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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. Read the rest of this entry »

@ Newcastle Trillians, November 25 2009

This gig would have been inconceivable a decade ago but thanks to the long overdue revival of all things glammed up and hairy, the one and only Davy Vain rolled back the years in front of a boistrous and adoring crowd.

 Those who claim one of prettiest boys of the late 80s scene has become a bloated parody of his former self should revise that opinion. And fast. Looking fitter than a bunch of blokes half his age and with the old pipes still in ear piercing form, Vain is a frontman quite capable of delivering unfinished business in some style. Read the rest of this entry »

Winger produced some of the greatest songs ever to emerge from the hair metal era two decades ago and despite constant ridicule on MTV survived to fight another day.

That day has arrived with the release of the sensational Karma – one of the contenders for rushonrock‘s albums of the year – and a full UK headline tour next March.

Founder member Kip Winger took time out to look back on the hair metal glory days, the bittersweet taste of commercial success and why it’s obvious he’s in a band crammed full with his best buddies. Oh, and he even gives his verdict on grunge… Read the rest of this entry »

Poison – Stand (Michaels/Dall/Rockett/Kotzen) b/w Native Tongue/Scream (Michaels/Dall/Rockett/Kotzen) 1993

By the time Stand hit stores hair metal was clinging on for dear life in the face of the unrelenting advance of grunge and US audiences had all but deserted Brett Michaels and co. in 1993.

This excellent song, from the mature yet underrated Native Tongue record, may have hit 25 on the UK singles chart but it only just limped into the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100.

And pretty soon after Poison were forced to accept defeat with the likes of Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden stamping all over their MTV heartland. Read the rest of this entry »

If you can get past the screechy, screamy and, quite frankly scary, vocal style which is stamped right across this three track thriller then you’re in for one of the musical treats of the month.

Released this week and featuring a trio of terribly catchy grunge rock tunes, the Sicking & Creaming EP from London’s Japanese Voyeurs is a remarkably edgy and accomplished debut.

OK, so the female lead singer really needs to rein herself in from time to time but her overly enthusiastic approach is a style which does become vaguely endearing after a while. Honest. And if you want to see what all the fuss is about we’ve bagged the promo clip for the EP’s title track Dumb. Read the rest of this entry »

House Of Lords’ frontman James Christian has revealed he could see no way back for hair metal and melodic rock once grunge took a stranglehold on the music business.

And the talented vocalist admitted he was prepared to call time on his singing career rather than change his style to suit the mid 90s trend.

“Back then I just didn’t see melodic rock making a comeback,” said the husband of 80s pop rock pin-up Robin Beck.

“Once grunge came on the scene you couldn’t even get arrested as someone who played melodic rock – let alone get a new record deal. But stepping away from it proved to be a god thing for me.” Read the rest of this entry »

Pearl Jam – Backspacer Gatefold Vinyl Edition (Universal)

We’ve had a week to judge whether this might well be the best Pearl Jam record we’ve ever heard and the verdict? It is.

Incredibly it sounds like the record Eddie Vedder and co. might have been expected to deliver at a time when hair metal dominated and grunge was in its infancy.

Influenced more by classic rock than the Seattle scene, it’s polished, often upbeat and always challenging. In fact, if you’ve always been put off Pearl Jam because of their roots then it’s time to give the band their due – and your time – in 2009. Read the rest of this entry »

Hardline – Can’t Find My Way (Johnny Gioeli/Joey Gioeli/Schon) b/w In The Hands Of Time (Johnny Gioeli/Joey Gioeli/Schon) 1992

Hardline? Perhaps it should have been hard lines. Had this merry gang of melodic rockers hooked up a few years eralier then commercial glory would have been theirs for the taking.

As it was even the input of Journey’s Neal Schon (credited as musician, songwriter and producer on this record) was not enough to save the Gioeli brothers from the brutal assault that was Grunge. The right band at the wrong time is how best to describe Hardline and this hair metal classic says it all. Read the rest of this entry »