Big Bang
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Melodic Rock With An Edge
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All the way from Western Canada (Edmonton, to be exact) comes the hard rock band Big Bang, with their brand new CD entitled Rockin' The Galaxy. Big Bang is the brainchild of guitarist/bassist Mel Gargus, who wrote and arranged the material on Rockin' The Galaxy over a thirteen year period, from 1985 to 1997. The album contains plenty of wailing rock licks, with the highlights being the three instrumental cuts, "Fantasay", "Rock On" and "Pins & Needles." The space-rock melodies of "Fantasay" in particular, display Gargus' penchant for memorable riffs, and is splattered with wild, intense solo passages. Gargus was assisted on the project by vocalist Arne Christensen and drummer Brent Lane; the two musicians lending additional professionalism to the musical work.
In 1985, Gargus first began working with vocalist Arne Christensen, who he met when Christensen's band "Canada" had come to him to do a demo. Gargus found that Christensen's work ethic and ability to cover a wide range of musical styles were the elements he required in order to begin writing and recording original material. It wasn't until 1995, when the two hooked up with drummer Brent Labbe that the finishing touches could be put on Rockin' The Galaxy, as Labbe rerecorded nine of the ten drum tracks. Gargus then remixed the project and released it in 1998. Rockin' The Galaxy stands as a testament to perseverance, as they never lost site of their ultimate goal of releasing a CD.
Vocal cuts such as "Stressed Out System" and "Animal" have received some air play in Canada, and the band hopes to sell enough CDs to warrant producing a video of one of the songs. Only time will tell if rock'n'roll still lives in the hearts of North Americans.
Contact Information
Premier Recordings, Ltd.
1123 Falconer Rd.
Edmonton, Alberta T6R 2G6
Canada
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Art Renshaw
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Solo Guitarist Creates Unique Blend Of Musical Mediums
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Jazz, classical, new age...pedestrian attempts to categorize the music of guitarist Art Renshaw are bound to fall short of describing the beautiful, unaccompanied, electric sounds emanating from Renshaw's Les Paul. The title of his new CD, Dreamtime, accurately describe the dreamy, yet dynamic and passionate songs, six of which are Renshaw originals. The CD also features cover versions of the Don Mock tunes, "Prelude" and "Ballad Of Triangles" and Pat Martino's "Country Road." Renshaw's singing guitar style perfectly compliments the material chosen for the record, and amazingly, the tracks on the CD were recorded with no overdubs, editing or outboard effects...completely live, in one or two takes each. Dreamtime, while falling outside of most genre parameters, is destined to appeal to fans of jazz and new age instrumental guitar.
Art Renshaw was born the only child to two successful fine artists. He spent the first eighteen years of his life in Australia, submerging himself in the local Aboriginal culture. Growing up in a creative household, and in such colorful surroundings, fed his passion for the arts. Renshaw has spent more than two thirds of his life playing music. Choosing to depart from his parents' world of painting pictures on canvas, Renshaw instead uses the hues and tones of the guitar as his palette and brushes, composing beautifully picturesque songs, reminiscent of his life's experiences.
Renshaw recently returned from a tour in Japan, where he was met by SRO audiences and standing ovations. While in Japan, Renshaw received press in "Jazz Life Magazine," who reviewed the concert and did an interview with the guitarist.
Contact Information
Mara Fox/Times Square Productions
520 Washington Blvd. #199
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
United States
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