With Just A Hint Of Mayhem

Music reviews, gig reviews, fun trivia and extra added random stuff!

‘Total Cover Band Domination’ – Andy Watson November 7, 2024

Filed under: Book,Review — justwilliam1959 @ 7:46 pm
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OK, I am not in a cover band, or any other kind of band. Hell, I don’t even play a musical instrument. But for many years I have been writing about music, and as a result I have met plenty of musicians, bands and solo artists including some that do or have performed in cover and tribute bands.

Andy Watson, author of a new book, ‘Total Cover Band Domination’ has been fronting a covers band for years so I reckon he knows his stuff. He has used his experience in putting together this great manual to help improve the chances of success for your covers or tribute band. Some of the advice might seem obvious; being polite and courteous for example. But in my own experience I find it surprising that there are still a number of people in the music industry that never seem to operate in a polite way.

Andy writes in a conversational and easy to read style and like some of the best text and management books ‘Total Cover Band Domination’ utilises white space really well. The book covers everything that you need to know as a covers or tribute band. From dealing with hecklers to insurance, via rehearsals and getting paid and so much more. I believe that there are plenty of lessons for bands in general here, not only covers and tribute bands. As a mobile DJ for more than thirty years (now retired) some of this advice resonated with me too. Particularly agreeing and confirming a fee and ensuring that you get paid on time.

Depending on where you are on your covers band journey you might not need to read this book from cover to cover. But Andy has designed it so that you can cherry pick the bits that matter to you. He has also included parts that relate to covers bands in Australia, Canada and the USA. I read this book while on holiday in Lanzarote and interestingly the hotel had a few musicians performing through the week, including an Abba covers duo called Abba Inferno. This was two talented singers (Grace and Georgia) singing to some well put together backing tracks, their dancing was spot on too. Anyway, maybe Abba Inferno could invest in Andy’s fine book, it might help them get to some bigger venues in the Canary Islands.

Bill Drummond and Jim Cauty (who many will know as the KLF, the JAMMs and the Timelords) once produced the now legendary book ‘The Manual (How to Have a Number One the Easy Way)’ back in 1988 It was a step-by-step guide to achieving a No. 1 single with no money or musical skills, and something the duo followed themselves to have huge success with the Timelords single “Doctorin’ the Tardis”. (A number 1 in the UK and New Zealand. If Cauty and Drummond pulled that off then I reckon Andy’s book will allow covers bands to achieve much higher levels of success. If you are in a covers or tribute band investing just a few quid (£19.95) in this book will be very much worthwhile.

Find out more about the book at ultimatesurvivalguides.com and to make it even easier for you click here to buy it directly from the site.

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‘Time Machine’ – Cats In Space November 6, 2024

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 10:05 pm
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The sound on this fabulous new musical platter from Cats In Space makes you believe that ’70s and ’80s rock never ended. This record feels like the great album that Jim Steinman never produced. The title track joyfully reminisces the best of the Alan Parsons Project. Meanwhile “My Father’s Eyes” could be a song that Bon Jovi thought was simply too good to release in 1986 and then issued “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Livin’ On A Prayer’ instead. There have been some great power ballads, but has anyone ever created the perfect one? Cats In Space has done it now with the colossal masterpiece called “Crashing Down”. The ghost of the Alan Parsons Project rises again within “Occam’s Razor (Not The End Of The World)”. However, this time the band adds a heavy funk-rock element to some very tasty prog tropes. Steevi Bacon’s drumming is superb, and the brass sound gives the track a towering orchestral jazz feel. Damien Edward’s voice on the fragile, glorious, and simply gorgeous ballad “Forever & Ever” caps a perfect love song. This tune is made for lighters to be lit and swayed in the air in time with the music. (OK health and safety have just told me you can use mobile phone torches but not lighters, but you know what I mean, right?). “Ivory Anthem” sounds like something that Meatloaf might have covered really well and the production is a little reminiscent of Elton John’s “Funeral For A Friend”. If you don’t tap your feet and shake your head to “Run For Your Life” you need to check your pulse and get your family to book your funeral because if you don’t move your body to this great track, then clearly you have popped your clogs!

