Steve Christopher ‘Join The Queue’

This morning I was talking to Steve Christopher on how his music was coming along. 

As you may remember last we spoke he sounded reborn to music as after learning new tricks his been mixing and producing his own tracks. 

Well today we talked of his new track ‘Join The Queue’. 

I was listening to the MP3 and the first play took me back to the 80s and Pink Floyd ‘The Wall’ and it’s extended title track, it has that awesome guitar rift and deeper vocals. 

I thought the familiar rift really helps you love this track and the story it tells. 

Everyone gets told one time in your life “your special” or “you’ll go far” and after a while you start to believe them, then time passes and your still where you were, nothing has changed and there seems to be a line of many all told the same, wanting the same. 

Well that’s what story I got from this song and it’s so true as we all shine one point in our life, but if we miss the timing it passes and becomes too late. 

This song has two parts to me as the Pink Floyd rift is not all the way through the track the second part mid way through vocals change to a familiar Steve we know with some fantastic guitar and layers and a chorus that is rather catchy.

Every time Steve seems to surprise me, really hope you all love it too

James Marshall Black ‘Nylon’

It’s been a while since we have heard from James Marshall Black, but this doesn’t mean he has not been busy. I won’t go into other material today and different projects as it will only lose you so...

Today I am talking about just one of his many new material ‘Nylon’ filed under his ‘Sex Mad Warewolf’ project. 

His music is changing with new instruments, studio equipment and little musical tricks his learnt. 

As in all his tracks from the same project it carries an 18 certificate and fans may have already guessed why.
I love the sound as the new drum program is awesome, guitar layers and solos are up to James high standard then smashed again. His vocals well you can definitely hear a touch of a singing vampire that bites in daylight too.
It’s raunchy, sexy, rocks and kicks ass hell! It’s James Marshall Black 

The Presidents - featuring Robin Mayhew

Old Rockers Just Keep On Rocking

Forget about Donald Trump and all those before him, as the only Presidents to look out for are on Ace records new  various artists release entitled 'Planet Beat'.

'Planet Beat' is a stunning blast from the past taken from the vaults of legendary producer Shel Talmy. Over 50% on the album are previously unreleased materiel or out takes. 

The beat groups were around and had the sound of The Beatles' and early 'Rolling Stones' many tracks feature a very young guitar slinger named Jimmy Page.

The albums artists include -

The Liberators

The Tribe

the Talisman

The Hearts

Johnny B Great & The Orchids

The Pathfinders

The Rising Sons

The Untamed

Wayne Gibson

The Lancastrians

The League Of Gentlemen

The Imp-Act

The Breadcrumbs

The Zephyrs

The First Gear

The Dennisons

and of course The Presidents.

Hears the story behind the track

The band 'The Presidents' was signed to 
Decca Records and in the mid 1960's a
recording they made, a song entitled 'She
said Yeah' was finished, in the can and was to be their follow up to their hit 'Candy Man' which was written by Roddy Jackson and the late Sonny Bono and was passed by Decca but somehow the acetate was lost. 

53 years later it has been found and is to be released by Ace records, Harlesden, London
on the album I've already mentioned. It is to released on June 29th on CD, on the website (link at bottom of blog).
Robin Mayhew told me as the lead guitarist Martin was over in the UK on holiday from Australia he managed to get all the original band members back together and make a video for the recording.
All together they have a combined age of 380 years, so a little older than The Rolling Stones who they all once supported!!

The Late Ian Stewart (the 5th Stone) was a good friend of theirs and he loved this song and The Stones actually included their own version on their Decca album 'Out of Our Heads' 

Robin always thought that it was a bit odd their original went missing. 
Quote "I mean our version lost and they bring out a cover!"

Here's the link to the You Tube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjcKGcM0Rtc

Ace Records and the CD detail 

http://acerecords.co.uk/planet-beat-from-the-shel-talmy-vaults

Robin Mayhew

www.robinmayhew.co.uk

GOODBYE STARMAN

 

As a child I grew up in a house full of music, my mother loved her LP collection and played them loud every weekend and my older sister had started her 7” collection which educated me in the sounds of the 70s.

 

It was this time I first heard the name David Bowie and saw his outragious posters and appearences on Top of the Pops. Since then David Bowie and his music has been in my life and in many ways closer than others. I remember the release of the ‘Let’s Dance’ album when I was working in a record store, David had come back all reinvented AGAIN and took over the charts and our store was mobbed with fans and merchandise. In fact I had to go with store owners to Brighton record fair to bid for more stock as that was the need for his music.

