The Rock Train and its Extra Carriage – No tracks are too heavy…

This week The Rock Train goes on two journeys. Thursday at 8pm there is the standard show, packed with interviews, new music and jolly banter. The Thursday shows will continue to showcase the best of new rock and metal from unsigned as well as international artists plus interviews with special guests.

Then on Friday at 8pm behold the debut of the new show,  The Rock Train Extra Carriage. The new show is still presented by Mark and Kev and in time will feature some local guest presenters drawn from the world of Lincoln’s music scene. The Extra Carriage will offer a look back at rock’s vast back catalogue, festival features, local bands and acoustic sessions. There will also be extended versions of some of the more in-depth interviews.

So just a couple of days before we recorded Thursday’s show we were devastated along with music fans around the world to learn of the death of influential musician and writer Jeff Hannerman, guitarist and driving force behind the legendary band Slayer. Thursday’s show opens with Raining Blood by Slayer in tribute. We will feature a full Rock Train tribute to Jeff Hannerman and his contribution to the genre in a future Extra Carriage show over the summer.

Also in Thursday’s show we interview Homeless Hill, a band from georgia USA who we were introduced to by Lincoln based promoter Tom Brumpton.

We predict that this band can really take off and go places. Check out their website here for a quote they have used by Mark….

We also feature interviews with Swedish band Free fall and Derbyshire legends Hell, who Mark caught up with minutes before their homecoming spectacular show in Derby earlier this year.

As always on the show there is an assault of new music from a variety of bands big and small and we headline the show with the new single from Megadeth.

Sacred Mother Tongue at Hammerfest (photo courtesy of Shoot Plymouth)

Friday at 8pm sees The Rock Train Extra Carriage’s debut with the concluding part of our roadtrip to North Wales where we covered the Hammerfest Festival. There are interviews and music from seven more bands all in various stages of sobriety, but all deadly serious about their music.

The last 20 minutes of Friday’s show contains a departure from standard Rock Train fare as we play a track from the legend that is Stevie Nicks who teamed up with the Foo Fighters to record a haunting song, ‘You Can’t Fix This’. This track was recorded at the uber-legendary Sound City studios where Fleetwood Mac recorded Rumours and virtually every great album ever made was recorded… maybe a topic for a future Extra Carriage show…….. We end the show with great British metal behemoths Saxon who we recently saw  play in Nottingham.

Kev and Mark

The Rock Train

Commander In Chief at Hammerfest (photo courtesy of Shoot Plymouth)

The Rock Train, Full Speed Ahead

This week on The Rock Train we feature death metallers Incassum who played us two amazing acoustic songs and gave us a great interview.

Sharleen Kennedy’s haunting vocals will send you on a trip to another world.

Scandinavian rockers Grand Magus recently toured the UK and Mark caught up with singer JB backstage for an interview.

For our third interview this week the Rock Train welcomes back to the show Mario from French metal legends Gojira. Mario talks about the band’s involvement with the Sea Shepherd shark protection campaign.

There is music from Black Star Riders, Airbourne, Dendera and Rob Zombie and the latest single from Alice In Chains.

We are also delighted to feature Lincoln’s own Faith in Casinos who sent us their new track for you to hear. There is also a spin for unsigned Nottingham band, Sinners Highway. Check both these bands out, definitely names for the future. Check out these bands, they both play regularly so check their websites for details.

Headlining this week’s show however is the latest comeback single from the guys that ‘invented’ metal – Black Sabbath fronted by the legend that is Ozzy Osbourne, with ‘God is Dead’.

This week’s show features Mark preaching from the Rock Bible, so listen out for some wise words……

Also can we just take a moment to ask you to support Lincoln’s Lock up Laura who have a single launch party at Rock Haven this Friday 26th April. We’ll be playing their new track on the next show but please go and support them….

Life Begins at 40 as The Rock Train Meets its Guitar Heroes and Takes to the Skies

On this 40th journey of The Rock Train we  talk to two of the world’s GREATEST current rock guitarists, Mark Tremonti (Alter Bridge, Creed, Mark Tremonti Project) and Orianthi Pangaris (Alice Cooper band, Michael Jackson This is It).

Mark Tremonti is a true living guitar legend. Founder member of Creed and Alter Bridge he is presently touring with his new band, The Mark Tremonti Project. Total Guitar Magazine lists him as the 4th greatest heavy metal guitarist of all time. So Tosh met up with Mr Tremonti backstage and talked about his time in the music business so far and what to expect with his current band. The Mark Tremonti Project sees him exploring his more metal roots and it is an honour to have him on the show for Siren FM.

