Hard Rock Daddy presents Music Discovery Monday – 11/23/15.
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.
ADAM WALDMAN – (Publisher, Hard Rock Daddy)
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS (f. JOSS STONE) – “Interstate Love Song”
Music Discovery Monday meets Jimmy Kimmel’s Mashup Monday with a combination that is so good, that it feels like it should be more than a one-off television performance.
The recent parting of ways with replacement frontman Chester Bennington (due to scheduling issues with Linkin Park) has left the band once again searching for a singer. Was it serendipitous that this mashup took place on the same day that the band announced Bennington’s departure? Perhaps, but what makes Kimmel’s mashups so interesting is the blending of personnel from different genres. While Stone has proven that she could more than hold her own with what has to be the sexiest version of “Interstate Love Song” ever performed, you have to wonder if the successful, soulful, singer/songwriter would even want to be a part of the band if given the opportunity. A more-likely scenario is yet another reunion at some point with original frontman, Scott Weiland (who has said that he is open to it in recent days).
Just like Van Halen never became “Van Hagar” when Sammy Hagar replaced David Lee Roth, “Joss Stone Temple Pilots” isn’t likely to come to fruition, but after watching their collaboration several times over, it doesn’t seem like a bad idea at all.
STONE SOUR (f. LZZY HALE) – “Gimme Shelter”
On the same day that “Joss Stone Temple Pilots” appeared on Jimmy Kimmel, “Gimme Shelter” (featuring Halestorm frontwoman Lzzy Hale with Stone Sour) made its debut. From Stone Sour’s upcoming EP, Straight Outta Burbank – which will be released on vinyl to celebrate “record store day” – this Rolling Stones cover showcases Hale’s incredible range as she nails the classic Merry Clayton backing vocals.
It’s no wonder that Hale is the rock and roll equivalent of the prom queen that everyone wants to date. Her numerous duets and guest appearances have proven that she is unquestionably at the top of the food chain for female hard rock vocalists.Corey Taylor and Stone Sour stay pretty true to the original on this one, setting the table for Hale to steal the spotlight.
Personally speaking, I have zero interest in participating in the madness that is Black Friday. However, since that day (November 27th) is also record store day, the one exception that I would make is going to an independent record store to pick up some vinyl like this.
JON LOVELESS – HRD Music Scout
DISCIPLE – “Sayonara”
“Sayonara” is the first single from a new EP by these veteran Christian rockers from Knoxville, Tennessee. Aside from founding member Kevin Young on vocals, it’s a new lineup that continues what they started with their 2014 full-length album, and delivers a solid piece of rock that could fit easily into any Active Rock format.
21OCTAYNE – “Devil In Disguise”
Infectious lead single from the new album by a German band that is probably new to many, but is far from inexperienced. Members have been part of the Joe Perry Project, Axxis and backed Paul Gilbert in his solo band. Marco Wreidt shreds nicely, and Hagen Grohe’s vocals stand out. There’s enough modern influence to appeal to Active Rock fans, and enough of previous eras to appeal to any hard rock fan from the ‘80s forward.
ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout
CARSTEN LIZARD SCHULZ SYNDICATE – “Last Train To Babylon”
Germany’s Carsten “Lizard” Schulz (Evidence One, Midnite Club, LaValle) brings his trademark vocals to this new project, replete with familiar names from the melodic metal scene. Their debut album, The Day The Earth Stopped Turning, was released last Friday. It brims with classic rock pieces crafted for a modern audience.
SUBSIGNAL – “Everything Is Lost”
Progressive rock band Subsignal began as a side project for members of Sieges Even. When that band dissolved, they recruited the rest of their lineup from other bands and became the main show. Their fourth album – the cryptically titled The Beacons Of Somewhere Sometime – balances piano and acoustics with deep rhythms and dark riffs. Nowhere is that balance struck more artfully than in this new single, “Everything Is Lost.”
CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH – HRD Music Scout
BARONESS – “Shock Me”
Savannah, Georgia is home to sludge metalers Baroness, who have been around since 2003. “Shock Me” – from their latest release, Purple – is a terrific, jamming track with a thick, shrouded, overcast grunge to it. Strong vocals from John Baizley and standout percussion work from Sebastian Thomson.
EDEN’S CURSE – “Unbreakable”
Eden’s Curse is one of those bands going through a contentious break up, resulting in two versions of the band and legal proceedings. This is the original band, with new frontman Nicola Mijic adding his vibrant vocals to an upbeat and inspiring live track. Tight musicianship, great, live sound and notable guitar work from Thorsten Köhne.
