Live reviews

LIVE: LIVING DEAD GIRL – May 11, 2023
Venue: Open Chord Stage City: Knoxville, TN Date: May 11, 2023 Review and Photographs by: Rachel Craig (https://www.rachelcraigmedia.com/) The Canadian metal band Living Dead Girl made a stop at the Open Chord Stage in Knoxville on their Not That Innocent Tour – and it even became the unintentional last date on this run. The show was set to […]

LIVE: ALICE COOPER – April 28, 2023
Venue: Soaring Eagle Casino City: Mt. Pleasant, MI Dates: April 28, 2023 Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com) After driving from Florida to Michigan, there are few artists that would prompt me to get back in a car for a 5-hour roundtrip… but Alice Cooper is one of those artists, especially when it is […]

LIVE: M83 – April 18, 2023
Venue: Marathon Music Works City: Nashville, TN Date: April 18, 2023 Review and Photographs by: Jacob Smith (www.jhs-photo.com) M83 hit the stage to a well in advance sold out show at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, TN in support of their most recent album Fantasy. The evening was an absolute fun filled event. Everybody in attendance […]
Interviews

A Dirty Dozen with THE 6IX – June 2023
According to a recent press release: “New England Rap / Metal band THE 6IX GVNG has released the official music video for “PIG,” Filmed, edited, and directed by James “Squatch” Joyce, “PIG” is off of the band’s new EP, Black Magic & Trap Houses. Hailing from New England, The 6ix is an up and coming music act with a […]

A Dirty Dozen with DANIEL CULLEN-RICHARD from ALT. – June 2023
According to a recent press release: “Australian rockers alt. are set to release their new album ABEYANCE on June 16 via SharpTone Records. To herald the news, the band has shared the towering new single, “APEP,” featuring Void Of Vision vocalist Jack Bergin. “‘APEP’ is the Egyptian god of chaos and he is consuming our world,” […]

INTERVIEW: TOM BRISLIN from KANSAS – May 2023
According to a recent press release: America’s preeminent progressive rock band, KANSAS, will be touring 50 select North American cities to celebrate the band’s 50th Anniversary. KANSAS 50th Anniversary Tour–Another Fork in the Road will showcase music spanning all 50 years of the band’s illustrious history. The tour will showcase two hours of hits, fan […]
Music reviews

CD REVIEW: THE MEZCALTONES – AGAVÉ SOIRÉE
CD REVIEW: THE MEZCALTONES – AGAVÉ SOIRÉE Independent April 2023 Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar 90% The Mezcaltones, the cavalera-painted sextet of mariachis hailing physically from Sydney and spiritually from the Titty Twister cantina, are back in all their Tarantino & Rodrigues-admiring and twanging guitar glory for album number three, and it’s another groovy ride. Opening […]

CD REVIEW: THE ON AND ONS – LET YA HAIR DOWN!
CD REVIEW: THE ON AND ONS – LET YA HAIR DOWN! Citadel Records April 2023 Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar 90% Over their previous four albums The On And Ons have proven themselves to be amongst the finest retro pop rock/power pop band in this country – or planet, for that matter. It’s not hard to […]

CD REVIEW: THE ON AND ONS – BACK FOR MORE
CD REVIEW: THE ON AND ONS – BACK FOR MORE Citadel October 2021 Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar 85% Take a trip Back in time for More of The On and Ons – back to a time when The Beatles, The Kinks, The Who, The Flamin’ Groovies, The Monkees and a zillion other legends of hyper-melodic […]
Book reviews

BOOK REVIEW: A BOOK OF DAYS by Patti Smith
BOOK REVIEW: A BOOK OF DAYS by Patti Smith Bloomsbury Publishing November 2022 – $39.99 Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar 95% Lumped in with the punk scene when she first came to prominence in the ‘70s, Patti Smith has evolved in our consciousness to something far more unique: a poet, an artist, an author, a musician, […]

