Firebrand Magazine Issue 7 - April

Issue 7 - April 2013

Featuring Interviews With Fantasist

Voodoo Highway

Satan

PLUS Riot|Noise Rival Sons Wolvespirit Fantasist Voodoo Six A Sound Of Thunder Albany Down Summers Savoy Brown Band Features News Gig Listings

“Not everyone is going to like what you do, and it’s only one person’s opinion, so you have to take those with a pinch of salt.”

THE GRAPEVINE - 6 For your latest news in the rock world!

FEATURES 04 Downloadable Content 20 Band Of The Month 22 Focus On Blues 32 Where Are They Now? 40 18 & Life 47 Underground Focus INTERVIEWS 12 Sacred Mother Tongue 16 Satan 26 King King 28 Voodoo Highway 34 Fantasist

Sacred Mother Tongue

Firebrand’s Band Of The Month Interviewed Psycho Kiss!

“It certainly made us outsiders in the UK scene.”

LIVE REVIEW 14 Rival Sons 38 Joe Bonamassa

Satan

CD/DVD REVIEWS 10 Riot | Noise A Sound Of Thunder 18 Voodoo Six Pearl Handled Revolver 19 Wolvespirit 24 Gwyn Ashton Jamie Williams and the Roots Collective 30 Sandi Thom (DVD) 31 Sandi Thom Moussu T E Lei Jovents 36 Breed 77 Savoy Brown 37 Summers Fantasist

“A lonely one, always looking at ants... I think I was more cute too!”

Voodoo Highway

“The only way to overcome it is to give the 10 people who actually give a shit the best show they've ever seen”

GIG LISTINGS - 46

Fantasist

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FROM THE EDITOR I had the pleasure of visiting the inaugural Hard Rock Hell AOR last month and I do have to say that what I caught of the performances was phenomenal. Standing out miles above everybody else on the Saturday list for me was the brilliant performances given by Daylight Robbery, Romeo’s Daughter and the exceptional Danny Vaughn, all three bands delivering a master class in live performance.

The one thing that did make me laugh was, as I was leaving the venue I was asked for my autograph twice, me a nobody!...I laughed it off until I was going through Heathrow passport control last weekend, when, I heard this voice behind me saying “excuse me, excuse me…wait!” I thought anal cavity search coming up, as you would, and then this voice nervously says “Excuse me Mr. Parfitt, can I have your autograph” talk about speechless.

Musical highlights abound for next month include the Whitesnake, Journey and Thunder tour, the impressive Lordi in Manchester AND the new Voodoo Highway album ‘Showdown’ to look forward to, the cover of which was designed by industry legend Storm Thorgeson who sadly past away recently.

The music industry at times can be a funny old game, with lots of rivals and competitors playing silly little games. I wish that the few rotten apples out there would learn that the only thing that matters is spreading the joy of the music and that there is room for everyone in this industry. Makes me think I was back in teaching.

Anyway folks have a fantastic month and remember the rock will always be with you!

Peace and Respect Doc

Editor In Chief Rick Palin Senior Media Consultant Rachel Whiston Reviews Editor Lee Walker Reviews team Mel Delacroix Jon Seymour Graham Pritchard Paul Nicholls Contributing Writers Chris Nelson Tony Corner Reg Richardson Download Content Team Rick Palin Judith Fisher Content Download sales@fbrr2010.com Advertising Enquiries sales@fbrr2010.com Contact Telephone +44(0)1244 940961

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This Months Downloadable Content!

Psycho Kiss - ‘Fall’ Psycho Kiss was formed in 2007 by singer/song writer/guitarist John Velarde. He added bassist/backing vocalist Raul Rodriguez & Drummer Andrew Cordero as his "Rock Solid" Rhythm Section to complete this Power Trio. Each member had touring and extensive recording experience, so they immediately knew they had something special when they began working on their first, self-titled album "PUNCH" followed by a music video of their single "Blue Bird". They have been playing shows throughout Hollywood & the Los Angeles area and are currently working on their second album while they continue writing and playing live. Their influences are Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, Audioslave and many others as is evident in their music as they mix old school "Good Time Rock n Roll" with a modern edge.

Website - http://www.psychokiss.co.uk/index.html

Punch - ‘So Gone’ Punch was formed in 2007 by singer/song writer/guitarist John Velarde. He added bassist/backing vocalist Raul Rodriguez & Drummer Andrew Cordero as his "Rock Solid" Rhythm Section to complete this Power Trio. Each member had touring and extensive recording experience, so they immediately knew they had something special when they began working on their first, self-titled album "PUNCH" followed by a music video of their single "Blue Bird". They have been playing shows throughout Hollywood & the Los Angeles area and are currently working on their second album while they continue writing and playing live. Their influences are Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, Audioslave and many others as is evident in their music as they mix old school "Good Time Rock n Roll" with a modern edge.

Website - http://www.punch3.com/home.cfm

Summers - ‘Steal Away’ It’s been a long time coming and seems a distant memory. Can anyone recall long, hot, summers nights?

Long, hot,....very very hot..... in fact steaming, summers nights? The good news is they are right here.

Summers are bridging the gap between the iconic stadium rock legends of old and new. Taking a 1980’s born genre and firmly stamping their own sound all over it, approaching their intelligently crafted sound with twin guitar led riffs. With an exciting stage show and adrenaline fuelled melodic rock songs, Summers- the charismatic new British bad boys of rock are raising temperatures across the UK. The band themselves were approached by producer Clyde Ward who’s credits extend to artists such as Eric Clapton, Lenny Kravitz, George Michael and Sting, and he has brought a new dynamic to the table with song-writing collaborations, direction, input on the stage show.

Everything has been combined into a harder hitting production and sound which has catapulted the band into another league.

Website - www.officialsummers.com

Hunter/Killer - ‘Take Me Away’ The track attached is Called Take Me Away and is our latest song which will be on our EP entitled 'Shinigami Awaits'.

Band Bio: Hunter/Killer are a heavy thrash metal band from Herne Bay, Kent, UK We are influenced by bands such as: Metallica, Trivium, Bullet For My Valentine, Lamb Of God, Gojira..

Our debut EP, which will be entitled 'Shinigami Awaits' will be due out around summer 2013.

We are currently looking to play local gigs and build a fan base then look to playing further afield in the country!

Website - https://www.facebook.com/HunterKillerUK

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Humbucker - ‘Paradise’ Norwegian classic rock band Humbucker originally formed in 1998. Four guys who wanted to create a band that didn`t just stand still on stage… they wanted to create something visually exciting too, labeled as possibly one of the most energetic rock bands in Norway today.

In that first year, the band was more or less an AC/DC tribute act, playing mostly AC/DC songs with a Motorhead or Rods tune thrown in. Slowly the band started to write their own songs, and by the end of 2001 Humbucker went into studio to cut their first demo, a hurried, but well received 5 track recording.

Although building a solid fan-base by gigging anywhere that would take them, by 2002 the band decided to call it a day due to the pressure of day jobs.

In the summer of 2010 the band reunited for a one-off performance and now in 2013 after releasing a new album in 2012, Humbucker are back and prepared to give it everything they’ve got… and this time their day-jobs won`t stop them!

Website - www.humbucker-rocks.com

The Russ Tippins Electronic Band - ‘Combustion’ The Russ Tippins Electric Band has been around since October 2009. This Geordie Blues/Rock power-trio initially started off as a knock-about on the bar & club circuit in their native North-East. By Summer 2010, they'd cooked up enough ideas to go and make their own album at Newcastle’s Cluny Studios. Amazingly, the resulting ‘Electrickery’ CD made Classic Rock magazine’s ‘Album of the Month’ on it’s release, and has since earned them plaudits from blues-writers and broadcasters on both sides of the Atlantic. In 2012, the band pushed onwards with appearances at three major British Blues festivals, Maryport, Hebden Blues, & Colne R&B and also their first live shows in continental Europe (Holland). Also, the song 'Little Josephine' was featured on Classic Rock magazine’s cover-CD alongside artists such as Joe Bonamassa, Beth Hart, & Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

2013 looks promising with the brand new album ‘Combustion’ already generating hugely positive feedback. The band’s outstanding performance at last year’s Hebden Blues Festival ensured their return at this year’s event on May 25th. They’ve also received another invitation to appear at Maryport Festival (27th/28th July). Look out for the band on tour this year throughout the U.K and Europe.

Website - www.russtippins.com

Click Here to download this content

To have your band featured in our monthly Downloadable Content please send an email to sales@fbrr2010.com with ‘DLC Request’ as the email title.

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The Grapevine Brian May guests with Tangerine Dream for Starmus CD Release

material already written for an equally powerful second album.

One of the most diverse and exciting musical collaborations is finally ready to hit your speakers on double CD: Tangerine Dream announces the eagerly awaited release of Starmus – Sonic Universe with guest guitarist Brian May. The result of a very special set at the Starmus Festival in sunny Tenerife, the album immortalizes an unlikely yet heavenly match, as Tangerine Dream join forces on stage with the legendary musician.

May has earned himself a place in rock history with one of the most iconic bands of all times: Queen.

Ambient pioneers Tangerine Dream were the first band ever to use Moog sequencer rhythm live on stage and are well known for their highly acclaimed Hollywood film scores. However, the fusion of such different talents is not the only thing making ‘Starmus – Sonic Universe’ unique.

The Starmus Festival was held in June 2011 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Juri Gagarin’s first spaceflight; it was attended by spacemen Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Alexei Leonow and Jim Lovell amongst others. The first track of the album, ‘Supernova’, features the real sound of acoustic pressure waves from stars, captured by astrophysicist Prof. Garik Israelian - also founder of the event. ‘We did send it to Brian some time prior to the concert, so he had the chance to get an overall feel for this very progressive score’ – comments Edgar Froese – ‘He’s not only an exceptional guitarist, but also a very open-minded artist to work with’. The second track on Starmus is May’s solo hit Last Horizon: ‘We knew that one already’ – says Edgar – ‘so it was easy for Brian to join on guitar’. Brian May is back again at the end of the set for Sally’s Garden, a traditional Irish air arranged by Tangerine Dream, and a very special version of We Will Rock You with a coda ‘largely improvised by us all on the spot’ – according to May.

Stormbringer Sign With Transcend Music Transcend Music are pleased to announce that Northamptonshire based rockers Stormbringer have signed to their label and management roster.

Featuring current and ex-members of Viking Skull, Deadeye, Nekkrosis, Zoot Allures, Narkan and The Calling, Stormbringer was born out of the love of quality rock music; with solid, heavy beats, a flamboyant approach to writing harnessed with a melodic powerful vocal style rarely heard in the modern rock world.

The bands highly anticipated debut album ‘MMXIII’ is due for release later this year with

Norwegian rockers Audrey Horne set for live UK dates in April and May On the back of their acclaimed new album, Youngblood, Norwegian rockers Audrey Horne are heading to the UK for 6 dates at the end of April and beginning of May.After the critical acclaim that followed their February album release of Youngblood and special one off gig at The Garage in London, Norwegian rockers Audrey Horne hit the UK in April and May just to show that they are even better live.

