South East London-based psychedelic rock newcomers Hypnogator unleash the explosive new single ‘Jesus (Tried To Take the Wheel But He Ended Up Insane).’ A striking mix of tight distortion, modulation-soaked guitar, punching drums, and urgent vocal delivery, the track is an enigmatic display of Hypnogator’s tight, talented band, showcasing their instrumental prowess and capturing the […]
Tag: drummer
My favorite photos from 2023, part 2
Here is the second part of my personal favorite photos from 2023. They are not ranked, but all of them are special to me in one way or another. You will see 30 photos from different settings and genres. They … Continue reading
My favorite photos from 2023, part 1
2023 has been a special year for all of us. The continuing war in Ukraine and the atrocities in Gaza plus the clear signs of the climate crisis overshadows much of what happened during the year. But in spite of … Continue reading
Mancunian Magic: Castles in Canopy Release ‘Peculiar’ New Indie-Pop Anthem
Mancunian quartet is back to revitalise the indie-pop scene with new single: Peculiar.
Nick Mason featured in German Drums & Percussion Magazine
Our friend Michael Nickel has been in touch with some information about a newly published issue of a German language magazine, which should be of interest to visitors to Brain Damage. The July/August 2023 issue of Drums & Percussion (What Moves Drummers) Magazine (issue 4 of 2023) (https://www.sticks.de/heftinhalt-artikeldetail?tx_news_pi1%5BactbackPid%5D=343&tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=13517&cHash=e12a9539a6bedafa8a852ee1c39116e9) has an eye catching cover featuring a very happy looking Nick Mason, in the midst of one of his Saucerful Of Secrets concerts. The cover story – “Time travel to the beginnings of Pink Floyd” – with Nick interviewed, is accompanied by a potted history of the band. On their website, they give an extract from the magazine feature: “With his new band Saucerful Of Secrets, the drummer who made music history with Pink Floyd is going way back in time. Here, Nick Mason tells us how this special time travel feels. However, the new band is not the only thing on the mind of the now 79-year-old… “This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the über-album The Dark Side of the Moon, and then there’s also a traveling exhibition about Pink Floyd called Their Mortal Remains – not to mention that Pink Floyd, by the way, has even released a new song after decades of abstinence in protest against the war in Ukraine. More than one topic for a conversation with a legend of our guild. “Nick, at the Roundhouse in London you played in 1966 and 2019 with at least partly the same songs. Where were the similarities and differences between then and now? Nick: “That was quite interesting. Of course there were similarities, but also differences: The main ones were on the technical side, because in 1966, for example, there was no stage, but an old trailer and a very small PA or very little electronics. So the whole thing was pretty quiet [laughs]. I mean, at the end of the evening the PA would have been completely destroyed. But musically it was pretty similar in parts, which I found very pleasant.” Our thanks to Michael for the information. The magazine can be purchased online through Sticks.de (https://www.sticks.de/heftinhalt-artikeldetail?tx_news_pi1%5BactbackPid%5D=343&tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=13517&cHash=e12a9539a6bedafa8a852ee1c39116e9).
Beneath the Surface with Minoh
Welcome back friends to another Beneath the Surface instalment. Today we are joined by the intriguing Minoh, off the back of recent single release ‘Million Miles’. A Korean-German synth-punk duo, we get into all things music below. So let’s get stuck in! What would you say first sparked your interest in music/who inspired you …
The post Beneath the Surface with Minoh appeared first on Turtle Tempo.
News: Don Powell Returns With Debut Album For New Band Don & The Dreamers
Don Powell, founding member and drummer of the legendary English rock band Slade, has released his debut album with the new band Don & The Dreamers. Backed by an all-star line-up of Nordic hitmakers, Don and his band deliver a powerful blend of blues and rockabilly, showcasing their musical prowess and old-school showmanship. Titled “It’s …
The post News: Don Powell Returns With Debut Album For New Band Don & The Dreamers appeared first on Turtle Tempo.
Nick Mason – a very happy birthday to you!
