When Punk Meets Prog Metal – The Last Ditches Feat. The Heartbreakers Walter Lure & Black Sabbath/Rainbow's Bobby Rondinelli

NYC - Could there be two more disparate musical genres than Punk and Prog Metal? And… Could those oil and water categories ever mix? The answer… The Last Ditches…A respected Prog Metal rhythm section meets 'Real Deal' CBGB/Max's Kansas City guitars and singing.

The Last Ditches sprang into being thanks to the animal cunning and persistence of Funk Metal bassist extraordinaire and studio owner, Randy Pratt. See, Randy had a deep conviction that he, along with actual no-kidding punk legend, New York's Heartbreakers' Walter Lure, The Planets' long time guitarist, Binky Philips, and another genuine music icon, Rainbow and Black Sabbath's Master Prog Metal drummer, Bobby Rondinelli, would make an amazing sound together; a blending of two rock styles that usually want nothing to do with each other…It took over four years to prove his point, but, Randy was oh, so right.

For those who need a remedial, Walter Lure was “the other guitarist” in Johnny Thunders' Heartbreakers, rightly considered one of the Top Five All Time Great Punk bands. While the toxically charismatic Johnny took up most of the spotlight, Walter's guitar playing made up the bulk of the band's incredible music, as did Walter's songwriting. To wrap Walter's justified legend up in one neat sentence… “Walter Lure also played un-credited guitar on four albums by The Ramones”.

Ask any serious drummer playing arena-recording level drums and they will all not only know who Bobby Rondinelli is, chances are, they own some of his world famous instructional DVDs. World Famous is not glib here. Mr. Rondinelli travels the globe giving sold out drumming seminars in Tokyo, London, Scandinavia, Moscow… In addition to Bobby being a member of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow for their albums “Difficult to Cure” (1981), “Straight Between the Eyes” (1982) and “Finyl Vinyl” (1986), Bobby recorded and toured with Black Sabbath on and for the “Cross Purposes” album and two albums and one DVD with Blue Oyster Cult, easily three of the all time most influential Metal bands. Mr. Rondinelli's other recordings number in the literal hundreds.

Binky and Randy are decades-long veterans of the New York City Music Scene. Randy played with the likes of The Funky Knights and is currently the harpist in the reconstituted Cactus, yes, that Cactus, and the internationally acclaimed funk-metal band, The Lizards. Meanwhile, Binky, who, back in the day, shared NYC stages with The New York Dolls, KISS, The Ramones, Blondie, et al, has stuck to his Planets guns all this time while writing a weekly column for Huffington Post. Tommy Ramone even called Binky “a virtuoso”.

Every aspect of The Last Ditches' music (Walter Lure came up with the name), are extraordinarily successful examples of kitsch painter, Bob Ross's Happy Accident approach to art. All thirteen songs on “Spilt Milk” were learned on the spot in the studio and recorded the moment “the ducks lined up”. Adding to the immediacy of the basic tracks, in every case, all the many guitar overdubs were cut with nothing worked out in advance, ever. What Walter and Binky achieved was almost entirely by instinct, attitude, and a strong musical empathy. This is music for Guitar Freaks. Bobby and Randy laid down over-the-top granite-hard fist-tight foundations for Walter and Binky's careening guitars and voices. The band's dear pal, Paul Gifford, added gorgeous harmony vocals.

Eight of the thirteen songs recorded were written by Walter and Binky and Randy, expressly for the “Spilt Milk” album. The remaining five cuts are from untapped back catalog.

It is The Last Ditches' great good fortune (and yours) that this project was headed up by the dazzling Master Engineer, JZ Barrell (who shares Producer credit with Binky) behind the recording console. The band's magic might have been accidental, JZ's was emphatically not. The truth is, everything took so damn long and at times seemed to be happening in a vacuum, that The Last Ditches themselves had no idea they had recorded such an utterly visceral and exciting rock and roll album until JZ finished it.

