The Sideshows - self titled

Well 2026 continues to be a royal treat for my ears! Another essential album has arrived in the form of the much-anticipated debut long player from super-trio The Sideshows. The Sideshows are Rich Ragany and Simon Maxwell (The Loyalties, Role Models, Rich Ragany & The Digressions) teaming up with the beyond-legendary Sami Yaffa (Hanoi Rocks, Michael Monroe, Demolition 23, Jetboy, Jerusalem Slim, New York Dolls, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, etc.) to play real-deal rock 'n' roll for diehard romantics, beautiful losers, and true believers. 

This 10-track album, recorded at Yaffa's home studio in Mallorca, Spain, is yet another brilliant set of tunes in Rags' remarkable run of songwriting now stretching over the past decade and change. And to have these three individuals — whose talents and styles could not be more perfectly in sync — creating music together is something quite special to behold. The band was kind enough to preview four of these tracks in advance of the album release, and I must say that the remaining six numbers are every bit as good. The album is exactly what you'd be hope it would be: a filler-free parade of heartfelt, anthemic rockers with a singer/songwriter's soul and an arena band's energy. You can hear the influences of punk, glam, power pop, Americana, and hard rock, but ultimately this is rock 'n' roll that will make you still believe in rock 'n' roll. The album sounds fantastic, and these three form a tight power trio in the classic sense. It's hard to imagine me having much more room to be amazed by Rag's songs after all these years of spreading his gospel, but some of these tunes have absolutely floored me. Of course "Brand New" is a total anthem and a perfect album-opener. But then you have "Say Goodbye On A Night Like This," "This Could Be Everything," and "Rock and Roll Owes Me An Apology"  —  three of the best songs Rags has ever put his name on. "Smoke Show" has been stuck in my head for a week, and no medical remedy could change that. "Not Sorry," a powerful tribute to Rags' dear friend Scott Sorry, concludes the album in properly epic fashion. 

Sometimes, a lot of talent in a band doesn't quite produce the results you'd hope for. But in the case of The Sideshows, everything has clicked. Certainly it all starts with the songwriting. I wasn't sure Rags could ever produce another batch of songs to rival You Can Get Dark With Me, but he has done just that. Whatever fire has been lit in him these last few years is burning stronger than ever. And what songwriter and guitarist wouldn't dream of a Sami Yaffa/Simon Maxwell rhythm section? These three found magic in the Spanish countryside, and this album captures it in full. My friends and Europe can order the pink vinyl from Finland. Additional physical releases are coming soon! 

-L.R.

https://open.spotify.com/album/05fB16mbIXGBT9B0XGAUKH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDYbny5heU0&list=OLAK5uy_mx_VzH2R_x2RWva69IbaUzoOWLNYjeAJc
https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Sideshows/61583315399406/
https://www.instagram.com/the_sideshows1234/

The Sideshows - "We're Such A Shame"/"This Could Be Everything"

And they're back! Rich Ragany, Simon Maxwell, and Sammi Yaffa are The Sideshows, who debuted last year with their extraordinary single "Brand New." Luckily for all of us, the instant magic these three captured in one session in Yaffa's home studio in the Spanish countryside has blossomed into a full-blown band, and now a full album awaits us. In advance of that, we get a little taste of what's to come. The band's new single "We're Such A Shame" will get you properly fired up for what promises to be one of 2026's finest albums. The title track is a powerful glam-punk influenced rocker and a total anthem. From the first notes, you know you're getting hit with something special. Guitars jangle while drums hit with authority, and Rags is in top form on lead vocals. There are so many times when Rags reminds me of a young John Easdale with his tone and phrasing, and that can never be a bad thing. I love how this song builds to a rousing chorus. This, my friends, is a hit! On the virtual flip side, "This Could Be Everything" is more in ballad territory — a perfect counterpart to the A-side. The tempo is more laid back, but the heart and soul of the song are undeniable. And once that chorus works its way into your head, it will be stuck there for weeks. These are two amazing songs that sound absolutely incredible. Rags' own review of this single is "you're gonna wanna blast these," and that's far more eloquent than I could ever be. The album releases in just one week, so be prepared to be fully rocked!

-L.R.

https://open.spotify.com/album/4OELdQgGR0cn926QGTBubT
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kgOkMZhxrWIuN9OlLnmQm44dLYmnt0GJo
https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Sideshows/61583315399406/
https://www.instagram.com/the_sideshows1234/

The Sideshows - "Brand New"/"The Start"

It's no secret that Rich Ragany is one of my favorite songwriters. I've had the pleasure of reviewing his music on ten occasions and interviewing him a couple times. He has made seven appearances on my top ten albums lists over the years (I'm pretty sure that's a record). A year without ole Rags in the F & L universe never feels quite right. And now we have something new and special on that front: the debut release from The Sideshows! This is a band comprised of Rags, his longtime drummer Simon Maxwell (Yo Yos, The Loyalties, Role Models), and the legendary Sami Yaffa (Hanoi Rocks, Michael Monroe, Jetboy, Jerusalem Slim, Demolition 23, New York Dolls, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, etc.). Now that, my friends, is a power trio! 

