that the band recorded for a game that was itself an update of a video game that was popular in the 1980s. How is that for a little six degrees of separation? The other song is a cover of a song made famous by a famed grunge act and is just as engaging and entertaining as that original. The band’s performances of the updates rounds out the EP’s most important elements. The performances are subtle yet still heavy updates of the band’s own original songs that will keep listeners engaged and entertained in their own right. Each item examined is important in its own way to the whole of the EP. All things considered, they make the EP a work that is certain to tide audiences over until the band releases its next album. Every Twenty Years is available now.

More information on Saliva’s new EP 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

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