Sights and Sounds: Sparks, Pearl Jam, ‘Rock & Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar’, Peter Himmelman, Spafford

While the global live concert industry is still at a close-to complete standstill, there are plenty of announcements as it relates to new videos, upcoming albums and television specials. There is even news about a live drive-in performance coming to Arizona later this month ...Robert Kinsler

Sparks ride "Lawnmower" into album release day 

NEW SONG/VIDEO OUT TODAY, NEW ALBUM OUT TOMORROW

A STEADY DRIP, DRIP, DRIP

ARRIVES DIGITALLY TOMORROW, FRIDAY, MAY 15;

PHYSICAL FOLLOWS ON FRIDAY, JULY 3

“These songs are as wonderfully wild, fractured, rambunctious, jittery, and above all melodic as the best in the band’s bulging catalog.” - American Songwriter (4/5 stars) “A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip follows Sparks' characteristic diversity, with plenty of theatrically styled camp.” - Billboard “After nearly 50 years and over two dozen albums, Sparks continue their reign of resonantly quirky art pop-rock delights on A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip.” - Pop Matters “No band should by rights sound as sharp, melodic and funny more than 50 years into their career. But Sparks are no ordinary band.” - Q Groundbreaking pop icons Sparks – Los Angeles-based brothers Ron and Russell Mael – have announced today’s release of “Lawnmower,” the latest song release from their upcoming 24thstudio album, A STEADY DRIP, DRIP, DRIP. “Lawnmower” is available now via BMG at all DSPs and streaming services. The video will premiere on YouTube at Noon today (May 14). A STEADY DRIP, DRIP, DRIP arrives at all digital platforms tomorrow, Friday, May 15; the album’s physical release – including CD, vinyl, and cassette – is set for Friday, July 3. Billboard premiered “Lawnmower” with a Russell Mael Q&A yesterday. LISTEN TO “LAWNMOWER” WATCH “LAWNMOWER” A STEADY DRIP, DRIP, DRIP is still available for pre-order, with all pre-orders joined by an “instant grat” download of “Lawnmower,” as well as the previous track releases, “One For The Ages,” “I’m Toast,” “Self Effacing,” and “Please Don’t Fuck Up My World.” A number of formats are on offer, including CD, 2x heavyweight colored and picture disc vinyl, and cassette; limited exclusives include signed prints, deluxe CD book editions, and a very special Sparks beret. For complete details, please visit allsparks.com. PRE-ORDER A STEADY DRIP, DRIP, DRIP A STEADY DRIP, DRIP, DRIP has already been met by strong critical praise, with Pop Matters hailing the LP as “yet another remarkable testament to Sparks’ enduring appeal and quality…it’s another wildly thought-provoking, fun, and wholly distinctive venture.” A STEADY DRIP, DRIP, DRIP “fizzes with as much energy as any of their records,” declared Q, “being an effervescent brew of rock, electronica, and classical.” “Ron and Russell Mael’s world is as fabulously off-skew as ever,” wrote MOJO, “and, even better, wonderful melodies tumble out of the speakers.” “There is surely not a pop duo of their vintage still releasing durable, endearing music,” wrote the Irish Times. “A STEADY DRIP, DRIP, DRIP adds to their catalogue yet another collection of watertight pop songs that manage the feat of sounding just how you want Sparks to sound while deviating ever so slightly from the familiar.” “They’ve done it again,” enthused Record Collector in a five-starred rave. “Art-pop’s greatest cottage industry continues with this new, splendid record.” “Sparks’ abiding gifts for pop melody, surreal humour and clever, quirky lyrics crafted with precision and attention to old-fashioned virtues of the songwriter’s craft – meter and scansion, rhyme and rhythm – remain not just undiminished but honed to a peak of perfection,” wrote Louder Than War. “With A STEADY DRIP, DRIP, DRIP, Sparks have drawn on the many styles and many great moments in a multi-faceted career that began in their native Los Angeles in 1967, while retaining the unique identity. Whatever style they embrace, and they have embraced most – pop, rock, New Wave, synth-pop, disco, dance, electro, orchestral, opera – they always remain ineffably, irrefutably, inescapably, undeniably Sparks.” Ron and Russell Mael will join The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess for an extra special edition of #TimsTwitterListeningParty featuring A STEADY DRIP, DRIP, DRIP on Wednesday, May 20 at 5:00 pm ET/2:00 pm PT. Fans are invited to follow @sparksofficial and @tim_burgess on Twitter for real time, live commentary on the album; to tweet, please use the hashtag #TimsTwitterListeningParty. This year should also see the eagerly awaited premiere of the musical Annette, the first English-language film from groundbreaking French director Leos Carax (Holy Motors, Pola X), written by Ron and Russell Mael and starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard. In addition, director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Baby Driver) will continue work on his as-yet-untitled Sparks documentary, a long-in-the-making feature-length film celebrating this singular band.

