‘Sociology’ by Waveney Wilcox: digital release 1 March 2024
At the age of 71, Suffolk-born singer Waveney Wilcox has recruited an all-star line-up of stellar musicians for the release of his debut solo single, ‘Sociology’ on 1st March this year.
Waveney Wilcox: “I wrote this song in the late ‘70s whilst playing in the band Plazma from Halstead, Essex. All these years later, living in the Black Forest in Germany, it has been exciting to remake/remodel it for my first single release.”
‘Sociology’ was inspired by a long conversation with a man Waveney shared a night in a police cell with back in the late 1970s. The man had been in institutions most of his life and claimed to just want to be put in a cell and forgotten about; having no interest or belief in joy, love, and a normal life of societal conventions. The horror of those stark nihilist statements made a deep impression on Waveney – then a father of young children – that has lasted for almost 50 years.
Waveney Wilcox, a complete unknown in the music world, made this record with world class musicians – multi instrumentalist and producer Paul Cuddeford (Ian Hunter, Steve Harley, Bob Geldof) and saxophone player Terry Edwards (PJ Harvey, Gallon Drunk, Yoko Ono) – who volunteered to work on the project on the strength of the song and the vocal delivery.
Waveney will be performing ‘Sociology’ with Fifteen Lions (AKA Stuart Fiddes) on all dates on the Feb/March 2024 Lust For Life Tour: https://www.lustforlifetour.com/
UK blues virtuoso Joanne Shaw Taylor has unveiled a new single and video ahead of her February 2024 UK tour and a much-anticipated new studio album which is also slated for release next year.
Catchy and infectious with a sultry twist and boasting plenty of the guitar maestro’s trademark licks, ‘Wild Love’ follows recent single ‘Black Magic’ in providing a taste of what’s in store for fans when Shaw Taylor releases her brand-new studio album next year.
Joanne Shaw Taylor: “I love this track. I wanted it to be dark and sexy. I think, with the boys’ help, we came up with something really cool that the band in the studio really made come to life. It’s also rather different to anything I’ve done before so I’m really looking forward to playing it live.”
‘Wild Love’ is available to stream via the usual platforms here
2024 UK Tour dates
British blues rock guitarist and singer songwriter Connor Selby has been announced as the special guest on the tour.
Discovered at 16 by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, Joanne Shaw Taylor quickly ascended as one of the world’s leading rock guitarists. Championed by legends like Stevie Wonder, Annie Lennox, and Joe Bonamassa, her powerful song writing and distinct vocals first captivated audiences with her 2009 debut, White Sugar. Over the years, Joanne has released numerous acclaimed albums, including the UK Top 20 hit Reckless Heart and the #1 Billboard Blues Chart toppers The Blues Album and Blues From The Heart Live. Her most recent studio album, Nobody’s Fool, launched under Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records in 2022, showcases collaborations with industry icons and highlights her continually evolving artistry.
‘Neighbourhood Threat’ a cover of the classic Iggy Pop song released: 1st December 2023
Following glowing reviews, sold-out venues and many, many fun nights, the all-star line-up celebrating Iggy Pop’s classic Lust For Life album have announced a second UK tour. Legendary Blondie drummer, Clem Burke, will once again be joined by former Sex Pistol and punk pioneer, Glen Matlock on bass; broadcaster and Pet Shop Boys dancer, Katie Puckrik on vocals; Iggy Pop and David Bowie collaborator, Kevin Armstrong on guitar; Luis Correia, who’s toured internationally with Earl Slick on second guitar; together with classical pianist, composer, and touring member of Heaven 17, Florence Sabeva on keyboards.
The band will again perform the Lust For Life album in full, as well as revisiting songs from across the individual band members’ careers with legendary artists including Blondie, David Bowie and the Sex Pistols. Some of them will be songs the band performed on the last tour but there will be a few surprises thrown in as well.
Ahead of the tour, a live version of Iggy’s ‘Neighbourhood Threat’ from the classic Lust For Life album will be released as a single on 1st December, recorded live at London’s Lexington on the previous tour back in March this year.
Fronting the band, the irrepressible Katie Puckrik proved a rock ‘n’ roll revelation to many on the last tour. As Clem Burke said: “Katie is fantastic and she’s joined the ranks of the other brilliant women I’ve been fortunate to play with: Debbie, Annie, Nancy, Wanda, The Go Go’s and Joan!”