All of us here at Brain Damage offer our very best wishes to Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, who celebrates the very special occasion of his birthday today (January 27th). We all hope you are going to have a great day, Nick! The cornerstone of the band, he had his first drum kit at the tender age of 13. A member of Pink Floyd since the earliest iterations, he is the only one to have appeared on every one of their albums. Thanks to his late father Bill, he has been a petrol head from a young boy, and cars have been – and remain – one of his major passions in life. His most recent book, Passion for Speed (http://www.brain-damage.co.uk/books/passion-for-speed-nick-mason-and-mark-hales-2.html), is worth checking out, as is the DVD of the same name (http://www.brain-damage.co.uk/dvds-and-videos/passion-for-speed-ferrari-enzo-dvd-nick-mason-and-mark-2.html) focusing on his Ferrari Enzo car (with Nick heavily involved). Of course, for those who haven’t read it, Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd (http://www.brain-damage.co.uk/books/inside-out-2011-edition-updated-paperback-nick-mason-2.html) is an absolute essential read, and available in a variety of editions: hardback, softback (paperback) and an audiobook, which is read by Nick himself… Nick has contributed to a number of magazines on motoring issues over the years (including a fascinating monthly column in Octane Magazine), and also became president of the Guild of Motoring Writers. He is a trustee of the Beaulieu National Motor Museum, and a life member and Guardian of the BRDC (British Racing Drivers Club). He has been involved in motor racing since the early 1970s and has entered Le Mans five times. Musically, of course, the big news over the last few years was the launch of his new band, Nick Mason’s Saucerful Of Secrets. The four initial, small gigs in May 2018 held in London lead to a very successful and critically acclaimed European tour in September. This was followed, of course, in 2019 with dates in the US, Canada, and more dates in the UK and Europe. 2020 saw the release of the superb London Roundhouse concert film on audio and video formats, and was due to see the band play more shows. Sadly, the pandemic put the halt on any such plans for 2020, and 2021. The January/February 2022 tour of the US and Canada has also been postponed, and fingers are firmly crossed that these dates are rescheduled for later in the year, and that the upcoming UK and European dates – due to start in mid-April (https://www.brain-damage.co.uk/nick-mason-s-sos-2022/index.php) – go ahead as planned. Many happy returns, Nick, and see you on the road!
Nick Mason sits for portrait artists
Back in August, we told you that the eighth series of ‘Portrait Artist of the Year’ would be returning to the UK’s Sky Arts channel and streaming service NOW in August – and yes, there’s relevance to Pink Floyd fans! The series ‘Portrait Artist of the Year’, with hosts Stephen Mangan and Joan Bakewell, brings together a batch of amateur and professional artists as they battle it out to impress expert judges Tai Shan Schierenberg, Kathleen Soriano and Kate Bryan. On Wednesday, December 8th, it is the semi-final, where each heat winner will paint none other than Nick Mason, taking a break from the preparations for the Saucerful Of Secrets tour next year. The three best portraits will see their artists progress to the grand final. The long-running publication Radio Times previewed the episode: ‘A pink background with a gong centrepiece tips us off that the semi-final sitter is drummer and Pink Floyd co-founder Nick Mason. It makes a change for the musician to be foregrounded: âFinally after 50 years!â he says, with a wry smile.
