The Paranoid Squirrel

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Back once again into the studio with the “Demons” kicking things off this week with a Damned cover. Who knew? With The Michael Monroe Band reminding us that there’s no right or wrong, let alone black or white. New music? Shed loads this week with, thanks to Ginge, with a World exclusive (Radio Wales on the 9^th May doesn’t count in this instance as Wales had been annexed from the aforementioned World) I air a track from the up and coming “Mid Liver Crisis” album from The Sick Livers. Not strictly new new but as MFC Chicken are in the studio with new bassist Zig who just so happens to be my 2^nd favourite bassist of all time, I play one of their recent singles. As we move towards the middle of the year I already have pencilled in a couple of albums that are going to be in my top releases of 2015. One of which is “Easy Piracy” from Dead Men Walking who are an amalgamation of The Stay Cats, The Living End, The Alarm, The Damned and some bloke wo used to play bass with Guns ‘n’ Roses. Obviously I play a track from it, well two as I couldn’t make up my mind which one should get an airing. Bob Wayne has just release an album of covers called “Hits The Hits” as the name implies, is an album of, well, hit songs. Some from world of Rock with the Stones, Guns ‘n’ Roses, The Offspring and Zeppelin getting Countrified, and to prove it doesn’t matter what the genre once you turn it into a Country song it becomes good he has tackled Skyfall, Rihanna’s Disturbia, even the dreadful “All About That Bass” is now passable. Just, only just. However the song that gets an outing is none of the above. Sticking with covers I play a track from the Sulo & Friends CD “Keep Yourself Alive” which was part of The Crunch’s PledgeMusic campaign for “Brand New Brand”. The CD features the likes of Wilko Johnson, Spike, Paul Carrack, Tom Robinson and Dave Higgs reprising songs that they are associated with along aided and abetted by Sulo. The individual members of what would become The Crunch also crop up. Sulo’s “other” band is The Diamond Dogs who have a new album out at the end of August called “Quitters & Complainers”. A song from which I sneakily play. Australian band The Casanovas have also just released their, until recently only available via PledgeMusic, album “Terra Casanova” to the general public. Less Thunders and more Stones this time around. Staying Down under to celebrate Muscle Car deservedly winning the Melbourne Mötley Crüe-Alice Cooper opening support slot I play the bands last 7”, well the A-Side. For the third time this year The Hip Priests have released a 7” single. This time around it’s a split with The Bitch Queens hogging the limelight on the b-sided, but for you listening pleasure I just give you The Hip Priest. “Arm giveth and Arm takes away”. That can’t be said for The Chuck Norris Experiment and Märvel split 7”, both have a track aired. Sticking with Vinyl; Mary’s Kids have just released the 10” variety with a CD version only available on their upcoming German (one Swedish) tour. It’s called “Death In Suburbia” that feature six tracks, one of which I naturally play. Up next courtesy, of Dom Daley he of Uber Rock and Glunk Records notoriety, are the Sticky Valentines with something from their second self-titled EP. At this point listeners on The Wall Rock Radio will hear the said Stick Valentines track fade out as Robbie John takes hold of the helm, but for the rest of you the Brawlers make their debut appearance with a track from their “Errors Of Our Youth” CD which came out on the Alcopop label last month. John Dissed returns with a remixed, especially, for radio of his cover of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” which is swiftly followed by Wonk Unit. We are almost at the end but before the final track “Compare & Contrast” comes along with a three way tag match between The Wildhearts, Green Day and Sam Cooke. It is, however, Girlschool, who are currently in the USA with Crucified Barbara, which closes this week’s show. ***Phew*** Now if only Team Rock Radio would give a job……

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I had a choice of three live gigs that I could possibly play for you on this week’s show; Social Distortion, Calabrese or Enuff Z’Nuff. As I thought Social Distortion seemed a little under par and although ENuff Z’Nuff really cut the mustard I have played them a few times live before. So in the manor of playing you music, studio or in this case live, that you are unlikely to hear on mainstream Radio this week’s episode comes courtesy of Calabrese recorded at The Fighting Cocks in Kingston-Upon-Thames. The band consists of three brothers who normally can be found in Phoenix, Arizona. The band were over here promoting their sixth album “Lust For Sacrifice” a heady mix of Horror Punk, Goth and downright straight ahead rock. For their third album “They Call Us Death” the band said that they were influenced by The Dead Boys, The Stooges, The Damned and Motörhead. So you can see why my interest was piqued.

