The Cocktail Slippers Releases First New Music In Almost A Decade

Posted on July 31, 2021 by philspicks

Rock band The Cocktail Slippers will release its fifth album late this summer.

The record, Shout It Out Loud, is scheduled for release Sept. 17 through Wicked Cool Records. Its release will mark the first time in seven years that the band has released a new album. In anticipation of its release, the band premiered the album’s lead single, ‘Be The One‘ and its video Thursday.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Be The One’ is a pop rock style presentation. It boasts a sound and stylistic approach that is easily comparable to works from The Go-Gos. It also incorporates more of a modern rock sensibility to make for more engagement and entertainment.

According to a statement from the band, the song’s lyrical theme is the central plot of so many rom-coms. It states of the song’s theme, it is about “That feeling when you meet someone and you instantly think, “This person is no good at all,” but then you get to know them and it turns out your first gut feeling was way off. “It started out wrong but it turned out right.” The song is actually about falling in love – head over heels – when you weren’t expecting that to happen at all.”

The video for ‘Be The One’ is simple and complex at the same time. As the press release announcing the debut of the song and video states, the video was captured in the band’s rehearsal space. It is a one-shot Steadicam shot that slows down vocalist “Hope” by 75 percent normal speed while her band mates interact at normal speed.

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

Website: https://cocktailslippers.com

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

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.

Typhoid Rosie Debuts Defiant New Single, ‘All I Need’

Posted on July 28, 2021 by philspicks

Typhoid Rosie is giving audiences yet another preview of its new album.

The band premiered the album’s latest single, ‘All I Need,’ Tuesday. The song is the third single from the band’s forthcoming album, Queen of Swords, which is scheduled for release Aug 13. Its premiere follows that of the album’s existing singles, ‘Queen of Swords‘ and ‘Defend Your Temple.’

The musical arrangement featured in ‘All I Need’ is starkly different from those of its predecessors. While it is an up-tempo composition, it is also somewhat more relaxed. The band’s punk influence is still there, but this time, it is paired with an approach that easily lends itself to works from The Go-Gos than from any punk band.

According to comments from front woman Rosie Rebel, the song’s lyrical theme is just as defiant as those in the album’s first two singles.

“Ninety percent of the songs dudes write that we thought were love songs are really about sliding a girl’s panties off,” she said. “Maybe its time we mix sh*t up. This is the song that happens when a grown-ass woman rips the mic out of some douchebag’s hand who’s held that mic for way too long.”

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

Website: https://typhoidrosie.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/typhoidrosie

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.

Bite Me Bambi Takes On A Hit From The Go-Gos For Its Latest Single

Posted on July 24, 2021 by philspicks

Bite Me Bambi took on a classic song from The Go-Gos for its latest single.

The band premiered its take on The Go-Gos’ ‘Our Lips Are Sealed‘ Tuesday. The band’s take on the timeless song stays largely true to its source material but gives it a new identity by replacing the light rock approach in the original with its ska approach. That approach actually improves on the original, even with the song being shorter by more than half a second.

Along with the song, the band also premiered a companion video. The video features the band performing its take on the song, some members enjoying time on roller skates along the way.

The band talked about taking on ‘Our Lips Are Sealed’ in a prepared statement.

“We wanted a fun summer song and have always wanted to do a Go Go’s song,” the statement reads. “We had initially planned to do the song during covid, but it got lost in the shuffle of other tunes. Terry Hall from ska legends The Specials co wrote the song with Jane Wiedlan so we thought it would be a cool one to make into a Ska song. As it turned out, we ended up recording it pretty close to the 40 year anniversary of the release date of the original, and the induction of the Go Go’s to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, so we thought it was Kismet. That is the yearbook answer…Okay the real answer is:…it was a awesome song to rollerskate to..”

