Rock Solid
This week we’re focusing on three new releases from three new bands – representing a range of rock styles from classic rock to grunge and pop metal.
Swedes ManStrand are rooted in 70s classic rock with their Sabbath meets Rainbow meets Deep Purple sounds.
But fellow Scandos Daisy Cutter wear their grunge influences on their sleeves and as for Herts crew Dandelion Killers (why the flowery theme to this week’s bands? – ed) you can make your own minds up.
ManStrand – ManStrand (Self Released)
Think back to a time when 70s rock and metal ruled (i.e. the 70s) and this fabulous retro-fest will take you there. Fueled by flared jeans, long hair and a love of the pounding riff, ManStrand’s magnificent music fuses Sabbath with Rainbow and Whitesnake with Deep Purple to satisfy any fan of truly classic rock.
Singer songwriter Carl Manstrand has revamped five tracks from his prolific past and thrown them together with seven new compositions. Significantly fellow guitarist Richard Hoerberg is credited with contributing to opening duo Come On and Classica and these two tracks blow the following three out of the water.
It seems Manstrand (the man, not the band) might have found the yin to complement his yang in the shape of Hoerberg. It’s a potential match made in metal heaven and promises much for the future.
On the strength of this debut, ManStrand’s follow-up – already in production – should take the Swedes to the next level. That time can’t come soon enough.
rushonrock rated: 9/10 Man-na From Heaven
Daisy Cutter – M.O.A.B. (Self Released)
With Pearl Jam’s Backspacer still fresh in the mind and the US giants ready to headline Hyde Park Calling this summer there might never be a better time for the grunge-heavy rock of Daisy Cutter to blow British audiences apart.
There’s more than a hint of Eddie Vedder about vocalist Rainer Vasshaug and that’s no bad thing. Sore Knees, which kicks off this five-track mini album in some style, could be culled from the mid 90s back catalogue of any Seattle-based band but the urgent Derailed proves there’s more to this quartet than meets the eye.
And the versatile Vasshaug mellows his tone again on the intro to Queen Bitch before blasting into a Foos-esque chorus. This is a modern blueprint for music which changed the rock landscape 15 years ago and it sounds remarkably good.
But for all of Vasshaug’s vibrancy it’s Jan Olav Isachsen’s focused axe work which could hold the key to Daisy Cutter flowering in 2010. This man is so tight you feel he could snap at any moment. Until he does Daisy Cutter deserve your attention.
rushonrock rated: 8/10 Rainer Days
Dandelion Killers – Orphans Of The Empire (Gasworks Productions)
Here’s a band which clearly fears being pigeon-holed and there’s absolutely no danger of fitting Dandelion Killers into any identifiable genre on this evidence. They’re rock with pop sensibilities and that’s about as detailed as you’re gonna get.
Take Top Of The Globe – it’s not the song you’re expecting after the opening blast that is Prototypes, with its Beatlesy sensibilities and haunting mid-section. Sixes And Sevenses picks up the pace with multi-talented frontman Adam Daffurn delivering a quite remarkable vocal performance but then comes Cameo – a track which belongs to the soundtrack of a low budget vampire flick.
If you like to know what you’re getting next you’ll hate this. If you like to second guess a band’s tracklist you’ll hate it even more. And if you like your rock heavy then you won’t really find what you’re looking for in Orphans Of The Empire. But Daffurn’s style is intriguing enough and the band’s potential is obvious – finding their niche appears to be the toughest challenge Dandelion Killers face right now.
rushonrock rated: 6/10 Empire Strikes Back
There is something about me..
maggan Says:
One thing is sure:you will certainly not be disappointed at what you will hear,enjoying not one,twoor thre songs but everything you will heear!I love ManStrand!!!
Posted on April 20th, 2010 at 6:17 am
Robert Says:
I think Man Strand suck… their sound and production is so bad and the singer cannot sing.. The only acceptable player is the guitarist but it makes you wonder why he wants to play such bad music with such bad musicians. No wonder they are not signed!
Posted on April 22nd, 2010 at 11:21 am
simon Says:
Hi Robert,
For an independent release the sound and production is way better than most and, given the opportunity, I really believe these boys can go far. But music’s all about opinions and I appreciate you getting in touch – who floats your boat right now?
Posted on April 22nd, 2010 at 11:42 am
Robert Says:
Simon I still think they suck especially the singer. Totally void of any talent… look at the market. There are great bands out there with great singers like Pink Cream 69 or real musicians who can actually play. These guys are amateurs. It sounds like a garage band except the guitarist who is good. I believe he must be the leader of the band because without him there is no band but he should have chosen better singer and musicians! To compare them with Rainbow or Deep Purple is ridiculous. Joe Lynn Turner can actually sing!
