The Soda Shop Debuts Video For MOTHERSHIP's "City Nights"

TheSodaShop.us has delivered an exclusive world premier of the video for "City Nights" from Dallas, TX heavy rockers Mothership.   Directed by Alan Fillencia for Scything Touch Productions, the video comes from the band's self-titled debut album, which is due out on February 12th on Ripple Music. Check it out at this location.    70's-tinged U.S. hard rock with a sound that satisfies like a steaming hot stew of UFO and Iron Maiden, blended with the southern swagger of Molly Hatchet and ZZ Top, Mothership's goal from the beginning has been to carry on the tradition of the classic rock style; updated and amped up for the modern day. Originally self-released in 2012, Mothership and Ripple Music have joined forces to re-release this stunning debut record on CD (includes lyrics) and LP (packages to include an 11" x 17" poster and download cards).  Late last week, Ripple Music held a special online pre-sale for limited edition copies of ofMothership on purple splattered vinyl with signed poster. All 100 copies of the album were sold-out in less than two hours. If you weren't one of the fortunate few, it would be wise to visitwww.ripple-music.com on or around the release date to secure yourself a copy of what is destined to be one of 2013's greatest rock records.   Mothership will be playing two Dallas-area CD release shows next month and is currently putting together a West Coast tour. Confirmed dates are as follows: February 8th @ Curtain Club - Dallas, TX February 9th @ Lola's Saloon - Ft. Worth, TX March 8th @ Club Red/ Red Owl - Tempe, AZ March 29th @ Johnny B's - Medford, OR  "Such a killer find, man. Can't wait to see them live!"   - Dom Lawson (Metal Hammer / Classic Rock) "Been listening to Mothership all day now and if feels like UFO and Orange Goblin got drunk with St. Vitus, smoked some weed with Blue Cheer and spewed out the tuffest blues-drenched, no frills love child I've heard all month. Some ridiculously badass guitars. And heavy above all else!" -- Sword of Doom "Try to resist a band that plays blues-laden metal with heavy guitar riffs that is also hoping for intergalactic travel. Mothership is a three piece from Dallas that alternates between an almost AC/DC-like sound on a track like 'City Nights' and a broader, heavier and more epic sound on tracks like 'Cosmic Rain,' 'Angel of Death' and the opener, 'Hallucination.'    -- Vue Weekly.com

Mothership Bio Rock n' Roll history is rife with brothers working together to create their artistic vision. But rarely do we hear about a full-fledged family unit embarking down the treacherous path of a musical career. In the case of Texas based Mothership, the Brother Juett (Kyle on bass, younger brother Kelley on guitar) enlisted the aid of their father, John Juett, to help get the 'ship off the ground. Raised on a healthy dose of their father's 70's-era record collection, the brothers began crafting songs fueled on the raucous and raw good time vibe when music seemed to know no bounds. Lifting off the pad for the first time in 2010, the band began to gain momentum and notoriety with their unabashed live shows. Knowing that the service of the family patriarch was temporary, Father Juett actively helped his boys find his replacement, and in late 2011, enter the mighty Judge Smith to hammer away on the skins. In early 2012, Mothership entered Crystal Clear Studios with Wo Fat mastermind Kent Stump manning the boards and by mid-year, the band self-released their debut album. It was the combination of the 70's-era heavy rock fuzz and fury mixed with the blistering guitar solos of the NWOBHM-era that drew the bands attention to California-based Heavy Rock label, Ripple Music. In the waning months of 2012, after a successful year of traveling regionally throughout Texas and opening for national acts such as Prong, Red Fang, Gypsyhawk, Earthen Grave, and Lo-Pan, Mothership officially dubbed Ripple Music as its Home Port and began plotting a course for their first U.S. Tour in early 2013. Kells Juett- Guitars/Vox  Kyle Juett- Bass/Vox Judge Smith- Drums www.facebook.com/mothershipusa www.ripple-music.com

New Trucker Diablo video featured at Classic Rock Magazine!

Northern Irish rising stars Trucker Diablo have released a video for their single The Rebel, and it's featured at Classic Rock Magazine.

The track is taken from upcoming album Songs of Iron, to be released in May.

Previously noted by Classic Rock, the hard rock outfit’s debut album The Devil Rhythm featured a guest appearance by Thin Lizzy frontman Ricky Warwick. They’ve also been hotly-tipped by Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott and The Answer’s Cormac Neeson.

The band enjoyed a successful 2012 which included appearances at Hard Rock Hell and Hammerfest, a support slot with the Foo Fighters at Tennents Vital and a support tour with Terrorvision. They rounded out the year by opening for their heroes Lizzy in Belfast.

ROYAL THUNDER PREMIERE "BLUE" VIDEO VIA PITCHFORK; ANNOUNCE NORTH AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN TOUR DATES

Royal Thunder, the Atlanta-based co-ed quartet whose debut album (CVI) landed on Best of 2012 lists from Decibel, Pitchfork, Spin, Revolver and the Village Voice,  premiere their video for "Blue" via Pitchfork (http://pitchfork.com/tv/youtube/13-music-videos/630-royal-thunder-blue-official-music-video/).

