Joe Tell's Music Blog

Music Blog covers the Underground/Indie Rock Music Scene in a positive manner with a focus on the WNY area. Bands and promoters are encouraged to submit promo material for review. Listening to new music with an open mind is important. This blog isn't about Joe Tell it's about exposing new music and promoting new bands that want a push. I also post about any interesting topic that may cross my mind. Music blog sponsored by Buffalo's best comic book shop Queen City Bookstore.

Saturday, July 27, 2024

Pimpslap The Atmosphere - Lakeland FL

Bill and I have been friends since '84 or so, I saw Pimpslap when they came to Buffalo in the 90's.
Thank You, Bill aka Angst.

Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold - Toronto, Canada

Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold - Toronto, Canada
https://soundcloud.com/rosecoraperry/

2024 Tour Dates

Photo from the video shoot of "The Cure"

Youtube link for "The Cure" https://youtu.be/CwMdaoIKBa0?si=fGNGkSnmdwEaOfzD

Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold are BACK and they aren't pulling any punches with their latest politically-charged rock'n'roll anthem, “The Cure”.

Armed with her trusty six string, Perry has once again penned a tune that beautifully captures the current sociopolitical climate of heightened dissatisfaction with the ‘powers that be’…and it just so happens to be catchy as hell.

Managing to snarl while also sounding sweet, the band's frontwoman asks of listeners:

"Tell me, tell me, who are they fighting for when we’re all fighting to be heard?

Tell me, tell me who are we dying for when we’re all begging for the cure?"

Like her rock'n'roll predecessors who didn't shy away from challenging the status quo, Perry is intent on making ‘music that matters’.

Judging by the success of her band's last release, “Not My Time” (2022) - which achieved airplay on 50 stations across North America and over 100,000 views on Youtube, all on a shoestring DIY budget - the marketplace is ripe for the return of unapologetic in-your-face rock.

Powerhouse frontwoman, Rose Cora Perry and her band, may just be the answer to ushering in the next generation of women rockers and appropriately so, as she hails from the same province as her childhood hero, Alanis Morissette.

Exclusive interview with Rose Cora Perry by Joe Tell.
1. What first got you into music?
My parents enrolled me in classical voice lessons at a very young age so I must have demonstrated some sort of interest or ability in music right from the get-go. Being that I was only four at the time, I don't remember how it happened exactly but I DO remember loving being on stage - even early on - and how that love continued to grow the more I performed.

2. Who inspired you to make music?
The very first song I ever wrote was actually about my concerns on the effects of pollution and oil spills on the environment - pretty heavy subject matter for a seven year old. I guess you could say even before I acknowledged the power of music and how it's truly a universal language, I knew on some level it was a form of media through which you could reach others and discuss important issues. Where my inspiration comes from is still a mystery to me - I just "hear" melodies in my head and then set them to words.

3. How would you describe the music that you typically create?
I was recently asked that when setting up the distribution for my band's new EP "Other Side of the Story" and the only option that seemed to make sense was "brooding". Lol. In other words, I think people would consider me a "serious" songwriter in that my music is inspired by very real events and very real emotions that I feel. I aim to write very authentically - without any preconceived notions of how a song "should" sound or flow. The same goes for my lyrics - I write what and how I feel from my heart. If I had to choose a genre, I suppose I'd say "alternative" because while my music is based in the rock genre, it embraces a wide range of influences from classical to jazz to metal and grunge.

4. What is your creative process like?
Unpredictable and "odd". I'll have dry spells for some time wherein I won't write anything for months. Then, all of a sudden I write a number of songs in a row in one sitting. My emotions largely drive my songwriting too so I have to be in a particular state of mind to write and again, as already mentioned, melodies just kinda come into my head without warning.

5. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Ooooh that's such a tough question as there are so many incredible artists out there (past and present) that I'd be so very honoured to work with! I think vocally I'd love to be able to harmonize with my fellow Canadian talents Ian Thornley, Alanis and Loreena McKennitt. I would die and go to heaven if Richie Sambora wanted to play lead guitar on one of my songs.

6. If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
Joan Jett or Pat Benatar or a double bill with both!

7. What is one message you would give to your fans?
Follow your dreams and what's in your heart. You may not always find success, but it's a lot worst always wondering "what if" than never trying at all.

8. Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
Yes and usually my vocal warmups.

9. Which famous musicians do you admire?
My fav band of all time is Veruca Salt. I adore the songwriting and vocal chemistry of Nina and Louise - it's nothing short of magical. I respect the heck out of Madonna for all that she's accomplished throughout her incredible career and how much she's opened doors for women in music. I think Paul McCartney has gotta be the coolest most down-to-earth rockstar in existence and Steven Tyler is my fav rock'n'roll frontman.

