OLD GLORY AND THE WILD REVIVAL by Jared James Nichols
(Listenable Records)
Released last year, 'Old Glory and the Wild Revival' the mind blowing debut release by Jared James Nichols is jaw dropping, exciting and an absolute master-class on how to deliver ball busting hard edged blues. It's so awesome to see a young artist with such a talent, there is so much energy in the music and some amazing guitar playing. To me, Jared James Nichols looks like a combination of John Sykes/Zakk Wylde and guitar sounds like Richie Kotzen meets Jeff Beck on steroids, making for one potent cocktail. Fantastic playing, excellent tone. Maybe it's because like Kotzen and Beck, Jared doesn't use a guitar pick. Backing Jared up are Erik Sandin (bass) and Dennis Holm (drums) both compliments the searing and uncompromising six string fury of Jared James Nichols, and whose chemistry is like white on rice. The vibe of this recording is pretty much full on crashing guitar laden blistering blues rock. It's a record full of energy and vigour that reaches down your spine and presses the "get rocked" button! There is not one bad song on the whole album. Highlights include, "Playing For Keeps", "Crazy", "Can You Feel It?", "Blackfoot" and "Come On In My Kitchen". Also featured are two bonus live tracks, "You Won't Last" and "Playing For Keeps" both recorded live at The Viper Room. Overall, 'Old Glory and the Wild Revival' is an album laced with soulful vocals and blistering guitar riffs. It also shows us that more than anything that Jared James Nichols is going to do it his way, and long may it continue. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
SOULBURST by Dust
(Attitude Recording)
Swedish blues hard rockers, Dust are back with their highly anticipated sophomore release, 'Soulburst'. Comprised of, Roger Solander on lead vocals, Johan Niskanen on guitars and vocals, Bernt Ek on bass and vocals and Örjan Dr Rock Englin on drums. These gents serve up 70's classic rock influenced, hard rock with some crunchy guitar chords and power rhythms. All the songs are well written and the playing is inspiring and some of the tightest rock music I've heard. Roger Solander delivers one hell of a job in the vocal department. You can hear almost a sort of soul searching on such cuts as "Soul Stealer" and "Waiting For You". Johan Niskanen's guitar is powerful and has loads of swagger and attitude. Bernt Ek is one helluva bass player and I really like Örjan Dr Rock Englin's drumming here, the guy has really great timing and he thumps! There is not a weak cut here, standouts include, "Sun Rising", "King Is Coming", "Come On!" "Bad Boy", "Keltic Wheel" (re-recorded tracks taken from the band's debut, 'Tequila Shivers') and "Blind". The bottom line is, 'Soulburst' does not disappoint! It dishes out incredible blues based hard rock that is in your face and melts your brain! A great listen from beginning to end! Loaded with powerful guitar riffs and incredible vocals, just the way I like it. If you enjoy blues based hard rock in any capacity, you'll wanna get your hands on, 'Soulburst'. Tight musicianship, powerful vocals. Dust are the total package. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
LAW AND ORDER by Ulysses
(Black Glove Recording)
It only takes a few seconds of listening to the latest release from UK rockers, Ulysses, 'Law And Order' to know that it's going to be one hellava rocking ride. The new album is produced by Steve Evans (Robert Plant / Siouxsie / Goldfrapp) and was recorded at Monnow Valley Studios, guest starring Rosalie Cunningham from Purson. Ulysses is powered by Luke Smyth on vocals and guitar, Denny Peppers on guitars and backing vocals, Julyan Wells-Cathedral on bass and backing vocals and Shane Maxymus on drums. 'Law And Order' combines contagious rock riffs and power pop vocal hooks resulting in 12 well crafted rock gems. The title track kicks the album off with a powerful message; talented and well-versed bands do indeed exist outside of the plasticized whine-pop groups that blanket today's rock music scene. We then immediatley rock into "Smiling", a catchy pop/rock ditty that shows the band in fine form. "Lady" is a power pop/rock song that belongs on the radio. This immediatley flows into the rocking, "Crazy Horses Ride The Snake". Other highlights, believe this album is loaded them, are "Dirty Weekend" a straight forward rock song that begs to cranked up! "Mary Jane", "Typical Scorpio" and the album closing rocker, "How Long?". 'Law And Order' serves to remind the skeptical music fan that it is possible to produce an extremely rocking yet melodic record in this day and age without the angst and gripe that plague today's younger rock bands. This album rocks, plain and simple! Once it finishes all you'll want to do it start it all again and again. No filler. No bad tracks. It has the flavors from all the great rock eras, the 70's, 80's, 90's, they're all here. I can't wipe the smile off my face. I rest my case. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
The Black Marbles Are Back,
Best Believe It!
