ALBUM REVIEW: The Black Crowes – Happiness Bastards


Rock ‘N’ Roll might be a young man’s game, but it is not stopping the Robinson Brothers from again coming together on Happiness Bastards (Silver Arrow Records) to prove they still have it. If Amorica was the last album you picked up by these guys, then things have changed dramatically. If you are one of their more avid followers then you have heard their transition away from merely being a Led Zeppelin/Rolling Stones hybrid, so this album makes perfect sense.

Continue reading


Slash Drops A New Single and Video for “Killing Floor” Featuring Brian Johnson and Steve Tyler – New Album Coming Soon



Slash has released a new single; his take on the Howlin’ Wolf blues classic, “Killing Floor.” The track features Brian Johnson of AC/DC on vocals, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith on harmonica, and Slash’s blues band; Johnny Griparic (bass), Teddy Andreadis (keyboards), Michael Jerome (drums), and Tash Neal (vocals/guitar). The iconic guitarist has also announced that his sixth solo album, Orgy of the Damned, will be released on May 17 via Gibson Records. The 12 song collection shakes up and revitalizes blues classics, with a stripped-down, instinctive approach. Watch the new video for “Killing Floor” and find out more below.
Continue reading


The Black Crowes Share First New Music in 15 Years with “Wanting And Waiting” Single – New Album “Happiness Bastards” Coming Soon


Legendary rock band The Black Crowes announce their hugely anticipated new album, Happiness Bastards, set for worldwide release on March 15 via the band’s own Silver Arrow Records. Pre-order the album at the link below. Produced by GRAMMY Award-Winning producer Jay Joyce, the project is The Black Crowes’ tenth studio album and their first original music in 15 years. Happiness Bastards is a blistering record that is both fresh, yet quintessential rock n’ roll. The thrilling news is kicked off with the release of the riff-ripping lead single “Wanting and Waiting,” an exhilarating taste of what’s to come with the signature flair and attitude of one of the most vital rock bands of this generation. Watch the video, stream the song, and pre-order the track now! Continue reading


The Black Crowes to Release Anniversary Edition of “Shake Your Money Maker”


 

The Black Crowes will release a 30th-anniversary edition of their classic album Shake Your Money Maker the multi-platinum debut by the seminal blues rules. The album re-released in multi-format sets on February 26 through UMe/American Recordings. Band founders brothers Chris and Rich Robinson, with original producer George Drakoulias, oversaw the creation of the re-release. Most exciting are the 4LP and 3CD Super Deluxe versions, which includes the original album, remastered; three never-before-heard studio recordings; two previously unreleased demos from the band’s early incarnation as Mr. Crowe’s Garden; B-sides; a spectacular, high-energy 14-song unreleased concert recorded in their hometown of Atlanta, Georgia in December 1990; reproductions of an early Mr. Crowe’s Garden show flyer, setlist and tour laminate; a four-inch patch; and a 20-page book with liner notes by David Fricke. A 2CD Deluxe version has the remastered album along with the unreleased studio songs, demos, and b-sides. There are also standard 1CD and 1LP versions that are the mastered version of the original. The band reunited in 2019 to the surprise of the rock world.

Continue reading


The Black Crowes Summer Reunion Tour Has Been Postponed to 2021 Due to Coronavirus


The Black Crowes’ summer 2020 tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of their 1990 debut album, “Shake Your Money Maker” has been officially postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic which is sweeping the globe. The trek was scheduled to start on June 17 at Austin’s Austin360 Amphitheater in Austin wrap on September 19 at the Forum in Los Angeles. On Wednesday (May 20), the band released the following statement via social media: “While Chris, Rich and the band were so excited to play for you all this summer, the North American Shake Your Money Maker 30th Anniversary tour dates are being rescheduled to 2021 in the interest of everyone’s health and safety. Hold on to your tickets as they will be honored at the new show dates. Keep an eye on this space and www.theblackcrowes.com for more information, to be announced soon. The whole band and crew can’t wait to get back on the road as soon as its safe. Much love #TBC’. The new lineup of The Black Crowes played two concerts in November — in West Hollywood, California and in New York City, as well as a media tour, such as playing live on The Howard Stern show. Joining Chris and Rich Robinson in The Black Crowes current incarnation are Earthless guitarist Isaiah Mitchell, former Tedeschi Trucks Band bassist Tim Lefebvre along with Once And Future Band members Joel Robinow on keyboards and Raj Ojha on drums.