The clip comes as news of the band's first European tour is confirmed.  Royal Thunder will perform a handful of mid-April dates with Pallbearer including a stop at Roadburn on Apr. 18.  The band also kick off a month of North American dates, joining Enslaved and Pallbearer for a trek that launches on Jan. 30 at Underground Arts in Philadelphia.

"This is a long awaited tour for both Royal Thunder and the many European fans who have reached out to us over the past couple of years," said singer/guitar player Mlny Parsonz of the band's first European tour. "Roadburn is a wild dream come true.  Anyone I have talked to that has played Roadburn always has exciting and positive feedback on the festival.  Europe or Bust!  Here we come!"







Royal Thunder 2013 tour dates:

dates w/Enslaved and Pallbearer
Jan. 30    Philadelphia, PA    Underground Arts
Jan. 31    Baltimore, MD    Ottobar
Feb. 1    Pittsburgh, PA    Mr. Small's Theatre
Feb. 2    Detroit, MI    The Magic Stick
Feb. 3    Chicago, IL    Reggie's Rock Club
Feb. 4    Minneapolis, MN    Mill City Nights
Feb. 6    Denver, CO    Marquis Theatre
Feb. 8    Los Angeles, CA    Troubadour
Feb. 9    San Francisco, CA    Slim's
Feb. 10    Portland, OR    Branx
Feb. 11    Seattle, WA    Highline Bar
Feb. 12    Vancouver, BC    Biltmore Cabaret
Feb. 14    Edmonton, AB    Pawn Shop
Feb. 15    Calgary, AB    Dickens Pub
Feb. 16    Regina, SK    The Exchange
Feb. 17    Winnipeg, MB    The Osborne Village Inn
Feb. 19    Toronto, ON    Opera House
Feb. 20    Montreal, QC    Les Foufounes Electriques
Feb. 21    Boston, MA    The Sinclair
Feb. 22    New York, NY    Bowery Ballroom

dates with Pallbearer (except Roadburn)
Apr. 10    London, UK    Borderline
Apr. 11    Antwerp, Belgium    Trix
Apr. 12    Leipzig, Germany    Connewitz
Apr. 13    Berlin, Germany    Bi Nuu
Apr. 14    Linz, Austria    Posthof
Apr. 15    Bologna, Italy    Freakout Club
Apr. 16    Aarau, Switzerland    K.i.F.F.
Apr. 17    Germany    TBA
Apr. 18    Tilburg, Netherlands    Roadburn

THE CULT PREMIERE NEW FILM CLIP "HONEY FROM A KNIFE" ON VEVO TODAY

 

NEW ALBUM CHOICE OF WEAPON OUT NOW 

The Cult premiere their new film clip for the track, "Honey From A Knife" on VEVO today. "Honey From A Knife" is the latest single from The Cult's critically acclaimed new album, Choice of Weapon.      

    

VEVO Premiere | "Honey From A Knife"

Directed by Rick Rodgers and produced by The Cult's Ian Astbury and NYC based film company Mechanizedmules, the "Honey From A Knife" film clip was shot on location in the Washington Heights nieghborhood of Manhattan on a RED Scarlet camera with Super Speed lenses provided by ARRI.   

"Honey From A Knife," rooted in the seductiveness of addiction, was inspired by the following Buddhist precept, and Ian Astbury states that the accompanying film reveals a "desperate descent into a fractured psyche":  

  

"Wealth and beauty, to a man who will not relinquish them, are like a knife covered with honey which, even before he has had the pleasure of eating the honey, cuts the tongue of the child that licks it".  

  

The Cult are currently on tour in Canada before continuing on to Europe for dates in the UK, France, Netherlands and Germany. Full tour dates are below.  

  

8/24/12     EDMONTON         EEC   
8/25/12     MEDICINE HAT     ESPLANDE THEATRE   
8/26/12     CALGARY            COWBOYS   
8/28/12     REGINA              Event Plex at Evraz Place   
8/31/12     TORONTO          Phoenix   
9/01/12     MONTREAL         Métropolis   
9/02/12     Quebec City       GRAND THEATER   
9/10/12     MANCHESTER     APOLLO          
9/11/12     Newcastle         O2 Academy
9/12/12     Sheffield           Academy   
9/14/12     GLASGOW          BARROWLANDS   
9/15/12     BIRMINGHAM      ACADEMY   
9/16/12     LONDON            HAMMERSMITH APOLLO   
9/19/12     Paris                Bataclan   
9/20/12     Amsterdam        Melkweg   
9/21/12     Krefeld              Kulturfabrik

  

"Chilling hard-rock album filled with punk swagger and metallic power.." - Billboard

 

"As epic and compelling as nearly anything in The Cult's catalogue." Magnet

 

'Brilliant!" Q MAGAZINE (UK)

 

A-     Entertainment Weekly

 

Deadstar Assembly

Deadstar Assembly.

