Rick Monroe And The Hitmen Debuts New Single, ‘Six Gun Soul’

Posted on May 5, 2023 by philspicks

Independent southern rock outfit Rick Monroe and the Hitmen released its latest single this week.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Six Gun Soul‘ Thursday. Its debut came more than a month after the band premiered its then latest single, ‘Looking‘. Both songs are featured in the band’s forthcoming album, Lead Burns Red, which is scheduled for release later this year. The record’s release date is under consideration.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Six Gun Soul’ is an immediately infectious composition with its rich southern rock/outlaw country approach and sound. From beginning to end, the twang of the guitar line and Monroe’s rich drawl as he sings makes the song so easily comparable to works from the likes of Jason Charles Miller, Chris Stapleton, and to a slightly lesser degree Blues Saraceno.

The lyrical theme featured in the band’s new single is meant to deliver an uplifting message to listeners.

“I’ve been on the verge of losing absolutely everything, but with faith and the ability to stand strong I was able to pull myself up and fight back,” Monroe said. “In this industry full of endless hurdles, constant no’s and brutal criticism we’ve all been knocked down but it’s those hits that that make us stronger.”

More information on Rick Monroe and The Hitmen’s new single is available at:

Website: https://rickmonroe.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rickmonroe

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Rick Monroe And The Hitmen Debut New Single, ‘Looking’

Posted on March 13, 2023 by philspicks

Independent southern rock band Rick Monroe and the Hitmen is set to release its new album, Lead Burns Red later this year through The Label Group.

In anticipation of the record’s pending release, the band premiered the album’s new single, ‘Looking‘ Friday. The song is a composition that will appeal to a wide range of listeners. That is due to the balance of its bluegrass, southern rock and country leanings. While some have likened the work to those from the likes of Eagles, The Allman Brothers Band, and even Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the balance of the banjo and guitar here honestly likens the arrangement more closely to the likes of Steep Canyon Rangers and a hint of Reckless Kelly to this critic’s ears.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the news release announcing the single’s release and no lyrics are provided with the song through the band’s YouTube channel. From what can be inferred through the lyrics, it comes across as centering on the all too familiar theme of someone who is looking for love and maybe in all the wrong places.

More information on Rick Monroe and The Hitmen’s new single is available at:

Website: https://rickmonroe.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rickmonroe

The Intemperate Sons Debuts New Single; New Live Dates Planner

Posted on March 5, 2023 by philspicks

Independent alt-tock band The Intemperate Sons premiered its latest single this weekend.

The band unveiled its new single, ‘Way Back When‘ Friday. The song is the second single from the band’s forthcoming album, Game of Keep Away, which is expected for release this year through independent label Frame|Work. The album’s exact release date is under consideration.

The band premiered the album’s lead single, ‘Unrealized‘ in January. A video for the single followed the song’s release soon after.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Way Back When’ is certain to engage audiences with its dual-part 90s rock sound and style. The song’s verses present something of a “poppy” approach and sound akin to works from the likes of Oasis while the verses present a “darker,” heavier Alice in Chains-esque approach and sound. The contrast in sounds and styles works well to help clearly illustrate the story in the song’s lyrical theme.

According to information presented about the song in a news release, its lyrical theme tells the story of someone who has become jaded by the world. In being so jaded, the subject is trying to make sense of the world in its current state.

A video for the band’s new single is scheduled to premiere March 10.

In other news, The Intemperate Sons has a new slate of live performances scheduled. The schedule features one-off shows in March, April, June, and October in California and across Texas. The band’s live schedule is noted below.

The Intemperate Sons Show Dates:

Sat Mar 18 @ Viper Room in West Hollywood, CA
Sat Apr 15 @ Maverick’s Bar & Grill in Arlington, TX
Fri June 2 @ O’Riley’s in Dallas, TX
Sat June 17 @Fireplace Lounge in Dallas, TX
Sat Oct 14 @ Six Springs Tavern (Private Event) in Richardson, TX

The upcoming dates are on the heels of another series of live dates the band held in January, also across Texas.

More information on The Intemperate Sons’ new single, album, and live shows is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://theintemperatesons.com

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

Testarossa Debuts New Single, ‘Welcome To The Show,’ Companion Video

Posted on May 28, 2022 by philspicks

Independent rock band Testarossa premiered its latest single and video this week.

The band kicked off the weekend by premiering its new single, ‘Welcome To the Show‘ and its companion video Friday through INgrooves/The Label Group. The song features a guest appearance by Steven Adler (Guns N’ Roses, Road Crew, Bullet Boys, Adler’s Appetite).

The musical arrangement featured in the band’s new single is, fittingly, a throwback to the sounds that made Guns N’ Roses popular and continues to make it a fan favorite. Comparisons to works from the likes of Ratt and Motley Crue are just as easy to make, considering the bombastic guitar riffs, powerhouse drumming and equally distinct vocal delivery style.

Drummer Buddy Radford talked about the song’s musical arrangement in a prepared statement.

“We are here to put the piss and vinegar back into rock-n-roll, Radford said. “‘Welcome to the Show’ is essentially a catchy chorus wrapped with simple verses and soaked with copious amounts of guitar wankery. It oozes attitude and harkens back to the day when people weren’t so soft and rock music was hard. It’s only Rock-N-Roll but we like it.”

