View allAll Photos Tagged FrontMan
Jarvis Cocker, the frontman of Pulp and official Sheffield Legend, played an amazing gig in the stunning Devil's Arse cave (aka Peak Cavern), Saturday 7th April 2018. Serafina Steer is on the harp and keyboards with Emma Smith on violin and guitar, Andrew McKinney on bass guitar and Adam Betts on drums.
Fonte Official Skindred web page :
The music world may be in a permanent state of panic and flux, but one basic principle of rock’n’roll remains true: the key to longevity is to always deliver the goods. No band has better encapsulated this ethos of integrity and determination over the last decade than Skindred.
Widely acknowledged as one of the most devastating and enthralling live bands on the planet, the Newport destroyers have been a perennial force for musical invention and remorseless positivity since emerging from the ashes of frontman Benji Webbe’s former band Dub War back in 1998. Over the course of four universally praised studio albums – Babylon (2002), Roots Rock Riot (2007), Shark Bites And Dog Fights (2009) and Union Black (2011) – Skindred’s reputation for producing the ultimate spark-spraying state-of-the-art soundclash, combining all manner of seemingly disparate musical elements into an irresistibly exhilarating explosion of energy and cross-pollinated cultural fervour has rightly earned them a reputation as a band capable of uniting people from all corners of the globe and making every last one of them tear up the dancefloor with a giant shit-eating grin plastered across their faces.
With the toughest and most infectious metal riffs colliding with the biggest, phattest hip hop and reggae grooves, cutting edge electronics and a razor-sharp pop sensibility guaranteed to encourage even the most curmudgeonly music fans bellow along with rabid enthusiasm, Skindred are both the ultimate thinking man’s party band. And now, with the release of their fifth studio album Kill The Power, Benji Webbe and his loyal henchmen – bassist Dan Pugsley, guitarist Mikey Demus and drummer Arya Goggins – are poised to spread their gospel of good times and badass tunes to an even bigger global audience.
“We know that everyone recognises us as one of the best live bands around,” says Arya. “We’re really proud of all of the albums we’ve made, but we all felt that we needed to make an album that would be as powerful and effective as the live show. That’s what Kill The Power is all about. This time, we want everyone to sit up and listen and join in the party.”
“I started DJ-ing a little while ago and it’s taught me a lot,” adds Benji. “Now I feel like I wanted to make an album where every intro to every song makes kids think ‘Fucking hell, they’re playing that song!’ Every middle eight on this album is a banger. Every chorus is massive. On this album, the lyrics are deep and the songs are just bigger than ever.”
In keeping with their tradition of making people move while singing about universal issues and spreading a message of positive action and social unity, Kill The Power is an album bulging with fury at the state of the modern world. Never afraid to tackle important topics head on, while never forgetting his band’s mission to entertain and leave the world in a sweaty, sated heap, Benji’s notoriously insane energy levels seem to be creeping up with every album and Kill The Power showcases his most furious and impactful performances to date.
“The world’s getting worse so how can I get more mellow?” he laughs. “Of course I’m getting angrier! People normally stay in a bag when it comes to lyrics. Stephen King stays with horror and he’s brilliant at it, you know? With Skindred, it’s always about encouraging an uplift. It’s about a sense of unity. Lyrics can change people’s lives, you know? You can be going down one road and hear a song and have a Road To Damascus experience and become someone else.”
On an album that has no shortage of invigorating highlights, Kill The Power takes Skindred to new extremes at both ends of the lyrical spectrum, reaching a new level of fiery intensity on the lethal cautionary tale of “Playin’ With The Devil” and the euphoric end-of-the-working-week celebration of “Saturday”: both songs proving that this band’s ability to touch the heart and fire the blood remains as incisive and potent as ever. As if to enhance their songwriting chops more than ever, Kill The Power also features several songs written in collaboration with legendary songwriting guru Russ Ballard, the man behind such immortal rock staples as Since You’ve Been Gone and God Gave Rock & Roll To You, and this seemingly perverse team-up has led to Skindred’s finest set of lyrics and melodies to date.
“Basically, I try to write songs that people can interpret however they like,” says Benji. “When I wrote ‘Playin’ With The Devil’, I originally wrote some words down on a piece of paper thinking about friends I’ve had who smoke crack and live on the pipe, you know? I wrote the song about that kind of thing, but then a couple of days later the riots happened in London and so it became about that as well. When you shit on your own doorstep, your house is going to smell of shit. You’ve got to clean that up! With ‘Saturday’, it’s not a typical Skindred song; it’s a big celebration. We got Russ Ballard involved on that one and he helped me structure the lyrics in the right way so when the chorus hits, it hits like a hammer. It’s an upbeat song but when you listen to the lyrics it goes on about how people all have different reasons to be out and partying. Some people are celebrating, some people are drowning their sorrows, and we all come together on a Saturday. When this record comes out and people go to a club on a Saturday, that’s when it’s gonna go off! The chorus is huge!”
While Skindred’s previous album Union Black was dominated by the bleeps, booms and squelches of British electronic dance music, albeit balanced out by Mikey Demus’ trademark riffs, the new album sees the band return to a more organic sound that amounts to the most accurate representation of the Skindred live experience yet committed to tape. From the huge beats and stuttering samples of the opening title track and the laudably demented Ninja through to the insistent melodies and rampaging choruses of “The Kids Are Right Now” and “Saturday” and on to the thunderous, metallic throwdowns of “Proceed With Caution” and “Ruling Force” and the cool acoustic breeze of the closing More Fire, Kill The Power is Skindred cranked up to full throttle and revelling in their own febrile creativity like never before.
“It’s all about making an album that moves people in the same way that our live shows do,” says Arya. “We love what we achieved on Union Black and we still used a lot of those basic ideas on Kill The Power, but this time it’s a more organic sound. All the drum loops you hear were originally played by me before we started chopping them up, and there are a lot more guitars on this record too. We love combining all the music that we love in Skindred but we all love heavy music and we’re a rock band at heart and that really comes across this time.”
“We’ve delivered an album that’s gonna make people rock for the next few years,” states Benji. “You know what? I can’t do anything about record sales, but if people come to a Skindred show they’re gonna know they’ve been there, you know? Ha ha! The music we make is not about Christians or Muslims, straight people or gay people, black or white or any of that shit. When people are in that room together it’s just Skindred, one unity and one strength!”
Having conquered numerous countries around the world, Skindred could easily be taking a breather and resting on their laurels at this point. Instead, this most dedicated and hard-working of modern bands are preparing to launch their most exuberant assault on the world ever when Kill The Power hits the streets. Anyone that has ever seen the band live before will confirm that it is impossible not to get fired up and drawn into the joyous abandon of a Skindred show and with their greatest album to date primed and ready to explode, the best live band on the planet simply cannot fail to conquer the entire world this time round. Wherever and whoever you are, Skindred are coming. Open your ears and get your dancing feet ready…
“There’s nothing better than being on stage with these guys,” says Arya. “Skindred is my favourite band and I’m so lucky to be part of this thing we’ve created. We’ve been all over the world but there are always new places to visit and new crowds to play for. We just want to keep getting bigger and better.”
“We’re a global band. We’ve played in Colombia and India and everywhere and it’s the same energy,” Benji concludes. “I get letters from people in Hawaii and people in Turkey. It’s all the same. We resonate globally and it’s the greatest thing ever. It seems funny to us sometimes because we’re always kicking each other’s heads in and saying ‘You’re a wanker!’ to each other before we go on stage, but as soon as it’s time to play the show the oneness this band creates together and the unity we bring is unique. I’ve never experienced anything like it and we can’t wait to get back on the road and do it all again.”
Fonte Official Skindred web page :
The music world may be in a permanent state of panic and flux, but one basic principle of rock’n’roll remains true: the key to longevity is to always deliver the goods. No band has better encapsulated this ethos of integrity and determination over the last decade than Skindred.
Widely acknowledged as one of the most devastating and enthralling live bands on the planet, the Newport destroyers have been a perennial force for musical invention and remorseless positivity since emerging from the ashes of frontman Benji Webbe’s former band Dub War back in 1998. Over the course of four universally praised studio albums – Babylon (2002), Roots Rock Riot (2007), Shark Bites And Dog Fights (2009) and Union Black (2011) – Skindred’s reputation for producing the ultimate spark-spraying state-of-the-art soundclash, combining all manner of seemingly disparate musical elements into an irresistibly exhilarating explosion of energy and cross-pollinated cultural fervour has rightly earned them a reputation as a band capable of uniting people from all corners of the globe and making every last one of them tear up the dancefloor with a giant shit-eating grin plastered across their faces.
With the toughest and most infectious metal riffs colliding with the biggest, phattest hip hop and reggae grooves, cutting edge electronics and a razor-sharp pop sensibility guaranteed to encourage even the most curmudgeonly music fans bellow along with rabid enthusiasm, Skindred are both the ultimate thinking man’s party band. And now, with the release of their fifth studio album Kill The Power, Benji Webbe and his loyal henchmen – bassist Dan Pugsley, guitarist Mikey Demus and drummer Arya Goggins – are poised to spread their gospel of good times and badass tunes to an even bigger global audience.
“We know that everyone recognises us as one of the best live bands around,” says Arya. “We’re really proud of all of the albums we’ve made, but we all felt that we needed to make an album that would be as powerful and effective as the live show. That’s what Kill The Power is all about. This time, we want everyone to sit up and listen and join in the party.”
“I started DJ-ing a little while ago and it’s taught me a lot,” adds Benji. “Now I feel like I wanted to make an album where every intro to every song makes kids think ‘Fucking hell, they’re playing that song!’ Every middle eight on this album is a banger. Every chorus is massive. On this album, the lyrics are deep and the songs are just bigger than ever.”
In keeping with their tradition of making people move while singing about universal issues and spreading a message of positive action and social unity, Kill The Power is an album bulging with fury at the state of the modern world. Never afraid to tackle important topics head on, while never forgetting his band’s mission to entertain and leave the world in a sweaty, sated heap, Benji’s notoriously insane energy levels seem to be creeping up with every album and Kill The Power showcases his most furious and impactful performances to date.
“The world’s getting worse so how can I get more mellow?” he laughs. “Of course I’m getting angrier! People normally stay in a bag when it comes to lyrics. Stephen King stays with horror and he’s brilliant at it, you know? With Skindred, it’s always about encouraging an uplift. It’s about a sense of unity. Lyrics can change people’s lives, you know? You can be going down one road and hear a song and have a Road To Damascus experience and become someone else.”
On an album that has no shortage of invigorating highlights, Kill The Power takes Skindred to new extremes at both ends of the lyrical spectrum, reaching a new level of fiery intensity on the lethal cautionary tale of “Playin’ With The Devil” and the euphoric end-of-the-working-week celebration of “Saturday”: both songs proving that this band’s ability to touch the heart and fire the blood remains as incisive and potent as ever. As if to enhance their songwriting chops more than ever, Kill The Power also features several songs written in collaboration with legendary songwriting guru Russ Ballard, the man behind such immortal rock staples as Since You’ve Been Gone and God Gave Rock & Roll To You, and this seemingly perverse team-up has led to Skindred’s finest set of lyrics and melodies to date.
“Basically, I try to write songs that people can interpret however they like,” says Benji. “When I wrote ‘Playin’ With The Devil’, I originally wrote some words down on a piece of paper thinking about friends I’ve had who smoke crack and live on the pipe, you know? I wrote the song about that kind of thing, but then a couple of days later the riots happened in London and so it became about that as well. When you shit on your own doorstep, your house is going to smell of shit. You’ve got to clean that up! With ‘Saturday’, it’s not a typical Skindred song; it’s a big celebration. We got Russ Ballard involved on that one and he helped me structure the lyrics in the right way so when the chorus hits, it hits like a hammer. It’s an upbeat song but when you listen to the lyrics it goes on about how people all have different reasons to be out and partying. Some people are celebrating, some people are drowning their sorrows, and we all come together on a Saturday. When this record comes out and people go to a club on a Saturday, that’s when it’s gonna go off! The chorus is huge!”
While Skindred’s previous album Union Black was dominated by the bleeps, booms and squelches of British electronic dance music, albeit balanced out by Mikey Demus’ trademark riffs, the new album sees the band return to a more organic sound that amounts to the most accurate representation of the Skindred live experience yet committed to tape. From the huge beats and stuttering samples of the opening title track and the laudably demented Ninja through to the insistent melodies and rampaging choruses of “The Kids Are Right Now” and “Saturday” and on to the thunderous, metallic throwdowns of “Proceed With Caution” and “Ruling Force” and the cool acoustic breeze of the closing More Fire, Kill The Power is Skindred cranked up to full throttle and revelling in their own febrile creativity like never before.
“It’s all about making an album that moves people in the same way that our live shows do,” says Arya. “We love what we achieved on Union Black and we still used a lot of those basic ideas on Kill The Power, but this time it’s a more organic sound. All the drum loops you hear were originally played by me before we started chopping them up, and there are a lot more guitars on this record too. We love combining all the music that we love in Skindred but we all love heavy music and we’re a rock band at heart and that really comes across this time.”
“We’ve delivered an album that’s gonna make people rock for the next few years,” states Benji. “You know what? I can’t do anything about record sales, but if people come to a Skindred show they’re gonna know they’ve been there, you know? Ha ha! The music we make is not about Christians or Muslims, straight people or gay people, black or white or any of that shit. When people are in that room together it’s just Skindred, one unity and one strength!”
Having conquered numerous countries around the world, Skindred could easily be taking a breather and resting on their laurels at this point. Instead, this most dedicated and hard-working of modern bands are preparing to launch their most exuberant assault on the world ever when Kill The Power hits the streets. Anyone that has ever seen the band live before will confirm that it is impossible not to get fired up and drawn into the joyous abandon of a Skindred show and with their greatest album to date primed and ready to explode, the best live band on the planet simply cannot fail to conquer the entire world this time round. Wherever and whoever you are, Skindred are coming. Open your ears and get your dancing feet ready…
“There’s nothing better than being on stage with these guys,” says Arya. “Skindred is my favourite band and I’m so lucky to be part of this thing we’ve created. We’ve been all over the world but there are always new places to visit and new crowds to play for. We just want to keep getting bigger and better.”
