INTRODUCING BO & THE BLUESDRIVERS by Bo & The Bluesdrivers
(Independent Release)
This is an amazing introduction to the L.A. based blues rock trio, Bo & The Bluesdrivers. Three guys that know what they are doing with the music. Amazing musical talent coupled with sincere, soulful yet rocking vocals by Bo on guitar and vocals , plus the unmatched rhythm section of bassist Brian “Chewy” James and drummer, J.J. Garcia. Serving up a sound that seem to work the sounds of ZZ Top and Stevie Ray Vaughn together along with their own vibe. Every song is a winner. From the opening mover, "Out On the Streets", the trio serve up their blues rock vibe to perfection. "Ass, Gas or Grass", "Sea Song", "Walkin' in the Park" and "Chillin'". They leave lots of air so the songs can breathe and come to life. Great hooks, singing and playing. As I stated, this is fine introduction and is a great starting point. Whilst some influences are present, the band has its own clear style. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
WEST OF FLUSING, SOUTH OF FRISCO by Supersonic Blues Machine
(Provogue Records)
West of Flushing, South of Frisco' the stunning debut release by Supersonic Blues Machine is a melting pot of ideas created by Lance Lopez on guitar and vocals , Fabrizio Grossi on bass and drummer Kenny Aronoff. The album also features cameo appearances by Billy F. Gibbons (ZZ Top), Walter Trout, Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule), Robben Ford, Eric Gales and Chris Duarte all having a deep and personal connection to Lopez, Grossi and Aronoff. The collaboration gives the record added warmth and takes your listening experience to a higher level. As a result what you have is a sprawling and uplifting emotional journey. The absolutely amazing and souful musicianship frames the melodies of these songs and catapults the music into the scattered realms of soulful blues, rock, and progressive soul/R&B. The songs are thrilling, with incredibly fat grooves, sophisticated changes, some great lyrics, and solid foundation; the playing is stupendous. From the opening soul moving, "Miracle Man" followed up by, "I Ain't Fallin' Again", "Running Whiskey" (feat. Billy F. Gibbons) and "Remedy" (feat. Warren Haynes) Also featured is a cool version of, "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City" the 1974 R&B song, written by Michael Price and Dan Walsh, and first recorded by Bobby "Blue" Bland. This is the kind of blues that is `true' blues but still isn't `just' the blues - at least to me, and if that makes sense. For anyone looking for great blues rock in this day and age, 'West of Flushing, South of Frisco' by Supersonic Blues Machine comes highly recommended. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
GEORGIA PINE, Ep
by Broken Witt Rebels
(Broken Witt Rebels)
After listening to British blues rockers, Broken Witt Rebels, latest five song Ep, 'Georgia Pine', I've come to the conclusion, this band is so tight its frightening. A power quartet with a bold infused sound with deep guitar licks from James Tranter. Powerful rhythm section of drummer James Dudley and bassist Luke Davis and of course the uninhibited energy and soulful crooning of Danny Core. Whose voice really stands out from other singers. His vocal phrasing soars above some of the most intense material to be found on the current post-modern blues rock landscape. He's exactly what you want in a blues rock vocalist - powerful gravelly vocals, like a modern day Joe Cocker and Frankie Miller combined. What this powerful quartet delivers with their latest release is a blistering soulful blues/rock recording that needs to be played at maximum volume! Drawing on the blues but is never constrained by it and is full of melodic twists and turns with guitar riffs and stop-start rhythms. "Low", is a great songs with an infections chorus. "Susie" has that down and dirty swagger with hints of southern accents. The remaining three tracks, "Georgia Pine", "Getaway Man" and "Guns"are guaranteed to satisfy your musical palate. 'Georgia Pine' is a brilliant piece of music, it really makes you feel good, the feeling in each song is a great break from the usual fodder thrown out for the masses. This really is music for the soul, something that makes you stop, listen and appreciate that music has a future and its here. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
EAT ME by The Last Vegas
(AFM Records)
Chicago rockers, The Last Vegas are back with their latest release, 'Eat Me', the band's fifth album overall. Composed of Chad Cherry (lead vocals), John Wator (guitar), Adam Arling (guitar), Danny Smash (bass), and Nate Arling (drums). There are no surprises here. It's a adrenaline rush from the first to the last note. There is a steady amount of meat and potatoes rock for Classic rock lovers, combined with just the right amount of angst and sleaze to please any faithful sleaze rockers out there. You buy a record from The Last Vegas because you have a craving for some supercharged rock songs about drinking, women and rocking. 'Eat Me' is packed with eleven tracks highlighted by, "Bloodthirsty", "Here We Go", "Along For The Ride", "Voodoo Woman" and "Anything It Takes". Vocally Chad Cherry comes across as a mix of Brian Johnson (AC/DC) and Jeff Keith (Tesla). The guitar tandem of John Wator and Adam Arling are on point and have great chemistry. The rhythm section of bassist Danny Smash and drummer, Nate Arling are solid and tight as a glove. As a unit these boys deliver cool, infectious songs that are guaranteed to cause your blood pressure to rise big time. The Last Vegas are one of those bands that should be bigger than they are. If you like your rock music swaggering, your vocals spitting attitude, and your riffs juicy then this latest effort by The Last Vegas delivers the goods. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
SITTIN' HEAVY by Monster Truck
(Dine Alone Records)
