FOOLS FOR ROWAN – While the Modern Rock world jumps up and down for the likes of Daughtry, Shinedown, Cavo, Sick Puppies and Halestorm, (and rightfully so), there is another band that deserves the same treatment: Nashville, Tennessee’s Fools For Rowan. Here’s the slick groovy part: Fools For Rowan have even outshined their last full-length Twisted. Tied Up. Tangled.and I LOVE that album. Who Killed Amanda Day? is a whole new era for Fools For Rowan and they best strap themselves in for a high-speed Rockin’ road of continued success.
If an already seasoned and multi-talented band can maximize their songwriting and musicianship to a higher level than they were before; then Fools For Rowan is such a band. Yes, Fools For Rowan have recently opened for the legendary Evanescence, while also sharing the stage with the mega-famous Candlebox; only it’s a matter of time before Fools For Rowan will own the marquee on different shores and you’ll remember Stone told you so.
Led by the dynamic Erin Mullins on vocals, the melodic driven songs on Who Killed Amanda Day? are insanely memorable and relevant… and I’m an Extreme Metal loyalist who has been kidnapped by this band’s glowing Modern Rock tonality. Among my six favorite songs (on this 6 song EP) is Crave. Kelly Clarkson (my favorite AI winner ever) holds nothing over Erin Mullins when it comes to vocal resonance and prowess. Throughout Who Killed Amanda Day?, Erin steals the show and her band steals it right back… it’s incredible to hear.
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The closing track is Leave, which has Erin dialing into some Stevie Nicks juju. A mellow and still dramatic vocal performance Erin gives on Leave. Back to Crave… Metal Odyssey’s Rock Song Of 2012? Just saying. I’m just enamored by Erin’s vocals and the band’s total musical output; for the simple reason I have never heard a hint of anything superficial from them on any of their songs… ever.
Refuge, Chameleon, and You Can’t Stop Me are Modern Rock charms that rise to the top; all three songs carrying their own flash and color of sonic appeal. The lead single, Killed A Man Today, is easily a song to narrow down as showcasing everything great about Fools For Rowan since the very beginning. There is a Rockin’ drive about this band that I hear and feel in their music which is without dispute; Killed A Man Today just solidifies this drive I’ve been hearing from Fools For Rowan.
Fools For Rowan has an ace in their box of talented tricks and it’s called Rockin’ passion. I hear it. I feel it. It flows through my veins. I’ve now told the world about it and I’m better off for it. Metal be thy name.
* Who Killed Amanda Day? was released on July 3rd, 2012, via Lava Lamp Records. Who Killed Amanda Day? is available on iTunes and at Amazon.com.
SPIDER ROCKETS – The new studio album, Bitten, from New Jersey’s Spider Rockets was released on June 5th, 2012, via P-Dog Records. Better strap yourself in for this bevy of Hard Rockin’ songs that shoot out from Bitten! Spider Rockets have raised their own bar of musical accomplishment with their new album and it undeniably Rocks from A to Z! Admittedly, I was expecting a great Spider Rockets album with Bitten; only I wasn’t expecting a standout album of this magnitude.
After my initial listen-through of Bitten, I realized these 10 songs kicked my ass. After reality settled in and several more listens, I also realized that Bitten is one of the BEST albums I’ve listened to across ALL Rock genres thus far in 2012. Crisscrossing Heavy Metal, Alternative Rock/Metal and Hard Rock, Spider Rockets take their sound to a level of fun and excitement that I’ve always yearned for from a band. Any band. You know, like Anthrax and Misfitsfun.
If your unfamiliar with Spider Rockets you absolutely must take Stone’s word here: Spider Rockets are the missing F’n link in today’s American Heavy Music. Spider Rockets sound LOUD even when the volume is down. Spider Rockets spread an infectious energy into my senses upon the opening note of Better When It’s Loud. Yes, as vocalist Helena Cos sings, it’s “better when it’s loud, it’s better when it’s fast” and I’ll confidently state: this Spider Rockets band is built-to-last!
Helena Cos illuminates the song, she has a vocal identity unlike no other female front woman I’ve heard in my 100years of living. I state this due to the similarity factor that too often seems to come into play within the world of Rock. Helena accentuates the lyrics and sings with the confidence and attitude that any aspiring singer should emulate. Did I mention this band can play? With Bitten as proof, this band is as solid as a newly forged set of railroad spikes.
The cover of Golden Earring’s 1982 #1 hit, Twilight Zone, makes the news here. Spider Rockets spray paints more Rockin’ relevance on this (decades long) over played song… that I actually like it again! The tempo is turned up a notch and the curled-lip vibe from Helena’s vocals makes Twilight Zone a brand new and welcomed listen to my ears. If you have already heard and dug the lead single Scream (which was aired all over the internet months ago), you’re in for an enormous treat: there are songs on Bitten equal to and even better than that single!
Spider Rockets will make you move… and if you don’t move to the fist-pumping, headbanging, carefree, riff-infested, melodic, rhythm saturated, bass thumping, Alternative Hard Rock inspired style of songs on Bitten, then forget about it cause you obviously have no pulse. Album opener Going Down sets the party mood and who-gives-a-shit vibrations afire; while album closer Bring Me Around has me wishing there were 2, 3, 4 or 5 more songs to flow through my Rock ‘N Roll hungry eardrums and veins.
Seriously, Spider Rockets have declared the status quo of Hard Rock as public enemy #1 with Bitten. Collectively these songs play-out so fabulously that Bitten is an album that ends way, way, way too soon. Ring that Spider Rockets bell and tell all the people in the streets… Stone has been Bitten. And I want to get bitten again… and again. It’s now your turn to get bitten by Spider Rockets. Metal be thy name.