We first met up with Orianthi at the Bloodstock Festival last summer and again in Nottingham earlier this year when she was playing in Alice Cooper’s band. She had recorded an album with her good friend and producer Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) back in Nashville of all places and promised she’d speak to us again once the album hit the shops.

Orianthi’s new album, ‘Heaven in This Hell’ takes the listener on a journey through a hard rock and blues guitar rampage to blend seamlessly with country and jazz influenced licks. There is no doubting Orianthi’s ability on lead guitar (Michael Jackson had picked her for the ‘This is It Tour’ that never was and Alice Cooper has her as a fixture in his touring band) but what is amazing about this album is the impressive quality of the songwriting and the vocals.

Before the interview we asked her fans from around the world to tweet us questions to ask which we included in the piece.

We also welcome special guests from Birmingham The Whiskey Syndicate, who play an acoustic session in the studio and tell us about the music scene in the midlands through their eyes. This band highlights the fantastic talent that exists around the midlands and we are hoping to arrange somewhere for them to play in Lincoln later in the year.

The Whiskey Syndicate playing for The Rock Train on Siren FM

To highlight Lincoln’s local talent, Dean Foxx from Lincoln’s very own Knock Out Kaine drops in to talk about his bands exciting new charity project supporting the Vulcan to the Sky. Knock out Kaine are donating all proceeds from their new single ‘Set the Night on Fire’ to this cause. This is going to get a lot of national coverage so you heard it here first.

Dean Foxx (Knock out Kaine) drops in to Siren FM

So there you are. We set our stall out to speak to International, National and Local artists from the community of music that we inhabit and this week’s show ticks all those boxes.

So as well as all these great guests and their music we bring you the usual mix of the latest rock and metal releases from the world of rock.

Coming up in a fortnight on the next show is our Hammerfest Festival special. Mark (Tosh) and I spent the weekend in North Wales interviewing bands and meeting new people, the results of which will make up a 2 hour extravaganza.

Kev and Mark

Shades of Rocky – The Rock Train’s ‘Hair Metal’ Wildside Riot Special (show 37)

On this week’s edition of The Rock Train we go back in time to the 1980s when there was a plethora of bands glammimg it up with big hair, tight spandex and a sound that would define a generation.

Before the American hair-metal bands  exploded onto the scene, Birmingham’s very own Wrathchild were forging a new harder edged sound heavily influenced by the wild excesses of the glam era of the mid to late 1970′s. Wrathchild’s frontman, Rocky Shades led the way and helped forge a path which pre-dated bands such as Motley Crue.

Skip forward to 2012. Rocky Shades is relaunching his recording career with his new band, Wildside Riot. The four musicians Rocky teamed up with to form Wildside Riot all live in Lincoln which makes them one of our treasured local bands. Even the video which can be seen here was shot in a secret location just a short walk from the city centre.

After many months of writing, recording and post production the debut Wildside Riot album ‘No Second Take’ has now been released and is a fantastic fun album full of catchy riffs and killer performances from the boys. All fronted by Rocky Shades himself.

Back in December the whole band came and visited The Rock Train at Siren FM and spoke to us about the formation of Wildside Riot, the making of the album and their plans for 2013. Rocky Shades speaks about what it was like back in the 80′s and how the British ’hair bands’ differed from their American cousins. He describes how he used to fire pyrotechnics at anything that moved during his 80′s shows.

Wildside Riot at Siren FM

The show features a for part interview with  Wildside Riot.

Part 1 – Hairspray and Sequins

Part 2 – Starting a Riot

Part 3 – No Second Take

Part 4 – To Hard Rock Hell and Back

In between each segment we play a selection of the great sleaze rock /  ’hair metal’  bands from the 80′s  and 90′s such as Guns n Roses, Ratt, Dokken, W.A.S. P, Wrathchild LA Guns, Skid Row to name a few.

There are also a couple of great tracks from Wildside Riot’s album.

And yes, that gentleman with the mass of blonde hair in the Wrathchild picture on this page is Rocky Shades as he was then.

Rocky Shades with Wrathchild in the 1980′s

Wildside riot with Rocky Shades (centre) as he is today

The Rock Train #35: Steel Threads and Andy Copping

This show was broadcast on the 24th Jan 2012 on Siren FM. Special studio guests were steel Threads who played a fantastic acoustic set for us showcasing their special blend of Power Folk and acoustic rock.

