The Defiants - Zokusho (Album Review)

September 23, 2019 by Rich Barnard in Album Reviews, AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock

The Defiants’ 2016 debut (review link) was a safe but enjoyable outing that did plenty to satisfy Danger Danger fans in the absence of any new material since 2009’s reunion record Revolve. Alongside vocalist Paul Laine, The Defiants comprise almost three quarters of the current D2 line-up: Bruno Ravel, Rob Marcello and Steve West (The Defiants’ slightly-less-than-official fourth member). Something of a melodic rock legend in his own right, Laine was the perfect fit for Danger Danger when they parted company with Ted Poley in the ‘90s and Zokusho (it’s Japanese for ‘sequel’) proves that there’s still plenty of songwriting chemistry bubbling away between Laine and Ravel in 2019.

Tokyo Motor Fist - S.T. (Album Review)

February 24, 2017 by Rich Barnard in Album Reviews, AOR, Classic Rock, Melodic Rock

Tokyo Motor Fist is a melodic hard rock project fronted by the dream-team of vocalist Ted Poley and guitarist Steve Brown. Bass and drums come in the form of veterans Greg Smith (Rainbow) and Chuck Burgi (Red Dawn) respectively. I would normally be very wary of this sort of career vehicle but the blistering riff and infectious singalong chorus of the opening track are enough to make me think that this time, maybe - just maybe - I might be on to a bit of a winner.

The Defiants - The Defiants (Album Review)

April 10, 2016 by Rich Barnard in AOR, Classic Rock, Melodic Rock

The Defiants are Bruno Ravel: Danger Danger’s bassist, songwriter and co-founding father; Rob Marcello: longtime Danger Danger guitarist and Paul Laine: onetime lead vocalist for a band called... Danger Danger. So it's no surprise that this looks, smells and tastes a lot like a Danger Danger album. Recent shows in the US confirm that Danger Danger fronted by Ted Poley is still very much a going concern, hence the new moniker for this side project.

Darkhorse - Let It Ride

August 26, 2014 by David Vousden in Country, Album Reviews, Country Rock

Canadian vocalist Paul Laine has had a long and varied career as a solo artist and in the rock act Shugaazer, but is probably best known for his time as frontman for Danger Danger. Laine took over from original singer Ted Poley and spent a decade with the band. After a period working on other projects at his studio he returned to the limelight in 2014 as frontman for Darkhorse and released the excellent ‘Let It Ride’ album.