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
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