NEWS: The Amorettes release track co-written by Ricky Warwick

SCOTTISH hard rock trio The Amorettes have released their new digital single and video. The new song "Everything I Learned I Learned From Rock N' Roll" is taken from the forthcoming studio album "Born To Break".

You can watch the video below.

The track was written by Gill Montgomery and Black Star Riders frontman Ricky Warwick and the video was produced by Sitcom Soldiers.

"I really couldn’t wait for this to come out! It’s been like feeling pregnant with an overdue baby for months! It’s meaty, it’s stompy, it’s catchy, and it encompasses everything The Amorettes represent.

"It was great working with Ricky Warwick again, his lyrics always seem to strike a chord with me. They are so suited to our style, and I just seem to feed musically off of his words.

"The song was written in a few short hours, it just came together very quickly. This whole album has been an incredibly personal journey for me, and this song in particular, with its upbeat style and chant-errific chorus, rings true with me, and hopefully many others, about being damn proud to be a self taught musician, music lover, gig-goer. Hell, I'm gonna shout it from the rooftops." says Gil Montgomery .

The album "Born To Break" was produced by Luke Morley of UK Arena Rockers THUNDER and recorded and mixed by Nick Brine (The Darkness, Bruce Springsteen etc..) and will be released April 06th, 2018 through SPV/Steamhammer as CD digipak, 2LP gatefold coloured version, download and stream. Pre-Order Link: https://TheAmorettes.lnk.to/BornToBreak

NEWS: The Amorettes announce new album details

THEY'RE an old fashioned hard rocking power trio and they play heads down, great fun music. And, now The Amorettes are set to push further on as details were revealed today (January 22nd) of their forthcoming album, to be titled 'Born To Break'.

With a release date scheduled for April 6th, it is certain that Northern Ireland fans will be eagerly anticipating its release given the rapturous response they've received every time they have graced the stage in Northern Ireland.

Gill, Hannah and Heather are full-on live and as smooth as a turbo-charged Rolls Royce with a 10-litre engine - powerful and professional as they blister your face.

The tracklisting for 'Born To Break' is as follows:

1. Can You Feel The Fire 4:40
2. Hello And Goodbye 3:49
3. Everything I Learned I Learned From Rock And Roll 4:03
4. Born To Break 3:46
5. What Ever Gets You Through The Night 4:03
6. Hell Or High Water 4:12
7. You Still Got Rock And Roll 3:57
8. Easy Tiger 3:22
9. Bat Shit Crazy 4:00
10. Coming Up The Middle 3:41
11. High On Your Energy 3:39
12. I Want It Bad 4:24

Bat Shit Crazy - if they announce a Northern Ireland show we know some fans who will go that crazy...

NEWS: The Amorettes re-issue the 'lost dbut album

IN response to increasing fan demand, Scots rockers, The Amorettes, today announce the re-issue of their acclaimed debut album, Haulin’ Ass.

Recorded at the very start of the band’s career, and only ever available at live shows, Haulin’ Ass displays all the raw aggression, and youthful exuberance of a band with everything to prove, and nothing to lose.

"We initially had no initial intention at all of re-issuing Haulin' Ass,” says guitarist/vocalist, Gill Montgomery, who is also the band’s primary songwriter. “However, during the last couple of years there have been so many requests from people asking where they can get hold of a copy. And nowadays, they are going for silly money on Ebay, which is flattering in a way, but we just feel now is the right time to make it available to people again, and at a reasonable price.”

Originally limited to just 1000 copies, the energetic debut was acclaimed by music fans and critics alike. Geoff Barton reviewed the album in Classic Rock Magazine, describing it as containing “Three-minute stun gun bursts of Hellion Fury”, and going on to proclaim that “The Amorettes are gonna make the biggest girl band noise since The Nolans appeared on the front cover of Sounds with Motorhead!”

The re-issue of Haulin’ Ass comes as a Digipack, packaged with additional sleeve notes and two bonus tracks. Strictly limited to only 2,000 copies, each one will be numbered and signed The Amorettes. The task of Re-Mastering was handed to Nick Brine, best known for his work with Springsteen, Ash, Coldplay, The Darkness, Snow Patrol, Thunder, as well as having engineered The Amorettes most recent album, White Hot Heat. Gill’s original artwork has been re-created by Chris Childs, bass player with UK Rock band, Thunder, and the man who has designed the layout of The Amorettes last 2 albums.

