5.30.2018

BRUNO MAJOR MAKES DETROIT DEBUT THIS SATURDAY @MARBLE BAR!


Heads up, London indie upstart Bruno Major will make his Detroit debut at Marble Bar (1501 Holden St) on Saturday, June 2.


The singer-songwriter's "versatile and vulnerable" (Billboard) sound listens somewhere in between Nick Drake, Rhye, D'Angelo and James Blake, ranging from "futuristic soul to warm, jazz-flecked finger picking, to minimalist bass and vocal combinations" (Paste).



Sam Smith hand-selected Bruno as support for his "The Thrill Of It All" UK Arena tour, which just wrapped in April. (No surprise, Boston Globe says Bruno "...splits the musical difference between Sam Smith and James Blake").

LISTEN to his latest project, achingly vulnerable, 12-track, R&B-inspired pop collection: 'A Song For Every Moon' (my faves "Just The Same" and "Wouldn't Mean A Thing").


MAMBO SONS' GUITARIST TOM GUERRA NEW RELEASE AMERICAN GARDEN!!



After I did the “All of the Above” and “Trampling Out the Vintage” solo albums, I continued developing new song ideas and recording them as I went along. A little over a year ago, my longtime friend, the bassist extraordinaire Kenny Aaronson, asked me about collaborating with him on songs for the upcoming Yardbirds studio album, scheduled to be produced by Jack Douglas later in the year.

Kenny’s been playing with The Yardbirds for a number of years and they are just a stellar rock and roll band. Of course, I jumped at this opportunity, and we started sending ideas back and forth. Over the next several months, we developed several song concepts into various stages of completion, and had a good time along the way!

Guest musicians including Kenny Aaronson (bass), Jon Butcher (guitar), Morgan Fisher (piano), and Garry Segal (harmonica).




All the while I kept working on my own as well, as there seemed to be so many things to write about. Real world inspiration produced many of these tunes, including the title track, which was written after some long conversations with some Vietnam vets – the verses are their stories, and the chorus is my take on how all of our vets continually to be treated; “Blood on the New Rising Sun,” about the Charlottesville protests; and both “Jack for Joe” and “Meet Me at the Bottom of Your Glass,” about lost friends.



I always wanted to write a tune using just piano and voice, a la Tom Waits, so that’s how the demo of “Meet Me” started out. For the final version, I enlisted the help of virtuoso pianist Morgan Fisher, who brought elegance to my ragged tune.

Another collaboration resulted from monster guitarist Jon Butcher’s suggestion that it would be fun to work together. I thought “Blood…” might be a good vehicle for a collaboration, since it had a lot of real estate for Jon to do his thing, and he did not disappoint, laying down electrifying guitar parts on his vintage Tele.

As the songs started piling up, I received the disappointing news that The Yardbirds would not be doing a new album, so I decided that some of the tunes that Kenny and I wrote together, including “Goodbye to Yesterday,” “The Lyin’ King” and “Family of One” would appear on this album. Also included here are my arrangements of “The Story,” popularized by Brandi Carlile, and “Walls,” a tribute to Tom Petty that I recorded in the days following his passing.

The last song I wrote for this record is the first song you hear on it, “Nevermore,” about a guy of a certain age who is trying to convince himself there are brighter days ahead.

So here’s my third solo cd, “American Garden.” 
 I hope you like it, and TURN IT UP LOUD!

-Tom Guerra, May 30, 2018

5.24.2018

THE JONES NEW RELEASE: BRASS KNUCKLE BELT BUCKLE!


Just got this lp tonight and have to say...I can't stop playing it! It has bite and soul together which is quite rare these days....Have a read and BUY THEIR RECORD! xoK

The Jones is a Detroit based rock and roll band. Oversimplified? Perhaps, but the essence of The Jones and why they are quickly becoming noticed is in that statement, and it is simply that they are indeed, a rock and ROLL band. Not just a ‘rock band’ as that definition has become far too vast in scope, but instead a true believer in the, groove-heavy rock and roll of the genres golden age.