10. What’s next for you and the band?
I guess you'll just have to wait and see! Follow us on social media to keep in the loop:
www.facebook.com/rosecoraperryofficial
www.twitter.com/rosecoraperry
www.instagram.com/rosecoraperry

Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold - Other Side Of The Story EP music review by Joe Tell.

The Other Side Of The Story is a great introduction to Rose's dynamic music and heartfelt singing. Don't let her good looks fool you, her fiery singing and raw guitar playing add plenty of passion and power to the heavy rhythms. The first thing you hear when you play the Other Side Of The Story is Rose's strong and striking mezzo soprano vocals alongside a muffled, distorted guitar. The intro on For What It's Worth conveys a feeling of anticipation and a tense buildup waiting for what's coming up next. The full band kicks in bringing a hard and edgy alternative rock sound to the song. The sound is big and powerful with its chugging guitars and multi-layered vocals.
Next up is Easy Prey, Check out the Youtube video for the song below...

A slamming drum beat by Tyler Randall starts off the track before the band joins in. Cora sings an soaring operatic aria over a hard-hitting rhythm track.
Don't is the most musically adventurous song on Other Side Of The Story. Rose delivers a strong vocal over an emotional and reflective rhythm track. The track takes a twist with a staccato driven passage. A familiar sounding guitar part starts to strum and Rose confirms that the music is Nothing Else Matters from Metallica which fits in perfectly with the tempo and feel of Don't.
A cover of Rolling In The Deep by Adelle is up next. Rose proves that she has the talented vocal chops to pull this song off with as much passion as the original version.
Check out the video on Youtube below.

Darkest Days has a melancholy feel. Rose's somber sounding lyrics float perfectly over the top of the heaviest track of Other Side Of The Story. The track breaks down featuring Rose's stirring vocals and her guitar carrying the song into its conclusion.
To hear Other Side Of The Story online goto https://soundcloud.com/rosecoraperry/

Music & Lyrics by Rose Cora Perry except for Rolling In The Deep.
Vocals & Rhythm Guitars by Rose Cora Perry.
Lead Guitars by Rose Cora Perry & Tyler Randall.
Drums by Tyler Randall.
Bass parts written by Rose Cora Perry & Ariel Kasler, additional arrangement by Tyler Randall and Justin Dow.
Bass Performed by Amber Gorham.
Recording & Editing by Justin Dow, SLR Studios.
Additional Vocal & Guitar Tracking for Rolling In The Deep by Jamie Dean, The Sugar
Shack.
Mixed and Produced by Kevin O'Leary
Mastered by Roger Lian
Photography by Mystery Man
Hair, Makeup, Styling & Photo Editing by Rose Cora Perry
CD art by HER Media Inc.

From Warped Tour to Music is Art
“Rock’s Not Dead”…At Least Not for This Canadian Band

Being handpicked by the founder himself to rock the final Vans Warped Tour.
Being selected as the only Canadian act to showcase at Summer Namm.
Getting the crowd revved up at the legendary Whisky a Go Go for Ultimate Jam Night.
Opening for Smashmouth at Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Regatta.

These are just a handful of standout moments Canadian rock band, Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold, have already accomplished since forming in 2016.

Said to capture the vocal essence of Benatar paired with the punk rock sensibility of Jett, Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold are set to release their highly anticipated debut EP this year entitled, “Other Side of the Story”.

In conjunction with their forthcoming disc, Perry and crew will be embarking on “Part Deux” of their “Canadian Invasion” tour, which last year saw them play close to 50 shows in 10 states, along with select performances within their locale of Southwestern Ontario.

On Saturday September 7th, Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold will be making a pitstop in Buffalo for this year’s 17th annual Music is Art Festival.

Each September, The Music is Art Festival attracts tens of thousands from WNY and the world for its one-day, all-day, admission-free summer farewell celebration. The annual homegrown festival showcases over 700 musicians, dozens of DJs, hundreds of dancers, and over 75 display and live artist installations.

Family-friendly attractions include non-profit booths, an ever popular interactive kid’s village, an instrument zoo, and plenty of food and drink.

The event runs from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm at RiverWorks (359 Ganson St, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA) and RiverFest Park (249 Ohio St, Buffalo, NY 14204, USA)

Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold will be rocking the Ganson & Michigan Outdoor stage located at RiverWorks at 1:15 pm.

Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold, will be making their Buffalo debut on Thursday September 6th at Nietzsche's.

