Hard Rock Daddy presents Music Discovery Monday – 8/24/15.
Each week, the HRD team shares songs that fly below radio’s radar, ranging from lesser-known artists to deeper cuts from both up-and-coming and established artists.
In addition to exposing the Hard Rock Daddy audience to new music that isn’t getting the attention that it deserves from radio, Music Discovery Monday also features a segment called “Hard Rock Music Time Machine,” which showcases older songs (from the 70s to today) that hard rock music fans may have missed at the time of release.
In addition to appearing on the embedded YouTube playlists beneath each section, all songs featured on Music Discovery Monday can be listened to by clicking on the hyper-linked song titles.
This week, Music Discovery Monday features an exclusive interview with Joel Hoekstra. The Whitesnake guitarist discusses the inspiration and meaning behind “Anymore” – the first single from his upcoming solo project (Joel Hoekstra’s 13).
ADAM WALDMAN – (Publisher, Hard Rock Daddy)
JOEL HOEKSTRA’S 13 – “Anymore”
It may seem a bit surprising that Joel Hoekstra has released a solo project after having joined Whitesnake fairly recently, but this album was in the works long before he joined the band. The Whitesnake influence on “Anymore” – the first single to be released from his upcoming album, Dying To Live – offers further proof that Hoekstra was the perfect choice to replace Doug Aldrich in the band. Although it isn’t likely to happen, the song would fit nicely into a Whitesnake set.
On “Anymore,” Hoekstra showcases a songwriting ability that rivals his outstanding guitar work. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have an all-star cast of musicians helping to bring the song to life – vocalist Russell Allen (Symphony X, Adrenaline Mob), bassist Tony Franklin (Whitesnake, The Firm), drummer Vinny Appice (Dio, Black Sabbath) and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Alice Coooper). “Anymore” also features backing vocals by Jeff Scott Soto (who sings lead on some of the other tracks on the album).
Based on the talent and resumes of Hoekstra and the rest of the band, Joel Hoekstra’s 13 is undoubtedly a supergroup. Unlike many modern-day supergroups, there is no talk of turning this into anything more than a side project.
“Anymore” offers a taste of what’s to come when Dying To Live is released. In a recent conversation with Hoekstra, he said that the song falls somewhere in the middle of influences ranging from Foreigner to Dio.
During an exclusive interview with Hard Rock Daddy, Hoekstra shared the meaning and inspiration behind “Anymore”…
“The song is a song about overcoming obstacles in life to arrive where you’re finally meant to be. Everybody’s got their demons and vices that they’re struggling with, and this is just about battling with them and ultimately winning. Like the whole album, ‘Anymore’ is based on the theme of people fighting things in their life to get to where they’re meant to be. I think that It strikes a chord with me. A couple of years ago, I just hit a point where I kind of decided exactly how I wanted to be living. I made a laundry list of things that I wanted to change and the realistic steps that it would take to get to where I wanted to be. I don’t want to be overly dramatic, but I guess it was a turning point of sorts. I think that the theme of the song is something that resonates with everyone.”
WHITESNAKE – “Burn”
In 1974, Deep Purple released Burn, the first of three studio albums that David Coverdale recorded with the band. Born out of a desire to reunite the Mark III lineup of Deep Purple by friend and former bandmate, Jon Lord (before his passing), Coverdale attempted to reach out to Ritchie Blackmore to bring the reunion to fruition. When Coverdale and Blackmore couldn’t find common ground, and with the work on the songs already in progress, Coverdale’s wife suggested that they move forward with the project under the Whitesnake banner. All of the members of Whitesnake were very enthusiastic about the prospect of recording updated versions of the songs that Coverdale wrote in his youth, and it shows in this inspired recreation of “Burn.” If you mixed the colors white and purple, you would end up with a light shade of purple. However, the blending of Whitesnake and Deep Purple is anything but light. Quite the contrary! This mixture offers the best of both worlds…the soulful, bluesy creation of Deep Purple and the energetic, dual-guitar assault of Whitesnake (Joel Hoekstra and Reb Beach). There is an inherent risk with trying to recapture the magic of a classic original, but on “Burn,” Whitesnake has done so with flying colors!
