In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the classic Aerosmith lineup — Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer — a new book, Aerosmith On Tour: 1973-1985, has been released, which chronicles the band’s career on the road for the first time. Written by Julian Gill, Aerosmith On Tour: 1973-1985 unveils its tale via local reviews, eyewitness reports, press accounts and interviews with key insiders.
The 612-page book is enhanced with visual material (concert and record ads, vintage reviews, and photographs) and follows the band as they launch their career as the opening act for The Kinks, Humble Pie and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, before their breakthrough success with albums Toys In The Attic and Rocks in the late ’70s.
The group has gone on to sell more than 150 million albums around the world since being founded 50 years ago. They were the first rock band with a massive commercially successful hip-hop collaboration with Run-DMC on “Walk This Way” and the first hard rock band to appear during a Super Bowl Halftime Show with their 2001 performance, and in 1999, Aerosmith became the first band to have their own themed attraction at Disney World in Florida, and later Paris with the launch of the Rock ‘N’ Roller coaster starring Aerosmith.
Hi! Welcome to the website, channel, social media, and this is a great opportunity for artists like you to introduce yourself – again – to those new fans and old followers, too.
A true rock n roll legend with a past saturated in debauchery and excess, Shaun Ryder, the former frontman of Happy Mondays and Black Grape shares jaw-dropping stories of outrageous demands, narcotic overload and brushes with organised crime in this wickedly entertaining guide to living the hedonistic rock star life.
As lead singer of Happy Mondays and Black Grape, Shaun Ryder was the Keith Richards and Mick Jagger of his generation. A true rebel, who formed and led not one but two seminal bands, he’s had number-one albums, headlined Glastonbury, toured the world numerous times, taken every drug under the sun, been through rehab – and come out the other side as a national treasure.
Now, for the first time, Shaun lifts the lid on the real inside story of how to be a rock star. With insights from three decades touring the world, which took him from Salford to San Francisco, from playing working men’s clubs to headlining Glastonbury and playing in front of the biggest festival crowd the world has ever seen, in Brazil, in the middle of thunderstorm. From recording your first demo tape to having a No.1 album, Shaun gives a fly-on-the-wall look at the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle – warts and all: how to be a rock star – and also how not to be a rock star.
From numerous Top of the Pops appearances to being banned from live TV, from being a figurehead of the acid-house scene to hanging out backstage with the Rolling Stones, Shaun has seen it all. In this book he pulls the curtain back on the debauchery of the tour bus, ridiculous riders, run-ins with record companies, drug dealers and the mafia, and how he forged the most remarkable comeback of all time.
The bright green, circular building of Mutato Muzika in Los Angeles is easy to spot when cruising down Sunset Boulevard. But most people might not realize it contains the creative hub of Mark Mothersbaugh, a founding member of DEVO turned award-winning Hollywood composer. Famous for his use of the synthesizer, Mothersbaugh has accumulated a vast collection over the years. Cool Hunting had the chance to check out a small selection of Mothersbaugh synths and spent some time talking about the future of music with the prolific artist.
Constantine Bard performed a cover of “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out” by The Smiths on medieval instruments and didn’t even need to change the lyrical content to make it brilliant.
This scene was recorded at Different Fur Studios, San Francisco in 1978. It is the fourth part of “The Dream” sequence of Neil Young’s comedy film “Human Highway”, released in 1982, starring and co-directed by Neil under his pseudonym Bernard Shakey.
With decades of musical expertise and an unparalleled repertoire, JUNO Award-nominated Canadian master-guitarist and songwriter Jeff Gunn keeps your toes tapping with his new single and video, “Spiritus Momentus (Never Give Up Opus 2)”.
Firmly footed on Gunn’s signature percussive rhythms and harmonic melodies, the song shines as the debut single off his forthcoming new album, Momentum — slated to arrive in Spring 2022.
The spirited song is a dazzling composition featuring the rhythmic stylings of renowned drummer and percussionist Mike Sleath (Shawn Mendes), who brings his chops to the Peruvian box-shaped instrument called the Cajón, as well as the the stringed sorcery of Koi Anunta (Glass Tiger, Adam Lambert), who enraptures listeners with her sensational guitar and violin work.
Drawing on Jeff Gunn’s uplifting sonic instrumentation, “Spiritus Momentus (Never Give Up Opus 2)” is a song meant to take the listener on a musical journey that’s brimming with joy and positivity; its beautifully-shot music video communicates the song’s radiant energy, with Gunn and Anunta showcasing their talent across sun-soaked beaches and the rolling Hollywood Hills.
“‘Spiritus Momentous’ — and the album as a whole — are a journey that reveals the power, beauty, and versatility of the guitar,” Gunn shares. “At its heart is sonic storytelling, and finding inspiration in challenging times.”
