Vancouver-based progressive proto-metal merchants DEAD QUIET share the final single taken from their forthcoming full-length “IV”, due out June 9th on Artoffact Records. Stream “Dying To Live Again” now!
The wait is ALMOST over. Last but definitely not least, Dead Quiet has delivered the final single from their quickly approaching album. While every single from this album has had its own reason to get you pumped up for the release, “Dying To Live Again” is indisputably the perfect last single to preface the full-length. Every element of this song screams “give me more” and leaves you not simply wanting, but needing more.
On the single, frontman Kevin Keegan comments: “We love writing long songs and we spared no expense with this one. The various movements in this song oftentimes remind me of musical theatre. I know that’s not a very heavy metal thing to say, but shit, we are a bunch of geeks.”
In just a few years John Corabi (ex Scream, Motley Crue) recorded 3 studio albums and 1 live album with The Dead Daisies. The band founded by guitarist Dave Lowy has gone through a few personnel changes, and Corabi may not have been the original singer, but to me Dead Daisies is the perfect fit for John, where he belongs! So, with the recent news that Corabi has rejoined the band (for a ‘Best of‘ release and tour to start), I am looking forward to hear what comes. I like Glenn Hughes a lot, but to me Dead Daisies were better with Corabi at the mic. So, pulling out those LPs today, and welp Make Some Noise from 2016 is a favorite, and if you aren’t familiar with this band – this is a great place to start (and maybe the Live album), as it features so many great tunes, and a few choice covers. A lot of fast paced rockers, anthems, and heavy cuts that sound geared for the live show, so no wonder that more than half of this features on the band’s mammoth 2017 live release Live & Louder (released in a box set). Favorites gotta be “Freedom”, “Long Way To Go” (the single), “We All Fall Down”, and the band’s awesome take of The Who’s “Join Together” (complete with harmonica and voice-box). There’s also an excellent take of CCR’s “Fortunate Son”.
Make Some Noise also includes Doug Aldrich on guitar (Dio, Whitesnake), bass player Marco Mendoza (Blue Murder, Thin Lizzy/Black Star Riders, Ted Nugent), and drummer Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Foreigner, Lynch Mob). Cool album cover art from German designer Sebastian Rohde. 2-LP on red vinyl or single CD (with different cover) Check it out!
Dead Quiet’s new single “Leave The Light On” is a ballad, with a southern feel. Great guitars in this. Check out some of the band’s other new tracks from the upcoming ‘IV’ album , cool heavy guitars, and organ. (*For more info, check out the press release after this, and links below!)
Vancouver-based metal mercenaries DEAD QUIET have shared the latest single and video for their track, “Leave The Light On,” from the forthcoming full-length “IV” – out June 9th via Artoffact Records!
Joined by Marin Patenaude and Becky Black (Pack AD) on vocals, and Matt Kelly (City and Colour) on slide guitar, Dead Quiet’s infectious new track follows the album’s previously released, “No Gods, No Gold,” “High Roads,” and “The Hanging Man.” Each single takes listeners on their respective journeys with a soundtrack full of bluesy keyboard riffs and raspy, catching vocals, leaving them itching for the next track to drop – a wait that ends today!
On the single, vocalist Kevin Keegan comments: “Leave the light on is by far the saddest song we ever wrote. We had some very good friends pass away and we pay tribute to them with this one. It is definitely a ballad, but who doesn’t love a good ballad?“
Their new album “IV” will follow September 2020’s “Truth and Ruin”, which was a favorite of Exclaim! Magazine, Beatroute, V13, and more – reaching #1 on the National Canadian Campus Radio (Loud) and also being featured on CBC Rock Canada. On the new album, Keegan says “This, our 4th album, feels like the most fully explored of any of them. We really arranged everything as a group and it has the most character because of that. It’s definitely an adventure.” Listen to previous singles “The Hanging Man“, “High Roads“, “The Hanging Man” and “No Gods, No Gold“.