Where oh where do I start with this band? They're certainly one of my favorites. I found them, how all great discoveries are made, by accident a few years ago when I was eleven. The Youtube player was on shuffle and they popped up right after Spectrum-X. The video was for "Breathe For Me" off of their self-titled debut. It was moving, wonderful, and totally captured that helpless, I-just-need-something-to-believe-in angst. I was instantly captured by how rough, and yet melodic their sound was. Deadstar Assembly's second album Unsaved came out shortly after that, and you best believe I went right out, bought it, plunked myself down in my room, and didn't take those headphones off for days.

Deadstar Assembly is a strange culmination of all that's great about industrial metal, with touches of goth rock thrown in to create this hard-edged, enigmatic wall of sound that roars (quite literally) listeners down from the first notes of the album to the last verse of the last track. Their sound is completely unique, you know instantly when you are listening to a DSA song. I challenge anyone to find another band that is as innovative in the industrial metal scene today, or that has a better relationship with their fans.

I meet people all over that see my DSA buttons and go on and on about how they went to a concert, met the guys and they were so cool, and down-to-earth. In my personal experience, I asked them on Facebook if I could do a review, and I wasn't expecting to hear back for a few days, if at all, and they got back to me within an hour. From someone who has had her fair share of being disappointed and/or ignored by rockstars, that's pretty cool.

Their third album, Coat of Arms, is easily one of my favorite albums of all time. It's brash, it's completely different than anything else I've heard, it's in-your-face, it's "D"-all-of-the-above on the freakin' awesome scale. To list all the great songs from the album, I'd have to list them all. The first song I ever heard from DSA, "Breathe For Me" is on this album too, which is sort of confusing, but enjoyable all the same. My favorite track off of the album has got to be "F.Y.G." standing for, "Fuck Your God." This song does make me laugh, because, come on, when is the last time there was a band with enough guts to be like, "Yeah, we just said that, this is what we think, it doesn't matter what you think!" so blatently in a song? Now, before you jump on the "they hate christianity, attack!" bandwagon, from the band themselves, "FYG is about celebrity worship, nothing to do with religion. It pokes fun at the media making celebrities out of people that have no merit and contribute nothing. The prerequisite being money, beauty and a scandalous sex tape. Fascinating how people find Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian interesting."


Mid-January, Deadstar Assembly released a clip of a brand new song, "Blame It On the Devil." Holy fuck, hell was just unleashed through my speakers. It sounds fresh, different, and like it moves in a slightly different direction than past albums, but still has that innate DSA feel. Deadstar Assembly is still in the writing and recording stage of their fourth album, Adorned In Thorns. There is no specific release date right now, but according to the band's Facebook page, the album will be out sometime in 2012.

I really don't know what else I can say about this band besides they are phenomenal at what they do, and they are very special to me. Their music has helped me out in hard times, and still there to rock out to when I'm happy. I keep trying to think of bands that sound like DSA, but there really aren't any. If you like music that is brutal, hard-hitting, with goth overtones, and a strong backbone of electronic, this is definitely a band you will love, just like I do.

--Gorgeous Nightmare

GARY MOORE LIVE AT MONTREUX 2010

GARY MOORE LIVE AT MONTREUX 2010

*FEATURING THREE BRAND NEW SONGS*

~ON CD, DVD, AND BLU-RAY SEPTEMBER 20~

Eagle Rock Entertainment will release, on September 20, the very last live performance in the life of acclaimed guitarist/singer/songwriter Gary Moore. Live At Montreux 2010 strikingly shows a major return-to-rock for the musician who spent years exploring the blues. In fact, in the last days of his life, Moore, who died on February 6 of this year, was working on a new rock album.

What makes this release so compelling is the inclusion of three never-before-released gems, “Days Of Heroes,” “Where Are You Now” and “Oh Wild One,” that he previewed for the Montreux audience and had fully intended to put on the album he was writing and recording at the time. The rest of the set is heavy on the 1980s rock he pioneered solo, as well as his late 60s/70s work with Phil Lynott in Thin Lizzy and Skid Row. And, of course, some blues.

Gary Moore was born in 1952 Belfast, Ireland. Heavily influenced by Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green, he joined Skid Row (not to be confused with the American band of the same name) as a teenaged phenomenon in 1969 for three albums before going solo, joining Thin Lizzy, and going solo again. His hit single “Parisienne Walkways” catapulted him into the hearts and minds of discerning music lovers around the globe and subsequent forays into Celtic (Wild Frontier, 1987) and blues (Still Got The Blues, 1990) preceded an album with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce (BBM, 1994).  Much more blues would follow, most notably Power Of The Blues in 2004. Through it all, he maintained the highest level of musicianship and became revered for his constant searching and the redefining of his own artistry.

Track Listing:

CD:

1) Over The Hills And Far Away

2) Military Man

3) Days Of Heroes

4) Where Are You Now?

5) So Far Away/Empty Rooms

6) Oh Wild One

7) Blood Of Emeralds

8) Out In The Fields

9) Walking By Myself

10) Johnny Boy

11) Parisienne Walkways

DVD/Blu-ray:

1) Over The Hills And Far Away

2) Thunder Rising

3) Military Man

4) Days Of Heroes

5) Where Are You Now?