With appearances at the likes of Hellfest and Sweden Rock to come in the summer, the world has finally taken notice of one of the brightest bands to come out of Scandinavia in a very long time. And on these shores they have already been number one in Classic Rock's track of the week in February and had their video, Redemption Blues, premiered on CR's website.

Also appearing at the dates will be special guests Ancient Wisdom and Sahg.

Peter Frampton announces London Roundhouse concert Following his critically acclaimed new album Thank You Mr Churchill, and his successful 35th Anniversary Tour of his multi-platinum selling live album Frampton Comes Alive!, Grammy®-winning guitarist and songwriter Peter Frampton will play a rare UK concert at the London Camden Roundhouse on Tuesday 5th November.

This special one-off UK concert will see Frampton performing songs from his extensive cataogue. FCA! 35: An Evening with Peter Frampton, a live 2DVD, Blu-ray and 3CD set of the 35th Anniversary of Frampton Comes Alive! was released last November by Eagle Rock Entertainment. On the DVD, Peter performed the best selling live album in its entirety along with a second set including songs from his Grammy winning career.

Mott The Hoople will tour the UK in November, playing five shows Ian Hunter, Verden Allen, Mick Ralphs and Overend Watts will be joined by Martin Chambers of The Pretenders in place of Dale ‘Buffin’ Griffin, who’s too ill to appear.

It’s the band’s first shows since a set of reunion appearances in London in 2009. It was the first time the original lineup had gathered for 35

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Depeche Mode Announce Tour

years, and as a result, two planned appearances at the Hammersmith Apollo were extended to five, plus a warm-up show in Wales and a charity concert in Scotland.

The following year the band were the subject of a documentary movie, The Ballad Of Mott The Hoople.

Frontman Hunter released his 20th solo album, When I’m President, last September.

Tickets go on sale on Friday.

Survivor get original singer back Survivor have reunited with original vocalist Dave Bickler – but his replacement Jimi Jamison is remaining with the band.

Guitarist Frankie Sullivan says it’s a great way to make sure they can deliver material from right through their career, which started in 1977.

Bickler left in 1983 as a result of health problems, and was replaced by Jamison. He returned between 1993 and 1999. Jamison’s second stint came afterwards, then he was replaced

by Robin McAulay in 2006 before returning last year.

The band’s biggest hit, Eye Of The Tiger, was recorded with Bickler, while Jamison’s debut album with them included the successful tracks High On You, I Can’t Hold Back and The Search Is Over.

The two singers shared the stage for the first time last week. Now Sullivan is looking forward to hitting the road with the powerhouse arrangement.

He says: “Our fans are the best, and I can’t think of a better way to give them our best. With this lineup we can perform all of our hits.”

They’re also working on new material and intend to commence recording work in the near future. A US tour commences on May 17, and they’ll appear at the Hi Rock Festival in Germany and the Sweden Rock Festival, both in June.

Black Star Riders Announce UK Tour November/December 2013 Black Star Riders, the new band featuring Thin Lizzy members Ricky Warwick, Damon Johnson, Scott Gorham and Marco Mendoza together with drummer Jimmy DeGrasso (Alice Cooper / Megadeth), have announced their first UK headline tour. The tour will support the release of their debut album All Hell Breaks Loose which will be released in the UK through on Nuclear Blast Entertainment on the 27th May 2013.

The band already released their debut single “Bound For Glory”, which was premiered on BBC Radio 2 and is available to hear here https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq6Z6C3ipMk The band are set to take the UK and Eire by storm on their 2013 tour, playing much of the debut album and some Thin Lizzy classics. Confirmed headline and festival appearances for Black Star Riders in 2013.

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Tuesday 9th April - Following the release of their acclaimed new album ‘Delta Machine’, Depeche Mode have announced 5 Winter UK dates. Their world tour kicks off May 7th in Tel Aviv and includes two sold out London shows May 28th and 29th at the O2 Arena. An American tour follows their European dates before the band return to Europe later this year. Depeche Mode tickets go on-sale 9am on Friday 12th April and are available from www.livenation.co.uk orwww.ticketmaster.co.uk.

Confirming their status as the band that redefined the sound of modern music, Depeche Mode are, without doubt, one of the best and biggest bands to come out of the UK. These dates follow on from the spring leg of the band’s huge ‘Delta Machine’ tour, which will see them play 35 shows across 25 European countries, entertaining 1.5 million fans along the way.

Huey Lewis and the news announce UK dates as part of “Sports” 30th anniversary tour 2013 marks the 30th anniversary of “Sports” by Huey Lewis and the News – one the most influential and celebrated albums in pop / rock history. To commemorate the milestone the band will embark on their “Sports” 30th Anniversary World Tour, which will include two UK dates. Fans will hear the band perform the songs from “Sports”, plus many other hits and surprises.

Tickets for the London show go on sale at 9am on Friday 19th April priced £45 (subject to booking fee) fromwww.livenation.co.uk or www.ticketmaster.co.uk Peaking at #1 on the Billboard Charts, selling over 10 million copies worldwide, a Grammy Award, and a Diamond Award in Canada, “Sports” is the anthem of a generation. Over half of the album's songs (“The Heart of Rock & Roll”, “Heart & Soul”, “I Want a New Drug”, “Walking on a Thin Line”, “If This Is It”) were huge hit singles. They have memorable hooks, and an economical precision.

Says Huey Lewis, “We’ve always been very proud of the record and it’s going to be a blast to play it all live!” Huey Lewis and The News have overseen a remastered and expanded 30th Anniversary Edition of ‘Sports,’ to be released in May by Capitol/UMe. ‘Sports (30th Anniversary Edition)’ pairs each of the album's nine songs with choice live versions, many of which have never before been released.

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RIOT | NOISE Stand For Something Record Label: Smack Jaw Records

10/10 Released: 3 June 2013

Highlight of the album: Break The Silence Website: www.riotnoise.co.uk Reviewer: Lee Walker

Creating a buzz amongst critics with 2009’s ‘Fight The People’ EP, and earning a formidable reputation on the road in Europe and the US, where they’ve shared stages with the likes of Duff McKagan, Motorhead and The Blackout.

tune reminding me of seminal Scottish rockers The Almighty.

As the album progresses you get the impression that these guys mean business and have got what it takes to take it to the next level, with there back to With renewed swagger, Bristol rockers RIOT | NOISE basics approach of mixing great guitar work, with return to form with a guitar driven master piece, punching drumming and 90’s style rock vocals, and producing twelve tracks of pure rock bliss, with their you are left wondering if we have finally found a riff laden, no frills approach to the songs, letting the successor for the great British rock bands of the music do the talking as they crank out tune after 90’s.

A Sound Of Thunder Time’s Arrow Record Label: Mad Neptune Records

10/10 Released: 4 June 2013

Highlight of the album: Time’s Arrow Website: http://www.asoundofthunderband.com Reviewer: Jon Seymour

This is album number three from this power quartet, and the follow up to last year’s Out Of The Darkness, and right from the off it goes straight for the jugular.

These guys certainly don’t mess around.

Once again there are vast array of styles included on this album, from melodic rock, to epic prog pieces, from power metal, to full on straight ahead rock n roll, and a lot of others in between. You just can’t put this band in a pigeonhole, and woes betide you if you even try.

Schwartz on the guitar, it’s a match made in the deepest darkest realms of the earth, in fact probably in the fires of Mount Doom…. The rhythm section comprising of Jesse Keen and Chris Haren keep everything thundering along at a relentless pace.

Listen closely and you’ll hear nods toward the greats of metal from years gone by, but these guys manage to do that while keeping their own inimitable style.

Blaze Bayley also makes an appearance on the album for a duet with Nina which is something that’s worth buying the album for all by it’s self.

There are also no weak songs on this album, and once again the band show off their strength and force to dramatic effect. Their last album was one of my favourite albums of the year last year, and incredibly, this one is even better. This is as good a metal album as you’re likely to hear this year, seriously.

Time’s Arrow then, is something of a master class in modern metal, and it’s one of those albums that you must buy at all costs. Yes, it is simply that damned good. On a personal note I have been looking forward to this album since last year, and as words of reassurance to those that have to wait until June to get their hands on it, it is well worth the wait. This If I had to describe this album in a single word, that album is an absolute stormer, and your eardrums word would be “powerful” as there is very little will never be the same again. Play it loud, and play it subtlety here. Vocalist Nina Osegueda has one of the over and over and over again. finest female metal voices I’ve ever heard, period, and backed with the clinical precision of Josh

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Darrin South Of

Interviewed By Jon Seymour You’ve managed to land a couple of support slots on the run up to the release of the new album, have you noticed a few more fans as a result of that?

Yeah definitely. We’ve only just started out with Il Nino so it’s a little early to tell, but the Halestorm tour with In This Moment helped us out a lot. The line up was a bit strange, but it actually worked really well. We had a great response, and we covered quite a lot of territories in the UK.

be at the back end of this year, as the promotion route for the album seems to be going really well on the support tours at the moment. It’s all about getting our name out there as much as possible, and if people like what they hear, hopefully they’ll buy the album.

So the last time you played Download you were on the The new album is second stage, do just about to be you think playing released, how has the main stage is the support been going to be a lot so far? different?

It seems to be Well we thought going down really originally that this well in the press. time around we’d We’ve had a get a similar deal couple of stinking to the last one, reviews, but that’s but they’ve put always expected. their faith in us, Not everyone is and moved us to going to like what the main stage. you do, and it’s So we’re actually only one person’s opinion, so you have to take those opening the show on Sunday, which is actually going with a pinch of salt. Most of the criticism we’ve to be a little un-nerving. We don’t normally get too received is because of the singing. That’s the nervous about doing shows, but the worse thing problem as the singer defines the sound of the band, about opening is walking on to the stage and no one and if you don’t like the vocalist for whatever reason, being in the crowd. Hopefully that’s not going to be you’re not going to like the band. The majority of the case, but it doesn’t matter if there’s one person people have been really positive about it though. standing there, or ten thousand, we’re going to play exactly the same way, and give it everything we’ve got. Although Download is obviously a little bit So following on from the album, have you got different, it’s a massive occasion, and there are anything lined up for later in the year? going to be a lot of nerves before we go out on stage.

Yeah, once the current tour is over, we’re actually off for the rest of May, and then the first thing we come back to is playing the main stage at Download. After With the hectic tour schedules that you’ve done, and that, we’ve got some dates booked that are as yet a few more to come, does it put a strain on your unannounced in the UK and Europe on another friendship when you spend all that time together? support slot, then our own headline tour is going to No not at all, we’re a pretty tight band, and we tend

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to spend every day taking the mick out of each other, or being nasty about each other, which is kind of the in joke within camp Sacred. Obviously we get into a few tiffs, but they’re soon forgotten about and we get on with it. We’re like a family in that respect. The current line up has been together since 2008, and that’s when we think the band really started. Before that, we were just like a few mates having a mess around, playing covers and stuff. We did a few of our own songs, but never really took it that seriously.

career?

