Latest Reviews and Features
Reviews and Features For March 2023
Theyre popping up like desert wildflowers! There are tons of good shows coming to Phoenix and Arizona this spring and here are some of our picks.
A stellar lineup will be on hand to wow fans at the 2023 Beale Street Music Festival, set to take place on three stages in the Beale Street riverfront area of Memphis
The Winery Dogs are one of the most exciting bands currently making music. A power trio of virtuosos, the lineup features Richie Kotzen on lead guitar and vocals, Mike Portnoy on drums, and the incomparable Billy Sheehan on bass.
Our focus on blues music this time out features new releases from Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Vanessa Collier and Kirk Fletcher. And they have something special in common.
Rob Grabowski caught Iggy Pop In The Act during show at the Salt Shed in Chicago on Friday, March 10, 2023. Check out Robs great photos!
Our spotlight on the Phoenix and Arizona music scene features info on some of the exciting concerts coming to the Phoenix metropolitan area and produced by Danny Zelisko Presents
Have you got your Kiss Me Im Irish button located? Ready to drink a few mugs of green beer? Here we offer some new music for your St. Patricks Day celebration as well as a recipe for a new cocktail thats perfect for the day
Rob Grabowski caught Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band In The Act during show at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Check out Robs great photos!
Rob Grabowski caught Buddy Guy In The Act during show at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Ill. on Sunday, February 19, 2023. Check out Robs great photos!
If you were aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line ship Pearl for this years Cayamo you would not be surprised to find out that the 2024 edition of the cruise sold out barely a week after cabins went on sale.
Dozens and dozens of concerts make sure that theres non-stop fun during the Cayamo cruise, a floating music festival and celebration of Americana music that this year took place Feb. 10-17
Rob Grabowski caught Bush In The Act during show at the Salt Shed in Chicago on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023. Check out Robs review and photos!
Stars keep lining up to participate in the Journey Through Song and while many are veterans of multiple sailings there are also plenty of first-timers aboard each cruise.
Rob Grabowski caught FireHouse In The Act during show at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Ill. on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. Check out Robs great photos!
Reviews and Features For February 2023
Heres a chance for vinyl fans to really do some serious rockin with Dokken. This new box set collects the first four albums from the band, all released in the mid-1980s.
You may not be dumb but you will definitely be in love with this awesome party platter after just one listen; that is, if you like great punk pop with female lead vocals
The 15th edition of the Cayamo cruise got off to an auspicious start on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 as the long-running Americana group Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (NGDB) had the honor of playing Cayamos sail-away show
Rob Grabowski caught Orianthi and John Corabi In The Act during show at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Ill on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. Check out Robs great photos!
This time out our spotlight on vinyl features the Vinyl Moon label. The imprint is already a vinyl lovers delight, now theyre releasing titles with Augmented Reality!
Rob shares this special edition of Caught in The Act with his picks for the Top 12 Rock Songs for Valentines Day (actually, Top 15!).
Fans of cruising, great music and the city of New Orleans will be in for a real treat with The Big Easy Cruise, a new themed cruise produced by music cruise specialists StarVista LIVE
Kevin takes a listen to Adam Mastersons new album Time Bomb
Here are some cool ideas for gifts for your Valentine, and yes we have chocolate!
We screen a campy, vintage creature feature about a hairy humanoid!
Not yet hip to this delightfully-named Austrian shock rock outfit? Heres your chance to catch up as this set compiles the best of the bands English language material from the past 20-years.
This Hollywood-based band begins their new album with the sublime groove of One Too Many
Many fans will be familiar with members of the trios lineup of singer and bass man Todd Kerns (Slash and the Conspirators), guitarist Stef Burns (Y&T, Alice Cooper) and drummer Will Hunt (Evanescence.)
Nichols has a stated goal here of playing in different styles to reflect his influences and it works nicely, theres a very cohesive feel to the album.