JON LOVELESS – HRD Music Scout
GLOOMBALL – “Blood Red World”
German five-piece that isn’t entirely “new” (having formed back in 2010), but their latest release sees them hit their stride with a heavier step. I’ve liked several previous songs well enough, but this one does an excellent job of breaking through the clutter of releases out there, demanding that you pay attention.
RUBIKON – “Live That Lie”
The lead single from the just-released album, Delta, is probably the most radio-friendly song in the bunch, but that’s meant as a compliment. The ability to mix a wide range of influences into something that’s got this much appeal is a definite talent. There’s bits of ZZ Top in here, no shortage of blues and notable nods to 70s hard rock, yet what comes out is something bigger than any one influence. They managed to come across feeling organic rather than contrived…just a darned good hard rock song.
ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout
POWER THEORY – “Cut And Run”
This week I’ll be focusing on power metal, simply because there are two amazing new tracks out by two amazing bands on the cutting edge of the genre. In 2006, guitarist Bob Ballinger founded Power Theory in Philadelphia. The band has gone through some lineup changes since, and today boasts the driving guitars of the founder and Nygil Hoch, the belligerent bass of Angelo D’Angelo, the unfaltering drums of Nick Bunczk, and the powerhouse (yet soulful) vocals of Jeff Rose. This new single roils with aggression, crashing down hard at every stroke. It promises more great music from their upcoming album, Driven By Fear. The band will be playing in Europe for the first time on Septemebr 5th, at the Hard Summer Festival in Bavaria, Germany, followed by an appearance in support of Belgian metal stars Fireforce. Here in the USA, we’ll be waiting for them to come home and announce some new tour dates.
SEVEN WITCHES – “Better Days”
Loud and grooving with an addictive riff, “Better Days” storms the stage to announce these power metal veterans’ new album, The Way Of The Wicked (due out September 18th). Jack Frost (Savatage, Belladonna, Metalium, Speed) returns, as always, on guitar. Anthony Cross (Livesay, Shadow Image, Fischel’s Beast, Attacker) delivers some thick, smoky vocals. Bassist Ronnie Parkes (Farcry, Tango Down, Reece, Bonfire) and drummer Johnny Kelly (Type O Negative, Danzig, Kill Devil Hill) pound out the rhythm section. They each brandish impressive resumes standing alone; they fire on all cylinders playing here together.
CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH – HRD Music Scout
WAMI – “Wild Woman”
WAMI is an acronym for veteran almost-supergroup members Doggie White, Vinny Appice, Marco Mendoza & Iggy Gwadera. I say almost because Iggy Gwadera is a 16-year old Polish phenom guitarist breaking onto the scene. “Wild Woman” is their first international release. You can hear the rock and metal DNA in the thick and rich rhythm lines, wailing lead and licks and the story-line theme. Iggy sounds like he’s been at this longer than his years.
ARCTURUS – “Crashland”
“Crashland” showcases the epic, large scale sound of Arcturus – an avant-garde metal outfit from Norway. Arcturus was named after the brightest star in the northern hemisphere, a major astronomical body since antiquity. This track, from their March release Arcturian, features a rousing theme of venturing into the unknown. Good and powerful vocals from ICS Vortex (not a typo, that’s what he’s called) and standout drumming from the appropriately nick-named Jan Axel “Hellhammer” Blomberg.
SUBMISSIONS
To be considered for Music Discovery Monday, please e-mail a link to the song being submitted on YouTube and an artist bio to – submissions@MusicDiscoveryMonday.com
HARD ROCK MUSIC TIME MACHINE
ADAM WALDMAN
RAINBOW – “Lady Of The Lake”
Although Ronnie James Dio is widely considered to be one of the greatest voices in the history of hard rock and heavy metal, and Rainbow is a legendary band, much of the music that they made together is vastly underrated. As far as legendary bands go, Rainbow may very well be the most underrated of all-time. Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll, the final Rainbow studio album with Dio, is nothing short of brilliant, yet, aside from the title track, most of the songs are unknown by the masses. Almost any track off of the album could have been selected for Music Discovery Monday, but “Lady Of The Lake” was chosen because it exemplifies the vivid mystical world that lived inside Dio’s mind. As is customary on many songs featuring RJD, there is a perfect blend of light and dark, intensity and beauty. Ritchie Blackmore’s riffs are powerful and driving, as is the drumming of the late Cozy Powell on “Lady Of The Lake.” If you haven’t delved into the entire Rainbow catalog, you’re missing out on something unique and timeless.
