Opening Act:
The End: Machine album due in June Ozzy on tour with Megadeth this Spring Top 30 Guitarists (All That Shreds) Kansas fans are great Riverdale pays homage to Dokken Ear Candy: Dio--Master of the Moon (2004) Red Dragon Cartel--Patina (2018) Six Degrees of Frankie B. Comin Atcha live: John Carpenter at the Hollywood Palladium 10/31 Rockversation: Geoff Downes Matt recently spoke with the legendary musician and songwriter about his work with The Buggles, Asia, Yes and more. NOTE: Matt's cats make several cameo appearances on this one. Bonus Track: Fiction Syxx--Tall Dark Secrets You can keep up with the band at www.fictionsyxxrocks.com, and you can preorder their upcoming album and get some coll bonus stuff at www.melodicrock.com/tags/fiction-syxx. Thanks for listening! If you're subscribing on iTunes or Google play, please leave us a review, as it will help spread the word about the show! You can also hit us up on twitter at twitter.com/powerchordspod, and email us at powerchordspodcast@gmail.com.
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 by Matman One of the greatest and most underrated voices in music history is hitting the road and coming to Connecticut on November 24th! In 1984 I was introduced to the amazing vocals of Brian howe through his work on the Ted Nugent album, PENETRATOR. Although never a fan of 'the Nuge' I was instantly hooked by Howe's voice on songs like (Where Do You) Draw The Line and the single, Tied Up In Love. Then as fast as he appeared... Howe was gone... but not for long! Two years later Bad Company released their reunion album, FAME AND FORTUNE which found original members Simon Burke, Mick Ralphs and (sort of) Boz Burrell joined by Howe. The result was to my ears, a modern take on the classic Bad Company sound and I loved it right away. The album didn't do as well as expected, but the Howe led line-up would record three more studio albums in total; DANGEROUS AGE, HOLY WATER and HERE COMES TROUBLE. In total the band would have 9 Top 40 Mainstream Rock hits (with two going to #1) and sell a couple million albums... not bad. In 1994, Howe left Bad Company. Despite his accomplishments with Bad Co., Howe's contributions to their history seemingly has been erased from the books and that is a travesty! As a lifetime fan I consider This Love and How About That as important to their history as Rock and Roll Fantasy and Silver, Blue and Gold! In case you were wondering... those are my four favorite Bad Company songs, ever! It may have been two different singers, but it was one band and one attitude! Foe us living in the New England area, we will be treated to Brian Howe live at The Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT. Considering I have never seen Brian Howe live I can't think of a better place to see and hear him than my favorite concert venue, The Wolf Den. This hall has the best acoustics and there isn't a bad seat in the house... and it's a free show!!!! For information about Brian Howe, click here For Wolf Den information, click here Hope to see you at the show!!!   by Matman Following their first song, bassist Billy Greer says something to the audience that gives me chills everytime I hear it, "Ladies and gentlemen... welcome to Kansas!" It's that welcome that makes you feel like you are not just in the audience watching a band, it is a friend (or friends) inviting you into their heart and soul, their music. Three years ago I saw Kansas for the first time, being invited by vocalist Ronnie Platt and the band's management. I always considered myself a fan of the band but tended to hover closer to the hits than the deep album cuts. When I saw Kansas it was the last of eight concerts in the span of two weeks and following the concert I looked at my wife and said they were the best band I saw in that span. She told me it was the best band she had ever seen. After seeing the band twice more since then.. I now agree with my wife. Kansas is the best band I have ever seen live. So what is it? Let's start with their catalog! Since 1974 Kansas has recorded some of the greatest songs ever, like Carry On Wayward Son, Dust In The Wind, Point Of Know Return, Fight Fire With Fire, All I Wanted, The Wall, Play The Game Tonight, What's On My Mind... you get the point. And Kansas still make amazing music with their last album, THE PRELUDE IMPLICIT being one of their most complete albums, ever. Next, let's look at the band! The current line-up features two originals; drummer Phil Ehart and guitarist Rich Williams who represent the past and give the band a solid foundation. On bass is Billy Greer who has been with the band since 1985's POWER and along with violinist/guitarist David Ragsdale, who has been with Kansas since 1991 are the bridge with vocalist Ronnie Platt, keyboardist David Manion and guitarist Zak Rizvi being the new blood, the future of Kansas. The trio joined in 2016 and have all have added