THE SUMMIT – Social EP

social epTaking huge musical cues from Kings of Leon, The Killers and early Franz Ferdinand, on their 2014 EP ‘Social’, Kansas City quartet The Summit present six chunks of guitar driven pop-rock.  Their general hooks are focused on radio play and occasionally things work in their favour, but there’s a homespun rawness to their recordings which suggests this band – and their song craft – is still very much a work in progress.

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Sixx A.M.: US tour dates confirmed for spring ’15

Sixx A.M. have confirmed a run of tour dates are to take place during the first quarter of 2015. It is to be the band’s first headlining tour and will be joined at all shows by Apocalyptica.

The band – fronted by Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx – released ‘Modern Vintage’ on October 6th 2014.  All confirmed dates are listed below.

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BRYAN ADAMS – Tracks Of My Years

bryan_adamsDuring his earlier years, Bryan Adams released some great albums.  His fourth album (and international breakthrough) ‘Reckless’ remains a cornerstone of any AOR/melodic rock collection, sounding every bit as great as it did in 1984.  Its massive hits – ‘Run To You’ and ‘Summer of 69’ – have stayed in regular radio rotation around the world ever since and deservedly so.  1987’s ‘Into The Fire’ seems overlooked by comparison but is almost equally strong, while 1991’s ‘Waking Up The Neighbours’ – despite a leaning towards a Def Leppard backing vocal sound, courtesy of Mutt Lange – showed The Groover From Vancouver still very much at the forefront of the AOR scene with much to give.

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DEECRACKS/NEW ROCHELLES – Smile Of The Tiger EP

deecracks - new rochelles splitSecond only to a great punk compilation, split releases are a great way to discover work by new bands, or else bands that might have slipped under your radar.  This particular split release is a great primer for two acts who fit firmly under the Ramones-core banner, both geographically opposed but united in their love of simple and direct punk-pop.  Issued via Swamp Cabbage Records (home to Caffiends, Up For Nothing and Gnarly Whales), the ‘Smile of the Tiger’ EP brings four fantastic previously unreleased tracks from Austria’s DeeCracks and Eastcoast US punks The New Rochelles.

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