Classic rock hits from the original KISS guitarist and R&R Hall of Fame inductee. The success of Ace Frehley’s solo career, as both a recording artist and performer, has easily outpaced his KISS band mates.

His 2014 release Space Invader was the only post KISS solo album to crack the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 albums chart, and his acclaimed 2011 autobiography No Regrets went on to become a New York Times best-seller.  Ace’s next album, Origins II, is set for a Fall 2020 release and will feature guests Robin Zander (Cheap Trick), Lita Ford, Bruce Kulick and John 5.  

With KISS on their farewell tour Ace is in the news just about every day - mentioned in every article referencing KISS as the original lead guitarist with most writers commenting that KISS is not the same without Ace.  

Here is what Rolling Stone had to say on the topic – Article 

Ace Frehley - Bio

Here are a few things you probably know about Ace Frehley: He’s the original lead guitarist for KISS (which he co-founded in 1973). He was also their best—his song-within-the-song guitar solos are as much a part of KISS as the band’s seven-inch platform boots. And he’s always been the coolest member of KISS—rock ’n’ roll swagger, laid-back, mysterious—just ask Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine, or Naoko Yamano of Shonen Knife, or Abbath of Immortal. Hell, even people who don’t like KISS still love Ace.

What you may not know is that Ace Frehley has not been a member of KISS since 2002, when he left his second tenure with the band (there’s a “spaceman” currently playing leads for the band, but it ain’t Ace). In his time away from KISS (1983-1996, and 2002-present), Frehley has put together the most successful solo career of any member—current or former.

And Ace is on a roll. He’s ready to embark on his next musical journey with ​Spaceman,​ his third solo outing in four years. Of all Ace’s post-KISS recorded output, ​Spaceman​ might be the closest link to his widely acclaimed 1978 solo record, both in spirit and execution. First off, Frehley played all of the guitar parts on ​Spaceman​, as well as bass on all but two songs. Longtime drummer Anton Fig, whose friendship with Ace began in that 1978 record, also appears on “Off My Back” and “Pursuit of Rock and Roll” (longtime collaborators Scot Coogan and Matt Starr also play drums on ​Spaceman​).

There’s also a thematic, almost biographical, thread running through the album of a long life in rock ’n’ roll, although Ace admits it wasn’t intentional. The first single “Bronx Boy” lays out Ace’s pre-KISS roots, running wild with an Irish street gang called the Ducky Boys. It might be his grittiest song to date, with an opening riff that lashes out like a switchblade.

“Pursuit of Rock and Roll” ticks off a list of rockers that made Ace who he is, including Little Richard and the Stones. Frehley also makes it clear that rock is truly all he needs: “So sick of looking at reality TV / and like the Beatles said, you gotta ‘Let It Be.’”

Ace’s cover of Eddie Money’s “I Wanna Go Back” gives the song a ripping power pop makeover. It was chosen for the record by Ace himself. “I was laying in bed with Rachael (Gordon) watching YouTube videos, and that song came on. I told her I was gonna cover it. It’s about me.”

“No need to worry, I’ll be home soon, ’cause I’m rockin’ with the boys,” Frehley sings on “Rockin’ With the Boys,” which tells the tales of life on the road. Ace says he wrote the original version of the song back in KISS’s heyday in the ’70s—if you listen closely, it could almost be seen as a rockin’ counterpart to the Peter Criss-penned KISS classic “Beth.”

Speaking of KISS brethren, let’s get back to those two songs on Spaceman​ that Ace didn’t play bass on. One listen of opener “Without You I’m Nothing” should be a dead giveaway. That mighty dinosaur growl of a bass tone belongs to Gene Simmons, who co-wrote that song, along with “Your Wish Is My Command,” with the Space Ace at Frehley’s home studio in Rancho Santa Fe, California.

Ace recalls a relaxed three hours of hanging out, writing songs, and eating sandwiches with Simmons, who roomed with him back in the KISS daze. A lot of barbs have been thrown by both over the past couple of decades, but there’s still a mutual love for one another, made clear during Ace’s recent stints on Simmons’ Vault Experience.

His reconnection with Simmons and fellow KISS vocalist-guitarist Paul Stanley (who joined Ace on a cover of Free’s “Fire and Water” for 2016’s covers LP ​Origins, Vol. 1​) might be chalked up to the fact that Frehley has been sober for more than a decade (he celebrated 12 years of sobriety in September). Ace’s clean living no doubt has a lot to do with his productive streak, which began with the release of his top 20 Anomaly a​ lbum in 2009, his top 10 Space Invader LP in 2014 (a first forany​ KISS member); and continues with ​Spaceman​ (a title suggested by Gene himself).

Spaceman​ is a lean-and-mean nine tracks, and includes what has become a trademark for any Ace joint, a cosmic instrumental. “Quantum Flux” is a classic prog ’n’ roll song from Frehley, with lush acoustics and twin-leads. Fans might also notice the song’s doomy outro, which nods to “Black Diamond” on KISS’s 1974 debut.

Along with writing and recording new material, Ace has also been tirelessly hitting the road, playing festivals, as well as dates stateside and in Australia and Japan (including dates with the mighty Alice Cooper). As always, Ace is traveling at an altitude us mere mortals will never understand—a life lived to the fullest, and one that has defied... well, everything. That said, if you ever see the Space Ace in the cosmos, there’s only one proper reaction: “Hey look, it’s rock ’n’ roll!”

Classic rock hits from the original KISS guitarist and R&R Hall of Fame inductee. The success of Ace Frehley’s solo career, as both a recording artist and performer, has easily outpaced his KISS band mates.

His 2014 release Space Invader was the only post KISS solo album to crack the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 albums chart, and his acclaimed 2011 autobiography No Regrets went on to become a New York Times best-seller.  Ace’s next album, Origins II, is set for a Fall 2020 release and will feature guests Robin Zander (Cheap Trick), Lita Ford, Bruce Kulick and John 5.  

With KISS on their farewell tour Ace is in the news just about every day - mentioned in every article referencing KISS as the original lead guitarist with most writers commenting that KISS is not the same without Ace.  

Here is what Rolling Stone had to say on the topic – Article 

Ace Frehley - Bio

Here are a few things you probably know about Ace Frehley: He’s the original lead guitarist for KISS (which he co-founded in 1973). He was also their best—his song-within-the-song guitar solos are as much a part of KISS as the band’s seven-inch platform boots. And he’s always been the coolest member of KISS—rock ’n’ roll swagger, laid-back, mysterious—just ask Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine, or Naoko Yamano of Shonen Knife, or Abbath of Immortal. Hell, even people who don’t like KISS still love Ace.

What you may not know is that Ace Frehley has not been a member of KISS since 2002, when he left his second tenure with the band (there’s a “spaceman” currently playing leads for the band, but it ain’t Ace). In his time away from KISS (1983-1996, and 2002-present), Frehley has put together the most successful solo career of any member—current or former.

And Ace is on a roll. He’s ready to embark on his next musical journey with ​Spaceman,​ his third solo outing in four years. Of all Ace’s post-KISS recorded output, ​Spaceman​ might be the closest link to his widely acclaimed 1978 solo record, both in spirit and execution. First off, Frehley played all of the guitar parts on ​Spaceman​, as well as bass on all but two songs. Longtime drummer Anton Fig, whose friendship with Ace began in that 1978 record, also appears on “Off My Back” and “Pursuit of Rock and Roll” (longtime collaborators Scot Coogan and Matt Starr also play drums on ​Spaceman​).

There’s also a thematic, almost biographical, thread running through the album of a long life in rock ’n’ roll, although Ace admits it wasn’t intentional. The first single “Bronx Boy” lays out Ace’s pre-KISS roots, running wild with an Irish street gang called the Ducky Boys. It might be his grittiest song to date, with an opening riff that lashes out like a switchblade.

“Pursuit of Rock and Roll” ticks off a list of rockers that made Ace who he is, including Little Richard and the Stones. Frehley also makes it clear that rock is truly all he needs: “So sick of looking at reality TV / and like the Beatles said, you gotta ‘Let It Be.’”

Ace’s cover of Eddie Money’s “I Wanna Go Back” gives the song a ripping power pop makeover. It was chosen for the record by Ace himself. “I was laying in bed with Rachael (Gordon) watching YouTube videos, and that song came on. I told her I was gonna cover it. It’s about me.”

“No need to worry, I’ll be home soon, ’cause I’m rockin’ with the boys,” Frehley sings on “Rockin’ With the Boys,” which tells the tales of life on the road. Ace says he wrote the original version of the song back in KISS’s heyday in the ’70s—if you listen closely, it could almost be seen as a rockin’ counterpart to the Peter Criss-penned KISS classic “Beth.”

Speaking of KISS brethren, let’s get back to those two songs on Spaceman​ that Ace didn’t play bass on. One listen of opener “Without You I’m Nothing” should be a dead giveaway. That mighty dinosaur growl of a bass tone belongs to Gene Simmons, who co-wrote that song, along with “Your Wish Is My Command,” with the Space Ace at Frehley’s home studio in Rancho Santa Fe, California.

Ace recalls a relaxed three hours of hanging out, writing songs, and eating sandwiches with Simmons, who roomed with him back in the KISS daze. A lot of barbs have been thrown by both over the past couple of decades, but there’s still a mutual love for one another, made clear during Ace’s recent stints on Simmons’ Vault Experience.

His reconnection with Simmons and fellow KISS vocalist-guitarist Paul Stanley (who joined Ace on a cover of Free’s “Fire and Water” for 2016’s covers LP ​Origins, Vol. 1​) might be chalked up to the fact that Frehley has been sober for more than a decade (he celebrated 12 years of sobriety in September). Ace’s clean living no doubt has a lot to do with his productive streak, which began with the release of his top 20 Anomaly a​ lbum in 2009, his top 10 Space Invader LP in 2014 (a first forany​ KISS member); and continues with ​Spaceman​ (a title suggested by Gene himself).

Spaceman​ is a lean-and-mean nine tracks, and includes what has become a trademark for any Ace joint, a cosmic instrumental. “Quantum Flux” is a classic prog ’n’ roll song from Frehley, with lush acoustics and twin-leads. Fans might also notice the song’s doomy outro, which nods to “Black Diamond” on KISS’s 1974 debut.

Along with writing and recording new material, Ace has also been tirelessly hitting the road, playing festivals, as well as dates stateside and in Australia and Japan (including dates with the mighty Alice Cooper). As always, Ace is traveling at an altitude us mere mortals will never understand—a life lived to the fullest, and one that has defied... well, everything. That said, if you ever see the Space Ace in the cosmos, there’s only one proper reaction: “Hey look, it’s rock ’n’ roll!”

Play it again, Alice

In many cases, books become films. With Alice Francis everything is different…​​once again.  Because here films become music. For "Club Noir", the third album by the special trio, singer Alice Francis and her two musician gentlemen Goldie and Chul-Min let themselves be infected and inspired by her passion for classic Hollywood.

In her past Alice spent many Sundays watching black and white movies. With Hitchcock, Hawks and Wilder, the Romanian musician with Tanzanian roots was inspired by the film dramas of the time. The passion continues to this day. Alice has been musically successful as Alice Francis aka Miss Flapperty and has been performing live worldwide for years, including with Parov Stelar. In the historical series "Kadewe" by Julia von Heinz, she recently took on a role on screen and was also responsible for a contribution to the soundtrack. As part of the #zerowaste sustainability project she initiated, Alice Francis slipped into the guise of various strong women for a charitable PinArt calendar: Josephine Baker, Marilyn Monroe, Matta Hari to name a few…

In addition to her penchant for costumes and characters, it was above all the stories that fascinated Alice. Traces of this fascination can already be found on her debut album “St. James Ballroom" from 2012 as well as on the 2017 successor "Electric Shock". But with "Club Noir" Alice Francis and her two gentlemen take "story-telling with music" to a new level. As a kind of conductor, Goldie takes on  the main part of the musical responsibility. The tracks he arranges and produces are more than just the sounds between Alice Francis' lines. Just like in film, the main roles in music stand and fall with their staging. On "Club Noir" Goldie once again turns out to be one of the really great arrangers. Whether country ballad, doo-wop stomper or crime waltz - the multi-instrumentalist knows what sounds put the songs in an even better light. This time he also recorded many live instruments such as banjo, harp or theremin with studio musicians. The collaborations with the Bucharest Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Simona Srungaru are particularly impressive in this respect.

And so each of the 15 songs on “Club Noir” tells its very own story: about lust and love, about longing and failure, about cats and killers. These episodes are held together by no less classic interludes, which are accompanied by a narrator, like a radio play. That their titles are reminiscent of legendary things from the film noir era? As good as impossible. Any resemblance to "Angles with Dirty Faces", "Murder, my sweet" or "Crime without passion" must inevitably be a coincidence... This is how mental cinema works. And what's the name of the movie? It's a wrap!

Play it again, Alice

In many cases, books become films. With Alice Francis everything is different…​​once again.  Because here films become music. For "Club Noir", the third album by the special trio, singer Alice Francis and her two musician gentlemen Goldie and Chul-Min let themselves be infected and inspired by her passion for classic Hollywood.

In her past Alice spent many Sundays watching black and white movies. With Hitchcock, Hawks and Wilder, the Romanian musician with Tanzanian roots was inspired by the film dramas of the time. The passion continues to this day. Alice has been musically successful as Alice Francis aka Miss Flapperty and has been performing live worldwide for years, including with Parov Stelar. In the historical series "Kadewe" by Julia von Heinz, she recently took on a role on screen and was also responsible for a contribution to the soundtrack. As part of the #zerowaste sustainability project she initiated, Alice Francis slipped into the guise of various strong women for a charitable PinArt calendar: Josephine Baker, Marilyn Monroe, Matta Hari to name a few…

In addition to her penchant for costumes and characters, it was above all the stories that fascinated Alice. Traces of this fascination can already be found on her debut album “St. James Ballroom" from 2012 as well as on the 2017 successor "Electric Shock". But with "Club Noir" Alice Francis and her two gentlemen take "story-telling with music" to a new level. As a kind of conductor, Goldie takes on  the main part of the musical responsibility. The tracks he arranges and produces are more than just the sounds between Alice Francis' lines. Just like in film, the main roles in music stand and fall with their staging. On "Club Noir" Goldie once again turns out to be one of the really great arrangers. Whether country ballad, doo-wop stomper or crime waltz - the multi-instrumentalist knows what sounds put the songs in an even better light. This time he also recorded many live instruments such as banjo, harp or theremin with studio musicians. The collaborations with the Bucharest Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Simona Srungaru are particularly impressive in this respect.

And so each of the 15 songs on “Club Noir” tells its very own story: about lust and love, about longing and failure, about cats and killers. These episodes are held together by no less classic interludes, which are accompanied by a narrator, like a radio play. That their titles are reminiscent of legendary things from the film noir era? As good as impossible. Any resemblance to "Angles with Dirty Faces", "Murder, my sweet" or "Crime without passion" must inevitably be a coincidence... This is how mental cinema works. And what's the name of the movie? It's a wrap!

The Allman Family Revival

On December 8, 2017, Devon Allman invited a couple dozen of his closest musical compadres onto the hallowed stage of The Fillmore to perform a three-hour, multi-set monster of a concert for the sold-out crowd that filled the historic San Francisco venue in tribute to Allman’s late father, Gregg.  The date was bittersweet; what would’ve been Gregg’s 70th birthday.  For Allman, in a year when the award-winning musician lost both parents within a few months of each other, what started as a simple idea of music as medicine had given birth to The Allman Family Revival: a happy and healing cosmic experience celebrating the life, spirit, and indelible musical legacy of Gregg Allman.

The format for this ambitious undertaking, Allman says, was inspired by one of rock’s most famous concerts (and film).  “I had recently re-fallen in love with The Band’s The Last Waltz and thought that would be perfect: let our band come out and serve as the appetizer; then one-by-one welcome our special guests; have them do a song they are known for and also do an Allman-centric song.”

