Following Fables’ shock split earlier this year, the Newcastle-based guitarist has been writing songs with artists the world over.

And now Twiggy (pictured back, middle) is hooking up with famed hitmaker Holly Knight within spitting distance of the notorious Sunset Strip. “It’s a very exciting time for me and I’ll have more to say soon,” said the Geordie star, who jetted off to the US earlier today.

“I’ve been working with Holly for a while now and I can’t wait to see where this goes.”

Knight wrote The Best – the song made famous by Tina Turner – and has penned hits for Heart, Meat Loaf, Kiss and Pat Benatar among others.

Fables Last Stand called time on their career earlier this year when Twiggy and frontman Richard McMahon signed off with an exclusive acoustic performance opening up for the Quireboys.

McMahon has been holed up on the studio penning tunes for his solo debut The Illustrated Man – due in 2011 – while drummer Phil The Beat has taken up a full-time seat with The Karma Heart, formerly known as Remedy.

Look out for a full interview with Twiggy here soon when we’ll hear all about his LA adventure and his big plans for the future!

On a balmy Friday evening in Newcastle, Plugged-In staged 16 acts across five venues in the city.  Unfortunately, there were also 40th birthday parties, festivals and, frankly, the option to stay in and watch the Raoul Moat/ Gazza action unfold. What to do?

For me and about 40 others, the buzz surrounding the Glitterati made the choice easy.  I had never seen them live and, as they were playing a charity gig as part of Plugged-In, we headed down to see just what they were made of.

The Northumberland Arms is an unlikely choice for live music.  The “stage” was created at the back of the pub where a few tables had been cleared away.  It made for awkward viewing for anyone wanting to see the bands and although this does make for a very intimate gig, it was never going to be one of those shows that made the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. The layout just doesn’t work.

First up were We Are Knuckledragger, who gave it their all despite the heat that was building in the underground pub.  Much heavier than anyone could have expected for a band opening for the Glitterati they did, nevertheless. provide welcome musical diversity on the night.

Next up were Remedy, and singer Jenn warmed up on stage with vocals that were typically strong and sultry.  Her voice echoes what Ofra Haza would sound like if she had taken to singing Blondie tracks.  When Remedy started their set they mixed funk and grunge seamlessly and effectively – again the band pushed themselves in what was now overwhelming heat.

Finally the band we’d all come to see – the Glitterati.   They took the stage – well, walked to the end of the pub – and the crowd swarmed forward.  Their set was full of everything you’d expect – a bit of glam, a touch of sleaze and lots of attitude.

But if you’re new to the band the songs do morph into one. While they were a great listen they weren’t quite as together live as a band of their calibre should be. And when you don’t come away humming at least one new tune then questions must be asked.

Losing a fair proportion of the audience before the end of their set didn’t help but the heat and the view were restrictive. Even in the face of those obstacles The Glitterati put on a credible performance. But the band of the night were Remedy.

Sian Wintle

And after laying down the tracks at Newcastle’s Blast Studios the quartet is London-bound next month for a date with studio guru Jon Astley.

The man who produced The Who and Eric Clapton in the 70s would appear to be the perfect choice to master Remedy’s retro cool sound and the band is confident of a May release.

Astley shot to fame after producing The Who’s Who Are You? and Eric Clapton’s Just One Night.

He went on to become a freelance engineer, mastering for artists including Led Zeppelin, George Harrison, Ash, Jools Holland, Small Faces, Tori Amos and the Sex Pistols. Check him out at www.closetotheedge.biz

Remedy said: “To have such experience added to the process of making our debut is a massive bonus and is certainly a boost to our confidence! We’re really excited about getting this record out there!”

We rate Gun‘s (pictured) five-track mini album, Hysterica‘s 11-track debut, Marya Roxx‘s four-track EP and a demo of top tunes from our favourite Geordie rockers Remedy.

And we’ll be bringing you more reviews from the UK’s hottest winter festival all this week.