In other news, Bite Me Bambi is scheduled to headline the first ever Summer Sizzler next month. The festival is scheduled to take place Aug. 13 at the Garden Amp in Garden Grove, CA. Also scheduled for the event are: The Scholars, Scott Klopfenstein (ex-Reel Big Fish), The Ruffolos, and The Step Daughters. Tickets for the event are available here.

More information on Bite Me Bambi’s new single, video and performance is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://bitemebambi.com

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

The Go-Gos’ ‘God Bless The God-Gos’ Re-Issue Impresses All The Way Around

Posted on May 12, 2021 by philspicks

Two decades ago, the veteran rock band The Go-Gos released what would go on to be one of its most popular albums in the form of God Bless the Go-Gos. The record was the band’s first record in 17 years upon its initial release. It was additionally, the band’s first together since the release of 1984’s Talk Show. Now Friday, the band and its fans will celebrate the 20^th anniversary of God Bless The Go-Gos’ original release with a new re-issue through Eagle Records. The re-issue is anchored by two new bonus tracks, which will be discussed shortly. The wide range of platforms on which Eagle Rock will make the record available adds its own level of appeal to the re-issue’s presentation. It will be discussed a little later. The re-issue’s production rounds out its most important elements. It will also be discussed later. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the album’s presentation. All things considered, they make the album’s re-issue a work that the Go-Gos’ most devoted audiences will enjoy.

The Go-Go’s forthcoming re-issue of its 2001 album God Bless the Go-Gos is a presentation that the band’s established and most devoted audiences will appreciate. That is proven in part through the two bonus songs featured with the re-issue. The songs, ‘I Think I Need Sleep’ and ‘King of Confusion’ will take listeners back to The Go-Gos’ heyday with their distinct melodies and stylistic approaches. The vocals, the sound of the drums, bass, and guitar sound work together to make the songs sound like they are songs that perhaps were in fact recorded during the 1980s and just re-mastered for this presentation. At the same time, there is the slightest touch of modern influence evidenced in each song, too. It makes them a good fit alongside the rest of the album’s entries, which also boast that balance of old and new stylistic approaches and sounds. Add in the accessibility of the songs’ lyrical content – that of relationships from the woman’s vantage point – will add to the songs’ appeal. Keeping all of this in mind, the re-issue’s bonus songs are but a portion of what audiences will appreciate. The wide range of platforms on which the re-issue will release adds to its appeal.

The forthcoming re-issue of God Bless the Go-Gos is meant to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the album’s initial release. As part of the celebration, its re-issue will come for the first time on vinyl. It will release on 140-gram, blue-colored vinyl. The new vinyl pressing will appeal to all of the band’s fans who are also among the many vinyl aficionados out there. Of course, neither the band nor Eagle Records have ignored The Go-Gos’ fans who prefer their music on CD or digital. They have made sure to release the album on those platforms, too. In other words, the two sides made sure that they were reaching all of the band’s fans. That is in itself a very good thing when one takes into account the perhaps availability or lack thereof, of the original pressings of the album’s original release. Keeping that in mind, there is no doubt as to the importance of the presentation of the album on each platform. Even keeping in mind, the positive nature of the wide availability of the record, it is just one more aspect of what makes the album appealing to the noted audiences. The record’s production rounds out its most important elements.

The production of God Bless The Go-Gos in its forthcoming re-issue is important to address because of its impact on the sound. The production deserves its own applause considering how clean each song sounds here. It shows that the utmost attention was paid to the records sound in transferring the masters from that original release to this presentation. That applies not only to the record’s main body, but to its bonus tracks, too. Whether the two bonus tracks were songs that didn’t make the final cut for the album’s original release, or are more recent (or older), the fact of the matter is that each track sounds very impressive. Every instrument is well-balanced with its counterparts. The vocals are just as well-balanced with the instruments. The effects used in each song are at just the right level, too. When the positive aesthetic impact of the album’s production is considered along with the engagement and entertainment guaranteed by the album’s bonus tracks and with the positive of the album’s wide availability, all three elements make the album in whole a presentation that The Go-Gos’ most devoted audience base will find fully appealing.

