Purple In Record Collector 557

Nice feature about the Deep Purple “Machine Head” Box in Record Collector 557 (Pet Shop Boys on the cover). Includes a short interview with Ian Gillan. Not too much rock in this issue, the Bruce Dickinson interview is OK though. And in the middle of the current press for this classic album, the current band is making waves. They issued a first video to promote the new album on official channels today, a track called “Portable Door”. Pretty close to classic Purple.

(My shot of said Purple feature, band image by Didi Zill)

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Kanade Sato Reigns Supreme

Just two days after the post about Japanese rockers Koiai it happens again. I just spotted Muses/Koiai drummer Kanade Sato in a newly formed third outfit. They are called ALMONDot. Apparently they are already doing gigs and they have a video on YouTube with a song called “I´ll Go First, Sorry”. Kanade is obviously in high demand. I consider her to be one of the best drummers in the world. She is an absolute delight behind that kit. What a wonderful journey, from Internet Wunderkind to joining Muses, then spreading her wings and expertise to exciting new projects. We all know that musicians sometimes needs to go to where the work is. A gig is a gig. I will follow her career with great interest.

(Concert ad and band picture is from official platforms)

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Celebrating David Byron

Good news for fans of Uriah Heep and David Byron. The 1981 “On The Rocks” album has been given the Deluxe treatment and so we will get a three CD set called “On The Rocks… Again” on June 28. You get the original album, demos, rehearsals and live recordings. I guess that means that we may get some Heep songs as well? We shall see. David passed away in 1985.

(Cover is from official platforms)

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Babymetal Killed It At The Sick New World Festival In Las Vegas

Babymetal drew a huge crowd at the enormous Sick New World Festival in Las Vegas yesterday. Then they did a surprise appearance with headliners Bring Me The Horizon and performed “Kingslayer” with them. Plenty of footage on YouTube, you can hear the roar from the crowd when Babymetal walks on stage. They are definitely on the way up Stateside.

(Images is from official platforms)

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The Devil-Ship Pirates

Watched this 1964 Hammer film on DVD today and it was not bad at all. Christopher Lee is excellent as a bloodthirsty villain (Pirate) in this one. Nice opening battle scenes of the British Navy beating the Spanish Armada (the year is 1588) in glorious colour, and then the adventure takes off as the Privateer (Lee) is forced to hide his ship near a British village for a few days in order to repair it before they can sail on. High stakes and a race against time. Nice 20 page booklet with facts and memorabilia is a good bonus.

(My shot of said DVD)

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Truppserien Deal (Swedish Only)

(Fanzine Newsstand – endast två nummer gjordes, fake annonser om “nr 2, 3, 4, 6 och 7” på baksidorna)

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Born Again

News from the Bridear camp today. The new album is titled “Born Again”. It will be released worldwide on June 28. 10 brand new tracks. The cover looks great. The countdown is on…

(Cover is from official platforms)

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And So The Seasons Change

Opened up the Summer cottage in the backyard today. Always a good feeling. I have had snow on my lawn in the early morning for a couple of days but it is gone within a few hours. Summer should have arrived within a few weeks for real (late May is usually good) and knowing that makes life a lot easier. I have some projects lined up that I am looking forward to. Always a good thing.

(My shots from the cottage area)

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Will Trade Fanzines For Babymetal

As I open the Fanzine Newsstand again today, the time has come to highlight the trade option as well. If you live outside of Sweden and have an interest in some of my publications, my offer to you is that you get some Babymetal for me. I can direct you to an eBay auction or you can tell me what you have.

(Mags seen here are of interest)

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The Fanzine Newsdesk Is Open Again

The time has come to make the old fanzines available to the public again (will sell them to Swedes, trade them for the rest of you). So I will add this stuff to the blog in the next week or so given time. First offer is up (to Swedes only though), last ever copies of 11 Deep Purple Forever! issues plus bonus Retrofuture 6 issues with complete fanzine index 1978-2013 (the Purple one is also the last). Deep Purple Forever! 8, seen here, is part of this batch (three of them in total). I have seen this issue on auction sites for a lot of money. I love the 1993 cover shot of Roger Glover and Ritchie Blackmore. It was taken by Michael Johansson in Germany in 1993. When these are gone, they are really gone. Anyway, I will add the stuff starting today on the blog.

(Seen here is DPF 8, cover shot by Michael Johansson)

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