Interview by The Dedicated Rocker Society
photos by Peter Pousard
Hailing from Sweden, The Black Marbles the blues hard rock band that formed in 2009 dish out a sound that drips with swagger, groove, energy, heart & soul. A sound that is guitar driven riff oriented classic rock, rock-solid drumming and monster vocals. The band has embraced the traditional 70's classic rock sound of rock giants like Free, Humble Pie and The Faces. Comprised on, Marica Svensson on vocals, Rickard Lindberg on guitars, Krister Selander on bass and Tobbe Bövik on drums.
Their debut album, ' Made In Concrete' released in 2013 received excellent reviews and recognition worldwide. Now in 2016 The Black Marbles are back and set to rock once again. The band are planning to release a new full length album later this year. As well as a mini tour that kicks off on the 26th of April in Bilbao, Spain. In the meantime the band have released a four song Ep, 'Best Believe It' as an appetizer of greater things to come.
We caught up with the band's drummer, Tobbe Bövik to ask him about the band, their latest Ep and their upcoming tour. Here is what he shared with us..
Q: Best Believe It', the title of your new five song Ep. Is this a precursor to what we can hear on the upcoming 'MOVING MOUNTAINS' or have you to go a different direction altogether as far as your full length release?
Tobbe Bövik: The EP contains four songs of which three will end up on the upcoming 'MOVING MOUNTAINS' album, although in completely different versions. The fourth song is a re-recording of the song 'All Out Of Money' which was included on the 'MADE IN CONCRETE' album. The EP is a live recording without audience, hence the raw sound, and I think it gives you a hint of the "new" Black Marbles sound. A little heavier, a little more soul and a dirtier sound.
Q: Where was the Ep recorded? How long did it take to record? Can you describe the "Bunker"?
Tobbe Bövik: We recorded it very quickly in our rehearsal studio; it took probably not longer than 12 hours. Everything is live except for a few guitar and vocal overdubs. We call our rehearsal space The Bunker since it is a concrete room with no windows. But we have made it cosy... This is actually the second 'Bunker Session' with the first being an album with the 2120's which I was briefly in during 2014.
Q: Back to a full length recording. How different will it be from your debut, 'Made In Concrete'? As far as musical direction.
Tobbe Bövik: It will be heavier but still contain a lot of groove and melodies. It will have a little more 70's vibe to it and not as 'produced' as the first album. Marica has done a great job transferring the melodies to fit her voice. Kaj had written lyrics and melodies to all the songs and some were kept but most of it was rewritten. One song we had to ditch though, but we have this song called 'Young Boy' that Marica and Rickard has written before The Black Marbles, and we made it sound to fit the album, so right after the tour we will enter the studio and record it.
Q: Talk about the band's new singer, Marica Svensson and new guitarist, Rickard Lindberg. How did you find them? Did they click right away with the band? What happened to Kaj Paxéus and Philip Karlsson?
