Michael Thompson is one of the world’s elite session guitarists, with a CV that includes work for Michael Jackson, Madonna and Whitney Houston. Hailing from New York, he relocated to LA in the late 70’s to start his career and eventually released ‘How Long’ as the debut album by the Michael Thompson Band in 1989. With songs written by AOR craftsmen such as Mark Spiro and Jeff Paris, it featured notable guest musicians such as Pat Torpey (Mr. Big), John Elefante (Kansas) and Bobby Kimball (Toto), and was produced by Great White associate Wyn Davis. Still regarded as one of the premiere examples of hi-tech West Coast AOR, it was reissued in 2007 by Frontiers, who also released a new record by the band in 2012 entitled ‘Future Past’ for which Thompson teamed up with singer Larry King from the band Soleil Moon. Last month, he returned with ‘Love & Beyond’ (today's Video Of The Day), which is once again produced by Wyn Davis and features three vocalists in Larry King, Mark Spiro and Larry Antonino, who also plays bass and is a member of Unruly Child, as is Guy Allison who appears on keyboards.

On Friday 31st May BMG release Slade’s 'Feel The Noize – The Singlez Box', a strictly limited edition box set comprised of 10 rare internationally released 7’’ singles, including an extremely rare 7’’ promo copy in a lift off lid box. 'Feel The Noize – The Singlez Box' features five UK number one's: 'Coz I Luv You', 'Take Me Bak 'Ome', 'Mama Weer All Crazee Now', 'Cum On Feel The Noize' and 'Skweeze Me Pleeze Me', three number two's: 'Gudbuy T'Jane', 'My Friend Stan' and 'Far Far Away', plus the top three single 'Everyday', all from their imperial phase. The set also includes 1981’s 'Night Starvation', not previously commercially released as a 7”. Slade are without doubt one of the most exciting bands to come out of Great Britain. With their unique blend of perfect Pop-Rock 'n' Roll, outrageous flamboyance and pure fun, and no less than 23 Top-20 singles, of which six were number one hits, plus six smash albums, Slade have become a firm favourite in the hearts of Pop fans all over the world.

Today's Blues On The Radio Track Of The Day starts with a track from Jimmie Vaughan's new album and it's followed with something new from George Benson. Also featured are four IBBA albums of the month for May, namely John Primer, Gwyn Ashton, Mike Farris and The Primitive Noise Band, plus there's a track from Joanne Shaw Taylor, followed by new releases from John Cee Stannard, Albert Castiglia and John Verity. Finally, there's a track from Grainne Duffy, and ahead of tonight's sold out launch party at The Tuesday Night Music Club, The Comrades Club, Coulsdon CR5 2NF, there's an epic track from the new album by Catfish (pictured).

Matt Pearce & The Mutiny released their smokin’ hot, debut album, ‘Gotta Get Home’, last Friday through Mutinear Records. The self-produced album features Matt Pearce as lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, aided and abetted by some top tier, London Blues scene talent. Talented, London-based, Glasgow-born, guitarist Pearce is an original member of the successful Hard Rock outfit Voodoo Six (formed back in 2005). Matt has released five albums with V6, the most recent recorded in L.A. at Steve Vai’s “Mothership Studios”, and their latest studio album is underway. This debut album’s heady brew draws from the full range of Pearce’s influences and passions: Rock, Blues, Funk and Soul! Check out today's Video Of The Day ’Scarecrowing’ for a strong shot of Blues, spiced with Funk, swagger and sense of musicians really revelling, as they hand out fresh, funky musical moonshine. It’s a great taste of ‘Gotta Get Home’ and will leave you thirsting for more,

With the Lincoln Blues Festival taking place at The Drill Hall this Saturday 11th May, best to make a note of the following times and running order. Thr3e kick off proceedings at 2pm, followed by Snake Oil Band (3.10pm), Elles Bailey (4.20pm), Ken Pustelnik's Groundhogs (5.35pm), Stevie Nimmo Trio (7pm) and finally headliner's The Blockheads (8.30pm till 10pm).

Styx (Track Of The Day) bring their only UK show next month to the prestigious London Palladium on Tuesday 4th June for “An Evening Of Styx.” They will perform music to celebrate their hugely successful 47-year career, including tracks from their most recent studio album 'The Mission'. The band have been a staple of “Rock radio” playlists throughout this time, with songs including 'Crystal Ball', 'Come Sail Away', 'Lorelei', 'Blue Collar Man', 'Renegade', 'The Grand Illusion', 'Too Much Time On My Hands' and 'Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)'. This will be the first time Styx have headlined their own show in the UK since 2005 and their first performance since their co-headlining tour with Journey and Foreigner in 2011. The current line-up of Styx has been working together for over 15 years and includes Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitars), James “JY” Young (vocals, guitars), Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards), Todd Sucherman (drums) and Ricky Phillips (bass), along with surprise appearances by original bassist Chuck Panozzo.

