Michael Devin – Metal Express Radio

THE DEAD DAISIES (Live)

September 16, 2024 Mick Burgess

Formed back in 2012 by Australian businessman and guitarist David Lowy Since then there’s been something of a revolving door of top class rock musicians, who dip in and out as their schedules permit and has featured members of Guns N’ Roses, Rolling Stones, Deep Purple, and Journey amongst many others. With Lowy, the only constant member, tonight’s lineup included former Mötley Crüe vocalist John Corabi, Doug Aldrich of Whitesnake and DIO on super-charged lead guitar, Tommy Clufetos of Ozzy/Black Sabbath on drums and Whitesnake’s Michael Devin on bass. Quite an impressive array of talent. Launching straight into “Light ‘Em Up” before the knockout heavy groove of “Rise Up” and “Dead and Gone” had the Daisies up and running. Corabi’s gravel hewn vocals powered the songs forward while Aldrich’s guitar histrionics gave them a flash of class. A couple of songs from Holy Ground, the album they recorded with Deep Purple’s Glenn Hughes, sounded fresh with Corabi’s gritty voice giving a different twist to the likes of “Unspoken” and “Bustle and Flow”. Clufetos had has moment to shine on a frantic drum solo prior to the classic “Lock ’n’ Load”, originally recorded with Slash on guitar before the AC/DC groove of “I’m Gonna Ride” hammered down the hatches. The Dead Daisies have always had the knack of picking a canny cover or two and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son” and “Midnight Moses” originally recorded by those Scottish rascals, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, could almost have been written just for them. Yet in “Mexico” and “Long Way To Go” they have their own bangers to stand proudly next to the best of them.

THE DEAD DAISIES – Light ‘Em Up

August 26, 2024 Lana Teramae

The Dead Daisies make a bold and burning statement with their seventh studio album, Light ‘Em Up (2024), which is the follow-up to Radiance (2022). Though they’ve had their fair share of lineup changes over the years, their goal remains the same: to keep Rock ‘n’ Roll alive during an era where the genre is considered dead (no pun intended). The heart and soul of the band is guitarist David Lowy, who co-founded the band in 2012 with former vocalist Jon Stevens. Their name and usage of skulls were inspired by both an old phrase, “pushing up daisies,” and the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead (el Día de los Muertos in Spanish). Deemed a supergroup by music journalists and the general public, The Dead Daisies had the pleasure of working with notable musicians throughout their career such as vocalist / bassist Glenn Hughes, keyboardist Dizzy Reed, bassist Darryl Jones, and drummer Deen Castronovo. Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll 2023 was a busy year for the band, with the release of their Best of compilation, celebrating their formation a decade ago, and the following, Resurrected tour. After touring wrapped up, The Dead Daisies spent time in Muscle Shoals and Nashville writing and recording their previously mentioned, seventh studio album, Light ‘Em Up, with producer Marti Frederiksen. The album kicks off on a high note with the first single and title track. It’s an upbeat rocker that listeners should avoid driving along to, unless they want a speeding ticket. Returning vocalist John Corabi sounds fantastic, almost like he never left the band to begin with. “I’m Gonna Ride” is not as intense and listeners should be fine cruising down the highway with this track. It’s melodic and catchy, with tons of groove and an awesome AC/DC-like guitar riff. “Back to Zero” …READ MORE

WHITESNAKE – Flesh & Blood

May 16, 2019 Stevie Shred

Flesh & Blood is the 13th studio album from iconic English Hard Rock band Whitesnake. Featuring legendary founding vocalist David Coverdale, long time guitarist Reb Beach, guitarist Joel Hoekstra, bassist Michael Devin, drummer Tommy Aldridge and keyboardist Michele Luppi, Flesh & Blood is Whitesnake’s first record of original material since 2011’s Forevermore, and the first to feature writing contributions from Hoekstra. Whitesnake was formed in 1978 after Coverdale’s departure from Deep Purple, and with a career spanning over 40 years, they are still among the top drawing Rock bands in the world. It seems the key to relevance in the Rock market today is having original members, and continuing to produce new, quality music. Whitesnake has had a history of changing members, which possibly helps them avoid the pitfalls of not having a “classic” lineup, and much like Judas Priest, they have produced not only a world class record in production quality, but songwriting that makes their latest effort a welcome addition to their discography rather than a half hearted attempt to put out new music for the sake of having new music. Flesh & Blood is a true Whitesnake record, and a natural progression in their legacy. Not a reinvention, not an attempt to become relevant in the new musical landscape, and not a half assed attempt recorded in someone’s basement for the sake of having a new cd at the merch table. Flesh & Blood is everything a Whitesnake fan would want a new Whitesnake record to be. TUNE INTO METALEXPRESSRADIO.COM at NOON & MIDNIGHT (EST) / 6:00 & 18:00 (CET) TO HEAR THE BEST TRACKS FROM THIS UPCOMING RELEASE!!!