Reviews and Features For January
But like the music of the Grateful Dead that its inspired by, just dig it and dont hurt your head trying to figure it out
Founding member of the Grateful Dead Bob Weir continues to bring music to Deadheads by working with various entities
We listen to a fabulous collection of inspirational songs by country music stars both current and past.
Longtime Crosby fans will be absolutely delighted that the singer has released his first ever live recording
For this installment of Root 66, Kevin takes a listen to new releases from Linda Ronstadt, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and Danceland
When Gene Simmons announced that Rock was dead a few years ago, apparently he had not yet heard Brigitte Eve.
Our travel news this time out is hot and tasty! Its deep dish! Lou Malnatis Pizzeria has opened in Tempe, Arizona.
Reviews and Features For December
Heres a nice treat for fans of the late rocker as the 2-CD set Live at the Fillmore (1997) presents many hits along with a host of cover versions of famous songs that influenced Petty.
Morley had the opportunity to connect with Robin Lane recently to talk about her new record, Dirt Road to Heaven.
Our spotlight on roots music listens to new releases from the Brother Brothers, 3 Pairs of Boots, John McCutcheon and Ethan Daniel Davidson
Ho ho ho its almost time to go! Ive got my sleigh loaded, my reindeer well fed, and my playlist all set! Heres a peek at some of the tunes Ill be listening to as I make my rounds.
We suggest giving the gift of a music-related book this holiday season- here are six that are hits with us, including Elton John, Rob Halford, John Lennon, Sun Records, Frank Zappa and more.
Still need a gift or two for your holiday celebrations? Here are a few ideas for you, including something that everyone can use --- an incredible device to help ease aches and pains.
Were pretty sure that someone on your list would love to have one or more of these goodies, and we begin our list with something just for folks who are always mixing things up!
Rob Grabowski caught The Struts In The Act during a Pop-Up concert for Q101fm Chicago at the Cubby Bear on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, in Chicago, Ill.
DOGO du Togo is the stage name of Massama Dogo, a native of Togo who has lived in the United States for some time where he fronted the Afropop outfit Elikeh.
Whether youve wanted to visit Qatar for a long time or have more recent yearnings stirred by watching the 2022 FIFA World Cup on television, Qatar and its capital city Doha are home to treasures both ancient and very modern
If you have someone on your holiday gift list who loves music and loves reading about the folks who make it, here are some new books that theyll absolutely love!
Reviews and Features For November
Spoiler NYC is led by Alan Robert, who is also the co-founder of Life of Agony, and its fast and noisy album (Banned in 38 States) is one wonderful burst of aggressive punk rock
Our stocking stuffer suggestions for this holiday season includes something that'll be a big hit with fans of the Beatles!
Rock journeyman and founding member of Traffic Dave Mason brought his World in Changes Tour to Phoenix on November 19 for a show at the historic Celebrity Theatre
Our spotlight on vinyl spins new releases from Night Crickets, Drowning Pool and Slinky Vagabond.
For this installment of Root 66, Kevin takes a listen to releases from New Riders of the Purple Sage, John Fusco, Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal
The Luckiest Hippie Alive is a fine album from a talent that hopefully will not be overlooked again now that fans have a second chance with this reissue. Pressed on 180-gram vinyl.
Rob Grabowski caught Taylor Dayne In The Act during show at the Piazza on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Aurora, Ill. Check out Rob's great photos!
One of our favorite labels here at RockPile is Deko Entertainment who've recently released awesome records by Dianthus, Little Caesar, separate releases from former Blue Oyster Cult stars Joe and Albert Bouchard, pop star Tiffany and more
Boom! The sound of a simulated cannon shot rang out in the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix as a light show dazzled and Dropkick Murphys launched into the first song of their set, "Ten Times More."
The Art of Time Travel thoroughly demonstrates that Travers is still adept at the art of guitar and fans will love it.
One of the most-revered rock bands of all time thrilled a capacity crowd Oct. 30 as The Who brought their "The Who Hits Back!" show to the Ak-Chin Pavilion in Phoenix.
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