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Apr 07 2023

Amie Bishop Female Fronted Hard Rock | Arkansas 2023

2023 Amie Bishop Update

Carly and I in 2021 had the pleasure of having a two hour phone conversation with singer/songwriter/songstress Amie Bishop of the now proclaimed Amie Bishop & The Slingerz.

The transformation of Amie Bishop’s music career from a singer on the hustle trying to keep a band together to putting together a solid unit and ultimately penning the name Amie Bishop & The Slingerz has been inspiring.

Amie Bishop & The Slingerz Black & White Band Promo Photo Arkansas Vanzig Studios — Amie Bishop & The Slingerz

There is so much drive, work and thick skin involved just to put band together and keep a band together let alone garnering positive press, doing photoshoots, pressing merchandise and booking shows in the hopes to build a fanbase.

Amie has been pulling it off over since our conversation back in 2021 and has set up a solid foundation to build on in 2023 to push the envelope even further.

The band has released two singles in 2023 streaming on all platforms: “Merry Go Round” and the Heart cover “Barracuda”. Between these two tracks it’s easy to hear Amie’s passion for music. I have heard a lot of Heart covers, but not anywhere close to how the band pulls it off.

I am really looking forward to having another phone with Amie regarding updates, plans & all her insight to what she is doing. Keep a lookout for this podcast episode either late February or early March.

Get yourself some killer band swag at AmieBishop.com.

Amie Bishop & The Slingerz – Streaming on All Platforms

Who is Amie Bishop & The Slingerz for?

Amie Bishop & The Slingerz is for those into female fronted rock band drawing influences from classic rock and 90’s alternative.

At this time it seems the band is still trying to figure out who they are by writing music in a few different styles. In my personal they should look to Heart & do the modern version of that mixed in with all of Amie’s personality.

Members

Vocals – Amie Bishop

Guitars – Dan Schoultz

Bass – Matt Stone

Drums – Darin Williams

Amie Bishop & The Slingerz Promo Photo

Amie Bishop & The Slingerz Origin

Amie Bishop & The Slingerz originate from Hot Springs, Arkansas and have relocated to Little Rock, Arkansas.

Amie Bishop & The Slingerz Sticker Art Arkansas — Amie Bishop & The Slingerz Sticker Art

Amie Bishop 2021 Podcast

Amie is a singer/songwriter, originally from Hot Springs, Arkansas, is hell bent on pursuing a music career. Amie is a rock, metal and alternative chick drawing influences from Heart, Led Zeppelin, Portishead, Rob Zombie, Siouxsie & the Banshees and Pantera. Her latest single, Raven (May 2021), can be heard on Spotify now.

I initially was introduced to Amie when she began submitting to opportunities on ReverbNation. In an earlier podcast episode Carly Quinn and I listened to some random artists that submitted and Amie’s submission, Tune In, was one we talked about. Amie listened to the episode and we have been in contact ever since. We chose her to be our first artist phone call conversation because she has a killer voice, no bullshit hustle mentality and is experiencing all of the classic trials & tribulations artists go through.

Amie talks about all of the classic roadblocks an artist can have such as solidifying a band of like minds to figuring out how to market and promote. We had a really great conversation and look forward to having more in the future. Amie is open to collaborating with other musicians to keep pushing out her art so if you are looking for a female rock, metal, folk singer she can kind of do it all. Don’t be shy, she might even share her keto beer and eclectic cheeses with you.

Visit AmieBishop.com for all info and follow her on instagram @TheAmieBishop.

