SLAM CARTEL They got melodies the size of Texas, hooks that could catch a Great White... and an album that needs to be played really fucking loud while driving up the coast in a convertible sports car. Slam Cartel will be a force to be reckoned with. Billy Morrison (Billy Idol, The Cult, Camp Freddy, Stimulator) Praise indeed. But, for London based hard rock band Slam Cartel, it is not just about the music. Obviously they too are in thrall to the power of their own songs and the fact they can count Billy Morrison and Russell Brand as fans is a bonus but what really sets them apart is the pride and delight they take in delivering their killer combination of cuts, hooks and jabs to the solar plexus. Like the aural equivalent of a Peter Howson painting, taut sinewy and striking tattoos, Slam Cartel are not to be argued with. Gary Moffat (vocals), Marc Neudeck (bass), Tom Hendriksen (guitar), Steve Campkin (drums), and principal songwriter, Terence Warville (guitar), are united in their dedication to breathe new life into the cause of hard rock, the bands very first gig was played in a bikers bar and subsequent shows have included auspicious dates at the 100 Club, Scala and rock fest, Sonisphere 2010/11, where they have recruited a battalion of loyal followers. Their knockout debut album, Handful Of Dreams, is produced by George de Angelis (who, as Trevor Horns right hand man, worked with Rod Stewart, Tina Turner and Pet Shop Boys) and was recorded at his Soniczoo Studios. Packed full of demon hooks, coruscating riffs, boss grooves, and rousing choruses, if the overall sound is somewhat reminiscent of legendary rock outfit, The Cult, you can also hear the shards and splinters of grandstanding influences, the Chilli Peppers, Guns n Roses and the Foo Fighters. From the opening rock press favourite, Wishing Eye, through the glorious title track and the inspired roughing up of Talking Heads Once In A Lifetime, via the sophisticated balladry of Breathe to the schizoid Shine and penetrating Hold Me, all the way through the dark splendour of Free Again and the thunderous, stadium riffing of Mismatched Ties, Goldenstream and Powerstorm to the contemplative mood piece, Maybe Sometimes, and the surefire hit and vaguely Nirvana touched Sundown to the frankly outrageous orchestral sweep of Walk A Mile, Slam Cartel have carved out an hours worth of enervating rock music for a new generation. For all the solid, traditional rock posturing, Handful Of Dreams showcases a sense of commercial scope and drama worthy, in all the right places, of Manic Street Preachers or Robbie Williams. No wonder they are exciting pundits stateside. Every now and then you get an album that absolutely blows you away Handful Of Dreams is a killer debut album. Paul Anthony of Planet Rock Radio THE DAMNED AND THE DIRTY Conceived in a pub car park in Swindon on a damp weekend in 2011, the Damned & the Dirty have evolved into a 5piece originals rock group that draw on influences from early blues to modern rock via Metal & Grunge. Comprised of members Mike CarnegieJones (vox), Mike (Paz) Pasby & Neil Davies (guitars), Derek Fellowes (bass) & Simon Pike (drums), the aim is to kick modern identikit chart music to the curb (where it belongs who needs autotune?! Not Jonesy, thats for sure!) and bring on the good times. TDATD are currently putting the finishing touches on their debut EP, entitled This Is What We Got, which will be released anytime soon. If you cant wait, catch a sneak preview of a couple of tracks from it on ReverbNation or come support us at one of our many gigs. www.slamcartel.com/wp/ www.facebook.com/slamcartel?fref=ts www.facebook.com/thedamnedandthedirty?fref=ts