Gun – Popkiller (Townsend Records)

There are at least three tracks here which would have been huge hits had the Gun of old released them at the peak of their career almost 20 years ago. They should be massive today but we all know the musical landscape has changed dramatically since Better Days burst into the Top 40 – followed by a slew of similarly catchy rock anthems from the Glaswegian crew.

If only somebody, somewhere would take a punt on the lip smacking Let Your Hair Down or the sugary sweet Seraphina or even this magic mini album’s title track then Gun would well and truly be back. All three songs are produced with a pop rock market in mind and that pop rock market would lap them up if the message was loud and clear.

And here’s the thing. Those of you who have witnessed Gun live during the last few weeks will be surprised, possibly upset, at the slick commercial sheen all over this canny five-track comeback record. On stage and on CD they sound like two very different bands – but here at rushonrock we love ‘em both.

rushonrock rated: 8/10 Pop Saviours

Hysterica – Metalwar (CRoNG Records)

In a year when Steel Panther proved the piss take can be better than the real thing just where that leaves bands like Hysterica is anyone’s guess. They’re no spoof act sending themselves up at every opportunity and yet they live and die by the ultimate in rock cliches.

Lyrically and musically they’re not pulling up any trees on Metalwar. But what this surprisingly accomplished album lacks in originality it more than makes up for in terms of raw power, passion and technical precision.

Matron Bitchie has spent a great deal of time (and a little bit of money) bringing together a competent band of musicians who, when dressed head to toe in traditional metal gear, can really cut the rock mustard.

Don’t expect to unearth a deeper message from within the riffs and couplets of Girls Made Of Heavy Metal, The Bitch Is Back or Heavy Metal Man but do expect one hell of a nostalgic ride through metal’s golden age. This lot more than held their own against NWOBHM maidens Girlschool at Hard Rock Hell and we’d love to see them back over here very, very soon.

rushonrock rated: 7/10  Reinventing Hystory

Marya Roxx – 21 The EP (EAA)

Like Alice Cooper’s 18, the repetitive shout of 21 leaves an indelible impression on the ears of anyone fortunate enough to hear Ms Roxx’s most anthemic track but it’s the best of an otherwise average bunch on this tidy yet unspectacular four-track sampler.

Given considerable clout by a typically beefy Kevin Shirley production job, the 21 EP is hard rock by numbers and not much else. It’s a shame because the multi-talented Marya has the potential to go far given the quality of songs this showcase is lacking.

21 is, by some distance, the standout tune here and while Oh Yeah and Rebel hint at another level that promised land never comes into view. The cover of Clawfinger’s Nothin Going On sounds like the kind of song Marya and her red hot band should be penning and let’s hope this is the direction the LA-based Estonian will take ahead of her 2010 debut album release.

We’re expecting so much from the Roxx camp in the next 12 months but this EP simply doesn’t match the hype.

rushonrock rated: 6/10  On The Roxx

Remedy – Four Track Demo (Self-Released, promo only)

If work-rate alone won lucrative record deals then remedy would already be toasting a four-album contract replete with chauffer-driven limos and stadium supports.

Back in the real world and it’s a travesty that dynamic frontwoman Jenn and her merry band of rock warriors are still trying to impress music business bosses when they boast the talent and big rock tunes to overshadow any number of established acts.

Honest Child and This City’s A Desert – even as rough demos – wouldn’t sound out of place in a set by The Answer or, dare we say it, Whitesnake. There’s a blues rock vibe complemented by a modern electric approach which appeals to the classic rock fan and metal head in equal measure.

Perhaps the trick is finding the perfect set-up for Remedy’s soulful songstress. On a good night she can tease tears out of tatooed bikers but her voice needs suitable support. Thankfully these demos do justice to one of the best set of pipes on the uderground scene but just imagine what it would sound like given the full production package…

rushonrock rated: 7/10 Honest Effort

We’ll deliver our verdict on the best bands, the worst acts, the missed opportunities and the what-might-have-beens.

And all this week we’ll be running full reviews of the shows which impacted the most on thousands of rockers and metal heads from across Europe.