“We’re a global band. We’ve played in Colombia and India and everywhere and it’s the same energy,” Benji concludes. “I get letters from people in Hawaii and people in Turkey. It’s all the same. We resonate globally and it’s the greatest thing ever. It seems funny to us sometimes because we’re always kicking each other’s heads in and saying ‘You’re a wanker!’ to each other before we go on stage, but as soon as it’s time to play the show the oneness this band creates together and the unity we bring is unique. I’ve never experienced anything like it and we can’t wait to get back on the road and do it all again.”
BAP KENNEDY BAND
IRLANDA/USA
Per molti cantautori del pianeta, l’idea di collaborare con Mark Knopfler resterebbe nel campo della fantasia. Ma per Bap Kennedy si tratta solo dell’ultimo anello di una lunga catena di progetti con personaggi di alto profilo, leggende musicali degne del massimo rispetto. Per un uomo che ha lavorato con Steve Earle e Van Morrison, giusto per fare qualche nome, l’offerta di registrare un disco nello studio privato del frontman dei Dire Straits è stata un’ulteriore pietra miliare. The Sailor's Revenge, l’album scritto da Kennedy e prodotto da Knopfler mostra una capacità compositiva che cresce ad ogni ascolto, grazie anche, e non poteva essere diversamente, all’inconfondibile, deliziosa chitarra di Knopfler e alla sua produzione a tutto campo.
Il primo contatto di Bap con l’industria discografica è in qualità di chitarra ritmica, voce e scrittura dei pezzi per i rockers di Belfast Energy Orchard, con cui registra cinque album. Quando la band lascia Belfast, diventerà una delle leggende della scena live londinese.
Ed è proprio mentre è negli Energy Orchard che Kennedy si trova a collaborare col compatriota Van Morrison, che dà al gruppo la possibilità di aprire i suoi concerti nei tumultuosi tour tra Europa e Stati Uniti.
Allo scioglimento degli Energy Orchard, Bap ha poco tempo per riposarsi, visto che la superstar del country alternativo, e loro fan di lunga data, Steve Earle, lo contatta subito proponendosi quale produttore del suo primo album. Kennedy è ovviamente d’accordo e ben presto si trova su un aereo per Nashville, Tennessee, dove registra Domestic Blues. Earle parla di Bap come “Il miglior compositore di canzoni che abbia mai sentito”, e nel disco appaiono molti nomi di primo piano della scena di Nashville, tra cui Jerry Douglas, Peter Rowan e Nanci Griffith.
L’album è un successo, tra i primi dieci nella classifica “Americana” di Billboard. La canzone di Kennedy Vampire entrerà nella colonna sonora della pellicola hollywoodiana Conta su di me – che si aggiudica due premi al prestigioso Sundance Film Festival e riceve due nomination per gli Oscar – mentre tre canzoni dell’album saranno utilizzate per il classico cult Southie.
Il successivo Lonely Street è un progetto artistico basato su, e dedicato a due eroi musicali dell’infanzia di Bap: Hank Williams e Elvis Presley. Musica per amore della musica, che si riflette nelle risposte positive che arrivano dai critici di importanti riviste come Q e Mojo. Ancora una volta, il lavoro di Kennedy trova posto in una colonna sonora di Hollywood, con la ballata Moonlight Kiss, in una delle scene chiave di Serendipity (con gli attori John Cusack e Kate Beckinsale).
The Big Picture segna il ritorno alla collaborazione con Van Morrison, entusiasta di Kennedy sin dai tempi degli Energy Orchard. Il disco è registrato infatti nello studio dello stesso Morrison, e contiene un pezzo scritto da tutt’e due: Milky Way. Ospite alle voci Shane Magowan dei Pogues, nella canzone On the Mighty Ocean Alcohol, e un reading da Carolyn Cassady, una delle figure di spicco della generazione beat degli scrittori americani, alla fine del bellissimo Moriarty’s Blues. Ancora eccellenti recensioni di Mojo e altre riviste, a conferma della reputazione di Kennedy che cresce ad ogni sua uscita discografica.
Il tempo che segue la pubblicazione di The Big Picture segna profondi cambiamenti nella personalità dell’artista, sia a livello professionale che di vita.
Comincia a collaborare con Mark Knopfler, e appare come ospite nei suoi tour negli Stati Uniti e in Europa, tra cui cinque serate alla Royal Albert Hall. È in questo periodo che Kennedy incontra la futura moglie, Brenda Boyd, anche lei artista e cantautrice che ha scritto numerosi libri sull’autismo e la sindrome di Asperger. Bap ha prodotto l’album di Brenda Banish the Blue Days.
For Howl On, del 2009, vede Bap registrare nella nativa Irlanda del Nord per la prima volta nella sua carriera solista e, come in Lonely Street, ritorna a scrivere una serie di canzoni su un soggetto che lo ha affascinato da quando era bambino. Questa volta si tratta di uno sguardo all’amore giovanile per tutto ciò che è americano, come la storia dell’atterraggio sulla luna, non ritratta dal punto di vista tecnologico ma come momento nelle vite delle persone reali che hanno lavorato al programma Apollo. È questa una raccolta di vicende umane legate appunto dalla storia dell’Apollo, di cui Kennedy ci parla meravigliosamente.
Seguono tour di successo nel Regno Unito e in Europa, culminanti con la memorabile performance al festival di Glastonbury. Bap continua il suo tour aggiungendo ulteriori date, tra cui il rinomato Belfast/Nashville festival e, in America, l’altrettanto prestigioso South by Southwest festival. Bap ha l’onore di diventare in questi giorni padrino di Autism NI, in cui è coinvolto tramite la moglie Brenda.
The Sailor’s Revenge vede Kennedy proporre una scrittura matura e sofisticata, impreziosita dal riconoscibilissimo lavoro chitarristico di Mark Knopfler, che ne è anche produttore, e da musicisti di studio di alta qualità come Jerry Douglas e Glenn Worf.
Formazione:
BAP KENNEDY – chitarra acustica e voce solista
GORDY McALLISTER – chitarra acustica
BRENDA KENNEDY – basso e voce
MATTHEW WEIR – batteria
Discografia:
- Domestic Blues, 1998
- Hillbilly Shakespeare, 1999
- Lonely Street, 2000
- Rare Live & Bladdered, 2000
- Long Time a Comin’ The Story so Far, 2002
- Moriarty’s Blues EP, 2005
- The Big Picture, 2005
- Howl On, 2009
- Moriarty’s Blues (doppio EP), 2010
- The Sailor’s revenge, 2012
Arch Enemy - Daniel Erlandsson, Alissa White-Gluz
The European Siege 2022
Le Zénith de Paris, Paris, France | 04/10/2022
Live report soon on MusicWaves
Philippe Bareille
Metallica frontman, James Hetfield's 1937 Lincoln Zephyr
at the Marin Concours d'Elegance
Photo By Joti Singh for www.eGarage.com
BAP KENNEDY BAND
IRLANDA/USA
Per molti cantautori del pianeta, l’idea di collaborare con Mark Knopfler resterebbe nel campo della fantasia. Ma per Bap Kennedy si tratta solo dell’ultimo anello di una lunga catena di progetti con personaggi di alto profilo, leggende musicali degne del massimo rispetto. Per un uomo che ha lavorato con Steve Earle e Van Morrison, giusto per fare qualche nome, l’offerta di registrare un disco nello studio privato del frontman dei Dire Straits è stata un’ulteriore pietra miliare. The Sailor's Revenge, l’album scritto da Kennedy e prodotto da Knopfler mostra una capacità compositiva che cresce ad ogni ascolto, grazie anche, e non poteva essere diversamente, all’inconfondibile, deliziosa chitarra di Knopfler e alla sua produzione a tutto campo.
Il primo contatto di Bap con l’industria discografica è in qualità di chitarra ritmica, voce e scrittura dei pezzi per i rockers di Belfast Energy Orchard, con cui registra cinque album. Quando la band lascia Belfast, diventerà una delle leggende della scena live londinese.
Ed è proprio mentre è negli Energy Orchard che Kennedy si trova a collaborare col compatriota Van Morrison, che dà al gruppo la possibilità di aprire i suoi concerti nei tumultuosi tour tra Europa e Stati Uniti.
Allo scioglimento degli Energy Orchard, Bap ha poco tempo per riposarsi, visto che la superstar del country alternativo, e loro fan di lunga data, Steve Earle, lo contatta subito proponendosi quale produttore del suo primo album. Kennedy è ovviamente d’accordo e ben presto si trova su un aereo per Nashville, Tennessee, dove registra Domestic Blues. Earle parla di Bap come “Il miglior compositore di canzoni che abbia mai sentito”, e nel disco appaiono molti nomi di primo piano della scena di Nashville, tra cui Jerry Douglas, Peter Rowan e Nanci Griffith.
L’album è un successo, tra i primi dieci nella classifica “Americana” di Billboard. La canzone di Kennedy Vampire entrerà nella colonna sonora della pellicola hollywoodiana Conta su di me – che si aggiudica due premi al prestigioso Sundance Film Festival e riceve due nomination per gli Oscar – mentre tre canzoni dell’album saranno utilizzate per il classico cult Southie.
Il successivo Lonely Street è un progetto artistico basato su, e dedicato a due eroi musicali dell’infanzia di Bap: Hank Williams e Elvis Presley. Musica per amore della musica, che si riflette nelle risposte positive che arrivano dai critici di importanti riviste come Q e Mojo. Ancora una volta, il lavoro di Kennedy trova posto in una colonna sonora di Hollywood, con la ballata Moonlight Kiss, in una delle scene chiave di Serendipity (con gli attori John Cusack e Kate Beckinsale).
The Big Picture segna il ritorno alla collaborazione con Van Morrison, entusiasta di Kennedy sin dai tempi degli Energy Orchard. Il disco è registrato infatti nello studio dello stesso Morrison, e contiene un pezzo scritto da tutt’e due: Milky Way. Ospite alle voci Shane Magowan dei Pogues, nella canzone On the Mighty Ocean Alcohol, e un reading da Carolyn Cassady, una delle figure di spicco della generazione beat degli scrittori americani, alla fine del bellissimo Moriarty’s Blues. Ancora eccellenti recensioni di Mojo e altre riviste, a conferma della reputazione di Kennedy che cresce ad ogni sua uscita discografica.
Il tempo che segue la pubblicazione di The Big Picture segna profondi cambiamenti nella personalità dell’artista, sia a livello professionale che di vita.
Comincia a collaborare con Mark Knopfler, e appare come ospite nei suoi tour negli Stati Uniti e in Europa, tra cui cinque serate alla Royal Albert Hall. È in questo periodo che Kennedy incontra la futura moglie, Brenda Boyd, anche lei artista e cantautrice che ha scritto numerosi libri sull’autismo e la sindrome di Asperger. Bap ha prodotto l’album di Brenda Banish the Blue Days.
For Howl On, del 2009, vede Bap registrare nella nativa Irlanda del Nord per la prima volta nella sua carriera solista e, come in Lonely Street, ritorna a scrivere una serie di canzoni su un soggetto che lo ha affascinato da quando era bambino. Questa volta si tratta di uno sguardo all’amore giovanile per tutto ciò che è americano, come la storia dell’atterraggio sulla luna, non ritratta dal punto di vista tecnologico ma come momento nelle vite delle persone reali che hanno lavorato al programma Apollo. È questa una raccolta di vicende umane legate appunto dalla storia dell’Apollo, di cui Kennedy ci parla meravigliosamente.
Seguono tour di successo nel Regno Unito e in Europa, culminanti con la memorabile performance al festival di Glastonbury. Bap continua il suo tour aggiungendo ulteriori date, tra cui il rinomato Belfast/Nashville festival e, in America, l’altrettanto prestigioso South by Southwest festival. Bap ha l’onore di diventare in questi giorni padrino di Autism NI, in cui è coinvolto tramite la moglie Brenda.
The Sailor’s Revenge vede Kennedy proporre una scrittura matura e sofisticata, impreziosita dal riconoscibilissimo lavoro chitarristico di Mark Knopfler, che ne è anche produttore, e da musicisti di studio di alta qualità come Jerry Douglas e Glenn Worf.
Formazione:
BAP KENNEDY – chitarra acustica e voce solista
GORDY McALLISTER – chitarra acustica
BRENDA KENNEDY – basso e voce
MATTHEW WEIR – batteria
Discografia:
- Domestic Blues, 1998
- Hillbilly Shakespeare, 1999
- Lonely Street, 2000
- Rare Live & Bladdered, 2000
- Long Time a Comin’ The Story so Far, 2002
- Moriarty’s Blues EP, 2005
- The Big Picture, 2005
- Howl On, 2009
- Moriarty’s Blues (doppio EP), 2010
- The Sailor’s revenge, 2012
September 1, 2009: Noel Gallagher, frontman of the British rock band Oasis, on holiday in Sardinia with his girlfriend Sarah MacDonald and their son Donovan Rory. Noel arrived in Sardinia shortly after falling out with his brother Liam, resulting in their tour in Europe being cancelled and the band splitting on August 29th.
Credit: Ciao Pix/INFphoto.com Ref.: infit-03/della porta
Tracie Young (often just billed as Tracie) (born 1965, Derby, England) was a pop singer in the 1980s. She achieved success after becoming a protégée of Paul Weller.