The aural experience of Peter Gabriel drawing on the sounds of the Orient is what I hear in “This Velvet Rush” but with a fully authentic gold medal (medallion?) hair metal vocal performance. Bad Company appears to occupy “Yesterdays Sensation” with a Brian May influence on guitar. But overall the sound has a pulchritudinous power-pop tone a little like Aussie rockers Sherbert. “Immortal” might seem full of lyrical cliches, but no one uses a lyrical cliche better than Cats In Space. If Paul Williams had needed extra songs for his 1974 classic “Phantom Of The Paradise, ” “When Love Collides” would be first in line. This is followed by three classy ’70s covers. These kick off with the Walker Brothers ’70s comeback single “No Regrets” (a UK top 10 hit in 1975). It is a faithful recreation with lots of soul and passionate gospel-style backing vocals. The depth of feeling and power in the Cats In Space cover of John Miles’ “Music” (A UK number 3 hit from 1976) is palpable. The band takes this song to previously uncharted heights. For me, some of Slade’s best songs were never huge hits, especially “How Does It Feel” (it reached a lowly number 15 in the UK after a run of twelve top 4 hits which included six number ones). Damien Edwards is not Noddy Holder but he draws the essence of Neville John Holder into his performance on the track. The band has transformed the slightly deep Slade cut into a six-minute epic! The album closes with a weird, wonky, and wonderful Ghost Mix of “This Velvet Rush” which changes a lot but retains the perfect vocals!

Having reread what I have just written I wonder if you might think that Cats In Space are just an exceptionally good 70s/ 80s tribute act. They are not, what they are is a great band who keep the flame of classic rock alive with some spectacularly good songs alongside some magnificent performances! You can click here to buy the album direct from the band’s website.

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“Hollywood Forever” – Hollywood Undead October 24, 2024

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 9:24 pm
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t is sixteen years since Hollywood Undead released their first album and I am ashamed to say they have passed me by until now. But their new single “Hollywood Forever” has brought me on board with a huge bang. Arguably the genre that Johnny 3 Tears, Funny Man, Charlie Scene, Danny, and J-Dog fit into is rap rock. But they are so much more than that. This track has rap rock elements but adds to that grunge, emo, nu-metal, and pop-punk. This song’s passion, emotion, and soul hit beyond peak levels. It rocks like a bastard full of soulful angst. I think it is about the support and healing power that Hollywood Undead has for and from their fans and for themselves. Lyrics like “So what about the kid that got off the ledge,
and all the people saved by Hollywood Undead, if I could save just one kid, I’ll keep this mask on as long as I live” prove this point in my opinion. This is a powerhouse of a single and deserves to be a huge hit. Make it so good people of the blogosphere!

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“Nobody Else Knows” – Flyght Club October 22, 2024

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 9:49 pm
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Flyght Club is the musical project of Los Angeles-based Shauvik Sharan and the new single “Nobody Else Knows” is a marvellous showcase of Shauvik’s musical talent. It opens with some disco-style percussion that suggests a four-to-the-floor banger. But then it evolves quickly into some hook-filled bluesy synth-pop of which George Michael would have been proud. Then just when you think the song has given you all it is going to give the searing guitar solo kicks in after 3 and a bit minutes and takes the track to yet another level. It took a few plays, but now I can’t get this tune out of my head. Take a flight with Flyght Club, you will not be disappointed it is one hell of a smooth ride!

Originally from Pune, India, Shauvik moved to Los Angeles nine years ago. He grew up on classic rock artists such as Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, and Pink Floyd. I think that shows in his music. Shauvik said this of the song “The goal with this song was to make honest music, going back to my roots with giving importance to the electric guitar, both in terms of production and songwriting, while still making something groovy and fun that people can dance and sing along to“. Well, it is definitely groovy and danceable and I sang along to it too. “Nobody Else Knows” tells the story of a girl, who on the surface appeared to be sweet and innocent, but behind closed doors was the complete opposite. Shauvik shared this about the song, “There was a side to her that only I knew and it was so unexpected but fun to experience this.” 

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“Electric Eel” – KOYO

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 6:10 am
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KOYO‘s new single “Electric Eel” opens with some choppy, funky, dirty, grungey guitar riffs and builds up to some prog-like sounds in the guitar solos. The infectious funk groove from the drum and bass throughout the song drives it perfectly and ensures the listener will never lose interest. The vocals are harmonious and reminiscent of some of the finest 70s classic rock sounds. Electric eels have poor vision, but this song is definitely made from 20/20 vision! “Electric Eel” is one awesome tune! KOYO are alumni of Leeds Conservatoire and a big part of the Leeds music scene.