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Stiv Bator with a cover by The Damned starts things going this week before I talk about clashing gigs; Brian James vs The UK Subs vs Kory Clarke which leads me into Volbeat. Onto new music, as I seem to have a shed loads, firstly from The Hip Priests and a track from their current 7”, then I talk about The Sick Livers soon to be unleashed “Mid Liver Crisis” LP and late Summer tour with The Disconnects who I play. A tour that is currently underway over on the Mainland and I wish had strayed over here features Mother’s Children and The Mandates. Mother’s Children I’d heard about but not The Mandates. A quick trip over to their BandCamp site had by purchasing their debut album and “In The Back Of Your Heart” quicker than you could sing “Oh Canada”. Obviously I share a track with you. Next up is Swiss band The Lovers with a track off their new album “In The Air”. I slow things down (not) with some new Slayer then talk about going up to Ginger’s “Songs and Words” London gig, meeting Mikko Von Hertzen, Dante Bonutto and Rich Jones and finding out the preliminary release date for the new Michael Monroe album, which leads me nicely into The Compulsions who feature Sami Yaffa. The Crunch, (part Sham 69/Lords of The New Church, part Diamond Dogs, part Clash and part Cockney Rejects) have a new track aired from “Brand New Brand” and I talk about not seeing them at The Borderline before Nicke Andersson’s Imperial State Electric take centre stage. Los Pepes swiftly follow as I realise that my Facebook notifications for them had been turn off before former Vains of Jenna vocalist Lizzy DeVine introduces us to his new band The Cruel Intensions. The Sonic Jewels have just released a new ep called “By The Light Of Woland’s Candle”, a track of which I naturally play. Sick Boys Revue, who hail from Italy sent me an e-mail with a track attached from their “Sick Tails” album asking that if I liked it would I be so kind as to play it. Like it? Love it. Hopefully you will to. A band that I thought had long since spilt up were Finland’s Mean Idols. They haven’t and are supporting The Vibrators (in Finland) on the 28^th. To celebrate I dig out my “Suffer” 7” and play it. At this point Wall Rock Radio listeners will hear Drugdealer Cheerleader as their drummer Ringo sadly passed away on Wednesday before Robbie Johns come crashing in with his Rock Lobster Show. For everybody else it’s The Mean Idols, “Compare & Contrast” and in the dock are Guns ‘n’ Roses with Australian Crawl prosecuting. Duff McKagan has just published a new book and ep to coincide. The ep features Jerry Cantrell, Roy Mayorga and some guy called Izzy Stradlin’, the title of which I air. It’s at this point everybody else gets to hear Drugdealer Cheerleader before Korpiklaani and a sort of cover almost end the show, but that is left to The Damned as tickets to the UK Première of their Documentary have been secured.

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This week’s show was recorded live at the very first “Rock-Away-Beach” Club held on the last Friday of the month at the Hope and Anchor is Islington. Playing to a sold out crowd were The DeRellas with The WitchDoktors. Two bands tailor made for the night, with The DeRellas part Sex Pistol, part New York Doll and part Ramone and The WitchDoktors parts unknown. So put on your dancing shoes and party like it’s 1977.

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I was back out into gigland for this week’s show which features the Last Great Dreamers and Danny Fury’s Tango Pirates recorded live at The Fiddler’s Elbow on the 8^th. It’s been three years since I last saw the Tango Pirates and in the interim the band have had a major overhaul in the line-up department with only vocalist Danny Fury remaining. Apparently the Last Great Dreamers haven’t toured for twenty years; obviously this has been rectified with original drummer Steve Grainger reprising his role on some selected dates with former Sliverhearts drummer Ginge on duty for the remaining. Sorry the show notes aren’t as informative as usual; tough week.

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Shock, Horror! I’m back in the studio this week with The Ramones kicking things off then The Sonic’s whose latest album has just come out a massive 49 years after their last remind us the 60’s weren’t just about “The British Invasion”. Up next is a track from Punk Uberlord Brian James’ new solo album “The Guitar That Dripped Blood” that features Dead Boy Cheetah Chrome on additional guitar. Stinking with The Damned connection; The Deadmen Walking a band that features core members Captain Sensible, Slim Jim Phantom, Mike Peters and newest edition Chris Cheney from the Living End with guests  spots from Fred Armisen and some guy called Duff McKagan who obviously wants to boost his credibility, are all set to release their debut album “Easy Piracy” on May 7^th in the meantime I play the first single from it. The Ruts DC come crashing in next with a track from their Book Pledge and sticking with pledging for a few more songs I play a track from Jettblack’s third album “Disguises” and one from The Crunch’s second album “Brand New Band” and something from The Eureka Machines latest “Brain Waves”. Cover territory this week comes courtesy of John Dissed and The Discontents a band that features one time American Heartbreak and Jetboy drummer Jeff Moscone. Jesse Malin of D Generation fame has just released his first album in over five years which is called New York Before The War”. The track I play features Brother Wayne Kramer. In stock news I play some CrashDïet as Simon Cruz has left the aforementioned band, then some Hornet as they have called it a day with finally some Treatment as Matt Jones, like Simon Cruz has left his respective band. If you are listening to The Wall Rock Radio Beat The Drag are going to bring my hour to a close. A great band that I literally heard only this morning. Its riffy rock as much influenced by the Backyard Babies as it is by Fu Manchu and old Def Leppard. Some Eighties-inspired solos as well.” For everybody else it’s The Quireboys with a track off their 4CD Box set "St Cecilia and the Gypsy Souls" and then it’s Beat The Drag with Whitesnake Burn(ing) things up at the end of the show

