Articles by Will Simpson

Will Simpson was Music Editor of the Big Issue South West in Bristol before relocating to Thailand to become Deputy Editor of English language books magazine New Arrivals. Since returning to the UK he's freelanced, writing about music for Classic Rock, IDJ, Metro and Guitarist, and environmental issues for Resource and The Spark. He also writes for contract publishing titles such as Teach, Thomson Air, Musician and Korg.

Articles by: Will Simpson

"He was so close to death - they had to cut off his finger": Bonafide are back, and they've got some stories to tell

By Will Simpson published 11 January 24

After a lengthy layoff, 'the Swedish AC/DC' have returned with tales of acoustic shows, singing in Swedish, and Tommie Nine Fingers

Fred Abbott's new album may sound like the work of a denim-clad heartland rocker from some obscure corner of the American Midwest, but it was recorded in a South London basement

By Will Simpson published 26 October 23

Ex-Noah And The Whale guitarist Fred Abbott's new album Shining Under The Soot is lush heartland rock with a nod to the Eagles and a Tina Turner sample

Skindred/Dub War singer Benji Webbe against a blue background

Skindred's Benji Webbe: the soundtrack of my life

By Will Simpson published 17 March 23

Skindred frontman Benji Webbe picks his records, artists and gigs of lasting significance, and names the TV theme he sung in exchange for a bag of sweets

The Zombies stroll down a street arm-in-arm

The story behind the all-time classic The Zombies recorded as an afterthought

By Will Simpson published 3 October 22

The Zombies were a band of teenagers from Hertfordshire who hit the big time with She's Not There, a ballad of emotional detachment, and a peak they'd never scale again

Six things you need to know about Wayward Sons

By Will Simpson published 1 December 21

Britrockers Wayward Sons are back with a political chip on their shoulder and a head start on the Zoom era

Six things you need to know about Blacktop Mojo

By Will Simpson published 27 October 21

Hammered Phil Collins covers? Celine Dion karaoke? Just everyday goings-on for Texan quintet Blacktop Mojo

The Damn Truth: naked beginnings and arena-sized ambition

By Will Simpson last updated 29 June 21

With the help of producer Bob Rock, Zep-loving Canadians The Damn Truth have stadiums in their sights

Meet Shaman's Harvest: Soulful rockers on a mission to keep it real

By Will Simpson published 19 July 17

Shaman’s Harvest discuss taking your time, fixing cars and the power of an imperfect record

Blackwater Conspiracy: Mixing Aerosmith swagger with Bon Jovi soul

By Will Simpson published 14 June 17

Northern Ireland’s new rock hotshots on changing styles and conspiracy theories

Meet The Weeks: Mixing southern swagger with indie-rock edge

By Will Simpson published 17 May 17

Kings Of Leon’s Mississippi-born protégés are ready to break out with their fifth full-length LP

Introducing Hunter & The Bear: "We're not one-trick ponies"

By Will Simpson published 17 May 17

Every band likes compliments, but if you annoy these guys you might get credited on an album

Chuck Berry: The man who gave rock 'n' roll its humour

By Will Simpson published 19 March 17

Looking back on the life of guitar legend Chuck Berry

Stone Broken – "There are worse people to be compared to than Nickelback"

By Will Simpson published 24 November 16

There’s probably a good reason why riff-masters Stone Broken have covered a Backstreet Boys hit...

Group picture of rock band Welcome Back Delta

Meet Welcome Back Delta: the Essex boys specialising in smut and swamp rock

By Will Simpson published 4 August 16

Meet Welcome Back Delta; smutty but kid-friendly blues rockers who don’t take themselves too seriously

Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown: London live review

By Will Simpson published 7 June 16

Not yet rated

From London's Olympic Stadium to a pub in Tufnel Park: rising star Tyler Bryant goes out on his own after AC/DC support

High Hopes: Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown – the last band to support AC/DC?

By Will Simpson published 13 May 16

Blues prodigy and support to AC/DC, but still this Texan won’t believe the hype.

High Hopes: Broken Witt Rebels – best Southern band the USA never had?

By Will Simpson published 18 March 16

The authentic sound of soulful, southern blues rock – straight outta Birmingham.

High Hopes: Hudson

By Will Simpson published 31 December 15

These stadium-bound LA rockers aren’t in it for the easy money – or the free beer.

High Hopes: RavenEye

By Will Simpson published 4 September 15

Genre-swapping guitarist on ditching the blues for “heavy rock at full volume”.

10,000,000 pints: How Iron Maiden rocked the brewing industry

By Will Simpson published 16 July 15

“Pint of heavy? Don’t mind if I do.” As Iron Maiden launch a new brew, we tell the story of Trooper, the heavy metal beer that's been a global success

High Hopes: Left Lane Cruiser

By Will Simpson published 12 June 15

A ‘blind date’, a skateboard bass and a bag of weed – all you need for hillbilly punk-blues glory.

Obituary: B.B. King

By Will Simpson published 15 May 15

We look back at the long career of the last of the original bluesmen, B.B. King

Taylor Locke: the new sound of West Coast Rock

By Will Simpson published 4 February 15

After LA rockers Rooney called it a day, Taylor Locke kicked around in tribute acts. Then he met Kim Fowley, and recorded one of the Califiornian rock albums of the year

Size Matters: the bands with the most members

By Will Simpson published 20 September 14

Some bands are bigger than others, while some just keep getting bigger

Les Savy Fav: Root For Ruin

By Will Simpson published 15 September 10

Veteran alt rockers just get better and better.

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