Eagle Records and The Go-Gos’ forthcoming re-issue of God Bless The Go-Gos is a work that succeeds all the way around. Its success comes in part through its bonus tracks. It is unknown if the two extra songs were cutting room floor pieces from the sessions for the album’s original release or are even older or more recent. Regardless, they sound like they came right out of the band’s heyday. At the same time, they incorporate a touch of modern rock influence. The balance of those influences makes the songs surely appealing for the noted audiences. The album’s availability across a wide range of platforms adds its own appeal. That is because it shows all involved set out to reach as much of the band’s fan base as possible. It is deserving of its own applause. The album’s production rounds out its most important elements. That is because it shows the highest efforts were made to ensure the record sounded as good if not better than the original presentation some twenty years after its initial release. Each item noted here is important in its own way to the whole of this re-issue. All things considered, they make the forthcoming re-issue of God Bless The Go-Gos a presentation that will appeal to any of The Go-Gos’ fans. God Bless The Go-Gos is scheduled for release Friday through Eagle Records.

In more news, The Go-Gos are scheduled to launch a series of live dates starting June 18 in San Francisco, CA, conditions pending due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tour is scheduled to run just under a month long, ending on July 11 in Asbury Park, NJ. The tour’s tentative schedule is noted below.

Summer 2021 North American tour dates:
Jun 18 The Masonic San Francisco, CA +
Jun 23 Humphreys San Diego, CA +
Jun 24 Humphreys San Diego, CA +
Jun 27 Pechanga Resort Casino Temecula, CA +
Jun 29 Orpheum Theater Los Angeles, CA +
Jun 30 Orpheum Theater Los Angeles, CA +
Jul 7 Theatre at Westbury Westbury, NY
Jul 8 Parx Casino Bensalem, PA
Jul 10 Foxwoods Resort Casino Mashantucket, CT
Jul 11 Stone Pony Asbury Park, NJ +

More information on The Go-Gos’ new re-issue, documentary, and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://gogos.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/officialgogos

The Go-Gos Announce Release Date, Specs For ‘God Bless The Go-Gos’ Re-Issue

Posted on February 6, 2021 by philspicks

The Go-Gos’ 2001 album God Bless The Go-Gos is getting its own re-issue.

The album, which was at the time its first together since 1984’s Talk Show, is scheduled for release May 14 on vinyl. The re-issue celebrates the 20th anniversary of that album’s release and on deluxe CD and digital platforms. The re-issue will feature new cover art, shown here, and the bonus tracks ‘I Think I Need Sleep’ and ‘King of Confusion.’ Pre-orders are open.

The re-issue’s track listing is noted below.

VINYL TRACK LISTING:

SIDE 1
1. La La Land
2. Unforgiven
3. Apology
4. Stuck In My Car
5. Vision Of Nowness
6. Here You Are
7. Automatic Rainy Day

SIDE 2
1. Kissing Asphalt
2. Insincere
3. Sonic Superslide
4. Throw Me A Curve
5. Talking Myself Down
6. Daisy Chain

CD/DIGITAL TRACK LISTING
1. La La Land
2. Unforgiven
3 .Apology
4. Stuck In My Car
5. Vision Of Nowness
6. Here You Are
7. Automatic Rainy Day
8. Kissing Asphalt
9. Insincere
10. Sonic Superslide
11. Throw Me A Curve
12. Talking Myself Down
13. Daisy Chain
14. I Think I Need Sleep
15. King Of Confusion

*Bonus Tracks

God Bless The Go-Gos reached #57 on the Billboard Top 200 and has since reached #17 on the Top Internet Albums Chart. Paul Kolderie and Sean Slade (Radiohead, Hole) co-produced the album.

