12 BANDS TO WATCH IN 2015
2014 brought a lot of great rock’n’roll, and I have a feeling 2015 will deliver some major treats as well. Here are 12 bands I’ll be keeping my eyes on in the upcoming year.
1. Twenty Two Hundred
This band has been high on my “bands I love”-list for a few years now. In 2014 they opened for Slash on his UK-tour, and got a lot of great buzz from those shows. I hope 2015 is the year when these guys break on through to even more people around the world: how about one or more big music festivals to kick things off? Download Fest, maybe?
2. Furyon
Furyon’s previous release Gravitas kicked some major ass, and the band is finally back with a new album in January, 2015. I can’t wait to hear it. “These Four Walls”, the first single off the new album, is giving me a yearning for more.
3. Massive
I put Massive’s album Full Throttle on my list of favourite releases in 2013. Obviously, I wasn’t the only one paying attention: the band was picked up by Earache Records, and in 2014 they got some major exposure with a European tour and a release of an expanded Full Throttle. This band is red-hot: their stunning track “Ghost” is getting the video treatment soon, and I am just looking forward to see them ride the wave.
4. ColdSpell
Guitarist Micke Larsson of Swedish band ColdSpell talked about the possibility of a new album in 2015 when I interviewed him earlier this year, and the band has also mentioned it on Facebook lately. I hope it’s true, and I also hope the band hits North America (read: Vancouver, Canada) sometime soon!
5. The Amorettes
This Scottish band goes on tour with Black Star Riders in 2015, and they have a new album in the works as well. I am majorly excited and can’t wait to hear some new tunes from this outfit.
6. Soto
The more I hear from and about Jeff Scott Soto’s new band Soto, the more excited I get about this album. Into The Vertigo drops January 30, 2015. I’ll be there, with bells on.
7. Diemonds
Canadian rockers Diemonds are working on a new album. ‘Nuff said! Their last release The Bad Pack was a barn-burner, and I am ready for more!
8. Death Ape Disco
This UK-band has gone through some tough times since the release of their spectacular album Supervolcano, but they are still around (with a slightly different lineup), and new material is being worked on. I really hope we get to hear some new tracks from this band in 2015!
9. Heaven’s Basement
After releasing their kick-ass album Filthy Empire, and doing some hardcore international touring, Heaven’s Basement is reportedly working on a new release. No dates or other details yet, but this one will be worth waiting for.
10. The Winery Dogs
Mike Portnoy, Richie Kotzen, and Billy Sheehan – AKA The Winery Dogs – have confirmed on their Facebook page and elsewhere that another album is in the works. I simply loved their self-titled debut album, and will be waiting impatiently for this.
11. Aviator Shades
Vancouver’s Aviator Shades had a great 2014: they released a blistering hot EP titled Ready To Blow, they toured, and they opened for Monster Truck at the iconic Commodore Ballroom. I just can’t wait to see where 2015 takes them.
12. Wicked Tongues
California band Wicked Tongues have some damn hot tunes – just check out their EP Jackals for a sample – and the band has the kind of sound that makes you want to hear more. I’m hoping to hear a lot more from them in the upcoming year.