Paradise City Belfast

A little sampling of new releases...

2011-06-08T06:01:00.000-07:00

OK, it’s not really de rigeur to review free sampler CDs, but they are a good way of introducing you to new releases, new bands, etc. and as such I feel their role is vastly under-rated. Hence, the reason I’m going to devote the first part of this ‘ere little conglomeration of wordage to the latest ‘Razor’ sampler from the esteemed publishers of ‘Metal Hammer’ mag.
I must say that, as samplers go, by and large, this is the strongest one this or any other magazine has produced in quite some time. It obviously is dominated by the absolutely fucking epic Gojira opener, ‘Of Blood And Sand’, featuring the one and only Mr Devin Townsend, which is just the heaviest, most brutal and powerful song I have heard this year and worth the cover price alone (if I didn’t get it at the absurdly reduced subscribers’ rate). This is followed by fairly average offerings from In Flames and Alestorm, before Graveyard enter the same retro territory as the far more impressive Rival Sons (and, if lead single ‘Pressure And Time’ from the album of the same name is anything to go by, that’s going to one mutha of a must-have album). Pain offer up a fairly decent slab of industro-metal with a DC-style vibe, especially on the Jonno-inspired vocals, before Revoker again remind me what an asshole I was to miss them on their recent Rob Zombie support tour: everything I’ve heard by them is highly impressive, and these guys are gonna be BIG!
The other highlight of this particular sampler, after a ‘nothing special’ offering from Anaal Nathrakh and a decent slice of NWOBHM-tinged power rock from Attica Rage, is Talanas’ superb ‘Antiphon’, taken from their excellent ‘The Waspkeeper’ album, which well and truly cements their growing reputation as the progressive black metal successors to Akercocke’s crown. To digress, slightly, Talanas have produced one of the more impressive independent albums of the first half of the year, combining accomplished musicianship with intelligent vocals and some downright evil intentions: check them out.
So, apart from magazine samplers, what else has been beating the Monk’s eardrums into submission this month? Well, a triumvirate of new releases from Poland’s Agonia Records dropped through the letterbox the other, er, week… France’s Aosoth produce 43 minutes of black metal brutality on their aptly named third album, ‘III’, which leaves no grave unspoiled and no virgin unravaged; Italy’s Forbidden Tomb return after a four year break with a majestic slice of blackness that is more rock than metal (although the vocals more than make up for this), with good use of melody underpinned by dark as midnight undertones; England’s Spearhead deliver mid-league death with their third album, ‘Theomacia’, which reminds me a bit of Belphegor but with a much cleaner sound – maybe not surprising since seesions drums are by the Austrians’ former sticksman, Torturer.
Also tickling my fancy this past while has been Sixx:A.M’s ‘This Is Gonna Hurt’ – possibly the heaviest album Nikki Sixx has ever recorded, but also one with great hooks and great melodies and one which shows why he was the songwriting force behind Motley Crue: definitely not one for Crue fans but very contemporary, very relevant, especially on the powerful ‘Live Forever’ and the brilliant ‘Sure Feels Right’, which outstrips any ballad the Motleys ever recorded. At an entirely different level, an absolutely superb release is ‘Mary Celeste’, the sophomore album from Plymouth’s finest, Huron. Very obviously influenced by Pantera – in the best possible sense – the band hit between the eyes with opener ‘Branded’ and just keep on going. Album highlights include the anthemic ‘Disperse Or We Fire’, complete with an RATM-style chant, and the Slipknot-ish ‘Serpentwine’. This is an accomplished album from a young and ambitious band and one which proves, once again, that the future of British metal is in fairly safe hands.
That just about finishes off this month’s round-up : just a quick heads up for Hollywood Undead’s brilliant rap-metal crossover offering ‘American Tragedy’, and the industrial excellence of ‘Ever Since We Were Children’, the debut offering from The Black Dots Of Death’, Shawn ‘Clown’ Colvin’s side project – but, I think you’ll be hearing from those at one or more of our Paradise City club nights, starting this coming Friday (10 June): head on over to www.facebook.com/paradisecitybelfast for more info.

Dio career-spanning CD released

2011-05-18T03:58:00.000-07:00

A new Ronnie James Dio compilation is due out through Sanctuary on June 6.

Callled ‘Mightier Than The Sword’, this double CD spans his entire career, from Elf to Heaven & Hell.

The full track listing is:

CD One:
1. Carolina County Ball (Elf) 2. Love Is All (Ronnie James Dio) 3. The Temple Of The King (Rainbow) 4. Catch The Rainbow (Rainbow) 5. Stargazer (Rainbow) 6. Run With The Wolf (Rainbow) 7. Kill The King (Rainbow) 8. Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll (Rainbow) 9. Lady Of The Lake (Rainbow) 10. Gates Of Babylon (Rainbow) 11. Die Young (Black Sabbath) 12. Heaven And Hell (Black Sabbath) 13. Children Of The Sea (Black Sabbath).

CD Two:
1. The Mob Rules (Black Sabbath) 2. Voodoo (Black Sabbath) 3. Country Girl (Black Sabbath) 4. Holy Diver (Dio) 5. Rainbow In The Dark (Dio) 6. We Rock (Dio) 7. Rock ‘N’ Roll Children (Dio) 8. All The Fools Sailed Away (Dio) 9. I (Black Sabbath) 10. Push (Dio) 11. One More For The Road (Dio) 12. Shadow Of The Wind (Black Sabbath) 13. Neon Knights (Heaven & Hell) 14. Bible Black (Heaven & Hell).

Find out more at www.ronniejamesdio.com

(Not) the end of the world - part two

2011-05-15T04:30:00.000-07:00

In nearly 30 years of writing about the Belfast music scene, I’ve conveyed possibly every emotion that it is possible to commit to words – anger, love, hate, compassion, fury, desire… add your own as applicable. Very rarely, however – if ever – have they all possibly been contained in one piece and one place (which is why I suppose this review should come with a public health warning!)
Last night, a scenario unfolded which could have killed most bands, stone dead, on the spot. What should have been the proudest moment in any band’s career could have become their most shameful. It could have been the end of their world, literally. Worldsend could have proven to be an apocalyptic premonition.
OK, enough of the flowery literary shit. What I’m talking about here is the party to celebrate the launch of the excellent ‘Letters To Lost Souls’, the debut album by Worldsend. The band and the venue really had pushed the boat out… from beautifully produced invitations to a highly effective social media campaign and a superbly decorated venue. But (there’s always a ‘but’, isn’t there?), there was one very important ingredient missing…. a drummer.
Basically, last Wednesday – four days before his band’s career breaker showcase – sticksman Stephen Campbell baled, jumped overboard and swam off to the new world… Show over. Or, so you would think. But, Eddie, J and Paul are three of the most professional and accomplished musicians it ever has been my pleasure to meet and so, in the best showbiz, tradition, they sat down, analysed the situation and decided that the show would go on.
And so they took to the stage, with spotlights blazing on a drumkit. And proceeded to deliver a brilliant, career defining show. It was clear from the outset that vocalist Eddie Currie was angry – with ‘Fuck You’ inked on the inside of his forearm – as he virtually spat out the lyrics with unbridled venom. Yet, he also retained his trademark smile and humour (referring to replacement drummer ‘Roland’). He was counterpointed by the calmness of bassist Paul Boyd and guitarist extraordinaire J: indeed, the only disappointment arising from the whole scenario was the fact that using a laptop for the drum parts limited J’s ability to indulge in some fiery solos.
Worldsend? Yes. And no. A new beginning? Only the guys can steer their course. It was an emotional rollercoaster of a gig… it was a pleasure to be there, and I wish the three of you well on your onward voyage… you know how to find me if you need a crew…

Not the end of the world?