Forming in 2014, Dead Quiet established themselves quickly with the release of their debut self-titled record in 2015. By the time writing commenced for their follow-up record, Grand Rites in 2017, Dead Quiet had found their perfect lineup in Kevin Keegan (Barn Burner), Brock MacInnes (Anciients), Mike Grossnickle (Hashteroid) and Jason Dana. The release of Grand Rites on Toronto’s Artoffact Records was followed by two European tours, one of which being direct support for John Garcia (Kyuss), as well as numerous festival appearances including Desertfest Belgium and Into the Void (NL), further cementing the band as one to watch out for.
After a rigorous year of touring, the band had no intention of slowing down and swiftly entered the studio to record their third record: “Truth and Ruin”. Again teaming up with Artoffact, “Truth and Ruin” saw the addition of Mike Rosen to the band and further broadened the already keyboard-laden sound they’d established on previous efforts. Released in 2020 on Artoffact Records, “Truth and Ruin” proved that work ethic and chemistry can truly refine a band’s sound to what they had always been striving for: heavy instrumentation combined with rich melody and uniquely personal lyricism, making Dead Quiet one of the hottest, must-see bands on the Canadian landscape.
DEAD QUIET is: Kevin Keegan – guitar & vocals Brock MacInnes – guitar Michael Grossnickle – bass Michael Rosen – keyboards, vocals Jason Dana – drums
Hard to believe this album is 21 years old this year. When it came out I received it to write about it. I thought it was ok at the time, but not overly enthused. Wanting to hear some Boston, I pulled Corporate America out over the last couple of days, and although I still don’t think it’s their best, it is better than I recall. The band at this point expanded by Tom Scholz with a number of newer recruits. Brad Delp is still there, though he’s not the only lead singer. Fran Cosmo (who sang on 1994’s Walk On) is also on this, as is his son Anthony (who wrote a number of tracks), and Kimberley Dahme.
Corporate America starts out good with “I Had A Good Time”, not as heavy as previous Boston, but still rockin’, promising and recognizable – a Scholz penned track that he played everything on, and Brad Delp sang on. Overall Corporate America is a more varied sounding album, plenty of ballads, but with more upbeat tracks like “Stare Out My Window” (penned by Anthony Cosmo, who adds guitar, and is sang by Fran Cosmo), “Someone” (another penned by Scholz and only featuring him and Brad Delp) and “You Gave Up On Love” (also penned by Scholz – who also plays almost everything here, and gets a vocal credit, along with Kimberley Dahme (lead vocal), and guests Charlie Farren and Beth Cohen) – are all really good Boston tracks, even if they lack the heaviness of the band’s early approach.
There are a couple of surprises here too, the first being the acoustic ballad “With You”, penned and sang by Kimberley Dahme, an excellent song that is only recognizable by Scholz’ guitar solo plastered over top; this one should’ve been a single and a hit. Corporate America also a live version of their 1994 hit “Livin’ For You”, which was originally on Walk Away, sooo not sure why someone felt the need to put a new version here(!?) But it does make for a good ending.
Anyway, this one charted briefly (Billboard #42), then disappeared along with the band for another decade. They did tour this album in 2003, and Scholz filed a lawsuit against their record company for not doing enough to promote the album. (see article). But, it is a good album, and a nice listen, despite lacking that ‘killer’ Boston rock track. (RIP Brad Delp)
The band Boston has filed a breach -of- contract suit against New York – based indie label Artemis Records and CEO Danny Goldberg, seeking damages in excess of $1 million. The action, filed June 24 in New York Supreme Court, claims that while Boston was told by Goldberg that its 2002 album “Corporate America” -the band’s first for the label -would be “the highest priority” for Artemis, the company “[failed] to execute almost every element of [the Boston marketing] plan.” An Artemis spokesman says the company has not received the suit and has no comment. Released Nov. 5, “Corporate America” has sold 119,000 copies to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan. – CHRIS MORRIS, Billboard, 2003, 07-05
6CD Treasure Trove Of Recordings From THIN LIZZY Vocalist PHIL LYNOTT’s Swan Song Project GRAND SLAM Knocks It Out Of The Park!