Okay, it's time for you (and your neighbors) to enjoy this music.

The Last Ditches “Spilt Milk” will be released on Hyperspace / Rocker Records: https://www.facebook.com/Hyperspace-Records-158124194256116/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Healthy Junkies 'Box of Chaos' Review

Healthy Junkies are a band that lives, breathes and suffers punk rock. This is most evident in their latest album ‘Box Of Chaos’, a truly magnificent ode to the manic depression that plagues the residents of a 21^stcentury world.

Although full of social commentary about how screwed this planet is in songs like “Watch Out” or “Captive” Healthy Junkies don’t drown into a nihilistic kind of self pity. Instead, they are punk rock enough to scream “I don’t give a damn” and “Je suis free”, demonstrating that our day and age isn’t necessarily an easy one to live in but that ultimately they’re going their way regardless – and that’s brilliantly inspiring!

http://www.healthyjunkies.co.uk/

www.soundcloud.com/healthyjunkies

https://twitter.com/HealthyJunkies?

https://www.facebook.com/healthyjunkiesband/

Track Feature: Sarah Borges-Caught By The Rain

Sarah Borges has got soul from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet. Leaving her band and taking her music to the masses by herself was a big move. 

Listening to the new single "Caught By The Rain" is proof that her talent is strong enough to stand on its own. She may have been in an "in the rain" state of mind before taking such a risk but after listening to the new single I think there is no chance that there is a storm brewing at all. All the clouds have parted and the sun is shining on this exciting talent.

"Caught By The Rain" is bluesy and from the gut. Sarah's singing has just the right edge to it and the guitar playing is smokin' hot!

Give this track your time and you will not be sorry, you will want more!

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck



More About Sarah Borges:

http://www.sarahborges.com

"Caught By The Rain” is available NOW for download on iTunes: smarturl.it/ke4ujt

Change is something that takes a little getting used to. If you need proof of this, ask the soulful Sarah Borges. After a long and successful stint with her band, The Broken Singles, 2011 marked the band’s breakup – and Sarah embarking on a solo career. She admits it took some time to adjust. “One of the things I didn’t expect is when you’re on stage and you’re doing a show, there’s certain things you have to do. You have to tune your guitar. You have to take a sip of your drink. It’s just inevitable. I guess I had my band mates fill in that space – whether it be telling jokes or on-stage banter. You can’t have that when it’s just you. That’s a change. You have to be ok with it being quiet for a second. Also, you play out with your bandmates so much – especially when you’ve been together for a long time, and you operate as a unit. You have to dig deep and think about how you’re going to make the show exciting by yourself instead of relying on others.”

However, “digging deep” has never been a problem for the Massachusetts native. Whether it be through performances or her writing, Borges has learned to dazzle – and do it well. That ability can be heard all over her 2014 Radio Sweetheart disc, as well as her upcoming follow-up, Good and Dirty, due in early 2016. She attributes that ability to a very eclectic sound, which she comes by naturally, she says.

“I would say that my sound is straight up rock and roll, but it’s the sum total of what my record collection looks like. The new record that I am working on is certainly more Americana than the last record was. It’s also more rock than the last record. I would say that it’s a version of the live shows – a lot of loud guitars and loud singing. You can certainly dance to it.”

Vintage 1977 Live Album by Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers Finally Sees Light Of Day, Celebrated With Record Release Party Gig By Walter Lure!

Los Angeles, CA - Rock out like a motherf****r with this previously unreleased live album by NY punk legends Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers performing at the very peak of their powers in front of an adoring hometown crowd at the Village Gate in Greenwich Village. Pulling from two shows recorded August 18 & 20, L.A.M.F. Live At The Village Gate 1977 has been declared by former Heartbreakers guitarist/vocalist Walter Lure as simply the best shows the band ever played in its brief but storied career. No wonder too since the band was mere months away from releasing their debut album, the now revered classic of early punk, L.A.M.F. Available on both CD, in a deluxe mini-LP gatefold sleeve, plus a limited edition hot pink 12” gatefold vinyl pressing, L.A.M.F. Live also features special guest performances by Robert Gordon and New York Doll Sylvain Sylvain! The album will be available everywhere on October 16 courtesy of Cleopatra Records.