Born in Derby and raised in Essex, Young began her singing career when she was discovered by The Jam frontman, Paul Weller, through an advertisement in Smash Hits magazine for his Respond Records label.[1] Weller's ad solicited demo tapes from female singers between the ages of 18 and 24, for the purpose of hiring a vocalist alongside the group The Questions.[2] Although just 17 years old, Young replied and sent Weller a cassette of a Phoebe Snow-inspired version of the Betty Wright hit "Shoorah Shoorah". Young's tape was singled out from among the hundreds received, and shortly thereafter was invited to London for an audition.[3] Performing old soul numbers "Band of Gold" and "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" for the audition, Young impressed Weller enough to win the job and become his priority signing for the Respond label.[3]
Before recording solo work for Respond, Weller sought to increase exposure for Young. He promptly utilized her for backing vocals on The Jam's final single, "Beat Surrender", which was released on 26 November 1982 and became the band's fourth #1 single.[4] Weller also had Young join the group for their appearance on Top Of The Pops to promote the song.[2]
In January 1983, Young contributed vocals for The Style Council's first single, "Speak Like a Child", and also appeared in the promotional video for the song.[5] As an unofficial member of the group, Young toured with The Style Council for part of 1983, while also performing as a solo artist as part of a Respond package tour[6]
Young was featured on the cover of the April 9, 1983 issue of New Musical Express with the banner "Tracie: The girl star Paul Weller would build".[7] She was also voted "Most Fanciable Female" in Smash Hits 1983 readers' poll.[8]
Signed to Respond, she had UK hit singles in March 1983 with "The House That Jack Built" and in July with "Give it Some Emotion" (both credited simply to 'Tracie')[1]
Her debut album, Far from the Hurting Kind, was released in 1984 under the name Tracie.[1] It featured production, backing, and songwriting from Weller, as well as an Elvis Costello song written especially for her, "(I Love You) When You Sleep".[1] The album was reissued in Japan in 1996.[1]
Young recorded with The Style Council again in 1985, contributing backing vocals to the song "Boy Who Cried Wolf", a single taken from the album Our Favourite Shop.[9]
Respond ceased operations in 1986 and Young was briefly signed by Polydor. The second album she recorded whilst signed to Polydor, titled No Smoke Without Fire, remains unreleased.
Since the late 1990s Young has enjoyed a second career as a radio presenter, currently working at Southend Radio 105.1, Chelmsford Radio 107.7 and also Connect FM in Peterborough and Northamptonshire. In 2009 Young did a one-off gig, supporting Billy Franks (formerly of The Faith Brothers) at The Shepherd's Bush Empire. The show was on June 6, 2009 and Tracie was backed by Southend rock band, Soliss. In the wake of the show, Young released a self-produced, limited edition six-song EP of previously released material, titled It Happened One Night...And Other Songs .
In 2010, with the cooperation of Young, Cherry Red Records reissued her 1984 debut Far from the Hurting Kind, marking the first time the album has been available in the UK on CD. The 20 track CD features the 10 tracks from the original album release plus 10 bonus tracks.
BAP KENNEDY BAND
IRLANDA/USA
Per molti cantautori del pianeta, l’idea di collaborare con Mark Knopfler resterebbe nel campo della fantasia. Ma per Bap Kennedy si tratta solo dell’ultimo anello di una lunga catena di progetti con personaggi di alto profilo, leggende musicali degne del massimo rispetto. Per un uomo che ha lavorato con Steve Earle e Van Morrison, giusto per fare qualche nome, l’offerta di registrare un disco nello studio privato del frontman dei Dire Straits è stata un’ulteriore pietra miliare. The Sailor's Revenge, l’album scritto da Kennedy e prodotto da Knopfler mostra una capacità compositiva che cresce ad ogni ascolto, grazie anche, e non poteva essere diversamente, all’inconfondibile, deliziosa chitarra di Knopfler e alla sua produzione a tutto campo.
Il primo contatto di Bap con l’industria discografica è in qualità di chitarra ritmica, voce e scrittura dei pezzi per i rockers di Belfast Energy Orchard, con cui registra cinque album. Quando la band lascia Belfast, diventerà una delle leggende della scena live londinese.
Ed è proprio mentre è negli Energy Orchard che Kennedy si trova a collaborare col compatriota Van Morrison, che dà al gruppo la possibilità di aprire i suoi concerti nei tumultuosi tour tra Europa e Stati Uniti.
Allo scioglimento degli Energy Orchard, Bap ha poco tempo per riposarsi, visto che la superstar del country alternativo, e loro fan di lunga data, Steve Earle, lo contatta subito proponendosi quale produttore del suo primo album. Kennedy è ovviamente d’accordo e ben presto si trova su un aereo per Nashville, Tennessee, dove registra Domestic Blues. Earle parla di Bap come “Il miglior compositore di canzoni che abbia mai sentito”, e nel disco appaiono molti nomi di primo piano della scena di Nashville, tra cui Jerry Douglas, Peter Rowan e Nanci Griffith.
L’album è un successo, tra i primi dieci nella classifica “Americana” di Billboard. La canzone di Kennedy Vampire entrerà nella colonna sonora della pellicola hollywoodiana Conta su di me – che si aggiudica due premi al prestigioso Sundance Film Festival e riceve due nomination per gli Oscar – mentre tre canzoni dell’album saranno utilizzate per il classico cult Southie.
Il successivo Lonely Street è un progetto artistico basato su, e dedicato a due eroi musicali dell’infanzia di Bap: Hank Williams e Elvis Presley. Musica per amore della musica, che si riflette nelle risposte positive che arrivano dai critici di importanti riviste come Q e Mojo. Ancora una volta, il lavoro di Kennedy trova posto in una colonna sonora di Hollywood, con la ballata Moonlight Kiss, in una delle scene chiave di Serendipity (con gli attori John Cusack e Kate Beckinsale).
The Big Picture segna il ritorno alla collaborazione con Van Morrison, entusiasta di Kennedy sin dai tempi degli Energy Orchard. Il disco è registrato infatti nello studio dello stesso Morrison, e contiene un pezzo scritto da tutt’e due: Milky Way. Ospite alle voci Shane Magowan dei Pogues, nella canzone On the Mighty Ocean Alcohol, e un reading da Carolyn Cassady, una delle figure di spicco della generazione beat degli scrittori americani, alla fine del bellissimo Moriarty’s Blues. Ancora eccellenti recensioni di Mojo e altre riviste, a conferma della reputazione di Kennedy che cresce ad ogni sua uscita discografica.
Il tempo che segue la pubblicazione di The Big Picture segna profondi cambiamenti nella personalità dell’artista, sia a livello professionale che di vita.
Comincia a collaborare con Mark Knopfler, e appare come ospite nei suoi tour negli Stati Uniti e in Europa, tra cui cinque serate alla Royal Albert Hall. È in questo periodo che Kennedy incontra la futura moglie, Brenda Boyd, anche lei artista e cantautrice che ha scritto numerosi libri sull’autismo e la sindrome di Asperger. Bap ha prodotto l’album di Brenda Banish the Blue Days.
For Howl On, del 2009, vede Bap registrare nella nativa Irlanda del Nord per la prima volta nella sua carriera solista e, come in Lonely Street, ritorna a scrivere una serie di canzoni su un soggetto che lo ha affascinato da quando era bambino. Questa volta si tratta di uno sguardo all’amore giovanile per tutto ciò che è americano, come la storia dell’atterraggio sulla luna, non ritratta dal punto di vista tecnologico ma come momento nelle vite delle persone reali che hanno lavorato al programma Apollo. È questa una raccolta di vicende umane legate appunto dalla storia dell’Apollo, di cui Kennedy ci parla meravigliosamente.
Seguono tour di successo nel Regno Unito e in Europa, culminanti con la memorabile performance al festival di Glastonbury. Bap continua il suo tour aggiungendo ulteriori date, tra cui il rinomato Belfast/Nashville festival e, in America, l’altrettanto prestigioso South by Southwest festival. Bap ha l’onore di diventare in questi giorni padrino di Autism NI, in cui è coinvolto tramite la moglie Brenda.
The Sailor’s Revenge vede Kennedy proporre una scrittura matura e sofisticata, impreziosita dal riconoscibilissimo lavoro chitarristico di Mark Knopfler, che ne è anche produttore, e da musicisti di studio di alta qualità come Jerry Douglas e Glenn Worf.
Formazione:
BAP KENNEDY – chitarra acustica e voce solista
GORDY McALLISTER – chitarra acustica
BRENDA KENNEDY – basso e voce
MATTHEW WEIR – batteria
Discografia:
- Domestic Blues, 1998
- Hillbilly Shakespeare, 1999
- Lonely Street, 2000
- Rare Live & Bladdered, 2000
- Long Time a Comin’ The Story so Far, 2002
- Moriarty’s Blues EP, 2005
- The Big Picture, 2005
- Howl On, 2009
- Moriarty’s Blues (doppio EP), 2010
- The Sailor’s revenge, 2012
BAP KENNEDY BAND
IRLANDA/USA
Per molti cantautori del pianeta, l’idea di collaborare con Mark Knopfler resterebbe nel campo della fantasia. Ma per Bap Kennedy si tratta solo dell’ultimo anello di una lunga catena di progetti con personaggi di alto profilo, leggende musicali degne del massimo rispetto. Per un uomo che ha lavorato con Steve Earle e Van Morrison, giusto per fare qualche nome, l’offerta di registrare un disco nello studio privato del frontman dei Dire Straits è stata un’ulteriore pietra miliare. The Sailor's Revenge, l’album scritto da Kennedy e prodotto da Knopfler mostra una capacità compositiva che cresce ad ogni ascolto, grazie anche, e non poteva essere diversamente, all’inconfondibile, deliziosa chitarra di Knopfler e alla sua produzione a tutto campo.
Il primo contatto di Bap con l’industria discografica è in qualità di chitarra ritmica, voce e scrittura dei pezzi per i rockers di Belfast Energy Orchard, con cui registra cinque album. Quando la band lascia Belfast, diventerà una delle leggende della scena live londinese.
Ed è proprio mentre è negli Energy Orchard che Kennedy si trova a collaborare col compatriota Van Morrison, che dà al gruppo la possibilità di aprire i suoi concerti nei tumultuosi tour tra Europa e Stati Uniti.
Allo scioglimento degli Energy Orchard, Bap ha poco tempo per riposarsi, visto che la superstar del country alternativo, e loro fan di lunga data, Steve Earle, lo contatta subito proponendosi quale produttore del suo primo album. Kennedy è ovviamente d’accordo e ben presto si trova su un aereo per Nashville, Tennessee, dove registra Domestic Blues. Earle parla di Bap come “Il miglior compositore di canzoni che abbia mai sentito”, e nel disco appaiono molti nomi di primo piano della scena di Nashville, tra cui Jerry Douglas, Peter Rowan e Nanci Griffith.
L’album è un successo, tra i primi dieci nella classifica “Americana” di Billboard. La canzone di Kennedy Vampire entrerà nella colonna sonora della pellicola hollywoodiana Conta su di me – che si aggiudica due premi al prestigioso Sundance Film Festival e riceve due nomination per gli Oscar – mentre tre canzoni dell’album saranno utilizzate per il classico cult Southie.
Il successivo Lonely Street è un progetto artistico basato su, e dedicato a due eroi musicali dell’infanzia di Bap: Hank Williams e Elvis Presley. Musica per amore della musica, che si riflette nelle risposte positive che arrivano dai critici di importanti riviste come Q e Mojo. Ancora una volta, il lavoro di Kennedy trova posto in una colonna sonora di Hollywood, con la ballata Moonlight Kiss, in una delle scene chiave di Serendipity (con gli attori John Cusack e Kate Beckinsale).
The Big Picture segna il ritorno alla collaborazione con Van Morrison, entusiasta di Kennedy sin dai tempi degli Energy Orchard. Il disco è registrato infatti nello studio dello stesso Morrison, e contiene un pezzo scritto da tutt’e due: Milky Way. Ospite alle voci Shane Magowan dei Pogues, nella canzone On the Mighty Ocean Alcohol, e un reading da Carolyn Cassady, una delle figure di spicco della generazione beat degli scrittori americani, alla fine del bellissimo Moriarty’s Blues. Ancora eccellenti recensioni di Mojo e altre riviste, a conferma della reputazione di Kennedy che cresce ad ogni sua uscita discografica.
Il tempo che segue la pubblicazione di The Big Picture segna profondi cambiamenti nella personalità dell’artista, sia a livello professionale che di vita.
Comincia a collaborare con Mark Knopfler, e appare come ospite nei suoi tour negli Stati Uniti e in Europa, tra cui cinque serate alla Royal Albert Hall. È in questo periodo che Kennedy incontra la futura moglie, Brenda Boyd, anche lei artista e cantautrice che ha scritto numerosi libri sull’autismo e la sindrome di Asperger. Bap ha prodotto l’album di Brenda Banish the Blue Days.
For Howl On, del 2009, vede Bap registrare nella nativa Irlanda del Nord per la prima volta nella sua carriera solista e, come in Lonely Street, ritorna a scrivere una serie di canzoni su un soggetto che lo ha affascinato da quando era bambino. Questa volta si tratta di uno sguardo all’amore giovanile per tutto ciò che è americano, come la storia dell’atterraggio sulla luna, non ritratta dal punto di vista tecnologico ma come momento nelle vite delle persone reali che hanno lavorato al programma Apollo. È questa una raccolta di vicende umane legate appunto dalla storia dell’Apollo, di cui Kennedy ci parla meravigliosamente.
Seguono tour di successo nel Regno Unito e in Europa, culminanti con la memorabile performance al festival di Glastonbury. Bap continua il suo tour aggiungendo ulteriori date, tra cui il rinomato Belfast/Nashville festival e, in America, l’altrettanto prestigioso South by Southwest festival. Bap ha l’onore di diventare in questi giorni padrino di Autism NI, in cui è coinvolto tramite la moglie Brenda.
The Sailor’s Revenge vede Kennedy proporre una scrittura matura e sofisticata, impreziosita dal riconoscibilissimo lavoro chitarristico di Mark Knopfler, che ne è anche produttore, e da musicisti di studio di alta qualità come Jerry Douglas e Glenn Worf.