Year one, the newly-formed Devon Allman Project with Duane Betts indeed welcomed a slew of heavyweights to the tribute: G. Love; Robert Randolph; Luther and Cody Dickinson; Alex Orbison; and Samantha Fish, to name a few.  In 2018, The Allman Betts Band acted as the Revival’s house band, adding wunderkind Marcus King to the already-impressive guest list for another sold-out affair at The Fillmore.  By 2019, Allman extended the scope of the now-annual event, and the invites (including Cheap Trick’s legendary singer, Robin Zander), slating Allman Family Revival shows in San Francisco, Denver’s Mission Ballroom, and New York City’s Beacon Theatre.  In 2020, the global pandemic forced Allman to pivot to a February 2021 date, adapting the Revival to a single, socially-distanced performance at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium and included Jimmy Hall (Wet Willie) and JD Simo among the now-familiar faces of Allman’s ever-expanding musical family.

“I like having artists that knew Dad, played with him, maybe were an opening act, or were really influenced and inspired by him,” Allman says.  “As for a venue, I prefer those turn-of-the-century to mid-20th century, old-school theatres. They are just gorgeous inside, sculpted for sound, and provide the perfect location for these very special shows.  I love for this concert to feel like a night at the theatre for our audience.”

Once envisioned as a single celebration in San Francisco, the Allman Family Revival, in its sixth year, it will again be a full-fledged, coast-to-coast tour.  As curator, host, and performer, Allman remains true to the painstaking mission of providing an epic event worthy of its inspiration.   “I really enjoy working with the guests individually on setlists to make each show a very special night.  It’s a daunting task, for sure, but a labor of love every time.”

The 2021 coast to coast Revival Tour was a one for the ages.  It included eighteen shows and debut appearances by Ivan Neville, George Porter, Kenny Aronoff, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Karl Denson to name a few but was admittedly and understandably a complicated adventure as waves of Covid were still reeking havoc on the live music business.

Among the marquee names scheduled for 2022’s Revival are The Devon Allman Project, Duane Betts, Donavon Frankenreiter, Maggie Rose, Jimmy Hall, Larry McCray, Alex Orbison and The River Kittens, plus, of course, more surprises to come.                                                                                                                 

“My favorite part is just the joy of the audience.  I can tell they are touched and getting every penny’s worth,” Allman says.  “Knowing Dad is looking down saying, ‘Damn, son, all that hot jammin’ for me?!’ I know he’s tickled that we celebrate him.  Because none of us has to do this.  We all have busy careers.  This is a ‘want to’ situation; absolutely, 100% about music and celebration and tribute.”   

The Allman Family Revival

On December 8, 2017, Devon Allman invited a couple dozen of his closest musical compadres onto the hallowed stage of The Fillmore to perform a three-hour, multi-set monster of a concert for the sold-out crowd that filled the historic San Francisco venue in tribute to Allman’s late father, Gregg.  The date was bittersweet; what would’ve been Gregg’s 70th birthday.  For Allman, in a year when the award-winning musician lost both parents within a few months of each other, what started as a simple idea of music as medicine had given birth to The Allman Family Revival: a happy and healing cosmic experience celebrating the life, spirit, and indelible musical legacy of Gregg Allman.

The format for this ambitious undertaking, Allman says, was inspired by one of rock’s most famous concerts (and film).  “I had recently re-fallen in love with The Band’s The Last Waltz and thought that would be perfect: let our band come out and serve as the appetizer; then one-by-one welcome our special guests; have them do a song they are known for and also do an Allman-centric song.”

Year one, the newly-formed Devon Allman Project with Duane Betts indeed welcomed a slew of heavyweights to the tribute: G. Love; Robert Randolph; Luther and Cody Dickinson; Alex Orbison; and Samantha Fish, to name a few.  In 2018, The Allman Betts Band acted as the Revival’s house band, adding wunderkind Marcus King to the already-impressive guest list for another sold-out affair at The Fillmore.  By 2019, Allman extended the scope of the now-annual event, and the invites (including Cheap Trick’s legendary singer, Robin Zander), slating Allman Family Revival shows in San Francisco, Denver’s Mission Ballroom, and New York City’s Beacon Theatre.  In 2020, the global pandemic forced Allman to pivot to a February 2021 date, adapting the Revival to a single, socially-distanced performance at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium and included Jimmy Hall (Wet Willie) and JD Simo among the now-familiar faces of Allman’s ever-expanding musical family.

“I like having artists that knew Dad, played with him, maybe were an opening act, or were really influenced and inspired by him,” Allman says.  “As for a venue, I prefer those turn-of-the-century to mid-20th century, old-school theatres. They are just gorgeous inside, sculpted for sound, and provide the perfect location for these very special shows.  I love for this concert to feel like a night at the theatre for our audience.”

Once envisioned as a single celebration in San Francisco, the Allman Family Revival, in its sixth year, it will again be a full-fledged, coast-to-coast tour.  As curator, host, and performer, Allman remains true to the painstaking mission of providing an epic event worthy of its inspiration.   “I really enjoy working with the guests individually on setlists to make each show a very special night.  It’s a daunting task, for sure, but a labor of love every time.”

The 2021 coast to coast Revival Tour was a one for the ages.  It included eighteen shows and debut appearances by Ivan Neville, George Porter, Kenny Aronoff, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Karl Denson to name a few but was admittedly and understandably a complicated adventure as waves of Covid were still reeking havoc on the live music business.

Among the marquee names scheduled for 2022’s Revival are The Devon Allman Project, Duane Betts, Donavon Frankenreiter, Maggie Rose, Jimmy Hall, Larry McCray, Alex Orbison and The River Kittens, plus, of course, more surprises to come.                                                                                                                 

“My favorite part is just the joy of the audience.  I can tell they are touched and getting every penny’s worth,” Allman says.  “Knowing Dad is looking down saying, ‘Damn, son, all that hot jammin’ for me?!’ I know he’s tickled that we celebrate him.  Because none of us has to do this.  We all have busy careers.  This is a ‘want to’ situation; absolutely, 100% about music and celebration and tribute.”   

Canadian AV (Ann Vriend) is a two-time Maple Blues Award songwriting recipient, an Edmonton Music Award and Alberta Centennial Award recipient, and has sold nearly 30,000 albums off-the-stage in her critically acclaimed international career.  Her sound is simultaneously reminiscent of the vintage, rootsy, soul style of Stax Records and Muscle Shoals recordings, while also contemporary and commercially viable, not to mention lyrically politically poignant.

AV has been hailed by NOW Magazine as a musician who "turns soul on its head, belting out delicate introspection in the form of fire”. She is one of the only independent artists in recent history to break into the Top 100 Pop Charts of commercial radio in Germany, the world’s 4th largest music market; even taking the #1 spot on one of their largest stations, Bayern 1.  To quote the Toronto Star: "Don't miss her."

Aside from the commercial sphere, AV’s music consistently receives spins on community and campus radio across Canada, where currently her new album sits at #2 on the esteemed listener-supported CKUA; and she has been the guest on such nationally favourite radio shows such as "Vinyl Cafe", and Holger Petersen's "Saturday Night Blues," and "All Nat'l Blues."  In Germany AV has performed on popular TV shows such as ZDF's “Morgenmagazin” and "The Pierre M Krause Show, as well as Arte TV; and in Australia she was a guest on ABC’s comedy show, “Spicks and Specks,” "The Inner Sleeve", and others.  AV has recorded at Sony Studios and the Hit Factory in NYC, and worked with esteemed producers such as Ray Bardani and Joe Chicarelli; and by his request she has worked with multiple number one hit songwriter Dan Hill.

AV's last tour before the pandemic was a six-night opening slot for UK star Lisa Stansfield, where each night Stansfield's crowds were captivated into complete silence before the end of AV's first song.

Based on this success a 21-date spring 2020 tour of Europe was booked, with many shows sold out by early February, 2020.  A brand new album was to be released in conjunction with the tour, and 2020 looked to be an incredibly promising year for AV-- had it not been for, of course, the pandemic.

So, instead, AV launched what came to be a weekly event called “Porch Concerts”; where for nearly 60 Sundays of the pandemic she and other musical guests performed free concerts on her front porch, with people coming from all over her hometown of Edmonton to take it in. The porch concerts also saw participation both musically and logistically by the often-ignored members of her difficult and notorious inner-city neighbourhood of McCauley, which has suffered increasingly during the opioid crisis, and the COVID19 pandemic.

In fact, the subject matter of AV's new album, "Everybody Matters," is informed and influenced by the McCauley neighbourhood, in in which there is a high concentration of people suffering from extreme forms of trauma and abuse; often resulting in addiction, mental illness, stigmatization, neglect, and further abuse.  AV's own self-examination in response to this is the subject matter of the full-length album, in which she delves into the historical, cultural, and colonial reasons behind a great deal of this suffering, and which has led AV down a path of self-discovery, as much as it was a discovery of her neighbours and their own biographical stories.

And so, due to the pandemic, rather than touring the album first internationally AV instead presented the new album to the very neighborhood which had inspired it.

And while "Everybody Matters" is quite directly a work of social examination AV has always written songs about confusion, searching, and questioning -- of herself, and the culture around her. The outcome is what she half-seriously, half-jokingly calls “existentialist gospel"; drawing from classic soul artists who have delivered stunning recordings which are both contagiously fun AND socially thought provoking; such as Curtis Mayfield, Bill Withers, Sly Stone, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Ray Charles, and, especially, Aretha Franklin-- all the way up the line to Sharon Jones, Tracy Chapman, Cee Lo Green, John Legend, and Alicia Keys; while lyrically AV drew from her parents’ vinyl ‘70s folk/pop collection which included artists such as Cat Stevens, Leonard Cohen, and Paul Simon.  The one thing all these all had in common is there were artists who often questioned the society of their times.

"Everybody Matters" was produced by AV herself, with the album's vocals and keys co-produced with esteemed Canadian/British producer Chris Birkett (Buffy Sainte Marie, Sinead O'Connor); and it features virtuosic Hammond organ playing by former Edmontonian Doug Organ alongside AV's vocals and keyboard playing; while percussion and drums were played by Edmonton's Fred Brenton (Kimberlite Records); and drum programming was done by Edmonton's Brandon Unis (Velveteen Studios).  The response from those who have already bought the album has been nothing short of stunning, with many saying it is by far AV's best album to date.

Canadian AV (Ann Vriend) is a two-time Maple Blues Award songwriting recipient, an Edmonton Music Award and Alberta Centennial Award recipient, and has sold nearly 30,000 albums off-the-stage in her critically acclaimed international career.  Her sound is simultaneously reminiscent of the vintage, rootsy, soul style of Stax Records and Muscle Shoals recordings, while also contemporary and commercially viable, not to mention lyrically politically poignant.

AV has been hailed by NOW Magazine as a musician who "turns soul on its head, belting out delicate introspection in the form of fire”. She is one of the only independent artists in recent history to break into the Top 100 Pop Charts of commercial radio in Germany, the world’s 4th largest music market; even taking the #1 spot on one of their largest stations, Bayern 1.  To quote the Toronto Star: "Don't miss her."

Aside from the commercial sphere, AV’s music consistently receives spins on community and campus radio across Canada, where currently her new album sits at #2 on the esteemed listener-supported CKUA; and she has been the guest on such nationally favourite radio shows such as "Vinyl Cafe", and Holger Petersen's "Saturday Night Blues," and "All Nat'l Blues."  In Germany AV has performed on popular TV shows such as ZDF's “Morgenmagazin” and "The Pierre M Krause Show, as well as Arte TV; and in Australia she was a guest on ABC’s comedy show, “Spicks and Specks,” "The Inner Sleeve", and others.  AV has recorded at Sony Studios and the Hit Factory in NYC, and worked with esteemed producers such as Ray Bardani and Joe Chicarelli; and by his request she has worked with multiple number one hit songwriter Dan Hill.

AV's last tour before the pandemic was a six-night opening slot for UK star Lisa Stansfield, where each night Stansfield's crowds were captivated into complete silence before the end of AV's first song.

Based on this success a 21-date spring 2020 tour of Europe was booked, with many shows sold out by early February, 2020.  A brand new album was to be released in conjunction with the tour, and 2020 looked to be an incredibly promising year for AV-- had it not been for, of course, the pandemic.

So, instead, AV launched what came to be a weekly event called “Porch Concerts”; where for nearly 60 Sundays of the pandemic she and other musical guests performed free concerts on her front porch, with people coming from all over her hometown of Edmonton to take it in. The porch concerts also saw participation both musically and logistically by the often-ignored members of her difficult and notorious inner-city neighbourhood of McCauley, which has suffered increasingly during the opioid crisis, and the COVID19 pandemic.

In fact, the subject matter of AV's new album, "Everybody Matters," is informed and influenced by the McCauley neighbourhood, in in which there is a high concentration of people suffering from extreme forms of trauma and abuse; often resulting in addiction, mental illness, stigmatization, neglect, and further abuse.  AV's own self-examination in response to this is the subject matter of the full-length album, in which she delves into the historical, cultural, and colonial reasons behind a great deal of this suffering, and which has led AV down a path of self-discovery, as much as it was a discovery of her neighbours and their own biographical stories.

And so, due to the pandemic, rather than touring the album first internationally AV instead presented the new album to the very neighborhood which had inspired it.

And while "Everybody Matters" is quite directly a work of social examination AV has always written songs about confusion, searching, and questioning -- of herself, and the culture around her. The outcome is what she half-seriously, half-jokingly calls “existentialist gospel"; drawing from classic soul artists who have delivered stunning recordings which are both contagiously fun AND socially thought provoking; such as Curtis Mayfield, Bill Withers, Sly Stone, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Ray Charles, and, especially, Aretha Franklin-- all the way up the line to Sharon Jones, Tracy Chapman, Cee Lo Green, John Legend, and Alicia Keys; while lyrically AV drew from her parents’ vinyl ‘70s folk/pop collection which included artists such as Cat Stevens, Leonard Cohen, and Paul Simon.  The one thing all these all had in common is there were artists who often questioned the society of their times.

"Everybody Matters" was produced by AV herself, with the album's vocals and keys co-produced with esteemed Canadian/British producer Chris Birkett (Buffy Sainte Marie, Sinead O'Connor); and it features virtuosic Hammond organ playing by former Edmontonian Doug Organ alongside AV's vocals and keyboard playing; while percussion and drums were played by Edmonton's Fred Brenton (Kimberlite Records); and drum programming was done by Edmonton's Brandon Unis (Velveteen Studios).  The response from those who have already bought the album has been nothing short of stunning, with many saying it is by far AV's best album to date.

Randy Bachman is quite simply the rock and roll heartbeat of Canada.

He has been a glorious life masterminding breakouts of two of the most iconic Canadian bands of all-time: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO), and the Guess Who. Now Randy--promising you ain’t seen nothing yet---says, “Bachman-Turner Overdrive / BTO is back!”

• Over 40 Million records sold worldwide

• 120 Gold Records

• #1 US Billboard Pop Single and Multi top 40 US Billboard hits

• Still doing 3 million monthly Spotify streams 

• In 2000, Randy Bachman made a guest appearance on The Simpsons in a fictionalized reunion with BTO. During the episode Homer Simpson yells: “Get to the ‘working overtime’ part!” while they play “Takin’ Care of Business”

• Renowned Author Stephen King's early pen name was Richard Bachman because King was a huge fan of BTO

• David Letterman's favourite song is “Takin’ Care of Business” so much so that when Letterman attended Paul Shaffer's opening Vegas show, Shaffer flew out Randy to perform the song for Letterman as a surprise

BTO's origins began in 1970 when Randy, after co-writing such major Guess Who hits as "These Eyes," "No Time,""Undun," "Laughin’" and "American Woman." left the Winnipeg-based group. Backed by its high-powered stage performances, Bachman-Turner Overdrive was a nuclear reactor of fuzz-toned aggression churning out such pounding signature tunes as "Takin' Care Of Business," "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet." "Gimme Your Money Please," "Roll On Down The Highway," and "Let It Ride" that begged for a cranked-up car radio, and a steering wheel to hit for hours on end.