Yeah definitely, although I’ve only met a few of my personal heroes. Because of what we do, we get a lot of opportunities for that kind of thing just hanging around backstage. I got to meet Phil Anselmo who is a big hero of mine. As for working with someone though, we were doing a tour with Warrior Soul a few years back, and the support act was Ricky Warwick who was just doing a solo acoustic set. I was always a big fan of his, back when he was in The Almighty when I was younger. I don’t normally get star struck, but with Ricky it was a lot different. He So what about the name Sacred Mother Tongue? Is was a really nice guy, and he was open, and really there any particular story behind that? chatty. At one point I plucked up enough courage to No, there’s not really an exciting story behind it. I ditch the coolness and say to him “look I don’t don’t know whether anyone else has been down this normally do this, but you were all over my wall when I road, but when we were trying to think of a name for was thirteen years old” and he was really humbled by the band, you all write a list of stupid names, then go it. It was definitely a personal highlight for me, and it down the lists one by one and get rid of everything was just so cool to speak to him as a fellow musician, you don’t like, and see what you’re left with. Then in and there was a lot of mutual respect. order to find names, you start getting desperate and look at things around the room and putting them together. One of things I did, was start looking Ok, so I think this would probably be a good time to through old album sleeves and looking at lyrics. In give your website etc a plug. this instance, Sacred Mother Tongue was one I Yeah thanks, check us out on http:// brought to the table. It got slated at first, and none of www.sacredmothertongue.com and you can check the lads liked it, but then a few weeks down the line, us out on Facebook by going to http:// and we were still no further on, it resurfaced again, www.facebook.com/SacredMotherTongue and if you and one by one the rest of the guys actually came come check us out at Download, you’ll be in for a real round to liking it. I actually lifted it from a New Model treat. Also, Andy James our guitarist, has been Army song entitled “Here Comes The War” and it’s nominated for a Metal Hammer Golden Gods award. the only time I’ve ever heard it mentioned, but that’s He’s in the Dimebag Darrel Shredder Award how it started out, and it stuck. category. He’s a killer talent, and it’s great that a British guitarist is getting some recognition. Just to be nominated is a great achievement, but if we could Have you ever got to meet or work with any of your watch up on stage accepting the award, we’d be personal heroes through the course of your musical really stoked, so please go and vote for him.

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Rival Sons, Support - Ulyssese, Graveltones Institute, Birmingham 11th April 2013 Review and Photos by Reg Richardson The evening got under way with Ulysses; a retro rock If you get the opportunity to see them, do it, they will band who are not easy to categorise. They're sound

be going places!

is an interesting, if diverse, blend of classic 70's rock tinged with blues, boogie and just a little bit of glam but without the shiny bits. The band provided an invigorating opening which I'm sure any late-comers who missed them might have liked to hear.

Rival Sons main support was the Graveltones, a duo originating out of Australia but currently London-based. For a two piece they made a heap of high qualitynoise, totally belying the fact that this is only a duo. Someone in the audience said they were a bit like the White Stripes but with a better looking (and much more competent) drummer!

Percussionist Mikey Sorbello could certainly hit the skins hard and he carried the short set along nicely with some thunderous drumming. Partner Jimmy O gave us some truly superb guitar sounds and exciting vocals and I was happily convinced that the audience were just a little overawed by what they'd just seen. For sure the praise that has been heaped on the band by the music press of late is well earned.

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it should be 'moves like Jay Kay'! The set started off with 'You Want To' followed by a further seven quick fire songs before Jay managed to draw breath and slowing things down with 'Jordan' for which the audience largely gave him the silence he asked for. A monologue followed about American settlers, and that took us immediately into 'Manifest Destiny Part 1'. A short time later the show was closed out with 'Burn Down Los Angeles' followed by 'Soul'. Plenty of 70's blues rock were visible and combined with the interesting mix of influences from Scott there was nothing retro about the performance. The only thing on show that was tighter than Jay's leather jeans was the music! Go and see them next time around, they'll rock your socks off.

For more information visit: http://www.rivalsons.com/ https://www.facebook.com/rivalsons

The main attraction of the night was the Rival Sons, a band hailing from California who I missed when they toured with Black Stone Cherry last year.

Tonight's performance just highlighted why the Sons can carry headline status in their own right. It was pretty clear too that front man Jay Buchanan wasn't 100%, that came across in the vocals as the evening wore on; not that the excitable crowd seemed to care too much as they were carried along on a wave of big sounds. Scott Holiday's guitar dominated much of the music and with the wide range of influences including jazz and far eastern sounds it made for an eclectic mix of musical entertainment. When young Mr. Buchanan wasn't at the mic he moved dramatically around the stage Some said he minced a bit but I wouldn't go quite that far. Moves like Jagger? No, I think Jay Buchanan had been taking lessons from Jamiroquai's Jay Kay on stage presence so perhaps

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Steve Of

Interviewed by Lee Walker Hi guys, thank you for taking the time out for an interview.

How did the band originally form?

Back in 79 when Russ and I were at school together.

He got a guitar and after playing for a few months me and a couple of friends of ours, who used to go to all the metal shows that came to town, went round to his house to see what he could play. A bit of Motorhead, Ramones, UFO, Sabbath and Holiday In Cambodia. We formed the band there and then before any of the rest of us had instruments!

Our deal was with Roadrunner Records. They then licensed the album for release in the UK through Neat.

If you don’t mind me saying the band seemed to very unsettled with regards to its name, changing it three or four times. What were the reasons behind the name changes and how do you think they influenced the development of the band?

The initial name change came about because we thought it was hindering our progress being linked to death and black metal.

Those terms weren’t What bands influenced the being used when we bands sound? formed the band. Metal Mainly early Judas Priest and was just metal. We Black Sabbath. I remember changed our singer and sitting with Russ around his style because we thought house and learning the whole people didn’t like what we of Unleashed In The East were doing. The Court in together. My favourite band the Act album was given was and still is Black a bad review by Kerrang!

Sabbath. Throw in some magazine in the UK and Rush, early Rainbow, Deep we were impressionable Purple and a load of punk young kids at the time stuff too. and thought we needed to change. It wasn’t until Why did you pick the name a year or so later we ‘Satan’ for the band? realised that in the rest Seemed like a cool name for of the world fans liked a Metal band at the time.

Court In The Act. We Once we came up with the went back to doing what logo it was a done deal. Don’t we were best at on the forget my favourite band was Suspended Sentence Black Sabbath. album as Satan but again we got tired of being Like quite a few of the bands connected to the occult that formed around that time and devil worship and so you were quickly “bundled” on. We played some into the nwobhm pigeon hole despite your sounds not shows where Christians would protest outside the really falling into that category. How do you think that venue about us playing and we’d have to explain to “tag” affected the band? them that we were just a heavy metal band not some I think the only way it affected the band was that our weird cult. So then we became Pariah. It seems these style wasn’t typical of the other NWOBHM bands at days though that being a metal band called Satan is no the time so in a way we didn’t fit in. It certainly made us problem. outsiders in the UK scene.

I believe the band went in hiatus in the 90s before You put your first album “Court In The Act” out through reconvening to play a ‘One off gig’ at Wacken Open Air Neat Records way back in 1983. Why did you use festival in 2004. Why did the band call it a day and Neat to release the album? what prompted the reformation to play Wacken?

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We basically as a band got tired of the music business getting in the way of us making music. We reformed to play Wacken because they asked us too really. We had never fallen out with eachother and it seemed like a fun thing to do.

What did the band members do during this period of inactivity?

Graeme and I formed Skyclad with Martin, Brian was in Blitzkrieg, Sean lived and played in a few bands in America for a few years and Russ played in various cover bands to make a living and put some fun projects together like Wheelbarrows of Death before writing and performing with his blues band in which he is also the lead vocalist.

In 2011 it was announced that Satan had decided to reform the ‘Caught In The Act’ line up of the band. What prompted the decision to do this?

Well, we got so much hassle from Oliver who organises the Keep It True festival in Germany to play the show as we had cancelled it in 2005 due to Graeme having an accident and a head injury. He kept telling us that there were a lot of fans out there that wanted to see us play CITA including new younger ones. We had no intention of doing any more shows without our drummer Sean who couldn’t play Wacken due to injuries to his leg suffered in a car accident at the time. Then Sean got in touch and said he was ready to give it a go and we did.

Since coming out of hiatus have you noticed many differences between the music scene now as opposed to what it was like when you started off?

The internet has had a big impact. Fans now can search out the music they want to listen to and not be led by magazines that promote certain styles of bands and music due to relying on the revenue of Major Label record companies to survive. Then the downside of course is that it is harder for the bands to make any kind of living from their music due to downloading. The new buzz around for music like ours has been created through the internet which we didn’t have the benefit of back then.

shows. Then the inevitable thing happened that a new idea came about for a song in rehearsal. We agreed there and then that if we wrote a new album it had to sound like the follow up to Court In The Act. We had to transport ourselves back to the 80’s during this process.

We’re better and more experienced musicians now so had to make some guidlines to what we would write. We think we’ve pulled it off, judging by the reviews and press we’re getting.

What are your favourite tracks on the album?

We all have different favourites on the album which is a good thing I think. I like Siege Mentality as it has that up-tempo intense vibe and energy like Break Free. Also I love the blues based riff in Personal Demons and what we created to form the song from it. Not that you would ever consider it a blues song!

How do you think this album compares to your earlier releases such as ‘Caught In The Act’, ‘Out Of Reach’, ‘Suspended Sentence’, ‘Unity’ etc?

It certainly stands up to the best of those albums. For the first time we are happy with the production of any album we’ve made. It has the feel groove and energy the band produces when we rehearse and play live which we couldn’t quite capture in the past. I think anyone that like any of the old stuff will love this too.

With the album release coming up do you have any plans to tour? Have you got any festival slots lined up?

Yes, we have some festival dates lined up Starting with Sweden Rock in June. We are getting to play places that the band has never been to before like Sweden and Canada so far and hope to be able to do that all over the world in the next year or so.

Are there any up and coming bands out there you would recommend keeping an eye on right now?

The latest bands I’ve been listening to are not up and coming but here are a couple. I’m really in to Breed 77 that play a flamenco style of metal and are an awesome live band. Another band that I think are incredible live are Clutch and they have a new album out now that I’ll be getting a copy of.

You are about to release your latest album ‘Life Sentence’ through Listenable Records. How did the album come together?

We were so amazed by the reaction we got at the Keep It True festival that we decided that we should do more

Are there any messages that you would like to pass on to your fans?

Hope you enjoy the album as much as we did making it and see you on tour!

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Voodoo Six Songs To Invade Countries To Record Label: Spinefarm Records

9/10

Released: 7th May 2013

Highlight of the album: All That Glitters Website: http://www.voodoosix.com Reviewer: Jon Seymour

Album number three from the V6 boys has a lot to live up to. Their last album was quite frankly, stunning, so expectations for this one are already quite high. I’m happy to report, that it meets expectations, and some may even think that it even exceeds them.