 

Later in my life David Bowie came back into it in a bigger way and I got closer than I could ever imagined to his music. It was discovering LG73 and who what must be said ‘the number one David Bowie fan’ Ramoana Stone. Her show ‘The Ramoana Experience’ was and still is all things Bowie with live concerts, interviews, interesting facts, fun and rare recordings. It was through Ramoana’s show that I had a go at presenting radio due to her kindness to give up one part of her air time. We had Bolan and Bowie together in the same show and even on David Bowie’s 65th birthday we did a massive birthday party with fans writing in messages and poems to the legend that was Bowie. It was through this radio show I met who is now my wife so thank you RaM and thank you David.

*The Ramoana Experience now on MaxRadio
http://www.MaxRadio.ca/

 

 

 

I also worked on a Bowie project with Pete Waller under his DeafboyOne banner in 2009 entitled 'Ground Control To DeafboyOne' in which I helped on it's design of the cover and recording of an album of David Bowie covers which are still close to our hearts as the album was made with love and respect.

 

 

 

Following this I also worked with EMI Venom on promoting that album in which an amazing video is still available to view on You Tube of 'Space Oddity'

 

I have also been lucky to meet another DJ, singer and all over one rocking entertainer and good friend Lady Starduzt name taken from a track of Mister Bowie’s. I produced only a few of her radio shows but got a friend for life

 

 

 

Waking up this morning and seeing his face on every post on Facebook was news I know we all dreaded to ever happen as David Bowie we fooled ourselves would always be here. He maybe gone but his music his various reinventions Ziggy & Alandin Sane as well as his ‘Heroes’, Tin Machine and many others will live on with us forever. I am just sad that future generations will only know this great singer, songwriter and entertainer in past tence.

 

 

The King is dead, long live the King

DIY or Top Production by Ruth A-D

 

Who is Ruth A-D you may ask, well she is not only a singer with a voice that melts you and makes your hairs stand on end with goose pimples. She is a songwriter of outstanding big productions with ghostly vocal layers and orchestras with a very NOW sound.

Ruth admits she has learnt her way in the music business, from inside out as she even produces her own material. These two singles are so far apart in sound and production but much the same in quality.

'War On Dreams' is an outstanding big epic of a number with her vocals on the Beverley Craven touching on Kate Bush in sound. The layering of her vocals are chilling and the track builds & fades, then builds again. The orchestral arrangement gives the track life, emotions and of course that epic sound I have already mentioned.  

On her website it mentions her strong DIY ethics, producing dark, cinematic pop and stripped-down piano vocal tracks. Well I can say hand on heart there is no DIY sound in this as it's mind blowing fantastic.
https://soundcloud.com/ruthadmusic/war-on-dreams
 

'Just Another Scratch' is very Kate Bush 'Sat In Your Lap' in style and sound. The drumming following her vocal layers is part I just love as well as the smooth shouting whisper that if you could feel would be like the richest silk.
https://soundcloud.com/ruthadmusic/just-another-scratch

I truly recommend you checking out both tracks that are available on iTunes & CD Baby

Interesting links will be below

website

http://www.ruthad.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/RuthADMusic/?fref=ts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highland Home (Instrumental edit) by Dave Bremner

I may of already written a review on this track but that was on the charity release which includes very moving lyrics.
Now this is an instrumental and was originally recorded/mixed this way as Dave says "to be used for extrance music at seminar for my martial art classes". However once I played this MP3 it has so much atmosphere of the highlands, it almost sounds like you've gone back in time listening to some classic Gaelic composition or tuned into a movie as it so big in sound it is like straight off some soundtrack album of a blockbuster.
As I now live in Scotland maybe I feel a closer tie to the song but reading my older review I don't think so it's just the track is so good, full of feeling, emotion, power and yes the pipes.