Also on the show Andy Copping announces new acts for the Download Festival and talks about why the bands were chosen for the line-up.

There’s a host of new music to listen to and you are guaranteed to tap your feet and bang your head to the tunes this week.

The Rock Train show 24th Jan with special guests Steel Threads plus Andy Copping speaks (show 35) by The Rock Train on Mixcloud

Soldier Head – Newsted
Stomp – The Self Titled
At The Start Again – Steel Threads
Steel Threads Interview
Nothing To Hide (Acoustic Session) – Steel Threads
Dead In My Mouth (Acoustic Session) – Steel Threads
Consumption – Zz Top
Doctor Doctor – Ufo
Download Announcement (Pt 1)
When You’re Young – 3 Doors Down
Download Announcement (Pt 2)
Secular Haze – Ghost
Drown – Breed 77
Wish You Well – Tremonti
Rock And Roll Victim – Dirty Habit
13 – Megadeth
Goat Snake – Newsted
Save Me (Acoustic) – Lock Up Laura
Nabatae – Helloween
Faith Divides Us, Death Unites Us – Paradise Lost
Mermaids Revenge – Turbogeist
The Art Of Mourning – All Hail The Yeti
True North – Bad Religion
Backstage Pass – Dirty Habit

New Year, New Music on The Rock Train

(Show 34 plays out on Thursday 10th Jan at 8pm and repeats Saturday 12th Jan at 7pm)

The dedication of the bands we meet on our travels never fails to impress.

We were contacted last year by two bands, from the opposite ends of the country, both wanting to come and play music for The Rock Train and speak our audience in Lincoln.

We like to think we offer ‘up and coming’ bands a platform to showcase their talents and gain valuable media experience, whether hey hail from up the road or the other end of the land.

Our guests in this week’s show really showed what doing a music show is all about. the band Rayne drove down from Sunderland to play a fantastic live acoustic set for us which was broadcast as part of the Siren FM 24 hour Watercooler marathon charity show. The 3 lads from Rayne rose to the occasion and left us with some fantastic acoustic songs which were recorded with style. we feature one of their acoustic tracks in this week’s show and will play some more later in January.

Sunderland ‘s Rayne playing live during the 24 hour charity marathon

Rayne have been playing together for 16 years  and their enthusiasm and dedication to their craft was an inspiration to us on The Rock Train. We showed the lads some of Lincoln’s rock bars after the show and they can’t wait to return to play a full gig to the people of Lincoln. Any promoters reading this, please get in touch with us.

The following week the band Knievel Genius visited us from London and again performed a fantastic set of acoustic songs. Their song-writing and performance skills shone though during their session and we are pleased to include 2 songs they played for us in the studios. Again there’ll be more played from this session later in January.

The band gave a serious account of what it is really like for a young band to try and progress from being unknown to getting a foot on the ladder of success. Their 2 part  interview is a valuable lesson for any artist starting out in the music business.

Also on this week’s show we have a host of new music plus a few old favourites to get you rocking.

The show starts with a short musical tribute to the memory of local musician and member of Sleaford band Nightvision, Dean Hocking, who tragically lost his life on 27th December in a road traffic accident. His brother Daryl appeared as a co-presenter on our live show on 13th December and we send our condolences and deepest sympathy to the Hocking family and to the other members of Nightvision as well as all their friends and families.

The Rock Train with special guests Rayne and Knievel Genius (show#34 Jan 10th) by The Rock Train on Mixcloud

Catch the Friday Night Rock Train repeat

Due to the 24 hour ‘live’ charity takeover this weekend, this week’s The Rock Train repeat show will be on air at 10pm this Friday 23rd November, straight after Siren Punk instead of Saturday 7pm.

And on the subject of the charity takeover, The Rock Train are delighted to have been given a slot at 7.50pm on  Saturday night where our special guests from Sunderland, the band Rayne will be playing some acoustic tracks LIVE  in the studio.

If anyone has a question for us to ask the band please email us at therocktrain@sirenonline.co.uk and we’ll put it to the band.

The Rock Train Meets the Foxy Lady (again) on show 29

On the show this week we have an interview with rising star Orianthi and the band Ten by Ten as well as a great mixture of music.

We first met Orianthi in August in the Press area at the Bloodstock Open Air Festival where we managed to catch 5 minutes with her shortly before taking to the stage as part of Alice Cooper’s band who were headlining the Festival.