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The Vibrators recorded live at The New Cross Inn are the subject of this week’s show. Forming in early 1976 the band struck out along the Pub Rock route but got lumped into the Punk Rock scene, which they semi adopted, playing the 100 Club and supporting The Pistols and The Clash. The bassist today, Pete, I’ve known for more years that either of us probably care to mention but have never seen him in The Vibrators, even though he’s been with them since 2003. The only original member is drummer Eddie Edwards with vocalist Knox, due to ill health, consigned to the studio and the occasional gig. I hoped that Knox would be making an appearance as the gig was in London, unfortunately this wasn't the case with Pete handling the majority of vocal duties with Eddie and guitarist Darrell Bath chipping in where necessary. On paper the idea of a Knoxless Vibrators isn't feasible. However it’s obviously worked very well over the last 8 odd years and going on this performance it will continue to do so. The fact that Eddie, Pete and Darrell are great musicians coupled with great songs, old like “Baby, Baby” and “Automatic Lover” and new from current album “Punk Mania – Back To The Roots” was also helpful.  I wasn`t the only one who thought this with an admittedly partisan crowd demanding the threesome return for two encores even with the time well into Sunday Morning and last trains well and truly long gone. A great evening as you are about to hear………..

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More live shenanigans on this week’s show thanks to Danko Jones and support superstars. the Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell who kicked off their European Tour in support of their latest albums “Fire Music” and “Check ‘Em Before You Wreck ‘Em” respectively at The Oslo in Hackney ten days ago, that was the 18^th March late e-mail and web page openers. The last time I saw the Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell was in 2012, again in support mode, but this time around the Hastings trio have the aforementioned "Check 'Em"  album to bolster their half hour set. The band were certainly born at the wrong time with their brand of rock more associated with the years 1972 - 1975. Sabbath, "On Parole" Motörhead with some Status Quo old school Boogie but with enough of their own identity to make them relevant in 2015. Shamefully I haven't seen Danko Jones since they support Motörhead down in Brighton in 2008. Since then the band have produced a shed load of albums going through about the same number of drummers in the manor of Spinal Tap. They were great then and they, thankfully, are still great now. Danko Jones ARE the band James Hetfield wishes Metallica still was. They have the hooks, the songs and Danko, the man, is comfortable with the bands audience, so much so he instigates the crowd to take the piss out of the band for not visiting London sooner. Both Shovell and Jones fit perfectly together live as you are just about to hear.........

 

 

 

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Sometimes when a band tries to take a second bite of the Cherry (Baby) they end up looking like a pale imitation of themselves, trying too hard and end up sullying their past. This is something Starz have managed to circumnavigate for two reasons. Reason one; even though Kerrang! Magazine listed their first two albums, “Starz” and “Violation”, in the most important Heavy Metal albums of all time with Poison, and Mötley Crüe citing them as a primary influence, the band only managed to lick the cherry. Main stream commercial success seemed to alluded them; all right the “Cherry Baby” 7” was a State side hit but they never managed to capitalise on it. In 2013 they finally made it over to the UK now with Alex Kane on guitar and a guesting Ginger Wildheart on bass. Fast forward to the 11^th March 2015 and Starz rolled back into the UK for three dates, Leamington Spa, Camden Underworld and the Hard Rock Hell Festival. London was my port of call and I have to say it was even better than The Garage with regular bassist George DiAna once again plucking the four stringed beast. Even Alex Kane thinks the current incarnation is “Magical”. He’s not wrong. The set was split into two parts as drummer Joe X. Dube needed a quick break having only six weeks earlier been in Hospital undergoing Heart Surgery. The Underworld was not a busy as it should’ve been under normal circumstances as Night Ranger were playing the Islington Academy and Jettblack were having their album listening party in Denmark Street, but for those of us who were there knew we had made the correct choice. As you will hear……

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I’m breaking out of the studio for the next few shows and what a finer way to kick things off with Hardcore Superstar recorded live at the Garage in Highbury at the beginning of their “When We Touch The Sky” tour. The band will be releasing their umpteenth album “HCSS” between April 21^st and 28^th depending where you live, unless you ask Mr Merch Guy very nicely and a promo version could be yours for a Tenner. Practically all 10 tracks were played live which shows the band have got real confidence in the yet to be released album. Let’s face it; normally a couple and at a stretch three new tracks are played when a band tours to support/promote a new product. Not Hardcore Superstar with the new songs welcomed like classics that they surely will become. A great 1¼ hours set had me wondering why on earth they hadn’t headlined over here since January 2010 playing second fiddle to the likes of The 69 Eyes and then Buck Cherry in the interim. Well worth the wait as you will hear!