Gonzo Media Group Release New Book The Progressive Underground Vol. 5 By Kev Rowland

Contrary to popular belief, progressive rock didn’t disappear with the advent of punk, and the lack of media support didn’t prevent new bands from forming and new music being created. It is hard to imagine these days, with everyone being permanently connected, but there was a time not long ago when communication was by word of mouth and letter. With no coverage by much of the media, it was down to fanzines and independent magazines to spread the word of what was happening within the progressive rock scene, what was being released, and who was worth going to see in concert. Most of these magazines survived for just a few issues, while others continued for many years, all having their part to play in spreading the word. 

One of the most important during this period was ‘Feedback’. It initially started as the newsletter of Mensa’s Rock Music Special Interest Group in 1988, but when Kev Rowland became secretary in 1990, he determined to turn it into a magazine promoting music that often wasn’t being written about in the mainstream press. ‘Feedback’ soon became one of the key promoters of the underground progressive scene, and Rowland one of the most well-known and popular reviewers. He also became a contributor to ‘Rock ‘n’ Reel’, as well as writing for the Ghostland website in the early days of prog on the web.

Rowland collated all his progressive rock reviews and interviews written between 1991 and 2006 into three volumes which have been described by Record Collector and others as “The Bible” while one reviewer called it the “Encyclopaedia Progressivica”. It was originally intended to be just one book, but with the word count at more than half a million it was too big, so instead it was decided to break it into easily digestible chunks and include all album artwork. The books have been widely acclaimed, and questions were asked of Rowland as to when the next one in the series would be available? Originally there was never any intention to produce any others as these had captured the time when he was running ‘Feedback’. However, even though he moved to the other side of the world and dropped out of the music scene, Rowland did begin writing again in 2008 and was soon as involved as he had previously been in the UK. Also, all his reviews were now saved digitally and did not have to be brought back to life from poorly photocopied fanzines, and he became convinced that it would be worthwhile to continue the series as the music had never stopped.

This led to Volume 4, containing his writings from 2008 to 2013, with all album covers in full colour and cover art again by Martin Springett. Unlike the others in the series, this included the complete alphabet, along with some book and DVD reviews, various artists, and a few interviews. Of course, again questions were soon being asked as to when the next volume would be available and now, we have Volume 5, which starts in 2014 and takes us into 2018. The foreword is by label owner Nick Katona, while the comments on the rear cover are from musicians Steve Bonino and Peter Matuchniak. 

Along with the other volumes in the series, this book shines a spotlight onto a scene which is still critically ignored by many and provides information about the music in a constructive manner. It is again possible to discover some great music from wonderful bands, and this should be used as a guide to expand collections and understand that prog rock really didn’t die, it just went underground.

About the author


Kev Rowland is a self-confessed music addict, who has never really been the same since he heard ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’ in 1975. In the Eighties he spent quite a ridiculous amount of money on all things related to Jethro Tull and was asked by David Rees to write a piece on Carmen (the band including John Glascock, not the opera) for the Tull fanzine ‘A New Day’. This simple request was life-changing, although neither realised it at the time.

Kev discovered he enjoyed writing about music and submitted reviews for the inaugural Mensa Rock Special Interest Group newsletter, before becoming secretary himself in 1990. Over the next 16 years, the newsletter gained a name, and he put out more than 80 issues, many of them doubles, more than 11,000 pages. When he moved to New Zealand in 2006, he retired from the music scene, but was pulled back in – initially kicking and screaming until he accepted his fate. These days he can again be found contributing to many magazines and websites and over the last 30+ years has written literally millions of words on music, but is not stopping yet and somehow, he still manages more than 250,000 words annually. So much music, so little time! 

When he isn’t listening to music, writing about music, or thinking about music, then he can be found on his lifestyle block with his wonderful wife Sara, and their 6 dogs, 5 cats, chickens, sheep, lambs, calves, and cattle. Oh, apparently, he has a day job as well.   

Kev is available for interview but asks for initial contact to be made via email as time zones can be confusing to some people, and he does live at the end of the world after all: [email protected]

Online:

http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=5626

Kev Rowland’s previous collections of his progressive rock reviews and interviews    written between 1991 and 2013 are essential for all lovers of the genre, but don’t just take our word for it.

A book that will be quickly referred to as “a bible”.