CONNECT WITH SPARKS: ALLSPARKS.COM TWITTER FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM YOUTUBE

Pearl Jam shares compelling “Retrograde" Music Video

New album 'Gigaton' available now via Republic Records 

NEW YORK, NY – Today, Pearl Jam revealed the music video for the Gigaton single “Retrograde.”

Watch it HERE.

For the visual, the band teamed up with director Josh Wakely [Beat Bugs, Motown Magic]. The animated clip opens with a lone traveler driving through the rain and descending upon a strip mall. Visiting a psychic, the protagonist witnesses the destruction of the world in a crystal ball as the seas overtake the Eiffel Tower in Paris, London Bridge in London, and the group’s native Seattle. Fluid animation moves like an oil painting in motion as the animated musicians—Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, Jeff Ament, and Matt Cameron—step out of their respect tarot cards and into a march. While the water continues to rise climate change activist and revolutionary Greta Thunberg appears behind the crystal ball as a clairvoyant.

“Retrograde” is the latest single from the band’s new album, Gigaton—available now.

Get it at www.pearljam.com.


story here

AXS TV releases clips & highlights featuring Brian May, Joe Walsh, Tanya Tuckar and James Burton from ‘Rock & Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar’

Premieres Sunday, May 17 at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT

Brian May, left, with Sammy Hagar / Photo courtesy AXS TV

Watch Brian May share how his Signature Guitar Sound was inspired by Rory Gallagher & James Burton HERE

Watch Sammy Hagar, Joe Walsh and James Burton perform the Elvis classic “Jailhouse Rock” HERE

Sammy Hagar returns to Nashville to celebrate rock legend James Burton at an all-star bash for the famed guitarist for Elvis, John Denver and many others. Backstage he sits down with music legends Brian May of Queen, Joe Walsh and recent GRAMMY®-winner Tanya Tucker.

Here are two press clips from the episode for media use:

Interview highlights from the episode include:

• Tanya Tucker discusses beginning her singing career in Nashville at age nine and her love for Elvis
• Joe Walsh shares his secret to musical longevity.
• How Brian May and Queen continued after Freddie Mercury’s death. 

Peter Himmelman's 'This Is How It Ends' debut single

from artist's forthcoming album 'Press On'

Americana Highways premiered the track here. 



NEW YORK, N.Y. — Press On, Peter Himmelman’s forthcoming 13-song album, was recorded live in Los Feliz, Calif. in a total of three days. “We used a simple creative forcing frame for our three-day marathon session, which consisted of four rules,” Himmelman says. “Upright bass on every song, little to no cymbals and high-hats, no professional background singers, and as much live recording as possible. We wanted anyone listening to the music to feel as if they were in the room with us as we were recording.” These days not many players have the musical chops to record without stopping to fix mistakes, or to improvise complex parts on the fly. The musicians Himmelman selected for the project were capable of both, and they were excited about the chance to make a live-in-studio recording in a short span of time. 

Recorded with the help of Himmelman’s longtime bassist/collaborator Matt Thompson, drummer Jimi Englund, keyboardist Chris Joyner, and guitarist Greg Herzenach, the spare, soulful soundsof the debut single, “This Is How It Ends,” allow room for Himmelman’s biting, and sometimes, nearly clairvoyant lyrics to rise up through the swirls of gospel-like colors within the musical arrangement. Producer and engineer Sheldon Gomberg notes, “the musicianship on ‘This Is How It Ends’ is of the highest quality. These guys are some of my favorite players around. The way they listen and respond to what’s happening is what gives the record its remarkable immediacy.”

“This Is How It Ends,” which Himmelman composed on the piano one afternoon in his living room in Santa Monica, California, was written nearly a year prior to his move to New York City in August of 2019. “As with many songs of mine that I wind up being most attracted to, this one was also a surprise when it emerged,” Himmelman muses. “I asked myself then and now, where did this come from, what does it mean?”  

This is the sound of unearthly silence, after a year of blood and violence. These are

 the men grey with ash, rollin’ their barrels of useless cash...

Press On, produced by Gomberg, Thompson, Himmelman, and Arthur Himmelman, is set for release in July 2020, with details to be announced shortly.

SPAFFORD announces live concert at the Drive-In



MAY 24, 2020 | DIGITAL DRIVE-IN | MESA, AZ

Phoenix, AZ - The Arizona based progressive rock band Spafford is set to perform LIVE in Mesa, AZ on May 24. The show will take place at the famed drive-in movie theater "Digital Drive-In.” This is the band’s first live performance since the Covid-19 epidemic forced bands worldwide to cancel tours and scheduled performances. There will be a limited number of tickets available for this performance. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 15th at 10AM PST.  