Continue reading


The Black Crowes Confirm 2020 Reunion Tour Dates


1990s Blues-Rock revivalists, The Black Crowes have confirmed previous rumours for with an official announcement of their reunion and 2020 tour dates celebrating the 30th anniversary of their 1990 debut album, “Shake Your Money Maker”. The trek will see the band performing the LP in its entirety “plus all the hits.” This morning (Monday, November 11) radio legend Howard Stern, one of The Black Crowes’ earliest supporters, announced the reunion of Chris and Rich Robinson, who will tour as The Black Crowes once again, playing the iconic record start to finish. The tour starts on June 17 in Austin, Texas and ends on September 19 in Los Angeles, California. Chris and Rich will be joined by guitarist Isiah Mitchell (Earthless), bassist Tim LeFebvre (David Bowie’s “Blackstar”) and keyboardist Joel Robinow and drummer Ojha of Once And Future Band.Continue reading


The Black Crowes Call It Quits


black crowes

The Black Crowes has disbanded, founding member and guitarist Rich Robinson announced. He and his brother Chris founded the band in 1989 in their hometown of Marrieta, GA.

Said Rich in his statement:

“It is with great disappointment and regret that after having the privilege of writing and performing the music of THE BLACK CROWES over the last 24 years, I find myself in the position of saying that the band has broken up.”
He continued: “I hold my time with THE BLACK CROWES with the utmost respect and sincerest appreciation. It is a huge swath of my life’s body of work. I couldn’t be more proud of what we accomplished and deeply moved by the relationships people created and maintained with my music. That alone is the greatest honor of being a musician.
“I love my brother and respect his talent, but his present demand that I must give up my equal share of the band, and that our drummer for 28 years and original partner, Steve Gorman, relinquish 100% of his share, reducing him to a salaried employee, is not something I could agree to.”

“There are so many people who have helped and supported us along the way.

“I want to give a heartfelt thank you to all of our fans, our friends behind the scenes, and to everyone who was a part of THE BLACK CROWES.”


Struck A (Christmas) Nerve (Part II) – Toschie Rod of Audrey Horne


audreyhorneband

Early in 2013 Scandinavian rockers Audrey Horne put the cat well and truly among the rock pigeons, with a stand-out third album Youngblood. Eighteen months further on and follow-up Pure Heavy is cooling in the racks and the band are back doing what they do best, bringing their brand of rock n’fuckin’ roll to the live stage… In the second part of our feature, Ghost Cult was delighted to catch up with live wire front man Toschie Rod and take the chance to reflect on 2014, shoot the breeze over the music scene and discuss Christmas shopping for the kids.

Moving on to other things now; apart from your own album, what’s been the best record you’ve heard this year?

Right now 24 Carat Gold (Reprise) by Stevie Nicks is utterly amazing; she is such a great singer and a great songwriter; it’s just a mind-blowingly great record. When I hear it I was (*makes jaw dropping expression*): just wow. I love the last Mastodon album (Once More Round the Sun – Reprise) – they always manage to be interesting. I love Against Me! and their last album (Transgender Dysphoria Blues –Total Treble/Xtra Mile) had great songs and she sings tremendously well; the way they are so honest about everything makes it, for me, a better record; I know that people say that it’s just the music that should do the talking and I appreciate that point of view but, here, the honesty about their journey as a band makes the record even more compelling. The other record I have been listening to a lot is Phosphorescent Harvest (Silver Arrow) by the Chris Robinson Brotherhood; he is a singer that I really admire and it’s a record that stuck in my head. I’ve also been spending a lot of time with the YOB (album- that is a brilliant record too. Jesus, there have been so many amazing records this year….

21578

 

Once this tour is over, will you be heading back to Norway for Christmas?

Yes, absolutely. We will all be going back to our families. It will be nice to spend time at home just having a nice quite time with the family, the kids and some nice food and fine wine.

What do you want for Christmas?

You know, it’s funny. People often ask me what I want for Christmas and I don’t need a lot so I don’t ask for a lot. Some new vinyls would be nice and if you’re offering I can give you a list! Seriously, though, this is all about spending time with the family and having a nice time.

 

Have you decided what you’re getting the kids?

Oh, that’s done already. They are at the age when they want their own mobile phones so…I’m being a good dad and getting them mobile phones

Once the holiday season is out of the way, what are your plans for 2015?

We will definitely be doing some more touring. We are hoping to be announcing a big tour with a huge band for next year plus some headline tours of our own. Although we have made a lot of progress over the past few years, the best way to grow our band is to get out to as many people as possible so mixing it up by doing a big support slot as well as our own shows is probably the best way to grow our band. We have some new ideas for songs so we will spend some time writing as well. We haven’t decided whether to go into the studio or not at the moment but we probably will have enough stuff to put out an EP that can support one of the tours but its early days at the moment – you’ll have to be patient.

Audrey Horne on Facebook

Words by MAT DAVIES