We have all missed shows and big tours this past year, but as we turn a promising corner, it’s only appropriate to have some fresh stadium-style Rock to accompany our reemergence.
The shiny new album American Dream, due out May 7, 202, from the Boston-raised, Los Angeles-based Mexican-Italian-American rocker Diamante, fits snugly between Top 40s and 80s hard rock revival…
Read the rest at Ghost Cult Magazine !
As last year wound down, 2020 was looking bright for music, with tours galore and a litany of reunions. Nashville’s rock ‘n rollers Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown were looking forward to building on their busy 2019, which included tours and festivals across the US and Europe, most notably with Stone Temple Pilots, Rival Sons, Clutch, Sevendust, Blackstone Cherry, and Airbourne, among others, and the release of their critically-acclaimed album, Truth and Lies. But as 2020’s landscape changed, big plans did too. Some artists went on hiatus, while others decided to take the time to reflect and write. In this case, guitarist/vocalist Tyler Bryant, drummer Caleb Crosby, and guitarist Graham Whitford did not slow down, took on the latter approach, and hunkered down in Bryant’s home studio to craft some of their best work with the help of co-producer/engineer Roger Alan Nichols. Aptly titled Pressure (out October 16th on Snakefarm/Spinefarm Records), the album takes listeners on a journey through the emotional and tumultuous year. Coincidentally, many of the songs began to take shape before Nashville faced a destructive tornado, COVID, and racial justice rallies. However, the release could not have been timed better, as it offers up 13 tracks to headbang and air guitar away the trials and tribulations of the last seven months and beyond. With a multitude of moods and tempos, and a collage of rock, blues, roots, and country stylings, Pressure follows the roller coaster that is 2020 life.
Read the full review on Ghost Cult Magazine
Stream Pressure HERE
Whether you know him from his decade-long rap career, role as Felix in Birdbox, spot-on portrayal of Tommy Lee in The Dirt, comedian Pete Davidson’s BFF, or Megan Fox’s new beau, Machine Gun Kelly, born Colson Baker, has left footprints across the entertainment industry. Hot off a summer full of home-recorded covers and his first MTV Video Music Award, MGK takes another step in a new direction with his fifth studio album, Tickets to My Downfall (Bad Boy/Interscope), wearing his heart on his sleeve for 13 tracks (and 2 interludes) of pop-punk magic. Most fittingly, the new release was executively produced by Blink 182’s Travis Barker, who Baker first collaborated with last summer on “I Think I’m Okay,” along with Brit bud Yungblud. It’s no surprise the album sounds as if it could have been born during the early-2000’s pop-punk heyday. Though TTMD is a change of pace from MGK’s typical style, it does not fully abandon his roots, highlighting a multitude of hip-hop guests and beats, party songs, and pop anthems. In fact, he has consistently cited various rock acts as influences, so it was only a matter of time until he fully submerged himself in the genre…
READ THE REST VIA GHOST CULT MAGAZINE
Buy Tickets to My Downfall here.
“Deftones 2020” would be quite the fitting campaign slogan this year. Faced with frightening realities, unexpected downs, and challenging changes, Deftones have swooped in to provide a sonic escape and maybe even a ray of hope in a time that has been plagued by a series of unfortunate events. Though President Chino Moreno may seem like a stretch (for now), Deftones have spun these unforeseen circumstances and unprecedented experiences into something fans can hold onto during this period of struggle: the highly-anticipated LP, Ohms, due out September 25th (Warner Records). 2020 is also a hallmark year in the Sacramento-born band’s career, as they celebrate 25 years since dropping their searing debut Adrenaline, 20 years since releasing their incomparable album White Pony, 10 years since unveiling their emotive and piercing record Diamond Eyes, and one presidential term since gracing fans with their eighth studio album Gore. Now, vocalist Chino Moreno, guitarist Stephen Carpenter, drummer Abe Cunningham, programmer Frank Delgado, and bassist Sergio Vega welcome Ohms, 10 tracks of heavy and reflective material that mirror the emotional distress of the pandemic and lockdown, the political power struggle that the world is witnessing, and the internal conflicts many are facing…
Read the rest of the review on Ghost Cult Magazine HERE
And stream/purchase Ohms HERE
Hey everyone! Follow my latest playlist on SPOTIFY featuring new songs that have been dropped off in my inbox! Every week, I’ll be adding some new tunes, so make sure to check back for more music to get your week started!
Hey Friends! Anyone with new music, please send it my way for consideration via SUBMITHUB!
It’s been an embarrassingly long time, but it’s another new year, so I’m back to get reviews and shows up on the site! For starters, Rocker Stalker is presenting a comeback show on January 18 at Coney Island Baby! 7pm doors, $10, 21+ with Snow Villain, Dan Abraham, Deitre, and more!
