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0 The Return of Living Colour
From Billboard.com:
The cult of personality will continue on this fall, when purveyors of hard funk-rock Living Colour return with “The Chair In The Doorway” – the band’s first set of new material in nearly six years. Due September 15 on Megaforce Records, the eleven song set was recorded in numerous locations over the last few years, with a majority of the sessions taking place at Sono Studios outside of Prague in the Czech Republic.
According to lead singer Corey Glover, most of the material started coming to fruition after the band was asked to re-record “Cult of Personality” for “Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.” From there, the group fleshed out songs when on tour and while Glover had time off from touring duties as Judas in “Jesus Christ Superstar.” “We recorded everywhere. We even recorded during shows – ideas that came up during shows turned into songs,” Glover tells Billboard.com. “A lot of that turned onto [bassist] Doug [Wimbish]. Doug made up a lot of grooves; we took a lot of grooves we had from soundchecks and gigs – and he sort of codified and made a library of that stuff.”
In 1988, Living Colour made an immediate mark on the rock world with the multi-platinum debut “Vivid,” an album that yielded a Grammy for “Best Hard Rock Performance” for the song “Cult of Personality.” In 1990, the follow up album’s titular track “Time’s Up” also won in the same category. While the group slowed down considerably after 1993’s “Stain,” all the members have been active with various projects over the years. Guitarist Vernon Reid has worked with Mick Jagger, Tracy Chapman, and recently K’Naan. Drummer Will Calhoun has contributed his talents to albums by Mos Def, Kaki King, Herb Alpert, and Wayne Shorter along with his own jazz oriented releases. Wimbish has also branched out considerably, working in many different genres including sessions with the Rolling Stones, Depeche Mode, Placebo, Talib Kweli, BT, and Annie Lennox.
Glover says the perception over the years has been that Living Colour broke up and have entered a reunion stage of their career, but he’s quick to dispel those notions. “Everyone sees the video and thinks we’re a band from the eighties or we broke up or we’re not together,” he says. “But it’s not a reunion thing. In some form or another, all of us have been playing with each other. Will and Doug have a band that I would sit in every now and then. Vernon had a band that I’d come in and do some stuff. Even in those times when we weren’t together we were still playing together.”
Long time fans of the band should be pleased with the new material, as “The Chair In The Doorway” retains Glover’s signature, impassioned vocals, rounded out with a mix of hard rock, funk metal and blues-influenced arrangements. For Glover, the record’s theme revolves around sentiments of introspection. “Because we are older, we got kids – that’s the impetus for the name of the album, “The Chair In The Doorway.” Sometimes it’s the most ridiculous things are the most obvious. The most obvious thing to me is ‘Yeah we are older. Yeah we live in a post-9/11 world.’ We do have these things. But we still got to eat. I can’t let the world stop me from being me.”
Here is the track list for “The Chair In The Doorway”:
“Burned Bridges”
“The Chair”
“DecaDance”
“Young Man”
“Method”
“Behind The Sun”
“Bless Those”
“Hard Times”
“Taught Me”
“Out Of Mind”
“Not Tomorrow”
0 Hard Rock Nights Parts Ways With ClassX
HARD ROCK NIGHTS has parted ways with ClassX due to scheduling difficulties. The host, JT Carter, unable to participate in the station’s local fundraising efforts, will no longer be airing the program on ClassX. There is no animosity between JT and ClassX; the departure was amicable and necessary. But JT still has radio in his blood, so HARD ROCK NIGHTS is looking for a new broadcasting partner.
HARD ROCK NIGHTS is a weekly radio program featuring hard rock music from the 1960s through the 21st century. On HARD ROCK NIGHTS, the listener can expect to hear both hits and album cuts from top bands such as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Motley Crue, and Aerosmith. This is not your run-of-the-mill radio program, however. We also feature underappreciated hard rockers such as Danger Danger, Pretty Boy Floyd, and Faster Pussycat, and lesser-known headbangers like Triggerdaddy, M.O.B., Joetown and The Spider Rockets.
The host of HARD ROCK NIGHTS is a radio veteran. A graduate of Western Kentucky University’s prestigious broadcasting program with a Bachelor of Arts degree, JT has served as air talent for WRFL-FM (Lexington) and WMWX-FM (Cincinnati), program director for low-power WXMZ-FM (Hartford, KY), and program director/station manager for WWHR-FM (Bowling Green).
