John Diva & the Rockets of Love - Mama Said Rock is Dead (2019)

I love a band out to have fun. Having interviewed John Diva recently (up soon on the website) I can honestly say I’m not sure how to describe John Diva & The Rockets of Love as a man nor as a band. The man is hugely focused about the music he is creating, while also so deeply passionate about what he grew up listening to. What I do know though is that the album release ‘Mama Said Rock is Dead’ ticks all the boxes about what I loved about the 80s and 90s in rock music. Diva admits his youth was filled with ‘legends’ such as Van Halen, Kiss, Whitesnake and Bon Jovi, to name but a few and this is highly evident in the collection of 12 songs put together on this wonderful album. Even the video release for the single ‘Lolita’ has a David Lee Roth feel about it, with its US beach front back drop and bikini clad beauties.

The band comprises of J.J. Love & Snake Rocket (guitars), Remmie Martin (bass) and Lee Stingray (drums) who all seem like they have been brought forward in time not only by their band names but by looks to. The album opens with a crack of the whip before leading into the catchy ‘Whiplash’ and is followed by ‘Lolita’ and its total Van Halen feel. ‘Rock n Roll Heaven’ is next up for the bowels of Diva’s musical passions before dual guitars lead us brilliantly into a bit of Whitesnake inspired ‘Wild Life’. ‘Blinded’ & ‘Dance Dirty’ are tracks that could grace any arena stage and will be certain crowd pleasers with their sing-a-long chorus’s. Rock albums from that era wouldn’t be the same without a classic ballad and this comes in the form of ‘Just a Night Away’, before we are brought back to punch ‘n’ pace with the guitar driven ‘Fire Eyes’. ‘Get On It’, ‘Long Legs’, ‘Toxic’ & “Rocket of Love’ bring the album home in fine form.

Musically, the band is tight throughout, with fantastic guitar work & vocals, all the while being backed by solid bass & drum work. One of the things I love about this album is the ability to pick the band’s inspirations from the song choices but also making them all very much their own. If you want a trip back to 80s & 90s heaven without dusting off the ‘oldies’ then grab yourself a copy of ‘Mama Said Rock is Dead’ and enjoy. This will definitely be my ‘summer coastal driving album’ for 2019!