Top Tracks of the Year!

So what tracks have made my year, well let's have a look-see shall we?

1) Black Veil Brides - "Goodbye Agony"

2) The Relapse Symphony - "One More Yesterday"

3) Prince - "When Doves Cry"

4) Fearless Vampire Killers - "Neon In The Dancehalls"

5) Green day - "X-Kid"

6) New Years Day (feat. Chris Motionless) - "Angel Eyes"

7) We Are The In Crowd - "Best You've Never Had"

8) Nina Nesbit - "Selfies"

9) Deaf Havana - "Past Six Years"

10) Rory Indiana - "Sanctuary"

Rock Of Ages

Hello my pretties. How are we all this fine day?

Good? Well it’s just about to get a hell of a load better with this new stream of information I’m about to throw your way! That’s right prepare yourselves. Emotionally. Mentally. Physically. And most important of all, Rock-ally.

At the beginning of the week I was lucky enough to head off to New York City…I’ll give you all a moment or so to be jealous…

…

…

Right that’s enough time! Now being a teenage Brit there is plenty to get excited about, from the Statue of Liberty (the geek in me) to Times Square (the teenager in me) but thing that was the make or break deal for little ol’ moi was the Broadway show. Okay so you go into a situation with fairly high expectations so you kinda expect to be let down a tiny bit right? I mean you’ve placed whatever it is that your heart desires on some high pedestal almost so high that you can barely see it. That has a lot to live up to am I right? Well what if I said this particular thing exceeded that pedestal? That’s right. Blew even me out of the water with it’s sheer epic-ness. Impossible? Well I’m here to tell you that that is in fact possible!

Back to me for a brief moment…me stealing the lime light from a review/story? This never happens! (looks briefly away avoiding all eye contact)…ANYWAYS back here at home I had been waiting…somewhat…patiently for Rock Of Ages to reappear in the wonderful world of the West End, but when I was told I was able to choose the Broadway production in which we were going to see, can you imagine how excited I got when I saw that the show was being reintroduced in New York? I know bless my little cotton socks!...want to know something ironic? As soon as I booked these tickets the West End decided that hey we’re going to put Rock of Ages on again here! I know right! Typical!

I may have been born in the 90’s but my heart definitely got lost somewhere between the 70’s and 80’s so this production is more than my cup of tea to say the least.

Okay going slightly on a tangent let’s stop that before I end up completely off-road. So like I said, this show was a major deal breaker for me, so no pressure my little acting friends.  But like I said, the show was even better than I could have imagined. If you’ve seen the film…which I’m sure most of you have, if you haven’t where have you been? Under a rock?!...then forget it. Personally one of the most favourable things about the stage production is how different it is from the film. Don’t get me wrong I love the film, but through changing aspects it made them impossible to compare completely…although won’t lie I have to say that the stage production outweighs my love for the film.  Pretty much all that is the film and stage production have in common is the characters, overall outcome, setting and music. The only major thing that was altered was how the characters get from A to B, most of the known attributes are there, just individual character stories take slight detours.

Warning this next section may sound like a list of names and bullet points thrown together, but there are specific people that I think need recognition for this production at the Helen Hayes Theatre, so I apologise for any jolted reading style!

Beowulf Boritt’s set was remarkable. Throughout the entire production the set stayed almost the same, with two sections coming out to open the audience to almost a side story e.g. the men’s room of the Bourbon Room opening into Mother’s office. What’s more, this set was always under the eye of the audience. A curtain never came down. The audience are witnesses to everything that goes on and off that stage from the very beginning to the very end.

All the people behind the stage from directors to costume designers, their works can not really be faulted. The set and costumes and how it all flowed together make the play seem appropriately realistic, with the rock and roll dream-like hazy…or maybe that was just all the hairspray and smoke of the 80’s…who really knows hmm?

Now for the particular production I went to see, Costantine Maroulis returned as the protagonist Drew. Honesly there is no one more perfect for this role. Maroulis manages to add the rock and roll edge whilst still maintaining a teenage…awkward yet charming…quality about his character. He manages to let the audience love his character for all his traits, both good and bad, and ultimately it is his personal journey that they are carried away with. After all who can resist a struggling musician, with one driven dream and an awesome taste in music?!

Another character that really had me was Genson Blimline as Lonny. In the film this is Russell Brand’s character, but again Blimline’s performance any day! Not only was it his characters role to play both an included part but also acts as a narrator to help the audience through the above mentioned haze. What’s more, he managed to keep his humour universal, there was only one USA specific joke that was soon made clear shortly after, to me that is both good writing as well as good acting. As soon as you lose an audience member nine times out of ten they are impossible to get back. One line that has been stuck in my head, and probably the most iconic for me was (knowing my luck I’m going to quote this wrong now…ahhh well!):

You think I’m happy being in a play about poop jokes and Whitesnake songs?