Posted on April 22nd, 2010 at 1:02 pm
simon Says:
I agree with you on JLT – his work on Yngwie’s Odyssey album means that’s still one of my Top 10 records of all time.
Posted on April 22nd, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Robert Says:
Joe Lynn Turner is THE man! I never liked Ynwie so much but I think Turner was great in Rainbow and especially in Deep Purple. One can’t compare him to the singer in Man Strand. Turner is a God, Man Strand is clearly a Man who is Stranded… like the name implies. Ironic…
Posted on April 23rd, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Thomas Says:
I think the singer and the guitarist in ManStrand are a great team.We are lot’s lot’s of people who loves them.
Posted on April 24th, 2010 at 12:15 am
Carl Manstrand Says:
A tip for mr Robert (Erik?)! If you cant sing and get a vote here yourself do like Jayce Landberg, hire Göran Edman for 750 dollar for each song, then compose 12 song and record your own cd. It might not help! But let us then compare the music!
I dont compare me or my music with any band, this is me and Richard own music!
We touch people good and in your case bad! We are very greatfull for Simon’s review!!!
Posted on April 24th, 2010 at 4:50 am
doug miller Says:
i love ManStrand i think they have kick ass sound and there songs there awesome.
Posted on April 24th, 2010 at 6:59 am
maggan Says:
….Have you listened to their music?
Everyone can have their opinion But The first thing you will notice is that the pentatonic scale has fewer notes than the major scale. Penta is Greek for five, so penta-tonic means five-tone scale. The other thing you will notice is that the third note and the seventh note (B and F# in the major scale) have been flattened, or made minor, in the pentatonic scale. Those minor notes, the Bb and the F are what gives rock music its famous tension and I has the ManStrand.
Posted on April 24th, 2010 at 8:47 am
Classic Rocker Says:
Robert – someone who has played only radio so far should not write bad words about good musicians. My Feeling is saying: you have no real idea of good and creative music. Have listened to Manstrand in their myspace-account – can only agree to the main-release (and get hungry to listen more of them).
Posted on April 24th, 2010 at 10:03 am
maggan Says:
Robert-Agree with you, Manstrand are really good, listen to all their great songs!!!
Posted on April 24th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Anne Says:
Mandstrand is very good, and the music must be heard … Vocalist has a nice voice Good luck Carl!
Posted on April 24th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Patou Says:
Hello everyone! for “Robert” .. you’re too aggressive with ManStrand, especially with Carl! does not settle your accounts here .. keeps the musical soul, and respects the freedom of everyone:) Carl has his voice and authenticity ManStrand is a group of quality! .. If you do not .. not listening! .. let’s be Rock
Posted on April 24th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Erich Says:
ManStrand sent by many Internet radio stations in Germany. Why? Because ManStrand is appreciated by the audience more and more. Even in Italy and Switzerland ManStrand is sent. And for good reason: the music is great.
Any negative criticism, promotes every good music!!! Thanks Robert, but your lousy comment, promotes Carl and his band ManStrand. You are here the only one who writes so degrading. Shame on you for your jealousy.
Posted on April 24th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Lina Says:
ManStrand is a fantastic group! All their songs are great!
There must be sombody envious!
Posted on April 24th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
Mary Jo Says:
This goes to Robert, Hey you dont know good music when u hear it. Carl and his band, Manstrand, are awesome. If you take his songs and really listen to what he is saying , I think you would like them. And, even if you dont, who cares, there are plenty of people out there that do, and I am one of them, Im one of his biggest fans, here in the US, so keep your comments to yourself.
Posted on April 25th, 2010 at 6:49 am
Mary Jo Says:
I just went back and read all these comments, and u know what Robert, U are the one that SUCKS, I think u are just jealous because he is making it out there in the music world, and u…on the other hand maybe not have the talent to get known, IFu are in the music business.
So, until then…dont knock it what is good out there!!!!
Posted on April 25th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Robert Says:
Mary Jo, why would I keep my comment to myself? It’s my American constitutional right to write and think what I want.
Some comments above ( I suspect they are all from Man Strand themselves) say I don’t know anything about music because I dont like Manstrand. It’s like saying to someone: “you suck because you don’t like Usama Bin Ladin”. See where i am getting at?
You (if there is a you, because it is most likely Manstrand himself) like Manstrand and i don’t. So what? We have a different taste. Are you trying to force me to like Manstrand?