BOOK REVIEW: THE McCARTNEY LEGACY Volume 1 1969-73 by Allan Kozinn & Adrian Sinclair
BOOK REVIEW: THE McCARTNEY LEGACY Volume 1 1969-73 by Allan Kozinn & Adrian Sinclair Dey St Books | Harper Collins Australia February 2023 Paperback, rrp AUD$36.99 Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar 95% The McCartney Legacy Volume 1 is as exhaustively researched, meticulously documented a biography of four pivotal years in the life of one of humanity’s […]

BOOK REVIEW: I WILL FIND YOU by Harlan Coben
BOOK REVIEW: I WILL FIND YOU by Harlan Coben Penguin Random House March 2023 – rrp AUD$32.99 Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar 84% Harlan Coben’s latest novel came about by asking himself, “What if you were accused of the worst crime possible? What happens if, after losing everything and being imprisoned, you find evidence that could […]
Movie & Theatre reviews

THEATRE REVIEW: EVERY BRILLIANT THING
THEATRE REVIEW: EVERY BRILLIANT THING Black Swan Theatre, Perth, Western Australia – 25th August, 2021 Written by Duncan MacMillan with Jonny Donahoe Starring Luke Hewitt By Shane Pinnegar We cried true tears last night – equally from laughter, compassion and respect – as we experienced Luke Hewitt performing the one-handed play Every Brilliant Thing in […]

MOVIE REVIEW: BOSS LEVEL
MOVIE REVIEW: BOSS LEVEL Written by Chris & Eddie Borey, Joe Carnahan Directed by Joe Carnahan Starring Frank Grillo, Mel Gibson, Naomi Watts Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar 72% Frank Grillo oozes charisma and cool as retired special forces officer Roy Pulver in this assassin-Groundhog Day action-fest. Waking up each day on the exact same day […]

MOVIE REVIEW: KING KONG (2005)
MOVIE REVIEW: KING KONG (2005) Image: Wikimedia Hollywood is going through a phase of revisiting old properties of late. And just as recent years have brought us a reimagined take on an iconic Batman villain in 2019’s Joker, or a deeper look into the Alien franchise in Memory (which was reviewed here), we’re soon to […]
News

NEW VIDEO FROM YEAR LONG DRAMA – DO YOU KNOW THAT WE KNOW WHAT YOU’VE DONE
NEW VIDEO FROM YEAR LONG DRAMA – DO YOU KNOW THAT WE KNOW WHAT YOU’VE DONE By Shane Pinnegar Following 2022’s debut EP NOT U, Year Long Drama drop the video for latest single Do you know that we know what you’ve done? (We know what you did). Showcasing their pop rock foundations, Do You […]

FEATURE VIDEO: THE THE HARD-ONS – APARTMENT FOR TWO
FEATURE VIDEO: THE THE HARD-ONS – APARTMENT FOR TWO By Shane Pinnegar What do you get when you cross Australia’s favourite garage punks with an early ’70s educational TV series made by the Department of Agriculture in the U-S-of-A? Well, friends, you get this madcap retro film clip which is guaranteed to twist your melon. […]

LIVE: TAYLOR SWIFT – April 13, 2023
Venue: Raymond James Stadium City: Tampa, FL Dates: April 13, 2023 Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com) There has been a buzz for days in Tampa and the impending arrival of Taylor Swift and her Eras Tour is the source of the energy and anticipation. The tour finds her bringing a long show pulling […]
More

A Dirty Dozen with STEVE RAMONE – May 2023
According to a recent press release: “Dealing in sweet but edgy 3-minute melody driven anthems that are the hallmark of the South Side music scene, Chicago based Power Pop-Rock artist Steve Ramone has plied his trade in and around the Midwest for many years. Chasing Daylight is Ramone’s first release on Pavement Entertainment. He delivers high energy, […]

Almost A Dirty Dozen with BAYBE – May 2023
According to a recent press release: “Dynamic pop/rap/metal artist BAYBE has today released her debut EP, God’s Favorite. A collection of songs that explore the singer’s condemnable views on religion, God’s Favorite features aggressive, tongue-in-cheek lyricism as BAYBE writes about pride, lust, envy and other deadly sins. Fans can check out the EP. Miami-born and Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and producer BAYBE stalks pop hooks from […]

