BrianLushRockwired2

The marriage of punk and pop has often made for a potent blend of music - one that we don't hear too often these days unless you happen to catch an old BLINK 182 song on the radio spun for some retro purpose. Giving the dearth of punk music on the market it is safe to assume that the ground is right enough for a band like WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES to come in and make the form respectable again on the strength of their new EP THE BETTER FRIENDS. Based in Oklahoma, DANIEL BASDEN (bass), STEVEN WALKER (guitar) and BLAKE WESTERBY (drums) have formidable opposition when it comes getting on stage in a market where cover bands and country bands rule the roost. But worry not for these punk rock troubadours. They've got us by the ear with such tracks as TOO MANY COOKS, the slamming title track and FAIR WEATHER and if it takes people getting comfortable with the band through their cover NO DOUBT's SPIDERWEBS so be it. It's all coming from the right place. CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT:http://www.rockwired.com/temporarysite/rockwiredprofiles668.mp3

What's made us nervous about this whole "indie" rock business is it's need to go the acoustic path and throw in an accordion and foot stomping and hand clapping in lieu of drums. We don't understand the apprehension that exists within the scene to crank up the guitars or to find a fellow to get behind a drum kit and neither do the guys and gal from ONE WAY RIDE. The Colorado-based band has eschewed the very delicate sensibility of much of what indie rock has to offer these days in favor of a heavy guitar sound, heavy percussion and a soulful groove and listeners can hear this in abundance on the band's debut album PUT ME ON.  Chemistry is everything when it comes to keeping a band together and the line up for ONE WAY RIDE almost seems feels as if it were written in the stars. It goes all the way back the time that lead singer LYLE WORK and guitarist MARVIN BRAKES got onstage and performed a rough rendition of SWEET CHILD O' MINE for a high school talent show. PUT ME ON is a satisfying listen punctuated by such bombastic moments as the unrelenting groove rockers DEVIL EYES and LIE TO ME and the epic ballad WAITING. CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT:http://www.rockwired.com/temporarysite/rockwiredprofiles667.mp3

Ten years ago, when ROCKWIRED.COM was in it's infancy, blues artist PEACH made one hell of an impression upon us with the release of her album THE REAL THING. Any woman who picks up an electric guitar is cool with us and this was the case with PEACH who not only knew her way around the six string but could also navigate her way around matters of the heart on that fine debut recording featuring well crafted and well played songs plus a guest appearance by the legendary TAJ MAHAL. THE REAL THING went on to earn PEACH some serious accolades (not to mention the first ever ROCKWIRED READER'S POLL AWARD for BEST FEMALE ARTIST back in 2006) and one would've believed that this was one hell of a starting point for an artist. Unfortunately, THE REAL THING was the only offering from PEACH for many years, until now. PEACH has found her muse and "the performer" that was always inside of her in Copenhagen of all places as well as a band of merry men known as THE ALMOST BLUES BAND. The two forces have come together for an intimate and raw live recording entitled A NIGHT IN COPENHAGEN. The singer and guitarist is at the top of her game with her heartfelt performances of both her original material and some choice covers (with the stand out being LOVE-ITIS). PEACH's power as a live performer can not be denied. We can't wait to see this blues treasure return to recording in a bigger way.  CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT: http://www.rockwired.com/temporarysite/rockwiredprofiles666.mp3

Much like DALI VAN GOGH on the previous edition of ROCKWIRED RADIO PROFILES, CRAWL is another Canadian hard rock band that has come back with a fine new release but the story here is one that spans decades and some startling changes in the music industry. In the early nineties CRAWL hit it big in Canada with the release of two albums 300 YARDS OF FACE and FEED which featured singles STORM, DRY and NOT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE. The first of these two singles ended up earning nominations for the MUCH MUSIC VIDEO AWARD ( Canada's version of the MTV MUSIC AWARDS) for BEST HARD ROCK PERFORMANCE in 1994 and 1995 respectively. When ROCKWIRED took notice of these guys, the band had reformed with bassist SCOTT CLARK, guitarist STUART GREEN and drummer TOM GRONDIN taking over the creative reins while new vocalist MICHAEL DAVID WOLF was front and center on the 2014 EP release ANTICIPATE THE FALL. Now the band is back with THE CROCKFORD FILES - a five song collection of the sort of blistering rock n roll that we've come to expect from CRAWL as evidenced by the tracks MINE and DEAD. CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT:http://www.rockwired.com/temporarysite/rockwiredprofiles665.mp3

Over four years ago, DALI VAN GOGH was one of the first bands to be featured in the pages of ROCKWIRED MAGAZINE. The Halifax, Nova Scotia-based hard rock band had endeared themselves to us with their D.I.Y. ethic, their ability to create a beautiful noise while being far away from anything that one would consider "music industry" and guitarist and founder ISAAC KENT's drive to stick with the dream of rock n roll glory despite DALI VAN GOGH's numerous line up changes up to that point. Eventually the band had come apart due to the usual things that keep a band apart and ISAAC KENT unopened up a recording studio and launched a record label also nicked DALI VAN GOGH and turned his attention toward being a producer and music entrepreneur.  His DALI VAN GOGH label went on to sign numerous artists and KENT's  road to being a musical giant seemed like it had survived those initial shaky steps until a fire had destroyed both his home, studio and livelihood. Losing everything in the fire forced KENT to take a long hard look at his life and where it needed to go next and making DALI VAN GOGH a band once again. Now, ISAAC KENT and DALI VAN GOGH are back. Even if the all of the members - with the exception of KENT - are new there is something incredibly familiar while being new at the same time. Like the old FORD slogan went "The Pride is Back!" and you can hear it loud and clear on the bands glorious new single GOD HELP ME (I LIKE IT) released on their own HOUSE FIRE RECORDS (get it?). This is more than mere brand recognition or a comeback of sorts. This is a band that has found it's way home and we can't wait to hear more.  CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT: http://www.rockwired.com/temporarysite/rockwiredprofiles664.mp3

