TYLER BRYANT & THE SHAKEDOWN ANNOUNCED FOR AC/DC TOUR

EP ‘THE WAYSIDE’ OUT NOW VIA SPINEFARM / JOHN VARVATOS RECORDS

Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, led into action by Texas-born vocalist / guitarist Tyler Bryant, will play a dozen European stadium shows as sole support to rock legends AC/DC in May / June 2016; in addition to these dates, some already sold out, TB&TS – purveyors of electrifying rock ‘n’ roll, loud an’ proud, with blues and alternative leanings also coming into play – have slotted in 10 headline appearances of their own.

This leg of the AC/DC tour will see 25-year-old Tyler, now based in Nashville, plus band-mates Caleb Crosby (drums), Graham Whitford (guitar) and Noah Denney (drums) visiting a number of European markets for the first time, including the UK where headline gigs in London and Nottingham have just gone on sale. In the space of five glorious weeks, TB&TS – no strangers to the dynamics of the larger, more spectacular rock show having already shared Stateside stages with Jeff Beck, ZZ Top, Aerosmith and more – will unleash their high-proof blend of melody, muscle and psychedelic mystique to well in excess of 600,000 riff-hungry fans across 12 different countries… the highway to hell, indeed!

TB&TS’s latest release, and first for Spinefarm/Varvatos, is a six-track EP called ‘The Wayside’; produced, recorded & mixed by Vance Powell (Jack White, Seasick Steve), these half-dozen tracks see the musicians showing the full scope and sway of their collective vision – from giant groove rockers such as ‘Stitch It Up’, ‘Mojo Workin’’ and lead single / video ‘Loaded Dice & Buried Money’ through the hypnotic swagger of ‘Devil’s Keep’ and onto the atmospheric plea that is ‘The Wayside’, with Tyler’s background in the blues (he’s a recipient of the Robert Johnson Foundation’s ‘New Generation’ award, and studied under the late, respected Roosevelt Twitty Sr.) ensuring that raw emotion is never far from the surface. It’s a quality that stood the young musician, indeed the whole band, in good stead when they took to the road with ZZ Top main-man Billy Gibbons for his US acoustic tour in late 2015 / early 2016…

In addition to joining AC/DC for shows in Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland & Denmark, and visiting the Netherlands & Poland for one-off headliners, TB&TS have the following dates lined up for the UK:-

JUNE

4 – Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London (supporting AC/DC) 6 – Boston Music Room, London (headline show) 7 – The Bodega, Nottingham (headline show) 9 – Etihad Stadium, Manchester (supporting AC/DC)

DIMMU BORGIR Extend their partnership with Nuclear Blast Records

Norwegian symphonic black metal giants, DIMMU BORGIR, can proudly announce that they have signed a new contract with Nuclear Blast Records.

The band commented: "We wish to inform you that DIMMU BORGIR and Nuclear Blast have once again put pen to paper, acknowledging the past, present and future by opening another chapter in the history of extreme music! Stay tuned and watch this space for more updates on the upcoming new album and the ‘Forces of The Northern Night’ live DVD/Blu-ray release as it becomes available!"

Nuclear Blast owner Markus Staiger added: "We at Nuclear Blast are super happy to extend the cooperation with our good friends in DIMMU BORGIR! The future holds amazing opportunities and projects to be worked on together, the first being the eventual release of the long awaited ‘Forces Of The Northern Night’ live DVD! Keep your eyes peeled - darkness is upon us!"

GORILLA & GRIFTER split album released this week on HeviSike Records

A new split album from two of the UK's hottest power trios.
Released 15th April 2016 on HeviSike Records
Artwork by Maarten Donders

GORILLA are no strangers to fans of heavy-as-hell rock n’ roll. The no-nonsense power trio, led by The Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell frontman Johnny Gorilla, have released three albums since forming in the late 1990s.

One of the last bands standing from the first wave of UK underground rock, the three-piece have played festivals including Roadburn and Duna Jam and shared the stage with the likes of Fu Manchu, Josiah, Witchcraft and Gentleman’s Pistols. Joining founding members Johnny (guitar & vocals) and Sarah Jane (bass) is new sticksman Ryan Matthews.

English three-piece GRIFTER have made a name for themselves as one of the premier touring acts through frequent live appearances. As well as releasing two albums and two EPs on labels including Catacomb Records and Ripple Music, the trio have performed at Desertfest, Bloodstock, Freak Valley and more plus toured with Orange Goblin.

Formed in 2003, Grifter’s line-up has gone unchanged; Foz on drums, Phil on bass and Ollie on guitar and vocals. The trio consider themselves simply a rock band; drawing influences from across the board, Grifter present a sound that can only be described as loud and heavy hard rock.

Gorilla vs Grifter will be the second in a planned series of split albums released through HeviSike, following 2015's Mos Generator // Stubb split release.

The album has been mastered by Tony Reed (Mos Generator) and features a unique cover designed by Dutch artist Maarten Donders, known for his poster designs for Blues Pills and Roadburn Festival amongst others.

