MELODICROCK RECORDS SIGN AUSTRALIA'S THE RADIO SUN: MelodicRockRecords is excited to announce the signing of our very first Aussie homegrown act - The Radio Sun!
The band's debut album Wrong Things Right will be released in April/May 2014!
Australia's The Radio Sun have been very busy since they formed in 2012. With past members from the excellent Square One and some of Melbourne's best local musos, The Radio Sun are about catchy rocking songs with an emphasis on layered vocal harmonies somewhere in between Rick Springfield, Nelson, Firehouse and The Marvelous 3.
After locking in Paul Laine (solo, Danger Danger, Shugaazer) to mix the band's debut album in 2013, The Radio Sun impressed so much that Paul Laine asked the guys to be his backing band on his recent tour downunder. The Radio Sun will also do double duty at next year's MelodicRockFest 4 by again being a part of the Paul Laine band and then performing the very next day in their own showcase set. Things are definitely looking up for the boys from downunder with their debut album Wrong Things Right to be released through MelodicRockRecords in April/May 2014.
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/theradiosun / www.melodicrockrecords.com.
A reminder now of what else is coming up on MelodicRock Records in the first quarter of 2014. There has been a few changes and updates to the schedule:
Loud Lion worldwide in March/April 2014. Ferreira V March Airless Best Of + Rarities 1999 - 2014 January 27 The Radio Sun Wrong Things Right April/May
MELODICROCK FEST 4 UPDATE:
Just a reminder that MelodicRockFest 4 tickets will go on sale January 15 (exact time to be announced closer to the date). Full show details and a rundown of all VIP levels are at: www.melodicrockfest.com.
I am excited to add one extra perk for ALL VIPs (including Blue level) - an Exclusive Invite to MRF4 VIP Function, including an acoustic performance from Adriangale, set for Friday Lunch (full details to be confirmed).
Please help spread the word by sharing MRF4 details posted at the site and at: www.facebook.com/melodicrockfest.
NEW STEVE OVERLAND EPIC DUE IN FEBRUARY: Escape Music announced the anticipated release of the new Overland album Epic - due out in Europe February 21.
The lineup features: Steve Overland - Lead & Background Vocals; Christian Wolff - Lead guitars, Rhythm guitars, Acoustic guitars, Keyboards; Mike Slamer - Additional Guitars, Bass, Keyboards; Larry Antonino - Bass; Jay Schellen - Drums.
Guests: Billy Greer (Kansas/Seventh Key) - Background Vocals; Billy Trudel - Background Vocals; Fredrik Bergh, Additional Keys on "Liberate My Heart" and "Down Comes The Night".
Produced and arranged by Mike Slamer, co-produced by: Christian Wolff at CW MusicStudios Sweden. Mixed and mastered by Mike Slamer at Shattered Studios, Valencia CA. Executive Producer: Khalil Turk for Escape Music ltd.
Track Listing: 1-Radio Radio 2- If Looks Could kill 3- Stranded 4- Rags To Riches 5- Liberate My Heart 6-Down Comes The Night 7- If Your Heart's Not In It 8- Rock Me 9- So This Is Love 10- Wild 11- The End Of The Road 12- Time For Letting Go.
Steve Overland is back!! A legend in his own lifetime. Is there anyone out there who is not familiar with his name? He has a history that goes way back into the late seventies, his first major recording was with the band "Wildlife" in 1980. After the demise of "Wildlife" Steve went on to form the cult British melodic rock band "FM", a band that released many great albums throughout the eighties and nineties and more recently in 2013. Their popularity has always been at the forefront of British Hard Rock.
Steve originally teamed up with Escape Music to provide lead vocals for the Boston Tribute album (ESM 081), singing 'Amanda', one of the album highlights. Steve also teamed up with Steve Morris of "Heartland" fame to record the much acclaimed "Shadowman" albums "Land of the Living" (ESM 099) "Different Angles" (ESM127) "Ghost in the Mirror" (ESM179) Watching Over you (ESM224).
Steve has also fronted two releases by "The Ladder", which is a dream come true for all fans of FM as the band is an extension of the great FM themselves. "Future Miracles" (ESM109) was welcome by fans old and new and it was hailed by many as the best album of 2004. More recently "Sacred" (ESM149) is an album that hones the identity of "The Ladder".
Steve's first solo album "Break Away" (ESM170) had fans divided as it was so much different from his work with FM, but many grew to love it as it was something different from the norm. Steve gave us a more classic approach to melodic rock with "Diamond Dealer" (ESM198), with great songs that have feeling and depth. It's now time for one of the finest starts to 2014 you could possible want to wish for, the album "Epic" which is the brand new release from this famous vocalist. With Mike Slamer and Billy Greer of Kansas involved in the proceedings then we are in for a big big album. "Radio Radio" is one of the most radio-friendly tracks you could ever wish to hear and so easy on the ears. Rockers abound with "If Looks Could Kill", "Rags to Riches" and the awesome "Down comes the night". It's the quality of the songs and musicianship on this album that makes it so special and credit to Christian Wolff (Rob Moratti) who has also made this album so remarkable with his great guitar playing and song writing.
This is a perfect album from Steve, if you have a penchant for perfect harmonies, big guitars and soaring keyboards topped off with a top-notch production then look no further than this. A Classic – already!
WebLink: www.Escape-Music.com.
LYNAM NEW EP "HALFWAY TO HELL" OUT NOW:
December 17th, 2013 - The new EP from Birmingham, AL rock band Lynam entitled Halfway To Hell is now today via New Ocean Media. The album was produced by the band and longtime producer Jason Elgin (Collective Soul, Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster, Terrible Things). The EP features six songs. A lyric video for the title track can be viewed at this link: youtu.be/PtXWtQEFokg. Lynam consists of Jacob Bunton (lead vocals, guitar), David Lynam (drums), Mark Dzier (bass), and Lonny Paul (guitar).
Halfway To Hell track listing: 01. Rise Up 02. Halfway To Hell 03. Dead Man's Parade 04. Cold 05. Store Bought Halo 06. Wrong Side Of The Grave.
In 2006, Lynam signed a deal with DRT/Universal and released the critically acclaimed album "Slave To The Machine". The follow-up CD, "Tragic City Symphony", was released in 2008 on Megaforce/Mascot Records and featured the radio singles "Save My Soul", "Lindsay Says" and "Porn Star". All three singles reached the Top 10 on the Active Rock independent chart, with "Save My Soul" reaching Top 5. A live album entitled "Thank You Goodnight!" was released November 2010 through Island Def Jam/New Ocean Media. Shortly after the release of "Thank You Goodnight!", frontman Jacob Bunton joined up with former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler to form the band Adler and bassist Mark Dzier filmed the movie Rock Of Ages as part of the fictitious band Arsenal led by Tom Cruise.
For more information, check out the band's website: www.lynammusic.com / www.facebook.com/lynammusic.
ARMOURY RECORDS TO RE-ISSUE FIVE OF DEREK SHERINIAN'S SOLO ALBUMS:
On February 11, 2014, Eagle Rock's rock label Armoury Records is delighted to be reissuing five of Derek Sherinian's solo albums. [MSRP $13.98 each] As one of the most talented, respected and in-demand keyboard players in rock, he is known for attacking, confident and instantly recognizable style. A former member of Dream Theater and Black Country Communion, he has also played with Alice Cooper, Kiss, Billy Idol, Yngwie Malmsteen and Black Label Society. He is also a member of the supergroup Portnoy, Sheehan, MacAlpine, Sherinian (PSMS).
The first of Armoury's reissue series is Inertia, which was Derek Sherinian's second solo album, originally released in 2001. It marks the start of his long-term collaboration with Toto drummer Simon Phillips and includes contributions from Zakk Wylde, Steve Lukather and Tony Franklin. Black Utopia was the third solo album, originally released in 2003. It features contributions from Zakk Wylde, Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips, Billy Sheehan, Yngwie Malmsteen and Al Di Meola. The track Axis Of Evil features a stunning guitar duel between metal icons Zakk Wylde and Yngwie Malmsteen.
Fourth came Mythology, originally released in 2004. It features contributions from Zakk Wylde, Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips, Allan Holdsworth, Steve Stevens and a rare guest appearance by John Sykes. Blood Of The Snake was Derek Sherinian's fifth solo album, originally released in 2006. It features contributions from Billy Idol, Slash, Zakk Wylde, John Petrucci, Simon Phillips, Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Lukather among others. Molecular Heinosity was Derek Sherinian's sixth solo album, originally released in 2009. This album features contributions from Zakk Wylde, Virgil Donati, Brian Tichy and Tony Franklin.
Armoury's reissue of these five Derek Sherinian solo albums represents their release at mid-price for the first time and is the perfect way to enjoy this incredible talent, described by Guitar World as the "King Of Keys".
Additionally, a direct-to-consumer store will be available with all 5 CD's and an exclusive shirt bundle. Click here to view link: www.theomegaorder.com/DerekSherinian
JOHN CORABI ON THE GEEK PODCAST: The Decibel Geek Podcast has released an interview with John Corabi. Recently John played back to back Toronto shows and took some time to sit down with Decibel Geek writer Wally Norton for an in depth interview. John discussed how he feels about his time in Motley Crue, having his son join his band in the new year and his wishes for Mick Mars to record a solo blues guitar album. Also included in the interview, John's thoughts on Union, the Brides of Destruction and the time he spent his Birthday dinner out with Alice Cooper and Ronnie James Dio. Direct link to the interview: dbgeekshow.blogspot.ca/2013/12/no-regrets-john-corabi-interview-and.html.
NEW BILL LEVERTY:
From the Bill Leverty eNewsletter: "My wife, Kris, and I were sitting on the beach this past summer and came up with an idea for a song. The song is called "For Better Or Forget It". The idea is that the preacher said "For better or for worse", but the wife heard "For better or forget it!" If rock and country were to have a baby, it might sound something like this. This song is sure to put a smile on your face. If you'd like to own it before it hits iTunes, please just go to my website and donate at least a dollar and I'll email you the MP3, lyrics, and artwork. So many of you got my last song, "The Bloom Is Off The Rose", and I can't thank you enough. I hope that 2014 is your best year yet! Thanks so much for your support... Bill." www.Leverty.com.
CORNERSTONE CHART WITH SINGLE:
News from Cornerstone; "It's official now: "Smalltown Boy", which was recorded in aid for the Nottingham Hospital, hits the Austrian Charts and is meanwhile on #50, a nice Christmas gift. The band didn't expect to be that successful: "With our promotion work, we actually concentrated more on the UK, because basically we recorded the song for an English charity project. So we are very surprised, that the Single is now successful in Austria, but we're happy about that, of course!", said guitar player Steve Wachelhofer. In Great Britain, the Single was represented by more than 40 radio stations and does now appear on many playlists. So things are shaping up well for Cornerstone and they might hit the Charts in the UK as well, pretty soon..."
Link to the official Austrian Charts: www.austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Cornerstone&titel=Smalltown+Boy. Link Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2Ax597OZMM.
MELODICROCK UPDATES: I would like to wish all melodicrock.com readers and musicians a very merry Christmas, a great new year and all-round safe holidays. May Santa fill your stockings with melodic musical goodies.
MelodicRock.com will now take a break also - back to business on Monday January 6.
Any CD orders placed during the break will continue to be mailed out ASAP. Recent Ebay auctions will also be sent out in this time.
I'll be back January 6 with a wrap up of the most important CD reviews left behind from 2013. There are still come great titles I need to review such as Revolution Road, Fate, Angelica and Royal Hunt.
MRX - During the break I'll try and add one more year of Billboard Top 40 Rock Hits to the already featured years. Those will be removed come January, so get them while you can!
One last CD Showcase has been added before the break - Berggren Kerslake Band (BKB) - The Sun Has Gone Hazy. Check it out.
Monday, December 23, 2013
TALISMAN REUNITE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO MARCEL: Jeff Scott Soto has announced an exclusive Talisman reunion to pay tribute to Marcel Jacob: "I am proud to announce FINALLY, the long awaited Talisman Official reunion show and Marcel Jacob tribute show! We have been invited by the legendary Sweden Rock Festival to have this event and I for one am beyond thrilled to be a part of it! Sadly Fredrik Akesson cannot make it due to his demanding schedules with Opeth but we are happy to bring back Pontus Norgren on guitar, who was in the band for the 'Truth' album and mixed as well as played on our final outing '7'.
And we are proud to introduce Johann Niemann (Eevergrey, ex-Therion) to fill in the very demanding shoes on bass...he was an obvious choice for us and will be a welcome addition this day! The show will include some Talisman alumni and special guests we are currently working on, thank you to SRF for giving us your platform to finally pay tribute to Marcel and his/our legacy. In January, he would have been 50 years old and also next year is the 5 year mark since we lost him so it will be a very special event indeed!"
JSS further updated the news overnight with this comment: "Ever since the news about the Talisman reunion dropped, I've been bombarded with other offers and suggestions for more shows...people, please read the poster, it states 'exclusive' as this is a one-time event, a celebration that we won't be able to take on the road or do past this. It's something we've worked for a while now very closely with the folks at Sweden Rock to do on their platform as it makes the most sense for a Swedish band and one of the premier events of the year.
I am not ruling out possible shows in the future for Talisman but everyone involved are very busy and committed to other aspects of their lives and careers at the moment so this show is strictly meant for the intent of celebration...for Marcel and our legacy!"
FIREWORKS 61 OUT NOW:
Another great year for rock music draws to a close - so it's only fitting that Fireworks last edition of 2013 is packed to the rafters with great stuff! Fireworks #61 sees the return of multi-platinum legends Boston. We have a double page spread featuring a fascinating interview with the enigmatic and elusive mastermind Tom Scholz. Meanwhile, Europe celebrate the release of their new live DVD and an excited Joey Tempest talks about that and the upcoming tour with Foreigner and FM. Michael Schenker returns with a brand new album, as do a surpassingly hard rocking Starship. With able support from Nightwish, REO Speedwagon, Benedictum, Stryper, The Flower Kings and more, there's a host of great features for you to feast on!
The last issue of the year also features our round up of the Best releases of 2013, along with the most comprehensive reviews section we've ever put out. 160 brand new albums reviewed, along with reissues, books and a wonderful look back at Firefest X. All that, and as Christmas is a time for giving, there's a FREE CD containing over 50 songs in mp3 format for you. Go on, treat yourself!
Available from - Participating WHSmith and McColls Group stores - the Fireworks Magazine Mini Shop (no registration required) - From the Rocktopia Download Store: A digital PDF copy for your mobile device or eBook reader sells for only £3. Each issue can be downloaded immediately and comes with the full cover CD in MP3 format. (PLEASE NOTE: Not all issues of Fireworks come with a free bonus disc)- Direct from Fireworks HQ by emailing fireworks.mag@ntlworld.com, paying via Paypal. Send £6 (inc P&P) for UK, £8.50 (inc P&P) Europe, and £9.50 (inc P&P) for USA/Rest of World.
FM 2014 EUROPEAN SHOWS: FM have announced a series of European headline shows for Spring 2014. The band - who are heading into the New Year with the news that BBC Radio 2 are playlisting "Better Late Than Never" (from this year's Rockville album) from 26 December - will be returning to Holland, Germany, Spain and Portugal right after their stint touring with Foreigner and Europe in March and April next year. FM drummer Pete Jupp comments - "We have some great memories of our 2011 shows in Europe. Playing at Sweden Rock, Graspop and Rock The Nation and our first ever Spanish show in Madrid was so special... we can't wait to get back over there to see everyone!"
A message from FM:"It doesn't seem like a year ago that we were feverishly getting Rockville II finished but here we are again at this festive time of year. 2013 has been another great year for the band - Rockville and Rockville II both received rave reviews from every quarter with our live shows receiving the same fantastic response. Looking forward, 2014 might just be our best year ever... we are already writing and recording for our next album and we have the Foreigner tour and our own headline shows to look forward to in the Spring! There are lots more fantastic opportunities in the pipeline and they will be announced early in 2014.
As always, wholehearted thanks to you all for your brilliant support over the past year - to the finest fans a band could ever wish for and to all the radio stations, magazines and webzines who have encouraged us, cheered us along and been behind us all the way. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year."
FM Live 2014
Foreigner / FM
Mar 31 - Dublin - Olympia Theatre
Apr 01 - Belfast - Waterfront
Foreigner / Europe / FM
Apr 03 - Manchester O2 Apollo
Apr 04 - Newcastle - City Hall
Apr 05 - Glasgow - Clyde Auditorium
Apr 07 - Nottingham - Royal Centre
Apr 08 - Sheffield City Hall
Apr 09 - Portsmouth - Guildhall
Apr 11 - Bristol - Colston Hall
Apr 13 - London - Hammersmith Apollo
Apr 15 - Wolverhampton - Civic Hall
Foreigner / FM
Apr 17 - Antwerp - Musiekcentrum TRIX
Apr 18 - Paris - Bataclan
FM Headline Shows
Apr 20 - Uden - De Pul
Apr 21 - Hamburg - Logo
Apr 22 - Aschaffenburg - Colos Saal
Apr 23 - Munich - Strom
Apr 25 - Barcelona - Bikini
Apr 26 - Madrid - Shoko
Apr 27 - Lisbon - Music Box
Booking info may be found on the FM Live page at www.fmofficial.com.
JOE HOLMES' FARMIKOS ANNOUNCE DEBUT EP RELEASE; IN-STUDIO VIDEO TEASERS POSTED:
December 20, 2013 - Farmikos, the new L.A. band featuring former Ozzy Osbourne and David Lee Roth guitarist Joe Holmes and vocalist Robbie Locke (ex-Laidlaw), have announced a tentative February 2014 release for their eponymous digital debut EP. New in-studio video teasers for the songs "Scapegoat" and "Spoon and Sun" have been posted on the band's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/FarmikosOfficial.
Recorded at the Mouse House in Pasadena, CA with engineer/mixer Rich Mouser (Spock's Beard, Transatlantic, Vast), the EP also features guest contributions from Holmes' former Ozzy Osbourne bandmate, bassist Robert Trujillo, and drummer Brooks Wackerman. States Holmes: "We've got these 5 songs to kick things off and will be finishing another five when Robbie comes back to L.A. in January to lay down vocals for another EP we're planning for summer 2014."
The EP's track listing reads as follows: 1. Scapegoat 2. Kings of Dust 3. Sound of My Gun 4. Exit Stencils 5. Spoon and Sun.
In addition to "Scapegoat" and "Spoon and Sun", footage of Holmes tracking guitar for the song "Exit Stencils" can be viewed at this location www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UKpQmkC6uk.
FARMIKOS online: www.farmikos.com / www.facebook.com/farmikos.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH BENEDICTUM, TAD MOROSE AND KEN HENSLEY: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week features exclusive interviews with Benedictum vocalist Victoria Freeman, Tad Morose guitarist Christer Andersson, and former Uriah Heep keyboard maestro Ken Hensley, and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-benedictum-tad-morose-and-ken-hensley-interviews/
In the first hour of the show, Benedictum vocalist Veronica Freeman discusses the writing and recording of the band's new album "Obey", and selects two songs from the new release. Veronica also talks about the band's recent line-up changes, and their desire to tour in support of "Obey".
Also in the first hour, Tad Morose guitarist and founder member Christer Andersson talks about the band's first new studio album in 10 years, "Revenant", chooses a pair of tracks from the record, and discusses the frustrations which have kept the band from releasing new material in the last decade.
In part 2, former Uriah Heep keyboardist / slide guitarist Ken Hensley talks about the two albums released this year by his current band Live Fire, the in-concert set "Live", and studio album "Trouble", and chooses a selection of live Heep classics and new songs from Live Fire.
Plus classic tracks and killer new cuts from Y&T, Anthrax, Touchstone, The Ramones, Thin Lizzy and Operadyse. You can also listen on Sunday 22nd December 15:00-17:00 GMT and Wednesday 25 December 22:00-00.00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com.
Friday, December 20, 2013
MR.com COUNTER HITS 60,000,000:
I just want to take this opportunity to thank my loyal readers, friends and musicans for helping MelodicRock.com pass 60 million front page views.
I'm humbled to see so many enjoy the site that I started as a little fun thing some 16 years ago.
Thank you one and all.
URIAH HEEP ANNOUNCE SPECIAL ONE-OFF SHOW AT KOKO, IN LONDON: Uriah Heep is delighted to announce a very special one-off show at KOKO, in Camden, London on 4 March 2014. All Uriah Heep fans are urged not to miss out on the filming. Tickets are already on sale priced at £24 from www.eventim.co.uk.
This show will be filmed and released as a live DVD on Frontiers Records in later 2014/early 2015. As well as a host of Heep classics, the set will also include some new songs that will be taken from the material that the band is writing for the forthcoming 2014 album, following 2011's "Into the Wild" which was the band's highest charting album since the 1970s in worldwide territories!
Fans attending the show will be in with a chance of being filmed themselves, not only as part of the audience, but also for some special bonus features to be included on the DVD! The band is inviting their fans from around the world to be a part of this experience; this is a chance to be part of Heep history.
Mick Box said, "After playing in 54 countries around the world promoting Into the Wild it's great to be coming back to London where it all began!"
2014 is set to be yet another big one for Mick Box and the band as they work on the new material, and of course keep on touring; Heep has been round the world several times in the last 24 months visiting South Africa, Australia, Asia, North America, South America and East & West Russia. The band headlined the first ever Planet Rock Stock in December. Heep will play the prestigious Sweden Rock Festival in the Summer [after their storming Download show in 2013].
With classic songs like "Lady In Black", "Gypsy", "Easy Livin'' and "Look at Yourself'', and a magnificent 44 year catalogue full of ambition, sophisticated writing, memorable tunes and, of course, the vocals - the 5 part harmonies were a clear influence on the operatics of Queen - Uriah Heep has headlined at stadia worldwide: truly the band has ensured its place at Rock's top table. Uriah Heep is acknowledged as one of the world's great live acts.
The KOKO show will follow a set of intimate UK February dates and another headliner at the Giants of Rock Festival on Feb 9.
WHITE WIDDOW PRESS RELEASE - R.I.P. GEORGE KRISTY:
It's with heavy hearts we are very sorry to let you all know of the passing of our beloved friend and drummer George Kristy.
We are still all in shock and trying to process the loss of such an amazing person who brought great energy and life to not only White Widdow's music but to all of our lives. George chose to take his own life and we hope that he has finally found the peace he was looking for.
He will be remembered for his big heart, his hyper personality, his ability to have in depth discussions with complete strangers and his amazing talent as a drummer. Our deepest condolences go out to his girlfriend Voula and his family at this difficult time. He was always the life of the party and the center of the laughter, you will be missed by so many. We are sure he's already having a vodka with Jani Lane, Robin Crosby and Eric Carr, making them laugh so hard that they're crying, like he did to us so many times. We are honored to have had George as a part of White Widdow and as a part of lives. We love you and we miss you. Rest In Peace. - Jules, Enzo, Trent & Xavier. White Widdow - www.whitewiddow.com.au / www.facebook.com/whitewiddowaor.
R.I.P. George :(
REDRUM VIDEO PREMIERE: Redrum anticipated release of their second Official Videoclip "You Can't Buy No Hero" from their second album "Victims Of Our Circumstances" released on RMB Records is here!
"You Can't Buy No Hero" was their first single released as an exclusive mix in the compilation of MelodicRock.com Vol. 11
After the big support of their first clip "Dust In Your Eyes" which has reached their promised goal, Redrum feel pleased and proud to present you their second official videoclip right on your screens!
"We wanna say a HUGE THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts to all our fans worldwide for all the love and support you gave us and we also wanna wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, see you on the road in 2014! Enjoy!!!" www.redrum-rocks.com.
MEMBERS OF PAGAN'S MIND, THEOCRACY, DARKWATER AND END OF SEPTEMBER CONTRIBUTE TO CHARITY TRACK: Ulterium Records is proud to announce the release of "Collide & Spark", an all-star charity track for sale with 100% of the income going to The Bridge Bunch, an organization dedicated to serving the homeless population of Nashville, TN, in the United States.
The song, which is almost seven minutes in length, is being released under the banner Project Aegis, and was composed by Theocracy vocalist and songwriter Matt Smith. It features vocals by Nils K. Rue [Pagan's Mind], Henrik Båth [Darkwater], Elin Redin [End of September] and Smith, as well as a guitar solo by Markus Sigfridsson [Darkwater, Harmony].
The artwork was created by Felipe Machado Franco [Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire] and designed by Markus Sigfridsson.
"This is such a cool opportunity to help make a difference in a small way", says Smith. "Ninety-nine cents can go a long way toward giving someone a hot meal or a sleeping bag, especially now, in the heart of winter. Everyone associated with The Bridge Bunch works nonstop to serve the large number of people struggling in the Nashville area, and every penny of this goes to that very worthy cause. And the caliber of talent on this track makes it something truly special indeed!"
Check out a teaser of "Collide & Spark" at YouTube here: youtu.be/vcRE27HDRAE.
HEAVEN & EARTH TAKE HOME "BEST IN ROCK" CATEGORY AT 2013 HOLLYWOOD MUSIC IN MEDIA AWARDS: Heaven & Earth--guitarist Stuart Smith, singer Joe Retta, bassist Tony Franklin, drummer Richie Onori and keyboardist Arlan Schierbaum--are ending 2013 on a high note after taking home the award for "Best In Rock" at the 2013 Hollywood Music in Media Awards ceremony at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles on November 21 and now working with Affliction Clothing.
On band taking home HMMA Award and working with Affliction, Stuart noted, "It was a great honor to be nominated for this award and we're very proud to have won it considering the resumes of the other nominees. Heaven & Earth are very proud to have been offered this opportunity to work with Affliction. I, myself have worn their jackets and shirts for years and love the style and quality they bring to the table." Clif Chason, a founder of Affliction Clothing, adds, "Affliction is happy to be working with such a talented band as Heaven & Earth."
Heaven & Earth (L-R: Arlan Schierbaum, Stuart Smith, Joe Retta, Tony Franklin and Richie Onori) at the 2013 Hollywood Music in Media Awards ceremony at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles on 11/21/13.
INTERVIEW BRIEFS: Red Dragon Cartel's Darren Smith (Dec 19th 2013 interview) - video interview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGvD6liXXhs Jake E. Lee is back with Red Dragon Cartel. On Dec 19th 2013, Mitch Lafon had a chance to talk with singer Darren Smith about the band, the new album and getting the gig with Jake. The two also discussed the band's infamous debut live show (Dec 12th 2013) at West Hollywood's WHISKY A GO GO. Darren takes critics head on and looks to a bright future with the band.
A new, 25-minute audio interview online at The Musician's Voice (themusiciansvoice.blogspot.com) with vocalist Veronica Freeman of Benedictum and Jeff Pilson together, talking about the new Benedictum album Obey now.
MRX UPDATED: MRX has been updated with another round of Billboard Rock Top 40 songs - this time 200+ tracks spanning the entire year of 1988! Go get them! MRX Membership Details.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
VIVA! DEF LEPPARD IN 2014: Def Leppard is planning a "Viva Pyromania" residency in Las Vegas in 2014 while also preparing to record an album of new material in Dublin. "The Vegas thing was amazing," guitarist Phil Collen told Billboard, referencing their "Viva Hysteria" residency at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. "We're also going to be doing Viva Pyromania at some point at the end of next year."
"Pyromania," the 1983 release certified 10 times platinum in 2004, was the Sheffield, England hard rock band's breakthrough album, predating "Hysteria" by four years. Def Leppard gave 11 "Hysteria" concerts in Las Vegas in March and April before heading to Europe where they played "Hysteria" in full at Hellfest in France and continued to have revelations about the album that contained "Pour Some Sugar on Me," "Love Bites" and "Armageddon It." "When we were rehearsing we realized how much went into that," Collen said on the red carpet after the finale of "The Voice." "It's a rich and expensive sounding record. It doesn't sound like it now, but it was very experimental. Guitar parts that you only did once, you had to revisit. And you have to get into it." Adds drummer Rick Allen: "So much time went into recording that record. It is so deep and complex. Every time we play it, there's a new way to do it."
The specter of their '80s heyday looms over Def Leppard any time they venture back into a studio, the last time being 2008 for "Songs From the Sparkle Lounge." Collen and guitarist Vivian Campbell agree they have a unique balance to be mindful of whenever they do new material.
On one hand, they hope to record a fair amount of the record live as they did with 1996's "Slang," an album under appreciated at the time of its release. It has only sold 367,000 copies, according to Soundscan. "You paint yourself into a corner with a certain writing style when you have a huge album," Collen says. "'Slang' is very raw -- us playing live -- and everyone hated it. You learn from that. You don't want to cop out too much."
Campbell says the band can overthink the situation at times. "I think sometimes you just got to let it happen. The other side of the equation is the band is successful for a certain sound. It's a brand like Coca-Cola and you've got to give the people what they expect. At the same time you have to move on."
From the perspective of Collen, Campbell and Clark, the emphasis is on big vocal beds, loads of guitar and lyrics that singer Joe Elliott can get behind. As they've aged, they have been able to explore tragedy on a personal level and get beyond anthems for strip clubs and frat houses. "In a way, the real craft to me is being ambiguous," Campbell says. "Joe is the best person to keep the balance. I remember we were writing lyrics once on the 'X' album. I can't remember what the word was, but I (gave him lyrics) Joe looked at it and said 'I'm not singing that word. That's not rock 'n' roll. Sting would sing that word.' Its gotta be a blue collar working class vernacular. (Otherwise) it's not rock n roll. You're Bob Dylan or Bono or something." Def Leppard's appearance on "The Voice" was in part to promote the broadcast TV debut of "Def Leppard: Viva! Hysteria" on AXS TV on Dec. 29.
WebLinks: www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/touring/5840343/def-leppard-plotting-pyromania-residency-in-las-vegas-new-album.
GIUNTINI - SHADOW OF THE STONE VIDEO DEBUT: Giuntini - Shadow of the Stone - (Feat. Tony Martin) - Official Clip.
TAINTED NATION VIDEO DEBUT:
UK rock outfit Tainted Nation are pleased and proud to announce the release of their video clip 'Dare You', exclusively with Classic Rock Magazine. This is the second release from their debut album 'F.E.A.R.' released on Massacre Records. The video can be viewed below: youtu.be/hC29V_G0Vu8. Tainted Nation consists of ex-Helloween and Firewind Drummer – Mark Cross, Pontus Egberg – bass player of Scandinavian superstars 'The Poodles', Pete Newdeck – vocals (Pete is also known as the drummer of Eden's Curse), Ian Nash – former Lionsheart Guitarist and Joel Peters – former Fury Guitarist.
Tainted Nation have spent a good deal of 2013 playing on the live circuit , with UK dates, a successful Tour of Spain and European festivals, where they have attracted some positive attention and good reviews, in support of their acclaimed debut F.E.A.R.
Says Pete: 'We are delighted to release this video exclusively with Classic Rock and are hoping to continue the momentum we are building up. It's been a fantastic year for this band and we are looking positively forward to the future it's a pleasure being able to work with such talented and like minded people and believing in what you have to offer is a major hurdle that was easy to climb'."
Dare You has been directed by Ryan Priddey of Independent Element www.independentelement.co.uk.
Tainted Nation are already working on their follow album (as yet untitled) and will be touring the UK in February/March 2014. Along with this, they are looking to book festivals in the UK and Europe.
For more information visit: www.taintednation.co.uk / www.facebook.com/officialtaintednation.
JULIAN'S BEAST READY TO KICK DOWN DOORS IN JANUARY: Julian Angel's Beautiful Beast - Kick Down The Barricades, to be released via Platinum Blonde on January 24.
Once again Julian Angel's Beautiful Beast has taken a ride on the time machine back to 1989. Their third album 'Kick Down The Barricades' sounds as old fashioned as any hair metal fan would expect it to be. Just the way they did on predecessors 'Adult Oriented Candy' (2011) and 'California Suntan' (2012) Beautiful Beast have refused to add any modern elements to their songs and thereby manifest their reputation of being Hair Metal traditionalists – or retards as other people may have it.
'Kick Down The Barricades' sounds rawer and edgier than the band's previous records and left room for spontaneity and improvisation even in an all so sterile studio environment. The album was recorded at Julian Angel's studio The Vegas Room and mastered by Rolf Munkes (Tony Martin Band, Empire, Razorback) at Empire Studios, Germany.
Two months prior to the official album release Beautiful Beast have published the music video for the album's opening track 'Bad Boys Never Dance' for which they could win legendary glam journalist Kelv Hellrazer to star as the VJ. The sound, the style, the same old stories – you have heard it all before and you will hear it again. Julian Angel and Beautiful Beast don't reinvent the wheel. They simply keep it turning when others have run out of gasoline.
Beautiful Beast mastermind Julian Angel is a German rock musician with, by now, five albums to his record as well as a German Rock Award nomination for 'Best Guitarist' in 2000. Julian has scored a #8 chart album in Austria as songwriter for rockabilly group The Monroes in 2013. He is also the sole producer of MusicBiz Madness, a music business conference for unsigned musicians, which regularly features renowned keynote speakers from the German music industry.
ORIANTHI LAUNCHES "BeMyBand" ON TALENTHOUSE:
Multi-award-winning platinum recording rock artist--singer, songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire Orianthi--is using artist collaboration platform Talenthouse to find four aspiring musiciansa guitarist, bassist, keyboardist and drummerto literally "Be My Band" and perform with her for one night at a Valentine's Day concert held at major venue in Los Angeles in 2014. The concert will be taped and aired on TV (details TBA). "I'm definitely looking forward to meeting four ace musicians who can rock my world," says the acclaimed Orianthi, who's internationally known for her guitar work with such artists as Michael Jackson, Carlos Santana, Alice Cooper and Carrie Underwood. Orianthi discusses her "BeMyBand" competition here: po.st/Dp3Sn9
This chance for aspiring musicians to use Talenthouse to turn their dream into a reality onstage marks the launch of "BeMyBand," a first-of-its-kind performance opportunity created by the esteemed singer, songwriter and guitarist (and Eurythmics co-founder) Dave Stewart. Musicians from around the world can audition through TalentHouse.com to be selected for an opportunity to collaborate and support their favorite artists live onstage in a high-profile show. First Artist Bank, a global community bank for creatives to be launched in 2014 and also founded by Stewart, has stepped up to sponsor the inaugural BeMyBand campaign. po.st/BeMyBand Dave Stewart says, "I always think about all those great players out there in various towns and cities who would love to play alongside a major artist and go through the whole experience of rehearsing and then perform a big show. There are so many singing competitions; this one is about the players in the band. The guys and girls who help create that magic. First Artist Bank is happy to create opportunities to help artists of all kinds take one step towards making a living from their art and Talenthouse makes this happen on a daily basis--that's why we are partners." BeMyBand is produced by Stewart's multi-faceted Weapons of Mass Entertainment, in collaboration with TalentHouse, and will be launched once every quarter with a different, marquee artist headlining the campaign. First Artist Bank is thrilled to have Orianthi on board as the first headlining artist of BeMyBand. The concert will be taped and aired on TV as part of the BeMyBand series.
If you are a drummer, bassist, guitarist, or keyboard player, submit a video of you playing your instrument at your best. Up to 10 finalists for each instrument will be asked to play original tracks from Orianthi herself. Of those finalists, four selected artists will have the incredible opportunity to perform live on stage with Orianthi as her band for a night. She will select the four musicians who will have their submission and performance from the night featured on Orianthi's social media channels. Travel and six nights' accommodation for each selected artist will be provided. This opportunity is open globally to musicians 21 years of age and older.
Musicians can begin submitting their work effective immediately and must submit no later than January 24, 2014 (all phases close at 10AM PST). The voting period runs from January 25 through January 31, with the winner to be announced on February 5.
For this competition, one additional artist as selected by the community and the host, Orianthi, will receive*:
A signed Orianthi PRS signature guitar
A signed copy of Orianthi's new album, Heaven in This Hell
A mention on the BeMyBand social media channels
* The host will select from the top 10% of the highest voted submissions.
For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/Orianthi.
LAWLESS VIDEO DEBUT:
British hard rockers Lawless are proud to announce the release of their first official video clip "Heavy Metal Heaven" taken from their debut album "Rock Savage" released from Escape Music Ltd."This is an early Christmas present, the first ever Lawless video "Heavy Metal Heaven" from the album "Rock Savage", features live footage from one of our shows and on location filming ,enjoy!"youtu.be/IvnLtzYDjV8 / www.lawlessofficial.com.
SWEDISH/AMERICAN SUPERGROUP W.E.T. TO RELEASE THEIR ANTICIPATED LIVE CD/DVD: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of W.E.T. anticipated 2CD/DVD "One Live – In Stockholm" on February 21 in Europe and February 24 in North America.
On January 17th, 2013, W.E.T. played an exclusive show at the Debaser Club in Stockholm, Sweden to celebrate the release of their sophomore album, "Rise Up". The show was promoted almost exclusively through a viral web campaign, so that night the faithful and energized crowd's fever for the band, featuring Robert Säll (the "W" from Work of Art), Erik Mårtensson (the "E" from Eclipse) and Jeff Scott Soto (the "T" from Talisman) was incredibly high (despite the cold Swedish winter being in full force). Fans flew in from all over the world and the venue was packed to the rafters when the band hit the stage with their driving number "Walk Away".
W.E.T showcased songs from the then forthcoming album "Rise Up" as well as from the critically acclaimed self-titled 2009 debut album. A truly exquisite performance, where the band played many fan favorites including two Talisman songs, as well as one song each from Eclipse and Work of Art. The Eclipse song was "Bleed & Scream" which was sung by Erik Mårtensson and the Work Of Art song was "The Great Fall" where the band were joined by Lars Säfsund, lead singer of W.O.A.
Jeff Scott Soto recalls: "For us, it was a magical night as much as a nervous one... We all have the experience of performing live to multitudes of people, the wisdom on how to take the show from A-Z but none of these items together as a new band. With that, you're witnessing something I know in 10-20 years time, we will all reflect upon as something special captured on film and recording as a moment in time we'll never forget".
The show was filmed and recorded for a live CD / DVD release, which also includes two unreleased bonus tracks, studio cuts taken from the "Rise Up" sessions. The resulting album "One Live - In Stockholm" captures a stunning performance and celebrates the birth of W.E.T. as a kick-ass live unit.
Enjoy a YouTube trailer following this link: youtu.be/1HmquTvaszk.
Tracklisting: CD1: Walk Away; Learn To Live Again; Invincible; I'll Be There; Love Heals; Rise Up; Bleed & Scream; Bad Boy; Still Unbroken; Broken Wings; I'll Be Waiting.
CD2: If I Fall; Shot; Comes Down Like Rain; The Great Fall; What You Want; Brothers In Arms; Mysterious; One Love; Poison (Numbing The Pain) (Bonus Studio Track); Bigger Than Both Of Us (Bonus Studio Track).
DVD: Walk Away; Learn To Live Again; Invincible; I'll Be There; Love Heals; Rise Up; Bleed & Scream; Bad Boy; Still Unbroken; Broken Wings; I'll Be Waiting; If I Fall; Shot; Comes Down Like Rain; The Great Fall; What You Want; Brothers In Arms; Mysterious; One Love. Love Heals (Bonus videoclip); Learn to Live Again (Bonus videoclip).
W.E.T. is: Jeff Scott Soto - Lead Vocals & Keyboards; Erik Martensson - Rhythm & Lead Guitar, Backing & Lead Vocals; Robert Säll - Keyboards, Guitar & Backing Vocals; Magnus Henriksson - Rhythm & Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals; Robban Bäck - Drums; Andreas Passmark - Bass.
xx
JAKE E LEE'S RED DRAGON CARTEL UK LIVE DATES: Jake E Lee's Red Dragon Cartel UK live dates:
June-6-14 - London, England (02 Academy, Islington)
June-7-14 - Nottingham, England (Rescue Rooms)
June-8-14 - Wolverhampton, England (Slade Rooms)
June-10-14 - Glasgow, Scotland (The Classic Grand)
June-15-14 - Donnington, England (Download Festival)
SIN CITY FOR CHRISTMAS JOY:
Las Vegas' "Hardest Working Rock Band" The Sin City Sinners are proud to announce that all sales of their new song "Christmas in Vegas" will go to "Toys for Tots" to make sure a less fortunate child receives a present on Christmas. "Christmas in Vegas" can be found on Sin City Sinners newest CD "A Sinners Christmas 2" available at thesincitysinners.com, iTunes, amazon and wherever downloads are sold. "A Sinners Christmas 2" includes guest performances by Tiffany, Mark Kendall (Great White), Oz Fox (Stryper), Frank Dimino (Angel), & Paul Taylor (Winger).
Christmas in Vegas was written by Zach Throne & Jason Green and features Zach Throne (lead vocals, guitars) Brent Muscat (Guitars) Dr. Michael Ellis (bass) & Rob Cournoyer (drums) with additional instrumentation and vocals by Eric Skodis.
PurchaseLink: itunes.apple.com/us/album/christmas-in-vegas-single/id738654653 / youtu.be/ckoa5UVHeIo / Facebook.com/sincitysinners.
ERIC MARTIN SOLO ACOUSTIC DATES: Eric Martin, the voice of Mr. Big, along with special guest, Scotty Dunbar, to kick off East Coast tour in January 2014.
Eric Martin, lead vocalist of the multi-platinum rock group, Mr. Big, will be hitting the road on a five city intimate acoustic tour in January 2014 with direct support from national recording artist, Scotty Dunbar. The tour will kick off in Acton, Maine on January 10, 2014.
Here is a list of the confirmed shows:
1/10/14 – Willy's – Acton, Maine
1/11/14 - 1150 Oak Bar & Grill – Cranston, Rhode Island
1/12/14 – Palace Theater - Stafford Springs, Connecticut
1/16/14 - Tobacco Road - New York City
1/17/14 – Dingbatz - Clifton, New Jersey
For booking inquiries, contact lanesixentertainment@live.com. For additional information, please visit www.ericmartin.com and www.facebook.com/scottdunbar.
TONY HARNELL: TELLING TALES AND THE TNT REUNION: Tony Harnell recently announced he is reuniting with his brothers in TNT, and he checked in with Hardrock Haven to talk about the reunion, why the timing was right, the upcoming tour, his favorite TNT moments, and what the future will bring.
Here's an excerpt from the interview: HRH: Let's address the news many fans are excited about—the TNT reunion! Was it a difficult decision, and why do youu feel now the right time? Are any shows planned yet?
Harnell: It was one of the most difficult decisions ever, but finally I decided that I spent 22 years of my life working extremely hard building a brand that most musicians would kill for, and I thought the fans deserved it, and I thought I deserved to have that brand back on my bio and take the "formerly of" or "ex" singer B.S. away. Shows are booked and more are planned.
HRH: Looking back, what are some highlights of the mid-1980s TNT era for you? Do any particular accomplishments, shows or albums stand out?
Harnell: Winning a Norwegian Grammy, #1 albums and singles overseas, our huge success in Japan from '89 through '92. Of course, the wonderful Stryper tour in 1987; all the success of Tell No Tales in America … I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot! Much of it was a blur! LOL.
For the complete interview, head to: hardrockhaven.net/online/2013/12/tony-harnell-telling-tales-and-the-tnt-reunion-interview/.
BILLY IDOL REVEALS AMERICAN ROOTS 'INTHESTUDIO':
Dallas, TX - December 17, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands explores the unlikely evolution of late Seventies London punk rocker William Broad into million-selling '80s hard rocker Billy Idol on the 30th anniversary of his mega hit album Rebel Yell.
Billy Idol may have broken into the music business in the waning days of the British punk rock scene with his band Generation X, but he cut his teeth on early American Rock'n'Roll. In the late '50s, William Broad's (aka Billy Idol's) family moved to and lived for a period of time on Long Island, New York where he found himself exposed to the first generation of American rock and rollers Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and Gene Vincent. It was this music that moved Billy, even inspiring him to cover Tommy James and the Shondells' classic "Mony Mony" on his debut EP Don't Stop. Billy's music career got a major boost when he moved back to New York in the early '80s just in time for the launch of MTV. The success of club, radio and video hits "Dancing with Myself" and "White Wedding" catapulted Billy's career into the mainstream and the subsequent November 1983 Rebel Yell album "Eyes Without a Face" Top Five single certified it with over two million copies sold. Billy shares with InTheStudio host Redbeard his unlikely punk rock fairytale.
"I liked the Velvet Underground, Jim Morrison, Iggy Pop, the New York Dolls. That's a lot of what punk rock in England was based on, that whole New York scene. So I loved all that sort of stuff. In fact,(co-writer/guitarist) Steve Stevens always says that it's really funny. There I was listening to tons of American music, and there he was in America listening to loads of English music. It's crazy!"
The Billy Idol 'Rebel Yell' / InTheStudio interview program is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/billy-idol-rebel-yell-30th-anniversary-2/
NEW EBAY AUCTION UNDERWAY:
Please check out some of the CDs (and additional bits and pieces that I will add during the week) - up now at EBay: www.ebay.com/sch/rockwombat/m.html.
MELODIC ROCK FEST 4 - OCTOBER 2014
No three year wait this time around! Fresh from a successful event this past September, we're doing it all over again October 2014 at Chicago's H.O.M.E. Bar (www.homebarchicago.com) from Friday October 3 – Sunday October 5, 2014.
MelodicRockFest 4 (www.melodicrockfest.com) is taking everything that made show #3 great and ramping it up even further. More cult bands, more old favourites and even more Swedes!
MRF4 will be North American fans' first ever chance to see some of the most in demand European rock bands, including AOR stars Work Of Art; hard rock heroes The Poodles and Europe's most popular melodic rock band – H.E.A.T!
Joining them for the 3-Day rock extravaganza are some of the USA's most respected and admired melodic rock artists for a series of 'greatest hits, full band sets' – Stan Bush, Mitch Malloy, Johnny Lima and Paul Laine.
And there's still more as classic hard rockers Heaven's Edge bring their acclaimed reunited lineup to MRF as do Christian rockers Guardian, playing a rare live show with their classic formation.
Additional MRF first- timers include classic rock superstars Shooting Star, and a trio of Sweden's acclaimed melodic rock scene artists - House of Shakira, Degreed and Grand Design. Norway's Faith Circus will ensure it isn't an all-Swedish affair!
Returning to the party from MRF3 are Adriangale, Tango Down, Bombay Black, Crossing Rubicon and Maxx Explosion, who will deliver a longer set after their very late night MRF3 cameo.
Very popular new comers The Radio Sun from Australia will also return in a duel role – performing songs from their debut album in their own set and also reprising their role as Paul Laine's backing band for Paul's first ever foray down under. Featured in Paul's best of set will be tracks from his cult classic Stick It In Your Ear album as well as songs from his time in Danger Danger and the Shugaazer project.
Also returning is the ever popular Mecca, who will once again be joined by a popular special guest – Mr. Jimi Jamison! Together the guys will again dig deep into the catalogue for some fan surprises. There's also the chance of a second very special guest…
MRF4 will also mark the very special live debut of 2 brand new projects!
L.R.S. is killer new project featuring vocalist Tommy La Verdi (21 Guns), Josh Ramos (The Storm, Two Fires), Michael Shotton (Von Groove, Airtime) and Alessandro Del Vecchio (Eden's Curse, Revolution Road, Edge of Forever). The band will make their debut live performance at MRF, performing songs from their debut album as well as fan favourites from 21 Guns, Von Groove & The Storm!
Preview the debut LRS single! LRS - Living 4 A Dream
Lost Angeles is the other new project, this one featuring Paul Sabu, Dennis Dries and Eric Ragno. Each member paid their dues on the Sunset Strip, which took them far beyond! Their appearance at Melodic Rock Fest 4 will feature songs from their upcoming debut CD, along with classic tracks from Only Child, White Sister, Tattoo Rodeo and Paul's solo work! Eric says, "We're all great friends. Dennis & I have been swapping demos over lunches for awhile now, and I found an incredible chemistry with Paul Sabu in the records we did over the last two years. Dennis & Paul are both great singers, and their new songs have with a powerful honesty that really moves me. And I wanted the world to hear that. We've been looking for a reason to come together and see where our strengths might take us, and Andrew gave us that with MRF4. We respect each other's talents, we laugh a LOT and we're recording at our own pace. We're still rounding out the lineup – an LA lineup!- We're having a real blast as we learn how to drive this thing. It's great to be part of a street gang again."
Paul comments, "Playin' the show with such monstas as Eric Ragno and Dennis Dries. How cool is that...I guess really cool... So now we're already into a new killer album that we'll be kickin' off at the Festival...Glad to be back in the McNiece family again!"
Dennis adds, "I have to thank Eric and Paul for dragging me out from under the rock I'd been hiding under for the last couple of years. I feel reborn, and that I now have some brothers to carry the spirit that got me into music in the first place. Paul and I connected right away, and it feels like only a few months have passed since the Tattoo Rodeo days ( I can still hear him singing background vocals so high dogs would come running). Eric is a true rock dog, and I can't thank him enough for being involved in the last White Sister show ever in 2009. His keyboard work speaks for itself, and we're creating some exciting material together. I'm looking forward to hitting the stage with my bruthas and cranking out some familiar songs, and some new stuff to rattle your ears!"
Here's a snippet of a rough mix from the upcoming album. More info at www.lostangelesmusic.com - Lost Angeles - Home (Rough Mix, Edit)
Cult rock project Loud Lion will be MRF special guests for a mini-acoustic set featuring some of the songs from their long lost (now found) one-off album. The band's driving force of Bleu McAuley and Taylor Locke will hang around to mingle with fans over the weekend.
Rounding out the MRF4 lineup is hard rockers Talon, who will debut tracks from their new studio album and perform alongside Stan Bush as his backing band, the very task they handled brilliantly back in 2002 at the UK Gods Festival.
Mark Giovi (Far Cry) returns in his new band Romeo Riot and 7th Heaven will come up with something special and close out Friday night with one of their regular late nite shows, with low cost entry after 11pm for their local fan base.
All the expected highlights and plans for MelodicRockFest 4 are impossible to summarize in one press release, so expect further updates and details to come over the coming weeks and months.
Tickets for MRF4 will go on sale Wednesday January 15 at a precise time to be announced soon.
Various VIP options are available for the festival as well as standard General Admission tickets for each day.
An exclusive pre-show acoustic set from Sweden's H.E.A.T. is planned at the event hotel for the Thursday night (October 2). Further details of this even will be announced soon, but it is restricted to Green, Gold & Platinum VIP ticket holders ONLY.
Work Of Art:"We're super excited to play MRF4. I had a blast playing MRF3 with WET so I'm delighted to be able to come back and play with Work Of Art this time. Hope to see you all there!!" – Robert Sall.
Talon:"Talon is very proud and honored to be playing at MelodicRockFest 4 - with our original lineup back together and a new CD released before the show it will be a truly amazing weekend. The entire band - Michael O'Mara, Kory Voxen, Jim Kee, Eric Ragno, Phil Keller and John Parker – are looking forward to tearing it up in Chicago by playing some of our classic songs along with a few new ones that will debut at MRF4! We are also honored to be the backing band again for our friend Stan Bush - it was a memorable experience playing with him 10 years ago and it will be a joy to play his classic songs for everyone again. A huge thank you to Andrew McNeice for the opportunity, and John Kivel for the support of all the bands and fans that will make this an amazing weekend! We want to see everyone there for every band as this lineup just kills! See you all in October my friends!" – John Parker
Adriangale:"It's an honor and privilege to have once again been asked to participate in MelodicRock Fest with Adriangale, especially after we had such a tremendous experience at MRF3 with our comeback show. We're looking forward to seeing old friends, making even more new ones, and putting on the best show possible for the most amazing fans you could ask for. See you all at MRF4!" – Vic Rivera.
Grand Design:"Finally, finally, finally!! Grand Design on MRF 4!! We are sooooo thrilled to get the chance to rawk iddup! Grand Design on U.S soil - yesssssssssssssss!"
Faith Circus: "Greetings from under the big top! Well...we've just pulled the caravan over to the side of this dusty old Highway and were thinking "what better time to check in with all the circus freaks out there"?! We are extremely honored & excited to be part of MelodicRock Festival 4! And most of all we're proud of our main man Andrew (McNeice) for his relentless work to make this festival a reality once again! A big man, with a big heart (& set of balls!)!! As indicated we have been given the second slot on Friday (03.10.14), being the "newcomers" that we are! Never the less...we see this as a win/win situation!... First of all it's FRIDAY and people are revved up for the weekend and ready to ROCK (+ no one's hung-over...yet!)! Second...this gives us plenty of time to check out all the other great acts on the bill, hang with you guys ... as well as working on our own hangover...for both Saturday & Sunday!! So keep spreading the word about FAITH CIRCUS and we look forward to seeing old & new fans in Chicago come October!!"
MRF3 TICKET PRICES:
Friday $65.00
Saturday $65.00
Sunday $65.00
WEEKEND TICKET - $175
BLUE VIP - $240 (LIMITED TICKETS)
GREEN VIP - $495 (VERY LIMITED TICKETS)
GOLD VIP - $950 (VERY LIMITED TICKETS)
PLATINUM VIP - $1495 (VERY LIMITED TICKETS)
TICKETS ON SALE JANUARY 15 at: www.melodicrockfest.com (PayPal sales) or via TicketWeb/H.O.M.E. Bar.
SEE YOU THERE!
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
NIGHT BY NIGHT TO SUPPORT EUROPE IN 2014:
Swedish Rock Legends are Joined by Up-and-Coming UK Melodic Rockers
UK rockers Night By Night announced today that they are special guests on Europe's tour of Sweden, which kicks-off in Stockholm on March 3. "This is excellent," enthuses Night by Night guitarist Ben Christo, "if you'd have told us when we started this band that we'd support Europe, we'd have probably said, 'Wow. That's it. We make it!'"
It's been a steady rise for NxN over the last year, having toured the UK with Jettblack and Y&T respectively; the latter jaunt sporting the best shows the band has played to date. "The Y&T crowd really welcomed us and we feel we made a lot of new fans," recalls Christo. "Y&T were so easy-going; not only did they help with gear-share and logistics, vocalist Dave regularly gave us a shout-out during their sets, saying how great it was to see a new band who didn't use backing-tracks, but actually sung and played everything live. That's something that we pride ourselves on, so to have someone whom we greatly respect notice it was really important. What's more, playing venues that size has really prepared us to step onto the bigger stages of the Europe tour."
The Europe dates are tied-in with Night by Night's signing to Sunhill, a Swedish label who work with Michael Schenker, Talisman, Nubian Rose and Europe to name a few. Sunhill are set to launch the NxN debut album in spring 2014.
*DECIBEL GEEK PODCAST RELEASES EPISODE 115 - 1978 YEAR IN REVIEW PART 2:
After getting through the whirlwind that was the first half of the year, Aaron and Chris return to tell the second half of the story in this week's 1978 Year in Review Part 2. This week, Aaron and Chris discuss the people, places, events, and music of the rest of the year. Stories include the over-saturation of Kiss-mania, the poorly received Sgt. Pepper movie, and the Texxas Jam. Tracks from bands including Boston, Ramones, Black Sabbath, KISS, Gillan, Rush, and Rose Tattoo among others. We also include some interesting television commercials and promos from the year that was 1978.
*Episode Now Available for Download/Streaming.
The Decibel Geek Podcast was launched in June of 2011 by Chris Czynszak, a former rock journalist and webmaster. With co-host Aaron Camaro, the Decibel Geek Podcast is quickly earning a reputation as one of the go-to music commentary podcasts on the internet. All episodes are available on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, as well as the official Decibel Geek Podcast website.
Direct Link to Episode: dbgeekshow.blogspot.ca/2013/12/episode-115-1978-year-in-review-part-2.html. To access the Decibel Geek Podcast visit www.decibelgeek.com.
MELODIC BRIEFS:
US Metallers Anvil recently released their new Video for 'Badass Rock n Roll' in the states. Now the brand-new clip is available on SPV's YouTube channel for all European Metal fans - enjoy! youtu.be/xeGmo_0gsSg.
German Hard Rockers Mad Max release a brand new trailer for the song "Godzilla" today. The clip can be found here: youtu.be/XJnyAgOpRCg. Godzilla was written in Tokyo while MAD MAX singer Michael Voss was on tour in Japan singing for Michael Schenker! Michael Voss: "Walking through the streets of Tokyo brought back memories of those old Godzilla movies. So everybody get ready for some heavy guitar riffing while Godzilla is destroying your town!"
Episode 3 of the Focus On Metal Dio special has been posted. Vinny discusses all aspects of the album and tour from his perspective, his relationship with Ronnie, the recent run of Last In Line shows, the new Kill Devil Hill album Revolution Rise and more. www.focusonmetal.net.
FURYON TO BE CONFIRMED FOR HUNGARY'S METALWAR FESTIVAL 2014:
British rockers Furyon to be confirmed for Hungary's MetalWar Festival 2014, which takes place September 5th – 7th in Budapest. Other band confirmed include: Vexillum, Twister, more to be announced soon. This year, on 5-6-7 of September 2014, will be held for the second time a unique FREE ENTRY Metal Festival in Budapest, Hungary call "MetalWar Fest 2014". This event in the heart of Budapest, will be held at the Népliget Park, on 5, 6 and 7 of September 2014. The previous, first "MetalWar Fest" in 2013 was attended by 22.000 people in three days. Furyon is expected to make a number of additional festival (PPM Festival, Belgium) appearances in 2014. Furyon currently writing 2nd album after the success of their debut 'Gravitas'.
Furyon is a new band from the UK who like nothing more than to challenge expectations. Raised on a diet of heavy metal, prog, and classic rock. Furyon mix all these components for a truly unique and contemporary sound. Delivering huge rock-radio-friendly songs, with technically-challenging-yet-infectiously-catchy musicianship, they are dedicated to one sole purpose: making hard-hitting songs that will stand the test of time.
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/MetalWarFest / www.metalwarfest.hu / www.facebook.com/FuryonUK / www.furyon.net.
MELODIC ROCK FEST - VIP NOTICE:
All Green & Gold VIP pass holders from MRF3 should have received an email by now regarding their MRF4 VIP pre-sale opportunity. If I have missed anyone, please get in touch now.
Blue VIP holders will be emailed shortly with their chance at pre-sales and upgrading to other levels if so desired. All levels of VIP will have numbers available for the January 15 on sale date.
Monday, December 16, 2013
VANDEN PLAS TO RELEASE THEIR STAGE OPERA WRITTEN IN COLLABORATION WITH WOLFGANG HOHLBEIN - OUT IN FEBRUARY ON FRONTIERS: Frontiers Records is excited to announce the release of Vanden Plas new concept album entitled Chronicles of the Immortals – Netherworld (Path 1) on February 21 in Europe and February 24 in North America.
With "Chronicles of the Immortals – Netherworld," the German Progressive Metal combo continues the pattern of development from album to album that their fans have grown accustomed to. This time the progress is quite substantial, since the input for this new release came from Wolfgang Hohlbein, who with 43 million books sold worldwide is not only Germany's biggest selling author but also a fan of Vanden Plas. He suggested a creative collaboration: a rock opera for the stage based on his series "The Chronicle of the Immortals." The result was "Bloodnight" ("Blutnacht"). The libretto was written by Vanden Plas singer Andy Kuntz, together with Hohlbein and his manager Dieter Winkler, himself a respected author. The Vanden Plas team of Stephan Lill/ Günter Werno/Andy Kuntz composed 19 songs for the stage theater production.
"Bloodnight," with Kuntz in the leading role and the Vanden Plas musicians in the orchestra pit, celebrated a stunning premiere on the stage of the Pfalztheater in Kaiserslautern in 2012. 25 sold-out performances in the 2012 and 2013 seasons with standing ovations that never seemed to end speak for themselves. Overwhelmed by this success, Hohlbein responded by writing another novel: the story of "Bloodnight."
The next step for the band was to turn the successful theatre piece into an equally successful Vanden Plas album. "Chronicles of the Immortals – Netherworld" has 10 tracks comprising the first act of "Bloodnight." "Path 2," the second half of the album, is scheduled to bring the story to a conclusion in early 2015. Kuntz, in agreement with Hohlbein, adapted the stage version to fit an album format. On it he appears as the storyteller, so that unlike the stage production he is not only the main character Andrej Delany, but also embodies the roles of the other protagonists. In this way the storyline is richer and more easily understood by the listener for whom the powerful visions from the stage production are not available.
The music of "Chronicles of the Immortals – Netherworld" is pure Vanden Plas. The songs are noticeably heavier than the stage version and several amendments to the live arrangements can be heard with certain scenes that were rewritten from scratch. Some large chorus scenes from the stage production reappear with stark intimacy on the album, while in other sections a lush orchestral accompaniment replaces the piano line that had led the action in the stage version. At the same time, all the elements come into play that have long been distinctive to Vanden Plas. Kuntz's incisive lyrics are interwoven with Lill's defining riffs and Werno's diverse keyboard parts. A solid base is provided by bass player Torsten Reichert and drummer Andreas Lill, whose collaboration has produced an atmosphere that seems more homogenous and transparent than ever.
It is the attention paid to details that make this album different from any other earlier Vanden Plas recording. It is evident that this album recounts the story from a newly staged theatre production, which makes the Vanden Plas music to "Chronicles of the Immortals – Netherworld" even more diversified and vivid. Vanden Plas fans will immediately feel at home with this album. Hohlbein was also thrilled from the first time he heard the music. He said: "Great album. I loved it! I'm happy that fans of "The Chronicles of the Immortals" can re-experience the story through the rock opera 'Bloodnight'."
You can enjoy a trailer of the album following this link on Youtube: youtu.be/OtPxTvF-NsM.
Chronicles of the Immortals – Netherworld will include the following tracks: Vision 1ne (Music: A. Kuntz, S. Lill, G. Werno / Lyrics: A. Kuntz), Vision 2wo * The Black Knight * (Music: S. Lill / Lyrics: A. Kuntz), Vision 3hree * Godmaker * (Music: S. Lill / Lyrics: A. Kuntz), Vision 4our * Misery Affection Prelude * (Music: G. Werno / Lyrics: A. Kuntz), Vision 5ive * A Ghosts Requiem * (Music: G. Werno / Lyrics: Anonymus, G. Werno), Vision 6ix * New Vampyre * (Music: S. Lill, A. Kuntz / Lyrics: A. Kuntz), Vision 7even * The King and the Children of Lost World * (Music: S. Lill / Lyrics: A. Kuntz), Vision 8ight * Misery Affection * (Music: G. Werno / Lyrics: A. Kuntz), Vision 9ine * Soul Alliance * (Music: G. Werno / Lyrics: A. Kuntz), Vision 10n * Inside * (Music: A. Kuntz, S. Lill / Lyrics: A. Kuntz).
The Band: Andy Kuntz (Vocals), Stephan Lill (Guitar), Günter Werno (Keyboard), Torsten Reichert (Bass), Andreas Lill (Drums).
WebLinks: www.vandenplas.de / www.facebook.com/VandenPlasOfficial.
xx
MELODIC ROCK FEST 4 - ARTIST SAMPLING:
If you want to get a better idea of some of the artists lined up for Melodic Rock Fest 4, Steve Price held a special MRF4 Show on ARfm this weekend. You can stream the entire 3hr show now via: www.mixcloud.com/arfm/steve-price-rock-show-mrf4-special-dec-14/
The track listing, which can be accessed per track via the MixCloud playback. Tracks played include songs by every artist lined up to play, such as H.E.A.T., The Poodles, Johnny Lima, Work Of Art, Mitch Malloy, Stan Bush, Shooting Star, Degreed, Faith Circus, Mecca and more...
The show also features interviews with H.E.A.T., Adriangale, Lost Angeles and also John Kivel, stepping in at the last minute in my absence. Thanks John!
And if you missed the exclusive preview on the splash page, L.R.S. (Tommy La Verdi, Josh Ramos, Michael Shotton, Alessandro Del Vecchio) can be heard here: Preview the debut LRS single! LRS - Living 4 A Dream
Paul Laine has just emailed in his thoughts on MRF4: "Can't wait to Rock the House at MR4! Gonna to play all your favourites from Gildersleeves, Four The Hard Way, Cockroach, Stick It In Your Ear and more. Get ready to turn it up to 11 Chicago!!"
RED DRAGON CARTEL RESPONDS TO CRITICS: Jake E Lee and his Red Dragon Cartel have hit the road for their first set of live dates, but have hit some turbulence with heavily critical comments flooding in for singer Darren Smith (also Harem Scarem's drummer). The band posted this comment on Facebook yesterday:
"You fly thousands of miles, have 40 possible songs to create a set with, pick and refine 14 of those, rehearse till 4 in the morning for only 4 days with jet jag and strep throat. Then have a reasonably good sound check only to return to the stage to find one of the monitors is out and the teleprompter is set up wrong (Yes I said it TELEPROMPTER Its seems to work fine for Obama and Steven Tyler, Elton John) plus It's said it will be gone within a couple of weeks, mix in some American prescription cough syrup (Thanks Nassad) and 1 to many pre-jitter shots. Result a sub-standard performance from a great singer. I have stood in a room while they played together and Darren sings his ass off! Yes your right there will never be another Ray Gillen, R.I.P. But the Red Dragon Cartel is about to show the world that they can be great band and that Darren James Smith is a great singer! Reserve your judgment until you watch the videos from tomorrow night's San Diego gig and Fridays show at Vamp'd in Las Vegas. In the meantime go over to I-Tunes and check out "Deceived" from the Red Dragon Cartel album. Jake E Lee is back, playing better than ever with a great Band, Album and Live Show. Wait till they come through your town sometime in the next year and decide for yourself. You won't be disappointed. Peace out!
-- Keep Rockin."
And Darren himself has posted online also: "I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW I AM LEARNING WHAT IT TAKES TO BE THE LEAD VOCALIST FOR JAKE E LEES RED DRAGON CARTEL. I TRULY APPRECIATE ALL THE KIND WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND LOVE. IM GOING TO NAIL THIS TONIGHT AND PULL IT BACK A BIT, I GUESS IM NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE. DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME. THE ONE THING ABOUT THIS BUSINESS IS…….YOU GROW THICK SKIN . IN THE IMMORTAL WORDS OF OZZY.."I LOVE YOU ALL"
Good Luck to Darrem for the next two shows.
RUBICON CROSS SIGN DEAL WITH UNIVERSAL SUDSIDERY:
Guitarist Simon Farmery has posted on his Facebook page about his band Rubicon Cross (also featuring CJ Snare from FireHouse): "CONTRACTS SIGNED!!!! I can now let you all know that Rubicon Cross have signed with 'INgrooves' here in the US and will be working closely alongside Universal music group for an early 2014 release. It's been a long road to get here and release dates have come and gone due to us trying to time a good PR & Radio campaign with the label. It's not an easy process and ALL the band appreciate your patience. 2014 will be seeing the band getting out LIVE across the US, an updated website which will finally have Rubicon merchandise for you all and the album itself will be a worldwide digital release and physical release in US via shops like Best Buy. We've negotiated hard to keep the price down for all the fans too.
In the next 4-6 weeks we should see the debut single release for Bleed With Me, to which a video will accompany that we shot last summer. It's a great video and we can't wait for you all to see it in rotation on your screens. So thanks once again for all your support, we do understand it's frustrating when you have to wait so long for a release, fingers crossed people, we're finally there. As soon as we know more, you'll be the 1st to know. Thanks again."
FORMER MEMBERS OF 24-7 SPYZ / CAGE / TOURNIQUET UNVEIL NEW BAND: SEVENTRAIN:
The San Diego, CA locals want to bring back that big rock sound with their hard-hitting, blues-based metal band Seventrain which features former Cage guitarist Eric Horton, drummer Joel Maitoza (24-7 Spyz, Shockhead), guitarist Jef Poremba (6ONE9, Coffi Baker…yes, Ginger Baker's son), vocalist Jon Campos (Dive Bomber), and bassist Greg Rupp who appeared on the album, but was recently replaced by Steve (Dino) Andino (Tourniquet).
The band has been in the recording studio over the past several months with engineer Don Lithgow (Blink 182, Finch, New Found Glory) and is getting ready to release their self-titled debut album in the US and Europe in early 2014. Drummer/Producer, Joel Maitoza, who is best known for his work with the New York based Heavy Metal Soul group 24-7 Spyz states, "It was a blast to just get back into the studio again with a bunch of old friends and bash out some tunes that replicates the music we all grew up on during the 80s and 90s. Just raw, stripped down, in your face, hard rock lovingly tracked in analog on 2 inch tape."
Seventrain is currently lining up print, radio and podcast interviews to promote the CD prior to hitting the road. The first single Change by Seventrain is available for streaming here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KOzAtTonTM.
Follow Seventrain on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/pages/Seventrain/324939974620.
ROCK TO THE RESCUE RAISES $400k:
Los Angeles, CA & Bloomington, IL (December 12, 2013) – Styx and REO Speedwagon, along with Richard Marx, Ted Nugent, Larry The Cable Guy, Survivor, Head East and Brushville are thrilled to announce that the December 4 benefit concert. Rock To The Rescue Extends A Hand To Those In Need, raised $400,783. This completely sold-out show, at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, raised funds for central Illinois communities that were affected by the recent devastating tornadoes and winds. Rock To The Rescue has announced that distributed funds raised from ticket sales, auctions and donations will benefit the Midwest Food Bank, Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity, Tazwood Community Services, Toys for Tots and the Washington Community Bank in care of City of Washington Tornado Relief Fund. Tommy Shaw said, "Rock To The Rescue has continued to serve smaller grassroots non-profits around the country wherever we perform and help larger causes whenever we see the need. Because of the support of so many friends in the music community, we were able to respond literally within hours of the reports of the November 17 tornadoes in Illinois, the place where Styx and REO originated. We felt compelled to give back to the people who have given us so much for so long, so we started calling other friends. Everyone who was available immediately said yes! We enjoyed a fantastic concert and raised over $400,000 to help in the effort to move forward, but what was most moving was seeing and feeling the power of music bring us together and lift our spirits once again as the ongoing soundtrack to our lives." Kevin Cronin said, "On the morning of our recent 'Rock To The Rescue' benefit concert we visited the Washington, Illinois site where the killer tornadoes did the lion's share of their damage. It was a chilling experience. The depth of destruction was hard to describe. We didn't need to be reminded that the effects of this storm and the need for help would go on for years to come. We promised ourselves, and the many new friends we made that day, that our work in the area would be ongoing. We plan on continuing our fundraising efforts as we return for four concerts in Illinois and Indiana in early 2014. It feels good to use the power of rock 'n' roll to lend support to people without whose support we would surely not be rocking to this day."
NIGHT BY NIGHT HEAD TO SWEDEN:
Good news for Night x Night, sending out this message overnight: "We're touring with Europe! You get to hear it first - as we don't we announce officially on Facebook, Twitter or our site 'til 15:00 GMT tomorrow (16/12) - we are special guests to Europe on their Swedish dates in March. Please help us spread the word once we announce tomorrow by Facebook sharing and retweeting this ace news! We are absolutely thrilled. This ties in with developments regarding album release - more news on this very soon. Looks like 2014 will be another year of progress for us! Have a great Christmas ~ Ben, Hen, Jon, Tom and Damien."
Friday, December 13, 2013
HEART LIVE FROM CAESARS COLOSSEUM CD AND DVD TO BE RELEASED ON FRONTIERS IN FEBRUARY:
Heart's Classic Hits Including 'Barracuda," "Crazy On You," "These Dreams, "Alone" And "What About Love" Are Featured Along With Songs From Their Most Recent "Fanatic" CD
Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of Heart 's Fanatic Live From Caesars Colosseum in North America as CD and DVD deluxe edition, Blu Ray and DVD standalone on February 21 in Europe and February 25 in North America.
The history behind this recording began in 2012, which was a year of major achievements for Heart. In addition to Ann and Nancy's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and news that they had been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the year was filed with musical accomplishments. Ann and Nancy Wilson combed their archives for a definitive four CD box set release in the early part of the year, and in the fall of 2012, released their "Fanatic" album to strong critical and fan acclaim. To support the release of "Fanatic," the band embarked upon a major North American headline tour, which ended with a magnificent performance at Caesars Colosseum in Windsor, Ontario, which was filmed by AXS-TV. Heart will be performing shows in February, March and April, 2014 as a continuation of the "Fanatic" tour.
"Heart is one of my personal favorites," said Frontiers Records President Serafino Perugino, "and it is more than a pleasure to have them joining the Frontiers family. We look forward to a great partnership together!"
Heart has long been associated with Canada having broken out in Vancouver in 1976 with the release of "Dreamboat Annie" and their return to Canada for the "Fanatic" tour was greeted with the kind of enthusiasm the Canadians save for their own. Ben Mink, who produced the "Fanatic" CD and is another great Canadian musician, joined Ann and Nancy on stage at Windsor, playing fiddle and leading a string ensemble.
In addition to songs from the "Fanatic" album which were performed for the first time for the television viewing audience, "Fanatic Live From Caesars Colosseum" also showcases many of Heart's classic hits including "Barracuda," "Crazy on You," "These Dreams," "Alone," "What About Love," and many more.
Fanatic Live From Caesars Colosseum will be released in Deluxe edition CD/DVD (housed in a glossy Digipak) and Blu Ray and DVD standalone editions which can be pre-ordered via Amazon.com here www.smarturl.it/Heart_CDDVDAmazon (CD/DVD), here www.smarturl.it/Heart_DVDAmazon (DVD) and here www.smarturl.it/Heart_BLURAYAmazon (Blu-Ray). A digital download is also available via iTunes and includes an instant download of a new rendition of the Heart classic "Dog And Butterfly".
CD, DVD/Blu Ray audio track listing will include: Fanatic, Heartless, What About Love, Mashallah!, Even It Up, 59 Crunch, Straight On, Dog And Butterfly, Walking Good, These Dreams, Alone, Dear Old America, Crazy On You, Barracuda.
You can preview the release and enjoy a personal Ann Wilson presentation by clicking on the link below: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbYRbRAwMeU.
WebLinks: www.heart-music.com / www.facebook.com/heart / twitter.com/officialheart.
xxxx
NIGHT RANGER'S JACK BLADES CREDITS BIG "SISTER": InTheStudio.NET, the web home for North American syndicated rock radio show InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands goes out on patrol with the best of '80s video stars Night Ranger.
In the Fall of 1982 MTV launched in America, a gamechanger for the commercial music business. Overnight powerful bands of decades past found themselves in career jeopardy while a whole new video-friendly crop of emerging bands powered to the forefront. Night Ranger was one of the first American acts to dominate MTV, and with great success. "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" from their debut album Dawn Patrol gained wide attention as both a video and on radio, firmly establishing the band even in spite of the bankruptcy of their indie label Boardwalk Records. Night Ranger's second album Midnight Madness would produce the quintessential power ballad and video "Sister Christian", becoming the high school graduating Class of 1984's unofficial anthem, single handedly making Night Ranger a multi-million seller practically overnight. Bassist/singer/songwriter Jack Blades remembers with InTheStudio host Redbeard the moment he realized what the video age had done to his band's career. "We walked into a town in Iowa... We were like TV stars, everybody recognized us. It was the constant pounding of that MTV. It launched us immediately."
STREAM the Night Ranger/ Jack Blades program this month as part of InTheStudio's Medium Rare "online-only" rockumentary series: www.inthestudio.net/online-only-interviews/night-ranger-best-of-jack-blades/"
Thursday, December 12, 2013
BOSTON RELEASES CHRISTMAS DIGITAL SINGLE:
Multi-platinum band Boston is celebrating the holiday season with the release of a rocking twist on a Christmas classic titled God Rest Ye Metal Gentlemen. This festive song, produced by Boston mastermind Tom Scholz, is available today on iTunes at smarturl.it/BostonGodRestYe and features Kimberley Dahme on bass and lead vocal, Gary Pihl and Scholz on vocals and guitars, along with Tom Hambridge on drums. Fans can visit the band's Facebook page, facebook.com/bandboston, for more information and how to listen to a stream of the track.
Scholz said about the song, "This was my chance to Boston-ize one of my favorite Christmas carols. I had so much fun with this one, I think I'll have to try a few more."
Boston is currently conquering the airwaves as Heaven On Earth, the lead single from the newly released Life, Love & Hope, climbs Mediabase's Classic Rock chart. Written and produced by Scholz, "Heaven On Earth" features David Victor on vocals with special guest Louis St. August.
More than a decade in the making, the highly anticipated new album Life, Love & Hope was released worldwide last week and is available now for purchase at Amazon and iTunes. The collection of brand new tracks, recorded at Scholz's very own Hideaway Studio II, was produced, arranged, and engineered by Scholz and is Boston's first release since 2002's Corporate America. In addition to Brad Delp and Victor, current Boston singer Tommy DeCarlo, Kimberley Dahme and Scholz himself, contribute vocals on the new album. Diverse yet cohesive, the long-awaited album has something for everyone and will fulfill the expectations of existing fans, while exposing a new generation to one of rock and roll's great acts.
WebLinks: www.bandboston.com / www.facebook.com/bandboston / www.facebook.com/frontiersrecordsofficial.
TNT TOUR DATES FOR SCANDINAVIA ANNOUNCED:
The first TNT dates from singer Tony Harnell are in. From Tony's newsletter: "So far the TNT shows in Scandinavia look like this, many more will be added around Europe, Japan looks likely and hopefully the U.S.! Gigs confirmed so far in 2014. More gigs will be added."
- January 17th : Gregers Live - Hamar (Norway)
- January 18th : Rockefeller Oslo (Norway)
- April 26th : Telenor Arena - We Love the 80's - Oslo (Norway)
- April 30th : Idun Folkets Hus - Umeå (Sweden)
- May 2nd : Kulturens Hus - Luleå (Sweden)
- May 3rd : Waterfront - Stockholm (Sweden)
- June 6th : Sweden Rock Festival - Sølvesborg (Sweden)
- June 20th : Tons Of Rock - Halden (Norway)
- June 21th : Hønefoss Rock Festival - Hønefoss (Norway)
- July 19th : Väsby Rock Festval - Väsby (Sweden)
Tony also adds: "Secondly we have a new DVD which has just been released in Japan and is coming out in other territories very soon. It's a beautifully shot video of the 30th anniversary show I did with TNT last year with a full symphony orchestra:) In Feb, look for me on the Prog Nation Cruise with Bumblefoot and in March I'll be opening for The Winery Dogs at BB Kings in NYC and hopefully some American touring with the acoustic show."
Track listing: 01. Theocracy - Hide In The Fairytale 02. Sinbreed - Newborn Tomorrow 03. Harmony - End Of My Road (Radio edit) 04. Signum Regis - The Promised Land 05. Darkwater - Why I Bleed 06. Sleeping Romance - The Promise Inside 07. Innerwish - Full Of Lust 08. Theocracy - On Eagles' Wings 09. End of September - Fallen 10. Incrave - Shattered 11. Darkwater - The play I 12. Harmony - Dreaming Awake 13. Theocracy - Theocracy 14. Audiovision - Keep The Fire Burning 15. Grand Lux - Rainbow's End.
For more information: www.ulterium-records.com / www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords.
THE WORLD FAMOUS WHISKY A GO GO CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF ROCK & ROLL:
West Hollywood, CA (Monday December 9, 2013)- The world famous Whisky a Go Go nightclub on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California turns 50 years old on Thursday, January 16, 2014. The venue will ring in this historic evening with a show by legendary Doors guitarist, Robbie Krieger, and his Jam Kitchen band. Mayor John Heilman will be there to present a proclamation to the venue for its 50 years in service. Doors open at 8pm; press and media are invited to attend this red carpet event. The Whisky has been a home to every genre of music ranging from the surf & psychedelic rock in the 60's, the punk explosion in the 70's, and the heavy metal in the 80's. The 50th Anniversary with include a month long celebration with bands from all eras and many special guests. "It's an honor to join the Whisky's 50 year celebration; so much history." said Robert Trujillo, bass player for Metallica & Infectious Grooves. Fans are encouraged to buy tickets in advance for these all-ages events at www.TicketWeb.com.
The 50th Anniversary shows schedule includes:
January 3rd- The Untouchables
January 9th- Lita Ford
January 10th- Stephen Pearcy Of Ratt
January 11th- Fear
January 12th- Dramarama
January 15th- X
January 16th- Robby Krieger's Jam Kitchen
January 17th- Buckcherry
January 18th- Fear Factory
January 19th- Martha Davis & The Motels
January 23rd- Uli Jon Roth & Bumblefoot Of Gnr
January 24th- Jack Russell's Great White
January 25th- Faster Pussycat & Jetboy
January 26th- The Bangles
January 31st- Infectious Grooves
Founded in 1964, the Whisky A Go Go has been an anchor in the music scene on the Sunset Strip hosting rock & roll legends like The Doors, Guns N' Roses, Led Zeppelin, and Van Halen. The Whisky is recognized as a historic music landmark and is the only surviving music venue to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. For more information on events please visit www.WhiskyAGoGo.com or call (310) 360-1110.
MRF4 - LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT: MelodicRockFest 4 lineup announcement right here - Friday 13th - starting 11am local Australian time! (Thursday 12th, 6pm Chicago / 7pm NYC / 4pm LA / Midnight Thursday UK time)...
1 band for each of the 3 days announced every 5 minutes until the headliners announced one by one at MelodicRock.com then right here on the MR Facebook page ready for you to share!
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
A NEW LEGACY FOR MOTHERS ARMY MEMBERS:
Three quarters of 90s supergroup Mother's Army have regrouped under the name Legacy X for a new deal with Frontiers Records. Joe Lynn Turner (vocals), Jeff Watson (guitars) and Carmine Appice (drums) are joined by master bassist Tony Franklin (Blue Murder, The Firm, Lana Lane). The Legacy X debut album is expected Spring 2014.
LOVER UNDER COVER GO INTO THE NIGHT IN JANUARY: Escape Music announce the release of the second Lover Under Cover album Into The Night on January 24.
Track listing: 1. A Fight / 2. Into The Shadows / 3. Miracle / 4. Toy Soldier / 5. Crushing Stones / 6. Life Is Easy / 7. Playboy No 7 / 8. The Game Is On / 9. Fantasy Man / 10. Closer To The Truth / 11. No Place Like Home. Mikael Erlandsson: (Last Autumn's Dream / Salute) - Vocals, Keyboards; Mikael Carlsson: Bass, Guitars, Keyboards and Vocals; Martin Kronlund: (Gypsy Rose, Phenomena, Salute) - Guitars; Perra Johnsson: (Coldspell) - Drums.
Lover Under Cover are back with a brand new album, hailing from Sweden this quartes combine elements of Coldspell, Last Autumns Dream, Treat and many more great Scandinavian Rock bands. The band was formed by Mikael Carlsson and they have already shaken the very foundations of melodic hard rock with their debut outing "Set the Night on Fire" (ESM246). Soaring harmonies, slick guitar solos and plenty of keyboards feature in their sound and with a knack of producing infectious melodies they will have you begging for more.
This is their brand new album and these boys are ready to start 2014 with a bang. With a tight production from Martin Kronlund you can be sure of a very polished performance all round. Songs like "Into the Shadows", "Miracle" and "Crushing Stones" are all fantastic slabs of melodic hard rock, in fact there are no fillers to be found, just well-structured melodic hard rock. This is a fine follow up to their 2012 debut. Lover Under Cover are a band to look out for in 2014 and if well-crafted melodic rock of the highest order is what you crave for then this is an essential purchase.
WebLink: www.Escape-Music.com.
THE RETURN OF GUARDIAN: Guardian returns with the first single from the upcoming album Almost Home...
Veteran rock band Guardian will release The Real Me, the first single from their upcoming album Almost Home, on iTunes and other digital outlets on Friday, December 13.
"The Real Me" was written by Guardian members Jamie Rowe, Jamey Perrenot, and David Bach. Produced by Perrenot and mixed by Tony Palacios, the song is an uptempo/anthemic rocker featuring the sonic and performance quality that Guardian fans demand from the band.. The album was made possible by Guardian's die-hard fans through a Kickstarter campaign and will be delivered to those backers before the end of the month. Currently discussing label options, "Almost Home" will see a global release in the first quarter of 2014.
You can view the lyric video for "The Real Me" now at: houseofguardian.com/VideoPreview/
TALON RETURNS WITH ORIGINAL LINEUP AND FINALIZES TRACKS FOR THEIR NEXT RELEASE:
Los Angeles melodic hard rock band Talon is proud to announce the return of vocalist Michael O'Mara! Michael was the original vocalist on their Frontiers Self-Titled debut release and subsequent live shows. Currently, the band is finishing demos for their 4th release and is aiming for tracking to commence in February, with the CD tentatively scheduled for a late Spring release. The yet-to-be-titled release will be produced by their long-time producer Ty Sims and the band is truly excited about the new songs and cannot wait to have them recorded and released!
With live shows and special events currently being lined up for 2014, The Talon original lineup – Michael O'Mara, Kory Voxen, Jim Kee, Phil Keller and John Parker – along with Eric Ragno - is getting primed and ready!
Look for sneak peaks, special announcements and other updates very soon – all the latest is always available at the Talon Official Facebook page. In addition, you can also get the latest news, videos, photos, songs and more. Also, the Talon Store is open and items available include the Blu-Ray/DVD Talon – Live in Chicago release and CD reissues that include their original S/T CD. To order, go to the "Talon Official" Facebook page and click on the "Talon Store" tab.
WebLink: band.to/talonofficial / www.reverbnation.com/talonofficial.
VIDEO PREVIEWS FROM KIVEL RECORDS:
Please click the link below and enjoy the new Maxx Explosion video Famous from their debut Kivel Release Forever. Perfect timing as we are happy to announce Maxx Explosion will be occupying the opening support for House of Lords on the 2nd leg of their European tour. Dates TBA.
Also hit the band's new revamped website for all the latest goings on, news, announcements and shows: www.maxxexplosion.com.
You can purchase Maxx Explosion at www.kivelrecords.com, www.cdbaby.com, www.nehrecords.com and iTunes.
So... 2013 is winding down from the beating we gave it. Holidays in full effect, New Year approaching. What else could we possibly throw at you? How about a lil Lullaby? Take Lynch Mob, Badlands and a pissed off Tesla and you end up with a soothing Lullaby for any monster hard rock fan. Kivel Records are proud to announce and welcome to the Kivel family, California's very own Madman's Lullaby. Check out the track What If off their Unhinged release due on Kivel Records January 21.
WINTER IN NEW ENGLAND FOR A GOOD CAUSE:
Guitarists Eddie LaValle (LaValle) and Rich Antonelli (Bon Jersey, $kyHigh) have teamed up with Italian keyboard wizard Alessandro DelVecchio (Hardline, Edge of Forever, Silent Force) to bring you an original song "Winter in New England". This song captures the feelings of family, friends, joy, and wonder that surround the holiday season, while also maintaining a rock edge. All net proceeds from the sale of Winter in New England will be donated to the Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence Rhode Island (USA). Everyone involved in this project donated their time and talents free of charge. This is truly a worthy cause and the guys humbly request that you purchase the song and spread the word to as many people as possible. Your donations and efforts will be appreciated more than you could ever know.
Purchase "Winter in New England" here for only $1.00 - richardantonelli.com/store. For more awesome music or to get in touch with the guys check out: www.lavallerocks.com / www.richardantonelli.com / www.alessandrodelvecchio.net.
SILENCER PREMIERES NEW VIDEO, "I AM THUNDER!" ON GUITARWORLD.COM:
(10 December 2013 - New York, NY) Denver metal veterans Silencer have just released their new video for the track I Am Thunder!, premiering it via guitarworld.com. The video can be viewed here: bit.ly/1cngx4e. Produced by AE Films and pulled from the band's new album, The Great Bear, the video, "was filmed at a special in-store appearance at the famous Ernie November record store in Cheyenne WY. Celebrating our love for all things brick & mortar record store and heavy metal, we saw the opportunity to film the video in this unique setting," says Silencer frontman, Keith Spargo.
In other Silencer news, the quartet will play a 15th Anniversary Show on 11 January 2014 at Herman's Hideaway in Denver, CO alongside their friends Arise in Chaos, Cellador and others. The band is currently heating up the Loud Rock charts on CMJ with "I Am Thunder!" getting spins across the country on stations such as KGAR in Lemoore, CA, KFSR in Fresno, CA,WFCS in New Britain, CT, WXCI in Danbury, CT, WARC in Meadville, PA, WCAL in California, PA, KIWR in Council Bluffs, IA, KXCI in Tucson, AZ, KAOS in Olympia, WA, KFAI in Minneapolis, MN, WRBC in Auburn, ME, WRSU in New Brunswick, NJ, KMSA in Grand Junction, CO and the mighty WSOU in South Orange, NJ, amongst others.
The Great Bear is out now worldwide via Vanity Music Group.
WebLinks: www.silencer.cc / www.facebook.com/Silencermetal / www.twitter.com/silencermetal.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
HOUSE OF LORDS' NEW ALBUM BRINGS BACK THE MAGIC OF THE BAND'S CLASSIC SOUND!: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of the anticipated House Of Lords brand new studio album entitled Precious Metal on February 21 in Europe and February 25 in North America.
"Precious Metal" is House Of Lords' ninth studio album, following up the critically acclaimed "Big Money". This brand new release, recorded and produced by the band's singer and mastermind James Christian, again has a stellar sound, with solid and baroque songwriting mixed with unique melodic sensibilities and amazing musical skills.
Musically "Precious Metal" shows a return to the roots of the band's sound. James Christian as usual sings his heart out and he sounds better than ever on these new songs. Guitarist Jimi Bell shines with heavy, but melodic riffs throughout the album, with Chris McCarville and BJ Zampa bringing a solid and powerful rhythm foundation to the House of Lords sound.
In James Christian's words: "When we started to write this record, we knew after the 1st song that we were on to something special. The energy level was off the charts for all of us. Jimi Bell came out swinging and BJ and Chris were just crushing it. Recording this album was very easy as the songs already had arrangements that were complete. Precious Metal is a testament to years of being a band that loves what they do and has so much more to offer in the years to come."
House of Lords debuted in 1989 with the release of the self-titled album, a monumental Arena Hard Rock release which showcased the soaring vocals of James Christian and instrumental capabilities of the band (which featured ex-Angel and Giuffria Gregg Giuffria, along with such luminaries as Lanny Cordola, Chuck Wright and Ken Mary), reminiscent of such frontrunners as Whitesnake, Deep Purple and Van Halen, immediately brought the band to the attention of the media and fans. After another 2 albums released until 2002, House of Lords went into hibernation until the original lineup came back together in 2000, releasing of the controversial "Power and the Myth" an album which featured a sound leaning more towards Progressive Hard Rock with 70's rock influences.
After a short European tour, singer James Christian decided to go back to the trademark Arena Rock sound of House Of Lords, putting together a new line-up. Since 2006 the band has a stable line-up featuring Jimi Bell on guitars, B.J. Zampa on drums and Chris McCarvill on bass which has been delivering impressive shows and fine releases such as "World Upside Down, "Come to My Kingdom", "Cartesian Dreams" and the recent "Big Money".
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House Of Lords have already confirmed the following tour dates in Europe (more are in the works):
March 8 – Oslo, Norway – Untouchables
March 9 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Venue TBA
March 13 – Barcelona, Spain – Luz De Gas
March 14 – Madrid, Spain - Venue TBA
March 15 – Irun, Spain – Sala Tunk
March 17 – Glasgow, UK – King Tuts
March 19 – Blyth, UK – The Blyth & Tyne
March 20 – London, UK – The Garage
March 21 – HRHAOR2 Festival – Wales, UK
March 22 – Bradford, UK – The Gaswork
March 23 - York, UK - Fibbers
March 24 - Bliston, UK – The Robin 2
July 19 - Vasby Rock Festival, Sweden
Watch out for more dates on www.jameschristianmusic.com and www.frontiers.it. House of Lords: James Christian – Lead Vocals; Jimi Bell - Guitars; Chris McCarvill – Bass; BJ Zampa - Drums.
Precious Metal tracklisting includes the following tracks: Battle; I'm Breakin' Free; Epic; Live Every Day (Like It's The Last); Permission To Die; Precious Metal; Swimmin' With The Sharks; Raw; Enemy Mine; Action; Turn Back The Tide; You Might Just Save My Life.
It is possible to enjoy an EPK presentation of "Precious Metal" below:
FLOOR JANSEN IS THE MAIN VOCALIST ON AVALON II, ALBUM AND TOUR PLANNED FOR MAY 2014:
The Nightwish/ReVamp singer Floor Jansen will appear in the leading role on the next album of Timo Tolkki's Avalon Metal Opera. Jansen is the main vocalist on the album and sings lead vocals on the first single and promotional video. The release date for both single and the video is planned for March. The recordings are currently taking place in East Sound Studios in Helsinki, Finland. Jansen joins the cast that already includes Epica singer Simone Simons and the reunion of the early Stratovarius. Lineup: Tuomo Lassila on drums (the founder of Stratovarius) and Antti Ikonen on keyboards (the original keyboard player of Stratovarius).
A European Tour is also planned for May 2014, to coincide with the release of the album. More details on the live lineup and dates will be revealed later. Timo Tolkki comments straight from the studio: "I am right now recording probably the best vocalist I have worked with in my whole career. This has been a jaw dropping experience and I thought I have already seen it all. Floor has proven me wrong. For example in the 10 minute title track of the album, she delivers in my opinion the best vocals of her career so far. This song is probably the biggest sounding of my whole career and Floor simply makes it an astonishing, almost breathtaking experience! We are both surprised of how amazing this has turned out to be and both very happy to hear how amazing it sounds."
Frontiers Records December 2013 Releases Spot (Official) - featuring Boston, Reo Speedwagon, Royal Hunt, Angelica and Benedictum.
2014 LINING UP TO BE BIG FOR KIVEL RECORDS:
A couple of very big news items from Kivel Records for 2014 releases:
Romeo Riot: "A few months ago, we announced the return of original Farcry frontman and vocalist Mark Giovi with the promise of new music, a new album, and new band with him leading the charge. Well, the time is now to shed a little more light on things to come in the new year. Please welcome to the Kivel family (and in a way a welcome home of sorts) Mark Giovi, Ty Sims, Erik Johnson, Rob McCauley and Justin Velte. Together, this powerhouse team make up Romeo Riot!! Look for their release on Kivel Records sometime in the Spring of 2014.
Adriangale: "To celebrate years of hard work, blood, sweat and tears, on February 1st, 2014 Adriangale will release something that has been a long time coming: Final Piece – The Best of Adriangale!, which will encompass the band's entire back catalog and their new album with a collection of fan favorites, bonus tracks and a few other surprises!
Having said that, this compilation is far from a final bow for the band; it will instead serve to fondly send-off the past before embracing new beginnings. Over the course of their career - from the debut album Feel the Fire right through Suckerpunch! - Adriangale have introduced themselves unto a genre, defined themselves and redefined themselves through their music - their way! They will not be pigeon-holed, classified or shackled by the ideals, trends or perceptions of what modern society deems good music should be. With Final Piece, Adriangale will solider on yet again, reasserting themselves through perseverance and dedication, but most of all - through DEFIANCE!!
NEW Adriangale D E F I A N C E Fall of 2014 on Kivel Records.
Upcoming release Schedule:
1. Adriangale "Final Piece - The Best of + " Feb 1st
2. Tango Down "Charming Devil" March 25th
3. Romeo Riot Spring of 2014...
4. Maxx Explosion "TBA" Oct 1st
5. Adriangale "D E F I A N C E" Sept 27th
Also coming in 2014!! Livesay "Frozen Hell" and new No Love Lost.
FREEDOM CALL - NEW STUDIO ALBUM BEYOND OUT ON FEBRUARY 24:
The German melodic metal band Freedom Call are scheduled to release their latest studio album, Beyond, on February 24 (Germany: 21 February 2014; USA: 4 March 2014). The album will be released as a limited box set version incl. bonus CD, book and poster, as a 2LP gatefold coloured vinyl version incl. bonus tracks, a digi version and download.
Tracklisting: - Limited Box set Edition - CD Digi: 1. Union Of The Strong 5:02 2. Knights Of Taragon 4:44 3. Heart Of A Warrior 3:13 4. Come On Home 4:03 5. Beyond 7:49 6. Among The Shadows 3:45 7. Edge Of The Ocean 3:37 8. Journey Into Wonderland 3:59 9. In The Rhythm Of Light 4:03 10. Dance Off The Devil 3:45 11. Paladin 4:09 12. Follow Your Heart 3:51 13. Colours Of Freedom 4:15 14. Beyond Eternity 3:03.
Bonus CD in cardboard sleeve: Freedom Call - Live in the Black Forest 1. Back into the Land of Light - Live 05:42 2. Hero on Video – Live 03:55 3. Rockstars – Live 05:03 4. Farewell – Live 05:25 5. Mr. Evil - Special Version Live 05:13 6. Power & Glory – Live 03:32.
Freedom Call - Unplugged & Masqueraded 7. Freedom Call – unplugged 05:39 8. The Quest – unplugged 08:25 9. Warriors – unplugged 04:30 10. Power & Glory – unplugged 03:41 11. Farewell- unplugged 04:51 12. Mr.Evil - Reggae - live 04:17 13. Rockin' Radio - Killerbilly -live 04:27.
Beyond was recorded by the current line-up featuring Chris Bay, Lars Rettkowitz (guitar), Ilker Ersin (bass) and Ramy Ali (drums) at the Separate Sound Studio in Nuremberg and Freedom Call's own studio. The album was produced by Chris Bay and Stephan Ernst.
WebLinks: www.freedom-call.net / www.spv.de.
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NEWS FROM MASS:
Press from Mass: "Hey, did you hear that Louis St. August, the longtime front-man for rockers MASS was invited into Tom Scholz of Boston studio to sing on the new single Heaven on Earth that hit #3 on the Classic Rock Charts last week. St. August, a long time front-man for the band Mass said, "I was thrilled to be asked to sing a song on Boston's first studio album in 11 years, Life Love & Hope" St. August contributes his signature polished metal voice on back-up harmonies on the Scholz penned and produced single.
WBCN radio personality Mark Parenteau, who conducted the very first on-the-air radio interview with St August listened to Heaven on Earth last night and commented exclusively to the Boston Globe Names column, "Wow instantly comfortable! Like a new visit from an old friend. Indeed the song lives up to it's name!!"
While the band Mass is gearing up for the recording studio and live shows in 2014, St. August is once again raising funds for Toys For Tots as he has annually since 2011. His heartfelt rendition of the David Foster classic, "Grown Up Christmas List" that appears on Mass "A Very Merry X-MASS" 2 song EP available exclusively on iTunes. All proceeds go to the "Toys For Tots" organization. "No child should go without a gift on Christmas Morning," said St. August.
Mass "Grown Up Christmas List " YouTube video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5LNOCeyfnM / "A Very Merry Christmas" iTune link: itunes.apple.com/us/album/a-very-merry-x-mass-single/id447840454.
PODCAST BRIEFS: Jon Oliva of Savatage / TSO fame will be a very special guest on this week's episode of Noize In The Attic (Where Your Past Comes Back To Haunt You) broadcasting this Friday 1-3PM EST on WNHU 88.7FM New Haven, CT (streaming live on www.wnhu.net) Jon talks candidly and in-depth about the past, present and future. A show not to be missed! Free podcasts are available on iTunes or by following the link at www.noizeintheattic.com where you can also find additional air-times and affiliates.
Decibel Geek Podcast Releases Episode 114 - 1978 Year In Review Part 1 - We're going back in time this week to an era of disco, bellbottoms, and great rock n' roll as we present the first installment of our 1978 Year in Review. Aaron and Chris had a lot of great music to choose from for this episode and you'll hear it along with all the pop culture discussion you've come to expect from these audio time capsules. January through July of 1978 was a busy time for hard rock and early metal acts and Aaron and Chris present plenty of song clips and discussion of artists such as Judas Priest, Rainbow, Kiss, AC/DC, Journey, Angel, Starz, Cheap Trick, and much, much more!
Direct Link to Episode: dbgeekshow.blogspot.ca/2013/12/episode-114-1978-year-in-review-part-1.html. To access the Decibel Geek Podcast visit www.decibelgeek.com.
Monday, December 09, 2013
MELODICROCKFEST 4 ANNOUNCEMENT WEEK:
Hi folks. Well, it's MelodicRockFest 4 announcement week.
Before I get to that later in the week I just wanted to thank everyone that supported MRF3 in any way - from a 3-day VIP to a single day general admission. It all contributed to making the event a success.
MelodicRockFest 4 is taking it one step further. It's bringing you the bands you want to see. But at the same time, it's a monster investment both financially and mentally and time wise also.
MRF4 will be the biggest project I've attempted yet and the most expensive. Everything is improved I think and there are extra VIP options too.
My hope is that everyone that was at this year's show will want to return and the positive word of mouth and buzz from this year's show - along with an even more impressive line-up - will encourage others to come along for the party. And it will be one hell of a party!
Bottom line - I need everyone's support on this to help spread the word, encourage attendance and most if all - buy those tickets when they go on sale in January!
LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT:
Friday 13th - starting 11am local Australian time! (Thursday 6pm Chicago / 7pm NYC / 4pm LA / Midnight Thursday UK time)...
1 band for each of the 3 days announced every 5 minutes until the headliners announced one by one at MelodicRock.com then right here on the MR Facebook page ready for you to share!
FM LATEST VIDEO FROM ROCKVILLE TODAY WAKE UP THE WORLD: FM released their latest video from Rockville today Wake Up The World. The video was filmed some months ago and features Nelson Mandela along with other notable figures. It was not planned for release till the beginning of next year but in light of yesterday's very sad news that Nelson Mandela has died...The video is here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7VNkRh9oU4 or below. FM state: "We shot this video for Wake Up The World several months ago and planned to release it in January 2014. Upon hearing the sad news we decided to post the video in tribute to the great man. Nelson Mandela RIP."
Speaking of which - RIP to Nelson Mandela, a truly inspiring human being.
AXEL RUDI PELL RELEASES SECOND SNIPPET FROM THE NEW ALBUM "INTO THE STORM": Axel Rudi Pell has released a second snippet from the new album Into The Storm - Burning Chains: soundcloud.com/steamhammer-spv/axel-rudi-pell-burning-chains
The new album "Into The Storm" will be released through SPV/Steamhammer in 2014 on January 17th in Germany, January 20 in Europe and on January 21 in the USA/Canada.
Configurations: limited edition digipak incl. 2 tracks + poster, double gatefold LP, standard version and download. Watch Out for the deluxe edition incl. 2 LPs, digipak edition, pick, metalpin, poster, postcard, sticker, flag and patch!
LEATHERWOLF LIVE UNLEASHED:
Southern California heavy metal Triple Axe Attack, Leatherwolf, have set a December 15 release date for their new album, Unchained Live.
Engineered by Michael "Kramarica" Kramer, mixed by producer extraordinaire, Roy Z (Judas Priest, Bruce Dickinson, Sepultura, Halford), and mastered by Tom Baker (Queensryche, Judas Priest, Sebastian Bach), the album contains several of the band's biggest classics culled from their highly acclaimed first three albums, including the MTV video singles "The Calling" and "Hideaway", as well as fan favorite "Dr. Wicked (Rx O.D.)" from their most recent studio release, "New World Asylum."
As an additional bonus, the band has re-cut their 1989 instrumental standout, "Black Knight", which originally appeared on the "Street Ready" record.
The "Unchained" packaging features striking artwork by noted conceptual designer Martin Deschaumbault ("Assassin's Creed") as well as Marc Sasso (Dio, Manowar, Rob Rock).
"Unchained" track listing: 01. Spiter 02. Kill and Kill Again 03. The Calling 04. Rise or Fall 05. Dr. Wicked (Rx O.D.) 06. Wicked Ways 07. Hideaway 08. Street Ready 09. Thunder 10. Black Knight (studio bonus).
"Unchained" is the first Leatherwolf album to feature the lead guitar duo of Rob Math and Greg Erba who are joined by original members, vocalist/guitarist Michael Olivieri and drummer Dean Roberts, and long-time bassist Patrick Guyton.
A free mp3 of "Rise or Fall" from "Unchained" can be downloaded from the official band website at: tinyurl.com/k3y5t6k.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH MICHAEL SWEET, ZP THEART AND RORY GALLAGHER SPECIAL: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week features exclusive interviews Stryper vocalist Michael Sweet, former Dragonforce vocalist ZP Theart (I Am I) and Donald Gallagher, brother of the late guitar hero Rory Gallagher, and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-stryper-and-zp-theart-interviews-and-rory-gallagher-special/
In the first hour of the show, Stryper frontman Michael Sweet discusses the writing and recording of the band's new album "No More Hell To Pay". Sweet also discussed the band's touring plans, and the upcoming 30th anniversary of the release of their first album "Soldiers Under Command", and selects two songs from "No More Hell To Pay".
Also in the first hour, former Dragonforce vocalist ZP Theart talks about the impact made in the last year by his new band I Am I. ZP talks about their touring and festival appearances, their imminent plans to record a new album, and their new single "See You Again".
In part 2 Donal Gallagher, brother and manager of the late guitar legend Rory Gallagher, discusses the final three reissues in the ongoing series of remastered editions of Rory's entire back catalogue, "Stagetruck", "Defender", and "Fresh Evidence", and chooses 2 tracks from each album.
Plus classic tracks and killer new cuts from Black Sabbath, Sinner, The Ramones, Mad Max, Spiralarms and The Ozark Mountain Daredevils. You can also listen on Sunday 8th December 15:00-17:00 GMT and Wednesday 11th December 22:00-00.00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com.
Friday, December 06, 2013
GATHER TO SUPPORT FERGIE FREDERIKSEN:
As many of you know, Fergie Frederiksen is embroiled in a day to day struggle with cancer...his friends, Alex Ligertwood, Jimi Jamison, Eric Ragno, Randall Hall, Fran Cosmo, Bobby Kimball, Tommy Denander and Kevin Chalfant wanted to perform for him and celebrate his life...Special Opening performance by GB Leighton. Tickets are now available...Click the Link below.
If you have appreciated Fergie's life and music, you are invited to join in what will be a moving, magical evening. Reserved seating and discounted advance tickets.
TicketLink: ticketriver.com/event/9148-friends-for-fergie-celebration.
JORDAN RUDESS RELEASES SOLO PIANO ALBUM "ALL THAT IS NOW": Jordan Rudess, best known as the keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire for platinum-selling Grammy-nominated prog rock band, Dream Theater, has released his latest solo piano recording, All That Is Now. The album contains 13 pieces, composed and performed by Jordan on his favorite instrument, a 9-foot Steinway concert grand piano. The album was created as part of a PledgeMusic crowdsourcing campaign in which almost 1,000 fans pledged between $10 to $5,000 in exchange for updates on his recording process and a battery of prizes ranging from private lessons to backstage passes. The PledgeMusic campaign also raised money for Rudess' upcoming orchestral album which will be released early in 2014.
Says Rudess, "This album is very close to my heart. For years, I searched until I found the instrument of my dreams that would be the perfect extension of my musical thought, playing literally every piano I could find all over the world. I found my concert grand seven years ago and, ever since, my deepest musical connection occurs when I play my Steinway. It is my lifetime goal to purely translate the music in my mind, to my hands and then onto the keyboard. This album captures the magic of that connection. The recording was done simply in the piano room of my house using just my Steinway D and Earthworks microphones. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did creating it."
In addition to his solo piano CD, All That Is Now, Rudess has also released a Wizdom Music interactive iOS app, "Jordan Rudess Explores," which enables an interactive aural and visual experience with the music from the CD. Jordan Rudess Explores was created by Jordan with developer Joe Zobkiw to explore the intersection between the traditional and electronic world we all live in.
In addition to playing in Dream Theater, Rudess, voted "Best Keyboardist of All Time" by Music Radar Magazine, is the President of a successful music App development company Wizdom Music (www.wizdommusic.com), creators of award-winning apps such as MorphWiz, SampleWiz, and Geo Synthesizer. Jordan has worked with a wide range of artists including LMR, his newest side project with Tony Levin and Marco Minneman, Liquid Tension Experiment, David Bowie, Steven Wilson, Aviv Geffen, the Dixie Dregs, Rod Morgenstein, Enrique Iglesias, Tony Williams, Jan Hammer and the Paul Winter Consort. Dream Theater's newest self-titled album was released this fall on Roadrunner Records. The band will begin a whirlwind 14-month world tour in January, 2014. Their full-length concert DVD, Live at Luna Park, released last month went immediately to #1 on the Music DVD charts.
ALL THAT IS NOW Track List 50:18 - 1. Flash of Hope 04:33 2. Pacific Waves 03:38 3. Spectral Haze 04:23 4. A Last Goodbye 03:43 5. State of Being 03:01 6. Flying into Blue 03:30 7. A Thousand Years 03:20 8. Uncovered 03:35 9. The Telling 04:37 10. Altitude High 04:06 11. The Untouchable Truth 04:35 12. Looking Beyond 02:57 13. Eye Wonder 04:18.
SABBATH ON DVD: Black Sabbath: Live…Gathered in Their Masses (Vertigo/Republic) is released November 26. The DVD was recorded April 29 and May 1, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia when Ozzy Osbourne (Vocals), Tony Iommi (Guitar) and Geezer Butler (Bass) kicked off their world tour in support of their 13 album, which entered the charts at #1 in 13 countries (including their first #1 in the U.S.).
BLU-RAY and DVD track listing is as follows: 1. War Pigs 2. Into The Void 3. Loner 4. Snowblind 5. Black Sabbath 6. Behind The Wall Of Sleep 7. N.I.B. 8. Methademic 9. Fairies Wear Boots 10. Symptom Of The Universe 11. Iron Man 12. End Of The Beginning 13. Children Of The Grave 14. God Is Dead? 15. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Intro)/Paranoid.
CD track listing is as follows: 1. War Pigs 2. Loner 3. Black Sabbath 4. Methademic 5. N.I.B 6. Iron Man 7. End Of The Beginning 8. Fairies Wear Boots 9. God Is Dead? 10. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Intro)/Paranoid.
CHANDLER MOGUL UPDATES:
Happy Holidays! Chandler's new band Khaøs who have released the EP "Rising" last year to critical acclaim have just finished putting the final touches on their debut album which is slated to be released early next year. In the meantime they are in the running to play Sweden Rock next summer! But they need your help to make it! Please click on the link below and scroll down the page to vote for Khaøs….and you can cast up to two votes per day from each computer or mobile device so please feel free to vote as much as you can! www.swedenrock.com/index.cfm?pg=82.
Additionally, Chandler has a special holiday surprise for you…..a new Christmas rock song/ video entitled "She Wants the D for Christmas"! Chandler provided the vocals for this catchy new novelty song, which has been described as Motley Crue meets Sesame Street, and was written and produced by Nitram Studios in conjunction with Room 368 Productions. A few laughs for the holiday season….and the "D" is not what you think…..so feel free to let your kids watch too! Click below to watch the video and enjoy! www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ8dqgpv0qM.
HICKS WINS EUROPEAN ACT OF THE YEAR AT THE LONDON BCMA'S:
Sunday November 24 saw Sweden's country star Hicks (aka Miqael Persson) rounding of the year of major events in London, England by winning the Best European Country Music Act with tough competition from the best in Ireland, Norway, France and Germany.
Collecting the Award at the sell-out Awards show in London was a great honour for him and for once he was nearly speechless, but he managed to thank many people who have helped with his journey. Hicks has been releasing singles to Europe, with all of them charting, building up his European profile. His current single and video 'Unreachable Dream' is Top 10 and the video being shown on various TV channels.
There were many British Awards and International winners who included Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill, Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and for services to promote Country Music World-Wide was won by Scott Borchetta head of Big Machine Records. All the winners www.bcmawards.co.uk.
Already this June he has represented Sweden at the Global Show in Nashville as part of CMA Fest, performed at many venues around the town, radio and TV appearances and his song 'Cuts Like A Diamond' was picked up by The Little River Band' as their lead track and name of their album. Hicks has also topped the bill on various festivals throughout the summer A very good year.
WebLink: www.hickscountry.com / www.facebook.com/hickscountry.
MRX UPDATE: MRX has been updated with a great blast from the past live show - Jackson Browne - Essen Rockpalast 1986 and brand new Video Clips from: Place Vendome - Talk to Me, Jimmy Martin - Love Don't Live Here Anymore, I Am I - See You Again, Romeo's Daughter - Alive, Shakra - Save You From Yourself.
Join MRX Now.
Thursday, December 05, 2013
LET IT RAWK, AN ALL-STAR TRIBUTE TO THE SUNSET STRIP GLORY DAYS:
The Vegas strip had nothing on the Sunset Strip when it came to rock n roll, and a new multi-media show is bringing that experience to the stage in a special sneak preview. Let It Rawk will debut in the Chrome Showroom at Santa Fe Station and Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, January 18 at 9pm PST. Let It Rawk is a loud, colorful, energetic and interactive experience of the hair metal era on LAs Sunset Strip. The showroom and stage will be infused with the sights and energy of a legendary rock club. Performed by guys who were there, shaping the scene, the shows playlist includes the greatest hits from the 80s and early 90s. From Warrant to Motley Crue the best anthems will be performed in all the glory of the day. And hits from the Let It Rawk bands careers are highlights.
The Let It Rawk band is the real deal. Its fronted by Black N Blue and ex-Warrant vocalist Jaime St. James. Guitarist Oz Fox is in the platinum-selling Christian glam rock band, Stryper. Dokken's Sean McNabb has played bass for other Kings of The Sunset Strip including Great White and Quiet Riot. Drummer Brent Fitz from Slash And The Conspirators will be slamming the skins. Brent has also played for Vince Neil and Alice Cooper. The band will also feature floating members, such as Eddie Ojeda from Twisted Sister and Bullet Boys original drummer Jimmy DAnda. The anchor of the band is Let It Rawk's creator and producer, Stacey Blades.
Stacey's ten years with L.A. Guns cemented him as a must-watch guitar player, and his final record with the band, Hollywood Forever, earned him critical acclaim for his exceptional fretwork. He left the band last year to pursue his other projects, including Let It Rawk. "I have been diligently working on this project since last March, and am super stoked to be sharing the stage with such awesome guys and talented musicians. The show will be playing a few times a month here in Vegas and then be doing casino shows nationally, Let It Rawk! See you out there!" Let It Rawk debuts in the Chrome Showroom at Santa Fe Station and Casino, 4949 North Rancho Drive, Las Vegas, on Saturday, January 18 at 9pm PST. General admission tickets are $21. VIP meet-and-greet upgrades will be available soon. Tickets are available at: www.ticketmaster.com/event/17004B798ED17265.
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NEW VIVIAN CAMPBELL AND DEF LEPPARD MATERIAL COMING: Vivian Campbell has updated fans via his Facebook: "A few peeps have asked questions about my upcoming recordings, so here are some of the facts: I'm making a rock record (lots of guitar). I intend to sing, however, I may ask a real singer to help out if I fail miserably at the demo stages. I'm also writing for Def Leppard (we all are) as Leppard will be recording new music in February. So, all in all it's a busy time creatively."
WORLDVIEW SIGNS WITH ULTERIUM RECORDS: Ulterium Records are proud to announce the signing of the US melodic metal band Worldview to the label. Their debut album "The Chosen Few" will be released during spring 2014. More details will be announced during the coming months.
Formed in Los Angeles and comprised of ex-members from bands like Deliverance, Recon, Sacred Warrior and Vengeance, Worldview members are: Rey Parra – Lead Vocals; George Rene Ochoa – Guitars, BGV, Keyboards; Johnny Gonzales – Drums; Todd Libby – Bass guitar, Keyboards; Ray Vidal – Guitars, BGV.
The band--mates had always talked about at some point joining forces as they criss-crossed the country on tour with their earlier bands and finally the time has come and Worldview is ready to bring their unique blend of top-notch modern melodic metal with a message to the masses. Mildly technical, highly melodic, vocally harmonized, engaging, head pounding and fist pumping.
For more information: www.facebook.com/worldviewmetal / www.ulterium-records.com.
ROGER WATERS PLANS SOLO ROCK RECORD:
News Release: "In an interview with Rolling Stone, Roger Waters revealed he's recording a new album, not long after wrapping up his The Wall tour last September, telling the magazine he had "finished a demo of it," and that the current version is "55 minutes long." Already, the work is sounding like a concept album of sorts. According to Waters, the unfinished product is "couched as a radio play," about "an old man and a young child trying to figure out why they're killing the children."
The former Pink Floyd bassist/singer last released a new album in 2005, with the opera Ça Ira. The upcoming album would be his fifth solo release and fourth in the rock genre. Amused to Death, his last rock release, came out in September 1992, peaking at No. 21 on the Billboard 200. Waters is scheduled to give the keynote address at the Billboard Touring Conference, happening Nov. 13-14 in New York."
ANDROMEDA: VINYL EDITIONS FOR "II = I" AND "CHIMERA" ANNOUNCED: Inner Wound Recordings will release limited 12" double gatefold vinyl editions of the classic Andromeda albums "II = I" and "Chimera". The release date is set to December 20. Both albums are remastered and contain album commentary by Johan Reinholdz and Martin Hedin.
The vinyl editions can be pre-ordered at the Inner Wound Store: www.innerwound.bigcartel.com.
"II = I" track listing: A: Encyclopedia 07:35 Mirages 05:42 Reaching Deep Within 04:50 B: Two Is One 10:09 Morphing Into Nothing 07:34 Castaway 06:16 C: Parasite 06:54 One In My Head 08:02 This Fragile Surface 08:04 D: Bonus: Album commentary by Johan & Martin 22:54.
"Chimera" track listing: A: Periscope 06:11 In the End 04:58 The Hidden Riddle 05:51 B: Going Under 06:27 The Cage of Me 07:08 No Guidelines 06:23 C: Inner Circle 07:03 Iskenderun 05:30 Blink of an Eye 09:29 D: Bonus: Album commentary by Johan & Martin 24:59.
For more information on Andromeda: www.andromedaonline.com / www.facebook.com/andromedaband.
ROBERT PLANT DOCUMENTS SOLO CAREER WITH NINE LIVES SET INTHESTUDIO:
Dallas, TX December 4, 2013. - Quite coincidentally, no less than three of Robert Plant's solo albums are marking significant anniversaries, so no better time than now to examine all three as North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands invites Plant to look at his extensive post-Zeppelin solo career.
Robert's second solo album, 1983's The Principle of Moments, provided proof of a viable and sustainable solo career with angular extended songs In the Mood and the cryptic Big Log, both of which became rock radio staples in the States, followed by Little by Little from Shaken and Stirred in 1985.
Not until 1988's Now and Zen, however, did Plant shed the self-conscious shadow of Led Zeppelin by exorcising his ghosts with the song Tall Cool One, brilliantly sampling the thunder of the gods iconic licks and employing Zeppelin mastermind Jimmy Page on guitar. Robert shares with InTheStudio host Redbeard the mindset behind Tall Cool One: "Necessity really is the mother of invention. I really wanted to do something real bright, breezy and cheerful, and Tall Cool One was really Real Wild Child by Iggy Pop mixed with a bit of Billy Idol mixed with Rock And Roll by Led Zeppelin… with a sense of humor."
Robert Plant Nine Lives/ InTheStudio interview program is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/robert-plant-nine-lives.
MELODIC BRIEFS:
A new in-depth, career-spanning interview with Tony Gaynor, the original and long-time narrator of Trans-Siberian Orchestra is online now. Among the topics discussed was his acting background, his introduction into TSO for their television special, founding the narrator role and his rapport and camaraderie with the other performers on stage, the evolution of TSO and how he worked with TSO producers Taro Meyer and Paul ONeill. He talks extensively about his recording, filming, and touring with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and the details of his ultimate dismissal from the group. And finally, the interview also digs into his new group, The Kings of Christmas and their current winter tour with The Wizards of Winter.
Direct link to the interview: musicandartinterviews.blogspot.com/2013/12/tony-gaynor.html.
Focus On Metal just posted a new episode featuring interviews with Veronica Freeman and Pete Wells from Benedictum discussing their new album Obey: www.focusonmetal.net and www.castironring.com.
Bloody Heels are "glam/pop-metal band" from Northern Europe "fueled with the rock n' roll from the 80s... Playing loud, giving a great show and having a good time!" The band's first videoclip, for the song Hungry For Your Love is now on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuz7sadeziw.
Wednesday, December 04, 2013
BERGGREN KERSLAKE BAND (BKB) – THE SUN HAS GONE HAZY COMING IN JANUARY:
Label: AOR Heaven, release: January 24 / Swedish singer, guitarist & keyboard player Stefan Berggren (M3-Classic Whitesnake, The Company of Snakes, Razorback, Snakes In Paradise & Revolution Road) met legendary UK drummer Lee Kerslake (Ozzy, Uriah Heep) for the first time 2005 in Friedrichshafen in Southern Germany when Berggren performed with M3 and Kerslake with Uriah Heep. A couple of years later they ended up in Zürich (Switzerland) and did some more shows. This time together in the same band, but not under the flag BKB yet. In 2011 Kerslake phoned Berggren up and asked if he could do to do an acoustic show with him in Helsinki (Finland). Both musicians at the time were looking for a new challenge and Berggren Kerslake Band was born. Tomas Thorberg, a Snakes In Paradise/Michael Schenker/John Norum gunslinger, was asked to take over the bass guitar. Berggren also brought in another long-time friend called Joakim Svalberg (Opeth,Yngwie Malmsteen) as guest who played some fantastic organ & Moog solos.
Drums, bass, some guitars and rough vocals were recorded live at Boo studio. The rest of the recordings took place at Berggren's studios Stockholm. Lennart Östlund (ABBA, Led Zeppelin) handled the final mixes and mastering of the album at the PolarStudio except the song "Walk Tall" which was mixed by Berggren and mastered by Pete Lyman (Rival Sons).
Tracklist: 1. Walk Tall 2. Super Sonic Dream 3. My My 4. The Sun Has Gone Hazy 5. Free 6. Fools Asleep 7. As Time Goes By 8. Rock´n´Roll Gangsta 9. Back On The Road Again 10. Born Again.
VIXEN NAME RETURNS - OFFICIALLY: JSRG are now back to officially being called Vixen. From: www.facebook.com/Vixen.
The Vixen Legacy Lives On in 2014... To Honor Its Founder and Guitarist Jan Kuehnemund. Miami, FL (Dec 3, 2013) - Singer Janet Gardner, drummer Roxy Petrucci and bassist Share Ross (Pedersen) announce they are honoring their friend and band mate, guitarist and founder of Vixen, Jan Kuehnemund by performing as Vixen in 2014. The band was committed to reunite in 2012 but Kuehnemund's cancer diagnosis caused what was thought of at the time as a delay. Sadly however after a fierce battle Kuehnemund succumbed to her illness in October 2013, thus the reunion was not meant to be.
After discussing the idea with friends and family as well as lead vocalist from most recent lineup, Jenna Sanz-Agero, it was agreed that it was the right decision for the three surviving definitive members to carry on as Vixen. Singer Janet Gardner commented, "We've been hearing the fans ask for this and while it will never be the same without Jan, we believe in our hearts it's what she would have wanted." Hits like "Edge of a Broken Heart", "Cryin'", "How Much Love" and "Love Is A Killer" helped establish the group as one of premiere rock acts of their genre and the only all-female platinum selling 80's rock act ever.
Joining forces with their JSRG bandmate, guitarist Gina Stile, Vixen will be performing at select festivals and showcase dates in 2014. We are honored and proud to announce that the first official Vixen performances will take place on the Monsters of Rock Cruise departing from Miami, FL on March 29.
WebLink: www.VixenOfficial.com / www.Facebook.com/Vixen.
RICHIE SAMBORA IN THE STUDIO WITH HEAVEN & EARTH:
A rare behind the scenes look into the recording of the Heaven & Earth song "Man & Machine" with Richie Sambora and his infamous Talk Box for the album Dig. www.heavenandearthband.com.
ROBIN BECK + HOUSE OF LORDS MARCH UK TOUR: Robin Beck + House of Lords March UK Tour dates:
Thu March 20 - London Garage.
Fri or Sat March - HRH AOR.
Sun March 23 - York Fibbers.
Mon March 24 - Bilston Robin 2.
Wed March 26 - Bristol Bierkeller.
GARY SCHUTT TACKLES BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY:
News from Gary Schutt: "Why take on the greatest rock composition of all time? "I've loved the song my whole life and over the years have learned various parts of it, the guitar part when I was young, the piano part I picked out by ear sometime in the late 1990's, but I knew the biggest challenge was going to be all the vocal harmonies in the middle opera breakdown." "My cover band Category Three has been experimenting with re-makes of 80's pop tunes and when I decided to modernize, or punk-ify/double time Bohemian Rhapsody, I was curious if people would hate me for it. I searched it on YouTube and found a ton of covers of it note for note, some great some not so much, even another one-man-band guy like myself, but no one had double timed it. So I recorded it over the period of about three days. Then my cover band started playing it out live on the weekends and to my happiness people really dug what we did to this old classic! I was very relieved that they didn't throw their beers at us in disgust. The response was quite the opposite, thankfully! I want to share it with the world and hope more people dig it too."
WebLink: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RhkIQ476bM.
RAY GILLEN TRIBUTE:
Today marks the 20th anniversary of Ray Gillen's death. RIP Ray! The official video for the song "Stop!" from the Swedish rock band Egonaut and singer Apollo Papathanasio (Spiritual Beggars, ex-Firewind, ex-Evil Masquerade) can be seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0GJgQdIErg.
The video is a tribute to Ray Gillen, who died on December 3 1993 of AIDS-related complications (20 years ago today) and was originally made by Phenomena on their second album "Dream Runner" 1987.
Egonaut released their second studio album "Mount Egonaut", on February 27 via Transubstans Records. The follow-up to 2011's debut album "Electric" was engineered and produced by Egonaut & Tobias Walka, mixed by Tobias Walka & Egonaut and Mastered by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Paradise Lost, Katatonia, Soilwork, Dark Tranquillity) at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden. .
DRUMMER GLEN SOBEL TALKS:
December 3, 2013 - Marko Syrjala of Metal-Rules.com recently conducted an interview with Alice Cooper sticksman Glen Sobel (Impellitteri, Orianthi, Beautiful Creatures, Paul Gilbert). In the interview, Sobel discusses how he came to tour and record with the legendary shock rocker, working with producer Bob Ezrin (Kiss, Pink Floyd, Jane's Addiction), and the many other records and bands he has been a part of over the years. The Q&A is posted at this location: www.metal-rules.com/metalnews/2013/11/24/glen-sobel/
Sobel finished drum tracks for the forthcoming Alice Cooper covers record in August. Due out in 2014, the collection of classic tunes will feature a variety of special guests. Alice Cooper and band have just wrapped up the 2013 "Raise The Dead" tour with several dates on the West Coast, with the final show taking place at Pearl at the Palms in Las Vegas on November 27. Afterwards, Sobel, along with Cooper band mates Ryan Roxie, Chuck Garric, and Tommy Henriksen, joined local all-stars Sin City Sinners at The Lounge at the Palms to perform several songs, including "20th Century Boy" by T-Rex and "Sedated" by The Ramones, among others. Video of the jam can be seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQkLhFdnGcs
Alice Cooper will resume touring next year with several worldwide dates yet to be announced. Cooper is set to headline Sweden Rock Festival on June 5, 2014.
Sobel will join L.A. guitarist Jeff Kollman (Bombastic Meatbats, Cosmosquad, Glenn Hughes) and his band this Thursday, December 5 at the Baked Potato in Studio City, CA.
Glen Sobel online: www.glensobel.com.
ROCK TO THE RESCUE EXTENDS A HAND TO THOSE IN NEED:
Los Angeles, CA & Bloomington, IL (December 3, 2013) – Styx and REO Speedwagon are proud to announce the complete sell out of tickets to Rock To The Rescue Extends A Hand To Those In Need. On Wed., Dec. 4, this benefit concert at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, Illinois will raise funds for central Illinois communities that were affected by the recent devastating tornadoes and winds. Scheduled to perform at Rock To The Rescue Extends A Hand To Those In Need are REO Speedwagon, Styx, Richard Marx, Ted Nugent, Larry The Cable Guy, Survivor, Head East and Brushville.
Although tickets are no longer available to attend this concert, artists and organizers urge the public to bid on exciting rock & roll auction items, such as signed instruments, memorabilia and experiences at ebay.com/usr/rocktotherescue, as well as to directly donate to Rock To The Rescue at rocktotherescue.net. Rock To The Rescue will distribute funds raised from ticket sales, auctions and donations to the Midwest Food Bank, Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity, Tazwood Community Services, Toys for Tots and the Washington Rotary Club. Additional charities may be announced following the event.
Rock to the Rescue is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to build strong, healthy communities through the support of grassroots organizations across the country. The Midwest Food Bank gathers large food donations from nationwide corporations and distributes them to social service organizations, as well as at national disaster sites. The Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity is a Community Action Agency and leadership organization that promotes self-sufficiency and economic security. Tazwood Community Services was organized for the purpose of reducing the causes and alleviating the effects of poverty in Tazwood and Woodford Counties. The U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to the less fortunate – a Toys for Tots toy drive will be held onsite at Rock To The Rescue. The Washington Rotary Club is a service organization located in Washington, IL and an affiliate of Rotary International.
Rock To The Rescue originally started in 2001 as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and is the brainchild of Styx's Tommy Shaw and REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin. The two musicians brought together bands and artists such as Bad Company, Journey, Survivor, Kansas, Lynyrd Skynyrd and many others to be part of "Volunteers For America" concert events in Dallas and Atlanta that ultimately raised over $775,000 for victims of 9/11, as well as the Port Authority police department in New York City. On the bands' last tour together, the Midwest Rock N' Roll Express, Rock To The Rescue not only raised thousands of dollars for local charities at each tour stop, but also raised $108,000 which went directly to the Boston One Fund, helping victims of the Boston Marathon bombings. Hannah Shaw, daughter of Tommy Shaw, is Executive Director of Rock To The Rescue. For more information visit: rocktotherescue.net and facebook.com/rocktotherescue.
CORNERSTONE CHARITY SINGLE UPDATE:
The already announced Cornerstone charity-single is now officially released. Since 11/11, you can download "Smalltown Boy" at I-Tunes, 7Digital, Rhapsody and other download-portals on the internet, but also as physical Single at amazon.com. $0.99 for the song will be used for the research and treatment of an immunodeficiency illness called mucoviscidosis ('cystic fibrosis'). Actually, Cornerstone supports the construction of a new unit for the Nottingham City Hospital- no coincidence, because the band has been touring the UK for a couple of times, to play at festivals, club-shows and radio-shows and therefore the single is presented by a lot of radio-stations at the moment for example BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 ... So: Participate download help!
WebLinks: itunes.apple.com/us/album/smalltown-boy-single/id770495524 / www.cornerstone.co.at/content.php?id=1.
CLASSIC ROCKERS FOGHAT TO UNLEASH NEW DVD, 'LIVE IN ST. PETE ON DECEMBER 10:
Fans will soon be able to experience the high energy of a Foghat concert from the comfort of their living room, with the DVD release of their performance at Jannus Landing, Live In St. Pete. While most classic rock bands have made it due to monster selling studio albums, Foghat has always been an exception to that rule with their 1977 Foghat Live album being their biggest seller! (Double Platinum). And this holds true to this day as Foghat still tours relentlessly with their thunderous blend of blues, boogie and rock n roll. They hit the stage with all cylinders firing and still remain one of the best live bands today with not only as much energy but with 40+ years of additional experience.
One concert review stated: "There is so much talent in this band it is ridiculous."
The man who we have to thank for keeping Foghat going and never stopping is founding member Roger Earl who treats the fans to a wicked drum solo. Incredible bassist Craig Macgregor has been a Foghat member since 1975 and played on some of their most successful albums in the 70s including Foghat Live, Night Shift, and Stone Blue. Lead/slide guitarist Bryan Bassett an alumni of both Wild Cherry and Molly Hatchet, while vocalist/guit arist Charlie Huhn played with Ted Nugent, Gary Moore and Humble Pie. All of Foghat's classics are included in this DVD - "Fool for the City," "I Just Want to Make Love to You," "Stone Blue," Drivin Wheel, My Babe, and of course, "Slow Ride, among many others.
A stellar review of this show states: We were in the front row which proved to be a dangerous situation as we were directly in Bassetts shred zone and our faces were completely melted off. He played a cherrywood Gibson SG and was a Jedi Slide Master. Overall, the concert was exactly what you would expect from Foghat. Lengthy guitar solos, mostly the hit songs that they are known for, playing to the crowd and a 15 minute Slow Ride encore!
Perhaps the editor of the popular Classic Rock Revisited website, Jeb Wright, sums it up best in the DVD's liner notes - "Brilliant Simplicity is the term I use to describe the music of Foghat. As a band, they do not try to dazzle you with their virtuosity, or baffle you with their bullshit. Instead, as this DVD proves, they simply rock you to your core and put a smile on your face. "
Live In St. Pete Tracklisting: 1. Road Fever 2. Take Me To The River 3. My Babe 4. Drivin' Wheel 5. Stone Blue 6. Rollin' and Tumblin' / You Need Love 7. Terraplane Blues 8. Fool For The City 9. I Just Want To Make Love To You 10. Slow Ride.
For more information, visit: www.foghat.net / www.facebook.com/foghat.
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
PRIMAL FEAR'S NEW SINGLE / VIDEO WHEN DEATH COMES KNOCKING: Primal Fear is premiering their anticipated new videoclip When Death Comes Knocking today via this YouTube link: youtu.be/qv3WvK6Amg4.
When Death Comes Knocking is the first single taken from Primal Fear's forthcoming album Delivering The Black which will be released on January 24 in Europe and January 28 in North America in regular cd configuration and deluxe edition in Digipak, including 3 audio bonus tracks and a bonus DVD featuring a 20 mins "making of the album" documentary and 2 bonus video for When Death Comes Knocking and King for a Day.
The album will also be available in limited vinyl edition and a super-deluxe edition strictly limited to 666 copies including an eagle sculpture (15x16x14.5cm) made of synthetic resin and of course the CD/DVD edition in cooperation with Soulfood Music.
With nine studio albums released, two live products and a Best-Of, Primal Fear are certainly one of nowadays most beloved and respected worldwide Heavy Metal bands. Their last studio album Unbreakable became their highest chart entry in Germany on Pos. 31 and charted in 7 more countries. The forthcoming new album combines the strongest Primal Fear moments ever, with a well-balanced typical Primal Fear trademark riff-vibe crushing songs and some very ambitious musical journeys. Singer Ralf Scheepers says: "We worked hard to create our best album ever. I already felt the vibe during the pre-production, that we were working on something very special this time! And now the result is just an amazing Metal album, I'm extremely proud of!"
Producer/bassist Mat Sinner adds: "The songs, the production, the sound... this album is a very special one for me and my career. In my view everybody in the band just did a killer job and Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Pretty Maids, Amaranthe) was fantastic choice to mix the album!"
Buy Primal Fear "When Death Comes Knocking" single on: Amazon: www.smarturl.it/primalfeaerwhendeath / iTunes: www.smarturl.it/pfwhendeathitunes.
Order now the forthcoming album on Amazon: www.smarturl.it/pfdelivering.
WebLinks: www.primalfear.de / www.facebook.com/PrimalFearOfficial.
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NEW VAN HALEN...EVENTUALLY:
News Article: "Van Halen's next album is underway – but won't see the light of day for at least 18 months, says frontman David Lee Roth. And he insists there's a good reason the follow-up to 2012 comeback release A Different Kind Of Truth will take so long.
Roth tells Ozzy's Boneyard (via Hennemusic): "I was up at Edward's house three days ago, and we're starting to put music together. We're writing; I write lyrics routinely and the band plays together routinely, at least three times a week up at Ed's place."
The long run-in time isn't caused by the music itself, says the singer, but by the fact the band remain so hands-on about every aspect of their output. "We really do generate all the artwork," he explains. "We don't hire out and have somebody design a bunch of album covers for us and then choose. We start from scratch ourselves. Same thing with the merchandise: if you buy a t-shirt that was designed, literally, in my living room. Stage design, lighting rig, putting the show together – it takes about a year and a half. Any idea you have is 85 phone calls. Anybody can go, 'I got an idea: it's a stage shaped like a square on top of a circle.' My question never was, 'Were you able to dream up a stage design?' My question is, 'Are you prepared to do the 87 phone calls that are about to follow to make sure it came out the way we decided?' Then there's another 80 phone calls because we have to figure out how to take the fucking thing apart and put it in the trucks. And, and, and…So if you really want to generate the ideas from scratch and bring them all the way to the finish, you're gonna have to learn a few other languages, and you're gonna have to speak those over a lot of extra phone calls. And that's usually the break point for most artists."
WebLink: www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/van-halen-album-at-least-18-months-away.
Positive news there...but don't hold your breath folks!
THE BABYS ROCK CALIFORNIA:
From Gerry G - MelodicRock.com Los Angeles correspondent:
San Diego, Calif., USA -- In America, among the biggest stories in music is the reformation of legendary classic-rock band The Babys, who tore the roof off the place on Saturday, Nov. 30 with a terrific concert performance at the Ramona Mainstage before a near-capacity crowd thirsty for all the old hits. Originals Wally Stocker (guitar) and Tony Brock (drums) are in place, and even after all these years the Brits still play the hell out of their instruments. Stocker was at his best on "Midnight Rendez-Vous" and "Back on My Feet Again," and Brock was bashing away for all his worth on "Isn't It Time" and "Head First."
The band has played a handful of shows since reforming during the summer, and singer John Bisaha gets more confident with every show. The Californian has a big job filling in for John Waite, and Bisaha proved in fine form. He doesn't sound exactly like Waite, but it's close enough, and he plays bass just like the records.
Bisaha is also a charismatic band leader with a good feel for the material. There is a new song called "Not Ready To Say Goodbye" -- it's available on iTunes – and Bisaha really stepped up his game on this one; the song stands tall with the Babys' biggest hits, sounding very much like a combination of "Isn't it Time," "Everytime I Think of You" and "Back on My Feet Again."
Guitarist Joey Sykes gives The Babys a second guitarist – something they did not have back in the day – and there is also a keyboardist and two sexy backup singers who add a lot both sonically and visually. This was a band that could have used a big break in the 1970s to keep pace with Styx, Journey and Cheap Trick – all of whom were touring partners – and it's heartwarming to see The Babys give it one more shot.
The band has more dates scheduled in Seattle, Portland and a few other cities, and it's more than worth it to check it out. Check the group's website at thebabysofficial.com.
xx
LITA FORD REUNITES WITH CHERIE CURRIE FOR CHRISTMAS DUET:
Available as Digital Single Tomorrow December 3 on Steamhammer/SPV
Two of the most influential women in Rock and Roll have reunited for a special holiday song. Lita Ford has partnered up with her former Runaways band mate Cherie Currie for what is sure to be a new Christmas Classic. The song "Rock This Christmas Down" is the first time Lita and Cherie have recorded new music together since 1977. USA Today is hosting an exclusive premiere of "Rock This Christmas Down" as well as an interview with the LITA and Cherie here: www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/12/02/runaways-lita-ford-cherie-currie-rock-this-christmas-down/3799107/
The digital single is available for pre-order and will be released worldwide tomorrow December 3. Tired of the same old Christmas songs Lita was ready for something new: "I thought the world could use a new Christmas song. The song was Written by Mitch Perry, my guitarist and Michael Dan Ehmig, my lyricist, along with Marty O'Brien on bass, and Rodger Carter on drums. We so rocked it! What I didn't know is that I'd be singing it as a duet with my long lost sister, Cherie Currie. I am blessed to have her back in my life, and what an appropriate time and song to rehash an old friendship. Christmas!!! Cherie hopped a plane from Chicago to L.A., and drove straight to the studio and threw down her vocal track on this rocking song! Needless to say, it was magic and history in the making. We were left with such a smoking track for everyone to hear, every Christmas, every year! Let's Rock This Christmas Down!!!"
Cherie was equally as excited to reunite and work with Lita again: "I have dreamed, literally, of seeing Lita again for over three decades. Even after all that time I still thought of her often. The Runaways was something that was always left unfinished to me. Especially when it came to Lita, but I only knew her as a child. What floored me more then the unbelievable gift of working with her again was the woman she had become. She is the bravest, kindest, strongest, most loving human being I have met. Lita asking me to be a part of this amazing song and a part of her astonishing life has filled that void, that hole I had in my heart that maybe we both shared. It is now filled with love, support and admiration for a dear and wonderful friend whom I am so proud to say is Lita Ford. "Rock This Christmas Down" has the flare of our Runaways legacy but its pure Lita. It rocks like only she can. We took a dim, negative and unfinished past and turned it into a positive future. It doesn't get any better then that. I know this will be the best Christmas I have had in decades. Thank you sister!"
What does "Rock This Christmas Down" signify? Possibly more collaborations between the former Runaway members in the future…only time will tell.
WebLinks: litafordonline.com / www.facebook.com/litaofficial / www.cheriecurrie.com / www.spv.de.
"DANCING WITH THE MOONLIGHT" - SCORPIONS MTV UNPLUGGED PREVIEW:
To coincide with the Scorpions new MTV Unplugged release today on Dec 2nd, Vimeo has premiered "Dancing With The Moonlight" from the performance. MTV Unplugged recorded live in Athens and featuring 24 songs is released on 2CD, DVD & Blu-ray on SonyMusic.
On 11th and 12th September 2013 and as part of their massive 38 date Farewell World Tour, Klaus Meine (vocals, guitars), Rudolf Schenker (guitars, vocals), Matthias Jabs (guitars), Pawel Maciwoda (bass) and James Kottak (drums) played two fantastic acoustic sets in the Lycabettus Theatre, Athens and made history in the process; it is the first ever open-air show in the history of MTV Unplugged.
Throughout its two-and-a-half hours, the show features an impressive range of brand new songs and classic tracks. As vocalist Klaus Meine recalls; "We played here many years ago. It is a beautiful place. I can remember that even back then the fans climbed onto the surrounding rocks. Of course we played some of the greatest classics this time, but we also performed a few new songs as well as material that we had never played live up to then. Those are songs which are very popular with the fans but which somehow never made it onto the set lists."
The Scorpions evidently enjoyed this musical rollercoaster ride through their own history. It is equally obvious that both rock songs and power ballads display their class and style even when rendered as acoustic versions. The melodies maintain their timeless compositional appeal and the quality of the performance showcases the band at their very best.
The show opens with 'Sting In The Tail', arranged in a Cajun style. This song, taken from the eponymous album of 2010, bears witness to how deeply the Scorpions are rooted in rock'n'roll and blues. The same applies to the set of classics that follow, such as 'Pictured Life', 'Speedy's Coming' or the hymnal 'Born To Touch Your Feelings' There are even more nuggets from the sheer endless stock of hits such as 'Rock You Like A Hurricane' 'Still Loving You' 'Big City Nights', 'No One Like You' 'When The Smoke Is Going Down' and 'Wind Of Change' as well as a few welcome surprises to dazzle the connoisseur. 'When You Came Into My Life', where Rudolf Schenker plays a sitar, is one of those tracks which the Scorpions had never before played live, as are 'Where The River Flows' and 'Passion Rules The Game'. They also perform 'Love Is The Answer' a ballad for which Rudolf Schenker took over as lead vocalist a feat that does not happen very often. And immediately after this, Klaus Meine surprises us with the world premiere of 'Follow Your Heart' in this exceptional set of two dozen songs.
'MTV Unplugged' by the Scorpions is released on 2ND December 2013, available as double CD, DVD, Blu-ray and in various other digital and physical configurations.
WebLinks: www.the-scorpions.com / www.facebook.com/Scorpions.
A NOTE FROM TEN: Ten and Gary Hughes are once again proud to announce their inclusion in the acclaimed Japanese publication "The Melodious Hard Rock Disc Guide". This publication is widely recognised as 'the Bible of Melodic Rock'.
The new 2013-2014 edition sees Ten's album 'Name of the Rose' win the top album spot (on page 2 of the publication) as the most recommended album of the Melodic hard rock genre. Gary Hughes manages to also claim a number of other credits. Including an entry in the USA section for his production on the acclaimed HUGO album. In a very 'Ten influenced' UK section not only was Gary awarded for his self-titled 'Gary Hughes' album but also for the Bob Catley album 'The Tower' which he penned and subsequently produced.
The esteemed writer Masao Fujiki (Burrn! Magazine) also contributed in the book, where on pages 115-116 he goes on to explain how Ten changed the game in this genre during the mid-90s.
The book was compiled by one of Japan's 'Elite music journalists' Mr Toshio Kuroda. Mr Kuroda also runs the biggest melodic rock website Melodic Frontier. Ten and Gary Hughes thank all those involved in this prestigious publication. They are humbled by so many inclusions and graciously accept any and all accolades on behalf of their legion of loyal and dedicated fans.
JETHRO TULL ON 'IN THE STUDIO':
(Dallas, TX)- InTheStudio.NET, the web home for North American syndicated rock radio show InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands celebrates Jethro Tull and the recently released 1970 Jethro Tull album Benefit which is the under-appreciated missing link between the eclectic folksy Stand Up and the breakthrough million sellers Aqualung and Thick as a Brick. Jethro Tull's frontman Ian Anderson helps us with the back story as we feature highlights from Benefit, as well as Living in the Past, War Child, Minstrel in the Gallery, Songs From the Wood, and the delightful 2002 CD/DVD Living With the Past. Ian Anderson shares with InTheStudio host Redbeard his personal reflections on the durability of rock music for the ages. "Like a lot of people back then, I just assumed this was just a kind of short lived phenomena and Rock music would evolve into something completely different, but I now believe that's not the case. I think we actually have absolute values in this genre that are not going to fundamentally change."
On a final note, Jethro Tull are still one of the glaring omissions to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Stream the Jethro Tull Living with the Past program this month as part of InTheStudio's Medium Rare "online-only" rockumentary series: www.inthestudio.net/online-only-interviews/jethro-tull-living-past-ian-anderson/"
Monday, December 02, 2013
NEW FROM ROCK CANDY:
The following six new Rock Candy titles are available from Monday 2nd December from www.rockcandyrecords.com for a discounted price including postage to anywhere in the world for the next two weeks ending on December 16.
REO Speedwagon 'Good Trouble' CANDY208 / What do you give the band that has achieved their dreams and more? Answer: More time in the studio. REO's thirteen year overnight success had propelled the band to the moon and beyond. 'Hi Infidelity', their previous album, achieved platinum status ten times over, hogging the #1 spot on the US album charts for an incredible fifteen weeks, whilst the hit single 'Keep On Lovin' You' became a mainstay of American radio play. From their hometown of Champaign, Illinois to drinking Champagne from crystal glasses, the band suddenly became the most talked about act in the country. Following up 'Hi Infidelity' was never going to be easy, a fact not helped by pressure from their label to deliver another album with super human speed. Internally all was not wine and roses either, front man and prominent songwriter Kevin Cronin was dealing with a bout of writers block and a growing feeling of uncertainty about the band's new found pop star notoriety. Fortunately help was on hand from the rest of the band, including guitarist Gary Richrath and bassist Bruce Hall, stepping up to the plate and providing enough material to put the project back on the straight and narrow. Issued in 1982, 'Good Trouble' is yet another fine slice of American Midwest hard rock. 'Keep The Fire Burnin', 'I'll Follow You', 'Stillness Of The Night' and the title track easily pick up were the band had left off, kicking and punching their way back to the top of the charts and our hearts. A firm foundation for even more success next time around.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, rare photos and new interview with Kevin Cronin.
Track Listing: 1. Keep The Fire Burnin' 2. Sweet Time 3. Girl With The Heart Of Gold 4. Every Now And Then 5. I'll Follow You 6. The Key 7. Back In My Heart Again 8. Let's Be-Bop 9. Stillness Of The Night 10. Good Trouble.
REO Speedwagon 'Wheels Are Turnin' CANDY209 / REO Speedwagon formed in 1967 and recorded eight studio albums before hitting pay dirt with 1980's ten million selling 'Hi Infidelity'; a record containing the all-conquering number one single 'Keep On Loving You'; but the follow up album 'Good Trouble', stalled at a meagre two million copies and failed to produce a big hit, exposing the band to talk of being a spent force. Nothing, however, could have been further from the truth. There is an old adage – never write off a band until the fat lady sings. And for REO Speedwagon, historically always the underdogs, fuelled only by unswerving optimism, this was to be their finest hour. Faced with possible extinction if they were unable to come up with the goods for album eleven, they hunkered down, refocused and constructed a record every bit as accessible as 'Hi Infidelity'. Armed with better songs and a do or die attitude the results were spectacular. 'Wheels Are Turning', originally issued in 1984, was an unqualified success, going platinum several times over and producing two bonafide hit singles in 'One Lonely Knight' and the blockbusting number one, 'Can't Fight This Feeling'. It was also a record that truly married the band's historical hard rock sensibilities with their penchant for writing catchy melodic pop rock propelled by Kevin Cronin's unique vocals and Gary Richrath's searing lead guitar playing. A truly satisfying record of both power and passion.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, rare photos and new interview with Kevin Cronin.
Track Listing: 1. I Do' Wanna Know 2. One Lonely Night 3. Thru The Window 4. Rock 'N Roll Star 5. Live Every Moment 6. Can't Fight This Feeling 7. Gotta Feel More 8. Break His Spell 9. Wheels Are Turnin'
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Lou Gramm 'Long Hard Look' CANDY225 / As the voice of Foreigner, Lou Gramm sung on a succession of hit singles, helping to position the band as one of the most important hard rock acts of the 1970s and 80s. Of course, it was the twin ballads 'Waiting For A Girl Like You' and 'I Want To Know What Love Is' which instantly elevated Gramm's voice to worldwide recognition; a voice that was not only rich in vintage soul but also in emotion. From those hits on he was regarded as one of the world's greatest vocalists and one likely to strike out on his own. Lou's first solo album 'Ready Or Not' was a commendable affair and commercially successful enough to warrant a second release, in1989, with 'Long Hard Look'. This time around, however, the record company looked to slightly contemporise his sound by bringing in producer Peter Wolf, who had worked with both cutting edge pop acts (Wang Chung) and traditional melodic rock bands (Heart, Starship). The results were spectacular, Gramm crafting an album of concise and precise melodic rock that took as much from Foreigner as it did from traditional blues based singers. Mostly surrounding himself with expected names, including former Black Sheep bassist Bruce Turgon, guitarist Nils Lofgren and his brother Ben Gramm on drums, the surprising addition was former Dio guitarist Vivian Campbell whom, alongside Gramm and Turgon, would later go on to form the highly regarded Shadow King.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, rare photos and new interview with Lou Gramm.
Track Listing: 1. Angel With A Dirty Face 2. Just Between You And Me 3. Broken Dreams 4. True Blue Love 5. I'll Come Running 6. Hangin' On My Hip 7. Warmest Rising Sun 8. Day One 9. I'll Know When It's Over 10. Tin Soldier.
Frehley's Comet 'Second Sighting' CANDY216 / He was the man with the rocket firing guitar. Dubbed the Space Ace and the coolest member of 70s rock gods Kiss, a man who attracted a legion of fan followers of his own, for reasons both good and bad. Ace's devilishly potent guitar playing lent Kiss a sense of purpose and ambition that elevated them from amusing comic book crusaders to seriously dangerous heavy metal heroes. As with most things in life it couldn't last. Down but not out, Ace left Kiss in 1982 to pursue a solo career, one that was eagerly anticipated by legions of fans keen to sample his distinctive razor sharp riffs and quirky song writing in a brand new setting. With two successful albums recorded under the banner of Frehley's Comet, Ace retired the band moniker in favour of a solo profile for album #3, the amusingly titled 'Trouble Walkin'. Issued in late 1989, the album reunited Ace with veteran Kiss Producer Eddie Kramer, helping to craft a record of high grade hard rock with all the accoutrements that you might reasonably expect from such a maverick character with an exploding guitar in hand and a point to make. With titles such as 'Shot Full Of Rock', 'Five Card Stud', 'Hide Your Heart', '2 Young 2 Die' and a brilliantly creative cover of ELO's 'Do Ya', Ace unloads salvo upon salvo of lighting fast licks and twisted riffs, proving that his talent was as explosive as ever.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork and rare photos.
Track Listing: 1. Insane 2. Time Ain't Runnin' Out 3. Dancin' With Danger 4. It's Over Now 5. Loser In A Fight 6. Juvenile Delinquent 7. Fallen Angel 8. Separate 9. New Kind Of Lover 10. The Acorn Is Spinning.
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Shakin' Street 'S/T' CANDY219 / As the hostest with the mostest, Shakin' Street's Fabienne Shine's rock credentials were impeccable. During much of the early 70s she was the consort of Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, travelling with and directly immersed in all their sweeping grandeur. It was this baptism by fire and, later, the encouragement of both Page and Robert Plant to write songs that fuelled her creative aspirations, setting in motion the path to forming her own band, namely Shakin' Street. Of Tunisian-French origin, Fabienne's musical aspirations were further enhanced by guitarist Eric Levi who was piecing together a band in Paris. Eric had first thought about inviting the then unknown Pretenders star Chrissie Hynde to front his band before meeting Fabienne. Named after an MC5 song from the album 'Back In The USA', they scored a regional record deal with CBS in France and cut their debut album 'Vampire Rock', released in 1978. Sensing that the band needed an international boost Fabienne engineered a meeting with Blue Öyster Cult svengali Sandy Pearlman. Pearlman took the band under his wing, renegotiated their CBS deal in the USA, enlisted former Dictators guitarist Ross The Boss into the line-up and produced their self-titled second album. Recorded in San Francisco and issued in 1980, the album is a blistering example of red-hot guitar driven hard rock with roots in the kind of devil may care shoulder shrugging of reprobates such as the New York Dolls, the Ramones, MC5 and Blue Öyster Cult. Hard Rock for sure, with plenty of attitude and guitars set-to-stun.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, rare photos and new interview with Fabienne Shine.
Track Listing: 1. No Compromise 2. Solid As A Rock 3. No Time To Lose 4. Soul Dealer 5. Susie Wong 6. Every Man, Every Woman Is A Star 7. Generation X 8. So Fine 9. I Want To Box You.
Dirty Looks 'Cool From The Wire' CANDY230 / There's no denying the power of great rock music to evoke the exact time and place when it was first heard. Indeed, such was the power of 'Cool From The Wire' that virtually everyone that knows this record will almost certainly testify to that theory. It is a record that made people sit up and take notice right from the opening salvo to its closing chimes, capturing the essence of a work that still resonates to this very day. Formed in San Francisco in the early 80s, the band, led by Danish born front man, guitarist and song writer Henrik Ostergaard, resettled in Pennsylvania and recorded a string of independently released albums before being spotted and signed by the powerful Atlantic Records label. With commitment and belief the label teamed the band with seasoned British producer Max Norman (Ozzy Osbourne, Y&T, Coney Hatch) who crafted an exceptionally potent record focussing on catchy hooks, killer riffs, deadly rhythm and Ostergaard's melodically inclined vocals. Issued in 1988, the album contained a number of stunning tracks including 'It's Not The Way You Rock', 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You', 'Oh Ruby', 'Put A Spell On You' and the earth shattering title track. With comparisons to early AC/DC, Rose Tattoo and Kix the album is regarded as one of the most impressive hard rock releases of the late 80s and, deservedly, continues to make its mark.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork and rare photos.
Track Listing: 1. Cool From The Wire 2. It's Not The Way You Rock 3. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You 4. Oh Ruby 5. Tokyo 6. Wastin' My Time 7. Put A Spell On You 8. No Brains Child 9. Get It Right 10. It's A Bitch 11. Get Off.
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NEW TIME TRAVELLING MARCUS JIDELL ALBUM: Lion Music is pleased to unveil a video for the track "Huldra" taken from "Pictures From A Time Traveller"; the incredible debut instrumental album from guitar-master Marcus Jidell (Avatarium, ex Evergrey, ex Royal Hunt). View the video now at: youtu.be/b9f-oDns1Yc.
Marcus wanted something a little different to the thousands of "mimed" guitar videos and with the help of video producers Steff Granström and Andreas Hillerborg came up with a video which both manages to deliver the feel of this particular track but also give fans something new. Marcus Jidell has the following to say about the video: "To catch a different vibe I brought a mobile studio and a Marshall stack to the country side one early morning in November where we recorded and filmed a one take of "Huldra". I didn't want the regular "mimed" video thing so I just played it once again, I wanted it to be raw and honest and to show how I improvise around themes when playing guitar live. I think that we captured the spirit of the song both playing wise and with the way it was filmed and I hope people who see this will think the same." Lion Music and Marcus would like to say a big thank you Steff Granström and Andreas Hillerborg for making this video and would also want to thank Martin "E-type" Eriksson for providing the location and Sigge Viking for assistance.
"Pictures From A Time Traveller" is out now on Lion Music with full album info (plus online ordering links) at lionmusic.com/cd/timetraveller.htm.
NERGARD JOINS WITH PAGAN'S MIND VOCALIST:
Norwegian Melodic Metalact Nergard announces Nils K. Rue (Pagan's Mind) as the next singer in the line-up for the follow-up album to "Memorial for a Wish" which was released in April of 2013 as the first part of a two-act metal opera. The new album, which ends the tragic story about the unfortunate man Peter O'Donnell, is scheduled for release in late 2014 and will feature a string of well-known names. So far Tony Mills (ex TNT, ex Shy) and Andi Kravljaca (Aeon Zen) have been confirmed + the up and coming Ben Rodgers (Tellus Requiem) and Thomas Løseth (Tempo).
Follow Nergard on Facebook for updates: www.facebook.com/nergardmusic / Follow Nergard on twitter for updates: twitter.com/NergardMusic.
Musicvideo "A Question of God" feat Tony Mills: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TqV1A4OrnI.
MELODIC BRIEFS: Royal Hunt have released an official lyric video for a title track from their new studio album (release dates: Europe on November 29 and in USA on December 3 by Frontiers): www.youtube.com/watch?v=97KICGmPzmI.
Italian rockers Eyes 'N' Lips inked a deal with Street Symphonies Records to release their debut album "Pornstar For President", whose recording session took place at Atomic Stuff Studio (Isorella, Brescia, Italy) under Oscar Burato's supervision. The album, influenced by the 80's main hair bands (Guns 'N' Roses, Mötley Crüe) and the classic AC/DC-style hard rock, will be published in 2014. www.facebook.com/pages/EYES-N-LIPS/221389967880460.
Denied, the Swedish metal band featuring vocalist Johan Fahlberg (Jaded Heart) and bassist Fredrik Isaksson (formerly of Therion and Grave), has on Friday 29th of November 2013 released the video of the song "Garden of stone" from the album, "Let Them Burn" via Sliptrick Records. The video was produced by Atomic Movie Lab and directed by Fylo. youtu.be/NOvQ5K5W0Oc.
The CD "Let Them Burn" was recorded with producer Fredrik Folkare (Unleashed) and mastered at Dugout Productions by Richard Sporrong. Artwork made by Alexander Lifbom.
REVIEWS UPDATED:
A full indepth review of the new Boston album is online today. Check it out here.
Friday, November 29, 2013
MR MERCH UPDATE: Faith Circus CDs are finally back in stock after going missing for more than a week. Orders have been processed and are being sent out now. I have extended the MRCD deal to purchase any of the 3 recent MelodicRock titles in light of this delay. House of Shakira - Pay To Play Faith Circus - Turn Up The Band (2CD Edition) MRCD11 - This One Goes To Eleven (Limited to 500 pressed, not a lot left).
Audio samples and full details to all 3 releases - plus PayPal purchase links here: MRR - 2013 New Releases.
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All MRF3 USB orders have been filled and the few remaining units are also being sent out now. The good news is that there are just 4 units left over if anyone missed out previously! Order via this PayPal link (which will automatically expire once sold out).
For those that expressed interest in buying a MelodicRock.com T-shirt, there is a very limited number available via PayPal right now. Also available are a few MRF3 T-shirts and a few remaining copies of the MRF3 Event Book. The MelodicRock.com shirts are a new design featuring the brand new logo.
I do not have any of the main event t-shirt left at all sorry to say. The prices listed include shipping worldwide airmail: www.melodicrock.com/tshirts-2013.html.
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ASIA BREAK OUT NEW ALBUM EARLY 2014:
Classic rock band ASIA announces its new album GRAVITAS for release Spring 2014 via Frontiers Records.
HEAVEN & EARTH PICK UP HOLLYWOOD MUSIC IN MEDIA AWARD: Heaven & Earth perform their hit song "No Money, No Love" at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards ceremony at the Fonda Theatre on Nov. 21, 2013. The band won the HMMA Best Rock category. Stuart Smith - Guitars, Joe Retta - Vocals, Arlan Schierbaum - Keyboards, Richie Onori - Drums, & Tony Franklin (aka "The Fretless Monster") - Bass.
Their new album Dig is available on 180 Gram Double Vinyl: bit.ly/digLP & MP3: bit.ly/DIGcd. Also you can buy signed LP's, CD's and other cool merch on the Heaven & Earth store at: heavenandearthband.com.
For more Heaven & Earth: heavenandearthband.com / www.facebook.com/officialheavenandearth / www.youtube.com/user/HeavenandEarthBand.
PAVIC ASKS IS WAR THE ANSWER?:
Founded by guitarist Marko Pavic, together with Aleks Ferrara on bass and Lorenzo Antonelli on keyboards, Pavic released their debut record "Taste Some Liberty" in late 2005. The album, was distributed throughout Europe and achieved critical acclaim in their home country Italy as well as in Germany and various other European countries. The reviewers spoke in high terms of the artist's songwriting and Marko's skills to play the guitar in an exciting way awaking the listeners interest in the band's songs, while staying away from boring technical gimmickry.
The debut was enriched by the guest appearances of outstanding musicians such as Kee Marcello (Europe, guitar), Tony Franklin (Blue Murder, Whitesnake, bass), Vitalij Kuprij (Ring Of Fire, keyboards) and Daniel Flores (Mind's Eye, drums).
In 2008, Pavic returned with "Unconditioned", the band's second release. The record was mixed by producer Tobias Lindell at Bohus Sound Studio, Sweden (Abba, Status Quo, Europe) and mastered by Dragan Tanaskovic (Evergrey, Meshuggah, In Flames, Göran Edman). Guitarist Kee Marcello was invited once again to play on the track "Just Go On". Pavic explored new musical directions with this album as it offered a mix between Classic and Modern Rock and Metal.
When the band parted ways with vocalist Chris Catena in 2010, the search for a new singer led to a temporary break during which the band members got involved in different studio and live projects. Still the band continued to develop their sound further, moving into a more contemporary direction.
In late 2012 the line-up of Pavic was eventually revived by the arrival of new lead singer Joe Calabro, the perfect fit for the songs the band was recently working on and Antonio Aronne on drums.
The fresh and modern sound of the brand new album "Is War The Answer?" required a different sonic approach, so the renowned American producer Rick Beato (Shinedown, Fozzy, Ingram Hill) was brought in to mix the songs. Rick's work on the ten tracks, which include a cover version of the Duran Duran hit single "Notorious", lived up to his reputation as a whiz behind the mixing desk. By bringing in writer and comic book author Roberto Recchioni (Dylan Dog) to write the story for the video of the song "In Your Eyes", the bands is underlining its professional way of working. The video is one of three professionally shot clips, that will be presented to the public in the coming months.
Meanwhile Pavic, who have opened for acts such as Reb Beach (Whitesnake, Winger, Dokken) and John Corabi (Mötley Crüe) during the last year, are preparing a series of concerts for 2014 to introduce their latest effort "Is War The Answer?" to the audience.
WebLinks: www.pavictheband.com / www.facebook.com/pavictheband.
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MRX UPDATED: MRX has been updated with a final instalment of the 1986 Billboard Top 40 Rock Chart series. Another stack of great classic rock songs! Get them while you can. Join MRX now.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
MelodicRock Records is excited to announce the securing of a long awaited album release from cult melodic rock outfit Loud Lion!
Loud Lion created a huge buzz several years back, but their album never appeared....until now! Loud Lion is the brain child of pop/rock icon Bleu who put together the project to pay homage to Mutt Lange and Def Leppard. The album includes 9 original songs "in the style of" classic Def Leppard and features Bleu along with Taylor Locke (Bleu's co-creator & main partner in LoudLion, most widely known as the lead guitarist for Rooney), Adam Ross (Rihanna's touring guitarist), Allison Robertson (The Donnas lead guitarist), Maclaine Diemer (Bang Camaro - keyboards, guitar), John Fields (uber producer), and Dylan Halacy (Bang Camaro - drums). All songs produced by Bleu.
Bleu comments on the Loud Lion CD: "Def Leppard hasn't put anything as good as Loud Lion out in at least a decade! If you like Pyromania and Hysteria (and f**k you if you don't) then you'll love this record - and that's not even taking into account the brain-liquidating shred-fests. An homage has never (ever) sounded so majestic!"
The tracks are currently being mastered in LA by JK Northrup for release by MelodicRock Records worldwide in March/April 2014.
Song titles (in no order): The Hills Have Eyes, Love Will Break Your Heart, Sunset Slip, Lion Eyes, None More Fast, Loud Lion Theme Song, Lion's Den, Dawn Of The Dead and Die Tuff.
You can check out some of the Loud Lion songs on YouTube - please note that the audio is from previous unmastered source and fresh previews of the new upgraded sound will come soon!
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MelodicRock Records have previously announced the signing of Ferreira for the release of the band's fifth studio album V. Well, the album is now complete, mastered and ready for pressing and will feature the following songs:
1) Hit The Door 2) Heaven Is Her Name 3) No Friend Of Mine 4) Night To Remember 5) Midnight Romeo 6) Don't Let Go 7) Leaving Town 8) That's The Way It Is 9) Superstitions 10) Sometimes Love's Not Enough 11) In The End.
I seriously think this is the best record that Marco Ferreira has put together yet. the album will be released worldwide January 27. Pre-orders will be available early January.
Check out the track Night To Remember, which was also part of the recent MRCD11 Compilation.
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Spanish progressive melodic rockers Airless have signed to MelodicRock Records for the physical CD release of their upcoming anniversary release Best Of + Rarities 1999 - 2014 - a 2CD set put together to celebrate the band's 15th Anniversary. Airless was formed in January 2002 and soon signed with Vinny Records Company. The self-titled debut album was released in June 2002, produced by Carlos Creator, worldwide distributed and specially released for Japan by Mellow Music. "The Truth", one of the songs of this first Airless album, was included in "Singing To The World", a 2CD special release by Frontiers Records in memory of World Trade Center's tragedy victims. That album included also songs from Jason Becker, Tesla, Bonnie Tyler, Doro, Paul Gilbert, Paul Nelson, Kane Roberts, Jimmy Hendrix, etc, and was released worldwide. Airless second album, titled "2nd Round", was also produced by Carlos Creator and released by the Finnish Company Lion Music, with the Japanese edition again by Mellow Music. Airless toured and shared stage with bands like Tyketto, Dare or Riot.
"Fight" is the title of their 3rd album that was released in December 2008, again by Lion Music. During the promotion of "Fight", Airless played on several Hard Rock-AOR Fests, and shared stage with bands like Vega, Serpentine, Houston and Reckless Love. February 2013 sees the band return with their most accomplished album to date, "Changes". Released by Lion Music once again, cover artwork by Felipe Machado, and the special collaboration of Danny Vaughn (Tyketto). As a part of "Changes" promotion, Airless toured with Jeff Scott Soto opening shows on his Spanish Tour.
MRR will release Best Of + Rarities 1999 - 2014 2CD on January 27. The CD is a limited to 500 units only! Airless: Iñaki Lazcano (vocals), Miguel Manjon (bass), Pako Martinez (drums), Robert Rodrigo (guitar).
Airless Statement: "We are very proud and excited about the idea of being part of the Melodic Rock Records family. After almost 15 years, we are sure that this will be a great opportunity to take the band to another level. Thanks Andrew for your confidence in our music."
Full track listing for the set is:
Best Of (CD1): 01-Autumn Leaves (Airless - 2001) 02-The Truth (Airless -2001) 03-Holding On (Airless- 2001) 04-It's Up To You (2nd Round- 2004) 05-2nd Round (2nd Round- 2004) 06-Now Or Never (Fight -2008) 07-Don't Give Up (Fight-2008) 08-Time To Say Goodbye (Fight -2008) 09-Crying For Your Love (Fight -2008) 10-Startr Again (Changes-2013) 11-I Don't Care (Changes-2013) 12-Upstream (Changes-2013) 13-Till The End Of Time (Changes-2013).
Rarities (CD2) 01-Matter Of Time (Demo- 1999) 02-Soul For Hire (Demo -1999) 03-Anger (RRR -2000) 04-When I Look Into Your Eyes (RRR 2000) 05-Runaway (Airless-2001 Japanese Bonus Track) 06-No Tomorrow (Airless-2001 Japanese Bonus Track) 07-Far Way (Unreleased From Fight-2008) 08-2nd Chance (Embrace The Sun Complilation-2011) 09-The Reason (Unreleased Track From Changes-2013) 10-Otra Oportunidad (Start Again Spanish Version-2013).
Details of the MelodicRockFest 4 lineup will be announced Friday 13th December.
PRETTY MAIDS RECAPTURE THE PAST: Pretty Maids have announced they will release the album Louder Than Ever, which will be a mix of new material, as well as newly re-recorded hits from the band's 30 year back catalog and a special DVD - due in the Spring of 2014 via Frontiers Records.
ROB ROCK: "RAGE OF CREATION" LIMITED VINYL EDITION ANNOUNCED: Ulterium Records are proud to announce the release of a limited 12" vinyl edition of the classic ROB ROCK album "Rage of Creation". The edition includes an insert with lyrics as well as brand new liner notes and album history written by Rob Rock. The edition is strictly limited to 300 copies and features new artwork by Felipe Machado Franco [Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire, Theocracy]. The release date is set to December 20th. "Rage of Creation" is available for pre-ordering at the Ulterium Records Store; www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com.
Track listing: Side A: 01. In The Beginning 02. The Sun Will Rise Again 03. One Way Out 04. Judgment Day 05. Streets Of Madness 06. Media Machine Side B: 01. Eagle 02. All I Need 03. In The Night 04. Never Too Late 05. Forever.
For more information: www.robrock.com / www.ulterium-records.com.
SILENT VOICES: NEW TRACK POSTED ONLINE:
The progressive metal band Silent Voices have uploaded the track "No Turning Back" to YouTube. The track comes off their up-coming album "Reveal The Change" that will be released on November 29th in Europe and December 3rd in North America through Inner Wound Recordings. "No Turning Back" features vocals from Mats Levén [ex. Therion, Yngwie Malmsteen]. Check out the track at YouTube here: youtu.be/nvIhAU5APP0. Silent Voices feat. Sonata Arctica members Henrik Klingenberg and Pasi Kauppinen. "Reveal the Change" feat. guest vocals by Mats Levén [ex. Therion, Yngwie Malmsteen], Tony Kakko [Sonata Arctica], Mike Vescera [Obsession, ex. Loudness, Yngwie Malmsteen] and Mike DiMeo [ex. Masterplan, Riot]. The album is mastered by Ted Jensen [Bon Jovi, Dream Theater, Megadeth].
Silent Voices about the new album: "The entire band and all the people we are working with are very excited about this new album. We cannot wait for everyone to hear the new songs and to be back on tour again."
Silent Voices online: www.facebook.com/silentvoicesofficial / www.silentvoices.net.
A NEW GEORGE LYNCH ALBUM IN THE WORKS? THERE JUST MIGHT BE!:
Press Release / So here's what we have folks. Tyler Mane, the towering and menacing giant that donned the Michael Myers mask in Rob Zombie's Halloween 1 & 2, dropped a Senator from a Cliffside and into the ocean as Sabretooth in the X-Men films and even lit himself on fire for the success of Joe Dirt has something horrifying in the works, and it's got everything to do with George Lynch Fanatics!
In March of 2014, Mane Productions begins filming "Penance Lane," simply for the sole purpose of scaring the shit out of your girlfriend at the theater, or at least to continue Tyler's growing legacy in Horror related films. "Penance Lane" is hands down, looking to be a unique and terrifying story you'll want to watch over and over! Want to know what it's all about? Stay put for a second and I'll give you the link.
Now, the George Lynch part! Here's where I'm hoping you pro-editors will take to the page and give us a hand with this one – we could all use some new Lynch, but more-so …. this is George Lynch working together with Black Label Society and Megadeth bass Player – yeah, that guy I keep sending press about – James LoMenzo! Recording and creating at LoMenzo's "Monster House" Studio, the duo are putting pen to page and cooking up a soundtrack filled with the rock and roll styling that you're begging for; along with scoring the related sound works for the films music sequences.
You might remember that Mr. Scary himself (George Lynch) and his Dokken band mates took over MTV for a few months run back in 1987 when their song "Dream Warriors" topped the charts while it hit the screens with Nightmare on Elm Street III: Dream Warriors. It was simply awe-spiring! Imagine that magic, but for an entire new Lynch album and a fan funded feature film!
You see where I'm going with this, right? Now, here's where I implore your assistance, Lords of the Content Driven Online and On-Air World!
Okay, the movie is earning its budget from fans, and there's an Indie GoGo funding for it. Here's the dire news in capital letters – THERE'S 12 DAYS LEFT! Imagine a world where we could all reach out to the masses and just get 4000 people to spend $20 and we get a new Lynch and LoMenzo album. Call it – LyMencho, or Lynch-Menzo! Whatever you call it – it ain't gonna happen if we don't get the funding!
So here's the Indie GoGo link: www.indiegogo.com/projects/penance-lane.
There are some great and entertaining videos on the page, as well as a good look in to the new face of what's going to keep you awake at night – I mean, really scare the shit out of you! Photos, videos and complete information for the film are on the link I have provided. Standard press releases will follow, right now I'm giving you the news to run free with! Now, for you insiders who always treat my news so kindly – here's what is not on the page.
Do you want an Interview with Tyler Mane, the radiant Renae Geerlings or hey – even James LoMenzo? Shoot me back and email with your direct contact info and we will put it together for your mag, radio show, podcast or whatever keeps your listeners focused YOU!
It's that time of year when we say thanks to the Men and Women who pillaged the land here in the US so we could build the Hollywood Strip and put In & Out Burger all over the landscape! I'd rather give thanks to everyone who supports these news updates from JoeDolanPR and let you all know, whatever I can do to help bring YOU to the world – just ask. I'm here to help!
Happy Holidays folks – more great news on the way – please help shine a light on this Indie GoGo link – we've got 12 days left and we need the help to get it all together!
NEW AUSSIE HARD ROCK RADIO SPECIAL DUE: Tahir Bise emailed to advise he is doing another Hard Rock Special with Simon Lukic an Triple R 102.7 on the 2nd December playing some great hard rock tracks from bands such as .. "King Cobra, ColdSpell, The Winery Dogs, Eden's Curse, Heaven & Earth, Whitesnake, Def Leppard, The Answer and many more. We will be playing a track from the upcoming The Radio Sun CD and interviewing Steve Janevski and featuring the show from Paul Laine the following night and playing some tracks from Danger Danger/Paul Laine. The show is Monday at midnight 2nd December and can be heard via live streaming as well. www.rrr.org.au / www.rrr.org.au/program/musically-incorrect/
FIREFEST 2014
FIREFEST 2014 – THE FINAL FLING
Okay, so if you have heard the announcement or read the poster, or indeed been pointed in our direction by people with impeccable taste in music, then you might need to know what's going on with FIREFEST 2014 – THE FINAL FLING.
Firstly the show takes place over 3 days, October 24 – 26, 2014, and at this point – without a band being announced – is 30% SOLD across all three days. The venue is the home of Firefest for the last 10 years Rock City, Nottingham, England.
EARLY BIRD OFFERS: we have 2 separate acoustic evenings, Friday October 24th – immediately after the main show – we will advise you of the venue very shortly as we are awaiting a 100% confirmation on that – but there are just 250 tickets available for this show – and entry will be FREE for the next 250 people purchasing full weekend tickets from Sunday Nov 24 – i.e. during or after the announcement show. Tickets for this event cannot be purchased – this is a thank you from us to you for supporting us by buying your show tickets early. Appearing on Friday night will be the one and only Mr Nathan James armed and ready with a bunch of solo tunes and also a couple of classics. However there is also a second act – a motley crew of Norwegians masquerading as The Magnificent – we say masquerading only because they ALL won't be there – but most of them will, where they will treat you to songs by the Magnificent and just about anything else you shout at them...okay, maybe not, but the set list is impressive and the guys just love Mr Big, Whitesnake, Toto and Survivor – plus you would never know who might jump up on stage with them! How good were the Magnificent at FF 2013? Amazing! So no one will want to miss this.
The second acoustic evening taking place on Saturday October 25th will be a very special evening with the one and only Mr Gary Hughes (TEN). What can you expect to hear? Well Gary has promised a few from his excellent solo albums Strength of Heart and Precious Ones, something from Once and Future King as well as some songs from the Bob Catley solo albums which Gary wrote, and we imagine the odd Ten track might make an appearance. However this night is ALREADY FULL. If you have bought tickets before the show was announced (and are in the first 250 to do so), if you are a sponsor or a VIP – then you will be receiving tickets to THIS show. Why? Because it was originally the ONLY one planned before Nathan, Mike and the gang were co-opted into playing Friday. Again this is a FREE event as a thank you to all of you that support us and tickets cannot be purchased for this show either. Venue will also be advised for this night as soon as we have 100% confirmation.
Tickets for the weekend can be purchased by going directly to our web site www.firefestofficial.com and following the instructions – wire transfer, postal order, personal cheque, cash (at senders own risk) – wire transfer details, postal address is all available - just click on the SHOP link and then TICKETS, and take it from there.
The Final Fling is exactly that – the FINAL FIREFEST. If you have been to a Firefest previously then you know exactly what to expect, if you haven't then this is your last chance to experience exactly why Firefest has gained the reputation for being the most amazing family anywhere in the world. Have to travel solo? No problem, by the time you leave you will have 1500 new best friends as well as seeing some of the coolest bands on the planet (well in our world anyway!)
THANK YOU for your support for the last 10 years and now if we could ask you to support us ONE MORE TIME and help us to SELL OUT THE FINAL FLING – it would be the perfect way to bow out in front of a sold out crowd and 21 of the coolest bands on the planet – some of whom you will NOT have the opportunity to see again!
We don't mind where you follow us, as long as you follow us to Rock City in October ~ The Crew.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
STAN BUSH CD RELEASE UPDATE:
It is with great regret that I must retract the press release posted yesterday announcing a deal between Stan Bush and MelodicRock Records for the release of his recently completed album The Ultimate for Europe.
Unfortunately, it was not until after the announcement was made that the artist and myself were informed of a contractual issue with the artists' previous record label Frontiers Records. I will leave that in the hands of Stan himself to deal with but have assured Stan that I will be here to help promote the new album in whatever capacity I can assist.
I'm sure Stan will update fans on the release as soon as possible and I'll be sure to post that update when ready.
On a brighter note - tomorrow MelodicRock Records will announce the revised details of January's planned releases and news of long awaited release due in March.
JACK BLADES CHECKS IN: Jack Blades sent me a couple of pictures this afternoon - first of all, Jack and Night Ranger's Brad Gillis in the studio cutting guitar solos for the new NR album earlier today and secondly - Jack and son Colin with Alice Cooper. Jack joined Alice on stage sang "Schools Out" with Alice and his band...
xx
CINDERELLA'S TOM KEIFER, 'THE FLOWER SONG': EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREMIERE:
Video comes from the singer's debut solo album, "The Way Life Goes"
Cinderella frontman Tom Keifer just released his first ever solo album and Billboard has an exclusive premiere of the music video for "The Flower Song." Keifer says the song was inspired by his wife Savannah, who also wrote and co-produced "The Way Life Goes," out now on Merovee Records. "Women are God's greatest gift to our world, truly beautiful inside and out," he says. "'The Flower Song' is about recognizing your one true love in a world filled with so many amazing women. It can be dizzying. But then, you see the one. A miracle! I thank God every day for my miracle, inspiration and one true love, Savannah."
Read more at www.billboard.com/articles/news/5800813/tom-keifer-flower-song-video-premiere-cinderella-watch#sjFQE2pjpyz7ARlM.99.
MASSIVE, CAREER-SPANNING JOHN MELLENCAMP BOXED SET OUT THIS FALL: John Mellencamp 1978 – 2012, a uniquely comprehensive boxed set collection covering the legendary singer/songwriter's principal studio albums, will be released by Universal Music Enterprises on December 10. Pre-orders now at www.amazon.com ensure holiday delivery. The collection consists of a total of 19 CDs originally released over a recording career that spans 35 years.
John Mellencamp 1978- 2012, for the first time, combines in one package, albums Mellencamp recorded as John Cougar, John Cougar Mellencamp and John Mellencamp for Polygram, Universal, Sony and Concord-affiliated labels. The set contains a total of 223 tracks and includes such mythic album titles as American Fool, Lonesome Jubilee, Scarecrow, Cuttin' Heads and the more recent Life, Death Love and Freedom and No Better Than This. Thirteen of the albums in the collection were RIAA-certified as Gold, Platinum or Multiplatinum winners while ten of the albums achieved Top Ten status on Billboard's Top 100 Album Chart. Of special note is the fact that the collection includes the long out-of-print original soundtrack album to Falling From Grace, the Mellencamp-directed film that was a collaboration with noted author Larry McMurty. That disc includes tracks by Mellencamp, Dwight Yoakam, Nanci Griffith, Joe Ely, James McMurtry and John Prine.
John Mellencamp 1978- 2012 includes every one of Mellencamp's thirty Billboard Top 100 singles, from "I Need A Lover" and "Jack & Diane" to "Pink Houses" and "Rain On The Scarecrow," as well as such classics as "Paper in Fire," "Hurts So Good," "Crumblin' Down," "Jackie Brown," "Small Town," "Wild Night," "R.O.C.K In The U.S.A.," "Our Country" and, quite literally, all the rest. There are bonus tracks concluding twelve of the albums, sourced from the 2005 re-mastered versions of Mellencamp's Mercury releases.
Mellencamp, who continues to reside in his native Indiana, has been especially active of late. Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, his collaboration with bestselling author Stephen King and musical director T Bone Burnett, has manifested itself as a touring theatrical entity with dates throughout the Midwest this fall. An accomplished painter, Mellencamp has had numerous gallery exhibitions of his work; the latest, his first museum exhibition, is set to open next month at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio.
In recent years Mellencamp was the recipient of Billboard's Century Award, the Woody Guthrie Award, The ASCAP Foundation's Champion Award, The John Steinbeck Award as well as induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This past week it was announced that John Mellencamp is a candidate for induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Mellencamp holds the record for the most tracks (7) by a solo artist to hit the top position on Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart, all of which are, of course, included in John Mellencamp 1978 – 2012.
Never content to rest on his many laurels, Mellencamp has been writing new songs for an album he plans to record early this coming year, once more with T Bone Burnett slated to produce.
SWISS HEAVY METAL RECORD FAIR IN NOVEMBER:
Swiss only Metal/Hardrock record and CD fair "Metalbörse 2013" is coming up Saturday November 30, 2013. The details are as follows as provided from the organizers:
"It is an event for lovers and fans of metal and rock music only (no pop, no jazz, no commercial stuff). Our approach is to give the rock fans in Switzerland a possibility to find rare items, merchandise
or gems of their favorite bands."
Event: Record and CD fair / Location: Grosser Stadtsaal Zofingen, Switzerland / Date: Saturday 30 Nov 2013 / Opening time: 10 am to 4 pm.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON ENTERS STUDIO AND ADDS ORIGINAL STRATOVARIUS KEYBOARD PLAYER:
Finnish composer/producer and guitar player Timo Tolkki will enter East Sound Studios in Helsinki, Finland on the 25th of November to start the recording for the follow up album to the highly acclaimed debut "The Land Of New Hope".
His former Stratovarius bandmate Tuomo Lassila is going to join him on drums and together with the two guys, the early Stratovarius line up reunion will be rounded up by keyboard player Antti Ikonen, who played on such classic albums as "Fright Night", "Twilight Time" and "Dreamspace", who has been added to the Avalon line up of musicians and singers.
The new Timo Tolkki's Avalon album will feature 11 tracks with a release slated during 2014 on Frontiers Records. Timo Tolkki states: "It is incredibly refreshing to create and play new music with his old friends and that the spirit and the atmosphere has been absolutely great and positive!"
You can follow the recordings almost in real time at: www.avalonopera.com.
'70S HARD ROCK HIT MAKERS THE BABYS REUNITE, RECORD NEW SINGLE, PLAN NEW ALBUM: Isn't it time to reconnect with The Babys again?
New York, NY (November 25, 2013)Turn on any classic rock radio station across America and you'll invariably hear their timeless music. Best known for the smash hits "Isn't It Time", "Every Time I Think of You", "Head First", and "Back on My Feet Again", '70s hard rock hit makers, The Babys have reformed after a thirty-three year absence from the music scene (and inked a new record deal with SkyRocket Entertainment, a division of Rocket Science Ventures.) "We've had numerous offers through the years for the Babys to reform," said Wally Stocker. "The whole premise of this band is to keep The Babys alive and have a good time doing it."
The 2013 lineup of The Babys features original members, lead guitarist Wally Stocker and drummer Tony Brock along with new recruits: lead vocalist/bassist John Bisaha and Joey Sykes on rhythm guitar. Of the new members, Brock raves: "John Bisaha is an incredible singer. When I was holding auditions, we had singers lined up around the block to join the band and John was better than anybody." Adds Stocker about his new six-string comrade in arms: "Joey Sykes adds a whole new dimension to the band and has a style that works well in tandem with me."
"Not Ready to Say Goodbye", the band's first new recording in over three decades, will be available exclusively on iTunes on November 26. The track evokes the spirit of past Babys hits "Isn't It Time" and "Every Time I Think of You". "When releasing our first single we discussed that it had to have the flavor of what we were known for some thirty-odd years ago," observes Stocker. Adds Brock: "It was just magical putting the new song together. By the time I finished putting brass and strings on it, I knew we had the goods." Concurrent with the single release, the band is presently shooting a new video for the track which will premiere the same day on the band's own YouTube channel.
Meanwhile, also on November 26th, The Babys will initiate a direct to fan pre-sale campaign for the new album via pledgemusic.com. Loyal followers of the band can pre-order the album and also become active participants following the progress of the new record in tandem with the group itself.
In November and December, The Babys will embark on a string of shows in Las Vegas, San Diego, Portland and Seattle. Currently hard at work penning new material, look for the first new Babys album in the first quarter of 2014 with an extensive slate of tour dates to follow.
Formed in London in 1974, The Babys were signed to Chrysalis Records on the basis of a four-song video, which predated the MTV video phenomenon by several years. Combining the muscular musical grit of Free/Humble Pie with a winning commercial sensibility, The Babys released five albums between 1977-1980 (The Babys, Broken Heart, Head First, Union Jacks and On the Edge) which yielded such hits as "Isn't it Time", "Every Time I Think of You," "Head First", "Back on My Feet Again", "Midnight Rendezvous" and "Turn and Walk Away". During that time, the group toured with the likes of Journey, Alice Cooper and Cheap Trick and built a loyal following based on their spectacular songs and explosive live performances. The group disbanded in December of 1980.
Now armed with a new single, forthcoming new album and accompanying national tour dates, The Babys are proving that they're not ready to say goodbye.
2013 Tour Dates:
11/23- Vamp'd, Las Vegas, NV
11/30- Ramona Mainstage, Ramona, CA
12/12-Studio 7, Seattle, WA
12/13-Tonic Lounge, Portland, OR
MELODICROCK.COM & ROCK SOLDIERS PRESENTS PAUL LAINE DOWNUNDER IN DECEMBER:
With all the great Danger Danger news going 'round.....Australia will host Mr. Paul Laine with two live shows NEXT WEEK 'Downunder in December':
*Tuesday 3rd December 2013 @ Cherry Bar, AC/DC Lane Melbourne
*Thursday 5th December 2013 @ Valve @ Agincourt, 871 George St. Sydney
Tix can be bought at the door for only $20.
Support on both nights comes from The Radio Sun & Kill Shott (Melbourne only) & White Stallion (Sydney only).
xx
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM TEN MANAGEMENT: Ten are proud to announce that they will be performing on Firefest 2014. The band will take the stage on Friday night in a "Very Special Guest" capacity. Arrangements surrounding the performance are very much in the planning stages right now, but I can confirm that all being well the band intend to use this opportunity to film their first ever Live DVD.
While speaking with Gary yesterday, it was obvious to me that he and the band are extremely fired up for this performance: "This is a landmark performance for myself and the boys. We plan to play several shows in preparation to it and we aim to tear Rock City apart next year."
So, with these words in mind, keep checking back with the TEN Official sites for further updates on this and other live date announcements.
WebLink: www.tenofficial.com.
AXEL RUDI PELL PREVIEWS NEW ALBUM TRACK:
There aren't many artists around whose career has already lasted a quarter of a century. But then, there are even fewer who have experienced no setbacks whatsoever in 25 years. And there are only a few guitarists in the world of rock music who have created their own brand just with their name, causing over 1.3 million people to buy their music. Axel Rudi Pell is one of those rare exceptions. And so it doesn't come as a surprise that his latest offering "Into The Storm" is also one of his best; after all, anniversaries are always special.
Although this is the fifteenth studio album (featuring his own material) in Pell's career to date, he didn't approach it any different than its predecessors. "There hasn't been one day in my life when I haven't been pushed by Ronnie James Dio's spirit to write something mystical," the 53-year-old explains his motivation. Even though ARP has nothing against efficiency and discipline, creativity doesn't come at the flick of a switch. "I couldn't sit down with it and compose from nine to five, that doesn't work for me." As inspiration doesn't comply with office hours, Pell praises the technological achievements of recent years. "My cell phone is almost like a mobile recording studio, it's always busy. And this time things worked particularly well."
Despite the fact that the omens weren't so good: in July of 2013 he unfortunately had to part ways with drummer Mike Terrana because their schedules didn't match. After 15 years together, this wasn't an easy step for either of them, but there was no slander or dirty linen washed in public – in contrast to most line-up changes, there wasn't any of the usual background noise that seems to have become the rule in this industry. A fact Pell has every right to be proud of: "We're all professionals and we behave like professionals."
So what to do? As Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult etc.) has always been one of his favorite drummers, he was on the top of Pell's list. And now Rondinelli has joined the band, as simple as that. No miracle, but the result of Axel's excellent reputation within the hard rock and metal community. "Bobby had heard a lot about me and immediately joined."
And this is the point where Pell has come full circle, because the Brooklyn-born drummer is not only the first of his musicians to have played in one of his favorite groups (guess who that might be?), but Rondinelli has also brought fresh blood into the band: "Bobby fell in love with the new songs head over heels, I didn't have to tell him what to do, he did everything right the first time." The other American in the band, singer Johnny Gioeli, is also raving about the new material: "I think 'Into The Storm' is one the best ARP albums ever." Why?
Well, the compositions are catchier, more elaborate. Melodic rockers like "Long Way To Go" and "High Above" alternate with up-tempo songs like "Tower Of Lies" and "Burning Chains". Of one Axel's most beautiful ballads to date, "When Truth Hurts", is almost as heartrending as the touching Neil Young cover "Hey Hey My My". Epic masterpieces such as "Touching Heaven" and the ten-minute-plus title track still have that 70s touch we all love. There are also two extra tracks for the Digipak: the glorious instrumental "White Cats (Opus #6 Scivolare)" is likely to see "guitar hero" fanatics go nuts and the Blackmore's Night cover "Way To Mandalay" could easily have been borrowed from a Rainbow album now. ARP is on the next level now and it wouldn't be a great surprise if he cracked the German Top 10 this time, seeing that his 2012 release "Circle Of The Oath" already went to no. 16! He's certainly earned it. If someone has delivered the goods for 25 years, there's got to be a reward. Note: anniversaries are always special. BTW: There will be a special 3-hours-plus show at Germany's "Bang Your Head festival" in 2014, including a Steeler reunion and lots of surprise guests. You're more than welcome to join.
"Into The Storm" will be released through SPV/Steamhammer in 2014 on January 17th in Germany, January 20th in Europe and on January 21st in the USA/Canada, followed by the first european leg of the tour.
DOOGIE LAYS DOWN LEAD VOCALS: Doogie White is currently in a studio in Szczecin, Poland recording his parts for the new exciting project WAMI. The project, scheduled for release in early Spring, will give a new meaning to hard'n'heavy music! The names associated with it are true legends on the hard rock scene: on the vocals - Doogie White (Rainbow, Michael Schenker, Yngwie Malmsteen), on the drums - Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, DIO), on the bass - Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake), who join forces with the 16-year-old Polish guitarist Iggy Gwadera, who made his debut 2 years ago as the guitarist of Anti Tank Nun.
In the current issue of Polish edition of Metal Hammer magazine, Vinny Appice discusses the project: "The music is quite heavy but not as dark as for example Black Sabbath or Kill Devil Hill. It's melodic music, very well performed. I would label it as high-quality heavy rock." He adds: "When I first heard that music, I really liked it. Later on, I was informed that the guitarist is only 16 years old! I thought – wow, what an incredible instrumentalist. And then I learnt that Marco Mendoza will be involved in this project and that made me even more interested in this idea. The demo versions of the tracks sounded very promising so I can't wait for the final results."
The idea to record an album together was born after Thin Lizzy's concert in Poland. The bassist Marco Mendoza, delighted with the young guitarist Iggy, who supported Thin Lizzy with his band Anti Tank Nun, suggested that they record some music together. This first idea, which was maturing for the next dozen-odd months, eventually evolved into the project involving legendary musicians, who are currently recording a brand new album together with Iggy. The drummer Vinny Appice, renowned for playing in some of the best heavy metal bands of worldwide fame, as also the bassist Marco Mendoza have already finished recording bass and drum tracks in Los Angeles. Near the end of November, Doogie White will confront his vocal talent with Iggy's guitar technique during their recording sessions. Hard rock fans can well expect the results of these sessions to be truly outstanding! The album is to be mixed by the end of the year and will be released already in the early Spring!
Full details to be announced soon!
You can see gallery of Doogie White's recording session here: www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152015981496069.1073741832.71063596068&type=1.
LIKE A ROCKSTAR - NEW FATAL SMILE SINGLE RELEASED:
Sweden's finest freaks Fatal Smile have released their brand new single Like A Rockstar digitally today. The song is taken from their 5th upcoming album White Trash Heroes due to be released in April 2014. "We really think this is going to be our best album so far..." - the band commented. Expect the hardest "in your face" Fatal Smile album yet recorded with huge balls & heavy sound from hell!!!
So once again it's time to lock up your daughters...
Fatal Smile on tour:
27.11.2013- The Garage (Upstairs), London, UK
28.11.2013 - Yardbirds Rock Club. Grimsby, UK
29.11.2013 - Gasworks, Bradford, UK
30.11.2013 - Hard Rock Hell, Wales, UK
01.12.2013 - The Blyth & Tyne, Blyth, UK
14.12.2013 - Rockklassiker Live @ Goransson Arena, Sandviken, Sweden
02.01.2014 - Freakshow, Essen, Germany
03.01.2014 - Kneipe K3, Nameln, Germany
04.01.2014 - Ice-Rock Festival, Wasen I.E. Switzerland
05.01.2014 - Star Club, Uster, Switzerland
26.04.2014 - Rockbaten M/S Harmony. Helsingborg, Sweden
10.05.2014 - Hammersmith Visby, Visby, Sweden
23.05.2014 - Hawk Club, Fredrikstad, Norway
24.05.2014 - Olsen Pa Bryn, Oslo, Norway
20.06.2014 - SkullFest, Wervik, Belgium
01.08.2014 - Rock Out Wild, Sorsele, Sweden
02.08.2014 - Skogsrajet, Rejmyre, Sweden
More info: www.fatalsmile.com.
NEW ALBUM OFFICIAL: THE BOSS ANNOUNCES HIGH HOPES:
They couldn't go back to Australia without a new album, right? Right. On January 14, less than two weeks before Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band set out for South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, Springsteen will release his 18th studio album, High Hopes.
The title track is one with a history in Springsteen's repertoire, a Tim Scott/Havalinas cut that Bruce first tackled with the E Street Band in '95, then revisited live in Australia early this year. In the album's liner notes, Springsteen describes the cover resurrected at Tom Morello's suggestion as a catalyst for this new album. Bruce states that he was already "working on a record of some of our best unreleased material from the past decade," but then "Tom and his guitar became my muse, pushing the rest of this project to another level."
So this is not Tracks 2. Still, "High Hopes" isn't the only song fans have heard before; as Springsteen writes, "Some of these songs... you'll be familiar with from our live versions. I felt they were among the best of my writing and deserved a proper studio recording." A full half of the album's 12 songs have been performed live, also including "American Skin (41 Shots)," "The Wall," "The Ghost of Tom Joad," Saints cover "Just Like Fire Would," and Suicide cover "Dream Baby Dream." Only one of them, however, "The Ghost of Tom Joad," had been released in a studio version already, and that, of course, in a dramatically different form.
Enter Tom Morello. As the High Hopes "muse," Morello is all over this record, dueting on "Joad" and playing on "High Hopes," "Harry's Place" (a title known from Springsteen's Rising-era notebook), "American Skin," "Just Like Fire Would," "Heaven's Wall," "Hunter of Invisible Game," and "Dream Baby Dream."
The remaining tracks on the record are all Springsteen originals: "Down in the Hole," "Frankie Fell in Love," and "This Is Your Sword."
In addition to the Sydney studio sessions Springsteen had previously spoke about, the album was recorded in New Jersey, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York City, with production credit going to Brendan O'Brien, Ron Aniello, and Springsteen. The various locales and production credits reflect material dating back to sessions for The Rising.As the press release states, "Clarence Clemons, who passed away in 2011, and Danny Federici, who passed away in 2008, also appear on several songs."
Details of songs: Songwriter / Producer / Played live / Previous availability
1. High HopesTim Scott McConnell RA, BS yes studio, 1995
2. Harry's Place Bruce Springsteen B'OB no, only title known none
3. American Skin (41 Shots) Bruce Springsteen RA, BS yes live, 2000
4. Just Like Fire Would Chris J. Bailey (The Saints) RA, BS yes none
5. Down in the Hole Bruce Springsteen BO'B no none
6. Heaven's Wall Bruce Springsteen B'OB, RA, BS no none
7. Frankie Fell in Love Bruce Springsteen RA, BS no none
8. This Is Your Sword Bruce Springsteen RA, BS no none
9. Hunter of Invisible Game Bruce Springsteen B'OB no none
10. The Ghost of Tom Joad Bruce Springsteen RA, BS yes studio, 1995; live, 2008
11. The Wall Bruce Springsteen (inspired by Joe Grushecky) RA, BS yes none
12. Dream Baby Dream Martin Rev and Alan Vega (Suicide) RA, BS yes live, 2005
High Hopes can be pre-ordered now. The album will be available digitally from iTunes, with tracks "High Hopes" and "Dream Baby Dream" available now as mp3s.
In the U.S., Amazon.com will carry an exclusive, limited version with a bonus live DVD: Springsteen and the E Street Band performing Born in the U.S.A. in its entirety at the 2013 Hard Rock Calling show, June 30 at London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. TheAmazon Bonus Limited Edition is available now for pre-order.
The video for the title track, directed by Thom Zimny, is a collage featuring photos from Danny Clinch, Australian tour footage shot by Chris Hilson and featuring Tom Morello.
Bruce Springsteen's High Hopes Liner Notes:
I was working on a record of some of our best unreleased material from the past decade when Tom Morello (sitting in for Steve during the Australian leg of our tour) suggested we ought to add "High Hopes" to our live set. I had cut "High Hopes," a song by Tim Scott McConnell of the LA based Havalinas, in the '90s. We worked it up in our Aussie rehearsals and Tom then proceeded to burn the house down with it. We re-cut it mid tour at Studios 301 in Sydney along with "Just Like Fire Would," a song from one of my favorite early Australian punk bands, The Saints (check out "I'm Stranded"). Tom and his guitar became my muse, pushing the rest of this project to another level. Thanks for the inspiration Tom.
Some of these songs, "American Skin" and "Ghost of Tom Joad," you'll be familiar with from our live versions. I felt they were among the best of my writing and deserved a proper studio recording. "The Wall" is something I'd played on stage a few times and remains very close to my heart. The title and idea were Joe Grushecky's, then the song appeared after Patti and I made a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. It was inspired by my memories of Walter Cichon. Walter was one of the great early Jersey Shore rockers, who along with his brother Ray (one of my early guitar mentors) led the "Motifs". The Motifs were a local rock band who were always a head above everybody else. Raw, sexy and rebellious, they were the heroes you aspired to be. But these were heroes you could touch, speak to, and go to with your musical inquiries. Cool, but always accessible, they were an inspiration to me, and many young working musicians in 1960's central New Jersey. Though my character in "The Wall" is a Marine, Walter was actually in the Army, A Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry. He was the first person I ever stood in the presence of who was filled with the mystique of the true rock star. Walter went missing in action in Vietnam in March 1968. He still performs somewhat regularly in my mind, the way he stood, dressed, held the tambourine, the casual cool, the freeness. The man who by his attitude, his walk said "you can defy all this, all of what's here, all of what you've been taught, taught to fear, to love and you'll still be alright." His was a terrible loss to us, his loved ones and the local music scene. I still miss him.
This is music I always felt needed to be released. From the gangsters of "Harry's Place," the ill-prepared roomies on "Frankie Fell In Love" (shades of Steve and I bumming together in our Asbury Park apartment) the travelers in the wasteland of "Hunter Of Invisible Game," to the soldier and his visiting friend in "The Wall", I felt they all deserved a home and a hearing. Hope you enjoy it. Bruce Springsteen
Monday, November 25, 2013
A BIG MELODIC 2014 COMING YOUR WAY:
Here are a few updates on some anticipated new albums due early in the new 2014 year. It is shaping up to be a massive melodic rock year (and a bit):
As everyone is now aware, Toto have commenced writing their next studio album finally! The lineup is that of the current live band, which includes Lukather, Paich, Porcaro, Phillips and vocalist Joseph Williams. The band has signed to Frontiers Records for the release of the album, to be recorded in the second half of next year and released early 2015. From Frontiers: "Toto will be releasing a brand new album on Frontiers Records in early 2015! Expect some great NEW music from these Rock legends!"
I asked Steve Lukather to comment further, so I can now add this exclusive update from the man himself: "We have started writing it and are DEAD serious about the writing. I have a some stuff.. and Dave has a few great things further along. There will be serious new group writing sessions when I return from Ringo end of Nov. The point being made is that we ARE doing a new record and writing has started. It will be an early 2015 release as we have a full year still touring being the 35th anniversary in Japan and USA and elsewhere in the world we have not yet been. It's gonna have to be great before it comes out. We know people that like our music have high expectations, as do we.
Just let people know we are serious and we are gonna try our best to make the best classic Toto record we can. Joe, Dave and myself will be on lead vocals with most focus on Joe as he is on fire right now."
Brother Firetribe - "After many, MANY late nights of listening, wondering, raging, laughing, crying (well not crying really) etc......the album is ready. Our brothers at Studio Audio, thanks for all the hard work, professionalism and most of all patience...Torsti Spoof and Jari Mikkola; one hell of a job guys. We all need a drink."
The band is now shopping the album to labels for a deal and once completed will master the album for release in the first half of 2014 (hopefully in the first quarter).
A fourth Allen / Lande album is now being written for release in 2014 - but the mastermind behind the original trilogy of releases - Magnus Karlsson - has passed on the baton to Timo Tolki to write and produce the next album.
H.E.A.T. - the new studio album is done and expected to be released in February! A new video will be released soon.
Jimi Jamison recently posted this on Facebook: "Getting ready to start a new Survivor CD." Of course we have heard this news before and there was no additional comment from Frankie Sullivan when asked, so we'll wait and see...
Winger's new studio album was described to me by Kip Winger as "...maybe my favourite album we've done." You can expect a release in April via Frontiers Records.
Night Ranger's highly anticipated new studio album is still being recorded and will be released Summer 2014 with the band vowing to top their might effort on Somewhere In California. Frontiers will release. Some of the song titles lined up: The Mountain Song, Hang On, Don't Stop, St. Bartholomew, Rollin' On.
The new House Of Lords album is also done and is called Precious Metal. Guitarist Jimi Bell had this to say about the album: "I got to hear the Mixed and Mastered tracks for the new House Of Lords CD Precious Metal! The CD is outstanding and to me, James Christian has never sounded better!!! The power, the range, the intense harmonies are all there!! And as far as songs go, this is by far my personal favorite since I joined the band in 2005. And James let me tear it up ALOT more solo wise on this CD. It's our Heaviest, but still very Melodic CD that the band has put out!!!! Bottom Line!! YOU'RE GONNA LOVE IT!!!!"
MelodicRock Records has a few new titles to announce and updates also - stay tuned for that in the next couple of days.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE: NORDIC ROCK GIANTS FORM NEW BAND - NORDIC BEAST!: Mikkey Dee (Motörhead), John Norum (Europe), Åge Sten Nilsen (Wigwam), Hal Patino (King Diamond) and Mic Michaeli (Europe) in the same band? To Hardrock fans all over the world it may seem like an unrealistic dream. But have we got new for you. All parties have now confirmed the new collaboration, and the dream team has already made their first ever concert announcement. January 31, 2014 Nordic Beast will be unleashed at Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo, Norway. Nordic Beast insists that their newly formed band will not interfere with their main bands activities. But doesn't rule out that Nordic Beast will write original material at some point. Until then the band will offer a kick ass live set containing the very best from their individual careers with Motörhead, Europe, Wig Wam, Dokken, John Norum Solo, King Diamond and a lot more. Nordic Beast are: Mikkey Dee (Motörhead) - Drums, John Norum (Europe) - Guitars, Hal Patino (King Diamond) - Bass, Åge Sten Nilsen (Wig Wam) - Vocals, Mic Michaeli (Europe) - Keyboards.
EUROPE LINEUP CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY:
On Sunday December 15, 2013 one of Sweden's most successful rock groups of all time, Europe, will celebrate their 30th Anniversary with an exclusive auction of ten customised guitars based on ten of their albums. Proceeds from the sale of the Final Countdown guitar will help charity in the Philippines. Stockholms Auktionsverk has been accorded the honour of auctioning off ten uniquely airbrushed Gibson/Epiphone guitars personally autographed by all band members, including previous Europe band members Kee Marcello (guitar) and Tony Reno (drums).
Viewing on premises in Magasin 5 (Palermogatan 21-23) Stockholm, as well as online - 28 November – 15 December 2013. Open Monday-Friday 1-5 pm (CET) and Saturday 11am-4pm (CET).
Auction online: Sunday 15th December 2013. Catalogue and bidding: www.stadsauktion.se.
The guitars have been airbrushed by Lazy Joe, and include exclusive adaptations of the artwork from Europe's following albums – Europe (1983), Wings Of Tomorrow (1984), The Final Countdown (1986), Out Of This World (1988), Prisoners In Paradise (1991), Start From The Dark (2004), Secret Society (2006), Almost Unplugged (2008), Last Look At Eden (2009), and Bag of Bones (2012).
Only ten guitars have been especially customized for this once-in-a-lifetime auction to celebrate Europe's 30 Anniversary in the music business. "We wanted to create something really special to mark our 30th anniversary," says Europe's drummer, Ian Haugland.
The proceeds from the sale of the Final Countdown guitar will go to the charity Medicins Sans Frontiers / Läkare utan gränser. "We think they are doing very important and inspiring work giving medical aid in emergency areas around the world, including the charity work in the Philippines," says Europe's bass guitarist John Leven.
In 2013, Europe has toured extensively throughout Germany, Spain, Turkey, Japan and Mexico. They conclude their world tour on 14th December in Sandviken, Sweden. "We believe this is something a Europe fan, a lover of guitars and art would appreciate," says lead singer, Joey Tempest.
GUITAR LEGEND MICHAEL SCHENKER RETURNS WITH BRAND NEW ALBUM & UNITES WITH OLD FRIENDS:
It's universally agreed that Michael Schenker is one of the greatest heavy metal/hard rock guitarists of all-time, as the amount of renowned guitarists that list him as a prime influence is off the charts. And on his newest release, Bridge the Gap, this German guitar great has united with his old rhythm section from the Scorpions days - bassist Francis Buchholz and drummer Herman Rarebell - as well as enlisting ex-Rainbow singer Doogie White, plus guitarist/keyboardist Wayne Findlay. And if that wasn't enough metallic star power, none other than Don Dokken lends his vocals to an exclusive track ("Faith") only available on the album's "deluxe edition."
Produced by Michael Schenker and Michael Voss (and engineered by Voss), 'Bridge the Gap' will be released in the US via the inakustik label on January 7, 2014 (and credited to Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock), with the traditional thirteen-track release features such fierce rockers as "Where the Wild Winds Blow" and "Horizons."
'Bridge the Gap' will be released in 3 configurations:
* CD
* Deluxe Edition - * media book packaging, plus o-card with high relief and partial gloss coating of the Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock logo, * extended booklet with signatures of all band members, * bonus track, "Faith," sung by Don Dokken.
* 180 gram LP
Check out a trailer for the album here: www.in-akustik.com/PR-Portal/MadiaKit.asp?bid=1266631039&lang=en#Video.
Michael Schenker will kick off the first round of 2014 dates with a US trek, which will feature a line-up comprised of Schenker, White, and Findlay, as well as bassist Rev Jones and drummer Pete Holmes, before the "album line-up" will take over for a World Tour starting in Japan in March.
And now, a word from Schenker himself: "Hello America - I am very much looking forward to touring the States in Jan/Feb, and to introducing my new singer, Doogie White, and material from our brand new album, 'Bridge the Gap.' Doogie, Wayne Findlay and myself will be promoting our new album in the States before teaming up with the album line-up for a World Tour starting in March in Japan. We are all looking forward to rock you. 'Til then, keep on rocking."
Michael Schenker Bridge The Gap US Tour 2014:
Jan-09 Las Vegas, Nv Lvcs
Jan-10 Corona, Ca M -15 Concert Theatre
Jan-11 Ramona, Ca Ramona Main Stage Theatre
Jan-14 Denver, Co Ecks Saloon
Jan-16 Libertyville, Il Austins
Jan-17 Libertyville, Il Austins
Jan-18 Toronto, Canada Rockpile West
Jan-19 Toronto, Canada Rockpile East
Jan-20 Englewood, Nj Bergan Performing Arts Center
Jan-21 Londonberry, Nh Tuepelo Music Hall
Jan-22 New York, Ny Bb Kings Concert Hall
Jan-24 Sayreville, Nj Starland Ballroom
Jan-25 Poughkeepsie, Ny Chance Theatre
Jan-27 Sellersville, Pa Sellersville Theatre
Jan-28 Cleveland, Oh Agora Ballroom
Jan-30 Oaklahoma City, Ok Chameleon Ballroom
Jan-31 Houston, Tx Concert Pub North
Feb-01 San Antonio, Tx Backstage Live
Feb-06 San Francisco, Ca Yoshi's
Feb-07 Orangevale, Ca Boardwalk
Feb-08 Portland, Or Tba
Feb-09 Seattle, Wa El Corazon
Feb-12 Hollywood, Ca House Of Blues
Feb-15 San Juan, Capistrano, Ca The Coach House
Feb-16 Hermosa Beach, Ca St Rocke
Tracklisting: 1. Where The Wild Winds Blow 2. Horizons 3. Lord Of The Lost And Lonely 4. Rock n Roll Symphony 5. To Live For The King 6. Land Of Thunder 7. Temple Of The Holy 8. Shine On 9. Bridges We Have Burned 10. Because You Lied 11. Black Moon Rising 12. Dance For The Piper 13. Faith (Bonus Track Deluxe Edition only)
For more information, visit: www.michaelschenkerhimself.com / www.bridge-the-gap-album.com/home.
PLEASE SUPPORT PETITION FOR MEDICATION FOR DAVID LAUSER'S WIFE: Classic Metal Show's Chris Aiken sent in this important news item: "I did an interview with 30 year Sammy Hagar drummer David Lauser this week. His wife Liza has inoperable brain cancer on her brain stem. There's a medicine out there that has shown to work in about 30% of people, but they are being denied it because she didn't get diagnosed in time for their time trials. In short, they are telling her to die instead of giving her a chance with the meds. Anyway, they need to get people to sign a petition so the FDA will allow her the meds. It's free to sign up at: www.change.org/petitions/fda-give-liza-cozad-access-to-the-cancer-drug-that-could-save-her-life."
The link to the interview with David: www.spreaker.com/user/cmsrocks/interview-with-drummer-david-lauser.
JIZZY PEARL TO FRONT QUIET RIOT IN 2014:
A surprise statement over the weekend from Quiet Riot: "Quiet Riot is pleased to announce the addition of Love/Hate vocalist Jizzy Pearl, who will perform his debut Quiet Riot show on New Year's Eve December 31 in Flagstaff, Arizona. We are thrilled with the new addition and welcome Jizzy to the Quiet Riot family. The band is currently in the recording studio with Jizzy in preparation for the release of a new Quiet Riot CD in early 2014. Quiet Riot and Scott Vokoun have parted company amicably and thank Scott for his past dedication and wish him much continued success."
NIGHT RANGER STILL BIG IN JAPAN AND NEW INTERVIEW: Night Ranger's Rock In Japan '97 has been re-issued yet again - this time under the title Big In japan. If you don't already have it - the US release is certainly cheaper and well worth owning for the great set list:
CD1: 01 – Neverland 02 – Touch Of Madness 03 – My Elusive Mind 04 – Sing Me Away 05 – Someday I Will 06 – Brad Gillis Solo 07 – Rumors In The Air 08 – Jeff Watson Solo 09 – Eddie's Coming Out Tonight 10 – Sentimental Street 11 – Goodbye
CD2: 01 – Forever All Over Again 02 – Slap Like Being Born 03 – When You Close Your Eyes 04 – New York Time 05 – Don't Tell Me You Love Me 06 – Sister Christian 07 – (You Can Still) Rock America 08 – Interview With Brad Gillis And Kelly Keagy (New Bonus).
HAREM SCAREM PODCAST: focusonmetal.net have added a special extra episode this week featuring Harry Hess from Harem Scarem. "What do you do when you have so much audio that you can't put it all out in time. In our case you decide to start doing extra shows. That's the case this week as we bring our talk with Harry Hess about the new Harem Scarem release Mood Swings II. So enjoy this special shorter format episode of FoM."
NEWS FROM JOHN WAITE:
News from Wouter @ John Waite NL: "Its been a long time but I think its good to share some news with you all on the John Waite websites:
Many new interviews, with many insights on John Waite's personal life, The Babys, and the recording of the new Album All Access. But also statements about The reuniting of The Babys with former members Tony Brock and Wally Stocker and a new singer, but not with John Waite. John declined.
Furthermore the full Video of John Waite's single The Hard Way and never seen before and a fabulous live performance of Suicide Life (Live at Lisbon) and more at: www.johnwaitethesinger.com/blog and johnwaite.nl/pages/177245/NEWS_2013.html.
PREVIEW NEW HUMAN FORTRESS: Human Fortress - Wasted Years (2013) official clip / AFM Records - taken from the album "Raided Land", released on November 29th, 2013, mixed and mastered by Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann (Orden Ogan).
UK ROCKERS FAHRAN UPLOAD NEW VIDEO:
"Derbyshire rockers Fahran have teamed up with ex-Serpentine front-man Matt Black to work on their second album due to be released early 2014. The band formed in 2012 and within 18 months released their debut album, performed at Download Festival and Bloodstock Festival and have supported various bands such Heaven's Basement, I AM I and more!
Now the band aim to go for a heavier, more mature sound with new lead vocalist Matt and have recently released a video to their new single 'Take This City Alive'. The band are represented by Jailbreak Agency so expect to see a new album, more music videos, various festival and tour announcements for next year".
WebLinks: www.fahran.com / www.facebook.com/fahranmusic / www.twitter.com/fahranmusic.
INTERVIEWS WITH PETE WAY, MICHAEL KISKE, COLIN HAY, AND RORY GALLAGHER: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week features exclusive interviews with legendary former UFO bassist Pete Way, Unisonic / Place Vendome vocalist Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween), Donal Gallagher, brother of the late guitar hero Rory Gallagher, Colin Hay (ex-Men At Work), and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-pete-way-donal-gallagher-michael-kiske-colin-hay-interviews/
In the first hour of the show, Pete Way discusses his new role as an ambassador for the charity Prostate Cancer UK (www.prostatecanceruk.org ), which specialises in raising awareness of the illness, funding research into it, and supporting those diagnosed with it (as Pete recently was). Pete also talks about the recent UFO live album "Hot N Live – The Chrysalis Anthology 1974-1983", and chooses tracks from the release.
Also in the first hour, former Helloween vocalist Michael Kiske talks about the new album from his Place Vendome project, "Thunder In The Distance", with two tracks from the record. Michael also talks about Unisonic's current plans for a new album and live dates in 2014.
In part 2 Donal Gallagher, brother and manager of the late guitar legend Rory Gallagher, discusses the new crime-noir themed box set "Kickback City", which features a crime-themed compilation of Rory's music, along with "The Lie Factory", a new novella by author Ian Rankin, illustrated by graphic novel artist Timothy Truman, both of whom are long-time fans of Rory.
And finally, former Men At Work frontman Colin Hay talks about his current solo acoustic tour of the UK.
UNITED ROCKERS FOR YOU: GEORGE TUTKO:
Dear friends, and fellow musicians... This is Terry Ilous of the band Great White. Recently our friend, and music producer George Tutko has been diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer, and he needs our help and support. As many of you might know, George is a very proud man, and has been determined to do this all on his own. But with limited insurance, and mounting bills from medicine, hospital visits & chemo; the life he had been working for all these years is being quickly ripped away from him.
I know many of us have been touched by cancer in some way. Whether it was a friend, fellow musician, a family member, or a spouse, we can all understand the feeling of loss & helplessness he feels at this time.
I have set up a fund at www.youcaring.com/Georgetutko (YouTube video) that I am posting around the web, and I am writing to you, his friends in the industry, and asking if you can please help me in giving back to this man, who has done so much, for so many of our careers.
I am asking for any monetary donation you can make; and also for donations of any merchandise or memorabilia you may have that we can auction off at a later date. Please help me get the word out by posting the video message & link out on your Twitter, Facebook, web-sites, and to fellow musicians.
- Your time and support is very much appreciated. Please help me show George that he has not alone in this fight.
GARY SCHUTT RELEASES 10TH SOLO ALBUM "MOVING PARTS":
Multi-instrumentalist/songwriter and longtime Jeff Scott Solo collaborator Gary Schutt just released his 10th solo album Moving Parts on Palisade Records. After giving fans a teaser of some of the tracks at Melodic Rock Fest 3, Gary decided to put the album out a little earlier than anticipated due to fan response. The album boats 12 brand new tracks that are very melodic and guitar driven, with three of them being guitar heavy instrumentals. Four videos from the album can be seen on Gary's YouTube channel with more to come. Here's one: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qP0GzbPs.
Album purchase links are at: www.garyschutt.com.
NEW DEGREED VIDEO - DEBUT ALBUM ON SALE:
Check out the brand new Degreed song and video What If - from their current album We Don't Belong below. A review for the new album is online now. And a limited number of copies remain for the band's also awesome MRR debut Life, Love, Loss for the sale price of $10 + shipping - purchase direct here: www.melodicrockdirect.com:
GEOFF DOWNES AND ANNE-MARIE HELDER RELEASE THEIR COLLABORATIVE ALBUM:
The new album, Electronica, is a collaboration between Geoff Downes and Anne-Marie Helder and has been released by NDO Records, via Cherry Red, on both CD and Download.
The album had previously only been available on a direct to consumer basis and now receives its first distribution and digital release in time for Christmas 2013. The direct to consumer version, which featured the same 12 tracks, received tremendous critical acclaim and was for sale on the 2012 and 2013 Yes World Tours.
The album's unique mix of dance and pop along with Helder's award winning melodic vocals, gives listeners a unique blend on genres not easily pre-judged or ignored. The album has the potential to appeal to all age ranges and music tastes, yet does not confine itself to any one taste, feel or genre nametag.
Geoff Downes commented "The concept of the New Dance Orchestra is to create entirely 'virtual' orchestrations, utilising a variety of musical instruments made up from computerised technology and other various audio resources. Electronica is the result of a collection of carefully crafted songs using these orchestral treatments on each individual track in different ways." Geoff Downes is a member of The Buggles, Yes and ASIA. Downes co-wrote and played on the hits Video Killed The Radio Star and Heat Of The Moment. Anne-Marie Helder is a member of Panic Room and Mostly Autumn. Helder won Prog Magazine's Best Female Vocalist Award in both 2010 and 2011.
The album is available from all good record stores, a dedicated micro-site, Cherry Red and digital retailers including iTunes.
Available to buy from: www.newdanceorchestra.com / www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=4415 / itunes.apple.com/gb/album/electronica/id744843828.
THE FROM OUT OF NOWHERE PODCAST:
The From Out Of Nowhere Podcast has posted a new audio interview with Fin Muir. The former Waysted frontman was recently in the United States appearing live with American Dog to promote the recently released Fin Muir/American Dog CD Dogatized. While in the studio recording new material with Columbus, Ohio based band Snowblynd, Fin spoke about the formation of Waysted, working with Pete Way and recording "Handbags and Gladrags" for the original UK version of The Office.
The Fin/American Dog release Dogatized can be ordered at: capitalcitymusicfactory.com / The interview can be heard at: fromoutofnowheremedia.tumblr.com/post/67555966778/episode-84-fin-muir-this-week-rob-and-eric.
NEW VOCALIST FOR RIOT: Riot news from: www.facebook.com/riotrockcity: "RIOT would like to thank all of our fans for their undying patience, love and support as we go through a difficult transitional period for the band.
As all of you know, we lost our inspirational leader, founder and brother Mark Reale last year after a long battle with Crohn's disease. In Mark's honor and with the blessing of his father, Tony Reale, we have decided to continue to carry the torch for our fallen comrade.
There has been a lot of speculation and opinions concerning what the band should do next. We understand the apprehensions held by many, but out of respect for Mark and our legion of fans we have decided to continue to bring you the Riot music you've come to know, love and appreciate throughout the years. We promise to continue on in this same great tradition. We couldn't move forward without your support.
We also would like to thank the many singers who tried-out to be a vocalist with Riot as we worked to replace the great Tony Moore, who has decided to step away from the music business. He has settled down with his wife, Ann and a great job. We thank Tony for joining us on a reunion record and a few dates for our fans and we wish him and his wife nothing but the best; Never Surrender Tony!
Thank you vocalist extraordinaires Tony Harnell, Bryan Harrington, Sean Peck, Daniel Heiman, Joey Belladonna, Chandler Mogel and a host of others for believing, singing and chatting with us and helping us out.
We would like to introduce an amazing vocalist and human being who will help us rebuild this metal juggernaut and step in and fill some big shoes while sharing the same vision as the rest of us. He has the experience to take over the reins and front one of metal's pioneering bands with an amazing vocal range and stage presence. He is a great songwriter to boot! Please put your hands together and welcome to the stage … Todd Michael Hall.
You might know Todd from Jack Starr's Burning Starr and Reverence. If you do know him you know this guy can sing! We went through many talented vocal submissions, but in the end, metal aficionado and guru Bart Gabriel, who happens to work with the great Burning Starr knew what we were looking for and bestowed upon us this great gift in a vocalist.
Todd is the fifth in series of great RIOT frontmen. Phase One: Guy Speranza; Phase Two: Rhett Forrester; Phase Three: Tony Moore, Phase Four: Mike DiMeo and now Phase Five: Todd Michael Hall!
With a few European Riot V (Mark Reale Tribute) dates being booked for early 2014 and a new album in the works for a summer 2014 release, Riot V is inspired as never before and still at the top of its game. The new CD promises to be a true successor to the legacy of "Thundersteel," "Privilege of Power" and "Immortal Soul."
Mark Reale and the Riot legacy will forever shine on and as long as the people demand it we will keep coming back with great music for years to come. Thank you and lots of love for your faith and undying support throughout the years and for your future support. Please welcome Todd Michael Hall to Riot V.
MRX UPDATED: MRX has been updated with Part 3 of the Billboard Rock Top 40 track list for 1986 - another 70 songs! Join MRX Now.
REVIEWS UPDATE:
A nice big Reviews update online today, with new reviews for: Place Vendome, Stryper, Def Leppard, Degreed, Ted Nugent, Adriangale, Maxx Explosion, Jesse Damon, Brett Walker, The Theander Experience, Sparklands, Kick, LaValle, Reece, Lost Weekend, Sideburn, Farraday and Niva. Read The Reviews.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
RED DRAGON CARTEL TO RELEASE THEIR SELF-TITLED DEBUT VIA FRONTIERS RECORDS:
New Album by Band Comprised of Former Ozzy Osbourne/Badlands Guitar Legend Jake E. Lee, Bassist Ronnie Mancuso, Vocalist D.J. Smith and Drummer Jonas Fairley Set for Release in January
The newest band ready to take aim at the creative void in the hard rock world, Red Dragon Cartel, are set to release their debut album via Frontiers Records. The self-titled debut by the band made up of guitar legend Jake E. Lee, bassist Ronnie Mancuso, singer D.J. Smith and drummer Jonas Fairley is set for release on January 24 in Europe and January 28 in North America. Jake E. Lee is best known for his work in Badlands and as guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne on Bark at the Moon and The Ultimate Sin albums. Red Dragon Cartel also features various guest appearances from some of music's most notable faces including legendary Cheap Trick vocalist Robin Zander, original Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno, Kill Devil Hill/Pantera bassist Rex Brown, Slash's Conspirators Todd Kearns and Brent Fitz and In This Moment front woman Maria Brink. The album was produced by Ronnie Mancuso and Jake E. Lee and was executive produced, mixed and mastered by Kevin Churko (In This Moment, Ozzy Osbourne, Five Finger Death Punch).
From the opening riff of "Deceived" to final sustained piano chord of "Exquisite Tenderness," it is clear Red Dragon Cartel has created an album that stands amongst some of the greatest hard rock albums of all time. Infectious songs such as "Shout It Out," "Wasted" and "Slave" showcase the band's ability to write memorable hooks and vocal melodies. Robin Zander of Cheap Trick lends his voice to the track "Feeder" and a lyric video for the song can be seen at tinyurl.com/FeederLyricVideo. Maria Brink of In This Moment lends her unique vocals to the track "Big Mouth." Paul Di'Anno and Sass Jordan also lend their talents to the band's debut. Jake E. Lee's trademark playing style instantly shines through and picks up right where he left off. The album is available for pre-order on Amazon.com at amzn.to/1aYjMng or digitally on iTunes at smarturl.it/reddragoncartel that comes with an instant download of "Deceived."
The track listing for Red Dragon Cartel is: 1. Deceived 2. Shout It Out 3. Feeder with Robin Zander 4. Fall From The Sky (Seagull) 5. Wasted with Paul Di'Anno 6. Slave 7. Big Mouth with Maria Brink 8. War Machine 9. Redeem Me with Sass Jordan 10. Exquisite Tenderness.
The band will be bringing these new powerhouse songs on the road playing a handful of dates in the US before embarking on a full tour in 2014. Tickets are currently on-sale and all information can be found on the band's website.
December 12th – Los Angeles, CA – Whisky A Go Go
December 14th – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theater (Support of Queensryche)
December 15th – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick
December 20th – Las Vegas, NV – Count's Vamp'd
WebLinks: reddragoncartel.com / www.facebook.com/reddragoncartel / twitter.com/reddragoncartel.
xx
FIREFEST – THE FINAL FLING 2014 - SHOW LAUNCH NOVEMBER 24:
"The line-up announcement for the final Firefest will take place on Sunday November 24th on ARFM Radio (www.arfm.co.uk) on the Steve Price Rock Show starting at 6pm GMT (7pm CET/1pm EST/10am West Coast). Running for a massive 4 hours plus, listen in as the line-up is revealed band by band with guest interviews from all of the bands playing the show as well as, of course, plenty of music. As this is the final Firefest, the interest level in the show has been nothing short of phenomenal so far. All VIP packages and VIP tickets are SOLD OUT and with 400 weekend tickets already sold without a single band being announced, there will be less than 1000 tickets for each day available to purchase.
Tickets can be purchased in a number of ways and full ticketing details are available on the Firefest web site www.firefestofficial.com. We are not going to give away any clues at this point, only we fell it is one of the strongest line ups Firefest has ever assembled and there IS something for every fan that calls themselves a fan of hard rock, melodic hard rock and of course AOR. There is absolutely no doubt that this show will sell out well in advance and it is advisable that if you intend to come along to get your tickets to the show as soon as possible.
There will be a little added extra for all those that have bought tickets through blind faith – the first 250 of that bought tickets (including sponsors and VIPs) will all be attending a very special acoustic evening on Saturday October 25th – something which no-one will want to miss as it will be a very special performance by … well, we are not saying until Sunday. And for the first 250 people that purchase tickets after the line-up is announced we again have something a little special in store for you on Friday October 24th – another (different) acoustic show … well, two actually, by … well, again we're keeping that under wraps until Sunday! Fancy a sing-along – then this is right up your street, we guarantee it.
Drop by our Facebook page Firefest Official Group – the natives are a real nice bunch – and of course remember, this coming Saturday Nov 23rd on the Steve Price Rock Show will be the final 3 unsigned bands all vying to open Firefest 2014 – every vote counts and you can vote on our Facebook page. After all, the winners will be playing for YOU."
