Ahead of their debut Belfast gig, at Auntie Annie's on 7 November, LA retro metallers White Wizzard are to release a single dedicated to Ronnie James Dio.
‘Shooting Star’ is released on iTunes on 18 November, and is the first recording to feature the band’s new vocalist Peter Ellis.
The track is accompanied by a cover of the Dio classic ‘We Rock’. All proceeds from sales will go to the Children Of The Night charity, founded by Dio himself.
A limited edition seven inch vinyl version of the single will be available to by at the gig.
Tickets are still available for 7 November, through Katy Daly’s and Ticketmaster. Support is from Hastings-based Primitai.
Wednesday 13 October 2010
Tuesday 12 October 2010
This Guy is 'Living Proof' of longevity
The legendary Buddy Guy is to release his new album, ‘Living Proof’, on October 26.
Now 74 years old, the great blues man, who’s influenced everyone from Eric Clapton to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix, takes the opportunity on this album to look back at his life.
“The life I’ve lived is what we’re singing about,” he says.
“These songs are exactly what I came up through in my life, what I’ve experienced. When I was 21, some of my older friends, who are no longer with us, they’d say, ‘You’re still a baby’. And then they said the same thing when I was 31, then 41, and I thought, ‘Man, when do I get old?’ I’ve been hearing that ever since I first went to Chicago - ‘You’re still wet behind the ears’. So when do I get dry?”
With five Grammy Awards alone in a career than stretches way beyond 50 years, Guy is one of the all time great blues performers.
“Before the 60s, we were always just R&B players,” he says.
“Then they branded us - there was Chicago blues, Memphis, Motown, and so we were considered blues players. But in Chicago, if you wanted to keep your gig, you had to be able to play all the top tunes on the jukebox, whether that was Lloyd Price or Fats Domino or Ray Charles. Now if you play a Little Richard song, the audience looks at you like you’re crazy, but we always had to do that for a black audience back then.”
One of the things that makes this album so special is a duet, for the first time, between Guy and fellow living legend B.B. King. It’s on the song ‘Stay Around A Little Longer’.
Says Guy of King:
“B.B. created this style of guitar we all play. I grew up listening to people like him, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, and I still take 95 percent of my playing from him. So to have someone like that in the room with you makes chillbumps come up on your skin.”
'Living Proof' - which also features Carlos Santana on 'Where The Blues Begin' - will be available on Silvertone/Jive Records.
Incidentally, Santana has just released a covers - yes, covers - album, 'Guitar Heaven', featuring his take on the likes of 'Sunshine Of Your Love', 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'. 'Back In Black', Leppard's 'Photograph' and Van Halen's 'Dance The Night Away'. The album, which also features guest appearances by Chris Cornell, Scott Weiland, Joe Cocker and Gavin Rossdale, is available now on Arista Records.
Now 74 years old, the great blues man, who’s influenced everyone from Eric Clapton to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix, takes the opportunity on this album to look back at his life.
“The life I’ve lived is what we’re singing about,” he says.
“These songs are exactly what I came up through in my life, what I’ve experienced. When I was 21, some of my older friends, who are no longer with us, they’d say, ‘You’re still a baby’. And then they said the same thing when I was 31, then 41, and I thought, ‘Man, when do I get old?’ I’ve been hearing that ever since I first went to Chicago - ‘You’re still wet behind the ears’. So when do I get dry?”
With five Grammy Awards alone in a career than stretches way beyond 50 years, Guy is one of the all time great blues performers.
“Before the 60s, we were always just R&B players,” he says.
“Then they branded us - there was Chicago blues, Memphis, Motown, and so we were considered blues players. But in Chicago, if you wanted to keep your gig, you had to be able to play all the top tunes on the jukebox, whether that was Lloyd Price or Fats Domino or Ray Charles. Now if you play a Little Richard song, the audience looks at you like you’re crazy, but we always had to do that for a black audience back then.”
One of the things that makes this album so special is a duet, for the first time, between Guy and fellow living legend B.B. King. It’s on the song ‘Stay Around A Little Longer’.
Says Guy of King:
“B.B. created this style of guitar we all play. I grew up listening to people like him, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, and I still take 95 percent of my playing from him. So to have someone like that in the room with you makes chillbumps come up on your skin.”
'Living Proof' - which also features Carlos Santana on 'Where The Blues Begin' - will be available on Silvertone/Jive Records.
Incidentally, Santana has just released a covers - yes, covers - album, 'Guitar Heaven', featuring his take on the likes of 'Sunshine Of Your Love', 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'. 'Back In Black', Leppard's 'Photograph' and Van Halen's 'Dance The Night Away'. The album, which also features guest appearances by Chris Cornell, Scott Weiland, Joe Cocker and Gavin Rossdale, is available now on Arista Records.
Thursday 7 October 2010
EXIT set the record straight
The following is a statement I have received from EXIT regarding the events at Auntie Annie's this past Tueday evening. I have not edited it in any way, and I am more than happy for them to give their version of events:
====================================
I was directed to your blog post about the band and I just wanted to get it touch and explain both sides of story.
