PUNKY MEADOWS – FRANK DIMINO – DANNY FARROW – STEVE OJANE – CHARLIE CALV – BILLY ORRICO
Employing a dazzling mix of glam rock, hard rock, and progressive rock, Angel‘s outrageous, white-satin-heavy image and equally over-the-top stage shows, made them one of the more colourful arena rock bands of the mid-’70s and early ’80s. Discovered by Kiss bass player Gene Simmons, the group issued their eponymous debut album in 1975, which hewed closer to prog rock than the glam pop that would inform future endeavours like On Earth as It Is in Heaven (1977) and Sinful (1979). The group went their separate ways in 1981 but reformed in the late ’90s with a new line-up and released 1999’s In the Beginning. In 2018 Punky and Frank returned with a new ANGEL lineup and in 2019 released Risen.
MIKE DYER – LAURENCE ARCHER – DAVE BOYCE – BENJY REID
Back in the post-Lizzy days, Laurence Archer wrote and performed with Phil Lynott. Grand Slam was cut short in its prime, leaving a hole in the fabric of rock music. Laurence has nurtured a long-term plan to rebuild the Grand Slam machine, and here it is, blue printed and ready to race.
This new band (Laurence along with compadres Mike Dyer, Benjy Reid & Dave Boyce), honours the traditions of rock and Laurence’s song writing dynasty, but also looks to the future – the classic tracks sit alongside a set of brand spanking new rock anthems that embody the same ethos of freedom, positivity and adrenalin that ran through Grand Slam in 1984.
With this pedigree, it is no surprise that this band is a live monster, ready and raring to ransack stages around the world. Look out for tour announcements soon.
TRACEY LAMB – KIM MCAULIFFE – DENISE DUFORT – JACKIE CHAMBERS
Originating from the NWOBHM scene in 1978 and frequently associated with contemporaries and friends Motörhead. They are the longest-running all-female rock band from the UK. Still active and looking good after more than 40 years. Formed from a school band called Painted Lady by Kim McAuliffe and Enid Williams. Girlschool enjoyed strong media exposure and commercial success in the UK in the early 1980s with three albums of ‘punk-tinged metal’ and a few singles, In the 1990s and 2000s, they concentrated their efforts on live shows and tours, reducing considerably the production of studio albums.
During their long career, Girlschool travelled all over the world, playing in many rock and metal festivals and co-headlining with or supporting some of the most important hard rock and heavy metal bands. They maintain a worldwide cult following and are considered an inspiration for many succeeding female rock musicians such as The Donnas.
Despite line-up changes in the past. original members Kim McAuliffe and Denise (Drench) Dufort are still in the band to this day. Original member, lead guitarist /vocalist/songwriter Kelly Johnson died of cancer in 2007 and was replaced by lead guitarist /songwriter Jackie (Jax) Chambers in 1999 to the present day. Tracey Lamb is back on bass.
CRAIG JOINER – LEIGH MATTY – STEVE DRENNAN – ANDY WELLS
Not everyone starts their career with a debut album – released in 1988 – produced in collaboration with music industry heavyweights: ‘Mutt’ Lange and John Parr. Indeed, it was only a matter of time before Romeo’s Daughter hit the headlines! Hot on the heels of its success, their whirlwind tour of the US saw their single, ‘Don’t Break My Heart’ shoot up the US Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart.
30 years down the line, Romeo’s Daughter is proud to present their 30th Anniversary Tour! With a fan base that never quit – even during their 16-year break, from 1993-2009 – they returned to worldwide praise with the release of their album: ‘Rapture’ in 2012 receiving an appropriately rapturous reception! As one of Britain’s finest rock bands, Romeo’s Daughter consistently perform to sell-out audiences and is one of the few bands of their generation who have come back better than the first time.