their personality and love and reverence of the music to the band. What about the band on stage!!!! There are fans of the band called 'Wheatheads' who have seen the band a lot, some over 100 times. That much devotion isn't just because they like the music, it's because Kansas deliver live on stage! When you see Kansas live you are seeing a band who is playing some very complex music that needs to be played exactly as the fans want to hear it; hooks, pauses and vocal cadiences. With all that, the band are not rigid and by the numbers, they have a spark of spontaneity that show how much they love what they do. Also, Kansas has been on the road almost non-stop since 2015, so you know they are tight and well rehearsed! And finally... the fans! Kansas fans are some of the most loyal and passionate fans in all of music. This is something I see at every Kansas show, fans enjoying everything about the music, the hall, the band and each other. In the audience you have the longtime fans who have been there since the beginning and coming in are a younger batch, introduced to the band by the show, SUPERNATURAL. I noticed at the last show a young girl with a Supernatural shirt, obviously waiting for Carry On, but until that song, she sang almost every other one. That proves to me that great music is timeless. Kansas are out performing their 1977 classic album POINT OF KNOW RETURN in its entirety and they may be coming to a venue near you!!!! For information, go to www.kansasband.com.
Opening Act:
Fleetwood Mac drama Oz Fox back on the road Rock and Roll HoF votes underway Marty Balin passes Ear Candy: Boston--Boston (1976) Winger--In the Heart of the Young (1990) Six Degrees of Frankie B. Comin Atcha live: House of Lords Rockversation: Samuel Nyman Matt recently spoke with the singer of Manimal about touring in the US and Manimal’s new album, Purgatorio. You can keep up with Samuel and Manimal on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manimalofficial. Bonus Track: Impellitteri--Shine On From the album Nature of the Beast, out now on Frontiers Records. Thanks for listening! If you're subscribing on iTunes or Google play, please leave us a review, as it will help spread the word about the show! You can find more news, reviews, and discussion at powerchordspodcast.com. You can also hit us up on twitter at twitter.com/powerchordspod, and email us at powerchordspodcast@gmail.com.
by Matman
When a band release an album called VLAD THE IMPALER (Frontiers S.R.L), you tend to 'go in' with certain expectations like... blood, death and well.... impaling. But, one song into the latest album from the Norwegian band Holter, I discovered I was waaaayyyyyyyy off. Musically, they are very heavy but with a lot of melody. Guitarist Trond Holter, bassist Bernt Jansen, drummer Morten Bergseth and keyboardist Erling Henanger play it tight and very musical. The vocals of Nils K Rue and Eva Iselin Erichsen give the album a very theatrical, yet classic metal feel. From the opening track Worlds On Fire to Drums Of Doom all the way to the last track, Save Me Part II, Holter creates a very enjoyable listening experience... like Trans Siberian Orchestra... for Halloween! If you like Black Sabbath, Helloween and Iron Maiden... you will LOVE this album! VLAD THE IMPALER by Holter will be released on November 3rd. Jake E. Lee left the music scene for an awful long time, disillusioned with the entire industry and in 2014, he returned with his new band, Red Dragon Cartel and released a debut album that turned a lot heads. Next month the RDC return with an album even better than the last, PATINA (Frontiers S.R.L). More like Badlands than his work with Ozzy, Jake E. Lee, vocalist Darren James Smith, bassist Anthony Esposito and drummer Phil Varone create just a great rock n roll album... period! Speedbag, Havana and my favorite, Chasing Ghosts are just great songs that contain a lot of fire and passion, two elements needed to make awesome music. PATINA is a great listen that spends more time developing songs than individual performances. PATINA by Red Dragon Cartel will be released on November 9th  by Matman I have been waiting to see House Of Lords live since their debut album was released back in 1988! Now, 30 years later I finally got my wish... and it was well worth the wait. The mood of this show (both band and audience) was one of pure celebration and appreciation for the homecoming of a band that has 3/4 of its roots in Connecticut. To understand my love for House Of Lords is a study in what I love about music; passion, emotion, solid playing, a lot of melody and an aura of sophistication. This is House Of Lords!!!! The band hit the stage with the elegant track of their second album, Sahara and before anyone could catch their breath it was right into Pleasure Palace, the first song from their 1988 self titled debut. Vocalist James Christian sounded amazing as he moved in and out