HINDER VOCALS DEPARTURE CONFIRMED: Hinder have officially parted ways with their lead singer, Austin Winkler. A statement from drummer Cody Hanson reads: "I'm really proud of what we accomplished over the years. We hold no animosity towards Austin, and wish him the best. Although it was a difficult decision, it was the best thing for everyone involved and time for us to move on. This summer/fall tour was a tough one. We want to thank the fans for all their overwhelming support. We couldn't have made it through everything without you. We are very excited about the future of Hinder and can't wait to share the next chapter with all of you!"
PERSUADER: "THE FICTION MAZE" DETAILS REVEALED:
The fourth Persuader album The Fiction Maze will be released in Europe on January 17th and in North America on January 21st through Inner Wound Recordings. Avalon/Marquee will release the album in Japan on December 25th.
The Fiction Maze is another step forward for Persuader as they constantly continue to develop their sound, song-writing skills and performance. Persuader describes the sound on the album: A lot of hard work was put into creating the perfect mix of everything we've done so far. We've expanded on the Persuader sound while keeping true to the core that is the band; heavy riffing, strong melodies, pounding rhythms and soaring vocals.
The mixing and mastering was handled by Ronnie Bjornstrom [Aeon, Apostasy, Bone Gnawer] and the production fits the album really well, giving lots of space to the more aggressive side of the Persuader sound, but without losing the melodic parts in the process.
The Fiction Maze is the proof that Persuader is still one of the most exciting Swedish bands, and also one of the best power metal bands there is. The performance, song-writing and production is outstanding and with vocalist Jens Carlsson [who made his best vocal contribution so far on this album] they truly stand out in the scene and The Fiction Maze will for sure be a big hit and a classic in the scene.
Check out an album teaser at YouTube here: youtu.be/lvJAbt3Zbsw.
"The Fiction Maze" track listing: 01. One Lifetime 02. War 03. The Fiction Maze 04. Deep in the Dark 05. InSect 06. Son of Sodom 07. Sent to the Grave 08. Heathen 09. Dagon Rising 10. Worlds Collide 11. Falling Faster.
"The Fiction Maze" can be pre-ordered at the Inner Wound Store [CD, vinyl, t-shirt bundles available] at innerwound.bigcartel.com.
A limited 12" double gatefold edition of "The Fiction Maze" will be released on February 7th.
Persuader is: Jens Carlsson - Vocals, Fredrik Hedstrom - Bass, Emil Norberg - Guitars, Daniel Sundbom - Guitars, Efraim Juntunen - Drums.
xx
PODCAST BRIEFS: The Decibel Geek Podcast has released an interview with Cherie Currie, lead vocalist of the legendary Runaways. Conducted just before leaving on tour, Cherie caught up with Decibel Geek writer Wally Norton to tell us about her new tour and recording a new solo album. Also included in the interview, Cherie discusses her Christmas duet with Lita Ford, her relationship with former manager Kim Fowley, creating art with a chainsaw, the possibility of a Runaways reunion and her views on current popular music.
Direct link to the interview: dbgeekshow.blogspot.ca/2013/11/ch-ch-cherie-bomb-hits-hamiltontalks-to.html. To access the Decibel Geek Podcast visit www.dbgeekshow.blogspot.com.
The new episode of Focus On Metal is up. Tracy G discusses how he joined Dio, writing and recording the album, his relationship with Ronnie, the fans criticism towards him and tons more. www.focusonmetal.net.
PHENOMENA 30TH ANNIVERSARY 2014:
New 2014 Studio Album - Reissue of Entire Back Catalogue - Remix of Phenomena 1984 - Live DVD - Merchandising
2014 European Festival Dates - International Tour Dates - Arena Stage Show 2015/16
Phenomena celebrates its 30th Anniversary by performing live in 2014 for the first time EVER! since the critically acclaimed debut album Phenomena was released in 1984! 1.2 Million Albums Sold Internationally / Top 10 Album Chart Success / No 1 Single Chart Success / Internationally Acclaimed Rock Musicians / Rock Opera Stage Production in Development for 2015/16 / New Studio Album In Production For 2014 Back Catalogue Reissued on Limited Edition Vinyl, CD & Download on ITunes & Amazon / Remix of Phenomena 1984.
The Phenomena Project is a music concept, which has its original music roots within the rock genre accumulating album sales of over 1.2 million Worldwide. Music and performance contributions are from musicians such as; Mel Galley (Trapeze & Whitesnake), Brian May (Queen), Glenn Hughes (Trapeze & Deep Purple), Richard Bailey (Magnum), Cozy Powell (Whitesnake), Rick Saunders (Fairport Convention), Don Airey (Deep Purple), John Wetton (UK & Asia), Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy), Ray Gillan (Black Sabbath), Neil Murray (Whitesnake & Black Sabbath), Leif Johansen (21 Guns), Michael Sturgis (Wishbone Ash) Keith Murrell (Mamas Boys) and many others.
To date there are three studio albums Phenomena, Phenomena II (Dream Runner) & Phenomena III (Inner Vision), with a new studio album currently in production with producer Simon Hanhart. We are currently developing Phenomena as a major Rock Opera spectacular for the European Arena market in 2015 (Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Scandinavia). Music samples: www.phenomenaproject.co.uk/music.php Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz9UNyEKBjg.
WebLink: www.phenomenaproject.co.uk
JOURNEY ALONG WITH STEVE MILLER AND TOWER OF POWER: Journey and Steve Miller Band will kick off a 2014 summer tour on May 15 at the Sleep Train Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, California with special guest Tower of Power. The tour, produced by Live Nation, will bring two of the iconic groups that helped define the "San Francisco Sound" - Journey and Steve Miller Band - to more than 30 cities across North America including Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto and Detroit. "We are all so looking forward to playing again for you in 2014 with the great company of the Steve Miller Band and Tower of Power," said the members of Journey. "It's going to be a San Francisco musical delight from the past and present, moving full speed ahead into the future!" "I can't think of a better way for the Joker to celebrate his 40th and the Steve Miller Band to enjoy next summer than playing all our hits for all of our fans as we tour the entire USA with our brother San Francisco bands, Journey and the Tower Of Power," says Steve Miller. "This is going to be a not to be missed trifecta of the best of soul, greatest hits and arena rock by three of the greatest bands to come out of San Francisco, clearly a once in a life time event. We can't wait to get started!"
Tickets for the general public go on sale starting Friday, November 22 at www.livenation.com. Fans will have an opportunity to make a donation to benefit those affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan at time of ticket purchase.
Journey VIP Packages will be available through VIP Nation including premium seats, exclusive merchandise and more. For more information, please visit www.VIPNation.com.
Diamond-certified album holder Journey has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has earned 19 Top 40 singles and 25 gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums since its formation in 1973 in San Francisco. The prestigious "Legend of Live Award" was presented to Journey at the 2011 Billboard Touring Awards to honor the band's contributions to live music and the touring business and to acknowledge their commitment to fans and the art of performing live. The band's 2011 World Tour was one of the band's most successful tours ever, drawing nearly a million fans and ranked in the Top 15 Tours of the year. 2011 also marked the 30th anniversary of the band's seminal anthem, "Don't Stop Believin'," the biggest selling song from the 20th century in iTunes history. In 2013, Journey toured four continents and performed to more than half a million fans.
One of rock music's all-time greats, the Steve Miller Band has sold more than 30 million records in a career spanning more than 40 years. His trademark blues-rock sound has made him one of the defining artists of classic rock radio. The 2013 touring season by the Steve Miller Band follows four of the most busy, productive years in the long, illustrious career of Steve Miller. He has released two albums in the past few years including the number one blues album, Bingo, and its successor, Let Your Hair Down - the first new Steve Miller Band in eighteen years. In 2010, Miller went back to Europe for the first time in 25 years for a hugely successful round of dates culminating in a sold-out Royal Albert Hall concert in London that opened the door for the band to tour Europe twice in the past three years. In demand around the world as well, they also launched a tour of Australia and New Zealand in Spring 2013.
ROCKERS FOR ST JUDE VIDEO UPDATE:
A follow-up from last week's Rockers for St. Jude story, the video has now been corrected and is now back online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHIgQkmXaWg. "To all our Rockers for St. Jude: Here's the Official Video for "If I Had The Time (I Could Change The World.)" Please share the love. And after you watch, please download the song to support St. Jude!! Download on iTunes and CDBaby.com"
Thanks for supporting this fine cause.
ADRIAN VANDENBERG RETURNS: Mascot Label Group proudly welcomes Vandenberg's MoonKings. The Dutch rock group will join, amongst others, Joe Bonamassa, Volbeat, Gov't Mule, Beth Hart, Zakk Wylde / Black Label Society and Kenny Wayne Shepherd on the Rotterdam, Holland based record company's roster. Adrian Vandenberg rose to worldwide prominence with Vandenberg, the melodic rock band that hit internationally with the powerfull ballad 'Burning Heart'. ADrian solidified his status as one of the most talented rock guitarists around when he joined Whitesnake/David Coverdale in the hard rock super group Whitesnake, co-writing many of its Billboard Hot 100-hits, like 'The Deeper The Love' and 'Now You're Gone', and supplying the legendary guitar solo to 'Here I Go Again'. After leaving Whitesnake, Adrian concentrated on his successful career as an artist, exhibiting his paintings in prestigious galleries all over Europe. Music however was always prevalent on his mind, so as soon as he had the opportunity to work with some incredibly talented young musicians, he started creating new music. Vandenberg's MoonKings are Adrian Vandenberg (guitar), Jan Hoving (vocals), Sem Christoffel (bass) and Mart Nijen Es (drums).
The band is currently in the studio recording their debut album. "We are proud to have joined the Mascot family. It's a great company with fantastic people that love the music they work with", Adrian Vandenberg enthuses. "The band is raring to go and prove itself to the world, so we're anxious to finish the album and get it out there and I'm very happy that Ed van Zijl is giving us the opportunity to do so".
Vandenberg's MoonKings' debut album will be released on 24 February, 2014, after which the band will tour extensively throughout Europe....and beyond.
THE ANGELS READY TO TALK THE TALK:
Proving that Australian rock bands really are the hardest working outfits on the international music scene, touring legends The Angels are hitting the road again in 2014 to showcase their next new studio album, "Talk The Talk".
Today, ahead of next year's tour, comes the release of the first single, which is the album's own title track "Talk The Talk". Drummer Nick Norton says the band are extremely proud of the finished result. "The guitar sounds, the drum sounds you'll hear on this record are the essence of what a rock band searches for" he says. Penned and refined over seven months while the band was on tour in 2013, the album started to take shape in hotel rooms, in the back of a Tarago and during sound check at venues around Australia. "Talk The Talk" is the epitome of a touring band's album. It's a tight recording, one that is only this way because the band has spent the majority of the last year on the road together.
Formative to the new songs are the now legendary Brewster-Driven-Riffs which have continued to place The Angels right at the centre of a popular local culture that is known historically as Aussie Pub Rock. Also, when making this album the band decided not to set themselves any deadlines or timeframes, instead working tirelessly to ensure that the finished product was exactly what they wanted. The end result is the kind of record that fans of The Angels expect.
"Talk The Talk is a great album," says lead singer Dave Gleeson. "I feel like I can say that because in some ways, I still get to have an outsider's perspective… but from the inside.
To be involved with the process of writing and recording the album with both John and Rick is just such a great experience in itself – then to be able to bring something to that process was even more awesome"
Gleeson goes on to say "….to see the Brewster Brothers produce and arrange the final product has been nothing short of watching magic happen. I can't wait to be delivering the next stage of The Angels' brand of rock and showing off a great new selection of rock songs. Bring on 2014!"
The title track is available as a download starting today. The full album is due for release on 17th January 2014.
VOTE FOR NIGHT X NIGHT: Night X Night are in the finals to play Firefest 2014, would love some extra fan support if you feel so inclined! Vote for them at: bit.ly/1aTWajy.
JOHN MELLENCAMP ON 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF 1983 MEGA-SELLER UH-HUH:
Dallas, TX - November 19, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands travels to small town America to visit with singer- songwriter John Mellencamp about his 1983 mega-hit album Uh-Huh on its 30th anniversary. "Johnny Cougar", as he was originally promoted, had started his career with a minor hit "I Need A Lover" off his second album only to find himself struggling commercially. It wasn't until 1982's American Fool album that John would see his first real success with the ditties "Jack And Diane" and "Hurt So Good". Armed with a # 1 single under his belt, John incorporated his real name Mellencamp into his professional identity and launched himself into Rock superstardom with Uh-Huh and the Top 10 hits "Pink Houses", "Crumblin' Down" and "The Authority Song". John tells InTheStudio host Redbeard that the album was an important turning point for him creatively. "I think Uh-Huh was a lot better record than American Fool, simply because it was the beginning of me becoming focused on what I think I now do. That was really the beginning of me as a songwriter. All the rest of the records were me trying to figure out what the hell was going on. It took me a long time didn't it? (chuckles). Took like five albums." John Mellencamp Uh-Huh interview program is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/john-mellencamp-uh-huh-30th-anniversary.
CD SHOWCASE UPDATE:
Plenty of new music to check out today with new CD Showcases now online for:
- Royal Hunt, Angelica, REO Speedwagon & Benedictum (Frontiers Records, November 29 release).
- Sleeping Romance, Theocracy, Signum Regis (Ulterium Records, all out now) and Silent Voices (Inner Wound Records, out now).
- Starfire - The Way I Am (Independent Release) Check them all out now.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
DEF LEPPARD "VIVA! HYSTERIA" - NEW VIDEO ALBUM SAMPLER RELEASED & VIDEO CHART ENTRIES: Def Leppard have recently released a new "VIVA! Hysteria" Album Sampler on YouTube which can be enjoyed following this link: youtu.be/PJ2VPQDvhzA
Def Leppard's "Viva! Hysteria" video package entered the top 5 national music video charts in 7 countries (U.S.A., Canada, UK, France, Australia, Sweden and Finland) and was Top 15 in another 3 countries (Germany, Switzerland and Japan) in the week of release. The album version also charted in the Top 30 national charts in the USA and Germany, with Top 100 entries in other territories, including the UK.
"Viva! Hysteria" was released last October 18 in Europe and 22 in North America on Frontiers Records and includes a stunning HD live recording of Def Leppard's eleven-show residency which started on March 22, 2013 at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel And Casino in Las Vegas in which the band played for the first time ever their hit album "Hysteria" from start to finish, along with a selection of their other greatest hits and hidden gems from their catalogue.
Available on Frontiers Records in Blu-Ray, DVD, 2CD+DVD, digital download and a limited edition 2CD+Blu Ray, with "Viva! Hysteria" Def Leppard bring their over the top production to your house.
ANGELICA "BREAKING MY HEART" - (OFFICIAL VIDEO): Angelica Breaking My Heart is taken from the album Thrive Out on Frontiers Records on November 29 in Europe and December 4 in North America.
SCORPIONS - MTV UNPLUGGED: The Scorpions release their recent MTV Unplugged performances on December 2nd on 2CD, DVD & Blu-ray on SonyMusic.
On 11th and 12th September 2013 and as part of their massive 38 date Farewell World Tour, Klaus Meine (vocals, guitars), Rudolf Schenker (guitars, vocals), Matthias Jabs (guitars), Pawel Maciwoda (bass) and James Kottak (drums) played two fantastic acoustic sets in the Lycabettus Theatre, Athens and made history in the process; it is the first ever open-air show in the history of MTV Unplugged.
Check out the trailer for the Scorpions "MTV Unplugged": www.youtube.com/results?search_query=THE+SCOPRIONS+UNPLUGGED&sm=12
Throughout its two-and-a-half hours, the show features an impressive range of brand new songs and classic tracks. As vocalist Klaus Meine recalls; "We played here many years ago. It is a beautiful place. I can remember that even back then the fans climbed onto the surrounding rocks. Of course we played some of the greatest classics this time, but we also performed a few new songs as well as material that we had never played live up to then. Those are songs which are very popular with the fans but which somehow never made it onto the set lists."
The Scorpions evidently enjoyed this musical rollercoaster ride through their own history. It is equally obvious that both rock songs and power ballads display their class and style even when rendered as acoustic versions. The melodies maintain their timeless compositional appeal and the quality of the performance showcases the band at their very best.
The show opens with 'Sting In The Tail', arranged in a Cajun style. This song, taken from the eponymous album of 2010, bears witness to how deeply the Scorpions are rooted in rock'n'roll and blues. The same applies to the set of classics that follow, such as 'Pictured Life', 'Speedy's Coming' or the hymnal 'Born To Touch Your Feelings' There are even more nuggets from the sheer endless stock of hits such as 'Rock You Like A Hurricane' 'Still Loving You' 'Big City Nights', 'No One Like You' 'When The Smoke Is Going Down' and 'Wind Of Change' as well as a few welcome surprises to dazzle the connoisseur. 'When You Came Into My Life', where Rudolf Schenker plays a sitar, is one of those tracks which the Scorpions had never before played live, as are 'Where The River Flows' and 'Passion Rules The Game'. They also perform 'Love Is The Answer' a ballad for which Rudolf Schenker took over as lead vocalist a feat that does not happen very often. And immediately after this, Klaus Meine surprises us with the world premiere of 'Follow Your Heart' in this exceptional set of two dozen songs.
'MTV Unplugged' by the Scorpions is released on 2ND December 2013, available as double CD, DVD, Blu-ray and in various other digital and physical configurations.
To pre order each format of 'MTV Unplugged' please clink on the following links: DVD: smarturl.it/Scorpions_DVD?IQid=LR.PR / BLU-RAY: smarturl.it/Scorpions_BluRay?IQid=LR.PR / CD: smarturl.it/Scorpions_Amz?IQid=LR.PR.
Track listing: 1. Sting in the Tail 2. Can't Live Without You 3. Pictured Life 4. Speedy's Coming 5. Born to Touch Your Feelings 6. The Best Is yet to Come 7. Dancing with the Moonlight (MTV Unplugged) 8. In Trance - Scorpions with CÄTHE 9. When You Came into My Life 10. Delicate Dance (Matthias Solo) 11. Love Is the Answer (Rudolf Solo) 12. Follow Your Heart (Klaus Solo) Disc: 2 1. Send Me an Angel 2. Where the River Flows (MTV Unplugged) 3. Passion Rules the Game 4. Rock You Like a Hurricane (MTV Unplugged) - Scorpions with Johannes Strate 5. Hit Between the Eyes 6. Rock 'n' Roll Band 7. Blackout 8. Still Loving You 9. Big City Nights 10. Wind of Change - Scorpions with Morten Harket 11. No One Like You 12. When the Smoke Is Going Down.
NEW MICHAEL MONROE VIDEO PREMIERE: Michael Monroe, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, über-energetic frontman and iconic rock 'n' roll legend, has premiered the new video for "Stained Glass Heart" on GUITARWORLD.com "Stained Glass Heart" marks the third single from his new studio album Horns And Halos, out now on Spinefarm Records. "I'm feeling quite excited about our new 'Stained Glass Heart' video," explains Michael Monroe. "It was shot in Helsinki at an amusement park on a perfectly grey and rainy day which made it look more like an 'abusement park.' The video turned out very cool and classy." Watch the clip on GUITARWORLD.com here: tinyurl.com/ll5r4mx.
SPRINGSTEEN - "HIGH HOPES" SINGLE COMING NEXT WEEK:
Press Release: "Just a date and an image posted on the official site lets us know that a new Bruce Springsteen single is due to drop a week from today: "High Hopes" is coming November 25 as a digital download. A song that's already been a part of the Springsteen catalog for the better part of 20 years, "High Hopes" was written by Tim Scott McConnell. McConnell also known as just Tim Scott, and these days going by Ledfoot first recorded it in 1987 on his album The High Lonesome Sound, and then cut it again with his band The Havalinas in 1990:
Springsteen first tackled the song in 1995 with the E Street Band, releasing a studio recording in conjunction with the Blood Brothers documentary in 1996. An outtake from the Greatest Hits album, you only got this CD EP if you bought the special edition VHS:
Fast forward some 17 years... and Bruce unearthed the song again with Tom Morello, performing it live numerous times on the Wrecking Ball tour in Australia.
Given that Springsteen, Morello, and the E Street Band did some recording while Down Under, it seems a good bet that this single is a new studio recording from March 2013 (though that's yet to be confirmed). Stay tuned for more about the "High Hopes" single, and the forthcoming album from which it's taken, as soon as we know it." - November 18, 2013
BEAUTIFUL BEAST VIDEO DEBUT:
In support of their new album 'Kick Down The Barricades' which will hit the shelves on January 24, 2014 German Hair Metal band Julian Angel's Beautiful Beast have just released their new music video "Bad Boys Never Dance". Besides featuring the opening track of the new record the video also presents a pretty clichéd, stereotyped and most of all predictable storyline that any fan of 80s hard rock and hair metal will love. Is it 80s enough for you? Just try for yourself...
WebLink: www.beautifulbeastrock.com.
Monday, November 18, 2013
STRYPER'S LATEST RELEASE NO MORE HELL TO PAY STORMS THE US CHARTS!:
Band's Critically Acclaimed Album Lands At #2 on the Contemporary Christian Albums, #3 on the Current Hard Music Albums, #3 on the Top Hard Music Albums, #3 on the Billboard Top Christian/Gospel Albums, #6 on the Top Current Rock Albums, #33 on the Billboard Top 200 Current Albums and #35 on the Billboard Top 200
Live CD/DVD Recording at the Legendary Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles on November 16 is SOLD OUT.
Stryper have shown that they are still a force to be reckoned with in the hard rock/heavy metal world with the debut of their recent Frontiers Records release, No More Hell To Pay. The band have stormed the charts landing at #3 on the Current Hard Music Albums and Top Hard Music Albums charts, #6 on the Top Current Rock Album charts, #33 on the Billboard Top 200 Current Albums and #35 on the Billboard Top 200 selling over 9500 copies the first week. Stryper also regained their dominance on the Christian charts landing at #2 on the Contemporary Christian Albums and #3 on the Billboard Top Christian/Gospel Albums. No More Hell To Pay also reached #1 on the iTunes Top Rock Album Charts and #8 on the iTunes Top Album Charts when it was released on November 5th. The original lineup comprised of Michael Sweet (vocals/guitars), Oz Fox (guitars), Tim Gaines (bass) and Robert Sweet (drums) return with an album of all new material showcasing the musicianship that garnered them a huge fan base in the mainstream world and the Christian market. No More Hell To Pay was produced by Michael Sweet. "We're humbled to be charting alongside some of the biggest and best in music today! We've worked hard to deliver the best Stryper record to date and we couldn't be more proud of "No More Hell To Pay"! The Yellow & Black Attack is back (well, we never really left). Here's to 30 more years and we'll see you on the road in 2014," exclaims front man, guitarist and producer Michael Sweet. Stryper, who have become known for their trademark yellow and black outfits and incredible live shows, will be recording a live CD/DVD this month in Los Angeles. The sold-out concert, taking place at the famous Whisky a Go Go on November 16th, will be the band's first show since the release of No More Hell To Pay and will be documented for a future release from the band known for hits such as "Calling On You," "Free" and the Top 40 hit "Honestly."
Stryper is one of the top Christian rock bands of all time. Comprised of the original line-up, Stryper has been rocking since 1984, and is responsible for such '80s metal classic albums as Soldiers Under Command, To Hell With The Devil and In God We Trust. In fact, Stryper is the first band to ever have two songs in MTV's Top 10 simultaneously with their hits "Free" and "Honestly." After a sabbatical for much of the 1990's, Stryper returned strong in the early 21st century. To date, the Dove Award-winning and Grammy nominated band has sold upwards of 10 million records worldwide.
JOURNEY DONATES $350,000 TO HELP THE PHILIPPINES IN AFTERMATH OF SUPER TYPHOON:
Filipino Lead Singer Arnel Pineda to Support Relief Effort from His Homeland
Donation Will Provide More than 1.4 Million Meals to Those in Need
Manila – Manila native and Journey lead singer Arnel Pineda announced today that he, Journey and their team - promoter Live Nation Entertainment; Creative Artists Agency (CAA); and Manager John Baruck - are donating more than $350,000 USD to provide emergency food relief to people impacted by the recent super typhoon in the Philippines. These initial funds will help the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) provide Filipinos in urgent need of food assistance with more than 1.4 million meals. "Don't stop believing, help is on the way for the people of the Philippines," said Arnel Pineda, who is leading the efforts to mobilize the coalition of partners. Pineda, based in Manila, plans to meet with World Food Programme's Executive Director Ertharin Cousin Saturday at WFP's Philippines headquarters in Manila to announce the donation.
The largest storm to ever make landfall, Super Typhoon Haiyan caused catastrophic damage, with more than 615,000 people displaced. When disaster strikes and hours can mean the difference between life and death, the UN World Food Programme is among the first on the ground to provide life-saving assistance.
Journey is calling on fans to join them and make urgent donations to support life-saving food relief for millions of Filipinos. Donations can be made at www.wfpusa.org/journey or by texting the word AID to 27722 to instantly donate $10.
WFP's efforts will ensure that 2.5 million people receive food, logistics and emergency telecommunications over the next six months. More than 170,000 people have received WFP rice rations to date, as part of family food packs from WFP handed out by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Aid is also beginning to reach more remote locations, with distributions of High Energy Biscuits made in 20 communities on Friday. Life-saving HEBs are used in emergencies because they are nutritious, light to transport and need no cooking. "We're honored to have Journey's support and Arnel Pineda's leadership on this incredible donation for WFP's emergency relief in the Philippines," said Hunter Biden, Board Chair of World Food Program USA. "Their support is going to make a real difference for so many Filipino children and families in need."
WFP crosses the world's toughest terrain to get food to the people who need it most, no matter what it takes. As the largest humanitarian organization in the world, WFP feeds more than 97 million people in 80 countries last year. Funded entirely by voluntary donations, WFP counts on ongoing support to be able to provide food where and when it is needed most.
World Food Program USA (WFP USA) works to solve global hunger, building a world where everyone has the food and nutrition needed to lead healthy, productive lives. WFP USA raises support for these efforts in the United States by engaging individuals, organizations and businesses, shaping public policy and generating resources for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
Check: www.journeymusic.com for more information.
MELODIC BRIEFS: Motley Crue Frontman Vince Neil Celebrates Grand Opening of New Rock 'n Roll - full press release including photos and video from the event, visit: www.toppresskits.com/vinceneilpress.
Gegers from Scorpions' Official French Fan Club - Crazyscorps recently conducted an interview with German guitar legend Michael Schenker, to talk about his new album Bridge The Gap, family relations and first times. The video is on youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2Dcgeh3Sqg.
UK website Give The Drummer Some! has posted a brand new audio interview with acclaimed drummer Bobby Jarzombek (Fates Warning, Sebastian Bach, Halford). Among other topics, Jarzombek talks about his early influences, being a self-taught drummer, working with Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford and Sebastian Bach, and, for the first time ever, about his turning down the Dream Theater drummer audition in 2010. The podcast can be accessed at this location: gtdspod.wordpress.com.
THE HEAVIEST ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SWEDISH HARD ROCK AND HEAVY METAL EVER! :
The title may be cocky, but this is the biggest and most comprehensive book about Swedish hard rock and heavy metal ever made. An almost 4 kilos (8.5 pounds) heavy metal bible featuring over 3,600 Swedish recording hard rock bands, from the fluffiest AOR to the blackest metal, with detailed descriptions on 912 full colour pages. Biographies, members' information, hometowns, description of the bands' sounds and styles, detailed discographies with various pressings and formats, depicted artworks and also a price indication guide. Besides a geographical index, the book also contains a name index with over 11,700 Swedish hard rock and metal musicians. All this topped by cool never before published photos.
Exclusive bonus CD! Featuring previously unreleased recordings by bands featuring members that are or have been in bands like The Poodles, HammerFall, 220 Volt, Heavy Load, F.K.Ü, Candlemass, Therion, Talisman etc.
Janne Stark started his musical career in the mid-seventies, made his recording debut with the band Paradize in 1980 and formed one of the first classic heavy metal bands in Sweden, Overdrive, the same year, with whom he still plays. In the mid-eighties he started writing reviews for local publications and in 1990 he became a staff writer for Backstage Magazine. Janne has since written for publications such as Hard Roxx, Sweden Rock Magazine, Metal Zone, Kool Kat Magazine and FUZZ Guitar magazine, whom he still writes for. In 1996 Janne's first encyclopedia, The Encyclopedia Of Swedish Hard Rock And Heavy Metal 1970-1996, was released. It featured around 1 000 bands. It was also released in special Japanese edition. 2002 saw the release of the follow-up, Volume 2, where another 600 bands were added. Janne has since continuously compiled material for the third edition, which has now been released. The new book features all bands from the first two book, plus another 1 000 new or forgotten bands. Other musical projects have also taken up Janne's time during the years, where he has released recordings with bands like Constancia, Mountain Of Power, Locomotive Breath, Zello, Planet Alliance, Overdrive, Grand Design and BALLS. He has also made guest appearances on albums by Narnia, Thalamus, Blinded Colony, M.O.B, Faith, Chris Catena and Spearfish.
912 pages, format 220 x 280 mm ISBN 978-91-89136-56-4 Release date: Nov 8, 2013 Premium Publishing, Stockholm www.premiumpublishing.com.
UFO BOOK UNCOVERS THE BIZZARE: 'Your new bass player is lying on the floor completely out of it on drink and drugs; he'll fit in really well!' (UFO manager telephoning Phil Mogg)
Life in UFO has never been dull, that's for sure. The group has a reputation for partying as hard as it rocks, and controversy has never been too far away. Numerous line-up changes, splits, reunions and in-fighting have been par for the course but, 45 years after their formation, the band is still going from strength to strength and, arguably, producing the best music of their career.
Top metal writer Neil Daniels' new book on UFO inevitably covers some of the 'Spinal Tap' moments in the band's history (and there have been plenty), but also unashamedly puts the music centre stage.
Why not too? This band has been an enormous influence on so many of today's top rockers: Metallica, Iron Maiden, Pearl Jam and Slash from Guns N' Roses, amongst others, are all admirers. The list of former members is impressive: Michael Schenker, Pete Way, Larry Wallis, Bernie Marsden, Paul Chapman, Billy Sheehan, Jason Bonham, Aynsley Dunbar, Tommy McClendon and more. High Stakes & Dangerous Men includes a foreword by the American broadcaster and author Eddie Trunk, and an afterword by British rock journalist Peter Makowski. The book contains some rare and previously unseen photos. Neil Daniels is the author of over a dozen books on rock and metal and has contributed to many music magazines, fanzines and websites. Visit neildanielsbooks.tumblr.com and neildanielsbooks.wordpress.com
For more information, please contact Phil Godsell at Soundcheck Books: www.soundcheckbooks.co.uk.
Friday, November 15, 2013
PLACE VENDOME "THUNDER IN THE DISTANCE" - EPK: Place Vendome "Thunder in the Distance" - EPK (Official / New Album 2013 / Feat. Michael Kiske) Available Now!
INTRODUCING ZOMBIE UNION: Marc Farrano, the voice of Faith Circus, proudly announced, 12.12.12, the official launch of his solo project Zombie:Union featuring former and current members of bands such as Guns n' Roses, Kiss, Whitesnake, Alice Cooper, House Of Lords, Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Dio, Queensrÿche, Union, and many others!!… NOW!...a double YouTube teaser has found it's way onto the world wide web!
"So...what is Zombie:Union? Well...it sure as shit ain't got anything to do with dead people walking, WWZ, or video games guaranteed to rot your brain (Hey! We're over 25! We don't get it! Aiit?!). No, it's just another description for a gathering of freaks, social outcasts, shadow creatures...ROCK MUSICIANS!! People famousely known for sleeping all day and roaming around at night...
Although keeping Faith Circus as the main occupation, it's great and extremely healthy to have a creative outlet unbound by outside interference, expectations, or a time frame!
At the moment two separate albums are being worked on! The "Faith Circus like" (or as Quiet Riot/ex-House Of Lords bass player Chuck Wright called it "Van Halen w/Hagar meets AC/DC!"), "Bum In The Sun" featuring Ken Mary (drums) & Chuck Wright (bass), and the slightly darker/heavier "Make The Myths" with none other than living legends Tommy Aldridge (drums) & Rudy Sarzo (bass)!
An assortment of world-class guitarists as well as some up and coming axe men are bringing their A-game to both albums.
Songs for "B.I.T.S" & "M.T.M" have been written/compiled by Marc Farrano over the course of many, many years (some tunes even going back to 1996!)...either written for a special project, or deemed "unfit" for what became Faith Circus! So let the two YouTube teasers wet your appetite for the time being...the albums will be released...when finished!...hopefully sometime in 2014! Z:U"
Follow Zombie:Union on www.facebook.com/zunion. Sample the new music at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOnTQlt8w8M / www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieX8sWesByQ.
ROYAL HUNT SINGLE OUT NOW:
One Minute Left to Live, the new digital single from Royal Hunt can be purchased on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/jp/album/one-minute-left-to-live-single/id747157563 The track comes off the band's new album A Life To Die For which will be made available on November 29th in Europe and December 3rd in USA via Frontiers Records.
STEVE PERRY AUCTIONS MORE GOODIES:
There is a second Steve Perry auction up now - for an autographed guitar and vinyl albums and again benefiting City of Hope: www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/389407.
"For the ultimate Journey fan - take home a Red Gretsch Rancher Jumbo Cutaway Acoustic Electric Guitar and 2 vinyl albums signed by Steve Perry! Steve will personalize the guitar and albums with the name of the winning bidder or with a name the winner chooses!
If only one singer could be selected as the most identifiable with '80s arena rock, it would have to be Steve Perry. Best known as the former lead vocalist of the rock band Journey during their most commercially successful periods from 1977 to 1987 and 1995 to 1998, Perry also had a successful solo career between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s. In addition to his previous work with Journey and as a solo artist, Perry has lent his vocal talents to recordings by such other artists as Sammy Hagar, Jan Hammer, and Kenny Loggins.
Donated By: Steve Perry."
STONELAKE TO RELEASE NEW SINGLE:
Available now on worldwide digital download - "Swedish Prog and Power Metal band StoneLake have a new single and a new line up, they love you and want you to hold on. You are not alone!
Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts please contact your local Samaritans or other helpline. But first, listen to Deliverance by StoneLake! Available for high quality digital download December 13 2013 through CD Baby, iTunes, Amazon, Metal fan-sites worldwide and Facebook, the soaring power-ballad Deliverance is the band's first release following this year's critically acclaimed 6th studio album Monolith and introduces a change to the StoneLake line up, welcoming back drummer Jens Westberg to re-join founder members Peter Grundström (vocals) and Jan Åkesson (guitars and keyboards), and long-time member Lasse Johansson (bass).
Deliverance was recorded at UMP Unlimited Music Production studios in Furulund, Sweden, produced, mixed and mastered by Jan Åkesson, providing StoneLake's trademark hard hitting sound and rock solid production values, and as with Monolith, StoneLake once again brought in British writer Adam Bard to pen the lyric.
Deliverance, written by J. Åkesson & A. BardFeaturing; Mike Andersson – Backing Vocals. Produced by Jan Åkesson for UMP Unlimited Music Production: www.facebook.com/stonelaketheband.
ROCKERS COME TOGETHER: A SONG FOR THE CHILDREN OF ST JUDE:
An all-star band of rockers from across the pantheon of rock n roll have gathered together to record, If I Had the Time (I Could Change the World), donating their time and creative hearts to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Legendary lead guitarist and songwriter, Dick Wagner, The Maestro of Rock, (Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, Lou Reed, KISS, and more) was inspired to gather together a group of rockers at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles in an historic recording session to benefit the children of St Jude Children's Research Hospital. Proceeds from downloads of the song will benefit St. Jude. "There is more love in the human heart than can ever be given away. This song is about giving a small part of that endless supply in your heart." - Dick Wagner
Donating their time to record the song for St. Jude are celebrity musicians Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad), Lee Sklar (James Taylor), Danny Seraphine (Chicago), Trini Lopez (Lemon Tree), Elliot Easton (The Cars), Carmine Appice (Rod Stewart Group), Merilee Rush (Angel of the Morning), Jennifer Batten (Michael Jackson), Jean Beauvoir (The Plasmatics), Laurie Beebe Lewis (The New Mamas and the Papas), Jim Dandy (Black Oak Arkansas), The Angels (My Boyfriend's Back), Dick and Dee Dee (Mountain High), Chris Sanders (Knight Fury), Fred Mandel (Elton John), Ray Colcord (Lou Reed), Eric Ragno, Nadir D Priest (London), David Shankle (Manowar), Neil Turbin (Deathriders), Chris Holmes (Wasp), Billy Hinsche (Beach Boys), Black Oak Arkansas, Raymond Calhoun (Gap Band), Micki Free (Shalamar), the Artimus Pyle Band, Tim Bogert (Beck, Bogert and Appice), Prescott Niles (The Knack), Richie Onori (The Sweet), John Claude Gummoe (Rhythm of the Rain), Michael Angelo Batio (#1 Guitar World Magazine Best Shredder), Sal Valentino (Beau Brummels), Ross the Boss Friedman (Manowar), Chris Holmes (WASP), Bob Kulick (KISS), Vinny Martell (Vanilla Fudge), Dale Bozzio (Missing Persons), Ted Neeley (Jesus Christ Superstar), and more.
Check out the heartwarming video of this special recording at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLvEUI5pBLg. Buy the song on iTunes today and support this worthy cause. itunes.apple.com/us/album/if-i-had-time-i-could-change/id744968422.
Visit: www.rockersforstjude.com to learn more.
xx
DOCKER'S GUILD RETURN: Docker's Guild is back! After 6 months on hiatus, I have decided to carry on and see the project to its conclusion. Here's what's new so far:
- The Official Website is finally up: www.dockersguild.com. If you sign in to the mailing list each fan will get a previously unreleased high quality demo track from the first album. The store is also finally up so you can purchase all kinds of products to support the project.
- The second album is underway. "The Heisenberg Diaries - Book A" will be a collection of 20th century sci-fi movies and TV series soundtracks reworked in the Docker's Guild style. The cool thing is that it's not a disconnected covers filler album. Instead it will be an introduction and a journey of discovery in the past of Dr. Jack Heisenberg, the main character of The Mystic Technocracy.
- The cast: so far we have Fiamma Cardani (Shooting Stars) and Roxy Petrucci (Vixen) on drums, Anna Portalupi (Tarja Turunen, Hardline) on bass, Mio Jäger (Frantic Amber) and Roberta Raschellà (Shooting Stars) on guitars, Douglas R. Docker on keyboards and vocals, Amanda Somerville (Avantasia) Elize Ryd (Amaranthe) on vocals. This shoulc make it the first all-female metal opera around, though I could be wrong. More guests to be announced soon.
- A crowdfunding effort will be announced soon. We're working with PledgeMusic to make it happen.
Keep in touch, we need you fans to make this happen!
CELEBRATING MOTT THE HOOPLE:
(Dallas, TX)- InTheStudio.NET, the web home for North American syndicated rock radio show InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands celebrate the 'Best of' Mott the Hoople with original ring leader and frontman Ian Hunter as the band reunites this week to play five long-anticipated gigs in the UK.
In the early 1970s there was a very British rock scene that owed little to various styles which had immediately preceded it, such as psychedelia, protest music or Woodstock. Christened "Glam Rock", it featured bands with a fondness for the three chord simplicity of rock'n'roll's American originators, but a fashion sense that was modern, outrageous, and often androgynous.
The Holy Trinity of Glam rock included Ziggy-era David Bowie, T Rex's Marc Bolan and a loose lovable quintet named Mott the Hoople which in its prime was fronted by Ian Hunter and Mick Ralphs, plus Overend Watts, Verden Allen and Dale "Buffin" Griffin. All of Mott's many hits came, interestingly, after they had broken up with four albums out but no money coming in, including "All the Young Dudes", "Roll Away the Stone", "All the Way from Memphis", "The Golden Age of Rock'n'Roll", and "Drivin' Sister".
Ian Hunter shares with InTheStudio.NET host Redbeard how Mott's association with Glam king David Bowie provided them their biggest hit after the band had folded. "David (Bowie) offered us "Suffragette City" to get back together. I said it wasn't good enough, because it wasn't... So then he came back with "All the Young Dudes"."
STREAM the Ian Hunter/ Mott the Hoople program this month as part of InTheStudio's Medium Rare "online-only" rockumentary series: www.inthestudio.net/online-only-interviews/mott-hoople-best-of-ian-hunter.
MRX UPDATED: MRX has been updated - The MR server has been hammered to within an inch of its life. So I'm giving it a rest this week and my server company has warned me about excess bandwidth, so just one file this week...but a sweet one! JSS' legendary solo set from his first show in Australia - soundboard recording - thanks to JSS! Jeff Scott Soto - Live In Sydney 2004 - Full Soundboard Show. Join MelodicRock Xtra now.
NEW SHOWCASES:
Two new CD Showcases online now - both for AOR Heaven (released November 29) - The return of Dogface and new AOR! Check them out now.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
LIMITED QUANTITY MR.com T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE:
For those that expressed interest in buying a MelodicRock.com T-shirt, there is a very limited number available via PayPal right now. Also available are a few MRF3 T-shirts and a few remaining copies of the MRF3 Event Book. The MelodicRock.com shirts are a new design featuring the brand new logo.
I do not have any of the main event t-shirt left at all sorry to say. The prices listed include shipping worldwide airmail (unreasonably high due to ridiculous price rises here), but please do check out here: www.melodicrock.com/tshirts-2013.html.
FRONTIERS RECORDS LATEST PROMO SPOT:
Titles out now - Place Vendome, Stryper, Seventh Key, Ted Nugent.
CARMINE APPICE'S NEW LABEL, ROCKER RECORDS, IS SET TO LAUNCH:
Revered by legions of high-profile musicians, including Led Zeppelin's John Bonham, as one of the most innovative and powerful drummers that rock and roll has ever seen, the legendary Carmine Appice needs no introduction. Now, the man whose soulful pounding powered the uniquely heavy psychedelia of Vanilla Fudge's mesmerizing late-1960s remake of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" up the charts and later co-wrote Rod Stewart's smash hits "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" and "Young Turks" is launching an exciting new record label, Rocker Records.
The first four releases are due out Nov. 19 as digital offerings, and they include Bogert/Appice & Friends, TNA (featuring Appice and guitar master Pat Travers), Live in Europe, and two concert recordings from his highly influential post-Vanilla Fudge group Cactus, Live in Japan and Live in the USA. Expect a bonanza of Appice-related material to flow from this new pipeline.
Information regarding these and other upcoming releases can be found at www.rocker-records.com and www.facebook.com/carminerockerrecords.
It was a meeting with Mike Cusanelli, from the record label and management company World Sound, that provided the impetus for the new venture. Wondering out loud, Cusanelli suggested an idea to Appice that sounded very appealing. "Mike, being a records kind of guy, says, 'You know, if you have product laying around, you should probably start a record label that would be able to get your product out, and then you could sell other people's product from friends of yours who have product that maybe want to release it," explained Appice. "So I said, 'Really, that's interesting.' So then he had a talk with the head of eOne, which is our distributor, and he was totally into the idea. So I thought, 'Okay, let's give it a try.' And these first releases are things that I've had basically in the can, with really nothing to do to them. They're from my
personal collection. So he says, 'Let's get it out to the fans!"
That's just what Appice and Rocker Records plan on doing.
"It's going to be a lot of digital stuff," said Appice. "So maybe we'll have a digital online store, but there are enough of those already. We have a web site now, rocker-records.com, which will keep news of what's coming out and what's available and all that, and maybe provide some links to things you can buy from iTunes or something. We may do that, but we're too new. We're really taking it as it comes."
MIKE TRAMP BACK IN AUSTRALIA MARCH 2014:
Following hugely successful shows in February 2013, Mike Tramp returns to the stage in Australia for more solo concerts. A one man show telling the stories behind 30 years of music from his platinum days as lead singer of White Lion through his time in Freak of Nature and as a solo artist, when Mike Tramp takes the stage, you are welcomed into his world for one of the most personal live experiences imaginable.
Tramp has just completed touring the US and Europe following the release of his latest album, Cobblestone Streets and is now bringing his story teller-styled show to Melbourne at Revolver Upstairs and in Sydney at The Vanguard. With the shows clocking in at around 2 and a half hours, Mike will take his fans on a musical journey on his Endless Highway Tour.
From The Road To Valhalla & Lady Of The Valley To Rescue Me & What Am I, And Finally To Mr. Death, All Of My Life & When She Cries. The stories behind the songs, the era, the world of the 80s, 90s and now through Mikes eyes will be laid bare and performed in their rawest form - just as Mike wrote them originally on acoustic guitar. This show is Mike's most personal performance ever, joyous for the singer and insightful for his fans.
Tickets On Sale and Performance Dates:
Sydney – The Vanguard 14 March, 2014 www.thevanguard.com.au
Melbourne – Toff In Town 15 March, 2014
WebLink: www.miketramp.dk / www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Tramp-Official/130186350354989.
MELODIC BRIEFS:
A reformed Madam X (including all original members Roxy Petrucci (Vixen) Maxine Petrucci, Chris (Godzilla) Doliber and Bret Kaiser) are in the studio working on new material.
In addition to that, the band is working on a Live Album recorded by Westwood One in 1988 as well as many lost demo's, some including Sebastian Bach.
More information will be released soon.
American Beauty is a project featuring Madison Cain (daughter of Jonathan) and Miles Schon (son of Neal). Their self-titled EP has just been released via iTunes, featuring the songs: 1 Tap Out 2 Reckless Heart 3 Start of the End 4 Fallen 5 Wild Ride.
10TH ANNUAL CHOP SHOP TSO SPECIAL:
For the 10th year in a row, Envision Radio Networks The Chop Shop Guitar Show is bringing back one of radio's favorite holiday traditions: The Trans-Siberian Orchestra Holiday Special! This FREE two-hour special is the perfect radio supplement for any TSO concert with two hours of music and behind the scenes details from the largest seasonal tour in the world!
Host Steve Black was granted rare backstage access to this year's TSO tour, which is the band's biggest stage and light show to date. TSO creator Paul O'Neil explains, "Trans-Siberian Orchestra is well known in the recording studio/touring world for their extremely closed door sessions, and Steve Black was one of the very few for which that rule does not apply."
During these exclusive backstage interviews, O'Neil and the band's four guitarists discuss the all-new staging, expanded video content, and their plans for the future. The band members also share funny stories about the early days of the group, the albums they received as Christmas gifts, and why TSO resonates with people of all ages.
The Chop Shop and The Chop Shop Classic feature weekly updates on bands and tours, web exclusive content, and special guests all while playing 10 songs an hour. Both versions are two hours in length and feature weekly interviews as well as the exclusive Chop Shop Hall of Fame feature, where such guests as Ted Nugent, Brian May, Leslie West, and hundreds of others pay tribute to guitar legends Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Angus Young, Slash and more.
Visit www.chopshopradio.com for more information. Get social with The Chop Shop on Twitter at www.twitter.com/chopshopradio or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/chopshopguitarshow.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
COFFEE WITH STEVE PERRY?: Steve Perry has donated "himself" as a prize in a charity auction to benefit City Of Hope. Check out at: www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/389405
"Bid now on the chance to have coffee in LA with Steve Perry, former lead singer of Journey and vocalist of timeless classics like "Open Arms," "Faithfully" and "Don't Stop Believin"!
If only one singer could be selected as the most identifiable with '80s arena rock, it would have to be Steve Perry. Best known as the former lead vocalist of the rock band Journey during their most commercially successful periods from 1977 to 1987 and 1995 to 1998, Perry also had a successful solo career between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s. In addition to his previous work with Journey and as a solo artist, Perry has lent his vocal talents to recordings by such other artists as Sammy Hagar, Jan Hammer, and Kenny Loggins. Donated By: Steve Perry."
TOMMY DENANDER REVEALS LATEST PROJECT:
Exclusive news just in from Tommy Denander: "Finally the day I've been dreaming about is here...when I'm able to tell you about the best album I've worked on in my whole career! After having worked on more than 2400 albums with an endless list of big stars it's an amazing feeling to be this excited about a new album. I never thought I would be so lucky that I would get to work with who I consider to be the greatest producer of all time....Mutt Lange!!!
But i ended up getting to know him and to play the guitars on all songs for this album and I've never had more fun...or worked so hard…haha. Rachele Royale is one of the most incredible new stars I've heard and seen, the world is most likely in for a seriously fun ride with her and this album. Mutt and his absolutely amazing protégé Tony Nilsson spent 2 years writing and producing this album to the level of perfection only Mutt is known for.
The first single "Shush" was released on iTunes in USA yesterday and is already getting heavy rotation on Sirius XM radio.
A lot of people including myself have missed a Mutt Lange album to follow the last Shania Twain album he did....this is not only the natural follow up but so much more, very much thanks to the brilliant work of Tony Nilsson also.
The concept of Rachele's album was to bring back the huge drums and guitars of Def Leppard and combine it with pop and a few country flavors close to what Shania did...It's a wet dream for any Mutt Lange fan and his signature backing vocals are all over every song."
WebLink: www.racheleroyale.com.
THE WHO'S PETE TOWNSHEND ADMITS "TOMMY WAS A DESPERATE ACT" INTHESTUDIO REVEALS STORY:
Dallas, TX - November 12, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands gets the last word with The Who's Pete Townshend in a special two-part program documenting the first successful rock opera, The Who's Tommy.
Like peeling back layer after layer of an onion, the many stages of The Who's Tommy conception, gestation, and birth are further revealed, it seems, every time Tommy composer Pete Townshend cleans out a storage closet. In this week's rock sonogram, additional demos and even a complete 1969 concert performance of the prenatal Tommy have now resurfaced on the new deluxe and super deluxe editions.
In May 1969 the rapidly expanding audience for the rock counterculture already thought that they had seen it all. The Beatles had followed their ground breaking Sgt. Pepper's… album with the prolific double White Album in 1968. The Jimi Hendrix Experience had obliterated any boundaries of the electric guitar by Electric Ladyland. The Doors' Jim Morrison challenged the sensors singing 'Couldn't get much higher" on live U.S. television on the top-rated Ed Sullivan show and The Rolling Stones were cultivating a notorious bad boy, anti-Beatle alternative image that would, a year later, manifest itself as witness to murder at Altamont. But in May 1969 The Who's release Tommy would roll rock into a realm never before imagined: the rock opera.
Until then, The Who was known as a singles band with "I Can't Explain", "My Generation" and "Substitute". Ironically, Pete Townshend tells InTheStudio host Redbeard that the failure of The Who's 1968 single "I Can See for Miles" to reach the top of the charts was a huge blow to his confidence, setting the stage for a new direction and unorthodox composition. "When I got to Tommy, I thought, 'Well, this isn't working anymore'. I had done "I Can See for Miles", it didn't hit in the UK, it hit quite well in the States. I always thought it was going to be my kind of global # 1. And it wasn't, it was just another song which was obviously charting our slow decline... What are we going to do?... We decided to do an opera. It felt not only a dangerous thing to do, but it did actually feel like an exception to the rule. I actually felt like I was stepping outside my job. I was abandoning my rock'n'roll legion. I was leaving my boys behind."
The Who 'Tommy'/ InTheStudio program is available now to Stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/who-tommy-deluxe-pt-1-pete-townshend / www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/who-tommy-deluxe-edition-pt-2-pete-townshend.
The Deluxe and limited edition Super Deluxe versions of 'Tommy' by The Who, are available today! 'Tommy' is the definitive breakthrough concept album about a deaf, dumb and blind boy, these remastered versions of the album come with a wealth of previously unheard material in the form of 20 demos from Pete Townshend's archive and also a full, live performance of "Tommy" from 1969 taken from tapes that infamously Townshend asked the band's sound engineer to burn.
Don't forget to play the memory game from The Who and unlock an Exclusive Live Track from 'Tommy'. Play the game here: thewhogame.com / www.amazon.com/dp/B00DWVOPHI?tag=ilovethatsong-20.
MELODIC BRIEFS:
Greek web magazine Rockpages.gr have uploaded a concert review of Eric Martin's performance in Athens, Greece which contains a full HD pro shot video of the song 'Superfantastic'. You can check it out here: rockpages.gr/detailspage.aspx?id=9319&type=3&lang=en.
Adrian Galyash's new album Tone Poet is now available for pre-order at iTunes. Order now, and get the song "When You Fall" immediately... the rest of the album will automatically download on December 3. itunes.apple.com/us/album/tone-poet/id740692065.
Adam Law has a new instrumental rock CD Thinking Out Loud II out now. You can stream/download it from here: adamlaw.bandcamp.com.
Gold Water is a Dutch pop/rock band from Volendam (Holland) which released its first single "Driving in the Dark" last Friday on November 1. The band has already played at a few local bars over the last months and it has also played its first own-written songs on a Dutch Radio Channel, called 'Radio 3FM'. Line-up: Frank Schilder (Lead vocals) – Sonny Kwakman (Guitar) – Kerim Kes (Guitar) – Koen de Boer (Keys) – Thoom Veerman (Bass) – Gerard Schilder (Drums).
For more information about the band, visit their website: www.gold-water.nl. Their own song "Driving in the Dark" can be downloaded here.
BABY ANIMALS ARE BACK WITH A BRAND NEW NATIONAL TOUR IN 2014:
Hot off the success of their first studio album release in 20 years, This Is Not The End, and its Top 20 ARIA Album Chart debut, iconic Aussie rockers Baby Animals are thrilled to announce a string of new Australian tour dates in 2014 – a continuation of this year's national capital city tour.
Presented by Social Family Records, The Harbour Agency and MAX, "Feed The Birds Part II" will kick off with two "A Day On The Green" shows with Jimmy Barnes in Clare Valley, South Australia and Yarra Valley, Victoria; followed by headline dates in Merimbula, Wollongong, Coffs Harbour, Laurieton, North Brisbane, Gold Coast, Albury, Batemans Bay, Rooty Hill, Revesby, Ipswich, East Brisbane, Dee Why and Belmont. Tickets are now on sale today from www.thebabyanimals.com and via the links listed below.
"Feed the Birds" is a landmark event for the Baby Animals. Their sold out show at The Metro Theatre in Sydney was filmed for the band's first ever live DVD, Feed the Birds (Live). Fans can purchase a signed copy of the DVD, or grab a limited release bundle that includes a ticket to a private cinema screening of the concert in Melbourne, also available from www.thebabyanimals.com.
Fronted by Suzie DeMarchi, Baby Animals strike a familiar pose with guitarist Dave Leslie returning for action, Dario Bortolin on bass and Mick Skelton on drums. The "Feed The Birds" tour named after the infamous Baby Animals tradition of pouring red wine into the mouth of fans in the front row - from Suzie's own! "Feeding the birds? It's just us giving something back!" says Suzie DeMarchi. "We had so much fun on part one of this tour, so we cannot wait to bring to show to our fans who live outside the big cities," says Suzie.
Since exploding onto the scene in 1991 with the release of their first single, Early Warning, Baby Animals have become one of Australia's most successful rock outfits. Their eponymous album spent six weeks at No. 1 in Australia, going eight times platinum and becoming the highest-selling debut Australian rock album until the release of Jet's album 12 years later. The band toured internationally and struck up friendships with music legends Van Halen, Robert Plant, Paul Rodgers, and Bryan Adams.
This Is Not The End, the band's first full-length release since 1993, marked a return to the charts. It made its debut at number 19 on the ARIA Album Chart and number three on the Australian Album Chart when released last month.
Tickets for the "Feed The Birds – PART II" tour, exclusive fan bundles and copies of This Is Not The End and Feed the Birds (Live) DVD are available from www.thebabyanimals.com.
This Is Not The End is also available now from iTunes.
Baby Animals "Feed The Birds – Part Ii" Tour
A Day On The Green Shows w/ Jimmy Barnes:
Sat 8th Feb - Annie's Lane Winery, Clare Valley, SA - http://bit.ly/BAsDayOnTheGreen
Sat 15th Feb - Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley, VIC - http://bit.ly/BAsDayOnTheGreen
Headline Shows:
Fri, 28th Feb - Club Sapphire, Merimbula, NSW - http://bit.ly/BAsClubSapphire
Sat 1st Mar - Waves Nightclub, Wollongong, NSW - http://bit.ly/BAsWaves
Fri 7th Mar - Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour, NSW - http://bit.ly/BAsPlantation
Sat 8th Mar - United Services Club, Laurieton, NSW - http://bit.ly/BAsLaurieton
Fri 14th Mar - Eaton Hills Hotel, Nth Brisbane, QLD - http://bit.ly/BAsEatonHills
Sat 15th Mar - Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast, QLD - http://bit.ly/BAsCoolangatta
Fri 21st Mar - Kinross Woolshed, Albury, NSW - http://bit.ly/BAsKinrossWoolshed
Sat 22nd Mar - Soldiers Club, Batemans Bay, NSW - http://bit.ly/BAsBatemansBay
Fri 28th Mar - Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill, NSW - http://bit.ly/BAsRootyHill
Sat 29th Mar - Revesby Workers Club, Revesby, NSW - http://bit.ly/BAsRevesby
Fri 4th Apr - Racehorse Hotel, Ipswich, QLD - http://bit.ly/BAsRacehorseHotel
Sat 5th Apr - Alexandra Hills Hotel, East Brisbane, QLD - http://bit.ly/BAsAlexandra
Fri 11th Apr - Dee Why RSL, Dee Why, NSW - http://bit.ly/BAsDeeWhy
Sat 12th Apr - Belmont 16s, Belmont, NSW - http://bit.ly/BAsBelmont
HARDLINE ON AIR INTERVIEW:
Never say never in the rock world...Hardline are doing live shows again for the first time since 2002 and this year took the stage at Sweden Rock and Firefest! Coming up this Saturday, November 16th we will be interviewing Johnny Gioeli and Alessandro DelVecchio - we'll be talking about the new album 'Fever Dreams', the 2013 shows and of course plans for the future. Purrfect Timing Radio Show airs Live on Megarock Radio and heard throughout the week on affiliate stations as well as podcast. To hear our interview with Hardline, tune in Saturday November 16th between 3-5pm Eastern time.
WebLinks: www.megarockradio.net / www.purrfecttiming.com / www.hardlinerocks.com / purrfect-timing.podomatic.com.
HICKS STAR CONTINUES TO RISE:
I just recieved an update from Miqael Persson about all things Hicks:
"This year's been really crazy for me. First I won "Favorite Country Group" at IMN Country Music Awards in Nashville. Got two nominations on ICoMA Country Music Awards also in Nashville. And then I was invited to represent Sweden at CMA Fest (world's biggest country music festival) that was also in Nashville. Headlined Scandinavian Country Music Festival...Done tons of radio interviews on country radio all over the world....And now I'm nominated for "Europe's Best Country Act" at British CMA held in London on the 24:th of Nov. That's HUUUUUUGE...
Check out my new video Unreachable Dream written by Miqael Persson Tony V Merz and Sharon Vaughn - Produced by Erik Martenssonyoutu.be/r_uqatSltPM.
WebLinks: www.hickscountry.com / www.facebook.com/hickscountry / www.reverbnation.com/hickscountry.
INTRODUCING 'THE TOI': The Toi formed in February of 2011 when childhood friends decided it was time to invigorate a stagnant music scene, which for too long had been overdosing on melancholic non-melody and uninspired performers. Through an incessant schedule of rehearsing, writing and gigging, they are fast becoming the most talked-about live band on the Glasgow scene. The Toi break the mould with their anthemic sing-a-long choruses, grooving bass, thunderous drums and a hunger to entertain their audience - be it in front of 50 or 5000 they give their all in each gig - much to the delight of their ever growing fan base. The aim of the band is simple, in a world of fear and negativity they aim to shine a light on people's souls and remind them how to have a good time. In an incredibly short amount of time this supercharged three piece have brought their anthemic live sound to every notable venue in Glasgow, as well as hotspots all the way to Germany. To date the boys have supported Hip Parade, Royal Republic, River 68's and American blues virtuoso Steve Schuffert. They've played to an increasing fan base which includes Tom Russel, DJ Ted and Jim Gelatly. As Richard Flynn testified in The Journal - "Their showmanship and talent is evident; it's an impressive performance considering the band has only existed since the beginning of this year (2011)".
The trio consists of Pol Healy on vocals/lead guitar, Andy Carr on bass and the bombastic Stevie "Dog" McLay on drums. They are indeed a rare breed these days - a live band in the truest sense! No , no backing tracks, no effects....just straight up live music, played with authentic soul and spirit. The band are bold and uncompromising about their major influences - they aspire to be up there emulating some of the truly legendary bands and that's why they cite The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Guns N Roses "and everything in between" as their heroes. Yet the tracks stand firm in their unique, elevated and powerful authentic sound.
The boys have been hard at work recording their debut album. So impressed was their Producer Nick Brine (whose previous clients include Oasis, Teenage Fanclub, Bruce Springsteen and The Darkness) that he's enlisted the assistance of Dan Hawkins - Ivor Novello, multi-platinum guitarist of "The Darkness" to coproduce the album.
Mastering at one of the top mastering houses in the UK will be taken care of by acclaimed engineer Pete Maher (U2, Rolling Stones, NiN, Snow Patrol, The killers, Linkin Park, Katy Perry and Pink to name just a few!) Their debut single "Get On It" is due to be released in October 2013 with an album launch party in Glasgow on November 23rd with the album released on the 25th November. "Get On It" is receiving rave reviews and generating some good airplay.
Lots of new and exciting things going on.......the best band you've never heard...until now!
WebLink: www.facebook.com/TheToiOfficial.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
VIRTUOSO SUPERGROUP RING OF FIRE RETURN WITH A BRAND NEW ALBUM IN JANUARY 2014: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the return of Neoclassic Power Metal Super Group Ring Of Fire with the release of the band's brand new album Battle of Leningrad on January 24 in Europe and January 28 in North America. Ring Of Fire is a band comprised of some incredible musicians including former Yngwie Malmsteen and Royal Hunt singer Mark Boals, classically-trained Artension keyboardist Vitalij Kuprij and none other than Tony MacAlpine on guitars.
Combining Melodic metal songs with fantasy-based lyrics, topped off with virtuoso performances from the line-up, the resulting Ring Of Fire albums proved to be exactly what many neoclassical-metal fans had waited for, creating a solid fan base for the band all over the world.
"Battle of Leningrad" is the band's fourth studio album, coming after a 9 years hiatus – a period which has seen the band members getting involved in other projects, most notably with singer Mark Boals becoming singer for Royal Hunt and Kuprij and MacAlpine touring with Trans Siberian Orchestra and Steve Vai respectively.
RING OF FIRE reconvened with Boals, MacAlpine and Kuprij during 2012, when they agreed to work on their unfinished business and develop a new album from the true story of the siege of Leningrad during the WWII.
Mark Boals explains: "It is a true story of the strength and resilience of the Russian people throughout history and particularly in this instance of 900 days of being surrounded on all sides with no food and no hope of rescue, under siege of the Nazi army. The magnificent city of Leningrad with millions of people trapped, found a way to withstand the daily attacks of rockets and bombs, the lack of food, water, and fuel for heat. Although more than 1 million starved to death, most survived, and the Nazis were never able to overtake the city completely. They were finally forced to retreat by the Russian army. Not widely known by most, this was an amazing story and one of World War II's finest examples of heroism in the worst circumstances imaginable".
Musically the album is all the fans have been waiting for. True "Neoclassic" Power Metal with technical and exciting musical passages which promise to reignite the Ring Of Fire flame among the fans! Former Stratovarius, Timo Tolkki played bass and mixed the album to perfection, while the other finnish musician Jami Huovinen (Sentiment) played drums on the album.
Battle of Leningrad will include the following songs: Mother Russia; They're Calling Your Name; Empire; Land Of Frozen Tears; Firewind; Where Angels Play; Battle Of Leningrad; No Way Out; Our World; Rain.
Samples of the songs can be enjoyed via this link: youtu.be/ik-yHZ-8QgI.
xx
THE STORY BEHIND THE NEW HYDROGYN TRACK:
Rock Me; the latest song from Hard Rockers Hydrogyn is the lead single and video from the forth coming release Break The Chains. Rock Me was recorded at Wireworld Studio in Nashville TN by heavy weight Producer Michael Wagener along with Julie and Jeff Westlake. The band also recorded another track as well that will be on the upcoming release. Rock Me was mixed by both Wagener and Westlake to show different sides of the song. "Michael had done the original mix which is big and very Michael Wagener. Julie and I also went into Ridgeline Studio's and did a mix for the video which has a modern twist to it. Both versions will be available" stated band founder and guitarist Jeff Westlake. "This release is going to be the first of alot of frequent releases that may or may not be a full album. The price will reflect what it is but we have decided that we want to keep releasing new material so we have decided to probably make this an EP format and probably keep new stuff coming out every 6 to 8 months in this fashion" says Julie.
The video also features Angel of Angels Revenge from Huntsville Alabama that Jeff and Julie are currently working with in the studio for their debut release. The band has stated that there will be 3 video's for this effort and more to come from it as well.
More than ever Julie, Jeff, Chris & John thank fans, music lovers and media partners for supporting the band so far. Hydrogyn is back to Rock U all!
WebLinks: www.hydrogyn.com / www.youtube.com/user/POWGYtv.
I AM I LAUNCH NEW SINGLE:
The formidable driving force behind I Am I is singer ZP Theart. A founding member of the renowned UK metal act Dragonforce, he made four studio albums and a live record with the band and toured the world for a decade, eventually performing to audiences of up to 85,000 people. His time with the group also saw him nominated for a Grammy in 2009.
After his departure from Dragonforce in 2010, ZP worked tirelessly to put together his own group and, after carefully handpicking a set of expert musicians, the result was one of the most exciting new rock bands of 2012, I Am I. A promotional single entitled 'Silent Genocide' in the summer was followed by the release of a debut album, 'Event Horizon', in September 2012. Written and produced by ZP and Polish born guitarist Jacob Ziemba and mixed and mastered by Roland Grapow (Helloween/Masterplan), its stunning blend of melody filled metal and riff based rock topped off by ZP's soaring vocal performances completed a package that was acclaimed worldwide by critics and audiences alike. A plethora of excellent UK reviews included:
"Superb debut built around stratospheric vocals, gravity-defying hooks and guitar-based drama." Kerrang!
"A promising debut. ZP Theart's voice remains as commanding and melodic as ever." Metal Hammer
"Soaring, majestic, triumphant, inspiring and uplifting." Powerplay
Released shortly after their first festival performance at Bloodstock Open Air, I Am I supported the album with a set of UK dates. Tours with Ugly Kid Joe and Skid Row ensued, while the band also performed electric and acoustic sets at both Hard Rock Hell 2012 and Download 2013. Generating positive reactions wherever they have played, the band are an absolute must see live, while ZP performs honestly and effortlessly, epitomising everything a real rock front man should be.
Having issued a cover version of John Farnham's classic 'You're The Voice' as a single in late 2012, I Am I are now set to unveil a brand new song entitled 'See You Again'. Explains ZP: "'See You Again' is our take on something that's been missing from the Rock scene for some considerable time now - a proper Rock ballad. Releasing a ballad as a single is probably not what most people would expect from us, but that's exactly why we have gone ahead and done it!" As for its subject matter: "Since the dawn of mankind we have longed for a lost loved one once they left this consciousness, knowing after life we will all meet up again in some way. The intent of this song is to take the edge off the waiting game. You may be gone, but while I'm here I'll remember you, and when it's time, I will see you again."
With live dates currently being arranged for the autumn of 2013, fans will soon have an opportunity to witness a reconfigured line-up of I Am I, which has recently seen the former Power Qwest duo of guitarist Andy Midgley and drummer Rich Smith join band mainstays ZP, guitarist Jacob Ziemba and bassist Neil Salmon to complete a formidable quintet.
'See You Again' is released on 11th November 2013. Distribution is via PlasticHead. iamiofficial.com.
MIKE TRAMP RELEASES AN ATYPICAL CHRISTMAS SONG:
The year 2013 has been an eventful one for Mike Tramp, the former White Lion and Freak Of Nature frontman. Since the release of his semi-acoustic solo album Cobblestone Street in April, Tramp has been touring constantly in Europe, Australia and in the States.
This year alone he has played over 100 shows. To wrap up 2013 Tramp will be releasing the Christmas single "The Way It Was Before" which is rather more serious than many other festive songs.
Tramp explains: "The Way It Was Before is actually a song that I have kept for many years. The song would never have been written if it hadn't been for the events in New York City on September 11th 2001, although it doesn't mention what happened that day. I experienced the tragedy from my home in Tasmania at the time and remember the emptiness and feeling of helplessness that I got. New York City had meant everything to me. It was where I went to live out my dream and where my American history began.
New York City was the place that I had called my home for many, many years. I even won a New York City Music Award as best rock singer. September 11th changed everything. Suddenly we all had to give up part of our freedom and learn to live with the chaos and the restrictions that came with it. At Christmas time that year I sat with my guitar, and it was there that the song came to me. A longing to return to the way that things used to be."
The Way It Was Before will be released in Europe via Target Records on November 11.
SIGNUM REGIS: NEW TRACK POSTED ONLINE:
The melodic metal band Signum Regis have uploaded the track "The Promised Land" to YouTube. The track comes off their up-coming album Exodus that will be released on November 15th in Europe and December 3rd in North America through Ulterium Records.
Check out the track at YouTube here: youtu.be/1b8vm1kVZR8.
"Exodus" feat. guest vocals by Lance King [ex. Pyramaze, Balance of Power], Michael Vescera [Obsession, Animetal USA], Matt Smith [Theocracy], DaÃsa Munhoz [Vandroya, Soulspell], Eli Prinsen [Sacred Warrior, The Sacrificed], Samuel Nyman [Manimal], Thomas L. Winkler [Gloryhammer, Emerald], Goran Edman [ex. Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum] and Mayo Petranin [Castaway]. The album was mastered by Tommy Hansen [Helloween, Jorn, Circus Maximus] and the artwork was created by Felipe Machado Franco [Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire].
"Exodus" is a historical concept album about the Israelites who were enslaved in ancient Egypt. Check out an album teaser at YouTube: youtu.be/99bIAAvAhPg.
"Exodus" track listing: 01 - On The Nile 02 - Enslaved 03 - The Promised Land 04 - Let Us Go! 05 - Wrath Of Pharaoh 06 - The Ten Plagues 07 - Last Days In Egypt 08 - Exodus 09 - Song Of Deliverance 10 - Sole Survivor 11 – Mountain of God [CD bonus track]
"Exodus" can be pre-ordered at the Ulterium Records Store at www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com.
SABBATH TO SWEDEN ROCK:
Rumours about this have run rampant the last few days, but now it is finally 100% confirmed: one of the biggest hard rock bands ever, and without question the most influential one, has been confirmed for Sweden Rock Festival - Black Sabbath!
Few are the subgenres of hard rock that don't derive from Black Sabbath. The Birmingham behemoths changed the map of hard music for ever. Tony Iommi's detuned, ultra-heavy riffs, Geezer Butler's distorted, pulsating basslines, Bill Ward's explosive drumming, Ozzy Osbourne's unique, wailing vocals... The combination was totally unprecedented. In 1970-78 this lineup released eight albums, filled with dark and at times controversial classics. "Black sabbath", "Paranoid", "Iron man", "Children of the grave" and many more.
After the original band broke up, Black Sabbath still kept creating stellar music, fronted by such legendary singers as Ronnie James Dio, Ian Gillan, Glenn Hughes and Tony Martin. Still, the fans were obviously excited beyond belief when the classic line-up eventually reunited. And finally, in 2013, their comeback album "13" was released. The success actually surpassed everybody's expectations - and at this point in time, we announce Black Sabbath as one of the main attractions of SRF 2014. Which will also be the only Swedish appearance that year for Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and drummer Tommy Clufetos.
Sweden Rock Festival will be held in Sölvesborg, southern Sweden, June 4-7 2014. Among the other acts announced so far are Alice Cooper, Rob Zombie, W.A.S.P, Emperor, Magnum, Uriah Heep, Arch Enemy, Transatlantic & Monster Magnet. In total, 84 bands will be performing on 5 stages over 4 days.
Tickets and more info can be found at www.swedenrock.com.
Monday, November 11, 2013
MELODICROCK FEST 4 - 2014: MelodicRockFest 4 - Friday October 3 - Sunday October 5, 2014 @ Home Bar Chicago in Arlington Heights, IL
Line-up is almost in place folks! And I'm thrilled with the response from artists about performing and who will be in the final line-up. Unfortunately there are way more bands wanting to play then there are slots available, so some hard decisions need to be made.
exact timing of the line-up announcement is yet to be determined, but it will be before the end of the year and tickets and packages will be on sale in January! MRF3 VIPs will get first chance pre-sale at this year's VIP tickets, and those packages will be expanded further. Hotel partner deals will again be on offer and announced in due course.
More information soon!
Questions, comments, thoughts, vendor or sponsor enquiries to: ajm@melodicrock.com.
WITHIN TEMPTATION PREPARE HYDRA FOR JANUARY:
Dutch melodic, symphonic metal outfit Within Temptation have announced details of their new highly anticipated new studio album Hydra, due out January 21, 2014. Full details at: www.within-temptation.com.
The album will be available in several luxury formats. The Hydra, a mythological serpent creature from ancient Greece, couldn't be killed. When one of its many heads was cut off, two more grew in its place… "It's like us – undefinable!" laughs Robert. "What's more, 'Hydra' is a perfect title for our new album, because like the monster itself, the record represents the many different sides of our music."
Within Temptation collaborated with several special guests on 'Hydra': Tarja Turunen, Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum and metalcore hero Howard Jones, formerly of Killswitch Engage as well as US hip-hop icon Xzibit.
Robert: "Xzibit is amazing. 'And We Run' song is about how you've got to live your life now. He's rapping at full force on this song, it's really heavy." Sharon adds: "Xzibit brings a new element to our music that we've never had before! It's a new cross-over and we love it!" As for the mighty Tarja, Sharon recalls: "The way she delivers those high melody lines left us all speechless. We had a great time, and the fans responded beyond our expectations."
One of the album's heaviest tracks, 'Dangerous' was recorded with the former Killswitch Engage singer Howard Jones, whose epic vocals are a perfect fit for Sharon's. "I always loved Howard's voice," she says. "He makes the song even heavier than it already is. That song is one of my favorite songs on the record and one of the fastest we've ever written. It has the most bass drums we've ever used, too, and a very fast riff which we doubled with synths. It's not a typical synthesizer, though – it's distorted like a guitar, and it's very aggressive."
'Hydra' goes from strength to strength with 'Whole World Is Watching', featuring Soul Asylum's singer Dave Pirner. "When we wrote 'Whole World Is Watching', Dave was at the very top of our list. He has such a captivating voice: it made the song exactly how it needed to be."
Regular album Tracklist: 1. Let Us Burn 2. Dangerous feat. Howard Jones 3. And We Run feat. Xzibit 4. Paradise (What About Us?) feat. Tarja 5. Edge Of The World 6. Silver Moonlight 7. Covered By Roses 8. Dog Days 9. Tell Me Why 10. Whole World Is Watching feat. Dave Pirner.
NEW FROM AOR BLVD RECORDS: Shea Roxi – 1988 - Taking a trip in our time machine back to 1988 when the airwaves were crammed with great melodic rock sounds, big hair was cool, and Grunge was years away, we find San Francisco based outfit Shea Roxi in the studio making a set of two demo tapes. Somewhat miraculously these demos make their way across the US, over the Atlantic and into the hand of Mr Kelv Hellrazer (at that time writing for Metal Forces) who commits to paper a glorious review of the music he heard on these tapes. This review singlehandedly gives birth to a cult following for Shea Roxi that stretches around the world, built on the foundations of tape trading a cult following that continues right to this very day. Returning to 2013, AOR Blvd Records have along with Shea Roxi main man Adam Moliner ensured the release of this long lost but much praised collection, seeing that it finally and officially sees the light of day. With liner notes by Rob Evans, this collection of prime time, guitar heavy, keyboard drenched and harmony laden AOR is sure to evoke memories of the heady days of the late 80s. Catchy hooks, addictive riffs, and soaring vocals are all on display here on what is sure to be one of the most sought after and appreciated releases of 2013. Strictly limited edition – only 500 copies will be pressed. Released 20th November 2013.
David A Saylor – Kiss of Judas - Since the release of his debut CD City of Angels in 2012, David A Saylor has maintained a high profile providing guest lead vocals for Greek AOR Band Wild Rose on their highly regarded sophomore CD Dangerous - released earlier this year. Returning to solo work, Kiss of Judas sees Mr. Saylor explore a mixture of melodic rock styles from full blown AOR to that breezy West Coast style reminiscent of great bands of the 80s. Each song showcases great vocals, accompanied by catchy melodies and hook laden choruses. The keyboard sound of last year's debut remains in place with arrangements augmented by a beefed up guitar sound provided by both Huey Lucas (Phenomena) and David Mark Pearce (AOR/Chasing Violets). David's fellow Push UK band mate Paul Pryor is on bass duties and backing vocals really are a family affair, aptly handled by Georgina and Romany Saylor. David's voice has never sounded so good and the quality of his song writing seems to get better with each release. This CD is sure to please all lovers of AOR/Melodic Rock and is destined to be one of the best releases of 2013! The press is strictly limited to 500 copies ensuring this becomes a much sought after collectors piece for years to come! Release Date - out now.
WebLink: www.facebook.com/pages/AorBlvdRecords/257668050915497
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INTRODUCING DION BAYMAN:
Australian musician Dion Bayman is getting rave reviews in the melodic rock world for his new album 'Smoke And Mirrors'. With these reviews containing lines such as "...a masterpiece of modern AOR at its finest..." (woodysrockreviews.co.uk), "...pure melodic pop/rock bliss..." (myglobalmind.com) and "...will leave you hungry for more..." (heavyparadise.blogspot.com), Dion Bayman's future in the melodic rock/pop genre certainly looks bright.
From the age of six Dion began classical piano lessons with the Australian Music Examinations Board and continued these lessons for the next eleven years becoming an accomplished pianist. As a teenager, Dion began writing and recording his own original songs, many of which heavily requested and played on local radio stations. Dion was also becoming known as a singer and performer fronting several popular local rock bands. These bands included 'Backlash', 'Cavalry' and most recently 'Spiral'. His entertaining live shows and extensive touring has garnered a large and loyal following. Due to the excellent musicianship and increasing popularity of his respective bands, Dion has supported many chart topping acts including The Choirboys and Ian Moss.
Dion's musical tastes are wide ranging. However, his song writing influences include acts such as Matchbox Twenty, Bon Jovi, Richard Marx and Bryan Adams to name just a few. These influences are evident in Dion's music which he then blends with his own unique style. If you like songs that are infectious and hook-ridden, containing multilayered harmonies and anthemic choruses combined with lyrics from the heart, then Dion's new album 'Smoke And Mirrors' is sure to please.
Track listing: 01. Here I Am 02. All That I Am 03. Over To You 04. The Only One 05. Gone 06. Someday 07. Change 08. Everything 09. All My Life 10. Turn Back Time.
Album info: All vocals, instruments and programming by Dion Bayman. Album written, recorded, mixed and mastered by Dion Bayman.
WebLink: www.dionbayman.com.
MELODIC BRIEFS: Rockpages.gr have uploaded a video interview with Jeff Scott Soto, where he talks about...his tour, his next solo album, Gus G, Danger Angel, his biography, Queen, a forgotten project he did with Misfits members, and lots of more! rockpages.gr/detailspage.aspx?id=9816&type=1&lang=en.
Norwegian band Slaves To Fashion has just published a brand new song called "Breath Play" on YouTube. The song is showcasing new lead singer THOR ANDREAS SJØEN's diversity as a metal singer and is written by guitarist Torfinn Sirnes, Sjøen and Geir Egil Thorstensen (Spirits of the Dead). Slaves To Fashion recently did the first live shows with Sjøen and the band is currently writing and recording another full-length album. www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVn159JsSG8.
INTERVIEWS WITH JOEY TEMPEST (EUROPE), RUNNING WILD, JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR AND BLACK WATER RISING: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week features exclusive interviews with Joey Tempest (Europe), Rolf Kasparek (Running Wild), Joanne Shaw Taylor, and rising US metal crew Black Water Rising, and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-europe-running-wild-joanne-shaw-taylor-black-water-rising-interviews/
In the first hour of the show, Europe frontman Joey Tempest discusses the band's new live CD/DVD/Blu Ray package "Live At Sweden Rock – 30th Anniversary Show". Joey selects four songs from the album, including Europe's covers of Thin Lizzy's "Jailbreak" (featuring Scott Gorham) and UFO's "Light Out" (featuring Michael Schenker). Joey also talks about the band's plans to record and release a new album in 2014.
Also in the first hour, Running Wild mainman Rolf Kasparek gives the low down on the writing and recording of the band's new album "Resilient", and chooses two tracks. In part 2, Blues Rock guitar heroine Joanne Shaw Taylor drops in to talk about her new live album and DVD "Songs From The Road". The interview also features a pair of live songs from the new release.
The second hour also features a chat with Rob Traynor, frontman with rising US Metal crew Black Water Rising (currently on an American tour with Kill Devil Hill) , which looks at the band's new album "Pissed and Driven".
The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from Alice Cooper, Michael Schenker, ZZ Top, Lita Ford, Flying Colors, The Ozark Montain Daredevils and Wretched Soul.
You can also listen on Sunday 10th November 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Wednesday 13th November 22:00-00:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com.
Friday, November 08, 2013
MRR / MRCD UPDATE:
There was a considerable screw up in regards to the House of Shakira and Faith Circus pre-order CDs being sent out in the past weeks due to them arriving late here and there remains about 10-15 orders that have not yet been sent due to running out of Faith Circus CDs. I'm happy to report new stock arrives Monday, so all remaining pre-orders and any new orders placed will be sent out next Tuesday.
I'd like to invite anone that has yet to purchase any of the 3 recent MelodicRock titles to consider doing so now - the discounted package rate (with bonus tracks) will only be available for 1 more week. House of Shakira - Pay To Play Faith Circus - Turn Up The Band (2CD Edition) MRCD11 - This One Goes To Eleven (Limited to 500 pressed, not a lot left).
Audio samples and full details to all 3 releases - plus PayPal purchase links here: MRR - 2013 New Releases.
xxxx
REUBEN ARCHER BECOMES TV JUNKIE: REUBEN ARCHER, vocalist with hard rockers STAMPEDE and former vocalist of LAUTREC, WILD HORSES and LIONHEART has released the second single from new solo album Personal Sin.
The track, entitled TV JUNKIE is the follow up to debut single 'Play My Rock 'n' Roll' released this summer, and is available now via iTunes / Amazon.
View the new video here: youtu.be/nc8fNZjyYC4.
Personal Sin features 13 tracks produced by Reuben and Rob Wolverson and mastered by Ade Emsley (Iron Maiden, Steve Harris). The album features guest appearances from Dave Meniketti (Y&T), John 'Rhino' Edwards (Status Quo), Neil Murray (Whitesnake, Gary Moore, Snakecharmer), Harry James (Magnum, Thunder, Snakecharmer), Luke Morley (The Union, Thunder), Paul Quinn (Saxon), Paul Raymond (UFO, PRP), Derek Holt (Climax Blues Band), Rocky Newton (Lionheart, MSG), Kevin Riddles (Angel Witch, Tytan) and more.
The album is available now: www.amazon.co.uk/Reuben-Archers-Personal-Sin/dp/B00DSZCA4I / itunes.apple.com/gb/album/personal-sin/id672251245.
Reuben, who reformed melodic hard rockers and NWOBHM stalwarts Stampede in 2009 and is currently fronting the live line up of the Paul Raymond Project, took the decision to team up with young hot-shot Stampede guitarist and multi-talented music virtuoso Rob Wolverson to make a solo record last year after celebrating a landmark birthday.
Live tour dates are in the pipeline for March 2014, to be announced soon.
Reuben Archer's Personal Sin Track listing: 1. Bulletproof 2. Play My Rock 'n' Roll (ft. Rocky Newton) 3. Personal Sin (ft. Dave Meniketti, Harry James & John 'Rhino' Edwards) 4. Lately (ft. Harry James & Kevin Riddles) 5. Time On My Hands (ft. Derek Holt & Steve Holbrook) 6. Desperation Train (ft. Luke Morley, Derek Holt & Steve Holbrook) 7. TV Junkie 8. Ace Café (ft. Paul Quinn, Harry James, John 'Rhino Edwards', Steve Holbrook) 9. Spanish Nights (ft. Steve Holbrook) 10. Reuben's Blues (ft. Paul Quinn, Neil Murray, Paul Raymond) 11. Shakin' All Over 12. Like A Clown 13. Sooner Or Later.
For further information head to: www.reubenarcher.com / www.toxicarrowrecords.com.
MORE DOGGY NOISE:
Billy Sheehan of The Winery Dogs will be the special interview on this week's episode of Noize In The Attic (Where Your Past Comes Back To Haunt You) broadcasting this Friday 1-3PM EST on WNHU 88.7FM New Haven, CT (streaming live on www.wnhu.net) Billy reveals some fascinating stories about the early days of the DLR Band and the awkward dance around the original Van Halen break-up! Free podcasts are available on iTunes or by following the link at www.noizeintheattic.com where you can also find additional air-times and affiliates.
JACK STARR ARCHIVE RELEASE OUT NOW:
Out Of The Darkness, the awesome album of JACK STARR featuring RHETT FORRESTER from 1984, will be re-released via Limb Music on November 8.
For more than three decades now, the New York based musician JACK STARR is a highly acclaimed guitarist within the Metal scene. His brand marks are thumping great guitar riffs and high class Power Metal hymns, as they can be heard also on his latest BURNING STARR output in 2011, "Land Of The Dead".
"Out Of The Darkness" was the first solo album of JACK STARR after leaving VIRGIN STEELE and was originally released in 1984. Ex-RIOT frontman RHETT FORRESTER was hired as the singer for this album, because his bluesy voice was a perfect match for JACK STARR's musical concept. The songs on "Out Of The Darkness" are stamped by power riffs, thundering drums and a superb mixture of melody and power. Today, almost 30 years after the first release, the album is still capable of making its mark. Therefore, Limb Music has taken it upon itself to re-release this valuable part of Heavy Metal history and to enhance it with bonus material.
Besides the regular songs, "Out Of The Darkness", newly mastered by R.D. Liapakis (Mystic Prophecy, Devil's Train) contains additional material from different creative periods of JACK STARR, the previously unreleased track "Blue Tears Falling" and five instrumental songs from STARR's 1990 album release "A Minor Disturbance".
MRX COUNTDOWN CONTINUES!: MRX has been updated once again and yes, we're continuing on with that awesome Billboard Rock Top 40 Chart history theme...
This week we have the first 80+ songs from the 1986 Rock Chart featured. Next week the rest of 1986 will be posted for a total off 200 classic rock songs. 1987 and 1985 are still available, but for a short time only! Think we'll do 1988 next...
Help support MelodicRock.com and Join MRX Now.
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Thursday, November 07, 2013
PLACE VENDOME "TALK TO ME" (OFFICIAL VIDEO / NEW ALBUM 2013): Place Vendome Talk To Me, is taken from the new studio album Thunder in the Distance. Available NOW!
LINE UP: Michael Kiske -- Lead Vocals; Dennis Ward -- Bass, vocals, rhythm guitars; Dirk Bruineberg-- Drums; Gunter Werno -- Keyboards; Uwe Reitenauer -- Lead guitars.
Mixed and produced by Dennis Ward.
INTRODUCING WAMI:
In the early Spring of the coming year, a project that will give new meaning to hard'n'heavy music will see the light of day ! The names associated with it are true legends on the hard rock scene: on the vocals - Doogie White (Rainbow, Michael Schenker, Yngwie Malmsteen), on the drums - Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, Dio), on the bass - Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake), who join forces with the 15-year-old Polish guitarist Iggy Gwadera, who made his debut 2 years ago as the guitarist of Anti Tank Nun.
The idea to record an album together was born after Thin Lizzy's concert in Poland. The bassist Marco Mendoza, delighted with the young guitarist Iggy, who supported Thin Lizzy with his band Anti Tank Nun, suggested that they record some music together. This first idea, which was maturing for the next dozen-odd months, eventually evolved into the project involving legendary musicians, who are currently recording a brand new album together with Iggy. The drummer Vinny Appice, renowned for playing in some of the best heavy metal bands of worldwide fame, as also the bassist Marco Mendoza have already finished recording bass and drum tracks in Los Angeles. Near the end of November, Doogie White will confront his vocal talent with Iggy's guitar technique during their recording sessions. Hard rock fans can well expect the results of these sessions to be truly outstanding! The album is to be mixed by the end of the year and will be released already in the early Spring!
Full details to be announced soon!
HYDROGYN READY TO ROCK YOU:
A brand new Hydrogyn single Rock Me has just been released, with the video viewable below:
Q5 TO SWEDEN ROCK FESTIVAL:
Three Seattle bands debuted with heavy metal masterpieces in the early 80s. Queensrÿche, Metal Church - and Q5. The latter band's "Steel the light" (1984) became an instant classic. The album is a stunning melting pot of uptempo metal riffs European style (Accept in particular), relentless AC/DC grooving and tints of evil glam, reminiscent of Quiet Riot and Helix. Sadly, Q5's sophomore effort "When the mirror cracks" (1986) failed to build on the momentum, marking a shift to synthesizer-based AOR. After their demise, Q5 have gained cult status for generations of headbangers. To them, this reunion, especially for SRF and marking the band's first concert in Sweden ever, is a dream come true.
More info at www.swedenrock.com.
SHREDGUY RECORDS AND SUMTHINFIERCE RECORDS COLLABORATE ON NEW TOBY KNAPP RELEASE: Shredguy Records and Sumthinfierce Records have joined forces to bring fans of heavy metal guitar, Toby Knapp - Archives Of Magick.
This special two hour double disc compilation reaches far back into Knapp's history from 1988 to the present. Unreleased neo-classical instrumentals, never before heard Onward tracks and serious explorations into extreme musical genres. This limited pressing is autographed by Knapp, who has had a very prolific year with the release of the critically acclaimed Static Warfare and the upcoming reissues of his band Onwards first two albums.
Michael McDowell of Shredguy Records says about the project, "It has been great working with Curtis Wray and Sumthinfierce Records. Curtis Wray has a passion for music that is unrivaled in this business. We are both based in Ohio(USA) and have been releasing music for the past few years, but never had a joint release. There have been projects we tried to get going with some local yokels in Ohio that ultimately failed, so it was great working with a professional and internationally known guitar player like Toby Knapp who has toured the world and is known throughout the guitar community as a great player."
This limited edition cd can be purchased at www.sumthinfierce.com and www.tobyknapp.bigcartel.com.
FOCUS ON METAL TALK DIO:
From the guys at Focus On Metal on their in-depth look at Dio's Strange Highways - Episode 1: "We have seven interviews in total and nearly 7 hours of audio. From the band bassist Jeff Pilson, guitarist Tracy G, drummer Vinny Appice, keyboardist Scott Warren. Also discussions with producer Mike Fraser, Jerry Best who played bass with Freak of Nature on the European leg of the Strange Highways tour, Frank Hart and Jonathan Marshall from Atomic Opera who played on the U.S leg of the tour. The project took us 5 months to complete and we have just posted the first episode featuring Jeff Pilson, here's the links: www.focusonmetal.net / www.castironring.com / and iTunes."
DAVID Z IN FOCUS:
And from Music & Interviews: "I just posted a new career-spanning interview with David Z, current bassist for Trans-Siberian Orchestra and ZO2. In it, Dave discusses the songwriting process and some of the concert highlights of ZO2, as well as the recent announcement of the band's retirement. He also talks about his time with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, from how he landed the gig, the energy he brings to the stage, and working with Al Pitrelli in the studio. He also talks about the growing success of his 80s tribute band, Rubix Kube.
Direct Link to the interview: musicandartinterviews.blogspot.com/2013/11/david-z.html."
ROCK BITES BY NEIL DANIELS PUBLISHED BY CREATESPACE: Rock Bites features dozens of reviews, articles and interviews that prolific rock and metal author Neil Daniels has written over the past decade. From books on rock 'n' roll to music DVDs, features on AC/DC, interviews with the Backyard Babies and obituaries on legendary musicians, Rock Bites is another hefty collection for die-hard rockers. Daniels covers the full breadth of the genre from Judas Priest to Iron Maiden via Meat Loaf, AC/DC and Led Zeppelin, amongst lots of other high-profile artists. Visit neildanielsbooks.wordpress.com for further info.
286 pages; ISBN: 978-1492906773 Buy from:
Amazon UK
(paperback): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rock-Bites-Neil-Daniels/dp/1492906778/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383814033&sr=1-1&keywords=rock+bites
(eBook): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rock-Bites-Neil-Daniels-ebook/dp/B00GHILH1A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383814263&sr=8-1&keywords=B00GHILH1A
Amazon US:
(paperback): http://www.amazon.com/Rock-Bites-Neil-Daniels/dp/1492906778/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383814178&sr=1-2&keywords=rock+bites
(eBook): http://www.amazon.com/Rock-Bites-Neil-Daniels-ebook/dp/B00GHILH1A/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383814457&sr=1-1&keywords=B00GHILH1A
Blog: neildanielsbooks.wordpress.com / www.facebook.com/people/Neil-Daniels/698935273.
Wednesday, November 06, 2013
MITCH MALLOY: VAN HALEN'S LOST BOY: Mitch Malloy is the subject of a documentary currently being edited for completion. But one interesting aspect of Mitch's career is covered by one chapter of the doco which has been pre-released today:
"The legacy of Van Halen has never had a shortage of drama or die-hard fans...and rocker Mitch Malloy has a unique place within the still-unfolding drama. Following the ousting of Sammy Hagar from the band Malloy was tapped as the lead singer replacement, but subsequently declined this rock royalty position. For years Mitch Malloy's story was touched on but never fully revealed, mostly by Malloy to avoid conflict with his current musical pursuits. After the publication of "Everybody Wants Some: The Van Halen Saga," which mentions Malloy, fans and media continually asked about his Van Halen experience. This is Mitch's story. Mitch Malloy: Van Halen's Lost Boy."
View the documenary pre-release chapter at this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxF4WRORQ9s&feature=youtu.be.
NEW TOTO ALBUM FINALLY UNDERWAY:
It's been way too long, but a new Toto studio album is finally a reality, with principle members Steve Lukather and David Paich both commenting this week that writing sessions had commenced. David Paich:"GOOD MORNING! What's everyone doing today? What's that you ask? Oh, you want to know what I'm doing? I'll just be here in my studio writing for the new Toto album!!" Steve Lukather:"Also cant wait to get home and start writing with all the guys for the NEW Toto studio record! There are already some killers brewing... Yes its gonna happen! Hope everyone is having a great day." and "Also comin up with new ideas in my room for Toto. We are gonna dig DEEP for this one!"
I can reveal that the rough timeline is to write and record during 2014, mix late in the year for an early 2015 release.
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
PRIMAL FEAR TO START THE METALLIC NEW YEAR WITH A BANG!: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of Primal Fear new album Delivering the Black on January 24 in Europe and January 28 in North America.
On the heels of the general consensus met by the previous studio album "Unbreakable" which was the band's highest chart entry in Germany at Position #31, charting in 7 other countries, Primal Fear are only getting better with time and metal fans around the world are acknowledging this.
After some very intense songwriting sessions and pre-production schedule, the band started to record the new album, "Delivering The Black" in summer 2013 at the House of Music studios in Germany, with producer Mat Sinner and engineer Achim Koehler. The idea was to create the most powerful Primal Fear album ever! The band then moved to Denmark in September to finish the album with acclaimed producer/engineer Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Pretty Maids, Amaranthe) handling the mix.
"Delivering The Black" combines the strongest Primal Fear moments ever, with a well-balanced typical Primal Fear trademark riff-vibe, crushing songs and some very ambitious musical journeys. The centerpiece of the album is the two epic tracks "When Death Comes Knocking" and the 10 minute opus "One Night In December", spiced with big orchestral arrangements and complex sound designs.
Classic and ultra-fresh Primal Fear riff-rockers like the title track, the album opener "King For A Day" or the groove monsters "Alive And On Fire" and "Road To Asylum" hit the bulls-eye just like the untamed speed killer "Rebel Faction". The outstanding ballad "Born With A Broken Heart" shows a new side of Primal Fear with an acoustic guitar vibe and the addition of Liv Kristine (Leaves' Eyes) on backing vocals.
Singer Ralf Scheepers says: "We worked hard to create our best album ever. I already felt the vibe during the pre-production, that we were working on something very special this time! And now the result is just an amazing Metal album, I'm extremely proud of!" Producer/bassist Mat Sinner adds: "The songs, the production, the sound – this album is a very special one for me and my career. In my view everybody in the band just did a killer job and Jacob was fantastic choice to mix the album!"
The release of "Delivering the Black" will be anticipated by the release of the digital only single / video "When Death Comes Knocking" on December 2nd – a song which sets the pace for the outstanding quality of production and songwriting displayed on the full album. You can enjoy a sample of the track following this link: youtu.be/TK7BEWgEkQE.
Delivering The Black will be available in regular cd edition, deluxe edition with 2 bonus tracks and – in cooperation with Soulfood Music - vinyl edition and DVD and limited edition (666 copies only!) of a Super-de-luxe version including a metallic eagle!
"Delivering The Black" tracklisting includes: King For a Day; Rebel Faction; When Death Comes Knocking; Alive & On Fire; Delivering the Black; Road to Asylum; One Night In December; Never Pray for Justice; Born with a Broken Heart; Innocent Man (*); Inseminoid; Man Without Shadow (*);When Death Comes Knocking (Single Edit) (*) Only available on Deluxe edition.
DVD (Only available with Deluxe edition) – When Death Comes Knocking (video), King For A Day (video), Making of the Album (video).
Don't miss the German Metal Commando on their worldwide tour in 2014!
Rock Hard presents: Eagles & Lions Tour 2014 - Primal Fear, Bullet & Special Guest
24.01.14 D-Regensburg - Airport Obertraubling
25.01.14 D-Memmingen - Kaminwerk
26.01.14 D-Ludwigsburg - Rockfabrik
28.01.14 D-Nürnberg - Hirsch
29.01.14 CH-Pratteln - Z 7
31.01.14 ES-Madrid - Penelope
01.02.14 ES-Bilbao - Santana 27
02.02.14 ES-Barcelona - Razzmatazz 2
06.02.14 D-Mannheim - Alte Seilerei
07.02.14 BEL-Vosselaar - Biebob
08.02.14 D-Bochum - Matrix
11.02.14 D-Berlin - K 17
14.02.14 SL-Bratislava - Majestic
15.02.14 CZ-Zlin - MOR Cafe
16.02.14 SL-Kosice - Collosseum
…… more shows will be added soon!
Primal Fear on tour with Rock Meets Classic feat. Alice Cooper, Uriah Heep & more!
09.03.14 BERLIN - Tempodrom
11.03.14 FRANKFURT - Jahrhunderthalle
12.03.14 NEU-ULM - Ratiopharm Arena
13.03.14 NÜRNBERG - Arena
14.03.14 WÜRZBURG - S.Oliver Arena
16.03.14 PASSAU - Dreiländerhalle
18.03.14 MANNHEIM - SAP Arena
19.03.14 KEMPTEN - Big BOX Allgäu
20.03.14 MÜNCHEN - Olympiahalle
22.03.14 REGENSBURG - Donau-Arena
23.03.14 CH - ZUERICH - Hallenstadion
25.03.14 F - STRASBOURG – Zenith
26.03.14 AT - INNSBRUCK - Olympiahalle
27.03.14 INGOLSTADT - Saturn Arena
29.03.14 HALLE - Gerry Weber Stadion
30.03.14 LEIPZIG - Arena
01.04.14 HAMBURG - O2 World
02.04.14 ESSEN - Grugahalle
04.04.14 STUTTGART - Porsche-Arena
05.04.14 DRESDEN - Messehalle 1
BW&BK - Bravewords.com presents: Primal Fear - North America 2014
29.04.14 USA Baltimore - Soundstage
30.04.14 USA New York - Stage 48
01.05.14 CAN Quebec - Le Cercle
02.05.14 CAN Montreal - Petit Campus
03.05.14 CAN Toronto - MOD Club
04.05.14 USA Cleveland - Agora Theater
06.05.14 USA Joliet, Illinois - Mojoes
07.05.14 USA Lawrence, Kansas - Granada Theater
08.05.14 USA Denver - Bluebird Theater
10.05.14 USA Seattle - El Corazon
11.05.14 CAN Vancouver - The Venue
12.05.14 USA Portland - Hawthorne Theater
14.05.14 USA San Francisco - DNA Lounge
15.05.14 USA Anaheim California - The Grove
16.05.14 USA Tempe, Arizona - Club Red
18.05.14 USA Dallas, Texas - Trees
19.05.14 USA Houston, Texas - Scout Bar
21.05.14 USA Atlanta - The Masquerade
22.05.14 USA Louisville - Diamond Pub
23.05.14 USA Pittsburgh - Altar Bar
24.05.14 USA Rochester - Montage Music Hall
…… forthcoming South & Central America & Australia.
Primal Fear:Ralf Scheepers – Vocals; Alex Beyrodt – Guitars; Magnus Karlsson – Guitar, Keyboards; Randy Black – Drums; Mat Sinner – Bass & Vocals.
WebLinks: www.primalfear.de / www.facebook.com/PrimalFearOfficial.
MELODICROCK.COM & ROCK SOLDIERS PRESENT - PAUL LAINE DOWNUNDER IN DECEMBER: Paul Laine will be heading to Australia in December 2013 and will be playing two live shows backed by Aussie melodic rockers The Radio Sun.
This will be Paul's first ever live dates in Australia and he will be playing a selection of songs from his solo work, Danger Danger and Shugaazer catalogue. Paul Laine, The Radio Sun & Kill Shott will play in Melbourne, Australia on Tuesday 3rd of December 2013 at the Cherry Bar and in Sydney, Australia on Thursday 5th of December 2013 at Valve@Agincourt – with support from The Radio Sun and Sydney's White Stallion) *note : Valve's new address : 871 George St. Sydney).
A night not to be missed by fans of AOR/heavy rock! Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased from Radical Records and Realm Of Kaos in Melbourne and at Utopia in Sydney or at the door of both venues. In related news, Paul Laine is currently putting the finishing touches on The Radio Sun debut album titled 'Wrong Things Right' due for release in 2014.
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FIST BITE FROM JAKE E LEE'S RED DRAGON CARTEL DUE:
The debut album from Jake E Lee's Red Dragon Cartel is set to appear in japan December 18. A European release will be announced shortly.
FIREFEST 2014 LATEST … UNSIGNED OPENING BAND COMPETITION:
As the last Firefest beckons, we have looked back over the years with a huge sense of pride and achievement. We were wondering what we could do just to make that last Firefest a little bit special considering we had to sadly refuse a LOT of bands the opportunity to play the show due to the fact that we simply could not fit everybody in. During a discussion with some of the bands, we were remembering the "good old days" – touring the toilets of the world and of course the good old "buy on" – basically where bands pay to be part of a particular tour – just to get the opportunity to play in front of a decent crowd, a practice that Firefest has never agreed with.
Bearing that in mind, Firefest is going to make the dream come true for One Unsigned UK melodic hard rock/AOR band by offering them the chance to OPEN the Firefest 2014 show. This is our way of helping out the up and coming bands that are struggling to get out there and play live in front of a dedicated audience. The criteria?
1. The band must be un signed to any record company
2. The band must be available to play on October 24, 2014
3. Musically the band MUST fit the melodic hard rock/AOR format of Firefest
4. The band must be UK based
So how does it work? We want you to send us your EPKs or demos, including a full band biography, before Thursday November 14. The Firefest team will listen to everything we receive and we will select 6 bands to be considered. Having selected the final 6 bands, each band will be featured on the Steve Price Rock Show on www.arfm.co.uk broadcasting on Saturday and Sunday evenings from 6pm to 9pm GMT. The first three bands will be featured on Saturday November 16 and the second three bands will be featured on Sunday November 17.
This will be a public vote – bands of course are free to garner as much support as they can – details of how and where to vote will follow shortly – please check on www.firefestofficial.com and Firefest Official Group on Facebook for the details.
Once all 6 bands have been featured, the top three bands with the most votes will go forward to the final vote .The remaining three bands will be featured on the Steve Price rock show on Saturday November 23 and bands can once again garner all the support they wish – but final voting closes on Monday November 25 – after which the band with the most votes will open the Firefest 2014 show in front of, hopefully, a full house at Rock City.
We would encourage EVERYONE to vote, especially Firefest patrons, as essentially the winner will be playing in front of YOU. We hope this opportunity to open the Final Firefest will help an unsigned band to establish a foothold, however small, in the live arena and most of all an opportunity to rock in front of a dedicated melodic hard rock audience.
Please submit all Electronic Press Kits/mp3s to firefest@hotmail.com with "UNSIGNED" CLEARLY MARKED IN THE HEADING – otherwise it will not be read.
Good luck to all the unsigned bands out there, we look forward to welcoming one of you to Firefest 2104 as an artist.
VASBY ROCK FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES INITIAL BANDS: Väsby Rock Festival Crew wants to proudly inform that a new Väsby Rock Festival will take place in Upplands Väsby (Vilundaparken) July 18-19th 2014. One of many news is that the festival will be rocking over two days and there will be a camp-area nearby Vilundaparken.
The festival will host 25 different bands in total and we can now proudly present the first six of them: -TNT- reunion with Tony Harnell -At Vance -Coldspell -Devil´s Train -House Of Shakira -Degreed.
None of the bands above is a headliner band. The two headliners will be presented in the future although one of the forthcoming headliner bands is already signed. The rest of the bands including the two headliners will be released every now and then at vasbyrockfestival.se.
Tickets will be released at Tickster.se 1/11 2013. There will be a 2-day ticket and a 2-day VIP-ticket for sale. The camping tickets will also be on sale at Tickster.se
All additional info will be posted at vasbyrockfestival.se and the first 6 bands (as above) will be released Friday 1/11 at 19.00.
SILENT FORCE RISING FROM ASHES WILL BE RELEASED ON DECEMBER 13:
After an almost 7-year break, Melodic Metal masters Silent Force, the band founded and led by guitar player Alex Beyrodt, finally returns with a new studio album. And its title (Rising From Ashes) couldn't be more appropriate, as many thought that the highly-acclaimed group had disbanded and would be gone forever, especially after Beyrodt's success with his classic hard rock band Voodoo Circle and joining the line-up of both Primal Fear and Sinner.
But now Silent Force are finally back – with 'fulll force'.
The band's new vocalist is no other than Michael Bormann – in his case it could be said "old/new" because he already sang on the first (and only) album of the Silent Force predecessor The Sygnet (1998). Mat Sinner (bass), Alessandro Del Vecchio (keyboards) and drummer Andre Hilgers (who is a part of Silent Force and even The Sygnet from the beginning on) are completing the new line-up.
Right after putting finishing touches on the new album, Silent Force were filming a video clip for the first single Circle Of Trust. Melodic metal fans will receive a true highlight release late in the year with Rising From Ashes - an album that has all tyypical Silent Force trademarks and continues right where the band left off years ago.
Alex Beyrodt comments: "For me "Rising From Ashes" is not just another new Silent Force record. The long break was necessary to rebuild the band and get rid of all false ascendancy. The new line-up speaks for itself, so does Rising From Ashes."
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GLAM ROCK ICON MICHAEL DES BARRES RELEASES NEW LIVE ALBUM HOT 'N STICKY:
Los Angeles, CA – Riding the wave of critical acclaim from critics and peers such as Stevie Van Zandt for his album Carnaby Street, Michael Des Barres is releasing a live album recently recorded at the legendary Viper Room in Hollywood. Hot 'n Sticky is just as the title describes, delivering the songs from Carnaby Street and other personal favorites the way this music is meant to be enjoyed. It's down-n-dirty, straight-up rock 'n roll played by a great band, and Michael Des Barres is here to bring it back with Hot 'n Sticky. "I had no plans to record a live album that night. I record everything so I have something to dance to, but this happened to be one of those hot and sticky nights when the music plays itself, and we became like a primal, blusey, electric machine. Of course it helps that we've played every club, dive bar and juke joint that would have us. That's where rock 'n roll lives --- no video screens, no lasers, dancers or lip synching, just raw incantations from the Olympian heights of rock 'n roll heaven." - Michael Des Barres.
Hot 'n Sticky will be officially released by MDBimmedia on November 5, 2013 and will be available in both digital and physical formats via all major outlets including iTunes, Amazon, CDbaby and directly from the artist at michaeldesbarres.bandcamp.com. To preview Hot 'n Sticky in its entirety, go to soundcloud.com/michael-des-barres/sets/hot-n-sticky. "Rock ain't near dead, and if you need any convincing on this point listen no further than Michael Des Barres' fiery new live set, Hot 'n Sticky. This disc will cure what ails you with ample doses of rhythm, blues, and a pure love of rock 'n' roll. The set moves, grooves, and shakes you down with a top-flight band of LA aces and a frontman who melts all those before him. Rock's royalty has made it through the darkness that eclipsed the breed and their art throughout the '80s and '90s. The real rockers such as Ian Hunter, Glenn Hughes, and Michael Des Barres have all saved up and not spent it all. They're alive, well and proving on a regular basis that rock may not be on the radio, but it's doing just fine as an art form." - Tony Conley, Rock Guitar Daily
Michael Des Barres has been on the rock n' roll scene for more than four decades. A European Marquis, Michael was raised in England and now lives in Los Angeles. His enduring love of Delta blues and the rock and soul of the mid-60s beat boom, carries forth from his days as the front man for such seminal 1970s bands as Silverhead and Detective, a band personally signed by Jimmy Page to Led Zeppelin's Swan Song records in 1975.
Michael Des Barres was also the touring singer for the Duran Duran spin-off group, The Power Station, performing at Live Aid with one of the most iconic live acts of the mid-1980s. From 1982 to 1984, Michael was a member of Chequered Past, which included Steve Jones from the Sex Pistols, and Clem Burke and Nigel Harrison of Blondie. In 1983, Michael penned the song "Obsession", which later became a number one hit in 27 countries for LA new wave group Animotion; the track has been featured in numerous movies throughout the years. His album Carnaby Street garnered a first-round Grammy nomination and two SiriusXM "Songs of the Week" last year.
Today, Michael Des Barres sets the bar for a new breed of healthy rock stars, pushing boundaries as multi-media force of nature. In addition to two weekly syndicated radio shows, Roots & Branches and The Michael Des Barres Show, he has appeared in feature films and countless hit television shows such as NCIS, Nip/Tuck, The Finder, and as the infamous assassin Murdoc on MacGyver. Michael has also been featured in music videos for Maroon 5 and Rihanna and co-stars with Robert Carlyle in the just-released film California Solo. Recently, Michael narrated the one-night only performance of Frank Zappa's legendary 200 Motels with the LA Philharmonic conducted by Esa Pekka Salonen… and now it's back on the road, coming to a dive bar or stadium near you!
For more information: www.mdbimmedia.com.
DEATH DEALER WOULD ANNOUNCES THE ADDITION OF DRUMMER STEVE BOLOGNESE TO IT'S RANKS:
As previous drummer for Into Eternity and a Berklee College of Music instructor, Steve Bolognese is often spoken of as the Drummer's "Drummer" having received mentoring from drum prodigy Mike Mangini (Dream Theater). www.berklee.edu/people/stephen-bolognese
Steve: - "I'm happy to announce I have joined Death Dealer. It's been awhile since I've played such triumphant metal but it feels great to be back at it. It's amazing to be in a band with such talented musicians. I'm Really looking forward to working on this new epic material and hitting the road with it for all to see."
Vocalist Sean Peck - "When we discovered Steve was interested in joining the band, I called him up and found out he is a true road warrior. We have a lot of tour plans coming up and he has been on some great ones. He knows the game and how to bend it to his will, no matter what the circumstances may be. Besides being a technical thrash master from hell, he is a funny dude and fun to hang out with which will make him a welcome addition to Death Dealer as we get ready to really blast off with a packed 2014 schedule! I couldn't be happier!"
Guitarist Stu Marshall - "While Steve has some amazing technical credentials, he has a strong foundation as a fan in traditional and true metal, he's a total monster behind that kit." Steve joins Death Dealer residing on the west coast of the United states, close to Mike Davis (Bass) and Sean Peck (Vocals)."
Bassist Mike Davis - "Steve and I have been jamming the Death Dealer set for a few months now here in Hollywood and it has just been ferocious! He was our targeted first choice when we knew Rhino needed to be replaced. We are just glad he was available and now it is time to throw down the gauntlet! Now that three of us in the band are located here in Southern California, it makes it everything we are planning and doing that much easier."
Death Dealer would like to wish Kenny (Rhino) Earl all the best as he departs the unit to spend more time with his family and concentrate on a career outside of music. He will always be our brother.
2014 brings the second "yet to be titled" Death Dealer album and the band is now writing the material for this release. Wide scale touring is currently being planned with announcements to be made very soon.
WebLink: www.deathdealer.co.
VENICE PREVIEW NEW ALBUM ON YOUTUBE: Venice has released a cleverly made preview of their forthcoming double CD, "What Summer Brings," featuring snippets of all of the album's 20 tracks. It can be viewed here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pveQyCLMiCU.
Be sure and watch until the end, so you don't miss the surprise. The album releases in Europe this week, and in America mid-December. American fans can pre-order the CD directly from the band at their official webpage, www.venicecentral.com. Outside of America, to save on postage fees, the album can be purchased from www.aanspreekpunt.nl.
Myland debut a new video from the album Tales From The Inner Planet - She's Gonna Runaway:
LITA FORD ALBUM STREAMING FROM TODAY:
The Bitch is Back...Live is a brand new live album from the queen of Hard Rock and Metal Lita Ford. The album will be released in North America tomorrow via Steamhammer/SPV. Today Yahoo Music is streaming the album in its entirety HERE. Check it out and be sure to order a copy on Amazon or iTunes.
Following the release of her TRUE comeback album "Living Like a Runaway", LITA took to the stage at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, California in early October of 2012 to showcase the new material as well as Lita Ford classics. This killer show was recorded for the live album The Bitch is Back...Live. Where does the title come from? Lita opens the show with her rendition of the classic Elton John track "The Bitch is Back", which was previously released as a bonus track on "Living Like a Runaway". It may be a strong proclamation, but it is true...the bitch is back and bringing it live. Now fans have a chance to be a part of this memorable evening and performance.
VINCE NEIL PARTNERS WITH VEGAS RESTAURATEURS TO BRING HIS TATUADO BRAND TO CIRCUS CIRCUS:
New Rock 'n' Roll Hotspot Debuts Saturday, Nov. 9
In an effort to bring the rock 'n' roll vibe of the Sunset Strip to Las Vegas, longtime restaurant aficionados and owners of Kahunaville at Treasure Island, David Tuttleman and Mark Green, have partnered with Mötley Crüe front man Vince Neil to re-brand their 14,000 square foot Circus Circus venue, Rock 'n Rita's.
The new venues, Vince Neil's Tatuado Eat-Drink-Party! and Vince Neil's Party Bus Bar, which open to the public Saturday Nov. 9, showcase the combination of Neil's affinity for tattoos and tequila with Tuttleman and Green's emphasis on a fun and exciting party-like environment. The mouth-watering menu offers up Neil's signature Tatuado burgers, burritos and more to tantalize guests' taste buds. The dining room bar allows guests to pair their meal with a cold beer, lavish cocktail or one of the rocker's very own premium brands.
"I have wanted to expand the Tatuado brand and bring it to The Strip for a while," said Vince Neil. "Teaming with David and Mark to recreate Rock & Rita's into my own spot will create a true home for the brand. People can come have a great time and enjoy my signature line of spirits while they party."
Pictured (left to right): Mark Weiss, Vince Neil and David Tuttleman
Owner of Rock 'n Rita's David Tuttleman said, "When we launched Rock & Rita's, I wanted to create a rock 'n' roll party vibe where our guests could experience a true Vegas party. Teaming up with Vince is going to take that concept to the next level, creating an authentic atmosphere with an edgy tattooed feel, different from others you find here in town. I really want to submerge guests into the true lifestyle and party atmosphere of a rock star. I have been friends with rock 'n roll photographer Mark Weiss for many years, so when it came time to design the new space, it was a no-brainer to utilize his creativity."
The three are combining their creative talents for the new Vince Neil's Eat Drink Party! at Circus Circus which will bring the Sunset Strip to Las Vegas.
Photographer Mark Weiss, who was an integral part of the creative vision for the restaurant and bar areas, added, "In 1982, after shooting Mötley Crüe for their first national magazine spread, Vince took me to the infamous Rainbow on the Sunset Strip. We ate, we drank and we definitely partied. When I walked into Rock & Rita's to be a part of the creative design team on this project, I was immediately taken back to those days at the Rainbow and was inspired to help create the feel and passion of the Sunset Strip." -Mark Weiss
The main space, branded as Vince Neil's Tatuado Eat-Drink-Party!, is the ultimate definition of Neil's Tatuado brand and outrageous lifestyle. Throughout the dining room, the ambiance of the venue embraces Tatuado, meaning tattoo, artwork and imagery, along with the iconic rocker's most prized possessions, including gold and platinum records from his enormous success with Mötley Crüe. Guests will be immersed in an ambiance reminiscent of the legendary Sunset Strip rock clubs where Neil and his pals launched their paths to stardom. Two large video walls, projection screens and 22 HD flat screens, located throughout the restaurant and satellite bars, will entertain guests with rock-infused music videos and candid behind-the-scenes video of the rocker enjoying Las Vegas. True Vince Neil fans can feel at home as they party to Mötley Crüe hits and more, streamed through the premium sound system.
Just upstairs from the restaurant, visitors can enjoy Vince Neil's Party Bus Bar, appropriately nicknamed "Bus Bar." The well-known full-size bus features flair bartenders and party girls offering up shots and creative to-go drinks. Party-goers will feel as if they have been swept into a post-concert-like tailgate party.
Additionally, sports fans can take a break from their rock star-style partying to gamble and grab a drink in the existing Rock & Rita's Sports Bar. Retaining the original branding, the sports bar embodies the All-American party for which Tuttleman and Green have become known. Avid gamblers can enjoy access to the adjoining Circus Circus Race and Sports Book, as well as counter-top video gaming machines. For more information on Vince Neil's Tatuado Eat-Drink-Party!, Vince Neil's Party Bus Bar and the Rock & Rita's Sports Bar at Circus Circus, visit www.VinceNeilsParty.com.
FOGHAT ROCKS THE HOLIDAYS WITH "WINTER WONDERLAND": Foghat is ready to spread some holiday cheer with their amps cranked to ten for their instrumental Rockin version of Winter Wonderland.Only the second instrumental ever recorded by Foghat (2010s "495 Boogie" being the first), the band - comprised of drummer Roger Earl, bassist Craig MacGregor, lead/slide guitarist Bryan Bassett, and singer/guitarist Charlie Huhn - had a lot of fun recording the track down at their home/studio, Boogie Motel South, in Florida, where they simply picked up their instruments, and started jammin. The tune started to rock and some surprising extras were added to lend to the holiday spirit.
Foghat's presence has remained steady on rock radio for decades, due to such all-time rock anthems as "Slow Ride" and "Fool for the City." And the band continues not only to tour, but to churn out more-than-worthy new tracks to add to their vast catalog of gems, such as this rockin' take on the holiday classic. The all-instrumental tune is in digital-only format, and will be released on Tuesday, November 5th, 2013, via Foghat Records.
As Earl explains, "I wasn't so sure about doing a stinkin Christmas song. Bah Humbug! But once the band got together it turned out to be a lot of fun. Towards the end, we had a few glasses of wine and everything was fine. Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas everybody!"
Bassett, who does some amazing slide playing on this track, also pointed out that he pays tribute to a legendary guitarist on the tune - "We decided to do a fun interpretation of a holiday classic and for my part I wanted to give a nod to one of my favorite guitarists, Lowell George of Little Feat."
In addition to the new instrumental version of Winter Wonderland (written by Felix Bernard & Richard B Smith), Foghat has gotten into the holiday spirit several times before, with such earlier tunes as "Run, Run Rudolph" (1978), "All I Want for Christmas is You (1981), and "Going Home for Christmas" (a 1986 MTV Video) .
"We're still not sure where the inspiration for this came from. It probably involved wine! adds MacGregor. "Hope you all enjoy it, but don't play it loud next to your tree...everything falls off! Happy Holidays!!!"
Listen to the song on YouTube: tinyurl.com/FoghatWinterWonderland.
For more information, visit: www.foghat.net.
NWOBHM LEGENDS TOUR TOGETHER:
New Wave of British Heavy Metal legends Raven are embarking on a European tour in November / December together with Girlschool in support of their recently released Documentary DVD entitled Rock Until You Drop - A Long Day's Journey
Raven + Girlschool British Classic Double Headliner Tour 2013
26.11. GB-Manchester - Sound Control
27.11. GB-Glasgow - King Tuts
28.11. GB-Newcastle - The Blyth & Tyne
29.11. GB-Birmingham - Rock Zombie
30.11. GB-London - Garage (35th Anniversary show for Girlschool with special guests)
01.12. GB-Bristol - Bierkeller
03.12. D-Memmingen - Kaminwerk
04.12. I-Milan - Legend Club
05.12. F-Colmar - Le Grillen
06.12. D-Essen - Turock
07.12. NL-Helmond - Lakei
08.12. NL-Almelo - NAXT Stage
The DVD documents Raven's almost 40 year career and highlights their high energy approach and influence on the development of Heavy and Thrash Metal. The DVD was released in June/July via Steamhammer/SPV. A Trailer for the DVD can be seen here: youtu.be/7nPRoQ1eRY8.
WebLinks: www.ravenlunatics.com / www.spv.de.
TODAY ANUBIS GATE GIVES 22 MINUTES OF NEW MUSIC AWAY....FOR FREE!: Anubis Gate on the free downloadable EP called "Sheep" Download can be found on the front page at Nightmare Records www.NightmareRecords.com: "Hi everybody. As most of you know we have been working on our next effort called Horizons for the last two years. But, as some of you also know, we are insane perfectionists, so we didn't quite meet the deadline for a 2013 release, which was our plan otherwise. When we recorded Horizons we had these three tracks that we didn't quite know what to do with. A slightly different version of Destined To Remember (the other version will be on the Horizons album), A cover of the epic Pink Floyd track Sheep (from their magnificent Animals album) and a cover of Broken Wings originally by Mr. Mister. Broken Wings was actually a fan request, which we thought "oh, that's a great idea". So while you are all waiting patiently until early 2014 for the Horizons album to be released, this is a little present from us to you. We hope you enjoy it."
ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE III ANNOUNCES FIRST WAVE OF ARTISTS FOR FEBRUARY OF 2015:
You and a few thousand of your fellow rock fanatics get on board one of the biggest, fastest and most luxurious cruise ships in existence to spend three full days and four nights listening to your favorite classic rock bands performing their greatest hits for hours on end. Yes, it's back and better than ever!
Welcome to Rock Legends Cruise III, the spectacular classic rock music festival at sea that will set sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Nassau, Bahamas on February 19, 2015.
Eat. Sleep. Rock! If you've done this before, you know what to expect.
If not, you have no idea... other than the fact that it promises to be one of the best times of your life. "It's everything you could imagine along with some things you could probably never imagine," quips Pam Myers of the Native American Heritage Association (NAHA), the charitable organization that hosts, and benefits from, the Cruise. "An experience like no other, it's simply the classic rock cruise of a lifetime."
The forthcoming Rock Legends Cruise III will feature The Doobie Brothers, 38 Special, The Marshall Tucker Band, Dickey Betts and Great Southern, Blue Oyster Cult, Uriah Heep, Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown, Edgar Winter, Pat Travers Band and The Blue Lords along with other artists that have yet to be announced. Call it the initial "Top Ten."
It's a unique opportunity to see your favorite band not once, but twice... maybe even three times!
You can expect the typical day to be as follows... get up by the crack of noon, get some food, find a reclining lounge chair on the pool deck and listen to such rock classics as "Black Water," "Hold On Loosely," "Can't You See," "Ramblin' Man" and "Easy Livin'." Think about it... where else can you possibly hear "Godzilla" and "Frankenstein" on the same day?
And that's just the beginning as additional artists will be announced in the upcoming months...Listen to the music with The Doobies and go rockin' into the night with the Wild-Eyed Southern Boys! More than 50 concert performances expected in all! This is the cruise you want to be on!
Rock Legends Cruise III will depart Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida early Thursday evening (February 19, 2015), then dock in Nassau, Bahamas the following Saturday (2/21/15) before returning to Fort Lauderdale on Monday morning, February 23, 2015. Only three "vacation" or "sick" days are necessary!
In between the concerts, meet & greets, Q&A forums, and everything else "Rock Legends," passengers will be able to enjoy such on board activities as surfing (thanks to the ship's FlowRider surf simulator), basketball (full-sized court), boxing (full-sized ring), golf (mini course), rock-climbing (wall), cantilevered whirlpools and a variety of gourmet restaurants and casual dining.
Have you ever seen Dickey Betts surf? Me, neither. But you will get to see him play guitar and that, alone, is worth the price of admission. This is truly something to look forward to and a vacation you will definitely remember. Cabins are moving quickly with a significant number already sold to those that have sailed the Rock Legends "journey" before... this was prior to announcing any artists... they know just how great an experience it really is!
So book your cabins soon before they're gone! Think "Christmas!" Most levels are still available including Interior, Ocean View, Deluxe and Superior Ocean View with Balcony and a variety of suites, with pricing beginning at $1099.00 per person (double occupancy).
Notice the money back guarantee if you're not happy with the line-up by January 20, 2014! For further information including specific details, ticket/cabin purchase, what's included and answers to FAQ's, please go to www.rocklegendscruise.com or call 888-666-1499.
For information on Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas, please see: www.royalcaribbean.com/liberty / Liberty of the Seas Photo Gallery at: www.google.com/.
Rock Legends III Initial Line-Up*
Doobie Brothers, 38 Special, The Marshall Tucker Band, Dickey Betts and Great Southern, Blue Oyster Cult, Uriah Heep, Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown, Edgar Winter, Pat Travers Band, The Blue Lords.
*More artists to be announced! Stay tuned.
About The Native American Heritage Association: The Native American Heritage Association is celebrating its 20th year working on reservations in South Dakota and has been a 4-star charity with www.charitynavigator.org for a total of nine years. Native American Heritage Association tractor trailers are on the road daily with supplies to the various far flung communities and 94% of the organization's total revenue goes towards program services which provide basic life necessities, including fuel assistance and medical transportation to 90,000 people. Many of these residents face an 80% rate of unemployment; 70% don't have transportation and many of those who do, don't have the means to purchase gas. These Lakota Sioux live in abandoned school buses, shacks or government housing with no insulation, some live without indoor plumbing, in homes with dirt floors, no beds or furniture. More information can be found at: www.naha-inc.org.
Monday, November 04, 2013
JOIN JOHNNY LIMA'S REVOLUTION:
Melodic Rocker Johnny Lima has started a crowd funding campaign to help finance his brand new album "My Revolution".
Johnny's never been the type of person that expects something for nothing, so those that help fund the new album, will not only get the album before anyone else, they'll also get more songs than the official release, plus a lot of other perks depending on which package you choose to fund.
The Limited Edition CD which will only be available through this campaign, and will include 15 songs (16 if there's room) including songs "My Revolution", "Blame It On Love", "Happily Ever After You" and the killer new ballad "I Can't Love You Any More". So for those that are interested in joining the "Revolution" head on over to: igg.me/at/johnnylima/x/4944946 and make a pledge today. There's only 15 days left on the campaign!!
FIREWORKS #60 OUT NOW:
The latest Fireworks Magazine (Issue 60) is out now:
It get's harder and harder to find a way to raise the bar from the last issue of Fireworks… that said, we've managed it with Fireworks Issue 60! If the fact that the 96 glossy colour pages are absolutely packed with quality artists, interviews and reviews isn't enough to justify the price tag, how about the fact that the FREE CD contains Sixty Eight Free Songs in mp3 format for you to check out - an increase of Sixteen Tracks from last issue! The CD also contains a FREE PDF telling you all about each artist on the disk so you know who to look for if you hear something you like.
The magazine itself continues the fine tradition of bringing you interviews with the great and the good. Def Leppard talk 'Viva Hysteria', guitar hero Joe Bonamassa speaks about his 'Tour De Force', Alter Bridge chat about their new album 'Fortress' and Dream Theater are back with us too. We've not even mentioned Ted Nugent, John Waite, Devin Townsend, Chris Norman, Adler, Terry Reid, Gov't Mule, Fergie Frederiksen, Lars Eric Mattsson… 32 interviews in total!
Fireworks #60 also hosts the most in depth reviews section on the market, as we review over one hundred new albums, alongside live reviews, reissues, DVDs, books and EPs. If you want to stay in the loop, Fireworks #60 is the way to do it!
Copies/subscriptions can be ordered direct by emailing fireworks.mag@ntlworld.com, paying via Paypal. Send £6 (Inc P&P) for UK, £8.95 (inc P&P) for Europe, and £10.95 (inc P&P) for USA/Rest of World.
Digital copies available via www.rocktopia.co.uk for £3. Read FREE interviews with Alter Bridge, Amanda Palmer, Devin Townsend, Reuben Archer and Wolfpakk in the Fireworks Magazine section on Rocktopia!
MASS UPCOMING SHOW:
Don't miss the last Mass show of 2013! Saturday, November 16: "Mass @ Maddy's" Saugus, Massachusetts. Maddy's Ticket Info 781-1185.
Louis St. August makes a Special Guest Appearance on the New BOSTON Album out on December 3. "Honored to have been asked by Rock Icon Tom Scholz to appear on the new Boston Album! Although a small part from 1:56 -2:16 Very Grateful just the same." ~ Louis St August.
More at: www.massrocks.com.
NEW DOWNLOAD FOR CONQUEST OF STEEL:
True Metallers Conquest of Steel release their download only single 'All Men Must Die' this Monday, the 4th November. The track will be available for download from all major download stores - iTunes, amazon and many more. All Men Must Die is the precursor to Conquest of Steel's 4th album 'Of Fire and Steel' - a barnstormer of a Heavy Metal album - think Maiden, Manowar and Wasp and you'll be getting close. Of Fire and Steel will be released via No Face Records on the 2nd December and will be available on CD, LP, MC and digital download. For more information: www.conquestofsteel.co.uk.
INTRODUCING REDS'COOL - BAD STORY:
Be prepared for the next sensation from Russia! Reds'cool are Gorky Park's worthy successors, mixed and mastered by legendary Michael Wagener.
Tracklist: 1. Bite 2. Hey You 3. Confession 4. Love And Pain 5. Feel You 6. Upside Down 7. You Must Go 8. Fooling Myself 9. Bad Bad Story.
Sharing the stage with such mega stars as Gotthard, Joe Lynn Turner, Whitesnake, W.A.S.P, Alcatrazz, Gorky Park, Doro Pesch, Royal Hunt, Kingdom Come, Lordi, Grave Digger, and Lake of Tears, Reds'cool proved to be a potential new hard rock act from Russia.
Their debut album "Attraction" was released in 2011 and included ten tracks which reflected the band's high professionalism and technique. The album was recorded at band's own studio Spacex, mastering was done in Helsinki at Finnvox Studios by legendary Mika Jussila who is known by
working with such outstanding bands like HIM, Nightwish, Apocalyptica, Lordi, Children of Bodom. Before the album went on sale the song "One night" was repeatedly aired on Radio Rocks and stayed on top of the charts for weeks overtaking legendary Whitesnake's single.
In summer 2011 Reds'cool played at Tavastia club in Helsinki and performed a solo gig at House of Rock in Kouvola. The band amazed the sophisticated audiences at the "Harley Davidson" and "Wervolves" bike festivals.
In 2012 the band supported Glenn Huges, Royal Hunt, UDO, played the Narva Bike Fest, Tartu Rock Fest (AmmeRock), and Liuthanian Bike Fest, among others. The year 2013 is marked by the release of a new album. Michael Wagener (Dokken, Accept, Motley Crue, Great White, Metallica, Alice Cooper, W.A.S.P., Poison, Stryper, White Lion, etc.) mixed and mastered the album.
Reds'cool supported UFO in June 2013 and will hit the European stages again in fall together with Black Star Riders (Ex-Thin Lizzy). Michael Wagener: "It was great working with Redscool. Their music is a fresh approach to melodic Rock, great songs, great musicianship, great sound."
Youtube links: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGGoyAJDf9k / www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCaNxOOJchw.
More at: www.musicbuymail.eu.
Friday, November 01, 2013
THE LATEST FROM ROCK CANDY:
The following five new Rock Candy titles are available now from www.rockcandyrecords.com for a discounted price including postage to anywhere in the world for the next two weeks ending on November 17.
There has been a manufacturing delay with Frehley's Comet 'Second Sighting' which was set for release with the other titles. That will be on sale in the next two weeks once the fault has been rectified.
Ace Frehley 'Trouble Walkin' CANDY217 / He was the man with the rocket firing guitar. Dubbed the Space Ace, the coolest member of 70s rock gods Kiss and a man who attracted a legion of fan followers of his own for reasons both good and bad. Ace's devilishly potent guitar playing lent Kiss a sense of purpose and ambition that elevated them from amusing comic book crusaders to seriously dangerous heavy metal heroes. As with most things in life it couldn't last. Down but not out, Ace left Kiss in 1982 to pursue a solo career, one that was eagerly anticipated by legions of fans keen to sample his razor sharp riffs and quirky song writing in a brand new setting. With two successful albums recorded under the banner of Frehley's Comet, Ace retired the band moniker in favour of a solo outing for album #3, the amusingly titled 'Trouble Walkin'. Issued in late 1989, the album reunited Ace with veteran Kiss Producer Eddie Kramer helping to craft a record of high grade hard rock with all the accoutrements that you might reasonably expect from such a maverick character. With titles such as 'Shot Full Of Rock', 'Five Card Stud', 'Hide Your Heart', '2 Young To Die' and a brilliantly creative cover of ELO's 'Do Ya', Ace unloads salvo upon salvo of lighting fast licks and twisted riffs proving that his talent was as explosive as ever.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork and rare photos.
Track Listing: 1. Shot Full Of Rock 2. Do Ya 3. Five Card Stud 4. Hide Your Heart 5. Lost In Limbo 6. Trouble Walkin' 7. 2 Young 2 Die 8. Back To School 9. Remember Me 10. Fractured III.
Gamma '3' CANDY178 / There are few guitarists as influential as Ronnie Montrose. As the founder of Montrose he crafted one of the greatest albums of all time. A record that set standards for years to come and one that cemented Ronnie and singer Sammy Hagar's standing as the founding fathers of hard rock. Sure, Ronnie's penchant for change and innovation ensured that Montrose would ultimately be retired with plans laid for another project of significant impact, namely Gamma. Based in San Francisco and managed by renowned impresario Bill Graham, the band was focussed around Ronnie's fiery guitar work and the power of Scottish born vocalist Davey Pattison, a man recommended by none other than Robin Trower band member and fellow Scot Jimmy Dewer. Having cut two albums, both of which were universally acclaimed, Ronnie turned his attention to the band's third album. But, in a characteristically chameleon-like move, Ronnie made significant changes to the band's line-up and its musical style. Retaining bassist Glen Letsch and drummer Denny Carmassi, he recruited keyboard player Mitchell Froom, a man noted for his penchant for experimental composition. Eschewing the hard rock attack of 'Gamma 2', Ronnie now imbibed progressive and electronic influences. He also refused to write with Pattison preferring instead to collaborate with Froom alone. The results, as might be expected, were somewhat controversial but entirely necessary, displaying another part of Ronnie's significant musical scope.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, new interviews with the band, enhanced artwork and rare photos.
Track Listing: 1. What's Gone Is Gone 2. Right The First Time 3. Moving Violation 4. Mobile Devotion 5. Stranger 6. Condition Yellow 7. Modern Girl 8. No Way Out 9. Third Degree Bonus Track: 10. Right The First Time (Single Edit).
xx
Honeymoon Suite 'S/T' CANDY188 / If you like you're hard rock with copious amounts of energy, melody and a quirky, almost power pop, vibe then Honeymoon Suite are standard bearers for this kind of sound. It's also helpful to remember that the band are from Canada, home of the super-efficient clean cut style of AOR brandished by similar sounding acts such as Loverboy, Harlequin and Streetheart. And, unlike many other Canadian groups, they scored successfully in the USA, an accomplishment that shouldn't be overlooked. Formed in Ontario during the early 80s, Honeymoon Suite's path to fame (and, presumably, fortune) was quick and well defined. Formed around the duo of vocalist Johnnie Dee and guitarist Derry Grehan, they composed hard hitting songs with powerful riffs and big hooks. Hooks big enough to drive their message into the hearts and charts of melodic rock fans from Niagara Falls to New Mexico and all points in between. Released in 1984, the debut Honeymoon Suite album was produced by fellow Canadian Tom Treumuth (Helix, the Spoons) and recorded in Toronto's prestigious Phase One Studios. It contains a startling collection of songs including the infectious pop rock of 'New Girl Now', the anthemic 'Turn My Head', the quirky yet catchy 'Stay The Night' and the albums centre piece 'Burning In Love', one of the most dynamic and consequently greatest AOR tracks of the era.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, new interviews with the band, enhanced artwork and rare photos.
Track Listing: 1. New Girl Now 2. Burning In Love 3. Wave Babies 4. Stay In The Light 5. Now That You Got Me 6. Funny Business 7. Heart On Fire 8. Turn My Head 9. It's Your Heart 10. Face To Face Bonus Tracks: 11. Stay In The Light (Remix) 12. We Got The Night (Live) 13. New Girl Now (Live) 14. Stay In The Light (Extended Version) 15. Wave Babies (Edited Version).
Honeymoon Suite 'The Big Prize' CANDY214 / The initial success of Honeymoon Suite in their domestic Canadian marketplace took everyone by surprise not least of all the band and their record company. Recorded on a shoe-string budget and released into an indifferent market the record garnered heavy radio exposure whilst extensive road work helped to forge a solid bond with an audience discovering the excitement of melodic hard rock by acts such as Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams and Loverboy. Excited by the band's further potential, their label rolled out the red carpet and gave them a budget fit for a king, allowing them to secure one of the hottest record production teams in the business, that's Bruce Fairbairn (Bon Jovi, Aerosmtith, AC/DC) and engineer (later producer) Bob Rock (Mötley Crüe, The CULT, Metallica), utilising studios in both Canada and the US with mixing undertaken in the UK. It was belief that paid handsome dividends with the album scoring impressive sales (Triple Platinum in Canada) and saturation video exposure on MTV. Musically, the record is a rip-roaring example of perfect pop rock, boasting remarkable melodies and killer hooks; heavy and forceful yet perfectly conceived. Check out tracks such as 'Feel It Again', 'What Does It Take' and, their pièce de résistance, 'Bad Attitude', one of the greatest melodic hard rock tracks of all time.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, new interviews with the band, enhanced artwork and rare photos.
Track Listing: 1. Bad Attitude 2. Feel It Again 3. Lost And Found 4. What Does It Take 5. One By One 6. Wounded 7. Words In The Wind 8. All Along You Knew 9. Once The Feeling 10. Take My Hand.
Honeymoon Suite 'Racing After Midnight' CANDY215 / When talking about Canadian hard rock Honeymoon Suite definitely rank in the top ten, if not the top five acts from the land of the Maple Leaf. Their brand of concise and memorable melodic rock went right to the very heart of the charts, heralding a period of intense activity that cumulated in multi-Platinum success and punishing international touring schedules that seemed to have no beginning and no end. 'Racing After Midnight' was the band's third album for the Canadian WEA label and signalled a marked maturity. Produced by legendary studio wizard Ted Templeman (Van Halen, Montrose and the Doobie Brothers) and recorded in Los Angeles, the album projects a decidedly sophisticated sound but never once compromises the raw power of earlier recordings. With razor-sharp guitar playing from Derry Grehan and anthemic vocal delivery from front man Johnnie Dee, the record is a definitive example of streamlined pop-rock. Originally issued in 1988, the album contains an explosive collection of tracks including 'Love Changes Everything', 'The Other Side Of Midnight' and 'Cold Look', a track written by kings of AOR Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. Above all, though, it's the dynamic and creative foil of Grehan and Dee that elevate the tracks to another stratosphere, one where no limitations are the rule. Highly recommended.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, new interviews with the band, enhanced artwork and rare photos.
Track Listing: 1. Lookin' Out For Number One 2. Long Way Back 3. Cold Look 4. Love Fever 5. Other Side Of Midnight 6. Love Changes Everything 7. It's Over Now 8. Fast Company 9. Tears On The Page.
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TEN SIGN WITH ROCKTOPIA RECORDS FOR MULTI-ALBUM DEAL: Ten are very pleased to announce that after lengthy and careful negotiation they have now signed a multi-album deal with the brand new European based label Rocktopia Records. Rocktopia Records is the brainchild of Bruce Mee and Kieran Dargan, the team who bring you the globally renowned Firefest Festivals in the UK.
Ten's new album will be the label's debut album release and sees Ten continue from strength to strength onto what will be their 11th studio album.
In a press release Ten lead singer and founder member Gary Hughes stated - "I am very pleased indeed to sign Ten to such a pro-active multi-album situation. The label directors and myself are extremely like-minded over direction and together we intend to raise the bar for the music genre as a whole."
Gary Hughes's music has already been historically synonymous with launching two legendary labels. His solo albums and the first Ten albums were the first iconic releases for Now And Then Records, and Ten's double live opus Never Say Goodbye was the first ever release for Frontiers Records (FRCD 001).
The new contract offers Gary the opportunity to work closely and for the first time outside the live arena with Kieran Dargan. It also offers him the opportunity to renew his association with label director Bruce Mee, the one-time co-owner of Now And Then Records.
A very happy Gary Hughes added "The artistic and creative freedom afforded to me by the Rocktopia guys is exhilarating to say the least. In return I hope that our music can be responsible for launching a third influential label into the genre. I look forward to beginning the new album imminently. We will keep the fans posted on all such things as they develop. This is an exciting time for Ten and our fans alike."
ANOTHER LIVE RUSH RELEASE DUE:
Canadian prog rockers Rush are set to release Rush: Clockwork Angels Tour on the 15th of November! The digital version of the record is available for pre-order now. Rush: Clockwork Angels Tour was recorded last November at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas, during Rush's highly successful Clockwork Angels Tour.
LOVERBOY SPECIAL LIVE HALLOWEEN TODAY SHOW PERFORMANCE:
Los Angeles, Oct. 31, 2013—Never mind your yellow Walter White Breaking Bad hazmat suits, Honey Boo-Boo outfits or Miley Cyrus bear costume and flesh-colored "Wrecking Ball" tights. Everyone knows the hip way to celebrate this Halloween is to dust off your red leather pants and bandanas to get down with legendary Canadian rockers Loverboy, who performed two of their classic hits on NBC's popular The Today Show Thursday morning, "Working for the Weekend" and "Lovin' Every Minute of It": www.today.com/toyotaconcertseries/vanilla-ice-loverboy-rock-ultimate-throwback-thursday-today-8C11504006.
For more than 30 years, Loverboy has been delighting audiences around the world since forming in back in 1979 when vocalist Mike Reno was introduced to local guitar hot shot Paul Dean, both veterans of several bands on the local Calgary scene, at that city's Refinery Night Club. The band includes original members keyboardist Doug Johnson and drummer Matt Frenette, as well as bassist Ken "Spider" Sinnaeve. "Always a thrill to play live TV, but especially The Today Show, as mom is a huge fan," said Reno. "I was just looking forward to meeting Al Roker."
The band recently announced a partnership with Rock the Caribbean for an exclusive four-day excursion to take place at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort on the outskirts of Montego Bay, Jamaica, May 9-13, 2014, which is already filling up fast. Fans will enjoy the all-inclusive amenities of a world-class luxury resort, which includes free admission to Sugar Mill Falls, the largest water park in Jamaica, and a beautiful main pool. At night, they will "Get Lucky" by getting a chance to catch Loverboy on a stage built steps from the beach for one of three special concerts the band will perform exclusively for participants, with a guest total capped at 600. For event details, go to: www.rockthecaribbean.com/Loverboy.
Not just Canada's greatest rock export, Loverboy made its mark south of the border, with four multi-platinum albums including, the four-million-selling Get Lucky, and a trio of double-platinum releases in their self-titled 1980 debut, 1983's Keep It Up and 1985's Lovin' Every Minute of It. Their string of hits includes, in addition to the arena-rock anthem "Working for the Weekend," such staples as "Lovin' Every Minute of It," "This Could Be the Night," "Hot Girls in Love," "Heaven In Your Eyes," "Turn Me Loose," "When It's Over," "Heaven In Your Eyes" and "Queen of the Broken Hearts."
DARYL BRAITHWAITE 'FOREVER THE TOURIST' OUT NOW:
More than two decades on from the partnership that produced the multi-platinum albums Edge (1988) and Rise (1990), Sony Music Australia is ecstatic to announce it has re-signed the legendary Daryl Braithwaite and is set to release his brilliant new mini-album, Forever The Tourist. The centrepiece of this new chapter is the anthemic and sparkling first single, "Not Too Late". "It seems quite appropriate," says Daryl (when talking about his new single 'Not Too Late'). "Even though it's loosely about a relationship or talking to a girl, it's sort of saying that maybe it's not too late to try anything, whether it be music or anything else."
This is the next chapter in one of the of the most extraordinary stories in Australian recording history. Forever The Tourist features 8 original new tracks. It will include the first single 'Not Too Late'. Since the 70s and the success of Sherbet and more than two decades on from the partnership that produced the multi-platinum albums Edge (1988) and Rise (1990) Daryl has continued to write, record and tour extensively. Daryl is very proud and honoured to be back at his former label home, Sony Music and relishing the opportunity to release new music. "Having been fortunate to have achieved musical success a couple of times in my life, it is so very, very exciting to have the opportunity to do something that even in my wildest dreams, back in 1970, would be almost unimaginable. To think that in 2013 I would be getting another shot to do something that I love is humbling and inspiring," said Daryl.
WebLink: www.darylbraithwaite.com.au.
THE EAGLES ADD TO THEIR HISTORY: The Eagles have added concerts to their "History of the Eagles" tour in 2014, kicking off with a six-night celebration in January, re-opening the historic Forum in Inglewood, California. The Eagles – Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit - will perform classics spanning their career, including some that have never been performed live, as well as songs featured in History of the Eagles, the band's acclaimed, top-selling documentary.
Tickets go on sale to the general public for the newly added dates beginning Saturday, November 9 at 10 AM local time through Ticketmaster. Advanced tickets will go on sale to American Express® Card Members beginning Monday, November 4 at 10 AM through Friday, November 8 at 10 PM.
Previously announced concerts include January 15, 17, 18, 22, 24, & 25 at the Forum in Inglewood, California; Tuesday, January 28 at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California; and Wednesday, January 29 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.
New shows include two nights in Las Vegas, Nevada at the MGM Grand on Saturday, February 15 and Sunday, February 16; a third Dallas concert at the American Airlines Center on Wednesday, February 19; Houston, Texas as the Toyota Center on Friday, February 21; New Orleans, Louisiana at the New Orleans Arena on Sunday, February 23; Atlanta, Georgia at Phillips Arena on Monday, February 24; Raleigh, North Carolina at the PNC Arena on February 28; Washington, D.C. at the Verizon Center on March 1; Cincinnati, Ohio at the US Bank Arena on Monday, March 3; and Columbus, Ohio at the Nationwide Arena on Wednesday, March 5.
Available on DVD and Blu-ray, History of the Eagles is a meticulous creation featuring rare archival material, concert footage, and never-before seen home movies that explore the evolution and enduring popularity of one of the world's biggest-selling and culturally significant American bands. Available through the usual retail outlets, online at Amazon.com and www.eaglesband.com, the package can be purchased through Ticketmaster when ordering concert tickets. History of the Eagles has already become the year's best-selling music video.
SIN CITY SINNERS RELEASE 4TH CD "DIVEBAR DAYS REVISITED": The Sin City Sinners have earned the title "hardest working band in Vegas" and with the upcoming release of their fourth CD they are showing no signs of slowing down. The Sinners latest effort "Divebar Days Revisited" will be released Nov 1st and features guest performances by: Cheetah Chrome (Dead Boys), Chris Holmes (WASP), Danny "The Count" Koker (Counting Cars), Dizzy Reed (Guns N Roses), Frank Dimino (Angel), George Lynch (Dokken), Gilby Clarke (Guns N Roses), Michael Lardie (Great White), Phil Lewis (LA Guns) Robert Mason (Warrant), Ron Keel , Taime Downe (Faster Pussycat) & Todd Kerns.
The first 1000 CD's include a Sin City Sinners Temporary Tattoo and will be available at all Sinners live shows beginning Nov 2nd, a limited amount of autographed copies will be available at thesincitysinners.com. Divebar Days Revisited will also be available on iTunes.
About Sin City Sinners: The Sinners are more than just a band, it's an experience... What began in 2007 led by Faster Pussycat's Brent Muscat, as a weekly "just for fun" jam at a local dive bar, quickly evolved into standing room only shows featuring appearances by some of rocks hottest musicians and celebrities. As the bands reputation grew so did the need for larger venues and the band quickly became one of Vegas' top headliners. Sin City Sinners have released three original CDs, the critically acclaimed 'Exile on Fremont Street', the all-acoustic "Broken Record" and the future Holiday favorite "A Sinners Christmas" The Sinners local charitable efforts have raised well over $150,000 for various causes in the community including The St Baldrick's Foundation to fight Cancer & The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
For more visit thesincitysinners.com or Facebook.com/sincitysinners.
XANDER DEMOS RELEASES NEW TRACK:
Metal shred guitarist, Xander Demos releases the title track to his sophomore album, Dancing Through Daggers. The track was mixed by former XYZ/King Kobra guitarist, JK Northrup. "Dancing" is slated to appear on the upcoming Guitar Wizards compilation being released by Versailles Records. Get a preview of the track at: www.reverbnation.com/xanderdemos/song/19047961-dancing-through-daggers-preview.
Performance credits for the track include: Guitars: Xander Demos; Keyboards: Adam Heusey; Bass: Benjamin Chiarini; Drums: Jeff Anzelone; Vocals: Mario Brescia, Xander Demos, Michael Stover.
The full-length album is expected to be completed in early 2014. Xander and band will be performing at Rock Harvest II in White Marsh, MD on November 9th, along with White Trash, Spread Eagle, Michael Angelo Batio and other notable metal acts.
Xander Demos has recorded and/or performed with James Rivera/Sabbath Judas Sabbath, Modern Superstar, Liberty N Justice, Neil Turbin, Derek Buddemeyer and Ged Rylands' Rage of Angels. His endorsements include Suhr, Conklin and McNaught Guitars - who produces the XD (Xander Demos) signature model guitars; Intex Cables; Matrix Amplification; Fractal Audio Systems; Rock N Roll Gangstar Apparel; Mission Pedals; Lampifier Microphones; JH Audio In-ear monitors; EMG Pickups; FU Tone; and V-Picks. www.xanderdemos.com
TRAUMA "SCRATCH AND SCREAM" ALBUM OUT NOW ON SHARPNEL RECORDS: Trauma was founded in the Bay Area in 1980 as one of the first of the New Wave Of Bay Area Metal Bands. The original line-up included Michael Overton - guitar, George Lady - guitar, Dennis Shafer - drums, the iconic Cliff Burton (Metallica) - bass guitar, and Donny Hillier - vocals. The band quickly became well-known throughout the California Bay Area and beyond, playing legendary venues like The Stone, Bill Graham's Wolfgang's, The Whisky-A-Go-Go, and The Troubadour. The first track Trauma ever recorded, "Such a Shame", was included on Metal Blade Records, Metal Massacre II album in 1982.
After Cliff Burton's departure to join Metallica, the band changed personnel and musicians Kris Gustofson - drums, Ross Alexander Merson - guitar, and Lucas Advincula - bass guitar joined Michael Overton and Donny Hillier in their new line-up. In 1984, Trauma recorded the Scratch And Scream album for Shrapnel Records. The album received many excellent reviews from primarily American and European Heavy Metal magazines, such as Kerrang, Circus, and Metal Forces, to name a few.
The Scratch and Scream album, unavailable before on a legitimate CD issue, has long been considered a hard to obtain, classic Heavy Metal record. Earlier this year, the album received a Retro Recommendation by About.com/Metal in January 2013.
After a lengthy hiatus, Trauma has recently reformed. Donny Hillier, Kris Gustofson, and Lucas Advincula have been joined by guitarist Kurt Fry, a veteran songwriter and recording/touring artist. Trauma has played recent shows in San Francisco and Oakland and is planning to tour. The band is currently in the studio, putting the finishing touches on their new album. The sound is unmistakably hard and heavy.
WebLink: shrapnelrecords.com/trauma/scratch-and-scream.
NEW REVIEWS: New Reviews has been added to the site today for: Harem Scarem, Sammy Hagar, Seventh Key, Coney Hatch, Impera, The Winery Dogs and Eden's Curse. Check them out now! More to come next week.
MELODICROCK-XTRA UPDATED: MRX has been updated with the final parts of the Billboard Rock Top 40 charting songs from 1985 - that's about another 150 tracks added folks! Get the full Top 40 from 1987 and now 1985 while they are available. Amazing trip down memory lane...
Also added are the following new Video Clips: Devil's Locomotive - Maxx Explosion, Eden's Curse - Evil & Divine, Seventh Key - I Will Survive, Stryper - No More Hell to Pay, Burning Kingdom - Watching As It Burns. Join MelodicRockXtra Now!
Thursday, October 31, 2013
READMAN'S RE-ISSUE: David Readman's Debut solo album "David Readman" will be re-released as an extended edition on November 1. This 2013 re-release features all new artwork, new running order, and previously unreleased Bonus Material. The original album came out in 2007 and featured the single "Don't Let It Slip Away" with special guests, Dirk Bruinenberg on Drums, Paul Logue on Bass and Alex Beyrodt (Voodoo Circle) on Guitars. Track nine is a new song from the original demo session in 2007. The other tracks are demos, and the Japanese bonus track "Take These Tears" is also included in this 2013 release.
Tracklisting: 1. Don't Let It Slip Away 2. Evil Combination 3. Take These Tears 4. Don't Let It Slip Away 5. No Peace For The Wicked 6. Long Way To Heaven 7. Wild In The City 8. Gentle Touch 9. Deadman's Mile (New Unreleased Track) 10. Prisoner Of Shame 11. New Messiah 12. Over The Ocean 13. Love In Vain 14. Without You (2007 Original Demo Version) 15.Take These Tears (Japanese Bonus Piano Version).
WebLink: www.davidreadman.com.
MELODIC BRIEFS: Little Caesar added the long lost EP "Name Your Poison" and the collection "This Time It's Different" to their website shop. The four track EP was originally released on Metal Blade Records before the band's major debut. "This Time It's Different" is a collection of demo, unreleased and live tracks. Originally it was distributed by their former guitar player Earl Slick, but has been unavailable in recent times. www.littlecaesar.net/store.
Kamelot will be touring Europe starting this Sunday in Cologne in support of their recent album Silverthorn. You can see the teaser for the European Tour here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=liKRSOAXbsk.
Italian melodic metallers Secret Sphere and Brazilian metallers Almah, led by ex-Angra singer Edu Falaschi will join forces for a co-headlining European tour this November. The official video trailer can be viewed: youtu.be/bNE5tq32K8s.
HAREM SCAREM FEATURED IN NEW THE RIGHT TO ROCK PODCAST: TheRighttoRock.com has issued their latest podcast (episode #162), featuring Harem Scarem's Harry Hess and Pete Lesperance. The boys took time out of their busy schedule to discuss his band's reunion record, Mood Swings II. Each guy gives his take on the new album as well as what the future looks like for the Harem Scarem. Each interview lasts approx. 30 min.
What is the best way to come out of retirement? Like many great athletes, musicians like to get out of the game, when they are on top. Well it may be a little different than that, but some guys like to take a break to explore other opportunities, and then come back fresh, to rock our collective asses off. If a band hangs it up, then gets back together, there is usually a driving force behind it. Well, in the case of Harem Scarem, they got back together, because Mood Swings, just had a big birthday. To celebrate this glorious occasion, hard rockers Harem Scarem re-grouped to re-record their classic disk. Join the lads in their latest An Evening With... series as they welcome members from Harem Scarem: Harry Hess and Pete Lesperance. Both members weigh in on their new record and give their thoughts on the future of the band, as well as some of the other things they're up to.
SLEEPING ROMANCE: EPK FOR "ENLIGHTEN" POSTED ONLINE:
The symphonic metal band Sleeping Romance have uploaded an EPK for their up-coming debut album Enlighten to YouTube. "Enlighten" will be released on November 1st in Europe and December 3rd in North America through Ulterium Records. Check it out here: youtu.be/W6zQvb2BFus.
Fronted by the emotional vocals of Federica Lanna and the epic songwriting from guitar player Federico Truzzi, Sleeping Romance creates something really exciting together that should appeal to fans in the scene. Sleeping Romance will tour Europe together with Theocracy in November. These are the confirmed dates:
November 2nd: Brainstorm Festival - Apeldoorn, Netherlands
November 5th: Blue Rose Saloon - Bresso/Milan, Italy
November 6th: Borderline - Modena, Italy
November 8th: Rock City - Uster, Switzerland
November 9th: Blast of Eternity - Neckarsulm, Germany
November 11th: Call for Eternity - Collosseum, Kosice, Slovakia
November 12th: Melodka - Brno, Czech Republic
November 13th: Club Hoodoo - Prague, Czech Republic Sleeping Romance online: Facebook: www.facebook.com/sleepingromanceofficial.
THEOCRACY: "THEOCRACY" POSTED ONLINE:
The Athens, Georgia-based melodic metal band Theocracy have uploaded the track "Theocracy" to YouTube. The track comes off their self-titled debut album re-issue that will be released on November 15th in Europe and November 19th in North America through Ulterium Records. Listen to "Theocracy" here: youtu.be/bR4z4Wg-2_c.
The vinyl can be pre-ordered at the Ulterium Records Store at: www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com.
"Theocracy" 12" double gatefold vinyl track listing:
Side A: 01. Prelude [01:35] 02. Ichthus [04:40] 03. The Serpents Kiss [11:56]
Side B: 01: Mountain [04:48] 02. Theocracy [06:01] 03. The Healing Hand [11:35]
Side C: 01. Sinner [06:08] 02. New Jerusalem [05:10]
Side D: 01. The Victory Dance [05:02] 02. Twist of Fate [11:31].
Theocracy drummer Shawn Benson recorded drums on all tracks, while nothing else was re-recorded. Matt Smith completely re-mixed the album, with the mastering handled by Mika Jussila [Stratovarius, Nightwish, Edguy]. The Theocracy debut album was originally released through MetalAges Records in 2003, and is currently very rare and hard to find.
Check out an album teaser at YouTube: youtu.be/ffoULa9OfCU.
For more information on Theocracy; www.theocracymusic.com / www.facebook.com/theocracyband / www.ulterium-records.com.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
MAD MAX NEW ALBUM INTERCEPTOR OUT NOW:
German hard rock outfit Mad Max release a new teaser for the new album Interceptor, which is out now in Germany and Europe and will be released in US/Canada on November 5. You can watch the teaser here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtYdAyV29mM.
The four musicians, Michael Voss (vocals, lead guitar), Jürgen Breforth (guitar), Roland Bergmann (bass) and Axel Kruse (drums), promise "full throttle from start to finish" and sum up the direction of their new record in just two words: "It rocks!"
Tracklisting: 01.Save Me 02.Godzilla 03.Sons Of Anarchy 04.Rock All Your Life 05.Five Minute Warning 06.Bring On The Night 07.Streets Of Tokyo 08.Show No Mercy 09.Revolution 10.Turn It Down.
The November tour with Vengeance is unfortunately cancelled for now because the guitar player of Mad Max Jürgen Breforth has to undergo an eye surgery. New dates will be released as soon as possible!
WebLinks: www.madmaxofficial.de / www.spv.de.
FURYON TO POWER, PROG & METAL FEST:
British rockers Furyon are the latest band to be confirmed for Belgium's Power, Prog & Metal Festival 2014, which takes place April 18th – 20th in Mons. Other bands confirmed include: Therion, Pain, In Extremo, Rage, Equilibrium, Grenouer, Sunburst, Borealis, Fireforce, Monument, Persefone. A video trailer can be viewed below: youtu.be/_XmI1D_U2Ds.
The band is expected to make a number of additional festival appearances in 2014. Furyon recently toured this September in Spain and currently writing 2nd album after the success of their debut 'Gravitas'.
Furyon are: Matt Mitchell – Vocals, Chris Green – Guitars, Alex "Nickel" Bowen – Bass, Lee Farmery – Drums.
Furyon is a new band from the UK who like nothing more than to challenge expectations. Raised on a diet of heavy metal, prog, and classic rock. Furyon mix all these components for a truly unique and contemporary sound. Delivering huge rock-radio-friendly songs, with technically-challenging-yet-infectiously-catchy musicianship, they are dedicated to one sole purpose: making hard-hitting songs that will stand the test of time.
WebLinks: www.youtube.com/user/FuryonMusic / www.facebook.com/FuryonUK / www.ppmfest.com.
MELODIC BRIEFS: Metal Sludge exposes Rock Harvest AGAIN with second in depth article right here: www.metalsludge.tv/?p=39488.
After releasing the single "5 Minutes Of Fame" this summer Norway's finest Stage Dolls have released another single recently. The track is called "Highway Of Life" and available for download on usual digital platforms. No word on the release date for the new studio album. www.stagedolls.com.
INTRODUCING OLD MAN'S CELLAR: Valery Records is proud to announce the release of the album "Damaged Pearls" by Old Man's Cellar.
Active since 2009, Old Man's Cellar is a true Melodic Hard Rock band and proposes a classy and straight music style considered nowadays a niche phenomenon by many, destined to those choosy fans with a taste for the perfect design of sound and arrangements execution. In fact, while keeping intact the undisputed band's capability to cast vocal melodies as a foreground and the use of keyboards typical of the AOR groups of the 80 's, Old Man's Cellar is a fresh band, powerful and above all very actual and contemporary, and it won't take long for them to make their way in the Italian and international Melodic Hard Rock scene. The line-up is: Ricky DC on vocals, Freddy Veratti on guitar, Angelo Scollo on bass, and Max Fedrezzoni and Andrea Boni on keyboards and drums.
Damaged Pearls", this is the title of their first full length, is now coming to light after a long and meticulous study. The album was produced and recorded by the band and mixed at Studio 73 under the supervision of producer Riccardo Pasini. After a transition period due to previous contractual problems and label change that have postponed the release, "Damaged Pearls" is now finally ready to be released next 4th November in Italy and worldwide.
Tracklist: 1.Damaged Pearls, 2.Amber Lights, 3.Hyperlove, 4.Don't care what's next, 5.The years we challenge. 6.Rain talk, 7.Is this the highest wave, 8.Knees on the straw, 9.Soul exercise, 10.Still at heart, 11.Summer of the white tiger, 12.Undress me fast.
The album will be released on CD and digital by Valery Records and will be distributed worldwide.
WebLink: www.oldmanscellar.com.
SHOWCASES UPDATED:
3 new CD Showcases online today - all for Avenue Of Allies Music and their new releases due out November 22 - Revolution Road, Fate & Roadfever. Check them out now.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
BOSTON "HEAVEN ON EARTH" (OFFICIAL / 2013 NEW STUDIO ALBUM) STREAMING SINGLE: Boston "Heaven On Earth" is taken from the new studio album "Life, Love & Hope". Coming December 3rd, 2013 in North America and December 6th in Europe on Frontiers Records.
STRATOVARIUS FOUNDING MEMBER TO PLAY DRUMS ON TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON SECOND ALBUM: Tuomo Lassila, the founder of the legendary Finnish Power Metal band Stratovarius, will join his old bandmate Timo Tolkki for the recording of the drums and percussion parts on the second album of Tolkki's Avalon Metal Opera, due for release on Frontiers Records in 2014.
Lassila founded Stratovarius and came up with the name of the band in 1984, so next year marks the band's 30th Anniversary. Tuomo Lassila's drumming style is world famous from the first Stratovarius albums like "Dreamspace" and "Fourth Dimension" and his versatility as a drummer will bring to the record a great flavor of world class drumming. Lassila currently plays percussion in the Symphony Orchestra of the city of Lohja in Finland.
Timo Tolkki said: "I am extremely happy to have Tuomo on board for this album and look forward to the contributions he will give to the music".
KINGS OF CHAOS TO PERFORM SPECIAL CONCERT MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18 AT AVALON HOLLYWOOD: Kings Of Chaos--the new touring project featuring former Guns N' Roses members Slash, Matt Sorum and Duff McKagan, along with Glenn Hughes (Black Country Communion/Deep Purple), Corey Taylor (Slipknot/Stone Sour) and Steve Stevens (Billy Idol)--will perform a special concert on Monday, November 18 at Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles. They'll play a two-hour set spanning the greatest hits from all of its superstar members and additional special guest performers for the night include: Juliette Lewis, Les Stroud and Gary Dourdan.
The one-night-only benefit concert event, billed as "Tokyo Celebrates The Dolphin," will be the group's only North American performance in 2013. Proceeds from "Tokyo Celebrates The Dolphin," will go directly to Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project, an international organization dedicated to saving dolphins from slaughter and exploitation. Los Angeles is the first and only, North American stop.
"This is a rehearsal for the BIG one. We plan on taking 'Tokyo Celebrates the Dolphin' to Japan," says Ric O'Barry, whose life and work was featured in the Academy Award-winning film The Cove. "We'll add a few Japanese friends to our lineup and rock the socks off Tokyo. There isn't a better way to bring Westerners and Japanese people together than rock and roll and the world should also know about the wonderful relationship between Japanese people and dolphins in the Tokyo Islands," added O'Barry. "Dolphins are respected and protected in this part of Japan. It's the opposite of Taiji, but very few people know about it. 'Tokyo Celebrates the Dolphin' will hopefully change this by bringing positive, international media attention to what is right about Japan." "I'm thrilled to bring a bunch of superstars together for a fun night with fans," adds Matt Sorum, who has also played with Velvet Revolver. "The main thing is to keep creating awareness for the Dolphin Project and everyone involved."
Kings Of Chaos made its Australian live debut on April 20 at the Stone Music Festival at Sydney's ANZ Stadium. KINGS OF CHAOS toured South and Central America last year under the name ROCK 'N' ROLL ALLSTARS. The band will embark on a new South American tour at the end of November.
For tickets to "Tokyo Celebrates The Dolphin," visit: www.dolphinproject.brownpapertickets.com.
For more information on Dolphin Project and KINGS OF CHAOS, visit: dolphinproject.org / www.kingsofchaosband.com.
MELODIC BRIEFS: Vinnie Moore of UFO will be a special guest on this week's episode of Noize In The Attic (Where Your Past Comes Back To Haunt You) broadcasting this Friday 1-3PM EST on WNHU 88.7FM New Haven, CT (streaming live on www.wnhu.net) Vinnie talks about his early days, the next UFO album, the status of Pete Way and more! Free podcasts are available on iTunes or by following the link at www.noizeintheattic.com where you can also find additional air-times and affiliates as well as a brand new UFO photo gallery from NYC.
News from Phil Soussan: "My last gig at Lucy's went so well that I have been asked back again. We will be doing a show this Friday Nov 1st starting at 9 pm 10149 Riverside Dr., Toluca Lake, CA 91602 818.763.5200. The band will feature Howie Simon on guitar, David Filice on bass and Steve Stephens on drums. We will start with an unplugged set and continue later at full blast. Please come and see us if you are in the area - there is no charge and plenty of parking. The food is awesome too - you can make a reservation online or call at lucys51.com. As always we will have some special guests dropping in."
R.I.P.:
R.I.P from yesterday to the iconic Lou Reed. Certainly not a regular on this site (apart from that unfortunate project we won't speak of), but his influence over the music industry is unquestioned and his passing at 71 is again a case of gone too soon.
INSIDE METAL: THE LA METAL SCENE EXPLODES! 1982 -1986 - OFFICIAL TRAILER:
Here is the trailer for the second title of the Inside La Metal trilogy and the follow-up to the Pioneers of L.A. Rock & Metal documentary titled The L.A. Metal Scene Explodes! 1982-1986.
No release date yet for the movie, with producers projecting a Spring/Summer 2014 release: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4slJdl5t-IE&feature=youtu.be.
SWEDEN ROCK UPDATE: Y&T's first concert in Sweden, at SRF 2003, remains one of the most lauded in the festival's history. So what could be more appropriate than Y&T coming to SRF 2014 as part of their 40th anniversary celebrations? It was in 1974 that the band was formed by, among others, singer/guitarist Dave Meniketti. Their original moniker Yesterday & Today was abbreviated before the release of their third album "Earthshaker" (1981). This was in turn a milestone in hard rock, combining power and melody in equal measures. Efforts like "Black tiger" (1982), "Mean streak" (1983) and "In rock we trust" (1984) confirmed the band's stature. In the 90s Y&T folded twice, and returned permanently in 2001. Sadly, bassist Phil Kennemore succumbed to cancer in 2011, but Dave Meniketti and cohorts found the strength to move on even after this devastating blow.
More info at www.swedenrock.com.
BIGGEST COMEBACK ALBUM OF THE '80S RECALLED BY MEMBERS OF YES:
Dallas, TX - October 15, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands crunches the numbers behind arguably the biggest comeback album of the '80s, Yes 90125. Along with Pink Floyd having been the two most popular progressive rock bands in the Seventies, Yes were a big target in the post-punk rock Eighties and abruptly dismissed, disbanding in 1981 assumedly for good. It would be the unexpected collaboration of Yes members Chris Squire, Tony Kaye, and Alan White with South African guitarist Trevor Rabin under the working band title Cinema that would soon spawn the 1983 Yes and deliver the band its only # 1 single "Owner of a Lonely Heart". But in order for 90125 to eventually sell eight million copies worldwide, one more key event had to happen, quite by chance. Yes drummer Alan White tells InTheStudio host Redbeard how it all went down. "Chris (Squire) met Jon (Anderson) in a pub somewhere and Jon said, 'I heard you're doing some really good work, maybe I could sing on a track'. So Jon came down and tried singing on a track. It sounded so much like Yes (that) you couldn't call it anything else. So we really had to think about reverting back the other way and saying, 'It sounds like a new Yes."
Yes '90125'/ InTheStudio interview program is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/yes-90125-30th-anniversary-jon-andersontrevor-rabinalan-whitetony-kaye/"
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH CHUCK BILLY, GREG T WALKER AND UGLY KID JOE: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week features exclusive interviews Testament frontman Chuck Billy, Whitfield Crane of Ugly Kid Joe and former Blackfoot bassist and founder member Greg T. Walker, and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-testament-blackfoot-and-ugly-kid-joe-interviews/
In the first hour of the show, Testament frontman Chuck Billy discusses the band's new 2 CD/DVD live package, "The Dark Roots of Thrash". Chuck selects four live songs, and also spills the beans on the band's plans for a new album in 2014.
Also in the first hour, Ugly Kid Joe vocalist Whitfield Crane talks about the band's comeback, and the re-released expanded edition of their "Stairway To Hell" EP. Crane also discusses the band's recent tours (including their current UK trek with Skid Row) and festival performances and confirms that they are currently writing a new album for release next year.
Part 2 features an hour-long Southern Rock Special, in which former Blackfoot bassist and founding member Greg T. Walker charts the band's history through the period which saw the release of the classic albums "Strikes", "Tomcattin'", "Marauder" and "Highway Song Live", all of which have been newly re-released in remastered form through Rock Candy records (www.rockcandyrecords.com). Greg selects two songs from each of the albums, and recalls the highlights of the band's peak years.
The show also features classic tracks from Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath.
You can also listen on Sunday 27th October 17:00-19:00 GMT, repeated Monday 28th October 14:00-16:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com.
Friday, October 25, 2013
CONCERT TRIBUTE FOR ROCK GUITAR LEGEND RONNIE MONTROSE HEADING TO DVD:
When Ronnie Montrose passed away on March 3, 2012, friends and musicians immediately wondered what they could do to pay homage to one of rock's all-time legendary - and influential - guitarists. The result was some of music's most renowned artists uniting for a concert only a month and a half later (April 27) and performing Ronnie classics throughout the evening - which will now make its official DVD release on December 10, 2013, 'Concert for Ronnie Montrose - A Celebration of His Life In Music.'
Recorded in San Francisco at the historic Regency Ballroom and mixed in 5.1 surround sound, the DVD features performance by Ronnie's past band members in Montrose (Sammy Hagar, Denny Carmassi, Bill Church with Joe Satriani), Gamma (Davey Pattison, Denny Carmassi and Glenn Letsch with Marc Bonilla), performing both groups' hits.
Additionally, Ronnie's colleagues and people he mentored and produced over the 40 years of his career are featured as well, including Neal Schon (Journey), Ricky Phillips (Styx), Steve Smith (ex-Journey), Ed Roth, Jimmy Paxson (Stevie Nicks), Jeff Watson (ex-Night Ranger), Tesla, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer (Kiss), Eric Martin (Mr. Big), and more.
The DVD will also include interviews, bonus features, a photo gallery, and an additional set of Ronnie's hits by an all-star band featuring Chuck Terpo, Mario Cipollina, Tal Morris, Dave Meniketti and the members of Y&T. This was recorded and filmed at Bob Weir's TRI Studios.
A trailer can be viewed here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgM02u1EM6M.
The iconic and legendary Ronnie Montrose has been called the Father Of American Hard Rock - an innovator and an incendiary guitar genius. In his short time with Van Morrison Ronnie created the iconic guitar riff for the classic song Wild Nights. In the Edgar Winter group he left even a bigger Mark with his catchy heavy-handed riffs on songs like Free Ride and Frankensteie. But it would be his self-titled release, Montrose that would become the cornerstone of American hard rock. This debut in 1973 crafted such classics as "Rock the Nation, "Bad Motor Scooter," and "Space Station #5." It laid the ground work and became the template for bands like Van Halen and countless subsequent musicians. His
musical Journey lead him to the creation of Gamma where he crafted songs like "Voyager", "Thunder And Lighting" and "Ready For Action". Ronnie was always searching and reinventing himself musically. Venturing through a brief instrumental period he brought us both "Open Fire" and his masterpiece version of "Town Without Pity".
And now, fans will be able to experience the music of Ronnie once again, with the new DVD, 'Concert for Ronnie Montrose - A Celebration of His Life In Music.'
Songs: 1. Overture 2. Open Fire 3. Town Without Pity 4. I Don't Want It 5. Little Suzi 6. One Thing On My Mind 7. Free Ride 8. Frankenstein 9. Thunder And Lightning 10. Razor King 11. No Tears 12. Ready For Action 13. Fight To The Finish 14. Voyager 15. Lighthouse 16. One And A Half 17. Good Rockin' Tonight 18. Rock The Nation 19. Make It Last 20. Bad Motor Scooter 21. Rock Candy 22. Space Station No. 5 23. Connection.
Bonus Songs: 1. Good Rockin' Tonight 2. Rock Candy 3. Oh No You Don't 4. Paper Money 5. Wild Night.
For more information, visit: www.ronniemontrose.com.
STEPHEN CHESNEY PROJECT FEATURING ROBERT MASON IN MIXING STAGE:
Los Angeles, CA; Guitarist/Songwriter Stephen Chesney has entered into the mixing stage of his new solo EP with Guns N' Roses/Buckethead/Santana engineer Rob Beaton.
The recording project featuring Vocalist Robert Mason (Warrant/Cry of Love/Lynch Mob) Drummer Scot Coogan (Ace Frehley/Brides of Destruction) Bassist Koko Powell (Edgar Winter Group) and Keyboardist Rob Bloise will initially be a 4 song EP release to preview the work and give everyone an idea of what is going on behind closed doors in the studio.
The CD also features a number of guests from across the musical board lending their talents to the recording, Most notably; Additional Guitars from Sharon Aguilar (Cee-Lo Green/2ne1) and a Horns section featuring Mitch Manker (Glenn Frey/Glen Hughes) and Jim Wheeler (Slash/Loggins & Messina).
Stephen tells us he'll probably put the music into the public domain in January of 2014. Updates will be made at www.StephenChesney.com as the project progresses and you can find him on Facebook for further information on the day to day work going into the release. We'll keep you posted as more information becomes available.
A YES TO MICHAEL LEE FIRKINS "YEP": Michael Lee Firkins' new record, "Yep", is an authentic mixture of ballsy blues, sh*#-kickin' rock, Cajun boogie, and country twang, featuring Gov't Mule drummer Matt Abts, bassist Andy Hess (Steve Kimock, Gov't Mule, The Black Crowes), and blues-rock piano and organ man extraordinaire Chuck Leavell (The Allman Brothers Band, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton). "What you hear is exactly how they played it," says Firkins. "They didn't punch in and do weird overdubs. It's just those three guys playing together from beginning to end, together live."
No BS. "Yep" is just straight up roots fusion served by an undisputed maestro of musical ceremonies, who sacrificed aspects of himself to deliver a hard-won message. It's that simple, that gut wrenching, that deep. And, yep, the album is that damn good.
ROGER DALTRY PAYS TRIBUTE TO WINNY:
Washington, DC - Multi-platinum recording artist Roger Daltrey, CBE, founder and lead singer of English rock band The Who, will perform next week at a U.S. Capitol ceremony honoring Winston Churchill. On Wednesday, October 30, congressional leaders and Secretary of State John Kerry will gather in National Statuary Hall to dedicate a bust of the former British prime minister. The ceremony which will air live on Speaker.gov gets underway at 11:00 am ET. "What better way to celebrate Winston Churchill's friendship to the United States than to have one of Britain's most legendary recording artists perform in the halls of the Capitol," Speaker Boehner said. "Roger's performance is sure to guarantee that the Churchill bust receives the first-class welcome it deserves." "I am pleased to be part of the celebration of Winston Churchill and the longstanding relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States," Roger Daltrey, CBE, said. "I am honoured to be able to show my appreciation to this great man who, as our Prime Minister, fought for and secured freedom for Britain, America and the citizens of the world."
About Roger Daltrey, CBE. Roger Daltrey, CBE is founder and lead singer of English rock band The Who, which has sold some 100 million albums worldwide and is widely considered to be one of the biggest touring rock bands in history. In addition to their many gold and platinum albums, Mr. Daltrey has won the two most prestigious British music awards -- the Brit and Ivor Novello both for special achievement in popular music. He was also awarded the Nordoff Robbins Silver Clef from the national music charity that serves vulnerable children. In the U.S., Mr. Daltrey is a Kennedy Center Honoree and has been inducted into The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. He is actively involved in charitable work both as a solo artist and jointly with other members of The Who. Daltrey was instrumental in starting the Teenage Cancer Trust concert series in London in 2000 -- with The Who performing on four occasions in an effort to raise the funds to build dedicated hospital wards for teenagers with cancer. More recently, he founded Teen Cancer America, which aims to bring the charity's work to the USA.
RUDESS MORGENSTEIN PROJECT LIVE:
In November, keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) and drummer extraordinaire Rod Morgenstein (Winger), will bring their acclaimed Rudess Morgenstein Project back to the stage. A select few dates will feature the electrifying progressive rock duo showcasing their talents, performing songs from their self-titled studio album for audiences in New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Washington, DC. Be among the first to score tickets for the Rudess Morgenstein Project and secure your seat at one of this year's most musically engaging and fulfilling events. Don't miss this opportunity to see Dream Theater's Jordan Rudess, and Winger's Rod Morgenstein live on stage in this intimate duo performance.
Tickets are available from the following venues:
Nov. 19 Washington, DC - U Street
Nov. 20 Philadelphia, PA - World Café Live
Nov. 21 Englewood, NJ - Bergen PAC
Nov. 22 Bay Shore, NY - Boulton Center
TUNE IN...:
On this Saturday's Rockposer's Roulette Radio Show Dan Mann will be chatting to David Saylor about his new album 'Kiss Of Judas' out on AOR Blvd Records and also Joey Tempest from Europe about the new Europe Live At Sweden Rock 30th Anniversary Show. Tune in this Saturday at 1pm UK time only on Firebrand Rock Radio: www.firebrandrr.com.
The Decibel Geek Podcast has released an interview with Anders L.A. Ronnblom, founder, songwriter and bassist for the Swedish/Canadian band Killer Bee. Decibel Geek writer Rich (The Meister) Dillon caught up with Anders via skype and got the inside scoop on the past, present and future plans for the band.
Included in the interview is discussion on the new Killer Bee album, Evolutionary Children released on October 14th, 2013 as well as past albums, origins of the band, their 15 year hiatus and why they're back now. There's even mention of their support of porn star Ron Jeremy's own brand of rum called Ron de Jeremy and his love of their music. Included in the article is also a brief biography of the band as well as a review of the latest release. Direct link to the interview: dbgeekshow.blogspot.ca/2013/10/stung-by-killer-bee-chat-with-anders-la.html.
MRX UPDATED: MRX has been updated with another bumper crop of classic 80s rock songs from the Billboard Rock Top 40 Song Chart. This time it's Part A & B of the 1985 song list - about 100 songs there with another 150 more to come with the following parts!
Also added is a feature album for rock band Lynn Allen - Petrified Ice Cream (1995).
Help support MelodicRock.com and join MelodicRockXtra now.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
ULTRA LIVE TED OUT NOW:
Multiplatinum guitar icon Ted Nugent has returned this week with a new live 2 CD + DVD set, Ultralive Ballisticrock, out now on Frontiers Records. The electrifying live footage was captured and recorded by 7 cameras in 5.1 audio mix on the "I Still Believe Tour" at Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe, PA on August 14, 2011 and features Nugent's arsenal of classic rock hits including "Stranglehold," "Cat Scratch Fever," "Wango Tango," and many more (full track list below). The lineup on the CD/DVD consists of the legendary-and-still-raging Nugent on guitar and vocals, Derek St. Holmes (rhythm guitarist and the voice on "Stranglehold") on guitar and vocals, Greg Smith (Rainbow) on bass and Mick Brown (Dokken) on drums. The collection is available in three formats--2 CD+DVD deluxe edition digipak, DVD, Blu-Ray and digital download.
UltimateClassicRock.com and Loudwire.com exclusively premiered live videos for "Stranglehold" and "Cat Scratch Fever" this week. UltimateClassicRock.com raved, "'Stranglehold' is an eight-minute epic that kicks off with what very well might be the best opening guitar lick in rock history. It doesn't let up from there in fact, we have it listed as one of the Top 100 Classic Rock Songs of all time and this dynamic 2011 performance from Penn's Peak demonstrates why pretty clearly…it's Uncle Ted's energy, charisma and guitar playing that dominate the proceedings, particularly during the song's famous extended solo section." (21/10/13)
Additionally, Loudwire.com touted, "Ted Nugent remains one of rock's standout live performers…The 'Nuge' is in top form here, riffing through the classic licks backed more than ably by guitarist Derek St. Holmes, bassist Greg Smith and drummer Mick Brown, Nugent and his band deliver a memorable version of this fan favorite." (22/10/13)
In other news, Nugent will be the featured guest on the nationally syndicated radio show Rockline with host Bob Coburn tonight (10/23) at 8:30pm PDT / 11:30pm EDT. Fans are encouraged to call to speak with Nugent toll free at 1-800-344-ROCK (7625). For a station near you and for information on how to listen online go to RocklineRadio.com. The show will be streamed on the Rockline website for two weeks beginning the evening after the broadcast.
More praise for Ultralive Ballisticrock here:
"…a hard-rocking romp.." --Jeff Karoub, Associated Press, October 8, 2013
"Nugent's new live CD/DVD Ultralive Ballisticrock isn't just a souvenir of a kick-ass rock concert. It's an experiencea spiritual revival, sermon, history class and rally for America rolled into one."
--James Wood, guitarworld.com, September 6, 2013
"…'Uncle Ted' is rocking harder than ever." --Howard Whitman, technologytell.com, September 9, 2013
"The passion, guts and glory that Ted Nugent puts into his guitar playing has always been something that speaks to me. It's layered in the past…the blues…Motown…early rock and roll…but it is pure; it is honest. It is Ted Nugent's musical voice and it is loud. Time has not changed that…Ted Nugent is still one of the original loudest guitar slingers on planet Earth. And his new album will remind everyone of that." --Jeb Wright, classicrockrevisted.com, October 8, 2013
"Nugent is in classic 'Uncle Ted' form on this release. This man has a Rock 'n' Roll soul like no other, pure Detroit dynamite, infused with a bit of Motown & blues." --Robert Cavuoto, myglobalmind.com, September 5, 2013
"Ultralive Ballisticrock is super high energy from beginning to end, but the set ends on an especially strong note with the hits 'Cat Scratch Fever' and 'Stranglehold' along with a take on 'Great White Buffalo'..." --Kevin Wierzbicki, Campus Circle, September 6, 2013
deserve me!"
Tracklisting for the show: Disc1 1. Free For All 2. Stormtroopin' 3. Wango Tango 4. Just What the Doctor Ordered 5. Wang Dang Sweet Poontang 6. Need You Bad 7. Turn It Up 8. Raw Dogs & War Hogs 9. Dog Eat Dog / Disc 2 10. Hey Baby 11. Fred Bear 12. I Still Believe* 13. Motorcity Madhouse 14. Cat Scratch Fever 15. Stranglehold 16. Great White Buffalo.
*First time available on an album (previously only available as a digital download)
DVD/Blu-Ray Bonus Footage: "Spirit of the Wild", "The Making of Ultralive Ballisticrock".
To purchase Ultralive Ballisticrock visit: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00E5N8DX4 / www.amazon.es/dp/B00E5N8DX4 / www.amazon.it/dp/B00E5N8DX4 / www.amazon.fr/dp/B00E5N8DX4 / www.amazon.de/dp/B00E5N8DX4.
For the latest on Ted Nugent, including tour dates, visit: www.tednugent.com / www.facebook.com/tednugent.
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FORMER HEADEAST BASS PLAYER JOINS STRIKEFORCE:
Former Headeast bass player James Murphy has joined Midwest hard rockers Strikeforce. The new and improved Strikeforce lineup Includes: James Murphy - Bass, Vocals (Headeast, Gretchen Wilson); Daryn Steel - Vocals (Delta 9); Jimi Burdette - Drums (Von, Strikeforce); Duke Jackson - Lead Guitar (HZG, Strikeforce).
Strikeforce has been busy opening for Styx, Kansas, Headeast, Foghat, April Wine and other National acts at State Fairs, Rock festivals, Cityfests and Clubs. Strikeforce will be recording a new CD Jan 2014 with producer Jason Mcentire (The Urge, Uriah Heep, Ken Hensley, Story of the Year) at Sawhorse Studios in St. Louis, Mo.
MELODIC BRIEFS:
Is "Rock Harvest" Another Great Big Music Festival or A Great Big Scam? You Decide: www.metalsludge.tv/?p=39444.
BATTLEAXE - NWOBHM CULT ALBUM "BURN THIS TOWN" RE-RELEASE: SPV / Steamhammer will release one of NWoBHM cult albums on November 25th (Germany November 22nd, USA January 21st) - Battleaxe "Burn This Town" will come in a high class Digipak incl. bonus tracks and a new extended booklet incl. liner notes, history special, track by track commentary and a completely new artwork. This is a must for every fan of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal!
Tracklisting: 1. Ready To Deliver 03:02 2. Her Mama Told Her 03:44 3. Burn This Town 03:31 4. Dirty Rocker 03:28 5. Overdrive 04:23 6. Runnin` Outta Time 03:29 7. Battleaxe 03:40 8. Starmaker 02:55 9. Thor-Thunder Angel 03:44 10. Hands Off 04:36 Bonus Tracks BBC Radio 1 Session 1983 11. Ready To Deliver 03:18 12. Shout It Out 04:19 13. Mean Machine 04:29 14. Running Out Of Time 03:48.
The current line-up consists of the original members Dave King (vocals) and Brian Smith (bass) as well as Mick Percy (guitar) and Paul Atkinson (drums) - see new photo attached.
The new album Heavy Metal Sanctuary which was mastered by Fred Purser (ex-Tygers Of Pan Tang) will be released in February 2014.
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/battleaxemetal / www.spv.de.
SHOWCASE UPDATED:
One new Showcase added today - the new Kick album Memoirs. Check out here: Memoirs
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
JOE LYNN TURNER-STATEMENT ABOUT CANCELED SHOWS IN CHILE: Joe Lynn Turner had agreed to schedule (3) three concert appearances in Chile for late October. These shows were recently cancelled by the promoters. The decision to cancel these shows was not Turner's fault. He has issued this statement which outlines the facts surrounding these cancellations:
JLT: "I have decided to post this information out of respect to my fans who deserve the truth.
The promoter for these Chilean shows gave me only (8) eight days notice that he was canceling these concert dates. My flights to South America were paid for in advance. It is also standard business procedure for an artist to keep a deposit paid to the artist if a promoter cancels through no fault of the artist. These agreements are all contracted for in advance. I hope the fans are able to get their tickets
refunded. Refund policies are out of my control.
Additionally, I want the South American fans to know that I gave up a major show booking in Russia, that would have paid me more than all (3) three of these shows, because I wanted to play for the Chilean
fans. The musicians scheduled to play these shows in Chile also lost money and time. The promoter apparently never researched the events taking place in Chile which conflicted with these shows. Had he done the research, perhaps we could have settled on more suitable dates that would have resulted in more success for all parties concerned.
I hope to schedule concerts in Chile and other South American countries in the future. However, the rumors about shows in April are not true on my end. The promoter just assumed I was available in April
but my management is in discussions with other promoters regarding possible April shows in other countries. Confirmed shows will be posted on my official websites.
I was looking forward to performing in Chile and South American fans are some of my most loyal fans in the entire world. I knew that some were traveling from other countries, such as Argentina and Brazil. I
was looking forward to these shows. These cancellations were a huge disappointment for me."
INTHESTUDIO.NET 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF MONTROSE:
(Dallas, TX)- InTheStudio.NET, the web home for North American syndicated rock radio show InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands celebrates the 40th anniversary of the self-titled debut from seminal California hard rock pioneers Montrose. Ronnie Montrose, a session player on Van Morrison's Tupelo Honey and the lead guitarist on the Edgar Winter Group's 1973 #1 hit instrumental rock classic "Frankenstein", then formed Montrose the band, quickly assembling Denny Carmassi on drums, Bill Church on bass, and a then-unknown Bay area singer/songwriter Sammy Hagar. Montrose was, for all practical purposes, the beginning of the California Hard Rock scene, their influence found in Van Halen's 1978 debut and Def Leppard's Pyromania a decade later. "Rock the Nation", "Bad Motor Scooter", "Good Rockin' Tonight", "Rock Candy" and "Make It Last" all resonated with a new breed of soon-to-be hard rock icons. Original Montrose singer/songwriter Sammy Hagar remembers his first meeting with Ronnie Montrose and how quickly the first album, Montrose, came together. "I actually knocked on the door (to his house) and said, 'Hey you looking for a singer?' and he said, 'yeah, you got any songs?' I said, 'yeah'... He said, 'You know a good drummer?', I said, 'yeah' we got Denny (Carmassi) and he had Bill Church and we had a band. And had a record out in four months and went on tour."
Stream the Montrose program this month as part of InTheStudio's Medium Rare "online-only" rockumentary series: www.inthestudio.net/online-only-interviews/montrose-r-i-p-ronnie-montrose"
DANIELE LIVERANI ENTERS FANTASIA:
The Italian multi-instrumentist Daniele Liverani is a cornerstone in Italian metal. His upcoming album, entitled "Fantasia", will be published by SG Records in early 2014. Daniele Liverani carved his reputation not just as a solo artist but as member of the bands Empty Tremor, Khymera, Twinspirits, Cosmics, Prime Suspect and mentor behind the Genius Rock Opera. His first solo album was recorded at 56 Studios in Santa Monica and features the talents from Armored Saint and Fates Warning.
Fantasia is his last work, an eclectic and mature instrumental concept guitar album, to achieve which Daniele strongly desired excellent musicians. In addition to Marco Zago (keyboards) and Nicolò Vese
(bass), on drums there is a total revelation: Simon Ciccotti.
Track list: 1 Unbreakable 2 Joke 3 Peacefully 4 Apocalypse 5 Daylight 6 Gigantic 7 Black Horse 8 Outstanding 9 Guilty 10 Heaven 11 Rage.
Preproductions advance videos available here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9qO3oeEOfs / www.youtube.com/watch?v=kluxXb-2DkM.
WebLinks: www.sgrecords.it.
SHANE GAALAAS ASCENDS TO NEW DIGITAL RELEASE:
October 17, 2013 - L.A.-based Canadian drummer/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Shane Gaalaas (Cosmosquad, Diesel Machine, Glenn Hughes, MSG) has announced the worldwide digital release of his third solo album, "Ascend", which was issued June 12 in Japan on Zain Records. The record contains six originals along with an English language re-interpretation of the song "Brotherhood" by Japanese rock superstars B'z, with whom Gaalaas has been touring and recording for the past decade.
"Ascend" was recorded, mixed and mastered at Gaalaas' Crumb West Studios in Simi Valley, CA and features Gaalaas on vocals, guitars, bass, drums and keyboards, in addition to handling engineering and production duties. A teaser for the album is streaming at www.shanegaalaas.com. Fellow Canadian musician Cory Churko, brother of Ozzy Osbourne producer/collaborator Kevin Churko, co-wrote and played guitar on "Wish You Well" and contributed lead guitar on "Brotherhood."
The "Ascend" track listing reads as follows: 1. Ascend 2. Rat Stew 3. Wish You Well 4. Million Miles 5. Brotherhood 6. Wonderful Midori. 7. Alive.
"Ascend" has already garnered Gaalaas major media coverage in Japan, where he is currently on a stadium tour with B'z, including Billboard magazine and a cover feature in the October issue of Japan's drum bible, Rhythm & Drums.
Shane Gaalaas online: www.shanegaalaas.com.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
BOSTON'S HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM RELEASED ON FRONTIERS IN DECEMBER:
Band's First Studio Album in 10-Plus Years to Be Released Worldwide on Frontiers Records
Boston's latest studio album, Life, Love & Hope will be released on Frontiers Records in USA December 3 and Europe December 6. More than a decade in the making, Life, Love & Hope features 11 tracks replete with the classic and beloved Boston sound, as well as the latest in the evolution of Tom Scholz' musical artistry. Diverse yet cohesive, this long-awaited album has something for everyone and will fulfill the expectations of existing fans, while exposing a new generation to one of rock and roll's great acts. Scholz says, "These are songs from the heart, each of them taking many months of effort to write, arrange, perform and record, always up to the demands of Boston's harshest critic, me. They have all been meticulously recorded to analogue tape on the same machines and equipment used for Boston's hits for the past 35 years."
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Boston burst onto the music scene with their eponymous best-selling debut album in 1976, and never looked back. With over 17 million copies sold, Boston generated hits such as "More Than a Feeling," "Peace of Mind," and "Smokin'," rock staples that are still in heavy rotation today. Their second effort, Don't Look Back was another chart-topper that confirmed their place in rock history, followed by Third Stage, which hit #1 on the charts, with the top single of 1986, "Amanda." With over 31 million albums sold to date, Boston's music has stood the test of time, as evidenced by live Boston audiences that spans generations.
Life, Love & Hope includes lead vocals from Brad Delp and prodigy Tommy DeCarlo, as well as Kimberley Dahme, David Victor, and songwriter Scholz himself. This release features tracks that have the characteristic Boston trademark guitars, harmonies, and immaculately-crafted sound. "I intentionally stayed close to the early Boston style on some of the songs, even using the same amps and instruments; on others I let my imagination run wild," says Scholz.
A beautiful full-color booklet with notes from Scholz and detailed song credits accompanies Life, Love & Hope, available now for pre-order on Amazon national shops in UK, Germany, Spain, France and Italy and all other fine retailers across Europe.
Life, Love & Hope tracklisting includes: Heaven on Earth; Didn't Mean to Fall in Love; Last Day of School; Sail Away; Life, Love & Hope; If You Were in Love; Someday; Love Got Away; Someone (2.0); You Gave Up on Love (2.0); The Way You Look Tonight.
AXEL RUDI PELL RIDES INTO THE STORM: Axel Rudi Pell's new studio album Into The Storm will be released through SPV/Steamhammer in 2014 on January 17 in Germany, January 20 in Europe and on January 21 in the USA/Canada, followed by the first European leg of the tour (dates below).
Singer Johnny Gioeli, new drummer Bobby Rondinelli, keyboard player Ferdy Doernberg, bass player Volker Krawczak and guitarist Axel Rudi Pell finished the recordings of the new studio album "Into The Storm" with engineer and co-producer Charlie Bauerfeind.
Tracklisting: 1) The Inquisitorial Procedure 1:48 2) Tower Of Lies 4:26 3) Long Way To Go 5:32 4) Burning Chains 5:23 5) When Truth Hurts 6:46 6) Changing Times 6:05 7) Touching Heaven 7:02 8) High Above 4:49 9) Hey Hey My My 5:02 10) Into The Storm 10:35. Digipak Bonustracks: 11) White Cats (Opus #6 Scivolare) 4:54 12) Way To Mandalay 7:52.
Configurations: limited edition digipak incl. 2 tracks + poster, double gatefold LP with coloured vinyl, standard version and download. Watch Out for the deluxe edition incl. digipak edition, plec, metalpin, poster, postcard, sticker and much more!
THE LATEST FROM ROCK CANDY:
The following new releases are available now from Rock Candy Records: www.rockcandyrecords.co.uk.
Zebra 'S/T' CANDY166 / A classic power trio, Zebra were formed during the mid 70s in New Orleans, later shifting their power base to Long Island, New York where they attracted the attention of powerful local radio station WBAB FM who included them on a new talent compilation album. It wasn't long before Atlantic Records, based on their instantly identifiable sound and impressive fan following, signed them. Issued in 1983 and produced by Jack 'Aerosmith' Douglas, this impressive debut LP, perfectly balances scorching hard rock with adventurous progressive rock influences. Indeed, such was the advance interest in the band the record became the fastest selling debut album in Atlantic's long and illustrious history, firmly establishing Zebra as one of the most exciting acts of the time. Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay including interview with Randy Jackson, enhanced artwork and rare photos.
Track Listing: 1. Tell Me What You Want 2. One More Chance 3. Slow Down 4. As I Said Before 5. Who's Behind The Door 6. When You Get There 7. Take Your Fingers From My Hair 8. Don't Walk Away 9. The La La Song.
Zebra 'No Tellin' Lies' CANDY167 / Formed in New Orleans, Zebra expanded their appeal by relocating to Long Island in New York, helping to cement a dedicated fan base in two regions which gained them a record deal. The resultant debut LP rapidly achieved Gold status and set the scene for their follow up album promptly recorded and issued in 1984. Produced, once again, to exacting standards, by Jack 'Aerosmith' Douglas, the band took up the challenge by showcasing a concise collection of tracks that easily outgunned their previous work. Refining their powerful sound, the songs are both muscular and melodic, helping to craft a style that was influenced in equal parts by Led Zeppelin and the Beatles, with an additional adventurous lyrical content that set them apart from the competition. Standout tracks include 'Wait Until The Summer's Gone', 'I Don't Like It', 'I Don't Care' and the powerful yet heart-rendering 'Bears'. Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay including interview with Randy Jackson, enhanced artwork and rare photos.
Track Listing: 1. Wait Until The Summer's Gone 2. I Don't Like It 3. Bears 4. I Don't Care 5. Lullaby 6. No Tellin' Lies 7. Takin' A Stance 8. But No More 9. Little Things 10. Drive Me Crazy.
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New England 'Explorer Suite' CANDY205 / Formed in the late seventies, and handled by Kiss manager Bill Aucoin, this four piece unit issued one of the finest debut albums of all time, on the ultimately ill-fated Infinity label before switching allegiance to Elektra Records for this, their second album. Produced by Mike Stone (Journey, Queen, Asia) and originally issued in 1980, 'Explorer Suite' undoubtedly takes its starting point from the Beatles, but thoughtfully fuel-injects a heavy, melodic rock element comparable to the greatest pomp rock acts of the era. Reference points include Styx, Electric Light Orchestra, The Cars, Cheap Trick and, as previously mentioned, the Beatles. Crammed full of incredibly energetic songs such as 'Livin In The Eighties', 'Honey Money', 'Searchin' and 'Hey You're On The Run', New England's penchant for melody was obviously second to none. Truly one of the most talented groups of their time. Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay including interview with John Fannon, enhanced artwork and rare photos.
Track Listing: 1. Honey Money 2. Livin' In The Eighties 3. Conversation 4. It's Never Too Late 5. Explorer Suite 6. Seal It With A Kiss 7. Hey You're On The Run 8. No Place To Go 9. Searchin' 10. Hope 11. You'll Be Born Again.
Charlie 'Good Morning America' CANDY178 / 'Good Morning America', originally issued in 1981, was Charlie's sixth album and crafted with a two new members; drummer Bob Henrit and guitarist/vocalist John Verity, both formerly of Argent and fresh from former CBS great white hopes Phoenix. Released on RCA Records and produced by band leader Terry Thomas (who would go on to craft a hugely successful career in this field later) with John Verity by his side , the intent was to craft an album that would scale the heights of the US charts and push Charlie into the musical super league, alongside Toto, Queen and Styx. Sadly, due to record company shenanigans, it was not to be. The failure to secure commercial gain was obviously not down to the music, far from it. With tracks such as 'I Can't Get Over You', 'Heading For Home', 'Roll The Dice' and the anthemic title track, they delivered one of the greatest yet, at the time overlooked, albums of their career and certainly a milestone in the AOR pantheon.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay including interview with Terry Thomas, enhanced artwork and rare photos.
Track Listing: 1. Good Morning America 2. I Can't Get Over You 3. Roll The Dice 4. Heading For Home 5. Saturday Night 6. All My Life 7. Look For Your Love 8. My Perfect Lover 9. I'm Angry For You 10. Just One More Chance 11. The Girl Won't Dance With Me.
Stepson 'S/T' HRCANDY002 / Formed in 1971, this crushing quartet was put together by veterans of the LA scene looking to combine the MC5's wildcard attack with the blues power of Humble Pie. Bizarrely guitarist Joey Newman had been a member of the Osmonds - he contributed to their hard rock showstopper 'Crazy Horses' - before surrendering his soul to Stepson with enough their fire cracker riffage to level a small town. Issued in 1974, on ABC Records, the album, despite being guided by Leslie West and Mountain's management, sank without trace. With no marketing and limited live shows outside of Los Angeles it was easy to see why the record fell short of expectations. Despite the disappointment, Stepson remains a bonafide hard rock nugget, and one of the most impressive obscurities of the era. We recommend you listen with a well charged defibrillator and a paramedic close at hand. Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay including interview with Bruce Hauser, enhanced artwork and rare photos.
Track Listing: 1. Rule In The Book 2. Lil' Bit 3. Rude Attitude 4. It's My Life 5. I Apologize 6. Suffer 7. Back To 'Bama 8. Man I'm A Fool 9. Turnpike 10. Burnin' Hurt.
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EDEN'S CURSE ARE UNBREAKABLE:
Multinational Melodic Metal band Eden's Curse have released the song "Unbreakable", from their fourth studio album "Symphony Of Sin", and made it available to stream for free below: soundcloud.com/edenscurse/unbreakable. "It's a song that holds a special place in my heart and I think it really has some cross over potential" stated bassist Paul Logue when asked about the song.
He went onto add "Unbreakable began as a musical idea from Thorsten Koehne (Guitars) which we rearranged and worked on lyrics and melodies alongside Pete Newdeck (Drums). It's a song that really comes from the heart and speaks of the brotherly bond that exists between the three of us. It really is a song of positivity and about rising above the negativity and adversity you face and keeping your spirits high and vision strong to focus on the better day that will eventually come". "The song has some amazingly soulful and passionate vocals from Nikola Mijic and has a great driving beat led by the band. It features some wonderful synth and atmospheric keys from Steve Williams (Keys) and Thorsten just slays on this" produly quipped Logue.
EDWARD BOX'S MOTION CONTROL: Lion Music is pleased to announce the release of "Motion Control" from UK guitarist Edward Box on November 24. This exciting 21 track digital only release sees Box's previous solo albums - 2002's "Plectrumhead" and 2005's "Moonfudge" - packaged together and get a 2013 makeover. With the advent of time and better technology "Motion Control" sees Edward going back to the masters and making improvements where he felt necessary. These improvements range from better overall sound to new rhythm guitar tracks on a number of songs and even new lead breaks on others! "Motion Control" sees Box delivers a multitude of rock styles, from all out rock to tender melodic ballads. All of which are strong backdrops to Box's melodic lead breaks. Edward is also renowned for having superb phrasing all topped off with a very soulful vibrato that make him stand out from the pack and fans of first class guitar work will find plenty to enjoy on 'Motion Control'.
Listen to samples of all 21 tracks and pre-order now @ itunes.apple.com/album/motion-control/id701205830 / Full information on one of the hottest guitar releases of 2013 at lionmusic.com/cd/motioncontrol.htm.
DELUX EDITION SCORPIONS OUT NOW:
On October 14 The Scorpions have their classic Crazy World reissued as a 2CD deluxe version on Universal Music. 'Crazy World' the bands 11th studio album was originally released in 1990 and contains the worldwide hit "Wind of Change". The package includes 12 live tracks from their 'Live Crazy' world tour along with Crazy World's 4 promotional videos. It was the Scorpions' first album in a decade and a half to not be produced by Dieter Dierks and is widely considered to be the last "classic" Scorpions album. In the UK, it remains the only Scorpions album to attain certified Silver.
Formed in 1965 The Scorpions are a band who have enjoyed a rich and varied history and in the process selling in excess of 150 million records worldwide. From the psychedelic leanings of debut album 'Lonesome Crow' in 1972 through the almost progressive era with guitarist Ulrich Roth for much of the 1970s and onto their most successful period as a more streamlined melodic hard rock band, beginning with the 1979 album 'Lovedrive'. They strode through the 1980s as one of the biggest and most alluring of all the bands in this genre.
These Germanic gargantuawatt gladiators had three Top 10 albums in the States, beginning with 'Blackout' in 1982, continuing on through 'Love At First Sting' two years later and followed by 'Savage Amusement' in 1988. All three were also Top 20 albums in the UK. The only other album from that period was 1980's 'Animal Magnetism', which continued a commercial climb for the band that had begun with the breakthrough 'Lovedrive'.
The final album in this remarkable run of success was 1990's 'Crazy World', again one of the great hard rock records of the era and 'Crazy World' was the last album to feature bassist Francis Buchholz, and by that extent, the last to feature the band's classic lineup.
On January 24, 2010, after 45 years of performing, the band announced that they would be retiring after touring in support of their new album 'Sting in the Tail', although this decision was eventually retracted and a relief to their may fans worldwide.
Disc 1: Crazy World - Tease Me Please Me (04:43) 2. Don't Believe Her (4:55) 3. To Be With You In Heaven (04:48) 4. Wind Of Change (05:12) 5. Restless Nights (05:44) 6. Lust Or Love (04:22) 7. Kicks After Six (03:49) 8. Money And Fame (05:06) 9. Hit Between The Eyes (04:33) 10.Crazy World (05:08) 11.Send Me An Angel (04:33) 12.Wind Of Change (Edit) (03:42). 13.Big City Nights (Live At The Moscow Peace Festival) (04:55) 14.Wind Of Change (Russian Version) (03:42) 15.Wind Of Change (Spanish Version) (05:07) 16.Holiday (Live Version) (03:12) 17.Hit Between The Eyes (04:26) 18.The Zoo (10.00).
Disc 2: Live Crazy World Tour - 1. Bad Boys Running Wild (04:02) 2. Hit Between The Eyes (04:14) 3. I Can't Explain (03:27) 4. The Zoo (06:33) 5. Rhythm Of Love (03:51) 6. Crazy World (05:26) 7. Can't Live Without You (04:49) 8. Blackout (03:49) 9. Dynamite (04:06) 10.Lust Or Love (04:20) 11.Big City Nights (05:24) 12.Rock You Like A Hurricane (05:08).
Music Videos: 13. Tease Me Please Me (05:07) Directed by Jeff Richter; 14. Don't Believe Her (04:42) Directed by Wayne Isham; 15. Send Me An Angel (04:26) Directed by Meiert Avis; Wind Of Change (04:42) Directed by Wayne Isham.
Y&T's A&M BOX:
On October 14th Y&T releases a 4CD set The A&M Years 1981-85, which features 6 studio albums, with B sides, and a rare Friday Rock Show album featuring their appearances at Reading and Monsters of Rock.
There was a time in the late 1970s/early 1980s when America was seemingly overrun with great hard rock bands. They all had power, individuality and a the sheer audacity to ignore trends and go with their instincts. And in this company of lycanthropic lotharios there were none better than Y&T.
The San Francisco based Heavy Metal act burst on the scene when they were known as Yesterday and Today and recorded two albums for the London label.They were snapped up by A&M and recorded a number of albums for the label including, what is regarded as one of the finest metal albums of all time in, 'Earthshaker' . All of their output for the label is featured on this multipack that also has albums such as Black Tiger and Out for the Count, available in Europe legally for the first time in a number of years.
In 1981 Y&T released the sensational 'Earthshaker' album and exploded on the scene with the sort of thoroughbred command that had more in common with the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal than the smoother and more mainstream attitudes starting to invade and pervade in the States.
When you listen the flood of riffs which are the hallmark of this album, it's just irresistible. From the opening shards of 'Hungry For Rock; through the titanic 'Rescue me', and onwards to the stormy 'Hurricane' and finally to the climactic, epic 'I Believe In You', this was an album that had not one weakness. Each track combined a spontaneity with lively, well crafted ideas. And these were musicians who could live with anyone on the planet. Moreover, topping it all off were the soaraway vocals of Meniketti. One of the great hard rock singers, his voice can both crack concrete, and yet also drips with honeyed nectar. It is capable of sounding innocent and vulnerable, yet quickly turn on its heels and become a roaring savage.
While 'Earthshaker' set a benchmark for 1980s American hard rock that few were able to emulate, then 'Black Tiger', released the following year, was the proof that it was far from being a one-off. The songs on Black Tiger were of the highest order. 'Open Fire', 'Hell Or High Water', 'Forever', 'Black Tiger' and 'My Way Or The Highway' were straight out of the top drawer, and it was no surprise when the album became the first from Y&T to chart in the UK, as it reached number 53.
If 'Black Tiger' was the natural successor to 'Earthshaker', then 'Mean Streak' in 1983 proved to be equally invaluable. Produced by Chris Tsangarides, a lot of the songs on this album have become staples of the band's live set down the years. These include the title track, 'Midnight In Tokyo', 'Hang 'Em High' and 'Down And Dirty'. Mean Streak' made it to number 35 in the UK.
But this sniff of success was only the appetiser for what was about to happen. Now, Y&T took a massive leap forward in sales terms, as they elected to go for a more commercial style.The result in 1984 was their biggest album to date, namely 'In Rock We Trust'. Now working with producer Tom Allom, they sold close to half-a-million copies in America, and reached number 33 in the UK. 'In Rock We Trust' features 'Rock & Roll's Gonna Save The World'. 'Masters And Slaves', 'Lipstick And Leather' and (Your Love Is) Drivin' Me Crazy' real stompers kissed by the stamp of class.
Things got even more accessible in 1985, when 'Down For The Count' hit. Produced by Kevin Beamish, now they finally got a successful single in America, as 'Summertime Girls' made it to number 55. Bright, breezy and breathtaking, it showed how Y&T were able to embrace the MTV generation, yet also come up with an anthem to appeal to their diehards. Using keyboards for the first, they also had a battery of other top quality songs to back up 'Summertime Girls'. These featured such moments as 'Looks Like Trouble', 'Hands Of Time', 'Don't Tell me What To Wear', plus an exquisite cover of Loggins And Messina's 'Your Mama Don't Dance'.
While they were hauling themselves up to a new level of success during this period of time, the band were still a formidable presence live. They show this on the 1984 live album 'Open Fire', which more than lived up to its title, as it brought together a manic montage of their finest songs, all lifted by the added cachet of their stage presence. And they proved equally adept when captured live for the BBC's 'Friday Rock Show', which represents a cross section of the band's finest accomplishments.
By 1986, Haze had gone and three years later Stef Burns took over from Alves. By 1991, it was all over, and the band split up. Yes, they did return in 1995, and continue to this day in various guises (only Meniketti now remains from the halcyon days). But when you want to hear Y&T in their prime. When you wish to get a taste of why they were once regarded as one of the world's greatest hard rock bands...well, the music on these four CDs is all you need. It represents the glory age for a glorious band.
'The A&M Years 1981-85' - Track listing - CD 1
1. Hungry For Rock - 03:47
2. Dirty Girl - 05:06
3. Shake It Loose - 02:54
4. Squeeze - 04:04
5. Rescue Me - 04:43
6. Young And Tough - 03:47
7. Hurricane - 03:23
8. Let Me Go - 03:11
Knock You Out - 02:58
I Believe In You - 07:16
11. From The Moon - 00:42
12. Open Fire - 04:10
13. Don't Wanna Lose - 04:09
14. Hell Or High Water - 03:44
15. Forever - 05:48
16. Black Tiger - 04:17
17. Barroom Boogie - 04:19
18. My Way Or The Highway - 04:43
19. Winds Of Change - 06:19
CD 2
Mean Streak - 04:06
Straight Thru The Heart - 04:14
22. Lonely Side Of Town - 04:48
23. Midnight In Tokyo - 05:40
24. Breaking Away - 04:42
25. Hang 'Em High - 05:33
26. Take You To The Limit - 04:53
27. Sentimental Fool - 03:11
28. Down And Dirty - 03:54
29. Rock & Roll's Gonna Save The World - 04:41
30. Life, Life, Life - 04:38
31. Masters And Slaves - 04:01
32. I'll Keep On Believin' (Do You Know) - 03:50
33. Break Out Tonight - 04:23
34. Lipstick And Leather - 03:26
35. Don't Stop Runnin' - 04:22
36. (Your Love Is) Drivin Me Crazy - 04:56
CD 3
37. She's A Liar - Album Version - 03:35
38. This Time - Album Version - 05:40
39. Open Fire - Live - 04:25
40. Go For The Throat - Live - 04:52
41. 25 Hours A Day - Live Edit - 04:21
42. Rescue Me - Live - 05:54
43. Summertime Girls - Studio Version - 03:29
Forever - Live - 05:54
45. Barroom Boogie - Live - 04:34
46. I Believe In You - Live - 08:03
47. In The Name Of Rock - 05:30
48. All American Boy - 02:22
49. Anytime At All - 04:30
50. Anything For Money - 03:22
51. Face Like An Angel - 04:31
CD 4
52. Summertime Girls - Studio Version - 03:28
53. Looks Like Trouble - Album Version - 04:06
Your Mama Don't Dance - 02:48
Don't Tell Me What To Wear - 04:00
56. Hands Of Time - 06:12
57. Hungry For Rock - Live At The Reading Festival/ 1984 - 04:00
58. Black Tiger - Live At The Reading Festival/ 1984 - 04:18
59. I Believe In You - Live At The Reading Festival/ 1984 - 08:29
60. Open Fire - Live At The Reading Festival/ 1984 - 03:55
61. Forever - Live At The Reading Festival/ 1984 - 05:33
62. Rescue Me - Live At The Reading Festival/ 1984 - 05:11
63. Mean Streak - Live At Donington/ 1984 - 04:20
64. Barroom Boogie - Live At Donington/ 1984 - 04:05
65. Lipstick And Leather - Live At Donington/ 1984 - 03:15
66. Rescue Me - Live At Donington/ 1984 (CD 4) - 05:05
67. Rock & Roll's Gonna Save The World - Live At Donington/ 1984 - 05:21
68. Masters And Slaves - Live At Donington/ 1984 - 05:07
FLOOR JOINS TARJA: MetalSymphony.com has posted some photos of the unique and special moment at Metal Female Voices Fest this last weekend in Wieze (Belgium), when Tarja Turunen invited Floor Jansen on stage to sing a duet, the classic song by Gary Moore, Over the Hills and Far Away.Check them out at this location: www.metalsymphony.com/?p=14537.
Tarja's setlist included: Anteroom of Death, Die Alive, In for a Kill, Never Enough, I walk Alone, Mystic Voyage, Until my last breath, Wish I had an Angel and the already mentioned Over the Hills and far Away with Floor Jansen.
TALE OF A ROCK N ROLL SURVIVOR:
Los Angeles -- He has survived in rock world that applauds you one minute, then turns its back on you the next. One moment, Tony West is running through the streets of Hollywood, young but so alive and just looking for a shot without starving to death or becoming another casualty who heads to L.A. for fortune and fame. The next moment, West and his band Blacklist Union are on top of the world, the next Guns N' Roses according to the critics who always love a good "Rocky" story.
Of course, this happens over and over again, enough to drive you crazy, but West, with the strength of 10 men, keeps on going. With three solid CDs under their belt and a good amount of exposure and hype, Blacklist Union is on the very cusp, one break away from being the biggest band in the world. And West has the scars to prove it.
Now living in North Hollywood, West has been beaten and abused, battered and jailed, ostracized and ousted, addicted and recovered and addicted and recovered again -- and the music is West's salvation. Songs likes "Alabama Slammer" and " 'Til Death Do Us Part" have kept West alive and turbo-charged the fervor of a growing legion. "I ran away from home because of Guns N' Roses. I was a kid from the Bronx with a really abusive father, and Axl was the reason I ran away," West said, being as brutally honest as you can possibly be. "I had grown up in the punk rock scene because my uncle used to hang out with Circus of Power and Warrior Soul and D-Generation." At just 13 years old, West broke free. With a guitar on his back and $20 in his jeans, he hitchhiked to the Hollywood sign.
"I didn't want to be just a street kid, so I hustled," West said. "I'd play and write songs all night, and during the day I would do telemarketing or whatever I could, even got arrested for selling fake IDs. I definitely did drugs, but I didn't get lost in drugs." West was doing whatever he could to keep himself alive when a local band called Daux Haus Mob eventually took him in. And that's where he learned about the two things that fuel the Hollywood rock underworld – great music and great parties, a torrid combination if you can handle and big trouble if you can't. "I lived with the Daux Haus Mob guys on Hollywood Boulevard, and after the clubs closed, we would literally take the whole club to our apartment," West said. "Everyone was there, from members of Guns N' Roses to Dogs D'Amour to all these random people. Bam from Dogs D'Amour is the one who told me about singing in pitch. I didn't even know what he was talking about."
West's first band was a Ramones tribute outfit. Then he formed Blacklist Union and caught the attention of top producer Chris Johnson (Goldfinger, Buckcherry, Hilary Duff). Together they've done three albums -- "After The Mourning," "Breakin' Bread With The Devil," and "'Til Death Do Us Part."
West has toured the country with Blacklist Union, opened for big stars, and he has sold a lot of CDs – and in-between he did a tour as an emergency replacement in L.A. Guns. "Tracii Guns taught me a lot," West said. "He had sold millions of records but was traveling around the country in a cramped van. And he was humble about it, not crying like a baby about it. I was impressed. He told me if you don't have haters, you're nothing, and that really motivated me."
Blacklist Union has been featured in such magazines as Revolver, Metal Edge, Metal Hammer and others, and the band is an underground favorite that's popular on YouTube and other independent outlets. But just about everyone agrees the band is on the rise, and West's best days appear to be ahead.
Deep inside, West always knew he had stories to tell with Blacklist Union, words that still had to get out and reach the masses. Rock is West's calling, and he screams for vengeance. "Tracii told me the world needs a band like Blacklist Union," West said.
West is putting finishing touches on a new Blacklist Union CD, and this is the one that is going to push the Tommy Lee-look-alike over the top. You can either come along for the ride, or watch him go.
THE WINERY DOGS UNLEASHED AT THE MET ON HALLOWEEN: The Winery Dogs, the new power trio featuring Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Avenged Sevenfold, Adrenaline Mob), Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, Steve Vai, David Lee Roth) and Richie Kotzen (Mr. Big, Poison), will showcase their extraordinary music talents at The Met in Pawtucket, R.I., on October 31, 2013. The Atlanta-based alternative rock trio The Sixxis will open the show.
While it would be easy to call The Winery Dogs a supergroup, they are so much more than that. Supergroups are usually short-lived entities composed of gifted players that jam out for a little while and then quickly record with the hopes of catching lightning in a bottle. Moreover, they're often the sum of their collective parts. That's certainly not the case with The Winery Dogs, a cohesive, well-rounded classic-sounding trio with blazing songs that defy expectation. The group's self-titled debut, which debuted at No 27 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart, is filled with straightforward rock and roll inspired by some of their favorite bands, and their music transcends any of the styles they're best known for.
Of The Winery Dogs, Portnoy commented: "I am so excited about The Winery Dogs and am proud and honored to be working with two of the greatest musicians on the planet! Richie Kotzen is such an unbelievable talent, as a vocalist, guitarist and songwriter. I think The Winery Dogs will finally get him the attention and recognition that he so richly deserves. And what can be said of Billy Sheehan that hasn't been said already? He is one the true pioneers of the instrument and a legend."
In a review of their sold out concert at Reggies in Chicago, Illinois, on August 8, Mark Koeng, of Rock World Magazine, wrote "The Winery Dogs prove masterful. The music is untarnished and skillfully conducted. There's a chemistry, and professional admiration between Kotzen, Sheehan and Portnoy. It shows in their smiles and sweat. It shows in their songwriting. And let's hope it shows through longevity."
The Met is located at 1005 Main Street in Pawtucket, R.I. Tickets are priced at $35 in advance and $37 day of show. They can be purchased through the venue's website at www.themetri.com or the Lupo's box office.
For more information about The Winery Dogs, visit www.winerydogs.com.
Monday, October 21, 2013
MELODIC ROCK FEST:
Time to reflect back a little further on MelodicRockFest 3 that took place at the H.OM.E. Bar Chicago September 27-29.
Basically the event was a great success as far all the artists gathered bringing their A-Game and fan feedback from the weekend has been nothing short of phenomenal.
It was a true pleasure for me to meet as many people as I did over the weekend and also have the opportunity to see live some of my own melodic rock heroes live for the first time such as Glen Burtnik, Eclipse, W.E.T. Adriangale, Heaven & Earth, ColdSpell and House Of Lords.
Plus some of my old favourites like Mecca, Harem Scarem, 7th heaven, Eric Martin and Ted Poley.
I was thrilled to be able to give some young guns a chance and I think The Radio Sun, Loveblast, Bonrud, Evolution Eden and Crossing Rubicon proved their worth and more…and won over some new fans on the day.
The goal (as was with the case with MRF2) was to outdo the previous event and feedback suggests we did. The venue was superb and I'd like to again roll call those responsible for making MRF3 everything that it was: John Kivel for his support of the event and tireless work towards making it a success in 2013; Ty Sims and Kevin Grosse for making the event sound and look amazing and run like clockwork; Joe Vana for helping immensely behind the scenes and finding me a last minute driver, who was the coolest cat (thank you Maurice); Richie Hofherr for bringing me and the venue together; Erik Johnson for his awesome artwork and audio promotions; Tony and the HOME Bar crew for making us all feel welcomed and providing a killer venue for the weekend; Bert and Jim at the Holiday Inn; and my merch booth crew for their hard work over the weekend; Sheron Hope and the Brett Walker Band for doing a great job in tough circumstances; and...of course my wife Cath for her work behind the scenes over the last several months.
Lastly – to every single person that turned up over the weekend to make the place rock. But on top of that – to all the VIP ticket holders for the weekend – it was your additional and valued support that made the show viable and for that I and the artists thank you immeasurably.
I'd welcome any further feedback from anyone at the event.
A note on merch – for anyone that bough the popular MRF3 USB drive – I'll add more content for you folks to download shortly, but please email me for a link to grab that from.
And to anyone who needs the bonus tracks for the MRCD11 & House of Shakira purchases, please also contact me now.
To talk about each individual performance within the show would take me a week, so much could be said. I think it better if others gave their overview of the vent. There are some very comprehensive reviews of the show appearing online now:
I'll share a few photos I took from the weekend below, but to be honest, I was running around most of the weekend, with little time to stop and think about capturing the event! I'll come up with some of the pro-shot photos from Marty Moffat shortly.
The artists that I picked to perform at MRF are all people I knew I could rely on and would give their time to hang out and talk with fans, sign stuff and just enjoy the event. It was great to see them doing just that over the weekend.
It was all a bit of a blur for me personally, but thanks to an awesome setup within the venue, all the merch areas where inside so I was able to hear the whole weekend, if not see it all.
I'm sure some will be disappointed to hear there are no tales of debauchery or rioting within the hotel afterwards, but almost everyone was on their absolutely best behavior.
I'm told the worst incident of the entire week was a broken mirror! Dear me!
There were a couple of issues that came to my attention over the weekend and after the fact that were the result of operational issues that crop up when holding an event at a venue for the first time. The unfortunate aspect of holding each of the MRF events 3 years apart has been the need to change venues and start all over again each time. So you'll always get these little things that you think you could have done better or fix next time.
So with that said…next time?
Yes, there is a next time. And I'm not sitting around waiting 3 years either!
See you at MRF4, October 2014 at the H.O.M.E. Bar Chicago!
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KING KOBRA FEATURED IN NEW THE RIGHT TO ROCK PODCAST: TheRighttoRock.com has issued their latest podcast (episode #161), featuring King Kobra's Carmine Appice, David Michael Phillips and Paul Shortino. The boys took time out of their busy schedule to discuss his band's second record, since the reunion, II. Each guy gives his take on the new album as well as what the future looks like for the Kobra. Each interview lasts approx. 30 min.
What do you do if you're a classic hard rock band and you want to re-unite but your lead singer ain't down? Well, if the drive is strong enough and you're convinced you can move on without him/her you find a new guy that can hold his own and get out there and rock. Which is exactly what hard rockers King Kobra recently did for their 2nd record, II - though, to be honest, they've been re-united since 2010. Join the lads in their latest An Evening With... series as they welcome legendary members from the Kobra: Carmine Appice, David Michael Phillips and Paul Shortino. All members weigh in on their new record and give their thoughts on the future of the band, as well as some of the other things they're up to.
TUBE BRIEFS:
It's been a year since WakeUpCall released their first album Batteries Are Not Included and after 2 video/singles and 30 shows through Italy, Switzerland, France, Holland, Latvia and Lithuania, WakeUpCall just released the 3rd video/single from the album. "Let You Go" video is an ironic joke about all the Talent Shows that have invaded our televisions and changed music business....who's gonna win the WFACTOR? www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftGXPicnAMo.
Laura sent in a link of some Winery Dogs show footage from the Soiled Dove Underground in Denver, Colorado on Monday, 10/14/13. Check out htis grat band at: www.youtube.com/laurarocksdenver.
UTOPIA RECORDS SYDNEY CELEBRATES 35 YEARS IN BUSINESS!:
The Home Of Metal, Utopia Records in Sydney Australia turns 35 years old this month. A very impressive milestone for a retail store in general, let alone one that specializes in selling Heavy Metal! They have survived a flood, the death of glam metal via the birth of grunge, the wane in popularity of heavy music in general in the early 2000's and are still standing today during heavy music's resurgence to the mainstream.
With music moving into the digital world, Utopia still stands strong due to metal fans' total devotion to their genre. It's not just about the music (files or otherwise), its the lifestyle, the camaraderie and the sense of community that Utopia stands for that has kept customers coming back. It's literally home base for anyone into the stuff your mum warned you about. The shop looks exactly like the 15 year old customers bedroom at home! Posters of metal heroes line the walls, memorabilia is everywhere, the music's up loud and the hair is flying on the store TV's.
Utopia is such an integral part of metal folklore that it is renown the world over. If you're old enough to remember any one of the 7 locations its had around the city you may remember stories about Lars and James sitting on the floor going through a mountain of records deciding what to buy during their first trip here on the Justice tour.
Who could forget the countless in-stores that always ended in Slayer or Sepultura or some other major band signing a skull for the Utopia Trophy Case? The yellow and black shopping bags were also a sign of status once you walked out of the shop. Those who recognised them
knew where you had been and gave an approving nod. Utopia remains one of the only places outside a gig you can meet your metal heroes too with in stores still being a regular occurrence. Next up, German groove kings, Kadavar will be playing a set in store on Nov 27!
Utopia's current location on Kent Street, opposite Town Hall has been their home for the last three years and with the latest and greatest in heavy stuff on offer, it looks set to remain a Sydney institution for another 35 years! To celebrate Utopia's 35th Anniversary, they are having a huge sale both in store and online with everything being heavily discounted. There will be a special WALL OF HISTORY display that will take you for a trip down Metal Lane with photos of the old stores, signings, events and other awesome stuff. To further enhance their history they'll be playing a broad range of music from the last 35 years too! One lucky person will also WIN a Mountain Of Metal which includes over 100 items including signed albums, CD's DVD's, LP's, T-Shirts, Motorheadphones, Limited Edition Art and a heap more!
Utopia Records 35th Birthday & Mega-Sale!! Everything is Heavily Discounted both instore AND online / Sale Starts Saturday, Oct 26 @ 10am till Sunday, Nov 3 @ 11pm
WIN a MOUNTAIN OF METAL - Over 100 items!!
For more information check out: www.utopia.com.au or www.facebook.com/UtopiaRecordsOfficial.
ROCK NATION RADIO NETWORK IS BACK:
After a two year hiatus breakout internet radio station, Rock Nation Radio Network (www.rocknationradio.com) is back On-Air. Rock Nation Radio Network has gone from strength to strength since it's inception in 2006 up until early 2010 when circumstances forced the station owner (Andy 'Droid' DeBroux) to stop broadcasting. "The desire & drive to get back On-Air burned within me every day" said Droid, "I love providing Classic Rock / Hard Rock tracks by bands that we grew up on but, not just the hits. I play deep tracks & offer all of them for request on site."