AVENGERS ASSEMBLE SOUNDTRACK – Yes Virginia, there are movie soundtracks that Rock and AvengersAssembleis one of them. If you were unfortunate enough to have recently purchased the chicken crap Rock Of Ages soundtrack, you can toss it in the recycle bin and get your ears into a real Rock/Hard Rock soundtrack such as this one. Plus, unlike Rock Of Ages, the original artists are singing and playing on their original songs! Not one (overpaid and whining) movie actor sings on Avengers Assemble! Metal hallelujah!
Avengers Assemble is bookended by two songs that I can’t get enough of: Live To Rise (Soundgarden) and ShakeThe Ground (Cherri Bomb). Firstly, Soundgarden is super-duper legendary and Chris Cornell could sing Boxcar Willie songs and I would still buy it. Is Live To Rise the greatest Soundgarden song ever recorded? No. Only here’s the kicker: Live To Rise is an incredibly written and inspiring song that I cannot shake out of my head. This song’s tempo is simply perfect; Soundgarden found no need to go over the top. I guess that tells you how I feel about Soundgarden and their legacy.
Cherri Bomb. Stone is a fan. Cherri Bomb can play at my backyard barbecue on any day of the year, including snow-covered and sub-zero Winter days too. The gals of Cherri Bomb essentially put a Rock ‘N Roll exclamation point to the conclusion of this Avengers Assemble soundtrack. Just a super damn fine, melodic Hard Rockin’ song is ShakeThe Ground. It has shook my ground. Metal be thy name.
I admire the thinking that went into choosing the songs and artists for this soundtrack. Rock diversity is evident, with Rise Against, Five Finger Death Punch, Bush and Evanescence all appearing on one plastic CD; all with the one common goal to… Rock. This soundtrack serves to give Rock fans a taste of what each band and/or musician sounds like; in the event one is unfamiliar with an artist. Compared to last year’s Transformers: DarkOf The Moon, I find myself a bigger fan of this soundtrack, due to its song selection and overall Hard Rock vibes.
Black Veil Brides must love movie soundtracks for they have yet another installment on one, with their heavy hitting number: Unbroken. Yes, I dig Black Veil Brides. I won’t be a closet Black Veil Brides fan any longer… how’s that? The energy level and chorus that this band puts into their songs is contagious. Unbroken, like so many other Black Veil Brides songs, is very memorable and melodically heavy. Count Me Outby Pusherjones is ridiculously fun, cool and serves for a Rockin’ contagious listen to take in. Whoa. Ring that Pusherjones Rock ‘N Roll bell and tell all your stuck up neighbors they can all to go to hell!
Scott Weiland sounds brilliant on Breath. What a compelling song. Coming in at track #6, I couldn’t think of a better choice of song at the midway point of this soundtrack. Breath is sung with an emotion from Scott Weiland that I find real and makes for a repeated listen for my ears. Comeback by Redlight King and Into The Blue by Bush gives this soundtrack its muscular boosts of Modern Rock relevance; both songs are an excellent reminder to me that Rock diversity is a grand thing to cherish. (I thank the Rock Gods that ABBA and Tom Cruise aren’t on this soundtrack though).
* Avengers Assemble was released on May 1st, 2012, via Hollywood Records & Marvel Music.
MELVINS LITE – The irrefutable legendary band known across Earth as The Melvins are Melvins Lite with their new studio album Freak Puke. This ten song offering from Melvins Lite will be released on June 5th, 2012, via Ipecac. For loyal and new fans alike, I’ve decided to list some excerpts from past press releases that sheds more “lite” on why The Melvins are Melvins Lite on Freak Puke. Here we go and enjoy:
The Melvins unveil the latest twist in their 29-year history with Melvins Lite, an additional incarnation of the band that finds founders Buzz Osborne and Dale Crover partnering with Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle, Tomahawk) for a 10-song release titled Freak Puke.
Buzz Osborne has stated, in a prior press release:
“The Melvins have a long history of mixing up our line-ups and I think that’s what has kept us relevant for so long,” explains Osborne. “Consider the Freak Puke record the fifth side of the four-sided Melvins triangle.”
The Melvins have decided to release an album called “Freak Puke.” AND they’ve decided to call it Melvins “Lite.” It’s still the Melvins of course but the “Lite” moniker comes from the fact that they’ve recorded the entire record with the always busy and fabulously talented Trevor Dunn playing a stand up double bass and it sounds really cool! It’s new musical territory for the Melvins and it works like a charm…”
Stone says, about Freak Puke and other related stuff:
My curiosity for The Melvins came to a boil back in 1993, when Houdini was released. This was the fifth album from The Melvins, so I knew I had some catching up to do with their back catalog. Houdini did it for me and the rest is (who gives a crap) history. I’m guessing once you listen to The Melvins once, you’re sucked in by the uncanny way they make their music different.
Fast forward to 2012 and Freak Puke from Melvins Lite. Wether it’s Houdini, Freak Puke or any other album from The Melvins that’s in-between, I’ve come to the belief that The Melvins follow no musical path but their own. As I write this epic album review, that classic line from (Bill Murray) who played Tripper Harrison in the 1979 comedy film, Meatballs, comes to my mind: “It just doesn’t matter.”
What doesn’t matter Stone? Well, I’ll tell you since you’re pondering. Trying to declare what genre The Melvins or Melvins Lite belongs to… it just doesn’t matter. Caring if anyone out there gives a crap that I really dig Freak Puke… it just doesn’t matter. Telling the world that Freak Puke ranks as a high recommendation from Stone… it just doesn’t matter.
What does matter is The Melvins musical existence. This Freak Puke album from Melvins Lite doesn’t follow a flavor-of-the-month blueprint for gratitude; that slimy gratitude from the snotty hierarchy that manipulates the mainstream. From the onset, Mr. RipOffreminds me that this band is not ripping off anyone (no pun intended). Besides, I could sit for a month of Mondays and still not be able to name another band that sounds like this. Yes, that’s a grand statement to make, especially when soundalikes are more abundant in the music world than there are synthetic additives found in one Hostess Twinkie.
