Crazy Lixx is Back on Track!

Crazy Lixx

The Swedish rockband Crazy Lixx is back on track with two new members, Chrisse Olsson and Jens Lundgren, filling the boots of their previous guitar players Andy Dawson and Edd Liam, who left the band in the late summer of 2015. The new guitar players are being presented in this superfunny video and the song is, suitably called ”All Looks, No Hooks” from their self titled album ”Crazy Lixx” that came out in 2014. You can see the funny video in the clip below.

Right now the line-up is, Danny Rexon vocals, Joél Cirera drums, Jens Sjöholm bass, Chrisse Olsson guitar and Jens Lundgren guitar.

Crazy Lixx will release their first live album ”Sound Of The Live Minority” in July this year. The album was recorded last year, 2015, at ”Bang Your Head Festival” in Germany. The album will be featuring some of Crazy Lixx’s best songs. 

Meanwhile we’re waiting for their live album and hopefully, some new material, we keep on listening to ”21 Til’ I Die”. This song is for all you rockers out there who refuse to grow up. Check it out from the mini-player below. 

Follow @CrazyLixx  

For more about Crazy Lixx check out their Facebook page or website.

The New Breed EP Review

The New Breed

Earlier this year I did an interview with Tom McKay, one of The New Breed’s guitar players, about their upcoming self titled, debut EP called ”The New Breed”.

Now, the EP is released and the result is five rocking tracks.

This music is made to be heard live. Think of a dark, smoke filled rock club in the mid seventies, with high volume and packed with rockers in the crowd. You would expect to see Ritchie Blackmore pass you by on his way to the stage or the bar... The New Breed’s music is probably at it’s best heard live like this. It’s typical 70s rock and what first comes to mind is Deep Purple with tempo mixes going thru the songs, that was typical for that era. This is what The New Breed play, classic 70s rock, just like they did back then, for example take the cowbell and gritty guitars in ”Heartbreaker”. Nice touch! 

I like the intro in ”Black Seas, High Tides” and how the song pick up speed at the end. Its a good song to sum up The New Breed’s self titled, debut EP with.

I’m looking forward to hear their next album and would love to see them go on tour. My favorite songs on this EP is ”Lie To Me” and ”Soul Train”, give this EP a listen.

Songs on ”The New Breed” EP:

1  Soul Train (No Easy Way Out)

2  Lie To Me

3  Get Some

4  Heartbreaker           

5  Black Seas, High Tides

☠☠☠☠ / 5

Follow @xTheNewBreed      

You can get ”The New Breed” EP on iTunes and check out the songs in the mini-player below. For more on The New Breed, you can head over to their FaceBook page and don’t forget that you can see videos and clips on their YouTube Channel.

Check Out This Fresh Noize!

Candlelight Red

It’s been a while since the last time I wrote a ”Fresh noize post”, but now it’s time for me to yet again cast some light on a newer band called ”Candlelight Red”.

Candlelight Red is a band from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, US. The band formed in 2011 and consists of the four members Ryan Hoke, vocals, Jeremy Edge, guitar and background-vocals, Jamie Morral, bass and background-vocals and Tanner Wayne on drums. 

The band have so far released two studio albums, ”The Wreckage” 2011, and ”Reclamation”, 2013 and one EP, ”Demons”, 2012.  Both ”Demons” and ”Reclamation” were produced by Morgan Rose (drummer in Sevendust whom they also have toured with).

I especially like two songs, ”Demons” from their EP and ”Closer” from their debut album ”The Wreckage”. You can listen to ”Closer” and even download it from the mini-player below, where you also can listen to samples of their other songs and find more than one new favorite song. You can also watch the video for the first single ”Feel the Same” from their latest album,  ”Reclamation” in the clip below. The video was directed by Wade Spencer and the band wanted to give their fans and listeners a glimpse of the life on the road. It also introduces Tanner Wayne as the new drummer in Candlelight Red.

