Fu Manchu formed in 1985 as Hardcore-Punk outfit Virulence whose sole release 1988’s If This Isn’t A Dream… has been reissued by Southern Lord. After this came a name and musical style change reminiscent of Corrosion of Conformity who undertook a similar evolution themselves. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Rolling Stones
ALBUM REVIEW: The Black Crowes – Happiness Bastards
Rock ‘N’ Roll might be a young man’s game, but it is not stopping the Robinson Brothers from again coming together on Happiness Bastards (Silver Arrow Records) to prove they still have it. If Amorica was the last album you picked up by these guys, then things have changed dramatically. If you are one of their more avid followers then you have heard their transition away from merely being a Led Zeppelin/Rolling Stones hybrid, so this album makes perfect sense.
ALBUM REVIEW: Rival Sons – Lightbringer
You wait four years for a Rival Sons album and, just like buses, two come along at once. Lightbringer (Atlantic Records) is the new record from the Californian quartet, following on from companion piece Darkfighter which came out in June this year. With the everpresent Dave Cobb behind the desk, their eighth album is a compact six track offering that mixes their classic, fuzzed up Rock N Roll with atmospheric Folk and acoustic elements to great effect.
ALBUM REVIEW: Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons – Kings of the Asylum
Two band names, three studio albums, one EP, a live album, and a change of vocalists. A lot has happened in the last few years for Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons. From beginning life as a side project for the former Motörhead guitarist, performing covers under the somewhat less than attention-grabbing moniker of Phil Campbell’s All Starr Band, the band announced a much-needed name change the following year and the improvement was both noticeable and immediate.
ALBUM REVIEW: Electric Boys – Grand Explosivos
Swedish rockers Electric Boys had a bit of success in the late eighties and early nineties when their boisterous Funk Metal track “All Hips n’ Lips” caught the eye of MTV and their first two albums, Funk O Metal Carpet Ride and Groovus Maximus, caught the eye of the public. Things fizzled out in 1994 but they reunited fifteen years later and have been steadily releasing new material since.
BOX SET REVIEW: Ratt – The Atlantic Years
BMG is releasing The Atlantic Years box set that celebrates the first five albums by Ratt. These are the albums that chronicled their meteoric rise to become one of the biggest arena rock bands of the eighties. The five LP set has been remastered and pressed on 180g vinyl. Also included is the ‘Nobody Rides For Free’ single, a replica tour book, bumper sticker, wanted poster, guitar pick, and a replica backstage pass. If you are a fan of the band this is going to be a must.
ALBUM REVIEW: Foo Fighters – But Here We Are
Ronnie James Dio. David Bowie. Dimebag Darrell. Lemmy. Jeff Hanneman. John Lennon. Kurt Cobain. Layne Staley. Trevor Strnad.
Countless others.
We all know where we were when we first heard they had died.
Apocalyptica’s Version of Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” Appears in Tim Burton’s “Wednesday” Series on Netflix
In addition to the cool new series for Wednesday series on Netflix, based on the character Wednesday Addams from the popular series, films, and cartoons of The Addams Family, there was a cool music surprise. Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” can be heard, in its cover form by Apocalyptica during episode three of the acclaimed new show. This makes the second Netflix series bolstered by a Metallica this year with Stranger Things featuring “Master of Puppets” earlier this year. Other music on the soundtrack includes Danny Elfman and Chris Baker who did the score, Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, The Cramps, Dua Lipa, Edith Piaf, Beach House, and more! Created by Tim Burton, the series stars Jenna Ortega (Scream 2022, X) in the title role, alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzman, Gwendoline Christie, Christina Ricci and more — “is a sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery charting Wednesday Addams’ years as a student at Nevermore Academy.” Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown – Shake The Roots
The American quartet Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown have a new album Shake The Roots, and it is the first on their own record label Rattle Shake Records. Their first independent album, and their fifth one overall, comes two years after Pressure and was recorded at frontman Tyler Bryant’s home studio in Nashville. It is a refreshing exploration of blues and rootsy rock, with plenty of dirty grooves, classic rock riffs and southern twang.
Rolling Stones Legend Charlie Watts Has Died
Charlie Watts, the mainstay drummer for The Rolling Stones, has died. He was 80 years old. According to a post on social media, Charlie past away peacefully in a London hospital, surrounded by his family. No cause of death has been revealed, but out of concern for his health, it had already been announced that Charlie would not join the band on their upcoming tour of USA. Originally focused on Jazz, Charlie was the bedrock of rhythm and groove in the band, and with his chill demeanor, he was a calm, consistent presence compared with his more colorful maddened by the loss of this legend. Rest in peace.