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
MOTORHEAD (f. OZZY OSBOURNE & SLASH) – “I Ain’t No Nice Guy” (1992)
This song had been on my list to feature on Music Discovery Monday since the summer, but never made it for one reason or another. As the saying goes…“timing is everything.” Because of the collaboration theme this week for my picks, it worked out for the best. However, the main reason that I’m glad that it wasn’t featured until this week is because it can now be featured as a tribute to a friend that I got to know on social media before his recent passing.
With a fierce look, a green Mohawk and beard, BJ Taylor could be every bit as intimidating looking as Motorhead’s Lemmy. Choosing this unconventional song to be played at his funeral this past week is more ironic than you would think if you just judged the book by its cover. The fact of the matter is the BJ was beloved by all of those who came in contact with him, a man with a heart of gold. Unfortunately, his heart of gold wasn’t built to last, and he passed away while waiting to be added to the transplant list.
This loving husband and father to three beautiful daughters was the epitome of rock and roll. Revered by musicians for his generosity and the work that he did with his company (Blitzcreek), BJ Taylor was, by all accounts, a nice guy who will be missed by many.
While the timing of this song was chosen to honor BJ, the fact remains that this is an incredible collaboration that features three legends of hard rock. If you haven’t discovered this one yet, make sure to check it out! RIP BJ. \m/
QUEEN (f. ELTON JOHN & AXL ROSE) – “Bohemian Rhapsody” (1992)
The week of coincidences continues with this selection. Just as the two new picks this week were from the same day, my two Hard Rock Music Time Machine picks are both from 1992 and feature three legends collaborating. This live performance took place during a tribute to fallen Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, who died of AIDS in 1991. All of the proceeds from the show went to AIDS research. Although it is much less prevalent nowadays, the recent announcement by Charlie Sheen that he is HIV positive has brought the disease back into the news recently.
Just as you wouldn’t expect to see Joss Stone featured on Hard Rock Daddy (see above), Elton John is something of an odd fit as well. That being said, the tone that Elton John sets on this live version of one of the most popular songs in Queen’s illustrious history, allows Axl Rose to come in and electrify the crowd at the song’s climax. Highlighted by Brian May’s distinct guitar, and holograms of Queen singing in harmony, Elton and Axl breathe new life into an old classic.
JON LOVELESS
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH – “If I Fall” (2011)
Four hit singles really didn’t cover everything from FFDP’s gold album, American Capitalist. A slow-starting song that explodes quickly, this is one that could have easily given the band another radio hit had they opted to go that route. A standout track that “coulda been a contender.”
CAVO – “Cry Wolf” (2009)
“Cry Wolf” is a song that was somewhat lost amid the smash success of “Champagne.” This album track from Bright Nights Dark Days reveals a somewhat lighter side of the band (for those who know them only from their radio hits). There’s still plenty of rockin’ going on here, just not as edgy. With different instrumentation, this might have easily transformed into something that would have fit into the melodic rock genre.
ROB DELL’AQUILA
SYRYM – “Ugly On The Inside” (2005)
Ron Freschi, the guitarist from Babylon A.D., teamed up with some other California hard rockers to form Syrym in 2005 and release a self-titled album. This piece enters and exits with some beautiful acoustic guitar, with plenty of great vocals and plugged-in instruments in between.
TOMMY SHAW – “All In How You Say It” (1998)
Between his runs with legendary rock band Styx, vocalist/guitarist Tommy Shaw put out several solo albums. 1998’s 7 Deadly Zens boasts “All In How You Say It,” (my favorite of his solo efforts). Opening with a discordant guitar, it launches into an addictive groove, and peaks with a chorus of yearnful, melodic bliss.
CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH
SLOUGH FEG – “Laser Enforcer” (2013)
Pennsylvania’s Sloug Feg brings a very low-tech, retro-metal sound with “Laser Enforcer,” which is set against the dystopian theme of Digital Resistance, addressing a growing complacency and technological dependency. This track issues the warning…“you’ll change, but you won’t know when.” Great composition and vocals by Mike Scalzi who offers a clever take on his voice… “I love metal, so I try to sing like Freddie Mercury and fail…and end up sounding like Neil Diamond on steroids. What can I say?” It’s perfect for this excellent song from their ninth studio album.
LOST IN THOUGHT – “Seek To Find” (2011)
The United Kingdom’s Lost In Thought are no longer together (as of 2013), but they left behind some good prog metal tunes in their seven years together. “Seek to Find” has a driving rhythm to go along with melodic lyrics that showcase Nate Loosemore’s high-ranging vocals. The track has the polished sound production and great instrumentation that we’ve come to expect from bands in the genre.
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