Katie Puckrik: “Touring Iggy Pop’s Lust For Life in 2023 felt like a homecoming. My broadcast career had long steered me away from my original calling as a performer, from dancing onstage with The Fall and Michael Clark Company, touring the world with Pet Shop Boys, and singing in Sparks’ opera The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman, both on the original cast recording and in performance. So to embody the funny/dirty/tart/smart songs of the magnificent Iggy Pop was an electrifying rebirth. Every single gig was a communion with a frothing room of Pop-aholics, and it’s thanks to the crowds who danced and hollered along to Lust For Life, The Passenger, and the rest of Iggy’s anthems, that we get to do it all over again. Once again I’ll be elevated by some of Iggy, Bowie and Blondie’s most beloved players, including Clem Burke, Glen Matlock and Kevin Armstrong, and I’m warning you—this band is a joy machine!”
Three of the band members, Glen Matlock, Clem Burke and Kevin Armstrong, have toured with Iggy Pop and each has made an album with him: Glen Matlock (Soldier) in 1980, Clem Burke (Zombie Birdhouse) in 1982 and Kevin Armstrong (Blah Blah Blah) in 1986.
Glen Matlock: “To be on stage with these fellow like-minded guys and gals and celebrate our collective musical ancestries is always a pleasure, so come on down and let’s all hit the roof together.”
Clem Burke:“I’m really looking forward to once again playing with this great group of friends and musicians. All aboard for more Funtime!”
Lust For Life tour – what they say:
“One hell of a gig.” – Tim Keppie, Record Collector magazine
“Puckrik leads a performance of riotous energy and no mean volume.” – Chris Roberts, Classic Rock magazine
“If you’re my generation, this is a blast.” – Neil McCormick, chief music critic – The Telegraph
“Great gig. Great band. Brilliant night.” – Marc Riley, BBC Radio 6 Music presenter
The full 2024 tour dates are as follows:
Wed 28 Feb – Arts Centre, Colchester
Thur 29 Feb – Arts Centre, Colchester **SOLD OUT**
In a new collaboration, the former Traffic musician and all-round rock legend, Dave Mason, has teamed up with blues rock icon, Joe Bonamassa, to record a brand-new version of Traffic’s ‘Dear Mr Fantasy’ which was originally released back in 1967 on the band’s debut album, Mr Fantasy.
Although written by Traffic’s Steve Winwood, Chris Wood and Jim Capaldi, the song has been a mainstay of Mason’s live set throughout his solo career and he’s expressed his delight about re-revisiting the track and in working with Bonamassa for a contemporary take on a seasoned classic.
Dave Mason:“Fantasy has been a favourite song of mine since its release in 1967. I’ve played it live for years in a number of different arrangements. As I’ve often said, there are no old songs, just good songs, and ‘Dear Mr. Fantasy,’ in my mind, is one of the finest examples around.”
“To have the opportunity to incorporate one of the modern-day great guitar players, Joe Bonamassa, is as exciting to me as playing with Jimi Hendrix. He is the first person I wanted to include on this new version of ‘Fantasy.’The combination of talent with great song structure is exhilarating to me, and I knew Joe would play it like nobody else. He has a uniquely keen sense of precise timing, unobstructed by a bluesy groove that’s perfect for this song. He brings everything up, and ‘Dear Mr. Fantasy’ is both classic and current, an exceptionally difficult balance to do but Joe Bonamassa pulled it off powerfully with grace and genius.”
The new version of “Dear Mr. Fantasy” featuring Dave Mason with Joe Bonamassa is available now on all major streaming platforms.
Fans and critics alike hail Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason as one of the most talented songwriters and guitarists in the world – which is why he is still performing over 100 shows a year to sold-out crowds. Best known for his soulful voice and unsurpassed guitar playing, Dave founded two bands by the age of 15: The Deep Feeling, and The Hellions. At 18, the Worcester, England native teamed up with Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood to form the legendary band Traffic. At 19, Mason penned the song “Feelin’ Alright.” The rock anthem, first recorded by Traffic and then covered by dozens of other artists (including Joe Cocker), cemented both Dave’s and Traffic’s legacy, and had a profound influence over rock music that continues today.
