Artist

Firebrand blues guitarist Chris Duarte dropped his sophomore album, Texas Sugar Strat Magik, in 1994, and it sold an excess of 100,000 units. It was a big success for a modern blues album. Duarte went onto win the highly coveted “Best New Talent” in Guitar Player’s Reader’s Poll, and he finished fourth in the magazine’s “Best Blues Guitarist” category, behind legends Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy and B.B. King. He would go on to issue a string of critically-acclaimed blues, blues-rock albums, and experimental fusion-tinged albums. In the ensuing years, Duarte would also maintain an in-demand touring schedule both as a solo artist and as a sideman.

Throughout it all, fans have hungered for the ferocious blues stylist to dig into some Texas blues with his own unmistakable magic. For his 15th album, his first since 2014, he does just that: The Austin, Texas blues guitar slinger teems up with Texas Sugar Strat Magik producer-guitarist Dennis Herring for the first time in 22 years. The resulting album, the gritty and sexy Ain’t Giving Up, out September 2022 on Mascot Records, isn’t a calculated return to roots affair, though. Recorded live on the studio floor with vintage gear and with minimal overdubs, this is a raw and revved-up showcase for the blues virtuoso’s jaw-dropping chops; his mastery of the elusive Texas shuffle; and his deep love and commitment to the blues.

“I planted my flag with Strat Magik, and on this album I am pushing the music forward. I’ve explored lots of different facets of my playing, but this album says, ‘I’m here, and I’m not giving up on blues or my career,’” Duarte says. He continues: “And I’m not playing it safe, either—the solos were all tracked live.”

Duarte has been known for his physical and athletic playing style—he often plays so hard his fingers bleed while he’s onstage (there are photos to prove this legend). Because of this fiery dedication, many fans and critics have playfully referred to his music as “punk blues” or “rockin’ blues.” “My style is super aggressive and physical,” Duarte affirms. “These days I’m a bit older, but I still put as much heart into my playing as I ever did—I still love playing.”

The guitarist, singer, and songwriter came up as a force to be reckoned with in the 1990s Austin, Texas roots and blues scene. He rose to prominence in the wake of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s passing, and was noted for his muscular playing style; his jazz and rock n’ roll-infused blues solos; and his command of the Texas blues tradition. Because of these soulfully virtuosic qualities, Duarte was often compared to the beloved modern blues icon, SRV. “I wish I was the whiz people think I am,” he says with a good-natured laugh. “Whatever skills I have, have taken years to gain—I practice a lot.” He continues: “I still want to be great and make my mark. I listen to SRV, Jimmie Vaughan, and others, and I always get inspired to carry on the Texas blues tradition.”

Since those early days, Duarte has carved his own niche through a series of beloved blues-flavored albums, and a calendar of more than 150 dates a year which includes performances billed as Chris Duarte and as The Chris Duarte Group. In both of these contexts, Duarte has headlined major festivals and clubs throughout the US, Canada, and Europe. A series of explosive North Carolina shows were filmed for the PBS television show, The PBS Project. Apart from his solo career, Duarte has performed with Julie Burrell, Diana Cantu, Bobby Mack, Tracy Conover, Indigenous, Omar & the Howlers, and the Americana band Beth Lee & The Breakups. Incidentally, Beth is Duarte’s girlfriend, and she co-wrote many tracks on Ain’t Giving Up.

Reunited with Herring who produced his best-selling record, Duarte instantly found a lot hadn’t changed with the two men. “There’s more grey hair and creases in our faces,” Duarte says with a chuckle. “But we have that same music connection we had years ago. Dennis’s approach is to capture raw emotion, and, because of this, he records literally everything, even snippets between songs.” Duarte continues: “I brought my guitar with me when we tracked vocals, and he said I didn’t need it—the guitar parts were all done. He used the solos I played on the fly during the basic sessions. They were fun, off-the-cuff, and the tone and grooves were great. I was really dialed in.”