of the impressive history of the band and had a lot of fun with the crowd. From Rock Bottom, Cartesian Dreams, and Go To Hell, the band took us all on a musical trip through the history of the band, proving their career wasn't defined by their first two albums. Musically, House Of Lords were amazing as well. Guitarist Jimi Bell is as brilliant a player as they come and one of the best guitarist out there. For me it was such a treat to see and hear Jimi playing songs that he wrote and recorded. Drummer B.J. Zampa was full of life and put on a show; always heavy, always loud... but always working for the song, he is the perfect drummer. The 'new' guy, bassist Chris Tristram really held it all together, but was able to show his personality with not only his playing, but his stage presence. The four together looked and sounded as I had hoped... friggin' awesome!!!! From I Wanna Be Loved (their first hit) to Saint Of The Lost Souls, each song just complimented the next and flowed perfectly. More than just the music and performances, House Of Lords had a lot of fun on stage, were appreciative of the fans and respectful to their legacy. The 'classic' moment of the night was when Christian strapped on his acoustic guitar to perform Can't Find My Way Back Home, but because James didn't have a set list near him, he was a song early. Not missing a beat he laughed about it, took off his guitar and handed it to a fan (named Mario, pictured below) in the front and asked him to hold onto it until it was time. A pure 'classic' rock moment that would have destroyed some performances, but here... it just added to it. As a massive fan of House Of Lords and Guiffria (the band that predated HOL), there are of course a zillion songs they didn't play that I wanted; Remember My Name, Million Miles. Another Day From Heaven and Desert Rain to name a few. But that is a testament to their legacy... where their last album SAINT OF THE LOST SOULS is as good as their self titled debut. Thank you James, Jimi, B.J. and Chris for two things... helping me never to grow up and proving the saying 'never meet your heroes' is at least in this case, so wrong!!!
Opening Act:
Megadeth announce Megacruise Pearl Jam reveals anti-homelessness campaign Stephen Pearcy apologized for intoxicated performance Brian seeing John Carpenter on Halloween Ear Candy: Slash feat. Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators--Living the Dream (2018) The Police--Synchronicity (1983) Six Degrees of Frankie B. Comin Atcha Live: Flotsam and Jetsam Rockversation: Craig Goldy (Part 2) Matt spoke with the Giuffria and Dio guitarist about his career in music as well as his new project, Dream Child. Keep up with Craig at www.facebook.com/craig.goldy, and with Dream Child at www.facebook.com/DreamChildRock. Bonus Track: Snakes in Paradise—Will You Remember Me From the newly-released album Step Into the Light, which is out now on Frontiers Records. Thanks for listening! If you're subscribing on iTunes or Google play, please leave us a review, as it will help spread the word about the show! You can also hit us up on twitter at twitter.com/powerchordspod, and email us at powerchordspodcast@gmail.com.
by Matman
Hey kids!!! I have decided to do a weekly column called 'Odds and Ends' where I will give you some cool tidbits of news involving music, the Power Chords Podcast as well as Brian and I and some of our friends. Please check back every Friday... there will always be something... *If you haven't picked up or listened to the latest album from Uriah Heep, LIVING THE DREAM (Frontiers Music), you are missing out on an incredible new album by one of rocks best!!!! *Speaking of Uriah Heep... I have been spending a lot of time in their catalog preparing for my next book project and wow..... there is some incredible stuff in there... so give a listen!!!!! *Last week I interviewed two amazing guys; Chris Impellitteri and Rob Rock, from Impellitteri. We discussed their new album THE NATURE OF THE BEAST (Frontiers Music) and I can't wait for everyone to hear how cool these two are.... *I've been wanting to see House Of Lords live since 1989 and tomorrow night this will happen, at Bleachers In Bristol, CT! Review and pix of course will follow... *At New York Comic Con, I got to hang out with Darryl (DMC) McDaniels and give him a copy of UFO - YOUR FAVORITE BAND'S FAVORITE BAND. if you didn't know this Darryl is a comic book writer and loves classic hard rock. In fact, he will be helping me with my next book!!!!! The pix above left is us and my artist friend Andrew Edge, cover artist for the UFO book as well as the upcoming ASIA - TIME AND TIME AGAIN. *Michael Schenker Fest is coming back to the United States so if you didn't see them last time... GO NOW!!!! *Classic British rockers Nazareth will be releasing a new album in November called TATTOOED IN MY BRAIN (Frontiers Music) and I think this album is A-MAZING!!!
