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"There is only one Mick and he's an insane player," the drummer conceded. Continue reading…

They’ve also expanded their West Coast headlining tour

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When was the last time that you listened to Paul Simon’s Graceland? I revisited it pretty recently, and god, what an album. Just an incredible collection of songs. Graceland was a critical and commercial smash when it came out in 1986. But at the time of its release, the record also existed within a thorny landscape of racial politics. Simon was inspired by the township music of apartheid-era South Africa, and re recorded it partially in South Africa, with the help of a number of South African musicians. Before making his trip, though, Simon did not consult with the leaders of the anti-apartheid movement, some of whom led a boycott of Simon in response. That’s the story of an upcoming movie from the Oscar-winning Chicago and Dreamgirls director Bill Condon.

The post John Legend Cast As Harry Belafonte In New Movie About Paul Simon’s <em>Graceland</em> Era appeared first on Stereogum.

R.I.P..

The post Ex-Ruiner Drummer Anthony “TJ” Catalfo Has Passed Away Following A Battle With Cancer appeared first on Theprp.com.

Left To Suffer have revealed everything you need to know about their brand new full-length album.

It’s set to be called ‘Unwelcome Guest’ and will be released on October 09 via Hopeless Records.

The tracklisting looks like this:

1. Track One
2. Therapy
3. Gun In The Duffel Bag
4. STFU
5. WRONG NUMBER (feat. Alan Grnja of DISTANT)
6. 404
7. Unwelcome Guest
8. Honor Amongst Thieves
9. Unrequited Dread
10. Bleeding Out
11. Gaslit

Whilst the artwork is awesome and looks like this:

You can check out the previous released ‘Gun In A Duffel Bag’ right now, as you can the freshly released title track. A contorting, blistering, terrifyingly bold piece of horror-tinged heaviness, it showcases the depths that the band are willing to dive to.

Guitarist Peter Higgs had this to say about it:

“Unwelcome Guest is about the patience that comes before revenge. It’s for the people who thought your silence meant they got away with it while It was just timing. An eye for an eye.”

The post Left To Suffer Announce New Album ‘Unwelcome Guest’ appeared first on Rock Sound.

The band also shared a live video for “Incantation,” featuring footage from their recent tour with Creeper

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Ride the lancer.

The post Metallica Partner With ‘Gears Of War: E-Day’ Video Game For Skins & Music appeared first on Theprp.com.

Music and culture journalist Rachel Brodsky will publish her first book, Lessons & Lace, on September 15 through Harmony/Penguin Random House. Rather than following a traditional timeline, the biography examines Stevie Nicks‘ life through a series of themes, with each chapter focusing on a lesson she learned and later shared through her career.

To support the release, Brodsky has scheduled a pair of launch events. On September 15, the book’s release day, she will appear at Book Soup in Los Angeles, where Los Angeles Times pop critic Mikael Wood will moderate the discussion. Two days later, on September 17, Brodsky heads to P&T Knitwear in New York City for another event, this time moderated by Rolling Stone senior journalist Angie Martoccio. Additional tour dates are expected to be announced.

According to the publisher, Lessons & Lace explores the experiences that shaped Stevie Nicks into one of rock’s most recognizable figures. The book covers the obstacles she faced throughout her career, including sexism within the music industry, the work that helped elevate a once-struggling rock band, her rise as a successful solo artist, and her battle with addiction. Throughout those challenges, she maintained the creativity, individuality and mysticism that became central to her identity.

Drawing from years of archival interviews and conversations with people connected to Stevie Nicks, the book presents a portrait of the artist as a songwriter, performer, fashion icon and romantic who consistently valued the freedom to live on her own terms. The goal is to show how her experiences and outlook continue to resonate with readers and music fans.

Discussing the project, Brodsky said: “Very few artists have maintained their cultural relevance and appealed to multiple generations like Stevie Nicks.

Lessons & Lace recounts Stevie’s path to becoming the wisdom-dispersing fairy godmother we know her as today. I think sometimes we forget how much skepticism she faced from the music industry and her peers (even her friend and collaborator Tom Petty!), the uphill climb she faced to be taken seriously as a true artist and writer, what it took to overcome her struggles with addiction, and how she inspired new generations of musicians to write with their own combinations of vulnerability and strength.

That is why I love Stevie. She is as layered in meaning as her most memorable songs. Like the book’s namesake, Leather and Lace, Stevie is soft and hard, romantic and practical, sensual and sensible. I genuinely hope readers walk away feeling inspired to live their lives with Stevie-style authenticity, bravery, and truth.”

