The complete recordings of the 70’s Australian progressive band Fraternity which featured the AC/FC vocalist Bon Scott will be released in a special remastered edition later this month.
Titled as ‘Seasons Of Change – The Complete Recordings, 1970-1974-, the box set was put together by Adelaide music promoter and historian Victor Marshall in collaboration with the surviving band members and their manager Hamish Henry.
Released today via Cherry Red Records, the box set includes the band’s two original albums – ‘Livestock’ and ‘Flaming Galah’ – along with their singles, remastered from Henry’s original tapes. Both feature Scott on lead vocals as well as recorder.
“It has been a dream come true to work with one of Australia’s most important pioneering pub rock bands,” commented Marshall in a statement. The historian found the lost recordings while conducting interviews for an upcoming biography he has written about the band.
“This project could not have been possible without the generosity of the band (Bruce Howe, John Freeman, John Bisset, Sam See, Mauri Berg, Uncle John Eyers & Tony Buettel) and the band’s original manager Hamish Henry. I hope that all the members of Fraternity will finally receive the recognition they deserve and have their real story told.”
Fraternity formed in Sydney, Australia in 1970. The following year they relocated to Adelaide, South Australia, and released debut album ‘Livestock’. Its follow-up, ‘Flaming Galah’, arrived in 1972.
The band went through various lineups and names in their time, such as Fang and Some Dream, and briefly included Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes. Under their final moniker of Mickey Finn, the group disbanded in 1981.
So lets go back to 2018 for a second when as AC/DC fans got all excited as pics of Brian Johnson and Phil Rudd outside Warehouse Studios in Vancouver got out and sparked rumors that a new record was in the works. That record now known as POWER UP has been released into the world and the band have been reflecting on that wait and why they held onto the LP for so long.
“Well, we all agreed to be hush,” Angus Young explains on the My Turning Point podcast. “And we’ve done that in the past. You keep it tight till it’s out there in the public. And that’s always been pretty much the approach in the band.”
He adds that POWER UP – which was finished in a six-week period in August and September 2018, when the original photos were taken – would have come out sooner were it not for everything that happened in 2020.
“The beginning of this year, we were planning, we were gonna get it out earlier,” he continues (via Blabbermouth). “So we had worked on a lot of the promotional side of it. And we’d also actually been doing rehearsals, playing [together], because Brian wanted to see if [it] was at all possible [for him to perform after dealing with hearing issues back in 2016]. So we had actually been geared up.
“We had done promotional stuff, shot a video, and the record company were gonna put together all their plans, how they were gonna promote it and everything. The plan was to go earlier with the album. And then, it was a case of we were rehearsing, and, as I said, had done promo stuff. And then we had a quick break. We had gone into our home spaces.
z“And then this pandemic thing sprung up out of nowhere. And not just us, it threw the whole world a big curve[ball]. So that plan fell apart, because from that point on, nobody knew what was happening in those early stages of that. So everything was put on hold until it was such time that it was possible to release the album. But pre-pandemic, we were hoping we could have got it out earlier.”
Hello everyone welcome back to the New Music Roundup! We’re here for a roundup of five of the best recently released tracks. They’re not all within the same genre and they’re all different in some way or another but that means that there’s a little something for everyone here but come on, let’s get down to the music!
First up this we hare Burning Pools, a new band led by former Smashing Pumpkins bassist Ginger Pooley, has been long in the making. She and husband Kristopher Pooley had been demoing songs showcasing Ginger’s penchant for empowering protest lyrics clothed in pop hooks, when they decided to reach out to guitarist Max Bernstein. He promptly added some tracks with a sub-octave fuzz permanently in the “on” position. Instantly, the three decided that Kris (a keyboard player by trade) would dust off his drum kit as this was not a synth operation —and a band was born.
The band’s three members share a long list of studio and touring credits and collectively have worked with rock legends like Tom Morello, Siouxsie Sioux, Slash, Morrissey, Liz Phair, Scott Weiland, Tegan and Sara, and bands like Jane’s Addiction and Weezer. They’ve also had their hands in the pop world, though it is clear that its influence is positively nil. Their unique brand of noisy power-pop with doomy riffs charts a different sonic course, harkening more to the loud drum and guitar squalls that Kris and Ginger experienced as newlyweds on Smashing Pumpkins tours.
Their debut EP is a critique of the hierarchy of our value system. Ginger shares, “It’s nothing new for music to be a voice of criticism of our culture. That is the purpose of a lot of art. This is just my way of expressing my frustration with the priorities of modern society. Valuing money over everything, undervaluing women and people of color. Hopefully our songs make people who are of the same accord feel heard and supported. There is so much injustice in the world, we hope to be a part of the solution in some small way.”
