Salty Dog were one of those LA bands from the late 80’s / early 90’s that looked like they could be set for great things, only to disappear virtually overnight. The only album to be released at the time was “Every Dog Has It’s Day”, and this was re-released recently. Salty Dog’s planned second album was recorded but never released; although it has previously made available by the band as a free download. With the band having reformed to play gigs a few years ago, the decision has been taken to release that album – entitled “Lost Treasure”. It was released on 23rd March by Escape Music. I’ve included the track “Damned If I Do” on the Friday NI Rocks Show this week (30th March).
“Turbulent Waters” is the second album from German band Slears and it was released on 23rd March through MusicBuyMail / Enghardt Media. The band formed in Bavaria in 2007 and released their debut album in 2014. However, this is my encounter with them and it’s a very favourable one! “Turbulent Waters” is an excellent heavy rock album with loads of great tunes, soaring vocals and powerful guitars throughout. There are a few slower tracks, but they’re well worth checking out too. I included the track “Haven” on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 23rd March.
Stevie R Pearce and The Hooligans initially released their self-titled debut album in September 2017, but it was re-released through Cargo Records on 23rd March. The band is fronted by Stevie R Pearce who, since 2015, has been playing guitar for Kory Clarke of Warrior Soul and Jizzy Pearl of Love/Hate. The album is a great mix of rock and blues with an underlying punk vibe – rock with attitude! I included the single “Bad Day” on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 2nd March.
Read more: NI ROCKS Recommends "Stevie R Pearce & The Hooligans" by STEVIE R PEARCE & THE HOOLIGANS
When a band waits 35 years to release their debut album it really needs to be worth waiting for. Local rockers No Hot Ashes have definitely ticked that box with the release of their self-titled debut through Frontiers Music on 23rd March. The band had been active between 1983 and 1990 but never got an album released. The decision to reform in 2013, initially for a one-off show, has finally resulted in the release of this album. I’ve been playing a couple of the tracks (“Boulders” and “Glow”) from the album that had been sent to me by the band for over a year now and I can now add more to the playlist. Lead singer Eamon Nancarrow recorded an interview with my colleague Balatty and myself a few weeks ago and you can find this on the Rock Radio NI website – http://www.rockradioni.co.uk/interviews/3318-rrni-interview-with-eamon-nancarrow-from-no-hot-ashes.html . It featured on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 9th March along with 4 tracks from the album.
Read more: NI ROCKS Recommends "No Hot Ashes" by NO HOT ASHES