Formazione:
BAP KENNEDY – chitarra acustica e voce solista
GORDY McALLISTER – chitarra acustica
BRENDA KENNEDY – basso e voce
MATTHEW WEIR – batteria
Discografia:
- Domestic Blues, 1998
- Hillbilly Shakespeare, 1999
- Lonely Street, 2000
- Rare Live & Bladdered, 2000
- Long Time a Comin’ The Story so Far, 2002
- Moriarty’s Blues EP, 2005
- The Big Picture, 2005
- Howl On, 2009
- Moriarty’s Blues (doppio EP), 2010
- The Sailor’s revenge, 2012
Coheed and Cambria frontman Claudio Sanchez signing copies of his new comic KILL AUDIO along with co-creators Chondra Echert and Sheldon Vella at Jim Hanley's Universe in New York City, October 8, 2009. All photos by Jeffrey O. Gustafson, c) 2009. www.jhuniverse.blogspot.com
Playing host to the rescheduled Foo Fighters concert at Wembley (that was cancelled after frontman Dave Grohl broke his leg falling off stage at a show in Gothenburg, Sweden), the National Bowl in Milton Keynes came alive on Sunday, September 6, 2015 with the sound of 65,000 screaming fans. Following sets from rock duo Royal Blood and the eclectic propo-punk icon Iggy Pop, the Foos knew they had to deliver. From the moment the curtain sucked into a black hole vortex to the end of the show, it was obvious it was going to be one hell of a night to remember. Debra, Karl and I had arrived relatively early for the show and, being among the first to enter the MK Bowl, were offered "Inner Pit" passes. Issued on a first-come-first-serve basis, these gave fenced-off access to the stage and were an excellent surprise. We had a great view of the day's action and I was well positioned for photographs. "All My Life" opened the two and a half hour set, with Grohl spending the entire show seated on a most gloriously over-the-top throne, designed by Grohl himself and adorned by guitar necks. It transported the front-man up and down the runway, and was in itself a crowd pleaser! I have wanted to see the Foo Fighters for about two decades - and desperate to do so since "Wasting Light"- and they did not disappoint. A shredding version of "White Limo" alone justified the ticket price, and the rest was a wonderful (and sometimes nostalgic) tour through their back-catalogue. All in all, it was a triumphant, heart-warming singalong set that showed why, for so many, the Foo Fighters have been the soundtrack to the last two decades. Here's the Foo Fighters' set list for the Milton Keynes "Broken Leg" concert.
If I was desperate to see the Foo Fighters, I was absolutely aching to see 69 year old rock legend, Iggy Pop. I narrowly missed one of his gigs in Amsterdam at the end of 1978 and, after this initial disappointment, Iggy stayed on my Bucket List through the late-80's in London, the 90's in Prague and the naughties in the UK. When he was in town, I was always travelling, had other commitments or just had bad luck (i.e. the cancellation of the Foo's concert at Wembley in June where Iggy was on the supporting bill). Well, I finally got to see James Newell Osterberg, Jr. in full, topless, action in Milton Keynes on a fine evening in September 2015! Iggy brought his old school punk snarl to the party, prompting mass singalongs to classic tunes, some of which he penned with his old mate David Bowie in Berlin in the 70's. If I'm still as active as Iggy when I'm almost 70, I'll be more than happy! He made fine use of the runway before him, skipping, kicking, twisting and turning as only Iggy can. He took a breather every now and then, but Iggy still has more energy than any new breed act you care to mention. Fucking hell - he's the man that wrote "Lust for Life"! The snot-noses in the audience didn't know what hit them :-) FYI, here's the Iggy Pop's set list for the night.
A wonderful, sunny day and balmy evening with my family, and a fine way to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of my first date with my future-wife on September 7, 1983.
Playing host to the rescheduled Foo Fighters concert at Wembley (that was cancelled after frontman Dave Grohl broke his leg falling off stage at a show in Gothenburg, Sweden), the National Bowl in Milton Keynes came alive on Sunday, September 6, 2015 with the sound of 65,000 screaming fans. Following sets from rock duo Royal Blood and the eclectic propo-punk icon Iggy Pop, the Foos knew they had to deliver. From the moment the curtain sucked into a black hole vortex to the end of the show, it was obvious it was going to be one hell of a night to remember. Debra, Karl and I had arrived relatively early for the show and, being among the first to enter the MK Bowl, were offered "Inner Pit" passes. Issued on a first-come-first-serve basis, these gave fenced-off access to the stage and were an excellent surprise. We had a great view of the day's action and I was well positioned for photographs. "All My Life" opened the two and a half hour set, with Grohl spending the entire show seated on a most gloriously over-the-top throne, designed by Grohl himself and adorned by guitar necks. It transported the front-man up and down the runway, and was in itself a crowd pleaser! I have wanted to see the Foo Fighters for about two decades - and desperate to do so since "Wasting Light"- and they did not disappoint. A shredding version of "White Limo" alone justified the ticket price, and the rest was a wonderful (and sometimes nostalgic) tour through their back-catalogue. All in all, it was a triumphant, heart-warming singalong set that showed why, for so many, the Foo Fighters have been the soundtrack to the last two decades. Here's the Foo Fighters' set list for the Milton Keynes "Broken Leg" concert.
If I was desperate to see the Foo Fighters, I was absolutely aching to see 69 year old rock legend, Iggy Pop. I narrowly missed one of his gigs in Amsterdam at the end of 1978 and, after this initial disappointment, Iggy stayed on my Bucket List through the late-80's in London, the 90's in Prague and the naughties in the UK. When he was in town, I was always travelling, had other commitments or just had bad luck (i.e. the cancellation of the Foo's concert at Wembley in June where Iggy was on the supporting bill). Well, I finally got to see James Newell Osterberg, Jr. in full, topless, action in Milton Keynes on a fine evening in September 2015! Iggy brought his old school punk snarl to the party, prompting mass singalongs to classic tunes, some of which he penned with his old mate David Bowie in Berlin in the 70's. If I'm still as active as Iggy when I'm almost 70, I'll be more than happy! He made fine use of the runway before him, skipping, kicking, twisting and turning as only Iggy can. He took a breather every now and then, but Iggy still has more energy than any new breed act you care to mention. Fucking hell - he's the man that wrote "Lust for Life"! The snot-noses in the audience didn't know what hit them :-) FYI, here's the Iggy Pop's set list for the night.
A wonderful, sunny day and balmy evening with my family, and a fine way to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of my first date with my future-wife on September 7, 1983.
Frontman of Motionless in White
Concept by Chris Motionless
MUA: Dead Sexy Makeup
Photo, edit and all styling by gak//Studio
Fonte Official Skindred web page :
The music world may be in a permanent state of panic and flux, but one basic principle of rock’n’roll remains true: the key to longevity is to always deliver the goods. No band has better encapsulated this ethos of integrity and determination over the last decade than Skindred.
Widely acknowledged as one of the most devastating and enthralling live bands on the planet, the Newport destroyers have been a perennial force for musical invention and remorseless positivity since emerging from the ashes of frontman Benji Webbe’s former band Dub War back in 1998. Over the course of four universally praised studio albums – Babylon (2002), Roots Rock Riot (2007), Shark Bites And Dog Fights (2009) and Union Black (2011) – Skindred’s reputation for producing the ultimate spark-spraying state-of-the-art soundclash, combining all manner of seemingly disparate musical elements into an irresistibly exhilarating explosion of energy and cross-pollinated cultural fervour has rightly earned them a reputation as a band capable of uniting people from all corners of the globe and making every last one of them tear up the dancefloor with a giant shit-eating grin plastered across their faces.
With the toughest and most infectious metal riffs colliding with the biggest, phattest hip hop and reggae grooves, cutting edge electronics and a razor-sharp pop sensibility guaranteed to encourage even the most curmudgeonly music fans bellow along with rabid enthusiasm, Skindred are both the ultimate thinking man’s party band. And now, with the release of their fifth studio album Kill The Power, Benji Webbe and his loyal henchmen – bassist Dan Pugsley, guitarist Mikey Demus and drummer Arya Goggins – are poised to spread their gospel of good times and badass tunes to an even bigger global audience.
“We know that everyone recognises us as one of the best live bands around,” says Arya. “We’re really proud of all of the albums we’ve made, but we all felt that we needed to make an album that would be as powerful and effective as the live show. That’s what Kill The Power is all about. This time, we want everyone to sit up and listen and join in the party.”
“I started DJ-ing a little while ago and it’s taught me a lot,” adds Benji. “Now I feel like I wanted to make an album where every intro to every song makes kids think ‘Fucking hell, they’re playing that song!’ Every middle eight on this album is a banger. Every chorus is massive. On this album, the lyrics are deep and the songs are just bigger than ever.”
In keeping with their tradition of making people move while singing about universal issues and spreading a message of positive action and social unity, Kill The Power is an album bulging with fury at the state of the modern world. Never afraid to tackle important topics head on, while never forgetting his band’s mission to entertain and leave the world in a sweaty, sated heap, Benji’s notoriously insane energy levels seem to be creeping up with every album and Kill The Power showcases his most furious and impactful performances to date.
“The world’s getting worse so how can I get more mellow?” he laughs. “Of course I’m getting angrier! People normally stay in a bag when it comes to lyrics. Stephen King stays with horror and he’s brilliant at it, you know? With Skindred, it’s always about encouraging an uplift. It’s about a sense of unity. Lyrics can change people’s lives, you know? You can be going down one road and hear a song and have a Road To Damascus experience and become someone else.”
On an album that has no shortage of invigorating highlights, Kill The Power takes Skindred to new extremes at both ends of the lyrical spectrum, reaching a new level of fiery intensity on the lethal cautionary tale of “Playin’ With The Devil” and the euphoric end-of-the-working-week celebration of “Saturday”: both songs proving that this band’s ability to touch the heart and fire the blood remains as incisive and potent as ever. As if to enhance their songwriting chops more than ever, Kill The Power also features several songs written in collaboration with legendary songwriting guru Russ Ballard, the man behind such immortal rock staples as Since You’ve Been Gone and God Gave Rock & Roll To You, and this seemingly perverse team-up has led to Skindred’s finest set of lyrics and melodies to date.
“Basically, I try to write songs that people can interpret however they like,” says Benji. “When I wrote ‘Playin’ With The Devil’, I originally wrote some words down on a piece of paper thinking about friends I’ve had who smoke crack and live on the pipe, you know? I wrote the song about that kind of thing, but then a couple of days later the riots happened in London and so it became about that as well. When you shit on your own doorstep, your house is going to smell of shit. You’ve got to clean that up! With ‘Saturday’, it’s not a typical Skindred song; it’s a big celebration. We got Russ Ballard involved on that one and he helped me structure the lyrics in the right way so when the chorus hits, it hits like a hammer. It’s an upbeat song but when you listen to the lyrics it goes on about how people all have different reasons to be out and partying. Some people are celebrating, some people are drowning their sorrows, and we all come together on a Saturday. When this record comes out and people go to a club on a Saturday, that’s when it’s gonna go off! The chorus is huge!”
While Skindred’s previous album Union Black was dominated by the bleeps, booms and squelches of British electronic dance music, albeit balanced out by Mikey Demus’ trademark riffs, the new album sees the band return to a more organic sound that amounts to the most accurate representation of the Skindred live experience yet committed to tape. From the huge beats and stuttering samples of the opening title track and the laudably demented Ninja through to the insistent melodies and rampaging choruses of “The Kids Are Right Now” and “Saturday” and on to the thunderous, metallic throwdowns of “Proceed With Caution” and “Ruling Force” and the cool acoustic breeze of the closing More Fire, Kill The Power is Skindred cranked up to full throttle and revelling in their own febrile creativity like never before.
“It’s all about making an album that moves people in the same way that our live shows do,” says Arya. “We love what we achieved on Union Black and we still used a lot of those basic ideas on Kill The Power, but this time it’s a more organic sound. All the drum loops you hear were originally played by me before we started chopping them up, and there are a lot more guitars on this record too. We love combining all the music that we love in Skindred but we all love heavy music and we’re a rock band at heart and that really comes across this time.”
“We’ve delivered an album that’s gonna make people rock for the next few years,” states Benji. “You know what? I can’t do anything about record sales, but if people come to a Skindred show they’re gonna know they’ve been there, you know? Ha ha! The music we make is not about Christians or Muslims, straight people or gay people, black or white or any of that shit. When people are in that room together it’s just Skindred, one unity and one strength!”
Having conquered numerous countries around the world, Skindred could easily be taking a breather and resting on their laurels at this point. Instead, this most dedicated and hard-working of modern bands are preparing to launch their most exuberant assault on the world ever when Kill The Power hits the streets. Anyone that has ever seen the band live before will confirm that it is impossible not to get fired up and drawn into the joyous abandon of a Skindred show and with their greatest album to date primed and ready to explode, the best live band on the planet simply cannot fail to conquer the entire world this time round. Wherever and whoever you are, Skindred are coming. Open your ears and get your dancing feet ready…
“There’s nothing better than being on stage with these guys,” says Arya. “Skindred is my favourite band and I’m so lucky to be part of this thing we’ve created. We’ve been all over the world but there are always new places to visit and new crowds to play for. We just want to keep getting bigger and better.”
“We’re a global band. We’ve played in Colombia and India and everywhere and it’s the same energy,” Benji concludes. “I get letters from people in Hawaii and people in Turkey. It’s all the same. We resonate globally and it’s the greatest thing ever. It seems funny to us sometimes because we’re always kicking each other’s heads in and saying ‘You’re a wanker!’ to each other before we go on stage, but as soon as it’s time to play the show the oneness this band creates together and the unity we bring is unique. I’ve never experienced anything like it and we can’t wait to get back on the road and do it all again.”