PURCHASE TICKETS TO SPAFFORD LIVE AT THE DRIVE-IN 

“We are extremely excited for this opportunity. Everyone on our team has been working tirelessly to ensure that this will be an amazing experience that follows all social distancing guidelines. We want to provide a safe, fun environment for everyone to get out and enjoy our music!” said Spafford of the upcoming performance. 

Fans will be able to see this first of its kind live show from the comfort of their own vehicles while also practicing social distancing. For fans elsewhere in the country, the show will be live-streamed for free via Spafford’s YouTube and Facebook pages. 

Spafford are known for their astonishing improvisational ability and off-the-cuff extended jams, Spafford paints a picture in real-time each night with a musical palette known only to each other. It’s a private language comprised of both their talent as musicians as well as their formidable catalog of influences, spanning 90’s alt-rock radio hits to Steely Dan and The Crystal Method. Each and every Spafford show is a sonic pilgrimage, the journey of a team of musicians so in tune with each other that a single note communicates intent and purpose. Spafford is amongst the most creative and hard-traveling bands on the contemporary jam scene, performing countless sold-out headline dates along with high profile festival sets at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Firefly Music Festival, and many others.



# # #

MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund

Click this link to donate to MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund and Spotify will match your donation up to a total of $10 million: https://bit.ly/3b5rVHw

Donations to Spafford

Paypal: https://bit.ly/341YLqN

Venmo: @Spaffordmusic

Cabin Fever Online Store Sale - Save Up To 50% Storewide!

https://spafford.shop.redstarmerch.com/store

CONNECT WITH SPAFFORD

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE 

Volkswagen supports live stream fundraiser held by Joe Bonamassa and Fender Premium Audio

Blues guitar master/singer-songwriter Joe Bonamassa will be featured at a live stream fundraising event tomorrow, May 14. Here is a media release that just landed in my inbox...Robert Kinsler

Volkswagen supports Live Stream Fundraiser held by guitar great Joe Bonamassa and Fender Premium Audio

• Joe Bonamassa live stream performance scheduled for Thursday, May 14 at 8 p.m. EST (5 p.m. Pacific Time) on Facebook Live 
• Proceeds to benefit touring musicians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through non-profit organization, Keeping the Blues Alive

Joe Bonamassa performing at the
City National Grove of Anaheim in June 2011.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Herndon, VA — Volkswagen of America today announced it will support a live stream fundraising performance hosted by globally-recognized blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa to financially assist touring musicians affected by COVID-19.

“We are so excited to be working with Joe on this meaningful and entertaining live stream,” said Saad Chehab, Senior Vice President, Volkswagen Brand Marketing. “When given the chance to support individuals in the music industry during this time, it felt like a true Drive Bigger moment that we wanted to be a part of.”

 

Joe Bonamassa, a prodigy who opened for B.B. King at the age of 12, will also showcase some of his personal vintage Fender guitars and discuss details about each. The performance proceeds will financially support musicians who are unable to work due to the COVID-19 pandemic through Bonamassa’s Fueling Musicians Program, an emergency relief plan organized by his 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Keeping the Blues Alive. The program provides financial assistance for essential living expenses along with pre-paid fuel cards to qualified musicians in need.

 

“My sincerest thanks and gratitude to both Volkswagen and Fender Premium Audio for their generous support of our Fueling Musicians Program,” said Bonamassa. “Musicians have a tough road ahead and this will help them regroup until they can head out on the road again when everyone gets the green light.”

 

To watch the event, visit the VW Facebook page here on Thursday, May 14 at 8 p.m. EST.

 

To donate to the Fueling Musicians Program or to complete an application for assistance, visit www.KTBA.org.

 

Fender Premium Audio offers top-end audio systems on select trims of Volkswagen vehicles such as the Passat, Golf GTI, Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and Tiguan. Available in SEL Premium trim levels on both the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport, the latest Fender Premium Audio System includes a 480-watt, 12-channel amplifier with 12 speakers in total. 

About Fender Musical Instruments Corporation

Since 1946, Fender has revolutionized music and culture as one of the world’s leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers and distributors. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC)–whose portfolio of brands includes Fender®, Squier®, Gretsch® guitars, Jackson®, EVH® and Charvel®–follows a player-centric approach to crafting the highest-quality instruments and digital experiences across genres. Since 2015, Fender’s digital arm has introduced a new ecosystem of products and interactive experiences to accompany players at every stage of their musical journey. This includes innovative apps and learning platforms designed to complement Fender guitars, amplifiers, effects pedals, accessories and pro-audio gear, and inspire players through an immersive musical experience. FMIC is dedicated to unlocking the power of musical expression for all players, from beginners to history-making legends.