If you would like to work with Vanzig Studios please send an email to Airheads@VanzigStudios.com or send a DM @VanzigMoshPit

Amie Bishop & The Slingerz T-Shirt Merch Art Arkansas — T-Shirt Merchandise

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Jan 15 2023

Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts – Ballad Of A Misspent Youth 2022 | GA

Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts: *Ballad Of A Misspent Youth* Album 2022

Release Date

November 4, 2022

Music Recording Group LLC

Tracklisting

1.”Ballad of a Misspent Youth”

2. “Girl On The East Side of Town”

3. “Ain’t For the Faint”

4. “Everybody Loves You When You’re Dead”

5. “Shadow On The Street”

6. “Say Goodbye” – Favorite Track

7. “Lovesick City”

8. “Forgive But Won’t Forget”

Total Recommended / Favorite Tracks – 8 / 8

Total Background Tracks – 0 / 8

Total Skip Tracks – 0 / 8

Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts – Ballad Of A Misspent Youth 2022 Album on Spotiify

Who is Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts – Ballad Of A Misspent Youth for?

Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts 2022 Album, Ballad Of A Misspent Youth, is laser focused on the classic rock market, but not the typical influences, which makes it way more interesting.

Tuk Smith has always bled his influences combining the stylings of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Kiss, Thin Lizzy, Cheap Trick, T. Rex, Gary Glitter & AC/DC.

Members

Vocals / Guitars – Tuk Smith

Guitars – Ricky Dover Jr.

Bass – Shane Rickerson

Drums – Nigel Dupree

Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts Band Photo

Where did Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts Originate from?

Tuk Smith came to rock n roll prominence with his original band, Biters, based out of Atlanta, GA.

Biters’ 2015 album, Electric Blood, released through Earache Records, garnered lots of attention in the rock n roll music industry. Notable accolades include Nikki Sixx, Danko Jones, Classic Rock Magazine, Alternative Press, Planet Rock and many others.

I was introduced to Biters with the track “Low Lives in Hi Definition” from 2015’s Electric Blood album. I quickly found myself listening to track after track. My favorite track is “Time to Bleed”. The opening track to Electric Blood is entitled “Restless Hearts”, which is a skip track for me and definitely would have not opened the album with it.

In 2017 the Biters released the sophomore album, The Future Ain’t What It Used to Be. I really dig the first half of this record, it’s like a more polished Electric Blood, especially “Stone Cold Love”. The rest of the album is good, but it’s basically filler tracks. The band was touring to support this release, the press was rolling in, but then the discography was pulled down & the Biters hit the pause button.

Tuk Smith basically stated in the Danko Jones podcast that the members decided to go an indefinite hiatus beginning in 2018. Tuk Smith then broke off, moved to Nashville, TN and founded Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts.

If you are interested in the Biters catalogue it is currently back up and streaming on all platforms.

Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts & Covid

On January 2020 Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts released the debut single, “What Kinda Love”. Tuk Smith’s credibility & the single landed the band a stadium tour with Def Leppard and Motley Crue. Then Covid 19 hit and everything was erased. The debut album, Lookin’ For Love, Ready For War, was to be released in late 2020, but was shelved.

“When the pandemic hit, it was like hitting the reset button on my music career”recalls Tuk, “everything got taken away…album campaign, stadium tour, record deal. The world was in lockdown, and the only way to escape was to throw myself into writing. My thoughts began exploring the past, and the inspiration for the songs just came in tidal waves.” – Tuk Smith

During the Covid Lockdown Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts released the EP Covers From The Quarantine through Better Noise Music. I was confirmed Tuk is the shit because he covered the Kiss song “Hard Luck Woman”, which is the reason why everyone should buy a twelve string guitar.

Then finally in November 2022 the debut album Ballad For A Misspent Youth was released.

Ballad Of A Misspent Youth – Album Review

This record had me so curious. The 2020 single, “What Kinda Love”, sounded like a more polished less gritty Biters using The Who & Queen as its soundtrack.

Tuk Smith is incredibly consistent with the songs he dishes out. It’s the AC/DC way of songwriting. Every song is good, they all sound the same and in this case Tuk basically polished up the Biters tracks and recycled them. Tuk loves Tom Petty, Thin Lizzy, “Surrender” & Gary Glitter so much!

Ballad Of A Misspent Youth is a jukebox of all your major key classic rock. It’s almost like a version of The Darkness without the falsetto vocals. I applaud Tuk Smith for focusing influences on the 70’s glam side, there are so many bands that try to imitate Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath and after awhile it gets played out or comes off as lame.

