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 NICK SAVIO from ETERNAL IDOL – October 2020
According to a recent press release: “Italian symphonic/melodic metallers Eternal Idol return with a revamped, re-energized line-up and an exciting new album, Renaissance on November. 6, 2020. Featuring Fabio Lione (Rhapsody, Angra) and Claudia Layline on co-lead vocals, guitarist Nick Savio (Hollow Haze), bassist Andrea Burratto (Secret Sphere, Hell In The Club), and drummer Enrico Fabris, Eternal Idol’s sophomore album is an epic maelstrom of symphonic/melodic metal that will delight […]
A Dirty Dozen with MIRANDA MULHOLLAND and ANDREW PENNER from HARROW FAIR – October 2020
According to a recent press release: “Toronto, ON-based Americana duo Harrow Fair (Miranda Mulholland and Andrew Penner) is set to release a new acoustic single on October 29, 2020 via Roaring Girl Records. The song is a stripped-down, bare bones version of the title track from their most recent album, Sins We Made, which was released on April […]
A Dirty Dozen with JAKE EARLEY from THE LONELY ONES – October 2020
According to a recent press release: “Hard rock band The Lonely Ones released their brand new single “Real Big Trouble” to all digital outlets. “Real Big Trouble” started simple – with all of us passing an acoustic guitar back and forth. It is the heaviest song we’ve written but showcases all of our influences from old Thin Lizzy swing to Beartooth. […]
Music reviews
MUSIC REVIEW: PATTI PAGE – This Can’t Be Love
Label: Hindsight Records Release Date: October 2, 2020 Rating: 85% Reviewer: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur I am always venturing out and enjoying music out of my norm and that is so true with my listening and enjoyment of the Hindsight Records re-release of Patti Page’s This Can’t Be Love as part of their reimagined series. This […]
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 […]
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
A Dirty Dozen with JONNY ROSS from SMALL TOWN TITANS – October 2020
According to a recent press release: “York, PA Heavy Rock Band SMALL TOWN TITANS are taking on the absurdity of the world’s modern social media obsession with their new single and music video, “Rufflin’ Feathers.” The fresh new single features the trio’s trademark sound with a blistering melody, driving rhythm and front-man Phillip Nathaniel Freeman’s extraordinary vocal domination. […]
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 […]
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, […]