BEST BAND: A toss-up between main stage slayers W.A.S.P. and wacky German crew Die Apokalyptischien Reiter. Blackie’s surgically enhanced features and beefed up power chords or a Teutonic gimp cavorting around in studded leather pants – you decide.

WORST BAND: Edens Curse sounded kinda cool on record but looked flat as a pancake on the second stage. And they might not have been the worst band at the festival but New York Dolls were a major disappointment.

BEST DRESSED: Hysterica singer Annie De Vil had sweaty middle-aged men everywhere drooling into their beer. But Korpiklaani’s bass player claims the title of king of cool thanks to his slicked back mane and handlebar moustache.

WORST DRESSED: Geoff Tate’s a great songwriter but the Queensryche frontman has wardrobe issues. A black waistcoat paired with big, bare arms, shades and a ponytail. The biggest mistake since Operation: Mindcrime II. As for the woolly hat sported by Jules from Gun. Wrong. Just wrong.

KILLER QUOTE: “Grimsby told us they were the best rock crowd in Britain” – Edens Curse frontman attempting to whip Wales into a frenzy. Admitting his band had just played Grimsby raised titters, rather than fists.

SOUND OF THE UNDERGROUND: Unsigned North East act Remedy had Prestatyn talking after their early-Friday set in the pub. Singer Jenn is a genuine talent just waiting to be snapped up. Go to it record label guys…

WAYSTED: Anyone spot the big bloke with long blonde hair and Hawaian-style shirt asleep against the barrier late on Friday? Snoozing while upright is a difficult skill but this guy made it look so, so easy.

WE WANNA BE SOMEBODY: Fair play to uber-enthusiastic crew Spit Like This  who dressed to impress and worked their little asses off up to and including their festival-closing set.

PISSED OFF: The decision to post rushonrock fliers above every urinal seemed like a good idea at the time – then we saw one disappearing down the U-bend in bits. It was a crushing blow in the wee small hours.

WHITE ROOM/SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE: Waking up on a Saturday morning at Pontins Prestatyn in the middle of December is a life-changing experience. Let’s just leave it at that.

HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE: Marya Roxx’s manager decided to dish out 2010 calendars of the temptress from Tallin – as well as copies of her new CD. Suddenly December 2010 in the same chalet won’t seem so bad.

EVEN MONA LISA SMILED: The best new Quireboys’ song in ages. Shame the woman at the Stage Two burger bar didn’t follow suit.

GROAPIES: Blackie boasted two of the oldest swingers in town stage right during his blistering set. And we always wondered where he got the inspiration for Animal…

But there’s no rest for the wicked and we’re looking forward to gigs from Gunfire 76 – the side project of Wednesday 13 (pictured) – Porcupine Tree, Heaven’s Basement and Dear Superstar this week as December continues to hit the mark for live action.

There’s an exclusive interview with Black Stone Cherry’s Chris Robertson and a rushonrock Rider featuring the lovely Marya Roxx. And there’s more.

The Quireboys hit The Vinyl Countdown for a second time after rocking Prestatyn on Saturday. And we check out what the rock stars in our life really want this month with more Christmas Rocks. And continuing the HRH theme we review two EPs and a promo from Gun, Marya Roxx and Remedy respectively.

Throw in the latest news and views from the world of rock and metal and you’ll see why rushonrock is still the fastest growing independent rock site in the country. Thanks to you!

First up we headed to Stage 3 and the fantastic Voodoo Johnson got the weekend off to a classic rock-vibed stylish start. Frontman Kev was in cracking form and a capacity crowd loved every riff-soaked minute. And so to Remedy…Now here at rushonrock we like to support out own and so we headed to the front and made our presence felt in front of the Geordie rockers. Jenn still seemed concerned that the metal fans scattered across the HRH crowd wouldn’t take to her emotion-fueled fourpiece but she really didn’t need to worry.

Whether you like classic rock, thrash, metal, sleaze, glam or whatever, Remedy deliver music which makes the spine tingle. City Is A Desert and The Remedy would have captured the hearts of any crowd and the record label bosses sat at the front should snap these guys up now…

So now it’s off to Stage 2 and some seriously wacky stuff in the shape of Waylander, Die Apokalyptischien Reiter and Korplikanni. And maybe some merch and a trip to the bar (again). Stay posted to rushonrock for all your latest HRH action throughout the weekend.

