So many times I am asked what new bands I like. To be honest for a while there wasn’t much for my personal tastes. Lot’s of aggression but not much in the way of songs. For me if it’s hard rock or metal I MUST like the singer and the music must have some sense of melody to it. It’s one of the reasons I don’t care for death or extreme metal. I can appreciate the energy, but for me, I don’t hear songs and not a fan of “cookie monster” voices. I’ve NEVER faked liking a band because everyone said I should or they were the new hip thing. That trend for me goes all the way back to being a little kid. Which is why I was routinely made fun of for liking bands like Kiss and others when they were very much thought of as “uncool”. But I must say I am very encouraged by some of the new stuff coming down the pike. There is this trend of no nonsense straight up riff based hard rock by a whole new generation of young bands. Essentially bands with members in their 20’s that sound like they are from 1973! Anti Mortem. Scorpion Child, Kyng, Monster Truck, Rival Sons, Witchcraft, and many others have recently peaked my interest. I don’t know which if any will come out of the pack and it’s too soon to see which will develop into truly great bands that stand the test of time. But at a time when hard rock and metal needs a new Appetite For Destruction to kick everyone’s ass and shake things up and help bring back rock, there are some strong signs on the horizon. I am rooting for all these guys and you will hear many on my radio shows sprinkled among the classics. New and classic rock acts still very much needs your help to break through. So keep an eye out for this stuff and spread the word if you like it. Hopefully one of them really hits and puts a charge in a fairly stagnant world lately for new hard rock bands.
What have you heard new you like? As always comments welcomed and encouraged here!
PS: I no doubt forgot others that I like. Perhaps the biggest challenge we have with so much music so available so easily is navigating what’s out there and remembering it! Another reason I still love CDs. Much easier to keep in your line of site when it’s a physical item vs an easily lost download, file or link.
132 Responses
BlackBerry Smoke is amazing, just saw them at a sold out TLA in Philly. Signed to Zac Brown s label, album is called the Whippoorwill….they played a killer cover of When the Levee Breaks live…southern rock to be sure but this metalhead thinks you’ll love it.
Hey Eddie,
i invite you to check out THE BLACKFIRES from NYC. They’re very much in the vein of these bands that you mentioned. Aerosmith, Zeppelin, Queen, Deep Purple vibe, etc… and they have a fantastic frontman with an insane range. They have a good following. Sold out a number of the NYC clubs like Webster Hall Studio, Gramercy Theater, Arlene’s Grocery and Mercury Lounge.
http://www.theblackfires.com
So I asked u at the book signing in Milwaukee…how about Volbeat? Dead but Rising is worth a listen..how about getting them on the Metal Modem? Love the show and your passion Ed!
I’ve been loving Michael Monroe’s recent solo material, and such a killer band, with Sami Yaffa from MM’s original band, Hanoi Rocks (as well as Jetboy, Joan Jett & NY Dolls), plus current guitarist Dregen from Backyard Babies /Hellacopters (both awesome). Saw Butcher Babies, and image-wise, they look like Jetboy, funny enough (the singer totally cops Mickey Finn’s mohawk). Song-wise, they’re more like Murderdolls/Wednesday 13. Obviously, I know you dig Richie Scarlet, but I think his most recent record, ‘I Plead The Fifth’, might be his most hook-laden one yet. And, closer to home, I am managing a great Rock ‘n’ Roll band with a late ’70’s CBGB’s punk edge, a la Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers meets early Blondie. Their new EP is out via Hella Mad Records, called ‘Cliff Diving’, which was produced by East Bay Ray of SF punk legends Dead Kennedys. BITE played 2 shows in NYC last Sept., and they’ll be back in May, for my planned Bday Bash, tentatively set for Thurs. May 8 at R-Bar. More TBA. Check out BITE here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/BITE/367745126699
Check out Vandenbergs Moonkings,Adrenaline Mob and Blues Pills.