Rockwired Radio Profiles #577 - Patrick Ames

In creating OAKVILLE ONTOLOGY, his critically acclaimed 2014 recording one musician friend called the "Best 70’s Album in 40 Years," singer-songwriter PATRICK AMES first played its songs out in the lush vineyards he’s owned for 20 years in Napa, California - as if each vine was an audience member. Since releasing that retro meets contemporary album the folk/rock Americana singer/songwriter secured a regular Tuesday residency at the FREE WHEEL BREWING COMPANY in the Bay Area's Redwood City, an opportunity that helped him shed and develop the five diverse tracks on his five track follow-up EP MUTUALLY. While all the tracks of his previous CD reflected a deep contemplation of the nature of being and existence geared towards the issues of the day, this time, he liberates himself to complement his "protest songs" and "social commentary with a beat" with simpler love songs and party tunes. The track on MUTUALLY that is bound to stir the conscience is YOU HAVE TO WAIT A LITTLE LONGER. Once the words take hold, they sear the heart with a biting look at all the problems we’re facing as a society - hunger, homelessness, global warming, overpopulation, topical freak-outs like the recent Ebola scare. AMES says it all about the hopeless wheel we seem to be on when he reflects: "We wag our fingers at our own uncertainty/Then we elect the same politicians/And they form more committees…you’ll have to wait a little longer." The singer gets into some solutions on the sparse acoustic reflection AMERICA NEEDS: "no more hatred, just policy/no more ideologies…green valleys, mountains and trees…abandoned children to be seen." 

CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT:
http://www.rockwired.com/temporarysite/rockwiredprofiles577.mp3

Rockwired Radio Profiles #576 - Bad Reed

It's always exciting to catch something from the very beginning with the Brantford, Ontario-based band BAD REED who have just issued their self-titled debut EP.  For a recording with only three songs on it, the musical ground that gets covered is quite expansive covering jazz, blues and progressive rock and even some electronic flourishes. The band - comprised of GRAHAM WALKER on guitars, SYDNEY SOLLAZZO on vocals and keyboards, AUSTIN THARPE on bass and COSTA CHATZIS on drums and percussion - is certainly not afraid to experiment but there is something inviting and accessible about the experimentation at hand here. This premiere effort is worth a few extra listens. 

 

CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT:
http://www.rockwired.com/temporarysite/rockwiredprofiles576.mp3

Rockwired Radio Profiles #575 - Girlschool

For as long there has been rock n roll there has always been a fascination with the phenomenon of the all-female rock band. Whether or not the music is good or not -and most times it is - the public has a thirst for hearing about cat fights and break ups a'la THE RUNAWAYS or THE GO-GOS.  However, the all-female UK metal band GIRLSCHOOL has managed to make music their business as opposed to tabloid gossip for 37 years now after emerging from the very same metal scene that gave birth to MOTORHEAD. The band's brand of punk-tinted metal has earned them a devoted cult following on the strength of such gritty, classic recordings as the albums DEMOLITION (1980), HIT AND RUN (1981) and SCREAMING BLUE MURDER (1982). Byt eh 1990's and the early 2000's the band's out put of recorded material had diminished but  their love for the road did not. The band has played on almost every stage nad ever rock festival throughout the world but now the band is set to release their newest album GUILTY AS SIN showcasing the punchy brand of rock n roll that has made the band a phenomenon - namely on their stomping cover of the BEE-GEES' STAYIN ALIVE. Although original lead guitarist KELLY JOHNSON passed away from cancer in 2007 the other original members KIM McAULIFFE, ENID WILLIAMS and DENISE DUFORT  have stayed the course  along with new lead guitarist JACKIE CHAMBERS and did what all great rock n roll does - survive. 

 

CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT:
http://www.rockwired.com/temporarysite/rockwiredprofiles575.mp3

Rockwired Radio Profiles #574 - London Has Fallen

According to CAMERON GORHAM - producer and co-founder of the alt-rock duo LONDON HAS FALLEN - there has beena definite change in approach to the bands music  from their 2014 debut album FRACTURE to their latest EP release INTO THE NIGHT.  Where FRACTURE boasted a loud and aggressive stance, the four songs on INTO THE NIGHT boast richer sonic textures and string arrangements.  Yes the sound on this latest offering ( which is only a hint of what people can expect on the band's soon-to-be-released LP) is way too big for the dynamic duo's Rockford, Illinois surroundings and its only mater of time before LONDON HAS FALLEN proves to the world indie rock can be be more than heartfelt - it can be ambitious also.  

CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT:
http://www.rockwired.com/temporarysite/rockwiredprofiles574.mp3

Rockwired Radio Profiles #573 - Shane Martin

Okay so we've thrown you for a loop by presenting a country artist  in this latest edition of ROCKWIRED RADIO PROFILES but SHANE MARTIN's brand of country is firmly rooted in a  gritty rock n roll sensibility.  The Minnesota-based troubadour has issued albums in the past but TILL THE WHEELS FALL OFF is a collection of driving country rockers that celebrate the roller coaster ride of life and love with the sort of Nashville gloss - provided by producer KENNY ROYSTER - that could bring this all-to-authentic country artist wider acclaim. The tracks to to keep your ear open for are I AM WHAT I AM, SHE'S GOT ME WHERE I WANT ME and GEORGIA PEACH.

CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT:
http://www.rockwired.com/temporarysite/rockwiredprofiles573.mp3

Rockwired Radio Profiles #572 - Downfall 2012

One can only imagine the ups and downs that plague a band that has been around for twenty years. With that being said we've become acquainted with DOWNFALL 2012 at a rather exciting juncture in their career. The band captured the hearts and the imaginations of listeners with the release of their two-part saga release EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF VOL. I and II and the accompanying graphic novels. Yes this is band that goes big with their releases and that sense of spectacle also makes it into their electrifying live set which borders on rock n roll and performance art. However in 2014 personal issues plagued the band but with a little time away from each other the band is now focused on completing the EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF saga as well as material for a brand spanking new release. 

 

CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT:
http://www.rockwired.com/temporarysite/rockwiredprofiles572.mp3

Rockwired Radio Profiles #571 - Voodoo Sex Cult

VOODOO SEX CULT describe themselves as a multi-cultural kick ass rock band with an American Indian lead singer, a Viking guitar player, a black bass player and a red neck drummer but don't think for a second this some sort of politically correct, UP WITH PEOPLE angle. The Arizona-based band's brand of hard partying rock n roll is a refreshing change from the brooding that is favored by today's Active Rock play lists. The band's most recent release A YEAR AND A DAY is a big sloppy serving of the goods that the band has to offer with such potent rockers as BLACK JESUS, 40 DAYS and CUTTING LOOSE. 

 

CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT:
http://www.rockwired.com/temporarysite/rockwiredprofiles571.mp3