Live reviews
LIVE: SMITH & MYERS – October 17, 2020
Venue: Crofoot Festival Grounds City: Pontiac, MI Date: October 17, 2020 Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com) Let’s be honest… after more than seven months without a concert, I would have gone to see just about anyone to get back in a photo pit and enjoy the atmosphere of a live show. Luckily, I […]
LIVE: BREAKING THE CHAINS – Jaime Page’s Dark Universe, Black Steel & Triple Engine 22 Aug ‘20
LIVE: BREAKING THE CHAINS – Jaime Page’s Dark Universe, Black Steel & Triple Engine 22 Aug ‘20 The Civic Hotel, Perth, Western Australia – Saturday, 22nd August, 2020 Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar Photography by Pete Gardner For many of the 100 present tonight this was our first live music since the world shut down due […]
LIVE: HOWARD JONES wsg RACHAEL SAGE – March 11, 2020
Venue: Saint Andrews Hall City: Detroit, MI Date: March 11, 2020 Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com) 80’s icon Howard Jones is out touring and putting an interesting twist on his set by featuring a three-man acoustic set featuring hits and favorites fro throughout his catalog. Before the headliner took to the stage, we […]
Interviews
A Dirty Dozen with JOHAN ERICSON from DRACONIAN – October 2020
According to a recent press release: “DRACONIAN, the sovereigns of melancholic Gothic Doom Metal and far-reaching lyrics, release their fourth single, “Moon Over Sabaoth”, cut from their upcoming studio album, Under A Godless Veil, out October 30, 2020 via Napalm Records. The seventh full-length of the Swedish five-piece and second one with talented Heike Langhans on vocal duties, appears […]
INTERVIEW: SAMMI DOLL – OCTOBER 2020
According to a recent press release: “LA based, Dark Pop Rock artist SAMMI DOLL (IAMX, Kat Von D.) has released the official music video for her debut single, “AN OM IE.” Originally premiered with Alternative Press, “AN OM IE” is an amalgamation of pounding dance beats and industrial keyboard hooks that showcase Sammi’s vocal range and frontwoman persona. Inspired by her […]
INTERVIEW: DORO PESCH – OCTOBER 2020
According to a recent press release: “On November 13th, 2020, Metal Queen DORO proves once again that she literally gives her all when she cares about something. On this November 13th, DORO’s own label, Rare Diamonds Productions, will release her long-awaited best-of album Magic Diamonds – Best Of Rock, Ballads & Rare Treasures. And that’s what it’s all about: 56(!) songs […]
Music reviews
MUSIC REVIEW: CORY MARKS – Who I Am
Label: Better Noise Music Release Date: August 7, 2020 Rating: 98% Reviewer: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur I dig so many different styles and genres, including country…. especially when it has a rock and roll spirit woven into it. The recent offering from Cory Marks has that and then some, while also staying true to his roots […]
MUSIC REVIEW: SMITH & MYERS – Volume 1
Label: Atlantic Recording Corporation Release Date: October 9, 2020 Rating: 100% Reviewer: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur” Acoustic is not my normal listening, but Shaw Blades tweaked that years ago and the latest from Smith & Myers only builds on my love of this vibe and sound. Full disclosure, I don’t think the guys do much wrong during […]
MUSIC REVIEW: THE ON AND ONS – Menacing Smile
MUSIC REVIEW: THE ON AND ONS – Menacing Smile Citadel Records May 2020 Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar 80% Clocking in at 18 glorious minutes, The On And Ons third release is a six-track mini-album of sublime power pop greatness which will delight fans of everything from garage rock to psych rock to Oz rock to […]
Book reviews
BOOK REVIEW: WILD AND CRAZY GUYS by Nick De Semlyen
BOOK REVIEW: WILD AND CRAZY GUYS by Nick De Semlyen Picador June 2019 Paperback, $32.99 Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar Non fiction, movie, comedy 79% Nick De Semlyn catalogs the leap from Saturday Night Live’s iconic TV comedy stage to film stardom for many of its major players in the late ‘70s and ‘80s. John Belushi, […]
BOOK REVIEW: FACE IT by Debbie Harry
BOOK REVIEW: FACE IT by Debbie Harry Harper Collins Australia October 2019 Hardback, $45 Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar Autobiography 79% Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry delivers a fascinating memoir with Face It, but somehow, in all the retelling of her life and times, she still manages to retain her privacy and mystique. She’s an enigmatic figure, […]
BOOK REVIEW: THE LIFE & TIMES OF MALCOLM MCLAREN by Paul Gorman
BOOK REVIEW: THE LIFE & TIMES OF MALCOLM MCLAREN by Paul Gorman Hachette Australia May 2020 Paperback, $34.99 Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar Non fiction, movie, comedy 82% Most fans of the Sex Pistols and their one-and-only album – the explosive soundtrack to an entire movement detonating a hole in England’s social fabric – Never Mind […]
Movie & Theatre reviews
MOVIE REVIEW: THE BURNT ORANGE HERESY
MOVIE REVIEW: THE BURNT ORANGE HERESY Written by Scott B Smith from Charles Willeford’s novel Directed by Guiseppe Capotondi Starring Claes Bang, Elizabeth Debicki, Donald Sutherland, Mick Jagger Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar 64% Set in the rarified air of the high art world, The Burnt Orange Heresy is an intriguing tale with some hard-to-ignore flaws. […]
MOVIE REVIEW: THE KING
MOVIE REVIEW: THE KING Written by Joel Edgerton, David Michôd Directed by David Michôd Starring Timothée Chalamet, Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton, Sean Harris, Robert Pattinson Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar 86% Set in the early fifteenth century, The King draws from a combination of accepted history, Billy Shakespeare’s plays, and modern dramatic licence to concoct a […]
MOVIE REVIEW: JUDY
