Last weekend, my local rock radio station decided to dedicate its playlist to the forgotten rockers Creedence Clearwater Revival which really only had a four year lifespan at the top. However, their songs are so catchy it is a pleasure to listen to their full back catalogue.
From hits like Fortunate Son and Bad Moon Rising to impressive covers like Heard It Through The Grapevine, I just love to listen to the distinctive voice of former-frontman John Fogerty.
It is just a pity that the band were only around for the five years between 1967 and 1972, but their music is still appreciated today by Southern rock aficionados as well as those who just enjoy great music.
Anyone who has ever been to see the Smashing Pumpkins live will testify – you never really know what you are going to get. While I have never seen Billy Corgan walk off stage or throw a tantrum at his bandmates, I know this is pretty common.
Last Friday night at Manchester’s O2 Apollo the Smashing Pumpkins returned to the city with a completely new line-up. Of course lifelong drummer Jimmy Chamberlin had now gone (replaced by 20-year-old Mike Byrne), with the other guitar and bass positions being filled by Jeff Schroeder and
Nicole Fiorentino.
They set the tone for their two-hour-plus set by hitting the “new songs” – OK some of these had been released one by one on the band’s website over the past couple of years – but the majority were from the upcoming release Oceania (expected around March).
However, even Billy Corgan realised that the old songs were what many of the hundreds packed into this renowned Manchester venue really wanted to here. As Corgan launched into ‘Bullet With Butterfly Wings’ following a crowd sing-a-long on ‘Zero’ he admitted to great cheers: “I guess we’ll have to play some songs you know next time”… which he won’t of course.
In a recent interview with American music mag Billboard, Slash, the former Guns N’ Roses guitarist, gave his opinion on the band’s Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame nomination.
He might have been more forthcoming on his plans to get a new frontman in place for hard rock supergroup Velvet Revolver, but did admit it was a “huge honour” to receive this accolade.
He was quoted as saying:
“It’s become very prestigious over the years, and it’s become a huge honor for anybody to be inducted into it, or even nominated, for that matter.”
Slash also failed to rule out a reunion of the original GNR line-up for this prestigious induction when he added:
“Of course, you have those thoughts of how it might work in case it does happen, but with Guns N Roses, there’s really no guessing exactly how it will go. I suppose if it happens, everybody will get some sort of ducks in order.”
When the funk-rockers returned from their 5-year-hiaitus at the end of August with their 10th studio release ‘I’m With You’, the album received a luke-warm reception from critics.
This was possibly not surprising since John Frusciante had once again left the band, leaving Josh Klinghoffer to fill the boots of a guitar legend.
However, despite this underwhelming comeback, one thing is certain: the Red Hot Chili Peppers will always be highly regarded as a live music act.
So the fact that tickets go on sale tomorrow morning (9am) to see the band perform next year at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light and the legendary venue that is Knebworth Park near Stevenage means that there is sure to be huge demand.