You are like muslims extremists. You don’t respect other people’s beliefs or tastes.
I won’t keep my comments to myself. I am American, I pay taxes and this site clearly prompts me to “leave a comment”.
I am entitled to my opinion as much as anyone else. It’s called the Land Of The Free. And to all of you extremists above I say: F… you and God bless America for freedom of speech. Amen.
Posted on April 26th, 2010 at 6:43 am
Robert Says:
Oh and by the way Joe Lynn Turner rules Simon!!
Have you herad his solo albums?
Posted on April 26th, 2010 at 6:52 am
Carl Manstrand Says:
Sorry Robert! I would never pretend be someone els just to comment you!!!
These people are real fans of Manstrand!!! And Im sure you know it!
Posted on April 26th, 2010 at 9:06 am
Carl Manstrand Says:
And you reveal yourself -just to see if anyone comment you here! You are very very intressed by ManStrand! Hahaha..
Posted on April 26th, 2010 at 9:10 am
Robert Says:
I didn’t say I was not interested by Manstrand. I said i think they do bad music. I find all people interesting, that’s why I watch American Idol and you definitly should be there on their show.
It seems to me you can’t take bad critic. Very unprofessional. I don’t see Robbie Williams go in and comment on his own music. Don’t you have songs to write instead of being here trying to force people to like you?
Posted on April 26th, 2010 at 9:27 am
Carl Manstrand Says:
I can take critic if its with behavior. But you talk very negative. Your purpose is to bring ME down. Its not about my music! I think its very okey have different taste! I wonder if your name is Robert? Have you a homepage to proof you are Robert?. I bet you dont have!!! Are you Jayce Landberg?
Posted on April 26th, 2010 at 9:39 am
Robert Says:
No I dont have a homepage since i dont do music. And i dont need to prove i am Robert since i really dont care.
My purpose is not to bring you down. I dont know you personally and such a purpose would be weird. I just dont like your music and your singing. Get over it…
Posted on April 26th, 2010 at 9:49 am
Carl Manstrand Says:
Hahaha.. I knew it. You are Jayce Landberg!!!
Posted on April 26th, 2010 at 9:54 am
Robert Says:
Yeah okay im joyce lanbberg …whatever you say mate.. get a life..
Posted on April 26th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Carl Manstrand Says:
Please write Jayce Landberg not joyce lanbberg !!!
Posted on April 26th, 2010 at 10:23 am
Carl Manstrand Says:
Well, on Myspace Manstrand still have unmastred songs!
Our song Classica was voted number 1 in EKR radiostation. Won over 50 other great bands (Europe, Uriah Heep, Tokio Hotel etc)!
And Metal Mayhem Radioshow gave us almost same comments as Simon. We sounds like Rainbow , Depp Purple etc ,and he thought we fitted to been played before he interwied Joe Lynn Turner!
You dont have to answer this “Robert” ! Its not for you!
Posted on April 26th, 2010 at 10:37 am
Robert Says:
Wow self-centered and arrogant too… Very humble answer Carl, I’m inpressed. If you were blessed with any talent at all you wouldn’t have to talk about your band that way. Your talent would be enough to convince… but since you don’t have any…
Posted on April 26th, 2010 at 10:57 am
Carl Manstrand Says:
I told you! Its not for you!!! I really do believe other people then you like our music and that we can be compared with the great bands from 1970. I forgott to mention that many people also think we sounds as Black Sabbath!!!
Take care “Robert” Get a life !!!!
Posted on April 26th, 2010 at 11:07 am
Robert Says:
Haha… next you’ll write: “I forgot to mention people think I’m Jesus Christ!”. Good way to go Carl… Keep on boasting about yourself. I’m sure you will gain more sympathy from your alleged fans
By the way, how come you’re not even signed to any label if you’re so good and since you have so many (imaginary) fans…
Posted on April 26th, 2010 at 11:17 am
Carl Manstrand Says:
Well cause we havent send to labels yet! And I think it can be very good if you get knowned without labels. All money from sales go to your band! Next cd we now working on will do better for commercial and radios! So I see agreat future for ManStrand if God will!! I even been thinking start a label myself! You see I got brain!!!
Posted on April 26th, 2010 at 11:23 am
Robert Says:
Well I wish you the best of luck with your band and label.
Posted on April 26th, 2010 at 11:52 am
666 Says:
Manstrand är en jävla hycklare som själ andras musik och försöker bli känd genom att använda andras bandnamn… det finns en Gud Kalle, och det finns en rättvisa… /D.
