INTERVIEW: At Ramblin Man Aaron Buchanan talks about the album The Man With Stars On His Knees

BEFORE Aaron Buchanan and the Cult Classics hit the stage at Ramblin Man Fair we caught up with Aaron and sister Laurie to find out a little about the album 'The Man With Stars On His Knees' and the ideas behind it.

Also, he revealed some of the ways he writes and how pleased the band are with the reception the songs are receiving. Here's what the former Heaven's Basement singer had to say:

ALBUM REVIEW: Aaron Buchanan and The Cult Classics nail it with

Former Heaven’s Basement vocalist is back with his new and interestingly named band The Cult Classics. Featuring sister Laurie on guitar, Tom McCarthy (guitars), Chris Guyant(bass) and Kev Hickman (drums, formerly of Raveneye).

Promising a 90’s sounding album with influences such as Eddie Vedder, Chris Cornell, Scott Weiland and Queen it sounded an interesting project and with festival appearances at Download , HRH, and Ramblin’ Man Fair among others their live performances thus far seem to have backed up that promise. But could the album “The Man With Stars on His Knees” live up to the hype?

The answer is a resounding YES!!

The thunderous (if very short) opener ‘Show me What You’re Made Of’ hits you straight between the ears with its bass and drum into and heavy guitar riff.

The first single off the album ‘All The Things You’ve Said and Done’ follows. It’s autobiographical and at times an angry song but it’s got a great melodic fast tempo to it. A bit Alterbridge in sound with a catchy chorus, nice guitar solo it’s a great first release and well worth a hit on youtube.

Third track ‘Dancin’ Down Below’ again has a great melodic tempo to it with big hooks and effective guitar fills accompanying Buchanans’ powerful vocal you are already drawn right into this album.

‘The Devil That Needs You’ is a slightly catchier number considering its subject being about addiction. There is a solid heavy riff throughout whilst staying true to the melody and the middle to end section really gives you the feel of anguish and pain. Bit of a strange ending to it but it doesn’t detract from the overall tune.

At this point you get to take a breather with the mellow ‘Journey Out’. It has an overall more subdued sound both on vocal and guitar which is complemented by the tight rhythm section. A conflicting louder and deeper chorus is perfect as is the extended outro of atmospheric vocals over the guitar line.

Title track “The Man With Stars on His Knees” is next and is another mellow song giving Buchanan a chance to showcase the more soulful side of his vocal range, at least to start with as it dramatically builds into a driving, melodic riff laden song with a huge chorus and commanding vocal. It chills out again with a great Queen style harmonic guitar play off. Seriously well crafted song.

Track seven ‘A God Is No Friend’ is another atmospheric tune with strong and passionate vocals. It’s a song about keeping an open mind about life, yourself and the path you eventually follow.

‘Left Me For Dead’ with its slightly Hendrix guitar opening is a mid to fast paced song in tempo with a very strong guitar and rhythm section. Again theres a bit of an Alterbridge feel to it but other ears may pick up something different.

This was track eight and so far there is no filler at all.

To emphasise that point penultimate track ‘Mind of a Mute’ is a mean and dirty tune about self destruction and judgement. A stoner rock vibe to it fits the lyrical content perfectly and in terms of heavy it’s the heaviest song on the album.

The album finishes with what the bands PR guys described as “the incredibly elegant ‘Morals’. A showpiece song, stacked harmonies that closes the album in the best possible way”

Hard to disagree with that so if you can’t say it any better.....  

“The Man With Stars on His Knees” is a provocative album that deserves careful consideration. There’s a lot going on and one listen just doesn’t do it justice even if it does grab you from track one.

Buchanan himself said “the album is about struggle brought on by surrounding yourself with the wrong people at the wrong time”

Think they pretty much nailed it.

Review by Andy Gillen

LIVE REVIEW: Hard Rock Hell X - Day Three: Power mingled with poignancy produces triumphant climax to Year 10

AS Day three of Hard Rock Hell dawned there was a certain poignancy for many.  It was just a day short of the anniversary of the Paris attacks that included the massacre at the Bataclan as the Eagles of Death Metal were playing.

