Well, a quick run down of some new tracks & videos worth checking out! If you got any new classic rock/hard recommendations, drop me a note or put them in the comments! As always, for more info, check out the descriptions in the videos for more info and links.
RUSS BALLARD – New York Groove
Originally of the classic band ARGENT, Russ Ballard left the band for a solo career, and is likely better known as a songwriter who’s songs have become hits for numerous acts like Rainbow, Kiss, Santana, America, and this song – which was a hit for Kiss’ Ace Frehley in 1978. The song was previously covered by British glam band ‘Hello’. And now Ballard has made a new version of the song.
HAREM.SCAREM – Reliving History
Canadian rockers HAREM SCAREM have a new single out. I picked up the band’s first 5 or 6 albums way back, and always enjoyed them. This is good, very likeable compared to the early stuff.
HOUSE OF LORDS – Cry Of The Wicked
Fronted by singer James Christian, HOL is pretty consistent with good songs and album covers! 🙂 This is from the band’s new album Full Tilt Overdrive.
ENVY OF NONE – Under The Stars
the 2nd single from the 2nd (forthcoming) album of EON, which features Alex Lifeson (Rush), and Andy Curran (Coney Hatch). Check it out. Very atmosphere track, nothing like anything you’ve heard before.
STREETLIGHT – Captured In The Night
New single from Swedish band that is influenced by 80s AOR/melodic Hard rock like Journey, Toto, Kansas… Their new (2nd?) album is titled Night Vision, due out next month.
HELLOWEEN – Future World (live)
From German power metal legends HELLOWEEN, who have a new Live At Budokan release out now.
The debut solo album from Andy Curran (Coney Hatch, Envy Of None) in 1990 will see a super deluxe reissue bundle. Following 3 albums with Coney Hatch, a few line up changes, and a break up Curran put together his own band. Released simply as Andy Curran, it featured such radio hits as “License To Love”, “Let Go”, and “No Tattoos”. Now, retitled Whiskey & The Devil, the album will feature 2 previously unreleased tracks from the original sessions, as well as a live show from Vancouver. Andy Curran was nominated for 2 Juno Awards (Canada) in 1991 for Best Hard-rock album, and Most promising male vocalist; he won the latter. Whiskey & The Devil will also include various goodies from that era, with an 8 X 10 photo, a tour pass, tattoo kit and more, all with the 2 cherry red colored LPs in a new cover.
Curran posted to Facebook – “I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of my Juno Award-winning debut solo record than with a limited-edition reissue! Every song has been remixed and each bundle includes a physical and digital component. I’ve gone through the archives to create a unique, signed, double-vinyl record, and included rare photos from my personal collection, plus other unreleased studio tracks and memorabilia. As a bonus, every purchase gives you a chance to win an autographed Fender Precision bass guitar signed by me!”
Harem Scarem’s Mood Swings was the band’s 2nd album, released in June of 1993, and featured the hit “No Justice”, as well as further singles “If There Was A Time” and “Change Comes Around”. Harem Scarem’s line-up at the time included Harry Hess (lead vocals, keyboards), Pete Lesperance (guitar), Mike Gionet (bass), and Darren Smith (drums). Smith sang lead on the cut “Sentimental Blvd”. (Smith, in recent years, would front Jake E Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel). This release will be the first time Mood Swings is issued on vinyl! Aside from the purple vinyl LP , there’ll be bonus tracks, as well as CD, a tour poster, and drink coaster among other items included.
*For more info, check out the press release below…
Fans of vintage, Canadian melodic rock should make room in their record collections for two new reissues available today – Andy Curran’s 1990 debut solo effort Whiskey and the Devil 30th and Harem Scarem’s 1993 sophomore offering Mood Swings. Both projects are now being offered as exclusive, limited-edition releases only available on SING Market.
Each release includes a vinyl package and a matching digital package, which also contains digital-only extras – at a retail price for each package of USD $89.95, plus shipping.
“Working on my solo album decades later was a trip down memory lane,” recalls Curran (founder of Coney Hatch and Envy of None with Rush’s Alex Lifeson) about the new reissue entitled Whiskey and the Devil 30th. “I completely forgot about two songs we recorded during those sessions but that weren’t included on the original release – so now, many years later, they will be part of this release. This was also the first time I produced a record… which was a white-knuckle ride! Winning a Juno Award that year was the icing on the cake. It was only ever released in Canada, so I’m excited to shine the spotlight back on this one.”
Iron Maiden/British Lion bassist, Steve Harris, is a big fan of Curran’s solo record, adding: “I’ve been listening to this album for 30 years and it still sounds great!”
Harem Scarem lead singer Harry Hess recollects, “June 2023 will mark the 30-year anniversary of the release of our second album, Mood Swings. This record took us to another level internationally, being released in over 50 countries and voted Kerrang! Magazine’s rock album of the year. We are excited to revisit the songs, recording five new acoustic bonus tracks and releasing the original remastered recordings on vinyl for the first time ever.”
These new hybrid packages include serial-numbered digital collectibles, permanently capped at a preset quantity using blockchain technology – once they’re sold out, no more can ever be produced. SING guarantees fans own their music – just like a numbered print, fans have true ownership of each package and artist-authorized proof of its authenticity. No knowledge of crypto is ever needed to use SING – just a love of great music and a credit card, debit card or Apple Pay.
Both exclusive packages are available now for immediate purchase on SING Market at the following links:
24” x 36” Mood Swings Tour Poster (Re-issue from Mood Swings tour)
Re-issued VIP All Access Pass
Mood Swings Custom Drink Coaster
VIP Metallic Membership Card – Meet and Greet the Artist at Harem Scarem Live Events
Metallic band logo sticker
A Golden ticket entry with every purchase to be entered to win a Seagull guitar made by Godin Guitars and signed by the band
Available for immediate download:
Vinyl tracks in MP3 format
5 Acoustic Bonus Tracks
Harem Scarem VIP Fan Club Membership
Live Photos
Fan Art Banners
Studio Track Sheets
A Making-of Video – (mini documentary made for the 30th Anniversary edition)
Mood Swings Songbook (digital version)
Curran and Hess added fire power by teaming up with SING and arranging physical manufacturing and distribution. Curran added, “Harry and I have so many friends in the business who either had record deals, or are between deals, but they control their content. We have had lots of calls asking for help, so we set up a scenario whereby the artist owns everything, and we’re simply the vehicle to help them put it all in one place for their fans to access. We can’t name names just yet, but we have had lots of interest, so look for more SING limited-edition digital releases in the coming months.”
Founded in 2019, Seattle-based SING is an online record store that puts artists and fans first by offering curated digital and physical products that you won’t find anywhere else. “We’re thrilled to be working with Andy Curran and Harem Scarem on two of their most iconic albums,” says SING CEO, Geoff Osler. “These exclusive releases will give fans a unique opportunity to truly own these records in both vinyl and digital formats – with never before possible digital bonus material that fans can download and enjoy immediately.”
Outsider Rock 