CD REVIEW: BIGFOOT by Bigfoot

BIGFOOT by Bigfoot
(Frontier Records)

Wigan, England rockers, Bigfoot breakout onto the scene with their self titled debut. Absolutely fabulous old school hard rock. Powerful, storming riffs, & vocals you can hear & understand. The band is comprised of the powerful vocals from Antony Ellis, dual guitar attack from Sam Millar and Mick McCullagh, and a thunderous rhythm section with Matt Avery on bass and Tom Aspinall on drums. As I crank this album to the maximum, I  wonder if I've slipped through some kind of time machine and am back to the late 70's and 80's, the hey day of hard rock music. But no this is the 21st Century and while Bigfoot draws heavily on the golden era of hard rock music there is something about the solid production and sharp tones of powerful debut album, and in particular Antony Ellis,'s strong vocals, that sets these songs apart from their predecessors to place this big slab of rock music very firmly in the present. And that really is the unique thing about Bigfoot, they have managed to catch the classic rock zeitgeist and update it with eleven rocking songs that just don't let up. While opening track, 'Karma' sounds derivative with its driving Armored Saint vibe riff, the second track, "The Fear", echoes a 70's Ted Nugent vibe ala, "Free For All" and the third track, "Tell Me Lie" is back to Armored Saint
territory. But these comparisons are interesting but irrelevant because all of the songs are superb in their own right and work together in the end-to-end context of the album. The second half of the album in my opinion stronger than the first containing my two favourites tracks,  "Freak Show" and "The Devil In Me", but that's just me. No brainer really, if you've been looking to rock out to hard rock music that deliver the goods in spades, look no further than Bigfoot. 

 - Highly Recommended

Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: SOME KIND A VOODOO by Vick LeCar

SOME KIND A VOODOO by Vick LeCar
(Independent Release)

Guitar player, song writer, performer, Vick LeCar is back with his latest release, 'Some Kind A Voodoo'. This new five song Ep, as with his previous outings, proves beyond any doubt the creativity and dedication to strong melodic content this man establishes in his compositions. Always a tasteful, well phrased, stringmeister, Vick LeCar's guitar work shines throughout each song. From the guitar driven rocking, "Black Cars" to the full throttle tribal vibe of the title track. As well as the two instrumental tracks, the mesmerizing bluesy, "Elizabeth" and smoking, "One Take For The Blues". LeCar's guitar work has always been nothing less than phenomenal in the past and that excellence  continues on this amazing recording. How Vick LeCar has flown under the radar and has not become a household name in rock music is still a mystery to me. The bottom line is with 'Some Kind A Voodoo' Vick LeCar continues to impress with his guitar and writing chops. He can burn, but never seems to over play. I am a loyal fan and will continue to follow and support him.

 - Highly Recommended

Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: II by Boyce

II by Boyce
(Independent Release)

'After one play of II by Boyce, I was ready to play it again! A great first impression and a rock solid album. Catchy rock melodies seem to becoming a lost art but this album is filled with them, as well as top-rate guitar playing and solid vocals by Gregory Boyce Halls. The album is packed with a solid  collection of melodic rock songs that well written and performed on point. The production is solid all around. As a whole is strong from start to end but song highlights for me are , "The Fugitive", "Over And Over Again", "You And I" and "Through The Storm". In this day of quick release mp3 tracks where so much of the music is processed and devoid of passion or melody it is nice to have an musician like Gregory Boyce Halls putting out a rock solid recording filled with killer melodic rock songs for those us rockers that appreciate music you can still crank up and sing out with while cruising down the road. 'II' by Boyce is a rocking, energetic album from start to finish.