Not one of a myriad of sub-genres that have splintered off the original bliss that WAS rock and roll, but a true black and blue rock and roll band that is held up by the bones of classic rock pillars such as The Yardbirds,The Rolling Stones, Black Crowes and now by torch-bearers like Rival Sons and Greta Van Fleet.

COOL!

The Jones was birthed from the dark hiatus forced upon Detroit band Bazooka Jones, whose tongue-in-cheek delivery of their own brand of dirty, punker-pop had critics comparing them to The Cramps and The Knack.



When Bazooka Jones had to call a time out due to bass player Killer Clyde Varneys illness, guitarist/songwriter Chris Jones looked for an outlet and way to release built up steam and began to write. “I had a strong desire to lose myself in the type of rock and roll that initially addicted me to the genre. I soaked in
1971-1973 for a bit, and started sketching. Organically. Quickly. Not giving it too much thought about what was ‘in’ at the moment. I’ve never cared for the latest fashion and wasn’t going to start now.”

He was joined by Bill Henrickson, premier, Detroit area drummer and the result would become The Jones.


Their debut album ‘Brass Knuckle Belt Buckle’ is a twelve pack of groove loaded rock and roll that reminds us that true rock doesn’t care about the flavor of the day, but instead holds fast to its blues and funk roots. Crunchy guitar, attitude and hooks that could lift a tank. “It was really tiring of all the over-thinking that was happening in rock today.

C’mon people, it’s only rock and roll, it’s not that difficult to grasp really....groove/hooks/attitude.

The recipe could all fit in a fairly small tattoo. Plug it in, make it happen” says Jones. The album was completed and began getting notice even before it’s release. “Somehow a couple of the per-release copies got out and the next thing I know people are telling me they heard it on the radio, getting played on Detroit's WDET and WHFR and snagging the number one spot on Radio Indie Alliance.”

Synch licensing for an upcoming tv show and midwest tour dates are in the works.


The Jones Website: http://www.rockandrolljones.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rockandrolljones/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thejonesrock
YouTube Channel:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockandrolljones/
Contact info: Chris Jones / bulletheadjones@gmail.com

5.16.2018

MC5 BASSIST MICHAEL DAVIS' NEW AUTOBIOGRAPHY RELEASED POSTHUMOUSLY


Michael Davis passed away February 17, 2012 and 6 years later Cleopatra Records has released this book... I read it and I have say it was unvarnished and highly readable. The title is appropriate, but it took all 5 members for the high performance group to stop.

There are all of the deadly sins and quite a lot of humor in the telling of the MC5 and Mike's life. It is as honest as any autobiography I have ever read. Mike is hard on everyone he meets but just as hard on himself...I give it 5 stars as it is light years better than any of these "Detroit" rock books of late. RK


New Book By MC5's Bassist Michael Davis “I Brought Down The MC5” Now Available!

Los Angeles - Famed bass player from MC5, Michael Davis, takes us on a rollercoaster ride of triumph and tragedy in his superb new 350-page memoir titled “I Brought Down The MC5”! The book includes rarely seen photos and original artwork by Davis!

“I basically wanted to be the MC5. The attack! They were really on! They were brilliant!” - Lemmy

MC5 was an American rock band from Lincoln Park, Michigan, formed in 1964. The band line-up consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson.

The MC5's ANTI-WAR political views, rebellious lyrics and complex music positioned them as emerging innovators of the activist musical movement in the United States. Their loud, energetic style of back-to-basics rock and roll included elements of  rock, rhythm and blues, and jazz fusion. Quite a feat for 1966!


MC5 had a promising beginning which earned them a January 1969 cover appearance in Rolling Stone and a story written by Eric Ehrmann before their debut album was released. They developed a legendary reputation for energetic live performances, one of which was recorded as their 1969 debut album Kick Out the Jams.

In 1972, just three years after their debut record, the group disbanded.  The MC5 is often cited as one of the most important American hard rock groups of all time.