Canada based rockers, Monster Truck are back and sounding heavier and stronger than ever with their sophomore release, 'Sittin' Heavy'. This is one release I've looking forward to hearing after being blown away with their debut release, 'Furiosity'. After a couple of listens, I am very pleased with what these gents have created here. In a word, this album is infectious. 'Sittin' Heavy' has a unique groove-centered sound that's difficult to categorize but impossible to get out of your head. Catchy riffs. Tight musicianship and powerful vocals. Monster Truck are the total package. Powered by Jon Harvey (Bass & Lead vocals), Jeremy Widerman (Guitar & Vocals), Brandon Bliss (Organ & Vocals) and Steve Kiely (Drums & Vocals) . The album doesn't have a dud on it. You can play it straight from beginning to end without wanting to skip anything. My favorites are, "Why Are You Not Rocking?", "Don't Tell Me How To Live", "Black Forest", "Another Man's Shoes" and "Things Get Better" These are an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10. The others come in at 9's or 10's. These are songs that will have hair flying and air guitars on full stun; music that requires speakers to be on “11”. This is ass-kickin’, gutsy, rock ‘n’ roll for long-haired head-bangers who missed the decade or for those of us who want to go back for an hour of pure rock ecstasy. Put simply, Monster Truck are the real deal and they rock like a Mother! - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
SACRED BLOOD "DIVINE" LIES
by Magnum
(Steamhammer / SPV)
One of the finest rock bands to come of the UK, Magnum return with their latest release, 'Sacred Blood "Divine" Lies following up their previous release 2014's, 'Escape From The Shadow Garden' and sound better than ever. Powdered by Tony Clarkin - guitars, Bob Catley - vocals,Mark Stanway - keyboards, Al Barrow - bass and Harry James – drums. I've been a fan of Magnum ever since, "On A Storyteller's Night" and like always with every release since then they've found ways to blow me away. Bob Catley's vocal delivery is spot on. Tony Clarkin's guitar work sounds powerful and passionate. The rhythm section of Al Barrow and Harry James are tight as a glove and providing depth and texture bringing things all together is keyboard player, Mark Stanway. The songwriting on this new release is testament to Magnum's musical brilliance. Opening up with the epic, "Sacred Blood, "Divine" Lies" keeping you hooked from beginning to end. Every track is filled with power, passion and tells a story. Other highlights include; "Gypsy Queen", "Princess in Rags (The Cult)", "Afraid Of The Night" and the closing "Don't Cry Baby". The special edition of this release includes a good DVD thrown in including videos for, "Sacred Blood, "Divine" Lies" and "Crazy Old Mothers". 'Sacred Blood, "Divine" Lies' is a high quality album. It does what a Magnum album do best, taking the listener on an epic atmospheric story telling lyrical journey packed stellar vocals, guitar, drum and keyboard working in perfect harmony. While other bands that came out the same time as Magnum are content to go on greatest hits tours, these fine gentlemen keep rocking and belting out new material.- Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
LAZY DAYS VOL. 1 by The Buzzos
(Independent Release)
Rockers from Spain, The Buzzos are back with their latest release, 'Lazy Days Vol.1'. With influences raging from MC5, The Stooges and Aerosmith. The Buzzos have it all - riffs, attitude, stomp and the wherewithal to back it all up. The is powered by Sean“Flecha”Swindle on vocals, Dean Demon a.k.a Diego Leone on guitars, Álex D. Lario on guitar
Juan A. Sánchez on bass and Fernan Benítez on drums. The band's new release is packed with six riff rocking tunes all are guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping in no time flat! Personal favorites after my initial listen are "Glory Days", "Ten years" and"Christine (She´s gold)". High energy, whiskey-soaked, whiplash-inducing working man's rock. This is REAL Rock'n'Roll like it's meant to be. Raw, Energetic and Boundary-pushing. Yes there are hints of MC5 and The Stooges but their sound is all their own. The Buzzos' , 'Lazy Days Vol.1' is a mandatory addition to any self-respecting rockers jukebox s library. These guys are the genuine article - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
INGLORIOUS by Inglorious
(Frontier Records)
The highly anticipated self titled debut release from UK rockers, Inglorious is a collection of hard, blues flavored rock, that is raw and laden with emotion. The band is comprised of, Nathan James (Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Uli Jon Roth), vocals, Andreas Eriksson – lead guitars, Wil Taylor – guitars, Colin Parkinson – bass guitar , Phil Beaver - drums. Nathan James' s voice is powerful and displays a wide tonal range, in a variety of styles, from all out rockers to slow bluesy ballads. His ability to infuse genuine feeling into the music, is one of the keys to its appeal. The amazing dual guitar performance by Andreas Eriksson and Wil Taylor exhibit great chemistry while the rhythm section of bassist Colin Parkinson and drummer Phil Beaver provide Inglorious with a rock hard and solid foundation. Together these fine musicians truly shine and deliver and recording that is truly special. From the muscular opener "Until I Die", it is obvious that these boys mean business. As they unleash a barrage of rockers in the form of, "Breakaway" and "High Flying Gypsy". The tempo shifts with the laid back swagger of "Holy Water" and "Bleed For You", then picks up once again with, " Girl Got A Gun", "You're Mine" and "Inglorious" before closing things out with the soulful closer "Wake". Overall, this is a mid-paced bluesy hard rock release, with evident influences from Led Zeppelin, early Whitesnake and some other British hard rock bands. These songs are also catchy and are played with a deep feeling and attitude. If you like your rock music, Bluesy, hard-hitting, melodic, soulful, and impassioned, then Inglorious's debut release is a must have!! - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