I like how the music in Candlelight Red’s songs matches the lyrics and Ryan’s voice. The melodies in ”Closer” for example, builds up a nice mood that makes you listen more. Both ”Closer” and ”Demons” are good metal songs without being to aggressive metal.

For more about Candlelight Red head over to their Facebook or website. 

Follow @CandlelightRed         

The Van Desh New EP Review

The Van Desh New EP "Change"

The Van Desh is a band from Norrtälje, Stockholm, Sweden.

Their first album ”It Reminds Me” had a sound where they had picked out the best parts of the 70s. That album was so good, so the expectations for their upcoming EP was big. Often when a band makes an album that is good, it’ s hard to live up to the expectations for the next album and it often falls flat. The Van Desh have on their EP ”Change” lived up to the expectations and delivered an EP just as good as the first album. They might even have raised the bar. It seems like a weight has lifted of the bands shoulders and their is more joy in their music on this EP than on ”It Reminds Me”, that had a darker feeling. 

While making this EP, The Van Desh’s guitarist left the band and they are now introducing Niklas Klaar as the new guitarist in the band.

What I think is good with The Van Desh’s music is that they have the ability to make real music without any add-ons or special sound effects. A key to their unique sound is that they continue to keep the essence of the good 70s music, but make it modern.   

This is a band that plays music as it’s supposed to be, rock that goes back to the basic rock roots. It’s downscaled, simplified and a purer sound than todays music.

When listening to this great EP, I noticed that The Van Desh haven’t filled out their songs with any  ”yeahs” or extra guitar solos, neither do they repeat themselves in the lyrics. The lyrics speaks and says something to you as a listener, it’s not just a catchy chorus.

The first song, ”Change” has a promising intro that makes you wan’t to hear more.

I also think it’s nice to hear a singer that can sing in different tones, without having a high pitch tone/scream like it’s 1985 again. The tone in The Van Desh’s music works with and matches Tommy’s voice perfectly, which makes it all sound cohesive.

You can hear the influences of the 70s, but as I said it’s modern and fresh music. For instance, listen to the organ in the end of ”Don’t Quit”, a nice touch to the song. 

”If I can say one word to describe The Van Desh’s music, it would be quality”, declared a friend of mine when I played the song ”Blackbird”. Quality meaning, this music is worked thru and the lyrics has a meaning. 

The last song on the EP, ”By the Light” just raises the question, when is the next The Van Desh full length album coming? This song should be a radio hit this summer.

Songs on the ”Change” EP: 

1 ”Change”

2 ”Don’t Quit”

3 ”Blackbird”

4 ”By the Light”

☠☠☠☠☠ /5

If you like more serious, melodious, 70s rock music, you’ll definitely like this EP. 

I hope more people will discover this band. They keep it very real and dosen’t depend their music career on cheap unnecessary rock n’ roll clichés that takes the focus of the music. 
My favorite song on this EP is ”Don’t quit.”

You can listen to the EP ”Change” from the mini-player below and download it on Bandcamp and check out The Van Desh’s website for more news. ”Change” will also be available on iTunes the 2th of May.

Latest News From the Rockworld!

Axl Rose + ACDC = True!

Axl Rose is confirmed as stand in singer for the remaning part of ACDC's "Rock Or Bust World Tour". This is after ACDC's lead singer Brian Jonson is at risk of suffering a permanent hearing loss. It's been buzzing about Axl being a stand in vocalist for ACDC even before the Guns N' Roses reunion where official earlier this year. Axl was also fan spotted at ACDC's rehearsal in Atlanta. The whole thing got confirmed a few hours before Guns N' Roses's headlining gig at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival, with a statement from ACDC at their website. Followed by a guest appearance from ACDC's guitarist Angus Young at the same gig, performing two ACDC classics, "Riff Raff" and "Whole Lot of Rosie".

Axl Rose joins in with ACDC the 7th of May in Lisbon, Portugal. Then following the rest of their European tour, while still playing with his own Guns N' Roses and their "Not In This Lifetime Tour" this summer in North America and then finishing the ACDC shows that got "paused" in North America earlier this year. I don't think I'm only speaking for myself when saying that this is a combination I'd love to see live. I'm wishing the best of luck to both Axl Rose with all the touring and to Brian Jonson, hope he will recover. For more info about ACDC you can check out their website and the same goes for Guns N' Roses.