Green Day front man Billie Joe Armstrong made a guest appearance on the album’s track, ‘Unforgiven.’ Ram Jaffee (The Wallflowers, Foo Fighters) lent his talents to another of the album’s tracks, ‘Here You Are.’ ‘Daisy Chain’ featured a guest appearance by Roger Manning (Jellyfish, Imperial Drag, The Moog Cookbook).

In other news, The Go-Gos’ documentary — simply titled The Go-Gos — was released through digital and rental services Friday through Eagle Vision and Mercury Studios. Its physical release is scheduled for Feb. 26 through Polygram/UMe on DVD/Blu-ray combo pack.

The documentary, which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, presents the history of the all-female band from its roots in the Los Angeles punk scene to its meteoric rise to fame. The story features interviews with subjects, such as Belinda Carlisle, Kathy Valentine, and Gina Schock to add to its depth.

As an added bonus, the documentary follows the band as it writes its female empowerment anthem ‘Club Zero,’ its first new song in almost 20 years. The song hit the Top 10 on Billboard’s Rock Digital Sales Chart.

▪	Date changes

More information on The Go-Gos’ new re-issue, documentary, and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://gogos.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/officialgogos

The Go-Gos Announces New Documentary’s Home Release Date

Posted on January 11, 2021 by philspicks

A new documentary about The Go-Gos is on the way.

The Go-Gos is scheduled for release Feb. 5 on digital and rental services through Mercury Studios. The documentary, which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, presents the history of the all-female band from its roots in the Los Angeles punk scene to its meteoric rise to fame. The story features interviews with subjects, such as Belinda Carlisle, Kathy Valentine, and Gina Schock to add to its depth.

More information on The Go-Gos’ new documentary is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: http://gogos.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/officialgogos

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://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.

Yep Roc Records’ New Benefit Record Can And Likely Will Succeed In Its Aim

Posted on August 2, 2020 by philspicks

Courtesy: Yep Roc Records

Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC has hosted countless acts over the course of its 50 years in business, but its future is now in doubt as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its closure meant the cancellation of its entire concert schedule, leading to trouble paying the rent and basic overhead costs. In response, many of the North Carolina bands that have gone on to national (and even global) fame since their days performing at Cat’s Cradle have come together for a benefit compilation meant to raise money for the famed venue. The compilation, Cover Charge: NC Artists Go Under Cover To Benefit Cat’s Cradle, was released Friday through Yep Roc Records. The 25-song collection is a widely appealing presentation that will connect just as much with fans of Americana and southern rock as it will to those with an appreciation of pop music. That is proven through the acts and songs featured throughout the compilation. This will be addressed shortly. The performances of the noted songs by the featured North Carolina acts adds to the record’s appeal. They will be discussed a little later. The record’s sequencing rounds out its most important elements. Each noted item is important in its own way to the whole of this compilation’s presentation. All things considered, they make Cover Charge: NC Artists Go Under Cover To Benefit Cat’s Cradle a work whose own music is sure to help keep the music alive at its beneficiary club.

Yep Roc Records’ new benefit record Cover Charge: NC Artists Go Under Cover To Benefit Cat’s Cradle is sure to benefit the famed local music venue, an greatly at that. That is proven in part through the acts and songs that are featured in the 25-song presentation. They range from a cover of The Go-Gos’ Can’t Stop The World’ by Superchunk, to an updated take of Buffalo Springfield’s timeless protest song ‘For What It’s Worth’ by Faith Jones, to a cover of Paul McCartney’s ‘Every Night’ by Terry Anderson and the Olympic Ass-Kickin’ Team and so much more, the compilation runs the gamut on genres and acts. There is even a cover of Madonna’s ‘Dress You Up’ next to Beck’s ‘Think I’m In Love’ along with a pair of Neil Young covers to add to the presentation. Again, what listeners get here is an extensive list of covers of songs from a wide range of well-known acts. The covers in question are unique takes on the noted songs by acts that are well-known in their own right and others who are building their reputations quite well. That aspect alone makes for its own reason for audiences to take in this record. It is just one of the aspects that makes the compilation worth hearing. The acts’ performances of the respective covers add their own hare of interest and appeal to the record.

