Californian blues-rockers RIVAL SONS are preparing for the release of their new album, Pressure And Time, which is due to be released June 20th in Europe and on July 26th in North America.

The band have taken some time out ahead of the release to discuss the current rock scene in Los Angeles and the members' own experiences of being in a rock 'n' roll band in the City of Angels.

Vocalist Jay Buchanan comments: "Los Angeles is as hungry as it's ever been. Because it is an undeniable hub for the industry, the city is rife with veterans, makers, fakers and rookies alike, but you can usually find one or two bands serving it hot. This is the way LA was when I found it and it'll be the same when I leave. The town is our nation's brothel of young musicians."

Drummer Michael Miley comments: "I've been playing in the LA/Long Beach music scene for a bit. I've played and recorded with a lot of artists there, namely BIRD, VERUCA SALT, and Joe Firstman. The scene has changed greatly. There is almost an 'every man for himself' vibe, meaning barely any bands will play together and the audience won't stay for the other bands. People come to see the band they want to see, then leave. So there is no scene. It's a bummer."

Bassist Robin Everhart further comments: "The general scene in LA is more 'be seen' than 'be heard'. And as a bass player who grew up in the Motown tradition - a tradition where the Funk Brothers weren't even recognized until the Standing In The Shadows of Motown movie (and book before) came out only a couple of years ago - I wasn't really into it. Now that we've been doing it longer, we've found our niche of good clubs, with good promoters etc. - basically, making it what we want it to be."

Guitarist Scott Holiday also comments: "There's a very eclectic music scene in LA... That said, there hasn't been a lot of actual 'rock n' roll'. I've played with a number of other groups and had other bands in LA that weren't rock n' roll, and I'm just grateful for the scene that exists - lots of clubs, parties, industry stuff, and show-goers - it's a good scene. Starting the Rival Sons was definitely an answer for me - to the lack of genuine rock n' roll happening in our scene and in the world in general. And over the last few years there definitely seems to be a resurgence happening. LA has been fantastic to us, and has received us (and rock n' roll) with open arms. There's still a lot for us to accomplish in our home town... We can sell out some of the classic venues, and have got the hipsters dancing, but there's still a few rooms we'd like to fill, and hips we'd like to get shaking."

Pressure And Time will be available on iTunes on June 20th in Europe and on June 21st in North America.

Fans can preorder Pressure And Time now on CD and limited edition audiophile vinyl in Europe at this location or in North America here.

The album is also available to preorder now on iTunes, with two exclusive bonus tracks not available anywhere else, in Europe at this location and in North America here.

Rival Sons new music video for the track ‘Pressure And Time’ can be seen below:

The track ‘Torture’ from their recently-released, self-titled EP is available to download now for Rock Band here.

Rival Sons live dates are as follows:

June

16 - Kalamazoo, MI - Bell's Eccentric
17 - Toronto, ON - Cherry Cola's Rock N' Rolla
18 - Toronto, ON - Cherry Cola's Rock N' Rolla
24 - Bilbao, Spain - Azkena Rock Festival
26 - Imola, Italy - Sonisphere Festival
28 - Zurich, Switzerland - Dynamo Werk 21

July

1 - Dortmund, Germany - FZW Visions Party
2 - Werchter, Belgium - Rock Werchter Festival
3 - Arras, France - Main Square Festival
5 - Oslo, Norway - Baa
6 - Kalskoga, Sweden - Putte Parken Festival
8 - Weert, Netherlands - Bospop Festival
9 - Knebworth, UK - Sonisphere Festival
12 - Leeds, UK - Cockpit 3
13 - London, UK - Borderline

July (with JUDAS PRIEST, QUEENSRŸCHE)

15 - Newport, UK - Newport Centre
16 - Manchester, UK - O2 Apollo
17 - Doncaster, UK - The Dome
19 - Glasgow, UK - SECC
20 - Newcastle, UK - Metro Arena
21 - Wolverhampton, UK - Civic Hall
23 - London, UK - High Voltage Festival
24 - Bournemouth, UK – BIC