South Carolina hard-rockers Crossfade have just released their third studio album, We All Bleed, after three years in the making. The record delves into lyrical themes of betrayal and isolation—a Crossfade trademark—but there’s also more than a hint of renewal and resolution. It’s the voice we remember with the dark songs brought by the arrival of co-writer and co-producer, guitarist Les Hall to the core.
Guitarist David Lindley is a pioneer of international music who led one of the first world music rock groups during the ’60s called Kaleidoscope. He would later work with singer-songwriter Jackson Browne starting in 1971 and his staggering solos can be heard ripping through such hits as Jackson’s classic “Running on Empty.”
Queensryche’s anticipated new CD, Dedicated to Chaos is the sound of the band marching forward artistically, philosophically and sonically. Their commitment to their craft is unwavering. Their ability to challenge themselves and create new soundscapes is unparalleled in hard rock. A band continually re-inventing themselves, growing, and blending the boundaries of heavy metal, hard rock, alternative to form a unified and unique sound that is always recognizable with Geoff Tate’s vocals at the helm. I had a chance to meet up with guitarist Michael Wilton to talk about the new CD, reflect back on the 20th Anniversary of Empire and talk about all things on guitars and gear.
Allele (pronounced Uh leel) is Wally Wood (vocals), Mason Romaine (guitar), Giancarlo Autenzio (drums), Tim Tobin (bass), and Kelly Hayes (guitar). All of these musicians, formerly known only to each other as “local boys” that once played in various bands around the Jacksonville, Florida area, comprise a group of incredibly sharp, talented musicians that deliver a clear message that rock n roll is not a joke, nor is it dead. After their first CD, Point of Origin, there were tours, followed by Wally’s departure, then a regrouping of the lineup with Wally’s return and Lane’s departure.
At one point in time, which seems like eons ago, music was about creating art. It was about pushing boundaries, defying the mainstream and allowing artists to explore their creativity in an unbridled fashion. Then, sometime around the second half of the 20th century, corporations realized that music could be commoditized, and the world of commercial, Pop-driven music was born. Gone were the days when music was made as an art, now it was designed in corporate board rooms using test groups and marketing schemes.
After almost four years of biding their time, Memphis, Tennessee natives Egypt Central are finally back with their hard-hitting follow-up to their self-titled 2008 debut. White Rabbit, which features heavy guitars, jagged rhythms and catchy melodies, was produced by Skidd Mills (12 Stones, Saving Abel) and will be released on May 31st.
At first glance, the signature leather hat, worn in true rock n roll fashion over black, stylish hair, along with the denim, leather and chains, could catch glances from across the room. Add a pair of Chuck’s (because they’re comfy and cool), a great sense of humor and you find there’s a fair amount of humility as well as fun-loving that’s undeniable. There’s lots of ink; intricate, detailed, colorful tattoos woven together that tell many stories from many years of his life adventures. He’s younger at heart than most people that have lived this life end up feeling at this point, that’s for certain.
Simon Kirke began his long love affair with rock n roll back in 1968 when he helped found influential British rock band Free, in which he was the drummer. Moving onward and upward, he and Paul Rodgers formed the legendary Bad Company five years later, with Simon drumming and Paul singing.
On June 7th, Def Leppard will release their first ever live CD, Mirrorball-Live & More exclusively at Wal-Mart. It will contain live performances and an intimate 50 minute DVD that contains live backstage footage of the band on the road. Mirror Ball was recorded across the world over the course of many of the band’s sold out shows, and features all the classic songs that have made them one of the most respected rock bands of the last 30 years. The CD captures the group’s legendary concert experience at their best. The CD also contains three new studio tracks, “Undefeated,” “It’s All About Believin” and “Kings of the World.”
Standing front and center of rocker’s Theory of a Deadman is Canadian, Tyler Connolly, armed with a white Gibson, a disarming voice and a range of dark spiked hair. With him are Dave Brenner (rhythm guitar); Dean Back (bass) and more recently, Joey Dandeneau (drums). Together the group has issued three albums with their third outing, Scars & Souvenirs (2008) running up the charts with eight singles including, a number one hit, “Bad Girlfriend” written by Tyler and his wife, Christine. The album claimed gold status in the States and platinum in Canada in 2009.