2011-05-11T17:13:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, life throws you up conundrums. Like, what to tell your ex when she makes it clear she still wants to relive some of the good times when you hate her guts! Or, how to a review a CD by guys you’ve known, on and off, for about 20 years?
In the case of the former, no fucking chance babe – you blew it! As for the latter – well, I suppose you better just go for it… which is what I’m going to do in the case of the CD currently blasting out of the rather powerful stereo here at PC Tower.
The opus in question is the long awaited ‘Letters To A Lost Soul’ by the highly experienced quartet that go by the name of Worldsend.
I use the word experienced in the best possible sense: this is a band who have been around the block more than once – and it’s experience that shows, as this is a very polished performance all round.
Opener ‘Without A Trace’ sets the standard, with the rhythm section of Steve and Paul tight as fuck underneath J’s twisting, winding guitar work (he may be playing slower than the Comet of old but he’s still the best guitarist to come of Carrickfergus) while Eddie’s vocals soar majestically.
The high standard is maintained through the equally superb ‘The Enemy We See’ , before the pace – but not the standard - lessens for ‘Warning Sign’.
There is a word I used earlier: polished. And that sums up this eight track release. Very much so. I also used the word experienced. Again, this is a positive description. I’m going to add a few more words, all deserved: impressive, accomplished, well worth checking out, repeating.
The official release party is this coming Saturday (14 May) at Ma Nelson’s. Two more words: be there.

Celtic masters

2011-05-07T10:25:00.000-07:00

Well, it took them fucking long enough... Play.fucking.com that is!
Two weeks before it's official release date, I ordered Cruachan's promised-to-be-awesome new offering 'Blood On The Black Robe'. It arrived exactly two weeks later. Two fucking weeks later than the official fucking release date, that fucking is!
So, anyway, it's finally blasting out of the towering speaker system here at PC headquarters, and, of course, yours truly has to ask... was it worth Play fucking me about and making me wait?
Of course it fucking was. I've said on this forum and elsewhere that 2011 could well be the year that celtic metal establishes itself as a major force, alongside the more successful Scandanavians, as a major force within the genre.
Certainly, 'Blood...' establishes the case with emphasis. Quite frankly, this is a brilliant album - epic and sweeping in its scope, beautiful yet brutal, just like the Irish mythology in which it is so deeply embedded, melodies swirling and amassing around like ancient warriors preparing to go into batttle, daubed in their tribal colours (something Cruachan also display with pride). This is an epic album in every sense of the word, mixing light and dark with the expertise only a band of this pedigree can manage.
Cruachan, quite rightly, argue that they are the progenitors of the whole 'folk metal' sensation, which subsequently has been hijacked by the invading Viking hordes from Norway, Sweden, and especially Finland (and even the fucking Faroe Islands). With 'Blood.. ' Keith Fay and his warriors drive back the Nordic hordes and reclaim the ancient path for their very own...
- 'Blood On The Black Robe' is out now on Candlelight.

2011-05-07T10:23:00.001-07:00

Paradise City returns to action

2011-05-04T05:15:00.000-07:00

Get those air guitars tuned up and get ready to get down and RAWK - 'cos the Paradise City crue are back in business.
The dynamic quartet that make up Belfast's best team of classic rock and metal DJs have just confirmed the dates for a whole raft of PC shows between now and the end of November.
All gigs will take place in the superb venue that is Upstairs @ Morrisons, on Belfast's Bedford Street, on the following dates: Friday 10 June, Friday 15 July, Friday 26 August, Friday 23 September, Friday 14 October and Friday 18 November.
Doors for all shows will be 9pm, and admission is £5. As Paradise City is the host clubhouse for Hard Rock Hell Northern Ireland, the usual members' discounted admission charge (£3) will apply on all nights.
Get those dates in your diaries folks, 'cos there's gonna be some rockin' in the heart of the city!

Rory’s unfinished business…

2011-05-04T03:30:00.000-07:00

In November/December 1977 and January 1978, Rory Gallagher recorded a complete new studio album in San Francisco.
There were a variety of reasons why the album wasn’t released at the time – though, in 1992, Rory did reveal that the main reason it didn’t come out (it would have fitted between ‘Photo Finish’ and ‘Top Priority’) was because “the mixing of it had become complicated” and, as a result, he “couldn’t get some of the songs to sound right”. He also said that with the passing of time, he now felt there was a good chance the album “could eventually come out in some form - remixed”.
Sadly, of course, Rory is no longer with us in person but his legacy has been lovingly maintained and nurtured by his brother and manager, Dónal. He, now along with his son Daniel, Rory’s nephew, have returned to these recordings and performed the extraordinary job of mixing the album with contemporary technology - and Rory would surely approve of the results.
To enhance what is already a 'holy grail' package for Rory’s fanbase, the Gallagher’s have also compiled and mixed a live album recorded over the four shows Rory performed at The Old Waldorf in San Francisco around the same period, in December, 1979. The result is a mouth-watering double CD package.
The title, ‘Notes From San Francisco’, is, of course, a play on words, with the notes referred to being both musical ones and written ones, as Rory used to send postcards back to Ireland from wherever his career took him. The sleeve is an original postcard he sent, and several others from the time have been sourced from the original US postcard company who produced them. This limited deluxe edition includes, amongst other things, a set of personalised Rory postcards complete with Rory ‘stamps’.
Rory’s hand-written lyrics for the studio album were in a notebook in the possession of the album’s original producer, Elliot Mazer (famous for his work with Neil Young, Janis Joplin, Linda Ronstadt and The Byrds, amongst many others), and these have also been reproduced in the new artwork.
‘Notes From San Francisco’ is released on the Capo label on 6 June.

Pull the Trigger...

2011-04-24T01:20:00.000-07:00

So, did everyone have as good a Saturday as I did? Lots to drink, lots of music and lots of gorgeous women? No? Tough fucking shit, then!
The drinking? Yep, check that box... Evidently, given the stinker of the hangover the Monk has this morning!
The music? Well... I suppose this where I have to get serious and do a review of the evening’s proceedings, which is supposed to be the purpose of this ‘ere blog thing...
It was the first time in too long that I had wandered into the Slimer on a Saturday afternoon, and one of Mr James Loveday’s excellent promotions therein – always a good time guaranteed, with booze and banter a plenty. Awk sure, what more could an ageing rocker ask for?
First up were Dubliners Lace Weeper, making their Belfast debut with a damn fine set of downtuned stoner rock, driven home by the charisma of Polish-born frontman Sebastian Florek, who is a damn fine vocalist. Not a genre I’m into, I admit, but the set was enjoyable and I wouldn’t be averse to catching them again.
I’m not going to say much about Skypilot, except they drove me and my mate Adam to the back wall, and nearly out the door. It’s not that they were bad – they are excellent musicians and a tight unit – it’s just that we didn’t like them.
But, the night was always going to be about Triggerman. No, make that TRIGGERMAN. This a band who deserve capital letters. They deserve to be shouted about. They are definitely one of THE best bands on the circuit, and this set proved their status. Bap – one of the politest frontmen you’ll ever come across – led his troops through a rollickingly rambunctious set which had every head in the place banging with a vengeance (yes, my neck hurts as bad as my head!), especially with old favourites such as ‘I Got The Lurgy’ (which probably would be completely lost on audiences outside li’l ol’ Norn Iron), ‘Road To Damascus’ and the always hellraising encore of ‘Horns’.
A perfect set up for a night of drunkenness and whatever else Walhalla decided to throw my way. Which reminds me, did I forget something? Drink? Check. Music? Check. Er, scroll back... ah, yes, women? Mmmm... let’s just say, she was gorgeous, a lot more sober than I was – and married!
Catch ya next time \m/

Monk rambles on about some new releases...