Bonus tracks, "The Monday Song" and "Boobytraps", are both early songs, the former pre-dating The Amorettes completely. “Both these songs were a solid staple in our live set for the first few months of our career”, explains Gill. “Sadly, they didn’t quite make it onto the album, but we are very pleased to be able to add them as an extra blast from the past as part of the re-issue.”

“The additional sleeve notes are our own personal recollections and reflections of what recording the album was like.”, continues Gill. “It seems like forever and a day ago now, but looking back upon the early days of The Amorettes has been great fun. We decided to re-issue Haulin’ Ass rather than re-record it, as we didn't want to mess with the original raw feel that had been captured. Listening back to the album the tracks are great the way they are (don't get me wrong they are ridiculously fast as we decided against playing to a click), however we feel everyone involved did an incredible job with it, capturing our youthful punch and vigor.

It’s great to have so much interest in something that was entirely a homemade venture. It is rough, raw but a very proud part of our past that we are looking forward to sharing with a brand new audience.”

In line with the complete DIY approach surrounding Haulin’ Ass, The Amorettes will also release a brand new video for the track Whoot Woo. Filmed by the band, and edited by Gill Montgomery, this is as DIY as it is possible to get. We’re sure you’ll get the sentiment behind the video, and the recording.

Haulin’ Ass will only be available from The Amorettes own webstore, as well as via iTunes and all main digital download stores.  You can pre-order the album from Friday 26 May 2017, with the album officially released on Friday 16 June.

Purchase the album here: http://bit.ly/2ra3179

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/zPNAsZNmbDI

LIVE REVIEW: Black Star Riders rock Belfast with storming set of BSR songs

THE Black Star Riders have emerged on the other side - the side of living in the shadow of Thin Lizzy: perhaps last year's festival tour did it.

But when BSR landed in Belfast it was more than a homecoming gig for Ricky Warwick, it was when the Riders emerged as a real force in their own right a band whose tunes were known to most of the crowd in a packed Limelight1 on Sunday night (5th March) in the city.

Before the main attraction two familiar acts had the Ormeau Avenue not just warmed up, but ready, to coin a phrase, to rock.

The power trio of The Amorettes have been faithful in keeping Northern Ireland on their tour itineraries with dates in the Diamond Rock Club, with Europe in the Ulster Hall and supporting Danko Jones.

The result was that with every track the crowd was familiar with the riffs and choruses, so when it came to the crowd pleasing 'Hot and Heavy' concluding the set the majority present responded to the call and joined in with every request to shout out the chorus.

For sometime Gun have threatened to really breakthrough beyond the hit cover of 'Word Up'. But when they came on to the Limelight stage they were welcomed with a warmth and genuine affection.

In turn the Scottish five piece delivered a concise set with songs such as 'Better Days' and 'Hold Your Head Up'. However, 'She Knows' from their forthcoming autumn album stood out as a teaser of what looks to be a promising 2018. The inclusion of the Beastie Boys 'Fight For Your Right (to party)' was on the other hand not best advised.

With a growing sense of anticipation in the audience Black Star Riders arrival on stage. As the sirens sounded a loud roar of approval greeted the title track of  'Heavy Fire'. For their new material to be greeted so warmly was a tribute to the progress BSR have made.

The mid-paced majesty of 'Cold War Love' was just one example of how Warwick and Johnson have crafted the newer songs to a standard, a higher standard, than many can - or wish to - achieve.

Only one Thin Lizzy song was included in the set ('The Boys Are Back In Town') which says a lot about how the band has developed in their own individual right.

Their three albums gives them a range of songs that have become familiar. 'The Killer Instinct' and 'Hey Judas' sees the majority join in the choruses with gusto, while the introduction to 'Soldierstown' was greeted with a truly emotional response.

The band's interaction with the audience produced a genuine warmth, and even the obviously well rehearsed speech from Warwick about how vinyl and CDs represent a legacy to pass on to our children didn't sound clichéd.