Playing host to the rescheduled Foo Fighters concert at Wembley (that was cancelled after frontman Dave Grohl broke his leg falling off stage at a show in Gothenburg, Sweden), the National Bowl in Milton Keynes came alive on Sunday, September 6, 2015 with the sound of 65,000 screaming fans. Following sets from rock duo Royal Blood and the eclectic propo-punk icon Iggy Pop, the Foos knew they had to deliver. From the moment the curtain sucked into a black hole vortex to the end of the show, it was obvious it was going to be one hell of a night to remember. Debra, Karl and I had arrived relatively early for the show and, being among the first to enter the MK Bowl, were offered "Inner Pit" passes. Issued on a first-come-first-serve basis, these gave fenced-off access to the stage and were an excellent surprise. We had a great view of the day's action and I was well positioned for photographs. "All My Life" opened the two and a half hour set, with Grohl spending the entire show seated on a most gloriously over-the-top throne, designed by Grohl himself and adorned by guitar necks. It transported the front-man up and down the runway, and was in itself a crowd pleaser! I have wanted to see the Foo Fighters for about two decades - and desperate to do so since "Wasting Light"- and they did not disappoint. A shredding version of "White Limo" alone justified the ticket price, and the rest was a wonderful (and sometimes nostalgic) tour through their back-catalogue. All in all, it was a triumphant, heart-warming singalong set that showed why, for so many, the Foo Fighters have been the soundtrack to the last two decades. Here's the Foo Fighters' set list for the Milton Keynes "Broken Leg" concert.
If I was desperate to see the Foo Fighters, I was absolutely aching to see 69 year old rock legend, Iggy Pop. I narrowly missed one of his gigs in Amsterdam at the end of 1978 and, after this initial disappointment, Iggy stayed on my Bucket List through the late-80's in London, the 90's in Prague and the naughties in the UK. When he was in town, I was always travelling, had other commitments or just had bad luck (i.e. the cancellation of the Foo's concert at Wembley in June where Iggy was on the supporting bill). Well, I finally got to see James Newell Osterberg, Jr. in full, topless, action in Milton Keynes on a fine evening in September 2015! Iggy brought his old school punk snarl to the party, prompting mass singalongs to classic tunes, some of which he penned with his old mate David Bowie in Berlin in the 70's. If I'm still as active as Iggy when I'm almost 70, I'll be more than happy! He made fine use of the runway before him, skipping, kicking, twisting and turning as only Iggy can. He took a breather every now and then, but Iggy still has more energy than any new breed act you care to mention. Fucking hell - he's the man that wrote "Lust for Life"! The snot-noses in the audience didn't know what hit them :-) FYI, here's the Iggy Pop's set list for the night.
A wonderful, sunny day and balmy evening with my family, and a fine way to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of my first date with my future-wife on September 7, 1983.
Karras - Diego Janson
On the Altar Stage at Hellfest Open Air 2022 Part 1 - Day 2
15th Anniversary Edition
Clisson, France | 18/06/2022
Live report soon on MusicWaves
Philippe Bareille
Coheed and Cambria frontman Claudio Sanchez signing copies of his new comic KILL AUDIO along with co-creators Chondra Echert and Sheldon Vella at Jim Hanley's Universe in New York City, October 8, 2009. All photos by Jeffrey O. Gustafson, c) 2009. www.jhuniverse.blogspot.com
Chris L. - Frontman of "Agonoize" and Peter Hirth - Photographer Darksight-Berlin
Pic and Postwork:
Peter Hirth, Astrid Rißmann
Blog of Agonoize:
Geoff Rickly, frontman for post-hardcore group Thursday, giving the ol' windpipe and lungs a little workout.
ishootshows.com/2009/03/15/thursday-taste-of-chaos/
Lighting: Ambient backlighting, flash key/fill.
Check out the full set with larger images, along with the complete shooting notes, at ishootshows.com/.
Gary Lightbody
Snow Patrol frontman-led supergroup Tired Pony played one of three planned shows in support of their sophomore studio album release The Ghost of the Mountain at London's Barbican Hall.
Joined by R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck, Gary Lightbody brought on a host of special guests to work through a set of songs from both records with guests including R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills, Editors front man Tom Smith, Commitments singer Bronagh Gallagher as well as members of Snow Patrol and presenter Edith Bowman.
In attendance were funny man James Corden and his wife Julia Carey as well as One Direction singer Harry Styles.
Josh T. Pearson, former frontman of Lift to Experience, performing songs from his latest album Last of the Country Gentlemen at the Crossing Border Festival 2011. Crossing Border is an inspiring cultural festival based in The Hague with a unique combination of spoken word, music, special film screenings and visual arts. Over the years Crossing Border has evolved to become one of the foremost international, interdisciplinary literature and music festivals in Europe. Every edition the Crossing Border Festival presents a mix of writers, poets, musicians, filmmakers and performers. Besides renowned names from the literature and music industry, the festival focuses on artists yet to be discovered, highlighting new developments in literature and music and their interconnection with other arts.
---
In de Crossing Border-categorie 'mannen met lange baarden' mag singer-songwriter Josh T. Pearson niet ontbreken. Op de eerste dag van de afgelopen editie gaf Pearson een geconcentreerd concert in de bijzondere setting van de Duitse Kerk. Tijdens zijn lang uitgesponnen nummers kon je een speld horen vallen. Gelukkig zorgde hij tussen de nummers door voor enige luchtigheid door grapjes te maken. Hij begon daar al direct mee door zich te verontschuldigen voor het stemmen met de woorden "This first song is called Tuning". Dergelijk grapjes in combinatie met Pearsons ingetogen zang en trage gitaarspel maakten dit optreden tot één van de hoogtepunten van de eerste festivalavond.
Crossing Border behoort tot eén van de belangrijkste internationale evenementen op het gebied van muziek en literatuur in Europa. Tijdens het spraakmakende festival zoeken schrijvers, dichters, muzikanten, filmers en artiesten steeds weer naar unieke combinaties van gesproken woord, muziek, film en beeldende kunst.
English translation (sorry for any mistakes, had to do it quickly)
A photo shoot, an interview, a signing and two shows in less than 10 days. This is what you got from 30 Seconds To Mars in June. That was quite of a journey for Jared and co in Paris, ready to be one more time in touch with their favorite audience, the French.
A SPECIAL SHOW
We met Jared on June 7th in the afternoon. Good time, good mood with the frontman jocking about the lack of his facial expressions. That takes the cake for an actor! Tomo Milicevic and Shannon Leto also played the game with the photo shoot with smile and poses finely worked.
Then, it was about time to get the interview and Jared told us how excited he was about the show that was coming the following day “Playing at the Maroquinerie in Paris is a kind of flashback, a tiny venue for a big show. We've come enough in France the last two years to know how to please our audience here. We will also play the Olympia very soon...” We don't feel like to do the same thing twice, so we decided to make a very special show. There will be a lot of acoustic, surprises and unexpected stuffs!” Now, we couldn't wait but it was time to go to Saint Michel in the 5th area of Paris for a lively signing. “ Someone just twitted a pic of the queue in front of the building.” Jared interrupted: “It's raining. These people are crazy, I love them” Then, when we arrived, more than 500 meters of fans in two separate rows were waiting right in front of Gilbert Joseph store. A wild crowd wearing different martian symbols on T-shirt or skin: “Wearing the glyphics, the triad or the eagle is belonging to a family, a community. Only a few can understand and we are proud of that!" It went well, the trio went on with the signings and the fans left happy, most of them seeing each other again the following day.
UNBEARABLE HEAT
The most intimate show given by 30 Seconds To Mars in France took place in June 8th.
In a crowded Maroquinerie, the heat was unbearable and we faced an endless waiting. Surprise! There is no guest and when Jared appeared he said there was no setlist either! The frontman hadn't lied when he said it would be exceptional! It started with three brutish songs: ABL, Attack and S&D. Then, the leader went on right away with his favorite part, the acoustic session, asking the crowd which song they would want to hear. “The people who come for just one song are not a problem to us. Once, in Chicago, we didn't even play The kill and I'm not even sure someone noticed it (lol!). Now, it's getting unusual for people to listen to a full album with the Itunes focusing on songs. It's fascinating, they killed the concept of an album by selling songs. It's like buying chapters instead of books. This is quite disturbing.” Jared told us the day before. Refusing nothing to the crowd, he played B4M, Capricorn and Oblivion to an already won audience. The acoustic went on until Tomo and Shannon went back causing good turmoil. They played their favorites live songs, NOTH, K&Q and CTTE being the most exciting and tailored songs for shows as far as they are concerned. Fans were in trance, the venue hot and sweaty when came the beautiful The Kill always a pleasure to hear and to let off the steam.
When we left the venue, crying fans were not as many as most of them would meet again a week later.
PROUD TO BE AT THE OLYMPIA
The second 30 Seconds To Mars' Parisian show in 2011 took place in the mythic Olympia.
We met the band quickly on the 14th as we were walking around. We were very pleased to see the large red letters of the Olympia when we arrived on the 15th. It had surprised Tomo when we told him about it: “Really? We're gonna get our name big on the facade? That's amazing!” Jared told us how proud he was to play in such a venue. “ We are both excited and proud. We wanted to tell our audience how grateful we are and to savor the luck to play in such a place. Anyway, no matter the size or the fame of the venue. Whether we play in a Bercy or in a bar, we give the best of us!!” Once more the pit was crowded and idem for the seating area surrounded with the Echelon and their banners. This time, there is a guest, CB7. A Canadian band, produced by Shannon Leto. Showing quickly that they know how to rise the temperature of the place. An excellent stage performance, a proper sound and calibrated. After an interesting performance that everyone appreciated, enter 30 Seconds To Mars. A background curtain fell on the beginning of Escape, and a huge triad appeared on Shannon and Tomo's arrival.
AS THE DEVIL
Then, the lights went down as Jared sang the first words of the NOTH backstage before hitting the stage in a piercing scream. As usual, the frontman followed on with the songs, interacting ceaselessly with the crowd and having them singing the choruses and choirs, standing still only to scream “I'M HOT”. A tiny dancing performance and a few marvelous ideas later, Jared asked a disguised devil echelon to join him on stage before the acoustic session. A bit shorter than the one at the Maroquinerie at fans' regret who love that part of the show. But Shannon acoustic break was very agreeable. “It creates an even more deeper intimacy than the rest of the show. Spreading our message even better.” He told us a week earlier. This time, only FY, Revenge and Hurricane were played on the acoustic guitar. Then, the lights were turned off, a moment for the exhausted and moved fans to take a breath to pursue with The Kill, CTTE and K&Q which would finally make the whole crowd wild with the echelon picked up by Jared to join the band on stage and lead to frantic security evacuation because of an unbearable heat.
The end of the show wasn't a surprise but went wild, showing once more that 30 Seconds To Mars know how to inflame an audience. The biggest surprise was the announcement of a French tour in November 2011 in Paris, Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lille, Amneville, Lyon, Montpellier and Marseille. Didn't they say they like our country!
Playing host to the rescheduled Foo Fighters concert at Wembley (that was cancelled after frontman Dave Grohl broke his leg falling off stage at a show in Gothenburg, Sweden), the National Bowl in Milton Keynes came alive on Sunday, September 6, 2015 with the sound of 65,000 screaming fans. Following sets from rock duo Royal Blood and the eclectic propo-punk icon Iggy Pop, the Foos knew they had to deliver. From the moment the curtain sucked into a black hole vortex to the end of the show, it was obvious it was going to be one hell of a night to remember. Debra, Karl and I had arrived relatively early for the show and, being among the first to enter the MK Bowl, were offered "Inner Pit" passes. Issued on a first-come-first-serve basis, these gave fenced-off access to the stage and were an excellent surprise. We had a great view of the day's action and I was well positioned for photographs. "All My Life" opened the two and a half hour set, with Grohl spending the entire show seated on a most gloriously over-the-top throne, designed by Grohl himself and adorned by guitar necks. It transported the front-man up and down the runway, and was in itself a crowd pleaser! I have wanted to see the Foo Fighters for about two decades - and desperate to do so since "Wasting Light"- and they did not disappoint. A shredding version of "White Limo" alone justified the ticket price, and the rest was a wonderful (and sometimes nostalgic) tour through their back-catalogue. All in all, it was a triumphant, heart-warming singalong set that showed why, for so many, the Foo Fighters have been the soundtrack to the last two decades. Here's the Foo Fighters' set list for the Milton Keynes "Broken Leg" concert.
If I was desperate to see the Foo Fighters, I was absolutely aching to see 69 year old rock legend, Iggy Pop. I narrowly missed one of his gigs in Amsterdam at the end of 1978 and, after this initial disappointment, Iggy stayed on my Bucket List through the late-80's in London, the 90's in Prague and the naughties in the UK. When he was in town, I was always travelling, had other commitments or just had bad luck (i.e. the cancellation of the Foo's concert at Wembley in June where Iggy was on the supporting bill). Well, I finally got to see James Newell Osterberg, Jr. in full, topless, action in Milton Keynes on a fine evening in September 2015! Iggy brought his old school punk snarl to the party, prompting mass singalongs to classic tunes, some of which he penned with his old mate David Bowie in Berlin in the 70's. If I'm still as active as Iggy when I'm almost 70, I'll be more than happy! He made fine use of the runway before him, skipping, kicking, twisting and turning as only Iggy can. He took a breather every now and then, but Iggy still has more energy than any new breed act you care to mention. Fucking hell - he's the man that wrote "Lust for Life"! The snot-noses in the audience didn't know what hit them :-) FYI, here's the Iggy Pop's set list for the night.
A wonderful, sunny day and balmy evening with my family, and a fine way to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of my first date with my future-wife on September 7, 1983.
BAP KENNEDY BAND
IRLANDA/USA
Per molti cantautori del pianeta, l’idea di collaborare con Mark Knopfler resterebbe nel campo della fantasia. Ma per Bap Kennedy si tratta solo dell’ultimo anello di una lunga catena di progetti con personaggi di alto profilo, leggende musicali degne del massimo rispetto. Per un uomo che ha lavorato con Steve Earle e Van Morrison, giusto per fare qualche nome, l’offerta di registrare un disco nello studio privato del frontman dei Dire Straits è stata un’ulteriore pietra miliare. The Sailor's Revenge, l’album scritto da Kennedy e prodotto da Knopfler mostra una capacità compositiva che cresce ad ogni ascolto, grazie anche, e non poteva essere diversamente, all’inconfondibile, deliziosa chitarra di Knopfler e alla sua produzione a tutto campo.