2011-04-10T03:48:00.000-07:00

OK, I’ll admit I’m a bit erratic when it comes to this blogging lark – too many other commitments? Or just sheer fucking laziness? – but I’m hoping to start a regular (which will probably turn out to be an extremely irregular) review of recent releases which have come to my attention. Some of them may not be ‘new’ releases, but stuff with which I’ve only just collided, but, what the fuck, it gives me an excuse to indulge in a wee bit of blogosphere rambling. (Is that the longest opening sentence I’ve ever written? Does anyone give a fuck?).

So, let’s start this little project rolling, with my thoughts on...

Within Temptation – ‘The Unforgiving’ (Roadrunner). After the distractions of the albeit brilliant ‘Black Symphony’ and acoustic projects, the Dutch quintet return to what they do best, with a concept album which is epic, sweepingly dramatic and bombastic (in the best sense). Stand out track: ‘Fire And Ice’.

Cavalera Conspiracy – ‘Blunt Force Trauma’ (Roadrunner). What else are you going to expect from Brazil’s most famous brothers? Lilting lullabies? Like fuck! BFT hits you with all the subtlety of – well, um – a blunt instrument. Brutally brilliant. The special edition features a fine cover of Sabbath’s ‘Electric Funeral’. Stand out track: ‘Genghis Khan’.

Darkest Era – ‘The Last Caress Of Light’ (Metal Blade). I’ve already said elsewhere that this could be the year in which celtic rock takes on its Scandinavian brethren at their own game – and, quite possibly, beat them! With new releases from Cruachan and Primordial looming large, Enniskillen’s Darkest Era have led the charge with fearless aplomb, with this delightful debut. Stand out track: ‘The Morrigan’.

Amon Amarth – ‘Surtur Rising’ (Metal Blade). Talking of Scandinavians, DE’s labelmates keep their flag flying proudly with their latest slab of Viking brutality. Quite frankly, AA always work better live (as their decimation of Dublin earlier this week proved), but the ten tracks offered (to Oden) here are nevertheless guaranteed to pillage even the finest stereo system and leave you a bleeding heap on the floor. Stand out track: ‘Destroyer Of The Universe’.

Artillery – ‘My Blood’ (Metal Mind). These Danes are doing their damndest to prove that EuroThrash is still very much a force to be reckoned with, while keeping the metal factor turned up to eleven. Very much from the Accept school of nailing your balls to the wall, but with a very traditional Bay Area influence, as evidenced on the likes of ‘Monster’ and ‘Ain’t Giving In’. Stand out track: ‘Thrasher’.

NeraNature – ‘Shattered’ (Metal Mind). This is the lead single of the forthcoming debut solo album by Polish chanteuse Nera. Apparently taking her influence from the earth, quite honestly, this one should be buried in it. It’s awful. It comes with a cover of ‘The World Is Not Enough’, which also is garbage (geddit?). See, I don’t write just nice things (although she is a bit of looker!).

Honey For Christ – ‘The Cruelty Of Great Expectations’ (Rundown). Well, it took them fucking long enough, didn’t it? I first came across HFC when I was working for the awful DV8 magazine (anyone remember it? No? Didn’t think so! Don’t blame you!), and that wasn’t yesterday! So, with such a wait, would the album live up to its monicker? Would the weight of expectation result in a cruel letdown? Thankfully, I have to say no. It has been worth the wait. The octet of tunes are carefully crafted, dynamically delivered, with beautifully balanced shades of light and dark, heaviness and subtlety, all coupled with a clear, precise production. I must admit to feeling a large Therapy? influence, especially in the instrumental sections of the likes of ‘Another Way Down’, but that is not a bad thing, and the trio do carve their own very clear creative path. Stand out track: ‘Liar Disciple’.

OK, folks, that’s yer little lot for the moment. I’ll be posting reviews of the new Cruachan and Primordial releases as soon I getting my mitts on ‘em, but hopefully this has given you something to think and talk about. As ever, I appreciate your feedback, either here or via the Paradise City Belfast / Hard Rock Hell NI Facebook pages.

Any bands / labels who want their stuff reviewed here, either pm me on Facebook or email paradisecitybelfast@hotmail.com and I’ll let you know where to send stuff.

Thanks for reading. Rock on. Monk out.

Sylo-mentality

2011-03-25T15:04:00.000-07:00

I first came across Sylosis when they released their excellent ‘Conclusion Of An Age’ opus on the mighty Nuclear Blast label back in 2008. Around that time, it was starting to be reported that the British thrash scene – which, in my opinion, has always been a stop-start-stop-start sort of thing as bands on this side of the pond always have played catch up with, and been poorer cousins of, our trans-Atlantic brethren – was starting to make a comeback.
I remained to be convinced: grindcore and screamo seemed to be more the Brittanic take on the genre, but there was one thing that was certain – ‘Conclusion...’ was a damn fine album and one that continued to find its way into my CD player for a while to come.
Well, now the new look quartet have released the follow up, ‘ Edge Of The Earth’ – another damn fine slice of apocalyptic sci-fi thrash, although one, at least from the cover art and concept, seems to take a more primordial (sic) approach to the genre.
The doomy intro of ‘Procession’ soon sets the scene for what is to come: 14 slices of the best thrash you definitely are going to hear this year, if not in this decade so far. Vocalist Josh Middleton – taking over from the now departed Jamie Graham with great aplomb - growls and snarls through sets of suitably mythological storylines, while his guitar work interplays well with that of Alex Bailey (who also contributes some neat piano touches to some of the more low key moments, such as the ending of the epic double-track ‘Empyreal’), while the rhythm section of Carl Parnell and Rob Callard are as accomplished as any you will hear in the genre.
I am still to be convinced that British thrash ever will reach the status of, particularly, its West Coast progenitors, but on the evidence of this album, coupled with the re-emergence of Onslaught and the pending release of a new Primordial, erm, onslaught, (plus the efforts of relative newcomers such as Malefice) I would say the flag of the British Isles nevertheless can fly high and proud in early 2011.

Coverdale ‘snakes his way into ‘Forevermore’

2011-03-23T14:13:00.000-07:00

There is absolutely no doubt that David Coverdale is one of the finest voices in the past four decades of heavy rock ‘n’ roll, standing up there alongside the likes of Robert Plant, Ian Gillan and Paul Rodgers as one of the definers of the sound in the 70s and 80s. Then, unlike the aforesaid – at least in my opinion – he seemed to lose his way in what has come to be defined the ‘poodle’ generation, with the Yorkshireman selling out to the LA-dominated big hair scene of the latter half of the 80s, early 90s

To be honest, I lost interest in Whitesnake when ‘Slip Of The Tongue’ came out. The band to whom I had creamed my jeans when I opened ‘Live.. In The Heart Of The City’ as a snattery 14-year old way back on Christmas morning of 1980 had become, within a decade, an irrelevance. The West Coast bands whom my one-time hero seemed to be attempting to emulate (when he should have been teaching them how to do it) were doing it all much better.