It’s always difficult to follow up something really successful, and so many artists fall into the trap of trying to better the last album, and ending up with something that sounds forced, over polished, and over produced. Just let the music flow naturally, and evolution will do the rest, and that’s exactly what they’ve done here.

The thing that V6 do really well, is play kick ass rock tunes, but on this album they seem to have found their

sound, and their style. Fluke? Was the album that debuted new singer Luke Purdie and it hinted at the direction in which the band were headed. Moving onto this one, they’ve been able to develop that further, and really come together as a band. The whole thing seems so much more accomplished, and a bit more refined.

This is natural progression at work.

This album then, is a powerful display or British rock music, from a band that should be a lot bigger than they are. They keep plugging away though, and I’ve a feeling that this album is going to further their progress. It’s powerful, aggressive and most important of all, extremely bloody good. Coming soon to YOUR country, prepare for the Voodoo Six invasion.

Pearl Handled Revolver 9/10

This Mountain Waits Record Label: King Mojo Records

Released: 16 April 2013

Highlight of the album: Blind Website: http://www.pearlhandledrevolver.com Reviewer: Jon Seymour

Colossus is the name of the last album from this heavy blues band, and it was an apt name, as the album was simply immense. The follow up certainly has a lot to live up to, and I’m happy to report that it doesn’t disappoint, at all.

This of course is not a standard blues album in any way, shape or form. There’s more of an emphasis on the rock side of things, and quite often there’s more of a passing reference to The Doors and Tom Waits. The vocals are gruff and gravelly, but they match the musical style brilliantly. In fact I could probably gargle with bleach, smoke 100 cigs a day for 10 years, and I still couldn’t get a voice as deep and rough.

unusual for a bluesy band.

I would say it’s a change of direction, but having gone back to the last album and had a listen while reviewing this one, there are definite hints of what was to come next, so it isn’t a marked change of direction, but a progression of style while the band find their own identity.

I was expecting something a little different when I listened to this album, but it’s still managed to be completely different to what I expected. It’s a pleasant surprise too. What the band has proven with this album is that there is definitely more than one string to their bow. The lyrics are intelligent, and the song writing is very good, and there’s a lot of variety spread across the album, with mixes of genres and tempos, and often in the same song. Its well worth spending

The really strange thing about this album though, is that it sounds as though it could have been made fifty years ago, but at the same time, it sounds quite modern. There are some psychedelic elements, and at your cash on, that’s for certain. times it sounds quite “spacey” which is extremely

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Wolvespirit 8/10

Dreamcatcher Record Label: Independent

Released: 20 May 2013

Highlight of the album: Blowin’ Up Website: http://band.wolvespirit.de/ Reviewer: Lee Walker

Described as being a Psychadelic 60s and heavy rollin`70s band I was somewhat intrigued by what Wolvespirit actually sounded like. Coming across as a female fronted version of Rival Sons, this German based band pull no punches with their strange mix of psychedelic, blues based rock.

Powered by Debbie’s charismatic Jannis Joplinesque vocals the songs are pushed to the next level, allowing you to loose yourself in the strange blend of 60s blues laden tones as this unique style takes a hold of you and transporting you to another plain.

Throughout the album you get glimpses of brilliance be it with the stunning guitar work, the hauntingly powerful vocals, or the overall psychedelic feel of the songs themselves, and you get the feeling that you are catching a possibly iconic band at a pivotal junction in their carrier, carefully balanced between becoming iconic and leaving a legacy behind them or disappearing into oblivion. Only time will tell where Wolvespirit will end up but going from this release they have got the ability to become as big as the Rival Sons.

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Firebrand Rock Radio’s

Interviewed by Lee Walker What bands influenced you?

We all tend to listen to different stuff so there are so many bands to choose, Mr Big, Skunk Anansie, Kiss, The Beatles, Skid Row, Motley Crue, Joe Bonamassa....the list is endless haha Why did you pick the name ‘Psycho Kiss’ for the band?

This came about many years ago when Helen and myself (Penfold) shared a house, we had been racking our brains trying to find a name we could agree on, I was a massive Kiss fan at the time....and still am so I wanted to use the name Kiss, we were sat down watchin TV and Skid Row's Psycho Therapy came on MTV or some thing and we looked at each other and said.....Psycho Kiss and that was it How would you describe the band’s sound?

That's the million dollar question, everybody who hears us has a different take on it, I guess it's just straight forward rock n roll, people should buy the album and tell us what they think we sound like lol

A lot of female fronted bands often experience difficulty winning over metal fans. Has this been the case with yourself?

Not at all, the response we have had has always been good, there are lots of great female fronted bands out there now and times have changed, 15 years ago maybe we would have had a problem but not anymore, It's all about the music now thank God I know that you are currently in the studio working on the follow up to your ‘Monkeying Around’ album. How is the recording going?

It's going really well, we are recording in Pitchblack studios, Swansea with a guy called Dan Angelow who is a genius,there is a really nice vibe going on at the moment, he is a great guy and brings out the best in us. We have finished 3 tracks and if all goes well we should be done by June Have you decided upon a name for the album?

No not yet and I dare say we will probably have a few arguments about it lol.....a few titles have been mentioned......none of which should ever be put to print haha

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Have you got any favourite tracks on it yet? oh come on that's kind of like saying who is your favourite child haha, although there is one track called Beautiful which is sounding really good at the moment.

Band Members Vocals - Helen Ceri Clarke Lead guitar - Paul O'Brien Bass guitar - Marvin Medwell Drums - Penfold

How do you think this album will compare to ‘Monkeying Around’?

It's early days yet but already it's sounding a lot darker than Monkeying around, the second album is always a difficult one, people's expectations of you are aways high, all you can do is put out the best music you possibly can.

Discography Monkeying Around Band Page Links http://www.psychokiss.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/PsychoKiss/135826881986

What do you have planned for the rest of the year?

Do you have any tour dates planned or any festival appearances lined up?

We are doing a few gigs in Wales leading up to the release of the new album, we will probably have a launch party in our home towns of Neath and Swansea then take the album out on the road, we will be looking at gigs all over the U.K. so keep your eyes open, check out our Facebook page and we will keep you all updated.

Are there any messages that you would like to pass on to your fans?

We just wanna say thanks for all the support they have given us, come see us on the road.....you guys are the best.....oh and buy the album :)

Do you think your band has what it takes to be Firebrand Rock Radio’s

Prizes include interview both on air and in our Magazine, and much more.

If you are interested, please email us at bandofthemonth@fbrr2010.com for more information and details!

We only have six slots available, so get your entries in!

Good luck!

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Once again, it’s been a quiet month, as far as I know.

I’m almost certain that it hasn’t been of course, and there have been a fair few notable releases this month, some of which appear in this very magazine.

One thing I am really excited about, is the formation of a new blues/rock band by former Blue On Black member Keith Howe, and former Devil’s Creek member Tim Chapple. The band is entitled Blacktop Deluxe and I for one can’t wait to see what these guys are going to sound like. We’re going to be keeping a close watch on these guys over the coming months, and I predict great things. For more information check out http://www.facebook.com/ blacktopdeluxe

Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa are to release another album on 20th May too, entitled Seesaw it’s the follow up to the hugely successful collaboration that was in the shape of Don’t Explain. Again, it will feature cover versions given the same treatment, and it sounds like it’s going to be something quite special.

Walter Trout has been in the news again this month too. He will be releasing a new album dedicated to blues legend Luther Allison. Entitled Luther’s Blues it’s a tribute album to one of Walter’s all time heroes, and something that’s very personal. The album is due for release on June 10th here in the UK. Another thing worthy of mention is Jock’s Juke Joint #3. For those of you who don’t know what that is, I’ll explain. It’s a showcase of the best blues talent from Scotland, with tracks from a great many artists. It’s always worth listening to, and I guarantee that you’ll discover some great music in the process. For more information, check out their Facebook page http:// www.facebook.com/jocksjukejoint

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Joanne Shaw Taylor, the UK blues mistress will be playing a special show at London’s The Borderline on Sunday 12th May. The show is to be recorded and released as a DVD later on. Tickets are already on sale, and you can get them here http:// www.thegigcartel.com/gigs/gig:2092

If you have any news items that you would like to include in the monthly blues round up, please send them in to:

Photo Credit Lee Millward Finally, we would like to offer huge congratulations to David Migden & The Dirty Words who were the unanimous winners of the Brunswick Battle Of The Blues at the end of March. The band will be going on an all expenses paid trip, to play the legendary New Brunswick Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival in Canada in September, and everyone at Firebrand wishes them the best of luck.

jon@fbrr2010.com I’d be glad to hear from you.

Thanks for reading.

If you like blues then check out Tony Corners dedicated Blue’s show on Firebrand Rock Radio every Sunday 7-9pm (UK)

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Gwyn Ashton Fistful Of Blues EP Record Label: Fab Tone Records

9/10 Released: 31 March 2013

Highlight of the album: On The Borderline Website: http://www.gwynashton.com Reviewer: Jon Seymour

EP’s are great sometimes, as they offer a taster of what a band or artist is like. Often a few songs is enough to make your mind up as to whether you want to forget the artist, or whether you want to sit up and take notice of them. Thankfully, this EP most certainly falls into the latter category.

why I haven’t got hold of any of his stuff before now.

I’ve heard great things about this guy, but somehow musically he’s seemed to elude me, at least until now that is. It would seem that I’ve been missing out, a lot. From the opening track, the music is just pure class. The vocals are raw, and the guitar is sublime, and with only four songs to showcase his talent, he manages to cram a whole lot into them.

A Fistful Of Blues is exactly what you get, in the face, repeatedly. This is quite simply great blues music, played extremely well, and with enough feeling behind it to make the whole thing believable. You need to listen to this, as I think Gwyn is certainly one of the finest blues talents in the UK right now, and my next goal is to try to catch a live show, as I imagine the live shows are going to be incredible.

Gwyn has been on the scene for a while, and has a couple of albums under his belt, so obviously they’ll be added to my music collection with urgency, as I really need to hear a lot more from this guy, and more importantly, so do you.

There is a good mix of tempos, with the slow tracks smouldering away with so much passion and feeling. The faster tracks are foot tapping, and infectious. Oh yes, there’s a lot to like here for sure. The guitar work is some of the best I’ve heard anywhere, and I’m sat wondering

Jamie Williams & The Roots Collective Good Time Record Label: Self Release

8/10

Released: 2nd April 2013

Highlight of the album: Letting My Love Show Website: http://www.jamiewilliamsandtherootscollective.co.uk/ Reviewer: Jon Seymour

There’s something about this old blues roots music that stirs something in a great many people. It’s a kind of mix between blues and country in places, and hints of folk too, but its great music none the less.

There’s nothing wrong at all with a nostalgic sound being given a modern twist, and that’s exactly what this album is. The male vocalist sounds not unlike Bob Dylan at times, with that distinct sound, and musically there’s plenty of variety to keep you interested.

“Americana” feel to the music, as though the band were born and raised on the Delta. Yep this is the blues taken right back to its very origins. It’s groovy, its foot tapping, and I defy anyone not to get infected by it.