…

HELL YEAH I AM! I LOVE WHITESNAKE

Still makes me chuckle!

Moving swiftly on as I aware that I am running out of time to write this! Not that any of you are aware, after all why would you know my schedules? If you have an answer to that question, it would be much appreciated if you kept it to yourself…thank you very much!

Last, but certainly by no means least because there are so many other actors and behind the scenes production people…that I want to mention but I think this blog would run out of space before I was through…

Anyways, Frankie J. Grande’s performance as Franz had to be my favourite! How can you not love his character?! He is funny and can sing, and let’s face it he’s just full out adorable! This type of character I find is very easy to go wrong with, you can so easily be too extravagant or too…plain?...with it, but Grande manages to give it the appropriate amount of flair and colour.

The session musicians. My hat goes off for you. Sure 80’s rock isn’t no Beetoven, but I’m not sure people realise how much it takes to perform with all the energy that is necessarily required…after all that era is made up of 50% music, 20% hairspray, another 20% the look (glitter, make up, leather and tight clothing) and 10%...well lets keep that 10% as censored okay?

So did this make my trip?

HELL YEAH IT DID!

See what I did there aye? Aye?

Now I’m back in good ol’ Blighty. One thing I’m going to greatly miss is that production as I could just watch it again and again and again and again without getting bored and finding it equally as funny!

Next task is to see the West End version, because if I can’t see the Broadway version again due to a 9 hour flight across seas, then I’ll have to make do with the next best thing.

If you are playing on visting New York, or live near there, or have something like £1000 to spare for a trip over I highly recommend this production! And you know I’m 99% right about this kind of thing…don’t question me just go with it!

Purchase tickets here: http://rockofagesmusical.com/ticketsbroadway?gclid=CjwKEAiA2dSkBRCX8KmK5YrFviwSJACeYweC0YZ6I67TZLECmASDo68U5RvxPRdeu8KESxxaBl-jahoCiTvw_wcB

For now,

Rebel Yell

"Like Lions We Rise"

Finally, last night the hermit that I am ventured out. Made my way down to ‘The Haunt’ along Brighton beach, once again not thinking my outfit through and coming close to freezing to death in the process, but I can safely (and happily say) it was completely worth it.

Rory Indiana Left to Right:
Ben Clement; Dan Ely; Rory Kaye;
Josh Gale.

Honestly of the best things to witness is a crowd going mental for small town bands, whether their friends of the performer or just that drunk. Either way.

However, the people I specifically went down to see was the local band called Rory Indiana. Remember I might have mentioned that I’m currently studying towards a music degree? Well this four piece are from that very school. Yup I’m at school with the next generation of rockers, dj’s, managers etc. What is mind blowing is the potential that I’m surround by, Rory Indiana proving that last night.

The guys knew exactly what they were doing on that stage. It was clear they knew how to dominate it and keep an audience captivated by their addictive songs. They are one of those bands you can’t help by at least semi-mosh too.

Now this was my third time seeing the band live, one at a school event in a theatre, another in a club, in which they are amazing enough to make me look them up later and listen to their EP Empiricism on Spotify (do it now. Even if it means you have to stop reading this. Go. Listen. Now. Then come back!). Knowing a little more about their music really changes a perspective on a gig, greater sense of familiarity to a degree, so this aided the adrenaline I suppose.

Although they are not a huge name yet, it is evident that they are in fact

Rory Indiana's EP
"Empiricism"

heading places within the industry. The band were supporting Red Kites who were hosting their singles launch, each member of Rory Indiana joined the crowd and became audience members to the guys that gave them the opportunity to play live again. This is a quality they do not want to lose. Being aware of the people that are helping them get places. The thing that makes them a worthwhile band to see is how sincere they are to new ‘fans’ or people who genuinely enjoy their music. Me being me went to talk to Rory (vocal and rhythm guitarist) after the gig, and he seemed genuinely taken back and grateful at someone listening to his band on Spotify then actually buying the EP as well. It is characteristics such as these that will help them achieve great things.

Check out their video to "Sanctuary" such a brilliant song, the video does it every bit of justice:

This is something that larger bands fail, or are unable to do. So it is amazing seeing how smaller bands still have the ability to be blown away just as much as their audiences.

To me these guys are proving that it is possible to achieve whatever it is you want in this industry. And trust me when I say I will be following in their footsteps.

So if you ever have a chance to go see them live. Do it.

Listen to their EP.

Website: http://www.roryindiana.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/roryindiana

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoryIndianaOfficial 

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/roryindiana

Rebel Yell.