Looking back the shock as we learned the news was quickly overtaken by a sense of defiance - a sense that this was our community and it is a community that does not cower.

Rock and metal musicians moved on and continued to tour. Fans still go out to shows. We mourn and we move on, celebratory but reflective. Hard Rock Hell and all associated keep the faith in the curative, cathartic effect of music.

Thus, come Saturday's bright skies HRH newbies, Vets, Royalty, Dark Circle, reporters and photographers - not to mention the entire Chic Festivals team - once more gathered in bars, restaurant and across two venues to feed eagerly on the buzz music creates that feeds the soul and raises spirits.

On the closing day of Hard Rock Hell X once again there was a plethora of rock, metal and blues to titillate the aural tracts of thousands.

That variety is, as referred to previously, can be an issue when trying to catch bands across the two venues, but then again it's a nice problem to have...

Amongst the highlights on Arena Two - a.k.a. The Boardwalk, were Tequila Mockingbyrd bringing their Aussie blues right down to bare knuckle brilliance and Red Spektor with their sophisticated psych stoner groove.

Angst and anger powering their dark lyrics and elegant three guitar-led music Cross Eyed Mary delivered, with the songs from their 'Nil By Mouth' EP standing out.

Leader of Down is a band that has been a while gelling after they began work with the late Wurzel, but given their performance their forthcoming album (which features two songs with Lemmy singing) will be anticipated by many.

Equally Aaronn Buchanan and The Cult Classics deliver a super set, but given Aaron's pedigree with Heaven's Basement and the assembled experience of the band they will rise to headier heights in the near future.

Ginger Wildheart was a busy man on the Saturday at HRH. First he was up on stage with his power pop/punk project Hey! Hello! delivering frenetic fun. Later on he came on to perform a Ginger Wildheart as expected with attitude and melodies cramming into every second.

Bernie Marsden has attitude, but in a different way as he squeezes every ounce of emotion from his guitar. With Neil Murray - an colleague from Whitesnake - at his side it wasn't just the 'Snake songs that shone but the Marsden solo tracks that were eeked out with precision.

Soil are best remembered by many of the Scuzz and Kerrang! TV channels for the epic 'Halo'. Whilst it was a fitting finale - with McCombs ending the set in the audience - the Illinois foursome featured songs from 'Scars' as well as more recent tracks; all greeted by the crowd down the front with glee.

The panache of Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons was to be expected, there was some apprehension amongst some as to how RATT would be received given that only Blotzer remains and the rest have been playing under the RATT name for less than a year. However, 'Out of the Cellar'-like dark depths of the venue the bogeying and bopping greeted them, as well as singing to every chorus.

It was good to have them 'Back For More' but all were sure that they were still able to 'Lay It Down'.

With many having waited years to see Molly Hatchet there was a real sense of anticipation. With the live album 'Double Trouble Live' capturing so many hearts in 1985 and beyond it was sure that they would feature the tracks from that era, which included so many epics from 'Flirtin' With Disaster' and Beating The Odds'.

North Wales was transported to 'Gator County' as Phil McCormack's down South drawl conjuring up swamps and dangerous journeys through the 'Glades.

It was also a set that was packed with emotional songs, with 'Fall Of The Peacemakers' heartfelt performance powering through any crusts still intact. Dave Hlubeck and Bobby Ingram's guitars weaving the southern rock around the arena like twin snake charmers calling all to rock 'n' roll arms.

Like RATT some may have questioned the validity of the line-up, but half of the members have been under the Hatchet banner since the 80s, and all clearly have southern boogie running through their veins. And, when they play 'Dreams I'll Never See' so well this was validation of why all want to see more from Molly Hatchet.

As the smiling hordes stumbled back to caravans, chalets, apartments and hotels the 10th Anniversary of Hard Rock Hell closed, a success once more. The pain that all in the rock community a year previously will never be forgotten, but neither will the music that formed the people attending, the passion displayed as ever.

Friends, fans and bands united in one cause. Rock and Fucking Roll! Screw the rest, together we are the best.