About Joe Bonamassa:
Blues-rock superstar Joe Bonamassa is one of the most celebrated performing musicians of today. As a three-time GRAMMY-nominated artist and 13x Blues Music Award Nominee (4 wins), he achieved his 27th No. 1 album on the Billboard Blues Chart with his latest release, Blues Deluxe Vol. 2. Only in his mid-40s, Bonamassa has become a living legend with an astounding multi-genre catalog. He has released more than 40 albums, including studio and live recordings, as well as collaborative albums with his adventurous side projects: Black Country Communion and Rock Candy Funk Party.
Blues-rock slide guitarist and singer-songwriter, Troy Redfern, releases a new single from his forthcoming album this week. ‘Getaway’ is the second single taken from his coming studio album Invocation which is scheduled for release in 2024.
Troy Redfern: “Getaway is about cutting yourself some slack. It’s about transforming your life, even if there are difficult decisions to be made. As they say, from the mud grows the lotus.”
‘Getaway’ follows Redfern’s 2023 summer festival appearances including Steelhouse, Maid in Stone, and Rawa Blues Festival in Poland where he performed to a crowd of 7,000.
The new single is released just prior to a November 2023 UK tour supporting guitar prodigy Philip Sayce. Tickets available via https://troyredfern.com/dates.
‘Getaway’ is produced by Dave Marks and mixed by Jo Webb. The new single features Troy Redfern (guitar, vocals), Paul Stewart (drums), and Dave Marks (bass).
Photo credit: Jason Bridges
Troy Redfern:“On ‘Getaway’ and the forthcoming album, I wanted to write and record songs that were bigger and ballsier than what has come before. The new songs embrace more of the rockier elements of my writing and playing. I’ve also given myself the creative freedom to explore and feel out other styles or aspects of my writing that have not been heard on any of my other albums.”
“As an artist I feel it’s important to keep pushing and striving to refine your art, while staying true to your vision. It is important to know who you are as an artist, and on ‘Getaway’ and the upcoming album, I think I have finally perfected my own contemporary signature sound.”
Kent-based blues rock band, Big River, release their new single ‘Wings’ on 20th October.
Big River vocalist, Adam Barron: “Written by bass player Simon Gardiner, ‘Wings’ has a soulful gospel feel with a country twang. Heartfelt melody and lyrics lead on to an explosive feelgood outro where lead guitarist Damo Fawsett gets to let loose and let his fast fingers fly! It’s been going down a storm live and is fast becoming one of the favourite songs of the set.”
Big River are: Adam Barron (vocals), Damo Fawsett (guitar), Simon Gardiner (bass), Joe Martin (drums/backing vocals).
Formed back in 2016 and influenced by the classic blues-rock sounds of bands like Bad Company and Free, Big River have gone from strength to strength in recent years, building up a solid fanbase through their live gigging, performing at legendary venues like London’s The 100 Club and supporting a number of big-name artists.
The band’s debut album, Redemption, came out in 2019 and was followed up by the four-track EP, Beautiful Trauma, in 2022. The latter was the first with lead vocalist, Adam Barron (ex Mick Ralphs Blues Band), and bass-player, Simon Gardiner, and secured the band enthusiastic reviews and radio play across the UK, Europe and the US. A follow-up EP is scheduled for release in early 2024.
The single ‘Wings’ is released on 20th October on all the main digital platforms.
New Wave Of British Heavy Metal drummer Barry Graham Purkis, his iconic masked alter-ego Thunderstick, and his eponymously named band are set to release a second single from their forthcoming album, Lockdown. With another powerful vocal from vocalist, Raven Blackwing, ‘Snakebite’ is a tale of prima donnas, victim narcissism and manipulation as well as some nifty bottleneck guitar from former Thunderstick guitarist, Dave Kilford.
Thunderstick’s alter ego and creator Barry Graham Purkis says:“ Snakebite…Ah Yes I won’t detail the lyrical content just to say that it depicts prima donnas, narcissism, and the ease of which communicative platforms such as social media can be used to victimise by the propagation of falsities to an all-too-eager responsive audience ready to join in the persecution…I speak from experience!!…Coupled with some rockin’ bottleneck guitar.”
Lead singer Raven Blackwing:“Snakebite was a pure joy to record. Knowing who and what the song was about meant I could easily spit the lyrics (laughter). Although I shall never let on who the real individual might be, I’m sure we can all relate to that one person whose voice really grates on us….”