Illustrated with full-color line drawings, Lessons & Lace continues that approach by celebrating Stevie Nicks as a prolific songwriter and cultural figure whose influence extends well beyond music. The book highlights the balance between her public image and personal journey while encouraging readers to embrace the same honesty and individuality that have defined her career.

The biography closes on a message that reflects the outlook at the heart of the book:

“Just dance. This will pass. Love will find a way. It always does.”

The post Journalist RACHEL BRODSKY Announces Book Release Event For STEVIE NICKS Biography “Lessons & Lace” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Posted on July 30th 2026, 5:46pm

How in the world can you go wrong with an album titled Grits and Glory?

Albert Castiglia’s brand-new release is his fifteenth solo project, in addition to three Blood Brothers recordings with Mike Zito. Born in New York City to a Cuban mother and an Italian father, he moved to Miami at age five and began learning to play guitar at about age 12. He later attended college, graduating with a liberal arts degree before securing a job with the State of Florida as a social services investigator.

In 1990, Castiglia co-founded the blues band Miami Blues Authority, where he spent about seven years as lead guitarist and vocalist. In 1997, he was named Best Blues Guitarist by Miami New Times. He later moved to Chicago to join Junior Wells’ touring band, where he remained until Wells’ death in 1998. Castiglia recorded his first solo album, Burn, in 2002, followed by a string of successful releases. He also joined forces with Mike Zito to form Blood Brothers, a band that combined members of both of their groups. A multi-award-nominated artist and recipient of honors including Blues Rock Album of the Year and Blues Rock Artist of the Year, Castiglia continues to deliver exceptional guitar playing, singing and songwriting.

Grits and Glory is another admirable piece of work from Albert Castiglia and his band, which, by the way, is his touring band: Cliff Moore (bass) and Ray Hangen (drums). To make this album even more special, it was recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in England.

“I’m Afraid to Fall Asleep” is a song whose title speaks to something I bet we’ve all dealt with at one time or another. Castiglia sings, “Sometimes I fail to say my prayers and God thinks I don’t care.” This tune comes out of the gate with some electrifying guitar work by Castiglia. It’s a great piece that makes us think about just how human and fragile we really are. I love the line, “Don’t let the angels take me home.” This one is full of vivid imagery and smoking guitar work.

On the third track, “Uncertainty,” hypnotic slide guitar opens the door for a rocking entry into this “love hurts” piece. Castiglia sings, “You say you love me and then you go and run around with other guys.” Can I get a witness on the subject matter here? That’s what I thought. He continues with, “Even though I’m broken, I keep coming back for more.” If this hasn’t been you or me, then we surely know somebody who comes right to mind.

A screaming guitar lead break showcases his musicianship and offers further proof of why Castiglia is considered one of the best guitarists in the blues world today.

On track four, “Michigan Avenue,” Castiglia opens with classic-sounding rock guitar and sings about the area around Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago. There’s lots more awesome guitar work in this one. He sings, “They were body snatching on Michigan Avenue” and “They ran them out of Michigan Avenue.” This tune is one of the heaviest rockers on the album, and I just love the term “body snatching.” What do you imagine when you hear that? I’ll leave that to your own imagination and interpretation.

This album also contains a couple of really well-done instrumentals that I’d like to mention before going further. Both are excellent showcases for just how great this band really is.

The ninth track on Grits and Glory is a funky number called “When the Coin Came Calling.” I love the picking Albert Castiglia delivers here, not to mention the great keyboard work. Castiglia sings, “But the road don’t wait, and I can’t stall it. I had to go when the coin came callin’.”

This song has to be about chasing a dream while missing funerals and birthdays. It ends with the line, “Ain’t no glory in that curtain falling. But I showed up when the coin came calling.” Then Castiglia cleverly adds, “I’m out of here. Got to make that paper. So long.”

This whole album is full of great musicianship, clever and relevant songwriting that invites interpretation by the listener, and Albert Castiglia’s dedication to being a bona fide, genuine, amplified, not confined, authentic blues music master.

You can find many samples of Albert Castiglia’s music on YouTube, including songs from this album. The band will be on the road in Europe as well as throughout the U.S. in July and August, and Albert Castiglia will also be performing with Mike Zito as part of Blood Brothers on select dates.

As I always suggest, try to make it out to a live show if you can. If not, buy their music. You won’t be disappointed, and our support is what allows these great blues bands to keep doing what they do.

The Review: 9/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– I’m Afraid To Fall Asleep
– Uncertainty
– Michigan Avenue
– When The Coin Came Calling

The Big Hit

– Michigan Avenue

The post Albert Castiglia: Grits and Glory Review appeared first on Blues Rock Review.