It all started with Yaffa inviting Rags to come to his home studio in Mallorca, Spain and record a couple of new tunes he'd been working on. And sure enough, Rags, Maxwell, and Yaffa caught lightning in a bottle. This wasn't just a Rich Ragany solo project — it was a new band! And so here we have "Brand New"/"The Start", released on European Phonographic. By now you ought to know what to expect: powerful, anthemic rock 'n' roll that's full of heart and soul. The lead track is a full-on Rags-style glam/punk/rock 'n' roll sing-along anthem. He's been writing songs like this for years, and it never stops being exciting. And how amazing is it to have Sami freaking Yaffa playing on a song like this? I've got chills! B-side "The Start" is another Rags specialty: a song that starts off sounding gentle and restrained, and then suddenly that chorus hits like a ton of bricks! These are both great songs, and the recording sounds amazing. I can't help visualizing these three guys rocking out in the Spanish countryside with the windows and doors wide open, bringing these songs to life in a way that Rags could never have foreseen. That sounds like the stuff of a future legend! This is likely not the last we'll hear from The Sideshows. For now, crank this debut loud and enjoy!

-L.R.

https://open.spotify.com/album/5LuRWDiOp6EmMTUO49Cpet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pybhUSxUMVk&list=OLAK5uy_lKi6dAPvpUlqlqAWsRdAmd2Zf0OTnt_uQ
https://mermaids.ffm.to/sideshows
https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Sideshows/61583315399406/
https://www.instagram.com/the_sideshows1234
https://www.instagram.com/european_phonographic/

Rich Ragany - You Can Get Dark with Me

I know this is around the 20th time that I have championed the songwriting talents of Mr. Rich Ragany, but I have to say that ole Rags has truly outdone himself with his new album You Can Get Dark with Me (out this Friday on Barrel And Squidger Records). In the aftermath of What We Do (To Not Let Go), his arena-sized swan song with his band The Digressions, Rags wanted to go in a more intimate direction with his next release. But rather than simply going the typical homemade "unplugged" route, Rags had a more interesting idea: he would "deconstruct to reconstruct." He recorded all these songs at home on the very day they were written. The tracks were later fleshed out in the studio with producer Andy Brook and the Digressions' rhythm section of Simon Maxwell and Ricky McGuire. Rags also traveled back to his hometown of Calgary to work on a few tracks with his pal Russ Broom. Notably, the final mixes of these tracks still include Rags' original homemade recordings. The whole point of this approach was to capture the spur-of-the-moment solitary inspiration of the songs while also highlighting how they blossomed into something even better. Sometimes songwriters try and simplify things. Other times, they try and stretch themselves. Here Rags has done both, creating songs that sound meticulously-crafted without losing their direct, personal feel. You might guess that all those guitars were overdubbed in the studio. Nope, that's actually Rags in his bathroom with an acoustic guitar. I kid you not!

Music reviewers (myself included...ha ha) are sometimes full of it when they hail every favorite artist's new release as their best yet. But there's no way I can't say You Can Get Dark with Me is the best album Rich Ragany has ever put his name on. He has been on quite a run over the past decade, releasing three albums with The Role Models, three with The Digressions, and now his proper solo debut. All of these previous records were excellent and among the best long players of their year. But Rags has never delivered a more powerful or consistent collection of songs than the one he will drop on Friday. You Can Get Dark with Me contains 10 songs, and every single one of them would have been a standout track on any of Rags' previous releases. To call this album "filler-free" is an understatement. What stands out to me is how seamless Rags' growth as a songwriter has been — building off his roots in punk rock and power pop yet very quickly transcending genre. It's very hard to put a label on You Can Get Dark with Me because it simply sounds like Rich Ragany. And who says we need to label music? Rags put his soul into these songs. His voice, his flair for melody, his knack for anthemic hooks, and his relatability as a songwriter are the stuff of a genuine original. And after three decades plus of slugging it out in the world of rock 'n' roll, he's just now hitting his creative peak. I promise to call him out if his next record sounds like Warrant, but something tells me I won't have to worry about that. 

Of course the album title is worthy of mention. It was inspired by something Scott Sorry said to Rags, and it speaks to what so many of these songs are truly about. When it comes to friendship (or any kind of close relationship), some of our most meaningful interactions stem from hard times. We support our friends when they struggle, and we use our strength to lift them up. Other times our friends do this for us. Sometimes this leads to dark conversations, but those dark conversations can be lifelines for us or the people we love. The people willing to get dark with you are the people you need in your life. It goes without saying that You Can Get Dark with Me gets a little dark, but it's dark in a way that's honest and intimate and invigorating for the soul. Rags has a way of writing about topics such as trauma, addiction, grief, alienation, and self-doubt as if he's talking directly to a friend. If you don't know him, you'll feel like you do after you listen to this album. Surely that's one of the marks of a great songwriter. Singling out individual tracks is a difficult task on an album as strong as this one. That said, "You Can Get Dark with Me" is a powerful ballad worthy of its inspired title. "Sierra Bonita," redolent of '80s new wave and post-punk, meets every possible definition of an anthem. "Tragic Celebration" is deeply-moving and inspiring — and quite possibly the best song Rags has ever written. "Worth," which passionately justifies all the struggles, sacrifices, trials, and tribulations that go into a life of a musician, puts an emphatic end mark on an extraordinary album.  

Due to the way it as created, You Can Get Dark with Me is a very unique album. It does come off as more intimate and personal than What We Do (To Not Let Go), yet it's no less anthemic. It's a great album to listen to while you're taking a long walk or sitting alone on the porch reflecting on the meaning of life. These songs will hit deep in your soul, but they'll also make you want to pump your fist, sing along, jubilantly dance in public, and relish feeling alive. Now four paragraphs deep into this piece, I'm surely preaching to the choir if I proclaim Rich Ragany one of the best songwriters out there. But if you do need some convincing, You Can Get Dark with Me is the album to listen to. Order it here!

