"Easy Piracy" the second album by Dead Men Walking has been released in the US coinciding with the short run of live dates on Americas west coast. There is good news and bad news for UK fans as the album won't see an official release here till later in the year, presumably to coincide with the much rumoured UK dates, but is available now on Amazon. The digital release is currently priced at £8.19 but due to the CD being an import it is clocking in at over £16!
Check out up to date prices and availability HERE!
The album features the following track listing:
01.Rock And Roll Kills
02.Damned Damned Damned
03.Weather Song
04.Deadman Blues
05.Whatever Turns You On (Will Turn You On)
06.Song For Eddie
07.Easy Piracy
08.Doctor Henry
09.When The Boats Come In
10.The Devil's Music
11.Crossroads
12.Forgotten Saints
13.What If...
14.Out On The Edge
15.Love Of My Life
With the imminent release of the brand new live RT-Zed album "Crunch" and upcoming appearance at the Westworld Weekend it seems a great time to catch up with Steve Grantley to find out what's new!
What made you decide to release a live RT-Zed album?
Well, it was initially recorded for reference - just to see what the fuck we sounded like, (laughs) no big deal. We could only record on 8 tracks and weren't even sure if the bloody recording desk would work. It did work, thankfully - and when I got round to listening to the result I was surprised by the quality. I decided to give it a proper focused mix and I went into Blue Moon studios to get the job done.
"Crunch" is actually a recording of the bands live debut. What was it that drew you to release this show above others?
Simple- it's the only show we recorded! (laughs) Actually I thought it was cool to release the debut - you know; the first ever gig? Fuck it: why not?
There was a different line up for the live shows so who appears on the album?
It's Jonesy, who played bass and guitar on "ZED HED" - he's on guitar hero duty, Simon Turner on bass and Beny Reid on drums; I sing and play Neanderthal guitar! (laughs)
How different are the live versions of the songs?
They are as close to the "ZED HED" versions as possible just more raucous. I arranged the songs on "ZED HED" to be played by a traditional 4 piece rock n roll band. The well trodden path of bass, guitar and drums, so it would work in a 'live' setting. As opposed to the first album "Return To Zero" which was much more about electronica.
Was the set list mainly taken from songs that appeared on "ZED HED" or did you include a mix of older tracks too?
It's mostly from "ZED HED", with a brand new song "No Conspiracy" and a few covers. The album wasn't even out when we did this gig so that's why we included covers - I didn't want people to stand through 45 mins of music that they didn't know, so we added the covers to give people something to latch onto.
You've been working on this release for what seems to be a pretty long time, was this just a matter of fitting it in around your heavy touring schedule with SLF or were you being a perfectionist?
'Perfectionist' sounds a bit wank don't it? (laughs) But yeah, I did want it to sound as good as possible and I spent a long time mixing and remixing - getting the best out of the recordings. But also 2013 was "ZED HED" - then 2014 was "No Going Back" plus a world tour and that promo is ongoing. This was the first chance I had to get anything done.
The album is priced at just £7.99. Why did you decide on a lower price?
There's only 10 ten tracks and it's live. I felt that price was reasonable, I see it almost as a 'sampler' record. I think people may not feel like paying 12 or 13 pounds for an album by an artist they don't know but may well give it a go at 8 quid! It's a limited edition so it's almost sold out now. I just felt this price was fair.
You made available the 'found' copies of the "Return To Zero" CD last year and they sold out pretty much instantly, were you surprised at how high the demand was?
A few people had asked me if there were any other albums so I knew a few would sell but we shifted the fifty in a day - that was a shock. I just found a box of them at an office I used to work out of and put them up for sale - wish I had a few more! (laughs)
RT-Zed are at the Westworld Weekend this year, it must feel pretty good to be asked back again?
Yes it is indeed. Gonna be fun. I know all the guys in the band and their manager, I've toured with Spear and I was the original drummer in Kirks band Dead Men Walking. It's great to be returning to Westworld; it's a great weekend - I went last year and had a ball. We are looking forward to playing in front of people who will actually know some of the tunes this time round. (laughs)
The track "Room No 5" was released from "ZED HED" as a single in early 2014, how did it do?
It did well under the circumstances, kind of a 'turn-table-hit' (laughs) but with no record label or press agent it's difficult to get attention. The radio play was steady and stayed on their lists for weeks. I could see the response by the downloads & CD sales, unfortunately it wasn't enough to bother the charts but a healthy response for a band who had no help whatsofuckingever!
Have you started working on the next RT-Zed studio album yet?
I'm always writing - there's a few demos - after Westworld I'll get to it - focused. At the moment I'm concentrating on demoing, preparing for the upcoming gig and releasing "Crunch". I'll go into the studio to record something new early next year I reckon.
What are your plans for it?
World domination! (laughs) It'll be different to "ZED HED". I can't see the point in making the same album over and over so this'll be different again. It won't be a straight ahead 'rock n roll' record that's for sure. Occasionally we got compared to the Foo Fighters with "ZED HED" for some reason and that was not our intention. It's the drummer, front man bullshit - I don't want to sound like them! I wanna be like Kraftwerk meets the Pistols with a bit of Cypress Hill and Parliament thrown in! (laughs)
SLF took a big risk going the crowd funding route for "No Going Back" but it seems to have paid off in a big way with great sales and critical reception. Did it exceed your expectations?
Fuckin' 'ell Yeah! We were shocked at the response - it was WAY more successful than we ever expected. It was a completely new thing for us so we had no idea what to expect, didn't know what would happen. When we saw how quickly the Pledge items were going we were truly astounded and we can't thank people enough for their support.