Bands like Burning Pools are supposed to play shows — and to the list of the world’s upended plans of 2020 we add the dream of taking these songs beyond streaming platforms to the stage where a power trio can actually be one in real time. For now, Burning Pools will be releasing singles from their forthcoming EP.
Next up this week we have Intervals.
Recently, torchbearers of progressive, instrumental rock, Intervals, debuted their third single “String Theory” from their forthcoming full-length, Circadian, which dropped today. Marking some of the heaviest yet most memorable pieces of the album, “String Theory” finds Aaron Marshall delving deep into his influences and coming out the other side with some of his most rewarding material yet. As with all of Marshall’s work, no matter how complicated it may get, the melodies and hooks are left swirling around in the listener’s head for days afterward. “String Theory” features one of Marshall’s early influences and favorite guitarists of all time, Marco Sfogli, who contributes an impossible solo that creates a jaw-dropping moment before the band dives back into the captivating and sinuous interplay that makes the track a highlight of Circadian. “String Theory” follows the explosive “5-HTP” and delicately intricate “Lock & Key”. Co-produced by Marshall and fellow Torontonian, Sam Guaiana (Silverstein, Obey The Brave, Like Pacific), Circadian, is available for pre-order here.
“I’ve been patiently anticipating the roll out for this tune. Not only have I been itching to compose some more 7 string material for some time now, but this tune features one of my favourite guitarists of all time. Marco is an absolute legend and I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to feature him on this track. This is a major bucket list moment and I am so stoked to have put this one together. I hope everyone enjoys this last single before the album drops!”
Moving to New York for our next pick in this weeks roundup, there is Aussie-bred singer-songwriter BRANDEUS has shared a taste of his new music with his new single “Vino”, produced by Raspo.
Discussing the new release, Brandeus says: “’Vino’ represents the mental effects and overthinking caused by loneliness and alcoholism. It is okay to experience depression and loneliness, these feelings are normal and “it’s just a phase, it’s not forever.” Constant use of synthetic substances and consumption of alcohol does not always denote a good time or make the beauty of life richer. Happiness and fun is what you make it.”
Originally from Australia, BRANDEUS, otherwise known as Brandon Williams, is an all-rounded artist, singer, songwriter and producer that offers an atmospheric blend of R&B, Alternative Pop and Hip-Hop. Known for his buzzing singles ‘War’ and ‘IDTM’, Brandon delves deeply into his past personal experiences and passion in his lyrics. With him riding the new-wave R&B aesthetic, BRANDEUS is bound to make his mark.
Now for the penultimate track this week, we have the Scottish 2 piece Vukoviwhom mark their return with the release of their huge, brand new single ‘SLO’ out today, Monday 2nd November.
The single was co-written with The Spice Girls songwriters Andy Watson and Paul Wilson which, for vocalist Janine (Shilstone) in particular was a dream come true, being a huge fan of the band.
Vukovi vocalist Janine Shilstone explains a bit about the single –
“SLO is comparing my OCD to an abusive relationship. You have a warped outlook on what healthy behaviour is. You forget what it’s like living a normal life. It has this god like status that makes you believe you wouldn’t survive if it was ever to leave you. You have a toxic reliance on it and in your eyes that condones reckless behaviour.”
The band are also going to be releasing their debut album ‘Vukovi’ on vinyl for the first time ever, through original label, Lab Records, with pre-orders going live on November 6th – “It’s only taken us 3 years but glad we are finally releasing our debut album on vinyl. There’s been so much demand for this we had to make it happen. Only doing a limited run of these and to make it a little bit more interesting we’ve signed and put a personal message on a 5th of them.”
We had to choose some legends for our final pick this week, that pick is none other than AC/DC.
This song follows lead single Shot In The Dark, off their latest record POWER UP which was released today. Album 17 features the newly-reunited line-up of lead guitarist Angus Young and rhythm guitarist Stevie Young, frontman Brian Johnson, bassist Cliff Williams and drummer Phil Rudd, with the LP serving as a tribute to the late, great Malcolm Young.
“I know Mal’s not with us anymore, but he’s there with us in spirit,” says Angus. “This band was his baby, his life. He was always one [to say], ‘You keep going.’ His big line always, every now and again, he’d go, ‘If you’re a musician, it’s a bit like being on the Titanic. The band goes down with the ship.’ That’s how he viewed it.”
Malcolm is credited as a writer on POWER UP – though his actual guitar playing won’t be heard.