The performances in question are of note because while they largely stay true to their source material, they give the songs their own unique updates. Case in point is the noted update on Buffalo Springfield’s ‘For What It’s Worth.’ The original song is well-known by audiences of all ages. It is a very subdued composition. That reserved nature and feeling was used intentionally so as to heathen the feeling of the song’s subject as he/she looked around at everything happening in the world at the time. Faith Jones’ update is less subdued and reserved than its source material. It is not more energetic than said song. It is however, still impacting in its own right. The use of the pedal to give it a sort of funk vibe plays into its infectious nature. The addition of the slide guitar alongside that element gives the song a bit of a country vibe. Those two elements serve well to play into the song’s bigger message of unity, what with the genres begin so different yet coming together. The overall energy level through the arrangement plays alongside the music to help translate the emotion in the continued message of that need for unity and hope even with everything going down. The whole is a work that is one of the compilation’s highest points. It is just one of the ways in which the record’s featured performances prove important to its presentation. Mandolin Orange’s take of Bob Dylan’s Boots of Spanish Leather’ is another way in which the performances stand out.

Bob Dylan’s original song is a timeless song of lost love in its own right. To say that it is a deeply emotional work is a powerful statement in its own right, what with Dylan’s minimalist approach to the song musically and lyrically. It is just Dylan by himself singing and strumming his guitar. Mandolin Orange takes that deeply emotional impact and builds on it. The duo – Andrew Marlin and Emily Franz – offer audiences a composition here, that is even more reserved than Dylan’s original work. The guitar work is noticeably slower in the act’s take on the song than in Dylan’s original. What is so important to note though, is that even with the increased emotional approach, the duo doesn’t let itself go over the top. Rather, the pair, with its violin and guitar, make it just as powerful as Dylan did with his work if not more so. It would have been so easy for Marlin and Franz to go over the top, but that never once happens. The result is, again, a work that pays wonderful tribute to its source material while introducing successfully, for a whole new generation of listeners. It is yet another way in which the compilation’s performances prove important to its whole. Chatham County Line’s over of Beck’s ‘Think I’m in Love’ is one more example of what makes the record worth hearing.

Beck’s original song ‘Think I’m In Love’ is a stark contrast to that of Chatham County Line’s cover of said song and vice versa. Beck’s work is a funky, upbeat composition that exudes well, a person’s thought of, well, being in love. That is the case even with the subtleties in its guitar line and beat. CCL’s take on the song meanwhile, is even lighter than its source material. The light, bluegrass approach that the group uses is an approach for which the band has come to be known throughout its life. The subdued use of the mandolin and percussion alongside the vocals gives the song a whole new identity here that is certain to engage listeners in its own right. Together with the other noted performances and those not directly addressed, the performances in whole give audiences just as much engagement as the featured songs and acts. Even with all of this in mind, there is still one more item to address in examining the compilation, its sequencing.

The sequencing of Cover Charge: NC Artists Go Under Cover To Benefit Cat’s Cradle is important to address because of the impact that this aesthetic element has on the record’s general effect. As the genre styles change from one to the next, the album also manages to keep its overall energy stable throughout. The crests and troughs are places at all of the right places from one to the next. Case in point is the first handful of the record’s featured songs. The record’s energy starts high in its opener, Superchunk’s cover of The Go-Gos’ ‘Can’t Stop The World.’ From there, the energy pulls back immediately in Sarah Shook & The Disarmers’ cover of Cigarettes After Sex’ ‘Apocalypse.’ The energy gradually builds back over the course of the next two songs before pulling back again in the Steep Canyon Rangers’ cover of Neil Young’s ‘Unknown Legend.’ The album pulls back even more in its energy immediately after in Skylar Gudasz and Erich Bachmann’s cover of The Everly Brothers’ timeless hit ‘All I Have To Do is Dream.’ This song stays true to its source material, but at the same time, is much slower than the original in terms of its tempo. The noted rise and fall happens again over the course of the next two songs before quickly shifting gears again in The Love Language’s cover of Teenage Fanclub’s song ‘Everything Changes.’ The rises and falls in the album’s energy continue throughout the record from there, with each happening at the right places and rates of change. Keeping this in mind, the album’s sequencing clearly proves pivotal in its own way to the whole of its presentation. When it is considered along with the record’s featured songs and acts, and performances, the whole of the compilation becomes a work that holds its own against it counterparts in this year’s already vast sea of covers compilations.