 - Highly Recommended

Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: SHADES OF GRAY by Myke Gray

SHADES OF GRAY by Myke Gray
(Independent Release)

Former Jagged Edge UK/SKIN guitarist Myke Gray's releases his long-awaited debut album, 'Shades Of Gray' striking a perfect balance of style, power and imagination. In my opinion, Myke Gray is one of those guitarist who gets it. It's not all about how fast you can play, it's about feeling and note selection. This man has always had that in spades and I have always been a huge fan of his work both with Jagged Edge UK and SKIN. 'Shades Of Gray' has everything Myke Gray fan's would expect, well written, melodic songs, and amazing guitar playing from start to finish.  Album highlights include, "Infinite Power", "Maverick", "Diablo", "Kill The Masters" and "I Love Guitars" as well as the only vocal track on the album, "Take Me Home" featuring the soulful Lorraine Crosby on vocals. Each song showcases Gray's guitar expertise as well as his emotional honesty and vulnerability. The guitar speaks to you. Gray caresses it into blazing riffs and goosebump-producing solos that ring with the passion of someone who loves music and , I'll say it again, just gets it. There is no doubt in my mind, if you're a fan of excellent musical compositions and jaw-dropping, amazing guitar playing, then 'Shades Of Gray' by Myke Gray is a recording worth experiencing.

 - Highly Recommended

Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: EXILE & GRACE by King King

EXILE & GRACE by King King
(Manhaton Records)

Alan Nimmo and the band, King King return with their latest release, 'Exile & Grace', the band's fourth studio release. This time around serving up a more a classic rock blues sound with a modern flare making the music sound fresh and powerful. This is a album that any blues rock lover would love. It's guitar, it's rock, it's blues, it's great songwriting. There really aren't any weak songs on this album. Opening with the energizing lead off single, "(She Don't) Gimme No Lovin'", followed by "Heed The Warning" and "Broken". From there it just gets better with other highlights, the rocking "Tear It All Up", "Long Time Running" and the album closing, "I Don't Wanna Lie". For the folks that pick up the Vinyl version, the band include a cover of the Whitesnake hit, "Give Me All Your Love". 'Exile & Grace' just further promotes King King as one of the leaders in the blues rock genre. Reaffirming the reason why I've been a fan of this band since day one. The band's incredible ability to improvise within the song. You can't do this unless you are excellent musicians, which they are. King King just keeps getting better and better with each release. The songwriting depth and band tightness is astounding! There comes a time when the crap on the radio actually becomes crap and then you listen to a band like King King and your belief in really good music is renewed.

 - Highly Recommended

Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

SHADES OF GRAY Q&A with Myke Gray by The Dedicated Rocker Society

SHADES OF GRAY
Q&A with Myke Gray
by The Dedicated Rocker Society
(Photo credit: Ross Halfin)

Guitarist Myke Gray caught my attention back in the late 80's when I heard his playing on the Ep 'Trouble' by the band Jagged Edge U.K.. Even through was just an Ep, Gray's guitar playing blew me away! What sealed the deal for me as being a true fan was when the band released their debut, 'Fuel For Your Soul', considered by many in the melodic rock arena as an instant all time classic. Unfortunately,  after the release the band called it day. But it wouldn't be the last we would hear of Myke Gray. He would later showcase his amazing talents in the bands SKIN and RED, WHITE & BLUE. Fast forward to 2017 and a new chapter in the musical journey of Myke Gray who is set to release his long awaited and highly anticipated debut, 'Shades Of Gray' later this month.

Wanting to get Myke's thoughts and insights on the release of his debut, I sent off the following questions to Myke, that he kindly to the time answer. Here's what he shared with me.

Q: Are you satisfied with how, 'Shades Of Gray' turned out? 

Myke Gray:  My main hope is that the people who have supported me for 30 years are satisfied - it's a big responsibility not to let them down - it weighs heavy on my mind.

Q: Who are the musicians, besides you, playing on the album? Are you handing the vocals?

MG: The drums were played by Matthew Blakout on bass Hannah Fox. Some vocals by Lorraine Crosby and I play all the guitars.

Q: How many songs did you actually write for the album?

MG: I wrote 13 but only 10 will be on the album and until they are all finished I won't know.

Q: Musically, how would you describe the musical vibe of the album?

MG: The album is a thank you to the fans and a tribute to all the guitar players that have influenced me in my musical evolvement.

Q: Will you be playing shows for the album?

MG: I have promised that if the 1000 CDs sell I will do a concert - we are halfway there already.

Q: Any words for your fans, you would like to pass along?

MG: My message to the fans is Thank you for your faith and love and I hope I don't let any of you down.

Myke, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!