JT has developed a strong relationship with many public relations and promotional firms and has welcomed several high-profile guests on HARD ROCK NIGHTS in the past, including K.K. Downing (Judas Priest), Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big), Yngwie Malmsteen, and George Lynch (Dokken/Lynch Mob) among others. With an ongoing relationship with these public relations professionals, HARD ROCK NIGHTS will continue to deliver high-impact interviews with some of the biggest stars in hard rock history as well as up-and-coming artists.
JT is ready to take HARD ROCK NIGHTS to the next level and begin broadcasting in as many local markets as possible. The program is currently set up as a two-hour broadcast with three-minute local stopsets at :17, :37, and :57. We can also offer a one-hour edition of the program, and if there is enough interest, we could even add an addition hour for those seeking a to fill a three-hour timeslot. JT will record station liners and customized local promos for the program as well.
To make arrangements to begin airing HARD ROCK NIGHTS on your radio station or network, contact JT at jasontcarter@gmail.com.
1 Danger Danger to Release “Revolve”. New Audio Samples Available!
Frontiers Records is truly excited to announce the European release on September 18th 2009 of the highly anticipated DANGER DANGER new album “Revolve” !
The new album coincides with the 20th anniversary of the classic self titled debut release for Imagine Records, a record that went on to become gold, spanning two US hit singles with the songs “Naughty Naughty” e “Bang Bang“. In just a few years, also on the strength of the follow up “Screw It”, Danger Danger became one of the most popular bands in the Melodic Hard Rock scene, touring with the likes of KISS, Extreme, Alice Cooper and Warrant among others.
However fate and the change in the music climate eventually brought changes. Danger Danger recorded indeed their 3rd album “Cockroach” which wouldn’t see the light of day until eight years later as, upon completion of the album, the band parted ways with Ted Poley. Needing a replacement, friend and former Elektra recording artist, Canadian Paul Laine stepped in re-recording all the vocals but lawsuits from the departed singer, caused Sony to decide it was in their best interest to shelve the record. Eventually, the band amicably parted ways with the label.
In 1995 Danger Danger returned with their first independent release called “Dawn”, a dark and introspective record which reflected dark chapter the band was into. However shortly thereafter Danger Danger would return to their unique sound and original melodic rock roots releasing “Four The Hard Way” in 1998 and “The Return Of The Great Gildersleeves” in 2000. Both records were greeted with stellar reviews from critics and fans the world over, further helping cement the band’s reputation.
After an eleven year absence, original vocalist Ted Poley returned to the band in 2004. The re-united band’s first show was in front of 25,000 people at the prestigious Sweden Rock Festival. Danger Danger’s performance was hailed as one of the highlights of the three day festival, garnering rave reviews from both fans and critics alike. The following years saw Danger Danger touring again the US, Europe & Japan and keeping their fan base “hot” waiting for the release of the brand new album “It feels natural to have Ted back in the band”, says founding member and bass player Bruno Ravel, “it has been like when we recorded our first album, so it was just a matter of getting to work and getting the best performances out of him and of all the other guys in the band. In retrospect I can say we managed to reach our goals, as I feel that Revolve is the best collection of songs we’ve ever assembled! There are no “filler” tracks. Having said that, the sound is a bit updated, yet still retro and very “Danger Danger” sounding. Anytime you hear Ted sing, you immediately think… “Hey, that’s Danger Danger!” and I think he has never sounded this good on any of our records!”
Danger Danger plans to tour heavily in the fall 09 and winter 2010 in support of the new album. “We know this record was long overdue and we are aware that our label Frontiers received a lot of letters asking asking “Where is the new Danger Danger CD? Why is it taking so long?” continues Bruno, “I did become a father for the first time some 15 months ago and it was a major life change and a huge adjustment for me to concentrate on this album and tend to my family’s needs at the same time. I know that’s no excuse, because we should have had the record finished before then, but that was my end of the hold up. I only hope that after listening to the new album, you’ll all feel it was worth the wait and we’re all set up to come and rock you wherever you may be !”
“Revolve” tracklisting includes:
That’s What I’m Talking About, Ghost of Love, Killin’ Love, Hearts On The Highway, Fugitive, Keep On Keepin’ On, Rocket To Your Heart, F.U.$.; Beautiful Regret, Never Give Up, Dirty Mind.
Danger Danger 2009 are: Ted Poley (vocals), Bruno Ravel (bass), Steve West (drums) and Rob Marcello (guitars).
