Founder of Marshall Dies

      Director and founder of Marshall amps, Jim Marshall OBE passed away yesterday aged 88.

Jim Marshall

      Known as the ‘father of loud’, Marshall began his professional career as a drummer and drum teacher teaching over 60 students a week. He lived in West London in the 1960 and spotted the gap in the market for a cheap yet good quality Amplifier. It was a real rags-to-riches turnaround with his amps being used by legends Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain.

     Many a tribute flooded in for Marshall’s passing, including a heartfelt tweet from ex-Guns ‘n’ Roses guitarist Slash, ‘The news…is deeply saddening. R &R (Rock ‘n’ Roll) will never be the same without him. But his amps will live on FOREVER!’

Marshall amps

     As a company, Marshall Amplifiers payed tribute to their legendary boss via the website, ‘It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved founder and leader for the past 50 years, Jim Marshall. While mourning the Guv’nor though, we also salute a legendary man who led a full and truly remarkable life.’ He was named ‘the sound of Rock’ and a ‘very humble and generous man who…donated millions of pounds to worthy causes’ over the years.

     An online condolences site for fans and admirers will be set up for public use very soon.

Visit: http://www.jimmarshall.co.uk to read Marshall's statement in full.

BlackMamba- Self-Titled EP (28/01/2010 – Self Released)

     BlackMamba are a Classic Rock band from North West England. The band also label themselves as Hard Rock, which is somewhat questionable, although their inspirations include the likes of Aerosmith, Iron Maiden and Guns ‘n’ Roses. This, their very first EP, was released on the 28^th of January last year. They are currently one of 50 acts to make it to the final stage of the ‘Live and Unsigned’ competition after auditions earlier this year.

The album artwork for Black Mamba's Self Titled EP

     The band have a very speedy, old school, 1980s-driven sound from the get go with ‘Give Me Poison’ which is anthemic despite it being amateur. Yet the track does not quite have the arena filling potential of their inspirations but is a very positive foundation for the future. ‘Refuse To Lose’ is not repetitive as such, but very cyclic and not quite as hard-hitting all the way through as it could be, as the band almost appear to literally lose momentum towards the end of the track. Black Mamba are almost like a good ‘80s tribute band, in the same effective style Jack Black utilises for his role in the 2003 film ‘School of Rock’. Despite this, the second song is composed of a more metal vibe, with speedy guitaring and great drumming via the symbol.

     However, lyrically, especially in ‘Losin’ My Mind’, BlackMamba should not be afraid to reach a deeper emotional level, as well as the 80s association with endless drinking and drug consumption; ‘this bottles your only friend.’ These somewhat limp and white-washed lyrics eradicate the potential the band may have for a wider fan base who truly appreciate them as a band in a sentimental sense. Although the guitar solo is nothing short of spectacular but one cannot help but think of the band as wannabe punks of an era well before their time or comprehension Steel Panther are mickey takers of the very genre and period they are performing through and are very sure of their sound and style. Even in final track ‘Tooth Ache’, however melodic the song appears, assisted by the gripping, intense bass, its lyrics of ‘What doesn’t kill me will make me stronger.’ let them down severely once more.

BlackMamba have yet to nail their image...

     BlackMamba has a good foundation of great instrumentation and vocals, but their appearance and overall flair leave a lot to be desired.

2/5