Page 52 - Black Velvet Issue 88

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ADRENALIZED: LIFE, DEF LEPPARD, end – a few pages by Phil about who ex- FAHRAN bouncy beat and catchy
AND BEYOND actly he is. Here he gives his views and A THOUSAND NIGHTS lyrics. ‘Sweaty Hug My Love’
PHIL COLLEN WITH CHRIS EPTING philosophical beliefs, coming across as (FAHRAN) is a dynamic, high-octane
(BANTAM PRESS) very intelligent and educated. We’d love Fahran can always be track, which means the lis-
Phil Collen has always come across to read more of this as this was the sec- relied upon to deliver a no- tener is invited to live out the
as a likeable, down-to-earth guy. This tion of the book that really WAS the most nonsense slice of hard-rock- song’s lyrics and ‘enjoy the
book, ‘Adrenalized: Life, Def Leppard, and adrenalizing. Overall though, a nice book ing awesomeness, and ride’ of the song. It finishes
Beyond’, solidifies that. With the help of by a nice guy. latest single ‘A Thousand off the EP in a lively fashion,
Chris Epting you can now read the first YYY Nights’ is no exception. It’s as a cohesive addition to the
ever autobiography by a Def Leppard SBV got killer riffs, a monstrous, previous two tracks. This is
member. First impressions were that the tub-thumping drum beat, a bold EP, which gives the
book was shorter than many other autobi- IF IT WAS MY BAND... and an absolutely sublime listener a real sense of the
ographies, with a fairly large typeset. It EMMA SCOTT guitar solo. Matt Black’s vo- feisty and exciting music
seems, overall, a fairly brief account of Emma Scott is a jack of all trades cals are clear as a bell and that defines The Dollyrots.
Phil’s life, from when he was a child up to when it comes to the music business. full of energy and passion. YYYY
the current day. That can be a good thing She's been a DJ, a gig promoter, a radio Straightforward, no frills, Emily Clarkson
and a bad thing – you find yourself wish- plugger, worked with an independent high quality rock – Fahran is
ing there were more in-depth recollec- record label and has now written and re- one band that is always THE BLACK BULLETS
tions, although you can read the whole leased her second book. Her books so far worth a listen. BOMBSHELL
book from start to finish fairly quickly, so if are aids for bands. If It Was My Band... YYYY (THE BLACK BULLETS)
you’re a busy bee it doesn’t take too long. gives tips on how to become successful in Clare Huckett The police sirens blare,
Phil reveals how he saw himself in the the music industry. There are chapters and suddenly we’re pitched
front row on a Deep Purple live album as such as Starting Out, Getting Gigs, Build- F-UNITS into a raw, raucous, and ag-
a kid, how he became vegetarian on a ing A Buzz, Achieving Airplay, Playing Live F-UNITS gressive collection of high
flight to Japan in 1983 (and more recently and more. The book is in fairly large text, (F-UNITS) energy, filthy, punk rock ‘n’
vegan), how the band became tax exiles, spaced out with each paragraph/sentence Prepare yourself for a roll with opener ‘Riding
and there’s an honest and serious section ending the 'If it was my band...' line, so punk-tinged sonic riot with Shotgun’. The gang vocal
about Steve Clarke’s drinking problems you can pick it up and read it from any- the latest EP from New choruses exude attitude,
which ultimately caused his death. The where for some instant advice. There are York’s F-Units. Kicking off while the riffs add a bit of
chapter about Rick Allen losing his arm is also sporadic 'It's A Long Way To The Top with a classic punk rock gui- class. Liar Billy T’s throaty
also interesting. You hear about girlfriends (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll)' and 'The tar intro, ‘Snakebite’ has vocals are something to be-
coming and going (he seems to have had Rest Is History' sections with short snip- great pace and energy. The hold - he sounds like he has
an eye for the ladies – although he is no pets on how to become a success, prov- throbbing bass and crunch- been chain-smoking since
Gene Simmons!), the birth of his son and ing that most of the time it doesn't happen ing guitar lines combined the age of 5. It’s the perfect
