Live reviews
LIVE: HOWARD JONES – Nashville, TN, USA – August 9, 2026
Venue: Ryman Auditorium City: Nashville, TN Date: August 9, 2026 Review and Photographs by: Jacob Smith (https://www.jhs-photo.com) What was initially supposed to be an outdoor event at Ascend Amphitheatre, and was a few days prior to availability, shifted over to the legendary mother church, Ryman Auditorium; this event was packed to the brim with moments […]
LIVE: THE BLACK KEYS – Nashville, TN, USA – August 7, 2026
Venue: The Pinnacle City: Nashville, TN Date: August 7, 2026 Review and Photographs by: Jacob Smith (https://www.jhs-photo.com) Having attended the first evening of this two-night show at The Pinnacle, I didn’t know what to expect. The first evening was high energy and included a couple of guest musicians by the names of Marcus King and […]
LIVE: UPHEAVAL FESTIVAL – Grand Rapids, MI, USA – July 17-18, 2026
Venue: Belknap Park City: Grand Rapids, MI Dates: July 17-18, 2026 Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com) July brings vacation, fireworks, and if you are a rock and metal fan in Michigan it takes you to Belknap Park in Grand Rapids. As I have covered and photographed the first five years of the […]
Interviews
A Dirty Dozen with BAD MARY – August 2026
According to a recent press release: “Long Island-based punk rock provocateurs Bad Mary are kicking off a new chapter with their brand-new original song and video, “Mouth Fulla Fire.” The track marks the first official taste of the band’s forthcoming album, Stitched, with additional releases and visuals rolling out in the months ahead. In addition to bassist Mike Staub, Bad Mary is fronted by powerhouse […]
A Dirty Dozen with WULF MORRIS from ANGER WITHIN – August 2026
According to a recent press release: “Metal band Anger Within release their brand new EP, Through The Eyes Of The Bedouin, via Pavement Entertainment. The EP was co-produced by Matt Washburn (Mastodon) and mixed and recorded at Ledbelly Studios in Dawsonville, GA. Featuring five tracks, Anger Within fuse metal, hardcore punk, and death metal to create an aggressive, non-compromising form of modern day thrash […]
A Dirty Dozen with CHAS HUFF from GET OUT ALIVE – August 2026
According to a recent press release: “Get Out Alive is the brain trust of Chas Huff, a solo alternative metal artist originally from the southwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, who later relocated to Palm Coast, Florida. His musical journey began in high school, producing on a borrowed computer before stepping into the local scene as […]
Music reviews
CD REVIEW: ARTIFICIAL AGENT – PRISMATIC
CD REVIEW: ARTIFICIAL AGENT – PRISMATIC May 2026, Independent Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar 90% I’ve long been a fan of these motor city mayhem merchants, a proper rollicking rock band rolling to the beat of their very own drum, bass and guitar. With Prismatic – their sixth full length album, testament to their longevity and […]
SINGLE REVIEW: Darkyra – We Are Blind
SINGLE REVIEW: Darkyra – We Are Blind Released 10 July 2026 Reviewed by Scarrrlet Black Thankfully, this Perth-based operatic, symphonic, goth metal band is back in business. Initially the solo brainchild of songwriter, Gina Bafile, Darkyra have re-emerged as a tight ensemble, featuring Bafile on vocals, Drew Casella on drums, Maaz Malik on […]
ALBUM REVIEW: ROSE CARLEO BAND – 42 DAYS
ALBUM REVIEW: ROSE CARLEO BAND – 42 DAYS Independent May 2026 Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar 93% From opener You Ain’t Foolin’ Me it’s patently clear that The Rose Carleo Band are on the level. Like the protagonist of this song, we can usually smell anything fake a mile off, and what we have here is […]
News
PHIL JAMIESON’S ’10CHARLIE’ IS OUT TODAY