An album rich with melodic spirit, Gunn’s highly-anticipated new release, Momentum, endeavours to help clear away dark clouds in people’s lives when it releases next year. Beyond such sentiment, every aspect of Gunn’s artistic vision has been meticulously formulated to defy genre conventions, and elevate what we think of as guitar-driven music.
The versatility of the project is the result of its all-star cast of accomplished musicians and distinct instrumental choices. Co-produced by award-winning guitar maestro Antoine Dufour, who assists Gunn in constructing a vibrant record that appeals to musicians and music fans alike, the harmonic range of Momentum is further explored through musical appearances by saxophonist Dennis Passley (Northern Soul Horns, Arkells), and flutist Rob Christian (Kush, Sugar Devils). This collection of immensely talented artists apply their skill sets to an already full-bodied album.
But it all centers back to Jeff Gunn, a multi-talented artist with a musical journey akin to a long and winding road — illustrated by his performances at some of the most prestigious venues in the world, and credits alongside some of the greatest recording artists of our time. He received accolades for his guitar and production work on Emmanuel Jal’s JUNO Award-nominated album, The Key, alongside co-writing credits with Nelly Furtado. On top of these career highlights, the long list of notable artists he’s had the pleasure of recording with includes Domanique Grant, Mark Pellizzer, Kae Sun, and more.
Jeff Gunn continues to contribute heavily to the guitar-playing community with countless hours of online guitar courses located through JamPlay.com, as well as several features in premier guitar magazines like Acoustic Guitar Magazine, Guitar World, Canadian Musician, and more.
Jeff Gunn’s new single and video “Spiritus Momentus (Never Give Up Opus 2)” is available now. Momentum is available Spring 2022.
While it’s essential to happiness, taking time to focus on what we’re grateful for can be challenging — especially with the world overflowing with trials and tribulations. Thankfully, Cobourg, ON country singer-songwriter Jeremy Macklin shares that quintessential life wisdom with his new single and video, “Half Full Cup”.
The song not only pays homage to the blessings found in the everyday, but also lands alongside the Cobourg, Ontario artist’s EP, We Bring the Fire. The five-track debut features previously unveiled singles, “The Beer Drinking Song,” “Small Town Pride,” the album’s title track “We Bring the Fire,” and more — and adds to Macklin’s collective 1 Million streams across platforms.
“Yeah, I’m sippin’ on a half full, feel good feeling,” Macklin declares in the latest display of his signature brand of high-octane, joyful jams. The perfect elixir to soothe troubled times, “Half Full Cup” inspires smiles, potent life perspectives, and all-important toe-taps by way of this multi-talented driving, energy-plus country rocker.
To create this positive party-vibe anthem, Macklin and co-writers Jesse Slack, Adam Newcomb, Daryl Scott, and Rob Morden honed in on the desire to provide an antidote to the pandemic blues. “We wrote ‘Half Full Cup’ during these difficult times to help us all stay positive,” he shares. “The sentiment was: Don’t give up, and don’t forget to enjoy yourself with a drink or two.”
Beyond that straightforward sentiment, “Half Full Cup” turns a spotlight on the negative and unhealthy aspects of the selfie generation.
“Yeah we all want what we ain’t got, the grass is greener ‘round the block
It’s just so easy to get caught up in the mirrors and smoke
It gets to you, it gets to me, sometimes it’s harder than it seems”
“I wanted to write a song that referenced social media, and how many of us compare ourselves and our own lives to those we see on our tiny, handheld screen,” Macklin reveals. “We shouldn’t allow all of the ‘filters’ to influence our lives in a negative fashion.
“Behind all those filters is just another normal human being with faults and problems — just like you. Real life doesn’t come with any filters.”
It’s a truism that consistently informs Macklin’s artistry, and he’s applied it since discovering his love for songwriting at the young age of 13. Fast forward, since taking a run at a solo country career in 2019, his latest single landed in the Top 5 most downloaded Can-Con country tracks in its first week of release.
“It’s been one hell of a ride since I stepped into the ring in the country music circles,” he reflects. ”I am very grateful to all of my fans, and the industry support I have received, as well.”
Produced and directed by Aj Astle and Jonny Diano of Roadhouse Productions, the video for “Half Full Cup” visually underscores the ‘grass is greener on the other side’ philosophy of those who aren’t content with what they have.
“We had a blast and tons of laughs shooting the video for ‘Half Full Cup’,” Macklin recalls. “The whole idea of making a video where you can ‘rent a life’ at a rental store is a powerful reminder that you create your own life…
“No one has a ‘life’ for you sitting on a shelf somewhere.”