-L.R.

https://www.musicglue.com/squidger/products/rich-ragany-you-can-get-dark-with-me-cd-album-plus-digital-single
https://www.facebook.com/richraganyandthedigressions/
https://www.instagram.com/richraganyandthedigressions/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3mxWm0sf14CaeTbHZdij4w
https://www.facebook.com/barrelandsquidgerrecords/

Rich Ragany - "A Pleasant Fiction"

What can I say about Mr. Rich Ragany that I haven't already said before? This guy is one of the greatest songwriters in present-day rock 'n' roll, and he has been on some kind of roll. On six occasions, he has authored one of my top ten albums of the year. And the chances of that number increasing to seven in a few months are literally 100 percent. Following a couple of huge-sounding efforts with his band The Digression, Rags wanted to take a simpler approach with his forthcoming solo album You Can Get Dark with Me. Every song on the album was home-recorded on the day it was written and later fully developed in the studio. This technique was meant to capture the original solitary inspiration of the songs while still allowing for each track to grow to its full potential. The album will be out on Barrel And Squidger Records June 14th, and pre-orders are open now. With your order, you will immediately receive a digital copy of the album's first single "A Pleasant Fiction," which features Ken Mochikoshi-Horne of The Bronx guest-starring on guitar. The formidable rhythm section of Simon Maxwell and Ricky McGuire also appears on the track. Rags describes it as "black and white cinema with a rush of colour chorus." The song is a reflection on the emotion of addiction — in Rag's words — "where it leaves the person struggling through it and where it leaves that person's loved ones." It's an incredible song from an incredible album, and I urge you to reserve your copy of You Can Get Dark with Me today! 

-L.R.

https://www.musicglue.com/squidger
https://www.facebook.com/richraganyandthedigressions/
https://www.instagram.com/richraganyandthedigressions/

https://www.facebook.com/barrelandsquidgerrecords/

https://richraganyandthedigressions.bandcamp.com/music

Rich Ragany & The Digressions - What We Do (To Not Let Go)

What We Do (To Not Let Go) is the remarkable third album from London-based rock and roll outfit Rich Ragany & The Digressions. It highlights not only one of contemporary music's finest songwriters but also one of its most extraordinary bands. Rags as a creative force has now authored six full-length albums in less than nine years — each subsequent release undeniably better than the one that preceded it. I've been fortunate enough to chronicle this progression from the very good glam punk influenced power pop of the first Role Models album to the genre-transcendent brilliance of the newly-issued What We Do (To Not Let Go). Even as I endeavor to reign in my longstanding propensity for overstatement, I cannot help but describe this latest release as a masterpiece. Suffice it to say that if you love great music of any kind, you need Rich Ragany & The Digressions in your life. 

In the case of Rich Ragany & The Digressions, numerous reviewers have already pointed out some of the major influences at play. They'll bring up Tom Petty, the Replacements, the Rolling Stones, Johnny Thunders, and Bruce Springsteen (just to name a few). I don't disagree with any of that. But more than anything else, Rich Ragany & The Digressions sound like themselves. The band (Rags on vocals and guitar, Gaff on lead guitar, Kit Swing on guitar and vocals, Andy Brook on keyboards and guitar, Ricky McGuire on bass, Simon Maxwell on drums) possesses a blend of talent and chemistry that is nothing short of special. After recording 2019's solo release Like We'll Never Make It with all these gifted players, Rags realized he had found magic and made the band a permanent entity. 2021's Beyond Nostalgia & Heartache took things to another level, and now What We Do (To Not Let Go) has done the same. Across these 14 tracks, you'll hear hints of everything from classic rock to folk music to country rock to power pop. The album beautifully traverses moods and styles with its mix of sing-along rockers, haunting ballads, and gorgeously melodic gems. Uniting the entire collection are the pure heart of these songs and the majestic hooks that have become a Rags signature. 

In the aftermath of the widescreen sounding Beyond Nostalgia & Heartache, Rags set out to capture a less layered, more live sound on What We Do (To Not Let Go). What results is an album that allows all of these musicians to shine individually even as they come together as a singular, tight-knit band. If Gaff is not already a world-renowned guitar hero, surely he will be soon. And no doubt more than a few bands in the upcoming years will attempt to recreate the "Kit Swing backing vocal" sound. Yet even with a less grandiose approach to recording, there's still something undeniably epic about this album. The songs truly soar, and Rags has a way of making these tunes feel uplifting even if (or perhaps because) he's singing about super-heavy stuff. This is not an album I recommend for passive listening or background music. It's a collection of songs you'll want to experience while you're sitting back with a cold beverage or taking a long solitary walk. These are meaningful songs that come from a place deep in Rags' heart and are brought to life by a vibrant and exciting rock and roll band. It's hard for me to single out individual tracks on what is such a consistent and splendidly flowing album. But I will say that the album's softer, more reflective moments ("Highgate Sun," "Shade of Shameless") are every bit as enjoyable as its anthemic rockers (such as the title track, "Til I'm On My Feet Again," and "One Last Thing To Prove"). This album, like its predecessor, is a reminder of music's power to bring people together. We're all in this thing called life together, and we all have no choice but to keep going through struggle in loss. What We Do (To Not Let Go) is the kind of record that will lift you up when your day has gone to shit and inspire you to embrace hope wherever you can find it. If there's any justice, it will sell in the millions and necessitate an arena tour. Pick a copy today from Barrel And Squidger Records.

