Kent, UK born, Jaz Mattu blends rock, pop, and funk with his music to create a truly unique sound. He sings, plays guitar, bass, synths, and drums – but is the first person in his family to pick up a musical instrument, which he did at the age of 13 after seeing Nirvana’s Smells like Teen Spirit video on MTV.
He pleaded with his mother to get him a guitar and for some reason she did. It seemed to keep him out of trouble and off the streets during those “difficult teen years!”
He took a break from music until finishing university and starting his “proper” job as a software engineer, where he sat at his desk on his first day and figured there was no way he could do that job for the next 40 years… and so he decided to get back into music again.
His 4 track Saachrine Times e.p. came out in January 2017 and was the starting point of the Sanguine Man album. The album is available now and contains 14 tracks of quirky pop, music to rock out to and music to reflect over.
Jaz played plenty of jam nights in Kent with his backing band from 2017 onwards and has now started playing in London at venues like The Fiddler’s Elbow, The Dublin Castle and The Water Rats. He’s currently booking more gigs as we speak.
LINKS:
https://www.instagram.com/jazmattuofficial
https://twitter.com/jazmattusounds
https://www.facebook.com/JazMattuOfficial
http://jazmattu.com
-
WANK – Shut You Down
Featuring founding members Bobby Amodeo, Spider, Danny Walker, and the new addition of Higgins X-13 (formerly of The Offspring). WANK plans to release their new album ‘White Knuckle Ride’ later this year.
Guitarist Danny Walker tells Punknews, “We got back together a couple of years ago to jam, started recording some stuff, liked the way it was sounding, started playing some shows, and decided to make a full record. We didn’t plan it to be 20 years (since the release of their Maverick Records debut), but here we are. We’re proud of the new record. We’ve got a lot of punk and rock influence, but this album pops on top of all of that.”
Frontman Bobby Amodeo (who interestingly enough is a cannabis chemist by day) says, “WANK is stoked to be back making music. We’ve spent the last year producing our new album, ‘White Knuckle Ride.’ You’ll hear PRD, reggae skank, melodic hooks, and pop harmonies. WANK is rock-ready, and we look forward to destroying a stage near you very soon. Check us out!”
WANK formed in 1995 in Huntington Beach, CA. Mixing pop sensibility, rock chops, and punk energy, WANK (influenced by the Beatles and the Clash, among others) quickly gained momentum and garnered a reputation for themselves with melodic songs and highly entertaining live shows. In 1996, WANK self-released their debut, Get a Grip on Yourself. Their continuing success as a live act brought them to the attention of producer Mike Ness of Social Distortion, who oversaw the recording of “Larry Brown” for a split 7″ on Time Bomb Records (1997.) Ness also produced WANK on their version of “Auld Lang Syne,” their contribution to the comp, Christmas Gone Wrong (1997.)
In late 1997, “Forgiven” was added to rotation at the World Famous KROQ 106.7 in Los Angeles, and WANK was still unsigned. An industry bidding war ensued, and WANK signed a historic record deal with Maverick Records. In 1998, following an expedited major label re-release of Get a Grip on Yourself, WANK took their show on the road, touring with The Specials, Goldfinger, Social Distortion, and Warped Tour ’98. The band parted ways with Maverick Records in 1999 and focused on other projects.
In 2000, Amodeo was diagnosed with cancer, and after years of treatment, he’s back and rocks ready. Walker formed and fronted Handsome Devil and was signed to RCA in 2001. Handsome Devil released three albums – Love and Kisses (2001), Knock Yourself Out (2004), and Fully Automatic (2007), and toured with The Used, Lit, Zebrahead, and Warped. In 2007, Walker and friends (from Lit, Adolescents, and Cadillac Tramps) formed Rockers in the Round – an acoustic showcase series. Walker released two singer-songwriter albums – Mumble & Strum (2011) and Salvation (2012). Spider focused on session work and artist management, and he’s still the hardest hitting drummer around.
WANK reunited in 2016, self-releasing their 5 song EP – On with the Show and, in 2017, added guitarist Higgins X-13, formerly of the Offspring. In 2018, WANK is in the studio finishing a new full-length album for release. Enjoy – WANK is back.
LINKS:
http://www.wankusa.com
https://www.facebook.com/wankusa
https://www.instagram.com/wank_usa
https://twitter.com/wank_usa
https://www.reverbnation.com/wankusa
https://www.youtube.com/c/WANKUSA -
Jamar Langley – Highlight Girl
Jamar Langley has dropped his new video for the track titled ‘Highlight Girl’. That magic that was captured in the classics within Motown and Soul are alive and well in the music of Jamar Langley. Each instrument conveys that beat bravado and swaggered swing with each note written and recorded with that certain something that not every artist has but every musician flaunts. And Jamar is a true musician.
ABOUT JAMAR LANGLEY
A look inside this artist that is just launching! For a small window of time, every generation has the rare privilege to walk among legends of greatness. That era of time is now. These people entertain us in such a unique way that they leave a lifetime’s worth of impression on us.
Our legend is crossing off everything on the list that is worthy of being called a great and if you haven’t heard by now, this is your introduction. When it comes to talent without boundaries, this singer and songwriter define the difference between an artist and an entertainer.
Signed to Chevi Muzic headed by Jeremy Reid, better known in the music biz as “J. Reid The Producer” aka “Chevi”. Hailing from Decatur GA Ried graduated from Stephenson High School in 2005 and attended Alabama A&M Uni in Huntsville AL. in 2006 He left University to pursue his career in music and in 2009 launched his record label Chevi Music which is based in Atlanta.
LINKS:
https://www.jamarlangleymusic.com
https://twitter.com/jamar_langley
https://www.instagram.com/jamarlangleymusic
https://www.instagram.com/Jreidtheproducer
https://www.instagram.com/chevi_muzicu
https://www.facebook.com/chevi.muzic -
Heat Of Damage – The Gift
California Rock/Metal Band Heat of Damage has released the Official Music Video for “The Gift,” the debut single off of their upcoming sophomore LP, due out next year. “The Gift” was shot and directed by Ethan Parilla of Atrocious Works Productions.
Heat Of Damage consists of four talented young musicians who write, produce and perform an edgy and eclectic mix of hard rock and metal music. Their self-produced EP, Orenda, debuted in 2013.
Since then, the band has performed at numerous venues in the Northern California area. The group released their second EP, Lifestyle, in September 2014. The title track was featured on 98 Rock’s Local Licks program for three weeks running. Lifestyle’s “Apocalypse” was released soon after and earned a spot on 98 Rock’s Local Licks Most Liked Song of 2014 Countdown Show. The song came in at #2 for the year!
Following the successes of Lifestyle, the band entered the studio with Sacramento engineer and producer Matt Thomas to record their first full-length album, Open Fire, which was released in October of 2015.
Open Fire was well received following its release, garnering overwhelmingly positive reviews from a wide variety of writers and music critics. The song “Heaven” was the #6 Most Liked Song of 2015 for 98 Rock’s Local Licks, despite only having two months of airplay during the year.
The group is well known for their musicality and showmanship. Shows are high-energy, engaging, and memorable. Their musical range is impressive, with an ability to provide anything from an incredible rock show to an unforgettable metal experience, for any venue’s style and the crowd. Heat Of Damage never disappoints!
LINKS:
http://www.heatofdamage.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Heat-of-Damage/135160809846382
http://twitter.com/heatofdamage
http://www.youtube.com/user/HeatofDamage