Phil Lynott’s passing in 1986 was and is one of the great tragic losses of music history. A mere 36 years of age when he passed, Lynott founded and fronted one of the best rock bands of the ‘70s, Thin Lizzy, and was certainly the most popular rock singer to emerge from Dublin (prior to the Bono Era). Although his struggles with substance abuse would profoundly shape his latter career, his artistic talent continued to shine through in his post-Thin Lizzy projects including the fledgling rock group that seemed to have the potential to overtake the great Lizzy, Grand Slam!
Lynott started working with Magnum keyboardist Mark Stanway as part of Lynott’s live solo band in 1983 and by 1984 would eventually solidify a line-up that included guitarist Laurence Archer, rhythm guitarist Doish Nagle, and drummer Robbie Brennan and change their name to Grand Slam. Although the group never issued an official studio album, they played numerous shows around Europe and cut a series of demos that proved Lynott still had incredible songs in him and a brilliant career ahead. Grand Slam songs such as “Sisters Of Mercy” and “Nineteen” were so good they eventually ended up on some posthumous Thin Lizzy albums!
Now those songs and those live performances have been remastered to their absolute best sonic quality and packaged in a deluxe 6CD box set to be released on June 9. Slam Anthems is a true treasure trove of superb new mixes of Grand Slam songs as well as killer full concert recordings that feature songs from throughout Lynott’s stellar career. Each disc comes packaged in its own wallet with rare band photos and the whole box features a 20-page full-color booklet filled with informative liner notes from music historian Dave Thompson.
For a small taste of what’s in store, check out the newly remixed version of “Nineteen” that is being released today to all digital stores as well as the accompanying video, which cuts together rarely-seen footage of Lynott along with photos of the band on stage and in the studio!
Phil may be gone, but Grand Slam lives on in the current incarnation of the band, led by Laurence Archer. They have a re-recorded and remixed version of their previous release “Hit The Ground” coming soon, as well as a brand new studio album in the works.
TRACK LIST: DISC 1: 2022 REMIXES 1. Breakdown 2. Crazy 3. I Still Think Of You 4. Crime Rate 5. Dedication 6. Military Man 7. Look In These Eyes 8. Harlem 9. I Don’t Need This 10. Sisters Of Mercy 11. Nineteen 12. Hot N Spicy 13. Sarah
DISC 2: OREBRO 1983 1. Yellow Pearl 2. Old Town 3. Sarah 4. A Night In The Life Of A Blues Singer 5. Look In These Eyes 6. Parisienne Walkways 7. Solo In Soho 8. King’s Call 9. Baby Drives Me Crazy 10. The Boys Are Back In Town 11. Still In Love With You
DISC 3: LIFFORD 1984 1. Nineteen 2. Yellow Pearl 3. Sarah 4. Parisienne Walkways 5. Crime Rate 6. Young Boy 7. Night In The Life Of A Blues Singer 8. Cold Sweat 9. Dear Miss Lonely Hearts 10. Whisky In The Jar
DISC 4: LONDON 1984 1. Nineteen 2. Sisters Of Mercy 3. Crime Rate 4. Military Man 5. Dedication
DISC 5: GREAT YARMOUTH 1984 1. Yellow Pearl 2. Nineteen 3. Harlem 4. Parisienne Walkways 5. Cold Sweat 6. Sisters Of Mercy 7. Crime Rate 8. Military Man 9. Dedication
DISC 6: DEMOS 1. Nineteen 2. Crime Rate 3. Crazy 4. Sisters Of Mercy 5. Whiter Shade Of Pale / Like A Rolling Stone 6. Military Man 7. Hot N Spicy 8. I Don’t Need This 9. Harlem 10. I Still Think Of You 11. Gay Boys 12. Breakdown 13. Look In These Eyes 14. She Cries 15. Slam
NEWLY REMASTERED ALBUMS EXPANDED WITH RARITIES, AND PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED CONCERTS AVAILABLE JUNE 9
Alice Cooper was unstoppable during the 1970s when the band released four consecutive platinum albums and five Top 40 hits like “I’m Eighteen,” “School’s Out,” “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” and “Elected.” Rhino will reissue two of those platinum albums – Killer (1971) and School’s Out (1972) – with newly remastered sound, rare recordings, and previously unreleased live performances.
