Knock and Knowall

Dead Rock West Live at MCCabes — Glitter & Gold Record Release Celebration Concert review by Eric Sandberg Photos by Eric Sandberg If Dead Rock West were ever to saunter onto the stage of America's Got Talent, and stand before whatever four schlubs are the current sitting judges, they could sing any song from their repertoire and shortly find themselves covered in Golden Buzzer confetti.  Their music is as American as music gets, whether they're singing covers or their own first rate songs, the combined voices of Cindy Wasserman and Frankie Lee Drennen immediately evoke the Everly Brothers, without copying them. They clearly embrace the similarities, having just released their second collection of Everly's covers Glitter & Gold , which also features one new song written by Drennen and Exene Cervenka.  The Cars' Elliot Easton and The Blasters' Dave Alvin let loose on guitar and two tracks feature the late, great Ratdog bassist, and brother...

Former Genesis Guitarist talks about breaking in a new drummer, working with an orchestra & his early guest singers Interview by Eric Sandberg In early 1971, Steve Hackett's ad in Melody Maker seeking musicians "determined to strive beyond current stagnant musical forms" had paid off. Genesis, with two major label albums to their credit, had just lost their guitarist and main writer Anthony Phillips to stage fright. The ad caught singer Peter Gabriel's attention. Hackett was asked to join the band, along with their first "proper" drummer Phil Collins. Hackett and Collins were initially kindred spirits as they were the two commoners among a trio of posh friends who once all wore Charterhouse school uniforms. One can only imagine the many times Hackett and Collins shot furtive glances at each other whenever Genesis founders Peter Gabriel, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks experienced a "disagreement" in the rehearsal studio. Hackett's...

Music Review: Robyn Hitchcock/Andy Partridge: Planet England — Sorry Luv, We're Closed EP review by Eric Sandberg A collaboration between two of England's preeminent weirdos has been mooted for years. An abortive attempt, some years ago, seemed to have fizzled leaving the two not exactly on speaking terms. That I found this four-song EP on my porch today can almost fully be put on Twitter. Andy Partridge's relatively brief time on the social media platform (initially disguised as a fan of his own former band, XTC) enabled some unprecedented access for Partridge devotees — and detractors (who are really just disappointed fans who want more music). If asked a direct question on Twitter, Partridge would provide a direct, unvarnished answer. The inevitable question was posed: 'What happened with you and Robyn Hitchcock?'  The answer is as plausible as it is mundane: 'We started, but the guy is always on tour!' It wasn't long until Robyn Hit...

Concert Review — The Rails at Nichols Canyon 8/31/19 Concert review by Eric Sandberg              Photos by Mike Berman   Before record labels, Soundscan, Sam Goodies — long before there were  recordings of any kind, musicians survived through a system known as patronage. Wealthy patrons of the arts, including the courts of Kings, Queens and emperors, commissioned composers to create works and arrange and conduct performances. Musicians made their livelihoods by performing for patrons and their invited guests in their homes.  Hayden embraced the patronage of a prince while his contemporary, Mozart, famously despised his musically ignorant benefactors, burned his bridges and essentially became music's first freelancer. Chances are, even Mozart would have loved Peter Hastings, Hollywood Producer, Writer, voice actor, musician and music lover. With the music industry in a shambles, ...