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Thursday, May 25, 2023

MVT award more grants

23 GRASSROOTS MUSIC VENUES AWARDED CHARITY GRANTS IN FOURTH Round61 venues

London


, May 24th 2023
. 23 Grassroots lMusic Venues have received grants from the charity Music Venue Trust (MVT), as part of a fourth round of recipients for its major new funding initiative which provides grants of up to £5,000 for UK Grassroots Music Venues.

The Pipeline Investment Fund, established in 2022, is primarily funded by ticket sales of MVT’s recent ‘Revive Live’ programme of gigs around the UK, a hugely successful partnership with The National Lottery. To date £165,000 worth of grants have been awarded to 38 Grassroots Music Venues since December. This fourth round of payments sees a total sum of £97,516.97 awarded to a further 23 GMVs across the country.

Small scale grant applications (up to £5,000) were invited from UK based Grassroots Music Venues to support two key areas of work:

   Small scale capital projects; including lights, sound, access, ventilation and minor building alterations

      Staff Training; workforce diversification, succession planning, skills development and strengthening local community ties.

The grants were awarded for a range of requirements including sound and lighting equipment, staff training, soundproofing, air conditioning, repairs and venue improvements, accessibility and seating 

The full list of new recipient venues are:

Venue

City/Town

Reason for grant

The Underground

Bradford

Mixture of mixing desk, backline and production equipment 

The Rose Hill

Brighton

Staff training

The Six Six Bar

Cambridge

Sound proofing

Fuel Rock Club

Cardiff

Air conditioning

CWRW

Carmarthen

Soundproofing, new production and backline equipment

The Lighthouse

Deal, Kent

Variety of sound equipment including a new sound desk

Docks Academy

Grimsby

Variety of production equipment

The Holroyd

Guildford

Backline, lighting, DJ Mixer and new mics to improve production in venue

The Old Abbey Taphouse

Hulme, Manchester

Urgent repairs and improvement

The Smokehouse

Ipswich

New sound desk 

2 Funky Music Cafe

Leicester

Purchase of a new sound desk to replace a 7 year old analogue desk 

Melodic Bar

Liverpool

Staging, training and seating 

Loki 

London (Brixton)

Purchase of speakers as part of a larger project to buy a new sound system for venue

The Dublin Castle

London (Camden)

Venue maintenance

Rebellion

Manchester

New lighting for production and training for staff 

The Middlesbrough Empire

Middlesbrough

Lighting & production equipment

The Lubber Fiend

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Improve stage equipment

Little Buildings

Newcastle Upon Tyne

New sound desk to enable recording of live shows

Escape Venue

Northampton

Safe flooring

Rocknrollas

Paisley

To build an accessible ramp into the premises to increase accessibility

Chinnerys

Southend on Sea

Various production improvements

Ku Stockton

Stockton

Purchase of new monitors to replace 20 year old system

The Crescent Community Venue

York

New seating

Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust said:“This fourth round of the Pipeline Investment Fund once again demonstrates how much difference small amounts of money, wisely invested, can make for Grassroots Music Venues. With grassroots music venues facing extraordinary challenges right now, Music Venue Trust is determined to keep pressing the music industry and government to support this fund and ensure music communities right across the country can continue to access the very best in live music.”

The fund prioritises support for organisations who may have been excluded from other available funding and was open to all venue operators and organisations that meet any of the three definitions of a Grassroots Music Space, which can be found here.

Music Venue Trust is still actively seeking further donations, particularly from the wider music industry, to maintain and expand the Pipeline Investment Fund and make it a permanent source of support for Grassroots Music Venues. Please contact ozlem@musicvenuetrust.com for details of how this work can be supported.

In January, Music Venue Trust released their 2022 Annual Report, which was launched at a reception for MPs at The House of Commons. The report details the immense contribution of Grassroots Music Venues to the UK economy, and the current threat they face as a result of the cost-of-living crisis and ongoing post-covid recovery.

MVT is calling on the government to review the VAT on ticket sales that is currently limiting profitability and crushing a sector responsible for nurturing new, upcoming talent in the UK – talent that goes on to define British culture and create huge profit for the industry.

The report also outlines plans to ensure all new arenas opening in the UK contribute to the wider music eco-system by investing a percentage of every ticket sale into Grassroots Venues. As, without the work of GMVs to nurture new talent, there will be no big artists to fill these venues in the coming years. Taking matters into their own hands, last month Enter Shikari announced that £1 from every ticket sold for their first ever arena tour would go to MVT to support the Pipeline Investment Fund.