No information was provided about the lyrical theme presented in the song. However, a simple listen revels the theme is simply about enjoying and celebrating the excesses of rock and roll.

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

The Brotherhood Debuts New Single, ‘Till The Wheels Fall Off,’ Companion Video

Posted on February 26, 2022 by philspicks

Country rock outfit The Brotherhood premiered its debut single and video to kick off the weekend.

The band, which include Saving Abel’s Scott Wilson on guitar, bass, and vocals, debuted its new single, ‘Till The Wheels Fall Off’ Friday, along with the song’s video. The country rock composition also features guest appearances from Neal Middleton (Royal Bliss), Marshal Dutton (Hinder), Brian Bonds (Florida Georgia Line), Kent Slucher (Luke Bryan) and Steve Hinson. Even with so many modern rock and country names taking part in the song, the overall arrangement throws back to the country rock songs that were so popular during the late 1980s and early-mid 90s.

The lyrical theme that accompanies the song’s musical arrangement is a straight forward presentation about life on the road. Even being such a familiar topic presented in a familiar fashion, it is still accessible, though that is largely due, again, to the song’s infectious musical arrangement.

The video for ‘Till The Wheels Fall Off’ is simple in its own presentation. It features the song’s lyrics over pictures of the band and its friends performing. The song’s arrangement plays over the visualization.

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

Website: https://thebrotherhood-official.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrotherhoodOfcl

Voltagehawk Releases New Album; Debuts Album’s Latest Single, Video

Posted on January 29, 2022 by philspicks

Independent rock band Voltagehawk released its debut album, Electric Thunder, this month.

The band released the album Jan. 21 through The Label Group/INgrooves. In celebration of the record’s release, the band premiered the video for the record’s latest single, ‘The Cosmic Hangman.’ The video features the band in what looks like a unique recording studio setting, complete with lights and mirrors that make it look like a club.

The song’s musical arrangement is a driving, up-tempo composition. Its combination of stoner and neo-classic rock influences makes it unique in its own right. Comparisons can be made just as much to works from the likes of Clutch and Queens of the Stone Age as to South of Eden throughout the song. The balance in that duality ensures audiences’ engagement and entertainment.

Front man Dan Fenton talked about the commentary in the song’s lyrical theme in a prepared statement.

“On 10/17/17 I was dead. I had drank myself into oblivion,” he said. “Years of depression, abuse, and confusion as a child had finally caught up with me. As I lay unconscious, I was at perfect peace; no pain, no ringing in my ears, just floating for 9 minutes as the paramedics brought me back. I heard a voice inside my mind ask if I wanted to stay in the cosmic womb or if I would stop drinking. Those were my only options. I chose to give up the bottle, accept help for the first time in my life, and enter a treatment program. It changed everything.

“My moment of peace in the cosmic womb let me know that there was something after this life, but not what they had taught me as a child. The reception of my new found life was mixed. As I went on a journey of amends, I was embraced by some and rejected by others. I was told that without religion I couldn’t possibly have changed. They were wrong, I had changed.”

Added Fenton, “The rule of the papacy has long cast judgment on those seeking change outside the constructs of religion or faith. This song is an anthem for the undamned, unfallen, and unredeemed. Rebirth is not a battle between heaven and hell, but a battle between mind and body.”

‘The Cosmic Hangman’ is just one of the singles produced from Voltagehawk’s new album. The record has also produced the single, ‘Recrimination.‘

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

Website: https://www.voltagehawk.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/voltagehawkband

Family Entertainer SaulPaul Takes Top Honors In Phil’s Picks’ List Of 2021’s Top New EPs

Posted on December 1, 2021 by philspicks

It’s hard to believe but 2021 is officially only four weeks from its big finale. One can only hope that moving forward from here into 2022, that sooner rather than later, we’ll finally be rid of this COVID-19 crap and life can finally go back to what it was. Time will tell. In the meantime, this critic has checked over his calendar for the year’s waning weeks, and surprisingly, there are no more new EPs to go through for the year. That means it is finally time to start in on this year’s “best of” year-ender lists. Of course, as in every year past, the very first of those lists comes in the form of the smallest of the music releases noted.

This year’s list of new EPs features new releases from at least one relatively well-known figure and a number of others who are either up-and-coming or semi-established. They run the gamut from family music to pop to rock and metal to even some southern rock/country. These lists are never easy to finalize because even among the EPs there is so much to appreciate musically and lyrically. That was taken into full consideration with this list, too. Those who have followed this critic’s ramblings for years on end, know how the lists work. For everyone else, they work as such: Instead of just 10 new offerings, this list is composed of 15 titles. The top 10 are the best of the best while the following five are honorable mention titles. This is not a stab at those releases or the acts that released them, either. Far from it. The whole purpose is to give those extras their due credit, too.

So without any further ado, here for your consideration is Phil’s Picks Top 10 New EPs of 2021.

