Canadian blues-roots rockers The Commoners have released a 4th single, w/ lyric video from their album Find A Better Way. The single “More Than Mistakes” and the new album can be streamed Here. or watch the video below.
On the punchy and rollicking “More Than Mistakes,” the rock train rolls on full steam ahead. Bright tambourine accents a rhythm section to rival Motown, illuminating a track that instantly pushes listeners to the edge of their seats, raising them to their feet. Alive and free, “More Than Mistakes” affirms the album’s theme of self-empowerment with gusto.
“More Than Mistakes is a song written in self-defiance,” says the Commoners’ lead singer, Chris Medhurst. “It’s about taking on one’s own weakness with a sense of forgiveness for past transgressions, while enthusiastically searching for the limit.”
Possessing a sound tapped from the oaken belly of a whiskey barrel, The Commoners are a four-piece Roots/Rock outfit from Toronto, Canada.
In April The Commoners tour the UK, along with the amazing blues-rocker Troy Redfern!
British blues rockers Bad Luck Friday have a new single out – “Rebel With A Cause”. The single on Wilde Fire Records, from the band’s debut album can be streamed HERE and check out the video below. *For more check out the press info and links below!
“Rebel With A Cause is Bad Luck Friday’s unambiguous statement about Britain’s current political climate,” says the band’s guitarist Steve Brook. “Channelling Rage Against the Machine, the track’s opening riff serves as a rallying call to the disaffected, the downtrodden and jaded alike: get off your rear and get to the front! It’s big, bold and demands to be heard.”
Don’t be fooled by the harmonica. Bad Luck Friday is not your typical blues rock band. Will Wilde has a reputation in the blues world as a pioneer of the rock harp, but with Bad Luck Friday, he’s taken the music well beyond its traditional blues roots.
The band’s eponymous debut album is available on CD and limited edition coloured vinyl from www.badluckfriday.com.
American blues rocker Jared James Nichols has a brand new album out. It is self-titled, and it kicks ass! JJN sounds heavy and live! The guy plays guitar like he’s on stage, and has a distinctive enough and fitting vocal for such wild rockin’ tunes as “Saint Or Fool”, “Easy Come, Easy Go”, and the Sabbath heavy “Hallelujah”. Other excellent tracks in “Long Way To Go”, which reminds of John Corabi’s Dead Daisy stuff (on the vocal), as well check out the slower paced closing cut “Out Of Time”. Well worth checking out – today!
JJN:“I made a record to serve as the menu for the live show, ….There’s an element of excitement and danger. It’s my version of rock ‘n’ roll with a little more humanity. The album is a day in the life with the ups and downs, but it musically rings true to who I am as an artist. I’m not trying to be anybody but myself and play the music I love for today. I’m giving you loud ass guitars and no fucks given rock ‘n’ roll, and I’m loving it.”
*Check out more info from the press release below, as well as tour dates for the new album! To order the album: www.jaredjamesnichols.com/
OFFICIAL ALBUM RELEASE SHOWS SET FOR NASHVILLE, LOS ANGELES, FRESNO, CHICAGO & MILWAUKEE
EUROPEAN TOUR DATES CONFIRMED FOR FEBRUARY 9-22
With nothing more than a Gibson Les Paul slung over his shoulder, a warm amp turned all the way up, and a hot microphone on and ready, Jared James Nichols churns out the kind of rock that rips, roars, and rolls without filter or apology. Nichols, who stands at a staggering 6 foot 5 inches tall, delivers a one-two punch of gritty vocals straight from the gut and incendiary fret fireworks. Jared first emerged onto the scene in 2015 with his debut Old Glory & The Wild Revival and followed that up with Black Magic in 2018, which yielded the fan favorite “Honey Forgive Me.”
More recently, he issued the Shadow Dancer EP (2021) and collaborated earlier this year with both Maggie Rose and Joe Bonamassa for revised versions of his song “Threw Me To The Wolves.” Gibson also formally welcomed Nichols as an official ambassador, plotting the release of several signature Jared James Nichols guitars. Since his debut, Nichols has racked up millions of streams and critical acclaim and, in between show-stopping solo shows, has performed alongside icons such as Slash, Billy Gibbons, Zakk Wylde, and even the late Leslie West, to name a few.