-L.R.

https://www.musicglue.com/squidger/products/rich-ragany-and-the-digressions-what-we-do-to-not-let-go-cd-bundle
https://www.facebook.com/richraganyandthedigressions/
https://www.instagram.com/richraganyandthedigressions/
https://richraganyandthedigressions.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3mxWm0sf14CaeTbHZdij4w
https://www.facebook.com/barrelandsquidgerrecords
https://www.youtube.com/@richardragany9774
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8AO-cnUupREHBL78whW-Hg

Rich Ragany And The Digressions - Beyond Nostalgia & Heartache

Album #2 from London-based rock and roll band Rich Ragany And The Digressions is, as expected, absolutely brilliant. Beyond Nostalgia & Heartache follows up 2018's remarkable debut ...Like We'll Never Make It. While Ragany (Role Models, The Loyalties) originally assembled this band to back him as a solo artist, things quickly changed once all of these individuals started playing together and clicked in a special way. This is a true band -- and one of the best ones out there! 

Ragany is quick to acknowledge that Beyond Nostalgia & Heartache is a group effort in every way. It's an album which highlights both the individuals players' unique talents and the band's undeniable chemistry as a unit. The full band is Ragany on vocals and guitar, Kit Swing (Mallory Knox, Seven Days and Doesn't Die) on vocals and guitar, Gaff (Glitterati and Dedwardians) on lead guitar, Ricky McGuire (UK Subs, The Men They Couldn't Hang) on bass, Simon Maxwell (Role Models, The Loyalties) on drums, and longtime Role Models producer Andy Brook on keyboards. According to Ragany, the theme of the album is "finding strength and celebrating life throughout heartbreak and loss -- the cyclical renewal in life." That's a remarkably relatable concept in the year 2021. These 12 songs (several of which were co-written by Gaff and/or Brook) are collectively about surviving the rough times and finding the light even when darkness prevails. By no means has Ragany left his power pop instincts fully behind. Songs like "Heartbreakers Don't Try", "Marionette", and "Blackout Til Tuesday" will hook you with knockout choruses and warm, inviting melodies. But overall the strength of this record (and this band) is that it transcends genre and allows Ragany to pursue ideas that may have never worked until he had a band as formidable as The Digressions behind him. This is an album that flows seamlessly from cinematic rockers to gentle ballads to jangly pop tunes to country and folk tinged numbers to boozy pop-rock anthems. There are some obvious standout tracks ("Sometimes We Can Hear The Voices" is the kind of album opener that some bands spend their careers aspiring to write), but the real beauty of Beyond Nostalgia & Heartache is the way it flows as an entire album. I'd be hard-pressed to name a single song here that isn't utterly fantastic. And you just won't hear music with more heart and soul than this. 

Far from an escape from life's woes, Beyond Nostalgia & Heartache is an album that faces them head-on and still finds hope and triumph. Put this record on while you're taking a long walk or sitting outside with a cold beverage and reflecting on your existence. It's album worthy of being fully experienced -- just like life itself.

-L.R.

https://richraganyandthedigressions.bandcamp.com/album/beyond-nostalgia-heartache
https://www.facebook.com/richraganyandthedigressions/

Rich Ragany And The Digressions - "Heartbreakers Don't Try"

Rich Ragany is no stranger to this blog. I have reviewed four of his albums -- three that he made with his band Role Models as well as his brilliant solo debut ...Like We'll Never Make It. I even interviewed him back in 2018. In my book, Rich Ragany is one of the finest songwriters in all of rock and roll. As Ragany began working on solo endeavors a few years back, he collaborated with a number of talented friends of his. So strong was his connection with all of these players that they ended up becoming his full-time band The Digressions. The full band is Ragany on vocals and guitar, Kit Swing (Mallory Knox, Seven Days and Doesn't Die) on vocals and guitar, Gaff (Glitterati and Dedwardians) on lead guitar, Ricky McGuire (UK Subs, The Men They Couldn't Hang) on bass, Simon Maxwell (Role Models, The Loyalties) on drums, and longtime Role Models producer Andy Brook on keyboards. While it has been a number of years since ...Like We'll Never Make It came out, we can look forward to a new album from Rich Ragany And The Digressions coming soon. While we wait, we can now enjoy the band's brand-new single "Heartbreakers Don't Try". It's a tune that's very serious and totally uplifting all at the same time. Ragany describes it as a song "about the fight you can have with depression... and that great feeling of just standing up and taking on the day, week, or challenge." Ragany has written some absolute gems over the years, and this one is up there with the best of 'em. That hook is classic Rich Rags, and the lyrics absolutely knock me out. Brook on keyboards and Swing on backing vocals turn in stunning performances that push this track to a whole other level. This, to me, is song of the year for 2021 so far! Be on the lookout for a full album arriving this summer. In the meantime, don't miss "Heartbreakers Don't Try". And be sure to grab ...Like We'll Never Make It if you haven't already!

-L.R.

https://richraganyandthedigressions.bandcamp.com/track/heartbreakers-dont-try
https://www.facebook.com/richraganyandthedigressions/

Rich Ragany -...Like We'll Never Make It

I've been saying for years that Rich Rags is one of our greatest living songwriters, and he sure is making me sound less crazy with every new release. ...Like We'll Never Make It, his solo debut, ought to be the album that lands him on the covers of magazines and onto the mainstream pop charts. He has really outdone himself with this release - which is being hailed as his "singer/songwriter" album but is actually a logical progression from Role Models' brilliant third LP Dance Moves. Rags has grown from a great punk rock and power pop songwriter to a great songwriter, period.