With the re-launch of RNR1 (Classic Rock / Hard Rock) also brings new technology to the mix. Free Mobile Apps (www.rocknationradio.com/RNR1/mobile.html) for Android, iPhone & Blackberry to provide mobile users who love our station to take it with them. Twitter @RNRNetwork & Facebook play a large roll in keeping followers up to date on the station as well as displaying the "Now Playing" info in almost real time.
For now only RNR1 is back On-Air but, plans are to have RNR2 (All Metal) back in the near future. We sincerely hope that our loyal listeners as well as the new will frequently tune into RNR1 to satisfy all their rock needs.
Friday, October 18, 2013
INTRODUCING REVOLUTION ROAD:
I'm pleased to reveal the artist behind this week's mystery download - vocalist Stefan Berggren and his new project with Alessandro Del Vecchio - Revolution Road!
The self-titled debut album will be released November 22 via Avenue Of Allies Music.
The journey down Revolution Road began when producer Alessandro Del Vecchio and Avenue Of Allies label owner Gregor Klee sat together on the riverside of the Ticino in Northern Italy in the spring of 2011 and talked about some of their favourite singers who didn't release new material during the last couple of years.
One of the names that came up during the conversation of the two Classic Rock fans was Stefan Berggren. The distinctive sound of the voice of the former lead singer of Snakes In Paradise and Company Of Snakes was missed by both of them and surely quite a few more followers of the Swedish vocalist and the bands he sang in.
Shortly after the exchange of some ideas for the new project Alessandro contacted Stefan, who immediately expressed interest in a cooperation. During the fall and winter of 2011 / 2012 an album began to take shape with Stefan submitting some of his own compositions to the pool of 20 songs for the record, that also included song contributions from Alessandro and his writing partners Paul Logue (Eden's Curse), Carmine Martone and Francesco Marras.
The final song selection, made by executive producer Gregor Klee, sets great store in delivering a track list of the highest order for all lovers of Classic Hard Rock with a touch of Melodic Rock and AOR. With Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge Of Forever, Hardline, Lionville, Fergie Frederiksen) in the producer's seat all of the songwriters also took part in the recording sessions performing as a band on each tune of the record. Carmine Martone and Francesco Marras delivered some smokin' hot guitar work with amazing solos, Paul Logue provided the bass tracks and Francesco Jovino (U.D.O., Sapphire Eyes, Hardline, Skill In Veins) layed down the solid drum groove. Alessandro, who was of course also responsible for the keyboards and some mean Hammond B3 playing, also invited Voodoo Circle main man Alex Beyrodt (Sinner, Primal Fear) to bring the marvelous "Ain't Gonna Give My Heart Away", a particular highlight of the album, to another level. As guests on guitar Stefan brought in his former Snakes In Paradise colleagues, Stefan Jonsson and Thomas Jakobsson as well as Marcus Jidell (Royal Hunt, Dougie White, Alfonzetti).
The recording debut of Revolution Road with its magnificent production of a terrific variety of songs and the more than solid musical performances by seasoned players is the very welcome return of Stefan Berggren, a high class Rock shouter, who is finally back with an album that will convince any Rock fan.
Track Details: 01) Wings Of Hope 4:15 (Music & lyrics : Alessandro Del Vecchio) 2) Shooting Star 4:34 (Music: Stefan Berggren, lyrics: Stefan Berggren / Thomas Jakobsson) 3) Revolution Road 5:18 (Music: Carmine Martone / Alessandro Del Vecchio, lyrics: Alessandro Del Vecchio) 4) Hold On 4:20 (Music: Francesco Marras / Alessandro Del Vecchio, lyrics: Alessandro Del Vecchio) 5) Ain't Gonna Give My Heart Away 6:09 (Music & lyrics: Alessandro Del Vecchio) 6) Love's Got A Hold On Me 4:07 (Music: Stefan Berggren / Markus Jidell, lyrics: Stefan Berggren) 7) Losing You 4:37 (Music: Carmine Martone / Alessandro Del Vecchio, lyrics: Alessandro Del Vecchio) 8) Take Your Love To Town 5:25 (Music: Paul Logue / Alessandro Del Vecchio, lyrics: Alessandro Del Vecchio) 9) Pretending Hearts 3:54 (Music & lyrics: Stefan Berggren / Thomas Jakobsson) 10) Balloon 5:18 (Music: Stefan Berggren, lyrics: Stefan Berggren / Thomas Jakobsson)
Produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Alessandro Del Vecchio at Ivorytears Music Works, Italy. Additional recordings at Grandjam Production, Sweden, Screaming Shadows Studio, Italy, Masquerade Ball Studio, Scotland, GuitarSlinger Studio, Germany. Executive producer: Gregor Klee.
Revolution Road musicians: Stefan Berggren: Lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar on "Shooting Star", "Pretending Hearts" and "Balloon"; Alessandro Del Vecchio: Keyboards, Hammond and backing vocals; Francesco Marras: Lead and rhythm guitars; Carmine Martone: Lead and rhythm guitars; Paul Logue: Bass; Francesco Jovino: Drums.
Guest musicians: Alex Beyrodt: Guitar solo on "Ain't Gonna Give My Heart Away"; Thomas Jakobsson: Additional rhythm guitars on "Pretending Hearts"; Marcus Jidell: Lead guitar solo and additional rhythm guitars on "Love's Got A Hold On Me"; Stefan Jonsson: Lead guitar solo & additional rhythm guitars on "Shooting Star", lead guitar and rhythm guitar solo on "Pretending Hearts".
AOR HEAVEN ANNOUNCES NOVEMBER TITLES: Dogface are back at long last! The killer Swedish melodic hard rock act featuring Martin Kronlund and Mats Levin will release their new album Back In The Street via AOR Heaven on November 29.
"Mats Levén and Martin Kronlund released the first Dogface album "Unleashed" back in 2000, an album featuring a special guest appearance from former Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson. The massive success of 'Unleashed' was followed in 2002 with the album "In control".
Mats Levén has been a busy man and worked with bands such as Krux, At Vance, Therion, Swedish Erotica and Candlemass. Martin Kronlund has taken on the role of producer for artists like Joe Lynn Turner and Tom Galleys Phenomena, but also released albums with Gypsy Rose and more recently with Lover Under Cover. Now it's 2013 and it's time to reveal the next chapter in the story of Dogface.
Once again Mats and Martin have brought together a stunning collection of infectious songs with amazing choruses, strong melodies, screaming hammonds and blistering guitars. Songs like the heavy "Footsteps on the moon", the up-tempo rocker "Can´t face tomorrow" and the completely mad "Freaking out" are highlights on this record. Joining them on this album is drummer are Perra Johansson (Coldspell, Phenomena) and Mikael Carlsson (Lover Under Cover, Rage of Angels) on bass."
Tracklist: 1. Footsteps On The Moon 2. Can't Face Tomorrow 3. Higher 4. The Fall 5. Back On The Streets 6. Fired 7. Get Up 8. Start A Fire 9. Crazy Horses 10. Freaking Out.
AOR was formed in 2000 by guitarist/ keyboardist Frédéric Slama always using the cream of U.S & European session players. In 2000, the first album L.A Concession was released and gave Frédéric a big respect in the Westcoast / AOR music scene. During the following years, AOR released eleven albums with a similar concept feat. some of the greatest talents from the genre including all Toto members, Tommy Denander, Göran Edman, Michael Landau, Vinnie Colaiuta, Michael Ruff, Bruce Gaitsch, Bill Champlin (Chicago), Steve Overland (FM), Bruce Gaitsch, Brandon Fields, David Roberts, Dane Donohue, Fergie Frederiksen, Philip Bardowell, Jerry Hludzik (Dakota), Joe Pasquale, Steve Newman, David Foster, Randy Goodrum and many more.
Now in 2013 Frédéric Slama' s AOR project is back for round number 12 with an great album called The Secrets Of L.A, featuring an impressive list of guests such as Tommy Denander (Radioactive, Paul Stanley, Alice Cooper), Fergie Frederiksen (Toto), Jeff Scott Soto (Talisman), Bill Champlin (Chicago), Jim Jidhed & Ken Sandin (Alien), Mikael Erlandsson (Last Autumn's Dream), Bob Harris (Axe), Göran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen), Robin Beck, Tamara Champlin, Dane Donohue, Alessandro Del Vecchio (Lionville, Hardline) & many more.
For this new AOR album, the sound is much heavier than ever before, far away from the Westcoast style of the 6 first AOR cd's. Fans of Survivor, Journey, Giant & Foreigner won't be disappointed by fantastic melodies, incredible vocals & fabulous guitar solos and a first class production by Frédéric Slama & Tommy Denander. The Secrets Of L.A is by far AOR's finest release so far.
Songs & Singers: 1) Deep Whirlpool: Fergie Frederiksen 2) Stage Struck: Jeff Scott Soto 3) Secrets In The Shadows Jim Jidhed 4) Back To San Francisco: Bill Champlin 5) Out Of The Past: Bob Harris 6) The Name Of The Game: Robin Beck 7) Web Of Lies: Göran Edman 8) Hollow Triumph: Mikael Erlandsson 9) The Main Attraction: Bob Harris 10) Voices In The Wind: Tamara Champlin.
One of Germany's most prominent and consistent hard rock bands have just announced their next major coup: on October 28 (Germany: 25 October 2013, USA/Canada: 5 November 2013) Mad Max will be releasing their new album Interceptor, not just its title but also its cover artwork, created by Thomas Ewerhard, alluding to Mel Gibson's legendary desert car in the movie classic Mad Max. The four musicians, Michael Voss (vocals, lead guitar), Jürgen Breforth (guitar), Roland Bergmann (bass) and Axel Kruse (drums), promise "full throttle from start to finish" and sum up the direction of their new record in just two words: "It rocks!"
METAL ON ICE NOW AN EP:
The Metal On Ice EP coming out October 22 via Coalition Records/Warner Music Canada is a companion EP to Sean Kelly's book Metal On Ice. Sean co-produced and played all the guitars on the EP, which features new recordings of classic Canadian Hard Rock and Heavy Metal tracks with some of Canada's greatest vocalists. It also features the brand new song Metal On Ice featuring the vocalists on the EP. Metal On Ice was mastered by Harry Hess (Harem Scarem).
The track listing is: 1) Heavy Metal Love - feat Brian Vollmer (Helix); 2) Metal Queen - feat Lee Aaron; 3) On The Road To Rock - feat Nick Walsh (Slik Toxik) w/ Victor Langen + Ray Harvey (Kick Axe); 4) Hey Operator - feat Carl Dixon (Coney Hatch); 5) Don't It Make Ya Feel - feat Darby Mills (Headpins); 6) Keep The Spirit Alive - feat Russ Dwarf (KIller Dwarfs); 7) Metal On Ice - feat B. Vollmer, L. Aaron, N. Walsh, C. Dixon, D. Mills (new track written by S. Kelly and N. Walsh).
WebLinks: www.metalonice.com / www.facebook.com/MetalOnIce.
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RECORD ALBUM ARTIST IOANNIS LAUNCHES KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN:
Record Album Artist Ioannis Launches Kickstarter Campaign to Create A Unique Fine Art Calendar Featuring His Work For Legendary Rock Band Uriah Heep And Raise Money For Charity.
In 2005 record album artist Ioannis ((Deep Purple, Blue Oyster Cult and King Crimson) was contacted by legendary Uriah Heep guitarist, and founding member, Mick Box asking him to create the art for their first album in over a decade. Now after over 8 years of collaborations Ioannis has decided to combine his desire to share all the amazing artwork, some never seen before, that he's produced for the band as a unique fine art limited edition calendar.
Each signed and numbered "Traveler In Time Ioannis 2014 Calendar" is a whopping 14"X17" with full color printing on 100lb gloss paper with a laminated cardstock cover. Each image is printed on it's own page and can be easily detached and framed like a print so the calendar can last you a lifetime.
In addition to the calendar Ioannis is also offering Kickstarter rewards that include postcards, limited signed prints and even original Uriah Heep artwork. And every calendar will be available before the new year and in time for holiday giving.
To View Ioanniss's art and for more information view the Kickstarter campaign: bit.ly/heepcal.
HELP VHLINKS: Van Halen fans will be well aware of their BEST site online for all things VH - that is VH Links/VH Forums. Sadly the site is in danger of closing due to high running costs. There is a last minute call out to fans of the site to help it survive.
For the complete story - check out: www.vhlinks.com/vbforums/save-vhlinks-com-t58048.html.
From the site: "Brett and the staff are confident the Links can become a member-supported site for the foreseeable future. What this will require is an annual donation drive, around this time of year, which will cover all operational costs of the site. To make this happen, and we believe it can, we need at least 134 members to contribute at least $30 before the end of October. So, for everyone who committed to at least $20 in the poll, it's going to require an extra ten bucks on the year, and I hope you'll be on board.
A slew of members publicly pledged more than that amount, of course. When you donate, you will have three options: $30, $51.50 or $100. It's your call, and we appreciate every single donation of any of those amounts. Just remember, we need 134 basement-level ($30) donations to keep the lights on, assuming everyone chooses that option.
To be very clear, for this community to flourish and be successful, it's going to take an annual commitment from the membership. No other way around it. Your donation right now will secure the forum for another 12 months. Next fall, we're going to ask for your support again (albeit in less dramatic fashion). Think of VHLinks.com as a (very) small cable bill. If you want the service to exist, you've got to support it in some capacity year-round."
Good luck Brett!
CD SHOWCASES UPDATED:
Some hot new Showcases online today - Place Vendome, Stryper & Seventh Key (Frontiers Records, due November 1); Reece & Sideburn (AOR Heaven, due October 25), Jesse Damon (AOR Heaven out now) and an indie showcase for the new Myland album (out now). Check them out now.
MRX UPDATED: MRX is back to business as normal. Today I complete the feature partially uploaded from last month - the complete song list from the Billboard 1987 Rock Chart in MP3 (BIG BIG download files!).
Also added is another cult release from the 80s:
- Vice - Hot...Just Lookin' At You (1987) MRX Membership Info.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
VIVA! HYSTERIA LIVE DOUBLE ALBUM AND DVD OUT SOON ON FRONTIERS RECORDS:
Limited Edition of VIVA! Hysteria Sold Exclusively Via Best Buy in the USA, HMV in the UK and in selected outlets in Germany
Def Leppard's anticipated live double album and DVD - VIVA! Hysteria - will be released on October 18 in Europe and October 22 in North America on Frontiers Records. In addition to the previously announced 2CD/DVD, DVD, Blu-Ray digital editions, the band has recently revealed that a limited edition of VIVA! Hysteria will be available via Best Buy in the USA that includes the live double album and concert on Blu-Ray. Fans wishing to pre-order this edition can do so at bestbuy.com. The item will also be available exclusively via HMV in the UK and via selected outlets such as Amazon.de in Germany.
The VIVA! Hysteria concert was filmed over eleven nights in early 2013 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas's intimate music venue – The Joint. The concert features the band performing their classic, 12x platinum album Hysteria in its entirety, plus many of the band's greatest hits.
Earlier this month, the concert was shown in theaters. Thousands of fans experienced the concert as special theatrical event, taking them on nostalgic ride of the band's high energy performance and showcasing their elaborate set design created only for the Las Vegas residency. Guitarist Phil Collen told the Associated Press, "It was fun, actually, and a totally different way of doing it." He continues to say, "It was a different dynamic doing the album in full, and it was much more theatrical."
PRESS HERE to read the exclusive story and watch the trailer for Viva! Hysteria concert on Billboard.com
Praise for VIVA! Hysteria concert:
"Def Leppard were one of the biggest rock bands on the planet, dominating radio with their polished arena-rock. But as they demonstrated earlier this year with their Viva Hysteria! concert series (at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas), the band's diehard fans remain loyal and rabid." – RollingStone.com
"I appreciate how tightly and powerfully it's played, and also the interesting echoes of Queen." – The Guardian
Def Leppard brought Hysteria cuts like "Animal," "Love Bites," and "Run Riot" to life again with precision and a sonic clarity that would make the album's producer (and infamous studio perfectionist) Robert "Mutt" Lange gleam with pride. - Noisecreep
The full track listing for Viva! Hysteria: CD1 "Women;" "Rocket;" "Animal;" "Love Bites;" "Pour Some Sugar on Me;" "Armageddon It;" "Gods of War;" "Don't Shoot Shotgun;" "Run Riot;" "Hysteria;" "Excitable;" "Love and Affection;" "Rock of Ages*;" "Photograph*." *extra non Hysteria tracks
CD2 Ded Flatbird - night 1 "Good Morning Freedom;" "Wasted;" "Stagefright;" "Mirror Mirror (Look Into My Eyes);" "Action Not Words;" "Rock Brigade;" "Undefeated;" "Promises
Ded Flatbird - night 2;" "On Through The Night;" "Slang;" "Let It Go;" "Another Hit And Run;" "High 'n' Dry (Saturday Night);" "Bringin' On The Heartbreak;" "Switch 625."
The VD tracklisting is as above but also includes bonus content of the acoustic medley: "Where does love go when it dies"/"Now"/"When Love & Hate Collide"/"Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad"/"Two Steps Behind."
Blue-Ray: - Viva Hysteria - Ded Flatbird Night 1 - Ded Flatbird Night 2 - Acoustic Set - Photo Montage
WebLinks: www.vivahysteria.com / www.defleppard.com.
NO SURPRISE - HARNELL RETURNS TO TNT:
From vocalist Tony Harnell earlier today: "After much discussion and lots of soul searching I'm happy to officially announce that I'll be back behind the microphone with TNT. I'm very proud of all we accomplished over the years and proud to have written and recorded all those great songs with my brother from another mother, Ronni Le Tekro. Sometimes it's just time to give the fans what they're asking for. 2014 is the 25th anniversary of the successful Intuition album and we thought it would be a good time to get out and re-launch this little machine for you guys! Can't wait to see you all on tour! ~ TH."
More TNT news to follow soon!
MRR / MRCD / USB UPDATE:
To everyone that ordered MRCD11, House Of Shakira and Faith Circus CDs last month – all orders have been shipped with the exception of a few Faith Circus CD orders as stock has sold through here and I await delivery of extra copies. Links to download the album while waiting have been emailed to all those that pre-ordered.
MRCD11 and House of Shakira are in stock and are shipping now for those interested in purchasing. Place orders here: New MRR Titles.
The MRF3 16G USB Drive has been ordered and will be delivered in the next 10 days to MR, ready for formatting and shipping a week after that. A number of pre-orders have been placed and there are only about 30 units left to secure. There is unlikely to be another run done of this particular drive and it's contents.
The USB drives are priced at US$50, including airmail shipping worldwide. Delivery time will be approx 3 weeks. The USB is packaged in a tin can display case for safe shipping and storage.
Contents of the drive can be viewed here: MRF3 USB Drive.
To pre-order a USB Drive, click on the PayPal link below.
LUKATHER TO LEFSETZ ON THE MODERN DAY MUSIC BIZ: Steve Lukather is a man known as a straight shooter and one not to mince words, which is one of the things I love about dealing with him and also listening to him when he talks business. He recently sent a reply to industry commentator Bob Lefsetz in realtion to discussion about streaming service Spotify.
His comments on that and life in general are well worth reading, so here they are in full:
"I just want to know something. ALL this pontificating about how Spotify and the like are the ' answer ' and how ' the artists get paid' etc. How much? Really? WHO keeps tabs and accounting? Maybe I just don't know. I don't see any money and have A LOT of stuff out there over 35 years of making records.
Have you done the breakdown on what an artist get PER tune on iTunes? Pitiful. Now IF you are with a label its even worse cause they take a huge share of that. The breakdown after all is said and done for most it's pennies. TOO many people can make records. Period. No catalog artists are made these days. One hit wonders galore. Sad really.
Now rec. co's don't give budgets like the old days when the great records were made cause they cost MONEY!! They want to make money for nothing and own you for life and a piece of EVERYTHING an artist does. You can sell a million and still OWE them! My 25 year old son has buddies who have platinum records living in a one room studio apt! Broke.
Of course back 'then' rec. companies cared about MUSIC and nurturing artists for a LONG term career and long term money. Sure they got the Lions share but then they invested, believed and promoted it so there was SOME justification.
Now its ' Beats' and how many facebook hits or Youtube hits you get .. ALL which either make NO money or short term dog-shit money with no real way to account for it and truly suck for the most part.
What the fuck ? People want to be famous NOT good!
It is TOO easy to play 'pretend pop star' now. With all the fakery and auto tune-time correction -cut and paste etc.. fuck most young people don't know how to play a song from top to bottom in a studio in tune and in time and with feeling?? Rare. I am in the studios all the time and hear the stories from the producers and engineers.. and yet NO ONE cares that ' so and so' who sold a shit load of records (how much IS that these days?) cant sing or play. They make 'McRecords' for people who don't even really listen. It's background music for people to either find a mate or shake their heads while texting or skyping or doing other things. Environmental noise for the multi-tasker.
Gone are the days of loving , dissecting, discussing the inner workings of 'AN ALBUM"… sitting in silence while it plays.. looking at the liner notes and the few photo's IN the studio .. imagining what a magic place it music be to make such music…Gone. You need a fucking jewelers eye to read the credits IF one even cares. Most don't.
So if you keep blaming the 'old antiquated artists' who are the only REAL ones left.. who MAY make a great record once in awhile but may be overlooked cause the media chooses to care more about who is super gluing meat to their bodies and other ridiculous HYPE and bullshit to get attention rather than LISTENING hard to the music being made we might be in a different place.
When we were kids ( yes I will be 108 this year) there were only a handful or artists and they WERE great cause they HAD to be.
You could choose not to like some but outside the teenage fodder most deserved their success and NO ONE sounded alike ! No one!
We live in a McWorld that moves way too fast and now even the drugs suck. I mean when I was young and got high I never got naked foaming at the mouth and tried to eat someone's face off.
Time to put on Dark Side of the Moon and chill. Have a nice day and may real music come back and fill our ears. (there IS some great stuff but you know what I mean ..) REAL music played by REAL musicians. They ARE out there. They just don't get a lot of press anymore, or at all." ~ Luke.
SLEEPING ROMANCE: NEW TRACK POSTED ONLINE:
The symphonic metal band Sleeping Romance have uploaded the track "The Promise Inside" to YouTube. The track comes off their up-coming debut album "Enlighten" that will be released on November 1st in Europe and December 3rd in North America through Ulterium Records. Check out the track at YouTube here: youtu.be/kzRk3xECugo.
Fronted by the emotional vocals of Federica Lanna and the epic songwriting from guitar player Federico Truzzi, Sleeping Romance creates something really exciting together that should appeal to fans in the scene. Sleeping Romance will tour Europe together with Theocracy in November. These are the confirmed dates:
November 2nd: Brainstorm Festival - Apeldoorn, Netherlands
November 5th: Blue Rose Saloon - Bresso/Milan, Italy
November 6th: Borderline - Modena, Italy
November 8th: Rock City - Uster, Switzerland
November 9th: Blast of Eternity - Neckarsulm, Germany
November 11th: Call for Eternity - Collosseum, Kosice, Slovakia
November 12th: Melodka - Brno, Czech Republic
November 13th: Club Hoodoo - Prague, Czech Republic
Sleeping Romance online: Facebook: www.facebook.com/sleepingromanceofficial.
VENGEANCE BACK TO SQUARE ONE:
Dutch rock band VENGEANCE release the first video for the new song "Back To Square One" from the new album "Piece Of Cake".
The video was filmed at the L!ve Piano Bar in Tilburg (Netherlands) and produced, directed and edited by Beeldhouwers (beeldhouwers.cc) in association with Tillywood Magazine (tillywoodmagazine.nl), lighting by Tim Vermeulen, casting by John Smid, styling by Dorinda van Laarhoven-Smid, leading lady: Sanne Uljee.
The video can be seen here: youtu.be/dVQBD5viKHU.
KILLER RE-ISSUES FROM METAL MIND: Metal Mind Productions is proud to present exclusive re-releases of three albums by the heavy metal band Killers, led by Iron Maiden's ex-vocalist – Paul Di'Anno. Coming together in 1991, Killers was one of the first metal super groups to exist! Featuring members of Iron Maiden, Tank, Raven, and Battlezone, they were hailed by the press as the "Natural successor to Judas Priest". "South American Assault", "Murder One" and "Menace To Society" will be available in new digipak remastered editions with bonus tracks! The release date is set to November, 11 in Europe and December, 3rd in USA!
In the summer of 1991 Paul Di'Anno, Cliff Evans and Steve Hopgood were talking about forming a new metal super group that would bring back the classic style of British metal that seemed to be disappearing from the music scene. Being former members of such metal legends as Iron Maiden, Tank and Battlezone, the guys knew they had the credentials to put together a great band that could do justice to the music they worshipped. To complete the line-up, John Gallagher of Raven was brought in to supply the bass and the only American member Ray Detone, formerly of successful AOR band Drive She Said, was introduced to the line-up on second guitar. With a wealth of experience between them the band quickly gelled together on stage and injected new life into classic Iron Maiden anthems and a selection of other metal favourites. The final result was released on a live album "South American Accault". Di'Anno delivers here a spine chilling performance which makes this live album an essential listening for any rock fan.
Originally released in 1994, until now this album has been difficult for metal fans to find! Soon after the release of the live album, Gallagher returned to front his own band Raven and Detone decided to move on. Killers replaced them with Gavin Cooper (bass) and Nick Burr (guitar). Arne Goodman, their US' manager, arranged showcases for all the major record labels and after a bidding war Killers signed a $250,000 deal with BMG. Producer Rob Fraboni was brought in to help make their debut studio album and the band moved into The Powerstation Studios in New York to start recording. The result was "Murder One". Acclaimed by the press worldwide, the album became a classic for lovers of British metal. For the following 18 months Killers toured extensively taking in Japan, Europe and coast to coast across the U.S.A. After the great response to the album and constant touring, the band returned to the UK to start working on the follow up studio album. Unfortunately, Di'Anno had decided to stay in Los Angeles for a short break. While there, he managed to get himself arrested for drugs and firearms offense and was sentenced to 3 months in Los Angeles county jail. Not to be deterred by this, the band continued to write new material and sent cassette tapes to jail so Paul could work on lyrics. When released from prison, he was deported back to the UK and the band entered the studio to record the sophomore studio album "Menace to Society". The songs were much more aggressive than before and were clearly influenced by his time behind bars. The album was awarded 'Best New Album' in German Metal Hammer magazine.
These 3 re-releases contain some of the finest British metal with spine chilling vocal performances by a true legend who still commands great respect from metal fans, young and old, around the world.
South American Assault (remastered + bonus tracks) Tracklist: 1. Overloaded
2. Murders in the Rue Morgue
3. Wrathchild
4. Remember Tomorrow
5. Children of Madness
6. Phantom of the Opera
7. Metal Tears
8. Strange World
9. Sanctuary
10. Running Free
11. The Promise
12. We Will Rock You/Smoke on the Water
Bonus tracks:
13. Wrathchild (Live Rehearsal Recordings)
14. Remember Tomorrow (Live Rehearsal Recordings)
15. Murders in the Rue Morgue (Live Rehearsal Recordings)
16. Wrathchild (Acoustic version)
17. Remember Tomorrow (Acoustic version)
Murder One (remastered + bonus tracks) Tracklist:
1. Impaler
2. The Beast Arises
3. Children Of The Revolution
4. S & M
5. Takin' No Prisoners
6. Marshall Lokjaw
7. Protector
8. Dream Keeper
9. Awakening
10. Remember Tomorrow
Bonus tracks:
11. Imapaler (Live Rehearsal Recordings)
12. The Beast Arises (Live Rehearsal Recordings)
13. Marshall Lokjaw (Live Rehearsal Recordings)
14. Children of the Revolution (Live Rehearsal Recordings)
15. Dream Keeper (Acoustic version)
Menace To Society (remastered + bonus tracks) Tracklist:
1. Advance And Be Recognized
2. Die By The Gun
3. Menace To Society
4. ?
5. Think Brutal
6. Past Due
7. Faith Healer
8. Chemical Imbalance
9. A Song For You
10. Three Words
11. Conscience
12. City Of Fools
Bonus tracks:
13. Die by the Gun (Live Rehearsal Recordings)
14. Faith Healer (Live Rehearsal Recordings)
15. A Song for You (Live Rehearsal Recordings)
16. Chemical Imbalance (Live Rehearsal Recordings)
17. Three Words (Live Rehearsal Recordings)
WebLinks: www.metalmind.com.pl.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
BOSTON REVEAL ALBUM TRACK LIST: Boston have announced the track listing for the album Life, Love & Hope, due December 3.
Track Listing: 1. Heaven on Earth 2. Didn't Mean to Fall in Love (remastered version from Corporate America) 3. Last Day of School (Instrumental) 4. Sail Away 5. Life Love and Hope 6. If You Were in Love 7. Someday 8. Love Got Away 9. Someone (2.0)(rerecorded/rearrangement) 10. You Gave Up on Love (2.0)(rerecorded/rearrangement) 11. The Way You Look Tonight.
ROADFEVER'S WOLF PACK ON AVENUE OF ALLIES:
Powerful Classic Hard Rock with great melodies, served with a healthy dose of Southern Rock, is what you hear when the songs of Roadfever's second album Wolf Pack are blasting out of your speakers. The female fronted Power Rock band from Switzerland takes you back to the sound of the 80s and successfully manages to raise the already high quality level of their debut "Wheels On Fire" (2009) by presenting a record with a superb state-of-the-art sound of kick-ass Rock songs.
Formed back in 2005 the Swiss four-piece fronted by Stevie "Manou" Pike has established its reputation as an act with an energetic live show. Over the years Roadfever has been opening for bands and sharing the same festival stages with bands such as: Blackfoot, Scorpions, Trust, Uli Jon Roth, Pretty Maids, Rhino Bucket, Eric Singer Project, Little Caesar and more. David Pariat on guitars, Jessie Be on bass and Pascal Bavaud on drums complete the line-up, whose vital performance and stage presence was documented on the band's DVD "Live in Geneva" (2010).
While Stevie is responsible for the lyrics and vocal melodies, David Pariat, former lead guitar player of fellow Swiss Hard Rockers Sideburn, composes and arranges the songs and takes care of the album production, with Phil Risch and Stephan Montinaro as recording engineers. For the mix and mastering of "Wolf Pack" the band could win German sound wizard Achim Köhler (Sinner, Primal Fear, Voodoo Circle), who put the finishing touches to the songs in his Indiscreet Audio Studio.
With Mat Sinner (Sinner, Primal Fear, Voodoo Circle), who sings a duet with Stevie on "Magic Sun" and Oliver Hartmann (Hartmann, Avantasia) supporting her on the anthemic choirs of several tunes, additional assistance for the Swiss neighbours comes from the higher ranks of the German Rock scene.
Together with Roadfever's cracking new album "Wolf Pack", the band's previous CD and DVD releases "Wheels On Fire" and "Live in Geneva" respectively, will be available on a wider scale. Roadfever is looking forward to present their new songs together with the older favourites in the set of their forthcoming concerts which will commence this winter and with many more shows to follow in 2014 and beyond.
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Roadfever are: Stevie "Manou" Pike: Lead vocals; David Pariat: Guitars, vocals; Jessie Be: Bass; Pascal Bavaud: Drums.
Guest musicians: Mat Sinner: lead vocal duet on "Magic Sun"; Oliver Hartmann : choirs on "The Dice Will Roll", "Wings Of An Eagle", "On The Other Side", "Ride The Ocean" and "Brother".
Trck Listing: 01) Wolf Pack 02) The Dice Will Roll 03) Wings Of An Eagle 04) Black Moon Breeze 05) Magic Sun 06) Warning Shot 07) Drain Your Mind 08) On The Other Side 09) Ride The Ocean 10) Brother 11) Red Horse.
Roadfever Discography: Wheels On Fire (CD, 2009 / independently released by the band); Live in Geneva (limited edition DVD, 2010 / independently released by the band); Wolf Pack (CD, 2013 / Avenue Of Allies). Roadfever on the web: www.roadfever.ch / www.avenue-of-allies.com.
A NEW QUEEN ALBUM?:
Posted earlier today at Brian May's Web site: "Talking to USA Today, Queen's Brian May tells the paper that "A new Queen album is also on the table, after uncovering some of the band's old forgotten tapes (which include collaborations between Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury, the band's lead singer who died in 1991). "The music is there and it's great, and I think people will really enjoy it," May says of the album, which is aiming for a summer 2014 release. "We keep finding more and more tapes, so we'll certainly be working on stuff that sounds like new Queen tracks in the next few months. It's exciting."
MORE TRIBUTE ALBUMS FROM VERSAILLES:
On November 6th, 2013, Versailles Records will return to retail with 'Down at the Whiskey: A Tribute to Mötley Crüe's Greatest Hits - 1981 - 2013.'
Featuring cover art by famed poster artist Matthew Laznicka (www.mlaznicka.com), the double-CD boasts the most definitive and rounded Mötley Crüe Tribute, including performances by current/former members of hard rock and heavy metal legends including Mötley Crüe, W.A.S.P., Alice Cooper Band, Dio, Poison, Skid Row, Cinderella, Ratt, Quiet Riot, Lillian Axe, Exodus, Jetboy, as well as appearances by Richard Kendrick, Charlie Bonnett III of Moccasin Creek, Leaving Eden, Straitjacket Smile, Edge of Paradise, Mystic-Force, Sister Whiskey, Modern Echo, American Heartbreak, Arctic Flame, Savage Amusement, Willow Wisp, Damn Glad, Shout at the Devil, Monkeysoop, Loaded Dice, Wicked Sins, Eden Burning, Chris Heaven, Meeks, Dead Man's Wake, Last Pharoh, and Crawl 2 Chaos.
On October 1st, the label released its long-in-the-works 2-CD 'Still of the Night: A Millennium Tribute to Whitesnake,' whose track listing covered Whitesnake's entire catalog, featuring a star-studded roster including appearances from Kelly Keeling (Trans-Sibberian Orchestra/Blue Murder), Derrick LeFevre & Near Life Experience (Featuring Steve Blaze of Lillian Axe), Eric Singer (Kiss, ESP, Badlands, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper) / Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot, House of Lords) / Micky Moody (Whitesnake) / Bernie Marsden (Whitesnake), James Christian (House of Lords), Doug Bossi (David Coverdale Band), Rowan Robertson (Dio), Jason McMaster (Dangerous Toys), Richard Kendrick, Charlie Bonnett III of Moccasin Creek, and metal bands from around the world including Loaded Gun, The Rekkening (Canada), D.O.A., Dark Arena, Quatermoc (Spain), Wicked Sins, Leaving Eden, Chris Catena (Italy), Chris Heaven (Italy), RANFA (Italy), React (Brazil), Electric Earth (Sweden), Marko Pukkula (Finland), Vena Cava, Miss Willis, A.J. Caruso, and Sonny Kane.
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Tuesday, October 15, 2013
FATE RETURN WITH DEVILISH NEW ALBUM:
The legendary Danish Melodic Hard Rockers FATE are back with their brand new album, If Not For The Devil, which will be released worldwide on November 22 through Avenue Of Allies.
Following two years after their impressive 2011 comeback "Ghosts From The Past", which was very well received by reviewers and fans alike, the band's latest effort was recorded with the same line-up as their previous record featuring Dagfinn Joensen on lead vocals, Torben Enevoldsen on guitar, Mikkel Henderson on keyboards, Peter Steincke on bass and Jens Berglid on drums and once again Jacob Hansen (Pretty Maids, Volbeat, Amaranthe) did a killer job, mixing and mastering the songs.
FATE started their career back in 1984 when they managed to secure a record deal with the major label EMI only a few months after they started rehearsing and recording. During the past 30 years the band has released seven successful albums including the "Best Of Fate - 25 Years" collection and toured all over the world as a headlining act as well as support act, sharing the stage with bands like TNT, Pretty Maids, Mr. Big, Saga, Marillion, Cinderella and Yngwie Malmsteen.
The current line-up of the band got together in 2011, since then the activities of the band have picked up speed with the guys touring Europe continuously in support of "Ghosts From The Past", an album that marked the start of a new era for the Scandinavians. The tracks on "If Not For the Devil" once again originate from collaborative song writing efforts of all band members and they successfully combine the melodic and catchy elements from the AOR and Melodic Rock days of FATE with the more powerful and energetic Hard Rock and Melodic Metal side of the band.
With "If Not For the Devil" FATE write the next chapter in the history of a long-standing Scandinavian Rock institution and it looks like a promising future is lying ahead of them.
If Not For The Devil track listing: 01. Reaping 02. If Not For The Devil 03. Bridges Are Burning 04. Feel Like Making Love 05. Gambler 06. Hard To Say Goodbye 07. Made Of Stone 08. Man Against The Wall 09. My World 10. Turn Back Time 11. Taught To Kill 12. Gimme All Your Love.
All songs written and produced by Fate. Mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios. Fate are: Dagfinn Joensen: Vocals; Torben Enevoldsen: Guitars and backing vocals on "Feel Like Making Love" and "Taught To Kill"; Mikkel Henderson: Keyboards; Peter Steincke: Bass; Jens Berglid: Drums.
Guitars and vocals recorded at Funny Farm Studios by Torben Enevoldsen. Keyboards recorded at Fat Cat Studio by Mikkel Henderson. Drums recorded at Hansen Studios by Martin Wolff.
Visit Fate online at:www.fatetheband.com / www.facebook.com/fatetheband / www.reverbnation.com/fatetheband / www.avenue-of-allies.com.
Fate Discography: Fate (1985 / EMI)A Matter Of Attitude (1986 / EMI)Cruisin' For A Bruisin' (1988 / EMI)Scratch 'N' Sniff (1990 / EMI)V (2006 / MTM / Replica Records)Best Of Fate - 25 Years (2010 / EMI)Ghosts From The Past (2011 / AOR Heaven / Rubicon Music)
If Not For The Devil (2013 / Avenue Of Allies)
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WHO WANTS A MYSTERY TRACK?: Mystery Track time! It's been too long....so try this little gem on for size. Details revealed this week...sometime!
FIRST NEW STRYPER VIDEO IN MORE THAN 20 YEARS "NO MORE HELL TO PAY": Stryper fans worldwide can click here to check out the exclusive worldwide premiere of the brand new video for "No More Hell To Pay" on Loudwire today. The song is the title track of their forthcoming studio album No More Hell To Pay and is the band's first new video in more than 20 years. No More Hell To Pay will be released on November 1 in Europe and November 5 in North America via Frontiers Records and will be available in two formats – standard CD and deluxe Digipak featuring exclusive video content. Produced by frontman/guitarist Michael Sweet himself, the set features some of Stryper's strongest and heaviest material ever.
Seventh Key is premiering their brand new videoclip "I Will Survive" today via YouTube.
"I Will Survive" is the title track and first single taken from the forthcoming album which will be released on November 1st in Europe and November 5th in North America. The single is now available for download via iTunes, Amazon and all other fine download and streaming web-shops. Seventh Key is the band project formed by Kansas bass player Billy Greer, together with his formers Streets bandmate Mike Slamer on Guitar. Seventh Key released two highly rated studio albums (the self-titled debut in 2001 and the follow up "The Raging Fire" in 2004) and morphed into a real band when they performed live in studio for the "Live in Atlanta" CD / DVD release in 2005. Seventh Key also played live in Germany at the United Forces of Rock in the same year.
"I Will Survive" marks the long awaited follow up to the albums and brings back Billy and Mike in top form. The songwriting and instrumental arrangements for this album, plus the caliber of the production and performances by all on board brings the fans another total masterpiece of Melodic Hard Rock.
WebLinks: www.billygreer.com / www.frontiers.it.
A FEW WORDS FROM MAGNUM:
As the headline states...from the mouths of Magnum: "OK so we have been locked away at M2 studio working on what we think is one hell of an album. We literally have just finished mixing the tracks and they are sounding fantastic, even if we say so ourselves.
Al says, "I have just spent the last few hours listening to the album and it has to be one of the most powerful albums I have had the pleasure of being part of. Every track has a killer chorus and the production is just top notch. I got goosebumps ! Everyone has put so much of themselves into this album. The tracks have everything I think a Magnum fan will ever want to hear. Energy, power & passion. The lyrics take you to all sorts of places painting images as the music pushes along with so much force".
Tony says, "I had a feeling of freedom when coming to write the lyrics for this album and I am very happy with how it has turned out."
Bob says: "I can't wait for everyone to hear this, it's going to blow them away. I say it with every album, this is our best, but I really have to say it again, this not just the best - it's beyond that!"
So all that needs to be done now is wait for March to roll around. We wished it was sooner, and we can't wait to get out on the road to play some of these new tracks and some classic Magnum songs for you all. We're very excited to be sharing the stage with Saga on the German/Swiss part of the 2014 tour.
By now you will have seen the new artwork. Once again Rodney has gone beyond the call with this cover. We can't wait for you all to see the full double gatefold version. Already we have seen so much positive feedback about artwork and photos so far. Everything about this new album is a step up and the we believe we have taken it to another level.
We know you're going to love this new album. See you all soon." ~ Tony, Bob, Mark, Al & Harry.
ALCATRAZZ RE-ISSUES DUE NOVEMBER: Metal Mind Productions is proud to present the exclusive re-issue of four albums by the American heavy metal band Alcatrazz on November 11 - No Parole From Rock'n Roll (1983), Live Sentence – No Parole From Rock'N'Roll (1984), Disturbing The Peace (1985) and Dangerous Games (1986).
Alcatrazz was formed in 1983 in Los Angeles, California by the legendary rock vocalist Graham Bonnet. He was a veteran of both Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow and Michael Schenker Group. Using Rainbow and MSG as templates, Bonnet enlisted Swedish guitar sensation Yngwie Malmsteen. The remaining band members were ex-Alice Cooper drummer Jan Uvena, keyboardist Jimmy Waldo and bassist Gary Shea - both of 70's AOR underdog New England. The group's debut album 'No Parole From Rock'N'Roll', included a hit single "Island in the Sun" often played by MTV. Alcatrazz then released "Live Sentence - No Parole From Rock'N'Roll", live alum recorded during the band's tour in Japan. By the time Alcatrazz returned to the studio for its sophomore album, guitarist Malmsteen felt he had outgrown the group. He was let go to embark on a solo career, and the band hired ex-Frank Zappa guitarist - Steve Vai. Second studio album "Disturbing the Peace" redefined the band's vision. Lead single "God Blessed Video" was fresh, innovative and featured in high rotation on both MTV and USA's Night Flight. However, soon after release Steve Vai left in order to join David Lee Roth's solo band. He was replaced by guitarist Danny Johnson (ex-Axis and Rod Stewart), who recorded what would become Alcatrazz's final studio album. They released "Dangerous Games" in 1986 but after a short tour, Alcatrazz called it a day, and its members went on to other projects.
Bonnet went on to record with guitarist Chris Impellitteri, before resuming his solo career. 1998 saw the release of "The Best of Alcatrazz", which compiled tracks from all eras of the band, and was intended to be the final word. In 2003, bassist Tim Luce introduced Graham Bonnet to guitarist Howie Simon. At the time, Simon was working with vocalist Jeff Scott Soto (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, Journey, Talisman). Bonnet, Simon and Luce invited drummer Glen Sobel to sit in with them at a few low-key LA concerts. The group discovered they had a unique and exciting chemistry, and in 2007 the band was invited to co-headline a sold-out Japanese tour with Joe Lynn Turner. The band rang in the 2008 New Year with Bay Area legends Y&T, and in January of 2008 Alcatrazz was a featured performer at the Fender Guitars Custom Shop's annual 'Fret Fest' at NAMM. In July the band headlined the 2008 BerkRock Festival in Berkovitsa, Bulgaria. 2009 saw the band hit Mexico for the first time ever. This was followed by a successful winter tour of Europe. In 2010, Alcatrazz finally conquered Russia with a series of shows. In October of 2010, Alcatrazz headlined the "Voices Of Rainbow" tour, which covered various cities in Japan. This tour also featured ex-Rainbow vocalists Joe Lynn Turner and Doogie White (ex-Rainbow, Cornerstone, Tank). The highlight of the tour was all three vocalists sharing the stage together for the first time ever on Rainbow classics. Currently, the band is writing material for a new album…
Today, Alcatrazz albums - "No Parole From Rock 'n Roll", "Live Sentence – No Parole From Rock'N'Roll", "Disturbing The Peace" and "Dangerous Games", will be re-released in a new digipak edition, each one enriched with bonus tracks. Metal Mind Productions set the release date for November, 11th (Europe ex. UK).
"No Parole From Rock'n Roll" (re-release + bonus tracks) Tracklist: 1. Island In The Sun 2. General Hospital 3. Jet To Jet 4. Hiroshima Mon Amour 5. Kree Nakoorie 6. Incubus 7. Too Young To Die, Too Drunk To Live 8. Big Foot 9. Starcarr Lane 10. Suffer Me Bonus tracks: 11. Since You've Been Gone (Live at The Country Club, Reseda), 12. Desert Song (Live In Tokyo), 13. Guitar Crash (Live In Tokyo).
"Live Sentence – No Parole From Rock'N'Roll" (re-release + bonus tracks) Tracklist: 1. Too Young To Die, Too Drunk To Live 2. Hiroshima Mon Amour 3. Night Games 4. Island In The Sun 5. Kree Nakoorie 6. Coming Bach (Instrumental) 7. Since You've Been Gone 8. Evil Eye (Instrumental) 9. All Night Long Bonus tracks: 10. Jet To Jet (Live at The Country Club, Reseda); 11. Big Foot (Live In Tokyo); 12. Suffer Me (Live In Tokyo).
"Disturbing The Peace" (re-release + bonus tracks) Tracklist: 1. God Blessed Video 2. Mercy 3. Will You Be Home Tonight 4. Wire And Wood 5. Desert Diamond 6. Stripper 7. Painted Lover 8. Lighter Shade Of Green (Instrumental) 9. Sons And Lovers 10. Skyfyre 11. Breaking The Heart Of The City Bonus tracks: 12. General Hospital (Live at The Country Club, Reseda) 13. Kree Nakoorie (Live at The Country Club, Reseda) 14. Koujou No Tsuki (Live In Tokyo).
"Dangerous Games" (re-release + bonus tracks) Tracklist: 1. It's My Life 2. Undercover 3. That Ain't Nothin 4. No Imagination 5. Ohayo Tokyo 6. Dangerous Games 7. Blue Boar 8. Only One Woman 9. Witchwood 10. Double Man 11. Night Of The Shooting Star Bonus tracks: 12. Hiroshima Mon Amour (Live at The Country Club, Reseda) 13. Suffer Me (Live at The Country Club, Reseda) 14. Somethin' Else (Live In Tokyo).
WebLink: www.metalmind.com.pl.
Guitarist Joe Matera's new single 'Shining Star' (released this week) features Pete Lincoln (The Sweet) playing bass. Here's the clip: youtu.be/TJIhOoqf1n8.
After the success of the DVD "Live In Concert" that was the best selling DVD in Sweden and spent over a month at the Top 20 list the trio Champlin/Williams/Friestedt is giving out this extra bonus track as a gift to all of the fans!! Enjoy!! Stop Loving You - www.youtube.com/watch?v=10VPyp5Bl-M.
US rockers and MRF alumni Bonrud have debut their new video We Collide on youtube - check it out below:
STARSHIP FEATURING MICKEY THOMAS SIGN WITH LOUD & PROUD RECORDS:
Classic rockers Starship featuring Mickey Thomas have signed to Loud & Proud Records; the band's first new studio album in more than 20 years, Loveless Fascination, will be released worldwide on September 17.
Of the signing, Loud & Proud President Tom Lipsky commented, "Mickey Thomas is one of the most gifted singers in rock music history. His voice is pure, and without boundaries. Loveless Fascination stands with pride next to the most impressive work of Mickey's entire career."
Frontman Mickey Thomas added, "It's been a long time coming. With each passing year, the bar was raised higher and higher for this album. I'd be lying if I didn't tell you the expectations caused me a few sleepless nights. Finally I just said – let's play it like we used to play it but play it like it's today! Then everything fell into place. The right management came along, the right songs appeared, the perfect producer and finally the label I hoped for. Now the wait is over. Please PLAY IT LOUD!!"
Produced by musician/producer Jeff Pilson (Dokken, Foreigner, Dio), Loveless Fascination finds Starship featuring Mickey Thomas in reinvigorated form with their classic arena rock sound enhanced by modern elements and a harder edge. Starship will play select tour dates around the world in advance of the album's release; please see below for the itinerary. Starship featuring Mickey Thomas is one of the most iconic rock bands from the '80s, with several platinum- and gold-certified albums to their name, recording several of the decade's biggest anthems, including "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now," "Sara" and "We Built This City." "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" and "Sara" each reached #1 on the singles chart and were also each nominated for Grammy Awards; additionally, "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" also received an Oscar nomination. "We Built This City" and "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" were more recently featured prominently in the smash hit musical and film, Rock Of Ages, introducing the band to a whole new generation of fans. While the band's history goes back to the '60s, this incarnation of the band was started in 1979 when Mickey Thomas joined Paul Kanter to resurrect Jefferson Starship. To date, Starship featuring Mickey Thomas has sold millions of albums worldwide and continues to tour the globe, taking their powerful live rock show to the masses. Starship featuring Mickey Thomas is Mickey Thomas (vocals), John Roth (guitar, background vocals), Jeff Adams (bass, background vocals), Darrell Verdusco (drums), Stephanie Calvert (vocals) and Phil Bennett (keyboards, background vocals).
Loud & Proud Records was founded in 2007 by Tom Lipsky, and is currently in an exclusive distribution, marketing and label services agreement with RED Distribution, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. The label's mission is to provide a true and transparent partnership between artists and their record label. Labels under Lipsky's direction in the past (CMC International, Sanctuary) have been among the market leaders in the veteran artist space, delivering Gold and Platinum albums and DVDs for Neil Young, Lynyrd Skynyrd, KISS, The Allman Brothers Band, Widespread Panic, Iron Maiden, Styx, Megadeth, Bad Company, REO Speedwagon and more. In a previous joint-venture with Roadrunner Records, Loud & Proud was responsible for new albums by Rush, Rob Zombie, Lynyrd Skynyrd, KISS, Lenny Kravitz, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, The Steve Miller Band, Collective Soul, Meat Loaf and Ratt. Loud & Proud's current roster includes critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter Willie Nile, supergroup rock band The Winery Dogs and Seattle's artistic envelope-pushers Walking Papers. Loud & Proud Records is a registered trademark of Lipsky Music, LLC.
Track Listing: 1. It's Not The Same As Love 2. How Do You Sleep 3. Loveless Fascination 4. What Did I Ever Do 5. Technicolor Black And White 6. Where Did We Go Wrong 7. Nothing Can Keep Me From You 8. How Will I Get By 9. You Never Know 10. You Deny Me.
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AOR'S 12TH ALBUM THE SECRETS OF L.A SET FOR RELEASE: Frédéric Slama' s AOR project is back for round number 12 with an even greater album called The Secrets Of L.A, featuring an impressive list of guests such as Tommy Denander (Radioactive, Paul Stanley), Fergie Frederiksen (Toto), Jeff Scott Soto (Talisman), Bill Champlin (Chicago), Jim Jidhed & Ken Sandin (Alien), Mikael Erlandsson (Last Autumn's Dream), Bob Harris (Axe), Göran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteem), Robin Beck, Tamara Champlin, Dane Donohue, Alessandro Del Vecchio (Lionville, Hardline) & many more.
For this new AOR album, the sound is much heavier than ever before, far away from the Westcoast style of the 6 first AOR cd's. Fans of Survivor, Journey, Giant & Foreigner won't be disappointed by fantastic melodies, incredible vocals & fabulous guitar solos.
The cd will be available in Europe on AOR Heaven early November and is out now in Japan via Rubicon Music.
More info at: www.slama101.fr.
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MELODIC BRIEFS: MetalSymphony.com has uploaded some photos from The Winery Dogs concert September 21, 2013 at Sala Apolo in Barcelona, Spain. Also available are pictures of support act The Sixxis. Check them out at this location: www.metalsymphony.com/?p=14448#pg.
The Winery Dogs's setlist was as follows: Elevate, Criminal, We Are One, One More Time, Time Machine, Damaged, Six Feet Deeper, Drum Solo (Mike Portnoy), The Other Side, Bass Solo (Billy Sheehan), You Saved Me, Not Hopeless, Stand (Poison cover), You Can't Save Me (Richie Kotzen song), Shine (Mr. Big cover), I'm No Angel, The Dying, Regret; Fooled Around And Fell In Love (Elvin Bishop cover); Desire.
Noize In The Attic - Where Your Past Comes Back To Haunt You (www.noizeintheattic.com) caught up with James Christian at a resent House Of Lords gig, where he talked about Melodic Rock Fest, his new CD, and lets the cat out of the bag about the next House Of Lords album! You can listen to the free podcast here (the interview starts at the 70 minute mark) noizeintheattic.podomatic.com/entry/2013-10-14T07_16_55-07_00.
Tommy Farese discusses his time singing lead for various bands in the 1970s and 80s on Long Island and recording the Place Called Rage record with guitarist Al Pitrelli. He talks extensively about his recording, filming, and touring with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and the details of his ultimate dismissal from the group. And finally, the interview also digs into his new group, The Kings of Christmas and their upcoming winter tour with The Wizards of Winter. musicandartinterviews.blogspot.com/2013/09/tommy-farese.html
Norwegian vocalist Bente Smaavik (Blonde on Blonde / Perfect Crime) is releasing a new single, working together with Victor Borge (TNT). Check it out at: www.bentesmaavik.com.
White Trash Presidents are fresh out of the studio with their first single, "One Fuse Left", due to be released on November 1. To recap: White Trash Presidents are a brand new rock band out of SweDenmark with members from Star*Rats, Crazy Lixx and Franklin Zoo, with a common love for solid, well written, good ol' rock 'n' roll. One Fuse Left is a hard hitting, high octane, rock-track with fast and aggressive riffs and lyrics. Recorded by White Trash Presidents, and mixed by Emil Buus Sauer at Grapehouse Studios.
A CD Release Party will be held for Jesse Damon at Rock & Brews Restaurant in October. A fitting location for this celebration at an establishment that's owned by rock legends! The event in Los Angeles will celebrate the release of Jesse's anticipated new solo album, Temptation in the Garden of Eve, out September 27 via AOR Heaven, and he's invited his family, friends and band mates to mark the occasion of his new solo release!
EXTREME'S BADGER STRIKES OUT ON SOLO PROJECT:
News from Extreme's Pat Badger: "I've been collaborating with my good buddy Bleu for over 6 months on material! He is one of my favorite artists, songwriters and he is also producing the album. Some of you may also know Joe Pessia (Hurtsmile, Tantric, and Dramagods) who is playing guitars along with Bleu on the album. Kevin Figueiredo, my favorite drummer in the universe (and the other half of Extreme's rhythm section) is also playing on this record. Things are really coming together and I've never been so excited about making an album in my life!!!
It's been a while since the last Extreme album and tour and as much as I love being around family, animals and the peaceful farm life when I'm home… I have really missed being inn the studio creating new music.
And of course taking on the role of lead singer, I'm really spreading my wings on this one! I have also had a few rough years on a personal note and it has really inspired me to write some lyrics and let it all out. Not all of the songs are autobiographical but I'm ready to get on the microphone and purge! (and the studio is cheaper by the hour than a therapist)
With the music biz having changed so drastically since Extreme's heyday, I knew that this album was going to be different. That's why I decided to team up with Pledge Music and bring you all in on the experience of making it and putting it out! I've always REALLY appreciated YOU (our fans) and promise that this is gonna be a blast… and a ride that we'll never forget!"
Check out the project details at: www.pledgemusic.com/projects/badger.
DANTE FOX RE-RELEASE ALBUM UNDER THE SEVEN SKIES: Dante Fox have re-issued their highly acclaimed Third album 'Under The Seven Skies' (originally released by Frontiers Records in 2007) The artwork is the original stunning booklet by Carl Andre Beckston of Monowasp and production and mastering by Mark V Stuart at M2 Studio's (Magnum).
To purchase the album please the band's shop visit: www.amazon.co.uk/Under-Seven-Skies-Dante-Fox.
Track listing: The Last Goodbye, Firing Guns, Hold out Your Hand, Breaking Me Down, Goodbye to Yesterday, Walking the Line, Love Tried To Find You, Save Me, Lucky One's (Born tonight under the setting sun), Under The Seven Skies.
The band have just finished a very successful UK tour with Romeo's Daughter and have recently added to the prestigous UK festival HRH-AOR which also features Graham Bonnett, Robin Beck, Bonfire, House Of lords etc) The band currently preparing songs for their next release in due out in Spring 2014. The band will also be playing PlanetRockStock Festival (Uriah Heep, Hawkwind, FM, Snakecharmer etc ) for Planet Rock radio on Saturday December 7 at the Vauxhall Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth. Please visit www.planetrock.com for ticket information.
Check the bands Facebook page for up to date news - www.facebook.com/pages/Dante-Fox-Fan-Page/329436135492?ref=hl.
INTRODUCING HALF PAST MY SIN: Half Past My Sin (HPMS) is a Massachusetts-based modern hard rock band with a strong melodic presence and driving beats like that of Sevendust, Disturbed, and Shinedown to name a few. The band recently released their first single, "My Demand" off of their forthcoming sophomore album "4.44". The new album features a powerhouse ensemble of talent with Jason M Arigoni (Sinn) on vocals, Dan Zavadil on bass, Jason Bittner of Shadows Fall on drums, and Ben Carroll of RA on guitar. Clint Lowery of Sevendust also appears as a special guest co-songwriter.
The album "4.44" is being co-produced and mixed by Joey Z of Life of Agony and mastered by Jay Frigoletto of Mastersuite. Joey Z says, "Sinn is one of those musicians you'd be lucky to have a chance to work with. His raw talent really bleeds all over whatever he is doing, and his personality just makes him such an easy guy to collaborate with."
Jason M Arigoni, lead vocalist and lyricist, formed HPMS in 2008, which included original member and co-songwriter Dan Zavadil. Jason, also the owner of Mohawk Recording Group, produced HPMS's self-titled debut album as well as "4:44". Jason majored in Vocal Performance at Music Tech in Minneapolis, MN, now known as McNally Smith College of Music. While at Music Tech, he studied jazz, music theory, songwriting, and music business. Jason was also a member of the Studio Master Class taught by renowned jazz guitarist, the late Mike Elliot.
Half Past My Sin went on a US tour in 2008 supporting The Dreaming featuring Stabbing Westward singer, Chris Hall, to which Chris says, "Half Past My Sin combines thunderous driving riffs and soaring melodic vocals. Always professional on and off the stage and it was a pleasure to tour with them."
Half Past My Sin has performed and shared the stage with Alice Cooper, Heaven and Hell, Queensrÿche, Godhead, Alice in Chains, Days of The New, Shadows Fall, RA, Evans Blue, Black Stone Cherry, Powerman 5000, Wicked Wisdom, Bumble Foot, Buckcherry, Social Burn, and Sevenwiser.
"My Demand" is now available on iTunes and look for the release of "4:44" to drop at the end of 2013. Half Past My Sin is in the midst of planning their next tour with special guest performers bringing the Sin to fans worldwide.
NEW "CHAMELEON" BY MIKE CAMPESE: Mike Campese is back with a new solo release, titled "Chameleon". This is Mike's 8th solo CD, it contains 12 new tracks and it is a little over 60 minutes. This Cd really packs a punch, If you heard Mike's previous Cd's you will realize that he has really honed his writing and musicianship. The first track "To the 9's" is slamming, it is a blistering tune with incredible melody and alone it is worth the price of the Cd. Not only is Mike a guitar virtuoso, but he does sing on a few tracks on this disc as well. The titled track "Chameleon" has some real nice haunting melodies and some nice lush vocal harmonies. There is some serious shredding on this Cd and plenty of melody as well. With the blistering guitar and the Paganini inspired section in the tune "Raise the Bow" and the multiple meter changes in the song "Pasta and Bananas" that progressive rock fans will love.
Mike returns with his blues roots on the tune "She Burnt the House Down", which has some incredible soaring leads that are in your face and some real nice vocal melodies. Campese gets funky on this Cd as well, the tunes "Funky Monkey Man" and "Firefly in a Bottle", feature some pretty awesome funk grooves and some nice vocal lines. If you have been following Mike's music and career, you will know that Mike is known for his great sense of melody and melodic shredding on the guitar. A perfect example of this is the tune "Flashback", this beautiful ballad was inspired when Mike was living in Hollywood and attending Mi. "Vegas" (playing the slots) is probably one of the most unique tunes on the Cd. When you are listening to this song, you will think you are in Vegas playing a slot machine. Now let's cross the pacific ocean, the Hawaiian volcano inspired tune "Kilauea" erupts with some incredible guitar lines with some in your face guitars.
For the first time on any Mike Campese Cd, Mike has a very special guest, his friend and guitar legend, Vernon Reid of Living Colour. Mike and Vernon are trading off with some crazy solos at the end of the jazzy tune "Do it for the Cats" Mike is a very versatile guitarist and on each Cd he incorporates a little jazz and other styles in his music, which makes him known as a musical Chameleon. The last tune "Meant to Be" is another jazzy tune with a great groove and some very catchy melodies. Mike Campese fans are going to love this Cd and it is the one they have been waiting for.
WebLink: www.mikecampese.com.
LIVE FROM DARYL'S HOUSE ADDS NEW SEASON: Live from Daryl's House, Daryl Hall's critically acclaimed, award-winning performance series has renewed its agreement with Viacom Media Networks' high-definition music channel Palladia, and will immediately commence producing new episodes, adding to the more than 60 already in the archives. Those shows will start debuting in early 2014 and will continue to premiere on www.lfdh.com, where previous installments will be archived. "I'm thrilled to be able to start producing these new shows for our ever-widening audience, after renewing our relationship with Palladia," says Daryl. "A day doesn't go by that I don't hear from fans about how much they love the show, and everyone knows how much I enjoy doing it. Believe me when I tell you, the best is yet to come."
The show is a joint venture between Hall's Good Cop Bad Cop Productions and Palladia. Executive producers for the show include Hall along with Daryl Hall and John Oates manager, Jonathan Wolfson. New guests will be announced in the coming weeks. "We are very pleased to continue this association with our Live from Daryl's House partners at Palladia," said Wolfson. "This has proven to be a successful combination and we look forward to furthering our alliance, while expanding the brand."
"For Palladia, 'Live From Daryl's House' represents the perfect match of programming and television network," said Rick Krim, Executive Vice President, Talent and Music Programming. "Our viewers' response has been overwhelmingly positive to Daryl and the series which captures the unexpected magic that can happen when talented artists relax and create music together. We're proud to be a part of this show."
The deal was brokered by Wolfson and Ben Zurier, Executive Vice President, Programming Strategy, VH1, VH1 Classic and Palladia.
The past seven years have marked a steady stream of superlatives and recognition for Live from Daryl's House, with Hall receiving a Webby Award for Best Variety series from more than 10,000 entries at the 14th annual ceremony before garnering an O Music Award from MTV. A live version of Live from Daryl's House, featuring Hall and previous show guests Sharon Jones and Allen Stone, launched a successful national tour.
The 62 previous episodes of Live From Daryl's House have featured a mix of well-known performers like Jason Mraz, The Voice's Cee Lo Green, Shelby Lynne, Joe Walsh, Booker T and the MGs, Blind Boys of Alabama, Rob Thomas, Train, Smokey Robinson, Toots Hibbert, Nick Lowe, K.T. Tunstall, Todd Rundgren, Keb Mo, Dave Stewart, Goo Goo Dolls' John Rzeznik and Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump along with newcomers such as Nick Waterhouse, Rumer, Chiddy Bang, Allen Stone, Nikki Jean, The Dirty Heads, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Mayer Hawthorne, Eric Hutchinson, Chromeo, Matt Nathanson, Parachute, Plain White T's, soul diva Sharon Jones, Diane Birch, L.A. neo-R&B party band Fitz & the Tantrums, hot new alternative band Neon Trees and veteran alternative mainstays Guster.
JOHN TAGLIERI SIGNS DEAL WITH VANITY MUSIC GROUP ENTERTAINS US TROOPS ONCE AGAIN:
(9 October 2013 - Hanson, MA) Leap Dog Music is proud to announce that veteran indie pop rock artist, John Taglieri, has signed a worldwide distribution deal with Vanity Music Group. John's latest Ep, Southern Paradise will now be available in physical and online retail outlets worldwide. Produced and mixed by the team of Sean Mormelo and Mark Cohn in Nashville, and mastered by five time Grammy winning engineer Richard Dodd, Southern Paradise is a six-song affair of upbeat anthems that reflect the time Taglieri spends in his adopted home of Key West, Florida. On the new record, Taglieri takes a page from Jimmy Buffet's approach to life - a beer in one hand and a guitar in the other just hanging out on the beach. "It was such a natural progression for me. I came to Key West four years ago and fell in love with it. The vibe here is so happy and upbeat and the songs on this Ep reflect that." The infectious title track has found it's way onto a plethora of country and pop radio stations and the accompanying video which can found at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK093ROaab8 has already been viewed nearly 5,000 times. "The song "Southern Paradise" was written by my producers Sean & Mark." says Taglieri. "When they played it for me it just hit home for where my life is right now. I connected with the song immediately! I co-wrote "When I Think About" with my good friend Bobby James from Nashville. It's a really fun, upbeat song with a cool groove and a sing-a-long chorus about all those things in a relationship that turn into everyday life examples and how things can remind you of your favourite moments. "Turn Around" was written by myself and Brad Whitley. It's a cool song in that the whole song is a conversation that takes place in your head in one second when an old friend turns up unexpectedly…¦great vibe and feel and one of my favorites to sing."
John has also just returned from his third international tour for Navy Entertainment and MWR. This time he went to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as well as three stateside bases, along with celebrities from SPIKE TV, The Food Network, UFC and more to entertain the troops and bring a little bit of home to them. "It's truly one of the greatest things I ever get to do with my career. Letting those guys and girls know that we are there for them and want to bring some home style fun to them is an honor and something I will always do whenever asked. They put their lives on the line for us all everyday and that deserves respect. For my small part, bringing them a show that allows them to have them smile, sing and have fun is an honor in every way."
Southern Paradise is available at iTunes, Amazon and other online retailers, and now worldwide through Vanity Music Group.
WebLinks: vanitymusicgroup.com / JohnTaglieri.com.
ADRIAN GALYSH REVEALS NEW ALBUM, TONE POET, ARTWORK, DETAILS, & TRACK LIST:
Melodic instrumental rock guitarist Adrian Galysh will release Tone Poet, on December 3rd, 2013. The album includes 12 tracks featuring vocal rock songs, instrumentals with world music influences, and sweeping orchestral works. While epic in scope, the album is tied together by Galysh's tasteful guitar work and compositional style which is complemented by vocalist Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Royal Hunt, Uli Jon Roth), bassist Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai, Ring of Fire), and grooves by world-class drummer, Todd Sucherman (STYX).
Galysh confesses, "Tone Poet is my most mature album. I've written a very melodic, musical, collection of tunes, that includes my progressive hard rock influences, classical, and world-music influences. Mark Boals' powerful voice, Philip Bynoe's feel, and Todd Sucherman's tasteful drum playing are right in sync with where I am at, musically."
Tone Poet album artwork was illustrated and designed by Kristina Maloney.
Tone Poet track-listing: 1. Resurrectis (2:28) 2. Brick By Brick (5:42) 3. When You Fall (5:17) 4. Flying (5:17) 5. Movie in My Mind (4:25) 6. Luminae (3:42) 7. La Dolce Vita (4:47) 8. Tone Poet (3:44) 9. Epoch (3:05) 10. Echoes of El Greco (3:53) 11. Ur of the Chaldees (6:12) 12. Spring (The Return) (5:22). Adrian Galysh: Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, and Programming; Charlie Waymire: Drums on tracks 2, 3, 4, 5; Philip Bynoe: Bass on tracks 4, 5, 8; Todd Sucherman: Drums on tracks 7, 8, 10, 11, 12.
For more information, visit: www.adriangalysh.com.
H.EA.T. TALKS NEW ALBUM: Eric Rivers from Melodic Hard Rock supergroup H.E.A.T talks exclusively to BeRock Radio for the release of their latest album, and about the band's melodic plans.
George: What can we expect from your new album? Has anything about Heat changed? Are there any new elements in your music since Dave left?
Eric: Well, I think with each album the sound and the band change a bit. A lot happens during the two years or so you spend writing and making an album and you always (hopefully) evolve as a songwriter and band during that time.
Full Interview Link: minizine.berock-radio.com/html/interviews/pages013/heat13/heat.html?tag=result;title;0#.Ukh3_VNmOVY.
INTRODUCING OPERADYSE: Operadyse - the new french symphonic power metal band from Montpellier in Southern France - are releasing a trailer for their first album "Pandemonium": www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS71lSUrGvs.
The band's origin goes back to 2006 when guitarist Damien Marco, the mastermind behind Operadyse, formed this six-member unit with the help of his friends Bastien Sable (keyboards) and Jennifer Lassalle (vocalist) and three more members.
Their first EP Hope Era Dies was released in 2009 after the band successfully proved it's talent by winning the Rock Competion „Duels Rock". After some membership changes the band found it's current line-up shortly after the EP release with Emmanuel Colombier (Drums) and Stephane Lambert (Bass) .Singer Franck Garcia, who is also involved in french band Spheric Universe Experience, finally joined in after the original female vocalist Jennifer left the band, for personal reasons.
Strongly influenced by European Metal in the tradition of Iron Maiden, Helloween and Rhapsody, the band added their own blend of melodic Powermetal .The debut album Pandemonium was recorded in late 2012 at Draudenhaus Studio in Nantes/France and shows a strong atmospheric touch wrapped around a pounding rythm, driving guitars , oszillating keyboards with the clear and very powerful voice of Franck Garcia giving the band's style it's typical expression.
Line-Up: Damien Marco: Guitars; Bastien Sable: Drums; Emmanuel Colombier: Drums; Stephane Lambert: Bass; Franck Garcia: Vocals.
The band's debut album Pandemonium is scheduled for release through the joint-venture Sonic Attack/SPV in Europe on November 25th 2013 (Germany November 22nd, USA / Canada January 21st)
Tracklisting: 1.Rise 1:41 2.Celestial Sword 4:57 3.Unfold Legend 4:02 4.Keeper of the Flame 3:36 5.The Path 5:51 6.Fairies Secret Garden 5:06 7.Arkanya 4:54 8.Pandemonium 6:21 9.Nevermore 6:04 10.Frozen 2:57.
WebLinks: de-de.facebook.com/pages/Operadyse/57937371089 / www.sonicattackrecords.com / www.spv.de.
Monday, October 14, 2013
BREAKING NEWS FROM TOM SCHOLZ' BASEMENT:
More than 10 years in the making, Boston's new studio album, Life, Love & Hope is ready for release!
Finally emerging from his Hideaway Studio II, Tom Scholz says, "These are songs from the heart, each of them taking many months of effort to write, arrange, perform and record, always up to the demands of Boston's harshest critic, me. They have all been meticulously recorded to analogue tape on the same machines and equipment used for Boston's hits for the past 35 years."
Available on December 3 on Frontiers Records, this album includes lead vocals from Brad Delp, Tommy DeCarlo, Kimberley Dahme, David Victor, and Tom Scholz, and features tracks with the classic Boston sound, as well as the latest in the evolution of Scholz' musical artistry. "I intentionally stayed close to the early Boston style on some of the songs, even using the same amps and instruments; on others I let my imagination run wild," says Tom.
All the tracks have the characteristic Boston trademark guitars, harmonies, and immaculately-crafted sound. Tom worked very hard to fulfill the expectations of BOSTON fans new and old, and has created a diverse yet cohesive album that truly has something for everyone.
SEBASTIAN BACH JOINS FORCES WITH DUFF McKAGAN, JOHN 5, STEVE STEVENS FOR NEW ALBUM:
Iconic rock vocalist Sebastian Bach is currently hard at work in the studio under the direction of producer Bob Marlette (Rob Zombie, Black Sabbath, Shinedown etc) to record the anticipated follow up album to the acclaimed "Kicking & Screaming". The new effort will be released via label home Frontiers Records and is tentatively scheduled for spring 2014.
Of his forthcoming new album, Sebastian Bach commented, "I am happy to say we have completed the drums and most of the bass guitar for the new record. It is a pleasure to write songs with Duff, Steve, Bob, and Devin. The album will be mastered by Tom Baker who has mastered my last three albums. This CD will be balls out in-your-face high-energy rock 'n roll which just so happens to be my favorite style of music. I look forward to releasing the record & playing these songs live for you all in 2014!"
Sebastian managed to involve in the writing and recording some very special friends and guest stars, including none other than: Duff McKagan (Velvet Revolver, Guns n' Roses), and not one but two top class guitar players: John 5 (Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie) and Steve Stevens (Billy Idol). Rounding up the lineup on the album are Devin Bronson on guitars and Bobby Jarzombek on drums. Duff and Sebastian have previously collaborated on Duff's solo album Believe In Me.
In the meantime Sebastian has made available a new live video clip of "Big Guns" taken from the recent Live DVD/CD package "ABachalypse Now" released last March on Frontiers. This is the 3rd video from "ABachalypse Now" and is now available at Sebastian Bach's Official YouTube Page.
"ABachalypse Now" can now be found in DVD/CD/LP. The LP is in a 180 gram Coloured Double Vinyl Gatefold Sleeve Format. The DVD/CD set includes Bach's recent explosive performances from the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles (originally broadcasted on AXS TV in North America), Hellfest in France, Graspop in Belgium and more. Follow this link to enjoy: www.sebastianbach.com. Sebastian Bach has sold in excess of 20 million records worldwide as lead singer with his former band, Skid Row and as a solo artist. Far from just being a multi-platinum recording artist, the singer/songwriter/actor/entertainer has expanded his career over the past decade to include episodic television with a 5-season recurring role on the CW's hit series "Gilmore Girls", starring roles on Broadway ("Jekyll & Hyde", "The Rocky Horror Picture Show") and national touring companies ("Jesus Christ Superstar"), and has appeared regularly on MTV and VH1.
Bach on the web: www.sebastianbach.com / www.facebook.com/sebastianbach / www.twitter.com/sebastianbach / www.frontiers.it.
Frontiers Records is proud to present the new issue of Melodic Rock Fanzine. The 58th release of the label's successful magazine is available for free all over the world through record shops, mail-order and every fine dealer carrying the Frontiers Records releases. Here are the previews of the two Melodic Rock Fanzine covers:
This new issue includes reviews and interviews of Def Leppard, Coney Hatch, Ted Nugent, Sideburn, Hartmann, Sabaton, Eden's Curse, Impera, Reece, Harem Scarem, Sammy Hagar ... and more!
Electronic readable version of the magazine is available on the Frontiers official site and here.
The new Frontiers Records promo spot for their new September releases can be viewed below:
COMING UP FROM ESCAPE MUSIC: Diesel have started recording their debut album in Tremolo Studios, Cheshire, UK.
Diesel is: Robert Hart: vocals (ex Bad Company, Manfred Man Earth Band and John Gangs); Jim Kirkpatrick: Guitars (FM); Jimmy Copley: Drums (Paul Rogers, and Manfred Man Earth Band), Pat Davey: (Seven).
Release is planned for early 2014.
Here are Escape Music's forthcoming releases for 2014 as follows: Lover Under Cover (Mikael Erlandson on vocals) - January. Overland - Epic - February Edge - March Saracen - April
Plus: Ozone (Steve Overland, Chris Ousey, and Mike Slamer) Shadowman
Final Frontier
Chris Ousey - new solo album once again in collaboration with Tommy Denander.
AOR BAND SPARKLANDS PRESENTS THEIR FIRST VIDEO:
The Dutch AOR band Sparklands releases the opening track "The Game" from their debut album "Tomocyclus" as their first video. The clip shows a powerful performance of the catchy uptempo AOR tune and was recorded live at the Mailmen Studio (Utrecht, The Netherlands).
Sparklands' "Tomocyclus" delivers a tasteful collection of AOR and Melodic Rock songs, bringing back the glory days of bands like Boulevard, Saga, Mr. Mister, Bad English and Giant. The album was officially released on September 20 on Avenue Of Allies and is available as CD and Digital Download.
WebLinks: www.sparklands.com / www.avenue-of-allies.com.
R.I.P. JAN KUEHNEMUND:
From: www.facebook.com/Vixen: "It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Vixen founder and lead guitarist, Jan Kuehnemund, who lost a fierce battle with cancer on Thursday, October 10, 2013.
Though most well known for her gifted guitar playing and other musical talents, Jan was a rare friend and beautiful in every sense of the word. Humble, thoughtful, loyal and kind, she was the most gracious of women, possessing the quiet strength of a true warrior. She genuinely loved and appreciated her friends and fans more than most could ever know. Those who were most fortunate to have known her and loved her are heartbroken at the loss of Jan, whose spirit will shine through her music eternally.
Jan was very courageous. Never complained. Never gave up. The cancer beat her body but it NEVER broke her spirit at any point.
Up until the actual moment that she died, she really believed she was going back home.
Jan... you will be missed.. but never forgotten." R.I.P. Jan.
THEOCRACY: "THEOCRACY" RE-ISSUE VINYL EDITION ANNOUNCED:
The self-titled debut album from the Athens, Georgia-based melodic metal band Theocracy will be re-released through Ulterium Records on November 15th in Europe and November 19th in North America. Ulterium Records will release a 12" double gatefold vinyl edition of the album, strictly limited to 500 copies worldwide.
The vinyl can be pre-ordered at the Ulterium Records Store at: www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com.
"Theocracy" 12" double gatefold vinyl track listing:
Side A: 01. Prelude [01:35] 02. Ichthus [04:40] 03. The Serpents Kiss [11:56]
Side B: 01: Mountain [04:48] 02. Theocracy [06:01] 03. The Healing Hand [11:35]
Side C: 01. Sinner [06:08] 02. New Jerusalem [05:10]
Side D: 01. The Victory Dance [05:02] 02. Twist of Fate [11:31].
Theocracy drummer Shawn Benson recorded drums on all tracks, while nothing else was re-recorded. Matt Smith completely re-mixed the album, with the mastering handled by Mika Jussila [Stratovarius, Nightwish, Edguy]. The Theocracy debut album was originally released through MetalAges Records in 2003, and is currently very rare and hard to find.
Check out an album teaser at YouTube: youtu.be/ffoULa9OfCU.
For more information on Theocracy; www.theocracymusic.com / www.facebook.com/theocracyband / www.ulterium-records.com.
MELODIC BRIEFS:
Messiahs Fall, a brand new song featuring Mats Leven, Carsten Kaiser, Michael Bormann & Robin Beck on lead vocals, from German prog metallers Assignment is available for streaming. The track comes off the band's third album, "Inside Of The Machine", recently released via Mausoleum Records. The new song can be streamed here: youtu.be/Dty9RUCIySA.
Good news from Niclas Olsson: "I have started the recordings for a second release with Sapphire Eyes. About 20+ songs are written and 12 of them will make it to the pressing. It´s the same formula as the debut and there will be a lot of great musicianship. A release in 2014 is realistic! More info will follow as the recordings continue."
After a seven year recording hiatus, during which time three of the band's vocalists toured stadiums and arenas as Roger Waters' backup singers on his "Pink Floyd's The Wall" world tour, Southern California rockers Venice returns with a brand new double album, "What Summer Brings." This 19 song release will hit stores in November, but in the meantime, they've just released the CD's first single, "What's Done is Done," as a lyric video. Check it out here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ4DFWYgYCA.
MICHAEL SCHENKER'S BRIDGING THE GAP:
Award-winning, legendary guitarist Michael Schenker will release a brand new studio album entitled Bridge The Gap in the UK on Monday December 2nd. Released by in-akustik, the album features Schenker's band Temple of Rock which consists of ex-Scorpions Herman Rarebell (drums) and Francis Buchholz (bass), plus ex-Rainbow's Doogie White (vocals) and Wayne Findlay (guitar, keyboards).
The new album features 13 hard-hitting, adrenalin fuelled melodic rock'n'roll songs that showcase Schenker's distinctive and explosive guitar playing, valiantly underpinned by the ferocious rhythm section of Rarebell and Buchholz, marking the first time Schenker, Rarebell and Buchholz appeared on the same album together since the Scorpions' 1979 Lovedrive.
Scottish vocalist Doogie White, who co-wrote the album with Schenker, soars across every song, and stamps his enthusiastic personality with every note and phrase. Wayne Findlay adds another dimension to the dynamic, classic Schenker sound with his Dean 7 string guitar and keyboard orchestrations.
Bridge the Gap is a thunderous, explosive collection of brand new songs steeped in shades of dark and light. Musically and lyrically, the new album shows a re-energised guitarist at the top of his game, surrounded by top drawer musicians.
The album was recorded from January to March 2013 at Kidroom Studios, Germany and was produced by Michael Schenker and Michael Voss, and engineered by Voss. "Michael and I had talked about recording an album together after the tour of 2012," says Doogie White. "We never spoke about it again until January 2013 when he sent me seven ideas he had been working on." "Last October I started writing the music for the new album," adds Schenker. "I sent material to Doogie in the New Year and he started writing melodies and lyrics. I laid down some arrangements at Michael Voss's studio. There was a lot of energy flying about during the recording process. I had the same drive making this album as I had when I was 16. I wanted it fast, heavy and melodic. It felt like bridging the gap from my teenage and Lovedrive years to what I am doing now. I'm back to where I was a long time ago and I love it."
"Never having really written with Michael before, apart from When the Devil Knows You're Dead (from 2011's Temple of Rock album), I didn't know how flexible he would be writing wise," recalls Doogie. "I laid down some vocal tracks as ideas and when Michael heard them we were off and running. Within two weeks we were in the studio laying down tracks."
Schenker admits that when he wrote this album, he tried to get a balance between songs that are heavy, fast and melodic, complimented by his signature guitar solos. "I wanted to combine the old with the new," says Schenker. "That's why the album's called Bridge The Gap. With Wayne playing 7-string guitar we created some low, heavy modern sounds. Since I play and experiment on a regular basis, I always have some new, fresh sparks to share when I record a new album. I am inspired from within. It's infinite like a kaleidoscope." "As former members of the Scorpions, Herman, Francis and I have been out of the loop of rock'n'roll for quite a while. Getting together for the first time since the Lovedrive album is an incredible jump. We're connecting the past with the present. We're bridging the gap."
Schenker remains philosophical about the name of the new album. He believes the name reflects what is going on in the fast-moving world around him. "Everything that is currently going on in this world is showing that people are desperate for change. We need to bridge the gap of poverty. There are too many innocent people getting killed in terrorist attacks. We need to leave all of this chaos behind us. We have to be strong. We have to continue moving forward, working together in a balanced way."
Schenker is amazed how melodic the new album turned out, but he still insists the songs still feature a bit of darkness as well. "I came up with the name of the album, before I even started writing. When Doogie started writing the lyrics to the new songs he had something to go by. I guess Bridges Burned is a new song that is something of a word play on Bridge The Gap. I love this song. Doogie's singing is excellent on this."
"Horizons is a really powerful and exciting track from the new album," says Schenker. "I love the energy and Doogie's great vocal lines."
"Neptune Rising is a song I wrote in the studio. It's about Wayne Findlay. He reminds me of a Neptune with his crazy hair and beard. One day I had this vision of seeing him with the Trident coming out of the ocean. Wayne loves water and the undersea world. So, I suggested that we design a guitar that looks like a Trident. The guitar is almost completed and will be called Trident and will be seen on our next tour." "Because You Lied is completely of the wall. I love everything about it. I had a real blast playing the guitar solo. In general, on the new album I have injected each song with a new wave of lead guitar playing. It had a lot of fun making the entire album. Francis and Herman - the original Scorpions rhythm section of Rock You Like A Hurricane seriously rock on the new album."
"Bridge The Gap" - Track Listing: 1. Neptune Rising 2. Where The Wild Winds Blow 3. Horizons 4. Lord Of The Lost And Lonely 5. Rock'n'roll Symphony 6. To Live For The King 7. Land Of Thunder 8. Temple Of The Holy 9. Shine On 10. Bridges We Have Burned 11. Because You Lied 12. Black Moon Rising 13. Dance For The Piper 14. Faith (Vocals: Don Dokken) (Bonus Track).
All songs produced by: Michael Schenker and Michael Voss; All songs are written by: Music - Michael Schenker, Lyrics - Doogie White; Except: 'Neptune Rising' (Michael Schenker), Bonus track "Faith" appears on the Special Edition, featuring Don Dokken (vocals).
PHIL SOUSSAN LIVE IN LA: Phil Soussan, the bass player and songwriter that brought Ozzy's "Ultimate Sin," Vince Neil's "Exposed" and Steve Lukather's "Luke" announces a one night only show at the famed Lucy's 51 in Toluca Lake, CA. Lucy's 51 has become the hotspot for hard rock artists with the James LoMenzo Jam that has taken place for the past four months' worth of Monday Nights. On stage performances have included members of Guns n' Roses, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne's band, Quiet Riot, Boston, Whitesnake, Anthrax, Dokken, the Dennis DeYoung Band, Megadeth, Bulletboys, Vince Neil, White Lion, Richie Kotzen and even Billy Ray Cyrus has got on stage a couple times. That just starts to scratch the surface of regular attendees and gives a good impression of why you want to be there.
On Saturday, October 19, Phil Soussan is bringing a blend of his original music as featured on his two CDs (No Protection and Vibrate) along with songs made famous from the list of rock bands he has written and performed with. This scheduled show may be the first of many that will highlight a rotation of friends that bring their unique talents to the stage. Soussan has mentioned, "There will be friends joining us on stage throughout the night, you don't know who will show up; but that's the surprise of it."
On stage performing with Soussan will be Howie Simon on guitar (Alcatrazz), Dave Filice on bass (Bono & The Edge) and virtuoso drummer Andy Sanesi (Zappa) with Soussan playing guitar and singing. Special guests have not been publically announced (I'm sworn to secrecy, but I can assure you it's going to be great!)
Showtime starts around 9:00 PM. The doors for Lucy's 51 are open all day, but for those who want to enjoy dinner during the show, call and reserve a table. Lucy's 51 can be reached at 818-763-5200, or find details online at www.lucys51.com. The venue features a full dinner menu and bar.
Hear songs from Soussan's solo CDs and find other information regarding his work online at www.philsoussan.com. Phil will be signing copies of his CDs at the show; both will be available for fans to purchase. Bring a camera and get ready for the kind of performance that makes Los Angeles the place to be for hard rock! I'll see you there.
FLOOR JANSEN SIGNS ON TO NIGHTWISH FULLTIME:
Finnish symphonic metal act Nightwish has made the following announcement: "Ms. Floor Jansen is a keeper. Also, we will be a six-piece band from now on, as Mr. Troy Donockley (uilleann pipes, low whistles, vocals) will become a full-time member of Nightwish. Originally we were going to wait until 2014 to make a decision about the future line-up of the band, but the past year has clearly shown us that Floor and Troy are perfect matching pieces to our puzzle, and we are really grateful of the bond that has grown between all of us. We love you guys."
Commented vocalist Floor Jansen: "Words cannot describe what I feel! This union is beyond everything and I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to continue this amazing journey with my new brothers! Once I had a dream…and this is it!!!"
Vocalist & pipe player Troy Donockley adds: "'Imaginaerum World Tour' was a revelation to me and in that time, I became aware of a growing unity and then, finally, a transcendence of all the usual nonsense that affects bands. A beautiful process. And since the idea, the musical dream that is Nightwish has been a part of me since before I was born, I am delighted to officially sail into uncharted waters with my brothers and sister. Wondrous scenes Ahoy!"
PRODUCERS LP SUBJECT TO YESTERROCK RE-ISSUE:
The newcomer from Atlanta, Georgia, was ranged at that time somewhere between the genres Rock, Pop and New Wave. 1981 their first single 'What She Does To Me' has been released.
Originally the later Producers did arise from the coverband 'Cartoon', their specialty was the repertoire from the Beatles. On the long run it did not satisfy their musical claims though, so they began to compose own songs and performed them in numerous clubs in the metropolitan area of Atlanta.
Their appearances have been in great demand and were steadily gaining popularity by the audience. With this success, they signed a record deal at Portrait Records (CBS) under the direction of producer Tom Werman, who has also worked with Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon and Mothers Finest.
In 1981 the first album of the 'Producers' was released. The single 'What She Does To Me' went to number 61 of the Billboard Charts. The second album 'You Make The Heat' was published 1982. The single 'She Sheila' made it again to the charts. Many live concerts followed, among others the "producers were support act for Cheap Trick and The Motels.
Despite the success, Portrait Records resigned the contract after 2 albums only. The Producers next work 'Run For Your Life' was released through a small independent record label in Atlanta and was published in vinyl only. At that point the Producers were working together with the band Kansas. The title 'Can´t Cry Anymore' can be found on the album 'Run For Your Life' as well as on 'Power' the 1986 album from Kansas.
For the first time ever the lost treasure is now published on CD by the label Yesterrock. Many AOR Fans from all over the world have been frequently asking for this album. Their burning desire is heard and finally comes to fulfillment. All tracks have been effortful remastered at MSM Studios in Munich.
WebLink: www.yesterrock.com.
TYR, JAMES CHRISTIAN, REUBEN ARCHER AND JONNY LANG ON RICH DAVENPORT'S ROCK SHOW: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week features exclusive interviews with Tyr, House of Lords frontman James Christian, Reuben Archer (Stampede, Lautrec, Wild Horses, Lionheart) and Blues Rock maestro Jonny Lang, and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-tyr-james-christian-reuben-archer-and-jonny-lang-interviews/
In the first hour of the show, Tyr frontman Heri Joensen discusses the band's new album "Valkyryja", which features lyrics and melodies which can be traced back through the folkore of their native Faroe Islands to the era of the Vikings. Heri cosses songs from the album, and talks about working with Leaves' Eyes vocalist Liv Kristine on the track "The Lay Of Our Love"
Also in the first hour, House of Lords frontman James Christian drops in to talk about his new solo album "Lay It On Me"
In part 2, Stampede frontman Reuben Archer (ex-Lautrec, Wild Horses, Lionheart) discusses the writing and recording of his new solo album "Personal Sin", which features guest appearances from members of Saxon, Y&T and Thunder.
And finally, Blues Rock maestro Jonny Lang talks about his first album in six years, "Fight For My Soul", and picks tracks from the new release.
The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from Sammy Hagar, Tarja, Blackfoot, ZZ Top, Eden's Curse, and Thin Lizzy.
You can also listen on Sunday 13th October 17:00-19:00 GMT, repeated Monday 14th October 14:00-16:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com.
Wednesday, October 09, 2013
TIMO TOLKKI COMMENCES WORK ON METAL OPERA:
After the success of Timo Tolkki's Avalon debut album "The Land of New Hope" which entered the top 100 album charts in 7 European countries (including a glowing Top 10 entry in Tolkki's home country Finland), Timo Tolkki has started working on a sequel to his first Metal Opera, slated for a 2014 release on Frontiers Records.
Fans can follow the progress of the making of the album, including writing and recording sessions and special cameos from the musicians and singers involved, from the new website www.avalonopera.com.
The entire cast of musicians will be revealed one by one in separate video blogs. Fans will be able to interact and take part to different phases of the production through the website and in the social media pages.
The confirmed cast of musicians/singers is once again full of internationally acclaimed artists, with some interesting twists and surprises. It will surely guarantee another masterpiece from one of the forefathers of Symphonic Melodic Power Metal.
The first singer from the cast is Simone Simons of Epica. Please click her picture for more info. She is one of the leading ladies in the Female Voices category in the World, however she is not singing the main role on AVALON II, which is a working title for the album. The final name will be revealed later.
To date, Timo Tolkki has sold over 2 million records in his career, has won a Finnish Grammy and has been chosen by the readers of the American Guitar World magazine to TOP 100 as "the Fastest Guitar Player in the World" and "the Most influential Metal Guitar Player in the World". He has released 20 albums in his career and toured the world for over 3000 shows in 52 countries.
BENEDICTUM TO UNLEASH THEIR FOURTH ALBUM ON FRONTIERS IN DECEMBER:
Heavy Metal gets a needed shot in the arm with the long awaited and much anticipated new album fromBenedictum Obey due out for release on Frontiers Records on November 29 in Europe and December 3 in North America . With a sound that nods to the legends of metal such as early Rainbow, the stylings of Savatage, Warrior, Rough Cutt, and Pyschotic Waltz along with shades of Black Sabbath; Benedictum unleashes Obey that will surely bring pleasure to the Gods of Heavy Metal and their legions of fans around the world!
Led by the sultry and powerful vocal gymnastics of lead singer Veronica Freeman whose voice has been praised on the television show That Metal Show on VH1 among others; Benedictum displays a plethora of aggressive riffs, fierce rhythms, and powerful melodies full of delicate textures that grow spikes with shredding leads to converge at the crossroads of tradition and innovation.
The rise of Benedictum began when the band caught the ear and attention of DIO guitarist Craig Goldy who in turn had his friend Jeff Pilson (Dokken, Dio, Foreigner) check them out. With the groups raw power and pure potential just beginning to surface, Pilson then produced and recorded Benedictum's debut album Uncreation in 2005. The band garnered rave reviews and won over enthusiastic fist-pumping fans rapidly. Their second album Seasons Of Tragedy released in 2008 to more undeniable metal love from around the world. All of this led to Benedictum being signed to a contract with Frontiers Records and further upping the ante in the studio. The band and Grammy Award winning producer Ryan Greene (Megadeth, F5, NOFX) joined forces for 2011's Dominion and Benedictum had arrived. The band jumped onto the world stage playing such events as Wacken Open Air Festival, Doro's Warrior Soul Tour, HeadBangers Open Air and more. The CD was also a pick of the week by Don Jamison on That Metal Show.
Benedictum went through some personnel changes and challenges, but have landed on the soles of The V's high-heeled boots to record their highly anticipated fourth album 'OBEY'. Joining founding members Veronica Freeman and Pete Wells are Rikard Stjernquist (Jag Panzer) on drums and Aric Avina (Tynator) on bass. There is an unmistakable swell of excitement building in chat rooms and fan pages online not only for the album, but to also have Benedictum perform at a venue near them soon.
Obey tracklisting includes: Dream Of The Banshee; Fractured; Obey; Fighting For My Life; Scream; Evil That We Do; Crossing Over; Cry; Thornz; Die To Love You; Apex Nation; Retrograde.
Enjoy the album EPK following this link: youtu.be/BX42khzh41A. To the world, Benedictum merely says: bow and Obey!
WebLink: www.benedictum.net.
xx
MAGNUM ESCAPE FROM THE SHADOW GARDEN IN MARCH 2014:
Hugely influential British melodic hard rock group Magnum have confirmed the release in 2014 of their upcoming nineteenth studio album, Escape From The Shadow Garden on Steamhammer / SPV on March 19th in Scandinavia, March 21st in Germany, March 24th in Europe and March 25th in the US/Canada.
'Escape From The Shadow Garden' will be available as a limited digipak edition with bonus material, as a double coloured vinyl LP, standard jewel case CD and download. The cover is once again created by famous fantasy artist Rodney Matthews (Asia, Nazareth, Eloy).
'Escape From The Shadow Garden' follows the success of 'On The 13th Day', which charted at #28 in Germany, #36 in Sweden, #43 in the UK national album charts, #57 in Switzerland, and at #3 in the UK rock charts and #5 in the UK Indie Charts at the beginning of October 2012.
Three weeks after the release of 'Escape From The Shadow Garden" Magnum set off on a huge European Tour.
Magnum live 2014:
07.04. FI-Helsinki - Tavastia
09.04. DK-Copenhagen - Amager Bio
10.04. SE-Gotheburg - Sticky Fingers
11.04. SE-Borlange - Liljan
12.04. SE-Sandviken - Backstage Rockclun
07.05. B-Vosselaar - Biebob
Magnum live 2014 (Festival):
04.-07.06. SE-Sölvesborg - Sweden Rock Festival
More Magnum live dates will be announced soon.
Line Up: Tony Clarkin - guitars; Bob Catley - vocals; Mark Stanway - keyboards; Al Barrow - bass; Harry James - drums.
WebLinks: www.magnumonline.co.uk / www.spv.de.
xx
Monday, October 07, 2013
MRF3, MELODICROCK.COM UPDATES: MelodicRockFest 3 is over and done and I have made it home to set about getting back to business as normal here at MelodicRock.com!
Thanks to everyone for hanging in during the down time. I am adding a number of important press releases to the site today, but normal daily updates won't re-commence until next Monday. I simply need the extra time to recover from what has been an intense few months and spend a bit of time with the family.
I'm pleased to say MRF3 was a complete success – both critically, if the fan reactions and feedback are anything to go by...and financially – which means that MRF4 is a definite possibility.
What I will do is sit down and look at the whole event and look at what worked, what could use a little improvement, the overall crowd numbers and what possibilities lay ahead.
I'll talk more about the MRF3 event next week. But for now I'd like to give a huge thank you to each and every person that took time out of their lives to attend. Thank you also to those that invested in VIP packages, which in reality, made the entire show possible. I'd like to thank a few very important people besides the fans in attendance –
First - a HUGE thank you to all the artists involved for all bringing their A-game and general enthusiasm for the event! John Kivel for his support of the event and tireless work towards making it a success in 2013; Ty Sims and Kevin Grosse for making the event sound and look amazing and run like clockwork; Erik Johnson for his awesome artwork and audio promotions; Tony and the HOME Bar crew for making us all feel welcomed and providing a killer venue for the weekend;
Bert and Jim at the Holiday Inn;
To my merch booth crew for their hard work over the weekend;
And...of course my wife Cath for her work behind the scenes over the last several months.
There will be some left over MRF T-shirts and posters and some new regular MelodicRock.com T-shirts available for sale in the weeks ahead – I just have to get those shipped back to Australia first. Stay tuned.
To everyone that ordered MRCD11, House Of Shakira and Faith Circus CDs last month – all orders will have been processed and shipped by the end of this week.
The HoS and FC CDs unfortunately did not arrive here in time to be shipped prior to my leaving for MRF, so I apologize for that delay. There was an issue with shipping from the UK which has now been addressed. The CDs are here right now, ready to be packaged this week.
Orders for these titles can still be placed here: www.melodicrock.com/mrr-preorders.html.
The MRF USB drive was a great success at the show and due to demand, I am making another very limited run of the 16G drives.
To pre-order a USB Drive, click on the PayPal link below.
There will be only 100 available, priced at US$50, including airmail shipping worldwide. Delivery time will be approx 4 weeks. The USB is packaged in a tin can display case for safe shipping.
Contents of the drive can be viewed here: www.melodicrockfest.com.
That's it for me…thank again to everyone for the support for MRF3. Now….to the news!
FRONTIERS RECORDS TO RELEASE REO SPEEDWAGON'S LIVE AT MOONDANCE JAM: Frontiers Records and REO Speedwagon are proud to announce the release of Live at Moondance Jam - the band's hit-filled performance from the country's premier classic rock festival, Moondance Jam. Recorded at the Walker, Minnesota festival in high-definition, Live at Moondance Jam, puts the band's brilliant showmanship on display as the veteran rockers blast through 13 of their best-loved songs. Available in both Blu-ray and a deluxe edition (containing a CD and DVD in a glossy digipak) formats, Live At Moondance Jam will be released on November 19 in North America and November 29 in Europe.
Broadcast on Palladia, Direct TV and VH1 Classic in the US in early 2013, Live at Moondance Jam features a baker's dozen classic REO Speedwagon tunes, including the hits, "Keep on Loving You," "Take It on the Run," and "Can't Fight This Feeling," along with the first ever live versions of "In Your Letter," "Golden Country," and "Like You Do." The packages also feature "Don't Let Him Go," "Keep Pushin'," "Time for Me to Fly, "Back on the Road Again," "Roll with the Changes, "Ridin' the Storm Out," and "157 Riverside Avenue." Additionally, both the CD+DVD and Blu-ray packages contain a bonus interview with REO's iconic vocalist Kevin Cronin. Click here to see a sample from Live at Moondance Jam.
"I can't really explain it, but we feel like our band is actually still getting better," said REO Speedwagon frontman Kevin Cronin. "This Moondance show captures the essence of this exciting new chapter in the continuing story of REO. I can look you in the eye and say that this performance is us playing our best, totally live, and having an absolute blast."
Formed in 1967, signed in 1971, and fronted by Cronin since 1972, REO Speedwagon has rocked to the top of the charts with a RIAA-certified 22 million albums sold in the U.S., 40 million around the globe, and a string of gold and platinum records. The group's nine-times certified platinum Hi Infidelity spent 15 weeks in the #1 slot. Thirty–plus years later, Cronin and bandmates Bruce Hall (bass), Neal Doughty (keyboards), Dave Amato (lead guitar) and Bryan Hitt (drums) are currently electrifying concert audiences on headlining tour dates and festival shows through the spring of 2014.
On the band's last tour, the Midwest Rock N' Roll Express, Styx and REO Speedwagon's Rock to the Rescue charity organization not only raised thousands of dollars for local charities at each tour stop, but also raised $108,000 which will go directly to the Boston One Fund, helping victims of the Boston Marathon bombings. Recently, REO's Kevin Cronin unveiled the band's "Great Chicago Fire Hydrant" as part of a citywide Chicago public art installation project which will feature oversized replicas of Chicago's iconic fire hydrants. There will be 101 fire hydrants to represent each firehouse, and later in December, these will be auctioned, with proceeds benefitting 100 Club Chicago. Finally, a rerecording of "Roll with the Changes" is currently featured in the movie Jobs, starring Ashton Kutcher.
WebLinks: www.speedwagon.com / www.facebook.com/frontiersrecordsofficial / www.facebook.com/reospeedwagon.
xx
ANGELICA'S DEBUT ALBUM "THRIVE: A MELODIC ROCK BLAST: Frontiers Records is excited to present the world the talents of Swedish singer Angelica with the release of her debut album Thrive on November 29 in Europe and December 3 in North America.
Best known for being the singer in The Murder of My Sweet, Angelica Rylin finally decided to pursue her childhood dream and to walk in the footsteps of such amazing singers such as Ann Wilson of Heart, Leigh Matty of Romeo's Daughter or Robin Beck and record her debut solo album in a true Melodic Rock style.
Some Melodic Rock songwriting luminaries answered the call in order to create the magic harmonies and music displayed on Angelica's debut album. "Harry Hess, Daniel Flores, Robert Sall, Alessandro Del Vecchio and Anders Wigelius all contributed", says Angelica and some excellent guitarists such as Jesper Stromblad (In Flames), Magnus Karlsson (Primal Fear), Per Berquist (Smash Into Pieces) also appear on the album. There is also a very special performance by keyboardist Matt Guillory (James LaBrie). Still Angelica wrote or co-wrote several songs on her record, showing another side of her abilities.
"I got the chance to step out of my comfort zone and just focus on being a great singer. I also got to do a couple of amazing co-writes, for instance with Harry Hess of Harem Scarem" continues Angelica "but what I'm most happy about is that I got to include a couple of my own songs too. It's a great mix of classic but modern AOR love songs".
Helped by producer, drummer and songwriting partner Daniel Flores (Find Me, Seventh Wonder; The Murder Of My Sweet), Angelica managed to create a superb album which offers soaring and instantly likeable hook lines, solid guitar riffs and a crisp sound. "After releasing two albums with The Murder of My Sweet I get an opportunity to show my fans a slightly different side of me and at the same time have fun and explore another side of rock music that I grew up with and truly love" tells Angelica. "I have pushed my boundaries vocally on this album and grown as a singer, which is very important for me on a more personal level. I guess this is every singer's dream!"
"Thrive" final track listing includes: Breaking My Heart; I Am Strong; To Your Rescue; Can't Stop Love; Nothing Else You Can Break; Riding Out The Storm; Rain On My Parade; Losers In Paradise; You Will Never Win; This Kiss Is Just For You; I'm Not Waiting; Take Me To Your Heart. Breaking My Heart (bonus videoclip).
Enjoy the YouTube trailer presentation: youtu.be/1EZ2pOL5yFk and listen to the streaming of the single "Breaking My Heart" on the Frontiers Records webradio: www.frontiers.it/webradio.
Weblinks: www.facebook.com/angelica.rylin / www.frontiers.it.
xx
ROYAL HUNT'S TO RELEASE THEIR SYMPHONIC MASTERPIECE "A LIFE TO DIE FOR" ON FRONTIERS: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release on Royal Hunt's brand new studio album A Life to Die For on November 29 in Europe and December 3 in North America.
A Life to Die For - Royal Hunt's 12th studio release - is a concept album not in the lyrical sense but musically, which sees the band expand their musical boundaries and bring their symphonic and grandiose musical element to the max employing a large number of classical/orchestra players in the studio as well as a large choir!
Once again the US singer DC Cooper sees his trademark vocals shine throughout the songs penned by keyboard maestro Andre Andersen. The song writing and performances are absolutely top notch and this is Royal Hunt at their Symphonic best ! In short "A Life to Die For" is another trademark release from Royal Hunt and truly an essential addition to any fan of Progressive Metal.
Andre Andersen said: "This album is all that any fan of this kind of music might dream about: strong songs with huge choruses, infectious riffs, technical yet memorable instrumental parts, stellar production this time mighty reinforced by classical instruments and – of course - instantly recognizable style."
"A Life to Die For" will be released in a lavish digipak edition including an exclusive bonus DVD shot during the band's last tour.
The album tracklisting includes: Hell Comes Down From Heaven; A Bullet's Tale; Running Out of Tears; One Minute Left to Live; Sign of Yesterday; Won't Trust, Won't Fear, Won't Beg; A Life to Die For.
Royal Hunt:Andre Andersen - Keyboards; DC Cooper – Lead Vocals; Allan Sorensen – Drums; Andreas Passmark – Bass Guitar; Jonas Larsen – Lead Guitars. Produced and mixed by Andre Andersen.
Guest musicians: Kenny Lubcke, Alexandra Popova – backing vocals; Jacob Kjær – guitar solo on "Running Out of Tears"; Soma Allpass, Christina Lund, Patricia Skovgaard, Christina Larsen - strings; Erik Rosenqvist, Mads Kofoed - brass/woodwinds; CV Company – choir.
xx
SAMMY HAGAR SCORES HIS 11TH TOP 25 ALBUM WITH "SAMMY HAGAR & FRIENDS":
The Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar scored the 11th Billboard Top 25 album of his career this week when his new album Sammy Hagar & Friends debuted at #23 on the US Billboard 200. The album marks the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer's highest charting solo album in 18 years, since 1997's Marching To Mars. The album also scored the #7 Rock Album and #5 Independent Album release for Frontiers Records this week.
Sammy Hagar & Friends is Hagar's first ever collaborations album, featuring many of his legendary friends and band mates past and present including Kid Rock, Toby Keith, Ronnie Dunn, Joe Satriani, Nancy Wilson, Neal Schon, Mickey Hart, Michael Anthony, Chad Smith, Taj Mahal, Bill Church, Denny Carmassi, The Wabos and more. In the 40 years since his debut album Montrose was released, Hagar's charted 25 albums in Billboard's Top 200 and amassed 25 Platinum albums as a solo artist and member of seminal bands including Montrose, Van Halen and, most recently, the supergroup Chickenfoot.
The album also landed at the 48th place of the Canadian Top 200 Album charts and sales results in the European countries are expected for next week.
"Servicing such an Artist as Sammy Hagar is not only an honor, but a true pleasure," said Serafino Perugino, of President Frontiers Records. "The team work we put together in this album was rewarded by the fans, which can enjoy a true musical celebration from one of the real Rock giants, enjoy!"
For Hagar, the party's just starting… Next week, he's heading to Cabo to celebrate his 66th birthday during his annual Cabo Wabo Birthday Bash taking place October 7-13 at his Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Following Cabo, Sammy's heading back on tour - bringing his critically-heralded "Four Decades of Rock" tour to Shawnee, OK on 10/19; Red Bank, New Jersey on 10/22; Port Chester, NY on 10/23 and Bethlehem, PA on 10/26. Fans not in Cabo will have reason to celebrate on October 27 when AXS TV airs Hagar's Cabo Wabo Birthday Bash TV special. Sammy will wrap the east coast leg of his tour with a visit to The Howard Stern Show at Sirius XM on 10/28.
Visit RedRocker.com for more information.
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Sammy Hagar, has lined up a series of special events to celebrate the release of his highly-anticipated first ever rock collaborations album, Sammy Hagar & Friends, out September 24 via Frontiers Records, and he's inviting all of his Redhead fans to join the party. Sammy Hagar & Friends marks the Red Rocker's first solo release in more than five years.
Sammy Hagar & Friends release week kicked off, September 23, with the premiere of Sammy's island-inspired new song, "All We Need Is an Island" on USA Today at: usat.ly/1faxC8t. The song features two of Hagar's legendary pals, Nancy Wilson of Heart on background vocals and Mickey Hart of The Grateful Dead on drums. Said Hagar, ""All We Need Is An Island" is a love song, so I thought of Nancy Wilson who I've known forever, and she killed it and then I called Mickey Hart, and he added a cool groove, makin' it one of my favorite tracks on the new album."
Sammy's given AXS TV an all-access VIP pass to his Annual Cabo Wabo Birthday Bash taking place October 7-13 at the Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Set to air October 27, the TV special will transport fans into the Red Rocker's legendary celebration and include performances by Sammy and the Wabos and special guests on his 66th birthday. Visit www.redrocker.com and axs.tv for updates.
Following his Birthday Bash in Cabo, Sammy's heading back on tour – bringing his critically-heralded "Four Decades of Rock" tour to Shawnee, OK on 10/19, Red Bank, New Jersey on 10/22, Port Chester, NY on 10/23, Lowell, MA on 10/25 and Bethlehem, PA on 10/26. While on the east coast, Sammy will also swing by The Howard Stern Show at Sirius XM for an interview on 10/28. Visit www.redrocker.com for tour dates and ticketing information.
Sammy Hagar & Friends is Hagar's first ever collaborations album, comprised of an array of his friends and band mates past and present: Kid Rock, Toby Keith, Ronnie Dunn, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani, Nancy Wilson, Mickey Hart, Neal Schon, Chad Smith, Taj Mahal, Bill Church, Denny Carmassi and The Wabos. Each special guest brings something unique to the party, featuring a collection of unexpected original tracks and inspired covers. Fans can order the Deluxe and Standard versions of "Sammy Hagar and Friends" beginning today via www.sammyandfriends.com; iTunes: smarturl.it/ixkqlp; Amazon.com (Standard): amzn.to/16e1mJ1 and Amazon.com (Deluxe): amzn.to/16e1pVf.
In addition to the 10-track Standard Edition album, fans will also have an opportunity to purchase a Deluxe Edition of Sammy Hagar and Friends, packaged in a high-gloss Digipak. The Deluxe CD/DVD package includes an exclusive bonus audio track, "Space Station #5," featuring the reunion of the original first Montrose album lineup with very special guest, Joe Satriani. In addition, the Deluxe Edition includes a 1-hour DVD that includes a "Making of" album documentary, the music video for "Knockdown Dragout," and other exclusive behind-the-scenes footage.
WebLinks: www.redrocker.com / www.facebook.com/sammyhagar / www.sammysbeachbarrum.com.
NEW STRYPER TRACK "LEGACY" HAS EXCLUSIVE WORLDWIDE PREMIERE ON NOISECREEP: Stryper fans worldwide can click here to check out the exclusive worldwide premiere of the audio track "Legacy" on Noisecreep today. The track is taken from their forthcoming studio album No More Hell To Pay; No More Hell To Pay will be released on November 1 in Europe and November 5 in North America via Frontiers Records and will be available in two formats – standard CD and deluxe digipak featuring exclusive video content. Produced by frontman/guitarist Michael Sweet himself, the set features some of Stryper's strongest and heaviest material ever. To pre-order a digital copy of No More Hell To Pay, click here; all iTunes pre-orders include an instant download of the album's title track. Physical copies of the album are available for pre-order via Amazon.com – the standard CD can be pre-ordered here, while the deluxe digipack version may be pre-ordered here.
In other Stryper news, the band will play a very special show in Los Angeles at the Whisky A Go Go on Saturday, November 16; the evening will be recorded for an upcoming live CD/DVD package to be released in 2014. The set will feature new material from No More Hell To Pay as well as classic hits. To purchase tickets, click here.
Stryper is one of the top Christian rock bands of all time. Comprised of the original line-up of Michael Sweet (vocals/guitar), Oz Fox (guitar), Tim Gaines (bass), and Robert Sweet (drums), Stryper has been rocking since 1984, and is responsible for such '80s metal classic albums as Soldiers Under Command, To Hell With The Devil, In God We Trust and such MTV hit singles/videos as "Calling on You," "Free," and "Honestly." After a sabbatical for much of the 1990's, Stryper returned strong in the early 21st century. To date, the band has sold upwards of 8 million records worldwide and is a Dove Award-winner and Grammy nominee. Stryper is the first band to have two songs in MTV's Top 10 simultaneously.
For more information, please visit: www.stryper.com / www.frontiers.it.
NEW YOUTUBE VIDEOS TO CHECK OUT: The Poodles "Shut Up!" (Official Videoclip) - New official video from The Poodles - Shut Up! Song taken from the album "Tour De Force" Available now!
Place Vendome "Power of Music" Official Lyric Video: Place Vendome "Power of Music" is taken from the forthcoming album "Thunder in the Distance" - Out on November 1st in Europe and November 5th in North America.
ESCAPE MUSIC ANNOUNCE CD RELEASE OF KICK ALBUM: Escape Music is pleased to announce the physical release of Kick Memoirs on November 16.
Track Listing: 1. Doesn't Take Much 2. Thrill Seeking Junkie 3. Radio 4. Come Back 5. Urban Refugee 6. Round & Round 7. Words Of Advice 8. Highway To The Sun 9. The Futures Ours 10. Never Lost That Feeling 11. Nothing More To Say 12. Fallen Angel (Bonus Track 1996) 13. The End Of Time (Bonus track from Light Of Day' 2006).
Kick from the United Kingdom have released their brand new explosive album, 'Memoirs'. In 2010, Mikey Jones set about creating another solo album. It was clear that Nick Workman was busy finding success with Vega and so a decision was made to release this album under the Kick banner with Mikey on lead vocals. The songs were crafted at Mikey's home studio and remastered by Chris. Outstanding tracks include, 'Memoirs, 'Radio' and 'Urban Refugee.'
Here we have 11 songs (+ bonus), all of which were written and produced by principle songwriter, Mikey Jones. The songs are true to the tradition of Kick and each carries the hallmark of British the power-melody combination. Mikey told us, "This is an interesting bunch of songs - I worked harder on the sound and I'm happy that they are out there for public consumption. Check out Thrill Seeking Junkie, and Urban Refugee for starters - this album truly rocks!"
Kick's last album, 'New Horizon' was released in 2004 and their tours with Thunder and Magnum brought them much acclaim as a live band. Mikey's first solo album, 'The Light Of Day', released in 2006, has been re-mixed and mastered too. Mikey told us, 'I got great reviews for that album, but the main criticism was that the vocals were too low in the mix - all rectified now!'
Mikey and his brother, Chris, Kick and various other projects they have worked on during the past two decades are also up for grabs on iTunes - a veritable body of work that features all of the XL tracks from the 1992 sessions, Freefall, WildKard and even the original demos of the Kick albums, including acoustic sets.
Kick 'Memoirs' - get it now!!!
Introduction: Chris and Mikey Jones are brothers and have played together in various incarnations since the early 80s, when they were still at school. Chris took up lead guitar and Mikey the bass and vocals. Mikey was the predominant songwriter, but Chris has written some great tunes too, which are also featured here.
If you're into melodic, memorable 80s hard rock with a modern twist, then you have ended up at the right place. Influenced by early Def Leppard, Alice Cooper, Dokken and similar 80s bands, and more recently by Foo Fighters and Feeder, the Jones boys developed a new sound and no longer considered derivative. The following are the albums which were recorded since 1992.
Friday, September 20, 2013
MAXX EXPLOSION VIDEO DEBUT:
News from Kivel Records: "So there has been a bunch of chit chat as of late with new releases, shows surprise performances etc. So how about we tie all of this together. How you ask? How about this.....Below is a link to view the new single/Video for Maxx Explosion "Devil's Locomotive". What makes this better is, the bands new album "Forever" (Kivel Records) is now in stock and ready to ship to all customers. So head on over to www.kivelrecords.com and get aboard the Devil's Locomotive with Maxx Explosion.
JIMMY MARTIN RETURNS AT LAST: Jimmy Martin (of Kids Of The Rocking Nation fame) releases his new album Wild At Heart on September 27 - included on the album is his cover of the Rick Springfield hit Love Somebody (featuring guest Rick) and Robin Beck also.
Track List: Live Your Dream, Break Free, Love Don't Live Here Anymore, I Wish You Here Tonight (Duet With Robin Beck), Born To Run, Love Somebody (Feat. Rick Springfield), Different, Love Is The Answer, When Your Smile Fades Away, Life Without Love, My Sharona, Love Don't Live Here Anymore (Video).
AudioBytes: jimmymartin.believeband.com. More info: www.jimmymartin.com.
MELODIC BRIEFS: Focus On Metal weekly radio show features on their new episode a discussion with producer Beau Hill. Discussions include his work with Ratt, Winger, Warrant, Unruly Child, Europe and others. Download at: www.focusonmetal.net.
The Decibel Geek Podcast has released a review of Four, the return of Canadian rockers Coney Hatch. The seeds of a reunion were planted while Carl Dixon was in an induced coma down in Australia and now they are back and swinging on the Monkey Bars with this amazing new record, soon to be released. Direct link to the review: dbgeekshow.blogspot.ca/2013/09/blown-away-by-four-coney-hatch.html.
DARK TRANQUILITY DOWN UNDER:
Sweden's metal wonders Dark Tranquility are returning to tour Australia for the first time since 2006. They will be here performing tracks off their very recent brilliant and thought provoking release 'Construct', more importantly, they will be performing all their fan favourite tracks across their discography.
Tuesday 25th March Capitol, Perth (18+) W/ Orpheus Omega
Thursday 27th March Billboard The Venue, Melbourne (18+) (Early Doors: 6.15pm, DT Onstage 8pm) W/ Orpheus Omega
Friday 28th March The Hifi, Brisbane (18+) W/ Be'lakor + Orpheus Omega
Saturday 29th March The Hifi, Sydney (All Ages) W/ Be'lakor + Orpheus Omega
Show Tickets & VIP Meet & Greet Fan Packs + Passes On Sale Monday 16th September.
Early bird via www.metalmassacre.com.au & Ticketing outlets from Monday 8th October.
MRX UPDATED: MRX has been updated with a very special collection of songs to spark your memory banks - every single song that appeared on the USA Rock Top 40 chart in 1987! That's 271 songs in 3 Zip files. Thanks to Kurt for that one - more to come.
Also added are 2 Feature Albums:
- Ballard - Standing In the Shadows (1989)
- Phil & the Noise - Foolin' Around (1991) MRX Membership Details.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
NEW REVIEWS ONLINE:
Four new Reviews added to the site - Little River Band, Find Me, Arc Angel and ColdSpell. LOTS more to come...but will have to wait until MRF3 is over. Read New Reviews.
SIGNUM REGIS: "EXODUS" DETAILS REVEALED:
The third Signum Regis album entitled Exodus will be released on November 15th in Europe and December 3rd in North America through Ulterium Records.
"Exodus" feat. guest vocals by Lance King [ex. Pyramaze, Balance of Power], Michael Vescera [Obsession, Animetal USA], Matt Smith [Theocracy], Daosa Munhoz [Vandroya, Soulspell], Eli Prinsen [Sacred Warrior, The Sacrificed], Samuel Nyman [Manimal], Thomas L. Winkler [Gloryhammer, Emerald], Goran Edman [ex. Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum] and Mayo Petranin [Castaway]. The album was mastered by Tommy Hansen [Helloween, Jorn, Circus Maximus] and the artwork was created by Felipe Machado Franco [Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire].
"Exodus" is a historical concept album about the Israelites who were enslaved in ancient Egypt.
Check out an album teaser at YouTube: youtu.be/99bIAAvAhPg.
"Exodus" track listing: 01 - On The Nile 02 - Enslaved 03 - The Promised Land 04 - Let Us Go! 05 - Wrath Of Pharaoh 06 - The Ten Plagues 07 - Last Days In Egypt 08 - Exodus 09 - Song Of Deliverance 10 - Sole Survivor 11 – Mountain of God [CD bonus track]
"Exodus" can be ppre-ordered at the Ulterium Records Store at: www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com.
For more information: www.signum-regis.com / www.facebook.com/signum.regis / www.ulterium-records.com.
xx
CORNERSTONE: CHARITY-SINGLE RELEASE IN NOTTINGHAM (UK) :
Now, the time has come: Cornerstone will finally release their new Single on 09/20. The Launch Party will take place in the Social Club of the City Hospital in Nottingham. All the proceeds of the Single will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Fund, which is building a new unit in the Nottingham City Hospital for the research and treatment of this immunodeficiency illness at the moment, and is also for the benefit of the ROOM FOR BREATH-campaign. By the way, the song is a cover version of an Eighties Synthesizer-Hit called "Smalltown Boy" by Bronski Beat (Jimmy Sumerville) - to hear this in the rocking style of Cornerstone might be quite exciting. Special Guests at the Single-Launch Party are the Giles River Band (UK), X- factor participant Jaymac (UK) and the former Songcontest participants and party legends Black Lace (UK). The event will be featured by the Nottingham Post (around 1,2 million readers per day), GEM 106 RADIO and a couple of other local press partners. Tickets for this event are still available!
WebLink: www.cornerstone.co.at.
BAND OF THE MONTH?:
Interested in a little competition? Why not see if your band has what it takes to be November's BAND OF THE MONTH. We're taking entries until September 24th, so hurry up and get over to: fbrr2010.com/beta/band-of-the-month/ and enter your band today!
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
NIGHTWISH: DETAILS OF NEW LIVE DVD 'SHOWTIME, STORYTIME' REVEALED:
Finish Symphonic Metal legends Nightwish have revealed the cover artwork and more details of their upcoming new live DVD. Showtime, Storytime contains the entire Nightwish headliner show, played at this years' legendary Wacken Open Air – the world's biggest heavy metal festival. The live show in the front of 85 000 screaming metalheads was directed by Ville Lipiäinen, filmed with seventeen cameras and has a total duration of 85 minutes.
The second disc consists of 120-minute tour documentary 'Please Learn The Setlist in 48 Hours' – also directed by Ville Lipiäinen - with no short of drama or overall madness. Also, there is a 16-minute Nightwish Table Hockey Tournament, filmed on tour. On top of this there are two music clips: 'I Want My Tears Back' (Live at Hartwall Arena) and 'Ghost Love Score' (Live in Buenos Aires).
The Wacken Open Air appearance was the first of the three final shows of the band's `Imaginaerum World Tour´ 2013, which saw the Norsemen and their Dutch amazon Floor Jansen (Revamp) playing of 104 concerts in 34 different countries with total audience of over 1,5 million fans around the globe. Mastermind and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen states: "Our darling flying Dutchwoman, Floor Jansen, has been nothing but incredible during her time in Nightwish on this tour, so this is a perfect opportunity to immortalize the current vibe of the band on film! "
The setlist reads as follows (DVD1): 01. Dark Chest Of Wonders 02. Wish I Had An Angel 03. She Is My Sin 04. Ghost River 05. Ever Dream 06. Storytime 07. I Want My Tears Back 08. Nemo 09. Last Of The Wilds 10. Bless The Child 11. Romanticide 12. Amaranth 13. Ghost Love Score 14. Song Of Myself 15. Last Ride Of The Day 16. Outro (Imaginaerum).
'Showtime, Storytime' will be released on November 29th as a "Ltd. 2Blu-ray + 2CD DIGI", "Ltd. 2DVD + 2CD DIGI", "Ltd. 2CD DIGI", "2LP (coloured) in gatefold''
NEW FIREWORKS ISSUE - PRESS RELEASE:
Every time you think we can't do any more for you at Fireworks, we come up with something else. We went from 56 pages of mostly black and white to 96 pages of full colour.
We added cover CDs with great free music on them. We built this amazing website called Rocktopia where you can get up to date news, search reviews from previous issues and watch full performances from Firefest. What else could we do?
How about putting out another stunning full colour 96 page issue, complete with FREE CD… containing more than FIFTY songs? That's right, FIFTY. Five-Oh. Pop the CD in your PC or Mac and iTunes will jump with delight at the mp3's it will discover on there.
Some names will be instantly recognisable, like Robin Beck and Reckless Love. For the bands that might well be new to you, the CD also contains a FREE sixteen page PDF telling you everything you need to know about the artists on the disk. We haven't put the price up, it's the same as always. We've not scrimped on the content of the magazine either.
Legendary Red Rocker Sammy Hagar is in there, talking about his star studded new collaborations album. Supergroup, power trio, call them what you will, but the Winery Dogs are in there too. We take a look back at Black Sabbath during their comeback period with their second longest serving vocalist Tony Martin. Jon Oliva talks solo work and Trans Siberian Orchestra, while Michael Monroe waxes lyricals about his new solo album. The lovely Tarja is in stunning form, and that's before we've even mentioned Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie, The Quireboys, Newman, John Elefante, Heaven And Earth, Edenbridge… 32 interviews in total!
You can get a taster of them at Rocktopia.
As well as the usual mass of albums reviewed (over 100 new releases reviewed, along with reissues, DVDs and books) we have festival reports and live reviews.
Fireworks #59 - easily the best value issue we've ever put out.
Available from - Participating WHSmith and McColls Group stores (see Store Finder for participating stockists) - Here in the Fireworks Magazine Mini Shop (no registration required) - From the Rocktopia Download Store: A digital PDF copy for your mobile device or eBook reader sells for only £3. Each issue can be downloaded immediately and comes with the full cover CD in MP3 format.
(Please Note: Not all issues of Fireworks come with a free bonus disc) - Direct from Fireworks HQ by emailing fireworks.mag@ntlworld.com, paying via Paypal. Send £6 (inc P&P) for UK, £8.50 (inc P&P) Europe, and £9.50 (inc P&P) for USA/Rest of World.
THE MOODY BLUES ANNOUNCE FINAL LINE-UP FOR THEIR SECOND FAN CRUISE:
One of the greatest rock bands of all time, The Moody Blues, have announced the final line-up for their second fan cruise experience--The Moody Blues Cruise II--departing from Miami, FL. on April 2, 2014 for five days and nights, visiting tropical ports including Grand Turk Island, Turks & Caicos and Nassau, Bahamas on the spectacular cruise ship, MSC Divina. This year's cruise theme is Return To The Isle of Wight, based on 1970 Isle of Wight Festival, considered to be one of the greatest rock festivals in history and which featured an unforgettable set by The Moody Blues. The band is very pleased to announce that they will be reunited on the same bill--for first time since Isle of Wight--with lead singer, rock icon and friend Roger Daltrey of The Who.
Daltrey will be performing select material of The Who plus some of his own favorites. With him will be his touring band--featuring Frank Simes (guitar), Scott Devours (drums), Jamie Hunting (bass), Loren Gold (keyboard) and Simon Townshend (guitar)--in this rare North American appearance. The Moody Blues have also announced the addition of Isle of Wight Festival alums Carl Palmer of ELP, Lighthouse and Shawn Phillips, in addition to several notable artists from the 60s, 70s and 80s including The Zombies, The Orchestra starring ELO, Starship and Little River Band.
Other classic rock performers confirmed include: Strawbs, Joe Williams of TOTO, Glass Hammer, Sound of Contact featuring Simon Collins, Jimi Hendrix Tribute featuring Randy Hansen, Eagles Tribute featuring Danny Vaughn, The Prog Rock Orchestra, Heavy Mellow and Mellow Yellow, who will treat fans to special performances at multiple venues aboard the MSC Divina.
Fans will have access to private concerts, Q&A sessions, Karaoke Bar, special events and activities, while interacting with musical guests that influenced the music of the 70s and beyond. This is not just a "concert cruise." It is a fan experience celebrating the years of incredible music since The Moody Blues' legendary set at Isle of Wight Festival. The Moody Blues Cruise II provides a playground for the serious fan where music and luxury cruising hook up for a vacation of a lifetime. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and will only be available at www.MoodiesCruise.com.
TOP 5 BON SCOTT ERA AC/DC SONGS EPISODE NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD/STREAMING: The Decibel Geek Podcast has released Episode 102 – Top 5 Bon Scott Era AC/DC Songs for downloading/streaming. Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott, born in Scotland in 1946, moved to Western Australia at the age of 10 and spent the coming years as a "problem child;" having numerous run-ins with the law. Showing an aptitude for music and lyric writing, Scott's fortunes would change for the better when a former band mate introduced him to the members of AC/DC in 1974. The next six years would provide a meteoric rise for Scott and company as AC/DC built a legendary reputation first in Australia, with the debut of High Voltage in 1975, and then on to superstardom by the time of 1979's Highway to Hell.
This week on the Decibel Geek Podcast, hosts Aaron and Chris share the story of Bon Scott and spin some of their favorite early-era AC/DC tracks. Numerous facts about the six Bon Scott era albums are shared along with some anecdotes from the band's early years. It's an audio tribute to a rising rock star that was gone too soon.
The Decibel Geek Podcast was launched in June of 2011 by Chris Czynszak, a former rock journalist and webmaster. With co-host Aaron Camaro, the Decibel Geek Podcast has built a solid reputation for high quality audio, entertaining and humorous conversation, and exposure to songs you aren't getting through corporate rock radio. All episodes are available on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, as well as the official Decibel Geek Podcast website at www.decibelgeek.com.
CONGRATULATIONS STEVE PRICE!!: ARfm and Chilton Broadcast are pleased to congratulate Steve Price on hosting 30 years of rock radio shows.
Back in 1983 Steve joined an Essex based FM station as an assistant and, following the "on the spot" dismissal of another presenter, found himself thrown into the hot seat with instructions to finish the show. Describing that as "the worst hour of my life" it was obviously good enough for the management as he found himself with a regular spot from that moment on.
Within 2 years Steve had established himself as one of the UK's top presenters, making the Kerrang! Readers' Poll Top 10 on a number of occasions in the esteemed company of the likes of (the late great) Tommy Vance and Alan Freeman, and hosting shows worldwide (including some top USA stations).
In 2004, when Chilton Broadcast decided to set up ARfm, Steve was a natural choice when it came to finding the right person with the right pedigree to run the station and in just 6 weeks he put together at top team of presenters and producers from which ARfm has not looked back.
Steve Price will be hosting a special retrospective on Sunday 15 September 2013 at 6pm. Listen in at www.arfm.co.uk.
U2 RATTLE AND HUM REFLECTIONS BY BONO, EDGE, ADAM & LARRY INTHESTUDIO:
Dallas, TX - September 17, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands goes Hollywood this week with U2 on the 25th anniversary of their concert film and soundtrack Rattle And Hum. Having dazzled critics and fans alike with the release of their 1987 Grammy Award winning 'Album of the Year' The Joshua Tree, the band's career was at an all-time high. U2 found out first hand the slippery slope this kind of success brings with the release of Rattle And Hum. As big gets bigger, a naive attempt to capture the band's concert on film quickly morphed into a Hollywood thing. Rattle And Hum the film would find U2 under fire with some critics, while the soundtrack would contain some fan favorites including two #1 rock tracks "Angel Of Harlem" and "Desire". Singer and lyricist Bono openly admits that the band signed up for all of it, and goes on to tell InTheStudio host Redbeard the band's motivation. "We are always going to be that band that over-reaches and wants all of these things, and we will take the hit for it, and it doesn't matter. But that is the reason we make music. We want it to count. We want to make a difference."
U2 'Rattle And Hum'/ InTheStudio interview is available now to STREAM at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/u2-rattle-hum-25th-anniversary-bonothe-edge-adam-clayton/
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
MICKEY JONES RESURRECTS UK ROCK BAND KICK: Gem Music in association with Escape Music Limited are proud to announce the release of the 4th Kick album to be titled Memoirs on September 20. Memoirs is available now exclusively on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/album/memoirs/id662893281.
Track Listing: 1. Doesn't Take Much 2. Thrill Seeking Junkie 3. Radio 4. Come Back 5. Urban Refugee 6. Round & Round 7. Words Of Advice 8. Highway To The Sun 9. The Futures Ours 10. Never Lost That Feeling 11. Nothing More To Say 12. The Miracle (Bonus Track) 13. Devoted (Bonus Track) 14. From This Day On (Bonus Track).
Kick from the United Kingdom have released their brand new explosive album, 'Memoirs' on iTunes. In 2010, Mikey Jones set about creating another solo album. It was clear that Nick Workman was busy finding success with Vega and so a decision was made to release this album under the Kick banner with Mikey on lead vocals. The songs were crafted at Mikey's home studio and remastered by Chris. Outstanding tracks include, 'Memoirs, 'Radio' and 'Urban Refugee.'
Here we have 11 songs (+3 bonus), all of which were written and produced by principle songwriter, Mikey Jones. The songs are true to the tradition of Kick and each carries the hallmark of British the power-melody combination. Mikey told us, 'This is an interesting bunch of songs - I worked harder on the sound and I'm happy that they are out there for public consumption. Check out Thrill Seeking Junkie, and Urban Refugee for starters - this album truly rocks!
Kick's last album, 'New Horizon' was released in 2004 and their tours with Thunder and Magnum brought them much acclaim as a live band. Mikey's first solo album, 'The Light Of Day', released in 2006, has been re-mixed and mastered too. Mikey told us, 'I got great reviews for that album, but the main criticism was that the vocals were too low in the mix - all rectified now!'
Mikey and his brother, Chris, Kick and various other projects they have worked on during the past two decades are also up for grabs on iTunes - a veritable body of work that features all of the XL tracks from the 1992 sessions, Freefall, WildKard and even the original demos of the Kick albums, including acoustic sets.
Kick 'Memoirs' - get it now!!!
Introduction: Chris and Mikey Jones are brothers and have played together in various incarnations since the early 80s, when they were still at school. Chris took up lead guitar and Mikey the bass and vocals. Mikey was the predominant songwriter, but Chris has written some great tunes too, which are also featured here.
If you're into melodic, memorable 80s hard rock with a modern twist, then you have ended up at the right place. Influenced by early Def Leppard, Alice Cooper, Dokken and similar 80s bands, and more recently by Foo Fighters and Feeder, the Jones boys developed a new sound and no longer considered derivative. The following are the albums which were recorded since 1992.
XL (1992-93) - Catalogue No: GEM2013011 : Brothers, Chris and Mikey Jones went to the USA in an attempt to get a record deal with this Def Leppard 1980s rock sound. It was well-received, but the tide was changing and the grunge era was emerging fast. However, the 6-track EP, 'Rock All Over You' developed cult status and eventually sold on eBay for over £100.00 per CD. But this is the collection, released in its entirety for the first time here on iTunes. Freefall 'Rebel Hard' (1996) - Catalogue No: GEM2013012 : The Jones Boys needed a new and modern sound, and this was the result, 'Rebel Hard' and their Freefall project. The album was shipped into Japan and to further great reviews, heralding tracks such as 'Breathless' and 'Keep The Fire Burning.' Kick 'Consider This....Demos' (1997-98) - Catalogue No: GEM2013013 : This album was the first time that Nick Workman (Eden, Vega) came to the fore, with his vast range and vocal ability. It was released by Sanctuary PLC on Iron Maiden's, Steve Harris' Beast Records in 1999. But these were the original demos that helped attract the attention of the record company with 'Streets Of Shame' which appeared on a magazine compilation picked up by Sanctuary's A&R man. Kick 'Consider This…' (1999) - Catalogue No: GEM2013014 : This remixed version was released by Beast Records and took KICK to a new level. They played tours with Hard Rain, Magnum and Thunder, and took a trip to Germany to support Bonfire. 'Blue' was released in video format to Japan, but can be found on YouTube.com. The songs are extremely melodic and instant. It has a bright, powerful sound, which will grab your attention immediately. Olli Cunningham (keyboards) and Adam Schunker (drums) joined the band in 1998. Kick 'Sweet Lick Of Fire' (Demos 1999) - Catalogue No: GEM2013015 : Kick looked for a darker. moodier sound on this album. 'Kaleidoscopic Eyes,' 'Behind Closed Doors' and 'Time' were the pick of a great bunch of songs. The tracks here were demo'd between tours in 1999 and the following year they were recorded at Surrey Sound with producer, Andy Reilly. Benjy Reid III replaced Adam Schunker in the line-up. Kick 'Sweet Lick of Fire' (2001) - Catalogue No: GEM2013016 : This is the finished album and showed the direction and promise which should have launched Kick into the big time. However, the band was affected heavily by disruptions in the business side of things, and they parted company with Sanctuary records, but you cannot disregard the quality of these songs and their execution. Wildkard (2007) - Catalogue No: GEM2013017: This album was written by Chris Jones and Nick Workman, and featured Mikey Jones on bass. It was actually recorded in 1997 but remixed 10 years later, so it is pre-Kick. The songs are anthemic, and suited Nick Workman's vocals well. Nicks' recent work with Vega is of a similar nature - just great AOR! Kick 'New Horizon' (1994) - Catalogue No: GEM2013018 : Nick, Chris and Mikey stayed together and came up with this follow-up after all the distractions. There are some huge moments on this album, with songs such as 'Electric Storm,' 'New Horizon' and the epic, 'Watch Me Fly'. Mikey Jones 'The Light Of Day' (2006) - Catalogue No: GEM2013019 : This was Mikey's first solo album and achieved 85/100 at melodicrock.com. It was released on CD, but this version was remixed. The lead vocals are a lot clearer than the original version, which was the main criticism. Mikey was invited onto Malcolm Dome's Totalrock radio show and he championed the album, which also achieved cult status. The album has an array of differing styles, but never veers far from the strong melodies which are indicative of Mikey's songwriting. Kick 'Memoirs' (2013) - Catalogue No: GEM2013020 : In 2010, Mikey set about creating another solo album. It was clear that Nick Workman was busy finding success with Vega and so a decision was made to release this album under the Kick banner with Mikey on lead vocals. The songs were crafted at Mikey's home studio and remastered by Chris. Outstanding tracks include, 'Memoirs, 'Radio' and 'Urban Refugee.'
A FISHY UK TOUR:
Fish, the critically acclaimed progressive rock singer/songwriter, and former lead singer of Marillion, will embark on an extensive 13-date UK tour in May 2014. Billed as "The Moveable Feast Tour" the UK trek is named after his new album "A Feast Of Consequences", which is exclusively available for pre-order from the official Fish website: fishheadsclub.com. Tickets, priced £22.50, go on sale from Monday 16th September, and can be booked via www.thegigcartel.com, fishheadsclub.com, or the 24 Hour hotline: 0844 478 0898.
Fish will perform songs from the new album, as well as his solo album tracks, including early Marillion classics.
The Moveable Feast Uk Tour – May 2014
Sheffield City Hall (May 2)
Liverpool o2 Academy (May 3)
Durham Gala Theatre (May 4)
Wolverhampton Robin (May 6)
Norwich Waterfront (May 8)
London Islington Assembly Hall (May 9)
Cardiff Globe (May 10)
Bristol Fleece (May 11)
Brighton Concorde (May 13)
Exeter Phoenix (May 15)
Northampton Roadmender (May 16)
Holmfirth Picturedrome (May 17)
Glasgow o2 ABC (May 18)
THE "LOST UK JEWELS" COLLECTOR'S SERIES:
There was a time when UK AOR & Melodic Rock was a much revered genre that was loved by many and played by skilled musicians across the land. Some bands got to live the dream, getting their fifteen minutes of fame, whilst others never had the chance to let the world listen to their - often spectacular - sound.
The "Lost UK Jewels" Collector's Series will endeavour to bring you these "hidden treasures" via Limited Edition (500 copies pressed of each CD) Collector's Volumes. Under the supervision of Classic Rock AOR / Powerplay / AOR Underground journalist Rob Evans, bands like Strutz, Peroux, Graffiti, Geneva, Torino, Voyager UK, Tokyo and many more will deliver some of the strongest, never officially released material that the UK has ever seen. It'll make the average AORster openly weep, praying to the altar of all things melodic...
All the Volumes will be available in standard CD format, featuring re-mastered sound and full color booklets, including unseen pictures, memorabilia and magazine articles. Each release will come with extensive liner notes.
The first two Volumes will be available October 11, 2013 and they'll feature the following:
Vol.1: Strutz – "Through The Ages" Containing all of the band's incredible material, starting with their never officially released album dating back to 1988 + their first 1985 single + some unreleased demos. "Their sound reflects the emergence of acts like FM and BON JOVI combined with fantastic keyboards and superb guitar-playing".
Vol.2: Peroux – "Wheels Keep Turnin'" Containing their classic 4 track EP from 1988 + one unreleased track + their first demo. "Full of surging, stabbing keyboards, theirs was a sound that was built on the foundations laid by the likes of FM and Magnum".
Justice will finally be done. This is the hour of the underdog.
More info: info@metal-force.com / sales@adrenaline.it.
Oz Osukaru, Fredrik Werner and newfound bass player Fredrik Svensson, all three featured in the Swedish AOR / Melodic Rock band Osukaru, teams up with singer/songwriter Emelie "Aska" Blidmark to form the Country Rock band Aska. The debut single "Can't Stop You From Falling" will be released by the end of September and it will feature 3 songs. "The idea of Aska goes all the way back to 2006 when me and my best friend Emelie started to jam some of her songs under a different name" Oz says. "But it didn't get serious until earlier this year when Emelie told me she wanted to put together a band and take her songs to the next level. So, I asked my boys in Osukaru (including drummer Ryan Coyle who's playing the drums on the single) to join and they gladly approved. Emelie is an amazing artist and since I grew up listening to country music, I didn't need to think twice before jumping onboard."
For more information on Aska, visit www.facebook.com/askaofficial.
A rough master of the title track can be heard here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9pLdFtEV-0.
Fatal Smile are confirmed to kick major ass at "Rockklassiker Live" at Göransson Arena, Sandviken, Sweden on December 14. Together with legendary Twisted Sister and Europe! For more info & tickets: www.radioplay.se/rockklassiker / www.fatalsmile.com.
ON SALE TOMORROW - NEW CLASSIC ROCK: AOR:
Cover Story: Heart - How AOR's barracudas held their own against industry sharks, ex-boyfriends and the 1980s. In-depth story spanning the years 1974-1985 and featuring exclusive all-new interviews with Ann and Nancy Wilson.
PLUS! FREE CD: Supersonic – 15 soaraway melodic rock songs with Sammy Hagar, Reckless Love, Houston, Robin Beck, Newman, Harem Scarem, Degreed, Screaming Eagles and more.
Key features in this issue: Sammy Hagar – The Tequila man on Van Halen, Ronnie Montrose… and how he gets by with a little help from his (famous) friends. The Babys – Over three decades after their split, The Babys are back, without original singer John Waite – but with his blessing.
Obscure UK AOR – They're the also-rans and coulda-beens of Britain's Adult Oriented Rock scene, the Top 30 great groups the world at large never heard about– until now. With Midnight Blue, Moritz, She, Torino, Monro, Geneva, Kooga, LaRoche, AOK, Arena and many more. Come meet your new favourite old bands… Patty Smyth – The Scandal-ous story of how Patty made it big, how she almost joined Van Halen, and how she's coming back. Robin Beck – With her new LP, Underneath, the girl from the Coke ad proves she's the real thing alright. Reggie Knighton – The strange-but-true story of the AOR singer-songwriter who penned songs about Elvis, love and UFOs, before disappearing into the computer world. Graham Bonnet – The veteran frontman talks Rainbow, MSG, Alcatrazz… and flashing his bits in West End restaurants. Santa Cruz – The unfeasibly young Scandi-rockers grew up listening to Eminem and Limp Bizkit. But they're (more than) alright now. Chasing Violets – French sisters are doing it for themselves – with a little help from Frédéric Slama of AOR (the band). Steve Overland – "I've sung on some weird things, like Kit-E-Kat advertisements," purrs the FM man. Lost Weekend – It's a long, twisting tale of record label frustrations, of cutting albums in less-than-ideal situations, of chasing a dream against all odds and with little in the way of tangible reward. But one listen to this band's finely honed AOR will prove it was all worth it… Arc Angel – Thirty years on, Arc Angel have risen again. Jeff Cannata talks us through his journey from the proggy majesty of his Cannata project, back to Arc Angel's effortlessly melodic rock. Live reviews – Sweden Rock, Steve Lukather, The Val, Vega, Steelhouse Festival, Bryan Adams, Heaven's Basement, Rick Springfield, Richie Kotzen… Album reviews – New releases from Reckless Love, Newman, Robin Beck, Houston, Santa Cruz, King Kobra, Sammy Hagar, Michael Monroe; reissues from REO Speedwagon, Nick Gilder, Warrant, Derringer…
Order now via: www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/music-bookazines/classic-rock-presents-aor-9-heart/
SHOWCASE UPDATED:
2 new CD Showcases online today for: Impera (Escape Music, October 18 release) and Oliver Hartmann - Out In The Cold re-issue (Avenue Of Allies, out now). Check them out.
Monday, September 16, 2013
MRCD11 / HOUSE OF SHAKIRA / FAITH CIRCUS NEWS: MRCD11 has arrived at MR.com HQ today and will be shipped out later in the week for those that pre-order. Last day to pre-order is THIS WEDNESDAY. Orders after that point will not be shipped until after October 14.
This One Goes To Eleven looks fantastic and the songs are, as always, some of the best new and unreleased tunes the genre has to offer. In fact, check out this absolute gem from the awesome Degreed. This track is exclusively recorded for MRCD11!
The same pre-order conditions apply to the fantastic new House of Shakira album Pay To Play. Stock will arrive here late this week, just in time to be shipped out (I hope!!). Here is some feedback on the album from early reviews for the album:
"There is a call to action feeling of each track. Most of the songs are upbeat and fun, and that makes you want to bang your head and tap your foot. "Draw the Line" has very good riffs and such an anthem-like sound with the combination of the members singing the lyrics. "Dog Eat Dog" is another amazing track that makes you instantly want to sing along. The riff catches your attention, and then, the song continues to build to keep your appeal. The "hey, hey, hey, hey" within the lyrics keep the buoyant sound alive by making you want to thrust a fist into the air as you sing along. "Talk of the Town" starts out with a higher pitch of voices singing, and there is an initial riff that gets more and more intense as the song plays on. The voices lose the higher pitch and the attitude of the song sets in. It continues to give the album the attraction that has been expected by this expert band. Overall, each song does the album justice. There is not a song that doesn't disappoint the classic rock roots or the new sounds you hear today. There is something enjoyable on this album for everyone. The sound is right, the instruments provide the right amount of balance, and the lyrics are amusing and fit well in combination. This is definitely a recommended album." 8/10 ~ Jenn Carbaugh, Hard Rock Haven: hardrockhaven.net/online/2013/09/house-of-shakira-pay-to-play-cd-review/
"House of Shakira are part of the Melodic Rock scene since 1997. Their albums "Lint" and "III" were some of the best Scandinavian Melodic Rock albums released in the late 1990's. Due to some label- and line-up problems the band got out of step in the last years, but with the new album the band finally picks up some courage. "Pay To Play" can't keep up with the aforementioned albums, but with good songs like "Bending The Law", "Dog Eat Dog" or "Talk Of The Town" the band is back on track again! Give HOS a second chance and give "Pay To Play" a try… " ~ Marco Spath, AOR Heaven Newsletter.
"The recruitment of ex-Mind's Eye singer Andreas Novak has been an inspired move for these Swedes. Pay To Pay is the group's seventh album in total, their second with Novak. With songs that mock industry injustice, peer plagiarism and the usual relationship issues, it's a spirited, playful and irresistible romp." 8/10 ~ Dave Ling, Classic Rock Magazine.
Check out another great track from the album - Bending The Law! Pre-order here.
Lastly, the brand new Faith Circus CD will arrive with House Of Shakira, hopefully later this week. Turn Up The Band is a 2CD set, featuring a brand new remix of the band's debut album. Two fantastic slabs of melodic hard rock for the one price there. Here again, is a couple of early reviews:
Faith Circus describe their sound as a hybrid of Kiss, Van Halen, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, and Journey. As comparisons go, those aren't too shabby. You'll hear lots of cool melodies, some really good hooks, plenty of six-string sizzle, pounding rhythms, and the mandatory inclusion of smooth, layered harmonies. The production is slick and polished—perhaps just a touch TOO polished—so if you're looking for grit, go buy some sandpaper. Faith Circus is all about melody, not metal. Not a criticism, merely an observation. Passion is an oft-ignored component in today's rock 'n' roll climate, but you can hear it loud and clear in the music of Faith Circus. The band loves what they are doing and are having loads of fun doing it and that permeates their songs for the listener to experience. When a band is obviously having this much fun, you just naturally want to go along for the ride. Which is easy to do, thanks to some instantly-catchy sing-along tracks. Faith Circus have experienced break ups, member changes, and the usual assortment of bad luck than can befall a band along the way. But rather than lay in the dust and moan like a kicked puppy, they have used the pressure to forge a fresh start. The band now calls MelodicRock Records home and Turn Up the Band should find its way into your home. Don't waver, don't hesitate – just have faith that you need this album." 8/10 ~ Mark Allen, Hard Rock Haven: hardrockhaven.net/online/2013/09/faith-circus-turn-up-the-band-cd-review/.
"Seven years have passed since the Faith Circus debut, now the band is finally back with album #2. One more time the band delivers a full does of Arena Hard Rock in the vein of Firehouse and Damn Yankees. Guitar-driven and stormy rockers like "Restless Heart", "Turn Up The Band" or "Born With The Power" catapult your right back to the 1980's when a ballad like "Tears You've Never Cried" would have been a sure hit! If you are still a friend of the 1980's Melodic Rock sound, then I highly recommend you to check out Faith Circus' new effort!" ~ Marco Spath, AOR Heaven Newsletter.
HOUSE OF SHAKIRA SIGN TO BOOKING/MGMT COMPANY DOT MUSIC:
Booking and management company DOT Music in Sweden are proud to announce their co-operation with Melodic Rock / AOR masters House of Shakira.
In their own words: "House of Shakira are a hardworking band for many years and know exactly how to deliver a sparkling rock show! Journey, AC/DC, Kiss, Van Halen, Queen, Genesis, Eagles and Led Zeppelin are musical sources where they get their musical inspiration, but they have built their own platform. House Of Shakira have a sparkling rock show where frontman and vocalist Andreas Novak (Novak Ex Mind´s Eye, Solo) rock the houses in a marvelous way and he has the audience in his hands.
House of Shakira have a long history doing live shows and have done own tours and also touring together with big established names. Following countries have been visited so far Sweden, UK, Germany, Italy and Spain, but this time we want to see and meet more fans in different countries. Played twice at established Sweden Rock Festival 2001and 2005 where over 30,000 people attend to the festival.
The band have a great discography since the highly praised debut album "Lint" from 1997. They release their 7th studio album "Pay To Play" September 23, 2013 on Melodic Rock Records / Cargo Records.
Right now we are looking for tour dates for 2014 and we want to visit your festival / rock club. House of Shakira give your audience full value all the way!
Besides their own great material they know all the melodic rock classics so you never know what will happen during a House of Shakira show. All we know is that you will go way from a House Of Shakira show with a big smile and you ask for more! Looking forward to hear from you soon so we can find a good date together for House Of Shakira!
Enquiries and bookings to: christian@dotmusic.se. For more information about House of Shakira: www.houseofshakira.com / www.facebook.com/HouseofShakira.
EUROPE LIVE AT SWEDEN ROCK CD/DVD DUE: earMUSIC is excited to announce the UK release of Europe's "Live At Sweden Rock – 30th Anniversary Show" (2CD, DVD and Blu-ray) on Monday 21st October 2013. To celebrate the news, the band has premiered a stunning video clip of The Final Countdown – Live. Click HERE to see the video performance of this classic song in its entirety.
On 7th June 2013, Europe took the stage in their home country Sweden for a special occasion: celebrating 30 years of rock music. The Swedish rock band celebrated this event together with 30,000 fans at the prestigious Sweden Rock Festival. Europe performed 28 songs, selecting their personal favourite moments spanning from their earlier years up to their most recent songs taken from albums including Last Look At Eden and Bag Of Bones; plus songs performed for the very first time.
Described as a greatest hits extravaganza, Europe's headline festival performance also displayed it's more soulful moments, especially when the band sat down to perform an emotional acoustic set. This segment of the concert gave the massive festival atmosphere an intimate club feeling before Europe returned to perform the hard rock anthems their fans have grown to love and cherish.
To pay tribute to some of their biggest rock heroes, Europe invited two very special guests to perform with them - Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy) for an electrifying version of Jailbreak and Michael Schenker (MSG, ex-UFO and Scorpions) for their tribute to UFO's classic Lights Out.
The set list is full of treasures and surprises. Europe were determined to celebrate and enjoy their long record of hit singles including Carrie, Rock The Night, Superstitious, Open Your Heart, Last Look At Eden, Prisoners in Paradise, New Love In Town and, of course, the ever-present and always electrifying iconic rock anthem The Final Countdown.
Clocking in over 2 hours, 40 minutes of footage, and filmed with state-of-the-art hi def cameras, the concert features behind-the-scenes material, plus an exclusive interview with the band, making "Live At Sweden Rock – 30th Anniversary Show" the definitive Europe live experience!
Track Listing: 1. Intro / Riches To Rags 2. Firebox 3. Not Supposed To Sing The Blues 4. Scream Of Anger 5. Superstitious 6. No Stone Unturned 7. New Love In Town 8. In The Future To Come 9. Paradize Bay 10. Girl From Lebanon 11. Prisoners In Paradise 12. Always The Pretenders 13. Drink And A Smile 14. Open Your Heart 15. Love Is Not The Enemy 16. Sign Of The Times 17. Start From The Dark 18. Wings Of Tomorrow 19. Carrie 20. Jailbreak (featuring Scott Gorham) 21. Seven Doors Hotel 22. Drum Solo 23. The Beast 24. Let The Good Times Rock 25. Lights Out (featuring Michael Schenker) 26. Rock The Night 27. Last Look At Eden 28. The Final Countdown.
DVD/Blu-ray - Bonus Features 1. Behind The Scenes Material.
AUSTRALIAN GUITAR HERO JOE MATERA TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM IN NOVEMBER:
Following on from his critically acclaimed 2012 album, 'Creature Of Habit', Australian guitar hero, Joe Matera, releases a new set, 'Terra Firma', via W.A.R Productions, in Europe this November. The new album features nine new songs built from a tumultuous year for Joe, in which he has enjoyed tremendous international success with 'Creature Of Habit', the accompanying single, 'Fallen Angel' and his first European Tour in September, 2012 as well as having to face a double family tragedy. The roots of 'Terra Firma' stretch from this highly emotional period and the resultant song-writing display greater depth, maturity and emotive resonance than his previous work.
Joe – whose reputation is principally as a creator of guitar driven instrumentals – has also responded to calls from his fans to add more vocals in the wake of 'Fallen Angel' and two new songs on the collection, 'Shining Star' and 'Tell Me Why' feature his voice and new lyrical twists.
'Shining Star' will be the lead-off single and two versions of the song are found on the album. The 'single' version is a no-holds-barred full band rock attack that features a guest appearance from The Sweet's Pete Lincoln, on bass. In addition, there is a relaxed 'acoustic' version also featuring Lincoln alongside another of Joe's great friends, Smokie's Martin Bullard on keyboards. Joe will be heavily promoting the album in May 2014 during a 'European Terra Firma tour' which will include shows in Austria, Germany, Netherlands and the UK.
Official website: www.joematera.com.
CHICAGO RELEASE A NEW eSINGLE: Chicago's newest single, America is now available to Chicago Premium Access subscribers at a member discount in the "Add-Ons" section. The download includes a choice of high-quality formats, artwork, lyrics, and extensive liner notes about the recording process and more from Lee Loughnane: "I know there are many people, from all political perspectives, that feel the way I do about the future of America. Perhaps in some way, the message found in this song will remind people to think about how much more we can all do, especially in what we demand from OUR government. America can and should be an even better place. We have a wonderful history of rising to seemingly insurmountable challenges. For the sake of our children and grandchildren, we must do the hard work to minimize such profound divisions within the fabric of our country. We must find new ways to work together to preserve this remarkable pursuit of happiness. To preserve a life of freedom for generations to come, we can't fail. I hope in some way the music found here conveys this universal feeling in a way words simply can't. I do know Chicago is proud to add its voice. We hope you all enjoy listening to "America" as much as we enjoyed recording it!"
HOUSE OF LORDS FEATURED ON CAFFINE BOMB RADIO:
Guitarist Jimi Bell and drummer BJ Zampa from House Of Lords will guest on this week's edition of Caffeine Bomb. Make sure you tune in at 7:00 p.m. EST on Monday, September 16, to 91.7 FM WHUS in Eastern Connecticut, also streaming at whus.org/listen-live and on your smartphone using the myUConn app. Caffeine Bomb is hosted by Roger Lotring, an author and freelance music journalist whose work has appeared in the pages of Metal Hammer, Metal Edge, Classic Rock, Prog, Revolver, Shock Wave, Zero and Burn magazines, and at ESPN.com and CMJ.com.
Roger is the co-author of "Full Metal Jackie Certified: The 50 Most Influential Heavy Metal Songs of the '80s and the True Stories Behind Their Lyrics". He is also the author of various CD liner notes, including the Motley Crue box set, "Music to Crash Your Car To, Volume 2."
91.7 WHUS is a commercial-free college and community-based radio station broadcasting from the University of Connecticut. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/CaffeineBomb.radio or WHUS.org.
NEH RECORDS AFFECTED BY COLORADO FLOODING: Important Message from NEH Records from flood affected Colorado: "NEH Records LLC is located just north of Boulder, Colorado, USA in an area that was devastated by floods over the last few days. Although no structural damage or direct property losses occurred at NEH Records we are somewhat isolated at the moment as roads are impassable and no deliveries can come in or out. Electrical power, phones and internet access were cut off for a couple of days but all has been restored now. Some shipments that would normally have departed here Thursday, Sept 12 through today have not left our facility due to this natural disaster but we will be shipping all delayed orders on Monday, September 16 and our supply chain deliveries should be restored by then also. We apologize for the delay in service and we appreciate our customer's patience." ~ Mike McPherson / NEH Records LLC.
DOOLITTLE GROUP SINGS BENESSER: Doolittle Group are proud to announce the new video Where Silence Prevails with the new Swedish Progressive Rock Band Benesser: www.youtube.com/watch?v=awFqA0F17Vw.
Their debut album "The Start Of Something New" will be available worldwide September 25. Benesser make way and develop new progressive rock with wonderful colors and sound in the same spirit as Muse, Rush, Radiohead, Rival Sons and Black Country Communion. Benesser is now available for bookings worldwide at DOT Music AB, Sweden. Please contact: info@dotmusic.se.
The Benesser Line-Up: Robert Olsson - Lead Vocals and bass; Henric Hermansson - Guitars; David Olsson - Drums.
For more info about the band. Please visit: www.facebook.com/benessermusic / www.benesser.se.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
MELODIC ROCK FEST UPDATE: MRF3 final update and details will be posted tomorrow. Sorry folks...a few last minute details needed ironing out before the posting of the final and definite details. Stay tuned! Get tickets now at: www.melodicrockfest.com. Only 2 weeks to go!!
SLEEPING ROMANCE SIGNS WITH ULTERIUM RECORDS: Ulterium Records are proud to announce the signing of the symphonic metal band Sleeping Romance to the label. Their debut album "Enlighten" will be released on November 1st in Europe and December 3rd in North America. Fronted by the emotional vocals of Federica Lanna and the epic songwriting from guitar player Federico Truzzi, Sleeping Romance creates something really exciting together that should appeal to fans in the scene.
"Enlighten" was mastered by Roberto Priori [Los Angeles, Danger Zone, Vision Divine] and the artwork was created by Felipe Machado Franco [Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire, Iced Earth]. Check out an album teaser for "Enlighten" at YouTube: youtu.be/Ce8KtJa8iZo.
"Enlighten" track listing; 01. Hybrid Overture 02. Enlighten 03. The Promise Inside 04. Soul Reborn 05. Free Me 06. December Flower 07. Finding My Way 08. Passion Lost 09. Devil's Cave 10. Aeternum.
"Enlighten" can be pre-ordered at the Ulterium Records Store: www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com.
Sleeping Romance will tour Europe together with Theocracy in November. These are the confirmed dates so far:
November 2nd: Brainstorm Festival - Apeldoorn, Netherlands
November 9th: Blast of Eternity - Neckarsulm, Germany
November 11th: Call for Eternity - Collosseum, Kosice, Slovakia
November 12th: Melodka - Brno, Czech Republic
November 13th: Club Hoodoo - Prague, Czech Republic
Sleeping Romance online: www.facebook.com/sleepingromanceofficial.
xx
PERSUADER SIGNS WITH INNER WOUND: Inner Wound Recordings are proud to announce the signing of the Swedish power metal band Persuader to the label. Their up-coming album The Fiction Maze will be released late 2013/early 2014. Release dates, track listing and more will be announced during the coming months.
Persuader was formed in Umeå, Sweden 1997, and have since then released three albums: "The Hunter" [2000], "Evolution Purgatory" [2004] and "When Eden Burns" [2006], all highly acclaimed in the metal scene.
Persuader is: Jens Carlsson - Vocals; Fredrik Hedström - Bass; Emil Norberg - Guitars; Daniel Sundbom - Guitars; Efraim Juntunen - Drums.
Persuader about the new album: "So finally, we're back! A journey that began some five years ago has finally come to the end of the line and we're extremely proud to uncover the new Persuader album entitled "The Fiction Maze". A lot of hard work was put into creating the perfect mix of everything we've done so far, expanded on the Persuader sound while keeping the core that is the band; heavy riffing, strong melodies, pounding rhythms and soaring vocals. Combined with a crushing production courtesy of mixer extraordinaire Ronnie Björnström [Aeon, Apostasy, Bone Gnawer] this turned out to be quite a beast of an album, the true pinnacle of our career so far. The time has come, now join us through the fiction maze!"
Persuader online: www.facebook.com/pages/Persuader/50270729045.
WATCH DARE, LIVE THE GODS, 2000:
Before Firefest, there was The Gods, the inaugural AOR/Melodic Rock festival run by Now & Then Records and featuring many of the most well-loved AOR names ever to grace the stage. The debut Gods shows were in 1993 … that's exactly TWENTY years ago today, an special anniversary all of its own. As well as bringing you the best shows from Firefest over the past 10 festivals, Rocktopia will also be cherry-picking some of those momentous Gods performances. Of course, most of these weren't shot in digital format, but the quality is still good enough to deliver a loving memory of festivals long past. Our first Gods show isn't quite from as far back as that though, as we look to the year 2000 and the last Gods festival to be held at Maximes in Wigan. Alongside the likes of Two Fires and Ten, legendary UK AOR band Dare gave us a wonderfully evocative and emotive performance which is finally shown here for the first time. 2013 also sees the 25th anniversary of Dare's wonderful debut, 'Out of the Silence', so join Darren and the lads for another exciting Rocktopia exclusive…
Dare at the Gods is simply the latest example of great footage at Rocktopia. Sign up to watch shows from Firefest and The Gods exclusively on www.Rocktopia.net. Already there are full concert performances from W.E.T, Unruly Child, Robin Beck, House Of Lords, Gotthard and Danger Danger - a new show will be added EVERY WEEK! www.rocktopia.net.
SOMEBODY UP THERE RE-ISSUES MICHAEL DES BARRES: Michael Des Barres – 'Somebody Up There Likes Me' due for re-issue of Yesterrock/Universal September 20.
Rising to prominence firstly in the 60s as a budding young TV and theatre actor before becoming the frontman with proto-Glam rock troupe Silverhead, Michael Des Barres, of course, subsequently formed the Led Zeppelin approved Detective before re-emerging as a solo artist in the 80s with a Mike Chapman produced album entitled 'I'm Only Human'. He then enjoyed stints with Chequered Past and The Power Station before making a complete 360 degree turn and returned to the world of acting by appearing in highly rated US TV shows such as 'MacGyver', 'Melrose Place' and 'Roseanne', having already made in-roads into TV work with roles in various episodes of 'Miami Vice', 'Hart To Hart', Cagney & Lacey' and 'St. Elsewhere' in the early 80s.
Originally released by MCA/Gold Mountain Records in 1986, 'Somebody Up There Likes Me' was a record made during a very happy period in Michael's life, the great man having the stability both financially and professionally to make the album he wanted to make. Produced and arranged by Bob Rose (Todd Rundgren, The Beach Boys), Des Barres was backed-up by an outstanding band including high profiled session drummer Jim Keltner, guitar players Steve Jones (Sex Pistols) and Andy Taylor (Duran Duran) and bass player Phil Chen (Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart).
Munich based re-issue specialist Yesterrock in co-operation with Universal Music Germany is now releasing this sought after release in a remastered version for the first time ever on CD.
NEW ALBUM REVIEWS & INTERVIEW LINKS FOR KINGS OF THE SUN RETURN:
Aussie rock legends Kings Of The Sun are back...again...sort of... The facts are that drummer Cliff Hoad has put together his new vision for the band - Clifford Hoad's Kings Of The Sun. The guys have found themselves a cool vocalist and have a brand new studio album out now - written entirely by Cliff in the tradition of the band's classic sound. Here is some recent press on the release:
SEROSIA PUT NEW SPIN ON MELODIC HARD ROCK WITH 'VARIABLES':
Press Release / To some, "melody" used to be a bad word when discussing hard rock. But the emergence of the fast-rising Serosia proves this assumption to be a thing of the past, as their latest release, Variables, challenges the listener, delivering a hard rock punch with expert melodicism. Stand out tracks such as "Friendly Fire," "The Architect," and "Superposition," are evidence of Serosia's powerful yet eloquent style. "The best way to describe our sound is expressive and meaningful," explains the group's singer, Lucas D'Agata. "We are not a love song band, nor do we care about how hard you can party or how many chicks you think you can score. Musically, we are aggressive yet delicate, with a strong sense of detail and vision."
In addition to D'Agata, Serosia is comprised of members Derek Troxell - guitars, Joseph Kuban - bass, and Anthony D'Agata - drums, and hail from Dallas, Texas. And as far as the band's uncommon name, D'Agata explains it as "We were looking to create a word, rather than use something already in existence. It seemed to fit the original and organic feel of the music better that way. After a bit of brainstorming, Derek concocted Serosia."
And the quartet succeeds in translating their far-reaching sound from the studio to the stage, as D'Agata promises "An actual show! Not just four dudes standing around playing meaningless repeated choruses, wearing all the newest fashion crazes. The end result/payoff of all of our efforts is the live show. We are intense and REAL. No choreographed stage moves, just us letting the music speak through our bodies. If there was a single word that could describe a Serosia show it would be, ENERGY."
Lastly, upcoming dates with Sevendust are sure to expand Serosia's fanbase even further. "We are honored for the opportunity to tour with not only such a well-established national act. Sevendust is a band that we all genuinely enjoy and admire," says the band. "For us, this tour is a stepping stone for Serosia to be exposed to a much broader audience and to display our vision of the future of rock music. We are looking forward to connecting with all the fans along the way."
Tour dates with Sevendust:
Wed/Sep-18 Las Vegas, NV Hard Rock Live
Thu/Sep-19 Salt Lake City, UT In The Venue
Fri/Sep-20 Billings, MT Babcock Theatre
Mon/Sep-23 Ft. Collins, CO Aggie Theatre
Tue/Sep-24 Colorado Springs, CO Black Sheep
Wed/Sep-25 Cheyenne, WY Atlas Theatre
Tue/Oct-01 Kokomo, IN Center Stage
Wed/Oct-02 Battle Creek, MI Planet Rock
Wed/Oct-09 Knoxville, TNClub NV
Thu/Oct-10 Wilmington, NC Ziggy's By The Sea
For more information, visit: www.serosiaband.com / www.facebook.com/serosiaband.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
FERGIE FREDERKSEN - "ANGEL DON'T CRY": Fergie Frederiksen "Angel Don't Cry" is taken from the new album "Any Given Moment" - Out now!
Players on the album include: Fergie Frederiksen -- lead vocals; Alessandro Del Vecchio -- keyboards, background vocals; Nik Mazzucconi -- bass, fretless bass; Herman Furin -- drums; Robert Sall, Bruce Gaitsch, Walter Caliaro, Peter Friestedt, Alessio Berlaffa, Sven Larsson, David Coyle - Lead and rhythm guitars; Roberto Tiranti -- background vocals; Issa -- duet vocals on "Not Alone". Produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio.
IT'S MY LIFE - A FICTIONAL MEMOIR:
This fictional rock 'n' roll memoir by acclaimed rock writer Neil Daniels tells the story of Johnny Cannon; an Alice Cooper tribute singer who used to front a band called The Druids, one of the most exciting and distinctive bands of the '80s hair metal era. They released two albums ('The Flight Of The Druids' and 'Kingdome Come') and toured the UK, Europe, America and Japan before calling it a day.
Vividly recalled and entertainingly written, this mock rock memoir is filled with hilarious anecdotes, candid diary entries and tales of unrelenting honesty. It is also a moving tribute to a bygone era. Hair metal was big business in the '80s until grunge exploded and it consequently became universally derided and hair metal bands became relics of the past. Many bands lost their record deals, folded or suffered constant line-up changes and were reduced to playing in tiny clubs or going back to the real world and working for someone else. They got real jobs. Johnny Cannon was there and he can tell you everything.
Johnny Cannon narrates the history of The Druids and the hair metal genre from the early '80s to 1991 when everything changed. 'It's My Life' is filled with stories of excess by a former '80s rock star turned tribute singer and is Britain's alternative to Mötley Crüe's hugely successful band autobiography The Dirt.
NEIL DANIELS has written about classic rock and heavy metal for a wide range of magazines, fanzines and websites. He is the author of numerous rock biographies, including titles on Journey, Bon Jovi, AC/DC, Metallica and Iron Maiden. He has also written three previous Createspace titles (AOR Chronicles, Rock & Metal Chronicles and Hard Rock Rebels - Talking With Rock Stars).
Visit: neildanielsbooks.wordpress.com/createspace-books/
SERGEANT STEEL ON A MISSION: Sergeant Steel - New album "Men On A Mission" - Artwork and tracklist now online. New Sergeant Steel record "Men On A Mission" will be released on Sept., 6th via Boyz Tyme Records! Austria's hard rock band no. 1 presents tracklist and artwork for the new album:
1. Gods Of Love 2. Mama Horny 3. Sweet 16 4. Don't Give It Up 5. Man On A Mission 6. Cry Out Your Heart, Baby! 7. Born To Lose (Live To Win) 8. Wannabe- Outlaw 9. Some Girls Are Ladies 10. Taker Of My Heart 11. Give Me A Call.
Mix and mastering for "Men On A Mission" are done by legendary top-producer Michael Wagener (Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Janet Jackson, Skid Row, Dokken, Extreme, White Lion, Alice Cooper, Warrant, etc.).
The band also did a video for the first single "Cry Out Your Heart, Baby", which is featured on Youtube: youtu.be/-xslcxMgnW0
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
ONE MORE FOR MELODIC ROCK FEST: MelodicRockFest is set to squeeze in just one more band to the Friday night line-up for September 27 at H.O.M.E. Bar Chicago. MRF is pleased to add Ferreira to the mix of acts that will appear on the Friday night, including acoustic performances from Eric Martin, Kelly Keeling, Glen Burtnik and Robert Tepper. Gary Schutt and Bonrud are set to plug their guitars in as will Ferreira, who will deliver a set of new songs and old favourites. Ferreira line-up: Marco Ferreira: Voc, guitar; Alex Ferreira: Drums, Backing; Dario Seixas: Bass, Backing; Gus Monsanto: Guitar, Backing. Tickets and full show details at:www.melodicrockfest.com.
NOTE 1:This is the last 24hrs to order tickets for delivery prior to the show. Any tickets purchased after Wednesday will be available for pickup at the venue on the day.
NOTE 2:Any VIP ticket holders (Gold, Green and Blue) that have not yet contacted me with their preferred Tshirt size, please do so NOW! ajm@melodicrock.com.
LOVERBOY INVITES FANS TO PARTICIPATE IN FOUR-DAY "JAMAICAN FOR THE WEEKEND":
It's a long way from Calgary to the beaches of the Caribbean, but that's the trip being made by legendary multi-platinum rockers Loverboy, when the band hosts a very special "Jamaican for the Weekend" event. Fans of the group will be "lovin' every minute of it," when Loverboy—lead singer Mike Reno, guitarist Paul Dean, keyboardist Doug Johnson, drummer Matt Frenette and bassist Ken "Spider" Sinnaeve, partner with Rock the Caribbean for an exclusive, four-day excursion to take place between May 9-13, 2014 at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort on the outskirts of Montego Bay, Jamaica.
For more than 30 years, Loverboy has been "Working for the Weekend," delighting audiences around the world since forming in back in 1979 when vocalist Mike Reno was introduced to local guitar hot shot Paul Dean, both veterans of several bands on the local Calgary scene, at that city's Refinery Night Club.
Not just Canada's greatest rock export, Loverboy made its mark south of the border, with four multi-platinum albums including, the four-million-selling Get Lucky, and a trio of double-platinum releases in their self-titled 1980 debut, 1983's Keep It Up and 1985's Lovin' Every Minute of It. Their string of hits includes, in addition to the arena-rock anthem "Working for the Weekend," such staples as "Lovin' Every Minute of It," "This Could Be the Night," "Hot Girls in Love," "Heaven In Your Eyes," "Turn Me Loose," "When It's Over," "Heaven In Your Eyes" and "Queen of the Broken Hearts."
For this first-ever "Jamaican for the Weekend" event, fans will enjoy the all-inclusive amenities of a world-class luxury resort, which includes free admission to Sugar Mill Falls, the largest water park in Jamaica, and a beautiful main pool. At night, they will "Get Lucky" by getting a chance to catch Loverboy on a stage built steps from the beach for one of three special concerts the band will perform exclusively for participants, with a guest total capped at 600.
"This is an incredible opportunity for our fans to get up close and personal with the band in a stunning, resort environment, where we can all let our hair down and have fun," said Reno about the event. "You could say, it's 'Almost Paradise.' And I get to work on my golf game, too." Fans will get a chance to play a round or two with avid golfer Reno, while other activities that the Canadian rock legends will participate in will be announced closer to the event.
The weekend will kick off with a 90-minute welcome cocktail reception, followed by a special "unplugged," acoustic Loverboy performance, one of three concerts by the group during the four-day event. There will also be plenty of autograph sessions and hanging out, where fans can socialize with the band, concluding with a farewell buffet.
The single price includes four-night accommodations; three meals daily; all beverages (house brand liquor, draft beer, wine by the glass, frozen cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks); non-motorized water sports equipment (ocean kayaking, snorkeling, sunfish sailing); unlimited access to the fitness center; basketball, beach volleyball, daytime tennis, horseshoes and croquet facilities; nature hikes and power walks; complementary shuttle service to historic Rose Hall Plantation House; Kids Club and Teen Zone activities and roundtrip transfers to and from the Montego Bay International Airport. Additional resort services include an 18-hole golf course, Wi-Fi and in-room Internet access, spa services and treatment, in-room dining, motorized water sports and equipment rental and on-demand movies.
The legendary rockers recently headlined a Sept. 2 show at the PNE Arena in Vancouver, BC, as well as performing concerts with Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Ratt and Creedence Clearwater Revisited on the heels of their critically acclaimed tour last year with Journey and Pat Benatar + Neil Giraldo.
For event details, go to: www.rockthecaribbean.com/Loverboy.
RICK SPRINGFIELD TO PUBLISH DEBUT NOVEL WITH TOUCHSTONE:
New York, May 28, 2013—Grammy award-winning musician, actor, and New York Times bestselling author Rick Springfield will publish his debut novel with Touchstone. Titled Magnificent Vibration and scheduled for publication in May 2014, the novel portrays a hero who has hit a dead end in his life, but who serendipitously receives a 1-800 phone connection to God via an inscription in a mysterious self-help book that may just give him a shot at saving the planet. Magnificent Vibration is a potent tour de force that is by turns hilarious, poignant, spiritual, over-the-top, and deeply meaningful. The announcement was made today by Stacy Creamer, Vice President and Publisher of Touchstone, who will also edit the book. "The only good grades I ever got in school before I was kicked out were for creative writing," said Rick Springfield. "I thought that fiction might be in my future but then my career took a different path once the Beatles showed me what a blast being in a band could be. Writing my memoir Late, Late at Night reminded me how much I love the craft. So I decided to give fiction a shot again. Magnificent Vibration is the result. I'm still not quite sure where it came from, but once I got going, it practically wrote itself. I've heard writers I admire speak of that phenomenon, so maybe I'm on the right track." "I knew that Rick is a brilliant, natural-born writer from working with him on his memoir," said Stacy Creamer. "He wrote it himself without the benefit of a ghost. But even that didn't prepare me for this dazzling, daring, wholly unexpected, utterly amazing first novel of his."
Rick Springfield is best known for 17 Top 40 hits including the classic #1 song, "Jessie's Girl," and his role on ABC's hit daytime drama "General Hospital" as Dr. Noah Drake. He has sold more than 25 million records to date. His 2010 memoir, Late, Late at Night, also published by Touchstone, was a New York Times bestseller and was named one of the 25 best rock memoirs of all time by Rolling Stone. Recently, Springfield starred in Dave Grohl's 2013 "Sound City" documentary and on its soundtrack "Sound City: Real to Reel" with his hit single "The Man That Never Was." Springfield also recently appeared on the third season of Showtimes's "Californication" series and in CBS's "Hawaii Five-0" series. His official website, www.rickspringfield.com, is the online home for Springfield's enthusiastic and active fan base.
Stacy Creamer concluded the deal for North American and audio rights with literary agent David Patterson at Foundry Literary + Media acting on behalf of Dana Borowitz and United Talent Agency.
Touchstone is an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc., a part of CBS Corporation. Simon & Schuster is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom. For more information visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com.
ROCK AND ROLL AUTOGRAPH SHOW THIS WEEKEND IN LOS ANGELES:
News just in from Eric Ragno: "I'm very proud to be participating in the Rock and Roll Autograph Show this weekend in Los Angeles. Numerous artists will be appearing including Lou Gramm of Foreigner, Keith Olsen, Orleans, Neil Turbin of Anthrax & many more! I will be performing at the event with the legendary LA band London, in addition to an all-star performance with luminaries like Elliot Easton (The Cars), Artimus Pyle (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Black Oak Arkansas, guitarists Micki Free and Jean Beauvoir, Prescott Niles of the Knack, Lee Sklar and others! During the weekend we will also be recording a special track to benefit St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. This is being done "We Are The World"-style, with the legendary Dick Wagner of Alice Cooper and Aerosmith fame at the helm. I got my call sheet in the mail this week, and I'm really proud to be working with Dick Wagner and these legendary artists for such a worthwhile cause."
Dick Wagner will also be appearing at Barnes & Noble at The Grove in Los Angeles on Tuesday September 10 to sign his new memoir, "Not Only Women Bleed". Come down and hear the stories from the man himself. And check out the Rock & Roll Autograph Show in Los Angeles this weekend! For more info: therocknrollautographshow.com.
MELODIC BRIEFS: Midnite Sun have announced plans to go on hiatus. In an online posting the band wrote: "After 13 years and two albums published, we decided to stop. We are very proud of our journey, we are aware of our values and even more of our mistakes. We don't know if it's gonna be an ultimate farewell, but right now there's no reason to go on. We want to thank all the people we've been working with and who supported us throughout the years, you will always have a special place in our memory! However, we don't want to take leave with these few words, we want to turn up the volume and make your ears bleed once again! Give us the chance to do it. Don't miss the Jack Daniel's Night at Black Rose (Acquafredda, Brescia, Italy) on September 21st, 2013! Forever Sweat, Sound & Blood!"
On September 17th, the debut album of Australian melodic powermetal act Damnations Day will see the light of day, released Worldwide through Nightmare Records. The album is called "Invisible, The Dead", and it is a tour de force through majestic song lines, powerful rhythms, fantastic choirs and beautiful melodies. The official video from the album can be viewed here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrdheDSdAsQ.
A PIECE OF CAKE FOR VENGEANCE:
Brimming with confidence and justifiable pride Dutch rock band Vengeance have announced the release of their latest album Piece Of Cake: "People can expect what to my ears is the best Vengeance album to date," declares guitarist Timo Somers, "the songs are a nice blend of old school Vengeance (think Arabia) and some more modern sounding songs. This time the instrumental side of the band is really outspoken, it features a lot of nice intros, solos and instrumental pieces. And to top it off, Leon sounds better than ever."
The band released a snippet of the new song "World Arena" - you can listen to it here: snd.sc/1cXFqWF.
"Piece Of Cake" Tracklisting: 1. World Arena 04:39 2. Tears From The Moon 03:40 3. Raintime Preload 00:36 4. Raintime 03:31 5. Sandman 05:08 6. Back To Square One 04:54 7. Headquake 03:44 8. Train 05:07 9. Mirrors 03:15 10. Piece Of Cake 03:27 11. Goodbye Mother Sky 06:30.
Piece Of Cake will be released on 28 October 2013 (Germany: 25 October 2013, USA/Canada: 5 November 2013), before Vengeance embark on their European tour with label mates Mad Max: "This is a double tour together with Mad Max to celebrate our new albums being released on the same day. I'm pretty sure we'll be on tour in spring 2014 as well – we're working on that at the moment." Here are the dates for autumn 2014:
Vengeance & Mad Max Tour 2013
06.11. D-Hamburg – Ballroom/R`n`R Warehouse
07.11. D-Osnabrück – Bastard Club
08.11. CH-Pratteln – Rock Power Festival
09.11. NL-Tilburg – Cafe Extase
10.11. D-Frankfurt – Zoom
11.11. D-Nürnberg – Rockfabrik
12.11. D-Augsburg – Spectrum Club
13.11. D-Essen – Turock
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/pages/VENGEANCE/129946840408570?fref=ts / www.spv.de.
MORE COVERS FROM HALESTORM: Halestorm will release a new covers EP, 'ReAniMate 2.0: The CoVeRs eP' on October 15. Track list includes:
1. "Dissident Aggressor" (Judas Priest)
2. "Get Lucky (Daft Punk)
3. "Shoot to Thrill" (AC/DC)
4. "Hell is for Children" (Pat Benatar)
5. "Gold Dust Women" (Fleetwood Mac)
6. "1996?
WebLink: www.halestormrocks.com.
Monday, September 09, 2013
READY FOR A SUCKERPUNCH?: Adriangale news from John Kivel himself:
"OK folks.....im sitting here cranking the completed FINAL Master of Adriangale's Suckerpunch! Now I threw it out there when the album was being made, that this will be the best AG album to date. Now after a few spins around the block with it (literally) I can reaffirm that statement, AND represent it as a PROMISE! Vic, Jamie and Co. have surpassed themselves to a level that even I didn't foresee.
"thok!" That's the sound of it being hit out of the park! If you are a fan of AG you WILL love this disk. If you are unfamiliar with AG, then you are in for a treat, as this will be one helluva introduction album for new comers. With that said, what better time and place to unleash it, than at MRF3, right?!? Andrew and MR.COM have been a longtime supporter of AG since day 01. So both band and label couldn't be happier to have our coming out party at the premier melodicrock festival this year. AG promises not to disappoint in 3 weeks, I can assure you.
Ty Sims - Bombay Black had this to say about working on Suckerpunch! - "I love this album!! You guys are about to release the Melodicrock album of the year."
I have to tip my hat to everyone that was involved in helping create this album. I could not have asked for a better team folks. This is a great time to be a fan of Melodicrock. A lot of great stuff happening , from festivals to shows, new albums etc. From Kivel to Frontiers and everyone in between. MRF3, Wolf Fest and everyone out there cranking it up on a stage for the fans and faithful. So lets savor the moment. Get out, support and spread the word of this genre. Most of all, ENJOY IT people!
Sept 27th Get in the Ring, as Suckerpunch drops at MRF3!!
Web: www.melodicrockfest.com for tickets... www.kivelrecords.com to order AG Suckerpunch! Buy any two titles get the 3rd half price. Never been a better time to take advantage of this package offer! (Also on sale - LaValle, No Love Lost, Maxx Explosion)
Now with all of that said.....hear the album's title track right here!
FRONTIERS RECORDS AUGUST 2013 RELEASES SPOT:
Featuring Little River Band, Arc Angel, Find Me and Fergie Frederiksen.
FERGIE FREDERISKEN AND VOICES OF ROCK FIREFEST UPDATE:
Press Release: "Due to the tragic return of his cancer our very dear brother Fergie Frederiksen is forced to cancel all his upcoming shows with us in Legends: Voices Of Rock. Fergie was booked to do the 2 shows in Lycksele, Sweden (Oct 18-19) and our headline show at Firefest, England (Oct 20th) as well as the big 23 date tour of Sweden in October and November. We are replacing Fergie with the only logical choice, Bobby Kimball…one great Toto singer for another great Toto singer.
Bobby and Fergie go back a long time together as friends and Bobby is equally sad to be asked to fill in for a friend who is suffering from such a unfair and horrible disease. We are doing all of these shows in honor of our dear friend and will also donate portions of the shows to Fergie and his family. We ask you all to pray for Fergie and to go to this link and donate any small or big amount of money you can to help out: www.gofundme.com/3ydgpo.
With love, Tommy and Sayit (Legends)."
In addition to this change, we have been informed by Legends that Joe Lynn Turner is unavailable due to circumstances beyond their control and will be replaced by Graham Bonnett. Graham was lead vocalist with Rainbow at the first Monsters of Rock at Donnington, racking up 2 UK top ten singles with the band (Since You've been Gone and All Night Long, both from the classic Down to Earth album ) as well as claiming chart success as a solo artist (Night Games from the album Line Up hitting number 6 in the UK top ten). Joining M.S.G. for their Assault Attack album which hit the top 20 in the UK, Bonnet then founded Alcatrazz featuring a young Swedish hotshot guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen and went on to have further chart success in the U.S.A. where all three albums, No Parole from Rock and Roll, Live Sentence and Disturbing the Peace all cracked the US Billboard charts. Graham Bonnet is a true legend and we very much look forward to seeing Graham on stage with Legends on Sunday October 20th.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH DAVE MENIKETTI (Y&T), KING KOBRA, NEWMAN AND TRIGGERFINGER: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week features exclusive interviews with Y&T frontman Dave Meniketti, David Michael Phillips of King Kobra, melodic hard rockers Newman, and Belgian power trio Triggerfinger, and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-dave-meniketti-yt-king-kobra-newman-triggerfinger-interviews/
In the first hour of the show, Y&T frontman Dave Meniketti discusses the band's forthcoming tour of the UK and Europe, and touches on the their 40th anniversary plans for 2014. Dave also talks about playing with the surviving members of Montrose at Sammy Hagar's 40th anniversary shows, and selects classic tracks from both Y&T and Montrose.
Also in the first hour, Steve Newman, vocalist/guitarist with enduring UK melodic hard rockers Newman discusses the band's new album "Siren", and chooses two tracks from the record.
In part 2, David Michael Phillips, guitarist with King Kobra, talks about the band's new release "II", which mixes classic rock influences with the band's trademark hard rock sound. David also picks songs from "II". And finally, drummer Marco Goossemans of Belgian power trio Triggerfinger discusses the band's recent surprise hit single (with an acoustic cover version of a Dutch pop song, recorded for a radio show!), live shows and plans for a new album.
The show also features classic tracks from Blackfoot, ZZ Top, Gary Moore, Blue Oyster Cult and Molly Hatchet.
You can also listen on Sunday 8th September 17:00-19:00 GMT, repeated Monday 9th September 14:00-16:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com.
JAY PEPPER'S CUSTOM 1984 KRAMER GUITAR WORTH OVER £1,000+:
A Tigertailz competition for the die-hards. Press Release: "As Jay says: "This Kramer is the real deal.. I have a few of these and I love them.. and I get them customised to suit what we do. They're not fake copies or off-the-shelf guitars anyone can buy. This is truly a one-off guitar.. It comes with original Floyd Rose trem, Seymour Duncan Jeff Beck pick-up and is custom painted with the Tailz Bastard & skull image - which was done by my tattoo guy Chis Hatton from Physical Graffiti in Cardiff. The Tailz fans have been truly great over the last few years so I wanted to give them something special back for all the support. And this is as good as it gets… Thanks again and good luck to everyone who enters!!"
To be in with a chance of winning this awesome prize.. You need to show you are the biggest Tailz Maniac out there!!!!
So how do you do this? Well you have to do as much as you can to spread the Tailz name, Shoe Collector Video, Knives EP, Tour, and this competition to the masses!!! We want to see you:
• Liking the Tailz page on FB
• Sharing the Tailz comp and commenting on it!
• Following the @TailzOfficial on Twitter
• Re-Tweeting the Tailz comp
• Watching the new Tailz Shoe Collector video - lots.. and commenting on it on YouTube
• Sharing the Shoe Collector vid!
• Embedding the new video
• Requesting Tailz tracks on radio stations
• Buying the Knives EP
• Buying tickets for the Knives Out Tour..
• Posting up your best Tailz pics of us on FB and Twitter for us to see..
• Posting up Tailz pics of you wearing a Tailz t shirt on our FB and Twitter..
• Posting up your Tailz tattoos pics on our FB and Twwitter
• Starting threads on festival forums asking for the Taiilz to play!
• Mailing us on Tailzcomp@tigertailz.co.uk with your email address for our mailing list and also with your proof of purchases of your EP/Ticket/Merch sale..
• Even send us your craziest Tailz memories and we'll post 'em up!
• And anything else you can think of.. It will ALL count towards your entry to this comp!!!
We will be keeping a very CLOSE eye on your efforts indeed.. and keep a league table of the highest placed in the comp.. And on Sunday December 1st we will announce the absolute winner!! Good luck everyone and only serious Tailz Maniacz need apply!!!
MELODIC BRIEFS:
On Friday night in Atlantic City, NJ at the House of Blues during the WMGM 2nd Birthday bash, Lizzy from Halestorm invited Tom Keifer who opened the show with his band on stage to perform a Cinderella classic "Nobody's Fool". Here's fan foot shootage: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUUfGOpAibw.
Redrum are proud to announce our new arrival... The brand spanking new Redrum Official Website!!! Fast and easy to use and packed full of good times. Feel welcome to check it out! Special Thanx To Marco Grasshoff! www.redrum-rocks.com
Sergeant Steel release new video clip "Mama Horny". It might remind rock fans on humorous 80ies clips like "Round And Round" (Ratt) and "I Want To Break Free" (Queen). The song is taken from the album "Men On A Mission" (Release date: Sept., 6th), which contains 11 new songs. It's mixed and mastered by legendary producer Michael Wagener. Wagener is well-known for his work with Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Skid Row, Dokken, Janet Jackson, etc. "Mama Horny" on Youtube: youtu.be/wxTQFNEMCJY.
MASS ON CAFFEINE BOMB AND WITH LA GUNS LIVE: Mass singer Louis St. August will guest on this week's edition of Caffeine Bomb. Make sure you tune in at 7:00 p.m. EST on Monday, September 9th, to 91.7 FM WHUS in Eastern Connecticut, also streaming at whus.org/listen-live and on your smartphone using the myUConn app. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/CaffeineBomb.radio or WHUS.org.
Also... LA Guns & Mass Set To Rock "Rain" Thursday September 12 - for more show and MASS info visit www.massrocks.com.
Friday, September 06, 2013
MELODIC ROCK FEST - 3 WEEKS TO GO:
Just 3 weeks to go now until the massive MelodicRock Fest 3 event in Arlington Heights, Chicago, IL. There will be a full show update early next week with all the latest news for the event, show running times, raffle details and lots more!
Stay tuned….but meanwhile, get your tickets now!
FRONTIERS RECORDS - ARTIST UPDATE: Def Leppard Viva! Hysteria is coming!
Released on October 18 in Europe and October 22 in North America - 2CD+DVD; DVD, Blu-Ray
2CD+Blu-Ray (from selected retailers).
AOR HEAVEN LINES UP DAVID REECE AND SIDEBURN FOR OCTOBER: AOR Heaven's upcoming October label releases from David Reece and Sideburn are due out October 25. The details are as follows:
American singer David Reece, though brought up on a diet of Conway Twitty and Tammy Wynette, has been sharing his bluesy rock voice with the world since the late 1980s. His most notable early releases were Accept's 1989 album "Eat The Heat" and Bangalore Choir's 1992 classic "On Target", closely followed by LPs with Sircle Of Silence and Stream. Disillusioned with a floundering rock scene, David took a hiatus from music in the mid 1990s to follow other pursuits and dreams.
Returning in 2008 with the critically acclaimed Gypsy Rose album "Another World", David's debut solo album "Universal Language" surfaced in 2009. The culmination of many years writing and performing, the album featured musicians including Andy Susemihl (U.D.O.), and fine songs such as the bombastic 'Rescue Me', the huge 'We Were Alive', the soaring ballad 'Queen Of My Dreams' and the distinctly leftfield 'Yellow'; a definite song for fans of Colonel Mustard.
The album "Cadence" in 2010 saw the first brand new Bangalore Choir material in 18 years. 2011 marked David's return to working with Gypsy Rose founder Martin Kronlund, this time under the moniker Reece Kronlund releasing an album simply called "Solid". The album also marked David's first ventures with lyricist Jon Wilde, who has since co-written on the 3rd Bangalore Choir album "Metaphor" released in 2012 and now on this; David's second solo album "Compromise" – an apt title given the amount of compromise we all face in our lives, be it working in the music industry or going about our daily grind.
With vocals recorded at KMan studios in Blaine Minnesota and produced by Kelly Peterson, the album features a big name cast including bassist Ronnie Parkes (7 Witches), guitarist Jack Frost (7 Witches, Savatage, Metalium), keyboardist Paul Morris (Rainbow, Doro, Jurgen Blackmore), and special guests Christian Tolle and Andy Susemihl. The mix was handled by Joey Vera (Armoured Saint) and Martin Kronlund, with Martin also performing full mastering duties.
The result is a peach of an album with a wide range of songs from sublime ballads 'Someone Beautiful' (with music by renowned writers Tom and James Martin) to metal masterpieces 'End Of It All', stomping rockers 'Where My Heart Belongs' and more. David, with influences as diverse as Ian Gillan, Paul Rodgers and Chris Cornell, loves tackling a variety of styles and one listen will tell you he has the voice to pull it off. And with musicians the calibre of those here, and lyrics boasting a darn sight more intelligence than your standard clichéd rock fair, he has the firepower to back him up all the way into classic album territory.
Line-Up: Vocals: David Reece, Bass: Ronnie Parkes, Guitars: Jack Frost, Guitars: Kelly Peterson, Keys: Paul Morris; Guests on guitars: Andy Susemihl & Christian Tolle.
Track list: 1. Disaster, 2. End Of It All, 3. Fortunate Son, 4. Someone Beautiful, 5. Along For The Ride, 6. Coast To Coast, 7. All Roads Lead To War, 8. Where My Heart Belongs, 9. Everything To Everyone, 10. Evil Never Dies, 11. Treasure Hunter.
Sound clips in advance: Disaster / Where My Heart Belongs / End Of It All.
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Swiss rockers Sideburn are back! With the arrival of three young and talented new members in January 2012 and the first shows played in February of the same year: Lawrence Lina & Mike Riffart on guitar & the imported Aussie bass player Nick Thornton, who left his luggage in the country while he was touring with the band Maeder (Nick Maeder's previous band), have gained energy and freshness to compose the new album: "Electrify".
August 2012 saw the band to be chosen by Adidas to be the band of the evening during the Adidas Rockstar event that happened on August 11, 2012 at the Porsche Arena in Stuttgart, Germany.
Sideburn performed during the whole final, playing over 150 minutes of rock'n'roll, and they even wrote and recorded a special theme song with climbing lyrics. The song "Rockstar" was mixed by Beau Hill and is featured as a bonus track on the CD version of "Electrify".
After having their song "Knockin' at the wrong door" used in 2012 on the Red band trailer of the movie "Hit & run", the song "Six feet under" (taken from the album "Cherry red") has been chosen by 20th Century Fox to be used on the sound track of the blockbuster of the summer: "The Wolverine".
The band says: "This new album has been composed in about two months, which is really quick, but the result is really fresh and punchy. The new members did an amazing job to keep the Sideburn spirit and you will certainly notice it while you'll be listening to Electrify. For the mix, we've decided to work again with Beau Hill, cause he knows exactly what we are looking for and we couldn't take the risk to have a album that didn't sound as good as Jail. Once that you have a certain level of production, it's really hard to pull backward ..."
The CD version of this release includes the bonus tracks "Lazy Daisy Live", "Never kill the chicken Live" &"Rockstar", the download version only features the 11 original songs and the vinyl version which is only available in Switzerland includes only "Lazy Daisy Live" as bonus track.
Line-up: Roland Pierrehumbert : Lead Vocal, Harmonica; Lawrence Lina : Rhythm & Lead Guitar; Mike Riffart : Rhythm & Lead Guitar; Nick Thornton : Bass; Lionel Blanc : Drums
Track list: Tracklist: 1. Bite the bullet, 2. Devil may care, 3. Bad boys, bad girls, rock'n'roll, 4. Black Powder, 5. Frontline, 6. Never get down, 7. Mr. Clean, 8. Shady Katy, 9. Travellin' man, 10. Bad reputation, 11. Destination nowhere / Bonus Tracks (only available on the CD version): 12. Lazy Daisy Live, 13. Never kill the chicken Live, 14. Rockstar.
Here is Pt.1 of a track by track video from Sideburn: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGdDeGwGqBo.
Sound clips in advance: Bite The Bullet / Devil May Care / Frontline.
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DREAM THEATER LIVE AT LUNA PARK - NOVEMBER 5:
New York, NY (September 5, 2013)-- On November 5, 2013, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Dream Theater Live At Luna Park on 2DVD, Blu-ray, Visual Digital Formats and a Deluxe Edition. The deluxe edition is an 11.5" square 60 page hardback photobook containing the Blu-ray, 2 DVDs and 3 CDs presenting all the key physical formats in one release; the CDs are only available in this Deluxe Edition. [Pre-book Order Date October 11, MSRP $19.98 Blu-ray, $17.98 2DVD, $44.98 2DVD/3CD, $49.98 Blu-ray/3CD, $109.98 Blu-ray, 2DVD, 3CD].
These releases boast the 160 minute main show - accompanied by a wealth of bonus material – and feature many of the band's classic tracks including: "Metropolis Pt. 1," "The Silent Man," "Pull Me Under," "The Root Of All Evil," "The Test That Stumped Them All," "The Spirit Carries On," and the recent "On The Backs Of Angels."
Dream Theater began their mammoth "A Dramatic Tour Of Events" world trek in July 2011 with the final leg in South America taking place in August 2012. It was here at the Luna Park Arena in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that they decided to film the two nights that make up this DVD release.
The Live At Luna Park band line-up for this show is James LaBrie (vocals); John Petrucci (guitar); Jordan Rudess (keyboards); John Myung (bass); and Mike Mangini (drums) – this was Dream Theater's first tour and album with their new drummer and all the tracks from that album, A Dramatic Turn Of Events, are included in either the main show or the bonus performances.
The bonus features offer live versions of six great tracks: "These Walls"; "Build Me Up, Break Me Down"; "Caught In A Web"; "Wait For Sleep"; "Far From Heaven"; and "Pull Me Under". Also on Live At Luna Park is a documentary, the trailer for the cinema release of the film, a "Behind The Scenes" feature and the cartoon intro that ran on big screens prior to the band taking to the stage in Buenos Aires. The Blu-ray additionally features 6 multi angle options on "Outcry."
Dream Theater has carved a legacy as rock's supreme virtuosos, having gained awards and worldwide fame for their epic anthems and musical dexterity. Here in concert, they bring all the power and drama of their music to life with breathtaking performances of classic tracks from across their career.
Track Listing: 1) Bridges In The Sky 2) 6:00 3) The Dark Eternal Night 4) This Is The Life 5) The Root Of All Evil 6) Lost Not Forgotten 7) Drum Solo 8) A Fortune In Lies 9) The Silent Man 10) Beneath The Surface 11) Outcry 12) Piano Solo 13) Surrounded 14) On The Backs Of Angels 15) War Inside My Head 16) The Test That Stumped Them All 17) Guitar Solo 18) The Spirit Carries On 19) Breaking All Illusions 20) Metropolis Pt. 1.
ROCK N ROLL SINNERS – VOLUME II ~ BY NEIL DANIELS: "In this book, Neil Daniels turns the tables and asks us some searching questions for once. Not because we are failed rock stars, but because we are successful rock journalists. So is the pen actually mightier than the guitar? Possibly not." - Mick Wall from his foreword.
Rock 'N' Roll Sinners is the second chapter in a trilogy of books featuring insightful and highly entertaining interviews with some of the world's most successful and respected rock and metal scribes. Ever wondered what it takes to be a rock journalist? In this extensive collection of interviews, seasoned rock author Neil Daniels has interviewed 68 rock and metal journalists from around the world. With a foreword by the revered British author and journalist Mick Wall, Rock 'N' Roll Sinners – Volume II is a worthy historical document for the serious enthusiast and can be used as a handy reference guide for the aspiring rock and metal writer.
This hefty collection, which was previously published as the critically acclaimed All Pens Blazing - Volume II, makes essential reading for rock and metal heads the world over. Volume II features interviews with Phil Alexander, Mick Wall, Dave Thompson, Jaan Uhelszki and Bernard Doe et al. Volume I features interviews with Dave Ling, Malcolme Dome, Dave Reynolds, Derek Oliver, Mark Day, Geoff Barton and Dave Dickson et al. This book is 632 pages and available from Amazon. Volume II will be the final book in the series and feature previously unpublished interviews thus completing the trilogy with almost 200 interviews in total.
WebLinks: www.neildaniels.com/Index.html / neildanielsbooks.wordpress.com.
MRX UPDATED: MRX has been updated with one new Feature Album:
- Mark Shaw - Almost (1991)
And the following new Video Clips: Coney Hatch - Blown Away, Fuzz Drivers - Carved Time, Crashdiet - Circus, Geoff Tyson - Amsterdam, Wolfpakk - Dark Revelation. Join MRX Now.
REVIEWS UPDATED:
New Reviews online today for: Fergie Frederiksen, King Kobra, Whitesnake, Deep Purple, Newman, Lawless, Until Rain and Robin Beck. Check them out now.
Thursday, September 05, 2013
SEVENTH KEY OPENS THE DOOR WITH FIRST NEW CD IN 8 YEARS:
Long Time Kansas member Billy Greer re-joins forces with Mike Slamer for blistering new release on Frontiers Records
Fans of melodic, progressive hard rock have been waiting a long time for this: I Will Survive, the new album by Seventh Key, and the first new CD of studio recordings since 2004's The Raging Fire. Spearheaded by long time Kansas bassist / vocalist Billy Greer and guitarist / keyboardist Mike Slamer (ex-City Boy, Streets, Steelhouse Lande), they are joined by drummer Chet Wynd and a slew of special guests. "I think the new CD is maybe a little bit more hard-edged and a little more progressive," says Greer, who remains an active member of Kansas. "I was also able to enlist my Kansas bandmate and friend, David Ragsdale, to play on four tracks. That, in itself, added a whole new element to the album."
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Formed in 2001 as a side- project for Greer and Slamer (the two had played together in the early 1980s in Streets with Kansas's vocalist Steve Walsh), Seventh Key released an acclaimed self-titled debut but then went dormant again due to the member's previous commitments. The group resurfaced in 2004, with the compelling album, The Raging Fire, and a live CD/DVD the following year.
I Will Survive, with its prophetic title, re-establishes Greer and Slamer's commitment to the band, Seventh Key. "I wanted to do more music with Mike," said Greer. "We have a great friendship and we have a strong work ethic. When we get in the studio, things seem to always click."
Part of Seventh Key's musical magic comes in its ability to effectively blend both melodic hard rock and intricate progressive music. They deliver powerful songs and production values that always include big sonic landscapes.
I Will Survive is scheduled for release on Frontiers Records on November 1 2013 in Europe and November 5 in North America and will include the following songs: I Will Survive; Lay In On The Line; I See You There; It's Just A State Of Mind; Sea Of Dreams; Time And Time Again; When Love Sets You Free; Down; The Only One; What Love's Supposed To Be; I Want It All.
Seventh Key is: Billy Greer : Bass, Lead Vocals; Mike Slamer: Guitars, Keyboards, Programming; Chet Wynd: Drums.
Special Guests: David Ragsdale: Violin; Billy Trudel, Terry Brock, Bobby Capps, Barry "The Blade" Johnson: Background vocals; David Manion: Keyboards.
Produced and mixed by Mike Slamer.
For All Things Seventh Key , please visit: www.billygreer.com.
View the Seventh Key "I Will Survive" Electronic Press Kit:
THE BITCH IS BACK IN OCTOBER:
The Bitch is Back…Live is a brand new live album from the queen of Hard Rock and Metal Lita Ford. Hot on the heels of her TRUE comeback album "Living Like a Runaway", Lita took to the stage at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, California in early October of 2012 to showcase the new material as well as Lita Ford classics. This killer show was recorded for the live album The Bitch is Back…Live.
Where does the title come from? Lita opens the show with her rendition of the classic Elton John track "The Bitch is Back", which was previously released as a bonus track on "Living Like a Runaway". It may be a strong proclamation, but it is true…the bitch is back and bringing it live. Now fans have a chance to be a part of this memorable evening and performance.
The album will be released as a Digipak with a special booklet including fan photos. Release dates are USA/Canada on October 22, Germany on October 25 and Europe on October 28 through SPV/Steamhammer.
Tracklisting: 1. The Bitch Is Back 2. Hungry 3. Relentless 4. Living Like a Runaway 5. Devil in My Head 6. Back to the Cave 7. Can't Catch Me 8. Out For Blood 9. Dancing On The Edge 10. Hate 11. Close My Eyes Forever 12. Kiss Me Deadly.
Current Line Up: Lita Ford – vocals, guitar; Mitch Perry – guitar; Bobby Rock – drums; Marty O´Brien - bass. Drums on "The Bitch Is Back...Live" by Scot Coogan.
WebLinks: www.litafordonline.com / www.spv.de.
CHANDLER MOGEL NEWS UPDATE: Chandler Mogel News Update - "Chandler and the Iron Bridge Band announce new album release! Chandler's New Jersey-based outfit, the Iron Bridge Band, have completed their first full length album titled "Road Not Taken" and set the release date for September 27th, 2013 through their own label, Messej Media, on CD and digitally worldwide. This album breaks new ground for fans of Chandler, where it of course contains his signature vocals throughout, but musically it draws influence from the 70's greats such as Credence, The Eagles, Little River Band, and more. For more info check out the band's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ironbridgeband and keep checking the band's official site for updates: www.ironbridgeband.com.
Chandler Now Accepting Vocal Students! Do you want to sing like a rock star? Perform like one and act like one? Or perhaps you already sing and just want to take what you already know to the next level? Chandler is now accepting students, 18 years and up, of all experience levels. Lessons can be done internationally via Skype or in person in the New York City area. He can be reached for more details by replying to this newsletter or through the Contact section on his website, www.chandlermogel.com. Serious inquiries only please!
CD SHOWCASE UPDATED:
3 new Showcases online today - all from Avenue Of Allies Records - Sparklands, The Theander Expression and a best of Hartmann. Check them out now!
Wednesday, September 04, 2013
RON KEEL LAUNCHES COWBOY PLEDGE CAMPAIGN: Ron Keel has announced details about the release of his new solo album, Metal Cowboy, launching a 60 day PledgeMusic campaign that gives fans access to downloads, updates, and exclusive music/merchandise/memorabilia packages: pledgemusic.com/projects/ronkeelmetalcowboy. "The music sounds just like the title – Metal Cowboy," Ron declares, "hard & heavy with a southern side. Kind of like if AC/DC made a Skynyrd album – gritty screaming vocals, powerful rock riffs, but with some classic southern rock elements like Frank Hannon's slide guitar." All drum tracks were performed by Y&T's Mike Vanderhule; other special guests include Oz Fox (Stryper), Brent Muscat (Faster Pussycat), Geno Arce & Bryan Jay from KEEL, Stacey Blades from L.A. Guns, and a "live in-studio" recording with the Sin City Sinners.
The album, available as a digital download and Deluxe Edition CD with bonus tracks, will be released January 28, simultaneously with his long-awaited autobiography "Even Keel: Life On The Streets Of Rock & Roll." The CD, book, and other merchandise and fan exclusives (including rare memorabilia, Master Class voice lessons via Skype, and even House Concerts) are available in various bundles via the PledgeMusic campaign. "PledgeMusic gives me a total state-of-the-art marketing and distribution platform to share everything with the fans. It's an online store, it's a social network where we can exchange comments and messages, there's a music player where people can listen to audio clips from the album, plus my weekly radio show. I want people to really feel like they are a part of this with me."
Once the goal of financing the project is complete, 10% of all proceeds will go to the Wounded Warrior Project charity. Go to ronkeel.com to get your Metal Cowboy on.
TRACK LISTING: The Last Ride, Wild Forever, What Would Skynyrd Do, Singers Hookers & Thieves, Long Gone Bad, Just Like Tennessee, The Cowboy Road, When Love Goes Down, Evil Wicked Mean & Nasty, 3 Chord Drinkin' Song, My Bad. Bonus tracks on the Deluxe Edition CD: American Thunder, Just Like Tennessee (unplugged), Singers, Hookers & Thieves (solo acoustic).
RICK SPRINGFIELD TO STRIP IT BACK FOR SELECT DATES: Rick Springfield will be treating fans to a special series of intimate solo performances with storytelling! You do not want to miss your chance to see Rick perform 'Stripped Down' and get up close and personal with the man and his music! We've selected some amazing venues for this limited engagement! Rick Invites You To 'Stripped Down':
Nov 24 Chicago, IL – City Winery – On Sale 9/6 4pm
Nov 25 New York, NY – City Winery – On Sale 9/6 4pm
Nov 26 New York, NY – City Winery – On Sale 9/6 4pm
Dec 3 Eau Claire, WI – State Theatre – On Sale 9/9 10am
Dec 4 Madison, WI – Barrymore Theatre – On Sale 9/9 12pm
Dec 5 Detroit, MI – MotoCity Casino Hotel – On Sale 9/6 10am
Dec 11 Annapolis, MD – Rams Head – On Sale 9/10 at 12pm
Dec 12 Alexandria, VA – The Birchmere – On Sale 9/6 at 12pm
Dec 13 Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre – On Sale 9/6 at 12pm
BEROCK RADIO PROMOTING MRR:
News from BeRock Radio: "We airplayed for the first time on one of the Live shows of "Melodic Lane" (August 25) songs from the upcoming releases of MelodicRock Records: Faith Circus – Turn Up The Band & House Of Shakira – Pay To Play. The Rockers simply loved the Tunes! The stuff of Melodic Rock Records are excellent and that's confirmed from the reactions of our listeners from around the world during the Show! Below is the MixCloud Link for whoever wants to listen to the show!" www.mixcloud.com/snakiberock/25th-august-2013-melodic-lane-hosted-by-gk-snaki/
To pre-order Pay To Play and Turn Up The Band, check out MRR Pre-Order Page. CDs will be shipped out prior to the September 23 release date. Pre-orders for HoS also receive the non-album Bonus Track Shell Shock.
""Right now, were talking about it," Schon shared, "and once we begin, it usually goes pretty quick." Schon admitted, however, that he'd like to change the approach and get back to the band's old approach when starting a new album. "We've talked about going at it a different way this time," he explained. "We're all spread out now, but in the '80s, we were all in the San Francisco area, so we'd all meet at our clubhouse, which was my rehearsal space, and we'd all just jam and work stuff out.
"There's a different thing that happens when you're all in the same room together versus writing your parts and sending ideas back and forth," he continued. "I'm looking forward to going old school, with everyone back in the same room together. We need to get that unity and chemistry back." Journey continues to move forward with Schon eyeing a new album and a full touring schedule. When asked if the band had considered playing any of its classic albums in full, as a few artists like Bruce Springsteen have recently done, he admitted that it's on the table. "I love the idea of doing extensive rehearsals to learn all the material and being able to change it up," he said. "It would take a lot of work and pre-production, but I think we could do it."
NIGHT RANGER AND LOVERBOY LINEUP 2014 STUDIO RELEASES:
This was posted over the weekend just passed at Billboard.com:
"A pair of the 80s most successful mainstream rock acts, Night Ranger and Loverboy, are planning to add to their legacies with new material in the coming year. Night Ranger singer-bassist Jack Blades tells Billboard that his band is "about 12 songs into a new album," which will follow 2011's "Somewhere in California." But, he adds, "We don't feel we're there yet. We were going to release a record in the fall but we pushed it off to the spring of next year so get back in (to the studio) and write about seven or eight more songs and get what we feel is the best mix." Night Ranger is working with Anthony Focx, who was also part of the "Somewhere in California" team, as well as old friend Toby Wright (Alice in Chains, Korn, Ozzy Osbourne). The new material, Blades says, is "pretty rockin'. There's a lot of slamming stuff."
And, he adds, Night Ranger is open to working with other writers on its next batch of songs. "We haven't sat down with anybody else at this point," he says, "but we're always open to anything. We don't care where it comes from, just as long as we can make it sound like Night Ranger."
Loverboy frontman Mike Reno, meanwhile, tells Billboard the group has accumulated 16 songs so far -- some of which come from previously unreleased material the Canadian band found in its vaults. "The last couple of years we took all of our two-inch tapes, from the very beginning, and loaded them to the digital format," Reno explains. "We're listening to this stuff and Paul (Dean, Loverboy's guitarist) and we realized we're sitting on all these beautiful songs. Half of them are already recorded, maybe semi-mixed; they got lost in the shuffle back then or had to be cut, and you move on and forget about it. But we're really excited. It's the kind of stuff that, if you like 'Workin' For the Weekend' and 'Turn Me Loose,' you're gonna love some of this shit. We took a bunch of those songs and started to mix them and make them sound nice, so that's a big chunk of (the album)."
On top of that Reno says Loverboy has six brand new songs. "Between all that it's like this really fun package of retro-sounding stuff with kind of a twist, 'cause we're mixing it now rather than like we did in the old days, and then there's the new stuff," he says. "It's this really cool package, which is exciting." But Reno says Loverboy hasn't determined how it's going to put the new material out yet. "To be honest, we don't know what to do with it anymore," he says. "Do you give it away? Put it on the web site for free? Offer it on iTunes. There's no big deals anymore. In the old days we'd put a record out and people would buy it. Not anymore. You say to yourself 'What's the point?,' but as artists and musicians we like to do stuff that's fresh and new, whether people buy it or not. We're doing it for ourselves, which is always basically the way we do everything, but I think people will really like this stuff if they get a chance to hear it."
COLOR THREE ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF THEIR DEBUT ALBUM "PAINT BY NUMBER": Gary Pihl, Kimberley Dahme and Jeff Neal met as members of the band Boston and the three of them were asked to perform at a charity benefit. Color Three was born from that opportunity to help others, and to write, record and perform for charitable causes.
This album of 13 songs sounds more like early Pretenders with Kimberley's rich contralto on most of the lead vocals rather than a Boston album. Sparse and raw with just one guitar, bass and drums, Paint By Number tells stories of hope and deliverance as told by those who have been there and back. There are no guitar solos on this record, it's just as the band performs, three instruments and three part vocal harmonies. "We've all suffered through some bad times but at this point in our lives, we feel that the positive outweighs the negative. If our songs can help to lift someone else's spirits, then we've done our job. Besides the songs we've written with the three of us, we had the good fortune to write with some platinum selling songwriters on this CD. As noted on the back of the CD, we wrote a couple of songs each with Kelly Keagy (Night Ranger), Mark Slaughter (Slaughter), David Lauser and Robert Berry (Sammy Hagar Band) and alternative country artist Anthony Smith," explains Color Three.
Paint By Number has received praise from: "... these guys set out to write some great songs that mean something to them and to share them with the rest of us. Mission accomplished. LOVE "Dance All Night" and "Rain Came Down" the best." Jeb Wright, Classic Rock Revisited "an upbeat, powerful, positive, rock musical journey" ... Nancy Lombardo, Blog Talk Radio "I can't wait to hear you guys live in Miami" ... Kiko Rodriguez
WebLink: www.colorthree.com.
OSUKARU KEEP MOMENTUM GOING WITH NEW EP PLANNED:
Shortly after the release of the new album "Triumphant", Swedish/US melodic rockers Osukaru announce that they're working on a new, yet untitled EP with release in early 2014. As it might seem a bit early to start working on a new record so soon, founder and leader Oz explains: "With 'Triumphant' we kind of re-invented Osukaru and with that we got a lot of new ideas. After releasing the album and seeing the reactions, we found out where we stand and where to go from here. On this new EP we will re-visit the more AOR oriented sound and the songwriting style from our previous work, yet with our new twist to it. Having said that, I strongly believe this EP will please our fans!"
Osukaru have a history of rotating band members and this EP will be the first follow-up release to include the same line-up as the previous one. "Unlike our previous stuff, 'Triumphant' didn't introduce a project but a full existing band" says Oz. "...and as a band, we're still exploring new grounds and who we are. So, with this upcoming release, we sure know what to do and how to move forward."
"Triumphant" is out now on City of Lights Records. For more information. visit www.osukarumusic.com, www.blindfoldead.org and www.rockitup.org.
SIGNUM REGIS: MORE VOCALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR "EXODUS":
The melodic metal band Signum Regis will release their third album "Exodus" later this fall through Ulterium Records. "Exodus" is an epic concept album that will feature different vocalists on each track.
Already announced vocalists are Matt Smith [Theocracy], Michael Vescera [Obsession, Animetal USA, ex. Yngwie Malmsteen], Thomas Winkler [Gloryhammer, Emerald] and Göran Edman [ex. Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum]. To that list we're now proud to add Lance King [ex. Pyramaze, Balance of Power] and Daísa Munhoz [Vandroya, Soulspell].
More guests will be announced soon, as well as release dates, artwork etc.
For more information: www.signum-regis.com / www.ulterium-records.com.
WHO IS ROCK BAND CRUZH:
On March 14th this year rock band Cruzh launched in various different forums and online media. The only thing that was shown was an image showing the silhouette of the three band members, the debut song "In a blink of an eye," information that the band was Swedish and the exciting text "Get ready for the Cruzh". The song quickly spread on the internet and both Swedish and international websites and radio stations played it and speculated around the identities of the band members. In May came the sequel "Stay" which continued in the same melodic rock spirit. Cruzh promised to show ourselves on the single cover, which we did, but only in the shape of our eyes. Meanwhile, the band spread various clues on their Facebook page, regarding our whereabouts.
We chose to keep ourselves hidden during the launch mainly because we wanted the audience to focus on the music instead of us, but of course also to create a hype and interest in the band, which we managed to do both in Sweden and internationally. Now, however, we have reached a point where we have chosen to show us to take it all to the next level and reach out to a larger mass. Cruzh is: Tony Andersson - keyboards, vocals (also active in Dawn of Oblivion); Anton Joensson - guitar, background vocals (also active in Eye and previously in TrashQueen); Dennis Butabi Borg - bass, background vocals (formerly in TrashQueen).
How did we end up here? 2010 - 2012 Anton and Butabi played together in Swedish sleaze/glam band TrashQueen, a band which during its lifetime reaped great success, with several major festival and club gigs. This paid off when the band was crowned the country's second-best unsigned metal band in Sweden's biggest rock contest Released & Unsigned. With the debut album at 99% completed, however, the air went out of the band for various reasons and the members decided to try new projects.
Anton and Butabi shared love of melodic rock, AOR and joined forces with Tony Andersson (from Dawn of Oblivion, one of the largest and most important goth metal bands in Europe) who previously worked as a studio musician on the TrashQueen record. All three operate as songwriters in Cruzh and among the influences are Def Leppard, Toto, FM, Winger, Firehouse and Bryan Adams. The next song, "Hard to get" a real party song, will be released in September. A limited edition maxi single will then be produced with all the 3 songs recorded so far.
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TRIPLE LAYERED PROG TOUR FOR EUROPE:
Swedish Melodic progger's Andromeda, and Danish prog metaller's Boil are headed out on a double-headliner tour in Europe in November. Alongside, they will bring the new symphonic progband Until Rain as support band. The tour will be running through as many countries as possible in Europe. The schedule looks like this, as of now:
15/11: DK - Copenhagen, High Voltage
16/11: DK - Esbjerg, Konfus
19/11: UK - London, The Underworld Camden
20/11: DE - Essen, Turock
21/11: NL - Uden, De Pul
24/11: F - Paris, Le Divan Du Monde
26/11: ES - Barcelona, Razzmatazz3
27/11: F - Nice, Altherax
28/11: ITA - Milano, Bloom
29/11: AUT - Wien, Replugged
01/12: CZ - Prague, Nova Chmelnice
....with more shows to be announced…
Tickets will be on sale very soon, and venue pages will be updated asap, with links, pictures, etc.
Andromeda - Sweden / www.andromedaonline.com / Swedish progressive melodic metal band with 6 albums under their belt. Andromeda has previously toured Europe and have played on lots of major festivals in all of Europe + in the US. The band is incredibly technical, yet powerful and melodic in their approach to their music. Very experienced band indeed!
Boil – Denmark / www.facebook.com/boilmusic / Boil is the new gem on the Danish progressive scene. They recently released their 3rd album "Axiom", which has been rated with almost super-human reviews. A tour-de-force into the dark corners of the minds of the insane, "Axiom" is a concept album about mental patients. Boil – a great mixture btw. Tool, Katatonia and Leprous is a very experienced live band as well.
Until Rain – UK/Greece / www.untilrain.com / This incredible UK/Greek band, released their 2nd album /Escape Music) on August 23 and will be on everyone's lips in a not so distant future. The perfect blend of Symphony X, Royal Hunt and Circus Maximus. Until Rain will be the support band on this tour.
MELODIC TUBE:
The German/Italian Metal connection Love.Might.Kill featuring Gamma Ray-drummer Michael Ehré (ex-Firewind, Uli Jon Roth, Metalium) released their brand-new video "Too Big To Fail" on Sunday, September 1. Watch the video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAudlPMKLVM&feature=youtu.be.
Eat The Gun will release their first single "Loner" on October 4th. The song is taken from the new album "Stripped To The Bone" which will be released on November 25th. The musicians Hendrik Wippermann (vocals, guitar), Gereon Homann (drums) and new addition Peter Bergmüller (bass) are releasing a snippet of the new single today. You can listen to it here: snd.sc/1a0dFvk.
BILLY JOEL TAKES A STROLL DOWN 52ND STREET ON ITS 35TH ANNIVERSARY INTHESTUDIO:
Dallas, TX - September 3, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands goes 'one on one' with legendary singer, songwriter, piano player Billy Joel for the 35th anniversary of his Grammy Award-winning 'Album of the Year' 52nd Street. Having tested the patience of his record label for six long years, Billy Joel scored his first major hit album in 1977 with his seven million seller The Stranger. In less than a year the former welterweight boxer would deliver his second combination punch with the 1978 52nd Street album containing three Top 40 singles, "Big Shot", "Honesty", and "My Life", notching two Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Male Vocal performance. Billy Joel has gone on to become the second biggest-selling artist in U.S. history behind only Elvis Presley. Billy reveals to InTheStudio program host Redbeard what Billy's concept is of his albums are. "It would be easier if people would stop thinking about my work as isolated pop songs that are kinda shoved together on a record, but to think of each album as almost like a musical or a movie or a Broadway show."
Billy Joel '52nd Street'/ InTheStudio interview is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/billy-joel-52nd-street-35th-anniversary/
Tuesday, September 03, 2013
MICHAEL KISKE RETURNS TO PLACE VENDOME WITH ANOTHER MELODIC ROCK MASTERPIECE: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of the much anticipated third album from Place Vendome entitled Thunder in the Distance on November 1 in Europe and November 5 in North America. Place Vendome is the Melodic Rock project featuring Unisonic and former Helloween singer Michael Kiske on all lead vocals and production from Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69). Place Vendome started in 2004 when Kiske, following a self-imposed exile from the rock and metal scene which lasted a few years after his departure from Helloween and solo career, accepted in 2004 to be part of a Melodic Rock oriented concept put together by Frontiers Records' President Serafino Perugino.
The resulting Place Vendome debut album brought Kiske back to a more straight ahead and Rock sound, still very accessible and melodic and far from the Heavy Metal stereotypes of blood, violence and hate which Kiske never had anything to do with. He collaborated for the first time with Pink Cream 69's Dennis Ward, Kosta Zafiriou and Uwe Reitenauer with Gunther Werno (Vandenplas) on keyboards. In a quite ironic twist of fate Michael found himself to work with members of Pink Cream 69, when the band's original singer Andy Deris took his place in Helloween when he left.
The very favorable acceptance of the first Place Vendome album planted the seeds for a second recording entitled "Streets of Fire", which was produced during 2008. The concept was slightly changed, with some outside writers such as Robert Säll (Work of Art), Ronny Milianowicz (Saint Deamon) and Torsti Spoof (Leverage) handling the bulk of the songwriting, with Dennis Ward still handling the recording and production sessions.
Following his stint with the band Unisonic, Kiske decided to go back once again to the Place Vendome concept with more melodic rock oriented songs which - once again - have been selected by Frontiers Records President Serafino Perugino from outside writers including: Magnus Karlsson (Primal Fear), Timo Tolkki (ex-Stratovarius), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline), Roberto Tiranti and Andrea Cantarelli (Labyrinth, A Perfect Day), Tommy Denander (Radioactive), Sören Kronqvist (Sunstorm, Issa), and Brett Jones.
"I am having a very open mind in terms of music anyway, and the Place Vendome vibe is a pretty different approach than Unisonic" says Kiske. "I like many tracks off the Place Vendome albums, but especially Guardian Angel, Streets Of Fire, I Will Be Waiting, Set Me Free from the previous albums or now Maybe Tomorrow. For me the vocals are the most important part of a song of course".
Dennis Ward once again produced and mixed the whole affair with such musicians as Dirk Bruineberg (Consortium Project), Gunter Werno (Vandenplas) and Uwe Reitenauer (Pink Cream 69) completing the lineup. Another total masterpiece from Kiske and Place Vendome is about to hit the market. A true must for all Melodic Rock fans!
Tracklisting includes: Talk To Me; Power of Music; Broken Wings; Lost in Paradise; It Can't Rain Forever; Fragile Ground; Hold Your Love; Never Too Late; Heaven Lost; My Heart is Dying; Breakout; Maybe Tomorrow; Thunder in the Distance.
Samples of some of the album songs can be listened following this link: youtu.be/s-Bfyv6LXZc.
Place Vendome: Michael Kiske – Lead Vocals; Dennis Ward – Bass, vocals, rhythm guitars; Dirk Bruineberg– Drums; Gunter Werno – Keyboards; Uwe Reitenauer – Lead guitars.
Mixed and produced by Dennis Ward.
xx
SONG BY SONG BREAK DOWN BY MAXX EXPLOSION'S CHRIS MCCARVILL:
The new Kivel Records release Maxx Explosion and their album Forever - Produced by Chris McCarvill and Don Dokken will be premiered at MelodicRockFest 3. To give everyone a taste of what is to come...check out Falling Away by Maxx Explosion, featuring members of (House of Lords / Breakwall) Available @ www.kivelrecords.com Sept 27. Pre-order it now. (Buy any two Kivel releases get the 3rd half Price)
Download Full Track - Maxx Explosion - Falling Away
Now in the words of Chris McCarvill: "Basic MX primer: "We started MX originally as a cover band so we could keep our chops up and make some extra $ in the time between tours. The covers didn't last two seconds. We're all animals when it comes to music. I think we started writing songs the day we were supposed to start going over the covers. Things kept sounding good, so we kept at it and decided to go the route of making a record...and here we are..."
