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Everywhere I go right now it’s Glee this and Glee that. Think High School Musical mixed with Grange Hill and you get the idea – it’s basically an American kids’ TV programme which has become a big hit worldwide. But what the f**k has that got to do with rock I hear you say?

Quite a lot, in fact. Just as Guitar Hero started turning a generation of Slash wannabes in the direction of classic rock Glee regularly revisits pop metal’s standards and gives them a refreshingly contemporary revamp. Read the rest of this entry »

We’re always excited when we hear the words Swedish and melodic rock in the same sentence and teenage sensations Titan look set to become rushonrock faves in 2010.

Boasting an average age of 18 and wearing their 80s hair metal influences on their sleeves, they liken themselves to Toto, Journey and Giant.

But we’re wondering whether mini album Steps might have more than a passing resemblance to the early work of fellow countrymen Europe. Now that would be cool… Read the rest of this entry »

We’ve been backing the Black Stone Cherry boys for some time now and it’s safe to say there can’t be many bands who’ve entertained us so often and so brilliantly throughout 2009.

With a new record in the pipeline for the second half of 2010 and no doubt yet another round of quality shows and festival slots to come we can only see the Edmonton, Kentucky quartet getting bigger. And bigger. And bigger.

But before they do we caught up with frontman Chris Robertson for a final bite of the ‘Cherry this year. Read the rest of this entry »

rushonrock contributor Andy Spoors just loves his AOR anthems and the man more likely to be watching Bowling For Soup has never stopped believin’ when it comes to the evergreen Journey.

To celebrate the band’s latest revival – with landmark track Don’t Stop Believin’ hitting the Top 20 earlier this month – our favourite musical mystery man offers his thoughts on a melodic rock phenomenon.

Sit back and enjoy. Read the rest of this entry »

If Jon Anderson really believes Yes fans feel cheated that the band is going about their business in his absence then it’s high time the voice of so many outstanding prog rock records experiences a harsh but necessary reality check.

Those of us who follow classic rock would rarely see a live show if we boycotted those acts ploughing merrily on in the absence of their most celebrated singer or guitarist. And unlike Anderson we accept that times change. Line-ups change. Music changes. Read the rest of this entry »

Yes drummer Alan White has insisted the band had no option but to tour without Jon Anderson this year after the singer’s health problems forced plans for previous shows to be shelved.

Responding to his colleague’s assertion that the current line-up of Yes showed a lack of respect to fans, and that the band should not tour under the Yes name, White said: “There are a lot of different opinions about this whole situation.

“But the fact remains that Benoit [David, Anderson's replacement] is a really good singer with a voice very similar to Ian’s. We’ve just come off a successful tour of the US and I didn’t hear any complaints. 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 »

Just days before his band were due to begin recording their eighth studio album, Talisman founder member Marcel Jacob has committed suicide at the age of 45.

The news was broken by fellow band member and former Journey/Yngwie Malmsteen frontman Jeff Scott Soto – the singer immediately revealing his plans for a tribute to a musician he rated as the best in the business. ”It is with deep regret and remorse that I, along with fellow members of Talisman, am announcing our brother, long time colleague & overall greatest musician we’ve ever played with, Marcel Jacob, is no longer with us as of today,” said Scott Soto. Read the rest of this entry »

More than 70,000 expectant punters always hoped it would be something special. First came the news that the final day had a Classic Rock flavour, then the big name headliners were confirmed and finally the baking hot sun arrived right on cue. If ever Download was going to deliver a day to remember then this day would surely be it.

In fact it was better than that. Way, way better. This is what watching live rock music is all about and while I admire those who packed in all three days without barely breaking into a sweat, it’s just as well I decided to forgo Faith No More and sidestep Slipknot. Read the rest of this entry »

@ Castle Donington, Main Stage, June 14 2009

If imitation really is the sincerest of flattery then Steve Perry should feel mightily flattered. Arnel Pineda sounds so akin to his predecessor as Journey frontman that watching the band in 2009 can almost seem quite freakish.

Close your eyes and you could be back in the late 1970s with the band’s most famous singer rifling through the tunes which spawned a melodic rock legacy. Open them again and you see a pint-sized vocalist who makes Neal Schon look like a giant – Pineda’s not Perry but he’s every bit as good. Read the rest of this entry »