Showing posts with label August. Show all posts
Showing posts with label August. Show all posts

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Flamin' Groovies


FLAMIN' GROOVIES To Reissue
"Now" and "Jumpin' In the Night" This Summer

The band that played a major role in the evolution of power pop and are considered a forerunner of punk rock readies two of their most popular albums
 This summer they will reissue two classic albums: "Now" on July 10th and "Jumpin' In the Night" on August 7th.

NOW (CD, July 10th)

While it took a long and torturous five years for the Flamin' Groovies to find their way back to an American record deal with Shake Some Action, a year and a half later the band had a follow-up ready, and while 1978's Flamin' Groovies Now isn't quite as cohesive as the album that preceded it, in many respects the band sounds at once tighter and more relaxed, with some time on the road firming up the rhythm section while giving the songs a bit more room to swing (which wasn't one of the strong suits of the British Invasion bands that provided their aural template). The band lost guitarist James Ferrell during the post-Shake Some Action tour, but former Charlatans picker Mike Wilhelm proved to be a more than simpatico replacement on these sessions, and while leader Cyril Jordan didn't come up with another new song as transcendent as "Shake Some Action," "All I Wanted" comes pretty close. But it's significant that most of the songs on Flamin' Groovies Now are covers, and while all of them are played with love, enthusiasm, and the right period flair (especially the Beatles' "There's a Place," Paul Revere & the Raiders' "Ups and Downs," and "Move It," an early U.K. hit for Cliff Richard), they give the album a feeling of being padded, and just because covering the Rolling Stones rarity "Blue Turns to Grey" was a good idea didn't mean the Flamin' Groovies had any business tackling "Paint It Black." All in all, Flamin' Groovies Now is a terrific-sounding record that captures a fine band when it was in great form, but it also makes clear that the gremlins that often dogged the Groovies in the studio (namely their inability to make a 100 percent satisfying album) hadn't gone away.


JUMPIN' IN THE NIGHT (CD, August 7th)

The third and last of the Flamin' Groovies late-'70s albums for Sire, Jumpin' in the Night storms out of the gate with the title song, a top-shelf rocker that brings the muscle of the Flamingo-era lineup of the Groovies to the more style-conscious British Invasion sonics of Cyril Jordan's version. Though Jumpin' in the Night never rocks that hard or that well again, it does sound decidedly tighter and tougher than 1978's Flamin' Groovies Now, and guitarist Mike Wilhelm, a new addition to the Now lineup, is much better integrated into their wall of guitars, with the Groovies sounding more solid than they did a year before. But while Jumpin' in the Night finds the Flamin' Groovies sounding better than ever, the material unfortunately lets them down. It's no wonder why the Flamin' Groovies loved the Byrds -- both were American bands who fell in love with the sounds of British rock and crafted their own variation on the style -- but three Byrds covers on this album is about two too many (especially given how clunky David Wright's drumming sounds on "5D"), and though having the Groovies tackle "Absolutely Sweet Marie" and "Please Please Me" sounds good on paper, the audible results are a bit underwhelming. (On the other hand, their cover of "Werewolves of London" is better than anyone had a right to expect.) The production and engineering by Roger Bechirian is crisp and flattering to the guitars, but lacks the resonance of Dave Edmunds' more layered approach on Shake Some Action and Now. A great band, the Flamin' Groovies often seemed to have a hard time reconciling their best qualities with the record-making process, and Jumpin' in the Night is probably the best example of this dilemma, though it has more than enough worthwhile moments to compensate. 

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Saturday Sinema: Ladyworld


Amanda Kramer's Psychological Thriller LADYWORLD
Nationwide Theatrical Release on August 2nd 
VOD / DVD Roll-out On August 27th

"In pairing the aftermath of a natural disaster with the minefield that is female adolescence, it proves its own surreal, savage and superbly performed creation."
  - Sarah Ward, Screen International


LADYWORLD stars Ariela Barer, Annalise Basso (CAPTAIN FANTASTIC), Ryan Simpkins (BRIGSBY BEAR, THE HOUSE), Odessa Adlon, Maya Hawke (STRANGER THINGS Season 3), Tatsumi Romano, Zora Casebere and Atheena Frizzell. Written by Amanda Kramer and Benjamin Shearn, and produced by Love & Death Productions' Leal Naim and Thomas R. Burke alongside Amanda Kramer, the film is a modernized all-girl story inspired by LORD OF THE FLIES.