PHIL’S PICKS 2021 TOP 10 NEW EPS

SaulPaul – OK To Be Different
Gabriel & The Apocalypse – Alpha Transcendence
Decent Criminal – Decent Criminal
The Mercy Kills – New Rule
Dirkschneider & The Old Gang – Arising
Repentance – Volume 1 – Reborn
All Hail The Yeti – Within The Hollow Earth
Kulick – Sitting in a Quiet Coffeehouse
Blue Eyed Christ – World on Fire Remixes
Zero Theorum – The Killing II
Sydney Sherwood – Headspace
Christopher Shayne – Ten High
20 Watt Tombstone – Year of the Jackalope
Post Death Soundtrack – Pathless Land
Black TarPoon – The Thad

That’s it for this year’s top new EPs. Thanks goes out to all of the firms that sent out this great music and so much more. No offense is meant to any act left out. For instance Of Mice & Men released a trio of new EPs this year, but they ended up as the new album, Echo, so that album is up for consideration among this critic’s top new hard rock/metal albums of the year. Even more year-enders are on their way as the last days of the year start to wind down, so stay tuned!

Voltagehawk Premieres New Single, ‘Recrimination,’ Companion Video

Posted on November 12, 2021 by philspicks

Independent rock band Voltagehawk offered audiences a new preview of its new album last month.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Recrimination‘ and its companion video Oct. 27 through Ghost Cult magazine. The song is featured in the band’s forthcoming album, Electric Thunder, which is scheduled for release Jan. 21 through The Label Group/INgrooves.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Recrimination’ is a heavy, driving composition. The fuzz effect that is incorporated into the song gives it something of a stoner rock edge alongside its modern rock sound. The juxtaposition and combination of those two styles and sounds here makes the arrangement engaging and entertaining in its own right.

The song’s lyrical theme is a social statement of sorts, according to a prepared statement from the band. The statement also addresses the song’s video, which was directed by Jarrad James.

“Cause and effect, effect and cause,” the statement reads. “Crime itself is often a byproduct of the environment created for the repeat offender by the systems of law. In this downbeat driven, fuzzed out dystopian Robin Hood tale, we follow a criminal locked in battle against recidivism. In a landscape of survival, it asks you what you would be willing to do. It asks you to take a walk in another man’s shoes, for when you point one finger, three point back at you.”

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

Website: https://www.voltagehawk.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/voltagehawkband

Awaken Debuts New Single, ‘Fall Break Rise,’ Companion Lyric Video

Posted on November 12, 2021 by philspicks

Independent hard rock band Awaken debuted its latest single and its companion video this week.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Fall Break Rise’ and its lyric video Monday. The song is featured in the band’s recently released self-titled album. The record was released in February through The Label Group.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Fall Break Rise’ is a heavy, melodic rock composition. The arrangement’s production gives the collective instrumentation and vocals such a power and richness. The whole gives the song a sound and stylistic approach that lends itself to comparison to works from the likes of Breaking Benjamin.

According to comments from front man Chad Griffin, the song’s lyrical theme delivers a message of hope.

“Our single, “Fall/ Break/ Rise” from our album Monsters & Machines is a story of redemption. It is about a person who has hit rock bottom and come to what they feel is their end… only to be found in a new light. It follows the process of what it is to be human and fail time and time again, right before we come to our breaking point. It can end up being the exact moment that makes us new… to live again for a better purpose.”

The song’s lyric video is presented in black and white and features imagery, such as a forest filled with fog, a fire burning, and the sun shining above that fog-filled scene. The visuals are meant to help translate the noted message and in the song’s lyrical theme and musical arrangement, using the noted scenes as metaphors of sorts for the thoughts and emotions that people feel in the noted situations.

‘Fall Break Rise’ is available to stream and download through Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon.

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

Website: https://awaken2.bandzoogle.com

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

In The A.M. Delivers Message Of Self Confidence In New Single

Posted on September 10, 2021 by philspicks

Courtesy: Cowgirlzen Entertainment/The Label Group

Independent hard rock band In The A.M. wants audiences to take more pride and confidence in themselves.

That is the message delivered in the band’s new single, ‘Save Yourself.’ The band premiered the song and its companion lyric video Friday through v13.net. The song’s musical arrangement is a melodic hard rock composition whose heavy guitars, electronics and occasional rapping easily likens it to works from Linkin Park.

According to vocalist Alex Shimp, the song’s lyrical theme is meant to encourage audiences to not give in to what others think of them.

“This song is about people in your life trying to force you to be whom they think you should be because they think they know better for you than you do for yourself,” said Shimp. “Throughout my life, I’ve had to deal with a lot of b******* people telling me who and what to be. People who lied to me mistreated me, never respected me, and constantly took away from the amazing heart that I had as a kid. People who tried their best to manipulate me into something I didn’t want to be. And this song is me writing some of that pain out on paper and putting it into art through riffs and melodies.”

Added Shimp, “For the kids who may be going through the same experience. For the adults who may be going through a hard time in life. For everyone who gets their therapy through music.”

The song’s lyric video is a simple presentation. It features the song’s lyrics over various background settings, all of which are associated with the design of the single’s artwork.

More information on In The A.M.’s new single is available along with the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.intheamband.com

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

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