Daryl Easlea, Record Collector 

His writing is informative, intelligent, and generous… As Brian Appleton would put it, thank you Kev for your contribution.

Rychard Carrington, Rock n Reel

It is unvarnished and unencumbered by any expectations of PR; the reviews are clearly done for no other reason than love of the genre.

DE, Prog Magazine

This is best treated as a kind of guide to the neo-progressive genre… progressive rock has never really died; it just went from the mainstream to the underground.

Artur Chachlowski, MLWZ

All I can say is if you are a true proghead this book should be in your library of progressive rock literature. Because it’s a great work. A book to be considered of superior or lasting artistic merit.

Henri Strik, Background Magazine 

Chronic well-crafted, short, and mostly written in order to develop the subject with ease… I believe that many current columnists should emulate the writing of Mr. Rowland.

Fred, ProfilProg 

All four volumes are essentially icings on a huge, delicious prog cake and should be an integral part in every prog-lovers’ cabinet. 

Jan Buddenberg, DPRP.net

I continue to find these books extremely enjoyable and consider Kev a role model. “Read on” Kev indicates in his introduction. I fully concur. 

Paul Rijkens, iO Pages

Cover art and design for all five volumes is by Martin Springett, http://martinspringett.com/

Days Before Tomorrow has just Released a Music Video for their Powerful and Evocative Ballad, “Your Song.” 

Days Before Tomorrow

The band originally began developing “Your Song” during the making of their award-winning debut, “The Sky Is Falling,” but the song wasn’t completed in time for the making of that record. Hardcore fans of the band may notice that the ballad actually carries forward a musical theme from the first album to the next, as the intention was for the ballad to connect musically with the former record’s instrumental piece, “In the Air.” Today, Days Before Tomorrow performs those two musical pieces together, live in concert. 

Lyrically, “Your Song” was born out of a snarky comment made to Scott by a girlfriend many years ago: “Why don’t you write any songs for me?” Thus was born the idea to write her a love song, but since she enjoyed ribbing Scott about it, he decided to have some fun and turn it into a song for world peace as well. Why should she have the entire song to herself, after all?

“Your Song” can be found on the band’s latest release Now and Then Part II: Stories and Dreams which was released on 10/20/2023 and is available on CD, Digital, and streaming.

All Music By Days Before Tomorrow
All Lyrics Eric Klein except “Your Song” by Scott Kahn
Mastered By: George Keller

Mixed by James Linton (Bobby Kimball).

Days Before Tomorrow
Eric Klein: vocals
Scott Kahn: guitars, backing vocals
Derek Davodowich: guitars, backing vocals
John Gale: keyboards, backing vocals
Matt Maldonado: drums
Jacob Asbury: bass, vocals 

Previous Releases 

The Sky Is Falling (2009)
Days Before Tomorrow (2006)

Days Before Tomorrow Online
httpsmrrmusiccom.lsnto.me/rzj0wspf

Melodic Revolution Records Online
https://li.sten.to/mrrmusiccom

Transport Aerian to Release New Album “Live In Ghent” Through Melodic Revolution Records on March 16, 2024

Transport Aerian is a Belgian progressive rock project. Taking it roots in 2009, it is known ever since for its vivid and dark combination of contemporary prog and jazz sounds, wrapped in heavier guitar work, and intimate, deeply personal poetry. 

It sets no strict genre borders and knows no musical or spiritual limits but always stays on the progressive side. In recent years, the band has released four studio albums published by American grass-roots record label Melodic Revolution Records: Bleeding (2013), Darkblue (2015), Therianthrope (2017), and Skywound (2021). The project worked with many guest artists from all over the world, including such names as Paul Sax (Curved Air), Elvya (Solo artist, Ayreon), Chris Allan (Malefice/Spiral Key), Marco Ragni, Peter Matuchniak and many others.  In recent years, the band performed numerous shows in Belgium, France, and The Netherlands with its current lineup featuring Hamlet (vocals and bass), Stefan Boeykens (guitars), Umut Eldem (Keyboards), and Paul De Smet (drums).

Transport Aerian is known for focusing solely on concept albums with a heavy emphasis on more serious topics, ranging from personal, and spiritual to social or perspectives – in other words openly talking about the experience of just being a human in a rapidly changing world on the brink of crisis.  

