#chris chaney

This actually marks the third time I've been lucky enough to review an album by Billy Idol: In 2021 I review his EP Roadside and in 2022 I reviewed his EP The Cage. While both EPs were kind of cool, I hoped they'd be a prelude to a full album since he hasn't release a full studio album since 2014. Now that's happening: Dark Horse Records (George Harrison’s record label that has been revitalized by Harrison’s son Dhani) is releasing Dream Into It this week. This weekend is also when the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will announce their 2025 Inductees and Idol is nominated for the very first time. The timing of this album is set to prove he either deserves to be inducted or that the Rock Hall dropped the ball again.

album cover

Returning for this album is guitarist Steve Stevens. The two of them made a great team in the 80s and it's cool to see them back together again after years apart. On bass on this album is Chris Chaney (Jane's Addiction, Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders, and currently with AC/DC). On drums there's Glen Sobel on a song and the rest of the album features Josh Freese (too many bands to name, but currently with Foo Fighters). There's plenty of guest singers joining Idol including Avril Lavigne, Alison Mosshart of The Dead Weather and Joan Jett. This Summer, Idol and Jett are co-headlining a tour together, so I'm betting they will both come out and sing "Wildside" together during one of their sets.

Idol and Stevens in the 80s

This album doesn't come close to Idol's golden age of Rebel Yell (arguably his best album), but it is a return to form for him. He's bringing his punk energy to radio-friendly rock with songs like "Still Dancing", proving he's still got it. The album's going to take more listens to see how it ranks with his discography, but with the musicians he has assembled like Chaney and Freese, he's still rocking at age 69!

For info on Billy Idol

We once had the pleasure of meeting Taylor Hawkins at an intimate gig in Glasgow with Taylor Hawkins & The Coattail Riders. We walked hurriedly into the venue only to be instantly stopped in our tracks as we saw him and band eating their dinner before performing in the basement. Venue probably held about 100 people and we'd found out quite last minute but managed to get tickets just in time. At one point during the support act Taylor walked past us to get to the toilets and only then did we realise he'd been in the room the whole time, sitting at the side!

After the show we hung about the lane the venue is in, started a round of applause when the rest of the band came out shortly after, and chatted to Chris Chaney, Nate Wood and mostly Gannin Arnold (who randomly we spoke to about Starbucks and getting curries down in Brick Lane of all things). With the benefit of hindsight now think Wiley Hodgson was acting as roadie - memorable hair we could identify once Chevy Metal became a thing!

When Taylor came out (he'd been taking a shower) he understandably seemed pretty exhausted but was happy to take photos (as per the request of Gannin who we'd floated the idea past!). The band took photos with a bunch of people and when we realised that the girl we'd asked to take our pic - digital camera era! - had taken ages to do it (and that mine and Taylor's faces had moved on to other things) we were encouraged by a friend of a friend who was in the support band that Taylor was really nice and would be happy to take another one with us. We seized the opportunity before it was too late and he kindly obliged while we shared we were Stewart Copeland fans ("me too" he agreed of course, lol) and thanked him for the gig and for coming to our city on this tiny tour. They all got into the grungiest little white van and presumably hit the road for London the next night.

We floated home, one of the best nights of my life, unforgettable and will live in our hearts just as with every time we were lucky enough to see him perform live.

His incredible legacy as a musician and a man lives on 💗

Taylor Hawkins & The Coattail Riders - official setlist Glasgow, Stereo 09.06.10

1. Not Bad Luck

2. Louise

3. Hole In My Shoe

4. Drive Me Insane

5. Your Shoes

6. Running In Place

7. Get Up I Want to Get Down

8. Walking Away

9. Never Enough

10. Way Down

11. Cold Day in the Sun (Foo Fighters cover)

12. Sunshine

Encore:

13. I Don't Think I Trust You Anymore

14. It's Over