The most attractive thing about this style of music though, is that it’s never over complicated. There are no intricate guitar solos, no extended instrumental breaks, or anything else. It’s put together for one reason, and that’s just to let people hear simply good music, and simply good is what it is.

This is twelve bar played as well as it could be, and it’s great to listen to. There’s certainly an

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Alan Nimmo of Interviewed by Jon Seymour So Alan, shall we start at the beginning? How long has the band been together?

In terms of the band we’re actually quite young, not individually though, we’re all old guys, but the band its self hasn’t been around that long. Lindsey (Coulson) the bass player and I, sort of got the band together, but we used a pool of about ten different guys to get some consistency in there. It’s a lot harder these days for people to make a living out of music, so there were quite a few line-up changes at the beginning.

The band as it is though, has been together for about four or five years.

So obviously you’ve been nvolved in other projects before this?

Yes, King King was sort of born as a side project at the beginning, as I play in a band with my brother.

We’re known as The Nimmo Brothers, and we’re already a well established act on the blues scene in Britain, and we’ve been going a long time. That’s how I met Lindsey actually, and we sort of stayed in touch, and we decided to put this little blues band together, just to satisfy our urges, and have a wee jam now and again. It kind of took off very very quickly if you know what I mean, and people started saying to us “this is actually very very good” so we thought, ok maybe we could do this properly, instead of something as a mess around. Now I’m finding myself in competition with myself, if you know what I mean? I’m in two bands and we’re both sort of vying for the same kind of attention. I guess that’s a really great position to be in, but it does take a bit of a juggle at times.

Do you think that there seems to have been a bit of an upturn recently in the Scottish blues scene in general?

Yeah it’s really healthy at the moment. There are a lot of up and coming new bands, unfortunately though, the scene in Scotland is a lot smaller than you’ll find in the rest of Britain, and over in Europe of course, and it tends

to stay in and around the bar scene. It’s very difficult to get above that level, and start playing bigger venues. I’ve found that though, the scene in Scotland, or in particular in Glasgow which was where I was brought up, tends to come and go over periods of time. There’s a bit of a boom for a wee while then it’ll die down, and then a couple of years later it’ll come back again. It just seems to be one of those times at the moment, where it’s thriving again.

Glasgow has an abundance of great guitarists and singers, but it’s just so hard to get out of Glasgow and move on, especially trying to get South of the border. Travel expenses are really high, and more often than not it’s going to cost more to get to a gig than you’re going to get paid for playing, so sometimes you just can’t manage it, even though you want to, because it makes no sense to do it.

So going on to your new album. The first one was really well received, which obviously put you under a lot of pressure, so was it a lot more difficult this time around?

In a way yes, it’s that “old dreaded” second album you know, you put pressure on yourself as well as everybody else putting pressure on you to be the next big thing.

You feel you have to produce something that’s a step up, but I’m a bit long in the tooth now to lose too much sleep over it, so as long as I put songs out that I’m happy with, and I believe in, then that’s good enough. If people get it, or they like what we do, then that’s great, but I don’t spend my time worrying about it.

We just enjoy playing and writing music. Saying that though, I found the second album a lot easier than I thought it would be. The first album was really good, but I’d come from my other band and had to adapt my song writing, and get used to being the sole front man of the band, but this time around I’d already done that, so I had an idea of what it was going to be like. I didn’t want to spend too much time trying to better the last album,

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as that can make you over critical, Ididn’t want to spend too much time trying to better the last album, as that can make you over critical, and you stop your creative juices flowing. The recording of the second album was a whole lot more relaxed, and everything just seemed to come together a whole lot easier than we thought.

thinking to yourself “wow these guys were doing this in the forties” and it’s amazing to do that.

There are a lot of people who love your guitar playing, so who were the guitarists you listened to the most, or gave you the most inspiration?

That’s one of those questions where the list could go on The album its self is quite contemporary, with some and on and on. We could talk about guitar player after twists on the blues theme, was that intentional? guitar player. There have been a lot of great guitarists I’m a fairly simple musician in the way I write songs and who’ve had a major influence on me, and are still relevant the way I play. I didn’t write an album thinking from a point today. My first real inspiration was Paul Kossoff, I of commercialism, or maybe trying to create a remember my mum putting Fire and Water on the mainstream album or anything like that. I just write songs, record player, and I remember standing over it thinking and they come out the way they come out. That said “what the hell is this? This is amazing.” It was that though, I think that the new album is a little more distinctive tone I think, but he was also one of those accessible than the same old same old within the blues players that just oozed passion in whatever he was world, but I didn’t do it on purpose. Maybe it’s through playing, and you believed every single note he played. The age, or experience or something like that, but we’re all same goes for Peter Green and Eric Clapton, they did the pleased with the way it turned out. same thing, and that was what drew me to their playing and as an influence as well. I think Peter Greens approach So have you got much planned for the rest of the year, of “less is more” stuck out too. There are a lot of players maybe some more tour dates, or some festivals later on? out there who can bombard you with note after note, but Yeah, more and more just Peter had that ability to play keeps coming in, and every just one note and make the day I get emails and phone hairs on the back of your calls from our manager neck stand up. That’s a lot saying that this is happening better than playing a now, and that’s happening, thousand notes a second in you know? We really my opinion it just doesn’t do fortunate that we’re now it for me. spreading our wings to even more territories, as it’s not So would you have anything just Britain and Ireland which to say to the people that was where we started out. have already bought the We’re doing reasonably well album, or to the people who in places like Belgium, should buy the album?

Holland and Germany, and Well first of all, to anyone even Eastern Europe and that’s already got the alScandinavia, and doors are bum, I can only say a huge opening. We’ve even been thank you. All I can say to invited to play at the Ottowa anyone else is to pitch in Festival in Canada, which is the reason why I do this in going to be an amazing the first place. If someone experience. can listen to the songs and relate to it either lyrically or The blues has a long musically, or if it invokes any heritage that stretches back over many years, and while kind of emotion or connection or anything like that at all, some artists will only go back as far as the sixties and then I suppose I’ve done my job. What I’d say to people seventies, there are artists that will trace the music back who might be looking at us and thinking “we don’t really to its roots to gain inspiration. How far back have you know this band, and they seem to come from the blues gone in history to gain some insight into the scene? world” is not to ignore us. People often have I found myself going back a lot actually. When I was misconceptions about what the blues is, with all that “lost younger I’d ask myself why I was listening to Gary Moore my baby” and things like that. I’m not saying that style of at the time, and where did that music come from, so then music isn’t good of course, but it’s a lot different to what I’d find myself going back further and listening to Peter we do. You don’t have to be a blues fan to enjoy what King Green and old Eric Clapton stuff, BB King and Muddy King do, there’s a whole mix of music there that basically Waters, and then expand my record collection from just comes from the heart. It’s well played and well there. It’s really interesting to trace the music back, and performed, and I think there’s something there for to find out why a particular band sounded the way they everyone. I think that everyone who listens to it, whether do, by listening to the bands that they were listening to at it’s their cup of tea or not, could agree that it’s well done, the beginning. You find yourself gaining an understanding with a lot of feeling and a lot of meaning. That’s the of the music, and a lot more knowledge of where the message we try to get across, so even if you’re not a music came from to begin with. I found myself having blues fan, just give it a chance. influences I didn’t know I’d had, in terms of music patterns, and bringing the songs together. You end up

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Interviewed by Rick Palin One of the albums to blow me out of the water in 2011 was without a doubt Voodoo Highway’s fantastic debut “Broken Uncles Inn”. Now the guys are back with the brand new album “Showdown” so I thought it was time to catch up with them to find out about the new release and here in this interview I have

Filippo Cavallini

Filippo pleasure to chat to you as always, So “Showdown” is finally here and sounding fantastic, so for first time Voodoo Highway listeners, Please tell us a bit about the band?

Which band? You mean the bunch of desperate (but good) fellaswe are? Well, I've already told you more than necessary I suppose... Voodoo Highway is nothing more than a garage band that like to play retro hard rock and still believe that Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple are the best things ever happened to this World after the invention of naked women.

How much of a departure is this from Broken Uncles?

Horizontal one, Robert Plant would have said...

Actually the album is something different from the debut one... this time we've produced it in a serious way and we have grown up as men and musicians (not sure about the second Rick...), so you can feel something more mature in it all... we don't sing about fat girls no more, this time they are slim! By

the way you can also notice a more “american” sound in it... looks like people around are enjoying it!

Your style is very classic and the band have been described by Craig Gruber (former Rainbow bassist) as the new Deep Purple. That is one hell of a compliment and I would imagine it raises the bar a lot in terms of expectation when it comes to making an album?

Actually we believe Deep Purple are far a better band than us, so when we think about that kind of comparison we just feel like “yeah! That's super nice”, but we just continue doing our things as always... one day maybe someone will recall about us like VOODOO HIGHWAY (band, not album.. aaaaah it's all so hard!) and not like “the new someone else”. This is what we are tryin' to do, and you can feel it in the sound of the new LP... but please don't tell our guitarist about this interview, he seriously think to be the new Blackmore somehow!

Ahahah poor guy...

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Can you Remember the first album you ever owned?

Sure! The first I've bought was Led Zeppelin I... that's obvious, they are the best band of all time!

What has been the highlight of your career to date?

Storm Thorgerson on the artwork is a nice thing I suppose... isn't it? But the very very very best of it all has been insulting someone else with our song, that “someone” really deserve it!

Who were your musical influences growing up?

Robert Plant is the man that most inspired me, even if I'm a bassist... I love Blackmore as he's the most funny character in showbiz, even if everybody say he's not an easy man, and also David Coverdale is a really nice person! All those guys and band that made music in the seventies are truly an inspiration to me and the other guys here...

What were you like as a child?

A lonely one, always looking at ants... I think I was more cute too!

The new album sounds fantastic what has been the highlight of it so far?

Probably my fave song is “Wastin' Miles”, a sort of a power ballad... we're going to release the videoclip of it end of this month... I've wrote lyrics and vocals for it and I'm truly into it! Btw all the album sounds good to me... there's a song called “Mountain High”, about Erich Von Daniken and his book “Chariots of the Gods”, love it as well! ...truth is out there Mulder...

What are the band’s plans for this album, will we see Voodoo Highway on tour this year?

Currently heading for some gigs in Italy then a festival in Belgium with Jorn Lande, Symphony X and many more... rumours about Bulgaria and Spain too this year... hope we'll be in UK asap! I personally love UK! So you have the opportunity to run your own festival....who would you want as the headline bands?

I've probably answered to this some questions ago, but I repeat: Led Zeppelin. Ok, they are no more... so, now, maybe The Darkness or a cool band from the USA called Foxy Shazam... it's hard... of one thing I am sure: I'd never call those f***ing morons of Voodoo Highway!!!

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Sandi Thom 8/10

Live From London DVD Record Label: Guardian Angel Records

Released: April 2013

Highlight of the album: Ghost Town Website: http://www.sandithom.com Reviewer: Jon Seymour

This is a recording of Sandi’s first ever performance in London back in May 2010, yeah it does seem like a long time ago too. Quite what the delay was in getting the DVD out can only be speculated upon, and this is neither the time nor the place for such triviality.

way, or whether it was meant to be this way all along, is another thing that’s open for debate.