'Testify or Say Goodbye' and 'Bound For Glory' were high points and, yes, this was Black Star Riders 'Finest Hour' to date.

This is a band that developed amidst a public glare, with some controversy lingering in their early days. Now, with their third album achieving significant sales (and even BBC Radio2 airplay, much to Warwick's self-deprecating amusement) Black Star Riders are on the verge of being in the hard rock Premier League.

One feels that the idea of support slots on arena tours with the likes of ageing acts are now a thing of the past. Once BSR complete this tour and the summer festival appearances Black Star Riders will exceed and surpass what they themselves might have expected.

And, no-one should be 'Blindsided' by the success they are due.

Review by Jonathan Traynor
Pictures by Darren McVeigh

VIDEO: The Amorettes kick off a game of White Russian Roulette

THE Amorettes are coming back to Northern Ireland once more on March 5th as part of the support package for Black Star Riders, along with Gun.

The Limelight1 show will be their latest trip here, after previous dates with Europe, Danko Jones and a solo show.

Last year the three-piece released 'White Hot Heat' to much acclaim (read our review here).

As we all emerge at the end of the longest month (well it felt like it!) The Amorettes are treating us to a video for their track 'White Russian Roulette'.

Enjoy!

PHOTO GALLERY: Day One of Hard Rock Hell X - Photos

PHEW! Hard Rock Hell X. Three days of glorious mayhem. You'll have read the reviews. Below are a selection of photographs from Day One, Thursday, 10th November (read the review here).

We've many more to come, but here's the Thursday lot of photos from Lizzie Torbitt. Just double click on the first and you can use the arrow keys to see the rest. Or scroll down...

LIVE REVIEW: Hard Rock Hell X opens with a bang

FOR 10 years Hard Rock Hell has capitalised on being different; by the fans, for the fans - an ethos and aesthetic that resonates with artists and audiences. That it has lasted for a decade is not just a tribute to the organisers, but also to the fact that this type of music still has a place in the 21st Century.

To mark its 10th Birthday Hard Rock Hell set out a plan for a proper party. Kicking off proceedings - King Kong, scantily clad dancers and fire...lots of fire.

And that was before the first amplified note resonated in the main arena.

Six of the best, however, did open Hard Rock Hell X, with The Texas Flood bringing blues infused rock and a sense that they needed to play full-on for those that journeyed from near and far. The sense of groove that was imparted from start to finish.

Hard working, hard playing The Amorettes have garnered a reputation for no-nonsense rock 'n' roll, delivered with panache and passion. Coming on stage in front of a packed main arena there was no sense that they were intimidated, but then again they have opened for the likes Europe and Black Star Riders meant there were no nerves, no sense that they were doing anything other what they are best at, entertaining.

Maybe it was the age range there, but NWOBHM act Praying Mantis drew a healthy, noisy welcome. From the days of the Friday Rock Show when people stayed up listening late, underneath the covers wishing they were old enough to get out and rock out.

That sensibility of sheer pleasure of music and memories played out in full with purity.

Northern Ireland band Sweet Savage harken from the same era. Best know for Metallica covering 'Killing Time' they, however, have a range of songs that are relatively new, and Raymie is a commanding frontman.

'Regenerator' is the stand-out song of a set that was balanced, blasted out with bombast and brilliance.

Still focussed on the 80s, an era when metal still had the attention of the mainstream Dio carved a path post his Sabbath days. While the relationship with his band and Vivian Campbell in particular soured the music of the first three albums had, still does, capture a period in time.

Last in Line as a band have newer songs, but the HRH audience were in ecstasy when it came to the likes of 'Don't Talk to Strangers' and, of course, Holy Diver'.

What is remarkable is that Last in Line is not a tribute act. Campbell has always been emphatic that as the authors of much of the songs they have as much right to play them as anyone else. Andy Freeman does not imitate RJD, but rather uses the tonality and range of his voice to add the right touches to the live performance.

The songs are as memorable today as they were when débuted, they conjur memories, conjur a sense of abandonment, and a sense that the audience is bonded with the band and the song.

There is no sense that "we wanna getaway" from Last In Line.