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“Lo”(Featuring Malahat Haddad) – Hiatus October 21, 2024

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 9:58 pm
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“Lo” is another release in advance of British-Iranian producer Hiatus’ fifth album and it is exquisitely different and achingly beautiful. It is built on a subdued and haunting piano motif which feels like Italian House in a classical style. The track seamlessly fuses DnB with classical Iranian music which is what helps to make it so wonderfully different. After the piano refrain and drum and bass kick in a deep, mournful tone is added by Faraz Eshghi Sahraei’s kamancheh (a traditional Iranian string instrument). Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better we are treated to the ethereal, heavenly voice of Malahat Haddad. It creates a sound like a butterfly dancing on stars of honey. Hiatus spoke about the track and said “DnB was what got me into electronic music, I spent my teens and early 20s raving and DJing at house parties. But it has very few followers in Iran, and I was nervous about asking Malahat to sing on this one, because it’s so far from her musical world. But when I played her the track she loved it, and was singing along before it finished. The result is easily my favourite of our collaborations so far. Maybe it’ll even turn a few Iranians onto the form.” This track is simply gorgeous, you need music like this in your life!

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“Falling For It” – Loveworms

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 9:15 pm
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Loveworms from Gdansk in Poland describe themselves as a fresh, moxie, crank wave band! On the strength of their new single “Falling For It” I would not argue with that description, but I would add punk with a capital P. This song is an electrifying anthemic punk song. For me, it has a mood of early Stranglers recordings alongside the 21st-century punky energy of bands like Amyl & the Sniffers. They only formed in January of this year and they apparently already have an album recorded. On the strength of this song, that album will be an absolute banger! Loveworms are Kat, Adaho, Vreen, and Miłosz and they fucking rock!

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“Antelope” – Lost Trends October 20, 2024

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 4:09 pm
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Lost Trends are back baby, and with a huge, I mean HUGE banger of a tune, “Antelope”. It is a classic dance sound with a Madchester attitude spliced with a post-punk vocal from Rusty. This will blow the roof of the Uni Disco and if it doesn’t get a lot of airplay then there is far more wrong with the world than we know. I bloody love this track.

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“The Middle Of Lidl” – Goldie Lookin’ Chain

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 3:31 pm
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Goldie Lookin’ Chain addresses all the big questions on their new single “The Middle Of Lidl”. According to the band it is a rap on the meaning of life and asks; Why did the chicken cross the road? Why do men have nipples? And what’s another word for Thesaurus? Among many others. But while it is all of these things it is essentially a celebration of the magical, mystical, madness that is the middle of Lidl (I reckon you could say the same about Aldi, but that doesn’t rhyme as well). GLC has been around for more than 20 years and with this new track, they prove they still have it! I hope Lidl plays this in-store or uses it as part of their Christmas advertising campaign this year!

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‘All You Can Eat’ EP – Molly Rymer

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 2:46 pm
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Leeds singer-songwriter Molly Rymer has just released her EP ‘All You Can Eat’ and it is stunning, with six perfectly formed songs. An all-you-can-eat buffet means for one price you can eat as much as you like and trust me you will want to consume this beautiful musical buffet again and again. Kicking off with the sad and melancholy “Cowards And Heroes” a song which reminded me lyrically of some of the complex, emotional songs that George Michael wrote. Songs like “Older” and “Jesus To A Child”. Many of Molly’s songs deal in raw, passionate, and poignant tales of life and relationships, and the effortless, grace of “Something That Survives” epitomises that talent. There is an underlying jazz feel to “Say The Same” which is an upbeat tune with what feels like some deep and dark lyrics.

“Sleeptalking” showcases Molly’s wonderful confessional style of writing and performing. It is a delicate and gorgeous song in which her voice is the star, floating across the music like an angel’s wings. She has a soulful style and it feels like she is singing just for you. It feels almost fully formed, but “Just A Kiss” is a demo. It is just Molly using her voice and acoustic guitar with some exquisite multi-tracked harmonies. The sadness seeps through the notes and chords on this one. The EP closes with “Two Years This May” which is probably my favourite track on the EP. Everything is perfect; voice, music, and performance, and Molly delivers it with impassioned and expressive soulfulness. I have played the whole EP at least three times in 24 hours and it will get many more plays in the coming weeks and months. I was lucky enough to interview Molly in July, click here to listen.

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