With Sandi herself being given sole production credits, I’m guessing that she knew what she was doing, and this would follow on naturally from her “Live From The So what do you get then? Well you get the full length Basement” virtual tour. This was recorded at the time concert in your living room. The sound is mastered in when Sandi was very much going back to her roots, high quality PCM Stereo, rather than the 5.1 Surround and this could very well have come from her lowly option, but the sound is pretty good none the less. The beginnings way back when. picture quality though, well that’s a different matter. On the close up shots, there’s a fair bit of “noise” in the The overall performance has been basically untouched. picture, where the camera can’t quite manage with the It’s recorded as is, warts and all, and that’s exactly colours, and some parts are a little grainy. what you get, and because of all of the imperfections that have been left in, it has a more honest quality to it The strange thing is though, is that it isn’t off putting in than many of those over produced concert DVD’s. You any way, it actually adds something to the DVD rather can tell it’s been done on a budget, but once you’re into than taking away from it. The Borderline is a small club, it, you won’t care, because it shows off Sandi and the and the video quality provides a “seedy bar” rest of the band’s talents to the full, and you can’t ask atmosphere, which adds to the overall authenticity. for any more than that.

Now whether it was by accident that it turned out this

Calling All Bands Do you want to have your band featured in the monthly Downloadable Content?

Do you want your band to reach an average of 188,441 people per month?

If you want your band featured then send an email to sales@fbrr2010.com with ‘DLC Request’ as the email title for further details

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Sandi Thom 8/10

The Covers Collection Record Label: Guardian Angel Records

Released: 28th February 2013

Highlight of the album: Songbird Website: http://www.sandithom.com Reviewer: Jon Seymour

Originally released as a pledge only album from PledgeMusic, it’s now going to be made available to download for everyone. The album, as the name suggests, is an assortment of covers from various bands and artists, given the Sandi treatement.

The majority of the songs were chosen by the fans through various Facebook polls, and videos of many of the songs are posted on Sandi’s YouTube channel. The variet of covers on here are a really mixed bag, and I dare say that there is something here for just about everyone.

quite connect for whatever reason. That’s to be expected though, and I would have been greatly surprised if I’d loved every single one. On the whole though, this is a really good album, and if you’re a lover of some great songs given a new twist by a really quite incredible singer, then this album should be right up your street.

This album was made for the fans who have stuck by her over the years, but I dare say that once it goes onto general release, it’s only going to gather more support from many others. Whatever happens, this would I’m guessing that some people are going to love a lot of make a worthy addition to anyone’s album collection, the versions on the album, but there are going to be and while you might not like every single song on it, those that don’t too. Covers albums are the “Marmite” there are almost certainly going to be many that you of the music world, and nothing splits opinions quite will. Also of course, 10% of the proceeds will go to The like them.

Willows Animal Shelter in Scotland, of which Sandi is a patron, so you’ll be doing a good thing to boot.

Personally, I feel that there are some outstanding covers on this album, but there are a couple that didn’t

Moussu T e lei Jovents 8/10

Artemis Record Label: Manivette Records

Released: 22 April 2013

Highlight of the album: Tout Mon Temps Website: http://moussut.ohaime.com/ Reviewer: Lee Walker

Moussu T e lei Jovents work with almost the same team on their recordings as on stage: Tatou on vocals, Blu on guitars, banjo and vocals, Déli K on percussion and Denis Lo Bramaire on drums. For this occasion, the Brazilian percussionist, Jamilson Da Silva, with whom the group has worked since they started out, also accompanies them. For stage performances of their new repertoire, they will be joined for the first time by the bass player Fred Simbolotti (Raoul Petite, Royal de Luxe, IAM), for a show which will be, as always, full of good cheer but even livelier!

bourbon and letting their unique blend of music wash over you, leaving you feeling unwound and relaxed as you soak in the upbeat atmosphere created by their carefully crafted musical experimentation.

The album itself is sung entirely in Tatou’s native French, which adds an extra depth to the feel of the music, directing your attention to the perfectly crafted delicate acoustic nuances that provide the substance to create this style of music with.

As with virtually all artists of this nature you will either With the release of there fifth album ‘Artémis’, Moussu love or hate this creation, but with ‘Artemis’ Moussu T e T e lei Jovents return to their folk laden blues roots, with lei Jovents they have brought a new ‘continental’ twist to a collection of fresh and innovative cheeky acoustic the blues scene. numbers that scream to be played outdoors on a warm summers evening, while gently sipping a nice cold

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where are they now?

By Lee Walker

Salem was founded in late 1979 by former members of ‘Ethel The Frog’ (known for ‘Fight Back’ which was featured on the ‘Metal for Muthas’ compilation album) Paul Tognola (vocals/guitar) and Paul Conyers (drums). Ade Jenkinson was drafted as the bass player and the first band meeting with Paul Macnamara.

After a period of song writing and rehearsal, Salem began gigging in Hull, and recorded the first demo in January 1981.

Simon Saxby joined the band following Paul Tognola’s departure in March 1981 and the band continued to perform. Mark Allison joined to provide the depth of second guitar and twin-lead melodies. This line-up gigged regularly and released a single ‘Cold As Steel/Reach For Eternity’ in April 1982. Paul Conyers had to leave due to other commitments and Paul ‘Animal’ Mendham took up the drum stool.

The band continued to gig prolifically in the North of England where there hardcore fan base was based and a second demo was quickly recorded featuring the fan favourite track ‘The Keeper of the Keys’.

Salem won a ‘battle of the bands’ competition at Huddersfield Polytechnic, following which they recorded the last demo in March 1983. Although a number of record companies expressed an interest in the music, the band imploded and played their last, sell-out gig in Hull on 31 May 1983.

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In 2010, High Roller Records and Pure Steel Records approached the band, keen to release the 1980s recordings on vinyl and CD. The result was the compilation album ‘In The Beginning …’.

Following the renewed interest in the band, Salem re-formed and played first gig in 27 years at The Adelphi, in hometown Hull and recorded three new tracks (available on a limited edition EP).

In July 2012, Ricky Squires (formerly of the dEAd ENd KIdS and the Heavy Metal Kids) joined Salem as the new drummer. The band played several festivals and gigs in Europe including the ‘Heavy Metal Night V’ in Martinsicuro, Italy, ‘Negosonic’ in Aalst,’ Ages of Metal IV’ in Oostrozebeke, Belgium, and the Metieval ‘Winterfest’ in Hull before parting company with Ricky prompting Paul to return to the fold.

In March 2013 the band played ‘Brofest’, released another EP and have announced plans for a new album and further gigs in UK and Europe later in the year.

Discography Demo – 1981 Demo – 1982 Cold As Steel/Reach To Eternity – Single - 1982 Demo - 1983 In The Beginning – Album – 2010 New Tricks – EP – 2011 X-Rated – EP - 2013

For more information on the band check out: http://www.facebook.com/SalemBand http://www.salemband.co.uk/

To have your band featured please send an email to: magazine@fbrr2010.com 33

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Interviewed by Lee Walker How did the band originally start off?

Seb Sweet: Well, we all knew each other from our college days, in fact me and Ollie were in a Prog/ Metal band for a while, and I was always hanging out with Robb. Ollie started writing songs around 2008-ish and then started looking for members, eventually recruiting first Robb, then me.

Ollie Cordwell: Yeah, it had been a few years since Seb and I had played together but I always knew we'd end up in another band at some point, we've always had a great musical chemistry and Robb just fit right in with it, as if it was just meant to be!

What bands influenced you?

Seb Sweet: I was brought up with 70’s rock, amongst other things - Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, ELO, Rush etc, and later got really into more recent bands like Dream Theater and Karnivool.

Ollie Cordwell: I have just always been obsessed with music of all kinds. If it moves me, or makes me want to move, I will listen to it, if it does both... You'd better get out of the way! But I suppose my earliest influences that made me want to make my own music have got to be Queen and Michael Jackson.

Robb Sutcliffe: Same as Ollie really. I've been brought up around a lot of different music so my taste is pretty varied. Earlier on I listened to a lot of punk so bands so I started off learning a lot of Greenday bass

lines, then when I got to college I discovered Primus and Tool and everything changed! These days I'm still very much influenced by Les Claypool and Geddy Lee from Rush.

Why did you pick the name ‘Fantasist’ for the band?

Ollie Cordwell: That was my fault haha, I wanted a single word that would sum up the band and its ethos. But finding a single word band name that isn't taken is VERY hard indeed.

I felt that Fantasist stood out and I liked the irony that deep down all rock bands are just Fantasists trying to live the dream and put on this persona, I thinks it shows we don't take it too seriously by holding are hands up and saying, “Yep we know, we are complete Fantasists but look at these cool shoes!!!”

How would you describe Fantasist’s sound?

Ollie Cordwell: I think, at the core, it's all about the groove.

When we write a new riff or chorus or whatever, we always ask ourselves, does this FEEL right? A simple way to describe the sound is Rock with healthy dose of everything else mixed up with a big funky spoon.

Robb Sutcliffe: I think "Odd-Rock" would be a good way to describe it, seeing as no one can seem to pin us down to one genre. I'd say that's a good thing though as it means it's never going to be the same!

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Pinstripes seem to feature heavily amongst the imagery used by yourselves. Where did the idea come from to use this “style” for the band?

Ollie Cordwell: Yeah that was my fault again! My other obsession other than music is petty much everything about the 1940's (except the war!) and the film Noir style. Right from the first song writing session with Robb I said "I want us to wear pinstripe suits on stage" and four sweaty years later we still love doing it!

And I think it's a great sounding album that really captures what Fantasist is all about!

Seb Sweet: Many of the songs were written during, or shortly after, the Giggle Juice recording sessions.

So we had to sit on them for almost two years before we said “screw it, lets just record it ourselves”. And that’s just what we did.

What are your favourite tracks on the album?

Seb Sweet: Unity - I love the drive and energy, and Thump – I think its one of our stronger pieces of As an up and coming band what is the biggest song writing. obstacle that you have come across and how do you Ollie Cordwell: Thump is the grooviest song we've overcome it? ever done, it makes me want to bust a move Seb Sweet: It’s very difficult to get people to come Jackson style! And Grim Fandango has my favourite out to shows these days. What with the smoking ban chorus of our entire back catalogue. and everyone being skint, it’s surprising how many Robb Sutcliffe: Thump and Portal are definitely my gigs we play to small crowds. two stand out favourites (I'm sure you can guess Ollie Cordwell: Yeah it can get a bit disheartening why) but also Drugstore Cowboy just because it's got when you go through the process of begging your so much groove in there. For me it's always a fun boss to let you leave early to make the 3 hour drive one to play as well as listen to. to a gig, to play to 10 people and then have push past the 200 people queuing up outside to get in the How do you think this album compares to your first club night that's on after the bands... The only way to album ‘Giggle Juice’? overcome it is to give Seb Sweet: It makes more the 10 people who sense; Giggle Juice was actually give a shit essentially two EP’s thrown the best show together. This album feels they've ever seen in much more like a coherent the hope that they piece. The themes and will tell the masses storylines make it feel much that they're missing more like an album. out because they Ollie Cordwell: This is a much can't be bothered to more collaborative song get out an hour writing effort than the first earlier to hear some so I think we've really found new music! PEACE! our feet this time. We seem to have moved further in What has been your every direction: we've gone greatest achieveheavy, groovier, crazier, ment to date? mellower and more Ollie Cordwell: progressive all in the same Surviving despite album. being so very poor haha. But if it was about the money our music would suck, so I'd rather do it Once the album is released what do you have because I LOVE IT :D planned for the rest of the year? Do you have any tour dates planned or any festival appearances lined You are about to release your latest album up?