And, as the evening drew to a close there was no other way to conclude the first night's partying with Hayseed Dixie and their unique take on the music adored by generations. Whether it was hillbilly 'Ace of Spades' or 'We're Not Gonna Take It' the audience knew and loved every piece of the Dixie take on the tunes.

The bedraggled and bemused audience, beaming from ear-to-ear announced their pleasure with toasts and roars that HRH X was well and truly underway.

ALBUM REVIEW: The Amorettes on blistering form - true White Hot Heat

HARD working three-piece, The Amorettes, have earned their stripes on the road, with solo shows and support slots with the likes of Danko Jones and Europe to name but a few. Most recently they had a Download slot when they had a chance to air some new tunes.

Those tunes have emerged like a slick snake of fun from their release on Off Yer Rocka of the album 'White Hot Heat'. And, what an album it is!

This is a collection of 10 tunes that put you in the mood to party, grab a beer and get set for one mad night out.

Those hard hours on the road have been captured in the studio by Thunder's Luke Morley who rests the best from Hannah, Heather and Gill.

Bursting with energy, riffs, licks and infectious melodies this is an album that shows that the band have evolved into a mean hard rock machine.

'Come 'n' Get It' moves the songs along at a blistering pace after the openers set the mood, especially the party anthem 'Let The Neighbours Call The Cops'.

This has the sound of late 70s, early 80s rock - as if Suzi Quatro, Joan Jett and Lita Ford were thrust into 2016 and given a shed load of good drugs.

But this isn't generic. On first listen there may be a temptation to just nod away, but soon the feet are tapping, and the smile on your face grows wider.

There is no one fixed tempo, no song when you can just put the band into a single frame of reference.

The mood is changed up on 'Pervert Alert' with it's middle finger to lecherous males and misogyny.

What is clear from every song is that 'The Amorettes' pen great tunes, play with a sense of enjoying what they do, and just get their heads down to the hard work.

Morley's production, and Nick Brine's work on engineering and mixing may be an important factor in the sound on this release, but you can't work studio miracles on a rock album if the raw material isn't really good in the first place, and no miracles were required here.

The Amorettes have the sense and sensibility to know that they're not re-inventing rock 'n' roll, but are instead adhering to its essential spirit, distilling that unique drum, bass and guitar formula into a fiery liqueur that will blister your throat with each delicious sip you can take.

Party? Yes, I think we shall with 'White Hot Heat'.

Review by Jonny

COMIN' ATCHA: Gunzo, WASP, The Amorettes and Danko Jones

THIS week sees a veritable plethora of rock and metal storming into Belfast with four acts that prove that the city is still one of the preferred destinations for proper music, not the U2 and boy band nonsense that clogs up the mainstream media.

First up tomorrow (Wednesday) at Voodoo is Gunzo. Who you ask? Well none other than Tracii Guns of LA Guns and Rudi Sarzo, who as aficionados will know has played bass with such rock luminaries as Ozzy, Dio and Whitesnake.

Support for the four-piece Gunzo playing in Belfast’s comes from Stone Trigger and Cross Eyed Mary.

Once you’ve got your fill of hits such as Ballad of Jayne, Rainbow in the Dark, Sex Action and many more catch a breath, because on Thursday Mr Blackie Lawless rolls into town once again with metal warriors WASP.

This Limelight1 show promises to be one of the highlights of the year as the band prepares to release their new album Golgotha in two weeks time.

Lead single ‘Scream’ from that album had its début NI play on the Belfast Metal slot on Belfast Underground TV last week and if you missed it we can tell you that you are in for a treat.

Take a few hours to recover on Friday, because you’ll need it on Saturday. You’ll have some time to compose yourself between noon and 2pm as the Belfast Metal show is back on Belfast Underground TV with local, national and international artists to bring metal to the children and the unwashed...

Come Saturday evening the Limelight throws open its doors to a duo of acts on the one bill well worth watching. Making their third visit to NI in a year are The Amorettes. If you caught them previously you’ll know it’s worth getting down early for this three-piece.

Once you’ve been suitably warmed up then Canuck guitar legend Danko Jones will hit the stage with a show guaranteed to be chock full of riffs, hooks and humour.

That’s the next few days sorted out then!