Guitar World has attested, “If you’ve never witnessed Jared James Nichols onstage, let us say right now: you’re missing out, big time.” By keeping it simple, Jared remains primed to leave his imprint on rock ‘n’ roll forever.
JARED JAMES NICHOLS TOUR DATES U.S. Dates Tuesday, January 17 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement East Thursday, January 19 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Peppermint Club Sunday, January 22 – Fresno, CA @ Strummer’s Thursday, January 26 – Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen Saturday, January 28 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Miramar Theatre
If anyone hasn’t checked out out Troy Redfern’s latest blues rock album The Wings Of Salvation, it is one of the best of 2022, and he’s now got a brand new single from his next album. The song is an easy likeable rockin’ track, full of slide guitar, a unique solo, and a catchy chorus, all of which Redfern has become known for. *check out the links and press info below…
British slide guitarist and singer songwriter Troy Redfern is pleased to announce the release of his brand-new single “The Fever” on Wednesday January 11, 2023. “The Fever” will appear on Troy’s forthcoming album due for release later in the year.
The official music video for “The Fever” is available to view –
The new single follows the news of Redfern’s co-headline April 2023 UK Tour with The Commoners. Tickets are available viaPlanet Rock’s 48-hour ticket pre-sale from 10am on Wednesday January 11th.
Redfern has wasted no time since the release of the last single from his criticality acclaimed album The Wings of Salvation. In December, after the success of playing two storming sets Planet Rock’s Rockstock Festival, Troy headed back into the studio with the same dream team that made his critically acclaimed album The Wings of Salvation such an authentic success.
“The Fever” is produced by Dave Marks (who also plays bass), and features Paul Stewart (The Feeling) on drums. The single is mixed by Jo Webb.
“The plan for The Fever was to make something bigger and ballsier than what has come before,” says Redfern. “I also wanted to expand the musical landscape with new colours and sonic horizons.”
“The Fever”is a slide guitar blues barn-buster with subtle nuances of rock, glam and psychedelia. Lyrically, it deals with themes of emancipation and breaking out. It’s Troy Redfern full-circle blues rock and roll!
“The Fever is about pushing back and breaking through all the obstacles when you’re feeling held down,” adds Redfern. “It’s about feeling as if it’s you against the world.”
Redfern’s current album, The Wings of Salvation is available digitally, on CD, and vinyl from theOfficial Troy Redfern Shop.
Two of the hottest blues rock acts have joined forces to embark on what promises to be one of the most exciting co-headline tours in recent years. Critically acclaimed Canadian roots/blues rockers The Commoners embark on a 15-date UK tour in April 2023 with the UK’s King of slide guitar, Troy Redfern. “A killer album from start to finish, The Commoners have delivered a real beauty dripping in quality, rich in its roots/rock heritage, they’ve absolutely nailed it.” – Rock N Load
The Commoners will perform tracks from their current album “Find A Better Way” which includes the singles “Fill My Cup,” “Find A Better Way,” and “Too Much.”
Classic Rock Magazine describes the new album as “Rootsy, soulful and bluesy, these are timeless songs steeped in classic rock tradition.”
The band is comprised of Chris Medhurst (lead vocals), Ross Hays Citrullo (guitar), Ben Spiller (bass guitar), Adam Cannon (drums), and Miles Evans (keyboards).
“Find A Better Way” was produced and mixed by the band’s guitarist Ross Hayes Citrullo, while the title track single was mixed by award-winning record Australian record producer Kevin Shirley (Joe Bonamassa, Black Crowes, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin).
photo by Will Carter
“Troy Redfern really comes over as a breath of fresh air in the blues rock world today. There isn’t one wasted moment on the album.” – Music News.com
“Troy Redfern has the best record of his career on his hands with The Wings of Salvation. Highly recommended.” – Rock Blues Muse
Hot off from winning Hard Rock Hell’s “Blues Artist of the Year” award and following hot on the heels of his recent singles “Come On,” “Gasoline,” “Sweet Carolina,” and “Mercy,” Troy Redfern’s current album, “The Wings of Salvation” has fast become the critics’ favourite and best-selling album to date.