In his home country, Randy has received the Order of Canada, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award, 11 JUNO awards, the SOCAN Lifetime Achievement Award, and is a double-inductee in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

In 2011 the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) presented Randy with its Global Impact Award, and he was inducted into the U.S. Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville in 2014.

After many decades, selling tens of millions of records with multi-platinum and number 1 awards, Bachman-Turner Overdrive is back in gear!

Randy Bachman is quite simply the rock and roll heartbeat of Canada.

He has been a glorious life masterminding breakouts of two of the most iconic Canadian bands of all-time: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO), and the Guess Who. Now Randy--promising you ain’t seen nothing yet---says, “Bachman-Turner Overdrive / BTO is back!”

• Over 40 Million records sold worldwide

• 120 Gold Records

• #1 US Billboard Pop Single and Multi top 40 US Billboard hits

• Still doing 3 million monthly Spotify streams 

• In 2000, Randy Bachman made a guest appearance on The Simpsons in a fictionalized reunion with BTO. During the episode Homer Simpson yells: “Get to the ‘working overtime’ part!” while they play “Takin’ Care of Business”

• Renowned Author Stephen King's early pen name was Richard Bachman because King was a huge fan of BTO

• David Letterman's favourite song is “Takin’ Care of Business” so much so that when Letterman attended Paul Shaffer's opening Vegas show, Shaffer flew out Randy to perform the song for Letterman as a surprise

BTO's origins began in 1970 when Randy, after co-writing such major Guess Who hits as "These Eyes," "No Time,""Undun," "Laughin’" and "American Woman." left the Winnipeg-based group. Backed by its high-powered stage performances, Bachman-Turner Overdrive was a nuclear reactor of fuzz-toned aggression churning out such pounding signature tunes as "Takin' Care Of Business," "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet." "Gimme Your Money Please," "Roll On Down The Highway," and "Let It Ride" that begged for a cranked-up car radio, and a steering wheel to hit for hours on end.

In his home country, Randy has received the Order of Canada, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award, 11 JUNO awards, the SOCAN Lifetime Achievement Award, and is a double-inductee in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

In 2011 the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) presented Randy with its Global Impact Award, and he was inducted into the U.S. Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville in 2014.

After many decades, selling tens of millions of records with multi-platinum and number 1 awards, Bachman-Turner Overdrive is back in gear!

Black River Delta is blues-rock band originating from Bollnäs, Sweden. The foursome have released three studio albums – Devil on the Loose (2016), Vol. II (2018), and Shakin’ (2021).

The band’s gritty blues-rock sound draws from classic blues legends like Robert Johnson, the raw style of R. L. Burnside and modern artists as The Black Keys, Gary Clark Jr. and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

Their ability to combine age-old blues with modern rock has taking them on several tours across Europe and North America, and has caught the attention of artists like blues legend Joe Bonamassa, calling Vol. II one of the best albums of 2018 and even inviting the band to perform on his annual cruise festival.

Black River Delta’s new album Shakin’ is available NOW via Sofaburn Records.

Black River Delta is blues-rock band originating from Bollnäs, Sweden. The foursome have released three studio albums – Devil on the Loose (2016), Vol. II (2018), and Shakin’ (2021).

The band’s gritty blues-rock sound draws from classic blues legends like Robert Johnson, the raw style of R. L. Burnside and modern artists as The Black Keys, Gary Clark Jr. and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

Their ability to combine age-old blues with modern rock has taking them on several tours across Europe and North America, and has caught the attention of artists like blues legend Joe Bonamassa, calling Vol. II one of the best albums of 2018 and even inviting the band to perform on his annual cruise festival.

Black River Delta’s new album Shakin’ is available NOW via Sofaburn Records.

Cold Years are rightfully regarded as Scotland's new hope in the rock 'n' roll circus because with their emotional style, they not only capture the spirit of the times but also capture the hearts of fans by storm. Why are Cold Years one of the most interesting newcomers in recent years?

Quite simply, imagine Against Me! going for a few beers with the Foo Fighters and coincidentally bumping into Bruce Springsteen. Voilà – Cold Years! The band was formed in 2014 by singer/guitarist Ross Gordon, guitarist Finlay Urquhart, bassist Louis Craighead, and drummer Fraser Allan. After the "Death Chasers" EP in 2016 and initial concerts in the UK, the prestigious Kerrang! magazine crowned Cold Years as the "hottest band of the year" in 2019. In 2020, their highly acclaimed debut album, "Paradise," was released, receiving support from Kerrang! (#42 in the Top 50 Albums of 2020), Rock Sound, Upset, Alt Press, NPR, American Songwriter, Visions (DE), and many others. The band achieved numerous positive milestones through playlist placements, including New Punk Tracks, The Punk List, All New Rock, Rock Rotation, Pop Punk's Not Dead, Covered In Punk, New Noise, The Scene, NMF Suomi, VOLUME SUOMI. "Paradise" even made it onto the charts: #36 on the UK Indie Charts, #7 on the Indie Breakers Chart, #16 on the Scottish Album Charts, #17 on the German Metal-Rock Chart, and reached #4 (Rock) and #21 (All Genres) on iTunes.
However, the pandemic halted all plans, but in September 2020, Cold Years managed to make their debut in Germany in Hamburg. Due to the lockdown, Gordon was forced to exchange ideas with Louis and Fin through email instead of discussing things over a beer in pubs as they used to. Filled with new energy and emotions, the band decided to unleash their musical creativity and step out of their comfort zone on "Goodbye To Misery" (2022). Originally, one of the songs was seven minutes long. In another song, a 1940s air-raid siren can be heard. They even considered using bagpipes at one point (...perhaps next time). The drums, played by Sam Ogden of Static Dress, the "successor to John Bonham," took center stage, incorporating marching beats, snare rolls, and fills that elevated what used to be a simple 4/4 rhythm. At other moments, you can hear the stadium-worthy command of a Green Day chorus combined with the kind of malevolence found in the melodic brilliance of Against Me! in full throttle. As Ross says, "It's a damn punk rock record" with a free-spirited and fearless attitude. The bold opener "32" showcases the entire "We're Generation Fuck It All" glory of this band that has nothing to lose and gives everything they have in every moment. "None of us will ever pay off our mortgages, none of us will be debt-free, and none of us will retire," the singer explains. "All of that is over for our generation. But that's why we're really good at taking risks.
While previous generations were more cautious. I don't give a damn about what happens to me when I'm 65. You have to live life in the moment. You have to take risks. And that's something I was always afraid of. But now, I'm not afraid anymore." Amidst all this newfound optimism and positivity, "Goodbye To Misery" also contains more legitimate anger and rebellion than you'll find on most modern punk records. If anything, Cold Years sound even angrier than ever before. Understandably so, as there are many reasons for it, such as "Britain Is Dead." A song that reminds us that if you're not angry, you're not paying attention. "It's not even political; it's a moral stance. Since Brexit, our country has been a damn shame," says Gordon without hesitation. "People are fighting over toilet paper. There are supermarkets trying to slap a Union Jack on everything to make it look premium. There's nothing to be proud of being British. The empire spent years exploiting and plundering civilizations. Being British is not something I identify with, and I don't think most people of our generation think it's cool. It's embarrassing. And now, we're the laughingstock of the world." As the world slowly returns to what it used to be, there are many reasons to be joyful, including Cold Years making a splash on the Radio Germany Rock Charts! The single "62" climbed to #3, "Nights Like This" reached #6, "Life With A View" #13, "Good As Hell" #3, and the previous single release "Home" reached #5.

Cold Years are rightfully regarded as Scotland's new hope in the rock 'n' roll circus because with their emotional style, they not only capture the spirit of the times but also capture the hearts of fans by storm. Why are Cold Years one of the most interesting newcomers in recent years?

Quite simply, imagine Against Me! going for a few beers with the Foo Fighters and coincidentally bumping into Bruce Springsteen. Voilà – Cold Years! The band was formed in 2014 by singer/guitarist Ross Gordon, guitarist Finlay Urquhart, bassist Louis Craighead, and drummer Fraser Allan. After the "Death Chasers" EP in 2016 and initial concerts in the UK, the prestigious Kerrang! magazine crowned Cold Years as the "hottest band of the year" in 2019. In 2020, their highly acclaimed debut album, "Paradise," was released, receiving support from Kerrang! (#42 in the Top 50 Albums of 2020), Rock Sound, Upset, Alt Press, NPR, American Songwriter, Visions (DE), and many others. The band achieved numerous positive milestones through playlist placements, including New Punk Tracks, The Punk List, All New Rock, Rock Rotation, Pop Punk's Not Dead, Covered In Punk, New Noise, The Scene, NMF Suomi, VOLUME SUOMI. "Paradise" even made it onto the charts: #36 on the UK Indie Charts, #7 on the Indie Breakers Chart, #16 on the Scottish Album Charts, #17 on the German Metal-Rock Chart, and reached #4 (Rock) and #21 (All Genres) on iTunes.
However, the pandemic halted all plans, but in September 2020, Cold Years managed to make their debut in Germany in Hamburg. Due to the lockdown, Gordon was forced to exchange ideas with Louis and Fin through email instead of discussing things over a beer in pubs as they used to. Filled with new energy and emotions, the band decided to unleash their musical creativity and step out of their comfort zone on "Goodbye To Misery" (2022). Originally, one of the songs was seven minutes long. In another song, a 1940s air-raid siren can be heard. They even considered using bagpipes at one point (...perhaps next time). The drums, played by Sam Ogden of Static Dress, the "successor to John Bonham," took center stage, incorporating marching beats, snare rolls, and fills that elevated what used to be a simple 4/4 rhythm. At other moments, you can hear the stadium-worthy command of a Green Day chorus combined with the kind of malevolence found in the melodic brilliance of Against Me! in full throttle. As Ross says, "It's a damn punk rock record" with a free-spirited and fearless attitude. The bold opener "32" showcases the entire "We're Generation Fuck It All" glory of this band that has nothing to lose and gives everything they have in every moment. "None of us will ever pay off our mortgages, none of us will be debt-free, and none of us will retire," the singer explains. "All of that is over for our generation. But that's why we're really good at taking risks.
While previous generations were more cautious. I don't give a damn about what happens to me when I'm 65. You have to live life in the moment. You have to take risks. And that's something I was always afraid of. But now, I'm not afraid anymore." Amidst all this newfound optimism and positivity, "Goodbye To Misery" also contains more legitimate anger and rebellion than you'll find on most modern punk records. If anything, Cold Years sound even angrier than ever before. Understandably so, as there are many reasons for it, such as "Britain Is Dead." A song that reminds us that if you're not angry, you're not paying attention. "It's not even political; it's a moral stance. Since Brexit, our country has been a damn shame," says Gordon without hesitation. "People are fighting over toilet paper. There are supermarkets trying to slap a Union Jack on everything to make it look premium. There's nothing to be proud of being British. The empire spent years exploiting and plundering civilizations. Being British is not something I identify with, and I don't think most people of our generation think it's cool. It's embarrassing. And now, we're the laughingstock of the world." As the world slowly returns to what it used to be, there are many reasons to be joyful, including Cold Years making a splash on the Radio Germany Rock Charts! The single "62" climbed to #3, "Nights Like This" reached #6, "Life With A View" #13, "Good As Hell" #3, and the previous single release "Home" reached #5.

GO BIG OR GO HOME

It has been the motivational “catchphrase” for the Swedish boys in CRASHDÏET ever since they started out back in the beginning of 2000.

They’ve clearly gone through turbulence a number of times their career, with deaths, line-up changes and a history of abuse that would make Mötley Crüe's “The Dirt” sound like a children's book. However, the boys have become known for picking up the pieces and returning to the scene, every time they crash. Their undeniable flirt with the 80s big arena rock bands like Guns N’ Roses, Kiss, Skid Row etc., combined with a notable element of punk, has made them a significant name in the revival of the sleaze and glam (or hair metal) genre. CRASHDÏET released their critically acclaimed debut album “Rest in sleaze” in the fall of 2005 through Universal Music, giving them a spring of success in their home country. But shortly after, in January of 2006, their frontman and founder Dave Lepard, was found dead in his home after committing suicide. The surviving members have carried on the torch ever since, recruiting new frontmen, touring the world and releasing studio albums for their widespread fans.

GO BIG OR GO HOME

It has been the motivational “catchphrase” for the Swedish boys in CRASHDÏET ever since they started out back in the beginning of 2000.

They’ve clearly gone through turbulence a number of times their career, with deaths, line-up changes and a history of abuse that would make Mötley Crüe's “The Dirt” sound like a children's book. However, the boys have become known for picking up the pieces and returning to the scene, every time they crash. Their undeniable flirt with the 80s big arena rock bands like Guns N’ Roses, Kiss, Skid Row etc., combined with a notable element of punk, has made them a significant name in the revival of the sleaze and glam (or hair metal) genre. CRASHDÏET released their critically acclaimed debut album “Rest in sleaze” in the fall of 2005 through Universal Music, giving them a spring of success in their home country. But shortly after, in January of 2006, their frontman and founder Dave Lepard, was found dead in his home after committing suicide. The surviving members have carried on the torch ever since, recruiting new frontmen, touring the world and releasing studio albums for their widespread fans.

DEVILLE BIO “Heavy Lies The Crown” Album 2022
Celebrated 15 years as a band and about to continue to tour the world in 2020 it all took another
turn as we know. To not totally put everything on hold the only thing the band could do was to start write music and for the first time the band was doing writing on demand. It became a weird, long ride and changed somehow the usual writing process with members writing in different
constellations and on their own.The first songs were written without any destined direction or theme so the last ones were more written from a perspective of what the album needed. Having the songs ready in early 2021 ”Heavy Lies The Crown” went through the filter many times more than a Deville record have done before and made the it more diverse than the band maybe expected. There are still the grooves, hooks and heavy riffs that the band is known for but a lot metal and progressive influences also that take some songs in unexpected directions.Everything from sonic journeys to fast heavy rock. What the band does best. In 2004 in Malmö, faith united four musicians to form Deville, a heavy rock band with infectious energy. Armed with their authentic fusion of rock, metal and stoner, they got their first release out in 2006 and started to tour. Since 2004, they released five albums, played more than 500 shows and festivals all over Europe, the United States and in Australia and shared the stage with great acts as Red Fang,Sepultura, Torche, Mustasch and many more. Hungry for more, they are back with the new album ”Heavy Lies The Crown” out September 2022.

“Offering clever dynamics and evincing broader emotions to elevate Deville above the mediocre Orange Cabinet-abusing masses out there.” - Blabbermouth

DEVILLE BIO “Heavy Lies The Crown” Album 2022
Celebrated 15 years as a band and about to continue to tour the world in 2020 it all took another
turn as we know. To not totally put everything on hold the only thing the band could do was to start write music and for the first time the band was doing writing on demand. It became a weird, long ride and changed somehow the usual writing process with members writing in different
constellations and on their own.The first songs were written without any destined direction or theme so the last ones were more written from a perspective of what the album needed. Having the songs ready in early 2021 ”Heavy Lies The Crown” went through the filter many times more than a Deville record have done before and made the it more diverse than the band maybe expected. There are still the grooves, hooks and heavy riffs that the band is known for but a lot metal and progressive influences also that take some songs in unexpected directions.Everything from sonic journeys to fast heavy rock. What the band does best. In 2004 in Malmö, faith united four musicians to form Deville, a heavy rock band with infectious energy. Armed with their authentic fusion of rock, metal and stoner, they got their first release out in 2006 and started to tour. Since 2004, they released five albums, played more than 500 shows and festivals all over Europe, the United States and in Australia and shared the stage with great acts as Red Fang,Sepultura, Torche, Mustasch and many more. Hungry for more, they are back with the new album ”Heavy Lies The Crown” out September 2022.