In the days following the first Presidential Debate of this most brutal election year the good ol' U.S. of A seems to be on more shakier ground than ever and what better music to serve as a soundtrack to these delicate times than the progressive country rock stylings of SOLES OF PASSION. Sure their stance is a little harder than what we favor but what excites us about the music of this dynamic duo is a need to shake things up. When was the last time rock n roll ever did that. BUMP  ME UP is the duo's latest offering and the driving rhythms that propelled their previous release ESCAPE FOR JURISDICTION B a few months ago pound even louder herewith ecclesiastic guitar licks and symphonic flourishes which add finesse and pop smarts to such songs as the title track, HOLD ON and ON MY OWN. This this new release SOLES OF PASSION sound more committed than before and musicians with a message.  CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT:http://www.rockwired.com/temporarysite/rockwiredprofiles663.mp3

When the latest release in a long catalog of music comes off like a new lease on life, it's almost more exciting than a debut album. This is the case with SONIC SYNDICATE and their forthcoming album CONFESSIONS due out October 14, 2016 on DESPOTZ RECORDS. the band is back after a long period of silence. The successful band from Falkenberg, Sweden was unexpected;y dropped by the label NUCLEAR BLAST and was forced to reconsider their situation. The crisis forced the band to change it's course significantly and they took the chance to record their most daring album yet. This time the band members took a deeper look into themselves which has led to some changes in their sound. Ont he new album SONIC SYNDICATE lets the listener take par tint heir vulnerability through total uncompromising honesty in their songwriting and sound. Aware that the band's "new start" may cause listeners to raise their eyebrows the band does not fear the changes nor the future.  CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT: http://www.rockwired.com/temporarysite/rockwiredprofiles662.mp3

Back in 2011, guitarist RICK SHAFFER perked our ears at ROCKWIRED with the release of his solo album HIDDEN CHARMS and it's reliance on the very fuzzy, distorted guitar sounds that made LINK WRAY legendary, the swagger that made THE STONES the big deal that they've been for fifty some odd years now and SHAFFER's purring vocals that recall STOOGES-era IGGY POP and VELVET UNDERGROUND-era LOU REED. Trust us when we say that no charms were hidden on that album. It was all audible and the perfect antidote to much of the over-production that had come to typify a lot of rock music that year. Hell, over-production still typifies much of the rock n roll that's out there now and thank God SHAFFER is back with a brand new album OUTSIDE OF TIME. SHAFFER's gritty rock n roll approach gets put to good use on material that speaks to life and lows (mostly lows) such as the stomping first single GOING DOWN SLOW accompanied by a mesmerizing music video.  CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT: http://www.rockwired.com/temporarysite/rockwiredprofiles661.mp3

Anyone who can pen a song damning the "man bun" is all right with us and ANGUS CROWNE and his band THE FAMILY JEWELS serves up such vitriol on his band's self-titled debut album. Aside from attacking a hairstyle that makes men look like "...a girl named Chloe" ANGUS and his band take on the trials and tribulations that go along with wanting to be who you are in a world that seems to overlook individuality or the need for self-expression as demonstrated on the tracks PAYCHECK, LOUNGE DOG, PUKING and a delightful take on HOAGY CARMICHAEL'S HEART AND SOUL. A man of many talents, CROWNE came to music following a multi-faceted creative career that included work as an author, screenwriter, playwright, theatrical producer, concert producer (BOY GEORGE, QUEEN), ran two prominent Los Angeles clubs, founder of the vaudeville inspired SEEDLING ACTING COMPANY in Rhode Island and performing in over 500 theatrical shows across the country. With his band THE FAMILY JEWELS, CROWNE has created sound that marries the melodic, amiable sounds of the ukelele with punk music. “Blend those two together and it emerges naturally as rockabilly with a little country in it,” Angus says. “It’s a new genre – mine. My music is ultimately about honesty and truth. And if I get to piss a few people off along the way, then my work here is done! The album is about where I am in my life right now. It’s about getting older, wiser, but at times feeling frustrated and bitter.” CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT: http://www.rockwired.com/temporarysite/rockwiredprofiles560.mp3

BUTTERFLIES & SNAKES - the debut album from CROOKED EYE TOMMY is garnering some favorable press as well as  nominations for the  DOC'S BLUES AWARD for BEST BAND and from the 2016 INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE for BEST SELF-PRODUCED CD. Sure the accolades are as blues-based as the sound but there is something more to  CROOKED EYE TOMMY than blues rooted rock n roll. It's brotherly love. Siblings TOMMY and PADDY MARSH were entranced by the sounds of RAY CHARLES and MUDDY WATERS as kids in the San Joaquin Valley. Artists such as these provided the foundation and the building blocks for the musical path that the brothers MARSH travel both separately and together. BUTTERFLIES & SNAKES is a culmination of years in music and going through all of the life's ups and downs - the very shit you just can't make up and CROOKED EYE TOMMY has the musicality and the know-how to make these tales of love and life transcend mere genre.  CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT: http://www.rockwired.com/temporarysite/rockwiredprofiles659.mp3