Review: DOWNTREND – ‘4’ EP [Lyric Video]

Downtrend formed in 2004 and has went through a few lineup changes since then. The band retains founding members Josh Crum and Jeremy Chaney. Long time member drummer J.D. Hall takes his seat behind the drum kit adding his style and showmanship to the band. Hall and Chaney were also formerly bandmates in the crushingly heavy group Voices Of Aggression. The chemistry among these three gents is amazing, which can be heard in their music and seen live when they take the stage. Mike Jackson has been the voice of the band for over a decade, after a brief departure from the band he has returned to his home behind the microphone. In the bands 10+ years their sound has changed and progressed but the biggest thing about the band is the heart and passion they have for music. Continue reading

The Bucketlist With SAY NEVER

In this series we pose the age old questions to a wide array of music lovers. As fans of music, most of us keep a mental list of active bands we want to see live that we haven’t yet seen. The Bucketlist brings to you those lists of your favorite artists and why those bands mean so much to them*

Since originally forming in 2017 by Jonathan Pruitt (vocals/guitar) and Paul Lawrence (bass), Say Never has been honing their brand of blue-collar hard rock in the thriving Atlanta, Georgia music scene – along with Rick Gatheman (drums) and Ben Sumpter (lead guitar). With big choruses and hard driving riffs, their sound is one that will surely resonate with fans of bands like Seether and Black Stone Cherry. Just last month, Say Never released a music video for their party anthem, “Do It Again,” whose catchy hooks are sure to be stuck in your head for days. Find it below, but first check out The Bucketlist for Jonathan, Paul, and Ben: Continue reading

TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION Brings Party To Tennessee W/ BELOW 7, DIRTY SOUL REVIVAL, & More [Review & Photo Gallery]

Texas Hippie Coalition

Big Dad Ritch and the guys of Texas Hippie Coalition (THC) made Johnson City, TN the last stop on the Haulin Moonshine Tour. THC had Below 7, The Dirty Soul Revival and Belfast 6 Pack help them make this Sunday night in Tennessee one night not to be forgotten! On a personal note, this was my third time covering THC in Johnson City, and second time in this venue, although it was under a different name the last time they played here. Doesn’t matter what the venue name or location is, one thing is certain, Johnson City loves some THC! Continue reading

Bourbon & Beyond Festival Spotlight: BLACKBERRY SMOKE [Official Videos]

 

Welcome back to our ongoing series of Bourbon & Beyond 2019 artist profiles, our weekly guide through the lineup of acts who’ll take the stage at Louisville, Kentucky’s Highland Festival Grounds at Kentucky Expo Center September 20-22nd in what’s sure to be one of the biggest concert events of the year. This week, we’re taking a closer look at Blackberry Smoke.

Blackberry Smoke is one of the up and coming bands to play this year at the Bourbon and Beyond Festival. Bourbon and Beyond has a new home this year. It is still in Louisville, Kentucky of course, but a different festival grounds. This new location is the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Expo. The former location, Champions Park, was flooded last year and day 2 of Bourbon and Beyond was cancelled along with the whole Louder Than Life festival. Bourbon and Beyond was previously a 2 day festival but this year has expanded to 3 days, so you get an entire additional day of bands. Blackberry Smoke was set to play last year but didn’t get the opportunity due to the park flooding. So, all the fans that missed out last year, get ready because they are making their phenomenal return and I’m sure they will make up for the rains that washed them away last year! Let’s talk some about Blackberry Smoke. Continue reading

BLACKTOP MOJO Release Video For “Prodigal”

Texas hard rockers Blacktop Mojo have released a video for “Prodigal”, off their 2017 LP, Burn The Ships. Blending elements of country and 70s hard rock, Blacktop Mojo has a timeless sound that pairs well with any drink you got in your hand. Formed in 2012 by frontman Matt James and drummer Natan Gillis, the band eventually became a 5-piece with Matt Curtis on bass and Ryan Kiefer and Chuck Wepfer on guitars. After releasing I Am in 2014, they hit the road sharing the stage with acts like Bon Jovi, Sammy Hagar, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Black Stone Cherry, Drowning Pool, and many others.

With their sophomore album, Burn The Ships, they went into the studio with Muscle Shoals producer Jimmy Johnson. Released via their label Cuhmon Records the album received critical acclaim, hitting the Top 40 Billboard Active Rock Chart with singles “Where The Wind Blows” (#27) and the band’s cover of Aerosmith classic, “Dream On” (#31).

As for the video, according to frontman Matt James, the band had a good time with the video: “We had fun making the video with some of our good friends from our hometown acting out the main parts. We felt like the father-son dynamic in the video really reflected the song’s theme. The song is sort of autobiographical. It’s about the experience of growing up in a small town and always talking about ‘getting out’ one day. No matter where or how far you go, though, you always have a little bit of where you came from that you take with you.” This is the band’s second video from their successful sophomore release.

Blacktop Mojo spent most of their 2017/2018 touring, writing, and recording in “The Mojo Mansion” in their hometown of Palestine, Texas. While playing a show at Rock Allegiance 2018, frontman Matt James sat down with Metal Nexus to talk everything Blacktop Mojo. You can find that interview here. To keep up to date on Blacktop Mojo follow them on their website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Just Announced: CLUTCH Reveals 2019 Winter Tour Dates

Maryland bluesy hard rock veterans, Clutch have just released dates for the first leg of their Book of Bad Decisions Tour for February and March 2019 in support of their latest album, ‘Book of Bad Decisions.’ Tickets go on sale today (November 16, 2018) at 10:00 AM at www.pro-rock.com. Continue reading

SCATTERED HAMLET Announce Live Free Or Die Summer US Tour

Southern rock stars SCATTERED HAMLET who self describe their metal as “honky tonky metal” and are touring machines are back on the road for another “honky tonky” tour. Swamp Rebel Machine” was their latest effort and got released last year and they’re out yet again to give y’all some taste of their fine blended, tasty southern rock. The album was well received by Billboard Heatseeker Chart and critics. With videos from songs like ‘Swamp Rebel Machine‘ and ‘White Trash‘, they further solidify the fact that they’re the best at what they do always! The summer tour will feature a festival appearance at Wisconsin’s Rock Fest XVII. SCATTERED HAMLET will appear at Rockfest July 14, 2017 along with CLUTCH, TOM KEIFER, TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION and AVENGED SEVENFOLD.

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