To celebrate this momentous release, Walter Lure will be performing at two exclusive album release parties, the first at the Til-Two Club in San Diego on October 16 and the second at the Redwood Bar & Grill in Los Angeles on October 17. The show promises to be a wild ride through the L.A.M.F. album including such classics as “Chinese Rocks,” “Born Too Loose” and more!

Track List
1. Chinese Rocks
2. Pirate Love
3. Get Off The Phone
4. All By Myself
5. Let Go
6. Can’t Keep My Eyes On You
7. Chatterbox
8. One Track Mind
9. Take A Chance With Me
10. Born Too Loose
11. Boppin’ The Blues
12. Do You Love Me
13. I Wanna Be Loved

Buy the CD: http://cleorecs.com/store/shop/johnny-thunders-the-heartbreakers-l-a-m-f-live-at-the-village-gate-1977-cd/
Buy the LP: http://cleorecs.com/store/shop/johnny-thunders-the-heartbreakers-l-a-m-f-live-at-the-village-gate-1977-limited-edition-hot-pink-lp/
Buy the digital album: http://flyt.it/LAMFLive

Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

Track Evaluation: The Kut - I Want You Maniac- Halloween Single

This power trio gets down with some basic head bangin' rock just in time for Halloween. "I Want You Maniac" reminded me fondly of The Runaways and rockers like "Cherry Bomb."

Basic straight ahead rock if you are alive and well or a zombie, you will get that body in motion listening to this music!

MuzikMan Rating 4/5

More About The Kut:
"The Kut won the public vote in the MTV Brand New Unsigned Poll for 2014. This year they have been in Kerrang!, on BBC Introducing (including a live regional session), Kerrang! Radio and in the Scuzz TV Most Wanted Rock chart with their last couple of videos."

UK Punk Legends The Vibrators Get Back To Their Roots With Their Newest Album Punk Mania!

Los Angeles, CA - The Vibrators, one of the only surviving UK punk bands from the class of 1977, make a storming return on fully charged batteries, bringing us Punk Mania - Back To The Roots, set to be released September 16th on Cleopatra Records! 14 killer reminders (plus 3 more on the CD) as to why Knox, Eddie & Co. have built a long, successful career on their razor sharp riffs and rousing hooks!

Check out the infectious rockers “Blackout,” “I Wish I Had A Gun,” and the neo-classic “Love Like Diamonds.” The CD version adds 3 bonus tracks including a rip roaring version of the Flamin’ Groovies classic “Slow Death” and lots more! Punk Mania - Back To The Roots stays true to its name. Expertly produced and mixed by original bassist Pat Collier, and featuring guest guitar on 5 tracks by Nicky Garratt of The UK Subs.

The band’s North American tour kicks off September 11th. Don’t miss them!

Punk Mania CD track list:
1. Retard
2. Blackout
3. Love Like Diamonds
4. No Sweat
5. Bleed To Death
6. The Ohio
7. She’s A Girl
8. Rats
9. Turn The Radio On
10. Harness
11. Just Be True
12. The Other Foot
13. I Wish I Had A Gun
14. Fix
BONUS TRACKS
15. Slow Death
16. Get Me A Beer
17. On My Way To Hell

The Vibrators 2014 USA Tour:

Thu. 11 Sept. POMONA (CA), Characters
Fri. 12 Sept. VENTURA (CA), Billy O's
Sat. 13 Sept. LOS ANGELES (CA), Airliner
Sun. 14 Sept. SALENAS (CA), Casa Sorrento
Mon. 15 Sept. FRESNO (CA), Elverano
Wed. 17 Sept. SACRAMENTO (CA), Cafe Colonial
Thu. 18 Sept. SAN FRANCISCO (CA), Parkside
Fri. 19 Sept. RENO (NV), Ground Zero
Sat. 20 Sept. PORTLAND (OREGON), Flabtown
Sun. 21 Sept. SEATTLE (WA), Studio 7
Wed. 24 Sept. OMAHA (NE), Brothers
Thu. 25 Sept. MINNEAPOLIS (MN), The Cause
Fri. 26 Sept. LOMBARD (IL), Brauer House
Sat. 27 Sept. CHICAGO (IL), Red Line Tap
Sun. 28 Sept. MILWAUKE (WI), Charters
Mon. 29 Sept. DES MOINES (IA), Vaudeville Mews
Tue. 30 Sept. MISHAWAKA (IN), Smith's Downtown
Wed. 1 Oct. PITTSBURG (PA), Belvedere's
Thu. 2 Oct. CLEVELAND (OH), That's Class
Fri. 3 Oct. LONG BRANCH (NJ), Brighton Bar
Sat. 4 Oct. BROOKLYN (NJ), Trash Bar
Sun. 5 Oct. BOSTON (MA), Midway Cafe
Mon. 6 Oct. PHILADELPHIA (PA), Dobb's
Tue. 7 Oct. MURFSBORO (NC), Zakk's
Thu. 9 Oct. BIRMINGHAM (AL), Zydeco
Fri. 10 Oct. ST. PETERSBURG (FL), Fubar
Sat. 11 Oct.MIAMI (FL), Churchill's
Sun. 12 Oct. JACKSONVILLE (FL), Jack Rabbit's
Wed. 15 Oct. NEW ORLEANS (LA), Siberia
Thu. 16 Oct. HOUSTON (TX), E. Downtown Warehouse
Fri. 17 Oct. DALLAS (TX), Three Links
Sat. 18 Oct. AUSTIN (TX), The Parlor
Sun. 19 Oct. TULSA (OK), The Yeti
Tue. 21 Oct. MIDLAND (TX), Blue Max
Thu. 23 Oct. PHOENIX (AZ), George + Dragon
Fri. 24 Oct. LAS VEGAS (NV), Double Down
Sat. 25 Oct. LONG BEACH (CA), Alex's Bar
Sun. 26 Oct. LOS ANGELES (CA), Redwood Bar

To order the CD on Amazon: http://geni.us/1Sg0
To order the digital version on iTunes: http://geni.us/3P0P

Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

LA Punk Legends The Furys Return With A Vengeance!

Los Angeles – One of LA's legendary Punk bands, The Furys, have returned to the music scene with a vengeance! Much to the excitement of fans worldwide, the reformed group has released a new self-titled 4-track EP now available on iTunes! The EP includes two new recordings by the group, “Wicked White” and “Tear It Down”, as well as their 1978 hit single “Say Goodbye To The Black Sheep”, and the track “The Girl Is Not At Home” from the band's critically acclaimed 1988 EP on EMI!

Says founding member and lead vocalist Jeff Wolfe, “After numerous multi-generational requests, The Furys have been reformed to continue their campaign for world domination.”

According to Wolfe, “The Furys formed in 1977 as a reaction to the dreadful noise that was on the radio at that time.” The band was a forerunner in the DIY movement, writing, producing, performing, releasing, promoting and distributing their first single “Hey Ma/Jim Stark Dark” in 1977.

Watch the videos!
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj8lIjOIlsE) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdNS6eGlgB8)

The Furys began performing all over Southern California after this first release. By 1978, the group released their second single “Say Goodbye to the Black Sheep”. The single received massive attention becoming an international underground hit, generating sales, radio play and an upswing in live markets. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPMtPepUf4g)

The press attention was extensive ranging from esteemed establishment publications such as the Los Angeles Times and Billboard to punk rock zines such as Slash and Flip Side. The group continued its live shows working stages with the likes of David Johansen, Iggy Pop, The Weirdos, Patti Smith, The Knack, the Plimsouls and many others. The Furys played anywhere and everywhere from the Whisky a Go Go to roller rinks in Orange County to punk rock warehouses in San Diego. In 1979, the band released their third single “We Talk We Dance/Moving Target” which continued the upward spiral.