 

About Joe Bonamassa

Joe Bonamassa performing at the Doheny Blues Festival in
May 2008. Photo courtesy of Bob Steshetz

As a professional musician for over 30 years, Joe Bonamassa continues to blaze a remarkably versatile artistic trail, and amass an authentic, innovative and soulful body of work. Bonamassa's career began onstage opening for B.B. King in 1989, when he was only 12 years old. Today, he is hailed worldwide as one of the greatest guitar players of his generation and is an ever-evolving singer-songwriter with over 30 albums to date including studio and live recordings, collaborative albums with blues sensation Beth Hart, and the adventurous side projects Black Country Communion and Rock Candy Funk Party, all under his own label, J&R Adventures. He founded and oversees the non-profit Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation to promote the heritage of blues music to the next generation, fund music scholarships, and conserve the art of music in schools and beyond. Bonamassa has received two GRAMMY® nominations, and recently achieved his 22nd #1 Billboard Blues Albums (more than any other artist) with the release of LIVE AT SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE in 2019. On average, Bonamassa tours around 200 days a year and has most recently released a new single “A Conversation With Alice” from his new studio album coming out late this year, which was recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. www.JBonamassa.com    

 

About Volkswagen

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America and a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, with headquarters in Herndon, Virginia. Volkswagen’s operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Volkswagen Group is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Arteon, Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, Golf, Golf GTI, Jetta, Jetta GLI, Passat, and Tiguan vehicles through more than 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen online at www.vw.com or media.vw.com to learn more.

“VW”, “Volkswagen” all model names and the Volkswagen logo are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG.

“Fender” is a registered trademark of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.

This information and any vehicle specifications are preliminary and subject to change.

Features and technical data apply to models offered in the USA. They may differ in other countries.

Sights and Sounds: Nobody's Girl, Kingdom Collapse, Lonely Robot

Here is a roundup of some news that has landed in my inbox over the last few days. I hope all of you are staying well out there! Robert Kinsler

Austin trio Nobody's Girl demonstrates the power of three, bridging the gap between indie folk and pop

Americana/folk-pop supergroup featuring acclaimed singer-songwriters

 BettySoo, Rebecca Loebe, and Grace Pettis to release

 self-titled full-length debut February 5, 2021 on Lucky Hound Music

 

American Songwriter debuted the video for new single “Tiger”: https://tinyurl.com/ycezdybr

Pettis says the band “wrote ‘Tiger’ for those of us trying to keep it together;
keep our emotions and our “crazy” at bay, knowing we’re ‘just one reason away’ from losing that control…There are plenty of songs about getting angry and responding with aggression. And there are plenty of songs about taking it easy
and not letting anything bother you. ‘Tiger’ is not either of them."

AUSTIN, Texas — “We always joke that it started out by accident,” offers singer-songwriter (and former Voice contestant) Rebecca Loebe when asked about the fortuitous aligning of stars that officially brought her and fellow Austin-based troubadours BettySoo and Grace Pettis together as Nobody's Girl. “Well, actually, Grace and I like to joke that we tricked BettySoo into being in a band with us ...” 

 

BettySoo, sitting across the table from her two bandmates at a post-rehearsal Tex-Mex dinner, laughs at this, but Grace is quick to correct the record. “It’s not really a joke, though,” she insists with a mischievous grin. “It’s true!”

 

But why split hairs? Whether it was sparked by happy accident or some manner of sly master plan, the magic of that union was undeniable from the get-go. That three of the loveliest voices in Americana and contemporary folk music could complement each other so beautifully might have been a given, but it was the songs they wrote together — songs unlike any of them had ever or probably would ever write on their own — that really made Nobody’s Girl, well, sing.

 

“In a lot of ways, I think of Nobody’s Girl as a super fun project that lets us blow off steam, because it gives us a whole different channel to tap into," says Rebecca. “But most of all, I’m always really moved by the power of what we're able to access as a trio: just the power of three voices onstage together, carrying the same message.”

 

They’ve carried that message for the better part of two whirlwind years, playing more than a 100 shows together from Texas to Ireland in support of a 2018 EP, Waterline, and a handful of singles released late last year. But that “power of three” they share has never been stronger than it is now, and it’s captured like bottled lightning on the trio's strikingly assertive — and yes, striking fun, too— full-length debut: Nobody's Girl, releasing on digital, CD, and vinyl through Lucky Hound Music on February 5, 2021.

 

Recorded in September of 2019 and January of this year at Lucky Hound’s own state-of-the-art Studios at Fischer campus in the Texas Hill Country, the new album found Nobody’s Girl once again working with Michael Ramos, the Grammy-winning producer who helmed Waterline. The sessions also reunited — and expanded — the veritable dream team of Austin talent that played on the EP. “Michael brought in so many great players for this record, it’s kind of insane,” marvels Rebecca. In addition to Ramos on percussion and keyboards and the formidable rhythm section of bassist Glenn Fukunaga and drummers J.J. Johnson and Conrad Choucroun, Nobody’s Girl features arguably the deepest roster of Texas guitar heroes this side of a classic Joe Ely or Arc Angels record: Charlie Sexton, David Grissom, and David Pulkingham.