DEEP PURPLE – “Bad Attitude”
While Ritchie Blackmore’s work with Rainbow is underrated, his work with Deep Purple is not (with the exception of the clueless Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voters). Musically, there are few bands that can touch the work that Deep Purple created. Unfortunately, the musical chemistry didn’t carry over to chemistry between the members of the band. After a near-decade hiatus caused by internal strife, the band returned in 1984 for their highly-acclaimed reunion album, Perfect Strangers. The follow-up album, The House of Blue Light, was met with much less fanfare, but still featured some outstanding tracks. “Bad Attitude” is one of the tracks that received some airplay, but not nearly as much as it deserved. Opening with the signature sound of Jon Lord’s Hammond organ, the song launches into an up-tempo, driving rhythm, highlighted by Ian Gillan’s distinct, emotive vocals. Everything that you love about Blackmore’s guitar playing is featured in the song as well. It’s been nearly three decades since the Mark II lineup of Deep Purple last recorded together. Time has flown by since then…Gillan celebrated his 70th birthday this week.
JON LOVELESS
POP EVIL – “Broken And Betrayed” (2011)
The release of a new album actually sent me back to previous work for what could have easily been a fifth hit single from the War Of Angels album. It happens that way sometimes; songs just don’t get the exposure as an album runs through its life cycle, so it’s good to go back and revisit now and then. This one holds up very well, even four years and two albums later.
RATT – “Shame, Shame, Shame” (1990)
It’s been 25 years since Ratt released their last gold album, Detonator. Times were changing so there was only one major hit (“Lovin’ You’s A Dirty Job”) from the record, along with a minor hit for the band’s only ballad, (“Giving Yourself Away”). The best of the rest of the album might well be this track which was released as a promotional single in Japan. Plenty of vintage Ratt sound in this song, from the final album to feature both Robbin Crosby and Juan Croucier.
ROB DELL’AQUILA
FIREWIND – “Tomorrow Can Wait” (2002)
Continuing here in the Time Machine section with the power metal theme I adopted because of those great new power metal releases: Greek band Firewind has gone through numerous lead singers, but always seems to find a great one, and always has the virtuoso guitar and songwriting of Gus G to guarantee the highest quality power metal. From their debut album, Between Heaven And Hell, this selection highlights the immense talents of everyone concerned, including the power of original singer Stephen Frederick and the passion and insane technique of Gus G.
TRAIL OF MURDER – “I Know Shadows” (2012)
In contrast to Firewind, which has gone through several lead singers but always found a great one, Urban Breed (ex-Tad Morose, ex-Bloodbound) is one of those talented vocalists who always manages to surround himself with the best musicians. By doing so, he manages to deliver quality power metal year in and year out, no matter where he finds himself. Teaming up with guitarist Daniel Olsson and bassist Pele Akerlind to form Swedish band Trail Of Murder, in 2012 he mesmerized fans with this melancholy, yet pounding track.
CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH
REDLINE – “The Edge Of Falling” (2012)
Redline is a hard rock band from Birmingham in the UK. “The Edge of Falling” is great hard rock with infectious, melodic choruses and solid musicianship throughout. Notables are Kez Taylor’s bright and strong vocals, and Ade Yeomans’ lead guitar work.
FRIAR RUSH – “Voiceless Stranger” (2006)
Friar Rush is a power/prog metal group from Sydney, Australia that has been around since 2003. “Voiceless Stranger” comes from their only studio album, Alauda Sonare Suavis. This band has all the elements, which makes you wonder why we haven’t heard more of them. This track features the articulate guitar work of Andrew Najdek and outstanding vocals from Justin Brockbank, kept in time expertly by Alcides “Seed” Stowe on the skins.
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