Both Deluxe Editions will be released on June 9 as 2-CD sets and 3-LP versions on 180-gram vinyl.
The vinyl versions for both Deluxe Edition recreate the original album sleeves down to the smallest detail. For Killer, that means a gatefold sleeve that opens to reveal a detachable 1972 calendar with a photo of Cooper in the gallows. The cover of School’s Out looks like a wooden school desk and opens to reveal the LP wrapped in a pair of panties. The band stopped including the underwear following a controversy as to whether or not they were flammable. Thankfully, the lacy unmentionables in the new Deluxe Edition are not a fire hazard.
Both sets come with booklets that include track-by-track commentary by band members and former Creem Magazine editor Jaan Uhelszki, plus liner notes by Bill Holdship, also a former Creem Magazine editor.
SCHOOL’S OUT (DELUXE EDITION) begins with a newly remastered version of the 1972 original, which peaked at #2 on the albums chart. Essential tracks like “Luney Tune” and “Alma Mater” are joined by “Gutter Cat vs. The Jets.” The latter is an homage to West Side Story, a significant influence on the band. The song incorporates lyrics from “Jet Song” from the 1957 musical, which led to an unlikely songwriting credit for Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim on an Alice Cooper track.
The Deluxe Edition contains rarities like the single versions of “School’s Out” and “Gutter Cat vs. The Jets.” Two previously unreleased tracks are also included, an alternate version of “Alma Mater” and an early demo for “Elected,” a song that would appear in 1973 on the band’s first #1 album, Billion Dollar Babies.
Alice Cooper’s concert in Miami on May 27, 1972, adds even more unreleased music to the collection. The show was recorded a few weeks before the band entered the studio to record School’s Out. The live performance features standout versions of “Halo Of Flies,” “School’s Out,” and “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah,” a song that gives Cooper a chance to show off his impressive harmonica skills.
LP One: Original Album Remastered Side One 1. “School’s Out” 2. “Luney Tune” 3. “Gutter Cat vs. The Jets” 4. “Street Fight” (Instrumental) 5. “Blue Turk”
Side Two 1. “My Stars” 2. “Public Animal #9” 3. “Alma Mater” 4. “Grande Finale” (Instrumental)
LP Two: Live in Miami, FL (May 27, 1972) Side One 1. “Public Animal #9/Be My Lover” * 2. “You Drive Me Nervous” * 3. “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” * 4. “I’m Eighteen” *
Side Two 1. “Halo Of Flies” * 2. “Dead Babies” * 3. “Killer” *
LP Three: Live in Miami, FL (May 27, 1972) Side One 1. “Long Way To Go”* 2. “School’s Out” * 3. “Is It My Body?” *
KILLER (DELUXE EDITION) introduces a newly remastered version of the original release, which peaked at #21 on the Billboard albums chart. Along with the singles “Under My Wheels” and “Be My Lover,” the record also includes “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah,” “Desperado,” and the prog-rock-inspired epic “Halo Of Flies.” The bonus material features alternate takes for “You Drive Me Nervous,” “Under My Wheels,” and “Dead Babies.”