In 1988 The Furys released their mini-album “Indoor/Outdoor” recorded at EMI/America. The album garnered huge college radio attention and the band continued its assault on the stages of America. (http://www.youtube.com/user/thefurysmusic)

Now, in the 21st century, the Furys have returned with a vengeance! The Furys are releasing new material, a box set of the classics, a live dvd and a documentary that threatens to tell all. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDED79YoNxY)

The Furys EP tracks include:

Wicked White
Tear It Down
Say Goodbye To The Black Sheep
The Girl Is Not At Home

To purchase The Furys EP:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-furys-ep/id859677503

For more information:
The Furys reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/thefurys4
The Furys FB picture site: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Furys/148310765373316?fref=ts
The Furys 21st century FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/446752238687819/?fref=ts

Band contact: the_furys@yahoo.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

UK Punk Legends The Deviants Back Catalog Gets Reissued On Gonzo Multimedia

London, UK - Much to the excitement of punk rock fans around the globe, Gonzo Multimedia is reissuing the legendary Deviants back catalog. The Social Deviants were founded by singer/writer Mick Farren in 1967 out of the Ladbroke Grove UK Underground community, featuring Pete Munro on bass; Clive Muldoon on guitar, Mike Robinson on guitar and Russell Hunter on drums. The band shortened their name to The Deviants after Munro and Muldoon left and were replaced by Sid Bishop on guitar and Cord Rees on bass. With the financial backing of Nigel Samuel, the 21-year-old son of a millionaire, whom Farren had befriended, the group independently recorded their debut album 'Ptooff!', selling copies through the UK Underground press before it was picked up by Decca Records.

Rees left the band in June 1967 to be replaced by Farren's flatmate Duncan Sanderson and the band released a second album 'Disposable' through the independent label Stable Records. When Bishop married and left the band, Farren recruited Canadian guitarist Paul Rudolph, at the suggestion of Jamie Mandelkau. This band recorded and released the album 'The Deviants 3' through Transatlantic Records.

During a tour of North America's west coast the relationship between Farren and the musicians became personally and musically strained, and the band decided to continue without Farren, who returned to England where he teamed up with ex-Pretty Things drummer Twink and Steve Peregrin Took to record the album 'Mona – The Carnivorous Circus', an album interspersed with interviews with members of the UK Hells Angels, before concentrating on music journalism. The three remaining musicians - Rudolph, Sanderson and Hunter - returned to England, and teamed up with Twink to form the Pink Fairies.

In the mid-1970s, Farren was offered a one-off deal by Stiff Records to record an EP, 'Screwed Up', which was released under the name Mick Farren and the Deviants. The musicians on this record included Rudolph, former Pink Fairies/Motörhead guitarist Larry Wallis, former Warsaw Pakt guitarist Andy Colquhoun and former Hawkwind drummer Alan Powell. This band, without Rudolph, went on to record the album 'Vampires Stole My Lunch Money' and the non-album single “Broken Statue”, both credited to Mick Farren rather than The Deviants.