“Offering clever dynamics and evincing broader emotions to elevate Deville above the mediocre Orange Cabinet-abusing masses out there.” - Blabbermouth

DeWolff are a young Hammond/guitar/drums three-piece from The Netherlands making an explosive mix of electrified southern bluesrock with a dash of soul and psychedelica. They are some of the meanest, energetic, road-hardened and virtuosic musicians around and have been playing together for half their lives.

Now, still in their mid twenties, they have
already released 9 studio albums (7 of which hit the Dutch Top 20), 3 live albums, 2 EP's and even recorded an album with Black Keys-producer Mark Neill. Furthermore they have their own fully analog studio where they not only produce their own but also produced many other critically acclaimed albums, and which has already become a cornerstone in the new chapter of Dutch roots-rock history. Even Luther Dickinson regularly comes over to record some songs together.
They have already played over a 1000 shows in Europe, Australia, Indonesia and Russia and since 3 years they even organise their own festival 'DeWolffest'. In 2019 the band picked up the prestigious Edison Award (Dutch Grammy) for ‘Best Rock’ and in 2020 they received a Buma Award for "Best Sync". Their last tour saw the band play over a 100 shows across 13 countries – The Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Lithuania, Italy, Denmark, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Austria and their first trip to Indonesia!
They also toured with the likes of Toto, The Black Crowes, The Black Keys, Deep Purple, Ten Years After and Wolfmother and picked up fans in e.g. Seasick Steve, who once woke up backstage at a festival to hear them play, thinking he heard the Allman Brothers playing from 1972, and Roger Glover who has openly declared his love for the band.
Even though they're already blasting for more than a decade, these guys are just starting...

DeWolff are a young Hammond/guitar/drums three-piece from The Netherlands making an explosive mix of electrified southern bluesrock with a dash of soul and psychedelica. They are some of the meanest, energetic, road-hardened and virtuosic musicians around and have been playing together for half their lives.

Now, still in their mid twenties, they have
already released 9 studio albums (7 of which hit the Dutch Top 20), 3 live albums, 2 EP's and even recorded an album with Black Keys-producer Mark Neill. Furthermore they have their own fully analog studio where they not only produce their own but also produced many other critically acclaimed albums, and which has already become a cornerstone in the new chapter of Dutch roots-rock history. Even Luther Dickinson regularly comes over to record some songs together.
They have already played over a 1000 shows in Europe, Australia, Indonesia and Russia and since 3 years they even organise their own festival 'DeWolffest'. In 2019 the band picked up the prestigious Edison Award (Dutch Grammy) for ‘Best Rock’ and in 2020 they received a Buma Award for "Best Sync". Their last tour saw the band play over a 100 shows across 13 countries – The Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Lithuania, Italy, Denmark, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Austria and their first trip to Indonesia!
They also toured with the likes of Toto, The Black Crowes, The Black Keys, Deep Purple, Ten Years After and Wolfmother and picked up fans in e.g. Seasick Steve, who once woke up backstage at a festival to hear them play, thinking he heard the Allman Brothers playing from 1972, and Roger Glover who has openly declared his love for the band.
Even though they're already blasting for more than a decade, these guys are just starting...

EL*KE is a German rock band from Haren in Emsland. The name of the band is derived from a car license plate that was always visible during their performances. By the end of 2002, the band members moved to Berlin.

On April 4, 2005, their debut single "Adrenalin" was released. Shortly after, on July 25, 2005, the second single "Dach" followed. On August 8, 2005, their debut album "Wilder Westen" was released. The CD was produced by Olaf O.P.A.L. The band gained recognition through live performances at the Boarderweek in Val Thorens. On September 10, 2005, they performed as the opening act alongside New Model Army and the Beatsteaks at the final concert of Die Toten Hosen's "Friss oder stirb" tour. They also performed in August 2005 at the Taubertal Open Air Festival on the "Sounds For Nature" stage. In May 2006, ELKE reached second place in the Jägermeister Rock:Liga. Twelve competitors tried to win the prize of the JägerMeisterschale through various live performances. The winner was determined by audience applause. ELKE missed the victory by only 0.3 dB, and Deichkind was declared the winner. In addition, their performance was declared the best rock show of the evening by the jury, consisting of MTV presenter Markus Kavka and actor Jürgen Vogel. In January 2007, their second album titled "Wir müssen hier raus" was released. In addition to the track "Ich mag dich," the song "Traumfrau" was also released from the album. For the film "Die Welle," which was released in theatres in March 2008, the band provided a cover version of the Ramones song "Rock 'n' Roll High School," which represents the opening scene of the film. Actor Jürgen Vogel sings the entire song in this film. The album titled "Häuser stürzen ein" was released on July 4, 2008. Farin Urlaub wrote a track titled "Warum auch immer" for the album. They also accompanied Billy Idol on his Germany tour in the summer of 2008 and served as the opening act for some concerts by Iggy Pop & The Stooges in addition to their performances at Rock am Ring and Rock im Park.

After their separation in 2009 and various solo projects by the band members, the band reunited in 2022 and played their first joint shows in Meppen and Berlin. In addition to the initial summer festivals in 2023, they are also recording the new EL*KE album.

EL*KE is a German rock band from Haren in Emsland. The name of the band is derived from a car license plate that was always visible during their performances. By the end of 2002, the band members moved to Berlin.

On April 4, 2005, their debut single "Adrenalin" was released. Shortly after, on July 25, 2005, the second single "Dach" followed. On August 8, 2005, their debut album "Wilder Westen" was released. The CD was produced by Olaf O.P.A.L. The band gained recognition through live performances at the Boarderweek in Val Thorens. On September 10, 2005, they performed as the opening act alongside New Model Army and the Beatsteaks at the final concert of Die Toten Hosen's "Friss oder stirb" tour. They also performed in August 2005 at the Taubertal Open Air Festival on the "Sounds For Nature" stage. In May 2006, ELKE reached second place in the Jägermeister Rock:Liga. Twelve competitors tried to win the prize of the JägerMeisterschale through various live performances. The winner was determined by audience applause. ELKE missed the victory by only 0.3 dB, and Deichkind was declared the winner. In addition, their performance was declared the best rock show of the evening by the jury, consisting of MTV presenter Markus Kavka and actor Jürgen Vogel. In January 2007, their second album titled "Wir müssen hier raus" was released. In addition to the track "Ich mag dich," the song "Traumfrau" was also released from the album. For the film "Die Welle," which was released in theatres in March 2008, the band provided a cover version of the Ramones song "Rock 'n' Roll High School," which represents the opening scene of the film. Actor Jürgen Vogel sings the entire song in this film. The album titled "Häuser stürzen ein" was released on July 4, 2008. Farin Urlaub wrote a track titled "Warum auch immer" for the album. They also accompanied Billy Idol on his Germany tour in the summer of 2008 and served as the opening act for some concerts by Iggy Pop & The Stooges in addition to their performances at Rock am Ring and Rock im Park.

After their separation in 2009 and various solo projects by the band members, the band reunited in 2022 and played their first joint shows in Meppen and Berlin. In addition to the initial summer festivals in 2023, they are also recording the new EL*KE album.

BIOGRAPHY

In an era where pedalboards, laptops and samples have become commonplace, Eric Steckel goes against the grain and harkens his listeners back to the days when great guitars were played loudly through great amps. Hailed by many as the top rising star of Blues/Rock, Eric delivers a powerhouse performance that has left audiences in 25 countries (and counting) mesmerized. He brings an energy and passion to the stage that never disappoints and is a must see for fans of vintage guitar rock.

Few young guitarists can improve on Eric Steckel's impressive resume. Eric's debut CD, "A Few Degrees Warmer", was recorded live in April 2002 when he was just 11 years old. It wasn’t long until he appeared at the 2003 Sarasota Blues Festival where Eric's powerful set became the talk of the day. Before the night was over Eric was introduced by British Blues/Rock legend, John Mayall as the youngest guitarist ever on stage with the Bluesbreakers. Eric left a lasting impression on Mayall and, in 2004 Mayall invited Eric to appear in Sweden, Norway and Denmark during The Bluesbreakers’ Scandinavian Tour. In early 2005, Eric traveled to Los Angeles where he joined Mayall for session work on the "Road Dogs" record.

Eric then spent the following years filled with marquee festival dates and sold out concert tours in Holland, Germany, Belgium and Italy. He opened for Johnny Winter at The Paradiso in Amsterdam, thrilled audiences at the Tegelen Bluesrock Festival and shared the prime-time bill with Gregg Allman at the legendary Pistoia Blues Festival.

Throughout his teens and young adulthood, Eric released several critically acclaimed live and studio albums. 2006's "Havana" was a hit among Blues guitar lovers and tracks from this album are still featured often on SiriusXM's Bluesville station. 2008's "Feels Like Home" featured the talented Duane Trucks on drums and recalled the 70's southern rock era. Hits from this album such as "The Ghetto" and "Just Walk Away" receive regular airplay to this day. In 2012, after years on the road, Eric entered the studio once again to record a powerful modern Blues record. "Dismantle The Sun" emerged. In 2015, Eric embarked on a quest to record a fully transatlantic studio album with some of the finest producers, engineers and musicians he knew. This led to "Black Gold" being recorded in both Nashville, Tennessee and Amsterdam, Netherlands. Eric's current album "Polyphonic Prayer" is his most successful album to date and features Eric on every instrument besides the drums.

Road-tested and seasoned from 20+ years on stage and in the studio, Eric delivers his signature blend of Bluesmetal worldwide to appreciative guitar lovers in 25 countries and counting.

Eric has been featured in Top Guitar Magazine, Guitar World Magazine, Classic Rock Magazine, Blues Rock Review Magazine, Maxazine, Nightwatcher's House of Rock, The Allentown (PA) Morning Call, The Doylestown (PA) Intelligencer, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The (NY) Times-Herald Record, Music Head Magazine, The Warren (NJ) Reporter Forum, The Easton (PA) Express, The Bridgewater (NJ) Courier Times, The Sarasota (FL) Herald-Tribune, the Lancaster (PA) Sunday News and The Florida Times Union. International press includes features in the Haagshe Courant, De Telegraaph, BluesMagazine (NL) and a MusikMaker (NL) feature. Eric was also featured in a Comcast CN8 TV News Extra and he has appeared on NBC 10 in Philadelphia, Comcast CN8, Fox Philadelphia, SNN6 in Sarasota and Reuters TV.

BIOGRAPHY

In an era where pedalboards, laptops and samples have become commonplace, Eric Steckel goes against the grain and harkens his listeners back to the days when great guitars were played loudly through great amps. Hailed by many as the top rising star of Blues/Rock, Eric delivers a powerhouse performance that has left audiences in 25 countries (and counting) mesmerized. He brings an energy and passion to the stage that never disappoints and is a must see for fans of vintage guitar rock.

Few young guitarists can improve on Eric Steckel's impressive resume. Eric's debut CD, "A Few Degrees Warmer", was recorded live in April 2002 when he was just 11 years old. It wasn’t long until he appeared at the 2003 Sarasota Blues Festival where Eric's powerful set became the talk of the day. Before the night was over Eric was introduced by British Blues/Rock legend, John Mayall as the youngest guitarist ever on stage with the Bluesbreakers. Eric left a lasting impression on Mayall and, in 2004 Mayall invited Eric to appear in Sweden, Norway and Denmark during The Bluesbreakers’ Scandinavian Tour. In early 2005, Eric traveled to Los Angeles where he joined Mayall for session work on the "Road Dogs" record.

Eric then spent the following years filled with marquee festival dates and sold out concert tours in Holland, Germany, Belgium and Italy. He opened for Johnny Winter at The Paradiso in Amsterdam, thrilled audiences at the Tegelen Bluesrock Festival and shared the prime-time bill with Gregg Allman at the legendary Pistoia Blues Festival.

Throughout his teens and young adulthood, Eric released several critically acclaimed live and studio albums. 2006's "Havana" was a hit among Blues guitar lovers and tracks from this album are still featured often on SiriusXM's Bluesville station. 2008's "Feels Like Home" featured the talented Duane Trucks on drums and recalled the 70's southern rock era. Hits from this album such as "The Ghetto" and "Just Walk Away" receive regular airplay to this day. In 2012, after years on the road, Eric entered the studio once again to record a powerful modern Blues record. "Dismantle The Sun" emerged. In 2015, Eric embarked on a quest to record a fully transatlantic studio album with some of the finest producers, engineers and musicians he knew. This led to "Black Gold" being recorded in both Nashville, Tennessee and Amsterdam, Netherlands. Eric's current album "Polyphonic Prayer" is his most successful album to date and features Eric on every instrument besides the drums.

Road-tested and seasoned from 20+ years on stage and in the studio, Eric delivers his signature blend of Bluesmetal worldwide to appreciative guitar lovers in 25 countries and counting.

Eric has been featured in Top Guitar Magazine, Guitar World Magazine, Classic Rock Magazine, Blues Rock Review Magazine, Maxazine, Nightwatcher's House of Rock, The Allentown (PA) Morning Call, The Doylestown (PA) Intelligencer, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The (NY) Times-Herald Record, Music Head Magazine, The Warren (NJ) Reporter Forum, The Easton (PA) Express, The Bridgewater (NJ) Courier Times, The Sarasota (FL) Herald-Tribune, the Lancaster (PA) Sunday News and The Florida Times Union. International press includes features in the Haagshe Courant, De Telegraaph, BluesMagazine (NL) and a MusikMaker (NL) feature. Eric was also featured in a Comcast CN8 TV News Extra and he has appeared on NBC 10 in Philadelphia, Comcast CN8, Fox Philadelphia, SNN6 in Sarasota and Reuters TV.

 THE DARKNESS, WOLFMOTHER, LARKIN POE, AIRBOURNE AND GLENN HUGHES HEADLINE A HUGE LIVE ROCK MUSIC CELEBRATION IN ASSOCIATION WITH
HARLEY-DAVIDSON, THIS JUNE

Budapest, Hungary, will host four days of live music at a festival featuring more than 50 bands across six stages to mark Harley-Davidson’s 120^th Anniversary in the heart of Europe. Dates: June 22-25, 2023. Tickets now available, from €25.

Oxford, UK (19 April, 2023) – A festival like no other! Get ready to rock as the Puskás Aréna Park in Budapest, Hungary, hosts a stellar live music line-up this June. Rock legends The Darkness, Wolfmother and Deep Purple’s Glenn Hughes join artists hailing from all over Europe and as far away as Australia, the US and Canada for four nights of music in association with Harley-Davidson. The event marks a huge milestone in the iconic brand’s history: it’s 120^th Anniversary.

Main stage headliners include Airbourne and Danko Jones on Thursday 22 June, Larkin Poe on Friday 23, Wolfmother, The Darkness and The Picturebooks on Saturday 24 and the legendary Glenn Hughes Performs Deep Purple on Sunday 25.

Saturday headliners The Darkness said: “The Darkness are both honoured and delighted to have been invited to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the mighty Harley-Davidson motorcycle company in Budapest on June 24. We will be sharing the stage with Wolfmother, Larkin Poe and a panoply of amazing artists. Come celebrate the iron horse with us before we head out for our summer shows in the UK and Scandinavia, and our Autumn World Tour to mark the 20th anniversary of our multi-platinum debut album, Permission to Land. Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!”

Andrew Stockdale, lead singer of Wolfmother, said: “So stoked to be adding Budapest to this year’s European tour on June 24, sharing the main stage with Airbourne, Glenn Hughes and heaps more rock acts during Harley-Davidson’s 120^th Anniversary celebrations in Europe.”