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

NEW PHOTOS!: DEF LEPPARD AND MÖTLEY CRÜE OPENING NIGHT IN THE UK FOR ‘THE WORLD TOUR’

Sheffield, UK - Monday, May 22nd, Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe proved once again why they are two of the most iconic and celebrated rock legends of all time, delivering an unforgettable performance to a packed house at Bramall Lane Sheffield. The bands took to the stage and gave it their all, delivering hit after hit to the adoring crowd. The energy was electric, and fans were on their feet from start to finish. 







Joe Elliott - "Well, it finally arrived. We were so looking forward to bringing The World Tour with Motley Crue back to our home turf and what a spectacular night it was!! 
 
We knew after how well the Stadiums went down last year in North America and earlier this year in South and Central America that our UK & Europeans fans were going to really enjoy this show. But last night in Sheffield, where it all started many years ago, exceeded even our expectations! If the reaction we had last night at Bramall Lane is any indication, this UK / European leg of The World Tour is going to be fantastic!"

Mötley Crüe stated: "We literally just finished in the recording studio with Bob Rock and headed straight to the UK to start The World Tour with Def Leppard. Sheffield was an amazing first UK crowd and we’re excited for the rest of the shows including the legendary Wembley Stadium on 1st July. Both Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard have been really busy and are now ready to rip it up live across all of Europe together."





 
Credit Anthony Devlin)

The show in Sheffield was just the beginning, fans in the UK can still catch the bands in action at the iconic Wembley Stadium on Saturday, July 1st, 2023, where they will no doubt deliver another epic performance.
 
TICKETS:  For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe’s official websites motley.com & defleppard.com.
 
UK & IRELAND TOUR DATES: 
Sat, Jul 1, 2023              London, UK                    Wembley Stadium Connected by EE
Sun, Jul 2, 2023             Lytham, UK                    Lytham Festival *
Tue, Jul 4, 2023             Dublin, Ireland               Marlay Park
Thu, Jul 6, 2023             Glasgow, UK                  Hampden Park Stadium
 

Monday, May 22, 2023

Pale Wizard's celebration of Budgie's album "Never Turn Your Back on A Friend" is out in June!

 

BUDGIE – NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON A FRIEND – 50 YEARS LATER
ALUNAH, GREAT ELECTRIC QUEST, ADMIRAL SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVELL & MANY MORE!

In June 1973, a little trio from Cardiff in Wales called Budgie released their third album 'Never Turn Your Back on a Friend'. Recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios, this album firmly cemented their legacy as a dynamic force to be reckoned within the hard rock movement of the early seventies. With their music being covered by the likes of Van Halen, Iron Maiden and Metallica, it is clear that Budgie have left an enduring mark upon the music world as we know it.

'Never Turn Your Back on a Friend' built upon the hard rocking and progressive elements of their first two records, helped along nicely by the now legendary opening song 'Breadfan'.

Tragically in 2022, their lead singer, bassist and founding member Burke Shelley passed away at the age of 71. Now in 2023, exactly fifty years after it's original release, we plan to pay tribute to this awesome album.

Pale Wizard Records is a labour of love for its co-founders Tim Hilleard and Dan Flitcroft. In 2021 we released our first '50 Years Later' LP which was a tribute to the classic Alice Cooper album 'Killer'. This was followed up with last year's tribute to Bowie's incredible 'Ziggy Stardust'. We intend for the '50 Years Later' series to continue paying tribute to amazing albums that deserve attention. We enlist a fantastic roster of hard-working bands from the underground heavy rock scene. Some of which we've shared the stage with ourselves, some of which we have previously admired from afar.

The 7 original songs are brought to life here by some of the absolute best the modern hard rock, stoner and psych underground has to offer. Additionally, we have enlisted some great artists to provide bonus tracks for this release.

Lead single for this release is Birmingham’s very own Alunah tackling ‘Breadfan’. We hope you’ll agree that their track represents a fantastic contemporary, hard rocking version of an all-time classic. Budgie’s music lends itself well to a female led vocal, which is a tribute to the under appreciated high octane voice of Burke Shelley.

It is available on digital alongside CD and 12” vinyl variants to pre order now. Additionally, the CD and digital versions come packed with three additional bonus tracks.

