1. Godhead: “Eleanor Rigby” (The Beatles cover)
2. Mötley Crüe: “Helter Skelter” (The Beatles cover)
3. HIM: “Enjoy the Silence” (Depeche Mode cover)
rock and roll
Let’s Talk Covers (Pt. 36)
1. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts: “I Love Rock N Roll” (The Arrows cover)
2. Bile: “Love Stinks” (The J. Geils Band cover)
3. Ghost: “Here Comes the Sun” (The Beatles cover)
5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#11)
1. KAATO
A rock band hailing from Australia and Tennessee. For fans of classic rock such as Tom Petty, Rod Stewart, The Black Crowes, etc. Check out “High Time” from KAATO’s self-titled album.
2. Awake At Last
A dark pop/hard rock/post-hardcore band from Delaware. For fans of Crown the Empire, Ice Nine Kills, Get Scared, etc. Awake At Last will be hitting the road in early July, including a few dates on Vans Warped Tour. Here are “King of the World” and “Never Be A Memory.”
Facebook – Twitter – YouTube – Instagram
3. Relapse Symphony
A rock band from Washington DC. For fans of Black Veil Brides, Vampires Everywhere!, I Prevail, etc. Relapse Symphony is busy working on new things; meanwhile, vocalist Bret Von Dehl has released an EP with his side project, Heathens. Listen to “One More Yesterday” and “Born To Burn.”
4. Betrayer (UK)
A hardcore band from England. For fans of Slipknot, Hatebreed, Killswitch Engage, etc. Betrayer’s EP, Body of Integrity, will be released on June 28th. Check out the first two singles from the EP, “Integrity” and “Embodiment.”
5. Badflower
A rock band from California. For fans of Led Zeppelin, Greta Van Fleet, The Band, etc. Badflower is currently on the road. Listen to their latest single, “Ghost,” and my favorite of their songs, “The Jester.”
Badflower Tour Dates for June and July
- 6/27 – Pueblo, CO – Brues Alehouse
- 6/28 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
- 6/29 – Lincoln, NE – The Bourbon
- 6/30 – Kansas City, MO – The Riot Room
- 7/1 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest
- 7/3 – Pittsburgh, PA – Smiling Moose
- 7/7 – Asbury Park, NJ – Wonder Bar
- 7/8 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
- 7/10 – Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest
- 7/12 – Lancaster, PA – Chameleon Club
- 7/13 – Syracuse, NY – Westcott Theater
- 7/15 – Washington DC – DC9
- 7/18 – Baltimore, MD – Ottobar
- 7/20 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall
- 7/23 – Hampton, NH – Bernie’s Beach Bar
- 7/24 – Niagara Falls, NY – Rapids Theater
- 7/26 – Columbus, OH – Rumba Cafe
- 7/28 – Grand Rapids, MI – Elevation at Intersection
- 9/28 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life
▪▪▪▪
Get your tickets here. And be sure to listen to Badflower’s latest single, “Ghost.”
Let’s Talk Covers (Pt. 35)
1. Florence + the Machine: “Oh! Darling” (The Beatles cover)
2. Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young: “Woodstock” (Joni Mitchell cover)
3. The Beatles: “Twist and Shout” (The Isley Brothers cover)
Slash + Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators: New Album, Tour
Myles Kennedy and Slash are both having an eventful year. Myles released his first solo record, Year of the Tiger, back in March and has been on the road ever since. Meanwhile, Slash is touring with Guns ‘N’ Roses. But they still found the time to combine forces on a new Slash + Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators album!
The latest record, entitled Living the Dream, will be out on September 21st. The Living the Dream Tour kicks off eight days before, on September 13th. Tickets available here.