In LADYWORLD, eight teenage girls become trapped in an endless birthday party after a massive earthquake. The girls' sanity and psyches dissolve as they run out of food and water. Eventually, they regress to their basic instincts, exploiting each other's fears and insecurities.
 

The film enjoyed recent success on the festival circuit, including BFI London Film Festival, Fantastic Fest, TIFF Next Wave, Denver Film Festival, and SF Indie Fest. 

Cleopatra Entertainment will theatrically release LADYWORLD nationwide on August 2nd, followed by a VOD / Home Entertainment DVD release on August 27th. 
 
Additionally, the film will have an East Coast Premiere on Friday, August 2nd at the Cinema Village, New York, NY and a West Coast Premiere also on Friday, August 2nd at the Arena Cinelounge in Los Angeles, CA with a Q&A with Director Amanda Kramer and cast. 

Saturday, June 8, 2019

Get, Get, Get "The Motivator!!!"

Photo:
Jon Abeyta
CHERIE CURRIE & BRIE DARLING
Reveal Official Album Cover For “The Motivator” - Out August 2



Time For Some Motivation -

Los Angeles-based, female rock icons, Cherie Currie and Brie Darling have joined together to record their debut album, The Motivator.  The album will be released August 2, 2019 on Blue Ã‰lan Records and is available for pre-order today –http://smarturl.it/CherieBriePreOrder

Cherie & Brie also revealed the official album artwork today and have released their cover of The Youngbloods’ “Get Together,” which is available on all streaming services – http://smarturl.it/CCBDGetTogether and Cherie Currie & Brie Darling - Get Together [Official Audio]

In addition, the video for lead track & single, “The Motivator” can be viewed here: Cherie Currie & Brie Darling - "The Motivator" [Official Music Video]





The Motivator was produced by the six-time Grammy nominated Dave Darling (Brian Setzer, Stray Cats, Janiva Magness, Tom Waits) and features nine classic covers by bands including T. Rex, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, and John Lennon, plus three powerful new originals, “Too Bruised,” “I’m Too Good, That’s Just Too Bad” and the topical “This Is Our Time.”

Guests on the album include a host of family and friends who came in to do backups, including Currie’s sister, actress Sondra Currie, her ex-husband, actor Robert Hays; friends, Susan Olsen of Brady Bunch fame, Leslie Koch Foumberg,  and actress/director, Allison Scagliotti. Darling’s brother, Henry Berry is on “He Ain’t Heavy”; and brother Phil Berry does a guitar solo on the Kinks tune “Do it Again” while her sister, Rory Berry Bishop plays drums on Thunderclap Newman’s “Something in the Air.” Patti Quatro—Suzi’s sister and a member of Fanny—plays guitar and sings on “For What It’s Worth.”

The Runaways front-woman and solo artist, Currie, met the Fanny drummer and singer, Darling, in 2017 and immediately connected.  Currie had come in to contribute vocals to Fanny Walked the Earth, a reunion album from the trailblazing Fanny, the first all-female band signed to a major label (Reprise) in 1969.  Though the two musicians were certainly admirers of each other, they had not yet met until that session.  Once connected, the idea to continue collaborating was hatched and soon the idea to record an album was solidified.

It was decided they would record an album of cover songs that resonated with the duo.  The covers chosen mostly share—unintentionally—a socio-political resonance that’s as relevant today as when the songs were written.  “The original album concept was that Brie was going to sing a few, I’d sing a few, and we’d back each other up,” furthers Currie. “But I knew our voices really work well together. On T. Rex’s ‘The Motivator,’ Brie did a great soulful rock scratch vocal but maybe I have more of a tough rock quality to my voice, so I think Dave decided I was going to sing it.  But in my head I heard a duet, me doing the first verse, her on the second verse….and that started the dialog of using our voices together as a concept. Our voices complement each other, so we decided we should share the majority of these songs, because it makes them better.”  Producer Dave Darling says, "It's extremely rare to have two such powerful vocalists in the same band. Cherie's a steamroller and Brie's a flame thrower. That just doesn't happen!"  

