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The Record File: Bren Holmes, Morrisey, and More…

Written by Staff on March 14, 2026

BREN HOLMES: Ex “YOUNG DUBLINER” CONTINUES STRONG SOLO CAREER

For 30-plus years, Bren Holes has been plying his craft as a musician, songwriter, and bandmate. As an original member of the Irish rock band, The Young Dubliners, he has gigged all over the world–and lived to talk about it. In the fall of 2019, Bren decided to part ways with the band in pursuit of a solo career. After several months, he put together a list of songs he had written and got together with co-producer Bryan Dobbs to record his very first solo album, ”Everything You Never Wanted.”

His debut album was very well received throughout the record industry, and not too long after its release, Bren got right back to work to start on his sophomore album entitled, ”A RuSH To THe STaRT LiNE.” With 10 new songs under his belt, he again enlisted his co-producer Bryan Dobbs to complement his previous endeavor. It comprises a mixture of themes and emotions, with no two songs sounding alike yet somehow strung together gracefully. It deals with several themes, from a runaway child (“Gloria”), to the topsy-turvy life of Sinéad O’ Connor (“Ordinary World”), to Mother Earth speaking to humanity as a whole (“Need Some Time”), to a couple of breakup songs, which Bren never seems to shy away from (“Satisfied”, “Don’t Say You Will”). Bren and Bryan played most of the instruments but brought in some great talent, including bassist Paul Bushnell (Tim McGraw) and Ben Thomas (Dweezil Zappa), to name a couple. Bren is hoping to take his new album around the country throughout 2026 and beyond. Hopefully, it will bring you some enjoyment and solace while listening to it.

MORRISSEY UNLEASHING FIRST NEW ALBUM IN SIX YEARS

Morrissey returns to Sire/Warner Records with ”Make-Up Is a Lie,” his first new studio album since 2020. With poetic and provocative lyrics, sonically dynamic production by Joe Chiccarelli (The Strokes, My Morning Jacket, Alanis Morissette), and a renewed commitment and connection with his loyal global fanbase, the album was recorded last year in France. The new album will be in stores on March 6. The album promises evocatively unpredictable instrumentation and has a title that can be read as an explicit call for unvarnished truth and expression. The 12-song set is poised to further solidify his status as one of the most acclaimed and potent voices of the last four decades.

The album’s first single (out now in digital format) is an intoxicating introduction. Co-written by Morrissey keyboardist Camila Grey, “Make-Up Is a Lie” surges forth on a trip-hop-like groove — echoing drums, propulsive bass riff, mysterious atmosphere — that bursts into swirling dream-pop for the chorus. Morrissey vocally floats across the track, weaving a curious tale of a woman who keeps desperately trying to deliver him a message, even in death.

He is joined on the new album by a familiar cast of characters and bandmates, including Jesse Tobias, Camila Grey, Carmen Vandenberg, Juan Galeano, Alain Whyte, Gustavo Manzur, and Brendan Buckley. The track list includes some song titles previously referenced by Morrissey and others that have never been revealed, as well as a faithful cover of Roxy Music’s 1973 deep cut “Amazona.” It will also feature a song called “Lester Bangs,” a tribute to the late, famous rock critic. May I humbly add that I had the honor of writing for him while he was Editor of CREEM.

“Make-Up Is a Lie” will be available on vinyl, CD, and digitally. Vinyl album variants include Blue vinyl and a unique Zoetrope picture disc. A Red vinyl pressing will be available exclusively through all Indie retail stores. You may want to place an order in advance

On a side note, Mr. Morrissey played the Palace Theatre in Albanyin 2012. It was different seeing him without his former guitarist, Johnny Marr; however, the show went on, and it all sounded splendid. Long live the Smiths – that great primal band that featured Morrissey and Johnny upon their inception in England in early 1982.

FANNY: “MOTHERS PRIDE” RESURFACES ON VINYL!

After releasing all four of Fanny’s 1970s Reprise albums on CD, REAL GONE MUSIC is now doing the same on LP! The band’s 1973 album “Mothers Pride” is the first of the vinyl reissues. All four Reprise albums rank up there with the Runaways (Joan Jett’s fabulous band before going solo) and those of Suzi Quatro (whose sister, Patti, ironically joined Fanny, replacing June on guitar, briefly before they disbanded in 1975). They had a couple of reformations in later years, but did not quite sustain momentum. The original Reprise albums were testimonies that they were indeed precursors for all women’s rock bands from that post-60s era. “Mothers Pride” is probably the best offering from the band. It may well have also been its most controversial, as Todd Rundgren agreed to produce the album on the condition that he and he alone would oversee the album mix. The result was a record that cemented Fanny’s popularity in the U.K. but failed to make an impact in the charts here in the States despite their European charted hit classic “Summer Song.” The two-page insert that comes with the reissue includes not just the lyric sheet, but the rare promo flyer that accompanied some copies, and the album was remastered for its baby pink vinyl! Look for the other three LPs to be available in the not-too-distant future. Though the band had some personnel changes along the way, the mainstay players of this giddy-up hard rock ensemble consisted of Philippines-born sisters Jean Millington and June Millington, along with Alice de Buhr and Nickey Barclay. The group attracted critical acclaim for rejecting typical girl group formats and expectations of women in the rock music industry. They were very proficient in emphasizing their musical skills. Later groups, such as the Go-Go’s, the Bangles, and the aforementioned Runaways, all stated that Fanny was a major influence. The Reprise Fanny LPs truly reflect that they were the precursors to women’s rock and roll stardom.

ALSO RECOMMENDED: LIGHTNING STILLS, KULA SHAKER!

“Lightning Stills” (Max Trax Records). There is something special about this group. Cannot help but like them! The band is a venerated cast of Omaha musicians – a who’s who collection of local artists of varying genres, all unified in a love for pure and unadulterated Outlaw Country. Originating in 2020, Craig Fort (a hardcore, metal, and garage mainstay), who leads the post-rock outfit, first formulated the band with Omaha music icon and multi-instrumentalist Mike Friedman (who had been playing country for decades). Pulling into their magnetic orbit a good-timing odd bunch that features guitarist Tom May, bassist Dan Maxwell, and drummer Javid Thunders, the band Lightning Stills was born. Synergistically speaking, they mesh well as a unit. Deciding it was time to record a full record after releasing a handful of tracks in 2020 and 2021, the self-titled debut started taking shape, and a caboodle of punk-infused Outlaw Country was born. One thing is sure: Lightning Stills are still making good old music; they just are not playing it loud anymore!.

Have you not heard of Kula Shaker? If so, you have been missing some great psych-rock magic from a band that has already taken Europe by storm. Call it hallucinatory hard-driving glam rock. Their new record, “Wormslayer,” is a merit-worthy, enigmatic bit of swirling sonic magic. Worth it alone for the single “Lucky Number,” it is filled to the brim and ventures into gothic crooning and expansive mantra-metal. Their best effort since their initial release, “K,” in 1996. Absolutely exhilarating stuff, chock full of UK hit singles; Rick Rubin is the co-producer. Magnificent! You may want to order this great import album from your local independent record store now. The band is touring Europe now to rave reviews. Just a matter of time before they conquer U.S. soil! Highly recommended!

Till next time …