Il primo contatto di Bap con l’industria discografica è in qualità di chitarra ritmica, voce e scrittura dei pezzi per i rockers di Belfast Energy Orchard, con cui registra cinque album. Quando la band lascia Belfast, diventerà una delle leggende della scena live londinese.
Ed è proprio mentre è negli Energy Orchard che Kennedy si trova a collaborare col compatriota Van Morrison, che dà al gruppo la possibilità di aprire i suoi concerti nei tumultuosi tour tra Europa e Stati Uniti.
Allo scioglimento degli Energy Orchard, Bap ha poco tempo per riposarsi, visto che la superstar del country alternativo, e loro fan di lunga data, Steve Earle, lo contatta subito proponendosi quale produttore del suo primo album. Kennedy è ovviamente d’accordo e ben presto si trova su un aereo per Nashville, Tennessee, dove registra Domestic Blues. Earle parla di Bap come “Il miglior compositore di canzoni che abbia mai sentito”, e nel disco appaiono molti nomi di primo piano della scena di Nashville, tra cui Jerry Douglas, Peter Rowan e Nanci Griffith.
L’album è un successo, tra i primi dieci nella classifica “Americana” di Billboard. La canzone di Kennedy Vampire entrerà nella colonna sonora della pellicola hollywoodiana Conta su di me – che si aggiudica due premi al prestigioso Sundance Film Festival e riceve due nomination per gli Oscar – mentre tre canzoni dell’album saranno utilizzate per il classico cult Southie.
Il successivo Lonely Street è un progetto artistico basato su, e dedicato a due eroi musicali dell’infanzia di Bap: Hank Williams e Elvis Presley. Musica per amore della musica, che si riflette nelle risposte positive che arrivano dai critici di importanti riviste come Q e Mojo. Ancora una volta, il lavoro di Kennedy trova posto in una colonna sonora di Hollywood, con la ballata Moonlight Kiss, in una delle scene chiave di Serendipity (con gli attori John Cusack e Kate Beckinsale).
The Big Picture segna il ritorno alla collaborazione con Van Morrison, entusiasta di Kennedy sin dai tempi degli Energy Orchard. Il disco è registrato infatti nello studio dello stesso Morrison, e contiene un pezzo scritto da tutt’e due: Milky Way. Ospite alle voci Shane Magowan dei Pogues, nella canzone On the Mighty Ocean Alcohol, e un reading da Carolyn Cassady, una delle figure di spicco della generazione beat degli scrittori americani, alla fine del bellissimo Moriarty’s Blues. Ancora eccellenti recensioni di Mojo e altre riviste, a conferma della reputazione di Kennedy che cresce ad ogni sua uscita discografica.
Il tempo che segue la pubblicazione di The Big Picture segna profondi cambiamenti nella personalità dell’artista, sia a livello professionale che di vita.
Comincia a collaborare con Mark Knopfler, e appare come ospite nei suoi tour negli Stati Uniti e in Europa, tra cui cinque serate alla Royal Albert Hall. È in questo periodo che Kennedy incontra la futura moglie, Brenda Boyd, anche lei artista e cantautrice che ha scritto numerosi libri sull’autismo e la sindrome di Asperger. Bap ha prodotto l’album di Brenda Banish the Blue Days.
For Howl On, del 2009, vede Bap registrare nella nativa Irlanda del Nord per la prima volta nella sua carriera solista e, come in Lonely Street, ritorna a scrivere una serie di canzoni su un soggetto che lo ha affascinato da quando era bambino. Questa volta si tratta di uno sguardo all’amore giovanile per tutto ciò che è americano, come la storia dell’atterraggio sulla luna, non ritratta dal punto di vista tecnologico ma come momento nelle vite delle persone reali che hanno lavorato al programma Apollo. È questa una raccolta di vicende umane legate appunto dalla storia dell’Apollo, di cui Kennedy ci parla meravigliosamente.
Seguono tour di successo nel Regno Unito e in Europa, culminanti con la memorabile performance al festival di Glastonbury. Bap continua il suo tour aggiungendo ulteriori date, tra cui il rinomato Belfast/Nashville festival e, in America, l’altrettanto prestigioso South by Southwest festival. Bap ha l’onore di diventare in questi giorni padrino di Autism NI, in cui è coinvolto tramite la moglie Brenda.
The Sailor’s Revenge vede Kennedy proporre una scrittura matura e sofisticata, impreziosita dal riconoscibilissimo lavoro chitarristico di Mark Knopfler, che ne è anche produttore, e da musicisti di studio di alta qualità come Jerry Douglas e Glenn Worf.
Formazione:
BAP KENNEDY – chitarra acustica e voce solista
GORDY McALLISTER – chitarra acustica
BRENDA KENNEDY – basso e voce
MATTHEW WEIR – batteria
Discografia:
- Domestic Blues, 1998
- Hillbilly Shakespeare, 1999
- Lonely Street, 2000
- Rare Live & Bladdered, 2000
- Long Time a Comin’ The Story so Far, 2002
- Moriarty’s Blues EP, 2005
- The Big Picture, 2005
- Howl On, 2009
- Moriarty’s Blues (doppio EP), 2010
- The Sailor’s revenge, 2012
Macabre t-shirt of Kurt Cobain, legendary Nirvana frontman and 90s generation x grunge icon. Nirvana found breakthrough success with the single Smells Like Teen Spirit from the bands second album Nevermind, which has gone on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide.
Cobain is remembered as one of the most iconic rock musicians in the history of alternative music, while Nevermind is widely regarded as one of the best albums of all time.
www.plastic-society.com/nirvana-kurt-cobain-rare-90s-prin...
Playing host to the rescheduled Foo Fighters concert at Wembley (that was cancelled after frontman Dave Grohl broke his leg falling off stage at a show in Gothenburg, Sweden), the National Bowl in Milton Keynes came alive on Sunday, September 6, 2015 with the sound of 65,000 screaming fans. Following sets from rock duo Royal Blood and the eclectic propo-punk icon Iggy Pop, the Foos knew they had to deliver. From the moment the curtain sucked into a black hole vortex to the end of the show, it was obvious it was going to be one hell of a night to remember. Debra, Karl and I had arrived relatively early for the show and, being among the first to enter the MK Bowl, were offered "Inner Pit" passes. Issued on a first-come-first-serve basis, these gave fenced-off access to the stage and were an excellent surprise. We had a great view of the day's action and I was well positioned for photographs. "All My Life" opened the two and a half hour set, with Grohl spending the entire show seated on a most gloriously over-the-top throne, designed by Grohl himself and adorned by guitar necks. It transported the front-man up and down the runway, and was in itself a crowd pleaser! I have wanted to see the Foo Fighters for about two decades - and desperate to do so since "Wasting Light"- and they did not disappoint. A shredding version of "White Limo" alone justified the ticket price, and the rest was a wonderful (and sometimes nostalgic) tour through their back-catalogue. All in all, it was a triumphant, heart-warming singalong set that showed why, for so many, the Foo Fighters have been the soundtrack to the last two decades. Here's the Foo Fighters' set list for the Milton Keynes "Broken Leg" concert.
If I was desperate to see the Foo Fighters, I was absolutely aching to see 69 year old rock legend, Iggy Pop. I narrowly missed one of his gigs in Amsterdam at the end of 1978 and, after this initial disappointment, Iggy stayed on my Bucket List through the late-80's in London, the 90's in Prague and the naughties in the UK. When he was in town, I was always travelling, had other commitments or just had bad luck (i.e. the cancellation of the Foo's concert at Wembley in June where Iggy was on the supporting bill). Well, I finally got to see James Newell Osterberg, Jr. in full, topless, action in Milton Keynes on a fine evening in September 2015! Iggy brought his old school punk snarl to the party, prompting mass singalongs to classic tunes, some of which he penned with his old mate David Bowie in Berlin in the 70's. If I'm still as active as Iggy when I'm almost 70, I'll be more than happy! He made fine use of the runway before him, skipping, kicking, twisting and turning as only Iggy can. He took a breather every now and then, but Iggy still has more energy than any new breed act you care to mention. Fucking hell - he's the man that wrote "Lust for Life"! The snot-noses in the audience didn't know what hit them :-) FYI, here's the Iggy Pop's set list for the night.
A wonderful, sunny day and balmy evening with my family, and a fine way to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of my first date with my future-wife on September 7, 1983.
BAP KENNEDY BAND
IRLANDA/USA
Per molti cantautori del pianeta, l’idea di collaborare con Mark Knopfler resterebbe nel campo della fantasia. Ma per Bap Kennedy si tratta solo dell’ultimo anello di una lunga catena di progetti con personaggi di alto profilo, leggende musicali degne del massimo rispetto. Per un uomo che ha lavorato con Steve Earle e Van Morrison, giusto per fare qualche nome, l’offerta di registrare un disco nello studio privato del frontman dei Dire Straits è stata un’ulteriore pietra miliare. The Sailor's Revenge, l’album scritto da Kennedy e prodotto da Knopfler mostra una capacità compositiva che cresce ad ogni ascolto, grazie anche, e non poteva essere diversamente, all’inconfondibile, deliziosa chitarra di Knopfler e alla sua produzione a tutto campo.
Il primo contatto di Bap con l’industria discografica è in qualità di chitarra ritmica, voce e scrittura dei pezzi per i rockers di Belfast Energy Orchard, con cui registra cinque album. Quando la band lascia Belfast, diventerà una delle leggende della scena live londinese.
Ed è proprio mentre è negli Energy Orchard che Kennedy si trova a collaborare col compatriota Van Morrison, che dà al gruppo la possibilità di aprire i suoi concerti nei tumultuosi tour tra Europa e Stati Uniti.
Allo scioglimento degli Energy Orchard, Bap ha poco tempo per riposarsi, visto che la superstar del country alternativo, e loro fan di lunga data, Steve Earle, lo contatta subito proponendosi quale produttore del suo primo album. Kennedy è ovviamente d’accordo e ben presto si trova su un aereo per Nashville, Tennessee, dove registra Domestic Blues. Earle parla di Bap come “Il miglior compositore di canzoni che abbia mai sentito”, e nel disco appaiono molti nomi di primo piano della scena di Nashville, tra cui Jerry Douglas, Peter Rowan e Nanci Griffith.
L’album è un successo, tra i primi dieci nella classifica “Americana” di Billboard. La canzone di Kennedy Vampire entrerà nella colonna sonora della pellicola hollywoodiana Conta su di me – che si aggiudica due premi al prestigioso Sundance Film Festival e riceve due nomination per gli Oscar – mentre tre canzoni dell’album saranno utilizzate per il classico cult Southie.
Il successivo Lonely Street è un progetto artistico basato su, e dedicato a due eroi musicali dell’infanzia di Bap: Hank Williams e Elvis Presley. Musica per amore della musica, che si riflette nelle risposte positive che arrivano dai critici di importanti riviste come Q e Mojo. Ancora una volta, il lavoro di Kennedy trova posto in una colonna sonora di Hollywood, con la ballata Moonlight Kiss, in una delle scene chiave di Serendipity (con gli attori John Cusack e Kate Beckinsale).
The Big Picture segna il ritorno alla collaborazione con Van Morrison, entusiasta di Kennedy sin dai tempi degli Energy Orchard. Il disco è registrato infatti nello studio dello stesso Morrison, e contiene un pezzo scritto da tutt’e due: Milky Way. Ospite alle voci Shane Magowan dei Pogues, nella canzone On the Mighty Ocean Alcohol, e un reading da Carolyn Cassady, una delle figure di spicco della generazione beat degli scrittori americani, alla fine del bellissimo Moriarty’s Blues. Ancora eccellenti recensioni di Mojo e altre riviste, a conferma della reputazione di Kennedy che cresce ad ogni sua uscita discografica.
Il tempo che segue la pubblicazione di The Big Picture segna profondi cambiamenti nella personalità dell’artista, sia a livello professionale che di vita.
Comincia a collaborare con Mark Knopfler, e appare come ospite nei suoi tour negli Stati Uniti e in Europa, tra cui cinque serate alla Royal Albert Hall. È in questo periodo che Kennedy incontra la futura moglie, Brenda Boyd, anche lei artista e cantautrice che ha scritto numerosi libri sull’autismo e la sindrome di Asperger. Bap ha prodotto l’album di Brenda Banish the Blue Days.
For Howl On, del 2009, vede Bap registrare nella nativa Irlanda del Nord per la prima volta nella sua carriera solista e, come in Lonely Street, ritorna a scrivere una serie di canzoni su un soggetto che lo ha affascinato da quando era bambino. Questa volta si tratta di uno sguardo all’amore giovanile per tutto ciò che è americano, come la storia dell’atterraggio sulla luna, non ritratta dal punto di vista tecnologico ma come momento nelle vite delle persone reali che hanno lavorato al programma Apollo. È questa una raccolta di vicende umane legate appunto dalla storia dell’Apollo, di cui Kennedy ci parla meravigliosamente.
Seguono tour di successo nel Regno Unito e in Europa, culminanti con la memorabile performance al festival di Glastonbury. Bap continua il suo tour aggiungendo ulteriori date, tra cui il rinomato Belfast/Nashville festival e, in America, l’altrettanto prestigioso South by Southwest festival. Bap ha l’onore di diventare in questi giorni padrino di Autism NI, in cui è coinvolto tramite la moglie Brenda.
The Sailor’s Revenge vede Kennedy proporre una scrittura matura e sofisticata, impreziosita dal riconoscibilissimo lavoro chitarristico di Mark Knopfler, che ne è anche produttore, e da musicisti di studio di alta qualità come Jerry Douglas e Glenn Worf.