As well as four nights of high-octane entertainment – with more than 50 bands performing across six stages – concert-goers can be part of the rest of Harley-Davidson’s 120^th Anniversary Festival activities too, with the same ticket. Attendees can check out a wide range of iconic motorcycles, from the latest 2023 models to classic and vintage two-wheelers, plus classic cars, adrenaline activities, theme park rides, and a wide range of local and international food and drinks options.

The Harley-Davidson 120^th Anniversary Festival promises to be one of the continent’s major music and moto festivals in 2023. With one day tickets from just €25 and four-day tickets from just €67, including all music acts, don’t miss it! Hotel offers are still available too, with official accommodation deals at lower prices than you’ll find them on hotel comparison sites.

Join Harley-Davidson this June to experience a celebration like no other.
Book now at: https://120budapest.hu.

###

About Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Our vision: Building our legend and leading our industry through innovation, evolution and emotion. Our mission: More than building machines, we stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul. Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has defined motorcycle culture with an expanding range of leading-edge, distinctive and customizable motorcycles in addition to riding experiences and exceptional motorcycle accessories, riding gear and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides financing, insurance and other programs to help get Harley-Davidson riders on the road. Learn more at www.harley-davidson.com.

Editors: For more information regarding Harley-Davidson motorcycles and products visit: https://h-dmediakit.com/

Band bios

Airbourne

Hailing from Victoria, Southern Australia, Airbourne is a hard rock quartet that takes no prisoners, with driving electric riffs that hark back to rock’s very roots and critics comparing them to AC/DC. Their fifth album, Boneshaker, reached the top 30 album charts in multiple countries and the band are currently working on a new album, to be released in 2023.

Danko Jones

Canadian rock legends Danko Jones have a reputation for outstanding live shows, with touring credits in 36 countries on six continents, playing alongside acts like Beck, Mötorhead and Guns N’ Roses. Their 10th studio album Power Trio was released in August 2021, and included the single ‘I Want Out’, which ranked #1 in the German Rock Radio Charts.

The Darkness

The Darkness need very little introduction for rock fans – this four-piece from England, fronted by vocals and guitarist Justin Hawkins and his brother Dan on lead guitar, have released a string of classic hits and played countless sell-out world tours. They put on an incredible show for a huge Harley-Davidson audience at European Bike Week 2018, and are now set to do the same again in Budapest. Not to be missed.

Glenn Hughes performs Deep Purple

Does anyone rock more than the legendary Deep Purple? How about Gary Moore or Black Sabbath? Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Glenn Hughes played with them all, but is most famous for his bass and vocals role with one of the UK’s biggest-ever guitar rock bands. What a way to finish off the Harley-Davidson 120th Anniversary Festival in Budapest, with some truly iconic tracks set to be performed.

Larkin Poe

Grammy-nominated Larkin Poe are a roots and southern rock band fronted by sisters Megan and Rebecca Lovell. Originally from Georgia and now based in Nashville, the four-piece have released six studio albums and their harmonies and use of slide guitar have garnered comparisons with The Allman Brothers Band. Voted ‘Best Discovery’ band at Glastonbury in the UK, they are unmissable live.

Wolfmother

Right out of Sydney, Australia, Wolfmother have been stunning international audiences with stage shaking performances since 2004 – with lead guitarist and singer Andrew Stockdale's electrifying guitar licks creating an unmissable heavy rock soundscape. With six albums already under their belt, you just cannot miss this leg of their 2023 European tour.

 THE DARKNESS, WOLFMOTHER, LARKIN POE, AIRBOURNE AND GLENN HUGHES HEADLINE A HUGE LIVE ROCK MUSIC CELEBRATION IN ASSOCIATION WITH
HARLEY-DAVIDSON, THIS JUNE

Budapest, Hungary, will host four days of live music at a festival featuring more than 50 bands across six stages to mark Harley-Davidson’s 120^th Anniversary in the heart of Europe. Dates: June 22-25, 2023. Tickets now available, from €25.

Oxford, UK (19 April, 2023) – A festival like no other! Get ready to rock as the Puskás Aréna Park in Budapest, Hungary, hosts a stellar live music line-up this June. Rock legends The Darkness, Wolfmother and Deep Purple’s Glenn Hughes join artists hailing from all over Europe and as far away as Australia, the US and Canada for four nights of music in association with Harley-Davidson. The event marks a huge milestone in the iconic brand’s history: it’s 120^th Anniversary.

Main stage headliners include Airbourne and Danko Jones on Thursday 22 June, Larkin Poe on Friday 23, Wolfmother, The Darkness and The Picturebooks on Saturday 24 and the legendary Glenn Hughes Performs Deep Purple on Sunday 25.

Saturday headliners The Darkness said: “The Darkness are both honoured and delighted to have been invited to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the mighty Harley-Davidson motorcycle company in Budapest on June 24. We will be sharing the stage with Wolfmother, Larkin Poe and a panoply of amazing artists. Come celebrate the iron horse with us before we head out for our summer shows in the UK and Scandinavia, and our Autumn World Tour to mark the 20th anniversary of our multi-platinum debut album, Permission to Land. Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!”

Andrew Stockdale, lead singer of Wolfmother, said: “So stoked to be adding Budapest to this year’s European tour on June 24, sharing the main stage with Airbourne, Glenn Hughes and heaps more rock acts during Harley-Davidson’s 120^th Anniversary celebrations in Europe.”

As well as four nights of high-octane entertainment – with more than 50 bands performing across six stages – concert-goers can be part of the rest of Harley-Davidson’s 120^th Anniversary Festival activities too, with the same ticket. Attendees can check out a wide range of iconic motorcycles, from the latest 2023 models to classic and vintage two-wheelers, plus classic cars, adrenaline activities, theme park rides, and a wide range of local and international food and drinks options.

The Harley-Davidson 120^th Anniversary Festival promises to be one of the continent’s major music and moto festivals in 2023. With one day tickets from just €25 and four-day tickets from just €67, including all music acts, don’t miss it! Hotel offers are still available too, with official accommodation deals at lower prices than you’ll find them on hotel comparison sites.

Join Harley-Davidson this June to experience a celebration like no other.
Book now at: https://120budapest.hu.

###

About Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Our vision: Building our legend and leading our industry through innovation, evolution and emotion. Our mission: More than building machines, we stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul. Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has defined motorcycle culture with an expanding range of leading-edge, distinctive and customizable motorcycles in addition to riding experiences and exceptional motorcycle accessories, riding gear and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides financing, insurance and other programs to help get Harley-Davidson riders on the road. Learn more at www.harley-davidson.com.

Editors: For more information regarding Harley-Davidson motorcycles and products visit: https://h-dmediakit.com/

Band bios

Airbourne

Hailing from Victoria, Southern Australia, Airbourne is a hard rock quartet that takes no prisoners, with driving electric riffs that hark back to rock’s very roots and critics comparing them to AC/DC. Their fifth album, Boneshaker, reached the top 30 album charts in multiple countries and the band are currently working on a new album, to be released in 2023.

Danko Jones

Canadian rock legends Danko Jones have a reputation for outstanding live shows, with touring credits in 36 countries on six continents, playing alongside acts like Beck, Mötorhead and Guns N’ Roses. Their 10th studio album Power Trio was released in August 2021, and included the single ‘I Want Out’, which ranked #1 in the German Rock Radio Charts.

The Darkness

The Darkness need very little introduction for rock fans – this four-piece from England, fronted by vocals and guitarist Justin Hawkins and his brother Dan on lead guitar, have released a string of classic hits and played countless sell-out world tours. They put on an incredible show for a huge Harley-Davidson audience at European Bike Week 2018, and are now set to do the same again in Budapest. Not to be missed.

Glenn Hughes performs Deep Purple

Does anyone rock more than the legendary Deep Purple? How about Gary Moore or Black Sabbath? Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Glenn Hughes played with them all, but is most famous for his bass and vocals role with one of the UK’s biggest-ever guitar rock bands. What a way to finish off the Harley-Davidson 120th Anniversary Festival in Budapest, with some truly iconic tracks set to be performed.

Larkin Poe

Grammy-nominated Larkin Poe are a roots and southern rock band fronted by sisters Megan and Rebecca Lovell. Originally from Georgia and now based in Nashville, the four-piece have released six studio albums and their harmonies and use of slide guitar have garnered comparisons with The Allman Brothers Band. Voted ‘Best Discovery’ band at Glastonbury in the UK, they are unmissable live.

Wolfmother

Right out of Sydney, Australia, Wolfmother have been stunning international audiences with stage shaking performances since 2004 – with lead guitarist and singer Andrew Stockdale's electrifying guitar licks creating an unmissable heavy rock soundscape. With six albums already under their belt, you just cannot miss this leg of their 2023 European tour.

JD Simo’s talent has no boundaries.  His love of music is just that - a love of ALL music - and he has mastered every genre he’s explored.  His remarkable talent and versatility has led to recording sessions with artists including  Beyoncé, Dolly Parton, Tommy Emmanuel, Jack White, Joe Bonamassa, The War and Treaty, Chris Isaak and Stevie Nicks.   He’s also been blessed to share the stage with folks like the Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh and collaborate with BlackBerry Smoke, Luther Dickinson and Anson Funderburgh. As a further testament to the depth of his talent, the world of film came calling when JD was chosen to flesh out and perform every single guitar note on the soundtrack to  Baz Lurhman’s film “Elvis”.
 
Like many artists and creators during the COVID shutdown, JD found a liberating outlet through social media, releasing a relentless treasure of exploratory jams from “The House of Grease” . With each installment he reached a growing audience of roots music fans as well as guitar gearheads wanting the latest on that JD Simo rig rundown.  While this tour will feature songs from his recently released album, Songs From the House of Grease, fans will also be rewarded as Simo digs deep into the inspiration he has found in everything from Afrobeat to Maxwell Street era Chicago Blues, from soulful funk jams to psyched out jazz-rock.  Come early, stay late…the show will show will be presented in two sets.

JD Simo’s talent has no boundaries.  His love of music is just that - a love of ALL music - and he has mastered every genre he’s explored.  His remarkable talent and versatility has led to recording sessions with artists including  Beyoncé, Dolly Parton, Tommy Emmanuel, Jack White, Joe Bonamassa, The War and Treaty, Chris Isaak and Stevie Nicks.   He’s also been blessed to share the stage with folks like the Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh and collaborate with BlackBerry Smoke, Luther Dickinson and Anson Funderburgh. As a further testament to the depth of his talent, the world of film came calling when JD was chosen to flesh out and perform every single guitar note on the soundtrack to  Baz Lurhman’s film “Elvis”.
 
Like many artists and creators during the COVID shutdown, JD found a liberating outlet through social media, releasing a relentless treasure of exploratory jams from “The House of Grease” . With each installment he reached a growing audience of roots music fans as well as guitar gearheads wanting the latest on that JD Simo rig rundown.  While this tour will feature songs from his recently released album, Songs From the House of Grease, fans will also be rewarded as Simo digs deep into the inspiration he has found in everything from Afrobeat to Maxwell Street era Chicago Blues, from soulful funk jams to psyched out jazz-rock.  Come early, stay late…the show will show will be presented in two sets.

Legendary YES vocalist/songwriter Jon Anderson will be playing select shows with The
Paul Green Rock Academy in Summer 2023! Jon and the ensemble will be celebrating
the 51 st Anniversary of the release of YES' classic album “Close to the Edge” by
performing the album in its entirety, along with other classics and surprises! After a
wildly successful 50 th Anniversary US tour last summer, we are bringing the show to
Europe!

This Jon Anderson with The Paul Green Rock Academy tour is a resumption of the
tradition started in 2005 when Jon toured with Paul Green's original School of Rock all
stars.
These early shows, over 30 in total between 2006-2008, were nothing short of magical,
and now Jon Anderson returns to continue that magic with a set of Yes Classics, deep
cuts, mash ups, and solo works, all with lush arrangements featuring choral singing,
horns, and all the other benefits of having a backing band with 25 young musicians.
Says Paul Green, “Having done a few of these songs in the past with Jon and my
students, I couldn’t wait to add them to the current show. Once we did "Close to the
Edge" and "And You and I" on our Florida run in April, I was reminded of the magic of
hearing these songs recreated by young musicians…They really capture the frenetic
energy of the original recordings. Then when I heard it was the 50th anniversary of the
album I just knew we had to do the whole thing. Jon agreed.”

Legendary YES vocalist/songwriter Jon Anderson will be playing select shows with The
Paul Green Rock Academy in Summer 2023! Jon and the ensemble will be celebrating
the 51 st Anniversary of the release of YES' classic album “Close to the Edge” by
performing the album in its entirety, along with other classics and surprises! After a
wildly successful 50 th Anniversary US tour last summer, we are bringing the show to
Europe!

This Jon Anderson with The Paul Green Rock Academy tour is a resumption of the
tradition started in 2005 when Jon toured with Paul Green's original School of Rock all
stars.
These early shows, over 30 in total between 2006-2008, were nothing short of magical,
and now Jon Anderson returns to continue that magic with a set of Yes Classics, deep
cuts, mash ups, and solo works, all with lush arrangements featuring choral singing,
horns, and all the other benefits of having a backing band with 25 young musicians.
Says Paul Green, “Having done a few of these songs in the past with Jon and my
students, I couldn’t wait to add them to the current show. Once we did "Close to the
Edge" and "And You and I" on our Florida run in April, I was reminded of the magic of
hearing these songs recreated by young musicians…They really capture the frenetic
energy of the original recordings. Then when I heard it was the 50th anniversary of the
album I just knew we had to do the whole thing. Jon agreed.”

Described as “a gift to those of us who still believe in magic” (The Observer), London siblings Kitty, Daisy & Lewis Durham are awesomely talented songwriters and multi-instrumentalist musicians.

They have sold over a quarter of a million albums worldwide, sold out headline tours, played Bestival and Glastonbury numerous times, they’ve opened shows for some big names -hello Mark Ronson and Coldplay. Starting out young, they have inspired audiences and gathered an impressive fan base from Amy Winehouse and Eagles Of Death Metal to David Lynch.
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis have come a long way since they broke through in 2006 with their second single, ‘Mean Son Of A Gun’. The trio of siblings, from a musical family – dad, Graeme Durham, an engineer at London’s Exchange studio, mum, Ingrid Weiss, the former drummer in post punkers ‘The Raincoats’ – have since then cemented their reputation with three critically acclaimed albums, 2008’s self titled debut, 2011’s ‘Smoking In Heaven’ and 2015’s ‘The Third’, and their most recent fourth, ‘Superscope’, which is quite frankly their most accomplished to date.

"Superscope is an addictive album, shooting clean and pure into your veins. Add this to your party mix and just try to keep your hips from shaking." - Soundblab

Their third album Kitty Daisy & Lewis The Third is a sparkling analogue production, produced by Mick Jones of The Clash, and recorded in a derelict Indian restaurant in Camden Town.

Each rotating on different instruments with a set that includes R&B, jazz, soul, blues, ska, country, rock 'n' roll and more, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis mix up genres to perfection!

Described as “a gift to those of us who still believe in magic” (The Observer), London siblings Kitty, Daisy & Lewis Durham are awesomely talented songwriters and multi-instrumentalist musicians.

They have sold over a quarter of a million albums worldwide, sold out headline tours, played Bestival and Glastonbury numerous times, they’ve opened shows for some big names -hello Mark Ronson and Coldplay. Starting out young, they have inspired audiences and gathered an impressive fan base from Amy Winehouse and Eagles Of Death Metal to David Lynch.
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis have come a long way since they broke through in 2006 with their second single, ‘Mean Son Of A Gun’. The trio of siblings, from a musical family – dad, Graeme Durham, an engineer at London’s Exchange studio, mum, Ingrid Weiss, the former drummer in post punkers ‘The Raincoats’ – have since then cemented their reputation with three critically acclaimed albums, 2008’s self titled debut, 2011’s ‘Smoking In Heaven’ and 2015’s ‘The Third’, and their most recent fourth, ‘Superscope’, which is quite frankly their most accomplished to date.

