Old school rockers this one is for you!
A few days ago, my editor and I were heading up the freeway toward some favorite local music when he popped a CD in the stereo – and from there I spoke not a word, save to find out what was causing a backup in traffic…which we took as an opportunity to finish out this tribute to old school 80’s and 90’s rock that now has even our millennials looking back in envy.
Paul Laine. Bruno Ravel. Rob Marcello all associated with the American bred hard rock band, Danger Danger have teamed up on a side project known as The Defiants. Danger Danger was formed in 1987 with Bruno Ravel as part of the original cast, Paul Laine followed in 1993 – 2004 finally Rob Marcello came aboard in 2003 and still currently performs and tours with the band.
With each member recording individually in their own studios and executive produced by Serafino Perugino, Frontiers Music Srl released their debut album, self-titled, The Defiants, on April 15, 2016, and its aim is true; a true testament to the fun loving, high energy, melodic, ballad and anthem (arena) rock of the late 80s and early 90s.
Starting off with a nod to the famous duel in Clint Eastwoods’ “A Few Dollars More”, track after track is nothing short of treat after treat. This album has it all. Guitar riffs that made anthem rock so endearing, choruses that immediately have you singing along and even a couple of power ballads that took me back to that time…seasoned rockers know what I am talking about and newbies want to be there – you know…THAT time; a time etched into your memory but sitting still in the cobwebs of your mind until that one thing brings it back into the forefront and brings forth a smile and a wish to go back again.
Paul Laine’s vocals carry you through a diverse yet cohesive trip through what made rock of the 80s so timeless whether it is in your CD player, on I Heart Radio or, in my case…a flash drive!
This is another album where it is difficult for me to pick a favorite track as the energy flows directly from one song into another without fail and leaves you wanting more. Regardless of the fact that each player recorded separately, the harmonies and backing vocals are flawless…Intros that are immediately familiar yet a new experience at the same time. Check out “Runaway” …I dare you not to immediately think .38 Special.
I have always been a fan of the Power Ballad and this album delivers two…”Save Me Tonight” and “That’s When I’ll Stop Loving You”…(champagne and a hot tub, anyone?). I would have bought the album for these two songs alone – the rest is icing on the cake!“The Last Kiss” is just a fun break up song. I can see myself singing this song in my car, at the top of my lungs in a past life…or maybe even a future one, who knows. Wonderful high energy guitar solos that make kicking someone to the curb damn enjoyable or maybe even causes you to do it just so you can have a viable reason to listen to it over and over again, not that you need one.
I’ll admit that when I first heard “Lil’ Miss Rock ‘n’ Roll, it wasn’t a favorite. I felt like maybe they threw that one in as a filler or an experiment but don’t let it fool you. After several listens through, I find myself singing along, heading bobbing and tapping out the beat on whatever surface is convenient.
From “Love and Bullets” to “Underneath the Stars” album just rocks; 11 songs that hit the bulls eye each time. If this is their debut album I am very much looking forward to #2!
As a lover, writer and reviewer of music, you will never find me over analyzing or dissecting tone, basslines, drum solos, vocals, genre, etc. It is not what I do. I see and hear the music as a whole and I write about it as a whole because that is how we are supposed to experience it…and as I mentioned before, regardless of the fact that these three amazing musicians recorded their own separately, they came together as a whole and delivered what fans of old school rock and roll are wanting for.
The Defiants recently performed at Frontiers’ Rock Festival III in Milano, Italy alongside a myriad of other hard hitters in the hard rock industry. Here’s hoping they make it onto American soil soon.
The Defiants are:
Paul Laine – Vocals
Bruno Ravel – Bass guitar, guitar and keyboards
Rob Marcello – Lead Guitar
With:
Van Romaine – Drums
The Defiants’ Debut Album is:
Carillon (Carillion’s Theme – “For A Few Dollars More”
Love and Bullets
When the Lights Go Down
Waiting On A Heartbreak
Runaway
Lil’ Miss Rock’n’roll
Last Kiss
Save Me Tonight
Take Me Back
We All Fall Down
That’s When I’ll Stop Loving You
Underneath the Stars
Reviewed by: Siege / BackStage360