After releasing an unprecedented six albums in just under two years, “The Wings of Salvation,” is being hailed as Redfern’s most compelling work to date. The album highlights Redfern’s powerfully edgy vocal delivery, condensed song writing skills, tight arrangements, complimented by his trademark “firebrand” slide guitar playing, giving him the moniker of Britain’s King of Slide Guitar.
Classic Rock Magazine made “The Wings of Salvation” their “Blues Album of the Month,” and said, “Sweet Carolina, thankfully, is more Bolan-Stones stomp than Neil Diamond syrup, while Come On is the best here, sharing a little bit of DNA with ZZ Top’s La Grange and stealing Muddy Waters’ pay-off (‘Got my mojo workin’). At this creative pace, you couldn’t catch him in a runaway stagecoach.”
Over the past 15 months, Troy has toured the UK with Robert Jon & The Wreck, The Quireboys, The Sweet, DARE, and When Rivers Meet, picking up new fans every step of the way. Championed by the UK’s Planet Rock, Troy’s singles “Come On” and “Sweet Carolina” have had repeated plays on the classic rock radio station’s main playlist. Troy recently played Planet Rock’s Rockstock Festival and will play Planet Rock’s Winter’s End Festival on February 5, 2023.
A DHP PRESENTATION BY ARRANGEMENT WITH GYPSY SOUL ENTERTAINMENT
THE COMMONERS & TROY REDFERN CO-HEADLINE APRIL 2023 UK TOUR
PLANET ROCK 48-HOUR TICKET PRE-SALE STARTS 10AM ON WEDNESDAY 11 JANUARY 2023 BOOK PRE-SALE TICKETS
Canada’s Steve Hill, the acclaimed singer-songwriter recently celebrated his 25th year as a recording artist with his 12th albumDear Illusion,by No Label Records on Friday November 11, 2022. Three years in the making, the new album is available from https://ffm.to/dearillusion.
Following the release of the album, Hill released the official music video “Don’t let The Truth Get In The Way (Of A Good Story)” .
“It took me a long time to finish “Don’t Let The Truth Get In The Way (Of A Good Story),” recollects Steve. “I started working on it six years ago after the Trump election. It’s about alternate truth, but it’s also about social media and our addiction to it. It’s also about pretending that everything is alright when it’s not. It’s about choosing to pretend because it’s easier than facing the truth when the truth doesn’t matter anymore.”
But that’s not all. To make the new album an even bigger means for celebration, Steve will release the limited edition “Dear Illusion” comic book. Physical copies of the comic are available HERE and the digital edition HERE.
“I’ve been dreaming doing a comic book for a long time,” reflects Steve. “Before I got into music, drawing was my passion. I wanted to write comics. I’ve collected them sporadically all my life until five years ago when it became an obsession. I think that comics are a great artform. It’s like song writing, in that tell a story in a short period of time. I get feelings out of some comics the same way that I get feelings from music. If you’ve read Alan Moore, Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, or Ed Brubaker, you know what I’m talking about.”
“I got in touch with comic book artist Rob Cannon through a mutual connection. He seemed like a good candidate to draw the cover of my previous album, “Desert Trip.” He did a fantastic job. I love that album cover. When the time came for “Dear Illusion,” it was obvious he was the go-to guy. What he did was even better than the one before. From there, the next logical step was the comic. He took the themes from the album, the visual landscape from “Desert Trip” and made it a metaphoric science fiction story that I could never have thought of, while retaining the essence and the meaning of the songs. That’s art.”
Known over the last ten years as a one-man band, on Dear Illusion, the multi-instrumentalist shares the spotlight with a horn section, The Devil Horns, as well as 7-time UK Blues Awards Drummer of the Year, Wayne Proctor (A.A. Williams, Oli Brown, King King, Ben Poole). Proctor also mixed and mastered the upcoming record.
