Black Star Riders are set to return to touring action, with dates set for March 2017. Taking along Gun, The Amorettes and Backyard Babies, the jaunt comes in support of new album 'Heavy Fire'.
Photo: Robert John.
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The biggest selling album of all time, Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' has gone on to become more than just a simple pop album. Here we look at how the 50,000,000+ seller has infused wider culture.  One of Michael Jackson’s defining albums, ‘Thriller’, gave birth to a groundbreaking single of the same name, and established the likes of Spike Jonze and MTV as true cultural pioneers. To put things simply, his songs and overall work ethic not only altered the lives of everyone involved, it also changed the course of music forever, according to Billboard.
Years before – and even after – his sudden death, countless platforms have paid homage to Michael Jackson through various original pieces. There are artists such as Paul Meijering, Nicole Wang, and David Lloyd Glover who gave creative impressions through fine art works. Others, such as Gala Bingo, paid tribute to Jackson’s iconic look via a themed slot machine game plainly called ‘King of Pop’. Basically, Michael Jackson’s influence has spanned generations and cultures, but non greater than his impact in music – more specifically rock. Not many people know how Michael Jackson, the hands down King of Pop, made himself a hero to a wide generation of rockers. From Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard and Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell to Queens of the Stone Age and Alien Ant Farm, these musicians gave justice to the Gloved One’s artistry. Taken together, Jackson’s distinctive sound – complete with his trembling vocals and signature squeaks – has opened doors to a new wave of talents. ‘Thriller’ is even considered by Steve Greenberg as the one album that changed the world. Despite not being technically a rock n’ roll record, ‘Thriller’ has had a huge effect on the genre – probably more than any other album of the past decades. For starters, Michael Jackson has been known inside the recording studio as a perfectionist, one who had great musical ambitions and had no limitations. It can be said that ‘Thriller’ wasn’t just another happy accident, as it’s the fruition, the epitome of hard work and pure musical genius. The album itself, the songs in it, and the artist himself, set the bar high for pop performers and musicians in general. In other words, Michael Jackson and ‘Thriller’ bent the typical rules of music and challenged it to be better. At the end of the day, Michael Jackson’s influence on rock music is geared towards the cultural side of things, not the melodic. People would neither go to Coachella nor the Warped Tour just to enjoy and scour musical remnants of ‘Thriller’. Jackson’s most significant moments generally resonate behind the stage, the instruments, and the artists. Whether they’re huge fans or not, it’s this irrefutable force that drives these rock musicians into automatically appreciating Michael Jackson’s artistry and subconsciously applying it to their own style. Fresh from show-stealing slots at this years' Reading and Leeds festivals, U.S. groove kings Clutch have confirmed a run of dates across the U.K. this December.  The Buggles, Trevor Horn and Geoff Down’s groundbreaking synth pop band, are to receive the Outer Limits Award at the Progressive Music Awards 2016, which is taking place at the Underglobe Theatre in London, on Thursday 1st September.  Irish swamp rockers The Answer have released the first track from new album 'Sloas'. Due for release on 28th October, 'Beautiful World' is available now to those who pre-order the disc.  Ian Gillan is set to release a retrospective box set detailing the second phase of his post-Deep Purple solo career. The set - originally slated for release on 2nd September - will now surface on 7th October.  Bakersfield Nu Metal Linchpins Korn have released a video for new song 'Insane'. Directed by Ryan Valdez, the track is a taster for new album 'The Serenity of Suffering' which is due for release on 21st October.  Photo: Jimmy Fontaine. Swedish progressive metal outfit Opeth have announced details of the special set that they will be playing at Wembley Arena in London. The historic show - set to take place on 19th November, comes as the band prepare to release new album 'Sorceress'.  Photo: Stuart Wood. Legendary Bay Area thrashers Testament have unveiled the cover art for new album 'Brotherhood Of The Snake'. Due for release via Nuclear blast on 28th October, the disc's striking sleeve was created by renowned artist Eliran Kantor.  Photo: Press. Ginger Wildheart has announced details of the new album from latest project Hey! Hello! Slated for release on 23rd September, the disc will surface via the singer's own Round Records imprint.  |
Electric Picnic 2019 Ends with Explosive Performances from Florence, Johnny Marr & More.
Billie Eilish & Hozier Come Home as Electric Picnic 2019 Kicks Off.
The Strokes, Duff McKagan & Bonnie Tyler Rock Electric Picnic Day Two.
EXCLUSIVE: ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, Dave Grohl Set to Appear on new Queens of the Stone Age Album.
Mötley Crüe to Celebrate 30 Years of Dr. Feelgood with Deluxe Reissue.
Foo Fighters Storm Leeds With Most Fun Set of the Summer.
Iron Maiden, Kiss & System of a Down to Headline Download 2020.
K.K. Downing to Return to the Stage for One Off Show with David Ellefson, Les Binks & Ripper Owens.
A-ha Celebrate Later Period with 'Millenium Comeback' Vinyl Reissues.
Battle for the Lake Festival Returns for 10th Edition.
Last in Line Plot Winter European Tour.
Burr Fest 2020 Announces Blaze Bayley, Elixer, Airforce & More.
Dweezil Zappa to Perform Frank's 'Hot Rats' in its Entirety at 2019 UK Dates.
Stonedeaf 2019 Sees Glenn Hughes, Phil Campbell & Geoff Tate Storm Nottinghamshire.
Third Annual Heavy Music Awards Takes Place in London.
Joe Elliott's Down 'n' Outz Roll Out New Album.
Everclear's Art Alexakis Goes it Alone for 'Sun Songs' Album & Tour.
Thin Lizzy, Thunder & More Tackle the Mountain for Spectacular Steelhouse 2019.
Testament, Exodus & Death Angel set for 'The Bay Strikes Back' Tour.
Foreigner Close Ramblin’ Man Fair 2019 with Night of Jukebox Classics.
Exit 111 Festival Featuring Def Leppard, Guns 'n' Roses & Lynyrd Skynyrd Reveals Stage Times.
Epiphone & Lzzy Hale Team Up For Signature Explorer Model.
Ol' Black Eyes is Back! Alice Cooper Announces UK Dates.
Archives
September 2019
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