Formazione:
BAP KENNEDY – chitarra acustica e voce solista
GORDY McALLISTER – chitarra acustica
BRENDA KENNEDY – basso e voce
MATTHEW WEIR – batteria
Discografia:
- Domestic Blues, 1998
- Hillbilly Shakespeare, 1999
- Lonely Street, 2000
- Rare Live & Bladdered, 2000
- Long Time a Comin’ The Story so Far, 2002
- Moriarty’s Blues EP, 2005
- The Big Picture, 2005
- Howl On, 2009
- Moriarty’s Blues (doppio EP), 2010
- The Sailor’s revenge, 2012
Witchery - Angus Norder
On the Temple Stage at Hellfest Open Air 2022 Part 2 - Day 2
15th Anniversary Edition
Clisson, France | 24/06/2022
Live report soon on MusicWaves
Philippe Bareille
Airbourne - Joel O'Keeffe
On the Main Stage at Hellfest Open Air 2022 Part 2 - Day 3
15th Anniversary Edition
Clisson, France | 25/06/2022
Live report soon on MusicWaves
Philippe Bareille
Blues Rock Psychedelic Shredmeister/ Glam Punk Sleaze Rock Frontman Bernie Tormé
Help a Guitar Legend Create his First Solo Album for 15 Years!
Own the 1964 Fender Stratocaster That Ozzy Gave Bernie for £66,600 !
Irish guitarist Bernie Tormé is literally a living legend, having played for Ozzy Osbourne and Ian Gillan amongst others. The
next step of his saga is a new Pledge Music campaign offering a multitude of awesomeness, aimed at keeping connected
with fans whist enabling him to record his first solo album for 15 years – plus raising money for charity along the way.
It has been said of Irish guitarist Bernie Tormé that he plays his Stratocaster through a Marshall as though he knew them in
a previous life. However, it’s this life that Bernie loves, and he is more excited than ever to announce he is writing this new
album – and he asks if you want to be a part of getting it recorded and released without record labels: Direct from him, to
you.
And what a life. Bernie’s career includes axing for Ozzy Osbourne, after stepping in & saving the day in the aftermath of
another legends tragic death - the one and only Randy Rhoad's. He was an integral part of ex-Deep Purple frontman Ian
Gillan’s massive world-touring band Gillan – with whom he wrote and played on four top ten albums and many hits,
including the biggest selling singles, 'New Orleans' and 'Trouble'. He formed Desperado with Twisted Sister front man Dee
Snider, which also featured ex-Iron Maiden drummer, the great late Clive Burr. He played alongside celebrated keyboard
player Vincent Crane (ex-The Crazy World of Arthur Brown) as a member of psychedelic doom rockers Atomic Rooster. He
has constantly performed with his own bands as well, including Electric Gypsies and Torme, bands that have rocked and
released hit records all over the world.
That said, now is the time for something new. It’s time to cut out the middle-men, say goodbye to red-tape and labels –
and just deliver, one song after another, on a new record planned for release after completion of the pledge campaign in 3
months time. With 10% of all money raised going to Teenage Cancer Trust, there are some truly unique things on offer,
including guitar lessons with the man himself; his original stage jacket seen in the album cover to Gillan’s ‘Mr Universe’;
personal acoustic gigs in your home; the chance to perform onstage during an encore at a show – and, best of all, the
original lake placid blue 1964 Fender Stratocaster given to Bernie by the one and only Ozzy Osbourne is up for grabs at the
more-metal-than-metal price of £66,600. Bernie would like to invite you along for the ride:
“I hope you become part of this album and pledge, and if so I thank you for your generosity and for your continued support
over so many years - and thank you from my heart for enabling me to do the thing I love most, to make music for you”.
Visit the Pledge Music project page to see what’s on offer and get involved:
www.pledgemusic.com/projects/bernietorme
See more of what Bernie has to say on the accompanying pledge video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCP30J0cwLk
See guitar legend Bernie Torme on tour:
15th Oct Leamington Spa Zephyr Lounge
16th Oct Wolverhampton Robin 2
17th Oct York Fibbers
18th Oct Great Yarmouth Legends of Rock – The Originals
22nd Oct Brighton The Albert
24th Oct Dorchester Corn Exchange
29th Oct London Borderline
30th Oct Manchester Academy 3
31st Oct Kinross Backstage
01st Nov Newcastle The Cluny
13th Nov Troon South Beach Sessions
14th Nov Aberdeen The Moorings
15th Nov Edinburgh Bannermans
For all press enquiries i, contact anthony@iaatouring.com
Playing host to the rescheduled Foo Fighters concert at Wembley (that was cancelled after frontman Dave Grohl broke his leg falling off stage at a show in Gothenburg, Sweden), the National Bowl in Milton Keynes came alive on Sunday, September 6, 2015 with the sound of 65,000 screaming fans. Following sets from rock duo Royal Blood and the eclectic propo-punk icon Iggy Pop, the Foos knew they had to deliver. From the moment the curtain sucked into a black hole vortex to the end of the show, it was obvious it was going to be one hell of a night to remember. Debra, Karl and I had arrived relatively early for the show and, being among the first to enter the MK Bowl, were offered "Inner Pit" passes. Issued on a first-come-first-serve basis, these gave fenced-off access to the stage and were an excellent surprise. We had a great view of the day's action and I was well positioned for photographs. "All My Life" opened the two and a half hour set, with Grohl spending the entire show seated on a most gloriously over-the-top throne, designed by Grohl himself and adorned by guitar necks. It transported the front-man up and down the runway, and was in itself a crowd pleaser! I have wanted to see the Foo Fighters for about two decades - and desperate to do so since "Wasting Light"- and they did not disappoint. A shredding version of "White Limo" alone justified the ticket price, and the rest was a wonderful (and sometimes nostalgic) tour through their back-catalogue. All in all, it was a triumphant, heart-warming singalong set that showed why, for so many, the Foo Fighters have been the soundtrack to the last two decades. Here's the Foo Fighters' set list for the Milton Keynes "Broken Leg" concert.
If I was desperate to see the Foo Fighters, I was absolutely aching to see 69 year old rock legend, Iggy Pop. I narrowly missed one of his gigs in Amsterdam at the end of 1978 and, after this initial disappointment, Iggy stayed on my Bucket List through the late-80's in London, the 90's in Prague and the naughties in the UK. When he was in town, I was always travelling, had other commitments or just had bad luck (i.e. the cancellation of the Foo's concert at Wembley in June where Iggy was on the supporting bill). Well, I finally got to see James Newell Osterberg, Jr. in full, topless, action in Milton Keynes on a fine evening in September 2015! Iggy brought his old school punk snarl to the party, prompting mass singalongs to classic tunes, some of which he penned with his old mate David Bowie in Berlin in the 70's. If I'm still as active as Iggy when I'm almost 70, I'll be more than happy! He made fine use of the runway before him, skipping, kicking, twisting and turning as only Iggy can. He took a breather every now and then, but Iggy still has more energy than any new breed act you care to mention. Fucking hell - he's the man that wrote "Lust for Life"! The snot-noses in the audience didn't know what hit them :-) FYI, here's the Iggy Pop's set list for the night.
A wonderful, sunny day and balmy evening with my family, and a fine way to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of my first date with my future-wife on September 7, 1983.
Tirthankar (2blue) is the frontman of Mumbai based Rock band 'Zedde' which was voted as best band at the ArtistAloud.com Awards in 2010. He loves music more than anything in the world.
He is known for his previous live performances with his ex-band 'Vayu.'
Today, 2blue is one of the most sought after and entertaining vocalists in the city's gig circuit.
Photo was shot at 'Kino 108' in Andheri.
This image was shot as a part of the Music Special series on #TAD365, powered by ArtistAloud.com.
To know more visit:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/artistaloud
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/artistaloud
Website: www.artistaloud.com
Mobile: m.artistaloud.com
Chris Bowsher, frontman of RDF (Radical Dance Faction) playing at the Reading Reunion Gig at The Facebar, Saturday 20th October 2012.
This was a gig arranged by an old promoter from Reading who brought together 4 bands who performed in the Reading area between 1985 & 1995. One of the bands (Lucid) hadn't played together since 1995 and reformed for one night to play the gig! (and they were good too!)
RDF - www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqTLPLcZLjA&feature=relmfu
RDF (Radical Dance Faction) - www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R8k2kmRiSk&list=UL
Pressgang - www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HazSr8-DSM&feature=plcp
Lucid - www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDlGnJ2e3AY&feature=BFa&l...
English translation (sorry for any mistakes, had to do it quickly)
A photo shoot, an interview, a signing and two shows in less than 10 days. This is what you got from 30 Seconds To Mars in June. That was quite of a journey for Jared and co in Paris, ready to be one more time in touch with their favorite audience, the French.
A SPECIAL SHOW
We met Jared on June 7th in the afternoon. Good time, good mood with the frontman jocking about the lack of his facial expressions. That takes the cake for an actor! Tomo Milicevic and Shannon Leto also played the game with the photo shoot with smile and poses finely worked.
Then, it was about time to get the interview and Jared told us how excited he was about the show that was coming the following day “Playing at the Maroquinerie in Paris is a kind of flashback, a tiny venue for a big show. We've come enough in France the last two years to know how to please our audience here. We will also play the Olympia very soon...” We don't feel like to do the same thing twice, so we decided to make a very special show. There will be a lot of acoustic, surprises and unexpected stuffs!” Now, we couldn't wait but it was time to go to Saint Michel in the 5th area of Paris for a lively signing. “ Someone just twitted a pic of the queue in front of the building.” Jared interrupted: “It's raining. These people are crazy, I love them” Then, when we arrived, more than 500 meters of fans in two separate rows were waiting right in front of Gilbert Joseph store. A wild crowd wearing different martian symbols on T-shirt or skin: “Wearing the glyphics, the triad or the eagle is belonging to a family, a community. Only a few can understand and we are proud of that! It went well, the trio went on with the signings and the fans left happy, most of them seeing each other again the following day.
UNBEARABLE HEAT
The most intimate show given by 30 Seconds To Mars in France took place in June 8th.
In a crowded Maroquinerie, the heat was unbearable and we faced an endless waiting. Surprise! There is no guest and when Jared appeared he said there was no setlist either! The frontman hadn't lied when he said it would be exceptional! It started with three brutish songs: ABL, Attack and S&D. Then, the leader went on right away with his favorite part, the acoustic session, asking the crowd which song they would want to hear. “The people who come for just one song are not a problem to us. Once, in Chicago, we didn't even play The kill and I'm not even sure someone noticed it (lol!). Now, it's getting unusual for people to listen to a full album with the Itunes focusing on songs. It's fascinating, they killed the concept of an album by selling songs. It's like buying chapters instead of books. This is quite disturbing.” Jared told us the day before. Refusing nothing to the crowd, he played B4M, Capricorn and Oblivion to an already won audience. The acoustic went on until Tomo and Shannon went back causing good turmoil. They played their favorites live songs, NOTH, K&Q and CTTE being the most exciting and tailored songs for shows as far as they are concerned. Fans were in trance, the venue hot and sweaty when came the beautiful The Kill always a pleasure to hear and to let off the steam.
When we left the venue, crying fans were not as many as most of them would meet again a week later.
PROUD TO BE AT THE OLYMPIA
The second 30 Seconds To Mars' Parisian show in 2011 took place in the mythic Olympia.
We met the band quickly on the 14th as we were walking around. We were very pleased to see the large red letters of the Olympia when we arrived on the 15th. It had surprised Tomo when we told him about it: “Really? We're gonna get our name big on the facade? That's amazing!” Jared told us how proud he was to play in such a venue. “ We are both excited and proud. We wanted to tell our audience how grateful we are and to savor the luck to play in such a place. Anyway, no matter the size or the fame of the venue. Whether we play in a Bercy or in a bar, we give the best of us!!” Once more the pit was crowded and idem for the seating area surrounded with the Echelon and their banners. This time, there is a guest, CB7. A Canadian band, produced by Shannon Leto. Showing quickly that they know how to rise the temperature of the place. An excellent stage performance, a proper sound and calibrated. After an interesting performance that everyone appreciated, enter 30 Seconds To Mars. A background curtain fell on the beginning of Escape, and a huge triad appeared on Shannon and Tomo's arrival.
AS THE DEVIL
Then, the lights went down as Jared sang the first words of the NOTH backstage before hitting the stage in a piercing scream. As usual, the frontman followed on with the songs, interacting ceaselessly with the crowd and having them singing the choruses and choirs, standing still only to scream “I'M HOT”. A tiny dancing performance and a few marvelous ideas later, Jared asked a disguised devil echelon to join him on stage before the acoustic session. A bit shorter than the one at the Maroquinerie at fans' regret who love that part of the show. But Shannon acoustic break was very agreeable. “It creates an even more deeper intimacy than the rest of the show. Spreading our message even better.” He told us a week earlier. This time, only FY, Revenge and Hurricane were played on the acoustic guitar. Then, the lights were turned off, a moment for the exhausted and moved fans to take a breath to pursue with The Kill, CTTE and K&Q which would finally make the whole crowd wild with the echelon picked up by Jared to join the band on stage and lead to frantic security evacuation because of an unbearable heat.
The end of the show wasn't a surprise but went wild, showing once more that 30 Seconds To Mars know how to inflame an audience. The biggest surprise was the announcement of a French tour in November 2011 in Paris, Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lille, Amneville, Lyon, Montpellier and Marseille. Didn't they say they like our country!
Kele is literally embraced by his audience.
Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke performing at Village Underground. His first London gig as part of a tour to promote his solo album, 'The Boxer'. 6th July, 2010.
Review and more pics here: www.thelineofbestfit.com/2010/07/kele-village-underground...
This image is © 2010 Steve Asenjo. All rights reserved. No reproduction without prior written permission.
NoGoD has been active in the Japanese music scene (and the European/international as well) for nearly 10 years.
Formed by frontman Dancho in 2005, and have performed with the same members since 2006. They have been active internationally in Asia since 2010, and are now ready to conquer Europe in the same way: through their music.
Their core message that “if a person believes in one core element, said element can become their own personal God. The band is striving to become just that.” NoGoD wants to be your God (in the sense of a core element).
A few other things the band is famous for are guitarist Kyrie’s special 7 string guitar technique, something a lot of guitarists strive to aspire to themselves.
And vocalist Dancho’s comical interaction with the audience when on stage, adding to the fun of the performance as well as displaying their love for lives and music.
Theological and philosophical principles behind the band aside they are of course most famous for their shironuri make-up, visual kei, looks and of course their music itself!