A Dirty Dozen with RUSS TIPPINS from TANITH – May 2023
According to a recent press release: “New York City’s Tanith – Russ Tippins (guitars, vocals), Cindy Maynard (bass, vocals), and Keith Robinson (drums) – have released their new album Voyage, out April 21 via Metal Blade. The album was recorded and mastered on 24-track analog tape and has never been digitized from recording to pressing. Also, fans will recognize […]

A Dirty Dozen with KITT WAKELEY – May 2023
According to a recent press release: “Today, GRAMMY® Award-winning composer, arranger, and producer Kitt Wakeley released his star-studded orchestral rock album, Symphony of Sinners & Saints Vol. II The Storm, along with a new single, “All Things Sacred,” featuring guitar legend Joe Satriani and renowned drummer Kenny Aronoff (John Cougar, Joe Satriani), the London Symphony Orchestra, and London Voices choir. The album and new single can be purchased at […]

A Dirty Dozen with MARCUS SIMONINI from ANOTHER ONE DOWN! – May 2023
According to a recent press release: “Today Open Your Ears Records is pleased to welcome Another One Down! to its roster. The hard-hitting pop-punk band joins the independent label’s rapidly growing roster, which includes such artists as House & Home, Guardrail, Sea Of Storms, and more. Additionally, Another One Down! has announced their new album, A Bitter Descent Deluxe, which will be released on May 26, 2023. […]

A Dirty Dozen with MATT TOSKIN from BRAVE THE SEA – May 2023
According to a recent press release: “Columbus, Ohio punk rock seadogs BRAVE THE SEA return this week with a wild new folk-metal shanty, “Frozen Shore,” featuring guest vocals by Vincent Jackson of death metal band Aether Realm. The instant classic, drink-clinker is found on the band’s forthcoming, third full-length album, Lady Death, that’s out on April 28th. Brave the Sea is a Columbus, OH Celtic rock band whose fun live performances and hook filled melodies […]

A Dirty Dozen with BRYANT AUGUST from ATRIUM – May 2023
According to a recent press release: “Rock band ATRIUM released their latest single “Above Water” to all major platforms via Curtain Call records on April 20, 2023. The single was written and recorded by Bryant August, Chad Szeliga, and Johnny K at Johnny K Productions. It was produced, mixed, and mastered by Johnny K.” We get Bryant to discuss new music, influences, and more. 1. Tell us a little […]

A Dirty Dozen with DREW ELLIOTT from SEVENSTONES – May 2023
According to a recent press release: “From the ashes of passion and pleasure, SevenStones brings you Hurt Turns Into Hate. This album was produced by Dalton Skinner of Anchor Sound. The most fitting of titles, Hurt Turns Into Hate is a collection of songs that bring in an array of energy and emotion. Pulling from influences such as Seether, Limp Bizkit, […]

A Dirty Dozen with FAILURE BY PROXY – April 2023
According to a recent press release: “Failure by Proxy release new single “Devil’s Got a New Friend” via Daeth Records/TLG/INgrooves. The single was produced by Nick Miller and written by Failure by Proxy and Nick Miller. Failure By Proxy (FXP) is an American rock band from Galt, California. Founding member and drummer Eric “Spaz” Lewis established the band in December of 2017 with current members guitarist Chuck “Cash” Schubert and bassist and backing vocalist […]

A Dirty Dozen with MARC “GAFF” GAFFNEY from GOZU – April 2023
According to a recent press release: “Boston’s GOZU — Marc Gaffney (vocals and guitar); Joseph Grotto (bass); Doug Sherman (lead guitar); and Seth Botos (drums) — return riffing and screaming with their fifth full-length Remedy. It arrives via Black Light Media/Metal Blade on May 19. This is Gozu’s world, we’re just living in it. Given that it has been five years since the Boston quartet dropped the monstrous Equilibrium, returning with Remedy is one hell of a […]