Tuk Smith has been successful and able to get away with rewriting very similar songs across two bands, but is it sustainable? If I were in Tuk’s ear I would be pushing him to write 99% up tempo slightly more aggressive tracks for the next record in order to make it relevant in the discography or get crazy with Pink Floyd / Rush inspired tracks.

If the same rewritten material comes out for now a fourth record I think the majority of the album will come off as filler tracks. At least make sure there are zero traces of Tom Petty, The Who, “Surrender” and Gary Glitter. Tuk is a solid songwriter and you’ll always at least get two killer tracks in whatever he does. I would love to hear the band jam out a bit maybe in a darker Sabbath tone.

The press surrounding Ballad Of A Misspent Youth is totally positive and deservedly so. Every song on this record is solid. Also the performance & production is stellar. I cannot make single negative comment other than Tuk is walking a tight rope with wearing his influences on his sleeve.

Ballad Of A Misspent Youth served its purpose. It has put rock n roll fans on notice that Tuk Smith will not just roll over and there is plenty of high quality music still in the tank. The follow up release is going to make or break Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts. The band either breaks and makes it their own or will forever be lumped in with retro vintage cruise lineups, which could fun, but probably under achieving.

Whatever Tuk Smith does I’m following.

Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts Music Videos

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Oct 20 2022

Sahara Hotnights “Love In Times of Low Expectations” 2022 | Sweden

Sahara Hotnights 2022 Album Cover Love In Times of Low Expectations Swedish Rock — Sahara Hotnights *Love In Times Of Low Expectations* 2022

Release Date

May 6, 2022

Universal Music AB

Tracklisting

1.”Reverie” -> Background Music

2. “Avalanche” -> Recommended

3. “Vertigo” -> Recommended

4. “Predictable” > Favorite Track

5. “Gemini” > Favorite Track

6. “Diving For Pearls” -> Recommended

7. “Heavy Load” – > Recommended

8. “Athena” -> Favorite Track

9. “Mind Games” -> Skip

10. “Leander” -> Background Music

Total Recommended / Favorite Tracks – 7 / 10

Total Background Tracks – 2 / 10

Total Skip Tracks – 1/ 10

Who is Sahara Hotnights, Love In Times Of Low Expectations for?

Sahara Hotnight’s, Love In Times Of Low Expectations, is for fans of mellow 80’s pop. The music that instantly pops into my head when I listen is Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time”, Talk Talk “It’s My Life”, Wham! “Last Christmas”, Goldfrapp “Rocket” and all the other music that’s 80’s tastic.

The Sahara Hotnights took ten years off and came back with an album that has some classic hotnights tones but for the most part is out of left field. Most people, I think, will either love it or hate it.

Members

Vocals – Maria Andersson

Guitars – Maria Andersson / Jennie Asplund

Bass – Joanna Asplund

Drums – Josephine Forsman

Sahara Hotnights Promo Band Photo Love Int Times of Low Expectations 2022 — Sahara Hotnights – Robertsfors, Sweden

Why are the Sahara Hotnights Unique?

The Sahara Hotnights to this day actually have all original members since originating in 1991.

The Sahara Hotnights blew up in the late 90’s when there was this garage rock, rock n roll resurgence. The Swedish band, The Hives, exploded on Mtv along with The Donnas, Buckcherry & Monster Magnet. Soon to follow would be The Vines, The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand and many more.

Sahara Hotnights front woman, Maria Andersson, & The Hives frontman, Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist, also could not resist each other’s charisma and were romantically involved for a time until moving their separate ways sometime 2006.

The Sahara Hotnights became part of my record collection with the 1999 major label debut of C’mon Lets Pretend. The late 90’s was a weird period for rock and this one of those bands that filled a void.

I can honestly say after the C’mon Lets Pretend album there were a few tracks on each album I dug but not an album as a whole. Although after listening to Love In Times Of Low Expectations I rediscovered the album What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing released in 2007.

What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing featured “Cheek to Cheek” & “Visit to Vienna”. What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing and Love In Times Of Low Expectations pair really well together and I think showcases the Sahara Hotnight’s best songwriting.