6) So Far Away/Empty Rooms

7) Oh Wild One

8) Blood Of Emeralds

9) Out In The Fields

10) Still Got The Blues

11) Walking By Myself

12) Johnny Boy

13) Parisienne Walkways

Video: Gary Moore ‘Where Are They Now’

Fantastic Fen Inteview from This is Rock Magazine

Hi Doug, this is Francisco from This Is Rock Magazine Spain. First of all, I must congratulate you for Trails Out Of Gloom. Given that the album was released some months ago, do you already have a perspective of what has it meant to your career?

Thanks, Francisco. Trails Out Of Gloom is Fen's fourth album, but it's our first to get much critical attention. For many listeners it's the first they've heard of us, and they think we must be a new band, when actually we've been around for well over a decade. In that way, Trails Out Of Gloom is a new beginning for us. The album title could be significant in the sense that we have spent many years milling about in dark obscurity, and now we have finally come into the light of the media's narrow gaze. Ah, the wonder of marketing!

- Given that this is your first interview to our magazine, it would be great if you could tell us about Fen's origins. How did you and Sam Levin meet, and what did you want to achieve?

Sam and I met back in 1998, in a little pot-smoking mountain town called Nelson. We were teenagers at the time, and we started Fen after a single jam, where we droned a riff in 5/4 for about 45 minutes. We both played guitar, we both worshiped Tool and GnR, and we were driven to create our own dark and complex sound. The union came without hesitation.

- How would you describe Fen's sound?

The current sound is plaintive and brooding. Heavy and light. Subject to change.

- 'Trails Out Of Gloom'... the thing is that, although definitively dark sounding, the new album has many acoustic passages that, somehow, enlightens the compositions, taking them out of the gloom that surrounds your previous works... Has this acoustic side of the album been in the composition from the beginning of the writing sessions?

Most of the songs on Trails Out Of Gloom began on classical guitar, and the original plan was to make an acoustic album. During moments of weakness though, I strayed from that initial plan and experimented with bits of distortion here and there, and once I'd heard those distorted layers, I couldn't do without them. My roots are in heavy music, and that primal pull was too strong to resist. The final recording ended up being an amalgamation of the two textures, heavy and light. I always loved those classical-sounding Metallica intro's, but I wanted them to carry on for longer, and I wanted them to develop more slowly, rather than cutting straight to the thrashing. In a way, Trails Out Of Gloom helps bridge that transition for me.
 
- Fen's lineup has gone through several changes throughout these years, though yourself and Sam have always been the band's core...Do you think that these changes brought new elements into the band's sound?

Everyone we've played with have been exceptional musicians who can't help but bring something new to the sound. At the same time, our approach to songwriting has changed with each recording. This combination of variables has resulted in a big gap between the chaos of our first album, Surgical Transfusion of Molting Sensory Reflections, and the measured progressions of Trails.


- Given the band's sound evolution... Have you got an idea of how will Fen sound in a couple of albums time?

We've been working on new material, and from a guitar perspective, it's heavier and proggier than Trails. Sam's been writing high energy rock/metal-type riffage. Also, for the first time since our 2003 album, Heron Leg, we're bringing bass and drums into the writing process much earlier. For anyone who's only heard Trails, the next album may be a shock.

- 'Trails Out Of Gloom' is an album that requires several listenings to be fully appreciated, and is a perfect example of what a "grower" is.  Does the good music always need an extra effort in order to get into it?

It's a fine balance in songwriting, offering enough yum-yums in the first few listens to keep people coming back, but reserving the more exquisite treats for subsequent listens. I can't say that I know how it's done. The music for Trails took a long time to write - about three years. Perhaps that slow evolution into being can account for its "grower" status.

- For 'Trails Out Of Gloom' you have signed with Ripple Music. How was this contract forged? Do you plan to re-release your former albums with Ripple, so they could reach a wider audience?

I had contacted The Ripple Effect Blog a couple years ago, asking them to review our latest album at the time, Congenital Fixation. They came back with a killer review, then they requested an interview, and eventually they told us they were starting a label and wanted us to sign on. Their hard work and enthusiasm has helped us reach a lot of new listeners. And yes, we'll be re-releasing Congenital Fixation under the Ripple flag later this year.

- Remembering the fast and energetic entrance of 'Cockroach Eyelids' from the previous 'Congenital Fixation', I can do nothing else but wonder how you have taken that energy and embellished it with layers of emotional playing. Even the guitar parts seems to be more melodic. Is 'Trails Out Of Gloom' Fen's more intimate work?

With Congenital Fixation, Sam wrote the guitar parts and I wrote the vocals and the songs came together collaboratively. But with Trails, Sam was occupied with school and health issues, so I took up the guitar end as well. There's no doubt that he's a superior  player, and I did everything I could to keep the standard high with my more limited skills, which included layering and different textures and a lot of attention to arrangement. As you've mentioned, the result was pretty different. I guess the intimacy of Trails can be attributed in part to the acoustic root of the songs, but also to the fact that I was working on it alone.


- Your voice has been truly improved all along these years, and it feels like you feel much more confident with your singing style... Do you agree with that?