Tobbe Bövik: We found Rickard in an ad on the Internet. Actually me and Krister (the bass player) was fed up with the Black Marbles at the time since no one had the time to rehearse so we thought we should start a side project. Rickard was contacted but it never got to happen so we just went back to The Black Marbles to give it another chance. Philip was a student at the time and had a lot to do with school work and therefore could not focus 100% on the band. After a few months we realized that we had to let him go. I remembered Rickard from the ad and sent him a SMS again but with no answer until two weeks later. It turned up he changed cell phone and number so it was a coincidence that he saw our SMS when he checked the drawer where his old mobile was. Anyway, it was a perfect match from the start. He had a lot more blues feeling and a more 'Ritchie Blackmore' type of playing. Philip was great but a little too 'clean' for the band. Marica was together with Rickard for six years and they also had a band together so it just fell naturally to ask her when we went separate ways with Kaj. She is without doubt the greatest singer I ever worked with in any band and she fit the music of the Black Marbles really well. I think Philip quit music but Kaj is in search for new bands and we wish them both all the best of course!
Q: What's the music scene like now in Sweden? Are local music media outlets (music television, radio, etc.) helping out as far promoting local artists/band's?
Tobbe Bövik: The music scene in Sweden is tough. We have all these great bands and artists but still the best selling albums is 'products' put together by the music industry. It is very hard to get gigs as an unknown band unfortunately. The last rock show on national radio was put to rest recently and TV has now shows for bands to promote themselves. Perhaps that is why the standard is so high for bands from Sweden? They have to struggle and fight really hard to get recognintion.
Q: Speaking of media how has social media via the internet, Facebook, Twitter, etc., help the band?
Tobbe Bövik: All these channels offer great opportunities for bands to promote themselves. We have built a fan base of over 4000 fans on Facebook which is great, but of course that involves a lot of hard work and some expenses such as advertising etc. But it is important to make updates regularly to maintain the interest of the band. I think people visit social media sites more than they vist the official webpage. We recently opened an account on Instagram (instagram.com/theblackmarbles) and we hope to grow a following there as well.
Q: What is the deal behind, "Thunder Valley Rocks" TV series?
Tobbe Bövik: We applied for this contest to compete for a place in a TV series about upcoming new bands, we got chosen as the only Swedish band and went to Nottingham and played a three song audition. It went really well but unfortunately The Black Marbles wasn't the kind of band they searched for.
Q:Your tour starts later this month (April 26th). How many dates do you have booked? Will you also be playing some of the big Summer Festivals (Sweden Rock /Sonisphere)?
Tobbe Bövik: Yes, we start the tour in Bilbao, Spain on April 26th. We have six dates booked in Spain before we go home to play Gothenburg Rockfest, a two-day indoor festival. Then we head down to Berlin to play an acoustic gig at Rock Steady Records before driving to the Netherlands for three dates. We are so psyched to go on tour since the band is really tight now and have never sounded better! No festivals are booked for the summer since we must focus on finishing the 'MOVING MOUNTAINS' album. Hopefully we can release it during autumn 2016 and head back out on tour.
Q: Any messages for your fans?
Tobbe Bövik:Please check out our new 'Best Believe it EP' available at CD Baby or our webshop. If you like it we'll hopefully meet on the road somewhere! Stay cool!
