Live reviews
LIVE: MYLES KENNEDY – September 20, 2021
Venue: The Machine Shop City: Flint, MI Date: September 20, 2021 Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com) I still remember the first time I heard Myles Kennedy’s voice… jamming to a disc from The Mayfield Four, I was blown away at the power of the vocals and how well they delivered the messages […]
LIVE: JUDAS PRIEST – September 19, 2021
Venue: Fox Theater City: Detroit, MI Date: September 19, 2021 Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com) Heavy metal LEGENDS Judas Priest are out on the road celebrating 50 years of metal mayhem. With a rescheduled date in Detroit and Swedish rockers Sabaton tow, Priest landed at Fox Theatre on a Sunday night, but that […]
LIVE: LUKE BRYAN FARM TOUR 2021 – September 18, 2021
Venue: Kubiak Family Farm City: Fowlerville, MI Date: September 18, 2021 Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com) With a plethora of concerts hitting Michigan on a mid-September Saturday night, there were a lot of options available… but only one that jumped out at me as a must see show. Luke Bryan’s Farm […]
Interviews
A Dirty Dozen with PLASTIC RHINO – September 2021
According to a recent press release: “Ever wondered what it would be like if TOOL & In This Moment had a baby? The answer is emerging rock band, Plastic Rhino – fronted by husband and wife – Atara and Jack Glazer. The duo is gearing up to release their new single titled “Euphoria Now” produced by Tom Chandler (Diamond Lane, […]
A Dirty Dozen with NAKED GYPSY QUEENS – September 2021
According to a recent press release: “Staking their claim as the new heavyweights of rock & roll’s modern-day renaissance, the Tennessee quartet Naked Gypsy Queens have announced Georgiana, their debut EP, out February 11th via Mascot Records/Mascot Label Group. Rooted in amplified blues, hard-charging grooves, and dual lead guitars, the band builds upon the larger-than-life sound of […]
A Dirty Dozen with PAT McMANUS from THE PAT McMANUS BAND – September 2021
According to a recent press release: “Steeped from a young age in Traditional Irish music, Pat began playing fiddle at four years of age and eventually won numerous awards for his prodigious talent on that instrument. By the age of 14, he had won the All-Ireland competition on the fiddle in the adult’s category. Eventually turning […]
Music reviews
MUSIC REVIEW: CAROL HODGE – The Crippling Space Between
Label: Independent Release Date: July 9, 2021 Rating: 92% Reviewer: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur An odd release shot through my email and I will be honest (just as I was with the person that originally sent the email) I only gave this one a shot because of the artist Carol Hodge’s tie to one of my favorite […]
MUSIC REVIEW: KING CALAWAY – Midnight EP
Label: Stoney Creek Records Release Date: August 27, 2021 Rating: 98% Reviewer: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur It’s no secret that I am a total rocker at heart, but there is something about music with a rock and country tint that draws me in every time. The latest effort from King Calaway is four tracks of sonic goodness […]
MUSIC REVIEW: GRACE WOMACK – Yellow Cowboy Hat EP
Label: Independent Release Date: August 13, 2021 Rating: 95% Reviewer: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur Some discs get reviewed because I love the artist or the genre. The upcoming release from Grace Womack caught my attention because its fun. The music is contagious and rolls easily through the air when working, driving, or just chilling with two fingers […]
Book reviews
BOOK REVIEW: Lily Takes a Walk by Satoshi Kitamura
BOOK REVIEW: Lily Takes a Walk by Satoshi Kitamura Scallywag Press September 2021 Hardcover, $22.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Children’s Picture Books / Modern Reprinting 55% Rocking When Lily takes a walk with her dog, Nicky, she notices many lovely things. But poor Nicky only sees monsters lurking at every turn… A charming book for […]
BOOK REVIEW: What’s Eating the Universe? by Paul Davies
BOOK REVIEW: What’s Eating the Universe? by Paul Davies Allen Lane | Penguin Books September 2021 Hardcover, $35.00 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Science / Astrophysics / Cosmology / Particle Physics 85% Rocking Combining the latest scientific advances with storytelling skills unmatched in the cosmos, an award-winning astrophysicist and popular writer leads us on a tour […]
BOOK REVIEW: PrankLab – Practical science pranks you and your victim can learn from by Wade David Fairclough, Chris Ferrie, Byrne Laginestra
BOOK REVIEW: PrankLab – Practical science pranks you and your victim can learn from by Wade David Fairclough, Chris Ferrie, Byrne Laginestra Sourcebooks Explore June 2021 Paperback, $24.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell STEM / Children’s Non-Fiction / Humour / PopScience 97% Rocking Age range 9 to 12 Learn about science while performing fun and hilarious […]
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
Shinedown Announces ATTENTION ATTENTION Feature Film Experience
ATTENTION ATTENTION, the feature film experience of multi-platinum band Shinedown’s 2018 record-breaking studio album of the same name, is out now via Gravitas Ventures. ATTENTION ATTENTION is available on digital and cable VOD in the U.S. and Canada on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, Comcast, Dish Network, Verizon Fios, and Mediacom, among others, for $12.99 – PRESS HERE to purchase. This stunning sonic […]