For this solo endeavor, Rags assembled a backing band so superb that they have since become a permanent entity called Rich Ragany and The Digressions. Gaff (Glitterati and Dedwardians) is on guitar and served as Rags' right hand in the creation of this album. Also on board are Ricky McGuire (UK Subs, The Men They Couldn't Hang) on bass, the incomparable Kris Rodgers on keyboards, longtime Role Models producer Andy Brook on piano, Kit Swing (Mallory Knox) on backing vocals, and Role Models' own Simon Maxwell on drums. While we may often dread our favorite artists' ascent into "maturity", that's exactly what I've been waiting for in Rags' case. He has too much to offer the world to be eternally pigeonholed as a power pop guy. ...Like We'll Never Make It is the work of a masterful songwriter who has come fully into his own. The story he's telling is his own, but in a way it's all of ours as well. This is an album about what it really means to be alive. In particular it celebrates the mistakes and missteps that are so crucial to a life fully lived. The album title is a reference to leaving regrets behind and always moving forward in life. Who can't relate to that? What's so immediately striking about this album is Gaff's jangly and absolutely beautiful guitar tone. It's perhaps the one element that distinguishes ...Like We'll Never Make It from a Role Models album. It lends the album a warm, soothing feel that meshes marvelously with Rags' earthy everyman vocals and straight-from-the-heart songwriting. And while the album does have Rags' name on it, a lot of these songs would not be what they are without the contributions of his band mates. Kris Rodgers on keyboards has a long history of making great songs even better, and you'll hear that here for sure. And if you doubt the importance of a backing vocalist in a band, listen to the impact Kit Swing has on "Your Distance" and "Later Than It Is".

Considering that Rich Rags is a Canadian living in London, perhaps "Americana" is not the best label to apply to his debut solo album. But on this release, he definitely takes a seat next to great American alt-rock songwriters like Paul Westerberg, Dave Pirner, and John Easdale (vocally, he resembles the latter two quite a bit). ...Like We'll Never Make It is the perfect album to play while you're sitting quietly on a Sunday morning and reflecting on your own triumphs and failures. If that makes it "dad rock", well then this ought to be the gold standard of the genre! Of the album's ten tracks, all feel like essential pieces. "That World" is vintage Rags and will appeal immediately to longtime fans. "Your Distance" stuns with beautiful simplicity. "Like We'll Never Make It" is the life-affirming anthem you'd expect from one of the album's pivotal tracks (hopefully Mike Mills doesn't hear that chorus and decide to file suit!). "Lose With Me", the album's other pivotal track, is a gorgeous country ballad that leaves us with the crucial words "I've never felt more alive". Elsewhere Rags turns to Faces/Mott barroom boogie on "Scotty Thompson", exquisite mature pop on "Heart's Souvenir", and stripped-down acoustic soul-bearing on the brilliant closer "Easy". It's always tremendously satisfying to get to the final track of an album and discover that an artist has saved the best for last. "Easy" is the song on this release that has stuck with me the most, and I keep going back to it to soak in every word. Rich Rags just may have written his own "Here Comes A Regular"!

Coming off of three Role Models albums in three years, Rich Rags could have been excused for taking a break from this whole making records thing. But let's all be thankful that he didn't! Once again working with the PledgeMusic platform, Rags was able to fund, record, and release this remarkable album. And in typical Rags fashion, I believe he's already working on songs for his next album with The Digressions! Let's enjoy this one for now. In a just world, Rags would achieve worldwide popularity to rival Ryan Adams - or better yet, Bryan Adams.



-L.R.

https://glunkrecords.bigcartel.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/Rich-Ragany-And-The-Digressions-2171895866419543/

An Interview with Rich Ragany!

Photo by Dean Unsworth

I rarely do interviews. But when presented with the opportunity to interview Rich Ragany in advance of his debut solo album Like We'll Never Make It, I jumped at the chance! In my book, Rich Rags is one of the truly great songwriters in rock n' roll today. Fresh off of three albums in three years with his amazing band Role Models, Rags is working with PledgeMusic to release Like We'll Never Make It later this year.

F & L: Hi Rich! I've got to say I'm really excited about your new solo record. Tell me how you ended up deciding to do a solo release after all of this time. Can we expect something a little different with this record?

RR: Hello Lord Rutledge! Great to be talkin' to ya! Well, after doing the three Role Models albums in three years, the subsequent shows and tours, I just started writing and was noticing a shift in how I was approaching lyrics. Even though I write all the Role Models material, this stuff was getting far more personal. Musically, I felt it would be great to have a different interpretation. Build them on a different foundation. That coupled with the fact my brothers in Role Models were having kids and getting busy with other things, I thought, well, I don't feel like stopping!

F & L: You've worked with the PledgeMusic platform several times now. How has that experience been for you?

RR: The PledgeMusic platform allows me to record and release music straight to people who want to listen without having someone tell me when or how. It has been really successful with the Role Models stuff and progressing great on this new venture!

F & L: Can you talk about some of the talented people you have playing on this new record?

RR: Yes! This band is something I am very excited about. Let's start with Gaff on guitar. He has been in bands like The Glitterati and Dedwardians. I saw him in the latter years ago and loved his playing. He came across as someone who really loves to play and believes in rock 'n' roll. A friendship ensued, and he was an obvious choice to me. He ended up a real righthand man on this and is a real important ingredient to the sound. I look forward to writing more with my new partner! You all have another Bon Jovi/Sambora on your hands, so look out! We'll be "out on the streets"! Hahahaha!

Talking about partners, there is my man Andy Brook. There is not a note that I've recorded in the UK that hasn't had his production paws all over it. He is family. Plain and simple. And now he's also on the other side of the glass and playing with me on this. It's about time.

Simon Maxwell is playin' the drums. The drummer in Role Models. To say we have a bond is putting it lightly. Had to have him along. Had to.