For those who truly need to know, Freak Puke is a heavy album. You’ll hear heavy guitar, heavy beats and clean vocals. Eccentric vocals at times too. With that said, Freak Puke is also a listen into what’s not heavy and still comes across as… heavy. Experimental. Alternative. Heavy. Sludgy. That’s Freak Puke and yes, I did throw out some damn Rock genres after all. Then again… it just doesn’t matter.
Wait, what does matter is my persuasiveness in prompting you to buy Freak Puke. Don’t follow the robotic crowd of cheerleaders for America’s Got Talent or any other plastic Pop Culture crap on a plate, try to bedifferent. Be very different. Melvins Lite won’t bite. Hey, that rhymed. Still, it just doesn’t matter.
Let your ears become saturated with some Melvins Lite and be introduced to Rock ‘N Roll the way it was meant to be played; Rock ‘N Roll that shoots straight from the hip, without any predetermined obligations to those Rock historian morons that push out 50 pound coffee table books and vote at The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Freak Puke, courtesy of Melvins Lite, aims and succeeds to spread some messed-up fun and madness, on a sonic ride that is an instant remedy for Rock ‘N Roll status-quo-itis.
At the end of my semi-boring day, I surely hope my blab for Melvins Lite and Freak Puke does matter. At least a little bit. Metal be thy name.
PAPA ROACH – California’s Alt/Rock and Hard Rockin’ PAPA ROACH will be on tour once again this Summer! Check out the tour dates and venues listed below for a location nearest you!
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June 23rd – Green River, WY @ Evers Park (Flaming Gorge Days)
June 25th – Minot, ND @ City Auditorium
June 26th – Aberdeen, SD @ Ramkota Exhibit Hall
June 28th – Fort Wayne, IN @ Piere’s
June 30th – Rock Island, IL @ Daiquiri Factory (Rock The District)
July 3rd – Wallingford, CT @ Oakdale Theater
July 5th – Bangor , ME @ Bangor Waterfront Pavilion
July 6th – Manchester, NH @ Verizon Wireless Arena
July 7th – Atlantic City, NJ @ House of Blues
July 9th – Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club
July 12th – Oshkosh, WI @ For Festival Park (Rock USA Festival)
July 13th – N. Lawrence, OH @ Clay’s Park Resort (Rock The Resort)
July 15th – Sarnia, ON @ Centennial Park (Bayfest 2012)
July 20th – Omaha, NE @ Sokol Auditorium
July 21st – Cadott, WI @ Cadott Festival Grounds (Chippewa Valley Rock Fest 2012)
Time For Annihilation – On The Road & On The Record – Released in August, 2010 on Eleven Seven Music
The Norwegian Rock band burst onto the Scandinavian Rock scene with their self titled debut album in 2005. Led by hit single Lucifer’s Town the band was quickly labelled as one of the most promising underground Rock acts and their fan base grew quickly with fan clubs and supporters in every corner of the world.
The quartet, renowned as a great energetic live act, toured in Norway and Europe and even played some very successful shows in China. In 2008 and 2009 the band lived partly in Finland were lots of concerts and TV performances were held. In 2010 the band withdraw from the spotlight, built their own recording studio and concentrated on writing and recording their sophomore album entitled “The Royal Brigade”.
“We had to take a step back and figure out what direction we wanted with the new album and with the band as a whole” frontman Chris Wicked reveals. “It`s been a long time since our debut. We also have a new line up now so there were several things we had to sort out, but I’ll tell you we are extremely pleased with how things have been progressing lately.”
Check out the video teaser for The Royal Brigade below!
Malice In Wonderland recently finished recording their sophomore album entitled “The Royal Brigade” and the band will now start looking for a suitable label to release the CD. Chris is positive about the future: “There is a whole new energy within in the group now! New music, new line up and a new area for Malice In Wonderland in general. The new album is filled with catchy, killer tracks that we are positive will please both new and old fans. We can’t wait to show people what we have been up to lately!”
If Rock n’ Roll is dead, someone must have forgotten to tell these Norwegians. With a new record full of bombastic high energetic quality Rock songs, these guys are eager to prove that they indeed are a force to reckon with.
Tune in every Tuesday at 9pmEST starting February 28, for a NEW episode!
Los Angeles, CA – Fools for Rowan, the Nashville based rock band is set to release an eight-part web series called “Life On The Road With Fools For Rowan,” on February 28, 2012. Every week, the web-series will debut a new segment of behind the scenes footage from their summer concert with the bands Evanescence and Art of Dying, put together by super fan and videographer, Beth Barbaglia.
Beth Barbaglia, a videographer from Mequon, Wisconsin and graduate of Concordia University, was eager to put together the remarkable video footage after seeing them in concert last August with Evanescence and Art of Dying.
The series will include the pre-show party with fans, including guest appearances Lzzy and Joe, from Halestorm, plus scenes from the dressing room with Art of Dying. Also included is footage before, after, and during their show with Evanescence. The eight-part series will also feature the Fox 17 Nashville’s interview segment, live performances, fan footage, pre-show load in, and a sound check rehearsal at Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium.
Fools For Rowan is a powerhouse rock group defined by their soaring vocals, powerful guitar licks and intense personal lyrics. Thanks to the support of their amazing fans, the band successfully completed their Kickstarter campaign to raise the money needed to record their highly anticipated sophomore album. The band is also planning another nationwide tour for 2012.
If you have ever wondered what really goes on in the life of your favorite rockstars, then don’t miss the band’s eight-part series premiering February 28, 2012 at 9pm EST/8pm CST. You can catch the series on Fools for Rowan’s official website, Facebook page, and YouTube page. The series will provide a real, inside look to the people behind the music.