Musically, Transport Aerian combines the elements of classic prog and contemporary heavy and experimental music, exploring the vintage production designs, poetic post-modernist tint in lyrics and generally designs its performances and recordings in a way to tell the story. In 2023 the band announced the coming release of a live album simply titled “Live In Ghent” and a mini-tour under the title Exit Skywound.

Tracklist:

01. Abstract Symphony V: The Immortals
02. Full Body Access
3. Shall Not Be
04. Big Heart
05. Lunatic
06. Falling 20
07. Destroy Me
08. Inspire
09. Smirking Sirens
10. The Effect
11. Skywound

Band Members
Hamlet // Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Bass Guitar, Programming, Drums, and Samples
Stefan Boeykens // Guitars
Paul De Smet // Drums
Umut Eldem // Contemporary Classic Composer, Keyboards

For fans of Riverside, Pain Of Salvation, Porcupine Tree, A Perfect Circle , and so on….

Transport Aerian Online
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transportaerianproject
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transportaerian.music
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TransportAerianMusic
Bandcamp: https://transportaerianmrrartist.bandcamp.com
Website: https://transportaerian.net

Melodic Revolution Records Online
https://li.sten.to/mrrmusiccom.bandcamp.com/

Massimo Pieretti’s Releases New single “Creatures of the Night, Part.2”

Massimo Pieretti’s new single “Creatures of the Night, part.2” will be released on Monday 12 February 2024.

The single will pave the way for the new album by the Roman multi-instrumentalist and composer entitled “The Next Dream” a concept album set in the world of dreams, of the creatures that inhabit them, and with imaginary connections with current society. Prestigious Italian and international guests will be part of the project including John Hackett, Rob Townsend, Laura Piazzai, Attilio Virgilio, Simone Cozzetto, Nick Fletcher, Jean Luc Payssan, Mattias Olsson, and all the members of Noage.

Listen here

Featuring
Laura Piazzai – Lead Vocals, Claudio Milano – Background vocals Nick Fletcher, Attilio Virgilio – El.Guitars
Lisa Green – Violin, Gianni Pieri – Cello
Billy Allen – El. Bass
Mattias Olsson – Drums and percussions
Massimo Pieretti – El.piano, Hammond organ & Synths

Follow on line
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Massimo.Pieretti.Anewbeginning
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/massimo_pieretti/

Music online
Europe: https://massimopieretti.bandcamp.com/album/a-new-beginning
USA: https://melodicrevolutiondistro.bandcamp.com/album/a-new-beginning

Refestramus has unveiled their second teaser video, “Agent M vs. the Sex Lizard,” from their forthcoming album “Intouríst.”

Experience the outlandish inspiration behind Refestramus’ latest hit on their upcoming album, Intouríst. Derek Ferguson, the creative force of the Chicago-based ensemble, transforms the true life, bizarre account of a televangelist’s wife and her otherworldly seducer into a musical odyssey. “Agent M Vs. the Sex Lizard,’ the provocative second chapter of the album’s title trilogy, comes to life through a mesmerizing music video featuring the enigmatic Agent Mikrovolnovka. Dive into the intrigue before the full album drops on May 4th.

Refestramus, the progressive art rock ensemble hailing from Chicago, IL, renowned for blending influences from traditional gypsy, flamenco, and Slavic styles with a modern hard rock edge, Refestramus made waves with their debut album, “Decoupage,” in 2021. Now, in 2023, they’re teasing fans with a glimpse of the even more progressive direction they’re taking with “Intouríst.” Following the album drop, the band plans an extensive tour to support their latest musical venture.

“Refestramus is joined on this track by Colouratura members Derek Pavlic and Ian Beabout, as well as Jerry King from Moon X.”

Refestramus
Derek Ferguson – Drums,
Jerry King – Bass,
Derek Pavlic – Guitars, Mellotron and Viola,
Rogelio Souza – Keys
Nida – Vocals

All arrangements by Refestramus 
Produced by Ian Beabout and Derek Ferguson 
Mixed and Mastered by Ian Beabout

Refestramus Online
Facebook: https://facebook.com/refestramus
Bandcamp: https://refestramus.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/refestramus/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@refestramus
Twitter: https://twitter.com/refestramus
EPK: https://mrrmusic.com/project/refestramus/

Melodic Revolution Records Online
https://li.sten.to/mrrmusiccom.bandcamp.com/