Tracklisting:

  1. Breadfan – Alunah

  2. Baby, Please Don't Go – Firegarden

  3. You Know I'll Always Love You – Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell

  4. You're the Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk – Regulus

  5. In the Grip of a Tyrefitter's Hand – Syncolima

  6. Riding My Nightmare – Great Electric Quest

  7. Parents – Sergeant Thunderhoof

  8. Guts – La Chinga

  9. Forearm Smash – Low Voltage

  10. Melt The Ice Away – Solar Sons


KEY INFO

Official Release Date: June 30th 2023

www.palewizardrecords.bandcamp.com/album/never-turn-your-back-on-a-friend-50-years-later

(Pre order link above goes live on 12th May 2023

Label: Pale Wizard Records – www.palewizard.co.uk

Cover art: Sara-Jane Swettenham - https://www.facebook.com/sarajaneart

Press Enquiries: info@palewizard.co.uk




Friday, May 19, 2023

New documentary coming soon on Budgie




Coming next month to ROX TV!

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Budgie classic album “Never Turn Your Back On A Friend “ and the awesome tribute album from Pale Wizard Records (out June) ROX Network is releasing a brand new documentary.

Keep em peeled for updates 


Get the album!


https://palewizard.bigcartel.com/

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Ellfson is back!

 

Introducing death-thrash force DIETH - the anticipated rebirth of metal greats David Ellefson (ex-Megadeth), Guilherme Miranda (ex-Entombed A.D.) and Michał Łysejko (ex-Decapitated)!

Death thrash force DIETH - featuring the iconic line-up of Grammy Award winning bassist David Ellefson (ex-Megadeth), Swedish Grammy nominated guitarist/vocalist Guilherme Miranda (ex-Entombed A.D.) and drummer Michał Łysejko (ex-Decapitated) - set the metalsphere ablaze when they dropped their debut single and now album track, “In The Hall of the Hanging Serpents”, in mid-2022. Met with acclaim from both fans and media alike, the surprise track marked the exciting resurgence of these three renowned musicians, coming together as a new musical force after years of silence. 

In 2023, the wait is finally over - DIETH returns with the release of their debut full-length via Napalm Records, entitled To Hell And Back, out June 2. Produced by DIETH with mixing and mastering by Tomasz Zed Zalewski at Zed Studios in Chechło, Poland, the album represents new beginnings - musically, lyrically and for the band members themselves. Weaving a sinister thread of unrelenting tech-steeped death metal, rapid thrash bangers and even boasting the first ever lead vocal performance by David Ellefson on a track, DIETH have pushed beyond the stereotypes of the members’ former genres to create an unexpected yet charismatic and dynamic new sonic footprint for the ages.

Opening with an entrancing acoustic introduction, first track “To Hell And Back” quickly slams in with a punishing death metal attack, steered by commanding, guttural vocals. The palpable power of the tenacious trio is made immediately evident, with tight, diverse percussion attacks, deep, grooving bass, inventive, technical riffs, soaring solos and impassioned lyrical battle cries - proving that this is an extreme offering of inescapable magnitude. Tracks like “Dead Inside” and “Don’t Get Mad … Get Even!” showcase the thrash-infused side of DIETH, while death metal anthems such as “Wicked Disdain” and “The Mark of Cain” lean diabolical with hair-raising solos and breakneck paced rhythms backed by crushing walls of aggression. Standout “Free Us All” flirts with the record’s pace by blending winding passages and aggression with throwback bass-driven interludes with psychedelic production, followed by “Heavy Is The Crown” - a slow and low grinder featuring stoner metal groove, a swaying chorus and a blues-infused solo. Pensive, powerful ballad “Walk With Me Forever” showcases David Ellefson’s lead vocal performance debut, singing about the intense loss of a loved one and their memory providing the strength to carry on. Ending with intensely beautiful “Severance”, To Hell And Back proves that DIETH isn’t just another side project or “supergroup”, but rather the collective reincarnation of three renowned heavy metal forces who, by harnessing their own pain and conflict, have delivered an exciting next chapter no metal fan will want to miss!