I'm not asking you to retract the blog, your perfectly entitled to post whatever you wish due to the frustration you feel as a paying customer. But I just wanted to set the record straight before things get out of hand.
When we arrived for soundcheck due to the illness of our singer (who was suffering from a throat infection and could hardly speak) we asked all the bands if someone else wanted to go on last/Headline so as our singer could get back home to bed. However, no-one was willing to swap with us.
So when the night run way out of control timewise meaning we had no real set time our drummer lost his cool. This was done without the drummer speaking to the other members of the band. This resulted in the other three members being equally in shock as the crowd in the venue as he packed up his gear. Leaving us feeling very embarrassed as we had agreed to go on and at least do a song or two before we were told to stop due to curfew or our singers voice gave up. The remaining members of the band all asked the drummer to stop packing up and play the gig. We have since had strong words with our drummer and he has apologised to the promoter and the other members of the band.
Due to the fact the gig ran over schedule we were left to play at most a 15min set before curfew.
To anyone who was at the show we would like to apologise on behalf of our drummer who pulled the show for the band. As a band we had been looking forward to the show for a while as its not often you get a lineup of this strength. We are also personally offering refunds, a free guestlist place to our next gig and a free copy of our current EP to anyone who feels insulted by the bands non-performance. We have already refunded several people who were in the venue, several other people refused the refunds and understood the situation from our point of view, so they were given free copies of our current EP.
If anyone at the gig wants a refund or a put on the bands guestlist for their next show feel free to get in touch exitonline@hotmail.co.uk
====================================
I was directed to your blog post about the band and I just wanted to get it touch and explain both sides of story.
I'm not asking you to retract the blog, your perfectly entitled to post whatever you wish due to the frustration you feel as a paying customer. But I just wanted to set the record straight before things get out of hand.
When we arrived for soundcheck due to the illness of our singer (who was suffering from a throat infection and could hardly speak) we asked all the bands if someone else wanted to go on last/Headline so as our singer could get back home to bed. However, no-one was willing to swap with us.
So when the night run way out of control timewise meaning we had no real set time our drummer lost his cool. This was done without the drummer speaking to the other members of the band. This resulted in the other three members being equally in shock as the crowd in the venue as he packed up his gear. Leaving us feeling very embarrassed as we had agreed to go on and at least do a song or two before we were told to stop due to curfew or our singers voice gave up. The remaining members of the band all asked the drummer to stop packing up and play the gig. We have since had strong words with our drummer and he has apologised to the promoter and the other members of the band.
Due to the fact the gig ran over schedule we were left to play at most a 15min set before curfew.
To anyone who was at the show we would like to apologise on behalf of our drummer who pulled the show for the band. As a band we had been looking forward to the show for a while as its not often you get a lineup of this strength. We are also personally offering refunds, a free guestlist place to our next gig and a free copy of our current EP to anyone who feels insulted by the bands non-performance. We have already refunded several people who were in the venue, several other people refused the refunds and understood the situation from our point of view, so they were given free copies of our current EP.
If anyone at the gig wants a refund or a put on the bands guestlist for their next show feel free to get in touch exitonline@hotmail.co.uk
Wednesday 6 October 2010
Exit stage... er... rear
To me, there always has been a problem with the Belfast (and Norn Iron) rock scene: it’s one I’ve ranted about before, and probably will continue to rant about at length in the future, and that’s the lack of support for it...
But, when bands start behaving like complete and total fucking arseholes... well, can you blame people for not coming out to support them and instead saving up their pennies to go and see disappointing major league ‘rock stars’?
Case in point tonight: EXIT. A band who did exactly what their name says. Exit the fucking building without playing a note. Yep, stormed off in a huff.
You get the chance to headline a four band bill – ABOVE two of the best live bands in our wee country – and what do you do? Walk on stage and strip your kit?
OK, so things are running slightly behind schedule! Trucker Diablo have been their usual awesome selves! So what, you’re a fucking rock band. Get on stage and do your stuff... don’t send out a lamb to be slaughtered by three – yes, three – promoters, all of whom want to see if you’re worth booking.
Tell you what boys: stop being boys, grow up fast and become men. Rise to challenges. There’s three promoters in this city you’re going to have to work VERY hard to convince you’re even worth opening a four band bill...
But, when bands start behaving like complete and total fucking arseholes... well, can you blame people for not coming out to support them and instead saving up their pennies to go and see disappointing major league ‘rock stars’?
Case in point tonight: EXIT. A band who did exactly what their name says. Exit the fucking building without playing a note. Yep, stormed off in a huff.
You get the chance to headline a four band bill – ABOVE two of the best live bands in our wee country – and what do you do? Walk on stage and strip your kit?
OK, so things are running slightly behind schedule! Trucker Diablo have been their usual awesome selves! So what, you’re a fucking rock band. Get on stage and do your stuff... don’t send out a lamb to be slaughtered by three – yes, three – promoters, all of whom want to see if you’re worth booking.
Tell you what boys: stop being boys, grow up fast and become men. Rise to challenges. There’s three promoters in this city you’re going to have to work VERY hard to convince you’re even worth opening a four band bill...
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