“I had a version finished right before the pandemic started,” says Steve. “It was slated for release in April 2020. There was no point in releasing it then, so I decided to wait. The sad context of the pandemic resulted in additional time for me to offer my fans the album I’m sure will meet their expectations for my 25th anniversary as a recording artist. I am proud of the work.”
“Ultimately, the results that we collectively achieved with the album, ended up reflecting both maturity and introspection. Overall, I feel like the album is telling that no matter what happens, you should give it everything you got and move on, be the best person you can be, and no matter what, the sun will rise again. Don’t dwell on suffering, and don’t forget about it, either. Even treat misfortune as a friend, slap it on the back and say, Thanks for teaching me.”
Dear Illusion – Track Listing
01 – All About The Love 02 – Keep It Together 03 – Everything You Got 04 – Dear Illusion 05 – Steal The Light From You 06 – Don’t Let The Truth Get In The Way (Of A Good Story) 07 – Follow Your Heart 08 – So It Goes 09 – She Gives Lessons In Blues 10 – Until The Next Time
Singer, songwriter, guitarist, and Gibson brand ambassador Jared James Nichols has announced his self-titled new album will be released on January 13th via Black Hill Records. Jared James Nichols, his third full-length offering, features the new single “Down The Drain” as well as the previously released “Hard Wired.” The forthcoming collection showcases every side of the Nashville-based multi-talent and the various genres he grew up listening to, whether it was grunge or blues, that have influenced his authentic sound. Jared James Nichols is available now to pre-save or pre-add on all digital music platforms and pre-order on CD –PRESS HERE.
“I made a record to serve as the menu for the live show,” Nichols shares. “There’s an element of excitement and danger. It’s my version of rock ‘n’ roll with a little more humanity. The album is a day in the life with the ups and downs, but it musically rings true to who I am as an artist. I’m not trying to be anybody but myself and play the music I love for today. I’m giving you loud ass guitars and no fucks given rock ‘n’ roll, and I’m loving it.”
Ahead of today’s official album announcement, Nichols released the lead single “Down The Drain” in late October. The hard-hitting track has already been praised by Guitar World and Loudwire, among others, and has been featured across DSP playlists with placements on Tidal’s Guitar Gods (as the cover artist) and Rising: Indie/Rock, Spotify’s Modern Blues Rock, and Apple Music’s New In Rock and Breaking Hard Rock.
Jared James Nichols was produced, engineered, and mixed by Eddie Spear (Zach Bryan, Slash, Rival Sons) and recorded live in the studio at Blackbird Studios and Sienna Studios, reflecting the spirit of his electrifying live show on tape like never before. The recording sessions occurred at a pivotal moment for Nichols, who almost never performed again as he had been sidelined only a few months earlier with a broken arm. After surgery, which left him with a plate and 16 screws in his right arm, he pushed himself with diligence and determination to regain use of his arm and his storied guitar proficiency. Nichols soon paved the way for the record with the hypnotic and hyper-charged “Hard Wired,” released in the spring of 2022. Born from a jam session with Tyler Bryant and Graham Whitford, the single bulldozed a path for Jared James Nichols with no shortage of raw and raucous six-string bravado. From the jump, the album kicks into high gear with the bluesy wallop of “My Delusion.”
Elsewhere on the 12-track collection is the Black Sabbath-inspired “Hallelujah,” where a flurry of drums gives way to a thick and heavy battering ram ofa blues riff only to crash into a rickety bass line and atomic shredding, and the party homage “Good Time Girl.” Jared James Nichols culminates on the emotionally charged “Out Of Time,” his heartfelt and tearful tribute to his late father. See below for full track listing.