Release information:
The single ‘Snakebite’ is released on 6th October 2023 by Roulette Records and available on the main digital platforms.
The album Lockdown is released by Roulette Records on 20th October 2023, in CD format and on all the main digital platforms.
Mixed and mastered BGP/Danielson at Legend Recording Studios, Ålesund, Norway.
Original artwork: Baz Crowcroft
About Thunderstick:
Best known for his time with Samson and an early Iron Maiden Barry Graham Purkis (AKA Thunderstick) has been the legendary icon for the NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) scene since the late 1970s. His eponymously-named band, renowned for its female-fronted power rock and theatricality, have a considerable heritage. The band played live and recorded for six years, both in UK and in the US, throughout the 1980s until playing their last gig October 1986.
Then in 2016 former lead vocalist, Jodee Valentine, tragically died following a five-year battle with early onset Alzheimer’s. In recognition of Jodee’s memory Barry decided to record some of the songs that Jodee had performed live. This became the Something Wicked This Way Comes album, the first Thunderstick product in over thirty years. It was released in July 2017 to enthusiastic reviews worldwide.
Barry:“Back in 2017 after the ‘Something Wicked’ album was released I had no intention of forming a live performing band or indeed a follow-up studio album but after such positive encouragement from both long- time supporters and new followers alike I realised that there were still an audience of many out there that wanted our particular brand of mayhem. The die was cast. After much deliberation a new Thunderstick was formed staying true to its theatrical roots but still relevant in today’s fast changing-musical environment. I am so lucky to have found the musicians that I now work with especially Raven of whom I consider to be one of the finest rock singers that I have the good fortune to watch and listen to every time we perform. She is the ‘real deal’ both in terms of voice and stagecraft. The next chapter in our story is now ready for the writing.”
Read in-depth interview with Barry Graham Purkis here
A live DVD of the band’s appearance in Lublin, Poland last April is also scheduled for release towards the end of the year.
‘Bikini Vision’ is the debut single from New York-based neo-glam band, Dream Pony, who recently got in touch saying:
“We stumbled on your blog because you’ve covered a lot bands we dig.”
I get an awful lot of emails like this, of course, but as soon as I played the video I was immediately drawn to that heady blend of garage rock meets glammed-up New York punk meets timeless pop. They rightly surmised that they’d be the perfect fit for Darren’s Music Blog so we here we are. They are not wrong.
Dream Pony: “Dream Pony draw on cinematic themes and are rooted in the poetic condition of the everyday.”
“Bikini Vision is a fuzzed out beach pop anthem celebrating personal expression and body appreciation. This recording takes us on a ride through Brooklyn on hot Summers day. Songwriter D’Arsie paints a picture of a character in search of an escape from the heat and the ensuing delirium, blissfully in love with life and able to see beauty in everyone and everything. Bikini Vision has both crisp, blown out guitars, killer drum fills driving bass, swirling organs and cruisy backing vocals. Somewhat equal parts Iggy Pop sarcasm and Rowland S Howard irony.”
Dream Pony were formed in late 2022 by singer-songwriter and poet Jordan D’Arsie (from NYC proto-punk combo Women of the Night) and Aaron Mika (from the band Televisionaries). The pair were then joined by Supremo Massiv on bass, from another NYC outfit Revel in Dimes.
Lead single: ‘Why Do You’ released 18th August 2023
Coming together through a shared love of classic rock, folk rock and blues, bands like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Fairport Convention and Free, Parkbridge is a four-piece from Greater Manchester. Formed in 2022, all four members had cut their teeth playing in local bands for many years. But after some informal jam sessions working on songs that had been written by vocalist and guitarist, Robert Carter, Parkbridge rapidly evolved into the fully-fledged band it is today. After a series of well-received live gigs, work soon began on putting together the band’s debut album.
Parkbridge is: Robert Carter (guitar, vocals), Sean Dyer (lead guitar), Ian Turford (bass) and Dave Johnson (drums). The name comes from the area of Park Bridge on the outskirts of Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester, where the band was originally formed. The area of Park Bridge was founded during the industrial revolution and for nearly two hundred years the village was home to the famous Park Bridge Ironworks. This local foundry provided essential components for a number of the world’s great engineering projects, giving the band not only its name but the inspiration for the title of its debut album, too.