“I know a lot of people have been saying, ‘Did Malcolm actually play, is it his instrument on the new album?’” Angus ponders. “I chose not to do that because I felt Malcolm himself wouldn’t like me trying to splice his guitar work.”
He added of their prior creative process: “Malcolm and myself, a lot of what we had done through the years, we’d make notes with the tracks. Some might be a little bit rough here and there, and I polished them up. In other cases, Malcolm might have done just a small bit and then I would do the next verse. The bulk of the contribution of Mal is mainly musical.”
And that’s it for another week of a countdown of the best new tracks out in the world in the last week. Be sure to check back next-time for another round of great music videos. If you have any suggestions for me to check out, be sure to send an email or message us via the socials on Facebook or Twitter!
Though they have been teasing a new track called ‘Demon Fire’ in the last week, the latest AC/DC track to hit the release from their upcoming record, ‘POWER UP’ has been unleashed.
The track, ‘Realize’ releases just before the release of POWER UP. Of course, record 17 features the newly-reunited line-up of lead guitarist Angus Young and rhythm guitarist Stevie Young, frontman Brian Johnson, bassist Cliff Williams and drummer Phil Rudd, with the LP serving as a tribute to the late, great Malcolm Young.
“I know Mal’s not with us anymore, but he’s there with us in spirit,” says Angus. “This band was his baby, his life. He was always one [to say], ‘You keep going.’ His big line always, every now and again, he’d go, ‘If you’re a musician, it’s a bit like being on the Titanic. The band goes down with the ship.’ That’s how he viewed it.”
Malcolm is credited as a writer on POWER UP – though his actual guitar playing won’t be heard.
“I know a lot of people have been saying, ‘Did Malcolm actually play, is it his instrument on the new album?’” Angus ponders. “I chose not to do that because I felt Malcolm himself wouldn’t like me trying to splice his guitar work.”
He added of their prior creative process: “Malcolm and myself, a lot of what we had done through the years, we’d make notes with the tracks. Some might be a little bit rough here and there, and I polished them up. In other cases, Malcolm might have done just a small bit and then I would do the next verse. The bulk of the contribution of Mal is mainly musical.”
Happy October everyone!! Welcome back to the new music video roundup. We’re here for a roundup of ten of the best recently released music videos. They’re not all within the same genre and they’re all different in some way or another but that means that there’s a little something for everyone here but come on, let’s get down to the music!
We’re kicking things off with alive video in the form of Brutus with ‘War (Live In Ghent)’. This is a cut from their new live album, out now via Hassle Records – ‘Live In Ghent’ was recorded in their hometown in front of a sold-out 750 fans.
The band say: “Four video’s have already been released: Fire, Cemetery, All Along and Sugar Dragon. Right now, we are happy to announce our personal favourite: War. This song is super special to us. Not only does it reflect a tough period, but this song has set a new standard for our writing ever since. We are so happy we can share this live version.”
Now, following its premiere on NEW NOISE MAGAZINE, ska-punk veterans Less Than Jake bring fans another new single from their forthcoming album, Silver Linings. ‘Dear Me’ is streaming now. Silver Linings is set to be released on December 11th via Pure Noise Records.
On the new single, the band shares: “I wrote this song as a tribute to a few special people in my life who are no longer around. What it is like to reach the impasse of where words can’t convey emotions. This is my internal struggle to understand their internal struggle.
Up next is Dayze, a Mexican American musician who grew up in a Calexico, a town on the US/Mexico border. Growing up, he commuted between the USA and Mexico on a daily basis. To him, his situation is not special. In fact, he’s sure others can relate to the struggles that come from living in two different worlds. Dayze lacked many things growing up, but the one thing he always had was the love and support of his parents.
He says, “I believe that the unconditional love and support of my parents was what ultimately gave me the courage to start playing music. I was a very introverted teen and when I got my first acoustic guitar everything changed. That guitar gave me purpose, motivation, and desire to learn and grow. Eventually, I started my first metalcore/scene band and that’s when I knew that music would always be a part of my life. All these experiences culminated when I decided to start Dayze, my solo project, which delves more into the alternative rock realm. I was at a point in my life where I felt emotionally repressed, so I started writing lyrics and singing them. Day by day I realized how much this helped me get all the negativity out of my heart and thoughts. My hope is to hopefully connect with people around the world through my music.”
After releasing a string of singles and an EP, he’s back with a new single titled “My Way” and he plans to continue to release new music in the months ahead.
We’re getting around the world today. Next is the Japanese heavy hitters Crystal Lake have shared a video for ‘Disobey’, the counterpart to their forthcoming 7″ double-single alongside ‘Watch Me Burn’.