When her ‘people’ offered us another chance to meet up with her in Nottingham in October it seemed too good an opportunity to turn down. So Orianthi gave up some of her valuable time and sat to down to talk for about 20 minutes backstage at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham and you can hear what happened on this week’s show.

The Alice Cooper show was amazing. They added a medley of songs during their set covering classics by Alice’s dearly departed friends namely Lennon, Moon, Morrison and Hendrix. The Hendrix song they covered was Foxy Lady with Orianthi in the spotlight shredding her guitar centre stage.

Also on this week’s show there is an interview with the unsigned band Ten by Ten who tell us about their plans and describe the story behind the video for their great track ‘Jesus Road Trip’.

We also feature the latest track from Sleaford’s very own dedboy whose latest video is here and features Sara Jane Honeywell off of the telly.

There’s plenty of new and not so new music on the show so climb aboard The Rock Train.

Ten by Ten

Orianthi with Alice Cooper

The Rock Train goes on a Gonzo Trip

We were delighted when local unsigned Lincoln band Gonzo Trip approached us to appear on the show.

They are 4 hard working lads based in Lincoln who are trying to promote local music. We feature an extended interview with the band who describe in detail their creative process from the start of a musical idea to the end product. They passionately beg for listeners to find more local venues for rock and metal fans to congregate and enjoy live music.

This week’s show also feature the band Diaries of a Hero who are about to start a dream tour of the UK and Europe supporting Motorhead and Anthrax. Front man Carlo talks about what it is like facing the prospect of going on tour with legendary bands. This could be a stepping stone to big things from this talented band who all met as students in London not that long ago.

There is also an interview with up and coming Hertfordshire band Floods whose new album has finally been  released after a 3 year wait.

There is a great mix of music on this week’s, including new songs by Cradle of Filth, Sabaton and Stone Sour.

If any rock and metal bands in the Lincoln area want to hear their music on the radio, get in touch and if we like it, we’ll play it.  You can contact us through our website or drop a demo into the Siren FM studios clearly marked for the Rock Train.

Gonzo Trip at Siren FM

All Aboard The Rock Train for show 20

This week we are delighted to bring you interviews with 3 bands.

First up we welcome back to the show Jamie Derelict who fronts the band JD and the FDCs who we met last year backstage at Rock City.

The band have just released their debut album ‘Recognise’ and JD tells about how he spent the last year or more with his band creating what is a fantastic record.

He tells of the guests on the album and why he hand-picked them, and to top it all off it was mastered by the legend that is Howie Weinberg (he worked on classic albums by Nirvana, The Clash, Limp Bizkit, Pantera, iron Maiden, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and many more).

Check out JD and the FDCs here.

We also talk to a member of a new band who have never played a gig and have not yet released any music. Absolva have formed from the mighty Fury UK who are on hold as their bassist, Luke Appleton has joined metal legends Iced Earth. Luke’s brother Chris talks to us about why he has formed Absolva and what to expect from the band.

Absolva’s first show will be on Sunday 22nd July at the SOS Festival in Manchester and a short tour of the UK will follow plus an album is coming soon. Based on the fantastic music that Fury UK produced there is a big buzz about Absolva and we are delighted to be in at the beginning of what could turn out to be a massive project.

The final interview is with Sleaford/Lincoln band Nightvision. The boys kindly invited us to watch them rehearse at the Metheringham Music Factory which is about 10 miles south of Lincoln in a beautiful  farmhouse setting.

Nightvision have been around for about 6 years in their present line-up and offer a hard hitting rock sound bordering on metal. Nightvision were kind enough to play a few of their songs for us in rehearsal and even aired a brand new song just for us.

We have included a short snippet of their interview plus a couple of songs from their latest album, introduced on air by the band themselves.

We managed to record some of their rehearsal and we will bring you some of the results in a later show plus the rest of the in-depth interview.

We also close the show with ‘The Making of the Nightvision Jingle’ which is a fly on the wall exposure of the torments a band goes through during the creative process. Imagine them trying to record an album…..

If anyone is in Lincoln on the Brayford Sunday 15th July Nightvision are playing a free set at the Lincs Evolution car show at 1.45pm together with 3 other bands. Come on down and see some great cars and great music too.

There is loads of great music in this week’s show.

The playlist can be found below…

Playlist for The Rock Train on Siren FM show 20

tweet us on @therocktrain with any requests or if you are in a Lincoln (or nearby) band we’d love to hear from you…

Chris Appleton and Absolva