Active since the 60s, Graham Bonnet has always maintained a solid presence on the rock scene, whether solo or part of a band. By the beginning of 2018, he had contributed lead vocals to a staggering twenty three studio albums. As with any artist with such a long career, the results are variable, ranging from the essential (his own ‘Line Up‘, Rainbow’s ‘Down To Earth‘ and the Graham Bonnet Band’s ‘The Book‘) to the workmanlike (most of the 90s releases) to the flat out awful (Blackthorne, Impelliteri’s ‘System X’). Whatever the result, it’s almost impossible not to be impressed by Bonnet’s work ethic and tenacity.
Monthly Archives: July 2018
Stream a new track from UK goth band Her Despair
In June 2018, UK goth band Her Despair unveiled the first taste of their debut EP ‘Mournography’. ‘Blaspheme With Me’ mixed the classic 80s style of Sisters of Mercy with something a little more rooted within melodic metal, boding well for the full release.
MOLLY HATCHET – Fall Of The Peacemakers: 1980-1985
There’s a school of thought that says Molly Hatchet never bettered their first two albums. Whilst those records were home to many of the classics – tunes which set the blueprint for their future works – the best of band’s 80s output was arguably just as strong in many ways…and even saw the southern rock heroes stretching out their considerable talents. It’s those 80s albums which are the focus of the 2018 box set ‘Fall of The Peacemakers: 1980-1985’, an excellent package that brings together three studio albums, a classic double live set, a hard to find promo featuring extra live tracks and also a handful of other nuggets.
SUNSTORM – The Road To Hell
Between 2006 and 2012, legendary rock vocalist Joe Lynn Turner lent his talents to three great albums by Sunstorm; releases which celebrated his many years on the melodic rock scene as well as added to his impressive catalogue. 2012’s ‘Emotional Fire’ was especially interesting as it revisited Joe’s 80s legacy, presenting covers of songs on which he’d originally contributed backing vocals. In the hands of Sunstorm, Michael Bolton’s ‘Gina’ and ‘You Wouldn’t Know Love’ (a big hit for Cher, and old a final voyage into rock for “old two haircuts” himself) sounded as good as ever. Although 2016’s ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ was an enjoyable record and a worthy addition to the Sunstorm catalogue, it gained more of a mixed response for a couple of reasons: firstly, it had a rockier feel and furthermore, it was effectively Sunstorm in name only – Turner was now fronting a completely different band.
REAL GONE GOES OUT: Kristin Hersh – Ramsgate Music Hall, Ramsgate, Kent 1/7/2018
It’s the first of July. The British summer time has truly grabbed a hold. In the middle of the unexpected heatwave, the intimate Ramsgate Music Hall is hot. Very hot. The sweaty atmosphere isn’t about to dampen anyone’s spirits, though, especially as tonight’s sell out crowd are in the presence of a true cult legend. This is Kristin Hersh’s second appearance at Music Hall – the first being forty eight hours earlier – and it’s the last night of her successful UK tour. Everyone’s up for it.