Richie Sambora - living legend?

OK, it's guilty secret time...we here at Belfastmetalheadsreunited have a small hankering for Bon Jovi when they were still 'good'.


Having seen the band (not just the 'man') at Donington Monster of Rock in '87 - in a bill including Metallica, Anthrax and WASP - and then again in Belfast's Kings Hall on the New Jersey tour, it was clear that the driving force behind a lot of the music, both live and on albums, was Richie Sambora.


Sambora has over the past number of years been recording critically acclaimed albums. And, now after 25 years the axe slinger is returning to Belfast for the first time for a date in the Ulster Hall on July 1st.


Given that one of our colleagues on RockradioNI, is a bit of a Sambora fanatic - and that's an under-statement - it would not have been fair to hog an interview with the man all to ourselves.


So (with only a slight hint of reluctance) we, through the good graces of MCD, organized an interview with Sambora for RRNI.


The interview took place last night (3rd June) and Sambora graciously gave half an hour of his time, to RRNI, only one of a select few interviews given for the Belfast and Dublin dates.


It will be broadcast in full this coming Friday (6th June). Just link here on Friday to hear the interview on NI Rocks Friday Rock Show.


Later this week, we'll be reviewing Sambora's latest album release and when a full transcript of the interview is available, we'll publish it so you can read it at your leisure.


Tickets for Sambora's Ulster Hall show are still available from all usual outlets

Win a pair of tickets to see Cooper...

BELFASTMETALHEADSREUNITED and our colleagues at Rockradioni are offering you a special treat - the chance a pair of tickets to see the renowned Alice Cooper tribute Gallus Cooper at Belfast's Empire on Saturday, 10th August.

With special guests in the shape of Ozzy tribute act, Talk of the Devil, it is set to be a trip down nostalgia's dark corridors.

To be in with a chance to snag yourself a pair of tickets just answer this simple question: What is the Alice Cooper track celebrating the end of the school term?

Once you've pondered that send your answer (and your name!) here.

The draw will take place on Thursday, 8th August and winners notified on Friday, 9th August.

Usual rules apply: If you're not in you can't win!

Mon the Biffy, Mon the Goblin etc etc etc

BIFFY Clyro, Orange Goblin, Enslaved, Aeon, Grand Magus coming up – 2013 is shaping up just fine…

2012 has yet to draw to a close and already a torrent of gig announcements have been made or are about to be made for the New Year

You can check out the welter of gigs still left to drain your pockets in 2012 through the rockradioni gig list, the Distortion Project pages or the Limelight listings, but make sure you don’t sell that kidney too quickly on ebay because 2013 has already seen some great shows prepped and ready.

Enslaved, Grand Magus, Aeon and Man Must Die have been unveiled already by the Distortion Project.

And, now MCD have announced Biffy Clyro are to play the Odyssey Arena date on March 29^th, with tickets on sale this coming Friday.

And, Orange Goblin, in announcing a spring tour, said “Irish dates to be added” on their Facebook post last night…

Hang on to your hats, wigs and bum fluff because more exciting news will emerge as autumn moves towards winter...

Mmmm - I'm usually dead on Friday said Beardy guy on Cross

Well, the kind and wonderful folks on rockradioni added me to their list of getting stuff to review - no beer reviews offered as yet, but music aplenty. Thanks to Seatzie for the suggestion of adding me to the list.

So far I'm working the way through (no outside Northern Ireland bands getting a listen at this stage).

First review is Dead Til Friday's free ep, Water. Nice wee sound there - sort of Rage Against the Machine meets 36 Crazyfists in a dark alley. Hardcore, metal, early Funeral for a Friend and Lost Prophets all melding well.

Kicking off with 'The Longest Year' the early promise is slightly dented with some vocals a wee bit too American sounding (Zack De La Rocha influence). But the melodies, riffing and growly bits overcome this - but next time out it might be worth remembering that you're from Northern Ireland!

Quick Fix Casualty, while sound enough, is the weakest of the four on offer. In contrast Water and Sinner and Dogs seem to have more cohesion.

Honestly have never heard of the band before this, and usually don't review stuff on myspace sites, but as they posted on Soundcloud and seem to have a willingness to genuinely share rather than vanity posts, kudos to Dead Til Friday - keep the monster riffing, build on those melodies, drop the faux Yank accent and add a wee solo or two extra.

Now sending it in advance of Easter week...some people of Christian persuasion may be offended by the title, but as the Beardy guy nailed to the cross might have said: "love thy noisy neighbour!"