ROCKER STALKER FEST kicks off tomorrow 10/13, featuring 7 shows at 6 different venues (Gold Sounds, Pianos, Bar Matchless, Rockwood Music Hall, Our Wicked Lady and Bowery Electric) and 30+bands! Since CMJ is nowhere in sight, this might be your best bet if you’re looking to enjoy a slew of rock shows. Thanks to my friends over at PBR, Behind the Curtains Media and Sad Boy Management for helping me get the word out and sending some great artists my way! You can check out the line ups and RSVP HERE!
10/13 at Gold Sounds (7pm-midnight)
10/14 at Pianos (2-6pm)
10/14 at Bar Matchless (7pm-midnight)
10/15 at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2 (1-6pm)
10/15 at Gold Sounds (7-midnight)
10/16 at Our Wicked Lady (1-8pm)
10/16 at Bowery Electric (7pm-midnight)
Things are getting extra exciting for New York starting tomorrow, and I’ve got the scoop!
Firstly, EZ-RA, solo project of Ezra Huleatt of beloved (but now retired) NYC band, Black Taxi, is gathering some friends, including The Motor Tom, to bring back some Taxi tunes and covers at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2, tomorrow, October 7 at 10pm! RSVP/GET TICKETS HERE
The second half of the evening will be ramping up just around the corner at Mercury Lounge with blues-infused power trio, People’s Blues of Richmond, who are rocking the stage at MIDNIGHT sharp as part of their Fall tour in support of their new album, Quit or Die. RSVP/GET TICKETS HERE If you’re not in the NYC area tomorrow, don’t fret, the guys have a ton of dates coming up. Head over to their website to see a show near you! 
Last but not least, I’m excited to be introducing the very first ROCKER STALKER FEST! It begins a week from today, featuring 7 shows at 6 different venues (Gold Sounds, Pianos, Bar Matchless, Rockwood Music Hall, Our Wicked Lady and Bowery Electric) and 30+bands! Since CMJ is nowhere in sight, this might be your best bet if you’re looking to enjoy a slew of rock shows. Thanks to my friends over at PBR, Behind the Curtains Media and Sad Boy Management for helping me get the word out and sending some great artists my way! You can check out the line ups and RSVP with the links below:
10/13 at Gold Sounds (7pm-midnight)
10/14 at Bar Matchless (7pm-midnight)
10/15 at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2 (1-6pm)
10/15 at Gold Sounds (7-midnight)
10/16 at Our Wicked Lady (1-8pm)
10/16 at Bowery Electric (7pm-midnight)
Everyone knows that I’m a huge fan and endorser of Nashville-based rockers, The Wans. They’ve been a staple of Rocker Stalker Presents shows and the subject of my rave reviews of their 2012 self-titled EP and 2014 release, He Said, She Said (which I still ‘spin’ on the daily).
Now, the power trio is set to welcome Run Baby Run, produced by Vance Powell (The Dead Weather, Red Fang, Jack White), next Friday, June 24, 2016. The EP is a triple-threat (and so are the band members), delivering six blistering and melodic tracks that you can rock to, dance to and pine to. A darker direction than previous releases, The Wans fit even more snugly in the realm of Queens of the Stone Age and Alain Johannes, while maintaining the spunkiness akin to Arctic Monkeys and Royal Blood.
Much like a marathon, The Wans hit the ground running with the EP’s title track (streaming below) at a steady rock pace, introducing Simon Kerr’s fuzzy guitars and soaring vocals, Thomas Bragg’s sharp bass lines and Mark Petaccia’s crushing drums. “Seeing Red” picks up the intensity, whipping the EP into hysteria between intervals of calming distortion. “Who Are You Now” pushes forward with power chord force and oozes with heavy riffs, pained melodies and heart-wrenching lyrics. The song equivalent to a complicated relationship, “Not So Pretty,” my top choice on the EP, is lustful, hateful and bold. It’s the type of song you play for that special jerk in your life. The seductive and heavy “Nail Me,” is exactly what you think it’s about. The Wans, however, take the blunt proposal and manage to make it romantic with spine-tingling harmonies. Closing out the EP, “ABCD” sprints to a climax and swirls into an all-band frenzy before releasing one last yelp and gasp of air at the finish line.
Be sure pre-order Run Baby Run before it drops on June 24th and keep your eyes peeled for upcoming show and festival dates with The Wans!
Photo: Jason Lee Denton
Sex, Diet Coke, & Rock 'n Roll
effective immediately
Sex, Diet Coke, & Rock 'n Roll
Rocker Stalker 