You can pre-order their ‘Watch Me Burn/Disobey’ 7″ single now, which is set to be released in December 2020.
Back in UK waters for the fourth choice in the roundup, we have Palm Reader.
It’s the second single from the band’s upcoming album ‘Sleepless‘, set for release on 27th November via Church Road Records.
The band also have a livestream coming up, on 23rd November from St Edmunds Church in Rochdale.
Vocalist Josh Mckeown says: “‘Willow’ was written after I’d been told a heartbreaking story of loss and young motherhood. I wrote it with the intention of illuminating the strength of any mother in that unfortunate position and to offer a permanent gesture of respect to them.
“It was one of the first songs we wrote for Sleepless and it definitely helped set the tone musically for a lot of what was to come. We’ve put together a music video with the help and expertise of our good friend and collaborator Sam Lees. His creativity and vision will further highlight the lyrical content and the sentiment attached to the song.”
Time for something a little different in genre. That’s what is so great about these roundups. You never know who you’re going to get. With that, we have Mike Taveira.
“Karma” is the breakup anthem for anyone who feels like their ex has yet received the karma they deserve. The single will be released alongside the official music video, which was created in collaboration with Canada’s Drag Race star Lemon.
Los Angeles-based Mike Taveira made a splash earlier this year with his pansexual pop anthem, “Curious,” which grabbed the attention of tastemakers like Billboard Pride, Gay Times, and PRIDE. Growing up without any openly pansexual figures to look up to, Taveira knew that his personal journey needed to be expressed through his own music. In each of the three singles he has released so far, “Heart,” “Curious,” and, now, “Karma,” Taveira showcases his infectious R&B-pop sensibilities while tackling the complexities and vulnerability of sexual identity. With an underlying message that preaches to be true to yourself, whoever you love, whatever you identity as, and whatever life throws your way, Taveira is set to become a force in the evolution of queer pop music.
Now, one band whom is definately on the spectrum these days is the delicious and wonderful Spanish Love Songs.
‘Self-Destruction (As a Sensible Career Choice)’ is a song from the band’s second album ‘Brave Faces Everyone’, which was released earlier this year via Pure Noise Records.
Lead vocalist Dylan Slocum shares: “This song is about feeling trapped. People like to say ‘it gets better’ about depression or anxiety, but this is about that creeping feeling that it might not. That maybe you’ll be stuck feeling a certain way, or working a job you hate, or with a body you hate, forever.
“By the time we decided to do another video, the lockdown blues had gotten pretty intense. Being the ultra-positive band that we are, we decided to throw ourselves little solo parties and invited our fans to do the same. Four hours of footage later, it turned out we all needed the party more than we knew.”
I have one question for everyone now, who want’s some new Royal Blood? Well, you better do because the duo has released their first new material since the release of 2017’s second album ‘How Did We Get So Dark?’, ‘Trouble’s Coming’ is a taster of the follow up to that record, expected to drop in spring 2021.
Citing influences including Daft Punk and Justice, bassist and vocalist Mike Kerr explains: “It was the moment something started to click – where we started playing over those much more rigid dance beats. The breakthrough was realising that there was real common ground between that and what we’d done before. It’s that AC/DC aspect: where the quality that makes the riffs seem so cutting is because of that beat.
“Although on the surface we were stepping outside what we’d done before, it didn’t feel at all unnatural; it felt like we were returning to music we’d loved from the very beginning.
“It was all about the beat. It felt like familiar territory, but something we’d censored in ourselves.”
Bring Me Horizon have had a good few announcements lately. They’ve announed a tour, oe of their ‘Post Human’ EP’s and now they have a new video out in the world.
The forthcoming ‘Post Human: Survival Horror’ EP is expected to be the first in a planned series of four which is set for a release on October 30th 2020.
Check out ‘Teardrops’ below.
And lastly in this weeks roundup we have some legends to close out this one.
Leaked photos from last month showed AC/DC recording a new video in the Netherlands now suddenly make a whole lot more sense, as the rock’n’roll legends have released their awesome performance-based video for latest single Shot In The Dark.
Discussing POWER UP with Kerrang, as a whole, Angus Young explained that the record is a tribute to the late Malcolm Young.
“I know Mal’s not with us anymore, but he’s there with us in spirit,” Angus said. “This band was his baby, his life. He was always one [to say], ‘You keep going.’ His big line always, every now and again, he’d go, ‘If you’re a musician, it’s a bit like being on the Titanic. The band goes down with the ship.’ That’s how he viewed it.
“Even the title we gave it, POWER UP, pretty much sums him up, too,” he continued. “When he put on that guitar, he was one big guitar. To put it this way: When he played guitar, it sounded like there were two people playing.”