So, roll the clock forward some two-and-a-bit decades, and through my letterbox (well, actually delivered by UPS after a polite batter on the door of PC towers, as 12” vinyl doesn’t fit through my CD-sized delivery mechanism) pops possibly the most eagerly anticipated release of the year to date – ‘Forevermore’, courtesy of Italian-based Frontiers Records and Mr Coverdale and his current band of troubadours.

Well? Does it live up to the hype? Or am I going to continue to batter my copies of classics such as ‘Ready N Willing’ into submission?

The answer is WHAT THE FUCK? The opening riff of ‘Steal Your Heart Away’ snakes from my speakers like a cobra, entwining and embracing with all the love and embrace of the Marsden/Moody days, with today’s twin guitar attack of Doug Aldridge and Reb Beach easily bringing the sound of that mighty brotherhood smack into the 21st century. This is classic Whitesnake blues-based hard rock riffola, combined with Coverdale’s typically straight to the point, innuendo laden lyricism: “I want it all and I want it now” he doesn’t quite scream, but the emotion and the intent definitely are there, even if the vocals aren’t as quite as high pitched.

The rhythm section of Michael Devin and Briian (yes, that’s the way it’s spelt on the sleeve) Tichy are as tight and workmanlike as you would expect from a Whitesnake duo, giving Aldridge and Beach free rein to work their magic around Coverdale’s still majestic vocal delivery. OK, there are a few weak links - ‘Easier Said Than Done’, which closes side one is not quite as powerful a power ballad as one would expect – but there is more than enough here, in the likes of ‘Tell Me How’, ‘Love And Treat Me Right’, 'Dogs In The Street', ‘Fare The Well’, ‘My Evil Ways’ and the epic title track to welcome back hardened old fans such as myself back into the fold, as well as hopefully open the ears of a new generation to one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

· ‘Forevermore’ is available now on import from Frontiers Records – www.frontiers.it. It is released as a Classic Rock Magazine Collectors’ Edition on Friday (25 March), ahead of its proper UK release on 11 April.

Wizzard tribute to Dio

2010-10-13T01:44:00.000-07:00

Ahead of their debut Belfast gig, at Auntie Annie's on 7 November, LA retro metallers White Wizzard are to release a single dedicated to Ronnie James Dio.
‘Shooting Star’ is released on iTunes on 18 November, and is the first recording to feature the band’s new vocalist Peter Ellis.
The track is accompanied by a cover of the Dio classic ‘We Rock’. All proceeds from sales will go to the Children Of The Night charity, founded by Dio himself.
A limited edition seven inch vinyl version of the single will be available to by at the gig.
Tickets are still available for 7 November, through Katy Daly’s and Ticketmaster. Support is from Hastings-based Primitai.

This Guy is 'Living Proof' of longevity

2010-10-12T00:36:00.000-07:00

The legendary Buddy Guy is to release his new album, ‘Living Proof’, on October 26.
Now 74 years old, the great blues man, who’s influenced everyone from Eric Clapton to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix, takes the opportunity on this album to look back at his life.
“The life I’ve lived is what we’re singing about,” he says.
“These songs are exactly what I came up through in my life, what I’ve experienced. When I was 21, some of my older friends, who are no longer with us, they’d say, ‘You’re still a baby’. And then they said the same thing when I was 31, then 41, and I thought, ‘Man, when do I get old?’ I’ve been hearing that ever since I first went to Chicago - ‘You’re still wet behind the ears’. So when do I get dry?”
With five Grammy Awards alone in a career than stretches way beyond 50 years, Guy is one of the all time great blues performers.
“Before the 60s, we were always just R&B players,” he says.
“Then they branded us - there was Chicago blues, Memphis, Motown, and so we were considered blues players. But in Chicago, if you wanted to keep your gig, you had to be able to play all the top tunes on the jukebox, whether that was Lloyd Price or Fats Domino or Ray Charles. Now if you play a Little Richard song, the audience looks at you like you’re crazy, but we always had to do that for a black audience back then.”
One of the things that makes this album so special is a duet, for the first time, between Guy and fellow living legend B.B. King. It’s on the song ‘Stay Around A Little Longer’.
Says Guy of King:
“B.B. created this style of guitar we all play. I grew up listening to people like him, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, and I still take 95 percent of my playing from him. So to have someone like that in the room with you makes chillbumps come up on your skin.”
'Living Proof' - which also features Carlos Santana on 'Where The Blues Begin' - will be available on Silvertone/Jive Records.
Incidentally, Santana has just released a covers - yes, covers - album, 'Guitar Heaven', featuring his take on the likes of 'Sunshine Of Your Love', 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'. 'Back In Black', Leppard's 'Photograph' and Van Halen's 'Dance The Night Away'. The album, which also features guest appearances by Chris Cornell, Scott Weiland, Joe Cocker and Gavin Rossdale, is available now on Arista Records.

EXIT set the record straight

2010-10-07T00:56:00.000-07:00

The following is a statement I have received from EXIT regarding the events at Auntie Annie's this past Tueday evening. I have not edited it in any way, and I am more than happy for them to give their version of events:

====================================
I was directed to your blog post about the band and I just wanted to get it touch and explain both sides of story.
I'm not asking you to retract the blog, your perfectly entitled to post whatever you wish due to the frustration you feel as a paying customer. But I just wanted to set the record straight before things get out of hand.
When we arrived for soundcheck due to the illness of our singer (who was suffering from a throat infection and could hardly speak) we asked all the bands if someone else wanted to go on last/Headline so as our singer could get back home to bed. However, no-one was willing to swap with us.
So when the night run way out of control timewise meaning we had no real set time our drummer lost his cool. This was done without the drummer speaking to the other members of the band. This resulted in the other three members being equally in shock as the crowd in the venue as he packed up his gear. Leaving us feeling very embarrassed as we had agreed to go on and at least do a song or two before we were told to stop due to curfew or our singers voice gave up. The remaining members of the band all asked the drummer to stop packing up and play the gig. We have since had strong words with our drummer and he has apologised to the promoter and the other members of the band.
Due to the fact the gig ran over schedule we were left to play at most a 15min set before curfew.
To anyone who was at the show we would like to apologise on behalf of our drummer who pulled the show for the band. As a band we had been looking forward to the show for a while as its not often you get a lineup of this strength. We are also personally offering refunds, a free guestlist place to our next gig and a free copy of our current EP to anyone who feels insulted by the bands non-performance. We have already refunded several people who were in the venue, several other people refused the refunds and understood the situation from our point of view, so they were given free copies of our current EP.
If anyone at the gig wants a refund or a put on the bands guestlist for their next show feel free to get in touch exitonline@hotmail.co.uk

Exit stage... er... rear

2010-10-05T17:46:00.000-07:00

To me, there always has been a problem with the Belfast (and Norn Iron) rock scene: it’s one I’ve ranted about before, and probably will continue to rant about at length in the future, and that’s the lack of support for it...
But, when bands start behaving like complete and total fucking arseholes... well, can you blame people for not coming out to support them and instead saving up their pennies to go and see disappointing major league ‘rock stars’?
Case in point tonight: EXIT. A band who did exactly what their name says. Exit the fucking building without playing a note. Yep, stormed off in a huff.
You get the chance to headline a four band bill – ABOVE two of the best live bands in our wee country – and what do you do? Walk on stage and strip your kit?
OK, so things are running slightly behind schedule! Trucker Diablo have been their usual awesome selves! So what, you’re a fucking rock band. Get on stage and do your stuff... don’t send out a lamb to be slaughtered by three – yes, three – promoters, all of whom want to see if you’re worth booking.
Tell you what boys: stop being boys, grow up fast and become men. Rise to challenges. There’s three promoters in this city you’re going to have to work VERY hard to convince you’re even worth opening a four band bill...