To listen or purchase “The Motivator,” visit: Cherie Currie & Brie Darling - The Motivator




Follow Cherie Currie here: Facebook




Be the first to follow Cherie & Brie on:
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Twitter “New” - @CherieandBrie 


Friday, May 31, 2019

BBMAK Reveal -

BBMAK REVEAL ALBUM ARTWORK & FULL TRACK LISTING FOR THEIR FIRST NEW MUSIC IN 16 YEARS
”POWERSTATION” ALBUM TO BE RELEASED IN AUGUST
BAND TO PERFORM ON GOOD MORNING AMERICA AUGUST 20
  BBMAK, Mark Barry, Christian Burns and Stephen McNally who recently reunited after a 15-year hiatus have revealed the official album artwork and full track listing for their brand new album Powerstation.
Billboard Magazine announced the news earlier today here: https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8513226/bbmak-powerstation-album-track-list
“When we got back together last year, we never dreamed we would end up where we are today. We had such good times with BBMak, from touring with *NSYNC to performing on The Tonight Show to being a part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and we thought  maybe that was enough. But when we got together again, the magic was still there, so much so that we started writing music again like not a moment had passed. The result is Powerstation, which is coming out in August and we literally can’t wait for you all to hear it. We’ve been absolutely blown away by the love, support and excitement from everyone who has come to see us at our shows or written to us online to tell us how much it means to you that we’re together again.” Christian, Mark & Ste
The BBMAK is Back!
Photo:
Miranda Hird
 Powerstation which is set to be released in August and was produced by BBMAK, Jonathan Radford, Steve Chrisanthou (Corinne Bailey Rae) & Firebox and features the current single, “Bullet Train. Click here to listen:  http://smarturl.it/e7dwor and watch the lyric video:  https://youtu.be/kGmxv6wW9XU.
The band are confirmed to perform on Good Morning America August 20.         
To coincide with the release of Powerstation, the group has one of kind unique items up for grabs.  The BBMAK Vintage Merch Bundle includes; 1 vintage signed postcard, 2 vintage stickers, set of four pins, and three guitar picks, in addition, fans can choose one of BBMAK’s songs and they will record an acoustic performance of that song just for you!, Or receive one short video message from the band or send one to a friend!, Receive one disposable camera from the band, filled with images taken in the studio, on tour, or around town. 
Other exclusive items include; handwritten & signed lyric sheet for one BBMAK song of your choosing, signed polaroid photo (no two are alike) of the band and, of course, the new album signed by the band. Click here to view all items & orderhttp://bbmak.com/merch/
“Powerstation” Album Track Listing
1.       Bullet Train
2.      So Far Away
3.      No One Like You
4.      Uncivil War
5.      You Don’t See Me
6.      We Can Be Lovers
7.      Wolves
8.      Falling Up
9.      Out Of Time
10.  Powerstation
BBMAK just wrapped the first leg of their North America tour last week. The tour, dubbed “Back Here” after their massive 1999 worldwide hit, travelled through such cities as Boston (SOLD OUT), New York, Nashville & Austin, TX.  The band will announce Fall 2019 dates in the coming weeks.
 “We are very busy in the studio putting the finishing touches to our third studio album. We are so thrilled to be hitting the road for a full tour in May since we absolutely loved our first few shows last November, and were blown away seeing all the fans come out after all those years away. We’re excited to get back on stage and play, as we have a special set of shows planned, which will include brand new BBMAK music. Our fans have really stood with us and we can’t wait for them to hear it!” said Ste, Mark & Christian
The multi-platinum selling English pop group has sold more than three million albums, and had hit singles worldwide between 1999 and 2003, when they disbanded.
Best known for their self-penned infectious guitar driven hits “Back Here,” “Out of My Heart“ and “The Ghost of You and Me,” BBMAK was one of the few bands from that genre to play their own instruments.  Billboard Magazine named “Back Here” the 9th Greatest Boy Band Song of All Time. 
“Back Here” – official video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l95MMbls0GQ

“Out of My Heart” (Live at 8 Track Tapes) 2019:

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