Can anyone out there tell me about this band? Are they similar to other Canadian groups (Harem Scarem, Honeymoon Suite, etc)? I know they released three albums from 1986-1991. I would appreciate it if someone could tell me what they sound like or where I could here soundbytes. Thanks in advance, Roberthttp://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6403,6403#msg-6403Fri, 24 May 2013 16:39:21 +1000 Phorum 5.2.16 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6403,6484#msg-6484 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6403,6484#msg-6484
For me, I guess it's kind of hard to say whether or not BR is harder than Harem Scarem or not. In a sense, the do come off as sounding harder, but I think that's more due to the aggressiveness of Gerald's voice than it is due to the music itself. I sorta see the "Young, Wild & Free" album as being songs that a lighter band like Honeymoon Suite might have covered, but because they're sung with a voice that could melt platinum at 80 paces, they sound heavier. Make sense?

I wish that I could claim that I have seen them in concert many times, but I have seen them once. It was on Vancouver Island during their "Take a Deep Breath" tour. They played a small, intimate club and absolutely kicked everyone's @ss!!! I remember being pasted to my seat by Gerald's incredible vocals. Somehow I didn't expect that he'd sound very good live, but man, was I wrong! Ah, those were, indeed, the daze...
*sigh*
Don

p.s. - Gerald stated a couple summers ago when he visited the board that they were expecting a g/h compilation and a live album to be released in the near future. I sure hope that actually happens. ]]> Don NoticeboardSat, 30 Sep 2000 06:09:19 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6403,6474#msg-6474 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6403,6474#msg-6474
If you can track down their third CD,"Love Machine" do it!I It is one fantastic album,they do a cover of "Cocaine" on it.]]> FOOLZ NoticeboardSat, 30 Sep 2000 02:01:45 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6403,6471#msg-6471 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6403,6471#msg-6471Don]]> Don NoticeboardFri, 29 Sep 2000 23:44:51 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6403,6470#msg-6470 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6403,6470#msg-6470
Thanks again,
Robert]]> Robert NoticeboardFri, 29 Sep 2000 22:53:17 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6403,6448#msg-6448 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6403,6448#msg-6448
First, let me say that I just cruised on in here from Andrew's newsdesk after reading the report that Brighton Rock were gonna be playing together again. I AM STOKED!!!!! Gerald McGhee actually posted on this board back in the summer of '99 (or was it '98?) and indicated at that time that, although the guys in the band were still friends, they had ABSOLUTELY no plans to re-unite. This change of attitude is fabulous news.

And now on to your questions. It's funny that you should mention Honeymoon Suite and Harem Scarem in your post, because I would describe BR's first album, "Young, Wild & Free" as kind of a cross between those two bands. Imagine songwriting that's similar to a lot of the material on Honeymoon Suite's s/t debut, and songs like "Bad Attitude", etc. mixed with the vocal aggressiveness of Harod Hess of Harem Scarem, and you get the idea. It's not that the music on "YW&F" is really all that heavy, but Gerald McGee has one h*ll of a set of pipes! He's got a really, really raspy voice that sounds a little like Sebastian Bach when he's singin' in the lower register, and kinda like a Tom Keifer (Cinderella)/Harold Hess/Joe Elliot hybrid when he's singin' in the higher register. The guy's voice can REALLY soar! I wouldn't say that he actually sounds a whole lot like any of those vocalists, but you at least get an idea of what kind of a ballpark he would land in. Make sense?

The songwriting on "YW&F" is, I believe, indicitive of a young band. Don't get me wrong, there are some real scorchers on this album, but (as the title suggests), this was a young bunch of musicians showcasing some of the earlier material they wrote. Compared with their second album, "Take a Deep Breath," the songs just seemed to lack a little depth. "TaDB" is, for me, almost a perfect album. It's a little lighter/less aggressive/more AOR (read: radio-friendly) than "YW&F," but IMO that's not a bad thing. It sounds like an album chock full of potential radio hits, in the same way that Def Lep's "Pyromania" and "Hysteria" were albums full of potential radio hits. In terms of heaviness and overall sound, picture a band playing somewhere between those two Def Lep albums and the first two Harem Scarem albums, and you'll have a good idea of what "TaDB" is like. My only complain about the album is that the leadoff track is (IMO) one of the weaker tracks on the album. I feel exactly the same way about Harem Scarem's "Karma Cleansing" album. Considering how much I like the album, though, and the fact that the leadoff track isn't a BAD song (it's just not a GREAT song), I guess I can't really complain too much. This album is essential listening for all MHR fans.

I have never been able to track down a copy of Brighton Rock's third and final album, "Love Machine." Apparently, it's sort of a cross between their first two sounds. It's supposed to be heavier/less radio-friendly than "TaDB," but more mature than "YW&F." It's VERY hard to find, though. (Anyone out there able to burn me a copy? I'd be happy to pay for it.)

As far as getting to hear the first two albums, though, email me and I'll set you up. You can also visit www.absound.ca to order a copy of "YW&F" cheap.

Hope this has been helpful. Take care.
Don]]> Don NoticeboardFri, 29 Sep 2000 15:04:22 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6403,6403#msg-6403 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6403,6403#msg-6403
Thanks in advance,
Robert]]> Robert NoticeboardFri, 29 Sep 2000 01:00:29 +1100