Music News Blog

What’s happening in the world of prog and other related scenes. News about gigs, record releases, new videos and band changes.

A Genuine Freakshow call it a day

Posted on December 21, 2013 by Tim Hall

"A Genuine Freakshow"

Reading band A Genuine Freakshow have called it a day.

We have decided after many years to bring an end to A Genuine Freakshow.

Our reasons are three fold: financial (we havenâ€™t got any money), geographical (we now live further away from each other than we did before) and musical (less of this than the previous two).

First of all we would like to thank everyone who has ever come to one of our gigs, bought a record or a tee shirt (or an Ultimate Fighting Combo!). You have quite literally kept this band going for longer than we thought was possible, so thank you.

A Genuine Freakshow were an impossible band to categorise, with elements of post-rock, indie-pop and progressive rock in their music. The seven-piece made a huge sound, featuring cello and violin and trumpet alongside guitars and drums. I first saw them playing in a medieval church in Reading playing a set that climaxed with the shimmering wall-of-sound of “Luckmore Drive”, enhanced by the wonderful acoustics of the building.

It’s always sad when a band calls it a day, but I hope the various band members will resurface in new projects.

Posted in Music News | Tagged A Genuine Freakshow | Comments Off

Marillion – Carol of the Bells

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Tim Hall

Marillion’s Christmas single, available on iTunes, Amazon and all good Internets. Because there are plenty of traditional carols that can be improved by adding a Steve Rothery solo.

Posted in Music News | Tagged Marillion, Videos | Comments Off

Pre-Order for Panic Room’s “Incarnate”

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Tim Hall

Panic Room are now taking pre-orders for their fourth album “Incarnate”, due for release in February 2014, via this link.

They are also excited to announce that they will be hosting an exalusive, limited 100-ticket-only Album Launch Party on 7th February 2014 at the grand hall of The Gate in Cardiff. This will sell out quickly!

Panic Room have also revealed the track listing of the new album:

Velocity
Start The Sound
Incarnate
Nothing New
The Waterfall
Into Temptation
All That We Are
Searching
Close The Door
Dust

Those of us who were able to get to their last two shows of 2013 will have heard five of those songs live; on a couple of listens these are sounding impressive.

Panic Room will also be touring in April and June to promote the album. There are still one or two dates still to be announced, but the dates so far include Gloucester, Bath and Reading.

Posted in Music News | Tagged Featured, Panic Room | 1 Comment

Luna Rossa to support at Morpheus Rising album launch

Posted on November 9, 2013 by Tim Hall

Morpheus Rising Album Morpheus Rising have annonced the launch gig for the Kickstarted-funded second album “Eximius Humanus”, at Bilston Robin 2 on Sunday 23rd February 2014.

With a strong crossover fan base, Morpheus Rising deliver an energetic and powerful show which appeals to the Classic Rock and Prog fans alike. This will be the bandâ€™s first headline show at the Robin, having previously played shows supporting the likes of Panic Room.

Not only that, but the show will also be the first even live appearance of Luna Rossa, Anne-Marie Helder and Jonathan Edwards superb acoustic project.

In this, their first ever live performance as ‘Luna Rossa’, the duo will explore the stripped-back splendour and beauty of their debut album ‘Sleeping Pills & Lullabies’. A rare treat for any fans of Panic Room or those who love the magic of timeless, entrancing songwriting.

This is looking like a show not to be missed.

Posted in Music News | Tagged Luna Rossa, Morpheus Rising | 2 Comments

Crimson Sky return to Reading

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Tim Hall

As they say on their Facebook page, Crimson Sky return to Reading on Saturday, 9th November.

Bristol and Reading five-piece progressive rock combo Crimson Sky return to South Street for a third time with new material … and a new drummer! Come on down and see for yourself what all the fuss is about.

Plus very special guests: Rich & Si from Also Eden performing as “Neo Deals” and MC Steven C. Davis.

This should be a great night; the band have been working on new material this year, and this show will be the first opportunity for audiences to hear some of it.

Posted in Music News | Tagged Also Eden, Crimson Sky, Reading South Street | 1 Comment

Luna Rossa – Dark Room

Posted on November 1, 2013 by Tim Hall

Rather excellent fan-created video for Luna Rossa’s excellent “Dark Room”, the opening track from the album “Sleeping Pills and Lullabies”.

Posted in Music News | Tagged Luna Rossa, Videos | Comments Off

Wishbone Ash – Bald men fighting over a comb?

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Tim Hall

There still seems to be no love lost between Andy Powell and Martyn Turner over the Wishbone Ash name. The court has ruled in favour of Andy Powell’s exclusive ownership of the name, but Martyn Turner is appealing, so this is going to run on for a while yet.

While Powell appears to have the letter of the law on his side at the moment, you’re still left with the impression that he’s shafted his former bandmates.

But I can’t help feeling that it’s long past time for the two of them to bury the hatchet, but there’s so much bad blood I can’t see that ever happening. Since the band’s glory days are long in the past, and both Turner and Powell are trogging round the nostalgia circuit, the whole thing does feel like two bald men fighting over a comb.

Posted in Music News | Tagged Wishbone Ash | 2 Comments

Also Eden’s [Redacted] now on sale

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Tim Hall

Progressive rock band (They’ve described themselves as “Neo prog my arse”) Also Eden are now taking orders for their fourth full-length studio album [Redacted] from Melody Collective.

It’s available both as a CD and Download (MP3 or FLAC), and orders for the CD also include the download.

The band will be playing a number of live dates to launch the album:

Wed 6th November – The Garage, Swansea
Thu 7th November – The Railway, Bolton
Sat 9th November – Neo Deals @ South Street Arts, Reading, supporting Crimson Sky (Neo Deals is Rich Harding and Simon Rogers as an acoustic duo)
Sun 10th November – The Musician, Leicester

Posted in Music News | Tagged Also Eden, Featured | Comments Off

Floor Jansen to stay with Nightwish

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Tim Hall

Nightwish confirm on their Facebook Page that Floor Jansen is to stay as the band’s singer.

Ms. Floor Jansen is a keeper.

Also, we will be a six-piece band from now on, as Mr. Troy Donockley (uilleann pipes, low whistles, vocals) will become a full-time member of NIGHTWISH.

Originally we were going to wait until 2014 to make a decision about the future line-up of the band, but the past year has clearly shown us that Floor and Troy are perfect matching pieces to our puzzle, and we are really grateful of the bond that has grown between all of us. We love you guys.

Given the way Floor nailed material from both Tarja and Annette on tour, and the way she was warmly received by fans, it’s difficult to imagine Nightwish making any other decision.

It’s also very interesting to see Troy becoming a full member. Does this indicate the celtic-folk elements from the last couple of albums will become a stronger part of the band’s music in future? It will be very interesting to see what the new six-piece Nightwish comes up with on their next album.

Posted in Music News | Tagged Floor Jansen, Nightwish, Troy Donockley | Comments Off