Kris Rodgers from the mighty Scott Sorry Band on keyboards. When RM toured with those beautiful creatures, it was like immediate animalistic love. Smelly and real. A bond was forged and I love those guys! To say I didn't notice the blinding talent in our pal Kris would be a lie worthy of jail time. What he has done on these songs has spun me dizzy. I like it that way!

Kit Swing is someone who played in Mallory Knox in London and is just a great singer. She joined Role Models on the song "Obituary Writer", off of Dance Moves, and on stage, most notably when we toured with Michael Monroe. She has also been a very close friend for years, and it's about time we got to do this together.

Then there's Ricky! Ricky McGuire. He plays bass in The Men They Couldn't Hang and has some great history as a teenage member of UK Subs back in the day. I met him at a Men's show, and we ended up hangin' out all night playing records. His playing is phenomenal. Taking the songs into real beautiful, melodically tough territory. Just don't give him whisky. Anything else is okay though, hahaha!

F & L: I'm blown away by how prolific you've been at creating music. You did three albums in three years with Role Models, and now you've got Like We'll Never Make It in the works. How have you managed to turn out so much quality material so quickly? Are you writing new songs literally all the time?

RR: I am writing all the time. But in way that's different to how I did it years ago. Where before I may have wandered gypsy like day-to-day writing whenever I felt like it, I now have some structure. And I found it suited me down to the ground. When my boy was diagnosed with autism, it became apparent we needed someone at home, to be there for him. My wife and I are a real team, we do what we need to and support each other. Me being at home with both our children means I look at my day, see a window of opportunity and act upon it. For example, I soon realised doing the dishes wasn't a mundane chore. It cleaned up the kitchen and crockery for my loved ones, ensuring no one gets some bacterial sickness AND gave me the chance to organise my thoughts into lyrics. I can play guitar when I get a flash of inspiration around my daughter because she loves it. I use my time as wisely as I can. Then collapse and watch Star Trek re-runs, hahaha.

F & L: Are you looking to get out and do some solo shows in support of this album? If so, what should people expect if they turn up?

RR: Yes. There are some great shows already booking up. Sharing the stage with some great people. We got August 8th at The Slaughtered Lamb in London with the amazing Steve Conte of the New York Dolls and Michael Monroe. My pal! Love that dude! 12 September at Aces and Eights London with Rob Carlyle of The Compulsions, Darrell Bath of Crybabys, Dogs D'Amour, and Vibrators. And Honest John Plain! The main songwriter in powerpop legends The Boys! And 20 October at The Lounge with The Dirty Strangers and The Brutalists featuring Nigel Mogg of the original Quireboys! And a couple of really special gigs that I can't share yet! You can expect rock n roll with big heart and a big sound.

F & L: I think it's awesome that funds from this project will be used to help out Scott Sorry. I know you guys have been friends for a long time. Can you talk a little about your history with Scott?

RR: Scott and I met years ago when he was in The Wildhearts. Introduced by our mutual friend and brother Rich Jones. He played at the Astoria, and we all went 'round to Jones's' afterwards. We bonded pretty hard that night. The start of an enduring friendship. He and I are there for each other, giving support and advice pertaining to our lil' autistic dudes. He has been there for me when I needed someone. So I try to be there for him. Also we shared the same constitution when it came to recreation years ago, so we have some great stories. A past with a thousand smiles and some very real hilarious and touching moments. He is a tough dude with a heart so big ya begin to wonder if he keeps it remotely somewhere. So yeah, I'm gonna try and help.

F & L: Like We'll Never Make It will be your first solo release. I'm guessing it won't be your last! Have you thought about what's coming down the pike in the upcoming years? Can we expect to hear more from Role Models as well?

RR: I am on a high with this band. Already writing the follow up. Gaff and I got a little space in front of his washing machine that is gonna be a very busy and creative place. Then I realise "Look out! I have some gigs to play with Role Models." I go and re-acquaint myself with the material and... can I just say I feel very lucky to be able to create and perform music with all these people? I know we spend a little time on this ol' rock twistin' the night away through space. I get the feeling I need to do more, say more, and listen more. Look at this right here. I get a chance to talk to a real believer in rock n roll. You. That fills my chest with the right kind of oxygen, man. And I want to keep these relationships alive. So you can say there will be more. As much as I can. Thanks so much for your time! All hail Lord Rutledge!

Head on over to PledgeMusic for details on how to pre-order Like We'll Never Make It. And be sure to check out the Role Models’ Bandcamp page if you haven't already!

 -L.R.

https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/ragany 
https://rolemodelslondon.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/rolemodelssoho/ 

Role Models - Dance Moves

Following two consecutive appearances on my year-end top ten albums list, Role Models are going for the hat trick with their latest and greatest effort Dance Moves. Releasing three albums in three years is a momentous feat in and of itself. It's all the more impressive that Rich Rags and company have managed to top themselves with each subsequent release. It would have been perfectly acceptable at this point for Role Models to still be resting on the laurels of 2015's The Go-To Guy. But thankfully, that is not what has occurred. With the support of its fans and the PledgeMusic platform, the London foursome set out to keep the music coming. On the heels of last year's remarkable Forest Lawn, the brand-new Dance Moves cements Rich's place in the top-tier of present-day rock songwriters. It's certainly a fine place to start if you're still unfamiliar with his formidable talents.