Sahara-Hotnights Color Band Photo — Sahara H, Nikki Brumen

Where Were the Sahara Hotnights for 10 Years?

There isn’t much information out there, but this is what I got.

Courtesy of Newsbeezer.com:

Singer and guitarist Maria Andersson Lundell has released a solo album and was assistant to Plura from Eldkvarn on the TV show Plura’s Kitchen. Bassist Johanna Asplund toured with Love Antell and became a project manager on television. Guitarist Jennie Asplund bought a farm in Skåne and started a furniture company. Drummer Josephine Forsman played with the band Casablanca and did music shows for Utbildningsradion before moving to Los Angeles where she works with LOUD, an international music school for young people.

Pro tip: Even if 10 years goes by with your bandmates, it’s never over until you all say it’s over. Keep in touch keep doors open this could be the year for new music.

Maria Andersson Live Stockholm Sweden Festival — Maria Andersson Live Stockholm, Sweden

Love In Times Of Low Expectations – Review

On first listen of debut single “Reverie” and the corresponding photo shoot I had very low expectations. I like many wanted to hear some distorted guitars and the see the band in leather jackets. Instead I got no guitars just mellow keyboards and oversized 80’s/90’s mom sitcom attire.

I assumed the Sahara Hotnights jumped the shark with this new crop of music until I heard the second single, “Gemini”. I have no idea why this was not the first single, but I guess it doesn’t matter since the rest of album sounds like alternate versions of these two songs.

Love In Times Of Low Expectations chose a tone & vibe and went whole hog. If you need a mellow album that sounds like Cyndi Lauper or something similar while your vibing out late at night then this is your album.

I was actually really surprised how many times I played this album skipping really only one track consistently, “Mind Games”. Hands down “Gemini”, “Predictable” & “Athena” carry this album. These three tracks are the “best of” what Love In Low Times Of Expectations offers. Other tracks like “Avalanche” & “Vertigo” have great hooks in them but do not come close as a whole to the three I just mentioned.

I have read reviews of this album where the consensus seems to be good but unsatisfied. What I really like about this record is that the Sahara Hotnights showcase great songwriting, attention to vocal melodies & music hooks.

The biggest negative I would have to say is the zero tempo change. The album sounds like one long song in the same key at the same slow tempo, even a slight key change in one of the choruses would add some nice color. When the banjo dropped on “Predictable” I was like fuck yeah, it elevated the hell out of the song without changing tempo.

I love the 80’s pop sound and the Sahara Hotnights paid serious homage to it. I also love thrash metal, Ryan Adams and the UK Subs. Honestly I am weirdly addicted to Love In Times Of Low Expectations, but definitely not the look.

Sahara Hotnights Music Videos

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Aug 30 2022

Classless Act – Welcome to the Show Album Music Review 2022 (Hard Rock / Rock N Roll / Los Angeles, CA)

Release Date

June 24, 2022

Better Noise Music

Tracklisting

1.”Classless Act” (Featuring Vince Neil)

2. “This is for You” (Featuring Justin Hawkins) -> Skip

3. “Time to Bleed” -> Skip

4. “On My Phone” -> Recommended

5. “All that We Are” > Recommended

6. “Made in Hell” > Recommended

7. “Storm before the Calm” -> Background Music

8. “Haunting Love” -> Guilty Pleasure

9. “Walking Contradiction” – > Favorite

10. “Give it to Me” -> Skip

11. “Circles” -> Recommended

12. “Thoughts from a Dying Man” -> Skip

Who is Classless Act, Welcome to the Show for?

This album has a weird confusing focus demographic. In a nutshell, if you are into hard rock on the 80’s / 70’s side and any Slash solo album then the debut Classless Act album, Welcome to the Show is your cup of tea for the most part.

On the flip side, if you are a My Chemical Romance fan then this album is also for you. Most people getting into this album will most likely only like half and either ignore or tolerate the other half pending where you fall and your age.