Y&T melt Belfast

2010-09-27T16:29:00.000-07:00

If you're going to kick off a European tour, there are only two ways to do it - in Belfast and in style.
And Y&T did exactly that, when they delivered a set that really could reduce this review to two simple words: fucking awesome! Or, outstanding as my mate Wez constantlt repeated throughout the night.
All too often, Belfast audiences are cheated by visiting legends: but, it's only been a little over 12 months since Y&T graced the stage of the Spring And Airbrake, and so they knew what to expect from the crowd - and exactly what that crowd expected from them in return. And they didn't disappointed, more than sating that expectation with two and a half hours of some of the best rawk n roll you're likely to hear, well, this side of San Francisco.
It didn't get off to the best of starts, mind you. As the booming intro tape of 'Prelude' died, Dave Meniketti stood mid-stage with nothing happening: his guitar wasn't plugged in. As his faithful tech rushed to remedy the situation, the affable Californian merely looked the audience square in the face and muttered, "O fuck!", before belatedly ripping into opener proper "On With The Show". Just as the band hit their stride with a magnificent "Mean Streak", sound problems resurfaced: this time it was guitarist John Nymann who was the victim, leaving Meniketti to save the day with an impromptu solo rendition of "Hang 'Em High".
But, you don't stay in the dirty old business that is rock n roll by not being on top of your game at all times, and the band quickly overcame this latest difficulty and (despite continuing wails of feedback for the next 40 minutes or so) delivered one of the most kick ass sets this town has ever seen.
Early highlights came in the form of "I'm Coming Home" and an awesome "I Believe In You", at the end of which I swear Meniketti was close to tears at the reaction, before blistering versions of "Black Tiger" and "Bar Room Boogie". Highlight of the new material from the excellent "Facemelter" album had to be the rocking "Blind Patriot", while "Dirty Girl" had the whole place singing and dancing on their seats.
Two hours in (well, Meniketti had promised us at least that), the MTV-generation hit "Summertime Girls" kept up the momentum, before the fantastic "Forever" finished proceedings on a high - and, we could have gone on forever. Of course, the band weren't going to get away that easy and were soon back: "OK, that's the first half of the show over, we've another 24 songs to do," joked Meniketti, But, I didn't hear anyone complaining, as blistering versions of "Midnight In Tokyo", "Open Fire" and "Rescue Me" finally brought the curtain down on a set that I timed at exactly two hours and 31 minutes.
With the only down side being the absence of Phil Kennemore, Y&T nevertheless proved that, more than 30 years into their career, they still can deliver the goods, first class, special delivery. God help the good people of Petaluma, wherever the fuck that is, when the tour finishes there in a few weeks' time.

Yesterday... Today... Tomorrow

2010-09-26T04:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday... Today... Tomorrow

Tomorrow evening, one of the true standard bearers for classy hard rock return to Belfast – and it’s going to be a facemelting experience.
I am of course referring to Y&T. Although the band will be without founding member Phil Kennemore (currently battling cancer), the San Francisco no doubt will rip another hole in the roof of the Spring And Airbrake when they hit the stage around about 9.30 or so. And, I’ve just one question: are you ready to rawk?
Y&T can truly be called originators of a genre: tracing their roots back to 1974, they slogged their guts out for eight years, crafting their sound and paving the way for the likes of Ratt, Motley Crue, Dokken, Great White and a whole raft of other ‘big hair big attitude’ bands who, like it or not, can pay more than lip service to the influence of Dave Meniketti and company.
Originally called Yesterday and Today, the band released two albums on London Records before, at the dawn of the down and dirty eighties making probably the best two decisions of their lives – switching to the then shit hot A&M roster and shortening their name! The result: one muthafucka of an album that brought them onto my radar – and that of millions of rockers around the world: 1982’s frankly awesome ‘Black Tiger’.
It’s hard to believe that was 28 years ago. But, almost three decades later, it sounds as fresh and as exciting as when I first slipped it from it’s sleeve and tentatively placed my old Binatone deck’s needle into it’s groove: slipping through the instrumental preview of ‘From The Moon’, the salvo that is ‘Open Fire’ still raises (now greying) hairs on the back of my neck.
OK, if you’re ready this, you’re more than likely a Y&T fan, so I’m not going to bore with you all the details of what has happened since... needless to say, ‘Black Tiger’ and the follow-up ‘Mean Streak’ remain two of my favourite albums, regularly finding their way onto my now vintage Sansui turntable (fuck, it might be 20 years old itself but it gives off one helluva sound), and a Y&T track essentially playing at any Paradise City night.
Having returned to glorious studio form earlier this year with ‘Facemelter’ – their first album in 13 years – Y&T continue to prove that, without them, the hard rock genre as we know it today probably would be a very different prospect indeed.
Going back to 1982, Dave Meniketti opened ‘My Way Or The Highway’ with “I’ll tell you what I want girl... I want respect... and I’m going to get it”. One thing’s for sure: he sure as hell has got the respect he and his comrades in arms are due. See you all tomorrow night \m/

2010-09-02T14:14:00.000-07:00

Once again, a list of the forthcoming rock and metal gigs that the PC crew know about. Once again, the list is restricted to gig taking place in Belfast...

Friday 3 September
Tied To Machines + Are We Supposed To Look This Good + Sons Of Encouragement + I Saved A Saviour + Torn Into Fire: The Front Page (8.30pm)

Saturday 4 September:
Electric Red (album launch) + For Christ Sake + Death of a Salesman: The Limelight (5pm)
Prozest Vito (album launch): Front Page (8.30pm)
Strictly No Ballroom: The Empire (9pm)

Saturday 11 September
For Ruin, devilmakesthree, Atheos, Corr Mhona: The Limelight (5pm)
Rockaholics: The Empire (9pm)
Thursday 16 September
Delirium Tremens + Common Bred Trigger + The Glory Holes + Like A Ninja: The Pavilion (9pm)

Saturday 18 September
Any Means + Gacys Threads + Interrogate + Exit Wound: The Limelight (5pm)

Saturday 25 September
Lesshelp + Mental Deficiency + William Christ & The One Man Orgy + I’ll Eat Your Face: The Limelight (5pm)
Black Freeway + Inch High + Paradise City (Macmillan Cancer fundraiser): The Pavilion (8pm).