Devil's Locomotive: There's two ways to take this one...one way is the visual. When I first heard the music for this (Jimi and Bj had made an instrumental demo of the whole song - which got me really psyched), I immediately pictured this crazy, demonic train barrelling through mountain passes, angrily storming and clanking through the night, stunning everyone who sees it like some kind of forgotten ghost story. It seemed like I just had to describe what I was picturing from listening to it. I also looked up a ton of railroad slang and terms which dictated a lot of the words I chose. For example, a "Black Snake" is slang for a train that carries coal, etc. Then of course, there's the "below the belt" way of interpreting the lyrics, where it's about...well...think about it. Hahaha. Falling Away: Musically, this one came from me. I wanted a song where we all sing harmony vocals for the entire chorus. For the subject; we all have people in our lives that we're concerned about. Falling Away is about a few specific people in my life, who really do make me worry sometimes. Maybe it's a way of addressing how helpless it feels to see loved ones/friends who are on the edge of wiping themselves out. I'm sure some people may feel this way about me sometimes too...nobody's perfect. (except Jimi Bell. He told me he's perfect.) Cross Your Heart: Another Jimi / Bj music piece. Bj and I rearranged it about seven thousand times, then I re-wrote the chorus about eight thousand. Just one of those songs that never sounded exactly like what we originally envisioned, though I'm very happy with where we decided to let it be. The lyrics were inspired by Jimi's intro guitar riff, which reminded me of being lost in a shadowy Brothers Grimm-type forest or like Little Red Riding hood. There's some strong sexual overtones to that story, so I wanted to see if I could make Cross Your Heart have a more adult and darker feel of a fairy tale story without being totally cliche. I Don't Wanna Break: Bj wrote all the music for this one. It's all his fault. Haha. I should mention that Bj and I both are multi-instrumentalists and we both have recording studios, so we're both capable of writing and recording finished songs. This one shows Bj's musical depth. I've ended up being the lyrics guy, so I tried to dig in and figure out what he was saying with his music. What I came up with is the thoughts that go through the mind of someone trying to figure out if the grass is really greener elsewhere and knowing themselves enough to say "maybe not". Don Dokken stepped in and helped me sort out the lyrics and hipped me to start reading poetry. I have been. Appreciate the tip. Love is a Nightmare: Ever been in a relationship where the other person doesn't turn out to be who they seem at first? Thought so. I took that concept and ran with it, letting Jimi's angry guitar riffs direct the style of the lyrics. It seems that most of the riffs that Jimi writes inspire the darker side of things. Gosh. How could that be? Rise: This one's about overcoming hardship. I may not have major problems in my life, but sometimes things still get to me and it can be hard to pick myself up and carry on. Jimi & Bj originally had given me a demo of the music, and though it was really cool, it ended up on the back burner while we worked on other songs. One night I tried fooling around with some keyboard parts on it and it seemed to really make a difference. I think I came up with most of the lyrics that same night. Just shows there's really no formula for songwriting. End of the Line: We wrote this all together in the rehearsal room. Jimi had the initial riff and verse, I came up with the pre chorus, Bj wrote the chorus. I sang nonsense while we were playing. Then I realized I was singing a word or two here and there. We recorded what we had that day and eventually I figured out I was singing about the adventure of leaving home. Demon Wheel: Because I can. Can't Stop Falling in Love: This one is about the one sided breakup, when you're not ready for it. It's also another song that Bj wrote all the music to. He also pushed me to sing it in a lot of different ways, especially the "Can't Stop Falling in Love" line before the big chorus backup vocals. I added the Rhodes keyboard almost offhandedly at first but then got attached. Bj suggested the Hammond organ in the chorus and Jimi added his dark and heavy fingerprint to the guitars which hopefully all adds up to a dynamic listen. Beat Around the Bush: This one happened pretty quick. I think I had most of the music parts written originally. Jimi came over and we went through it making it cooler. I almost see the storyline of this like to 50's cartoon. I didn't go for fine literature on this one, it's a silly, tongue in cheek rocker that's just for fun. Live, this one proves pretty difficult to play since there's a lot of musical craziness. This is one of the songs that Don Dokken had a hand in. He took a demo that we made and sang the chorus back to me over the phone how he thought it should go. We tried it in rehearsal and man, world of difference. Thanks Don! Famous: Do you see a pattern yet? Jimi writes a LOT of guitar riffs. I mean like hundreds. This one is a classic Bell riff. I think we wrote the chorus together but I really don't remember. I do remember that the lyrics were somewhat inspired by "the Running Man" book by Stephen King. It's my own take on the fugitive theme. I put myself in the place of someone in a dead end who can't make ends meet but still wants to provide. How far would you go? Suicide Door: As soon as Jimi played me his riff for this, I immediately pictured an old Ford V8 racing dirt roads, cops in pursuit and Tommy guns blasting. Obviously Bonnie and Clyde came to mind. I rented a show on those two and read up a lot about them. Fascinating, but not easy to make a rock song out of. It took a lot of lyric editing, and the guys didn't really like how many words I had to cram in there to tell the story, but I think it just needs it all to make sense. It's totally exhausting to sing and play this live, and I told Jimi I wanted some kind of guitar/bass synchronized crazy solo part which he wrote. Love that! Forever: This one took FOREVER! It's my baby, we all worked really hard on it for a long time. One of my favorite movies is the original Lost Boys. After watching it one really late night, I picked up my acoustic and the verse riff and vocal melody just came out. For lyrics, I put myself in the place of a vampire in love with a girl, wrestling with his conscience about turning her into a vampire or not. However, I tried to not say "Vampire" at all, so hopefully people will come away from it with their own interpretation. I had some vocal coaching help from my longtime friend Craig Polivka who wrote the line "lonely hearts for wheels", which is my favorite.
I thought Forever was arranged, but one day Bj said "It's missing a great big chorus"...so back to the drawing board. It took many many more arrangements to make the new chorus work in the song. Our good friend Chuck Beckman played a real sitar on it. I didn't know I would be playing sleigh bells on it, but they're on the outro behind Bj's intense drum solo. The other kind of funny thing about recording Forever was the huge long note I sang. I have a big window in the control room that looks out over my backyard. I found I could hold the note longer if I held my arms out, so there I am, back to the window, in the zone, feeling it, arms outstretched, it's such a long note that I was shaking by the end of it. I press stop, turn around and there's my 11 year old son and a bunch of his friends looking in the window like "What's wrong with your dad?"
Anyone who pre orders the new album by Sept Fri the 13 will receive this limited run printing of the "Maxx Explosion - Devils Locomotive" poster, signed by the band!
Buy: www.kivelrecords.com / buy any two Kivel titles, get the third half price (Also, on Sale NOW LaValle, Adriangale, No Love Lost).
LARS ERIC MATTSSON - EPICENTRE SEES DIGITAL RELEASE VIA LION MUSIC SEPTEMBER 20:
Marking the 23rd album of his career, Lars Eric Mattsson returns with 18 new compositions on his most personal album to date entitled 'Epicentre' and due for release on 20 September 2013 via Lion Music.
MP3 Sampler: soundcloud.com/lionmusicrecordlabel/lars-eric-mattsson-epicentre.
'Epicentre' shows where Lars Eric Mattsson is in 2013. With a vast repertoire of music under his belt, whether under his own name, Mattsson, Book Of Reflections, Vision, Condition Red or Astral Groove, this new release sees Lars handle almost every aspect himself with the exception of drums by Christer Jansson.
On the new material Lars comments, "There are 18 tracks on this album, a few more than one might expect but I felt like it could not have been any shorter. Musically the album would not have been complete with fewer tracks as I wanted to paint a full picture of who I am and where I am today. I am also singing myself rather than working with someone else. During the writing process I think I came to find my own voice and felt that it was time for me to develop this to its fullest and here I am, a reborn veteran! It took about a year to finish this album and if this will be my last recording ever I would be happy with that. I have put all of my heart and soul into this album which I believe should be seen as an entity, just choosing one song is not going to be very representative as they are all different, yet all have what I guess is now considered a signature sound".
Contained within are songs that long-term Mattsson fans will be used to such, as the driving intricate time signatures of opener "Wait for the Sunrise" or the instrumental "Freedom Fighters" which Mattsson describes as "Perhaps the most intense track. I really don't expect to ever hear this one performed by a cover band (laughs) A full 7/8 time prog metal attack with some cool bass/guitar tapping interplay", yet new textures are served in the likes of the driven "Cinnamon" which fuses acoustic guitar with electric sitar and "Andalucía" which mixes acoustic guitar and violin in a jazz fusion setting.
More traditional metal waters are visited (with the expected Mattsson twists) for "A New Devil" and "No More War" whilst "No One Else" harks back to Mattsson 1980's works (albeit updated with 7 string guitar) and 70's hard rock is the influence behind "No Way, No Surrender".
Yet perhaps one of the biggest aspects of change between this and preview releases is Mattsson's decision to take on lead vocal duties as well, "I tried singing on a few rare spots in the past but to be honest I didn't really find my voice until I was halfway through this album, which made me start all over once I got the hang of things".
Another notable change is more streamlined songs "I decided early on that I should try to make shorter songs and cut out as much as I could and see how that would come across. I think this makes the tracks more direct and perhaps easier to listen to than some of my past ultra-intensive tracks".
IMPERA'S PIECES OF EDEN DUE OCTOBER: Escape Music is proud to announce the release of the second Impera album Pieces of Eden, due for release in Europe October 18.
Track List: 1 Beast Within 2 These Chains 3 All Alone 4 Smalltown Blues 5 Since You´ve Been Gone 6 Goodbye 7 Easy Come 8 You And I 9 This Is War 10 Fire And The Flame.
Impera is: Matti Alfonzetti – vocals (Jagged Edge, Scott Gorham, Skintrade, Road To Ruin, Red White & Blues) / Tommy Denander – guitar (Radioactive, Houston, Voices Of Rock), J.K. Impera – drums (Bruce Kulick, Graham Bonnet, Vinnie Vincent, John Corabi, Brian Robertson) / Mats Vassfjord - bass (Vinnie Vincent, John Corabi, Scaar, Grand Design).
Produced by: John "Impera" Kihlberg / Mixed and co-produced by: Lars Chriss / Mastered by: Mike Lind.
After an explosive 2012 Album "Legacy of Life" Impera are back with an even stronger album than before! Impera are a melodic rock "supergroup" that consists of a guitar player who, seemingly effortlessly, delivers stunning solos and riffs of that classic, timeless grit you thought were killed off by grunge coupled with a pounding bass that will put you through the wall. Add blistering drumming that's as solid as it is technically challenging and on top of all that, add a vocalist that sings circles around the competition. There's no keyboard player, no nonsense, no fuzz - just rock and roll!
To twist things around even further, the band is the brainchild of drummer J.K Impera who acts as the commander in chief in this state of rock. "I started the band four years ago, and originally ex-Mötley Crüe vocalist John Corabi was on board to handle vocal duties", J.K. says. "However, our schedules couldn't be matched, so I opted for a good friend of mine, who also happens to be one of Sweden's best rock vocalists ever, Matti Alfonzetti".
The whole band consists of solid musicians who have earned their wings through hard work with an impressive number of world-class stars over the years. Their combined CV reads as a who's who in today's rock. In various constellations they have played with Vinnie Vincent and Bruce Kulick from Kiss, Brian Robertson from Thin Lizzy, John Levén from Europe and many more. Guitarist Tommy Denander alone has played with almost everyone. He recently toured Japan and Europe with Joe Lynn Turner of Rainbow/Malmsteen fame, Toto's Bobby Kimball and Chicago's Bill Champlin. He is considered one of the world's best session players and has contributed his axe work on an unsurpassed 2000+ albums. He is honoured with his own signature VGS guitar which features the innovative Ever tune bridge system and True Temperament frets. "We all started to play because of Kiss", J.K states. "We're huge Kiss-fans and collectors and even good friends with them. Kiss is the reason we discovered how great rock and roll is. And following their tradition, you can count on a stage show that will take your breath away, complete with fireworks, smoke, fire and all hell's breaking loose! The amount of powder used in a single show would put the defence of a small European country to shame."
When "Legacy of Life" hit the streets back in October 2012 everyone was so excited with this fresh sound these four guys had injected into the melodic rock industry, well just wait till you her "Pieces of Eden", this is an album that will blow your mind.
The song Goodbye is a cover originally featured on KISS Paul Stanley 1978. Lars Chriss from Lion's Share plays guest guitar on the song, as does Bob Kulick (all solos on the track).
GARY SCHUTT READIES HIS MOVING PARTS:
Cool news from Gary Schutt: "I've been hard at work on may projects. But priority one is done, kinda... my new album! Twelve brand new songs! And this one is different and yet the same! This one still has heavy rock riffs, catchy hooks and guitars galore, as it always will be. But the subjects for the songs are what is different. We all know that my past two major releases were heartbreak laden, relationship songs. As proud as I am of those works, I wanted to change it up. This album has many different subjects and stories, but I won't tell because I want you to listen for the first time with fresh ears. So, right now I'm going to announce the album title and track listing.... here we go!
My TENTH solo album is called Moving Parts!
Track Listing: 1 A Million Miles An Hour 4:10, 2 Half A World Away 3:04, 3 Gonna Die Trying 6:13, 4 The Precipice :54, 5 Until I See You Again 4:29, 6 Fuel To The Fire 5:45, 7 Commodore 64 4:08, 8 Pornipulation 3:14, 9 Invisible 4:06, 10 Lucky Penny 3:10, 11 Weapons Hot 6:42, 12 Moving Parts 5:51.
Here's the bad news, I'm not setting a release date yet. I want to shop this album for a decent record deal, someone to help with advertising and touring because in this wonder age of internet and digital distribution doesnt guarantee sales without adversiting and touring, and I can't do any more by myself. So, my great fans, please be patient. In the meantime I will be doing music videos and other stuff because I want the physical CD to be accompanied with a DVD. That I might release, if done, by December. More updates soon. Rock on! GS."
THE BABYS RETURN TO THE SUNSET STRIP:
Three decades later, legendary classic-rock band The Babys return for a show on the Sunset Strip, the British group's adopted home when they burst upon the scene after signing with Chrysalis in the 1970s. Having reformed this summer with original guitarist Wally Stocker and original drummer Tony Brock, The Babys headline the Roxy Theatre on Thursday, Sept. 19. "It's going to be great to get back there. It will feel like home," Stocker said. "I remember playing the Whisky for the last time on New Year's Eve in 1979, and there were so many people packed in that you couldn't even move. That was the last time we played the Sunset Strip."
In the 1970s and early 80s, The Babys sold more than 15 million records and toured with Journey, Styx, Cheap Trick and others including a show before 80,000 at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
Former members John Waite, Jonathan Cain and Ricky Phillips have all gone on stardom. Waite had No. 1 singles with "Missing You" and again in Bad English with "When I See You Smile." Cain joined Journey and penned a string of hit singles including "Don't Stop Believing," the most downloaded song in history. Phillips is a longtime bass player for Styx.
In a remarkable comeback story, The Babys performed a benefit show to rave reviews in July before a capacity crowd at Canyon Club, about an hour north of Los Angeles – the group's first show in more than 30 years – and the band figures to be much stronger now that they've gotten their feet wet and been able to rehearse more.
The new members are John Bisaha, who sounds like John Waite and even looks a bit like him, along with ex-Buddy Miles guitarist J.P. Cervoni, roundly considered the No. 1 studio player in Los Angeles. The Babys have five hit singles that are still played on the radio every day – "Isn't it Time," "Head First," "Midnight Rendez-Vous,""Everytime I Think of You" and the irresistible "Back on My Feet Again" – and every one them is in the concert set.
The Babys have released one new song, "Not Ready to Say Goodbye," which sounds exactly like a mix of several of their hits. Tickets for the Roxy performance are available through ticketfly for $22. For VIP packages, visit thebabysofficial.com. In concert, The Babys feature a side keyboardist and two female backup singers.
Here is a capsule look at each member of The Babys: Wally Stocker, guitarist – A key force throughout The Babys' original rise to stardom, Stocker first left home in London at 15 with just a couple of pounds in his pocket and a guitar strapped to his back in pursuit of his rock and roll dreams, and he has never turned back. A favorite among Babys fans for his spell-binding guitar riffs that always played the spaces as well as the notes, Stocker went on to join Rod Stewart's band, then Air Supply, then Humble Pie. Tony Brock, drummer – Strongly considered one of the best drummers in the world, Brock plays with a rare combination of feel and timing, combined with a preference to hit the drums just about as hard as possible. Post-Babys, Brock was a long-time member of Rod Stewart's band in addition to playing with Jeff Beck, Bernie Taupin and others. Eventually, Brock founded Sliver Dreams Studios (silverdreamsstudios.com) near Los Angeles, where he produced platinum records for Jimmy Barnes and a string of others. John Bisaha, vocals/bass – Blessed with terrific rock voice that sounds about as close to one-of-a-kind Waite as you can get, relative unknown Bisaha proved an instant star at The Babys' first comeback performance in July. The first song was "Looking For Love," and it took about 30 seconds for Bisaha to have the capacity crowd in the palm of his hand. He sings and looks great – a key development for the new Babys to succeed – and through the years Bisaha has made his mark in theatre and studio work. A natural born star. J.P.Cervoni, guitar – Best known for his work with Buddy Miles (ex-Hendrix), Cervoni plays the guitar upside down just like Jimi. In fact, on stage he uses the same exact guitar head that used to belong to Mr. Hendrix himself. A guitar virtuoso in all things rock, Cervoni is the go-to guy in Los Angeles if you want something to sound perfect in the studio, and he also has extensive touring experience. Italian-born before finding his way to Los Angeles, Cervoni is a legend in the studio.
ROCK 'N' ROLL SINNERS - VOLUME I: ROCK SCRIBES ON THE ROCK PRESS, ROCK MUSIC & ROCK STARS PAPERBACK: "Neil's got folks who can put the brushstroke hither and thither, talking up regional stuff, the ins and outs of the Internet, mag publishing, book publishing… all useful and interesting for those who want to partake of this world."Martin Popoff from his foreword.
Rock 'N' Roll Sinners is the first chapter in a trilogy of books featuring insightful and highly entertaining interviews with some of the world's most successful and respected rock and metal scribes. Ever wondered what it takes to be a rock journalist? In this extensive collection of interviews, seasoned rock author Neil Daniels has interviewed 65 rock and metal journalists from around the world. With a foreword by the revered Canadian metal author and journalist Martin Popoff, Rock 'N' Roll Sinners is a worthy historical document for the serious enthusiast and can be used as a handy reference guide for the aspiring rock and metal writer. This hefty collection, which was previously published as the critically acclaimed All Pens Blazing - Volume I, makes essential reading for rock and metal heads the world over.
PurchaseLink: www.amazon.com/Rock-Roll-Sinners-Scribes-Press/dp/1492163341/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377959719&sr=1-1&keywords=rock+n+roll+sinners.
Friday, August 30, 2013
TIME TO CHECK OUT WHAT A MAXX EXPLOSION SOUNDS LIKE:
Yesterday Kivel Records dropped the news about Maxx Explosion and their album Forever - Produced by Chris McCarvill and Don Dokken. The album will drop in less than a month - the album will be premiered at MelodicRockFest 3. To give everyone a taste of what is to come...check out Falling Away by Maxx Explosion, featuring members of (House of Lords / Breakwall) Available @ www.kivelrecords.com Sept 27. Pre-order it now. (Buy any two Kivel releases get the 3rd half Price)
Download Full Track - Maxx Explosion - Falling Away
DIAMOND DAWN TO LAUNCH THE NEW SINGLE OFF THEIR DEBUT ALBUM "OVERDRIVE": Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the digital release of the second single from Diamond Dawn's debut album Overdrive entitled Standing As One. This rocking new song is accompanied by a videoclip that was shot by the band during the summer and that is possible to watch on YouTube clicking below:
The single can be downloaded now from every fine shop such as iTunes or Amazon and streamed legally via Spotify and Deezer. Diamond Dawn's debut album was released last February in Europe and North America and gathered excellent reviews such as:
"Diamond Dawn's Overdrive is easily recommended to fans of classic AOR melodic hard rock" - Dangerdog.com
"Without a doubt a fun album" - Bringthenoiseuk.com
"..At their best they put a new flavour to their brand of AOR" - Rockunited
"Diamond Dawn delivers for all fans of AOR / melodic rock" - Planetaor
"The dawn of their overdriven sound is a true diamond in the rough" - Metal Temple
"Diamond Dawn is a very promising band" - Grande Rock
"This could quite easily be one of the albums of the year" - Rocktopia
"A promising start to a hopefully long career" - Getreadytorock
"Fluffy but fun would be my concise report" - Sea of Tranquility
"Ear-pleasing and well-crafted melodic rock/hard-rock with enough shine to light up anyone's soundtrack" - Hardrocknights.com
"A "must-buy" tick for fans of everything that comes from Sweden" - Melodicrock.com
"This is something you don't want to miss" - Rockzone.co.uk
"A promising debut" - Sleazenation
"Overdrive is the Hellgoat's third perfect 10 in 2013" - Popdose.com
MELODIC TUBE: Richie Sambora has appeared on Japanese TV this week - but not in a musical way - rather on a shopping program promoting his clothing business. Check it out at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1E2sl2g4r4.
Bill Champlin, Joseph Williams & Peter Friestedt Live In Concert is the best-selling DVD in Sweden this Week. Congrats guys - www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlwSdhDPqek.
EUROPE RELEASES LIVE DVD OCTOBER 16: Europe are planning a new DVD live release. This concert which was captured at Sweden Rock Festival 7th of June 2013 is not only a massive greatest hits show in front of 30,000 people, it also marks the 30th anniversary of the bands existence. They celebrate this by playing 28 songs spanning their whole career including songs never before performed. Between the heavy rock songs they also sit down for an emotional acoustic set which brings a unique intimate feel to this otherwise massive arena show. To pay tribute to their own heroes they invite legendary guests artists Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy) and Michael Schenker (UFO, MSG) to join them on stage.
The band has made nothing short of a remarkable return since they started up again in 2004. Their latest album Bag Of Bones was awarded the 16th best rock album in the world by the prestigious Classic Rock Magazine in 2012.
Together with the four latest CD releases to come out this side of the millennium and the five albums they produced in the eighties and nineties. They sit on an enormous song treasure.
The DVD Includes songs like: Seven doors hotel, Open Tour heart, Rock The Night, Carrie, Superstitious, Prisoners in Paradise. Always the pretenders, Last look at Eden, New love in town, Not supposed to sing the blues, Firebox, Lights out (with Michael Schenker), Jailbreak (with Scott Gorham) and many more.
Over two hours and forty minutes of concert footage, behind the scenes material and an exclusive interview with the band, makes this the definitive Europe Live DVD. Also released as Blu-Ray and live CD.
MRX UPDATED: MRX has been updated with 3 great sounding live shows from the glory days - they are:
- Jimmy Page - Emerald Eyes (Live 1988)
- Brian May - Out Of His Own (Live 1993)
- Twisted Sister - Live 1984 Join MRX now.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
NEWRELEASETUESDAY.COM PREMIERES STRYPER'S "REVELATION" LYRIC VIDEO:
Legendary rock band Stryper has partnered with NewReleaseTuesday.com for the exclusive premiere of a new lyric video for the track Revelation, from their upcoming album No More Hell To Pay. Starting at 12:00PM, EST today, the video will be available for viewing exclusively at NewReleaseTuesday.com.
Produced by frontman Michael Sweet, the all-new studio album features some of Stryper's strongest and heaviest material to date. No More Hell To Pay will be available in North America on November 5th via Frontiers Records, and is now available for pre-order at Amazon in standard CD and deluxe Digipak featuring exclusive video content. Within 24 hours of becoming available for pre-order at Amazon on August 22nd, No More Hell To Pay shot to #10 in the Rock Music category, and #20 in Music, thanks to word of mouth from Stryper fans.
Multi-platinum rock outfit Stryper is one of the top Christian rock bands of all time. Comprised of the original line-up of Michael Sweet (lead vocals/guitar), Tim Gaines (bass), Robert Sweet (drums) and Oz Fox (guitar), Stryper has been going strong since 1984, and is responsible for such '80s metal classic albums as Soldiers Under Command, To Hell With The Devil, In God We Trust and such MTV hit singles/videos as "Calling on You," "Free" and "Honestly." After a sabbatical for much of the 1990's, Stryper returned strong in the early 21st century. To date, the band has sold upwards of 10 million records worldwide and is a Dove Award-winner and Grammy nominee. Stryper is the first band to have two songs in MTV's Top 10 simultaneously.
For more information, please visit: www.stryper.com / www.frontiers.it.
KIVEL RECORDS - ARTIST UPDATES: Kivel Records has always prided itself with eye popping visuals and clever concepts for its album covers. This year has been no different. First we bought you the album art of LaValle "Dear Sanity". Then we unveiled the new Adriangale artwork. Both of which we were very proud of. Also let's not forget Tango Down's "Identity Crisis". So keeping with this tradition and not allowing ourselves to paint ourselves into a corner. We met the challenge yet again to bring creative and eye catching art concepts for our releases. Designed by renowned graphic designer Thomas Ewerhard, we give you No Love Lost! We hope you like. Pre-order it now at www.kivelrecords.com along with Adriangale "Suckerpunch!" and LaValle "Dear Sanity". Buy any two titles get the third half price automatically. What better time to buy!! Don't miss No Love Lost at MelodicRockFest this Sept in Arlington, IL (www.melodicrockfest.com)
So what else do we have in store for the community and the people attending MRF this Sept? How about a BRAND NEW Artist to Kivel Records? YEP. We are very pleased to announce Maxx Explosion featuring (House of Lords Alum) Jimi Bell - Guitars, BJ Zampa - Drums and Chris McCarvil - Bass/ Lead Vocals! This Terror Trio will debut their album, Forever at MRF3 as a exclusive street date release, only at MRF! Before it hits the stores. Produced By Chris McCarvil and Don Dokken, this a must have album for any fan of fast paced intense guitar driven Rock. Pre-order it now at www.kivelrecords.com.
Lastly here is a song by song breakdown from AdrianGale's Vic Rivera in regards to the upcoming Suckerpunch!
Suckerpunch! - We've been away for a while, pursuing other endeavors and navigating the often slippery slope that is real life, but we've always been in close contact. John approached Jamie at the right time, and we all felt we were ready to reconvene and get this all started again. Thing is, we approached our return REAL quiet-like, agreeing not to go public with our impending comeback until all the pieces were in place...and so it went. This song encapsulates that feeling, that ideal - surprise! Jamie did a killer job with running with the majority of the lyrics on this one, once I sang to him the chorus I had already written. That's what I love about working with him, he's just so good ! Some fun dual solo work from Eddie and I here as well. The Black and Blue - Fact: human nature isn't always pretty. Too often friendship and loyalty are treated as cheap afterthoughts. Worst part is people who do so don't realize the incredible and lasting damage done to others. This is about being strong, secure and accomplished, in spite of disingenuous people. Accordingly, picking yourself up, dusting yourself off and declaring you are determined to move forward is the gist of the lyrics here. This is dedicated to all those who need to rediscover themselves after such ordeals. Give Me A Sign - It's all over the place: accounts of politicians, teachers, assorted role models, even "friends" - talking out of both sides of their mouths, employing double standards, and doing a million other shady things at the expense of other people. So here's is a nice, friendly little ode to those folks expecting blind faith while we get taken for a ride... What Will You Do - A song about confronting a person so self-righteous about themselves or a particular situation and ideal that it is destroying their relationship with you. Posing the hypothetical to your adversary can't guarantee results but every so often, they might pause for a moment to think. The World We Knew - A bleak yet hopeful testimony to someone you love...when the world is falling down, when all noble deeds and righteous causes aren't making a difference any longer, you're there with them no matter what, and you want them to be there with you as well. All About The Money - Some folks are singularly focused on the accumulation of wealth, or on making money off the backs of others. They discard all notion of friendship or decency and shoot themselves in the foot time and time again. It's a miserable, self-perpetuating road to ruin that you can only step back and watch happen (if you care to) when such people eventually have nothing. This is another one where Jamie's talent as an incredible songwriter himself allowed him to build on the chorus I presented to him. All bow down to Stratosphere... Believe - We've all been there - with a friend, a lover, a family member - when it seems nothing you can do is going to salvage or repair your relationship, yet somehow there still exists deep-rooted traces of the good things that once existed between you, and hope once again promises to find its mark. Written for the ARFM fundraiser CD put together in 2009, this was one too good not to re-record and include on a proper release. Some great trading of solos between Eddie and I once again on this one. Temporis Intermisso - Latin for "a brief pause", and very apropos for this instrumental interlude on the album...really let Eddie and myself stretch out a little on this one to show some chops. Well, going toe to toe with the King Kong guitarist that is Eddie Campbell is an exercise in futility. So I decided to play the more melodic foil to his pyrotechnics. This one's for the guitar aficionados in our fan base for sure! When I Said You'd Be The One - The last song written for this album and one I actually couldn't wrap myself around for a bit - at least until I wrote the chorus. I let Jamie take command of the rest of the song's lyrics and he did a bang-up job of capturing the message, another one saying "I never saw you capable of turning on me like you have but you did - oh well." John Kivel INSTANTLY fell in love with this and declared it the teaser single for the new album. His instincts proved very sound - the fans ate it up! Could Have Been Me - Ever give so much of yourself to someone that you just can't stomach the fact that you shouldered the burden of such a negative soul-sucker in the first place? Yep - I thought so. On rare occasion the offending party MIGHT have a moment of clarity and try to get back into your good graces, but there's nothing more satisfying than being able to say "sorry, too late!" You - Jamie's undying and intense love for his wife Heather inspired him to write some of the most beautiful and heartfelt lyrics you could ever hope for. I felt Jamie would best be able to come up with something really special for the music I wrote for this song and did he ever make a statement that will stand with our best ballads prior...I'd get a real kick out of it if this was used as someone's wedding song one of these days!
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Pre-order Adriangale now via Kivel Records/MR.com and automatically be entered in the Suckerpunch Raffle!! What's that? Well how's this for Fan appreciation folks!! TWO of these nifty gloves, that were used for the new Adriangale album cover Suckerpunch! have been signed by the band, and will be raffled off at MRF3 in Sept! Anyone that pre-orders the CD will receive 1 raffle ticket. Raffle tickets will also be on sale at the MRF booth that weekend. Again only 2 gloves will be raffled off! A right hook and a southpaw jab! So first come first serve! Also, all pre-orders will be signed by the band. The raffle is limited to MR in cooperation with Kivel Records. Street date is at MRF3!!!
MRF3 - www.melodicrockfest.com.
RAIDING THE ROCK VAULT ANNOUNCES VOCALIST LOU GRAMM AS NEXT SINGER IN ICON SERIES: Raiding The Rock Vault--the ultimate classic rock concert experience--has announced Lou Gramm, best known as the founding vocalist of the rock band Foreigner, as the next singer in its Icon Series. Gramm will perform in five shows from Oct. 18-22. One of the best-selling bands of all time, with worldwide sales of nearly 80 million albums, Foreigner has created generation-spanning hits, including "Feels Like the First Time," "Cold as Ice," "Urgent," "Hot Blooded," "Double Vision," "Juke Box Hero," and "Waiting for a Girl Like You," most of which were co-written by Gramm. "Lou Gramm is one of my favorite vocalists of all time," said creator, director and producer John Payne. "We pay tribute to the legend that is Foreigner in our show every night, and to have him here as part of the experience is beyond exciting." Gramm's guest appearance will follow Yes's Jon Anderson, who takes the stage Sept. 20-24 with Raiding The Rock Vault.
The story of classic rock comes to life with Raiding The Rock Vault. Boasting the ultimate set list, the show takes audiences on a magical musical journey, traversing the genre's history from the '60s through the '80s.
Raiding The Rock Vault features classic anthems from The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, the Eagles, Queen, Van Halen, AC/DC, Journey, Free, Bryan Adams, Supertramp, Toto, Deep Purple, and more, truly boasting "The Greatest Set List Ever."
The show's all-star lineup includes Howard Leese [Guitar] (Heart), Tracii Guns [Guitar] (LA Guns, Guns n' Roses), Robin McAuley [Lead Vocals] (MSG, Survivor), John Payne [Lead Vocals and Bass] (Asia), Paul Shortino [Lead Vocals] (Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot), Jay Schellen [Drums] (Badfinger, Asia), Andrew Freeman [Lead Vocals and Guitars] (Lynch Mob, The Offspring), and Michael T. Ross [Keyboards] (Lita Ford, Hardline).
Ticket prices for Raiding The Rock Vault range from $49 to $125 (plus fees) for a special Rock Star Package (which includes tickets in first five rows, t-shirt, concert program, album, meet-and-greet and VIP pass). Special discount tickets for $39 are available for locals. For an up-to-date schedule or to purchase tickets, visit the LVH box office or log onto thelvh.com, vegas.com, or ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 702-732-5755 or 1-800-222-5361.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
CONEY HATCH TO LAUNCH THE FIRST SINGLE OFF THE NEW ALBUM "FOUR": Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the digital release of the first single from Coney Hatch new album "Four" entitled "Blown Away". The cover art is pictured below. This rocking new song is accompanied by a video clip that was shot by the band during the summer and that is possible to watch on YouTube clicking below:
The single can be downloaded now from every fine shop such as iTunes or Amazon and streamed legally via Spotify and Deezer. It is also possible to enjoy a samples of some songs from the forthcoming album, following this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaX7gLnhuFY. Coney Hatch new album "Four" will be released on September 24th in North America and September 27th in Europe and marks the first record of new material in over two decades. "FOUR" is chalked full of the unique brand of melodic riff-rock that first brought the band to the attention of critics and rock fans all over the world.
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MRCD/MRR PRE-ORDERS:
To pre-order the new MRCD11 compilation, or the upcoming MelodicRock Records releases House of Shakira and Faith Circus - please check out the MR Pre-Order Page (Released September 23 and at MelodicRockFest). Please be advised that if you have already pre-ordered and are awaiting email notification of the bonus track downloads - that's coming tomorrow! I've had a couple of days off sick this week and am a bit behind. Thanks for supporting these great titles!
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NEW LYNAM EP DUE OCTOBER:
Birmingham, AL rock band Lynam, will release it's new EP entitled "Halfway To Hell" October 15th via New Ocean Media. The band has made the song 'Wrong Side Of The Grave' available for streaming via SoundCloud (www.soundcloud.com/lynam/wrong-side-of-the-grave) and a free download via their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/lynammusic).
"Halfway To Hell" was produced by the band and longtime producer Jason Elgin (Collective Soul, Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster, Terrible Things). The song 'Wrong Side Of The Grave' was produced and co-written with Bruno Agra. Lynam will be supporting Pop Evil on a string of dates in September in addition to headlining shows:
9/11Birmingham, AL WorkPlay Theater
9/12 Montgomery, AL Rock Bottom
9/13 Mobile, AL Soul Kitchen
9/20 Hattiesburg, MS Brewsky's
9/21 Daphne, AL Top Of The Bay
9/27 Lawrenceville, GA Sportsline
9/28 Elkton, MD Mid Atlantic Rock Fest
Lynam consists of Jacob Bunton (lead vocals, guitar), David Lynam (drums, vocals), Cody Elliott (Bass, Vocals), and Lonny Paul (guitar, vocals).
In 2006, Lynam signed a deal with DRT/Universal Records and released the critically acclaimed album "Slave To The Machine". This album peaked at #21 on Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart and #19 on the Heat- seekers chart. The first single 'Tanis' went to #1 on both the active rock independent and main-stream rock independent charts. The band's 2008 album "Tragic City Symphony" was released on Megaforce / Mascot Records and featured the radio singles 'Save My Soul', 'Lindsay Says', and 'Porn Star'. All three singles reached the top 10 on the active rock independent chart with 'Save My Soul' reaching top 5 with over 10 million in audience. Several of the album's songs were also used in motion pictures, MTV, VH1, HBO, and video games. A Live album entitled "Thank You Goodnight!" was released November 2010 through Island Def Jam/New Ocean Media. Shortly after the release of "Thank You Goodnight!", frontman Jacob Bunton joined up with former Guns N Roses Drummer Steven Adler to form the band Adler and bassist Mark Dzier left to film the movie Rock Of Ages as part of the fictitious band Arsenal led by Tom Cruise.
For more information, check out the band's website: www.lynammusic.com / www.facebook.com/lynammusic.
TOD HOWARTH TURNS BACK THE COCOA CLOCK: Tod Howarth recently recorded a CD of cover tunes with his high school band Cocoa Blue (Also featuring Jason Scheff from band Chicago), and it is now finally available on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/youll-play-it-and-like-it!/id685277269.
Track Listing: Life in the Fast Lane, Cat Scratch Fever, Bodhisattva, Sweet Emotion, China Grove, Lido Shuffle, Rock Candy, Free Ride, Tush, Play That Funky Music, Brick House, Smoke On the Water.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
FRONTIERS RECORDS MOURNS THE LOSS OF FERNANDO PERUGINO SR.: Frontiers Records mourns the loss of Fernando Perugino Sr. on August 10th 2013.
Perugino co-founded Frontiers back in 1994 together with his son Serafino, who has been managing successfully the label since then. Guiding light for all the team, it was also thanks to his invaluable contribution, motivation and push that Frontiers Records became what is today. He is and will be deeply missed by the whole team.
In loving memory ~ Serafino, Maria, Mario, Lorenzo, Giulio, Elio, Ezio and Francesco.
On behalf of all readers of MelodicRock and myself personally, I'd like to extend condolences to Serafino and the Frontiers Records family at this sad time. R.I.P. Fernando.
CD SHOWCASE UPDATED:
Two big CD Showcases online today - Harem Scarem's great comeback Mood Swings II release and Coney Hatch's comeback release Four - both out on Frontiers Records September 24. Check them out.
TOM KEIFER JOINS HALESTORM FOR 2 DATES:
Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Tom Keifer has been on the road supporting his new CD The Way Life Goes for the better part of 2013. Keifer and his band wrapped up the first part of the tour with a performance on The Late Show with David Letterman at the end of June.
Having taken a short break from touring, Keifer and company plan to head back out on the road this fall. Two shows with Halestorm will kick off the next leg of The Way Life Goes tour in September with more dates to be announced.
Tom Keifer with Halestorm:
Sept 6th - Atlantic City, NJ - House of Blues
Sept 7th - York, PA - Toyota Grandstand
In other Keifer news, a new single, Cold Day in Hell has been released to rock radio and The Way Life Goes is now available on vinyl. Keifer's debut solo album, "The Way Life Goes", was released on April 30 via Merovee Records (through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group).
For more information, check out the official website: www.tomkeifer.com / www.facebook.com/tomkeiferofficial.
PARIS DEBUT NEW VIDEO: Paris are pleased to premiere their new video Every Time You Walk Away, from their debut album Only One Life released on Avenue of Allies in April.
Produced, mixed and mastered by Alessandro Del Vecchio, the song features Steve Newman and Alessandro Del Vecchio on Background Vocals, Anna Portalupi on Bass and Alessandro Mori on Drums.
Vocalist Frederic Dechavanne wrote the song and also plays keyboards while his buddy Sebastien Montet plays all the guitars.
The Paris are bust writing material for a second album planned for 2014.
VOICES OF ROCK IN SWEDEN: Legends: Voices Of Rock will do a concert hall tour of Sweden this October and November. Joining them this time are Bobby Kimball (Toto), Bill Champlin (Chicago), Graham Bonnet (Rainbow), Eric Bazillian (The Hooters), Sanne Salmonsen (Danish rock legend) and Håkan Hemlin (Nordman).
The backing band is as always: Tommy Denander (guitar), Sayit Dölen (guitar), Pontus Engborg (drums), Ken Sandin (bass) and P-O Nilsson (keyboards).
COMING SOON... FROM FRONTIERS RECORDS:
I've had the pleasure of listening to some advance music coming up from Frontiers Records over the next few months and can now detail exactly what is in store for fans. There are definitely some true melodic rock gems coming up!
First is the highly anticipated L.R.S. featuring Tommy LaVerdi (21 Guns), Josh Ramos (The Storm, Hardline) and Michael Shotton (Von Groove, Airtime).
Album producer Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline, Fergie Frederiksen) continues to be the man of the moment, ensuring this project has a cohesive feel and a super smooth sound. But it's the golden voice of Tommy LaVerdi that takes the two tracks I have heard to a new level. LaVerdi's voice just grabs you by the throat from the minute he opens his mouth. Livin 4 A Dream is the first single (video grabs directly below) and features an attention grabbing vocal line from the first seconds, with a nice musical twist to a traditional style of AOR. And Josh Ramos and Mike Shotton clearly have something cool going on together. The bridge is something special and then there's that glorious pink and fluffy chorus we all expect.
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Almost Over You will be the second single from the album (video grabs below) - a sweet and sensitive acoustic driven ballad with a high vocal from LaVerdi - totally old school in its sound and approach, fans of traditional AOR are going to eat this up! Personally I can't wait to hear more.
The L.R.S. debut album will be out in early 2014.
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Also due in early 2014 will be the debut 3 Lions album. 3 Lions is a new project featuring the very cool trio of guitarist Vinny Burns, drummer Greg Morgan (both ex-Ten) and vocalist/bassist Nigel Bailey. Wasn't sure what to expect from these guys (class obviously...) and am very impressed with the 1 song I have heard so far. Once again produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio, the band boasts a bluesy rock sound that sounds like early Ten, traditional British AOR in general and perhaps even some Newman.
The lead single will be Trouble In A Red Dress (video grabs below) features Vinny wailing on guitar from note one and a nice tight rhythm section plus some understated keyboard parts back in the mix. The bluesy, but melodic mid-tempo rocker has a simple, yet defined chorus and sticks in your head from play #1. Once again...looking forward to more!
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Fans won't have to wait as long for the next album - the long awaited and hugely anticipated new Seventh Key album I Will Survive is due out November 5! And folks....it was worth the wait! Yet again Mike Slamer proves the man with the golden touch/guitar and Billy Greer is sounding better than ever on vocals. The new 11 track album is a natural progression from the last album - possibly even a heavier and more progressive edge than before as the guys pound out some fantastic melodic hard rock anthems with layers and layers of guitars, keyboards and vocals.
There's not a weak track to be found as expected, but highlights include the lead single and album title track I Will Survive (video grans below); the super progressive Lay It On The Line; the monster melodic anthem with the crushing chorus I See You There; the AORtastic Time And Time Again and the racing pop-rock anthem The Only One. Glorious stuff!!
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Lastly I have 5 advance tracks from the upcoming new Place Vendome album Thunder In The Distance - due out also on November 5.
The songs - Broken Wings, Breakout, Power of Music, Hold Your Love and Fragile Grounds - are all equally impressive in their ability to get my attention straight away and deliver the balance of power and melody that the first two Place Vendome albums did. From these tracks, it seems the band are destined for a trilogy of high class releases!
GARY SCHUTT RELEASES INSTRUMENTS OF DESTRUCTION DVD: Palisade Records artist Gary Schutt releases his long awaited follow-up DVD to 2008's Loss 4 Words CD. This DVD contains guitar lessons, bass lessons, studio drum tracking footage, live footage, music videos, documentaries and much more from the songs off the Loss 4 Words CD. Over three hours of goodies! And a quick sneak peak at Gary's upcoming tenth solo album!
Also out now is the Contingency Plan Videos DVD. Seven high quality music videos from the the Contingency Plan album. Available at www.garyschutt.com with info and buy now at www.garyschutt.com/12instrumentsofdestructiondvd.cfm.
Video teaser trailer: youtu.be/LodEoBQ_4Hw.
LOVE.MIGHT.KILL: TOO BIG TO FAIL VIDEO PREMIERES ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1:
The German/Italian Metal connection Love.Might.Kill featuring Gamma Ray-drummer Michael Ehré (ex-Firewind, Uli Jon Roth, Metalium) will release their brand new video "Too Big To Fail" on Sunday, September 1. Watch the trailer here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H87sEQJw5Q&feature=youtu.be.
The band will be on tour in October:
08. Oktober 2013 (DE) Bremen - Aladin *
18. Oktober 2013 (DE) Hamburg - Warehouse
19. Oktober 2013 (DE) Marx - Tunis
20. Oktober 2013 (DE) Erfurt - From Hell **
21. Oktober 2013 (DE) Nürnberg - Hirsch **
22. Oktober 2013 (SK) Kosice - Colloseum **
23. Oktober 2013 (SK) Bratislava - Majesty Music Club **
with Pretty Maids ** with Masterplan
Love.Might.Kill live @ Väsby Rock, Sweden on August 3: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYBeVND9F9c.
Love.Might.Kill´s latest album 2 Big 2 Fail was released in 2012 via Massacre Records in Europe and via Hydrant Music in Japan. The follower of their debut album Brace For Impact (2011) features songs like f.e.: "XTC", "Burn the night", "The one", "The big screen pleasure (and pain)", "The great escape", "The perfect mistake", "We fall" and "Restless heart". The album was once again produced by Michael Ehré, while Markus Teske was responsible for the mix and the mastering in his Bazement-Studios.
For further information please go to: www.lovemightkill.com.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH STEFAN KAUFMANN, PAT TRAVERS AND CIVIL WAR: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week features exclusive interviews with former Accept drummer Stefan Kaufman, Pat Travers and Daniel Mullback of Civil War, and is available now for streaming at this link www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-stefan-kaufman-ex-accept-civil-war-pat-travers-interviews
In the first hour of the show, former Accept drummer Stefan Kaufmann tells the story of the writing, recording and touring cycle of the band's classic "Metal Heart" album, newly reissued on Hear No Evil Recordings (www.hearnoevilrecordings.com ),and the "Kaizoku-Ban" live mini album (also included on the new reissue of "Metal Heart), recorded live in Japan on the "Metal Heart" tour. Stefan also selects 6 tracks from the album.
The second hour of the show features an interview with Daniel Mullback, drummer with Civil War, the new band featuring 4 former members of Sabaton (including Mullback), along with Astral Doors/Lion's Share vocalist Nils Patrik Johansson, with two tracks from the band's debut album "The Killer Angels".
Also in part 2, Canadian guitar hero Pat Travers talks about his new album "Can Do", an album very much in the vein of the classic Pat Travers Band albums of the late 70s and early 80s. Pat also discusses his touring plans, and selects 2 songs from "Can Do" and a classic track from his back catalogue.
The show also features classic tracks from Blackfoot, ZZ Top, Thin Lizzy and Led Zeppelin. You can also listen on Sunday 25th August 17:00-19:00 GMT, repeated Monday 26th August 14:00-16:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com.
MORPHEUS RUISING SCORES NEW DRUMMER:
"We are very pleased to announce that Nigel Durham (ex Saxon, ex Oliver/Dawson Saxon) has joined Morpheus Rising as full time drummer. Nigel is a fantastic drummer with an outstanding pedigree, and we're delighted to welcome him into the band. Nigel is no stranger to rock audiences, having played on Saxon's Destiny album, and several albums with Oliver/Dawson Saxon, including Re:Landed and It's Alive. We are really looking forward getting stuck into rehearsals with him, preparing current material for the live set and new songs for the album sessions.
We are extremely grateful to the one and only Henry Rogers for stepping in to the breach and filling the drum vacancy for the recent tour with Panic Room, and the Bikes Bands and Booze show last weekend. Without all his outstanding hard work and dedication at relatively short notice, we could not have done these gigs, and we've really enjoyed having him as part of the MR gang – even if only briefly! We're all looking forward to the new album and a new era with Melodic Revolution Records, and with Nigel joining the band too, we're really hungry to get cracking. As Nigel says "Can't wait to get my teeth into Morpheus Rising!""
ASIA'S EUROPEAN TOUR WITH NEW GUITARIST, SAM COULSON:
Thirty one years after its eponymous debut album, which was the biggest selling album of 1982, Asia start their European Tour with new guitarist, Sam Coulson. Asia's upcoming European tour includes Germany, Austria and Sweden. The tour begins on August 29 in Worpswede, Germany and runs through to September 12, when it concludes at Oslo, Norway.
Tour Dates:
29th August 2013 Worpswede, Germany
30th August 2013 Bochum, Germany
31st August 2013 Kitzingen, Germany
1st September 2013 Stuttgart, Germany
3rd September 2013 Darmstadt, Germany
5th September 2013 Pratteln, Switzerland
6th September 2013 Harley Davidson Festival, Austria
9th September 2013 Copenhagen, Denmark
10th September 2013 Gothenburg, Sweden
12th September 2013 Oslo, Norway
For All Things ASIA, please visit: www.originalasia.com.
NEW RUNNING WILD ALBUM RESILIENT SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE IN OCTOBER:
Adrian, the band's mascot, in his brave battle against the forces of nature – the cover of the new Running Wild album Resilient documents emphatically: this band really is irrepressible. Their current studio production sees the metal galley from Northern Germany sail close to the metal wind again, tougher and more determined than ever. Captain Rock'n' Rolf Kasparek has come up with twelve storm-proof numbers, ten of which are scheduled for release on the regular CD on 7 October 2013 (Germany: 4 October; US: 8 October), two additional bonus tracks and a poster will be included on the limited version of the album. There can be no doubt: Running Wild will proudly sail the pirate flag in the 38th year of their existence, effortlessly sailing through the straits of the business.
Rock'n'Rolf has been working full throttle on this new album since February 2013. Due to his intense involvement with Giant X, his band with guitarist Peter Jordan, Rolf had consciously taken a break from Running Wild and has now resumed work with the band with zest and lots of new ideas. "The break was important and extremely refreshing for me," he explains. "I felt that renewed vigour as soon as I started writing the material for Resilient, tracks such as 'Fireheart' and 'Soldiers Of Fortune' just came pouring out of me. The dynamic pace of 'Soldiers Of Fortune' in particular kicked off a whole avalanche of creativity in me."
Rolf explains that Resilient is audibly tougher and more compact than its predecessor Shadowmaker, clearly enjoying his revived zest: "Shadowmaker happened to come about slightly unexpectedly and spontaneously, even for me. The album has brought back the fun I used to have with Running Wild, and my fans will get to feel this fun when Resilient comes out in October!"
The album's opener will be called 'Soldiers Of Fortune', and the title track, 'The Drift' and 'Run Riot' will be three typical Running Wild numbers. The most outstanding song on the album, however, is called 'Bloody Island', with almost ten minutes playing time one of the longest tracks in Running Wild's career to date. Rolf: "As a composer, it's of course difficult for me to pigeonhole the new material stylistically, but friends who have heard the demo version of 'Bloody Island' claim that it would have fitted in on Pile Of Skulls."
In terms of lyrics, there are the familiar fusillades that we've come to expect from Running Wild: 'Bloody Island' and the bonus track 'Payola & Shenanigans' see Rock'n'Rolf criticise the curse of greed that we've seen specifically in the European banking crisis of recent years. 'Crystal Gold' is about the obviously politically motivated privatisation of drinking water, and 'Fireheart' and 'Run Riot' are warnings to Running Wild's fans to be confident of themselves and vigilant towards authorities. Rolf: "For me, that's the attitude which stands for that true rock'n'roll feeling."
Resilient was produced by Rock'n'Rolf himself, supported by Niki Nowy during the mixing and mastering process, as well as Katharina Nowy and Peter Jordan, who contributed a number of guitar solos. For the first time, Rolf worked with precise vocal lines during the demo recordings. "The targeted use of lyrics and vocal melodies during the demo stage was new for me, but it worked out really well and I've never gone to the studio as well prepared as I did this time around. I didn't have to try and test things but only had to put a few finishing touches to my singing at the studio. A definite advantage!"
Remains the question whether Running Wild will present this brilliant album live on stage. Rolf: "We've had a lot of festival offers for summer 2014 which we will look at carefully. We'll know more in a few months' time and will inform our fans as soon as we've made up our minds."
Tracklisting Digipak: 1. Soldiers Of Fortune 2. Resilient 3. Adventure Highway 4. The Drift 5. Desert Rose 6. Fireheart 7. Run Riot 8. Down To The Wire 9. Crystal Gold 10. Bloody Island 11. Payola & Shenanigans (bonus track) 12. Premonition (bonus track)
WebLinks: www.running-wild.de / www.spv.de.
STRANGE KARMA SEEK AID FROM FANS IN CREATION OF SOPHOMORE ALBUM:
Australian rock band Strange Karma might take their inspiration from classic rock bands of yesterday but they're embracing the future when it comes to bringing their new album directly to the fans via a Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign. As it turns out, the majority of the album has already been recorded - with Grammy-nominated producer David Ivory manning the boards - but the album needs some finishing touches, which is why the band is looking to their fans to support the completion of the album: bit.ly/strangekarmapr.
Depending on their level of support, backers of the project will get rewards directly from band, including album downloads, limited edition CDs and vinyl, as well as chances to party with the band in either the US or Australia.
Led by the Australian brother duo of Martin and Paul Strange (who supply vocals and guitar, respectively), Strange Karma immediately created a buzz with their 2011 debut, 'Vol. 1,' which received countless accolades, such as Jamie Hutson from Vegas Rocks Magazine declaring that he experienced "Love at first riff," while Mark Lewis at the Rock Over America website stated "There are 10 tracks in total and every one is simply amazing."
Strange Karma believes "It only takes one band to change the face of music today." And that with the fans support they can be that band - now it's up to the fans to lend a hand.
For more information, visit: strangekarma.net / facebook.com/pages/Strange-Karma/157783670932214.
Friday, August 23, 2013
ICONIC ROCK BAND STRYPER REVEALS AUDIO SAMPLES FROM FORTHCOMING STUDIO ALBUM:
Legendary rock band Stryper reveals audio samples for three tracks from their forthcoming studio album, No More Hell To Pay. Snippets of "Revelation," "Saved By Love" and "Marching Into Battle" are included in the YouTube teaser.
No More Hell To Pay is set for a November 1st release in Europe and November 5th in North America and will be available in two formats - standard CD and deluxe digipak featuring exclusive video content. Produced by frontman/guitarist/songwriter Michael Sweet, the set features some of Stryper's strongest and heaviest material ever.
Stryper is one of the top Christian rock bands of all time. Comprised of the original line-up of Michael Sweet (lead vocals/guitar), Tim Gaines (bass), Robert Sweet (drums) and Oz Fox (guitar), Stryper has been going strong since 1984, and is responsible for such '80s metal classic albums as Soldiers Under Command, To Hell With The Devil, In God We Trust and such MTV hit singles/videos as "Calling on You," "Free" and "Honestly." After a sabbatical for much of the 1990's, Stryper returned strong in the early 21st century. To date, the band has sold upwards of 10 million records worldwide and is a Dove Award-winner and GRAMMY nominee. Stryper is the first band to have two songs in MTV's Top 10 simultaneously.
No More Hell To Pay track listing: *Revelation *No More Hell To Pay *Saved By Love *Jesus Is Alright *The One *Legacy *Marching Into Battle *Te Amo *Sticks & Stones *Water Into Wine *Sympathy
*Renewed.
For more information, please visit: www.stryper.com / www.frontiers.it.
In other Frontiers News: "Royal Hunt moved into one of the theatres in Copenhagen in order to complete the pre-production for their upcoming album. The band is planning to work there for a couple of weeks on their new songs together with a group of classical players."
THE LATEST FROM ROCK CANDY: Rock Candy Records have gone ballistic this month with 7 new titles available! They are all available now from www.rockcandyrecords.com for a discounted price including postage to anywhere in the world for the next two weeks ending on September 8.
Diamond Reo 'Dirty Diamonds' HRCANDY003 / Pittsburg isn't a town you would normally associate with the beating heart of American rock 'n roll. Sure, it's had its moments, mainly back in the 1960s, and it was also the home of white funk outfit Wild Cherry, but the only real fistin-your-face hard rock act to blow their way out of Steeltown during the 1970s was four piece riff kings Diamond REO. 'Dirty Diamonds' was the band's second, and compared to their debut altogether far more explosive, studio album originally issued in 1976 on Buddah Records spin-off label Kama Sutra. Led by feisty vocalist Frank Czuri and featuring the amazing guitar pyrotechnics of Warren King (together with rock solid drummer Robert Johns and Pittsburg music legend, bassist, Norman Nardini), the album registered massively on the earth shaking rock 'n roll seismograph, enough in fact to count Aerosmith as confirmed admirers. This is the birth of modern arena rock as we know it, with songs that are reminiscent, but not derivative, of the sort of hard rock assault pioneered by Aerosmith, Montrose, Starz and Kiss. However, the most impressive factor must surely be the punishing guitar work of Warren King, a man who evokes the spirit of Jimi Hendrix yet invokes the low slung swagger of Joe Perry and Jimi Page. Obscure, for sure, but highly recommended for those with a penchant for loud, mean, heavy rock.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, photos and new interview with Norman Nardini.
Track Listing: 1. All Over You 2. It Ain't What You Say It's What You Do 3. Scratch My Back 4. Mama Let Your Love 5. It's A Jungle Out There 6. Lover Boy 7. Power 8. Bad News 9. Boys Will Be Boys 10. Helter Skelter.
Aviary 'S/T' CANDY190 / Of all the great pomp bands that flourished during the 1970s, and here we can include the likes of Styx, Kansas, Trillion, and Starcastle, five piece West Coast unit Aviary were, in many ways, the kings of the genre. Grandiose, pompous, bombastic and completely impervious to fashion, the unique song writing talent of vocalist Brad Love and the musical skills he and his fellow band members brought to this album still make it (some thirty years after the fact) a very special work of beauty. Veterans of the Washington/Seattle music scene (they featured ex members of uber obscurities such as Bighorn and Russia) the band's demo tape eventually found its way into the hands of British impresario Brian Lane. Who was at the time managing prog-gods Yes. Signed to Epic records, the band were ushered into the studio with renowned producer Gary Lyons (Foreigner, UFO, Lone Star) overseeing their flamboyant musical proficiency. Originally issued in 1979, the album truly side-swiped the music world. Brimming with epically constructed songs and audacious arrangements, the contents were truly mind blowing, calling to mind the most highfalutin works of Queen and Yes, together with the art-rock of Be Bop Deluxe and Sparks. It was a veritable smorgasbord of indulgence that cemented their place in the pomp rock hall of fame as one of the most ambitious records ever recorded.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, photos and new interview with Brad Love.
Track Listing: 1. Soaring 2. Anthem For The Usa 3. Puddles 4. As Close As You Can Get 5. Mystic Sharon 6. Feel The Heart 7. Average Boy 8. I Will Hear 9. Maple Hall.
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Ian Thomas Band 'Glider' CANDY198 / If you're not Canadian then you've either never heard of Ian Thomas, or conversely, you'll know that he's one of the most talented artists to ever draw breath. Inside Canada he's become something of an institution, still touring and still writing magnificent songs, whether it is for himself or one of his other musical outlets. The man is a king of kings in the world of Canadian singer-songwriters, with all the praise and goodwill bestowed on a national treasure. Recording since the early seventies, and scoring a US hit single with the track 'Painted Ladies', Thomas was expected to continue a rapid rise to fame but for various reasons his star only continued to shine in Canada, leaving the rest of the world largely in ignorance of this exceptional talent. 'Glider' was Thomas's sixth studio album, a record that built on the strengths of his previous work 'Still Here,' by presenting his songs within the framework of an exceptionally talented backing band – one that he had assembled with meticulous precision. Self-produced, and issued in 1979, the record contains a stellar collection of tracks including the eerie Sci-Fi influence of 'Pilot', the equally complimentary tones of 'High And Mighty' and 'Nero's Spell', plus the near seven minute epic 'Voices Of The Children'. A great album, presented with a mouthwatering album cover designed by keyboard player and artist Hugh Syme. No wonder that Supertramp were so enamoured that they actually wanted to release it on a new custom label they were intending to form.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, photos and new interview with Ian Thomas.
Track Listing: 1. Pilot 2. I Still Want To Hold You 3. Small Talk 4. High And Mighty 5. Time Is The Keeper 6. Beast Of Phobia 7. Nero's Spell 8. Voices Of The Children.
Ian Thomas 'The Runner' CANDY198 / When the rest of the world is praising the talents of solo artists such as Billy Joel, Elton John and Randy Newman some of us are sitting comfortable in the knowledge that Ian Thomas, despite his relative obscurity, is a talent of equal stature. Life for this Canadian born singer songwriter has never been easy. Feted in his native country but cold shouldered elsewhere, Thomas has flown under the radar for far too long, but, in many respects, perhaps this is what drives his loyal band of supporters to such fanatical devotion. 'The Runner' was Thomas's seventh studio album and found him emphasising the very thing that captured his audience's imagination in the first instance with a brace of great melodies and sublimely connective lyrics which speak not just love and loss but of offbeat topics and social commentary. These were songs that would eventually go on to be recorded by a variety of admiring artists including Chicago, Manfred Man and Santana. With a pronounced West Coast sound comparable to that of Steely Dan, Christopher Cross and Hall & Oates, the musical support is fluid and consistent with a meticulous approach to song writing. It is this combination of factors that sets 'The Runner' apart as one of Thomas's greatest achievements, a record full of challenges and triumphs.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, photos and new interview with Ian Thomas.
Track Listing: 1. Hold On 2. Stringin' A Line 3. Chains 4. Embers From The Fire 5. When I Need Someone 6. Borrowed Time 7. I Am The One 8. Goner 9. Freefall In Stardust 10. The Runner.
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Vandenberg 'Heading For A Storm' CANDY197 / This might seem to be a fairly obvious statement of fact, but it's easy to forget just how significant Vandenberg became in the early 1980s. A Dutch hard rock band with the style, musicianship, confidence, songs and sound to match anything being done elsewhere. And, for a while it appeared inevitable that they'd be destined to achieve greatness.
'Heading For A Storm' was the band's second album, emerging after the unexpected success of their debut which had secured them a foothold in the top 30 of the US singles charts with the track 'Burning Heart'. For album #2 they returned to the same producer and studio; that's Stuart Epps and SOL studio on the banks of the River Thames, a facility owned by Jimmy Page. Less confrontational than their debut album, 'Heading For A Storm', originally issued in 1983, showcased a more mature Vandenberg, one with increasingly sophisticated songs (all written by guitarist Adrian Vandenberg) and far broader scope. The album may not have eclipsed sales of the debut in the USA, where record company politics hampered progress, but in Europe the record gained healthy traction. With cover art painted by Adrian, whose guitar solos also continued to impress, the album is now regarded as an essential cornerstone of the band's legacy.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, photos and new interview with Adrian Vandenberg.
Track Listing: 1. Friday Night 2. Welcome To The Club 3. Time Will Tell 4. Different Worlds 5. This Is War 6. I'm On Fire 7. Heading For A Storm 8. Rock On 9. Waiting For The Night Bonus Tracks: 10. Ready For You (Live) 11. Lost In A City (Live) 12. Too Late (Live).
Tangier 'Four Winds' CANDY218 / At the very end of the 1980s rock music was about to be irrevocably challenged and changed. A prevailing wind from the Pacific North West was gathering momentum and looking to sweep out the old and usher in the new. Blues based hard rock, despite its massive popularity with fans of Whitesnake, Led Zeppelin and ZZ Top was very much being positioned as a dated commodity. For Tangier, although the future may have looked bright at the point they were signed, unfortunately, as with so many others of their ilk, the timing of their launch was, on reflection, badly misjudged. Originally formed in Philadelphia in 1984, the band were very much a muscular five piece, unashamedly rooted in the grand tradition of early 70s British blues rock, with influences that included Led Zeppelin, Free and Bad Company. Vocalist Bill Mattson's voice was cut from the same cloth as masters of the craft such as Paul Rodgers, David Coverdale and Frankie Miller. The sparkling production, courtesy of English studio wizard Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin, Humble Pie, Free) provided a perfect backdrop for the creation of some of the most captivating melodic hard rock this side of a Cinderella album. Indeed, it was Cinderella's front man Tom Keifer who originally referred the band to ATCO, the recently reactivated Atlantic Records sister label, identifying them as one of the finest unsigned outfits operating on the East Coast. Released in 1989, the album contains a brilliant selection of 24-Karat hard rock classics including 'Ripcord', 'Mississippi', 'In Time' and the epic 'Southbound Train'.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, photos and new interviews with the band.
Track Listing: 1. Ripcord 2. Mississippi 3. On The Line 4. In Time 5. Four Winds 6. Fever For Gold 7. Southbound Train 8. Sweet Surrender 9. Bad Girl 10. Good Lovin'.
Faster Pussycat 'S/T' CANDY220 / Back in the mid-80s if you were an aspiring sleaze star, LA's Sunset Strip was the place to be seen and heard. Sure, the legendary Hollywood street may have produced many a rock god since the mid-60s and had continued the grand tradition throughout the next couple of decades, giving rise to the likes of Quiet Riot, Mötley Crüe and Poison amongst many others. But it was the latter bands that sowed the seeds for an even wilder explosion of talent in the late 80s. Taking their influence from the roots of glam rock and fusing it with a pinch of punk, a new strain of Sunset Strip bands started to emerge. It was a scene that included LA Guns, Jet Boy, Guns N' Roses and Faster Pussycat amongst its main offenders. Revolving around legendary clubs such as the Cathouse and the Roxy, these acts placed an emphasis on looks and hooks rather than musical ability. It was an attitude that quickly made stars out of Guns N' Roses with bands like Faster Pussycat following hot on their heels. Named after a cult Russ Meyer directed movie and issued on Elektra Records in 1987, just two weeks before 'Appetite For Destruction' hit the shelves, the Faster Pussycat debut album was helmed by Poison producer Ric Browde. Fronted by charismatic vocalist Taime Downe and featuring guitarists Brent Muscat and Greg Steele, the tracks leave little room for experimentation or refinement, concentrating instead on fast riffs, low slung guitars and a serious dose of rock 'n roll attitude.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork and rare photos.
Track Listing: 1. Don't Change That Song 2. Bathroom Wall 3. No Room For Emotion 4. Cathouse 5. Babylon 6. Smash Alley 7. Shooting You Down 8. City Has No Heart 9. Ship Rolls In 10. Bottle In Front Of Me.
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THIS WEEKEND ON AIR:
Tune in this weekend to some various radio shows for more House Of Shakira and Faith Circus tunes....
Namely Steve Price on ARfm - www.arfm.co.uk.
Chris Nelson on Sunday's Switchblade Serenade on www.firebrandrockradio.com. That show also features an interview with Tony Mills.
On this week's Rockposer's Roulette Dan Mann shall be chatting to James Christian about his new solo album and HOL - Saturday 1pm UK time on www.firebrandrockradio.com.
RIVERA BOMMA NEWS:
Press Release / New Jersey's Melodic Hard Rock/Metal Rivera Bomma have a new official web site www.riverabomma.com. Tri State Area ( NY,NJ, CT & PA) Rivera Bomma (featuring Mike LePond of Symphony X , John Bomma Ex- Hades & Guitar Virtuoso Rod Rivera) will be performing live in New Jersey for the first time in 7 years at the legendary Dingbatz in Clifton New Jersey on October 26,2013 along with very special guest Madysin Hatter. Rivera Bomma will also would like to welcome the talented, killer drummer Dan Prestup to the R/B Band family!
CHANDLER MOGEL (OUTLOUD, KHAØS, TALON) NOW ACCEPTING VOCAL STUDENTS:
Do you want to sing like a rock star? Perform and act like one? Or perhaps you already are an established performer and want to take what you already know to the next level? Chandler Mogel is now accepting students, 16 years and up, of all experience levels. Lessons can be done internationally via Skype or in person in the New York City area. Chandler can be reached through the contact section via his website: www.chandlermogel.com. Serious inquiries only please!
STEAMROLLER EUROPEAN TOUR SEPT 2013: Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio, Burning Rain) joins forces with bassist-vocalist Michael Devin (Whitesnake) and alternating drummer Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Burning Rain) to take their jam band on the road in Europe during Whitesnake's hiatus. The guys first performed a series of interactive clinic-concerts for Marshall in the UK late 2011. Gaining confidence on tour, their trial by fire was playing two shows back to back at Frankfurt Music Fair early 2012 in front of crowds of +5'000 music industry professionals.
Now for their European tour which will rock & roll through Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Holland, Northern Ireland and Poland in 2013. Bring it on!
12.9. Austria – Velden/Bluesiana Rock Café bluesiana.net/
14.9. Italy – Genoa/Angelo Azzuro www.facebook.com/angeloazzurroclub
15.9. Italy – Milano/BluesHouse www.blueshouse.it/
16.9. Switzerland - Uster/Rock City www.rock-city.ch
19.9. Holland – Roermond/ECI CultuurFabrik www.ecicultuurfabriek.nl
20.9. Northern Ireland - Londonderry/The Nerve Centre www.nervecentre.org
21.9. Northern Ireland - Belfast/Strand Arts Center www.strandartscentre.com
22.9. Poland – Opole/Drum Festival www.miedzynarodowyfestiwalperkusyjny.pl
MRX UPDATED: MRX has been updated with the following new feature albums:
- Lance - While The Giant Sleeps
- Neverland - Neverland
Plus the following new Video Clips: State of Salazar - Lost My Way With You; Degreed - What If; D Drive - Pray For Tomorrow. Join MRX Now.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
READY FOR A SUCKERPUNCH?:
Press Release: "So no witty banter/lead in. No big build up/spiel. Blah blah blah. Just like the title of the album, no warning, no introduction. It just "happens". So here it is gang. Pucker up for Adriangale Suckerpunch!
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Pre order it NOW via Kivel Records and automatically be entered in the Suckerpunch Raffle!! What's that? Well how's this for Fan appreciation folks!! TWO of these nifty gloves, that were used for the new Adriangale album cover Suckerpunch! have been signed by the band, and will be raffled off at MRF3 in Sept! Anyone that pre-orders the CD will receive 1 raffle ticket. Raffle tickets will also be on sale at the MRF booth that weekend. Again only 2 gloves will be raffled off! A right hook and a southpaw jab! So first come first serve! Also, all pre-orders will be signed by the band. The raffle is limited to MR in cooperation with Kivel Records. Street date is at MRF3!!!
MRF3 - www.melodicrockfest.com.
"In what seems to be the messiest divorce in rock, Bon Jovi has reportedly fired lead guitarist Richie Sambora from the band's current tour.
According to the website RumorFix.com, Sambora's departure is all about money. Sources say that Sambora was raking in $2 million a month and 20 percent of the profits from the tour, whereas fill-in guitarist Philip "Phil X" Xenidis was earning far less -- about $10,000 a month -- on the trek. Although Sambora will still collect songwriting royalties and profits from merchandise, the 30-year band member is not taking the news well. "Richie wants to go back onstage -- that's his first love," a source tells the site. "He's really upset over the news." The 54-year-old musician departed the group in the spring citing a "personal matter," but has since remained mum on the subject, opting to tweet pictures of himself hanging out with his daughter and talking about his most recent solo album, Aftermath of the Lowdown. Earlier this month, the Woodbridge, N.J., native shared a new song, "Come Back as Me," that seemed to be aimed at Jon Bon Jovi, but the guitarist took to his Twitter feed to dispel those rumors. "This songs gettin' some traction, so I would sincerely appreciate any help. BTW this has nothin' to do with Jon...," he wrote on Aug. 4.
A week ago, Bon Jovi pulled out of a booked appearance at the New York State Fair so that the band could play a fundraiser for Governor Andrew Cuomo instead. The cancelation incensed area fans. As Binghamton radio host Lee Ann Taylor, of classic rock station 99.1, told The Hollywood Reporter: "The New York State Fair is struggling and Bon Jovi would have been a huge boost for them like Aerosmith a few years back. Choosing politics over the people is becoming a disturbing trend. … The musicians need to remember who put them in the position to go to perform at these fundraisers to begin with." A rep for Bon Jovi has yet to respond to THR's request for comment.
KEITH SEMPLE TO RETURN TO 7TH HEAVEN FOR REST OF 2013: 7th heaven news: from Rich Hofherr's Facebook: "It has been agreed by the entire band that we must part ways with Anthony Fedorov immediately. We do not plan on canceling any shows and we will be working very hard to maintain an excellent show for you until we can hire a permanent replacement. In the meantime, Keith Semple will return as lead vocalist for most of our shows thru the end of 2013. While Keith is not returning to the band full-time, he is coming back to help us out and will be singing at a majority of our remaining booked shows including tonight's performance at Rivers Casino.
NEAL SCHON TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE OKLAHOMA MUSIC HALL OF FAME:
Muskogee, Okla. August 21, 2013 - Oklahoma's own Neal Schon, of the legendary rock band Journey, will be inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame this Friday evening, August 23, 2013, in Tulsa, prior to Journey's concert at The Joint Hard Rock Event Center.
The only constant member of Journey, Neal Schon was born at Tinker Air force Base located southeast of Oklahoma City. The multi-talented guitarist, vocalist and songwriter was also a member of Santana and Bad English, HSAS, Abraxas Pool, Soul SirkUS, and others, and enjoys a successful solo career. As a member of Journey, Schon co-wrote some of the group's biggest hits including "Don't Stop Believin'," "Any Way You Want It," "Lights," and "Wheel In The Sky." "The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame is thrilled to induct Neal Schon to kick off the first of a number of events planned in Tulsa and OKC," says OMHOF's Executive Director, Jim Blair.
Schon joins a prestigious group of past inductees, including Woody Guthrie, Merle Haggard, Blake Shelton, Ronnie Dunn, and Carrie Underwood, among others, who have contributed to Oklahoma's rich musical local, national and international history. Stay tuned for more information about additional inductees in 2013 when the OMHOF will hold its induction ceremony at the Mabee Center on October 15.
For more information about this event and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, visit our website at omhof.com or by phone at (918) 687-0800. For more information about Neal Schon, visit SchonMusic.com or JourneyMusic.com.
MAD MAX - INTERCEPTOR TO BE RELEASED ON OCTOBER 28:
One of Germany's most prominent and consistent hard rock bands have just announced their next major coup: on October 28 (Germany: 25 October 2013, USA/Canada: 5 November 2013) Mad Max will be releasing their new album Interceptor, not just its title but also its cover artwork, created by Thomas Ewerhard, alluding to Mel Gibson's legendary desert car in the movie classic Mad Max. The four musicians, Michael Voss (vocals, lead guitar), Jürgen Breforth (guitar), Roland Bergmann (bass) and Axel Kruse (drums), promise "full throttle from start to finish" and sum up the direction of their new record in just two words: "It rocks!" Or, as guitarist Jürgen Breforth puts it: "Whereas some rock groups become insipid and balladesque with time, we've taken the opposite route and deliver nothing but pure energy."
Like its predecessors Interceptor was produced by frontman Michael Voss at his own Kidpool Studio in Münster, with the drum recordings completed at the renowned Principal Studios in Senden. The record was mastered at the MSM Studios in Munich, where once upon a time Gotthard added the final polish to their works. Breforth: "This time we made a conscious decision to allow ourselves more external output, yet without overdoing it."
There are ten new songs to marvel at on Interceptor, including ´Turn It Down`, the obligatory cover song by The Sweet. "It's what our fans are used to, so we just have to grit our teeth," jokes Breforth, also announcing the dates for an autumn tour alongside Vengeance:
Vengeance & Mad Max Tour 2013
06.11. D-Hamburg – Ballroom/R`n`R Warehouse
07.11. D-Osnabrück – Bastard Club
08.11. CH-Pratteln – Rock Power Festival
09.11. NL-Tilburg – Cafe Extase
10.11. D-Frankfurt – Zoom
11.11. D-Nürnberg – Rockfabrik
12.11. D-Augsburg – Spectrum Club
13.11. D-Essen – Turock
WebLinks: www.madmaxofficial.de / www.spv.de.
FUZZ DRIVERS DEBUT VIDEO CLIP: RIPPLE MUSIC is still pumped over the adding of Portuguese Southern vibed, heavy rockers, Fuzz Drivers, to the Ripple Music family. Now they're even more thrilled to announce the release of Fuzz Drivers new video with an exclusive premiere at Melodicrock.com! "Carved Time" is the third single from heavy rockers "The Fuzz Drivers". The video comes of a few days after the announcement of their worldwide deal with Ripple Music. You can catch the Fuzz Drivers live in Spain, UK, Scotland, Belgium and Germany on August/September 2013. Their self]titled debut album is available for free download at www.thefuzzdrivers.com.
Southern Rock from a Portuguese rock band? The Fuzz Drivers are a blasting new sound formed in Lisbon, who are claiming fast fame in Portugal. The talents of Marcelo Vieira (vocals), Sergio "Mad Mag" (guitar), João Lopes (bass) and Duarte Carvalho (drums) packed a powerhouse of sound into their self-titled debut album, and now the band plans to do the same with Ripple Music. Influences from music of the past four decades rages to the forefront of The Fuzz Drivers sound creating a definite Southern Rock vibe that is then blended through the hard rock cannon of Soundgarden and Led Zeppelin. Plowing the same massively heavy fields of 70's/80's classic hard rock that fueled their self]titled debut, The Fuzz Drivers aim to build upon the crushing success of that first release and take their rocking brand of heaviness to a new level with their Ripple Music debut which will be released world]wide in 2014. The band plans to follow up with a full scale European tour and hit all the major heavy rock festivals.
For the growing legions of Ripple fans, known as the Waveriders, The Fuzz Drivers will be another must hear addition to the ranks of bands that already include such heavy rockers as Mos Generator, Devil to Pay, Mothership, Trucker Diablo and Ape Machine. You can bet that the combination of The Fuzz Drivers and Ripple Music will be a combustible mixture! In September, The Fuzz Drivers will hit the road with King Lizard and The Scams.
Dates are as follows:
August 30th ES – Leon, Taberna Belfast
August 31th ES – Irún, Sala Tunk
September 11th UK - Grimsby, Yardbirds
September 12th UK - Edinburgh, Bannerman's
September 13th UK - Bradford, Gasworks
September 14th UK - Southampton, Roxx
September 15th UK - London, The Underworld
September 16th B - Tongeren, Club Sodom
September 18th GER - Hamburg, Rock Café St. Pauli
September 19th GER - Cologne, MTC
September 20th GER - Hamminkeln, KuBa
THE BLACK CROWES ANNOUNCE SPECIAL GUEST OPENERS FOR OCTOBER NEW YORK SHOWS: The Black Crowes have invited very special guests to open their upcoming shows in New York as part of their 2013 tour. The band recently confirmed that after their December 14 show in San Francisco, The Black Crowes have no future plans for touring, as band members will focus in 2014 on solo releases and projects. Artists slated to perform on the nights of The Black Crowes' all-acoustic shows at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY are as follows:
October 18 & 19: John Fulbright
October 21 & 22: Justin Townes Earle
The Black Crowes' electric performances at New York City's Terminal 5 will be accompanied by the following special guests:
October 24: Ray Wylie Hubbard
October 26: Blind Boys of Alabama
October 27: Dr. John & The Nite Trippers
October 29: Maceo Parker
Tickets for the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY and Terminal 5 in NYC go on sale Friday, August 23 at 12:00 PM local time.
WebLinks: www.blackcrowes.com / www.facebook.com/pages/The-Black-Crowes/8333596474.
JONNY LANG TO RELEASE FIRST STUDIO ALBUM IN 7 YEARS:
July 1, 2013 - It's been seven years since Jonny Lang released a new studio album, but the wait is almost over. Lang has signed a new recording deal with Concord Music Group and will release Fight For My Soul - the follow up to his Grammy Award Winning 2006 album "Turn Around", in North America on September 17th. The album will be released on the Mascot Label Group in the UK and Europe on September 2nd. "This particular record has taken quite a long time to finish for a lot of different reasons", Lang remarked. "Most of all, I started having kids a few years back. Between being with the family, and being out on the road touring, the last thing you want to do when home is to go make a record. I'm really happy with the body of work we have for this one. It's kind of hard to be excited and know what the record is going to be like when the process is extended over such a long period of time. Today, sitting here, I'm really proud of the recordings." The first single from Fight For My Soul "Blew Up (The House)" is available today for fans to hear at USAToday.com.
Lang has been working on the release for three years with Producer Tommy Sims, who co-wrote Eric Clapton's Grammy winning "Change the World." The duo collaborated on the project from the ground up.
Fight For My Soul truly defies categorization by a single genre. The textured arrangements, broad worldview, gorgeous vocal melodies, and expressive guitar playing are what defines the album. It is unequivocally what Lang aimed to achieve over the long period he has been working on reaching a realized vision. He offers, "Much of what I've experienced through music and life in general is in these songs. I really like reaching out and connecting with people. For me, this is what it's all about. It keeps it fresh with different experiences every day."
Since the release of his 1997 major label debut "Lie To Me", the then 16 year-old Lang has built a reputation as one of the best live performers and guitarists of his generation. As always, Jonny Lang will be on the road leading up to and beyond the release date of Fight For My Soul. Along with a full North American tour schedule, in October Lang will embark on his first extended European tour in over a decade.
FERGIE FREDERIKSEN NEEDS YOUR HELP:
With great sadness I must report that my old friend, and another one of the good guys in this business, Fergie Frederiksen (Toto, LeRoux, Mecca) has been battling a reoccurrence of his cancer. Because this health scare has taken him off the road, a donation drive has been organized to help with medical expenses.
Here's what his son Kyler posted last night in launching the campaign:
"Our father, Dennis (Fergie) Frederiksen has taken a turn for the worst in his battle with cancer. At this time we are awaiting a full prognosis of his condition.. We are asking for donations to help our father stay in his apartment, as well as help with everyday living costs ( Food, Rent, Medications, ect.. ). Any and all donations will help my father worry less about everyday living and focus on beating the cancer so he may get back to what he loves to do.. Performing and seeing his friends all over the world.
Thank you in advanced for any donations, prayers, and positive thoughts.
Kyler Frederiksen, Kolten Frederiksen, Danny Irwin."
Please check out the GoFundMe pledge page and consider adding your support at: www.gofundme.com/3ydgpo.
NEW STEVE AUGERI TUNES HIT THE DIGITAL REALM:
Two new Steve Augeri songs have been launched on iTunes this week. The songs For The Rest Of My Life and Behind The Sun can be purchased via digital outlets now.
The addition of these two new songs takes the total of newly written solo tracks available since his departure from Journey, to 6.
Steve has commented that he would continue to release individual songs until he had an album's worth available before putting out a long form recording in physical form.
"For The Rest Of My Life" was co-written by Fredrik Bergh (Street Talk) and Rob Moratti (Final Frontier).
Search local iTunes directories under "Steve Augeri" to purchase the latest two songs.
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NEW TESLA SINGLE OUT NOW:
Sacramento hard rockers Tesla have just released a new single, entitled Taste My Pain and made it available digitally through Amazon and iTunes in USA exclusively.
Tesla first began work on the single in early June when guitarist Frank Hannon stated: "Jeff Keith and I made a demo in my studio, it's called "Taste My Pain" and it ROCKS HARD! This will be the first real original song recording session for the band since 'Forever More' or 'Twisted Wires'. We are pumped to put it out this summer!"
Recorded at bassist Brian Wheat's J Street Recorders studio, the band plans to include it on a forthcoming album, due in 2014.
THE CALLING VOCALIST ABDUCTED AND ASSAULTED:
THE lead singer of the rock band The Calling was abducted in Michigan over the weekend and severely beaten. From: www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/the-calling-singer-alex-band-abducted "Alex Band was attacked outside a store in Lapeer early on Sunday, the group said. The Calling had performed Saturday night at a festival in the city of 8800, about 72 kilometres north of Detroit. Band had a spinal fracture, three broken teeth and needed 15 stiches in his chin", The Calling said in a statement. Police asked the public for help in investigating. Detective Sgt. Craig Gormley said in a statement - that doesn't name Band by name- that the victim reported two males forced him into a minivan, then assaulted and robbed him before dropping him off at a railroad crossing. The Los Angeles-based group's 2001 song, Wherever You Will Go, was used in several TV series and in the movie Coyote Ugly.
MELODIC BRIEFS: Buckcherry's next release is a Best Of album due October/November.
Wolfpakk, the project led by Mark Sweeney (ex-Crystal Ball) and Michal Voss (Mad Max, Casanova) is preparing for the release of their sophomore album, "Cry Wolf" (out on August 30th). Once again many first class guest musicians and vocalists (a.o. Ralf Scheepers, Amanda Somerville, Blaze Bayley, Doogie White) contributed their talents. For the track "Dark Revelation" an official video clip was filmed and can now be found on YouTube.
MeatLoaf has fired his long time singer partner Patti Russo (again) - this time via email and mid-tour.
Brighton Rock have completely revamped their website. Check out at: www.brightonrock.ca.
Queen drummer Roger Taylor is releasing his new solo album in October - Fun On Earth. Also due is a collective package of his solo work titled The Lot.
NEW PODCAST FEATURING JOHN WAITE: "Never Not Funny presents: Rock Solid" is a Los Angeles based comedy/music show hosted by comedians and comedy writers Pat Francis and Gary Lucy. Each week the duo tackles topics that they created while every 5th or 6th episode finds them sitting down with rock legends such as Melissa Etheridge, John Waite, Lita Ford and many more. This highly rated show has steadily garnered a rabid fan base and USA Today calls it "1 of the 8 Great Music Podcasts" to put in your ears (Link to that review - www.usatoday.com/story/popcandy/2012/11/14/8-great-music-podcasts/1705229/) Episodes post every Thursday through iTunes and Libsyn with top quality sound produced by the multitalented Matt Belknap.
To check out John Waite's recent 75 minute appearance, go to: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/nnf-presents-rock-solid/id450705818 or rocksolid.libsyn.com/john-waite.
RA/KKEN FLIGHT GROUNDED:
MOLINE, Ill. A private jet carrying rock bands Ratt and Dokken had to make an emergency landing in northwestern Illinois after smoke was detected in the cabin Saturday afternoon. Chuck Brennan, a friend of the bands who chartered the flight, told The Associated Press that the plane took off from the Moline airport but pilots had to turn it around when smoke appeared in the front of the plane at about 7,000 feet. Brennan said the pilots donned oxygen masks and landed the Challenger 601 with no incident. There were no injuries reported by the pilot or the 13 passengers. "The cabin didn't fill with smoke," said Brennan, the owner of short-term lender Dollar Loan Center. Brennan, a former promoter who opened the Brennan Rock & Roll Academy in his hometown of Sioux Falls, S.D., said he had chartered the plane out of Santa Ana, Calif., for a four-city tour.
Ratt and Dokken, both big names from the 1980s hair metal scene, played in Moline on Friday night with Lita Ford and Sebastian Bach. They were heading to the Chicago suburb of Wauconda for an outdoor show Saturday with Ford, Bach and Warrant.
Brennan said the two bands were taking SUVs to the Wauconda venue, which is about 170 miles from Moline, and were expected to make it to the show in time.
WebLink: www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57599004/plane-carrying-ratt-and-dokken-makes-emergency-landing/?tag=socsh.
GET READY…ROCKERS UNITE FOR "1 WILD NIGHT" BON JOVI TRIBUTE:
Stamford, CT: Five of the New York tri-state area's most accomplished musicians have joined forces to form the Bon Jovi tribute, 1 Wild Night.
The Roster: Former Tango Down vocalist, Alex Barbieri; keyboardist, Gordon "G.G." Gebert, previously of Ace Frehley and Angel; guitarist, Bob Conroy, and bassist, Mike Winters, of the well-known metal tribute, Streets; and drummer, Russ Wilson, of the Richie Scarlet Band. All members have extensive experience performing in venues ranging from clubs to arenas in both original and cover acts.
When asked what his inspiration was to establish this tribute, Barbieri replied, "I know I can do this well. Jon Bon Jovi has been a big influence on my singing style since I was 15…I think that's why my left foot bops involuntarily when I'm at the mic'." He added, "I feel very blessed to be working with such talented musicians and all-around great guys! I couldn't be happier with the line-up. I feel that we'll be one of the most authentic, professional Bon Jovi tributes out there. Conveying the essence of Bon Jovi's live performance—positivity, amazing music and that open interaction with the audience, that's what we're about."
Drummer, Russ Wilson, when asked how he came to join this venture, responded, "I was immediately impressed with Alex's vocal and writing ability, and discovering that my long-time friend, Mike Winters, was involved…knowing his unbelievable talent and drive, it was an even bigger draw. But when we all got together for the first time, I knew right then that we had a rare chemistry, and that sealed the deal for me. Paying tribute to such an iconic band with these guys is a pleasure and a lot of fun."
Guitarist, Bob Conroy, who also performed in Kivel Records' Goodbye Thrill, added, "Quality tribute bands play incredible venues like casinos, theaters, colleges and festivals—places with great people, amazing sound and atmosphere. That's our goal…to deliver outstanding performances playing music we love while entertaining the masses."
First show date announced! Saturday, Oct. 26, 10:30 p.m. – Dudley's Parkview, New Rochelle, NY (21+)
"Like" and "Share" 1 Wild Night on Facebook: www.facebook.com/#!/1wildnightband.
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Friday, August 16, 2013
MelodicRock Records is very pleased to announce one more new signing - a familiar face in the melodic music scene - Marc Ferreira. Marc should be best known as the voice and brain behind the music of Goodbye Thrill and Ferreira. And it is under the Ferreira name that you are about to hear Marc's best album to date. Ferreira V will be released via MelodicRock Records/Cargo Distribution in early November.
Ferreira is a band fronted by Marco Ferreira (Goodbye Thrill, Venturia) on the veins of Harem Scarem, Ratt, Motley Crue, Def Leppard, early Queen, Mr. Big, Dokken. Line-up: Marco Ferreira – guitars, vocal and keys, Alex Ferreira (Goodbye Thrill) - Drums and Backing vocals, Dario Seixas (touring and recording with Jack Russel's Great White, Firehouse, Crown of Thorns, Goodbye Thrill) on Bass and backing vocals.
The band's focus has always been on guitar riffs, big choruses, lots of harmonies and huge backing vocals....high energy songs all the way. Marco, Brazilian resident in US since 1996, has being putting music out as Ferreira since 2002 with the release of "Fallen Heroes" under the label Shire Records label. In 2009 the second album "Working Overtime" was released, followed in 2010 by the third release "Better Run!". Last was "Are You In?" in 2011.
Marco is also known by his other projects such as the singer of the French progressive metal Venturia with their debut "New Kingdom" in 2006 and 2009 with their second release "Hybrid" (with DVD live in Geneva) both under the label Lion Music; and of course singer/guitarist and main songwriter of the US band Goodbye Thrill with three albums: 2007 (S/T) and "Keepsakes" (double with live acoustic DVD) and "Outrageous" both released in 2010 under Kivel Records label.
Now it's time to unveil the first track from the V opus. V was produced, mixed and mastered by Marco Ferreira at Playrec studio in NY. Check out the track Night To Remember, which will also be part of the MRCD11 Compilation.
Marco:"This is the Fifth Ferreira release. Very proud of the new songs and the new label behind it. My first review ever was published on a still baby melodicrock.com by Andrew. We kept in touch over the years though all my projects (Goodbye Thrill, Ferreira and Venturia) and that page turned out to be what it is today. Going stronger year after year. More than 10 years later here we are. We grew together in this crazy business, and we survived without never compromise. All fans of Ferreira and Goodbye Thrill won't be disappointed. I got my boys Dario Seixas (Jack Russell's Great White, Firehouse, Goodbye Thrill…) killing on the bass and Backing Vocals and my little brother Alex Ferreira (Goodbye Thrill) thundering on the Drums and Backing Vox and Myself on Vocals, guitars, Acoustic guitar and keys.
Thanks to Andrew of MMR, there was no rush on this album, instead an exchange of ideas and suggestions such as the opening intro (I was never a big fan of intros) but the one on the CD is exactly what was missing. I also had a pleasure to co-write one of the songs on with our record label mate Marc Farrano of Faith Circus. It came out GREAT!! Lots of work but great results, makes even more special. All production was done at my Playrec studio in Orangeburg, NY, from the writing to mastering. We took care of each second of every tune.
The album is now finalized and will soon be out. We can wait to share it with all our fans out there!"
Stay tuned for further updates, track details and more previews of Ferreira V!
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MORE PREVIEWS FROM MRCD11:
More audio previews now from MRCD11 - This One Goes To... Eleven. The compilation will be ready for shipping September 23, alongside the two MRR releases House Of Shakira and Faith Circus. All 3 titles will be available to purchase at MelodicRockFest 3 September 27-29 in Arlington Heights, IL (www.melodicrockfest.com). So save on shipping if you are coming along - those buying at MRF will also get access to the bonus tracks on offer. You can pre-order MRCD11 from Monday - complete with a few bonus tracks as per usual for those pre-ordering.
04. Alessandro Del Vecchio – Fever Dreams (Exclusive Unreleased) MP3 Sample
Ale's original writers demo for the Hardline album, spruced up for MRCD11!
07. Beggars & Thieves – Gypsy MP3 Sample
Previously unavailable except for an old MTM Music compilation.
10. Windup Rocket – Thankful Heart (New Preview Track) MP3 Sample
New Preview Track from album due in 2014.
12. Marc Scherer – Sending My Love (Exclusive Unreleased) MP3 Sample
Brand new track, recorded exclusively for this compilation! Marc's version (with Jim Peterik) of the recent Pride Of Lions tune.
14. Brunner – Riding High feat. Paul Shortino (Exclusive New Track) MP3 Sample
Brand new track, exclusive for this compilation!
16. Mad Max – Deal With It (Exclusive New Track) MP3 Sample
Brand new track, recorded exclusively for this compilation!
ANOTHER PAY TO PLAY SAMPLE FOR HOUSE OF SHAKIRA FANS:
And just because I can't help myself...here's one more preview from the fantastic new House Of Shakira album Pay To Play - out September 23 and pre-orderable right here from Monday.
Why not check out this 90 second sample of the track Bending The Law.
THE THEANDER EXPRESSION TO MAKE A MARK ON 2013 IN SEPTEMBER:
The second Avenue Of Allies September 20 release has been announced - the rather quite superb The Theander Expression debut album Strange Nostalgia. The details are as follows. Stay tuned for showcase and review!
Music was Andrée Theander's constant companion since the age of ten when he first picked up a guitar. Soon after he also started writing music, took guitar lessons and joined the music program at the high school in his hometown Härnösand in Sweden. Later his musical studies led Andrée to the university in Piteå, Sweden, where he took classes to become a professional studio musician. To enhance his musical abilities he spent several months in the USA where he attended various courses at the Musicians Institute (GIT) in Los Angeles. During his stay in California Andrée met Fusion pioneer Jeff Lorber who invited him to lay down some guitar tracks for his "Galaxy" album (2012). Quite an honour for a young virtually unknown music student to be included in the album credits next to L.A. session cats like Michael Thompson, Vinnie Colaiuta or Jimmy Haslip.
Back in Sweden Andrée felt he was ready to make his dream come true and to start working on his own album. Andrée recruited a great line-up of Rock musicians from Sweden, he either knew personally or who had impressed him with their previous work. Over the course of the months the recording debut of "The Theander Expression" began to take shape with Göran Edman (Street Talk, Glory, Y. Malmsteen), and the very promising newcomer Christian Hedgren sharing the lead vocals, Herman Furin (Work Of Art, Fergie Frederiksen) on drums, Linus Abrahamson on bass and Michael Ottosson on keyboards.
The result of the recording sessions, which were completed by the mix of Per Ryberg (Street Talk, Sven Larsson, Bloodbound) and the mastering of Sören von Malmborg (Dan Reed, The Rasmus) is nothing but spectacular, proving that Andrée Theander is a very talented songwriter and a strikingly skilled guitar player, who knows how to leave a lasting impression by combining his technical skills with a lot of feeling and an unmistakable sense for catchy melodies. Together with his band he delivers a pure AOR album, spiced up with energetic licks and furious solos and occasionally leaning towards the more powerful side of 80s Westcoast, all in all tailor-made for everyone who is into the high class AOR sounds of bands like Street Talk, Toto, Work Of Art, Mecca and Lionville.
The Theander Expression:Andrée Theander – Guitars and backing vocals; Christian Hedgren – Lead vocals on tracks 1-3 and 7-9; Göran Edman – Lead and backing vocals on tracks 4-6 and 10, backing vocals on tracks 3, 7 and 9; Michael Ottosson – Keyboards; Linus Abrahamson – Bass; Herman Furin – Drums and percussion; Peter Gardemar – Violin and viola on track 9; Ylva Nilsson – Cello on track 9; Philip Magnusson – Backing vocals on tracks 1, 2, 4, and 7; Elin Åkesson – Backing vocals on tracks 6 and 10.
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KANSAS VIOLINIST ROBBY STEINHARDT RECOVERING AFTER HEART BYPASS SURGERY:
A good news update on former Kansas violinist/singer Robby Steinhardt, who suffered a heart attack late last week - from ABC Radio Networks: "According to a Facebook message from Steinhardt's girlfriend Cindy, the 63-year-old musician is now recovering after undergoing a bypass operation on Tuesday. "Robby made it through an amazing surgery," she writes. "He's comfortable and in good hands." Cindy also thanks fans who have been sending messages of support and love to Steinhardt. "Continue sending notes," she adds. "I'll make sure he gets them."
Steinhardt was a member of Kansas from 1973 until 1982 and from 1997 to 2006. He was featured on nearly all of the band's biggest hits, including "Carry On Wayward Son," "Dust in the Wind" and "Point of Know Return."
.R.I.P ALLEN LANIER (B.O.C.):
From: music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=823175
"Blue Oyster Cult founding member Allen Lanier has died at the age of 67. The keyboardist/guitarist passed away in hospital after a fight with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung disease commonly associated with smoking. No further details surrounding his death were available at the time WENN goes to press. Frontman Eric Bloom broke the news on the band's Facebook.com page on Wednesday (14Aug13), writing, "My great friend Allen Lanier has passed. I'll miss the guy even though we hadn't spoken in a while. He was so talented as a musician and a thinker. He read voraciously, all kinds of things, especially comparative religion. We drove for years together, shared rooms in the early days. "We partied, laughed, played. All BOC (sic) fans and band members will mourn his death. Ultimately smoking finally got to him. He had been hospitalized (sic) with C.O.P.D. It was Allen who heard some old college band tapes of mine and suggested I get a shot as the singer in 1968. A lot of great memories, over 40 years' worth. Maybe he's playing a tune with (punk writer) Jim Carroll right now." Lanier, who was the one-time partner of singer Patti Smith, was with Blue Oyster Cult for almost 20 years from 1967 to 1985 when he left, only to return two years later (1987). He retired from performing with the band in 2006 and co-wrote several of the band's hit songs including True Confessions, Tenderloin and Lonely Teardrops."
R.I.P. Allen.
KISS BRINGS FOOTBALL TO LOS ANGELES:
From: espn.go.com/los-angeles/nfl/story/_/id/9571497/members-kiss-buy-stake-la-arena-expansion-franchise.
The guys dressed in black and silver are bringing football back to the Los Angeles area. Legendary band Kiss has bought a stake in an L.A. arena football team. It's Kiss, the heavy metal band known for performing in black, white and silver that has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide during a 40-year career. On Thursday, the Arena Football League announced it was awarding an expansion team to a group of individuals that includes Kiss band members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. The team, called the LA Kiss, will begin playing in March at the Honda Center in Anaheim. "As a fast-paced, high-action band, this partnership with the AFL was an obvious fit for us," Simmons said in a statement. "Attending an LA Kiss game in 2014 will be similar to a live Kiss show, with thrilling, heart-pounding action." Season tickets, which went on sale Thursday starting at $99, will include a free Kiss concert. While the team will use the band's logo, it is not known whether the team's uniforms will be silver and black. Next season will mark the 27th season for the Arena Football League, which begins its games in March and culminates with the ArenaBowl in August. The league and the music world have joined forces before. The Philadelphia Soul, who will be playing in the championship game Saturday, were partly owned by Jon Bon Jovi until 2010.
MARCUS JIDELL STARTS TIME TRAVELLING FROM TODAY:
"Pictures From A Time Traveller", the incredible debut instrumental album from Evergrey guitar-master Marcus Jidell features 7 tracks of outstanding, diverse and top shelf virtuoso guitar excellence and gets its digital release today (16th August) via Lion Music. Marcus Jidell is one of the most respected metal guitarists to have come out of Sweden since Yngwie Malmsteen. With a guitar style that has won him universal acclaim, Marcus is a current member of one of Sweden's biggest and hardest touring metal acts Evergrey, and previously has worked with prog-metallers Royal Hunt.
Marcus has a very personalised sound, extremely heavy at one end, yet extremely melodic at the other, all the time with a superb feel for phrasing and originality of song craft, and its these traits which are evident throughout "Pictures From A Time Traveller". On the album Marcus comments, "I wanted to make an instrumental album that was more than just shred. I wanted to make compositions that were interesting to listen to even if you're not a guitar player. In short, I wanted to write good music with electric instruments that didn't sound like anything I heard before".
Whilst there is no doubt this is a guitar album, "Pictures From A Time Traveller" has its own unique voice boasting incredible utilisation of dynamics and a variety of styles all of which paint a vast number of picture in the listeners mind.
Joining Marcus for the album is a stellar cast of backing musicians including his fellow Evergrey band mates Hannes Van Dahl and Johan Niemann, Royal Hunt keyboardist Andre Andersen and bassist Svante Henrysson (ex Yngwie Malmsteen) who played some cello parts amongst other contributors.
"Pictures From A Time Traveller" is available now from the following leading online digital stores:
iTunes - itunes.apple.com/album/pictures-from-time-traveller/id662426182 / Amazon (USA) - www.amazon.com/dp/B00DF6IAVC Amazon (UK) - www.amazon.co.uk/Pictures-from-a-Time-Traveller/dp/B00DFJ423E/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1374441974.
For full information see: www.lionmusic.com/cd/timetraveller.htm.
LIVE AT LUNA PARK TO THEATRES WORLDWIDE:
NEW YORK, NY (August 15, 2013) – SpectiCast and Eagle Rock Entertainment are once again collaborating to distribute the long-awaited Dream Theater: Live At Luna Park concert film to theatres worldwide beginning Thursday, September 19, 2013. This anticipated cinematic event was captured over two nights during the final leg of the band's 15-month "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" world tour, which hit 35 countries. Dream Theater: Live At Luna Park was filmed in Buenos Aires, Argentina – home to one of Dream Theater's most ardent fan-bases.
Dream Theater: Live At Luna Park runs for 160 minutes and features many of Dream Theater's classic tracks, including, "Metropolis Pt. 1," "The Silent Man," "Pull Me Under," "The Root Of All Evil," "The Test That Stumped Them All," "The Spirit Carries On," and the recent track "On The Backs Of Angels." Dream Theater formed in 1985 under the name Majesty and has remained a top name in progressive metal ever since.
"Dream Theater: Live At Luna Park is a fantastic addition to our Rock In Cinema series," said Mark Rupp, Co-Founder and President of SpectiCast. "We are delighted to continue our relationship with Eagle Rock Entertainment, bringing theatrical releases of concerts by some of the world's best musical groups to theatres around the globe."
Dream Theater: Live At Luna Park will premiere on the SpectiCast network beginning September 19 2013. For more information, visit www.liveatlunapark.com and www.specticast.com.
Furthermore, Dream Theater – the first self-titled collection in the GRAMMY®-nominated band's nearly three decade career – arrives at last on September 24. The album is now available for pre-order in a wide range of distinctive versions, including standard and special edition CDs, 180 Gram Vinyl Double LP, and a Limited Edition Box Set. Fans who pre-order the album via the iTunes Store will receive an instant free MP3 download of the Dream Theater's new single, "The Enemy Inside." Preorders are also available at Dream Theater's Webstore as well as at the Roadrunner Records Webstore.
MRX UPDATED: MRX updated with the following new features today:
- Tour Bus Performances (36 Live To Air Acoustic Performances from the radio show The Tour Bus) - incl. Firehouse, Kip Winger, Ted Poley, Electric Angels, etc..
- Rat Bat Blue - S/T (1990)
Plus the following new Video Clips: Houston - I'm Coming Home, Night By Night - The Moment, Nation - Throw the Dice, Heaven & Earth - Victorious, Masterplan - Keep Your Dream Alive.
Join MRX Now.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Time to reveal the contents of MRCD11 - This One Goes To... Eleven.
The compilation will be ready for shipping September 23, alongside the two MRR releases House Of Shakira and Faith Circus. All 3 titles will be available to purchase at MelodicRockFest 3 September 27-29 in Arlington Heights, IL (www.melodicrockfest.com). So save on shipping if you are coming along - those buying at MRF will also get access to the bonus tracks on offer.
Cover art this time around comes from Richard Jones, whose work was last seen on MRCD5! There was a call for readers to submit their own designs, but sadly the few that were sent in didn't make the cut. You can pre-order MRCD11 from Monday - complete with a few bonus tracks as per usual for those pre-ordering.
The track details are as follows!
01. Degreed – Saving My Soul (Exclusive New Track) MP3 Sample
Brand new track, recorded exclusively for this compilation!
02. Erik Martensson – Bullet in The Gun (Exclusive Unreleased) MP3 Sample
Erik's extended writers demo for the song that appeared on the latest Jimi Jamison album.
03. All I Know – Running Away (Exclusive New Track) MP3 Sample
Brand new track, recorded exclusively for this compilation! The band's new album coming soon!
04. Alessandro Del Vecchio – Fever Dreams (Exclusive Unreleased)
Ale's original writers demo for the Hardline album, spruced up for MRCD11!
05. Jimmy Lawrence – The Hard Way (Exclusive Unreleased) MP3 Sample
A monster exclusive unreleased AOR anthem from Jimmy that is co-written by and features Randy Goodrum.
06. John Waite – Chasing Down The Wind (Exclusive Unreleased) MP3 Sample
Another monster exclusive - this killer ballad from John was written and recorded with Jesse Harms.
07. Beggars & Thieves – Gypsy
Previously unavailable except for an old MTM Music compilation.
08. House Of Shakira – Shell Shock (Exclusive New Track)
Brand new track, recorded during the new album sessions. Exclusive for this compilation!
09. Ferreira – Night To Remember (New Preview Track)
Brand new track from Marc Ferreira - from the new Ferreira album coming November.
10. Windup Rocket – Thankful Heart (New Preview Track)
New Preview Track from album due in 2014.
11. N.O.W. – It's Too Much (Exclusive Unreleased) MP3 Sample
Unreleased track, exclusive for this compilation!
12. Marc Scherer – Sending My Love (Exclusive Unreleased)
Brand new track, recorded exclusively for this compilation! Marc's version (with Jim Peterik) of the recent Pride Of Lions tune.
13. The Radio Sun – World's Crazy Now (New Preview Track) MP3 Sample
New preview track - great things to come from these Aussie AOR lads.
14. Bruner – Riding High feat. Paul Shortino (Exclusive New Track)
Brand new track, exclusive for this compilation!
15. Bill Leverty – Ace Bandage
Brand new track, from Bill's upcoming solo album.
16. Mad Max – Deal With It (Exclusive New Track)
Brand new track, recorded exclusively for this compilation!
17. Ron Keel – The Cowboy Road (Preview Track, Exclusive Version) MP3 Sample
Brand new track, exclusive extended version for this compilation! From Ron's upcoming solo album.
18. Bonrud – In Your Arms Again (Exclusive Unreleased) MP3 Sample
Previously Unreleased, from the last album sessions.
DARK HORSE SET TO UNLEASH "IN THE COUNTRY": Fuel The Jet Records, a subsidiary of Fuel The Jet Media Group Inc. are set to release the debut single from the brand new street level country group, Dark Horse.
Nashville, TN-- Anthemic, stadium sized, coming of age songs make up the unique sound of Fuel The Jet Records brand new band, Dark Horse. Country music has never heard anything like this before, with chorus' that can rival any arena rock band to musicianship from Nashville music's elite performers, Dark Horse are about to set the world ablaze with their debut single and video entitled "In The Country" off of their debut album, "Let It Ride". Dark Horse appeals to a cross-genre demographic unlike any other band or artist in country music. Rock, country, and pop music fans are will get to hear the debut single which coincides with the release of the music video on September 03, 2013 while full length album, "Let It Ride" will be released in January 2014.
Lead singer and frontman Paul Laine (solo artist, producer, songwriter, ex-vocalist for New York's own Danger Danger) alongside Steve Ohe (guitars), Jason Bonnell (bass), and John Stoltz (drums), and friends from Nashville, (members of Keith Urban, Rascall Flatts, and Brad Paisley's bands), has created an instant classic for the masses. "In The Country" will be available worldwide as a digital download via iTunes, Amazon, & Google Play, as well as streaming services Spotify, Deezer, & Simfy. The music video, directed by Stephan Berrill of Brass Tacks Films, will be released on midnight (EST) via YouTube (www.youtube.com/darkhorsemusicvids).
The kick-off single, "In The Country" shines a light on co-writers Laine and Ohe's formative years growing up in a small town country life. "Let It Ride", produced by Paul Laine and mixed by Bruno Ravel, ranges from feel-good tracks (You Were The One, Heaven Tonight), global issues (Better Days), emotional ballads (Goodbye, Strong, What She Meant to Me) and coming of age tracks (I Wouldn't Have Missed It For The World, In The Country). Every now and then an album comes along that defines a new genre, an album which transcends the medium, an album for all ages, an album that has raised the bar for all others from this point forward, in short, a masterpiece.
Tour dates are currently being compiled and a full tour in support of the album will be forthcoming, Press passes will be available for all media outlets in each city.
Please contact Simon Ali at simonali@darkhorseofficial.com to obtain your pass. Dark Horse want to be as interactive as possible and will communicate with fans through all their social media platforms. Information on all Dark Horse upcoming releases, tour dates, merchandise, and day to day activities can be seen on the following avenues:
• Website www.darkhorseofficial.com • Facebook www.facebook.com/darkhorseofficial • YouTube www.youtube.com/darkhorsemusicvids • Twitter @darkhorse_music • Instagram @darkhorse_music.
CANADIAN FLOOD RELIEF CONCERT:
A benefit concert is being held tomorrow night (6-11pm Mountain Time locally) for those affected by the Canadian floods in Alberta - it will be streamed live in HD on YouTube on youtube.com/telus.
Performers include: - Tom Cochrane - Loverboy - Colin James - Randy Bachman - Matthew Good - Jann Arden - Nickelback (and more).
More info here: abfloodaid.ca/event/details/watch-the-alberta-flood-aid-concert-live-on-the-web/
NEW DECIBEL GEEK PODCAST AVAILABLE:
"We're back this week to kick off two weeks of nostalgia to a simpler time when the hair was high and the Stroh's flowed freely. 1985 was smack dab in the middle of a rock revolution as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal was being usurped by its American protégés. At the same time, new wave was being kicked to the curb by a bunch of guys wearing women's makeup as the "hair" era was beginning to hit its stride thanks to a change in direction by some Motley guys that were taking over Los Angeles. We're back this week to kick off two weeks of nostalgia to a simpler time when the hair was high and the Stroh's flowed freely. 1985 was smack dab in the middle of a rock revolution as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal was being usurped by its American protégés. At the same time, new wave was being kicked to the curb by a bunch of guys wearing women's makeup as the "hair" era was beginning to hit its stride thanks to a change in direction by some Motley guys that were taking over Los Angeles.
Music from Motley Crue, Ratt, Keel, Anthrax, Loudness, Joe Walsh and even members of Duran Duran provide the soundtrack for the first half of 1985 as Chris and Aaron take us back to a time of spandex and hairspray."
Direct link to the show: dbgeekshow.blogspot.ca/2013/08/episode-97-1985-year-in-review-part-1.html.
THUNDER AND FISH JOIN MOTT THE HOOPLE REUNION GIG:
News from the Thunder newsdesk: "We're extremely pleased to finally announce our Imminent Juicy News. Yes it's been a long time coming, but after much wailing, moaning and gnashing of teeth (by others of course, not us, for we have been serenity personified throughout), we can reveal that we will be joining Mott The Hoople as their special guests at the O2 in London on November 18th 2013. The bill will be completed by our old mate Fish (ex Marillion and all round good bloke), so we are well chuffed to be doing it.
This could be welcome news to some of you who could not make it to Wolverhampton for the Xmas shows. If you're already going, then this will hopefully warm your cockles. If you're thinking of going, tickets and more info can be found here: zbtix.net/tho2.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Time to preview another upcoming MelodicRock Records release - this time Faith Circus and their new album Turn Up The Band - due September 23 and available for pre-order here from Monday. Check out this classic, high energy melodic rocker Inside The Circus:
The MRR release of Faith Circus Turn Up The Band will feature some real bonus material for fans!
First - there is the brand new 10 track studio album which will build on what the debut album offered back in 2008. But not only that - for those purchasing the CD release - you will get the band's debut album as a bonus disc - totally re-mixed from the original release and featuring two additional bonus tracks (13 songs total). The songs are "Heroes" and a remake of the 1981 classic James Bond tune "For Your Eyes Only" - this time sung as a duet with the insanely talented Robin Beck!
Andrew McNeice:"I love the enthusiasm and the energy of these guys. And I love the attitude of the songs on this new album. In your face at all times, even when bringing it down a notch for a few really melodic numbers – and one monster ballad! The best of both world's on this album - attitude and melody. Looking forward to delivering it into the hands of those that loved the debut and a swag of new fans also."
The Faith Circus album will be released September 23 and is distributed by Cargo Records UK.
INTRODUCING SPARKLANDS: Avenue Of Allies have announced their next release - due September 20 - the debut album from Sparklands Tomocyclus.
Sparklands is a journey back to a first love – AOR.
Music was everything for Thomas Riekerk and his brother Robert Riekerk when they grew up in the Netherlands and AOR was Thomas' first love. Band posters of Bad English, Giant, Toto and Foreigner were all over the walls of their rooms and in every corner there were guitars and amps. Back then music was not available digitally so the record store became their second home, when they were in search of that one album that was only available through import.
AOR was the music the parents of the Riekerk brothers played at home. Not a day went by without banging drums or screaming guitar solos, Thomas remembers there was always a Giant or Toto track coming from his parents' stereo. These are the memories that both brothers cherish a lot after their father passed away a few years ago. Times were tough for the Riekerks and the sadness they all experienced could not have been channelled better than through a song. In remembrance of their father, Thomas and Robert wrote the song "Tomocyclus" together, named after the boat of their late father. This song could be described as the beginning of Sparklands and it also became the album title.
Despite all the different musical directions they had both travelled since the AOR filled days of their youth, suddenly there was the urge to make a record together that could have been played on their dad's stereo. Their first love AOR, the remembrance of father Riekerk: it all comes together in Sparklands.
The first noteable appearance of the Riekerk brothers in the music business dates back to the early 90s, when they started to work with the Dutch AOR artist Ralph Van Manen. Ralph's "Face The Feeling" record from 1992 is one of the best AOR records to come from the Netherlands, on this masterpiece Robert co-wrote several tracks and played guitar and Thomas sang backing vocals.
The Riekerk's continued to work with Ralph Van Manen on his next albums and Robert had the pleasure of co-writing "Testify To Love" with Ralph, Henk Pool and Paul Field. The song earned them several awards and it became a huge hit for the American band Avalon. Also Wynonna Judd's version was a big success, later the song was recorded by numerous other artists as well.
Over the years Thomas was part of many different Pop and Rock bands. One of them was the Dutch band Beam. Beam got signed by a major label and recorded an album at the Wisseloord Studios (famous for sessions of Def Leppard, Magnum, Scorpions, Sting). Soon Beam got nationwide attention on the radio and TV (Top Of The Pops / MTV) and they also toured in the Netherlands and various other countries. Thomas also did a lot of backing vocal sessions for different (international) artists.
Many years and projects later the time had come for Thomas to become the front man of his own band and to start telling his own story. Together with his brother Robert he gathered some befriended producers and musicians, like Simon Gitsels (Van Velzen), Minco Eggersman and Martijn Groeneveld (producer of Blaudzun) and they started the writing and recording sessions for Sparklands.
The guys worked hard on getting that famous retro sound, by using a lot of vintage gear they layed down the ultimate AOR sound for their debut record "Tomocyclus". Songs filled with big guitar solos, huge drums, powerful catchy hooklines and melodies and multi layered backing vocals delivering a tasteful collection of songs bringing back the days of bands like Boulevard, Saga, Mr. Mister, Bad English and Giant.
The band has signed a deal with a renowned booking agency and together with the befriended session musicians, Rolf Perdok (guitars), Rob Vermeulen (bass) and Colin Lee Vermeulen (drums) Thomas and Robert will start touring with Sparklands in the fall of 2013.
Let the Sparks fly! www.sparklands.com.
Sparklands in the studio are: Thomas Riekerk: Lead and backing vocals; Robert 'Ty' Riekerk: Acoustic, electric guitars and keyboards; Simon Gitsels: Synthesizers and keyboards; Minco Eggersman: Drums, percussion, synthesizers and keyboards; Martijn Groeneveld: Synthesizers and keyboards.
xx
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREVIEW FROM FM:
Runaway Train from Rockville II is the latest FM release to hit the airwaves - you can hear it on the Planet Rock Radio playlist - and here on melodicrock.com we have the scoop on the vid!! (See above!) FM announced this week they will be touring the UK next April with Foreigner and Europe – surely the concert line-up of the year – and will also be appearing at Planet Rockstock in Great Yarmouth in December this year.
** STOP PRESS ** News just released – FM have added a headline show on 7th December 2013 to their touring schedule. They will be performing at The Box in Crewe (www.theboxcrewe.co.uk) the day before their set at Planet Rockstock. This will be FM's only headline show in the UK for the rest of 2013.
Following on from his very well-received slot with FM at their River Rooms show in July, the Special Guest for this concert is Toby Jepson, once again performing an acoustic set. Tickets for this show go on sale from 10am today, Wednesday 14th, July 2013 at www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/78347.
More details and booking info for all these dates can be found on the FM Live page at www.fmofficial.com/fmofficial/3_live.html.
LESLIE WEST STILL CLIMBING: Leslie West, the legendary guitarist, vocalist and original founding member of Mountain, will release a new studio album Still Climbing on October 28 via Provogue Records / Mascot Label Group.
Since his historic performance with Mountain at the 1969 Woodstock Festival, West has enjoyed a glittering career spanning over half a century, accomplished in spite of a life threatening battle with diabetes, which cost him his right leg in 2011 (shortly before the release of his "Unusual Suspects" album). "I'm lucky it wasn't one of my hands or I'd be screwed," says West. "It was a difficult struggle, and after the amputation I didn't know whether I'd ever want to or be able to perform again. A month later I played at the Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp in New York City, and I heard my guitar on stage and that was it. I knew I had to keep going."
Looked upon by West as a sequel to "Unusual Suspects", which featured collaborations with the likes of Slash, Zakk Wylde, Steve Lukather, Joe Bonamassa and Billy Gibbons, "Still Climbing" sees West joining forces with Jonny Lang, Johnny Winter, Twisted Sister's Dee Snider and Alter Bridge and Creed's Mark Tremonti.
Album Track Listing: 01. Dyin' Since The Day I Was Born (with special guest Mark Tremonti) 02. Busted, Disgusted or Dead (with special guest Johnny Winter) 03. Fade Into You 04. Not Over You At All 05. Tales Of Woe 06. Feeling Good (with special guest Dee Snider) 07. Hatfield or McCoy 08. When A Man Loves A Woman (with special guest Jonny Lang) 09. Long Red 10. Don't Ever Let Me Go (with special guest Dylan Rose) 11. Rev Jones Time (Somewhere Over The Rainbow).
SELF-TITLED MULT-PLATINUM GENESIS ALBUM TURNS 30 'INTHESTUDIO':
Dallas, TX - August 13, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands celebrates the 30th anniversary of the eponymously titled Genesis album. Between 1980 and 1986, the pioneering progressive rock band would release four consecutive hit records. Drummer Phil Collins would have a parallel solo career take off during that time, with many believing his mainstream success would lead Genesis into a more pop direction. However, the simple facts just don't bear out that assumption. Songs such as the dirge-like "Mama" and the spectacular showstopper "Home by the Sea/Second Home" were nowhere near the pop mainstream. "That's All", "Illegal Alien", and "Taking It All Too Hard" were indeed mainstream hits, but in Rutherford's "Just a Job to Do" thirty years ago Genesis addressed the issue of state-supported shadowy covert surveillance and even torture, the subjects of today's major films such as Rendition and Zero Dark Thirty as well as Congressional hearings, not exactly your typical pop pablum. Genesis singer/drummer Phil Collins gives his assessment to InTheStudio host Redbeard of this directional debate. "No, we've never thought, 'Well, should we do this? What will people say? We're supposed to be a progressive rock group, this would be rocking the boat as far as the fans were concerned'. But we've always done what we wanted to do. And maybe we've not been what that person thought we were in the first place. Maybe we were never a progressive rock group."
Genesis 'Genesis'/ InTheStudio interview is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/genesi-genesis-30th-anniversary-phil-collinsmike-rutherfordtony-banks/
INTRODUCING ILLINOIS' DRAMA QUEEN:
Hard rock band Drama Queen are currently in the studio writing and recording a full-length CD in their own private studio just outside of their home of Rockford, Illinois (yes, the same Rockford where Cheap Trick started).
Drama Queen originally formed in October 2012 and started writing and recording ideas and riffs. The band's first self-titled song called "Drama Queen" debuted on their Facebook page on June 27th, followed by the second release "We're On Fire" a month later, and the responses to them have been overwhelmingly positive. With many more song ideas in the works, the band plans to pick the best 10-12 songs to put on the CD for release in spring of 2014. The band's goal all along was to re-capture that '80s commercial hard rock sound that is very much sought after these days. With melodic melodies and hook choruses, Drama Queen is creating something very close to you would have heard back in the late '80s from commercial hard rock acts.
The band -- Curt Lewis (vocals), Matt Vogt (guitarist), Rob Pace (drums, formerly of Diamond Rexx and Shark Island), Darrell Palmer (bass) and Jill Tartaglia (keyboards) -- agrees that '80s hard rock music is timeless and is here to stay. Once the CD is completed, the Drama Queen plans to shop for a record label and support the CD with live performances as early as the summer of 2014.
To stay up to date on Drama Queen album progress and news visit them at: www.facebook.com/therealdramaqueenrocks / www.youtube.com/channel/UC5iTo8fXG0HSFrjUAiLBcmQ?feature=watch.
UK ROCKERS TOUCHSTONE LAUNCH NEW SINGLE AND ALBUM:
UK rockers Touchstone are due to release their first single from the upcoming new album 'Oceans Of Time' (Hear No Evil/Cherry Red Records). The single, 'Flux', will have a digital release on September 9 and will feature both a radio edit and full album version B-side.
'Oceans Of Time', which will be the band's fourth studio album, features 10 tracks recorded and produced at Outhouse Studios by renowned producer John Mitchell (You Me At Six, Lower Than Atlantis, Funeral For A Friend), and is due for worldwide release on October 7.
The release of the new album will be supported by a 6-date UK tour in October, where they will be joined by co-headliners Von Hertzen Brothers from Finland.
Pre-order the album here: www.amazon.co.uk/Oceans-Of-Time-Touchstone/dp/B00DZKQTKW.
Oceans Of Time Track listing: 1. Flux 2. Contact 3. Tabula Rasa 4. Fragments 5. Spirit Of The Age 6. Shadow's End 7. Solace 2013 8. Through The Night 9.Thunder & Crickets 10.Oceans Of Time.
UK Tour Dates (with Von Hertzen Brothers):
Oct 18 King Tut's, Glasgow
Oct 19 The Duchess, York
Oct 20 The Globe, Cardiff
Oct 25 The Garage, London
Oct 26 Eric's Live, Liverpool
Oct 27 The Robin , Bilston
3 YEARS HOLLOW SIGN TO IMAGEN RECORDS, ANNOUNCE LIVE DATES:
Picture what a combination such metallic-yet-melodic bands as Chevelle, Disturbed, and Sevendust would sound like, and you're not far off from 3 Years Hollow. Hailing from the Quad Cities (IL, IA), 3 Years Hollow is comprised of Jose Urquiza - Vocals, Tony Reeves - Guitar, Neil Kuhlman - Guitar & Vocal, Dex Digga - Bass, and Chris Cushman - Drums, and the band is certainly creating a buzz with rock fans throughout the country, resulting in the recent recording contract with Imagen Records. "We are proud to add Three Years Hollow to Imagen's increasing lineup," said Bob Winegard, President of Imagen Records. "We first noticed them in the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands powered by Imagen in last year's Uproar Tour." Morgan Rose, newly minted A&R V.P. at Imagen (and drummer of Sevendust), added, "We had them out for a few dates and I was floored, extremely tight and energetic. Jose was spot on every night. The kids were all over them. I wanted them on our label."
And 3YH recently offered a collective quote about their new label. "It's such an amazing feeling to sign with Imagen Records. It feels like we're able to end one chapter and start a new one with a brand new excitement. This not only opens up more opportunities for us, but also allows us to give more to our fans. That's something that's always been important to us. We're looking forward to working with a group of people and a label that believe in our vision and dream as much as we do."
The new, as-yet-untitled album was produced by Clint Lowery, and recorded at multiple studios, including Groovemaster Studios (Disturbed, Sevendust, Pop Evil) in Chicago, IL, Trailer Studios in St. Louis, MO, and the band's own studio, Real Trax Recording, in Davenport, IA. And the band will be performing tunes from the album on upcoming live dates, which include five dates in IL and one date in WI from August through October.
Aug 22 Vernon County Fairgrounds Viroqua, WI
Aug 23 9th Street Pub LaSalle, IL. LaSalle, IL
Sep 07 Cherry St. Restaurant & Bar Galesburg, IL
Sep 14 Pioneer Club Kewanee, IL
Sep 21 Rascals Live Moline, IL
Oct 26 Hangovers Bar & Grill Macomb, IL
For more information, please visit: threeyearshollow.com / facebook.com/3yearshollow.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
House of Shakira wants to come out and play again.
It´s not yet 18 months since their critically acclaimed album "HoS" hit the market, but the band has been working on a sequel ever since. It´s about time to let the new opus "Pay to Play" see the light of day. And MelodicRock Records is going to be the label to deliver this new classic to the masses.
The upcoming seventh studio release marks the second CD with lead singer Andreas Novak, and is accordingly their best album so far. The band chose a small label, in order to maintain highest priority throughout the process, instead of falling between the lines in the hands of a bigger label.
Says frontman Andreas Novak: "MelodicRock Records is our weapon of choice, whose enthusiasm we trust with our lives. I'm proud to say this is by far the best release I've ever been involved in. This album has been a true pleasure and walk in the park to compose, since we're immune to pressure. It´s all for the love of good music. Fame and fortune should not be anybody's goal - then it becomes an obstacle instead.
We just wanna play."
Label CEO Andrew McNeice: "I've had the pleasure of working with Andreas over a number of yeas now as well as a long standing friendship with the rest of the HoS guys. When they came together I pitched to them immediately. Well, I might have had to wait one album, but I've got them now! I'm as excited about this release as I could be. I've been going back and forth with the guys over the last few months deciding upon which songs had to make the cut and organizing the perfect sequencing so this album flows like a fine wine. They guys have outdone themselves and I think the songs, the passion and the energy of this record rival their classic debut."
House Of Shakira are a Swedish rock formed by guitarists Mats Hallstensson and Anders Lundström that started out in Stockholm around 1991 under the moniker The Station. The mid 1990's saw the band change their name to House of Shakira, named after a London bordello.
In their 22 year history the band has released six previous studio albums, all of which have left their mark, making the band one of Sweden's best known musical exports as well as hometown heroes. Their famed debut album "Lint" remains a genre classic. For the band's second album with singer Andreas Novak, the guys collectively concluded that it was time to give the debut a run for its money.
The House Of Shakira line-up of Mats Hallstensson (guitars), Anders Lundström (guitars), Andreas Novak (vocals) and the blistering rhythm section of Basse Blyberg (bass) and Martin Larsson (drums) locked themselves away in the studio for several months, not immerging until the songs of their new release "Pay To Play" were completed and a perfect addition to the band's legacy.
House Of Shakira "Pay To Play" will be released worldwide via MelodicRock Records/Cargo Records on CD September 23 and via Digital outlets two weeks later on October 7.
The track listing for the album can now be revealed!
1. Pay To Play 2. Bending The Law 3. All You Want 4. When The Cats Away 5. Dopamine Junkie 6. Draw The Line 7. Dog Eat Dog 8. Give Me More 9. Tried And True 10. Talk Of The Town 11. Two Things 12. Same Old Story.
Fans will be able to pre-order the album right here from next MONDAY. Anyone that does pre-order will get a FREE BONUS TRACK download of the hard rocking song Shell Shock.
But right now - House Of Shakira and MelodicRock Records are both very proud to debut the lead song and title track from the new album Pay To Play:
xx
FOREIGNER, EUROPE AND FM TO RAID THE UK IN 2014: Foreigner with special guests Europe and FM will appear onstage together for the first time ever taking in nine dates across the UK throughout April 2014. The nine date UK tour kicks off on Thursday 3rd April at the O2 Apollo Manchester. "I'm thrilled to be coming back home to England and touring with Europe and FM," says Foreigner's founding British member and lead guitarist, Mick Jones. "We're looking forward to having a great time."
A special 02 ticket presale begins at 9am Wednesday 14th August. A special Planet Rock and Live Nation presale will begin at 9am Thursday 15th August. Tickets will go on general sale from 9am, Friday 16th August at www.livenation.co.uk and www.ticketmaster.co.uk with official Meet & Greet VIP packages available from www.vipnation.co.uk.
Foreigner, one of the biggest rock bands of all time, are internationally renowned for creating some of the most iconic songs in rock music. With ten multi-platinum albums and sixteen Top 30 hits, Foreigner is universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world with a formidable musical arsenal that continues to propel sold-out tours and album sales, now exceeding 75 million. Responsible for some of rock & roll's most enduring anthems including "Cold As Ice," "Juke Box Hero," "Feels Like The First Time," "Urgent," "Head Games," "Waiting For A Girl Like You," "Say You Will," "Dirty White Boy," "Long, Long Way From Home," and the worldwide #1 hit, "I Want To Know What Love Is," Foreigner continues to rock the charts more than thirty years into the game.
Special guests are the legendary, multimillion selling, Swedish hard rock band Europe. Hot off the heels of a Spanish tour with Def Leppard and Whitesnake, Europe have made nothing short of a remarkable comeback with their last four studio albums, "Start From The Dark," "Secret Society," "Last Look At Eden" and their ninth and most critically acclaimed studio album "Bag Of Bones." Europe will perform songs from their last four albums, plus classics including "Rock The Night," "Superstitious," "Carrie," "Prisoners In Paradise" and their worldwide No. 1 rock anthem "The Final Countdown."
Special guests FM will be opening the concerts on the upcoming UK tour. Earlier this year, FM released two critically-acclaimed albums "Rockville" and companion album, "Rockville II."
HISTORIC ZOOT REUNION RECORDING TO BE RELEASED:
From Noise11.com - by Paul Cashmere on July 17, 2013 (www.noise11.com/news/historic-zoot-reunion-recording-released-20130717) Zoot's final performance filmed during the Rick Springfield and Friends Cruise in November, 2011 will be released on CD and DVD. Zoot was Rick Springfield, Beeb Birtles, Darryl Cotton and Rick Brewer. The band formed in Adelaide in 1965 and relocated to Melbourne in 1968. Their best-known hit was their acid rock cover of The Beatles' 'Eleanor Rigby' in 1970 but by 1971 it was all over.
Springfield relocated to the USA and became a solo star with 'Jessie's Girl', 'Affair of the Heart' and 'I've Done Everything For You' as well as successful actor General Hospital and more recently Californication.
Birtles formed Mississippi with Graeham Goble and had a hit with 'Kings Of The World' and 'Will I'. The pair then became founding members of Little River Band with Glenn Shorrock.
Rick Brewer formed The Ferrets and scored a Top 10 hit in Australia with 'Don't Fall In Love', produced by Ian 'Molly' Meldrum. Darryl Cotton became a solo star in Australia with the Top 10 hit 'Same Old Girl' and then a kids TV star as host of The Early Bird Show.
In November 2011, Birtles, Springfield, Cotton and Brewer reformed Zoot for the first time since 1971 for the Caribbean cruise. There would have been more shows but tragedy struck. Daryl was diagnosed with liver cancer in May, 2012 and passed away July 27, 2012.
The historic 'Zoot Live – The Reunion' recording will be released on CD and DVD on the Fanfare Classic label - out now.
ROYAL HUNT COMPLETE SONGWRITING PROCESS: Royal Hunt have completed all songwriting for their new album; rehearsals/preproduction will begin in a couple of weeks. Material has been described as a continuation of their previous offering yet some details will be added in both songwriting and production departments: : in order to upgrade their trademark sound the band is planning to employ a large number of classical/orchestra players in the studio as well as a large choir. The album is expected to be released in November this year through Marquee/Avalon (Japan & SE Asia) and Frontiers (Europe & N. America).
ALAN PARSONS PROJECT'S "I ROBOT" LEGACY EDITION (BLU-SPEC CD2): Alan Parsons Project's masterpiece "I Robot" becomes 35th anniversary edition and due out on September 25, 2013. Japanese edition exclusively features the high-fidelity Blu-spec CD2 format (compatible with standard CD players). Disc 1 features the latest remastering. Disc 2 includes 14 rare tracks, containing 9 unreleased ones. Produced by Alan Parsons and Sally Woolfson (a daughter of Eric Woolfson).
The set comes with the latest liner notes by Alan Parsons and a 20-page booklet featuring rare photos. Features six-folded panel Digipak. Its cover artwork is designed by Hipgnosis. To pre-order, check out CD Japan.
ROBERT TEPPER DEBUT UK TOUR:
AOR icon Robert Tepper – best known for having his songs No Easy Way Out and Angel Of The City used by Sylvester Stallone in the Rocky IV and Cobra movie soundtracks during the1980s – has announced his first ever UK gigs: Robert Tepper UK Tour:
Aug 16: Gravesend Red Lion
Aug 17: Nottingham Rock City
Aug 19: London Camden Fiddler's Elbow
MICHAEL MONROE GETS READY TO FLY WITH NEW SINGLE "EIGHTEEN ANGELS" OUT AUGUST 20:
Vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, über-energetic frontman and all-round rock 'n' roll legend are just a few things that describe Michael Monroe. Another is badass harmonica player of which his talents shine on his newest single "Eighteen Angels," set for release August 20. The second single from his upcoming studio album Horns And Halos--due out August 27--via Spinefarm Records made its debut today on Noisecreep. Listen to the track here: noisecreep.com/michael-monroe-eighteen-angels-exclusive-song-premiere.
Horns And Halos is the follow-up to the 2011 critically acclaimed Sensory Overdrive, winner of Classic Rock Magazine's "Album Of The Year" and a No. 1 record in Monroe's Finnish homeland. It is a cosmopolitan affair, mixed by Petri Majuri at Seawolf Studios in Finland and written and recorded around the world by Monroe's international posse bassist Sami Yaffa (Hanoi Rocks, New York dolls), guitarist Steve Conte (New York Dolls, Company Of Wolves), drummer Karl "Rockfist" Rosqvist (Chelsea Smiles, Danzig) and Swedish guitar star Dregen (Backyard Babies). Monroe is a frontman whose reputation is genuinely global and whose influence continues to be felt, with musicians of all ages (from Dave Grohl to the original Guns N' Roses members) citing his groundbreaking career as a source of inspiration.
The album's first single released earlier this spring, "Ballad Of The Lower East Side," is a nod to Michael's early days in New York, a city he moved to for a decade following the mid-'80s breakup of glam-punk pioneers Hanoi Rocks (for which he was the frontman). It also appears on Horns And Halos. Watch the video for "Ballad Of The Lower East Side" at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhAbtZXu2RU.
The track listing for Horns And Halos is as follows: 1. TNT Diet 2. Ballad Of The Lower East Side 3. Eighteen Angels 4. Saturday Night Special 5. Stained Glass Heart 6. Horns And Halos 7. Child Of The Revolution 8. Soul Surrender 9. Half The Way 10. Ritual 11. Hands Are Tied.
For more Information on Michael Monroe, visit: www.michaelmonroe.com / www.youtube.com/MichaelMonroeTV.
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ROBIN BECK SPEAKS:
The Diva of Melodic Rock Music, Robin Beck talks to BeRock Radio about her new album "Underneath"! Steve Xanthis: Do you have any special guests on your new album as usual? If the answer is yes, tell us a few things about your guests. Robin: There is a duet between James and I that is just amazing! The song is "Burning Me Down". We also have Glen Burtnick playing on "Follow You", which is a real treat since he wrote it and performed it back in the early 80's. It was always one of my favorite songs and I finally got the chance to record it and breathe new life into a lost a favorite of everyone.
Full interview link: minizine.berock-radio.com/html/interviews/pages013/robin_beck/robin_beck-underneath.html?tag=result;title;0#.UgkRf6zcNW4.
ZIERLER PROG-SUPERGROUP UPDATE:
August 12, 2013 - Mastermind Finn Zierler has posted the following update about the forthcoming Zierler album which is now tentatively set for an early 2014 release. "Finally, some long-awaited updates. It's been a long and winding road - ran into a myriad of complications in an effort to make this album as envisioned and deliver the ultimate experience for Zierler fans. The delay proved necessary. Right now, I am working with Mr. Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Destruction, Heaven Shall Burn) mixing the album. Make no mistake - it will be worth the wait!" Zierler is a Transatlantic progressive metal supergroup featuring Finn Zierler (Beyond Twilight) on keyboards, Bobby Jarzombek (Fates Warning, Sebastian Bach, Halford) on drums, Per Nilsson (Scar Symmetry, Kaipa) on guitars and bass, Kelly Sundown Carpenter (Beyond Twilight, Darkology, Outworld) on lead vocals, and Truls Haugen (Insense, Circus Maximus) on vocals and bass.
Video footage of Bobby Jarzombek laying down drum tracks for the song "Aggrezzor" can be viewed at this location: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJY_iCIPkYo.
ZP online: www.zierlerprojects.com / www.facebook.com/zierlerprojects.
ANNIHILATOR TO RELEASE THEIR 14TH STUDIO CD FEAST ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3:
Canadian metal legends Annihilator are gearing up for studio cd #14, simply titled Feast, which will be released on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013 via the UDR label. 9 brand new tracks that will kick your ass. The deluxe ECO-book version will also feature a 15-song Bonus CD… a grand total of 24 songs in one package - with a 3D cover!
Jeff Waters and company tear through each release with honest, raw power and energy, along with excellent technical skill, giving the metal world the most-tasteful mixtures of huge, metal riffs with the idea of the perfect song and some legendary solo shredding as the icing on the cake. That's why Jeff and Annihilator have been a major influence on countless well-known metal acts and musicians around the world. In fact, countless, successful non-metal acts & musicians cite Waters and Co. as an influence in their careers. Tours with everyone from Judas Priest to Pantera to Trivium, plus dozens of headlining tours and festivals around the world have been going on steady since 1989 for this band; no rest as the demand for this band never ends. Annihilator has been touted as one of the best live acts in metal music. High-end musicianship, tight playing and massive energy and fun are what these lads are known for. Their music? Honest melodic thrash and heavy metal, combined with traces of blues, classical and jazz. Hell, there is even some death and punk in there, too.
Annihilator is the biggest-selling Canadian heavy/thrash metal band in Canadian history with close to 2 million units sold. Says Waters "We are truly are among the few bands with a long history, that have always waved the flag for honesty, integrity and perseverance in this hard-edge category of music".
In stores in the USA on Tuesday, September 3.
Track Listing: 01. Deadlock 02. No Way Out 03. Smear Campaign 04. No Surrender 05. Wrapped 06. Perfect Angel Eyes 07. Demon Code 08. Fight The World 09. One Falls, Two Rise.
Bonus Disc Re-Kill: 01. Fun Palace 02. Alison Hell 03. King Of The Kill 04. Never, Neverland 05. Set The World On Fire 06. Welcome To Your Death W.T.Y.D. 07. Nozone 08. Bloodbath 09. 21
10. Stonewall 11. Ultra Motion 12. Time Bomb 13. Refresh The Demon 14. Word Salad 15. Brain Dance.
Annihilator video EPK: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wsWdFjrjvg.
SEROSIA PUT NEW SPIN ON MELODIC HARD ROCK WITH 'VARIABLES', CONFIRM DATES WITH SEVENDUST:
To some, "melody" used to be a bad word when discussing hard rock. But the emergence of the fast-rising Serosia proves this assumption to be a thing of the past, as their latest release, 'Variables,' challenges the listener, delivering a hard rock punch with expert melodicism. Stand out tracks such as "Friendly Fire," "The Architect," and "Superposition," are evidence of Serosia's powerful yet eloquent style. "The best way to describe our sound is expressive and meaningful," explains the group's singer, Lucas D'Agata. "We are not a love song band, nor do we care about how hard you can party or how many chicks you think you can score. Musically, we are aggressive yet delicate, with a strong sense of detail and vision."
In addition to D'Agata, Serosia is comprised of members Derek Troxell - guitars, Joseph Kuban - bass, and Anthony D'Agata - drums, and hail from Dallas, Texas.
And as far as the band's uncommon name, D'Agata explains it as "We were looking to create a word, rather than use something already in existence. It seemed to fit the original and organic feel of the music better that way. After a bit of branstorming, Derek concocted Serosia."
And the quartet succeeds in translating their far-reaching sound from the studio to the stage, as D'Agata promises "An actual show! Not just four dudes standing around playing meaningless repeated choruses, wearing all the newest fashion crazes. The end result/payoff of all of our efforts is the live show. We are intense and REAL. No choreographed stage moves, just us letting the music speak through our bodies. If there was a single word that could describe a Serosia show it would be, ENERGY."
Lastly, upcoming dates with Sevendust are sure to expand Serosia's fanbase even further. "We are honored for the opportunity to tour with not only such a well-established national act. Sevendust is a band that we all genuinely enjoy and admire," says the band. "For us, this tour is a stepping stone for Serosia to be exposed to a much broader audience and to display our vision of the future of rock music. We are looking forward to connecting with all the fans along the way."
Tour dates with Sevendust:
Wed/Sep-18 Las Vegas, NV Hard Rock Live
Thu/Sep-19 Salt Lake City, UT In The Venue
Fri/Sep-20 Billings, MT Babcock Theatre
Mon/Sep-23 Ft. Collins, CO Aggie Theatre
Tue/Sep-24 Colorado Springs, CO Black Sheep
Wed/Sep-25 Cheyenne, WY Atlas Theatre
Tue/Oct-01 Kokomo, IN Center Stage
Wed/Oct-02 Battle Creek, MI Planet Rock
Wed/Oct-09 Asheville, NC Orange Peel
Thu/Oct-10 Wilmington, NC Ziggy's By The Sea
For more information, visit: www.serosiaband.com / www.facebook.com/serosiaband.
SAXON AND FOZZY ANNOUNCE NORTH AMERICAN SACRFICE AND SIN TOUR:
British metal legends Saxon announce a North American tour which will run September 12th- October 10th. The tour is a rare treat for Saxon fans as it hits many markets that the band has not visited in some time. The group are touring in support of their critically acclaimed new album Sacrifice but promise to play all of the fan favourites from their 30+ year catalogue, including tracks like Denim & Leather, Wheels Of Steel, Ride Like The Wind, Motorcycle Man and Heavy Metal Thunder all of which have cemented the band's legendary status.
All vids have over 8 million collective clicks on youtube and the band has sold over 12 million albums. Joining the trek will be Fozzy. Following the band's highly successful appearance in last year's Uproar tour, Fozzy are touring on their most successful album yet, Sin And Bones, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart upon release. The album contains the track Sandpaper, whose video has already surpassed an amazing 500,000 views.
Saxon's Biff Byford comments, "We're really glad to announce a new tour of North America and Canada with the Sacrifice world tour! The album has done fantastic around the world! We can't wait hit your shores with the Saxon invasion with very special guest Fozzy. It should be a fantastic tour for all metal heads. We have been friends with Chris Jericho for years so there has never been a better time to hook up with Fozzy for a tour that will take us from the east coast to the west coast and finally winding up in the Great White North."
Fozzy's Chris Jericho adds, "After our highly successful US tour last summer on Uproar, we've been chomping at the bit for the right opportunity to return to North America ...and now it has arrived! To tour with the legendary Saxon is a metal dream come true and the perfect way to satisfy all of our AMAZING fans in the US and Canada and to make tons of new ones in the process. Get ready for Sacrifice and Sin...we're gonna tear your heads off and leave u screaming Fozzy, Fozzy, Fozzy!!"
North American Saxon fans will also have the option for a rare opportunity to meet and greet with the band, a limited number of VIP packages are available at www.Saxon747.com.
Opening support on the tour will be Halcyon Way.
Saxon/ Fozzy tour dates:
Sept 12- Patchogue, NY @ The Emporium
Sept 13- New York, NY @ BB King's
Sept 14- Montreal, QUE @ Corona Theater
Sept 15- Toronto, ONT @ The Phoenix
Sept 17- Reading, PA @ Reverb
Sept 18- Cleveland, OH @ Peabody's
Sept 19- Dayton, OH @ McGuffy's
Sept 20- Flint, MI @ Machine Shop
Sept 21- Joliet, IL @ Mojoe's
Sept 22- Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
Sept 26- Dallas, TX @ House Of Blues
Sept 27- San Antonio, TX @ Backstage Live
Sept 28- Houston, TX @ House Of Blues
Oct 01- Tempe, AZ @ Club Red
Oct 02- Long Beach, CA @ Gaslamp
Oct 03- Ramona, CA @ Ramona MainStage
Oct 04- Los Angeles, CA @ House Of Blues
Oct 05- Corona, CA @ M15
Oct 06- San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge
Oct 08- Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
Oct 09- Portland, OR @ Mt Tabor
Oct 10- Vancouver, BC @ The Venue
THE TRUE STORY OF PANTERA AND THE TRAGICALLY SHORT LIFE OF DIMEBAG DARRELL: Reinventing Metal - The True Story of Pantera and the Tragically Short Life of Dimebag Darrell
An Unauthorized Biography by Neil Daniels foreword by Jeff Waters, afterword by Brian Slagel.
Montclair, NJ—Pantera's story begins in Arlington, Texas, in the early '80s, at a time when American metal was just coming to fruition in the form of California thrash-metal bands like Metallica and Slayer and New Yorkers like Anthrax. It was an era when traditional heavy music bands were banished to the underground by labels, press, and the industry…unless they were playing a new kind of metal. When everyone said metal was dead in the mid-'90s, Pantera was selling tons of records and concert tickets. They were the mainstream bridge from the old-school metal to the new school we have seen grow the last ten years. Influencing subgenres like nu-metal, groove metal, metalcore, and grindcore, Pantera was an inspiration to musicians trying to hang in and survive the roughest decade in real metal music. Reinventing Metal: The True Story of Pantera and the Tragically Short Life of Dimebag Darrell (Backbeat Books, Sept. 2013, $22.99) by Neil Daniels is the first biography of one of the most original, uncompromising, and influential bands in metal history. Daniels conducted many interviews with those who knew the group well to get the full story of the band, focusing on all of the members and covering their Texas high school start all the way through their global mega-success and eventual break-up.
Their story is a tragic and complicated one, not only because of the murder of guitarist Dimebag Darrell in 2004, but also because of the bad blood and hostility that continues between the three surviving members. Pantera really were a unique band, innovative and dangerous. Reinventing Metal will tell you why.
Neil Daniels has written about rock and metal for a wide range of magazines, fanzines, and websites. He has authored more than a dozen books, including titles on Judas Priest, Robert Plant, Iron Maiden, Metallica, and AC/DC. Visit his website at neildaniels.com. Visit reinventingmetal.halleonardbooks.com to watch a video book trailer narrated by photographer Stuart Taylor.
Monday, August 12, 2013
HARTMANN: THE BEST IS YET TO COME: Sonic11/ Avenue Of Allies will release Hartmann: The Best Is Yet To Come (Best Of) and Hartmann – Out In The Cold +1 (Re-Issue) on September 20.
The history of Hartmann began in summer 2004 when Oliver Hartmann recorded his first solo album. During this time he was already known as a highly respected singer on the international music scene since the late 90's due to four successful records with the power metal band At Vance, his participation in top sellers as Tobias Sammet's Avantasia and many other well-known productions in the hard rock and metal scene. Co-produced and mixed by top producer Sascha Paeth at Gate Studios/Germany the debut album 'Out in the cold' was released in spring 2005 and reviewed as 'Album of the month' in a wide range of well-known rock magazines all over the world. It was also elected by melodicrock.com as 'Song of the year' and 'Ballad of the year' with the songs 'What if I' and 'Into the light'. During the following months the band played their first single shows and festivals in Germany and luckily got the chance in summer 2006 to be touring over Europe for the first time as support for rock legend Toto. At the end of 2006 the four-piece went back to the studio to record the second album 'Home' with a slightly rougher and modernized band sound. Released in spring 2007 the album again received great feedback from the press.
This release was followed by two support tours for House Of Lords in early spring 2007 and for The Hooters in summer 2007. In autumn of the same year the band played two exclusive shows in the intimate atmosphere of the old German varieté theater 'Pegasus' in Bensheim/ Germany. Supported by the three amazing background singers Ina Morgan, Kolinda Brozovic and Tiffany Kirkland as special guests both shows were filmed and recorded for the live DVD & CD 'Handmade' which were released in spring 2008. It is outstanding material like real 'handmade' versions of the studio albums and previously unreleased tracks and a cover version of John Miles' 'Music'.
After Oliver's world-wide tour in summer 2008 as guitarist and singer for Tobias Sammet's Avantasia and several European shows with Hartmann as special guest for Edguy in spring 2009, the third album '3' was released in late 2009 on the new founded and artist owned record label SONIC 11. During the following two years the band played numerous shows and festivals and was asked to be special guest on tours of bands such as Mother's Finest, Uriah Heep and Y&T.
In mid of 2011 Oliver and the band started again to write songs for a new studio album of Hartmann and a year later, right after Oliver had been touring with the successful live project 'Rock Meets Classic' (feat. Ian Gillan, Jimi Jamison, Steve Lukather, Chris Thompson and Robin Beck), the recordings for 'Balance' were completed. This fourth album, released by Avenue of Allies label in June 2012, was once again mixed by Sascha Paeth at Gate Studio and offered high-class melodic Rock music with a modern approach and international class.
In summer 2012 Hartmann was again special guest on Toto's tour in Germany - the last concerts with the band for drummer and former member Dario Ciccioni who got married and decided to move to New York. After a few auditions Markus Kullmann (Voodoo Circle, Desperadoz, Glenn Hughes) joined the band as the new drummer in autumn to play his first gigs with Hartmann on a double headliner tour in November and December 2012 with German hard rock act Jaded Heart. After Oliver's second tour with 'Rock meets Classic' in early spring 2013 featuring legends as Paul Rodgers, Bonnie Tyler and Hooters' vocalist Eric Bazilian plus his world tour with Avantasia during summer 2013 the band is already working on new songs for the next studio album of Hartmann.
After seven years of Hartmann and five albums the compilation 'The Best Is Yet To Come' is putting together the best and most popular tracks of the band's career. Other remarkable songs are the bonus tracks 'Brothers' (live – feat. Tobias Sammet) and the stunning cover of Tears for Fears' hit 'Shout' which now has been remixed again as a digital bonus track for this compilation. And of course it's just an intermediate result …because we're sure The Best Is Yet To Come…
The re-issue of "Out In The Cold" features the bonus track "Rescue In My Arms" which was previously only available on the Japanese pressing of this release.
Tracklist – The Best Is Yet to Come: 1) All My Life, 2) Alive Again, 3) Right Here Right Now, 4) Out In The Cold, 5) Crying, 6) After The Love Is Gone, 7) Like A River, 8) The Sun's Still Rising, 9) What If I, 10) Don't Give Up Your Dream, 11) Suddenly, 12) Save Me, 13) Coming Home To You, 14) Into The Light, 15) Brothers live (feat. Tobias Sammet & Sascha Paeth), (16) Music live, (17) Shout Remix* / *track 17 is only available on the digital version of this release as bonus track.
Produced by Oliver Hartmann. Mixed by Oliver Hartmann/Sascha Paeth and remastered by Miro Rodenberg at Gate Studio.
Hartmann 2013 are: Oliver Hartmann – Vocals, Guitars; Mario Reck – Guitars; Armin Donderer - Bass; Markus Kullmann - Drums; Special Guests on this release: Tobias Sammet – Lead Vocals on 'Brothers live'; Sascha Paeth – Guitars on 'Brothers live'.
Hartmann live dates 2013:
19.09. D-Aschaffenburg, ColosSaal (record release party with special guests)
02.10. D-Balingen, Sonnenkeller (new!)
05.10. D-Nürnberg, Rockfabrik (as support of Victory)
08.10. D-München, Backstage (as support of Y&T)
09.10. CH-Pratteln, Z7 (as support of Y&T)
25.10. D-Seidenroth, Eulenspiegel
03.11. D-Ludwigsburg, Rockfabrik (H.e.a.t Festival)
WebLinks: www.oliverhartmann.com / www.facebook.com/HartmannBand / www.avenue-of-allies.com.
"Loverboy is in the midst of preparing a new album for release, a follow-up to 2012's Rock N Roll Revival, for which the group re-recorded nine of its hits along with three brand new songs. The current set will be all new material, though Reno says that some were actually written and even recorded during the '80s but never officially released. "We started to transfer our 2-inch (studio) tapes to digital, and we're listening to everything, going, 'Listen to that. What a great song!'' Reno (real name Joseph Rynoski) recalls. "Back in the old days we'd have 25 or 30 songs but could only put nine on an album. So we were sitting on all these beautiful songs — half of them already recorded and maybe semi-mixed. If you like 'Working For the Weekend' and 'Turn Me Loose' you're gonna love some of this.
"So we've got this cool package of retro-sounding stuff that we've added to a bunch of new things we've written, and it's really exciting. We're looking forward to putting it out for people to hear."
NEW MUSIC VIA YOUTUBE:
The only way forward is new talent - so here's a couple of new videos to check out. The first is the brand enw single from my good friends in Degreed - What If and the second is the brand new project from Trev Lukather - Cash Vertigo and their debut single Hollywood Hills.
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LEVIN – MINNEMANN – RUDESS: Levin – Minnemann – Rudess: Three of Progressive Rock's icons put their heads together and rattle your cage. Special Edition CD/DVD Available NOW for Pre-order at: www.levinminnemannrudess.com. "An aural assault of virtuosity, prog-beatdowns, and hazy textural events. Produced by Scott Schorr and Tony Levin, following the success of the ground-breaking album Levin Torn White."
Includes: Official CD (14 tracks) + Bonus DVD including: - Signed booklet by Tony, Marco & Jordan (first 1,000 only) - 24 bit wav files - Exclusive Bonus Track - Video of Tony and Jordan jamming in studio - Marco interview - Tony & Jordan interview - Outtakes/Additional Footage - Early home demos by Marco.
Ships: Sept. 5, 2013. The link to pre-order at CCNow: www.ccnow.com/cgi-local/cart.cgi?81176_LMR-SPECIAL_continue-page.
Music Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=I38N8XHJg8U.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH VIVIAN CAMPBELL, ED KING AND HEAD EAST: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 11th August 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 12th August 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) features exclusive interviews with Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard, Last In Line), former Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Ed King, Head East keyboard player Roger Boyd, and journalist/author Martin Popoff, and is now available for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-def-leppard-ed-king-ex-lynyrd-skynyrd-head-east-interviews/
In the first hour of the show, Vivian Campbell of Def Leppard and Last In Line discusses the newly announced "Viva Hysteria!" CD/DVD/Blu Ray recording of the Def Leppard's residency in Las Vegas in March 2013, during which they played the "Hysteria" album live from start to finish for the first time. Viv also talks about Last In Line's current UK gigs, and their touring plans for later in the year, and chooses tracks from Def Leppard, Dio and Shadow King.
Also in part one, renowned Rock & Metal journalist and author Martin Popoff takes a look at the recent ZZ Top box set, "The Complete Studio Albums 1970-1990", and the newly restored original mixes on some of the albums featured in the box set, now available for the first time on CD, with particular focus on the band's classic "Tejas" album.
Part two features an extended version of the show's weekly Southern Rock Special feature in which original Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Ed King talks about the writing and recording of three of his favourite Skynyrd tracks, including "Sweet Home Alabama", "Saturday Night Special" and "Railroad Song".
And finally, Head East keyboard player Roger Boyd talks about the bands new live album "Raise A Little Hell", and also discusses the band's version of "Since You've Been Gone", which came out prior to Rainbow's later recording of the song.
The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from Accept, Niva, Rainbow and Thin Lizzy.
Friday, August 09, 2013
HAGAR'S"KNOCKDOWN DRAGOUT" FEATURING KID ROCK & JOE SATRIANI NOW ON YOUTUBE:
On August 1, Sammy Hagar kicked-off a week of premieres for Knockdown Dragout -- the anthemic lead track from his highly-anticipated upcoming rock collaborations album, "Sammy Hagar and Friends" -- with a high-octane performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiVnXHzyuSk.
Following on the heels of his debut TV performance of the track, on Monday, August 5, fans around the world can watch the promo video for the new single on Sammy Hagar's official YouTube Channel - youtu.be/LaPBNRHUnEI.
The duet with Kid Rock also features Joe Satriani and heralds the release of the album on September 24 in North America, September 27 in Europe and September 29 in the UK on Frontiers Records.
Fans can pre-order the Deluxe and Standard versions of "Sammy Hagar and Friends" today via the following outlets: www.sammyandfriends.com / iTunes: smarturl.it/ixkqlp / Amazon.com (search your relevant national shop for purchase options).
In addition to the 10-track Standard Edition album, fans will also have an opportunity to purchase a Deluxe Edition of "Sammy Hagar and Friends," packaged in a high-gloss Digipak. The Deluxe CD/DVD package includes an exclusive bonus audio track, "Space Station #5," featuring the reunion of the original first Montrose album lineup with very special guest, Joe Satriani. In addition the Deluxe Edition includes a 1-hour DVD that includes a "Making of" album documentary, the music video for "Knockdown Dragout," and other exclusive behind-the-scenes footage.
Fans who pre-order via www.sammyandfriends.com will receive a second exclusive digital bonus track of "Bad Motor Scooter," also recorded live at the Ronnie Montrose Tribute Concert held on April 27.
Hagar is celebrating the release of the album and his forty years in music with his Four Decades of Rock tour, presented by Sammy's Beach Bar Rum. The tour kicked off July 26 in Tucson, AZ and will touch down in 13 more cities through September.
For more information on Sammy Hagar, "Sammy Hagar and Friends," the Four Decades of Rock Tour and Sammy's Beach Bar Rum: www.redrocker.com / www.facebook.com/sammyhagar / www.sammysbeachbarrum.com.
LILLIAN AXE-IDENT FACTS – OFFICIAL NEWS FROM CM ENTERTAINMENT:
After a discussion with Charlie at CM Entertainment, the official word this far has been issued on an accident involving members of the band Lillian Axe.
En Route to Texas to perform Thursday night at Trees in Dallas and Friday night at the Scout Bar in Houston, the band was victim to a vehicular accident. While the situation undergoes official investigation, there is no information regarding the exact physics of the accident.
To report, all members of the band are well and have been treated at local hospitals for minor and non-threatening injuries. There has been extensive damage to the band's equipment, and as a result; this week's two performances at Tress and the Scout Bar have been set to reschedule at a later date.
For complete news updates on the band, and upcoming performance dates and to leave thoughts and concerns for the band, please visit the official band Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/lillianaxemusic. Lillian Axe appreciates your support and looks forward to regrouping from this situation and getting back to the music immediately.
NEW VIDEO FOR STATE OF SALAZAR: State of Salazar from Sweden releases their first real music video for the song Lost My Way With You via their record label Frontiers Records. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mM5hNkQjK8
The song is taken from the band's maiden work Lost My Way which was a self-financed EP and released last summer of 2012. Past six months, the band has been signed by Frontiers Records and is currently working on completing their debut album. This video is a taste of what's to come, while an end to the work with the EP.
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/stateofsalazar / www.twitter.com/stateofsalazar.
KING'S CALL ENTER THE LION'S DEN:
German based Melodic Hard Rockers King's Call have revealed the cover artwork and tracklist of their 2nd studio album 'Lion's Den', due September 27 in Europe and October 8 in North America via Mausoleum Records.
Produced, mixed by Chris Tsangarides (Malmsteen, Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy) the British Grammy-nominated record producer and mastered by Pink Cream 69 and Unisonic bassist, Dennis Ward. Tracklisting: 01. Mother Nature – 4:00 02. Riding The Storm – 4:03 03. Dig It – 3.42 min. 04. Shy Love – 4:34 05. Is This The Life – 4:36 06. Avalon – 3: 32 07. Red Lights – 3: 57 08. Get Up – 3:07 09. Holy Ground – 3:51 10. Avalon – Rising – 2:00. Bonus Tracks: 11. Waiting For You – 6:06 12. Love Will Find A way – 7:10 Founded by Greek-born guitarist-extraordinaire Alex Garoufalidis, King's Call featuring an international line up with Azerbaijani Asec Bergemann on drums and German native Andreas Kramer on bass, recently completed by vocalist Mike Freeland (Praying Mantis), hailing from Britain.
Garoufalidis has jammed and recorded with the likes of Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz), and Chuck Wright (House Of Lords, Quiet Riot). His melodic style gives King's Call its powerful and distinctive sound. Every song a winner; all music and lyrics are written by founding member Alex Garoufalidis, and sung by Mike Freeland, one of the top vocalists of the genre, who is known for his work fronting the legendary Praying Mantis. In the autumn King's Call will be on tour with Canadian hard Rockers: Harem Scarem.
WebLinks: www.kings-call.com / www.facebook.com/kingscallrocks / www.twitter.com/KingsCall_rocks.
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MELODIC BRIEFS:
Here is a short promo video for the Champlin Williams Friestedt DVD - Goin Home: youtu.be/wlwSdhDPqek. The DVD out in Scandinavia and Europe now will also be released in Japan and South Asia on the September 18 by Vivid Sound - this time in NTSC mode.
Myland's new album "Tales From The Inner Planet" - Special Edition out now! 13 songs + "The Warfare Is Over" Bonus track and 'available from July 1. To order it: www.mylandmusic.com.
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SERGEANT STEEL - NEW SONG "SWEET 16" ONLINE: Sergeant Steel posted an audio-slideshow of their new song "Sweet 16". The track is only available on YouTube. "Sweet 16" is taken from the upcoming album "Men On A Mission" (Release date: Sept. 6th). The entire record is mixed and mastered by legendary producer Michael Wagener (Ozzy, Metallica, Janet Jackson, Skid Row, Extreme, Dokken, White Lion, Alice Cooper, etc.).
"Men On A Mission" is released world-wide via Boyz Tyme Records (Distribution: CDbaby, Music Buy Mail and Demon Doll Records): www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXS6I-nWWu8.
VICIOUS RUMORS GUITARIST GEOFF THORPE FEATURED IN NEW THE RIGHT TO ROCK PODCAST: TheRighttoRock.com has issued their latest podcast (episode #153), featuring Vicious Rumors Guitarist Geoff Thorpe. Geoff took time out of his busy schedule to discuss Vicious Rumors latest CD Electric Punishment. Geoff also discusses the band's current tour plans as well as what keeps driving him to make heavy metal music. Interview lasts approx. 30 min.
Is there really a need for two incarnations of the same band? That is, when bands split up into two (or more) separate factions to carry on shouldn't only one of them get the name? Join Genghis & Ragman as they discuss how it's not only confusing when you go to see these bands live, but equally so when they're releasing new product under the same name (this practice has been more prevalent over the last 10 years, but Queensryche's taken it to a new level). Next, the boys welcome Vicious Rumors guitarist Geoff Thorpe for a one-on-one as Geoff discusses the band's latest release Electric Punishment as well as their current tour plans.
HICKS IS NOMINATED AS THE BEST EUROPEAN COUNTRY ACT:
Sweden's own Miqael Persson aka Hicks has spent the last few months on a roller coaster ride with his career, and now officially he has been nominated in the Best European Act category of the BCMAwards (British Country Music Awards).
This is the first time that European acts have been included in these awards. Until now the Awards have been all about British Artists, and recently USA categories were added, and now the Europeans have been included due to the rise of Country Music all over Europe. There will be 25 awards including inductions into the British Country Music Hall Of Fame. The event takes place in London on Nov 24. Further details from www.bcmawards.co.uk.
The European Award is sponsored by Dream West TV and Magazine from France, who nominated five acts from all over Europe. Voting for the winner will come from the Awards committee and Industry people. Miqael kicked off 2013 with two European hits on the European Country Top 40, he then represented Sweden at the CMA Global Show in Nashville as part of the CMA Fest week in June. Whilst there he also appeared on two CMR Nashville hosted shows at the Whiskey Bent and Bridgestone Arena Glass Building and other guest appearances.
Whilst there he also co-wrote with leading Nashville writers for future releases for him and other artists. It was also announced while he was there that the Little River Band had decided to release his song Cuts like a Diamond, which is also the title track of their comeback album. The album will be promoted on a World tour starting in the USA, later this month.
Only two weeks ago Hicks and his band (see photo above) topped the bill at the#1 Country Music Festival in Scandinavia 26/27 July in Skogsvallen, Ostervala, Sweden.
WebLink: www.hickscountry.com.
CD SHOWCASE UPDATED:
A nice big CD Showcase update today. Online is previews of new albums for: Fergie Frederiksen, Arc Angel, Little River Band, Find Me (all Frontiers Records, due August 23); Brett Walker, Niva (AOR Heaven, due August 30) and ColdSpell (Escape Music, due September 20). Check them out now.
MRX UPDATED:
In this week's MRX update, the following classic live shows have been added:
- Billy Squire - Live Budokan 1983
- Angel - Blowing Great Guns (1978)
- Ozzy Osbourne - Heavy Metal Holocaust - Live (1981)
- Great White - Milwaukee, WI (1993)
Plus the following new Video Clips: Little River Band - The Lost and the Lonely, King Kobra - Have A Good Time, Jorn - Cancer Demon, Giuntini Project - Born In the Underworld, Fergie Frederiksen - Last Battle of My War. Join MRX Now.
xxPRE-ORDERS SOON!xx Both Albums Due September 23 via MelodicRock Records
Thursday, August 08, 2013
"VIVA! HYSTERIA" CD/DVD, BLU-RAY, DVD AND DIGITAL OUT ON FRONTIERS RECORDS IN OCTOBER:
With 100 million records sold worldwide, Def Leppard continues to be one of the most potent forces in global rock. For the past 30 years the band has been a top box-office draw, consistently selling out arenas worldwide. October 19 sees them issue in Europe (October 21 in UK and 22 in North America) an exciting new live release, VIVA! Hysteria, across multiple formats through Frontiers Records. Originally released on the 3rd of August 1987, the "Hysteria" album took the already well established Def Leppard and catapulted the band into the stratosphere.
The statistics are astounding: the album has sold in excess of 25 million copies and counting. Due to the incredible success of previous album "Pyromania" (released in 1983) and "Hysteria", Def Leppard are one of only five groups who can claim two separate original 10 million plus selling albums in the US. The others are The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Van Halen.
The "Hysteria" album also spawned 7 hit singles! Enormous hits such as "Pour Some Sugar On Me", "Animal", "Love Bites", "Armageddon It" and "Rocket" are hugely influential rock staples that still enjoy huge popularity today and have helped make Def Leppard Britain's greatest ever arena rock band.
Produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange, the album reached No. 1 on Billboard's Top 200 chart in the U.S. and also No. 1 on the U.K. Album chart. The album has earned critical acclaim from a number of sources including Q Magazine, who voted the release as one of the greatest albums of all time, and Rolling Stone Magazine, who included the collection on their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
For the first time ever, Def Leppard played Hysteria in its entirety during an eleven-show residency which started on March 22, 2013 at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel And Casino in Las Vegas. The band played also under the fictitious name of DED FLATBIRD (which came about after someone once mispronounced Def Leppard as "Dead Flat Bird"). Two different opening sets of 35 mins. on each of the nights. The band showcased some fan favourites and very rare songs from the early years of the band besides playing a selection of their greatest hits, highlighting classic material from throughout their career. The "VIVA! Hysteria" show featured an elaborate set design created uniquely for the Las Vegas residency. "We've been asked for many years if we'd ever play an album in its entirety, and the answer was always no because we'd be out promoting a new album," says lead vocalist Joe Elliott. "Then in March and April 2013 when we had no new music to promote, we had a chance to revisit arguably our most important album. It was an easy decision to make. As for Vegas, it's no longer perceived as the place crooners go to die! Artists like Motley Crue, Elton John, Guns N Roses & Cheap Trick have recently done residencies and Rock 'n Roll has definitely moved in! So, there was no better place for us to take the show. It was a fantastic experience for us and for our fans."
Known for legendary arena shows, Def Leppard bring their extravagant production to your house as "VIVA! Hysteria" is their first full live show shot in HD released commercially. Finally "VIVA! Hysteria" showcases for the first time a career-defining album (excluding concept albums) performed live in its entirety - from start to finish - for a commercial audio/video release. "VIVA! Hysteria"! is unlike any show Def Leppard has ever done or will ever do again. This is one release not to miss….
Available on the following formats - 2CD+DVD digipak, Blu – Ray, DVD and digital album downloads – the full tracklistings are as follows…
CD1: Women; Rocket; Animal; Love Bites; Pour Some Sugar on Me; Armageddon It; Gods of War; Don't Shoot Shotgun; Run Riot; Hysteria; Excitable; Love and Affection; Rock of Ages*; Photograph*. *extra non Hysteria tracks CD2: Ded Flatbird - night 1: Good Morning Freedom; Wasted; Stagefright; Mirror Mirror (Look Into My Eyes); Action; Rock Brigade; Undefeated; Promises / Ded Flatbird - night 2: On Through The Night; Slang; Let It Go; Another Hit And Run; High 'n' Dry (Saturday Night); Bringin' On The Heartbreak; Switch 625.
The DVD tracklisting is as above but also includes bonus content of the acoustic medley: Where does love go when it dies/Now/When Love & Hate Collide/Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad/Two Steps Behind. DVD / Blu Ray menu: - Viva Hysteria - Ded Flatbird Night 1 - Ded Flatbird Night 2 - Acoustic Set - Photo Montage.
WebLinks: www.defleppard.com / www.frontiers.it / EPK # 1: Def Leppard announce the eleven-show residency Las Vegas www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIRTTuB3x6o / EPK # 2: Def Leppard's Hysteria Las Vegas Residency - Behind the Scenes www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6pb5S9raSg.
"VIVA! Hysteria" will also be preceded by a full theatrical release in several countries: go to defleppard.com for all details!
xxxx
EDEN'S CURSE RETURN WITH THEIR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED BRAND NEW FOURTH STUDIO ALBUM "SYMPHONY OF SIN", DUE OCTOBER 4:
Produced by Paul Logue and mixed and mastered by the groups long term engineer, Pink Cream 69 and Unisonic bassist, Dennis Ward, Symphony Of Sin is the first release with new Serbian vocalist Nikola Mijic (Alogia/Dreyelands) and former Powerquest mainman and keyboarder Steve Williams.
Tracklisting: 1. Symphony Of Sin 2. Break The Silence 3. Evil & Divine 4. Unbreakable 5. Fallen From Grace 6. Losing My Faith 7. Rock Bottom 8. Great Unknown 9. Turn The Page 10. Sign Of The Cross 11. Wings To Fly 12. Devil In Disguise 13. Where Is The Love?
The album artwork was created again by another of the groups long term collaborators, Thomas Ewerhard (Edguy, Avantasia, Jorn), and marks the return of a familar face in "Eve" who graced the bands debut album cover. Symphony Of Sin will be preceded by a single and promo video for "Evil & Divine" on September 12th. Introducing the new Eden's Curse 2013 lineup: youtu.be/Epji9f5lKzs. Eden's Curse are: Nikola Mijic – Vocals, Paul Logue – Bass, Pete Newdeck – Drums, Thorsten Koehne – Guitars, Steve Williams – keyboards.
WebLinks: www.edenscurse.com / www.facebook.com/edenscurseofficial.
LINE OF FIRE GETS WILD WITH NEW DRUMMER:
After an exhaustive 7 month search, Line Of Fire is excited to announce the addition of new drummer Brent "Wildman" Enman! Along with his impressive skills behind the kit, Brent also brings years of stage and studio experience to Line Of Fire and will no doubt be the band's secret weapon!
In addition to their 2013 appearances at MelodicRock Fest 3 and Rock Harvest 2, the band is planning many more live appearances throughout 2014 as well as beginning work on their third album and follow up to 2010's 'Momentum' release on Tribunal Records. The band released their self-titled debut in 2005.
Brent also recently released his solo album "Wildman" (on which he sings and performs every instrument), which can be purchased via CD Baby and iTunes.
WebLinks: www.reverbnation.com/lof / www.facebook.com/LINEOFFIRE.
xx
THE HEAT IS ON AT FIREFEST: Firefest is delighted to announce that H.E.A.T. will now play the show on Saturday October 19 as a direct replacement for Trixter. We would like to thank H.E.A.T, their management and agency for making this happen. The band had many opportunities on hand but chose to play Firefest once again due mainly to the fact that they love YOU and we all love them. H.E.A.T. are no strangers to Firefest having played several times previously and on each occasion left a lasting impression as one of the most exciting live rock and roll bands you could wish to see. Roll on October!
Wednesday, August 07, 2013
ICONIC CHRISTIAN ROCKERS STRYPER'S NEW STUDIO ALBUM "NO MORE HELL TO PAY": Frontiers Records is proud to announce the release of iconic Christian rockers Stryper's new studio album, No More Hell To Pay; the offering has been confirmed for a November 1 release in Europe and November 5 in North America and will be available in two formats – standard CD and deluxe digipak featuring exclusive video content.
Produced by frontman/guitarist Michael Sweet himself, the set features some of Stryper's strongest and heaviest material ever. Check out a special video message from Michael Sweet here.
Sweet also commented, "No More Hell To Pay marks our 30 year anniversary and what a journey it has been! It's our eleventh studio release since our first album in 1984 (The Yellow & The Black Attack) and it's quite possibly our best record to date. Why? It's everything you might expect from a Stryper record - high octane vocals, layered vocal harmonies, guitar solos galore, driving drums and bass and an energy that hasn't been achieved since our glory days. The message is equally as powerful as it offers hope and inspiration to anyone listening. If you're a Stryper fan, it'll make you proud to be one. If you're not, listen with caution as you may actually become one. We've been waving the striped flag for 30 years and we're proud to say that it's an honor to still be making music with you and for you. The best is yet to come and it's coming November 5th!"
Stryper is currently playing select tour dates around the nation as a warm-up for an upcoming extensive tour around the release of No More Hell To Pay. Please see below for remaining tour dates.
Stryper is one of the top Christian rock bands of all time. Comprised of the original line-up of Michael Sweet (vocals/guitar), Oz Fox (guitar), Tim Gaines (bass), and Robert Sweet (drums), Stryper has been rocking since 1984, and is responsible for such '80s metal classic albums as Soldiers Under Command, To Hell With The Devil, In God We Trust and such MTV hit singles/videos as "Calling on You," "Free," and "Honestly." After a sabbatical for much of the 1990's, Stryper returned strong in the early 21st century. To date, the band has sold upwards of 8 million records worldwide and is a Dove Award-winner and Grammy nominee. Stryper is the first band to have two songs in MTV's Top 10 simultaneously.
No More Hell To Pay track listing: Revelation; No More Hell To Pay; Saved By Love; Jesus Is Just Alright; The One; Legacy; Marching Into Battle; Te Amo; Sticks & Stones; Water Into Wine; Sympathy; Renewed.
Stryper tour dates:
August 9 Bolingbrook, IL Tailgaters Sports Bar & Grill
10 West Allis, WI Wisconsin State Fair
13 San Juan Capistrano, CA The Coach House*
14 West Hollywood, CA The Whiskey A Go Go*
16 Henderson, NV Club Madrid at Sunset Station Hotel & Casino*
30 Wendover, NV Peppermill Casino
*Michael Sweet and Oz Fox acoustic set
WebLinks: www.stryper.com / www.frontiers.it.
xx
SAM & DAVE IN CALFORNIA:
From The Y&T Newsletter: "Sammy Hagar & Dave Meniketti will perform a set of Montrose tunes at Hagar's "Four Decades of Rock" concerts at two Northern California shows:
September 5 - Thunder Valley Resort, Lincoln, CA
September 7 - America's Cup Pavilion, San Francisco, CA
Montrose band lineup for these two shows: Sammy Hagar, Dave Meniketti, Bill Church, and Denny Carmassi. Dave is thrilled to honor Ronnie Montrose and vows to do him proud."
And just posted to Dave Meniketti's Facebook: "Just wanted to share a picture Sammy took on his camera this afternoon as I rehearsed with the Montrose band for 2 upcoming shows I will be a part of in September. What a cool experience for me to play with such a legendary band and great guys."
BON JOVI LAY HANDS ON NEW JERSEY FOR 25TH ANNIVERSARY:
Dallas, TX - August 6, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands shares the story of how a bunch of small town guys from New Jersey would grow to become international ambassadors of rock. By Summer 1988, Bon Jovi had been on a two year global assault resulting in the breakout success of their 9 million selling Slippery When Wet album. Bon Jovi's tireless touring, good hooks and good looks had paid off in the rock'n'roll lottery, but ultimately a follow-up was due. Expectations were high both outside and inside the band, but ambitions were equal to the task, and New Jersey, the band's fourth album, was born producing an unprecedented five Top 10 singles including; "Lay Your Hands On Me", "Born To Be My Baby", "Blood on Blood", plus the # 1s "I'll Be There For You" and "Bad Medicine". Jon reveals to InTheStudio host Redbeard that even though Bon Jovi was riding high, he found that period of his career to be a difficult experience. "What I didn't get out of that experience was the pure pleasure of it. And a lot of that had to do with a lot of good people trying to get me to do a job, but not having the foresight to see that these kids were going to get exhausted and burned out, and not enjoy it."
Bon Jovi 'New Jersey'/ InTheStudio interview is available now to STREAM at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/bon-jovi-new-jersey-25th-anniversary/
ANDRZEJ CITOWICZ READIES DEBUT ALBUM: Andrzej Citowicz - Polish guitarist/songwriter, former recording artist for Down Boys Records (label belongs to Erik Turner and Jerry Dixon from Warrant) is finally releasing on August 8 his first album Ace Of Hearts. The Album is available worldwide in 240 countries on Amazon, iTunes and 15 other platforms. More info: www.facebook.com/andrzejcitowicz / www.citowicz.net.
DILANA UNLEASHES BEAUTIFUL MONSTER AUGUST 10 IN HOLLYWOOD:
At the Roxy Theater on Sunset in West Hollywood, August 10; recording artist Dilana will perform with guest artists to officially release her latest CD titled Beautiful Monster. The performance will feature her full band as she showcases all ten tracks from the CD release, performed live in its entirety. Fans discovered the songwriting skills and vocal power of Dilana when she appeared on CBS channel's "Rock Star Supernova" in 2006. From her performance of Nirvana's "Lithium" on the first episode of the season, all eyes were fixed on her delivery, talents and approach to providing more than just vocals, but the total rock-star package. Dilana earned the respect and attention of the shows judges, including Motley Crue members Tommy Lee and Mick Mars, as well as stellar producer Butch Walker, guitarist Gilby Clark (Guns n' Roses) and then Metallica bass player Jason Newsted. After the season's run on TV, Dilana fronted the band LA Guns for three months before making the decision to focus on her own works.
In 2009 Dilana digitally released a full-length album titled "Inside Out" to International acclaim. Through issues with the label, the album has undergone distribution problems, but offered Dilana a chance to record with artists including Mick Mars (Motley Crue) and Adrian young (No Doubt), ultimately proving her level of songwriting and skill that has earned her reputation as a rock star. In support of her release, Dilana toured the US while opening for acts including Aerosmith, as well as visiting the Troops in Afghanistan and bringing the show to her homeland in South Africa.
Dilana has been awarded a People's Choice Award for Gig of the Year after the 2007 Rockstar Iceland Concert, as well as two Best Actress Awards and a Best Use of Music Award for her lead role and soundtrack recording in the 2010 film "Angel Camouflaged," starring alongside James Brolin and singer/songwriter Patty Smyth. Dilana has also been celebrated for her charity work, supporting the endeavors of charities including Safe Passage and the Lili Claire Foundation.
In 2012, Dilana took to the studio to record ten new tracks, featuring an original sound and style that expresses some of her deepest emotions regarding the events in her life that have affected her both personally, and as a professional musician. The album, titled "Beautiful Monster," was produced, engineered and mixed by Jack Endino at SoundHouse Recording Studio in Seattle, Washington. Endino's roster with SoundHouse has included working with Nirvana, David Byrne, Soundgarden, Dave Matthews and other top artist's recordings. Graphics and original design packaging of the CD have been provided by Internationally renowned artist Glen Wexler, who has designed award winning artwork for album releases by Van Halen, Black Sabbath, Slaughter and Geffen Records to name a few.
The August 10 show at the Roxy Theater in West Hollywood is the official CD release party and performance to announce the "Beautiful Monster" CD and will showcase Dilana on stage with a full band, performing all ten tracks from the CD as well as meet-and-greets and CD signings. For fans that want to purchase the CD but can't make the show, Dilana's official website has links to acquire the CD by visiting www.dilanarocks.com.
You can "Like" Dilana on Facebook by visiting: www.facebook.com/Dilanarocks or find more details on her Social media Network, tour dates and merchandise links by visiting www.dilanarocks.com.
MELODIC REVOLUTION RECORDS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SIGNING OF MORPHEUS RISING: Morpheus Rising is a five piece hard 'n' heavy British rock band formed in 2008. The band is heavily influenced by their peers; Saxon, UFO, Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden. Morpheus Rising has forged a reputation for their stage shows and music by incorporating precision twin guitars, power chords and fast guitar solos, upbeat tempos, soaring melodic vocals, rounded out by a tight rhythm section. The band has incorporated many elements of the NWOBHM bands of the late 70's and early 80's which set the standards and made these bands famous.
After years of touring and a string of EP's Morpheus Rising released their first full length album in late 2011. 2012 saw the band touring their critically acclaimed debut album Let The Sleeper Awake across the UK. The album has been regularly featured by Johnny Doom on Kerrang Radio, Shane Carlson on ARfm, Tony Corner on Firebrand Radio and elsewhere throughout Europe and the US. The band has been featured in Classic Rock Prog Magazine, Classic Rock Society Magazine and one track was also featured on the cover mount CD by Classic Rock Society Magazine which led to a growing new fan base and sales across Europe, Asia and North America.
In 2013 the original drummer Paul 'Gibbo' Gibbons departed the band. For their well received summer tour with Panic Room, Henry Rogers of Touchstone, DeeExpus, has been filling in on drums. Morpheus Rising has been auditioning drummers and hopes to have an announcement in the near future, in the meantime the band has started writing new material and recording is now underway on the as yet untitled new album. Their live shows are beginning to feature songs shortlisted for the upcoming release due out in late 2013 early 2014.
Video Link: Lord of the North from Let The Sleeper Awake www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xk8NWqOIf4&feature=share&list=FLLb9g0GoGeHK1X6LbEfHDpQ.
Teaser track from the forthcoming release by Morpheus Rising: soundcloud.com/melodicrevolutionrecords/morpheus-rising-mega-city-one.
MARK KNOPFLER SIGNS A WORLDWIDE DEAL WITH UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP: Universal Music Group announces a worldwide deal with legendary musician and songwriter Mark Knopfler. Knopfler's new record Privateering will debut on UMG's Verve Records on September 10 (globally) after a 35 year relationship with Warner Brother Records. Max Hole, Chairman and CEO UMG International comments, "Mark has long been one of the most innovative and successful artists in music and we're thrilled he's decided to sign to Verve so that we are now working with him everywhere across the world." The new music is Knopfler's first double album of new music in his entire recording career. "The older I get, the more I want to write," Knopfler notes. "I'm enjoying the process more than ever, writing, recording and playing live, I enjoy all of it. I'm almost tripping over songs."
Recorded at Knopfler's award-winning British Grove Studios in West London,Privateering is a collection of tough tales of real people, living hard lives in difficult times. The record features musicians Knopfler has been working with for years - Guy Fletcher (keyboards), Richard Bennett (guitar), Jim Cox (piano), Glenn Worf (bass), Mike McGoldrick (whistle and flute), John McCusker (fiddle) and the recent addition of Ian Thomas (drums). Special guests include Paul Franklin (pedal steel), Kim Wilson, (harmonica), Tim O'Brien (mandolin), and rising singing star Ruth Moody, who is also a member of the leading roots group The Wailin' Jennys.
Of the new release, Knopfler explains, "I chose to make a double album this time just because of the sheer volume of material. I didn't want to separate songs into genres and I didn't want to leave too many songs on the shelf. I just wanted it to be a reflection of the fantastic sessions we had. With a great bunch of players, it's the same as a great group of actors reading a script from the page, the thing can come alive in ways it just never has before. This is the band I have been working towards my whole life."
A multiple Grammy award winner as the lead singer/songwriter for Dire Straits, Knopfler combined his wry lyrics with his guitar prowess to create such major hits as "Money For Nothing," "Sultans Of Swing," "Romeo and Juliet" and "Walk of Life." He has collaborated with artists such as Bob Dylan, Randy Newman, Emmylou Harris and Van Morrison, as well as scoring several films including Cal, Local Hero, Princess Bride and A Shot at Glory.
New album Privateering to be released via Verve Records September 10.
Tuesday, August 06, 2013
TED NUGENT GOES ULTRA BALLISTIC ON NEW LIVE RELEASE:
Multi-platinum guitar icon Ted Nugent will release Ultralive Ballisticrock--a new 2 CD+DVD release available in three formats (2CD+DVD deluxe edition digipak, DVD/Blu-Ray and digital download)--on October 18 in Europe and October 22 on Frontiers Records.
The live footage was captured and recorded by 7 cameras in 5.1 audio mix on the "I Still Believe Tour" at Penn's Peak on August 14, 2011. The lineup on the album consists of the legendary-and-still-raging Nugent on guitar and vocals, Derek St. Holmes (rhythm guitarist and the voice on Stranglehold) on guitar and vocals, Greg Smith (Rainbow) on bass and Mick Brown (Dokken) on drums. The set-list is killer (see below), packed with the songs that forever changed the face of rock, and the performances are razor sharp and electrifying, adding up to a sonic and visual extravaganza that's not to be missed.
Says Nugent, "To be surrounded by such world-class passionate virtuosos is every musician's dream and I live it every song, every concert, every night, every lick, every tsunami of soul sweat. You dogs deserve me!"
Tracklisting for the show: Disc1 1. Free For All 2. Stormtroopin' 3. Wango Tango 4. Just What the Doctor Ordered 5. Wang Dang Sweet Poontang 6. Need You Bad 7. Turn It Up 8. Raw Dogs & War Hogs 9. Dog Eat Dog / Disc 2 10. Hey Baby 11. Fred Bear 12. I Still Believe* 13. Motorcity Madhouse 14. Cat Scratch Fever 15. Stranglehold 16. Great White Buffalo.
*First time available on an album (previously only available as a digital download)
DVD/Blu-Ray Bonus Footage: "Spirit of the Wild", "The Making of Ultralive Ballisticrock".
About Ted Nugent: Ted Nugent has carved a permanent place in rock & roll history as the ultimate guitar-shredding showman, selling more than 40 million albums, performing more than 6,500 (!) high-octane concerts, and continuing to set attendance records at venues around the globe. Ted's no-holds barred career spans five decades of multi-platinum hits. From the ground breaking Amboy Dukes' hit "Journey to the Center of the Mind," to classics like "Stranglehold" (ranked in the Top 100 Classic Rock Songs and #1 Guitar Lick), "Cat Scratch Fever," (32nd Best Hard Rock Song of All Time) Damn Yankees' chartbuster "High Enough," and cult classic "Fred Bear" (the most requested song for radio airplay in Michigan & Wisconsin), Ted and his inimitable sound have been featured on VH1's Behind the Music, A & E's Biography and more.
Nugent was named Detroit's Greatest Guitar Player of All Time by readers of MLive! For millions of passionate music lovers everywhere, Ted delivers the Ultimate Life Soundtrack. A Ted Nugent show is not just a performance—it's a firebreathing celebration!
L-R: Ted Nugent, Derek St. Holmes, Mick Brown and Greg Smith / Photo credit: James & Maryln Brown.
For the latest on Ted Nugent, including tour dates, visit: www.tednugent.com / www.facebook.com/tednugent.
xx
FLYING LIVE COLORS INTO EUROPE: Mascot Label Group has revealed the cover artwork and the Monday 14th October release date of Flying Colors- Live In Europe on the Music Theories Recordings Label on Blu-ray, DVD, 2CD, Limited Edition 3LP Vinyl and Digital download (iTunes, Mastered for iTunes, Amazon MP3). Flying Colors features Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals), Dave LaRue (bass), Neal Morse (keyboards, vocals), Casey McPherson (vocals, guitars), and Steve Morse (guitars).
The concert release captures the band live in Tilburg, Netherlands at 013 on September 20, 2012. Directed and edited by Bernhard Baran (Guns n' Roses, The Cure, Porcupine Tree) with Bill Evans as executive producer, the concert presents the entire studio album, alongside popular favourites performed by the individual members of the band.
View the official 'Live In Europe' trailer - www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAsdAu2yttU.
The Limited Edition Vinyl Set includes 3 LPs on 180gr coloured vinyl, a LP sized booklet and an exclusive bonus track. The Blu-ray and DVD include stereo and 5.1 surround mixes. Every effort has been made to assure the highest audio quality: All Blu-ray audio being uncompressed, mastered for iTunes is prepared from a 96KHz/24-Bit master, and the vinyl edition spans 3 audiophile-grade LPs.
The vinyl edition can be exclusively pre-ordered - flyingcolors.mlgmerch.com.
The Blu-ray and DVD includes the 45-minute documentary 'First Flight' featuring exclusive interviews with the band members, meet & greet footage and candid moments on the road captured backstage, in the dressing rooms, the band bus, and during tour rehearsals.
The Tilburg concert includes song performances of "Blue Ocean," "Shoulda Coulda Woulda," "Love Is What I'm Waiting For," "Can't Find A Way" (Endochine / Casey McPherson), "The Storm," "Odyssey" (Dixie Dregs), "Forever In A Daze," "Hallelujah" (Cohen), "Better Than Walking Away," "Kayla," "Fool In My Heart," "Spur of the Moment" (Dave LaRue), "Repentance" (Dream Theater), "June" (Spock's Beard), "All Falls Down," "Everything Changes," and "Infinite Fire."
DOOGIE & LA PAZ ISSUE NEW VIDEO:
British band Doogie White & La Paz returned in May with a new studio album entitled "The Dark and The Light". And today the band reveals the second track taken from the album. The Good Old Days is available on Metal Mind Productions' official YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9Vslb6Wnpw. The clip contains archive band materials - original video from recording sessions and live sets in the 80s as well as part of the session when this track was recorded in 2012. Doogie White comments: "The song tells the story and the video shows the story. We're the best of friends still having a great time doing what we love."
BLACK SABBATH ROCKS UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD'S 'HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS':
Universal City, CA--Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler from Black Sabbath, the celebrated, multi-platinum rock band that pioneered the Heavy Metal genre with their dark and doom-laden sounds, fused with lyrical themes of the occult, addiction, war and nuclear apocalypse, will be immortalized in an all-original, terrifying 3D maze, "Black Sabbath: 13 3D" at Universal Studios Hollywood's premier Halloween Horror Nights event, beginning September 20, 2013.
The new maze, based on the darkest lyrics from Black Sabbath's biggest hit songs and the only attraction at the horror event to incorporate 3D video, will also include scenes inspired by the legendary band's recently released Billboard #1 album, 13. A nightmarish landscape of doom will engulf guests as they enter "Black Sabbath: 13 3D" and traverse through horrifying graveyards, disturbing madhouses and bone-chilling battlefields. "We were all really excited when Universal Studios Hollywood approached us about doing a 3D 'Halloween Horror Nights' maze based on our music," said Black Sabbath's Ozzy Osbourne. "I've seen the drawings of what it will look like when it's finished and it looks amazing. I can't wait to walk through it on opening night in September."
Guests will come face to face with a heart-stopping Lucifer and his bride, blood-soaked dead bodies and bubbling pools of "radioactive water" while song's inspired by "Luke's Wall," "Iron Man," "Paranoid," "War Pigs," "Electric Funeral" and--of course--"Black Sabbath" violently penetrate the confines of the maze at high volume.
"Very few bands can claim to have defined a genre of music but Black Sabbaths' remarkable influence in the evolution of Heavy Metal will go down in history," said John Murdy, Creative Director for Universal Studios Hollywood. "Tony Iommi's dark, iconic riffs, Ozzy Osbourne's haunting vocals and Geezer Butler's foreboding lyrics provide the perfect soundtrack for 'Halloween Horror Nights' and endless inspiration for our new haunted attraction 'Black Sabbath 13 3D'."
Black Sabbath has sold 70 million records during a career spanning 43 years, and was named "The Greatest Heavy Metal Band of All Time" by MTV. The Grammy-Award winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees kicked off their 20-date North American concert tour on July 25 in Houston, Texas. More information on Black Sabbath is available at www.blacksabbath.com, via Facebook at www.facebook.com/BlackSabbath, on Twitter at twitter.com/OfficialSabbath and Instagram at instagram.com/officialsabbath/.
SWEETSOUNDS ADDS SEVEN WITCHES:
Press release / "Sweetsounds is proud to announce the addition to our artist roster of Seven Witches. Seven Witches is currently set to tour the USA in Sept and Oct 2013. The new CD Rebirth is currently available worldwide from Frostbyte Media/Eone Entertainment. Visit www.sweetsounds.us for more info.
Kansas, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Headeast and Strikeforce are among the acts confirmed for Sat Aug 31 at the Duquoin, IL State Fair. Grandstand concerts and the beer entertainment tent will be rocking on Saturday (day and night) with many confirmed acts! Visit: www.duquoinfair.com.
Monday, August 05, 2013
MelodicRock Records is very excited to announce two new signings. The first is Faith Circus for the release of their brand new album Turn Up The Band.
Faith Circus, from the west coast of Norway, were a band born from the ashes of two rival bands. Comprised of, Marc Farrano (vocals), Marius Mørch (guitars), Lasse Koester (bass) and Baard Nordvik (drums).
Their style could be described as a hybrid of acts such as Kiss, Van Halen, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Journey, etc... Strong melodies, great hooks, burning frets, pounding drums, thunderous bass and smooth, yet powerful vocals. From the heartbreaking to the hip shaking, the band had it all...classic/melodic rock delivered with pure passion, love & fun!
The band signed with Kivel Records (US) in the fall/winter of 2007, and their debut album were released about a year later. Among the 11 tracks were a cover of the Eric "The Fox" Carr/Bruce Kulick/Adam Mitchell composition "Can you feel it", until now only released in demo form on the former Kiss drummers, post-release, "Rockology" album. And another tune featured guest appearances by veterans such as Steinar Krokstad/drums (ex-Stage Dolls/Vagabond), Morty Black/bass (ex-TNT/Vagabond), Dag Stokke/keyboards (TNT/Vagabond), Tore Moren/guitar (Jorn/Rain/Carnivora), Steinar Hagen/acoustic guitar (Return) and Tony Harnell/background vocals (ex-TNT/Starbreaker/Westworld).
Like so many other bands they ran into some "trouble"...and broke up (in august 2009)...
But a mere 11 months after declaring to the world they would no longer be working together, the boys were back - Marc Farrano and Baard Nordvik and introducing new guitarist H.K. Rein and new bass player Christer Ottesen (ex-Popium/Flare).
The MRR release of Faith Circus Turn Up The Band will feature some real bonus material for fans!
First - there is the brand new 10 track studio album which will build on what the debut album offered back in 2008. But not only that - for those purchasing the CD release - you will get the band's debut album as a bonus disc - totally re-mixed from the original release and featuring two additional bonus tracks (13 songs total). The songs are "Heroes" and a remake of the 1981 classic James Bond tune "For Your Eyes Only" - this time sung as a duet with the insanely talented Robin Beck!
Andrew McNeice:"I love the enthusiasm and the energy of these guys. And I love the attitude of the songs on this new album. In your face at all times, even when bringing it down a notch for a few really melodic numbers – and one monster ballad! The best of both world's on this album - attitude and melody. Looking forward to delivering it into the hands of those that loved the debut and a swag of new fans also."
The Faith Circus album will be released late September/October. Stay tuned for details and previews.
The band's Marc Farrano takes over to deliver all the news on the band!
On signing with MRR - "In this day and age where you can't seem to swing a dead cat without hitting a record lable it's real easy to jump in and make the wrong decision, and maybe get screwd over by someone out to make a quick buck! We first came into contact with Andrew (McNeice) when our friends in On The Rise got signed to Frontiers Records in 2003, and have been talking with him, off and on for the past ten years. Like so many, many others we appreciate and enjoy his great website on a daily basis and it's easy to see that this guy loves what he does, and is a true fan of melodic/classic rock, and music: period!
You need to have a passion for what you do to be doing something like this for free all these years! Therefore it felt totally natural when we first heard he was setting up a label a few years back, and when we finally had finished our album and sorted out our personal issues contacting him first to see if he would be interested in getting behind the new Faith Circus release was a no-brainer. Luckily he "got it" right away and invited us to join the MRR family!
We feel truly blessed and excited to have a guy in our corner we know always puts the artist first! This gives us new "hope" and courage to keep on making music in a business that only seems to get harder and harder for any new up and coming, as well as the established bands!"
On the new album - "Wow! What can we say?! It's been 5 long years since our first release (not counting the 2010 digital remixed debut album and the 2012 live digital EP "5.l.i.v.e.") and a lot has happened! Our first album was labelled AOR/melodic rock, and although this might have been a true description at the time Faith Circus has always been just an old fashion rock `n roll band! This time around we have the opportunity to show a bit more of who we are as the album contains co-writes from almost every member in the band. The decision was made to cut back on the mid tempo/slow songs as there are enough, great ones, to choose from on our debut. We also managed to include some cool, special guests (read the booklet!), mostly for our own pleasure!
The album were, like last time, recorded at Tomtom Studio in our hometown of Bergen, by Thomas "Tomtom" Haugland. The mixing process was a co-effort between Tomtom and the band, and finally mastering was left in the more than capable hands of Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, House Of Lords, Tesla, etc...)
Although the album has been ready to go for some time it still feels fresh every time we put in on….and that has to be a good sign, right?! We like to view the album as a hard-hitting, loud, massive testament (inviting you to sing along!) to that rock `n roll is very much alive & kickin in 2013! No gimmicks here, no retro act…it's like the fuckin 90's never happened! And if YOU want a piece of the action all you gotta do is…Turn Up The Band!!"
On the new guitarist - "Life in a rock `n roll band might be many different things, but one things for sure it's never boring!! In a lot of ways we feel it reflects life itself… Since the inception of Faith Circus back in 2007, which seems a lifetime ago, the band has been through a lot, breakups, personnel changes, long periods in limbo, some really sweet highs and some psychological draining lows, etc, etc... It's never easy replacing a founding member of a band, but regardless of who's leaving, with every new guy that comes in the dynamics are bound to shift one way, or the other. The trick is to stay positive, roll with the punches, and look at it as an opportunity to, maybe, grow and expand in a slightly different direction! Marius Mörch is a very, very talented guy and a great, diverse guitarist, and he will, without a doubt, be successful in whatever he chooses to do in the future. We thank him for his commitment and all the great work he's done for Faith Circus these past 6 years and wish him nothing but the best! So, with that being said the remaining three of us are very honoured, excited and proud now to welcome H.K. Rein into the band!
This cat is on fire!!
We came across him on YouTube playing in a local Guns `n Roses cover band. It turned out he had more to show for his talent than just playing covers, as he is a singer and songwriter as well! Actually his first gig, before officially joining Faith Circus, were a Kiss Expo in Stavanger (Norway) attended by Eric Singer & Tommy Thayer! Talk about being thrown in at the deep end…" H.K. Rein:"I've been soaking up so much rock 'n' roll over the years and can no longer hold back! It's very exciting to be able to express myself in an already established band at this level. I'm ready (and willing) to offer my body & soul to the Faith Circus."
"So there you have it! We can't wait to get out there and promote the new album! And soon thereafter start writing some new music!!"
Spainish progressive melodic rockers Airless have signed to MelodicRock Records for the physical CD release of their upcoming anniversary release Best of + Rarities - a 2CD set put together to celebrate the band's 15th Anniversary, due in early 2014.
Airless was created in January 2002 and soon signed with Vinny Records Company. The self-titled debut album was released in June 2002, produced by Carlos Creator, worldwide distributed and specially released for Japan by Mellow Music. "The truth", one of the songs of this first Airless album, was included in "Singing to the world", a 2CD special release by Frontiers Records in memory of World Trade Center's tragedy victims. That album included also songs from Jason Becker, Tesla, Bonnie Tyler, Doro, Paul Gilbert, Paul Nelson, Kane Roberts, Jimmy Hendrix, etc.. and was released worldwide. Airless second album, titled "2nd Round", was also produced by Carlos Creator and released by the Finnish Company Lion Music, with the Japanese edition again by Mellow Music. Airless toured and shared stage with bands like Tyketto, Dare or Riot.
"Fight" is the title of their 3rd album that was released in December 2008, again by Lion Music. During the promotion of "Fight", Airless played on several Hard Rock-AOR Fests, and shared stage with bands like Vega, Serpentine, Houston and Reckless Love. February 2013 sees the band return with their most accomplished album to date, "Changes". Released by Lion Music once again, cover artwork by Felipe Machado, and the special collaboration of Danny Vaughn (Tyketto). As a part of "Changes" promotion, Airless toured with Jeff Scott Soto opening shows on his Spanish Tour.
Airless is playing on the prestigious Spanish Fest Leyendas Del Rock 2013 and will be opening next October, in Madrid, the only Spanish Harem Scarem show on their return with Mood Swings II.
To celebrate the band's 15 year anniversary, Airless will release a Best of + Rarities 2CD in 2014. Airless: Iñaki Lazcano (vocals), Miguel Manjon (bass), Pako Martinez (drums), Robert Rodrigo (guitar).
Airless Statement: "We are very proud and excited about the idea of being part of the Melodic Rock Records family. After almost 15 years, we are sure that this will be a great opportunity to take the band to another level. Thanks Andrew for your confidence in our music."
Full details and timing of the release will be announced in the coming weeks.
TONY MILLS LEAVES TNT:
After seven years, Tony Mills leaves TNT.
After three studio albums and extensive touring in Scandinavia, Europe and USA with Norwegian hard rockers TNT, Tony Mills continues the journey in his own artistic direction. Tony's contractual obligations in territories like Japan and Australia, as well as different preferences in the rock world fueled the decision to part ways with the band. "It has been a a long road since 2006 and I've been through a lot since Z Records recommended me for the job in Oslo" says Tony. "I've met a huge amount of people here; for such a small population compared to the UK, the market for rock music is a lot bigger than I could have ever believed with grand support from the government and open doors for funding. The fan base is spread over generations and the promotional support unprecedented. The country is much bigger than it seems and we have flown so many times, I've lost count" Mills continues.
"After the passing of our beloved Dag Stokke, and the parting with Victor Borge at the end of last year, my departing may not be altogether unexpected. But there are other contracts I need to fulfill and a different focus I have to maintain in the coming years. I wish Ronni and his team all the best for their future, however it may shape itself. We've had some remarkable experiences together and we've worked with some incredible characters, from Ozzy Osbourne to Trine Rein, Anita Hegerland, Skid Row and Motorhead, Stage Dolls, Morten Abel, Age Sten Nielsen and even the crown prince. Bless them all; I hope to see them a few more times before the rock n roll wheel stops spinning and finally grinds to a halt. I shall be fulfilling all the previous engagements booked by the band and expected by the public, with great pleasure. And the 'Girls in Norway' are wonderful", Mills says in closing.
Tony Mills will be performing with TNT in Ålesund August 9th and at Eidsvoll August 10.
About the artist: Tony Mills toured the world with British AOR sensation Shy in the 80's and established himself as a versatile songwriter and session vocalist with a slew of US artists during the 80s and 90's. For the past seven years he's been fronting Norwegian hard rock band TNT and currently resides at Jar outside of Oslo. He's been maintaing an active solo career and session work along throughout this time. Mills is currently showcasing his new single and video, Girls in Norway. (www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PZ2cDgcxYZo)
WebLink: www.tonymills-official.com.
Norweigen press initially reported that former TNT frontman Tony Harnell would rejoin the band. They later removed that comment to instead read that Harnell "might" participate in a reunion concert. Tony Harnell himself has added a comment to his Facebook page reading: "the "press leak" in Norway was premature. Meaning, if anything were to happen, it's not happening that soon :) and I'm not saying anything ia gonna happen...cheers!"
Tony Harnell confirmed to me that he had talked with Ronnie LeTekro, but reiterated on my Facebook page that he hadn't committed to anything yet and "IF...and that's IF, this happens it won't stop anything else, it'll be an addition..."
Stay tuned!
JSS DELIVERS 3 HD LIVE VIDEOS:
This cool post just in from Jeff Scott Soto: "Just released exclusively on YouTube for all of you who couldn't catch the Damage Control Tour in Europe this year. Pro footage of a few tunes shot in HD from my last gig in Madrid on May 5, 2013 by Roberto Peromingo and his crew at LittleClip Producciones. Enjoy these and if you're good we'll throw some more on there eventually...and lastly, the answer is no, this will not be available for commercial release."
Afraid To Die - youtu.be/T9CgNVfgbAI / Eyes Of Love/Risk - youtu.be/z7KnMfvAgF8 / Shot In The Dark (Ozzy cover) - youtu.be/smE3gNdwoqQ.
SOMETHING COMING FOR CHICAGO FANS: Chicago have a brand new single available for download via their website store. Somethin' Comin', I Know can be downloaded in a variety of formats for $1.59.
From the band's site: "New Chicago! Choose from Apple Lossless, FLAC, MP3HD, AAC, or MP3! Includes liner notes from Robert Lamm, cover image, & lyrics. A new dawn of creativity has arrived for the band - download today!"
Go check it out at: chicago.spinshop.com and chicagotheband.us/profiles/blogs/somethin-comin-i-know-new-chicago-single.
INTERVIEW BRIEFS:
Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 04th August 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 5th August 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) features exclusive interviews with Vivian Campbell (Last In Line, Def Leppard), Heaven and Earth guitarist Stuart Smith, Pete Way (ex UFO, Waysted) and Jeff Givens, and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-vivian-campbell-heaven-earth-pete-way-and-jeff-givens-interviews/
In the first hour of the show, Last In Line / Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell discusses reconnecting with his musical legacy and contribution on the first three Dio albums, the real story behind for his departure from Dio in the mid 80s, and Last In Line's formation, long term plans and forthcoming UK tour dates. Also in part one, Heaven & Earth guitarist Stuart Smith talks about the band's new album "Dig", the formation of the band's permanent line-up, and the album's guest appearances from David Paich (Toto) and Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi).
Part two features the fourth and final interview in an ongoing series with legendary former UFO bassist Pete Way, in which Pete looks at the recent "UFO At The BBC" box set. This week, Pete looks at a live concert recording from 1982 and recounts the period in UFO's history during which this concert took place.
And finally, in an extended edition of the show's weekly Southern Rock Special, Jeff Givens, described as "a real-deal gypsy outlaw", discusses recording his first album "Bourbon Cowboy" after 30 years in the rock 'n' roll trenches. The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from ZZ Top, Iron Maiden, Giuntini (featuring Tony Martin), Black Sabbath, Dio, Accept, Tyr, Rory Gallagher, Thin Lizzy and Motorhead.
A new in-depth, career-spanning interview with Bryan Hicks, the narrator and storyteller of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Among the topics discussed was his acting background (appearing on The Sopranos and on Broadway, among other works), his introduction into TSO, how he approaches each year's narration to keep it fresh, his interaction with the other performers on stage, the challenges of taking on other character voices, the evolution of TSO and how he works with TSO creator Paul O'Neill: musicandartinterviews.blogspot.com/2013/07/bryan-hicks.html.
GURU GUITARIST ON TOUR WITH KIMBALL & TURNER:
The renowned Spanish guitarist David Palau, producer and alma mater of Güruwww.gururockband.com, known for his long career accompanying great artists, will be the guitarist for the upcoming Latin American tour of Bobby Kimball (Toto) and Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow / Deep Purple / Yngwie Malmsteen). Palau was chosen by music director Gabe Treiyer and the artists like guitarist invited to play the parts that once recorded stars like Lukather, Malmsteen, Blackmore.
The South American Tour will start in October in Chile, Bobby Kimball will record a new single in this tour.
Italian hard rockers Pavic are back in the studio working on their third record. The band teamed up with American producer Rick Beato, best known for his work with multi-platinum group Shinedown. With the new material the band is pushing forward once again, the songs are still melodic but with a modern, heavier edge. To be released in autumn 2013. www.pavictheband.com.
LITTLE RIVER BAND - OFFICIAL NEW ALBUM EPK: Little River Band new album "Cuts Like a Diamond" release dates are: August 23rd 2013 - Europe / Australia - August 27th 2013 North America. Little River Band: Wayne Nelson - bass / vocals; Rich Herring - guitars; Greg Hind - guitars; Chris Marion - keyboards; Ryan Ricks - drums. Don't forget to LIKE the Frontiers Records Facebook page: www.facebook.com/frontiersrecordsofficial.
JESSE DAMON'S TEMPTATION FOR MELODIC ROCK FANS: AOR Heaven's September 27 release is the new solo album from Silent Rage's singer and guitar player Jesse Damon. The album is called Temptation In The Garden Of Eve.
Southern California based rock musician Jesse Damon is rocking fans around the globe! The world renowned artist is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and is the front man for the popular melodic hard rock band Silent Rage. Silent Rage has released four critically acclaimed albums including the Simmons Records/ RCA Records release "Don't Touch Me There." Jesse Damon's story starts back in the glory days of the eighties. With his band Silent Rage, he's best known for his extraordinary lead vocals and stellar guitar work on the MTV hit video "Rebel with a Cause." During this time in his career, he formed a lifelong friendship with Gene Simmons of Kiss, even co-writing the song "Thou Shalt Not" from the Kiss album "Revenge" for which Jesse was presented a gold album award. The strength of the album and video led to the band opening for Black Sabbath on their North American tour.
Vocals and songwriting are his main strengths, along with his hard rocking guitar performances. Jesse's first three solo albums are a mix of well crafted melodic rock songs and intense ballads. The musical pathway of Jesse Damon's life has been influenced by some of the biggest artists in rock music including Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Foreigner, Y&T and Whitesnake, just to name a few.
Jesse returns in 2013 to deliver a brand new album called Temptation in the Garden of Eve. The CD will feature 11 brand new tracks laden with huge hooks and unforgettable choruses, all co-written by Jesse and acclaimed AOR melodic rocker Paul Sabu who also produced the album. The studio band features backing vocals by Paul Sabu, who also doubles as bass player on the release, along with musicians Eric Ragno on keyboards, and Pete Newdeck of Eden's Curse on drums and backing vocals. Jesse has once again delivered big on all the new songs, adding to the legacy of his works.
To this day, Jesse is still on fire for his music and has a large and ever growing fan base, making "Temptation in The Garden of Eve" a highly anticipated release all around the world…
Tracklist: 01.Garden Of Eve 02.Black Widow 03.Save The World 04.I Need You Forever 05.Save Me 06.A Chance For Us 07.Let It Rock 08.Angel In The Starlight 09.Hold On 10.Little Angel 11.Wishing Well.
Sound clips in advance: Black Widow / Garden Of Eve / I Need You Forever.
Lineup: Jesse Damon – Vocals, Guitars; Paul Sabu – Bass; Eric Ragno – Keyboards; Pete Newdeck - Drums.
WebLinks: www.jessedamon.com / www.metalheaven.net.
xx
IOANNIS AT THE YES FESTIVAL: Ioannis checks in from his studio: "Hello to all I will be attending the Yes Festival this Saturday August 3rd, Susesquehanna Bank Center at Camden New Jersey. I will be with my good friend Denny Somach at The Classic Rock Society media Tent, There will be artwork displayed and prints for sale, If you're attending please stop by love to see you and I would love to sign any art you may have, especially my Uriah Heep fans. See you there…cheers Ioannis"
UFO TO RETURN TO NORTH AMERICA THIS FALL:
British Hard Rock legends UFO have confirmed that they will be returning to North America this Fall. The tour kicks off October 10 in Poughkeepsie, NY and is currently scheduled to wrap up October 22 in Dallas, TX. More dates are expected to be announced shortly.
True rock legends such as UFO are characterized not only by the fact that they have added several classic anthems to the annals of rock history, but that their musical output, after many years, still remains at such a consistently high level and they always have something new and fresh coming up. With classic albums such as "Phenomenon", "Force it" and "No Heavy Pettin", Phil Mogg, Vinnie Moore, Andy Parker and Paul Raymond still sound vital and imaginative to this day.
UFO's latest studio album Seven Deadly is available for purchase on Amazon and iTunes. Seven Deadly is an atmospherically dense fabric consisting of classy guitars, tight rock grooves and vocals, which are unique to UFO.
UFO on Tour:
10/10: Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance
10/11: Toronto, ON @ The Rock Pile (West)
10/12: Toronto, ON @ The Rock Pile (East)
10/14: Fall River, MA @ Narrows Center
10/15: New York, NY @ Stage 48
10/16: Sellersville, PA @ Sellersville Theater
10/17: Akron, OH @ Tangiers
10/19: St. Charles, IL @ Arcada Theater
10/22: Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
For More Info Please Visit: www.ufo-music.info / www.spv.de.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH DUG PINNICK, DOUG ALDRICH AND VICTORIUS: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 28th July 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 29th July 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) features exclusive interviews King's X frontman Dug Pinnick, Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Burning Rain), Pete Way (ex UFO, Waysted) and German Power Metallers Victorius, and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-dug-pinnick-doug-aldrich-pete-way-victorius-interviews/
In the first hour of the show, King's X frontman Dug Pinnick discusses his new solo album "Naked", and talks about potential tour plans to support the release. Dug also chooses two tracks from "Naked", and gives an update on the second Pinnick Gales Pridgen album and other projects he's working on.
Also in part one, Whitesnake guitarist Doug Aldrich talks about "Epic Obsession", the new album from his side project Burning Rain, and the recent reissues of the band's first two albums.
Part two features the third in an ongoing series of interviews with legendary former UFO bassist Pete Way, in which Pete looks at the recent "UFO At The BBC" box set. This week, Pete looks at a live concert recording from 1980 and tells the story behind the song "Cherry".
And finally, guitarist Dirk Scharsich of rising German Power Metal outfit Victorius spills the beans on the band's new album "The Awakening", produced by Freedom Call guitarist Lars Rettkovitz.
The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from ZZ Top, Dio, Tarja, Edenbridge, Anthrax, Ken Hensley, 42 Decibel, Newman, Robert Hart and Thin Lizzy.
REVIEWS UPDATED: New Reviews are online today for - James Christian, Bret Michaels, Indicco, Pat Travers Band, John Waite (Live) and Bombay Black. More reviews to follow next week... Read The Reviews Now.
MRX UPDATED:
The following new features are online for this week's MRX update:
- Skid Row - Live, Toronto, Canada - 1989
- Cinderella - Live, NJ - 1985
- Foreigner - Westwood One Live, 1989
- Badlands - Studio Demos 1987 (4 Tracks) MRX Membership Details.
Thursday, August 01, 2013
MELODIC ROCK FEST 3 - RAFFLE WINNERS - COMPLETE LIST:
Once again a huge congratulations to our two MelodicRockFest 3 Trip Winners -
Pablo Pereira of Sao Paulo, Brazil - who wins the international draw and will now be flown from Sao Paulo to Chicago for the event, along with Green Room VIP passes and accommodation!
and
Derek Lurtsemaaz from Arizona - who wins the North American prize which includes the same deal plus a guitar signed by Stuart Smith and Joe Retta of Heaven And Earth.
Funny thing - Derek's birthday is on the Sunday of the event, so he will be celebrating in style, but not only that - Pablo's birthday was yesterday, when he received what he described as the best birthday present ever! That was awesome to hear.
There is now the subject of the secondary prize draws, which have taken place - the winners are below (and yes, apparently all 5 AOR fans in South Australia entered the raffle!)
All winners will notified via email ASAP.
5 "signed" H&E Dig CD's
Michael Bates, West Haddon, UK
Mike Bloeser, Arkansas, USA
Adam Bellifemini, South Australia
Holger Schadt, Germany
Markus Emmerich, Finland
10 regular H&E Dig CD's
Shaun Borgas, South Australia
Peter Savin, AR, USA
Michael Boecher, Lahnau, Germany
Jody Serner, Alberta, Canada
Bodo Fink, Grebenau, Germany
David Cottrell, AK, USA
Peter Haworth, Wiltshire UK
Scott Petrie, Queensland, Australia
Debra Scheffler, OH, USA
Chris Stuvek, WA, USA
3 H&E Dig LP's
Dean Buckley, South Wales, UK
Nolan Funk, BC, Canada
David Lock, East Susses, UK
5 H&E Men's Shirts
Thomas Knight, GA, USA
Peter Lanyon, South Australia
Rick Whitaker, IA, USA
John Hurrell, Lincolnshire, UK
Michael Green, NJ, USA
5 H&E Women's Tank Tops
Holly Reusser, OH, USA
Kirsten Brix, Denmark
Jenny Niceley, CA, USA
Julie Barela Mills, AZ, USA
Susan Shuya, BC, Canada
10 H&E Medallions
Phillip Introna, South Australia
Edward Robeson, NC, USA
Greg Manca, Alberta, Canada
Miguel Muniz, PR 00685
Michael Blakely, GA, USA
Blair Linthorne, Newfoundland, Canada
Seth Tunick, CA, USA
Darren Moorhouse, UK
Denver Gavan, IN, USA
Mikael Roenn, Sweden
MRCD11 - ARTWORK CONTEST!:
Work on the audio portion of MRCD11 is nearly done. The latest MelodicRock.com compilation release will be released just in time for MelodicRockFest on September 27 and shipped out to those that pre-order just prior. Full details will be announced shortly. This time around I'd like to invite any inspiring graphic artists out there to submit a cover design for the new compilation. The cover must incorporate the new MR Logo (available by saving the graphic below), but is otherwise an open canvas for someone to run with.
The competition winner will have their cover art design used on the official release and receive copies of the completed CD and of course the added benefit of publicity via the release to further their career.
Any questions or designs - submit via: ajm@melodicrock.com.
THE WINERY DOGS' SELF-TITLED ALBUM DEBUTS AT #5 ON "TOP ROCK ALBUMS" #27 ON "TOP 200 ALBUMS" CHART :
July 31, 2013 –The Winery Dogs (@TheWineryDogs) is sending a huge thank you to their loyal fans in North America for giving their critically-acclaimed self-titled debut album a strong debut on the Billboard charts. Not only did it explode onto the "Top Rock Chart" at #5, it also opens on the "Top 200 Albums" chart at #27.
The power trio--Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Avenged Sevenfold), Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big) and Richie Kotzen (Mr. Big, Poison)self-produced The Winery Dogs, which was released July 23 on Loud & Proud Records. The album has been hailed as "...one of the most intriguing releases of the year" by Loudwire.com, and in a recent reader's poll on Revolver magazine's website, fans called it their "Album of the Week."
Success hasn't been limited to the U.S. shores. The Winery Dogs recently kicked off their first-ever tour in Japan and South America to sold-out crowds wherever they played. After one more stop in Buenos Aires on August 1, they'll head home for their first U.S. shows, starting August 3 in New York City at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill. While they're in town, The Winery Dogs will appear on "The Artie Lange Show," which will air Monday, August 5 at 10pm ET on DirectTV and is streamed live on the show's website. On Tuesday, August 6 at 7pm, the band will take part in an in-store signing session at Vintage Vinyl in Fords, NJ. For more information, visit www.vvinyl.com.
Once the first leg of their U.S. trek concludes on August 8, Portnoy, Sheehan and Kotzen will take a much-deserved break before heading back overseas for their first shows in Europe throughout most of September, which will include stops in England, Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal. The U.S. tour will start up again on October 3 in Agoura Hills, CA at the Canyon Club.
Meanwhile, The Winery Dogs will guest on the nationally syndicated radio show, "Rockline," with host Bob Coburn on Wednesday, August 14 at 8:30pm PT/11:30pm ET. Fans are encouraged to speak with the band that night by calling 1-800-344-ROCK (7625). The show will be streamed on Rocklineradio.com for two weeks beginning the afternoon after the live broadcast.
YES FEST UPDATED DETAILS:
The iconic and Grammy-winning rock band Yes have announced the set times for their first-ever Yestival, taking place this Saturday, August 3 at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ. A day-into-night musical adventure in full quadraphonic sound, Yestival will feature a full YES set as well as performances by The Musical Box, Renaissance featuring Anne Haslam, Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy, up-and-coming progressive rock band Scale The Summit, and Volto!, a new band featuring Tool drummer Danny Carey plus a second stage of all-day entertainment with performances and a special appearance by The School Of Rock.
Starting at $35, tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Susquehanna Bank Center Box Office, Live Nation Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets or by-phone at 800-745-3000. Yestival is presented by Live Nation.
Set times:
Volto! 3:45 - 4:35
Carl Palmer 5:00 - 5:50
Renaissance 6:15 - 7:15
The Musical Box 7:45 - 8:45
YES 9:15 - 11:00
Also, iconic cover album artist Roger Dean has revealed new artwork created just for the festival (above). The British artist--who has created many of the memorable YES album covers since 1971, as well as his work with other like-minded artists--will be at Yestival where there will be a showing of his art; it's a rare opportunity to view and purchase original paintings, sketches, limited edition prints and collective memorabilia. There will also be a vendor village featuring the artwork of both Carl Palmer and Annie Haslam.
In addition, there will be the CRSA/Classic Rock Society of America multi-media booth, where concertgoers: can take photos in front of the official Yestival backdrop, watch rare interviews and performance on video screens, view Prog Rock album art and signed lithographs, live tweet their friends, receive a collectible Yestival guitar pick and much more. Yes--bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White, keyboardist Geoff Downes and singer Jon Davison--has been enjoying a successful 2013, with a world tour marking the first time since 1973 that the band has performed any album onstage in their entirety. At Yestival, the multi-platinum progressive rock titans will perform their classic albums--1971's The Yes Album and 1972's Close To The Edge--in their entirety and more. Go to www.yesworld.com for the latest tour dates and ticket links. For tickets to Yestival go to www.ticketmaster.com. Travel Packages, provided by CID Entertainment have sold out. The lucky fans who purchased them will receive hotel accommodations, shuttle transportation, VIP tickets with premium seating and more!
In other news, British band Sound Of Contact have been forced to cancel a number of live shows due to visa issues at the U.S. embassy in London.
WebLinks: yesworld.com / facebook.com/yestheband / twitter.com/yesofficial.
UNRELEASED RARE RECORDINGS OF GUITAR LEGEND TOMMY BOLIN TO BE RELEASED:
Los Angeles, CA – A spectacular collection of rare and unreleased recordings from famed guitarist of Deep Purple, James Gang and the Billy Cobham band, Tommy Bolin will be released on August 13 by Purple Pyramid Records. 'Whirlwind', produced by Greg Hampton and Johnnie Bolin, features rare material from Bolin's jazz-rock band Energy, an epic 26-minute version of "Marching Powder" (here called "Marching Bag") from his first solo album 'Teaser', as well as songs Tommy was preparing for his third solo album before his untimely death in 1976.
Tommy Bolin 'Whirlwind' will be released in both a beautiful 8-panel, 2-CD digipak and a 2-LP gatefold vinyl set. For the ultimate collector, Purple Pyramid Records will be releasing a special limited (1000 only) deluxe box edition of this exciting collection, which includes the 2-CD digipak plus 4 color postcards, a Tommy Bolin signature guitar pick, collectable patch and pin!
Says producer Greg Hampton, "Tommy's music was way ahead of its time. He's one of the truly greatest guitarists to ever live, and he left an incredible legacy that will continue to influence and inspire musicians forever. The tracks on 'Whirlwind' are remarkable because they give you a glimpse into the amazing diversity Tommy was capable of."
Check out the promotional video featuring rare footage of Tommy Bolin tearing up the stage: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp-O9n72LWo.
To purchase Tommy Bolin 'Whirlwind': Deluxe edition: www.amazon.com/Whirlwind-Deluxe-Edition-Tommy-Bolin/dp/B00D3ZJGGS / 2-CD set: www.amazon.com/Whirlwind-2Cd-Edition-Tommy-Bolin/dp/B00D3ZJCBW / 2-LP set: www.amazon.com/Whirlwind-Tommy-Bolin/dp/B00D3ZJEPG / iTunes: georiot.co/3l2.
THE PICTURES SAY IT ALL:
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Wednesday, July 31, 2013
PLACE VENDOME'S THUNDER IN NOVEMBER: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce that the new Place Vendome album is close to completion. The title of this new recording will be Thunder In The Distance and like all the previous releases, sees singer Michael Kiske (former Helloween) singing on tracks produced and mixed by Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69) which were written especially for the album by different writers including: Magnus Karlsson (Primal Fear), Timo Tolkki (ex Stratovarius), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline), Tommy Denander (Radioactive), Sören Kronqvist (Sunstorm, Issa), Andrea Cantarelli (Labyrinth, A Perfect Day) and Brett Jones under the supervision of executive producer Serafino Perugino.
Some of the new song titles include "My Heart Is Dying"; "Fragile Ground"; "Break Out"; "Maybe Tomorrow"; "Power of Music"; "Lost in Paradise"; "Hold Your Love"; "It Can' Rain Forever" and the title track, among others. Stylewise it will be the logical prosecution of where the previous album "Streets of Fire" left off with highly melodic rock anthems, some amazing power ballads and some interesting twist.
Frontiers plans the worldwide release of the album in early November - more details to be released shortly.
INDUSTRY TALK:
A couple of interesting industry related topics today - the first a post from Cinderella's Tom Keifer (via Facebook) and the second being a report on movements here in Australia by the Australian Independent Record Labels Association. Read on:
Tom Keifer: "I feel the fractional performance royalty is just one of the issues with the pillaging of our intellectual creations by an outlet such as Spotify. I hear a lot of emphasis placed on Spotify's unfair royalties but not enough attention is being drawn to how this new business model threatens the development of new talent and possibly the art itself. The impact on sales by the new business model Spotify has created, redirects and decreases revenue that would normally flow back through the system at record and publishing companies to help fund and create an environment to develop new talent.
I was very fortunate that the start of my career was at a time when artists were compensated fairly for their music and record companies stayed with and were committed to developing their talents. Over the years, I have witnessed the impact of the "Give the music away" mentality that continues to drive our industry into the ground. Some argue the benefits of the exposure outweigh the negatives. In my opinion, that trade off, only makes way for and allows the outright piracy that has been so destructive.
I made the decision to record and produce my current record independently of a label, with the idea being to shop a finished record. I couldn't stand the thought of the music being compromised in any way by the state of artist development or the recording budgets of today. I was essentially right back in the shoes of being a new artist but it was a very different time. I experienced and know first hand many of the challenges of this new world that we are in. That experience, along with the unfair performance royalty, is why I made the decision to not allow "The Way Life Goes" on Spotify. I do not wish to contribute further to the damage being done to our industry.
I have stood in two very different sets of shoes over my career that have given me the unique opportunity to witness the decline first hand. What saddens me most is the thought of what a young artist trying to make a start today is up against. We should all be thinking about what kind of environment we are creating for new up and coming artists and songwriters. The first round of piracy that hit the recording industry hard was illegal downloading. We were all caught off guard and didn't have much of a choice on that one. Make no mistake, round two is models such as Spotify that are being created. We have a choice this time. We need to stop digging the hole. Recording artists, songwriters, record companies, music publishers and most importantly the lovers of music and true art, HAVE to draw the line so upcoming generations will continue to experience the gift that has been ours.
From: www.news.com.au/technology
"The Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) has slammed Parliament's recommendation that it implement a law allowing consumers to resell their digital music collections and ebooks. Yesterday Federal Parliament finally released the findings of its year long IT Pricing Inquiry. (The details of the 150-page-report can be found here). One of the recommendations it made was for "the government (to) establish a legally protected right of resale for digital content".
But the industry body that represents record labels in Australia believes the proposal "undermines the ability for creators to control their own rights and is completely impracticable and unmanageable".
"At this point AIR is absolutely against it," Nick O'Byrne General Manager of AIR told news.com.au.
According to AIR up to 50 per cent of all music sales are made online. The organisation argues that given computer files such as mp3's don't depreciate over time, the reseller would be selling a brand-new product for second-hand prices, creating a secondary market that would undercut the original creators of the music. "Any resale scheme is unlikely to include provisions for the payment of royalties to the rights holders, even if it did I can't imagine how it would be enforced," said Mr Byrne. "Given that there are an increasing number of industry endorsed platforms for consuming music (Spotify, YouTube, Rdio, iTunes, Bandcamp) which cost very little, I don't see how a resale market for digital music would be attractive for consumers."
SINGLE RELEASE JOHN WAITE IF YOU EVER GET LONELY:
Press Release: "Today on July the 30, John Waite has released on iTunes the remastered single If You Ever Get Lonely. This is an sparkling cristal clear touching ballad which is voiced By John Waite with an uncomparable quality. The Voice has once again shown his capacity next to none. A song that one must hear (again and again). You can download If You Ever Get Lonely on iTunes or go to johnwaitethesinger.com or johnwaite.nl/pages/177245/NEWS_2013.html.
John Waite on Rockline Radio:
Special message from John: "I will be the featured guest on the nationally syndicated radio show Rockline with host Bob Coburn on Wednesday July 31, 2013 at 8:30pm PT / 11:30pm ET. You can call to in toll free at 1-800-344-ROCK (7625) to ask questions. For a station near you and for information regarding how to log onto the Internet for the broadcast go to www.RocklineRadio.com. The show will be streamed on the Rockline Radiowebsite for two weeks beginning the evening after the broadcast."
BOSTON'S TOM SCHOLZ LOOKS BACK ON THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF DON'T LOOK BACK:
North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands goes behind the curtain with the wizard of rock, Tom Scholz, for the 35th anniversary of Boston's second smash album Don't Look Back. Boston's self-titled debut album had blown up two years prior, becoming the # 1 selling debut album of all-time and keeping that title for more than three decades. The pressure to deliver again was monumental, and exactly two years to the month (August '78) Boston released Don't Look Back which would sell over 4 million records in just the first month of release and produce hits, "Don't Look Back", "A Man I'll Never Be" and "Feelin' Satisfied". Shortly after the success of their second album, Boston's Tom Scholz found himself at the beginning of a long and protracted "David vs. Goliath" legal battle with his record label Epic Records, which Scholz would eventually win seven years later. Tom describes some of the harrowing details of that ordeal to InTheStudio host Redbeard. "To get into the position of controlling these major labels... these people are smart and ruthless; have clawed their way and destroyed the competition until they got to the top. You're not talking about a real sweet bunch of guys...A lot of people thought I was really stupid for not just kissing butt and going along with it, but I unfortunately can't help it. I'm really rebellious by nature, and as soon as somebody does something to me that I think is wrong, I will not let it go. I just keep going with it until I'm satisfied with the result, or I have nothing left to fight with."