JEZ PARRY – DAVE ‘DAVO’ AITKEN – STEPHEN ‘HAMIE’ HAYMAN – GORDON BONNAR – MICHAEL ‘THE WIZARD’ IVORY
Heavy Pettin’ first stirred into action when vocalist Hamie, guitarists Gordon Bonnar and Punky Mendoza, drummer Gary Moat and bassist Brian Waugh first burst out of Glasgow in 1981. They were vibrant, priapic, anthemic and focused. As they showed on a three-track demo, and on the subsequent debut single for independent label Neat (‘Roll The Dice’/’Love Xs Love’), they were more than mere Def Leppard slaves. In fact, the Pettin’ had an international sound that owed something to AC/DC, UFO, Thin Lizzy and Foreigner, but also had its own raging momentum. A slot on the bill for the 1983 Reading Festival, the day that Black Sabbath infamously headlined when fronted by Ian Gillan, did them no harm and touring with Kiss, Ozzy, and Motley Crue helped the quintet’s progress.
In 2017, original members Hamie, Punky, and Gordon joined by Jez Parry on bass and Michael Ivory on drums performed for the first time in 25 years at Scotland’s Winter Storm. Reinvigorated, Heavy Pettin, now joined by ex-Gun guitarist Dave Aitken due to Punky hanging up his guitar and going into retirement, did several shows in 2018 including a 6 date UK tour, with 3 sold-out gigs in Nottingham, London and Edinburgh, as well as 2 sold-out headline gigs in Milton Keynes and Glasgow.
Hamie has said “…the demand and support for new HP material has been so overwhelming, we are excited to say we’re now working on brand new HP Album and other projects will also be released later in 2020… and it’s going great!”
GEOFF TATE – SCOTT MOUGHTON – KIERAN ROBERTSON – JACK ROSS
Multi-platinum selling, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Geoff Tate embarked on a world wide tour starting in Europe in December 2016 highlighting songs from all 17 albums he has done throughout his 35 year career. Geoff is regarded as one of the most skilled vocalists in the rock genre with hundreds of modern, popular artists citing him as a major influence. Geoff is the original singer for the the band Queensrÿche which which he fronted for over 30 years.
Geoff Tate is well known for expertly crafted lyrics combining social consciousness with high-energy, melodically complex music, Geoff and his band have become internationally recognised as the “thinking man’s metal”.
In all, Geoff has recorded 17 studio albums and several live albums. Geoff's original band Queensrÿche has been nominated for a Grammy four times and had their music featured in three feature films. He has sold over 25 million albums worldwide and has performed in over 46 countries.
GRAHAM BONNET – JIMMY WALDO – JOE STUMP – MARK BENQUECHEA – GARY SHEA
The hard-hitting, melodic heavy metal band Alcatrazz will once again throw down a studio gauntlet on July 31st with Born Innocent, their first studio venture since 1986’s Dangerous Games. Born Innocent is a journey into the sort of heavy, melodic and supremely articulated hard rock that is both the hallmark of Alcatrazz and the cornerstone of legends such as Rainbow and the Michael Schenker Group, territory Alcatrazz successfully strode internationally in the ‘80s before going on hiatus. The time, however, has arrived for Alcatrazz to continue their journey.
“The whole idea was to bring in the guys that I have worked with over the years and inject even more pure Alcatrazz into this album.” says Bonnet, “So it was fun to have something from Bob and Steve, as well as Chris Impellitteri. It’s a mini-reunion on this first reintroduction of Alcatrazz, plus the added bonus of introducing a “new” guest in Nozomu, who gets everything Alcatrazz is about.”
Bonnet, unsurprisingly, isn’t wrong on any count. As fans will immediately hear, Alcatrazz are back doing what only they can do with Born Innocent, delivering quality hard rock with genuine storyteller lyrics, virtuoso performances and an added layer of modern ‘heavy’ that underscores the melodic excellence.
“We are not messing around here!” roars Bonnet, “It’s time for us to take Alcatrazz to the next level with Born Innocent!” You wouldn’t dare argue with the man.
