We had the pleasure of bumping into Inglorious frontman Nathan James and his lovely PA Gill at the awesome Michael Schenker Fest gig last Thursday at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire. Anyway, we explained to them that we still had Inglorious' well deserved 2016 WRC Best Rock Performance award gathering dust at Wrinkly HQ and what was the best way to get it to them. Suffice to say that by Tuesday we had received the photo alongside from their management team (pictured) presenting the award to Nathan on our behalf. The WRC would like to thank all those involved in making this possible. Watch out for our 2017 WRC award nominations in December!

Super-duo Geoff Downes and Chris Braide, known as the Downes Braide Association (DBA), release their new album 'Skyscraper Souls' on Friday 17th November through their own label X2X Records via Cherry Red, of which the title track is today's Track Of The Day. This is their third collaboration and follows their two previous critically-acclaimed releases 'Pictures of You' (2012) and 'Suburban Ghosts' (2015). Braide is a British singer, songwriter and producer, now based in LA, who has written and produced songs for Beyonce, Lana del Rey and Paloma Faith... to name a few. Geoff Downes is the Prog legend who has played keyboards in The Buggles, Asia & Yes... he co-wrote the hits 'Heat of the Moment' and 'Video Killed the Radio Star'. 'Skyscraper Souls' is a more traditional Progressive/Classic Rock/band album than their previous material, but retains a strong Pop aesthetic and features many great guest contributions, including Marc Almond, Andy Partridge from XTC and Kate Pierson from the B52s.

Last Friday Alt-Rock duo Anavae released their eagerly anticipated new EP 'Are You Dreaming?' via Eleven Seven Records including their news single ’All Or Nothing’ which is today's Video Of The Day. Anavae is formed of vocalist Rebecca Need-Menear, who has a really stunning voice, and guitarist Jamie Finch who deliver a sound that bridges the gap between Rock and Electronica. The EP also features ‘Forever Dancing’, ‘Stay’, ‘Lose Your Love’ and Are We Alone’, and they have a huge loyal fanbase that has seen them sell-out headline shows in and around London and recently they played at Halifax Pop Explosion Festival in Canada. You can catch Anavae supporting Area 11 on their special Christmas Show on Tuesday 12th December at London’s Boston Music Rooms.

Tonight at 7.30pm down in the lovely Amersham Arms, New Cross Road SE14 6TY, The New Cross Roads Blues Club hold their penultimate packed night of music from their first series for just a fiver. The fun starts at 8pm sharp with Deep Blue Sea - an entirely different set to week one - as they are recording a live album of both sets. Plus there's Blues Engine and Big River who released their first single 'Hometown Hustler' in August (today's Track Of The Day). They capture the spirit and passion of British Blues/Rock Bands such as Bad Company and Free but with the modern influence of Rival Sons, Vintage Trouble and Clutch.

This year's sold out Hard Rock Hell at Hafan y Môr Holiday Park, 
Pwllheli, 
Gwynedd, 
North Wales, kicks off tonight with the HRH Awards ceremony. The arena will be packed by fans, bands, industry and media given their chance to "glitz up" and walk the Red Carpet. In all there are 11 awards plus four live performances from Idlewar (pictured and today's Video Of The Day), Kill Code, Black Aces and Massive Wagons. Watch out for our coverage of HRH 11 which takes place from tomorrow until Sunday!

"Yes Barden in theory was the frontman belting out the numbers in fine style, but Schenker was well and truly taking centre stage with his own personal guitar fest and an endless round of guitar solos. Who said that German's don't have a sense of humour as Schenker introduced his next MSG track as "This is a song about someone". Cue 'Attack Of The Mad Axeman' followed by the 'Killer On The Loose' Lizzy sounding riff of 'Armed And Ready' - even though I thought Halloween was last week? At this juncture Barden left the stage to allow Schenker to prowl around the stage to play the only Scorpions number on the night - the instrumental 'Coast To Coast'." Read the whole of AJ's Michael Schenker Fest Shepherds Bush Empire gig review here from last Thursday plus check out our photo gallery, including support band Departed here.

Today's Blues On The Radio Track Of The Day features IBBA albums of the month for November, gig news and new releases. The show is therefore accordingly packed with music from Samantha Fish, Bobby Kyle, John Verity, Albert Castiglia, Doghouse Sam & His Magnatones, The Della Grants, Larkin Poe, Jack J Hutchinson, Jo Harman, Catfish, Gwyn Ashton, Marcus Malone, Richard Townend & The Mighty Bosscats (pictured) and Babajack!

On the back of their two sold out shows in London in October and tonight at The Palladium - Prog Rock giants Marillion are playing a seven date UK Tour in April 2018. Their most recent album, 'FEAR' peaked at No. 4 in the UK album charts and No. 1 in the Rock chart last year. After nearly 40 years, the band, featuring Steve Hogarth - –lead vocals, lyrics, keyboards, guitars, percussion, Steve Rothery - – electric guitars, acoustic guitars, Pete Trewavas - – bass, guitar, backing vocals, piano, Mark Kelly - keyboards, samples and effects, backing vocals, programming, Ian Mosley - drums, percussion, has evolved into a vibrant and international musical force, flourishing seemingly outside of fashion and mainstream media exposure. On Friday 13th October Marillion also released an EP on earMusic featuring a live version of their epic “'Living In FEAR”'.

"Hit followed hit with a couple of newer tracks getting a show, including 'The Flood's The Fault Of The Rain' which is a future classic. 'Malaria' gave Guns the chance to show some subtler skills although he also chose to use a Theramin - a sound altering device of a bizarre nature which seems to enthral guitarists like Guns and Joe Bonamassa. Doesn't work for me. What did work for me was Guns launching into AC/DC's 'Hells Bells' riff into his classic 'Never Enough'. That's like having Ben and Jerry's with Haagen Daz. Tasty. Which led to the 'Jelly Jam' - Guns excuse to indulge himself, and the crowd, in a jam of assorted riffs and solo's that left all with a satisfied feel. What's better than watching the master at work?" Read the whole of Mother's L.A. Guns (Video Of The Day) Underworld gig review here from last Thursday plus check out our photo gallery, including support band Stone Trigger (pictured), courtesy of John Bull here.

"Now I'm not one for pre-event hype or the sales pitch for a bands latest album but when I read the promo for L.A. Guns latest incarnation it piqued my interest. As a guitar nerd I'm a big fan of Tracii Guns. He's a guitarist's guitarist with a strong following on various social media (facesnapapp thingy) as well as being an integral part of the whole LA rock scene from the 80's. He and I were also born but a few weeks apart so are of the same vintage. But I'm also the most cynical being on the planet so when I read the following press release I had my usual 'Yeah right ....' moment:" Read the whole of Mother's L.A. Guns Underworld gig review from last Thursday tomorrow, but in the meantime check out our photo gallery, including support band Stone Trigger, courtesy of John Bull here.

Today's Black On Blues Track Of The Day includes tracks from Ronnie Earl, John Verity (pictured), Duke Robillard, Greaseland All Stars, Johnny Oskam and BB & The Blues Shacks.

"All the songs on this ten track forty two and a half minute long album are credited to the whole band. Some of the material is slightly slower, more grooving and haunting than on their debut 'New World' (2015). Kicking things off confidently is the struttin' 'Land Of The River', its driving riff propels the track onwards, tantalizing trippy guitar refrains pepper the track, with some tasty melodic Wishbone Ash style phrases to excite the ears." Read the rest of Steven C. Gilbert's Travelin Jack (Video Of The Day) 'Commencing Countdown' CD review here.