Award-Winning Canadian Act Makes Buffalo Debut

Hot off of Vans Warped Tour, award-winning Canadian rock trio Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold, are slated to make their Buffalo debut on Thursday September 6th at renowned local venue, Nietzsche's.

In support of Perry's latest album, "Onto the Floor", the band's Buffalo stop is just one of many US dates in their latest "Canadian Invasion" tour which has included boastworthy appearances at: The Whisky a Go Go (Los Angeles), International Pop Overthrow (Chicago), Jersey Shore Festival (New Jersey), East Coast Music Conference (Virginia), Twin City Ribfest (North Carolina), Taste of Wisconsin (Kenosha) and Yellow Streets Spring Fair (Ohio).

Formed in 2016, within six months of coming together, Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold conquered audiences of 25,000+ , performing at notable festivals and winning over crowds of 20-somethings & babyboomers alike.

Acclaimed one of the Top #10 talents across Canada, last year the group was selected as the only Canadian act to showcase at Summer NAMM (Nashville). A month following their "Music City" success, Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold took the stage as the opening act for 90's hitmakers SmashMouth at Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Regatta; an event which attracts on average, 1.5 million attendees.

Other accolades the group has racked up include being: awarded Best "Pop Rock" Music Video for "Away I Go", nominated for "Best Rock Artist" at the Toronto Independent Music Awards and featured as an international "buzzworthy" act by MusicDish China.

The band's Buffalo debut is 21+ with a $5 cover; Perry and crew are set to take the stage at 10:00 pm with local openers Radio Static & Rabbit Jaw. Doors open at 8:00 pm.

To learn more about Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold, connect with them on social media at:
www.facebook.com/rosecoraperryofficial
www.twitter.com/rosecoraperry
www.instagram.com/rosecoraperry

Friday, July 26, 2024

The Howlin' Gales - Toronto, Canada

If you’ve been around the Greater Toronto Area, you’ve likely heard a calm wind blowing, carrying the sound of The Howlin’ Gales. Originating in 2022 as a rock 'n' roll duo, Mark Sinclair (Vocals, Guitar) and Marcelo Maltez (Drums) took the GTA by storm, playing over 100 shows and imprinting their name and music on the local scene. With the addition of Cassius Lucchetta (Bass, Vocals), formerly of the Rumble Sons, and Matthew Chiarotto (Keys, Guitar), a noted live music photographer, The Howlin’ Gales have nurtured a more refined sound, blending country-rock with folk and blues undertones.

https://thehowlingales.com/

Spotify link https://open.spotify.com/artist/3vdYL4tqbfDhCBHbPlat7c?si=RrzqHADvS5iNZukvQ0bNMg

https://www.facebook.com/TheHowlinGales

https://www.instagram.com/thehowlingales/

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Frontline - Delft, Netherlands

Frontline - Delft, Netherlands

Hollywood's Bleeding Spotify link:

https://open.spotify.com/track/12zHiqSpIPwMYAxLxXaEf0?si=d9aa52b55b8c4c58

To break the silence since our debut album "Scream all you want", Dutch hard rock band Frontline has decided to release a cover of Post Malone's title track from his 2019 album "Hollywood's Bleeding" as a single. This single serves as a promo for our upcoming EP, "Back with a 6-pack", which will also present 5 self-penned new tracks.

Even though he's rooted in hip hop, Malone definitely has connections to hard rock, having collaborated with Ozzy Osbourne before. "Hollywood's Bleeding"'s lyrics are mainly about decadence, hedonism and nihilism in Hollywood, and since many of the artists we're inspired by are from the same area and embody the same themes, that definitely motivated us to cover it. A quick online search shows that we weren't the only band that noticed the song's suitability for a rock cover, but nonetheless, we think our version offers a unique interpretation.

The single was recorded in April with Thomas Kunst on vocals, guitarists Arti Flinkerbusch and Thijs Stoffelen, Steven Wijtenburg on bass and drummer Wouter Michawitz. The cover art was done by our very own Steven Wijtenburg and show the Hollywood Hills in the midst of a volcanic eruption, with the lava spelling out "Bleeding" under the famous sign. The night sky in the background shows a colour pattern hinting to the cover of Malone's original album. Hollywood's Bleeding will be on Spotify and other major streaming platforms on July 10th and we hope everyone in the hard rock scene (and beyond) will enjoy this crossover cover.

Songwriting: Austin Post, Louis Bell, Brian Lee, Billy Walsh, Carter Lang

Arrangement: Arti Flinkerbusch

Vocals: Thomas Kunst

Lead guitar: Arti Flinkerbusch

Rhythm guitar: Thijs Stoffelen

Bass guitar: Steven Wijtenburg

Drums: Wouter Michawitz

Mixing: Jochem Smaal

Artwork: Steven Wijtenburg

Exclusive Interview with Frontline by Joe Tell. Thank You Frontline!