Their three albums are regarded as classics, and their anthem “Kick Out the Jams” has been covered by Kid Rock, Presidents of the USA, Pearl Jam, Rage Against the Machine, Blue Oyster Cult, Bad Brains,  and countless numbers of up and coming young bands.

“For me, Michael was the original cool guy... He belongs in the Hall Of Fame, along with his whole group, for their contributions to American music and its politics.” - Iggy Pop

CHAPTERS:
Intro
Sandals And Needles
The Apple Bites Back
Like A Rolling Stone
Everybody Must Get Stoned
I Can Only Give You Everything
Getting Down
The New York Minute
The Promise Is Broken
Atlantic Crossing
Out Of The Frying Pan
Into The Fire
The Bridge To Nowhere
Delirious Alcoholic Megalosaurus
Play With Fire
The Oven
The Mind Shifts
The Road With No Name
My Time After Awhile
Epilogue

To purchase Michael Davis's “I Brought Down The MC5” book 

CLICK THE LINK BELOW:


5.04.2018

ALICE COOPER GUITARIST RYAN ROXIE TO RELEASE NEW SOLO LP!


Ryan Roxie will release his new solo album, "Imagine Your Reality", on May 25. "Image Your Reality" was produced by Kristoffer "Folle" Folin, Tommy Henriksen and Jon Bordon. It was recorded and mixed at Purple Skull Studios in Stockholm, Sweden.



The vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, who is best known as Alice Cooper's longtime lead guitarist and collaborator, has also worked with Slash and Gilby Clarke and been a member of Classic Rock award-nominated band CASABLANCA.

"Imagine Your Reality" is Ryan's first official solo release and sees him joined by other noteworthy musicians, including a collaboration with CHEAP TRICK's Robin Zander on the track "California Man".

PRE-ORDER:

Says Roxie: "CHEAP TRICK were a major influence in my musical upbringing. Both Robin Zander and Rick Nielsen have joined us onstage at Alice Cooper shows in the past and have always been the most quintessential rock stars. In my opinion, Robin Zander's voice is the definition of rock 'n' roll, so having him guest vocal on 'California Man' definitely ticks a box off my 'greatest moments in rock 'n roll' list."

"Imagine Your Reality" continues Roxie's legacy of creating infectiously melodic songs and straight-ahead, no-nonsense rock riffs, and this time with more guitar than ever before. Ten tracks, all underlined by ten gleaming guitar solos. From the punk rock undertones of "Never Mind Me" to the un-sugarcoated tale of life in "La La Land (To Live And Die In LA)" to the superb BEATLES-y/OASIS nod "Look Me In The Eye" — it's an uplifting big rock sound. Zander transforms "California Man" into the ultimate vintage-vibed, top-down, drive-in-the-sunshine rock 'n' roll anthem.


Ryan says: "With this album, I think we kept the spirit and power of the 3.5-minute rock song intact as well as keeping the dream of guitar-driven music alive and well. I can't wait for people to experience my reality."

The Bellyache Records Super Deluxe Edition 1st pressing Vinyl LP is limited to 500 copies world wide. There are 4 different colors of vinyl:

125 Red Vinyl, 125 White Vinyl, 125 Blue Vinyl & 125 Classic Black Vinyl.

Each LP includes a Die-Cut Jacket with 2 Double Sided Prints giving the fans the choice of 4 different front cover images to choose so they can choose their own Roxie Reality.

Also included is an 11"x17" Poster signed by Ryan Roxie, a printed Inner Sleeve with Lyrics, Photos & Liner Notes, full LP Digital Download Code & a sleeved CD Copy.

The LP will also be available at all upcoming Alice Cooper shows this summer and fall while supplies last.

The digital release will be available at all major outlets like iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Apple Music, Spotify, etc.

"Imagine Your Reality" track listing:

01. Big Rock Show

02. Over And Done

03. California Man

04. To Live And Die In LA

05. Uh Oh Song

06. Me Generation

07. Look Me In The Eye

08. Hearts In Trouble

09. Nevermind Me

10. God Put A Smile Upon Your Face

The official lyric videos for “California Man” and "Over And Done" can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ryan+roxie


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