Sunday 26 September
Elliott Minor + TBA: The Limelight (6.30pm)

Monday 27 September
Y&T + Support: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)

Thursday 30 September
Reckless Love + Jett Black + Rebels By Nature: Auntie Annie’s (8pm)

Saturday 2 OctoberGeneral Fiasco+ Support: Mandela Hall (6.30pm)
Ricky Warwick (Acoustic Show): Spring And Airbrake (7pm)

Sunday 3 October
My Passion + Dead By April: Auntie Annie’s (All Ages Show) (3pm)
Mudhoney + Unnatural Helpers: The Limelight (8pm)
A Storm Of Light + Stand Up Guy + Slomatics: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)

Tuesday 5 October
Trucker Diablo + Exit + Bandwagon + R51: Auntie Annie’s (8pm)

Thursday 7 October
Gacys Threads + Beyond Perception + By Any Means + Hunt The Fallen: Lavery’s Bunker (8pm)
Escape Fails + Alaskan Death Jacket: The Pavilion (9pm)

Saturday 9 October
Glenn Hughes + Scott McKeon: Spring And Airbrake (7pm)

Tuesday 12 October
Porcupine Tree: Mandela Hall (8pm)

Friday 15 October
Therapy? + LaFaro + Axis Of: Mandela Hall (8pm)
Desaster + Altus Astrum + Decayor + Sorcery: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)

Monday 18 October
Ozric Tentacles: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)

Saturday 23 October
Bowling For Soup + Forever The Sickest Kids + A + The Dollyrots: Spring And Airbrake (6.30pm)

Tuesday 2 November
Robert Plant and The Band Of Joy: Belfast Waterfront (8pm)

Thursday 4 November
Cancer Bats + Trash Talk: The Limelight (9pm)

Sunday 7 November
Paul Gilbert: Spring And Airbrake (7.30pm)
White Wizzard + Primitai: Auntie Annie’s (8pm)

Sunday 14 November
Fozzy + Support: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)

Saturday 20 November
Diamond Head + Howlin’ Widow + Two Tales Of Woe: Spring And Airbrake (7pm)

Sunday 21 November
Young Guns: Queen’s Speakeasy (3pm)
Gogol Bordello: Mandela Hall (7pm)
Exodus + Man Must Die: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)

Monday 22 November
The Gaslight Anthem: Ulster Hall (8pm)

Friday 26 November
Volbeat + Black Spiders: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)

Sunday 28 November
W.A.S.P – Mandela Hall

Friday 3 December
Dannie Vaughn + Support (TBC): The Rosetta (8pm)
Municipal Waste + Saviours + Ramming Speed: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)

Sunday 5 December
Airbourne: Ulster Hall (8pm)

Thursday 9 December
Pat McManus Band + Last Known Addiction + Paradise City: The Pavilion (9pm)

Sunday 12 December
The Sword + Support: Stiff Kitten (9pm)

Tuesday 14 December
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club + Support: Mandela Hall (8pm)

Saturday 18 December
You Me At Six + Support: Ulster Hall (8pm)

Forthcoming gigs

2010-08-10T05:34:00.000-07:00

For anyone who says there never is anything to do or see, gigwise, in this dirty ol' town, here is a quick guide to the gigs I am aware of between now and the end of the year. If there are any I have left out, apologies, it's simply because I am not aware of them. If you would like your gig included in future listings, or any other promotional assistance, please contact me through the Paradise City Belfast group on Facebook or email the details to paradisecitybelfast@gmail.com.

Wednesday 11 August
Hooligan + The String Theory: The Pavilion (9pm)

Friday 13 August
Threat Manifesto: The Pavilion (9pm)

Saturday 14 August
Slave Zero + Zombified + TBC: The Limelight (5pm)
Intensive Care + Pocket Billiards + Running Riot + Hard Case: The Pavilion (8pm)
Ragnaröck: Queen’s Speakeasy (9.30pm)

Tuesday 17 August
Canizares, Firefly, Signed By Jeff: The Pavilion (9pm)

Saturday 21 August
Reborn + Death of a Salesman + Oddyssey: The Limelight (5pm)
Envisage + Pospide Lock + Setback + Red Returned + Miryo Ai: The Front Page (8.30pm)
Popside LockSetbackRed ReturnedMiryo ai
Sunday 22 August
Cannibal Corpse + Condemned + Atrax Mantis: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)
Gacys Threads + Murdock + I’ll Eat Your Face: The Pavilion (9pm)

Monday 23 August
Suffocation + Cold War + TBC: The Limelight (8pm)

Thursday 26 August
Black Sun + Slomatics + Wreck of the Hesperus: The Pavilion (9pm)

Saturday 28 August
Swanee River + Dirty Stevie + Mental Deficiency + Kobi + The Dead Presidents + Sweet Taste + Sister Marko + The Vires + Colly Strings + Indigo Fury: Lavery’s Bunker (1pm)
Cursed Sun + Atheos + Immersed Earth + Ozzmium: The Limelight (5pm)
Biffy Clyro + Lostprophets + FWW + Twin Atlantic: Custom House Square (6pm)
The Rubber Plants + Worlds End: The Pavilion (9pm)

Tuesday 31 August
Guns N Roses: Odyssey Arena (8pm)

Saturday 25 September
Lesshelp + Mental Deficiency + William Christ & The One Man Orgy + I’ll Eat Your Face: The Limelight (5pm)

Monday 27 September
Y&T + Support: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)

Thursday 30 September
Reckless Love + Jett Black: The Limelight (8pm)

Saturday 2 October
General Fiasco+ Support: Mandela Hall (6.30pm)
Chimaira + Support: The Stiff Kitten (7pm)
Ricky Warwick (Acoustic Show): Spring And Airbrake (7pm)

Sunday 3 October
My Passion + Dead By April: Auntie Annie’s (All Ages Show) (3pm)
Mudhoney + Unnatural Helpers: The Limelight (8pm)
A Storm Of Light + Stand Up Guy + Slomatics: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)

Saturday 9 October
Glenn Hughes: Spring And Airbrake (7pm)

Tuesday 12 October
Porcupine Tree: Mandela Hall (8pm)

Friday 15 October
Desaster + Altus Astrum + Decayor + Sorcery: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)

Monday 18 October
Ozric Tentacles: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)

Saturday 23 October
Bowling For Soup: Spring And Airbrake (6.30pm)

Tuesday 2 November
Robert Plant and The Band Of Joy: Belfast Waterfront (8pm)

Thursday 4 November
Cancer Bats + Trash Talk: The Limelight (9pm)

Sunday 7 November
Paul Gilbert: Spring And Airbrake (7.30pm)
White Wizzard + Primitai: Auntie Annie’s (8pm)

Sunday 14 November
Fozzy + Support: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)

Saturday 20 November
Diamond Head + Howlin’ Widow + Two Tales Of Woe: Spring And Airbrake (7pm)

Sunday 21 November
Young Guns: Queen’s Speakeasy (3pm)
Gogol Bordello: Mandela Hall (7pm)
Exodus + Man Must Die: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)

Monday 22 November
The Gaslight Anthem: Mandela Hall (8pm)

Friday 26 November
Volbeat + Black Spiders: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)

Sunday 5 December
Airbourne: Ulster Hall (8pm)

Sunday 12 December
The Sword + Support: Stiff Kitten (9pm)

Tuesday 14 December
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club + Support: Mandela Hall (8pm)

Saturday 18 December
You Me At Six + Support: Ulster Hall (8pm)

On top of all these live shows, don't forget that, despite the demise of the Venue, we have a very healthy club scene, with Paradise City on the first Thursday of every month at Madison's on Botanic Avenue, Hangar 18 on the third Thursday of every month at The Pavilion, Cornucopia and Ragnarock on alternating Saturday nights at Queen's, High Voltage each Friday night at Ma Nelson's on the Lisburn Road and two more soon to be launched - Rock N Roost at the very chic Roost Bar in the city centre, starting every Wednesday from 8 September (and hosting the Guns N Roses after show party on 31 August), and the Metal Hammer/Scuzz TV backed Redeemer, heading our way from the end of August...
Now, tell me there's nothing to do or nowhere to go... I dare ye!

