Australia's Audioscam, Vanilla Fudge

AUDIOSCAM

When The Money's Gone 4 song CD

The Australian trio Audioscam returns with their second release, When The Money's Gone. The four-song CD heightens the uptempo power-pop vibe that made their debut release, the rocking ABBA tribute titled ABBATTACK, uncompromisingly engaging. This time, the guitar/bass/drums threesome unveil their songwriting talents with more irresistible hard-edged rock 'n' roll.

Composed by drummer/vocalist Brian Pitcher, the title track explodes with classic Anglo-pop rhythms, enhanced by catchy melodies and chiseled lead guitar figures. With vocals perfectly blended into the high-powered mix, "When The Money's Gone" echoes the sonic energy of Britain's Status Quo while connecting toof the 21st Century. this second decade

Underpinned by Pitcher's creative percussion, "That Other Guy" shines with all-around shimmering power-pop stylings. Changing its pace, Audioscam takes an unexpected mid-tempo rootsy turn on "Closing In On Midnight," composed and sung by bassist Brad Wallace and highlighting guitarist Ross Wilson's dynamic and varied acoustic and electric guitar licks.

Ending the disc with their heaviest song, Audioscam delivers "Different Eyes," a double-barreled blend of power chords and guitar riffs influenced by the late '70s New Wave sound. On their all-original When The Money's Gone, Audioscam has created a contemporary sound that will please fans of classic power pop and high-energy Anglo rock. (www.audioscam.com.au)

Joseph Tortelli

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VANILLA FUDGE LIVE AT TUPELO HALL
Review by Jay LaFond


Vanilla Fudge Tupelo Music Hall December 7th 2011

On December 7th, 2011, Pearl Harbor Day, a great American hard rock/blues rock ensemble, Vanilla Fudge, was engaged in an intense soundcheck at Tupelo Music Hall, Londonderry NH.
A medley of “People Get ready”, “Shotgun”, and “Dazed and Confused” set the tone for what would be a great evening of psychedelic memories. Backstage, guitarist Vinny Martell wore a leather vest emblazoned with “Brotherhood of Jesus Christ”, proclaiming “God Bless America, this is the greatest country in the world”. Bassist Pete Bremly sat on a couch with Carmine Appice and Mark Stein. Pete’s living his dream ... playing in place of Tim Bogert. With Bremly’s musical influences including Paul McCartney and Bogert he's a perfect addition to complement the original three members.

These guys look younger than their age, and it’s very refreshing to see that youthful attitude onstage. A copy of their eponymous album “Vanilla Fudge” sits on a table backstage and at 8:15 pm it will get played in its entirety. A 6 minute version of “Ticket to Ride” opens the show, that Beatle moment evolving into Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready” with Carmine on vocals. Cher's classic, “Bang Bang”, a hit for Cher (and in the 2007 film Zodiac), gets a powerful nod from the Fudge here. Mark Stein and his rented Hammond B-3 carry the haunting epic with a bit of a Felix Cavaliere-esque Rascals twist.

“Eleanor Rigby” is slowed down to 8+ minutes, sounding much more dire than the Beatle’s original. In 1967, George Harrison would play this song for anyone who would listen---Vanilla Fudge was one of his favorite bands. Donovan's "Season of the Witch" from the Renaissance lp, Jr. Walker's "Shotgun" and the powerfully over-the-top "Dazed and Confused" all led up to
the 7 minute version of the Supreme’s “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”. It never gets old listening to this reinvention of a Motown classic---with Stein’s eerily baroque sustained minor chords and Carmine’s cascading cymbals. The Fudge played it on Ed Sullivan back in the day and on Jimmy Fallon in March 2011. It was also featured in the 2007 final episode of The Sopranos HBO program. finale in 2007. The Beatle’s “You Can’t Do That" concluded the show.

The crowd at this intimate and friendly venue was ecstatic with Appice telling them it was one of their best shows. These guys were inspirations to the likes of Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin—they are among the founding fathers of Psychedelic Rock. Playing on bills with Zeppelin, Hendrix and Cream in the 60’s’, inducted into the Long Island Rock Hall of Fame with Billy Joel, Little Anthony, Peter Tork, et al, this is precious music not seen elsewhere in this digital age.


Jay Lafond December 22, 2011