The two English power trios join the Birmingham-based imprint as special guests at an exciting time following the label's launch in late 2014. Previous output from the label includes the debut EP from Chicago psychedelic rockers Dead Feathers and albums from Elevators to The Grateful Sky, Prophets of Saturn, Desert Suns and Palm Desert amongst others.

Available as a limited edition vinyl record in two colour-ways, Gorilla vs Grifter will be available to pre-order from Friday 1st April ahead of it's 15th April release date.

Colour vinyl options:

Gold - (limited to 100 copies, hevisike.com exclusive) Yellow / Blue Marbled

The album will be distributed by Plastic Head Distribution in the UK & Europe and by MVD Entertainment in North America.

Gorilla vs Grifter will be available digitally through bandcamp, iTunes, Spotify and other digital outlets.

Photos: Wolfmother at Olympia Theatre Dublin. 8 April 2016

Photos by Dani Kammler

Photos: Electric Citizen at Olympia Theatre Dublin. 8 April 2016

Pictures by Dani Kammler

Hour 24 Releases Music Video "Emergence"

Michigan alternative rock band Hour 24 release their new music video for their single "Emergence." The single is the title track off of the band's new EP, produced by Dan Korneff (Paramore, Pierce the Veil, Breaking Benjamin), that comes out on April 19th.

Vocalist Rachel Mayer states "I truly want to make a difference in the world with our music and focus on the positive aspects in life. Too many people get caught up in all the negative stuff that's going on in our world. Each one of these songs on Emergence is about learning lessons in life and reflecting on the positive aspects of those lessons, especially if they come out of negative situations. The lyrics were written to help open people's eyes up and show that we all go through hard times. We can overcome them whether it's dealing with fear, letting go of people or stressful situations, or even the challenges faced when striving for your dream.



The band will be headlining to support the release of the new EP the rest of the year. The following dates have been announced, with more to come:

April 15th Toledo, OH Frankies April 16th Akron, OH The Bar Akron April 17th Pittsburg, PA Black Forge Coffee House April 18th Vienna, VA Jammin' Java April 20th Dover, DE Tom's Bullpen April 21st Beckley, WV Muncheez Bar & Grille April 23rd Pontiac, MI Pike Room April 24th Lansing, MI Mac's Bar April 26th Ann Arbor, MI Club Above

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BUN E. CARLOS OF CHEAP TRICK TO RELEASE “GREETINGS FROM BUNEZUELA!” ON JUNE 24th, 2016

Cheap Trick drummer and 2016 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Bun E. Carlos announces the release of his new solo album, Greetings From Bunezuela!, on June 24th, 2016 on Entertainment One Music (eOne Music) via Rolling Stone. The collection features 13 rock songs, 10 of which are covers, including “Armenia in The Sky” (The Who), “Idea” (The Bee Gees), plus other soon to be former obscurities.

The album features Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices), Xeno (original Cheap Trick vocalist), Hanson, Alejandro Escovedo, Dave Pirner (Soul Asylum), John Stirratt (Wilco), Nicholas Tremulis, Alex Dezen (Damnwells), Rick Rizzo (Eleventh Dream Day), and members of Candy Golde and the Monday Night Band.

The first single, “Do Something Real,” features Robert Pollard on vocals, and is a remake of a solo Pollard song that was released in 1999.

Carlos is the drummer for the legendary rock band Cheap Trick, drumming on countless hits like “I Want You To Want Me,” “Surrender,” “Dream Police,” and “If You Want My Love.”

In 2009, Bun E. Carlos joined Tinted Windows with Hanson singer Taylor Hanson, former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha, and Fountains Of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger. The critically acclaimed power-pop band released an eponymous record and played several shows.

In 2011, Bun E. Carlos joined Candy Golde with Nicholas Tremulis, John Stirratt (Wilco), Rick Rizzo, (Eleventh Dream Day), and Mark Greenburg (The Coctails). Candy Golde released a 5-song EP, 10” record, debuted at SxSW, and still record and perform, though sporadically.

Tracklisting for “Greetings From Bunezuela!” (order subject to change):

1. Do Something Real - Robert Pollard Lead Vocal (Robert Pollard solo) 2. Him Or Me - featuring Hanson (Paul Revere & The Raiders) 3. Armenia In The Sky - John Stirratt Lead Vocal (The Who) 4. I Love You No More - Alex Dezen Lead Vocal (The Blackstones) 5. Tell Me - Alejandro Escovido Lead Vocal (The Rolling Stones) 6. It Takes A Lot To Laugh, A Train To Cry - Dave Pirner Lead Vocal (Bob Dylan) 7. Let The Mystery Be - Xeno Lead Vocal (Iris DeMent) 8. Idea - Robert Pollard Lead Vocal (The Bee Gees) 9. Le Cactus - Nicholas Tremulis Lead Vocal (Jacque DuTronc) 10. I Can Only Give You Everything - Rick Rizzo Lead Vocal (Them) 11. Slow Down - Alejandro Escovido Lead Vocal (Alejandro Escovedo) 12. Count On Me - Xeno Lead Vocal (Fra Lippo Lippi) 13. I Don’t Mind - Alex Dezen Lead Vocal (Alex Dezen)