For some reason it seems the label is really trying to get this band laid by 40 plus horny cougars as well as service the Eddie Trunks of the world. I was always under the impression the big label move is to focus on the younger market so your audience grows with you and buys into all of the marketing shenanigans.

Members

Vocals – Derek Day

Guitars – Dane Pieper / Griffin Tucker

Bass – Franco Gravante

Drums – Chuck McKissock

Why is Classless Act Unique?

Here’s the fun part. On first listen, checking out music videos, photo content & live appearances, you’re going to wonder where the hell did these young dudes come from.

The former drummer is London Husdon, Slash’s offspring. I had the pleasure of speaking to London & former guitarist Nico Tsangaris on the Appetite for Distortion podcast hosted by Brando in 2018 at IHeart Radio.

It was an awesome conversation with these driven rock n rollers. From what I dug up, both stopped playing with Classless Act sometime mid 2021, but not before doing massive shows with Slash and the like. I am assuming this is where Classless Act’s music industry mysteriousness comes from.

I read through a few interviews and the band glosses over how they jumped to a Motley Cue / Poison Stadium Tour off the debut album. The focus of the bio seems to be that Classless Act got together using social media and then poof, stadium tour with all the pro sauce.

The Motley Crue Stadium Tour came out of nowhere with minimal touring experience, seemingly no more industry connections and most likely lacking serious funds to buy on, which is a thing or favor deals between entertainment lawyers.

This is hardly a shade being thrown. When there’s blood in the water go for broke and exploit all opportunities. Every band / musician needs to seize every and any opportunity because it may be the only one you ever get.

Pro tip to all the young bands: talk to literally everyone everywhere because you never know when someone with juice will take a liking to you.

Where Did Drummer, London Hudson, Go?

Since this blog is about Classless Act, I will make this quick, but I think it is worth mentioning since it is Slash’s kid and this record sounds like a fresher Slash album.

London & Nico, package deal I assume, parted with Classless Act sometime in 2021 and then began SUSPECT208 with Scott Weiland’s kid, Noah Weiland, and Rob Trujillo’s kid, Tye Trujillo.

The band released two singles, “Long-Awaited” and “You Got It”, before breaking up due to multiple singer personal issues. They drew resemblances to Velvet Revolver.

London & Nico then began S8NT ELECTRIC (I guess pronounced Saint Electric). You can listen to S8NT ELECTRIC on Spotify.

Pro tip: Don’t name your band something impossible to remember. It makes googling unnecessary and annoying.

I checked out S8NT ELECTRIC and it has cool trashy genuine rock n roll vibe but the songs need a lot of work. The songs are way raw without any hooks and the performance on the recordings is questionable The song “Subliminal” I’m digging though.

S8NT-ELECTRIC-band-los-angeles — S8NT ELECTRIC

Welcome to the Show – Review

All in all it’s a solid hard rock album that I think I would recommend to those into 80’s hard rock, but that’s a question mark. To be honest I didn’t want to like this album because the lead single, “Give It To Me”, was a pile of dated management polished cheese.

I read a lot of other reviews about this record out of curiosity and I was surprised on how praised it was. I will definitely give credit where due. The band’s performance is killer. There is a ton of energy, charisma & personality delivered on each track.

I give a general recommendation to hard rock fans to check this album out because there is something for everyone, but the kitchen sink approach to this album is out of control. I have no idea who Classless Act is.

What is this band’s actual sound? Is Classless Act another label management product where a team of 50 plus writes the music, another team dresses them and then they perform to a sea of 50 plus rock fans? Did Vince Neil secretly put this band together to make himself seem relevant again, if so maybe genius?

The weird marketing of Welcome to the Show is exaggerated by not taking advantage of the summer release. The song “Made in Hell” is a well written super pop song using One Direction and Five Seconds of Summer as a model. It is a happy beachy hooky song made unique with Derek’s manic voice.

You would think this would be the first obvious single to capture the younger market partying on boats at the beach etc… Just do what Diamond Dave would do. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Twenty somethings in bikinis (not mom or grandma in a bikini) partying with some young studs rocking out and taking over the world.