It's 'on with the show' for Y and T

2010-08-10T01:40:00.000-07:00

As the opening track of their excellent new album, 'Facemelter', says, it is definitely 'on with the show' for Y&T's gig at the Spring And Airbrake on 27 September.
The band are fulfilling all touring commitments, despite bassist Phil Kennemore's announcement this week that he is battling cancer. War And Peace's Brad Lang is filling in on live dates until Kennemore is fit to return, as he clearly intends to do, from the following personal statement:
“Up to now you haven’t heard much information (other than about my extreme back pain) because there really hasn’t been much until now. I hated leaving you all in the dark but I didn’t want to say anything until there was something conclusive to say. We do have a lot more information now. The number one thing you need to know is that I have cancer. It wasn’t absolutely formally diagnosed until yesterday.
“With the bad news I also got the good news that along with surgery and treatments, I will be back rockin’ and rollin’. I’ll be getting a hip replacement as well as back surgery, which means I’ll also be more agile. The doctor said that this is treatable and I’ll be walking out of this place and I’ll be able to go on the road and do everything I need to do to continue my rock ‘n’ roll life, in due time.
“I wanted to thank everyone for your well wishes. I’ve been sitting here in the hospital reading all of the things that you’ve all posted online, and I want you to know it means so very much to me to see how much I am loved, supported, and missed. I can really feel the love as I’m reading. I love reading your posts on the web site forum, and, in fact, I need to hear it. From here on out, whatever thoughts and feelings you have, please know that I wish that I could personally respond to each and every one of you, but I’m not able to right now.
“Brad – thank God for Brad (Lang)! I’m so grateful that he stepped in to help keep Y&T on tour, bringing the Facemelter album to the people while I was ordered to the hospital. Right now I think he’s the best guy on earth!
“I’ll be released from the hospital within three-to-four weeks, continuing treatment, and at some point, I’ll be returning to the road. Keep the love and good vibes flowing. Do me a favor and go out and see the band now–Y&T is kicking serious ass–and I’ll be back rocking with you all soon.”
I am sure everyone in the Paradise City community, and the whole NI rock world, will join me in wishing Phil, his family and his bandmates all the best at this difficult time, and wish the man himself a full and speedy recovery.

Prepare to get Katatonic

2010-08-04T02:23:00.000-07:00

Tonight sees the third in the series of gigs that have become known as the ‘Summer of Slaughter’ at the Limelight complex.
To be honest, while I had been cognisant of the name Katatonia for around a decade, I had not been overly familiar with their music, which existed by and large on the periphery of my musical radar. In fact, I paid much more attention to the side project of two of the band members – the black metal supergroup Bloodbath.
All that changed a few months ago, when Belfast’s own ‘Mr Metal’, James Loveday, announced that he had attracted this seminal Swedish outfit to a local stage.
Katatonia, in fact, have been around for almost two decades, releasing eight albums in that period. The band was formed in Stockholm by childhood friends Anders Nystrom and Jonas Renske (who were born less than a month apart, trivia fans) in 1991, and released their acclaimed demo, ‘Jhva Elohim Meth’ (please don’t ask me to translate) around a year later. This led to a one-off deal with the legendary Swedish No Fashion label, which resulted in their debut album, ‘Dance of December Souls’, released – suitably enough – in December 1993.
Just as things looked like they were starting to take off for the pair (who recruited additional musicians on an ad hoc basis for recording and live purposes), they then embarked on a move which was to become somewhat of a distinguishing feature of their career – they took a break.
Finally, having recruited guitarist Fred Norman, the band returned to recording in early 1996, emerging back onto the scene with ‘Brave New Day’ later that year.
Over the next decade, and between various side projects (it’s a feature of the Swedish death metal scene that even the biggest acts have members who are in a number of different bands), the band released albums – and contributed to various compilation efforts - at fairly regular, by their standards anyway, intervals, inking a deal with Peaceville Records along the way (1999). All of this culminated in the album that well and truly catapulted them into the international limelight – 2006’s ‘The Great Cold Distance’. Following extensive touring the band then, yes you’ve guessed it, went into hibernation again (well, it’s cold in Sweden!).
They emerged again last year with the long-awaited and highly acclaimed ‘Night Is The New Day’ – described by non other than Opeth frontman Mikael Akerfeldt as the “heaviest album of the year”: but, opinion is subjective and there are many who would argue that there were heavier albums released in 2009, but it’s still a damn fine slice of dark metal and bodes well for a great gig tonight.
See you all there.

Soulfly in Belfast - first review

2010-08-02T16:23:00.000-07:00

Read the first review of Soulfly in Belfast at our sister blog, Belfast Fucking Rocks:
http://piedpiperbelfast.blogspot.com/2010/08/soul-hardly-flies-in-belfast.html

Devilish Truckers

2010-08-02T12:19:00.000-07:00

Over the past year or so, there is one band name I have seen on flyers, posters, etc., which has meant that, whenever I go to see them, they guarantee me one helluva fucking good time. And that name, of course, is Trucker Diablo.
Finally, the party hard quartet have released their debut opus, The Devil Rhythm - and, by fuck, has it been worth the wait!
Put quite simply, this is ten blistering beer-, diesel- and whiskey-soaked powerhouse tunes which roll out of your speakers with the demonic intent of... well... a beer- and whiskey-soaked trucker - and then some.
Tom, Simon, Glenn and Terry set out their stall with the opening bars of the self-explanatory 'Drink Beer, Destroy', with its catchy suvern blooze infused hooks and equally catchy, nay infectious, chorus. The band are as tight as fuck, with Tom and Simon's guitars both complementing and bouncing off each other as required, while Glenn and Terry provide a backdrop tighter than a nun's crack! 'Juggernaut' features the band's old friend Ricky Warwick, who parties just as hard as the rest of the band.
Other highlights include the live favourite 'Big Truck', the bluesier 'Voodoo', the wonderful 'Dirty Love' and closer 'Rattelhead', which features the best banjo intro I have heard on a rock song since Blackfoot's seminal 'Rattlesnake Rock n Roller'.
And the Blackfoot comparison is a fair one. The album has the overall feel of 'Marauder' era Medlocke, coupled with the rawness of early ZZ Top, the catchiness of the Black Crowes and the passion of our own Thin Lizzy. And its all perfectly delivered thanks to a great production by Frankie McClay - clean and crisp but with enough dirt on its boots to capture the spirit of TD's always superb live shows.
This, quite frankly, is essential listening.
Available directly from the band @ www.myspace.com/truckerdiablo

Back to blogging

2010-08-01T03:17:00.000-07:00

Sorry that the Paradise City blog has been inactive for a while, but we've been really busy over the past few months and sometimes some things fall by the wayside. Anyway, we're going to be blogging on a more regular basis, with news on Paradise City activities, and on the Belfast rock scene, as well as gig and album reviews.
So, first a quick update on all things Paradise City... as some of you will know, we have returned to our roots, with a new monthly residency at Madison's Hotel on Botanic Avenue (we're down in the basement bar, which we've lovingly renamed the 'new Rock Bottom'). We're on the first Thursday of every month - which means this coming Thursday night, 5 August, peeps - with doors open at 9.30pm and admission a mere £3 (or free if you're an early bird and get down before 10.30). Since our last posting, Phil has progressed from co-promoter to DJ as well, and is doing really well, and he'll be opening proceedings, followed by the main man, the mysterious Monk and then our resident eye candy for the girlies, Stefano. We'll also have a request slot, so either post something online at www.facebook.com/paradisecitybelfast or speak to one of the terrible triumvirate on the night.
We're also launching a second night. Called Hangar 18, it's a bit heavier, with the emphasis more on the metal end of the spectrum, but still the same philosophy - it's old school! H18 launches at The Pavilion on Friday 20 August, and then will be on the third Friday of every month. As with PC, doors are 9.30pm and admission is £3. DJs on the first night will be Monk and Phil. Join us at www.facebook.com/hangar18belfast for updates and general banter.
Last weekend, we had the pleasure of working with our good friends RockRadioNI, as guest DJs at their first live night, also at the Pavilion. We're hoping to work with Philip and the team again very soon, with the possibility of some major news in the very near future, so please keep checking this blog and our Facebook for the news as it happens. We're also hoping to have news of another PC/RRNI development in the very near future, so again please keep checking back for updates on that.
That's about it for the moment. As I said, we're going to be blogging on a much more regular basis from now on, with our next post being a review of the brand new and long anticipated debut album from one of our favourite party bands, Trucker Diablo.
Ciao, peace, respect and \m/

Paradise City Belfast moves to Spring & Airbrake

2010-03-24T05:06:00.000-07:00

yes the rumours are true Paradise City Belfast is moving to the Spring & Airbrake this month, so on March 25th our popular classic rock club night will have a new home.