 

Of course, as road-seasoned (and in the case of BettySoo and Rebecca, classically trained and Berklee educated, respectively) musicians themselves, BettySoo, Rebecca, and Grace can certainly hold their own with the best of the best; they’re a lean-and-mean touring trio with, as solo artists, more than 15 albums among them. But it’s the gorgeous sound of their voices, be they harmonizing as one or trading leads with the graceful, elegant precision of aerial silk dancers, that's clearly the main event. Well, that and the revelatory nature of the songs themselves. Lyrically, their co-writes can be as heavy and introspective as anything eachof these three Kerrville “New Folk” winners have ever shared with a listening room or festival audience of serious Americana/folk fans. But the energy throughout the album leans decidedly more rock, with buoyant melodies and catchy choruses that often as not move the needle clear into the straight-up pop zone. It’s a disarmingly delightful turn that BettySoo playfully calls “bubblicious.”

 

“By that, I don’t mean that it’s flaky or light,” she explains, “because I think our songwriting instincts are all honed from the folk world. But I do think that the textures we tap into when we write together for Nobody's Girl are definitely more pop.”

 

“And, I don’t think there’s anything bad about that!” adds Grace. “I think for some people, ‘pop’ is almost like a dirty word — especially in a town like Austin that’s all about ‘serious’music with integrity. But sometimes something fun is good in its own right. The kind of songs I want to write are the ones that have something to say, but that also make your foot tap and that you want to play really loud in your car and sing along to. And in a lot of ways, those songs are a lot harder to write, at least for me. But as a band, I think we are able to really do that sometimes. I don’t know what it is about the combination of our different backgrounds that brings that out, though, and it actually really surprised us when we started recording that EP two years ago. We were all going, like, ‘Oh, wow — these are pop songs!’”

 

The record features a cover of Carole King’s ‘So Far Away,” from 1971’s immortal Tapestry. Let’s just say the piano made them do it. As in the very same piano that King herself played on the original recording of “So Far Away” — and the whole rest of Tapestry, too. It was the same piano that was also used on Joni Mitchell’s Blue— and that now just happens to be proudly owned and homed by Studios at Fischer. And although it was actually Ramos, the producer, who played the piano on the album, just knowing that the instrument so prominently featured on two of the most iconic singer-songwriter records of all time can now be heard on theirrecord, too, is a thrill in itself for all three women in Nobody’s Girl.

 

“I mean, we’re all fans of both of Tapestry and Blue, so for as long as we’ve known that that piano was there, we dreamed about recording a song from one of those albums,” says BettySoo. “We daydreamed about just letting that piano sing through one of those songs again — and about having an album that would be a vehicle for that to happen.”

 

Nobody's Girl, the album, is a testament to the power of three strong independent songwriters with three strong voices coming together as one, carrying their message along the beauty way with a "bubblicious" roar like nobody else.  

Texas Rockers Kingdom Collapse reveal video for latest single, “Uprise”

Watch “Uprise” Now via Revolver

Texas hard rock quartet KINGDOM COLLAPSE has released a new track, “Uprise,” a song that perfectly captures the group’s ability to blend catchy radio hooks with their high-energy delivery. 

Watch the video for “Uprise” today via Revolver at https://www.revolvermag.com/music/hear-texas-alt-metal-act-kingdom-collapses-triumphant-new-song-uprise.

“We're excited to release the new single at this time with everything going on in the world,” says vocalist Jonathan Norris. “With what we’ve all endured globally with the recent pandemic, this is an anthem assuring the fact that we will not only recover but we will rise even stronger.”

Norris wrote “Uprise” with acclaimed songwriter Ted Bruner, who has penned such radio rock hits as “Porn Star Dancing” (My Darkest Days), “Fallen Angel” (Three Days Grace) and others. Not only was he involved in writing the song, but Norris produced the song all on his own. “It’s not every day you have a front man who writes AND produces the songs from start to finish,” notes manager Aaron Smith. “That’s a big part of the magic that gives KINGDOM COLLAPSE their identity.”

KINGDOM COLLAPSE‘s sound - melodic, heavy riff-based rock – has garnered millions of streams of band’s music catalog across multiple music platforms. The band ended 2019 with their infectious single “Payback,” which got spins on Sirius/XM’s Octane and landed national press coverage.

2020 continues to be a huge year for KINGDOM COLLAPSE. With Jonathan Norris on vocals, Robert Flores on guitar, Blake Suarez on bass, and David Sanchez on drums, KINGDOM COLLAPSE plans to bring the “Uprise” to the masses this summer. 