Thanks for your kind words, Francisco. I'm always trying to improve my skills as a vocalist. That's what keeps me going - the thought that the best is yet to come. But as much as my skills might have improved, I think it might be that I've come closer to finding a musical landscape that allows my voice to explore its full range. If I was suddenly thrown into any number of bands that go strictly with power chords and driving beats, half my lines would disappear. I'd be a vocal cripple.


- It has been recorded a video for 'Miracle'... Why did you choose that song? What can you tell us about this video?
 
The guys at our label thought 'Miracle' was the strongest tune on the album, and when making a video on a tight budget, shorter is better, so it was an easy choice. The video features two marionettes in a miniature landscape constructed of rocks and sticks and brambles and whatever else we could grab from nearby parks and beaches. In this set, arranged on a 4ft by 6ft plywood board, the two puppets play out a story of decayed love. We made the video with the help of Mind of a Snail Puppet Co and a handful of friends. You can watch it on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP4zO07MF3I

- Given the fact that 'Trails Out Of Gloom' was published more than half a year ago... Do you think that this is time to think about Fen's future plans?

Our biggest goal right now is getting our live sound up to snuff. To do that, we plan on making some short tours through western Canada over the next year, and expanding the periphery of our local shows. That, plus writing and recording a new album should keep us busy.

- Can you tell us something about the gigs that you played for 'Trails Out Of Gloom'? How would you describe a Fen gig?

We're still getting comfortable in the live setting. I don't think we've found what we are yet, live. Right now we're slowly adding new elements to the show to see how we can create a more Fen environment while we're up there. We've got a show tonight and we're going to try out some sound effects between songs. We've been wanting to incorporate some kind of visuals as well, but haven't found a way to begin yet. For us, the music comes first, and the entertainment aspect is a faraway second, so it will develop more slowly.


- Well, I Think it's all by now, Doug. Thanks a lot for your time, and wish you all the best. Have you got anything to say to your Spanish fans?

Gracias! We're honoured to have you as listeners. To stay in touch with Fen, join our email list at www.fenmusic.ca or "like" us at www.facebook.com/fenmusic. We have many more albums ahead of us.

Legendary Acid Rockers, JPT Scare Band, Drop Hard Rocking New Single and Video “Long Day” to Celebrate National 420 Day. Exclusive World Premiere on The Obelisk

After more than 3 solid months of Acid Blues is the White Man’s Burden, holding down a top 5 spot in CD Baby.com’s Extended Jam Category, legendary acid rockers, JPT Scare Band come roaring back with a blitzing assault on their newest single, “Long Day.”  Featuring the sizzling guitar work of Terry Swope, “Long Day,” tears through more than 7 minutes of searing guitar leads, massive bass riffs, and mammoth drum jamming, all in the definitive JPT Scare Band style.

To make things even more appropriate, JPT Scare Band and Ripple Music will release the single and world-premiere of the psychedelic video on April 20, 2011, National Weed Day.  The term 420 originated from a group of teenagers at San Rafael High School in California in 1971. The teens met after school at 4:20 p.m. to smoke out at the Louis Pasteur statue.  Since then, the date has become legendary in the Stoner Rock community.  An ethos JPT Scare Band embraces whole heartedly.

After years of plying their frenzied, hard-rocking, acid blues trade in near obscurity, the love and accolades keep pouring in for JPT Scare Band.  Classic Rock Magazine honored JPT by including their last single “Not My Fault” on their November cover-mounted CD.   After previously naming JPT Scare Band one of the “lost pioneers of heavy metal,” Classic Rock continued the love fest proclaiming that “JPT Scare Band plied a terrifying form of ear-bludgeoning hard rock that was so far ahead of its time, people are still trying to catch up.”

The world premiere of the hard-rocking, definitively heavy psych video for “Long Day,” will make its debut April 20^th exclusively at The Obelisk, one of stoner rock’s premiere websites and the home of The Obelisk Forum, a watering hole for thousands of fans of hard, heavy, stoner and doom rock.  You can find the video here: The Obeliskhttp://theobelisk.net/obelisk/2011/04/19/jptvid/

 “Long Day” will be available as a digital single from CD Baby and all fine digital music emporiums.   Meanwhile, Acid Blues is the White Man’s Burden is still available in limited quantities from Ripple Music in two-toned, gatefold, double-LP with two bonus tracks, Deluxe digipack CD, or digital at www.ripple-music.com

Go here to check out the world premiere video.

Ripple News - The Kut get Closure on their forthcoming video

The Kut, after facing a busy year in 2010, ended with a bang by headlining the 800 capacity Santa’s Xmas Ball at Proud Camden.  Having been making slow but steady progress the girls are now set for an exciting 2011 with the pending release of their new video for track ‘Closure’. Set to be released at the end of March the release itself initially appeared on the bands’ recent debut single ‘Doesn’t Matter Anyway’, however the b-side amassed a great deal of support that lead to the track being re-recorded at Cartel Studios. Earning support from fans of Incubus, Korn and Nirvana, ‘Closure’ demonstrates a darker and more mature side to the all female band, broken beats and dynamic emotive power. Having already been reviewed as “the best all female band the UK has ever produced,” the progression has been slow, but finally appears to be worth the wait.