Check our 'Paradise City Belfast' facebook page for updates and future gig dates.

see you there,

Phil

Paradise City Belfast

2010-02-26T05:57:00.000-08:00

As you know we are running our Paradise City Belfast promotions mainly through our (very popular) facebook page 'Paradise City Belfast'.

Please join us there.

We are half way through our residency at Madisons in Belfast, we hope to stay there, so your support via our facebook group and maybe see you on one of monthly nights (last thu of each month 10pm-late, £3 door tax).

Phil

Paradise City Belfast makes the headlines

2010-01-13T04:19:00.000-08:00

Paradise City has been featured in the new edition of the South Belfast News, published today. See page 20.

Join Us On Facebook

2010-01-09T07:20:00.000-08:00

Join us on Facebook, the official Paradisecitybelfast facebook page is up and running and we will be updating it with set lists, pictures, some sounds and of course valued feedback from our fans.

Please sign up and join us there.

Phil

Monk speaks about Paradise City Belfast

2009-12-31T15:41:00.000-08:00

Hail and salutations, my brothers and sisters in rock ‘n’ roll.
For more than 15 long years I have kept my silence, but now I am silent no more. I have been away, but not, as I have been watching and listening, from afar and from upon near, and now I have returned. To here. And to now.
That here and now is, quite simply, Paradise City.
Several months ago, the seed was sown about the possibility of Monk stepping out of the darkness of retirement and into the limelight once more. Slowly, that seed took root and germinated: discussions took place long into many a night, and many a candle was burned as the idea that is now Paradise City was hatched and allowed to grow, almost organically.
It is as if Paradise City always has been my destiny. And it has arrived.
On Thursday 28 January, I step back behind the decks, in front of an audience, for the first time since 1993. I am nervous and excited. More so the latter. I have felt the hairs on my neck stand on end as I spend hours listening to my old album and singles collection putting together that vital first three-hour set. Songs have been selected, and then rejected, sometimes several times, as I strive to bring together a collection which summarises what Paradise City, to me, is going to be all about – good old fashioned, good time, old school, classic rock and metal. The sort of stuff I last played way back in 93 – and a lot of which probably hasn’t been heard in public since then!
By way of a taster, the first night so far will feature tracks by Guns N Roses (well, they do provide our title track), Teaze, Led Zeppelin, Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crue, The Almighty, Uriah Heep, The Wildhearts, Tesla, AC/DC, Ratt, Cheap N Nasty, Def Leppard, The Quireboys, Faith No More, Hanoi Rocks, Faster Pussycat, Dio, The Black Crowes and Golden Earring. I still have a very long list of material still under consideration, but it is virtually certain that there will be material from Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Alice In Chains, UFO, Iron Maiden, Anvil, Badlands, Warrant, L A Guns, Bon Jovi and Dan Reed.
Be warned about one thing: the tracks played may not be the ones you’ll automatically expect – I’m digging out rare cuts, obscure early recordings and a few surprises.
Also, if there’s any artist you would like to hear, stick a comment on our Facebook page before 15 January and I’ll take it under advisement, as they say in certain trashy US cop programmes.
I have been away too long. But I am back. I am glad you can join me. It’s going to be one helluva ride.
Yours in rock, brothers and sisters,
Monk

Paradise City Belfast - Statement from Monk

2009-12-27T12:26:00.000-08:00

After a silence of 15 years, Monk will post a personal statement here at midnight on the dawn of 2010.

Paradise in Botanic

2009-12-08T07:22:00.001-08:00

At long last - the news you have been waiting for!

Paradise City will launch at Madison's, on Botanic Avenue, on Thursday 28 January. We will downstairs in the hotel's simply rocktastic night club - think the old Rock Bottom meets the Cavern Club! Doors open 9.30pm, and Monk will be delivering a three hour set, from 10pm - 1am. Admission is a mere £3.

Further nights are booked for Thursday 25 February (that's the night before the Paradise City - Live gig at the Oh yeah centre) and again exactly one month later.

Don't forget, Monk will be posting his track listings on the PC Facebook group page in the week before the show, so sign up now to make requests!

The PR bandwagon has started rolling... rolling...

2009-12-05T14:03:00.000-08:00

Paradise City has been namechecked in the very first edition of the new 'City' newspaper. Our PR company, Pied Piper, also was named in the same article as one of the top three sources of news on the Belfast metal scene.

Nearly Paradise

2009-11-29T03:18:00.001-08:00

Paradise City is launching at the end of January, all things being equal.
A permanent venue has yet to be confirmed, and more details will be announced in due course, through this blog, Northern Ireland's only heavy metal PR company, Pied Piper, at www.myspace.com/piedpiperbelfast and through the club's Facebook group, where Monk's set lists will be published a few days before each show and where requests can be posted.
Meanwhile, the club already is venturing into the live arena, with the aptly named 'Paradise City - Live' at the Oh Yeah centre in the Cathedral Quarter on Friday 26 February. The first rock gig to be staged as part of the annual Guinness Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival, it will be headlined by Trucker Diablo, supported by Black Freeway and Circadian. It will be a 14+ show, with strictly no alcohol and tickets will be a mere £3.
Monk is keeping quiet on whether or not he will make a guest appearance, but watch this space for updates.

Ricky goes Truckin'

2009-11-12T15:21:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Trucker Diablo on securing a guest slot on their forthcoming debut album, '18 Wheels Of Fury', by none other than Ricky Warwick. The guys currently are in pre-production for said opus, and have posted some live demos on their MySpace site, which are sounding fucking awesome! All things being equal, the album is due early in 2010. Looking forward to it.

Paradise in February

2009-10-23T00:55:00.000-07:00

Just by way of an update, it looks likely that Paradise City will officially launch in early February. Monk and his faithful acolytes are still negotiating with a number of city centre venues, and hope to have everything firmed up by the beginning of 2010. One thing has been confirmed: the music policy - it will be classic with a capital 'C', and very much vinyl based. We'll also be doing theme nights, so keep checking back for details.

Coming Soon Classic Rock Nights In Belfast

2009-10-10T13:15:00.000-07:00

Classic rock music fans will soon be able to enjoy a night of their favourite tunes at a city centre venue.

The new night will feature a selection of some of the genre's best known songs and a few choice surprise tracks, all courtesy of the returning DJ Monk (making his return to the decks after a lengthy sabbatical: more on the legend's return will follow soon).

Over the next few weeks Monk will be asking fans to suggest a track list for the night and will be announcing the venue, and date of his official return to the Northern Irish music scene.

Keep checking back here for more news and the chance to be a part of rock music history.