It’s been an embarrassingly long time, but it’s another new year, so I’m back to get reviews and shows up on the site! For starters, Rocker Stalker is presenting a comeback show on January 18 at Coney Island Baby! 7pm doors, $10, 21+ with Snow Villain, Dan Abraham, Deitre, and more!
Things are getting extra exciting for New York starting tomorrow, and I’ve got the scoop!
Firstly, EZ-RA, solo project of Ezra Huleatt of beloved (but now retired) NYC band, Black Taxi, is gathering some friends, including The Motor Tom, to bring back some Taxi tunes and covers at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2, tomorrow, October 7 at 10pm! RSVP/GET TICKETS HERE
The second half of the evening will be ramping up just around the corner at Mercury Lounge with blues-infused power trio, People’s Blues of Richmond, who are rocking the stage at MIDNIGHT sharp as part of their Fall tour in support of their new album, Quit or Die. RSVP/GET TICKETS HERE If you’re not in the NYC area tomorrow, don’t fret, the guys have a ton of dates coming up. Head over to their website to see a show near you! 
Last but not least, I’m excited to be introducing the very first ROCKER STALKER FEST! It begins a week from today, featuring 7 shows at 6 different venues (Gold Sounds, Pianos, Bar Matchless, Rockwood Music Hall, Our Wicked Lady and Bowery Electric) and 30+bands! Since CMJ is nowhere in sight, this might be your best bet if you’re looking to enjoy a slew of rock shows. Thanks to my friends over at PBR, Behind the Curtains Media and Sad Boy Management for helping me get the word out and sending some great artists my way! You can check out the line ups and RSVP with the links below:
10/13 at Gold Sounds (7pm-midnight)
10/14 at Bar Matchless (7pm-midnight)
10/15 at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2 (1-6pm)
10/15 at Gold Sounds (7-midnight)
10/16 at Our Wicked Lady (1-8pm)
10/16 at Bowery Electric (7pm-midnight)
Everyone knows that I’m a huge fan and endorser of Nashville-based rockers, The Wans. They’ve been a staple of Rocker Stalker Presents shows and the subject of my rave reviews of their 2012 self-titled EP and 2014 release, He Said, She Said (which I still ‘spin’ on the daily).
Now, the power trio is set to welcome Run Baby Run, produced by Vance Powell (The Dead Weather, Red Fang, Jack White), next Friday, June 24, 2016. The EP is a triple-threat (and so are the band members), delivering six blistering and melodic tracks that you can rock to, dance to and pine to. A darker direction than previous releases, The Wans fit even more snugly in the realm of Queens of the Stone Age and Alain Johannes, while maintaining the spunkiness akin to Arctic Monkeys and Royal Blood.
Much like a marathon, The Wans hit the ground running with the EP’s title track (streaming below) at a steady rock pace, introducing Simon Kerr’s fuzzy guitars and soaring vocals, Thomas Bragg’s sharp bass lines and Mark Petaccia’s crushing drums. “Seeing Red” picks up the intensity, whipping the EP into hysteria between intervals of calming distortion. “Who Are You Now” pushes forward with power chord force and oozes with heavy riffs, pained melodies and heart-wrenching lyrics. The song equivalent to a complicated relationship, “Not So Pretty,” my top choice on the EP, is lustful, hateful and bold. It’s the type of song you play for that special jerk in your life. The seductive and heavy “Nail Me,” is exactly what you think it’s about. The Wans, however, take the blunt proposal and manage to make it romantic with spine-tingling harmonies. Closing out the EP, “ABCD” sprints to a climax and swirls into an all-band frenzy before releasing one last yelp and gasp of air at the finish line.
Be sure pre-order Run Baby Run before it drops on June 24th and keep your eyes peeled for upcoming show and festival dates with The Wans!
Photo: Jason Lee Denton
I first discovered People’s Blues of Richmond while booking Rocker Stalker’s CMJ 2015 showcase, and boy, am I glad I was introduced to these fellas! Hailing from, you guessed it, Richmond, VA, the power rock ‘n roll trio have been frequenting NYC a whole lot over the last year. They recently headlined Bowery Ballroom, played a special Gibson Showroom gig, and now, they’re slated to headline Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg tomorrow, April 5th.
The rockin’ trifecta have released the title track ahead of their upcoming album, Quit or Die, due out June 10th. Clocking in at just over a minute and a half, “Quit or Die,” takes on punky acceleration, explosive drumming and crafty riffs, serving as a perfectly painful tease of the new record.
Don’t miss what will be a killer show tomorrow! PBR are joined by Stop Light Observations and The Schooley Mountain Band. Doors at 6pm; music at 8. Purchase tickets HERE.