Ain’t Giving Up siphons from the same spirit as Texas Sugar, but the new album is definitely its own monster. The album was tracked live as a trio with Texas Sugar drummer Brannen Temple, but it also features a rhythm machine with some raw, looped beat patterns Duarte plays over, much like the same funky groove stylings as on J.J. Cale’s iconic 1971 album Naturally. “This album explores a wider spectrum of musicality,” shares Duarte. “I love Muddy Water and Howlin’ Wolf, but also feel like it’s part of me to introduce some unexpected influences. For this album, I didn’t feel scared to explore beyond hard driving blues. I view this as expanding on the format that I love.”

Ain’t Giving Up is intimate and gritty, but it also boasts pristine fidelity, as if we the listener are in the studio with Duarte and his buddies. The album opens with a bang on the super-charged Allman Brother-style riffy blues-rocker, “Nobody But You.” He follows this up, swaggering into some Fresh-era Sly and Family Stone-style funk. On “Can Opener” Duarte digs into a slinky Texas shuffle conjuring the instrumental magic of classic Freddie King.

With “Gimme Your Love” and the title track, Duarte conjures Jimmy Reed with some breezy, blues shuffles, each song is fitted with little tags and musical motifs that make these musical forms truly Chris Duarte songs. Duarte flexes some rockabilly chops on “Look What U Made Me Do” and slips into a Stones-y hip-shaking groove on “The Real Low Down.” Ain’t Giving Up concludes with a tour de force on slow blues of “Weak Days” which features some tasty Albert King-style stinging leads, and a heavy Zeppelin-esque musical interlude.

Ain’t Giving Up is a reset for Duarte that shows his resilience and his undiminished love of the blues. “I am so grateful to be signed to Provogue and to work with Dennis again—it’s been a dream come true,” Duarte enthuses. “I have been so fortunate to play music and do my thing for almost 30 years, and I couldn’t ask for a better life.”

Alan Davey is the longest serving bass player Hawkwind ever had and in his 19 years fronting the band on many world tours, he also published/wrote 55 songs for the band. He’s appeared on approximately 70 Hawkwind albums and produced 18 of them, many of which were in the top 20 British/European charts.

The name Hawkestrel comes from a piece of music Alan wrote on his first solo album released in 1997. The album ‘Captured Rotation’ was the best album of the month scoring 96/100 in one of Europes biggest music magazine ‘Ard Schok’,.! Other bands in the same magazine that month who scored less were Motörhead, Saxon and Cheap Trick to name a few.!

In 2016 Alan signed to LA based record label Cleopatra Records who signed him for 10 years! The first Hawkestrel album released in 2018 titled ‘The Future is Us’ features ex Hawkwind members Lemmy, Ginger Baker, Nik Turner, Simon House and Huw Lloyd Langton and also has a special guest appearance by William Shatner performing the famous Michael Moorcock poem ‘Sonic Attack’. The album received a lot of attention and high praise when released boosting the name Hawkestrel in America which is trademarked and owned in the US by Alan.!

Alan is looking to take Hawkestrel on the road in 2023 to celebrate Hawkwind’sclassic live album Space Ritual which was released 50 years ago to bring that classic 70’s sound to the stoner/rock fans and the festival scene in America as only Alan can. Being a close friend of Lemmy since 1985 and at only 22 years old he was taught by his mentor how to play Lemmy Bass and get the sound right which was a major part of the Hawkwind sound.

Fans worldwide now recognize Alan as the only Hawkwind member holding the torch for that era now, the sound that influenced so many bands thus making Hawkestrel something unique and special today.

Band members are….

Alan Davey – Bass guitar and vocals.

Hawkwind bassist and vocals for 19 years. He also plays with the Pink Faires and fronts heavy rock band Gunslinger.

Tommy Grenas – Audio Generators and vocals.

Tommy did many gigs with Nik Turner’s Hawkwind many times in the USA.

John Pack – Guitar and vocals. Has played live with Alan and Nik Turner’s Hawkwind in England and the USA.

James Dunn – Drums and backing vocals. Has also played live with Alan and Nik Turners Hawkwind in England and the USA.

In 2022 999 celebrated 46 years together as a band. The reason for their longevity is not airplay, massive publicity or hype but word of mouth and that “word of mouth” now extends to nearly every country on the planet.