The First Glimpse Of New Avenged Sevenfold Song

The word is that Avenged Sevenfold are working on a new album which might be released at the end of this year and that we perhaps could hear the first single at the end of this summer, but it can go either way with that. According to the band themselves they are at the "demo-state" in the making of their next album. But here is an instrumental glimpse of some new material for A7X fans to have a listen to. They are teasing with their fans here. Avenged Sevenfold recently changed drummer from Arin Ilejay to Brooks Wackerman (previously known from Bad Religion). Check it out in the clip below.

Ace Frehley + Paul Stanley Releases Their First Collaboration In 18 Years!

Since the Guns N' Roses reunion we've learned that everything is possible in the music industry...
Now, former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley and Paul Stanley (lead singer & guitarist in Kiss) have put out their first collaboration in 18 years. The result is a cover of a song called "Fire and Water" by the band "Free" for Ace's new cover-album named "Origins Vol.1". Ace are also working on a new book to be released next year, 2017. Though it's stated that Ace and Paul wasn't in the studio at the same time due to both parties busy schedules. As it is right now there are no plans for another collaboration, but as Frehley said in an interview when asked about it, "never say never". Fingers crossed that they'll write some new music, because they sound good together. Maybe next year we'll see a "Ace & Paul World tour" or the original Kiss reunite...?
Anyway, I think it's a cool version of  "Fire and Water" and you can listen to it in the mini player below.

Check Out This Fresh Noize!

Lynam

A while ago, I wrote about Jacob Bunton being the lead singer in Steven Adler’s (former drummer in Guns N’ Roses) latest solo project ”Adler”, who released the album ”Back From The Dead”. An album that I like very much and it got me curious if the members of the band ”Adler” had some interesting music projects of their own. I found out that Jacob Bunton, who sings in ”Adler” also is the lead singer and plays guitar in the band ”Lynam”, that started the year of 2001 in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Within the years 2002 - 2004 the band had self released no less than three albums, ”White Trash Superstar”, ”Bling! Bling!” and ”Life In Reverse”.

Now five albums/EP’s later and despite an announcement of them calling it quits in October of 2010 after the live album ”Thank You Good Night!”, that also would have been their final album, they are, after some line up changes still playing together and last year (2015) their latest EP ”Bombshell” came out.

I think Lynam plays solid modern, hard rock, but adds a few experimental elements to the music, which I think freshens it up. I don’t have any particular example for these ”experimental elements”, just that the music have got bits and tones that you usually don’t hear in the rock music genre. But with all new and experimental music that sounds like something you’re not used to be hearing, it sometimes works and it sometimes don’t. Most of Lynam’s songs are awesome rock songs, that goes well with music in different genres and with that I mean that their songs dosen’t clash with pop-, poprock-, poppunk- and metal songs etc. that certain rock music does.
This music is made to be played out loud, but some songs needs a listen or two, in order to get into the groove. Right now Lynam are working on a new record, but the word is that they will go more pop. I really hope they won’t mess up the good Lynam-rock-sound, because I think it’s so refreshing to hear a band play this type of solid rock.
I’ve put in some of my favorite Lynam songs for you to have a listen to in a iTunes playlist, which you can find below and you can also check out the video to the song ”Cold”, from the ”Halfway To Hell” album, 2013. Hope you’ll like the songs as much as I do.
Don’t forget to check out Lynam’s twitter, Facebook or website for more info about the band.

Fun fact; Jacob Bunton is the only one, that I know, who is in three bands all named after a drummer, Lynam, Adler and Grohl at the same time.

