Author Archives: richardlee63

In 1992 Kurt Cobain wore a t-shirt saying ‘grunge is dead’.  It was a prophetic sign of things to come.  By 1994 the Nirvana front man was dead, and Seattle’s other big three grunge bands (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains) were struggling to cope with their success and/or the effects of drink and drugs. Continue reading “Milk Teeth – Vile Child”

Ok, I’d like to begin with an experiment.  Close your eyes (no peeking now) and tell me what comes to mind when I say the words: “Japanese Jazz”? Hmmm.  Very interesting.  Assuming you’re not a disgraced politician, then hopefully you conjured up an image similar to Hiromi. At 37 this petit dynamo of a composer/pianistContinue reading “Hiromi – Alive”

When was the last time you saw nearly 50 people listening to a busker?  Not for a while I guess.  But that was the case recently in Grafton Street, Dublin.  They were gathered around Malachy O’Connor, who was debuting the latest EP from Oisin & Malachy (pronounced O-sheen and Mal-a-key). Despite their name the bandContinue reading “Oisin and Malachy – En Route”

White Miles have been through a lot in the last 5 months.  They’ve toured with Blues Pills, done their first gig in the USA and supported Eagles of Death Metal on both legs of their European tour.  This album was recorded before the fateful events at the Bataclan on 13th November 2015, but it’s theContinue reading “White Miles – The Duel”

Oh this one you have to download, you really must.  ‘Nothing To Everyone’ (released today) is the much anticipated debut album from Kafka Tamura.  It’s a beautifully crafted indie pop album that combines uplifting melodies with poignant lyrics. The band wanted this to be a concept album and the opening song is like the firstContinue reading “Kafka Tamura – Nothing To Everyone”

The debate has raged for many a year.  Who was the world’s first rock star?  Some say it was Mozart.  He certainly fits the bill; being a genius child prodigy.  A kind of Justin Bieber, but with real talent. My vote goes with those who say it was Beethoven.  He was the first well knownContinue reading “Lindemann – Skills in Pills”

Released on 25th August ‘Royal Blood’ is the self-titled debut album from Brighton rockers Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher.  Following in the footsteps of other great rock duos such as Black Keys, White Stripes and more recently White Miles the guys successfully manage to sound like an epic 3 or 4 piece rock band.  ThisContinue reading “Royal Blood”

Bit of background first.  The band UB40 is named after the unemployment benefit form that you had to complete in the 1970s in order to claim welfare from the Department of Health and Social Security.  This department was eventually replaced by the Department for Work and Pensions and the form UB40 was then replaced byContinue reading “UB 40 – Live at Nostell Priory, England (June 2014)”