Smokin Strings Magazine

10/15/2026

𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐝 𝐉𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐭 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥

𝐁𝐲 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐀𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 | 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

Apparently, nobody told The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus that we're supposed to have grown out of our emo phase by now. And judging by their stop at London Music Hall, nobody in the crowd got that memo either.

With Morning in May, Losers Club, and Calling All Captains along for the ride, this wasn't a night where the opening acts were just there to kill time. Each band brought its own flavour of chaos, and none seemed content to simply stand behind their microphones and play through a set.

Morning in May helped kick things into gear with their blend of melodic hooks and heavier moments. Their performance had that pop-punk-meets-post-hardcore attitude, balancing catchy melodies with enough grit to keep things interesting. They weren't afraid to engage the audience, setting the tone for a night where crowd participation was practically part of the setlist.

Losers Club kept that momentum rolling, leaning into a more playful, scrappy punk-rock attitude. There was an infectious quality to their performance, the kind that makes you pay attention even if you've never heard a single song. Their interaction with the crowd felt natural rather than rehearsed, proving that sometimes personality is just as important as what's coming through the speakers.

Calling All Captains brought a different kind of punch. Their mix of emotionally charged vocals, punchy guitar work, and heavier breakdowns added some welcome weight to the evening. They have a way of walking that line between melodic pop-punk and something considerably more aggressive, and that contrast translated well onstage. It was tight, loud, and delivered without unnecessary theatrics.

Then came The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.

Ronnie Winter's voice is one of those sounds that can instantly drag you back to the mid-2000s, whether you want it to or not. There's a certain familiarity to those soaring melodies, but hearing them live is a reminder that the band has always had more bite than the nostalgia playlists give them credit for.

And then there's K.

As the band's second vocalist, K brought an entirely different level of aggression to the performance. Their screams were absolutely filthy, cutting through the melodic sections with a guttural intensity that gave the songs an extra set of teeth. The contrast between Ronnie's unmistakable clean vocals and K's raw, punishing delivery was easily one of the most interesting parts of the set.

It wasn't screaming just to fill space. K's vocals added another dimension to the band's sound, pushing the heavier moments harder without losing the emotional punch that made The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus who they are. And seriously, whatever K's vocal cords are made of, the rest of us weren't issued the same equipment.

But one of the best things about the night happened nowhere near the stage.

Every single band spent time hanging out at their merch tables before and after their sets. Not tucked away backstage or making fans pay extra for five minutes of conversation. They were right there, chatting, taking pictures, signing merch, and actually spending time with the people who came out to see them.

That kind of thing matters more than some bands realize.

There's a big difference between watching a musician perform and getting the chance to tell them face-to-face what their music means to you. For fans, those little interactions can end up being just as memorable as the songs themselves. And with all four bands making themselves accessible, the whole night had a more personal feel than your typical concert.

What stood out most was that nobody seemed to be treating the audience like background noise. From the opening acts to the headliners, the crowd interaction was constant. The bands wanted a reaction, and they weren't shy about asking for one.

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus may have been the reason many people bought a ticket, but Morning in May, Losers Club, and Calling All Captains made sure there was plenty worth showing up early for.

Four bands, plenty of attitude, some downright nasty screams, and not a whole lot of rockstar ego.

Turns out you don't need to reinvent rock music to put on a memorable show. Sometimes you just need to play like you give a damn and remember the people standing on the other side of the barricade.

Emo isn't dead. It's just gotten older, a little louder, and apparently still knows how to throw one hell of a party.

Venue: London Music Hall
Bands: The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Calling All Captains, Losers Club, Morning In May
📸: Sunrise Photography

10/14/2026

From the look of another lens
📸: Natalie Barnett

Night Ranger at the incredible, can’t miss this festival Summer Bash

10/12/2026

𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐬 & 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐬 – “𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐞𝐬” 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲: 𝐃𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡 | 𝐒𝐦𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐞

Emperors & Angels return with “White Lies,” a hard-hitting modern rock track that grabs your attention from the opening seconds. Bela McKnight leads the charge with guitar licks that immediately set the tone, followed by Jason Hedrick's deep, rumbling bass and sub-bass drops that bring serious weight to the mix. It's an opening that demands attention and lets you know right away this track means business.

Matt Nevitt's vocals bring something more to the song than just another hard-rock performance. There's a sense that he's trying to deliver a message, putting feeling and conviction behind the words. You get the impression that he wants listeners to hear what he's saying, not simply sing along to a catchy chorus.

Then there's Brett Huntley's drumming. The drums hit with such force and intensity that you almost can't help yourself. It's the kind of beat that makes you want to grab a pair of imaginary sticks and play angry air drums right along with the track. Combined with Bela's cutting guitar work and Jason's heavy low end, the rhythm section gives “White Lies” an aggressive punch that demands to be felt as much as heard.

Beneath all that power, however, lies a subject that hits closer to home than you might expect.

“White Lies” takes a hard look at the comforting phrases we're taught from childhood. We're told everything will be fine, to keep going, and that everything happens for a reason. These words are often offered with the best intentions, helping us navigate life's uncertainties. But what happens when we grow up believing them, even when reality tells us something different? And when do we begin passing those same comforting half-truths on to others?

That's where the song finds its bite. Emperors & Angels explore the uncomfortable space between what we want to believe and what we know deep down. It's a reminder that deception doesn't always come from bad intentions. Sometimes, the lies that shape us the most are delivered by people who genuinely believe they're helping.

Musically, “White Lies” balances melody and aggression, pairing massive guitars and a powerful chorus with a low end that hits hard. The band's performance gives the song's message the muscle it needs without losing sight of the emotion behind it.

