Neal Francis and Color Green Stir Up Powerful Rock n’ Roll One-two Punch at Portland, OR’s Revolution Hall (SHOW REVIEW/PHOTOS)
Portland, Oregon music fans who made their way to Revolution Hall on Friday, May 16th, left not just satisfied, but somewhat stunned by the quality of the soul shakedown party they were presented with by this Neal Francis Return To Zero tour stop. Francis and his band, along with opening act Color Green, both commanded […]
Tuesday’s Gone: Bad Brains “Slow” Things Down With Impactful “Soul Craft”
Part of what makes alternative metal “alternative” is its penchant for slower, more mid-tempo rhythms versus playing fast. This stood in direct contrast to speed metal and most thrash metal that was prominent in the 80s, but the transition from playing fast to slower wasn’t just a trend in the metal world as the decade […]
55 Years Later: Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady Debut As Hot Tuna With Eponymous Album
Hot Tuna is arguably the longest-lasting offshoot of any major Sixties band. Over half a century has passed since the release of the eponymous debut album, but founding members Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady continue to carry on the tradition. Carrying on the tradition was one of the core premises of the group founded by these […]
Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ Reconvene For Stirring Blues Stew On ‘Room on the Porch’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Both Keb’ Mo’ and Taj Mahal have been playing their music for over half a century. Taj is approaching seven decades. We throw the term ‘legend’ rather casually these days, but these two have long attained that status. A successful collaboration almost inevitably leads to a second, so we are here eight years later from 2017’s TajMo to Room […]
LISTEN: Forest Ray’s “Send My Love” Is Relaxed Alt-Country Balladry With Uplifting Poetry
Seattle-based folk n roll band, Forest Ray, has been described as “spaced-out, down to earth” and “Brit-pop gone country” that sounds like “the band covering Beatles songs no one knew existed”. Through a consistent touring and recording schedule, they have become one of Seattle’s most well-known active bands. Their sixth studio album, Windfucker (Jebivjetar), was […]
LISTEN: Steel Wool Showcase Expansive Shoegaze Prowess With Warping and Lush “Heaven or La Brea”
Born out of their drummer Evan’s bedroom studio, Steel Wool has been making waves across the southland with plenty of local radio love, including shoutouts from KCRW and a live session at KXLU. The group, consisting of Sean Lissner (guitar/singing), Jaden Amjadi (bass/screaming), Sam Schlesinger (guitar), and Evan Landi (drums), has developed a reputation for […]
Happy 80th Birthday Pete Townshend of The Who
50 Years Later: Weather Report Hits Artistic Apex On Complex ‘Tale Spinnin”
From the perspective of five decades, Tale Spinnin’ would appear to represent the pinnacle of Weather Report’s discography. Its uniformity, which distinguishes it as such, also marks a marked contrast to the albums that surround it in the mythic group’s timeline. The following album, Black Market, documents the entry of bassist/composer Jaco Pastorius into the group. The late […]
SONG PREMIERE: Bon Bon Vivant Create Mysterious & Vivacious Gypsy Jazz Charm On”Sin Eater”
Born in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, Bon Bon Vivant was founded by songwriter and frontwoman Abigail Cosio alongside saxophonist and vocalist Jeremy Kelley. The band has carved out a fearless and distinctive sound, blending the narrative richness of classic Americana, the grit of indie rock, and the infectious rhythms of their hometown. […]
Sporting Events Poised to Drive Betting Audience Growth in the Next 5 Years
Most bettors will be aware of major sporting events that are on the horizon, such as the FIFA World Cup, golf’s Ryder Cup, and even the Ashes in cricket. Naturally, the more passion a person has for a particular sport, the more aware they will be of its tournaments. Bookmakers will capitalise on the significant […]
Manic Monday: Bad Brains Blur Heavy Punk & Metal Lines On “I Against I” Live 1986
Keeping with our “Alt-Metal May” theme this month, part of what made alternative-metal so distinctive when it started blossoming in the late 80s was its willingness to inject funk into heavy-metal’s traditionally rigid song structures. An outlandish idea at the time (and one that still doesn’t sit well with most metal purists to this day), […]
Sean Egan Argues for Dylan’s Impact with ‘Decade of Dissent – How 1960’s Bob Dylan Changed The World’ (INTERVIEW)
On May 20th, 2025, Jawbone Press will release Decade of Dissent – How 1960’s Bob Dylan Changed The World by longtime author and journalist Sean Egan. Having written and edited dozens of books on the subject of The Rolling Stones, The Small Faces, Punk, the lives of songwriters, and more, Egan has also amassed quite […]
Fearless & Ripping: Amyl and the Sniffers Rock New York City’s Pier 17 (SHOW REVIEW)
On an overcast, breezy Thursday evening at South Street Seaport, Amyl and the Sniffers brought their Cartoon Darkness world tour onto the glorious rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City on May 15th. With the best backdrop of any NYC outdoor venue, the stage was set for a rollicking night of punk-infused rock and […]
40 Years Later: Dire Straits Enter The Mainstream With Hit Packed ‘Brothers In Arms’
With forty years’ perspective, the release and subsequent massive success of Dire Straits’ Brothers In Arms (released 5/17/85) can camouflage what a superb work it is. Co-produced by the band’s titular leader, Mark Knopfler, with engineer Neil Dorfsman, its nine tracks are expertly sequenced to amplify the variety of the material, imaginative arrangements for which revolve around […]
LISTEN: Cole Quest and The City Pickers Showcase Bluegrass Prowess On Infectious “I Ain’t”
Though they may be led by Woody Guthrie’s incredible grandson on vocals and guitars, Cole Quest & the City Pickers are a true ensemble collaboration, sporting buoyant harmonies and virtuoso harmonica, Dobro, and banjo playing, and with multiple members singing lead. And like Cole’s grandfather, the folk and bluegrass group calls NYC home. In fact, […]
LISTEN: Gabrielle Ornate’s “Stolen Faces” Blends Hectic Hard Rock With Poetic Honesty
Gabrielle Ornate is a bohemian songstress based in Suffolk who makes ethereal rock you can’t shake off. Fusing modern-age mythology with an ethereal rock edge and classic pop sensibility, the artist’s music serves as an anthem for enlightenment and ascension, seeking to give a voice to female empowerment and inspire people to tap into their […]
CAUSTIC COMMENTARY: Mononeon, Friendship, Yuno, Chuck D, Tune-Yards & More
It’s a gloomy pre-Summer New Music Friday, the perfect weather for a long day of music consumption. As we get deeper into 2025 and near the halfway point, these New Music Fridays seem to be getting better and better, and this week is no exception. This sprawling array of new releases features soulful crooning, refreshing […]
25 Years Ago Today – Phish Released ‘Farmhouse’ Album
Rocket and Sugar of The Cocktail Slippers Talk Recording Live Shows and Their First Underground Garage Cruise (INTERVIEW)
The Cocktail Slippers are a high-energy and enduring all-female Rock band from Norway whose albums are released by Stevie Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records. Last summer, they released the EP Talkin’ About Love, and recently, they shared the double single, “Live at Blaker Festival Norway” which included their cover of “Gloria” and their original track, […]
35 Years Later: Ice Cube Begins Vivacious Solo Career With ‘AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted’
Of all the iconic Hip-hop groups that emerged in the 90s, very few saw successful solo careers that branched off from their collective’s success. Wu-Tang is an obvious example of a powerful group whose members went on to achieve success in the solo realm, but back in the day, breaking free of your group’s identity […]