How was “Circles” not used as the second summer single? You take the same twenty somethings chicks from the beach put them in pick up trucks, daisy dukes & cowboy hats, get a young pop country pop star to sing one word and all of a sudden you’re riding the Country Music pop charts. Hopefully they push this song at some point because it deserves attention.

The album uses both Vince Neil and Justin Hawkins as a means to push this band, but why? Harry Styles, Taylor Momsen or even Lizzy Hale could have fit somewhere giving more relevant features. It’s funny because Classless Act even acknowledge this by not having Vince Neil in the music video where his vocals are featured.

Instead there’s a half ass ridiculous cut to 80’s Vince Neil drawn on an easel where the viewer stares at his mysterious vocals coming through the drawing as if a scene from Ghostbusters. In regards to Justin Hawkins he is barely audible on the track and it seems like a payday. Good for you, you deserve it. The last Darkness album, Motorheart, in 2021 was absolutely amazing, possibly better than the debut.

Listening to this album repeatedly I keep thinking it should have been split into multiple EP’s focusing on each spectrum of rock this album hits. The song “Give it to Me” could have been an old school English stand alone single not appearing on the album just in single format maybe with a b-side.

I really hope Classless Act move to a younger tour with bands like Palaye Royale, Black Honey, The Pretty Reckless or vets like My Chemical Romance. The talent in this band is so high and deserves to be treated with a more relevant touch.

I am routing hard for Classless Act and hope the band is given more opportunity to showcase what they want to showcase rather than be forced to read from the script. This band has so much talent and I look forward to the sophomore effort.

Cheers lads!

Classless Act Videos

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Oct 20 2021

#37 Dave Caggiano – Current State of Music & Misfit Saints New Single “I Don’t Care” | Long Island, NY

Dave Caggiano is a motherf*cker that knows music. Dave produced all of the Midnight Mob & Misfit Saints material as well as Craving Strange, Mother, Gina Cutillo, Last Turn Off Broadway, Jackknife Stiletto, Va Va Voom, Dead Rocking Horse and many others. He is a die hard rock n roll music fanatic whose sole mission is to have artists take their songwriting craft & performance to the next level. It’s not about the money it’s about the art. This episode is a recorded phone call I had with Dave going over the latest released Misfit Saints single, “I Don’t Care” (9/11/21). We go over what we both like & dislike about the mixes and suggest certain edits before going over to mastering (43 minute mark). We also talk about 1,000 bands because that’s what we do. Where is Dave? Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.caggiano.7 Instagram: @DNoise666 VanzigStudios.com Instagram: @VanzigStudios Find Us on Spotify as Vanzig Studios & Carly Quinn Bands Mentioned: The Faces Small Faces The Rolling Stones Kiss Scorpions Cheap Trick Black Crowes Last Turn Off Broadway Craving Strange Art Gurfunkel Paul Simon Blue Murder White Snake Thin Lizzy Dream Theater Black Sabbath Rush Peter Frampton Humble Pie Wicked Lester Steve Miller Band BTO Pink Floyd Santo & Johnny Magpie Salute Liquid Logic Alice in Chains Pearl Jam Soundgarden Mother Love Bone Warrant Bulletboys Jet Boy Firehouse Anthrax Megadeth Slayer Metallica Motorhead Paul McCartney Testament Crumbsuckers DRI Cromags Judas Priest Led Zeppelin Deep Purple Cream Yes Genesis Aerosmith Motley Crue Poison Winger Exodus Violence Death Angel Saigon Kick Alice Cooper Dixie Dregs Ratt Van Halen Steve Vai AC/DC Iron Maiden Savatage Trans Siberian Orchestra Jewel Fu Manchu Clutch Pantera Bobby Brown John 5 Trixter Pat Benatar Def Leppard The Who The Doors Peter Gabriel Mother Cat Stevens Simon & Garfunkel Midnight Mob Misfit Saints Kacey Musgraves St. Paul & the Broken Bones Lake Street Dive Harry Styles