There’s a bittersweet feeling surrounding the release of Phil Jamieson’s highly anticipated sophomore solo album, 10CHARLIE, out today. Arriving as Phil begins a very different kind of tour break, 10CHARLIE lands just days after an on-stage accident forced him to cancel the remainder of his mammoth 2026 PJ AIR Tour. After slipping during a show […]
SHRED FEST // Australia & NZ 2026 Featuring OBSCURA (Germany) + FALLUJAH (USA) and More
SHRED FEST // Australia & NZ 2026 Featuring OBSCURA (Germany) + FALLUJAH (USA) and More September 2026 – Prepare your necks and brace your ears — SHRED FEST 2026 is coming! The renowned travelling metal festival will storm across Australia and New Zealand, delivering an unmatched celebration of technical excellence, intensity, and musical precision. This […]
SLEEP THEORY ANNOUNCE THEIR FIRST EVER AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE TOUR WITH SPECIAL GUESTS RIVALS
SLEEP THEORY ANNOUNCE THEIR FIRST EVER AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE TOUR WITH SPECIAL GUESTS RIVALS Memphis modern heavy breakouts Sleep Theory are finally heading to Australia! Today, the fast rising four piece announce their first ever Australian headline tour, joined by special guests RIVALS (US). The five date run will kick off on Sunday 7 February at […]
Book reviews
BOOK REVIEW: THE JAMES BOND SERIES (PLUS…) by Ian Fleming
BOOK REVIEW: THE JAMES BOND SERIES by Ian Fleming PLUS: James Bond: The Authorised Biography by John Pearson New South Books October 2003 By Shane Pinnegar Bond novel series: 90% James Bond: The Authorised Biography: 85% New South Books’ classy reissue of Ian Fleming’s fourteen Bond novels – all of which were originally published between […]
BOOK REVIEW: 42 – The Wildly Improbable Ideas of Douglas Adams edited by Kevin Jon Davies
BOOK REVIEW: 42 – The Wildly Improbable Ideas of Douglas Adams edited by Kevin Jon Davies Unbound, 2023 Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar 84% Kevin Jon Davies has trawled through Douglas Adams’ archives – “over 60 boxes full of notebooks, research, letters, scripts, jokes, speeches, to-do lists, hard drives and even poems” – for this strangely […]
BOOK REVIEW: NO SECRETS by Graham ‘Buzz’ Bidstrup
BOOK REVIEW: NO SECRETS by Graham ‘Buzz’ Bidstrup Harper Collins Australia, September 2025 Rrp $35.99 Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar 88% Graham ‘Buzz’ Bidstrup’s memoir is a treat for fans of The Angels, the pivotal Oz rock band he joined in 1976, not long after they had evolved from first The Moonshine Jug & String Band […]
Movie & Theatre reviews
MOVIE: SCREAM 7
MOVIE: SCREAM 7 Written by Kevin Williamson, Guy Busick, James Vanderbilt Directed by Kevin Williamson Starring Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, Isabel May, Jasmine Savoy-Brown, Joel McHale, McKenna Grace Reviewed by Tia Pinnegar “It’s all led to this” Scream is back for the 7th installment in the franchise. The opening credits started off strong with the […]
FRINGE FESTIVAL – VELVET METAL, Perth, 31 Jan 2026
FRINGE FESTIVAL – VELVET METAL, Perth, 31 Jan 2026 The Red Room, Perth, Western Australia Review & pictures by Shane Pinnegar There’s a stunning power to rock and metal songs, as we all know, but rarely is that so highlighted as when the songs are stripped of their power chords and rows of amps and […]
FRINGE FESTIVAL – 27 CLUB, Perth, 3 Feb 2026
FRINGE FESTIVAL – 27 CLUB, Perth, 3 Feb 2026 Rechabite Hall, Perth, Western Australia Review & pictures by Shane Pinnegar You won’t find a more authentic rock n’ roll experience at this year’s Perth Fringe Festival than the lauded 27 Club featuring Sarah McLeod (Superjesus), Carla Lippis (Mondo Psycho) and Dusty Lee Stephensen (The Wanderers). […]
More
INTERVIEW: ALYXX @ UPHEAVAL – July 2026
According to a recent press release: “ALYXX a singer, songwriter, and pianist hailing from the musical hub of New York, has captivated audiences with her unique blend of classical finesse and rock-infused energy. Born and raised in a world of classical music, ALYXX’s upbringing laid the foundation for her exceptional talent and artistry. However, it […]