Release Date: 02.06.2023 

To Hell And Back Tracklist:
1    To Hell And Back
2    Don't Get Mad ... Get Even!
3    Wicked Disdain
4    Free Us All
5    Heavy Is The Crown
6    Walk With Me Forever
7    Dead Inside
8    The Mark of Cain
9    In The Hall Of The Hanging Serpents
10  Severance

To Hell And Back will be available in the following formats:
-1CD Digisleeve
-1LP Gatefold Black
-Limited 1LP Die Hard Vinyl (Marbled Red/Black) w/ wristband, embroidered patch, signed autograph card - Napalm mail order only, limited to 300
-Digital Album

DIETH live:
15. - 18.06.2023 BE, Dessel / Graspop Metal Festival
06. - 08.07.2023 CZ, Velke Mezirici / Fajtfest
03. - 05.08.2023 PT, Vagos / Vagos Metal Fest
20.08.2023 FR, Carhaix / Motorcultor Festival

DIETH is:
Guilherme Miranda – Vocals/Guitar
David Ellefson - Bass
Michał Łysejko – Drums

DIETH online:
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM


Sunday, May 7, 2023

Incoming! Vantablack Warship

 


Montreal's Vantablack Warship Returns With Thunderously Thrash Lyric Video “Hunting The Recruiter”

New Album “Last of the Hardmouthed Poets” Out April 28th, 2023

Following their 2018 sophomore album, “Abrasive Pulmonic Speak”, which was welcomed with rave reviews, Montreal, Canada’s Vantablack Warship is back with a hard-hitting, head-banging masterpiece. “Last of the Hardmouthed Poets” offers 10 tracks of titanic metal for fans of all genres. The album title is a homage to the blacklisted authors of yesteryear and reminds us not to take for granted freedom of speech and freedom of thought. The first single is “Hunting The Recruiter” and is an excellent way for fans to get reacquainted with the band. Vocalist Yannick “Pil” Pilon comments:

“It's the slowest song on the album with a heavy screeching riff. Worse, I took my voice straight to the level of Tom Araya! Damn, it's going back to work in this song. Lyrically, we put the listener in the shoes of a predator tracker who decides to take action to complete the latter's activities. We've played it live three times so far and it has the best reactions to date.”

This highly anticipated return of Vantablack Warship will be released on vinyl and CD through BAM & Co. Heavy. Following this debut single, fans can expect a number of lyric videos to be released over the coming months to showcase the album, designed by artists from all around the world. A local listening party is slated on Saturday, April 22nd at Boite à Musique (2000 Rue Notre Dame E, bureau 201) at 11AM local time, fans who purchase the album will also receive a free beer! The band will also be performing shows across Québec and Ontario including April 22nd in Gatineau at the Minotaure with B.A.R.F., May 6th for the 40th anniversary of the Foufounes Electriques, and June 2nd with Demonstöne in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield and more to be announced shortly in Alma and St-Casimir, Québec.

Vantablack Warship’s name is a nod to the mighty Black Sabbath and their riff-driven power chord assault is recommended for fans of Pantera, Cro-Mags, and Exodus.

Lyric Video - “Hunting The Recruiter” https://youtu.be/rwhSXH0WW_E

Digital - Spotify

“Last of the Hardmouthed Poets” is due out on April 28, 2023, via BAM & Co. Heavy.

Album pre-order links

https://vantablackwarship.bandcamp.com

CD, Vinyl - https://boutique.boiteamusique.ca/qc/vantablack-warship/33279-vantablack-warship-last-of-the-hardmouthed-poets-cd.html

Show Dates:
April 22 - Montreal, QC - Boite à Musique (2000 Rue Notre Dame E, bureau 201) - LISTENING PARTY - 11AM
April 22 - Gatineau, QC - Le Minotaure w/ B.A.R.F.
May 6 - Montreal, QC - Foufounes Electriques
June 2 - Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC - La Factrie Cafe Culturel

Track Listing:
1 - Blacklisters Lament - 0:36
2 - We Shall Not Sleep - 3:14
3 - Hunting the Recruiter - 3:09
4 - 40 Acres - 3:19
5 - Choose Your Ride - 1:55
6 - Unplug the Drug - 2:11
7 - Laughing In Anger - 3:47
8 - Gone - 2:39
9 - Inside His Mind - 3:12
10 - Fameless - 2:19
11 - Above it All - 2:12
Album Length: 28:38

Vantablack Warship is:
Patrick Gordon - Guitar
Yannick “Pil” Pilon - Vocals
Thierry Hivon - Guitar
Kurt Clifford - Bass
Pierre Pitre - Drums

For more info: Bamand.co | Facebook.com/VantablackWarship | Twitter.com/VANTABLACKWRSHP

Saturday, May 6, 2023

Incoming! Dr Schafausen

 


Minotauro Records is set to release Dr. Schafausen's highly anticipated new studio album, 'How Can You Die?', on May 26th.

