Review: Criminal Kids guilty of mayhem, misconduct and riotous rock-n-roll battery
Rock-n-roll should be dirty by definition, but in the brass-knuckled fists of Criminal Kids, it’s also greasy, drunk and belligerent.
Judas Priest, Saxon unleash British metal classics in front of San Antonio faithful
Elite metal titans Judas Priest and Saxon received a roaring, gladiator’s welcome at San Antonio’s sold-out Freeman Coliseum.
Review: Medicine Bird Takes Flight
By Metal Dave Fans of the countrified Rolling Stones, Georgia Satellites and other blues-rock dealers will find their share to crow about on the debut EP from Medicine Bird. A swampy stew of blues harp, Hammond B3, twangy guitars and backwoods vocals, the five-song serving is the brainchild of songwriting duo Jeremy White and Tobin…
Review: L.A. Guns Shoot to Thrill on Smashing New Album, ‘The Missing Peace’
Fifteen years after a bitter split, singer Phil Lewis and guitarist Tracii Guns have bitten the bullet and found their peace. Cue a rowdy round of applause.
Review: Kickin Valentina Lands a Rock-Solid Punch with ‘Imaginary Creatures’
By Metal Dave Remember when bands like Faster Pussycat, Alice Cooper and Motley Crue fattened up their sound on late ‘80s albums like “Wake Me When It’s Over,” “Trash” and “Dr. Feelgood”? That’s where Kickin Valentina slots with “Imaginary Creatures.” More polished than their 2013 debut EP and more focused and cohesive than 2015’s “Super…
Review: ‘Doyle II: As We Die’
As guitarist for legendary horror punks, the Misfits, Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein long ago staked his claim as a punishing, hyper-speed axe-grinder. Just ask Metallica.
Crank County Daredevils ‘Feed the Beast’
By Metal Dave Crank County Daredevils sound like a band that makes lunch out of whiskey and saw blades. Raw, raunchy and possibly out on bail, North Carolina’s most notorious sleaze rockers return from hiatus with a rampaging six-song EP that would easily be considered contraband in most civilized corners of the world. (Hey, it…
Review: Junkyard ‘High Water’
By Metal Dave Patched together during Hollywood’s hair-metal heyday, Junkyard was the “wifebeater” of rock-n-roll. Sweat-stained and best suited to redneck punks and motorheads, the ‘Yard dogs were a belligerent sight and sound compared to MTV’s fancy-pants poodle boys. Fast-forward to “High Water” (Acetate Records) – their first album in 26 years – and Junkyard is still…
Review: Broken Teeth ‘4 on the Floor’
Back with more bite than a deep swill of rotgut, Broken Teeth is still breathing fire on new album, “4 on the Floor” (EMP Label Group).
Review: ‘Bon Jovi: The Story’
By Metal Dave Anyone with a radio knows Jon Bon Jovi is one of the most phenomenally successful rock stars of all time. Not so widely known are the inside stories behind the early ambition and rise to rock-n-roll riches that could only be told by those who were there. In his soon-to-be released “Bon…
Raw Power: Iggy and the Stooges Unleash ‘The Weirdness’ at packed SXSW 2007 gig
By Metal Dave Perhaps the hottest ticket in Austin during SXSW 2007 was the rare chance to see a revamped, revved-up Stooges playing in the iconic confines of Waterloo Records. Thankfully, I had a connection who got me to the front of a line that stretched down the block on its way to Waco. I…
Review: Anthrax Conquers Bold, New Territory with Adventurous ‘For All Kings’
By Metal Dave Knowingly or NOT!, Anthrax throws down the gauntlet with new album, “For All Kings.” Adventurous in its vast melodic scope and high harmonies, “For All Kings” – the follow-up to 2011’s widely (and rightly) praised “Worship Music” – finds Anthrax reining in its thrash-metal tendencies rather than fueling them as a driving…