Opening Act:
Krokus Retiring in their 45th Year Sammy Hagar reveals final album title Saxon celebrating 40 years in 2019 Warrant Oct 18th at the Wolf Den House of Lords upcoming dates Ear Candy: Warrant--Louder, Harder Faster (2017) Dream Child--Until Death Do We Meet Again (2018) Six Degrees of Frankie B. Comin Atcha Live: Helloween at the Worcester Palladium 9/14 Rockversation: Craig Goldy (Part 1) Matt spoke with the Giuffria and Dio guitarist about his career in music as well as his new project, Dream Child. Keep up with Craig at www.facebook.com/craig.goldy, and with Dream Child at www.facebook.com/DreamChildRock. Bonus Track: Uriah Heep--Knocking at My Door From the new album Living the Dream, out now. Thanks for listening! If you're subscribing on iTunes or Google play, please leave us a review, as it will help spread the word about the show! You can also hit us up on twitter at twitter.com/powerchordspod, and email us at powerchordspodcast@gmail.com.  by Matman
In 1988 I was first introduced to Impellitteri through the amazing album, STAND IN LINE, their debut album that featured Graham Bonnet on vocals. Bonnet may have been the reason I got it, but once I heard guitarist Chris Impellitteri play.... I had a reason to stay. Impellitteri (the guitarist) was at the beginning of the shredder movement of players, guitarists who were blazing fast, sometimes fast for the sake of playing fast. But Chris, his band and his songs used the speed and velocity to help the songs, not build songs around the soloing. And now Impellitteri is back with their first new album since 2015's VENOM... called THE NATURE OF THE BEAST! As I start to write my review, having listened to this album a few times from start to end, I am struck by how much is going on in each song. Lyrically and musically each one has its own identity! Sure Impellitteri's playing is the focal point , but vocalist Rob Rock is the perfect partner, being able to match whatever comes his way. Songs like the album opener Hypocrisy, Fire It Up and Gates Of Hell come out with guns of blazing, but it is now, and never was, speed for the sake of speed. Longtime bassist James Amelio Pulli and drummer Jon Dette are amazing, having so much to keep up with and still finding spaces to add their styles and sounds, especially on Wonder World and the cover of Black Sabbath's Symptom Of The Universe. Speaking of Black Sabbath, there is so much of that heavy riffing vibe to this album as well as an almost thrash feel that I don't think I ever heard before in their music. But the album isn't all rippin' and head banging, my favorite song on the album, Man Of War has moments of Dokken and Van Halen in the verses and bridge, then gets real thumpin' in the chorus.. then a trademark guitar solo. The last song on the album, Shine On has some amazing harmony vocals sounding a bit like Stryper... and that is a good thing, especially with its positive and empowering message. THE NATURE OF THE BEAST may be driven by guitar, but that isn't the only thing there... there is so much amazing stuff going on. Chris Impellitteri has always been one of the best guitarists out there and certainly one of the best of the shredders out there, but his true talent lies in being able to make the leads and solos fit the songs. This album has also made me reevaluate Rob Rock as a vocalist, because this guy is amazing and I never really gave him the credit he deserves. If you have never heard him before, he is a cross (at least in my ears) of Kip Winger and former Black Sabbath vocalist, Tony Martin. THE NATURE OF THE BEAST is an album that offers metal fans so much, especially when you least expect it. MATMAN RATING - 4 OUT OF 5 THE NATURE OF THE BEAST will be released October 12th on Frontiers Music s.r.l.
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