"Superscope is an addictive album, shooting clean and pure into your veins. Add this to your party mix and just try to keep your hips from shaking." - Soundblab

Their third album Kitty Daisy & Lewis The Third is a sparkling analogue production, produced by Mick Jones of The Clash, and recorded in a derelict Indian restaurant in Camden Town.

Each rotating on different instruments with a set that includes R&B, jazz, soul, blues, ska, country, rock 'n' roll and more, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis mix up genres to perfection!

Kitty Liv has fired up music lovers around the globe from a very early age, co-fronting family band ‘Kitty, Daisy & Lewis’ selling overa quarter of a million records. The band toured the world numerous times, gaining fans by the likes of Amy Winehouse, MarkRonson and Coldplay.
She is now gearing up to storm an even broader fan base with a solo album project that marks a completely different direction forher. As a songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, Kitty is resonating with a more expansive set of her influences, from ErykahBadu and D’Angelo to Al Green and blues legend Howlin’ Wolf, to produce a body of personal songs that evoke the primal depths of Soul, Gospel blues & Rock and Roll.

There's a deeper vocal riding over the songs, almost channeling her demons. Kitty has been developing her ideas over several yearsand is currently capturing some stunning performances in the studio.

Born and bred in Camden Town, Kitty lives and breathes music, founding Durham Sound Studios and collaborating with othermusicians and artists, to capture magical moments on sparkling analogue recording gear. When someone has been playing music, recording and writing from the age of seven, it’s only a matter of time before they take aquantum leap into a new paradigm.

Yes she can play guitar, piano, banjo, drums, upright bass and harmonica, but her solo project sees her fronting handpicked musicians and singing her own songs. Whether she’s with the band or taking to the stage solo, Kitty’s live performances promise athrilling mix of original tunes, packed full of solid grooves and charming melodies, leaving the audience feeling they have witnessedthe real, breathing, authentic deal.

Her new adventure sees the singer and highly skilled multi-instrumentalist stepping into previouslyuncharted musical territory.

Her debut album is about to be unleashed.

Kitty Liv has fired up music lovers around the globe from a very early age, co-fronting family band ‘Kitty, Daisy & Lewis’ selling overa quarter of a million records. The band toured the world numerous times, gaining fans by the likes of Amy Winehouse, MarkRonson and Coldplay.
She is now gearing up to storm an even broader fan base with a solo album project that marks a completely different direction forher. As a songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, Kitty is resonating with a more expansive set of her influences, from ErykahBadu and D’Angelo to Al Green and blues legend Howlin’ Wolf, to produce a body of personal songs that evoke the primal depths of Soul, Gospel blues & Rock and Roll.

There's a deeper vocal riding over the songs, almost channeling her demons. Kitty has been developing her ideas over several yearsand is currently capturing some stunning performances in the studio.

Born and bred in Camden Town, Kitty lives and breathes music, founding Durham Sound Studios and collaborating with othermusicians and artists, to capture magical moments on sparkling analogue recording gear. When someone has been playing music, recording and writing from the age of seven, it’s only a matter of time before they take aquantum leap into a new paradigm.

Yes she can play guitar, piano, banjo, drums, upright bass and harmonica, but her solo project sees her fronting handpicked musicians and singing her own songs. Whether she’s with the band or taking to the stage solo, Kitty’s live performances promise athrilling mix of original tunes, packed full of solid grooves and charming melodies, leaving the audience feeling they have witnessedthe real, breathing, authentic deal.

Her new adventure sees the singer and highly skilled multi-instrumentalist stepping into previouslyuncharted musical territory.

Her debut album is about to be unleashed.

Kyle Gass of Tenacious D is finally back on tour in October! After a one-year "vacci-cation" on his Californian farm, posting tons of fun videos on his social channels while waiting for his shot, Kyle Gass of Tenacious D did what he does best: Killing time by writing great songs. When he finally got the call, Kyle got really, really nervous which resulted in the new single release of "Vaccinated" - a parody of the Ramones classic "I Wanna Be Sedated" with a video featuring longtime friends like Jack Black, Amy Lee, John C Reilly, Steve Lukather, and many others. 

Not only because of the incredibly great response to the "Vaccinated" release, but rather because he was tired of drinking home-squeezed orange juice all day, Kyle went for it again. He knew the time was as ripe as the fruits on his citrus trees for the world needs to be saved with his super rock power. So, he rounded up the most virtuosic musicians in California to put on a rock show the world has never seen. Kyle and his band of bros will blow the thick layers of dust off your ears like a rock ‘n’ roll hurricane you have never experienced before. 

The couch apocalypse is over, it’s the beginning of a new era: The Kyle Gass Must Save The World Tour 2021 is on. You’re welcome. 

Kyle Gass of Tenacious D is finally back on tour in October! After a one-year "vacci-cation" on his Californian farm, posting tons of fun videos on his social channels while waiting for his shot, Kyle Gass of Tenacious D did what he does best: Killing time by writing great songs. When he finally got the call, Kyle got really, really nervous which resulted in the new single release of "Vaccinated" - a parody of the Ramones classic "I Wanna Be Sedated" with a video featuring longtime friends like Jack Black, Amy Lee, John C Reilly, Steve Lukather, and many others. 

Not only because of the incredibly great response to the "Vaccinated" release, but rather because he was tired of drinking home-squeezed orange juice all day, Kyle went for it again. He knew the time was as ripe as the fruits on his citrus trees for the world needs to be saved with his super rock power. So, he rounded up the most virtuosic musicians in California to put on a rock show the world has never seen. Kyle and his band of bros will blow the thick layers of dust off your ears like a rock ‘n’ roll hurricane you have never experienced before. 

The couch apocalypse is over, it’s the beginning of a new era: The Kyle Gass Must Save The World Tour 2021 is on. You’re welcome. 

What does KG do when he’s not playing with the Greatest Band in the World? He assembles an otherworldly super-team of badass dudes to back him up in his own project, The Kyle Gass Band. Along with The D’s longtime electric guitarist, John Konesky, resident Sasquatch and guitarist/vocalist, Mike Bray, mythical bass legend, „Uncle Jazz“ and percussion genius/international heart-throb Tim Spier, the rollicking gentlemanly ensemble traverses hill and dale to bring earth-shattering rock and roll to the wanting 100’s. If you’re lucky enough to catch this man-herd on the road, you’ll surely count it as one of your finest living days. If you’re less lucky (but still quite fortunate) to have only cast ears on the debut recording, then consider yourself nothing short of pregnant. 2 years off-and-on, and in between Tenacious D mega-tours, the accomplished men honed their sound and forged a master-work only craft-able by the deepest knowledge of a master.
Men, women, children, domesticated house pets, earth roaming wild mammals, sea-dwelling creatures of the deep, insects, species yet unknown, gods and leaders, universal truths, and earthly lies; all lay wanting in subjugation to the new interstellar constant that is the Kyle Gass Band. Get the record today, throw on some headphones, and take the journey, friends, for you have something the band can never have… The ability to listen, with child-like wonder, to the magic of song, while having no earthly clue how to create such brilliance… Such is the albatross of genius.. Such are the chains of unparalleled skill… Such is the KGB.

What does KG do when he’s not playing with the Greatest Band in the World? He assembles an otherworldly super-team of badass dudes to back him up in his own project, The Kyle Gass Band. Along with The D’s longtime electric guitarist, John Konesky, resident Sasquatch and guitarist/vocalist, Mike Bray, mythical bass legend, „Uncle Jazz“ and percussion genius/international heart-throb Tim Spier, the rollicking gentlemanly ensemble traverses hill and dale to bring earth-shattering rock and roll to the wanting 100’s. If you’re lucky enough to catch this man-herd on the road, you’ll surely count it as one of your finest living days. If you’re less lucky (but still quite fortunate) to have only cast ears on the debut recording, then consider yourself nothing short of pregnant. 2 years off-and-on, and in between Tenacious D mega-tours, the accomplished men honed their sound and forged a master-work only craft-able by the deepest knowledge of a master.
Men, women, children, domesticated house pets, earth roaming wild mammals, sea-dwelling creatures of the deep, insects, species yet unknown, gods and leaders, universal truths, and earthly lies; all lay wanting in subjugation to the new interstellar constant that is the Kyle Gass Band. Get the record today, throw on some headphones, and take the journey, friends, for you have something the band can never have… The ability to listen, with child-like wonder, to the magic of song, while having no earthly clue how to create such brilliance… Such is the albatross of genius.. Such are the chains of unparalleled skill… Such is the KGB.

“Mind-bending, colourful and trippy psyched-out jams” - Rolling Stone

The forthcoming fifth album by the international phenomenon that is Mother’s Cake sees the psych-rock trio present itself in suitably appropriate fashion: sky high, far out yet still very much down to earth. In preparation for over a year and recorded during a series of sleep-deprived three day sessions, the group concentrate on the essentials on the ten new songs that comprise ‘Cyberfunk!’, bundling their raw live energy into a dynamically dense release that sounds like vintage madness of the best possible kind and fits the moment in perfect fashion.

Despite what its title might suggest, ‘Cyberfunk!’ was created in a more or less classic manner, with the three musicians performing together in one room, just the way it should be, with a minimum of overdubs resulting in a genuine band sound that is almost distilled to its essence, with the voice of singer/guitarist Yves Krismer standing out even more than on the band’s previous recordings.

The career trajectory of Mother’s Cake’s has seen them play hundreds of concerts from Manchester to Melbourne and Mumbai, including shows with Wolfmother, Iggy & The Stooges, Omar Rodriguez-López, Alice In Chains and Limp Bizkit. They have also released three successful studio albums plus a near-megalomaniacal (in the best possuble sense) ‘Live at Pompeii’-style live set recorded on the ski jump in Bergisel, Austria in 2018. “Over the past year, we have created a pool of new song ideas, just like we used to do when the first songs were created twelve years ago while jamming in the rehearsal room,” explains drummer Jan Haussels.“Yves was then able to cherry-pick and finalise two or three songs for the later recordings. But, it was always intended that new songs could be added at short notice. For Benni [bass player Benedikt Trenkwalder] and myself, what we were recording was often spontaneous, which has the added benefit of more of a snapshot feel and less highbrow ideas.” Having said this, the recording sound had to be just so and even to find the right tempo for a Mother’s Cake song can take several takes. “We listen to them and decide on a case-by-case basis – usually the ones we put on the album are the ones we play at ease because we think: ‘that’s a wrap’, continues Haussels.

The production of the album was a collaboration in the best sense of the word, with Raphael Neikes and Manuel Renner from Studio Ueberlärm in Mannheim, Germany and Krismer playing key roles. Together they spun and spanned the tension of ‘Cyberfunk!’ – from the psychedelic ‘Crystals In The Sky’, with its half-time verses, heavenly harmony choruses, devilish riffs and a horizon full of delay, to the intense ‘Toxic Brother’, the appropriately titled ‘The Beetle’ (a potential favourite song of Paul McCartney’s rocking soul brother circa 1969, perhaps), plus the deep swamp groove of ‘Love Your Smell’, the dramatic ode to ‘Gloria’ (not a cover?) and the new wave funk rock of ‘Hit On Ur Girl’, which unwinds into a sweet folk song towards its conclusion. “The flow of the album has come about in the process of making it,” state the band. “However, after some of the songs were finished, it was a very conscious decision as to which belonged where. Yves thinks very carefully about this and likes to create surprises from song to song, so some were deliberately written in one direction to fit the appropriate spot.” The end result is ‘Cyberfunk!’, in the best sense of the word….exactly the rock album Mother’s Cake had to record at this point in their career – and one that we need to hear right now.

“Mind-bending, colourful and trippy psyched-out jams” - Rolling Stone

The forthcoming fifth album by the international phenomenon that is Mother’s Cake sees the psych-rock trio present itself in suitably appropriate fashion: sky high, far out yet still very much down to earth. In preparation for over a year and recorded during a series of sleep-deprived three day sessions, the group concentrate on the essentials on the ten new songs that comprise ‘Cyberfunk!’, bundling their raw live energy into a dynamically dense release that sounds like vintage madness of the best possible kind and fits the moment in perfect fashion.

Despite what its title might suggest, ‘Cyberfunk!’ was created in a more or less classic manner, with the three musicians performing together in one room, just the way it should be, with a minimum of overdubs resulting in a genuine band sound that is almost distilled to its essence, with the voice of singer/guitarist Yves Krismer standing out even more than on the band’s previous recordings.

The career trajectory of Mother’s Cake’s has seen them play hundreds of concerts from Manchester to Melbourne and Mumbai, including shows with Wolfmother, Iggy & The Stooges, Omar Rodriguez-López, Alice In Chains and Limp Bizkit. They have also released three successful studio albums plus a near-megalomaniacal (in the best possuble sense) ‘Live at Pompeii’-style live set recorded on the ski jump in Bergisel, Austria in 2018. “Over the past year, we have created a pool of new song ideas, just like we used to do when the first songs were created twelve years ago while jamming in the rehearsal room,” explains drummer Jan Haussels.“Yves was then able to cherry-pick and finalise two or three songs for the later recordings. But, it was always intended that new songs could be added at short notice. For Benni [bass player Benedikt Trenkwalder] and myself, what we were recording was often spontaneous, which has the added benefit of more of a snapshot feel and less highbrow ideas.” Having said this, the recording sound had to be just so and even to find the right tempo for a Mother’s Cake song can take several takes. “We listen to them and decide on a case-by-case basis – usually the ones we put on the album are the ones we play at ease because we think: ‘that’s a wrap’, continues Haussels.

The production of the album was a collaboration in the best sense of the word, with Raphael Neikes and Manuel Renner from Studio Ueberlärm in Mannheim, Germany and Krismer playing key roles. Together they spun and spanned the tension of ‘Cyberfunk!’ – from the psychedelic ‘Crystals In The Sky’, with its half-time verses, heavenly harmony choruses, devilish riffs and a horizon full of delay, to the intense ‘Toxic Brother’, the appropriately titled ‘The Beetle’ (a potential favourite song of Paul McCartney’s rocking soul brother circa 1969, perhaps), plus the deep swamp groove of ‘Love Your Smell’, the dramatic ode to ‘Gloria’ (not a cover?) and the new wave funk rock of ‘Hit On Ur Girl’, which unwinds into a sweet folk song towards its conclusion. “The flow of the album has come about in the process of making it,” state the band. “However, after some of the songs were finished, it was a very conscious decision as to which belonged where. Yves thinks very carefully about this and likes to create surprises from song to song, so some were deliberately written in one direction to fit the appropriate spot.” The end result is ‘Cyberfunk!’, in the best sense of the word….exactly the rock album Mother’s Cake had to record at this point in their career – and one that we need to hear right now.

You must have a certain maturity to cope with a Motörhead Tribute Band. These three
musicians meet all demands.
Since 2012 Motörizer celebrate their "Motörhead Tribute Show" trying to achieve a suitable
tribute to their biggest musical influence of the last 35 years. A Motörizer Show lasts 60 - 90
minutes and contains the complete set of the legendary "No Sleep 'til Hammersmith" from
1981.
After Lemmy's death 2015 the life of Ian Fraser Kilmister and the music of Motörhead is
celebrated with every Motörizer Show to keep the memory alive.
("... don't forget us“)

You must have a certain maturity to cope with a Motörhead Tribute Band. These three
musicians meet all demands.
Since 2012 Motörizer celebrate their "Motörhead Tribute Show" trying to achieve a suitable
tribute to their biggest musical influence of the last 35 years. A Motörizer Show lasts 60 - 90
minutes and contains the complete set of the legendary "No Sleep 'til Hammersmith" from
1981.
After Lemmy's death 2015 the life of Ian Fraser Kilmister and the music of Motörhead is
celebrated with every Motörizer Show to keep the memory alive.
("... don't forget us“)

NESTOR are five childhood friends who formed a band over three decades ago in their hometown of Falköping, Sweden.