Sanny Veloo releases first solo single, The Human Race Ain’t Worth Saving
Sanny Veloo, ex-Empra, Final Eclipse, The SUNS, Boredphucks, has released his first solo single, The Human Race Ain’t Worth Saving. It’s the first of three singles he’s planning to release this year, and comes complete with a hilarious video clip shot on an iPhone XR. The Human Race Ain’t Worth Saving is about the self-destructive […]
JANET DEVLIN Searches For A Place She Belongs On New Single “Place Called Home” Ahead Of Forthcoming EP
SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 (United Kingdom) — Following the acclaim of her 2020 album Confessional, Janet Devlin champions the unapologetic honesty that defines her in “Place Called Home,” reflecting on the inner battles that come with searching for a sense of belonging. The single is the first from her much-anticipated forthcoming EP It’s Not That Deep. “Place Called Home” sees Janet briefly […]
More
LIVE: UMPHREY’S McGEE – September 18, 2021
Venue: TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park City: Indianapolis, IN Date: September 18, 2021 Review and Photographs by: Jeffrey Everett (http://www.jeffrey-everett.com) Umphrey’s McGee made their 48th appearance in Indy, the first being 22 years ago. Having roots in Indiana, the band is a local favorite. It was another perfect summer night at the beautifully renovated TCU […]
LIVE: ROB ZOMBIE – September 17, 2021
Venue: TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park City: Indianapolis, IN Date: September 17, 2021 Review and Photographs by: Jeffrey Everett (http://www.jeffrey-everett.com) Rob Zombie came to TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park in support of The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy, his 7th solo studio album since departing White Zombie in 1998. True to form, […]
BOOK REVIEW: Dulcinea In The Forbidden Forest by Ole Könnecke
BOOK REVIEW: Dulcinea In The Forbidden Forest by Ole Könnecke Gecko Press September 2021 Hardcover, $24.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Children’s Picture Books / Translated / Beginner Readers / Early Reader Chapter Book 70% Rocking A funny illustrated fairy tale for early readers about the brave and capable Dulcinea, who must save her father from […]
A Dirty Dozen with JEN HODGES from SPURGE – September 2021
According to a recent press release: “Atlanta, GA based, Alternative Rock band SPURGE has released the official music video for “57,” off of their newest EP, Crown. Produced and directed by Daniel Medina, “57” was inspired by the internationally experienced isolation during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns and features stylized imagery of the individual band members’ lives as they […]
A Dirty Dozen with EVA MARIE from EVA UNDER FIRE – September 2021
According to a recent press release: “Emerging Detroit-based rock band and Better Noise Music artist Eva Under Fire just unleashed another high-energy headbanger titled “Comatose,” a collaboration with Jonathan Dörr from Ego Kill Talent, who lends his gritty vocals to the single. The track continues the band’s momentum of high-energy collaborations with it being released fresh off their teaming up with Spencer Charnasof Ice Nine Kills on “Blow” earlier this summer. […]
BOOK REVIEW: Plan B by Shannah Kennedy
BOOK REVIEW: Plan B by Shannah Kennedy Penguin Life July 2021 Paperback, $29.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Non-Fiction / Self-Help / Motivational 95% Rocking Shannah Kennedy, bestselling author of The Life Plan, takes you on a journey to accept change, heal, reset and move forward with clarity, direction and purpose once again. Change can turn […]
LIVE: BUTCHER BABIES – September 12, 2021
Venue: The Machine Shop City: Flint, MI Date: September 12, 2021 Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com) A crazy rainy Sunday drive from Lexington, MI to Flint, MI found me on dry land and ready to rock. First up once I arrived was Michigan rockers Kaleido fronted by Cristina Chriss. Always a great […]
A Dirty Dozen with JONATHAN PAULL GERTLER – September 2021
According to a recent press release: “Boston-based Americana-folk rock singer/songwriter/guitarist Jonathan Paull Gertler is set to release his new album, No Fear, on September 10, 2021 via Rock Ridge Music. Co-produced by Gertler with his trusted collaborator Jon Chase at Chase Studios in Methuen, Massachusetts, No Fear further benefits from the intuitive collaborative nature of regular Gertler cohorts Sal DiFusco and John Paul […]
BOOK REVIEW: The Story of Us by Michael Wagner & Beck Feiner
BOOK REVIEW: The Story of Us by Michael Wagner & Beck Feiner ABC Books September 2021 Hardcover, $24.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Record Books / Non-Fiction / Family History 85% Rocking Every family has their stories … An heirloom in the making. Remember the time when Mum … How about when Dad found the … […]
BOOK REVIEW: Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave with Tom de Freston
BOOK REVIEW: Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave with Tom de Freston Orion / Hachette Children’s Books September 2021 Hardcover, $19.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Middle Grade / Adventure / Mental Health 90% Rocking A captivating, powerful and luminous story from a bestselling, award-winning author about a mother, a daughter and the great […]
