When it comes to bands that refuse to stay in their lane, Glasgow’s djent-pop-metal powerhouse Sixth Wonder are currently leading the pack by a country mile. These Scottish alternative mavericks have spent the last few years systematically tearing up the heavy music rulebook, collecting a couple of Best Metal gongs at the Scottish Alternative Music […]
Julie London was one of the most recognizable female vocalists of the 1950s and 1960s, celebrated for her smoky, intimate singing style and her ability to bring extraordinary emotion to even the simplest melodies. Born Julie Peck on September 26, 1926, in Santa Rosa, California, London began her entertainment career as an actress before becoming a successful recording artist. Her understated vocal approach set her apart from many of the more powerful singers of her generation. London’s recording career took off in 1955 with her unforgettable version of “Cry Me a River,” written by Arthur Hamilton. The single reached number
The Pretty Reckless have released a video for About You (Bonus Version), a new version of a song that originally appeared on this year’s Dear God album, and singer Taylor Momsen has invited some friends along for the ride: Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and guitarist Pat Smear.
“About You is one of my favourite songs on the record, so I wanted to do something special,” says Momsen. “I called Dave and Pat and asked them if they’d lend their magic to it. It was an amazing time in the studio making music; there’s nothing better than jamming with friends. I couldn’t be happier with the result.”
The release comes as The Pretty Reckless prepare to embark on the European leg of their Dear God tour next month, which kicks off on November 9 in Madrid, Spain, and includes UK shows in Bristol, Wolverhampton, Manchester, London and Glasgow. Full dates below.
The tour will cap a busy period for The Pretty Reckless, who supported AC/DC on the North American leg of their Power Up tour, while Momsen played with Soundgarden at the halftime show during the Seattle Seahawks vs New England Patriots game last month. She also appeared at Tom Morello’s Power to the People Festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD, earlier this month.
The Pretty Reckless: Dear God Euopean Tour 2026
Nov 09: Madrid La Riviera, Spain Nov 10: Barcelona Razzmatazz, Spain Nov 14: Milan Fabrique, Italy Nov 16: Prague Forum Karlín, Czech Republic Nov 18: Berlin Huxleys Neue Welt, Germany Nov 21: Cologne Carlswerk Victoria, Germany Nov 23: Amsterdam AFAS Live, The Netherlands Nov 24: Paris Zéni, France Nov 26: Bristol The Prospect Building, UK Nov 27: Wolverhampton Civic Hall, UK Nov 29: Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse, UK Dec 01: London O2 Academy Brixton, UK Dec 03: Glasgow Barrowland, UK
Joanne Shaw Taylor can stand toe-to-toe with the best guitarists in the business today, and pay careful attention that I didn’t make that comparison with only female guitarists. She can flat-out play, and she possesses that smoky, bluesy voice that stands out among the very best vocalists. Plus, she’s a great songwriter. In short, she’s got it all going on.
Taylor also has a brand-new album, The Trouble With Love, dropping on October 23. For those unfamiliar (if that is even possible) with Joanne Shaw Taylor, let’s explore a little background about how she ascended to her current notoriety.
Born in Wednesbury, England (in the West Midlands area known as the “Black Country”), she grew up in a family that was musically influenced by a guitar- and harmonica-playing father who enjoyed the blues and a mother who enjoyed Motown and soul music. She spent time listening to her parents’ record collection as a youngster and played classical guitar while in school.
At the age of sixteen, she was discovered by Dave Stewart (Eurythmics). In 2009, Taylor’s first official album, White Sugar, was released, and since then, she has released ten more (including this new release), a couple of live projects, and a string of singles and EPs.
She is a multi-award-winning blues artist who has worked with artists such as Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Joe Bonamassa, Dave Stewart, Josh Smith, and others. Joanne Shaw Taylor continues to explore new territory in the blues music world, especially with this brand-new album release.