"Louder Than War"

As mentions in my last post, I’m currently studying towards a degree in Songwriting. Part of that course involves Music Business in which today we received a talk from John Robb; a punk genius who is gradually conquering every possible music platform, from frontman to television to journalism.

John Robb of The Membranes
and founder of "Louder Than
War"

Being a young and relatively impressionable teenager, whose drug is music and aspires to be both a phenomenal artist/musician on stage and through records (…eventually) as well as a journalist, he is pretty much the perfect guest speaker for me…and of course the rest of the class… But to make it even more puzzle-piece perfect he is someone who lived and breathed the original Punk movement during the 1970’s, that’s somewhat remarkable for someone who is heavily influenced by that era, and the musical styles it parented (that someone being me if you didn’t get that).

There was so many points that remain echoing in my mind, that I’m going to share with you…aren’t you lucky? Not that you have a choice really…well you do, you can always stop reading…but why would you want to do that aye?

1)   “Be your own manager first”

In school, we’re bomb-barded with the importance of networking (meeting potential people to work with) which is great, and definitely something that needs to be done if you want to get anywhere in the music industry. But we are continuously told to use these people to the best of their abilities…rarely are we told to learn every aspect from management to production to promotion…or at least it’s not something that is particularly stressed. We do get told to learn as many instruments as possible though…like bass…there is strange shortage of bassists in my generation…across most generation actually…so aspiring musicians PICK UP A BASS GUITAR AND PLAY IT!

Basically learn what you can at every opportunity.

Leading neatly on to my second point…

2)   Learn everything and anything

The Clash a perfect example, known
for their knowledge about politics,
Reflected in their lyrics.

Despite popular belief Punks weren’t that stupid. They knew exactly what they were to the world and didn’t stop. 30 – 40 years later they’re still dominating parts of the globe, converting minds like mine.

I have always been a huge believer that a musician is not only as good as their instrument but also knowledge of the industry. You could be an absolutely fantastic guitarist who has the potential to take over the world, but a slip by a manager or promoter could cost them their career. Something that can be prevented if they had some clue what was going on behind the scenes and actually understanding it.

In the next three years I plan on learning not only how to be a great Songwriter (being able to write for multiple genres, for other artists as well as myself) but how the decks work in a studio (ya know the space ship devices producers know how to use like it’s snooze button on your alarm). I plan on being able to promote myself…if I can’t promote my own music, how can someone else possible know where to start? The list is endless…so I won’t bore you with the rest of the tiny details…besides I have more for you to hear!

3)   “Being a musician means problem solving”

Have you heard of that band called The Beatles?

Sooooooo many people think that to be in a band and get signed will be a piece of cake…well if you make it that easy…you haven’t made it the right way.

Can you tell me an over night sensation that is still selling a significant amount of records, selling out arenas and stadiums in the past 5 years? Because I can guaranty you can’t. And if you can then they most probably have been working towards it for years just public doesn’t know about it.

All the major bands that have survived the decades came out of nothing. Look at The Beatles…a four piece from Liverpool…who spent (on five separate visits) over two and a half years in Hamburg, Germany. Playing what would be 281 concerts, primarily playing covers just to understand what audiences liked and disliked...now they’re arguably the biggest band in the world…after breaking up over 40 years ago.

It’s not supposed to be easy. Ever heard the saying, “anything worth fighting for won’t be easy but will be worth it” ? The exact same principle applies here.

So what does that tell you about making it in the industry and staying in the industry?

4)   To be the best put yourself in it.

It’s a known fact that if you’re physically or mentally or emotionally involved in something you’re immediately going to have a different outlook on it. You need to use that to fuel the drive and ambition.

In the terms Songwriting, if a vocalist was completely detached from a song how would they convince the audience to feel anything?

Music strikes a chord (excuse the pun) that only art can. It is something that has the ability to make you laugh, or cry. But if the band or artist can’t sell it right, then that emotion won’t hit.

Now lastly, because I am fully aware at my rambling on about something that it pretty intense compared to my usual posts.

5)   DIY Culture

Something that intrugied me was how John Robb kept referring to the Punk movement as a DIY Culture, physically because compared to MOD’s and Rockers, it was an aesthetic look that pieced together all the past genre components to create a futurist look (for the time).

That made me think how arrangement and sound for music in this century is a DIY culture too…we are taking the best pieces from the 20^th Century, from Punk to Dance to Pop and making it something of our own now…for instance the new wave of Dubstep Jazz combination (trust me) to the literal sense of remixing.

All in all?

It was interesting hearing about all this from someone like John Robb, and how he perceives the musical world.

I’m not saying I agree with everything he says, but there are valid points such as the ones above that made me think as a musician, a writer and someone who wants and will make a name for myself in the music industry. No matter what.

Rebel Yell.

Late (for a reason) Top Tracks

Right I realise my monthly edition of "Top Tracks" is  a day late, but it felt wrong posting this in November!