The Kut themselves, are a trio of accomplished female musicians, with a dark indie rock sound. In 2008 their self-recorded demo ‘The Vision’ gained the band a great deal of attention from the credible sources, but more recently their support has spanned from Radio 1 Introducing in Northern Ireland, BBC Tees, BBC Liverpool and a number of key regional radio stations, but now also to high profile FM stations in the USA. Interest was amass towards the end of last year, when ‘Doesn’t Matter Anyway’ was shortlisted for inclusion in a US Ralph Lauren advert and cult series ‘The Good Wife’, while latest news includes negotiations with ‘Rock Band’ following the Marshall endorsement of lead guitarist and vocalist, Maha.  With comparisons describing frontwoman Maha as a Slash/Linda Perry hybrid, the band combine sultry vocals, basement rock licks set against solid bass and drums to make their own original sound.  Having featured alongside big names like 50 Cent on US Channel Pax TV, it is hoped the new video will help UK will start to support this London band in 2011.

Reviews:

“If your interpretation of girl power favours a Lynchian landscape crossed with Edward Scissorhands and fishnet stockings, and you have dreams where the Sugababes are locked in a cell for crimes of

aural assault while you crowdsurf in a sweaty venue to hard edged indie rock, then The Kut are definitely for you” Ken, Strummer Online, UK

“The Kut lay down a matchless melodic vibe that oozes edginess and attitude from every pore. If you are in search of a true rock band and not a pop band trying to sound like one, then look no further because the Kut is just that: a rock band and a damn good one” Drago, Froglix.com, UK

“From a smoky cellar club tucked in a back alley somewhere in London, enticement beckons and hypnotic lures. Hip cats aware of the sway; have flocked to take in the newest group that procures the latest basement rock sound... females grace the tiny stage hawking their musical wares. They go by the moniker of The Kut” Lucky, Sugarbuzz Magazine, USA

“The Kut... band from the future indeed! Girl power? That's so passé. Check this...” Cozzie Music

“Heavy, tight, punchy, punky and kicky....  I'm already anticipating having a new favorite single for 2011” The Ripple Effect, USA

World Premiere of Fen's New Video "Miracle" Debuts on Heavy Planet

 

We’ve been talking about this for a few months and it’s all finally coming true . . . Fen’s first official video is complete and ready to be viewed by the masses! Tuesday, February 8^th, the video for the band's second single from the Trails Out of Gloom album, “Miracle”, will exclusively air on the Heavy Planet web site (hint, hint . . . view the video here .   Heavy Planet) before it’s made available through other viewing avenues. At the same time, “Miracle” is landing on the desks of radio programmers across the nation in a concerted effort to push the track. Produced by Mind of a Snail Co. and featuring a couple of hand-made marionettes, the video tells the visual tale of two young lovers finding out just how miraculous love can be.

“The speaker is pining to regain the initial spark of a relationship,” states singer/guitarist Doug Harrison on the meaning behind the song. “He pleads with whatever mysterious power brought them together, hoping that it will help him fully remember that miraculous union, and through this knowledge, bring them closer together again,” he explains.



In support of Trails Out of Gloom, Vancouver’s progressive alt-gloomsters are preparing for dates across Canada in the Spring, as well as a special tour that will feature live performances in select ghost towns. More information will be made available as soon as the details are worked out on all fronts! 

Video:  Heavy Planet

Here's what the press has to say about Trails Out of Gloom:

"Consistently enchanting from start to finish, Trails Out of Gloom is one of the more rapturous releases you're likely to encounter in quite some time.  It is fantastic in every way.  Highest possible rating, 16/16." -- Progressions Magazine

"It’s one of the better if not the best release in 2010!” – Prognaut

"Doug Harrison is one of the new remarkable talent in the prog scene. Beautifully structured songs that almost drown in the right emotions and are decorated with tasteful arrangements.  Fen resembles Anathema meets Threshold , but with an original, unique angle.” – Lords of Metal

www.fenmusic.ca

www.ripple-music.com

Ripple News - Free Music Giveaway from The Little Comets

Little Comets new single ‘Joanna’ is set be released on the 17th January 2011 and they’ve released the video along with an incredible alternative version they’ve called ‘Joannacapella’ which we’d love to give away as a free download to all waveriders out there.

Here’s the brand new video:




And here’s the free download - http://soundcloud.com/mud-hut-digital/little-comets-joannacapella

Joanna can also be streamed here - http://soundcloud.com/mud-hut-digital/little-comets-joanna

Free (legal) music from the Ripple Effect.  It's a beautiful world.

Velvet Revolver Leaks Performance From Upcoming ‘Live In Houston’ DVD

And speaking of rock . . .

Velvet Revolver has just leaked their performance of “Slither” which comes off their upcoming DVD, Live In Houston, hitting stores on November 16th. Filmed in 2005, the concert captures the band touring in support of their award winning debut album, Contraband. The full length tracks are intercut with brief interviews with the band members talking about how Velvet Revolver came to be. The setlist focuses on Contraband, but also includes cover versions of tracks by Guns ‘n’ Roses and Stone Temple Pilots highlighting the history of the group members. Live in Houston features the original Velvet Revolver line-up of vocalist Scott Weiland, lead guitarist Slash, bassist/vocalist Duff McKagan, drummer Matt Sorum, and rhythm guitarist Dave Kushner.