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(Source: LaFamos PR & Branding)
* For more info on FOOLS FOR ROWAN, click on the links below:
Left to right: Matt McJunkins, Jeff Friedl, Maynard James Keenan, Carina Round, Mat Mitchell, Josh Eustis
BAND EMBARKS ON NEW NORTH AMERICAN TOUR FEB. 23rd
Jerome, Ariz., Jan. 23, 2012 — Puscifer, the eclectic music-meets-comedy troupe helmed by MaynardJames Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle), will perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Feb. 16.
Puscifer released their sophomore album, Conditions of My Parole, in October and quickly followed with a North American tour that The Boston Globe referred to as “musical theater” and the Philadelphia Weekly described as an “engaging performance with hilarious pre-recorded between-song skits featuring MJK alter-egos Major Douche and white-trash hero Billy D.”
The second leg of the band’s North American tour kicks off on Feb. 23 at The Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin, Tex. Tickets for all shows are on-sale now at venue box offices and via Ticketmaster and Live Nation’s websites. The Mar. 17 Riverside, Calif. performance at Fox Performing Arts Center is on-sale this Friday, Jan. 27. A limited number of VIP packages, featuring wine tastings and VIP experiences are available via http://puscifer.frontgatetickets.com.
Audience tickets for the band’s Jimmy Kimmel Live performance are available on Thursday, Jan. 26 via http://www.1iota.com.
Puscifer’s touring band members are: Maynard James Keenan, Mat Mitchell, Josh Eustis, Carina Round, Matt McJunkins and Jeff Friedl.
February 2012 Tour Dates:
Feb. 23 – Austin, TX @ Long Center for the Performing Arts
Feb. 25 – Baton Rouge, LA @ River Center Theatre
Feb. 26 – Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theatre
Feb. 28 – Nashville, TN @ Andrew Jackson Hall
Feb. 29 – Louisville, KY @ Brown Theatre
March 2012 Tour Dates:
Mar. 01 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Byham Theatre
Mar. 03 – Cincinnati. OH @ Taft Theatre
Mar. 04 – Indianapolis, IN @ Murat Theatre
Mar. 06 – Kansas City, KS @ Kansas City Music Hall
Mar. 07 – Omaha, NE @ Omaha Civic Auditorium
Mar. 10 – Edmonton, AB @ North Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Mar. 11 – Calgary, AB @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Mar. 13 – Vancouver, BC @ The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts
Mar. 14 – Portland, OR @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Mar. 16 – San Francisco, CA @ Palace of Fine Arts
Mar. 17 – Riverside, CA @ Fox Performing Arts Center
Mar. 18 – Escondido, CA @ California Center for the Arts
The Black Keys – Yes, I blindly purchased the new CD from The Black Keys (nonesuch) and it’s for some reason titled El Camino. I pay dearly sometimes for making a “blind purchase” when it comes to music. To sum it up, this El Camino CD is boring. It sounds as if DanAuerbach and Patrick Carney are not just huge fans of 70’s Rock… they obviously are both stuck in the “it’s been done already” school of Rock ‘N Roll and are a long way from graduating.
A fuzzy guitar sound with raw and unnecessary fuzzy production is pure nonsense when it comes to this genre of Rock in 2012. The Psychedelic, Stoner, Doom and Black Metal genres can utilize the “fuzz” in their respective sound brilliantly, only a Rock group like The Black Keys should stick to some clarity in their presentation of sound and maybe they won’t come across like a 1977 garage band playing to just their cousins.
Too numerous are the moments on El Camino where I recognize that IT HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE! The Black Keys are not pushing the Rock ‘N Roll envelope here folks and that’s what makes this CD such a waste of time. Where’s the relevance? Listening to this band is like listening to a severely slow-paced Wolfmother with a hangover. The worst song on El Camino is hands down: Little BlackSubmarines. This song is so annoying, that upon my first listen I wanted to break down and cry, fearing that it made me constipated.
The one and only “bright spot” on El Camino is Sister. This song rocks like there is no tomorrow. MindEraser ends this CD on a cool note, still it’s too late. If only The Black Keys stuck to this Rockin’ blueprint of Sister and Mind Eraser throughout all 11 songs… and they didn’t. The digipak and liner notes are equally repetitive and humdrum as the music. Do we really need to waste paper like this? The liner notes are 16 pages which dedicate 15 of these pages to photos of what else? El Caminos. The digipak is a four-fold that features… 8 more photos of… El Caminos! Laugh out loud and Metal be thy name!
By now you realize I’m not a fan of what The Black Keys are trying to accomplish with their Rock sound. If you’re looking for a memorable and original sounding Rock CD you are better off picking up the newest CD from The Trews. Trust me, a thorough listen into Hope & Ruin from The Trews is a quantum leap forward compared to El Camino. The Black Keys surely won’t care about anyone who doesn’t dig their music. Why? They made the cover of Rolling Stone! Life goes on…
Los Angeles, CA – Fools for Rowan, the Nashville based Rock band, is set to release a new album and music video in 2012. It has been almost two years since the band has released new material. Fools For Rowan has written most of their record while on tour over the last year and recently started recording the new songs. In order to achieve the aforementioned goal, the group needs the help of their dedicated fans. The band has launched a Kickstarter campaign to assist in their efforts.
The powerhouse rock group, Fools For Rowan, is defined by their soaring vocals, powerful guitar licks and intense personal lyrics. The band has grown a large committed fan base partly due to the success of their first album, Twisted. Tied Up. Tangled. The album’s first single, “Burnt Around the Edges” received acclaim from the college-age demographic in both the U.S. and Canada.
In addition, the second single, “Dead” received spins on Top 40, College and Modern Rock radio. In addition, the video for the song was featured on Fuse TV. Due to their zealous live performance, Fools For Rowan has recently had the privilege of sharing the stage with such artists as: Evanescence, Trapt, Halestorm, and Sick Puppies.
Kickstarter is an online pledge system that funds creative projects. The Kickstarter campaign, that will raise money for the band’s new album and a music video, has already been initiated online. Fools For Rowan offers a fantastic array of different prizes such as an autographed drumstick, a concert set list, band merchandise, arm wrestling contests, and even a dinner date with members of the band!