Follow @lynammusic

Hidden Treasure

Autograph

I like to go back a few years in time and dig up a real good ”oldie” and quite often it’s something from the 80’s era… The song ”Turn Up The Radio” is from the album ”Sign In Please” 1984, by the Californian glam-rockers Autograph. The band were formed by the lead singer and guitarist Steve Plunkett, guitarist Steve Lynch, drummer Keni Richards and the keyboard player Steven Isham in 1983. 

I think the song ”Turn Up The Radio” is a mix of Van Halen’s melodic guitars and the nice rhythm that is in Def Leppard songs (like their hit ”Pour Some Sugar”) with a catchy lyric and good vocals on top of it all. The song holds the good parts of the early 80’s that made music of that era good and fun to listen to.

Follow @autographband

Autograph split up in 1989 but reformed/restarted the band in 2011. Starting with guitarist Steve Lynch and bassits Randy Rand meeting up at NAMM (a music convention in Anaheim, California) after mending their relation Steve and Randy decided to start jamming together again. They also reached out to the original singer, Steve Plunkett. Sadly he was tied up with his own business and didn't had time to join them. But he gave them his blessing to restart Autograph again. They contacted Simon Daniels, (the lead singer and guitarist of the band Jailhouse) after have seen videos of him on YouTube and with Marc Wieland on drums the new line-up where completed.

With the current line-up featuring: Simon Daniels, Steve Lynch, Marc Wieland and Randy Rand Autograph are back and last year, 2015, they released three new songs digital and a five song EP. They held a release party for the EP at the Whisky a Go Go. The EP are only available at Autograph's website and at their live shows.

For more info about Autograph and their gigs you can head over to their FaceBook page, twitter or website.  

      Songs on the ”Louder” EP: 

    1. ”You Are Us, We Are You”

    2. ”I Lost My Mind in America”

    3. ”Every Generation” 

    4. ”Watch It Now”

    5. ”Turn Up The Radio” (Live)

Check Out This Interview With The New Breed!

The New Breed

I’m always on the look out after new bands or music to write about, this time was no different. I found a song online that I thought was good, called ”Lie To Me” and the song got me curious about the band. 

The New Breed is a rockband from Cheshire, United Kingdom and they are getting popular online after putting out a live recording from the first song they wrote as a band from the first gig that they did on socialmedias. The song ”Lie To Me” have received a lot of good response and are also available as a free download. You can listen to the song and download it from the mini-player I’ve put in below. The New Breed are now current with their debut EP, which will be released sometime in the spring of 2016. 

This is a band I think we will hear and see a lot of in the future, because they’ve got a sound that is missed and wanted by many. A sound that sort of echoes from the mid 70’s to the early 80’s, but not glam, with heavier tones, but not to dark and layers of music inspired by many genres people can recognize, so called retro-rock. 

It’s more depth in their music (without being depressing), than say the modern pop-punk, pop-rock-scene that is very popular these days (that music isn’t bad, but sometimes you want something a bit more serious and with more substance), that’s if the EP sounds like ”Lie To Me” and as the teasers implies. You can watch some of the teasers in the clips below.

Despite how busy The New Breed are in the studio now, I had a chance to ask them a few questions.
Here is my interview with Tom, one of The New Breed’s guitar players.⬇︎

Who are the members and who’s doing what in the band?

J Michael Ward on lead vocal, David MacBryde on lead guitar, Tom McKay playing rhythm guitar with Joey Wilcock and Michael Whitmore rounding out the rhythm section, playing bass and drums respectively.

When did you start the band and how? 

Our first rehearsal as a full band was sometime in February last year, but most of us have known each other in some way or another for a few years at least, whether that was because of previous bands or word of mouth. Tom and Dave grew up together through school and both started playing guitar at about the same time. Fast forward a few years and Dave found Joey and Mike online, and a few years more takes you to February 2015; Jay enters the picture (after a few attempts to get him down to jam) to complete the picture.

Any thoughts on your upcoming EP? Will it be available on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify etc? Can you share the release date?

A lot of time has gone into this EP, with what feels like an age waiting for it to all come together! But there is now light at the end of the tunnel. We’re all really stoked with how it sounds, and can’t wait to be able to share it with anybody who wants to hear it. We had 4 days down at SkyHammer Studio, and Chris the producer there worked us non-stop, with us racking up a 17 hour day on Sunday!