Emperors & Angels have delivered more than another hard-hitting rock single. “White Lies” challenges listeners to question the comforting stories they tell themselves and others, leaving behind a message that lingers after the music stops.

Sometimes the hardest truth to face is the one we've spent a lifetime learning not to question.

𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭: Emperors&Angels
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: October 9, 2026
𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥: Rock Rage Promotions - Curtain Call Records
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Hard Rock

𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐞𝐬 - 𝐆𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐈𝐓 𝐀 𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐍!
https://youtu.be/RkyR_HE1F80?si=hfPZ1xG4hIdSotqK

10/09/2026

𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐀 𝐃𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐒: “𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐄𝐗𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄” 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑

𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 | 𝐒𝐦𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐞

𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 & 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐛𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂. 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡

Some music is made to fit neatly into a category. Then there's music that grabs your attention with powerful guitar work and a darker sound that refuses to be mistaken for mainstream pop. Swiss alternative-rock artist Aura Davis delivers that kind of energy with her latest single, “Edge of Existence.”

The guitar is the standout here, bringing a powerful presence to a track built around a dark alternative-rock sound. This isn't a pop song dressed up with a few distorted guitars. It's a darker, heavier musical experience that embraces its own identity and doesn't feel the need to follow the mainstream.

There's something refreshing about an artist who leans into a sound rather than chasing whatever happens to be trending. “Edge of Existence” has the kind of atmosphere that should appeal to listeners who appreciate their alternative rock with a darker edge and guitars that make their presence known.

For fans of Swiss alternative rock, Aura Davis deserves a spot on your radar. If powerful guitar and dark alternative sounds are your thing, “Edge of Existence” is right up your alley.

From the Pit to the Page.

Listen to “Edge of Existence” and check out Aura Davis's official video through her official channels.
https://youtu.be/NlxZ98Wadpg?si=-7jB8gOXK2V7xewo

Artist: Aura Davis
Record Label: https://goodstockrecords.co.uk

You can catch Aura Davis at these shows
https://www.auradavis.com/tour

10/09/2026

𝙉𝙤 "𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙚𝙨" - 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙧𝙨&𝘼𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙚
𝘽𝙮 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙚 𝘽𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙩

Since the beginning of our publication, not only does concert photography set my soul on fire, but finding new (to me) bands to experience has become my favorite endeavor. It was no surprise that my excitement to see Skillet at Streator Fest extended to another band bringing energy to the stage - Emperors&Angels.

Emperors&Angels were a band that originated on my "must see" list since discovering bands to cover and for good reason. This energetic rock band originates from the midwest and has shared the stage with bands such as Shinedown, Five Finger Death Punch, Linkin Park, etc. Their pure love of music emanates from them to the crowd the second the first notes hit with a type of energy that can only be described as witchcraft.

Performance factor and musical raw talent come together to form music that blends modern and classic rock capable of capturing any age of audience. Each masters of their own craft, they play seamlessly to deliver rock music in a way that brings excited energy while still being incredibly involved with fans in the crowd. Meeting your idols can be a very delicate process, but not for this band. As a bonus, the band also ensured to share time with fans without rushing them in this process proving just how much fans are valued and at the center of the music and performance.

Give Emperors&Angels a listen - and do NOT miss a performance near you (they travel coast to coast) or their new single "White Lies" that drops at midnight.

10/08/2026

That is a great question.

We are already planning for 2027.... What artist would you like to see?!

10/04/2026

𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 “𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲” 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐠
𝐀 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜, 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐈𝐭

𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲: 𝐃𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂. 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡 | 𝐒𝐦𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐞

The Illinois music community has lost one of its own.

Michael “Hilly” Hillenburg, guitarist for The Good Year Pimps, later known simply as The Pimps, has passed away.

I didn't know Hilly personally, but I had the opportunity to photograph The Good Year Pimps, and over the years I've crossed paths with many of the musicians who called him a friend. Through them, and through the fans who followed his music, you begin to understand the mark he left behind.

Hilly's musical journey stretched back decades. He and Stuart “Stu” Johnson had been friends since eighth grade and played together in the Rockford thrash band Sarkoma before becoming part of The Good Year Pimps.

The Pimps weren't just another local band.

They built a following.

They played the clubs and stages where Illinois music history was being made, developed a loyal fanbase and eventually took their music well beyond Rockford. Their song “Rocket Science” appeared on the 2000 Mission: Impossible 2 soundtrack alongside some of the biggest names in rock.

But records and soundtracks only tell part of the story.

Ask the fans.

They remember the shows.

The volume.

The energy.

The songs they still know by heart.

They remember standing in a crowded room watching Hilly and the band do what they loved.

And that's the part of a musician's legacy that never really disappears.

Hilly also spent years teaching guitar and working with young musicians through the Rock & Roll Institute in Rockford. He wasn't simply someone who played music. He helped other people learn how to make it.

When Hilly's battle with cancer became known, musicians, friends and fans came together to support him. A benefit brought the community together, raising money and, more importantly, showing Hilly just how many people cared.

That's what music does at its best.

It creates connections that can last decades.

Bandmates become family.

Fans become part of the story.

And the songs become memories.

For those who knew Hilly personally, there are undoubtedly stories that will be told for years to come. For the fans who watched him from the other side of the stage, there are concerts and songs that will forever carry his fingerprints.

And for those of us who were fortunate enough to photograph the band, there are images that suddenly mean something different.

I was there to photograph a band.

I didn't realize I was also documenting a piece of someone's legacy.

Today, those photographs are more than concert images.

They're memories.

They're history.

And they're a reminder that behind every musician is a community of people who listened, supported, cheered and cared.

Hilly gave those people something to remember.

Now it's their turn to remember him.

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲, 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝.

Silly Little Man

𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐬 𝐛𝐲: Xplicit Impressions