Retro rockers Tokyo Dragons are ready to blast back onto UK stages after unleashing their new album, ‘Hot Nuts’. The London based four-piece have toiled long and hard over the making of the new record and they are now about to embark on a batch of highly anticipated UK dates.
Armed with a fresh collection of 70s tinged rock anthems, the Dragons are back and drummer Phil Martini is more than pleased with the new album. He said: “We're pretty smug about it! - We’ve created a killer record, and keep a lookout for the smart artwork too!”
The making of the album saw the Dragons, completed by vocalist Steve Lomax, guitarist Mal Bruk and bassist Mathias Stady, head to the States to link up with producer Kurt Bloch. Bloch, whose credits include Nashville Pussy and the Supersuckers, was at the helm for a month long recording stint in Seattle, during which time, according to Phil, an unshakable rock allegiance was founded.“We were lucky enough to spend four weeks in Seattle, working up an unbreakable bond with Kurt.
“With our rock credentials & his endless cool, we couldn’t fail!” And they certainly haven’t failed. ‘Hot Nuts’ delivers ten salacious slabs of foot stomping classic rock fused with enough dueling guitars to put Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham to shame.The band made a potential rod for their own backs by releasing a debut album (Give Me the Fear) back in 2005 which included infectious rockers such as ‘Teenage Screamers’ and ‘What the Hell’.
The album resulted in lavish praise from all over the rock press, but this meant that the follow up had to be something special, and the boys haven’t disappointed with ‘Hot Nuts’.Tracks like ‘On Your Marks’, ‘Keeping the Wolf from the Door’ and ‘On Fuel’ provide just want you want from a Tokyo Dragons song, good time ballsy rock that begs to blasted out on the road.
It’s a good job then that a UK headline tour is just around the corner! The Dragons have spread their net far and wide with tours all over Europe in the past 18 months, something which is a key part of the bands ethic.Phil added: “We kind of expect the limitations of rock ‘n’ roll in the UK now, in terms of the media coverage, live circuit and a lack of good bands. “So, getting out there and playing live is the key, and it’s a rock bands bread and butter.
“It’s not easy getting gigs and keeping a band on the road is expensive, but where there’s a will there’s a way to kick out the jams!”It’s a busy time for Phil and the rest of the band, with more than just a new album and tour on the horizon.London’s finest classic rockers are also featured in the forthcoming Rock Legends at Rockfield book, as well as having a track in the new Jackass game.On these developments Phil enthused: “The author (of Rock Legends…) knew that we made our first album at Rockfield and told us of his great idea of making a book all about our three week stay there, and then tying on some stuff about ‘Sabbath and Queen – just to pad it out a bit!“As for Jackass, well everyone knows Knoxville’s our number one fan … don’t they?!”
With that Phil headed back to Dragons HQ for another day of ‘scheming, plotting, creating and rockin’, and presumably to dig out the denim jacket and cowbell to bring Hot Nuts to the masses.
The Dragons UK tour kicks off in Minehead on November 9th and runs through to November 17th.Check out http://www.tokyodragons.com/ for more details.
Words - Rich. Image courtesy of Tokyo Dragons' MySpace
Armed with a fresh collection of 70s tinged rock anthems, the Dragons are back and drummer Phil Martini is more than pleased with the new album. He said: “We're pretty smug about it! - We’ve created a killer record, and keep a lookout for the smart artwork too!”
The making of the album saw the Dragons, completed by vocalist Steve Lomax, guitarist Mal Bruk and bassist Mathias Stady, head to the States to link up with producer Kurt Bloch. Bloch, whose credits include Nashville Pussy and the Supersuckers, was at the helm for a month long recording stint in Seattle, during which time, according to Phil, an unshakable rock allegiance was founded.“We were lucky enough to spend four weeks in Seattle, working up an unbreakable bond with Kurt.
“With our rock credentials & his endless cool, we couldn’t fail!” And they certainly haven’t failed. ‘Hot Nuts’ delivers ten salacious slabs of foot stomping classic rock fused with enough dueling guitars to put Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham to shame.The band made a potential rod for their own backs by releasing a debut album (Give Me the Fear) back in 2005 which included infectious rockers such as ‘Teenage Screamers’ and ‘What the Hell’.
The album resulted in lavish praise from all over the rock press, but this meant that the follow up had to be something special, and the boys haven’t disappointed with ‘Hot Nuts’.Tracks like ‘On Your Marks’, ‘Keeping the Wolf from the Door’ and ‘On Fuel’ provide just want you want from a Tokyo Dragons song, good time ballsy rock that begs to blasted out on the road.
It’s a good job then that a UK headline tour is just around the corner! The Dragons have spread their net far and wide with tours all over Europe in the past 18 months, something which is a key part of the bands ethic.Phil added: “We kind of expect the limitations of rock ‘n’ roll in the UK now, in terms of the media coverage, live circuit and a lack of good bands. “So, getting out there and playing live is the key, and it’s a rock bands bread and butter.
“It’s not easy getting gigs and keeping a band on the road is expensive, but where there’s a will there’s a way to kick out the jams!”It’s a busy time for Phil and the rest of the band, with more than just a new album and tour on the horizon.London’s finest classic rockers are also featured in the forthcoming Rock Legends at Rockfield book, as well as having a track in the new Jackass game.On these developments Phil enthused: “The author (of Rock Legends…) knew that we made our first album at Rockfield and told us of his great idea of making a book all about our three week stay there, and then tying on some stuff about ‘Sabbath and Queen – just to pad it out a bit!“As for Jackass, well everyone knows Knoxville’s our number one fan … don’t they?!”
With that Phil headed back to Dragons HQ for another day of ‘scheming, plotting, creating and rockin’, and presumably to dig out the denim jacket and cowbell to bring Hot Nuts to the masses.
The Dragons UK tour kicks off in Minehead on November 9th and runs through to November 17th.Check out http://www.tokyodragons.com/ for more details.
Words - Rich. Image courtesy of Tokyo Dragons' MySpace