‘Fantasist’ through Rocksector Records. How did the Seb Sweet: We have many dates and festivals album come together? coming up for the FanTOURsist.

Ollie Cordwell: Not long after releasing Giggle juice We’re going to be on the road with Exit State again we were already writing a lot of new songs. It got to inc a trip to Belgium for a few gigs before returning August 2011 and we had about 16 songs ready to to SOS fest in July, and then continuing into the rest record but we didn't have the money to go into a of summer and beyond. studio so we did a top gear "How hard can it be?" and borrowed a load of equipment and got the Are there any messages that you would like to pass drums down in two days... and the bass down in a on to your fans? few weeks. I then spent a very long time learning by Ollie Cordwell: Thanks for the continued support! trial and error how to produce a record that we Some of you travel very far out of your way to come were all happy with! see us play and we love you for it!

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Breed 77 10/10

The Evil Inside Record Label: Frostbyte Media

Released: 25 March 2013

Highlight of the album: Fear Website: http://www.breed77.com/ Reviewer: Graham Pritchard

Based in London but hailing from the island of Gibraltar breed 77 came to conquer the world with their unique style of music a fusion of rock and Spanish/Mediterranean groove and they did just that. In 2001 Breed 77 released their first album the self-titled ‘Breed 77’. Since then they have put out 5 more albums and made a huge name and impact on the metal scene capturing a massive worldwide following, and having seen them live I can understand why that is so. Breed 77 pull no punches with the fans when it comes to preforming on stage They give their heart and soul and expect nothing less back which makes them one of my favourite bands to see live ever.

The opening track and first single ‘Drown’ is a head

stomper of a track that you cannot help but at least tap your foot to. Whilst songs like the title track ‘The Evil Inside’, ‘Broken Pieces’ and ‘Burn City Burn’ are all good tracks my favourite one has to be ‘Fear’ but with 15 tracks to choose from you’re spoilt for choice.

The album also includes four bonus tracks titled ‘The Fallen’, ‘Ciego Live’ which is sang in Spanish, and the ‘Battle Of Hatin’ Live with a very good cover of Alice Cooper’s ‘Poison’ thrown in for good measure.

I have tried to find fault with this album but can’t It is brilliant. Breed 77 have done it again, another great album to put on your shelf at home.

Savoy Brown 9/10

Songs From The Road Record Label: Ruf Records

Released: April 2013

Highlight of the album: Meet The Blues Head On Website: http://www.savoybrown.com Reviewer: Jon Seymour

This album is the latest in the long run of Ruf Records’ long run of “songs from the road” albums, which has featured many artists over the years. Savoy Brown have been on the blues scene a long time, and have been around the block more times than I care to mention.

The album comes as a CD/DVD set, with the DVD being mastered in PCM stereo, and containing two extra tracks that wouldn’t fit onto the CD, so it’s a great package to start with. The sound quality is excellent, as is the picture quality, so no complaints on that front. The CD too, has excellent sound and production, allowing you to enjoy the music in all its glory.

The main aim of this album was to catch the band at their best, and to showcase the talent that’s kept them at the forefront of the British blues scene for such a long If you’re a lover of the blues, then you’ll know all about the time. Does it manage to do that? Yes, I believe it does “Songs From The Road” series, and this is a very worthy actually. addition to it. It’s great music played extremely well, and there’s nothing I can find to dislike about it. It does exactly With a mixture of old and new songs spanning some five what it says on the tin, which is to showcase one of decades or more and some cover versions to boot, this is Britain’s finest blues bands doing what they do best. If you an album of just great blues rock. The quartet power love the blues, then you’ll love this album, it really is that through the set with clinical precision, and there’s some simple. fantastic guitar work courtesy of Kim Simmons. A well executed blues solo is always a joyous thing to behold, and this album is littered with them from start to finish.

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Summers 10/10

364 Record Label: Self Release

Released: 4 April 2013

Highlight of the album: Terminator Website: www.officialsummers.com Reviewer: Paul Nicholls

It has been two long years since I first heard the demo’s of this album and was so impressed I began shouting the bands praises to anyone that would listen (and a few that wouldn’t ). The band courted major label interest for the album before finally deciding to release it themselves this April.

The twin guitars of Joedy Rose and Jase Sepala both complement and challenge each other . Having two guitar players of this stature in a band can only ever be a good thing . In Summers’ case , although at times the songs may have exquisite melodies and truly awesome harmonies , the guitars deliver the crunch needed to stop the whole endeavour becoming sickly sweet.

To be so impressed by demos I pleasantly surprised to find that Patrick Reese of Solar Blade/Lion Cross Overall the whole album is very ambitious with the kind Studios has made a wonderful job of mastering the of quality you might expect from an established band album giving it the punch and sparkle it deserves. rather than a debut . Having built a solid reputation on the back of their great live shows , the most recent Contained within this cd are 12 tracks of the best pop being HRH AOR in April , Summers have a ready and rock you will hear this year . Taking obvious cues from waiting audience for this album and deservedly so.

Def Leppard , Boston and Thin Lizzy , Summers tip the Miss this at your peril. hat to their influences yet manage to stamp their own sound all over this release. The quality of both writing and musicianship on the cd is superb , with not a duff track in earshot.

Fantasist 9/10

Fantasist (Self Titled) Record Label: Rocksector Records

Released: 6 May 2013

Highlight of the album: Unity Website: http://www.mwaweb.com/fantasist_homepage.htm Reviewer: Graham Pritchard

Fantasist are a great live act and equally come over well on disc. The vocals of Bob Sutcliffe are just sweet - he has one hell of a voice and is comfortable singing at any level and he plays a mean bass. With Ollie Cordwell they have a very capable guitarist and Seb Sweet completes the trio on the drums they make up a very tight unit. To be honest I’m not sure what category I would put them in metal? rock? funky rock? hippy rock? maybe bouncy rock. I say bouncy because that’s what the music makes me want to do when I hear it. I watched these guys play in Bangor for North Wales Metal and despite the fact that Seb Sweet had the flu they put on one hell of a show. I have no doubt that these boys will go far.

The self-titled album ‘Fantasist’ is a follow up to the 2011 ‘Giggle Juice’ and like I said it is one album that will make you want to bounce. With the opening track being an instrumental number, oddly enough called

‘The End’. I’m not a huge fan of instrumentals and this album has two, interestingly enough so does Zebedy’s new album which is also very good but both albums lose points for doing two when one is more than enough. However the rest of the album more than makes up for that and from the second track onwards you are treated to a variable number of melodies that has everything an album like this should have - catchy tunes great rhythm and a wonderful bass line and the drums bring it all together to make a brilliant album with songs like ‘Watch It Crumble’, ‘Grim Fandango’ and ‘Goodnight So Long’ give the bounce to Fantasist, while ‘Unity’ and ‘Portal’ (the second instrumental) give the band a heavier tone, with ‘Almost Home’ showing a different side again to the band which is much more funky but slow, almost like something you would hear in a 1930 jazz club, but it all works well with the rest of the album producing twelve songs of joy.

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The Royal Albert Hall 30th March 2013

Reviewed by Jon Seymour Joe’s first visit to the Albert Hall back in 2009 was a momentous occasion, and a culmination of the work he’d put in over the years to gain such recognition.

Four years on, and he’s back again, playing the final night of his “rock history” four nights over five days in London.

For me, this was very much an occasion, as it was my first visit to this historic venue. It’s an incredible building, both inside and out, and I would urge any music fan to go there, just for the experience. Sure there will be someone somewhere who will complain that the sound isn’t great, or that the seating could be a bit better (I spent the entire evening trying to see past the lady in front of me sporting Tom Baker’s Dr Who perm), but the fact remains that this is the venue that everyone should visit at least once.

So, onto the concert we go, seeing as that’s the whole point of me writing this in the first place. First up, we’re treated to an acoustic set, and as everyone on the stage was sat down, the aforementioned perm obscured pretty much everything. Just as well I could hear ok then, but not being able to see what was going on certainly spoiled my enjoyment a little. I like Joe’s acoustic work, and with a different band on stage to the guys he normally tours with, it was a great start to the evening.

After the interval, they put a few quid in the electric meter, and plugged all of the gear in. As I said, I like Joe’s acoustic work, but for me, his work on the electric guitar is really where it’s at. Obviously a lot

has to do with his tone, but in full flight, I still maintain that there are very few guitarists around that could match him, and to hear that sound fill the immense size of this venue was incredible. Along with the rest of the usual touring band, they played a very mixed set of old and new material, along with the big crowd pleasers.

For anyone that loves the sound of an electric guitar, then there is absolutely no way that you wouldn’t enjoy a Joe Bonamassa concert. He’s opened up the blues world to a whole new audience, and what he’s done for music the world over is incredible. Tonight though, Joe looked really tired, and his performance lacked the energy that I’d seen him put into the previous ones I’ve been fortunate enough to witness. He said himself that these past 4 gigs had really taken it out of him, and it showed. The thing is, a slightly under par Joe is still amazing, and what he lacked in energy, he sure made up with talent and execution.

Joe is at the top of his game, and always looks every inch the rock star he’s portrayed as when he gets up on stage. The stage is where he belongs, and as long as he keeps on delivering the goods the way he did tonight (although his usual standard is a lot better), the stage is where he’ll stay. If you’ve not seen Joe live, then you are truly missing out on something, so next time he’s in town, get your ass to a gig, and you’ll do exactly the same as I did the first time around (and every time since), and that’s stand there with your chin on the floor in complete awe, of one of the greatest guitarists this world has ever produced.

That is all.

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With Chris Nelson 18 & Life is the brainchild of Firebrands Switchblade Serenade presented by me, Chris Nelson. Each month I will be bringing you an insight into what goes on in the personal lives of musicians and bands. It's 18 questions all about them, with final question telling you what they are up to at the moment and what their plans are for the next 6 months. So if you’re in a band and you want to take part, send your contact details to chrisnelson@fbrr2010.com This months features the temptress vocalist of one of America’s top 1980’s female fronted bands Femme Fatale. The band is back together and starting to tour again and Lorraine is one of the stars of one of the U.S.A’s top reality shows Ex wives of rock

1.What’s the best band you’ve ever seen live?