Now the rockstar dreams of their youth have been revitalised and once again the band embraces influences from the 80s with tongues-in-cheek and a lot of heart.

With three previously released singles this year and over a million plays combined for the songs and music videos, the hype is enormous for the album “Kids In A Ghost Town” from Swedish nostalgic rock band NESTOR, that was released on October 22nd.

The before mentioned singles “On The Run”, “1989” and latest single “Tomorrow” (featuring none other than 80s pop icon Samantha Fox) are accompanied on the album with seven more tracks, all of them equally worthy of recognition.

There are certainly no fillers on this AOR milestone in the making - three of the songs have also been co-written together with acclaimed song writer Andreas Carlsson, whose previous works includes songs for Bon Jovi, Europe, Paul Stanley and others.

The album is released through the band’s own label Black Diamond Music and is produced by Tobias Gustavsson, mixed by Sebastian Forslund (The Night Flight Orchestra), and mastered by Thomas “Plec” Johansson at The Panic Room.

NESTOR are five childhood friends who formed a band over three decades ago in their hometown of Falköping, Sweden.

Now the rockstar dreams of their youth have been revitalised and once again the band embraces influences from the 80s with tongues-in-cheek and a lot of heart.

With three previously released singles this year and over a million plays combined for the songs and music videos, the hype is enormous for the album “Kids In A Ghost Town” from Swedish nostalgic rock band NESTOR, that was released on October 22nd.

The before mentioned singles “On The Run”, “1989” and latest single “Tomorrow” (featuring none other than 80s pop icon Samantha Fox) are accompanied on the album with seven more tracks, all of them equally worthy of recognition.

There are certainly no fillers on this AOR milestone in the making - three of the songs have also been co-written together with acclaimed song writer Andreas Carlsson, whose previous works includes songs for Bon Jovi, Europe, Paul Stanley and others.

The album is released through the band’s own label Black Diamond Music and is produced by Tobias Gustavsson, mixed by Sebastian Forslund (The Night Flight Orchestra), and mastered by Thomas “Plec” Johansson at The Panic Room.

ROVAR are known for their atmospheric Alternative Rock that’s best enjoyed live and loud amidst an energetic crowd. At their shows, the boys give everything they’ve got, radiating infectious energy from the stage. Vintage vibes and lots of soul – ROVAR are the salvation for everyone searching for new honest, handmade Rock music.

The band formed in March 2018 when Paul and Luca were looking for a new drummer for their Blues Rock trio and met up with Bennet. There was an instant connection between them and they soon started writing and recording their first self-titled EP which perfectly resembles the band’s unrestrained power and passion.

Ever since, ROVAR have played with artists like Zodiac, Nightstalker, Kamchatka, Eric Steckel, Komatsu, and many more. This summer, they perform on the stages of MuTaChi festival, Stemweder Open Air as well as the biggest city fair of Northern Germany in Oldenburg.

ROVAR's debut album "Miles" featuring the singles "Hell", "Way Out" and “Black Leaves” has been released on all streaming platforms on August 5th, 2022.

ROVAR are known for their atmospheric Alternative Rock that’s best enjoyed live and loud amidst an energetic crowd. At their shows, the boys give everything they’ve got, radiating infectious energy from the stage. Vintage vibes and lots of soul – ROVAR are the salvation for everyone searching for new honest, handmade Rock music.

The band formed in March 2018 when Paul and Luca were looking for a new drummer for their Blues Rock trio and met up with Bennet. There was an instant connection between them and they soon started writing and recording their first self-titled EP which perfectly resembles the band’s unrestrained power and passion.

Ever since, ROVAR have played with artists like Zodiac, Nightstalker, Kamchatka, Eric Steckel, Komatsu, and many more. This summer, they perform on the stages of MuTaChi festival, Stemweder Open Air as well as the biggest city fair of Northern Germany in Oldenburg.

ROVAR's debut album "Miles" featuring the singles "Hell", "Way Out" and “Black Leaves” has been released on all streaming platforms on August 5th, 2022.

S8NT ELEKTRIC - THE NEW LOUD

S8NT ELEKTRIC is a five-piece hard rock band from Los Angeles, influenced by all types of rock, alternative, and even disco.

With a goal of innovating Rock n’ Roll for the 21st century they have hard-hitting players and unexpected twists and turns in their music. Releasing one single at a time, S8NT ELEKTRIC are paving their own lane in this complicated musical landscape.

Formed in 2021, the lineup includes Briana Carbajal on vocals, Niko Tsangaris on lead guitar, London Hudson on drums, Eric Matt on rhythm guitar, and Jack Kleinman on bass.

Their brand new single and video "Live On" was released worldwide on June 2nd, 2023! 

S8NT ELEKTRIC - THE NEW LOUD

S8NT ELEKTRIC is a five-piece hard rock band from Los Angeles, influenced by all types of rock, alternative, and even disco.

With a goal of innovating Rock n’ Roll for the 21st century they have hard-hitting players and unexpected twists and turns in their music. Releasing one single at a time, S8NT ELEKTRIC are paving their own lane in this complicated musical landscape.

Formed in 2021, the lineup includes Briana Carbajal on vocals, Niko Tsangaris on lead guitar, London Hudson on drums, Eric Matt on rhythm guitar, and Jack Kleinman on bass.

Their brand new single and video "Live On" was released worldwide on June 2nd, 2023! 

2022 is upon us. Another fresh new reset of the month odometer!

But this particular New Year is especially exciting and significant for Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum legends Smash Mouth...as it neatly coincides with a fresh new beginning for the San Jose rock/pop icons. This year welcomes a shockingly improved and utterly re-energized Smash Mouth with the proud introduction of their hugely-talented new frontman Zach Goode.

The New York City-born, Los Angeles-based Goode boasts a dazzlingly impressive, never ending list of stage credits as both actor and singer. His beautifully rough-and-tumble...yet pitch-perfect and rangy...vocal style instantly proving a perfect match for Smash Mouth’s beachy brand of high energy Alt-pop.

 A look back at Smash Mouth’s formative years shows a band determined to make an impact from the get-go. Formed in late 1994, the band immediately begins recording demos and showcasing in both San Jose and Hollywood. In June of 1997, Smash Mouth is signed to Interscope Records when label brass catch wind of an unknown (and unsigned) band being ADDED to monumentally influential L.A. radio station KROQ’s playlist after only one spin of their song “Walkin’ On The Sun”.

Smash mouth’s major-label debut “Fush Yu Mang” goes more than DOUBLE PLATINUM and sets the table for what most consider their masterpiece; 1999’s brilliant follow-up album “Astrolounge”. Boasting three top-ten hits (All-Star...Then The Morning Comes...Can’t Get Enough Of You Baby), sales for “Astrolounge” nearly double those for “Fush Yu Mang”. Approaching nearly QUADRUPLE PLATINUM status.

Several catch phrases come to mind with Smash Mouth at the dawn of 2022. Onward and upward! Bigger and better! New and vastly improved! But here’s the reality: Smash Mouth is now poised to consistently deliver the best live show you’ll see in 2022. And here’s why: Ammunition. Smash Mouth has the best songs. And more of them than any of our friendly competitors. Period. And in new recruit Zach Goode, Smash Mouth has landed the perfect commanding/veteran frontman who will return them to the top of the mountain. And keep them there.

So buckle your seatbelt and brace yourself for Smash Mouth in 2022.

It’s guaranteed to be a thrilling and fulfilling top-billing super-thing.

You’ll see...

...and hear.

2022 is upon us. Another fresh new reset of the month odometer!

But this particular New Year is especially exciting and significant for Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum legends Smash Mouth...as it neatly coincides with a fresh new beginning for the San Jose rock/pop icons. This year welcomes a shockingly improved and utterly re-energized Smash Mouth with the proud introduction of their hugely-talented new frontman Zach Goode.

The New York City-born, Los Angeles-based Goode boasts a dazzlingly impressive, never ending list of stage credits as both actor and singer. His beautifully rough-and-tumble...yet pitch-perfect and rangy...vocal style instantly proving a perfect match for Smash Mouth’s beachy brand of high energy Alt-pop.

 A look back at Smash Mouth’s formative years shows a band determined to make an impact from the get-go. Formed in late 1994, the band immediately begins recording demos and showcasing in both San Jose and Hollywood. In June of 1997, Smash Mouth is signed to Interscope Records when label brass catch wind of an unknown (and unsigned) band being ADDED to monumentally influential L.A. radio station KROQ’s playlist after only one spin of their song “Walkin’ On The Sun”.

Smash mouth’s major-label debut “Fush Yu Mang” goes more than DOUBLE PLATINUM and sets the table for what most consider their masterpiece; 1999’s brilliant follow-up album “Astrolounge”. Boasting three top-ten hits (All-Star...Then The Morning Comes...Can’t Get Enough Of You Baby), sales for “Astrolounge” nearly double those for “Fush Yu Mang”. Approaching nearly QUADRUPLE PLATINUM status.

Several catch phrases come to mind with Smash Mouth at the dawn of 2022. Onward and upward! Bigger and better! New and vastly improved! But here’s the reality: Smash Mouth is now poised to consistently deliver the best live show you’ll see in 2022. And here’s why: Ammunition. Smash Mouth has the best songs. And more of them than any of our friendly competitors. Period. And in new recruit Zach Goode, Smash Mouth has landed the perfect commanding/veteran frontman who will return them to the top of the mountain. And keep them there.

So buckle your seatbelt and brace yourself for Smash Mouth in 2022.

It’s guaranteed to be a thrilling and fulfilling top-billing super-thing.

You’ll see...

...and hear.

The Allman Betts Band includes Devon Allman & Duane Betts on guitars and vocals, Berry Oakley Jr. on bass, Johnny Stachela on slide guitar, John Ginty on Hammond B3 (Robert Randolph/Dixie Chicks) and Devon Allman Project percussionists R. Scott Bryan (Sheryl Crow) and John Lum.  The show features original music from their two recent BMG albums, songs from their solo projects as well as classic songs by The Allman Brothers Band, the legendary group founded by Devon and Duane’s fathers, Gregg Allman & Dickey Betts.

Their sophomore album, Bless Your Heart, was released on August 28, 2020.  Like their debut album, Bless Your Heart was recorded at the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studios and produced by Matt Ross-Spang (Jason Isbell, Margo Price, John Prine and Elvis Presley). 

"This is The Allman Betts Band's best offering yet, showcasing a band still tethered to their legacy but finding their own way with a sound that honors their roots without stepping all over them." - No Depression

The Allman Betts Band includes Devon Allman & Duane Betts on guitars and vocals, Berry Oakley Jr. on bass, Johnny Stachela on slide guitar, John Ginty on Hammond B3 (Robert Randolph/Dixie Chicks) and Devon Allman Project percussionists R. Scott Bryan (Sheryl Crow) and John Lum.  The show features original music from their two recent BMG albums, songs from their solo projects as well as classic songs by The Allman Brothers Band, the legendary group founded by Devon and Duane’s fathers, Gregg Allman & Dickey Betts.

Their sophomore album, Bless Your Heart, was released on August 28, 2020.  Like their debut album, Bless Your Heart was recorded at the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studios and produced by Matt Ross-Spang (Jason Isbell, Margo Price, John Prine and Elvis Presley). 

"This is The Allman Betts Band's best offering yet, showcasing a band still tethered to their legacy but finding their own way with a sound that honors their roots without stepping all over them." - No Depression

Nine albums in thirteen years, all albums have attained gold and platinum status, and have been in the Top 5 of the German Album-Charts.

The latest two albums in a row hit #1 in the German Charts. And “Dos Bros” sold over 300.000 copies. Winners of the ECHO award for Best National Band in the catargory Rock/Pop.

The BossHoss are one of Germany’s top live acts and have played more than 1,500 live shows since 2005 in 23 different countries. 300,000 concert-goers per year. Playing to arenas with a capacity of 10,000 upwards. Festivals like Rock am Ring/Park(G) Download (UK) Donauinselfest(A) Gurten(CH) Szigit (HUN) Woodstock (PL). The BossHoss have a huge and loyal fan following.

Massive presence and popularity in mainstream television. Three series as coaches on „The Voice of Germany“ Pro7 (4m viewers per show). 2016 & 2017 Guests and one time hosts of Germany’s most lauded music program „Sing Meinen Song“ Vox (2m viewers per show). Double award winners „Goldene Kamera“ and also „Deutscher Filmpreis“.

Nine albums in thirteen years, all albums have attained gold and platinum status, and have been in the Top 5 of the German Album-Charts.

The latest two albums in a row hit #1 in the German Charts. And “Dos Bros” sold over 300.000 copies. Winners of the ECHO award for Best National Band in the catargory Rock/Pop.

The BossHoss are one of Germany’s top live acts and have played more than 1,500 live shows since 2005 in 23 different countries. 300,000 concert-goers per year. Playing to arenas with a capacity of 10,000 upwards. Festivals like Rock am Ring/Park(G) Download (UK) Donauinselfest(A) Gurten(CH) Szigit (HUN) Woodstock (PL). The BossHoss have a huge and loyal fan following.

Massive presence and popularity in mainstream television. Three series as coaches on „The Voice of Germany“ Pro7 (4m viewers per show). 2016 & 2017 Guests and one time hosts of Germany’s most lauded music program „Sing Meinen Song“ Vox (2m viewers per show). Double award winners „Goldene Kamera“ and also „Deutscher Filmpreis“.

The Grand East - Biography

It was the summer of 2020. Two years after their latest release, DIY-psych-soul-rockers The
Grand East drop their new single ‘Absolute’. It took a bit, while the band was playing
an enormous amount of festivals and radio/tv-shows throughout Europe in the last years. Now drummer Ima quit and Corona threw a spanner in the works of a large Eastern Euro-
tour, Arthur Akkermans, Niek Cival en Teun Eijsink retreated theirselves in a new build studio to work on new songs.

‘Absolute’ defines the new The Grand East, still their musical outbreaks can feel like
psychedelical trips, in 'Absolute' the band found a more electronic and meditative sound.
'Absolute' got it's poppy chillness by it's subtile surprises that leads you by the edges of the
river Saint John. Like Kevin Morby meets Warhaus in the bedroom.
Originally the foundations of the song were recorded as part of the band’s appearance in
‘Wolffcast’ a podcast made by their musical friends DeWolff. The single is a reflection of the
actual state the band is in at this very moment. Not restricted by the absence of a drummer,
they downloaded a HTML Drum Machine which brings in it's ongoing cadence. The artwork
has been designed out of charcoal by vocalist Arthur Akkermans.

The Grand East got to know eachother as kids, playing the fields and forests in far East part
of The Netherlands. Rider dirt bikes, drinking their first beers together. During highschool
this brotherhood formed a band that now musically sticks together like glue. Over the last 5
years The Grand East is playing shows throughout Europe. In their home country The
Netherlands, the band hits many famous clubs like Paradiso and AFAS Live and gets to play
the main stages of festivals like Zwarte Cross, Dauwpop and ESNS.

The Grand East - Biography

It was the summer of 2020. Two years after their latest release, DIY-psych-soul-rockers The
Grand East drop their new single ‘Absolute’. It took a bit, while the band was playing
an enormous amount of festivals and radio/tv-shows throughout Europe in the last years. Now drummer Ima quit and Corona threw a spanner in the works of a large Eastern Euro-
tour, Arthur Akkermans, Niek Cival en Teun Eijsink retreated theirselves in a new build studio to work on new songs.