MG: My pleasure thank you for your support

To order your copy of, 'Shades Of Gray', please visit:
http://www.mykegray.rocks

CD REVIEW: HEAT WAVE by Lou DiBello

HEAT WAVE by Lou DiBello
(Independent Release)

'Guitarist Lou DiBello turns up the heat with the release of his fourth studio album, 'Heat Wave', a smoking recording packed with enough six string firepower that would level a city block. Serving up a premium blend of hard rock/metal with vocals as well as instrumental tracks with a real emphasis on good songs with great guitar playing. The album also features a group of amazing musicians, Carsten Schulz (Evidence One/Dead End Heroes) on vocals, Mike LePond (Symphony X) on bass guitar (Blood On The Cross/Drop Deadly/Into The Arena), Ross "The Boss” Friedman (Dictators, Manowar) on lead guitar (Blood On The Cross), Bobby Whiles on drums and Tim Rixstine on keyboards, synthesizer. Album highlights include.  All out rockers ‘Let Me Hear You Scream - Rock & Roll!, "Blood On The Cross", "The Meeting" as well as smoking instrumental tracks , "Full Throttle", "Drop Deadly, and his take on the Schenker classic ‘Into the Arena’. A lot of guitarists release instrumental music that displays technical prowess and speed but lacks melody. That ain't the case here. 'Heat Wave' is a heavy, forceful, metal influenced guitar album with melody. Lou DiBello brilliantly combines the melodic style and groove of the masters bringing his own six string flavor to the table creating one of the most enjoyable and creative rock releases this year. 

 - Highly Recommended

Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: STREETS OF CHANCE by Tony Mills

STREETS OF CHANCE by Tony Mills
(Battlegod Productions)

Tony Mills returns with his highly anticipated stunning new release, 'Streets Of Chance', delivering 11 grade "A" melodic rock tracks that exhibit his powerful and amazing vocals prowess. The album also boasts a line up of amazing musicians backing Mills up. On guitar, Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake), Tommy Denander (Radioactive, Alice Cooper, Paul Stanley) Neil Frazer (Rage of Angels, Ten) and Pete Fry (FarCry).  On bass, Toine Vanderlinden (Martyr, Rebelstar Rock) and Linda Mills (Dolls of Disaster). Pete Newdeck on drums and keyboards, Eric Ragno (The Babys, Joe Lynne Turner, China Blue). Being a fan of Tony's work in band like, Shy, Siam and China Bue as well as his solo albums. It was a no brainer for me. I have to say this is the best I've heard him. 'Streets Of Chance' is a very guitar driven album full of melody and ear dripping lyrics impregnated with meaning and direction. The album has a great flow from start to end. The album opens strong with "Scars" and from there just gets better with tracks like, "When The Lights Go Down", "Battleground" and "Weighing Me Down". If you're a fan of Tony Mills' other projects, I have no doubt you'll love what he's done with this latest release. It's a premium blend of melodic rock album from a guy with a proven track record of releasing first rate melodic rock albums. What more can you ask for? 'Streets Of Chance', in my opinion is Tony Mills' best work to date and one of best releases I've heard this year.

 - Highly Recommended

Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: BEAR BONE COMPANY by Bear Bone Company

BEAR BONE COMPANY by Bear Bone Company
(Sliptrick Records)

The Swedish based juggernaut known as Bear Bone Company breakout onto the scene with their powerhouse self titled debut release that is loaded with 10 ball busting tracks that will pommel your speakers. Comprised of B.K. guitar, lead vocals, J.Martin on bass, vocals and Knauz on drums. What can I say, this trio proves without a doubt  that rock is not dead and they can still make a stunning album. You can definitely hear Black Label Society and at time Volbeat in there work. But don't think that means they have copied them. Some how they have taken everything that has come before them and made it there own. The opening track, "Fade", kicks the album off in rocking fashion with its driving guitar riff intensity that bleeds into "Kiss N Tell" which is a ball buster of track. Other tracks guaranteed to get your rock and roll juices flowing, "Down In Flames", "Way Back Home", "Drinkin' Time" and "Hangin'". The trio is tight, powerful and their musicianship is on point. The songwriting is straight and to the point, cleanly and well produced and recorded, just allowing a listener to get their rocks off. Great, not overly-indulgent solos great rhythm section. Nothing is lacking on this debut album, I hope they're just getting started. 

 - Highly Recommended

Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society