Welcome! to The Peel music venue in Kingston, Surrey

Welcome! to ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP! The Peel music venue, #Kingston #Surrey: http://bit.ly/zb47cf #livemusic

#RIP #RTYD Whitney Houston, who has died at the age of 48

#RIP #RTYD Whitney Houston, who has died at the age of 48. Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m on 11th February in her room on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton hotel where she was staying to rehearse and appear at the Grammy award ceremony the following day. More details: http://bit.ly/yAL1zB

Welcome to new RTYD member Steve from Birmingham

A ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP welcome to Steve, a drummer/percussionist from Birmingham.

Steve, who is 55, enjoys rock, blues and soul, and is looking to join a band. He plays acoustic drums and cajon, congas, bongos, maracas, guiro, claves and cabasa. He has mostly played in pubs and clubs; he has good kit, transport, and he is very reliable.

Introducing new RTYD member, Monica Salaste

Welcome to Monica Salaste from Saddleworth, Greater Manchester. Monica likes classic rock and soul, and plays the drums and sings backing vocals. She has been off the scene since last summer but is currently looking for either an established band or dep work, to get back into it.

Monica also enjoys writing music, and is looking for a writing partner.

Introducing new RTYD member, 'Billy'

A ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP welcome to Billy, a guitarist, based in London, who plays in a variety of blues and country styles but specialises in electric slide. He is currently looking to join a band, and is also looking for a writing partner.

Pimp my demo: Voxman demonstrates the Vox Valvetronix VTX150 Pro Neodymium

RTYD member Richard Birch AKA Voxman demonstrates the Vox Valvetronix VTX150 Pro Neodymium amp plus VC12 floor-controller.

From Voxman's YouTube page: 'Thank you to my very good friends, Michael and the team at Chiswell Studios in St Albans who recorded and put the video together, this is the first time I've left the confines and restrictions of my little 'den' at home and gone into a proper studio to make a video.


I'm really pleased with how its came out and (fingers ...& toes... nervously crossed!) I really do hope you guys enjoy the vid! There's the odd bum note, & a couple of 'senior moments' in there (I said Orange drive when I meant Gold (doh!) and I double clicked on the VC12 to leave the modulation on when I said it was off!) But hey, it wouldn't be a proper 'Voxman' vid without these little foibles now would it! lol Do go & try out the VTX150 Pro for yourselves -- I've no vested interest here (I'm not a Vox employee and not on commission or anything!) but it honestly is a cracking amp that's loud as sin with balls and bottom end for days. The range of tones you can get from this puppy is just awesome. Hooked up with the VC12/VC12SV it has huge gigging flexibility - and especially with a 1x12" extension cab it'll blow most other amp rigs off the stage! I'd honestly love one of these for myself, not least because it's so incredibly light and compact. And I'm not kidding about the volume! 


After we finished filming, Michael sat down at the drums, Martyn plugged a bass in, and we had a fun jam in the studio. I just about got the VTX150 Pro up to a little over half-way without blowing everyone's ear drums! What was really surprising was just how big and full the Pro sounded when cranked up - the sound from that 1x12" 150w Neodymium speaker just filled the entire room! Best, Rich (Voxman)'

Phil Martin's debut solo album 'Before We Go To Paradise'

Phil Martin released his first solo album Before we go to Paradise on 31st January 2012. Hard copies of the album are available now from record shops and online at Amazon, Virgin and every other website that sells CDs, with iTunes and other MP3 downloads coming very soon.

Phil has played in a number of bands over the years, including the Shanakies who supported Blur on their Parklife tour, and The Men they Couldn’t Hang. As well as performing solo, he is currently playing with a handful of musicians and acts including, The Bitter Springs who have shared a bill with Vic Godard as the Subway Sect, Swill Odgers (of The Men They Couldn't Hang fame), Jowe Head and the Demi-Monde (Jowe Head of Swell Maps/Television Personalities fame), Valerie and her Week of Wonders, Kindred Spirit, The Talesmen  and The Long Decline.

Phil learnt to play the violin as a young boy and also sang in a church choir. His mum gave him his first guitar lesson at thirteen and ten years later he finally played a proper electric guitar in public. As well as singing playing the guitar and violin, he can now also "get a sound out of various instruments including viola and stylophone". Not bad!

Phil's next solo gig is on 15th March at the Troubadour in Earls Court. For more news on Phil's live activity you can visit his website.

Here are links to reviews of Before we go to Paradise:

Fatea
Mudkiss Fanzine
Whisperin' and Hollerin'
Amazon

Gig News, and more: Steve White and the Protest Family

Steve White and the Protest Family, which includes ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP member Lol Ross, play a Standard Music promoted gig at The Artisan in Chingford on Saturday 18th February. Support comes from the delightful Corporal Machine & The Bombers, and one other act to be confirmed.

The band, whose line-up now also includes the multi-talented Russ Chandler (his own album 'Last Night In Babylon' comes out on 12th Feb), have two more dates lined up in March, and one in April - so watch this space for details of those. They are also opening the Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival in July.

They have been busy recording, too, so you should be hearing one of their most popular tunes as the Mayoral Election draws closer. And finally, their studio album /double EP 'Drums Ruin Everything' will be out soon. Watch this space for details of that, too.

The Zone's new EP, Which Path?

In August last year Surrey/Hants/Staffs band, The Zone, which comprises RTYD members Dave Browett, John Cunnison, and Rob Hayter, recorded 5 new songs for an EP entitled 'Which Path?'. You can listen to it, and download it here. The band are planning a CD release very soon, so watch this space. They are also playing a battle of the bands competition at Brixton Jamm tomorrow afternoon (Sunday 5th Feb) at 4:30pm. Best of luck, boys!

Introducing Tucson Arizona band Graveyard Darlings

A big ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-WELCOME! to Tucson Arizona originals band Graveyard Darlings.

The band comprises Danny Boy, Bimmy, Johnny Neptune and Bolen, and although they would rather that their music did the talking, they will say that it is about "friends...good times...drinks...good times...memories and good times - nuthin' too serious". And so it should be. You can listen to it here,