The collection also gives fans an unreleased live recording of the band’s performance at Mar Y Sol Pop Festival in Puerto Rico on April 2, 1972. Recorded a few months before the band returned to the studio to make School’s Out, the show previews “Public Animal #9” from the upcoming album. The band played most of Killer during the concert, including “You Drive Me Nervous,” “Under My Wheels,” and “Halo Of Flies.” They also tapped the group’s 1971 album, Love It to Death, for live versions of “Is It My Body?,” “Long Way To Go,” and the smash hit “I’m Eighteen.”
KILLER: DELUXE EDITION Vinyl Track Listing
LP One: Original Album Remastered Side One 1. “Under My Wheels” 2. “Be My Lover” 3. “Halo Of Flies” 4. “Desperado”
Side Two 1. “You Drive Me Nervous” 2. “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” 3. “Dead Babies” 4. “Killer”
LP Two: Live at Mar Y Sol Pop Festival, Puerto Rico (April 2, 1972) Side One 1. “Public Animal #9/Be My Lover” * 2. “You Drive Me Nervous” * 3. “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” * 4. “I’m Eighteen” *
Side Two 1. “Halo Of Flies” * 2. “Is It My Body?” *
LP Three: Live at Mar Y Sol Pop Festival, Puerto Rico (April 2, 1972) Side One 1. “Dead Babies” * 2. “Killer” * 3. “Long Way To Go” *
Side Two 1. “Under My Wheels” * Studio Extras 2. “You Drive Me Nervous” (Alternate Version) 3. “Under My Wheels” (Alternate Version) 4. “Dead Babies” (Alternate Version)
Ritchie Henman was a founding member of legendary Canadian band April Wine. Formed in 1969 by Ritchie (drums), brother David (guitar, vocals), cousin Jim Henman (bass), and Myles Goodwyn (guitar, vocals). The band moved from Nova Scotia to Montreal early on with the hopes of landing gigs and a record deal, on the basis of a misunderstood response from a well known promoter. Ritchie and David Henman wrote and played on the first 3 albums, before leaving the band and moving on to other projects. In that time April Wine made an impact on the Canadian charts with such hits as “Fast Train”, “Could Have Been A Lady”, “Bad Side Of The Moon”, and “Drop Your Guns”. Ritchie also played on the excellent album by Cruiser – Rollin’ With The Times, from 1980.
Anyway, after all these years Ritchie Henman has written his own story in the newly released – High Adventure – Tales Of Canadian Rock & Roll Survival, which details his earliest days in Novav Scotia to his days as the original drummer in April Wine as the band was gaining popularity early on. On to the band The Dudes, Cruiser, and others, on to (presumably) his post-rock days.
High Adventure – Tales Of Canadian Rock & Roll Survival is available on Amazon, as well as the publisher’s site. For more info check out the links below.
*There will be a book launch for High Adventure, with Ritchie, at the Dorval Library on May 17. Go to http://www.ritchiehenman.com for more info and to register.
PARIS was a power trio that included former Fleetwood Mac singer/guitarist Bob Welch, former Jethro Tull bass player Glenn Cornick, and former Nazz drummer Thom Mooney. Formed in 1975, following Welch’s departure from Fleetwood Mac, Paris released their first of two albums in January of ’76. As a major part of Fleetwood Mac for 4 albums, including such classics as “Hypnotized”, “Bermuda Triangle”, and “Sentimental Lady” – a track he’d lady re-record and have a hit as a solo artist. Anyway, Paris debut album would be a heavier, blues based – rockier album, Zeppelin influenced rather than more in tune with the Fleetwood Mac stuff. Glenn Cornick was a fitting heavy bass player, having played on the first few Tull albums, as well as Wild Turkey. Rockers like “Black Book”, “Religion”, “Nazarene”, and “Rock Of Ages” – all really good tracks, that should’ve appealed to those in to Zeppelin, Mountain, and perhaps Deep Purple. I love the recording on this record, produced & engineered by Jimmy Robinson, who’s later credits also included early Sammy Hagar, Detective, and Yesterday & Today. Check out cuts like “Narrow Gate” – with a number of changes, and Cornick’s bass sound jumping out, as well as “Beautiful Youth”, which sounds like it would’ve fit nicely on a previously Fleetwood Mac album, which makes sense as Welch wrote everything here.