Posted on April 29th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Carl Manstrand Says:
Vem vet att jag kallas för Kalle? (jag har en aning)
-Ja man blir aldrig profet i sin egen omgivning! Att folk/recenter jämför vår musik med de stora är en ära för oss herr Diablo! Och vi har ingen anledning att gå i stoftet för dens skull! Vi spelar den musik vi tycker om och alltid gillat, varför spela musik man inte gillar?? Bit på den du!!!
Posted on April 29th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Robert Says:
Stormen kommer ta dig. Ta det som en varning Kalle. Du använder andra bands jobb och framgång till egen vinning och du lurar folk att tro att du var en del av framgången när du i själva verket inte hade ett skit med det att göra… Du offentligör gamla inspelningar respektlöst utan att fråga om tillstånd och vill glida på en räkmacka utan slit… du använder dem människor som du en gång kallade för dina vänner. Men du har inga vänner.. Du vet inte vad vänskap är. Du vänder allt till din fördel och smutskastar folk i din omgivning. Hela du e en lögn. Du skriver på din hemsida att du e en viking men du e inte ens svensk. Vad gör du i Svedala? Go back to your gypsy land you are not from Sweden. You are a liar.
Ingen tycker om dej Kalle. Vi vet vem du är. Vi kommer ta dig… en tidsfråga.. jag ger dig en vecka för att göra det rätta o rätta till det hela. Ditt betende e helt enkelt äckligt..
Ta detta som en varning före en storm… /D.
Posted on April 29th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Robert Says:
En liten sak till. Jag skriver nu att jag heter Robert för att stödja den andre Robert ovan. För jag tycker precis som han. Detta förbryllar dej.. Men du vet nog vem jag är eller hur…? eller du kanske inte gör det… jag tror dock att ditt samvete viskar vem jag e. Det var gamla dagar Kalle men nu ar det dags för dej att tänka om. Nån måster sätta stop för dej. /D. Aka Robert F.
Posted on April 29th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Mary Jo Says:
Robert, u are right u can say what u want..Freedom of speech. But, u really should learn how to spell, because it isnt usama bin laden, its Osama Bin Laden…with an O.
Anyway…I am a real person, my name is on the back of Manstrands cd, as one of his GREAT supporters for his music. Im also on his myspace friend list, 9th to be exact. So, just to let u know that Carl doesnt need to pretend he is other people to get the credit he deserves. He has many fans out there, and I feel that I am his #1 American fan. I support him and his music 110% So, feel free to say what u want, but it doesnt change the fact that Manstrand ROCKS!! And they will continue to ROCK! Carl is a great and honest person and He does have talent. Another thing, why shouldnt Carl say good things about himself? U really think that he is gonna knock himself down like u are trying to do, but not succeeding? It doesnt matter what u think about his music, and u are right, u can and should have your own opinion about music. For every one person that may not like his music, there are 100 that do…and I AM one of them…..Its ok Carl…Manstrand Rocks , you and your fans know it!!!!
Posted on April 29th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
simon Says:
Thanks for bringing the debate back around to my native tongue Mary Jo – I’m just hoping nobody’s said anything too offensive in the comments below. If anyone knows otherwise please let me know…
Posted on April 29th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Carl Manstrand Says:
Hi Simon!
That Robert now say they gonna kill me (in swedish)!
He treathen me!!!
In swedish he write ” Vi vet vem du är. Vi kommer ta dig… en tidsfråga.. jag ger dig en vecka för att göra det rätta o rätta till det hela!
That mean if I dont change my mind he will kill me in next week!
Posted on April 30th, 2010 at 5:34 am
Robert Says:
No that means we’re gonna sue you or get you legally you idiot if you don’t take off the illegal vidoes you posted on the internet … du e som himla osmart. /D.
Posted on April 30th, 2010 at 5:38 am
Robert Says:
The last Mannstrand comment really shows who he really is.. A big liar and a fake! The Swedish sentence dont even have the word “kill” in it… What we wrote is we are gonna get him if he dont do the right thing and take off the vidoes he put illegally on the internet.
He uses other bands music and recordings to try to get famous by posting on internet and say he is part of the band. We will make him pay big money for that. I have him one week to take off the illegal videos.
I will also sue him for accusing me about threat to kill him. he is a dangerous man and needs to be stopped now. Im talking to other band mates and friends who had to with him and we might file a law suit all together because he also uses peoples pictures on his website without authorization /D.
Posted on April 30th, 2010 at 5:46 am
Carl Manstrand Says:
Simon!
He lies! I have put my own videos on youtube of a band I created long ago. And he wrote “We goona take you before next week if you dont change your mind. ” (what?)! Everybody knows thats a threath!!!
