Opinion

We caught up with Brighton based alt-rockers IDLE CROOKS & ENGLISHMEN (https://www.facebook.com/Idlecrooks ) who are pricking ears with their alluring and hypnotic sound that has already earned the fuzzed-up rock crew favourable descriptors that liken the band to everyone from Royal Blood and The Smashing Pumpkins through to Queens of …

Unfortunately, as I live over the border in Wales there was no way I could get from work to Manchester for Dope’s opening set. My apology’s guys catch you next time. Now, there are good supporting bands. Sometimes there are great bands. Then occasionally you get a band who, not only …

To mark 10 years since the release of the “Design your universe” album, Epica have reissued the album with an extra bonus disc and are also doing a mini tour – just three dates in Europe (Germany, Netherlands, France) plus shows in Russia and Israel and then due to fan …

South Wales tunesters SWEET IGNITIONS have just unleashed a cracking new single, Running – https://youtu.be/9j2d51bmY2A . We wanted to find out more about the band. Check out the below fun quiz: A song that made you want to make music? – If we go for a group effort that we …

So a week after we said farewell to a band I really thought would make it, there are still a lot of mixed emotions flying around my head from their two hour gig at Rebellion in Manchester. From seeing them first at the SOS Festival in 2014 they have come …

Brit riff beasts WOLVES DON’T SLEEP have just revealed a killer metalled-up version of Panic! At The Disco’s track, Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time, out now via all stores, and here – https://youtu.be/fmQMc_hiSJA . We grilled the guys with this A to Z quiz:   A song that …

This was my first time at Power metal quest fest. The first year was at the Roadhouse venue which just isnt practical for people using public transport, the second year clashed with another gig, but finally I made it to one. Now being held at the Asylum venue it’s an …

Tonight the Craufurd arms have Mr Big guitarist, Paul Gilbert playing. It’s a big booking for a small venue but then the venue promoter seems to be very good at getting high profile gigs. Happily the booking looks to have paid off as ticket sales were good enough that the …

UK riff tyrants WOLVES DON’T SLEEP set loose a stunning metalled-up version of Panic! At The Disco’s track, Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time, out now via all stores, and here – https://youtu.be/fmQMc_hiSJA .   Now entering their fourth year as a band, Nottingham-based WOLVES DON’T SLEEP are a …

Brit noisemakers Perfectparachutepicture are making themselves heard at the moment. The band’s killer debut album, No Modern Desire, is out now and the duo have also unleashed a blistering new single, The Hold – https://youtu.be/wfMBx-WSN34 . We invited the guys down for a chat to find out more about their …

Two years ago Ayreon played their first ever show. While that may not sound exciting, it was for fans of Ayreon which had released their first album in 1995. The brain-child of Arjen Lucassen, the albums feature multiple singers and this coupled with his stage-fright meant fans (and Arjen himself) …

Cumbria emo punks BEACHMASTER have just released their brand new single, Only If You Know – https://youtu.be/_0G1Lg-qVHU . We asked the engaging tunesmiths a few background questions and more: What is the full band line-up, who sings and who plays which instrument? C.J. Zanelli (Guitar/lead vocals) Martyn Simpson (Bass/backing vocals) …

HRH Punk Chapter 1 comes to Sheffield for the first time next month. We need your help in putting together a playlist. For any band playing suggest a track (which is on Spotify) and we’ll add it to the list! Here’s a starter for one ‘For You’ by Anti-Nowhere League. …

Berlin fuzzed-up alt-rockers CAUSTIC MINDS ( https://www.facebook.com/causticminds/ ) are starting to make a name for themselves. The band have just released their mesmerising new EP, Black Oil For A Soul, which is out now via all streaming sites. This mouth-watering EP takes from everyone from Black Sabbath and The Kills, …

First up tonight was Shooter Jennings and his band. Previously I’d only seen a few minutes of his set at Ramblin Man, so was looking forward to hearing more from him tonight. He plays guitar and keyboards, spending some songs sitting at the keyboard while for others he stands and …