Author: Simon

Two-plus decades in the music industry as a program director, host, influencer, voice-over artist, and artist manager. Passionate about introducing music fans to talented artists. Avid sports card collector. Pizza lover. Microbrew connoisssoir.
LISTEN: Viral Rock Version Of “All I Want For Christmas”
Features, Music

LISTEN: Viral Rock Version Of “All I Want For Christmas”

After the abbreviated version went viral on Tik Tok, alt-rockers From Ashes To New have released the fully produced hard rock infused "All I Want For Christmas Is You". The Mariah Carey classic was originally released in 1994 and has become a holiday standard. After leaking a teaser for the cover song, From Ashes To New saw more than 900,000 views & 80,000 likes in just a few hours. The high-octane version is sure to inject some holiday spirit into hard rock music fans' holiday season. Frontman Matt Brandyberry gives some insight into the band's choices when it came to other song options. He also offers some insight into what we can expect in the new year. We always thought it would be sick to cover a Christmas song, but never did. We had some extra studio time and tho...
Crown The Empire Releases Hard-Hitting “Immortalize”
Features, Music

Crown The Empire Releases Hard-Hitting “Immortalize”

Hard rockers Crown The Empire are following up one of their most successful tours to date with the release of "Immortalize". The high-octane new track delivers anthemic melodies and blistering guitar riffs that longtime fans will recognize as representative of their signature sound. The summer of '22 saw the band headline their own 'Fallout 10-Year Anniversary Tour'. From there they performed with Slipknot and Ice Nine Kills on the fall leg of Knotfest Roadshow. On "Immortalize" Crown The Empire worked with Zach Jones as producer and engineer. Jones is known for his work with acts like Fever 333, Scene Queen, and Nova Twins. As far as the meaning behind the new song, vocalist Andy Leo had this to say. "Immortalize" is about the fear of being forgotten once we pass on. It ...
Electric Forest 2023 Lineup Announced And It’s Epic
Features, Music

Electric Forest 2023 Lineup Announced And It’s Epic

The initial lineup for the notable music and arts festival, Electric Forest has been announced and we can expect more to come. Set to take place June 22nd - 25th 2023, the annual event returns to Sherwood Forest in Rothbury, Michigan. ODESZA, Illenium, Zeds Dead, and others will join String Cheese Incident and Goose for a full weekend of music (and good vibes). This is a great opportunity to discover new talent alongside the more established headliners. Anyone looking for information on ticket and lodging options should link up at the official Electric Forest website. Pre-sale is underway this week for folks in the EF Loyalty program. In other words, if you've gone before, you've got first access to go again. Tickets for the general public go on sale Friday, December 9th at...
Punk Rock Supergroup Fire Sale Releases New 2-Song Single
Features, Music

Punk Rock Supergroup Fire Sale Releases New 2-Song Single

Punk rock supergroup Fire Sale is back with a new 2-song single. With "A Fools Errand" and "We Dance For Sorrow" the band delivers two memorable jams with killer harmonies and melodic hooks. Fire Sale is made up of Matt Riddle (Face to Face/No Use For A Name), Chris Swinney (The Ataris), Pedro Aida (Ann Beretta) along with Matt Morris. The new material was recorded at The Blastroom which is owned by Bill Stevenson of The Descendents. I wrote the music to this song while I was extremely ill about 10-12 years ago. The bassline came about by testing myself, to see if I could still play at all. It has a weird picking style, kind of a banjo-ish thing. Thumb and first two fingers. It’s a pretty simple chord progression, but when I showed the guys, they seemed to really like it. Pedro wro...
7 Albums That Should Be On Your Radar For 2023
Features, Music

7 Albums That Should Be On Your Radar For 2023

2023 is shaping up to be a great year for new music. Here's a sneak preview of seven albums that should be on your radar in the new year. 1. MÅNESKIN - RUSH! Release Date: January 20th RUSH! is the third studio album from Italian alt-rockers MÅNESKIN and is their first new music since 2021s Teatro D’ira: Vol. I. Check out their new song "The Loneliest". Artist links: Website, Instagram & Twitter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odWKEfp2QMY 2. You Me At Six - Truth Decay Release Date: January 27th You Me At Six got our attention earlier this year with the release of "No Future? Yeah Right". Truth Decay is the band's eighth studio album and first since 2021s SUCKAPUNCH. Check out their latest single "Mixed Emotions" and the accompanying (expanded) music video...
New Metallica Single & Album Announced
Features, Music

New Metallica Single & Album Announced

Rock icons Metallica have released a new single along with details on their highly anticipated new studio album. 72 Seasons is the band's 12th studio effort and will be released April 14th, 2023. The 12-track album is Metallica's first album since 2016s Hardwired. The new single "Lux Æterna" is three minutes and thirty seconds of the band at its best. The song is a short and sweet sonic blast that draws on influences from throughout their four decades in action. 72 Seasons will be available in 2 LP vinyl and limited edition versions as well as CD and digital formats. Pre-orders are available now. 72 seasons. The first 18 years of our lives that form our true or false selves. The concept that we were told ‘who we are’ by our parents. A possible pigeonholing around what kind of ...
Handheld Drops Video For “Flip The Scrip”
Features, Music

Handheld Drops Video For “Flip The Scrip”

Canadian punk rockers Handheld recently released their first studio album in 14 years. They've just dropped a music video for their high-octane new single "Flip The Scrip". Handheld was formed in the late 90s out of Ontario. They recorded and performed actively for a decade. After 6 albums and hundreds of concerts, they went on hiatus in 2008. They reformed in 2018 with the intent of performing a few reunion shows. Just as things were starting to heat back up, the world froze as the pandemic set in. Instead of performing live, they turned their focus to recording A Canadian Tragedy. New Music Video With the new video and temperatures starting to drop, the band wanted to revisit summer vibes and shine a light on all the fun they had performing. "It may be getting a little co...