999 were first conceived in late 1976 when Nick Cash (vocals/guitar) and Guy Days (vocals/lead guitar), who were at school together, decided to form a group. Within a couple of months they had teamed up with Jon Watson (bass) and Pablo Labritain (drums) and 999 were officially born. Their first gig was at the Northampton Cricket Club in January 1977. Interest in the band was immediate and constant gigging around London brought with it critical acclaim and a hard core following of supporters from Southall, calling themselves “The Crew”. These ranks were soon swollen by the Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Munich, Vienna, Zagreb, Stockholm, Oslo, Berlin, New York, LA, Toronto, Philadelphia, and San Francisco “Crews” each proving as dedicated as the last.

The frenzy and raw energy of the early days were captured by their debut single “I’m Alive on the bands own Labritain label and sold well enough to become a minor hit. Next through their association with United Artists records the second and third singles, “Nasty Nasty” and the now classic “Emergency” were released both scaling the lower reaches of the charts and confirming 999 to be one of the major forces in the British New Wave movement.

The first album simply titled “999” was released and was greeted with impressive sales and critical acclaim. Extensive touring took them throughout Britain and Europe where they now encountered full houses.

The second album “Separates” was released and immediately the single “Homicide” leapt straight into the UK top forty without any radio airplay and was banned by the BBC and most radio stations. 999 “Inside Out” featured on US version of Showtime Networks’ Shameless.” Homicide” appears on the Grand Theft Auto V soundtrack, the documentary The Killing of America (1982) and on the Netflix series Too Old To Die Young.

Early 1979 saw the band embarking on their first U.S. tour, which was an achievement in itself, as they were still without a record deal in America at the time. Response to the band was ecstatic, all the venues being filled and import albums being sold out in a rush of enthusiasm. The band were immediately booked for a return trip.

Since leaving United Artists 999 have recorded another 19 albums. Their latest album Bish! Bash! Bosh! was released on Cleopatra records in April 2020. Jon Watson (bass guitar) left the band in 1986 and was replaced by Danny Palmer and subsequently by Arturo Bassick in 1991. Stoo Meadows is currently helping out on drums in Pablo Labritain’s absence. To date the band have completed 18 U.S. tours, 142 London gigs, 57 UK tours and 37 European tours visiting Finland, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Holland, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia as well as Japan, Argentina and Brazil.

The Escape Club are best known for their Billboard #1 hit, ‘Wild, Wild West.’ It stormed up the U.S. charts in 1988 and is still on rotation on radio stations around the world.

They followed it with ‘Shake for the Sheikh’ (#26) They were nominated for a Grammy in 1989.

Their third Album, ‘Dollars and Sex,’ was released in 1991. With their first release from that album, the rock anthem, ‘Call it Poison,’ (#28) the band toured extensively around the USA and Europe. Their next chart success came with the ballad, ‘I’ll be there,’ which reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The band disbanded in 1993 and it wasn’t until 2009 that they re-emerged with a new album, ‘Celebrity.’

With a new E.P. on the way and a new line-up, Singer, Trevor Steel and The Escape Club are touring again.

The Lucid is an American hard rock group consisting of vocalist Vinnie Dombroski (Sponge), guitarist Drew Fortier (ex-Bang Tango), bassist David Ellefson (ex-Megadeth), and drummer Mike Heller (Malignancy, Raven, Fear Factory).

The band was formed in early 2020 with guitarist Drew Fortier and drummer Mike Heller demoing song ideas for a potential new project which led to Fortier’s frequent collaborator and former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson joining the fold with Sponge vocalist Vinnie Dombroski following soon after to complete the line up. The four met in L.A. in July 2020 to finish recording what would eventually become their self-titled debut album The Lucid. The album was produced by Heller, and mixed and mastered by Lasse Lammert.

This is David Ellefson’s first post Megadeth project after being let go from the band in May 2021.

In early September 2021, The Lucid released their first single “Maggot Wind” along with a release date of October 15 for their debut album.

In late September 2021, the band released their second single “Damned”.

In early October 2021, their third single “Hair” was released.

Peter Criss is a founding member and original drummer for the rock n’ roll supergroup, KISS. In addition to playing drums in the band, Peter also provided lead vocals for a number KISS’ most popular and memorable songs including Beth, Black Diamond, and Hard Luck Woman. Peter’s Catman persona is an instantly recognizable icon in pop culture.