“It’s been two years since our last album, so we’re really anxious to get our new music into the hands of our fans,” says lead vocalist, Erin Mullins.Fans will have until January 2st to help the band meet its goal. As always, the group is looking ahead. Fools For Rowan will continue to tour the U.S. in hopes of spreading the power of rock ‘n’ roll!
To learn more about Fools for Rowan’s Kickstarter campaign visithere.
L to R: Jack Syperek, John-Angus MacDonald, Sean Dalton, Colin MacDonald
THE TREWS – Back on August 5th, 2011, I posted an album review for THE TREWS newly released studio album Hope & Ruin. The 4th full-length from this Canadian Rock band impressed me so much that I listened to it constantly since early Summer. Now that Winter has settled in, Hope & Ruin has never lost its edgy Rock luster with me. I have listened to many other Rock albums during 2011 and none seemed to enthuse me as the way this new album from THE TREWS has done.
THE TREWS seemed to have captured an old spirit of Rock that I once heard from early R.E.M. and U2, back when these two iconic bands really did care about their songs and fans. A flirtation of retro college radio meets modern Rock vibe overflows with Hope & Ruin. I simply love that. Back on August 18th, I did not fully realize, that this album would eventually stand out amongst the rest of its 2011 Rock album peers in such a special way for me.
It was also back on August 18th, when I had the golden opportunity to interview Colin MacDonald, the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for THE TREWS. As my sincere appreciation for Hope & Ruin grew stronger by the week, I eventually decided to savor the moment, an eventual moment when I would launch this exclusive interview with Colin MacDonald simultaneously with naming Hope & Ruin by THE TREWS… as Metal Odyssey’s 2011 Rock Album Of The Year.
If the late and legendary Ed Sullivan were to come back to life for just one day, I’d love to hear him say: Ladies and Gentlemen… THE TREWS! Instead, I’m announcing this band at this moment and I’m veryproud to have had the opportunity to interview Colin MacDonald. From album reviews to opening for Robert Plant, here is what Colin had to say:
Stone: In the July (2011) issue of Classic Rock AOR Magazine, Hope & Ruin received a nine out of ten review. Taking a quote from this review: “Man, there isn’t a flawed track. Indeed, it’s one of those rare albums where every song could easily become a hit single. It’s rare feat for an album to be so consistently powerful.” How does this type of praise make you feel?
Colin: Awesome. It feels amazing. It’s like Sting had put it: “If you believe the good stuff, it doesn’t make you want to work as hard and if you believe the bad stuff, it only makes you work harder. It’s always great to be recognized for the work we do, especially by a big magazine like that.
Stone: On a personal level, which song on Hope & Ruin means the most to you?
Colin: I really like Hope & Ruin. This song really seems to take on a life of its own live.
Stone: In your music video for Hope & Ruin, there are many scenic backdrops. Where in the world was this footage shot?
Colin: It was shot in Toronto for the city. It was done on the coldest day on record too and I was really freezing out there while I was singing! We also went to the East Coast and Nova Scotia. We created a contrast of city, coast and countryside and it made for an amazing result with this video.
Watch and listen below to THE TREWS – Hope & Ruin, it is an incredible song!
Stone: With The Trews, which is written first, the music or the lyrics?
Colin: Always the music. We’ll come up with a riff, a melody, a little idea and work on it until it becomes a big idea. We take a melody idea and then a line comes with it. You then work your way back from there. I never try to over think the lyrics. I try to balance things out and let the lyrics compliment the song.
Stone: With The Trews being for all intents and purposes, family, what is it like for you guys to sit down, write and record music?
Colin: It’s the only way of life we’ve known for such a long time. I really don’t have anything else to compare it to. We are a tight group of guys. Sure, we have heated arguments, although they can simmer very quick. That’s what has kept us together for so long.
Stone: How important is it for a Rock band today, compared to a decade ago, in adapting to changes in how they promote themselves?
Colin: It’s really important. A band has to always garner new fans. It’s hands on now. There’s not a lot of mystique or mystery to promotion anymore. Our main priority is to always make good music. You must never lose sight in making music that the fans like. You must keep up the musical content. There’s twitter and facebook to reach out to the fans with. Those bands that keep all of this in mind will do well with the new model.
Stone: Is the record industry today more hope or more ruin?
Colin: It depends on who you ask. There are lots of bands getting through today that probably wouldn’t have decades ago, like, Mumford & Sons. Bands are selling out big venues, so that’s hope for sure. The days of signing big money record deals and getting big contracts up front are no more. So that’s ruin.
Stone: Which country has the toughest music market for The Trews to tap into and do you want to conquer that market?
Colin: Right now, we’re doing great in Australia and the UK. We’d like to get bigger in America because it’s close and easy to tour, so obviously we want to break into that market. Any band that are making good music and stays true to themselves will do well and that’s what we try to do.
Stone: What band or which musician would The Trews be honored to share the stage with, where you haven’t shared the stage with before?
Colin: We’d love to play with Neil Young. That would be awesome! We’d love to open for AC/DC.TomPetty and the Heartbreakers. We’ve opened for The Stones. We’ve also opened for Robert Plant across Canada.
Stone: Where did you open for The Rolling Stones?
Colin: We opened for them in Toronto and Phoenix back in 2005. They were secret club gigs.
Stone: Where did you play with Robert Plant?
Colin: It was all across Canada for his entire tour here.
Stone: Is Robert Plant a nice guy?
Colin: Robert Plant is a super cool guy! He’s always interested in new music and never rests on his laurels. I find inspiration in that and it sticks with us. As a lead singer, Robert Plant is always moving forward and that’s a quality about him I admire most.
Stone: As a band, do you guys want to continue experimenting and maturing musically or have you reached a level of self-contentment of where you are now?