IAN MOSS AND TROY CASSAR-DALEY 2027 TOGETHER ALONE TOUR SHOWS ANNOUNCED
IAN MOSS AND TROY CASSAR-DALEY 2027 TOGETHER ALONE TOUR SHOWS ANNOUNCED Due to unprecedented demand following the announcement of a major regional run, Ian Moss and Troy Cassar-Daley have added capital city dates to their Together Alone Tour in February and March 2027. Following strong fan demand after the 2026 tour announcement in April, the […]
ELLA HOOPER SHARES DISARMING NEW SINGLE ‘WHEN THE SHIT WENT DOWN’ ANNOUNCES NEW FULL-LENGTH ALBUM ‘OVERNIGHT SUCCESS’ OUT OCTOBER 2 + NATIONAL ALBUM LAUNCH TOUR KICKS OFF THIS OCTOBER
A glowing new era for beloved Australian singer-songwriter Ella Hooper will unfurl in 2026, set to release her third studio album Overnight Success on October 2. Weaving Americana charm with authenticity and poise, the announcement of Ella’s new upcoming album also arrives today with a warm and disarming new single When The Shit Went Down, […]
LIVE: LORD HURON – Atlanta, GA, USA – August 1, 2026
Venue: Coca-Cola Roxy City: Atlanta, GA Date: August 1, 2026 Review and Photographs by: Rob Griffis (https://www.robgphoto.com/concert) There are few bands capable of transforming a concert venue into another world quite like Lord Huron. On Saturday night at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta, the indie folk favorites delivered a mesmerizing 20-song performance that blended cinematic storytelling, […]
Chiodos ‘All’s Well That Ends Well’ 20th Anniversary Australian Tour 2026
Chiodos ‘All’s Well That Ends Well’ 20th Anniversary Australian Tour 2026 With Special Guests Rain City Drive (USA) + The Beautiful Monument All Nereids (and Australians) Beware, this November Michigan post-hardcore icons CHIODOS are set to return to Australian stages for the first time in over a decade, bringing their All’s Well That Ends Well […]
ABC ANNOUNCES THE LEXICON OF LIFE TOUR AUSTRALIA 2027
ABC ANNOUNCES THE LEXICON OF LIFE TOUR AUSTRALIA 2027 Martin Fry brings The Lexicon of Love and a career of classic hits back to Australia for the first time in more than 10 years when ABC returns for a national tour – March 2027 Legendary British pop icons ABC, fronted by the inimitable Martin Fry, […]
ROSE TATTOO ANNOUNCE FINAL YEAR OF TOURING
ROSE TATTOO ANNOUNCE FINAL YEAR OF TOURING After Five Decades Of Blood, Sweat, Beers & Rock ‘N’ Roll, An Australian Institution Takes Its Final Bow For more than 50 years, Rose Tattoo have been one of Australia’s most uncompromising and influential rock bands. From the pubs of Sydney to stages across Europe, the UK and […]
KITTY, DAISY & LEWIS ANNOUNCE 2026 AUSTRALIAN TOUR
KITTY, DAISY & LEWIS ANNOUNCE 2026 AUSTRALIAN TOUR First time back in Australia since 2018! Described as “a gift to those of us who still believe in magic” London family Kitty, Daisy & Lewis Durham, an extraordinary, talented trio of musicians and songwriters, can play any instrument they lay their hands on. Each one swapping […]
Old Mervs announce Carparks Australian and New Zealand Tour
Old Mervs announce Carparks Australian and New Zealand Tour “Heavy In The Morning”, “Tether” and “She Said” out now Carparks out Friday 2 October, preorder now Australia’s favourite indie-rock duo Old Mervs are hitting the road to play their biggest capacity venues yet, celebrating the release of sophomore album Carparks. This October and November, Dave […]
Good Day Sunshine Festival announced for Margaret River
Good Day Sunshine Festival announced for Margaret River Saturday 24th October 2026 3 Oceans Winery, Margaret River Matt Corby • Macy Gray (USA) • The Cat Empire • The Forever Party • Teischa • Birdland Good Day Sunshine is coming home! After a run of sold-out events at Gloucester Park, WA’s most beloved music festival […]