I supose you simon can see if the Robert is the same man who write in english or swedish!!!
I will never change cause of threat! I have a feeling this threat comes from Erik L!
Posted on April 30th, 2010 at 5:53 am
Robert Says:
You are right it is a threat. we will make you pay big money if you dont remove those videos. Wi kommer stamma arslet ur dej. We will sue your ass. It is not your band it is my band and is still my band. i have a contract that proves it. /D.
Posted on April 30th, 2010 at 6:05 am
Carl Manstrand Says:
Must I answer this lie too? Everybody who check all these 28 years old videos can read I quit the band Stormwarning 1982!
The only (bad?) thing I did was to wrote that the band name today is Count Raven. They had to change the name cause a band already had the name Stormwarning! Well I will call the bandleader today and see if really is him “robert”. I dont think so!
Posted on April 30th, 2010 at 6:36 am
Robert Says:
Mary Jo, you are wrong about Bin Ladin.
The FBI spell it with U and not O.
http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/terrorists/terbinladen.htm
His real name is Us?mah Mu?ammad Awa? bin L?den.
His real name is thu sspelled with a U.
Now some spell it with an O and some spell it Laden instead of Ladin.
The truth is both spelling are correct since different organizations spell it differently.
So if you wanna throw stones you’d better do it from a wooden house cause if you do it from a house made of glass it’s gonna break.
Now back to Manstrand… are there 2 Roberts now??
The other Robert doesn’t seem to think highly of Manstrand either.
However like I said, I wish him the best of luck with his band. But I still don’t like the music.
Now you say you like it and I respect that but I don’t and you should respect that too.
And bringing up the spelling of Usama in here doesn’t have anything to do with my freedom of speech. Freedom of speech doesn’t require right spelling.
Robert
Posted on April 30th, 2010 at 7:15 am
Danielle Says:
I think that Robert can not like the music all he wants but there is no reason to come start shit with Carl. No matter who you are. Even if he has videos of his so called band.. and if he is in it, you can do nothing about it. If he is in the video he has every right in the world to post it. He would not be able to post anything after he had left. As for me, I do not like this music. I don’t think he sucks but its just not my thing. I don’t like old music and if its anything like Sabbath I consider it old. If you’re going to consider yourself an American, you need to start using proper English.. Especially if you’re going to be speaking English. Do it right. Until then, no reason to hate on other music just because they are better then you. If you think your ‘so-called’ band is better, let me hear it.
Posted on April 30th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Mary Jo Says:
Ok Robert, I have went and checked out that website and..ok I see that some people have spelled it that way..we here in America spell it Osama. So where are u from anyways? You arent from the USA, I know that. Even if u do live here, u arent from here. I kinda think I know who u are now. Especially after translating the Swedish up there, Im pretty sure I do know. And why do u think that Carl is Donald?? And, that he isnt from Sweden?
~
Im not saying that u dont have the right to state your opinion of what u like and dont like..but that doesnt give u the right to say that certain musicians suck and that they dont have any talent, just because u dont like it doesnt mean that other people dont like it.
What I think…is that every needs to get along and when push comes to shove..it aint cool!!!!
Manstrand still Rocks!!! Rock on Carl!! Love ya! Im still your # 1 American fan!!
Posted on April 30th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
Dani Says:
I think Manstrand is an awesome band and I know a lot of people think so also. So.. Robert.. if that’s who YOU are.. If this is other band IS yours, and if you really think Carl is that bad, why did you have him in your band in the first place? You can’t fool anyone.. Seems to me like you are just jealous. How childish….
Posted on May 1st, 2010 at 1:40 am
Mary Jo Says:
Ok..what I meant to say was…What I think..is that every ONE needs to get a long and when push comes to shove..it aint cool!!!
So..Robert, who whatever you name is..where are you from anyways? Are u from and living in Sweden or what? How come you think that Carl is Donald and say that he isnt even from Sweden? Oh well, it really doesnt matter. Anyway..I just wanna say that since you are in the music business, I just wish u all the best and Hope that one day u can put all this behind u. And..for God’s sake..dont sue Carl for puttin that video up..he was in that band at one time..what is it really hurting, anyway?
It doesnt matter what anyone says about Manstrands music, I like it and I always will. Carl, is a kind hearted and very talented man, and even though I have never met him in person…YET..he is one of my very good friends.
Rock on, Carl Manstrand…im still your # 1 American fan.
Robert..I will respect u as long as u can respect other people too. Ok? Every one..take care!
Posted on May 1st, 2010 at 5:37 am