Several weeks ago, I wrote a brief on what I called “The Quiet Invasion”…the resurgence of Rock N’ Roll.  The article just scratched the surface, and ever so lightly at that!  In the latest issue of ‘Classic Rock’, the periodical that is considered the Holy Grail of Rockdom, there is an article entitled “The New Avengers”, which goes in to more depth with those Artists that are forming the vanguard of this world encompassing movement. 

My piece stayed with the veterans, this discourse from Classic Rock deals mostly with the ‘new kids on the block’.  Bands like “Band Of Skulls”, “Black Stone Cherry”, “Shinedown” and “Rival Sons”.  Plus some ‘not so new’ Artists such as “The Answer”, “St. Jude”, and “Chickenfoot”.  The May 2012 issue is at newsstands everywhere - worth the money too!

This week I offer up an Interview I’ve just finished with a new band of musical Artists that easily fit into the “New Avengers”, and from a most unlikely place: a group that definitely will become more and more familiar with music lovers all over the globe…”Shadowside”:

Bruce Atkinson: I would like to begin with a brief history of the band… And what it is like being from Brazil, musically speaking...

    Dani : Being in a Metal band here is usually an uphill struggle but at the same time it's extremely entertaining, I can't tell you how much fun I have shocking the old ladies who think I'm going to eat their hearts or something like that (laughs). We had no idea what would happen after the release of our first demo... in less than a year, we built a good national reputation which soon led to the release of our debut album, Theatre of Shadows. We toured a lot nationally and when we were getting ready to record the second album, Dare to Dream, the label put together a short US tour and that was our first international step. It was so successful that it led to a second one, then a third and for a long time, we were playing more in the United States than in our country. After lots of gigs we decided that it was time to stop for a little bit and focus on new material, which is the Inner Monster Out album that is coming out now!

BA: Let’s look at your new effort…”Inner Monster Out”…a great collection, what did you want to accomplish with this record, and have you succeeded?

D: We basically wanted to get out of Sweden, where we recorded the album, with the best material of our careers and I'm pretty confident that we did it. We wanted to come up with something we could enjoy playing live and listening to, something we would really stop to listen to on the radio and actually want to buy it if it was done by somebody else. Musical differences were embraced on this album. Our drummer Fabio is a thrash metal fan, Raphael loves modern, melodic death metal like In Flames, as I do as well, but I'm a hard rock fanatic for example. So we just accepted it all and wouldn't stop working on a song until we managed that all members were truly happy with it.

BA: You also seem to have a huge and loyal fan base right at home…which must inspire you to push on…

D: It definitely does... the main reason is the music of course, but the fans indeed add fuel to the fire and a lot of it. Seeing those happy faces singing the song I wrote in my bedroom, in the tour bus... it's priceless. Having them come to you saying your music changed their lives or they relate to the lyrics you wrote, or they use your music as inspiration... when I'm down, all I have to do is to think of those people. How can I ever be down with such a special thing going on in my life? It really keeps us going... their wish for our music definitely makes me happier about writing and playing!

   With the emergence of such groups as ‘Shadowside’, the Quiet Invasion’ is becoming not so quiet! Below is how this foursome have impressed me: 

SHADOWSIDE – Inner Monster Out (Ulterium Records)

Not known for exporting great rock bands… Brazil should be! Shadowside hail from Santos-Brazil and they have what it takes to become a major Metal Force! “Inner Monster Out” is the quartet’s third full length album. It begins with a driving, soaring and melodic Metal wave that propels this record to the highest of heights! From their official biography: “Power, energy, intensity.

These three words defined Shadowside’s career path very well…”, and those same words describe their third effort. Power-this record RIPS!

Energy, there is no end to it! Intensity, yes!, each song is performed with it and so is the lyrical content! Winning fans all over the world, the group’s constant touring has produced a very tightly woven juggernaut of Hard Molten rock. Dani Nolden’s vocals have an indescribable quality: strong and dynamic, yet melodic, just like the music it crowns!

“Inner Monster Out” should further Shadowside’s career by legions, and bringing a whole nations’ Rock Music scene to world attention.  Bruce Atkinson 

Upcoming Club/Concert Highlights:

April Wine—Saturday May 26^th 5^th Annual Ride & Rock Concert: Kreater Custom Motorcycles

Dave’s Sports Bar:  Papa Wheely:  May 25^th  Younguns:  May 26^th  Jimmy LeGuilloux:  June 1^st  Poppa Dawg:  June 2^nd  

Lake City Bowl:  Anvil  August 4^th                                     

The Habitat:   Zeus May 28^th      

VooDoo’s   (Penticton)   Sunday  Blues Jam—every Sunday!!     

Notable Concerts:  

  Salmon  Arm:  Shaw  Centre:  Nazareth July 7^th

  Merritt:   Harlequinn  July 12^th

  Kamloops Convention Centre:   Sweet  June 15^th   Nazareth July 9^th

  South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton:   John Mellencamp with Special guests:  Cowboy Junkies Thursday June 14^th

Funtastic (Vernon): Kenny Shields & Streetheart  plus The Headpins  June 29^th    Lou Gramm (Foreigner) June 30^th

Kenny Shields & Streetheart  July 14^th  Dancin’ Barefoot Music Festival  in Peachland

Rock The Peach Music Festival: July 27^th / 28^th/29^th : Kings Park (Penticton) Collective Soul Good For Grapes  Sam Roberts Band  The Steadies  Glass Tiger  Jesse Cook  Ronnie Dunn

  Sturgis North 2012 Vernon: July 18^th to 22^nd  Rick Derringer  Jerry Doucette  Blue Oyster Cult  Foghat  Nick Gilder & Sweeney Todd  The Guess Who  Stampeders  Snake Oil Sinners  Jasmine Cain

    ‘Notes & News’:     Westside Daze: Great Canada Day line-up and activities: June 29^th-30^th and July 1^st   Watch here for more info! 

……if you have a musical story or news and would like me to write something… drop me a line at:  fbainternational@telus.net  and let’s celebrate Kelowna’s rich and varied music community together!!.....