Peter was born Peter George John Criscuola on December 20th, 1945 in Brooklyn, NY. Influenced by the big band sound of the 1940s, Peter idolized the playing style of legendary drummer Gene Krupa, who eventually became instrumental in Peter’s musical career. By the early 1970’s Peter had established an active and successful career as a musician.

In 1973 Peter Criss formed a trio with fellow New York City musicians Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley who, with the later addition of Ace Frehley, would become KISS. When the bands fourth album, KISS Alive!, hit the scene, KISS began it’s ascent to rock n’ roll domination. Followed up by the mega-smash album, Destroyer, KISS fans were treated to an unlikely hit in the form of Beth. Initial sales for Destroyer were slow until radio stations started playing Beth, which was originally the B-side of the Detroit Rock City single. Written and performed by Peter Criss, Beth set aside the drums and guitars of the bands typical sound for piano and a string section. Beth went on to become KISS’ highest charting single landing at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and was awarded a People’s Choice Award. With Beth, Peter Criss opened the door for drummers to come out from behind the drum set and fearlessly show their musical talents as songwriters and singers.

After numerous world tours, platinum albums, and KISS merchandise, Peter Criss left the band in 1980. He later embarked on a solo career that led to the release of Out of Control, Let Me Rock You, and most recently One for All, which land at number 35 on the Indy chart.

By popular demand, the original lineup of KISS reunited in 1995 for the years most successful tour. The Reunion Tour was followed up with the Psycho Circus album and tour, and finally the Farewell Tour. After the Farewell Tour, Peter briefly re-joined the band and appeared on the KISS Symphony: Alive IV album and DVD.

In October 2012, Peter Criss released his autobiography, Makeup to Breakup, giving an up close and personal view of everything from his NYC upbringing, his bout with cancer, music, life, love, and all things Catman! Makeup to Breakup broke the top ten on the New York Times Best Seller list, landing at number seven.

On April 10, 2014, Peter Criss was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a founding member of KISS. The Hall of Fame induction celebrates the original vision of KISS and the decades of influence and inspiration that Peter Criss and KISS have had on music and pop culture.

Sisters Doll are a trio of Brothers of blood and of rock ‘n’ roll. They grew up 200 kilometers south of Perth in the small Western Australian mining town of Collie, yet this is a band that knows how to turn heads wherever they go and step up to any opportunity that comes their way having already electrified audiences on the opposite side of the planet, in New York City.

Sisters Doll, who relocated to Melbourne in 2014 to fulfil their rock ‘n’ roll ambitions, have a trademark melodic rock sound that rivals the best of them, and an on-stage persona to boot. With over 800 shows under their belts and a career ten years strong, Sisters Doll are well in their prime.

Although having formed in February 2010, the band came to mainstream prominence in 2016 when they auditioned for Channel Nine’s “Australia’s Got Talent”. Even before being crowned runners up on the global talent juggernaut, Sisters Doll had already toured with former KISS guitarist and crowd favourite, Bruce Kulick on his 2015 Australian tour – and again in 2017 – played Groovin’ The Moo Festival in 2013, released an album [2012’s “Welcome To The Dollhouse”] and supported Australian and International rock royalty the likes of Four By Fate, LA Guns, The Angels, Ross Wilson, John Corabi, The Badloves, Quiet Riot, Angry Anderson, Kasey Chambers and Daryl Braithwaite. If that wasn’t enough, KISS’ original drummer, Peter Criss, invited the band to share his stage in Melbourne and New York City in 2017 to farewell the CATMAN for his final 2 performances.

In 2018, the band once again graced Australian television screens being handpicked as judges on Channel Seven’s debut season of “All Together Now”.

This put Sisters Doll in front of an audience and that’s where these guys shine… the stage is where they command attention. “We leave everything on the stage every time we perform,” says Brennan. “We pride ourselves on putting on the best show we can no matter how big or small the audience is. We run a professional show and a high energy intense rock show that helps separate us from the rest of the bands in the scene. We want people to escape reality when they come and watch us, we want them to be worn out from having a good time and forget about all their life problems when they enter our world of the Dollhouse.”

