Mad About Rock

  In the latter half of the Eighties you'd have struggled to find a harder working group than INSTIGATORS. Tirelessly gigging up and down the UK, around mainland Europe, and even across the USA, on self-booked zero-budget tours, they inspired a new generation of young British bands to go blaze their own trails, often to great effect. Now in 2025, the band are set to return for the first time in thirty years and are confirmed to play the legendary Rebellion Festival in Blackpool on August 8th, alongside further gigs and the much-anticipated coloured vinyl reissues of the 1986 ’Phoenix‘ album and ’Shockgun‘ from ‘88, both ready for release on August 1st on the Boss Tuneage Retro Series imprint. ’Phoenix‘ was originally released in 1986 on legendary punk label Bluurg and was the first release from the classic second line up of the band, which featured original guitarist Simon Mooney teamed up with Andy Turner (ex XPOZEZ) on vocals, and the rhythm section of Andy Turnbull on bass and S...

  After ‘Weathering’ and ‘The Big Picture’, acclaimed Lyon-based 4-piece Last Train's new album is a direct reflection of raw anger. Recorded in a crumbling, unheated chateau, ‘III’ channels frustration into meticulously composed rock. Formed in the 2010s, Jean-Noël Scherrer, Julien Peultier, Timothée Gérard and Antoine Baschung gained a strong following with their first two albums and toured with Muse and Placebo. In 2024 they released ‘Original Motion Picture Soundtrack’, an orchestral reworking of their songs, but the new album marks their true return to form as a rock band. Tracks like the first two singles 'Home' and ‘The Plan’ combine rock energy with melody, balancing emotional depth and anger. With ‘III’, Last Train have produced a radical and authentic third album, far from the aseptic super-productions. With ‘One by One’ - the focus track, you'll feel right in the band's rehearsal room: screeching feedback, punchy drums, overflowing bass and incisive chor...

  Frank Carter and Paul Cook, Glen Matlock and Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols today announce 4 more dates around the UK. Having debuted with 3 amazing fundraising nights at London’s Bush Hall this month, the foursome are ready to take their devastating show to the UK…. Critics were united in their praise for the band, who promptly announced a new London date at O2 Forum Kentish Town, London for 26 September, which sold out in 5 minutes. The new shows are this September at Nottingham Rock City (20th), Birmingham O2 Academy (21st), Glasgow O2 Academy (22nd) and Manchester Academy (24th). The rest of the U.K. can now experience the sonic onslaught of the foursome as they blast out the classic album Never Mind The Bollocks and more. Members of one of the most influential rock bands of all time are joined by the electric frontman Frank Carter to perform the Sex Pistols’ iconic 1977 album Never Mind The Bollocks in full. “There was an overwhelming response on social media from fans askin...

  Blues Rock Artist Ross Harding set to release “A Thousand Snakes Deluxe Version” on Friday 16 th August 2024. Renowned blues-rock musician Ross Harding set to release a deluxe version of his heavy blues rock anthem, A Thousand Snakes which came out in March 2024. The first official release since Ross Harding’s relocation to the UK from South Africa, this poignant blues rock tune, A Thousand Snakes Deluxe Version, is a total reworking of the song, taking the original delta blues influence and heavily leaning into a vintage production style that blends an old school blues ethos with the stylistic devices of a modern blues and rock musician. The song showcases Harding’s exceptional songwriting ability and versatility as an artist, where listeners can expect a new sonic experience with heightened production quality that adds an additional layer of depth and intensity to the already captivating sound. Speaking about the new single, Ross Harding explained: “There’s a bit of a story beh...

  Sheffield has been producing world beating rock/metal music powerhouses for decades. Iconic legacy artists Def Leppard put Steel City on the world’s map, paving the way for modern metal heavyweights Bring Me The Horizon and While She Sleeps to emerge and collectively dominate the modern alternative music scene. Now stepping up to stake their claim is Steal The City, a young Sheffield group whose melodic yet aggressive songs and ferocious live performances have been turning heads and taking names over the past few years. With such a rich musical heritage, Steal The City’s relentless drive and potent creativity is now realised on their upcoming debut studio album, ‘Road To Nowhere.’ As heard on Kerrang! Radio, lead single and album opener, ‘Drag Me To Hell', reflects on the dark toxic nature of social media and immediately drags listeners in with its unrestrained lyrics and fierce energy. Watch ‘Drag Me to Hell’ (official music video): https://youtu.be/ygUIKyjK5oI?si=9X-Nh2nJ4lePwK...

  Catfish lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Long was diagnosed with bowel cancer a year ago, and recent scans revealed that the cancer had spread to his liver and stomach lining. Matt’s mum Fiona Long has also set up a GoFundMe page aiming to raise £100,000 for private treatment in the US for his cancer treatment. A description on the Crowdfunder reads: ‘Matt has been battling bowel cancer for just under a year and despite surgery and chemo, his latest scan shows that the cancer has spread into his liver and stomach lining. His cancer team have said although there is the option of trying a different type of chemo, they don’t hold out much hope that it will cure him and is likely to at best extend his life a little. There is an option to have a sample of the tumour sequenced which will give us the maximum amount of information on its make up, which will then show the cancer team exactly what drugs to use to damage it - to either slow it down, or there is just a small chance that they...