Track Listing:
1.)  Sucker Train Blues
2.)  Do It For The Kids
3.)  Headspace
4.)  Crackerman
5.)  Illegal I
6.)  It’s So Easy
7.)  Fall To Pieces
8.)  Big Machine
9.)  Set Me Free
10.) Used To Love Her
11.) Slither
12.) Sex Type Thing


Get the DVD  Velvet Revolver: Live in Houston DVD


Check out “Slither:”


Velvet Revolver - "Slither" from 'Live in Houston' DVD from RawknRoll on Vimeo.

Jet Black Berries - Postmodern Ghosts

I remember the light the most.

There I was, late night, burning the midnight oil in the Ripple office.  Reviews to write, press releases to ready, new releases to schedule.  Sofi, as always, took her place in her bed to my right, snuggled in amongst the brimming stack of vinyl.  But I had no time to dig into that enticing vinyl buffet.  Ripple work called to me.  An eerie silence tingled my neck.

And then the light came.

Consciousness lost in a second, I awoke, no longer at my desk.  The room looked vaguely familiar to me, a place from a distant memory. Rising from my desk, I spun, disoriented, searching for a clue.  The familiar call letters KSPC FM blazoned on the wall across, separated from me by a thick layer of glass.  Lights flashed in chaotic rhythms, engulfing the switches, knobs and buttons on the mixing board at my hands.  A vinyl record spun to my right, pumping the room with moody, atmospheric, neo-gothic psychedelia.  Somehow, in some unspeakable way, I’d been transported through time.  Inexplicably, it was 1984 again.

And the record spinning was the Jet Black Berries.

Bursting onto the scene in the mid-eighties, the Jet Black Berries were part of the amazing stable of artists attached to the Enigma/Restless label.  The Cramps, TSOL, Tex and the Horseheads, 45 Grave, Green on Red, The Leaving Trains, The Pandoras, Redd Cross, Get Smart.  Talk about a label that had tapped into a sound, Enigma produced some of the all-time best American dark psychedelia ever released.  One band after another, there seemed to be no end to their talent.  And on that essential Enigma Variations volume I album, The Jet Black Berries ranked with the best. 

Blending a river of never-ending hooks to their blackened atmosphere and a touch of cowboy/western punk, the JBB released three albums in the mid-late 80’s, and contributed a standout track to the classic horror shtick sound track, Return of the Living Dead.  Then, like their zombie brethren, they disappeared.

Until now.

As I rose from the desk in my 1984 radio station, I noticed something was different. The JBB spinning wasn’t Sundown on Venus or the soon to be released underground classic, Desperate Fires.  The sound was familiar, but different.  Hauntingly pulling at a memory, but inspiring in entirely new ways.  Ringing of the past, but powered by the energy of the future.

This wasn’t 1984; it was present day and the Jet Black Berries were back and better than ever with a brand new album,Postmodern Ghosts.  Reuniting four original members of the band with newcomer singer/guitarist, Johnny Cummings, the JBB had risen from the ether, back to lurk amongst the living.  And what an album they’ve put out!

You don’t have to be familiar with JBB’s original incarnation to jump right in with the start of this album.  Following a haunting synth and church bell opening, “God with A Gun,” literally erupts from the speakers in searing post-punk psychedelic glory.  Riding a guitar passage reminiscent of The Chameleons, “Don’t Fall,” this just may be my track of the year.  An outburst decrying people who use religion as an excuse to commit acts of barbarism, “God with a Gun,” isn’t just a great pop song, it’s potent.  “Are you sure this is a song you’re ready to sing/if God with a Gun is love, let’s make him king” Johnny sings over a rampaging, bass-heavy, chiming soundscape.  Guitars swirl and churn in glittering rivers of texture.  Dig that mid-song bass breakdown, the maniacal run across the toms in the post-chorus bridge, the layered harmony vocals, the subtle escalation of pace until the song explodes into that raise-your-hands-in-the-air-and-sing-along-at-the-top-of-your-lungs chorus.  I mean seriously, talk about a chorus that can elevate you to that place.  That special place where the world around you dissipates and the music enveloping you is all that remains.

But Postmodern Ghosts is no one song wonder.  “Ominous” tells the tale of the odd things that happen, the murder and mayhem, that somehow is still a part of the human psyche . . . unstoppable . . . always ready to re-emerge . . . an ominous presence.   Now take that message and wrap it up in a post-Church or later day Echo and the Bunnymen vibe of pulsating bass, rising and falling, swirling guitars and you’ll find one of the catchier songs to penetrate your consciousness in sometime.   “Pipes of Pan,” takes this Church influence one step further in a rousing, keyboard swept pumper.   Johnny even sounds a touch like Steven Kilbey here, singing deep in his range.

