Live reviews
LIVE: MINDI ABAIR – April 3, 2021
Venue: Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre City: Clearwater, FL Date: April 3, 2021 Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com) With a greatest hits release that dropped the day before, Mindi Abair and her band were ready to rock the night away with a sold out and socially distanced crowd at Clearwater’s Bilheimer […]
LIVE: COLT FORD – March 26, 2021
Venue: The Stockyard City: Holiday, FL Date: March 26, 2021 Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com) Slowly but surely, the world is allowing touring to resume, even if just for occasional shows here and there on the calendar. A favorite of mine had a show scheduled near me and I did everything I […]
LIVE: SAMANTHA FISH – March 6, 2021
Venue: Jannus Live City: St. Petersburg, FL Date: March 6, 2021 Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com) On an overcast Saturday evening in Florida, I made my way to Jannus Live along with a SOLD-OUT crowd to witness the first of two shows this evening from Samantha Fish. After getting in and set up, […]
Interviews
A Dirty Dozen with LOZ CAMPBELL – April 2021
According to a recent press release: “UK Based Rock artist LOZ CAMPBELL has released the official music video for her newest, bluesy, “What Are You Doing It For?”. Filmed by Fly Girl Films, “What Are You Doing It For?” was recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by Tom Gittins (Monochrome Productions). Loz Campbell is known for travelling around the country & […]
A Dirty Dozen with JAMES BIRD from MASON HILL – April 2021
According to a recent press release: “Glasgow, UK based Rock band MASON HILL has released the official music video for their blistering metal single, “D.N.A.” Directed and produced by David Barras and Scott McKay for Strangeboat Productions, “D.N.A.” is the third single off the band’s chart dominating debut album, Against The Wall. MASON HILL has also announced UK tour dates. The 17 date […]
A Dirty Dozen with TYKE T – April 2021
According to a recent press release: “Back by popular demand, Memphis rapper Tyke T gears up to release his next hit “Lottery” on Wednesday March 31st. Leaving the decision to his dedicated following, Tyke T’s fans voted for “Lottery” when asked what single he should drop next. Leading a subscription service for hundreds of […]
Music reviews
MUSIC REVIEW: ESCAPE THE FATE – Chemical Warfare
Label: Better Noise Music Release Date: April 16, 2021 Rating: 90% Reviewer: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur Escape the Fate has been cranking out music since 2008 and hit my radar with a strong self-titled effort in 2010. With their latest effort, they have landed square on my radar again with an album full of great songs. Disc opener […]
A Dirty Dozen with TAYLOR NORDBERG from INHUMAN CONDITION – April 2021
According to a recent press release: “Florida death metal legend Terry Butler (OBITUARY, DEATH, MASSACRE, SIX FEET UNDER) has joined up with fellow former MASSACRE members Jeramie Kling (also of VENOM INC, THE ABSENCE, GOREGÄNG) on drums/vocals and Taylor Nordberg (THE ABSENCE, GOREGÄNG) on guitar to form INHUMAN CONDITION. New on the scene, the group is set to release their debut album, Rat God on […]
MUSIC REVIEW: HOT BREATH – Rubbery Lips
Label: The Sign Release Date: April 9, 2021 Rating: 85% Reviewer: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur Another band slipped through the crack and made it into my stream queue… this time the garage rock simplicity and goodness of Hot Breath. Disc opener “Right Time” kicks things off with a catchy riff and some great bottom end from the […]
Book reviews
BOOK REVIEW: FRIDAY ON MY MIND by Jeff Apter
BOOK REVIEW: FRIDAY ON MY MIND by Jeff Apter Allen & Unwin August 2020 Paperback, $29.99 Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar Biography 90% Oz rock biographer Jeff Apter takes a deep dive into the life of George Young, who might arguably be the most influential and pivotal Australian music industry figure of the twentieth century. Not […]
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, […]
Movie & Theatre reviews
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 […]
MOVIE REVIEW: Peninsula (2020)
MOVIE REVIEW: Peninsula (2020) Directed by Yeon Sang-ho Starring Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, and Lee Re 7/10 Zombies have always had a unique place in modern culture. In fact, the horror sub-genre has established itself well beyond the realm of film and television. Zombie games such as Dying Light have been quite popular over the […]
News
A Dirty Dozen with DUNCAN EVANS – April 2021
According to a recent press release: “Once a guitarist for A Forest Of Stars (as “Henry Hyde Bronsdon”), Duncan Evans is now a creator of dark folk / post-punk melancholy music. His words are inspired by literature (Cormac McCarthy, Thomas De Quincey) and his music is influenced by the likes of Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave […]