What are some of your greatest influences?

Arti (Lead Guitar): In terms of songwriting, Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction, Thin Lizzy’s Fighting and Skid Row’s first two albums were some of the main influences on this album. In terms of playing, that of Skid Row’s guitarists was definitely an influence on me, in the way they include pinch harmonics. Apart from that, the melodies of guitarists like Slash and Scott Gorham also were.

Jamal (Drums): Among artists that inspire me the most are Author & Punisher, UnexpecT and Vildhjarta. Obviously, these influences don’t really have a place in a hard-rock album, which is why I reserve them for my other band, Fosvor. Instead, for the drums of Scream All You Want we embraced a timeless hard-rock style. Simple but effective. We went for a punchy sound, but with subtle accents and ghost notes.

Steven (Bass): My greatest influence is melodic punk rock, to name a few bands: Lagwagon, NOFX, Operation Ivy. Some of my favourite punk rock bands, like Propagandhi, have metal influences. That inspires me as well. I’ve been playing in local skatepunk bands for many years, I love to play fast melodies and riffs on bass. You may hear this in our songs; "Into the Sun" and on the verses of "Judgment day". I also really like to play fills on bass, and fortunately Arti gave me freedom to play a lot of them on the album. You’ll hear them in songs like "Tower of Lies", "Keep it a Secret" and “No More”.

Thomas (Vocals): My greatest vocal influences are Chris Cornell, Layne Staley and Stevie Wonder. The bands that inspired me the most when I was young are Guns N' Roses, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, Pantera and Deep Purple. Though at family parties I always loved the Motown songs. These days I gravitate more towards Soundgarden/Temple of the dog, The Aristocrats, Porcupine tree, Audioslave, Jethro Tull and anything groovy/soulful, I don't care about the genre. During the recording of the album I kind of went where I thought I could go vocally and tried to actually sing Arti's composed melodies.

Thijs (Rhythm Guitar): The first bands I started listening to as a kid were Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers and System of a Down, as the YouTube algorithm decided those were all related to each other. I always liked the combination of really heavy distorted guitars and pretty clean melodies, which probably influenced my playing the most.

What was the inspiration behind the songs?

Arti: Each of the songs tells a story, some inspired by personal experience, some completely fictional. “Scream all you want” is about someone who’s had an easy life, but is facing demise now that karma’s come ‘round. “Love creeps” is about feeling hollow when pursuing superficial romantic relationships. “Out of the Darkness” is about needing to escape from life in a boring town. “Keep it a secret” was inspired by a scenario like what’s shown in the film “I Know What You Did Last Summer”, where a group of teens accidentally run someone over and try to dispose of the body, but could be applied to anything that needs to be kept secret. “Judgment day” is about a pickup-artist who comes to a town, seduces every woman, but then comes across one who takes revenge on him. It’s also what the cover art is based on. “No more” is about someone stuck in an abusive relationship who’s going to make his/her escape. “High in the sky” is about someone who didn’t take his chances for a long time but finally gets another opportunity to do so. “Love in trouble” is about two lovers in despair, whose relationship is in crisis. “Lift yourself up” is like a pep talk for anyone who’s sitting back and letting life pass him/her by. “Cheating is easy” is a cynical commentary on the way cheating can be helpful, by someone who’s just been cheated on. “Tower of lies” is about someone who’s ignoring the voice of his/her conscience, and building up a tower of lies which will eventually crumble, and “Into the sun” talks about continuing to strive for the best despite hardships: an apt song to end the album with.

What’s some of your favorite gear and did you get to use it on the album?

Arti: I used an Epiphone SG to do all my parts. As for effects pedals: I mostly used my Boss Adaptive Distortion, DA-2, which gives an awesome 80’s hard rock sound. Except for on “Keep it a secret”, where the less aggressive-sounding Marshall Guv’nor was more appropriate. For amplification, I used the Guitar Rig plugin, and a variety of amplifiers, whatever suited each song best.

Jamal: We dove into the studio to track drums near the start of 2020. Unfortunately, when COVID hit the Netherlands we were not able to record drums acoustically anymore for the foreseeable future. Therefore, we opted for virtual drums, programmed meticulously to match my drumming style as close as possible. It took me many, many evenings to track the whole album this way, but I think we got there in the end. We hope Scream All You Want sounds as dynamic and punchy as you’d want from a hard-rock banger!