‘Absolute’ defines the new The Grand East, still their musical outbreaks can feel like
psychedelical trips, in 'Absolute' the band found a more electronic and meditative sound.
'Absolute' got it's poppy chillness by it's subtile surprises that leads you by the edges of the
river Saint John. Like Kevin Morby meets Warhaus in the bedroom.
Originally the foundations of the song were recorded as part of the band’s appearance in
‘Wolffcast’ a podcast made by their musical friends DeWolff. The single is a reflection of the
actual state the band is in at this very moment. Not restricted by the absence of a drummer,
they downloaded a HTML Drum Machine which brings in it's ongoing cadence. The artwork
has been designed out of charcoal by vocalist Arthur Akkermans.

The Grand East got to know eachother as kids, playing the fields and forests in far East part
of The Netherlands. Rider dirt bikes, drinking their first beers together. During highschool
this brotherhood formed a band that now musically sticks together like glue. Over the last 5
years The Grand East is playing shows throughout Europe. In their home country The
Netherlands, the band hits many famous clubs like Paradiso and AFAS Live and gets to play
the main stages of festivals like Zwarte Cross, Dauwpop and ESNS.

The L.A. Maybe is a 5-piece rock n' roll band hailing from the southern heat of the Carolinas. If you’re a fan of Guns N' Roses, AC/DC, or Van Halen…you will feel right at home adding LAM to your record collection.

Having toured internationally to rock fans all over the world, The L.A. Maybe firmly plants its feet at the very forefront of the New Wave of Classic Rock movement and you’re sure to have at least one of their choruses stuck in your head at any given moment.

Drawing influence from nearly every style of music, The L.A. Maybe put on an electrifying live show and stand for everything you love about rock music, old and new. 

The L.A. Maybe is a 5-piece rock n' roll band hailing from the southern heat of the Carolinas. If you’re a fan of Guns N' Roses, AC/DC, or Van Halen…you will feel right at home adding LAM to your record collection.

Having toured internationally to rock fans all over the world, The L.A. Maybe firmly plants its feet at the very forefront of the New Wave of Classic Rock movement and you’re sure to have at least one of their choruses stuck in your head at any given moment.

Drawing influence from nearly every style of music, The L.A. Maybe put on an electrifying live show and stand for everything you love about rock music, old and new. 

The Protomen are more than just a concept rock band from Nashville, TN... they are messengers, riding atop an Iron Stallion (read: inside a mildly shitty tour bus) on their way to deliver the most vicious rock 'n' roll fable that the world has ever known. With several planned albums, and a live show that can crumble mountains, the future is in their hands.

Their first record, Act I, includes elements of Ennio Morricone, Queen, and Black Sabbath, that culminate in a listening experience unlike anything you've ever heard. If you're afraid of lo-fi sky cracking distortion and epic chaos, you won't survive this album.

Act II is a departure from the signature distorted sound of the first record. It focuses on a time before “the world fell under darkness.” It’s a brighter and more optimistic look at the world The Protomen have created. The album is split into two separate eras (and sounds) and gives the feeling of two distinct albums in one. Act II was co-produced by Alan Shacklock (Meatloaf, The Alarm, Bonnie Tyler, Babe Ruth, Roger Daltry) and The Protomen.

The Protomen have spent the last 15 years building a large and fiercely devoted fan base by kicking some major ass, playing some of the largest US festivals, occasionally opening for the likes of Tenacious D and Andrew W.K., and headlining their own tours across the US and choice parts of Canada, Australia, and Europe.

Most recently, their cover of Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight,” from their 2015 release, The Cover Up, was used in Season 3 of Netflix’s COBRA KAI. That’s right. The Protomen were in a scene with Macchio.

As for the future, The Protomen are currently in the studio working on their more-epic-than-epic new album, Act III. When that drops in the very near future, they’ll hit the road on a huge Act III world tour. 

The Protomen are more than just a concept rock band from Nashville, TN... they are messengers, riding atop an Iron Stallion (read: inside a mildly shitty tour bus) on their way to deliver the most vicious rock 'n' roll fable that the world has ever known. With several planned albums, and a live show that can crumble mountains, the future is in their hands.

Their first record, Act I, includes elements of Ennio Morricone, Queen, and Black Sabbath, that culminate in a listening experience unlike anything you've ever heard. If you're afraid of lo-fi sky cracking distortion and epic chaos, you won't survive this album.

Act II is a departure from the signature distorted sound of the first record. It focuses on a time before “the world fell under darkness.” It’s a brighter and more optimistic look at the world The Protomen have created. The album is split into two separate eras (and sounds) and gives the feeling of two distinct albums in one. Act II was co-produced by Alan Shacklock (Meatloaf, The Alarm, Bonnie Tyler, Babe Ruth, Roger Daltry) and The Protomen.

The Protomen have spent the last 15 years building a large and fiercely devoted fan base by kicking some major ass, playing some of the largest US festivals, occasionally opening for the likes of Tenacious D and Andrew W.K., and headlining their own tours across the US and choice parts of Canada, Australia, and Europe.

Most recently, their cover of Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight,” from their 2015 release, The Cover Up, was used in Season 3 of Netflix’s COBRA KAI. That’s right. The Protomen were in a scene with Macchio.

As for the future, The Protomen are currently in the studio working on their more-epic-than-epic new album, Act III. When that drops in the very near future, they’ll hit the road on a huge Act III world tour. 

A bullseye for fantasies .

Introducing Modern Love, the latest edition from dual-booted songwriting CPU Whitehorse. Designed for life at 25,000 frames per second, Modern Love offers premium processing and emotion-capture capabilities . Optimized for low-light conditions, Modern Love‘s intuitive UX creates a fully immersive experience of interpersonal harmonics in ultra rich waveshape sonics . Each Modern Love OS comes complete with experiential FAQ database, ex.: Do you smell trouble? Do you want some?

With life’s burst bubbles and crossed wires detailed in hi-def, Modern Love launches with “Prototype,” an atmospheric tribute to DNA one-of-a-kindness, strung with Lonely Hearts Club swells . Coded with themes of human glitches and emotional reboots, the beach tones of “Relic In A New Age” and ballad-type “Radio Silence,” interface between machine-enabled and machine-resistant human relationships . Modern Love is Whitehorse’s blueprint for love in the Digital Age.

“I Wanna Make Promises (That I Can’t Keep”), a loping, laidback fantasy 404, buzzes with electrostatic escapism for jolted, jilted ideas . Delivered with an official video shot in Phantom Flex4k ultra slo-mo, “Promises” exposes all of the micro aches and urges that go unseen in reality’s standard frame rate . Rare duet “Best Bet,” and all songs after that, further expose the collections’ emotional motherboard, a nest of circuitry carrying the curses and cruxes that muddle our signals to one another . Album closer “Pollyanna,” channels Greek mythology to modulate a chorus of unheeded disaster warnings.

Assembled at Taurus Recordings, a professional facility in Toronto, ON, Modern Love was hardwired by Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland, with additional component parts by Thom D’Arcy (string arrangements), Fred Eltringham (drums), Gus Van Go (bass on “Promises”), Robin Hatch (wurlitzer, mellotron) and Drew Jurecka (string performances) .

With Modern Love, Whitehorse continues to tell their love story, if not the one they expected.

A bullseye for fantasies .

Introducing Modern Love, the latest edition from dual-booted songwriting CPU Whitehorse. Designed for life at 25,000 frames per second, Modern Love offers premium processing and emotion-capture capabilities . Optimized for low-light conditions, Modern Love‘s intuitive UX creates a fully immersive experience of interpersonal harmonics in ultra rich waveshape sonics . Each Modern Love OS comes complete with experiential FAQ database, ex.: Do you smell trouble? Do you want some?

With life’s burst bubbles and crossed wires detailed in hi-def, Modern Love launches with “Prototype,” an atmospheric tribute to DNA one-of-a-kindness, strung with Lonely Hearts Club swells . Coded with themes of human glitches and emotional reboots, the beach tones of “Relic In A New Age” and ballad-type “Radio Silence,” interface between machine-enabled and machine-resistant human relationships . Modern Love is Whitehorse’s blueprint for love in the Digital Age.

“I Wanna Make Promises (That I Can’t Keep”), a loping, laidback fantasy 404, buzzes with electrostatic escapism for jolted, jilted ideas . Delivered with an official video shot in Phantom Flex4k ultra slo-mo, “Promises” exposes all of the micro aches and urges that go unseen in reality’s standard frame rate . Rare duet “Best Bet,” and all songs after that, further expose the collections’ emotional motherboard, a nest of circuitry carrying the curses and cruxes that muddle our signals to one another . Album closer “Pollyanna,” channels Greek mythology to modulate a chorus of unheeded disaster warnings.

Assembled at Taurus Recordings, a professional facility in Toronto, ON, Modern Love was hardwired by Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland, with additional component parts by Thom D’Arcy (string arrangements), Fred Eltringham (drums), Gus Van Go (bass on “Promises”), Robin Hatch (wurlitzer, mellotron) and Drew Jurecka (string performances) .

With Modern Love, Whitehorse continues to tell their love story, if not the one they expected.

Around March 2020 the world took a break from live music with the onset of a worldwide pandemic, incase you hadn’t heard? When the world stage shut down, Wolfmother's Andrew Stockdale took to the home studio playing all of the instruments, crafting out album #6, “Rock Out”. With mental health becoming one of the most prevalent issues during the pandemic, Stockdale used the majesty of rock with all of it’s chakra healing qualities to guide himself with the creation of “Rock Out”. The idea of Rock’n’Roll giving pure transportation to a better place amidst all of the monotony of daily covid life became a self help cathartic release delivered with a New York Cab driver twang. If you can’t travel during a pandemic, you can get in a cab straight to Hells Kitchen with this little number.

Moving along it’s time to go trans Atlantic back to the mother land of British Rock with the familiar yet unfamiliar “Feelin Love” it’s Cream, it’s Deep Purple, it’s some other band who knows but it’s 2021 and it’s fresh off the ranks in the form of Wolfmother. The track, swings and pumps along in it effortless, unaware manner, then leaves you hanging for a massive POG induced, riff laddened chorus with “Feelin Love”.  Then it’s time for some angst and existential crisis with the self imposed neurosis of “Humble”. Life has become extremely pragmatic and the world has been contact traced into the wrath of drop D relentless riffage. With enough tension to melt a Marshall amp the “waiting for Goddo” type theme entertains the daily musings of delusion and procrastination. This is resolved in humility to accept ones fate and do the best one can. It is a silent victory essentially over nothing except daily existence with a song to show for it. After completing this all on electric drums and plug in amps ... and everything very digitised and laptopish.

Stockdale contemplated the idea of re-tracking with live drums with over dubs. Rather than going to L.A to a fancy studio that looks good on paper, Stockdale went local and recorded the whole record for the most part in his home studio, with a local 19 year old second year student from SAE Insitute in Byron Bay. Yes the Grammy award winning, multi platinum artist put his creative vision in the hands of a  local, novice with little experience. Maybe there’s a side of Stockdale that achieved this success while being a novice with no experience himself, sometimes unbridled youthful enthusiasm will get the results un denounced to itself. Though the ears don’t lie and if it sounds good that’s all that matters. From here Stockdale called on longtime touring cohort Hamish Rosser to contribute drum duties. Most of the record was tracked in one day in Stockdale’s front room in time for school pick up. Did someone call this 'Dad rock' ... ?  So the drums were smashed out in one session. Then a few more songs were written just to beef it up and give it some extra  kick ... tracks such as “Outside”, “Only Way” and “Humble” were last minute creations, that were now rehearsed and fleshed out with a band at Stockdale's new Wolf Cave (which was a former art gallery up at “Bangalow Plaza”). A legendary veteran of many a great record, Paul Pilsnenks dropped in to engineer “Humble” which was completely tracked in about 3 hours one night in September 2021.

All in all, this record in it’s various incarnations from demo to live band recording was in it’s gestation period for about a year and a half. Also Alexx McConnell stepped in on bass duties for “Humble” and “Only Way”  becoming a local recruit for shows after all of the travel restrictions that were made throughout the year, which afforded Wolfmother to do online gigs and a handful of local shows. One could say this record was an ode to the front men and riff masters of yester year via, London, New Jersey, Birmingham through to Pasadena then Byron Bay and back;  it’s a soundtrack for an imaginary stadium tour of 1982 that never happened. Yet it exists none the less in Mp3 and WAV format on your chosen digital platform be it iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music etc. May the algorithms be kind and get this thing heard by many a fan and possible new fans, keeping the Rock’n’Roll dream alive. Remember when in doubt, 'Rock Out!'

Around March 2020 the world took a break from live music with the onset of a worldwide pandemic, incase you hadn’t heard? When the world stage shut down, Wolfmother's Andrew Stockdale took to the home studio playing all of the instruments, crafting out album #6, “Rock Out”. With mental health becoming one of the most prevalent issues during the pandemic, Stockdale used the majesty of rock with all of it’s chakra healing qualities to guide himself with the creation of “Rock Out”. The idea of Rock’n’Roll giving pure transportation to a better place amidst all of the monotony of daily covid life became a self help cathartic release delivered with a New York Cab driver twang. If you can’t travel during a pandemic, you can get in a cab straight to Hells Kitchen with this little number.

Moving along it’s time to go trans Atlantic back to the mother land of British Rock with the familiar yet unfamiliar “Feelin Love” it’s Cream, it’s Deep Purple, it’s some other band who knows but it’s 2021 and it’s fresh off the ranks in the form of Wolfmother. The track, swings and pumps along in it effortless, unaware manner, then leaves you hanging for a massive POG induced, riff laddened chorus with “Feelin Love”.  Then it’s time for some angst and existential crisis with the self imposed neurosis of “Humble”. Life has become extremely pragmatic and the world has been contact traced into the wrath of drop D relentless riffage. With enough tension to melt a Marshall amp the “waiting for Goddo” type theme entertains the daily musings of delusion and procrastination. This is resolved in humility to accept ones fate and do the best one can. It is a silent victory essentially over nothing except daily existence with a song to show for it. After completing this all on electric drums and plug in amps ... and everything very digitised and laptopish.

Stockdale contemplated the idea of re-tracking with live drums with over dubs. Rather than going to L.A to a fancy studio that looks good on paper, Stockdale went local and recorded the whole record for the most part in his home studio, with a local 19 year old second year student from SAE Insitute in Byron Bay. Yes the Grammy award winning, multi platinum artist put his creative vision in the hands of a  local, novice with little experience. Maybe there’s a side of Stockdale that achieved this success while being a novice with no experience himself, sometimes unbridled youthful enthusiasm will get the results un denounced to itself. Though the ears don’t lie and if it sounds good that’s all that matters. From here Stockdale called on longtime touring cohort Hamish Rosser to contribute drum duties. Most of the record was tracked in one day in Stockdale’s front room in time for school pick up. Did someone call this 'Dad rock' ... ?  So the drums were smashed out in one session. Then a few more songs were written just to beef it up and give it some extra  kick ... tracks such as “Outside”, “Only Way” and “Humble” were last minute creations, that were now rehearsed and fleshed out with a band at Stockdale's new Wolf Cave (which was a former art gallery up at “Bangalow Plaza”). A legendary veteran of many a great record, Paul Pilsnenks dropped in to engineer “Humble” which was completely tracked in about 3 hours one night in September 2021.

All in all, this record in it’s various incarnations from demo to live band recording was in it’s gestation period for about a year and a half. Also Alexx McConnell stepped in on bass duties for “Humble” and “Only Way”  becoming a local recruit for shows after all of the travel restrictions that were made throughout the year, which afforded Wolfmother to do online gigs and a handful of local shows. One could say this record was an ode to the front men and riff masters of yester year via, London, New Jersey, Birmingham through to Pasadena then Byron Bay and back;  it’s a soundtrack for an imaginary stadium tour of 1982 that never happened. Yet it exists none the less in Mp3 and WAV format on your chosen digital platform be it iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music etc. May the algorithms be kind and get this thing heard by many a fan and possible new fans, keeping the Rock’n’Roll dream alive. Remember when in doubt, 'Rock Out!'