MOVIE REVIEW: JUDY Directed by Rupert Goold Written by Tom Edge, based on the play End Of The Rainbow by Peter Quilter Starring Renée Zellweger, Jessie Buckley, Rufus Sewell, Finn Wittrock, Michael Gambon Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar 80% Six months before her tragic death aged only 47, faded child star Judy Garland is almost unhirable […]
News
TOTO Announce New Lineup & Global Live Stream Event For Nov 21st
Los Angeles, CA — Steve Lukather a.k.a. Luke and Joseph Williams are life-long friends since they were kids, and bandmates sharing a deep colorful history that has thrived professionally on a global basis over the past decades. Today, the duo has announced the formation of a new band, with world class players. They will continue […]
Shinedown Gives A Quarter Million Dollars From The “Atlas Falls” Fundraiser To Direct Relief
New York, NY – [October 5, 2020] – Multi-platinum band Shinedown has presented their first installment check of $230,000 from their “Atlas Falls” COVID-19 fundraiser to humanitarian aid organization Direct Relief, one of the largest providers of humanitarian medical resources in the world whose mission is to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergency situations by mobilizing and […]
Smith & Myers Release Dual Songs & New Video
New York, NY – [September 25, 2020] – Today, Smith & Myers – the duo comprised of multi-platinum artists Brent Smith and Zach Myers – have released dual songs from their newly-announced full-length album Smith & Myers Volume 2 out October 23 via Atlantic Records, that will follow the release of Volume 1 on […]
More
ALMOST A Dirty Dozen with SHAUN GLASS from REPENTANCE – October 2020
According to a recent press release: “Repentance came together in 2018 when Shaun Glass, a veteran guitarist of Broken Hope and Dirge Within, recruited Mike Sylvester on bass and began songwriting with lead guitarist Markus Johansson of the group Them. Robb Rivera of Nonpoint introduced Stuck Mojo front-man Robby J. Fonts and from there… Repentance was born. The […]
INTERVIEW: BEN WELLS from BLACK STONE CHERRY – OCTOBER 2020
According to a recent press release: “Black Stone Cherry have announced a livestream event that will broadcast on October 30th, timed to the album release date of the band’s new studio record THE HUMAN CONDITION. Titled “LIVE FROM THE SKY,” the event will be staged at SkyPac in Bowling Green, KY. The band will be performing repertoire […]
INTERVIEW: MARTIN BARRE – OCTOBER 2020
According to a recent press release: “Martin Barre the guitarist of Jethro Tull for over 43 years, his sound and playing was a major factor in their success. Album sales have exceeded 60 million units and they continue to be played worldwide, representing an important part of classic rock history. Martin’s guitar playing has earned him a high level of respect […]
A Dirty Dozen with TOLI WILD from WILDWAYS – October 2020
According to a recent press release: “Russian metal quintet WILDWAYS have shared the video for the new song “Event Horizon (Ближе к тебе).” The song appears on the band’s upcoming album Anna. The album arrives on October 30 via Warner Music Russia. It is the band’s first release for the label. Wildways will share the new song “Everest” on Friday, […]
A Dirty Dozen with LUNA13 – October 2020
According to a recent press release: “Friday the 13th of November brings the long-awaited new album from dark lord duo LUNA13 who will release their latest unholy collection of songs God.Dis through new label, COP International (the home Stabbing Westward, Deathline International and Suicide Queen). Today, LUNA13 also gives a tease of the record with new single “Cursing […]
INTERVIEW: CRISTIAN MACHADO – OCTOBER 2020
According to a recent press release: “Cristian Machado, former lead singer of Latin hard rock band Ill Niño, has premiered the video for his new single “Die Alone.” “Every video I’ve been in before, I’m headbanging and jumping around like a maniac,” says Machado. “‘Die Alone’ is unlike any video I’ve ever made. It features me as a songwriter and musician, it includes some very close friends, […]
A Dirty Dozen with DAN LORENZO from VESSEL OF LIGHT – October 2020
According to a recent press release: “VESSEL OF LIGHT has revealed the second single, “There’s No Escape,” from their upcoming doom-rock masterpiece, Last Ride, due out on October 23 via Nomad Eel Records. The most refined of VESSEL OF LIGHT’s releases, Last Ride is rife with depth, harmonies, the trademark riffs and guitar sound of guitarist Dan Lorenzo and creativity while also maintaining a familiar feel. Like […]
A Dirty Dozen with KLAUS KÖNIG FOSSOR from THEM – October 2020
According to a recent press release: “THEM’s debut concept album, Sweet Hollow, chronicles the bizarre journey of a man caught between unfortunate circumstance and unspeakable evil. Sweet Hollow was released by Empire Records (Belgium) on CD and limited edition vinyl in September 2016 and via all major online music outlets. In support of Sweet Hollow, THEM has performed throughout the USA […]
A Dirty Dozen with DAVID SHAW – October 2020
According to a recent press release: “Acclaimed singer, songwriter, musician and producer David Shaw has released his first-ever solo singles “Shaken” and “Promised Land,” from his forthcoming studio album due out in 2021 on Yokoko Records/C3 Records. A brand-new video for “Shaken” accompanies the two tracks. With his new music, The Revivalists front man and enigmatic talent follows the direction of his own internal compass as a […]
A Dirty Dozen with THE FOXFIRES – October 2020
According to a recent press release: “NYC’s beloved indie rock band The Foxfires call for peace and love during the most turbulent of times. Their new single “Orion”, slated to release on Tuesday October 20th, is a conscientious response to a year when everything seems uncertain. The melodic new anthem presents dream pop and […]