The Trouble With Love kicks off with the attention-grabbing title track, “The Trouble With Love,” which features Joanne Shaw Taylor’s close friend, Joe Bonamassa. What a great opening this tune is because it showcases some masterful guitar playing and Taylor’s sometimes-overlooked, outstanding vocal ability.
This song addresses the sad facts of failing love and how it is sometimes harder to stay than it is to leave. “And I wish I hadn’t had it, ’cause I can’t quit this habit. That’s the trouble with love.” This great piece has also been released as a video that you can find on YouTube.
The second track of this ten-song recording is “Hell Or High Water,” and it’s a great one. Do you love those gospel blues sounds? Well, it’s working here in a huge way! I love Taylor’s soulful guitar solo in this number.
She sings, “I feel no sorrow, I feel no shame. I’ve walked through fire and back again.” Taylor continues with, “Now I’m on my knees begging; Lord don’t let me falter; come hell or high water.”
The voices at the very end are such a nice touch to this well-done song that you’ll want to make sure to check out.
“What Good Is My Love” is an upbeat, happy song with negative, depressing subject matter. “No I don’t care, that you changed your mind. Baby that’s what lovers do all the time. But maybe next around, you could save somebody the fall. For now I’ll take the hit, and just call this another close call.”
She continues with, “What good is my love; what good is my love? If I’m not the one you’re thinking of?”
More great guitar work can be found on this track as Taylor sings about bad relationships that most of us can, unfortunately, relate to.
Track eight of The Trouble With Love is “Never Gonna Please ‘Em All,” and I’m just about betting that she might be referring to fans and critics of her music in this one. The opening guitar lead is “gonna” make you nod your head in rhythm. “Betcha”!
Taylor sings, “Played it safe and I played it sweet. Even sugar burns, left under the heat. Ain’t never gonna please them all.”
This is a real shake-the-walls rocker that might get you up and dancing a little “boogity, boogity, boo” around the room, especially if you crank up that volume dial.
The bottom line is that Joanne Shaw Taylor is, as Joe Bonamassa has been quoted as saying, “the total package.” I don’t disagree.
Joanne Shaw Taylor has been quoted as saying this about herself: “I’ll always be a blues guitarist at heart.” She has consistently stayed true to that quote, mixing in brief diversions to keep her music interesting to her listeners, as well as herself.
But make no mistake, she is a “true” blues artist, as bluesy as they come.
You can catch her on tour during October and November. Just check her schedule through her social media. You can also check out lots of her prior work on YouTube. Joanne Shaw Taylor just keeps getting better and better.
Grab a copy of The Trouble With Love. You will not be sorry.
The Review: 9.5/10
Can’t Miss Tracks
– The Trouble With Love – Hell Or High Water – This Is Who I Am – Never Gonna Please ‘Em All
Ivan Moody and company celebrate two decades of hard rock while looking ahead
with new album ‘Legacy’
Five Finger Death Punch brought their 20th Anniversary World Tour to FirstBank Amphitheater in Franklin, Tennessee, with Cody Jinks and Eva Under Fire joining the bill. The combination of hard rock, metal and outlaw country made for a lineup that crossed genre lines without losing sight of what brings people to a live show. For Five Finger Death Punch, the evening was another stop in a year marking two decades as a band, while the recent release of their tenth studio album, Legacy, gave fans something new to experience alongside the songs that built their following.
Eva Under Fire opened the evening with a sound that combines heavy guitars, melodic choruses and lyrics centered on personal struggles. Frontwoman Eva Marie has helped establish the group as a name to watch in modern hard rock, using a vocal approach that moves between melody and aggression. Songs such as “Awakening” and “Murder Scene” demonstrate the band’s ability to pair a direct message with a hook that stays with the listener. Opening a bill of this size gives a band an opportunity to reach people who may not have discovered its music yet, and Eva Under Fire had the chance to introduce its material to an audience that came together for a diverse night of music.