With nothing more than a Gibson Les Paul slung over his shoulder, a warm amp turned all the way up, and a hot microphone on and ready, Jared James Nichols churns out the kind of rock that rips, roars, and rolls without filter or apology. Nichols, who stands at a staggering 6 foot 5 inches tall, delivers a one-two punch of gritty vocals straight from the gut and incendiary fret fireworks. Jared first emerged onto the scene in 2015 with his debut Old Glory & The Wild Revival and followed that up with Black Magic in 2018, which yielded the fan favorite “Honey Forgive Me.” More recently, he issued the Shadow Dancer EP (2021) and collaborated earlier this year with both Maggie Rose and Joe Bonamassa for revised versions of his song “Threw Me To The Wolves.” Gibson also formally welcomed Nichols as an official ambassador, plotting the release of several signature Jared James Nichols guitars. Since his debut, Nichols has racked up millions of streams and critical acclaim and, in between show-stopping solo shows, has performed alongside icons such as Slash, Billy Gibbons, Zakk Wylde, and even the late Leslie West, to name a few. Guitar World has attested, “If you’ve never witnessed Jared James Nichols onstage, let us say right now: you’re missing out, big time.” By keeping it simple, Jared remains primed to leave his imprint on rock ‘n’ roll forever.
Track Listing:
1. My Delusion 2. Easy Come, Easy Go 3. Down The Drain 4. Hard Wired 5. Bad Roots 6. Skin ‘n Bone 7. Long Way to Go 8. Shadow Dancer 9. Good Time Girl 10. Hallelujah 11. Saint or Fool 12. Out Of Time
Hot off from winning Hard Rock Hell’s “Blues Artist of the Year” award and following hot on the heals of his recent singles Come On, Gasoline, and Sweet Carolina, Troy Redfern will release the fourth single Mercy from his critically acclaimed album The Wings of Salvation on Wednesday November 16, 2022.
The new single can be streamed, and the new album The Wings of Salvation can be ordered digitally, on CD or limited edition yellow & red splatter vinyl from https://linktr.ee/TroyRedfern.
The album is available on CD and limited edition yellow and red splatter vinyl formats, plus various bundles from the official Troy Redfern shop – https://troyredfern.com/shop.
Kicking off with a vintage slide riff that sounds like it came straight off a beat-up 45 rpm single, Mercy explodes into a Technicolor soundscape of rock ‘n’ roll euphoria.
“Mercy” is expertly laid down by drummer Paul Stewart (The Feeling) and bass guitarist Dave Marks, creating a pulverizing backdrop for Troy’s grinding, Les Paul guitar fretboard fireworks. Themes of love gone bad permeates this haunting blues rocker, building up to one of Troy’s most explosively intricate guitar solos to date.
“My goal was to make a record that was a true representation of where I am right now as an artist,” says Redfern. “I wanted to create something in the spirit of the old school classic rock albums that I grew up listening to.”
“I felt like the time was right to head back into the studio as the creative juices were flowing,” says Redfern. “On the new album, I wanted to approach the recording process by starting with a completely clean slate.”
Jared James Nichols is from Wisconsin, a heavy blues/blues-rock player, with his own power-trio. I’ve seen him on a couple of occasions (opening for UFO), and he puts on a killer high energy performance. Definitely influenced by the likes of Cream and Mountain (seen him do a great cover of “Mississippi Queen” – search for a clip on youtube). So, if you get a chance to see this guy, do it! He’s got a brand new single & video out, check it out, along with the press release below.
Jared James Nichols just released his new single “Down The Drain” via Black Hill Records. On the hard-hitting track – produced, engineered, and mixed by Eddie Spear (Zach Bryan, Slash, Rival Sons) – vulnerable vocals snake around melodic guitar in ominous fashion.
Baring its fangs, “Down The Drain” snaps into a chantable chorus punctuated by a wailing lead. Click here to listen to the single, and click here to watch the official music video, directed by Tom Flynn and Mike Watts (Lamb of God, All That Remains).
“If I were to pick just one record to encapsulate my sound it would be ‘Down The Drain,’” shares Nichols. “From a whisper to a scream, this song has it all. Lyrically, it stems from a familiar place that can hit home for all of us, feelings of despair and pain, but constantly searching to find love each day. Musically, ‘Down The Drain’ cuts like a knife and moves like a freight train. This song hits hard and is brutally honest in all aspects. Turn it up and rock it out!”
Nichols, known for his electrifying live performance, teased the release of “Down The Drain” earlier this month in front of a live audience at the Aftershock Festival in Sacramento and again this past Monday night in New York City, where he headlined the Mercury Lounge.