Check ou AC/DC’s new video for ‘Shot In The Dark’ below.
And that’s it for another week of a countdown of the best new tracks out in the world in the last week. Be sure to check back next-time for another round of great music videos. If you have any suggestions for me to check out, be sure to send an email or message us via the socials on Facebook or Twitter!
Ahead of the release of their upcoming record PWR/UP on November 13th 2020, AC/DC’s Brian Johnson and Cliff Williams have opened up about the recording process of album number 17.
The frontman and bassist spoke to Rock 100.5 Atlanta (via Blabbermouth) about how PWR/UP came together.
“There’s a lot of [rumours] about Malcolm’s guitar playing [being on the album], [and] well, of course, that’s not true,” says Brian. “But what is true is the fact that Angus and Malcolm had done riffs together all their life and really had a big box of them. And Angus said he basically just went through them all and he went, ‘Oh, that’s a good one. This is a good one.’ And he brought them out.
“So it really is true that Malcolm is on there, basically, in spirit and all of that. And he’s such a strong character in life. And I think everybody in the band still felt, especially Angus, his brother, [that Malcolm] is in everything. We’re always conscious of that, that he’s watching over, ‘You’d better do it right. You’d better do it AC/DC style or just not do it at all.’ And the songs came in – Angus came in with ‘em and all, and worked with Brendan O’Brien, the producer, and I went into just a regular little control room, and we just went for it. And we’d take it back, and Angus would have a listen and see if there was anything that needed changing… But there wasn’t much [that needed to be changed].”
The vocalist adds that the idea for a new album was first brought up in 2018, with the entire band – completed by Angus and Stevie Young, and returning drummer Phil Rudd – agreed to it “immediately”.
“And, of course, we went off to Vancouver in about August,” he continues. “As soon as we walked in, there was this electricity, this bond that had been built up over 38 years since I joined. And, of course, when the boys plugged in, or powered up – if you’ll excuse the pun – and they started playing, that was it. It was a great time.”
Cliff also later reveals that AC/DC have already discussed the possibility of playing shows together again, but it’s obviously been shelved for now due to coronavirus. “But we would love to get out and play live,” he enthuses.
You can listen to the Interview via Youtube below.
“SHOT IN THE DARK.” THE NEW SINGLE OUT WEDNESDAY @ 12:00 AM NYC / 5:00 AM LONDON / 3:00 PM SYDNEY. #PWRUPpic.twitter.com/9l2B37wdP1
AC/DC’s latest track is getting everyone excited for their brand new material and now, they’ve just made us lose it!
After some teasing of a new record and confirmed their 2020 lineup, the band have released a 30 second snippet of their new music.
Brian Johnson’s unmistakable vocals are heard on the teaser as well as the flair and powerful instrumentation of Angus and Stevie Young, Cliff Williams and Phil Rudd.
Has there been more evidence of AC/DC’s upcoming record? If the following is anything to go by, then yes.
A poster appeared in Sydney showing the bands lighting bolt graphic posted to their social media accounts on September 28th where it was placed outside Angus Young’s old school in Sydney.
The PWR UP poster links to a new website which has the bright-red lightning logo as well as links to their official merch store and an email sign up when you click power up. Is this the records new title?
Sad news from the world of rock came this weekend as one of the founding members of the legendary band AC/DC, Malcolm Young passed away at the age of 64.
The guitarist of the band exited in 2014 due to his ongoing health issues.
Malcolm’s brother Angus, paid tribute to his late sibling.
“As his brother it is hard to express in words what he has meant to me during my life, the bond we had was unique and very special.
“He leaves behind an enormous legacy that will live on forever.
Tragedy has hit the world of rock again this week as AC/DC producer George Young has died at the age of 70.
Geroge, who was the brother of members of the band Malcolm and Angus young, found fame in the 1960’s as a member of The Easybeats before producing albums for the legendary rock group including the 1976 record ‘High Voltage.
This is the statement posted by AC/DC via their Facebook account.
At Almost Anything Media we are sending our condolences and sympathies to the family, friends and loved ones of AC/DC.
Former AC/DC singer Brian Johnson has posted a message to fans in Sweeden for helping to raise funds for the band’s former member, Malcolm Young, who left in 2014 after being diagnosed with dementia.
Fans have recently been helping to raise funds through the AC/DC event entitled AC/DC Machine Gathering 2017.
He said:
“I know Malcolm would be so proud of you. I am and I want to thank you for doing this. We’ve tried to tell people about this awful disease, tried to get a cure for it. You guys are helping and I’m so proud of you.”
Almost Anything Music 