Heavy Rotation
What we’ve been listening to this month
1
Mission To Mars
Ace Frehley
The Kiss guitar slinger comes bearing fruit from his new solo album Spaceman.
Mission To Mars is full of meaty, groovy fuzz, plus some nicely flashy lead licks. A more organic, earthly delight than the title might suggest, but in this case that’s no band thing. Check out our interview with him on page 122.
2
Let You Down
Hollowstar
Muscular modern hard rock from heaviest Cambridgeshire; all bold, chunky production, riffs the size of monster trucks and vibes of Slash, mid-era Black Stone Cherry and the like. Intrigued? Catch them live with the Dan Reed Network through November, before someone snaps them up for an arena support tour.
3
Shade Of Grey
Atari Ferrari
These Spokane-based rockers are well worth a listen. They started out as a Bowie tribute band, and there is a faint trace of the Starman in this prettily soft number, woven into a stirring melody and layers of honeyed pop-rock warmth. Check out this and more on their latest album, Rebel, which is out now.
4
Butterfly Nets
Magic Factory
If that title and band name sound rather chipper, it’s with good reason. We didn’t realise Auckland boogie was a thing until these guys came into our lives, but if this joyful little piece of lo-fi but bouncy, highly danceable piece of rock’n’roll is anything to go by we’ve decided we like it.
5
Mississippi Queen
Joyous Wolf
Not having much fun in 2018? Why not make like it’s 1970 instead with this highly palatable Mountain cover from Southern Californian rockers Joyous Wolf. Oh-so groovy and swaggery, your day will be better for it. And check out original song/ other half of their new double single Slow Hand; it’s similarly moreish.
6
Do Not Disturb
Halestorm
In the video for this latest single from Halestorm’s hard-hitting new album, Lzzy Hale comes on as a lascivious version of Cruella Deville, uttering come-to-bed lines into an antique phone while wearing a wig that looks like Amy Winehouse checking in for Halloween. All that, and a chorus bigger than a tractor. Hot stuff.
7
Police On My Back
Culture Abuse
San Fransisco funsters Culture Abuse released a lively cover version of The Clash’s 1980 version of Police On My Back (which was actually a cover of The Equals’ 1967 original), and somehow end up sounding like Cheap Trick playing punk. Perhaps it’s the ‘nee-naw, nee-naw’ guitars. Whatever, it’s more brass in pocket for the song’s writer, The Equals’ Eddie ‘Electric Avenue’ Grant, and that’s gotta be a good thing.
8
Hexenhammer
Burning Witches
We’d like to offer a little tip: never call yourselves Burning Witches unless you can deliver the promise of such a brilliantly over-the-top premise with aplomb. So it’s a good thing that that’s exactly what these Swiss metalheads do. They’ve clearly swallowed every last drop of NWOBHM going, plus several gallons of Doro, and it works well for them on new track Hexenhammer, which snarls, cackles and shreds with theatrical glee.
9
You’re Really Something
The Wild Things
You can read our review of their debut album this issue (page 89), but this title track is an excellent place to start. A refreshing yet cosily familiar shot of 90s-infused pop-rock, part coming-of-age contemplation, part lovesick heartache, it’s a strong tune that locks effortlessly into your skull. Ones to watch.
10 The Sound
The Dirty Streets
All deep, dirty grooviness, thunderous bass lines and soul-dude vocals, all the way from Memphis, Tennessee, this is one of the most moreish things we’ve heard from the Dirty Streets. And if you like what you hear, check out more on latest album
Distractions, which is out now.
11
Live In The Now
Goodbye June
This lot are currently on the road in the UK supporting Greta Van Fleet, and if you’re going to any of those shows we highly recommend you check Goodbye June. This highlight from their new EP Secrets In The Sunset swerves headily through Eagles-y acoustic guitars, swooping, psych-tinged Americana and a hard-hitting riff good enough to sink your teeth into. Read our feature on them on page 19.
12
Where Are You Now
Inglorious
The first new material from Inglorious’s new album Ride To Nowhere. The band might come from London, but these licks are positively southern-fried, packed with melody, meaty guitar and an unforgettable chorus, Where Are You Now bodes well for the British band’s third record.
13
Dance Macabre
Ghost
Need a pick-me-up? Then you’ll appreciate this singalong-friendly single from Ghost’s excellent latest album Prequelle. The accompanying video is like a hidden scene from The Rocky Horror Picture Show (the Riff Raff-esque host at the door, the synchronised dancing, the gloriously unbridled campness of it all…) but with more modern choreography. A theatrical feather in Cardinal Copia’s extravagant cap.
14 Gypsy Eyes
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Jimi’s Electric Ladyland album has been given the deluxe reissue treatment; remixed in 5:1 by Eddie Kramer and remastered by Bernie Grundman. There’s so much good stuff in it (including early takes and live cuts), and we’re having a ‘moment’ with this track right now. Read more about the making of the album, and Jimi’s impact on blues rock as a whole, on page 50.
15
Rise And Fall
John J Presley
Rumbling, resonating old blues and garage tones – with a hint of the psychedelic twistiness of All Them Witches - from electric blues rock maverick John J Presley. Commanding, menacing stuff, with a hauntingly atmospheric fade-out, this is one kind of darkness we could use more of in our lives.
16
Undone
Monster Truck
We caught up with MT singer Jon, and the leaders of Black Stone Cherry and The Cadillac Three, this month (page 72), and found ourselves revisiting this moody cut from the Truck’s True Rockers album. They do noisy good-time rock’n’roll very well,
Undone brings an elevating sense of Load-era Metallica to the table. Nice.