A Dirty Dozen with TOM MACKELL – March 2021
According to a recent press release: “A Charleston, South Carolina-based singer/songwriter whose honest and soulful mix of Americana, pop and rock creates a melodic, smooth sound that’s effortlessly organic. Originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mackell honed his skills performing at bars and restaurants. He performed back and forth between Philadelphia and Charleston […]
LEVARA Debut Brand New Single/Video: “Ever Enough”
LEVARA and Mascot Records present “Ever Enough,” the fourth song and accompanying music video from the band’s debut studio album coming May 14, 2021. To view, please click here: https://youtu.be/sTxeLdB5Mqg. Drummer Josh Devine reveals, “’Ever Enough’ was the first song we tracked and finished in the studio. It really set the bar and the […]
More
A Dirty Dozen with DUST from MOONLOW – April 2021
According to the bands bio: “Moonlow is a new one-person “apocalyptic noise poetry” project from musician and producer Dust, who has a background in the worlds of extreme metal, post-punk and as a songwriter and composer. This is cathartic music in which you can lose yourself. You might even find yourself again, if you need to. […]
A Dirty Dozen with STEP “SATYRA” TRANOVICH from ELECTROMANCY – April 2021
According to the bands bio: “I’m a disabled musician building a robot metal band to keep playing music. DIY robot instruments, broken manikin band mates. Experimental black metal. \m/” We get Step to discuss new music, influences, and more… 1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the […]
A Dirty Dozen with DREA DOLL from THE VENOMOUS PINKS – April 2021
According to a recent press release: “The Venomous Pink’s newest album, Based on a True Story, lives up to its title. These tracks are the musical aftermath of their mid-tour, pre-COVID, Bridge City Sessions live recording. This release perfectly documents the band’s unproduced sound and raw energy. Plus, it’s a product of an unforgettable, fun adventure, through uncontrollable, intense, […]
INTERVIEW: BRANDON YEAGLEY from CROBOT – APRIL 2021
According to a recent press release: “Crobot and Mascot Records have announced the global release of an EP titled Rat Child on June 18. The complete track listing features “Mountain” (featuring Frank Bello), “Kiss It Goodbye” (featuring Howard Jones), “Everyone Dies,” (featuring Stix Zadina), and “Rat Child.” On the collected body of work released as the Rat Child […]
A Dirty Dozen with KAT LEON from HOLY WARS – April 2021
According to a recent press release: “Los Angeles’ dark pop-rock band Holy Wars have released their latest single “TV Dinner” with a bold, eye-catching new music video. A twisted take on mid-century America, the track puts consumer culture on blast with singer Kat Leon’s searing vocals and biting lyrics. Holy Wars is: vocals and […]
A Dirty Dozen with JON TYLER WILEY – April 2021
According to a recent press release: “Since its inception, Jon Tyler Wiley & His Virginia Choir has claimed to be a country band that doesn’t play country music. One look at a live show makes that immediately palpable: electric guitars and fiddles winding in and out of one another under a screaming B3 organ with storytelling lyrics of […]
A Dirty Dozen with JAY GORDON from ORGY – April 2021
According to a recent press release: “Today, April 9, Los Angeles-based industrial metal band Orgy is back with a brand new single “Karma Kastles.” The track marks the band’s first release of 2021. Staying true to their musical roots firmly established in 1997, “Karma Kastles” crunching guitars, electronic undertones and soaring vocals are what […]
INTERVIEW: JEREMY SPENCER from PSYCHOSEXUAL – APRIL 2021
According to a recent press release: “PSYCHOSEXUAL, featuring former Five Finger Death Punch drummer Jeremy Spencer on vocals as the Devil Daddy character, are ready to set the world on fire. The band has dropped the explosive and anthemic new single “Devil From Hell.” A distorted twang gives way to his dusky baritone as Spencer announces, “I have only one burning […]
A Dirty Dozen with SAMMY LEE from RED REIGN – April 2021
According to a recent press release: “Just like all touring bands, Richmond, Virginia-based rockers Red Reign were forced off the road for much of 2020. But the group (singer/guitarist Carlton “Bubba” McMichael, guitarist Stevie Shred, bassist Larry Moore, and drummer Sammy Lee) are getting back on track for 2021 – the first matter of business being the […]
A Dirty Dozen with HAMMERHEDD – April 2021
According to a recent press release: “Helmed by brothers Henry (19), Eli (17), and Abe Ismert (14), HAMMERHEDD deliver an almost veteran-like presence that could only be achieved through true workmanship. Fans and newcomers alike will instantly admire their ambitious trappings that honor some of metal’s finest vanguards. Critics are quick to note the obvious influence of acts like Gojira, Meshuggah, and […]
