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His second solo album Only Come Out At Night is a heady mix of Scando-style melodic rock and classic metal – and we’re already looking forward to album number three from the multi-talented Chris Laney.

The uber-producer turned solo sensation has compiled an all-star cast to complement a series of cracking compositions and this is one album you must hear in 2010. In the meantime we go behind the scenes with the Mr Laney to find out just what makes him tick. Read the rest of this entry »

Dogged by poor sound when we saw them with Airbourne last month, the phenomenal Taking Dawn are benefiting big time from the big production which is part and parcel of the Kiss Sonic Boom Over Europe tour.

A made-for-arenas US crew, Chris Babbit and his mates laid waste to Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena on Sunday and came across as the consummate showmen in front of a sceptical UK crowd.

We caught up with the frontman and this may be the best interview you’ll read all month. Enjoy. Read the rest of this entry »

They’re out on the road with Kiss this month and on the evidence of last night’s Newcastle set Las Vegas mob Taking Dawn are right at home in the arena environment – we’ve got an exclusive interview with flamboyant frontman Chris Babbit.

There are gigs aplenty right now with the Give It A Name tour hitting the UK, Kill Hannah back on the road and Jason & The Scorchers out and about – we’re looking to bring you news on all of them this week.

Femme Fatale (remember them?) hit this week’s 12@12 and there’s all the latest news and views from the worlds of rock and metal – plus the best of next week’s new releases in Rock Solid. Read the rest of this entry »

@ Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, May 2 2010

When God gave rock and roll to us one of the bands he surely earmarked for blind worship was Kiss.

This moving Sunday service in Newcastle might not have seen the largest congregation ever to grace the city’s cavernous arena but the faith, if not the ticket sales, was strong.

And thanks to a sensational sermon lasting more than two hours those who did choose to pay homage at the church of Kiss were treated to pure rock heaven.

But the sad thing is that it’s doubtful we’ll see the like again – at least on Tyneside. A business like Kiss simply can’t afford to play to half empty venues and the frowns across the faces of the stream of staff emerging from stage right before and during the show said it all. Read the rest of this entry »

Outspoken Taking Dawn frontman Chris Babbit is not an individual who lacks confidence and we’re predicting quite a show when hits the UK arena scene with Kiss this weekend.

But even one of the coolest customers in rock he can’t hide his boyish excitement just 48 hours from the opening night at Sheffield Arena.

Back in the UK after a run of support slots with label mates Airbourne, a buzzing Babbit told rushonrock: “I was asked how much we’re looking forward to this tour! Is that a trick question?  BLOODY FUCKIN’ MARVELOUS!!!!!!!!! Read the rest of this entry »

With just five days to go before we experience the Sonic Boom Over Europe tour in all of it’s pyro-fuelled glory we’ve got the second part of our exclusive chat with genial Gene Simmons.

Still going strong after all these years and boasting thigh muscles men half his age would kill for, The Demon talks Donald Trump, William Shakespeare and Family Jewels – and that’s just for starters.

We can’t wait to see the man himself on action in Newcastle on Sunday and we’ll have a review of that show right here within hours of the final curtain falling.

For now sit back and enjoy a few more words of wisdom from an individual who has truly brightened up these pages during the past fortnight. Read the rest of this entry »

There’s more than enough rock and metal to keep fans of every genre happy this week as we look forward to a Bank Holiday Weekend bash with those krazy folk from Kiss.

We’ll be bringing you one of the first reviews of their UK arena tour on Sunday and look out for part two of our Gene Simmons exclusive later this week.

Elsewhere we deliver the lowdown on the new Chickenfoot DVD with the supergroup well on the way to completing album number two. And the rushonrock Rider returns as young British metal crew Max Raptor take us behind the scenes.

There’ll be a no-hold-barred assessment of The Bronx as they tour the UK and look out for reviews of the new albums by Eisbrecher, Divinity, October File and the utterly fabulous German metal monsters Kissin’ Dynamite. And there’s more… Read the rest of this entry »

With rock and roll legends Kiss due to land in the UK next week we caught up with The Demon – aka Gene Simmons – for a typically entertaining chat.

The veteran bass player and rock solid businessman still looks good in a pair of platform heels and boasts the steely thighs of a 30-year-old.

You can catch him and rest of the guys from Saturday May 1 in Sheffield and the across the UK in Newcastle, Liverpool, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester and London.

For Simmons rocking is his business – and business is good.

Look out for Part Two of our Gene exclusive next week. Read the rest of this entry »

Another action-packed week for lovers of all things rock sees another slew of big names hit your favourite website.

We unleash the first part of our exclusive Gene Simmons interview. And we review the Quireboys as they bring their acoustic show home to Newcastle.

There’s a look at Karma To Burn and Year Long Disaster as they continue their UK tour. And we feature a classic blast from hair metal’s past in the shape of Queensryche‘s Silent Lucidity – this week’s featured vinyl on 12@12. Read the rest of this entry »

In just three weeks Kiss bring their Sonic Boom tour to the UK and we caught up with The Demon – aka Gene Simmons – prior to the band’s arena trek.

Every day this week we’ll post some exclusive words of wisdom from one of the wackiest men in rock.

Here’s Gene on life: “I love every day. I get to be Gene Simmons which is so much f**king fun. I wouldn’t mind being Thom Yorke but I’d be miserable and I couldn’t be convincing.

“If you’re rich it’s tough to write a song about being miserable. I’m a happy son of a bitch all the time. If you know that feeling then hold onto it because there but for the grace of God we’d all be asking the next person in line would you like fish and chips with that or we’d all be digging ditches.

“If you get paid to do something you like and you have fun and you get to do it every day for as long as you want – come on. Even the Pope doesn’t have that much fun!”