Album tracklisting and cover art are as follows
01. HOW CAN I DIE
02. ANGER
03. BRAIN FOG
04. GAMING DISORDER
05. DAYDREAMING
06. 21st CENTURY SCHIZOID MAN
07. COMET
08. WE ARE DIGITAL
09. HIKIKOMORI



The theme of mental disorders is undoubtedly a very important and current topic. The album seems to suggest a very interesting narrative approach, with the character of Dr. Schafausen helping to explore the world of mental disorders in an engaging and disturbing way.

The overall atmosphere of the album seems very reflective and introspective, with a particular emphasis on understanding and accepting people who suffer from mental disorders. This message is extremely important, as social stigma and discrimination can prevent people from seeking help and receiving the support they need.

Music can be a great form of expression for addressing such complex issues, and Dr. Schafausen has managed to musically explain the idea of a "mental tangle of thoughts and visions". The claustrophobic and desperate musical atmospheres seem to be consistent with the album's theme and suggest a strong emotional charge to the listener.

The inclusion of djent, metalcore, and hip hop elements adds further complexity to the compositional structure and makes the album very innovative and modern, difficult to categorize within a single genre of metal.

Overall, it seems that "How Can You Die?" is an album that addresses an important topic in a brave and experimental way. If your music can express the desperation and difficulty that many people face in living with mental disorders, then it could be a powerful form of expression that helps to bring greater awareness to this issue.

The CD album released in a limited and numbered edition will be truly special, as it will include a 44-page comic book illustrated by artist Paolo Massagli, who also created the album cover. This comic book will focus on the themes addressed in two of the songs featured in the album, namely "How Can You Die?" and "Anger."

But that's not all: the first 120 numbers of the limited edition will also feature a unique and unpublished illustration by the artist, which will be signed not only by the artist himself, but also by Dr. Schafausen. Don't miss the opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind work!

Artist Dr. Schafausen is an Italian bassist, composer, and pioneer of a new music genre. Aptly called Dystopian Metal, this genre contains several influences of existing genres such as metalcore, djent, trap, and progressive metal. Unique, disorienting, and provocative, this genre is artfully utilized by Dr. Schafausen and his team to create a different kind of music.

Dr. Schafausen’s team for their new album consists of band members Slava Antonenko, the vocalist, Michael Pahalen, the guitarist, Dr. Schafausen, who is at the bass & vocals, and Anatole Lyssenko, who is at the drums. The band’s latest album, titled ‘Waiting for Tomorrow,’ was released earlier this year on March 9th. Released under the label Sliptrick Records, this metalcore, djent, and trap core dystopian album has garnered a lot of attention from its niche audience.

Dr. Schafausen, also known as Sergio Pagnacco, is also best known for his accomplishments as the founding member of the metal band Vanexa. Pagnacco has been in the music scene for a while and has worked alongside several big names in the music industry. In 2009, the bassist joined the power prog-metal band called Labyrinth, which toured internationally and played in several places. During this time, the artist shared the stage with Motorhead, Saxon, Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, and others.

This experience has served Pagnacco well and shows in his musical accomplishments. However, Pagnacco or Dr. Schafausen has his forte in dystopian music. Characterized by the dehumanization, despair, and both human and natural disasters, Dr. Schafausen’s music contains several imaginative themes based on such end-of-world elements. This innovative project can be described as a chaotic yet essential way to identify with the current happenings of society; in fact, such frenetic works are often a reflection of current circumstances.

Dr. Schafausen can also be described as a dystopian author because of his creative storytelling in the latest album, ‘Waiting for Tomorrow.’ Containing scary and disorienting themes, this album is a representation of the artist’s state of consciousness during the pandemic. The dystopian genre is intended to provide a contrast against the various perceived utopias of life and make one think critically of current engagements. In this light, this album may also be perceived as a warning against complacency.

Sergio Pagnacco has a doctorate in audiology sciences and is a university lecturer. He teaches on cochlear implants, pediatric deafness and engages in seminars on hearing protection for musicians. The artist has also been on missions to Southeast Asia to help children with hearing impairments.

For more info:
http://drschafausen.com/
https://minotauro.store/

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