Boston 'Don't Look Back'/ InTheStudio interview is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/boston-dont-35th-anniversary-tom-scholz/
COMING UP IN JAPAN:
A couple of upcoming Japanese releases coming up -
H.E.A.T. - Address The Nation (Tour Edition) / Due out in Japan September 18 - Japanese original album release from H.E.A.T includes two discs. One is the album "Address The Nation" featuring the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD player), and the other is a bonus CD featuring two songs and an unreleased version not included in the album, plus two live tracks.
TNT - 30th Anniversary Live DVD (Title to be announced) - Live DVD from TNT features the band's 30th anniversary concert held on June 2, 2012. Also contains documentary and more (subject to change). *Advanced Japanese release (Rest of the world pending...).
Pre-order either title from CD Japan.
FIREWIND TO HIT AUSTRALIA: Metropolis Touring and Tombowler Proudly Present For the very first time on Australian shores, The Greek Power Metal Mastes Gus G's Firewind.
"Gus G's Firewind always put on a balls-out and exciting show, and with the girls drooling over the dashing Greeks and the guys drooling over Gus G's flashing fingers, it's a good combo!" ~ Metal-Rules.com.
Keep your heads high and don't go falling to pieces, Greek power metallers Gus G's Firewind are hitting Australia for the very first time in October / November to unleash some of the finest European power metal known to man!
Known by many as the guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and by his tenures in Dream Evil, Nightrage and as a touring player with Arch Enemy, Gus G and his Firewind crew have always kept the power metal flame alive with an arsenal of memorable and catchy tunes topped off with mind bending fretwork and solos that command instantaneous air guitar and dropping jaws from all who witness it.
In their 15 year existence, Gus G's Firewind have turned out seven studio albums with their latest being Few Against Many (Century Media / EMI), a live DVD called Live Premonition and their newest release, a live album entitled Apotheosis - Live 2012, so there will be no shortage of Gus G's Firewind's unique brand of power metal on offer for all in attendance!
Renowned as a high octane live act and having toured Europe, the United States and everywhere in between over the years, Australians have waited and waited patiently wondering when it was going to be their turn to see the mighty Gus G's Firewind live. Well, the wait is over! Gus G's Firewind are finally making their long awaited pilgrimage down under to deliver their power metal stylings to their proud and dedicated legions of Australian fans!
Tour Dates: October/November 2013
Thursday 31st Sydney – Manning Bar
Friday 1st Brisbane – HiFi
Saturday 2nd Adelaide – Fowlers Live
Sunday 3rd Melbourne – Corner Hotel
ARC ANGEL "HARLEQUINS OF LIGHT" (OFFICIAL VIDEO): Arc Angel "Harlequins of Light" is taken from the album "Harlequins of Light" out on Frontiers Records. Release dates: EU: August 23rd / NA: August 27th.
MRF3 RAFFLE - RESULT PENDING!:
I have gone through all the MRF3 Raffle entries and cut and pasted them into some forms and have sent them all to Stuart Smith in LA today to sometime ASAP record a video of the 2 main draw winners. If you entered multiple times, then multiple names were pasted into the forms etc...
Stu will be filming a video of the draw hopefully tomorrow (late Tuesday USA time) - stand by for an update!
Axel Rudi Pell stated recently: "Bobby Rondinelli, our new man behind the drums, did an awesome job and we´re sure you´ll like it a lot ! We will continue with the recordings this week. The new album Into The Storm will be released on January 17th 2014 in Germany, January 20th in Europe and end of January in the USA/Canada through SPV/Steamhammer. Stay tuned for more info!"
WebLinks: www.axel-rudi-pell.de / www.spv.de.
MORE PROMO FOR HOUSTON SOPHOMORE RELEASE:
Swedish AOR outfit Houston have posted two behind-the-scenes video's making of Houston's forthcoming full length-album, II, the video's "Day 1 – The Photos" and "Day 2 – Drums" can be viewed here. Day 1 - The Photos: youtu.be/u-MmOzh8oqA / Day 2 - Drums: youtu.be/zcAI9MMwLlo.
The Swedish Melodic Rock dynamites, Houston talk exclusively to BeRock Radio for their new album that will be released on September! Steve Xanthis: The band is going to release a new album, on September 2nd in Europe/USA through Livewire/Cargo Records. How did the preparations of the new album go? Did anything amusing/surprising/horrifying happened? Which were the difficulties and who were the people that helped you with them? Ricky: No, it was smooth sailing all the way through. Me and Freddie always have such great flow in writing the material so that worked out beautifully again. We added some new players and singers for this one which also turned out very nice. The deadline was pretty narrow but aren't they always? We also got a great boost about half-way through when we learned that a track from the previous CD was gonna receive lots of attention before too long, through a movie on the internet.
Full Interview Link: minizine.berock-radio.com/html/interviews/pages013/houston/houston.html?tag=result;title;0#.UfawuKzcNW4.
CORNERSTONE AT ELEVEN UK-RADIO STATIONS:
On Wednesday 07/31, Cornerstone is going to start their sixth England-tour, and it seems, that this one will be pretty successful. Apart from their performance at the Cambridge Rock Fest (together with The Animals, Magnum, Hazel O'Connor a. o.) the band is very active on the English radio at the moment. The band will be on a visit to BBC Radio Lincolnshire, STAR.FM (Interview with the radio legend Neil Jones, who talked to Duff McKagan/Guns n Roses on the same show), BBC Cambridgeshire will be introducing the band in a feature, etc. etc. etc. … soon you can listen to most of the interviews again in the press-area of the bands website!
Please visit this link for further information: www.cornerstone.co.at/content.php?id=21.
SIDEBURN HIT SOUNDTRACK:
After having their song "Knockin' at the wrong door" used last year on the Red band trailer of the movie "Hit & run", the song "Six feet under", recorded by the swiss rockers Sideburn in 2008, has been chosen by 20th Century Fox to be placed on the sound track of the blockbuster of the summer: "The Wolverine". www.soundtrack.net/movie/the-wolverine.
2010 - 20th Century Fox: 24 (with Kiefer Sutherland) - Season 8 - Episode 8 - song ''Six Feet Under''
2012 - Open Road Films: Trailer of the movie ''Hit & Run'' (with Bradley Cooper) - song "Knockin at the wrong door''
2013 - 20th Century Fox: ''The Wolverine'' release 26th of July - (with Hugh Jackmann) - song '' Six Feet Under''
At the end of October, the band will release their new album "Electrify", which will be mixed by Beau Hill and released by the German label Metal Heaven.
WebLink: www.sideburn.ch.
JOE HOLMES SETS UP YOUTUBE CHANNEL:
July 29, 2013 - Former Ozzy Osbourne and David Lee Roth guitarist Joe Holmes has set up a YouTube channel for Farmikos, his new band with vocalist Robbie Locke (ex-Laidlaw). The inaugural video, which can be viewed at this location www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UKpQmkC6uk, shows Joe cutting guitar tracks for the song "Exit Stencils" at the Mouse House in Pasadena, CA.
States Holmes: "We are still in serious writing and recording mode and Robbie is scheduled to be back out here in L.A. to finish up vocals. In the meantime, we thought it would be a great idea to give people a window into what we're doing in the studio. We'll be uploading more footage over the coming weeks leading up to our first release."
Two other Farmikos songs, "Scapegoat" and "The Sound Of My Gun", are currently streaming on the band's official website at www.farmikos.com. Farmikos online: www.farmikos.com / www.facebook.com/pages/FARMIKOS/148649605284041.
MOUNTAIN LEGEND & THE PERFECT CHILD PERFORM MUSIC FROM THE ROCK OPERA:
London, UK - Mountain meets bioethics! Legendary Mountain drummer Corky Laing teams up with two internationally acclaimed philosophers (Prof. Matti Häyry and Dr. Tuija Takala) in this joint effort that brings together '70s style music and contemporary moral problems of gene technology.
'Playing God' is a concept album. 'Playing God' is a musical metaphor for today's attempt to attain perfection.
Musically the album covers many feels and approaches from soft ballads to riff-driven guitar rock, from meditative instrumentals to operatic melody lines. At its core, the guitar-bass-drums combo is complemented with powerful singing. While Corky Laing, the drummer, is known - and his forceful, innovative and mesmerizing drumming features heavily on the album - 'Playing God' also introduces Corky Laing, the singer. There is such strength and depth to his voice that one can only wonder why the world has not, prior to this, known him as the lead singer he is. The main female leads are sang by Maya Paakkari (an entrancing raspy voice from Finland), Bonnie Parker (a wide-ranging singer from the band Tang), and Denny Colt (another voice of power and attitude from Tang). The album also features Eric Schenkman (from Spin Doctors) on guitar. 'Playing God' was recorded and produced in Finland and further benefits from the local talent of Finnish musicians, singers, and sound engineers.
While 'Playing God' is a rock album, it is also a soundtrack to a rock opera. It takes the listener to tomorrow's world by introducing the small town of Happyville, where the people have enjoyed the benefits of genetic engineering for years without any thought. There's a man who sells science and parents seeking to perfect their children, there are difficult choices and the need to find someone to blame when things don't go to plan. The choices these people are making are not new, it is just that the tools available are more sophisticated. 'Playing God' is a study of the human condition. The themes of the rock opera are based on theoretical research, but the practical questions it poses are relevant to us all.
'Playing God' is something new. It represents a crossover between academic research and rock. The ethical and philosophical questions raised by modern biotechnologies are made accessible by using rock music as a medium. On the surface, the storylines are easy to follow, but they also lend themselves to deep philosophical questions about the future of humanity.
Just enjoy the music - or allow yourself to be taken on a journey into your own moral convictions. In both cases, you will find something new amidst the familiar.
WebLink: www.facebook.com/playinggodrocks. 'Playing God' CD is available at: www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/search/product_details/15579/Corky_Laing_and_the_Perfect_Child-Playing_God.html.
Monday, July 29, 2013
MELODIC ROCKERS HITTING THE ROAD:
UK's Rage Of Angels are hitting the road in support of their debut album. The line-up will be as follows: Ged Rylands (Tyketto/Ten) Guitar; Danny Vaughn (Tyketto) Vocals; Al Barrow (Magnum) Bass; Neil Fraser (Ten) Lead Guitar; Paul Hodson (Ten) Keyboards; Joao Colaco (Scar For Life) Drums;
Special Guest vocalist at all shows - David Reed Watson; Special Guest at Skyfest - Robert Hart (Bad Company/Manfred Mann). Tour poster below next to Ted Poley's tour dates.
Support comes from fellow melodic rockers Lover Under Cover.
From the other side of the pond Ted Poley sent me this update for his upcoming US tour. First some personal words I really figured would be worth including: "We have a huge awesome tour bus that we will be living on, and we will be banging out approx 24 shows in 25 days, rocking it "old school" every night-basically the whole month of August, starting August 2nd in Las Vegas and moving around the country....eventually heading out east after one show in Canada (my first Canadian show in 25 years!)"
And then this: "I am really looking forward to this tour! Although I have been flying around the world as a solo artist for many years, this will be my first ever solo USA National Tour. I cant wait to say hello to all of my friends in the USA!! I will be coming to town with my friends Enuff Z nuff and Bang Tango and all of us are really pumped to bring the Party to you. It should be interesting to tour the country in a tour bus. The last time I slept on a bus, on tour with D2, there was no such thing as the internet, or cellphones, or even DVDs! Technology has come such a long way but would you believe they STILL haven't figured out a way for a Rocker to take a dump on a tour bus? Singing 24 shows in a row should be the biggest challenge of my life, but I think the real challenge is gonna be "holdin' it in" across America. See you all in August! We're gonna party like its 1989! (sung to the tune of Prince's '1999').
BTW - Danger Danger is still going as strong as ever and will be ramping up the activity next year as part of our 25th Anniversary celebration."
And Ted Poley will round out his touring activities with a killer performance at MelodicRockFest 3 in Chicago September 29. The US Tour Poster is below:
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THUNDER DOCUMENT DONINGTON HISTORY: Thunder are pleased to confirm 23/09/2013 sees the release of Live At Donington a three disc set of their acclaimed Donington appearances which includes an exclusive signed album artwork print by Danny and & Luke for the first 500 pre-orders. This 2CD and DVD set brings together the band's two appearances at the legendary Monsters Of Rock Festival, Donington (now the site of Download festival). The DVD is region free so will play anywhere in the world.
The band's 1990 and 1992 sets are presented across discs 1 and 2, whilst the DVD shows the band at their electric best during the 1990 appearance – including 3 previously unreleased video tracks which until recently were believed to have been lost!
The liner notes are by Classic Rock's Dave Ling based on a new interview with Danny and Luke. To order your copy click here - thunder.tmstor.es/cart/product.php?id=16036.
WebLinks: www.thunderonline.com / www.thunderonline-shop.co.uk.
STRIKEFORCE HEADING EAST:
Hard rockers Strikeforce recently opened for Head East on tour at the southern Iowa fair in Askaloosa, Iowa! Here's lead guitarist Duke Jackson of (Strikeforce, Herman Ze German) onstage playing lead guitar with Headeast on the classic hit "getting lucky". Both Headeast and Strikeforce have toured together many times throughout the years! Dan Ginn, original Strikeforce drummer will be joining Strikeforce for more tour dates and the new CD being recorded this fall with producer Jason Mcentire!
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STEVE BALBI'S BLACK RAINBOW BECKONS:
It's been a long time coming, but virtuoso musician, songwriter and performer Steve Balbi, will release his debut solo album, Black Rainbow, on Friday 13th September. He'll then take the album on the road in October, touring with the Baby Animals to Newcastle, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Geelong, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Balbi, the former bass guitarist for Noiseworks, Electric Hippies and Rose Tattoo has created a rock album that reflects on where he's come from and where he's going. A remarkable story that comes with being the familiar face of one of Australia's biggest bands of the late '80s and early '90s, and living the rock 'n' roll dream. "Adversity can be the greatest teacher, as long as you don't give up. In a way what this record is doing, it's summarising my past and bringing me right up until now, so I can move on in a forward direction. Black Rainbow has an overarching sense of optimism tinged with a hint of darkness, much like my journey in life so far," said Balbi.
Black Rainbow carries a handful of songs written in recent years with Balbi's former band, Move Trees. There's also a reworked version of Touch, a top 5 hit for Noiseworks back in 1988. The album is self-produced, and Balbi has released it via the independent route, with Social Family Records. After playing bass in Rose Tattoo, Balbi formed hit-making Australian rock band Noiseworks in the mid-eighties. Noiseworks released their self-titled debut album in 1987, becoming an instant success. The album sold more than 200,000 copies and went triple platinum in Australia. Following four Top 10 albums, Balbi left the group with fellow Noiseworks bandmate Justin Stanley in 1993 to form the Electric Hippies. Other collaborations followed, but the enigmatic entertainer with a killer rock voice is now standing tall in his own right, without the safety net of a band behind him. "Fear of standing alone, fear of failure always held me back from going it alone. If a band didn't work, or didn't make a good recording, there were always other elements to blame. This record and what I do now, it's all down to me. I've learned that the real joy I get these days is from taking risks." Balbi will tour the new album as special guest on the Baby Animals forthcoming "Feed The Birds" tour, beginning in Newcastle on Saturday 12th October. Tickets are now on sale from various outlets listed below.
Black Rainbow is out Friday September 13.
Tickets for the "Feed The Birds" tour, exclusive fan bundles and copies of This Is Not The End and Feed the Birds (Live) are available from www.thebabyanimals.com. This Is Not The End is also available now from iTunes.
Baby Animals "Feed The Birds" Tour With Steve Balbi
Saturday, 12 October Cambridge Hotel Newcastle bigtix.com.au
Friday, 18 October The Zoo Brisbane oztix.com.au
Saturday, 19 October The Zoo Brisbane oztix.com.au
Thursday, 24 October Governor Hindmarsh Adelaide moshtix.com.au
Saturday, 26 October ANU Bar Canberra ticketek.com.au
Wednesday, 30 October The Wool Exchange Geelong oztix.com.au
Thursday, 31 October The Corner Hotel Melbourne cornerhotel.com
Saturday, 2 November Astor Theatre Perth showticketing.com.au
Saturday, 9 November Metro Theatre Sydney metrotheatre.com.au
WebLinks: www.stevebalbi.com / www.facebook.com/stevebalbiofficial.
HARD ROCK REBELS – TALKING WITH ROCK STARS BY NEIL DANIELS: Hard Rock Rebels – Talking With Rock Stars is a bumper sized collection of dozens of interviews author Neil Daniels has conducted over a decade's worth of rock writing. This 400+ page book features interviews with current and former members of Iron Maiden, Guns N' Roses, Foreigner, Journey, Europe, Saxon, Judas Priest, Thunder, Slade, The Darkness, Scorpions, Queensrÿche and Mötley Crüe, amongst others.
Hard Rock Rebels was previously published as Rock 'N' Roll Mercenaries Volumes I & II (both out of print) and contains bonus material.
"UK classic rock expert Neil Daniels has been quickly, methodically making a name for himself as one of the most prolific and academic of rock biog penners…" –Martin Popoff, Author
"Daniels really gets under the skin of the rock 'n' roll industry…" –Joel McIver, Author
"…this man obviously takes his rock 'n' roll very seriously!" – Greg Prato, Author
"Neil Daniels is a rock and roll warrior who writes from the heart. He is one of the few and mighty who are daring to keep music that matters in the limelight!" –Jeb Wright, Classic Rock Revisited
"[Daniels gives] an insight into the minds of some of rock 'n' roll's greatest characters…" –Malcolm Dome, Total Rock Radio
"Neil Daniels is fast gaining a reputation as one of the leading rock scribes around." –Mick Burgess, Metal Express Radio
WebLinks: www.neildaniels.com/Index.html / www.facebook.com/people/Neil-Daniels/698935273.
Friday, July 26, 2013
INTRODUCING L.R.S.: Frontiers Records is excited to present the newest AOR sensation which got added to the label's roster of artists. Introducing L.R.S. featuring Tommy LaVerdi (21 Guns), Josh Ramos (The Storm, Hardline) and Michael Shotton (Von Groove, Airtime).
Started initially as a way to bring back to the public the amazing talent of Tommy LaVerdi, a singer which came to the attention of the fans on the legendary 21 Guns debut album "Salute" in 1992, the whole project morphed into a power band trio when two well-known musicians: guitar player Josh Ramos and drummer Michael Shotton were brought into the picture by the album producer Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline).
The writing sessions were fast and steady with Del Vecchio managing all contributions from the musicians and offering a number of his own songs to the band which was anyway able to develop a distinct sound in the tradition of Journey / The Storm, with hints of Canadian AOR - think mid 80's Triumph.
"I felt honored when Serafino Perugino, Frontiers Records President, offered me the opportunity to return to the homeland of my family and to work with people I respect artistically", says Tommy LaVerdi. "My only complaint is that it went by so fast. I will be happy to continue making many records with Alessandro and Frontiers Records in the future! One the songs on the album is called "I Will Find My Way" and when I got lost while going for a fast little walk in the forest of Somma Lombardo before going into the studio, that song was suddenly my favorite… 8 hours later, it was nice to know that Alessandro and Josh were actually worried about me. We all became friends so quickly, it was very sad to leave each other after we finished recording and filming the videos. I really would love to get this band on the road and play these songs in front of a live audience. We just need to make sure that Frontiers doesn't book any of the shows close to the forest!"
Josh Ramos adds: "It was great to work with Alessandro. I got to know him first through e-mail, then when I met him in person it was like I already knew him, nice person, great singer, producer, keyboard player and cook, Tommy is a very funny guy, interesting person, sometimes intense, but that's by being in the business so long and having to deal with so many things. Mike is also a funny guy, very talented drummer and vocalist. Wishwe could spend more time together!"
Michael Shotton states: "I am exceptionally proud to be a part of this project. The songs are punchy with great hooks and performances. Since the first time the three of us actually met in person and unbelievable vibe created instantaneously between us. It was like we had been playing in a band for years. That's a rare thing……egos in park and 0 to 60 in seconds. It was amazing and I really think fans of our previous works and new fans will see and feel that! I really look forward to hearing how our older fans are going to enjoy this piece of work. I think it totally kicks!!!!!"
The resulting album promises to be a shining example of today's AOR music with soaring vocals from a superb vocalist who comes back into the well-deserved spotlight and some exquisite guitar playing from Ramos. This is an album not to be missed and an AOR highlight for early 2014! Stay tuned for more news!
R.I.P PRODUCER MIKE SHIPLEY:
The curse of 2013 seems to have struck again. It is being reported that mega-producer / studio engineer Mike Shipley has died. Mike was apparently found unresponsive in his home sometime today. There are no further details at this time, but his passing is a huge blow to the rock community. Mike's credits read like a fan's description of the music this website covers: Queen, Keith Urban, AC/DC, Lynam, The Cars, Meat Loaf, Def Leppard, Mr. Mister, Winger, Van Halen, The Corrs, Anberlin, Kim Carnes, Kelly Clarkson, Shania Twain, Blondie, Aerosmith, Tom Petty, Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Jimmy Barnes, Berlin, Nickelback, Michael Bolton, Dare, Ric Ocasek, Jefferson Airplane, Green Day, Blessed by a Broken Heart, The Black Crowes, John Waite and many more...
THE LATEST FROM ROCK CANDY RECORDS:
The following six new Rock Candy titles are available now from www.rockcandyrecords.com for a discounted price including postage to anywhere in the world for the next two weeks ending on August 12.
Gamma '1' CANDY191 / If at first you don't succeed then try and try again. Well, it's not that guitarist Ronnie Montrose failed first time around with his band Montrose, as clearly he was ahead of the curve, crafting a record that literally changed the way hard rock was written and recorded. The debut Montrose album still burns bright as one of the cornerstones of a genre that owes Ronnie a great deal of debt. But sadly, Montrose never scaled the heights expected and after four albums Ronnie called it a day, returning to San Francisco with a view to forming a new band, Gamma. Enlisting two former Montrose members, that's John Alciva on Keyboards and bassist Alan Fitzgerald, he added drummer Skip Gillette and filled the front spot with previously unknown Scottish-born vocalist Davey Pattison. Signing with Elektra Records, managed by well known impresario Bill Graham, and enlisting seasoned British producer Ken Scott (Supertramp, Jeff Beck, Kansas), the band cut their debut album in San Francisco. Issued in 1979, the album is a power packed example of raunchy hard rock with a decidedly contemporary edge, courtesy of deftly integrated synthesizers. Check out tracks such as 'Thunder And Lightning', 'Fight To The Finish', 'Ready For Action' and, album highlight, 'Razor King', a song written by Pattison about the gangs in his native Glasgow.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, photos and new interview with Davey Pattison.
Track Listing: 1. Thunder And Lightning 2. I'm Alive 3. Razor King 4. No Tears 5. Solar Heat 6. Ready For Action 7. Wish I Was 8. Fight To The Finish.
White Sister 'S/T' CANDY207 / The flamboyant pomp rock movement of the late 1970s influenced a number of acts who took up that particular musical mantle during the following decade. Groups such as Giuffria, House Of Lords, Shooting Star and Spys were undoubtedly the frontrunner's but following close behind and, arguably the greatest of them all, were Los Angeles based four-piece unit White Sister. Originally formed in 1980, and playing all the appropriately hip and happening clubs in the city, they eventually secured a record contract with the expanding EMI America label, a newly formed Capitol Records sister company. A chance meeting in a gas station with former Angel keyboard maestro Gregg Giuffria paid handsome dividends when Gregg, smitten by the band's music, agreed to produce their debut album which was released in 1984. Exploding with all the melodic goodness that you would expect from a fine pomp record, the emphasis was on great songs and even greater musicianship, allowing the tracks to cruise along on a rough hewn carpet of muscle and melody. Described at the time by the band as 'Orchestrated Metal', songs such as 'Promises', 'Walk Away' and 'Don't Say You're Mine' are some of the very best in this genre. Pay special attention to the band's cover of the now legendary, unreleased, Angel track 'Whips', a finer pomp rock epic you couldn't wish to hear.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,000 word essay, enhanced artwork, photos and new interview with producer Gregg Giuffria.
Track Listing: 1. Don't Say That You're Mine 2. Straight From The Heart 3. Love Don't Make It Right 4. Breakin' All The Rules 5. Whips 6. Can't Say No 7. Promises 8. Walk Away 9. One More Night 10. Just For You.
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Airborne 'S/T' CANDY204 / We here at Rock Candy love to champion the underdog, acts that slipped beneath the radar before disappearing altogether. It's a murky and sadly depressing world, one occupied by some of the world's most talented musicians robbed of success by factors outside of their sphere of influence. Airborne were one such act. They were an amazingly proficient band crafting some of the best melodic rock that had ever been crafted yet somehow their fate was sealed when record company politics reared its ugly head. Featuring future producer Beau Hill (Ratt, Winger, Warrant), and signed to Columbia Records, this highly gifted five piece band recorded the debut album under the superior production guidance of Keith Olsen (Fleetwood Mac, Rick Springfield, Sammy Hagar), in Los Angeles and London (AIR studios) resulting in one of the era's most compelling and streamlined records. Comparable with the best work of Styx, Touch and Foreigner the accent was on lovingly constructed songs underpinned with meaty guitar riffs and exquisitely crafted vocals, layered to perfection. Originally issued in 1979, the album attracted a slew of favourable reviews but just when things were looking to take off, including a proposed tour with the Cars, the President of Columbia Records jumped ship leaving the band high and dry with the new regime deeming Airborne as yesterday's news. It was, in effect, a knockout blow. However we still have their sole album to remind us what could've been.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, photos and new interview with Beau Hill.
Track Listing: 1. The Lady Knows Best 2. Feel Like Lovin' 3. Ghost Of Love 4. Wastin' My Time 5. No Exception To The Rule 6. Soldier Of Fortune 7. That's Where My Love Goes 8. Life In The City 9. Stand Up 10. Optimystical.
Steve Stevens 'Atomic Playboys' CANDY210 / Welcome to the wrecking ball, as administered by Steve Stevens and his Atomic Playboys that is. When talking guitar maestros this gentleman is at the top of his game – right up there with shredding companions such as Steve Vai, Eddie Van Halen, Paul Gilbert and Joe Satriani. With looks that kill Stevens made a huge impression during the 80s as the guitar playing foil to former British punk rocker Billy Idol, crafting a style that would grant him leave of absence to form the Atomic Playboys. 'Discovered' by Montrose and Van Halen producer Ted Templeman, who signed him to a deal with Warner Brothers Records, Steve was allowed to record his debut album over a two year period such was their belief in his talent. Enlisting vocalist Parramore McCarty from Warrior and drummer Thommy Price who had played with Joan Jett and Billy Idol, the music is strictly high performance rock, performed ferociously with little in the way of apology. Originally issued in 1989 and expertly produced by Beau Hill (Ratt, Winger), Stevens crafted an impressive guitar fuelled album that sounds as fresh and bright today as it did back then. Tracks such as 'Crackdown', 'Atomic Playboys', 'Pet The Hot Kitty' and a cover of the Sweet classic 'Action' propels this record into the red zone and beyond.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 2 Bonus tracks, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, unseen photos and new interview with Steve Stevens.
Track Listing: 1. Atomic Playboys 2. Power Of Suggestion 3. Action 4. Desperate Heart 5. Soul On Ice 6. Crackdown 7. Pet The Hot Kitty 8. Evening Eye 9. Woman Of 1,000 Years 10. Run Across Desert Sands (Instrumental) 11. Slipping Into Fiction Bonus Tracks: 12. Warm Female (Japan Only Bonus Track) 13. Action (Promo Remix).
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Streets '1st' CANDY201 / The early 80s saw a tidal wave of melodic hard rock bands surge out of North America. Many would bathe in the sweet spotlight of success whilst many more would slip beneath the water, unheralded and underappreciated. Streets, however, found themselves in the unique position of having the eyes and ears of the music world focussed on their debut album but ultimately failing to achieve the sort of mega success expected of them and their music. Formed in 1983 by former Kansas vocalist Steve Walsh, who decided to take more control of his musical destiny, and was joined by bassist Billy Greer and drummer Tim Gehrt. The final piece of the puzzle was completed by super talented guitarist Mike Slamer, a British born former member of City Boy who had relocated to the US in order to seek out new musical opportunities. Musically it was a match made in heaven. Produced by another ex pat Englishman, Neil Kernon (Michael Bolton, Autograph, Kansas) and loaded with punchy, up-tempo yet deliciously memorable tracks such as 'If Love Should Go', 'One Way Street' and 'So Far Away'. The album is a first class example of melodic hard rock, displaying all the bells and whistles you could possibly wish for. There's also a refreshing progressive influence, mainly due to the extraordinary musical talent involved and, of course, Steve Walsh's phenomenal vocal agility.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 2500 word essay, enhanced artwork, photos and new band interview.
Track Listing: 1. If Love Should Go 2. Move On 3. One Way Street 4. Lonely Woman's Cry 5. Everything Is Changing 6. Cold Hearted Woman 7. So Far Away 8. Blue Town 9. Fire.
Streets 'Crimes In Mind' CANDY202 / Rightfully described as minor supergroup, Streets were one of the most promising bands to have formed during the early 80s, a huge boom period for melodic rock, providing an environment that supported a number of hugely successful acts like Nightranger, Foreigner and Survivor. Fronted by former Kansas vocalist Steve Walsh and featuring bassist Billy Greer, drummer Tim Gehrt and hugely talented British born guitarist Mike Slamer, formerly of City Boy, the band attracted a huge amount of interest from the media and fans alike. Based in Atlanta, Georgia they released their debut album to universal acclaim, if not sales, in 1983 and established a foundation from which to launch their sophomore record, 1985's infectious 'Crimes In Mind'. Produced by man of the moment Beau Hill (Ratt, Warrant, Winger) and recorded in both their home town and New York City, the record takes up the mantle laid down on the debut, boasting ten tracks of perfectly formed melodic hard rock, with hooks and songs to propel them into the stratosphere. That the record failed to achieve expectations commercially is no fault of the band or the material. 'Crimes In Mind' is one of the most compelling and exciting melodic rock albums of the era, allowing every member to excel and impress, not least of all Steve Walsh's immaculately executed lead vocals.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 2500 word essay, enhanced artwork, photos and new band interview.
Track Listing: 1. Don't Look Back 2. The Nightmare Begins 3. Broken Glass 4. Hit 'N Run 5. Crimes In Mind 6. I Can't Wait 7. Gun Runner 8. Desiree 9. Rat Race 10. Turn My Head.
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NEAL SCHON CALLS OUT TO STEVE PERRY:
Well, you don't read this everyday. Old interview, but new comment on Steve Perry from Neal Schon: "Great Steve Perry interview. I hope we can reach out to each other and connect once again. We had amazing chemistry together. I love him. With all the love and admiration you could even have. Steve lets talk soon ~ Neal." The interview in question: youtu.be/oXpOSUntP-U.
THE LIZARD LINES UP A STACK OF NEW MUSIC:
Vocalist Carsten Schulz put together an update on his latest projects for fans and sent it through to me this week. Here goes...
- LaValle "Dear Sanity" (Kivel Records):
Out next month (or maybe early September) this brilliant album took me back to my 80s roots, the glory days of everything that was Dokken, Ratt and Scorpions.
Fronted by US guitarist Ed LaValle, the album also features the amazing talents of my dear brothers Paul Logue (Eden's Curse) on bass (who also managed to write the entire album together with Ed), Ramy Ali (Evidence One, Iron Mask) on drums and as special guest the one and only Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline, Edge Of Forever etc.) on keys. Mixed by Bombay Black bassman Ty Sims. This album is a fucking monster!!!
- Rik Priem's Prime tba.:
First solo album of Frozen Rain guitar wizzard Rik Priem. Recordings are almost done, and my man Steffen Seeger already started mixing. The album features the incredible talents of Geert Margodt on keys, Vincent De Laat (ex-Frozen Rain) on bass and Ramy Ali (Freedom Call, Iron Mask) on drums.
- Athlantis "Chapter 4" (Icewarrior / Rock It Up Records):
I was asked to do a track for Italian Metalheads Athlantis recently. I really enjoyed recording for bassman Steve Vawamas and guitarist Pier Gonella. I sang and co-wrote the amazing "Ashamed Of Being Born". The album will be out later this year on Icewarrior / Rock It Up Records.
- Dead End Heroes tba.:
A little while ago I got the call from my dear friend and producer/guitarist extraordinaire Rolf Munkes (Empire, Tony Martin Band, Ex-Majesty), asking me to sing the first solo album of Swiss drummer/songwriter Daniel Vögeli. We ended up forming the Dead End Heroes, also featuring my soulmate Paul Logue (Eden's Curse) on bass and the ever amazing Holger Seeger (Midnite Club) on keys. Watch out for more info...
- Boguslaw Balcerak's Crylord (tba.)
After I had the very fortune to sing for my dear Polish friend, Boguslaw once again asked me to sing three tracks for his yet untitled second album. Expect nothing but the best in Neo Classical Shred! Once again the album also features the incredible talents of vocal masters Mark Boals and Goran Edman. New member of the bunch will be none other than new Masterplan and At Vance Vocalist Rick Altzi. Also featuring the magic fingers of Argentinian keyboard wizzard Federico Cordera.
For more detailed info please visit the official Carsten Lizard Schulz website at www.carstenschulz.com.
JOHN WAITE HITS THE INTERVIEW CIRCUIT:
A trilogy of new John Waite interviews here to promote for you:
InTheStudio.NET Provides All Access to 'Best Of' John Waite
Dallas,TX- JULY 25, 2013. InTheStudio.NET, the web home for North American syndicated Rock radio show InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands , takes a comprehensive look at the career of John Waite. When you aggregate the many high points from the recorded body of work of John Waite over the last three decades of popular music, his well-known world class singing voice is readily on display, but what emerges is a dedicated, well-read, mature songwriting craftsman who has maintained the highest standards over a lengthy career. Whether with the woulda-coulda-shoulda-been UK band The Babys ("Isn't It Time", "Head First", "Back on My Feet Again", "Midnight Rendezvous"), the late Eighties supergroup Bad English (#1 song "When I See You Smile", "Straight to Your Heart"), or solo ("Change", "Missing You" #1 again; "Encircled", "Downtown", "New York City Girl", "If You Ever Get Lonely", which is also a Country hit covered by Love and Theft), John Waite never underestimates the power of a song to tattoo indelibly a memory on your heart. John shares with InTheStudio program host Redbeard the feelings behind his 1984 # 1 Hit "Missing You".
"It was really unbelievable... it was the last thing anybody expected, was for me to be number one. YES ! (laughs). 'Missing You' touched a lot of people on a lot of different levels. People who have lost people. People who are obviously breaking up and trying to get on with their lives. But it was amazing how far ranging it was, the emotional range of that song."
Waite's latest release Live All Access is an iTunes exclusive available now.
Stream the entire John Waite 'best of' program this month as part of InTheStudio's Medium Rare "online-only" rockumentary series: www.inthestudio.net/online-only-interviews/john-waite-best-live-access/.
THEOCRACY: RE-MIXED DEBUT ALBUM TEASER POSTED ONLINE:
The debut album from the Athens, Georgia-based melodic metal band Theocracy will be re-released through Ulterium Records during fall 2013. Theocracy drummer Shawn Benson recorded the drums for the re-release, Matt Smith did the album re-mix and the mastering was handled by Mika Jussila [Stratovarius, Nightwish, Edguy]. Release dates will be announced soon.
Check out a short album teaser at YouTube: youtu.be/liKWYkCezbg.
The Theocracy debut album was originally released through MetalAges Records in 2003, and is currently very rare and hard to find.
For more information on Theocracy; www.theocracymusic.com / www.facebook.com/theocracyband.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
CHEAP TRICK SUED BY DRUMMER AND EX-MANAGER: Cheap Trick drummer Bun E Carlos and ex-manager David Frey are suing the rest of Cheap Trick for monies owed www.courthousenews.com reported. But seeing that site is down, check Classic Rock Magazine for more:
Estranged Cheap Trick drummer Bun E Carlos has sued the rest of the band for hundreds of thousands of dollars, saying they have no right to keep using the band name without him.
He's joined in the action by former manager David Frey, who says he's still owed money for covering the band's costs after the 2011 stage collapse which destroyed their equipment.
Carlos claims his ex-colleagues failed to stick to an agreement that saw him removed from the lineup while remaining a full member of the band for business purposes.
He was sidelined in 2010 and replaced by guitarist Rick Nielsen's son Daxx, in circumstances which have never fully been explained. Cheap Trick said at the time: "Bun E Carlos is not currently the touring drummer for Cheap Trick. Bun E remains a band member. Everyone is healthy and Cheap Trick will continue to tour as planned."
Full Story: www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/bun-e-carlos-sues-cheap-trick/
REINXEED INTRODUCE A NEW WORLD:
The Symphonic Power Metal Explosion continues! Tommy ReinXeed - vocalist, guitarist & producer is back with the 6th ReinXeed studio album. ReinXeed is Tommy ReinXeed's musical creation and band vision. The band was formed in 2002 and worked very hard since then to develop their own style of melodic power metal and image to create what ReinXeed call adventurous power metal. Big bombastic music...
In late 2007 Christian Liljegren former singer and founder of Narnia also owner of Liljegren Records/Doolittle Group got a demo from Tommy ReinXeed. He was so impressed of what he heard and signed ReinXeed direct to his label. The new album "A New World" is more metal and lyrics about how our world is changing in many ways written in different metamorphosis and this works perfect for ReinXeed's bombastic symphonic power metal. The band filmed a new promotion video for the song "Guitar Hero" who shows a new twist and a harder side of ReinXeed We are sure this will be a great follow up video to "We Must Go Faster" who is loved by metal fans worldwide.
The album is released in Europe September 5.
THE CULT ANNOUNCES ELECTRIC 13 TOUR:
Born out of the ashes of the UK post-punk scene, The Cult evolved to become one of the most influential and controversial rock bands of the late 20th century. As early as its first American tour in 1984, The Cult became one of the handful of important bands in the U.S. post-modern and hard rock communities. The band was embraced by the lost children of Joy Division, PIL and Siouxsie and The Banshees who were waking up to the influence of '60s and '70s rock icons The Doors, Led Zeppelin, MC 5, The Stooges, The New York Dolls and David Bowie.
In 1987, The Cult released Electric, an album of stylistic change that aimed the band straight at the heart of the rock market. Recorded in New York City at the legendary Electric Ladyland studios and filled with the energy of the dirty NYC streets, together with a young producer named Rick Rubin. Electric went on to become the band's first platinum album.
The Cult will perform Electric, raw and unfiltered on tour this summer/fall as an event branded as Electric 13. The Cult have never before performed the album in its entirety. The live show will also include a second set pulling from the band's eight other studio albums.
"The Cult's life blood has always been playing live, we are between albums and decided to continue the momentum created by Choice Of Weapon, stay in people's hearts and minds. As Love Live was such an incredible experience we have decided that performing the Electric album, an event that has been demanded by our fans and followers as the perfect live set to play in 2013." - Ian Astbury, The Cult
More info and tour dates at: www.thecult.us.
JOHN WAITE TALKS LIVE: ALL ACCESS AND MORE: John Waite talks to Nick Deriso at Something Else Reviews in support of his new live album Live: All Access, available now at digital outlets and www.johnwaitethesinger.com.
Two highlights: Nick Deriso: As with Bad English and Neal Schon, you've got a distinctive and hard-edged guitarist in Keri Kelli for the current tour. What makes that such an attractive combination for you? John Waite: Neal's a brilliant guitar player. Sometimes, when you're writing with him, you have to find a place to put the vocals. (Chuckles.) But he's a brilliant guy, and he loves to play. I love Neal, I do. I miss playing with him. We were both pretty much up for having a great time. We'd rip it up on stage, then go out and rip it up in every club in town afterward. I don't know how we survived it, but we had the best time possible. I was sad to see it go, but there were personalities that made the band more difficult, and that's just the way it went, you know? You can't have a great singer in a rock band without a great guitar player, though. It's a relationship that's confrontational, and it's one that's extremely emotional. It's loud; it's like a musical argument — or at best, a musical conversation. Without the guitar player, the singer ain't much.
And we've only heard the beginning of it. If we could do another live album in eight months, I think that would be our high-water mark. I think it's going to be absolutely off the hook. That might turn into a studio record. We might do it like that. I haven't decided what yet. I'm doing everything on instinct. I've got great faith in Keri. He's a great guy. Tim, our bass player, is the cement of the band. And Rhondo is like Big Ben: Completely in time. It's very difficult being in a three-piece band, and that's the way I want it. I want it to be where anything can happen at any moment. I want to be able to take off. There is no plan. The only plan is: "Make sure you play the right chords at the right time. Show up for rehearsals, and I'll buy you a drink later." It's something you can't interfere with. It's just the force of life. You count it in, and it's the most fun you're ever going to have.
MELODIC BRIEFS: Lords Of The Trident are offering all worldwide metal fans an opportunity to download 7 full songs for free. The download contains songs from their 2 full CDs Death Or Sandwich, Chains Of Fire and off their new 3rd release, Plan Of Attack. Download at: tinyurl.com/LordsSampler.
Power/Progressive Synth Driven Metal band Hammerforce from Saint-Petersburg, Russia releases instrumental version of the song 'Wasted' from their recently released second album 'Access Denied'. The composition is available for free (name your price) from band's Bandcamp page: hammerforce.bandcamp.com/track/wasted-instrumental-version.
For the upcoming Kingcrow European Tour, guitarist Ivan Nastasi will be replaced by Michele Capraro. Ivan will re-join the band after the tour.
Escape Music is pleased to announce the release of Tommy Denander - Radioactive all three albums re-issue Plus Six (6) Bonus Tracks as a triple CD box set "Ceremony Of Innocence" complete re-work and re-mix, "Taken" complete reworked and remix AND "Yeah" all will be re-mastered at 24 bits and the release plan for September 20. Cover art:
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
GREAT WHITE AND JACK RUSSELL REACH AGREEMENT OVER USE OF "GREAT WHITE" NAME:
Hollywood, CA (July 23, 2013) - Great White and co-founding member/original lead singer Jack Russell have announced that they have entered into an agreement settling their pending litigation over the "Great White" name.
In March, 2012, Russell sued his former band-mates Mark Kendall, Michael Lardie and Audie Desbrow over their continuing use of "Great White" after Russell had taken a leave of absence from the band for medical reasons. The band countersued, and the parties have been involved in contentious litigation for the last year. After three days of closed-door mediation before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carla Woehrle, the parties reached a comprehensive agreement. While many of the terms of the agreement will remain confidential, it can be revealed that, going forward, the current Great White band will continue to use the name "Great White" and Russell will perform under the name "Jack Russell's Great White".
TRIBUTE TO STEVE HARRIS / BRAIN TUMOUR UK CHARITY EVENT: "A MASSIVE SUCCESS":
(23 July 2013 - Birmingham, UK) Last Friday night, July 19, about 500 people came together at The Asylum in Birmingham, England for a very special event - The Steve Harris (Shy) Tribute and Brain Tumour UK charity event. "It was amazing to see so many people come together to support a great cause and to pay tribute to a wonderful man and a great musician. I cannot believe how generous people were. When I decided to organize a raffle I was overwhelmed the by the donation of prizes," replies Pamela Mills. "I anticipated that I would raise around 200 pounds but people were queuing to buy tickets. The total of 650 pounds for just the raffle alone totally exceeded all my expectations".
The event, which hosted esteemed hard rock heroes Shy raised around $7,000 on the night to donate to Brain Tumour UK in Steve's name with more money pouring in from online auctions, as well. "The event was absolutely amazing," says Shy keyboardist, Joe Basketts. "So many people came together to make this happen and on the night nearly two years of hard work just fell into place. The support we received from friends, fans and other musicians has been overwhelming, without which we could not possibly have put this show on."
Several items were raffled off and are included in an online auction, including autographed guitars from George Lynch, Michael Schenker and the members of Shy, a Blackstar amp autographed by ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, drum heads autographed by the members of Magnum, autographed artwork from fantasy artist Rodney Matthews, who designed a total of ten Magnum album covers, an autographed Ozzy Osbourne poster and an autographed TNT jacket amongst various other autographed CD's, records and t-shirts.
Steve Harris was struck down with a brain tumour in June of 2009 during the recording of the band's self titled swansong album (and thirteenth release overall) and succumbed to the neurological disorder in October 2011. He was an extremely beloved person in the hard rock community, not only respected for his incredible talent but also as someone who had a positive affect on everyone he came in contact with. Steve was the founding member of Shy (initially called Trojan) at 17 years of age and played on every album the band recorded from 1983 to 2011."Steve Harris was one of the nicest and most down to earth blokes you could ever hope to meet," says Roy Davis. "As talented as he was there was never any sign of ego at all. He was the most humble member of the band! He should have gotten more recognition than he did. Who knows, maybe if he had put himself 'out there' a bit more, was more flashy, more over the top, whatever, he might have been."
The current members of Shy (vocalist Lee Small, bass player, Roy Davis, keyboardist Joe Basketts and drummer, Bob Richards) were joined onstage by friends Neil Hibbs and Carl Anthony Wright, who played Harris' parts on the older songs, whilst Harris' own guitar parts were taken straight from the multitracks and played using a click track through the PA system for the songs from the latest album. One of the many highlights of the evening was original frontman, Tony Mills joining the band onstage for a run through of some of the classic hits. "It's been over twenty years since I performed with SHY to any great measure, but the rehearsal went as if it was only yesterday," says Mills. "I have to attribute that to Steve's writing and undeniable flare in composition. A truly great artist, taken from us much too soon; it was an honour to be part of such a fitting tribute to one of the most professional musicians I have ever performed with."
Roy Davis on Steve Harris: "Steve was always on time, never missed a day of work. He had never been sick. He's never smoked or drank. When we were on tour, the rest of us would go out and get drunk every night and he never did. He really was the epitome of someone who lives the clean lifestyle. And this happened to him. There are a lot of people asking, 'why him and not me?' There's no reason to anything in life in that this would claim the life of a guy like Steve Harris."
You can take part in the online auction by visiting: bit.ly/1aFfg9O.
The Steve Harris Memorial can be viewed at: www.steveharrismemorial.co.uk.
Keyboard player, Joe Basketts has set up a Facebook page to share, view and add photos and videos from the night at: www.facebook.com/groups/175642609284185
WINERY DOGS DEBUT NOW OUT IN NORTH AMERICA:
July 23, 2013 – The highly-anticipated and already critically-acclaimed self-titled debut album by The Winery Dogs (@TheWineryDogs) was released in North America today on Loud & Proud Records. The power trio--Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Avenged Sevenfold), Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big) and Richie Kotzen (Mr. Big, Poison)self-produced The Winery Dogs, which was mixed by Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Stone Sour, Steel Panther).
Fans can pick up the debut on the band's official website, iTunes, and Amazon. The band has already released three videos from the new album, "Elevate, "Desire," and "I'm No Angel," which can all be seen on their official YouTube page. "Elevate," the album's first single, debuted at #30 on Mediabase's "Mainstream Rock" airplay chart last week.
To celebrate the new album, drummer Mike Portnoy invades websites across the Internetincluding Musicradar.com, Revolvermag.com, Loudwire.com/Noisecreep.com, GuitarWorld.com, Drummagazine.com and ARTISTdirect.com--premiering video clips discussing new songs and The Winery Dogs' new place in the music community.
The Winery Dogs kicked off their first-ever tour in Japan last week to sold-out crowds. After wrapping up the successful stint in Japan, they'll head to South America before returning to the States for their first shows on home soil starting August 3 in New York City at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill. While they're in the Big Apple, The Winery Dogs will appear on "The Artie Lange Show," which will air Monday, August 5 at 10pm ET on DirectTV and is streamed live on the show's website. On Tuesday, August 6 at 7pm, the band will take part in an in-store performance and signing session at Vintage Vinyl in Fords, NJ. For more information, visit www.vvinyl.com.
In radio news, The Winery Dogs will guest on the nationally syndicated radio show, "Rockline," with host Bob Coburn on Wednesday, August 14 at 8:30pm PT/11:30pm ET. Fans are encouraged to speak with the band that night by calling 1-800-344-ROCK (7625). The show will be streamed on Rocklineradio.com for two weeks beginning the afternoon after the live broadcast.
Check out The Winery Dogs at any of the following tour stops:
Sat 8/3 New York, NY B.B. King Blues Club and Grill
Sun 8/4 Lancaster, PA Chameleon
Tue 8/6 Fords, NJ Vintage Vinyl (in-store)
Wed 8/7 Newton, NJ The Newton Theater
Thu 8/8 Chicago, IL Reggie's Rock Club
Thu 10/3 Agoura Hills, CA Canyon Club
Fri 10/4 Las Vegas, NV Vamp'd
Sat 10/5 San Diego, CA Romana Mainstage
Sun 10/6 San Juan Capistrano, CA Coach House
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/TheWineryDogs / www.twitter.com/TheWineryDogs / www.loudandproudrecords.com.
ANOTHER BILLY SHERWOOD PRODUCED TRIBUTE ALBUM:
'Fly Like An Eagle – An All-Star Tribute To Steve Miller Band' Featuring Members Of Yes, Asia, XTC, Dream Theater, Survivor, The Tubes, Curved Air, Deep Purple, GONG, Nektar and Others Now Available!
Featuring Peter Banks, Rick Wakeman, Tony Kaye, Colin Moulding, John Wetton, Steve Morse, Steve Hillage, Fee Waybill, Rod Argent, Sonja Kristina, Jordan Rudess, Steve Stevens and others!
Produced By Billy Sherwood
Los Angeles, CA – A whole host of space cowboys, gangsters of love and legendary music icons from around the globe gather together to pay special tribute to classic rock legends the Steve Miller Band! Now available on Purple Pyramid Records, 'Fly Like An Eagle' features performances by members of Yes, Asia, XTC, Dream Theater, Survivor, The Tubes, Curved Air, Deep Purple, Gong, Nektar and others! With exciting renditions of Steve Millers' classic hits, 'Fly Like An Eagle – An All-Star Tribute To Steve Miller Band' is sure to please music fans worldwide! Also includes some final recordings by guitar legend Peter Banks.
Producer Billy Sherwood of Yes/Circa: fame explains, "Steve Miller has written so many great songs, working on this record gave me a chance to look deeper into the inner workings of the material and explore it all with so many amazing guest artists. It was an honor producing and playing on this project. I think the fans of the music will appreciate the contributions of all the artists involved."
Tracks include: Take The Money And Run, Jet Airliner, Living In The USA, Abracadabra, Swingtown, Winter Time, The Joker, Jungle Love, Space Cowboy, Rock'n Me, Fly Like An Eagle.
To purchase 'Fly Like An Eagle – An All-Star Tribute To Steve Miller Band' CD: www.amazon.com/Fly-Like-An-Eagle-All-Star/dp/B00D3ZJDA2 / itunes.apple.com/us/album/fly-like-eagle-all-star-tribute/id662660456.
DON SURPRISES NO ONE WITH 'DOKKEN NOT DONE' CLAIM: The Classic Metal Show, heard Saturdays from 9pm to 3am EST at www.theclassicmetalshow.com, caught up with vocalist Don Dokken backstage at the RockUSA festival on Saturday, July 20th which also featured Van Halen, Ratt and Jackyl. Talking about the future, Dokken has changed his mind about the album Broken Bones being the final Dokken release. Talking about if he had decided to record a new album, Don revealed:
"I just think that I fell back in love. I got through Broken Bones, and I wasn't sure what was going to happen with my treatment. With Chemo and treatment and my age, I thought, "I've had a great run. God bless everybody." You know, 30 years is a great run. A lot of bands had one hit, and then 'adios'. But I don't know. I kind of fell in love. I think it's my dog. I have a new dog, a little golden doodle, and he's kind of inspired me. I want to stay home, and he goes, "grrr grrr grrr grrr", and that means "get your ass back on the road." I've got to feed him, so I'm writing a new Dokken record. I'm not sure it will be a Dokken record. I'm just writing songs. I have five done. They are very uptempo. They are kind of like "Hot For Teacher" Van Halen. Very up, happy kind of arena rock. I have six songs done on the (Michael) Schenker album, so I've got that almost done after I procrastinated for a frickin' year on. I wrote "Faith" for Schenker a year ago, and then the little turd took the song and loved it so much that he put it on his new album. I said, "no no no, that's for the acoustic album". But the new Schenker album is coming out with my song "Faith" on it, which kind of threw me for a loop. So I'm working on the new Schenker album right now, and working on what I guess you would call a new Dokken album. I don't know. I guess I'm just working on a new album. I told Jon (Levin) that we can maybe call it Dokken, but we will bring in ringers like Warren DeMartini to play a solo, and Yngwie Malmsteen, and just all these people I know. I'll have to track down Eddie Van Halen and get his butt down there to do it. I want to get people like Matthias Jabs and people I love...Schenker of course for solos on that album. It should be done in about a month. I'm just happy playing though, and happy playing with my dog."
To hear the interview in it's entirety, go to: www.spreaker.com/user/cmsrocks/interview_with_don_dokken.
THE SPIRIT OF RECKLESS LOVE DUE IN SEPTEMBER: Reckless Love, the flamboyant Finnish rockers who burst spectacularly onto the UK scene in 2010, will have their third full-length studio album released via Spinefarm Records on September 2nd. Titled 'Spirit', the new album is the follow-up to 2011's 'Animal Attraction', also issued on the Spinefarm label.
Produced by Ilkka Wirtanen, and with mixing duties divided between Ilkka Wirtanen, Juha Heininen and Petri Majuri, the album represents a bold step forward for Reckless Love, with the commercial aspects of the music pushed to new and heady heights, plus the heavier side showing some serious bite, with the wonderfully titled "Metal Ass" hugging the fast lane from first note to last. Between these two extremes, Reckless Love deliver some of their most thoughtful, atmospheric and finely crafted songs to date -- the likes of "Edge Of Our Dreams", "Dying To Live", "Runaway Love" and "Hot Rain".
Meanwhile, the second single from the album has now been confirmed as "So Happy I Could Die", with a video due to be filmed in early August -- this follows the lead track/video "Night On Fire".
In addition, Reckless Love have announced a headline run of UK dates for October 2013; this tour follows on from the band's month-long UK visit in the autumn of 2012, which included a four-night residency in London.
Says Reckless Love guitarist Pepe, "We are thrilled to have some UK dates back in our calendar! Even more so because, as we promised last time around, we will have a brand new album out by the time we get there. We are going to fire with all guns and get ground-breakingly explosive on stage as we hit hard with the new songs mixed up with the best of the old. So, dear UK friends, do not miss this chance to witness the best Reckless Love shows to date!!"
Reckless Love 2013 UK tour dates:
Oct 1 Manchester - Academy 3
Oct 2 Newcastle - O2 Academy 2
Oct 3 Glasgow - Cathouse
Oct 4 Leeds - Cockpit
Oct 5 Nottingham - Rescue Rooms
Oct 6 Wolverhampton - Slade Rooms
Oct 8 Norwich - Waterfront Studio
Oct 9 Bristol - The Fleece
Oct 10 London - O2 Academy, Islington
707 TO RETURN:
"After many years of startups, stops and almost's original founding member Kevin Russell is launching The New 707 this January 2014 with original manager and friend Fred Ruppert." The New 707 will be playing dates this winter around the U.S. The band will most likely debut in Los Angeles (the birth place of the band) hopefully around Christmas as a "special sneak peek show" TBA. Says Russell: "The New 707 is lean & mean, bigger & badder than ever! The all new lineup of extremely talented players will be announced very soon.. Stay tuned and visit The New 707 website. A New 707 record is coming in 2014."
For further info please visit: www.thenew707.blogspot.com. The New 707 hopes to see you all in your city in 2014. www.facebook.com/pages/Kevin-Russells-707/266596313391018?ref=hl.
TASSIE METALLERS PREP NEW OPUS:
Immediate Press Release Australian heavy metallers Taberah have set Friday, September 13th as the worldwide release date for their new album, Necromancer, via Dust On The Tracks Records. The CD was engineered by Theo B (Scorpion), produced and mixed by Joe Haley (Psycroptic) and mastered by Australian Metal Icon Stu Marshall (Death Dealer, Empires Of Eden, Dungeon, Paindivision). The artwork was made by Hannah Flowers, who is a talented Tasmanian tattoo artist.
The new track "2012" taken from Taberah's upoming album "Necromancer" can be streamed here: soundcloud.com/taberah/2012-1.
Stu Marshall (Death Dealer, Empires Of Eden, Dungeon, Paindivision) stated: "Taberah's Necromancer is one of the best metal releases to come out of Australia in the last 10 years". Glen Casebeer (American Rock Scene): "Shit, they are great!" The "Increasingly Infamous Tasmanian Devils" themselves, consists of the following musicians: Jonathon B – Guitar + Vocals, Myles 'Flash' Flood – Guitar, Tom "Bam Bam" Brockman – Drums, Dave 'The Doctor' Walsh – Bass.
Inspired by their strong musical bond Jonathon Barwick and Tom Brockman created, in 2004, what is now known as Taberah. The band's sound and live performance is derived from a vast range of influences including the traditional heavy metal stylings of Iron Maiden + Black Sabbath, the rock n roll swagger of AC/DC + Thin Lizzy mixed with the over the top, tongue in cheek theatrics of Queen + The Darkness. All with a slightly modern and original twist. Taberah quickly became a staple act in the Tasmanian live music scene in 2006 and have now become one of Tasmania's top exports around Australia in any musical genre. In early 2011 Taberah blitzed a nationwide vote then were hand picked by Lemmy Kilmister himself to open for Motorhead (UK) on the Sydney leg of their 2011 Australian tour. Other milestones include sharing the stage all around Australia with high profile international and national acts such as: Paul Di'anno – ex Iron Maiden (UK), Tim 'Ripper' Owens – ex Judas Priest/Iced Earth/Yngwie Malmsteen, Blessed by a Broken Heart (USA), Lord (AUS), Psycroptic (AUS), Black Majesty (AUS), Steve Grimmett – formerly of Grim Reaper/Lionsheart/Onslaught (UK), Elm Street (AUS), Darker Half (AUS) and many more national and international acts. 2011 saw the band record & release their debut album "The Light Of Which I Dream" with acclaimed Producer Joe Haley of Psycroptic. The record is a chronicle of the bands early years of blood, sweat, beers and tears on the national live circuit. The album earned Taberah worldwide acclaim. In support of "Necromancer", Taberah have their sights firmly set on the international stage for 2013/14. This includes plans for a run of shows in the Europe, USA, Japan as well as high profile international/national supports in Australia. Taberah deliver a show that is full of energy, fun, theatrics, wandering solos and plenty of crowd interaction. This earning the quartet a solid reputation of being a "must see" live band.
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/taberah.tas / www.twitter.com/TaberahOfficial / www.soundcloud.com/taberah / www.taberah.bigcartel.com.
HELP ICONIC TONIC: Iconic Tonic has a great opportunity to open for Buckcherry on August 20th in Akron Ohio. If you have a short moment and a Facebook account their is a POLL letting you vote for Iconic Tonic by scrolling down.
This show is for the Rock Factory in Akron... We have a real shot! But we need your help...The poll seems to have trouble working with mobile devices but works fine on laptops and desktops....
All help is appreciated!!!! Here is the link...www.facebook.com/TheRockFactoryAkron?sk=app_138079047824&app_data=7268984.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS TO BROADCAST LAST SUMMER CONCERT: Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators will broadcast their last summer concert Live from the House of Blues in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 25 at 9:00p PT/Midnight ET via Evntlive. Evntlive is the online concert venue that captures the excitement and shared experiences of live concert viewing with a global audience. Fans who can't make it to Las Vegas and want to experience the evolution of live, online concerts can log on directly to www.evntlive.com/#/event/1000476 starting at 9:00 PM PT/Midnight EST on Thursday, July 25 to take part in this extraordinary social viewing event. "We are thrilled to offer online access to one of the greatest musicians of all time, Slash, while giving fans from around the world an up close, personal and completely immersive experience," said David Carrico, co-founder and chief marketing officer, Evntlive. "Evntlive is transforming how we experience concerts individually and with others, while getting right into the act wherever you are."
Slash and his bandmates Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators Myles Kennedy (vocals), Brent Fitz (drums),Todd Kerns (bass) and Frank Sidoris (guitar) are currently wrapping a world tour for their critically acclaimed album Apocalyptic Love which earned SLASH his two first-ever #1 rock radio hits: "You're A Lie" and "Standing In The Sun." The album's third single "Anastasia" has cracked the Top 10 at Modern and Active Rock and Top 5 at Mainsteam Rock. The album was produced by Eric Valentine, who did the same honors for his first solo disc Slash, and all the songs on Apocalyptic Love were written together by Slash and Myles Kennedy.
For more information, visit: slashonline.com / www.slashonline.com/tour.
MELODIC BRIEFS:
Greeces Rockpages Web Magazine did an interview recently with Desmond Child regarding his entire, illustrious career. Desmond Child talked about Kiss, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith and the possibility of doing yet another album with his first band Desmond Child and Rouge. Read the full text and listen to excerpts of the interview here: www.rockpages.gr/detailspage.aspx?id=9428&type=1&lang=EN.
Canadian Metal icons Anvil release a new teaser for the European 2013 summer tour in support of their brand new album Hope In Hell: youtu.be/45qpdsErNa0.
As Kiss celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2013, on July 29 KissFAQ.com will launch Back In The Solo Album Groove: The Kiss Albums. 35 Years Later..., an ambitious multi-week retrospective dedicated to arguably the biggest milestone in KISStory: the 1978 KISS solo albums.
Interesting tweet from Richard Marx from last week: "Me? Oh, nothing. Just singing harmony to the gorgeous voice of @NancyHeartMusic on a beautiful track for a new @officialheart CD."
AN EVENING WITH SAD CAFÉ: "UNPLUGGED":
For the first time, ever, Sad Cafe will be playing "Unplugged" in the fabulous surroundings of Number Nine The Gallery, situated in Birmingham's eclectic Brindleyplace. This will be a unique event in the band's illustrious history. They will perform two acoustic sets of their favourite songs with the opportunity to get up close and personal in a Q & A session. Tickets for this special night will be strictly limited and available on a "first come, first served" basis only via the Sad Cafe website shop.
Tickets are priced at £30.00 plus £1.50 administration. This includes a glass of "fizz" on arrival and an exclusive souvenir "goody bag" to mark the occasion.
Fantastic Special Offer: Jurys Inn, one of Birmingham's top hotels, and situated just 100 yards away on Broad Street are offering a Special "Sad Cafe" deal of a Twin or Double room with Breakfast for just £65.00 which is a saving of £30.00 on the normal price. So why not enjoy a great night out in the heart of Birmingham's Entertainment Capitol and stay in 4 star luxury with this superb deal.
This offer is only available until 31st July.
To book your hotel, go to: www.jurysinn.com and select Birmingham from Locations. Apply the special discount code provided on purchase of the ticket. Done!! Concert, Hotel and breakfast! www.sadcafe.co.uk/shop.html.
HICKS HEADLINES #1 SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL:
After his triumphant return from Nashville in June, Hicks (aka Miqael Persson) with his full band, headlines the first night (26 July) of the #1 Country Music Festival in Scandinavia 26/27 July in Skogsvallen, Ostervala, Sweden. Over the two days Swedish & American acts including Hicks, Crash n Recovery, Tumbleweed, Kentucky, and a host of others are appearing. Full details from www.yeehaa.se.
Miqael is an accomplished songwriter with most of his live material being written by himself and other co-writers. Whilst in Nashville he was able to co-write with top songwriters Anthony Smith, Sharon Vaughn, and Dallas Rogers. He met with his USA publisher and learned that a song he wrote 'Cuts Like A Diamond' on his last USA visit was picked up by the Little River Band. Not only did they record it, but used the title of their new album to be released in August when they start a nationwide tour of the USA to promote it. Other artists have recorded his songs this year and these should be released later this year in both the USA, UK, and Sweden.
Hick's current single 'Bad Call After All' is still picking up European and American airplay and recently hit top 10 on the prestigious Hotdisc weekly Top 40.
For further information: www.hickscountry.com / www.facebook.com/hickscountry.
HUMAN FORTRESS SIGNS WITH AFM RECORDS:
Hanover (Germany) based epic power metal band Human Fortress has signed with AFM Records. After a 5-year hiatus the band returns with new vocalist Gus Monsanto (ex-Revolution Renaissance/Adagio) and a clear mission ahead: "With our upcoming album we musically want to continue in the vein of our first two releases Lord Of Earth And Heavens Heir and Defenders Of The Crown. We are very happy to start this new endeavour with our fantastic new vocalist Gus Monsanto now", guitarist Torsten Wolf comments.
Gus Monsanto explains: "I always wanted to do this kind of music but couldn't find a band like that in Brazil. These songs are epic, with huge hooklines and I was convinced straight away. I can't wait to play our songs on stage."
The band have just finished recordings for their upcoming album which will be released by the end of the year. Human Fortress 2013: Gus Monsanto - vocals; Torsten Wolf - guitar; Volker Trost - guitar; Dirk Liehm - keyboard; Andre Hort - bass; Apostolos Zaios - drums.
Monday, July 22, 2013
ESCAPE ANNOUNCE COLDSPELL'S FROZEN PARADISE: Escape Music so pleased to announce the release date for the new Coldspell album Frozen Paradise. The 11 track opus is due out in Europe September 20.
Tracklist: 1. Paradise 5:20 2. Angel of the World 4:09 (Preview) 3. Life has just begun 5:05 4. Goin all the way 4:04 5. Alive 4:28 6. Life 2 Live 5:28 7. On the run 4:39 8. Soldiers 5:55 9. Fallin 4:05 10. Dark Reflections 4:42 11. Legacy 5:08.
The Band: Niklas Swedentorp - Lead Vocals; Michael Larsson - Guitars and Backing Vocals; Anders "Kebbe" Lindmark - Bass; Perra Johanson - Drums; Matti Eklund - Keyboards and vocals.
Coldspell are poised to release their exciting new album. Based in the north of Sweden they were formed in 2005 by guitarist and songwriter Michael Larsson, who was previously with the band R.A.W., a band that recorded two albums in the 90's with members from Dalton and Kicken (Poodles) on drums. Together with four other experienced musicians the band Coldspell blasted onto the scene with their own brand of hard rock. They first took the world by storm with their "Infinite Stargaze" release (ESM184), a recording that draws influences from a mixture of everything they grew up with from the groove of the 70's to the choruses and melodies of the 80's, mixed with the raw and naked excitement of the 90's, not forgetting the production expertise of the millennium.
Coldspell's debut CD has already created a stir in rock circles and the album received stunning reviews all over the world and was on several album "top lists" for 2009 and album of the year at rockrealms.com (category "heavy, hard and melodic rock").
Two years later and a brand new release "Out from the Cold" was put out to an eager audience, once again mixed by Tommy Hansen in Denmark, Tommy of course having previously worked with Helloween, TNT, Pretty Maids, Jorn and Pagan's Mind. Well, why change a winning formula?!
Its now 2013 and Coldspell have been working hard on a new recording, entitled "Frozen Paradise", once again with Tommy Hansen at the mixing desk. This is an unbelievable recording and the band have taken it one step further and made an album that surpasses all they have done. Great new songs like "Paradise", "Goin all the way" and "On the run" are just such examples of their excellence. Razor sharp riffs, solid rhythms and great choruses are the order of the day, this is an album we have all been eagerly awaiting and no-one will be disappointed.
WebLink: www.Escape-Music.com.
THE LATEST FROM KIVEL RECORDS:
Kivel Records News: "So here's the latest folks. The 411. The skinny....! The word on the street and what all the cool kids are talking about. LaValle is coming! August 20 will be INSANTIY filled, with speakers, ipods and stereos cranked to 11. The CD IS completed and is schedule to head off to the manufacture within the week. We promise that the wait, will very much be worth it. Now that we have officially announced a firm release date.
HERE is a new track and lil taste of the Insanity with the track "Don't Cry".
LaValle is Lead Vocalist - Carsten Schultz (Evidence One), Bassist - Paul Logue (Edens Curse), Drummer - Ramy Ali (Evidence One), along with new comer to the scene, Guitarist - Eddie LaValle. This unit, delivers an old school sound with an updated PUNCH! "Tooth and Nail" era Dokken, mixed with a guitar blend of Vito Bratta and George Lynch influenced guitar playing . All of which, is piled on top of a mountain sized wall of HUGE choruses. This is an album that will satisfy fans of the genre of old, while gaining fans of new. Don't just take our word for it though, hear It for yourself!
So what do we have going on over the next few months at Kivel Records? LOTS!!! Tango Down is geared up for a bunch of upcoming shows over the next few months, including MRF3. They are bigger and badder than ever before! Also, we have releases from these fine Kivel artists set for end of summer/beginning of Fall. LaValle! No Love Lost! and the return of Adriangale! All scheduled to be on sale at this Sept's MRF3 in Arlington IL, and ALL Promised to blow up some speakers and not disappoint. Kivel tested and YOU will approve! Don't miss three of these great bands at www.melodicrockfest.com this September.
HOUSTON "II" DUE SEPTEMBER 2 FROM CARGO RECORDS:
Swedish AOR outfit Houston will release their new album, "II", on September 2nd in Europe/USA through Livewire/Cargo Records.
Tracklisting: 1. Glory 2. I'm Coming Home 3. Return My Heart 4. Talk To Me 5. Back To The Summer Of Love 6. 24 Hours 7. On The Radio 8. Losing 9. Just Friends 10. Believe.
Houston "II" is the follow-up to the highly acclaimed 2010 debut. The band has been working on the new songs since the last tour of the UK in 2011, and the result shows that it was not chance that got their first album to 1st place of Classic Rock Magazine's top AOR albums of 2010.
Houston 'II' album teaser can be viewed here: youtu.be/r8UPyXe33ck.
The video for the single 'I'm Coming Home': youtu.be/9bHXvrnIv1E.
Producer/keyboard player Ricky Delin has for this album become a full member of the band, together with Hank Erix (vocals) and Freddie Allen (drums). The trio has once again used Sweden's finest melodic rock musicians, such as the great Tommy Denander for most guitar parts and long-time band associate Soufian Ma'Aoui for the bass parts. Houston are: Hank Erix – Lead & Backing Vocals; Ricky Delin – Keyboards & Backing Vocals; Freddie Allen – Drums.
With the additional talents of: Soufian Ma'aoui – Bass Guitar, Tommy Denander – Guitars, Calle Hammer – Guitars & Keyboards, Jay Cutter – Keyboard intro loop, Minnah Karlsson – Duet Vocal, Victor Lundberg – Backing vocals, Kristoffer Lagerstrom – Backing vocals, Geir Ronning – Backing vocals, Jessa Slatter – Backing vocals, Catharina Lindqvist – Spoken voice.
The album's ten tracks were carefully chosen among a ton of material. "Only the really good tunes make the cut. We wouldn't release an album with ok songs" states Freddie Allen, founding member and main song writer together with Ricky Delin. Together, the duo wrote some of the most notable tracks off the first album, such as Pride, Hold On and Truth Slips – which made 17th place of Classic Rock Magazine's best songs of 2010.
Houston's new album, is a must for every AOR & Melodic Rock connoisseur.
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/Houstonsweden.
xx
EVOLUTION EDEN OPENING FROM DRAMARAMA IN SFO: Evolution Eden is opening up for 80's & 90's Alternative Rockers Dramarama. They scored a huge hit with "Anything, Anything (I'll Give You), becoming one of the most requested songs on Alternative Radio. They made a huge comeback on VH1's Bands Reunited in 2004 and have been playing and releasing new music since. The show is at the Red Devil Lounge in San Francisco. If you would like tickets, let us know (we have a few guest list spots left as well). Hope to see you at the show as we warm up for MelodicRock Fest 3 in Chicago in late September!
To download the track "The Ride" for free, go to www.evolutioneden.com/dl and enter the code www.evolutioneden.com/dl.
Friday, July 19, 2013
EDEN'S CURSE INTRODUCE NEW LINE UP: Eden's Curse are delighted to announce their new line up:
Ending ten months of speculation after an arduous audition process, the band are proud to announce Serbian vocalist Nikola Mijic as their new front man.
Hailing from Senta, in the North of Serbia, Nikola is a vastly experienced singer despite his tender years. For the past ten years he has been fronting Serbian outfit Alogia and more recently Hungarian Prog Rockers Dreyelands, who released their debut album on Lion Music in 2010. In 2008 he also featured heavily on the Prog Rock project album Expedition Delta.
A happy Nikola said "I'm really honored to be part of the Metal journey of Eden's Curse with their new upcoming album that is coming out on 4th October and I'm looking forward to rock with you guys!"
Drummer Pete Newdeck commented "For me, when I heard a lot of the auditions, Nik's was the one that stood out. It stood out mainly because of it's originality. His voice was strong, it was soulful and he had something different to offer. That's really why I championed him because I think he could offer something different, change the face of the band and possibly help this band move forward".
Bassist Paul Logue added "When Nik sent his audition of Evil & Divine that's when we really began to sit up and take notice and say that this guy was something special. He is the complete package".
Guitarist Thorsten Koehne enthused "He's just an amazing talent, one of the most amazing singers I've seen in recent times. He's just so versatile in what he can do and he just fits the band perfect because with Eden's Curse we're very diverse, as far as the music, so there's not just one particular style that we are doing. So we were really looking for a singer that could keep up with that and have a range in his vocals. Nikola is just perfect because he can do so many things, from blues to metal stuff and everything in between".
Also joining the Eden's Curse ranks is Welsh keyboard wizard and Powerquest main man Steve Williams who replaces Alessandro Del Vecchio.
Bassist Paul Logue commented "Sadly we we part company with our brother Alessandro on a truly positive note as his career as a mixing engineer and a producer has really taken off, meaning less and less time could be devoted to the Eden's Curse cause. We will miss him dearly as a friend and a musician and we wish him nothing but the utmost success. We firmly believe he has the talent to go right to the very top! He will always be considered a part of the Eden's Curse family and is cursed for life".
Williams, a former member of Dragonforce, commented "It was a real thrill to be asked by Paul and the boys to get involved in Eden's Curse. I've been a fan for a long time, I've known the guys a while and it's great to be here getting myself right cursed I can tell you!"
Bassist Paul Logue further commented "I've known Steve for a while and when Ale left he recommended we look at Steve. It was very easy choice for us, as we were already good friends and with Powerquest calling it a day it was a perfect time in both our careers to join forces. Steve is a smashing player and one of life's true gentlemen. He is an utter joy to have on board and I am genuinely excited to see what we can produce together in the years to come as I am a big fan of his songwriting".
The band can also confirm that their long awaited fourth album Symphony Of Sin will be released by AFM Records on October 4.
This will be preceded by a digital single Evil & Divine, for which the band shot a video for on location at the famous St. Andrews in the Square location in Glasgow, under the direction of Ryan Priddy and his team at Independent Element. More news to follow on that at: www.edenscurse.com.
SLASH TO RELEASE SOUNDTRACK ALBUM FOR 'NOTHING LEFT TO FEAR': "It's been equally intriguing for me to be involved with producing, writing and performing the music in Nothing Left To Fear. Film scoring prompts me to engage different styles of writing and guitar playing that don't always present themselves when I make Rock n Roll records." --Slash Slash--the iconic, Grammy-winning guitarist--will release the soundtrack album for the first-ever motion picture he has co-produced, Nothing Left To Fear, on October 4, the same day the film opens in select theaters. The Nothing Left To Fear Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was written and produced by Slash and Nick O'Toole. It includes the film score plus two original songs: "Nothing Left To Fear" which features vocalist Myles Kennedy and the instrumental "Welcome To Stull."
The album will be released exclusively at www.PledgeMusic.com/slash, giving fans access to interviews, song streams, first looks at film art, clips and more. When fans pledge and pre-order the album, they will gain access to one-of-a-kind experiences with Slash, as well as merchandise for the film. For more information on all packages available, click www.pledgemusic.com/slash.
Due in select theaters Friday, October 4 and available on Blu-ray Combo-pack, DVD and On Demand starting Tuesday, October 8. Nothing Left To Fear is a harrowing tale in the spirit of the terrifying horror films of the 1970s. The movie is inspired by the legend of Stull, Kansas, which is surrounded by Internet folklore proclaiming the town to be one of the Seven Gateways to Hell. Wendy (Anne Heche), her husband Dan (James Tupper of "Revenge") and their kids have just moved to the small town of Stull, Kansas, where Dan is the new pastor. But in this sleepy community of friendly neighbors, a horrific series of occurrences awaits them: Their teenage daughter (Rebekah Brandes of "Bellflower") is being tormented by grisly visions. Her younger sister (Jennifer Stone of "Wizards Of Waverly Place") has been marked for a depraved ritual. And deep within the heartland darkness, one of The Seven Gates Of Hell demands the blood of the innocent to unleash the creatures of the damned. Ethan Peck ("10 Things I Hate About You") and Clancy Brown (The Shawshank Redemption) co-star in this demonic shocker featuring original music by producer Slash and inspired by the real-life paranormal legacy of Stull. Nothing Left To Fear is the first film from Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Slash's production company, Slasher Films, and was written by Jonathon W.C. Mills and directed by Anthony Leonardi III. "As a long-time fan of the Horror genre, I want to produce films that are in an older tradition of the genre," relates Slash. "That is to say, films that leave more to one's imagination, that are psychologically scary and character-driven, and what scares you is more cerebral than superficial. Slasher Films is my vehicle to realize that aim, and Nothing Left To Fear is the first film with more to come."
For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/nothinglefttofearmovie.
2013 MID-YEAR MUSIC INDUSTRY REPORT:
NEW YORK – Nielsen SoundScan and Nielsen BDS, the entertainment industry's leading data information systems, reveal 2013 mid-year U.S. music sales figures for the 6-month period of December 31, 2012 through June 30, 2013. Nielsen SoundScan measures U.S. point-of-sale of recorded music product. Nielsen BDS tracks U.S. radio airplay and music streams. Both systems power many of the Billboard charts. For the first six months of 2013, sales of albums and track equivalents are down 4.6% vs. the first six months of 2012. Digital Albums are up 6.3% and Digital Tracks are down 2.3%. CD sales declined 14.2% and Vinyl LP sales are up 33.5%. "Overall sales are down slightly in the first half of 2013, but there continues to be encouraging growth in digital album sales" says David Bakula, SVP Nielsen Entertainment. "Digital Albums now comprise 43% of all album sales, up from 38% at this time last year. Also, while a small percentage of the overall album sales, Vinyl LPs continue to be an amazing growth story with sales up over 33% over last year's record-setting pace." "Streaming continues to be a tremendous growth story with over 50 Billion audio and video streams in the first six months of 2013," continues Bakula. "Not only are we seeing massive volume of streams, but we continue to see growth on a comparable provider basis, with stream volume up 24% over the same period last year."
TONY MONTANA – ORIGINAL GREAT WHITE BASSIST BOARDS SHIP FOR TOUR:
Hollywood, CA – (July 18, 2013) – Great White's original shipmate and bassist, Tony Montana will join Jack Russell as a special guest player for the A PIRATES LIFE TOUR. Montana is part of the bands rise to fame from 1987 to 1992, and Russell is thrilled to have him on deck once again. "After 23 years I am excited to have my friend on stage with me again. He is the best bass player Great White ever had," exclaims Jack Russell. Jack Russell's Great White is hitting the high seas to embark in a two month tour. The first show of the A PIRATES LIFE TOUR starts July 19 at the World Famous Whisky A Go-Go in Hollywood, CA - From there they cross the Nation until early Fall. Multi-Platinum original singer of Great White still brings it to the stage belting out all the original beloved songs that made the band take a place in rock history. Russell will be performing all their greatest hits from Save All Your Love, One Bitten Twice Shy, Rock Me and more!
For more information on the Great White Featuring Jack Russell go to www.jacksgreatwhite.com or www.facebook.com/jacksgwpiratespage.
NEW SHOWCASE:
A new CD Showcase has been added for the August 23 release of Until Rain from Escape Music. Check it out.
MRX UPDATED: MRX has been updated with some new goodies....
- Cinderella - Demos (2CD, classic era)
- Marvelous 3 - Extras (11 rarities)
- Paul Laine - Demos (8 Tracks)
- LA Guns - Live (Hollywood Vampires Tour)
Plus the following new Video Clips: WET - Love Heals, Guru - White, Winery Dogs - I'm No Angel, UDO - Metal Machine, Jorn - Traveller, Saffire - Magnolia.
Join MRX now - or even better - participate in the MelodicRockFest 3 Raffle and get access to MRX as part of the ticket price. The winner of course gets flown from anywhere in the world to MRF3 in Chicago this September! All MRX and Raffle purchases go towards helping support MelodicRock.com.
House of Shakira wants to come out and play again.
It´s not yet 18 months since their critically acclaimed album "HoS" hit the market, but the band has been working on a sequel ever since. It´s about time to let the new opus "Pay to Play" see the light of day. And MelodicRock Records is going to be the label to deliver this new classic to the masses.
The upcoming seventh studio release marks the second CD with lead singer Andreas Novak, and is accordingly their best album so far. The band chose a small label, in order to maintain highest priority throughout the process, instead of falling between the lines in the hands of a bigger label.
Says frontman Andreas Novak: "MelodicRock Records is our weapon of choice, whose enthusiasm we trust with our lives. I'm proud to say this is by far the best release I've ever been involved in. This album has been a true pleasure and walk in the park to compose, since we're immune to pressure. It´s all for the love of good music. Fame and fortune should not be anybody's goal - then it becomes an obstacle instead.
We just wanna play."
Label CEO Andrew McNeice: "I've had the pleasure of working with Andreas over a number of yeas now as well as a long standing friendship with the rest of the HoS guys. When they came together I pitched to them immediately. Well, I might have had to wait one album, but I've got them now! I'm as excited about this release as I could be. I've been going back and forth with the guys over the last few months deciding upon which songs had to make the cut and organizing the perfect sequencing so this album flows like a fine wine. They guys have outdone themselves and I think the songs, the passion and the energy of this record rival their classic debut."
House Of Shakira are a Swedish rock formed by guitarists Mats Hallstensson and Anders Lundström that started out in Stockholm around 1991 under the moniker The Station. The mid 1990's saw the band change their name to House of Shakira, named after a London bordello.
In their 22 year history the band has released six previous studio albums, all of which have left their mark, making the band one of Sweden's best known musical exports as well as hometown heroes. Their famed debut album "Lint" remains a genre classic. For the band's second album with singer Andreas Novak, the guys collectively concluded that it was time to give the debut a run for its money.
The House Of Shakira line-up of Mats Hallstensson (guitars), Anders Lundström (guitars), Andreas Novak (vocals) and the blistering rhythm section of Basse Blyberg (bass) and Martin Larsson (drums) locked themselves away in the studio for several months, not immerging until the songs of their new release "Pay To Play" were completed and a perfect addition to the band's legacy.
House Of Shakira "Pay To Play" will be released worldwide via MelodicRock Records/Cargo Records on CD September 23 and via Digital outlets two weeks later on October 7.
Full details, album artwork, track listing and that all important preview will follow shortly.
CHARMING GRACE GATHERS SOME CRITICAL ACCLAIM:
Since its release in April 2013 the international All Star AOR / Melodic Rock project Charming Grace received some amazing feedback from the fans and the media alike. A little collection of quotes from around the world mirrors the great reception of the band's debut record:
"Davide Barbieri is charged with holding things together vocally, but from the opening notes…Barbieri delivers with gusto and quality. As the vocal booth fills with members of Lionville, Boulevard, the Michael Thompson Band, Urban Tale and others, the listener is whisked back to the days of bubble perms and spandex" (Dave Ling, Classic Rock magazine, United Kingdom – 8 out of 10 points) "The fact that Monti, Monti and Barbieri have come up with 12 absolutely killer AOR tunes is worthy of praise alone, let alone the choice of covers, but the duet concept adds excellent variety and opens up a much wider breadth of enjoyment. And its credit to Davide Barbieri that he never gets overshadowed by his sometimes more illustrious collaborators. Highly Recommended!" (Ant Heeks, Fireworks Magazine, United Kingdom - Hot Album in issue 57) "Bringing together a who's who of AOR and melodic rock world on this somewhat different album, Charming Grace is a project which brings back reminders of that fabulous Shining Line CD from 2010." (George Thatcher, Glory Daze Music, Australia - 9 out of 10 points) "Charming Grace: the magic created is simply beyond belief, unquestionably a charmed and graceful listening experience!" (Bruce Atkinson, Melodic Rock Fanzine, Italy - 91 out of 100 points) "This is another excellent AOR release from 'our' Zorro and his friends. Recommended stuff!" (Chris Lambert, Rock Report, Belgium - 5.5 out of 6 points) "Charming Grace has recorded a strong debut album and this is a MUST for everyone that owns albums with Lionville and Shining Line." (Juha Harjula, melodic.net, Sweden - 4 out of 5 points) "Since the first moment Charming Grace reveals itself as a precious piece for every refined melodic rock collection." (Marco Aimasso, metal.it, Italy - 8,5 out of 10 points - Top Album in April 2013) "A 'must have' of the year 2013 for fans of FM Rock, AOR and Melodic Rock. Recommended for fans of Lionville, Soleil Moon, Mecca, Foreigner, Jeff Paris and Mark Free" (Rémi Ancenay, Metal Integral, France - 19 out of 20 points) "As expected while reading the names of the musicians involved, Charming Grace deliver an extraordinary album of pure 80s AOR, perfectly arranged and produced with wonderful melodies, hooklines galore, tasty keyboards and guitar solos" (Wolfgang Kelz, Stormbringer, Austria - 5 out of 5 points) "The 14 duets on the Charming Grace debut are highly enjoyable AOR / 80s Melodic Rock gems offering an entertaining listening" (Petra Rottmann, Break Out magazine, Germany) "There are indeed some very notable names on the album, I did not expect to hear the voices of Moon Calhoun (Michael Thompson Band), Bente Smaavik (Perfect Crime, Blonde On Blonde) and Henrik Launbjerg (Toys Of Joy) again on new AOR tracks. Strong songs, great vocals, a very good sound and an inventive concept guarantee a successful project." (Maarten van Mameren, Aardshock magazine, The Netherlands)
To say "Thank You" Charming Grace is now running a contest on their Facebook site to win official Charming Grace T-Shirts. You can find out more details by visiting www.facebook.com/CharmingGOfficial. Charming Grace wishes everyone a great summer and the best of luck for the contest!
MITCH MALLOY KICKS ASS: Mitch Malloy has unleashed a kcik ass rock tune to iTunes that had been left unused in recent years. Here's what Mitch told me today about It's Your Love: "The song is one that was never finished earlier. I came across it a couple weeks ago and though "HEY!!! that could kick ASS!" So I played the bass and the guitars except the solo and the keys and sang it and mixed it and mastered it and there it is. It's the direction my head has been in for a while now. I would LOVE to make a cd in that style..."
Check it out now at: itunes.apple.com/us/album/its-your-love-single/id674790196.
JAMES LaBRIE RESONATES ON NEW SOLO ALBUM: James LaBrie is an artist with a busy schedule, juggling his vocal chords between a demanding fulltime recording and worldwide touring schedules with multi-million selling Progressive Metal pioneers Dream Theater, guest vocal appearances with diverse acts (Ayreon, Fates Warning, Redemption, Shadow Gallery, etc.) and his periodical solo releases. But Toronto, Canada native LaBrie's solo activities via InsideOutMusic, which have been running under his own name after two albums with the group name "MullMuzzler", should certainly not be perceived as mere side-note activity between Dream Theater releases. In fact, the James LaBrie albums have become a coherent entity of their own and showcase a skilled and highly impressive, ever-evolving group, very distinct in style and now even consistent in its line-up.
"Impermanent Resonance" was once again conceived together with LaBrie's songwriting partner for over a dozen years now, Matt Guillory, who didn't only take the leading role in the composing of the song material, but also handled all of the keyboard recordings as well as background vocals. Just like on the previous album release from 2010, "Static Impulse", Marco Sfogli from Italy masterfully tracked all of the guitars, bass duties were taken care of by Ray Riendeau (Halford, Machines of Loving Grace) and Swedish drummer extraordinaire Peter Wildoer, who has not only had a long-term international career with his own band Darkane and recent recognition due to his auditions for Dream Theater, but he has also collected high profile recording and performing credits for Metal bands as diverse as Majestic, Old Man's Child, Pestilence and Arch Enemy.
This solidified line-up for James LaBrie's releases doesn't only help the musical chemistry shine through fully, it also adds - actually quite in contrast to the album's title - an unmistakable evenness in the stylistic approach to be found throughout "Impermanent Resonance". It substantially and neatly continues the eventful musical ride for all those who enjoyed the dynamic, extremely fresh and very powerful attitude already found on "Static Impulse". In fact, it even takes the whole journey a step further, with the levels of catchiness and heaviness remarkably increased, without losing sight of the importance of interesting songwriting or technical ingenuity.
James LaBrie comments about "Impermanent Resonance" as follows: "To me this album incorporates and continues with the styles and musical direction that we have created with the previous releases. The difference being that the music on this disc is to me a true telling of the songs evolving and taking on a sense of identity that is every band's ultimate goal. It is powerful, memorable, hook-driven and above all extremely musical. It shows how the writing and the band itself have matured. I truly feel that this is our quintessential album."
Further stressing the "if it ain't broken, don't fix it" standpoint, James LaBrie has once again decided to round off the international recording sessions for "Impermanent Resonance" by involving the skillful assistance of Jens Bogren and this time also Tony Lindgren at Sweden's Fascination Street recording studios (Kreator, Opeth, Paradise Lost, Symphony X; etc.). Here the recording of drums, as well as the mix and mastering of the album took place, after their previous collaboration on "Static Impulse" had already lead to much praised results. Visually, LaBrie has hooked up with Gustavo Sazes / abstrata.net (Arch Enemy, Firewind, Kamelot, etc.) to capture and translate the album's atmosphere into his extremely striking artwork.
Often referenced to "Gothenburg Metal with some progressive elements", the latest James LaBrie solo-effort once again comes across as notably heavier than what his followers from Dream Theater might expect. But it is the mixture of contemporary, cutting edge ideas from the heavier metal genre blending with LaBrie's crystal-clear melodic vocals as well as the tasteful, bright and illuminating use of keyboards that makes songs like the thundering opening "Agony", the super-direct "Back On The Ground" as well as all around entertaining tracks like "Undertow", "I Got You" or "Amnesia" become instant attractions for open minded fans of quality metal music. There is no need for a "prog" degree here, but even those with one will find plenty of instrumental sophistication to enjoy on this release.
Kevin James LaBrie commenced as drummer before moving on to vocals and debuting with Canadian Hard Rockers Winter Rose. He joined Dream Theater in 1992 and has been spearheading the progressive Metal movement ever since. He quotes bands like Metallica, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Journey and Judas Priest as well as classical composers as his alltime favorites and lists Steve Perry (Journey), Freddie Mercury, Sting, Paul Rodgers and Nat King Cole as influential vocalists. "Impermanent Resonance" marks the most proficient and "complete" of his solo efforts so far and further pushes the musical envelope, making it another huge step forwards for James LaBrie's constantly growing, artistically sensational body of work.
James LaBrie - "Impermanent Resonance" (49:52) Tracklisting: 1. Agony (4:23) 2. Undertow (4:02) 3. Slight Of Hand (5:21) 4. Back On The Ground (4:05) 5. I Got You (3:46) 6. Holding On (4:53) 7. Lost In The Fire (3:52) 8. Letting Go (4:17) 9. Destined To Burn (4:00) 10. Say You're Still Mine (3:32) 11. Amnesia (3:43) 12. I Will Not Break (3:52). Bonus Tracks for Limited Edition Digipak (57:08): 13. Unraveling (3:30) 14. Why (3:47).
STRANGE BEAUTIFUL BOOK FROM JOE SATRIANI:
Hailed as the Jimi Hendrix of his generation and "a Guitar God" by The New York Times, living legend Joe Satriani has long transcended stylistic boundaries with a sound that raises the bar for the broader genre of instrumental guitar rock. With 15 Grammy Awards nominations and over 10 million albums sold, Satriani's six-string secrets have astounded listeners around the world for nearly 30 years, and BenBella Books is excited to announce the April 2014 release of his first authorized literary project, Strange Beautiful Music: A Musical Memoir.
Told over hours of firsthand, exclusive interviews, the book is co-written by Satriani and award-winning music biographer Jake Brown (Heart, Motorhead, Kenny Aronoff, Rick Rubin) and takes fans on their first authorized tour of the story behind his climb to worldwide stardom. Strange Beautiful Music reveals the creative odyssey that was the writing and recording of a storied catalog of legendary classic albums and hits including Surfing with the Alien, The Extremist, Flying in a Blue Dream, "Summer Song," "Satch Boogie," "Always With Me, Always With You," "Crowd Chant," and many more!
Featuring a foreword by legendary Queen lead guitarist Brian May, this memoir is filled with pages and pages of never-before-seen photos as well as exclusive, firsthand interviews with former student and fellow guitar icon Steve Vai, Chickenfoot band mates Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Chad Smith, legendary producers Glyn Johns, the late Andy Johns, AC/DC producer Mike Fraser, and Satriani/Dead Kennedys producer John Cunniberti, among others. Satriani commented personally, "I'm excited for my fans, through this musical memoir, to get a deeper look inside my creative process in the studio and the stories behind the songs. We have a great publisher in BenBella and I look forward to the book hitting shelves next year!"
Co-author Jake Brown adds: "Joe Satriani is arguably the Mozart of his generation and the biggest-selling rock instrumental guitarist in Soundscan history. Millions of guitar players around the world have been influenced by the super-human techniques he pioneered behind the six string, and this is the story behind those songs, from "Surfing with the Alien" to "Summer Song" and beyond, through 2013's "Unstoppable Momentum." We are grateful for Glenn Yeffeth and everyone on the talented staff at BenBella Books for believing in and giving this book a worldwide publication and look forward to getting this literary journey into fans' hands!"
The hardcover book will hit stores in April 2014, along with an enhanced ebook, and is set for an international release in the summer of 2014. BenBella Books is publisher of nine New York Times bestselling titles.
RICK SPRINGFIELD STRUMS UP A MAC CLASSIC:
Press Release / "I wasn't going to ask Rick Springfield's publicist if he'd do a Summer Undercover this year for us, because I just assumed he'd say no. Somebody—I think it was Marah—told me just to give it a shot anyway. Turns out Springfield—best known for a string of '80s hits, including "Jessie's Girl"—had read and liked the piece that Annie Zaleski wrote for us about teen idols who don't get no respect. Before his headlining slot at Naperville's RibFest, Springfield stopped by the backyard of our video director's parents (also, conveniently, in Naperville) and rocked out his version of the Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac song "Oh Well." Springfield has had a fascinating career, rocketing to fame in the '80s before disappearing from music for a spell, then returning to a truly diehard audience. A documentary about the singer/actor, and specifically his relationship with those diehard fans, was released on DVD today: It's called An Affair Of The Heart. Enjoy." www.avclub.com/articles/rick-springfield-covers-fleetwood-mac,100132/
NEW ASSIGNMENT FOR CONCEPT FANS:
German prog metallers Assignment, have announced October 11 as the release date for 'Inside Of The Machine' via Mausoleum Records. The stunning artwork conceived by Belgium-based graphic artist Didier Scohier (Asia, Dokken, Ian Gillan, Uriah Heep, Code Of Silence, Max Pie). The cover art is available below along with the tracklist:
1. Upload The System 2. The Intrusion 3. I Am The Machine 4. Resistance 5. Love Between Heaven & Hell 6. Betrayal 7. Messiah's Fall 8. Ending Love 9. Another Sacrifice 10. Electric City 11. Walk Alone 12. Eternal Silence 13. Bug In The System 14. End Of The Machine.
The new album is a conceptual masterpiece including Robin Beck, Michael Bormann (ex-Jaded Heart, Bonfire), Mats Leven (ex-Malmsteen, Addagio), Carsten Kaiser (ex-Angel Dust) on vocals. "Inside of the Machine" final teaser can be viewed here: youtu.be/kUnClczDwh4. Assignment are: Goran Panic (guitars), Gert Sprick (keyboards), Heiko Maag (bass), & Sven Pollkötter (drums). Already combining various influences like Queensryche Fates Warning, but also adding segments in the styles of Ayreon or early Pain of Salvation, the band is hoping to secure a permanent record deal in the near future. Fans can expect hard-edged riffs, catchy hooks, & unexpected turnovers in more than 70 minutes running time; special guest appearance of Bernie Versailles (Redemption) on lead guitar.
Assignment stands for music without boundaries, as our musical influences are spread over the whole Rock & Metal genre. From Death Metal to Progressive Rock but having always the focus on the melodies and arrangements. Therefore, we call our style Art Metal!
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/AssignmentMusic / www.assignment-music.com.
xx
DECIBEL GEEK PODCAST RELEASES EPISODE 93 "ROCK FOR A CAUSE with MITCH LAFON":
A new Kiss tribute album is coming out in August. Many Kiss fans will let out a collective yawn when they hear this news. But, this time it's different; for many reasons. Good friend of the Decibel Geek Podcast and a podcast personality in his own right (Dropping the Needle and Three Sides of the Coin), Mitch Lafon joins us to discuss project he's put together that is nearing completion that helps celebrate 40 years of the Hottest Band in the Land. The kicker? It's all done for a good cause; and the Kiss Army has supported it in droves.
A World With Heroes features professionally recorded performances from many artists that warm the hearts of Decibel Geek listeners everywhere. The artists involve donated their time and efforts for free and all of the proceeds go towards helping The Vaudreuil-Soulanges Palliative Care, a cancer care hospice that took care of Mitch's father-in-law in his final days. The project has been funded through Pledge Music.
We hear the whole story of how this project was launched, its personal meaning to Mitch, and why Kiss fans truly have the biggest hearts of any rock fans with how they've embraced this project and helped it come to fruition.
WebLink: dbgeekshow.blogspot.ca/2013/07/a-new-kiss-tribute-album-is-coming-out.html
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
CONEY HATCH RETURN WITH FOUR OUT IN SEPTEMBER ON FRONTIERS: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of Four the anticipated reunion album from Canadian rockers Coney Hatch on September 24 in North America and September 27 in Europe.
Once dubbed "The Loudest Band in Toronto" Coney Hatch is back with their first record of new material in over two decades. Four is chalked full of the unique brand of melodic riff-rock that first brought the band to the attention of critics and rock fans all over the world.
Formed back in the early '80s in Toronto Canada, original members Andy Curran, Carl Dixon, Dave Ketchum and Steve Shelski released 3 records on Anthem Records in Canada and Polygram for the rest of the world. The band toured relentlessly and played support slots on tour with the likes of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Accept, Ted Nugent and Cheap Trick to name a few. After three releases and many miles of success and rocky road under their belts, the four band members went their separate ways in 1986.
The story of this reunion is an amazing journey that only fate could be responsible for. Late one night, on his way home from a recording session in Australia, a weary Carl Dixon had a near fatal head-on car collision that left him clinging to life. While Carl was still in an induced coma, his wife reached out to the other members of Coney Hatch and asked them to offer words of encouragement over to the phone to Carl. She held the phone to his ear as he lay unconscious in his bed. "I told him to get better quick" says bassist / vocalist Andy Curran. "I said we had a lot more rockin' to do with Coney Hatch. I really didn't think we'd play together again but it just came out of my mouth… and Carl remembered it!"
Be careful what you wish for!!......after many operations, Band-Aids, stitches, titanium rods, doctors, nurses, medicine and sheer gut-determination Carl Dixon returned to the stage with his 3 original band mates in August of 2010 in Hamilton Ontario in front of 7,500 hungry Hatch fans. News of that show travelled fast and the original Coney Hatch was soon invited to play Firefest 2011 for their first time ever in the UK! The rave reviews flooded in after that sweaty night in Nottingham and the band returned to their homeland to find a record deal offer waiting for an all new Coney Hatch record.
After much discussion and soul-searching the band decided to grab the opportunity from Frontiers to work together again. They enlisted the help of long-time friend and Juno Award winning engineer Vic Florencia (Danko Jones, Nelly Furtado, Hillary Duff, Marc Jordan, Olivia Newton-John etc) to capture the new recordings.
"All of us are thrilled to have recorded a 4th Coney Hatch record" says Curran. "We never thought it would happen but the stars aligned and hell froze over! The new material feels like it could have been the record after Outa Hand before Friction... Its raw and not too over produced, but still has that vintage Hatch sound. ...sonically we did a "2013 LA botox face lift" job and it sounds pretty fresh. The recording process was extremely challenging as the four of us all live separate lives in four different towns...it was honestly like herding cats, but eventually we got them all in the same bag! We're very happy with the final outcome."
Based on the crazy journey that plucked the band out of the bars (the Monkey Bars) in the early 80s into the hands of Max Webster kingpin Kim Mitchell and then onto Max Norman for Outa Hand and Friction no one is more surprised than the members of Coney Hatch to be back in studio with their patched up Steve Austin–ish lead vocalist/ guitarist Carl Dixon in 2013!
Four tracklisting includes: Blown Away; Boys Club; Down & Dirty; Do It Again; Connected; Revive; We Want More; Devil U Know; Marseille; Keep Drivin'; Holdin' On.
In Carl Dixon words "We think everyone will agree that Four was worth the wait!"
Coney Hatch: Carl Dixon (lead vocal, guitar); Andy Curran (vocals, bass); Steve Shelski (lead guitar); Dave Ketchum (drums).
WebLinks: www.frontiers.it / www.coneyhatch.com.
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MELODIC ROCK FEST 3 - NEWS UPDATE:
I'm very pleased to announce that the great Jeff Paris will be appearing at MelodicRockFest to pay tribute to his long-time friend Brett Walker (RIP).
Jeff and Brett wrote the #1 hit Waiting For Love together, which was recorded by Alias, becoming their monster hit. Brett has recorded his version for his new solo album and it will be Jeff's great pleasure to perform that and maybe another song or two along with Brett's band on Saturday September 28.
You can read Jeff's reflections on Brett at his Facebook page: www.facebook.com/jeff.paris.37.
NEWMAN WELCOME NEW BASS PLAYER JOEL PETERS:
Newman are very pleased to announce the addition of Joel Peters (Tainted Nation, Fury) to the live band. l-r Shaun Bessant, Joel Peters, Steve Newman, Paul Boyle, and Pete Newdeck. "After considering several bass players after Dave Bartlett's departure, Joel is the missing piece to the puzzle. We rehearsed a few days ago (insert dodgy picture!!) and we're really excited about the way things are coming together. See you all soon!" Steve
You can catch the band later this year:
28th September - Chicago, USA - MelodicRockFest 3 Festival
19th and 20th October - Nottingham, UK - Firefest Festival (Acoustic Show)
3rd November - Ludwigsburg, Germany - HEAT Festival
With more dates to be announced soon...
THEOCRACY: EUROPEAN TOUR ANNOUNCED:
The Athens, Georgia-based melodic metal band Theocracy will return to Europe for a tour this fall. See a list of confirmed shows below. More shows will be announced soon. Confirmed dates:
November 2nd: Brainstorm Festival - Apeldoorn, Netherlands
November 9th: Blast of Eternity - Neckarsulm, Germany
November 11th: Collosseum - Kosice, Slovakia
November 12th: T.B.A. - Brno, Czech Republic
November 13th: Club Hoodoo - Prague, Czech Republic
November 15th: Maata Näkyvissä - Turku, Finland
November 16th: Rock Without Limits - Stuttgart, Germany
In you're interested in booking Theocracy for a show on this tour; please contact Ulterium Records at info@ulterium-records.com.
The latest Theocracy album "As The World Bleeds" was released in Europe on November 25th 2011 through Ulterium Records, in North America on November 21st 2011 through Nightmare Records and in Japan on April 25th 2012 through King Records.
"As The World Bleeds" debuted at #40 in the Billboard Heatseekers Chart during the first week of release. Check out the music video for the track "Hide In The Fairytale" at YouTube: youtu.be/7PFGnL0FJes.
For more information on Theocracy; www.theocracymusic.com / www.facebook.com/theocracyband / www.ulterium-records.com.
FOREIGNER'S MICK JONES, LOU GRAMM 'INTHESTUDIO' EXPERIENCE DOUBLE VISION:
Dallas, TX - JULY 16, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands revisits the Summer of 1978 when Foreigner headknocked everybody with their 7x platinum seller sophomore effort Double Vision. After debuting with a million seller driven by the instant hit "Feels Like the First Time", music industry pundits and millions of rock music fans alike were now convinced that it certainly would not be the last time with hits "Double Vision", "Hot Blooded" and "Blue Morning, Blue Day". Foreigner rocketed up the charts at such a rate that the half-English half-American sextet soon found themselves out-selling label mates The Rolling Stones. Foreigner founder Mick Jones discusses with InTheStudio host Redbeard the magical moment of confirmation when a song leaves the artist's hands for the world to hear. "That is probably the greatest time, when you first hear it on the radio. Then you know it's out of your hands. It's on its own. You have your relationship with the song and with an album,(but) that point when you finally hear it on the radio, that's it. You can't do anything to it anymore. It's its own thing from that point on, and you almost say goodbye to that stage."
Foreigner 'Double Vision'/InTheStudio interview is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/foreigner-double-vision-35th-anniversary-mick-jones-lou-gramm/
ROY DAVIS FROM SHY SPEAKS TO PAUL NICHOLLS ABOUT TRIBUTE TO STEVE HARRIS:
(15 July 2013 - Birmingham, UK) Roy Davis, bass player for the highly regarded British hard rock outfit SHY, phoned Paul Nicholls from Firebrand Radio to discuss the July 19 Steve Harris (of SHY) Tribute and Charity Event for Brain Tumour UK.
Harris was struck down with a brain tumour in June of 2009 during the recording of the band's self-titled swansong album (and thirteenth release overall) and succumbed to the neurological disorder in October 2011. He was an extremely beloved person in the hard rock community, not only respected for his incredible talent but also as someone who had a positive effect on everyone he came in contact with. Steve was the founding member of SHY (initially called Trojan) at 17 years of age and played on every album the band recorded from 1983 to 2011.
Davis discusses working on the self-titled album while Steve was ill, reminisces about the past a bit and gives the rundown on the upcoming tribute to his former partner in crime.
More info on the Brain Tumour UK Foundation can be found here: www.justgiving.com/steveharrisfoundation.
The interview is linked here: bit.ly/1aEf7qE / www.shyonline.co.uk.
KINEMATIC MUSIC LAUNCHES DEBUT RELEASE FROM MINDCAGE: Kinematic Music, a new division of Kinematic Entertainment, launches this fall with the September 17, 2013 release of Our Own Devices from Florida-based progressive metallers Mindcage, mixed and mastered by rock legend Michael Wagener.
Our Own Devices is a fantasy storybook set to music. Combining cultural and literary elements of steampunk, dystopian society and futuristic technologies with highly articulate progressive metal music, the album transports the listener to a world broken and needing a hero. That oppressive world is devoid of arts, creativity, light, and ultimately, humanity. But from it springs an enigmatic character, Arabella Vash, who is called to The One Constant, a group of rebels who maintain the history and teachings of the last free society.
The core members of Mindcage – Dietrick Hardwick (writer, guitarist), Brian Howell (bass) and Craig Nudo (drums) – have been connected personally and through music forr almost thirty years. The significance of this project, for them, is that a lifelong goal has come to fruition. With the addition of power vocalist Jeff Hignite, the intense and unique synergy of writing and performing became apparent. The band is proudly debuting Our Own Devices to the public this September at ProgPower USA XIV.
Track List: 1. Cadence March 2. For All Mankind (The Dark Design) 3. Our Own Devices 4. The Human Race 5. At Full Steam 6. Firefly 7. The One Constant 8. Arabella's Arc 9. The Serenity Sequence (Renaissance Pt. I) 10. The Grand Restoration (Renaissance Pt. II).
Michael Wagener's works have sold more than 94 million records. His production and mixing credits include Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Motley Crue, Alice Cooper, Megadeth, Dokken, and Overkill. Hardwick produced Our Own Devices and Kinematic Entertainment president, Ben Galecki, executive produced.
Our Own Devices will be available on iTunes, amazon.com, and at your favorite record store.
WebLinks: facebook.com/mindcageband / kinematicmusic.com.
MASTERPLAN ON METALKAST:
On this episode of Metalkast we talk with Roland Grapow of Masterplan, the band founded by ex-Helloween guitarist Roland Grapow in 2002, now returns with a whole new line-up, three years with their latest album Novum Initium. We have 2 single plays from Bloodgood and Primal Fear. Bloodgood features a Oz Fox re-envisioned version of Rounded Are The Rocks. Bloodgood has started a Kickstarter project to record their first studio album in 22 years. Please follow Metalkast at: www.metalkast.com.
AOR FOR SPAIN WITH GURU AND HARDREAMS: Hardreams will be playing this Saturday at BeGood in Barcelona with friends Güru! It will be an amazing night for melodic rock and AOR fans!
Both bands will be presenting their new albums in front of home audiences, so it should be a special night.
22:30h Spanish Time - Hardreams + Güru - Sala BeGood (Sancho de Ávila 78, Barcelona)
Hardreams also wanted to share a new video from one of their recent shows and the song is called Its Only Love. It was recorded in Bilbao on June 1st 2013 when we shared stage with Michael Schenker Group: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVFwxaGeIAM.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
GIUNTINI PROJECT LAUNCH VIDEO:
Song from Giuntini Project lV album released by Escape Music - www.escape-music.com/ESM253.htm. Video by Mizuko & Dario Mollo. Guitar - Aldo Giuntini, Vocals - Tony Martin, Bass - Fulvio Gaslini, Drums - Fabiano Rizzi, Keys - Dario Patti.
ADRIANGALE WANT YOU FOR MRF3:
News from Adriangale regarding MelodicRock Fest 3 -
"We are in full fledged practice mode, getting everything tight for Sept. We are in the process of putting the final touches on the NEW album. Excitement level is very high!!
With all of that said, we wanted to send out a challenge/contest of sorts to YOU. What does that mean? Well, AG has always prided itself on having a good relationship with you, our fan base.
We want you to dig what we DO. After all, YOU are why we do what we do. So after a talk with our label and Andrew McNeice, we came up with an idea. We want YOU to help pick our set list for MRF3!!! You heard us...... We want everyone to post 3 songs on the Facebook thread to be considered as a part of our set list at MRF3. The people that have the most picks that are used, will receive a signed Adriangale set list!!! Who knows, you might even get a shout out from the stage So 3......2......1.....SOUND OFF!!"
NIGHT X NIGHT SHARE THE MOMENT WITH FANS: Night by Night are absolutely thrilled to share their new video for 'The Moment' with you. They're very proud of the video, and we're sure that you will absolutely love it! The song on the video, 'The Moment' will be released as a single on August 5, ahead of their debut album release in October 2013. It's an exciting year for Night by Night – they've been confirmed as the only support for the Y+T UK tour, and the album is set to be an absolutely fantastic release.
INTRODUCING KINGDRAGON: Kingdragon is a Melodic Hard n Heavy band formed in 2006 by George Aspiotis (Vocals + Keyboards), the keyboardist of Spitfire, and ex-Nightfall and Raw Silk. After a long period of service in the Greek Hard & Heavy Rock scene he decides to create a "new strong melodic sound" stemming from a mixture of his musical experiences/influences from 3 powerful melody decades, the 70's, the 80's and the 90's. Kingdragon was asked to appear live for the first time in front of the Athenian audience on 3 November 2006 supporting the distinguished Gotthard. It was the best that could happen for Kingdragon. They performed all their unreleased material plus a well-known Journey cover (Separate Ways) in front of an audience unfamiliar with the band! Kingdragon received excellent reports on that gig both from Greek Magazines, as well as Webzines and the radio.
In October 2008 Kingdragon decide to release on their own expenses 500 factory-cut copies of the EP - Fire In The Sky comprising 4 songs: 1) Fire in the Sky, 2) Man Of Yesterday, 3) Hold On 2 Love and 4) Lovely Lady. The EP is sent to producers around the world (40 countries) and receives the best reviews for a self-financed release! Following the release the band appears once again in front of the Athenian audience on 23 October 2008 this time supporting the legendary Firehouse!! 2 words: Sold Out! The superb audience responded to the call and gave that special hard rock night a "magic" touch! Kingdragon's performance was excellent and the already familiar with the songs crowd participated in the show! A Great night!
November 2, 2009 and Kingdragon was asked to appear live and support the legendary band House Of Lords and also celebrate the group's 3rd year anniversary. Having received exceptional live reports from the media, the band is contacting with promoters and producers from various countries (Germany, Great Britain, Australia, Japan, Switzerland, USA, etc) in order to promote Kingdragon to the Hard Rock audience around the globe, as well as to find the producer and the record label that would release the first Full Length Album of the band. The band's already in the studio mixing the 12 new songs, candidates for their 1st album named "Hide The Sun".
In July 2013 Kingdragon signed with Retrospect Records / USA, for Release & Worldwide Distribution.
The album "Hide The Sun" was recorded and mixed in digital and also in an analog version (for vinyl). The final recordings lasted a year and production was of great interest because the sound of Kingdragon includes loud guitars along with many backing vocals and several keyboards. Their sound is simultaneously strong and melodic. Can you feel the dragon's breath?
Tracklist: 1.Last Time, 2.Burn It Down, 3.Hide The Sun, 4.Shout, Very Loud, 5.Only Winter, 6.Victim Of Love, 7.Asian Star, 8.Living For Tomorrow, 9.Judgement Day, 10.Dreams Are Broken, 11.Man Of Yesterday, 12. Live For Rock.
Band Members: George Aspiotis: Vocals / Keys; Anastasis F.: Guitars; Mark Kontopidis: Drums; Andrew Roumeliotis: Bass.
WebSites: www.Kingdragon.gr / www.facebook.com/kingdragonband.
MELODIC BRIEFS:
In this new Examiner.com interview conducted with Richie Kotzen on the upcoming Winery Dogs debut album release and world tour, he discusses the fresh approach that comes with starting a new band, the role of tension when it comes to great music, and his days in other bands like Poison and Mr. Big, along with what he thinks of Paul Gilbert and Gene Simmons! exm.nr/18jfq9F.
A new Foghat song 'The Word of Rock n' Roll' single is being released last week: youtu.be/l8UEPcn-GsA.
Seven mini LP reissues from Rush will be out on September 25. They feature the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD player). "Vapor Trails" features 2013 remastering and some reissue feature 2004 remastering. Order from CD Japan.
Monday, July 15, 2013
EXCLUSIVE SONG PREMIERE: HEAT "WHAT DOES IT TAKE" FEAT. VINNIE VINCENT: Heat -- an early '80s West Coast R&B/rock/fusion collective led by bandleader/principal songwriter Tom Saviano -- are set to release "Heat Revisited" in Japan on July 17. In advance of the release, KissFAQ has the exclusive online premiere for What Does it Take, an infectious up-tempo rock shuffle dusted off from the Heat vaults. Recorded circa 1981, the track features lead guitar by a then-young hotshot guitarist named Vinnie Cusano, who would later be rechristened Vinnie Vincent in Kiss.
The track is available to stream here: www.kissfaq.com/news/Heat_What_Does_It_Take.mp3.
More information on the song/Heat here: www.kissfaq.com/forum11/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=88729.
In conjunction with the premiere, KissFAQ's Tim McPhate conducted an exclusive interview with Heat bandleader Tom Saviano. "I thought [Vinnie] played real melodic on this track," says Saviano. "He played like a studio musician."
Full interview here: www.kissfaq.com/forum11/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=88728.
xx
FURYON HIT SPAIN IN SEPTEMBER: Black Moon Creep and Rock N Growl Booking have forged their second collaborative tour together. It is for British metallers Furyon who will play 9 shows in September this year in Spain.
Furyon Tour Spain 2013:
12 Sept – Bilbao – Kafe Antzokia
13 Sept - Vitoria – Jimmy Jazz
14 Sept – Ourense – Sala Berlín
15 Sept – León – El Gran Café de León
17 Sept – Madrid – We Rock
18 Sept – Murcia – Sala B
19 Sept – Castellón – Pub D'leyend
20 Sept – Zaragoza – Sala Utopia
21 Sept – Barcelona – Sala Rocksound Furyon are: Matt Mitchell – Vocals, Chris Green – Guitars, Alex "Nickel" Bowen – Bass, Lee Farmery – Drums.
Furyon is a new band from the U.K. who like nothing more than to challenge expectations. Raised on a diet of heavy metal, prog, and classic rock. Furyon mix all these components for a truly unique and contemporary sound. Delivering huge rock-radio-friendly songs, with technically-challenging-yet-infectiously-catchy musicianship, they are dedicated to one sole purpose: making hard-hitting songs that will stand the test of time.
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/pages/Furyon/114816935285870 / www.furyon.net.
FM MEET & GREET AT THE RIVER ROOMS 28 JULY 2013: FM, whose new single "Story Of My Life" was released this week, have announced a Meet & Greet after their show at The River Rooms, Stourbridge on 28 July. Ticketholders may apply to join the Meet & Greet on the FM website at www.fmofficial.com/fmofficial/3_live.html. Closing date for applications is midnight on Wednesday 24 July 2013.
Tickets to see FM at The River Rooms with Special Guest Toby Jepson (Little Angels/Gun/Dio's Disciples) are close to selling out - head over to www.theriverrooms.com/FM.html to avoid disappointment! FM will also be taking to the stage ahead of Saxon at Steelhouse Festival on 27 July 2013. Full details at www.steelhousefestival.com.
"Story Of My Life" from FM's new album Rockville - fresh from several weeks on the BBC Radio 2 playlist - is available now from all good internet retailers.
ROCK & METAL CHRONICLES VOLUME 1: Rock & Metal Chronicles is the first volume in a series of books detailing some of the most popular and revered albums in the entire annals of rock and metal. Featuring extensive reviews of albums by such hard rock and metal titans as AC/DC, Judas Priest, Megadeth, Motörhead and Rob Zombie, rock writer Neil Daniels offers a handy 390 page reference guide for the rock fan.
Neil Daniels is the author of over a dozen books on rock and metal, including acclaimed biographies of Judas Priest, Metallica, AC/DC and Iron Maiden. He has written extensively about rock for such publications as Powerplay, Rock Sound, Fireworks and Record Collector. He has also written sleeve notes for a number of albums by such artists as Al Atkins, Dennis DeYoung, Tommy Shaw, Gentle Giant, Lake and Wet Willie. His websites are www.neildaniels.com and neildanielsbooks.wordpress.com Visit his Amazon US and UK author's pages.
Available from Amazon sites. www.amazon.com/Rock-Metal-Chronicles-I-1/dp.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH PETE WAY, JEFF CARLISI AND THE QUILL: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 14th July 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 15th July 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) features exclusive interviews with former UFO bassist Pete Way, Jeff Carlisi, formerly of 38 Special, and The Quill frontman Magnus Arnar and is available now for streaming at: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-pete-way-ex-ufo-jeff-carlisi-ex-38-special-the-quill-interview/
The first hour of the show features the second in a series of interviews with legendary former UFO bassist Pete Way, in which Pete looks at the recent "UFO At The BBC" box set. This week, Pete looks at a live concert recording from 1975 and a radio session from 1977 featuring the classic "Strangers in the Night" line-up of the band, and chooses two classic tracks.
Also in part one, Magnus Arnar, frontman with Swedish Hard Rockers The Quill, talks about the band's new album "Tiger Blood", which sees the band distilling their 70s Classic Rock influences into a high quality set of songs delivered with passion and energy.
Part two features and extended version of the show's weekly Southern Rock Special feature, with an extended interview with one of the most underrated lead guitarists of the genre, Jeff Carlisi, formerly of 38 Special. Jeff gives the inside story of two newly reissued classic 38 Special albums, "Wild Eyed Southern Boys" and "Special Forces" (out now on Beat Goes On records), which saw the band blending their fiery Southern Rock roots with a more polished melodic Hard Rock sound. Jeff also discusses his current role with Camp Jam, a music education programme for both kids and adults, and his recent book "Jam!", in which he offers practical advice to bands and businesses, based on lessons he learned in his career as a professional musician.
The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from ZZ Top, AC/DC, Blackmore's Night, Magnus Karlsson's Free Fall, the Gutter Godz and Thin Lizzy.
DEAD DAISIES ALBUM DUE AUGUST 13: The Dead Daisies recently announced they'd be embarking on their first U.S. shows as part of this summer's Rockstar Energy Uproar Festival. Now the band are set to release their self-titled debut album on August 13 via Spitfire Music. On top of this exciting news, the band is very close to confirming U.K. tour dates with Black Star Rider (Thin Lizzy), and their debut single, 'Lock N' Load', has been added to the rotation of influential Phoenix radio station 93.3 KDKB.
Headlining the Coldcock Herbal Whiskey Showcase Stage powered by Ernie Ball the band will deliver their brand of catchy rock alongside Alice In Chains, Jane's Addiction, Coheed and Cambria and Circa Survive. The touring outfit of The Dead Daisies is vocalist Jon Stevens (Noiseworks, Inxs), lead guitarist Richard Fortus (Guns N' Roses, Thin Lizzy), rhythm guitarist David Lowy (Mink, The Angels), bassist Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy, Ted Nugent, Whitesnake), drummer Alex Carapetis (Nine Inch Nails, Julian Casablancas) and keyboardist Dizzy Reed (Guns N' Roses).
93.3 KDKB is one of the U.S.'s longest running rock radio stations and is the first radio station to officially add 'Lock N' Load' to their rotation. 'Lock N' Load', was co-written by and features iconic guitarist Slash and is currently available at iTunes. Accompanying the track is a short film (with two different endings), produced by Melbourne-based production company, Oh Yeah Wow (Gotye, Clubfeet, Aloe Blacc). Check out the "Live" and "Die" clips at their YouTube and feel free to post.
The Dead Daisies join the Uproar Festival on the heels of their March Australian tour with ZZ Top and Australian and New Zealand dates with Aerosmith this past April. A free 4-song EP download, entitled Man Overboard (Spitfire Music) from The Dead Daisies is available now on the UPROAR website www.rockstaruproar.com/dead-daises-dl / www.thedeaddaisies.com.
Friday, July 12, 2013
ESCAPE MUSIC TURN RADIOACTIVE IN SEPTEMBER: Escape Music is pleased to announce the release of all three Tommy Denander - Radioactive albums re-issued plus 6 bonus tracks as a triple CD box set. Ceremony Of Innocence - complete re-work and re-mix, Taken complete reworked and remix and Yeah all will be re-mastered at 24-bit. This special set will be released in Europe September 20.
With more than 30 years as a pro guitarist, song writer and producer Tommy is ranked as one of the finest guitar players in the world by many today, often featured in the biggest guitar magazines around the world including many cover stories, he was even recently featured in Guitar Player Magazine. Tommy even has his own signature guitar for VGS that features the incredible Evertune bridge and True Temperament frets.
He has worked on more than 2300 albums including several US #1s, more than 50 Gold and Platinum records plus movies like Alice In Wonderland with Johnny Depp, Oscar nominated Gorillas In The Mist with Sigourney Weaver and Baltic Storm with Donald Sutherland. Among his work we find names like Michael Jackson, Paul Stanley, Alice Cooper, Ricky Martin, Celine Dion, Tokio Hotel, Backstreet Boys, Richard Marx, Peter Cetera, American Idol, Glee, David Archuleta and 100's more big selling acts.
Tommy's work within the melodic rock scene is matched by almost none and reads like a real who's who from Steve Perry, Bobby Kimball, Richard Page, Michael McDonald, Jimi Jamison, Joe Lynn Turner, Tommy Funderburk, Graham Bonnet, Joseph Williams, Fergie Frederiksen, Robin Beck, Fee Waybill, Bill Champlin, Kelly Keagy, Dan Reed, Joey Tempest, Harry Hess, Stan Bush, Jim Peterik, Jeff Scott Soto, Mitch Malloy, Fiona, Chris Ousey, Steve Overland, Robert Hart, Jim Jidhed and Gary Barden to bands like Prisoner, Rainmaker, Talisman, Phenomena, The Poodles, H.E.A.T, Houston, Street Talk, Talk Of The Town, Spin Gallery, Sha-Boom, Mecca, AOR, Rage Of Angels, Liberty & Justice, Silver, Lion's Share, Ambition and so on!
In 1991 he started his own project called Radioactive and have so far released 3 great albums that are highly praised by both media and fans. So with Tommy's track record it comes as little surprise to see the gigantic list of big names who have graced these 3 albums including - Jeff Porcaro, Mike Porcaro, Steve Porcaro, David Paich, David Foster, Bobby Kimball, Fergie Frederiksen, Joseph Williams, David Hungate, Yngwie Malmsteen, Neal Schon, Fee Waybill, Michael Thompson, Jason Scheff, Vince Dicola, Marcel Jacob, Tony Franklin, Vinnie Colaiuta, Michael Landau, Kelly Keagy, Alex Ligertwood, Abe Laboriel, Greg Phillinganes, Neil Stubenhaus, Randy Goodrum, Bruce Gaitsch, Dean Parks, Rev Dave Boruff, Gary Barden, Robin Beck, James Christian, Andreas Carlsson, Phillip Bardowell, Bruce Kulick, John jr Robinson, Steve George plus many more.
Long out of print and often sought after, Escape Music can now proudly offer all 3 Radioactive albums including the Japanese bonus tracks and 3 unreleased songs in a special box set. The first album "Ceremony Of Innocence" and third album "Taken" have been reworked and remixed with new artists added.
WebLinks: www.Escape-Music.com / www.tommydenander.se.
xx
TOTO TO THE USA!:
New Toto USA tour dates:
7/26/13 – Belleville, ONT – Empire Square Live
7/27/13 – London, ONT – Harris Park
8/14/13 – Atlanta, GA – Chastain Park Amphitheater
8/16/13 - Wilmington, DE – Grand Opera House
8/17/13 – Westbury, NY – Theatre at Westbury
8/20/13 – St. Louis, MO – River City Casino
8/21/13 – Kettering, OH – Fraze Pavillion
8/23/13 – Niagara Falls, ONT – Fallsview Casino Resort
8/24/13 – Niagara Falls, ONT – Fallsview Casino Resort
8/25/13 - Detroit, MI - Chene Park Riverfront Amphitheatre
8/30/13 - Willemstad, Curaco – Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival
9/6/13 – West Wendover, NV – Peppermill Concert Hall
9/7/13 - Jackson, CA – Jackson Racheria Casino & Hotel
9/8/13 - Visalia, CA – Visalia Fox Theatre
9/13/13 – Las Vegas, NV - Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa
9/14/13 - Chandler, AZ – Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino
MELODIC BRIEFS:
Fans of American metal stalwarts Seven Witches can log on to Metal Insider right now to check out the exclusive worldwide audio premiere of the ominous track "Man In The Mirror (Enemy Within)," in advance of the release of their forthcoming album, Rebirth. Rebirth is Seven Witches' ninth studio album (their first for new label home FrostByte Media) and is due out on July 16 in North America. Rebirth has already received significant critical praise with Hard Rock Haven declaring the album to be "a powerful heavy metal record", adding, "Frost's guitar work is sublime" and KNAC avowing that the album possesses a "classic metal sound that any true metalhead would enjoy."
After a long awaited 2-year absence Metalkast returns regular programming, kicking it off with guest Udo Dirkschneider (U.D.O. , Accept). In early 2009 an opportunity arose to further expand Metalkast and Rog's Talkin' DrumZ into the video realm. Seizing that opportunity Rog's Talkin' DrumZ has over half a season filmed for upcoming episodes with interesting and legendary performers and will soon be filming artists and performances for future Metalkast programming. During January 2013, Rog's Talkin' DrumZ started working with PBS to create a 'docuseries' with a unique perspective on drumming. To restart Metalkast in style, guest host Lawrence Paterson (Blaze Bayley, Iron Knights) and host Paul "The Rog" Rogne talk with Udo Dirkschneider of the band U.D.O. (ex-Accept). www.metalkast.com.
Symphonic metallers Kamelot recently completed work on the second video from their critically acclaimed 2012 release Steamhammer/SPV release Silverthorn. The video for the song entitled "My Confession" can be seen here: youtu.be/oSylbQEHhVo. KAMELOT will be touring Europe this fall.
Jordan Rudess--the keyboardist/Continuum-player/multi-instrumentalist for Grammy-nominated prog rock/metal icons Dream Theater, along with his company Wizdom Music and Chilean developer Felipe Peña--will release their latest app, Earwizard via the Apple iTunes store this Thursday, July 11. An ear training app that improves memory, Earwizard will be available in 8 languages (Spanish, English, Greek, Dutch, Chinese, Italian, Portuguese and German) here: itunes.apple.com/us/app/earwizard/id599466971?l=en&ls=1&mt=8.
AOR CHRONICLES – VOLUME 1 BY NEIL DANIELS: AOR Chronicles is the first volume in a series of books detailing some of the most revered AOR albums in the entire annals of rock music. Featuring extensive reviews of albums by Europe, Journey, Kiss, April Wine, Meat Loaf, Bryan Adams and Extreme, rock writer Neil Daniels offers a handy reference guide for the AOR fan. Neil Daniels is the author of over a dozen books on rock music, including biographies of Bon Jovi, Journey and Robert Plant. He has written extensively for the AOR magazine Fireworks and the rock and metal magazine Powerplay. He has also written sleeve notes for various reissues, including albums by Dennis DeYoung, Tommy Shaw and Lake. Visit www.neildaniels.com and neildanielsbooks.wordpress.com for details. Visit his Amazon UK and US author's profile.
This 398 page book is available in paperback and eBook via Kindle. www.amazon.co.uk/AOR-Chronicles-1-Neil-Daniels/dp/.
RUNNING WILD UPDATE FROM SPV:
Now things are really moving: while Captain Rock'n'Rolf Kasparek is working full throttle on the final details of his latest Running Wild album, Steamhammer/SPV have already announced the official release date: Resilient will be out on October 4 in Germany and on October 7 in the rest of Europe. The exact date of the US release will be revealed soon, but the album has definitely been scheduled for release in America this October. "I really love working at the moment and am currently getting down to business on the overdubs. I can hardly wait to present the new material to the many Running Wild fans worldwide," says Rock'n'Rolf.
His followers can look forward to a total of twelve brand-new numbers, ten of which will feature on the regular CD, and twelve on the limited edition. The album's opener will be called 'Soldiers Of Fortune', and the title track, 'The Drift' and 'Run Riot' will be three typical Running Wild numbers. The most outstanding song on the album, however, will be called 'Bloody Island', with almost ten minutes playing time one of the longest tracks in Running Wild's career to date. Rolf: "As a composer, it's of course difficult for me to pigeonhole the new material stylistically, but friends who have heard the demo version of 'Bloody Island' claim that it would have fitted in on Pile Of Skulls."
Rolf explains that Resilient is audibly tougher and more compact than its predecessor Shadowmaker, clearly enjoying his revived zest: "Shadowmaker happened to come about slightly unexpectedly and spontaneously, even for me. The album has brought back the fun I used to have with Running Wild, and my fans will get to feel this fun when Resilient comes out in October!"
WebLinks: www.running-wild.net / www.spv.de.
RON KEEL TO RECORD AUDIOBOOK VERSION OF THE HEAVY METAL HORROR NOVELLA MUDSLINGERS: Mudslingers is a splatterpunk novella, a violent obscenity, an artless piece of horror … and who better than to bring this creation to aural life than Ron Keel, the man who created the legendary vocals on "The Right to Rock." After all, Mudslingers is dedicated to those who viciously defend their favorite bands right to the bitter end. The plot of Mudslingers entails two hard rock/heavy metal journalists with opposing views on the band Beelzebub's Ballsack. The antagonists are polar opposites: Marcus Savora writes for a webzine for free and lives in his mom's cat-infested home, and Dante Millsworth is a world-famous music critic for Rolling Stone. As the email arguments fly back and forth, each more rabid than the next, words turn to a drug-fueled, testosterone-driven blood orgy … all on stage at Beelzebub's Ballsack's final concert.
There are numerous nonfiction books out there for heavy metal fans, but after reading the tenth Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne biography, where do metal fans go for fiction today? They go to Mudslingers.
Mudslingers was written by two Hardrock Haven (www.hardrockhaven.net) writers, Mark Allen and Derric Miller. Both have published horror in the mainstream market, and they decided to use their unique knowledge of heavy metal and horror to create something the fiction industry just hasn't produced enough of heavy metal horror.
In its short release time, the fan base horror fans, heavy metal fans and rockers is building. It's also offending quite a few people, based on Amazon.com reviews. "Combine a NASCAR pile-up, a broken neck on the football field, maybe a Joe Theisman broken leg--all the things I cannot watch but cannot turn away from, add sex and violence, and mix it up/shake/stir and pour into a novella and you've got 'Mudslingers.' I cannot read it, but I cannot put it down. Holy sh*t, I cannot believe you guys wrote this." ~ Anonymous reader via email. Mudslingers is now available on Kindle from Amazon for $1.99 at this link: www.amazon.com/dp/B00DJYXKSI.
Check out co-author Derric Miller's interview on Ron Keel's "The Streets of Rock n Roll" radio show July 11 at www.ronkeel.com/radioshow.cfm.
MRX UPDATED: MRX has been updated with 4 great soundboard live shows:
- Europe - LA, California, USA - 1987
- Journey - Norman, OK - 1983
- Ted Nugent - Lansing, Michigan - 2002
- Deep Purple - Buenos Aires - 1997 MRX Membership Info.
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Thursday, July 11, 2013
THE RED ROCKER'S FIRST SOLO ALBUM IN 5 YEARS: Sammy Hagar has enlisted three legendary musicians - Toby Keith, Mickey Hart and Taj Mahal - to round out the final three tracks on his first-ever rock collaborations album: Sammy Hagar and Friends. The highly anticipated new album is set for release by Frontiers Records on September 24 in North America, September 27 in Europe, September 29 in the UK, and will be preceded by the album's first single and video for the high voltage track "Knockdown Dragout" featuring Kid Rock, Joe Satriani and Denny Carmassi.
In addition to the 10-track standard edition album, fans will also have an opportunity to purchase a Deluxe edition of "Sammy Hagar and Friends," packaged in a high-gloss Digipak. The Deluxe CD/DVD package includes an exclusive bonus audio track, "Space Station #5," recorded live at the Ronnie Montrose Tribute Concert held on April 29, 2012 in San Francisco, as well as the "Making of" album documentary which includes bonus video of the first single "Knockdown Dragout," and more.
"Sammy Hagar and Friends" final track listing as follows:
1. Winding Down (with Taj Mahal)
2. Not Going Down (with Bill Church & Denny Carmassi)
3. Personal Jesus (with Neal Schon, Michael Anthony & Chad Smith)
4. Father Sun (with Denny Carmassi & Aaron Hagar)
5. Knockdown Dragout (with Kid Rock, Joe Satriani, Denny Carmassi)
6. Ramblin' Gamblin' Man (with David Lauser, Mona Gnader & Vic Johnson)
7. Bad On Fords and Chevrolets (with Ronnie Dunn, David Lauser, Mona Gnader & Vic Johnson)
8. Margaritaville (with Toby Keith)
9. All We Need Is An Island (with Nancy Wilson & Mickey Hart)
10. Going Down (with Neal Schon, Michael Anthony & Chad Smith)
11. Space Station #5 (with Denny Carmassi, Bill Church, Joe Satriani) Live from Ronnie Montrose Tribute * Exclusively available on Deluxe Edition CD
From new original songs including "Not Going Down" (a song specifically written for Hagar by Jay Buchanan of Rival Sons), "Knockdown Dragout," "Bad On Fords and Chevrolets," "All We Need Is An Island," and "Father Sun," to reimagined covers of classics including Bob Seger's, "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man," and Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus," – Hagar has masterfully assembled an album that delves into rock, country, pop, blues and zydeco.
WebLinks: www.redrocker.com / www.facebook.com/sammyhagar.
R.I.P. PEPPI MARCHELLO:
From Rockpages: www.rockpages.gr/detailspage.aspx?id=9377&type=10&lang=EN / "It is great sadness to report the untimely passing of one of the greatest songwriters/performers in rock music: Peppi Marchello from The Good Rats. Although the cause of death is still unknown, it was well-known that the last few months Marchello faced serious health issues and he was back into the hospital the last few days. Rockpages has done special coverage and articles on The Good Rats as we humbly believe they were an innovative outfit that remained -as they said- the world's greatest unknown band. He will be missed...R.I.P., Peppi!"
Indeed... R.I.P. to another soul gone before their time.
LITTLE RIVER BAND TO RELEASE THE FIRST VIDEO/SINGLE IN 24 YEARS!: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of the first single / video The Lost and the Lonely from Little River Band. The song is taken from the forthcoming album Cuts Like a Diamond to be released in Europe on August 24 and in North America on August 27.
"We put the new single into the live show already. In 33 years I've seen a lot of new songs get added to our set", says long time member and singer/bassist Wayne Nelson. "Lost and the Lonely gets a standing ovation every time! I've never seen anything like this kind of response. Twice it has literally stopped the show. It's emotional and actually kind of embarrassing to not know what to say after that! This new song strikes a chord with whoever hears it...especially our fans".
The new video was shot by director Devin DeHaven (Night Ranger, Extreme, Richard Marx, Whitesnake, Dokken, Yes etc.) and cleverly portrays the spirit and the lyrical content of this beautiful new song.
The new single is available now for download and streaming in all fine shops such as iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Deezer etc. Little River Band is considered to be one of Australia's most significant bands. Worldwide album and CD sales now top 30 million. They also set a record for having Top 10 hits for 6 consecutive years… the first band to achieve that mark. According to BMI, their song "Reminiscing" has garnered rare status with over 5 million airplays on the American radios, and "Lady" is close behind with over 4 million airplays. Little River Band was rightfully inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame at the 18th Annual ARIA Music Awards of 2004.
"Cuts Like a Diamond" is Little River Band's first album of original material in almost a decade. US fans can pre-order it online: amzn.to/12yv7RU.
North American tour dates in support of the new album are below:
Thursday, 11 July Oshkosh, WI
Friday, 12 July Watseka, IL
Sunday, 14 July Allentown, NJ
Saturday, 20 July American Fork, UT
Friday, 26 July Streetsboro, OH
Friday, 9 August Baldwinsville, NY
Saturday, 10 August Malone, NY
Sunday, 11 August Montreal, QC
Saturday, 24 August Mankato MN
Friday, 30 August Kettering, OH
Saturday, 21 September St Peters, MO
Friday, 27 September Irmo, SC
Saturday, 28 September Benton Harbor, MI
Thursday, 3 October Easton, PA
Friday, 4 October High Point, NC
Saturday, 5 October Powder Springs, GA
Friday, 11 October Canyonville, OR
Sunday, 13 October Ferndale, WA
Thursday, 17 October Augusta, GA
Friday, 18 October Boonville, MO
Saturday, 19 October Ottawa, KS
Friday, 8 November Ocala, FL
Saturday, 9 November Jensen Beach, FL
Friday, 15 November Medina, MN
Saturday, 16 November Kansas City, MO
Tuesday, 31 December Tallahassee, FL
WebLinks: www.frontiers.it / www.littleriverband.com.
Two more videos to check out from Frontiers Records. King Kobra "Have a Good Time" and the label's July Promo Spot:
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DREAM THEATER SO SELF-TITLED FOR 2013 OPUS: Dream Theater's self-titled album – the band's 12th studio release overall, and fourth with Roadrunner Records – will be released September 24, and now you can check out the cover art and see the track listing below.
Says guitarist John Petrucci about Dream Theater, "I see every new album as an opportunity to start over. To either build or improve upon a direction that has been evolving over time or to completely break new ground. This is the first self-titled album of our career and there is nothing I can think of that makes a statement of musical and creative identity stronger than that. We've fully explored all of the elements that make us unique, from the epic and intense to the atmospheric and cinematic. We're incredibly excited about Dream Theater and can't wait for everyone to hear it."
The nine-track disc was recorded at Cove City Studio in Glen Cove, Long Island, with guitarist Petrucci producing and Richard Chycki engineering and mixing. It's the band's second album with drummer Mike Mangini, and the first one on which he was a part of the writing process from day one.
In January, Petrucci said of Mangini's work, "When people hear the drumming on this album, they're gonna be pretty freaked out. On the last album, he did a great job, but he wasn't there for the writing process and he was interpreting drum parts that I had programmed. Even though he used his creativity, of course, to change them up and do his thing, I feel like now he's just Mike Mangini unleashed. It's all him. It's all his creativity, all his decisions and ideas and man, the guy's an animal."
The track listing for Dream Theater is as follows: 1. False Awakening Suite i. Sleep Paralysis ii. Night Terrors iii. Lucid Dream 2. The Enemy Inside 3. The Looking Glass 4. Enigma Machine 5. The Bigger Picture 6. Behind the Veil 7. Surrender to Reason 8. Along for the Ride 9. Illumination Theory i. Paradoxe de la Lumière Noire ii. Live, Die, Kill iii. The Embracing Circle iv. The Pursuit of Truth v. Surrender, Trust & Passion.
Dream Theater will be available in a wide range of distinctive versions, including standard and special edition CDs, 180 gram double LP, and a limited edition boxed set. Pre-orders are scheduled to launch in July at the Roadrunner Webstore.
Dream Theater will be on tour in Europe in January and February 2014, and in North America in March 2014.
SPV/STEAMHAMMER SIGNS NWOBHM CULT ACT BATTLEAXE: SPV / Steamhammer signs a worldwide deal with NWoBHM cult act Battleaxe. It is not only for a new studio album called Heavy Metal Sanctuary which is due in early 2014, it also include the deluxe re-releases of the classic metal albums "Burn This Town" (out in October 2013) and "Power From The Universe" (out late summer 2014) with new covers, extended booklets and lots of bonus material.
The current line-up consists of the original members Dave King (vocals) and Brian Smith (bass) as well as Mick Percy (guitar) and Paul Atkinson (drums).
Dave King and Brian Smith say about the signing: "We think speaking for the whole band that we are all elated to be joining the SPV family. A label with great worldwide distribution and also featuring some of our favourite bands. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to re-release our old classic albums again as well as introduce our fans to our new more powerful sound. After a long and hard struggle we have finally managed to complete our new album Heavy Metal Sanctuary which we know will delight our fans worldwide. We do not think it will disappoint in either the songs or the production, and we feel that although it sounds modern and 21st century, it is still classic Battleaxe! We thank all our loyal fans all over the world who encouraged us to reform (indeed some even demanded it), even though some of you were not even born when the original albums were first released. Now because of this new deal, we will be able to see many of you in 2014 on the European festival scene and possibly around the world. Finally of course many many thanks to Olly Hahn and all the staff at SPV for making this dream come true!"
SPV/Steamhammer A&R Olly Hahn ads: "Sometimes you have to do something....and I did. As a child of the NWoBHM due to the lack of information you had to buy by the cover. In some cases the cover were good but the music average, in other cases the cover were not really good but the music was killer. This happened to me when I bought "Burn This Town". The whole album, as well as the second one "Power From The Universe", are classics for me and I know for many metal fans too. And I heard the new songs which are really strong and will surprise a lot of people. Yes, the band is ready to deliver...so are we!"
WebLinks: www.battleaxemetal.com / www.spv.de.
PRAYING MANTIS EVOLVE FURTHER WITH NEW 2013 LINEUP:
NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) legends Praying Mantis announce that they have joined forces with Dutch duo, Vocalist Jaycee (John Cuijpers) and Drummer Hans in 't Zandt. These new members will be featuring on the forthcoming live shows.
Jon and Hans are seasoned professional musicians with a vast experience of playing alongside bands such as Toto, Vengeance, Jan Akkerman, and Steve Lukather and will bring a extra dimension to the Mantis sound. Praying Mantis are: John Cuijpers – Lead Vocals, Tino Troy – Guitars & Vocals, Chris Troy – Bass & Vocals, Andy Burgess – Guitars + Vocals, Hans in 't Zandt – Drums.
Forthcoming Praying Mantis shows:
27th July Headbangers Open Air Hamburg, Germany
02th August The Bull Colchester, UK
03th August The Railway Ipswich, UK
04th August Cambridge Rock Festival, UK
Praying Mantis are a well established band of melodic hard rockers. They were formed by brothers Tino and Chris Troy in 1973 and together with 'Iron Maiden', they spearheaded the NWOBHM movement.
Praying Mantis became one of THE most influential bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). The band is also one of a very small number of bands from that era to have remained a going concern over the intervening years, and to still record and appear live regularly.
WebLinks: www.praying-mantis.com / www.facebook.com/PrayingMantisUKRockMetal.
TRAGIK HUNGER FOR THEIR "MASTERPIECE":
The brand new release from Tragik titled Hunger is now available at: www.cdbaby.com/cd/tragik3, philvincent.com, www.philvincentbands.com, iTunes and all Digital Outlets.
Go to philvincent.com to hear selected full tracks. Tragik is Phil Vincent-All Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards Damian D'Ercole - Guitars Dirk Phillips - Drums
Special guests Vince O'Regan, David Zychek and Billy Roux. "This is our masterpiece. Hopefully the melodic rock world will agree and all our hard work and attention to detail will be appreciated by the fans. Crank it up!!" ~ Phil, Damian, Dirk.
REUBEN ARCHER RELEASES VIDEO TO DEBUT SINGLE 'PLAY MY ROCK 'N' ROLL': Reuben Archer, vocalist with hard rockers Stampede has released the video to the debut single from Reuben Archer's Personal Sin - his new solo project with young hot-shot Stampede guitar virtuoso Rob Wolverson.
The double A side single 'Play My Rock 'n' Roll' ft. Rocky Newton (MSG) / 'Lately' ft. Harry James (Thunder, Magnum, Snakecharmer) and Kevin Riddles (Tytan, Angel Witch) is due for digital release July 22, and precedes the release of the full album 'Personal Sin' on August 19.
View the video here: youtu.be/LR-A-r18cGs.
'Personal Sin' consists of 13 tracks written and produced by Archer and Rob Wolverson and mastered by Ade Emsley (Iron Maiden, Steve Harris). It features guest appearances from Dave Meniketti (Y&T), John 'Rhino' Edwards (Status Quo), Neil Murray (Whitesnake, Gary Moore, Snakecharmer), Harry James (Magnum, Thunder, Snakecharmer), Luke Morley (The Union, Thunder), Paul Quinn (Saxon), Paul Raymond (UFO, PRP), Derek Holt (Climax Blues Band), Rocky Newton (Lionheart, MSG), Kevin Riddles (Angel Witch, Tytan) and more.
Tour dates for the project are in the pipeline for later this year, yet TBC.
WebLinks: www.reubenarcher.com / www.facebook.com/reubenarcherspersonalsin.
TOUR RAISES OVER $100,000 FOR VICTIMS OF THE BOSTON MARATHON BOMBINGS:
July 9, 2013 -- The April/May "The Midwest Rock 'N Roll Express" tour with Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent was successful in more ways than one. Styx and REO Speedwagon's Rock to the Rescue charity organization not only raised thousands of dollars for local charities at each tour stop, but they also raised $108,000 which will go directly to the Boston One Fund, helping victims of the Boston marathon bombings. Donations were collected along the 21-date trek when fans purchased a silent raffle ticket to win a guitar signed by all three acts. "Like all Americans, we have watched the events in Boston and wondered what we could do to help. We know the fans of all three bands will once again rise with us to help our friends in Boston. We Are Boston!" -- Styx. "We feel such sadness for those innocent people in Boston who have suffered so much and are still suffering now. We think of those victims of senseless violence as we sign the guitar which is to be donated on their behalf each night. In our small way, we do what we do." -- REO Speedwagon. "The Nugent band and family are surrounded by Americans who care deeply about each other and are dedicated to give all we got in times of need. We again face a tragedy that we can all help with, and are proud of this charitable heart and soul effort." – Ted Nugent.
Spearheaded by Tommy Shaw's daughter, Hannah Shaw, Rock to the Rescue is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to build strong, healthy communities through the support of grassroots organizations across the country. As of last year, at every STYX tour date Rock to the Rescue partners with a local group to give back through community outreach, fundraising, and volunteer support. Rock to the Rescue originally started in 2001 as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and is the brainchild of Styx singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw and REO Speedwagon singer/keyboardist/guitarist Kevin Cronin. The two musicians brought together bands and artists such as Bad Company, Journey, Survivor, Kansas, Lynyrd Skynyrd and many others to be part of "Volunteers For America" concert events in Dallas and Atlanta that ultimately raised over $775,000 for victims of 9/11, as well as the Port Authority police department in New York City. For more info: www.rocktotherescue.net and www.facebook.com/rocktotherescue.
DEFY TOLERANCE WANTS TO STOP THE BLEEDING:
(10 July 2013 - Phoenix, AZ) Modern rock newcomers Defy Tolerance have released their debut album, Stop The Bleeding via their own imprint, Able Records.
Produced by House of Lords and Fifth Angel drummer, Ken Mary, the ten song affair was recorded at SonicPhish Studios in Phoenix, AZ and mastered by Tony Glassner at Spectre Mastering. "I met Ken in 2011 through a co-worker who played in a band with him many years ago called 3 Degrees West," says singer Freddy Kilo. "I didn't have a band at the time, but I wanted Ken to record a few songs I had written. Later, when it came time for Defy Tolerance to record, I called Ken, we met up, went over the music and went into the studio to record. It was all pretty simple, actually."
Coming off as a cross between Alter Bridge and Godsmack, the quartet is a tight no-holds-barred unit who have shared the stage with the likes of Trapt, Burn Halo, 12 Stones, Prong, Smile Empty Soul and Attika 7. Defy Tolerance came together in 2011 when frontman Freddy Kilo met bassist Donny Rosko in, of all places, a bathroom after a gig Donny played. The two of them got together, shared some musical ideas and wrote a few songs. When they saw that they meshed well they took an ad out to find a drummer. After meeting drummer after drummer and getting nowhere, Garin Wolfe walked in the door and it was just meant to be. "Some of the guys we auditioned didn't even bother to learn the songs!" reflects Rosko. "Garin showed up prepared and just nailed it." The trio started playing shows in Feb of 2012 and during this time they recorded Stop The Bleeding. "In the studio we were writing and recording a lot of secondary guitar parts," says Donny. "We all agreed to add a 2nd guitarist and the search was on. After a few not-so-great auditions, Garin suggested Brian Miller, who worked with him at the time. The dude shreds. We thought he would be a good fit and bring something new to our stage show. We had a month of practice and he debuted when we opened for Smile Empty Soul."
Stop The Bleeding is available now via the band's website and on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/artist/defy-tolerance/id492433308.
JAMES LOMENZO'S ALL STAR ROCK JAM AT LUCY'S 51:
It's a veritable who's who of the rock and roll scene with one great addition. You! Get in early and get on stage with real rock legends on Monday night. Lucy's 51, the legendary hotspot for entertainment in Toluca Lake, CA has become the hard rock haven of nightspots for music fanatics as well as aspiring musicians. Featured on Monday nights with the amplifiers on at 7:30 PM, James LoMenzo (Black Label Society, White Lion, Megadeth) brings friends to the stage for an All Star Jam, and you never know who is going to get up on stage, it might just be you.
On July 8, the second edition of this residency at Lucy's 51 featured LoMenzo on stage with top ranked industry drummer Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp, John Fogerty, Jon Bon Jovi) and long time rock respected guitarist Brent Woods (Vince Neil, Wildside, Warrant). The trio invited locals to do more than just hang; they opened the mic up to aspiring rockers who wanted a chance to play. In the second set of the night, the room became a modern version of MTV's Headbangers Ball.
Throughout the crowd, world-class artists were enjoying the first class fare at Lucy's 51. The menu boasts some top-notch chef creations (I myself enjoyed an amazing plate of soft shell tacos), along with a full bar and friendly staff. Scanning the room, music fans were thrilled to see who was in attendance, and more inviting – who was to get on stage and perform.
Within the first half dozen songs of the band's second set on stage, artists that you would see from the floor seats of a 20,000 seat auditorium were jamming just feet away from a barrage of iPhone cameras and video without having to nudge elbow to elbow against throngs of fans clamoring for a look at fame. Chuck Wright, bassist for Quiet Riot, House of Lords and the amazing new Heaven and Earth (www.heavenandearthband.com) got on stage to add his flair to a pair of Led Zeppelin tracks. Gilby Clarke (Kill For Thrills, Guns n' Roses, Candy) took the stage for a couple of songs while performing with drummer Jimmy D'Anda (Bulletboys, Lynch Mob). As the night rocked on, fans in attendance saw Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne) and Shaun Williamson (James Brown, the Moody Blues). Beyond the stage were a host of others that didn't perform, but took time to talk with friends and fans during the performances.
What you want to know is how you can get involved. The grand price for the evening – FREE! No cover and a respectable two drink minimum (you're going to have dinner anyway) put you both in front of the stage and perhaps ON the stage for a night you'll talk about the rest of your rock star days. Location details are found below.
Lucy's 51 - 10149 Riverside Dr, Toluca Lake, CA 91602 www.lucys51.com
Find details on James LoMenzo and the All Star Jam at the official James LoMenzo website: www.jameslomenzo.com.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
THE RETURN OF HAREM SCAREM WITH MOOD SWINGS II: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of Mood Swings II the album celebrating the reunion of Canadian Rockers Harem Scarem on September 24 in North America and September 27 in Europe.
Harem Scarem released their second album – the original "Mood Swings" - in 1993. Now 20 years later the band celebrates the anniversary of such career-defining release re-recording from scratch the eleven songs that made up that album and also adding three new bonus tracks in the spirit of the original "Mood Swings" direction.
Harem Scarem disbanded after the release of their last album "Hope" in 2008. Five years later, rumours about a possible reunion for some shows started to circulate and were confirmed once Firefest announced the band as headliner of the first night of the event on Friday October 18th 2013. In this occasion the band will perform the entire "Mood Swings" record live, since they had never officially toured that release outside of Canada. This has led to the booking an extensive European and Asian tour, including the band's second show ever in the US at the Melodic Rock Fest 3 in September in Chicago.
As the idea developed, the band decided to do a modern recording of "Mood Swings", trying to keep true to the original intent as well as writing and recording three brand new tracks. Then it was decided to include a "making of " video and also to have four songs broken down into individual audio tracks, so that fans can re-mix or play along with the songs. "This re-record was extremely time consuming, we really put everything into it and spent an incredible amount of time writing and recording the 3 new bonus tracks" says singer Harry Hess. "We hope everyone can hear the effort that went into it and enjoys the result as much as we do".
"Mood Swings II" tracklisting includes: CD: Saviors Never Cry; No Justice; Stranger Than Love; Change Comes Around; Jealousy; Sentimental Blvd.; Mandy; Empty Promises; If There Was A Time; Just Like I Planned; Had Enough; World Gone To Pieces; Anarchy; Brighter Day. DVD: "Re-Making Of Mood Swings" documentary; Audio Files: Change Comes Around, Saviours Never Cry, No Justice.
You can sample new recordings and one new song following this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYhmxxnMlSI.
"Due to the huge time commitment everyone would need to make these live dates doable Creighton Doane and Barry Donaghy had to bow out as the tour dates keep growing. Darren Smith will be back behind the kit for our live dates with Stan Miczek on bass" concludes Hess. "Even if we have not made any plans beyond the tour at the moment but I'm pretty sure there will be more Harem Scarem in the future!"
Harem Scarem 2013 Tour Dates:
28-09-2013 US Chicago H.O.M.E. Bar Melodicrockfest
18-10-2013 United Kingdom Nottingham Rockcity Firefest
20-10-2013 Holland Kerkrade Rock Tempel
23-10-2013 Germany Munchen Garage Deluxe
24-10-2013 Switzerland Pratteln Gallery
25-10-2013 Portugal Lisboa Musicbox
26-10-2013 Spain Madrid Rock Kitchen
27-10-2013 Belgium Vosselaar Biebob
28-10-2013 Belgium Oostende Bada Bing
1-11-2013 Sweden Upsaland Sala Rockland
3-11-2013 Germany Ludwigsburg Rockfabrik H.E.A.T. festival
Harem Scarem:Harry Hess: Lead Vocals; Pete Lesperance: Guitars, bass; Creighton Doane: Drums; Darren Smith: background vocals and lead vocals on Sentimental Blvd.
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Tuesday, July 09, 2013
BRETT WAKER AND NIVA DUE IN AUGUST FROM AOR HEAVEN: AOR Heaven have announced their next two releases, but due out on August 30.
Brett Walker – Straight Jacket Vacation / Born and raised in Norman, Oklahoma Brett Walker picked up the guitar at age 15 and soon began playing school assemblies and local functions. At age 20 Brett made the decisive move to Los Angeles, where he found himself working as a "hired gun" playing with such artists as Tane Cain and Nick Gilder. Brett also was featured as a regular performer at Disneyland in Anaheim California at the "Tomorrowland Terrace Stage". The move to Los Angeles marked his introduction into the world of professional song writing. Branching out on his own, Brett began seriously pursuing a career as a singer/songwriter. He continued working on his own, and on the strength of his tapes, went to NYC to work with renowned producer David Prater (producer of Fire House and Dream Theater) to create the record "Nevertheless".
In 1991, Brett wrote two charting singles; one for Jimi Jamison and the other for the band Alias. "Waiting for love" recorded by Alias, went on to become Brett's first international top ten single in 1991. Brett's songwriting led him to work with such talents as Jonathan Cain, Jim Peterik, Nick Gilder, Jeff Paris, Paul Taylor, Taylor Rhodes, John Purdell and others.
In 2012 Brett reconnected with two drummer colleagues (Pat Leon and Mugs Cain) and recorded the record "Straight Jacket Vacation". The CD was recorded at "Panic Room Records" in Laguna Beach, California with Engineer and Producer Weston Hodges. Straight Jacket Vacation has a release date of 30th of August 2013 with AOR Heaven, and will be followed in September with a concert performance at the Melodic Rock Fest 3 in Chicago where Brett will showcase some on his newly released songs as well as some of his popular hits. Straight Jacket Vacation includes contributions of renowned musicians such as Mugs Cain, Timothy Drury, Jim Peterik, Jeff Paris, Pat Leon, Matt MacKelvie, Todd Herfindal, Weston Hodges to name a few.
Tracklist: 1 Reaching For The Stars, 2 What About You, 3 Better Than Goodbye, 4 Streetlights Burning, 5 I'll Bet It Hurts, 6 More Than I, 7 Good Enough, 8 Waiting For Love, 9 I'm Gonna Fly, 10 So Happy I'm Cryin, 11 Unlucky At Love, 12 Someday I'm Gonna Be Famous.
Niva - Magnitude / Tony Niva is heading for a new much awaited album release with Niva. The album is called "Magnitude" and will be released through AOR Heaven on August 30th, 2013. This record was produced and engineered by Marcus Persson at CM Music along with executive producer Tony Niva. Mix and master were done by Thomas Plec Johansson at The Panic Room studios. Tony states: "It feels really great this time to use the original band name Niva, alongside with our new European label and to feel that the path we've taken is just right in terms of musical foundation and original but heavier sound stage."
Magnitude is to set a new phase providing something new and something different compared to the previous releases. This upcoming album is not only telling us stories about the dark and bright things in life, but also to give perspective to what's important in our surroundings and to follow our dream and to do what we were aimed to do. It is all about telling that it's never too late to make a change. All songs were, like the previous ones, composed by Tony Niva, Roger Ljunggren and Marcus Persson.
Tracklist: 1. Never Too Late, 2. Perfect Life, 3. My First And Only One, 4. Just Another Heartache, 5. In A Misty Light, 6. Always Somewhere, 7. Let It Shine, 8. Spanish Lullaby, 9. Do It Again, 10. Never Say Goodbye, 11. Feel So Alone.
R.I.P. SHAUN KIRKPATRICK: Shaun Kirkpatrick, the main guitarist/writer for Bronz died of a suspected heart attack over the weekend. Bronz the band were one of the first British Rock acts (N.W.O.B.H.M.), to hit America in the mid 80's, touring their debut album 'Taken By Storm' which went on to sell over 200,000 albums worldwide. The single 'Send Down An Angel' featured heavily on MTV and reached a top 10 position in the UK rock charts and top 20 in the rock album charts whilst they played stadiums in the U.S.
The follow-up "Carried By The Storm", recorded at Roundhouse and Powerplant studios and produced by Max Normon (Ozzy Ozbourne) had to wait 25 years until it was released but it when it did it achieved rave reviews ("Classy, melodic hard rock" - Malcolm Dome, Classic Rock Magazine / "A lost classic rock album - it is on our 'A'-play list"- Pat Edison, Radio Caroline). After the success of the album Shaun got the band together again for some selected live shows and some live radio gigs.
After reforming with their original vocalist Max Bacon for the Hard Rock Hell festival in Wales, Shaun and Max started writing and recording songs for their follow-up to Carried, "Eye of the Storm" .
As a father and husband his death was a complete shock and he will be sadly missed by his wife and children. By melodic rock fans Worldwide and the music industry, they have lost a tunesmith whose works, like the jazz greats Shaun's father loved, will no doubt be graced even greater accolades posthumously.
R.I.P. Shaun.
SHREDGUY RECORDS RELEASES MICHAEL ABDOW'S FOLLOW UP TO NATIVE ALIEN: Shredguy Records will release the follow up to the best selling guitar instrumental CD Native Alien from Michael Abdow, on July 16th. Entitled Life Symbolic, Abdow doesnot suffer from the proverbial sophomore slump, as he delivers ten new compositions on this concept CD. Michael is joined once again with drummer Mike Lamagna and bassist Jon Morency, who both played on Native Alien. Special guest on keyboards will be virtuoso Jimmy Pitts. Its been a busy past year for Mr Abdow, touring with the band Last Chance To Reason (and recording an album with them), securing an endorsement from Rick Hanes Guitars (where they made him a signature model), and recently forming the band Truancy. A special package that includes the Life Symbolic cd, an autographed poster, and custom guitar pick will be available starting July 9th at the Shredguy Records online store: www.shredguyrecords.bigcartel.com / www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQcSkwCG54M.
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MELODIC BRIEFS:
As a longtime favorite in the Va Beach/Hampton Roads market, Revery have established a strong fan base throughout the east and Midwest while on tour in support of their national debut. Now, the band finds themselves back home, and ready to take another shot. In 2012, the band signed a music placement deal with Warrant members Erik Turner and Jerry Dixon's Down Boys Records, which places music in fi lm & television. Currently, Revery is currently prepping brand new material and looking forward to their next chapter. The band's debut album Avarice & Absolution featuring the hit single Popstar Wedding is available worldwide on iTunes. www.facebook.com/Revery)
Noize In The Attic (Where Your Past Comes Back To Haunt You) is proud to welcome the iconic voice of Accept and U.D.O., Udo Dirkschneider to Friday's episode! Broadcasting 2-4PM EST on WNHU 88.7FM New Haven, CT (streaming live on www.wnhu.net) Udo discusses his new album Steelhammer and reflects on lyrics, America, retirement and more! Free podcasts are available on iTunes or by following the link at www.noizeintheattic.com.
Fatal Smile - Returns To The UK - "The Freakshow Tour - Part II" returns to the UK in Nov/Dec for on the following dates:
27 Nov - Up Stairs At The Garage, London
28 Nov - Yardbirds Rock Club - Grimsby
29 Nov - Gasworks, Bradford
30 Nov - Hardrock Hell. North Wales
01 Dec - The Blyth & Tyne, Blyth
WebLink: www.fatalsmile.com.
Monday, July 08, 2013
JORN "CANCER DEMON" (OFFICIAL VIDEO 2013): Jorn Cancer Demon is taken from the album "Traveller" out now on Frontiers Records.
Jorn's latest studio album Traveller debuted in the week of release at #12 in Norway, #37 in Sweden and #88 in Hungary. The new videoclip "Cancer Demon" is launched today with a special message from Jorn Lande: "Cancer Demon" is a special song with a strong message that most people unfortunately may be able to relate to. The song is written with the intent to shed some light on one of the world's worst illnesses: cancer. I have had the privilege of recording this video in a medieval chapel in Sarpsborg, Norway. I think this location makes the message stronger and more direct, as the lyrics also are. The song might seem brutal, but I think people can relate to and embrace it for its honesty, and see it as a daring, but beautiful thing to do. The pressure of trends and business may overshadow our presence these days, and by striving to be politically correct, people forget to live and breathe, while there's still time and health is good.
I'm sure many of you know someone who lost their battle with cancer, or maybe someone who won it. Personally I lost friends, family and colleagues through the years. "Cancer Demon" has a lyrical message beyond what rock or metal bands would normally write, and therefore I believe it is more unique. This message should be available for everyone rather than swept under the rug. Help stop the "Cancer Demon" now, and make a donation!"
ONE LESS FOR H.E.A.T.:
News from Swedish rockers H.E.A.T.: "Our brother and guitar player Dave Dalone has decided to leave the band to pursue new musical challenges. It's been seven years of nothing but good times with Dave, a fantastic guitar player, songwriter and friend. We wish him all the best in his plans for the future. As for now H.E.A.T will continue as a five man band. This will not affect the upcoming gigs nor the upcoming recording of our fourth album, which is due to be released early 2014. This is of course a sad day for all of us, but we're positive that H.E.A.T will carry on as normal, making kick ass albums and touring the world.
In Daves own words: "I've always been a great fan of melodic rock. For me, H.E.A.T started out as the passion project of my dreams, and turned into the great and strong melodic rock band that it is today. I want to thank each and everyone involved and all of the great fans that made this journey possible for me. I have been to places, met so many nice people, experienced great moments that will stay in my heart forever. I leave this band because, I have always believed in the fact that you should always stay true to your heart and follow your dreams, no matter what! I still have great faith in H.E.A.T and nothing but love for all of the members in the band, they will always be my brothers. Thank you everyone and Keep on Dreaming".
ANNOUNCING THE HAIRBAND EXTRAVAGANZA UK TOUR: Tuff and Shameless featuring Steve Summers the voice of Pretty Boy Floyd & Ace Finchum from Tigertailz with very special guest Finnish Eurovision rockers Stala & So.
England – Attention hair band fans, glam rockers and 80s aficionados. It's time to grab your leather jacket and hair spray. Mark your calendars because "Metal Sludge's Hairband Extravaganza" is coming to your town! Are you ready to Set The Night on Fire? Are you Young & Crazy? Do the Good Guys Wear Black and all the girlz wanna be Queen For A Day? If you answered yes to any of this - then this event is one not to miss.
Hailing from Los Angeles California the band Tuff heads to England for the first time in years. Original bassist and band founder Todd "Chase" Chaisson returns for his first UK appearance since the groups "Astoria" show in London back in 1991. Chase says, "We are coming back, and ready to put the Metal back into Hair Metal! I can't wait to come rock out with our English fans again." Lead singer Stevie Rachelle adds "We'll be playing a full set of TUFF music spanning 25 years including; "American Hairband", "I Hate Kissing You Goodbye", "All New Generation" and even our 1988 classic "Summertime Goodbye."
Munich Germany is the home base for Shameless but for this tour, the group features members from Hollywood and London. Alexx Michael (bass) and his partner in crime BC (guitars) are stoked to welcome local blood with Ace Finchum on the drums. Ace is an original member of Tigertailz and this will be his first tour with Shameless. The stick twirlin' can slammin' blond Brit will take the German based rockers to noise level critical when the tour kicks off at "The Underworld" in London. Shameless forthcoming 6 studio effort "Beautiful Disaster" hits the streets October 1 and the band are excited to bring this new music to the masses starting with England.
Save the sex for last. Isn't that the old saying? Well close enough. Steve "Sex" Summers will front Shameless for the first time since 2007. Summers is without a doubt one of the genre's few who have stood strong with his Hollywood roots. Hairspray, make-up, fur coats & lipstick will be on parade when he belts out hits like "48 Hours To Rock" & "Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz." A true Glam God if there ever was one - and unmistakably the voice of Pretty Boy Floyd Summers is always ready to rock: "I have been laying low for a year now. It's time to show the UK a damn good Glam Rock time" added the Sunset Strip bad boy.
The tour plays ten cities throughout England and also brings Stala & So along for the ride. Based out of Helsinki Finland the band are no strangers to the European tour circuit and last visited England in support of Vain in early 2012. S&S has just released "Play Another Round" (Escape Music Ltd – UK) the follow up to their 2011 debut "It Is So." The band were the Finnish representative in Eurovision with their hit song "Pamela."
The "Hairband Extravaganza UK Tour" will feature 3 bands doing 3 sets with a cast of 13 musicians representing 4 countries. Other notable names on the UK run are German's answer to thrash, glam, pop & punk Andy Brings on guitars (Double Crush Syndrome, ex-Sodom / ex-The Traceelords) and former Bang Tango drummer Trent Anderson on the throne for TUFF.
"Hairband Extravaganza UK Tour"
10/2 – "The Underworld" London
10/3 – "The Railway" Ipswich
10/4 - "Bogiez" Cardiff
10/5 - "The Diamond" Sutton
10/6 - "The Snooty Fox" Wakefield
10/8 - "Moochers Jailhouse" – Stourbridge
10/9 - "Fibbers" York
10/10 – "Bannermans" Edinburgh
10/11 – "Tba" -
10/12 - "Moorings Bar" Aberdeen
WINGER DEBUT REACHES 25 YEARS:
This August will mark the 25th anniversary of Winger's self-titled debut album, to commemorate this milestone the band will perform & record the first Winger album live in its entirety. This full reunion concert will take place on August 30th at The San Felipe Casino in Algodones, NM with Special Guests Warrant & Head East. In addition to the current line-up of Kip Winger, Reb Beach, Rod Morgenstein & John Roth, the band will also be joined by original keyboardist Paul Taylor for this show.
A limited amount of VIP Meet & Greet passes and full line of all new commemorative merchandise are available at wingertheband.com. Winger is currently hard at work in the studio recording a new album. Please visit the Official Winger Facebook page for updates.
WebLinks: www.wingertheband.com / www.facebook.com/Officialwinger / www.twitter.com/wingertheband.
SEVENDUST'S LAJON WITHERSPOON & CLINT LOWERY TO GUEST ON THE INFINITE STAIRCASE'S NEW EP:
On the heels of the recently announced collaboration with Savatage and Trans-Siberian Orchestra guitar virtuoso Chris Caffery, New York-based outfit, The Infinite Staircase (comprised of brothers Lenny and Jeff Cerzosie), have added a few more recognizable names in the hard rock and heavy metal community to their already "rock star-studded" forthcoming Ep; this time in the form of the album's producer/drummer Morgan Rose's longtime bandmates, both Sevendust's guitarist Clint Lowery and frontman, Lajon Witherspoon.
Lowery plays on the track "Can't Control It", while Witherspoon sings alongside The Infinite Staircase frontman Lenny Cerzosie on "Just To Meet You There" and what has now been confirmed as the forthcoming new single, "The Things We've Done". These collaborations mark the finishing touches on the band's forthcoming as yet untitled Ep, which is expected to be released in late summer or early fall with the first single hitting radio within the next few weeks. The Infinite Staircase has made a habit in recent years of collaborating with some of the most respected musicians in hard rock and heavy metal. In 2009, the band's debut album 'The Road Less Taken' featured guest appearances by Blues Saraceno (Poison) and Earl Slick (David Bowie, John Lennon). Saraceno also mixed the record.
In 2012 the band began work on their follow-up with Sevendust and Call Me No One drummer Morgan Rose at the helm, producing as well as taking charge behind the kit. Early sessions brought in collaborations with Sean Memphis Hennesy (Candlebox, The Gracious Few), John "JD" DeServio (Black Label Society, Cycle Of Pain) and Troy Cromwell (Cycle Of Pain).
Then, on October 22nd, 2012 came Hurricane Sandy and The Cerzosie brothers found themselves organizing an All-Star collaboration to raise money for the victims of the storm; a collaboration which consisted of, in addition to Morgan Rose and JD DeServio, Guitar God Zakk Wylde and Candlebox frontman Kevin Martin. What resulted was "The Pride", a melodic mid-tempo rocker with blazing solos and screeching vocals which spent 6 weeks on America's Music Charts Mainstream Rock Radio Top 40 with it's highest ranking being #27.
The Pride was released digitally on February 5th, 2013 via Vanity Music Group with 100% of the proceeds being donated to the Carl Vincent Bini Memorial Foundation. The song was recorded at Architekt Music, the state of the art recording facility in Butler, New Jersey where Sevendust recently tracked Black Out The Sun. It was mixed by house engineer Mike Ferretti (Sevendust, Call Me No One) and mastered by Alan Douches (Fleetwood Mac, Yes) at West Side Music in New Windsor, New York. The song is available via digital retailers such as iTunes, Amazon & Google Play, or a limited edition CD Single can be purchased via theinfinitestaircase.bigcartel.com.
WebLinks: www.theinfinitestaircase.com / www.facebook.com/TheInfiniteStaircase.
SIN CITY SINNERS' KICKSTARTER NEARS END:
Time is running out... Only a week remains in The Sin City Sinners quest to produce two new CD's. Vegas' favorite band has taken to the popular Kickstarter route, but has a lot of catching up to do. The Kickstarter site has become a great tool in helping independent artists fund their projects, but it's not without its risks... Kickstarter is all or nothing, if you don't reach your goal, all the money raised is returned. The Sinners have decided to team with some of their celebrity friends to record two brand new CD's. The first is Sin City Sinners & Friends will feature some of their favorite guests jamming and the other is the follow up to their popular Holiday Record A Sinners Christmas.
As with most Pledge driven sites the reward incentives are key and Sin City Sinners really run the spectrum from physical CD's, Guitar Picks, T Shirts, Signed Guitars, & Faster Pussycat Gold records to Music Lessons, Dinners, & Private Concerts. For the truly interactive fan there are chances to have your name in the CD liner notes right next to the Rock Stars or for the more ambitious you can even play on the records themselves!
In addition to the line-up of Brent Muscat, Michael Ellis, Rob Cournoyer & Zach Throne, the CD's will also include appearances by Original Sinner front man Todd Kerns, who due to his touring schedule with Slash has been unable to perform with the band for several months now. So far celebrity appearances include Taime Downe (Faster Pussycat) Phil Lewis (LA Guns) George Lynch (Dokken) Kip Winger, Dizzy Reed (Guns N Roses) Pete Loran (Trixter), Jeff Young (Megadeth), Frank Dimino (Angel) Jeff Duncan (Armored Saint) and many more depending on budget.
To get involved and pledge please visit: www.kickstarter.com/projects/sincitysinners/sin-city-sinners-and-friends-new-cd.
STEFAN KAUFMAN, PETE WAY, SCORPION CHILD AND THE COCKNEY REJECTS ON 100TH RICH DAVENPORT'S ROCK SHOW: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 7th July 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 8th July 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) celebrated hitting 100 shows with exclusive interviews with former Accept drummer Stefan Kaufman (ex U.D.O.), legendary former UFO bassist Pete Way, Jeff Turner of the Cockney Rejects, and Scorpion Child frontman Aryn Black, and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-stefan-kaufman-ex-accept-pete-way-scorpion-child-cockney-rejects/
In the first hour, former Accept drummer Stefan Kaufman (ex U.D.O.) tells the story of the writing, recording and reaction to the band's classic "Balls To The Wall" album, newly reissued by Hear No Evil Recordings. Stefan also selects four Accept classics from the record.
Also in the first hour, Aryn Black, frontman with rising Psych-infused Classic Rockers Scorpion Child discusses the band's new self-titled album.
In the second hour, Cockney Rejects vocalist Jeff Turner talks about the band's critically acclaimed "East End Babylon" documentary, now out on DVD, and the new box set of their Hard Rock and Metal albums, "Hammer - The Classic Rock Years", featuring "The Wild Ones", produced by Pete Way (UFO), and lauded on its release by "Kerrang!" magazine and rock luminaries such as Ozzy Osbourne.
Part 2 also features a chat with legendary former UFO bassist Pete Way, in the first of a series of interviews in which Pete looks at the recent "UFO At The BBC" box set, and chooses live tracks from 1974 featuring the short-lived line-up of the band which included both Michael Schenker and Paul Chapman on dual guitars. The show also features classic tracks from ZZ Top and Thin Lizzy.
BABY ANIMALS ARE BACK WITH NATIONAL "FEED THE BIRDS" TOUR:
Hot off the success of their first studio album release in 20 years, This Is Not The End, and its Top 20 ARIA Album Chart debut, iconic Aussie rockers Baby Animals are thrilled to announce a new national Australian tour in 2013. Presented by Social Family Records and The Harbour Agency, the "Feed The Birds" tour will begin in Newcastle on Saturday 12th October, followed by dates in Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Geelong, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Tickets are now on sale from various outlets listed below.
"Feed the Birds" will be a landmark event for the Baby Animals. The tour will be filmed for the band's first ever live DVD, Feed the Birds (Live). Fans can pre-order the DVD, or grab a limited release bundle that includes a ticket to the show and a signed copy of the DVD upon its release for Christmas, from www.thebabyanimals.com.
Fronted by Suzie DeMarchi, Baby Animals strike a familiar pose with guitarist Dave Leslie returning for action, Dario Bortolin on bass and Mick Skelton on drums. The "Feed The Birds" tour named after the infamous Baby Animals tradition of pouring red wine into the mouth of fans in the front row - from Suzie's own! "Feeding the birds? It's just us giving something back!" says Suzie DeMarchi. The "Feed The Birds" tour follows a more intimate Baby Animals East Coast tour last month to launch This Is Not The End and the band is raring to go again! "We can't wait to hit the road and introduce more of our fans around the country to the new album," says Suzie.
Since exploding onto the scene in 1991 with the release of their first single, Early Warning, Baby Animals have become one of Australia's most successful rock outfits. Their eponymous album spent six weeks at No. 1 in Australia, going eight times platinum and becoming the highest-selling debut Australian rock album until the release of Jet's album 12 years later. The band toured internationally and struck up friendships with music legends Van Halen, Robert Plant, Paul Rodgers, and Bryan Adams.
This Is Not The End, the band's first full-length release since 1993, marked a return to the charts. It made its debut at number 19 on the ARIA Album Chart and number three on the Australian Album Chart when released last month.
Baby Animals' special guest on the "Feed The Birds" tour is Steve Balbi. Steve played bass in the hit-making Australian band Noiseworks, which produced four Australian top ten albums. He went on to form psychedelic pop group Electric Hippies with Noiseworks band mate, Justin Stanley.
Tickets for the "Feed The Birds" tour, exclusive fan bundles and copies of This Is Not The End and Feed the Birds (Live) are available from www.thebabyanimals.com. This Is Not The End is also available now from iTunes.
Baby Animals "Feed The Birds" Tour
Saturday, 12 October Cambridge Hotel Newcastle bigtix.com.au
Friday, 18 October The Zoo Brisbane oztix.com.au
Saturday, 19 October The Zoo Brisbane oztix.com.au
Thursday, 24 October Governor Hindmarsh Adelaide moshtix.com.au
Saturday, 26 October ANU Bar Canberra ticketek.com.au
Wednesday, 30 October The Wool Exchange Geelong oztix.com.au
Thursday, 31 October The Corner Hotel Melbourne cornerhotel.com
Saturday, 2 November Astor Theatre Perth showticketing.com.au
Saturday, 9 November Metro Theatre Sydney metrotheatre.com.au
WebLinks: www.thebabyanimals.com / www.facebook.com/babyanimalsmusic.
Legendary vocalist Jon Anderson, Yes's singer/songwriter for 35 years along with his successful work with Vangelis, Kitaro, and Milton Nascimento, will be performing special engagements in the UK, Finland and Sweden in August 2013. The shows promise to deliver an exciting mixture of material from Jon Anderson's prolific solo career, collaborations with Vangelis and classic YES songs, along with new compositions, highlighted by humorous and enlightening stories told by Jon. Says Jon, "Performing the classic Yes songs I wrote for the band, and Vangelis work is always fun and rewarding... I'll be doing some New song ideas, plus a classic Beatles song, plus a couple of surprises. I just have the best time singing on stage...Hope you find time to come and see the show!"www.jonanderson.com.
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MELODICROCK FEST 3 WELCOMES HEAVEN & EARTH (ACOUSTIC) TO THE FESTIVAL LINE-UP!
+ WIN A TRIP TO MELODICROCK FEST FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!
Heaven & Earth are joining MelodicRock Fest 3 this September in Chicago!
The mighty classic rockers Heaven And Earth will be stripping it back for a very special acoustic set for MRF3,
to feature guitarist Stuart Smith, vocalist Joe Retta and bassist Chuck Wright.
With thanks to Quarto Valley Records (www.quartovalleyrecords.com), the power trio will join the Saturday line-up as special guests of the mega-event that kicks off in the late afternoon Friday September 27 and runs all day Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th.
Heaven And Earth will be playing material from their brand new acclaimed album Dig, as well as a few tracks from their past.
All as a dynamic acoustic based set.
MelodicRock Fest 3 also features such names as Eric Martin (Mr. Big); Glen Burtnik (ex-Styx); Kelly Keeling (Baton Rouge); Ted Poley (Danger Danger); Steve Augeri Band (ex-Journey); House Of Lords and many more.
But it is Saturday that will play host to a number of special guests on top of Heaven & Earth's (www.heavenandearthband.com) special acoustic set.
Melodic rock legends Harem Scarem are set to headline, with the all-star W.E.T. project (featuring Jeff Scott Soto, Erik Martensson and Robert Sall) directly preceeding them.
Heaven & Earth will kick off the evening portion of the Saturday event. Following their set will be one of the melodic rock highlights of 2013 – a very special set from AOR heroes Mecca. Joining Joe Vana and the band are special guests Jimi Jamison (Survivor) and Fergie Frederiksen (ex-Toto, Trillion, LeRoux) and on top of that – a very special appearance of legendary vocalist Thom Griffin accompanying the band for backing vocals throughout the set.
Tickets for all 3 days of MelodicRockFest 3 are available individually at www.melodicrockfest.com, www.homebarchicago.com and a special 'local Chicago $5 off discount deal' directly from Hot Tub Tony's, located at 1827 N. La Fox Rd. South Elgin, IL.
Complete details of the event, the lineup and location of the Arlington Heights based H.O.M.E. Bar can be found at: www.melodicrockfest.com. MRF3 is the third festival organized by MelodicRock.com to celebrate the best melodic rock artists in the world, all in one place over one packed weekend.
The news doesn't end there!
MelodicRock.com and Heaven & Earth will move Heaven AND Earth to get two lucky people to the event – all expenses paid!
Yes, you read correctly! ALL EXPENSES.
MelodicRock.com is launching a fundraising drive with a difference. As many are aware, MelodicRock.com relies on the occasional input of its readers to help maintain the free service offered to anyone that lives and breathes great rock music. But this time there's a twist.
There are two donation price points - $25 and $50.
Everyone that donates will go into one of two prize draws – one for International donations and one for USA/Canada donations.
WIN TRIP TO MRF3 $25 - 1 Ticket
WIN TRIP TO MRF3 $50 - 2 Tickets
The winner of the International Draw will be flown all the way from ANYWHERE in the world to MelodicRock Fest 3 and given 3 night's accommodation at the event hotel and a VIP Green Room pass for the whole weekend!
The winner of the USA/Canada Draw will also be flown from their North American location to MRF3 with 3 night's accommodation and a VIP Green Room pass for the weekend. On top of that, they will receive an autographed Stuart Smith guitar!
PLUS - everyone that donates will also get access to the MelodicRockXtra Members Area! A password will be emailed to all donors.
And thanks again to Quarto Valley Records and Heaven & Earth, there are some additional runner up prizes on offer.
Those are:
· 5 signed Heaven & Earth "Dig" CDs
· 10 regular "Dig" CDs
· 3 Limited Edition Heaven & Earth "Dig" LPs
· 5 Men's Shirts
· 5 Women's Tank Tops
· 10 H&E Medallions
That's a total of 40 prizes on offer for those that donate.
The full details are:
$25 Donation:
– 1 ticket in applicable draw
– 3 month access to MRX
You can purchase multiple tickets to enhance your chances by donating more than once.
However, there are only a limited number of tickets available – 250 MAXIMUM!
The winners for both Major Prizes will be drawn randomly by Stuart Smith on a video that will be uploaded to YouTube Tuesday July 30!
(Exact time to be announced).
Minor prize winners will be drawn at the same time, but notified via email.
Both major prize winners will then have their flight/hotel and concert tickets covered so you can party with the rest of the awesome folks in attendance for what promises to be the American rock event of 2013!
WIN TRIP TO MRF3 $25 - 1 Ticket
WIN TRIP TO MRF3 $50 - 2 Tickets
Friday, July 05, 2013
LIFTING THE VEIL ON CANADIAN ROCK:
Inspired by the soon-to-be-published book by Billboard-charting guitarist Sean Kelly, the Metal on Ice – Tunes from Canada's Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Heroes companion album tells the tale of Canadian hard-rock through the rerecording of chart-topping heavy metal hits from the 1980s. Slated for release in October 2013, the album will include new recordings of original hit songs by celebrated Canadian artists Brian Vollmer (Helix), Carl Dixon (Coney Hatch), Darby Mills (Headpins), Lee Aaron, Nick Walsh (Slik Toxik) and Russ Dwarf (Killer Dwarfs). The project will be supported by an extensive PledgeMusic campaign, which launches today.
Recognizing that Canadian heavy metal and hard rock artists of the 80s were pioneers in the expansion of Canadian music internationally and therefore influenced the lives of many, Kelly has partnered with
Coalition Music to crank up the volume on the project. Together the team has created a list of unique opportunities for fans via PledgeMusic, allowing them to play an integral role in the recording of the Metal on Ice – Tunes from Canada's Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Heroes companion album and get an insider's look into the upcoming live shows.
Accessible to fans today, the Metal on Ice – Tunes from Canada's Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Heroes PledgeMusic campaign offers fans the opportunity to support this important project all while gaining
incredible behind-the-scenes access. Options are provided to pledging fans at all price points and include: advance copies of the album, guest list to live performances, Skype guitar lessons with participating musicians, access to a pre-show cocktail reception, a signed drumskin used at a live show, autographed guitars/microphones and the ultimate prize of spending a day in the Coalition Music (Studios) in Toronto when all six artists will be present to record (earning those in attendance the chance to have their names included in the coveted liner notes!).
"The Metal On Ice project is a chance for fans to hear the stories behind the songs while reconnecting with the songs that helped shape the Canadian music landscape," said Kelly. "It also presents an opportunity for lovers of Canadian hard rock and heavy metal to come together in support of the genre and recognize the importance of celebrating its successes. We wanted to give true fans access to incredible experiences and believe we have done just that with the exclusive opportunities available through our PledgeMusic campaign."
With the support of an anticipated book, an album in process and a list of soon-to-be announced live performances there is no question that the Metal On Ice project will bring the stories of Canadian hard rock and heavy metal to life. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned for updates as the project unfolds via www.metalonice.com and Facebook.
About Metal on Ice – Tunes from Canada's Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Heroes and the Metal On Ice Project:: To be released in September, 2013 and written by Billboard-charting guitarist Sean Kelly, Metal On Ice (Dundurn Press) draws on interviews with original artists such as Helix, Anvil, Coney Hatch, Killer Dwarfs, Harem Scarem and Honeymoon Suite, as well as prominent journalists, VJs and industry insiders. Reliving the lives of those striving to land the coveted record deal, Metal On Ice presents a new perspective on the dreams of musicians shooting for an American ideal of success and discovering a uniquely Canadian voice in the process. Supporting the book, the Metal On Ice Project sees author Sean Kelly partnering with Coalition Music to provide fans of Canadian hard rock and heavy metal an insider's look into the creation of an album and the celebration of its release through the excitement of a live show.
About Sean Kelly: Sean Kelly is a Billboard-charting guitarist of his own band, Crash Kelly. He has released several classical guitar albums and tours as lead guitarist for Grammy Award-winning superstar Nelly Furtado. Kelly has also performed with Helix, Carl Dixon, Gilby Clarke and Carole Pope, among many others. He lives in Toronto. About Coalition Music: Established in 1991, Coalition Music is a full service music company that includes artist management, music licensing, online creative, publicity departments along with a fully functional record company, Coalition Records. The company's current artist roster includes: Simple Plan, Our Lady Peace, Finger Eleven, Justin Nozuka, Faber Drive, Incura, These Kids Wear Crowns, The Balconies, Ben Caplan, Barlow, Raine Maida and USS. Since its inception, Coalition Music has been involved in the commercial release over 50 albums with combined worldwide sales exceeding 15 million albums. For more information on Coalition Music, visit www.coalitionmusic.ca.
WebLinks: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k1hWGIsMT0 / www.pledgemusic.com/projects/metalonice.
SKYFEST UPDATE: Skyfire PR and Firebrand Rock Radio proudly present The Premier Skyfest, Classic and Melodic Rock Festival, powered by Marshall Amplification.
With 21 of their most requested AOR and Melodic Rock bands from around the globe (and we've had a hint that there may be a few surprise guests), Firebrand Rock Radio and Skyfire
PR are hosting this 2 Day Festival on Saturday September 21 & Sunday 22 at The Intake, Kirkland Avenue, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, UK. Tickets are available from www.skyrocketrecords.co.uk/skyfest-tickets at the fantastic price of only £40 for a Single Day Pass and £75 for a Weekend Pass.
-This is an indoor festival so no muddy swamps, portaloos and dodgy burgers.
-21 bands across 2 days at an incredible value price
-Bands from the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Greece, Austria, Ireland, and the USA
-Bands choosing Skyfest as their exclusive UK date on European tours
-Debut UK appearance by Teazer from the USA and chance to win a guitar (see below)
-"Supergroups" of members of popular established bands playing together at Skyfest
-Sound system powered by Marshall Amplification
-Live DJ Sessions with some of Firebrand Rock Radio's finest
-Meet and Greet with the bands
-1 or 2 day passes available with top class bands each day
"Party Like A Rockstar" with US band Teazer making their UK debut at Skyfest … one lucky Skyfest ticket owner, drawn at random, will WIN an autographed Epiphone Les Paul Jr Guitar and the opportunity to party with US rock band Teazer across the Skyfest weekend!
Saturday's bands are Pretty Maids, Redrum, Vega, I Am I, Teazer, Code Of Silence, X-Ufo, Summers, Daylight Robbery, Estrella Cornerstone & Last Breath.
Bands appearing on Sunday are Rage Of Angels, Coldspell, Moritz, Tainted Nation, Doris Brendel, Rob Mancini, Knock Out Kaine, The Room & Hangfire.
NEWMAN ANNOUNCES LIVE DATES: Newman announce the following live shows in support of their new album "Siren".
28th September - Chicago, USA - MelodicRockFest 3 Festival, House of Music & Entertainment, 1227 N Rand Rd, Arlington Heights, IL -- 847-577-4663 www.homebarchicago.com / www.melodicrockfest.com.
Acoustic Show 19th and 20th October - Nottingham, UK - Firefest Festival / Nottingham Rock City, 8 Talbot Street, Nottingham, 0871 3100 000 www.rock-city.co.uk.
3rd November - Ludwigsburg, DE - HEAT Festival Rockfabrik, Ludwigsburg, Grönerstraße 25 71636, 0049 7141 474230 www.heat-festival.eu.
WHITE WIDDOW PULLS OUT GERMANY'S H.E.A.T FESTIVAL - NEWMAN STEPS IN:
Unfortunately Australian's White Widdow has cancelled their appearance on this year's H.E.A.T Festival. Here are some words from the band regarding this: "Dear European Fans, after much thought and discussion, we have decided to push back the release of our forthcoming third album until the first half of 2014. The most important thing is to put out the best album that we can and at the moment with everyone's busy schedules, we would be rushing like mad to have it ready this year and we know that If we did that, it wouldn't be as good as it needs to be. As a result of this, we are also cancelling our appearance at the HEAT Festival and postponing our planned European tour until the album is finished and released. We thank you all for your continued support and we'll keep you updated as the new album takes shape into the new year." ~ Jules, Enzo, Trent, Xavier & George - WW.
Newman, the Melodic Rock Outfit from the UK, will now replace White Widdow. Newman's new album Siren will be released on AOR Heaven on July 19. The H.E.A.T Festival will show Newman's first show ever in Germany. The Festival, which will take place on November 3rd in Ludwigsburg (near Stuttgart) at the famous Rockfabrik club, will have the following billing: Harem Scarem, The Poodles, At Vance, Hartmann, Newman, Lionville, Bai Bang, Covered Call.
Tickets are available here: www.ticketmaster.de.
US MELODIC ROCK ACT LINE OF FIRE WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS: Line Of Fire would like to officially announce the arrival of lead guitarist Stephen Harris and bass player Dario Da Rosa! Joining founding members Shawn Pelata (vocals) and Nikki Dimage (guitar/keys), Stephen and Dario both bring a wealth of talent and depth of musical knowledge to the band. In addition to their 2013 appearances at MelodicRock Fest 3 and Rock Harvest 2, the band is planning many more live appearances throughout 2014 as well as beginning work on their third album and follow up to 2010's 'Momentum' release on Tribunal Records. The band released their self-titled debut via Tribunal in 2005. The guys stopped rehearsing long enough for a quick band pic. When asked about the drummer situation, the band replied with a grin, "We're working on it..."
Photo: L-R: Nikki Dimage, Shawn Pelata, Stephen Harris, Dario Da Rosa.
HICKS MAKING USA WAVES: Miqael Persson aka Hicks (from Sweden), has just returned from a successful 2 weeks in Nashville, Tennessee where he represented Sweden at the International Global Show sponsored by the CMA and Aristo Media, along with various acts from around the world. This event we beamed live around the world via the Internet and audio streams to over 10 stations in the USA, Europe, and Australia. He then was asked to appear at two of CMR Nashville's International Shows on Broadway at the Whiskey Bent and The Bridgestone Arena Glass Tower, if this wasn't enough he was invited to be part of the CMA Fest Autograph signings at the Digital Rodeo booth with thousands of fans walking around in the brand new Music City Venue one of the biggest exhibition venues in the world. More to follow when asked to appear as a special guest at 'A Night For Heroes' a fund raiser for returning soldiers.
Media coverage gave Hicks many radio and TV interviews that will be aired over the next few weeks and live on the day.
Miqael is also an accomplished songwriter with most of his live material being written by himself and other co-writers. Whilst in Nashville he was able to co-write top songwriters Anthony Smith and Dallas Rogers. He met with his USA publisher and learned that a song he wrote 'Cuts Like A Diamond' on his last USA visit was picked up by the Little River Band. Not only did they record it, but used the title of their new album to be released in August when they start a nationwide tour of the USA to promote it. Other artists have recorded his songs this year and these should be released later this year in both the USA, UK, and Sweden.
He took the last day off to socialize with Lee Williams, and met up and two of his song writing idols Earl Bud Lee and Jeffrey Steele at a Time Jumpers gig along with Vince Gill. Both Earl and Jeffrey want to write with Miqael on his return.
The future looks very bright for Hicks.
TAINTED NATION HEADING TO SPAIN: Black Moon Creep and Rock N Growl Booking have forged their first collaborative tour together. It is for UK's modern hard rockers Tainted Nation who will play 7 shows in October this year in Spain. Support bands have to be announce to a later point.
Tainted Nation tour dates in Spain:
04. October – Burgos – Sala BNB, Spain
05. October – Ourense – Sala Berlín, Spain
08. October – Castellón – Pub D'Leyend, Spain
09. October – Valencia – Sala Novelty, Spain
10. October – Madrid – Scalibur Metal, Spain
11. October – Zaragoza – Sala Utopía, Spain
12. October – Irun – Sala Tunk, Spain
Tainted Nation are Pete Newdeck (Eden's Curse) vocals, Mark Cross (ex Firewind, Helloween) Drums, Pontus Egberg (The Poodles) Ian Nash (Lionsheart) – Guitars and Joel Peters (Fury) – Guitars.
Pete Newdeck, UK based drummer, singer and song writer, who is mostly known for his work with Eden's Curse and bands like Grim Reaper, Killers and Steve Grimmett, started writing songs with band mate and friend Ian Nash, also Steve Grimmett's guitar player in 2009.
Being on tour with Eden's Curse supporting Scandinavian band Stratovarious and Firewind in May 2009 on their UK tour, Pete and Mark Cross, drummer of Firewind at the time, also Outloud, ex – Helloween, Kingdom Come), became close friends and talked about the idea of forming a new band, only this time with Newdeck as the lead singer!
Newdeck's vocal abilities were truly convincing and in spring 2010 Pontus Egberg, Bass player of Sweden's rock sensations The Poodles completed the line-up. Newdeck, Nash, Cross and Egberg, recorded their debut album "F.E.A.R." in the UK and mixed and mastered it in Germany under the supervision of Dennis Ward, producer of many successful international artists and Tainted Nation was brought to life.
Tainted Nations' music can be described as a commercial, modern and powerful sounding rock mix.
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/taintednation / www.taintednation.co.uk.
THE JOKERS RELEASE NEW ALBUM "ROCK N´ROLL IS ALIVE":
There's no shilly-shallying when you listen to The Jokers' music – it's bound to be love at first listen. Their meaty rock'n'roll goes straight to the gut and into your legs, has lots of groove and blues and sparkles with haunting melodies and powerful riffs. So it's hardly surprising that this hot and hungry band from Liverpool comes equipped with everything that honest and authentic rock music needs: England with its long tradition of legendary groups such as The Who, Free, Mott The Hoople, The Faces and Led Zeppelin continues to be an ideal breeding ground for promising acts in 2013. The four-piece consisting of brothers Paul (guitar) and Simon (bass) Hurst and their two colleagues Wane Parry (vocals) and Chris Poole (drums) has succeeded in successfully transporting classic rock music into the present without denying the illustrious past of this musical direction or lacking a contemporary and topical approach. Their second album Rock'n'Roll Is Alive will be celebrated by all fans of classic rock music and is rooted deeply in the 1970s. "I've always been totally into the seventies, they really were the best rock music era," comments Paul Hurst. "I love Free and their guitarist Paul Kossoff, just like The Who and Led Zeppelin, in other words all bands who play classic rock music with strong emotional vocal melodies and bluesy guitar riffs – pretty much like we do today."
The Jokers first came to public attention in summer 2009 when their debut album The Big Rock'n'Roll Show was released independently, achieving remarkable sales within a few months. The Album was awarded Powerplay Magazine's album of the month in July 2009, went straight on to Planet Rock Radio's A Playlist and was universally acclaimed for its rare quality. Countless shows in seedy clubs and shady joints followed, the four musicians having only one target: to make The Jokers popular and to grow as artists. "We're a hard-working band. We like to play as often as we can and keep learning all the time," Paul Hurst explains. "Everything about The Jokers is honest and authentic; our sole aim is to be successful and make people happy."
The fans of this fantastic band should be more than delighted with all eleven numbers on the new album which features tracks such as the wonderfully grooving opener 'Silver City', 'Radio' with its ingenious guitar riff and the consciously Free-oriented 'Find My Way Home' as important cornerstones. "Of course our countless gigs have helped us to evolve as a band and as composers," Paul Hurst enthuses. "Financially and artistically, we were much more limited during the conception and production of our debut. This time around, we had a producer in Andy who believed in us and told us: 'Don't worry about the cost, you only have to pay as much as you can afford.'" Over almost two years, The Jokers spent a total of five months working on Rock'n'Roll Is Alive with producer Andy Macpherson (Eric Clapton, The Who, Barclay James Harvest, The Buzzcocks). "Our style is much more defined than it was four years ago," Hurst describes the audible differences between the group's 2009 debut and the current situation. "Our songs are decidedly more rock-oriented, self-contained and straightforward in terms of their sound. You can tell that we're even prouder of our songs today and love every note single note on Rock'n'Roll Is Alive."
2 September 2013 (Germany: 30 August 2013; US/Canada: 10 September 2013) is the scheduled release date of their new album on Steamhammer/SPV, the result is bound to delight all rock music fans. Hurst: "We have grown perceptibly in the past 24 months and are now ready to present an album which bears its title with justification. Rock'n'Roll is an attitude; it stands for freedom, tolerance and self-fulfilment. Rock'n'Roll Is Alive reflects all these aspects perfectly."
Tracklisting: Available as CD and download / 01 Silver City 03:45 02 Rock´n`Roll Is Alive 02:58 03 Radio 04:00 04 Blood Of Ox 00:36 05 Night Driver 03:12 06 Let It Rock 03:15 07 Find My Way Home 04:14 08 Sky Line 00:35 09 N.Y.C. 04:30 10 Bring Your Love Back To Me 03:56 11 Dr. Rock Head 02:28.
Line-Up: Wane Parry (vocals) Paul Hurst (guitar) Simon Hurst (bass) Chris Poole (drums).
The Jokers released their new single "Radio" digitally on June 24. You can listen to a song snippet here: snd.sc/13S9aA8.
WebLinks: www.thejokers.com / www.spv.de.
SLIPPERY TO RE-RECORD "TRICK OR TREAT" BY FASTWAY: Slippery to re-record "Trick Or Treat" by Fastway. the song was the soundtrack for the namesake movie released in 1986 and that counted with the participations of Ozzy Osbourne and Gene Simmons. Recently inducted for the Dynamite Award (one of the most important in the Brazilian independent scene) as "Best Rock Album", Slippery keeps getting positive results from its debut album First Blow. Released last year, the album is pratically sold-out in Brazil and got surprising number sales in Japan, Europe and USA.
First Blow was produced by Átila Ardanuy (Dr. Sin, Anjos Da Noite) and rescues all that rocker aesthetic from the 80th's. Musically, Slippery recreates, its way, the same magic atmosphere of bands like Quiet Riot, Dokken and Wasp that transited between hard rock and heavy metal, besides adding influences from AOR of names like Survivor and FM. But it was not only the music from the 80th's that have influenced Slippery's work. The cinema from this decade also serves as reference. Proof of that is the version that the band is recording for Fastway's "Trick Or Treat", song that was the soundtrack for the namesake movie released in 1986.
The movie "Trick Or Treat" tells the story of Eddie Weinbauer, a headbanger teenager mistaken by family and society. Eddie is a diehard fan of the rock star Sammi Curr, that ends up dying in a violent way. Sammi's spirit returns from beyond to help Eddie to get his revenge against all those who mock him, specially the kids from school. However, Sammi's evil spirit begins to gain control over Eddie's life and brings him deeper into the world of the occult. The movie also counts with the special guest appearances by rock superstars Ozzy Osbourne and Gene Simmons. Besides the title track, Fastway signs all the other songs from the Soundtrack.
According to the drummer Rod Rodriguez, the idea to record a version for "Trick Or Treat" came still during the pre-production of First Blow. "We used to play some covers from bands we like during the rehearsals that preceded the recordings of First Blow and among then was Fastway's "Trick Or Treat". This song marked so much our childhood cause we always watched this movie on the Brazilian TV, besides being a high energy song." Slippery's version for "Trick Or Treat" will be launched only online on both streaming and also for free download.
For Further Information: www.slippery.com.br / www.facebook.com/slipperytheband.
MEMBERS OF PANTERA, GUNS 'N ROSES, WHITESNAKE AND KILL DEVIL HILL FORM A.L.I.V.E.!: A.L.I.V.E.!, the new band put together strictly out of a passion for 70's era Kiss was formed by good timing and happenstance! Rex Brown (bass; Pantera, Kill Devil Hill), Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (guitar; Guns 'N Roses), Brian Thomas Tichy (drums; Whitesnake, Queensryche, Ozzy Osbourne, S.U.N.) and Mark Zavon (guitar; Kill Devil Hill), all ended up working together on rock journalist Mitch Lafon's Kiss 40th Anniversary Tribute album for cancer care: "A World With Heroes." www.pledgemusic.com/projects/Kiss40thtribute.
This serendipitous occurrence came to be when Rex and Tichy laid down bass and drums on Bumblefoot's version of "Detroit Rock City" in which not only does Thal play all guitars, he sings all vocals. Tichy also tracked drums, backgrounds, rhythm and leads (along with Zavon) to Rex and Zavon's version of "Larger Than Life." Rex makes his debut lead vocal on this track. When the emails started circling, it became apparent that they all shared the same love for Kiss in the 70's. At the same time, they all were all somewhat shocked by how much Thal sounded like Paul Stanley and Rex like Gene Simmons on their tracks. Therein lay the set up leading to the formation of A.L.I.V.E.!
According to Brown, "We each got asked to play on this tribute album to benefit cancer research. Obviously, it was for a great cause and we wanted to be a part of it, but I think it also came from a place of real passion too. Each of us were hugely influenced by Kiss early in our lives, so the chance to play on those tracks was a real honor. After we'd heard what we'd recorded, we thought it would be a lot of fun to do it live. As it turned out, Mark and I had just finished recording the upcoming Kill Devil Hill album, and had a small window of time this summer before we head out on the road again. The timing perfectly coincided with breaks in Ron and Brian's schedules as well, so we decided to put this thing together!"
A.L.I.V.E.! is a as much of of a "thank you" to Kiss as it is a tribute. Brown, Thal, Tichy and Zavon won't be in costume and greasepaint, making this even more of a true tribute to the music that changed them when they first heard it." Rex continues, "I remember I was in 7th grade & this chick had a copy of ALIVE! I swiped it & it changed the future of rock and roll as I know it!! They were like "gods" to this scrawny kid from Texas learning to play guitar!! They are one of the reasons I jam to this day!! I got to open up for them numerous times in stadiums & it's the attitude and the songs, not the shtick that I go back to every time!!"
Tichy adds, "I thought Kiss ALIVE! was the loudest record ever when I first heard it! Kiss was the first band I got into. Peter Criss was my first drum idol and he is where I started as a drummer! When the idea of all of us going for this together was brought up, we all reacted with unbridled excitement to how much fun and how powerful this could be! I can't wait to play with these badass musicians I am proud to call friends!"
When asked about Kiss's influence on him, Thal said, "Hearing the Kiss "Alive!" album at the age of 5 is what made me want to play guitar and join a band. I'm looking forward to playing the songs that launched my life!" Zavon said, "When I was 14 I borrowed 'Destroyer' from the public library and have never been the same since."
A.L.I.V.E.! will perform material off of Kiss's hugely influential "Alive!" and "Alive II" records as well as some of their personal favorites!
Rex Brown is celebrating his birthday on July 27th and the band have decided that would be a perfect time to launch A.L.I.V.E! The Rex Brown Birthday Bash featuring A.L.I.V.E.! will take place on the following dates:
Wednesday, July 24th - The Whiskey - Hollywood, CA
Thursday, July 25th - LVCS - Las Vegas, NV
Please visit tinyurl.com/kyylxqb to listen to snippets of the songs that brought this all together! Please visit and "like" the official A.L.I.V.E.! Facebook page www.facebook.com/AliveAnAllStarTributeToKiss.
ASHES OF CHAOS: EYE TO BE RELEASED ON JULY 30:
"Eye", the debut album by progressive metallers Ashes Of Chaos, will be released on July 30th 2013 under logic(il)logic Records and distributed by Andromeda Dischi. The track list is: 1. Ashes Of Chaos 2. Falling 3. Doom 4. Mechanical Rage 5. Atmosfear pt.1, Abyss Of Consciousness 6. Parallels 7. Novilunio 8. Atmosfear pt.2, Circle Of Madness 9. Awake 10. Rinascita.
"Eye" is a concept album without a real protagonist, everyone who listens to the music can be him. Leaving blank paper to the listeners' interpretation, the protagonist will fight against the problems of a single man included in the society of a pre-apocalyptic ambience. After the massive destruction of the entire humanity, he's now alone and ready to fight against his own mind, to preserve his mental clarity and hope for a new future. The listener will be accompanied by several music styles and intricate harmonic structures. He is integrated in the music, sharing feelings and experiences with the protagonist. Is the existence doomed to eternally run in the Circle of Madness, or there will be an unexpected awakening? The choice is up to the maker of our own destiny.
A promotional trailer for "Eye" is available on the label's YouTube channel: youtu.be/wP7VmKCAdjQ. Web: www.facebook.com/pages/Ashes-of-Chaos/196770405805?fref=ts / www.reverbnation.com/ashesofchaos.
MELODIC BRIEFS:
Progressive metal outfit Ashent have just finished filming the video for "Shipwrecked Affair". Taken from their current critically acclaimed "Inheritance" album; the video marks the second promotional video from the album following on from "Magnification Of A Daydream" which saw release in 2012 (viewable at youtu.be/LhZYP2Kcwyk).
The upcoming clip features some scenes shot on location in Venice, Italy, in addition to a guest appearance in an acting role from Enrico 'Ukka' Longhin of Lion Music label mates The Moor. The video is about to commence editing and post production with an anticipated release in August/September 2013. In the meantime get the full info of "Inheritance" at www.lionmusic.com/cd/inheritance.htm.
Canadian Hard Rockers Famous Underground have released a new video, for the track Dead Weight, featured on their new self-titled debut album out now via Dust On The Tracks Records. The new single Dead Weight is a melodic romp that takes you on a trip with an anthemic message that pertains to everyone. Sonically this represents the light and shade that is F.U., the song is a wakeup call for people to realize that they have the power to help create a more positive world. Watch the video: youtu.be/nI9I9ekK8v8.
On this Saturday's Rockposer's Roulette, Dan Mann will be chatting to Johnny Lima about his new album he's recording and his upcoming Acoustic Tour. Only on Firebrand Rock Radio 1pm UK time. www.firebrandrockradio.com It will be available after broadcast on Firebrand's Mixcloud page. www.mixcloud.com/firebrand.
FAIR WARNING release a new rehearsal podcast for their tour in Japan: youtu.be/zWymHK4I05A.
THE POLICE GUITARIST ANDY SUMMERS AND ROB GILES WRAPPING UP DEBUT ALBUM:
Newly formed rock group Circa Zero--comprised of guitarist Andy Summers (The Police) and singer/bassist/guitarist Rob Giles (The Rescues, solo artist)--have announced their debut public performance will take place Thursday, July 25 at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles. Tickets for the headlining show are available now here.
Rounded out with Canadian drummer Emmanuelle Caplette, the band formed in late 2012 and have recently finished the songs for their forthcoming full-length album Circus Hero--expected in early 2014--at Summers' Venice, CA studio. Circa Zero began when a mutual friend invited Summers to a few of Giles' shows with The Rescues. Summers was immediately impressed by Giles' great vocals as well as his multi-instrumental capability. The two got together to kick around song ideas, and after their first jam session decided it was imperative that they record together. Circa Zero--the band name reflects a new beginning or fresh start--didn't have any definitive musical agenda in mind but instead, following their muse, they began creating edgy lyrical rock songs both familiar and new, modern and classic.
Andy Summers says, "Finally, the El Rey! We can't wait to get this out there." "Andy and I just wanted to write rock songs that we wanted to hear but couldn't find anywhere," shares Rob Giles. "It's almost shocking to think we get to play them for an audience."
Additional tour dates will be announced shortly. Fans can sign up today at www.circazero.com to receive updates and be among the first to hear advance music.
WebLinks: www.circazero.com / www.twitter.com/circazeroband / www.facebook.com/circazeroband
JEFF KOLLMAN PAYS TRIBUTE TO HIS BROTHER:
July 3, 2013 - Acclaimed guitarist Jeff Kollman (Bombastic Meatbats, Cosmosquad, Glenn Hughes) has announced the release of his latest digital single, "Brother To Brother", dedicated to the memory of his brother and former Edwin Dare band mate, Tommy Kollman, which is now available via iTunes and other outlets.
States Kollman: "I just started playing a song on the acoustic guitar. I realized as I was playing, I was writing it for brother Tommy. I was wondering when and if it would ever come. I woke up and there it was." Tommy Kollman was shot and killed by a sheriff's deputy in his hometown of Ft. Myers, Florida in the early morning hours of December 15, 2012. Kollman was allegedly pulled over in his car by the deputy and was then shot multiple times in the driver's seat of his Jeep. Kollman never fired any shots but allegedly had an AK-47 rifle in his vehicle. The incident is still under investigation. Meanwhile, a Facebook page titled "Justice For Tommy Kollman" www.facebook.com/JusticeForTommyKollman has been set up and several rallies have been held in Ft. Myers Beach seeking more facts about the case.
Family, friends and former band mates took part in a special memorial concert honoring Tommy Kollman at the Rocket Bar in South Toledo, Ohio on May 24th and 25th, headlined by Jeff Kollman's instrumental trio Cosmosquad. Special guests included local guitar hero Chuck Stohl and bassist Kevin Kekes from Toledo metal band Damien. Video footage of the event can be seen at Jeff Kollman's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/guitarscreams.
MRX UPDATED: MRX has been updated with the following two new features:
- Whitesnake - Reading Festival 1980
- Maeday - S/T (1988) Join MRX Now.
Thursday, July 04, 2013
UNTIL RAIN SIGN TO ESCAPE MUSIC: Escape Music is delighted to announce the signing of Anglo Greek band Until Rain and their second full-length album Anthem to Creation, due out in Europe August 23.
The Band is: Yannis Papadopoulos - Vocals; Theodore Amaxopoulos - Guitars; Lefteris Germenlis - Keyboards; Bill Gkagkavouzis - Bass; Alex Hughes - Drums.
Mixed and Mastered by Jens Bogren at Orebro, Sweden. (Opeth, Amon Amarth & Iron Maiden).
Track list: 1-Brain Death 5:24 / 2-Think Again 4:19 / 3-Living Hell 5:17 / 4-My Own Blood 5:05 / 5-Empty Helmet 10:50 / 6-13-8 5:02 / 7-The Clang of Shields Pt. I 6:54 / 8-The Clang of Shields Pt. II 3:25 / 9-Anthem to Creation 18:21 / 10-Breaking of the 7 Seals 4:47 / 11-Marionettes 9:23.
Until Rain is a progressive metal band which was formed back in 2004 in Thessaloniki, Greece. The band's music is a mix of many musical elements such as prog, melodic and experimental metal, art rock, electronic music sometimes combined even with extreme metal elements.
In July 2009 Until Rain signed with Steel Gallery Records for their first label release, the debut concept album, "The Reign Of Dreams". The album was recorded during the first months of 2009 at Fragile Studios in Athens. Its concept concerns dreams, but its scenario could be a real and adventurous life story. It deals with the struggle of a man realizing his actions and sins during a voyage inside a Dreamworld.
Until Rain quickly followed up with the EP "Pandemic", which consists of 4 new songs and 4 bonus tracks (acoustic versions, radio edits etc), giving a taste of Until Rain's next full length release, blended with 2 tracks from the past, sounding heavier than the first album and more mature.
The Band has now finished the recordings of their new full-length album "Anthem to Creation" and the results are astounding.
These five passionate guys have performed with many artists over the years - to name a few: Jeff Martin (The Tea Party), Firewind and Psychotic Waltz. Musically Until Rain sits comfortably between the melodic progressive metal of Shadow Gallery or Circus Maximus and the more epic orchestral power of Symphony X or Time Requiem. It's a great blend of well known facets and a unique take on the progressive metal genre with the inclusion of Greek folklore in both lyrics and melodies. This quintet is poised to take the rock world by storm with their unique brand of Progressive metal.
Quote from Escape Music's Khalil Turk: "One of the best progressive melodic metal band I have heard in years, I absolutely love this band, and I have not stopped playing this album!!"
LabelLink: www.Escape-Music.com.
xx
NEXT MAGNUM OPUS WELL UNDERWAY: Magnum have been back in the studio working on the new album for a few months now. Tony Clarkin had in advance written many many new ideas ready for the new album. He bought the files into M2 studios and started working on what he thought were going to be the best of the bunch. Bob Catley has had chance to get into the studio & put down the vocals on a few of the new tracks even though his jet set agenda sees him on a world tour with Avantasia right now. He`s been a very busy chap!
All the bass tracks and drums by Al Barrow & Harry James have been completed now. Tony is still writing lyrics for the album and awaiting Bob's return to finish the vocals. We're expecting Mark Stanway in for keyboards over the next few days. Once again the artwork will be straight from the illustrative mind of Rodney Matthews. Rodney & Tony have come up with some great concepts for the new artwork.
The album is to be released once again on SPV Records (www.spv.de). The album is speculatively been set for release January 2014 followed in March by a EU &UK tour. For more info go to www.magnumonline.co.uk or join us on Facebook.
JANI LANE MEMORIAL SHOW UPDATE:
"Cinderella members' new group Cheap Thrill and Xander Demos to join Faithsedge frontman at Jani Lane Memorial show..."
The upcoming 2nd Annual Jani Lane memorial show will now be taking place at the new The Rock Factory in Jani Lane's hometown in Akron, Ohio on August 10. Giancarlo Floridia of Faithsedge along with shred master Xander Demos will be ripping through over 20 songs going through every album release during his time in Warrant.
MICHAEL MONROE REVEALS COVER ART FOR NEW ALBUM 'HORNS AND HALOS':
Vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, über-energetic frontman and all-round rock 'n' roll legend Michael Monroe has revealed the cover artwork for his new studio outing Horns And Halos due out on August 27 via Spinefarm Records. The arresting cover art is based on an idea from Swedish guitar star Dregen (Backyard Babies), who performs in Michael's current touring and recording lineup. "I love logotypes that are a 'little secret," says Dregen. "You know, the ones that are more like signs and symbols Van Halen, Crass, Him's Heartagram, etc. That was the starting point."
Horns And Halos is the follow-up to the 2011critically acclaimed Sensory Overdrive, winner of Classic Rock Magazine's "Album Of The Year" and a No. 1 record in Monroe's Finnish homeland. It is a cosmopolitan affair, mixed by Petri Majuri at Seawolf Studios in Finland and written and recorded around the world by Monroe's international posse bassist Sami Yaffa (Hanoi Rocks, New York dolls), guitarist Steve Conte (New York Dolls, Company Of Wolves), drummer Karl "Rockfist" Rosqvist (Chelsea Smiles, Danzig) and Dregen. The band has been hard at work in the studio, providing creative support for a frontman whose reputation is genuinely global and whose influence continues to be felt, with musicians of all ages (from Dave Grohl to the original Guns N' Roses members) citing Michael's groundbreaking career as a source of inspiration.
A second single and video from Horns And Halos will be made available on August 5.The video for the current single "Ballad Of The Lower East Side," is a nod to Michael's early days in New York, a city he moved to for a decade following the mid-'80s breakup of glam-punk pioneers Hanoi Rocks (for which he was the frontman).
The track listing for Horns And Halos is as follows: 1. TNT Diet 2. Ballad Of The Lower East Side 3. Eighteen Angels 4. Saturday Night Special 5. Stained Glass Heart 6. Horns And Halos 7. Child Of The Revolution 8. Soul Surrender 9. Half The Way 10. Ritual 11. Hands Are Tied.
For more Information on Michael Monroe visit: www.michaelmonroe.com / www.facebook.com/michaelmonroeofficial.
xx
Wednesday, July 03, 2013
MELODIC ROCK FEST 3 - NEW SPONSORS & MORE: MelodicRock Fest 3 is very pleased to announce the addition of two sponsors for the event, as well as a special local discount deal at one of the sponsor outlets.
Please welcome Impulse Music (www.impulsemusic.com) as the exclusive MRF3 event CD dealer. Impulse will bring along their extensive range of new release and back catalogue titles to sell over the weekend.
Impulse joins the MelodicRock/MelodicRock Records and Kivel Records merch booths set to offer more CDs than you could wish for as well as other event merch; as well as specialist exhibitors Rock My Wood and Laser On who will make MRF3 the best fan catered event yet!
Please also welcome a local retailer and passionate MelodicRock fan Tony Nessie and his business Hot Tub Tony's (www.hottubtonys.com) to the event! After a long weekend partying at MRF, what better way to relax than in a new hot tub? Well, Tony will be there to show his wares, but not only that, local Chicago residents can visit Tony's store in person anytime from now until event day to purchase MelodicRockFest tickets at an exclusive discounted price.
Visit Hot Tub Tony's at 1827 N. La Fox Rd. South Elgin, IL. To purchase daily tickets at $5 off ($50 Friday and $60 for Saturday or Sunday).
But all three and receive $20 off the total. Don't miss a single band planned for the MelodicRock Fest 3 weekend in Arlington Heights, Chicago, September 27-29, 2013.
MRF3 features such names as Eric Martin (Mr. Big); Glen Burtnik (ex-Styx); Kelly Keeling (Baton Rouge); Ted Poley (Danger Danger); Steve Augeri Band (ex-Journey); House Of Lords; Harem Scarem; Mecca with Jimi Jamison & Fergie Frederickson; W.E.T.; Tango Down; Bombay Black; Gary Schutt; Robert Tepper and many many more. Tickets for all 3 days of MelodicRockFest 3 are also available individually at www.melodicrockfest.com and www.homebarchicago.com.
MRF3 is the third festival organized by MelodicRock.com to celebrate the best melodic rock artists in the world, all in one place over one packed weekend.
Stay tuned for a big MRF announcement right here...this time tomorrow.
Tango Down are kicking ass in preparing to take MelodicRock Fest 3 by storm. Just got this report in from the frontline:
Photos By Michelle Richter. Words By Wes Haskins / "Hey MelodicRock.com faithful....just to give you a little heads up for what MRF3 is in for. I recently had the pleasure of attending Rockin' the Railroad Festival in Sheridan Wyoming, where two out of the seven acts appearing on the bill, are also making their appearance at MRF3 in Arlington, IL this fall. The 1-2 Punch of Bombay Black and Tango Down was a treat to say the least. Chicago....get ready as they both rocked the house, and you could see the crowd jumping out of their chairs for both bands! Bombay blew through a monster set showcasing majority of the bands work along with some surprise covers!
Tango Down also went over very well with, David Reece being himself - one of the best frontmen in our beloved genre. The band was tight as @#$%, with new addition Ronnie Parkes on bass complementing drummer Keith Michaels very nicely. Scott Miller was the perfect ying to David's yang making a powerhouse duo. The band played the majority of the new album Identity Crisis, while adding die hard fave Bangalore Choir's Angel in Black! Then encoring with Accept's Balls to the Wall, which included a backing vocals choir of the Bombay Black crew and others. Along with moi, the drunken non-musician (I sure hope the mic was turned off). So do NOT miss these two bands and their blend of hard hitting rock when they appear at this year's MRF. Do not pass go, do not collect $200 and go catch them at MRF3!! You do not want to miss them and you will not be disappointed!! It's always great to catch up to Bombay and Tango. I look forward to the This fall.
xxxxxx
BLACKMORE'S NIGHT IMPACT EUROPEAN CHARTS: Blackmore's Night new album Dancer And The Moon released on June 14 in Europe and June 11 in North America gathered very good chart entries in the week of release all around the world. Below you can find a resume:
Germany # 13; Sweden # 22; Norway # 24; Czech Rep. # 29; Hungary # 30; Finland # 31; Austria # 39; Switzerland # 40; UK # 89 / #16 Top 50 Indie chart; Netherlands # 102; US # 189 / # 40 Indie chart / # 3 on Billboard New Age charts.
Blackmore's Night released an official statement regarding the various chart entries: "Frontiers has done a great job in getting our music to our fans. We are happy to be charting everywhere. Thanks to everyone for your support."
On related news Blackmore's Night is premiering their brand new videoclip "Dancer and the Moon" on the leading German web TV channel Myvideo.de. You can watch the clip following the link below: www.myvideo.de/watch/9167015/Blackmore_s_Night_Dancer_And_The_Moon.
The title track of the album, Dancer And The Moon is also released as digital single and is available now for download and streaming in all fine shops such as iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Deezer etc.
The new album Dancer And The Moon is available for purchase in regular cd configuration and deluxe edition in Digipak, including a bonus DVD featuring a 40 mins "making of the album" documentary and bonus acoustic versions of "The Spinner's Tale", "Somewhere Over The Sea/Moon Was Shining", "The Ashgrove" and "Queen For A Day". The album is also available in a super-deluxe edition strictly limited to 2000 copies packaged in a polyston frame with the cover artwork printed on canvas and including a black tote bag with Blackmore's Night artwork, 4 Blackmore's Night pins, a certificate of authenticity and of course the deluxe edition.
Formed in 1997 by Candice Night and Ritchie Blackmore, the two began working together first in Ritchie's previous group Rainbow, when Candice co-wrote a number of songs, most notably "Ariel" and "Black Masquerade" for Rainbow's 1996 album, Stranger In Us All. Dancer And The Moon is the band's 8th original studio album, with each disc topping the European and American Billboard's New Age charts. When Blackmore's Night began its journey, sceptics had their reservations that finding an audience would be impossible. Someone once wrote that "love conquers all" and Blackmore's Night's love for the music has found an audience that loves the magic this enduring couple have been conjuring up in an almost 20-year love affair. Open your ears and your hearts, there's plenty of passion to go around.
Weblinks: www.blackmoresnight.com / www.candicenight.com / www.facebook.com/candicenightofficial.
Tour Dates - Europe
City Hall, Salisbury (England) - 3rd July.
G Live, Guildford (England) - 5th July.
Hugenottenhalle, Neu Isenburg (Germany) - 9th July.
Serenadenhoff, Nurnburg (Germany) - 11th July.
Congresshalle, Saarbrucken (Germany) - 13th July.
Kongress am Park, Augsburg (Germany) - 14th July.
Burg Creuzburg, Creuzburg (Germany) - 19th July.
Albrechtsburg, Meissen (Germany) - 21st July.
Beethoven Saal, Stuttgart (Germany) - 23rd July.
R.I.P. MAGNUS KRISTENSSON: Mister Kite bassist Anton Johansson has regrettably informed us of the following news: "It is with great sorrow and sadness in our hearts we bring you the news that Magnus Kristensson, guitarist of Mister Kite has left us. He had struggled a long time and finally lost the fight against cancer on June 10th. Our thoughts goes to his family and especially his little daughter. We've posted a short clip with Magnus as we want him to be remembered at www.misterkite.com." Lion Music extend their deepest sincere condolences to the Kristensson family.
MelodicRock.com does the same. R.I.P. Magnus.
DANGER ANGEL REVEAL NEW VIDEO: Danger Angel have released a new video for the song Not An Angel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kShRK_1qWoE.
"Not An Angel" was filmed during the band's European tour this past April and contains footage from several of the band's stops along the way. Revolutia is the sophomore release by Danger Angel following their debut album released in 2010. "Revolutia" was produced by Jeff Scott Soto and mixed/mastered by John Ellis. It was released early 2013 and has received rave reviews from the press worldwide!
WebLinks: www.dangerangelband.com / www.facebook.com/dangerangelband.
ALICE COOPER/LOU REED GUITAR LEGEND STEVE HUNTER RELEASES NEW CD:
Featuring! Joe Satriani, Tony Levin, Johnny Depp, Joe Perry, Marty Friedman, Michael Lee Firkins, Phil Aaberg, 2Cellos, Tommy Henriksen
Phoenix, AZ – Guitar legend Steve Hunter, best known for his work with Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, David Lee Roth, Jack Bruce and Aerosmith, has a new CD released, 'The Manhattan Blues Project', featuring an all-star guest line-up! This is Steve's fifth solo album and is a culmination of his love of the Blues and New York City mixed with his love of melody and "Tone Poems". After recording and touring with Alice Cooper in 2011, he decided to get off the road to write and record. He thought it would be cool to have some guest players join him and was overjoyed and humbled at the willingness of those he asked to contribute to this project. Many of the guests he had not worked with before and most had a very different style of playing to himself. There are two cover tunes but this album is mainly new material written, played and produced by Steve. He was very happy to also include a short composition by his friend Jason Becker, called "Daydream By The Hudson". "This album has been inside me trying to get out for a long time, I wanted to show the other side of New York, the soulful side plus it also says a lot of what I have always wanted to say on guitar." - Steve Hunter.
Guest players on The Manhattan Blues Project: Joe Satriani, Tony Levin, Johnny Depp, Joe Perry, Marty Friedman, Michael Lee Firkins, Phil Aaberg, 2Cellos, Tommy Henriksen. "I am honored to play alongside legendary guitarist Steve Hunter on his stunning new album, check it out!" - Joe Satriani.
On 'The Manhattan Blues Project' Steve goes back to his blues roots in his own unique way. You will hear string arrangements, vocal arrangements, a burst of guitar shredding by the best in the world and echoes of The Beatles. The two cover tunes include Steve's instrumental version of Peter Gabriel's "Solsbury Hill", a song he had played the guitars on for the original album version in 1977. The second cover is from one of his favorite artists Marvin Gaye, "What's Going On".
"Steve really knows how to play a guitar. His silky delivery and smooth golden tones make you feel like you've just leaned back into your living room sofa after a rocky trip. His notes have a direct connection to your heart. He stirs the feelings that we all long for from a guitar. And like all masters, he makes perfection seem so easy." - Dennis Dunaway.
The Manhattan Blues Project is a rich, uplifting musical experience with lashings of soul, passion and outstanding performances from everybody involved!
To purchase Steve Hunter 'The Manhattan Blues Project': www.cdbaby.com/cd/stevehunter3 / www.amazon.com/Manhattan-Blues-Project-Steve-Hunter/.
RIVAL SONS ANNOUNCE U.S. TOUR DATES KICKING OFF AUGUST 20 AND WRAPPING SEPTEMBER 7:
Maximum-blues-infused, rock 'n' roll band Rival Sons are excited to announce a 14-city tour beginning August 20 with stops including Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis and Lake Tahoe, wrapping in San Francisco September 7 (full tour itinerary below). The Long Beach, CA-based group has been invited to perform a select number of shows with one of their hometown heroes, Sammy Hagar, on his "Four Decades of Rock" summer tour.