“Down The Drain” follows Nichols’s recent single “Hard Wired.” The hypnotic and hyper-charged song was born from a jam session with Tyler Bryant and Graham Whitford.
Click here to listen to “Hard Wired” and watch the official music video.
With nothing more than a Gibson Les Paul slung over his shoulder, a warm amp turned all the way up, and a hot microphone on and ready, Jared James Nichols churns out the kind of rock that rips, roars, and rolls without filter or apology. The Nashville-based multi-talent, who stands at a staggering 6 foot 5 inches tall, delivers a one-two punch of gritty vocals straight from the gut and incendiary fret fireworks.
Since emerging in 2015, Nichols has racked up millions of streams and acclaim from the likes of American Songwriter, Guitar World, Relix, and many more, and has performed alongside icons such as Slash, Billy Gibbons, Zakk Wylde, Joe Bonamassa, and even the late Leslie West, to name a few.
*More from Jared James Nichols coming soon!
Jared James Nicholls – Tour Dates
Thursday November 10 – Little Rock, AR @ Stickyz Rock’n’Roll Chicken Shack Saturday November 12 – Kyle, Texas @ Skunkfest
More hard-hitting, kick-ass blues based British rock. Plenty of heavy guitar rockers, with harmonica, great riffs and vocals. Check out tracks like “666 At The Crossroads”, “Rebel With A Cause”, …”Jealous Woman”. *Check out the press info and title track below.
CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED HARMONICA PLAYER, WILL WILDE, ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF NEW BLUES ROCK BAND, BAD LUCK FRIDAY
Bad Luck Friday’s self-titled debut album was released by Wilde Fire Records on Friday 2 September 2022. This is one of the most highly anticipated debut albums from a British rock band in years. The album is available from www.badluckfriday.com
The first single and title track, ‘Bad Luck Friday,’ was released July 1, 2022 and is available to buy and stream HERE.
The band has also just released their 2nd single “Banshee”, which is available to stream on Spotify HERE.
The official music video is available to watch on YouTube
Big guitars, wailing harp and a pounding rhythm section characterize this tune as a total anthem, making it the perfect track for Halloween. Scream if you want to go louder!
The band’s eponymous debut album, available on CD and colored vinyl, is available to order from www.badluckfriday.com.
Don’t be fooled by the harmonica. Bad Luck Friday is not your typical blues rock band. Will Wilde has a reputation in the blues world as a pioneer of the rock harp, but with Bad Luck Friday, he’s taken the music well beyond it’s traditional blues roots.
The band formed during the ashes of the pandemic when live music ground to a halt. Frustrated but still determined and highly creative, Wilde teamed up with guitarist, Steve Brook, and together they journeyed inward and developed their original style before bringing in Alan Taylor and Jack Turnbull to complete the line-up. Their fusion of bluesy classic rock and aggressive, contemporary hard rock encompasses anthemic choruses, catchy riffs, searing vocals, and Wilde’s blistering harmonica solos.
BAND LINE-UP
Will Wilde: Vocals, Harmonica
Steve “The Beak” Brook: Guitar, Backing Vocals
Jack Turnbull: Bass
Alan Taylor: Drums
Recorded at PA Studios and Brighton Road Studios, Brighton
Produced by Steve Brook
BAD LUCK FRIDAY – BIOGRAPHY
Bad Luck Friday is an exciting new rock band from Brighton, England. Formed in 2020, the band features Will Wilde (lead vocals, harmonica), Steve “The Beak” Brook (guitar, backing vocals), Jack Turnbull (bass) and Alan Taylor (drums).
Fronted by singer and world-renowned blues rock harmonica player, Will Wilde, their unique sound draws from an eclectic mix of influences, from classic rock bands such as Led Zeppelin and Free through to more aggressive contemporary bands like Black Stone Cherry, Halestorm and Alter Bridge.
Bad Luck Friday’s debut album is a blend of hard rock riffs and blues-infused melodies, big choruses with strong hooks, and face-melting harmonica solos that owe just as much to Slash or Angus Young as they to do Sonny Boy Williamson or Little Walter.
Outsider Rock 