BY MIKE METTLER — APRIL 9, 2015
Chances are you know the name Michael Des Barres, but just exactly how most likely depends on your entry point. If you’ve read I’m With the Band: Confessions of a Groupie, then you know him as the ex-husband of Miss Pamela, Pamela Des Barres. If you’re a devout fan […]
BY MIKE METTLER — MARCH 25, 2015
To borrow a song title, things can only get better for Howard Jones. Known for such indelible synth-driven ’80s hits like “What Is Love?,” “No One Is to Blame,” “New Song,” and “Everlasting Love,” Jones has focused his efforts in recent years on his inherent talents as a […]
BY MIKE METTLER — MARCH 12, 2015
To modify a phrase, fingerpicking guitar maestro Jorma Kaukonen just keeps on innovatin’. For over a half-century, Kaukonen has followed his own path and applied his folk roots to variations on psychedelia with Jefferson Airplane and free-form blues with Hot Tuna, not to mention his own solo rock and unplugged […]
BY MIKE METTLER — MARCH 2, 2015
Al Kooper has been a mastermind behind the board of many a storied session over his half-century career (for artists such as Mike Bloomfield, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the Tubes, to name but a few), but his prowess as a multichannel mixmaster has been largely […]
BY MIKE METTLER — FEBRUARY 25, 2015
Being appointed one of the queens of the alternative music scene was never one of Juliana Hatfield’s goals. But there she was, right in the thick of the then-burgeoning movement — first in the alt-rock trio Blake Babies, then as a titular solo artist known for meshing expressive vocals with […]
BY MIKE METTLER — FEBRUARY 11, 2015
Don Felder has found his groove. The former lead guitarist of the Eagles is now flourishing as a solo artist, having found his sea legs on record with the broad reach of Road to Forever (INgrooves/Forever Road Music) — only his second solo album in 30-odd years, following 1983’s Airborne — […]
BY MIKE METTLER — JANUARY 28, 2015
“I’ve always been a fan of records that tastefully use effects to enhance the listening experience,” says Sam Llanas, former vocalist/guitarist for roots-rock pioneers BoDeans, now ensconced in a full-time solo career. Llanas’ distinct vocal tone — which resides somewhere between gravel and grace — has touched the soul […]
BY MIKE METTLER — JANUARY 14, 2015
“Once we had dipped our toe in the water, it set us on a course to have a much bigger, much more robust, and not-so-introspective sound.” Roland Orzabal is describing the veritable aural sea change he and his Tears for Fears creative partner and bandmate Curt Smith underwent […]
BY MIKE METTLER – JANUARY 2, 2015
“We just wanted to make the most glorious sounding thing we could.” Guitarist/keyboard programmer Charlie Burchill has perfectly described the vibe of Simple Minds’ first studio album in more than 5 years, the spot-on titled Big Music. These pioneers of late-’70s synthtronica from Glasgow, Scotland crossed over, well, big in the ’80s, […]
BY MIKE METTLER — DECEMBER 31, 2014
Whether you choose to digest your music via 7-inch wax, high-resolution downloads, and/or full 5.1 surround sound, this past year served up a score of meaty individual tunes for your ears to enjoy. In reverse order, here are The SoundBard’s Top 31 songs of 2014.
31. Steve Conte NYC: “Ok DJ.” (Thunderdog) Big […]