daughters, and the sad loss of both his overnight and sometimes takes over a with the loudhailer vocal ef- sound for the likes of title
mother and father. There’s tour talk and decade. There are also some quotes from fects give it an aggressive track ‘Bombshell’, which has
record production talk, mention of Vivian well-known musicians and the book is il- snarl. More reflective vo- a rhythm that could almost
Campbell having Hodgkins Lymphoma lustrated by Sydonia Aitken-Ballard, who cally, the slower-paced be described as bouncy if it
and parts on Phil’s other bands, Manraze has done a great job drawing some de- ‘Rearview’ still packs a sonic wasn’t also threatening to
and Delta Deep. Unlike some rock auto- bauched-looking rock 'n' roll characters. If punch with the wall of sound punch you in the face for
biographies, there are no stones thrown, you're in a band, you'd be wise to buy a instrumental layering. ‘Para- spilling its drink. ‘Suicide Kid’
not too many tales of excess, no ‘warts copy and follow most, if not all, of the tips. normal’ is a straighter rocker plays more with background
and all’ stories. Some readers may find it Some of the tips you may know or do al- with an appealing bounce to vocal effects and rhythmic
lacking a little outrage or pizzaz, but this ready but others may help you move up the rhythm, leading into the changes while the drums
also shows the strength of Phil’s charac- the ladder of success. The book was big finish and soulful lyrics of keep up a relentless beat,
ter, shows him and the band in a good priced at £8.99 although Emma has since ‘Made Of You’. These guys before ‘Firefly’ with its darker
light, how respectful he is and confirms had a £1 sale. At this price it's a bargain display a huge amount of sound, brings a killer EP to
why we love him. He really is a normal and you'd be a fool not to pick it up. E ven talent in both writing and a close. The Black Bullets
guy, who just happens to have talent and if you're not in a band, it's a great read. performing. Definitely one to really don’t do things by
found success doing what he loves. One YYYY check out. halves.
highlight from the book is the coda at the SBV YYYYY YYYY
Clare Huckett Clare Huckett
SUPERSONIC FUTURE SUPERSTARS THE DOLLYROTS THE REBELLES
MAMA’S GONNA KNOCK ALL THE YOUNG DUDES
YOU OUT (TURTLE RECORDINGS)
(ARRESTED YOUTH) Covering a classic of
GRANDHOUR Los Angeles rock outfit 70s rock is always a risk.
Australia have been showing with Tonight Alive that they have some great fe- The Dollyrots provide an But when one of this har-
male fronted bands. Grandhour is another band to pay attention to. Fronted electrifying triad of tracks mony trio is the daughter of
by Nicole Hawkins, Grandhour are a ballsy hard rock band. Their debut album, with their EP ‘Mama’s Ian Hunter, who contributes
‘Bombs & Bullets’, is packed with melodies and catchy rock choruses.You can’t Gonna Knock You Out’. backing vocals, while Glen
help thinking of some of the female legends of rock like Lita Ford or Pat Be- ‘Save Me’ accentuates vo- Matlock (Sex Pistols) and
natar when you hear Nicole sing ‘Scar By Scar’ while title track ‘Bombs & Bul- calist Kelly Ogden’s vocal James Stevenson (The Cult)
lets’ sees Nicole ask ‘where did we learn to kill?’. The band’s video incorporates range, showing her ability to handle bass and guitar, then
war footage showing that they’re not blend sweet-as-sugar har- it’s all good. Tracie Hunter,
afraid to speak out and produce monies with a grittier, raw Elizabeth Westwood and
thought-provoking songs. Nicole is edge which gives these rock Phoebe White sound terrific
joined by her husband, Jason, on gui- songs a real kick. It gets the together, the harmonies
tar, plus Jerome Smith, Mark Hawkins EP off to an energetic start, work well, and it has all the
and Chris Lugton. An impressive unit. and this energy continues sway, style and panache of
Find them on Facebook at www.face- throughout. ‘Little Medusa’ the original. Great stuff.
book.com/grandhour offers the perfect pop-rock YYYY
formula, with its bubbly, Clare Huckett

BOOKS / SINGLES