For more of a taste of KINGDOM COLLAPSE, check out these additional videos:

• “Suffer” – https://youtu.be/EqjP28hnAiI
• “Payback” - https://youtu.be/fyIgSYtcpTg

KINGDOM COLLAPSE online:

www.facebook.com/kingdomcollapse

www.twitter.com/kingdomcollapse

www.instagram.com/kingdomcollapse

Lonely Robot – announce new album ‘Feelings Are Good’

Lonely Robot, the project masterminded by producer, guitarist and singer/songwriter John Mitchell (Kino, Frost*, Arena, It Bites), is set to release its fourth album ‘Feelings Are Good’ on July 17th, 2020, a fresh start following the conclusion of the ‘The Astronaut Trilogy’. John comments: “‘Feelings Are Good’ is a bit of a departure from the first three Lonely Robot albums or ‘The Astronaut Trilogy’ as it has now lovingly become known.  On ‘Feelings Are Good’, I wanted to explore more personal themes and the songs are very much about individual experiences and narratives that I believe had been the cornerstones, good and bad, to my life. The long tall and short of it is that we’re back on planet Earth, and I have a personal lyrical axe to grind!” ‘Feelings Are Good’ will be available as a Limited Edition CD Digipak, Gatefold 2LP+CD and as Digital Album in both 16 & 24 bit versions (all including 2 bonus tracks). The artwork is once again by Paul Tippett / Vitamin P (Black Star Riders, Frost*), and John says of the cover: "The artwork is meant to be a little disturbing. The closed eyes and taped over mouth are supposed to represent how people are very guarded with their emotions and what better way of emoting them than through the windows to the soul and the smile?" The full track-listing is as follows: 1.Feelings Are Good 2.Into The Lo-Fi 3.Spiders 4.Crystalline 5.Life Is A Sine Wave 6.Armour For My Heart 7.Suburbia 8.The Silent Life 9.Keeping People As Pets 10.Army Of One 11.Grief Is The Price Of Love 12.The Silent Life (Orchestral Version) 13.Crystalline (Orchestral Version) Lonely Robot will hit the road in December 2020 for some select headline dates, and you can find a list of those below: Dec 13th  Islington Assembly Hall, London, UK Dec 16th  Riff, Bochum, GER Dec 17th  Das Rind, Rüsselsheim, GER Dec 18th  Muziekgieterij, Maastricht, NL Dec 20th  De Boerderij, Zoetermeer, NL During the campaign for their acclaimed previous album ‘Under Stars’, a full animated film was created by Crystal Spotlight and screened at two very special cinema events in the UK. Now the full visual accompaniment is available to stream, and you can watch it now here: https://youtu.be/slyM9ZUzr6U John comments: “It has always been an ambition of mine to have a full length visual accompaniment alongside an album of music I have written. With Under Stars and the help of Miles at Crystal Spotlight, this dream was finally realised last year. I'm very proud of the results and I'd like to thank Miles for all his hard work and patience in bringing this to fruition. I hope you enjoy it.” John Mitchell is a man with a rich musical heritage and history - from musician and vocalist, to songwriter and producer. With bands like Arena, Frost*, Kino, It Bites and Lonely Robot, to name but a few, Mitchell has left his mark on the current progressive rock scene and has been involved in dozens of recordings. He is also a respected producer & mixer, running Outhouse Studios in the UK and working with artists as diverse as You Me At Six, Enter Shikari, Alter Bridge, Asia, Don Broco, Funeral For A Friend, McFly & much more.

LONELY ROBOT online: https://www.facebook.com/LonelyRobotband/ https://twitter.com/LonelyRobot_UK  www.johnmitchellhq.com   INSIDEOUT MUSIC online: www.insideoutmusic.com www.youtube.com/InsideOutMusicTV www.facebook.com/InsideOutMusic www.twitter.com/InsideOutUSA www.insideoutmusicshop.com INSIDEOUTMUSIC Spotify Playlist:  http://spotify.com/progrockessentials

Sounds abound on must-have sets

With the passing of rock 'n' roll founding father Little Richard on May 9, now is the perfect time to celebrate his vast legacy via an essential 3-disc set of his most important tracks. A highly-rewarding return from country singer-songwriter Pam Tillis, the latest album from genre-busting songstress Tami Neilson and a demos collection from the late John Stewart are well worth celebrating as well...   