  If you aren't yet aware of the mighty force that is SCRUFFY BEAR, well let us take you to the depths of North Yorkshire, where their earth-shattering sound and 'fuzz rock' style spreads a message of creativity and self expression. Scruffy Bear are loud and raw whilst still embracing a depth of eclectic influences. Having released their debut EP 'Face The Rain' back in 2022, the band decided to take one final track from the E.P and showcase it for the true masterpiece it is with an extended live version. This version of Solace includes additions to the arrangement including Cello and Flute. Watch the official video for ‘Solace (Live)’ below:   "We filmed and recorded this live in Pealie’s Barn in North Yorkshire. 'Solace' is about only ever feeling at home when you're with that specific person. You can be going through an absolute whirlwind of a time mentally, physically, spiritually but that person always makes you smile a little inside and h...

  Nottingham pop-punk gang As December Falls share “Carousel”, the third single off their forthcoming album Join The Club (out July 2023). “Carousel” follows the tender acoustic single “Home” released in December and sees As December Falls'' at their heaviest. Bethany Hunter explains the story behind Carousel: ““Have you ever seen two people that are just terrible for each other? You’re standing on the outside powerless to help as they go through the same vicious cycle again and again. Carousel is about the ups and downs of a toxic relationship and falling in love with hating each other just so you can fall in love all over again. You end up in a bad cycle that leaves you feeling dizzy and like you are on a carousel going round and round, but you just can’t see how unhealthy it is for you.” Fresh from supporting pop-punk legends Bowling For Soup at the end of last year, As December Falls will be supporting Hot Milk at two one-off shows in London (Feb 2) and Manchester (Feb 3)...

  Cambridge four-piece Tom Lumley & The Brave Liaison have dropped a music video for their latest single 'No Trust', which comes filled with hooks, dripping with anger and wrapped in a huge chorus. Watch the new music video for 'No Trust' HERE . Stream 'No Trust' HERE . “'No Trust' encapsulates the current mood of the British working classes; having been lied to, cheated and had their needs ignored by a governing body who seemingly exist only to serve themselves and their peers,” explains Tom. “It is a biting response to being disregarded and forced into a position of struggle whilst working as hard as possible to make ends meet. All whilst the wealth of the elite increases to almost boundless ends.” Having been tipped by Huw Stephens on Radio 1 as ‘Ones To Watch 2020’ following a raucous live session at the renowned Maida Vale Studios, the band have since released their debut album Everything’s Affected which reached #9 in the Official UK Rock ...

  The long-awaited live album and film from The Damned, A Night Of A Thousand Vampires, is out today on earMUSIC. The film premiered in London last night at FrightFest to a sold-out audience of punk and horror fans alike. A night to remember for those of us amongst the living... and the undead! Listen A Night Of A Thousand Vampires here and watch the official trailer here . Back on October 28th 2019, David Vanian, Captain Sensible, Paul Gray and Monty Oxymoron of The Damned took the stage at London’s prestigious Palladium Theatre for a very special immersive musical and theatrical experience - performing songs from The Damned’s 40-year rich catalogue. A true event from showmen supreme, it was a historic night in the history of a storied band and a special evening for fans and band alike. It was also a fond farewell for drummer Pinch, his final gig with the band after 20 years. A Night Of A Thousand Vampires teams the UK’s first punk band with The Hammer House of Horror and the...

Alternative Rock trio, The Blinders from Manchester UK are unleashing their new single 'L'etat C'est Moi' on May 3rd 2018. The band recently performed this massive track on BBC's Music Introducing session. Check out the brilliant live video below: You can catch The Blinders on these UK headline dates: For more on The Blinders visit: https://www.facebook.com/theblindersband/ https://blinders.bigcartel.com/

Explosive rock trio release sophomore album 'DeadHead' this April + UK tour confirmed Brighton based heavy rock trio THE ROCKET DOLLS are ready to ignite with the news they'll release their full-length new studio album 'DeadHead' on Friday the 6th April and take it on the road for UK live dates. Featuring just the right amount of melody with straight up hook laden driven riffs combined with curveballs when you least expect them, 'DeadHead' is a must hear album for 2018. Recorded at London's award-winning British Grove Studios (David Gilmour, Razorlight, Mark Knopfler) 'DeadHead' was produced and mixed by Mark Roberts (Black Peaks, Rob Chapman, Toska, Dorje). Relentless in their approach, The Rocket Dolls have taken the rock mould, smashed it, and then meticulously pieced it back together again to deliver a fresh contemporary collection of music that combines the best bits of heavy rock, grunge, punk, and pop smart sensibilities. It...