Throughout, the sound of the original JBB’s is as refreshing as that breath of yesterday.  Roy Stein’s drumming is solid and penetrating, Chris Yockel’s guitar shimmers and sparkles, Mark Schwartz’s keyboards lay down the atmosphere, and Gary Trainer, the main songwriter, drives the whole thing from the back of the bus with his unrelenting, swooping bass.  And the new kid, Johnny Cummings is a revelation, fitting into the mix seamlessly.  “Welcome to My World,” is another dark psych masterpiece, slow and inviting at times, vicious and intoxicating the next.  “Psychic Children of Doom” shows these cats haven’t lost the tongue-in-cheek horror attitude that landed them on the Living Dead soundtrack, and they attach this “postmodern ghosts on the radio,” vibe to a jaunty, muscular rocker.  “Invocation” rides an Echo and Bunnymen bass line through swirling mists of tension and mood.   “Garden of Delight,” has to be the next single off the album, so effectively mining the still-sparkling Paisley Underground-vibe of yore, married to a hyped-up sound of crashing guitars and smashing drums.  Catchy as fuck.

Then there’s “They Walk Among You,” a remade classic from the Sundown on Venus bonus album.  Digging into their quasi-cowpunk roots, “They Walk Among You,” is without a doubt the greatest zombie-epic ever penned and performed in song.  How this song has avoided being used in a zombie film soundtrack defies all logic and thought.  With zombies as hot as vampires these days, I will make it my personal mission to get this song included on some major motion picture.  Somewhere.

With the final pulse of the closing punkish rocker, “American Survival” still ringing in my ears, I watched as the radio control panel before me faded away.  I re-emerged in 2010, the new JBB album still spinning in my player.

The past is gone, the present is here, the future awaits.  And it’s all good.


--Racer

Buy here:  Postmodern Ghosts


http://www.myspace.com/jetblackberries

Ripple News - Ex-Brian Jonetown Massacre's new band, Sky Parade, Soars Up the KEXP Charts

KEXP Top 20 song, “I Should be Coming Up (But I Keep Coming Down) by Sky Parade featured with Grand Atlantic on this split 7” of psychedelic pop perfection.
                                      
Just in time for their World tour in support of their Top 20 KEXP song, the heady, trance-inducing psychedelic pop of Sky Parade is on full display with their highly infectious tune, “I Should Be Coming Up (But I Keep Coming Down)”.  Produced by the Dandy Warhol’s Courtney Taylor and released in hot anticipation of their upcoming World Tour, "I Should Be Coming Up (But I Keep Coming Down)" has been lighting up the switchboard where the single has already climbed to number 20 on the KEXP Radio Chart and the Top 10 on KKBB.  

Check out the video and hear the song that’s tearing up the LA clubs right now.




The split single will be available world-wide from the bands on tour and through www.ripple-music.com



"A joyride of dense, churning guitars that sounds like Primal Scream getting Spiritualized!" – L.A. Times

"Sky Parade have found Psych-rock's sweet spot" -- Buzz Bands LA

"Hook-laden genius" -- 90.3 FM

"KKBB Top 10 single!" -- KKBB

"Quite simply, this is a prime slice of psychedelic pop that you can dance to." Terrascope UK

World Premiere of the First Ever JPT Scare Band Video

Here's the World-wide Premiere of the JPT Scare Band New Video, "Not My Fault. "  Takes Aim at BP and Their Denial of Involvement in the Gulf Oil Spill Disaster  
                                            

Legendary rockers, JPT Scare Band, released some of the most collectible psychedelic/acid rock of all time, and now they're about to release their first ever music video.  Banded together during the tumultuous years of the early 70’s, JPT Scare Band fused a sound equally heavy in hard rocking blues as it was tripped out in psychedelia, creating a sound so imposing that it perfectly reflected the emotions of the era.  Hailed as one of the "lost pioneers of Heavy Metal” by Classic Rock Magazine, JPT Scare Band has seen a resurgence of interest by fans of 1970’s heavy fuzzed out rock.

Now, on the heels of the release of their new album, "Acid Blues is the White Man's Burden" on Ripple Music, JPT will unveil their first ever music video for the new JPT classic, "Not My Fault," a song written by JPT in the '70's but never recorded until the early 2000's.  The video makes direct use of the song's title and biting sarcastic edge as it assails BP for their denial of any blame for the Gulf Oil Spill disaster.  The video is thought provoking and inflammatory, in addition to being a good 'ol rock video, with tons of never before seen footage of JPT Scare Band doing what they do best.

Released as a special event, "Not My Fault," will makes it's exclusive debut as a limited world-wide premiere on some of rock's finest websites.

Starting Monday, June 14th and for one week, the new JPT Scare Band video can be found only at these fine sites.

Roadburn
Rock Realms
The Soda Shop
The Obelisk
Bill's Music Forum
TheLiveLine
Bad Taste Music

And of course, here, on the Ripple Effect.

If the video touches a nerve with you, including it's poignant ending, please pass it on.  Let's create a ruckus in BP's world.  The song "Not My Fault," and the album, Acid Blues is the White Man's Burden can be found at Ripple Music, www.ripple-music.com.