Cody Jinks followed with a style grounded in outlaw country and songwriting that often takes a more direct route than the polished production associated with mainstream country radio. His music has attracted listeners from both country and rock backgrounds, with songs that address personal choices, life on the road and the consequences that come with them. Tracks such as “Hippies and Cowboys,” “Loud and Heavy” and “Must Be the Whiskey” illustrate the sound that has helped him develop a loyal following. His place on the bill offered a change of pace from the opening act while maintaining the evening’s focus on music that connects with audiences through its lyrics and attitude. What also helped Jinks to win over metal fans was his rendition of AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock n’ Roll).”
The pairing with Jinks and Eva Under Fire also underscored how touring packages can bring audiences together across genre lines. Jinks’ country songwriting offered a different perspective on the stories and struggles often found in rock music, while Eva Under Fire represented a newer generation of hard-rock performers working to expand their audience. Each act approached the evening from a different musical background, giving the bill a broader identity than a standard hard-rock lineup. For fans who arrived primarily for Five Finger Death Punch, the supporting acts provided an opportunity to discover artists working in different parts of the same wider musical landscape.
Five Finger Death Punch’s arrival brought the evening back to the heavier side of the lineup. Since forming in 2005, the band has built a catalog around guitar-driven songs, forceful vocals and choruses that encourage crowd participation. That formula has helped it move from clubs and smaller venues to amphitheaters and arenas, where its music is designed to reach the back of the crowd. The 20th anniversary tour gives the group a chance to recognize that journey while continuing to perform for the fans who have followed it through the years.
The band’s catalog provides plenty of material for a set that spans different periods of its career. “The Bleeding” remains an important early song, while “Bad Company,” “Wash It All Away” and “Wrong Side of Heaven” represent different sides of the group’s sound. “Jekyll and Hyde” brings a more aggressive edge, and “Sham Pain” reflects the band’s willingness to turn personal frustrations into material that connects with its audience. These songs have become familiar points of reference for longtime listeners and demonstrate how Five Finger Death Punch has maintained a recognizable identity while expanding its body of work.
Ivan Moody remains a central part of that connection. His delivery gives the band’s music its character, but his relationship with the crowd is also an important part of the live experience. During this stage of the band’s career, Moody has expressed admiration for the younger fans attending the shows and bringing new energy to the audience. For a group that has been around for two decades, seeing a younger generation discover its music is significant. It shows that the songs have continued to find listeners beyond those who first encountered the band in its early years. That generational connection also gives the anniversary tour a different perspective: the band’s history matters, but so does the audience that will carry its music forward.
The recent release of Legacy adds another chapter to that history. As the band’s tenth studio album, it represents a substantial body of work accumulated over 20 years. Reaching that milestone gives the group an opportunity to look back at the records that established its reputation while continuing to write and record new material. For a band with a large catalog, introducing another album presents a familiar challenge: finding room for fresh songs while meeting the expectations of fans who want to hear the tracks they know by heart. The new record gives Five Finger Death Punch a reason to keep the setlist moving forward rather than treating the anniversary as a trip through the past alone.
That balance between established songs and newer material has helped the band maintain its place in modern hard rock. Five Finger Death Punch has developed a sound that relies on the contrast between heavy riffs and accessible choruses, with Moody’s vocals tying those elements together. The approach works in a live setting because it gives the audience both the force of the music and moments to sing along. With Legacy now part of the band’s story, the anniversary tour represents more than a celebration of past achievements; it is also an opportunity to show where the band stands today.
Twenty years into its career, Five Finger Death Punch continues to look forward while recognizing the people who helped it reach this point. The anniversary tour, the arrival of Legacy and Moody’s appreciation for younger fans all point to a band whose story is still being written.
That film celebrates the late Rush great, and finds members of Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more getting behind the kit with Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson.
When it comes to bands that refuse to stay in their lane, Glasgow’s djent-pop-metal powerhouse Sixth Wonder are currently leading the pack by a country mile. These Scottish alternative mavericks have spent the last few years systematically tearing up the heavy music rulebook, collecting a couple of Best Metal gongs at the Scottish Alternative Music […]