For more information on The Black Marbles, pls visit:
http://www.theblackmarbles.com/
GHOST OF GRACELAND by Treat
(Frontier Records)
Scandinavian rockers, TREAT are back with their latest release, 'Ghost Of Graceland'. Following up their 2010 release, 'Coup De Grace". The band is comprised of, Robert Ernlund (vocals), Anders Wikström (guitar, vocals), Patrick Appelgren (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals), Pontus Egberg (bass) and Jamie Borger (drums). The band have put together a melodic rock gem. I love all the catchy melodies, outstanding vocals, heavy guitars, pulsing bass, and pocket-tight drums served up here. The songs hit with force and passion, and the melodies are tight. After my initial listen to the album I am really digging all the tracks especially "Ghost Of Graceland", "Better The Devil You Know", "Endangered", "Inferno", and "Everything To Everyone". So here’s the big question: Is this latest release better than 'Coup De Grace'? (which I really enjoyed). Time and repeated spins will tell, and rest assure I will be playing this one many times in the months ahead. 'Ghost Of Graceland', is a high quality melodic rock album that is recommended to all fans of this style of music and will certainly rank as one of the best melodic rock albums this year. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
THE DEFIANTS by The Defiants
(Frontier Records)
Take two parts Danger Danger, Paul Laine (vocals) and Bruno Ravel (bass, guitar, keyboards)add to that veteran guitaristRob Marcello (guitar). What you get is the melodic rock outfit, The Defiants. Given the players involved, you can pretty much guess what The Defiants sounds like. It's a very dynamic, very slick melodic rock album with a definite similarity to the later conception of Danger Danger. As for their debut, it's pure melodic rock gold. Every song has that vintage AOR/arena rock feel, and every aspect from the songwriting to the musicianship to the vocals to the production is absolutely top notch. Paul Laine's vocals are point and Rob Marcello's guitar work is stellar. It's pointless to call out standout songs when they're all this great. Highlights for me would be, "Love And Bullets","When The Lights Go Down", "Waiting On A Heartbreak", "Save Me Tonight" and "That's When I'll Stop Loving You". The Defiants debut is easy to recommend. If you like melodic rock at all, you NEED this album in your collection. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
FED TO THE LIONS by Tax The Heat
(Nuclear Blast)
An incredible debut album from the amazing British rock band, Tax The Heat. Alex Veale – Vocals & Guitar, JP Jacyshyn – Guitar & Backing Vocals, Antonio Angotti – Bass & Backing Vocals and Jack Taylor – Drums & Backing Vocals. The album mainly consists of full-out rockers, "Highway Home", "Animals", the title track, "Stood On The Platform To Leave" and "Your Fool". The album also is laced with a couple of laid back bluesier songs, "Under Watchful Eye", "Hit Me Hard" and "Caroline". Whether they are rocking out or holding back a bit, the band are equally impressive, and demonstrates their obvious talent as musicians. However, they have more than just skill, their is clearly fantastic chemistry between them. This is blistering blues/rock that needs to be played at high volume! Courtesy of the strong vocals and guitar riffs from Alex Veale , this talented band's 'full-on' rock tracks explode with energy and excitement that'll have you leaping around the room playing air guitar.JP Jacyshyn's powerful guitar-work is backed up perfectly by Antonio Angotti's pounding basslines and Jack Taylor's awesome drumming to create something that transcends mere words - so I won't try! If you like any kind of rock music, Tax The Heat serve it up oh so well. This band are destined for great things, so make sure you check them out before they go worldwide! - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
SANTANA IV by Santana
(Santana IV Records)
Their back! The original revered lineup of classic rock icons Santana. Carlos Santana (guitar, vocals), Gregg Rolie (keyboards, lead vocals), Neal Schon (guitar, vocals), Michael Carabello (percussion) and Michael Shrieve (drums). The album also features current Santana members Karl Perazzo (percussion) and Benny Rietveld (bass), with the legendary vocalist Ronald Isley guesting on two tracks. I have to admit, there was a time I thought that the closest thing I'd hear this original Santana line up was with the 1997 debut release by Abraxas Pool. The band that featured "the band" minus Carlos Santana. 