Colin: Never man. We keep pushing forward. We have more in us. There’s so much more music in us still and so much more to come. I still feel we have not made our best record yet.
Stone: Is there anything you’d like to tell your fans?
Colin: Thank you for supporting us and for so long! When the fans come out to see us live, it really means a lot to us.
* For more info on THE TREWS, click on the links below:
Top Ten Rock Albums Of 2011 – This Top Ten Rock Album list comprises various genres, the likes of: Blues, Alternative, Rockabilly, Acoustic, New Wave, some shades of Hard Rock and of course, Rock itself. Isn’t Rock a grand blanket term for such incredible music diversity? I love Rock. Without Rock, there wouldn’t have been Heavy Metal.
If you are counting, there are actually thirteen Rock albums in this Top Ten list. Admittedly, compiling a “Top Ten” of anything is grueling for me, therefore the two “ties” below are as honest as I could ever possibly be, without pulling what hair I have left off of my head. Furthermore, I couldn’t resist adding Jeff Beck – Rock ‘n’ Roll Party/Honoring Les Paul as an “Honorable Mention”. It’s a good times, roots of Rock ‘n’ Roll listen, one that I’ve enjoyed time and again.
I chose the following Rock albums due to how memorable, fun and interesting they came across to my senses. The quality of Rock contained in these following albums, I simply revere. There are some elite musicians and bands on this list for certain. They all have proven to me just how diverse Rock ‘N Roll really is, with their respective albums. These are the Rock albums that I gravitated to and became inspired by most often during 2011. I highly recommend you check ’em out, if you haven’t already.
METAL ODYSSEY’S TOP TEN ROCK ALBUMS OF 2011
Honorable Mention
JEFF BECK – Rock ‘n’ Roll Party Honoring Les Paul
(ATCO)
#10
AFTERLIFE PARADE – REBIRTH
(WATERMAIN)
#9
DARYL HALL – LAUGHING DOWN CRYING
(Verve Forecast)
#8
TESLA – Twisted Wires & The Acoustic Sessions…
(Tesla Electric Company Recordings, Inc.)
#7
CHRIS CORNELL – SONGBOOK
(Universal Music)
#6
GREGG ALLMAN – LOW COUNTRY BLUES
(ROUNDER)
#5 (Tie)
SOCIAL DISTORTION – Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes
(Epitaph)
#5 (Tie)
FOO FIGHTERS – WASTING LIGHT
(RCA)
#4
LOS LONELY BOYS – ROCKPANGO
(Playing In Traffic Records / LonelyTone Records)
#3 (Tie)
THE CARS –MOVE LIKE THIS
(Hear Music / Concord Music Group)
#3 (Tie)
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS – I’M WITH YOU
(Warner Bros.)
#2
JOE BONAMASSA – DUST BOWL
(J&R Adventures)
#1
THE TREWS – HOPE & RUIN
(Bumstead Productions Ltd.)
Hope & Ruin took me by surprise in 2011. THE TREWS captured a Rockin’ vibe that made my mood soar anytime I listened to this album. Melodic songs that glisten lyrically and musically, Hope & Ruin can easily become someone’s Rockin’ companion. THE TREWS are that Rock band you need to know about. This band defies the illogical American Rock mainstream press, proving that exquisite and blue-collar Rock music does exist in places other than Billboard or Rolling Stone magazine.
When I listen to Hope & Ruin, I’m not hearing a Rock band that is out to prove themselves. I’m instead hearing a Rock band that created a complete album of songs, which I imagine is straight from their Rock ‘N Roll hearts.
* To read my review on Hope & Ruin, (posted on August 5th, 2011), click on the large header link below:
Malice In Wonderland have released a brand new Christmas song!
The band’s front man Chris Wicked comments on the song. “While the world doesn’t exactly scream for another Christmas song, in my mind there is not a lot of high quality Christmas songs out there. We thought it would be fun to write something original, not just record a classic, so we rigged up a studio in Tracy’s (guitarist) living room and recorded everything in two days. It was fun and we’re just putting it up on our youtube site. It’s not a typical Christmas song, but the tune has a great atmosphere that I think a lot of people can find appealing”.
About Malice In Wonderland:
The Norwegian Rock band entered the Scandinavian rock scene with their self titled debut album in 2005. Led by hit single “Lucifer’s Town” the band was quickly labeled as one of the most promising underground rock acts and their fan base grew quickly with fan clubs and supporters in every corner of the world.
The quartet, toured in Norway and Europe several times and even played some very successful shows in China. In 2008 and 2009 the band lived partly in Finland where lots of concerts and TV performances were held. In 2010 the band withdraw from the spotlight, built their own recording studio and concentrated on writing and recording their sophomore album. Malice In Wonderland in November finished recording their album entitled The Royal Brigade. The band is currently seeking a suitable record label to release the CD in 2012.
L to R: Maynard James Keenan, Jeff Friedl, Mat Mitchell, Matt McJunkins, Carina Round, Josh Eustis
Jerome, Ariz., Dec. 7, 2011 – Puscifer, the eclectic music-meets-comedy troupe helmed by Maynard JamesKeenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle), return to the road on Feb. 23 in support of their recently released album, Conditions of My Parole (Oct. 18, Puscifer Entertainment).
The band’s live performances are not to be missed. Keenan brings the unconventional atmosphere of the Verde Valley to life with a musically driven evening that merges technology, quirky characters and comedy, The Boston Globe referred to the shows as “musical theater” and the Philadelphia Weekly described the set as an “engaging performance with hilarious pre-recorded between-song skits featuring MJK alter-egos Major Douche and white-trash hero Billy D.” The band celebrated the release of their sophomore album with an in-character Halloween performance on The Late Show with DavidLetterman.
Puscifer’s touring band members are: Maynard James Keenan, Mat Mitchell, Josh Eustis, Carina Round, Matt McJunkins and Jeff Friedl.