NEW BEGINNING - Luna Rekipse

Luna Reklipse is a rock, blues band that really surprised me, well to be honest not just me but many others in music who knows the frontman Dave Bremner.
I first heard of Dave when I was working for OK! Records and was presented with this epic traditional Scottish track 'Highland Home'.
See many in music got used to this soft voice filled with passion for his country and never even guessed burning within was this heavy sound of rock and blues waiting to burst out like something from an 'Alien' movie.
I was first sent just 3 tracks of this album when they were rough demos last year and could not believe what I was hearing. Dave Bremner.... THIS is Dave Bremner??? I asked myself, then where has he been hiding this?, where did this come from?
I sent the tracks to another artist who has been in the business almost all his life and he knew of Dave, wants to work with him and his reply to these demos were "WOW".
It isn't often artists get great praise from other fellow artists but the tracks on this debut album has really caused a stir.
What I love is this isn't just an album where Dave has written and composed the tracks, turned up and told the band what he wants. No this is an album where all the band have had a major input to the finished sound and quality.
OK yes it has a lot of Dave's rock influences but it has the bands too.
I mentioned the word BAND a few times, about time I told you who they are before I get into reviewing the tracks & telling you the backstories.

Luna Reklipse is -
 
Dave Bremner lead vocals, acoustic guitar, electric rhythm guitar, percussion
 
John Thomson (JT) bass guitar and backing vocals
 
Ryan Mathieson drums
Since the making of this album Ryan has left the Luna Reklipse to return to his previous band Priority Drive, and everyone wishes him well
The new drummer for all future recordings and live gigs is Steve Boylan 
 
Graeme King drums (Hey Jo)
 
Niall Mattheson lead guitar
(Niall has been the lead guitar player for Prog-rock band Pallas for more years than he would want to admit – but all parties are proud he took time to rock with LR)
 
Track One - Ex Girlfriends Ex Bestfriend

This was one of the first tracks I heard as a demo, now fully mastered it kicks off with the alternative rock power that leaves your ears buzzing for more. To me it gives you the feel of Oasis in sound with added screaming guitars that are so awesome you just want to get up and ROCK (air guitar). It has some lovely stripped down guitar sound bites midway also that lead into the final guitar solo.
I was stunned by Dave letting rip with some rock vocals & that scream. It has a true backstory to it too which may explain why it works so well as the best songs come from past memories & them told within a song. Dave says
 
 

"It was a real life situation from my teens – oh so many years ago. Going into a birthday party with the current girlfriend of the time – met her best friend – who became - my new girlfriend. Not something that happened all to often for anyone or to me – just got the idea driving past the house where L used to stay. It’s the opening track of our live set more times than not.

Wanted to have the new time pop rocker type of feel to the song – think we got there."

 

Track Two - Halfpenny Cornerstreetman Moneymaker

 

An amazing bass intro by JT with guitars having an early ZZ Top feel, this has a real rockin' boogie beat to get up and dance. In fact I defy anyone to try not to tap your foot through it as you just can't help yourself. Even the do, do, do, chants gets you singing. Everything about this song is so right the drums thrash all the way for the lovers who want to headbang. It is also based on Dave's past and the lyrics sort of tell you that once you've been told. Dave says 

 

 

"This is a song about the times I played on the streets in Glasgow, an experience. Bass player came up with the idea of “pinching” and adapting the blues brothers riff for the start of the song so we could have a bit more of a laid back build up to this boogie rocker. A real floor filler."

 

Track Three - Sinner Or A Saint

 

Just love the start of this as you hear the rain and the guitars give you the feel of 'Pulp fiction' with touch of 70s rock with a fantastic bluesy chug. This was the 2nd demo I received and hearing it now makes me smile as its moved on so much with heavy licks, deep bass and Dave's vocals go up to another level. 

the backstory was interesting to read as in life many artists hear one word or see one picture or a sentence by someone and a whole song is born, and this was exactly how this was written and composed. Hear it what Dave says

 

"While watching an episode of NCIS there was a comment by one of the stars about their latest case – was she a sinner or a saint – from there I wrote the basic version of this great song in about 15 minutes. I asked our bass player to start with a great riff as I was having real timing issues on the guitar riff – sorted."

 

Track Four - I Have You

 

Starting off with a beautiful acoustic guitar with the track building up to an epic rock ballad, this is a kind of song you can imagine all the lovers smooching too and the rockers waving the lighters in the air. How can I describe it best? Well it simply gives me goosebumps as its pure magic a must to listen to, a must to have in your collection. The backstory is all based on Dave's life now and what demons he faces and the support from the love of his life, hear is what Dave says

 

"Originally recorded and released as a solo Dave Bremner track – following on the blues theme. During a gig I decided to play a few acoustic solo numbers which included this song. The next practise session our drummer asked if we could try this song and it fell into place almost immediately. Originally I had sung two bars of oos but asked JT if he could replace these with a bass lead line – the resulting effect was stunning – after a few changes the bass line from my original oos is used through out the song.