'Santana IV', is the Santana that we all know and love. The album signifies the first time since 1971's Santana III that this line up has recorded together. The album is a triumph of great mix of latin and pop music. It resurrects much of the original Latin rock sound without attempting to imitate the band's early sound. It sounds new, refreshing, & highly energized. The album opens with the tribal "Yambu", a smooth groove laden sound that opens the album perfectly. The upbeat, "Shake It" is up next proving that even after 45 years these gentlemen can jam their ass's off. The lead off track, "Anywhere You Want To Go" has a cool laid back 70's groove. There is no mistaking the vocals of Greg Rolie, instantly recognizable and Neal Schon's guitar playing is as always on point. The instrumental jam, "Filmore East" is, for me one of the album's highlights. For me Santana's strength is when the just go for it and jam, and this track epitomizes that. Other highlights are; "Love Makes The World Go Round" and "Freedom In Your Mind", both tracks featuring, Ron Isley. The instrumental, "All About" and the bluesy "Blues Magic". Overall, I have to say, while I listened to this album, I marvelled over how each song has such a "live" feel to it, not the sterility of many studio albums. It almost sounds as if the band is plugged in and started jamming in my living room playing! I can't recommend this highly enough. Santana are definitely back in business. A big THANK YOU to the band for getting back together and making this happen. Let's hope this isn't the last we hear from the classic lineup. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
SHUT UP AND RAWK
by Doggie White & La Paz
(Metal Mind )
The latest release from the rock project, Doogie White & La Paz comes in the form of, 'Shut Up And Rawk'. Some may recognize Doogie White from his work with, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen, Empire, Chains, Demon's Eye, WAMI (White Appice Mendoza Iggy) and Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock. La Paz is made up of, Chic McSherry (guitar), Alex Carmichael (bass), Andy Mason (keyboards) and Paul McManus (drums). The production is good and tight with lots of bottom end punch courtesy of the monster rhythm section of bassist Alex Carmichael and drummer, Paul McManus. Guitarist Chic McSherry is a solid guitarist that plays with swagger and of Doogie White's vocals are on point. If your cup of tea is classic hard rock this recording is sure satisfy your musical palate. Album highlights include; "Light The Fire" that has that Rainbow meets Deep Purple vibe to it. "Heart Of Stone", "A Certain Song", "Faith Hope And Love" and "Throw Me To The Wolves". Overall, the album works better when listened to in it's entirety and does not drag on or sound generic in the least bit. The band gels perfectly. Sheer quality as you would expect from such talented & experienced musicians. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
Best Believe It EP (Recorded live in the Bunker) by The Black Marbles
(Ofelia Productions)
Swedish rockers The Black Marbles are back with their latest offering the four song Ep, 'Best Believe It' (Recorded live in the Bunker). The band's current line up is comprised of, the powerful and electrifying Marica Svensson on vocals, Rickard Lindberg on guitars, Krister Selander on bass and Tobbe Bövik formerly of The Awesome Machine on drums. He also produced the band's debut release', Made In Concrete'. What the band has served up here is a recording soaked in a nostalgic sound that evokes comparisons to the Led Zeppelin and Humble Pie. From the opening riff of, "Best Believe It" to the other three tracks, "Little Sun", "Fallen" and "All Out Of Money", you are placed on familiar but fresh musical ground. A power quartet with a bold infused sound with the deep guitar licks from Rickard Lindberg. The powerful rhythm section of bassist Krister Selander and Tobbe Bövik and the uninhibited energy and soulful crooning of Marica Svensson. The Black Marbleshave a swagger, a bravado. This is a band that merges two highly valuable commodities: riff driven blues based rock and seriously spellbinding musicality. Fresh, bold, brash and sexy. The Black Marbles songs brings all this and more. 'Best Believe It', is a must for any true rock music fan. If you have never heard of The Black Marbles, do yourself a favor and check this band out. I assure you, you will get ROCKED, best believe that! - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
IT'S TIME TO GET WEIRD
by Sunflower Dead
(Bloody Bat Records)