Paris didn’t crack the Top 100 at the time (#103 in the US), I haven’t found much else on it, and there was no single from it. The band would release a follow up later than year with Hunt Sales replacing Mooney. Welch would later go on to a successful solo career, releasing a number of albums, and having a few it singles. When Fleetwood Mac was inducted into the R & R Hall of Fame in 1998 Welch was omitted, which was shameful,, IMO. Welch passed away in 2012, Cornick passed in 2014, Mooney took part in a one-off Nazz reunion for Rundgren Radio in 2019. The Paris album has been reissued a few times on CD, so shouldn’t be hard to find, and is well worth checking out.
PARIS, Capitol ST- 11464. The world of heavy metal boogie gets a new power trio featuring guitarist- singer -writer Robert Welch, lately of Fleetwood Mac, with bassist -keyboardist Glen Cornick, an original member of Jethro Tull. The buzzsaw gui- tar leads and oh- so- cosmic lyrics remind one of the early Deep Purple at its most rambunctious. Best cuts: “Beautiful Youth,” “Narrow Gate,” “Nazarene.”
Ace Frehley made his post-KISS vinyl debut in 1987 with Frehley’s Comet. His solo band had been going for a few years, recorded demos, and had undergone a few personnel changes, but the band (on record) would consist of drummer Anton Fig (who played on Kiss’ Dynasty and Unmasked, plus Frehley’s 1978 solo album), as well as guitarist/singer Tod Howarth (ex 707). Frehley’s Comet was easily as good or better as anything Kiss did in the ’80s, featuring the classic Ace anthem “Rock Soldiers”, co-written with Chip Taylor) as well as favorites like “Breakout” (co-written by Ace with Eric Carr and Richie Scarlet), “Stranger In A Strange Land”, and the single “Into The Night” – another Russ Ballard tune (Ace’s solo hit “New York Groove” was a Ballard song).
Tod Howarth also contributed a few good songs – “Something Moved” and “Calling To You” – a re-writing of 707’s “Mega Force” (co-credited to Ace, Jim McClarty, and Kevin Russell). Frehley’s Comet was a solid production – co-produced by Eddie Kramer & Ace, with Kramer engineering, and Howarth & Regan credited as assistant producers. Frehley’s Comet charted in Canada at #38, the US @ #43, and Sweden @ #20. It brought Ace Frehley back in to the public eye with tours and an excellent follow up album as the band Frehley’s Comet. Great album cover too!
RIP John Regan (Apr 7, ’23), who’s career also included numerous records with Peter Frampton, as well as Chip Taylor, as well as credits on albums by The Stones, David Bowie, Robin Trower, and David Lee Roth. In 2016 he was part of Four By Fate, along with Tod Howarth releasing the album Relentless.
SAXON recently released a sequel to their 2021 covers’ album Inspirations. So, More Inspirations is 10 classic rock songs that have been been given the Saxon treatment. I do Not normally like or buy covers’ albums, but the 2 Saxon have made I am happy with. The band tends to choose plenty less-then obvious gems to include. They also keep the production simple, without adding things that are not part of the song or not part of the Saxon sound, hence there’ s no keyboards on the likes of “Gypsy” (Uriah Heep), or “Man On The Silver Mountain” (Rainbow), which is fine, both still sound great!.
Favorites here include the band’s takes on “Tales Of Brave Ulysses” (Cream), “Substitute” (The Who), “From The Inside” (Alice Cooper), and Nazareth’s “Razamanaz”, which suits Saxon & Biff’s voice perfectly! Love the band’s performances here, and Biff has one of the most recognizable voices in British rock. Well worth checking out!
Outsider Rock 