Their mission to impress is certainly winning them a legion of fans from the public – the ‘doll army’ as their ardent and loyal fans are aptly called – and from critics alike. Silver Tiger Media describing how the band “absolutely slayed their set and set the bar way up aloft any who would dare follow” when reviewing their support set with LA Guns in Melbourne.

The band just embarked on a 11-date promotional tour of the USA hitting famous landmarks and playing to sold out room’s at the Whisky A Go Go, Viper Room & Count Vamp’d In LA and Las Vegas. The sold-out show in New York City at the Cutting room was a highlight with a special appearance from rock legend Peter Criss got the Doll Army out in full force.

Sisters Doll rocked Nashville when they graced the stage at the 3-day Kiss Event titled “Creatures Fest”. The 3 brothers were in great company sharing the stage with icons Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Bruce Kulick & Vinnie Vincent.

In a household that was dominated with music the likes of staple glam rockers KISS, Motley Crue and Queen… to name a few, it’s easy to understand their natural progression in to a niche rock genre… but one thing is for certain, Sisters Doll are leading Australia’s glam rock and really bring the fun back in to rock ‘n’ roll! Don’t miss any opportunity to enter the Dollhouse!

Thirty Years Of Blisstatic Awesomeness!!!

Now Led by Lead Vocalist & Cheif Lyricist Doc.G & the group is returning back to its Soulful Hip-Hop roots and the return to Utopia is long overdue! After The passing of his paternal first cousin & Co Founder Prince Bein 2016, Doc.G “Crawled into a cave” all while coping with the death of his best friend and raising 2 young autistic sons on his own.

When Doc.G (A Gulf War Veteran) was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1993, Prince Be had him Transported from the Philadelphia Naval
Base to his front door, and he taught Doc.G the ropes and caught him up on all that he missed while serving our country.

After Prince Be Suffered 2 Strokes and a double leg amputation, He Gave His Blessing and handed over the group to Doc.G who continues to perform and travel the world Maintaining The Bliss.

A New album has been in development for the past year and they are taking their time to ensure that the music is worthy enough to satisfy music lovers of Yesterday and Today.

While The Group will perform classic Songs along with their current songs, this is a new journey and new experience and P.M. Dawn will always restore the light in darkest hour.

Welcome Back 2 The Utopian Experience!!!

BANG TANGO WAS FORMED IN 1988 BY MARK KNIGHT (GUITARS) AND KYLE KYLE (BASS). THE ADDITIONS OF JOE LESTE’ (VOCALS), KYLE STEVENS (GUITARS), AND TIGG KETLER (DRUMS) COMPLETED THE ORIGINAL LINEUP. ONE OF THE FEW HARD ROCK GROUPS IN LOS ANGELES INCORPORATING FUNK INTO THEIR SOUND AT THE TIME, BANG TANGO WAS IMMEDIATELY SIGNED TO MCA/MECHANIC AFTER RELEASING THEIR FIRST LIVE RECORD, 1989’S “LIVE INJECTION.” RELEASED LATER THAT YEAR, “PSYCHO CAFÉ” DEBUTED TO BOTH CRITICAL AND POPULAR ACCLAIM, SOLIDIFYING THE BAND AS A HARD ROCK PRESENCE TO BE RECKONED WITH IN A MUSIC SCENE DOMINATED BY THE HAIR AND GLAM METAL OF THE TIME.

The Complete Disaster

Hailing from Des Moines, Iowa, Mike Vallely And The Complete Disaster not only encapsulate the punk sounds that skateboard legend and vocalist Mike Vallely is known for: Mike V And The Rats, Revolution Mother, Good For You, Black Flag, but they also play their own original brand of Barn Burning, Greasy Rock n Roll that spans the genres from jam band to hard rock, to metal. The rhythm section is anchored by Irish twins Wade and Paul Thompson (Tyler Thompson Band) while guitarist Eli Clark exorcises his over-driven blues possession. Bringing music to the people and partying like it’s 1977, Mike Vallely And The Complete Disaster are a bar band, arena rockers, and street buskers all rolled up into one tight and powerful bolt of lightning.