Artist: Little Richard
Title: Directly From My Heart: The Best of the Specialty & Vee-Jay Years (Specialty Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Little Richard, early Beatles, Fats Domino
Tell me more: Listening to the wide-ranging 2015 Little Richard collection Directly From My Heart: The Best of the Specialty & Vee-Jay Years is to be transported to rock 'n' roll's earth-shattering infancy. Little Richard is heard on 64 tracks spanning 1956 to 1965, singing poignant ballads such as the bluesy "Wonderin'," dynamic "Without Love" and R&B standout "Maybe I'm Right," as well as songs mining Mississippi blues ("Goin' Home Tomorrow") and the Memphis sound ("I Don't Know What You've Got But It's Got Me"). Along the way Richard is featured tackling soul – notably "I'm Just a Lonely Guy (All Alone)" and "You Better Stop." But the parade of hits featured across the seminal three-disc collection is the box set's ace play, with timeless rockers such as "Tutti Frutti," "Kansas City," Ready Teddy," "Rip It Up" "Long Tall Sally" and "Lucille" resonating with the force of the ages. Information: ConcordMusicGroup.com.

Artist: Pam Tillis
Title: Looking for a Feeling (Stellar Cat Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Rosanne Cash, Grace Potter, Lorrie Morgan
Tell me more: Pam Tillis brings her wonderful soprano and exceptional songwriting talents to her 11th studio album Looking for a Feeling. The dozen tracks reveal themselves to the listener via a rich soundscape spanning from potent highs to artful restraint (notably the gorgeous Joe Pisapia-penned "Better Friends" and her own "Last Summer's Wine"). On the aptly-titled "Dolly 1969" Tillis uses a mix of spoken word and playfully-sung vocals to pay tribute to one of her earliest music heroes; the simmering bluesy country rocker "Demolition Angel," ballad "My Kind of Medicine," shimmering styles-blending gem "Burning Star" and disc-ending Americana-soaked instrumental "Better Friends Reprise" additionally showcase the depth of the album. Honored in 1994 with the Country Music Association's "Female Vocalist of the Year," Tillis' voice is elevated amidst a talented parade of players including guitarist Pat Buchanan, keyboardist Jim Moose Brown, steel master Dan Dugmore and others. Information: pamtillis.com.

Artist: Tami Neilson
Title: CHICKABOOM! (Outside Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Wanda Jackson, Nikki Lane, Peggy Lee
Tell me more: Able to blend rockabilly, soul, Western swing, country and early rock 'n' roll into something decidedly her own, Tami Neilson has a large voice able to navigate and master those styles and more on her most recent full-length release CHICKABOOM! Neilson's booming soprano is used in the service of 10 songs that make for a fun and involving listen. The rock 'n' soul kiss-off "Call Your Mama" kicks things off with a bang. There is a playful and welcome devil-may-care spirit enhanced by Neilson's delivery and sharp lyrics. The catchy "16 Miles of Chain" has an early '60s vibe," as does the beautiful duet "Any Fool With a Heart" where she shares lead vocals with her brother Jay Neilson. The explosive gospel-meets-soul "Sister Mavis" and dreamy cowboy western stylings of "Sleep" close out this inspired affair. Information: tamineilson.com.

Artist: John Stewart
Title: Old Forgotten Altars: The 1960s Demos (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Buddy Ford Stewart, the Kingston Trio
Tell me more: A collection of demo recordings captured by master singer-songwriter John Stewart when he transitioning from his role as a member of the Kingston Trio to a solo career are featured on a fantastic new collection. Old Forgotten Altars: The 1960s Demos features 18 tracks recorded between 1965 and 1968, including three duets with Buddy Ford Stewart along with a bonus track recorded at his home in 1959. John Stewart — perhaps best known as the writer of the Monkees' "Daydream Believer" — displays a stellar command of song craft across this set, all the more amazing given these are mostly acoustic-styled demo recordings featuring a basic presentation of vocals and acoustic guitar. The songs are uniformly strong and affecting; high points include the lovely "Children of the Morning" (which did wind up as the title track on a Kingston Trio 1966 LP), lovely "The Pirates of Stone County Road," literate "One Tiny Grain of Sand," previously-unheard song "July, You're a Woman" and enthralling "Big Sur." Particularly powerful is "Lock All The Windows," whose acoustic ascent is as majestic as it is sparse. Insightful liner notes and archival photos fill a wonderful 12-page booklet that comes with the title. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.


Robert Kinsler

Video Premiere: Michael Ubaldini's 'The Ballad of Brian Jones'

Rock 'n' Roll poet Michael Ubaldini's new album Music Notes from the Underground doesn't arrive until May 19 but you can check out the wonderful music video for "The Ballad Of Brian Jones" now. The blues-meets-Americana soundscape features Ubaldini singing about the legacy of the founder of The Rolling Stones (Jones sadly died at age 27 on July 3, 1969). The video features plenty of historic images of Brian Jones taken by legendary rock and roll photographer Gered Mankowitz. You can get more information on Ubaldini and pre-order his forthcoming album via his official website.