>>>LISTEN TO “QUIT OR DIE”<<<
2015 is coming to a close, and I can’t believe it! This year sped by and was the most adventurous year for Rocker Stalker yet. Between presenting showcases at SXSW (3!) and CMJ (6!) and attending Aftershock and VooDoo Fests, and hosting over a dozen shows throughout the year in NYC, I’ve had a pretty great time. More importantly, though, there have been some incredible releases this year! Here are my top 5:
2. Blood Moon by Luna Sol: Back in the spring, I was lucky enough to interview Dave Angstrom, a name you may recognize from “stoner rock” staples, Hermano and Supafuzz, and main man behind Luna Sol. The Denver-based group’s debut, released via Slush Fund Recordings, is heavy, dark and gritty; three words that describe almost all of my favorite music. And, to make things even MORE awesome, there are guest spots from Nick Oliveri (Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age), Dizzy Reed (Guns N’ Roses) and John Garcia (Kyuss, Vista Chino), to name a few, lending to the already expertly-crafted, fiery and sludgy goodness. *Highlight tracks: ‘Your War,” “Operator,” “December”
3. High Country by The Sword: After catching these gentleman a few years back at SXSW, I fell in love with Austin’s hometown rock heroes. Their 5th studio album is fraught with masterful, headbanging riffs mixed with some space-rock/psychedelic influences and some more up-to-date electro-effects. Those who weren’t able to live through the glory of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and the 70’s in general (yours truly included), can bask in the The Sword’s modern take on vintage vibes. I caught them recently at Webster Hall in New York City and once again, they blew my mind! *Highlight tracks: “Mist & Shadow,” “The Dreamthieves,” “Buzzards”
4. We’ll Show You Where the Monsters Are by Fable Cry: These Nashville-based characters call themselves “theatrical scamp rock.” But, “what does that MEAN?” you may ask. A short and sweet answer is: vaudevillian, unique gypsy punk-infused rock. If you’re in search of the most out-of-the-box album of 2015, look no further. A combination of creepy, spooky, playful and creative, Fable Cry’s sophomore release is like having Halloween year-round. It’s only a matter of time before Tim Burton finds these guys and has them score his next film. *Highlight tracks: “The Good Doctor,” “Fancy Dancing,” “You Ain’t My Baby No More”
5. Temporary Love by The Brinks: OK, so this might be the black sheep of the list upon first listen, but you may recognize Australian-born, LA-based vocalist/guitarist Scott Mellis from Rocker Stalker’s “highly stalked.” His new band, The Brinks, a duo comprised of Mellis and producer Matt Friedman, dropped their 6-song EP earlier this month. Executive produced by Pusha T and Salaam Remi and avidly supported by Pharrell Williams, Temporary Love showcases Mellis’ ethereal, spine-tingling vocals over bubbly dance-infused tracks. *Highlight tracks: “Temporary Love,” “Hide Your Love,” “Stoned”
Wishing everyone a happy 2016!
❤
ROCKER STALKER
There’s no better time of year than birthdays and holidays to shamelessly promote yourself! That being said, come celebrate my birthday TONIGHT at Knitting Factory Brooklyn! I couldn’t ask for a better way to ring in another year than with the amazing Courtesy Tier, wild Butcher Knives and kickass rockers, The VeeVees!
Doors at 11pm! $10, ALL AGES! RSVP HERE
I’ve come out of hiding with some superb news! CMJ Marathon is upon us and this year, it is indeed a marathon. Rocker Stalker is hosting SIX shows starting TONIGHT, Wednesday, October 14 and is joining forces with friends, SwitchBitch Records, Behind the Curtains Media, Baby Robot Media, TJO Presents, SweetWater Brewing, PBR and Madhouse Management! Check out the dates below and RSVP! See you out there!
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14 at BAR MATCHLESS, 7pm:RSVP HERE
THURSDAY, OCT. 15 at ARLENE’s GROCERY, 12PM: RSVP HERE
THURSDAY, OCT. 15 at KINGS COUNTY SALOON, 7PM: RSVP HERE
FRIDAY, OCT. 16 at BOWERY ELECTRIC, 12pm; RSVP HERE
FRIDAY, OCT. 16 at PASSENGER BAR, 7pm: RSVP HERE
SATURDAY, OCT 17 at CAMEO GALLERY, 12pm: RSVP HERE
This might be the biggest show in Rocker Stalker history! Tonight, Rocker Stalker presents at Knitting Factory in Williamsburg and is honored to have three amazing bands grace the stage: The Courtesy Tier, Newborn and The Gay Blades!
The rocking and rolling starts promptly at 7pm. Cover is $10 adv/$12 at the door, so RSVP buy your tickets HERE.
See you later, rocker stalker stalkers!
xx
Tomorrow is going to be like a family gathering… but the fun kind. My NYC family Outernational and Black Wing Halo are joined by new friends, Bad Citizen, to rock Arlene’s Grocery! Doors are at 9pm, $8, 21+.
Make sure to RSVP and grab your tickets ahead of time HERE!
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Sex, Diet Coke, & Rock 'n Roll
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Sex, Diet Coke, & Rock 'n Roll
Rocker Stalker 