Steven: I play a 5-string Aria Jazz bass, which I have since I was 16. I really like the sound and feel of this model, and my plan for the future is to get an authentic Fender Jazz bass. I also used a Zoom modeler for the recordings. I am planning to get a Markbass amp soon. Those amps have a very rich sound, are very lightweight and the yellow cones look awesome.

Thomas: A guitar with good pickups, fretwork and intonation over an expensive/good Blackstar. And no, I don't have a Blackstar, treat my guitars like shit and am the singer. For the album I used the mic the studio had to offer, which was well above and beyond my humble budget. So now my favorite microphone is an expensive condenser mic.

Thijs: An audio interface into a computer with any instrument you can get. Creating and recording different (virtual) instruments is something that I always love to do.

Credits on Scream all you want:

Songwriting: Arti Flinkerbusch (all tracks except 10), Maria Soares (tracks 2, 6, 7, 8 and 12), Thomas Kunst (track 12), Seth Swirsky & Ernie Gold (track 10)

Vocals: Thomas Kunst

Lead guitar: Arti Flinkerbusch

Rhythm guitar: Thijs Stoffelen

Bass guitar: Steven Wijtenburg

Drums: Jamal van Kastel

Vocal production: Jelle Haasnoot, Annika Boxhoorn, Pepijn Stutterheim

Mixing: IzzyMix

Mastering: Joris van Dijk

Artwork: Steven Wijtenburg

After long waited anticipation, Dutch hard rock band Frontline will release their long awaited debut album: "Scream all you want" on the 1st of October on Spotify and other channels. Influenced by the likes of Guns N' Roses and Thin Lizzy, all 13 songs are self-penned originals, except for a hard rock cover of Taylor Dayne's 1987 dance-pop hit "Tell it to my heart". Following up on the releases of the EP "Accidental Gathering" and the single "Judgment Day", the album features 8 previously unreleased tracks, and re-recorded & remixed versions of the other 5. The track listing for Scream All You Want is as follows 1. Scream all you want 2. Love creeps 3. Out of the darkness 4. Keep it a secret 5. Judgment day 6. No more 7. High in the sky 8. Love in trouble 9. Lift yourself up 10. Tell it to my heart 11. Cheating is easy 12. Tower of lies 13.Into the sun.

Frontline Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3uEUYjvr0s73UvwZSEiast

Review for Accidental Gathering by Frontline by Joe Tell.

The title of the EP, Accidental Gathering, is perfect for these turbulent times. Keep It A Secret is a straight ahead, in your face hard rock song. The uptempo song is a great choice to kick off the Frontline Accidental Gathering EP. The chromatic guitar lines keep the energy flowing and the explicit lyrics make the song that much cooler. Love Creeps features some heavy guitar and great soloing to start the song. The solos continue throughout the song as the energy and the key of the music moves up a little higher. Cheating Is Easy is a updated slab of the classic 70's rock sound complete with a melodic guitar solo, sure to please any rock fan. Tower Of Lies sounds to me like the most powerful and polished song of the set. Overall the band mixes the rock sounds of legendary bands like April Wine, Def Leppard, Foghat and Grand Funk Railroad together to create a unique rock sound.

Frontline is a hard rock band from Delft consisting of five enthusiastic band members; Thomas (vocals), Arti (guitar), Thijs (guitar), Steven (bass) and Jamal (drums). The band formed in the summer of 2018. Arti wrote a bunch of hard rock songs and was looking for the right musicians to perform them with. He found these through jam sessions in a medieval cellar in the city center of Delft. The band had some live gigs and a radio performance - before the pandemic kicked in.

Frontline did not let the pandemic interfere with their work. The EP ‘Accidental Gathering’ was recorded even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Bassist Steven explains: ’We separately recorded our instruments from the safety of our homes and then Thijs mixed them together..” The band has made a tight production - you wouldn’t tell the EP has been recorded from home, completely DIY. The song writing recalls old-school hard rock music. Arti: “My influences are mostly Guns N’ Roses, Thin Lizzy and other hard rock legends from back in the day. Although everybody in the band digs that, the members’ individual tastes are diverse. For instance, Steven’s background is punk rock and Jamal’s more metal. This makes the band’s sound an interesting mix.”

The EP ‘Accidental Gathering’ is Frontline’s first release. Get ready for some spot-on hard rock vocals and guitar riffs. Lead singer Thomas: “Our song Let’s keep it a secret is one of my favorites! The riffs are awesome and the song will most definitely be stuck in your head all day.” It sure is a good teaser for their upcoming album, expected to be released in summer 2021. If you love rock music, make sure to follow this band to stay up to date. You’ll definitely want to add this EP to your favorites!