Today we catch up with fast rising rock chick Jenn from Remedy as the Geordie band prepares to blow fans away from the Young Blood stage on Friday:

“I’ve organised press for bands playing HRH in the past but never been to the festival. In fact this is one of Remedy’s very first festivals and we can’t wait! I’m not sure what to expect but a lot of the people we know who are going to be there have promised to check us out. I’m looking forward to checking out our good mates Logan and Voodoo Johnson. And I’m looking forward to having a bloody good time!”

Now it’s not often you’ll find this particular rock fan complaining about too many gigs. Too few, yes. But too many? Is there even such a thing as too many gigs?

I never believed it until a few weeks ago when I was inking some key dates in the old rushonrock diary. Thursday September 17 never really looked that special earlier in the summer but as the weeks went by it quickly emerged that this would be one crazy night of rock action in my native Newcastle.

It all started to go a bit mental when the Jeff Fest was moved from its original date at relatively short notice. As a big fan, a ultimately a friend, of iconic North East rock spinner Little Jeff it’s one night I never like to miss and so that was that – September 17 would be spent propped up at the Trillians bar supping Guinness and watching my favourite female-fronted band Remedy.

Then I started getting into my promo copy of INME’s stunning new record Herald Moth and started pestering the PR guy to find out when these emo kids turned rock Gods would be stopping off on Tyneside. You’ve guessed the answer. Thursday September 17. No problem, I thought. Remedy are on early so why not catch Jen and her mates at the Jeff Fest, bomb down to the Academy for some INME action and then hot foot it back up to Trillians for last orders. As plans go it was perfect.

Then came the spanner in the works to beat all spanners in any works. One of my favourite hair metal bands from the early 90s, the legendary LA guns, announced a gig at Legends on, of all nights, September 17. Even worse – and that’s worse in a scheduling sense rather than a criticism of the band – the fantastic Fables Last Stand bagged the support slot. Not only was there no space left in the diary, I was seriously doubting my ability to cover three venues in one night.

Contrast this frankly bonkers night of Toon rock with the previous week and it’s possible to understand why fans occasionally wonder what on earth is going through the minds of bands and promoters in these recession-hit times. Unless I’m mistaken there was barely a rock gig of note anywhere across the North East last week and looking ahead to next week only It Bites, at The Cluny, looks like a decent bet. Yet here we are facing a three-gig dilemma on one night – in the very same week that Blackhole and The Used have already made a play for the Tyneside public’s hard-earned cash.

As a fervent supporter of Fables I can’t miss those guys. As a regular advocate of Remedy’s 70s tinged rock there’s no way I’m going to miss the Hard Rock Hell-bound band on home turf. Tracii Guns is one of my fave guitarists of all time and INME’s new album is so good I just have to see at least some of it live.

And so the rushonrock Rockathon is born. But it means there’ll be fewer full reviews than is really acceptable, no reviews at all where various bands are concerned, and the reviews which do make the cut will be riddled with errors due to inevitable fatigue. I’m making my excuses early. But what’s the promoters’ excuse?

The band boasting members from as far afield as Hexham and Hartlepool are heading for stardom with tracks like Japanese Rain and Stray Dog oozing classic rock charm.

And it’s little wonder LA Guns have lined up Roachie and the gang to open up their Legends show in Newcastle next month. Fables have been confirmed as support for the Tracii Guns version of the infamous Sunset Strip mob on September 17 – a night set to serve up a feast of rock on Tyneside.

“We know there’s a lot going on that night with our mates Remedy playing the Jeff Fest but it’s nice that Newcastle’s spoilt for choice for once,” said frontman Roachie.

“The LA Guns gig should be rocking and it’s another big show for us. We’re on a roll right now with Love & Exile done and dusted so expect something special.”

Samples of the band’s newly mixed songs are available now at Fables’ MySpace site. Feel the rock!