The song is about my fight with depression and my trying to appreciate what I had – especially the love a concern of my beautiful wife"

 

Track Five - Lay Your Head On My Pillow

 

Now I know what your thinking, you read the title and think a slow, romantic number WRONG!!!

This has a fast beat, screaming lead wonderful harmonies. It reminds me of classic U2 in sound and just love it, works wonderful blaring out in car stereo.

When I heard that the song is based on Dave's relationship with his wife I thought why so fast? Why not a slow smooch? Dave explains his reasons

 

 

"another song about the relationship I have with Julie – my soul mate of 20 years+. I wanted this to have a feel of a title song from an American sit-come such as friends and the like. One of the best rock poems I have written and worked closely with Niall to get the right sound and feel to the guitar – he’s an artist, jealous of his ability but pleased he agreed to guest with us. A song for the American rock market"

 

Track Six - Looking For Love

 

Full of blues guitars with awesome riffs with some raw vocals from Dave with a chorus you feel forced to join in with. Who it reminded me of was in fact the very artist Dave was influenced by for this track. and this what Dave said

"Another re write / re record of a Dave Bremner solo track, driving Chris Rea type track and a crowd pleaser normally when playing live.

Was written at a time I was kinda low and felt I have lost the ability to love or be loved – out of the deep hole came this cracking rocker."

 

Track Seven - Dreams (I Wanna Play Rock n Roll)

 

This is a song with true feeling mainly because it comes from the heart as Dave really wants to perform, be heard, be seen and going by what I heard he should be. When you play this you get a Meatloaf feel as the epic story, the raw vocals coming from the very soul. I WANNA PLAY ROCK N ROLL it even has that epic screaming guitar that almost have a dark side just love it.

Dave says

"An auto biographical story of my desire to play my music to the masses. Was written years ago when I felt shafted by a major Record Company but had no proof. Updated this about 2 years ago. Listen to the words – it tells the story."

 

 

Track Eight - Mystic Woman

 

Now Dave and myself met through the love of Marc Bolan's music, poetry and his use of words that often took you places or talked of people you felt you knew. 'Mystic Woman' is a tip of the hat to Marc from Dave who's dream is to one day record a tribute album to the main man of T.Rex. This track has a '20th Century Boy' style of riff. It is raw with the most heaviest rocking backing Dave in conversation on Skype said he even adds influences of Deep Purple and Bon Jovi and now I know I can hear that too. If you love rock LOVE the AXE you be totally blown away by this track that so stands out on this album.

Dave says

"This song was written in the style of the 70s rock bands I used to (and still listen to) and although I don’t have a traditional rock god voice – we just had to record it and love the outcome. Based on my love of the mystic and heavily influenced by my love of Marc Bolan writings.  As heavy as we get but others of the same ilk on the way to compete against this."

 

Track Nine - Hey Jo

 

This song I will always feel part of as I was online and witnessed the full events. I remember Dave being in his car on his way home knowing this was taking place and wanting to get indoors, online & to help his friend. By the time he got home the song was written mentally in his head. The song proves Facebook can have a positive effect and when things are down you find your real friends. The guitars on this track are outstanding and I must point out when performed live Luna Reklipse do it a little different as JT steps up and adds a little 'Let it be' by The Beatles which works so well and does down with everyone. This is the last song of a totally awesome album which I highly recommend to buy once it goes on sale. I leave you with the words of Dave on this song & the album itself

"A song written about a Marc Bolan fan by a Marc Bolan fan who was one of a team who helped some one who put out on face book that she was struggling and needed help. The love of Bolan on facebook  helped a friend back on the path to recovery from dark days."

 

 

"OVERALL AS THE SONG WRITER I REALISE I AM BLESSED TO HAVE AND NEED TO HAVE SO MANY TALENTED MUSICIANS AROUND ME - AS LUNA REKLIPSE WE HAVE A GREAT SOUND BASED ON THE LOVE OF PLAYING ORIGINAL MATERIAL FROM MY SONG BOOK OF SO MANY – SO STEP ONE ON THE STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN AS WE WERE BORN TO BOOGIE IN THE GOLDEN AGE OF ROCK N ROLL  IN SO MANY DIFFERENT COLOURS.

 

Dave Bremner 2014

 Find Luna Reklipse on Reverbnation http://www.reverbnation.com/lunareklipse4

Find Dave Bremner on Reverbnation http://www.reverbnation.com/davebremner