We don’t know at this point where it’ll be available online, but it will be available online for sure! Looking for a release date at the start of Spring, in plenty of time for the Summer. Check out our Facebook for information on all things The New Breed, including a few teasers of the EP itself.

Any tour or gigs coming up? 

We’ve got a few gigs coming up, mainly around the Manchester/Cheshire area; no plans to tour just yet, but let’s see what happens when we get this EP out! You can keep up to date with all our gigs over at the Facebook page – www.facebook.com/thenewbreedmusic - watch this space...

What/who is your biggest influence when it comes to making music?

That depends completely on who you ask – but we have a massive range of genres that we listen to between the five of us, which lends itself, in our opinion, to some interesting song writing. But if we had to pick a few bands it’d end up being a mix between classic and modern rock; bands like Aerosmith and AC/DC or Rival Sons and The Temperance Movement with the odd bit of older blues thrown in for good measure - although Mike's hard-hitting style comes more from heavier rock.

Anything else we/the readers should know about The New Breed? 

We always aim to bring everything we’ve got, wherever we play, and as much as this interview was about the imminent release of our debut EP, we believe music is made to be heard live. Come down, check us out and see if you agree; we hope the ringing in your ears lasts, and the impression we leave continues to captivate long after that.

Thank you, The New Breed, for taking the time to do this interview. I wish you good luck and hope the EP will come out real soon.

If you want to see The New Breed live, they are playing Saturday, March 19th at Percy’s Cafe Bar with free entry. So if you’re in the neighborhood stop by and listen to some good music.

For info about more gigs, head over to their Facebook page, by using the link below, and don’t forget to stay tuned for my review about The New Breed’s EP!

You can also connect with The New Breed thru their socialmedias; Facebook, Twitter or subscribe to their YouTube channel.

Follow @xTheNewBreed

Tribute

Lou Reed

March 2 1942 - October 27 2013 

Taking the time to tribute Lou Reed, the man, the myth, the legend of a past time and the dirty, dusty underground scene of New York City, where he found inspiration to his songs from the lower east characters he saw and met. It might be debatable how good Lou Reed was as an artist from the critics point of view. Lyrics that where odd, depressing, with explicit content and more like short stories and novells, than the typical song. In order to listen and grasp some of the songs you might need a break-in period. A good song to start with is "Rock and Roll" by Velvet Underground from the album "Loaded" 1970. You can watch the video in the clip below.
This music was not necessary made to be good from the start or easy to listen to or understandable with that clear of a message and that lead him to be banned from the radio. But in my meaning this is the foundation of modern rock and the subjects in his songs are now very common in the everyday music we hear on the radio. 

"Rock n' Roll Heart" is also a good song, as well as "Perfect Day" a slow, melancholic song. Give all of these records he made a listen and you'll defiantly find a few favorites, I know I did.
In a Tribute-post about Lou Reed, you obviously can't ignore the song he is most known for, "Walk On the Wild Side". You can listen to the song in the clip below.

                                                                                                               

Check Out This Fresh Noize!

The First

”The First” is a British rockband from Wisbech, Cambridgeshire and I found out about them thru a friend that can’t stop listening to a song of theirs called ”Years”.
I was stunned when I learned that the song is from their last EP, ”Live Exist”. Sadly they decided to close the shop in May of 2015. Anyway, I think this EP is great, it got three songs and are only available as a download. The music is sort of pop-punk blended with melodic rock tones and catchy, lyrics that easily gets stuck in your head, not in a bad way though. The First’s earlier albums are also worth a listen, I can guarantee that you’ll end up with a new favorite song or two.
I wish the guys in the band good luck in the future and I hope they rethink and start the band again.
You can watch the video for the song ”Live Exist” in the clip below. 

Songs on the Live Exist EP

1 ”Live Exist” 3:53

2 ”Years” 3:50
3 ”Honestly” 3:24