Whilst the band is known for it’s heavy (metal) style sounds, that remain quite catchy to the listener’s ear.
To achieve their own particular style they weaved in influences from J-rock, J-pop and of course the genre they are best known for: metal.
What is certain is that this band offers musical attractions to fans of many different genres, not just the visual kei or metal ones. They’re a great band that genuinely wants to build a solid fan base on the European market with their music and excellent instrumental technique.
So if you are visiting Japan Expo on Saturday the 5th or Sunday the 6th of July, make sure to check out NoGoD on their stage!
The times are not out yet, but keep your eye on the program so you don’t miss them!
Want to know more about NoGoD?
Members:
Dancho: vocals
Kyrie: guitar
Shinno: guitar
Karin: bass
K: drums
Make sure to follow them on twitter if you’re on that social medium, because the band is sure to announce more about their gigs in Europe. And who knows, maybe you’ll get the chance to speak to them this way before!
BAP KENNEDY BAND
IRLANDA/USA
Per molti cantautori del pianeta, l’idea di collaborare con Mark Knopfler resterebbe nel campo della fantasia. Ma per Bap Kennedy si tratta solo dell’ultimo anello di una lunga catena di progetti con personaggi di alto profilo, leggende musicali degne del massimo rispetto. Per un uomo che ha lavorato con Steve Earle e Van Morrison, giusto per fare qualche nome, l’offerta di registrare un disco nello studio privato del frontman dei Dire Straits è stata un’ulteriore pietra miliare. The Sailor's Revenge, l’album scritto da Kennedy e prodotto da Knopfler mostra una capacità compositiva che cresce ad ogni ascolto, grazie anche, e non poteva essere diversamente, all’inconfondibile, deliziosa chitarra di Knopfler e alla sua produzione a tutto campo.
Il primo contatto di Bap con l’industria discografica è in qualità di chitarra ritmica, voce e scrittura dei pezzi per i rockers di Belfast Energy Orchard, con cui registra cinque album. Quando la band lascia Belfast, diventerà una delle leggende della scena live londinese.
Ed è proprio mentre è negli Energy Orchard che Kennedy si trova a collaborare col compatriota Van Morrison, che dà al gruppo la possibilità di aprire i suoi concerti nei tumultuosi tour tra Europa e Stati Uniti.
Allo scioglimento degli Energy Orchard, Bap ha poco tempo per riposarsi, visto che la superstar del country alternativo, e loro fan di lunga data, Steve Earle, lo contatta subito proponendosi quale produttore del suo primo album. Kennedy è ovviamente d’accordo e ben presto si trova su un aereo per Nashville, Tennessee, dove registra Domestic Blues. Earle parla di Bap come “Il miglior compositore di canzoni che abbia mai sentito”, e nel disco appaiono molti nomi di primo piano della scena di Nashville, tra cui Jerry Douglas, Peter Rowan e Nanci Griffith.
L’album è un successo, tra i primi dieci nella classifica “Americana” di Billboard. La canzone di Kennedy Vampire entrerà nella colonna sonora della pellicola hollywoodiana Conta su di me – che si aggiudica due premi al prestigioso Sundance Film Festival e riceve due nomination per gli Oscar – mentre tre canzoni dell’album saranno utilizzate per il classico cult Southie.
Il successivo Lonely Street è un progetto artistico basato su, e dedicato a due eroi musicali dell’infanzia di Bap: Hank Williams e Elvis Presley. Musica per amore della musica, che si riflette nelle risposte positive che arrivano dai critici di importanti riviste come Q e Mojo. Ancora una volta, il lavoro di Kennedy trova posto in una colonna sonora di Hollywood, con la ballata Moonlight Kiss, in una delle scene chiave di Serendipity (con gli attori John Cusack e Kate Beckinsale).
The Big Picture segna il ritorno alla collaborazione con Van Morrison, entusiasta di Kennedy sin dai tempi degli Energy Orchard. Il disco è registrato infatti nello studio dello stesso Morrison, e contiene un pezzo scritto da tutt’e due: Milky Way. Ospite alle voci Shane Magowan dei Pogues, nella canzone On the Mighty Ocean Alcohol, e un reading da Carolyn Cassady, una delle figure di spicco della generazione beat degli scrittori americani, alla fine del bellissimo Moriarty’s Blues. Ancora eccellenti recensioni di Mojo e altre riviste, a conferma della reputazione di Kennedy che cresce ad ogni sua uscita discografica.
Il tempo che segue la pubblicazione di The Big Picture segna profondi cambiamenti nella personalità dell’artista, sia a livello professionale che di vita.
Comincia a collaborare con Mark Knopfler, e appare come ospite nei suoi tour negli Stati Uniti e in Europa, tra cui cinque serate alla Royal Albert Hall. È in questo periodo che Kennedy incontra la futura moglie, Brenda Boyd, anche lei artista e cantautrice che ha scritto numerosi libri sull’autismo e la sindrome di Asperger. Bap ha prodotto l’album di Brenda Banish the Blue Days.
For Howl On, del 2009, vede Bap registrare nella nativa Irlanda del Nord per la prima volta nella sua carriera solista e, come in Lonely Street, ritorna a scrivere una serie di canzoni su un soggetto che lo ha affascinato da quando era bambino. Questa volta si tratta di uno sguardo all’amore giovanile per tutto ciò che è americano, come la storia dell’atterraggio sulla luna, non ritratta dal punto di vista tecnologico ma come momento nelle vite delle persone reali che hanno lavorato al programma Apollo. È questa una raccolta di vicende umane legate appunto dalla storia dell’Apollo, di cui Kennedy ci parla meravigliosamente.
Seguono tour di successo nel Regno Unito e in Europa, culminanti con la memorabile performance al festival di Glastonbury. Bap continua il suo tour aggiungendo ulteriori date, tra cui il rinomato Belfast/Nashville festival e, in America, l’altrettanto prestigioso South by Southwest festival. Bap ha l’onore di diventare in questi giorni padrino di Autism NI, in cui è coinvolto tramite la moglie Brenda.
The Sailor’s Revenge vede Kennedy proporre una scrittura matura e sofisticata, impreziosita dal riconoscibilissimo lavoro chitarristico di Mark Knopfler, che ne è anche produttore, e da musicisti di studio di alta qualità come Jerry Douglas e Glenn Worf.
Formazione:
BAP KENNEDY – chitarra acustica e voce solista
GORDY McALLISTER – chitarra acustica
BRENDA KENNEDY – basso e voce
MATTHEW WEIR – batteria
Discografia:
- Domestic Blues, 1998
- Hillbilly Shakespeare, 1999
- Lonely Street, 2000
- Rare Live & Bladdered, 2000
- Long Time a Comin’ The Story so Far, 2002
- Moriarty’s Blues EP, 2005
- The Big Picture, 2005
- Howl On, 2009
- Moriarty’s Blues (doppio EP), 2010
- The Sailor’s revenge, 2012
Gary Lightbody
Snow Patrol frontman-led supergroup Tired Pony played one of three planned shows in support of their sophomore studio album release The Ghost of the Mountain at London's Barbican Hall.
Joined by R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck, Gary Lightbody brought on a host of special guests to work through a set of songs from both records with guests including R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills, Editors front man Tom Smith, Commitments singer Bronagh Gallagher as well as members of Snow Patrol and presenter Edith Bowman.
In attendance were funny man James Corden and his wife Julia Carey as well as One Direction singer Harry Styles.
A few impressions from behind the scenes soundcheck, backstage with really lovely and amazing dark guys. They was performing a wonderful silent show, acting with the fans. The voice of frontman Kris Vlad is feeling like black velvet on naked skin.... Vlad in Tears was playing in an old church, but there arent church services anymore since 2009. It,s now a museum from the youth resistance in the GDR.
pic and postwork: www.darksightberlin.de
BAP KENNEDY BAND
IRLANDA/USA
Per molti cantautori del pianeta, l’idea di collaborare con Mark Knopfler resterebbe nel campo della fantasia. Ma per Bap Kennedy si tratta solo dell’ultimo anello di una lunga catena di progetti con personaggi di alto profilo, leggende musicali degne del massimo rispetto. Per un uomo che ha lavorato con Steve Earle e Van Morrison, giusto per fare qualche nome, l’offerta di registrare un disco nello studio privato del frontman dei Dire Straits è stata un’ulteriore pietra miliare. The Sailor's Revenge, l’album scritto da Kennedy e prodotto da Knopfler mostra una capacità compositiva che cresce ad ogni ascolto, grazie anche, e non poteva essere diversamente, all’inconfondibile, deliziosa chitarra di Knopfler e alla sua produzione a tutto campo.
Il primo contatto di Bap con l’industria discografica è in qualità di chitarra ritmica, voce e scrittura dei pezzi per i rockers di Belfast Energy Orchard, con cui registra cinque album. Quando la band lascia Belfast, diventerà una delle leggende della scena live londinese.
Ed è proprio mentre è negli Energy Orchard che Kennedy si trova a collaborare col compatriota Van Morrison, che dà al gruppo la possibilità di aprire i suoi concerti nei tumultuosi tour tra Europa e Stati Uniti.
Allo scioglimento degli Energy Orchard, Bap ha poco tempo per riposarsi, visto che la superstar del country alternativo, e loro fan di lunga data, Steve Earle, lo contatta subito proponendosi quale produttore del suo primo album. Kennedy è ovviamente d’accordo e ben presto si trova su un aereo per Nashville, Tennessee, dove registra Domestic Blues. Earle parla di Bap come “Il miglior compositore di canzoni che abbia mai sentito”, e nel disco appaiono molti nomi di primo piano della scena di Nashville, tra cui Jerry Douglas, Peter Rowan e Nanci Griffith.
L’album è un successo, tra i primi dieci nella classifica “Americana” di Billboard. La canzone di Kennedy Vampire entrerà nella colonna sonora della pellicola hollywoodiana Conta su di me – che si aggiudica due premi al prestigioso Sundance Film Festival e riceve due nomination per gli Oscar – mentre tre canzoni dell’album saranno utilizzate per il classico cult Southie.
Il successivo Lonely Street è un progetto artistico basato su, e dedicato a due eroi musicali dell’infanzia di Bap: Hank Williams e Elvis Presley. Musica per amore della musica, che si riflette nelle risposte positive che arrivano dai critici di importanti riviste come Q e Mojo. Ancora una volta, il lavoro di Kennedy trova posto in una colonna sonora di Hollywood, con la ballata Moonlight Kiss, in una delle scene chiave di Serendipity (con gli attori John Cusack e Kate Beckinsale).
The Big Picture segna il ritorno alla collaborazione con Van Morrison, entusiasta di Kennedy sin dai tempi degli Energy Orchard. Il disco è registrato infatti nello studio dello stesso Morrison, e contiene un pezzo scritto da tutt’e due: Milky Way. Ospite alle voci Shane Magowan dei Pogues, nella canzone On the Mighty Ocean Alcohol, e un reading da Carolyn Cassady, una delle figure di spicco della generazione beat degli scrittori americani, alla fine del bellissimo Moriarty’s Blues. Ancora eccellenti recensioni di Mojo e altre riviste, a conferma della reputazione di Kennedy che cresce ad ogni sua uscita discografica.
Il tempo che segue la pubblicazione di The Big Picture segna profondi cambiamenti nella personalità dell’artista, sia a livello professionale che di vita.
Comincia a collaborare con Mark Knopfler, e appare come ospite nei suoi tour negli Stati Uniti e in Europa, tra cui cinque serate alla Royal Albert Hall. È in questo periodo che Kennedy incontra la futura moglie, Brenda Boyd, anche lei artista e cantautrice che ha scritto numerosi libri sull’autismo e la sindrome di Asperger. Bap ha prodotto l’album di Brenda Banish the Blue Days.
For Howl On, del 2009, vede Bap registrare nella nativa Irlanda del Nord per la prima volta nella sua carriera solista e, come in Lonely Street, ritorna a scrivere una serie di canzoni su un soggetto che lo ha affascinato da quando era bambino. Questa volta si tratta di uno sguardo all’amore giovanile per tutto ciò che è americano, come la storia dell’atterraggio sulla luna, non ritratta dal punto di vista tecnologico ma come momento nelle vite delle persone reali che hanno lavorato al programma Apollo. È questa una raccolta di vicende umane legate appunto dalla storia dell’Apollo, di cui Kennedy ci parla meravigliosamente.
Seguono tour di successo nel Regno Unito e in Europa, culminanti con la memorabile performance al festival di Glastonbury. Bap continua il suo tour aggiungendo ulteriori date, tra cui il rinomato Belfast/Nashville festival e, in America, l’altrettanto prestigioso South by Southwest festival. Bap ha l’onore di diventare in questi giorni padrino di Autism NI, in cui è coinvolto tramite la moglie Brenda.
The Sailor’s Revenge vede Kennedy proporre una scrittura matura e sofisticata, impreziosita dal riconoscibilissimo lavoro chitarristico di Mark Knopfler, che ne è anche produttore, e da musicisti di studio di alta qualità come Jerry Douglas e Glenn Worf.
Formazione:
BAP KENNEDY – chitarra acustica e voce solista
GORDY McALLISTER – chitarra acustica
BRENDA KENNEDY – basso e voce
MATTHEW WEIR – batteria
Discografia:
- Domestic Blues, 1998
- Hillbilly Shakespeare, 1999
- Lonely Street, 2000
- Rare Live & Bladdered, 2000
- Long Time a Comin’ The Story so Far, 2002
- Moriarty’s Blues EP, 2005
- The Big Picture, 2005
- Howl On, 2009
- Moriarty’s Blues (doppio EP), 2010
- The Sailor’s revenge, 2012
Loudwire had a contest for greatest Heavy Metal Frontman . The two finalist were the late great Ronnie James Dio and The Metal God Rob Halford. Dio won 63.84% to Halford's 36.16%. Congratulation to my favorite metal voice, the Great Ronnie James Dio!!!!
To see the bracket breakdown go to:
loudwire.com/ronnie-james-dio-vs-rob-halford-greatest-met...