“If you ever go to Paris, in the museum at the Eiffel Tower there is an inscription that says “Rivets made by the Park Bridge Iron Foundry, Ashton-under-Lyne” and so Rivets For The Eiffel Tower became the obvious name for our first album,” says frontman and vocalist/guitarist, Robert Carter.
A single from the album, ‘Why Do You’ is released on 18th August.
Commenting on the single, Robert Carter says:“It’s about obsession, angst and in a way about dishonest love. Things aren’t always as wonderful as they first seem and control becomes more important than the relationship. It isn’t about anybody in particular, more about witnessed experiences and observations and it nicely showcases the musicianship in the band.”
The album itself is a collection of eight original tracks – a mix of acoustic, rock, folk-rock and blues.
Commenting on the album, Robert Carter adds:“I have long had an ambition to release an album of music containing songs that I’ve written. Thanks to the guys in Parkbridge, that dream is about to become a reality. All three are great musicians and it’s a privilege for me to work with them. There’s a couple of songs of what you would call folk rock. There’s a couple that are classic rock in style. There’s a couple that could be classed as indie rock and there’s a couple of blues songs. We’re probably a little different to most of the newish rock bands you hear these days. We try and be melodic. We try and tell a story in the lyrics. We try and offer something different. So if you’re into that classic rock sound with style, have a listen and tell us what you think!”
Rivets For The Eiffel Tower is produced by Buzz Hawkins at Hawkins Studios 215 in Mossley.
Rivets For The Eiffel Tower will go on general release on 6th October 2023 with a limited-edition CD available from 18th August. The album is available via: www.parkbridgemusic.com
Upcoming live dates:
Cream of the Crop Festival, Cropredy Oxfordshire – Friday 11th August, 2.30pm
Colne Blues Festival at The Venue, Friday 25th August, 7.00pm
Tameside Beer Festival, Hyde Town Hall, Friday 22nd September, 6.00pm
Launch event: Tapsters Bar, Old Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, Friday 18th August, 7pm
Former Judas Priest guitarist, K.K. Downing, made a dramatic return to the frontline of heavy metal with the launch of KK’s Priest and the release of the Sermons of the Sinner album back in 2021. Reviewing the band’s debut album I concluded, “Every riff, every yell, every beat, every second of the album encapsulates the spirit of Priest and is executed with power, panache and pure class.”
And the very welcome news is that a second album, The Sinner Rides Again, is scheduled for release on 29th September, accompanied by a short UK in October. Fans already had a taste of what’s in store from this album with the release of the ‘One More Shot At Glory’ single earlier this summer and that’s now followed up by a second single from the album, ‘Reap The Whirlwind’.
K.K. Downing says of ‘Reap The Whirlwind’:“’If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind’ – this is a common phrase that has been familiar with me from a very young age. Obviously it’s very meaningful – it’s a warning that if you mistreat people, or really whatever you do in life, you need to be very careful, because whatever sufferance you inflict on anyone, it could come back to haunt you, and your suffering could be even more severe. Everyone knowingly or unknowingly has made the mistake of thinking they can get away with small misdemeanors to suit their selfish pursuits, but if justice is to be served, you will reap exactly what you sow. That is the message of this song.”
KK’S PRIEST is K.K. Downing (guitar); former Judas Priest vocalist, Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens (vocals); A.J. Mills (guitar); Tony Newton (bass); and Sean Elg (drums).
Discussing the forthcoming album, Downing recently said,“We’ve lost a lot of great people – Dio, Lemmy, for example – but this amazing and unique style of music must be preserved for as long as possible and I feel it within me to continue to play my role, as I always have, and to defend this metal genre, which we all know and love.”The Sinner Rides Again is a testament to this call for the classics while speeding full force into the future, delivered by some of heavy metal’s most essential performers.
KK’S PRIEST UK tour dates:
October 7, 2023 – Birmingham @ O2 Institute
October 8, 2023 – Glasgow @ SWG3
October 10, 2023 – Nottingham @ Rock City
October 11, 2023 – Manchester @ O2 Ritz
October 12, 2023 – London @ O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
KK’s PRIEST – Jul 16, 2021. Photo credit: George Chin
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