This week we look at three records oozing pure rock and roll tradition as singer songwriter Johnny Lima (pictured), Swedish sleazegrinders XXX and back from the dead classic rockers Holy Water deliver the goods with varying degrees of success.
Whether you like your rock raw or polished, slick or slightly sick there’s the perfect mix right here as we turn the spotlight on the records rocking rushonrock this week. Read the rest of this entry »
After a couple of false starts in the last six months this summer could be the moment for super group Man Raze to finally make their mark. And if there is a rock god up there it will happen.
Bringing together the combined talents of Phil Collen (Def Leppard), Paul Cook (Sex Pistols) and Simon Laffy (Girl) this punk-infused trio belt out super cool slices of modern rock guaranteed to have you humming along to the car stereo and banging your head in the bathroom (or maybe that’s just us).
And Monday sees the re-release of their critically acclaimed debut Surreal prior to a Saturday slot at Download 2009. But if you’re still not convinced then we’ve got our sweaty mits on a copy of the band’s latest video – an acoustic version of You’re So Wrong which features on the UK and European bonus disc packaged with Surreal. Read the rest of this entry »
With the countdown to Christmas in full swing what better to buy the rocker in your life than one (or even both) of this week’s top releases? Rock Solid sees in the new music week with the pick of the best new records and tomorrow sees a pair of pearlers hit stores.
Man Raze – Surreal (Surrealist Records)
When you hear the name Phil Collen the first things you expect are expert musicianship, razor sharp riffs and humalong hooks. With Surreal you get all of that plus slick vocals and an eclectic mix of punk, classic rock and reggae. In fact if you’ve heard a more varied and surprising record all year we want to know about it.
Americans have been lapping up Def Leppard star Collen’s superb side project for months now and the ‘Raze’ reviews have been coming thick and fast. Although the axe mastro sounds spookily like band mate Joe Elliott on a number of hard rocking standards this is no Songs From the Sparkle Lounge Pt 2. Collen has every right to let the day job influence slices of Surreal but there’s a conscious effort to define this as a vital new record in its own right.
It’s when you hit the dub-tastic Runnin’ Me Up that you realise this isn’t a Leppard clone and from that point onwards Collen and fellow Razers Paul Cook (Sex Pistols) and Simon Laffy (Girl) reveal a refreshing strand of creativity and freedom which makes this one of the most listenable records of 2008.
Turn It Up and Shadowman are more like the straight ahead rock you might aspect from a man behind some of the biggest hair metal records in history but that’s no bad thing. It would be foolish of Collen to turn off his Lepp fans altogether and there’s enough here to keep the Pyromaniacs and Hystericals happy.
Four years in the making is nothing these days but producing Surreal has been time well spent. Grab the UK copy with the five-track bonus disc and those reggae influences are even clearer but don’t fear – this is no UB40 tribute CD. Collen, Cook and Laffy are canny enough to play to their collective strengths and rock is the overriding flavour here.
rushonrock rated: 8/10 Man Size Rock
Frank Turner – The First Three Years (Xtra Mile Recordings)
And what a first three years it’s been from the former Million Dead frontman turned folk rock hero. Festival favourite, underground legend, people’s champion, songwriter supreme – call him what you like but Mr Turner is something special at a time when formulated rock continues to overshadow the truly sublime.
This solo career-spanning collection is crammed full of tracks taken from single releases, EP specials, AA side collaborations and hitherto unheard sessions. It’s a treasure trove of 21st century musical commentary ranging from the bullish Thatcher Fucked The Kids to the contemplative Worse Things Happen At Sea. And for all of us who still lament the passing of MD there’s even a cover of the band’s Smiling At Strangers On Trains.
If you’re looking for something offering real value in these times of financial hardship then look no further than The First Three Years. It will keep you guessing from track 1 to track 23 – even if that last song is a fairly sloppy cover of Abba’s Dancing Queen.
rushonrock verdict: 7/10 The Turner Prize
It takes a lot to shock Geordie boy Spike but the super cool Quireboy – enjoying some well deserved time off after a summer on the festival circuit – is still talking about last month’s show with Ted Nugent.
Rushonrock caught up with the bandana-wearing crooner in Newcastle’s Strawberry boozer prior to the Toon’s pre-season clash with Valencia. And after all the usual footy chat Spike couldn’t help but hark back to last month’s Indigo2 date in London.
“We were excited to get the support slot but let’s just say I was a bit taken aback by some of Ted’s views,” he said. “The bloke is well known for being a little bit outspoken but he pushes it to the limit. I’ve seen and heard a few things over the years but some of his s**t even shocked me!”
Spike can expect more of the same when the Quireboys head to Spain next month for an Azkena Rock Festival featuring none other than the Sex Pistols. But needless to say a bloke who bleeds black and white is already looking forward to December 22 – and a homecoming show at Newcastle’s Carling Academy 2.
“We had real trouble getting that date as we were bumped off the original night by Duffy,” he added. “Can you believe she got first dibs on the Newcastle date? What’s the world coming to!”
Now it’s doubtful Duffy’s music comes close to The Quireboys’ brand spanking new disc Homewreckers And Heartbreakers and Spike added: “The record’s gone down really well everywhere we’ve played. I’m over the moon as they say.”
Catch up on more Quireboys news here soon and look out for a full interview with Spike (if he ever answers his damn mobile).
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Editor Simon Rushworth has worked for every national newspaper in the UK, and many international titles, and is rock writer for the Newcastle Journal newspaper.
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