Label: Metalville Records
Release Date: May 23, 2025
Album Length: 48 minutes, 11 songs
Format: CD digipak and vinyl editions available
Band Lineup:
Jacob Deraps – lead vocals, guitars, bass
Josh Gallagher – drums, background vocals
Background: Jacob was born in St-Georges, Quebec, Canada and Josh was born in Perth, Australia. The duo met online through their online Van Halen covers with the pair receiving great recognition for their ability to capture the sound and energy of early Van Halen songs.
Tracklist:
Viva Rock N’ Roll
Animal Eyes
The Legend of Larrikin Laddie
Equinox
Last Fall
Solitaire
Setting Sun
Born to Die
Blindside
The Dawg Stomp
Black Sheep Boogie
DERAPS is a Canadian/Australian duo that debuted a few years ago with a great first self-titled album, which is now followed up by Viva Rock’n’Roll. 11 songs are included on the beautiful-looking clear red vinyl edition I received. The liner notes and inner sleeves of the vinyl album give us all the information we need, which includes extensive liner notes, a song lyric sheet, pictures, and a cool sheep cartoon cover that stands up for real original rock and roll to write your own original songs!
DERAPS is a duo but sounds like a full band with only self-written material, although they do not hide their 80s influences, because opener “Viva Rock N’Roll” is classic 80s boogie American hard rock all the way, dangerously close to classic VAN HALEN circa early 80s including the guitar work and catchy harmony-vocals-driven chorus. The 80s continue with the catchy mid-tempo melodic rocker “Animal Eyes” that is once again very much reminiscent of the early 80s DAVID LEE ROTH-fronted VAN HALEN era. Vocalist/guitarist/bassist/producer JACOB DERAPS is, however, a better singer than David has ever been, so there’s an improvement. Jacob is also quite an excellent guitarist, although there is only one EDDIE VAN HALEN of course!
Not so strange they sound close to early VAN HALEN, because Canadian Jacob met his counterpart, Australian drummer JOSH GALLAGHER in DERAPS online through a YouTube VAN HALEN cover channel. The Aussie influences can be heard during the following faster up-tempo hard-rocking “The Legend Of Larrikin Laddie.” “Equinox” is a short instrumental; the following song is the superb catchy up-tempo melodic rocker “Last Fall,” which of course has again VAN HALEN similarities, yet leans a bit more towards the melodic power pop/AOR side of life, so there are also FIREHOUSE/AUTOGRAPH/MONEY (remember them!), Y&T, HEAVY PETTIN’, and DEF LEPPARD influences during this rather catchy little melodic rocking tune! In fact, if this were 1985, it would not have been out of place on one of the records of the aforementioned bands, and it probably would have been a highlight! The closing song of side A is the mid-tempo melodic rocker “Solitaire.”
Side B opens with the 80s power ballad “Setting Sun” that sounds like a classic tune from long ago, reminiscent of the memorable ballads of WARRANT, NELSON, WINGER, FIREHOUSE, SKID ROW, and HEAVEN’S EDGE. “Bring back the Hair Metal Power Ballad” is the statement of DERAPS, sounding better than ever on this vinyl edition! Next track “Born To Die” is a nice, tougher up-tempo melodic rocker in classic VAN HALEN style again. “Blindside” is a slightly slower but rather catchy semi-bluesy mid-tempo melodic rocker (reminding me a lot of classic FIREHOUSE!). “The Dawg Stomp” is a mid-tempo groovy cool AEROSMITH-ish hard rock tune, while closing track “Black Sheep Boogie” is another VAN HALEN-esque boogie monster rocking song.
In conclusion, this new DERAPS album, and in particular the red vinyl edition, is a must-have for any VAN HALEN and 80s American hard rock/hair metal fan out there!
Written by: Gabor Kleinbloesem
Ratings: Gabor 8/10
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