Interview with New Device

After watching a soothing acoustic set from New Device frontman Daniel Leigh at Southampton's cosiest venue, The Cellar (Formerly The Soul Cellar), I managed to pull him and drummer Greg 'Rozzy' Ison aside for a quick chat in the chilly Southampton air. We chatted about their new upcoming album and generally life as musicians; I would love to thank the boys for boosting my confidence on the interviewing front.

Also I would like to say I re-recorded one of the questions in the radio studio since when I asked it in the interview, nerves got the better of me and the question didn't make sense. Anyways I hope you enjoy listening to the intriguing and some hilarious answers; being why you can hear me giggling in the background in some parts. Click the link below to listen to the interview.

Daniel Leigh and Greg 'Rozzy' Ison interview

Find New Device on their website, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and LastFM

We Will Rock You @ The Mayflower; Southampton 26/4/10

Since this is a music blog I thought I'd review musicals on this blog, being to do with the fact I have loved musicals from a young age and still love them now; last night my sister and I took a trip to Southampton's greatest theatre where all the huge productions take place and this was The Mayflower. I have been going there since I was very young so I am very familiar with it's grand yet warm cosy atmosphere, attentive staff and excellent facilities. Last night the production We Will Rock You was on at The Mayflower.

Once my sister and I were shown to our seats we were ready to watch; we both watched eagerly as the smoke machienes were being tested and the lighting guys took their places. Suddenly the lights went down and the disco balls lit up; we then saw infront of us a brief music timeline of events such as The Beatles conquering the US in 1964, Mr Blobby reaching number 1 in 1993. Then came the future dates such as Radio 1 playing their last non computer generated tune and music instruments being banned; this was an excellent way to set up the story of the musical. Everyone wears the same clothes, thinks the same thoughts and listens to the same music in this story since Planet Mall, formerly Earth, is run by the main antagonist, Killer Queen, so any kind of individuality shown she tries to crush. Rebels Galileo and Scaramoosh try and break free from this conformist society by wearing different clothes and expressing their opinions; they arrested for doing so but escape and set out in the world to find out who they are. They come across a rebel tribe, who call themselves The Bohemians, who are after the ancient texts of rock and roll that can liberate the planet.

I loved how each Queen song was used to tell part of the story and some parts changing some of the words to fit the story; for instance the song Killer Queen, the line 'spoke like a baroness' is changed to 'emailed like a baroness'. The characters all had very strong personalities and the actors portrayed those very well; particularly Scaramoosh, Brit and Killer Queen, I thought they were all very well recieved by the audience. There was a standing avation at the very end of the show of course; it was that amazing. I also loved the audience participation in the final three songs, whether it was waving your arms in the air to We Are The Champions, rocking out the We Will Rock You or singing your heart out to classic Bohemian Rhapsody.

Overall a fantastic evening and possibly one of the best things I have seen on stage so far.

New Theory Of A Deadman album; release date announced

Just heard today that Vancouver rockers Theory Of A Deadman shall be releasing a brand new album on 12th July; I personally cannot wait for this. After their extraordinary Scars and Souvenirs, which I reviewed in I think December that includes songs Bad Girlfriend (below), So Happy and Little Smirk,  I would love to see what new material they have produced; they will be releasing a new song from it next month.

Click here to read more info from the band's record label Roadrunner Records

Find Theory Of A Deadman on their official website, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and YouTube

Happy Easter

Hello hello hello, Happy Easter everyone....it's the day where we can eat lots of chocolate and reward ourselves with all the treats that some of us decided to give up for fourty days lent. I have so much chocolate to get through, being that my Mum and sister gave up chocolate for lent so there's Coco Pops and a ton of chocolate left over; plus getting a lot more today.

Happy Easter everyone!!!!!!

Tuomaslotte

Amaranthe - Amaranthe

I couldn't wait til tomorrow to write a post about this album because it is that good and I may have found another band that fits Tuomaslotte's Bands Of 2011 and Albums of 2011 lists perfectly. I found this album on Spotify under recommendations so I thought 'Why not, I'll give it a listen". On the first listen I was very taken aback by the screamo vocals but once I saw how well it fits together with clean vocals I was amazed; I have possibly listened to the first song Leave Everything Behind for about the fourth time today, I love how this dark metal writes very deep, heavy hearted and poetical lyrics but they put it with such catchy melodies....it's pure genius. There was something different about the melodies in this album, nothing like I have heard in previous metal albums; it has the dirty grungy sounds of metal that mixes with 80s synthesisers. A perfect example of this is put into practise via the track Automatic; the verses give off a dirty grungy melody then the chorus sounds very sort of 80s, I think this technique is genius.

Overall a fantastic album from Swedish/Danish melodic death metallers with a variety of songs from the fast paced dirty Hunger to the heartfelt ballad Amarathine; hope they come to the UK to do a show sometime.

Stand Out Tracks:  Leave Everything Behind, Automatic and Amarathine

Find Amaranthe on Facebook and MySpace

Roy Khan leaves Kamelot

A little bit disheartened today by the news of vocalist Roy Khan choosing to leave power metal band Kamelot; he has the most enchanting voice that fits the songs perfectly. I don't know much more about the situation but I do know a man named Fabio is replacing Roy, I'm sure Fabio will do well. Roy will be missed dearly and I wish him all the best for the future. I'll leave you with a video of Roy singing one of my favourite Kamelot songs.

Click here to read the statement from Kamelot's official website

Find Kamelot on their official website, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter

Gecko - Three Dead At Sundown

A video by this band was shared on the Facebook page for this blog yesterday; the video was from three piece hard rock bluesy band Gecko who hail from Southampton. After listening to snippets of their debut album I was impressed with their sound, this album I am writing a post about is their second album Three Dead At Sundown. I love how the entire album is opened up by an instrumental with no singing, the intro sounded very much like a part of my personal favourite Guns 'N Roses tune Welcome To The Jungle. This album sort of reminds me of a hot, sandy place like the desert. It seems sleezy blues rock is definately making a come back, this album prooves this with it's slick guitar solos and old school style tunage.

Stand out tracks:  Back On The Road Again, Man Without A Plan and Tornado

Find Gecko on Facebook, MySpace and Reverbnation