 

R.I.P. Little Richard, December 5, 1932 - May 9, 2020.

Little Richard at the Doheny Blues Festival in 2002.
Photo courtesy of Omega Events

Very sad news today that Little Richard, one of rock 'n' roll's founding fathers has passed away. He was 87. I caught the legendary artist only once when I saw him perform in 2002 at the Doheny Blues Festival in Dana Point. 

A must have reissue of many of Little Richard's
greatest recordings is available via Craft Recordings/Concord Music

And I was reintroduced and gained a much greater appreciation of Richard Wayne Penniman's artistry and influence thanks to the wonderful reissue of Here's Little Richard issued by Craft Recordings/Concord Music released in 2017. This expanded edition of the album includes 22 tracks of bonus material, eight of which are previously unreleased. You can read my review of that must-have release here.

Little Richard with The Beatles

His recordings of blistering rockers such as "Long Tall Sally," "Rip It Up," "Good Golly Miss Molly," "Ready Teddy," "Tutti Frutti," and "Lucille" influenced everyone from the Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Elton John to David Bowie and Rod Stewart; his dynamic stage persona was an obvious inspiration for Prince.

Indeed, Elvis Presley, Bill Haley and Buddy Holly all covered his songs. Check out The Zombies' super cool cover of the deep 1958 bluesy cut "Early In The Morning" below:



Little Richard was one of the first artists to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (in 1986), and he also earned a Lifetime Achievement Award at the GRAMMY® Awards. In 2010, Little Richard was listed as number eight in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time."

"Inductee Little Richard ripped-up the Fifties," said Greg Harris, President & CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. "His unrestrained musicality and charismatic persona created a rock and roll blueprint followed by generations. Songs like 'Tutti Frutti,' 'Long Tall Sally,' and 'Good Golly, Miss Molly' were amplified by Richard's rockin’ piano, rolling rhythms and an electric stage presence. His sound and style were the cornerstones of rock & roll, and his outrageousness and rebellious spirit challenged the world to change."

Ringo Starr posted this on Twitter after hearing the news: "God bless Little Richard one of my all-time musical heroes. Peace and love to all his family."

I think Mick Jagger's appreciation posted on Twitter this morning speaks volumes about Little Richard's influence: "I'm so saddened to hear about the passing of Little Richard, he was the biggest inspiration of my early teens and his music still has the same raw electric energy when you play it now as it did when it first shot through the music scene in the mid '50s. When we were on tour with him I would watch his moves every night and learn from him how to entertain and involve the audience and he was always so generous with advice to me. He contributed so much to popular music I will miss you Richard, God bless." 

Keith Richards, left, with Little Richard. Photo courtesy of Twitter

His band mate Keith Richards reflected: "So sad to hear that my old friend Little Richard has passed. There will never be another!!! He was the true spirit on Rock 'n Roll!" 

An illustration of Little Richard by Rolling Stones
guitarist/artist Ronnie Wood that was posted today
via Wood's Twitter feed.

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood posted an original illustration he completed of Little Richard: "I shall miss him. God bless Little Richard ~ rest in peace"

Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith posted: "RIP The Incredible Little Richard, RS"

Check out a full-length appreciation about Little Richard via Rolling Stone here.

Robert Kinsler

Action Skulls release new album created amid COVID-19 Crisis

Very cool news that Action Skulls are back with a new album. The music video for "A Different World" is as cool as the song!

Vicki Peterson, John Cowsill, Bill Mumy
Photo Courtesy: Angela Cartwright

Nashville, TN--Action Skulls are Vicki Peterson (the Bangles, the Continental Drifters, the Psycho Sisters), her husband John Cowsill (the Cowsills and longtime member of the Beach Boy touring band) and Bill Mumy (Emmy-nominated composer, musician, actor, producer, co-founder of the cult duo Barnes & Barnes, and veteran of the band America). Mumy is best known for his iconic role as Will Robinson on the TV classic show Lost In Space. Together the trio write and record as Action Skulls and their latest project, A Different World, was written, recorded and released in very short order during the early and heated stages of the devastating  COVID–19 pandemic in March 2020.
 
Vicki Peterson describes Action Skulls music as “canyon rock,” partially because they live in the canyons of Los Angeles, and the songs reflect influences from the deep well of classic music that sprung from the Laurel Canyon scene of the 1970’s. 

 
After three years of juggling schedules, Action Skulls released their critically-acclaimed debut LP in 2017 and even performed a fabled “debut farewell” show to a sold-out crowd at McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Lost Angeles, CA in January of 2018.
 
A not-so-funny thing happened on their way to completing their sophomore LP, the COVID–19 pandemic turned our world upside-down. Unbeknownst to the other members, Mumy sequestered himself and seemingly overnight, emerged with a collection of songs that would become the basis for A Different World.