Tickets for all shows go on-sale Friday, Dec. 16 via venue box offices, as well as Ticketmaster and Live Nation websites. A limited number of VIP packages, featuring wine tastings and VIP experiences will be available simultaneously via http://puscifer.frontgatetickets.com.
February 2012 Tour Dates:
February 23 – Austin, TX @ Long Center for the Performing Arts
February 25 – Baton Rouge, LA @ River Center Theatre
February 26 – Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theatre
February 28 – Nashville, TN @ Andrew Jackson Hall
February 29 – Louisville, KY @ Brown Theatre
March 2012 Tour Dates:
March 03 – Cincinnati, OH @ Taft Theatre
March 04 – Indianapolis, IN @ Murat Theatre
March 06 – Kansas City, KS @ Kansas City Music Hall
March 07 – Omaha, NE @ Omaha Civic Auditorium
March 10 – Edmonton, AB @ North Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
March 11 – Calgary, AB @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
March 13 – Vancouver, BC @ The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts
March 14 – Portland, OR @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
March 18 – Escondido, CA @ California Center for the Arts
(Source: Speakeasy PR)
* For more info on PUSCIFER, click on the links below:
L to R: Kio K, Anni Sutinen, Brenda Mejia, Shae Padilla
FireSky – Okay, to be upfront and honest, cause Stone can never tell a Metal lie, these four gals that call themselves FireSky… ROCKS! I’m very glad FireSky crossed my Metal path, this is a band that is ready for some Rock industry attention. After listening to their 5 song Erase The Enemy EP, (which was several times), I realized without hesitation that FireSky has “IT”. What is IT exactly, that FireSky has you’re asking? Song writing, vocals and these gals can play. FireSky has an attitude that comes through in their songs that screams: Rockin’ For Real. There’s some good Rockin’ vibes that emit from Erase The Enemy, Metal be thy name.
When you’re a DIY band and conscientious towards the song, word will travel fast and fans will follow. I’m listening to FireSky and they have created 5 melodically memorable songs, adding a contagious dose of Alt/Hard Rock flavor to their overall sound. It’s when my ears are introduced to a band like FireSky, that I wish I had the executive position at any record label to sign them. Instead, I can only pass along the great news that FireSky is out there, accomplishing and not just thinking about it, hungry for some Hard Rockin’ success.
If you are a fan of The Donnas, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Pink, Pat Benatar or The Bangles, you should get quite a Rockin’ thrill out of hearing the fresh and relevant Rock sound of FireSky.
Founding member, song writer and lead guitarist Shae Padilla recently told Metal Odyssey:
“Right now, FireSky is writing, rehearsing, playing locally here in California, and working on some touring opportunities! Its hard work being an independent band. But in our minds, if you have a dream you really believe in, you need to go for it. Even if you don’t “Make it”, you can be satisfied that you tried your hardest! And I’m happy to say, so far, so good for FireSky! We’ve made a lot of progress in the short time we’ve been a band, and it’s actually nice being the ones to make the decisions on the way our music sounds, and the way our band is presented to the public!
Shae elaborated on the title of her band’s EP, Erase The Enemy:
We decided to name it after the last track on the EP because it’s easy to remember and a good message. The song is about how often times, people are their own worst enemies and limit their potential. So you have to “Erase the enemy on the inside”. I love Anni’s (lead singer) lyrics! Definitely makes the writing process easy, when she’s right there coming up with interesting and meaningful lyrics!
When asked about a forthcoming full-length album being in the works, Shae responded:
“As far as a full length album goes, we’re hoping to have one out next year! We’re currently writing for it now, and also working on booking a tour so we can reach our fans wherever they may be!”
Where can fans buy your Erase The Enemy EP?
“You can buy our EP on iTunes by going to itunes.com/FireSky. OR if you like having a physical copy, you can go to our webstore and buy a copy! Just go to http://firesky.storenvy.com/“.
* Erase The Enemy EP was released on iTunes on August 23rd, 2011.
FireSky’s last two shows of 2011:
November 20th – Hollywood, CA @ Molly Malone’s
November 23rd – Upland, CA @ The Wire
FireSky:
Shae Padilla – Guitar
Anni Sutinen – Vocals
Brenda Mejia – Bass
Kio K – Drums
Erase The Enemy EP – Track List:
Free Fall
Pleasure For Mourning
Soundtrack Of My Life
Black As The Night
Erase The Enemy
* For more info on FireSky, click on the links below:
FLEA – Back on October 16th, 1962, Michael Peter Balzary aka Flea was born. Flea is famously known around the planet and other distant galaxies as the co-founding member and bassist for Red Hot ChiliPeppers. Recently, The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame “nominated” Red Hot Chili Peppers for the 2012 induction class. I hope Flea and his band do get that Rockin’ honor they deserve. Flea turns 49 years young today, so without further delay…
AFTERLIFE PARADE REBIRTH – Quinn Erwin is a singer, musician and songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. He has a band that intertwines Alternative and Progressive Rock sounds with both soothing and upbeat vibes on Rebirth. Released on August 8th, 2011, Rebirth is an album that I am proud to review. The fact that Quinn’s vocals come across with heartfelt sincerity (to me), coupled with a soothing Rock coolness and Rebirth becomes an album that cannot be listened to on the fly or half sampled. Instead, I approached listening to Rebirthnumerous times before considering what I would write about it, taking in each song and it’s message, both lyrically and musically.
Rebirth is the second in a two part concept album, with the companion project being titled: Death. Rebirth is an album that celebrates the loss of loved ones and Quinn Erwin set out to make a triumphant album of songs about death. Quinn “found himself surrounded by a series of losses in his own life and in the lives of those close to him” and felt “compelled by a desire to comfort the mourning”. I’ll have to make it quite clear here, the celebratory message about death that Quinn wanted to convey on Rebirth is astoundingly positive and moving.