As the competitors brandish gold foil, fabric and polaroid photos, their styles are described variously as âmaster of melancholicâ, âpure imaginationâ and âbonkersâ. It’s a bewitching watch, and the competition is so tight thereâs not a sheet of paper between the artists. âItâs everybodyâs to lose,â judge Kate Bryan says about the usual temptation to tinker⦠A momentary lapse of reason could make the difference. Portrait Artist of the Year will air on Sky Arts, Sky Arts HD, Sky Showcase, Sky Showcase HD, Freeview Channel 11, and streaming service NOW, from 8pm – 9pm on Wednesday, with repeat screenings on December 9th, 11th and 12th, at various times. The following tweet also gives a very quick glimpse of Nick and the gong! Just some out of context @StephenMangan (https://twitter.com/StephenMangan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) for your Monday. Are you ready for the semi-final of #PAOTY (https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAOTY?src=hash ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)?! Tune in this Wednesday at 8pm on @SkyTV (https://twitter.com/skytv?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)'s #SkyArts (https://twitter.com/hashtag/SkyArts?src=hash ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw). pic.twitter.com/d3csCwoRj5 (https://t.co/d3csCwoRj5)— Storyvault Films (@StoryvaultFilms) December 6, 2021 (https://twitter.com/StoryvaultFilms/status/1467895645440725001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
Animals Reimagined – A Tribute To Pink Floyd out next month
Following on from the successful June release of Still Wish You Were Here, a project that gathered various classic, prog and art rock musicians together to cover that album, the people behind it have brought together a similar mix of musicians to cover Pink Floyd’s 1977 album, Animals. Animals Reimagined – A Tribute To Pink Floyd is set for release on November 19th, 2021, on both CD and digital with a vinyl version coming in 2022. The previous album, Still Wish You Were Here – whilst dividing the Floyd fanbase – got a number of plaudits for its approach to the music, and with its success it is no surprise that another of the Floyd’s albums would undergo the same treatment. As before, a fairly diverse line-up can be heard on the album, with the likes of jazz-rock guitarist Al Di Meola, psych-rock godfather Arthur Brown, world renowned drummer and percussionist Carmine Appice, UFO’s Vinnie Moore, Bauhaus’s David J, Dream Theater’s James LaBrie, the legend that is Rick Wakeman, and Rainbow vocalist Graham Bonnet all coming together to give their unique flavour to this magnum opus. For a taster, you can hear their version of Dogs, a 17-minute version sung by Rainbow’s Graham Bonnet with Vinnie Moore on guitar, Utopia’s Kasim Sulton on bass, Dream Theater’s Jordan Rudess on keyboards, and King Crimson drummer Pat Mastelotto. Click here for your choice of streaming service to hear Dogs (https://orcd.co/graham_bonnet_vinnie_moore_dogs). Arthur Brown (best known for his band The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, and their UK and US hit single Fire) gives a particularly spirited performance on Sheep, which if you know Arthur, won’t come as much of a surprise! Here’s the track list, with the names of the musicians playing on each of them: Pigs On A Wing 1 – Nick van Eede (Cutting Crew) & Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)
Dogs – Graham Bonnet (Rainbow), Vinnie Moore (UFO), Kasim Sulton (Utopia), Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) & Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson)
Pigs (Three Different Ones) – James LaBrie (Dream Theater), Al Di Meola, Joe Bouchard (Blue Ãyster Cult), Patrick Moraz (The Moody Blues) & Billy Cobham (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
Sheep – Arthur Brown, Rick Wakeman (Yes), Jan Akkerman (Focus), David J. (Bauhaus) & Carmine Appice (Cactus/Vanilla Fudge)
Pigs On A Wing 2 – Jon Davison (lead vocalist for Yes), Albert Lee & Billy Sherwood (Yes) If this has intrigued you, orders are now being taken through the following links, which help us out with the ongoing running costs of Brain Damage without costing you a thing – and we really appreciate the help! The album will be available on CD in a 6-panel deluxe digipak, digitally as MP3 files, and a vinyl LP is coming next year (but not yet available to order). STILL WISH YOU WERE HERE – digipak CD: Amazon UK (https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B09GG6WJGQ/braindamage-21)
Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B09GG6WJGQ/braindamage-20)
Amazon Canada (https://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/B09GG6WJGQ/braindamageon-20)
Germany (https://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/B09GG6WJGQ/braindamage0f-21) France (https://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/B09GG6WJGQ/braindamageon-21) Italy (https://www.amazon.it/exec/obidos/ASIN/B09GG6WJGQ/bradamonl-21) Spain (https://www.amazon.es/exec/obidos/ASIN/B09GG6WJGQ/braidama01-21)