Long Beach rockers, Sunflower Dead are back with their sophomore release, 'It's Time To Get Weird'. What I like about this album aside from the band's face paint, the cool cover art that is reminiscent to Kiss' 'Rock And Roll Over', is that it's a hard rock band, that doesn't want you to go shoot yourself. Michael Del Pizzo on vocals and accordion, Jamie Teissere and Jabbo on guitars, Lats on bass and Jimmy Schultz on drums. Unlike most bands of the modern rock era. Sunflower Dead are able to make a sound and music while they play. From the opening instrumental piece, "Inhuman Lung" that segues and explodes into the groove laden "Dance With Death” it's obvious right off the bat that the band have taken their muscular sonic sound to a whole new level. Jonathan Davis of Korn is featured on the title track a track that has a set of serious canones. Other highlights include, “You’re Dead to Me”, “I’ll Burn It”, and “The Rain”. All in all this album delivers the goods. The songs are catchy all manage to keep you far far away from the stop button on the stereo. I would definitely recommend this album to anyone who wants to experience stimulating rock music because with Sunflower Dead there's truly no shortage of it. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
TRAMP by The Tracy G. Group
(Spooky G Music)
The Tracy G. Group return with the follow up to their 2015 release, 'This Device' with 'Tramp'. Tracy G – Guitar, Michael Beatty – Vocals, Randy Oviedo – Bass and Patrick Johansson – Drums. I've been a fan of Tracy G. and his musical approach when it comes to not only his guitar playing but his willingness to go beyond and take his his musical vision to places few fear to tread. Listening to the album I am completely blown away. I ask myself, How is he this good? Sounding better than ever? This creative? All the tracks make sense, sound refreshingly different, and go in directions that, musically, no one else seems to think about or try. The sledgehammer, "The Revolution" sets things off powered by Michael Beatty's vocals delivery and Tracy G.'s ball busting riffs. From there your senses are hit with a barrage of both instrumental and lyrical intensity. The highlights are many. And I mean many. The instrumental scary, "Erector", highlighting the air tight chemistry between each musician. The groove laden, "Brokenness", "Arrogant Prick", "Evil Is Good", the epic, "Bleed" and "Fireball". 'Tramp' is a powerhouse release that is loaded full of strong songs that cannot be all consumed in just one sitting. If you want to experience in your face hard rock music that kicks you in the nuts and burns into your very soul then give this album a listen. You will be blown away by the power of the music that is packed into what I consider to be Tracy G.'s finest and best work to date. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
ECHO, Ep by Damon Johnson
(Double Dragon Records)
Unlike his previous two releases, 'Dust' and 'Release', both acoustic recordings. Damon Johnson has decided to plug in his guitar and turn up the Marshalls with the five song Ep, 'Echo'. A recording loaded with great groove laden blues based rockers, good studio production, great vocal performances and off the hook guitar playing with killer tones. Damon Johnson is a talented songsmith and the music shows it. All five tracks, "Dead", "Nobody Usin'","The Waiting Kills Me", "Scars" and "Just Move On". Each track holds its own, and the recording flows together perfectly. Overall, great work from a very talented singer and guitar player. If you liked Damon Johnson's work in Witness and Brother Cane, then you will want your copy of 'Echo'. You'll be telling your friends all about it by the second listen. It's that good. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
KENTUCKY by Black Stone Cherry
(Mascot Records)
Bluegrass rockers, Black Stone Cherry follow up their 2014 release, 'Magic Mountain' with their fifth studio effort, 'Kentucky'. Chris Robertson on vocals, guitar, Ben Wells on guitar, Jon Lawhon on bass and John Fred Young on drums.
There aren't any weak moments here, most of the tracks have a groove and swagger of their own combining catchy sing along choruses, such as, "The Way Of The Future", "Shakin' My Cage", "Soul Machine" and "Long Ride". The boys do a great cover of the Edwin Starr classic, "War", giving the song their own flavor. I've been a huge fan of Black Stone Cherry since their self titled debut. Since then they have continued to impress me with their lyrical content and powerful riffs. 'Kentucky' is another step forward for the band, showing their growing confidence and maturity . Overall, 'Kentucky' is a strong album from a band who have now perfected their craft of making really strong rock songs. For those who like to stomp their feet to songs that will have you rocking throughout, this album delivers the goods. Black Stone Cherry are a band that every rock music fan will enjoy. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