Dates:
- 9/13 – The Whiskey A Go Go @ Los Angeles, CA
- 9/15 – The Van Buren @ Phoenix, AZ
- 9/16 – Kaaboo Del Mar @ Del Mar, CA
- 9/18 – The Depot @ Salt Lake City, UT
- 9/19 – Fillmore @ Denver, CO
- 9/21 – Paradise Cove Margaritaville @ Tulsa, OK
- 9/22 – Winstar @ Thackerville, OK
- 9/24 – Stubbs @ Austin, TX
- 9/26 – House of Blues @ Houston, TX
- 9/28 – Louder Than Life @ Louisville, KY
- 9/29 – Four Winds Casino Resort @ New Buffalo, MI
- 10/1 – Wellmont Theatre @ Montclair, NJ
- 10/2 – Fillmore @ Silver Spring, MD
- 10/4 – Casino Rama @ Rama, Canada
- 10/5 – Pier 17 at South Street Seaport @ New York, NY
- 10/9 – Paramount @ Huntington, NY
- 10/10 – Electric Factory @ Philadelphia, PA
- 10/11 – House of Blues @ Boston, MA
- 10/14 – Aftershock Festival @ Sacramento, CA
Greta Van Fleet 2018 World Tour
Greta Van Fleet’s world tour kicked off yesterday. See the remaining dates below, and get ready for the band’s first full-length record later this year.
- 6/17 – Pink Pop Festival – Landgraaf, Netherlands
- 6/18 – Download Festival – Paris, France
- 6/24 – John Anson Ford Theatre – Hollywood, CA (sold out)
- 6/29 – Middle of the Map Festival – Kansas City, MO
- 6/30 – 101 WKQX PIQNIQ, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Tinley Park, IL
- 7/1 – Summerfest – Milwaukee, WI
- 7/3 – Armory – Minneapolis, MN (sold out)
- 7/6 – REBEL – Toronto, ON (sold out)
- 7/8 – REBEL – Toronto, ON (sold out)
- 7/9 – Festival d’été de Québec – Quebec City, QC
- 7/10 – Ottawa Bluesfest – Ottawa, ON
- 7/18 – Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA (sold out)
- 7/20 – 9:30 Club – Washington DC (sold out)
- 7/21 – The Anthem – Washington DC (sold out)
- 7/23 – House of Blues – Boston, MA (sold out)
- 7/24 – House of Blues – Boston, MA (sold out)
- 7/27 – Floydfest – Floyd, VA
- 7/29 – Panorama Music and Arts Festival, Randall’s Island Park – New York, NY
- 7/31 – The Agora Theatre – Cleveland, OH (sold out)
- 8/1 – The Pageant – St. Louis, MO (sold out)
- 8/3 – Lollapalooza – Chicago, IL
- 8/4 – Vic Theatre – Chicago, IL (sold out)
- 8/18 – Summer Sonic Festival – Osaka-Shi, Japan
- 8/19 – Summer Sonic Festival – Tokyo, Japan
- 8/23 – Maui Arts & Cultural Center – Kahului, HI
- 8/24 – The Republik – Honolulu, HI
- 9/7 – The Paramount Theatre – Seattle, WA
- 9/8 – The Paramount Theatre – Seattle, WA
- 9/9 – Skookum Festival – Vancouver, BC
- 9/11 – Shaw Conference Centre – Edmonton, AB
- 9/12 – BMO Centre – Calgary, AB
- 9/14 – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall – Portland, OR
- 9/17 – Fox Theater – Oakland, CA
- 9/18 – City National Civic – San Jose, CA
- 9/19 – The Masonic – San Francisco, CA
- 9/22 – iHeart Radio Festival – Las Vegas, NV
- 9/23 – The Observatory North Park – San Diego, CA
- 9/25 – Marquee Theatre – Tempe, AZ
- 9/26 – Marquee Theatre – Tempe, AZ
- 9/28 – The Union Event Center – Salt Lake City, UT
- 9/29 – Fillmore Auditorium – Denver, CO
- 10/1 – Fillmore Auditorium – Denver, CO
- 10/5 – Austin City Limits Festival – Austin, TX
- 10/6 – Cal Jam – San Bernardino, CA
- 10/11 – The Sylvee – Madison, WI (sold out)
- 10/26 – Elysee Montmartre – Paris, France
- 10/27 – Ancienne Belgique – Brussels, Belgium
- 10/29 – 013 – Tilburg, Netherlands
- 10/30 – Mehr! Theatre – Hamburg, Germany
- 11/1 – Palladium – Cologne, Germany
- 11/4 – Berns Salonger – Stockholm, Sweden
- 11/5 – Vega – Copenhagen, Denmark
- 11/7 – Columbiahalle – Berlin, Germany
- 11/9 – 02 Kentish Town Forum – London, UK
- 11/11 – 02 Kentish Town Forum – London, UK
- 11/12 – 02 Kentish Town Forum – London, UK
- 11/14 – 02 Academy – Birmingham, UK
- 11/15 – Academy Manchester – Manchester, UK
5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#7)
This installment could get rather lengthy. I saw three of the featured bands a few weeks ago, so I have a lot to say.