Van Halen during their first tour or U2 1989 or the muse in Las Vegas 2009.

6.What’s your favorite type of food/ dish ?

Breakfast and non-fat frozen yogurt.

7.If you could go back in time to a certain time and place in history, where would you chose, and why?

I would go back to the 50's and fight for civil rights.

2.Are you afraid of anything and what’s your fear?

I'm only afraid of cockroaches ewwwwwww!

3.If you could host a dinner party and invite any two people from history alive or dead who would you choose?

Hillary Clinton & Martin Luther King.

4.What’s your favorite horror movie?

The Exorcist.

5.Who are your heroes, the people who inspired you to get into music?

David Lee Roth.

8.What would you say your career highs and lows have been?

Highs - videos on MTV & getting my reality show "ex wives of rock" picked up on fuse network USA career. lows - getting dropped from mca records.

9.Do you believe in ghosts or UFO’s and have you had any experiences you can share with us?

I believe in ghosts and UFO's but I've never experienced anything too kooky

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10.Your chilling at home and put on an album by an artist someone would not associate you with, what would be your guilty pleasure?

Foo Fighters - Incubus or Bush.

11.What’s the most unusual place you’ve ever had sex?

Mile high club.

12.Favorite comedy T.V show of all time?

Two and a Half Men w/ Charlie Sheen not Ashton Kutcher, or bewitched w/ Elizabeth Montgomery.

13.What is the one thing in life you simply cannot do without?

My dogs.

14.What’s your favorite alcoholic drink? kettle one vodka.

15.What’s your funniest tour bus story?

Our tour bus left the venue without my brother on the bus.

Next months 18 & Life comes From Sweden,Varberg (South of 16.What was the first gig you ever went Gothenburg)Lead/Rhythm Guitarist/ to? songwriter (Also Bassplayer and David Bowie.

Producer for The Andersson Mills Project ) Currently recording a 17.What sport do enjoy playing or new album with new band called ACID watching the most?

FOR BLOOD with drummer of QUIET Not super into sports but I like RIOT,W.A.S.P FRANKIE BANALI, singer, watching underdogs win! songwriter,guitarist and producer from Los Angeles, PAUL SABU .Next 18.What are you up to at the moment months 18 & Life is Linkan Andersson. and what’s your plans for the next 6 months?

Femme Fatale is getting ready for the monsters of rock cruise - & ex wives of rock is kicking ass on fuse network Friday nights 10:30 est 7:30 pst.

Don’t forget you can catch up with Chris Nelson every Sunday 12-2pm on Firebrand Rock Radio

For More Information visit http://www.lorrainecafe.com/

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Featuring all your favourite DJs and Shows every day only on

For more information on running times and all up and coming news and information please visit

www.firebrandrockradio.com If you miss any of your favourite shows, don’t forget you can catch up with the latest and greatest at

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Absolva May 4 Manchester NQ Live 18 Birmingham The Asylum June 28 Newcastle Trilliums 29 Crossford Les Fest

Audrey Horne April 29 Belfast Limelight 2 30 Dublin The Pint May 01 Manchester NQ Live 02 London Underworld

Ben Harper & Charlie Musslewhite July 16 London Shepard’s Bush Empire

December 01 Cardiff Solus 02 Oxford O2 Academy 05 Inverness Ironworks 06 Edinburgh Picturehouse 07 Newcastle O2 Academy 08 Leeds O2 Academy 10 Leamington Spa The Assembly Rooms 12 Nottingham Rock City 13 Manchester Ritz 14 Academy Dublin

October 1 Manchester MEN 3 Glasgow Hydro Arena

Bloodstock

Hard Rock Hell 7

August 8 - 11 Derbyshire Catton Park

Bon Jovi June 8 Manchester Ethiad Stadium 9 Birmingham Villa Park 12 Cardiff City Stadium 13 Sunderland Stadium Of Light July 3 Glasgow Hampden Stadium

Bruce Springsteen & The E Band

9 May London Nambucca 10 May Birmingham Route 44 24 May Staffordshire Lucy’s Bar 12 October Rocktober Festival

June 15 London Wemebley Stadium 18 Glasgow Hampden Park 20 Coventry Ricoh Arena July 23 Cardiff Millennium Stadium

Gothminister

October 12 Manchester O2 Apollo 13 Glasgow Clyde Auditorium 15 Birmingham NIA 17 London Roadhouse

Depeche Mode November 11 Glasgow Hydro 13 Leeds Arena 15 Manchester Arena 19 London The O2 January 2014 27 Birmingham LG Arena

June 28 - 30 Lanarkshire Valley International Park Crossford

Hanging Doll

Little Angels

May 4 Liverpool The Lomax

June 13 Cardiff University Students Union

Lordi Novermber - December 28 - 1 Pwllheli Hafyn Y Mor (Haven May Holiday Park) 2 Dublin Button Factory 4 Belfast Limelight 1 5 Norwich Waterfront 6 Wakefield Warehouse 23 Huey Lewis and The News 8 Manchester Ritz September 9 Edinburgh The Picture House 30 Gateshead The Sage 10 Birmingham The Institute October 11 Nottingham Rock City 01 London O2 Shepherd’s Bush 12 London The Forum Empire LostAlone

I AM I 14-16 Donnington Park Download

Black Sabbath December 10 London O2 Arena 12 Belfast Odyssey Arena 14 Sheffield Motorpoint Arena 16 Glasgow Hydro 18 Manchester Arena 20 Birmingham LG Arena

Download June 14 - 16 Derbyshire Donnington Park

June 13 -16 Isle Of Wight

April 26 Nottingham Rock City 27 London O2 Academy Islington 28 Southampton Joiners

November 22 Bournemouth O2 Academy 23 London O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire 25 Bristol O2 Academy 26 Cambridge Junction 27 Norwich UEA 29 Pwllheli Hard Rock Hell 7 30 Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall

Mark Knopfler May 17 Glasgow SECC 18 Newcastle Metro Radio Arena 19 Liverpool Echo Arena 21 Bournemouth International Centre 22 Cardiff Motorpoint Arena 24 Birmingham LG Arena

Journey, Whitesnake & Thunder May 18 Glasgow SECC 20 Sheffield Motorpoint Arena 22 Newcastle Metro Radio Arena 23 Manchester Arena 25 Nottingham Capital FM Arena 26 Cardiff Motorpoint Arena 28 Birmingham LG Arena 29 London Wembley Arena

Kings Of Leon June 12 London O2 13 London O2 Arena 24 Manchester Arena 25 Manchester Arena July 09 Birmingham LG Arena

Emilie Autumn Black Star Riders

May 17 Brighton The Great Escape, Green Door Store

Isle Of Wight Festival

Dereham Blues Festival July 12 - 14 Norfolk Dereham

Lesfest

May 11 Preston 53 Degrees

Jettblack/ Crashdiet Deep Purple

10 Birmingham LG Arena

To have your gig Highlighted please email sales@fbrr2010.com

For a free listing please email your gig or festival information to:

August 23 Edinburgh Picture House 25 Manchester Ritz

With the following info: Date(s), Band Name, Venue, City (Please do not send any attachments)

Fleetwood Mac September 24 London O2 Academy 25 London O2 Academy 27 London O2 Academy 29 Birmingham LG Arena

Sadly if any of the above information is not included we will be unable to list your event.

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Firebrand Magazine

Underground Focus the shows

Band Name: Templar

Date Formed: March 2012

Based In: Widnes, Cheshire

Band Lineup: Vocals: Lead/rhythm guitar: Lead/rhythm guitar: Bass guitar: Drums:

Craig Middlehurst Jim Pierce Paul Kirby Sam Stanley Dave Phillips

Influences: Iron Maiden, Queen, Metallica, Sonata Arctica, Megadeth, Alice In Chains, Barry White, Stratovarius

Describe your sounds: Very harmonic riffs, with a classic metal feel and catchy melodic choruses and powerful vocals

Upcoming gigs: Revolver, Birkenhead, UK – 26th May 2013

Find out more at: www.facebook.com/templaruk To Apply or find out more information please send an email to : submissions@fbrr2010.com With Underground Focus as the email title

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Mark Knopfler cont...

Out Of The Ashes Festival

May 25 Brighton The Brighton Centre 27 London Royal Albert Hall 28 London Royal Albert Hall

July 26 - 28 Ellesmere Port Vauxhall Sports Club

28 Kettering The Market Inn 29 Great Yarmouth The Oakwood July Northampton King Billy August 17 Abbw Vale Odin’s Rock Club September 21 Stoke Prior Rock Circus Festival

Megadeth Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash May 8 Milton Keynes The Stables 10 Lowdham Lowdham Village Hall 15 Wolverhampton The Robin 2 19 Sheffield The Greystones 26 Maryport Harbour Festival 29 Kinross Backstage @ Green Hotel 30 Edinburgh Bannerman’s Bar 31 Lowdham Lowdham Village Hall June 26 Hullbridge The Touchline

June 3 Newcastle O2 Academy 4 Glasgow O2 Academy 5 Manchester O2 Academy 6 Brixton O2 Academy

July 12 - 14 Kinross-shire Balado

The Who

April 31 London O2 Sheppard’s Bush Empire

June 10 Belfast Odyssey Arena 12 Glasgow SECC 15 London O2 16 London O2 18 Sheffield Motorpoint Arena 20 Newcastle Metro Radio Arena

Roger Waters September 14 London Wembley Stadium

Saxon

May 25 - 26 Mansfield The Intake Club

April 26 Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall 27 London O2 Shepard’s Bush Empire 28 Bristol O2 Academy

May 18 Maidenhead Hobgoblin June 8 Camden Fiddler’s Elbow August 24 Stoke Scarfest

July 20 - 21 Manchester Radcliffe Civic Hall

Triaxis May 3 Burnley Sanctuary 4 Liverpool The Lomax

Steelhouse Fesival July 27 - 28 Ebbw Vale Hafod Y Dafal Farm

ISSUE 4

Voodoo Six May 9 London The Garage

Steve Winwood June 17 Cambridge Corn Exchange 19 Brighton Dome 20 London Shepard’s Bush Empire 22 Bristol Colston Hall 24 Salford Lowry 30 Margate Winter Gardens

Stormbringer October 5 Purfleet The Circus Tavern

ISSUE 3

Training Icarus

SOS Fest

Metal Wave UK

ISSUE 2

T in the Park

Micheal Schenker

Metal Gods Festival

BACK ISSUES

Y&T September 21 Nottingham Rock City

ZZ Top June 24 London Hammersmith Apollo 25 Manchester O2 Apollo

ISSUE 5

May 23 Nottingham The Pit & Pendulum 24 Harlow The Square June

ISSUE 6

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Firebrand Magazine

the shows

To contact the Firebrand team for anything from advertisements to reviews you can contact us on:

Album Reviews/Interview Requests submissions@fbrr2010.com Content Download sales@fbrr2010.com Advertising Enquiries sales@skyfirepr.com PR pr@fbrr2010.com Contact Telephone +44(0)1244 940961

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Firebrand Magazine