Guitarist Scott Holiday says, "Well, we're finally hittin' our homeland for a handful of tour dates. Ask and ye shall receive! And what a cool thing to get to go out and support a legend…and super cool fella like Mr. Sammy Hagar! I think this one's gonna be a blast."
Hagar has been a fan of the Rival Sons for a while, since he first heard their 2009 debut Before The Fire. "These guys are the real thing," says Hagar. "Their first CD was great, showing off a lot of styles from the 60's, 70's and 80's. These boys have done their homework…now road-tested. The Sons have made a CD (Head Down) that truly lives up to the band's name. This is a giant step from a great previous CD…not easy. But for those that like classic rock but are tired of the same old songs, I highly recommend this CD…and even better, go see 'em live--they deliver."
Hagar and Rival Sons frontman, Jay Buchanan, come from the same town of Fontana, CA.
Rival Sons--Jay Buchanan (vocals), Scott Holiday (guitar), Robin Everhart (bass) and Michael Miley (drums)--just concluded an international headlining tour with shows in Canada, Europe and the U.K. as well as a string of dates in the Midwest U.S. May 29-June 4. Real Detroit Weekly recently noted of their packed show at St. Andrew's Hall: "These guys not only have the sound, but the look and the mojo to make anyone pay attention." (6/5) EXAMINER.com exclaimed of the show at Reggie's in Chicago, "Rival Sons cast a spell…" (6/9)
The band is on the road supporting their third album Head Down (released March 19th on Century Media Records), which reached #1 on the Rock chart in 2012 in the U.K., garnered the group four-star reviews (including Mojo and the Guardian) overseas as well as magazine covers and the "Breakthrough Artist" award at the 2012 Classic Rock Awards show in London. The album features "Keep On Swinging," which hit #1 on the Active Rock Radio Charts in Canada and remained at the top for six straight weeks. The band made their major national television debut when they performed "Keep On Swinging" on ABC-TV's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in March, which can be viewed here: www.hulu.com/watch/464788.
For more information and tour dates: www.rivalsons.com / www.facebook.com/rivalsons.
Tuesday, July 02, 2013
TYKETTO ANNOUNCE FIRST ANNIVERSARY PLANS:
News from Tyketto: "Nice to hit a career milestone when you're celebrating your 25th anniversary! Tyketto has just booked what will be a U.S.A. concert highlight of 2014. Check out the event poster below….As you can see, the performance roster is a "who's who" of melodic rock. This is by far the biggest show of its kind in the country. This boat will be ROCKING from Ft. Lauderdale to the Bahamas and will be a guaranteed sell-out! Grab your tickets now.
For info on the Monsters Of Rock Cruise and Tyketto 2014 festival dates, including our headline slot at Hard Rock Hell festival in Wales this March and upcoming tour dates, join our official Tyketto Facebook group: www.facebook.com/pages/Tyketto-The-Official/272013509510636?fref=ts.
See the Tyketto full band bio @ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyketto.
FOREVER YOUNG video…over a million hits! www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2vG-zlvvk0.
BOSTON FOUNDER TO PAY COURT COSTS:
The founder of the rock band Boston has been ordered to pay a newspaper $132,000 for the court costs it incurred in successfully defending itself against his defamation lawsuit. Musician Tom Scholz claimed the Boston Herald and two reporters blamed him for the 2007 suicide of lead singer Brad Delp. A Superior Court judge dismissed his lawsuit in March, saying it was impossible to know why Delp killed himself. Scholz's attorneys argued he shouldn't have to pay court costs. The judge said court rules require it and such costs could have a chilling effect on "free expression of ideas and opinions by media defendants."
Herald publisher Pat Purcell said Friday the decision is a reminder of "the harmful impact" such lawsuits can have.
WebLink: www.billboard.com/articles/news/1568708/tom-scholz-of-70s-rockers-boston-told-to-pay-132000-in-failed-lawsuit.
JADED HEART ANNOUNCE LIVE ALBUM: Jaded Heart is the name for pure Melodic Rock par excellence since 20 years now! Killer albums, support tours with bands like Helloween, Doro, Rage or Shinedown and headliner tours telling a long story about this amazing band. The current album Common Destiny was in the official DJ-Charts in Germany for 10 weeks. On the forthcoming Masterplan tour the band will promote their very first live album - Live In Cologne, release September 28.
The album will include a bonus DVD with the Cologne-show and lots of extras (i.e. from this year's Japanese tour).
European Tourdates – Masterplan Tour 2013
01.10.13 (DE) Berlin – C Club
02.10.13 (DE) Hamburg - Ballroom /Warehouse RnR
03.10.13 (DE) Bochum - Matrix
04.10.13 (NL) Uden - De Pul
05.10.13 (NL) Kerkrade - Rocktemple
06.10.13 (BE) Vosselar - Biebob
07.10.13 (FR) Paris - Le Divan Du Monde
09.10.13 (DE) Aschaffenburg – Colossaal
ROMEO'S DAUGHTER - THE RAPTURE TOUR 2013: Romeo's Daughter are back are back with more live dates and a whole album full of new material! Their stunning lead singer, Leigh Matty, was voted Number 5 Lady Rock Singer of all time in Classic Rock Magazine and their current single 'Bittersweet' is in their 'Top songs of 2012' chart: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCrMuVxVyXQ.
The band's pedigree is second to none, with each member having previously worked at the highest levels with artists such as: Bonnie Tyler, Whitney Houston, Roxette, Meatloaf, Tom Jones, John Parr, Dexy's Midnight Runners' Kevin Rowland and, Ex GoGo, Jane Wiedlin!
From the release of their debut Album in 1988, produced in part by the infamous Robert John 'Mutt' Lange, it was surely to be only a matter of time before Romeo's Daughter hit the headlines. And that, they certainly did. During a whirlwind tour of the U.S.A their single 'Don't Break My Heart', leapt up the US Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. The calibre of their songs attracted many established artists; Heart covered the single 'Wild Child' on their 3 million selling album 'Brigade', achieving No. 2 on the Billboard Rock All Play chart. Eddie Money, Bonnie Tyler and the recently reformed Steps too, have had recording successes with other Romeos' titles. Their track 'Heaven in the Backseat' was the also the opener for the film, 'Nightmare on Elm Street 5'.
The second album, 'Delectable', was more like a live album and well worth the wait. It was produced and recorded by Romeo's Daughter and Andy Reilly, and was later mixed by Steve Brown (The Cult, Manic Street Preachers and Wham).
20 years down the line, that same great response has spurred them on to re-group after a magnificent reception at the 2009 Firefest, in Nottingham. Guitarist Joiner, needing no encouragement, had already started to pen new Romeos Daughter songs and after much hard graft from each band member, two long years later it's finally arrived. Rapture, the third long awaited album, captures all of Romeos Daughters' style and verve with a little bit more besides. Here's a little taster – www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OGKrq1Gxm0.
Like a good wine, this band just gets better with time! In 2012, they toured with FM performing in Glasgow, Manchester and finishing off with a spectacular gig at Shepherds Bush Empire. Their solo tour took them all over the country starting at the Bush Hall, London.
Forthcoming dates for 2013:
6th August The Horns, Watford
8th August Cropredy
27th September Crumlin, Wales
28th September The Railway, Bolton
29th September Yardbirds, Grimsby
2nd October Guildhall, Derby (Filming)
4th October London - Camden Underworld
6th October 02 Academy 3 Birmingham
With support from Dante Fox in September & October.
MELODIC BRIEFS:
Updated Hartmann European tour dates:
19.09. D-Aschaffenburg, ColosSaal (record release party with special guests)
05.10. D-Nürnberg, Rockfabrik (as support of Victory)
08.10. D-München, Backstage (as support of Y&T)
09.10. CH-Pratteln, Z7 (as support of Y&T)
25.10. D-Seidenroth, Eulenspiegel
03.11. D-Ludwigsburg, Rockfabrik (H.e.a.t Festival)
WebLinks: www.oliverhartmann.com / www.facebook.com/OliverHartmannPage / www.reverbnation.com/hartmann.
The new Shameless single with Cherie Currie (The Runaways) and Steve Summers is finally available on iTunes, Amazon and everywhere else. If you want a real CD you can order it directly from: shamelessonline.storenvy.com/products/1592035-lifes-a-gas-ep including 2 postcards and Gatefold cover.
In episode 61, July 1, 2013, of the Dropping The Needle podcast, Bonfire guitarist Hans Ziller sat down with Mitch Lafon and spoke about Kiss, the band's participation on the A World With Heroes Kiss for cancer care tribute album, Bonfire's career highlights and place in the North American marketplace, as well as the band's new album Live In Wacken and his thoughts about fellow German Metal band, Accept. Dropping The Needle is the podcast where all music from all genres is discussed. New releases, classic albums, rediscovered music, signed and unsigned. No ass kissing, just two guys talking about music. Dropping The Needle is hosted Michael Brandvold from Michael Brandvold Marketing and Mitch Lafon, rock journalist. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf3RaVAdvWc.
Austrian hard rockers Sergeant Steel release their second album Men On A Mission on September, 6 via Boyz Tyme Records. 11 new songs are mixed and mastered by legendary producer Michael Wagener (Metallica, Ozzy, Skid Row, Janet Jackson, Alice Cooper, Dokken, Extreme, White Lion, Warrant, Stryper, etc.). The band did a video clip for the new single Cry Out Your Heart, Baby!, which is on YouTube. The song is also available at all common download stores. Video: youtu.be/-xslcxMgnW0.
MY ENDLESS WISHES - LOST WITHOUT YOU - NEW PROMO VIDEO: Doolittle Group in Sweden are proud to announce the 1st promotional video "Lost Without You" from the Swedish female fronted metal band My Endless Wishes. youtu.be/UBTJ66sIK1s.
My Endless Wishes was created in 2005 by Frida and Martin Viberg, married since 2006. Musical influences have always been melodic metal, bands such as Evanescence, Nightwish, Within Temptation, etc. It took a couple of years to find the right members for the band. In 2009, it was absolutely clear that the band was now complete, and the goal to take the sound to a higher level came within reach. Late 2011, the sound was bigger, heavier and more distinct, - the seed that would grow to the band's breakthrough and the co-operation with DOT Music AB and Doolittle Group, where they got in touch with Frippe Eliasson, Niclas Eliasson, and Christian Liljegren (known from Narnia, Golden Resurrection).
A deal was signed in February 2012 with Doolittle Group. My Endless Wishes entered the studio during autumn and winter 2012 to record the self-titled debut album. The album is recorded at Production House Studio, Örebro, produced by Fredrik Eliasson. The sound is really bombastic hard rock/metal with an edge. Real strings are also used on the album and creates a great atmosphere!
Now the ball is rolling and their self-titled album is out and right now the band is working hard doing concerts in Sweden. They will tour together with power metal band ReinXeed and shows are booked in Sweden, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium and during the summer they are doing summer festivals.
Don´t miss My Endless Wishes - A great live band with a great album and their musical adventure has just started.
NEW SHOWCASES:
New CD Showcases online today for King Kobra, James Christian, Pat Travers Band and Whitesnake (Live) - all due out on Frontiers Records this week. Also featured is the two new AOR Heaven releases Newman and Farraday (both due July 19). Check them out now.
Monday, July 01, 2013
GREAT WHITE – FEATURING JACK RUSSELL - EMBARKS ON A SUMMER TOUR: Great White featuring Jack Russell with his band of pirates are hitting the road to embark in a two month tour. The first show of the Pirates Life Tour starts at the World Famous Whisky A Go-Go in Hollywood, CA and then crossing the Nation. Multi-Platinum original singer of Great White still brings it to the stage belting out all the original beloved songs that made the band take a place in rock history. Russell will be performing all their greatest hits from Save All Your Love, One Bitten Twice Shy, Rock Me and more!
Tour Dates – More to be added~
07/19/13 Los Angeles, Ca Whisky A Go-Go
07/20/13 Las Vegas, Nv Las Vegas Country Saloon
07/21/13 Jerome, Id Diamondz Bar & Grill
07/23/13 Fargo, Nd Jt Cigarro
07/24/13 Dickinson, Nd Army's West Sports Bar
07/26/13 Royalton, Mn Halfway Jam Festival Grounds
07/27/13 Savage, Mn Neisen's Sports Bar & Grill
07/28/13 Thunder Bay, On Crocks
07/31/13 Oklahoma City, Ok Chameleon Room
08/02/13 St. Louis, Mo Fubar
08/03/13 Lincolnshire, Il Viper Alley
08/04/13 Etobicoke, On The Rock Pile
08/08/13 Sturgis, Sd Glencoe Camp Resort
08/09/13 Sturgis, Sd Easyrider's Saloon
08/10/13 Hazel Green, Wi Sandy Hook Tavern
08/13/13 Allentown, Pa Crocodile Rock
08/15/13 Clarion, Pa Wasteland Live
08/16/13 White Marsh, Md House Of Rock
08/17/13 Lancaster, Pa Village Nightclub
08/19/13 Warren, Pa Holiday Inn (Acoustic Performance)
08/20/13 Luzerene, Pa Brews Bros West
08/22/13 Appleton, Wi Luna Lounge
08/23/13 Viroqua, Wi Vernon County Fairgrounds – Jammin
08/24/13 Muscatine, Ia Elms Supper Club & Lounge
08/27/13 Little Rock, Ar Revolution Music Room
08/29/13 San Antonio, Tx Boozehounds
08/30/13 Dallas, Tx The Boiler Room
08/31/13 Houston, Tx Concert Pub North
09/02/13 Milwaukee, Wi Milwaukee Harley
09/07/13 Clovis, Nm Curry County Events Center
09/08/13 El Paso, Tx Pop's Cantina
09/14/13 Versailles, Oh Bmi Indoor Speedway
09/20/13 San Juan Capistrano, Ca The Coach House
09/21/13 Corona, Ca Marquee 15
09/28/13 Macon, Ga Cox Capitol Theatre
11/29/13 Agoura Hills, Ca The Canyon
For more information on the Great White Featuring Jack Russell go to www.jacksgreatwhite.com or www.facebook.com/jacksgwpiratespage.
QUIET RIOT TO PERFORM WITH BRETT MICHAELS AT CHESANING SHOWBOAT FESTIVAL:
Keeping that rock and roll spirit alive, hard rock legends Quiet Riot will bring the sounds of the MTV generation to the Showboat Festival in Chesaning, MI on July 17th, 2013.
Los Angeles, CA - 6-30-2013 (JoeDolanPR): Quiet Riot, the LA born hard rock band, has continued a legacy in the genre of rock and roll since establishing their musical art form in the early 1980's. With consistent airplay, MTV video plays and international touring that was showcased in every major magazine worldwide for decades, the band's footprint is forever embedded into the history of rock and roll. On July 17th, the band will bring the hits to the stage of the Chesaning Showboat Festival alongside former Poison front man, Brett Michaels. Quiet Riot's 6-time platinum release Metal Health instantly became the inspiration to millions of rock and roll musicians around the globe looking to score a bite of the fame Quiet Riot achieved. As MTV bought a new form of entertainment to television viewers with 3 to 5 minute video shorts that exploited the teen angst of a generation with rock and roll dreams and visions of stardom, it seemed that the dream was attainable to anyone who could knock out three chords and some decent lyrical content. The truth, at the time, was hushed by the visions of splendor. The truth being, you had to have the skills to back up the look. It isn't as easy as it looks to create a song that stands the test of time. Quiet Riot has done that over and over, as their long string of success is evident in the current tours set list.
While the line-up of the band has changed since the passing of former front man Kevin DuBrow, the mastery of the musicianship remains intact. Drummer Frankie Banali and bassist Chuck Wright were both instrumental in bringing the band into the light of fame. Despite what viewers saw while watching the song play on MTV, Chuck Wright and Frankie Banali were the driving rhythm section that recorded their number one hit and defined the sound of the generation. In the studio, they together assembled and recorded rock's biggest and most influential song with the words, "Bang Your Head – Metal Health will drive you mad!" – it's impossible to read it without hearing it play in the back of your mind. The reason being, it's an art form, performed by those who have been educated in mastering the art.
While often behind the scenes, bassist Chuck Wright, who will be performing on stage at the festival, has laid down some of hard rock's most familiar chart topping hits over the past two decades. Recording, performing and touring in support of acts including Stephen Pearcy of Ratt, Doro Pesch of Warlock, House of Lords, Mr Big, Jeff Scott Soto and the legendary madman Ted Nugent to name a few. Chuck Wright's latest efforts outside of Quiet Riot's tour include the 2013 release of Heaven and Earth's Dig, the passionately awaited album rock fans have clamored for featuring Stuart Smith, Richie Onori, Arian Schierbaum and the debut original release to feature Joe Retta bringing his heartfelt and wide vocal range to the plate for a swing and a clear cut home run. The album can be heard and purchased by visiting: www.heavenandearthband.com.
After the show in Chesaning, fans are urged to stick around, as the band is known for taking the time after each performance to meet their fans and take pictures, sign autographs and share laughs with long time supporters of their music.
To keep up with the latest news, upcoming performance dates and social media links, visit www.officialquietriot.com.
LION MUSIC ANNOUNCE DEBUT MARCUS JIDELL RELEASE: Lion Music are delighted to announce the forthcoming release of Pictures From A Time Traveller, the incredible debut instrumental album from Evergrey guitar-master Marcus Jidell. Featuring 7 tracks of outstanding, diverse and top shelf virtuoso guitar excellence, "Pictures From A Time Traveller" gets its digital release on August 16 via Lion Music.
Marcus Jidell is one of the most respected metal guitarists to have come out of Sweden since Yngwie Malmsteen. With a guitar style that has won him universal acclaim, Marcus is a current member of one of Sweden's biggest and hardest touring metal acts Evergrey, and has previously worked with prog-metallers Royal Hunt. Marcus has a very personalised sound, extremely heavy at one end, yet extremely melodic at the other, all the time with a superb feel for phrasing and originality of song craft, and its these traits which are evident throughout "Pictures From A Time Traveller".
Track Listing: 01. Arctica. 02. Huldra (Ruler of the Forest). 03. Tesla World System. 04. Rei Zan. 05. El-Amarna (Ruins of Akhetaton). 06. Space Dog. 07. Wedding Song. A sampler MP3 can be heard now at Soundcloud: snd.sc/14xw3aM.
Leatherwolf have announced that they will no longer take part in the upcoming Metal Masters North American tour with Vicious Rumors and Seven Witches. "We've got some bad news for everyone out there who was looking forward to seeing us with Vicious Rumors and Seven Witches this fall. We have been forced to make the decision to bow out of these dates for economic reasons. Unfortunately, the final numbers our booking agent presented us with a couple of days ago are quite a bit lower overall than what was originally anticipated and conveyed to us when we first agreed to do this tour. And the bottom line is - the touring business is all about the bottom line! Numbers either add up or they don't, and for us they simply did not."
Gerry McGhee of Brighton Rock was featured on Saturday's (June 29) Rockposer's Roulette on Firebrand Rock Radio. It is now available for re-play on Firebrand's Mixcloud page - www.mixcloud.com/Firebrand/
Friday, June 28, 2013
MELODICROCK RECORDS RAMPS UP PARTNERSHIP WITH CARGO RECORDS: MelodicRock Records and Cargo Records UK are pleased to announce an expansion of their long established partnership with a new distribution agreement for all upcoming and future MelodicRock Records titles. Cargo Records is the UK's biggest independent music distributor and specializes in the distribution and marketing of AOR, melodic rock, hard rock and metal titles (amongst others), engaging with artists directly as well as with associated record labels.
Cargo Records' reach goes far beyond the shores of the United Kingdom, with their distribution arm covering Europe, Asia and the USA. MelodicRock Records artists will benefit fully from that reach and the added advantage of managing music to all digital services.
But even more importantly, the artists signing with MRR will benefit even more so - with a fresh new perspective brought to the deals we can offer artists signing to MRR/Cargo. We invite interested artists to get in touch for full details.
As owner of MelodicRock Records, I personally will be continuing my aim of bringing new and fresh releases to fans of the scene, exposing new talent when possible and offering a new home to some veterans of the business. Questions/comments welcome as always - ajm@melodicrock.com.
JOHN WAITE TALKS TO MELODICROCK: John Waite has just released a new live recording to iTunes and via his website and live shows for the CD edition. I caught up with John for the first time in a long time to throw a few questions to him about the new release and his current touring band, who are featured on the recording.
JW: "The shows were recorded in South Philly and Manchester NH. Philly Sound is an old church with a recording studio built into the side. Blue collar neighborhood. The church itself holds about 250 people. The stage is where the alter used to be. We played two nights. I lashed out for several kegs of beer and announced a free gig over the radio via our DJ friend Jackie Bam Bam. The shows were packed, rowdy and fun. Great town. Great people. God bless Philly.
A couple of months later we recorded two more shows, the second one being Manchester. It was fucking freezing. We had a day off the day before so we were pretty fresh. Also, the two month break from recording gave everyone a chance to prepare. Just think about it. Get ready. It was one of those nights. Everyone was so " on ". We were locked. Great show. We were slamming and it's pretty evident. I think it's a defiant record. It rocks like a bastard. I'm proud of it. I want to put another album out of different tracks in 8 months. I feel it's fun to put out music on the spur of the moment. Live albums are harder than studio albums as there are no overdubs (on my albums at least). When you capture "it".... Wow! It's worth the time and expense. "
Why No Brakes Records? I heard you recently brought back the Rough & Tumble album. Does that mean you will self-release in the future? JW: "I'm independent on this album. I financed it and produced. My label No Brakes is capable of doing promotion and getting the music out there. It's available worldwide on iTunes and you can pick up a hard copy at shows. I can't remember the last time I bought a CD in an actual shop. The future is downloading. It's a level playing field these days. I've bought back quite a lot of my catalogue and I'm thinking of releasing other artists through No Brakes.
When my band played Lancaster a couple of years ago there were none of my CDs in the local HMV. The theatre was sold out and we moved a huge amount of albums at the show but the record company couldn't have cared less. That was the end for me. Maybe HMV went out of business because they didn't carry Rough and Tumble. I like to think so. Ha ha ha!"
You sound pretty happy with the live band right now - is this the perfect line-up? JW: "The band is raging. I couldn't be happier. It's tougher being in a three piece. It's like the golden days of 70's rock. I sing better and the band plays harder. But, man, its so cool."
Are there any recording plans for new studio material? JW: "I'm tinkering with several new songs and hope to be cutting a new studio album soon. I'm the last person to ask about my songwriting. I write. I like literature so I'm always aware of narrative. I can't just sit down and write a song. I'll be walking down the street and ill see something and "bang" I have something. Or the guitar player hits a chord and I react! Professional song writing is a bit of an oxymoron. I can always tell when someone's grinding out a song. As far as knowing where my songwriting is going, I don't know too much that I can articulate. It's more of a feeling and a sense of intensity. I know it's slightly different from what I've done before. I'm looking forward to going back in the studio."
There are several artists who have put on special shows playing a set album from start to finish - could you ever see yourself doing that? Maybe for No Brakes or Ignition? JW: "I always toyed with performing Temple Bar with an orchestra. It's loaded with images. Downtown is one of the best songs I've recorded. It's a strong record."
Only 8 tracks on this release? JW: "There are 8 tracks on the record and a long extended guitar solo from Kerri. The songs are great together. It felt right. The running time is pretty much the same as any other album. I did the whole thing on instinct. It's not product, its art!!!!"
Thanks very much to John for his time and please check out the new live release Live: All Access via iTunes and via www.johnwaitethesinger.com.
ADRIANGALE'S RHYTHM SECTION REVEALED:
News from Adriangale and Kivel Records: "We've eagerly wanted to make this announcement for some time now, and all good things come to those who wait. So please join Adriangale in publicly welcoming the newest members to AG. Our Powerhouse rhythm section duo: Matt Mahoney (Bass Guitar) and Lee Nelson (Drums)! Matt and Lee are each long-time friends, superb musicians and seriously great people to boot! The decision to invite them to join our outfit was a no-brainer. Having true team players on board makes us a better unit than ever before. It's going to be loud, energetic, and dangerous!
We are looking forward to bringing you our best performance come Sept at MelodicRockFest - you are going, right? Of course you are!!! So get your tickets now at www.melodicockfest.com! And don't forget: pre-orders are now being taken for our upcoming new album, Suckerpunch!, which will be released at the show! PayPal $12 (US orders) or $15 (International orders) to RockHauseMusic@hotmail.com - shipping is included in price! Plus ALL pre orders will be signed by the band!
NEW FROM ROCK CANDY RECORDS:
The following six new Rock Candy titles are available now from www.rockcandyrecords.com for a discounted price including postage to anywhere in the world for the next two weeks ending on July 14. Oh, and look out for a special discounted bundle price for all four Blackfoot albums.
Blackfoot 'Strikes' CANDY179 / When you look at the pantheon of Southern rock bands operating in the last millennium, Blackfoot was not only one of the most exciting but also one of the most consistent. Led by frontman extraordinaire Rickey Medlocke, who was inextricably linked to Lynyrd Skynyrd, the band raised the Southern rock stakes considerably, recording albums and touring virtually 365 days a year. It was a work ethic that, in the long run, paid huge dividends, positioning the band as a Southern rock institution.
After two moderately successful albums, 'Strikes' was recorded under new and exciting circumstances. The band had signed to the newly reactivated Atco label, an Atlantic Records subsidiary and changed management, setting in motion a chain of events that would ultimately lead them to secure a platinum album and reach a new and vibrant audience both in the USA and abroad. Originally released in 1979, and produced by Al Nalli and Brownsville Station's Henry 'H-Bomb' Weck, 'Strikes' found its own audience by way of constant live work and a brace of top rate songs, including 'Train Train', 'Road Fever' , 'Wishing Well' and the anthemic Southern rock anthem 'Highway Song', a track that would later define their sound and ambition. Special mention must go to band leader Rickey Medlocke whose vocals and bravado make for compelling listening, making this one of their best and most revered albums.
Special Limited Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, photos and new interview with Rickey Medlocke.
Track Listing: 1. Road Fever 2. I Got A Line On You 3. Left Turn On A Red Light 4. Pay My Dues 5. Baby Blue 6. Wishing Well 7. Run And Hide 8. Train, Train (Prelude) 9. Train, Train 10. Highway Song.
Blackfoot 'Tomcattin' CANDY 180 / For some the road to success is rapid and relatively stress free; sudden popularity achieved by a combination of luck and being in the right place at the right time. For others it's a slow and fatiguing rise to the top with years spent honing their craft, building up a loyal fan following and eventually penetrating the charts by stealth rather by hype. For Blackfoot, it was the latter path that provided them with recognition years after they first stepped out on the rocky road to success.
'Tomcatin', originally issued in 1980, was the band's fourth album, a record recorded with all the pep and vinegar that years spent in the wilderness might suggest. True 'Strikes', their previous album, had achieved a healthy level of achievement by placing them firmly on the map. However, musically it was 'Tomcattin' that accelerated them into a league of their own. Produced once again by Al Nalli and Henry 'H-Bomb' Weck (and featuring a guest appearance by Shorty Medlocke, band leader Rickey's grandpa) the record kicked and clawed its way out of the starting gate like a crocodile snapping at their heels. Heavier, more electrifying and enthused with a sense of hunger the album contains some of Blackfoot's greatest tracks including 'Warped', 'On The Run', 'Gimme, Gimme, Gimme', 'Every Man Should Know (Queenie) and 'Fox Chase'. Truly one of the finest Southern rock albums of all time.
Special Limited Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, photos and new interview with Rickey Medlocke.
Track Listing: 1. Warped 2. On The Run 3. Dream On 4. Street Fighter 5. Gimme, Gimme, Gimme 6. Every Man Should Know (Queenie) 7. In The Night 8. Reckless Abandoner 9. Spendin' Cabbage 10. Fox Chase.
xx
Blackfoot 'Marauder' CANDY184 / By this point in their career Jacksonville based Blackfoot were reaping the rewards of over ten years of dedicated work. The band had been on a nonstop treadmill of recording and gigging, carving out a dedicated following in not only the US but also in Europe where their southern star was very much in the ascendency. Indeed, the band's tour with the Scorpions pretty much saw them take all the accolades leaving no doubt as to which of the two groups was the hot ticket. Originally released in 1981,'Maruder' was the band's fifth album, allowing founding father and frontman Ricky Medlocke to lead the band to what is generally regarded as the last truly great Blackfoot studio album. Produced, once again, by manager Al Nalli, and former Brownsville Station member Henry 'H-Bomb' Weck, the sound is tight but loose, allowing the songs to amplify their southern rock linage to the max. Packed out with essential tracks, including the rampaging 'Good Morning' and 'Dry County', the anthemic 'Payin' For It', the reflective ballad 'Diary Of A Working Man' and the epic 'Searchin'. There's even another guest appearance from Rickey's grandpa, Shorty Medlocke who blows a mean harp on 'Rattlesnake Rock 'n Roller'. This is one of the finest southern rock albums ever recorded.
Special Limited Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, photos and new interview with Rickey Medlocke.
Track Listing: 1. Good Morning 2. Payin' For It 3. Diary Of A Workingman 4. Too Hard To Handle 5. Fly Away 6. Dry County 7. Fire Of The Dragon 8. Rattlesnake Rock 'N' Roller 9. Searchin'.
Blackfoot 'Highway Song Live' CANDY185 / Classic live albums have a special place in our hearts. The likes of Thin Lizzy, The Who, The Allman Brothers Band, Peter Frampton and a host of others have for one reason or another pretty much earned their reputations based solely on live performance and their respected live album. It is also true for Blackfoot, one of the hardest working bands of the era, who captured a definitive live set with 'Highway Song Live', a work of sheer perfection and ballsy brilliance. Issued in 1982, and recorded by the Rolling Stones mobile on the bands UK tour of the same year, the excitement and energy of Blackfoot is palpable. Crammed full of their most popular tracks, the songs are transformed and taken to another level of accomplishment. The band's stamina and strength cut through the recordings like a knife through butter supported by audiences that are almost as loud and as boisterous as the band themselves. There is no more moving moment than at the finale of the eight minute long version of 'Highway Song' when the Newcastle audience breaks into a spontaneous chorus of 'Howay The Lads'.
It's true to say that Blackfoot would never go on to scale the heights set here. Sure, they would continue at a pace but with internal record label politics paying havoc with their future, this record would be the last statement of honest intent from a band held in the highest of esteem.
Special Limited Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, photos and new interview with Rickey Medlocke.
Track Listing: 1. Gimme, Gimme, Gimme 2. Every Man Should Know (Queenie) 3. Good Morning 4. Dry County 5. Rollin' & Tumblin' 6. Fly Away 7. Road Fever 8. Trouble In Mind 9. Train Train 10. Highway Song 11. Howay The Lads.
xx
Billy Thorpe 'East Of Eden's Gate' CANDY189 / The name Billy Thorpe may not have made much of an impact in the UK but in Australia he is a veritable legend, having carved out a highly successful career since the late sixties in a seminal and raucous hard rocking band called the Aztecs. By the 1970's he'd outgrown his home grown popularity and moved lock, stock and barrel to Los Angeles, recording a gold selling album helmed by producer Spencer Proffer, titled 'Children Of The Sun', that established him in the USA as a rising star.
Indeed, if it were not for the collapse of his record company, Capricorn, Billy's follow up album '21st Century Man' might well have established him as a major star. But retreating to Spencer Proffer's studio, Billy cut two further albums for the CBS backed Pasha label, an operation that was riding high on the platinum plus success of Quiet Riot. The last of these two works was the brilliantly crafted 'East Of Eden's Gate', a record that allowed Billy to fully blossom by crafting a magnificent opus that actually owes as much to Pink Floyd as it does to Ted Nugent.
Originally issued in 1982, the album is a stunning example of melodic hard rock, with a panoramic, almost cinematic, lustre that has dated not a jot. With musical support, including guitarist Earl Slick (David Bowie) and drummer Frankie Banalli (Quiet Riot) the album is loaded with wide-screen triumphant epics such as 'Dogs Of War', 'Edge Of Madness' and the title track itself.
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork and photos.
Track Listing: 1. East Of Eden's Gate 2. Edge Of Madness 3. Hold On To Your Dream 4. While You're Still Young 5. No Show Tonight 6. I Can't Stand It 7. Nite Rites 8. Crusin' (The Town In The Heat Of The Night) 9. Dogs Of War (Flesh And Blood).
Stan Bush & Barrage 'S/T' CANDY104 / Stan Bush had it all. A good look, great vocals and a knack for writing clean, concise and punchy pop rock songs that, on a good day, could rival the likes of Rick Springfield and Bryan Adams. Making the AOR scene in the early 80s, Stan's cachè was high, with many an impartial observer naming him as one to watch. Indeed, his debut solo album garnered healthy critical acclaim, even if it did not have the sales to match the hype. In 1987 Stan signed to the Scotti Brothers label but this time under the handle of Stan Bush & Barrage, a ruse designed, just like Bon Jovi, to toughen up his image and present a sharper, band identity to the record buying public. Produced by veteran Richie Wise and utilising a number of key session players (dubbed Barrage) including members of Black Rose, John Parr's Band, Foreigner and Rick Springfield's band, the music was superbly executed hook laden melodic rock sitting atop raunchy guitar work and big beefy drum 'n bass. It is also an album notable for including 'The Touch', a track that was included in the soundtrack to the hit movie 'Transformers', helping it to become a melodic staple recognised the world over. Hailed as one of the best AOR albums of the era, Stan Bush & Barrage is a triumphant statement of intent and one that should have resulted in multiplatinum glory.
Special Limited Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully Remastered Sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 3,000 word essay, enhanced artwork, memorabilia, rare photos and full involvement from Stan Bush.
Track Listing: 1. Temptation 2. Love Don't Lie 3. Primitive Lover 4. Heart Vs Head 5. Crank That Radio 6. Gates Of Paradise 7. Do You Remember 8. Take It Like A Man 9. The Touch 10. What Is Love.
xx
DAMON KELLY OFFICIALLY RELEASES THIRD ALBUM LOVE & REVENGE: Rockelly Records and AMB Publicity are extremely proud to announce the official release of international solo recording artist Damon Kelly - Love & Revenge, the resurrection of pure guitar driven melodic arena rock.
The mastermind and former frontman behind Rockarma, took to the stage in Las Vegas, headlining and opening the 2013 PSW Emmy Awards for a gripping acoustic performance of the single "Can't Save Me" from the album Love & Revenge.
Produced by Ted Poley (Danger Danger), Vic Rivera and Damon Kelly, the album promises 11 new "heart tugging, fist pounding tracks" including a cover of Nick Gilder/Sweeny Todd "Roxy Roller".
After two successful Rockarma album releases (Rockarma - produced by Bill Leverty of Firehouse and Brint It! - produced by Ty Sims/Eric Johnson), absolutely nothing will stop Damon Kelly and the boys from putting their stamp on the international music scene.
The album is available now via digital download and CD from www.damonkellyrock.com.
Previews of the album can be heard at the site and merchandise and more will be added shortly.
INXS MINI-SERIES "NEVER TEAR US APART" CAST ANNOUNCED:
On Friday 21st, the full cast of the Inxs mini-series "Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story Of Inxs" was announced. The cast:
Luke Arnold (Winners & Losers) plays Michael Hutchence; Hugh Sheridan (Packed To The Rafters) plays bass guitarist Garry Gary Beers; Alex Williams (who was the lead in Underground: The Julian Assange Story) plays Kirk Pengilly; Nicholas Masters plays Tim Farriss; Ido Drent (Offspring) is Jon Farriss; and Andy Ryan (Underbelly: Squizzy Taylor) is Andrew Farriss.
Damon Herriman (The Sullivans, Love My Way) plays Inxs manager CM Murphy. Inxs band members and manager CM Murphy have been involved with pre-production, and the series will have Inxs original music. Tim Farriss said: "I've been spending a lot of time with the cast and I'm amazed. At times I actually thought Michael was there. It has been all forms of emotions for me – I'm very excited." "Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story of Inxs" begins production in Melbourne next week.
MRX UPDATED:
Added to MRX today - another double dose of rarities - this time featuring 38 tracks from Journey - live tracks, audience recorded rarities, edits and rarities...
Plus 16 unreleased demos from the master of melody - Mark Spiro. Join MRX Now.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
SAMMY HAGAR ANNOUNCES NEW ROCK COLLABORATIONS ALBUM:
On the eve of his fourth decade in rock & roll, Grammy Award®-winning, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Sammy Hagar has teamed with a seminal array of his legendary rock and country artist friends and bandmates, past and present, for his first-ever rock collaborations album, Sammy Hagar and Friends. The release will see Hagar joining forces with award-winning artists including Kid Rock, Nancy Wilson (Heart), Ronnie Dunn (Brooks & Dunn), Michael Anthony (ex-Van Halen, Chickenfoot), Neal Schon (Journey), Chad Smith & Joe Satriani (Chickenfoot), Bill Church & Denny Carmassi (Montrose), The Wabos and more on an epic collection of 10 new songs and unexpected covers. Produced by Hagar and Grammy winning engineer/producer, John Cuniberti, "Sammy Hagar and Friends" will be released by Frontiers Records on September 24 in North America and September 27 in Europe (29 in the UK).
From new originals like "Knockdown Dragout" with Kid Rock, "Bad On Fords and Chevrolets," with Ronnie Dunn, "All We Need Is An Island," with Nancy Wilson, "Going Down" with Neal Schon, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith, and "Father Sun," a duet with his son Aaron Hagar - to reimagined covers of classics like Bob Seger's, "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man," and Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus," – Hagar has masterfully assembled an album that delves into rock, country, blues and pop. "Sammy Hagar and Friends" is Hagar's first solo album since 2008. Full details, including a complete artist list, cover art, tracklisting and presale information will be announced shortly.
The release of "Sammy Hagar and Friends" will follow on the heels of his "Four Decades of Rock" summer tour which kicks off July 26 in Tucson and wraps September 7 in his hometown of San Francisco. The 14-city tour celebrates Hagar's arsenal of hits from his career-spanning success as a solo artist, songwriter and frontman for Van Halen, Montrose and Chickenfoot. The tour, which features Hagar and his band, The Wabos will also see influential bandmates from his career including Michael Anthony, Denny Carmassi, Bill Church and more joining him on select dates. Hagar and his line up of guest stars will take fans on a hit-filled retrospective from the Red Rocker's prolific career. Fans can also expect some surprise "friends" to join Hagar on stage for a sneak peak of tracks from the new album. For a full list of tour dates, visit www.redrocker.com.
Sammy Hagar, also known as The Red Rocker, is a Grammy award-winning vocalist, guitarist, songwriter and musician, who in 2007 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Van Halen. From breaking into the industry with the seminal hard rock band Montrose to his multiplatinum solo career and his ride as the frontman of Van Halen, he's set the tone for some of the greatest rock anthems ever written—with songs like "I Can't Drive 55," "Rock Candy," "I'll Fall in Love Again," "There's Only One Way to Rock," "Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy," "Finish What Ya Started" "Right Now," and "Why Can't This Be Love." Throughout his prolific 40-year-career, Hagar's solo and group albums have globally amassed 25 Platinum certifications on sales surpassing 40 million. In 2009, he formed the supergroup Chickenfoot with bassist Michael Anthony (ex–Van Halen), guitarist Joe Satriani, and drummer Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers). The band's self-titled debut album was certified gold and their subsequent tours were lauded by both fans and critics. In 2011, with the release of his critically acclaimed autobiography, "Red: My Uncensored Life In Rock," he became a # 1 New York Times Best Selling Author. With his Cabo Wabo Tequila, Sammy's Beach Bar Rum and succession of successful bar & restaurant brands, he's evolved into an auspicious entrepreneur, pioneering the now popular celebrity spirit trend. Raised in Fontana, CA, Hagar's hardscrabble upbringing instilled in him an unstoppable work ethic that's been the driving force behind his rise to the top - and continues to fuel his dedication as a philanthropist.
About Frontiers Records: Frontiers Records was founded back in 1996 in Napoli, Italy by Serafino Perugino. In just a few years the label has become home to highly respected and influential rock artists such as Whitesnake, Yes, Journey, Def Leppard, Toto, Jeff Lynne and countless others. After great success in the European and Far East markets, in 2011 Frontiers partnered for distribution in North America with EMI/Universal and opened an office in NYC, thus becoming one of the global leading independent record labels for Classic, Melodic and Hard Rock music. Visit their website www.frontiers.it for more info.
For updated album and touring information visit, redrocker.com, and follow Sammy at facebook.com/sammyhagar, @SammyHagar (Twitter), plus.google.com/+SammyHagar (Google+) youtube.com/redrockerdotcom (YouTube).
HAREM SCAREM UPDATE: Harem Scarem will release Mood Swings II in Japan in August and rest of the world in September via Frontiers Records. It will be released in Japan August 21 is two versions - regular and SHM-CD Limited Edition with bonus 'making of' DVD. Both versions can be pre-ordered via CD Japan. Rest of the world release details soon...
UPDATE: Harry was kind enough to confirm that the entire Mood Swings record has been recreated, re-recorded by Harem Scarem over the last few months. And the three bonus tracks are brand new, freshly written and recorded songs for the occasion.
The 3 track titles are: World Gone To Pieces, Anarchy and Brighter Day.
COLLECTIVE SOUL ON 'INTHESTUDIO':
Dallas,TX- JUNE 26, 2013. InTheStudio.NET, the web home for North American syndicated Rock radio show InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands talks to Singer/Songwriter Ed Roland founding member of Collective Soul. The early 90s may have given rise to Grunge, but there was plenty of room for melodic riff rock. Stockbridge, Georgia Singer and Songwriter Ed Roland had been in and out of bands for several years when, as a last resort, he recorded a demo to shop his songwriting skills. That demo would become Collective Soul Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid. The first single, "Shine" would become an instant hit selling millions and thrusting Ed and his quickly assembled band onto the national music scene, touring extensively over the next year, culminating with a appearance at Woodstock '94. Ed Roland shares with InTheStudio host Redbeard what playing to 300,000 people was like for the young band. "The cool thing about that day is we went more as fans than performers. It was cool to see the other bands, you know, and we just walked out into the audience and just experience it... You can't really describe it (Woodstock '94 performance) You sit there and you can show a picture of the Grand Canyon, but you can't experience it until you go there and see it. It's like the same thing, it's hard to describe."
Stream the entire Collective Soul program this month as part of InTheStudio's Medium Rare "online-only" rockumentary series: www.inthestudio.net/online-only-interviews/collective-soul-20th-anniversary-ed-roland.
LUCK HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT – LOVERBOY AND DAFT PUNK:
What do red leather pants, bandanas and high-energy rock shows have to do with space helmets and electronic dance music? Apparently, if you're multi-platinum Canadian icons Loverboy, a great deal.
The band, which formed more than 30 years ago in Calgary, Alberta, and have gone on to have such hits as "Working for the Weekend," "Hot Girls in Love" and "This Could be the Night" are seeing a surge in online streaming requests for their four-million-selling 1981 album, Get Lucky, which just happens to share the same name as French electronica duo Daft Punk's smash single.
The Loverboy album is now among the leaders in Spotify searches for Get Lucky, and the band is, to quote one of their numerous hit single's, "Lovin' Every Minute of It." One fan, Anna Hecht, blogged before a recent show at the Sonoma-Marin Fair, "Someone asked me, have you heard 'Get Lucky'? And I was all, 'Yeah, it's flippin' awesome! Loverboy rules!' But they said, 'No, I mean the new Daft Punk song.'"
Soundrop (play.soundrop.fm), one of the most popular Spotify apps, noted the flurry of online activity for the seminal Loverboy album. "We've seen Loverboy's hits played more and more in our Love the 80s room, and traffic to the Loverboy room has increased," said Thomas Ford, VP of Marketing for Soundrop. "There's no question the attention from the Daft Punk single has led some fans to the band's album, which just proves the enduring appeal of the record some three decades later."
The band, which still boasts original members lead singer Mike Reno, guitarist Paul Dean, keyboardist Doug Johnson and drummer Matt Frenette, with Ken "Spider" Sinnaeve replacing the late Scott Smith on bass, have a crowded schedule of tour dates on tap for the summer, including a headlining hometown show at the PNE Arena in Vancouver, BC, on Sept. 2, as well as shows with Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Ratt and Creedence Clearwater Revisited. The slate comes on the heels of the band's critically acclaimed tour last year with Journey and Pat Benatar + Neil Giraldo.
Added Loverboy founder/lead guitarist Paul Dean: "I don't mind how they find out about us. Maybe we 'Got Lucky' back in the day, but it takes more than luck to survive this long. Hey, we're just a bunch of daft punk-rockers ourselves."
Also, for a vintage look at the members of Loverboy debating their 1981 title "Get Lucky," click here: youtu.be/zL8G5pBZ5CI.
SEVEN WITCHES' REBIRTH DUE OUT JULY 16 IN NORTH AMERICA VIA FROSTBYTE MEDIA:
Fans of American metal stalwarts Seven Witches can log on to knac.com right now to check out the exclusive worldwide premiere of the video for "Claustrophobic," the new single taken from their forthcoming album, Rebirth. Rebirth is Seven Witches' ninth studio album (their first for new label home FrostByte Media) and is due out on July 16th in North America. Rebirth has already received early praise with Hard Rock Haven declaring the album to be "a powerful heavy metal record", adding, "Frost's guitar work is sublime." The band will tour in support of Rebirth later this year in North America; please see below for confirmed tour dates.
Rebirth is produced by Seven Witches founder/lead guitarist/mainstay Jack Frost and features a gritty, hook-laden sound and is a return to basics for the band highlighting Jack Frost's signature ax work. In addition to Frost this time around, Seven Witches is rounded out by Ronnie Parkes (Farcry) on bass, Johnny Kelly (Type O Negative, Danzig) on drums, and brand new frontman Anthony Cross. Jack Frost first broke into the scene at the age of 19 during an audition with the metal legends Helix. After moving back to his home state of New Jersey, Frost formed his first band, Frostbite, back in 1994 eventually releasing three well-regarded power metal albums and touring with everyone from Overkill to Fates Warning. Seeking a harder-edged sound, he formed Seven Witches in 1998. Over the band's storied career, Seven Witches has featured a literal who's who of metal giants in its ranks, including Bobby Lucas, Wade Black (Crimson Glory), Alan Tecchio (Hades, Non-Fiction, Watchtower), James Rivera (Helstar), Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning), Kevin Bolembach (Non-Fiction) and Mike LePond (Symphony X). The band has also toured with the likes of Overkill, Annihilator, Symphony X, Judas Priest, Demon, Kamelot, WASP and Armored Saint. Outside of Seven Witches, Jack Frost has contributed his talents to Overkill's DD Verni's project, The Bronx Casket Company, released two solo albums, recorded alongside the members of Annihilator in Speeed, toured and/or recorded with Metalium, Joey Belladonna, Lizzy Borden and Savatage, and contributed to a number of tribute albums for the likes of WASP, Accept, Dio and the Scorpions. He's also made numerous guest appearances on CDs from Ted Poley, Bob Rock and Terry Ilous.
Seven Witches North American tour:
September
21 Indianapolis, IN Metal Fest
23 St. Paul, MN Station 3
24 Detroit, MI IRock
27 Akron, OH Ripper's Rock House
28 Rochester, NY The Montage
29 Toronto, ON MOD (Virgin Mobile Center)
30 Poughkeepsie, NY The Chance
October
1 New York, NY The Studio At Webster Hall
2 Boston, MA Middle East Upstairs
3 Philadelphia, PA Voltage
5 Spartanburg, SC Ground Zero
6 Tampa, FL Brass Mugg
7 Atlanta, GA Masquerade
8 Houston, TX Arcadia Bar
10 Dallas, TX The Boiler Room
12 Arvada, CO At Cheers
13 Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas County Saloon
For more information, please visit: www.facebook.com/pages/Seven-Witches-Official/185545834901482.
New Aussie melodic rockers The Radio Sun (who make their debut at this year's MelodicRockFest 3 in Chicago) have an interview up with Australian website Metal Obsession where guitarist Stevie Janevski discusses what's happening with the band, their upcoming debut album - currently being mixed by Paul Laine and their upcoming live shows in the USA and Australia. Checkout the interview at: www.metalobsession.net/2013/06/20/the-radio-sun-interview/
OSUKARA TO RELEASE TRIUMPHANT ALBUM:
The Swedish Melodic Rock outfit Osukaru return with their 2nd full-length studio album Triumphant, their first album released under the flag of City of Lights Records. With "Triumphant" they take the concept and sound to a completely new level. By upgrading the band to a two singer-package featuring the voices of Fredrik Werner (ex Mr. Artist) and the stunning Cecilia Camuii (Panorama), they deliver pure, classy and melodic Hard Rock of the highest order.
Melting influences from "Foreigner, Journey and Whitesnake with Heart and Vixen" makes "Triumphant" a stunning all-included-album and Osukaru one of the most interesting melodic rock bands of today. Featuring a guest appearance from guitarist Erik Heikne of Miss Behaviour. The City Of Lights Edition is packed with 14 new tracks including two exclusive bonus songs and a 20 pages booklet.
Tracklist: 01. Dawning (intro) 02. Triumphant 03. Heaven In Your Eyes 04. Prisoner of the Night 05. Walk In Balance 06. Holding On To Memories 07. Cruise Control 08. Mafia Rules 09. I Won't Let You Go 10. Never Play With Fire 11. Believe 12. The Fire Burns On + Bonus Tracks 13. Don't Let Go 14. Stay Tonight. Osukaru LineUp: Oz Osukaru (Eye, ex Katana) - guitars, keyboards, backing vocals; Fredrik Werner (ex Mr. Artist) - lead & backing vocals, guitars; Adrian Lopez (Panorama) - piano, keyboards; Jens Björk (ex Mr. Artist) - saxophoone; Cecilia Camuii (Panorama) - lead & backing vocals; Ryan Coyle - drums, percussion; Axel Ryberg (Panorama) - drums.
"Triumphant" recommend for fans of Journey, Toto, Foreigner, Danger Danger, Whitesnake, Vixen & Heart.
Here the link to the video clip to the song Prisoner Of The Night: youtu.be/DSqFJ3Px8nM.
MELODIC BRIEFS:
Independent power/progressive synth driven metal band Hammerforce from Saint-Petersburg, Russia releases instrumental version of the song 'Templates for All' from their recently released second album 'Access Denied'. The composition is exclusively available from Hammerforce official site: hammerforce.ru/freetrack.html.
Motorhead Cancel Dates After Lemmy Suffers a Hematoma: blbrd.co/1aMd3KW.
Chase The Ace are a hard rock band from Israel - "bringing you hot & sleazy RNR straight out the promised land!" You can check out their EPK here: youtu.be/JaLObhITiu0 / chasetheaceband.com.
The Jokers release new single "Radio" on June 24. Current album Rock'n'Roll Is Alive scheduled for release on September 2. You can listen to a song snippet here: snd.sc/13S9aA8.
Ashes Of Chaos have inked a deal with logic(il)logic Records for their debut CD "Eye", a concept album whose release is scheduled for summer 2013: www.reverbnation.com/ashesofchaos.
TIGERTAILZ TOUR & LINE-UP NEWS: Tigertailz are delighted to announce the return of Matt Blakout to the band. Matt re-joins the band after a three year absence and teams up with Jules Millis (Vocals), Jay Pepper (Lead Guitar) and Rob Wylde (Bass). The band are currently in RedRock studios in South Wales recording tunes for a new 5 track EP titled "Knives" due out later this year. Tracklisting as follows; 1- Shoe Collector 2 - One Life 3 - Dont Bite The Hand That Feeds You 4 - Spit It Out 5 - Punched In The Gutz.
Tigertailz have already secured a record deal for the release of "Knives" and a further press release will be issued to announce that deal in the coming days along with a release date. Jay Pepper says on Matt's return; "I'm absolutely delighted to see Matt back in Tigertailz. Not only is he a solid drummer and true professional but a lovely guy too. Matt also brings stability to the Tailz line up which, after 3 years of grief is more than welcome. It's really great to have him back and be working together again and we're already well under way and motoring along in the studio on the new Tailz tracks for the EP".
Tigertailz have also announced the following UK tour dates. More TBA...
Thurs Nov 14th - Railway, Bolton
Fri Nov 15th - Bogiez, Cardiff
Sat Nov 16th - Diamond, Ireland
Weds Nov 20th - Fibbers, York
Thurs Nov 21st - Underworld, London
Weds Nov 27th - Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton
BAD COMPANY INTHESTUDIO FOR 40TH ANNIVERSARY: Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke Discuss Reunion, Tour And 40 Years Of Rock'n'Roll Fantasies
North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands gives you a front row ticket to Bad Company's 40th anniversary festivities. Formed in 1973 from the members of British bands Free and Mott the Hoople, Bad Company were a supergroup in the making and the first signing to Led Zeppelin's Swan Song label. In an industry where anticipation and expectations can often derail bands from the start, Bad Company would rise to the occasion, delivering hit albums and producing one of the most memorable catalogs of '70s rock. Hits like "Can't Get Enough", "Movin' On", "Feel Like Making Love", "Rock'n'Roll Fantasy", "Ready for Love", "Shooting Star","Silver Blue and Gold" would fast become staples on the radio and in the concert halls. InTheStudio host Redbeard sat down with Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke during rehearsals for this Summer's 40th anniversary tour to discuss the band's legacy. During the interview, Paul Rodgers reveals what music inspired the members of Bad Company. "The records we listened to, when we were getting turned on to music, were actually 40 years old, you know, Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf and Albert King and all these guys. We were listening to quite old music, but to us it was eternal music. I can still listen to it now. I think we took something from that. And that's probably part of what we do." Mick Ralphs explains what touring with Bad Company over forty years means to him. "It's good. It keeps you on your toes, nothing set in stone. We have a great collection of songs, fortunately for us, that people want to hear."
Catch this special two part- two week InTheStudio program and be sure to see Bad Company this Summer with co-headliner Lynyrd Skynyrd as both bands celebrate their 40th anniversaries.
Bad Company '40th Anniv. Part 1' /InTheStudio interview is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/bad-company-40th-anniversary-paul-rodgersmick-ralphssimon-kirke-pt-1/"
SHOWCASE UPDATE:
A new CD Showcase online today for British metallers Lawless - check it out.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
LITTLE RIVER BAND'S NEW ALBUM OUT ON FRONTIERS IN AUGUST: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of AOR masters Little River Band new album Cuts Like a Diamond to be released in Europe on August 24 and in North America on August 27. The new album's release will be anticipated by the digital only release of the single The Lost and the Lonely on July 8.
Formed originally in Melbourne, Australia in 1975, Little River Band started enjoying their success in their home country before becoming radio staples in the USA with good songwriting, powerful vocals, and guitar harmonies. They immediately claimed their place as one of the great vocal bands of the '70s…and the '80s.
Lead singer and bassist Wayne Nelson says "The songs that appear on the album were either written by the band, or submitted to us by other songwriters from the US and Europe. We worked closely with label President/A&R Manager, Serafino Perugino, to choose songs that reflect the style and heart of LRB in its 38th year. That process took a little more time than usual, but the end result was well worth the effort. Once chosen, we tailored all the songs into the traditional Little River Band mold...smooth AOR arrangements with lots of vocals and guitar harmonies. Picking a single for radio with all these good songs to choose from will be difficult…in a good way!".
Through the years LRB has thrived as a highly respected and constantly in-demand outfit, going about their craft with a dedication to excellence and professionalism that few, if any, can match. The Little River Band nowadays is stronger than ever: there is a new element of youthfulness and vitality, anchored by leader and consummate lead vocalist / bass guitarist Wayne Nelson, who began his LRB career in 1980. Other current LRB members include Rich Herring and Greg Hind on guitars, Chris Marion on keyboards and Ryan Ricks on drums.
Little River Band is considered to be one of Australia's most significant bands. Worldwide album and CD sales now top 30 million. They also set a record for having Top 10 hits for 6 consecutive years… the first band to achieve that mark. According to BMI, their song Reminiscing has garnered rare status with over 5 million airplays on the American radios, and Lady is close behind with over 4 million airplays. Little River Band was rightfully inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame at the 18th Annual ARIA Music Awards of 2004.
Little Liver Band's new album Cuts Like a Diamond includes the following tracks: The Lost And The Lonely; Forever You Forever Me; Cuts Like A Diamond; You Dream I'll Drive; I'm An Island; Way Too Good; What If You're Wrong; Where Do I Run; Someone; Who Speaks For Me; Love Is.
It is possible to stream songs from the new album following the link below: youtu.be/m8nWmopsb2M.
WebLinks : www.frontiers.it / www.littleriverband.com.
RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCED FOR NEW NIGHT X NIGHT SINGLE:
News from Night X Night: "Hi rockers, Check it out! Our first release with Henry! Available to pre-order NOW in standard and limited edition (get this special version before we sell-out!) Yep, that's right - 15% discount if you spend over £20 in the NXN shop - just use code heartsanddiamonds. Direct Link To Shop - bit.ly/17xTcQF.
Thank you for supporting us like this." ~ Ben, Jonny, Damien, Henry and Tom - www.nightbynight.co.uk.
REDRUM – PLANNED TOUR DATES FOR 2013: Redrum on tour with vocalist Michael Bormann:
TH – September 12 th 2013 – D-Rockfabrik / Nürnberg
FR – September 13th 2013 – D-Garage Deluxe / München
SA - September 14th 2013 - D-Parkhaus Meiderich / Duisburg
SA – September 21st 2013 – UK-Skyfest / Mansfield
FR – September 27th 2013 - N-Olsen Club / Oslo, Norway
SA - September 28th 2013 - N- Olsen Club / Oslo, Norway
SA – October 26th 2013 – GR-8Ball / Thessaloniki
REVIEWS UPDATED:
A big reviews update today, with the following new albums under the spotlight: Magnus Karlsson, Jorn, Tom Keifer, Black Star Riders, Masterplan, Timo Tolkki's Avalon, Last Autumn's Dream, FM, Hardcore Superstar, Bill Leverty, Axe, Voodoo Circle, S.U.N., Taste, Shylock, Giant X, Little Caesar and more.... Read The New Reviews.
Monday, June 24, 2013
FRONTIERS PUBLISH LATEST PROMO SPOT: Frontiers Records have released their latest promo YouTube Spot - Featuring Blackmore's Night, Jorn & Magnus Karlsson's FreeFall. For more info: www.frontiers.it / www.frontiers.it/usstore.
ORIANTHI'S HEAVEN AND HELLL VIDEO:
Australian guitar sensation ORIANTHI has released her latest video on VEVO which can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCW2MXHBIKo. "Heaven In This Hell" is the new single and title track off Orianthi's current album, issued via Robo Records on 12 March, 2013. Her Alice Cooper band mates Glen Sobel (drums) and Tommy Henriksen (guitar) join her in the video. Orianthi has booked shows on off-days during the current Alice Cooper 2013 tour. Dates confirmed so far are July 17th in New York City at The Studio at Webster Hall as well as London's famed 100 Club on August 7th. Her band for these shows will consist of Glen Sobel on drums and Cooper band bassist, Chuck Garric. It was this trio that played with Orianthi on her solo shows in Japan last month just before the start of the Alice Cooper North American 'Masters of Madness' summer tour with Marilyn Manson.
For more info visit: www.alicecooper.com / www.orianthi.com / www.glensobel.com.
KISS TRIBUTE ALBUM - FINAL TRACK DETAILS:
The final track listing details for the Kiss Tribute album A World With Heroes (to benefit cancer care) have been announced. Those details are below. More details and pre-order links at: www.pledgemusic.com/projects/kiss40thtribute.
DISC 1 - Track Listing
1) PSYCHO CIRCUS (Paul Stanley/Curt Cuomo)
Performed by: DDrive (Phil Naro, Don Mancuso, Dave Sessions, JT Taylor & Bobby Bond)
Produced and mixed by Steve Major
Engineered by Don Mancuso, John Taylor, Phil Naro and Rob Sewar
Recorded at The Porta Plant Rochester, NY-Glass Mountain Toronto, CA, United Groove Workers Studios, and Zefting East Studio, Farmington, NY
http://www.ddrive.com
2) SPIT (Gene Simmons/Paul Stanley/Van Zen)
Performed by: Ken Dubman, Jimmy Callahan, Scott Metaxas, and Mark Tornillo
http://www.acceptworldwide.com/
3) DEUCE (Gene Simmons)
Performed by: Bill Leverty, Kevin Valentine, John Regan, & Russ Dwarf
Mixed by Bill Leverty
Produced by Russ, John, Kevin & Bill
Bass track engineered by Harley Fine
www.leverty.com
4) SURE KNOW SOMETHING (Paul Stanley/Vincent Poncia)
Produced by Chris Buck
Drums recorded by Russell Symmons at Sanctuary Studios, Port Talbot
Drums by Bob Richards
Vocals by ANTHONY CARDENAS MONTANA
All other instruments by Chris Buck
www.chrisbuckguitar.com
CHRIS BUCK APPEARS COURTESY OF TRU-B-DOR RECORDS
A&R: HEATHER AND ALAN NIVEN
www.tru-b-dor.com
5) DETROIT ROCK CITY (Paul Stanley/Bob Ezrin)
Performed by: Ron Bumblefoot Thal, Rex Brown & Brian Tichy
http://www.bumblefoot.com
6) EYES OF LOVE (Eric Carr/Bruce Kulick/Adam Mitchell)
Performed by: Eric Carr, Benny Doro & John Humphrey
Executive Producer: Loretta Caravello
Mixed by: Jon Santos
Drum Tracks recorded by Paige Harwell at Sound Paige Studios, Edmond OK.
http://www.seether.com
7) SHOUT MERCY (Paul Stanley/Tommy Thayer)
Performed by: Jeff Paris, Troy Lucketta, Eric Brittingham & Jeff LaBar
Mixed by Chuck Alkazian @pearl sound studios , Canton MI
8) CREATURES OF THE NIGHT (Paul Stanley/Adam Mitchell)
Performed by: Brighton Rock (Gerald McGhee, Greg Fraser, Stevie Skreebs, Johnny Rogers & Mark Cavarzan)
Produced by Greg Fraser
Recorded & Mixed by Wayne Berge
www.brightonrock.ca, www.facebook.com/groups/BrightonRock
9) LARGER THAN LIFE (Gene Simmons)
Performed by: Rex Brown, Brian Tichy & Mark Zavon
http://www.killdevilhillmusic.com
10) COLD GIN (Ace Frehley)
Performed by: DON DOKKEN & TOMMY DENANDER
http://www.dokkencentral.com, http://www.tommydenander.se
11) LOVE GUN (Paul Stanley)
Performed by: Tony Harnell, Mark Kendall, Scott Snyder, Sean Michael Clegg & Kevin Valentine
Produced by Kendall/Clegg
Additional guitars & mixing: Tommy Denander
http://www.greatwhiterocks.com, http://www.tonyharnell.com
12) LITTLE CAESAR (Eric Carr/Gene Simmons/Adam Mitchel
Performed by: Ron Young, John Regan & Tommy Denander
http://www.littlecaesar.net/
13) HARD LUCK WOMAN (Paul Stanley)
Performed by: Chris VanDahl, Stacey Blades & Adam Hamilton
www.facebook.com/cvandahl, www.staceyblades.com, www.facebook.com/adam.hamilton.528
14) OUTERSPACE (David Askew/Jesus Mendez Jr.)
Original demo later covered by Ace Frehley on his Anomaly album
Performed by: Shredmill (David Askew, Jesus Mendez Jr, Jaime Moreno) Recorded by Peter Wolf
Mastered by Anthony Focx
Special Thanks to Frank Munoz
15) GOODBYE (Paul Stanley)
Performed by: IMPERA & Bob Kulick (J.K.Impera, Matti Alfonzetti, Tommy Denander & Mats Vassfjord)
Produced by Johan Kihlberg
Co-produced and mixed by Lars Chriss
Additional guitars by Lars Chriss (www.lionsshare.org)
Solo fills and main solo by Bob Kulick
Official Homepage: www.impera.org
17) BETH - The Grand Piano version (Peter Criss/Bob Ezrin/Stan Pendridge)
Performed by: MICHAEL LARDIE
18) TOMORROW (Paul Stanley/Vincent Poncia)
Performed by: Dressed To Chill (Matt Bradshaw, Rav Thomas & Rhys Lett)
Recorded by Matt Bradshaw & Pete Dacy at Ramforce Studios and Secret Sound Studios
Mixed by Andy Shanahan at Secret Sound Studios
www.dressedtochill.com.au
Contact: Jade Morrison - management@dressedtochill.com.au
19) ANYTHING FOR MY BABY (Paul Stanley)
Performed by: Slaves On Dope (Kevin Jardine, Jason Rockman, Seb Ducap & Peter Tzaferis) http://www.slavesondope.com
20) UNHOLY (Gene Simmons/Vinnie Vincent)
Produced & Engineered by: Fred Duvall , Glenn Belcher
Performed by: Fred Duvall, Glenn Belcher, Mark Slaughter (Guitar Solo), Rob Zakojc & Russ Dwarf
RECORDED AND MIXED AT: POWERLINES/THE BUNKER-NEW MARKET ONTARIO CANADA
www.russdwarf.com, www.facebook.com/officialmarkslaughter
DISC 2 TRACK LISTING
1) BREAKOUT (Ace Frehley/Eric Carr/Richie Scarlett)
Performed by: Tod Howarth, John Regan & Kevin Valentine
Produced by John, Kevin Valentine, Tod Howarth and Ronny Jones (at Firedome studios)
John Regan's bass: recorded by Harley Fine for Zeroville Productions
Super 70 Studio (Beacon NY)
www.super70studio.com, www.todhowarth,com, www.ronnyjones.com, www.facebook.com/KevinValentineKosec
2) ROCK N ROLL HELL (Gene Simmons/Bryan Adams/Jim Vallance)
Performed by: Ron Keel, Troy Lucketta, Eric Brittingham & Jeff LaBar
Mixed by Chuck Alkazian @pearl sound studios , Canton MI
www.ronkeel.com, www.teslatheband.com, www.cinderella.net, www.jefflabar.com, www.facebook.com/eric.brittingham.18, www.rocking4wellness.org
3) NOWHERE TO RUN (Paul Stanley)
Performed by: Druckfarben (Phil Naro, Ed Bernard, William Hare, Troy Feener & Peter Murray)
Produced and mixed by Ed Bernard for ED ID Productions
Drums recorded by Sascha Tukatsch for BAHM Production Space.
www.druckfarben.ca
4) THE OATH (Paul Stanley/Bob Ezrin/Tony Powers)
Performed by: Rick Hughes, Chris Buck & Bob Richards
Produced by Chris Buck.
Drums recorded by Russell Symmons at Sanctuary Studios, Port Talbot.
All other instruments by Chris Buck
Chris Buck appears courtesy of Tru-B-Dor Records
A&R: Heather and Alan Niven
www.tru-b-dor.com
Vocals recorded by Kevin Jardine at Uplift Productions in Montreal, QC
www.upliftproductions.com, www.facebook.com/kevinjardine
5) MASTER & SLAVE (Paul Stanley/Bruce Kulick/Curt Cuomo)
Performed by: Adam Hamilton, Scott Griffin, Stacey Blades & Phil Lewis
www.laguns.net, www.staceyblades.com, www.facebook.com/staceybladesmusic
6) CALLING DR.LOVE (Gene Simmons)
Performed by: Burning Rain (Keith St John, Doug Aldrich, Sean Mcnabb & Matt Starr)
Recorded at The Invisible Studios in West Hollywood CA by Mark Holden and at Starmakers in Woodland Hills, CA
Mixed by: Chris Collier for CMC21 Productions
http://www.burningrain.net
7) I STOLE YOUR LOVE (Paul Stanley)
Performed by: S.U.N. (Brian Thomas Tichy, Sass Jordan & Tommy Stewart) with Derek Sharp (of The Guess Who)
Engineered, recorded and mixed by Brian Thomas Tichy
Final mixing: Alex Todorov
http://www.somethinguntonothing.com
8) REASON TO LIVE (Paul Stanley/Desmond Child)
Performed by: Johnnie Dee & Derry Grehan of Honeymoon Suite with Michael Foster & Bill Leverty of Firehouse
Drums and Keys recorded at Leverty Sound Studios
Engineered and mixed by Bill Leverty
www.honeymoonsuite.com, www.firehousemusic.com
9) HARD LUCK WOMAN - Canadian mix (Paul Stanley)
Performed by: Fred Duvall, Glenn Belcher, Rob Zakojc & Russ Dwarf www.russdwarf.com. Produced & Engineered by: Fred Duvall & Glenn Belcher
10) FOREVER (Paul Stanley/Michael Bolton)
Performed by: Terry Ilous, Sean Kelly with Jeff Paris. Mixed by: George " Low Kick " Tutko. Instrumental tracks produced by Sean,Tim Welch ,Terry & Jeff. Engineered by Tim Welch, Toronto, Canada , Jeff Paris and Pat Fontaine, Los Angeles California. www.twitter.com/SeanKellyGuitar, www.twitter.com/Terryilous
11) SWORD AND STONE - Live In Wacken (Paul Stanley, Bruce Kulick, Desmond Child) - Taken from Bonfire Live in Wacken
Performed by: BONFIRE (Claus Lessmann, Hans Ziller, Chris Limburg, Uwe Köhler, Harry Reischmann)
Management: LZ Records, PO Box 101050, D-85010 Ingolstadt-GERMANY;
Co-Management by Nikolas Krofta
Booking by Nikolas Krofta @ Bottom Row – The Music Agency
E-Mail: nikolas.krofta@bottomrow.com
www.bonfire.de, www.facebook.com/BONFIREofficial, www.youtube.com/user/Bonfireofficial, www.youtube.com/user/Oberloewe, www.twitter.com/BonfireBand, www.reverbnation.com/hansziller
12) GOD OF THUNDER (Paul Stanley)
Performed by: American Dog (Michael Hannon, Steve Theado & Keith Pickens)
Produced, Engineered and Mixed by Joe Viers at Sonic Lounge Studios, Grove City, Ohio. www.americandog.us
13) SHE (Gene Simmons/Steve Coronel)
Performed by: RAZER (Chris Powers, Chris Catero, Jordan Ziff, Paul Sullivan, Eric Bongiorno & Chuck Alkazian)
Produced and recorded by Chris Catero and Chuck Alkazian
Editing and mixing by Chuck Alkazian at Pearl Sound Studios, Canto, MI
A&R: Alan Niven. Courtesy of Tru-B-Dor Records
www.razerband.com
14) NEW YORK GROOVE (Russ Ballard)
Performed by: Slaves on Dope (Kevin Jardine, Jason Rockman, , Elizabeth Lopez & Peter Tzaferis with Marty O'Brien of Methods Of Mayhem, Kelly Clarkson, Lita Ford)
All tracks Produced and Mixed By Kevin Jardine at Uplift Recording Studio.
www.upliftproductions.com, www.facebook.com/kevinjardine, http://www.marty-obrien.com
15) MAGIC TOUCH (Paul Stanley)
Performed by: Jim Crean, Phil Naro, Vinny Appice, Steve Major & Stan Miczek
Produced By:Jim Crean,Steve Major,Phil Naro & Thomas Leblanc. Recorded At:Glass Mountain Studio's~Toronto,Canada Moonraker Studios~Toronto,Canada Freedom Studio~Los Angeles,California. http://www.jimcrean.net
16) TEARS ARE FALLING (Paul Stanley)
Performed by: WILLIE BASSE, Bruce Bouillet, Scott Warren & Mike Hansen. Produced by WILLIE BASSE & Bruce Bouillet. Engineered by Matt Packucko & Bruce Bouillet. Recorded & Mixed at The Romper Room & Hollywood Way Studios. Mixed by Willie, Bruce & Matt Packucko
Pro Tools Editing by Matt Packucko & Bruce Bouillet
17) ROCK N ROLL ALL NITE (Gene Simmons/Paul Stanley)
Performed by: Harley Fine, John Regan & Atom Fellows
Arranged,recorded and mixed by Harley Fine for Zeroville Productions
Super 70 Studio (Beacon NY). www.super70studio.com
18) SHANDI (Paul Stanley/Vincent Poncia)
Performed by: Dani Luv, Scott Griffin & Matt Starr
Produced by Matt Starr of Burning Rain. Recorded at Invisible Studios
West Hollywood, CA. www.twitter.com/MattStarrMusic
19) BETH - BONUS TRACK (Peter Criss/Bob Ezrin/Stan Pendridge)
Performed by: Chris VanDahl & Scott Griffin.
www.facebook.com/cvandahl & www.facebook.com/scottygriffinrocks
20) BETH - BONUS TRACK (Peter Criss/Bob Ezrin/Stan Pendridge)
Performed by: Phil Naro, William Hare & Ed Bernard
Strings arranged by Ed Bernard
Produced and mixed by Ed Bernard for ED ID Productions
This album is dedicated to: James Stanley Droulis.
THE MONSTERS OF ROCK CRUISE - 2014 (MIAMI, FL - MARCH 29 - APRIL 2, 2014):
"Our Cruisers joked last year about how we're gonna need a bigger boat!! Well, please welcome the NEW MSC "Divina" ... And guess what? We can now brag we have 120,000 tons of Rock!!"
For the last past three years The Monsters OF Rock has been a floating palace of Rock n Roll, like a Brigadoon of music vanishing off the coast of Florida and returning several days later with fantastic tales of metal and parties! "We Don't plan on changing any of that this year either" stressed Larry Morand - one of MOR cruise organizers. "2014 will see the Monsters Of Rock cruise move to Miami, FL and onto a brand new ship and bringing along some friends like Tesla, Ratt, Cinderella and Quiet Riot!"
The 2014 edition of this cruise will feature a Winger reuniting their original line up for a 25th Anniversary concert! Kip Winger, Paul Taylor, Rod Morgenstein and guitar wizard Reb Beach will play their debut CD in its entirety.
Probably the biggest reaction was landing a reunited Ratt for Monsters Of Rock 2014... Warren DeMartini, Bobby Blozter and Juan Crociar will be joining forces with singer Stephen Pearcy and bring their brand of Ratt n Roll music to the Caibbean!
Monsters Of Rock will be introducing a new "Icon Series" section to our cruise... With past performers like UFO, and Saxon, we felt bringing an artist that influenced or trail blazed a genre was important. This year Carl Palmer from ELP will be the feature, Carl will bring his Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy aboard to play instrumental versions of classic Emerson, Lake and Palmer tracks. Mr. Palmer will also conduct a Master Class, and feature his line of drumming artwork.
The Monsters Cruise is not all 110 DB of Rock n Roll... Our smaller lounges will be filled with acoustic performers like Mike Tramp of White Lion, John Croabi (ex- Motley Crue), Eric Martin of Mr. Big, and several others giving unique performances of their classic hits!
What would a music cruise be without hosts ... At Monsters we boast the best!
The king of that rocks Eddie Trunk ( host of That Metal Show and his own XM radio show) will be the master of ceremonies! Joining Eddie will be XM Boneyard radio host, and author of The Drunk Diet, Luc Carl! Last but not least... Dragging herself away from her radio show at "The Bone" in San Francisco will be Nikki Blakk! Three will host Concerts.. Announce our famous "Wake Up" broadcasts and MC events like the 80s prom or "You Think You can Shred".
More artist to be announced and the big on sale date announcement (pre-books have been the only thing accepted) will happen next week.
For more information go to: www.monstersofrockcruise.com.
xx
WOLFPAKK: THE HEAVY ROCK-ALLSTAR-PROJECT RELEASES CRY WOLF ON AUGUST 30:
In August 2011, Wolfpakk, the allstar-project led by Mark Sweeney (ex-Crystal Ball) and Michael Voss (Mad Max, Casanova) was releasing its debut, simply titled "Wolfpakk".
Now, two years after, Sweeney and Voss unleash the successor, Cry Wolf. Again the two leaders managed to gather many high-class guest musicians and vocalists, to record Wolfpakk's second longplayer. Cry Wolf will be released on August 30.
STRATOVARIUS HEADING FOR AUSTRALIA:
Finnish power metal legends Stratovarius will be making their debut Australia tour this October to play for their fans in Sydney and Melbourne.
Wed, Oct 23 - Billboard The Venue - Melbourne
Fri, Oct 25 - The Hi Fi - Sydney Eyefear and Darker Half supporting on both shows.
In related touring news - The Cult will hit Australia later this year...
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH MPIRE OF EVIL, POWERWORLD, THE CRUNCH AND WILD HORSES: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 23rd June 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 24th June 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) features exclusive interviews with Mpire of Evil frontman Tony "Demolition Man" Dolan (Atomkraft, ex Venom), Powerworld bassist Ilker Ersin (Freedom Call), Micky Geggus (Cockney Rejects) of The Crunch, and Soren Lindberg, manager of former Thin Lizzy /Wild Horses guitarist Brian Robertson and is available now for streaming at this link www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-mpire-of-evil-powerworld-wild-horses-the-crunch-interviews/
In the first hour, Mpire of Evil frontman Tony "Demolition Man" Dolan talks about the band's new collection of re-recorded Dolan-era Venom tracks, "Crucified", and also discusses the band's touring plans and forthcoming album of all-new material.
Also in the first hour, Cockney Rejects guitarist Micky Geggus talks about his role in new Cheap Trick style Power Pop/Rock band The Crunch, which also features Terry Chimes (Clash, Hanoi Rocks, Black Sabbath), Dave Tregunna (Lords of the New Church, Sham 69) and Sulo Karlsson (Diamond Dogs).
In the second hour, Ilker Ersin, bassist and songwriter of melodic Metallers Powerworld talks about the band's new album "Cybersteria", and the change of vocalist from David Reece (ex Accept, Bangalore Choir) to Michael Bormann (ex Jaded Heart, Bonfire), plu two songs from the new release.
Part 2 also features a chat with Soren Lindberg, long-time friend and manager of Brian Robertson (ex Thin Lizzy, Wild Horses), discusses Robertson's contributions as songwriter and lead guitarist to the two recently reissued Wild Horses albums.
The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from Saxon, ZZ Top, Mat Sinner, Gypsyhawk, Lost Weekend and Christopher Lee!
A HEAVY METAL HORROR NOVELLA MUDSLINGERS:
What Happens When Two Metal Journalists' Passion for Music Turns Deadly
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. Mark Allen and Derric Miller both write for Hardrock Haven (www.hardrockhaven.net) Allen a senior columnist and Miller the managing editor and both have published horror fiction in the mainstream market. Considering their mutual love for heavy metal and for splatterpunk horror, the two decided to join heads and write a piece of fiction called Mudslingers.
The industry has already spoken. "Mudslingers is a violent and vile heavy metal read with enough twists and shocks that you won't stop reading," said Steve Blaze, Lillian Axe guitarist and Louisiana Music Hall of Fame inductee. There are numerous nonfiction books out there for heavy metal fans, but after reading the tenth Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne biography, where do metal fans go for fiction today? They go to Mudslingers.
The plot entails two hard rock/heavy metal journalists with opposing views on the band Beelzebub's Ballsack. The antagonists (there are no heroes here) are polar opposites: Marcus Savora writes for Hardrock Haven for free and lives in his mom's cat-infested home, and Dante Millsworth is a world-famous music critic for Rolling Stone. As the email arguments fly back and forth, each more rabid than the next, words turn to a drug-fueled, testosterone-driven blood orgy … all on stage at a Beelzebub's Ballsack's concert.
"Mark flippantly threw out the idea that we should work together on project a few months ago," said Miller. "He didn't expect me to seriously take him up on it. After a phone call, a few emails and Mark writing the opening salvo … we came up with a story that is probably the most gonzo piece of fiction I've ever been a part of. It's both hilarious and horrifying, usually at the same time. There's over the top … and then there's whatever the hell it is we created with Mudslingers."
This was also the first time either writer had worked on a story with a co-writer. "Co-authoring scared the hell out of me," said Allen. "I'm used to writing alone, with full creative control. Sharing that control with someone else shoved me way outside my comfort zone. But from email exchanges with Derric, I knew he shared the same deranged sense of humor and love of the grossly macabre that I enjoy. The result of our collaboration will make you laugh, make you cringe, make you keep turning the pages ... and probably make you wonder if we both don't need a professional psychiatric intervention."
In its short release time, the fan base horror fans, heavy metal fans and legendary rockers is building. "Disturbing, tasteless, and offensive I loved it," said Ron Keel of Keel and Steeler fame.
Mudslingers is now available on Kindle from Amazon for $1.99 at this link: www.amazon.com/dp/B00DJYXKSI.
Audiobook version of Mudslingers coming soon.
Friday, June 21, 2013
ADRIANGALE ARE THE ONE!:
The news you have been waiting for - from Kivel Records! With a follow up to the much loved Crunch! release, Adriangale is back, and ready to jump into the ring again! The band is gearing up for their comeback appearance at this years MelodicRockFest 3 and can't wait to release Suckerpunch to the fan base.
Pre-order your copy now and be the very first to have it this Sept. at MRF3. ALL pre-orders up to Sept 24th will be personally signed by the band themselves and can be picked up at the Kivel Records Booth at MRF3 starting on Sept 27. For all customer orders not attending the show - those copies will be shipped out Sept 26.
What better way to sample what's to come than with a FULL track download. And the lads have delivered! Download and crank Adriangale - When I Said You'd Be The One.
To pre-order - Paypal $12 (US Orders) or $15 (International Orders) to: RockHausemusic@hotmail.com.
GURU NEAR SELLING OUT: Guru's great White album continues to get a warm response from fans and critics. So much so that the MRR limited edition Deluxe Edition is down to the last 10 copies. If you'd like to order direct from MRR, please do so via MelodicRockDirect.com.
STATE COWS MAKE SWEDISH CHARTS: Avenue Of Allies is proud to announce the chart entry of its latest release, the sophomore album The Second One of our Swedish Westcoast act State Cows. On June 21, the record debuted at position number 72 on the official national album hit list in Sweden.
The bands highly anticipated trip back in time to the era of the classic Westcoast sound along the lines of Airplay, Pages, Steely Dan, Marc Jordan, Michael McDonald, David Roberts, Toto and Chicago features an impressive list of guest musicians including Bill Champlin (formerly of Chicago), Jay Graydon (Airplay, Steely Dan, Pages), Michael Landau (Maxus, Marc Jordan), Ian Bairnson (Alan Parsons Project, Keats), Peter Friestedt (Williams Friestedt, Lionville) and Sven Larsson (Street Talk, Lionville).
RICK SPRINGFIELD FINALLY GETS HIS STAR:
The Hollywood Walk of Fame committee chairman David Green announced next year's list of honorees Thursday at a ceremony where Jennifer Lopez received her honor, with Tupac Shakur and Phil Hartman set to be lauded posthumously. In the film category, those scheduled to receive a star in 2014 are: Orlando Bloom, Ray Dolby, Sally Field, Jack Harris, Jessica Lange, Matthew McConaughey, Liam Neeson, Paul Mazursky and Tom Sherak. In TV, Dabney Coleman, Kaley Cuoco, Claire Danes, Giancarlo Esposito, Deidre Hall, Cheryl Hines, Don Mischer, Travis Smiley and Hartman are set to be honored.
Recording stars include Katy Perry, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Rick Springfield and Shakur. - variety.com.
SIGNUM REGIS SIGNS WITH ULTERIUM RECORDS: Ulterium Records are proud to announce the signing of the melodic metal band Signum Regis to the label. With their two previous albums "The Eyes Of Power" (2010) and "Signum Regis" (2008) they established themselves as highly respected band in the scene, especially with the diverse concept album "The Eyes Of Power" that received great reviews from around the world. The singer on these two albums were no other than Göran Edman, known for his work with Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum and many more. Signum Regis are currently putting the finishing touches to their third album entitled "Exodus"; a concept album that will be released later this year. The difference between this album and the previous albums is that Signum Regis won't be fronted by one singer, but each track will feature different singers. Confirmed so far are Matt Smith [Theocracy], Michael Vescera [Obsession, Animetal USA, ex. Yngwie Malmsteen], Thomas Winkler [Gloryhammer, Emerald] and Göran Edman [ex. Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum]. More singers will be announced later on, as well as release dates, artwork etc.
For more information: www.signum-regis.com / www.facebook.com/signum.regis / www.ulterium-records.com.
FIREWORKS MAGAZINE #58 IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE YET:
Issue 58 of Fireworks Magazine is another milestone - we continue to defy the odds when offering value for money. For example, for one issue only, we had so much good stuff we've added an extra SIXTEEN pages to the magazine, making it our biggest issue EVER. We've also stuck a FREE CD on the front containing no less than SIXTEEN tracks. So that's SIXTEEN FREE SONGS to go with our SIXTEEN FREE EXTRA PAGES. We do it because we care.
The 112 page full colour glossy monster issue isn't filled up with just any old junk either. We have British rock legends Status Quo talking about their brand new double album and film 'Bula Quo', recently named 'Album Of The Week' on Radio 2 and currently riding high in the UK album charts. Another stalwart of the British scene, Deep Purple, tell all about their awesome new record 'Now What ?!' Former Deep Purple and Rainbow guitar hero Ritchie Blackmore is in talkative form about his work both past and present as he and his lovely wife Candice Night discuss the new Blackmore's Night record. Black Star Riders step out of Thin Lizzy's shadow with their debut album and they tell us all about it, while Rush explain what it's like to finally be inducted into the rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
With able support from Cinderella's Tom Keifer, Skid Row, Hinder, Queensrÿche, Masterplan, Airbourne, UDO and Nils Lofgren just to mention a few of our thirty six interviews in total, we also have a huge section detailing all the album releases, reissues, DVDs, and books out at the moment. If you tell us there is better value for just under a fiver, we'll call you a liar.
While we're in a giving mood, you can check out interviews with House Of Lords frontman James Christian and former Alice Cooper axeman Kane Roberts, taken from the new issue, right here. Plus there's three bonus interviews there to boot!
Out now, Fireworks 58 is a must have. Use the Rocktopia Store Finder to find the nearest participating stockist, or simply order online from our shop on Rocktopia.
Fireworks Digital Edition will be available from MelodicRockDirect on Monday.
LITA FORD ASK FOR FANS HELP IN CREATING ARTWORK FOR NEW LIVE ALBUM:
This October will see the release of Lita Ford's new live album via Steamhammer/SPV. Lita is asking for fans to submit live shots of the band that they took for inclusion in the album's booklet and poster. For your photo to be included, please send the photos to litasocialmedia@gmail.com. Remember to include your full name, exactly how you would like it to be written in the credits on the album. All submissions are due by Friday June 28. "I did this live album's for the fans, so I would like to include the fans prospective of my shows in the album's artwork," says Ford. Lita's video for the song "Mother" was directed by former Runaway Victory Tischler-Blue. It is available for viewing at: goo.gl/jiZ3U.
Lita Ford Live:
6/24: New York, NY @ Iridium Jazz Club (Lita Salutes Les Paul - 2 Shows)
6/29: Norfolk, NE @ Music Fest 2013 w/Bret Michaels and Vince Neil
7/13: Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot w/Ratt
7/24: Gothenburg, Sweden @ Sticky Fingers
7/25: Malmo, Sweden @ KB
7/26: Rejmyre, Sweden @ Skogsrojet Festival
7/27: Jevanaker, Norway @ The Untouchables
8/7: Sturgis, SD @ Sturgis Bike Rally
8/15: Mankato, MN @ Stond Amphitheater w/Dokken, Sebastian Bach and Ratt
8/16: Moline, IL @ I Wireless Center w/Dokken, Sebastian Bach and Ratt
8/17: Chicago, IL @ Congress Theater w/Dokken, Sebastian Bach and Ratt
8/18: Kalamazoo, MI @ Wings Stadium w/ Dokken, Sebastian Bach and Ratt
8/23: Viroqua, WI @ Vernon County Fairgrounds "Jamming for the Vets"
9/14: Hinckley, MN @ Grand Casino Hinckley w/Dokken, Skid Row and Ratt
For More Information Please Visit: www.litafordonline.com / www.facebook.com/litaofficial.
MRX UPDATED: MRX has been updated with 3 new cool feature albums:
- Aviator - II (Unreleased Album)
- Jimmy Ryser - Jimmy Ryser (1990)
- Joe Bruce & Second Avenue - ST (1987) MRX Membership Details.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
NEW EPK AVAILABLE FOR ROBIN BECK RELEASE:
An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for Underneath, the new album from American rock singer Robin Beck, can be seen below:
Underneath will now be released on HMMR Records through Cargo Records on August 12 in the UK and August 15 in the rest of Europe. Release dates for the U.S. to be announced. To read a track-by-track breakdown of the album and to hear audio samples visit Robinbeckrocks.com and the MR Showcase.
MELODICROCK PREMIERE'S NEW FM VIDEO!:
Broadcast at the top of the site page today is the brand new FM video! Playlisted on BBC Radio 2, Story Of My Life is taken from FM's seventh studio album Rockville and is set for release July 8 via Membran. Steve Overland – "Having Story Of My Life playlisted on BBC Radio 2 is brilliant! They got behind us with our previous singles Hollow and Bring Back Yesterday from Metropolis and it's great to know that our new album Rockville is getting the same reaction from everyone."
GOO GOO DOLLS NEW ALBUM MAGNETIC DEBUTS AT #8 ON THE BILLBOARD TOP 200 CHART: Goo Goo Dolls new album Magnetic has debuted at #8 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart, with almost 29k sold first week. The 10th studio album for the multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated band features debut single Rebel Beat, which is currently climbing the charts at Hot AC radio. Goo Goo Dolls celebrated the June 11 release of Magnetic with a performance of "Rebel Beat" on Good Morning America, followed by an appearance on Kelly & Michael June 12. "Rebel Beat" can also be heard for the next month in the promos for HGTV's new show Brother vs. Brother and in the latest installment of HGTV's #lovehome branding campaign. They will be performing the song on Rachael Ray July 3.
To support Magnetic, Goo Goo Dolls are hitting the road with Matchbox 20 next week. The nationwide co-headlining run will kick off June 25th at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, NH and run through August. Enter to win a trip to see Goo Goo Dolls and Matchbox 20 here: connect.googoodolls.com. UK fans will also get a chance to see the band: they begin a headline run there on October 15. Goo Goo Dolls have sold over 10 million albums worldwide, with 14 Top 10 Radio hits, more than any other artist in the history of the Hot AC format. They are the only artist to have three songs on Billboard's "Top 100 Songs from 1992-2012" including the Number One slot, for "Iris." John Rzeznik has been honored with the Songwriters Hall of Fame Hal David Starlight Award and they were recently inducted into Guitar Center's Historic Hollywood Rock Walk.
NEONFLY TO SUPPORT ALICE COOPER ON GERMAN SUMMER TOUR!:
London based rockers Neonfly are proud to announce that they will be the main support act in Germany for one of rock's biggest living legends: Alice Cooper; who will be playing 3 exclusive headline shows as part of his "Raise the Dead" 2013 tour. Dates are as follows:
July 29 – Saarbrücken Saarlandhalle
30 – Hanau Amphitheater
August 4 – Lichtenfels Schützenanger
This adds up to a knockout package of summer shows for the band that already includes the Main Stage at the legendary Masters Of Rock Festival in Czech Republic on July 12 and an exclusive headline show in Hamburg, Germany at the Rock Café on July 10.
In spring of this year, the band set off to HOFA Studios in Germany to record their second album with producer Dennis Ward (Unisonic, Pink Cream 69, Angra, Primal Fear, Krokus…). The album is currently being mixed with a release date soon to be confirmed, Neonfly plan to play some exclusive new material during their summer shows. "Alice Cooper is one of the most established and legendary acts in the music industry. Who hasn't heard of Alice Cooper? How many people can say they've never played air guitar - or real guitar for that matter - over the riff of Poison or School's Out? It's an absolute honor and pleasure to have the opportunity to share the stage with Alice. Enough said!" Comments an ecstatic Frederick Thunder - Neonfly's guitarist and songwriter.
WebLinks: www.neonfly.net / www.facebook.com/NeonflyUK.
The band's William Norton send me this personal addition to the press release: "We're pleased to announce we are confirmed as main support for the legend that is Alice Cooper over three dates in Germany this Summer. Alongside this we are playing the main stage at the Masters of Rock Festival in Czech Republic and headlining our own show in Hamburg. (Rock Cafe, Hamburg, Germany - 10th July / Masters of Rock Festival, Main Stage, Vizovice, Czech Republic - 12th July)
Needless to say we are hugely excited to be rocking in support of Alice Cooper and look forward to treating his fans to our own brand of melodic metal. It's gonna be a blast."
MAD MARGRITT SHOW NO MERCY ON NEW CD: Perris Records is proud to announce the worldwide release of Show No Mercy, the new cd by Atlanta rockers Mad Margritt! The 9 song cd hits stores on July 16. You can pre-order the CD at sears.com, bestbuy.com, kmart.com, barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com, fye.com, cduniverse.com and perrisrecords.com.
It will also be available soon for download on iTunes and Rhapsody. If you don't want to wait until July 16 you can buy an advance copy directly from Mad Margritt at www.madmargritt.com. To help promote the new CD, Mad Margritt and Big Cat Love Productions are teaming up to put together a 20 city tour across the USA. The first date to be confirmed is July 6, 2013 at the Roberts Arena in Sarasota, Florida with Saliva and Candlebox. More dates to be announced soon...
TWINTERA: MASTERS OF ROCK AND NEW TRACK FEATURING TOM ENGLUND FROM EVERGREY:
At this link (youtu.be/1AMQIk54Gbk) you can listen to a new song by Twintera, Oversight, featuring singer and guitar player from Evergrey, Tom S. Englund. This track is taken from the album Lines, released on November 16 by logic(il)logic Records. The Italian heavy metal band will take part in prestigious Masters Of Rock in Vizovice, the biggest open-air festival in Czech Republic! Twintera will perform on July 13th at 8:45 PM on the Alfedus Stage. The festival will feature artists such as Rage, Primal Fear, Grave Digger, Dragonforce, The 69 Eyes, Devin Townsend, Moonspell, Yngwie Malmsteen and Avantasia. On July 12th, the band will also play in Austria at Frosbite Festival, taking place at Viper Room in Vienna!
WebLinks: www.twintera.com / www.myspace.com/twintera.
LEATHERWOLF TURN TO INDIEGOGO:
California Triple-Axe-Attack metal masters, Leatherwolf, have launched an IndieGoGo crowd-funding campaign today in support of their current Unchained touring activities, which includes a fall tour of the U.S. with Vicious Rumors and Seven Witches.
Drummer Dean Roberts states, "We're taking Leatherwolf across the USA playing 40+ shows in cities we never played before and in cities we haven't been to in a very long time. Hitting the road is a costly endeavor and our fan support through IndieGoGo will help us reach more fans and add even more shows. The IndieGoGo contributions will go towards advertising, PR, transportation, lodging, and merchandise."
Aside from the usual crowd-funding offerings like signed CDs, posters and T-shirts, Leatherwolf is offering fans exciting perks likes private music sessions where a band member will fly to your hometown and spend a day with you giving you private music lessons or to talk shop. Another amazing perk is a custom built Leatherwolf guitar, similar to the one used by frontman Michael Olivieri.
The IndieGoGo YouTube video, which can be viewed at youtu.be/qfWNTQojZyk, also reveals the new Unchained cover art by one of metal's hottest artists, Marc Sasso (Dio, Halford, Adrenaline Mob).
The Unchained tour promises fans will experience an evening of intense metal music spanning the Leatherwolf catalog, including MTV video classics The Calling and Hideaway and fan favorites such as "Street Ready", "Gypsies & Thieves", and Dr. Wicked (Rx O.D.).
Unchained was mixed by noted producer Roy Z, whose resume includes Judas Priest, Sepultura, Halford, Bruce Dickinson and many others. Though the release date is yet to be announced, fans can download a free MP3 single of Spiter from Unchained by liking the only official Leatherwolf Facebook page at: facebook.com/leatherwolfmetal.
Remaining Leatherwolf June tour dates:
Jun. 19 - Shots Sports Bar & Ent. - Utica, NY
Jun. 20 - The Dead Horse Cantina & Music Hall - McKees Rocks, PA
Jun. 21 - House Of Rock - White Marsh, MD
Jun. 22 - Waterville Bar & Grill –" Waterbury, CT Leatherwolf online: www.leatherwolfmetal.com.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
TEN OLD STORIES FINDS WAY TO CD: Jef Scott's 'Ten Stories' is a collection of ten songs in a rich singer-songwriter AOR vein. Produced by Bill Pfordresher (Ambrosia) this album is now, finally, afforded a CD release and to be re-discovered nearly thirty years on from its appearance on vinyl back in 1986. Jef Scott's musical education began in the bars and clubs of San Diego during the late 70s before he moved to Los Angeles in 1979 where he joined Hard Rock band Geisha which also featured former Detective and Yes keyboard player Tony Kaye in the line-up. With Kaye by this time having rejoined Yes, Scott's big break came in 1984, when he was signed as a solo artist by Epic Records. The fruits of that relationship finally emerged two years later as the aptly titled 'Ten Stories' in 1986.
Scott handled the majority of the instrumentation on the record, with only synth player Jeff Forehan and drummers Jay Schellen and Bryan Hitt (the latter then with Life By Night, now in REO Speedwagon) noted as the other contributing musicians in the album's credits. Jef Scott's 'Ten Stories' now will be released for the first time on vinyl and was remastered by MSM Studios in Munich, Germany.
Musicians: Jef Scott – vocals, guitars, bass; Jeff Forehan – keyboards; Jay Schellen – drums; Bryan Hitt - drums.
Tracklist: 1. One By One, 2. I Watch My City Sleep, 3. Mega-Millionaire, 4. You Are The Only One, 5. Relative To You, 6. Graceland, 7. Only You, 8. I'm Only Sleeping, 9. New Found Pounder, 10. It's Not Funny Anymore.
PHENOMENA FOR SWEDEN ROCK 2014:
The much acclaimed Phenomena project is being re-assembled to make an appearance at Sweden Rock Festival 2014. Here's the lineup as it currently stands: Glenn Hughes - Vocals, Neil Murry - Bass, Bernie Marsden - Guitar, Martin Kronlund - Guitar, Perra Johansson - Drums, Ian Haugland - Drums. More guests will be announced shortly!
JIMI BELL TALKS ON AIR AND ONLINE: Jimi Bell (House Of Lords / Breakwall) will be the special guest on this week's Rockposer's Roulette. Broadcast this Saturday at 1pm UK time on Firebrand Rock Radio then available on Firebrand's Mixcloud page.
Jimi meanwhile has been going through a rough patch fighting off a cancer scare. From Jimi's Facebok page comes this note - we all wish Jimi the very best for a speedy recovery:
"Today marks the half way point of my radiation treatments. What I thought was encouraging news was not at all. I thought my PSA went down from a .6 to a .1 but in fact it's increased to 1.1. I'm also told that the treatments might not take effect for months after I'm done. So I asked, what if there's more cancer in me. They mentioned hormone shots which I will absolutely NOT DO!!!. IT IS NOT AN OPTION!! Even worse side effects than I'm already having. I've decided that whatever the BIG MAN upstairs has planned for me is the way it's goin' down!! I will just continue to live my life and use the gift that God has given me until I can't physically ( or mentally ) LOL, play anymore. I'm SURE the mentally will come first!!! OH WELL, Off for my walk!!!!! Have a great day my friends!!"
CLASSIC CANADIAN ARTISTS GET THE DIGITAL TREATMENT AS WARNER MUSIC CANADA OPENS THE VAULTS: Warner Music Canada opens its vaults today with the first of a series of digital releases from classic Canadian artists ranging from Honeymoon Suite to Streetheart to Harem Scarem. The label has gone back to the original master tapes of albums that have not been in circulation in over a decade in order to make them available through all Digital Service Providers. A full list of titles is posted below.
Commenting on the announcement, Warner Music Canada President Steve Kane states: "In today's increasingly active and robust digital marketplace, we wanted to undertake an aggressive campaign to make sure many of Canada's important heritage artists are available in high digital quality. Warner Music Canada is proud of our contributions to the Canadian music scene over the past 45 years and these records are a part of that rich history." Arnold Lanni, founding member of Frozen Ghost, says: "I just got word that Warner Music is making my Frozen Ghost catalogue available digitally and I can't tell you how happy that makes me feel! I'm happy for the thousands of fans who supported me and the Frozen Ghost project that will now be able to enjoy these songs on their favorite device." Gerry McGhee, frontman of Brighton Rock, says: "Seems a little like déjà vu to finally have Take A Deep Breath for the first time ever available in its true completed form with all the songs from the sessions. And to be working on a new album 24 years later, I guess what's old is new again."
More titles will be released from the Warner Music Canada vaults later in the year.
Titles to be made available:
Brighton Rock Take A Deep Breath; Frozen Ghost Frozen Ghost; Frozen Ghost Shake Your Spirit; George Fox With All My Might; Glen Stace Road To Damascus; Glen Stace Buddha Hotel; Harem Scarem Voice Of Reason; Honeymoon Suite Racing After Midnight; Honeymoon Suite Monsters Under The Bed; Messenjah Sessions; Moxy Fruvous You Will Go To The Moon; One Ton Abnormal Pleasures; The Skydiggers Road Radio; Wide Mouth Mason Stew; Wide Mouth Mason Wide Mouth Mason; Streetheart Meanwhile Back In Paris; Streetheart Under Heaven Over Hell; Streetheart Action: The Best Of Streetheart; Rheostatics Whale Music; Rheostatics Music From The Motion Picture Whale Music; Rheostatics Introducing Happiness; Eddie Schwartz Public Life.
NEW FROM VOCALIST JAMES RIVERA:
Press Release / "Friday, June 28th will mark a proud historical moment in my music career. I am honored and privileged to announce that on this date, I have been confirmed as the headliner for the sixth edition of Warriors Of Metal Festival Open Air, in Pataskala, Ohio, replacing Meliah Rage after the band's unfortunate cancellation. What makes this occasion special is that it will be the debut performance to launch my new musical endeavor, 'James Rivera'. This long overdue project will now become my other main act aside from Official Helstar Page, and will not only feature live appearances and touring, but also a studio album forthcoming via SPV/Steamhammer. More details on the artists involved and music planned for recording to be released soon.
Last year I had the pleasure of experiencing the excellence of WOM for the first time when Helstar was invited as a headliner. I am truly obliged the organizers have chosen to have me back with my new incarnation! For this momentous show, joining me onstage will be guitarist extraordinaire from another fricking planet, Xander Demos of the Xander Demos band and my Pennsylvania Chapter of Sabbath Judas Sabbath Official. My rhythm section will be composed of powerhouse duo Dennis Hayes on bass and Jeff Curenton on drums, both infamous for being apart of the 'Year of the Witch' lineup of Seven Witches, and Ripper Owens' early career days in the bands Winter's Bane and British Steel. Fans attending WOM can expect a good handful of classic Seven Witches songs, in addition to other tunes from my catalog, plus some surprises!
So for now this is just a mini update on what I've got in store for the near future. Helstar fans, do not worry... the new album will be coming at you full steam ahead in 2014! European fans, I will see you this summer with Sabbath Judas Sabbath! And to those who will be present on June 28th for the premier show of James Rivera at the swiftly rising U.S. metal festival Warriors Of Metal Open Air, get ready to raise your fists in the air! Get those neck muscles in shape for some serious headbanging and a night enjoying the only kind of metal I have ever known to deliver, and always will. Intense, true and powerful metal!!!!"
WebLinks: www.warriorsofmetalfest.com / www.facebook.com/warriorsofmetal.
LYNYRD SKYNYRD PRONOUNCE THEMSELVES INTHESTUDIO:
Gary Rossington and Original Member Ed King With Story Of Debut Album On Eve Of 40th Anniversary Tour
Dallas, TX - JUNE 18, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands head south to Jacksonville Florida, the birthplace of one of America's finest rock bands, Lynyrd Skynyrd. Far from the music business hubs of New York, LA and Nashville, a band of high school buddies would transform themselves into Southern Rock royalty. Their 1973 debut album Pronounced... would garner significant attention from Rock critics who heard something special lyrically weaved between their musical guitar assault. Founding member Gary Rossington shares with InTheStudio host Redbeard what he believes was the secret behind Ronnie Van Zant's lyrical songwriting. "All these are true stories. Ronnie always had a great gift of writing stories that meant something or were true, or were about his life or somebody's life, and every one he ever wrote was like that.There are so many classic songs off Lynyrd Skynyrd's debut album: "Tuesdays Gone", "Simple Man", "Gimme Three Steps" and of course the eternal "Free Bird"" . Original member Ed King adds, "I remember we were recording "Free Bird" with these people walking into the studio, the owner of the studio walking in and going, 'Wow, that tune is destined to become a classic.' History was being made, and none of us really believed it."
Be sure to catch Lynyrd Skynyrd & Bad Company this summer as both bands tour together to celebrate their 40th anniversaries. Lynyrd Skynyrd 'Pronounced...' /InTheStudio interview is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/lynyrd-skynyrd-pronounced-40th-anniversary-gary-rossingtoned-king/"
ATTENTION HARD ROCK AND HEAVY METAL BANDS:
A personal note from publicist Steve Brownlee: "Attention Hard Rock and Heavy Metal bands!! I am taking on both new and established acts for promotion. I have a 30 plus year track record of successes and hits having worked with bands such as Great White, Ratt, Queensryche, Poison, Slayer, Stryper .... well hundreds of bands over the past three decades. Please contact me if you want more exposure to your music and want to generate more sales. I have excellent referrals and my fees are affordable. "Stephen has a wonderful energy and a consistent enthusiasm ... a joy to work with." - Alan Niven (former Guns n Roses / Great White manager and current owner of Tru-B-Dor Records) "I worked with Stephen twice in his career and both times he added greatly to the success of the organizations and the artists that he promoted. He works well with talent, delivers corporate objectives, and is popular with co-workers." - Wesley Hein (former President of Enigma Records)
WebLinks: www.linkedin.com/in/stevebrownlee / www.facebook.com/stevebrownleemusic.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
REUBEN ARCHER TO RELEASE DEBUT SOLO ALBUM AUGUST 19, TOXIC ARROW RECORDS: Reuben Archer, vocalist with hard rockers Stampede and former vocalist of Lautrec, Wild Horses and Lionheart, is set to release his debut solo album 'Personal Sin' this summer, featuring guest appearances from members of Y&T, Thunder, Whitesnake, Magnum, UFO, Status Quo, Saxon, MSG and more.
Personal Sin features 13 tracks produced by Reuben and Rob Wolverson and mastered by Ade Emsley (Iron Maiden, Steve Harris). Set for an August 19 release, it will signal the debut release on the newly launched Toxic Arrow Records, a joint venture between Reuben Archer and Archer Williams Management distributed via Cargo Records.
The album features guest appearances from Dave Meniketti (Y&T), John 'Rhino' Edwards (Status Quo), Neil Murray (Whitesnake, Gary Moore, Snakecharmer), Harry James (Magnum, Thunder, Snakecharmer), Luke Morley (The Union, Thunder), Paul Quinn (Saxon), Paul Raymond (UFO, PRP), Derek Holt (Climax Blues Band), Rocky Newton (Lionheart, MSG), Kevin Riddles (Angel Witch, Tytan) and more.
The album will be preceded by the release of double A-side digital single 'Play My Rock 'N' Roll' / 'Lately' ft. Harry James and Kevin Riddles on July 22.
Reuben, who reformed melodic hard rockers and NWOBHM stalwarts Stampede in 2009 and is currently fronting the live line up of the Paul Raymond Project, took the decision to team up with young hot-shot Stampede guitarist and multi-talented music virtuoso Rob Wolverson to make a solo record last year after celebrating a landmark birthday. "I had some ideas and material knocking around which I'd wanted to explore for ages, which involved bigger production and more instrumentation than I've usually had with my other bands. I wanted a big melodic sound, and around the time of my 70th celebrations last year I thought that there was no time like the present to make it happen, especially since developing a great songwriting partnership with Rob", explains Reuben. "The idea was always to invite fellow musicians to participate on the thirteen tracks, and I have been honoured to have so many eminent musician friends that I've made over the years who have lent their valuable talent and time to achieve the end result. Together with a core of great musician friends from around the Midlands, the project began to grow."
On the subject of the title 'Personal Sin', Reuben comments: "Once you're involved with rock 'n' roll it never leaves you; even in my case with a lengthy sabbatical I am still as passionate about it as I was back in '74 when I started. Rock 'n' roll gave me excitement pleasure and heartache too. Good times, bad times and at times personal grief. I know for a fact it's never going to leave me; it is an integral part of my life."
Reuben Archer Personal Sin Track listing:
1. Bulletproof 2. Play My Rock 'n' Roll (ft. Rocky Newton) 3. Personal Sin (ft. Dave Meniketti, Harry James & John 'Rhino' Edwards) 4. Lately (ft. Harry James & Kevin Riddles) 5. Time On My Hands (ft. Derek Holt & Steve Holbrook) 6. Desperation Train (ft. Luke Morley, Derek Holt & Steve Holbrook) 7. TV Junkie 8. Ace Café (ft. Paul Quinn, Harry James, John 'Rhino Edwards', Steve Holbrook) 9. Spanish Nights (ft. Steve Holbrook) 10. Reuben's Blues (ft. Paul Quinn, Neil Murray, Paul Raymond) 11. Shakin' All Over 12. Like A Clown 13. Sooner Or Later.
For further information head to: www.reubenarcher.com / www.toxicarrowrecords.com.
MELODIC BRIEFS: Firehouse guitarist Bill Leverty has recorded and released a new single digitally titled Ace Bandage. The cool blues rocker can be downloaded via subscription to Bill's mailing list, or checkout out via YouTube at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfWXBtubHcU.
Austrian symphonic metal band Edenbridge release a trailer for the new studio album The Bonding. The trailer can be seen here: youtu.be/M4qMCnYeQbg.
The first episode of "The Rocker Dad Podcast" is now live on iTunes and also the website of host Rich Antonelli. He describes the Podcast as "a work in progress...but the plan is to talk about my experiences as a dad who plays in bands, writes music and dealing with my daughter's Crohn's disease. I'll eventually be having guests to interview...some known, some not so known, I'll talk about being in a tribute band after many years in an original band ($kyhigh) and pretty much anything that is on my mind at the time." You can catch the podcast at: www.richardantonelli.com or direct iTunes link: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rocker-dad-podcast/id662280369.
Purrfect Timing Radio Show airs Live on Megarock Radio and heard throughout the week on affiliate stations as well as podcast. To hear our interview with Hardline, tune in Saturday June 22nd between 1-3pm Eastern time. Never say never in the rock world...Hardline are doing live shows again for the first time since 2002 and will be headlining Firefest this October! Coming up this JUNE 22 we will be interviewing Johnny Gioeli and Alessandro DelVecchio - we'll be talking about the new album 'Fever Dreams', their recent appearance at Sweden Rock and of course, Firefest. Links: www.megarockradio.net / www.purrfecttiming.com / www.hardlinerocks.com.
HOOBASTANK TO ROCK SHILLONG FOR TNT MAGAZINE'S 6TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION:
Alternative rock band Hoobastank is to perform in Shillong to mark the 6th anniversary celebration of city-based magazine TNT-The Northeast Today, which primarily covers current affairs, politics, lifestyle and music. The magazine was founded by the scion of the Tripura royal family, Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Burman in 2007. The American alternative rockers will be seen playing at the 5th Field, Polo Ground in the city on the 29th of June. The band, best known for its hit single "The Reason" which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts 2004 and No. 1 on the US and World Modern Rock charts, will be on their maiden Indian visit with their current line-up consisting of vocalist Doug Robb, guitarist Dan Estrin, drummer Chris Hesse and bassist Josh Moreau. The band is reaching India on June 27.
Announcing the news via their social networking pages, Event Head, Sumita Jana has notified that the tickets are being priced at 500 INR. Editor-in-chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya says, "We have always maintained that music and Rock and Roll remains a strong aspect in our magazine and day to day lives, hence, this is the best way to celebrate our 6th anniversary." He further added that certain proceeds of the show will go to the Maichang School project for the underprivileged.
Tickets to the show will be available at select outlets in the entire North-eastern region of India. Apart from that, free tickets can also be won every day by answering to the daily questions posted on the magazine's Facebook page. Tickets will also be available at select Aircel outlets all over the region.
The event is being managed by TNT Events, a subsidiary of TNT magazine, in association with Footloose Events. For more information please visit: www.tntmagazine.in / www.facebook.com/thenortheasttoday / www.footlooseasia.com.
UK TRIPLE BILL ACOUSTIC TOUR: Ricky Warwick (Black Star Riders) / Tony Wright (Terrovision) / Mark Curran (Curran) Acoustic Tour:
Thu 11 July – Exeter @ Cavern Club
Fri 12 July – Southampton @ The Cellar
Sat 13 July - Rugby @ The Vault
Sun 14 July – Bristol @ The Fleece
Tue 16 July – Sheffield @ Corporation
Wed 17 July – Manchester @ Academy 3
Thu 18 July – Glasgow @ Classic Grand
Fri 19 July – Aberdeen @ Moorings
Sat 20 July – Newcastle @ Cluny
Sun 21 July – Leeds @ Brundell
Wed 24 July – Brighton @ Komedia
Thu 25 July – London @ Underworld
Fri 26 July – Wolverhampton @ Slade Rooms
Sat 27 July – Nottingham @ Rock City
Sun 28 july - Grimsby The Yardbirds
Monday, June 17, 2013
JOHN WAITE REVEALS NEW LIVE RELEASE: John Waite has launched his new live album Live: All Access via iTunes and on CD shortly from his website: www.johnwaitethesinger.com. It is also available from all John Waite live shows.
The press release states: "It's a sparkling collection of live recordings of songs from the Rough and Tumble album, from the solo albums Ignition, No Brakes and a song from the Babys era like Head First. John Waite's vocals are crystal clear and still hitting every high note, and the production is outstanding. The No Brakes band with Keri Kelli on Guitars, and Tim Hogan on bass, and Rhondo on drums, deliver their masterpiece."
In John's words: "It was a great time. Kerri had been working his way into the songs. The energy was worth recording. I took a shot at capturing the energy. We were having a blast and it shows in the performance. I think it was a golden time. It cost a small fortune to record and some of the shows were just so good it was worth going after. The band has come a long way and I would like to continue to put something out every 8 months. It's a great record..... Raw, no overdubs or bullshit. It's the truth!!!"
IMPERA CLOSING IN ON SECOND RELEASE:
Coming soon from Escape Music - Impera - the second album....
INTERVIEW WITH...ER...MELODICROCK:
The good folks of RockEyez (Brian to be precise) was kind enough to take some time to interview myself last week to help promote the upcoming MelodicRockFest 3 event. You can check it out now at: www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cnWDPko8TTc.
SAFFIRE: "PARALYZED" LIVE BOOTLEG VIDEO POSTED ONLINE:
The Swedish melodic metal band Saffire have uploaded a live bootleg video for "Paralyzed" on YouTube. The video was recorded at the bands release party at Sticky Fingers in Gothenburg, Sweden on June 1st.
Link to the video on YouTube; youtu.be/GTdcdzKbwYU.
Saffire are inspired by the 70's and 80's rock and metal bands like Rainbow, Dio, Whitesnake, Van Halen and Black Sabbath. The sound of Saffire can be described as a mix of those bands with a progressive twist, something that makes them stand out in the scene. The debut album from Saffire entitled "From Ashes To Fire" was released in Europe and North America on May 17th through Inner Wound Recordings.
"From Ashes To Fire" was mixed by Fredrik Nordstrom & Henrik Udd at Studio Fredman [At The Gates, In Flames, Hammerfall] and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios [Symphony X, Opeth, Kreator]. Needles to say, the production on From Ashes To Fire is excellent. The artwork for the album was created by Anders Fastader at A Trailermade Production [H.E.A.T., Hardcore Superstar, The Poodles].
Victor Olssons intelligent songwriting and impressive guitar playing together with the bands excellent musicianship and the powerful and emotional vocals from Tobias Jansson, Saffire is a dangerous five piece with an exciting future ahead of them.
Saffire online: www.facebook.com/saffiresweden / www.saffire.se.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS ON RICH DAVENPORT'S ROCK SHOW: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 16th June 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 17th June 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) features exclusive interviews with P.O.D. frontman Sonny Sandoval, Fair Warning bassist Ule W. Ritgen, and former Wild Horses drummer Clive Edwards (UFO, Pat Travers, Uli Jon Roth, X UFO) and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-pod-fair-warning-wild-horses-interviews/
In the first hour, P.O.D. frontman Sonny Sandoval talks about the band's latest album "Murdered Love" and their UK tour dates, including a slot at the Download Festival. Also in the first hour, Fair Warning bassist Ule W. Ritgen discusses the writing and recording of new album "Sundancer", and chooses tracks from the new release to play on the show.
In the second hour, X-UFO drummer Clive Edwards (Pat Travers, Uli Jon Roth, UFO) talks about his stint behind the kit with Wild Horses, and recollects his recording and touring experiences alongside band mates Brian Robertson (Thin Lizzy, Motorhead) and Jimmy Bain (Rainbow, Dio).
Part 2 also features a chat with John Shearer, editor and publisher of long-running Rose Tattoo fanzine "Scarred For Life", which has kept the Tatts flag flying since 1993. John talks about his experiences following the band since 1976 and also "Rock N Roll Outlaw", a forthcoming documentary about the band. Plus three killer Rose Tattoo tracks!
The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from Whitesnake, Blue Oyster Cult, Vindictiv, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Masterplan, Lacrimas Profundere and Metallica.
TOBY KNAPP-STATIC WARFARE RELEASES JULY 2:
Guitarist Toby Knapp is back with an onslaught of haunting, dark, virtuosic instrumental tracks on his new release Static Warfare. The cd which marks the 18th for Shredguy Records releases July 2. 9 tracks were created from this former guitarist of the legendary classic metal band onward...and are now ready to be unleashed on the public. This CD will appeal to heavy metal fans and guitar fanatics alike.
Special pre-orders will begin on June 18 at the Shredguy Records online store: www.shredguyrecords.bigcartel.com.
DANISH SYMPHONIC PROG ROCK/METAL BAND MYTHERY READY THEIR DEBUT ALBUM:
The Danish symphonic prog rock/metal band Mythery are ready with their debut album, which will be released August 12th via Mighty Music/Target. In the past two years, mastermind Nikolaj Holger has worked intensively on writing "The Awakening of the Beast" – a grandiose symphonic masterpiece, meant to contribute with a fresh musical perspective to the genres of progressive rock and heavy metal! Mythery can hardly be labelled as a "typical metal band", as the band members have very different musical backgrounds. Drummer, composer and lyricist Nikolaj Holger had by the end of 2010 recruited a bunch of very talented musicians to take part in what would become a very ambitious musical project. Nikolaj Holger met Laurits Emanuel (vocals), Simon Rabenhøj (guitars), Tobias Dall (bass) and Mikkel Rosenbeck (keyboards) while studying at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen, and violinist Michala Høj was added to the line-up in late 2010. The vision was to create a distinctive, trademark sound that could be traced back to the roots of symphonic and melodic metal and, at the same time, push the boundaries of these genres. The result of their collaboration - "The Awakening of the Beast" - draws inspiration from the progressive and melodic elements of Dream Theater and the symphonic elements of Nightwish.
Tobias Dall and Mikkel Rosenbeck are primarily jazz musicians, Michala Høj has a successful career as a classical musician behind her and vocalist Laurits Emanuel's voice brings a touch of indie rock to the music. None the less, each member, and their individual qualities, contributes to the characteristic sound of Mythery and the bands musical vision is undeniable.
The nine track album consists of four single tracks and the 30-minute epic title track of the album "The Awakening of the Beast", which is split up into five separate parts. Check out the cool snippet for "The Crusade" on YouTube here.
The Awakening of the Beast - Release: August 12 - Track list: 01 - Another Universe 02 - Epoch of Destruction 03 - The Crusade 04 - Godforsaken; The Awakening of the Beast - 05 - Overture 06 - A Dark Epiphany 07 - Awoken by the Fire 08 - Through Shadow Eyes 09 - The Words of Salvation.
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/mytheryofficial / www.mightymusic.dk.
xx
Friday, June 14, 2013
Work on MelodicRock Fest 3 has been travelling along extremely well, with flights now booked for several of the bands and set lists and rehearsals already underway with some of the guys.
Prepare for the Brett Walker Band to kick your asses and just wait until you witness the 90 minute set planned by Mecca (with special guests Jimi Jamison and Fergie Frederiksen). House Of Lords will have a special guest with them on stage and someone is planning to join Eric Martin for a song or two on the night too. Lots of little things coming together for those attending! Tickets are currently available for just $55 (Friday) and $65 (for each day, Saturday & Sunday) via www.melodicrockfest.com and www.homebarchicago.com.
The very last of the tickets purchased to date have been sent out today, so everybody that ordered tickets should have them in hand next week. Please note that VIP pass holders will use their passes as tickets for the weekend.
Below is a couple of news items on merch set to be available at the show. Additionally, I'm putting the final touches on a deal to have a very cool exclusive limited edition CD release from one of the participating artists available exclusively that weekend. Details later!
xx
MRF3 is now taking pre-orders for the Official MRF Event Book. This will be a high quality event book, similar to the classic Concert Tour Books we all love and know, but with much more! Some of which includes interviews, photos, reviews, along with a center-page spread designed for the sole purpose of having the artists over the weekend sign your book.
As a bonus - the first 100 pre-orders for the MRF3 Event book ($20) will receive a FREE Official MRF3 Dog Tag! All orders can be picked up the day of show at the MR.com Merch booth.
The MRF3 Dog tags provided by MRF3 Sponsor and Vendor Laser-on Engraving! Check them out in Sept at MRF3 for some of the most outrageous rock and roll merchandise around!
Pre-order now via the below Paypal link. NOTE: The Event Books are not available for shipping at this stage Pick up at MRF3 only:
The other item in development is something else I haven't tried before - a MRF USB. The metal guitar shaped 16G USB drive will be packed to capacity with highlights from the first two MRF events in 2007 and 2010 including extensive high-res photo galleries; band-shot backstage footage; some "bootleg" video set footage; a 1 hour pro-shot "documentary" style video of MRF1 and more goodies yet to be dusted off! This USB Drive will be ready before the event and available for sale here shortly and also over the weekend at MRF3 in September.
Stay tuned for full details!
BREAKWALL ANNOUNCES THEIR MISSION STATEMENT:
News from Kivel Records / Breakwall is coming folks!! Comprised of members of House of Lords - Jimi Bell, Chris McCarvill and BJ Zampa. They are joined by Joined Forces frontman/mad man Livio Singer. So what's the plan? Simple!! Breakwall is going to record an album that we promise is going to satisfy all and disappoint none. The band and labels mission is very clear. Bring back the excitement! The energy! The madness that made Hard Rock / Arena Metal a force that dominated the 80s and early 90s. We want to bring back that feeling, of when buying an album use to be an "experience", and sometimes even magical. Sadly, something that is all gone and sterilized by the powers that be of the cooperate industry, that has become the music of now. All processed for the mindless consumption. Get ready to end 2013 with Breakwall, and their brand of no apology over the top Guitar driven Arena Rock.
The band will be giving away a free track off their upcoming release at this Sept's MRF3 in Arlington IL. Courtesy of MelodicRock.com and Kivel Records. Friend Breakwall on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/break.wall.7.
[I heard a first take demo of a new track House Of Dreams today and can say that I think the band is onto a winning sound here. Definitely a HOL feel to it, but with a fresh twist.]
Do not miss Jimi, Chris and BJ performing as House of Lords at MRF3!!
BRET MICHAELS ROLLS OUT THE CLASSICS....AGAIN: Bret Michaels has managed to come up with yet another concept to rehash and re-record his old material yet again and he includes a few covers for good measure. This time he's doing it with friends. Bret Michaels Jammin' With Friends is released June 25 and features the following tracks:
1. Nothin' But A Good Time (Written By: Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, C.C. Deville, Rikki Rockett - Cyanide Publishing, Administered By Universal Music – Z Songs (Bmi)
2. Sweet Home Alabama (Written By: Ed King, Gary Rossington, Ronnie Van Zant - Songs Of Universal, Inc., On Behalf Of Itself And Emi/Longitude Music (Bmi) O/B/O Ronnie Van Zant And Gary Rossington; Universal Music Corp./Full Keel Music Co. (Ascap) O/B/O Edward King)
3. Talk Dirty To Me (Written By: Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, C.C. Deville, Rikki Rockett)
4. Get Your Rock On (Written By: Bret Michaels, Pete Evick)
5. Unskinny Bop (Written By: Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, C.C. Deville, Rikki Rockett)
6. The App Song (Written By: Bret Michaels, Pete Evick)
7. Every Rose Has Its Thorn (Written By: Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, C.C. Deville, Rikki Rockett)
8. Raine (Written By: Bret Michaels)
9. Driven [Rock Mix] (Written By: Bret Michaels)
10. Nothing To Lose (Written By: Bret Michaels, Pete Evick)
11. What I Got (Written By: Bradley Nowell, Eric Wilson, Floyd Gaugh, Lindon Roberts - Publishing: Universal Music-Careers Obo Halfpint Music/Universal Music-Careers/Songs Of Universal, Inc/ Songs Of Universal Inc Obo Gasoline Alley Music/Songs Of Universal Inc Obo Lou Dog Publishing)
12. Go That Far [Hybrid Mix] (Written By: Bret Michaels, Pete Evick)
13. Fallen (Written By: Bret Michaels, Jimmy Mcgorman)
14. Party Rock Band (Written By: Bret Michaels)
15. You Know You Want It (Written By: Bret Michaels)
16. Margaritaville [Recorded Live In Detroit] (Written By: Jimmy Buffett - Coral Reefer Music)
Bonus Tracks -
17. Every Rose Has Its Thorn [Country Verson] (Written By: Bret Michaels, C.C. Deville, Bobby Dall, Rikki Rockett)
18. Something To Believe In (Written By: Bret Michaels, C.C. Deville, Bobby Dall, Rikki Rockett)
19. Nothin' But A Good Time [Classic Rock Version] (Written By: Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, C.C. Deville, Rikki Rockett - Cyanide Publishing, Administered By Universal Music – Z Songs (Bmi)
20. Get Your Ride On (Written By: Bret Michaels, Pete Evick)
Guests include: Michael Anthony (Chickenfoot, Van Halen) - Bass, Vocals (1, 19)
Ace Frehley (Frehley's Comet, Kiss)- Lead Guitar (1, 19)
Lil Jon - Vocals (1)
The Sheilds Brothers (The Voice) - Background Vocals (1, 5, 19)
Phil Collen (Def Leppard, Manraze) - Guitar, Vocals (4, 20)
Sal Costa (My Darkest Days) - Guitar (4, 20)
Gary Rossington (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rossington Collins Band) - Guitar (2)
Rickey Medlocke (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackfoot) - Guitar (2)
Bobby Capps (38 Special, Evanscapps) - Keyboards (2, 5, 6, 7)
Peter Keys (Lynyrd Skynrd, George Clinton/P-Funk) - Piano, Programming (2, 15)
Brian Nutter (Keith Urban) - Guitar (6)
Mark Mcgrath (Sugar Ray) - Vocals (3)
Jimmy Buffett - Vocals, Guitar (16) Background Vocals (6)
Coral Reefer Band (16)
Loretta Lynn - Vocals (7)
Joe Perry (Aerosmith) - Slide Guitar (7)
Hugh Mcdonald (Bon Jovi) - Bass (7)
Frank Hannon (Tesla) - Lead And Slide Guitar, Banjo (5)
Robert Mason (Warrant, Lynch Mob) - Background Vocals (5)
Scot Coogan (Lita Ford, Brides Of Destruction, Pete Yorn)- Backing Vocals, Percussion (3)
Miley Cyrus - Vocals (10)
Edwin Mccain - Additional Vocals (8)
Leslie West (Mountain) - Guitar (9)
Jeffrey Steele - Background Vocals (9)
Eric Brittingham (Cinderella) - Bass (9)
Jimmy Mcgorman (Avril Lavigne, Weezer, Shakira)- Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals (13)
Jaret Reddick (Bowling For Soup) - Vocals (11)
Jason Miller (Godhead) - Additional Mixing (12)
C.C. Deville (Poison) - Guitar (14)
Randy Castillo (Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crue) - Drums (14)
Mark Wills - Additional Vocals (17)
Chris Cagle - Additional Vocals (17)
Brad Arnold (3 Doors Down) - Additional Vocals (17)
Chris Henderson (3 Doors Down)- Additional Protools Engineering (2)
MRX UDPATED: MRX is on Richard Marx overload this week, with an absolute stack of rare, live, unreleased and acoustic songs, all set into their own individual categories. In fact, there's so much material that no one else gets a look in this week. Join MRX now.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
FERGIE FREDERIKSEN ENJOYS ANY GIVEN MOMENT: HIS NEW SOLO ALBUM OUT IN AUGUST: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of Fergie Frederiksen new solo album Any Given Moment on August 23 in Europe and August 27 in North America.
The excellent reviews surrounding the release of his latest album Happiness Is The Road in 2011 (with UK's leading AOR magazine Fireworks calling it "Quite stunning!") rebuilt Fergie's trust in himself and therefore pretty soon another new album was in the works.
This time, Fergie collaborated with Italian producer Alessandro Del Vecchio and with the help of his songwriting, along with contributions from other world class musicians as Bruce Gaitsch (Richard Marx) and Robert Sall (Work of Art, W.E.T.) on guitars among others, Fergie put his mark on another true Melodic Rock gem of an album! "This CD was a pleasure to record. Ale and his talents as an engineer and producer shine" says Fergie. "It is always great when you make "life long friends" doing what we love to do. He's become a dear friend and a great artist. I look forward to working with him again".
Some special surprises are also included such as the superb duet with Issa on "Not Alone" and a brand new version of Toto's classic song "Angel Don't Cry" originally included on the "Isolation" album. In Fergie's words, the new album title is particularly important because in life "You never know what will happen. But if you have love, faith, family and friends it always makes the trials and struggles in life more doable. Thank God I am blessed with all that and more".
This new album really rocks though and songs like "The Price For Loving You" and the first single "Last Battle of My War" are there to show the world that Fergie's vocal abilities are still amazing and second to none "The songs on this album are truly all awesome. I had a chance to stretch and let it fly. "Not Alone", which I sang a duet with Issa, is pretty special. Our voices blend together and I was so happy she agreed to do it. PO Nilsson really wrote a killer song. Then again there are many more I feel strongly about. Hope you all like them."
A very special twist during the recording process… "was the trip to visit Frontiers Records in Naples" recalls Fergie. "What fantastic hosts they are. And the food was to die for. I also learned more about Naples in one day than I ever thought possible. What a great day meeting everyone at Frontiers and spending the day in their beautiful and historical city. Blew my mind. All in all it was a great experience and I believe Ale captured my best. Thank you Serafino and Mario for hooking me up with Ale. Great fun and I hope everyone likes the new CD". Dennis "Fergie" Frederiksen is mostly known for being the former vocalist of Toto (on the "Isolation" album, released in 1984), he has been involved in a lot of other outstanding musical projects too. Trillion, LeRoux, Frederiksen/Philips, Mecca, Frederiksen/Denander and David London (solo album, under pseudonym) are simply a few worthy of mention. In 1999 he debuted as a solo artist with "Equilibrium", an album which garnered great reviews in Europe and Japan and since then he has been offering quality Melodic Rock music to his legion of fans.
Any Given Moment includes the following songs: Last Battle Of My War; Let Go; Price For Loving You; I'll Be The One; Time Will Change; How Many Roads; Candles In The Dark; Any Given Moment; Not Alone (Feat. Issa); When The Battle Is Over; Angel Don't Cry.
Enjoy the videoclip of the first single "Last Battle of My War":
Musicians on "Any Given Moment" include: Fergie Frederiksen – lead vocals; Alessandro Del Vecchio – keyboards, background vocals; Nik Mazzucconi – bass, fretless bass; Herman Furin – drums; Robert Sall, Bruce Gaitsch, Walter Caliaro, Peter Friestedt, Alessio Berlaffa, Sven Larsson, David Coyle - Lead and rhythm guitars; Roberto Tiranti – background vocals; Issa – duet vocals on "Not Alone". Produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio.
xx
AOR HEAVEN PRESENT JULY RELEASES: AOR Heaven's July releases will be released on the 19th of that month. Yesterday Newman was announced. Today I'm adding three individual soundbytes to check out - Arcadia / Had Enough / Scar Of Love.
xx
Also released July 17 is Farraday - Shade Of Love / Farraday is a new melodic rock project which was born in Athens, Greece in January 2012. The masterminds behind Farraday are Roy Da Vis, who is the composer, singer, guitarist & keyboard player and Stathis Spiliotopoulos, who is the producer of the project and also plays drums, bass and also supports with backing vocals. Roy Da Vis started playing at the age of 16 and performed with local bands like Mirror Lies, Heaven'Spirits and with a Hard Rock/AOR band called Bad Medicine, where Stathis Spiliotopoulos also was the man behind the desk of their sound. Bad Medicine self-released an EP called "Breakin' Down" including the two songs "Breakin Down" and "Shade Of Love" but it never came out as an official release.
After many years of music collaborations with bands, projects & live performances, Roy & Stathis are trying to deliver their passion for Melodic Rock music and now are making their dreams come true! Farraday "Shade Of Love" is the first album with which they try to express their feelings and give to the people who share the same music tastes: their unique point of view of Melodic Rock music. 10 Melodic Rock tracks have been engineered, recorded, mixed, produced and mastered between August 2012 till February 2013 at Deep Bass Studios Athens, Greece and are now ready to rock you with the 80's melodic rock sound!
Track list: 01. One Way Ticket To Hollywood, 02. Rock U (The Old Fashion Way), 03. Shade Of Love, 04. Can't Get Enough, 05. Breakin' Down, 06. Tonight, 07. Can't Wait On Love, 08. Out Of Nowhere, 09. There For You, 10. When Passion Burns.
Farraday Official Fb: www.facebook.com/FarradayProject.
Soundfiles in advance: I Can't Get Enough / One Way Ticket To Hollywood / Shade Of Love.
The Spoons, a Canadian 80's pop-rock-synth band known for their hits such as "Romantic Traffic", "Nova Heart" and "Old Emotions" are set to release their 1981 debut album "Stick Figure Neighborhood" on CD for the first time. The long out of print LP has been remastered and is being promoted through a PledgeMusic drive found here: www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thespoons. More information on the band's history and current pledge found here: www.thespoons.ca.
MetalSymphony.com has uploaded some photos from MSG concert June 2, 2013 at Sala Arena, Madrid. Also available are pictures of support act Radioz. Check them out at this location: www.metalsymphony.com/?p=13385#gp.
Setlist: Lovedrive (Scorpions), Another piece of Meat (Scorpions), Assault Attack, Armed and Ready, Into the Arena, Rock my nights Away, Attack of the mad Axeman, Horizons, Before the devil knows you're Dead, Coast to Coast (Scorpions), Shoot Shoot (UFO), Only you can rock Me (UFO), Let It Roll (UFO), Too hot to Handle (UFO), Lights Out (UFO) — Holiday (Scorpions), Rock Bottom (UFO), Rock you like a Hurricane (Scorpions) — Blackout (Scorpions), Doctor Doctor (UFO).
ANVIL OVER EUROPE:
Canadian Metal icons Anvil announce their European 2013 summer tour in support of the brand new album Hope In Hell:
27.07. GB-Hafod-Y-Dafal Farm – Steelhouse Festival
28.07. GB-Glasgow - Cathouse
29.07. GB-Manchester - Academy 3
30.07. GB-London - Garage
01.08. D-Cologne - Underground
02.08. D-Wacken - Wacken Open Air
03.08. NL-Haarlem - Patronaat
04.08. B-Lokeren - Lokeren Feesten
06.08. CH-Zurich - Plaza
07.08. D-Lichtenfels - Paunchy Cats
08.08. D-Saarbrücken - Garage
10.08. SE-Gävle - Getaway Rock Festival
The new studio album Hope In Hell is out now in Germany and Europe through SPV / Steamhammer in four different formats: as a limited-edition Digipak including 2 bonus tracks (see photo attached) , as a jewel case CD, double gatefold colored vinyl including 2 bonus tracks (see photo attached) and as download. A new podcast teaser/interview from Lips and Robb can be seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6-pNVETm4w.
TRACII GUNS' LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN - THE FIRST RECORD:
On June 18 Schrapnel Records will release Tracii Guns League of Gentlemen first album entitled 'The First Record'. Available on CD and download: www.facebook.com/traciigunsband. On September 23 a double 'coloured' vinyl will be released on a very limited 250 press through Retro-Vibe Music ... pre orders will be taken from July 29 via the website at: www.retro-vibemusic.com and to sign up for details contact us at sales@retro-vibemusic.com / www.facebook.com/retrovibemusic.
The album has been described as rock n roll leaning heavy into 1970's British and American blues based hard rock. Check out the video at www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YZ5_iMJSlPg.
ZZ TOP EXPLORE THE BEST OF THE BOX INTHESTUDIO:
North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands dresses out Lone Star legends ZZ Top's The Complete Studio Albums (1970-1990) Box Set. ZZ Top batted ten for twenty over those first two decades of their career, a hall of fame average in any league, all the while retaining the same personnel which continues to this day, a record unsurpassed by any working band. Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard discuss InTheStudio why Dusty thinks that being a trio contributes to ZZ Top's longevity; what Billy saw as the challenges of superstardom after the Eliminator album; and why Frank Beard is the only member without one! This program digs deep, revisiting songs from the very earliest of ZZ Top albums. Billy Gibbons shares with InTheStudio host Redbeard his thoughts on their now 40+ year legacy. "There's a lot of luck, to start with. Some of these things you would like to prophesy, to plan this going a certain way. And yet it it's always unpredictable, always probably exactly opposite what you think you're going to do".
Dusty Hill adds, "As much as music changed (over those twenty years), hopefully we changed with it. But we only know how to play one way. I don't know that we know how to play any other way."
ZZ Top 'The Complete Studio Albums' /InTheStudio interview is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/zz-top-complete-albums-1970-1990-wbilly-gibbonsdusty-hillfrank-beard/"
SHOWCASES UPDATED:
Two new CD Showcases today for two great albums - both independently released, so please support the artists! First the awesome new Robin Beck album (due August 12) and secondly, the groovy Kevin Lee & The Kings release. Check them out.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
VIVIAN CAMPBEL AND STEVE PERRY BOTH DEALING WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS:
Two very important updates from yesterday that I neglected to post, but will now. I would like to extended my personal best wishes to both Vivian Campbell and to Steve Perry and I'm sure all readers of MelodicRock.com feel the same. A speedy recovery to both!
Def Leppard's Vivian Campbell has cancer but will still tour this summer. From: www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/jun/11/def-leppard-vivian-campbell-cancer
Guitarist intends to perform with both Dio and Def Leppard, despite undergoing treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma. Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell has been diagnosed with cancer. Nevertheless, he still plans to tour with the band this summer, even though he will be receiving treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma. "If you're going to have a cancer, Hodgie's is the one to have," the 50-year-old guitarist joked in a statement. "[It] has an over-80% cure rate." Campbell is already one-third of the way through a six-month chemotherapy scheme and said he is "feeling rather spiffy, all things considered".
Luckily for Campbell, his doctors found the cancer early. A persistent cough sent an "alarm call", leading to x-rays and CT scans. "[These] revealed that enlarged lymph nodes were doing wrestling manoeuvres on my windpipe," Campbell said. "I underwent a surgical biopsy on 11 March, the first day of Leppard rehearsals for our Viva Las Vegas shows. Obviously, I didn't make it to rehearsal that day, but it's OK; I know the songs by now."
Although chemotherapy means Campbell has lost his hair – he refers to it as his "new, aerodynamic hairstyle" – the guitarist plans to join his bandmates when they launch their tour on 21 June. He will also be performing with the original members of Dio for four shows in August. A member of Def Leppard since 1992 – when he was drafted in to replace Steve Clark, who died the previous year – Campbell was Dio's founding guitarist, as well as having played with Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy and Riverdogs.
Steve Perry has posted a very personal update to his little place on the Internet at: fanasylum.com/steveperry. It seems the singer has had his own brush with cancer, as well as some true heartbreak in his personal life. I thank Steve for being so open to fans with his words. The full post reads:
"June 6, 2013 As I said in my last birthday message January 2013, "There's so much more I'd like to share with you but that will have to come at another time"........ Well, I guess the time is now!.......In May of 2011, I was with Patty Jenkins in an editing room as she was putting the final editing touches on what was to be the closing segment of a Lifetime Channel breast cancer special called "Five." As the opening scenes camera panned across an outside hospital patio, a narrator's voice commented on their lives and their types of cancer. The camera came across this girl sitting there laughing….. I saw her smile. When the scene was over I said to Patty, "Can you roll to the top of that opening scene for me?" Patty asked, "Is something wrong?" I said, "No. I want to see something." As the camera again crossed Kellie's smile I asked her to freeze right there.……. I asked Patty who that was. She said, "That's Kellie Nash, a PHD Psychologist who was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a double mastectomy and she's doing a cameo appearance." I asked if Patty had her email, She said, "Yes" but looked at me strange because she knows I don't do that. I asked if she would send Kellie an email that your friend Steve would love to take her to coffee or lunch sometime.
Patty agreed to do so but said, "Before I do that I think there's something I should tell you first. After a 3 year battle she was in remission for 8 months then it came back in her lungs and bones and now she's Stage 4 fighting for her life." I was frozen……. I didn't know what to do…….. I had lost my mom, dad, grandparents that raised me and I was an only child so my first thought was to maybe not send the email; then my heart said, Maybe we could be friends or maybe she could be my shrink. So I said, "Please send it." Well Kellie returned an email to me via Patty and we talked on the phone for the first time 2 years ago this May. It was so great to hear her voice. It felt like I knew her all along. She said that her girlfriends had bought her a ticket to Mexico for her birthday and when she got back we'd grab a bite. I was soooo excited..... I was a little boy who finally found his girl. I waited and 2 weeks later we went to our first dinner ....... Well we started at 6pm and the next thing I know she said "Oh My God! What time is it?" I said, "11:30." She said, "I have patients starting at 8 tomorrow" ....... So we left. I never felt like this before....... I had finally found her. She's real and she's right in front of me. We started seeing each other and Yes, we both knew that we were meant to be together.
My life was forever changed in ways I will explain at another time but it was all because of my Kellie. She continued chemo from May into December when headaches started and we discovered the cancer had gone to her brain. She started brain radiation and the chemo continued also. I've never seen courage like this before. One night as we were talking she told me she just couldn't do it anymore and would I be angry If she stopped everything. I was scared for what could happen but I told her that never, to my very last breath would I ever be angry with her and that I loved her and that her choices were torture at best. She stopped everything. January and February were rough on her then one day she said she wanted to try one last treatment that was not chemo but it was in New York. I said, "Let's move to New York"....... so we lived there for 9 months and the drug kept her alive with a quality of life. We had the most Magical summer of our lives together. She was doing really well till August. She said, "Something's wrong." We later found that her cancer was returning like wild fire. Kellie tried chemo in New York for 2 months but it was useless.
We came back to California in November and I lost my precious Kellie December 14th 2012. She was so strong, so courageous and we really loved each other so very much. I've been trying to grieve and not run from this loss so for the last 5 months that's what I've been doing along with recalling everything being in Love with Kellie taught me. She helped me in so many ways. I Love and miss her terribly. Three weeks ago a routine mole was taken off my face and the lab report came back Melanoma skin cancer. I've had two surgeries in two weeks to remove all the cancer cells and I've been told they think they got it all and no other treatments are required. On Sunday I was a bit depressed because Kellie's birthday was coming up so I went for a drive and ran into Martha Quinn at a street fair. It was so great to see her and in a few short moments I told her most of this story.
She asked if I'd take a picture with her and I said, "If you don't mind my face scar." She said, "Not at all." I joked about me and Pirates of the Caribbean and we both laughed. It was so great seeing Martha........ I was a bit emotionally lost that day and seeing Martha got me grounded again. Thanks Martha!!
Well Fans.......... there's so much more to this story than you know and soon you will know more about it. Though Kellie and I were only together for 1 and 1/2 years, it was a lifetime of love packed into every moment. God bless my precious Kellie. I loved you before I met you- I love you now- and I always will! Love, Steve."
NEWMAN REVEAL OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE AND ARTWORK FOR "SIREN":
One of the UK's top melodic rock bands will release their new album Siren through AOR Heaven on July 19. Since 1998 melodic rock artist Newman have been producing consistently high quality albums filled with hook laden songs and thought provoking lyrics. Now, after a break of 2 years, following a studio upgrade and relocation, Newman return with their 10th Studio album and once again the collaboration with AOR Heaven continues.
Siren is a rock album through and through, taking influences from the whole of Newman's career to date. Powerful song writing backed by a powerful production. Driving guitars feature with the strength of hooks and chorus's that this artist is renowned for. This time around, as with the last few studio albums, Steve is joined by the highly talented session drummer Rob McEwen, but has also brought in a few familiar guests to enhance the sound and songwriting process. From the Newman live band, guitarist Shaun Bessant guests on "When It Comes To Love" and guitarist Robert Säll (Work Of Art, W.E.T.) guests on "Feel Her Again". In the songwriting department, Steve has joined forces with Pete Newdeck (Eden's Curse, Tainted Nation) for the songs "Some Kind Of Wonderful" and "Waiting For The Day". Steve's long time friend, who also appeared on 1999's "One Step Closer" album, Nick Workman (Vega, Kick) co-writes on the uplifting "When It Comes To Love". Both Pete and Nick also contribute backing vocals.
Full track listing: 1. Scar Of Love 2. Had Enough 3. Arcadia 4. Another Bitch Of A Night 5. Feel Her Again 6. Some Kind Of Wonderful 7. Siren 8. When It Comes To Love 9. Crossfire 10. Waiting For The Day 11. The Foolish One 12. Don't Know Why.
Preview the first samples from the new album here:
"Newman gets better with each release….Siren is an out and out rocker, it's in your face" .... Steve Price - ARfm "For me, Siren takes the best part of classic AOR styled Newman albums with the more recent, harder hitting sound and mixes both together in a powerful mix which is both refreshing and invigorating. This is going to blow Newman fans away!" ....Andrew McNeice - MelodicRock.com "Newman have done it again! Yes, another great album, this time less ballads, more up tempo tunes with those big choruses, great hooks and great delivery, oh yes, Newman are back with a bang!".... Alun Williams - Chambers of Rock.
The new album will be available for pre-order soon from www.newmansound.com and www.aorheaven.com and all usual online retailers.
Newman Live 2013
You can also catch Newman live at in the USA at MelodicRockFest 3 Festival, Arlington Heights, Chicago, September 27-29 - www.melodicrockfest.com
And now also confirmed two acoustic shows in the UK at Firefest 10th Anniversary, Rock City, Nottingham, October 18 & 19 www.firefestofficial.com
7TH HEAVEN REACHES SYNERGY WITH NEW LEAD SINGER AND ALBUM:
Coming off two #1 CD's, 7th heaven is on track to hit #1 again with the release of this 12-song Rock/Pop CD Synergy. Established in Pop-Rock, 7th heaven is from a 5-member Chicago act. 7th heaven plays over 250 shows a year, has sold tens of thousands of CDs, has a Worldwide fan base and will play to over one million people over the course of 2013. In 2011, 7th heaven charted three products on the Billboard Charts, and went #1 in the Chicago Region for four straight weeks. In 2012, 7th heaven charted again on the Billboard Charts, and went #1 in the Chicago Region for seven straight weeks. 7th heaven has been able to develop their own unique brand of rock music that proves that the fundamentals of great pop rock song still ring true with their new release Synergy.
Track Listing: 1. We Live Life Young 2. Pages 3. Never Gonna Bring Me Down 4. Counting The Days 5. Rhianna 6. Power Of Love 7. Take My Heart (Do It All Again) 8. Live On 9. Light Up The World 10. I Begin Again 11. I'll Be Waiting 12. Why Ya Gotta Be Like That.
Band: Anthony Fedorov - Lead Vocals; Richard Hofherr - Lead Guitar, Keys, Vocals; Nick Cox - Guitar, Vocals; Mark Kennetz - Bass, Vocals; Michael Mooshey - Drums.
Buy A Copy Here: www.7thheavenband.com/store/synergy.html (Worldwide) * iTunes * Amazon.com (U.S.).
Hear the entire CD via Soundcloud. Check out 7th heaven at - 7thheavenband.com.
BRITISH ROCK BAND SIGN WORLDWIDE (ex-UK) WITH STEAMHAMMER/SPV:
Even if music fans on the other side of the Atlantic may beg to differ: the best and most authentic rock bands still come from the UK. The country with its long tradition of legendary groups such as The Who, Free, Mott The Hoople, The Faces and Led Zeppelin continues to be an ideal breeding ground for promising acts in 2013. So it comes as no surprise that The Jokers also hail from the UK. The four-piece consisting of brothers Paul (guitar) and Simon (bass) Hurst and their two colleagues Wane Parry (vocals) and Chris Poole (drums) has succeeded in successfully transporting classic rock music into the present without denying the illustrious past of this musical direction or lacking a contemporary and topical approach. 2 September 2013 (Germany: 30 August 2013; US/Canada: 10 September 2013) is the scheduled release date of their second album Rock'n'Roll Is Alive on Steamhammer/SPV and a red-letter day for all fans of classic rock music. The Jokers first came to public attention in summer 2009 when their debut album The Big Rock'n'Roll Show was released independently, achieving remarkable sales within a few months. Countless shows in seedy clubs and shady joints followed, the four musicians having only one target: to make The Jokers popular and to grow as artists. "We're a hard-working band. We like to play as often as we can and keep learning all the time,"Paul Hurst explains. "Everything about The Jokers is honest and authentic; our sole aim is to be successful and make people happy."
Over almost two years, The Jokers spent a total of five months working on Rock'n'Roll Is Alive with producer Andy Macpherson (Eric Clapton, The Who, Barclay James Harvest, The Buzzcocks). The result is bound to delight all rock music fans. Hurst: "We have grown perceptibly in the past 24 months and are now ready to present an album which bears its title with justification. Rock'n'Roll is an attitude; it stands for freedom, tolerance and self-fulfilment. Rock'n'Roll Is Alive reflects all these aspects perfectly."
SPV/Steamhammer A&R Olly Hahn states: "The Jokers have the right feeling for melodies and together with their dry but punchy hard rock sound it`s a combination not to miss. I'm really happy that the band decided to join the SPV family!"
WebLinks: www.thejokers.com / www.spv.de.
THE ROLLING STONES CROSSFIRE HURRICANE ON DVD, BLU-RAY AND DIGITAL VIDEO: Eagle Rock Entertainment releases The Rolling Stones' Crossfire Hurricane on DVD and Blu-ray. Crossfire Hurricane is the kaleidoscopic new film that documents the key periods of the Rolling Stones' career and their incredible journey.
Directed by Brett Morgen, Crossfire Hurricane provides a remarkable new perspective on the Stones' unparalleled journey from blues-obsessed teenagers in the early 60's to rock royalty. It's all here in panoramic candor, from the Marquee Club to Hyde Park, from Altamont to Exile, from club gigs to stadium extravaganzas. With never-before-seen footage and fresh insights from the band themselves, the film will delight, shock and amaze longtime devotees, as well as a new generation of fans, with its uniquely immersive style and tone. Crossfire Hurricane places the viewer right on the frontline of the band's most legendary escapades.
As befits the first rock band to reach the 50-year milestone with their global stature now greater than ever, the film combines extensive historical footage, much of it widely unseen, with contemporary commentaries by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood and former Stones Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor. Period interviews, extensive live performance material and news archives give the production a truly kinetic aura and no-holds-barred approach.
Bonus features on the DVD and Blu-Ray include previously unreleased concert footage - "Live in Germany '65", NME Poll Winners concert footage from 1964 and 1965, a new interview with director Brett Morgen, "The Sound and Music of Crossfire Hurricane", footage from The Arthur Haynes Show (1964), and the theatrical trailer.
Crossfire Hurricane received its worldwide premiere at the London Film Festival in October, where Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood all hit the red carpet to the delight of fans and media from all around the world. The film received a similar premiere in the U.S. the following month, hosted by HBO at the Ziegfeld Theatre.
Asked in a formative interview in the film what it is that sets them apart from other groups, Jagger says with quiet understatement: "A chemical reaction seems to have happened." Keith Richards added, "You can't really stop the Rolling Stones, you know when that sort of avalanche is facing you, you just get out of the way." It's been happening ever since, and the life and times of the Rolling Stones have never been as electrifyingly portrayed as they are in Crossfire Hurricane. The Rolling Stones - Crossfire Hurricane Trailer: youtu.be/YtgK7kTWUu4.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
HEAVEN & EARTH RELEASE ELECTRIC LIVE PERFORMANCE OF "HOUSE OF BLUES" FROM THEIR FONDA SHOWCASE ON APRIL 10: Heaven & Earth premiered a live performance of their song House of Blues on Aol's Noisecreep.com yesterday, June 6. The electric performance was shot at the band's memorable record release show at the Fonda in Hollywood to celebrate the release of their new album, Dig (available on iTunes and Amazon). Watch "House of Blues" live here: www.noisecreep.com/2013/06/06/heaven-and-earth-house-of-blues-live-exclusive-video-premiere/
House of Blues features some blistering guitar work by Stuart Smith, but gets its bluesy rock vibe from the powerhouse vocal delivery of front man Joe Retta and a wicked keyboard solo from Ed Roth midway into the performance. Add in some solid low-end work from drummer Richie Onori and bassist Chuck Wright and "House of Blues" comes off as a timeless bluesy rocker that must be heard by all rock purists and classic rock fans.
The band will be unveiling a music video for the song I Don't Know What Love Is in the coming weeks. To stay current with all things Heaven & Earth be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
WebLinks: heavenandearthband.com / www.facebook.com/Heaven-and-Earth-Band / twitter.com/heavenearthband.
VEGA DEBUT WHAT THE HELL: Vega release new single 'What The Hell!' on June 9th available on iTunes featuring an unreleased track 'Skin Deep'. The guys also made a video to accompany the single and in the spirit of "what the hell" decided to all get tattoo's!
You can catch Vega live:
July 4th Wolverhampton Slade Rooms
July 5th London Barfly
July 6th Nottingham Rock City
Vega Have Also Been Added To Planet Rock's Steelhouse Festival on July 28th along with legends Michael Schenker, Saxon, FM, Magnum and Anvil.
MELODIC BRIEFS: ARfm are pleased to announce a guest show hosted by Jeff Scott Soto. Jeff is going to pick some of his favourite songs, tell some tales and include a retrospective of his career. The show will be broadcast Weds Jun 12 at 9pm UK (1pm Pacific / 4pm EST). Join Jeff at www.arfm.co.uk.
Noize In The Attic (Where Your Past Comes Back To Haunt You) catches up with Tom Keifer of Cinderella on this Friday's episode airing 2-4PM EST on WNHU 88.7FM New Haven, CT (streaming live on www.wnhu.net) Free podcasts are available on iTunes or by following the link at www.noizeintheattic.com.
I Am I have now been confirmed for an Acoustic performance at 2.40pm on Sunday on the Jagermeister Acoustic stage at Download, as well as their electric show at 19.55pm later that evening on the Red Bull stage.
From industry commentator Moses Avalon: "Has the RIAA finally learned how to count in the internet age? As of now they are recognizing interactive on-demand streams as "sales" for determining Gold Record status. Will their new system really create a golden stream or more yellow snow?"www.stumbleupon.com/su/1sl43Z/www.mosesavalon.com/the-riaas-new-gold-click-award.
Raise The Curtain, the first ever solo album of Savatage/Jon Oliva's Pain/Trans-Siberian Orchestra mastermind Jon Oliva, will be released on June 21st (USA: July 2nd). A lyric video for the song Father Time is available now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ewjuNgRYU8.
From now on, Keep Your Dream Alive, the new single of Melodic Metal giants Masterplan, is available as video clip and digital single (exclusively in AFM's MP3 Store). Keep Your Dream Alive is taken from Masterplan's upcoming album Novum Initium, which will be released on June 14: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ4BlRwKMRo.
New Alice In Chains album The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here has entered Billboard's Top 200 Albums Chart at #2 and the ARIA Album chart at #10 – their second highest chart position in Australia since Jar Of Flies/ Sap which hit #2 in 1995. It is also currently the iTunes Rock Album Chart at No. 1 in the USA.
Blue Palm Touring is proud to present for the first time ever as a solo musician in acoustic mode Gilby Clarke in Australia. Dates:
July 6th 2013: Hermann's Bar Sydney w/Devine Electric - www.hermannsbar.com
July 7th 2013: Northcote Social Club Melbourne w/Dead Star Renegade - northcotesocialclub.com
Friday, June 07, 2013
FIND ME – THE NEW AOR TRANS-ATLANTIC ALLIANCE FEATURING ROBBIE LABLANC AND DANIEL FLORES: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of the anticipated Find Me album entitled Wings of Love on August 24 in Europe and August 27 in North America. Find Me sees the collaboration between singer Robbie LaBlanc from Blanc Faces together with Swedish producer and musician Daniel Flores (The Murder Of My Sweet, Mind's Eye) . It all started when Frontiers Records President Serafino Perugino, in his relentless quest for the perfect Melodic Rock album envisioned this trans-Atlantic alliance based on the mutual recognition for each other's abilities.
During 2011 Daniel started to work hard to seek and write the right songs which could create THE monster album! He knew from the beginning what was needed: rocking guitars, but fresh and spacious melodies where Robbie's vocal abilities could shine overall. Some Swedish mates, such as Sören Kronqvist (Crash the System, Sunstorm) and Erik Mårtensson (Eclipse, W.E.T., Jimi Jamison) immediately answered the call, but strong contributions also came also from now regular Frontiers songwriters such as Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline) and brothers Tom and James Martin (Vega, Sunstorm), together with Issa and Mikey Wilson.
"It's so amazing that this was born out of the imagination of music visionary Serafino onto Robbie and me, pouring our heart outs onto 12 amazing songs" says Daniel Flores. "This has been a labour of carefully chosen songs, hand picked musicians, live recording, carefully balanced arrangements and state of the art sound quality that showcases all musicians at the top of their game. This was how the giants recorded the great AOR records and so this is our love letter to that era we all grew up listening to!"
Robbie LaBlanc adds: "I remember listening to the demos and thinking, WOW, these are great songs, great players, and great lead vocals! I was very moved and driven to give everything I could to the songs. When I got the good news from Serafino and Daniel they loved it, I was happy and relieved at the same time. I admire all of the song writers, musicians, and demo singers that made this project what it turned out to be. I hope everyone digs it!"
Each song was expertly crafted bearing in mind Robbie's vocal style and Daniel's production abilities, added to the amazing performances from Daniel Palmqvist (Xorigin) on guitar and Johnny Trobro on bass and fretless, create a massive musical result guaranteed to excite all the Melodic Rock fans. "Take Journey's lesson from recent great albums like Revelation and Arrival, add it to some cool Foreigner and Def Leppard-ish and modern Swedish AOR and you'll get the idea of how Find Me is sounding" concludes Daniel Flores. Robbie says: "We are seriously going to be behind this, it's just too good to be believed". Find Me is the new Melodic Rock dream – it's up to the fans to make it a reality!
Wings of Love tracklisting includes: Road To Nowhere; Another World; Dancing To A Broken Heartbeat; Eternally; Firefight; On The Outside; One Soul; Powerless; Bottom Of My Heart; Unbreakable; Wings Of Love; Your Lips.
Samples of four songs from the album can be listened following this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=roZQaR0xOFY.
xx
"THE MOON IS SHINING (SOMEWHERE OVER THE SEA)" VIDEO FROM BLACKMORE'S NIGHT: Blackmore's Night is premiering their brand new videoclip "The Moon is Shining (Somewhere Over the Sea)" today via MUZU.tv worldwide (smarturl.it/moonisshining) and on the Eventim (Europe's largest ticketing provider) page in Germany (www.eventim.de/blackmores-night-Tickets.html?affiliate=EVE&doc=campaign&campaign=blackmores-night).
"The Moon is Shining (Somewhere Over the Sea)" is the first single taken from the forthcoming album Dancer And The Moon which will be released on June 11th in North America and June 14th in Europe in regular cd configuration and deluxe edition in digipak, including a bonus DVD featuring a 40 mins "making of the album" documentary and bonus acoustic versions of "The Spinner's Tale", "Somewhere Over The Sea/Moon Was Shining", "The Ashgrove" and "Queen For A Day". The album will also be made available in a super-deluxe edition strictly limited to 2000 copies packaged in a polyston frame with the cover artwork printed on canvas and including a black tote bag with Blackmore's Night artwork, 4 Blackmore's Night pins, a certificate of authenticity and of course the CD/DVD edition.
Formed in 1997 by Candice Night and Ritchie Blackmore, the two began working together first in Ritchie's previous group Rainbow, when Candice co-wrote a number of songs, most notably "Ariel" and "Black Masquerade" for Rainbow's 1996 album, Stranger In Us All. Dancer And The Moon is the band's 8th original studio album, with each disc topping the European and American Billboard's New Age charts. When Blackmore's Night began it's journey, sceptics had their reservations that finding an audience would be impossible. Someone once wrote that "love conquers all" and Blackmore's Night's love for the music has found an audience that loves the magic this enduring couple have been conjuring up in an almost 20-year love affair. Open your ears and your hearts, there's plenty of passion to go around.
WebLinks: www.blackmoresnight.com / www.candicenight.com.
CIRCUS MAXIMUS "NAMASTE" (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO):
Official music video from Circus Maximus' album "NINE" - Available now!
LOVERBOY HITS THE ROAD FOR THE SUMMER, FALL:
Legendary multi-platinum Canadian rockers hit the road beginning June 8 in Syracuse, N.Y.
Legendary Canadian rock and roll band Loverboy continue "Working for the Weekend"—and all week long, for that matter—with a crowded summer tour schedule that follows up their nearly year-long, 60-date stint with Journey and Pat Benatar + Neil Giraldo, that had fans and critics alike "lovin every minute of it." The iconic rockers, with their trademarked red leather pants, bandanas, anthemic sound and high-energy live shows, hit the road beginning June 8 for the Taste of Syracuse show, where they will once again open for Pat Benatar + Neil Giraldo, and won't stop until November 16, back in their home country for a benefit concert in Edmonton. The slate includes a headlining show at the PNE arena in Vancouver, BC on September 2. A tour schedule is listed below, even though the band is still adding dates.
With 30-plus years as a working rock and roll band under their red leather belts, Loverboy has sold more than 30 million albums, with four multi-platinum plaques, including the four-million-selling Get Lucky and such Top 10 perennials as "Turn Me Loose," "Working for the Weekend" and "Hot Girls in Love." The group still features the original line-up of vocalist Mike Reno, guitarist Paul Dean, drummer Matt Frenette and keyboardist Doug Johnson with bassist Ken "Spider" Sinnaeve replacing the late Scott Smith.
The band's latest Frontiers Records studio album, Rock 'n' Roll Revival, features three new tracks, two of which, "Heartbreaker" and "No Tomorrow," were produced with their original engineer Bob Rock (Metallica, Aerosmith, The Cure, Bon Jovi) at Bryan Adams' famed Warehouse Studios in Vancouver. Rock assisted Loverboy producer Bruce Fairbairn, whose work with the band was recently praised by prominent blogger Bob Lefsetz; "'Turn Me Loose' is a masterpiece…certain tracks are just undeniable. This debut was as strong as Bad Company's, as strong as ANYBODY'S!"
Among the highlights of this summer's slate of shows are gigs with Night Ranger (Fraze Pavilion, Dayton, OH, July 5 and Dutchess County Fair, Rhinebeck, NY, August 21), Creedence Clearwater Revisited (Rock on the River, Prairie du Chien, WI, July 11), Steelheart & Ratt (Halfway Jam, Royalton, MN, July 27), REO Speedwagon (Oregon State Fair, Salem, OR, August 30) and Foreigner (Seafood & Wine Festival, Panama City Beach, FL, October 19).
Today.com praised the band's recent shows: "Loverboy is embracing its past while setting its sights on a future that … will bring them more music, fans and fun."
+June 8: Taste of Syracuse (Syracuse, NY)
June 15: Avi Resort & Casino (Laughlin, NV)
June 22: Sonoma-Marin Fair (Petaluma, CA)
June 23: Alameda County Fair (Pleasanton, CA)
June 28: Bank of the West Celebrates America, Memorial Park (Omaha, NE)
June 29: Cannery Casino (Las Vegas, NV)
July 3: Summer Motion Festival (Ashland, KY)
*July 5: Fraze Pavilion (Dayton, OH)
July 7: Summerfest (Uline Stage) (Milwaukee, WI)
#July 11: Rock on the River (Prairie du Chien, WI)
July 12: 4 Bears Casino (New Town, ND)
%July 27: Halfway Jam (Royalton, MN)
July 28: 30th Annual Taste of Lincoln Avenue (Chicago, IL)
July 29: 5th Anniversary Rock 104 Party at Olds Agriculture Society Grandstand (Olds, AB)
August 2: Queen City Ex (Regina, SK)
August 3: 16th Annual Ribfest (Mankato, MN)
August 4: WLAV Anniversary Celebration (Grand Rapids, MI)
August 9: Rockin' on Riverfront, GM Renaissance Center (Detroit, MI)
August 10: The Edmonton Rock Music Festival (Edmonton, AB)
August 17: Rock n' Roar Spanish, Four Seasons Water Front Resort (Spanish, ON)
*August 21: Dutchess County Fair (Rhinebeck, NY)
*August 30: Oregon State Fair (Salem, OR)
September 2: PNE (Vancouver, B.C.)
September 6: Tennessee Valley Fair (Knoxville, TN)
September 13: Oklahoma State Fair (Oklahoma City, OK)
++October 19: Seafood & Wine Festival (Panama City Beach, FL)
+with Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo / *with Night Ranger / #with Creedence Clearwater Revisited / %with Steelheart and Ratt / **with REO Speedwagon / ++with Foreigner.
OHIO BASED ROCKERS ICONIC TONIC RELEASE 'UNDERCOVER': Iconic Tonic have revealed the cover art and track listing of their upcoming sophomore release 'Undercover'. The album will feature 2 new original I.T. tracks (Dirty Freaky Love and Fly) as well as 7 covers of some of rock/metals most well known acts, including Judas Priest, Nazareth, KISS, Lizzy Borden, WASP, Loudness, and Van Halen. The album will also include a special re-mastered version of the critically acclaimed single 'Zombie Baby' from their debut album 'Rock and Roll', previously released worldwide on Jamsync Music (Maryland, USA). 'Undercover' will be released worldwide this summer (date tbd). The album tracks 'Fly' and 'Blind in Texas' are available for streaming at www.reverbnation.com/iconictonic.
Undercover Track Listing: Dirty Freaky Love, *You Got Another Thing Comin', *Hair of The Dog, Zombie Baby, *Deuce, *Me Against The World, *Blind In Texas, Fly, *Crazy Nights, *Where Have All The Good Times Gone.
MELODIC BRIEFS: Andrzej Citowicz- Polish guitarist, a former recording artist for Down Boys Records (label belonging to Erik Turner and Jerry Dixon of Warrant) just released his free single Luvmageddon from his incoming album Ace Of Hearts (premiere of cd: 9.09. 2013) Full version of Luvmageddon is on Souncloud - soundcloud.com/andrzejcitowicz/luvmageddon-album-version. You can also download single from Official Facebook Page of Andrzej in 3 different versions…. All details you can find under this llink: www.facebook.com/andrzejcitowicz/app_197309053754828.
Taxxi's 1985 release Expose is getting a digital MP3 release on Amazon September 3.
Favored Nations is set to release the next two installments of Steve Vai's popular Naked Tracks series exclusively on Vai.com on June 6th, 2013! Naked Tracks were created to allow musicians jam over the solo-less lead guitar tracks from Steve's albums. Volume 6 features selections from Where The Wild Things Are, Sound Theories, and a handful of VaiTunes releases., Volume 7 features all tracks from Steve's latest solo release, The Story of Light. "This series of play-along CD's is designed to help create an atmosphere of focus so you can shred yourself into a personally-induced inspirational nirvana," explains Vai. To celebrate the new Naked Tracks release, Vai has released a free track available on Vai.com for download.
MRX UPDATED:
Two new Feature Albums for this week's MRX update...those being:
- Michael Breen - S/T (1987)
- The Venetians - Calling All Lions (1986) MRX Membership Details.
Thursday, June 06, 2013
THE LAUNCH OF MELODIC ROCK DIRECT - NOW OPEN:
Welcome to the official launch of MelodicRockDirect. MelodicRockDirect is the new home for MelodicRock.com (MRCDs) and MelodicRock Records product. And in time, it will also be the home of other artists selling CDs direct to fans.
Right now though, the site features all the currently available MRR titles at new prices and all the MelodicRock.com compilations on CD at sale prices. Plus - for the very first time, there are digital downloads available for the full album compilations MRCD1 through to MRCD8.
MRCD9 and 10 will be added later. MRCD1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 are all out of print, so you can get them digitally if missing them from your collections. And you will notice that the downloads are available in MP3 or lossless FLAC download format.
A few of the titles come complete with full art files too – those being MRCD4, 5, 6 and 7.
Individual songs are NOT yet available. I'll look into that at a later date, but many of the compilation songs are not available to be on-sold separately. MRR titles are not listed digitally as most are already on iTunes etc...
Also added today for the launch of the MRD site is the long out of print Harem Scarem - MelodicRock EP - featuring 5 exclusively recorded acoustic tracks. Details at MelodicRockDirect.
So enjoy the site and stay tuned for lots more to come. Feedback and questions welcomed! The site is open for purchases and instantly delivered downloads now!
ESCAPE MUSIC ANNOUNCE RELEASE OF THE DEBUT ALBUM FROM LAWLESS: Escape Music announce the July 19 release of the debut album from Lawless - Rock Savage.
At the tail end of 2012, current Demon members Neil Ogden and Paul Hume felt a new project was needed to shake up rock music on the European circuit. Joined by Persian Risk guitar maestro Howie G and HeadrusH bassist Josh "Tabbie" Williams, Lawless have an 80's anthemic classic rock vibe which has been brought right up to the 21st century with the hooks all rock and metal fans are crying out for. With influences from the likes of Gotthard, Queensryche, Dio, Saxon, Scorpions and many more the band focus on catchy vocal melodies backed by soaring harmonies and meaty riffs which is driven by pounding bass and thumping drum work.
The quartet from North Staffordshire, England plan to take the European rock and metal market by storm with their debut album Rock Savage which is due for release mid-summer and there will be a tour to follow. Exciting news indeed.
Line-up: Paul Hume - Vocals, Guitar (Demon); Neil Ogden - Drums (Demon); Howie G - Lead Guitars (Persian Risk); Josh (Tabbie) Williams - Bass.
Track List: Heavy Metal Heaven / Black Widow Ladies / F.O.A.D / Misery / SOS / Rock n Roll City / Step In / Scream / Pretender / Where Heroes Fall / Metal Time.
Produced and Mixed by Hume / Ogden.
WebLink: www.Escape-Music.com.
BRIGHTON ROCK COMPLETE NEW KISS COVER FOR TRIBUTE: Brighton Rock have just completed their first studio track in over 21 years. The newly reformed BR (with all 5 original members) are taking part in the upcoming Kiss tribute record A World With Heroes and recorded the track Creatures In The Night which will be released Aug. 27. Brighton Rock are also in the process of recording a new full length original record & hoping to have it released in early 2014. BR will also be back in the UK this Oct. playing at Firefest 10. You can check out BR playing Kiss's "Creatures In The Night" here: www.pledgemusic.com/projects/kiss40thtribute/updates/22328.
For all Brighton Rock updates you can check out: www.brightonrock.ca & www.facebook.com/groups/BrightonRock.
GENTRY IS BACK WITH NEW SINGLE "PATIENTLY": Gentry (featuring the songs of Gary Gentry, with appearences by Cindy Burch, Randy Gentry, Kandie Anderton, Joseph Mabalot from Sevenspell) has released new single "Patiently" from the 5 song Gentry CD written by Gary Gentry. "Patiently" is available for download at www.amazon.com and www.cdbaby.com/cd/garygentry.
INTRODUCING FOREST FIELD: Forest Field is a new project with the intent of creating an ear caressing combination of ambient / new age typed instrumentals with vocal Progressive Rock songs. The name originates from the local name for the region where founder Peter Cox lives.
Tracks: 1. 2 Many Mondays (3:20) 2. Imaginary Queens (6:19) 3. Tuesday I Think (2:30) 4. Phoenix For The Sunrise (7:08) 5. Wonderful Wednesday (1:18) 6. Set Me Free (5:44) 7. Thursday Thunder (2:33) 8. Looking For Someone (5:35) 9. Freaky Friday (2:39) 10. Time (5:21) 11. Lazy Saturday Swim (2:36) 12. Places Never Seen (6:15) 13. Serious Sunday (2:00).
Musicians: Phil Vincent: all vocals on 2, 6 and 10 (www.philvincentbands.com); Aukje Peeters: lead vocals on 4 and 12, harmony vocals on 4; Joris Peeters: lead vocals on 12; Sander Stappers: bass on 2,3 and 10; Sue Straw: harmony vocals on 4; Peter Cox: everything else, so all guitars, bass, keyboards, programming, harmony vocals on 4, all vocals on 8, etc.
At this moment the album is only available in digital formats or on Demand. A CD version will soon be available through CDBaby and the band's label Rock Company. Checkout the EPK at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1alvS16SoQ.
WebLink: www.forestfield.nl.
Wednesday, June 05, 2013
AOR CULT HERO JEFF CANNATA RESURRECTS THE ARC ANGEL MONIKER: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of the return album from Arc Angel entitled Harlequins of Light on August 24 in Europe and August 27 in North America. Arc Angel is a musical creature masterminded by none other than AOR cult hero Jeff Cannata, who debuted under this moniker in 1982 on the Portrait/CBS label. Produced with the assistance of legendary industry figures such as Tony Bongiovi, Lennie Petze and Lance Quinn (Bon Jovi), Arc Angel as an album is - to date - still highly regarded among the melodic rock community. Cannata later on started a solo career which spawned the critically acclaimed albums "Images of Forever" (1988), "Watching the World" (1993) and the more recent "Tamorok" and "Mysterium Magnum", which display a more Progressive Rock edge.
During 2012 Cannata made contact with Frontiers, and decision was made to resurrect the Arc Angel moniker for a new release entitled "Harlequins of Light". The new record metaphorically builds a bridge between Cannata's different musical eras: from the commercial and pompous Melodic Rock of the early eighties, to the more Prog and Hi-tech musical material of his most recent solo albums.
Jeff Cannata said: "It's interesting how your life comes full circle. In 1970 my first real band, Jasper Wrath, also featured James Christian on vocals. We had it all but then we split up. You live, you learn. In 2011, after I started studying cinematography and script writing, I got a call from James to shoot the new House of Lords video "Someday When". A few months after, I get the chance to send Serafino my new demos. We discuss a follow up Arc Angel record. I get the green light. Traditionally, 5 years pass between Cannata CD's, this new project was written and recorded in 6 months. No time to really think about it and for some reason the songs just came. You can go on and on, you never get it ALL. But that's why you keep coming back: to see if maybe you can…"
To add fuel to the fire, Jeff has re-recorded a classic song from his now rare album "Images of Forever" – "Fortune Teller" for a splendid new version for new and old fans' delight.
Believe it or not, Arc Angel are back and once again delivers a mesmerizing package of music – and in doing so, keeps up his time honoured tradition of releasing quality product to the melodic rock world.
"Harlequins of Light" includes the following songs: Harlequins Of Light; As Far As The Eye Can See; War (Battle Wounds Of Life); Voice Of Illuminati; Through The Night; Amnesia (The Rest Of Your Life); Fortune Teller 2; California Daze; Tonight… Forever; Get To You; Diamonds And Gold; Legend Of The Mary Celeste.
It is possible to sample four album tracks following this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gln_-MQ10VI.
Arc Angel - "Harlequins of Light" / Jeff Cannata: Lead and Background Vocals, Drums, Bass, Keyboards, Guitars; With - Jeff Batter: Acoustic Piano, Synths; Jay Rowe: Organ, Synths; Scott Spray: Bass Guitar; David Coe: Acoustic Guitar; Jimi Bell, Gary Maus, Andy Abel, Tony Spada, Mark Proto, Jay Jesse Johnson: Lead Guitars; Pete Hodson: Background Vocals, Synth; Produced By Jeff Cannata; Weblink: www.cannatamusic.com.
xx
NEW 180 GRAM GATEFOLD SLEEVE COLORED VINYL FROM SEBASTIAN BACH:
Iconic rock vocalist Sebastian Bach is proud to announce the forthcoming release of two brand new vinyl editions: one for his most recent studio album, Kicking & Screaming, and one for his recent live album, Abachalypse Now (taken from the CD/DVD package of the same name). The UK label Rock Classics, under license from Frontiers Records, will issue both. Kicking & Screaming, will be available on 180 gram, limited edition single red gatefold vinyl on June 17 and can be pre-ordered here. Abachalypse Now will be released on 180 gram, limited edition double colored gatefold vinyl later in June, exact street date to be announced, and can be pre-ordered here. One disc of the set will be transparent blue and the other clear. In other news, Bach fans worldwide can click here to check out the video for "American Metalhead," taken from the CD/DVD package Abachalypse Now. Sebastian Bach's latest studio album, Kicking & Screaming, was produced by Bob Marlette and debuted in the Top 75 of the Billboard Top 200 Album chart and received rave reviews from critics and fans alike. Outburn declared, "Sebastian Bach delivers a balls out gang of mountainous hooks, titanic grooves and straight down the middle hard rock." Sebastian Bach's recent CD/DVD package, Abachalypse Now, also received stellar praise, with Revolver avowing that "the fact remains that Sebastian Bach is still one of the most dynamic frontmen…" Bach was recently named one of the 100 greatest living rock stars by Revolver.
Sebastian Bach has sold in excess of 20 million records worldwide as lead singer with his former band, Skid Row and as a solo artist. Far from just being a multi-platinum recording artist, the singer/songwriter/actor/entertainer has expanded his career over the past decade to include episodic television with a 5-season recurring role on the CW's hit series "Gilmore Girls", starring roles on Broadway ("Jekyll & Hyde", "The Rocky Horror Picture Show") and national touring companies ("Jesus Christ Superstar"), and has appeared regularly on MTV and VH1.
Bach on the web: www.sebastianbach.com / www.facebook.com/sebastianbach / www.frontiers.it.
THE DEAD DAISIES ADDED TO U.S. UPROAR FESTIVALS: The Dead Daisies are offering their 4 track EP - FREE - via download now. Check out www.rockstaruproar.com/dead-daises-dl/ for details.
Off the back of Aerosmith's Australian tour, The Dead Daisies are now preparing an invasion of U.S. soil in August & September 2013 for the fourth annual Rockstar Energy Uproar Festival. Alongside heavyweight rockers Alice in Chains and Jane's Addiction, the band will Headline the Coldcock Herbal Whiskey Showcase Stage which will also feature performances from breaking talent Beware Of Darkness and Charming Liars, with more artists still to be announced. The touring rock music and lifestyle festival is set to make its way right across North America, with twenty-five dates from August 9 to September 15.
The Dead Daisies' have just released their debut single "LockNLoad" on iTunes, a classic hard-hitting rock track co-written by and featuring The Dead Daisies' vocalist Jon Stevens and iconic guitarist Slash which has already garnered attention from radio and television stations around Australia. Giving the American audience a taste of things to come, a 4-track EP entitled "Man Overboard" featuring songs from the bands upcoming US release will be available for free download via the Rockstar Uproar Tour website (www.rockstaruproar.com/dead-daises-dl/).
"The Dead Daisies have just finished a run of dates with Aerosmith and it's been great playing to different audiences around Australia. Now we are heading to the States on the Uproar tour - really love touring the U.S. and can't wait to play over 25 shows across the country!" - Jon Stevens. "Playing with The Dead Daisies has been a sweet ride. Performing with some of the best in the music industry, and on the same stages with some of the great bands in the world - Aerosmith, ZZ Top and KISS, has left a lasting impression on me. As a band we are excited to be on the Rockstar Uproar Festival in August/September and can't wait to give the U.S. a taste of The Dead Daisies" – David Lowy.
The Dead Daisies are vocalist Jon Stevens (Noiseworks, INXS), lead guitarist Richard Fortus (Guns N' Roses, Thin Lizzy), rhythm guitarist David Lowy (Mink, The Angels), bassist Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy, Ted Nugent, Whitesnake), drummer Charley Drayton (Divinyls, Cold Chisel), and joining them on keys Dizzy Reed from Guns'N'Roses. 'The Dead Daisies play good ol' fashioned rock music and are darn good at it too.' – The Music 'They work because they just play rock and roll.' – Hypnotic Radio 'They are not exactly unseasoned performers and, together, they have something pretty special; something that caught the crowd's attention from the outset.' – Rock Club 40!
Date -- Market -- Venue
Fri 9-Aug Scranton, PA Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain
Sat 10-Aug Hartford, CT The Comcast Theater
Sun 11-Aug Darien Center, NY Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
Tue 13-Aug Saratoga, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Wed 14-Aug Mansfield, MA Comcast Center
Fri 16-Aug Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live
Sat 17-Aug Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
Sun 18-Aug Wantagh, NY Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
Tue 20-Aug Toronto, ON Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
Thu 22-Aug Tinley Park, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Fri 23-Aug Noblesville, IN Klipsch Music Center
Sat 24-Aug Clarkston, MI DTE Energy Music Theater
Tue 27-Aug Oklahoma City, OK Zoo Amphitheatre
Wed 28-Aug Dallas, TX Gexa Energy Pavilion
Thu 29-Aug The Woodlands, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Sat 31-Aug Albuquerque, NM Isleta Amphitheatre
Sun 1-Sept Denver, CO Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre
Mon 2-Sept Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
Thu 5-Sept Nampa, ID Idaho Center Amphitheatre
Sat 7-Sept George, WA The George Amphitheatre
Sun 8-Sept Ridgefield, WA Sleep Country Amphitheatre
Wed 11-Sept San Francisco, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
Fri 13-Sept Phoenix, AZ Desert Sky Pavilion
Sat 14-Sept Chula Vista, CA Sleep Train Amphitheatre
Sun 15-Sept Irvine, CA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
The Rockstar Energy Uproar Festival is made possible through the support of sponsors including Rockstar Energy Drink, Ernie Ball Guitar Strings, Zippo Lighters, Schecter Guitar Research, Air Force Reserve, Youth Smoking Prevention Campaign, Squatch, Matador Beef Jerky, Lunarpages. www.RockstarUPROAR.com / www.facebook.com/RockstarUPROAR.
GREGG ROLIE TO PLAY 'SANDSTOCK' VIRGINIA BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL:
Houston, TX - Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Gregg Rolie, best known for his vocals and keyboard work with legendary music groups Santana and Journey, will be performing at 'Sandstock' Virginia Beach Music Festival on June 22, 2013. The Gregg Rolie Band will be playing electrifying versions of several Santana classics such as "Evil Ways", "Black Magic Woman", "Soul Sacrifice", "Jingo" and "No One To Depend On" as well as tracks from Rolie's previous studio effort 'Roots', along with new songs. The Gregg Rolie Band consists of Adrian Areas (son of original Santana percussionist Jose Chepito Areas) on Timbales, drummer Ron Wikso (The Storm/David Lee Roth/Richie Sambora), Elliot "Toby" Borrero on congas, Rocket Ritchotte on guitars, internationally acclaimed bassist Gary Brown and former Jean Luc Ponty keyboardist Wally Minko.
From his work with Santana and Journey, Gregg Rolie is no stranger to great musicianship. Given his experience and his desire to make the music the best it can be, he has chosen some of the best musicians in the world to bring his band and its music to life. Gregg was determined to resurrect the sound he helped shape and make famous as Santana's original lead singer and keyboard player, while at the same time bringing it forward to the 21st century. To do that required finding just the right mix of experience, musicianship and chemistry. Having worked with some of the biggest names in music over the years and having toured the world many times over, these musicians have the skills to interpret this music in the way it is meant to be interpreted, as Gregg so intimately knows.
Says Gregg, "The band is great because we all really enjoy each other, and I think the sound reflects the fun we are having." The Gregg Rolie Band will also be performing this summer at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on June 28th and the Bluesfest International Canada on July 13.
In other news, after a successful tour with Ringo Starr's All Star Band in the Pacific Rim, which included dates in Australia, New Zealand and Japan, Gregg Rolie will be touring with Ringo and the band again this fall! Gregg, along with Steve Lukather, Todd Rundgren, Richard Page, Mark Rivera, Gregg Bissonette and of course, Ringo Starr, will head to Latin America for 14 shows, with two dates in the US, at The Palms in Las Vegas just before Thanksgiving. Visit Gregg's website for updated tour information: greggrolie.com/tour.html.
Finally, check out the new CD by Gregg Rolie & Alan Haynes titled 'Live At The Iridium', which is exclusively available and can be purchased at Gregg Rolie's website: www.bitvibe.com/products/gregg-rolie-live-at-the-iridium-cd. Taken from one of Gregg and Alan's duo performances at the esteemed Iridium Club in New York City, this Live CD captures the essence of the duo in action, in an intimate setting. Gregg brings stories of the glory days of Santana, the early days of Journey, and great new arrangements of classics like "Look Into The Future", "Evil Ways", "Anytime" and "Black Magic Woman". Also included, brilliant new material from his recent solo project, including the touching "If I Went Home", a song 30 years in the making about his falling out with the band Journey. Armed with a Steinway grand, and Texas Strat-slinger Alan Haynes, Gregg Rolie transforms his stadium rockers into an exciting and personal night club show.
For more information: www.GreggRolie.com. Video of the Gregg Rolie Band and Carlos Santana live: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDwiZYL21To&.
FM AT THE RIVER ROOMS - SPECIAL GUEST CONFIRMED: FM are delighted to confirm Toby Jepson as Special Guest for their show at The River Rooms in Stourbridge on Sunday 28 July 2013. Toby will be performing an acoustic set at this show. Having made his name as singer / songwriter with Little Angels Toby has over the years also performed as vocalist with Fastway, Gun and Dio's Disciples. Alongside his solo career he is also developing a growing reputation as a producer, working on releases by acts such as The Virginmarys, The Answer, Saxon and Chrome Molly. Tickets to see FM with Special Guest Toby Jepson are available from The River Rooms at: www.theriverrooms.com/FM.html.
FM will also be taking to the stage ahead of Saxon at Steelhouse Festival the day before their show at The River Rooms. Full details at www.steelhousefestival.com.
DARYL HALL'S TV CAREER EXPANDS INTO HOME RESTORATION: Daryl Hall is a true renaissance man for all seasons, with his interests in music and home restoration the subjects of two different TV shows on four individual cable networks and national syndication. One could say he's building that resume from the ground up as the record-setting musician displays his talents as a builder and designer on Daryl's Restoration Over-Hall, a new show debuting on Scripps Networks Interactive's DIY Network in 2014. Hall and his manager Jonathan Wolfson are executive producers, and Michael Morrissey is the director. Daryl's Restoration Over-Hall joins Live from Daryl's House, his critically acclaimed, award-winning, web-to-cable series, which can currently be seen on Viacom's high-def network Palladia, RFD-TV, FamilyNet and in national syndication. Production of Live from Daryl's House, which has produced 62 episodes to date, resumes in the fall.
DIY Network, HGTV's sister property, originally contacted Hall upon learning of his interest in vintage architecture. Daryl, who has previously restored a number of antique homes, including the 18th century farmhouse in Dutchess County, N.Y., where his Live from Daryl's House regularly takes place, will tackle a late Georgian house circa 1780 located on the Fairfield-Litchfield County border of Connecticut, where DIY Network's cameras will follow his progress on a weekly basis.
"The purpose of my new show is to restore an antique New England house, showing how it can be done in an authentic manner, keeping the original elements and making it consistent with the modern world," said Hall. "I also want to feature the important community of crafts-people, who are expert in authentic restoration."
In Daryl's Restoration Over-Hall, Hall plans to revive the quaint 1-bedroom into a new family home that was originally built by a widowed sea captain. His care in historically accurate restoration must be melded with the mandates of modernity and small town regulations. Hall will bring in a team of craftsmen he has worked with over the years. He also plans on involving the American College of Building Arts in Charleston, S.C., which is the only school in America with an accredited program in this field. "This is yet another way of putting my creativity and my other passions aside from music out there, so they can all mix together", Hall added, "We have a legacy of unique antique architecture here in America. Unfortunately, in many cases, they have been let go, demolished or altered inconsistently to their original character."
ROB HALFORD AND DAVE MUSTAINE INTERVIEWED ON HANGAR 19: Envision Radio Networks' Hangar 19 continues to welcome some of heavy metal's biggest names as guests on the program each week. The "Metal God" himself, Rob Halford from Judas Priest, recently graced the Hangar 19 airwaves with his presence to discuss a number of topics with host Cutter, including the band's brand new live DVD Epitaph. He addressed the subject of future Judas Priest tour dates with some good news that will be pleasing to metal fans worldwide. "There's no way you can put the brakes on rock n' roll. There's always another stage to play somewhere in the world… We are just going to slow it down a little bit… There's a lot more to come from Priest without a doubt."
After being in metal for 40 years, Halford reflected on the one moment that stands out most for Judas Priest: "I always have to go right to the beginning. That day that we all received the one copy of our new record in the mail... It's just a tremendous rush, because you feel this could be the moment…when you know that you have made something that could go away from your shores to other points around the world, and your music can touch people thousands of miles away… it's just a blast."
This coming weekend, Hangar 19 will welcome another metal legend Dave Mustaine of Megadeth. The metal veteran joined Hangar 19 to talk about all things Megadeth, including this year's touring plans and the new album Super Collider. He says that the inspiration for the new collection came about naturally commenting, "You got to live life in between records to have something to write about, and man I have lived a lot of life." The album finds Megadeth heading in a different direction and Mustaine acknowledges that he's aware of the feedback sharing that "The people who have heard it… [said] you're kind of taking a risk here."
The podcast version of Dave Mustaine's complete interview will be available early next week. You can listen to the Rob Halford interview now at www.hangar19radio.com via this direct link: www.hangar19radio.com/interview-rob-halford-of-judas-priest/
Rock out with Hangar 19 on Twitter at www.twitter.com/hangar19radio and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hangar19radio.
Each weekend, Hangar 19 relives the glory days of classic metal and features music from the artists and groups who built this explosive genre including Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Pantera, Metallica, Anthrax, Judas Priest, Korn, Slayer and Marilyn Manson. Host Cutter stops down from the nostalgia just long enough to highlight new metal in a weekly "Then and New" segment and interview the metal greats that helped mold the speaker-shredding musical movement such as Rob Halford of Judas Priest, Dave Ellefson of Megadeth, and George Lynch of Dokken.
Tuesday, June 04, 2013
FRONTIERS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE THREE LIONS: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the signing of an exciting brand new British 3 piece rock band called Three Lions. This new band consists of Vinny Burns (Dare, Ten, Asia) on guitars, Greg Morgan (Dare, Ten) on drums and introduces the talents of Nigel Bailey on vocals and bass guitar. Three Lions formed when Vinny, Greg and Nigel were introduced by Frontiers Records President Serafino Perugino to producer Alessandro Del Vecchio at Firefest in October 2012. The guys hit it off straight away and immediately set about writing new material for an album. The songs were written without an agenda and these songs were sent to Perugino for consideration, who loved the material and immediately commissioned an album.
12 songs were chosen, (2 of which see the band collaborating with Del Vecchio) and recording commenced at The Viper Room and Coil Tap Studios in the UK and then at Ivory Tears Studio in Milan, Italy.
"We set out to write good songs, the only criteria was that all of us liked them" said Nigel Bailey, "Working with Vinny and Greg has been a blast and we were all determined to make the best album possible and are immensely proud of the songs that have made it onto the final record". From the eastern influenced Kathmandu, to the driving power of Hellfire Highway and Twisted Soul, to the heartfelt ballads Made For One Another and Don't Let Me Fall. This new album in the works promises to deliver passionate performances from the guys. Vinny's trademark guitar work is, as you would expect, filled with emotion and feel. "I wanted to start with a blank canvas for the guitars" says Vinny. "This album allowed me to show a different side to my playing whilst retaining the familiar sound and feel fans of Dare and Ten will recognise". "Working with Vinny again has been great fun and Nigel brings something new to the table" said Greg. "This is definitely a record made by a band, not just a studio project, and that really comes across in the songs. We had an instant connection as musicians but also as people and we cannot wait to get out and perform these songs live soon". Check them out at www.facebook.com/threelionsuk. Three Lions make their live debut supporting Snakecharmer at the Manchester Academy on Friday June 21st 2013 - Hear The Roar!!!
L to R: Greg Morgan, Nigel Bailey, Vinny Burns.
JAPANESE RE-ISSUE FRENZY PART 44:
Another swag of interesting Japanese re-issues are due out in the coming months. The details below. To pre-order any of these titles with confidence, visit CD Japan - www.cdjapan.co.jp.
Cheap Trick - Budokan! Release Date:2013/07/24 / Japanese original release of a live CD and DVD set from Cheap Trick features the concert held at Nippon Budokan on April 28, 1978. CD includes 19 live tracks featuring the high-fidelity Blu-spec CD2 format (compatible with standard CD players). DVD features footage from the concert at Nippon Budokan on April 28, 1978 (15 songs), their 30th anniversary concert in 2008 (2 songs), comments from members, and more bonus video footage. Also includes liner notes. *The DVD disc is encoded for region 2 (Japan, Europe, and Middle East), and no subtitles are included. *Blu-spec CD2 is the next generation Compact Disc that employs the Phase Transition Mastering, the technology developed for mastering of Blu-ray discs, to further perfect the acclaimed characteristics of Blu-spec CD. Fully compatible with standard CD players, Blu-spec CD2 completely alters the experience of music.
Daryl Hall & John Oates - Private Eyes, H2O, Big Bam Boom / Release Date:2013/07/24 / Part of a three-album Daryl Hall & John Oates Blu-spec CD2 reissue series. *Blu-spec CD2 is the next generation Compact Disc that employs the Phase Transition Mastering, the technology developed for mastering of Blu-ray discs, to further perfect the acclaimed characteristics of Blu-spec CD. Fully compatible with standard CD players, Blu-spec CD2 completely alters the experience of music.
Starship - Knee Deep In The Hoopla Release Date:2013/07/24 / Features the high-fidelity Blu-spec CD2 format (compatible with standard CD players). Comes with a description and lyrics.
Toto - Isolation & Fahrenheit / Release Date:2013/07/24 / Reissue features the high-fidelity Blu-spec CD2 format (compatible with standard CD players). Part of a two-album Toto Blu-spec CD2 reissue series.
Y&T EUROPEAN TOUR - Fall 2013:
The dates for the Y&T European Tour Fall 2013 are as follows:
September 14 ~ Raismes, France - Raismes Fest
September 17 ~ Bilston, UK - Robin 2
September 19 ~ Glasgow, UK - ABC O2 Academy
September 20 ~ Newcastle, UK - O2 Academy
September 21 ~ Nottingham, UK - Rock City
September 22 ~ York, UK - Fibbers
September 24 ~ Manchester, UK - Manchester Academy
September 25 ~ Bristol, UK - O2 Academy
September 26 ~ Southampton, UK - The Brook
September 27 ~ London, UK - O2 Academy
September 28 ~ Vaureal, France - Le Forum
October 1 ~ Verviers, Belgium - Spirit of 66
October 4 ~ Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos-Saal
October 5 ~ Isernhagen, Germany - Blues Garage
October 6 ~ Nurnberg, Germany - Hirsch
October 8 ~ Munich, Germany - Backstage Club
October 9 ~ Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7 Konzertfabrik
October 11 ~ Leewarden, Netherlands - Poppodium Romein
October 12 ~ Uden, Netherlands - de Pul
October 13 ~ Haarlem, Netherlands - Patronaat
October 15 ~ Bochum, Germany - Zeche
October 16 ~ Dudenhofen, Germany - Festhalle
October 17 ~ Colmar, France - Le Grillen
October 19 ~ Bellagio, Italy - Palazzetto dello Sport Bellagio
October 24 ~ Stockholm, Sweden - Debaser Medis
October 25 ~ Gothenburg, Sweden - Sticky Fingers
October 26 ~ Malmo, Sweden - KB Kulturbolaget
October 31 ~ Valencia, Spain - Rock City
November 1 ~ Barcelona, Spain - Salamandra
November 2 ~ Santander, Spain - Escenario Santander
ACCEPT ANNOUNCE DOCUMENTARY PLANS AND ASK FANS TO PARTICIPATE IN ITS MAKING:
This year, German metal legends Accept are headlining European festivals, preparing a new album as well as working on their first live DVD and CD featuring Wolf Hoffmann, Peter Baltes, Mark Tornillo, Herman Frank & Stefan Schwarzmann. The Teutonic Metal band has touched the lives of so many fans and musicians alike along the way in their 30+ year career. Having inspired legions of fans with songs like Fast As A Shark and Metal Heart; Accept helped create the Speed Metal genre. This time, however, it is the band that is inspired by the fans. With the making of new music on the horizon and their busy schedule, the band is eager to share even more of themselves with their loyal following by announcing the making of the first official Accept documentary. From their humble beginnings as a garage band in their German home town of Solingen in the late 70s, their 80s Balls To The Wall glory days, and all the way up their most successful re-incarnation with power house vocalist Mark Tornillo. This is a very proud and important moment for the 'German Heavy Metal Band'.
Accept invites everybody who has ever crossed paths with the band to head over to their official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/accepttheband): To submit pictures, letters, recordings, videos, films, memorabilia, stories, simply anything and everything Accept. We invite producers, music industry professionals, promoters, writers, photographers, families, friends, and other musicians whether you've stayed connected with or only passed through the doors to participate - including a special invitation to (our former frontman) Udo and all the musicians who have been performing Accept songs for more than 30 years.
If you were deeply touched by whatever Accept was and is, you are invited to contribute to the archives which will be used for the long awaited and forthcoming Accept documentary. Many have had their lives influenced and changed and enriched by Accept including Lasse in Sweden for instance, who owns the largest Accept memorabilia collection on the planet. "These are our heroes and we owe them the recognition and a place in Accept's documented history," says guitarist Wolf Hoffmann.
Helming the project will be Stefan Kaufmann. Under his command (as an expert of Accept's history) and alongside the band, he will whip the project into shape in order to capture the legacy for all. Peter Baltes adds, "This is not the story of one musician or their 'personal success'; it is ultimately about a band from Germany who defined and inspired more than one music genre."
Fans can submit their material via the Accept Facebook page www.facebook.com/Accepttheband including posting on the Accept Facebook wall all or by sending a Facebook Message or by emailing the band at: acceptology@gmail.com. Remember Accept is looking for: Live photos, stories of meeting the band, fan gatherings, tattoos, ticket stubs, ads (print/audio/video), artwork, collectibles, various merchandise, t-shirts, denim jackets, magazine covers, magazine articles and so much more."
SUNSET STRIP MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES JOAN JETT AS 2013 FESTIVAL HONOREE:
Multi-platinum selling, iconic rock goddess Joan Jett has been selected as the festival honoree at this year's Sunset Strip Music Festival (SSMF), taking place in West Hollywood August 1-3. Since co-founding the pioneering all-girl punk quintet The Runaways at age 15, Jett has continued to be an originator, innovator, visionary--and a pivotal figure in the history of The Sunset Strip. As with previous SSMF honorees, Jett will be celebrated at an exclusive VIP event Thursday, August 1 at the House of Blues Sunset Strip, kicking off the three-day music festival. There she will be presented with the coveted "Elmer Valentine Award" and, immediately following the tribute ceremony, lucky attendees will enjoy a full live performance by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. Tickets for the event are extremely limited; see info below. In addition to the VIP reception, the City of West Hollywood will honor Jett by officially proclaiming Thursday, August 1 "Joan Jett Day." "I actually lived on the Strip, right across the street from the Whisky," said Joan Jett. "The Sunset Strip is a piece of rock 'n roll history. I never thought all of those insane times would turn into an award, but I'm very honored, and inspired to keep making music."
This marks the sixth installment of the award ceremony and the Sunset Strip Music Festival, which celebrates the music and icons that have made an impact on the legacy of The Strip. The event debuted in 2008 with the recognition of Lou Adler, Mario Maglieri and Elmer Valentine, founders of cornerstone Sunset Strip venues The Roxy Theatre, Rainbow Bar & Grill and Whisky A Go-Go. In 2009, Ozzy Osbourne received the "Elmer Valentine Award," which was thusly named after the passing of original honoree Valentine. The 2010 award went to Slash, in 2011 Mötley Crüe was recognized, and in 2012 The Doors were celebrated.
"It is my honor and pleasure to take part in inducting the first female music superstar, Joan Jett, to the exclusive group of Sunset Strip icons to receive the coveted 'Elmer Valentine Award,'" says SSMF Festival Managing Director Karmen Beck. "We are delighted to celebrate Joan Jett who has so much influenced the history of the legendary boulevard."
The sixth annual three-day music festival officially gets underway with the 2013 honoree award presentation and tribute event on Thursday at the House of Blues Sunset Strip, followed up with special high-profile shows in the world famous music venues on The Sunset Strip Thursday and Friday nights, and culminates on Saturday, August 3 with a 3-11 PM street festival.
As in years past for the Saturday event, Sunset Boulevard will be closed to traffic between Doheny Drive and San Vicente Boulevard and transformed into a premier concert destination with two outdoor stages, beer gardens, an artist autograph tent, an outdoor VIP rooftop lounge, silent disco, VIP Lounge at On The Rox, food trucks and interactive experiences.
Tickets for the SSMF 2013 street festival are on sale now via the official ticketing provider, Eventbrite, at: sunsetstrip.eventbrite.com. Ticket options include general admission August 3 street festival ticket for $79 and a VIP option for $145, which includes access to the rooftop VIP area with views of the West stage, VIP areas in the beer garden and venues, access to VIP lounge On The Rox, a separate entrance and additional perks. A limited number of three-day VIP passes are available for $250 via sunsetstrip.eventbrite.com. The three-day VIP pass allows VIP access to all three nights of music in the venues pending capacity, the Saturday street festival and the exclusive tribute event celebrating Joan Jett on August 1. As previously announced, a significant portion of this year's ticket sales will benefit Music For Relief, a nonprofit organization to support disaster relief, provide aid to survivors of natural disasters and support the prevention of such disasters via environmental programs.
SSMF thanks its supporters including Jack Daniel's, Gibson Guitar, Hornburg Land Rover/Jaguar, Bud Light. Monster Energy, 98.7 fm, KTLA, Eventbrite, City of West Hollywood, Visit West Hollywood.
For the latest Sunset Strip Music Festival news, visit www.sunsetstripmusicfestival.com, like www.facebook.com/sunsetstripmusicfestival and follow Twitter.com/SSMF.
SCOTTY DUNBAR SET TO KICK OFF SOLO TOUR ON JUNE 9:
On Sunday, June 9, national recording artist Scotty Dunbar will kick off his "Life in Reverse" solo tour. The first show will take place at Voices Rock Club on June 9 in Lowell, Massachusetts with special guests 3 Parts Dead and Micah Howeson. Dunbar will be on the road throughout the summer and late fall of this year. Dunbar will then hit the road and serve as direct support to acclaimed 80's rockers JetBoy on their mini East Coast reunion tour which kicks off in Buffalo, NY on June 27. Other highlighted stops on Dunbar's "Life in Reverse" tour will include a performance at the world famous Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, CA with Michael Sweet and Oz Fox of Stryper and Mike Tramp of White Lion, as well as at Skull Fest in North Platte, NE and Wolf Fest in Arvada, CO.
In May 2012, Down Boys Records, owned and operated by Jerry Dixon and Erik Turner of Warrant, released Scotty Dunbar's solo EP "In A Mellow Mood." The EP featured guest performances by Michael Sweet of Stryper and Louis St. August of MASS. "In A Mellow Mood" debuted at the following positions on Amazon: # 1 on the "Hot New Releases In Pop Rock Chart," # 1 on the "Hot New Releases In Euro Pop Chart," and #3 on the "Best Sellers In Euro Pop Chart." Dunbar is set to release a new single entitled "Here's to Rock N' Roll" in late June. For booking inquiries, please contact www.tnpbooking.com. Tour dates and more info: www.facebook.com/scottdunbar.
CD SHOWCASE UPDATED:
A big CD Showcase update today - adding the following new albums for fans to check out: Jorn, Magnus Karlsson & Blackmore's Night (all Frontiers Records, June 14 release); State Cows (Avenue Of Allies, out now); Indicco & Markonee (New Venture Music, out June 14); and the following re-issues from Rock Candy (all available now): Blue Murder, Chevy, Freddie Salem, Wild Horses, Head East & Dark Star. Check them all out now!
MELODICROCK FEST 3 - TICKETING UPDATE:
For those that have purchased tickets to the melodic rock event of 2013 - MelodicRockFest 3 - all tickets and VIP passes are ready to send out and will be done over the next day or so...so watch your mailboxes in the coming days! For those that haven't yet decided to join the party - there is plenty of time left - tickets are available at: www.melodicrockfest.com and www.homebarchicago.com.
Monday, June 03, 2013
NEW REVIEWS ONLINE: New Reviews are online now for: The Poodles, Burning Rain, Vega, Kingdom Come, Tainted Nation, Vindictiv, Giuntini Project, Laneslide, Charming Grace, Paris, Mike Tramp, Code Of Silence, Redrum, Heartbreak Radio, Wild Rose. Read The Reviews Now.
BABY ANIMALS RETURN TO THE SPOTLIGHT IN 2013:
You heard right, the Baby Animals are back with their third studio album, the first in twenty years. This Is Not The End is out now via Social Family Records. To celebrate the release of the album the band have announced today that they will tour the East Coast of Australia this June. It's been two decades since their last full-length studio album and the Baby Animals strike a familiar pose with their enigmatic singer Suze DeMarchi and her talismanic guitarist Dave Leslie returning for action. They're joined by rhythm section comprising of two familiar faces in Dario Bortolin on bass and Mick Skelton on drums.
This is Not the End is a genuine rock album with a return to classic Baby Animals form that their fans will love. The Perth-born singer and guitarist Dave Leslie has either penned or co-written all songs on this album, some of which draw on the break-up of Suze's marriage with guitar hero Nuno Bettencourt. The album was produced by ARIA award-winning producer David Nicholas (Inxs, Ash), and Nick DiDia (Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots) also lent his considerable skill on the record's first single Email. "I'm really, really proud of this album. I love every track and I can't wait to perform these songs on tour. I love playing live; gigs really are the pay off. We want to go wherever this record takes us," - enthuses Suze.
This Is Not The End is the start of a new beginning for the band. They are thrilled to be releasing new material in this day and age, where the music industry has changed so dramatically since their last release. "We feel more driven than we were when we were younger," says Suze. "We decided to buck the system with this record and put it out independently. The music business is so stale right now; we wanted to do it differently. We've been able to really reconnect with our fans on social media."
The path tread by Baby Animals has had some incredible high points. There were the many memorable hits, which have included Early Warning, Rush You, Painless and One Word. The band's eponymous album spent six weeks at No. 1 in Australia, converting platinum sales and selling over one million albums worldwide. There were ARIA Awards, international touring and friendships with Van Halen, Robert Plant, Paul Rodgers, and Bryan Adams. Suze has enjoyed the induction into the Western Australian Music Industry Association's (WAMI) Hall of Fame. More than two decades have passed since the Baby Animals exploded onto the scene and today the band are standing taller, feeling more empowered and sounding even stronger than ever before.
Australian Tour Dates:
Friday 14th June Sydney: Factory Theatre
Saturday 22nd June Melbourne: Hi Fi
Saturday 29th June Brisbane: Hi Fi
WebLinks: www.thebabyanimals.com. Watch to the Baby Animals latest single 'Email': youtu.be/0rJRDEDjsIc / A Special Message from Suze & Dave: youtu.be/gTF_TF6wCbk.
xx
BOSTON ROCKERS MASS DOING THERE PART TO HELP BOSTON MARATHON VICTIMS:
On June 9 Boston Rock Legends Mass will be appearing at "Boston Strong RockZ On" at The Hard Rock Cafe, in Boston, Massachusetts. They will be headlining a fundraiser event with 100 % of all proceeds going to the America's Fund to help the marathon bombing victims and their families.
Many other Boston artists will be performing as well. The event will run from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM with Mass hitting the stage around 7:30 PM. Tickets are only sold at the door on a first come first serve basis.
Tickets are only $15.00 and you must be at least 21 years old to attend. Louis St August, the lead singer for the band Mass states, "We are very honored and proud to be a part of this event and to help out in any way we can. This tragedy has affected so many and it's the least we can do to help our great city of Boston". Mass has just released a string of live appearances for 2013 that will have them performing in the New England area and out to the mid-west in October. Mass will also begin recording their 8th studio album this fall which will be released worldwide in early 2014.
For ticket links or more information on MASS, please visit the official web site www.massrocks.com.
YES ANNOUNCE THE FIRST-EVER 'YESTIVAL':
The iconic and Grammy-winning rock band Yes have announced their first-ever festival--Yestival, a day-into-night musical adventure in full quadraphonic sound--for Saturday, August 3 at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ. The multi-platinum progressive rock titans--performing their classic albums 1971's The Yes Album and 1972's Close To The Edge in their entirety and more--will be joined by like-minded artists such as The Musical Box, Renaissance featuring Anne Haslam, Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy, and other acts TBA. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 7 at 10 AM EST and will start at just $35. Tickets will be available at Ticketmaster.com, Susquehanna Bank Center Box Office, Live Nation Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets or by-phone at 800-745-3000. Yestival is presented by Live Nation.
Says Yes bassist Chris Squire, "This is a concept we've been trying to put into motion for some time, and only now we've been able to turn it into reality. We're looking forward to starting Yestival out in the Philadelphia area, which has been a Yes stronghold since the '70s." Yes--bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White, keyboardist Geoff Downes and singer Jon Davison--has been enjoying a successful 2013, with a world tour marking the first time since 1973 that the band has performed any album onstage in their entirety. The North American tour will continue starting July 6 in Paso Robles, CA and include stops in Anaheim, CA, Las Vegas, NV, Atlanta, GA, Washington, DC and Montreal, CAN, wrapping up on August 12 in Indianapolis, IN. Go to www.yesworld.com for the latest tour dates and ticket links. For tickets and special VIP packages to Yestival go to www.ticketmaster.com. In addition, CID Entertainment is offering travel packages to Yestival with accommodations in Philadelphia and your choice of VIP tickets here: www.cidentertainment.com/home/yestival.php.
220 VOLT DRUMMER GOES SOLO:
The formidable power pack behind the drums in bands like John Norum Band, Talisman, Zoom Club and of course 220 Volt, now proves he's not only a drummer, he's also a great singer and song writer, which he shows in his rootsy, yet fresh, heavy rock solo debut, a five-track EP entitled Black Cloud. Peter Hermansson has finally taken the time to record a bunch of his own songs, in a rootsy, but still fresh melodic hard rocking vein. Peter is handling lead vocals and drums, while being backed up on guitar and bass by musicians such as Mats Karlsson (220 Volt), Fredrik Åkesson (Opeth), Johan Niemann (Therion, Mind's Eye, Evergrey), René Sebastian, Michael Hujanen and Janne Stark (Overdrive, Grand Design, Locomotive Breath, Constancia). Peter Hermansson is foremost known for being the drummer in classic Swedish heavy rockers 220 Volt, with whom he has recorded eight albums (so far). Peter also played with melodic rockers Talisman, featuring the late Marcel Jacob, together with whom he also played in the classic first line-up of John Norum Band, on the album "Total Control". The line-up that recorded killer songs such as "Let Me Love You", "Love Is Meant To Last Forever" and "Someone Else Here", the latter which Hermansson also co-wrote with John Norum. Peter also co-wrote the song "Counting On Your Love" which features Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Black Country Communion) on vocals.
Peter has been highly prolific both as a song writer, singer and drummer, as well as producer, where he has also worked with artists like Annie For President, Sunaglare, Tomorrows Dream etc. Besides playing drums in 220 Volt, he is handling both drums and vocals in the power trio Zoom Club, also featuring renowned Swedish guitarist/writer Janne Stark and bassist/guitarist Michael Hujanen.
Career highlights for 220 Volt, also worth mentioning, are as support on Nazareth's 1984 Scandinavian tour, AC/DC's 1986 Scandinavian tour and recording with Max Norman (Ozzy Osbourne, Bad Company, Megadeth, Uriah Heep etc) in New York. Peter Hermansson's EP Black Cloud can be downloaded from iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby and is also available on Spotify.
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/black-cloud-ep/id651726698 / CDBaby: www.cdbaby.com/cd/peterhermansson1 / Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/0QEQXfbsc2OvUb20cjpoYa / Amazon: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00D044INS/ref=dm_sp_alb?ie=UTF8&qid=1370126127&sr=8-7.
INTERVIEWS WITH URIAH HEEP, A PALE HORSE NAMED DEATH, DARK TRANQUILITY AND NEIL CARTER: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 2nd June 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 3rd June 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) features exclusive interviews with Uriah Heep guitarist Mick Box, A Pale Horse Names Death frontman Sal Abruscato, long running Swedish metal band Dark Tranquility, and Neil Carter (Wild Horses, UFO, Gary Moore) and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/
In the first hour, A Pale Horse Named Death frontman Sal Abruscato (ex Type O Negative, Life Of Agony) chooses songs from the band's sophomore release, "Lay My Soul To Waste", and gives the low down on the writing and recording of the album.
Also in the first hour, Neil Carter (UFO, Gary Moore) talks about his time with the band that launched him on to the rock scene in 1978, Wild Horses, and recollects his recording and touring experiences alongside bandmates Brian Robertson (Thin Lizzy, Motorhead) and Jimmy Bain (Rainbow, Dio).
Part 2 features an exclusive chat with Dark Tranquility guitarist Niklas Sundin, who discusses the band's 20th anniversary, marked by new album "Construct".
And finally, Uriah Heep guitarist Mick Box tells the stories behind three newly reissued Heep albums from the mid-to-late 90s, "Sea of Light", "Spellbinder" and "Sonic Origami".
The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from Saxon, Walter Trout, U.D.O, Artlantica and Gloomball!
Friday, May 31, 2013
THE LATEST FROM ROCK CANDY:
The following five new Rock Candy titles are available now from www.rockcandyrecords.com for a discounted price including postage to anywhere in the world for the next two weeks ending on June 17.
Reo Speedwagon 'You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish' CANDY176 / Named after a flatbed truck, REO Speedwagon muscled their way to ever increasing popularity during the 1970s, releasing album after album until the tide of their persistence eventually turned into a gigantic tsunami wave. The 1980 album 'Hi-Fidelity' elevated the band to superstar status, with new fans convinced that they were an overnight success. Nothing however could have been further from the truth. The amusingly titled 'You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish', originally released in 1978, was REO Speedwagon's seventh studio album and the first to boast a slightly more polished sound. The songs too were tighter and more precise, leaving little room for the bar-room extemporisation that had been their mainstay previously. In fact, the album contained a number of tracks that would later go on to define REO's clean cut but aggressive style such as 'Roll With The Changes', 'Time For Me To Fly' and 'Say You Love Me Or Say Goodnight'. Part of this new found blossoming of creativity was due to the innate combustibility of the relationship between vocalist Kevin Cronin and guitarist Gary Richrath, two men who would, at this time, define the band's sound. New bassist Bruce Hall, Cronin's unique vocal style and Richrath's raunchy guitar work was starting to make a unique combination. Truly one of their finest albums.
24-bit remastering, 4,000 word essay about the making of the album, new interview with Kevin Cronin, enhanced artwork and photos spread out over a 16 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. Roll With The Changes 2. Time For Me To Fly 3. Runnin' Blind 4. Blazin' Your Own Trail Again 5. Sing To Me 6. Lucky For You 7. Do You Know Where Your Woman Is Tonight? 8. The Unidentified Flying Tuna Trot 9. Say You Love Me Or Say Goodnight.
Reo Speedwagon 'Nine Lives' CANDY177 / The title says it all. REO Speedwagon had been knocking out albums since the early seventies, forever the support band and virtually unknown outside their American mid-west stomping ground. Naming their album 'Nine Lives' was a tribute to the fact that they had managed to record nine albums for EPIC records, a truly amazing feat bearing in mind that they had yet to secure a hit single or even secure a foothold in the trendy East and West Coast concert halls. REO Speedwagon's previous album had signalled a shift in style towards a slightly more refined sound and 'Nine Lives' continued with that transition. This time around the sound was more forthright, with Richrath and Cronin really hitting their stride, reminiscent of the classic vocal/guitar foyle of say Plant/Page or Tyler/Perry. Tracks such as 'Heavy On Your Love', 'Only The Strong Survive', 'Drop It' and 'Back On The Road Again' suggested a band on the cusp of something very big indeed. Although 'Nine Lives', originally issued in 1979 and produced by the band and Kevin Beamish, didn't achieve massive sales it did reposition the band as vital contenders, something that came to fruition on the following album 'Hi-Fidelity'. It was also a record that was in synch with the times; sharp shooting yet melodic hard rock sitting somewhere between Aerosmith and Cheap Trick with great songs and even greater attitude.
24-bit remastering, 4,000 word essay about the making of the album, new interview with Kevin Cronin, enhanced artwork and photos spread out over a 16 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. Heavy On Your Love 2. Drop It (An Old Disguise) 3. Only The Strong Survive 4. Easy Money 5. Rock & Roll Music 6. Take Me 7. I Need You Tonight 8. Meet Me On The Mountain 9. Back On The Road Again.
xx
Derringer 'Sweet Evil' CANDY156 / During the mid-1970s American hard rock had reached its zenith with acts like Aerosmith, Montrose and Ted Nugent ruling the roost and setting standards for years to come. Amongst those lynch pins were a number of up and comers all eager to capture a slice of the action and Derringer were one of the very best. Fitting right into the period the band focussed on lean and mean riffs, punchy production and wide screen songs blessed with heavy and dark overtones. Formed by teenage protégée Rick Derringer who had scored a huge hit, 'Hang On Sloopy', in the 1960s with his band the McCoys and later going on to play with Edgar and Johnny Winter. Rick's star was certainly in the ascendance when he decided to form this non compromising hard rock band. Enlisting second guitarist Danny Johnson, bassist Kenny Aaronson and drummer Vinny Appice, the band quickly established themselves as contenders with a solid debut album, but it was their second record, the wonderfully titled 'Sweet Evil', that really put the cat amongst the pigeons. Produced by Jack Douglas (Aerosmith, Starz, Cheap Trick) and originally issued in 1977, the album is a veritable treasure trove of deeply moving heavy rock, with epically constructed tracks such as 'Driving Sideway', 'Sittin' By The Pool', 'One Eyed Jack' and the title track itself – all wide angle shots at the big time and all injected with breathlessly executed guitar solos and some of the best riffs on record.
24-bit remastering, 4,000 word essay about the making of the album, new interview, enhanced artwork and photos spread out over a 16 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. Don't Stop Loving Me 2. Sittin' By The Pool 3. Keep On Makin' Love 4. One Eyed Jack 5. Let's Make It 6. Sweet Evil 7. Drivin' Sideways 8. I Didn't Ask To Be Born.
Randy Hansen 'S/T' CANDY187 / It's true to say that Randy Hansen is one of the greatest rock guitarists of our time. Sure, his name and work, like that of Robin Trower and Frank Marino, has inevitably been associated with fellow Seattle native Jimi Hendrix, but Hansen is not a mere clone having recorded one of the most innovative hard rock albums of the early 80s, a record that pretty much set standards for electric guitar playing. Hansen first came to prominence in the 70s staging a sophisticated and hugely successful Jimi Hendrix tribute show going under the handle of Randy Hansen's Machine Gun which attracted the attention of music producer David Rubinson and film director Francis Ford Coppola who asked Randy to provide musical interludes for the movie 'Apocalypse Now'. Catching the ear of Capitol Records, Hansen was signed and given free rein on his debut album, a record that deliberately steered clear of obvious Hendrix comparisons but showcased a solid grasp of intelligent song writing an avalanche of guitar pyrotechnics. Originally issued in 1980, the album is packed with the sort of hard rock bravado that you might expect from a three piece power trio but thankfully steers clear of clichés. His style is fluid and fast with melody and muscle to the fore yet encouraging cool free-form jamming in tracks such as 'Champagne And Cocaine', 'Time Won't Stop' and 'Millionaire'. If you like explosive guitar playing you'll love this album.
24-bit remastering, 3,500 word essay about the making of the album, new interview with Randy, enhanced artwork and photos spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. Champagne And Cocaine 2. Watch What You Say 3. Time Won't Stop 4. I Want To Take You Higher 5. Millionaire 6. Dancin' With Me 7. Don't Pretend.
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21 Guns 'SALUTE' CANDY186 / There's no getting away from the fact that Thin Lizzy were one of the most influential rock bands of all time. Lead guitarist Scott Gorham was, of course, an essential part of that outfit, carving out a reputation on a string of spectacular albums with his spellbinding guitar playing. After the demise of Lizzy, Scott cooled his engines and spent some time planning for the future, which eventually led to the formation of 21 Guns, a band fit for purpose, boasting both precision and power. Joining Scott in this new recording venture was an all American line-up, consisting of co-writer, bassist and keyboard player Leif Johansen (Phenomena), drummer Mike Sturgis (Asia) and vocalist Thomas La Verdi, who had previously fronted cult AOR unit A440. Partnering with renowned producer and mixing engineer Chris Lord Alge (Meatloaf, Creed), 21 Guns recorded their album in Los Angeles and found the finished product receiving plaudits from virtually everyone who heard it. Originally released in 1992, all would have been well and good if only the grunge revolution wasn't in full swing. With their melodic and polished sheen 21 Guns were ostracised by some quarters the media for sounding dated and being part of a musical heritage that was now rapidly becoming passé. Of course, with the benefit of hindsight we can clearly see that 'Salute' is one of the finest rock albums of any era, allowing Scott Gorham to unleash stupendous guitar work and spectacularly crafted songs.
24-bit remastering, 4,000 word essay about the making of the album, new interview with the band, enhanced artwork and photos spread out over a 16 page full colour booklet.
TRACK LISTING: 1. Knee Deep 2. These Eyes 3. Walking 4. Marching In Time 5. The Rain 6. Little Sister 7. Pays Off Big 8. Just A Wish 9. Battered And Bruised 10. Jungleland 11. Tell Me 12. No Way Out.
COMING FROM NO REMORSE RECORDS:
Right before the US Power-Metal band Born Of Fire will enter the studio this summer to complete the recordings of their new album Up From The Ashes that will be released in November 2013 via No Remorse Records, the four-piece band from Phoenix, Arizona is presenting the video clip of the song In The End from their current album "Anthology" (2013, No Remorse Records): www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3l2Efj1lzA.
"Anthology" contains all previous releases from Born Of Fire, one of the huge insider tips of the US Power-Metal scene. (The band has been on tour with Armored Saint, Flotsam & Jetsam and Agent Steel already). The album contains the band's well noticed demo from 1999, the BORN OF FIRE debut "Transformation (2000) and their highly acclaimed EP from 2001. Remastered and coming with a 16-page booket, "Anthology" is available as Limited Edition at NO REMORSE RECORDS www.noremorse.gr. BORN OF FIRE - a MUST for all fans of high quality US Power-Metal!
Coming soon on No Remorse Records: Masters Of Metal / No Remorse Records is proud to announce the European CD release of Masters Of Metal in the end of June 2013. Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Masters Of Metal is the new project launched by the Agent Steel - members Bernie Versailles, Juan Garcia, Robert Cardenas and Rigo Amezcua. Over 6 years in the making; their debut includes 4 blistering metal missiles of sonic assault and top notch production and everything that you can expect from members of Agent Steel. The 4 new recordings are recorded by Bill Metoyer (Fates Warning, Trouble, Slayer), and mixed by mastermind Bernie Versailles who's previous work includes the Agent Steel comeback classics "Omega Conspiracy" (2000) and "Order of the illuminati" (2003).
The European CD release from No Remorse Records will include 4 more songs recorded live in the studio. Tracklist - Masters Of Metal: 1. Chameleon 2. Evolution of Being 3. M K Ultra (Mind Kontrol) 4. Lunacy (feat: James Rivera from HELSTAR & Sean Peck from CAGE - guest vocals) 5. Traveler (live in the studio 2013) 6. Bleed for The Godz (live in the studio 2013) 7. Day at Guyana (live in the studio 2013) 8. Still Searching (live in the studio 2013).
MRX UPDATE: MRX has been updated with some great stuff today:
- Feature Album - Jimmy Martin - The Rhythm Of Life (1989)
- Jimmy Martin - Walk On Fire (Unreleased Tracks)
- The Cars - Westwood One Live 1979
Plus the following new Video Clips: Bai Bang - Everybody Everywhere, Pink Cream 69 - Special, Winery Dogs - Desire, Lost Weekend - Reach For the Sky, Deep Purple - Vincent Price, Vega - What The Hell. Join MRX Now.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
FORMER BAD SISTER SINGER PETRA DEGELOW DIED AT AGE OF 53:
Press Statement from Bad Sister: "We regret to inform you of the death of our former lead singer Petra Degelow. She died in the morning of May 23th in the age of 53 after long illness in a hospital near Hamburg. Petra was a member of Bad Sister from 1982 - 1992 and recorded two albums with the band. "We are all deeply shocked and saddened by Petra's death", the band said on Sunday. "She was a great singer, a powerful entertainer and a lovely person". Petra Degelow was born on January 29th, 1960 in Uetersen near Hamburg/Germany. In her youth she lived several years in Africa (Kenya, Uganda) and returned to Germany in the Seventies. She joined Bad Sister in 1982 and recorded the albums "Heartbreaker" (1989) and "Out Of The Business" (1991) with the band and did a hundred of gigs and support acts (e.g. Wacken Open Air, support Ian Gillan). She was well known in the AOR and Melodic Hard Rock scene for her powerful voice and her great stage performance.
The last time Petra worked with the band was 2008. Petra recorded the song "Talk To You Later" from the album "Because Rust Never Sleeps" (2009). She will be missed, but never forgotten."
R.I.P. Petra.
WebLinks: www.badsister-rock.com / www.facebook.com/badsisterband.
GARY SCHUTT DVD NEWS: Gary Schutt, know for his work with Jeff Scott Soto, just posted his latest music video in preparation for the release of a new DVD called "Instruments Of Destruction" which contains this video, other videos and over an hour of guitar lessons and much more. Info on the DVD: garyschutt.com/12instrumentsofdestructiondvd.cfm. Watch the new video for Black Cloud: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCBbiNTfTJY.
THE MUSIC OF DESTINY IS FINALLY AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD AND STREAMING:
On May 29, Destiny has released Beyond All Sense 2005 worldwide as the band's first digital release ever, through Gothenburg Legacy Records. The album is a rerecording of the band's first album (from 1985) and was originally released on CD by GMR Music Group in 2005. The plan is to release the entire Destiny back catalogue for download and streaming in reversed order during the 30th anniversary year 2013. Stefan Björnshög, Destiny's founder, main song writer and bass player, explains the story behind "Beyond All Sense 2005": "This is not the new Destiny album or even the follow-up to Future Of The Past, released in 2004. This is a re-recorded version of Destiny's very first album Beyond All Sense, released in March 1985. The original album was just released in Sweden in a limited number of 2000 copies and only on vinyl. Those of you that have the original album know that it was not a perfect album, but hopefully you will agree with me that the songs were pretty good. We, Destiny of 2005, felt that it was appropriate to give those songs a new chance with this all new re-recording in time for the 20th anniversary of the original album. We started to record the first drums way back in the year 2000 and then kept recording parts whenever we got some spare time. In the end we re-recorded all parts of the album once again in 2004, except for the drums. We did not set out to purposely rearrange any of the songs, but when an idea presented itself we usually used it.
Even though I wrote some parts on some of the songs, and was very involved with the arrangements, most of the music for this album was written by Magnus Österman, co-founder and original guitarist of Destiny, and John Prodén, also an original guitarist. Håkan Ring, who was the band's first male singer, wrote most of the lyrics. Two songs are missing from the original release; the instrumental acoustic piece "Lost To Heaven" performed by John Prodén alone and the intro piece "Destiny" that always starts the Destiny concerts. They are replaced by two previously unreleased bonus tracks from around the same time period. The oldest piece of music, "Ode To You", is from 1983. However, the lyrics for this song are new, written by Kristoffer in December 2004 as a tribute to the late Dimebag Darrel. This song was never released on any album and is the first bonus track of "Beyond All Sense 2005". The second bonus track, "No Way Out", was a song originally intended to be included on the debut album, but was left out because of the time limit on vinyl's. Once again Kristoffer wrote new lyrics for an older piece of music. This time it's about Ozzy Osbourne and reality shows.
I believe that we have kept the original spirit of all the songs in these new versions. The major difference is of course the vocals. Kristoffer has truly given these songs a well-deserved new lease of life. I also feel that the album is full of energy, with a live feeling, even though the music is not as "dark" as later Destiny albums. This is the members of Destiny of 2004 interpreting more than twenty year old songs by the members of Destiny of 1984. Hopefully you will enjoy the album for what it is, even though the style of the album is quite different from the music that Destiny represents today."
WebLink: www.destinymetal.com.
