The Reds (from Philadelphia, PA) follow-up their critically acclaimed 2007 album, Fugitives From The Laughing House, with a rock n' roll noir in Three Acts entitled, Early Nothing. The record was made over a period of time, developing a hypnotic quality leaving the listener free to let the subconscious play itself out, no matter where it goes, maintaining the simplicity of the moment. If you thought The Reds couldn't get any heavier or darker . . . . you've been warned. Rick Shaffer's shattered guitars, and Bruce Cohen's insane sonic keyboards are still there, but bigger. Although, a pure focus of what came before, and continues to inspire them is never more present. Shaffer and Cohen keep exploring their own stream of conscious. The bass and drums supply the bottom and rhythm section from hell, sounding like the bastard child of The Velvet Underground. While Shaffer's vocals sound like a man alone on a starless night, shouting his dark hoodoo against the uncertainty of the world around him.
The First Act of Early Nothing starts with, Big Boy, a loud, heavy, stomping menace with metallic guitars and pulsing, grinding organ, combined with lyrics that are not what you think they are, or are they? Sidebuster and Diggin' It, two groove oriented pieces, blend a roots synthesis with relentless, pounding drums, swaying maracas and guitars. An insular blues feel, with Hammond Organ strokes like a late 60's burn at its very best, and synth adding just the right amount of color and mood.
Early Nothing starts the second act with a cerebral center piece entitled, Endless, followed by Night Must Fall and Laying Low, a slower dense rocker that hits in the middle like a Bowie/Ronson era gem, ending with a fuzzed-out guitar rave up. Shaffer's vocal sounds like a lost soul looking for a way out, while Cohen provides an atmosphere as dark and deep as you can go. These three songs show where the band's film roots really come into play. The textures and ambient walls throughout, rising and falling within the songs, provide a truly haunting sound.
Where We Belong, a Mississippi Hill country groove with a great early Animals keyboard hook, backward guitar parts form a wall of sound, that drives you through town to a world where no right is wrong. A Few Dollars More, inspired by filmmaker Amy Berg's exposing documentary, "Deliver Us From Evil," meshed with an electronic piece written by Cohen, who delivers an ending on keyboards that leave the listener in free flight.
Then, just when you're awash in the mood, and starting to feel safe and comfortable, The Reds throw you a curve by starting the Third Act blasting away with, So Long, an out and out straight ahead rocker that will make you get up and scream . . . . always a good thing. The grand finale, Strangeness, a Bo Diddley-on-acid-shake-down ends Early Nothing with a guitar and keyboard wall of sound, losing control with an exercise of raw power that takes the listener to the edge. The Reds know injustice, excess and greed ensure there are no guarantees in this life, and Shaffer's asks, "Don't you feel it . . . . its getting closer everyday?"
With the release of, Early Nothing, The Reds, shaman of dark, brooding, loud rock continue to explore and define their sound.
GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!
Feel the sound of ILLIYUN!
A quartet of passion, energy and soulful tunes with heavy guitar riffs from Ryan "Wolfman" Haberfield and sultry passionate lyrics by vocalist Sammy Jay, backed up by the deep bassline of Pete Cherry and the intensity of Drummer Leon Meade.
VENDETTA is a fusion of anger, sorrow, sadness and betrayal.
VENDETTA, the fresh new music video brought to you by Right Eye Productions.
Directed by Rey Janjua. 2008.
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Check out this great dynamic Music Video for '9988' by Doll's House,
This sexy energetic group tear it up as they blast this brilliant track out to the masses!
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Warning! This Video contains strobe lighting effects that may harm photosensitive individuals.
Directed By Rey Janjua.
Brought to you by Right Eye Productions Ltd.
Copyright. 2008
http://www.righteyepro.com
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GB`s vocal dexterity has been likened to the soal of George Michael, the grit and charisma of Jon Bon Jovi, the swagger of Elvis Presley and the Range of David Coverdale...quite a combination!
His on stage charisma makes him stand out from todays look at ya shoes and play merchants and he can go from love to hate at the flick of a switch and venues from hotels to bars and clubs, halls and theatres have seen him rock their roofs off.
GB had been writing songs since he was 13 years old but never took it seriously until he joined his first band then the young singer began a self apprentiship in writing and performing.
"The 1st time I heard people singing my songs back to me was in my 1st real band, in 1987, though my songwriting skills were still very basic I`d found real teachers in Lennon and McCartney, Burt Bacharach, Dianne Warren, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Elton John and Bernie Taupin, all the great songwriters and I have devoted my career trying to emulate the ideal that simple is best, less is more, top lines are what people hum so make them count, and if it dont work in its organic form, it wont work during production which is why there isnt a song I`v written I cant perform on just a guitar or piano, I wont rely on a studio to make the song work I`d just be kidding myself!"
His brightest moments included being onstage fronting a band with legendary guitarist Uli John Roth and Keyboard genius Don Airey for a Jimmi Hendrix tribute show in front of the late Monica Danneman, (Jimmi`s fiance) performing a rendition of Little Wing, and he has also produced and developed hundreds of bands and artists including Girl Band Beau-t who he helped get signed to Mercury Records. GB along with lead singer Tamara Lea Garrett wrote 30 songs and produced two albums, he also set up and directed their backing band and this caught the attention of Andros Georgiou and then Richard Park who signed them to his Park Label.
GB says
"This is a fickle industry to be a performer in especially right now, 100..s of pubs and clubs are closing every day due to the financial climate, the smoking ban and price of alcohol has devastated the pub and club scene and people are choosing to stay at home more., I used to have 3 residencies in great venues that have all closed down and if the goverment and all their pen pushing little minions have their way with this ridiculouse legislation then the live music scene wont just be going, it will be gone. so its important to have a back up plan, for me that will always be songwriting, you can still earn money from publishing when your down on your luck as a singer and in this industry its the song thats the key, you can have a great singer or band, if the song sucks..then its over, I still want to write my Imagine, something that will go down in history as an all time great..but which songwriter doesnt!"
After years travelling the world and singing in some of the best venues from the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, to the Green point Bowl in South Africa, Wembley Arena in The UK, and bars and clubs all over Europe, GB lives on a farm in West Sussex were he spends his time writing when he isnt recording with his band, Drummer Gavin Smith, Bassist Brad Rice, and His 2nd Engineer/Guitarist ,Al Hutton.
GB is also a huge lover of motorcycles and rides an 1100 Custom Dragstar and his dream machine would be an old 45 knucklehead Harley, fully Bobbed with a Jockey shift and Suicide clutch!
" My time hasnt come yet but success has been a close on a couple of occaisions and I truly believe that if you persist, every dog has his day, so I just keep on keeping on."