What I appreciate about Dance Moves is that it continues the growth of its two predecessors without losing sight of what Rich does best as a songwriter. He can still write a rocking pop song with the best of 'em, and he sure won't leave you wanting for strong melodies and memorable choruses. But on Dance Moves, he delivers his strongest and by far most varied collection of songs. I can genuinely say that every song sounds different. That makes the album really enjoyable because I look forward to each track and what it brings to the whole. No doubt, songs like "I Want More" and "Covered In Mistakes" are signature Rich Rags power pop tunes that I totally expected and was happy to hear. But what makes Dance Moves so satisfying is that the totally unexpected songs are among the best on the album. Sometimes bands will tack ballads onto the ends of records, but here "Obituary Writer" is so wonderful and essential to the feel of the album that it doesn't sound out of place in the track 4 position. Did you know that Rich could pull off snappy blue-eyed soul ("Feel Like Being Alone") or chic modern rock ("Empire State")? Me either! We probably all knew that Rich had a soft spot for radio-friendly '70s/'80s hard rock but might not have foreseen him indulging it on a Role Models recording. Yet he does exactly that with the 1-2 AOR punch of "Reach Me" and "The Night". I can't listen to the latter without imagining a packed arena full of people singing along to the chorus, cigarette lighters aloft.

I like that Dance Moves tells a story. In the words of Rich Rags, it follows "a binge weekend with someone who has a lot to forget (or remember)." Such a concept demands a particular range of emotions that this set of songs amply provides. Thus the album takes you from the quiet melancholy of "Evangeline" to the celebratory swagger of "Manette Street" to the raging angst of "Dance Moves" to the triumphant power of "The Meteor". Rich and the boys really went for it on this album, and their risks have been fully rewarded. This is a record that the band probably couldn't have made two or three years ago. With the help of some special surprise guests (like Rich Jones, Duncan Reid, and F & L favorite Kris Rodgers), Role Models have made an album that's their finest to date and without question one of this year's best. I recommend it not just to power pop and glam/punk fans but really to anyone who appreciates great music!



-L.R.

https://rolemodelslondon.bandcamp.com/album/dance-moves 
https://www.facebook.com/rolemodelssoho/ 
http://glunkrecords.bigcartel.com/product/role-models-dance-moves 

New Role Models album!

Role Models have done it again! I was just one of many reviewers to praise the band's 2015 long player The Go-To Guy. The acclaim for the album didn't surprise me one bit - especially given that it came largely from the handful of blogs, magazines, and sites that represent to me the finest taste in music. From the moment I first heard Role Models, I knew that Rich Rags was a special songwriting talent. And Role Models draw inspiration from so many different things that I love in music: the streetwise glamour of Hanoi Rocks and New York Dolls, the timeless punk/pop sensibilities of The Ramones and Generation X, the made-for-radio rock n' roll of Cheap Trick and KISS, and the straight-ahead heartland classicism of Tom Petty and The Replacements. The Go-To Guy was perhaps my most eagerly-anticipated album of last year, and it totally lived up to expectations. Humbled and inspired by all the positive reaction, Rich and the gang decided to get right back in the studio and create a follow-up. The record is called Forest Lawn, and it's out now with the help of a great many donations through Pledge Music. Like its predecessor, it does not disappoint!

The title Forest Lawn is a reference to the neighborhood in Calgary where Rich Rags grew up - and it establishes a loose theme for the album. Rags looks back to the good times of growing up in a multi-cultural neighborhood and how the discovery of punk and rock n' roll music looms so large in those memories. This is the sort of record you can put on as you crack open a beer and reminisce about the first time you heard some of your favorite bands - and who you might have been hanging out with at those moments. Rags has an innate gift for penning songs that tug at the heartstrings without needing to be grandiose or dramatic. His flair for sentiment, so crucial to the effectiveness of The Go-To Guy, continues to impress. While we can joke about the audience for real rock n' roll being a rapidly aging demographic, I want to believe that more than a few grown-ups of tomorrow will come of age pumping their fists to the chorus of "Radio" in the summer sun or singing along to "Wanted To Be Around" in their parents' basements. "Sleep Tight" ought to be mandatory listening for anyone who wants to understand what a great hook is all about. But while Rags specializes in the kind of timeless pop song that sounds like it could have come blasting from a real live radio in the late '70s or early '80s, Forest Lawn finds him doing far more than just revisiting the triumphs of the last album. And that is what ultimately makes it an even better record. The band tries everything from the furious Dead Boys/Stooges scorch of "Got No Time" to the epic horn-accompanied ballad "Bullshit Corner" to the tear-off-the-roof rock n' roll of "I Ain't Lucky" to the mellow sensitive guy rock of "Guest List". The more varied song selection brings to mind some of the great rock albums of the past - and we get a broader representation of what Role Models are really about. The band (Daniel Husayn on bass, Simon Maxwell on drums, Nick Hughes on guitar, Rags on guitar and vocals) is in fine form. And a whole slew of special guests (Steve Conte, Sami Yaffa, Chris Barry) make cool contributions.

I think most Role Models fans will agree that Forest Lawn is the band's best album yet. If you're unfamiliar with this band but love heavy guitars mixed with amazing melodic songwriting, you are hereby commanded to catch up with the last album and get this new one as well. The CD is available exclusively from Glunk Records - with a digital release via Amazon and iTunes coming next month. If it wasn't obvious already, Role Models are one of my favorite bands on the planet. Fingers crossed for another album next year!



-L.R.

https://www.facebook.com/rolemodelssoho/
https://rolemodelslondon.bandcamp.com/
http://glunkrecords.bigcartel.com/product/role-models-forest-lawn
https://www.facebook.com/glunkrecords/

Role Models: the debut album!

