NEWS: Big Truck rolls on with single release date, and Off Yer Rocka release to have added acoustic tracks

WE previously brought you the news that Trucker Diablo had been signed to Off Yer Rocka Recordings for the release of the previously Pledge Music album 'Rise Above the Noise' and now more details are emerging of what that will entail.


The first single from the label release will be “Where Angels Fly” on the 8th of June, which will also contain newly recorded acoustic songs.


The band have recently finished recording the video for the single and are lining up for a series of UK festival appearances as well as the Bash At The Bridge in Fermanagh on July 4th.


They will be performing at three UK Festivals, Pentrich Rock n Blues, Hard Rock Hell and Steelhouse, appearing alongside the likes of UFO, Dee Snider, Y&T and SAXON.


Rise above the Noise will be available via all good record stores n platforms late June with a teaser EP out shortly before. More details and links to buy are below.
www.offyerrocka.com
www.facebook.com/TRUCKERDIABLO


iTunes - http://smarturl.it/TruckerDiablo-iTunes
Amazon - http://smarturl.it/TruckerDiablo-Amazon
Google Play - http://smarturl.it/TruckerDiablo-GP

NEWS: Trucker sign deal +++ Last chance to see The Who indoors+++Beholder for Belfast

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Off Yer Rocka climb aboard the Big Truck

TRUCKER Diablo have been signed to Off Yer Rocka Records for the release of 'Rise Above The Noise' the album they recorded after a successful Pledge Music campaign.

OYR CEO Jonni Davis said: "We've known Trucker for a long time this is a huge musical thrust north, it's just a great FKN album and sits perfectly into what we're all about..can't wait to get this one out there!"

Tom from Trucker added his tuppence worth on the news: "When we decided to set up a pledge campaign for our new album, signing with a label was far from the agenda. When OYR got in touch it was like an old friend getting in contact.

"We have been friends with the guys for quite a few years now and have been lucky enough to be a part of the amazing festivals they host. So for us its an easy decision to make this next step into the OYR family and we trust our new album will find more ears through the great team they have working with them."

The rest of the world will soon see why the Big Truck Keeps on Rolling!

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Last chance to see The Who...indoors

THERE has been much talk about The Who of late, with some of the more controversial comments coming when Pete Townsend saying that he could not be Roger Daltrey's friend because of Daltrey's wife...

But, they have been getting the front pages as much for their celebration of 50 years. Fifty fucking years! And, with a sold out Glastonbury headlining set and a Hyde Park show you have to say that when The Who play Belfast's Odyssey Arena on 21st June it may be the very last time that we will have the chance to see them live at an indoors arena.


With tracks such as 'Won't Get Fooled Again', 'Pinball Wizard', 'Who Are You' and 'Substitute' The Who have always been a rock band first and foremost even if there are mods who hang about for some unknown reason (have they ever watched The Who at Woodstock?).

Their influence - and rock credentials - are clear, not least because of the bands who have chosen to cover their songs: WASP recorded a stunning version of 'The Real Me' and the Sex Pistols gave 'Substitute' the working class sneer that it deserves.

And, if you were to be thinking about Hyde Park, you'd have to put up with the likes of Johnny Marr, Kaiser Chiefs and Paul Weller...much better to book your ticket for The Who in the Odyssey on June 21st.

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Beholder book Belfast date

THE mighty Beholder have booked in for a Belfast date on September 24th in Limelight2 thanks to The Distortion Project.

Joining the ferocious assault will be Sinocence and By Any Means...sure to be a noise fest to not to miss!

 +++ENDS+++

ALBUM REVIEW: Muscular melodic Trucker Diablo show their quality on Rise Above The Noise

LAST year Jake Burns of SLF told us that recording an album on Pledge Music was a challenge because when a band enters a studio people have already committed their cash before hearing or knowing what the album would sound like, or whether their audience would 'get it'.

Thus, when Trucker Diablo. decided to end their temporary hiatus it must have taken balls the sizes of water melons to commit fans to purchase 'Rise Above The Noise' before a singe track had been laid down in pre-production in the Rock Shed.

But, fans faith has been rewarded by an album that would put many a major league artists to shame: indeed if labels are not clamouring for Trucker's signatures on contracts they are idiots.

From opener 'Fight Life' through to closer 'Don't Cry' this is masterclass in muscular, melodic hard rock: all the elements that make art form such a cathartic and joyous experience.

With the likes of 'Girl in a Photograph' eeking out the hard rock groove - with stunning solo to boot -  and the anthemic 'Party Like They Started The End Of The World' there is not a dud track.

Amidst all the songs with the trademark Trucker bottom end they are comfortable stretching their sound. The southern rock infused 'Take Me To the River' will have many of the so-called southern boogie bands going back to the drawing board.

Taking the hard rock template to its most impressive format - the power ballad -  Trucker deliver something extraordinary in the shape of 'Murder Ballad'. Hard rock acts across the globe will shake their heads in disbelief as they find they have had their asses handed to them on the proverbial plate by Northern Ireland's Trucker Diablo.

It is clear that the band has emerged from its hiatus invigorated, energised and effervescent. Damn it, hard rock is never better than this.

But, by the same token this is not a one-dimensional release of hard rock. Instead Tom (Harte) and his compadrés have delivered a rounded album, full of hard rock standards, tight appropriate solos and riffs that roll and rock the way they should - just listen to the closing few minutes of 'Sun Deprives The Day'. And as for 'We Stand Strong'....live this will be a killer!

What could have been a train wreck after the impressive 'Songs of Iron' instead shows Trucker Diablo triumph. When the Quireboys Keith Weir tickles the ivories it is but another part of the Trucker package that pulls no punches, aided by Frankie McClay's production.

If you have not managed to get this album then make tracks to get it...that's not a suggestion, that's an order!

Rise Above The Noise is out now! The 'official' album release party is on March 7th at the Diamond Rock Club in Ahoghill Rock City...

Review by Jonny