DAVID FOSTER - BYRON ‘BEEJ’ GARBETT - BRIAN GREEN - PHILL ‘HAMMER’ BURROWS - CARLOS MARIN
The band started recording their debut album 100% Proof, in the spring of 2018 at SLL Studios and it was released on Off Yer Rocka Recordings in January 2019. On release 100% Proof entered the TOP 10 of both the i-Tunes and the Amazon Rock Charts.
Gin Annie’s music and style has been described as “Swagger and attitude of a band fresh off the Sunset Strip in the late 80s, with a modern edge that is bound to appeal to rockers of all ages” The band embarked on a 7 date UK tour followed by tour dates supporting Deadland Ritual, Last In Line, Geoff Tate and Ugly Kid Joe and festivals such as Ramblin’ Man, HRH Ibiza, HRH 13, Rock & Blues Custom Show, Breaking Bands and Winters End.
Despite a busy schedule, Gin Annie released 2 more singles in 2019, both of which gained airplay on Planet Rock Radio. The 2nd Single “Dying to Live Again” earned the band its BBC Radio 2 debut on the Johnnie Walker Rock Show. Both singles peaked at #2 in the Amazon Rock Charts, with Dying to Live Again remaining in the top 50 for over a month.
January 2020 saw the band recruit Carlos Marin to take over drum duties and embark on a busy 2020 of shows and the recording of Album Number Two.
DAVID ROUX - RYAN SMITH - ALEX BARTER - PETE BRILEY
This 4-piece from Southampton are bred from twin loves of rock-and-roll and irreverence. They’re an ‘Orchestra’ because they’re very fine musicians and they’re ‘Outlaw’ because they exude that Saturday night hell-raising, foot-stamping escapism that you look for in live music entertainment. And entertainers they are.
Ask the biggest crowd ever pulled at Ramblin’ Man’s Rising Stage, or any of the audience from their repeat invitations at the Sheffield O2, from club-stage to festival-stage, their magic keeps on working. From their first outing on a Planet Rock stage they graced the same bills as The Darkness, Brothers Osbourne and supported Kris Barras on his 2018 UK tour.
They’ve just completed their debut album having released two EPs and both of the previous offerings show what serious and precise musicians they are, but it’s live that they are a joy to behold – belting out their material interlaced with anecdotes and belly-laugh stories. It’s infectious fun. They’ll leave you with a sore foot from stamping, a sore face from grinning, and a devilish bit of outlaw in your blood.
The style is a unique blend of hard Southern Rock through to Cajun, Country, Flamenco and all cooked together with their unique signature style of ‘Heavygrass’, described as “a melting pot of styles from American Southern rock, British 70’s rock, Louisiana roots to bluegrass.”
MICHAEL BRUCE - LYNNETTE BRUCE - JIMMY WALDO - STEVE POTTS- MATT INDES
Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee, legendary guitarist, singer and songwriter of the original Alice Cooper Group.
Michael Bruce as a member of the original Alice Cooper Group wrote the hits that rocked a generation, selling millions of albums and singles. “School's Out”, one of the most notable and iconic songs, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015. Ringing bells around the world “School's Out”, “No More Mr Nice Guy” and “Eighteen” have become anthems that bring the generations together and rock the world!
Michael, together with his new band, the Michael Bruce Group, is ready to do it all again and give fans the powerful, authoritative show they can only expect from Michael Bruce!
Darren Wharton - Vinnie Burns - Kev Whitehead - Marc Roberts - Nigel Clutterbuck
Rock band Dare were originally formed back in 1988 by Thin Lizzy keyboard player Darren Wharton. 2016 saw the much awaited 7th Studio Album from DARE. Sacred Ground topped the Amazon Rock Charts in four countries, reaching number #1 in the UK, Germany, Spain and Italy. In 2017 Dare's critically acclaimed live performances in Spain, Greece, Norway and London have once again reinstated the bands cult status in Europe and the UK. With more shows planned for Planet Rock Radio, Rock Of Ages Festival in Germany, and UK Headlining shows...this year promises to be another great chapter in the book of DARE. Watch this space! and please join the DARE family on Facebook.