Radioux City – Soul Survivor 2017

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Keyboardist / vocalist Gary Brandon, after his departure from White Sister (one of the founder members) played for others but meanwhile started his own project: RADIOUX CITY. In 1988, the first batch of song were recorded, but there was a slow progress over the next three years creating the lineup of musicians and forming the structure of Radioux City.

Unfortunately, the project never fully crystallized, and these recordings were shelved… until AOR Blvd Records unearthed them and released “Soul Survivor“.
The CD includes the original Radioux City recordings from 1988-1989, two fresh songs written but never recorded back in the day, plus an archived cover of Ted Nugent’s iconic rocker ‘Free For All’.

Gary Brandon is one of the original co-founders of pomp LA band White Sister, a frontman / keyboardist / songwriter in his own right. In 1985, believing that the group should be fronted by one singer, the record label took a decision behind the scenes that White Sister was no longer going to have alternative lead singers.
In addition to this, and to make the situation worse, Gary’s role in the band was reduced to less lead vocals and a position of keyboard player.

In 1986, as Gary was extremely unhappy with this decision, decided to quit the band during the early stages of what was going to be the second White Sister album ‘Fashion by Passion‘. Anway, he worked on various songs that are also a big part of the band’s legacy.

Gary found working in the John Parr Live Touring Band. This lay down the foundations to what would be the formation of his next group – a band that would allow him to finally return to his originally intended path as frontman: Radioux City.
Many labels resulted interested in Radioux City music, but weak management make things harder for the band. The decline of all forms of rock music and the 90s music scene has been well documented over the years with a move towards grunge Seattle sound.
Unfortunately, one of the victims of this movement were Radioux City.

However, a quarter of a decade later, and finally released from the vault is a highly anticipated and worthy CD release on AOR Blvd Records, complete with new artwork and lyric booklet and remastered to capture the retro sound.

Being a huge fan of White Sister, I’ve always kept a watchful eye out for anything by their remaining members. Bass guitarist / vocalist Dennis Churchill Dries returned in 2015 with the mighty ‘I’, and now, Gary Brandon has finally unleashed the previously long lost Radioux City recordings. I’ve known about this forgotten classic since the Nineties, but never dared hope it might finally see the light of day.
Musically, Radioux City are commercial melodic hard rock, with strong funky rhythms and smooth vocals, plenty of melody and catchiness.

“Soul Survivor” is a potent, vibrant, kick ass album featuring big songs with huge choruses that have been all mated to terrific musicianship. Guitarist John Perez chops are incendiary throughout – how he’s not a bigger name is a mystery, while Brandon’s voice is terrific. Using his synths to create the bass sound was brave and works well.
The rhythm section of drummer Pete Kneser and rhythm guitarist Sammy Brown lay down a pulsing backbeat that drives the album with impressive swagger.
What a band this was!

Songs like ‘Shake A Leg’ or ‘I Created a Monster’ pulsate through the speakers, while the choice of Wild Cherry’s ‘Funky Music’ is inspired, this head-banging, booty-shaking version stamping all over the already excellent original; I defy you not to strut your funky stuff to it.

Originally the album was to have been released with eleven songs, but this final version features fourteen, including two brand new cuts recorded by all members especially for this release – ‘Soldier Of Fortune’ and ‘Lookin”.
Although the band no longer exists, Brandon now plays these songs with his solo band and the vibe around them is growing fast.
Highly Recommended

1. Scratch The Itch
2. You Make My Love Grow
3. Shake A Leg
4. Genie
5. I Created A Monster
6. Funky Music
7. Soldier of Fortune
8. Lookin'
9. Free For All
10. Slave For A Day
11. Filthy Dirty Dog
12. Show Me The Way
13. Moving Pictures
14. Big Lie

Line-up

Gary Brandon (lv, sy)
John Perez (lg)
Sammy Brown (rg)
Pete Kneser (d)

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