The Deviants - 'Barbarian Princes Live In Japan 1999':

At the end of the 1970s Farren again concentrated on his writing and relocated to New York. He would resurrect The Deviants name for occasional live performances, such as these shows recorded in Japan with long-time friend and collaborator Andy Colquhoun. (To be released on April 28, 2014)

Tracks:
Track Listing:
1. Aztec Calender
2. Eating Jello With A Heated Fork
3. Disgruntled Employee
4. It's Alright Ma
5. God's Worst Nightmare
6. Leader Hotel
7. Lennon Song
8. Thunder On The Mountain
9. Lurid Night
10. Dogpoet

http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/search/product_details/15666/The_Deviants-Barbarian_Princes_Live_in_Japan_1999.html

The Deviants 'Dr Crow':

The legendary Mick Farren, for nearly forty years their singer and guiding light has stated that The Deviants were originally a community band which "did things every now and then—it was a total assault thing with a great deal of inter-relation and interdependence". Musically, Farren described their sound as "teeth-grinding, psychedelic rock" somewhere between The Stooges and The Mothers of Invention. The Deviants have been described as a transition between classic British psych and the punk/heavy metal aesthetic of the 1970s.

Andy Colquhoun, long-time Deviants guitarist explained, “It was recorded in LA. It was mostly recorded at some studio up in The Valley”. He went on to explain that there were actually two versions of the original album, and that the Gonzo release included two tracks that originally only appeared in Japan.

Tracks:
The Deviants - Dr. Crow
1. When Dr Crow Turns on the Radio
2. Strawberry Fields Forever
3. The Murdering Officer
4. Taste The Blue
5. Bela Lugosi 2002
6. You're Gonna Need Somebody On Your Bond
7. Diabolo's Cadillac
8. Song of The Hired Guns
9. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
10. Sold To Babylon
11. A Long Dry Season
12. What Do You Want?

http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/search/product_details/15620/The_Deviants-Dr_Crow.html

The Deviants Have Left The Planet:

At the end of the 1970s, Mick Farren would resurrect The Deviants name for occasional live performances, such as in February 1984 when he teamed up with Wayne Kramer and Wallis' band which featured Sanderson and drummer George Butler. This set was released as Human Garbage. In 2002, a new line-up of the band (featuring bassist Doug Lunn, drummer Rick Parnell and vocalist Michael Simmons) released 'Dr. Crow'.

Farren then continued to perform and record sporadically under the name The Deviants, using a pool of musicians which include Colquhoun and former Blodwyn Pig saxophonist Jack Lancaster. 'Eating Jello With A Heated Fork' was released in 1996, credited to Deviants IXVI, followed by 2002's 'Dr Crow'. On June 25, 2011, after returning to live in the UK, Farren performed on the 'Spirit of 71' stage at Glastonbury Festival with 'The Last Men Standing'. The band included Colquhoun and the Deviants' late-1960s rhythm section of Sanderson and Hunter. During a rare performance by The Deviants at The Borderline in Central London on 27 July, 2013, Farren collapsed on stage. He died later in hospital.

This album was originally released in 1999. Critic Dave Thompson writes: “Half live, half-studio Left the Planet bristles with the highest octane intake of new Mick Farren songs in years - and anyone armed with the 'Barbarian Princes' live album will already know what that means. The bulk of the album was recorded with Farren's Deviants lineup of guitarist/bassist Andy Colquhoin and former Motörhead drummer Phil Taylor - itself an aggregation to make your skin crawl. Four live tracks from sundry Terrastock and L.A. shows, however, add a shapeless shadow to any sense of well-being which familiarity might conjure up...the overall mood of the album remains fearful, foreboding, and absolutely poisonous, a kick in the small of the back to propel you into a world which restructures the sound of the rock revolution before the media middlemen tacked their percentage on top - and it proves that some things really can't be bought or sold. Peace of mind is one of them.”

Tracks:
1: Aztec Calender
2: Gunfire in the Night
3. It's Alright Ma (I'm only bleeding)
4. God's Worst Nightmare
5. People are Afraid of Reality
6. Love Among the Zombies
7. Let's Loot the Supermarket again Like we did Last Summer
8. Yellow Dog
9. Mick Farren has Left the Planet
10 Twilight of the Gods
11. Memphis Psychosis

http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/search/product_details/15639/The_Deviants-The_Deviants_Have_Left_The_Planet.html

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com