Yep Roc Records’ new covers compilation Charge: NC Artists Go Under Cover To Benefit Cat’s Cradle is a positive offering from the independent label. It is a work that is certain to make plenty of noise as it helps save a venue that has helped Cat’s Cradle create its own noise over the years. That is due in part to the songs and acts that are featured throughout the collection. Regardless of listeners’ familiarity with the acts, this aspect is certain to generate its own share of engagement and entertainment among audiences. The performances of the featured covers will generate its own interest for the collection, as has been noted. The record’s sequencing rounds out its most important elements. All three noted elements are key in their own way to the whole of this collection. All things considered they make Charge: NC Artists Go Under Cover To Benefit Cat’s Cradle a presentation that is sure to help keep the music coming at Cat’s Cradle thanks to its own music. The collection is available now.

The track listing for Cover Charge: NC Artists Go Under Cover To Benefit Cat’s Cradle is noted below.

Cover Charge Track Listing:

Superchunk – “Can’t Stop the World” (The Go-Go’s)
Sarah Shook & the Disarmers – “Apocalypse” (Cigarettes After Sex)
Hiss Golden Messenger and Jonathan Wilson – “Travellin’ in Style” (Free)
The dB’s – “I’m on an Island” (The Kinks)
Steep Canyon Rangers – “Unknown Legend” (Neil Young)
Eric Bachmann & Skylar Gudasz – “All I Have to Do is Dream” (The Everly Brothers)
The Connells – “Keep Your Distance” (Richard Thompson)
Mandolin Orange – “Boots of Spanish Leather” (Bob Dylan)
The Love Language – “Everything Flows” (Teenage Fanclub)
Dex Romweber (feat. Jennifer Curtis) – “A Face in the Crowd” (Andy Griffith)\
Tift Merritt – “Help Me Make It Through The Night” (Kris Kristofferson)
The Old Ceremony – “Alone Again Or” (Love)
Mayflies USA – “There is a Light that Never Goes Out” (The Smiths)
The Mountain Goats – “The Longest Winter” (Paradise Lost)
Faith Jones – “For What It’s Worth” (Buffalo Springfield)
Mipso – “Long Distance Love” (Little Feat)
Terry Anderson and The Olympic-Ass Kickin Team – “Every Night” (Paul McCartney)
Florence Dore – “Somewhere Down the Line” (Marshall Crenshaw)
Southern Culture on the Skids – “Let’s Work Together” (Canned Heat)
Iron & Wine – “Piss Diary” (Kingsbury Manx)
Mount Moriah – “Don’t Let It Bring You Down” (Neil Young)
Sam Melo of Rainbow Kitten Surprise – “Stars” (Janis Ian)
Don Dixon & Marti Jones – “Respoken” (The Lovin Spoonful)
Chatham County Line – “Think I’m in Love” (Beck)
The Veldt – “Dress You Up” (Madonna)

More information on Cover Charge: NC Artists Go Under Cover To Benefit Cat’s Cradle is available at https://www.facebook.com/CoverChargeMusic.

philspicks

All the latest reviews and news in entertainment

Tag Archives: The Go-Gos