On a personal level, I can’t resist relating to Rebirth, due to my losing my mother, sister and favorite aunt within the last several years and their leaving was just too close apart. Putting the theme of Rebirth aside, one mustn’t have to experience recent loss to enjoy the songs on this album. You can still play Rebirth loud while taking a long highway cruise or have this album playing during a party, it is that accessible. The open-air feeling that I take in from this album makes it all the more an enjoyable listen. Quinn obviously is astute in atmosphere of song.
Musically, the Rock of Afterlife Parade reminds me of U2, (only minus the annoying self-righteousness of the latter half of that iconic bands career). Quinn has seemed to capture the drive and hunger of a young Bono with his vocal approach, Black Woods, White Beach and the title track only accentuates my point here. My U2 comparisons may have you screaming that I’ve gone over the deep end here and I usually detest such comparisons myself. With that stated, Afterlife Parade is as original as German bratwurst, Quinn’s vocals are incredible, his songwriting is genius and his band plays exceptional.
This is an album that very well should catapult Quinn Erwin and Afterlife Parade to a level of impressive notoriety within the Rock music world. Rebirth has 8 songs that are as complete and artistically structured as any Grammy award-winning album in Rock Music today. Nothing on Rebirth comes across contrived or forced. Alternative Rock, Alt-Progressive Rock and old school “College Rock” fans are practically guaranteed to fall over for what Quinn Erwin has created here on Rebirth.
REBIRTH – Track List:
Phoenix
Rebirth
Black Woods, White Beach
Cincinnati
Chinese Hand Drum
Sequoia
Devil’s Dirt
Maypole
* All songs written by J. Quinn Erwin.
* REBIRTH – Produced, arranged and performed by Quinn Erwin and I Am the Actor.
* Album artwork and design by Jacob Blaze.
* Source for above article quotes: LAFAMOS PR & Branding
* You can stream the entire REBIRTH album and purchase it by clicking on the link below:
Set to take the Rock world by storm, Hollywood, CA Rock Stars ABUSED ROMANCE have unveiled that they will take a part in ALIEN ANT FARM’s Upcoming ANTicipation Tour 2 sponsored by Keep A Breast, which kicks off on Sept 6 in Lancaster, CA @ Bex. Hot off their heels with their latest Rock masterpiece Shine (which is FREE!), ABUSED ROMANCE looks to bring their brand of catchy Pop/Alternative Rock to the masses.
You can download ABUSED ROMANCE’s latest album, Shine, for FREE here:
The band has been receiving rave reviews so far – don’t miss your chance to check out one of the freshest bands out right now.
In addition, ABUSED ROMANCE also recently shot a music video for their hit single “Overcome” with Robby Starbuck (Asking Alexandria, Smashing Pumpkins, Silverstein). Robby hypes the band, “In the clip Abused Romance absolutely punishes their performance and it was such a good time to work with them on this.” You can view the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlsTSak0h40
Be on the lookout for more ABUSED ROMANCE dates to surface soon…
Upcoming ABUSED ROMANCE Shows As A Part Of ALIEN ANT FARM’s ANTicipation Tour:
9/6 – Lancaster, CA @ Bex
9/8 – Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue
9/9 – Grand Junction, CO @ Mesa Theater (Official Re-opening Date!)
BRAND NEW SONG – “DON’T STOP” – NOW IN ROTATION AT SIRIUS-XM – ALT NATION
SOPHOMORE ALBUM TO BE RELEASED ON ISLAND RECORDS
(LOS ANGELES, CA – August 25, 2011) – Fresh off of their success at this summer’s WARPED TOUR and Lollapalooza, Austin-based rockers Electric Touch have once again been selected to perform at this year’s Austin City Limits (ACL) Festival. The band will take the Austin Ventures Stage on Friday, September 16th at 3:45pm.
Electric Touch appeared at last year’s critically acclaimed ACL Festival, in addition to the last two Coachella Festival’s, and at some of the biggest radio-sponsored festivals of the summer, including Edgefest in Dallas, Buzzfest in Houston and Rocklahoma in Pryor, OK.
After their second critically-praised Coachella appearance at this year’s festival, Jim Fusilli from the Wall Street Journal noted, “Coachella was a level playing field for talented musicians, and attendees were best served by considering the experience an opportunity to prospect the likes of Electric Touch, which brought to mind Oasis without the condescension.”
In other exciting ET news, Sirius-XM’s popular Alt Nation station has started spinning the bands new song, “Don’t Stop” without solicitation. The band completed their as yet untitled sophomore album, produced by Grammy-nominated Producer of the Year, Howard Benson, last year and are awaiting release on Island Records shortly.
Starting off in ’08, Electric Touch has had an impressive run by anyone’s standards. After the successful release of their self-titled debut album, they confirmed their growing popularity with spots at Coachella and the SXSW festival. They also appeared at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Summerfest, V-festival, Mile High Festival, Buzzfest, and Austin City Limitsfestivals. Electric Touch toured that year with The Fratellis, The Airborne Toxic Event and Filter. The rockers made such a musical impression in the freshmen outing that Austin.com went, “out on a limb to call Electric Touch the best set of the (ACL) fest.”
With members hailing from both sides of the Atlantic, this exciting 5-piece delivers their own original brand of British-American Rock music. In this case, the result is Electric Touch, the type of unbridled rock band that’s been missing from the scene for quite awhile — a monster of a group whose sound is big enough to fill an arena. The band delivers a pounding beat, punctuated by killer bass lines. Dynamic guitars bring angular melodies, refreshing in simplicity, one moment then exploding into frenzied fury the next.
ELECTRIC TOUCH is: Shane Lawlor (vocals), Louis Messina, Jr. (drums), Christopher Leigh Messina (guitar), Isaac Strycker (Guitar/Keys/Vocals) and Portland Musser (Bass/Vocals).
(Source: MAD Ink, PR)
* For more info on ELECTRIC TOUCH, click on the link below:
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
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