1. Locust Grove
A hard rock band from Oklahoma. These guys put on a kick ass live show, and they mean it when they say they’re bringing heavy guitar riffs back to rock. Lots of hair, gritty yet melodic vocals, and riffs reminiscent of Five Finger Death Punch, Sevendust, etc., Locust Grove could easily be your new favorite band. Check out the tracks “Monster” and “Menace of Society” below.
Facebook – Instagram – YouTube
2. Joyous Wolf
A rock band from California. These guys have been setting the world on fire this spring, being signed to a major label and playing such festivals as Carolina Rebellion and Rocklahoma. Joyous Wolf puts on one of the most energetic performances I’ve ever seen, in addition to their raw talent. I will not compare them to anyone else, but I will tell you they blend rock-n-roll, blues, and southern rock masterfully. The guys have currently left the road to record their first album. Here’s a taste of what you can expect.
Facebook – Instagram – YouTube
3. Blacktop Mojo
A hard rock/Southern rock band from Texas. You may have heard their cover of Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” thanks to Sirius XM Octane. Blacktop Mojo employs all the best elements of classic rock, rock-n-roll, and Southern rock to bring fans a sound that is pure joy to the ears. They put on a fantastic show, doing whatever it takes and giving 110% every time. It’s no wonder they have already cultivated quite the following. You can look at their tour dates on Facebook…and if you’re going to Louder Than Life in September, you will see them there!
4. Icon For Hire
A pop/rock/alternative band from Tennessee. For fans of Paramore, Pink, PVRIS, etc. Icon For Hire just finished a spring tour. Listen to them below and keep your eyes open for updates/announcements!
5. Dead Like Juliet
A hard rock/metal band from Italy. For fans of Bring Me the Horizon, The Amity Affliction, early Asking Alexandria, etc. You can get Dead Like Juliet’s latest album, Stranger Shores, now! Here is the most recent single, “Unwanted.”
And just because I like it…
Bands You Should Know: Hot Gospel
Hot Gospel reached out to me via Instagram, requesting that I give them a listen. What they didn’t know is…they were already on my list of bands to check out. Based on my love of Asking Alexandria, Every Time I Die, and others, Hot Gospel seemed to fit the bill nicely.
I jumped on YouTube and listened to the songs available there, just to get a taste. I started with “Thanks For The Blood.” The opening riff hooked me immediately, and while I fully appreciate the growling screams, the clean vocals were very nice, reminiscent of early era M. Shadows (Avenged Sevenfold) mixed with Ben Bruce (Asking Alexandria). Honestly, the track filled me with the urge to dive into a mosh pit.
I followed the link to their Bandcamp for more. The best thing about Hot Gospel, in my humble opinion, is the fact that they don’t fall into the standard metal/hardcore sound. Many bands tend to become complacent, but thus far, Hot Gospel is nowhere close. They include the elements of several genres, then add their own unique twist to tie it all together.
I would highly recommend Hot Gospel to anyone who appreciates a fresh approach to a favorite genre. The band is currently recording a new EP, to be released in August/September. A single and music video will be out even sooner, so keep your eyes peeled; you know I’ll be sharing it here!
Check out the songs below and be sure to visit Hot Gospel on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, and their official site. If you sign up for their mailing list, you will get free stuff and merch discount codes!
Playlist Challenge, Day 391
Badflower — “Mother Mary”
Mostly Music 