INTRODUCING FRENCH ROCKERS PROJECT: Project is a French rock band from north of France. The music offered is a nice slice of rock to hard-rock songs. Melodic hard-rock at its best with powerful guitar riffs, mixed with keyboards on many songs, what brings a greater diversity to the music to satisfy all ears. Not to speak of the great melodies which are almost a trademark for the band. Project was founded in the mid-90s by David Clabaux and Philippe Merlen. Ex-members of well-known French bands (Blackwhite, Kublaïkan) quickly joined the band, which was fully operational in a very short time with many songs written. After many shows in Germany, Poland and in the north of France, the band recorded an EP ('Reach For The Sky',1997) which received rave reviews from the press.
But in 2002 the remaining members of the band decided to take a long break. In 2008, the band decided to resume activities, and with the will to release an album, a demo was quickly recorded. While the album was in progress, the singer left the band without warning in 2011.
Despite the difficulties encountered, 'Riding Free', the first album from Project was released in April 2013. It contains 13 tracks and you'd better get ready for one hell of a roller coaster ride : starting from the heavy 'Hate Rock'N'Roll' to the astonishing finale of 'Right Or Wrong', you'll be able to appreciate the first single 'Reach For The Sky', the sing-along songs 'Here We Go Again' and 'You Keep On Cryin'', a touch of prog on 'Shout It Out', the almost neo-classical 'Everything You Do' and the ballad 'Everybody Needs Some Love'. This among some other fantastic tracks, all songs packed with great harmonies and freakin' guitar solos.
Hard-Force Magazine about Project: 'Melodic hard-rock with strong FM tendencies supported with keyboards, with truly memorable choruses and a good general dynamic is what is offered. Project's music proves a rich and arrangements are refined. To discover especially for its melodic qualities and inventiveness'.
Project are: David Clabaux: Guitars, Vocals; Philippe Merlen: Keyboards, Guitars; Cedric Legrand: Bass, Vocals; Jerome Willocq: Drums.
You can hear samples of the 13 songs of the CD here: www.project-legroupe.com.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
JORN - TRAVELLER - OFFICIAL VIDEO:
The new Jorn album Traveller is released by Frontiers Records June 14. The first video from the album is the title track, seen below. Line Up: Jorn Lande: Vocals; Willy Bendiksen: Drums; Trond Holter: Guitar; Jimmy Iversen: Guitar; Bernt Jansen: Bass.
RICK SPRINGFIELD'S MAGNIFICENT VIBRATION:
Grammy award-winning musician, actor, and New York Times bestselling author Rick Springfield will publish his debut novel with Touchstone. Titled Magnificent Vibration and scheduled for publication in May 2014, the novel portrays a hero who has hit a dead end in his life, but who serendipitously receives a 1-800 phone connection to God via an inscription in a mysterious self-help book that may just give him a shot at saving the planet. Magnificent Vibration is a potent tour de force that is by turns hilarious, poignant, spiritual, over-the-top, and deeply meaningful. "The only good grades I ever got in school before I was kicked out were for creative writing. I thought that fiction might be in my future but then my career took a different path once the Beatles showed me what a blast being in a band could be. Writing my memoir Late, Late at Night reminded me how much I love the craft. So I decided to give fiction a shot again. Magnificent Vibration is the result. I'm still not quite sure where it came from, but once I got going, it practically wrote itself. I've heard writers I admire speak of that phenomenon, so maybe I'm on the right track." - Rick Springfield.
NewsLink: rickspringfield.com/s4eow/news_box.html.
SKIN PULL OFF THE ROAD AS SINGER QUITS REUNION:
It comes with great sadness that we have to announce that Neville MacDonald has left Skin with immediate effect. He wished us to post the following statement: "For deep, personal reasons, I have quit the band. Those closest to me fully understand my reasons and have been unswerving in their support; something I am truly grateful for. To you, our fans, I extend my sincere apologies and, of course, my gratitude. Your support over the last few years has been nothing short of 'overwhelming' and I thank you so much for that. I love you all, Keep on rockin'" - Nev.
This means that all future Skin appearances have been cancelled which includes the Download Festival and the 20th Anniversary Tour. At this point there is no additional information but we will post if/as it comes in. For those who have bought tickets for upcoming gigs, please see your ticket agent for a full refund. The Official Skin Website wishes Nev all the best for the future, and his service to rock magnificence over the past 20 years can never be forgotten. No doubt the decision is a difficult one and we would like to thank him for the music he helped create.
LISA PRICE LP RELEASE SET FOR CD:
The album Priceless by Canadian singer and song-writer Lisa Price is considered to be a real AOR jewel and was a hot import tip in the year of its original release in 1983. The band behind consisted of a real dream team of the genre and included musicians from the bands Wrabit, Zappacosta, Dalbello, Honeymoon Suite and Surrender.
The song 'Can't Hold Forever" was written by Berny LaBarge who also played guitar on this track. 'Heartache' got penned and performed by Honeymoon Suite guitar player Derry Grehan, whereas 'Everywhere I Go' as well was composed by Berny LaBarge and sounds quite reminiscent of Patty Smyth and Scandal. 'No One's Business' is an up-tempo Rock track with great Hammond keyboards. 'Empty Hearts' was written by Nils Logren and covered by LISA PRICE on this album. The closing track 'Runaway' represents Lisa Price's typical magic of the 80's and can be compared to fellow singers such as Lee Aaron and Pat Benatar.
Produced by Paul Gross (Triumph, Rush, Saga), 'Priceless' so far only was available on vinyl. It definitely was time for Munich based label Yesterrock to re-release this wonderful gem – re-mastered by MSM studios Munich and now for the first time available on CD.
Musicians: Lisa Price (Vocals); Bernie LaBarge (Guitars); Derry Grehan, John Albani (Guitars); Ron Garant (Bass); Gerald O'Brien, Grant Slater (Keyboards); Gary McCracken (Drums).
Tracklist: 01. Can't Hold On Forever, 02. Heartache, 03. Everywhere I Go, 04. No One's Business, 05. Empty Heart, 06. Runaway.
GEOFF TATE STRIKES OUT:
He spits at his drummer...he tells festival crowds they suck....he pulls a knife his band mates...he thinks it's funny that fans hate his new album...now he's takes a fan cell phone and throws it away. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNt-JIRM3j4.
BEWARE: PANDEMONIUM WILL ERUPT THIS SUMMER:
May 28, 2013 -- Listen closely to what's lingering in the distance...it's the sound of some of Rock's biggest bands converging together to bring pandemonium to eager and willing participants at the 2013 Carnival Of Madness tour, powered by Monster Energy.
Sure to be known as the premier rock tour of 2013, the highly anticipated Carnival Of Madness--sponsored by Monster Energy--returns this summer with multi-Platinum rock band Shinedown, along with Papa Roach, Skillet, In This Moment, and We As Human. The tour will begin on the east coast Sunday, August 11. Tour dates will be announced on Monday, June 3 with the general on-sale beginning Friday, June 7.
Shinedown makes their triumphant return to the Carnival Of Madness after headlining the 2010 inaugural launch, with a line-up that also included Sevendust, Chevelle, Puddle of Mudd, and 10 Years. The first Carnival Of Madness proved to be one of the biggest tours of the summer, heralded as a Top 50 tour by Pollstar. Last year's trek featured Evanescence, Chevelle, Halestorm, and New Medicine. "Carnival Of Madness is more than a show--it's an experience," proclaims Shinedown frontman Brent Smith. "This year, it's all about reinvention. The culmination of five powerful and dynamic bands joining together to prove to the world that rock-n-roll is alive and well. So, step right up. Come one, come all. The Carnival Of Madness has arrived!!!"
Papa Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix says, "We're so stoked to be on Carnival Of Madness this year. It's an absolutely killer bill from top to bottom...fans better be ready to get crazy at these shows." "I can hardly wait for the Carnival Of Madness," says Skillet lead singer John Cooper. "Shinedown is one of the best bands in the business and we're excited to share the stage with them and great performers like Papa Roach, In This Moment, and We As Human. Also, it'll be our first tour playing songs from our new album, Rise, so Skilllet will be doing our best to bring the pain every night!"
As In This Moment declares, "We are thrilled to be a part of Carnival Of Madness this year. Shinedown is one of our favorite bands and it is truly an honor to share the stage with them again. All the bands involved this year bring something unique and exciting to the table, making this a 'do not miss' event! We are humbled and grateful that we get to be a part of Carnival Of Madness this year, and can't wait to surprise you with our brand new show this summer!"
We As Human lead singer Justin Cordle agrees, "I can't begin to tell you how stoked we are to be on the Carnival Of Madness this year. To be able to meet new fans on a tour with so many bands that we've admired for so long is incredible. We are ready to do this!"
WebLinks: www.carnivalofmadness.com / www.facebook.com/CarnivalofMadness / www.twitter.com/carnivalmadness.
THE POLICE'S SYNCHRONICITY'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY INTHESTUDIO:
Dallas, TX - MAY 29, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands investigates June 1983 when The Police Synchronicity album spent a staggering 17 weeks at # 1 on the U.S. album chart (only Michael Jackson's Thriller would do more at 22 weeks). But even more impressive was that all four previous Police albums would end up re-entering the Billboard Top 200 by year's end. The Police found mass appeal success with the arresting Grammy Award-winning Song of the Year "Every Breath You Take". The band's endless touring would culminate with the biggest tour of '83-'84 and would unfortunately set the stage for their disbandment. Sting, a voracious reader, explains where the album's title came from, as well as the decision to end The Police to InTheStudio host Redbeard. "There was a book published called Synchronicity which is about the meaningfulness of apparent coincidences. Is there any meaning in coincidence? And that's what I wanted this record to be about. That's a grand design, I'm not sure if it comes off or not…Synchronicity was a very personal statement for ME…This was almost a solo record in the sense that the subject matter was very personal to me, and I couldn't really SHARE it. "Every Breath You Take", "Wrapped Around Your Finger", "King of Pain'" were about my life. So that was the end of The Police, because I realized that I couldn't involve this kind of work in a democratic process." The POLICE 'Synchronicity' /InTheStudio interview is available now to STREAM at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/police-synchronicity-30th-anniversary-stingstewart-copeland-2.
NEW KEITH URBAN ALBUM TO FEATURE CO-WRITES WITH BUTCH WALKER: Keith Urban has revealed that he's working on a new album. The singer-songwriter and guitarist has been in the studio with several different producers on songs for a project that he hopes to release in the fall. Urban tells USA Today that he's been working with Nathan Chapman - who produced his current single 'Little Bit of Everything' - as well as Butch Walker, who's known primarily for his work with pop-rock artists like Avril Lavigne. He's also worked with at least three other producers on various tracks. "It's been incredibly liberating, creatively, for me," he says. "I don't know why that is, because I've always been fortunate enough to make the records I want to make. I think just working with other people has just been a really enjoyable thing." As a result, Urban has more than enough songs for the album already. "Of course, if someone sends something that just hits the mark, then I'm going to figure out how to get in and record it," he notes.
The new album is titled Fuse, and fans can expect to hear at least some of the songs from it when Urban launches his Light the Fuse World Tour 2013 on July 18 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Urban admits he doesn't know how fans will react to hearing new songs live before the record comes out. "I'll probably space it out, slipping a new one in every three or four songs," he states. "I should imagine three or four, maybe five new songs, and see how we go." Though Urban's got a lot on his plate coming up, that doesn't necessarily mean we won't be seeing him on 'American Idol' next year. The singer recently said he would like to return as a judge next year for Season 13 of the hit reality singing competition.
HEAD EAST RELEASE THEIR LIVE CD AND ANNOUNCE SUMMER TOUR DATES:
The legendary classic rock band, Head East, has long set the standard for authentic, full-vocal, good time rock harmonies that few bands equal. Their high-energy shows are filled with superb vocals, flashy guitar work and memorable keyboard melodies that continue to rock audiences of all ages. Their signature song, "There's Never Been Any Reason (Save My Life)," has long-been considered by many radio stations across the country as "The Rock & Roll National Anthem." For more than four decades, the band has brought classic rock to countless audiences all across North America. According to founding member and keyboardist Roger Boyd, Head East will continue to bring their brand of dance and shout, good-time rock and roll to audiences of all ages for many years to come. "As long as I can lift my synthesizer over my head and the audience goes wild, we'll keep rockin' on!"
And keep on rockin' they shall do with the release of their new explosive 12 song live CD, 'Raise A Little Hell,' which was released via CME Records / Sony (RED Distribution) on May 14. Head East is a 5-piece band consisting of Roger Boyd (keyboards & vocals), Greg Manahan (bass, lead guitar & vocals), Glen Bridger (lead guitar & vocals), Eddy Jones (drums & vocals), and Darren Walker (lead vocals & bass). Their music has been featured in the cult movie classic 'Dazed and Confused,' as well as 'Sahara,' and Emmy award winning TV shows 'Friday Night Lights' and 'That 70s Show.'
'Raise A Little Hell' contains several Head East classic party rockers, including their aforementioned classic, "There's Never Been Any Reason (Save My Life)," along with new, soon-to-be Head East classics: "Raise A Little Hell," "Say Yeah," "One Night," "Me & My Whiskey" and "Prisoner," which capture all of the excitement, energy and magic of their live shows.
Head East has grown in popularity over the last several years due to the resurgence of classic rock music, their presence on the internet, and their exciting new live show. This rise in popularity resulted in the reissue of several CDs from 1999 to present, culminating with 'Raise A Little Hell.'
Head East has brought four decades of classic rock to their fans, and founder Roger Boyd says, "I look forward to bringing the new Head East music of 'Raise A Little Hell' to the fans."
Featuring the songs: One Night, Getting Lucky, Get Up & Enjoy Yourself, Love Me Tonight, Say Yeah, Raise A Little Hell (featured single), Me & My Whiskey, Jefftown Creek, Prisoner, Since You've Been Gone, There's Never Been A Reason, Elijah.
Head East confirmed tour dates:
June 1st Ballwin, MO Ballwin Days Festival
June 2nd Sterling, IL Bullseye Bar & Grill
June 8th Calumet, MI Calumet Theater
June 22nd Okoboji, IA Okoboji Harley Davidson Festival
July 12th West Chicago, IL Railroad Days Festival
July 13th Mount Clemens, MI Macomb Music Theater
July 19th Oskaloosa, IA Southern Iowa Fair
July 20th Walker, MN Moondance Jam Festival
August 10th Springfield, IL Illinois State fair - Appearing with REO Speedwagon and Styx
Check out the Head East promotional video here: www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aHDRnUmpJxY#!. For further information please visit: head-east.com / www.facebook.com/OfficialHeadEast.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
FRONTIERS RECORDS - NEW FANZINE AVAILABLE: Frontiers Records is proud to present the new issue of Melodic Rock Fanzine. The 56TH release of the label's successful magazine is available for free all over the world through record shops, mailorders and every fine dealer carrying the Frontiers Records releases. Below are the previews of the two Melodic Rock Fanzine covers. This new issue includes reviews and interviews of Blackmore's Night, Burning Rain, The Poodles, Magnus Karlsson's Freefall, Bai Bang, Black Star Riders, Amaze Me, Saffire, Jorn, Timo Tolkki's Avalon, Stala & So, Giuntini... and more!
Electronic readable version of the magazine is available on the Frontiers official site and here.
In related news - Frontiers Records will release the following 4 new titles in August. Press releases and full details are to follow soon! Fergie Frederiksen - Any Given Moment; Arc Angel - Harlequins Of Light; Little River Band - Cuts Like A Diamond; Find Me - Wings Of Love.
xxxxxx
DEGREED BELONG IN ALL MELODIC CD COLLECTIONS:
My very good friends in Degreed have outdone themselves with their sophomore release We Don't Belong, which has just been released in Japan via Spinning Inc. It's a monster record, with a European release due to be announced shortly. The track listing for the Japanese edition is: 01. Intro 02. Black Cat 03. What If 04. In For The Ride [feat. Bill Champlin] 05. Inside Of Me 06. Follow Her 07. Blind Hearted 08. Here I Am 09. Access Denied 10. Coming Home 11. We Don't Belong 12. Just Another Heartache (Japan bonus track) 13. We Don't Belong [feat. Godbrother] (Japan bonus track).
Right now it seems the CD is not available via CD Japan, my usual recommended Japanese retailer - looking into that now.
NICE OR WILD?:
A little while back we held a competition to guess the name behind the band N.O.W. Well, the competition has been won and I can reveal that the band's full name is Nice Or Wild.
The winner of two signed Nice Or Wild CDs was "mike1990", with the runner up being "Captain Can Man".
The current N.O.W. CD can be samples via the album's CD Showcase.
BELLAS GOES FOR ASTRAL PROJECTION:
Screaming Guitar, Eccentric Rhythms, Outlandish Sounds, and Grandiose Forms are just some words to describe "Astral Projection" the killer new album from world acclaimed guitar virtuoso George Bellas out on 21st June 2013 via Lion Music and available to pre-order now on iTunes at: itunes.apple.com/album/astral-projection/id646714673.
"Astral Projection" is home to 15 new compositions which are an amalgamation of guitar saturated songs and epic progressive instrumentals packed with chaotic guitar improvisations; mind-twisting rhythms; emotionally intense lyrical themes; and advanced explorations of modern melodic, harmonic and rhythmic principles that are combined with classical elements of counterpoint, harmony and form.
Joining Bellas once again is drummer Marco Minnemann (The Aristocats) on whose performances George comments, "It's always a pleasure working with Marco and hearing him humanise the drum parts I composed and also add his unique sense of style and finesse. Marco's drums are punchy and will hit you like a ten ton truck."
"Astral Projection" track listing: 01. Into The Unknown. 02. Dimensional Portal. 03. Out of Body. 04. Fabric of Space and Time. 05. Hyperspace. 06. Rip In The Continuum. 07. Curiosity. 08. Apparition. 09. Magnetic Anomaly. 10. Tipler's Cylinder. 11. Visiting An Alien World. 12. Interdimensional Travel. 13. Heightened Awareness. 14. On The Other Side. 15. Transcendental.
The up-tempo "Out Of Body" can be heard now in full at: soundcloud.com/lionmusicrecordlabel/george-bellas-out-of-body-from.
George Bellas is a guitarist and composer who was brought to the scene by Mike Varney in the late 1990's on Shrapnel Records. Bellas currently has a catalogue of over 20 albums that he has worked on with others and as a solo artist. He has played and recorded with an extensive roster of high-caliber players, including: Marco Minnemann, UFO (MoggWay), Dean Castronova, Virgil Donati, Ansley Dunbar, Trent Gardener (Magellan), Vitalij Kuprij (Trans Siberian Orchestra), Ring of Fire, John West, Uli Jon Roth, Michael Batio, Joe Stump, Johnny Hiland, and numerous others.
Full details on "Astral Projection" can be found at: www.lionmusic.com/cd/astralprojection.htm.
Monday, May 27, 2013
MELODIC BRIEFS:
From Noise11.com: "Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora has posted a tweet stating that he issues with Jon Bon Jovi are far from being resolved at this stage. Sambora posted, "Hey everybody, there's nothing I can say right now cause nothing is resolved. I thank you all for your loyalty and concern…" Earlier this week after speculation that Sambora left Bon Jovi to start a clothing line he wrote, "Just to be clear, I've been running the fashion company for 5 Yrs. It does not take me away from the band, I'm an artist first. Always will be."
Timo Tolkki audio interview on RockEyez: rockeyez.com.
A Hard Rock highlight from the early 90's finally will be made available again: Back To The Bullet by Mat Sinner. On June 21st, this album Re-Release (incl. bonus track, videos, completely redesigned cover artwork/booklet and remastered by Achim Köhler (Primal Fear, Brainstorm etc.)) gives every fan the opportunity to complete his collection with a true gem which was out of print for many years.
INTHESTUDIO.NET MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND TRIBUTE TO ROCK 'N' ROLL'S MUSICAL HEROES: InTheStudio.Net, the web home for North American syndicated Rock radio show InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands pays tribute this Memorial Day Weekend to those musicians who have given their lives, so that we could have a little more joy in ours. Echoes In The Studio consists of interviews & music with legends both living and who've passed. Interviews with the late George Harrison, Ray Manzarek, John Entwistle, Richard Wright, Mitch Mitchell, Alvin Lee, Brad Delp and Hugh Thomasson as well as memories shared by Roger Waters, Tom Petty, Ozzy Osbourne, Gary Rossington, Henry Paul, Joe Cocker, Bob Weir, Steve Miller and Eric Clapton.
Roger Water's shares his thoughts and memories of Syd Barrett with InTheStudio program host Redbeard. "Being a Syd Barrett fan seems to me to be a perfectly legitimate and reasonable way of spending your spare time. He was a very interesting man. He wrote some fantastic songs... He was a visionary an extraordinary musician. He started Pink Floyd, well Syd and I started the band together, but if he hadn't been there nothing would have ever happened... He was the key that unlocked the door to Rock'n'Roll for me."
Stream Echoes In The Studio in two parts now as part of InTheStudio's Medium Rare "online-only" rockumentary series: www.inthestudio.net/online-only-interviews/echoes-studio-fallen-rockers-pt-1 / www.inthestudio.net/online-only-interviews/echoes-studio-fallen-rockers-pt-2.
VANDROYA: "WHY SHOULD WE SAY GOODBYE" VIDEO POSTED ONLINE:
The Brazilian progressive power metal band Vandroya have released the music video for the track "Why Should We Say Goodbye?" online. The track comes off their debut album "One" that was released in Europe and North America on January 18th through Inner Wound Recordings, on December 19th in Japan through Spiritual Beast and on February 4th in Brazil through Voice Music. Link to the video: youtu.be/W9pXKIYhTCM.
Vandroya is definitely one of the best kept secrets from Brazil and led by the fantastic vocalist Daisa Munhoz [Soulspell] they bring something new to the melodic metal table with their epic progressive power metal. Vandroya should be a perfect fit for fans of Kamelot, Symphony X, Angra and Sonata Arctica. The artwork for "One" was created by Felipe Machado Franco [Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire, Iced Earth].
Vandroya online: www.facebook.com/vandroya / www.vandroya.com.
RUSH: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY:
Fresh from the Newsdesk of author Martin Popoff: "First a quick description: large format hardcover, 9 1/2" x 11 1/4", full colour throughout, the story of the band right up to the Hall Of Fame induction, long reviews of the whole catalogue by top journos and mostest coolest... an explosion of visuals, from the very best live photography down to passes 'n' ads. Here's the back cover blurb:
Now, for the first time, Rush is treated to the epic visual celebration the band so richly deserves! In this beautifully designed and illustrated history, prolific rock journalist the noted Rush authority Martin Popoff follows the world-conquering exploits of Geddy Lee, Neil Peart, and Alex Lifeson from the band's formation in Toronto more than four decades ago to their 2012 Clockwork Angels release and subsequent world tour. Popoff's stellar history is complemented by LP reviews from a slate of highly regarded music writers, a thorough discography compiled by the author himself, and more than 400 photographs and articles of memorabilia, running the gamut from candid backstage images of live performance photography to picture sleeves, gig posters, period print ads, ticket stubs, backstage passes, and more. The result is a visually stunning and authoritative review befitting the rock band with one of the world's most devoted fan bases.
Price including shipping (the book will be signed, by me, to you unless otherwise requested): US orders: $46.00 US funds Int'l orders (all books go air): $79.00 Cdn. funds (sorry – half of this is the damn postage, and I'm rounding here for all territories) Canadian orders: $51.00 Cdn. funds.
PayPal happily accepted. Ask me if you'd like a PayPal invoice (please indicate what country you are in), or just do yer usual and direct funds to martinp@inforamp.net.
Sweet postage savings to be had for multiple orders (or two of pretty much anything – long story, ask me!).
Or mail payment (personal check in US funds, cash, or International Money Order), to: Martin Popoff, P.O. Box 65208, 358 Danforth Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4K 2Z2.
Email me at martinp@inforamp.net with any further questions, and see www.martinpopoff.com for descriptions, cover art and ordering info for my other available 30 or so books (and no, Rush won't be up at the site for another week or so, but yes, they are in my office ready to ship)."
GARY SCHUTT READIES NEW DVD RELEASE:
New DVD coming from Gary Schutt. In his own words: "This DVD was originally titled "Loss 4 Words II" as it was mostly shot and edited right after the Loss 4 Words album was released. It features songs, videos and lessons of songs from that album. The original Loss 4 Words pressing contained both an audio CD and a DVD. This DVD contains the content from the original bonus DVD as the album only sells with the audio CD now. "Instruments Of Destruction" is jam packed with music videos and making-of documentaries, guitar lessons and bass lessons and drum tracking in the studio and much more! Any young aspiring musician will love and appreciate this DVD!
Total running time about: 3 hours and 10 minutes and NTSC region free."
Content: Over an hour of guitar and bass lessons from the Loss 4 Words songs, and more! / An hour of video documentaries and "making of" videos! / Five full length music videos: Black Cloud, Baby Dinosaur, Intentions, Road Trip and Siberian Sunburn! / The original content from the Loss 4 Words bonus DVD! / Studio drum tracking videos! / Live footage...and more!! Release date: Tuesday July 30.
WebLink: www.garyschutt.com.
SANTAGATA FINISHING JET BLACK FOR FALL 2013:
The new Santagata single Jet Black can be heard now at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPOH_wfJPHA.
The new Santagata CD Jet Black will feature 10 all new original tracks. The CD will be Produced by Andrew Santagata and Roger "Spydah" Barlow and feature the following tracks: "So Hard At Letting Go", "Holiday", "Give It All", "Lights", "After Midnight", "The Last Song", "Highroad", "Sleeve", "You're Gonna Have To Pull Me Close, You're Gonna Have To Say Goodbye" and the title track "Jet Black". The CD should be complete by late summer and should see a fall 2013 release. Some tracks will surface beforehand on the bands official YouTube channel.
In previous years Santagata has shared the stage/toured with Alice Cooper, Heaven And Hell (Black Sabbath with Ronnie James Dio), Kittie, Sevendust, Queensryche, Shadows Fall, Quiet Riot, Skid Row, God Forbid, 10 Years, Bumblefoot (Current Guns N Roses guitarist), Evans Blue and Godhead to name a few, and cites Kiss and lots of 70's and 80's rock as a huge influence.
Frontman Andrew Santagata previously recorded a couple CD's for Perris Records as the artist then known as Andy Kelli - "The Big Bang" (94) and "The Need" (97).
Santagata is currently gearing up for shows around the east coast, check them out at: www.SantagataMusic.com / www.youtube.com/santagatamusic.
INTERVIEWS WITH VICIOUS RUMORS, JIMMY BAIN AND BATTLE BEAST: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 26th May 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 27th May 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) features exclusive interviews with Vicious Rumors guitarist Geoff Thorpe, Jimmy Bain (Wild Horses, Rainbow, Dio) and rising melodic Metal band Battle Beast, and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-vicious-rumors-jimmy-bain-wild-horsesdio-battle-beast-interviews/
In the first hour, Vicious Rumors axemaster Geoff Thorpe gives the low down on the band's pounding new album "Electric Punishment", which sees the band firing on all cylinders, in one of the most productive periods of recording and touring of their 30 year career. Geoff chooses songs from the new release and talks about the band's touring plans for the rest of 2013.
Also in the first hour, guitarist Anton of Finnish melodic Metal band Battle Beast talks about the intense year leading up to the release of new album "Battle Beast", which saw the band snatching victory from the jaws of defeat with the eleventh hour recruitment of new lead vocalist Noora on the eve of a tour last year, following the sudden departure of their previous vocalist.
Part 2 features an exclusive chat with Jimmy Bain (Dio, Rainbow), who talks about Wild Horses, the band he formed with former Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson in 1978. The band's two albums, "Wild Horses" and "Stand Your Ground" have now been reissued on Rock Candy Records, and Jimmy recalls the formation of the band, and the writing and recording of the albums, along with his selection of tracks from both records.
The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from Uriah Heep (a tribute to Trevor Bolder), Timo Tolkki's Avalon, 38 Special, Dio, Breed 77, The Doobie Brothers and more!
Friday, May 24, 2013
THE REUNION THAT NO ONE SAW COMING, BUT ISN'T WHAT YOU THINK...:
Fresh from the Michael Corby Facebook post-frenzy comes news that The Babys have quietly reformed - yes, you read that correctly, but it's not quite as you'd think. Here's the brief statement released: "The Babys are currently getting the band back together again in order to tour and create new music in 2013. Founding members Tony Brock (Drums) and Wally Stocker (Lead Guitar), have welcomed JP Cervoni (Rhythm Guitar) and John Bisaha (Lead Vocals/Bass) into the group. Stay tuned for more info regarding tour dates and new music!"
Former Babys frontman John Waite has just hours ago posted on his Facebook page: "Lets all wish the new line up of The Baby's a load of success!!!"
Former guitarist/keyboardist Michael Corby has meanwhile hinted at launching new legal action already over the use of a name he claims to own outright.
WHAT IS REALLY AT THE HEART OF THE BON JOVI/SAMBORA ISSUE?: Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora has stated fans paying to see the band without him are getting an inferior product. Richie Sambora left the US leg of Bon Jovi's tour abruptly in April, citing personal reasons. Promoters have not confirmed whether he will return for the Australian leg in December, but Sambora said Bon Jovi is making his return "very difficult". As feuding between Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi goes public, the guitarist has hit out at being replaced on the tour. "The fans have paid money to see Bon Jovi and right now they are not getting the whole deal,"Sambora told the UK's Daily Mail. It follows Bon Jovi suggesting to UK paper The Guardian that Sambora left the tour due to substance issues that saw him also disrupt a Bon Jovi tour in 2011. "It's getting more and more difficult every day to not just sit here and say something ... because all I can say is this - it's for personal reasons," Bon Jovi said. "He's been through it before, fortunately for us the same guy who filled in last time was available this time."
In a messy case of he said/he said, Sambora told the Daily Mail: "I don't have any major problems in life right now, I love my fans and I feel bad for them at the moment. Bottom line. My opinion is Jon wants to see if he can pull off stadiums by himself. He is making it very difficult for me to come back. Enough with the trash talking! Jon needs to stop talking about me publicly. I am fine working very hard on my fashion company Nikki Rich and this is a private matter."
Bon Jovi also suggested Sambora - who has been in the band since 1983 - was easier to replace than U2 guitarist The Edge. "Life goes on, so if someone chooses not to be here - unlike if this were, God forbid, The Edge, and he for some reason couldn't make a U2 show - (then) it would be very difficult to just step in. You have a choice - you either figure it out, go and grow, not only survive but thrive. Or, you say, 'I hate my brother and I'm gonna quit the band'."
Meanwhile the band have sold out of the $1875 Diamond VIP packages on their Australian tour in every city except Melbourne. The $1875 packages include a souvenir chair which is put in the front row and which fans can take home with them, however does not include a meet and greet with the band. Bon Jovi also released a limited amount of $35 tickets for more budget-conscious fans.
NewsLink: www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/jon-bon-jovi-and-richie-sambora-trade-insults.
MELODIC BRIEFS: 42 Decibel stream the song Rocker Soul from their debut album Hard Rock N Roll: snd.sc/13HbW8s.
musicandartinterviews.blogspot.com has just posted a new in-depth, career-spanning interview with Bob Kinkel, the co-creator and keyboardist of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Among the topics we discussed was his time doing session keyboard work for Savatage, co-writing the signature Savatage/TSO song 'Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24', co-creating, producing, and arranging TSO's five albums, and his role as the musical director for their annual tours through 2009. We also discussed his new band, Cinema 12.
Acoustified are a new rock band from Portland "in the style of Seether, Def Leppard, Linkin Park, Shinedown". They have a new single out called I Believe plus a band new video: youtu.be/VXxQHZEbSGY.
MetalSymphony.com has uploaded some photos from JSS concert May 2, 2013 at Sala Razzmatazz in Barcelona, Spain. Also available are pictures of support act Alterevo, Airless. Check them out at this location: www.metalsymphony.com/?p=13270#gp. JSS's set list was as follows: Take U Down, 21st Century, Damage Control, One Love, Look Inside Your Heart, Soul Divine, Tears That I Cry, Broken Man, Afraid To Die, Eyes of Love, Risk (Jorge Salan), Break Your Chains / Day By Day / Give Me a Sign / Dangerous / Just Between Us / Mysterious (This Time It's Serious) (Medley), Frozen / Crazy, I'll Be Waiting, Bass Solo, Shot in the Dark, I'll Be Waiting (reprise), Livin' the Life, - Stand Up And Shout, Community Property (Steel Panther cover, cappella).
RECORD COVER ARTIST IOANNIS PAYS TRIBUTE TO URIAH HEEP'S TREVOR BOLDER:
"I got the call yesterday afternoon from a grief stricken management, and later an email from Mick Box, my friend and member of Uriah Heep, Trevor Bolder had died of pancreatic cancer. I am working on Uriah Heep - Live In Germany at the moment, I put it to the side and at the moment having a hard time completing the package. Trevor was a gentleman and a kind soul, have had many memorable after shows chats with him about his travels, and those Bowie years with Spiders From Mars. I had introduced my wife to him who was thrilled to meet him being a huge Bowie fan herself. Although I had been aware for some time of the illness there was always hope he would beat it. I will really miss him, my love and prayers go out to his family, friend and the other members of Heep who are numb and in shock. You will never be forgotten my friend. Cheers." ~ Ioannis / www.dangerousage.com.
SWEET SOUNDS MANAGEMENT ADD BLACK OAK ARKANSAS TO ROSTER: Sweet Sounds Music is proud to announce that Southern Rockers Black Oak Arkansas has been added to our family roster of musicians. Sweet Sounds Music is looking forward in working as the premiere booking agent for Black Oak. The band is set to release their latest CD through Atlantic Records which is due out this Summer. Sweet Sounds will be booking the bands USA tour dates. To read about the history of this legendary band, please read the information below. To book Black Oak Arkansas and other artists, please visit www.sweetsounds.us and e-mail Ron Berman at rberman48@aim.com or call 917-575-7384.
Black Oak Arkansas - Formed in 1964, the band that would become one of original Southern Rock pioneers was born!
Jim "Dandy" Mangrum, the long-haired blond dynamo... who was recently declared by Classic Rock magazine to be the 32nd front man of all time from anybody in music... has the power and stage presence to keep himself and this slamming rock band in front of the public eye for a half of a century now! He's been around the world many times, and this verbal fire-snatcher and master of stage antics has managed to make his name a household word in most of the civilized parts of Planet Earth!
His sidekick... co-writer, guitarist, lifelong friend and also a founding member of the band is Rickie Lee Reynolds. Having been with Jim Dandy since junior high school, theirs has been an adventure that only a handful of human beings can claim to have experienced! With many Gold and Platinum albums to their credit... these two scallywags have left a deeply engraved mark on the minds and hearts of millions of people worldwide over the years. And they're not done yet!
The backbone and backbeat to this gang of rock maniacs is Mr. Johnnie Bolin. Brother of the world-famous Tommy Bolin, Johnnie has played, recorded and adventured with Black Oak Arkansas for almost three decades now! His is the job of keeping these crazy people locked down to that up-tempo stage magic that Black Oak Arkansas is so known for... and he does his job very well!
When Pat Daugherty, (Black Oak's original bass player), chose to come off the road to be put out to stud, he helped pick the man to give these hooligans the bottom they needed! From Fort Smith, Arkansas... we give you George Hughen... king of the low notes! Another home-spun Arkansas ingredient thrown into the recipe, George has spent many a year now with the BOA boys... and that takes talent and endurance!
Finally... Hal MacCormack finishes off the necessary spice needed to bind this conglomeration! Former member of BOA friends Jimi Jameson and Survivor, Hal has been cranking out his extraordinary guitar work for the Raunch and Rollers for the better part of the decade!
BEROCK RADIO TO RELEASE MELODIC HARD ROCK CD COMPILATION: BeRock Radio is to release a melodic hard rock CD collection named "Under The City Lights" in June 2013. With unique songs (17 Tracks) from favorite and emerging bands of the melodic hard rock, and rock music scene (10 Bands). The CD will be available in luxurious jewel box with 6 pages color booklet inside! The CD is not for sale, it is absolutely free + Free of charge delivery worldwide! You can order the CD on this email address: admin@berock-radio.com.
Band Line-Up: Metal Scent, George Gakis, Impulsia, Cyanide 4, Wild Kitten, Heart Attack, Junkyard 69, Steelrush, Hammrock, Marylou & The Blues Trackers!
Promo video of the CD and information page: minizine.berock-radio.com/html/news/cd_collection_2013/under_the_city_lights.html#.UZw_8qN--Ht.
POPULAR ROCK 'N' BLUES FEST TOUR TO RETURN THIS SUMMER:
The summertime blues are back and better than ever as the popular Rock 'n' Blues Fest tour returns for a second consecutive year with such well-known artists as Ten Years After, Edgar Winter Band, Canned Heat, Rick Derringer and Pat Travers. All inspired to pick up their instruments due to their love for rock and blues, these five artists will be hitting the road together for approximately a month beginning July 27 at The Cannery Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Edgar Winter and Rick Derringer return from last year, where they performed many a sold out show with Johnny Winter, Leslie West and Kim Simmonds.
In 1967, four young musicians from Nottinghamshire, England -- Leo Lyons, Ric Lee and Chick Churchill together with Alvin Lee -- formed Ten Years After and became one of the biggest names in music and one of the most explosive quartets on the world stage. Their now legendary encore, "I'm Going Home," performed at Woodstock in August 1969, was captured on film and exposed their jazz, blues, rock amalgam to a large audience, who were blown away by the intensity of the band's performance when the Academy Award winning documentary was released. Their ten-minute appearance in the film is an acknowledged highlight and established Ten Years After a place in rock history. In 1971, the band had a Top 40 hit with "I'd Love To Change The World." After Alvin Lee left the band for a solo career, Ten Years After ceased recording and touring. A chance opportunity in early 2002 for the other three original members of Ten Years After (bassist Leo Lyons, drummer Ric Lee and keyboardist Chick Churchill) to work together again gave them an insight into the intense, re-awakened interest in the band. In 2003, vocalist/guitarist Joe Gooch joined the line-up and the band soon released a studio album titled Now, which was followed by a live effort in 2005. Today, they are recreating the music, energy and excitement they've been known for over the past several decades.
"All the members of Ten Years After are enthusiastic about reuniting with Edgar, Rick and especially Canned Heat again," states Ric Lee. "Original members Chick Churchill, Leo Lyons and I first performed alongside Canned Heat at the legendary Fillmore Ballroom on our first tour of the United States in 1968 and have remained good friends ever since. We are also excited to tour the U.S. as we pay tribute to band-mate Alvin Lee, while igniting a new wave of youthful excitement and appeasing long-term fans."
Alvin Lee, for those unaware, passed away earlier this year from "unforeseen complications following a routine surgical procedure."
Joining Ten Years After for the Rock'n'Blues Fest "ride" will be Edgar Winter, who has certainly met with considerable acclaim in his own right with such monster hits as "Free Ride" and the chart-topping rocker, "Frankenstein."
A multi-instrumentalist (keyboards/sax/percussion) whose music encompasses many different genres including rock, blues, jazz and pop, Edgar Winter first hit the national spotlight with his early recording of "Tobacco Road," featured on his 1970 debut album, Entrance. Edgar would soon form the band White Trash and release two hit albums in '71 and '72 titled, Edgar Winter's White Trash and Roadwork. Hot on the heels of the certified gold album, Roadwork, Edgar would put together an entirely new outfit called The Edgar Winter Group that would originally feature guitarist Ronnie Montrose. In 1973, the band's first effort, They Only Come Out at Night, would spawn both the hit singles, "Free Ride" (#14) and "Frankenstein" (#1), and remain on the charts for an incredible 80 consecutive weeks. The pivotal album would eventually reach double-platinum status, selling more than 2 million copies. With over 20 albums and numerous collaborative efforts to his credit, Edgar Winter has not been satisfied to ride the wave of popular music stardom. His music has been featured in several major national television and radio and advertising campaigns. In addition, his music can be heard in no fewer than fifteen film and television projects.
"This is Edgar Winter, and we will be rockin' the blues again this year on the Rock'n'Blues Fest Tour. For those of you who saw us last year, we will be doing a new and very different show. 2013 marks the fortieth year since the release of 'Frankenstein' and 'Free Ride' on the album, They Only Come Out At Night. So we intend to celebrate the occasion by playing some of the songs from that album I haven't done in years -- like 'We All Had A Real Good Time,' 'Hangin' Around,' and 'Undercover Man.' We are very excited, this one's going to be a blast! It means the world to me to be playing the music I love, and see you all out there having a good time. So we look forward to seeing you at one of the shows, and get ready to Rock 'N' Roll!!!"
Joining the tour for the first time is Canned Heat who rose to fame because their knowledge and love of blues music was both wide and deep. Emerging in 1966, Canned Heat was founded by blues historians and record collectors Alan Blind Owl Wilson and Bob The Bear Hite. Drawing on an encyclopedic knowledge of all phases of the genre, the group specialized in updating obscure old blues recordings. Canned Heat™s unique blend of modern electric blues, rock and boogie has earned them a loyal following and influenced many aspiring guitarists and bands during the past four decades. Their Top 20 country-blues-rock songs from 1968, "On The Road Again" and "Going Up The Country," became rock anthems throughout the world with the latter being adopted as the unofficial theme song for the film Woodstock. Their cover version of Wilbert Harrison™s "Let's Work Together" was actually their biggest hit as it rose to #1 in 31 different countries around the world.
"We are all looking forward to a great tour with our longtime friends of Ten Years After and Edgar Winter," says Skip Taylor, Canned Heat's longtime manager. "It should be as much fun for us as for the audience."
Next on the bill is rock guitarist Rick Derringer, who's had an illustrious career as both a solo artist and critical band member.
Air guitarists will surely be out in force when Rick breaks into his well-known rock anthem, "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo." The song, released in '73, continues to be a staple on rock radio and was featured in several movies including The Spirit of '76, Rush, Stag, What A Girl Wants and the cult classic, Dazed and Confused. It's a little known fact that years before his success as a solo artist, Rick had a band at the age of 17 called The McCoys that had a #1 hit in 1965 called, "Hang on Sloopy." The song would eventually be knocked out of the top spot by The Beatles' "Yesterday." A year after its release, The McCoys would find themselves as the openers for the entire Rolling Stones American tour. In 1977, Rick would appear on the last Led Zeppelin North American Tour and, in the years to follow, would perform with such artists as Alice Cooper ("Under My Wheels"), Steely Dan ("Show Biz Kids" and "Chained Lightning"), Kiss, Todd Rundgren and Weird Al Yankovic among others including the Winter brothers, Johnny and Edgar. From 1986 to 1992, Rick would tour with Cindy Lauper and co-write a song from her True Colors album titled, "Calm Inside The Storm." In 2011, Rick toured Europe with Ringo Starr as a member of Ringo's All-Starr Band just prior to embarking on that year's Hippiefest tour.
While most bluesy hard rock acts of the ˜70s and ˜80s hailed from the United States, there were several exceptions to the rule, such as Canadian singer/guitarist Pat Travers who also joins the Rock'n'Blues Fest tour for the first time. Born in Toronto, he first picked up the guitar just prior to entering his teens, after witnessing a local performance of the great Jimi Hendrix. His first touring gig came his way when he hooked up with ˜50s Rock & Roll vet Ronnie Hawkins. But Travers main love was hard rock so, after a year, he headed to London before returning to North America and setting his sights on the U.S. rock market. With the new Travers band, Pat enjoyed his most commercially successful period, resulting in a pair of Top 30 releases, "Boom Boom (Out Go The Lights)" from the album, Live! Go For What You Know, and "Snortin' Whiskey" from Crash and Burn. Travers continues to tour and record regularly, rocking the masses wherever he goes...
"I am so excited to be part of a tour that has some of my favorite artists on it playing some of best music ever written and performed. This is Pat Travers and I'm champing at the bit to get the chance to play a lot of Rockin' Blues on the Blues Fest Tour this Summer 2013."
For more information: www.tenyearsafternow.com / www.edgarwinter.com / www.cannedheatmusic.com / www.rickderringer.com / www.pattravers.com.
Rock 'n' Blues Fest Tour 2013
Saturday, July 27 - The Cannery Casino - Las Vegas, Nevada
Sunday, July 28 - The Winery - Saratoga, California
Tuesday, July 30 - Humphrey's By The Sea - San Diego, California
Friday, August 2 - The Grove - Anaheim, California
Saturday, August 3 - Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill Park - Flagstaff, Arizona
Sunday, August 4 - Fox Tucson Theatre - Tucson, Arizona
Wednesday, August 7 - The Zoo - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Friday, August 9 - Country Club Hills Theater - Chicago, Illinois
Saturday, August 10 - Freedom Hill Amphitheater - Sterling Heights, Michigan
Sunday, August 11 - Empire City Casino - Yonkers, New York
Tuesday, August 13 - NYCB Theatre - Westbury, New York
Wednesday, August 14 - The Keswick Theater - Glenside, Pennsylvania
Thursday, August 15 - The Park Theater - Providence, Rhode Island
Friday, August 16 - Bergen Performing Arts Center - Englewood, New Jersey
Saturday, August 17 - Casino Rama - Rama, Ontario, Canada
Sunday, August 18 - Fraze Pavilion - Kettering, Ohio
Wednesday, August 21 - Hampton Beach Casino - Hampton, New Hampshire
Thursday, August 22 - Melody Tent - Hyannis, Massachusetts
Saturday, August 24 - Ruth Eckerd Hall - Clearwater, Florida
*More dates to be announced.
MRX UPDATED: MRX has been updated with the following two new Feature Albums -
- John Kilzer - Memory In The Making
- Glen Stace - Buddha Hotel Join MRX now.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
FRONTIERS RECORDS MAY 2013 RELEASES SPOT: Frontiers Records May 2013 Releases Spot - Featuring Timo Tolkki's Avalon, Burning Rain and The Poodles. For more info: www.frontiers.it - www.frontiers.it/usstore.
DEBUT RELEASES FROM NEW VENTURE MUSIC: New Venture Music is a new cooperation between the Avenue Of Allies label and Germusica PR. The first two releases (out June 14) are as follows. Coming soon: www.new-venture-music.com.
Indicco – Karmalion / When Indigo Balboa and Paco Cerezo started to work together in 2008 they felt that their musical talents are a perfect match. At the time the Spanish duo started to compose songs together and founded the band Indicco, Indigo Balboa had just returned from California where he was working on his second solo album with the well known musician/song writer/producer Mark Spiro and Paco Cerezo had just left the internationally renowned Spanish Melodic Rock band 91 Suite of which he was the co-founder and guitar player. Three years in the making, "Karmalion" marks Indicco's debut album, a pure Melodic Rock affair of international quality, combining fresh new ideas with the classic AOR trademarks of the bands that inspired Indicco's sound, like Survivor, Giant, John Waite, Toto and Bad English. "Karmalion" unites the Spanish Melodic Rock elite with three iconic AOR heavyweights, underlining the high musical standard the band is aiming for: Jimi Jamison (Survivor), one of the best vocalists of the AOR genre, is sharing lead vocals with Indigo Balboa on three tracks, did backing vocals and co-wrote a song as well. Mark Spiro (Bad English, Giant, John Waite, Mr. Big) co-wrote and recorded vocals for three songs of the album. He also played piano and keyboards and took care of parts of the production at his studio in Carlsbad, California. Tim Pierce (Rick Springfield, John Waite, Eric Martin), one of the most in demand session guitar players on the globe is featured on additional guitars.
The album was produced by Indigo Balboa, Paco Cerezo and Mark Spiro and the band Indicco is completed by Antonio Muñoz (ex-91 Suite) on bass, Lean Martinez (ex-91 Suite) on drums and Angel Valdegrama on keys. In their home country where they toured with Jimi Jamison and several other international acts the band already won praise for their powerful live sound. This year Indicco will be on tour again to promote their album "Karmalion", on some dates they will be sharing the stage with Jimi Jamison.
Indicco are: Indigo Balboa – Lead Vocals and Additional Keys; Paco Cerezo – Lead and Rhythm Guitars, Backing Vocals and Additional Keys; Antonio Muñoz – Bass and Additional Keys; Angel Valdegrama – Keyboards; Lean Martinez - Drums.
Special Guests: Jimi Jamison – Vocals on "Days Of Wine And Roses", "Feel So Good", "Ride The Wave"; Backing Vocals on "Feels So Good" and "Life In Your Lightness" Mark Spiro – Vocals on "Wrong", "Leaving Me"; Backing Vocals on "All About You"; Piano and Keys on "Wrong" and "Leaving Me" Tim Pierce – Guitars on "All About You" and "Leaving Me" David Palau – Additional Guitars
Produced by Indigo Balboa, Paco Cerezo & Mark Spiro. Mastered by Nick Litwin.
WebLink: www.indicco.com.
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Markonee – Club Of Broken Hearts / Markonee originate from the lively Rock scene of Bologna, Italy, where the band was founded by guitar player Stefano Peresson (ex-Danger Zone) back in 1999 together with guitar player Carlo Bevilacqua. Adapting their band name from the Italian radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi the band's sound carries on the Classic Hard Rock in the tradition of genre favorites such as Winger, Ratt, Warrant, Skid Row, Pink Cream 69, Firehouse and Gotthard. So far the band has released two records, "The Spirit Of Radio" (2006), a concept album about the invention of the radio, and "See The Thunder" (2009), which was mixed and mastered by Beau Hill (Alice Cooper, Europe, Ratt, Winger). Markonee toured mainland Europe and the United Kingdom extensively in support of their second album, performing dozens of shows with the likes of Winger, Gotthard, White Lion, The Sweet, Molly Hatchet, Tyketto, Soul Doctor, Y&T, L.A. Guns and House Of Shakira.
"Club Of Broken Hearts", their brand new, third release, marks the recording debut of singer Alessio Trapella, who joined the band in 2011. For their latest effort the Italian five-piece recorded 12 original tunes and delivers their strongest set of songs up to today.
This time the album was mixed & mastered by Roberto Priori (Danger Zone, Wheels Of Fire), "Club Of Broken Hearts" also features a guest performance by Michele Luppi (Los Angeles, Secret Sphere, ex-Vision Divine). The album sees the band rocking a little harder than on their previous record, offering driving guitars, majestic vocals and a driving big time groove. Highlights include the rock anthem "I Say No", the catchy title track, the cleverly arranged "Shaken & Stirred" and the musical tribute to their hometown, "Rock City".
Markonee are: Alessio Trapella - Vocals, Stefano Peresson – Lead, Rhythm & Acoustic Guitars, Keyboards, Carlo Bevilacqua - Guitars, Luigi "JJ" Frati - Bass, Ivano Zanotti - Drums.
Special Guests: Michele Luppi – Piano on "Never Ever Loved Me", Germano Giusti - Horn solo on "Never Ever Loved Me", Alessandro Cosentino – Violins on "Never Ever Loved Me"
Produced by SonicRobots in association with Oderso Rubini & Roberto Priori. Mixed & mastered by Roberto Priori.
WebLink: www.markonee.com.
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NOW WHAT?! ROGER GLOVER OF DEEP PURPLE ANSWERS THAT AND MORE INTHESTUDIO.NET:
Dallas,TX- May 22, 2013. InTheStudio.NET, the web home for North American syndicated Rock radio show InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands catches up with Deep Purple's Roger Glover to discuss their critically acclaimed new album Now What?! After a seven year absence in the studio, it appeared that Deep Purple were content to tour themselves (loudly) into rock history as the recognized Godfathers of Heavy Rock. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Could any one of us have predicted that 45 years after their first hit "Hush" we would be raving about a Deep Purple album in 2013, produced by Pink Floyd/Alice Cooper veteran Bob Ezrin, Bass player/songwriter Roger Glover points out to program host Redbeard how Now What?! answers an important creative challenge for the band. "I suppose the object of the exercise is not to become a parody of yourself. And that requires change... People are scared of change, including us in a way, but you have to embrace it when it comes... A lot of the influence for Now What?! came from the (2011) orchestra tour, using an orchestra not as backing or sugary sweetening behind everything, but to really make it a part of the band. I hear that (on Now What?!) It wasn't a conscience thing, but listening to the record now I can hear it."
Stream the entire Deep Purple Now What?! program this month as part of InTheStudio's Medium Rare "online-only" rockumentary series. www.inthestudio.net/online-only-interviews/deep-purple-now-what-roger-glover.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
AVENUE OF ALLIES PRESENTS ITS NEXT RELEASE, THE BRAND NEW STATE COWS ALBUM: Avenue Of Allies presents its next release, the brand new album The Second One by the amazing Swedish Westcoast band State Cows is due out on May 24.
"The Second One" with its stellar song writing, the perfect arrangements, the great harmony vocals and the impressive list of guest musicians is the perfect addition to the CD collection of everyone looking for the classic Westcoast sound along the lines of Airplay, Pages, Steely Dan, Marc Jordan, Michael McDonald, David Roberts, Toto and Chicago. For the recordings of "The Second One", Daniel Andersson and Stefan Olofsson invited an amazing cast of musicians, Bill Champlin, Jay Graydon, Michael Landau, Ian Bairnson, Peter Friestedt and Sven Larsson are among the featured session cats on this highly anticipated trip back in time."
When Daniel Andersson and Stefan Olofsson released the self titled State Cows' debut album (Avenue 1008 0016) in 2010, the feedback from the fans and the media alike was nothing short of phenomenal. The reviewers wrote, "Westcoast music at its best", "a future classic among Westcoast fans", "by far the best release in the Westcoast genre in recent years", "an absolute must for anyone who is seeking a contemporary Westcoast outfit", "they totally nailed the classic Westcoast sound but they have a unique style all their own". And one of the true icons of the genre, Jay Graydon, who contributed a guitar solo to the song "New York Town", said: "These guys have surely taken West Coast Pop to another level adding the freshness of youth. Great songs, arrangements and performances!" Accolades galore, raising the expectations for the follow-up to a very high level and with their sophomore album aptly titled "The Second One" the Swedes have definitely managed to live up to their reputation as one of the best Westcoast bands since the glory days of the genre ended almost 30 years ago.
For the recordings of "The Second One", Daniel and Stefan invited most of the musicians who already conduced to the success of the first album again. Jay Graydon returns for a guitar solo on upbeat "In The City", but he is not the only one of the former L.A. session cats who makes an appearance, Michael Landau plays the guitar solo on "This Time" and you can listen to Bill Champlin's vocals on "Finally Fair and Balanced" with the typical arrangement you expect when you hear Bill's voice. Ian Bairnson of Alan Parsons Project / Keats fame played a guitar solo on "I Got Myself Together", while the local Swedish guitar talents, Peter Friestedt and Sven Larsson paid a courtesy visit for a guitar solo on "Mister White" and "Hard Goodbye" respectively.
"The Second One" with its stellar song writing, the perfect arrangements, the great harmony vocals and the impressive list of guest musicians is the perfect addition to the CD collection of everyone looking for the classic Westcoast sound along the lines of Airplay, Pages, Steely Dan, Marc Jordan, Michael McDonald, David Roberts, Toto and Chicago.
All songs written, produced and arranged by Stefan Olofsson and Daniel Andersson. Recorded at White Cherry Hill Studios. Mixed by Stefan Olofsson. Mastered by Stefan Olofsson. Horn arrangement on "In the City" by Per Bejstam. Flugelhorn solo on "Mister White" arranged by Hans Hjortek.
State Cows are: Daniel Andersson: vocals, guitars; Stefan Olofsson: keyboards, synth bass.
Guest musicians: Bill Champlin: vocals on "Finally Fair and Balanced"; Michael Landau: guitar solo on "This Time"; Jay Graydon: guitar solo on "In The City"; Peter Friestedt: guitar solo on "Mister White"; Sven Larsson: guitar solo on "Hard Goodbye"; Ian Bairnson: guitar solo on "I Got Myself Together"; Peter Holmqvist: guitar solo on "Scofflaws"; Göran Turborn: guitar solo on "California Gold"; Samuel Muntlin: EWI solo on "Nineteen Eighty-One"; Pär Wretling: flugelhorn solo on "Mister White", flugelhorn on "California Gold"; Per Bejstam: trumpets, flugelhorn on "In The City"; Peter Olofsson: drums; Lars-Erik Dahle: bass; Mikael Emsing: percussion; Marcuz Granberg, Christian Thomsen: backing vocals.
WebLinks: www.statecows.com / www.facebook.com/statecows.
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In further news, Avenue Of Allies will start a new section for releases called New Venture Music. Everything will be handled like for any other Avenue Of Allies release, but for internal reasons we decided to establish this new brand for signings of bands delivering us a finished album, rather than our own projects on which we will continue to work on with Avenue Of Allies, and the high quality re-issues of the Avenue Archives series.
Our partner for the promotion activities of New Venture Music is Germusica (www.germusica.com). The first two releases on New Venture Music are due in mid-June 2013, they are the debut album by the Spanish Melodic Rock / AOR act Indicco and the third album by Italian Hard Rockers Markonee.
THE WINERY DOGS FEATURING ROCK VETERANS SIGN WITH LOUD & PROUD RECORDS: The Winery Dogs, the power trio featuring rock veterans Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Avenged Sevenfold), Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big) and Richie Kotzen (Mr. Big, Poison), have signed with Loud & Proud Records. The Winery Dogs' self-titled debut album will be released in North America on July 23. The Winery Dogs was self-produced and mixed by Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Stone Sour, Steel Panther). It features a classic rock/power trio sound which seamlessly melds the immense talents of the three veteran rockers.
The band has already released two videos from the new album, "Elevate" and Desire, the latter of which recently premiered on Ulitmateclassicrock.com. Both videos can now be seen on their official YouTube page.
Of The Winery Dogs' signing, Mike Portnoy commented, "I am so excited about The Winery Dogs and am proud and honored to be working with two of the greatest musicians on the planet! Richie Kotzen is such an unbelievable talent, as a vocalist, guitarist and songwriter. I think The Winery Dogs will finally get him the attention and recognition that he so richly deserves. And what can be said of Billy Sheehan that hasn't been said already? He is one the true pioneers of the instrument and a legend. I am looking forward to working with the great staff of Loud & Proud Records, some of whom I worked very closely with during their time at Roadrunner and my time with Dream Theater. I look forward to continuing that relationship with The Winery Dogs!"
Loud & Proud Owner & President Tom Lipsky added, "The debut by The Winery Dogs absolutely rocks and we are very excited that Loud & Proud is their label partner. This body of work showcases not only their renowned skills as musicians and vocalists, but also the depth of their talent as songwriters. Billy, Mike and Richie delivered some of the best performances of their illustrious careers and I am confident this album will be recognized as one of the truly great rock albums of the year."
Touted as one of the best guitar players in the world, Richie Kotzen also possesses a voice on par with some of the greatest rock/soul singers and is highly regarded as a gifted songwriter. With guitar styles ranging from rock, blues, jazz and fusion to pop and soul, Kotzen has built a remarkably diverse 20-year career as a guitarist, singer and songwriter. A prolific songwriter, Richie has written several songs that have gone on to become hit singles around the world and he continues to appear in countless books, magazines and websites, being acknowledged as one of the top guitarists in the world. Mike Portnoy is one of the founding members of Dream Theater, with whom he played drums for 25 years, selling more than 10 million copies worldwide. Portnoy's long list of awards include 26 Modern Drummer magazine Reader's Poll Awards, including Hall of Fame Inductee in 2004, MVP of the Year in 2010, Best Progressive Rock Drummer (for the magazine's record of 12 years in a row), Best Clinician (twice), Best Educational Video/DVD and Best Recorded Performance of the Year (seven times) while in Dream Theater and Avenged Sevenfold. He also holds the distinction being the second youngest drummer ever inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame (at age 37) and is currently the youngest in the magazine's Hall of Fame. DRUM! Magazine named him Drummer Of The Year for the last two years in a row (2011 & 2012), and he won the Revolver Golden Gods Award for "Drummer Of The Year" in 2011.
As a founding member of Mr. Big, Billy Sheehan forged his place in hard rock history. Mr. Big's trademark virtuosic musicianship with stellar vocal harmonies and earned them numerous hit songs, including the ubiquitous "To Be With You," which was a Billboard Hot 100 #1 single in 15 countries, propelling the band to major international success and record sales in the multi-millions. Sheehan was voted the "Best Rock Bass Player" 5 times in Guitar Player magazine's Readers Poll, earning him a spot in their "Gallery of Greats" along with Jimi Hendrix, Paul McCartney, Geddy Lee, Eddie Van Halen and more, and he has won several Reader's polls around the world. He won the prestigious Player magazine (Japan's #1 Music mag) Reader's Poll for Best Bass Player an unprecedented 14 consecutive times and Burrn! magazine's (Japan's #1 heavy metal mag) Readers' Poll five times. His hands and signature are preserved in cement on the Rockwalk at Guitar Center in Hollywood, CA.
Stay tuned for U.S. tour news, which will be announced in the coming weeks.
About Loud & Proud Records:
Loud & Proud Records was founded in 2007 by Tom Lipsky, and is currently in an exclusive distribution, marketing and label services agreement with RED Distribution, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. The label's mission is to provide a true and transparent partnership between artists and their record label. Loud & Proud aims to establish and proliferate a new business model which will appeal to both veteran and emerging artists of all levels and status. Labels under Lipsky's direction in the past (CMC International, Sanctuary) have been among the market leaders in the veteran artist space, delivering Gold and Platinum albums and DVDs for Neil Young, Lynyrd Skynyrd, KISS, The Allman Brothers Band, Widespread Panic, Iron Maiden, Styx, Megadeth, Bad Company, REO Speedwagon and more. In a previous joint-venture with Roadrunner Records, Loud & Proud was responsible for new albums by Rush, Rob Zombie, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kiss, Lenny Kravitz, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, The Steve Miller Band, Collective Soul, Meat Loaf and Ratt. Loud & Proud Records is a registered trademark of Lipsky Music, LLC.
Track Listing: 01. Elevate 02. Desire 03. We Are One 04. I'm No Angel 05. The Other Side 06. You Saved Me 07. Not Hopeless 08. One More Time 09. Damaged 10. Six Feet Deeper 11. Criminal 12. The Dying 13. Regret.
NEWMAN RETURN WITH 10TH STUDIO ALBUM:
UK melodic rock band Newman will release their new album entitled Siren through AOR Heaven in July. Songs include the storming opener "Scar Of Love", the anthemic "Had Enough", and "Feel Her Again", a song which features Robert Säll (Work Of Art, W.E.T.) on guitar. Other album tracks include the uplifting "When It Comes To Love" co-written by Nick Workman (Vega, Kick) who also adds background vocals and the driving rhythm of "Some Kind Of Wonderful", one of two songs written by Steve Newman and Pete Newdeck (Tainted Nation, Eden's Curse).
Full track listing: 1. Scar Of Love 2. Had Enough 3. Arcadia 4. Another Bitch Of A Night 5. Feel Her Again 6. Some Kind Of Wonderful 7. Siren 8. When It Comes To Love 9. Crossfire 10. Waiting For The Day 11. The Foolish One 12. Don't Know Why.
More details to follow soon.
Newman will make their U.S. live debut at MelodicRockFest 3 - September 27-29 in Chicago, IL. www.melodicrockfest.com for tickets and details.
WebLinks: www.newmansound.com / www.aorheaven.com.
GLENN HUGHES WAS ASKED TO JOIN THE BABYS IN REUNION ATTEMPT:
Former Babys keyboardist/guitarist Michael Corby has added a series of sensational Facebook Blog posts to his page, dishing up previously unknown details behind an attempt to get The Babys back together in the mid-part of the last decade.
His first post - under the heading The Babys - Reunion Attempt 2003-2007; Corby posted the letter he originally wrote to singer John Waite, attempting to get a reunion rolling. Waite denied ever getting the letter: "For those who never saw the story regarding The Babys reunion attempt, details of which were posted in 2008 after John Waite refused to acknowledge that he had ever received the letter which follows a short introduction here. A few months ago John finally admitted ihe had received it but refused to open it. This was after lying about it over and over again. He now formally claimed, in his delusional mind, that he thought it was a letter from me trying to get free tickets to attend a Country Music concert with his ex-fiancée, Alison Krauss in London, England."
Post: www.facebook.com/notes/michael-corby/the-babys-reunion-attempt-2003-2007/494569077263973.
It gets better with Corby's second post, describing a plan he hatched to bring in Glenn Hughes to replace Waite, as the band expected the notoriously difficult singer to bail: "Now, there was a 'Plan B' to all this. It was a guy on standby in case Waite was still as idiotic and impossible to deal with as he was back in 78. So, enter one Glenn Hughes, an old acquaintance of mine. If Waite wasn't going to do it I fancied replacing him with a guy who can out-sing him a thousand times over and can play a bass like a god instead of like a complete 4th rate amateur, at best... and let's not delude ourselves here, I'm being generous to Waite. Musically speaking, he can barely play a note and has no real right to refer to himself as a musician. This, Plan B would give The Babys the finest rhythm section in the world. The heritage of an ex-Deep Purple player was also a great mix with the rest of us."
Full post (and worth a read): www.facebook.com/notes/michael-corby/the-final-reasons-for-the-babys-2003-2007-reunion-failure/494749673912580.
Trevor Bolder, the bass player who was one of the founding members of David Bowie's legendary backing band the Spiders From Mars, died Tuesday at the age of 62, after suffering from pancreatic cancer for several years. The English musician and record producer was also known for being a member of British rock group Uriah Heep, joining them in the late 1970s and playing with them throughout his career. He appeared on the band's most recent album, Into the Wild, in 2011, and was planning to join them for their performance at the Download Festival in June, reports NME.
The famed bassist underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer earlier this year, in which he had part of his pancreas removed. "They've cut out the bad bit. I've had a bit of chemo, got to have that, which I'm doing now, in case there's anything hanging about," Bolder told Classic Rock magazine in February. Bolder played on several classic Bowie albums, including Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, and Aladdin Sane.
Uriah Heep issued the following statement about Bolder's death: "It is with great sadness that Uriah Heep announce the passing of our friend the amazing Trevor Bolder, who has passed away after his long fight with cancer. Trevor was an all time great, one of the outstanding musicians of his generation, and one of the finest and most influential bass players that Britain ever produced. His long time membership of Uriah Heep brought the band's music, and Trevor's virtuosity and enthusiasm, to hundreds of thousands of fans across the world. He joined the band in 1976 and, barring one short break, was a fixture until his ill health forced him to take a step back early this year."
Lead guitarist Mick Box said, "Trevor was a world class bass player, singer and songwriter, and more importantly a world class friend. He will be sadly missed by family, friends and rock fans all over the world. We are all numb to the core."
Bolder also played with Mick Ronson, Wishbone Ash, and the Cybernauts.
British journo Dave Ling posted earlier today in tribute of Trevor: "What truly awful news. At 7.30pm we lost Trevor Bolder, one of the most talented and likable guys in rock music. Heep's Mick Box says: "Trevor was a World Class bass player, singer & songwriter, and more importantly a World Class friend. He will be sadly missed by family, friends and rock fans all over the world. We are all numb to the core." RIP, Trevor 1950-2013."
SEBASTIAN BACH READY TO SING HIS FACE OFF:
From: www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/abc-orders-celebrity-competition-sing-448417 / The network home to Dancing With the Stars and Splash has picked up six episodes of Sing Your Face Off, a talent variety competition featuring five celebrities transformed to train as a legendary musical icon, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The series, based on Endemol Spain's Your Face Sounds Familiar, will feature celebrities -- who have yet to be cast -- taking on iconic musicians as they undergo hours of makeup, choreography and vocal coaching. Each episode will feature the complete physical transformation -- including the icon's walk, talk, mannerisms and more -- as the celebrities compete in front of judges and a studio audience. In addition to being tasked with a physical transformation, participating talent also will have to actually perform music from their assigned icon each week. Participating celebs will transform to play -- and sing -- multiple musical performers during the series. Details on prizes still are being worked out.
Here's an exclusive though - one of the "celebrities" for Season 1 is none other than Sebastian Bach! And here is the man in action during rehearsals:
PHIL VINCENT GETS HIS FACE TO IT:
News from Phil Vincent: "Greetings to my friends in the music community, Well, here we are, 16 years and 28 releases later (14 solo albums and 14 from my bands Tragik, Legion, D'Ercole, Presense & Circular Logik) and I'm still introducing myself! For those of you not familiar with my work please go to: philvincent.com or www.philvincentbands.com to check out my entire discography. Face It is the most recent representation of my work as a songwriter, vocalist and musician. I play all the instruments on this release and have written all the songs. This is truly a solo album. No loops, no drum machines, no sequencers, just a human being playing musical instruments. I hope you enjoy listening to the material as much as I enjoyed making it.
As I reflect back on my 16 year career, I see one thing hasn't changed……my passion for creating music. I'm not doing this for the money and if I total up all the money I've spent trying to create, promote and produce my music, I would be a wealthy man today. J But I have no regrets. I'm healthy, have a great family, have friends that I treat like family and still get excited about music. I listen to a lot of music, old and new, and I'm still amazed by how powerful it is. I try to incorporate all my influences in everything I write. From the Beatles to Foreigner to Judas Priest to Queen to Pantera to Dokken to the Backstreet Boys to Winger, I wear my heart on my sleeve and I hope you find something in this CD that appeals to you and makes you feel the way I have felt. Like the first time I heard Boston's debut album, or "Fragile" by Yes, or "Paranoid" by Black Sabbath……you get the picture. And make no mistake…… I'm in no way making any kind of comparisons with "Face It" to those masterpieces but my intent when creating new music is always to move the listener, in any way I can.
If you like "Face It", please direct your readers/listeners to visit philvincent.com, www.philvincentbands.com, www.cdbaby.com, iTunes, and all the other digital outlets so they may listen to samples and purchase this double CD. Oh, I forgot to mention there is a second CD "Solar Flare", last year's digital only release now on CD included in the package. 2 Cds for a one CD price. My way of saying "Thank You" for allowing me the opportunity to do this for 16 years.
So crank it up loud and immerse yourself in the music. I hope it moves you."
Take Care and Keep Rockin', Phil Vincent.
COMING UP FROM SPV GERMANY:
Some updated release news from SPV Records in Germany:
September 23: Running Wild "tba" – new studio album "Adrian" will be back!!!!; Lita Ford "tba" – new live album; Hirax "Immortal Legacy" – new studio album.
October 28: Vengeance "tba" - new studio album; Mad Max "tba" - new studio album.
Coming in 2014: New studio albums from Axel Rudi Pell, Magnum, Lita Ford and Freedom Call.
VIDEO RELEASE -"FOR THE LAST IN LINE" - A TRIBUTE TO RONNIE JAMES DIO:
A reminder of the Dio tribute song from Fatal Smile:
Today May 16 it´s three years ago Ronnie James Dio sadly passed away... A true rock'n roll hero was taken from us as he - as so many others do - lost his battle against the most fierce enemy mankind has met so far: cancer!
This is a day of mourning, for us who loved him and his music, his fans and most of all those close to him. We´re really happy that we had a chance to support Dio on his Scandinavian tour in 2008 and to meet him in person. He will be remembered as the kind-hearted and most gentle soul we´ve had the honour to tour and share the stage with...
We strongly believe that Ronnie will be remembered forever, by generations to come. He will never be forgotten. Anyone as influential and unique becomes a legacy. We will surely do our best to keep this legacy alive, to honour it and the great man behind it.
Fatal Smile a video for the song that we wrote in great sorrow after we got word from Dio´s management of his passing on May 16, 2010. A song that means so much to us. It is a song filled with respect and love, and the first ballad in Fatal Smile history. The song is called "For the last in line" and is taken from our latest album "21st Century Freaks".
Lyrically it focuses on the fact that Dio´s fight for cancer must go on, that we must pull together to keep the fight alive until it's won, and that Ronnie can rest assure that we will never give up no matter how many heroes are made and lost. This is the most important fight humanity has before him, and it is a shame that so much is spent on destroying one another and so little in the fight of survival. Let Ronnie be a reminder of that. A never ever forgotten reminder!
He would surely have wanted to be a part of the victory to come! So let´s all get together and help us to fight cancer by donating to the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund - diocancerfund.org.
Enjoy the video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vY5D43WQJw.
And never ever forget - Ronnie James Dio - R.I.P.
KINK'S LEGEND DAVE DAVIES TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM 'I WILL BE ME' JUNE 4:
Los Angeles, CA - The man who forever changed the sound of rock 'n' roll when he invented distortion, Kink's legend Dave Davies, has recorded a brand new solo album of all original material! To be released on Cleopatra Records on June 4, 'I Will Be Me' features guest appearances by The Jayhawks, Anti-Flag, award winning UK blues guitarist Oli Brown, Chris Spedding, US stoner rock band Dead Meadow, Aussie rockers The Art, Geri X and others! In support of Dave's new album release, a special engagement of Live performances in New York and Los Angeles are scheduled for the end of May to mid-June! Dave Davies founded the Kinks in the early 1960s and forever changed music after he sliced up the speaker cone of a little green amp and created a revolutionary, distorted guitar tone and frenetic solo on the song "You Really Got Me". Musicologist Joe Harrington described the Kinks influence: " 'You Really Got Me', 'All Day And All Of The Night' ... were predecessors of the whole three-chord genre ... The Kinks did a lot to help turn rock n roll into rock." In 1998, writer Bill Crowley wrote, "As lead guitarist and founder of The Kinks, Dave Davies is one of the most unpredictable and original forces in rock, without whom guitar-rock styles including heavy metal and punk would have been inconceivable. A member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Dave's massive guitar sounds have inspired bands from Van Halen to Green Day."
Dave's new album 'I Will Be Me' is a return to his ground-breaking guitar sound and innovative songwriting. His classically English voice shows off a new depth but still hits his famous high notes in this collection. The hard rocking track "Livin' In The Past", takes a look at obsession with all things retro but, ever the Mod, Dave surprises with the lyric, "No matter what they do or say, the future's here to stay!" He takes a look back with "Little Green Amp", a playful, punk homage to days when his jagged, blues driven sound wave ripped ahead of the British Invasion through stereos the world over. "Cote du Rhone (I Will Be Me)", an uncensored look at ugliness in the world today, is as angry and biting as any song in Dave's repertoire with an innovative yet heavy slide guitar tone. Soothing lyrics and sounds of Jonathan Lea's sitar playing on "Healing Boy" show Dave's sensitive side. In a recent radio interview he said, "Rock music is a positive force for good." This hopeful and optimistic vision manifests and bridges themes personal, social and universal in 'I Will Be Me'.
To pre-order Dave Davies – 'I Will Be Me' CD: www.amazon.com/Dave-Davies-Will-Be-Me/dp/B00CA9VQBQ/ref=sr_1_17?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1366047104&sr=1-17&keywords=dave+davies.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
TWO CLASSIC ROBERT HART ALBUMS REMASTERED AND DUE IN JUNE: Escape Music is pleased to announce the release of a Robert Hart double album retrospective. The vocalist for Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Bad Company and The Distance), Robert Hart's two acclaimed solo albums are – Cries and Whispers and Robert Hart. Both albums are now to be released as a two CD Set – plus *2 bonus tracks fully re-mastered will be released in Europe June 21.
Track List: Cries and Whispers: White Lies And Promises / Heart / Dear Mary / Such An Easy Revolution / Cries And Whispers / This Has Got To Be Love / A Little Love Is Overdue / Mankind / High On Love / One To One / She's On The List / Heart-Arty Olive Mix / *Your Hurt As Much As Love Someone (bonus track).
Robert Hart: Heart And Soul / Angel / Ridin' On The Wind / I Don't Want To Be Here When You're Gone / Boys On The Corner / Fooled Around And Fell In Love / Someone To Watch Over Me / Better Than The Rest / Running Man / A Little Love Is Overdue / * Faster Than The Speed Of Love (bonus track).
The 2CD set will be packaged in a deluxe digipack along with full booklet and lyrics to every song.
Robert Hart is a British Rock Vocalist and songwriter. His career has seen him play with the likes of The Distance, Bad Company and Company of Snakes, as well as the Jones Gang and more recently Manfred Mann's Earth Band. His recording styles have varied and he can range from West Coast to Blues Rock to Hard Rock, such is his ability.
In 1989 Robert recorded a solo album "Cries and Whispers" which can be described as prime time AOR and has been a highly sought after recording ever since. The Album was originally released on Atlantic Records with Stewart Levine at the production desk.
Three years later Robert was the first recording artist to be signed by Hollywood Records which was owned by Disney and had the pleasure of working with the great Russ Ballard. The resulting album "Robert Hart" charted in more than 18 countries and it was a great AOR Rock Album that got him noticed by Bad Company's Mick Ralphs who then asked him to front Bad Company following the departures of Paul Rodgers and Brian Howe. In 1995 Robert Co-wrote the album "Company of Strangers" and he has since become a household name in Rock Circles.
These two albums in one package are a dream comes true for all fans of hard Rock and AOR, and it "essential" list should be placed on the "as soon as possible!
At the moment Robert Hart is working with Jim Kirkpatrick (FM guitarist) on a new project name Diesel and is due to be released in autumn 2013.
WebLinks: www.Escape-Music.com.
MELODICROCK.COM & ROCK SOLDIERS PRESENTS PAUL LAINE DOWNUNDER IN DECEMBER: Paul Laine will be heading to Australia in December 2013 and will be playing two live shows backed by Oz rockers The Radio Sun. This will be Paul's first ever live dates in Australia and he will be playing a selection of songs from his solo work, Danger Danger and Shugaazer catalogue. Paul Laine & The Radio Sun will play in Melbourne, Australia on Tuesday December 3 at The Cherry Bar and in Sydney, Australia on Thursday December 5 at The Valve Bar & Venue. A night not to be missed by fans of AOR/heavy rock! Tickets are $20 AUD plus $5 AUD for registered mail delivery (total $25 AUD) and can currently be purchased through Paypal at: powerpopski@hotmail.com.
AS ABOVE, SO BELOW - THE UNAUTHORIZED YNGWIE BIOGRAPHY:
The long awaited As Above, So Below - The Unauthorized Yngwie Biography by Sweden's legendary rock journalist Anders Tengner was released world wide in English on May 8 on the Kindle platform. The book was a smashing success in Sweden and received praise. "Impossible to put down" and "The best rock bio in a decade" according to Swedish media. The foreword is written by Joe Lynn Turner and among the interviewed are Graham Bonnet, Ron Keel, Jeff Scott Soto, family members, ex-wives and girlfriends, managers and other musicians like Eric Singer from Kiss. This is the most revealing look ever into the controversial life of the King of Shreds. The book includes over 60 never-before-seen pictures.
Readers say:
"A lot better than the official one!" - Andy Gavin
"This book gives a lot more details about his life." - William Philips
"Very good! I like how someone who wasn't even there every minute (Anders) managed to put together this awesome way to give us a glimpse of how it all started" - Behshad Kowassarie
"I feel like a door has been opened to Yngwie the man, his inner-child, his failings and success and the reasons why all hell broke loose" - Steve N. Mavronis
"The Amber chapters are an eye opener." - Alex Kaalund
"Don't let the unauthorized tag lead you to believe this is some kind of gutter journalism." - Reader review on amazon.com
"I feel ALOT closer to Yngwie after reading about his young life and teen pranks" - Beverly Bonneau
"Enjoyed the book thoroughly. It was quite addictive. I don't know that we'll see characters quite like these again!" - Chris A. Brooks
"Fabulous book! I've just finished reading it, and feel compelled to start again. I think it's infinitely more interesting than Yng's book. Very well written and thorough...loved it!" - Suzanne Marie
The English version is not available in print, only as an ebook. Here's a link to order: www.amazon.com.
Follow us at Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheYngwieBio.
RICK DERRINGER DOCO HITS KICKSTARTER:
Gary Mayes, Wayne Johnston, and Doug Kovach in Dallas, TX have been working on a Rick Derringer documentary for the last 3-4 years and have had the opportunity to interview a number of legendary names in the music industry. The project is 100% endorsed by Rick and is in the final stages of production. They have reached out to the classic rock community through a kickstarter campaign to help bring this documentary to fruition. Please visit: www.kickstarter.com/projects/992140502/rick-derringer-all-american-boy-still-alive-and-we to view a preview and maybe pledge a donation. Every little bit makes a difference and there are some cool perks at different price levels. So be a part of Rock and Roll history in bringing Rick Derringer's life story to the World!
THE FIRST EVER SOLO ALBUM OF SAVATAGE MASTERMIND JON OLIVA:
More than thirty years after the start of his career with Savatage, and successive projects/bands like Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Jon Oliva's Pain, now legendary songwriter and performer Jon Oliva releases his first ever solo album, titled Raise The Curtain. On June 21st (USA: July 2nd) the master's new piece of work will be available as CD Digipak (first edition) and 2-vinyl (gatefold, limited to 800 copies worldwide). The album will be released simply under the banner Oliva and you can expect a mixture of Jon Oliva's early influences and the material he wrote and recorded throughout his whole artistic career.
Tracklisting: 01. Raise The Curtain 02. Soul Chaser 03. Ten Years 04. Father Time 05. I Know 06. Big Brother 07. Armageddon 08. Soldier 09. Stalker 10. The Witch 11. Can't Get Away 12. The Truth (Bonus Track).
STATION OFFERS MELODIC METAL FOR THE MASSES:
With a seemingly renewed appreciation of classic melodic metal sounds throughout the world (Sirius' Hair Nation, 'That Metal Show,' etc.), New York City-based rockers Station couldn't have picked a better time to issue their EP, Wired, and launch their latest tour, which will focus primarily on the east coast. Comprised of members Patrick Kearney – vocals, Chris Lane - guitar, Mike Anderson – bass, and Brian Karl - drums, Station iss looking to record a full album worth of anthemic rockers. And as evidenced by such tunes as "Everything" and "Don't Take Heaven Away from Me," such an album would be a rocking good time. "I think we offer songs not heard in today's rock scene. Our songs range from upbeat to powerful and stay anthemic the whole way through. We incorporate our emphasis on musicianship into the performance. Essentially, I feel Station is a rock band in the classic sense (like they were forever until the late 90s modern day came around)," explains Lane. "Our music has a pop quality to our brand of hard rock not seen since bands like Guns N' Roses. We offer anthemic songs that everyone can relate to and sing along with. We believe it's rock music you can feel. It's what comes out of us and is very honest."
And the group already has producer Michael Wagner on their side (who has worked with everyone from Dokken to Metallica over the years). As Kearney adds, "We contacted Michael about working together since he is one of our favorite producer's based on his past work. He responded to us within 15 minutes that he would love to work together. Michael is an all-around fun and really good-natured person, not to mention an incredible talent. He made recording (which could be 15 hour days) a fun and rewarding experience the whole time. He has true passion for music and loves what he does. Nobody would ever know he's sold something like 95 million albums by talking to him, very humble and down to earth. He also flew up to NY in March to come to our EP release party; which was amazing."
In addition to their union with Wagner, Station has been invited to perform at this year's Rocklahoma Festival. "We are really looking forward to the festival and honored to be playing alongside some of our heroes, including GNR, Alice in Chains, Cheap Trick. Rocklahoma is a big step for us and having been invited to play is extremely exciting."
As far as what the future holds in store for Station, the quartet have some big plans in store. "The band is looking to record a full length album and bring our music to everyone who will listen, all around the world. The next few months will see us performing around the country."
Confirmed Station Tour Dates [with more to be announced]:
5/23: Acoustic performance at ROK, Pryor, OK
5/26: Performance at ROK, Pryor, OK
6/15: The Room, Brookfield, CT
6/29: Arlene's Grocery, New York, NY
7/13: Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT
7/19: The Huntington Manor Fireman's Festival, Huntington, NY
8/6: Performance at Musikfest, Bethlehem, PA
For more information, visit: www.stationband.com / www.facebook.com/stationnyc / www.twitter.com/stationnyc.
JACK RUSSELL TO BE FEATURED IN UPCOMING DOCUMENTARY ABOUT NASHVILLE: Jack Russell may not be the first musician that comes to mind when you think of Nashville, but the city of Nashville holds a special place in his heart, which is why he is one of the featured artists in the upcoming Music City USA, a documentary by Chris McDaniel. This film is about the resiliency of this legendary town, and the musicians that call it home, have been inspired there and the incredible spirit of Nashville- Music City. The film features musicians from all genres, country, reggae, rock, etc. and the antagonist in the film is the Nashville flood. Also featured in this inspirational movie are Naomi Judd, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, Charlie Daniels and MANY MORE. Jack talks about the healing powers of music, which have played such a huge part in his life, his recovery and his recent comeback to once again command the stage he was born to be on.
This will be a must see for any musician, and anyone ever touched by or inspired by music. For more information go to: www.musiccitymovie.com.
ECLIPSE LIVE IN SPAIN: MetalSymphony.com has uploaded some photos from Eclipse concert May 18, 2013 at Sala Rockitchen in Madrid, Spain. Also available are pictures of support act Strangers. Check them out at this location: www.metalsymphony.com/?p=13219#gp.
Eclipse's setlist was as follows: After The End Of The World, Hometown Calling, To Mend A Broken Heart, Wild One, Battlegrounds, A Bitter Taste, Guitar solo, Bleed And Scream, Ain't Dead Yet, S.O.S, Unbreakable, Hard Time Loving You, Drum solo, The Unspoken Heroes, About to Break, Wake Me Up -- Under the gun, One love, Breaking My Heart Again.
American fans can finally witness the band live in the USA at MelodicRockFest 3 - September 27-29 as part of W.E.T. and with their own set. Tickets available now at: www.melodicrockfest.com.
KROKUS - "DIRTY DYNAMITE" GOES PLATINUM:
From the Krokus Newsletter: "Right before the first concert of our sold out "Closer Contact Doeg Tour" our record label Sony Music presented us with gold and platinum record awards. Swiss boulevard paper "Blick" reports in today's edition: For almost 40 years they have been in the charts with every one of their releases. During the presentation the band's founder, producer and bassist Chris Von Rohr points out: "We worked extremely hard on this album and gave it our all. Bottom line, it was worth it". And vocalist Marc Storace adds: "It's an incredible feeling after so many decades to still be on top of the Swiss music scene".
During the bands long spanning career they have sold over 14 million albums worldwide. All concerts of their current tour are sold out. Chris Von Rohr adds: "We would like to thank all of our fans from the bottom of our hearts for their continuous support over the years. We never had so much fun as a band with this album than any other and we will rock (for you) till the very end".
Meet Our New Drummer Flavio Mezzodi
For Flavio Mezzodi a childhood dream has come true. "At age 10 I wanted nothing more than playing in a rock band and play all over the world", he states. "And now that dream has become reality". The drummer from Solothurn, where Krokus is from, is officially the new drummer of the band. Bassist and producer Chris Von Rohr says it best: "The precision and groove of his drum work is exactly what our band needed. We are extremely happy that we found him." Three years ago Freddy Steady left the band that had sold over 14 million albums worldwide, establishing Krokus as the most successful Swiss rock band ever. The new platinum awarded CD Dirty Dynamite was recorded with a session drummer. Adds Marc "The Voice" Storace: "Now we are complete again."
Flavio learned his drum skills at the Dante Agostini Drum School in Paris. He also teaches at numerous schools drumming, whenever he is not touring with Krokus. He played professionally with Swiss acts Stefanie Heinzmann and the band Fox. Mezzodi grew up listening to Krokus. One of the first records he ever heard was the band's 1980 "Metal Rendez-Vous" release.
Over the almost four decade's time, the band's drumming job has been often vacant. Freddy Steady left the band multiple times. The other Swiss drummer, Dani Crivelli, tragically passed about three weeks ago. Marc Storace further explains: "Flavio is a great human being and musically fits perfectly into our line-up. With him on drums, we will rock with even more power."
Sold Out Shows - In support of our Platinum CD Dirty Dynamite we kicked off 5 sold out concerts in Zurich (2) and the band's hometown of Solothurn (3). It was a magic experience for us to connect with you, the fans. Zurich and Solothurn, You rocked!!
OUTLOUD SINGER CHANDLER MOGEL NEEDS YOUR HELP TO WIN "BEST UNSIGNED ARTIST OF THE MONTH": Chandler Mogel has been nominated for "Best Unsigned Artist of the Month" in the popular Australian publication Starcentral Magazine. But he needs your help! If you'd like to see Chandler win and receive a big feature in the magazine next month, please vote by clicking on the link below, scrolling down to the bottom and clicking on Chandler's name where it says "Vote". There's no registering or signup required - you simply click and vote and that's it. And you can vote once per day so multiple votes are welcomed!
Contest ends May 23rd, 2013. Click here to vote now!
A NEW BAND FOR GLYDER'S BAT KINANE: Maggy Simpson is the brainchild of Bat Kinane and Shane Counter. Having known each other for over 10 years, and sharing a passion for high quality original Rock music, this is the first major work the pair will release. There have been a few collaborations in the past: Shane wrote some music for Bat's first solo album, 'A Lifetime to Kill', and they put together a small library of production pieces in 2009, as The Random Event Factory. However, this is the first time they have been able to commit to something truly substantial over an extended period. With initial discussions taking place in June 2012, the final work steadily came together over a 10 month period, culminating in a mid-2013 release.
Guitarist, Singer & Songwriter Bat rose to prominence as leader of Classic Rock merchants, Glyder. A number of Bat's musical contributions here started as demos for Glyder albums. Shane has released several Instrumental Progressive Rock albums, and also has a keen ear for the more direct melodic requirements of Production Music. The album also features Davy Ryan (ex-Glyder) on drums throughout. Renowned for his precision, reliability and versatility, Davy is a top class session player working regularly in both the live arena and studio settings.
Today, we are delighted to announce the first public airing of the opening track from the album 'Lab Rat and Lobster'. Here are a few words to explain more about the song called 'High Time to Die': soundcloud.com/maggysimpson/01-high-time-to-die.
Bat: 'This song is about the old cliché of a drink, drugs and rock n' roll lifestyle: If you want to get high, you must be prepared to die. It's often true that the best career move any rock star can make is to die.'
Shane: 'Rage Against the Machine-inspired riff seeks belting chorus with monster sludge riff to form a meaningful relationship! Based on a song Bat wrote about the 'value' of artists once they have passed away, we played around with this one a lot to get the right tempo and key, slowing it down and making it progressively heavier. In the end we made fullest use of a 7-string tuning, taking a C# riff and re-rooting it 14 semi-tones down to a low B. The music is at times dirty and sleazy, and at other times it is buoyant and aggressive (this is Rock 'n' Roll, after all!). The outro section features a sick sounding Whammy lead, harmonised with both 1 and 2-octave shifts.'
A YouTube clip has been also released for the track "Gun Fun" A Song about our obsession with guns and how they make up so much of we watch as entertainment on TV every day, www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDkEfiBK0_0.
Friday, May 17, 2013
INTRODUCING THE THREE LIONS: Three Lions is a new project featuring the very cool trio of Vinny Burns, Greg Morgan and Nigel Bailey. More news to follow, but they have made their way to Facebook (www.facebook.com/threelionsuk) with the following introduction:
"3 Lions is the sensational eponymously titled debut album from this new British 3 piece rock band. The band consists of Vinny Burns (Dare, Ten, Asia) on guitar, Greg Morgan (Dare, Ten) on drums and introduces Nigel Bailey on vocals and bass guitar. 3 Lions features 12 brand new tracks, written by the band and also collaborations with Alessandro Del Vecchio on 2 songs. Recorded at The Viper Room, Coil Tap Studios in the UK and Ivory Tears Studio in Milan, this album combines massive guitar riffs and great hooks alongside driving rhythms and powerful, yet emotional vocals. The album was produced by Alessandro at Ivory Tears Studio in Milan.
The band was formed when Vinny, Greg and Nigel were introduced by Serafino and Alessandro at Firefest in October 2012. The guys hit it off straight away and immediately set about writing new material for the album. The first single, Trouble In A Red Dress, captures the energy of the band and is a classic foot stomping rock song with an infectious groove, soaring guitars and a chorus you have to sing along with. The video was shot on location in Milan and shows the band performing on stage, where they belong. The album is made up of songs that were written without an agenda. "We set out to write good songs, the only criteria was that all of us liked them" said Nigel, "Working with Vinny and Greg has been a blast and we were all determined to make the best album possible and are immensely proud of the songs that have made it onto the final record".
From the eastern influenced Kathmandu, to the driving power of Hellfire Highway and Twisted Soul, to the heartfelt ballads Made For One Another and Don't Let Me Fall. This album delivers passionate performances from the guys. Vinny's trademark guitar work is, as you would expect, filled with emotion and feel. "I wanted to start with a blank canvas for the guitars" says Vinny. "This album allowed me to show a different side to my playing whilst retaining the familiar sound and feel fans of Dare and Ten will recognise". "Working with Vinny again has been great fun and Nigel brings something new to the table" said Greg. "This is definitely a record made by a band, not just a studio project, and that really comes across in the songs. We had an instant connection as musicians but also as people and we cannot wait to get out and perform these songs live soon". 3 Lions is scheduled for release on the Frontiers label later this year. Hear The Roar!!!
NEW GRAND DESIGN SINGLE AND VIDEO:
For all of you 80s fanatics! Swedish melodic rockers Grand Design has today released the new digital single/video Baby It's You, a re-vamped and Grand Designerized cover of Candian band Promises 1978 hit. The video is the first release featuring the new line-up and the song also features a special guest. Since Grand Design is all about the 80s, Swedish singer Susie Päivärinta of the popular Swedish 80s pop-duo Lili & Susie does an stellar guest appearance, hitting some pretty high notes in this old classic.
The single can be purchased from iTunes, www.cdbaby.com, Rhapsody, Amazon etc. and the video is up on YouTube, to be see here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc_jhCLbHHw.
Grand Design was formed in 2006 by vocalist/producer Pelle Saether, and the band's first 1st album "Time Elevation" was release by AOR Heaven in October 2009. The album featured guest spots from guitarists Janne Stark and Tommy Denander. The release gained massive success and was awarded 'best album' and 'best song' by BeRockRadio and received numerous top 10 positions for "best album 2009". Several concerts, including the prestigious FireFest in Nottingham, UK proved that Grand Design also deliver live. Pelle Saether comments: "Since we all love Def Leppard, it will always be an influence we use to spice things up."
Two years later, it was time for Grand Design's second album – "Idolizer". Pelle says: "We knew we had found a formula to make an 80's rock record work in the 21st century – so why change it?" With new anthems like "Get On With Action", "OughtoGraph" and "Your Love's A Runaway", "Idolizer" followed up the fans expectations. Grand Design again proved that the songs and sound of 80's rock belong in your players and on the big stages.
In 2012 the line-up saw singer Pelle Saether and guitarist Dennis Vestman, now flanked by guitarist Janne Stark (Constancia, Overdrive etc), bassist Mats Vassfjord (Chris Laney Band, Scaar) and drummer Peter Hermansson (Talisman, John Norum, 220 Volt).
Early 2013 the band has finished two new songs, featuring guest singer Susie Päivärinta (of Lili & Susie) and a video of the song "Baby It's You" will be unearthed. The band also welcomes new drummer Magnus Ulfstedt (Eclipse, Jimi Jamison, Talisman, Lion's Share etc) as Peter is devoting his time to the re-united 220 Volt. Magnus makes his debut on the band's new video.
WebLinks: www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/3594093.
THE INFINITE STAIRCASE DEBUT MUSIC VIDEO FOR 'THE PRIDE':
The Official Music Video for The Pride Featuring Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, ex- Ozzy Osbourne), Kevin Martin (Candlebox, The Gracious Few), Morgan Rose (Sevendust, Call Me No One), John JD DeServio (Black Label Society, Cycle Of Pain) & The Infinite Staircase, the song written and recorded for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, is now streaming at this location: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htf9cW6jAuo&feature=share&list=PL-18UXAop4N9vpjihk9re3Zak1tK0H26j.
The video was directed by Ralph E. Savercool lll, a musician/filmmaker from Middletown, New Jersey who briefly filled in as The Infinite Staircase's drummer following The Black Label Bash Tour in 2009. He has built up a name for himself over the years playing in local and regional acts such as Whole In One, Room 237, Stone Playground & The Rear View. He also has a predominant movie review column at www.facebook.com/SavesSceneReview
For more information on Ralph go to: www.facebook.com/Ralph.savercooliii or www.YouTube.com/rsavercool.
While the video for The Pride will be available for download soon, an online store, theinfinitestaircase.bigcartel.com has been launched in the mean time where you can purchase a limited edition CD single that features the song, the music video and two special previews of the forthcoming new releases by The Infinite Staircase including demo clips of their new Ep with Morgan Rose as well as clips of their covers EP with John JD DeServio.
Among other items being offered, you can also purchase a limited amount of drum heads used by Morgan Rose in the studio and signed by Rose and brothers Lenny & Jeff Cerzosie. All proceeds from sales of items pertaining to The Pride are being donated to the Carl Vincent Bini Memorial Foundation.
The Pride was released digitally on February 5th, 2013 via Vanity Music Group with 100% of the proceeds being donated to the Carl Vincent Bini Memorial Foundation.
The song was recorded at Architekt Music, the state of the art recording facility in Butler, New Jersey where Sevendust recently tracked Black Out The Sun and The Infinite Staircase continue to record their new album with Morgan Rose. It was mixed by house engineer Mike Ferretti (Sevendust, Call Me No One) and mastered by Alan Douches (Fleetwood Mac, Yes) at West West Side Music in New Windsor, New York.
The Pride spent 6 weeks on America's Music Charts Mainstream Rock Radio Top 40 with it's highest ranking being #27.
The Infinite Staircase plans to release their follow-up single, Just To Meet You There, in June. The song features, in addition to Rose on drums, Sean Memphis Hennesy of Candlebox and The Gracious Few on guitar and Cycle Of Pain's Troy Cromwell on Keyboards.
The Carl V. Bini Memorial Fund was founded in honor of Firefighter Carl V. Bini, a member of the FDNY tragically taken during 9/11. The fund's mission is to memorialize the heroism of its fallen hero by providing aid to those who so desperately need it now and in the future.
WebLinks: www.theinfinitestaircase.com / www.facebook.com/TheInfiniteStaircase.
MRX UPDATED: MRX has been updated with some fabulous Westwood 1 Live Superstar Concerts from:
- Pat Benetar - WW1 1989
- Steel Breeze - WW1 1982
- Tom Petty - WW1 1987
- Huey Lewis & The News - WW1 1986
And also featured is the full uncut Japanese TV Broadcast video of Mr. BigLive From The Living Room! Join MRX Now.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
HOUSE OF LORDS SINGER JAMES CHRISTIAN TO RELEASE THIRD SOLO ALBUM IN JULY: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of James Christian third solo album entitled Lay It All On Me on July 5 in Europe and July 9 in North America.
Best known as House of Lords singer, James Christian built for himself during the years a reputation as a fine songwriter and producer in his own right. His first solo album Rude Awakening was originally released in 1994 and is, to this day, regarded as a musical delight for any lover of first class Melodic Rock.
After the return of House of Lords in the early 00's, Christian released another classy album entitled Meet The Man in 2004, which featured the songwriting of several AOR luminaries such as Stan Bush, Judithe Randall (Mark Free, FM) and his then House of Lords bandmates Chuck Wright and Lanny Cordola.
Now - another 9 years later - Christian steps back with a brand new solo release Lay It All On Me, which he recorded and produced in his own studios in Florida during the second part of 2012 and early '13. This long wait for has been worth every drop of sweat and tears spilled these past years since Christian superb vocals can really offer the listener a rewarding experience.
James Christian says: "I recorded this solo album during one of the toughest periods of my life. I really tried hard not to let it influence every song as it just did not seem like the right thing to do. I was stirred with many emotions about mortality, but I knew I could get through it. Some of the songs touch upon my fears and other songs touched upon hope and faith. I made sure to throw in a few tongue and check songs to lighten the load. I have a few favorites, such as the title track "Lay It All On Me" which were pretty much the words I used when I found out that I had cancer. But the song itself is not about the Big "C", but about trial and tribulations in life itself. I also love the two ballads, "Believe In Me" and "Let It Shine". Both have a quality to them that will surely stand the test of time. Different from "House Of Lords" but very much ME. Then there is "A Day In The Sun" a bit more modern sounding… but what message. And my favorite of the rockers is "Sacred Heart" written by James Christian, Jimi Bell and Jeff Kent. I loved working on this album!"
With songwriting contributions from Tommy Denander, Chris Pelcer, Jimi Bell and Jeff Kent, "Lay It All On Me" is a strong personal statement from James Christian: a mature artist, songwriter, producer and performer who meets his fans with another beautifully crafted melodic rock release. Grab yourself a copy of this album and make sure you add this gem to your collection!
Lay It All On Me tracklisting includes: Lay It All On Me; Sacred Heart; Day In The Sun; Believe In Me; You're So Bad; Don't Come Near Me; Let It Shine; She's All the Rage; Sincerely Yours; Shot in the Dark; Welcome to Your Future.
You can sample some of the album tracks following this link: youtu.be/_MMVSsEETcY.
Musicians on "Lay It All on Me" include: James Christian: Lead Vocals, Background Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar; Robin Beck, Background Vocals; Jeff Kent: Keyboards; BJ Zampa, David Sherman: Drums; Jorge Salas, Jimi Bell, Shelby Stewart: Guitars. Produced By James Christian.
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SAFFIRE: NEW TRACK "PARALYZED" POSTED ONLINE:
The Swedish melodic metal band Saffire have uploaded the track "Paralyzed" on YouTube - youtu.be/1GzEKfqMR_s. The track comes off their debut album From Ashes To Fire that will be released in Europe and North America on May 17 through Inner Wound Recordings. (Showcase launched today). Saffire are inspired by the 70's and 80's rock and metal bands like Rainbow, Dio, Whitesnake, Van Halen and Black Sabbath. The sound of Saffire can be described as a mix of those bands with a progressive twist, something that makes them stand out in the scene.
The debut album "From Ashes To Fire" was mixed by Fredrik Nordstrom & Henrik Udd at Studio Fredman [At The Gates, In Flames, Hammerfall] and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios [Symphony X, Opeth, Kreator]. Needless to say, the production on From Ashes To Fire is excellent. The artwork for the album was created by Anders Faustader at A Trailermade Production [H.E.A.T., Hardcore Superstar, The Poodles].
Victor Olssons intelligent songwriting and impressive guitar playing together with the bands excellent musicianship and the powerful and emotional vocals from Tobias Jansson, Saffire is a dangerous five piece with an exciting future ahead of them.
Saffire online: www.facebook.com/saffiresweden / www.saffire.se.
A new Examiner.com interview with Judas Priest's Rob Halford and Richie Faulkner, has the duo sounding off on their new DVD as well as meeting Bob Dylan, the peak of metal, cameos in animation, struggles with addiction, the infamous Madison Square Garden ban, the passing of Jeff Hanneman of Slayer, and more! exm.nr/10GlOyA.
Go "Back to Fabrizio's" via the real Marty Mcfly house circa 2013 to the next Faithsedge studio report. Lead guitarist Alex De Rosso (Dokken), keysman Eric Ragno (Fergie Fredrickson) and singer Giancarlo Floridia take you behind the scenes for the new Faithsedge video at "OC Recording" . Also a trip to Nashville to drummer Tony Morra's (Van Zant) studio "The Downtown Batterie" along with Tim Gaines of Stryper's B day party! www.faithsedgemusic.com / www.youtube.com/watch?v=e86j8n-ieDc.
L.A.-based bassist Kevin Chown (Tarja Turunen, Bombastic Meatbats) has posted a promotional video for the title track off his "Light The Way" EP, which was released digitally on May 8. The clip, filmed and edited by Dalen Muster, can be viewed at this location: youtu.be/jLyNyUPlvhg. "We Light The Way" features the talents of female lead vocalist Angel Travis, with additional vocals from Chown, as well as contributions from guitarist Jeff Kollman (Bombastic Meatbats, Cosmosquad, Glenn Hughes), drummer Jono Brown, and Marian Tomas Griffin on backing vocals.
SHOWCASE UPDATED:
Two new CD Showcases online today - one for the excellent new Lost Weekend album Evermore (AOR Heaven, out June 21) and one for the debut Saffire release (Inner Wound, out now). Check both out now.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
PAT TRAVERS RETURNS TO HARD ROCK WITH CAN DO OUT IN JULY ON FRONTIERS: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of Pat Travers Band brand new original album Can Do due out for release on July 5 in Europe and July 9 in North America.
Toronto born Pat Travers has delivered one tasty release after another in his over 37 years career in music. From the powerhouse, rockin' 70's sound of such albums as Heat in the Street and Makin' Magic, to the classy melodic eighties rock before a blues period in the nineties, Pat has always kept a high standard for his musical output. "When I was contacted by Frontiers to record a new original studio album they asked me if I could create some music reminiscent of my earlier albums that were done in the U.K. and South Florida in the late '70's early '80's." says Pat. "What made those records different was that I was allowed the luxury of spending some time in the studio without any outside influences and that's when I could get really creative. Frontiers Records let me have the time I needed to work on the songs and production. Also the beginning of 2012 was a particularly creative period for me and I believe I have written some of my best material ever for 'Can Do'".
Since the second decade of the Millennium dawned, Pat and his band show no sign of letting up. The proof of the future are safe in the eight hands of Mr. Travers, second guitarist Kirk McKim, Bassist Rodney O'Quinn and longtime sticksman, Sandy Gennaro. "We had a fantastic collaboration and I felt very comfortable when tracking the new music. I really feel that the sound and production and also the quality of the songs and performances make this what I think my fans are going to call "A classic PT record" says Pat.
This Pat Travers Band is also one seriously tight rockin' unit, and live, they always deliver. From the streets of Toronto, to the streets of London, to the streets of the WORLD, now, here to kick your ass… The Pat Travers Band!!
Can Do includes the following songs: Can Do; Stand Up / Give It Up; Diamond Girl; As Long As I'm With You; Long Time Gone; Wanted (That Was Then / This Is Now); Armed And Dangerous; Here Comes The Rain Again; Keep Calm & Carry On; Dust & Bone; Waitin' On The End Of Time; Red Neck Boogie.
It is possible to sample tracks off the new album following this link on Youtube: youtu.be/6ythIHBvrKg.
USA dates have been announced and a full European tour is also in the works for the fall of 2013.
xx
ROBIN BECK COMPLETES NEW STUDIO ALBUM FOR AUGUST:
American rock singer Robin Beck will release her new album Underneath on HMMR Records through Cargo Records on August 12 in the UK and August 15 in the rest of Europe. Release dates for the U.S. to be announced. The cover artwork for the CD can be seen below. To read a track-by-track breakdown of the album and to hear audio samples visit Robinbeckrocks.com.
Tracklisting for Underneath is as follows: 01. Wrecking Ball 02. Ain't That Just Like Love 03. Sprain 04. Underneath 05. Catfight 06. Check Your Attitude 07. Burnin Me Down 08. Perfect Storm 09. Ya Can't Fight Love 10. I Swear The Nights 11. Follow You. "Never underestimate what she can do… Robin is full of surprises and this album will have you begging for mercy. Passionate, intelligent and nothing short of brilliant, she's back!"
For her latest album, Underneath Beck took a chance and allowed some new writers to submit material. When she heard their work, she was blown away. "It felt so right" she marvels, "I just had to have these songs for myself!"
So, in addition to Robin and her boys Tommy Denander and James Christian writing team, along with Jimi Bell, she now has Glen Burtnik, Barry Jay and Fiona. "Underneath" includes songs co-written by Germany's Crush Boys (Daniel Volpe and Thomas Lipp, known for their work with Dutch teen idol Jeronimo and German girl group Monrose), Swedish Eurovision 2013 winners Linnea Deb and Joy Deb (Robin Stjernberg), Charlie Mason (Miley Cyrus), Mark Smith (Cinema Bizarre), Christian Rabb and Frida Molander (Nina Zilli) and more. Plus, with husband James Christian (lead singer of House of Lords) again producing the album (and dueting on "Burning Me Down" — and daughter Liv, herself a star in the making, on backing vocals — "It's a family affair" says Beck. "We just happen to be a family whose foundation is solid rock!"
WebLinks: www.robinbeckrocks.com / www.facebook.com/pages/Robin-Beck/262002007207158.
ADRIANGALE WIND UP THEIR SUCKERPUNCH:
A great little studio update from the lads in Adriangale. First - this from guitarist/producer Vic Rivera: "Finished tracking Jamie's vocals for the new AG tonight - 4 straight days of putting in 10-12 hours of work has yielded some pretty great results from an amazing singer (and even more amazing human being). Special thanks to John Kivel for all of his assistance in and out of the studio (and for being a pretty swell dude himself) and, of course, to Debby for tolerating all of us."
And from label boss John Kivel: "DONE! Next up mixing stage! Now, I want to take a moment to say something about this past week. Jamie Rowe and Vic Rivera have gone above and beyond in the studio. Productivity was on 11 around the clock, with good vibes and fun times to match. I'm amazed out the powerhouse team these two have become. Now let me just say something here. I promise and guarantee, I will swear to this and stand by every word. I am not ashamed and I am proud beyond words. To state publicly, that Adriangale is about to release their BEST album to date hands down. If you "Liked" AG before, then you are going to "LOVE!" them now more than ever!" Ring The Bell....throw a Right....Everyone gets SUCKER PUNCH!Sept 28th at MelodicRockFest III: www.melodicrockfest.com for tickets and event information.
NEW VIDEOS TO VIEW:
Two new videos to check out - the first an "interesting" teaser for Frontiers recording artist State Of Salazar. The second is Swedish metal act Denied, featuring vocalist Johan Fahlberg from Jaded Heart - their official video for the track "Dead Messiah" from the new album "Let Them Burn".
x
DOCKER CALLS TIME ON GUILD RELEASES:
This came through last night from Douglas Docker, the man in the middle of the epic Docker's Guild progressive rock concept album. It makes for an interesting read, which after I posted on Facebook, continued on with an informative discussion with Douglas. The statement is below and the Facebook comments are at: www.facebook.com/MelodicRockAU.
"Announcement: effective immediately, the Docker's Guild project is suspended until further notice. It doesn't mean it's canceled, but I can't justify keeping spending money with no returns. I have a hole of €50,000 between the first album and the Darwin's Tears viideo that just won't come back, and it makes no sense for me to have my wife work 40 hours a week to pay my bills. I need to focus on earning money and I can't do that while I spend my days managing and promoting Docker's Guild with no results.
We've had almost no support or coverage from the press, very little from the label, no support from most of the special guests (truly bizarre as it would have been good promo for them as well...), the "fans" have sucked us dry with piracy. To move on we need to pay to go on tour, pay to go on the radio, pay the press to get simple news out, pay for the merch, pay for the promo, pay the band, pay to record, pay for everything. This mafia has to stop and until WE get paid to lift a finger everything will grind to a halt. I refuse to be part of this game and watch this industry cannibalize itself. It's high time to put the music and its creators at the center again instead of the parasites. Because without US there is no press, no labels, no downloads, no tours, nothing!
A HUGE thank you to all the real fans that have been supporting the project by buying the CD, the merch, advertising and promoting us. YOU guys are great! I MIGHT open a crowd funding at some point to see if the next album can be financed that way. In the meantime, enjoy Season 1. I'm very proud of it and will try my best to make the next one even better. Horns up!"
NEW "OLD' BONFIRE LIVE RECORDINGS DUE: LZ Records will release a new live Bonfire record May 31 titled Live In Wacken. Sometimes you just need a little bit of luck. Because of a funny coincidence the long lost original recordings from Bonfire's appearance at the Wacken Open Air have been discovered. This almost historical piece of music has been sonically updated and will now be released officially. The German rock legend is releasing the album as a teaser before it's new studio record - planned for the end of the year. Of course, there have been some Bonfire-live records in the past, but on Live In Wacken you can really find different versions of the band's anthems like "SDI", "Champion" or "Ready 4 dy 4 Reaction" as well as the song "Wake Up". An anthem the band hasn't performed live for quite a long time.
Besides that "Live In Wacken" offers exclusive bonus tracks. Live versions of the songs "Bells Of Freedom", "Let Me Be Your ur Water" and "Black Night" from the acclaimed rock opera "The Räuber" (previously unreleased on CD), the exclusive studio track "Thank You" and an exciting new version of the ballad "Hold Me Now" from the last Bonfire-studio album "Branded".
"Live In Wacken" has been mastered by Maor Appelbaum (Yngwie Malmsteen, Rob Halford, Queensryche) and will be released on the 31st of May 2013 on LZ Records/Sony Music.
Track list: 1. Intro/Wake Up (Live), 2. Never Mind (Live), 3. Sweet Obsession (Live), 4. In Zaire (Live), 5. The Stroke (Live), 6. Sword And Stone (Live), 7. SDI (Live), 8. Drum Solo (Live), 9. American Nights (Live), 10. Ready 4 Reaction (Live), 11. Obsessive Prelude (Live), 12. Champion (Live), 13. The Räuber/Bells Of Freedom (Live), 14. Let Me Be Your Water (Live), 15. Black Night (Live), 16. Thank You (Previously Unreleased), 17. Hold Me Now (Extended Mix 2013).
Bonfire are: Claus Lessmann - vocals, guitar; Hans Ziller - lead guitars; Chris Limburg - rhythm guitars; Uwe Köhler - bass; Harry Reischmann - drums. (Rhythm guitars (tracks 1-7, 9, 10, 12): Chris Lausmann; Drums (tracks 1-10, 12-16): Jürgen Wiehler)
The Live Tracks recorded @ Wacken (1-11) @ Ingolstadt (12-14) Mixed by Hans Ziller for LZ Records (tracks 1-12). Mastered by Maor Appelbaum Mastering, California/USA,. Produced by Lessmann/Ziller for LZ Records.
WebLinks: www.bonfire.de / www.facebook.com/BONFIREofficial.
xx
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
BLACKMORE'S NIGHT TO LAUNCH THE FIRST SINGLE OFF THE NEW ALBUM: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the digital release of the first single from Blackmore's Night new album Dancer and the Moon entitled The Moon Is Shining (Somewhere Over the Sea). This beautiful new song is "Based on an old folk Czech melody which Candice and I thought were very melodic and haunting" says Ritchie Blackmore. "We adapted and arranged to suit more of a rock structure. We also played it as a ballad as it was originally intended. We asked several of our Czech friends what it was called but they couldn't tell us, so it remains a mystery".
The single can be downloaded now from every fine shop such as iTunes or Amazon and streamed legally via Spotify and Deezer. It is also possible to enjoy a sample of the song, following this link: www.frontiers.it/download/The_Moon_Is_Shining_sample.mp3.
Dancer and the Moon will be released on June 11 in North America and June 14 in Europe in regular cd configuration and deluxe edition in digipak, including a bonus DVD featuring a 40 mins "making of the album" documentary and acoustic versions of "The Spinner's Tale", "Somewhere Over The Sea/Moon Was Shining", "The Ashgrove" and "Queen For A Day". The album will also be made available in a super-deluxe edition strictly limited to 2000 copies packaged in a polyston frame with the cover artwork printed on canvas and including a black tote bag with Blackmore's Night artwork, 4 Blackmore's Night pins, a certificate of authenticity and of course the CD/DVD edition.
Blackmore's Night confirmed tour dates for Europe include:
Palace of Ukraine, Kiev (Ukraine) - 15th June
Crocus City Hall, Moscow (Russia) - 18th June
BKZ Oktyabrsky, St Petersburg (Russia) - 20th June
Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline (Scotland) - 26th June
Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre, Newcastle (England) - 28th June
Wolverhampton Grand, Wolverhampton (England) - 1st July
City Hall, Salisbury (England) - 3rd July
G Live, Guildford (England) - 5th July
Hugenottenhalle, Neu Isenburg (Germany) - 9th July
Serenadenhoff, Nurnburg (Germnay) - 11th July
Congresshalle, Saarbrucken (Germany) - 13th July
Kongress am Park, Augsburg (Germany) - 14th July
Burg Creuzburg, Creuzburg (Germany) - 19th July
Albrechtsburg, Meissen (Germany) - 21st July
Beethoven Saal, Stuttgart (Germany) - 23rd July
WebLinks: www.blackmoresnight.com / www.candicenight.com.
PINK CREAM 69 - SPECIAL (OFFICIAL VIDEO 2013): Pink Cream 69 "Special" is taken from the album "Ceremonial" out NOW on Frontiers Records. Special appearances from Andy Deris (Helloween), Jeff Scott Soto (W.E.T), Mike Tramp (ex White Lion)...
LITA FORD RELEASE NEW VIDEO FOR "MOTHER":
The reigning queen of Hard Rock Lita Ford releases the new video for her single Mother. The song comes from FORD's latest solo effort Living Like a Runaway that was released last summer worldwide on Steamhammer/SPV. The video was directed by former Runaway Victory Tischler-Blue. youtu.be/785eHM3OUa.
LITA says: "Mother is my song to my beautiful sons. I know they will see the truth one day. They will always have a place in my heart, which bleeds for them through this song."
LITA will be on the road in the coming weeks, a complete list of dates can be found below. Living Like a Runaway is available in four configurations: a double LP, limited edition CD, standard CD and digital download.
Lita Ford teamed up with producer Gary Hoey and lyricist Michael Dan Ehmig to work on Living Like a Runaway. Together the team invested a lot of time and effort into this kick ass project: "We worked on the lyrics intensively to really give the songs a lot of meaning and that special emotional depth. I think that these are some of the best lyrics ever, period." Ford is referring to numbers such as 'Devil In My Head,' 'Hate,' and 'The Asylum' which see her bare her soul in a way which she has never done before.
Lita Ford Live:
5/23: Melbourne, Australia @ Prince of Wales Bandroom
5/25: Sydney, Australia @ Factory Theater
6/8: Vernal, UT @ Thunder Rocks @ Western Park
6/24: New York, NY @ Iridium Jazz Club (Lita Salutes Les Paul – 2 Shows)
6/29: Norfolk, NE @ Music Fest 2013 w/Bret Michaels and Vince Neil
7/13: Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot w/Ratt
7/24: Gothenburg, Sweden @ Sticky Fingers
7/25: Malmo, Sweden @ KB
7/26: Rejmyre, Sweden @ Skogsrojet Festival
7/27: Jevanaker, Norway @ The Untouchables
8/7: Sturgis, SD @ Sturgis Bike Rally
8/15: Mankato, MN @ Stond Amphitheater w/Dokken, Sebastian Bach and Ratt
8/16: Moline, IL @ I Wireless Center w/Dokken, Sebastian Bach and Ratt
8/17: Chicago, IL @ Congress Theater w/Dokken, Sebastian Bach and Ratt
8/18: Kalamazoo, MI @ Wings Stadium w/ Dokken, Sebastian Bach and Ratt
8/23: Viroqua, WI @ Vernon County Fairgrounds "Jamming for the Vets"
9/14: Hinckley, MN @ Grand Casino Hinckley w/Dokken, Skid Row and Ratt
For More Information Please Visit: www.litafordonline.com / www.facebook.com/litaofficial / www.twitter.com/litaford / www.spv.de.
MATT FILIPPINI: TOUR WITH GLENN HUGHES AND NEW STUDIO ALBUM IN THE WORK:
Italian guitarist Matt Filippini (Moonstone Project, Ian Paice, Carmine Appice and more) will play six shows with his band and a very special guest, legendary Voice Of Rock, Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Black Country Communion). Here are the gigs:
May 25, Escenario Santander, Santander, Spain
May 26, Sala Custom, Santiago De Compostela, Spain
May 28, Sala Capitol, Sevilla Spain
May 30, Crossroads Live Club, Rome, Italy
May 31, Charly Disco Pub, Gubbio Italy
June 1, Northwind, Bari, Italy
The shows, as in the past few years, will feature a powerful selection of songs from Deep Purple MK3 and MK4 era plus some gems from Trapeze and Hughes solo career. The band will feature Filippini on guitars and Hughes on bass/vocals, Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge Of Frever, AXE, Ian Paice,...) on keyboards, Markus Kullmann (Vodoo Circle) on drums (for the spanish gigs) and Alessandro Mori on drums (for the italian gigs).
Matt is also working on a new studio album together with singer Laura Zanitoni. Matt says: "I wrote all the basic tracks and it's gonna be a true classic rock affair with a lot of melodic and bluesy stuff. Laura's voice will embellish the most of the tracks and I'm working to have a couple of great rock singers to duet with her. That's the first important recording experience for Laura and she's really passionate about the project. She rocks and she can sing the blues with a lot of feeling. Her voice will be one of the highlights of the album. I'm pleased to announce that my friend Ian Paice (Deep Purple) plays amazing drums on one of the tracks, grooving with his elegant and unique style. It will be a real treat for every classic rock fan!"
More details will be announced soon on Matt's website www.mattfilippini.com.
MELODIC BRIEFS: Tony Harnell, ex-TNT lead singer, joins Dropping The Needle to discuss his new project Tony Harnell and the Wildflowers: youtu.be/1_RqNg_HS-w.
Def Leppard commend NxN! Today, Rick Savage said this about NxN: "Night by Night are without doubt one of the best young bands out there today. Real songs with great riffs and vocal harmonies. Packing the best of the '80s with a youthful, fresh enthusiasm." As you may know, DL are a huge influence on us; in fact, they are one of Ben and Jonny's fave bands, ever. So, this means a lot to us! More news soon on our next single and video, so stay-tuned! ~ Ben, Jonny, Damien, Henry and Tom - nxnofficial.com.
ROD STEWART HAS THE TIME OF HIS LIFE 'INTHESTUDIO':
North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands catches up with Rod Stewart as he returns to rock with Time, a great new album of original songs that brings his solo career full circle. For over four decades Rod Stewart has been an international rock/pop superstar, his music transcending generations while entertaining the masses with his trademark voice and charm. Time, Rod's first album of new original material in nearly ten years, at times echoes back to the earliest days of his solo career, but with current lyrical reflection. Rod tells InTheStudio host Redbeard the story behind one of the new tracks, "Brighton Beach", which sparked the entire project.
"Brighton Beach is about what I would consider my first love affair. When I was about 16 or 17 maybe I used to go down to Brighton on the south coast of England, and I was a Beatnik, and (the song) is sort of a reflection of my first love affair. My first child was conceived there, and (there are) also reflections of the '60s, which was a wonderful time. As I say in the song, it was a wonderful time to be alive."
ROD STEWART 'Time' / InTheStudio interview is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/rod-stewart-time-2.
MASS - 2013 LIVE APPEARANCES: Mass 2013 Live Dates:
June 1st "Boston Rocks Bash 2" @ South Shore Music Hall, Quincy, Massachusetts.
June 9th "Boston Strong Rockz On" Fundraiser @ The Hard Rock Cafe, Boston, Massachusetts.
September 7th "Mass" @ Maddy's, Saugus, Massachusetts.
September 12th, "La Guns & Mass" @ Rain, Malden, Massachusetts.
October 19th "Skull Fest" @ Scully's Shooters, North Platte, Nebraska.
October 20th, "Wolf Fest" @ Jammin Joes, Arvado, Colorado.
More Shows To Be Added...
For ticket links and more Info please visit www.massrocks.com
MELODIC ROCK RECORDS UPDATE:
Pre-orders for the Guru Deluxe Edition of White are shipping out tomorrow, so if any one still wants to be one of the first to receive the album, then purchase today! Link is...
Guru - White (Deluxe Vers. Ltd. Ed.) (MRR012)
$15 + $5 airmail shipping worldwide.
In addition - I am having a 24hr sale on MRCD7 - Forces Of Dark And Light. Only $6 + $5 shipping - that's $11 for 33 tracks, including many exclusives! (Compilation Details) Purchase link below:
Monday, May 13, 2013
JOHN ELEFANTE RETURNS WITH NEW ALBUM:
Available May 7th, On My Way to the Sun reunites Elefante with former Kansas bandmates
John Elefante is back with a new solo album, titled On My Way to the Sun. Produced by Elefante, the 10-track album is due May 7th from Kingheir Music, Elevate Entertainment and Syntax Distribution.
The 4X GRAMMY Award winner and 5x Dove Award winner is best known for his time as the lead vocalist for the multi-platinum rock outfit Kansas. And fans will be delighted to find that the opening track, This Is How The Story Goes, reunites Elefante with former Kansas bandmates Rich Williams and David Ragsdale. "Lyrically, I have more inside me that I need to say, more I need to express and convey than ever before," says Elefante of what just may be the most personal project of his career. One of the album's highlights is the song, This Time, which tells the story of a young teen's divine encounter at an abortion clinic that ultimately leads her to save her baby. The somewhat autobiographical song touches close to home for Elefante, whose adopted daughter was rescued from abortion. "This is one the easiest songs I have ever written," says Elefante. "I was able to put myself in the place and time where my daughter was so close to being aborted. It was so divinely vivid to me because this story was meant to be told. I don't know all of the fine details but I do know that on that day God said, 'No! You're not taking this one – This Time.'"
A music video is planned for the song and a major media push is under way, with early previewers calling this project the best of Elefante'e career. In advance of the album's release, Elefante is doing a series of media interviews, including an hour-long interview on April 26th on the top-rated talk radio show, Jay Sekulow Live, which airs on more than 800 stations nationwide as well as Sirius/XM Satellite Radio.
In addition to Kansas and his solo work, Elefante's extensive resume includes writing and performance contributions on more than 100 albums that shaped popular American music. In 1993, Elefante and his brother Dino founded The Sound Kitchen in Franklin, Tennessee, which quickly became the largest recording studio in the southeast and an instant draw for such top acts as Bruce Springsteen, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Natalie Grant, Amy Grant, Keith Urban, Third Day, Jewel, Jimmy Buffett, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley and many more.
For more information, visit www.johnelefante.com.
Track Listing: 01 This Is How The Story Goes (featuring Rich Williams & David Ragsdale of Kansas) 02 Where Have The Old Days Gone 03 On My Way To The Sun 04 All I Have To Do 05 The Awakening 06 Half The Way Home 07 We All Fall Short 08 Don't Hide Away 09 This Time 10 Confess.
JOSEPH WILLIAMS, PETER FRIESTEDT & BILL CHAMPLIN – DVD RELEASE: TOTO singer Joseph Williams and Bill Champlin formerly of the band Chicago joins forces with renowned guitarist and songwriter Peter Friestedt. Together they did a European Tour in 2012 with an all star band featuring Bill's wife Tamara Champlin and Herman Matthews – known for his work with Tower Of Power and Kenny Loggins. The tour was a huge success with sold out venues and great reviews. One of the concerts was filmed and recorded, and here we have the magic captured on stage. Bill Champlin is a two time Grammy award winning Artist that is well known for his 28 years with the group Chicago. Bill has appeared on countless of records and is also a founding member of the group Sons Of Champlin. Bill has sung on many major hit songs such as the #1 Billboard song "Look Away". Joseph Williams is the lead singer of Toto. He is featured on the hit albums "Fahrenheit" (1986) and "The Seventh One" (1988). He has also written extensively for films and been a session singer. He can also be heard on the blockbuster soundtrack to Disney's "The Lion King" where he is the singing voice of the adult Simba with songs like "Hakuna Matata" and "Can You Feel The Love Tonight".
Guitarist, composer, producer and major-label artist Peter Frienstedt has released two own acclaimed albums "LA Project" (2002) and "LA Project II"(2008). The album received top reviews and was called 'best Westcoast records in years. Peter has recently toured with Chicago singer Bill Champlin, Joseph Williams and Artist Michael Ruff. In 2011 Peter and Joseph Williams released the Top charting and critically acclaimed album Williams/Friestedt.
KILLER DWARFS TO REUNITE TO SUPPORT RELEASE OF "LOST" ALBUM START @ ONE:
Legendary Canadian band KILLER DWARFS, are very excited to announce that they are reuniting to support the release of their "lost" album Start @ One. The tracks were recorded in 1993 at Powerlines Studios in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with Producer/Engineer Fred Duvall. Fred also recently produced and recorded the very successful Russ Dwarf acoustic release Wireless. The album`s lineup of Russ Dwarf, Darrell Dwarf, Ronbo Dwarf, and Gerry Dwarf is the same as the bands prior Sony/Epic release Method to the Madness in 1991. The original master tapes are currently being digitally remixed and re-mastered for the release scheduled for early July 2013. This is the 20th anniversary of the recording of this never released album.
The Track Listing for Start @ One is: 1. Lonely Road 2. Solid Ground 3. Sky is Falling 4. Adelina 5. Psycho Circus 6. Start @ One 7. Down in Hollywood 8. Walk on By 9. The Crowd - Plus 2 New Bonus Tracks that are being written just for this release!
The CD will be available worldwide via iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and all other distribution channels.
After the amazing success and critical acclaim of this year's acoustic release Wireless the fans were re-acquainted with the music of the Killer Dwarfs and they demanded to hear more from the band.
The Killer Dwarfs have announced that they will be touring to support the release of Start @ One and are preparing for US, Canadian and European Tour dates. Dates are still to be finalized and will be announced over the next few months. A live CD and DVD from this tour are also planned as well as the launch of a new website for the fans to Keep the Spirit Alive!
WebLinks: www.RussDwarf.com / www.Facebook.com/RussDwarf / www.Twitter.com/RussDwarf.
HERE'S TO HALESTORM: RevolverMag.com has given an exclusive premiere of a special new "Guest Version" of Here's To Us, a track from Halestorm's latest album, 2012's The Strange Case of… .
"Here's to Us" (Guest Version) features guest appearances by: Slash (appears courtesy of Dik Hayd Records), Brent Smith of Shinedown, Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge & The Conspirators, James Michael of Sixx: A.M., Tyler Connolly of Theory Of A Deadman, David Draiman of Disturbed / Device (appears courtesy of Reprise Records), Maria Brink of In This Moment (appears courtesy of Century Media Records).
Check out the song: www.revolvermag.com/news/exclusive-song-premiere-halestorm
Yngwie Malmsteen is the king of the neoclassical shred guitar. Since 1984's Rising Force, the Swedish musician and composer has somehow bridged centuries, from Paganini to his own arpeggiated acrobatics. His new memoir, Relentless, begins with a quote from David St. Hubbins of the parody metal band Spinal Tap, extolling Malmsteen's skill but also the use of his middle initial, J, "so you don't confuse him with all of the other Yngwie Malmsteen's in the business." Malmsteen says he considers it an honor.
Check out an excerpt from the book: www.npr.org/books/titles/182624664/relentless?tab=excerpt#excerpt.
INTERVIEWS WITH STRYPER, KINGDOM COME, DANNY VAUGHN AND DANNY BRYANT: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 12th May 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 13th May 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) features exclusive interviews with Stryper vocalist/guitarist Michael Sweet, Kingdom Come vocalist Lenny Wolf, Danny Vaughn (Tyketto, ex Waysted) and rising young Blues Rock guitar hero Danny Bryant, and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-stryper-kingdom-come-danny-vaughn-and-danny-bryant-interviews/
In the first hour, Stryper frontman Michael Sweet talks about the band's new collection of re-recorded classic tracks "Second Coming", and also discusses their forthcoming new studio album and US tour dates. Also in the first hour, Kingdom Come mainman Lenny Wolf talks about blending traditional Classic Rock sounds with experimental Industrial elements on the band's new release "Outlier".
Part 2 features an interview with Danny Vaughn, who tells the story behind the album that launched him on to the international Rock scene, Waysted's newly reissued "Save Your Prayers", and talks about auditioning for Skid Row! And rising young Blues Rock guitar prodigy Danny Bryant gives the low down on his new long-player "Hurricane".
The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from Saxon, Amaze Me, Slayer and the Spin Doctors.
EBAY AUCTIONS UNDERWAY:
A few new MR EBay Auctions listed now, with more to be added in the next couple of days. Go to: www.ebay.com.au/sch/rockwombat/m.html.
Friday, May 10, 2013
WHITESNAKE TO RELEASE NEW LIVE 2-CD PACKAGE: "MADE IN BRITAIN – THE WORLD RECORD": Frontiers Records is pleased to announce an explosive new double live album from legendary rock band, Whitesnake. Made In Britain – The World Record, will be released as a 2-CD set in Europe on July 5 and in North America on July 9. During 2011, the mighty Whitesnake embarked on one of their most successful world tours in recent times, performing 96 shows in more than 35 countries, starting in North America in May until the second UK run in December. The request for another live album came from Whitesnake's incredibly loyal fans - never ones for being notoriously shy about insisting what they want from their favourite musical reptiles. Before heading out on the "Forevermore World Tour 2011", the decision was made to record every performance on the tour.
After spending the early part of 2012 editing and mixing the Made In Japan DVD, the production team consisting of The Brutal Brothers (Whitesnake frontman David Coverdale and Doug and Mikey Mac), had the task of listening to over 90 shows and 130 hours of Whitesnake performances. Inspired by the performances from the 9 sold-out UK shows and a further 87 performances from around the world, the live albums Made In Britain and the accompanying The World Record were born. The recent Forevermore songs shine as brightly as classic Whitesnake songs such as "Is This Love", "Still Of The Night" and "Here I Go Again", all performed with feverish energy, encouraged by remarkably enthusiastic audiences from Newcastle to Sao Paolo. Please see below for the full track listing.
Formed in 1977, and steered by the legendary David Coverdale, Whitesnake carry a rightful reputation as one of the world's leading rock bands. Coverdale's blues roots, combined with a feral sense of rock and roll, have consistently shaped the 'Snake's sound along with Coverdale's love and appreciation of impeccable musicianship. Whitesnake's ascent to the very top of the rock n' roll heap was confirmed with 1987's self-titled mega-platinum album, which saw two massive Top 10 hits, two #1 singles with "Here I Go Again" and "Is This Love" and a virtual 24-hour domination of MTV around the world. David Coverdale was recently named one of Revolver's "100 Greatest Living Rock Stars" and the UK's Kerrang voted Coverdale the "Last Great Rock Star."
Musicians on Made In Britain - The World Record include David Coverdale (vocals), Doug Aldrich (guitars), Reb Beach (guitars), Michael Devin (bass), Briian Tichy (drums) and special guest Brian Ruedy (keyboards).
Made In Britain – The World Record track listing: CD1 – MADE IN BRITAIN - Best Years; Give Me All Your Love; Love Ain't No Stranger; Is This Love; Steal Your Heart Away; Forevermore; Love Will Set You Free; My Evil Ways; Fare Thee Well; Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City; Fool For Your Loving; Here I Go Again; Still Of The Night.
CD2 – The World Record - Bad Boys; Slide It In; Lay Down Your Love; Pistols At Dawn; Snake Dance; Can You Hear The Wind Blow; Fare Thee Well; One Of These Days; The Badger; Deeper The Love; Soldier Of Fortune; Burn/Stormbringer.
For more information, please visit: www.whitesnake.com / www.twitter.com/davidcoverdale / www.frontiers.it.
N.O.W. CONTEST: ''WHAT THE HECK N.O.W. STANDS FOR'' IS ON! BE THE WINNER OF FREE ALBUMS!: Alec Mendonça & Andrew McNeice are pleased to announce the N.O.W. contest: ''guess what the heck N.O.W. stands for'' and get the 2 N.O.W. albums - Force of Nature & Bohemian Kingdom, the former autographed by Alec Mendonça & Philip Bardowell absolutely free of charge. The runner up gets N.O.W. Bohemian Kingdom album, all postages paid anywhere in the world shipped from Brasil as soon as the two winners guess what N.O.W. stands for. Who knows the answer to that? Only Andrew and Alec.
Where can you post your guesses? On the Noticeboard forum, always with the topic ''What The Heck N.O.W. Stands For Contest''. We are looking forward to sending out your prizes guys, you deserve that! Alec Mendonça also likes to thank the HUGE feedback on this second installment, sales and reviews have been outstanding and it seems that the three years effort have paid off. The winner will be contacted by Andrew himself by e-mail and the name of the winner as well as what N.O.W. stands for will be revealed on the website!
xx
HEAVEN AND EARTH CD LAUNCH FOOTAGE:
You can now check out footage from the Heaven & Earth Dig album release party on YouTube. Looks and sounds like quite the show!
TOMMY DENANDER FEATURED IN LEGENDARY GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE:
In the June issue, with Joe Satriani on the cover, of what most guitar players during the last 40 years has called the Bible of guitar magazines, Tommy Denander is featured with an article about his session work and his incredible signature guitar. "I've been mentioned in articles a few times and even had a full page ad for Toontrack but it's been one of my most dear goals and dreams since i started reading Guitar Player in 1976 to be featured with an article" - says Tommy.
AMERICAN METAL STALWARTS SEVEN WITCHES TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM "REBIRTH":
(New York, NY) – American metal stalwarts Seven Witches are set to release their ninth studio album, the first for new label home FrostByte Media; Rebirth is due out on July 16 in North America. Rebirth is produced by Seven Witches founder/lead guitarist/mainstay Jack Frost and features a gritty, hook-laden sound. It's a return to basics for the band highlighting Jack Frost's signature ax work. In addition to Frost this time around, Seven Witches is rounded out by Ronnie Parkes (Slippery When Wet, Farcry) on bass, Johnny Kelly (Type O Negative, Danzig) on drums, and brand new frontman Anthony Cross. Look for the band to tour the United States this summer near the release of Rebirth.
Jack Frost first broke into the scene at the age of 19 during an audition with the metal legends Helix. After moving back to his home state of New Jersey, Frost formed his first band, Frostbite, back in 1994 eventually releasing three well-regarded power metal albums and touring with everyone from Overkill to Fates Warning. Seeking a harder-edged sound, he formed Seven Witches in 1998. Over the band's storied career, Seven Witches has featured a literal who's who of metal giants in its ranks, including Bobby Lucas, Wade Black (Crimson Glory), Alan Tecchio (Hades, Non-Fiction, Watchtower), James Rivera (Helstar), Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning), Kevin Bolembach (Non-Fiction) and Mike LePond (Symphony X). The band has also toured with the likes of Overkill, Annihilator, Symphony X, Judas Priest, Demon, Kamelot, WASP and Armored Saint. Outside of Seven Witches, Jack Frost has contributed his talents to Overkill's DD Verni's project, The Bronx Casket Company, released two solo albums, recorded alongside the members of Annihilator in SPEEED, toured and/or recorded with Metalium, Joey Belladonna, Lizzy Borden and Savatage, and contributed to a number of tribute albums for the likes of WASP, Accept, Dio and the Scorpions. He's also made numerous guest appearances on CDs from Ted Poley, Bob Rock and Terry Ilous.
Frostbyte Media Inc is a full-service media and entertainment company based in Toronto with a staff of seven full-time professionals and satellite offices in France, the UK and Germany. The company has worldwide physical and digital distribution via Universal Music (Canada), Entertainment One (US), SoulFood Entertainment (Continental Europe), RSK (UK) and an array of partnerships covering Asia and Australia. It also has also partnered with some of the world's top independent PR and radio firms. Frostbyte is committed to breaking its diverse roster of artists onto the world stage. In addition to traditional music services, the aggressive organization and its international partners can also provide songwriting collaboration, production and engineering, sponsorships and video production, as well as film and television licensing.
For more information, please visit: www.myspace.com/sevenwitchesmetal.
ECLIPSE INTERVIEWED: MetalSymphony.com recently conducted an interview with Erik Mårtensson and Magnus Henriksson from Eclipse about their upcoming Madrid show, their new CD Bleed and Scream and their future... A couple of excerpts from the chat follow.
*Your last album 'Bleed & Scream' is absolutely stunning, why did you choose this title for it, and how would you describe it with your own words? Magnus:Achieving something great is never easy. It´s a lot of pain to go through. That´s how we look at doing this album. It was a long process. Much bleeding and screaming.
*And how would you describe the sound of Eclipse to somebody that hadn't heard of you? Erik:Classic hard rock at its best that has one foot in the past and one in the here and now.
*How do you think it's been the evolution of Eclipse since you've formed it in 1999? Magnus:Basically. Our first album sucked. Our second album was poor but had a couple good songs on it. Our 3rd album kicked ass and our fourth album is a classic.
Read the entire interview at MetalSymphony.com: www.metalsymphony.com/?p=13101#english.
THE FLAMING COW: THE MAKING OF PINK FLOYD'S ATOM HEART MOTHER: The Flaming Cow offers a rare insight into the brilliant but often fraught collaboration between Pink Floyd and composer Ron Geesin, the result of which became known as Atom Heart Mother - the Floyd's first UK number one album. From the time drummer Nick Mason visited Geesin's damp basement flat in Notting Hill, to the last game of golf between bassist Roger Waters and Geesin, this book is an unflinching account about how one of Pink Floyd's most celebrated compositions came to life. Alongside unpublished photographs from the Abbey Road recording sessions (the only ones taken) and the subsequent performances in London and Paris, Geesin goes on to describe how the title was chosen, why he was not credited on the record, how he left Hyde Park in tears, and why the group did not much like the work. The Flaming Cow rose again, firstly in France, then in London in 2008 (with David Gilmour). After 40 years Atom Heart Mother remains a much-loved record, and The Flaming Cow explores its new-found cult status that has led to it being studied for the French Baccalaureat.
Published 17 July, on The History Press Ltd. Available on Amazon and through www.rongeesin.com.
INTRODUCING GUITARIST SVEN HORLEMANN:
It's time for German guitarist and songwriter Sven Horlemann from the group High Road Easy to release a new solo instrumental CD. The details:
"It's one thing to back up a singer and make him shine. Without vocals it's a completely different game. As a guitar player you suddenly are the center of attention. Which is great and frightening the same time. One might argue 'why bother releasing instrumental albums?' Well, you wouldn't ask Joe Satriani or Eric Johnson the same question, would you? Whether instrumental or not what captivates the listener first and foremost is a melody. Add harmonies, dynamics and arrangement to it and you are knee-deep in classic song writing.
The emphasis is on 'song', and listening to 'Standing Tall' you can't help but acknowledge that these tracks are indeed songs. Free of standard rock arrangement needs 'Standing Tall' developed into a timeless rock album with great hooks and impressing guitar playing. But this is not all...
'People' has a big chorus and features vocalist Klaus Schmuck. Klaus also contributes lead vocals on 'Right Now' - a slow and steady rocker culminating in a wonderful hook. Shredders will like 'Fifty-Five Thousand Times', a great contrast to 'Ambition Called The Dance', a delicate and serene music piece. A videos for 'Fifty-Five Thousand Times' will be released soon. More to follow... stay tuned."
Discography (solo): Standing Tall (2013), in.com.plete (2010), The Nature Of Things (2000).
Links: youtu.be/LX9LhY0Naek / www.svenhorlemann.com / itunes.apple.com/de/album/standing-tall/id615214132?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 / www.cdbaby.com/cd/svenhorlemann2 / soundcloud.com/svenhorlemann.
MRX UPDATED:
Two new features added today - those being:
- Gary Moore - Live, Hammersmith Odeon 1987
- Cobra - Demos 1982
And the following new Video Clips: Dave Grohl & Rick Springfield - The Man That Never Was (LIVE), Burning Rain - My Lust Your Fate, Kingdom Come - God Does Not Sing Our Song, Redrum - Dust In Your Eyes, Winery Dogs - Elevate, Tom Keifer - Solid Ground. MRX Membership Details.
NEW REVIEWS ONLINE:
More to come next week, but for now - new Reviews are online now for: Heaven & Earth, Covered Call, Steve Lukather, Bai Bang, Stala & so, Snowfall, Amaze Me and Whitesnake (Live). Read The Reviews Now.
Thursday, May 09, 2013
KING KOBRA RETURN WITH A NEW ALBUM ENTITLED "II" DUE FOR RELEASE IN JULY ON FRONTIERS: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of King Kobra's new studio album "II" on July 5 in Europe and July 9 in North America.
King Kobra's long-awaited reunion album "King Kobra" (s/t) released on Frontiers Records in 2011, left no doubt that this was a band to be reckoned with. Even though nearly 25 years had passed since the original line-up recorded the landmark "Ready To Strike" and "Thrill Of A Lifetime" albums, the energy and immediacy of the bands lightning attack had not diminished one iota and fans responded in kind. "We chose to name this album "II" because it is both the second album of our reformation with Frontiers Records as well as the second generation of the band with Paul Shortino as lead vocalist," says guitarist David Michael-Philips. "Paul's unique style gives the band a new feel apart from what we were in the 80s with original singer Mark/Marcie Free. I think the "re-boot" naming gives Paul the credit he deserves while paying homage to our original singer and sound".
The thick, soulful vocals of Paul Shortino, dual guitarists Mick Sweda and David Michael-Philips, and the thundering bass and drums of Johnny Rod and Carmine Appice delivered an album that, while easily carrying on the tradition of the first two releases, brought a contemporary twist to a signature melodic, hard rock style. "The "70's" flavour of this new album was a conscious move to incorporate our influences into the music," says David Michael-Philips, while Carmine Appice adds "King Kobra was a band in the '80s with great players...and had roots in the '70s also.. We tried to make a cool combination of both, which I think we achieved with this new album".
Produced by David Henzerling with Carmine Appice and Paul Shortino, "II" digs into King Kobra hard rock roots to create an album that has all the swagger and swing of the classic 70's albums (think Montrose, Bad Company, Deep Purple and even Carmine's own legendary Cactus) with a crystal clear sound that combines the best of both analogue and digital recording techniques. From the tight and punchy "Have A Good Time" to the 8-minute epic "Deep River", "II" shows a more mature band confident of its songwriting ability performing with the technical prowess garnered over years of experience.
"II" tracklisting includes: Hell On Wheels; Knock 'Em Dead; Have A Good Time; The Ballad Of Johnny Rod; Take Me Back; When The Hammer Comes Down; Running Wild; The Crunch; Got It Comin'; Deep River; Don't Keep Me Waiting; We Go Round.
Enjoy a Youtube presentation of the new album following this link: youtu.be/pBx-B16Pgzk / www.frontiers.it.
Snakecharmer - Confirmed Tour Dates
Friday 21st June 2013 - Manchester Academy (UK)
Saturday 22nd June 2013 - Kidderminster Town Hall (UK)
Sunday 30th June 2013 - Rock City Notts (UK)
Sunday 28th July 2013 - Planet Rock, Steelhouse Festival (UK)
Friday 16th August 2013 - Clumber Park Festival (UK)
Saturday 31st of August - Tribal Rock Festival (FRANCE)
Sunday 1st September 2013 - Weyfest Festival, Farnham (UK)
Saturday 30th November - Hard Rock Hell (UK)
NICK GILDER DEBUT GETS RE-ISSUE:
UK born Nick Gilder grew up in Canada and started his career as front-man of the Glam Rock band Sweeney Todd who had a number one hit in Canada in 1976 called 'Roxy Roller'. Nick Gilder left the band in 1977 and was replaced at the time by the young Bryan Adams. Gilder from this point on concentrated on his solo career as a musician and as a songwriter for other artists such as Bette Middler, Joe Cocker, Pat Benatar, Patty Smyth & Holly Knight. His songs also can be heard on movies and TV series soundtracks such as Barb Wire, Youngblood, Sex and the city, Ed and Nip/Tuck. Between 1977 and 1999, Nick Gilder released seven solo albums which in 2001 were followed by a best of compilation called 'The Best Of Nick Gilder'.
His self-titled, rare RCA release from 1985 now is coming out for the first time ever on CD on the Yesterrock label in co-operation with Universal Music and was re-mastered by MSM Studios in Munich, Germany. 'Nick Gilder' also includes the hit 'Scream Of Angels' from the movie 'The Wrath' and exclusive liner-notes written by the artist. Released May 24.
REBELLIOUS SPIRIT RELEASE DEBUTALBUM "GAMBLE SHOT" IN JUNE 2013:
Watch out, all you cultural pessimists out there: if you're worried about large sections of today's adolescents running the risk of being paralysed by passivity and a lack of imagination due to the excessive use of their computers, you haven't heard of Rebellious Spirit yet! The four-piece rock band from Southern Germany are without a doubt among the most promising newcomer acts ever to have started in the music business in this country. Their debut album, Gamble Shot, sees Rebellious Spirit present a mature piece of handmade rock music which couldn't sound more impressive had it been recorded by an established group. Band founders Jannik (vocals/guitar) and Jens Fischer (bass/vocals) are a mere 17 and 20 years old, their colleagues Silvio Bizer (drums) and Corvin Domhardt (guitar/vocals) are only 18. All the more surprising how nonchalantly and well thought-out this impressive quartet goes about its business. "We call our music simply rock'n'roll," frontman Jannik Fischer defines the stylistic direction, adding: "But you could also refer to it as contemporary classic rock. It definitely reflects our joie de vivre." Jannik, the youngest of the band members, composed all the material on the debut, recording vocals as well lead guitars. His bass-playing older brother Jens penned the lyrics.
Gamble Shot unmistakably reflects the influences of the these four young talents: Mötley Crüe, Poison, H.E.A.T., Hardcore Superstar, Reckless Love, to name but the most obvious ones. Having said that, Rebellious Spirit are anything but copy cats – quite the opposite: all ten tracks on their first release are marked by an amazing individuality and top compositional quality. Haunting numbers such as 'Lights Out' and 'Cry For You' document the energy that's so typical of Rebellious Spirit, 'Gone Wild' with its classy guitar riff underlines the band's penchant for melodic metal. Rebellious Spirit know no stylistic limitations, their credo is: we play what we enjoy! "A number like 'Let's Bring Back', for example, was recorded directly after our performance at the Rock Of Ages Festival in Seebronn," Jens Fischer remembers. "We got back home seriously exhausted, but already had the chorus running through our brains. So we sat down immediately to write the number. It was recorded in no time." Other tracks required a little more work: the drum grooves on 'Forever Young' were perfected until the musicians were one hundred per cent happy with them.
Rebellious Spirit were founded in summer 2010. After a number of trial concerts, autumn 2010 saw them record their demo CD Heart Of Swabia featuring three original songs and three cover versions. In the meantime, the band has played more than 40 gigs, among them the prestigious Rock Of Ages Festival, and have supported Reckless Love, Kissin' Dynamite and Pussy Sisster in Holland and Germany.
Their debut album Gamble Shot, due out worldwide as Digipak with three bonus videos, jewel case and download through SPV/Steamhammer, was recorded at the Cubeaudio Studios in Göttingen between September 2011 and February 2012 , the final mix and the final mastering were completed in July 2012.
A number of festival appearances are currently being scheduled for the summer, followed by a support tour in autumn 2013. Jens Fischer: "We can hardly wait for Gamble Shot to arrive at the stores at last so that we can present our new material to a larger audience." This is an album that both sides are bound to enjoy – the musicians just as much as their fans!
Tracklisting: Let`s Bring Back, Sweet Access Right, Cry For You, Change The World, Lights Out, Gone Wild, Don`t Leave Me, You`re Not The Only One, Forever Young, Rock it, Lights Out (video) – Bonus Video; Change The World (unplugged live) – Bonus Video; Sweet Access Right (unplugged live) – Bonus Video.
Jewel Case: Let`s Bring Back, Sweet Access Right, Cry For You, Change The World, Lights Out, Gone Wild, Don`t Leave Me, You`re Not The Only One, Forever Young, Rock it.
Rebellious Spirit live 2013:
12.05. D-Mannheim – 7er Club (special guest for Voodoo Circle and Shakra)
22.06. D-Balingen – Sonnenkeller
29.06. D-Münsingen – Wild Side
07.07. D-Ludwigsburg - Rockfabrik
13.07. D-Balingen – Bang Your Head Festival
20.07. D-Köln – MC Adler
28.09. NL-Arnheim – Willemeen
11.11. D-Lünen – Lükaz (support for Axxis)
15.02. D-Metzingen – Ermstal Rockfestival
WebLinks: www.rebelliousspirit.de / www.spv.de.
TONY HARNELL & THE WILDFLOWERS FEATURING BUMBLEFOOT EP OUT NOW:
The debut crowd-sourced funded EP from Tony Harnell & The Wildflowers Featuring Bumblefoot is out now with Digital Downloads and audio samples available from CDBaby.com. A hard copy version is forthcoming.
Track listing: 01. Paralyzed 02. Get Up Again 03. Runaround 04. Devil Of A Healer 05. Burning Daylight 06. Somebody To Love 07. What If 08. Wouldn't Be Human 09. Child's Play.
Lynch Mob and Dio Disciples vocalist Oni Logan will appear as a special guest performer through May 25
Oni Logan, powerhouse vocalist and founding member of Lynch Mob, joins the all-star lineup of Raiding The Rock Vault, the story of classic rock, through Saturday, May 25. The sensational singer-songwriter will guest star in the hardest rocking show in Vegas before embarking on the next leg of the international Dio Disciples tour in June. The story of classic rock comes to life with Raiding The Rock Vault. Boasting the ultimate set list, the show takes audiences on a magical musical journey from 1948 to 1989, traversing the genre's history chronologically through the '40s, '50s, '60s, '70s and '80s. Raiding The Rock Vault features classic anthems from The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, the Eagles, Queen, Van Halen, AC/DC, Journey, Free, Bryan Adams, Supertramp, Toto, Deep Purple, and more, truly boasting "The Greatest Set List Ever."
Track listing and cover art for Houston II, due in September: 1. Glory 2. I'm Coming Home 3. Return My Heart 4. Talk To Me 5. Back To The Summer Of Love 6. 24 Hours 7. On the Radio 8. Losing 9. Just Friends 10. Believe.
dUg: My best songs come from my worst times. Jeb: That sucks.
dUg: It does suck, but it's true. If I don't have any drama going on in my life then I don't have anything to write about. I have accepted it over the years. I took Wellbutrin for a while for depression, but I found that I couldn't write any lyrics on it. There was nothing getting to me because I didn't care. I just didn't have any deep feelings about anything. When I got off the stuff and almost tried to kill myself, because Wellbutrin will do that when you come off of it. After I got through that—no more of that stuff. I just smoke weed and deal witth it.
Jeb: Where do you go from here? How do you lift yourself back up?
dUg: I just will keep going like I do. I laugh a lot about things because you have to laugh to keep from crying. Everybody has their problems in life and what they have to deal with, from childhood abandonment, or abusive parents, or other deep, deep things.
My childhood was much different than most people and I look at things differently and it is the reason I have depression. I have just had to learn to live with it. Whatever life has dealt you then you have to deal with it and you can't blame anyone anymore. What I try to do is to write songs about how I feel, without blaming anyone. I try to say that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that you can work this out and that you just need to hang on. Sometimes I don't think I'm going to make it, but we all get to those places in our life where it is so dark that you just don't think you can make it but, somehow, the light comes on and you just keep on going. That is what I like to write about. I don't like to write about anything final like I want to kill myself.
Jeb: Do you?
dUg: Well, I did write a song called "I Want to Kill Myself Tonight" and I ended up changing the lyrics. I knew that even though, right then, I wanted to do that, I knew I wasn't going to do that. That song would be out there forever and everyone would be able to judge me for that, you know. Twenty years later I don't want someone to write me a letter saying, "dUg, why do want to kill yourself?" It's not like that.
Jeb: I relate to you as a creative person. I think sometimes we use the creative process, and writing about those dark times, as a way to heal ourselves.
dUg: It is totally healing. I have this thing called Abandoned Child Syndrome. To make a long story short, my mother and father did not raise me. I was left at an age when I was just beginning to bond. When they left, it put me into a traumatic place. I have lived with this all of my life and I'm just beginning to understand what it is and how to deal with it. It affects how I look at myself and my relationships with people. You don't feel like you fit in and you don't feel like anyone cares about you and you don't feel like you're worth a people's time. You are a piece of shit, basically. In every aspect, you're a complete piece of shit, because the people that you needed to tell you that you were okay were not there to tell you that and the people that were there would yell at you. I grew up with this outlook on life like I'm a piece of shit and that nobody cares. When I got up on my feet, I realized I had a gift to write music. I had to write songs and sing about things and I was an artist, so I wanted to draw things as well. What was I going to draw or sing about? I wrote and sang about whatever I had in my heart and what I felt. I still do. If you sing about sex all the time then you might be a sexaholic. If you write about love all of the time then you might be obsessed with love. Everybody has certain things that they sing about. As a result, we show the world who we are through our songs, as artists. My songs are pretty dark, but hopefully there is a light. That is how I live. I live in this darkness and I feel like I'm drowning, but when I come up I can see land. I know it is out there, so I go back down and deal with it—that's how I loook at it.
PAUL RODGERS SET FREE INTHESTUDIO.NET:
Dallas,TX- May 8, 2013. InTheStudio.NET, the web home for North American syndicated Rock radio show InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands gets the story of British blues-rockers Free from legendary singer and songwriter Paul Rodgers. A teenage London quartet, Free put out six influential studio albums plus a live one between 1968-1973, forging the blueprint for future arena rock fillers Bad Company and Foreigner with the sound of lead singer Paul Rodgers' voice and lead guitarist Paul Kossoff's crying sustained notes in very sparse arrangements.
Drummer Simon Kirke would go on with Rodgers to found Bad Company by 1974 while Kossoff succumbed to the ravages of heroin addiction in 1976, but not before leaving a musical legacy that included, "Woman", "Fire and Water", "Heavy Load", "All Right Now", "The Stealer", "Catch a Train" and the often-covered "Wishing Well". Singer/ songwriter Paul Rodgers explains to InTheStudio host Redbeard what inspired him and his band mates to set themselves FREE. "There was a lot of coincidence and magic occurring at that time. We were all looking for what became Free. I was looking at bands like Cream & Jimi Hendrix and idolizing those guys and really wanting to follow in their footsteps."
Stream the full Free program this month as part of InTheStudio's Medium Rare "online-only" rockumentary series. www.inthestudio.net/online-only-interviews/free/
LONDON SET FOR WHISKEY SHOW:
For the first time in years, rock band London is doing a summer tour, and the legendary Hollywood foursome led by singer Nadir D'Priest is doing it big, highlighted by an appearance at Rocklahoma on Saturday, May 25 in support of Alice in Chains, Bullet for My Valentine and a lots of other top bands. The annual three-day festival in Pryor, Oklahoma also features Guns N' Roses and Bush on Friday, May 24 and Korn, Cheap Trick and Steel Panther on Sunday, May 26. What makes the event even more exciting for London fans – and there a lot of them out there because the famed Sunset Strip band has never gotten its due respect – is the release of London Live, a nine-track CD available for the first time at Rocklahoma and also available soon on the London website londontheband.net. "Rocklahoma is the biggest thing since Woodstock, and we're really looking forward to being there," D'Priest said. "Rocklahoma is leader of rock shows right now, and we're happy to be part of it." London is also touring through Salt Lake City, Dallas, Philadelphia, New York, Michigan, Florida and lots of other cities including a heavily anticipated show May 31 at the famed Whisky in Hollywood. "We're back in business, so get ready for us," D'Priest said. "It's definitely on folks, and it's been long enough. We are back, and excited to be touring and playing to our fans across the country."
"London Live" is a London self-produced album, engineered by legendary Michael Wagener and mastered by Maor Appelbaum, along with additional mixes by Roy Z Ramirez (Halford, Iron Maiden). The songs were recorded live in Nashville at 12th and Porter and at the renowned Grand Ol' Opry, as London was the first hard-rock band ever to play at the Grand Ol' Opry. The live CD is well-done, and the tracks sound HUGE. There's a good chance "London Live" will be the group's "Budokan," and after the American dates the tour continues in Europe, where London has a large following. "We're ready to rock, yes indeed," London drummer Alan Krigger said.
The band has a new guitar player, Tony Aleman, a young hot-shot who formerly played with Mandy Lion of World War III.
PAUL YOUNG REMIX & RARITIES COLLECTION DUE: Cherry Red Records will issue a new Paul Young collection titled Remixes and Rarities, via their Cherry Pop imprint on 17 June 2013. As the name suggests, this new 2CD collection will feature a selection many of Paul Young's best-loved singles in their full length, extended remix form, along with other rarities such as B-sides and cassette-only long versions. Highlights include, the full extended mix of US number one Every Time You Go Away (unreleased on CD outside Japan), the 'US Dance Floor Smash' version of I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down (remixed by John 'Tokes' Potoker) and other CD debuts such as the near-nine minute extended mix of album track I Was In Chains (previously only available on the cassette of The Secret Of Association) and the epic live version of No Parlez album cut, Oh Women (from the Love Of The Common People seven-inch double-pack and The Live Edition Japanese LP).
All in all, every 45 Paul Young released as a solo artist in the 1980s is featured on this set in remixed form. So while fans will delight at the rarities, it also doubles as a fantastic 'hits' collection representing the pop-soul singer's most successful era. At this point we need to hold our hands up and and declare an interest, since this compilation was conceived and compiled by SuperDeluxeEdition editor Paul Sinclair, for Cherry Red. This involvement will allow us to bring you the inside line on this set with some exclusive updates coming on this release between now and 17 June. Paul Young's Remixes and Rarities will come complete with a Japanese style collector's 'OBI' strip and cover art true to the era.
Paul Young / Remixes and Rarities track listing: CD 1 Every Time You Go Away [Extended Mix], Wonderland [Milan Mix], Come Back And Stay [Scratch Mix], I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down [U.S. Dance Floor Smash], Why Does A Man Have To Be Strong [Extended Mix],
Man In The Iron Mask, Iron Out The Rough Spots [Extended Remix], Yours [Extended Club Mix], It's Better To Have And Don't Need [Live], Hot Fun [Extended Mix], I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down [Extended Remix], Everything Must Change [Instrumental Version].
CD 2 Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home) [Extended Club Mix], Some People [Dub], Heaven Can Wait [12" Version], Love Will Tear Us Apart [Full Length Version], Behind Your Smile [Live], Oh Women [Live], Tomb Of Memories [12" Mix], Love Of The Common People [Extended Mix], Softly Whispering I Love You [Extended Mix], Sex [Extended Club Mix], Everything Must Change [Extended Remix], I Was In Chains (Extended Mix].
WebLink: www.superdeluxeedition.com/news/paul-young-remixes-and-rarities-collection-coming-from-cherry-pop.
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
"SPECIAL": THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FIRST VIDEO FROM PINK CREAM 69'S "CEREMONIAL" ALBUM:
Fifteen years after the video for the smash hit "Shame" Pink Cream 69 are releasing their new video for the song "Special" taken from the chart-album "Ceremonial", released last January on Frontiers Records. Filmed and edited by director Marc Stern, Special features guest appearances by both of the ex-band members Andi Deris and Kosta Zafiriou as well as some old friends of the band like Mike Tramp and Jeff Scott Soto. Pink Cream 69 played their first European tour as special guest for Tramp's former band White Lion and many festivals and concerts have been played side by side together with JSS.
"Special" will be premiered exclusively this Friday, 10th of May 2013, 6 :30 PM CET on iMusic Rocks TV and will be available from Monday, 13th of May 2013, 11 AM CET through the Frontiers Youtube channel and band's official website and facebook page.
WebLink: www.pinkcream69.de.
GREAT WHITE UTILIZES FANBASE FOR LATEST VIDEO: "Our fans mean everything to us. This is for them. They always keep things positive and embrace our music." - Great White.
Los Angeles, Calif.: Great White took a different approach for their video Shotgun Willie's. More specifically, they let their audience helm the director's chair. Filmed over the course of March's Monsters of Rock Cruise, where Great White headlined the floating rock festival, the video encapsulates the vessel's high energy and the five-piece band's bond. The link to the video is found on YouTube at: youtu.be/c_zh6jsFBd4.
"Shotgun Willie's, the fourth single off of Elation (Frontiers Records), is currently climbing the classic rock radio chart. Great White announced via its website and social networking pages they would be utilizing fan driven video to create the video. "We discovered after looking at the footage that not only do we look like we are having a blast", guitarist Michael Lardie said. "But that our fans connected to our music in ways that we can't always see from the stage under the lights. Some of the video is very much a party atmosphere, but this is also a video scrapbook of people that have never stopped loving our music and continue to be a part of the Great White family."
Great White gives special thanks to all the fans that participated and contributed. They would like to give additional recognition to Harlan Hendrickson, Brigette Olender, Juan Martin Aboud, Karl Wickman, Angie Perkins, Chris Parker, Dave Stabley, Lee Russell, Raoul Pacino, Larry Morand, Olga and Phillip The Shark and Lucky Keller. The video was edited by Keith Mud Shark Roberts. Great White is founder and lead guitarist, Mark Kendall, Lardie, Audie Desbrow (drums), Scott Snyder (bass) and lead singer, Terry Ilous. Visit: GreatWhiteRocks.com.
AFM NEWS IN BRIEF:
Finally German Heavy Metal masters U.D.O. present a first song/video from their upcoming new album Steelhammer, which will be released on May 24th (USA: May 21st). The video clip for Metal Machine is released now and the track is also available as digital download, exclusively in AFM's MP3 shop.
Good news for all hard Rock fans in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands: Voodoo Circle and Shakra, two of the most successful European Hard Rock bands, are joining forces for a tour. Kickoff: May 8th in Burglengenfeld (Germany).
Good things take a while… but the release date for Masterplan's new album Novumm Initium is now set for June 14. The highly-anticipated new piece of work will include 11 tracks, + 2 additional ones on the limited Digipak version. A lyric video for the brand new track The Game is available now.
SIMON TOWNSHEND LIVE AND SOLO:
A familiar name with an original sound, Simon Townshend is straight from the lineage of one of British music's most famous families. The son of England's top big-band reed man and baby brother of Who legend Pete Townshend, Simon has been recording and performing since the age of nine, when he was recruited to add vocals to The Who classic Tommy. He went on to successfully release six well received solo CD's and one with the band Casbah Club (featuring Bruce Foxton/The Jam & Mark Brzezicki/Big Country), all on his own Stir Music label. In the fall of 2012, Simon released his finest and most impactful solo recording to date entitled Looking Out Looking In.
In addition to his own music, Simon has been guitarist and vocalist in The Who since 1996, playing sold out tours of Europe, Asia and North America, including monumental performances at the 2010 Super Bowl and the closing ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics. He was referred to by one U.S. newspaper as The Who's "secret weapon." In 2004 Simon served as producer for The Who's first new, original studio recordings in more than 20 years and in 2006 contributed his talents to their highly anticipated album, Endless Wire. Simon has also performed with numerous other established acts ranging from Jeff Beck to Pearl Jam, Dave Grohl, and including elder brother Pete Townshend, with notable song writing and vocal contributions to Iron Man and Psychoderelict. Since 2009, Simon has accompanied Roger Daltrey on tours of the United Kingdom and North America, including stints with Eric Clapton and numerous Teenage Cancer Trust fundraisers.
Simon is currently busier than ever, receiving rave reviews for his work on The Who's 2012/2013 Quadrophenia and More Tour. When not performing with The Who, he's committed to the most extensive solo touring of his career, highlighted by multiple sellout shows at Joe's Pub in New York and attaining the opening spot on Heart's 2013 "Fanatic" tour.
Simon Townshend's own music is his priority and it has made a significant impact. As brother Pete Townshend told London's Daily Mail, "he's brilliant." British and American papers have variously described his songs and performances as …
"supercharged…Mr. Townshend pushes the band to climax upon climax" (The New York Times)
"buoyant melodies…soaring vocal harmonies,… irresistible chorus hooks pushed and pulled by the refreshing optimism of Simon's voice" (The Washington Post)
"impressive" (Billboard)
"really pushes the envelope and is highly recommended" (Amplifier)
"wonderful melodic punch…truly enjoyable listening" (Goldmine)
a "catharsis" (The Los Angeles Times)
"a cut above…melodic, edgy and creative, Looking Out Looking In is worth spending some coin on…perfectly executed…the real deal." (Guitar Magazine)
"a fresh, compact sound and style all of its own…utterly compelling…a genuinely original talent…5/5" (London Daily Express)
In short, as London's Gig Guide said, "you would be a fool to miss him."
A prolific artist and performer, Simon Townshend continues to write, create and perform his unique and charismatic work as well as provide support to some of rock music's ultimate legends. He can regularly be found interacting on his web site, www.SimonTownshend.com, Facebook and Twitter.
42 DECIBEL - HARD ROCK N´ROLL DEBUT ALBUM OUT IN JUNE: 42 Decibel have documented one thing beyond a doubt: traditional rock'n'roll is universal and stops neither at geographical borders nor current trends and fashions. The way this young band get down to business in the studio and live on stage brings to mind acts such as AC/DC, Airbourne, The Answer and Buckcherry. 42 Decibel sound like they might hail from Australia, the US, England or Scandinavia. But in fact the quartet stems from Argentina, where they have recently shaken all the hottest clubs in and around Buenos Aires to their very foundations. Their debut album Hard Rock'n'Roll is a classy, spirited rock pamphlet and has been scheduled as CD and LP for release on 24 June 2013 (Germany: 21 June 2013; US/Canada: 2 July 2013). Nicko Cambiasso is the band's mastermind. He founded 42 Decibel in January 2010 and indicates the band's general direction: "I'm the man behind the project, in a way from the very beginning the one who set the direction of our sound, where we should aim in terms of our songwriting and how we should develop in the future," Cambiasso explains. "I'm really old school, I like the drums to be pretty straightforward and to sound solid in order to go straight into the aural tract of our listeners." The group's frontman is vocalist/guitarist Junior Figueroa, who founded 42 Decibel together with Cambiasso. "Junior is the youngest of the band members, a great frontman, very dynamic on stage," Cambiasso describes his colleague, "one of the best guitarists I've played with. As a lot of people say after having seen one of our shows: 'He's out of this world'." The band is completed by bassist Chris Marck Towers and rhythm/slide guitarist Billy Bob Riley. "Billy Bob is a very easy-going person who explodes on stage and can't stop moving even for a second. Thanks to his slide guitar skills, we've succeeded in broadening our compositional range," Cambiasso enthuses, commenting equally positively on his bassist: "Chris is a tougher guy, he's got a great groove. He's not one of those who play one and the same note all the time. His bass riffs add that special touch which sets us apart from other bands in this genre."
42 Decibel's first 7-track demo saw the light of day back in spring 2010, defining the basis of their sound. Now the band are ready to present their first album Hard Rock'n'Roll, recorded with the support of sound engineer Patricio Claypole at the El Attic Studios and mastered by Justin Weis (Papa Roach, The Tubes) at San Francisco's Trakworx Studios. The debut's title hints at the direction of the album: traditional rock music which goes straight to gut and into your feet. The musician's influences are unmistakable and as renowned as they are legendary: "Our sound is pretty much old school, vintage, straightforward and genuine," says Cambiasso. "We all love AC/DC, Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clearwater Revival, ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, Rose Tattoo, Elvis Presley, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Lynyrd Skynyrd. We just try to play the music we want to listen to and go back to our roots."
Cambiasso is referring to haunting rock tracks such as 'Scotch Drinker', 'Smokin' Fire' and 'Addicted To Rage' with their uncompromising drive and disarming directness. 'Gimme A Drink', for example, refers to a fairly unattractive woman who seems to become more interesting after a few drinks. 'Rocker Soul' with its powerful and gritty riff also deserves a mention and is the thematic symbol of the band's philosophy. Cambiasso: "´Rocker Soul` was the first song we composed together." Probably the most unusual track on Hard Rock'n'Roll is 'Long Legged Woman'. "The Song has that Australian sound, but with a touch of Southern Rock, and features one of the guitar solos I most enjoy on the record." That's pretty much all you need to know about the album for the time being. The outstanding songs on 42 Decibel's album are set to answer any questions you may have!
Tracklisting CD: 1.Scotch Drinker 6:17 2.Smokin' Fire 2:57 3.Long Legged Woman 5:41 4.The Real Deal 5:00 5.Take Me 6:53 6.I`m Gonna Give You All 5:48 7.Drinkin' Margaritas 5:25 8.Addicted To Rage 5:09 9.Born To Ride Alone 3:43 10.Rocker Soul 4:18 11.Drunk Love 5:04 (Bonus Track) 12. Gimme A Drink 3:28 (Bonus Track).
WebLinks: www.myspace.com/42decibelrocks / www.facebook.com/pages/Steamhammer/114696755376921?ref=ts&fref=ts / www.spv.de.
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
PLOT THICKENS ON SAMMY HAGAR 2013 RELEASE:
Guitarist Neal Schon this week posted a comment that he had been recording in the studio this past week with Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith. "Just got home from recording with Sammy Hagar, Chad and Mike today. Was Awesome. Also heading into the studio next week with Steve Smith again.... Feeling rejuvenated and inspired."
The sessions are for the new Sammy Hagar solo album due later this year, to be followed by a two month tour for the red rocker.
Neal also sent me this cool comment earlier today: "Also been in the studio creating and recording with Steve Smith and it sounds ballistic..."
No mention of what those sessions might be for just yet!
In related news - from: www.billboard.com/articles/news/1560737/judge-rules-sammy-hagar-biography-did-not-defame-woman.
"A defamation lawsuit against Sammy Hagar filed by a former Playboy bunny who claims he fathered her child has been dismissed, and the former Van Halen frontman is pleased with the result, his attorney said Monday. U.S. District Judge Linda Reade ruled April 30 that Hagar did not defame the woman - identified as Jane Doe in court documents - when he accused her in his 2011 memoir of falsely naming him as the baby's father in order to extort money. "We're certainly gratified by the result and we hope this means that it's all over," said Hagar's attorney, Wesley Kinnear of San Francisco. "It's difficult to be involved in litigation like this. It was a surprise to him. And he's very pleased that the judge ruled the way that she did."
AOR HEAVEN ANNOUNCES JUNE RELEASES: AOR Heaven have announced their release details for June, Lost Weekend – Evermore and the 'mailorder only' release of the re-issue of Swiss rocker's Sideburn's album Gasoline. Both albums will be released June 21.
Lost Weekend - Evermore / Lost Weekend have been together for 18 years. They are made up of musicians who over the last 35 years have rocked the stages of Britain, Europe and the world. With the resurgence in guitar based music the band have been in huge demand, indeed they have performed alongside the likes of Gotthard, TNT, Dokken, Magnum, Saxon, Wishbone Ash, Jeff Scott Soto, Winger, Asia, Quireboys, Thunder, UFO and FM. It was around the release of their third opus New Religion that legendary Magnum vocalist Bob Catley invited the band to support him on his solo tour of Britain and Europe for which the band again impressed from the start, this resulted in the band being asked to write Bob Catley's next solo album Spirit Of Man.
The record has received worldwide critical acclaim, once again the band was invited on a tour with Catley. November 2006 has seen the release of the Lost Weekend's fourth album, the acclaimed forever Moving On. 2007 has been a year spent promoting the latest CD with appearances at some of England's premier rock festivals to great effect. With a slight change in personnel the band became a twin guitar based band resulting in a heavier sound more akin to the likes of the Scorpions, UFO and Thunder to name a few. 2008 and a brand new album Fear And Innocence, with this release the added guitar and the re-introduction of keyboards gave the UK group a wonderful platform to create a heavier but also very melodic rock album, which again was widely applauded around the melodic rock circles.
2010/2011 was a time the band gave themselves a hiatus from performing together, in fact they did release a statement saying they were calling time on Lost Weekend, but as people know when you have a break from something you have loved for a long time, you miss those times desperately, and with that the band moved to new premises and decided to start rehearsing initially and just see what happens.
The result was renewed passion and creativity and the next thing they knew was an album had been written and one they are most proud of to date, with the inclusion of Irving Parratt on keyboards(he last worked with the band on Forever Moving On and Spirit Of Man) both of which he contributed the writing of.
The band is primed and ready to unleash their brand new album "Evermore" on June 21st, 2013 via AOR Heaven. Again it was produced by the incredible Martin Kronlund JM studios Sweden.
Tracklist: 1. Reach For The Sky 2. Love Will Find You 3. Be Who You Wanna Be 4. Got To Make It Through 5. Angel Sublime 6. Perfect Day 7. The Real World 8. Live For Tomorrow 9. Falling By The Wayside 10. Do You Remember 11. Evermore 12. Ain't No Friend Of Mine.
Sideburn - Gasoline +3 / With a rich history, Swiss quintet Sideburn knows the power of rock well enough. They've been there, done that, and are possibly, one of the best-kept secrets in rock'n'roll. With six albums since the change of name in 1995, their discography talks by itself. So it's no surprise that their song "Six feet under" was picked by 20th Century Fox Studios to be featured in an episode of the Fox Network TV show "24" with Kiefer Sutherland, or that they opened for some of the biggest acts in the industry (e.g. Def Leppard, Kiss, Krokus, Gotthard, Dio, Doro, Motörhead, Thin Lizzy, Uriah Heep, Meat Loaf and lots more).
Sideburn create that classic rock sound (a mix of AC/DC and ZZ Top) that is guaranteed to make you pump up the volume, dust off that air-guitar & tap your feet. For the 10th anniversary of the album "Gasoline", a new pressing will be released on the 17th of May in Switzerland (Irascible), on the 24th of May for Europe (AOR Heaven Mailorder). Originally released in October 2003, "Gasoline" featured 11 songs. Some of them are classics, like: "Gangster Lover", "Never kill the chicken", "Giov in LA" and "Black sheep" which all are still part of the current live set-list.
The reissue includes 3 bonus tracks recorded live on the 27th of October 2012 at the Brise Glace of Annecy (France): Slave To The Core - Crocodile - Get That Way.
The band says: "For us it was a good way to present the new line-up, before the release of the new album which will be out in October on Metal Heaven".
WebLinks: www.sideburn.ch / www.aorheaven.com.
ANVIL'S HOPE FILLED PODCAST:
The new Anvil studio album Hope In Hell will be available in Germany on May 24th and Europe on May 27 through SPV / Steamhammer in four different formats: as a limited-edition Digipak including 2 bonus tracks (see photo attached) , as a jewel case CD, double gatefold colored vinyl including 2 bonus tracks and as download. A new podcast teaser/interview from Lips and Robb can be seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6-pNVETm4w.
INTRODUCING ANASTASIO FARINI:
Press Release from Defox Records and Heart Of Steel Records: "We pleased to announce the debut album of Anastasio Farini, great melodic hard rock virtuoso guitarist from Greece! The album titled "Lil' Angel" will be available worldwide! His debut album "Lil' Angel" contains "9 melodic hard rock songs with elements of classic hard rock till glam, and hair metal sounds with neoclassical solos". Also Anastasio Farini cooperate with great singers wherever they in turn gave them their own mark in the final result. Dean Mess (W.A.N.T.E.D), Rob Mancini, Pelle Saether (Grand Design), Reuben Archer, Darren Grant (Eruption, Daz Of Oz) and with the biggest Greek rock star George Gakis. The lyrics of all the songs written by Vicky Bek, except from the song "Brother To Brother" which written from Reuben Archer. The great cover design are from George (Snaki) and Sofi (Heaven) from BeRock Radio. Anastasio Farini - Lil' Angel (Official Video) HD: www.youtube.com/watch?v=frVQX4gucDM.
NERGARD DEBUT OUT NOW:
The Norwegian all-star Melodic Metal-project Nergard released the debut album Memorial for a Wish through Australian Battlegod Productions on April 17. Memorial for a Wish is the first album of a two act Metal Opera and features a string of well-known names from the rock/metal industry:
- Andreas Nergård (Rudhira) - Composer/Drums/Bass/Keyboards
- Åge Sten Nilsen (Wig Wam) - Vocals
- Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear, Ex Gamma Ray) - Vocals
- Göran Edman (Ex Yngwie Malmsteen) - Vocals
- Mike Vescera (Ex Yngwie Malmsteen) - Vocals
- Nils K. Rue (Pagan's Mind) - Vocals
- Michele Luppi (Secrets Sphere) - Vocals
- Andi Kravljaca (Silent Call, Aeon Zen) - Vocals
- David Reece (Power World, Ex Accept) - Vocals
- Tony Mills (Tnt, Ex Shy) - Vocals
- Helge Engelke (Fair Warning) - Guitar solos
- Stig Nergård (Tellus Requiem) - Guitar solos
- Ole Martin Moe Thornæs (Rudhira) - Vocals
- Sunniva Unsgård - Vocals
The album has been in the making since 2010 and is the very debut of the young composer Andreas Nergard (24). The music video for the lead single "A Question of God" feat Tony Mills was released in February 2013 and gained a lot of attention from world-wide media. The video can be seen on this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TqV1A4OrnI.
The music video for "An Everlasting Dreamscape" has just been recorded on an icy lake in Norway and featured the great Andi Kravljaca (Aeon Zen, Silent Call). It will be released in late August. The follow-up album is being recorded right now and will most likely see its release sometime during 2014. It will be a darker and heavier album but it will still provide a lot of melodies. A lot of well-known guest singers will appear this time as well, stay tuned on Nergard's Facebook page for updates: www.facebook.com/nergardmusic.
Memorial for a Wish is also available on Spotify/Wimp/iTunes/Amazon and many other places.
THE CARS' RIC OCASEK CRUISES 'INTHESTUDIO':
Dallas, TX - MAY 6, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands goes under the hood of The Cars on the 35th anniversary of their 1978 self-titled debut album. The Cars were the most successful post-punk "New Wave" band of the late '70s & early '80s, producing three Top 40 hits right off the starting line, "My Best Friends Girl", "Just What I Needed", and "Good Times Roll", from a standing start going zero-to-six million! Veteran London producer and chief mechanic Roy Thomas Baker (the man behind Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody') accelerated the recording, producing the band's album in a mere 12 days. 12,775 days later, the hits have stood the test of time even making a cameo in a recent car TV commercial. Singer/songwriter Ric Ocasek shares with InTheStudio host Redbeard the social awkwardness he felt after the Cars began to burn rubber. "All this attention you get... If you walked into a room full of people and you didn't hardly know any of the people in the room, and all of a sudden everybody turned around and walked over to you, you mean you wouldn't be completely embarrassed about it? (laughs) That's sort of what happens. All of a sudden, after you have had no attention whatsoever, all of a sudden you have a mass amount of attention."
The Cars 'The Cars'/InTheStudio interview is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/cars-the-cars-35th-anniversary-ric-ocasek.
IT BEGINS AGAIN FOR FRENCH ROCKERS BLACKRAIN:
It Begins is the new album from BlackRain. The album is produced by Jack Douglas (Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, John Lennon...), it will be release on June 10 in France with the support of a massive campaign and in September in the rest of Europe. The band has signed a license deal with Columbia /Sony for Europe only and we are still looking for deasl in USA, Australia, Japan and South East Asia.
There's a good reason why French rockers BlackRain end most of their concerts by covering the AC/DC anthem "It's a Long Way To The Top (if You Wanna Rock'n'Roll)" and it's for equally good reasons they have decided to call their brand new album "It Begins"…
For, having formed in 2006 in the French Alps and with three self-produced albums under their belts, countless concerts in France, Europe and even Japan, these four musicians know for a fact that 2013 is undoubtedly the most important year of their young careers to date, it feels like the start of the beginning…
In the fast-changing but predictable musical industry today it's rare indeed that a big US producer decides to work with a bunch of "Frenchies" and that a "major label" such as Columbia / Sony signs a French rock act…
To be able to reach this point BlackRain, then featuring three original members Swan, MatH and Max 2, worked unbelievably hard, taking any and every opportunity they could find, deciding to relocate to Paris where they were able to dedicate themselves full time to music. During seven long years spent learning the tortuous ways of Rock 'n' Roll, the band met a lot of good people - Frank F. , their so precious "new" drummer; Dany T. their manager; great bands like Europe, Papa Roach, Alice Cooper, Scorpions and Steel Panther with whom they played; and last but not least American producer Jack Douglas, known for his work with Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, Alice Cooper, The New York Dolls and even John Lennon… a true music "legend" who provided all of his good old fashioned experience to the making of "It Begins". "Some friends of mine laughed when I said to them I was going to Paris to work with a French rock band... Well, they are going to be surprised!!!" – so said Jack as he landed in the French capital in August 2012, arriving hot foot from completing the latest recording with Aerosmith.
This new album, recorded in Paris during late Summer 2012 is the result of many months of collaboration between BlackRain and Jack who, prior to recording, spent a lot of his time listening and analyzing tons of demos in order to select the best songs and create for each of them the best arrangement … He really applied his magic touch to the whole process. And to complete the circle it's Warren Huart, Aerosmith's sound engineer who, along with Jack, mixed these new BlackRain songs at Swing House Studios in Los Angeles, a place where the Toxic Twins so often worked.
With straight ahead, catchy rockers like "Blast Me Up" (the first single and video clip), "Death By Stereo", "Bad Love", and the sharp edged "Dancing with Fire", BlackRain reminds us that this gang has grown up with the sounds of WASP, Guns N ' Roses, Skid Row, Ratt and Mötley Crüe. Other tracks suggest different influences, equally interesting: "Young Blood", a mesmerizing mid-tempo groover, "Cryin' Tonight", an almost perfect pop pleasure or "Wild Wild, Wild" with its anthemic chorus and hook. It's clear that with these songs, all written by the main composer Swan, you have the kind of artist who's not just satisfied with living with the influences of the present or the past. The gorgeous ballad "Nobody But You", portrayed so memorably with MatH on piano, and "Re-Evolution - New Generation", undoubtedly the most ambitious and most surprising moment of the entire album, prove beyond doubt that BlackRain can never be labeled as "followers".
While remaining faithful to it's roots and influences, BlackRain is a band in a state of perpetual evolution, never ceasing in its quest to climb each and every step of the long Rock 'n' Roll stairway… "It Begins" is the proof that the journey is well and truly under way. It is impossible to ignore the perfect match between the classic guitar/bass/drums format and the classic choruses and arrangements on this album. The end result compels the listener to play this magnum opus over and over again, emphasizing that this is infinitely more than just "another rock record".
The skill levels and meticulous crafting of "It Begins" reflects the will and capacity of BlackRain to create something never really achieved by a rock act from France. This is amply demonstrated further by the sheer quality and exuberance of their Alhambra show in Paris – available in it's entirety via streaming on Dailymotion (over 65,000 views and counting)!
However, the single most talked about event in the bands career to date is undoubtedly their rather surprising participation in the French version of the "New Talent" TV show. They played three colorful, powerful and memorable live TV performances, each featuring a brand new song to an audience of several million. They reached people who would doubtless never normally be interested in hard rock music, yet despite that they generated huge interest amongst the viewers! Collectively the public registered a massive vote for the four piece band which took them all the way to the final! And although they didn't win (they ended up #6 out of 12 performers), BlackRain achieved a result nobody was predicting at the beginning of the competition, and as a result have a greatly increased profile and fanbase in France. Yet another unexpected twist in the story of that long Rock 'n' Roll highway that the band has chosen to follow.
For BlackRain however, the "TV show" was far from being their ultimate achievement, far from it. These four musicians know their ultimate weapon remains their music, and armed with the ammunition of their new songs they are now ready to face the future… ……Be ready, it begins here and now …
WebLink: www.blackrain.fr.
xx
Monday, May 06, 2013
DEATH DEALER SIGN WITH RUBICON RECORDS JAPAN FOR THEIR DEBUT ALBUM: Death Dealer the band featuring Ross the Boss and Rhino (previously Manowar) have signed with Rubicon Records Japan. The album will contain two bonus tracks and feature special Japanese liner notes. The band will be touring Japan later in 2013 for a headlining tour and will film the shows for a Live DVD.
Featuring members that previously worked with the likes of Manowar, the Dictators, Rob Halford, Lizzy Borden, Udo Dirkschneider, and Cage, the newly formed Death Dealer are a true heavy metal force to be reckoned with. And their over-the-top debut, War Master, certainly proves this. Comprised of vocalist Sean Peck, guitarists Ross the Boss and Stu Marshall, bassist Mike Davis, and drummer Rhino, Death Dealer is setting out to convert the metal masses to their brand of powerful heavy metal. "The Death Dealer sound is a mighty combination of five very talented, seasoned musicians," explains Ross. "It's classic power metal with the brutal edge of thrash, speed, and precision."
Death Dealer is: Sean Peck - vocals; Stu Marshall - guitar; Ross the Boss - guitar; Mike Davis- bass; Rhino – drums.
From Ross - "here it is, 2013, and Death Dealer has just signed with Rubicon Japan!! A dynamite super dedicated label to true heavy metal. I (Ross the Boss) am truly honoured to be on this great label and I'm along with the band can't wait for the release of War Master and our upcoming in the fall!!"
Video of Ross the Boss performing his solo on the Japanese bonus track "Triumph and Victory": youtu.be/nNqhvVfDODo.
Visit www.deathdealer.co for all information and merch.
RELEASE BRIEFS: Robin Beck tweeted the following message a few days back: "Getting to work on the new House Of Lords album... great stuff coming..."
Good to know! The James Christian solo album Lay It All On Me is out July 5 and Robin Beck's new solo album is almost done too! Contributing to the Beck solo release is the great Glen Burtnik, who plays guitar on her cover of Glen's killer tune Follow You.
I'm hearing reports of a new studio Sammy Hagar album due out after the summer.
The new Degreed album finally has a release date, stay tuned for an official announcement soon.
Brett Walker has completed work on his brand new 12 track solo outing - set to give the Nevertheless album a run for its money!
ERIC RAGNO AUDIO INTERVIEW:
Keyboardist Eric Ragno worked or appeared with artists as diverse as Fergie Frederiksen (Toto), Graham Bonnet (Rainbow), Dawn Robinson (En Vogue), Jeff Scott Soto (Journey, Yngwie Malmsteen), Seven Witches, American Angel, New Audio Machine, Vox Tempus, Takara, David Readman, Trixter, Liberty N Justice, Mecca, DC Cooper, Paul Bonrud, Amazing Grace and more...
Audio interview with Eric on RockEyez now: www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VRfS876tq3Q.
HUEY LEWIS SPORTS DOUBLE EDITION OUT NEXT WEEK: Huey Lewis and The News' 1983 'Sports' album spawned four Top 10 hit singles (and another that cracked the Top 20), iconic music videos and sold almost 10 million copies. To celebrate the blockbuster album's 30th anniversary, Lewis has personally overseen an expanded commemorative edition to be released May 14th by Capitol/UMe. Digitally remastered for CD and standard and high definition digital audio, 'Sports (30th Anniversary Edition)' pairs each of the original album's nine songs with choice live versions on a second disc, many of which have never before been released. The special edition includes an expanded booklet with photos and memorabilia from the band's archive and new liner notes by music journalist and author Gary Graff.
Says Huey, "We've always been very proud of the record and it's going to be a blast to play it all live!" 'Sports' is on the cusp of RIAA Diamond Award sales certification with U.S. sales approaching 10 million copies. Self-produced by the band, it reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and ranked No. 2 on Billboard's year-end sales chart for 1984, second only to Michael Jackson's 'Thriller.' Lewis created indelible music videos for each of the four Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits on 'Sports' – "If This Is It," the Gold-certified "I Want A New Drug," "Heart And Soul," and "The Heart Of Rock & Roll," which won the year's Grammy Award for Best Long-Form Music Video – as well as the Top 20 single, "Walking On A Thin Line."
Tracklisting: Disc 1 - 1. The Heart of Rock & Roll 2. Heart and Soul 3. Bad Is Bad 4. I Want a New Drug 5. Walking On a Thin Line 6. Finally Found a Home 7. If This Is It 8. You Crack Me Up 9. Honky Tonk Blues Disc: 2 - 1. The Heart of Rock & Roll (Live in Cleveland, OH 1988) 2. Heart and Soul (Live in Cleveland, OH 1988) 3. I Want a New Drug (Live in Sydney, Australia 1989) 4. If This Is It (Live in New Orleans, LA 1986) 5. Bad Is Bad (Live in Boston, MA 1987) 6. Walking on A Thin Line (Live in Chicago, IL 1983) 7. Finally Found a Home (Live in Cleveland, OH 1988) 8. You Crack Me Up (Newly recorded) 9. Honky Tonk Blues (Newly recorded).
FREEDOM CALL, BERNIE MARSDEN AND PETE BERWICK ON RICH DAVENPORT'S ROCK SHOW: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 5th May 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 6th May 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) features exclusive interviews with Freedom Call vocalist/guitarist Chris Bay, former Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden and hard-hitting singer-songwriter Pete Berwick, and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-freedom-call-bernie-marsden-ex-whitesnake-pete-berwick-interviews/
In the first hour, Freedom Call frontman Chris Bay talks about the band's 15th anniversary best-of release "Ages of Light 1998-2013", chooses songs from the album and talks about the band's plans for 2013 and beyond. Also in the first hour, Bernie Marsden (ex Whitesnake, UFO, Alaska) talks about the new reissues of his late 70s/early 80s solo albums "And About Time Too"(featuring songs co-written with Whitesnake frontman David Coverdale) and "Look At Me Now" (featuring songs originally intended for Whitesnake), both of which feature appearances from Cozy Powell and Bernie's former Whitesnake colleagues Jon Lord, Neil Murray and Ian Paice.
And part 2 features an interview with hardcore troubadour Pete Berwick, currently on the road in the US on his "Can't Kill A Man Born To Hang" tour. Berwick's hard-hitting sound should appeal to fans of Southern Rock, Steve Earle and early AC/DC. The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from AC/DC, Avantasia, Whitesnake, Paris, Journey, Breed 77 and Thin Lizzy.
SAIL ROCK 2013 TO FEATURE TIDAL WAVE OF HITS THIS SUMMER:
What do you get when you combine such classic songs as "Ride Like The Wind," "Still The One," "Dream Weaver," "You Are The Woman," "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight," "Steal Away" and "Baby Come Back?" An amazing flashback concert spectacle called the Sail Rock tour featuring Christopher Cross, Orleans, Gary Wright, Firefall, John Ford Coley, Robbie Dupree and Player. Nothing but hits with the original voices.
In the summer of '76, no matter where you were in America, it was likely that you were listening to many of those hits on your favorite radio station..."Still The One," "Dream Weaver," "You Are The Woman" and "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" along with Gary Wright's "Love is Alive" were all staples of the summer.
Although you might have already been familiar with Orleans from their hit song, "Dance with Me" from the year before and Gary Wright due to his work with the British band, Spooky Tooth, it was 1976 that most of the artists became well-known with their hit singles and considerable chart success.
Here it is, well over three decades later, and not only do fans and followers remember the songs, they recollect the great memories that often come along with them.
Now's your chance to relive some of those good times with an evening of Sail Rock.
Featuring seven artists who boast a combined thirty Top 40 hits, along with sixteen Top 10's and three chart-topping singles, the inaugural Sail Rock tour is expected to begin in early July (see current itinerary below).
Sail Rock Tour 2013
Friday, July 5 - Chautauqua Amphitheater - Chautauqua, New York
Saturday, July 13 - Fortune Bay Casino Resort Ballroom - Tower, Minnesota
Monday, August 5 - Wisconsin State Fair / Main Stage - West Allis, Wisconsin
Thursday, August 8 - Fraze Pavilion For The Performing Arts - Kettering, Ohio
Saturday, August 10 - River Edge Park - Aurora, Illinois
Tuesday, August 13 - Mayo Performing Arts Center - Morristown, New Jersey
Wednesday, August 14 - Indiana State Fair / Marsh Free Stage - Indianapolis, Indiana
Thursday, August 15 - The Family Arena - St. Charles, Missouri
Wednesday, August 21 - Sandy Amphitheater - Sandy, Utah
Saturday, August 24 - The Sunrise Marketplace Pavilion - Citrus Heights, California
Tuesday, October 8 - Norfolk County Fair - Simcoe, Ontario, Canada
*More dates to be announced.
GURU SIGN TO MELODICROCK RECORDS
MelodicRock Records is proud to announce a very special collaboration with Spain's finest purveyors of melodic rock - Guru.
MRR will release the band's brand new album White as a Deluxe Edition CD - strictly limited to 500 units only. Once they are gone, they are gone forever. White is the band's second album, which sees the guys stepping up the tempo, the songwriting, the performances as well as a cracking production. For those that love high-tech melodic rock with a twist of Toto and a dash of European flair, this is one to check out! The video for the lead single and title track White - is viewable below. Soundbytes for the entire album further down the page.
The Deluxe Edition features the album's original 12 tracks and adds a further 4 BONUS TRACKS - 2 acoustic versions of the ballads The Voice Inside and If You Go plus the band's two recent Mr. Big covers Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy and Addicted To That Rush.
The Deluxe Edition is also manufactured in a jewel case, rather than the Digipak of the regular release.
The White Deluxe Edition CD is officially released May 17. And the only place to purchase this limited edition release will be via AOR Heaven in May, or pre-order right now via PayPal using the link below:
Guru - White (Deluxe Vers. Ltd. Ed.) (MRR012)
$15 + $5 airmail shipping worldwide. Will ship week of May 13.
Guru come from Barcelona and have been revolutionizing the panorama of rock in Spain with his energetic live since 2008. The band is formed by a group of studio musicians. Their remarkable ability is evident in the virtuosity deployed.
"They sound like AOR matadors... I love these guys" (MelodicRock.com)
"From start to finish, the concert left me amazed" (Rockangels.com)
"A luxury to have so much quality in a band" (FireWorks U.K.)
This Quartet has created a legion of fans playing over 30 shows in his first year, but when they finally won attention and respect it was as the backing band for Ted Poley (Danger Danger) for Spain and Portugal.
Musically close to Toto, Bon Jovi or Extreme when they unfold their melodic side in the middle of its repertoire rock, they will delight every follower of Journey and Foreigner. Guru is produced by guitarist David Palau (Latin Grammy 2012) leading the project to a high level of quality. For this second album they have risen even more. A Symphony Orchestra plays on two of the tracks, arranged and directed by the teacher and winner of a Grammy Josep Mas "kitflus", a choir of 20 people.
"White" is an album full of rock and big ballads and anthems designed to fill stadiums with thousands of lighters waving... (Do people still do that?).
"These guys have the sound of a band with a great future ahead" (Power Play U.K.)
Guru is like breathing fresh air into an oversaturated market of artists made with Protools and Photoshop.
Guru - White (Deluxe Vers. Ltd. Ed.) (MRR012)
$15 + $5 airmail shipping worldwide. Will ship week of May 13.
Friday, May 03, 2013
SWEET-LYNCH PROJECT & TIMO TOLKKI SINGLE: Frontiers Records can proudly announce to be the label behind the yet unnamed new band project featuring Stryper's Michael Sweet, former Dokken and Lynch Mob axeman George Lynch, former White Lion bass player James Lomenzo and ex-Whitesnake and Foreigner drummer Brian Tichy.
The debut album will be recorded in early 2014 with Sweet overseeing production duties, for a release pencilled right after the summer of 2014.
This is the first of a number of new exciting band projects put together personally by Serafino Perugino, President and Head of A&R of Frontiers Records, which will see the light of day during 2014. Stay tuned as more exciting news will be unfolding soon!
Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the digital release of the second single from Timo Tolkki's Avalon album "The Land of New Hope" entitled "A World Without Us". Featuring lead vocals from 3 singers (Rob Rock, Elize Ryd and Russell Allen) the track shows the return to glorious Power Metal for the former Stratovarius guitar player. The single can be downloaded now from every fine shop such as iTunes or Amazon and streamed legally via Spotify and Deezer. It is also possible to enjoy the song watching a YouTube clip, featuring different "in the studio" candid shots, taken from the "making of the album" which is included on the bonus DVD which will be sold on the album's deluxe edition. Follow this link: youtu.be/2yUGiX-5pWQ.
"The Land of New Hope" will be released on May 17th in Europe and May 21st in North America.
In related news Timo Tolkki will appear live on TV 1 Finland on Sunday, May 5th at 19.45 during the popular talk show Arto Nyberg (ohjelmat.yle.fi/artonyberg/etusivu). Timo is also preparing to start working on the second chapter of the Opera and has several more exciting projects in the can which will be revealed in the coming weeks.
IMPERA TAPS LION'S SHARE GUITARIST LARS CHRISS FOR NEW ALBUM MIX:
Swedish hard rockers Impera, have tapped producer/engineer Lars Chriss (Lion's Share) to mix their sophomore studio CD Pieces of Eden, tentatively due in September 2013. A video clip of the band in the studio can be seen at the following link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jNEzwKYE4o. Impera released its critically acclaimed debut album Legacy of Life, last year through the U.K. label Escape Music. Impera is: Tommy Denander (Toto, Paul Stanley, Michael Jackson, Alice Cooper) - Guitar; Matti Alfonzetti (Jagged Edge, Scott Gorham, Skintrade, Road To Ruin, Red White & Blues) - Vocals; J.K. Impera (Bruce Kulick, Graham Bonnet, Vinnie Vincent, John Corabi, Brian Robertson) - Drums; Mats Vassfjord (Vinnie Vincent, John Corabi, Scaar, Grand Design, Laney's Legion) - Bass. Impera is described as "the perfect amalgamation of everything that makes rock roll with the punches. A guitar player who, seemingly effortlessly, delivers stunning solos and riffs of that classic, timeless grit you thought were killed off by grunge. Pounding bass that will put you through the wall. Blistering drumming that's as solid as it is technically challenging. And on top of all that, add a vocalist that sings circles around the competition."
Impera's style "lies firmly on a classic hard rock ground with a dose of strong melodies collected from the AOR world." For more information, visit www.impera.org.
COMING FROM SPV:
It's only a short time to go until the Artlantica (feat. Roger Staffelbach * John West * Mistheria * John Macaluso) album Across The Seven Seas will see the light of day. For all of you who can't wait - here's a brand new song called Devout taken from the album. snd.sc/15bXKLx.
The new Powerworld album Cybersteria will see the light of day. For all of you who can't wait - here's a brand new song called Slave to the Powerworld taken from the album. snd.sc/ZXPXfq.
R.I.P. GUITARIST JEFF HANNEMAN: Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman has died of liver failure just two years after being forced off the road because of a rare skin tissue disease. While his bandmates had long harboured the hope he would return to their ranks, the 49-year old founding member of the thrash metal legends died today at a Californian hospital. When Slayer toured Australia with the Soundwave Festival in February, they said his return to the band was a "wait and see'' proposition. "Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11 this morning near his Southern California home,'' the band's longtime publicist said in a statement. "Hanneman was in an area hospital when he suffered liver failure.''
The musician and songwriter had to quit touring in 2011 after being diagnosed with necrotising fasciitis, reportedly from a spider bite, which eats skin tissue. It is not known if the disease played a role in his death. Hanneman was credited for revolutionising heavy metal guitar playing with his power chord blasts and fierce riffing. His peers paid tribute to the musician on social media. "Tonight one less star will be shining and sadly, the stage got just a little bit darker. Jeff Hanneman 1964-2013,'' posted Megadeth's Dave Mustaine. He is survived by his wife Kathryn, whom he married in 1997, his sister Kathy and his brothers Michael and Larry.
From: www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/slayer-guitarist-jeff-hanneman-dies-age-49.
R.I.P. Jeff.
SOUL SIGN EMBARKS ON SCANDINAVIAN TOUR:
The heavy, melodic Hard Rock group Soul Sign, fronted by former Yngwie Malmsteen/ Uli Jon Roth/ Royal Hunt vocalist Mark Boals, will be performing in Denmark & Sweden in May. The group's latest album "Life In The Dark" was released in the fall of 2011 and featured Leatherwolf vocalist Michael Olivieri, who was later replaced by Boals in August of 2012. "Mark and I met through Scorpions guitar legend Uli Jon Roth in 2010, whom we both played with. We became good friends and when Soul Sign was looking for a vocalist Mark was a natural first choice. We can't wait to make a new record together!", says bassist & founder Bjorn Englen (Dio Disciples, Yngwie Malmsteen).
He continues: "We have a really strong line-up now, incl. Jan Mengeling (Coma Star) on guitar and Mike Cancino (House of Broken Promises) on drums, and we're looking forward to an amazing tour!"
Soul Sign "Live In Scandinavia 2013":
May 7 Copenhagen, Denmark - Fingerbollet
May 9 Vaxjo, Sweden - Musikhuset (Clinics)
May 10 Radio P4, Sweden - Unplugged/Interview 9am CET and live worldwide at sverigesradio.se/kronoberg/
May 10 Vaxjo, Sweden - Harry's
May 11 Sala, Sweden - Rockland
May 12 Stockholm, Sweden - Pub Anchor
For more tour details visit: www.soulsign.us/calendar.html.
PRE-ORDER KEN HENSLEY'S NEW ALBUM "TROUBLE":
We're gearing up to release 2 new Ken Hensley & Live Fire albums with our label Cherry Red and we thought we'd try something new. This is partly a way of inviting you to get involved but also as a way of thanking you for all your support over the years.
In exchange for your pre-order, or 'pledge', you will get exclusive access to bonus content related to the albums, plus the chance to receive a range of other exclusive, rare, personalised or limited edition items. Perhaps you'd like signed CD copies of the albums? Or a lyric sheet, handwritten by me? There's a whole bunch of items on offer such as signed artwork, exclusive gigs and even VIP access to any live show this year.
Alongside a new Studio album, "Trouble", we're releasing a new Live album, recorded between 27th September and 7th October 2012 on tour in Germany & Switzerland.
You'll also be kept right up to date with the progress of the project as we'll be posting exclusive blogs and perhaps even the odd live or rare track. This will all be available for free to those who get involved, via our "Updates Page". On top of this, those who Pledge will also be helping Warchild International who work tirelessly to ensure the safety of children in war-zones around the world and fight child poverty, as a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to their cause.
So there you have it. There's so many reasons to get involved. You could be among the first people in the world to hear the new albums, knowing that you were involved and helped make them happen.
Thanks for your time and support. ~ Ken Hensley & Live Fire.
Read more at: www.pledgemusic.com/projects/kenhensley.
H.E.A.T FESTIVAL - 5TH ANNIVERSARY :
After a break of one year, Germanys H.E.A.T Festival will celebrate its 5th anniversary in 2013. The party will take place at the legendary Rockfabrik in Ludwigsburg (near Stuttgart) on November 3rd! The billing shows 8 bands from 5 different countries: Harem Scarem (Canada), The Poodles (Sweden), At Vance (Germany), Hartmann (Germany), White Widdow (Australia), Lionville (Sweden/Italy), Bai Bang (Sweden), Covered Call (Sweden).
Doors open: 13:00 cet Start: 14:00 cet. Ticket price pre-sale: € 33,- + Tax + Shipping Ticket box office: € 39,-
Early Bird Ticket: If you order a ticket directly from the promoter until 01.06.2013 you will get a CD for free. The CDs are sponsored by AOR Heaven and Avenue Of Allies.
Order under: eddy@rocks.de or from the website / www.heat-festival.eu.
Tickets without early bird service can be ordered here: www.ticketmaster.de/event/heat-festival-Tickets/58031.
SAFFIRE: "MAGNOLIA" VIDEO POSTED ONLINE:
The Swedish melodic metal band Saffire have released the music video for the track "Magnolia" online. The track is also available as a digital single. Link to the video; youtu.be/5qekBk6hjqk.
"Magnolia" is the opening track from the up-coming Saffire debut album entitled "From Ashes To Fire" that will be released on May 17th in Europe and North America, through Inner Wound Recordings. Saffire are inspired by the 70's and 80's rock and metal bands like Rainbow, Dio, Whitesnake, Van Halen and Black Sabbath. The sound of Saffire can be described as a mix of those bands with a progressive twist, something that makes them stand out in the scene.
The debut album "From Ashes To Fire" was mixed by Fredrik Nordstrom & Henrik Udd at Studio Fredman [At The Gates, In Flames, Hammerfall] and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios [Symphony X, Opeth, Kreator]. Needless to say, the production on From Ashes To Fire is excellent. The artwork for the album was created by Anders Fastader at A Trailermade Production [H.E.A.T., Hardcore Superstar, The Poodles]. Victor Olsson's intelligent songwriting and impressive guitar playing together with the bands excellent musicianship and the powerful and emotional vocals from Tobias Jansson, Saffire is a dangerous five piece with an exciting future ahead of them.
"From Ashes To Fire" can be pre-ordered at the Inner Wound Store: www.innerwound.bigcartel.com.
Saffire online: www.facebook.com/saffiresweden / www.saffire.se.
JUDAS PRIEST CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF CLASSIC HEAVY METAL: Judas Priest, the heavy metal legends whose influence on generations of musicians and metalheads is incalculable, celebrate their 40th year as recording artists with the global cinema release of the live concert Epitaph, a unique live career retrospective. Epitaph will have a special screening at the Clearview Chelsea in New York on the 14th of May and then in selected markets on the 15th of May, 2013.
From the band: "The Epitaph world tour came to an exciting conclusion at the renowned Hammersmith Odeon (now known as the Apollo) in London. Knowing our fans around the planet recognize that venue for many legendary metal moments and of course with Judas Priest being a British metal band it was the perfect gig for us to film and record. Big thanks as always to you our metal family of fans - so start banging your heads one more time with us as we scream together The Priest is back!'' Omniverse Vision, the global distributor of the film, has confirmed screenings in key markets in the US and is excited to announce a partnership with Tugg, a web-platform that will enable fans to request a screening of Epitaph at their local theater and create their own event.
This is a limited opportunity for fans to experience the excitement of "one of the most important and influential metal acts of all time" (Kerrang!) at this historic gig in magnificent HD with incredible 5.1 surround sound audio. Epitaph will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on May 28th in the US through Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment This release precedes a new studio album by Judas Priest which the band are working on now.
Judas Priest's lineup comprises lead singer Rob Halford, lead guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis.
Visit: judaspriest.com/Epitaph-Cinema/ for up to date listings.
MRX: MRX has been updated with th following new features:
- Heartland - Live 1991-05-28 (6 Tracks, old FM Broadcast)
- Def Leppard - Brussels, Belgium 1992
- Montrose - Unreleased Studio Rehearsal (5 Tracks) MRX Membership Details.
Thursday, May 02, 2013
TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON: "THE LAND OF NEW HOPE" LIMITED 12" DOUBLE GATEFOLD EDITION ANNOUNCED: Inner Wound Recordings are proud to announce the release of a limited 12" double gatefold edition of the Timo Tolkki's Avalon album "The Land Of New Hope". A deal was inked with Frontiers Records, and the release date is set to June 19th. The edition is strictly limited to 700 copies.
"The Land Of New Hope" is available for pre-ordering at the Inner Wound Store; www.innerwound.bigcartel.com.
Track listing: Disc 1 Side A 01. Avalanche Anthem 02. A World Without Us 03. Enshrined In My Memory Side B 01. In The Name Of The Rose 02. We Will Find A Way 03. Shine
Disc 2 Side A 01. The Magic Of The Night 02. To The Edge Of The Earth Side B 01. I'll Sing You Home 02. The Land Of New Hope.
For more information: www.innerwound.com.
ROBBI ROBB JAMS WITH DUG PINNICK ON NEW RECORD:
This might be one of those releases that appeal to music fans who look for "left of center" things to listen to:
"In the spirit of Miles Davis' Bitches Brew recording and composing techniques, Dug Pinnick of King's X and Robbi Robb of Tribe After Tribe set up a small recording studio in an art gallery on the outskirts of the Mojave Desert. These four pieces comprising the Peacock Black album are the first fruits of three days of free form jamming. Simply put, this album weaves its own magic spell. Each piece is a mystical, impressionistic soundscape, a kaleidoscope of atmospheres that drift and meander like incense smoke caught in candlelight.
It is free music, unfettered and uncontainable. Then off into a mysterious territory - part ambient, part rock, at times illusive, at times elegantly psychedelic with rhythms that are barely present. Integral to these jams is the musical interplay between the members, exchanging riffs, whispering melodies ear to ear, weaving themes peaceful and restless, deconstructing tonalities in favor of foreboding ambiances. These long tracks flow with a consistent spiritual quality guiding the musicians to carve unique musical forms, from the well mined quarry of space rock.
The band: Kurosh Showghi – didgeridoos, Amritakripa – synthesizers, voice, Eric Mouness – drums, Aaron Merc – saxophones, Alan Swanson – keyboards, Eric Ryan – guitar, Robbi Robb – guitar, Dug Pinnick – bass. 'Peacock Black' is available now for purchase at: CD Baby and iTunes.
xx
BON JOVI ANNOUNCES AUSTRALIAN DATES & RICHIE STILL OUT OF BAND: Bon Jovi fans - get ready. Bon Jovi is bringing Because We Can - The Tour to Australia. The band says "We'll be visiting stadiums all over Australia - you won't want to miss our biggest shows yet." No word on whether the missing Richie Sambora will be permitted back into the band.
Dec 7 Melbourne Etihad Stadium
Dec 8 Melbourne Etihad Stadium
Dec 11 Adelaide AAMI Stadium
Dec 14 Sydney ANZ Stadium
Dec 17 Brisbane Suncorp Stadium
Bon Jovi: "Due to a personal matter, Richie Sambora will not be performing on the European and South African leg of the tour. All shows will go on as scheduled."
CYNDI LAUPER 2013 AUSTRALIAN TOUR ANNOUNCED:
Press Release: "Iconic singer Cyndi Lauper returns to Australia to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of her groundbreaking album with a nationwide tour of Australia. During the tour, which will kick off on August 29 in Melbourne, Lauper will perform the record-setting album She's So Unusual in its entirety. The Cyndi Lauper tour of Australia commences in Melbourne on August 29 and then travels to Canberra on August 31, Hobart on September 2, Adelaide on September 4, Sydney on September 6, Gold Coast on September 10, Brisbane on September 11 and completes her tour in Wollongong on September 14. Recorded and released in 1983, She's So Unusual, Lauper's debut solo album, is a colorful portrait of a unique and multifaceted talent. The album features some of Lauper's most well-known songs and perennial radio favorites including "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," "Time After Time," "She Bop," "Money Changes Everything," and "All Through the Night."
She's So Unusual made Lauper a household name and also cemented her place in musical history as the first female artist to have four top 10 singles on a debut album. The release went on to sell over 16 million copies worldwide and won Lauper a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. "It's been such an amazing year for me," said Cyndi Lauper. "When I realized it's also the anniversary of the album that started my solo career, I knew it was the perfect time to thank my fans for sticking with me through it all. I'm so excited to perform She's So Unusual from beginning to end, song by song and I can't wait to see everyone!"
For thirty years, Cyndi Lauper has been dazzling—and surprising—her fans all over the world. A multi-talented artist and one of music's most beloved icons, she has racked up global record sales of over 50 million (and 14 Grammy nominations) and has won countless awards, from a Grammy and an Emmy to numerous honors for her tireless activism through her True Colors Fund. Lauper has released 11 studio albums, with her most recent, the Grammy nominated Memphis Blues, ruling the Billboard Blues chart for 14 consecutive weeks to become the best-selling Blues album of 2010. Overall, during her storied music career, Lauper has been nominated for 14 Grammy Awards, 2 American Music Awards, 7 American Video Awards and 18 MTV Awards.
Palais Theatre, Melbourne Dates: Thu 29 August Bookings: 136 100 or www.ticketmaster.com.au
Royal Theatre, Canberra Dates: Sat 31 August Bookings: 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au
Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart Dates: Mon 2 September Bookings: 1300 795 257 or www.tixtas.com.au
Festival Theatre, Adelaide Dates: Wed 4 September Bookings: Bass 131 246
Enmore Theatre, Sydney Dates: Fri 6 September Bookings: 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au
Jupiters Theatre, Gold Coast Dates: Tues 10 September Bookings: 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au
QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane Dates: Wed 11 September Bookings: 136 246 or www.qtix.com.au
WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong Dates: Sat 14 September Bookings: 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au
HELP LIGHT KEVIN CHOWN'S WAY:
May 1, 2013 - L.A.-based bassist Kevin Chown (Tarja Turunen, Bombastic Meatbats) has set a May 8 worldwide digital release for his upcoming solo EP, "Light The Way", which will be part of a fund raising campaign to help cover Chown's mounting medical bills. The title track, "We Light the Way", is streaming on SoundCloud at this location: soundcloud.com/kevin-chown/we-light-the-way
Chown, who is currently hospitalized at USC Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA and scheduled to undergo brain surgery on May 2, only recently revealed he had epilepsy after suffering several seizures over the past months. "It's taken me years to finally acknowledge my condition publicly, even to my closest friends. As strange as it seems, embracing who I really am to everyone in my life, even my closest friends, has taken just as much or more courage than it has taken me to consider brain surgery. For decades, I have carried this around with me, worried what people would think. I feel like I am half way home already by simply embracing the reality of my situation."
"Light The Way", which was recorded and mixed by Kevin Chown at The Groove Bubble, Sherman Oaks, CA, with additional production by long-time friends Jono Brown and Jeff Kollman taking place at World of Mouth Recording, Agoura CA, features Chown on bass, cello and lead vocals on the opening cut "Alive", along with contributions from guitarists Jeffery Marshall and Jeff Kollman (Bombastic Meatbats, Cosmosquad, Glenn Hughes), drummers Adam Gust and Jono Brown, and Marian Tomas Griffin on backing vocals as well as co-lyrics on "Ties That Bind" from Chown's former Tiles band mate, Chris Herin. The EP's sweeping title track features the talents of female lead vocalist Angel Travis, with additional vocals from Chown. ""We Light The Way", moreso than any other track on the EP, is my nod to all the TARJA fans out there you have been amazing in welcoming me into the fold all around the world and have been so supportive ever since I went public with my battling epilepsy on Facebook. Thank you one and all!"
In addition to raising money from the sales of "Light The Way", a page has been launched in order to help Chown collect funds for his considerable out-of-pocket expenses from these medical procedures. Anyone interested in helping to reach the targeted goal of $50.000.- can make a donation at www.gofundme.com/Kevin-Chown-Brain-Surgery.
A native of Escanaba, Michigan, Kevin Chown first made a name for himself as a member of highly regarded Midwest progressive hard rock quartet Edwin Dare, who issued three albums in the 1990s, before becoming a much in demand session and touring musician with likes of Ted Nugent, Artension, Tony Macalpine, Tiles and Uncle Kracker. He teamed up with former Edwin Dare band mate Jeff Kollman and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith in the Bombastic Meatbats in 2008 and joined Finnish superstar Tarja Turunen's band in 2010. He appears on Tarja's 2012 'Act I' live CD/DVD and tracked bass for her upcoming studio release, produced and mixed by Tim Palmer (Pearl Jam, U2) and scheduled for an August/September release via earMUSIC.
Kevin Chown online: www.facebook.com/kevinchownmusic / www.twitter.com/kevinchown.
MELODIC BRIEFS:
Necropolis, a brand new track from Canadian hard rockers Famous Underground – the new project of Nick Walsh, formerly frontman of Slik Toxik, together with his long-time bassist/musical partner Laurie-Anne Green at his side, can be streamed: soundcloud.com/famousunderground/1-necropolis.
Sepultura on Kickstarter - www.kickstarter.com/projects/interfacefilmes/sepultura-official-documentary?ref=live - The long awaited documentary about Sepultura's incredible journey from Brazil to the world. Filmmaker Otavio Juliano has been following Sepultura for the better part of 2010-2013, a time of tension and triumph for the band, as they toured and recorded their album Kairos. Nothing has been off-limits. This amazing story will go through Sepultura's history, myths, conflicts, personnel changes and struggles with the Internet economy in the early 2000s as well interviews and rare footage. This documentary is certain to bring fans closer to the band they love.
Well, it's for a good cause, but this is a little silly - The Angels report that David Hasselhoff has recorded a cover of the band's iconic hit Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again and it's now available for purchase on iTunes. Good news is that money raised in sales will go towards helping ailing singer Doc Neeson. Download it here: bit.ly/17ySMpm.
Vicious Rumors is about to start a massive European tour from May 3 to June 1 2013. However with great sadness we just found out singer Brian Allen will not be able to tour during the month of May due to sudden family matters . We wish Brian all the best during this time. Brian will return to Vicious Rumors for the summer European tour July/ Aug 2013 and The Metal Masters Tour featuring Vicious Rumors /Leatherwolf/ Seven Witches from Sept 18 to Oct 25 2013. With everything in place for May's tour the show must go on. We are proud to announce former Vicious Rumors singer and Helstar main man James Rivera will fill in for Brian Allen during the month of May/June in Europe. "James is part of the VR family and were so proud to have him join us at this hard time" Geoff Thorpe said. "Don't miss this special line up of VR on the Electric Punishment Tour all over Europe. We want to thank all our partners, agents, promoters and fans in advance. The only bad tour is the one you don't do !! See you at the shows for night after night of unforgettable Heavy Metal."
State Cows have signed a deal with Avenue of Allies and are happy to announce that The Second One will be available in record stores and for digital download worldwide on May 24. Starting now, you can pre-order it on Bandcamp and receive an immediate download of the song "This Time" featuring the great Michael Landau! www.statecows.com / statecows.bandcamp.com.
CLASSIC ROCK LIVE ANNOUNCES SUMMER TOUR SPOTLIGHT FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND:
Envision Radio Networks® Offers FREE Two-Hour Concert Special
(May 2013) – Envision Radio Networks' Classic Rock Live is kicking off the summer with a FREE two-hour Summer Tour Spotlight that puts this season's biggest classic rock tours at center stage.
The Classic Rock Live Summer Tour Spotlight will transport listeners to the concert of their dreams with two hours of digital live recordings available from Paul McCartney, Rolling Stones, Bad Company, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bon Jovi, The Eagles, Tom Petty, Black Sabbath, Steely Dan and Robert Plant.
Concert aficionado and host Pierre Robert (WMMR-FM) will discuss live shows, set lists, and tour life with some of the rock legends hitting the road this summer including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Joe Walsh, Tony Iommi, Tom Petty and Rich Robinson.
Classic Rock Live's Summer Tour Spotlight will be available for broadcast beginning May 22.
Hosted by WMMR-FM's Pierre Robert, Classic Rock Live is the first "concert" radio show to adapt to the way people listen to music today by incorporating ten or more live performances from a variety of artists every hour, featuring rare and exclusive live versions of rock classics from such artists as Tom Petty, Aerosmith, The Who, U2, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Each week, Classic Rock Live includes the latest tour and artist news along with the exclusive "Wish You Were There," segment, which highlights rock and roll dream pairings such as Jimmy Page joining Aerosmith on-stage or Roger Waters joined by Eric Clapton. Rarities are played in the "Unreleased Live" segment and the radio show ends each week with an "Encore," featuring the iconic hits that you'll always find in each band's set list.
For more information on Classic Rock Live visit www.classicsrocklive.com. Connect with Classic Rock Live on Twitter at www.twitter.com/classicrocklive and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/classicrocklive.
RIVAL SONS RETURN TO NORTH AMERICA FOR ADDITIONAL TOUR DATES: "They have taken their roots and made it their own, and in today's f..ked up mess they call the music business, every now and then a band comes along to prove when done right, there ain't nothing like a great-riffing, keep-it-simple, rocking blues band that swings from the hip, restoring my faith in all the things I believe to be the makings of A GREAT ROCK & ROLL BAND…with the emphasis on ROLL. A band can't rock if it don't know how to roll--and these guys definitely know how to roll." --Jerry Shirley, founding member and drummer of Humble Pie (2013)
Maximum-blues-infused, hard rock band Rival Sons just wrapped up their headlining tour with shows in Canada, Europe and the U.K. and now the group have confirmed a string of dates here in the U.S. beginning May 29 in Grand Rapids, MI (itinerary below). The acclaimed Long Beach, CA band--Jay Buchanan (vocals), Scott Holiday (guitar), Robin Everhart (bass) and Michael Miley (drums)--is touring in support of their third album Head Down, which was released March 19 on Century Media Records and features the single "Keep On Swinging." The song hit #1 on the Active Rock Radio Charts in Canada and remained at the top for six straight weeks.
The video for "Keep On Swinging" can be seen here: www.vevo.com/watch/rival-sons/keep-on-swinging/GBA631200133.
The band is anxious to be back in the States, says drummer Michael Miley, "Finally! Back in the USA! We've been steeped in Europe and UK love for two solid years. We're so ready to play the home court. Live, raw, and truthful. We're thankful to the US radio for stepping up and taking a risk on us. See you soon!"
Reaching #1 on the Rock chart in 2012 in the U.K., Head Down has garnered the group four-star reviews (including Mojo and the Guardian) overseas as well as magazine covers and the "Breakthrough Artist" award at the 2012 Classic Rock Awards show in London. The RIVAL SONS made their major national television debut when they performed "Keep On Swinging" on ABC-TV's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," in March. Here are the links: Performing their single "Keep on Swinging": www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwW43MaPNDM / Performing "You Want To": www.youtube.com/watch?v=p16PSwrcODc.
In last year's Jimmy Page Rolling Stone cover story, David Fricke writes about Page's affection for the group, saying, "[Jimmy] Page is fully engaged in current music; he enthuses about recent London shows he's seen by Muse and a young American blues-rock combo, Rival Sons (12/6/12).
For more information, check out: www.rivalsons.com / www.facebook.com/rivalsons.
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
TOM KEIFER 'THE WAY LIFE GOES,' THE LONG-AWAITED, HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DEBUT SOLO ALBUM OUT TODAY: Tom Keifer's highly anticipated debut solo album, The Way Life Goes, is finally available everywhere via Merovee Records in conjunction with ADA Label Services. It was self-produced along with Savannah Keifer and Chuck Turner, and recorded in Nashville. Joe Bosso of Musicradar.com calls it "...one whopper of a solo album...a rocked-up, blues and American roots celebration that showcases the Cinderella frontman's most robust batch of original songs to date." And in a Vintage Guitar cover story, Ward Meeker described the album as: "…14 songs that stay true to form – killer blues-rock playing and tones, hooks galore, and strong songwriting. If you're a fan of harder-edged rock and long to hear genuinely enjoyable new tunes, it may be just the thing; the opener, 'Solid Ground,' offers pure Keifer guitar and vocals with a feel reminiscent the Stones' Exile On Main Street while the remaining tracks are, much like his life the last 15 years, an up-and-down ride."
The album's being featured in MSN Music's "Listening Booth" section all week at this location: music.msn.com/music/listeningbooth.
"The Flower Song" and "Solid Ground" are the first two singles to be released to AAA and Rock radio, respectively, and are currently being spinned on stations nationwide, including SiriusXM's "Top 20 On 20" channel. An official video for "Solid Ground" can be found on Merovee Records' official YouTube page at: bit.ly/Xlst43.
The Way Life Goes is a raw, introspective look at the roller coaster ride that has been Keifer's life for the past 15 years. From being told that he would never sing again as a result of a partially paralyzed left vocal cord, to the emotional and personal battles that followed, his solo debut is a story of perseverance, a testament to the power of passion and will, when combined with a true love of music.
In touring news, Keifer has added new shows to his first-ever solo tour, which kicks off May 2 in Agoura Hills, CA at the Canyon Club. He'll travel across the U.S. to wrap-up this current trek in Buford, GA on Wednesday, May 22 at 37 Main. More tour dates are currently in the works and will be announced in the coming weeks.
On Wednesday, May 1, Keifer will be the featured guest on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline" with host Bob Coburn at 8:30pm PT/11:30pm ET. Fans are encouraged to call the show toll free at 1-800-344-ROCK (7625) to speak with Keifer. For a list of stations and information about how to listen live on the Internet, fans should head to www.RocklineRadio.com. The show will be streamed on the "Rockline" website for two weeks beginning the afternoon after the live broadcast.
Even before its release, The Way Life Goes has been racking up rave reviews: "...the record features such vital, vibrant guitar tones and parts that are immediate and honest. They also have that cool, interlocking, layered quality that made so many classic rock albums so, well, classic. Keifer flat-out knows how to play vibey guitar parts with ungodly tone, and fans of the Stones, Zeppelin, Steve Marriott, and early Aerosmith should definitely take notice. And, although you wouldn't wish haemorrhaging vocal cords on anyone, this guy is singing better than ever to complement his great 6-string parts." --Matt Blackett, Guitar Player, February 2013 "The Way Life Goes marks the first release of any kind by Keifer since Cinderella's last record, 1994's Still Climbing. In many ways, it picks up right where the band left off. The first single, 'The Flower Song,' echoes 'Maggie May,' the familiar grit in Keifer's voice approximating Faces-era Rod Stewart; but for the most part the album replicates the blend of pounding hard rock, soaring ballads and blues and country tinges that characterized Cinderella's sound beginning with Long Cold Winter." --Shaun Brady, Philadelphia City Paper, February 21, 2013 "...Tom Keifer's first solo album showcases his versatility as a songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist from start to finish....With both hard rock heavies and love songs of loyalty and devotion, Keifer's album is at once familiar and new, sung with a worn tenderness that only comes with experiencing life's lows with the highs." --Andrea Seastrand, Aquarian Weekly (NY/NJ), February 6, 2013 "'The Flower Song,' his premiere solo offering, smacks of the Black Crowes/the Faces." --Katherine Turman, Village Voice (NY), February 6, 2013
Check out Tom Keifer at any of the following stops:
Thu 5/2 Agoura Hills, CA Canyon Club
Fri 5/3 Tempe, AZ The Marquee
Sat 5/4 Anaheim, CA House of Blues
Thu 5/9 Dallas, TX Trees
Fri 5/10 West Houston, TX Concert Pub North
Sat 5/11 San Antonio, TX Backstage Live
Mon 5/13 Joplin, MO Guitars – Spring Fling
Tue 5/14 Kansas City, MO Knuckleheads
Thu 5/16 Little Rock, AR Revolution Music Room
Fri 5/17 Monroe, LA Live Oaks Bar and Ballroom
Sat 5/18 Broussard, LA The Station
Mon 5/20 New Orleans, LA Southport Hall
Wed 5/22 Buford, GA 37 Main
WebLinks: www.TomKeifer.com / www.facebook.com/TomKeiferOfficial / twitter.com/TomKeiferMusic.
A special CD Showcase for the Tom Keifer release has been launched today here at MelodicRock.com - sample the album right now here.
SEBASTIAN BACH STUDIO ALBUM UPDATE:
This from Sebastian Bach's Facebook page:
"New Studio Album Update: Yesterday was a gigantic step forward in the process of completing the next studio record! We had a meeting with producer Bob Marlette, who did 'Kicking & Screaming' and Jeff George and Steve Stevens. We are all ready to tackle this project right now! We have tons of musical ideas and we are starting with Bob on the new studio record this week I am happy to say!! There are lots of killer riffs and grooves that are ready for me to scream over and Bob is leading the way as far as helping us get this done right! So get ready for studio updates and a front row seat to the mayhem because here it comes! Also do not miss the @revolvermag Golden Gods Awards on @AXSTV We are excited for Thursday! It's going to be a blast!!!!!"