The new Pledge campaign will start shortly for a live DVD to be filmed on St.Patricks Day next year in Glasgow on the 25th anniversary of SLF playing at the venue in a row. Do you know what sort of Pledge rewards we can expect or is it veiled in secrecy?
It's more than my life is worth to reveal such secrets! (laughs) All I can say is that there are some exciting pledge items that will give unique access to the band. I suggest you keep an eye on SLF.com for further details.
The "No Going Back" tour has proved really popular and taken in many venues, festivals and countries...what's next?
Yeah - last year was incredibly successful for the band - worldwide.
96 gigs in twenty countries across 4 continents - mental! The "No Going Back" tour continues this year too. We are doing The Isle Of Wight Festival which we've never played before, back to the States in the summer to play places we didn't get to last year and we do Europe around October. No UK winter tour this year I'm afraid but - there may be a few one-offs. Things are still to be confirmed so I can say no more. (laughs)
How do you get time to do both bands?
SLF comes first and then I work RT-Zed around the Fingers schedule. It's two completely different things - schizophrenic. (laughs)
Where and when can we get "Crunch"?
It is available to order now from our website rtzed.com and shipping begins on May 11th although you will be able to purchase it at Westworld.
A double live CD of last years Holy Holy gig at London's O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire will be released on June 1st and of course features James Stevenson on guitar. The album features live renditions of "The Man Who Sold The World" album with the second disc featuring classic Bowie tracks alongside the Velvet Underground classic "White Light/White Heat".
Disc One
1.The Width Of A Circle
2.All The Madmen
3.Black Country Rock
4.After All
5.Running Gun Blues
6.Saviour Machine
7.She Shock Me Cold
8.The Man Who Sold The World
9.The Supermen
Disc Two
1.Life On Mars?
2.Hang Onto Yourself
3.Ziggy Stardust
4.Watch That Man
5.Cracked Actor
6.Lady Stardust
7.Starman
8.Time
9.Five Years
10.Moonage Daydream
11.White Light/White Heat
12.Jean Genie-Love Me Do
The band begin a UK tour on the 12th of June with an appearance at the Isle Of Wight Festival and concluding on the 30th June in London. A very limited vinyl release of the first disc will be available to buy ONLY at these gigs.
RT-Zed have announced that their live album "Crunch - Live At The Bullingdon Club" will be available to order from the 25th April. The album, a recording of their debut gig in Oxford from 2012, will be dispatched from the 11th of May and is priced at only £7.99 but will also be available at the Westworld Weekend on the 9th.
Demand will be high and this will be a limited edition release. The final copies of the "Return To Zero" album sold out instantly so where this album won't be as limited as that I would suggest getting your order in sooner rather than later!
Order yours HERE!
Smiley appears on the brand new EP by Jonzip which was released digitally today. The 4 track EP entitled "A Hard Rain At Sunshine Corner" also features Smileys former Mescaleros bandmate Pablo Cook and is available via CDBaby for the princely sum of $3.49 that means if you get yours now (I just have) it will cost you just £2.44 based on the current exchange rate!
The track list is :
1. Left Of Your Rights
2. Kill Your Darlings
3. Wrong Door Raid
4. 1919 (Battle Of George Square)
Get yours HERE!
Well I've been a bit quiet on here of late sorry about that! Since my last post the site turned 3 and we had an amazing Gathering!
So first bit of news for you this year as I'm sure you know all the Strength tour dates and all about the Strength and Majority releases....
The final line up of the Westworld Weekend has been confirmed and as previously announced Theatre Of Hate will headline the Friday night with Spear Of Destiny taking top billing on the Saturday. Guest slots are Death Valley Surfers on Friday and Steve Grantley's RT-Zed returning to the Westworld for Saturday. Folk Grinder will have a Saturday afternoon spot hopefully previewing material from their upcoming second album and Kirk Brandon will be performing an Akoustik set.
Weekend tickets are nearly sold out but the remaining ones can be snapped up HERE!
The Mission are heading out for a series of live dates in smaller venues under the guise of the Blood Brothers as part of some warm up dates booked around next years festival appearances. All dates are now on sale via the Mission store and tickets can be bought separately or as part of a bundle featuring an exclusive t-shirt.
The 5 dates are...
Bruce Foxton has announced his new album, which will be titled "Smash The Clock", will be released in October 2015 and will be crowd funded via Pledge Music. Currently the Pledge site has it listed as Bruce Foxton and Russell Hastings (his From The Jam bandmate who also featured on 2012's "Back In The Room" album) but it is anticipated that Smiley will also feature following his involvement with From The Jam.
Rewards on offer range from the basic download for £8, the signed CD for £15 through to T-Shirt packages, Art work, Prints, Your Name In The Credits or even tickets for an Intimate Gig!
Full ranges of rewards & ordering details can be found HERE!
James Stevenson & Craig Adams both feature (alongside a cast of 200 well known names) on the charity album "Sex Drugs and HIV" a project some 19 years in the making created by Mat Sargent (Chelsea, Sham 69, Splodgenessabounds).
The album will split it's fund raising efforts between the Terrence Higgins Trust, Release, Rape Crisis and Cancer Research UK and is available now from Amazon and the projects own website. For more details, videos and musician info click HERE!
To order from Amazon click HERE!
Not strictly an Alarm related bit of news but for fans of Kerry Schultz, who unsurprisingly features on both of Smileys solo albums, you will be pleased to know you can hear Kerry fronting the Bond tastic Q The Music Show on their new album.
Celebrating 10 years of working together the double live "10 Years Of Bonding" comprises 37 tracks that will be instantly familiar to even the most casual Bond fan. To make it incredibly easy for fans to get hold of the CD is available as a buy now option through Ebay.
ORDER HERE
For more info on Q The Music Show including audio samples and video links you can reach their website HERE
