Rock Night at The Portrush Playhouse Continues with… Million $ Reload, Voodoo Dogg & Guests

Million $ Reload
As any discerning music fan knows, there are only two kinds of music: ROCK and ROLL. And in these times of social calamity, financial ruin and uncertain tomorrows, rock ‘n’ roll remains the only thing that most of us can always rely on. As a result, bands like Million $ Reload are to be cherished and celebrated. Formed five years ago in Belfast, Northern Ireland, these steely-eyed purveyors of balls-out, barnstorming classic rock are on a mission to put a smile back on your face and few thousand volts up your holiest of holies. Ultimately, it’s all about getting the basics right and giving the people what they want.

“All we ever wanted to do was write proper frickin’ rock songs!” laughs powerhouse vocalist Phil. “Songs that people could relate to in the way we do, and that we can perform and make rock fans say ‘You know what? Here’s a band playing genuine rock ‘n’ roll with no bullshit and no frills, and they’re having a blast doing it!’ That’s all we want to do…write and perform kick-ass rock ‘n’ roll and stick to our principles. We’re not trying to re-invent the wheel. The bottom line for us is that a good song is a good song! That’s what it’s all about.”

Veterans of countless aspiring but unsuccessful local bands in and around Belfast over the years, the five members of Million $ Reload have earned their spurs and learned their trade around the Northern Ireland bar and club circuit, before being brought together by a shared passion for the rock ‘n’ roll greats of the 70s, 80s and 90s and a shared vision about how to grab the whole rock scene by the ears and give it a vigorous shake. Vocalist Phil, bassist Kie and guitarist Andy got the ball rolling, hatching a plan to join forces after a few boozy midnight chats about music and the state of things, before the band line-up was eventually completed by the addition of a second guitarist, BAM, and drummer Davy. Million $ Reload was born and ready to rock.

“Every member has their own individual personality in terms of what they bring to the table,” explains Phil. “The strong groove and backbeat of Davy’s drumming and the solid creativity of Kie’s bass playing are a key part of the band’s foundation. BAM and Andy’s contrasting guitar styles complement my singing style, and we all contribute to the overall sound, but it will always be about the songs!” As if to prove that their manifesto for revitalising rock ‘n’ roll was conceived with the utmost conviction and dedication, Million $ Reload’s 2008 debut album, Anthems Of A Degeneration, seemed to arrived fully-formed and immaculate; a tour-de-force of vast hooks, killer riffs and moments of joyous, snake-hipped abandon, with shades of everyone from AC/DC and Aerosmith through to The Black Crowes and Buckcherry confirming that these young Irishmen know their history and salute it with style, while also displaying a powerful and compelling character and atmosphere that is all their own.

Unfortunately, despite receiving numerous glowing reviews and seeming poised to make a huge impact, the album’s upward ascent was brought to an abrupt and damaging halt when the label’s distributor, Pinnacle, experienced a financial collapse and went out of business only a few weeks after the record was released, ensuring that Million $ Reload’s remarkably assured and undeniably thrilling first effort sank without trace.

“When that deal ended we were looking around for specialist rock label to make a new album with but everyone who heard ‘Anthems…’ just loved it and thought it had real potential,” recalls Phil. “So the idea came round that we might have another go! We approached Powerage, and right from the start they were totally into it and wanted to release it and work with the band. We were able to get the rights back from the old label and now the album has been remixed, remastered and repackaged so it sounds totally killer and better than ever! We can’t wait to get back on the road and tour until we drop!”

From blistering, cocksure sing-a-longs like Livin’ In The City, Tattoos & Dirty Girls and Give It All through to irresistible bluesy ballads like The Last Icon and Keep Holding On, Anthems Of A Degeneration is a flawless exercise in smart, sassy songwriting and a superb showcase for the electrifying chemistry that exists between these five musicians. You can’t keep a band this good, or an album this strong, down for long, and now that they have started to build momentum once again, Million $ Reload must surely be on the road to rock ‘n’ roll glory. They’ve got the balls, the belief and the tunes to make it happen.

“Rock ‘n’ roll is escapism…you can forget about your everyday troubles and woes, rock out, sing and scream along, have a beer and a smoke!” grins Phil “It’s nothing new, this kind of balls-out rock ‘n’ roll, but it’s been buried away these last few years because too many people in the industry wrote it off as old fashioned and out of touch, but people are beginning to realise what proper rock ‘n’ roll really is! We’re the real deal and we’re here to stay!” By Dom Lawson, Metal Hammer

www.milliondollarreload.com

Doors: 9pm // Tickets: £5 Available from www.ticketmaster.ie