PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
Status Quo’s John ‘Rhino Edwards Releases His Second Solo Album on October 23rd
In a rare break from his day job as the bass player with Status Quo, John ‘Rhino Edwards releases his second solo album on October 23.
Released by Molano Music, Rhino’s Revenge II is an energetic and diverse album that celebrates music, and comes 15 years aft the band’s debut album. “By any standards, that’s a long time between albums,” says Rhino, “but if you’re fortunate enough to be in a band like Status Quo, you don’t get too much spare time.”
Having previously been a member of acts including The Climax Blues Band, Space and Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Rhino was invited to join Quo in 1987 and has been permanent in the line-up ever since.
Rhino’s Revenge II was recorded in ’11 days of pure magic’ at The Chapel studios near Louth in Lincolnshire – “We went flat out, so we didn’t have time to get precious about anything,” – with his sons Max on drums and Freddie on guitar, and multi-instrumentalist Matthew Starritt. Rhino’s daughter, Mae, also contributed backing vocals to the album, produced by Mike Paxman (Judie Tzuke, Uriah Heep, Asia, Status Quo).
“I play Rhino Rock, Thug Rock, Animal Rock, Heavy Rock, Pop Rock, but with the main focus on the lyrics and the songs. It’s rabble-rousing rock ‘n roll.”
Rhino’s Revenge II is an aural treat, with no calculated image or reliance on nostalgia: instead Rhino and the band have created an atmosphere based around strong material and succeed in immersing listeners into the ambiance they have made. The album is the perfect manifestation of John ‘Rhino’ Edwards’ immutable wit, sadness, quiet anger and charm.
The cathartic ‘Tomorrow Is Today’, which opens Rhino’s Revenge II, was written about giving up drugs. A brace of keenly observed songs about the vacuous aspects of modern life follow – ‘Famous’ is a damning indictment “about people who think that that’s all there really is to life”, while ‘New New New’ lambasts our obsession with consumerism.
Rhino’s articulate and wickedly humorous lyrics permeate throughout the album on the ironic All The Girls Love A Bastard, along with powerful rockers like ‘Secretary’ and Cougar and the whimsical ode to man’s best friend Stan. While One Note Blues creates a“new dance craze.”
This quintessentially English album closes with the powerful pairing of Black Widows and Take ‘Em Down. The socio-political Black Widows about Chechen suicide bombers contains the prophetic line “what’s over there is coming over here” and the bass driven Take ‘Em Down, is a very serious song with B-movie overtones.
There’s something indefinable but very special about Rhino’s Revenge II that makes it irresistible. Rhino Edwards, a confessed musicoholic, has created a truly honest album which ‘kicks like a mule’, a rare commodity in today’s world.
To pre order Rhino’s Revenge II go to www.rhinosrevenge.com
Rhino’s Revenge II Track Listing
01 Tomorrow Is Today.12 Take ‘Em Down.
Rhino’s Revenge will be playing their own shows around the release of the album and also supporting Hayseed Dixie on 5 of their tour dates this October:
A headline UK and European Tour, with support from Eddie & The Hot Rods, among others, will follow in February, 2016.
UK Tour Dates
October 20 – Tuesday – Bury St. Edmunds, England – The Apex
October 22 – Thursday – Southampton, England – The Brook
October 23 – Friday – London, England – O2 Brooklyn Bowl
October 24 – Saturday – Frome, England – The Cheese & Grain
October 25 – Sunday – Tunbridge Wells, England – Assembly Hall
Rhino’s Revenge is
John ‘Rhino’ Edwards: Vocals, Bass
Freddie Edwards: Lead Guitar
Max Edwards: Drums
Matthew Starritt: Rhythm Guitar, Vocals, Harp