Hold on to your hats Ramblers as more acts have been confirmed for Ramblin' Man Fair 2019 at Mote Park, Maidstone, over the weekend of Friday 19th July to Sunday 21st July. Welcome additions include classic Melodic Rock legends FM, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and platinum selling American Rock titans Cheap Trick, best selling Australian Rocker Jimmy Barnes, former Little Angel Toby Jepson's Rock outfit Wayward Sons, Heavy Blues Rockers Raveneye, UK Heavy Rock troubadours Inglorious, Cornish Heavy Rock hitters King Creature and finally UK Garage Blues Rock n' Rollers Sweet Crisis!

Driven Under are four creative minds who are as reckless and diverse as their musical influences. They combine powerful riffs with heavy melodic vocals and a punching groove. From catchy melodies to hard ’n’ heavy tunes, this talented young band from Switzerland released their album 'Hello Mr. Defeat' at the end of last month as a straightforward and dynamic Heavy Metal statement to the music world. Consisting of Patric Bouffé – vocals and lyrics, Daniel Gebert – bass, Fabian Koch – drums and Steven Hohl – guitar and lyrics, the tracks on the album diverge from substantial, and also at times raging, like in 'S.A.D' or in the reflective 'Liquidators' - today's Track Of The Day.

US Power Metal pioneers Jag Panzer (Video Of The Day), whose tenth studio album, ‘The Deviant Chord’ was released to huge acclaim on SPV in September 2017, have lined up a major European headline tour commencing at London’s Camden Underworld on Thursday 16th May. Consisting of Harry Conklin – vocals, Mark Briody – guitars, Joey Tafolla – guitars, John Tetley – bass and Rikard Stjernquist – drums, the resultant comeback album was a veritable Metal manifesto, containing a host of typically Jag Panzer style classic Melodic Power Metal compositions. The Jag Panzer tour then heads off to France, Spain, Holland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Sweden.

Trucker Diablo closed 2018 playing Winter Storm Festival and earned the tag of “most fun and rockin' band of the weekend!”. Quietly tinkering with the Big Truck over the winter period, and regaining control over previously label owned albums, the band dug some song ideas out of the archives, and from those sessions came the idea to celebrate 10 years of Trucker Diablo by re-releasing the first two albums in a special package, with bonus tracks and unreleased songs. Recorded late 2018 with long term producer Frankie McClay at Einstein Studios, and featuring current bassist Jim McGurk, the lead single ‘Other Side of the City’ (today's Track Of The Day) was released at the end of last month and is one of the unreleased tunes from that period and combines everything Trucker became known for since that initial debut album, big riffs, sing along choruses and that feeling we’re in it together! Consequently, the new package became the 30-song laden 'Devil Songs', the combination of 'The Devil Rhythm' and 'Songs of Iron', due to be released later this month.

"You know that occasional feeling when you hear a song for the first time and it just hits the spot? The moving ballad 'Four Million Days' does just that - opening with Matt's cello and Wille's finger picked acoustic guitar, it is a joy to be behold, also showcasing Andrew's consummate drumming plus the power of Wille's vocals, its piece de resistance being Edwards signature lap slide Gilmouresque solo, weaving in and out of its outstanding orchestral construction. Follow that." Not only was that part of our recent take on Wille & The Bandits latest CD 'Paths' but we also caught them live at London's O2 Academy Islington at the end of March (pictured). Anyway, today's Video Of The Day is the third and latest single released from their album - 'Four Million Days'.

Gov’t Mule celebrate 25 years being a band as they return to the Mascot Label Group/Provogue Records to release their new live album 'Bring On The Music - Live at the Capitol Theatre', on Friday 28th June, recorded during two days in April last year at the famed Port Chester, NY venue. No two Gov't Mule shows are alike, as the band draws on the more than 300 songs in their repertoire (and often a host of special guests) to create a unique experience each and every time. Warren Haynes (vocals, guitar), Matt Abts (drums), Danny Louis (keyboards, guitar and backing vocals) and Jorgen Carlsson (bass) – have galvanised a global fan base with their improvisational virtuosity, leading them to be recognised as one of the most timeless and revered bands in the world. They also kick off a UK tour at the end of this month including London's Forum on Saturday 1st June.