If I had to name my single favorite song of the last couple years, my choice would be "Lost In The City" by Role Models. It's truly one of the best songs I've heard in my entire life. No joke! Needless to say, I was over the moon when Dom from Glunk Records told me he was releasing the long-awaited debut album from Role Models. I was reminded of what it felt like to be a music-obsessed kid and how I'd literally count the days until a band I loved was releasing its next album. There was nothing like finally getting my hands on that record, retreating to my bedroom, and completely immersing myself in great music. That's pretty much how it went a few weeks back when Role Models' The Go-To Guy magically appeared in my inbox. I let out a shriek of sheer delight, canceled all my appointments, locked the doors, put on my headphones, and proceeded to savor every note of the album. Then I listened to it again. And again. The Go-To Guy was everything I hoped it would be. In a year full of fantastic LP releases, it's up there with the best of the best.
  
Role Models are a London-based band led by singer/songwriter/guitarist Rich Rags (The Loyalties). He's joined by Daniel Husayn (Red Dons) and his Loyalties band mate Simon Maxwell. Another Loyalties member, Rich Jones (Black Halos, Michael Monroe Band), stepped in to play guitar on this release. But don't expect this record to sound like The Loyalties. There are certainly some shared influences (Hanoi Rocks, Johnny Thunders) between both bands. But Role Models are more hook driven - mixing glam-punk with power pop and straight-ahead rock. As a songwriter, Rich Rags is cut from the same cloth as guys like Tom Petty, Paul Westerberg, and a young Peter Case. He's got a keen ear for melody, a natural flair for storytelling, and a real knack for tugging at your heartstrings. And what makes him a personal favorite of mine is his understanding of what a great song can mean in our lives. Don't we all have that memory of a perfect moment from our younger days and the song that was playing at the time? Every time we hear that song, we momentarily become teenagers again. Rich Rags writes songs like that - those transcendent pop anthems that happen to turn up on the radio while you're driving around with your friends on a warm summer night and basking in the unlimited promise of youth. The way he's able to imbue these simple pop songs with just the right mix of melancholy, nostalgia, and wide-eyed optimism is really something special.

Being such a huge fan of "Lost In The City", I did wonder if I was going to judge the songs on The Go-To Guy against it. But once I played the album, I knew that was a non-issue. Now the only question is how Rich Rags is going to top these songs! In a better world, the likes of  "Nowhere" and "The Jerk" would dominate commercial radio and appear on major movie soundtracks. "Cherry Dear" boasts the kind of perfect hook that some songwriters spend their lives trying to write. "Saturday Night Sailor", featuring guest bass work by the legendary Sammi Yaffa, ought to be slotted on a mixed tape between Generation X and Tommy Stinson. And while the prevailing vibe of the album is mid-tempo pop, there are some nice surprises as well. Loyalties fans will go nuts for the Supersuckers meet Dead Boys fury of the title track, while the emotional ballad "Leave Tonight" leaves the kind of lasting impression I always look for in an album closer.

With their earliest recordings dating back to 2011, Role Models were long overdue for a full-length album. But The Go-To Guy was 100 percent worth waiting for. It fully realizes the potential of those previous EPs and firmly establishes Rich Rags as one of the best songwriters on the planet. It's definitely the A+ power pop record I was hoping for, yet it totally rocks as well. The production is plenty ballsy, and you just can't beat the two Riches' dueling guitars. Albums this good are what make me want to write about music. You can order the CD directly from Glunk Records. Visit Role Models' Bandcamp for a preview of The Go-To Guy and a free download of all the band's EPs!



-L.R.
 
https://rolemodelslondon.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/rolemodelssoho
http://www.glunkrecords.bigcartel.com/product/role-models-the-go-to-guy
https://www.facebook.com/glunkrecords

Meet Role Models!

Wow. How am I just finding out about Role Models? My power pop street cred is going to be taking a major hit! This London foursome has a new EP out that is absolutely stunning - which is hardly shocking with guys like Rich Rags (The Loyalties) and Daniel Husayn (Red Dons) in the band. I believe Justin Maurer was in this group at one time - which tells you just about everything you need to know about Role Models. If, like me, you like your rock with plenty of pop, you just might spend the next hour with "Lost In The City" on constant repeat. Cited influences include The Replacements, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty, and Pretenders. So, then, you get the picture. Think power pop meets the good kind of classic rock - with an emphasis on hooks and quality songwriting celebrating the joys of youth and eternal weekends. "Lost In The City" quickly won me over with melodic guitar leads that would bring Bob Derwood Andrews to tears of joy. And then that chorus comes in, and it's absolute perfection! Yes! This is how you do pop! If you just saw a crazy man running down the street singing that chorus, it was probably me. "Suffocate" and "Saturday Night" follow in the vein of power pop by way of punchy barroom rock - with strong echoes of Costello/Graham Parker, mid-period 'Mats, and modern-day greats like The Figgs. These songs are good the whole way through, but I like how they always save a little something special for the chorus! And as a fan of power pop, I'm thrilled to hear some genuine power in the playing. Every power pop band worth its salt has its own Keith Moon on drums, and Pat is definitely up to the task.

If a free download of Lost In The City leaves you wanting more (which it surely will!), I highly recommend visiting the Heavy Hearts Bandcamp page and checking out Role Models' 2013 charity single "This Eventually Leads Nowhere" along with their six-song debut EP from 2011. All proceeds from downloads went to the Haringey (North London) chapter of the National Autistic Society to fund weekend safe play days throughout last summer. Rich wrote "This Eventually Leads Nowhere" with his son Zoli, who has autism. It's a great song, and it went to a great cause.

Now I eagerly await a Role Models full-length. Somebody make it happen!



-L.R.

https://rolemodelslondon.bandcamp.com/album/lost-in-the-city 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Role-Models/87389262377