Weblinks: www.dangedanger.com / www.frontiers.it / www.myspace.com/dangerdanger / www.myspace.com/frontiersrecords
3 Doro – Fear No Evil (2009)
Doro’s back with some hard rocking, heavy metal, head banging tunes guaranteed to satisfy your inner metal demon. This German vixen, former lead singer of Warlock, proves that she still has what it takes to rock, delivering her old school style of delicious 80s metal, ushering it into 2009 with her latest release, Fear No Evil. It sounds as great today as it did more than twenty years ago.
Fear No Evil starts off with “Night of the Warlock”, which could be seen as a small shout out to her former band. The album begins with a thunder crack and a satanic voice from beyond claiming how there’s no running away and the time is now. Cue the evil laughter which breaks into the pound of (former Britny Fox drummer) Johnny Dee’s drums and Joe Taylor’s guitar riffs. Doro is back and she’s here to deliver. Night of the Warlock is an excellent opening track and a great way to reconnect with a long lost friend in the form of a heavy metal vixen. This song sets the stage for what’s to come and is a killer introduction to Fear No Evil.
“Celebrate” is hands down the best song on the entire disc and could fight for best song of the summer. This is a highway cruising, top down, fist in the air, bang your head, metal infused, joy fest of a song! The simple back beat with choppy guitar riffs and a chanted chorus of “we celebrate our love for rock and metal…” just makes this a fun song. And that’s why it is so great; it’s so much fun to listen to and to sing along with.
While “Celebrate” is the best song on the disc, “Caught in a Battle” may be the worst. Perhaps it is hard to follow the amazing song that preceded it, but this tune just falls apart from the opening note.
Things fix themselves with “Herzblut“, a nifty little song that finds Doro singing in her native German tongue. While I’m not exactly sure what she is singing about, or saying, the tune is catchy. A slow building intro that leads into the crashing metal sounds of drums and guitars with just the right amount of keyboards and bass, this is a modern day power ballad on steroids.
What makes Fear No Evil so exceptional is the exquisite supporting cast that Doro surrounds herself with. We all know that Doro can sing like no other heavy metal woman, but when her vocals are blended with the amazing guitar work of Joe Taylor and the time is kept perfectly by Johnny Dee, the music is raised to heights that seldom can achieve.
Doro still has the talent and the ability to sing like no other woman in the metal world. If you’re a fan of 80s rock, heavy metal, and/or women who rock, you’ll want to get your hands on a copy of Fear No Evil. It’s rock done right by a woman who has rocked for many years and can still bring the goods.
Fear No Evil is available for purchase at this link! For more information on Doro Pesch, check out her myspace page here.
Rating: Out of 10
Track Listing
- Night of the Warlock
- Running from the Devil
- Celebrate
- Caught In a Battle
- Herzblut
- On the Run
- Walking With the Angels
- I Lay My Head upon My Sword
- It Kills Me
- Long Lost For Love
- 25 Years
Line Up
Doro Pesch – Vocals
Joe Taylor – Guitar
Nick Douglas – Bass
Oliver Palotai – guitar/keys
Johnny Dee – Drums
Reviewed by Ryo Vie
0 Brand New Sin’s “Distilled” On The Way!
On Friday July 10 Brand New Sin will celebrate their 4th album release at Mac’s Bad Art Bar at 1799 Brewerton Road in Mattydale, NY. The new album, “Distilled” represents the bands first independent release and the debut of founding member and songwriter Kris Weichmann as lead singer. It is available at http://brandnewsin.com on July 8th. In addition to performances from Brand New Sin, Torment the Vein and The Born Again Rebels will also be on hand to celebrate their friends’ newest accomplishments.
Brand new sin will also be playing an unplugged performance at the Hot Topic at the Great Northern Mall (Rt, 31 Clay, NY) from 6-7 FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2009.
July 8 – CD Release – “Distilled” July 10 – Hot Topic Great Northern Mall
July 10 – CD Release Party at Mac’s Bad Art Bar – Mattydale, NY
July 11 – Lucky’s – Cortland, NY July 17 – Hot Topic Watertown Mall – Watertown, NY
July 17 – Adams Hotel – Adams, NY
July 23 – Looney Tunes CD Store – Long Island
July 24 – Uncle Mike’s – Manhattan
July 25 – Uncle Mike’s – Manhattan
NEW SINGLE: “SUMMERTIME” is now streaming on Myspace and Reverbnation http://myspace.com/brandnewsin
http://twitter.com/brandnewsin