Starting your December in the only way deemed correct.

Here are my top christmas tracks for you to listen to!

1) Slade - "Merry Christmas Everybody"

2) Original Bandaid - "Do They Know It's Christmas?"

3) Chuck Berry - "Run Rudolf Run"

4) Nightmare Before Christmas (Danny Elfman) - "What's This?"

5) Sorry but this needs to go in here. Love this cover:

Korn - "Kidnap Sandy Claws"

6) John Lennon - "Happy Christmas (The War is Over)

7) The Maine - "Mr. Winter"

8) Wham! - "Last Christmas"

9) All Time Low - "Merry Christmas Kiss My Ass"

10) My all time favourite: The Pogues - "Fairytale of New York"

Smoke and Mirrors

Firstly, apologies for the lack of post last month but things have been getting hectic! But now I’m back on track. Rebel’s back and yelling louder than ever!

As none of you know I’ve recently started university. That’s right folks I’m one of those clinically insane people who actually decide to stick with education longer than legally required AND pay huge amount of money for it! But you should be use to my lunacy by now. Besides in the words of Mr. Billie Joe Armstrong “the most punk thing to do is to do the things no one expects”…or something along those lines…the point is a musician going to university? Well…this next fact could blow you right of the water (if you’ve been living under a rock all of this century) but I’m at an actual music school working towards a degree in Songwriting. Yupp. I know what you’re all thinking…”How can you do a degree in Songwriting?” and “What does it entail? Just sitting round writing songs?” but that my friends is another story for another time.

Left to right:
Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly

Trust me there is a point to me informing you about my current lifestyle choices, in a recent class I learnt that one of my favourite songs was not actually written by the band themselves, instead professional songwriters are behind the piece. The song being “Alone” by Heart, was in fact written by two men called Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. Within this class it was also unveiled that they are in fact the masterminds behind classics such as “Eternal Flame” by The Bangles and The Pretenders “I’ll Stand ByYou” as well as writing the song that arguable put Madonna on her pedestal “Like a Virgin”.

Again why am I telling you all of this? Because I am fully aware of how stubborn and ignorant musicians, fans and writers are when it comes to the role of commercial songwriters thing. Myself included in this. We tend to assume that it is only Pop artists such as One Direction and 5 Seconds of Summer rely on other professionals to write their music; sometimes even collaborating with these writers. But this is not the case at all. Some of the largest names in the Rock world have been created through others, for instance, a man called Jim Steinman founded the artist Meat Loaf, you know who he is right? To me Steinman is a legend. Up in the same league as Elton John and Michael Jackson.

Some of his most well known songs include:

- "Bat Outta Hell" – Meat Loaf

- "Total Eclipse of the Heart" – Bonnie Tyler

- "It’s All Coming Back to Me Now" – Celine Dion

- "Dead Ringer for Love" – Meat Loaf feat. Cher

- "Making Love Out of Nothing at All" – Air Supply

And so many more!

Artist such as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley had professional songwriters writing their music. To the degree that Sinatra was known to make writers compete with each other in order to get the best songs on to his albums. Another artist who doesn’t get the recognition she deserves by the general public is Diana Warren, her hits list include:

   

- "I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing" – Aerosmith

- "Bed of Nails" – Alice Cooper

- "Loving You Is All I Know" – The Pretenders

- "Blue Eyes Blues" – Eric Clapton

- "Cruel Nights" – Heart

Basically, these passed few lessons I’ve been subjected to made me realise as a fan and musician that there are so many people behind the scenes and back stage that help artists tremendously. To the degree that most bands wouldn’t be where they are today if it wasn’t for these writers.

So the point of this Rebel Yell article? To (hopefully) make you see that there are some insanely talented people out there who are either unknown, undiscovered, or simply don’t want the same version of ‘fame and fortune’ as artists. I guess that’s it really…I realise there isn’t much to go off of in this article. I am also aware it is very different from my usual entries, but hey see I can be somewhat sophisticated too!

Don’t worry everything won’t be like this, I will go back and forth, sticking primarily to my little quirky reviews and what not. But every now and again I will drop something insightful your way…like this…after all I’m a uni girl and all that jazz now aye!

I am also aware I may have shatter some of you own illusions about some of your favourite artists…such as I was with Heart. Don’t worry you’ll get over it, and hopefully make something useful of it! But I’m sorry(!!!) if I’ve destroyed some of your little, perfect worlds…or just wasted some of your time. Maybe I should have put a disclaimer at the top of here…hmmm…ahh well…

Until next time…”unpleasant dreams”

(Yes I just stole that line from Elvira…for all of you who knew that reference I salute you! If you didn’t get yourself educated on her now!)

Rebel Yell.