VOICES: LEGENDS OF ROCK: MetalSymphony.com has uploaded some photos from Legends: Voices of Rock concert in Madrid April 20 concert at Sala But in Madrid. www.metalsymphony.com/?page_id=13037
L.V.o.Rock was: Steve Augeri, Bobby Kimball, Bill Champlin: Vocals; Sayit Dölen, Tommy Denander: Guitars; Ken Sandin: Bass; Pontus Engborg: Drums; P-O Nilsson: Keyboards and chorus.
L.V.o.Rock setlist was as follows: Vocals - Augeri: Separate Ways, Don't Stop Believin', Faithfully, Anyway You Want It; Vocals - Champlin: You're Not Alone, Look Away, After The Love Has Gone, Hard Habit To Break, Satisfaction; Vocals - Kimball: Girl Goodbye, Gift With A Golden Gun, Africa, White Sister, Rosanna, Gregory Porgy, Hold The Line.
FM ARE MAKING PLANS FOR SUMMER:
We're delighted to confirm FM will be appearing at HiRock festival in Germany and Steelhouse festival in Wales this Summer. HiRock takes place 01 and 02 June featuring two great line-ups at two spectacular locations - the Freilichtbuhne Loreley and Max Aicher Arena Inzell. FM will be appearing with TOTO, Survivor, Rick Springfield and Man Doki Soulmates feat. Midge Ure at Loreley on 01 June and at Inzell 02 June. More info at www.hirock.de.
On 27 July FM will take to the stage ahead of Saxon at Steelhouse festival. Also on the bill - The Temperance Movement, Fighting Wolves, Hand of Dimes and Dead Shed Jokers. Full details at www.steelhousefestival.com.
MUSIC BUY MAIL IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SIGNING OK UK BRAVADO ROCKERS "THE BURNING CROWS"!:
Hotly tipped, UK, bravado rockers The Burning Crows showcase an infectious mix of good time rock n' roll, with an attitude, style & swagger that lands Britrock firmly back in the contemporary mainstream and that has earned them the reputation of being one of the very best live bands on the scene today. So, if high energy, rock n' roll played hard and played with gusto is your thing, come join the "future of British Rock"s carnival of frivolity and indulge in the decadent feast for the senses that is Behind The Veil.
Following the amazing public and media reaction to the release of their aptly named "Never Had It So Good" EP, the subsequent headline tour of the UK & Ireland, a slot at Hard Rock Hell and featuring as special guests to The Quireboys throughout their winter tour, its safe to say that bravado rock n rollers, The Burning Crows, couldn't have asked for a better 2012. There truly is no rest for the wicked however, as after reaching 100% of their PledgeMusic target, the band set their sights on releasing their Debut Album, "Behind The Veil" in Spring 2013.
With the "Never Had it So Good" featuring Keith Weir (The Quireboys/Def Leppard) making a guest appearance on keys and the EP being Produced and Mixed by Nick Brine (The Darkness/Bruce Springsteen/Oasis) it was clear that some of Rock's biggest players were joining the ever growing queue to get behind the band from the start and is a trend that has undeniably come into it's own ever since. Following the incredible public response to their first release and overwhelming demand for more, the band have just returned from the world famous Rockfield Studios in Wales, after once again working with legendary producer Nick Brine to record their debut album "Behind The Veil".
"Behind The Veil" is scheduled for June 14 (UK: June 17) in a digipack with 2 bonus tracks.
"Slow Up, Get Down" - Official Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwpntqS0se4.
MUSIC BUY MAIL IMPORT SERVICE CELEBRATES FIRST YEAR!: Music Buy Mail is proud to continue on with it's Import Service Program featuring hard to find AOR, hard rock and metal independent releases. Store owner Sebastian Eder decided in the Spring of 2012 to bring in music from bands who are not normally associated with the larger CD chains across Europe but never the less have released some outstanding music. These titles are normally released in smaller quantities and have been sought after by collectors for many years.
Music Buy Mail has already successfully brought in over 130 titles in the past year with new bands arriving every month. Ranging from AOR, modern rock and 80's hard rock to glam/sleaze and heavy metal.
New arrivals are: Summers - It took a while until the British band finished their debut album but it was worth waiting for it! On this album you will find great 80-s hard rock and this band is supposed to the hottest and most potential melodic rock act currently. Monster new melodic rock outfit from the UK featuring Ricky and Crash Summers. For fans of mid to late 80's era Def Leppard with some strong Bon Jovi influences. Totally Essential!! Saffire - after an 18 year break, the original members of Australian band Safire have finally reunited to record a new album. All Because Of You" is filled with loads of melodies, harmonies, and guitars, it is a real treat for all true fans of melodic hard rock. The whole CD is an awesome melodic hard rock album and a MUST HAVE for fans of this genre! Frank Hannon - Frank Hannon's (Tesla guitarist) new solo album is built on the bedrock of contagious riffs, tight grooves, and raunchy guitar leads, it upholds the familiar hard rock truisms with commendable conviction. Frank Hannon's Six String Soldiers is excellent hard rock that show cases Frank's mastery of his instrument and music writing! The album also features guest appearances Rick Derringer, Pat Travers, and Dave Meniketti! Station - Station is one of the hottest new bands to come out of New York City. A high voltage stage show with electrifying melodies make STATION an unforgettable experience. They have shared the stage with rock greats such as Pat Benatar, Vince Neil (Mötley Crüe), Bret Michaels (Poison), and 38 Special to name a few. Recently, STATION has returned from Nashville after recording with legendary producer Michael Wagener (Ozzy Osbourne, Skid Row, Mötley Crüe, Metallica, Alice Cooper, Extreme, Dokken, Warrant). The band is excited to announce the release of their debut EP, "Wired." The Deep End - The Deep End is a rock n' roll band at its purest. No frills, cheap thrills. Songs of women, partying and getting back at the man are all on the menu. A nationally touring band, their hyperactive onstage antics and catchy anthems are fast making them the most talked about young rock n' roll band. Great hard rock from Australia like AC/DC and Airbourne! Bonedog - Swedish rock trio with heavy blues influences who carry on the legacy of Zeppelin, Whitesnake, early ZZ-Top and Stevie Ray Vaughn all blended together in a perfect mix. A must have for all fans of bluesrock. Hottnyte - it all started in 2010 when five Brazilian young men, imbued with a rare professionalism in the independent rock industry, gathered around an ambitious goal: being themselves the band they would like to see. Being themselves a band they could be fans of. Inspired by classic bands, but in tune with new trends, Hottnyte's influences have always ranged from Guns N 'Roses to Black Veil Brides, from Kiss to Escape the Fate. If you like bands such as Backyard Babies, Hardcore Superstar, Velvet Revolver, Gemini Five, Crashdïet, you just found one more Post-Sleaze band to add to your playlists!
To see the full list of titles please click on the following link: www.musicbuymail.eu/index.php?r=12.
Music Buy Mail has been bringing you quality music and service for over 10 years and we would like to continue to bring you all the latest releases including our popular MBM Import Service. www.musicbuymail.eu.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
QUEENSRŸCHE RETURN WITH NEW SELF-TITLED ALBUM SLATED FOR RELEASE ON JUNE 25 ON CENTURY MEDIA: Queensryche'sFacebook page has been updated with the following good news post:
Our publicist wanted us to wait until his press release went out, but we were so excited to show you all we couldn't wait!! So here you go!!
QUEENSRŸCHE RETURN WITH NEW SELF-TITLED ALBUM SLATED FOR RELEASE ON JUNE 25th ON CENTURY MEDIA "This gets said often by a lot of bands, but we believe we have recorded some of our finest music in years. The collaborative effort of everyone on this album is something we are extremely proud of. Working with Jimbo and the addition of Todd has revitalized the band in ways we never knew until we heard the final results. We know you have to wait a little longer but are excited for all of our fans to hear it. Queensrÿche wouldn't be in this position if not for your unwavering support!!" ~ Scott Rockenfield.
The track listing for Queensrÿche is: 1. X2 2. Where Dreams Go To Die 3. Spore 4. In This Light 5. Redemption 6. Vindication 7. Midnight Lullaby 8. A World Without 9. Don't Look Back 10. Fallout 11. Open Road.
BOB SEGER NO LONGER A STRANGER IN TOWN 'INTHESTUDIO':
Dallas, TX - APRIL 29, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands plays some "Old Time Rock & Roll" this week, " the kind that soothes the soul" and sells over seven million copies, as Bob Seger joins program host Redbeard for the 35th anniversary of one of the '70s biggest selling albums, Stranger In Town. For Seger Stranger In Town was his first effort following the 1976 breakthrough Night Moves. Stranger was an album Seger blazed through, producing hits like "Hollywood Nights", "Feel Like a Number", "Still the Same" and "We've Got Tonite", a song Bob says was inspired by a popular 1970s film. "I saw the movie The Sting with Robert Redford and Paul Newman, and I remember that scene where Robert Redford goes to the lady who ran that cafe, at four in the morning and he's trying to get away from the bad guys. And he says, 'It's four in the morning and I don't know anybody.' And she lets him in. And that's where the idea for 'We Got Tonite, forget about tomorrow', came from."
Interview is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/bob-seger-silver-bullet-bandstranger-town-35th-anniversary-2/"
SOME REALLY SCHUTT NEWS: Gary Schutt says: "2013 should see THREE new killer products from me. Already I've written seven new songs for a new album, six within a week (a few months back) and one just yesterday. Its a lot of the same rock, guitars, melodies and hooks you know and love and hopefully enough different stuff to keep it from being more of the same old same old. the one song I finished yesterday is a 6 1/2 minute instrumental, so that's different enough already! I have a tentative album title but I'm not gonna say it yet as that could change (like it did for Contingency Plan a few times).
Also I have TWO DVD's I'm trying to finish up, one based of Contingency Plan and one based off Loss 4 Words. And I'm also wanting to finish the debut The Metal Hedz and Always At War albums for my Palisade Records label. so much on my plate and so little time!"
Keep up to date at: www.garyschutt.com.
MELODIC BRIEFS:
News direct from Steve Newman: "The new album is taking shape, I recently had the pleasure of working with Robert Säll who has laid down an awesome solo to one of the songs on the new album. A truly gifted guitar player! Continuing to work on mixes this week and into next! I also had the pleasure of recording some guitar parts for Tony Mills, more details to come in the not too distant future."
New Tom Keiffer Interview on Solo Album and Cinderella online now at: www.classicrockrevisited.com/show_interview.php?id=968. "It is not for a lack of desire on our part; it is just that the last time we tried that it ended up pretty ugly with lawyers and stuff. We all had a bad taste in our mouths and we all went on to do solo things. I am actually just seeing mine come to fruition after ten years. In the future, if the right time and place, and the right label comes along with people who are serious about making a record, then we would consider it. We will see what happens..."
Noize In The Attic (Where Your Past Comes Back To Haunt You) has an exclusive in-depth interview with Michael Sweet of Stryper on this Friday's episode airing 2-4PM EST on WNHU 88.7FM New Haven, CT (streaming live on www.wnhu.net) Free podcasts are available on iTunes or by following the link at www.noizeintheattic.com.
Helix vocalist Brian Vollmer interviewed by Rocknation. Brian Vollmer talks about many new Helix details including their "Best Of 1983-2012" CD and the Monsters of Rock Cruise. George Lynch checks in from the road with some updates including some possible vocalist for the next T&N record. Rocknation Issue 19 also features exclusive interviews by Mad Margritt, Danger Angel, The Prowlers, Hardreams, Joey Summer, Ballbreaker, Petro, Seven Days Lost & Sideburn. Also concert photos by Dangerous Toys and Broken Teeth. Issue 19 at: www.rocknation.us.
With the release of their highly anticipated debut album Laws Of Motion due 11th May 2013; progressive metallers Opposing Motion have just unveiled an album sampler which gives a taste of just some of the sounds on offer on their expansive debut offering. Listen to the sampler now at Soundcloud via snd.sc/ZF64OM. "Laws Of Motion" is also now available for pre-order at iTunes where other snippets of the album can be also be heard - itunes.apple.com/album/laws-of-motion/id635014409.
SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATE:
On the encouragement of a couple of readers, I have started an occasional Spotify Playlist that I will update as I get the urge, as well as lining up some key recommended tunes for special occasions. Online now are three Playlist headers that I will add to as I can - subscribe to these feeds if you wish:
- MelodicRock Presents
- MelodicRockFest
- MelodicRockRecords
LANESLIDE – FLYING HIGH (NEW OFFICIAL ALBUM TRAILER): Laneslide is one of the most exciting Melodic Rock collaborations in recent years, the feedback from the international print media, the online Rock magazines, the radio stations and the fans alike is nothing but phenomenal. The line-up put together by Italian songwriter / guitarist Bruno Kraler (Brunorock) for their debut album, includes vocalist extraordinaire Frank Vestry (Marcello/Vestry, Last Temptation), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline, Lionville, Edge of Forever) on keyboards, John Billings (Rick Springfield, Donna Summer, Lancia) on bass, Dominik Hülshorst (ex-Bonfire) on drums, as well as Lino Gonzalez and Bobby Altvater on guitars and Erik Mårtensson & Michael Bormann on backing vocals.
The band is now presenting its debut record which was released on April 12 through the Avenue Of Allies label in a brand new video trailer, which can be watched here:
The album is available worldwide as CD from well-assorted record stores and from various specialised mail order companies as well as the big online retailers.
"Flying High" is also available as Digital Download.
Laneslide – Flying High press reviews from around the world: "Laneslide have pedigree to spare. They have the songs too, ensuring that "Flying High is a slick and irresistibly satisfying opening statement." (Dave Ling, Classic Rock, United Kingdom) "Attention: "Flying High" is one of the best Melodic Rock albums since Seventh Key's "The Raging Fire" in 2004". (Götz Kühnemund, Rock Hard, Germany) "A quality album full of AOR prowess" (Rob McKenzie, Fireworks, UK) "The ten songs are straight Melodic Hard Rock that reminds of Treat at the times of "Organized Crime" and Tour De Force's "Unreleased". (AOR Heaven, Germany) "The quality of the songs is on an unbelievably high level for a debut album". (Heiko Füchsel, Rock It!, Germany) "This is well-crafted and well-played Melodic Rock from some quite talented musicians." (Craig Hartranft, Danger Dog, USA) "Laneslide delivers tougher AOR with a big sound and filled with catchy hook lines… A big happy surprise and I recommend this highly." (Juha Harjula, melodic.net, Sweden) "Everyone into AOR packed Hard Rock will get a real kick out of this album" (Petra Rottmann, Break Out, Germany) "This is how today's Melodic Hard Rock should sound. Highly recommended!!" (Heavy Paradise, Greece) "It is hard to find AOR that is better made than this… a great piece of musical entertainment that I can recommend to anyone." (Daniel Källmalm, Hallowed, Sweden) "A remarkable album for friends of Melodic Hard Rock… Strong songs, great melodies and Stadium Rock of the highest order". (Shylock, Metalglory, Germany)
WebLinks: www.laneslide.com / www.facebook.com/Laneslide / www.avenue-of-allies.com.
40 NIGHTS OF THE POODLES: The Poodles new single 40 Days and 40 Nights is available NOW for purchase via digital download and streaming. The song is taken from the forthcoming album "Tour de Force" due out for release on Frontiers Records on May 17th in Europe and May 21st in North America.
It is possible to stream a sample from the new album following the Youtube link below: youtu.be/F0M0MKvzkCw.
Anyone with a passion for rock n' roll should not miss this band! Be sure to be on the look out for "Tour De Force" as it hits the stores in May!
WebLinks: www.poodles.se / www.frontiers.it.
xx
DOOGIE WHITE ENTERS THE DARK AND THE LIGHT:
British band Doogie White & La Paz return with a brand new release. The sophomore album entitled The Dark and The Light is set to be released on May, 27 in Europe and June, 4 in USA (via MVD). And today the band reveal the first track taken from the new album. Don't Drink With The Devil is available on Metal Mind Productions' official YouTube channel in THIS location. Chic McSherry comments the track: "We have a GREAT drummer in Paul McManus and I wanted to do a track that would give him space to play almost freeform because he normally holds everything together very tight in GUN, his other band. I basically told him just to go for it and he laid down such a dirty rock/funk vibe on it that it blew me away! It would have been so simple on this track to have just hammered away with double bass-drum pedals in a straight rock format but he really pushed the song in a new direction with what he did. I love it! Andy also pulled out a fabulous keyboard solo in this one which gifted us the quirky little mid-section. All in all this song gave everyone a pretty good workout."
Scottish vocalist Doogie White came to the attention of the worldwide audience when Ritchie Blackmore asked him to be the lead singer in his reformed Rainbow. They recorded one album together - "Stranger in Us All." Doogie would go on to sing with Swedish neo-classical guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen for over a six and a half year period, record two albums and tour the world. He also recorded four albums and toured with Cornerstone and is currently the lead singer of the legendary N.W.O.B.H.M. band - Tank.
La Paz were formed in Lanarkshire, Scotland in the summer of 1984 by Chic McSherry (guitars), Doogie White (vocals) and Alex Carmichael (bass). At the first rehearsal together they hit it off immediately on a personal level - they also liked the same music and they had the same influences and heroes (Purple, Rainbow, Journey, Gary Moore) so they started to recruit other members to try to form a band and go do some gigs. Andy Mason (keyboards) joined the trio and he fitted in from the start, even though he was still at school when he joined. Drummers were always a problem and, over the life of the band, La Paz went through almost as many as Spinal Tap. Unquestionably the loudest and the most accomplished was/is their current drummer, Paul McManus. La Paz played live regularly, sometimes playing up to a hundred gigs in a year.
They played the world-famous Marquee Club in London as well as at some festivals in Milton Keynes and they were featured regularly in Kerrang! (Derek Oliver becoming a big fan of the band) and attracted interest from a number of UK and US record companies, finally agreeing terms with one of them for a three album deal. But it was not to be - for reasons which were never explained by the record label the deal fell through at the very last minute. Sadly the band didn't survive for very long after that. They did their last gig on 15th October 1988 and then Doogie moved to London to join Midnite Blue, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Cornerstone, Yngwie Malmsteen and now the mighty Tank. And then legendary DJ Tom Russell of 96.3 Rock Radio called Doogie and asked him if he would do some acoustic numbers at The Garage in Glasgow for Rock Radio's Birthday Bash in January 2008. Doogie agreed and asked Chic to play guitar. It was a big ask after 20 years: almost 1000 people, Doogie singing alone and Chic with one flamenco guitar! "We had such a blast though and it woke up so many great memories in both of us that we decided to give it a go with the full band for my 50th birthday" said Chic.
And so the full band started to rehearse and it was clear that they could still play a bit. The band just gelled: just like old times and the gigs were a terrific success. And so the idea of re-recording some of the favourites from the set that had never had a proper production job was conceived. The final result could be heard on the album "Granite" released in early 2012. It was an album with its roots in the past but its energy in the present. And now the band return with their sophomore album entitled "The Dark and The Light".
Doogie White & La Paz - line-up: Doogie White - Vocals; Chic McSherry - Guitar; Alex Carmichael - Bass; Andy Mason - Keyboards; Paul McManus - Drums.
Doogie White & La Paz on-line: www.facebook.com/LaPaz.rocks?fref=pb.
Tracklist: 1. Little Black Book Of Songs 2. Don't Drink With The Devil 3. Old Habits Die Hard 4. Burlesque 5. The Good Old Days 6. De la Luz 7. Devil in Disguise 8. Lonely Are The Brave 9. Shadow Of Romance 10. Sweet Little Mistreated 11. Men of War 12. The Fallen.
SAVAGE ANNOUNCE SUMMER EUROPEAN SHOW DATES: Savage have announced summer European show dates. They are:
R-Mine Festival – 23rd June – sport complex Klein Veldje, Tongeren, Belgium www.r-mine-metalfest.be
Savage + Persian Risk – 19th July – Rock City, Nottingham, UK www.rock-city.co.uk
Headbangers Open Air (Loose 'n' Lethal 30th Anniversary Show) – 27TH July – Brande Hornerkirchen, Germany www.headbangers-open-air.de.
Details and Tickets on sale now from the websites listed.
MRX UPDATED:
The latest MRX update features the three following new features:
- Cinderella - Long Cold Winter Session (Demos, 1987)
- Divinyls - Live Boston 1988
- Joe Lynn Turner - Live, Paradise Club 1985. MRX Membership Details.
Friday, April 26, 2013
FIREWORKS MAGAZINE ISSUE 57 OUT NOW - DIGITAL ALSO:
Press Release / "The brand new issue of Fireworks may just be our best to date. The text size has increased, because we listen to our readers. Don't think you are getting less for your money though, oh no. We still have more interviews than other magazines which cover the genre. We have gorgeous layouts filling half of our 96 glossy, full colour pages. The other half covers a wealth of new releases,DVDs, reissues and live performances. To top it off, there's a fantastic FREE CD with the issue, consisting of 18 tracks!
We have interviews with the likes of Journey, Whitesnake, Thunder, Joe Satriani, Bernie Marsden, Saxon, FM, Spock's Beard, Lordi and many, many more.
NOW AVAILABLE AT OVER 400 PARTICIPATING WH SMITH, McCOLLS AND MARTINS SHOPS!
Can't find a copy? For a full list of participating stores check the store finder at Rocktopia. Alternatively, purchase direct from Rocktopia in the Fireworks Magazine Mini Shop. Subscriptions available there also.
Copies/subscriptions can be ordered direct by emailing fireworks.mag@ntlworld.com, paying via Paypal. Send £6 (Inc P&P) for UK, £8.95 (inc P&P) for Europe, and £10.95 (inc P&P) for USA/Rest of World."
The Digital Download version of Fireworks 57 (complete with audio download of the free CD tracks) can be purchased right now via the Paypal link below.
BLACK SABBATH CONFIRM FULL NORTH AMERICAN TOUR:
Following the overwhelming response to the initial announcement of just four tour dates, BLACK SABBATH have now confirmed a full 20-city North American trek. Launching July 25 in Houston, TX, the tour will include shows in Philadelphia, Boston, Tinley Park (Chicago), San Francisco and other major markets, along with the previously announced stops in Holmdel, NJ (NY-area), Los Angeles, Seattle and Toronto, ON. Tickets for the newly announced dates will go on sale starting Friday, May 3 at LiveNation.com and Ticketmaster.com. A full list of cities and on sale dates for the dates is below. Beginning today, fans can click here or visit bit.ly/Sabbath_RSVP to RSVP for early access to presale tickets available Thursday, May 2. VIP Packages are also available at VIPNation.com. BLACK SABBATH launched their world tour on April 20 with two shows in Auckland, NZ. They are now in Australia for performances in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide, before heading to Tokyo for the first-ever Ozzfest in Japan on May 12.
Along the overseas tour, BLACK SABBATH--OZZY OSBOURNE, TONY IOMMI and GEEZER BUTLER--are previewing music from their forthcoming 13. On the new album, due out June 11, the band that defined heavy metal picks up immediately where they left off with eight sprawling songs (five of them are over eight minutes) that possess every ounce of the maniacal vitality of the Grammy-winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees' trailblazing work in the '70s. Songs such as "End of the Beginning," "Loner," "Dear Father" and "Age of Reason" reinforce 13's testament to the enduring relevance of BLACK SABBATH's long-running reign. Produced by Rick Rubin (seven-time Grammy winner, two of those as Producer of the Year), 13 will be released on Vertigo (worldwide) and Vertigo/Republic in the U.S.
Here's some critical feedback from BLACK SABBATH's opening night:
New Zealand Herald (4-21-13) "Black Sabbath brought together fans young and old…in horn-throwing, fist-pumping fashion…[Ozzy] jumped and stomped about the stage with passion and energy to burn. Could he still cut it? Yes, he could…Black Sabbath's spark lit up the arena."
Stuff.co.nz (4-21-13): "Black Sabbath still the kings…on a night when Sabbath proved just why they belong in the unique pantheon of true rock greats…you realise that catching Sabbath at this stage in their long career was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
Thu- Jul 25 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Sat-Jul 27 Austin, TX Frank Erwin Center
Mon-Jul 29 Tampa, FL Live Nation Amphitheatre
Wed-Jul 31 W. Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheatre
Fri-Aug 02 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live
Sun-Aug 04 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
Tue-Aug 06 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
Thu-Aug 08 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
Sat-Aug 10 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
Mon-Aug 12 Boston, MA Comcast Center
Wed-Aug 14 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
Fri Aug 16 Tinley Park, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Sun-Aug 18 Indianapolis, IN Klipsch Music Center
Thu-Aug 22 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
Sat-Aug 24 Seattle, WA Gorge Amphitheatre
Mon-Aug 26 San Francisco, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View
Wed-Aug 28 Irvine, CA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Fri-Aug 30 Phoenix, AZ US Airways Center
Sun-Sep 01 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena
Tue-Sep 03 Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles Sports Arena
SOUL SECRET SWAPS LEAD SINGERS:
"Today we announce that singer Fabio Manda is no longer part of Soul Secret. We thank him for his contribution to the project and wish him all the best for his personal and musical future. Now, please give a warm and hearty welcome to our new singer Lino Di Pietrantonio! He's just everything we ever wanted from a singer, a damn nice guy with a very melodic voice. We really couldn't believe it during the audition, he learnt "Aftermath" in one day and performed it perfectly in its entirety at the first attempt! He's now working with us on our third album as integral part of the team and he's surprising us every day... we're sure you'll love him! If you want to read more information about Lino, go to the official website www.soulsecret.net and then in the "Band" section and click on his name."
RICH ANTONELLI GUITAR ALBUM OUT NOW:
A little note from guitarist Rich Antonelli: "Could announce that my CD is now available to ship worldwide? I'm taking orders at www.richardantonelli.com and if people sign up for my newsletter (which I don't really send out too often), they will receive a free $kyhigh song download as well. If you like melodic rock/hard rock/guitars...then Voiceless may be up your alley. It isn't your typical guitar shredfest CD...think more along the lines of 80's vibe with a modern production. I put time into writing songs, more than riffs, if that makes sense.
Very important....ALL net proceeds are being donated to Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, RI in honor of my 10 year old daughter who suffers from Crohn's disease."
WebLink: www.richardantonelli.com.
FAITH CIRCUS GIVEAWAY:
With spring right around the corner and the promise of another summer hanging in the air, the FAITH CIRCUS hormones are starting to go a little CRAZY!! WE believe summer spells P-A-R-T-Y!!, and what else can turn a good party into a GREAT party than some GREAT music?!! Well, now you have the opportunity to get your hands on our remake of the SUBS tune, "Youth Is The Party", to be digitally released May 16. All you gotta do is email us, at www.facebook.com/faithcircus, saying "GIVE IT TO ME, NOW!!" and we'll pick 20 of you who will receive the song for FREE (!!), and one week before anybody else can get their hands on it. LADIES & GENTLEMEN start your emailing!
COMING UP: MRX update Monday. Also due next week - new Reviews!
Thursday, April 25, 2013
MELODIC BRIEFS: Royal Hunt have extended their contracts with Frontiers Records and Marquee/Avalon in order to include a brand new studio album which is expected to be released in October/November this year.
Italian hard rockers Voodoo Highway have released a new video Wastin Miles from their second album Showdown, to be released worldwide via Dust On The Tracks Records through Sony, Universal, Proper Music Group, MVD, Suburban on April 26th (UK release is set on April 29th). Watch the video: youtu.be/C9jQU9-KGdA.
Los Angeles, CA - Possibly the most anticipated prog release of 2013 will be released on May 15 – the sophomore album by celebrated LA prog duo Days Between Stations titled 'In Extremis'. Boasting an incredible guest line-up of music legends featuring Colin Moulding (XTC), Rick Wakeman (Yes), Peter Banks (Yes/Flash) Tony Levin (King Crimson/Peter Gabriel) and Billy Sherwood (Yes/Circa:), Days Between Stations reach a new level of creative artistry on their new album. With a title like 'In Extremis' (Latin, In extremity – A term used in reference to the last illness prior to death) one can begin to understand the intensity and sepulchral mood of the musical direction. For more information: daysbetweenstations.com.
Band's boss dies in fall at Rock City / Wednesday, April 24, 2013 / Nottingham Post, By Bryan Henesey.
The manager of an international rock band has died after a fall at a Nottingham nightclub. An investigation was ordered after Michael Sundén suffered fatal head injuries in the basement at Rock City last Friday. It is believed he slipped and hit his head on a brick wall.
In a statement to the Post, Rock City said: "On Friday, April 19, at around 11.30pm a male visitor to the Saxon live music event at Rock City fell unconscious. The circumstances are as yet unclear but are not being treated as suspicious. Rock City's on-site medical team attended the scene immediately. An ambulance was called within one minute of the man being found and police officers stationed at the front of the venue were also called to the scene. Two police officers began emergency resuscitation before the ambulance arrived and took him to hospital. Rock City was informed the next day that the man had subsequently died. Rock City is co-operating fully with the authorities in a post-mortem. Rock City would like to offer its deepest condolences to his family."
Crashdïet, whose 2010 album Generation Wild debuted at number three on the Swedish album chart, are still scheduled to perform on Friday. A Notts Police spokeswoman said: "He is believed to have slipped and hit his head against a brick wall in the basement area. The medical staff performed CPR and he was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. We are not treating it as suspicious and a file has been prepared for the coroner."
Nottingham City Council's community protection health and safety officers attended following reports of the accident. A spokesman said: "They carried out assessments of the venue and were satisfied that there was no ongoing risk to members of the public. It appears the man tripped on two steps in the venue and hit his head on a wall but there were no defects at the venue which contributed to this tragic accident. There is no ongoing investigation and the venue can continue to operate as normal."
Tributes to Mr Sundén have poured in on the internet. A statement on the Head First Entertainment website said: "This morning we awake to the devastating news that Michael Sundén of Global Music, and Head First's management partner with the band Crashdïet, had tragically taken a fall in Nottingham, England, where he was advancing the band's UK tour and meeting up with old friends. To say that we are absolutely crushed would be an understatement. Our thoughts are with Michael's wife, Carina, and their two young daughters." Dave Tedder, of Head First Entertainment, who had known Mr Sundén for about 15 years, added: "One thing that guy didn't understand was the phrase 'that can't be done' – no matter what language it was in, Swedish, English or any other. He pushed you to try a little harder. We pushed each other. And we argued and frustrated each other but what business partners don't? With Michael's passing we've truly lost one of the few 'good guys' in this industry."
A message was also left on Crashdïet's Twitter account. "It said: "I am saddened and sorry to inform you all that Michael Sundén (manager) has died. We are waiting for an update from the guys. Our thoughts and hearts go out to his family and friends."
The band Backyard Babies, former clients of Mr Sundén, tweeted: "He was basically a fifth member from the very first record until we went separate ways. His visions and enthusiasm has inspired and helped the Backyard Babies in many ways. Our deepest condolences to his family."
LONDON LIVE RELEASE DUE FOR ROCKLAHOMA FESTIVAL:
For the first time in years, rock band London is doing a summer tour, and the legendary Hollywood foursome led by singer Nadir D'Priest is doing it big, highlighted by an appearance at Rocklahoma on Saturday, May 25 in support of Alice in Chains, Bullet My Valentine and a lots of other top bands. The annual three-day festival in Pryor, Oklahoma also features Guns N' Roses and Bush on Friday, May 24 and Korn, Cheap Trick and Steel Panther on Sunday, May 26. What makes the event even more exciting for London fans and there a lot of them out there because the famed Sunset Strip band has never gotten its due is the release of London Live, an nine-track CD available for the first time at Rocklahoma. "Rocklahoma is the biggest thing since Woodstock, and we're really looking forward to being there," D'Priest said. "Rocklahoma is leader of rock shows right now, and we're happy to be part of it." London is also touring through Salt Lake City, Dallas, New York, Florida and other cities, and all the confirmed dates will be announced soon. The band has major backing finally and they're traveling in style in a huge tour bus. "We're back in business, so get ready for us," D'Priest said. "You better lock up your daughters because it's on. It's been long enough."
"London Live" is produced by Roy Z and engineered by legendary Michael Wagener. The songs were recorded live in Nashville the Grand Ol' Opry London was the first hard-rock ever to play the famed theatre and the tracks sound HUGE.
There's a good chance "London Live" will be the group's "Budokan," and the tour continues in Europe, where London has a huge following. "We're ready to rock, yes indeed," London drummer Alan Krigger said. More more info, visit londontheband.net.
ROGER GLOVER INTERVIEWED:
Rockpages Web Magazine did an interview with Roger Glover 5 days ago regarding the promotion of Deep Purple's new album "Now What?!". The interview is now online:
Rockpages.gr: How is it for an established band like you to work with an also established producer, like Bob Ezrin?
Roger Glover: Well, established is one word and "human" is another, you know we're just people. Of course we are aware of each other's past and we get on really well. I think he is becoming a very good friend, although we know each other for a few months, less than a year. We did most of the album in July, August, that period and in that time we came very close. He listened to us, and we listened to him. He knows we are a very good band, he knows we could play, he just wanted to capture that freshness, I think he succeeded and that's what a producer does: he brings the performance out of the band!
Rockpages.gr: What really surprised me in the new album is that you weren't afraid to have long tracks, longer than regular 4, or 5 minute rock songs, you went a little further trying new stuff that I haven't heard from Deep Purple again, what do you think about that?
Roger Glover: Well, history is all that we've got, doing something new is very important without losing your identity. Sometimes you might become a parody of yourself, there is a danger if you are playing a certain way to sounding the same. It really all comes from the writing, and of course we play the same, because we have the same lineup, the same organ, guitar, bass, drums and vocals, that won't change and that is our identity, the characters that we are. They way that we play, that's our identity. So, we actually feel free to explore all kinds of music. There is no such thing to us, as "a long Deep Purple song". "Deep Purple song" is whatever we play. If we started thinking what people would expect from us, I think we'd be heading towards the wrong direction. We'd be the tail wagging the dog. We have to be the dog!
WebLink: www.rockpages.gr/detailspage.aspx?id=9049&type=1&lang=EN.
FREE ALBUM DOWN LOAD FROM THE FUZZ DRIVERS!:
The Poet and the Thief, the new video from rockers The Fuzz Drivers, can be seen below. The video is the second single from the band's self]titled debut album, released worldwide on January 31 and available for FREE download at www.thefuzzdrivers.com. "The Poet and the Thief" video: bit.ly/129vJzb.
Currently riding a wave of rave reviews for their debut album, The Fuzz Drivers recently decided to take a big step and make their album available for free in order to spread the music all over the world and the decision proved to be a good one. "We are having a huge amount of people downloading our album daily and offering us a lot of good feedback and support and ultimately that is all that matters in this day and age for an upcoming band. We are a LIVE band, so that is exactly what we want to do: Have the opportunity to play live as much as we can, everywhere!"
The Fuzz Drivers debut album is filled with a Hard Rock/Classic Rock vibe but still retains a modern touch mixed with a highly melodic component, packing a loud and energetic punch! The video was directed and edited by renowned artist João Vasco. The CD was recorded, produced and mixed by the band at The Fuzz Drivers Studio during the past summer and was mastered at Estudio|SantaRosa in Sintra, Portugal.
The album cover was handmade by the talented artist Alex Konahin. The official lyric video for the first single "Discordia Song" can also be seen here: youtu.be/4aondP1J58U?hd=1.
To download The Fuzz Drivers debut album for free and learn more about the band visit their official website: www.thefuzzdrivers.com / www.facebook.com/TheFuzzDrivers.
MRR STORE UPGRADE:
I'l be closing the MelodicRock Records Store for a week or so from tomorrow - if anyone would like anything shipped this week, please check out the store at it's current address of: melodicrockrecords.com/store/.
And log onto the MRR site frontpage for your last chance download of the FREE compilation - MelodicRock Records - Best Of Volume 1.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
PARIS – ONLY ONE LIFE (TRAILER - OFFICIAL ALBUM PRESENTATION):
The Melodic Rock newcomer Paris is made up of Frédéric Dechavanne and Sébastien Montet. The duo took its songs to Alessandro Del Vecchio (Lionville, Hardline, Issa), who produced the catchy rocking AOR of the Paris debut "Only One Life" with the help of an international line-up of studio musicians including Anna Portalupi (Lionville, Hardline) on bass, Alessandro Mori (Mitch Malloy, Lionville) on drums, as well as Robert Säll (Work Of Art / W.E.T) on guitar and Steve Newman (Newman, Big Life) on backing vocals.
The band is now presenting its debut record in a video trailer, which can be watched here:
The album is available as CD from well-assorted record stores and worldwide from various mail order companies as well as the big online retailers.
"Only One Life" is also available as HQ digital download.
What the international press says about Only One Life: "The songs invoke all sorts of aural responses which reads like an AOR cookbook. Reference points include Journey, Ransom, Blanc Faces, Work Of Art and Toto to my ears." (George Thatcher, GloryDazeMusic, Australia) "The album features a solid tracklist epitomizing the AOR genre…"Only One Life" is a very promising debut release from Paris" (Brent Rusche, Fireworks, UK)
The album delivers very catchy Melodic Rock in the vein of Newman albums like "Heaven Knows" and "Dance In The Fire". (AOR Heaven, Germany) "Paris main men Frédéric Dechavanne & Sébastien Montet have crafted some solid tunes especially "South of Love" and "Every Time You Walk Away" which evoke memories of a different time and place i.e. the 1980s" (Simon Bray, Sea Of Tranquility, USA) "The songs will remind you of the usual suspects from the Melodic Rock/AOR genre, like Survivor Toto, Bon Jovi, Blanc Faces, Philip Bardowell , but also Don Henley and 38 Special (while Max Carl was in their line-up)". (Daniel Daus, Rocktimes, Germany) "All in all a creditable debut that will make France more visible on the map of AOR" (Maarten van Mameren, Aardshok, The Netherlands) "Lovers of 80s based AOR, Westcoast and Melodic Rock will lick their lips or better said their tender ears in anticipation for this new project from France" (Rock Meeting, France) "It sounds of classic AOR with the catchy choruses, the melodic verses, the keys and all of that…. This album rocks, that is one thing you can say about it." (Daniel Källmalm, Hallowed, Sweden) "What we have here is a collection of truly catchy melodic rock tunes ... Summing this album up I would say if the two friends can come up with another batch of songs this good… the future for Frédéric and Sébastien will take them higher than the Eiffel Tower!" (Dave Prince, Überröck, UK)
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/pages/Paris-official/119011491619131 / www.avenue-of-allies.com.
HEAVEN AND EARTH'S DIG OUT NOW: Heaven & Earth--guitarist Stuart Smith, singer Joe Retta, bassist Chuck Wright, drummer Richie Onori and keyboardist Ed Roth--has today (April 23) released their much anticipated new album Dig on Quarto Valley Records. AOL Music recently premiered Dig--which fuses elements of hard rock, blues and bits of classical with bravado and a razor-sharp focus--in their Full CD Listening Party feature to celebrate the album release. Listen to Dig in full at AOL Music now through April 29: music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds#/5.
Dig was produced by Dave Jenkins--who's turned the knobs for everyone from Metallica to Tower of Power---and features special guests Howard Leese (Heart, Paul Rodgers), Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) and David Paich (Toto). Heaven & Earth's music comes together explosively on the album's first single "No Money, No Love" and its controversial video which has already logged over 265,000 views in just a month: tinyurl.com/cdopr5d. As the band's founder and visionary, Smith says about Dig, "I feel that with the crafting of the songs on this album, the incredible band we've put together, especially with powerhouse vocalist Joe Retta and the unwavering support of Quarto Valley Records' President, Bruce Quarto, we really have a shot at getting Heaven & Earth the attention it deserves. This album is by far, the best thing I have ever done in my life!"
For the latest on Heaven & Earth, visit: heavenandearthband.com / www.facebook.com/Heaven-and-Earth-Band / twitter.com/heavenearthband / www.youtube.com/user/HeavenandEarthBand.
EDENBRIDGE GET READY FOR THE BONDING:
It's now more than a decade since Edenbridge first created a stir with the launch of their debut Sunrise In Eden back in 2000. What presented itself as a young but already immensely talented band has evolved into one of the genre's most independent acts. Their latest album The Bonding sees the group from Austria underline their exceptional status in melodic metal and puts an end to their creative hiatus of almost three difficult years. "We had to come to terms with a number of personal setbacks, which is why the production of the album took longer than originally scheduled," explains guitarist and main songwriter Lanvall, who among other things suffered the loss of his father due to suicide. In addition, Edenbridge underwent an unexpected line-up change: bassist Simon Holzknecht had to be replaced by Wolfgang Rothbauer (Disbelief, Zombie Inc.).
Yet the band's great compositional qualities, the amazing voice of singer Sabine Edelsbacher and Edenbridge's unconditional determination to not only validate, but to surpass the undisputable strengths of each predecessor album are omnipresent. "The initial ideas were developed as early as 2010, immediately after the release of Solitaire, but due to our private trials and tribulations it took us until autumn 2012 to conclude the recordings for our new album," Lanvall looks back at taxing months marked by one ambitious goal: to complement the new album by a real orchestra in order to support the material's symphonic direction. "Our style has always had an unmistakably symphonic quality," says Lanvall, "so the only question was: how do we finance a big orchestra?"
At this point, outside help arrived, in the form of support from fans and sponsors. Thanks to a major joint effort, the band succeeded in bringing to the studio the Klangvereinigung Orchestra of Vienna under the direction of Georg Luksch to cap the atmospheric and at the same time dynamic songs on The Bonding. Lanvall: "When it had been confirmed that the Klangvereinigung Orchestra would come to the studio, I concentrated on writing scores for our songs, so we were able to integrate these additional elements more concisely than ever before. Of course it would be a mistake to drown our songs, which also feature guitar riffs, choirs and rhythmic details, in orchestra sounds. It was all about positioning the orchestra in a way that would create an additional dynamic level. I think we've succeeded in doing just that on The Bonding."
Another outstanding feature is Sabine Edelsbacher's voice, whose warm, pleasantly melancholy timbre refines every Edenbridge track. "I've worked very hard on my voice in recent years to intensify not only expression and power, but also clarity and nuances," she explains. "It's very important for me to devote myself totally to my music, to be able to immerse myself 100% in every song."
Which is probably one of the reasons why The Bonding has turned into the band's most haunting and ambitioned album so far, including truly impressive numbers such as 'Mystic River', 'Alight A New Tomorrow', 'Shadows Of My Memory' and – more or less as the grand finale – the 15-minute title track, a memorable duet by Sabine Edelsbacher and Erik Martensson (WET, Eclipse). Lanvall: "This song is the culmination of the album's general theme, which is about universal energy, about birth and growth, about memories and reflection." In line with this, Edenbridge also present two different sets of cover artwork for the Digipak and jewel case editions, both related but unique in terms of their design. In other words: orchestra, renowned guest vocalists and fascinating themes included, The Bonding is an exceptional release in every respect and a real must-hear!
"The Bonding" will be released through SPV/Steamhammer in Germany June 21, in Europe June 24 and in US/Canada July 2 as limited edition ecol book with a different cover incl. bonus CD, double coloured LP, standard version and download.
Tracklisting: Mystic River * Alight A New Tomorrow * Star-Crossed Dreamer * The Invisible Force * Into A Sea Of Souls * Far Out Of Reach * Shadows Of My Memory * Death Is Not The End * The Bonding.
Band: Sabine Edelsbacher: Lead Vocals; Lanvall: Lead, Rhythm & Acoustic Guitars, Bass, Keyboards & Piano, Kacapi; Max Pointner: Drums; Dominik Sebastian: Lead & Rhythm Guitars; Wolfgang Rothbauer: Bass, Grunts on ´Shadows Of My Memory.
Guest Musicians: Orchester Klangvereinigung Wien, Erik Martensson: Lead Vocals on ´The Bonding`, Robby Valentine: Backing Vocals & Choirs.
WebLinks: www.edenbridge.org / www.spv.de.
xx
AEROSMITH PROVES BOSTON STRONG: 'INTHESTUDIO' FOR GET A GRIP:
Dallas, TX - April 23, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands celebrates, this week, the 20th anniversary of the Aerosmith multi-million selling trifecta, 1993's Get A Grip. In six short years Aerosmith had not only regained their place atop the Rock, they reached a new summit with the worldwide twenty million-seller Get a Grip , which produced two # 1 Rock Tracks with "Livin on the Edge" and "Cryin" and two Top 10 pop singles, "Crazy" and "Amazing". The album's tour was a victory lap, delivering fans hits from three multi-million selling albums in a row, including Permanent Vacation and Pump. As Steven Tyler tells InTheStudio program host Redbeard, Aerosmith's second coming helped them get a grip. "Let's face it, we're living a dream.We're living the American dream. We're really fortunate enough to play it out. Living the dream, not thinking about reality, so you don't get caught up in the trappings." Aerosmith 'Get A Grip'/InTheStudio interview is available now to Stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/aerosmith-get-grip-20th-anniversarystevenjoetombradjoey.
RENEGADE SOUNDS NEWS: Renegade Productions president Jim Buckshon is back in Europe on theatre and studio business, and has just finished sponsoring legendary recording and mix engineer Mike Fraser's benefit for Music Heals - an endeavour supported by Bryan Adams' Warehouse Studios, Loverboy, managers Bruce Allen & Sam Feldman, producer Jeff Dawson, and many other Canadian musicians, producers and engineers.
Also the executive producer of the label Renegade Sounds, the trip is a reminder to all our European customers that all 5 releases on the melodic rock label are available on iTunes Europe, CDBaby, and directly from Renegade Sounds digitally or on CD. These releases include Back From the Dead and On the Edge by Renegade, I'll Always Remember by Matrex, Takes Me Back by Vertigo, and Spin by Stiletto.
WebLinks: www.renegadesounds.com / www.renegadeproductions.net.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
VIDEO BRIEFS:
The single En För Alla För En is available in the physical edition of The Poodles forthcoming album Tour de Force to be released on Frontiers Records in Europe on May 17 and on May 21 in North America.
Frontiers Records April 2013 Releases Spot. Featuring Whitesnake "Made in Japan", ELO "Live", & "Zoom" (Reissue) and Jeff Lynne "Armchair Theatre" (Reissue). For more info: www.frontiers.it / www.frontiers.it/usstore.
JORDAN RUDESS OF DREAM THEATER LAUNCHES PLEDGEMUSIC CAMPAIGN: Jordan Rudess, the keyboardist/Continuum-player/multi-instrumentalist for Grammy-nominated prog rock/metal icons Dream Theater, has teamed up with PledgeMusic to launch his next campaign starting today, April 22. Through PledgeMusic--a music company offering artists a new music model to take control of their work through their online, hands-on, direct-to-fan music platform--and the support of his fans, Jordan will release brand new music, technology and videos while encouraging fans to participate in the creative process in exciting and unique ways.
Rudess has designed a tailored fundraising campaign to raise money to help release his upcoming projects. As a pledger, you will gain access to exclusive content and experiences and PledgeMusic will keep you informed of the project's status every step of the way.
Jordan plans to record both his orchestral composition, "Explorations for Keyboard and Orchestra," as well as a new solo piano album. Jordan is renowned for his interest in cutting edge technology so, of course, this project will be far from traditional.
For "Explorations," Rudess will be creating an entirely virtual orchestral experience, bringing virtuoso instrumental players into the studio and not only make an audio recording but also capture them on film with the goal of creating a unique, visual experience.
His solo piano album entitled "Explores" will be created as a completely interactive iOS app experience in addition to being made available in a CD and digital download format. Listeners will be able to use gestures to interact with the audio and visuals and create their own versions of his music.
You can view Jordan's PledgeMusic campaign at: www.pledgemusic.com/projects/jordanrudess.
On teaming up with PledgeMusic, Rudess explains, "Things have changed so much in the music business in recent years and now we have the possibility of coming directly to all of you, the fans, to get involved and to be a part of making this happen! No longer are we subject to what was, rather, what is possible!! By enlisting you and working through PledgeMusic, this will allow me to bring you unfiltered Jordan Rudess creativity! You will be able to follow along with me as these projects come to life!" Co-founder | COO of PledgeMusic Jayce Varden is excited to be involved with Jordan: "We're honored to be working with an artist of Jordan's caliber. His mastery of music and technology will be unveiled throughout the campaign, in true direct to fan form. That is the essence of PledgeMusic: artist and fans engaged in music creation through a shared experience." About PledgeMusic: PledgeMusic provides fans and artists the opportunity to work together to make new records and raise money for charity. By combining new social networking technology, old school music biz know how and an irresistible menu of exclusive incentives, fans can visit the site to hear great new music, enjoy and share unique experiences with the artists they love and actively participate in the release process. Hands-On, Direct-To-Fan: The new business of making music. www.pledgemusic.com / www.dreamtheater.net / www.wizdommusic.com.
TOUR DONATES PROCEEDS FROM UPCOMING SHOWS TO VICTIMS OF THE BOSTON MARATHON BOMBINGS:
April 22, 2013 -- At every stop along the "The Midwest Rock 'N Roll Express" tour with Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent, which kicked off in Grand Forks, ND last week at the Ralph Engelstad Arena, Styx's Rock to the Rescue charity organization will be giving away a guitar signed by all three acts as part of a silent raffle. 75% of the proceeds will be donated to a local charity in Boston to help victims of the recent explosions. The remaining 25% will be given to local charities in the respective tour market. "Like all Americans, we have watched the events in Boston and wondered what we could we do to help. We know the fans of all three bands will once again rise with us to help our friends in Boston. We Are Boston!" -- Styx "We feel such sadness for those innocent people in Boston who have suffered so much and are still suffering now. We think of those victims of senseless violence as we sign the guitar which is to be donated on their behalf each night. In our small way, we do what we do." -- REO Speedwagon. "The Nugent band and family are surrounded by Americans who care deeply about each other and are dedicated to give all we got in times of need. We again face a tragedy that we can all help with, and are proud of this charitable heart and soul effort." – Ted Nugent
Spearheaded by Tommy Shaw's daughter, Hannah Shaw, Rock to the Rescue is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to build strong, healthy communities through the support of grassroots organizations across the country. As of last year, at every Styx tour date Rock to the Rescue partners with a local group to give back through community outreach, fundraising, and volunteer support.
Rock to the Rescue originally started in 2001 as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and is the brainchild of Styx singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw and REO Speedwagon singer/keyboardist/guitarist Kevin Cronin. The two musicians brought together bands and artists such as Bad Company, Journey, Survivor, Kansas, Lynyrd Skynyrd and many others to be part of "Volunteers For America" concert events in Dallas and Atlanta that ultimately raised over $775,000 for victims of 9/11, as well as the Port Authority police department in New York City. For more info: www.rocktotherescue.net and www.facebook.com/rocktotherescue.
Check out "The Midwest Rock 'N Roll Express" tour at any of the following stops:
Date City Venue Closer
Thu 4/18 Grand Forks, ND Ralph Engelstad Arena STYX
Fri 4/19 Minneapolis, MN Target Center REO Speedwagon
Sat 4/20 Moline, IL iWireless Center STYX
Sun 4/21 Toledo, OH Huntington Center Ted/STYX/REO
Tue 4/23 Springfield, MA MassMutual Center STYX
Wed 4/24 Glens Falls, NY Glens Falls Civic Center REO Speedwagon
Fri 4/26 East Rutherford, NJ IZOD Center STYX
Sat 4/27 Virginia Beach, VA Farm Bureau Live @ VA Beach STYX
Sun 4/28 Roanoke, VA Roanoke Civic Center REO Speedwagon
Wed 5/1 Estero, FL Germain Arena REO Speedwagon
Fri 5/3 St. Augustine, FL St. Augustine Amphitheatre STYX
Sat 5/4 Tampa, FL Live Nation Amphitheatre REO Speedwagon
Sun 5/5 Atlanta, GA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre STYX
Tue 5/7 Grand Prairie, TX Verizon Theatre STYX
Wed 5/8 Tulsa, OK BOK Center REO
Fri 5/10 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theatre STYX
Sat 5/11 Lincoln, NE Pinewood Bowl Theatre REO Speedwagon
Tue 5/14 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena Ted/REO/STYX
Wed 5/15 Evansville, IN Ford Center REO Speedwagon
Fri 5/17 Green Bay, WI Resch Center REO Speedwagon
Sat 5/18 St. Louis, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre REO Speedwagon
Sun 5/19 Burgettstown, PA First Niagara Pavilion STYX www.styxworld.com / www.reospeedwagon.com / www.tednugent.com.
H.E.A.T SET LIST FOR SPANISH SHOW: MetalSymphony.com has uploaded some photos from H.E.A.T. concert April 13, 2013 concert at Sala Copernico in Madrid, Spain. Also available are pictures of support act Eden Lost. Check them out at this location: www.metalsymphony.com/?page_id=12951.
HEAT's setlist was as follows: Breaking The Silence, Better Off Alone, 1000 Miles, Late Night Lady, Straight For Your Heart, Straight Up, Beg Beg Beg, Downtown, Falling Down, Heartbreaker, Danger Road, Never Let Go, In And Out Of Trouble, Living On The Run, Make It/One And Only, Who Will Stop The Rain, There For You, It's All About Tonight, Keep On Dreaming.
SPV RELEASE SCHEDULE FOR 2013:
The latest release date update from SPV Records is as follows:
May 24 2013 - Anvil "Hope In Hell" – new studio album (Europe) Fair Warning "Sundancer" – new studio album (World ex Japan/Asia) Powerworld "Cybersteria" – new studio album (World) Artlantica "Across The Seven Seas" – debut album (World).
June 24 - Edenbridge "The Bonding" – new studio album (World ex SouthEastAsia) Rebellious Spirit "Gamble Shot" – debut album (World) 42 Decibel "Hard Rock N´Roll" – debut album (World ex South America) Raven "Rock Until You Drop" – 2DVD (World).
September 23 - Running Wild "tba" – new studio album (World) Lita Ford "tba" – new live album (World) Hirax "tba" – new studio album (World).
Coming also in 2013: New studio albums from Pro-Pain, Mad Max, Vengeance, Nitrogods, Holy Moses, Mekong Delta And Pagan`S Mind.
MORE R.I.P.:
More R.I.Ps. Gotta say that this is quite depressing and really disheartening to have to pass along.
R.I.P. Richie Havens, the veteran folk singer whose frenetic guitar strumming and impassioned vocals made him one of the defining voices and faces of Woodstock, and by extension, of 1960s pop music, died Monday of a heart attack at his home in New Jersey, his publicist said in a statement. He was 72.
R.I.P. Michael Sundén - Swedish rock n roll manager for the likes of ColdSpell and others.
Monday, April 22, 2013
MELODICROCK.COM & ROCK SOLDIERS PRESENTS: PAUL LAINE DOWNUNDER IN DECEMBER:
Vocalist Paul Laine will be heading to Australia in December 2013 and will be playing two live shows backed by Oz rockers The Radio Sun.
This will be Paul's first ever live dates in Australia and he will be playing a selection of songs from his solo work, Danger Danger and Shugaazer catalogue. Paul Laine & The Radio Sun will play in Melbourne, Australia on Tuesday 3rd of December 2013 at The Cherry Bar and in Sydney, Australia on Thursday 5th of December 2013 at The Valve Bar & Venue.
A night not to be missed by fans of AOR/heavy rock! Tickets are $20 AUD plus $5 AUD for registered mail delivery (total $25 AUD) and can currently be purchased through Paypal at: powerpopski@hotmail.com.
The Radio Sun: www.facebook.com/theradiosun
ANOTHER SAD PASSING FOR AUSSIE ROCK FANS:
From: au.news.yahoo.com/vic/latest/a/-/newshome/16838631/chrissy-amphlett-dies/
Legendary Aussie rocker Chrissy Amphlett has died, aged 53. It is believed Amphlett passed away overnight in New York, where she lived with her husband. Although there is no official cause of death, Amphlett had battled multiple sclerosis for almost 15 years, and had suffered from breast cancer in 2010. Amphlett shot to fame as the lead singer of the Divinyls, whose hits, including I Touch Myself and Pleasure and Pain, topped Aussie charts in the 1980s, and lead to worldwide fame. In 2006, the Divinyls were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, alongside Australian icons Icehouse and Daddy Cool. Amphlett pursued a solo career following the Divinyls' break-up in 1997, appearing on Aussie soap and on stage in The Boy From Oz, during which time she first noticed symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
Speaking to Sunday Night, she said the disease took years to reveal itsits full effects on her body. "It wasn't until about 2005," she said. "I was walking along the street, I was walking along 19th Street. It was very hot and I couldn't walk. All of a sudden my body shut down and I couldn't - I had a lot of trouble putting one leg in front of the other."
Amphlett battled the disease for 15 years, but finally had some relief from a revolutionary cure, which gave her her life back. "I have got my motivation back. I don't have the fritzed, nervous feeling running through my body," she said. "I am now walking eight blocks whereas before, I was walking one block. But I just am really starting to feel like I can look into the future again and have a life and I can possibly have a job."
Soon after the treatment in April last year, Amphlett was able to take to the stage again with Cold Chisel. At the same time, Amphlett also revealed she had been treated for breast cancer, but was thought to be free of the disease as of 2011.
R.I.P Chrissy. For those that would like to hear her at her best - check out Divinyls What a Life! and Temperamental albums.
GILBY CLARKE AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2013: Gilby Clarke was in Guns N' Roses, he also played guitar for the MC5, Nancy Sinatra, Heart, and Rockstar Supernova, as well as production duties for The Bronx, L.A. Guns and Alice Cooper.
More importantly, he's been a prolific solo artist, a mash-up of Keef, Johnny Thunders and B.B. King. The Cleveland native hit the L.A. scene at 17 and started Candy, then onto Kill For Thrills. In 1991 he was offered the rhythm guitar spot in Guns N' Roses and the football stadiums, diplomatic immunity, and decadence that came with it. He spent three years on the Use Your Illusion World tour, and appeared on the albums The Spaghetti Incident, Live Era '88-'91, and Greatest Hits. When GN'R imploded at the behest of W. Axl Rose, Gilby hit out on his own and to date has proved a prolific and revered singer/songwriter, with releases Pawnshop Guitars, The Hangover, Rubber, 99 Live, Swag, & Gilby Clarke under his belt.
In 2012 he was inducted as part of Guns N' Roses in to the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame.
Blue Palm Touring is proud to present for the first time ever as a solo musician in acoustic mode Gilby Clarke in Australia.
July 6th 2013: Hermann's Bar Sydney W/Devine Electric
July 7th 2013: Northcote Social Club Melbourne W/Dead Star Renegade.
INTRODUCING THE DEAD DAISIES:
Fresh from his first major musical foray with the Doc Neeson-fronted Red Phoenix, guitarist David Lowy, looking for a new challenge, met up with solo singer-songwriter and Noiseworks frontman Jon Stevens, himself fresh from his time working with Inxs. Within a few hours of getting together, they'd written a dozen songs, and they knew there was that vital ingredient in any creative enterprise – chemistry – right there in their collective musical genes. The result is an extraordinary new band they've called The Dead Daisies.
Riffing around the kind of rock they both love – classic late '70s early '80s hard rock in, say, that soulful Bad Company meets Foreigner via The Faces kind of vibe – big choruses, powerful melodies, strong hooks – the pair then thought about who could best capture the sounds in their heads. Stevens had previously recorded with LA-based engineer, producer and multi-instrumentalist John Fields, and so the pair headed over to Wishbone Studios, Blind Melon's old studio in North Hollywood, and finished the debut Dead Daisies album in just two intensely creative weeks, expat Australian singer Vanessa Amorosi popping in to add a little of her vocal magic on the odd track.
While they're serious about the music, the important thing with The Daisies was always that it should be fun. "We'll bring friends in to play with us when we tour," Lowy explains. The fun began in earnest with The Dead Daisies invited to open for ZZ Top in Southport and Sydney in March, but then the news leaked about their debut single, Lock N Load, featuring and co-written by Slash. Throw in the fact that guitarist Richard Fortus, fresh from stints with Thin Lizzy and Guns N'Roses, joining the Daisies. Also joining Stevens and Lowy in The Dead Daisies are drummer Charlie Drayton (Keith Richard's X-pensive Winos, Divinyls, Cold Chisel), bass player Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake) and keyboards player Clayton Doley (Harry Manx, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Silverchair).
Featuring the signature guitar riffs of Slash (Dik Hayd Records) and laced with Jon Stevens' trademark vocals Spitfire Music is proud to release The Dead Daisies' debut single 'Lock 'N' Load'. "Slash and I wrote 'Lock 'N' Load' which was recorded with Simon Horsford, and John Fields, who produced The Dead Daisies album. "Slash loves the song and the album, and is really happy with the way they have turned out. He doesn't just play on anyone's album… this is a labour of love." – Jon Stevens.
Slash recently tweeted on March 23: 'Heard the mix of "Lock & Load." A song Jon Stevens & I wrote. Sounds great. He's recorded it w/his band Dead Daisies. W/my gtrs'.
Joining The Dead Daisies directly off the Thin Lizzy Australian tour is Californian, hard rock bassist Marco Mendoza. With a career spanning more than twenty years, Mendoza has played with the cream of the rock industry, including Thin Lizzy, Ted Nugent and Whitesnake. Hammond keyboardist extraordinaire Clayton Doley (The Divinyls, Jimmy Barnes, Silverchair), also joins The Dead Daisies for the Aerosmith Tour dates.
Another addition to The Dead Daisies lineup is Australian born drummer and songwriter, Alex Carapetis. Now residing in Los Angeles Carapetis has toured with the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Robbie Williams and Vicky Cryer. Official video clip for 'Lock 'N' Load' to be released early May.
Connect with the band online: thedeaddaisies.com / www.facebook.com/TheDeadDaisies / www.youtube.com/user/thedeaddaisies.
INTRODUCING MARAGOLD: Maragold...a band that started as an idea and grew into a long awaited reality.
Renowned guitarist Greg Howe, widely known for his rock / fusion instrumental recordings, had been considering doing an album featuring vocal-driven songs for quite a while. Long time friend, bassist Kevin Vecchione, had played on Greg's "Five" album, as well as having toured with Greg previously. Through the years, over the course of their enduring friendship, Greg and Kevin had been discussing and mulling over the idea of being in a band together... They finally decided to stop talking and start acting, and the seeds of the band Maragold were sown. Drummer Gianluca Palmieri, who had also toured with Greg, and played on his recent album "Sound Proof", was recruited to complete their dynamic rhythm section.
All they needed was "the voice"... Originally, the band started working with a male singer, but due to other musical endeavors, he was unable to continue with the project. In the meantime, Kevin had discovered an amazing vocal talent while performing in the Tri-State area club circuit, and suggested the female singer as a replacement. Greg was initially hesitant, as the songs they had lined up were centered around a male vocalist.
However... Kevin had Greg listen to some demos he had done with the new singer, Meghan Krauss. Greg enthusiastically agreed that she had "the voice", but Meghan's presence, personality, image, and especially her ability to inject herself into a song, truly made her the "total package" that they wanted in a vocalist. Meghan agreed to take on the duties as lead singer; Greg and Kevin immediately went to work writing songs befitting her vocal style.
The results are the ten amazing songs on the debut self-titled album, Maragold (out April 23). Combining exemplary musicianship and powerhouse vocals with provocative songwriting, the album represents a daring new direction for Greg Howe, which is sure to be an exciting experience for his fans, old and new.
Lineup: Greg Howe - Guitar; Meghan Krauss - Lead Vocals; Kevin Vecchione - Bass; Gianluca Palmieri - Drums.
WebLink: www.maragoldband.com.
xx
MELODIC BRIEFS:
The new Factory of Dreams video clip has just been released to support 'Some Kind of Poetic Destruction', the brand new 4th album. Directed by Emil Jonsvik, Produced by Hugo Flores. The video can be seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL4wF1YqZEI.
Guitarist Joe Satriani has launched a video for his new single "A Door Into Summer" taken from his new 2013 album "Unstoppable Momentum". The video features exclusive footage from the famed Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, California, where Joe recorded the new album with Mike Keneally, Vinnie Colaiuta and Chris Chaney. The video is directed by Jon Luini and Arthur Rosato for Chime Interactive. Click here to view, embed and share the video - www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M4BGpdU3pY.
The Diva of Melodic Rock music Robin Beck, talks to BeRock Radio exclusively about everything. She revealed that she currently is at studio and is doing recordings for her new album which will be released in summer. Learn why she calls James Christian and Tommy Denander "husbands", and much more in a very interesting interview: minizine.berock-radio.com/html/interviews/pages013/robin_beck/robin_beck.html?tag=result;title;0#.UVhwhzd7K1U.
FOREVER ENDS TODAY FOR SHAMELESS: Cherie Currie formerly of The Runaways to make appearance on the up coming Shameless release Beautiful Disaster. This looks to be the singer's first appearance in studio (on record) in many years. Other than the 1998 compilation "Young And Wild" the last known official release with Currie was her 1980 release "Messin' With The Boys". The German based band recently recorded in Los Angeles with producer Adam Hamilton (Leif Garret, Dale Bozzio, William Shatner). "One of the songs "Dear Mum" was written by myself with the help of our friend Andy Brings. The second is a cover of the T Rex / Marc Bolan classic "Life's A Gas" where she performs a mind blowing duet with Steve Summers." -- Alexx Michael.
This will be the 8th CD from the Munich based band. Shameless have featured a who's who list of guest stars over the years. Since their 1999 debut there have been appearances by; Eric Singer of KISS, John Corabi (Ex. Motley Crue, Union), Phil Lewis of L.A. Guns, Teddy "Zig Zag" Andreas (Ex. Guns N' Roses, Alice Cooper Band), Robert Sweet of Stryper, Bruce Kulick (Ex. KISS) and the late Jani Lane (Warrant).
The first single "Forever Ends Today" is already available. For more information please visit www.shamelessrock.com.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH SODOM AND FREDDIE SALEM (EX OUTLAWS, EX GODZ) ON RICH DAVENPORT'S ROCK SHOW: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 21st April 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 22nd April 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) features exclusive interviews with Sodom bassist/vocalist Tom Angelripper, Freddie Salem (ex Outlaws, ex Godz) and the late Jeff Healey's widow, Cristie Healey, and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-sodom-freddie-salem-ex-outlaws-godz-and-cristie-healy-interviews/
The late Jeff Healey's widow, Cristie Healey, talks about the new Jeff Healey Band live album "As The Years Go Passing By: Live In Germany 1989-1995-2005", the first collection of archive material to be officially released with the approval of the Healey family since Jeff's passing in 2008.
And in part 2, former Outlaws and Godz guitarist Freddie Salem discusses the new reissue of his 1982 Freddie Salem and The Wildcats release "Cat Dance", with tracks from the album, plus Freddie's recollections of sharing stages with Van Halen, Thin Lizzy and Metallica during his time with The Outlaws and The Godz. Plus Freddie's choice of VH, Lizzy and Metallica tracks. and songs from his recordings with The Outlaws and The Godz.
The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from Whitesnake, 38 Special and the Doobie Brothers.
STRIKEFORCE AND HEADEAST TEAM AGAIN:
Classic rockers Headeast and Midwest hard rockers and special guest Strikeforce will be touring together and sharing the stage at the Southern Iowa Fair On Fri July 19, 2013 at the Grandstands Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Strikeforce and Headeast have toured and performed several concerts together over the course of many years! Headeast's newest release raise a little hell will be released worldwide on May 14, 2013 on Red/Sony and Strikeforce enters the studio in September 2013 with producer Jason Mcentire of Saw Horse Studios St.Louis, Mo (Uriah Heep, The Urge, Ken Hensley, Divine Chaos) for a yet titled new CD release on forthcoming label tba!
Lead guitarist and founder of Strikeforce Duke Jackson says "We're going out again this summer for many shows and festivals, and we will be ready to enter the studio this fall with Jason! We are working on new material now and its kicks ass!" Visit: www.sweetsounds.us / www.head-east.com.
BASSIST OF 3 DOORS DOWN CHARGED WITH VEHICULAR HOMICIDE:
(From CNN) -- Police have charged the bassist of the rock band 3 Doors Down with vehicular homicide after they said his speeding car clipped a pickup truck, sending it down an embankment and killing the driver. The incident took place Friday night in Nashville. Police said Robert Todd Harrell, 41, showed signs of impairment and acknowledged he had consumed hard cider and taken the prescription pills Lortab and Xanax.
During a search in the booking room, authorities said, Davidson County Sheriff's deputies discovered a plastic bag concealed in his sock that contained 8 Xanax pills, 24 oxycodone pills and 4 oxymorphone pills. Harrell also has been charged with bringing controlled substances into the jail.
He was being held in lieu of $100,000 bond.
Police said the pickup's driver, Paul Howard Shoulders, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from his truck. He was pronounced dead at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Paul Howard Shoulders, Jr.," said a statement on the band's website. "Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this difficult time."
3 Doors Down may be best known for its song "Kryptonite," but had a string of hits in the early 2000s, including "When I'm Gone" and "Here Without You." Harrell is one of three founding members of the group that formed in Escatawpa, Mississippi, in 1994, according to allmusic.com. The band toured regionally before eventually being discovered at a music showcase in New York.
The band's major label debut, "The Better Life," has sold more than six million copies, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.
SECOND ANNUAL JANI LANE MEMORIAL SHOW: Giancarlo Floridia of Faithsedge will be playing a full set of classic Jani Lane songs and also some very rare ones spanning all eras of Jani's time in Warrant.
The 2nd annual Jani Lane tribute memorial tribute show will take place in Jani's hometown of Akron Ohio on Sat August 10 at the Tap House Concert Venue with proceeds going to Musicares. More details on the event poster below.
Lane was found dead at the Comfort Inn hotel in Woodland Hills, CA on August 11th, 2011. The L.A. Coroner's Office concluded he had suffered from acute ethanol poisoning. Investigators found a half-empty bottle of vodka and prescription medication in the motel room where Lane died.
The Faithsedge debut featuring Giancarlo Floridia alongside bands mates Alex De Rosso (Dokken), bassist/producer Fabrizio Grossi (Steve Vai), drummer Tony Morra (Van Zant) received critical acclaim and the band with be releasing a follow up later on this year tentatively titled The Answer Of Insanity along with addition of new keyboardist Eric Ragno (Fergie Fredricksen/Trixter).
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/everythingjanilane / www.faithsedgemusic.com / www.grammy.org/musicares.
Friday, April 19, 2013
FRANKIE SULLIVAN REUNITES FOUR ORIGINAL "SURVIVOR" MEMBERS INCLUDING DAVE BICKLER AND JIMI JAMISON: Frankie Sullivan couldn't "Hold Back" any longer and has reunited four original members of Survivor – and BOTH lead vocalists, Dave Bickler and Jimi Jamison. "Our fans are the best and I can't think of a better way to give them our best. With this line-up, and both Dave and Jimi in the band, we can perform ALL of our hits" says guitarist Frankie Sullivan. Dave Bickler was lead singer of Survivor from 1977–1983 and 1993–1999. From 1999-2009, Dave was the singing voice behind the highly successful 'Real Men of Genius' Bud Light radio and TV commercials, the most award-winning radio campaign in advertising history!
Bickler is the voice of the band's biggest hit, "Eye of the Tiger" which held the #1 spot for seven weeks on the Billboard charts. "Eye of the Tiger" earned Survivor the Grammy® Award for "Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal" the voted "Best New Song" by the People's Choice Awards, and received an Academy® Award and Golden Globe nomination. "Eye of the Tiger" remains a cultural phenomenon and is one of the most downloaded rock songs of all time, selling more than 3.5 million track downloads in the U.S. Jimi Jamison rejoined Survivor in 2012. The band's first album with Jamison, Vital Signs, is still praised by fans and critics alike as one of the best AOR albums of all time and includes the top 10 hits, "High On You", "I Can't Hold Back" and the #1 song, "The Search Is Over."
The band is already hard at work on new material and is looking forward to getting back in the studio together.
For more information on Survivor, visit www.survivormusic.com.
RUSH FANS GIVE IT TO HALL OF FAME BOSS:
Report from Billboard.com: "The first Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Los Angeles in more than two decades may as well have been subtitled "A Night to Celebrate Rush" as the Canadian trio's fans packed the Nokia Theater to the rafters and made their presence known.
They booed Hall chairman Jann Wenner, undoubtedly for keeping Rush out of the hall for years on end, heckled Quincy Jones and Flavor Flav during their lengthy speeches and filled any second of dead air with shouts of "Rush" and "Geddy."
But they were also treated to the evening's most humorous introduction, courtesy of Dave Grohl, and acceptance speech, from guitarist Alex Lifeson, who used the simple phrase of "blah blah blah" and a bit of charades to explain the journey of he and his bandmates to this point in time.
As expected, it was a lengthy affair -- it took nearly four hours to execute the inductions and performances after starting 50 minutes late. And while it lacked the fireworks of other ceremonies, it had its moments: The Foo Fighters, reduced to a trio, donning wigs and kimonos to play Rush's "2112"; Randy Newman, in a quiet, poignant moment, playing "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" with a string section. And Booker T. Jones joining Gary Clark Jr. and John Mayer to salute the late Albert King with Jones' "Born Under a Bad Sign." (Sadly, Jones was not introduced to the crowd.)
Public Enemy, performing as they did in those Def Jam revues in the '80s, rapped to the two men who first put them on record, Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons, who wound up next to each other in the small VIP section of tables near the stage.
Don Henley wondered why "this peculiar, perplexing organization" had taken 20 years to induct Newman, who said backstage "I didn't think it would happen until I died or something." The families of Donna Summer and Albert King graciously accepted the awards on the late artists' behalf.
Producer and label owner Lou Adler was surrounded by people whose music he had recorded -- Herb Alpert, Dean Torrence of Jan and Dean, Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and Papas -- and the man he sits next to at Laker games, Jack Nicholson. After an induction from Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones saluted a dozen jazz musicians, among them Charlie Parker, Clark Terry and Lionel Hampton, saying "those cats were my Beatles and Rolling Stones." His 16-minute speech closely resembled the one he gave when his induction was announced in December.
Members of Public Enemy, inducted by Spike Lee and Harry Belafonte, took turns talking with Flavor Flav monopolizing the microphone. Chuck D admonished him to move on, but Flav fought back, saying there was only one night they would be getting inducted into the hall. He also saluted the PE leader, saying "I want to thank you for making great records. You've been the motor."
The Wilson sisters speech and induction was largely limited to discussions about the isolated world of Seattle and the unlikely arrival of two sisters who would not only rock, but persevere.
In introducing Rush, Grohl praised Rush's Neil Peart as "the most ripping drummer in the world," but also wondered aloud about "the most infamous band photo" ever -- the trio in kimonos and skintight pants.
"We've been saying for a long time this isn't a big deal," said Peart, who usually avoids any media attention. "Turns out it is."
Over the applause and cheers, Grohl noted they have a "fan based rivaled only by the Grateful Dead" and Lee thanked the fans before Lifeson launched into his "blah blah blah" speech that will surely become a YouTube favorite down the road.
HBO will air the ceremony on May 18. www.billboard.com/articles/news/1558840/rock-hall-of-fame-inducts-rush-public-enemy-and-heart-at-passionate-ceremony.
R.I.P. ARTIST STORM THORGERSON:
From: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22210378 / "Storm Thorgerson, whose album cover artwork includes Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon, has died aged 70, the band's management has confirmed. A childhood friend of the founding members of the band, he became their designer-in-chief, fashioning a string of eye-catching creations. Most-famously he designed the prism spreading a spectrum of colour across The Dark Side Of The Moon. His credits also include albums by Led Zeppelin, Peter Gabriel and Muse.
His family released a statement saying he died peacefully on Thursday surrounded by family and friends. "He had been ill for some time with cancer though he had made a remarkable recovery from his stroke in 2003," it said. "He is survived by his mother Vanji, his son Bill, his wife Barbie Antonis and her two children Adam and Georgia."
Pink Floyd guitarist and vocalist Dave Gilmour released a statement in which he said the artworks Thorgerson created for the band had been "an inseparable part of our work". He said: "We first met in our early teens. We would gather at Sheep's Green, a spot by the river in Cambridge and Storm would always be there holding forth, making the most noise, bursting with ideas and enthusiasm. Nothing has ever really changed. He has been a constant force in my life, both at work and in private, a shoulder to cry on and a great friend. I will miss him."
RECORD STORE DAY:
This Saturday (20th April) is Record Store Day - a worldwide event for Independent Record Stores to take part in celebrating being an Independent Record Store. There are over 500 very limited releases coming out on that day from the likes of Rolling Stones, Dio, Tim Buckley, Joan Jett and loads more. www.recordstoreday.com and www.recordstoreday.co.uk. One store int he UK that is taking part in this for the first time is Retro-Vibe Music, Holton Road, Barry, CF63 4HD. UK - www.retro-vibe.music.com / www.facebook.com/retrovibemusic.
Check with your local record store (what's left of them, God bless them all!), to see what they are participating in. Long Live The Record Store!
ISSUE #2 OF THE LEGENDARY EARLY '80S FANZINE THE HEADBANGER NOW RE-RELEASED: Bob Nalbandian, founder and publisher of the esteemed early '80s heavy metal music fanzine The Headbanger, has just released issue #2 of the groundbreaking Xeroxed fanzine in ebook form through the Tokyo-based company Japanime Publishing. This is the second issue (out of 11 total issues) to be released as an ebook, the first issue, which was also originally released as a Xeroxed fanzine in 1982, was made available as an ebook earlier this year. Never before has the fanzine which featured early interviews of local and international heavy metal bands, including the very first profiles of then-unsigned LA bands Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth been available for mass distribution until now.
Bob Nalbandian founded The Headbanger in early 1982 when he was just 17 years old, and released the inaugural issue in May of that year. The seminal fanzine featured articles and interviews that vividly captured the emerging heavy metal scene.
Nalbandian says, "(Japanime founder) Glenn Kardy and I decided to present the readers an ebook version of the fanzine in its all its original, raw glory without any touchups or changes to it. I've scanned all the pages of the first issue as is, or as was! What you're getting is a digitized version of the original mockup, complete with cutout pictures and logos, rub-off letters, and typewriter print! The Headbanger was published long before the widespread use of home computers and desktop printing, so this is as old-school as it gets!"
This second installment of the ebook will include an all-new introduction from Nalbandian, along with the entire contents of The Headbanger Issue #2 (original fanzine release in late October of 1982). The issue features cover story/live review of British metal legends Motorhead on their first US headlining tour playing the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles; a 1-page European metal report (featuring then, fresh new metal bands Accept, Trust, Mercyful Fate, Electric Sun, Silver Mountain, Bodine and many others); a live review of Scorpions, Sept. 1, 1982 show at the Long Beach Arena; a heavy metal news section called "Hot Tips"; and no-holds-barred commentary on "new" albums by Saxon, Raven, Rainbow, Riot and "heavy metal masters" Judas Priest.
Nalbandian states, "I originally sold The Headbanger for a dollar per issue (and the first one, I gave away for free). By transforming them into ebooks, I feel I can still offer it at an ultra-low price and give readers the same experience as if they were reading the original fanzine with its wrinkled pages, typos, faded print, and atrocious spelling and grammatical errors! I can't think of a better way to expose readers to a time in history when heavy metal music truly was an underground phenomenon, and tape-trading and metal fanzines were a way of life."
Both Issues #1 and #2 of The Headbanger are currently available worldwide in the Apple iBookstore and the Amazon Kindle store. Here are direct links to the latest issue (#2) for customers in the United States.
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-headbanger/id621352581?mt=11 / Amazon: www.amazon.com/The-Headbanger-Issue-2-ebook/dp/B00C5NYYJS.
UFO'S PAUL RAYMOND ANNOUNCES NEW REGIONAL UK LIVE DATES:
Following a successful solo album launch show at London's Borderline venue earlier this month and his UK and European tour dates with UFO, Paul Raymond is pleased to announce the addition of two new live dates to the Paul Raymond Project 2013 UK tour schedule:
April 20 – Monroes Bar @ Carnegie Arts Centre, Workington www.carnegietheatre.co.uk Box Office: 01900 602122
April 21 – The Railway Venue, Bolton www.railwayvenue.co.uk Box office: 01204 306 450
The dates celebrate the release of the new Paul Raymond Project album Terms & Conditions Apply which was released January 28 through Hear No Evil/Cherry Red Records to critical claim from rock press worldwide. It's the sixth solo release by Paul and features a guest appearance from Michael Schenker (MSG, UFO, Scorpions) on a cover of 'Reach Out (I'll Be There)' and by Reuben Archer (Stampede, Wild Horses, Lionheart) on 'Love Is Blind'.
As with the London launch show, the live Paul Raymond Project set promises to be must-see for all UFO fans and hard rock fans of the era. Along with Paul and PRP bassist Mark Coles, the live lineup features Stampede vocalist Reuben Archer and guitarist Rob Wolverson along with Neil Ablard of The Dreaming Tree on drum duties. The set includes songs from the new album as well as some of the best-loved UFO classics and some seldom-heard fan favourites such as 'Just Another Suicide' and 'Take It Or Leave It'.
More regional shows TBA very soon.
REVIEWS UPDATED:
4 new Reviews online today - still trying to get to the enormous backlog of other titles that need featuring! Online today are reviews for: Pretty Maids, Stryper, De La Cruz and Great White (Live). Read them now.
MRX UPDATE: MRX has been updated with some cool new features:
- Black Bambi - Black Bambi (Unreleased Album)
- Survivor - Fire Makes Steel (Unreleased Demos)
- Crashdiet - The Early Years - Demos Vol. 1 & 2
- Demon's Eye feat. Doogie White - Live April 15, 2011 Germany MRX Membership Details.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
CHASING VIOLETS BACK WITH JADE HEARTS:
French AOR act Chasing Violets is back this June with their second album Jade Hearts. Once again the talented and sensual French sisters Sarah & Mélissa Fontaine have surrounded themselves with the best musicians from the AOR scene like Frédéric Slama, Tommy Denander (Alice Cooper, Paul Stanley), Paul Sabu (Kidd Glove), Göran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen), Mikael Erlandsson (Last Autumn's Dream), Bob Harris (Axe), members of Alien, Hardline & Lionville, Christian Tolle (David Reece) among many others... With this new album, Chasing Violets will take you to melodic perfection with a sexy edge, killer songs, angelic vocals and unforgettable solos. Jade Hearts is the perfect illustration of what pure AOR is all about.
After the 2012 release of Outside Heaven, their debut cd who took journalists and fans alike by storm, Chasing Violets is back for more with their second album entitled Jade Hearts. Written & produced by Frédéric Slama from the band AOR (who has worked with such legends as members of Toto, Chicago, Paul Sabu, Tommy Denander, Steve Overland (FM), James Christian (House Of Lords), Paul Shortino (Quiet Riot) among many other greats of the AOR world), Jade Hearts is the most impressive female fronted melodic rock album you can imagine, reminiscent of Journey, Heart & Survivor, with a glamorous touch …
Track listing: 1. The Main Attraction 2. Web Of Lies 3. A Shot In The Dark 4. Silent Victory 5. Deception In Heaven 6. Jade Hearts 7. Secrets In The Shadows 8. Hollow Triumph 9. Exile In Sadness 10. The Scarlet Nymph 11. Halo Of Light 12. I Owe It To Myself.
WebLinks: www.ChasingViolets.fr / www.Facebook.com/ChasingVioletsOfficial.
TRASH COWBOYS DONATING TOWARDS BOSTON: Trash Cowboys, one of Hollywood's top-drawing rock bands, is headlining the famed Viper Room on Thursday on the Sunset Strip, and the band is donating a portion of their earnings to One Fund Relief, a new charity for victims of the Boston marathon explosions. "We're still making that climbing, trying to make it just like everyone in Los Angeles, but this is the right thing to do," Trash Cowboys drummer Joey Durant said.
The Viper Room event is also the unofficial after-party for the 28th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the nearby Kodak Theatre for Rush, Heart, Randy Newman, Public Enemy, Albert King, Donna Summer, Lou Adler and Quincy Jones. Trash Cowboys is also headlining May 3 at Paladino's in Reseda, Calif. There is a strong buzz on the band after being featured in the Los Angeles Daily News, melodicrock.com, bringbackglam.com, AOL Patch.com and other sites and publications.
The band also features singer Eric Scott, guitarist Bradley Rude and bass player Mark One. For more info, check: www.reverbnation.com/trashcowboys.
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino have announced the formation of The One Fund Boston, Inc. to help the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston on April 15, 2013.
To send a check by mail: One Fund Boston, Inc. 800 Boylston Street #990009 Boston, MA 02199.
ASSIGNMENT SIGN ALBUM DEAL WITH MAUSOLEUM:
Germany's progressive metallers Assignment have signed a two album deal with Mausoleum Records. The group's debut album, "Inside Of The Machine", is scheduled for a release this summer. The new album is a conceptual masterpiece including Robin Beck, Michael Bormann (ex-Jaded Heart, Bonfire), Mats Leven (ex-Malmsteen, Addagio), Carsten Kaiser (ex-Angel Dust) on vocals. Assignment are: Goran Panic (guitars), Gert Sprick (keyboards), Heiko Maag (bass), & Sven Pollkötter (drums). Already combining various influences like Queensryche Fates Warning, but also adding segments in the styles of Ayreon or early Pain of Salvation, the band is hoping to secure a permanent record deal in the near future. Fans can expect hard-edged riffs, catchy hooks, & unexpected turnovers in more than 70 minutes running time – including a special BONUS TRACK cover-version of Meat Loaf's "Nowhere Fast" & special guest appearance of Bernie Versailles (Redemption) on lead guitar.
Assignment stands for music without boundaries, as our musical influences are spread over the whole Rock & Metal genre. From Death Metal to Progressive Rock but having always the focus on the melodies and arrangements. Therefore, we call our style ART METAL!
Final video teaser "Inside Of The Machine": youtu.be/kUnClczDwh4.
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/AssignmentMusic / www.assignment-music.com.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
CD SHOWCASE UPDATED:
New CD Showcases added to the site today for The Poodles, Burning Rain and Timo Tolkki's Avalon (all Frontiers Records, May 17 release); Jeff Lynne & ELO re-issues (Frontiers Records, out this week); plus Giuntini Project (Escape Music, May 24 release) and the new Amaze Me release (AOR Heaven, May 24 release). Check them all out now.
MELODIC BRIEFS: Kingdom Come release their first video from their new studio album "Outlier". The video for the song "God Does Not Sing Our Song" was filmed and produced by Tim Aßmann and co-produced by Lenny Wolf. youtu.be/LCTS0mdbyYk.
For almost 3 years the two albums of the German-Swedish hard rockers Jaded Heart had not been available. Now Helluva Time and Sinister Mind are being re-released as digital versions on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify etc. They were originally released in 2005 and 2007, and include Jaded Heart classics such as "Hero", "Justice Is Deserved" and their legendary version of Anastacia's "Paid My Dues". Further "Sinister Mind" features the bonus-track "Watching You Break" that has only been released in Japan so far. The current album Common Destiny is still available as well.
REO Speedwagon founding member and keyboardist Neal Doughty takes us on a trip through time, beginning with the current tour and going all the way back to when he and drummer Alan Gratzer were the only two hippies in the engineer department in college: www.classicrockrevisited.com/show_interview.php?id=958.
This May Pendragon will be heading out on a mini Tour to celebrate some of the Classic Pendragon tunes. "You've been asking, so we've been listening and this Tour is a celebration of your requests, songs that span our history and some you may never haver seen us play live before."
THE CALL REUNITE FOR LIVE RELEASE: The Call have just launched a Pledge Music campaign to raise funds for a new live album and DVD. The material will be filmed and recorded in LA and San Francisco at the Call's reunion shows (featuring Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on bass and lead vocals). If you want to be a part of this story as they create this new project, feel free to show your support! www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thecall / www.facebook.com/TheCallBandOfficial.
Here's the original note to fans:
It gives us great pleasure to announce to you all that The Call will be reuniting with B.R.M.C.'.s Robert Been for two select shows! It has been over twenty years since The Call's last live show. Disbanded in 1990 The Call's original members Scott Musick, Tom Ferrier, and Jim Goodwin will be taking the stage with Robert Been, taking over the role of bass and vocals in honor of his father, the late Michael Been. The Call is best known for their ground-breaking songs 'The Walls Came Down', 'I Still Believe', 'Everywhere I Go' and 'Let The Day Begin'. Formed in 1980 the group released 10 albums over their history, their music has endured and inspired countless artists and fans alike (for more information visit 'the call's' official website).
April 18th: San Francisco, CA / Slim's
April 19th: Los Angeles, CA / The Troubadour
Tickets go on sale on Friday March 1st from www.the-call-band.com.
RAIDING THE ROCK VAULT NEW VEGAS TIME SLOT: Raiding The Rock Vault loves its fans and is doing what it takes to make them happy. The hardest rocking show in Vegas will move into the 8 p.m. time slot at LVH – Las Vegas Hotel & Casino starting this week. The story of classic rock has also announced that it will offer package deals fit for rock stars and a locals-only price of $39, so Las Vegans can take the wild journey through rock 'n' roll history at an awesomely affordable price.
"What our fans want, our fans get," said producer Sir Harry Cowell. "We've received a tremendous amount of positive feedback since we opened. We've also been told by people that they wish our all-ages show was a bit earlier and had special rates for locals, whose support is so fundamental. They asked and we delivered."
For those looking to live like rock stars, LVH now offers two special bundled packages. From $109, guests can experience the "Rock Star Room and Show Package," which includes room accommodations for two, two tickets to Raiding The Rock Vault, a $50 dining credit at Vince Neil's Tatuado Restaurant and $10 in free slot play (valid with new Player's Club enrollment). Locals looking to grab a bite before the show can enjoy the "Raiding The Rock Vault Locals Dinner Show Package" for $79. The special deal includes a five-course dinner at the world-famous Benihana Restaurant and a ticket to the show. Non-Nevada residents can also experience this deal for only $90, including taxes and box office fees.
The ultimate journey through the history of rock 'n' roll, Raiding The Rock Vault features classic anthems from The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, the Eagles, Queen, Van Halen, AC/DC, Journey, Free, Bryan Adams, Supertramp, Toto, Deep Purple, and more, truly boasting "The Greatest Set List Ever."
The show's all-star lineup includes Howard Leese [Guitar] (Heart, Bad Company), Tracii Guns [Guitar] (LA Guns, Guns n' Roses), Robin McAuley [Lead Vocals] (MSG, Survivor), John Payne [Lead Vocals and Bass] (Asia), Paul Shortino [Lead Vocals] (Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot), Jay Schellen [Drums] (Badfinger, Asia), Andrew Freeman [Lead Vocals and Guitars] (Lynch Mob, The Offspring), and Michael T. Ross [Keyboards] (Lita Ford, Hardline). Raiding The Rock Vault features a rotating lineup of special guest performers, which has included Bobby Kimball (Toto) and Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple), who can be seen through April 17. View the sizzle reel for Raiding The Rock Vault – Las Vegas here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF4rA-8sYTc.
BORISLAV MITIC'S NEW CD, "ELECTRIC GODDESS": Borislav Mitic's new CD, Electric Goddess, reveals a guitarist brimming with extreme musical ability. Borislav is one of the most technically proficient guitarists on the Shrapnel label, which this CD more than aptly demonstrates but surprisingly this record isn't just about shredding. "Electric Goddess" is a powerful, all-instrumental CD drenched in Borislav's soulful guitar work, played against a thundering hard rock soundtrack. Borislav is joined on this CD with Steve Vai/Billy Idol drummer Jeremy Colson who lays down the perfect combination of steady grooves and technical prowess.
Guitarist of Serbian origin hailing from Canada, Borislav's first CD was mainly distributed in Eastern Europe but still managed to catch the ear of Shrapnel owner/ producer Mike Varney, known for discovering other guitarists of extraordinary ability such as Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Gilbert, Marty Friedman, Jason Becker, and many others. In the tradition of other great Shrapnel instrumental CD's, this record is brimming with important performances by one of the world's greatest technicians, bringing to mind, at times, other great rock guitarists such as Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Schenker, and Gary Moore.
Boasting thirteen phenomenal new instrumental tracks, Borislav once again proves why he is considered by many of his peers to be a true guitarist's guitarist. Starting his recording career with Shrapnel Records more than ten years ago, Borislav Mitic has remained in the public eye though both his various international CD releases and instructional video performances.
Listen Here: bit.ly/Z6hfij.
INTRODUCING FAMOUS UNDERGROUND:
Canadian hard rockers Famous Underground – the new project of Nick Walsh, formerly frontman of Slik Toxik, together with his long-time bassist/musical partner Laurie-Anne Green at his side – recently inked a world-wide two album deal with German label Dust On The Tracks Records (DOTT). The group's self-titled debut album, which is slated for release on June 7th, will be released through Sony (Europe), MVD (USA), RSK (UK) and Universal (Canada).
Tracklisting: 1. Wasteland 2. Overdrive 3. Dead Weight 4. Love Stands Still 5. Forever And A Day 6. Necropolis 7. Wheel Of Misfortune 8. Mommy Is A Junkie 9. On Broken Wings 10. Bullet Train 11. Hell To Pay Bonus tracks: 12. Dead Weight (raw and unplugged) 13. On Broken Wings (alternative). The CD comes in a digi including an eight-page-booklet.
Frontman Nicholas Walsh recently checked in with the following update: "Just letting you all know that we've been prepping for our official debut release. We have done a photo shoot with renowned photographer Darko and have been finishing up the artwork as well as the mixes on our bonus tracks. Though we have been in the studio tracking some 'new, new' songs, those will only see the light of day for our upcoming live performances, and will not be a part of our debut release. They will be reserved for F.U. #2. Thanks goes out to all of our Canadian fans for all of your support since the beginning. It's time to share your homeboys and girl with the rest of the world."
The Famous Underground line-up is: Nicholas Walsh – vocals/guitars; Laurie-Anne Green – bass/vocals; Rick Corvese – guitars; Darren Boyd – guitars; Desche Sparboom – drums.
According to a press release, Famous Underground's sound and music is edgy, melodic and hooky bringing a paradigm shift to the arena of rock. It's been said, that they have created something fresh and exciting in an otherwise stagnated genre. With the conclusion that no-one has definitive comparisons, Carl Begai writer with elite hard rock/metal magazine BW&BK describes the new recording as "it's a darker if-Metallica-were-Guns N' Roses direction with this brand new album."
Famous Underground's self-titled studio release produced by Nick Walsh, and mixed by Darius Szczepaniak (The Black Crowes, Sacrifice) at Rouge Valley Studio in Toronto. The new recording takes Walsh's writing to a more defined state where the lyrics delve more into the complexities of the real world.
These musicians have independently garnered critical acclaim supporting such acts as Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Kid Rock, Black Sabbath, Billy Talent, Yngwie Malmsteen, April Wine and many other international acts.
More information about Famous Underground can be found here: www.facebook.com/famousunderground / www.famousunderground.tv.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
JORN IS BACK WITH A NEW ORIGINAL ALBUM TRAVELLER TO BE RELEASED IN JUNE ON FRONTIERS: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of a brand new – all original – studio album Jorn Traveller on June 11 in North America and June 14 in Europe.
Considered one of the greatest legends in rock, and by many as the best male rock singer of the millennium, Jorn Lande never seems to stop producing music, and is back with yet another slab of classic 1st division heavy rock. The brand new album "Traveller" is definitely a suitable title to fit this gifted and creative viking's extreme productivity.
During his almost 30 year long career his albums have sold millions. He managed to release close to 40 albums with various bands/projects in the past decades, and "Traveller" is his 8th studio album under the Jorn banner. Some say he has passed his successors by his gift of being versatile, and ability to not get stuck in the political frames of the music business. A true independent "freebird" hammering his legacy in stone as he goes, with a band of grounded and solid craftsmen to back up his hurricane force voice.
This album represents the first product of the pairing of Jorn Lande and the new JORN guitarist Trond Holter (Wig Wam, Dream Police). The result is eleven new songs encompassing a variety of moods and styles, with Lande's voice shining through memorable anthems, backed by wonderful grooves and tightly-executed Classic and Melodic Heavy Metal. "This album has all the elements of the Jorn legacy," says Lande. "It is heavy, but still very melodic and experimental, and it really rocks! As usual we haven't spent much time analyzing the material before recording it, this is an album about life, doom and death reflecting on what I know and thoughts about what I don't".
Being one of the most productive artists of his time, Jorn makes sure that the fans won't have to wait long for the rock!
Traveller includes the following tracks: Overload; Cancer Demon; Traveller; Window Maker; Make Your Engine Scream; Legend Man; Carry The Black; Rev On; Monsoon; The Man Who Was King.
You can sample four songs from the new album following the link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmALY0tRwC8.
Jorn:Jorn Lande: Vocals; Willy Bendiksen: Drums; Trond Holter: Guitar; Jimmy Iversen: Guitar; Bernt Jansen: Bass.
Produced By Jorn Lande & Trond Holter. Mixed By Tommy Hansen At Jailhouse Studios, Denmark.
xx
HEAVEN & EARTH ROCK THE FONDA THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD: Heaven & Earth--guitarist Stuart Smith, singer Joe Retta, bassist Chuck Wright, drummer Richie Onori and keyboardist Ed Roth--raised the roof last week at The Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, CA. Packed with industry heavyweights, celebrities, fans and friends, the event (Wednesday, April 10) served as the world premiere album release party for their new album Dig, due out April 23 via Quarto Valley Records, on which they fuse elements of hard rock, blues and bits of classical with bravado and a razor-sharp focus. At the Fonda, they performed the album live for the first time, underlining their high caliber of musicianship and uniformly strong songs. Dig was produced by Dave Jenkins--who's turned the knobs for everyone from Metallica to Tower of Power--and features special guests Howard Leese (Heart, Paul Rodgers), Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) and David Paich (Toto).
Heaven & Earth's music comes together explosively on the album's first single "No Money, No Love" and its controversial video which has already logged over 200,000 views in just a month: tinyurl.com/cdopr5d.
The event kicked off at The Fonda Theatre with a red carpet event that saw the likes of David Paich (Toto), Bruce Kulick (Kiss, Grand Funk Railroad), Tony Kaye (Yes, Circa), David Victor (Boston), Marc Ferrari (Keel), Lorraine Lewis (Femme Fatale), Mickey Dee (Motörhead), Sean McNab (Dokken, Great White, Quiet Riot), Robbie Wyckoff (singer with the Roger Waters band), Mitch Perry (Lita Ford Band), Troy Patrick Farrell (White Lion) , Fred Coury (Cinderella), EJ Curse (Silent Rage), Athena Lee (drummer and younger sister of Mötley Crüe's Tommy Lee), Tyler Mane (actor/former professional wrestler), Crossong Jordon (actor), Bobby Jean Brown (MTV music video vixen/star of Fuse TV's "Ex Wives of Rock") and Ron Jeremy (adult film star), among others. It was a twisted carnival-like atmosphere mirroring the bands "No Money, No Love" video complete with a leprechaun, a stilted giant, a talking moon MC, international champion of magic, David Minkin mesmerizing the audience and then "The Most Dangerous Woman In Hollywood," Tonya Kay, put on her Machine Shop Burlesque show. To close out the celebration, Heaven & Earth took the stage for their much anticipated performance.
Here's what the press is saying about Heaven & Earth's performance at the party: "...a high-energy set with Joe Retta's powerful vocals reaching every crevice of the Fonda Theatre...Highlights included the current single 'No Money, No Love,' with guitarist Stuart Smith and keyboardist Ed Roth driving the song. 'Man and Machine' gave the band one of their better live moments of the night as Smith wailed on the track. And 'Waiting for the End of the World' provided the audience with some heartfelt soulful rock, complete with backing singers." --Chad Childers, loudwire.com, April 11, 2013 "...Heaven & Earth came on and took immediate ownership of the room. The set opened with the epic "Victorious," and the lead single and soundtrack to the popular video, "No Money, No Love," as well as other tunes from Dig...Together, singer Joe Retta, guitarist Stuart Smith, bassist Chuck Wright, drummer Richie Onari and keyboardist Ed Roth re-introduced the feeling of a big and splashy rock 'n roll show, lunging over with tight musicianship, catchy songs, a strong presentation…" --Shawn Perry, vintagerock.com, April 14, 2013 "These rockers put on a tight set and seeing them live, you can tell they are true musicians who know their instruments and craft well and not just another rock n' roll band…By the end of the night, no one truly wanted to sit down after being fed an electric performance by Heaven and Earth." --Robyn Vagnozzi, screamermagazine.com, April 15, 2013
BLACK SABBATH ANNOUNCE FOUR NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES: Black Sabbath have announced four summer shows in North America in support of the release of their new album, 13, due out June 11. Tickets for the Live Nation-produced tour will go on sale Saturday, April 20 at LiveNation.com and Ticketmaster.com. The dates include stops in Holmdel, NJ (NY-area), Los Angeles, Seattle and Toronto, ON. Tickets for these shows go on sale Saturday, April 20. Beginning today, fans can click here or visit bit.ly/Sabbath_RSVP to RSVP for early access to presale tickets available Thursday, April 18. VIP Packages are also available at VIPNation.com.
In addition, in advance of the release of 13, the album's first single "God Is Dead?" will debut across Clear Channel Media and Entertainment's more than 40 Active Rock and Mainstream Rock radio stations nationwide on Thursday, April 18 at 3:00 PM (ET)/12 Noon (PT). Produced by Rick Rubin (seven-time Grammy winner, two of those as Producer of the Year), 13 features the original Black Sabbath: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler.
Sun, 8-4 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
Wed, 8-14 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
Sat, 8-24 Seattle, WA Gorge Amphitheatre
Tue, 9-3 Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles Sports Arena
WebLink: www.blacksabbath.com.
In related news - this statement from Ozzy Osbourne out today: "For the last year and a half I have been drinking and taking drugs. I was in a very dark place and was an a****e to the people I love most, my family. However, I am happy to say that I am now 44 days sober. Just to set the record straight, Sharon and I are not divorcing. I'm just trying to be a better person. I would like to apologise to Sharon, my family, my friends and my band mates for my insane behaviour during this period... and my fans."
NIGHT BY NIGHT TO SUPPORT Y&T ON UK TOUR:
U.S. hard rock legends are joined by up-and-coming UK melodic rockers
Melodic hard rockers Night By Night announced today that they are the sole support on Y&T's upcoming UK tour. "This is a big deal for us," enthuses guitarist, Ben Christo, "we have huge respect for Y&T; not only did they pioneer hard rock right back in the '70s, but they are still one of the most incredible live acts you'll see today. It's especially cool, as were asked to play by the band's management themselves."
It's been an interesting 6 months for Night by Night. Following a successful UK tour with Jettblack last October, the band and singer Daniel Rossall suddenly parted company. Although it was amicable, the change of circumstance certainly threw up some challenges, as Ben explains: "We had Hard Rock Hell just around the corner, so quickly contacted our good friend Dan Leigh of the excellent New Device to stand-in for the show. Dan excelled himself and we had a great time. We were really pleased that we'd triumphed over a bit of adversity and it made myself, Jon, Damien and Tom a much stronger unit."
In November, the search began for a new front-man, via the band's website, Facebook and a multitude of online 'zines. "We were so impressed at the support we had in getting the advert out there," recalls Ben. "A lot of our press contacts (including most of the ones we'd made at HRH) stepped up to help, as did many of the fans and we're really grateful. In fact, the very same day that the advert was posted, I got a mail from Henry Rundell (ex-Voodoo Six). Henry not only had the talent, he had the experience (toured with Maiden, Alice Cooper and Extreme) and the right attitude. He claimed to have been attracted to the band simply because he really liked the music. He wasn't laying down conditions from the offset or saying how much he expected to be making per-show. It was simply that he'd heard us, loved it and wanted to be a part of it. He nailed the audition and we were suddenly back in business!"
During January 2013, Henry re-recorded the vocals on the band's debut album, with Ben engineering. "We were so pleased with the results. Because we were doing it in our own time, we had a chance to really get inside the songs; talk about meanings and lyrics. Henry was very patient with us; we had all sorts of demands and ideas for the vocals and he was really willing to experiment with it all. We think we now have an absolutely blistering debut and can't wait for you to hear it!"
The first single, The Moment will be released as a single and video on June 17th, coinciding with the band's appearance at festival dates (TBA), with the release of the full album to follow later in the year. So, despite adversity, the band's perseverance has rewarded them with their biggest tour to date. "We promise a night to remember," exclaims Ben. "Both bands will be delivering an evening of rocking riffs, huge energy…and lots of vocal harmonies.
Come along to see Night by Night on a big stage; it's where we believe we really thrive!" The Y&T tour starts on September 17 in Bliston, UK.
WebLink: www.nightbynight.co.uk.
RUSH - INTHESTUDIO: THE STORIES BEHIND HISTORY'S GREATEST ROCK BANDS:
North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands congratulates Rush on the eve of their induction into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame. It is fitting that the first year the Rock Hall allows the public to vote in the selection process that RUSH would come out on top. Overlooked for years, Rush has learned to be quite comfortable with the underdog position, as singer/bassist/keyboardist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson both point out to InTheStudio host Redbeard. "We couldn't get anything but a single deal, until we formed our own record label. So you think about that and you think about what its like today and it doesn't seem much different does it? So in one sense the more things change the more they stay the same." - Lee
"We've been outside of trends, we've been outside of the mainstream. I think if there ever was an Alternative band it's been us. For decades we've been alternative to just about anything that's going on." - Lifeson
Rush 'Sector One-Early Best'/InTheStudio interview is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/rush-sector-1-geddy-lee-alex-lifeson-neilpeart-hall-fame-induction/.
LATTER DAY DIO CLASSIC, 'MAGICA,' TO GET DELUXE CD TREATMENT:
As long time fans can attest, the quality of Dio's studio albums never wavered throughout the group's near 30-year career. Case in point, the fan favorite/concept album, 'Magica,' which featured Ronnie James Dio's one-of-a-kind vocals and the return of guitarist Craig Goldy. The album spawned such metal classics as "Fever Dreams," "Turn to Stone," and "Lord of the Last Day," and has sold over 100,000 copies worldwide - largely on word of mouth alone. One small problem - the original 2000 CD version has been out of print for years, and has become increasingly hard to find. But to the delight of Dio fans worldwide, 'Magica' will be getting a makeover - on Tuesday, June 25th, 2013 as Niji Entertainment Group will be issuing the 2 CD 'Magica Deluxe Edition.'
A breakdown of what will be included on this two CD set is as follows:
CD 1 will contain the full album 1. Discovery 2. Magica Theme 3. Lord Of The Last Day 4. Fever Dreams 5. Turn To Stone 6. Feed My Head 7. Eriel 8. Challis 9. As Long As It's Not About Love 10. Losing My Insanity 11. Otherworld 12. Magica- Reprise 13. Lord Of The Last Day - Reprise.
CD 2 will contain "The Magica Story" (narrated by Ronnie James Dio) and the bonus track "Annica," which was only available as a Japanese bonus track along with "Electra" (which was planned for 'Magica 2 and 3') and six, never before released Official Live Bootleg tracks from 2000/2001. 1. The Magica Story (Narrated By Ronnie James Dio) 2. Annica (Japanese Only Bonus Track) 3. Electra (Recorded for Magica 2 & 3) 4. Feed My Head (Official Live Bootleg) 5. Fever Dreams (Official Live Bootleg) 6. Turn To Stone (Official live Bootleg) 7. Lord Of The Last Day (Official Live Bootleg) 8. As Long as It's Not about Love (Official live bootleg) 9. Losing My Insanity (Official live bootleg).
Also included in the CD set will be deluxe packaging and a deluxe booklet (which will include the original 'Magica' tour dates and a set list), as well as such bonus inserts - including the "Magica Story" - and a Ronnie James Dio postcard.
For more information, visit: ronniejamesdio.com / facebook.com/OfficialRonnieJamesDio.
LED ZEPPELIN: SOUND AND FURY BY NEAL PRESTON NOW AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON THE IBOOKSTORE:
Digital Book Takes the Medium to New Heights, Offering Never Before Seen Photos, Memorabilia and More
Led Zeppelin: Sound And Fury, an innovative illustrated digital book by famed photographer Neal Preston, is available now, exclusively on the iBookstore on April 15 for a price of $9.99. The book comes alive with a tap, swipe or pinch and provides an unprecedented and comprehensive look into the world of Led Zeppelin, one of rock's most iconic bands. Through Preston's lens the reader experiences hundreds of photos (over 100 of which have never been seen before), 80 contact sheets (all previously unpublished), audio commentary from Preston, video and text interviews with people who worked with the band, and even memorabilia and set lists for concerts whose photos are featured in the book.
Created with Apple's digital book creation app, iBooks Author, this Multi-Touch experience on iPad is unprecedented in its visual style and layout, letting the reader explore never-before-seen shots of Led Zeppelin and join them not only on stage, but also backstage. Led Zeppelin: Sound And Fury contains an intro by Stevie Nicks and has contributions from bands like My Chemical Romance, Heart, Mastodon and many more.
No photographer was granted the access to Led Zeppelin that Neal Preston had. Any photo of the band from the post-1973 era familiar to fans is probably one of Preston's images. Led Zeppelin: Sound And Fury immerses you in the band's inner circle with brilliant on-stage performance photos, backstage candid shots, intimate images from onboard the band's two private planes, as well as snapshots from press conferences, movie premieres, private band parties and more.
Neal Preston's career began when he was still in high school and continues today. His photographs have appeared in every conceivable media outlet: on the covers and in the pages of world-class magazines and newspapers, to books, television shows, feature films, Broadway show programs and billboards, vinyl, CD and DVD packages; almost literally everywhere. His client list is a virtual who's-who of rock royalty including The Who, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Queen and Fleetwood Mac. His archive, a body of work spanning almost four decades, is regarded as one of the music industry's most extensive and significant photo collections. Preston's archive was the key source of photographs for VH1's acclaimed Behind the Music documentary series, providing over one thousand still photos used in 50 episodes. In 1985, Preston was chosen as one of the official photographers for Bob Geldof's Live Aid concert at London's Wembley Stadium. In 1988, his association with Bruce Springsteen helped land him the job as official tour photographer for Amnesty International's landmark ''Conspiracy of Hope'' tour.
Led Zeppelin: Sound And Fury, an innovative illustrated digital book by famed photographer Neal Preston, is available now, exclusively on the iBookstore for a price of $9.99. smarturl.it/soundandfury.
THE LATEST FROM ROCK CANDY:
The following four new Rock Candy titles are available now from www.rockcandyrecords.com for a discounted price including postage to anywhere in the world for the next two weeks ending on April 29.
Blue Murder 'S/T' CANDY181 / When it comes to hard rock contenders no band was more feted than Blue Murder. Masterminded by British-born super guitarist John Sykes, who had previously played pivotal roles in the Tygers Of Pan Tang, Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, the birth of Blue Murder triggered huge anticipation amongst the hard rock community. At this time, Sykes' stock was at an all-time high and his dismissal from Whitesnake at the peak of their success with the multiplatinum '1987' album, seemed utterly senseless. Quick to maintain momentum, Sykes pieced together the fledgling Blue Murder by enlisting A-grade support in the form of bassist Tony Franklin (from the Firm) and seasoned drummer Carmine Appice (Ozzy Osbourne, Jeff Beck). It was a classic power trio set-up with a musical direction influenced by both modern and traditional styles, from Led Zeppelin to the bluesy bluster of Whitesnake. Signed to Geffen Records, the album was produced by studio mastermind Bob Rock (Metallica, Bon Jovi, the CULT) and mixed by Mike Fraser. It stunned critics and fans alike, containing long, often complicated, tracks with ambitious arrangements and a panoramic production that emphasised creativity over commerciality. As a statement of intent the album massively succeeded in establishing Sykes as a major creative force with a rock solid reputation that has served him well over the subsequent years.
24-bit remastering from source tapes, 3,500 word essay about the making of the album, new interview with John Sykes, enhanced artwork and photos spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.
1. Riot 2. Sex Child 3. Valley Of The Kings 4. Jelly Roll 5. Blue Murder 6. Out Of Love 7. Billy 8. Ptolemy 9. Black Hearted Woman.
Head East 'Live!' CANDY164 / Hailing from Illinois, Head East were one of a number of hard rock bands that enjoyed great success in the Midwest of America whilst barely registering a blip on the East and West coasts. During the 1970s however, it wasn't uncommon to whisper their name in the same hallowed company as heavy hitters such as Kansas, Styx, Cheap Trick and REO Speedwagon. Indeed, being big in the Midwest meant you didn't really need to secure the approval of hipster critics or rack up a string of hit singles. So long as you could sell out sports halls and coliseums that was all the acclaim needed. It's a tribute to the band that their label, A&M records, recognised their rabid fan following in the heartland, and decreed that they should be anointed with the golden prize of a double live album. All the rage at the time, double live records helped to boost the careers of acts teetering on the edge of greatness and placated the insatiable appetite of devoted fans for a live document of their stage show. 'Head East Live!', originally released in 1979, featured tracks taken from their four previous studio albums and breathed new life into their sound, whilst reminding us of their uncompromising approach to performance. Check out the Deep purple influenced 'Jefftown Creek', the startling rendition of 'Never Been Any Reason' and the epic 'Elijah'. Simply an incredible record.
24-bit remastering from source tapes, 3,500 word essay about the making of the album, new interview with John Schlitt, enhanced artwork and photos spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.
1. Take A Hand 2. Man I Wanna Be 3. Gettin' Lucky 4. City Of Gold 5. Fly By Night Lady 6. Monkey Shine 7. When I Get Ready 8. Every Little Bit Of My Heart 9. Get Up & Enjoy Yourself 10. Since You Been Gone 11. It's For You 12. Never Been Any Reason (Save My Life)13. Elijah 14. Prelude To 'Creek 15. Jefftown Creek 16. Love Me Tonight 17. I'm Feelin' Fine.
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Chevy 'The Taker' CANDY182 / The tale of Chevy is a typical music biz could've, would've, should've saga of a band dogged by bad luck at every turn. Here at Rock Candy we make absolutely no apologies for thrusting obscurities into the spotlight with Chevy being a major case in point. Hailing from the midlands and in particular Leamington Spa, the band's roots go way back into the 1960s, when some of them were operating under the handle of Cupid's Inspiration. By 1980 they had reshaped both their music and their name, to the more hard hitting and streamlined Chevy, and were being hailed as part of the burgeoning NWOBHM, admittedly as one of the more melodic and thoughtful bands of that scene. This was underscored by their inclusion on the 'Metal For Muthas Volume II: Cut Loud' compilation album, a record that sorted the wheat from the chaff. 'The Taker', their debut (and only) album was recorded in London with seasoned American producer John Stronach (REO Speedwagon, Sammy Hagar), a somewhat surprising choice considering the band's hard hitting riffs. Released in 1980, the album won positive plaudits and it looked as if they were on the cusp of a sizeable victory until practical realities put paid to their hopes. Sadly the band split up shortly afterwards, leaving behind this fascinating and compelling document of an era where home grown hard rock ruled the day.
24-bit remastering from source tapes, 3,500 word essay about the making of the album, full band involvement, enhanced artwork and photos spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.
1. The Taker 2. You Got Me Running 3. Skybird 4. Chevy 5. Too Much Loving 6. Turn On The Light 7. Shine On 8. Cold And Lonely 9. Rock On Bonus Tracks 10. Life On The Run 11. See The Light 12. Just Another Day.
Dark Star 'S/T' CANDY183 / Back in the early 1980s the world of hard rock was reverberating to an avalanche of new and exciting young bands operating under the banner of the NWOBHM. It was a time when anyone could pick up a guitar, knock out a riff, record their own songs and release their music independently. There were no barriers, apart from the limits of their own ambition, and for most the sky was the limit. It was into this bubbling cauldron that Midlands based five piece Dark Star launched themselves. Shortly after forming, they recorded a demo that included the seminal NWOBHM track 'Lady Of Mars', a song that was subsequently included on the 'Metal For Muthas Volume II Cut Loud' album. It was a track that secured much acclaim amongst the rock cognoscenti, leading to a record deal with the newly formed Avatar label and the recording of this, their debut album originally released in 1981. Unlike most of the NWOBHM's penchant for a raucous cacophony of fast riffs, Dark Star's aspirations were far broader in scope harnessing a penchant for melody and muscle. Not exactly prog rock, the band's music is carefully crafted eliciting comparisons with Praying Mantis and early Def Leppard. Recorded in just ten days at Spaceward Studios, Cambridge, the album stands proud as one of the cornerstones of a movement that thrilled and motivated an entire generation of hard rock fans.
24-bit remastering from source tapes, 3,500 word essay about the making of the album, full band involvement, enhanced artwork and photos spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.
1. Kaptain America 2. Backstreet Killer 3. The Musician 4. Lady Of Mars 5. Lousia 6. Rockbringer 7. Lady Love 8. Green Peace Bonus Tracks 9. Die Tryin 10. Carry On 11. Rock 'N Romancin 12 Stars Like Dust 13. Crazy Circles 14. Renegade 15. Screaming.
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TO INFINITY AND BEYOND...SAYS TOM SCHOLZ:
News from the Boston front: "To Infinity and Beyond... Many exciting things are moving forward as we head into spring 2013.
Tom is buried in the studio, lovingly coaxing his legacy analogue equipment to bear with him just a little longer while he wraps up the mix of his latest song, "Someday." Although he has listened to it more times than he cares to count, he is still very excited about it, saying, "This final song might be the title track for the new Boston studio album; it reminds me of the up tempo rockers I wrote for the debut album over 30 years ago."
With a little more tweaking, then some re-tweaking, then a tad more tweaking, Tom says the new album should be ready for release by mid year ... that would be mid year 2013. "After completing this mix I only need to redo vocals on a couple of the cuts, remix them, and sequence and master the album. After working on this project for over 10 years I can finally see light at the end of the tunnel," he says. Tom plans to start work on the long awaited Boston live DVD as soon as the studio album is finished.
Note: I have put out a request to clarify the information presented here - checking if the album is 100% new material or might feature some re-worked tracks from the Corporate America release - which Tom Scholz originally alluded to (although that was now several years ago)... Stay tuned.
WebLink: www.bandboston.com/html/home_html.html.
BLACK SABBATH '13' ALBUM COVER AND TRACK LISTING REVEALED:
The album artwork and track listing for 13--the first new studio album in 35 years from the original (?) Black Sabbath--have now been revealed. In classic SABBATH fashion, the CD, due out June 11, comes in at nearly sixty minutes in just eight songs.
For the recording of 13, Black Sabbath--Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler--were joined at the sessions by drummer Brad Wilk (Rage Against The Machine). Produced by Rick Rubin (seven-time Grammy winner, two of those as Producer of the Year), the album will be released on Vertigo (worldwide) and Vertigo/Republic in the U.S.
The 13 track listing is as follows:
1. End Of The Beginning (8:07) 2. God Is Dead? (8:54) 3. Loner (5:06) 4. Zeitgeist (4:28) 5. Age Of Reason (7:02) 6. Live Forever (4:49) 7. Damaged Soul (7:43) 8. Dear Father (7:06).
HOUSTON BACK FOR ROUND 2 VIA CARGO RECORDS: Houston has signed with Livewire/Cargo Records to release the upcoming album called Houston II on September 2 worldwide.
Houston II is the follow-up to the highly acclaimed 2010 debut by the Swedish AOR outfit Houston. The band has been working on the new songs since the last tour of the UK in 2011, and the result shows that it was not chance that got their first album to 1st place of Classic Rock Magazine's top AOR albums of 2010. Producer/keyboard player Ricky Delin has for this album become a full member of the band, together with Hank Erix (vocals) and Freddie Allen (drums). The trio has once again used Sweden's finest melodic rock musicians, such as the great Tommy Denander for most guitar parts and long-time band associate Soufian Ma'Aoui for the bass parts. The album's ten tracks were carefully chosen among a ton of material. "Only the really good tunes make the cut. We wouldn't release an album with "ok" songs" states Freddie Allen, founding member and main song writer together with Ricky Delin. Together, the duo wrote some of the most notable tracks off the first album, such as Pride, Hold On and Truth Slips - which made 17th place of Classic Rock Magazine's best songs of 2010."
JEFF SCOTT SOTO SESSION PLUG:
A little note to plug from Jeff Scott Soto:
"A day off today so I'll use it to push something outside of the tour...I did a session for a project called Reign of the Architect, a new progressive metal band from Israel and Greece who are releasing their debut album on April 16th. It's yet another sway from the norm that is my genre but as I love a challenge, I took on the chore to be a part of something very cool. You can check out the trailer and song I did on the clips below, if you like Kamelot, Nightwish, TSO and bands of this genre, you might dig this! www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9k5yCZdIq8 / www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcPks6Z4pTc.
KROKUS READY FOR TOUR:
The walls are shaking. Krokus rehearse at full throttle in the living room of bassist/producer Chris von Rohr's 103-year old villa for the upcoming tour dates. "If a song played on low volume sounds thrilling, we know that it really will sound incredible played at a higher volume," explains the host this relaxed hard rock rehearsal in his living room. "The atmosphere here is perfect," says guitarist Mandy Meyer, who has come back to the fold of the classic formation 30 years later. "Here we can arrange the sound of our guitars perfectly before we rev up the sound volume controls from two to ten." "At present the fun factor in our band is higher than ever," says Fernando von Arb, as he sweeps gently over the strings of his guitar. Vocalist Marc Storace adds: "We are very proud of the cool new songs."
After a handful of smaller venues in Switzerland, starting May 2nd, Krokus are scheduled to play huge festivals throughout Europe (see our TOUR dates). Asia is knocking at the door next, wanting the Swiss rockers to tour there next and America has shown interest as well. "We old dogs will rock like puppies," promises Von Arb.
EDEN'S CURSE STUDIO DIARY #4:
Multinational melodic metal band Eden's Curse is in the studio working on its as-yet-untitled fourth album for a late summer release via AFM Records. The third in a series of video clips featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the new album recording sessions can be seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8ocwSXBj4U.
The 14-min video features German virtuoso guitarist Thorsten Koehne tracking his parts at COP Studio in Bielefeld, Germany.
BLACK MAJESTY TO BEGIN RECORDING NEW ALBUM IN JULY 2013:
Australian melodic power metal band Black Majesty will begin recording their new album in July 2013 at Grapow Studios in Slovakia with Masterplan's Roland Grapow. Black Majesty will also release a compilation album in mid/late 2013 titled The Royal Collection through Limb Music that will also include bonus rare material. Black Majesty's next live show will be at Madhouse in Melbourne, Australia on Friday 3rd of May 2013.
Black Majesty - latest album 'Stargazer' out now. www.blackmajesty.com / www.facebook.com/blackmajestyofficial.
MARK LENNON OF VENICE ON "THE VOICE" USA:
On April 9th, Mark Lennon of the band Venice competed on NBC's "The Voice." You can watch that appearance here: www.youtube.com/w7KdTnjWO4I
Although none of the judges turned around, the outpouring of fan support on Venice's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/venicetheband) has been overwhelming. But the most heartfelt messages have come from Venice members themselves.
Co-lead singer Kipp Lennon wrote, "My cousin and bandmate, Marky, was on 'The Voice' last night. Of course, a lot of you know that already. Anyway, I just want to say I'm so proud of him for giving it a shot and doing the best he could with what they gave him. I'm so often frustrated by the way show-biz works (or doesn't) on these kinds of shows, and this was SO excruciating to watch. He made it all the way through the audition process by wow-ing the casting people/producers with his ballads, soulful voice, friendly vibe and story, and yet when it came time to do the actual show, they made him do a song of THEIR choosing! It's like a guy making it all the way through Little League, High School, college, the minor leagues and finally making it to the MLB as a pitcher and somebody says, 'OK, kid, here's your shot at the big leagues but the team just decided you're going to try out as a catcher instead of a pitcher.' WHAT?! 'Come Together' is, of course, a classic, genius song FOR THE BEATLES, but not at all the kind of song that would have given Marky the chance to blow the doors off the place. He so deserved at least that opportunity to show his best soulful stuff. Heartbreaking. Yeah, these 'coaches' have all had monster hits and definitely know a thing or two about writing and recording contemporary hit records, but that's not the same thing as being able to stand and deliver a song with grace, power and execution the way Marky does night after night, LIVE over the last thirty years. Carson Daly was very nice to talk about our band so much and he's a genuinely good fella, so we are thankful for that. A really nice guy. Life is long, Mark, and we never know what's just around the bend. You are no less a great singer because 4 'expert' people didn't turn their chairs around for a song you never should have been given. You've handled all of this with class and humor. Our parents would be proud. Onward and upward, pal. Love you."
And then Venice's keyboardist Chris Horvath wrote, "Late last night we watched 'The Voice' as Mark Lennon, a guy I've been in the band Venice with for many years, competed in the blind auditions. Though I knew the outcome way ahead of time, I was still so psyched to see him step out on his own and take his shot. Now - putting aside the fact that I'm grateful to have known Mark (and all the Lennons) for years and really love the whole family, AND taking into consideration that after a life spent working with literally some of the best singers in pop music, I'm probably the most blunt, jaded, un-loyal, and unforgiving person there is when it comes to discussing 'talent,' I just have to say this... Mark Lennon is probably one of the 3 best singers I have ever worked with in my life. I've played countless shows with him in the United States and Europe, and had him sing on hundreds of sessions, and I swear I have never seen or heard anyone be so consistent; pitch, groove, performance, delivery, and emotion. I can't even count how many times we've done shows and there's some song we've played eleventy-billion times (which I am dreading even HEARING again let alone playing) and Mark sings it like it's the first time; with passion, emotion, and incredible delivery I didn't think possible. I've had him sing on commercials, film scores, and songs and I shake my head every time at how good his vocal sounds - whether lead or background, he never phones it in. Why he wasn't picked by one of the "coaches" (and I use that word very loosely) could be many reasons, but remember this; 'The Voice' isn't music - it's entertainment. And like the real music world, it's not a talent contest. If it were, there would be a very different group of people both on the show and the Billboard Hot 100. I suppose it's better in the long run for me personally, because if I had to watch one of those four "teach" him about singing, I may have had a seizure. They may be successful artists, but when it comes to sheer singing talent? Puleeeze. But I digress... Congrats, Marky, on stepping up and bringing your best once again. Maybe next time they'll let YOU pick the song! Love you buddy - see you at the next soundcheck That is all - carry on..."
DRUMMER ANNOUNED FOR D.O MESSIAH: D.O Messiah announces the addition of Mirka Kiril Rantanen (Thunderstone, Warmen, Kotipelto) for the band's drummer position. Rantanen is known for his work as a drummer for bands like Timo Tolkki`s Revolution Reneissance, Idols-winner Ari Koivunen, Northern Kings and many others. His style of playing drums is groovy and "hard hitting" which is mixture of his biggest idols Cozy Powell and Ian Paice.
D.O Messiah recently released "Rock'N Roll Children" to present the band and the idea behind it. The band is re-recording various Dio songs in their own fashion and will be ready to perform them for Summer festivals starting in 2014. The song can be streamed below: www.soundcloud.com/rockngrowl/do-messiah-rock-n-roll.
The line up for D.O Messiah lists as follows: Csaba Zvekan – Vocals (Raven Lord, Exorcism); Jay Parmar – Guitars (Exorcism); Mirka Rantanen – Drums (Thunderstone, Warmen, Kotipelto).
The band is still searching for a suitable bass player and keyboardist. Players who wish to audition please contact promo@rockngrowl.com. For more information visit: www.facebook.com/DOMessiah / www.domessiah.com.
INTERVIEWS WITH PETE WAY (UFO, WAYSTED), AXEL RUDI PELL AND VOODOO CIRCLE: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 14 April 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 15th April 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) features exclusive interviews with Pete Way, Axel Rudi Pell and Voodoo Circle, and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-pete-way-ufowaysted-axel-rudi-pell-and-voodoo-circle-interviews/
In the first hour, guitar maestro Axel Rudi Pell discusses his new live cd / dvd "Live On Fire", and talks about recording the album completely live with no overdubs. Axel also chooses two songs from the new release. Also in the first hour, Alex Beyrodt (Primal Fear, Sinner) talks about the writing process behind the new Voodoo Circle album "More Than One Way Home", and picks two tracks from the album.
And in part 2, legendary UFO / Waysted bassist Pete Way recalls the making of two classic Waysted albums, "Vices" and "Save Your Prayers", both of which have been newly reissued in remastered form by the Hear No Evil label, through Cherry Red Records. Pete also talks about his forthcoming solo album, "Walking On The Edge", which is being mixed by Mike Clink (producer of Guns & Roses' "Appetite For Destruction" album)
The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from Twisted Sister, Dio, 38 Special, N.O.W, Saxon, Samson, De La Cruz and more!
FATAL SMILE WANT´S YOUR LIVE CLIPS OF DIO FOR THEIR TRIBUTE VIDEO!:
Sweden´s premium hardrock band Fatal Smile wants to use video footage filmed by the real fans of Dio in the video for their next single titled "For the last in Line", a ballad about Ronnie James Dio and the legacy he left behind. FATAL SMILE did a brief tour with Dio in Europe 2009. On a tour in 2010 - supporting Queensryche on their last tour with Geoff Tate - they were devastated when the news of Ronnie´s passing hit them while going off stage after a show in Germany. "We all fell in love with Ronnie, he was the sweetest & most gentle man you could ever imagine", says Blade, vocalist in Fatal Smile.
Mr Y (guitarist in FS) left the room in silence, and later revealed the first piano piece we´ve ever heard him play. It was a sad little tune and the lyrics came to me right away. Blade continues: "I recorded it with tears in my eyes the same night and sent it to Diana Deville of Dios management. She thought it should be released, so it was released the very next day digitally. The recording belongs to Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, and the revenues from it goes uncut the foundations fight against cancer."
The song is available on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SeD_-HHPfo.
The song was later rerecorded as a full on power ballad and is included on Fatal Smile's latest Gold-awarded album 21st Century Freaks that was released in May 2012. Following the success of previous singles/videos from the album -"Welcome to the Freakshow" and "My Private Hell"- the video and single will be released on the day of Dios passing due to cancer three years ago: May 16. It will truly be a tribute to the greatest singer ever - Ronnie James Dio - R.I.P.
If you want to see your clip of Dio in the tribute video, please send a link to your clip on YouTube or any other outlet to: info@fatalsmile.com.
CASEY JONES LEAVES DE LA CRUZ:
Press Release / "!Attention! This will no doubt come as a huge shock to you all but it is with regret we must sadly inform you that our lead guitarist and dear friend Casey Jones has decided to leave De La Cruz. This will come as a blow to not only fans of our band but also to followers of Caseys personal musical journey. It must be stressed that this has occurred completely on good terms with no animosity from either parties whatsoever! This is NOT the end for DLC, although it marks the closing of a massive formative chapter for us. As a band this means we must now explore and consider various options and paths, but our commitment to staying true both to our DLC 'sound' and to our fans is non-negotiable.
We are here and we aren't going anywhere. From all of us at DLC, Roxx, Lacey, R.J and Grant, we sincerely wish our bro Casey the absolute best in all his endeavours, and all his life pursuits that we trust he will undoubtedly excel in! Casey has written his own personal goodbye and message of explanation below:
"Over the last few months tensions have risen in the DLC camp. Not between any of us as friends, but on a business level due to the growing need for us to spend 95% + of our time on the management side of things rather than engaging with our music, fans and creating new and exciting tunes. I never got into music to make money, get free stuff (although that's kinda rad), or for the business side of the music industry. Whilst i have learnt a lot about these areas and have gained a lot of skills, i just don't have fun like i used to. The music has gone. I can now understand why bands fall apart, not due to friendships or rivalry within the band, but because of the immense pressure, stress and somewhat disheartening cutthroat nature of the music industry, the culture and the way it is run by the powers that be. I would rather sit in my bedroom like i did when i was 17 and play guitar for hours on end, having the most fun anyone could in the world. That to me is what music is about, self-satisfaction, creative expression, enjoyment and a sense of escape. I will still continue to make music, i will always be a life long learner and teacher of music. This isn't a goodbye, its just a new chapter for me, or perhaps an old chapter re-written." -Casey Jones."
UPDATE APOLOGIES: Apologies for the missed Friday update, including the usual MRX update. A super-sized double MRX update will come this week, plus watch for new Reviews, a stack of CD Showcases and an update about just what's coming and when for MelodicRock.com.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
BLACKMORE'S NIGHT DANCER AND THE MOONDUE OUT IN JUNE ON FRONTIERS: Blackmore's Night is releasing their brand new album, Dancer And The Moon, on June 11 in North America and June 14 in Europe on Frontiers Records. Dancer And The Moon will be released in 2 editions--as a CD and a Digipak deluxe edition with a bonus DVD that includes music videos of "Dancer And The Moon" and of a "The Moon Is Shining (Somewhere Over The Sea)", plus an extensive interview with Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night.
Anticipated by the digital release of the first single "The Moon is Shining (Somewhere Over the Sea)" on May 6, Dancer And The Moon is the band's 8th original studio album, with each disc topping the European and American Billboard's New Age charts.
Each album that Blackmore's Night has released has been awarded Best Vocal Album or Album of the year for their respective charts on NPR and college radio. Blackmore's Night performed on PBS, had specials on CNN and the History Channel. The group has songs on the soundtrack of Germany's The Magical Story Of The Rings: Die Nibelunger The Ring Of The Nibelungs and the theme song "All For One" for Japan's popular TV show, Third Watch. Their song "Olde Mill Inn" is featured in Jim Carrey's movie, Yes Man. So many honors, placements--the list goes on and on.
Formed in 1997 by Candice Night and Ritchie Blackmore, the two began working together first in Ritchie's previous group Rainbow, when Candice co-wrote a number of songs, most notably "Ariel" and "Black Masquerade" for Rainbow's 1996 album, Stranger In Us All.
The following year, the two formed Blackmore's Night, and after seven studio albums, two live DVD/CDs and one holiday release, the group's latest album, Dancer And The Moon follows the band's eclectic/jam/folk rock/new age/neo-Celtic/neo-Medieval/progressive rock/chamber pop/world beat styling. Take your pick from the songwriting team of Candice and Ritchie: the acoustic "Somewhere Over the Sea (The Moon Is Shining), the rocking track "The Moon Is Shining (Somewhere Over The Sea)," which you can dance to, along with the title track "Dancer and the Moon," the nature-inspired "The Last Leaf" and the Russian-influenced "Troika."
Blackmore's Night own their versions of classic rock chestnuts: Randy Newman's "I Think It's Going to Rain Today," Uriah Heep's "Lady In Black," and "The Temple of the King" that Ritchie and the late Ronnie James Dio collaborated on originally for their band Rainbow. The album is made complete with its inspiring instrumentals, including the waltzy "Galliard" and the Deep Purple-esque "Carry On… Jon," that Ritchie wrote as a heartfelt tribute to his former band mate, the late Jon Lord.
Dancer And The Moon is a distinctive album, that is both melodic, rhythmic, and full of classic influences led by the dynamic and signature alto vocals of Candice Night and the phenomenal fret work of Ritchie Blackmore. Dancer And The Moon continues to establish the band that has been growing its following steadily in the jam, pagan/wiccan scene, new age, folk and progressive worlds, as well as the classic rock community.
"So much has happened since our 2008 marriage (and the 2010's release of the duo's Autumn Sky album)," says Candice, as she and Ritchie have been musical and emotional partners since 1989. In 2010 daughter Autumn Esmeralda was born, and then in 2012, their son, Rory.
Candice says, "We find that the Dancer And The Moon is visually and emotionally representative of how we feel about our music. We have always had a very strong pull to the mystery of the Moon. Her magic, her power, her legend... She affects us so deeply that we have named many CDs after her and she is almost always represented in our songs. The dancer gives herself completely, unabashedly and whole heartedly moved by the intensity of the music she feels within her soul."
Tour Dates - Europe
Palace of Ukraine, Kiev (Ukraine) - 15th June.
Crocus City Hall, Moscow (Russia) - 18th June.
BKZ Oktyabrsky, St Petersburg (Russia) - 20th June.
Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline (Scotland) - 26th June.
Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre, Newcastle (England) - 28th June.
Wolverhampton Grand, Wolverhampton (England) - 1st July.
City Hall, Salisbury (England) - 3rd July.
G Live, Guildford (England) - 5th July.
Hugenottenhalle, Neu Isenburg (Germany) - 9th July.
Serenadenhoff, Nurnburg (Germnay) - 11th July.
Congresshalle, Saarbrucken (Germany) - 13th July.
Kongress am Park, Augsburg (Germany) - 14th July.
Burg Creuzburg, Creuzburg (Germany) - 19th July.
Albrechtsburg, Meissen (Germany) - 21st July.
Beethoven Saal, Stuttgart (Germany) - 23rd July.
xxxx
GLEN SOBEL HEADING TO AUSTRALIA: Alice Cooper drummer Glen Sobel (whose other credits include Vivian Campbell, Beautiful Creatures, Sixx: A.M., Paul Gilbert and Impellitteri) has announced a drum clinic tour of Australia, running from May 4th through the 10th, covering the cities of Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Brisbane. The six-city trek is sponsored by Mapex Drums and will feature Glen playing along to tracks, discussing his technique and approach, talking about the music biz, and conducting meet-and-greets each day.
In other news, Sobel has begun a new monthly lesson column in Drum! Magazine. Each issue will contain a new lesson along with notation on such topics as linear drumming, double bass, rudiments, and more. His first column is available on news stands now in the April issue.
Sobel is also the featured guest in the latest episode of "Full On Drums." Hosted by drummer/engineer Charlie Waymire (Speak No Evil, Jeff Kollman Band), "Full On Drums" is an ongoing HD series on playing, recording and mixing drums filmed at Ultimate Rhythm Studio in Los Angeles, CA. Video can be seen at this location: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCf6Evmz2fo / Glen Sobel online: www.glensobel.com.
KILMARA SUPPORTING VICIOUS RUMORS:
Spanish metallers Kilmara supporting American metal band Vicious Rumors, May 5th in Barcelona at "Sala Boveda" (aka Mephisto). After a few months without playing live Kilmara will be the special guest at the Vicious Rumors show in Barcelona. Kilmara will play for a very first time a few songs from their upcoming album "Love Songs and Other Nightmares" that will be released after summer. Kilmara recently recorded the band's new album "Love Songs and Other Nightmares" at Grapow Studios (Slovakia) with Roland Grapow (Masterplan, ex-Helloween) as producer.
Kilmara is: Christian Wolfgang Kohl (vocals), Jonathan Portillo (guitar), Enrique Torres (guitar), Javier Morillo (drums), Raul Ruiz (bass guitar). "Love Songs And Other Nightmares" will feature eguest appearances by Dave Imbernön from Enuma Elish on keyboards and Kaleb from young Spanish pagan death metal band Drakum on the violin.
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/kilmaraofficial / www.kilmara.com.
LIZZY BORDEN LAUNCHES SELECTIVE US ANNIVERSARY SHOWS: Lizzy Borden will be celebrating thirty years of American Metal in 2013 with a brand new show, created from the ground up just for the monumental 30 year anniversary. The new selected shows will encompass songs from each and every Lizzy Borden record to date, including classic songs like "Me against the World", "American Metal", "Master of Disguise" Plus songs the band has never performed live. April 13 Whisky A Go Go - Hollywood CA April 20 Count's Vamp'd - Las Vegas, NV April 25 Changes New Castle, PA April 26 Dead Horse Cantina Music Hall McKees Rocks, PA April 27 Spring Stampede at the House Of Rock, Baltimore, MD For tickets and upcoming tour dates, please see the official website at: www.lizzyborden.com/lizzyborden-tourdates.htm. The Band: Lizzy Borden, Joey Scott, Marten Andersson, Dario Lorina.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
KIVEL RECORDS TO BREAKWALL WITH JIMI BELL:
More news from Kivel Records: "Well we promised a lot of things coming in the summer. Shows/festivals, New albums, new Kivel artists, more shows. So with the recent upcoming releases, LaValle, No Love Lost and of course Adriangale. You'd think that would hold us... over, right? WRONG. We are happy to welcome the latest addition to the label (and all around super talent), House of Lords guitarist and New England native, Jimi Bell! Kivel Records is pleased to announce Jimi's new vehicle, Breakwall! The band will be releasing its debut album in Late 2013 just in time for the holidays!! This will be a hard-edged, straight ahead rock band, with all the big production arena rock trimmings one can hope for!! More details on the band, album and yes SHOWS coming soon.
In the meantime, do not forget to catch Jimi and House of Lords at MelodicRockFest 3 this Sept with one of the best festival line ups around! You can order your event tickets at www.melodicrockfest.com.
Kivel Release Schedule:
LaValle "Dear Sanity" Late May
No Love Lost - Mid June
Adriangale "Suckerpunch!" Sept 27th
Adriangale "Best Of" Sept 27th
Breakwall - Title and Release Date TBA
NEW MELODIC ROCK FANZINE: Frontiers Records is proud to present the new issue of Melodic Rock Fanzine. The 55th release of the label's successful magazine is available for free all over the world through record shops, mail orders and every fine dealer carrying the Frontiers Records releases. This new issue includes reviews and interviews of Whitesnake, Stryper, De La Cruz, N.O.W., Avantasia, Lordi, Charming Grace, Laneslide, The New Black, Covered Call, Sebastian Bach, Pretty Maids, Heartbreak Radio, Snowfall... and more! Electronic readable version of the magazine is available on the Frontiers official site and here.
Here are the previews of the two covers:
BLACK SABBATH 13 - EXPECT FEEDBACK SOON:
An invite only playback of Black Sabbath's album 13 will take place in Hollywood tomorrow to the invited audience. I was invited, but sadly the cost of getting there was not included :)
So one would expect some opinions on the music to appear online in the next 48hrs. Produced by Rick Rubin (seven-time Grammy® winner, two of those as Producer of the Year), the album will be released on Vertigo (worldwide) and Vertigo/Republic in the U.S. Here a sample off the album at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWFCS-OvVsY.
The band has also just announced UK tour dates for December 2013. They full European dates are:
Nov. 20 - Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland
Nov. 22 - Friends Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
Nov. 24 - Telenor Arena, Oslo, Norway
Nov. 26 - Forum, Copenhagen, Denmark
Nov. 28 - Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam, Holland
Nov. 30 - Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Germany
Dec. 02 - Bercy, Paris, France
Dec. 05 - Fiera Arena, Milan, Italy
Dec. 07 - 02 Arena, Prague, Czech Republic
Dec. 10 - 02 Arena, London, UK
Dec. 12 - Odyssey Arena, Belfast, Ireland
Dec. 14 - Arena, Sheffield, UK
Dec. 16 - Hydro, Glasgow, UK
Dec. 18 - Arena, Manchester, UK
Dec. 20 - LG Arena, Birmingham, UK
PLEDGE FOR KISS TRIBUTE:
There are only a few days left to pledge for the Kiss 40th Anniversary Tribute Album for Cancer Care: www.pledgemusic.com/projects/kiss40thtribute. This album will not be sold via iTunes or Amazon - THIS is the only way to get it.
It features the following artists: 1. Bumblefoot 2. Bill Leverty 3. Russ Dwarf 4. Terry Ilous w/ Sean Kelly 5. Willie Basse 6. Rex Brown & Mark Zavon 7. Ron Keel 8. Doro Pesch & Johnny Dee 9. Slaves On Dope 10. Don Dokken 11. Mark Tornillo 12. Honeymoon Suite 13. Jeff Paris 14. Phil Naro 15. Phil Lewis 16. Chris Van Dahl 17. Ron Young 18. The Feckers 19. Sass Jordan & Brian Tichy (SUN) 20. Eric Carr - featuring his demo track: Eyes Of Love 21. Geoff Tate 22. Chris Buck.
DAVE 'THE BERET' BICKLER GIVES A SNEAK PREVIEW ON UPCOMING SOLO RELEASE: Dave Bickler, first and former lead singer of the AOR giants Survivor, has been working on his solo release for years now. During that process he collaborated with Collective Soul drummer Ryan Hoyle, former Blind Melon bassist Brad Smith and guitarist Patrick Miller (sericostories.tumblr.com/post/4162192983/davebickler). In the past every once in a while he published some demos or demo snippets on his website. Now can hear a rough mix of the song 'Hope' (davebickler.com).
DRUMMER MAGNUS ULFSTEDT JOINS GRAND DESIGN:
Swedish drummer Magnus Ulfstedt has been keeping up the pace for bands like Eclipse, Jimi Jamison, Lion's Share, Talisman and Royal Hunt to name a few. Now he's the new drummer of melodic rockers Grand Design. "I am proud to be the new drummer of Grand Design", says Magnus. The guys in Grand Design, Pelle Saether (vocals), Mats Vassfjord (bass), Janne Stark (guitar) and Dennis Vestman (guitar) are excited to have Magnus in the band. Grand Design: "A big welcome to our new drummer Magnus Ulfstedt. From today he is one of the crazy guys in the Grand Design family!!!" Magnus Ulfstedt's live debut with the band will be at the Rock Out Wild Festival in Sorsele, Sweden, on August 3, 2013.
WebLinks: www.magnusulfstedt.com / www.facebook.com/granddesignsweden.
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
TONY HARNELL EP RELEASE IMMANENT: Tony Harnell updates fans of his new EP - read on:
"It's finally here, the EP release party for Tony Harnell & The Wildflowers feat. Bumblefoot of Guns n' Roses. If you've pledged, you'll get to hear the entire 9 song EP in two days, on April 11th. If not you'll have to wait a week to download! The release party is April 19th at 10Pm: tickets.thecuttingroomnyc.com/event/233639-tony-harnell-wildflowers-new-york/
If you want to hear the EP before anyone else at the same price as when it's released plus see all the great footage of the making of the EP there are still 2 days to contribute and also help a great charity! The Pledge campaign rolls on till the release date and 20% of the proceeds still benefits www.metavivor.org Metastitic Breast Cancer Research!
You can join the campaign here, it's extremely cool to watch the behind the scenes stuff and hear tracks before anyone else does! You won't see this stuff any other way and you'll still pay the same later for the cd or the download so why not get the experience and help a good cause to boot?! www.pledgemusic.com/projects/tonyharnell.
If you've pledged for a CD bring your receipt to the party and get a signed CD in person from the band :) For everyone else you will be able to purchase it there at the show!"
LION MUSIC GO HEADLESS: Lion Music are pleased to announce the signing of Headless, a metal band that sees Italian guitarists Walter Cianciusi and Dario Parente teaming up with one of Europe's premier rock vocalists in Goran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum) and a drum legend in Scott Rockenfield (Queensryche). The forthcoming album Growing Apart sees 10 songs shaped around the classy drumming of Scott Rockenfield and melodic vocals of Goran Edman which fuse hard rock and heavy metal with progressive elements. "Growing Apart" gets its digital release through Lion Music on June 7. Full release details to follow shortly.
Following on from the recent success of Inheritance, the latest release from Italian progressive metal outfit Ashent, Lion Music are pleased to offer up a timely reissue of the bands long out of print 2006 debut album Flaws Of Elation. In addition this new print comes with all new artwork and the additional bonus of the bands very first ultra-rare 2003 4 track demo!
"Flaws Of Elation" is a prog-power experience with some modern techno-thrash influences which are reflected in the way Ashent arrange and play guitars and drums. There are also some death metal references, in the mode the band use growling as backing vocals that have their importance in the economy of Ashent's sound, wisely mixed with a modern prog attitude that uses avant-garde and gothic elements in order to create intense and dramatic music. The atmosphere is very dark, but the vocals of American vocalist Steve Braun are extremely melodic, supported by some beautiful orchestrations. A video presentation with music and interview from the band can be viewed now at: youtu.be/4j4XviuwKL0.
MELODIC BRIEFS:
'Watching My Every Move' the first single from the upcoming second Dragonsclaw album 'Judgement Day' can be listened to by following this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq2UsZyzB_E (featuring David Reece).
Formed in Sydney, Australia, Dragonsclaw have spent the last year writing and recording their follow up to their well-received debut 'Prophecy' (2011).
'Judgement Day' will be released mid 2013 via Killer Metal Records Germany. 'Judgement Day' Also features Jack Starr (Burning Starr/ Virgin Steele) as guest guitarist on the track Battle Cry.
One of Britain's finest Rock Bands are now on Facebook. Kick, the band who burst onto the scene in 1999 with their classic debut Consider This... are still remembered by their fans all over the World and have recently joined up on Facebook to help fans keep in touch with the band member's new projects. They can be found at www.facebook.com/kickukofficial. This is another official outlet for the band on the web as well as their official myspace page at www.myspace.com/kickuk. Please check out the pages and look forward to further updates & new online projects from the Kick HQ.
Swedish Rock act We Are The Catalyst will release the bands debut EP on May 2nd, titled "Panem Et Circenses". The EP will feature previously released singles, as well as two new unreleased songs.
Complete song list: "This is Paranoia", "Beware of Snakes", "Tomorrow", "Sad Reality", "Being Number One".
"Panem Et Circenses" was recorded, mixed, mastered and produced by Kenny Boufadene at Studio Meltdown in Varberg Sweden. www.wearethecatalystofficial.com.
Limited Edition Sad Cafe E.P, recorded Live in Sale Waterside, November 2012. A brief taster before the full live album launch later this year. Coming home is always special and these three tracks (On With The Show, Hungry Eyes & Misunderstanding), have been specially chosen to reflect the passion, energy and emotion not only of the night but of the whole tour. Sale Waterside was the final gig of the comeback tour celebrating a reunion on stage, after 30 years, of this great band. This is not just a collectors' album, it's for all the fans who were there on the tour... the fans who couldn't be there, and for all of you who have been a part of Sad Cafe and have waited for this for so long. Fanx for being there - we love you! www.sadcafe.co.uk/shop.html.
RE-INTRODUCING THE TRASH COWBOYS:
LOS ANGELES -- They say never have any regrets. There was a time when rock band Trash Cowboys was oh-so-close to making it, a headliner a generation ago on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood at such famed clubs as the Roxy, the Whisky and Gazzarri's. Led by wonder-boy guitarist Bradley Rude and Tommy Lee-style drummer Joey Durant, Trash Cowboys were at their best on stage, whipping sold-out crowds into a frenzy.
Trash Cowboys' chorus-heavy sing-along songs were fortified with a dose of dirty sleaze that made the foursome a bit more daring than their contemporaries And like most of the success stories before them like Guns N' Roses, Motley Crue and Van Halen, the Trash Cowboys after-parties always got bigger and better until dawn. If nothing else, Trash Cowboys lived up to their name and proved you don't need a million-dollar recording contract to live like rock stars.
But then it all faded away.
There was no structure, no organization. A manager? Back then, Bradley Rude and Joey Durant were too busy having the time of their lives.
It was the iconic philosopher Henry David Thoreau who said "never look back unless you are planning to go that way," and as things turned out, Rude and Durant reluctantly grew up, and each established himself in private business with the white-picket-fence and all that — but neither ever lost their passion for the music. The hard truth was, the duo never shook off the regrets, never found closure in letting go of the great songs, the great musicianship, the great adulation of the band's thousand or so fans fortunate enough to enjoy the fleeting comet that was Trash Cowboys.
It's been a long time since the Hollywood streets have reclaimed rock and roll, and like a dream come true, Trash Cowboys — reformed and regrouped and re-invigorated with a hot-shot new singer named Eric Scott and rock-star-cool bassist Mark One — are taking one last shot at stardom. This time, Trash Cowboys have wisdom and introspection in their corner, the overgrown boys of before having steeled themselves into worthy men. Plus, the years were not wasted, as Rude and Durant kept on practicing and writing and dreaming. It's the spring of 2013, and let the world welcome the new Trash Cowboys.
The songs will lodge themselves in your brain for days. The passion has reached a boiling point. Every player is primed and ready to take over the world and to give a finger to what popular music has sadly become – a de-evolution of all the things that had once made rock so mighty.
It's a big job resurrecting big dreams, and Trash Cowboys want to bring it all back. "I can remember being side by side with the Guns N' Roses guys, passing out flyers on the Strip," Rude said. "I ended up designing and building aircrafts, and I was very successful but hated every minute of it. I just had no passion for that."
The great thinker Langston Hughes once said: "Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly." Joey Durant, who plays drums the way David Lee Roth probably would, knows just what it means to walk away from a dream, however reluctantly. But that does not mean you can't turn back and start over again. "I always felt like Trash Cowboys should have kept going," Durant said. "I don't even know the reasons anymore why we didn't keep playing. It's such a fog. But I know the potential for Trash Cowboys is outrageously good. I think there is a whole new avenue for us."
As Durant puts it, everything happens in cycles. "I walk down the street these days, and kids are wearing Motley Crue t-shirts and Led Zeppelin t-shirts," Durant said. "I'm like, holy shit, it's all coming back. The cycle is perfect for us. We're in a perfect position to start over. We can start a whole new thing 20 years later because the new rock culture is going back to the roots." Scott, the god-voiced singer who somehow never made it big, has proved a huge addition. Trash Cowboys played a comeback show in January at the Grove in California, and the place went wild for the long-haired singer bursting with charisma. Scott has made the rounds as an up-and-comer metal front man on the East Coast, most notably for Hap Hazzard, and how this man was never scooped up by an arena act remains one of Rock's great mysteries; once Scott clicked with Trash Cowboys, something magical happened.
Trash Cowboys can be the next Guns N' Roses – the group they were most compared to back in the day – all over again starting now. "When Trash Cowboys sent me the songs, I was really impressed," Scott said. "This was a once-in-a-lifetime type thing. I couldn't pass it up. It's like the rebirth of the old scene. We're just exploding on the scene. It's sleaze rock all over again. And without a doubt, this is what the new crowd wants to hear." Trash Cowboys headline the Viper Room in Hollywood on Thursday, April 18.
They go into the studio with producer/guitarist Keri Kelli (Alice Cooper, John Waite) in May. For more info, check: www.reverbnation.com/trashcowboys.
Monday, April 08, 2013
R.I.P. LEGENDARY PRODUCER ANDY JOHNS:
Production legend Andy Johns has died at the young age of just 61.
This is the latest from Billboard:
Andy Johns, the veteran producer and engineer who worked on classic albums by Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen and many others, has died at the age of 61. The news was confirmed to Billboard.biz by guitarist Stacy Blades, who was working on an untitled project with Johns until the producer was hospitalized last week. No cause of death was immediately available for the British-born Johns, the younger brother and uncle, respectively, of fellow producer/engineers Glyn Johns and Ethan Johns. However, Blades said liver trouble was one reason why Johns had been hospitalized.
Twitter quickly filled up with tributes: Red Hot Chili Peppers and Chickenfoot drummer Chad Smith wrote that Johns "made some of my favorite all time records," while former Deep Purple and Black Sabbath member Glenn Hughes tweeted "Larger than life-You are loved Andy." Former Go-Gos member Kathy Valentine's advice was to "Crank up #ExileOnMainStreet and help send his soul off to the big mixing board in the sky."
Born in Surrey and a student at the King's School in Gloucester, Johns put aside an early ambition "to be the next greatest bass player of all time" to follow his brother into the studio world. "It looked a lot better than working," Johns told Universal Audio. He began his career as a tape operator at London's famed Olympic Studios, helping Eddie Kramer on sessions for the Jimi Hendrix Experience's "Axis Bold as Love." "In those days you could go into one studio and Joe Cocker was working, and then you're working with Jimi Hendrix in Studio One, or down the corridor Eric Clapton is doing something," Johns recalled. "It was a serious center. A lot of talent was there." Johns produced early albums by Blodwyn Pig ("Ahead Rings Out"), Humble Pie ("As Safe As Yesterday Is," "Town and Country") and Free ("Free," "Free Live!," "Heartbreaker"), as well as Television's landmark "Marquee Moon" in 1977.
Johns' engineering resume, meanwhile, was dotted with landmark sets by the Stones -- including "Sticky Fingers," "Exile On Main Street," "Goats Head Soup" and "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll" -- Led Zeppelin's "II" through "Physical Graffiti" as well as albums by Mott the Hoople, Jethro Tull and many more. Johns relocated to Los Angeles during the 1970s, where he worked with Van Halen, Joni Michell, Ozzy Osbourne, Cinderella and Eddie Money. Over the past dozen years he worked on albums by Hughes, Godsmack, Taylor Hawkins & the Coattail Riders and others.
Johns once told music tech blogger Bobby Owsinski that the key to his approach was taking a total overview to the sound of a piece. "I don't build mixes...I start with everything," Johns explained. "Most of the people that listen to and tweak one instrument at a time get crap. You've just got to go through it with the whole thing up because every sound affects every other sound."
Johns also told Universal Audio that to him "fidelity is obviously of prime importance. My idea is to make it sound as if you are in the best rehearsal that the band ever did, and you are about 12 feet back from the stage, in a nice rehearsal place...You're supposed to be there and feel them playing."
Joe Satriani recalled that Johns' philosophy was key to Chickenfoot's 2009 debut album. "He was great at capturing very evocative performances," Satriani said. "He was great at capturing the chemistry between rhythm sections, and he knew exactly how to layer rhythm guitars. He knew when you just needed one or if you need 15. I was all about the composition and the band. Andy always knew when there was something good to record, and when he didn't like something he would tell you that you were full of sh-- and leave the room -- which was good, too, because sometimes you need somebody to set you straight." Steve Miller said Johns inspired his last two Steve Miller Band albums, 2010's "Bingo!" and 2011's "Let Your Hair Down," which were recorded at George Lucas' Skywalker Studios. "Andy and I were working on a live concert DVD that he was mixing (2007's 'Live From Chicago')," Miller remembers, "and he said, 'Boy, I would really love to do a guitar album with you.' The next thing you know, we go into Skywalker and cut 42 tracks. And doing guitar overdubs with Andy is so much fun, you never want it to end. It was like back in the early days when we were making records in England. He's the monster man for all the Led Zeppelin records and the Stones and stuff. He's just a great engineer and a really good co-producer to work with."
Johns' sons also went into music: singer-songwriter Will Johns has released a pair of albums, including 2012's "Hooks and Lines;" while Evan Johns played drums in the band Hurt.
Funeral arrangements for Johns were pending at press time."
StoryLink: www.billboard.com/articles/news/1556599/celebrated-british-record-producer-andy-johns-dead-at-61.
Andy John's was a legend. And he is gone way to soon, like so many others before him. His credits are quite extraordinary - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Johns. And he was a really nice guy. And I must say from a personal perspective, my music collection is filled with Andy Johns' name. I thought I'd take another look through Andy's cast production credits and pull out my favourite albums he has helmed. They are:
Hughes/Thrall - Hughes/Thrall (1982), Night Songs - Cinderella (1986), Perfect Timing - McAuley Schenker Group (1987), Loud and Clear - Autograph (1987), Sahara - House of Lords (1990), For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge - Van Halen (1991), Under the Influence - Wildside (1992), Waking the Dead - L.A. Guns (2002), Tales from the Strip - L.A. Guns (2005), Chickenfoot - Chickenfoot (2009).
For a little reminiscing, you can read once again my 2004 interview with Andy - which was a real joy to conduct. I just wish he had allowed me to include the story about him, Eddie Money, a pile of cocaine and some ladies of the night.... www.melodicrock.com/interviews/andyjohns.html.
AMAZE ME RETURN WITH FIRST NEW ALBUM IN 15 YEARS:
And out of nowhere comes a new album from Sweden's Amaze Me - Guilty As Sin is due out May 24 via AOR Heaven.
Amaze Me is Peter Broman handling the song-writing, instruments, production and Conny Lind doing the lead vocals. Lind has previously sung with Great King Rat, Raceway, Alex Masi, Lars Eric Mattson and his Vision project, Shock Tilt and State of Mind. He is still active in other projects. Aside of his work with Amaze Me, Broman is well known as a song-writer for different genres for artists all over the world which has led to chart positions world-wide like for instance on Billboard, Asian and European hitlists and music for radio/ TV commercials. Amaze Me started out with the self-titled debut album on the Japanese based Alfa Brunette label in 1995. The way that it all happened gave the project it's name - Amaze Me. The Rumours of the Japanese release led to the boys landing a deal with the Now And Then label who released the second album "Dream On" in 1997. Album No.3 saw the light of day on Z Records in 1998, who also put out the "Amaze Me" album for the first time in Europe. A best of compilation including tracks from all three albums called "Ultimate Collection" was released on AOR Heaven Classix in 2012.
The new studio album "Guilty As Sin" was recorded in Peter Broman's own studio. No time limits had been set for the release of the album, so the result could be able to live up to the phrase - "straight from the heart . . .".
The mastering has been taken care off by Martin Kronlund.
Tracklist: 01. Everybody, 02. Lost In A Dream, 03. Can't Stop Loving You, 04. Save Me, 05. Endless Love, 06. With Or Without You, 07. The Pain, 08. Guilty As Sin, 09. On The Run, 10. Dying To Be Loved, 11. Love Is Blind, 12. On Fire.
Discography: Amaze Me (1995), Dream On (1997), Wonderland (1998), Ultimate Collection (2012), Guilty As Sin (2013)
MAGNUM TO SPEND 2013 IN THE STUDIO:
Great news from the latest Magnum Newsletter - "Hi everyone, We're at it again. We are back in the studio working on the new studio album. How many is it now? Over the past week Bob and Tony have been putting some guides down to get us underway. Bob will be off on a world tour with Avantasia for a short while. Tony and myself will be in the studio carrying on with the album ready for Bob's return. Before we know it we will be getting the rest of the boys down to come in to add drums and keys. It is always an exciting time for all the band, starting something new. We are aiming (provisionally) for a January 2014 release through SPV again and we hope to follow up with a European and UK tour possibly March 2014, visiting all the usual spots and may be a few more to boot. Lets hope so, we love to play as much as possible and every venue we can given the chance. Lets hope we get to see you all on the next tour. There is no working title for the new album just yet but I will be keeping everyone up to date with news as I get it. Cheers for now." ~ Al Barrow
Magnum Shows 2013
25/07/18 Robin Hood - Bilston - UK
28/07/13 Steelhouse Festival - Wales - UK
04/08/13 Cambridge Rock Festival - UK
17/08/13 Lugnetvã Gen - Falun - Sweden
SWEDISH METAL CLASSICS - RARE AND EXPENSIVE CLASSICS GET REBORN! :
Swedish hard rock pearls like Proud, Clown and Biscaya finally get re-released! Swedish Metal Classics - Lost, Hidden And Forgotten. EMI Music Sweden is proud to present the reissues of some Swedish sought after hard rock and metal classics. We've dug the archives for the original tapes and remastered the audio to sound better than ever! Finally, a pack of well hidden gems and forgotten jewels get a chance to reach a brand new audience across the globe!
The power of Swedish steel has been feared since the dawn of metal. Northern Europe embraced its arrival on the music scene in the 70's, and bands like November, Neon Rose and Heavy Load ignited the fuse that would trigger the metal explosion in the early 80's. Propelled by the success of Europe, new bands popped up in just about every city and by 1985 it was estimated that over 50 000 musicians were active within the metal movement. Most of the bands were short lived, but an impressive number released albums that reached far beyond the Swedish borders. Swedish metal was especially appreciated in Japan.
Today, with metal being bigger than ever, it's about time we rediscover some of these gems. Swedish Metal Classics provides an exciting range of bands, from those who made it big to the misfortunate ones that never reached the masses despite the obvious quality of their work. Some of the albums located in the vaults are sought after collector items and this is the first time they're available outside the original LP format. As an added bonus, in several cases, unreleased tracks have been added, as well as rare demos. So, sink your teeth into some of the best rock and roll you've probably never heard before.
25th March marks the release of the campaign and compilation album Swedish Metal Classics. The campaign consists of 24 albums where 10 of them haven't been available since the vinyl days back in the 80's. Four of these even contain previously unreleased tracks, like demos from the debut albums of Alien and Biscaya and the full unreleased second album from Bedlam.
Clown / This was more of a project than a band and musically they had more in common with American radio oriented rock like Pat Benatar than Heavy Metal. Initiated by now deceased bass player Lars Hallberg, Clown made one album in 1981 that hardly stirred up the airwaves. - I can't remember that I heard any of our songs on the radio, says singer Marianne Flynner who fronted the project.
The album, which features a cover picture of Marianne, was recorded with the aid of session musicians such as Björn Uhr (Attack) and Staffan Astner (Carola, Gyllene Tider, Louise Hoffsten) on guitars and John Donelly (Scafell Pike) on drums. - I think we only did three gigs, Marianne remembers. One at Kåren in Stockholm, another one in Piteå and one in Malmö. The latter was a nightmare. I had a bad perm and had just dyed my hair with henna. It's amazing how I could belt out those loud screams. I have a fairly thin voice.
Marianne moved on to become a backup singer for Roxette, Electric Banana Band and Eva Dahlgren before launching a solo career as a country artist. She was nominated for a Grammis award for the song Country Girl in 1993.
Proud / Proud, formed in Landskrona in southern Sweden in 1982 as Burn, was one of countless native hard rock bands to emerge, only to quickly disappear, in the mid 80's. They made, following a name dispute and consequent change, one decent album for EMI, produced by Caj Högberg -- Fire Breaks The Dawn in 1984. It showcased their love for classic rock such as Deep Purple, but also captured the current trends in metal, touching on the neoclassical sound spearheaded by Yngwie Malmsteen, blending keyboards with solid guitar work. The guitar playing from Peter Horvath and Magnus Olsson far surpassed the vocals delivered by Anders Magnell; a common problem for Swedish bands at the time. The lyrically black, emotional content and overall mood rendered them slightly inaccessible. Today, metal fans all over the world, consider the band's only album a forgotten gem. The lineup was completed by Bobby Horvath on bass and Anders Holmqvist on drums.
Biscaya / West coast based Biscaya could have had a world renown keyboard player in the band. Guitar player Pär Edwardsson reveals that Mats Olausson provided the keyboards on the demo that got them the album deal. - He played in Motvind and didn't want to quit, so we got another keyboard player for the album. In 1989, Mats Olausson joined Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force and stayed with him for 14 years.
Biscaya was a project lead by Pär and drummer Birger Löfman. They found singer Mads Clausen, bass player Hans Johansson and keyboard player Magnus Strömberg, but never really made a serious attempt to make it big. The demo they sent to Electra Records, however, landed them a record deal.
-We recorded it in Stockholm in 1983 with PJ Jägerhult from Attack producing. Europe was finishing their debut album in the same studio, says Pär. Heavily influenced by Deep Purple and Rainbow, Biscaya also had a love for bands like UK, Genesis and Yes, lending a dramatic touch to their songs. The band was discovered in Japan where the album sold 15 000 copies, more than double of what it sold in Sweden. - A journalist from Burrn Magazine in Tokyo called me while I was on the toilet, Pär laughs. The band did a limited number of shows during its life span. After a mini-LP they disbanded.
Dalton / Recently reformed in their original line up, Dalton made two albums for EMI in the late 1980's and enjoyed both radio and chart success. Formed by ex Treat drummer Mats Dahlberg, they embraced the colorful image of hair metal with extreme stage clothes, ridiculous amounts of hair spray and hook layered easily accessible rock anthems. Fronted by singer Bosse Lindmark, his brother Anders on bass, guitar player Leif Westfahl and keyboard player Ola Lindström, Dalton became one of the more successful bands of the era, competing with Treat and Europe. Hit singles were provided by both Jon Bon Jovi and Michael Bolton and they appeared on Swedish TV and in teen magazines. Extensive touring gave the band a big fan base, but as grunge rock took over, the band disintegrated in the early 90's. Recently they opened for Scorpions and they are currently planning a new album.
Bad Business / Bad Business was founded in Lidköping, Sweden by ex-Nectaris vocalist The Flea (Stefan Larsson), guitarist Chris Crash (Christer Hjort), drummer Rich N Famous (Ola Lugner) and bass player TT Tonic (Dan Högberg), originally under the banner Bad Boys. They went all in on their stage names, inspired by their LA based counterparts. Their early live repertoire consisted of Nazareth, Sweet, BTO and Bad Company covers. Later on, their own songs stuck to the 70's style format. Bad Business debut album There's No Business Like... was recorded at EMI studios in Stockholm followed by a hard to find promotion EP Despite the group's distinctive, yet by that time outdated, 70's brand of rock, the band did good business in Sweden. The guys are still kickin'.
Alien - Gothenburg based Alien is the most commercially successful rock band in this lot. They are, however, remembered primarily for their third single, the ballad Only One Woman, which was a massive hit in Sweden and abroad. Guitar Player Tony Borg recollects its climb on the charts in 1987. -They tried it out on Tracks, the important Swedish radio chart, but it didn't enter. The instrumental flip side did well on another chart, though. We went to Los Angeles to record the album, and while we were there someone played the A-side again and it skyrocketed. We received faxes every week about the chart position...18, 15...all the way to number 1! When we got back, every venue wanted to book us. We did 70-80 gigs that summer.
The band started in 1985 with Tony, drummer Tobbe Tarrach, bass player Ken Sandin and keyboard player Jimmy Wandroph. Singer Jim Jidhed joined in '86. Alien's debut album was released worldwide and was especially successful in Japan. After a long hiatus, the classic line up of the band is now reformed and has performed on both Sweden Rock and UK festival Firefest where they received praise. - Jim just floored the audience. He laid out the tracks, all we had to do was to enjoy the ride!
Bedlam Eriksson / Fronted by one of Sweden's most respected drummers, Åke Eriksson from Wasa Express and Attack, Bedlam Eriksson made an attempt to join the hair metal movement without adopting its characteristic image. During their short life span, they only used the moniker Bedlam, but a name dispute forced them to add Åke's last name.
The band originated in Kalix, in the northernmost part of Sweden as Wildliv, and guitar players Thomas Jacobsson and Peter Karlsson and bass player/singer Bernt Ek were joined by Åke after their move to Stockholm.
- We released a few singles on Virgin, says Åke, among them the Mud cover Tiger Feet which Virgin forced us to record. We finished an album for another label that went bankrupt before the release. The blow lead to the demise of the band. A few years ago, I located the original tapes in an old warehouse. The tapes were disintegrating and had to be baked in an oven to be saved.
Red Baron / Stockholm based Red Baron was officially formed in 1981 by ex-Heavy Load bass-player Eero Koivisto, drummer Michael Green, formerly in the first incarnation of Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force, and guitar player Henrik Larsson. They were soon joined by lead guitarist Mats Jonason and singer Lars Axelsson. Inspired by the NWOBHM bands like Def Leppard and Iron Maiden and classics like Rainbow, UFO, AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, Scorpions and Van Halen, the band quickly reached a fan base. In November that year they debuted at Sweden's first Heavy Metal festival arranged by the radio station HMH, sharing the stage with Heavy Load, Stitch, Trilogy and Attack.
The line up changed as singer Mats Melin took over. This version of the band recorded a few singles and demos in the next few years, and the debut album R'R Power in 1987. Meanwhile, they built a reputation for their visual live shows which featured lots of pyrotechnics. In 1988 both Mats Melin and Eero Koivisto left and the band folded.
Other bands and artists available in the Swedish Metal Classics campaign includes: Swedish Erotica with Treat-drummer Jamie Borger and Yngwie Malmteen-vocalist Mats Levén. Talk Of The Town who had at hit with Free Like An Eagle and the solo album from their singer Thomas Vikström. Metal grinders Mustasch, fronted by Ralf Gyllenhammar. Alien-singer Jim Jidhed's soft AOR solo effort and albums with Singer and Landlords. EMI is pleased to be able to bring this, in many cases forgotten music, to the attention of rock lovers everywhere.
The compilation album contains tracks from all re-issued albums in the campaign:
Tracklist 1. Lovely lisa Clown 1981 2. Howl in the sky (demo vers) Biscaya 1983 3. Fire breaks the dawn Proud 1984 4. Deal with the devil Bedlam 1985 5. Stealin my best friends woman Bad business 1986 6. Can't stop loving you Dalton 1986 7. Gotta get away Bedlam 1986 8. Rock n roll power Red baron 1987 9. Livin for lovin Talk of the town 1988 10. We're wild young and free Swedish erotica 1989 11. Touch my fire Alien 1989 12. Dangerous Jim Jidhed 1990 13. Into the fire Thomas Wikström 1993 14. Landlords Liar 1994 15. 24 Singer 1996 16. Muddy waters Mustasch 2002.
All albums included in the campaign:
1. Various Artists Swedish Metal Classics – Lost, Hidden & Forgotten 2. Clown - Clown 3. Biscaya - The Eternal Masterworks 4. Proud - Proud 5. Bedlam - Beauties And The Beast 6. Bad Business - No Business like… 7. Dalton - The Race Is On 8. Dalton - Injection 9. Red Baron - Rock n Roll Power 10. Red Baron - Rock The Highway 11. Talk Of The Town - Talk Of The Town 12. Swedish Erotica - Swedish Erotica 13. Alien - Alien 14. Alien - Alien (US-mix) 15. Alien - Shiftin' Gear 16. Alien - Best And Rare 17. Jim Jidhed Jim 18. Thomas Vikström If I Could Fly 19. Landlords Mentality 20. Singer Fill In the Blanks 21. Mustasch The True Sounds Of The New West 22. Mustasch Above All 23. Mustasch Ratsafari 24. Mustasch Powerhouse.
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INTRODUCING DUTCH ROCKERS SERIOUS:
Today, April 5th, Dutch Rock band SeriouS, release their debut-EP. The four track EP contains three original songs, and a hard rocking version of Depeche Mode classic 'People Are People'.
SeriouS was formed in 2009 and features lead-singer Jonathan Hoevertsz, guitarists Nick Polman and Vincent Zaalberg and the rhythm section Jan Bijlsma (bass guitar) and Robert Spaninks (drums). The five band members live in different parts of the Netherlands, but what binds them is the love of music and a burning ambition to put SeriouS on the map.
The EP was mixed by renowned producer/engineer Oscar Holleman (Within Temptation, Ayreon) and is released on the band's own label Mass Multiverse Records, and will be distributed by Rough Trade Distribution. To accompany the EP, SeriouS have just issued a video for lead-track 'As I Am'. This video is the official follow-up for 'Circle Of Lies' which has garnered 60,000 views on You Tube already, a first sign that SeriouS are on their way to bigger things. The band's debut-album 'Aware' is scheduled for a 2013 release.
Watch video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=CujxHp9c8s8 / Listen to EP at open.spotify.com/album/1T6E5Rx7FLbEI6gwGcEiSX / itunes.apple.com/nl/album/ep-ep/id632124363.
Website: www.seriousofficial.com.
THREE FORKS, MONTANA – ROCKIN' THE RIVERS:
Three Forks, Montana (April 8, 2013) – Rockin' the Rivers, one of America's longest running multi-day rock festivals, is pleased to announce this year's lineup. 12 national bands, including headliners Tesla, Rick Springfield and Jackyl, will all appear at the festival, slated for August 9-11 at the festival grounds in Three Forks, Montana.
Friday's line-up features classic rock stalwarts and festival favorites Tesla, along with 80's acts Warrant, Firehouse and Trixter. Saturday, veteran rocker Rick Springfield will headline, along with modern rock favorites Black Stone Cherry, Saving Abel and Saliva. Sunday's closer is Jackyl, who will appear alongside blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Sweet and Pete Rivera from Rare Earth.
Each day will feature a local opening act and a nationally known tribute band at midnight. On Friday, No Quarter (Led Zeppelin) will close, all-girl AC/DC tribute band Hells Belles will light up Saturday night, and Arch Allies, a band that features the music of Styx, Journey and REO Speedwagon, will shut things down on Sunday. Music will also be presented on a side stage, featuring various local artists between main stage sets.
This massive 3-day festival is scheduled to take place August 9-11, 2013 at "the Bridge" near Three Forks, Montana. Tickets are available now at www.rockintherivers.com or by calling 1-800-555-8989.
Rockin' the Rivers is sure to be one of North America's biggest classic rock music festivals of the year. 2013 marks the 15th year of music at "the Bridge" and is the largest multi-day rock music festival in the Inland Northwest. With 6 bands performing daily on the main stage, multiple bands playing on the second stage and a campground with a life all its own, Rockin' the Rivers is the place to be this summer. Festival organizers are very excited to be bringing Rockin' the Rivers back to the state of Montana and making Three Forks the vacation destination for rock fans from around the world.
Rockin the Rivers' fans are able to purchase tickets at two price levels: VIP and General Admission. VIP tickets include access to VIP area in the arena with limited shade and seating as well as complimentary non-alcoholic drinks and malt beverages. General Admission tickets are also available for open festival seating.
Rock and Roll is all about attitude. Some people get it and the rest just stay home.
Friday, April 05, 2013
MAGNUS KARLSSON TO RELEASE HIS DEBUT SOLO PROJECT FREE FALL: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of Magnus Karlsson's Free Fall debut album on June 11 in North America and June 14 in Europe.
Magnus Karlsson started his cooperation with Frontiers Records in the year 2000 when his band Last Tribe was signed by the Italian label. After two more records with this group, Magnus was asked by Serafino Perugino, Frontiers Records label President, to write and produce some of their artists. This started a successful journey of collaborations with some of the greatest singers and musicians in the Hard Rock/Metal world. The list includes the successful Allen/Lande trilogy, Starbreaker, Bob Catley, Kiske/Somerville and the list goes on and on. He finally joined the German Heavy Metal icons Primal Fear in 2008 and with them he toured the world and recorded two successful albums that climbed high on the charts in several countries.
This time Magnus created his own album with his strongest melodic metal and hard rock set of songs ever and invited both old and new friends to sing them! The list includes Russell Allen (Symphony X, Adrenaline Mob), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear, Gamma Ray), Tony Harnell (TNT, Starbreaker), Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, The Codex), Rick Altzi (Masterplan, At Vance), Mike Andersson (Star One, Full Force), Rickard Bengtsson (Last Tribe), Herman Saming (A.C.T), David Readman (Pink Cream 69, Vodoo Circle). Rounding up the line-up on the album is Daniel Flores on drums.
"I've had the honour to collaborate with some of the greatest singers and musicians in the world", says Magnus. "Artists who have made my life richer with their magical music. On this album I got the chance to write tailor made songs for some of my absolute favourite singers. I was thinking, what would I really like to hear from this or that guy and then I wrote the songs. It's like if I'm missing a song with my favourite singer in my record collection, then I just make that song for him! I listen like a fan and I write like a fan well…I am a fan!"
Magnus Karlsson's Free Fall debut album includes the following songs: Free Fall (lead vocals: Russell Allen); Higher (lead vocals: Ralf Scheepers); Heading Out (lead vocals: Magnus Karlsson); Stronger (lead vocals: Tony Harnell); Not My Saviour (lead vocals: Rick Altzi); Us Against The World (lead vocals: David Readman); Our Time Has Come (lead vocals: Mark Boals); Ready or Not (lead vocals: Magnus Karlsson); Last Tribe (lead vocals: Rickard Bengtsson); Fighting (lead vocals: Herman Saming); Dreamers & Hunters (lead vocals: Mike Andersson); On Fire (lead vocals: Magnus Karlsson)
Weblinks: www.frontiers.it / www.facebook.com/magnuskarlssonsfreefall.
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CYBERSTERIA - THE NEW POWERWORLD ALBUM PROVES A POINT:
What was considered as Orwellian fiction back in 1984 has become reality in 2013 – the surveillance society. In times of Facebook and Skype, true privacy seems to exist only where exposure through the media is consistently rejected. "There's almost a kind of hysteria when it comes to the Internet and digital pseudo-realities,"Powerworld mastermind Ilker Ersin explains the background of the band's latest album title, Cybersteria, a combination – you might have guessed it – of the terms 'cyber' and 'hysteria'. "Our new songs aren't a concept album in the narrower sense, but as usual the whole album is held together by a central theme. This time the leitmotif is emotional impoverishment which is increasingly supported by the new media. At the end of the day, social networks have the opposite effect of what they suggest: they make people grow lonely." Stirring words by a musician who has composed an album which is stirring in every respect, because Cybersteria presents that typical intelligent mélange of melodic heavy metal and progressive elements that we've come to expect of Powerworld.
The album's opener 'Children Of The Universe', a brilliant piece featuring a powerful guitar riff and an intricately complex structure, is typical of this unique combination and refers to the global effects of the actions of every single one of us, be it in a media or a technical context. The subsequent 'Slave To The Powerworld' with its ambiguous title sketches in detail how powerful and at the same time merciless the world of the Internet has become. Ersin: "There have even been cases where governments were overthrown through the power of the Internet." Cybersteria also holds a number of stylistic surprises in store: 'Black Ash' is unusually cheerful for this band, featuring consciously selected major chords which create a very individual, open atmosphere. Ersin: "Our roots are in the Blues, so we usually prefer minor atmospheres, but in this instance the major chords complement the melodic line perfectly." And all those interested in finding out which direction this band is likely to opt for in the future will be able to find out more on 'Coast Of Tears', a skilful refinement of that typical Powerworld sound.
Talking of sound: Ilker Ersin produced and mixed Cybersteria at his MusikundWeb studios in Hirschaid near Bamberg, the album was mastered by Tommy Newton (Victory, UFO), and the instruments were recorded by Ersin, guitarist Andreas Rippelmeier, keyboardist Marco Grasshoff and drummer Guido Gallus. The biggest surprise: the vocal parts were recorded by Michael Bormann (ex-Jaded Heart), who stepped in at short notice for David Reece (ex-Accept, Bangalore Choir). Ersin: "It transpired during the recordings that David and I have different approaches which cannot be combined under the moniker of Powerworld. As a result, we decided to end our collaboration. There were no hard feelings between David and me, it was simply a decision by two grown men who agreed to follow their gut instincts." In Michael Bormann, Powerworld have found an ideal replacement, particularly since Bormann had already successfully filled in during their most recent tour for former Powerworld vocalist Andrew McDermott, who suffered from ill health (he died in August 2011), and had also been scheduled as a choir singer on Cybersteria. "Michael did a brilliant job and even rewrote the lyrics with me. We're not only totally thrilled, but also very grateful for his support."
Tracklisting: 1. Children Of The Universe 2. Slave To The Powerworld 3. Back On Me 4. World Knows Your Secrets – Virtuality 5. You Gotta Hold On 6. Am I Digital? (Intro) 7. Coast Of Tears 8. Black Ash 9. Like A Shadow 10. Cybersteria 11. You Will Find A Way 12. Not Bound To The Evil.
"Cybersteria" will be released in Germany on May 24, in Europe on May 27 and in the US/Canada on June 4 through SPV/Steamhammer as CD and download! LINE-UP: Michael Bormann – vocals (Ex-Bonfire, Ex-Jaded Heart), Ilker Ersin – bass (Freedom Call, Ex-MoonDoc), Marco Grashoff – keyboards, Andreas Rippelmeier – guitars, Guido Gallus – drums.
WebLinks: www.powerworld.org / www.spv.de.
xx
NEW TATERYCHE SINGLE COLD: Deadline Music/Cleopatra Records to release first single "Cold" from the upcoming April 23rd album Frequency Unknown from Queensryche.
Deadline Music / Cleopatra Records is proud to announce the release of "Cold," the premier single from the upcoming Queensrÿche CD, Frequency Unknown (due out Tuesday, April 23rd). Mixed by Anthony Focx (Jason Newsted, Aerosmith, Night Ranger, Ted Nugent) the single is available on iTunes for downloading and will also be released as a special limited-edition 7" vinyl single with a newly-recorded version of the Queensrÿche classic "Silent Lucidity" - mixed by Jürgen Engler (Doro Pesch, Die Krupps ) -on the B-side.
RE-INTRODUCING J. AHOLA:
There has been someone that I have neglected to feature on the site merely due to the fact there is so much to cover and this fellow has so far missed out! He is Finland's J. Ahola - a quite remarkable singer and someone that many of you will already know.
For those that don't - here's a summary of his recent activities and releases, with thanks to Tia Murrell for compiling this for me.
J. Ahola is synonymous with bands (Teräsbetoni, Northern Kings, Raskasta Joulua, Oulu All Star Big Band goes Heavy, Dreamtale, etc), and is one of the greatest singers to come out of Finland. His vocal tones, dexterity, and versatility are absolutely world class and definitely worth a listen! His versatility in singing and dynamic performance and songwriting style is broad and passionate. Google J. Ahola and you find a myriad of performance presentations and deliveries in a wide variety of situations from soloist through to band lead singer, guitarist, or bassist and even drummer.
In 2012 he released 2 albums of complete contrast. The first album AHOLA Stoneface was self funded, and independently released in April 2012, and is a tastefully structured classic rock album with hints of other genres which make for great listening. The great melodic riffs and meaningful lyrics showcase J. Ahola's talent as a consummate singer/songwriter and no 2 songs sound the same. The vibe of the album is delivered from the heart with authenticity and emotion. Notably none of the songs on the album would be considered as fillers. Stoneface is a must for everybody who likes hard rock, awesome vocals and good music. It is an album suited for lovers of rock and heavy metal. www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC1L_g0-6p8 - Unofficial Video for As Long As I Live Rock'N Roll Isn't Dead.
In November 2012 J. Ahola released a Traditional Finnish Christmas album called Ave Maria - Joulun Klassikot (Christmas Classics) under Jarkko Ahola through Warner Finland. The album was released in week 46 and debut at number 23, peaking at number 4 for three weeks and gaining Gold Record status and is set to reach Platinum in 2013. On the official Finnish domestic album charts for 2012 Ave Maria is positioned at number 18 which is a great achievement for a Christmas Album.
The album features genuine symphony orchestral arrangements featuring a genuine church organ from Paavalinkirkko (which means Paul's church) in Helsinki. The album highlights J. Ahola's exceptional vocal sensitivity and versatility in easily adapting to this genre while delivering excellent versions of traditional songs including Ave Maria, Varpunen Jouluaamuna , and Adagio. The album also includes a new song Mielenrauhaa (Peace of Mind) which is set to be a classic in years to come. Despite the many excellent versions, the song that won the critics over was his version of the classic operatic song Nessun Dorma, which noted him as the Pavarotti of Rock.
Official Video "Ave Maria" - www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBdKU1zXoFE.
MELODIC BRIEFS:
Fans of contemporary rock/pop/hard rock should rush to check out the homepage of up and coming Swedish power-pop act The Wiser. Really good stuff and I hear that an official music release is due later this year: www.iamthewiser.com/#videos/
One time member of AC/DC Dave Evans has a new song out with collaborator John Nitzinger (ex-early 80's Alice Cooper) - "Revenge" - He is based out of Fort Worth TX these days: youtu.be/QGhUN9qFFHE.
TANK MINUS DOOGIE WHITE:
The legendary British band Tank have hired former Dragonforce and current I AM I singer ZP Theart to front the band for their upcoming shows while Tank's most recent vocalist, Doogie White, is out on tour and recording in the studio with Michael Schenker. Mick Tucker, the band's guitarist comments: "We thrive on bringing fresh blood into the band. It gives us a good kick in the ass and breathes new life into our songs. We've worked very hard over the past few years and have been rewarded with the success of our 'War Machine' and 'War Nation' albums and the release of our first official DVD 'War Machine Live'. Bringing in a world class vocalist like 'ZP' is a great privilege for us and a real treat for metal fans." Cliff Evans, guitars adds: "Mick and me have been playing together for a long time. We know what we want when it comes to making good music. We're very proud of the albums we made with Doogie's and the response we received from the fans and press has proved that we are a band that can deliver the goods when it comes to it. We've been rehearsing with ZP this week and we can't wait to get on stage and do what we do best. Play British rock/metal the way it should be played."
Tank – live:
April 14th - PPM Festival Belgium
May 19th - Rockhard Festival Germany
May 31st - Shepherds Bush Empire London UK
June 23rd - R-MINE Festival Belgium
Tank – online: www.tankofficial.com.
CELEBRATE JOHN TAGLIERI'S NEW EP AND WIN TRIP TO SOUTHERN PARADISE!:
To celebrate the release of the new John Taglieri Ep Southern Paradise (coming 4/16/13 via Leap Dog Music), he's giving away a trip to Key West, FL. All you have to do is purchase Southern Paradise during the presale between 2 April 2013 & 15 April 2013 and you're automatically entered to win. Details are as follows:
Trip for two to Key West, FL. Must purchase the Southern Paradise Ep during the presale for $10.00 (plus shipping & handling). All contestants must be 21 years or older to enter.
Automatically entered to win the following:
- a trip for two to Key West, FL in August 2013
- round trip airfare for two from anywhere in the continental US to Key West, FL
- two nights lodging (hotel to be determined)
- an Autographed copy of Southern Paradise
- two John Taglieri T-Shirts (sizes tbd by winner)
- a free download of The Very Best Of John Taglieri…The Songs That Should Have Madee Me Rich!!!
- dinner for two at LaTrattoria Restaurant on Duval St. in Key West, FL.
- a trip on The Fury Boat (either a day snorkel or a sunset cruise. Winners Choice)
- a welcome bag from Key West Welcome Bags with an assortment of goodies and local discounts
- VIP Treatment at a John Taglieri show at Irish Kevins!
(**Winners must live in the lower 48 United States**)
Trip length is 3-days/2-nights (Winners can extend this stay at their own expense.) Winner(s) must be available to travel to Key West, FL In August 2013. Winner(s) will work with Leap Dog Music to make all travel arrangements.
That's it...pretty simple. Purchase the CD during the presale and you're entered to win. If you purchase more than one copy of the CD, you will be entered the number of times you purchase. Winning name to be chosen from a blind drawing and completely at random. To purchase The Southern Paradise Presale simply send $13.50 ($10 + shipping) via Paypal to John@JohnTaglieri.com or visit John's Facebook page at Facebook.com/JohnTaglieriMusic for details on how to enter.
Taglieri says, "Thanks! GOOD LUCK to everyone that purchases during the presale!! I'm as excited to pick a winner as you guys are to win! Hope to see you in my Southern Paradise!!" Watch for John's new Ep, Southern Paradise, coming on 4/16/13 and get ready to sit back and soak it in…and let it take you to your own personal Southern Paradise!
Trip Sponsored by: The Fury Boat - Key West, LaTrattoria On Duval, Key West Welcome Bags.
Relevant Links: JohnTaglieri.com / Facebook.com/JohnTaglieriMusic.
John Taglieri has released the brand new video for "Southern Paradise", the title track to his forthcoming Ep via the Today's Country website. The video can be viewed at: bit.ly/10wnXx6.
INTRODUCING SPILL SIXTEEN:
Screaming out of the frozen North, Spill Sixteen bring back everything you once loved about rock and roll. Tearing the roof off with tales of sleaze, damnation and heartbreak, Spill Sixteen come armed with righteous riffs, indelible melodies, and a thunderous foundation of solid rhythm. Taking inspiration from the best hard rock from Bad Company to Shinedown, Spill Sixteen then mix in everything from Skynyrd to Atlantic Soul, to come up with their unique sound. Barnstorming gigs with Tyketto and Warrior Soul – as well as with up-and-coming hotshots like The Treatment and Liberty Lies – have honed the group into a finely-tuned live machine. They then spent the dreary summer of 2012 committing their live favourites to tape, and released their debut album, Let It All Hang Out, in November 2012. Spill Sixteen are wholly independent and self-managed, and are determined to show that it is possible to deliver high-quality rock n roll without the backing and control of a major label. The lads hope that 2013 will turn out to be a big year, and have already secured a slot on the Classic Rock sponsored HRH-AOR festival in April. Spill Sixteen are ready to tempt those devil horns out once again.
Classic Rock magazines 8/10 review of the album says "Spill Sixteen could be a very sleazy band if they wanted, but manage to hold it back, allowing themselves to be more than just another dirt-rock combo. Instead, the songs are allowed to have more of a personality, raising them above many of their young contemporaries. Looking to discover an exciting new British rock band? Spill Sixteen could be just what you are looking for."
There are some samples from the album streaming on the website: www.spillsixteen.com.
INTERVIEWS WITH SEBASTIAN BACH, SCAR SYMMETRY, DANNY VAUGHN AND RAGE OF ANGELS Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 31st March 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 01st April 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) features exclusive interviews with Sebasian Bach, Scar Symmetry, Danny Vaughn and Rage Of Angels, and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-sebastian-bach-scar-symmetry-danny-vaughn-rage-of-angels-interviews/
In the first hour, Sebastian Bach talks about his new live CD/DVD package "Abachalypse Now", and selects tracks from the album. Bach also talks about plans for his next studio release, which sees him collaborating with Steve Stevens and John 5. Also in the first hour, Scar Symmetry guitarist Per Nilsson talks about the band's current tour of the UK and Ireland.
And in part 2, Tyketto frontman Danny Vaughn talks about his upcoming solo tour of the UK, the rerelease of two of his solo albums in a new double cd set entitled "Reprise". And former Ten keyboard player Ged Rylands chooses songs from the debut album by his new project Rage Of Angels, "Dreamworld", and talks about the many special guests appearing on the album. The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from Judas Priest, Black Star Riders, Girlschool, Kill For Eden, Wild Horses, Memory Garden and The Outlaws.
MRX UPDATE: MRX has been updated with the following new features:
- Loverboy - Live Santa Monica 1981
- Boston - WHJY FM 2002 (5 Tracks) MRX Membership Details.
Thursday, April 04, 2013
STONE MUSIC FEST MERGES AEROSMITH SYDNEY GIG, BUT....: Aerosmith has just cancelled their Sydney, Australia show on April 28th. They will now co-headline with Van Halen at the Stone Music Festival April 20. Andrew McManus, from McManus Entertainment, said today "Wow, Sydney are you in for an event! They said it would never happen! Well I can tell you 'they' are wrong! It is with great pleasure that I can today announce Aerosmith are joining the Saturday 20th line up of Stone Music Festival in Sydney in what will be the Rock spectacular of the year! With no alteration to prices, Aerosmith will play their full set alongside Van Halen for a night of sheer music euphoria! This double bill has never happened before so Sydney, you are in for a first - a concert event not to be missed!"
I can confirm that Van Halen will be the closing act on the night. A source stated: "Aerosmith is now joining the Stone fest line up, this will replace the Sydney solo scheduled for them, all other information will be released by Stone Fest and is their decision. Van Halen will be headlining and playing the final set of the night."
It seems there will be two stages now, with support acts on one and the headliners on another.
But the situation isn't as easy as it appears in a press release. Stone Fest is getting absolutely hammered by pissed off fans that have had seating arrangements changed multiple times already (and removed altogether) and it seems the front and side of stage "first in first served" premium tickets have been switched to general admission.
Some of the Facebook comments include: "Seriously what an absolute joke and mess you have made of this festival so far. Sort your shit out stick to it!!!!! Such an amazing line up deserves more professionalism than this..."
"Seems my last post was deleted......I have front row platinum reserved seating which I am ecstatic about....please don't tell me that we are going back to GA for the platinum zone. Not happy at all !!!!!!"
"Wierd things going on at ticketek now......can't get "reserved seating" for Saturday night anymore, but can for Sunday night. I sure hope they don't go back to general admission standing in platinum zone now......I have front row seats and I want it to stay that way !!!!!!!!!!!"
"So I did the right thing and bought my tix early like many others. Then the mates rates come along and I'm out $200. Now Aerosmith is cancelled and added to the bill and if I don't get refunded I'll be out $573.68. So Stone Music Festival, I'd really like to know HOW THE FUCK I'm meant to be happy about this? I've already sent you a pm and an email and received no response...."
"I am beyond frustrated, angry, disappointed and whatever other word there is in the English language that could be used to describe being pissed off. I dont care what the reasoning for the cancellation of the headline aerosmith concert, resulting in their addition to this festival, but I've already paid good money to see aerosmith at rod laver and they are now being added to stone music festival and my row b platinum reserved ticket that was originally general admission, is now being changed back to general admission?!? Is it your goal to inconvenience is?!? What the fuck..."
"Just advised by email of a "minor" change to my Platinum reserved seating tickets - They are no longer reserved and no longer seated. Bought Platinum Reserved tickets for both days and only purchased to get reserved seating tickets. Seems if you bought cheaper tickets you now get seating but if you paid top dollar, you're screwed. How do I get my money back?"
Quite the mess! I've also heard that ticket sales are appalling, but the festival will go ahead. Whether it ever happens again, if anyone will ever trust the name again and who will cop the massive financial loss will be interesting to see.
Here's another exclusive titbit..... A contact told me that Van Halen were paid $3 MILLION for this appearance.
N.O.W. VIDEO DEBUT:
The new N.O.W. album Bohemian Kingdom is out now and mainman Alec Mendoca has today unveiled a video for the song Leon's Going Soft. What is the song about? Alec explains:
''I made this song after watching this film, Jean Reno is one of my favorite actors and this movie touched me in a very peculiar way, showing that true and innocent love is still possible on today's word. For me this movie is the one that shows that in a perfect way, despite all the puritans saying this movie was all about forbidden love. Well, after making this song, I felt the urge of explaining my song with this video, which has some extra scenes as well. The version of the song here is slightly different from the one on the official release. Hope you all enjoy watching it along the song, it's far from professional, but it portraits my views, which for me is what matters most''.
THE ANGELS JOHN BREWSTER TALKS ABOUT THE PASSING OF CHRIS BAILEY:
By Paul Cashmere on April 4, 2013 / Australian music fans are mourning the death of The Angels' bass player Chris Bailey, who passed away this morning (April 4) at 12:30am after a battle with cancer.
John Brewster, guitarist and founding member of the band with Chris spoke with Noise11 and issued the following statement today. "It is a very sad day for us," John said. "We have lost a great friend in Chris Bailey and a great friend to a lot of people. We are doing a concert in Adelaide on the 17th of April at the Thebarton Theatre. I made all the calls and not one person hesitated. All the guys from Cold Chisel will play. Jimmy is going to sing a couple of Angels' songs. Mossy and Don Walker are going to get up with the Brewster Brothers and The Angels. James Reyne is coming over. Wilbur Wilde will compere. Gangajang will be there. It will be the celebration of a wonderful guy. We are obviously very sad today. He had been battling this damn thing for the last nine months or so and it's been a hard road for him".
John also confirmed that work had begun on the next album for The Angels and Chris will be very much a part of it. "We just loved the experience of making the 'Taking It To The Streets' album so much that we decided to jump back into the studio and go again," he said. "We only had a few loose ideas for songs and ended up recording 16 songs. Chris came and joined us for three of those days and I think he played on eight of the new songs. My gut feeling is that he will probably be on about 50% of the next album. I'd like to recommend to the band that we dedicate the next album to Chris' memory. He is a wonderful guy and an amazing musician and will be sorely missed".
The Chris Bailey tribute concert will be held on April 17 at the Thebarton Theatre in Adelaide.
More at: www.noise11.com/news/the-angels-john-brewster-talks-about-the-passing-of-chris-bailey-20130404.
NEW ALBUM: KEVIN LEE & THE KINGS "BREAKOUT" OUT APRIL 2013: Kevin Lee and the Kings will release their new studio album Breakout on April 23, 2013. Kevin Lee returns with his well-known big hooks and chunky guitars, as well as a purpose listeners can't ignore. "I had such a great connection with producer Todd Jones you can hear and feel the love, sweat, and great time we had recording this album," – Kevin Lee
On "Breakout" Kevin Lee & the Kings create classic, strong guitar rock with a modern edge. The album's 10 songs clearly show Lee has matured, both as a person and as a musician. "Breakout" combines the exuberance of youth with the heartbreak and life lessons learned later on. The rebellious "Burn It Down" gives listeners the confidence to face whatever life throws at them. And from "Gold Digger" with its quirky low-key verse to the catchy "Too Little Too Late," Lee's songs stay in your head and keep you coming back for more.
"Breakout" will be available for purchase and downloads at cdbaby.com/Artist/KevinLee and iTunes.com.
SEVENDUST HAS SCORED THEIR FIRST-EVER #1 ON THE BILLBOARD CHARTS:
April 3, 2013 -- The fans have spoken and as a result, Sevendust has scored their first-ever #1 on the Billboard charts, taking over the "Top Hard Music Albums" chart next week. Black Out The Sunreleased March 26 on the band's own 7Bros. Records in conjunction with ADA Label Services--is the Atlanta band's best-selling album in its first week since 2007's ALPHA.
Elsewhere in Billboard, Black Out The Sun will debut at #18 on the "Top 200 Albums" chart, #4 on the "Record Label Independent Current Albums" chart, #5 on the "Top Current Rock Albums" chart, #14 on the "Overall Digital Albums" chart and #17 on the "Top Internet Albums" chart.
The album's first single, "Decay," is currently bulleted on the BDS Active Rock Chart at #11 and the Mediabase Active Rock chart at #12. It has also spent the past four weeks in the #1 spot on SiriusXM's "Big Uns" countdown on the Octane active rock channel. A video for the track premiered on Fuse's website (http://on.fuse.tv/11DDWOY) last week, and can now be seen on the band's official YouTube page (www.youtube.com/officialsevendust). Sevendust--Lajon Witherspoon (vocals), Morgan Rose (drums/vocals), Clint Lowery (guitar/vocals), John Connolly (guitar/vocals) and Vince Hornsby (bass/vocals)--continues to prove why they're the hardest touring band in Rock today as they criss-cross the U.S. on their co-headlining tour with Coal Chamber (along with Lacuna Coil and Candlelight Red), which is currently underway. Starting April 30, the band will play headlining shows joined by such bands as Pop Evil and In This Moment. Stops at festival shows, including Rock On The Range in Columbus, OH on Sunday, May 19, will be made throughout the on-going headlining tour.
STEVE VAI - THE STORY OF LIGHT VINYL:
Virtuoso guitarist and visionary composer Steve Vai is set to release his latest studio album, The Story of Light on vinyl April 16th worldwide. This double 180 gram LP Story of Light set was mastered from tape and cut at 45rpm by legendary audio engineer Bernie Grundman for the best quality listening experience available on vinyl. This set also includes an entirely new redesigned 8 page vinyl booklet in a gatefold jacket.
The Story of Light vinyl is available as of today for online pre-sale orders. First 100 customers who purchase the vinyl receive a John the Revelator 7'' Vinyl. The first 50 customers will have their 7'' signed by Steve Vai!
More...Mr.Vai has been busy this year working on a new symphonic piece titled, "The Still Small Voice", the second installment of last year's composition "The Middle of Everywhere." Both pieces will be performed in Holland at the Osterport in Groningen on May 24th and 25th, 2013.
Visit Vai.com to order The Story of Light Vinyl and orchestra tour dates!
SHOWCASE UPDATED:
One new showcase online today - the new Vindictiv album Cage Of Infinity. Check it out!
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
BURNING RAIN'S NEW VIDEO FOR "MY LUST YOUR FATE" HAS EXCLUSIVE WORLDWIDE PREMIERE:
Fans of bluesy hard rock and killer riffs can click here to check out the exclusive worldwide premiere of the sexy new video for Burning Rain's track My Lust Your Fate on Noisecreep. The single is taken from the forthcoming album, Epic Obsession, which will be released on May 17 in Europe and May 21 in North America via Frontiers Records and can be pre-ordered via: www.frontiers.it/album/5131/ or www.frontiers.it/us. Burning Rain is current Whitesnake axeman Doug Aldrich, singer Keith St. John (ex-Montrose), Sean McNabb on bass (ex-Quiet Riot, Dokken, House of Lords) and Mat Starr on drums (Ace Frehley). Epic Obsession comes after a long hiatus from the release of the band's second album, Pleasure To Burn, in 2000.
Frontiers Records will also reissue the long out-of-print first two albums - Burning Rain, the self-titled debut (released in 1999) and the aforementioned Pleasure To Burn. Both albums will be repackaged and remastered and will contain two added bonus tracks to each respective album. Burning Rain's previous efforts received great acclaim in Japan and the UK prior to Aldrich being tapped as guitarist for Whitesnake in 2002, with MelodicRock.com declaring, "Great quality song writing...fantastic production that rivals any others out there. For fans of classic blues influenced hard rock there will be few albums to rival this record..."
For more information, please visit: www.burningrain.net / www.facebook.com/BurningRain.
RICHIE SAMBORA TAKES LEAVE FROM BON JOVI TOUR:
There remains no straight answers for the sudden departure of Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora from the band's just launched tour. A statement was posted at BonJovi.com that simply reads: "Due to personal issues, Richie Sambora will not be performing on this upcoming leg. All shows will go on as scheduled."
A series of tweets from Canada on the Edmonton Journal paints a slightly clearer, but more disturbing picture: ""I had two choices - pack up and go home or give ya everything I got .... Richie Sambora won't b performing for awhile" - @BonJovi"
"If there's ever a night I need ya, it's tonight, Calgary!" - Bon Jovi on Richie Sambora saying he wasn't coming at 3:30 pm
Stay tuned...this is bound to get more detailed over the next few days. Our thoughts are with Richie and hope he is doing as well as could be expected. Guitarist Phil X is set to fill in for the remaining first leg dates.
LOU GRAMM BOOK DUE OUT MAY 1 FROM TRIUMPH BOOKS: "Lou Gramm remembers standing outside the Rochester War Memorial in the rain as a teenager in the mid-1960s, ear pressed against the corrugated metal back stage door so he could hear the rock band playing inside. He didn't have a ticket to the concert, but he did have a dream. One day, he would be on that stage, belting out songs, feeding off the energy of an adoring, raucous crowd."
Accomplished musician, lead singer and songwriter of the iconic band Foreigner, Lou Gramm is ready to tell his story.
In Juke Box Hero: My Five Decades In Rock 'N' Roll, due out May 1 from Triumph Books, Gramm details his rise from humble, working-class roots in Rochester, N.Y. to become one of rock 'n' roll's most distinctive and popular voices. Working with best-selling author Scott Pitoniak (nationally honored newspaper columnist and author of 16 books), Gramm recounts his extraordinary life in a compelling and candid behind-the-scenes memoir. The book will be available at www.triumphbooks.com and wherever books are sold.
Throughout Juke Box Hero: My Five Decades In Rock 'N' Roll, Gramm poignantly recounts how he realized his dream. Sadly, though, like many rock stars, Gramm would succumb to the trappings of wealth and fame. Foreigner's remarkable success was due in large part to the song-writing synergy between Gramm and the band's founder, Mick Jones. However, creative clashes between the two would become more frequent and the tension would result in Gramm's departure, not once but twice, the second time for good.
But Gramm's recounting of his life is also is a story of redemption. In the early 1990's, he finally confronted his demons and checked into a drug rehabilitation center for a month. He came out a changed man and has remained sober ever since. Several years later, Gramm faced an even bigger challenge when diagnosed with an egg-sized brain tumor. After being given a death sentence by several physicians, he learned of a then-revolutionary laser surgery being done by a doctor in Boston. Gramm underwent a life-saving operation to remove the tumor and then courageously battled through radiation treatments and several harrowing years of rehab.
Other Juke Box Hero: My Five Decades In Rock 'N' Roll highlights include:
- Gramm's difficult, courageous comeback from brain surgery. Just several months after his operation, he was contractually required to tour with Foreigner and dealt with memory problems that forced him to keep written lyrics at his feet--lyrics from songs he had helped write and had sung thousands of times before.
- The musical influence of Gramm's father, a trumpeter who ran a big band, and his mother, who was a vocalist in the band.
- How much the music industry has changed and how difficult it is for heritage rockers to get their new material out there.
About Lou Gramm: Gramm is one of the most successful rock vocalists and songwriters of the late 1970's and 1980's as the lead singer for the multi-platinum band Foreigner. Described by Circus magazine (upon the release of the band's 1978 Top 3 hit "Hot Blooded") as having a voice that Robert Plant might envy, Gramm's unique vocals have made Foreigner one of Billboard's Top 100 artists of all time. Gramm--who will be inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame June 13 in New York City--was the lead vocalist on all of Foreigner's hit songs, including "Feels Like the First Time," "Cold as Ice," "Long, Long Way from Home," "Hot Blooded," "Double Vision," "Blue Morning, Blue Day," "Head Games," "Dirty White Boy," "Urgent," "Break It Up," "Say You Will" and "I Want to Know What Love Is," which was a #1 hit internationally in 1985. He co-wrote most of the songs for the band including "Waiting for a Girl Like You," which spent ten weeks at #2 on the 1981-82 American Hot 100, and "Juke Box Hero," another Top 40 hit. Beyond his work with Foreigner, Gramm released his first solo album, the critically-acclaimed Ready or Not, which featured the top five single "Midnight Blue" and 1989's Long Hard Look, which included "Just Between You and Me" (a Top Ten Hit) and "True Blue Love" (a Top 40 and Mainstream Rock hit). Gramm also contributed a track, "Lost in the Shadows," to the soundtrack for the 1987 movie The Lost Boys. Gramm has been touring internationally as a solo artist since 2004 and continues to draw enthusiastic audiences worldwide.
About Scott Pitoniak: Scott is a nationally honored newspaper columnist and the best-selling author of 16 books. A native of Rome, N.Y. and a magna cum laude graduate of Syracuse University, Pitoniak resides in suburban Rochester with his wife and two children.
FAIR WARNING "SUNDANCER" COMING IN MAY:
Four years after their last studio release to date Aura, a live double DVD (2010) and a best-of album (2011) the band Fair Warning are back with their new album Sundancer. In all 15 songs were recorded by the group whose line-up after 23 years still comprises the founding members Tommy Heart (vocals), Helge Engelke (guitar), Ule Ritgen (bass) and CC Behrens (drums). As usual Sundancer was produced by Fair Warning themselves. "Even if our music can still be classed as melodic rock, the new songs nevertheless document a broader stylistic range than our previous releases," explains bassist Ule Ritgen, adding, "We make a point of avoiding any particular stylistic agenda, we're open to influences from all directions. After all, it doesn't matter what inspires an idea, it'll always end up a typical Fair Warning song."
Both the album title and the sleeve artwork Sundancer are a deliberate nod to Rainmaker, the successful album of 1995 which gave Fair Warning their international breakthrough. "Now as then, the new songs and the record's artwork reflect modern life in an increasingly virtual world where we find ourselves wondering how real our own lives actually are," explains Ritgen.
For the first time in Fair Warning's history, several tracks on Sundancer were composed by the whole band together. Ritgen: "This approach was new to us and it was certainly accompanied by one or two doubts, because you never know if something like that is going to work out. But to our own surprise we had an incredible amount of fun, resulting in three excellent songs". The other 12 tracks on the album were penned by Ritgen and Engelke.
Tracklisting: 1. Troubled Love 2. Keep It In The Dark 3. Real Love 4. Hit And Run 5. Man In The Mirror 6. Natural High 7. Jealous Heart 8. Touch My Soul 9. Send Me A Dream 10. Pride 11. Get Real 12. How Does It Feel 13. Living On The Streets 14. Cool 15. Just As She Smiles (Bonus Track Digipak).
The new album "Sundancer" will be released through in Germany on May 24, Europe May 27 and US/Canada June 4.
You can watch a new teaser regarding the awesome album cover here: youtu.be/z5yqKx8nZUk.
Sundancer will be released as a limited edition Digipak (incl. 1 bonus track and poster), CD and download through SPV / Steamhammer worldwide except Japan/Asia.
WebLinks: www.fair-warning.de / www.spv.de.
TOTO TURN 35 AND TOUR TO COMMEMORATE:
Legendary studio band that eventually branched out to become full rock stars, Toto, will celebrate their 35th Anniversary with a series of 29 European dates followed by a tour of the U.S. The band originally came together in 1976 and was made up of studio veterans who, over the course of their careers, have appeared on over 5,000 albums. It wasn't until 1978, though, that they broke through with the single Hold the Line. They followed with almost a decade of hit singles, including Rosanna, Africa, 99, I Won't Hold You Back and I'll Be Over You.
The current version of the band boasts three original members, Steve Lukather, David Paich and Steve Porcaro. Original vocalist, Bobby Kimball, left in 2008 to be replaced by Joseph Williams (the two had switched of membership for many years). Original drummer Jeff Porcaro died in 1992. Simon Phillips has been drumming for them since.
Also in the current touring lineup is Jenny Douglas-McRae on vocals, Nathan East on bass and Mabvuto Carpenter on vocals.
Unfortunately, Toto will not be doing any dates in the U.K. on this tour. They explained in a special entry on their website: "We want to inform everyone that we will unfortunately not be performing in the UK on our upcoming European Tour. It was simply not logistically feasible as the proper venue in London was unavailable at the necessary time. We adore all of our fans in the UK, and will miss seeing you this summer. Rest assured, we will be back in the UK in 2014 and look forward to seeing our loving fans at additional shows on the upcoming summer tour!"
The European dates:
05/30 - Brussels, Belgium - Forest National
05/31 - Esch Sur Alzette, Luxembourg - Rockhal
06/01 - St. Goarshausen, Germany - Hirock Festival
06/02 - Inzell Germany - Hirock Festival
06/04 - Hamburg, Germany - Stadtpark
06/05 - Berlin, Germany - Zitadelle
06/07 - Montereau, France - Confluences Festival
06/08 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Ziggo Dome
06/09 - Lille, France - Zenith
06/11 - Caen, France - Zenith
06/12 - Tours, France - Grand Hall, Parc Expo
06/13 - Paris, France - Zenith
06/15 - Toulouse, France - Zenith
06/16 - Marseilles, France - Le Dome De Marseilles
06/17 - Clermont-Ferrand, France - Zenith
06/18 - Grenoble, France - Summum
06/20 - Milan, Italy - City Sound Hippodrome
06/21 - Rome, Italy - Rock in Roma
06/22 - Padua, Italy - Granteatrogeox
06/23 - Zurich, Switzerland - Hallenstadion
06/25 - Lodz, Poland - Atlas Arena
06/27 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Falkoner Theatre
06/28 - Stenungsund, Sweden - Stenungsbaden
06/29 - Moss, Norway - Verket
06/30 - Tronheim, Norway - Torvet
07/02 - Rattvik, Sweden - Dalhalla
07/03 - Orebro, Sweden - Stortorget
07/05 - Jakobstad, Finland - Jakobstad Centralplanen
07/06 - Helsinki, Finland - Ice Hall
REDRUM DEBUT NEW VIDEO: Redrum news just received from vocalist Michael Bormann: "We just finished our videoclip to Dust In Your Eyes. We also have this - Special Offer! (only until April 10) - Pre-order a shirt, plus CD until April 10 and save 25%! Different prices for Germany, EU and US. Shirt in sizes S/M/L/XL." Just visit www.redrum-rocks.com, or my page www.michaelbormannpage.de to order.
xx
GOD DOES NOT SING LENNY'S SONG:
The new Kingdom Come single God Does Not Sing Our Song will be released digitally worldwide on April 5.
Tracklisting:
1. God Does Not Sing Our Song (radio version) 03:55 / 2. God Does Not Sing Our Song (album version) 04:05 (taken from "Outlier") / 3. Should I 06:22 (taken from "Rendered Waters").
You can listen to a sample of the song here: soundcloud.com/spv-1/kingdomcome.
Here are some words by Lenny Wolf regarding the new single: Pardon my accent: Written by Lenny Wolf in sober and focused spirit. Some people asked me to share a few thoughts about my single called "God does not sing our song". I think the song itself speaks louder than words, but I will try to share some thoughts behind the obvious.
Why did I write that song? Because I am a Musician.
Why that title? The title is reflecting my thoughts about people abusing the "name of God" to justify their sick and often very destructive behavior. God may be watching but I'm sure he is "NOT always singing along".
What makes you decide in which form you create a song? I got no master plan. I am more like a five year old plugging the guitar chord into the endless audio universe hoping to catch some cool frequencies. Lately I caught a lot of heavy guitar signals which were asking to be used in a powerful song. I tried my best.
Do I believe in God? I believe in a higher force which can be called God or orange shoe. I don't need to sit in a men made building with steep roofs to "feel closer or more connected", but if that works for other people, that of course is perfectly alright. In whichever direction or whatever name people are praying to, I rather follow a good heart than thousands of pre written phrases.
What is my outlook on our future? Fanaticism and ignorance is a deadly combination. We got a lot of this around poisoning our planet. I don't have the answer to it all, but I think it would be a great first step to go by a simple saying: "Live and let live" - with enough space and respect for one another. As long as people trying to force their believes onto others, we are bound to have conflicts coming our way. Some should remember whether they are guests or locals before wanting to change the furniture!
In case I bored you, next time I will write about something much more original like: Oohh babe, I will never leave you, I'll do anything for you, tonight is the night, I'm so sorry, please let me bend over so that you can find the perfect place to kick me harder than ever …….. etc. etc. Hallelujah! ~ Lenny.
The single is taken from the new album Outlier which will be released worldwide through SPV/Steamhammer and will be available as CD and download in Germany on April 26, in Europe on April 29 and in the US/Canada on May 07.
Tracklisting: God Does Not Sing Our Song 04:05 Running High Distortion 04:14 Rough Ride Ralleye 04:35 Let The Silence Talk 03:29 Holy Curtain 03:59 The Trap Is Alive 04:41 Skip The Cover And Feel 03:37 Don`t Want You To Wait 04:31 Such A Shame 03:18 When Colors Break The Grey 05:03.
WebLink: www.lennywolf.com / www.spv.de.
GLOOMBALL DELIVER PRIME SLICE OF MODERN HARD ROCK/MELODIC METAL:
The automobile and energy industries prove it on a daily basis: they swear by hybrids, in other words a homogeneous mix of different components which blend past, present and future. German newcomer act Gloomball apply similar parameters in terms of their artistic orientation. Their debut album is called The Distance and documents an amazing diversity of styles, influences and ingredients. "We refer to our material simply as rock music, but you could also call it alternative metal or modern rock," guitarist Björn Daigger, who composed the majority of the tracks together with vocalist Alen Ljubic, explains, adding: "At the end of the day, our range includes elements from pop to death metal. In addition, there are classic orchestra parts as well as ultra-deep seven-string guitars. There are no stylistic taboos in Gloomball."
Since 2010, Gloomball have developed from a project which was initially limited to pure studio work to a hot live act and have long had their baptism of fire, continuing to impress growing numbers of fans with their dynamic style. They have played with top acts such as Dillinger Escape Plan, Ektomorf, Neaera, Ignite, Parkway Drive and Axxis without getting the short end of the stick. So it's no surprise that it didn't take long for renowned record companies to express their interest in this band.
Additional strong arguments for the justified public interest were Gloomball's two demo releases which document beyond doubt just how talented and at the same time mature this young group is. Four songs from this creative era have made it onto The Distance: 'Hand In Blood', 'Better Place', 'Long Time Gone' and 'We Do Belong'. All four numbers have of course been rerecorded to adapt them to the band's current style. In addition, The Distance features seven brand-new tracks plus an impressive cover version of Robert M. Tepper's 'No Easy Way Out' from the movie classic 'Rocky IV'.
So fasten your seatbelts, make sure your seat is in an upright position and refrain from smoking when Gloomball move in for the kill with rock numbers such as 'Overcome' and 'We Do Belong'. Driven by hard-as-nails guitar riffs courtesy of Daigger and fellow-stringsman Jossi Lenk, Basti Moser (bass) and Danny Joe's (drums) uncompromising rhythm section and Alen Ljubic's haunting, never pushy melodies, the twelve songs on The Distance drill themselves like barbs into your aural tract. All those who prefer their music really nasty will love 'Blown Away And Gone', while 'Your Sorrow Inside' sees Gloomball opt for a different style, producing progressive sounds for a change.
Talking of sounds: a lot of the music on The Distance has deep lyrics and a personal note. "Buried all my hopes, throw it overboard, I'll go on without you, I'm better off alone, can't stand your lies, hate the way you hide, I'll kill you quick, you are no more on my mind," sings Ljubic on 'More And More', delving deep into interpersonal themes and problematic relationships. The intensity of these lyrics suits the urgency of the overall sound, which is tough yet transparent and rich in detail. To cut a long story short: The Distance presents a holy alliance of music, lyrics and production which does the rock music genre proud.
What else can we say about these amazingly confident newcomers? Well, Gloomball have brought a fresh breeze and surprising complexity to the rock music scene, which you will be able to witness for yourself during their impending tour. As Daigger says: "This music belongs on the stage, and we can hardly wait to present The Distance live to our fans as often as possible in the coming months." You won't have to wait long for Gloomball to play a venue near you, so get ready for even more impressive feats by this brilliant band.
The debut album The Distance out on SPV / Steamhammer: Germany April 26, Europe April 29, USA / Canada May 7.
You can watch the video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGESuDonq0A&feature=youtu.be.
Tracklisting: Overcome * Burning Gasoline * The Distance * Blown Away And Gone * More And More * No Easy Way Out * Better Place * Long Time Gone * We Do Belong * Your Sorrow Inside * Hand In Blood * Living With My Tender Pain.
SCANNER RE-ISSUES DUE FOR RECORD STORE DAY:
Germany could be considered the birth place for what is now known as Power Metal. Bands like Helloween, Gamma Ray and Blind Guardian first forged this path in the '80s, but there was one band that never seemed to get their just due. Scanner's 1988 debut concept album, Hypertrace, was as good as any album out at the time, if not better. Conceptually speaking, Hypertrace was an intriguing tale of space travel and the bettering of humanity, while sonically it was filled to the brim with charging thunderous riffage and ear-piercing vocals (thanks to special guest backing vocalist, Ralf Scheepers - Gamma Ray, Tyran Pace, Primal Fear).
Despite the fact that it flew under the commercial radar, Hypertrace is still beloved by cult metal aficionados today and ripe to be discovered by legions of younger power metal fans curious of the movement's origins. Divebomb Records' Hypertrace Record Store Day limited edition contains brand new mastering exclusive to this physical reissue as well as a new interview with band founder, Axel Julius. For the fans, by the fans.
Scanner's 1988 debut, Hypertrace, placed the band on the right trajectory for success, but soon after its release, their vocalist quit. Quickly picking up S.L. Coe (ex-Angel Dust) to fill the vacated spot, the band forged onward with 1990's Terminal Earth.
Decidedly not following the previous album's concept, Coe struck out on his own lyrically with solid tracks like 'From the Dust of Ages,' 'Wonder,' 'Not Alone' and 'The Law.' Musically speaking, Scanner marched forward continuing to carry the torch of power metal across the globe pushing the genre into new markets. But even with these two impressive albums in their repertoire, and the flourishing power metal scene growing so rapidly, it would seem the plague of continued member departures would spell out disaster for Scanner when this era of the band came to a close in 1990.
Axel Julius did eventually resurface 6 years later with a new line-up and album, Mental Reservation, continuing to push the Scanner legacy forward. Thankfully, Scanner are still going strong to this very day. Terminal Earth has been out of print for nearly 20 years, and not surprisingly, fetching high dollar collector prices online. Divebomb Records' Terminal Earth Record Store Day limited edition contains brand new mastering exclusive to this physical reissue as well as a new interview with band founder, Axel Julius. For the fans, by the fans.
Purchase: tribunalrecords.bigcartel.com.
xx
JEFF SCOTT SOTO DAMAGE CONTROL IN EUROPE 2013:
American melodic rock star Jeff Scott Soto kicks off his first full European tour since 2009 this week with four dates in the UK:
04.04.13 Belfast The Limelight
05.04.13 Birmingham The Asylum
06.04.13 London Camden Underworld
07.04.13 Rotherham Hard Rock Hell AOR Festival
Jeff will be touring with his current band line-up comprising; Jorge Salán (guitar), Fernando Mainer (bass), 'BJ' (guitar/keys/vocals) and Edu Cominato (drums/vocals) and will be showcasing his current solo album 'Damage Control', as well as tracks from his solo and front-man roles across his entire career. The dates will see JSS supported by none other than his guitarist Jorge Salan's solo trio as well as an exciting new band from Athens named Danger Angel.
Jeff recorded vocals to one of Salán's songs on the 'Chronicles Of An Evolution' album back in 2007, which is what led to bringing him into the JSS band, and Jorge's latest album 'Sexto Asalto' ('Sixth Assault') will be available along with his other releases at each show. To watch the latest video/single 'Cero 16', visit www.jorgesalan.com. Danger Angel came to Jeff's attention back in 2009 when he was asked to participate on a track for their 2010 debut album. The band parted ways with their vocalist and brought in a more prominent vocalist named 'MT' to help them find a new direction and focus, recruiting Soto to produce their follow up album, 'Revolutia', of which Jeff was "beyond proud to be a part". Jeff also sings most of the backing vocals on the album as well as sharing some lead vocals on the single 'When I'm Gone'. Visit www.dangerangelband.com for more details about this upcoming new band.
It is with great pride that Jeff is 'presenting' these two acts as a sort of 'Soto-palooza' roadshow in which he implores: "EVERYONE to be on time for a great night of music and many surprises throughout the show. It will be an evening of great rock 'n roll, fun and memories so get there at the time the venues say to get there!!"
Jeff has most recently been in the public eye with the widely acclaimed release in February 2013 of the second album by the melodic rock 'supergroup' W.E.T., for whom he is the lead singer.
A newly published authorised biography of Jeff Scott Soto entitled Stand Up And Shout...The Story Of A Rock Star will be available to purchase during the tour on USB format. Author Frank Tunney states that: "I wanted this to be a biography that wasn't based on 'kiss and tell' but doesn't pull any punches and tells you everything you wanted to know. I hope every fan of Jeff Scott Soto and Melodic Rock will find plenty in 'Stand Up And Shout...' that will both surprise, delight and leave them wanting more." Jeff himself comments: "…it has EVERYTHING I have done in it! There are a lot of inputs from many I have worked with in the business but one thing it's not and that's a tell-all...I don't want an exploitation book out there, it's not necessary, this is more of a chronicle of my life and leaves no stone unturned!"
More at: www.jeffscottsoto.com.
MÖTLEY CRÜE - TTHEEYY''REE CCOMIING BBAACCKK…SEPTEMBER 18 – OCTOBER 6, 2013:
Tickets on-sale Friday at 10am!
Las Vegas, NV (April 2, 2013) – The world's most notorious band will be coming back to the world's most notorious city this fall, when Mötley Crüe returns to Las Vegas. The rockers best known for going to the extreme will once again take over the stage at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for an exclusive twelve show engagement September 18 through October 6. The band blew away fans and critics last February with twelve over-the-top, sold-out shows. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am. The fall shows will be an all-new production and the band is pushing their own envelope once again. The production will be designed exclusively for The Joint in partnership with AEG Live. There will be plenty of surprise elements for fans and a set-list full of hits. "We are proud to have pioneered the Las Vegas rock residency last year and can't wait to come back this year to take it over the top with a brand new show that will be unlike anything you've ever seen Mötley Crüe do before," said Nikki Sixx. "The guys had such a wild and successful run the first time around, I'm sure they will want to do everything bigger and better this time. We are extremely excited to see what the band brings to The Joint and Vegas during their second residency," said Paul Davis, vice president of entertainment at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino "If some is good, more is better! That was our thought when we got serious about bringing the Crüe back to The Joint. The run went so well last time…..the show was awesome, the numbers outstanding and working with the band and their management was a pleasure," said Bobby Reynolds, Vice President of Booking for AEG Live Las Vegas. "I'm honored to bring one of the most entertaining bands ever back to their element."
For more information visit, www.Motley.com.
Check out highlights from Mötley Crüe's 2012 residency: youtu.be/yohw_idKWik.
Tickets, starting at $49.50 (plus applicable service fees), go on sale Friday at 10am at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com or charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000. Mötley Crüe will perform 12 shows at The Joint. Show time is 9pm.
Wednesday, Sept 18 / Friday, Sept 20 / Saturday, Sept 21 / Sunday, Sept 22 / Wednesday, Sept 25 / Friday, Sept 27 / Saturday, Sept 28 / Sunday, Sept 29 / Wednesday, Oct 2 / Friday, Oct 4 / Saturday, Oct 5 / Sunday, Oct 6.
MELODIC BRIEFS: Noize In The Attic (Where Your Past Comes Back To Haunt You) is honored to have an exclusive interview with all 5 members of Queensryche (Todd vox) on this Friday's episode airing 2-4PM EST on WNHU 88.7FM New Haven, CT (streaming live on www.wnhu.net) Free podcasts are available on iTunes or by following the link at www.noizeintheattic.com.
INTRODUCING BLUE COW KENT:
It all started in the summer of 2010 when the buddies, Ove Lundqvist, Robert Persson and Kaj Roth thought they should start a covers band to salute their heroes of the 80´s. These guys all grew up listening to bands like Journey, Foreigner, Toto, Survivor, Boston, Styx, Kansas, etc. Guitarist Ove Lundqvist was quite familiar with the AOR genre with his former band Crystal Blue that released the albums "Out from the blue at last" (1993), "Caught in the game" (1994) and the critically acclaimed "Detour" (2004) on MTM Music. Robert Persson was the original drummer in sleaze rockers Cowboy Prostitutes before he teamed up with Kaj Roth in the hard rock band Clown Eraser in 2004, the band parted ways in 2009 and singer Kaj Roth joined the online metal project Human Cometh with 2 albums released in "Evolution" (2010) and "HCII" (2011).
This power trio knew they needed more members to be able to perform AOR classics and bassist Pelle Mellberg from the progrock band Big Generation was drafted into the band, and to complete the line-up they also recruited the amazing talent of Josefin Bäck on lead and background vocals. Josefin is also the lead singer of the Toto tribute band, T3.
Blue Cow Kent was ready to perform live in 2011 and did a few successful shows in their hometown of Cowopolis, Sweden. But songwriters Ove and Kaj weren´t at all satisfied with just playing AOR covers, the two started changing ideas and quickly they had written 4 original songs that can be described as a mix between Giant, Kiss, Thin Lizzy and H.E.A.T.
The 4 songs "Ghost Town", "Bermuda", "Ready to bite" and "Catapult", all reflect the best music of the 80´s and are of course included on their debut "On our way to Budokent" EP. Ove´s friend and keyboard player, Thomas Lassar of Crystal Blue is guesting on the tracks "Ghost Town" and "Bermuda". So why not join this Army Of Rock?! Line-Up: Ove Lundqvist-Guitars; Kaj Roth-Lead Vocals; Josefin Bäck-Lead Vocals/Background Vocals; Pelle Mellberg-Bass; Robert Persson-Drums.
WebLink: www.reverbnation.com/bluecowkent.
MELODIC ROCK PROJECT STARFIRE UNVEILS ITS THIRD FULL-LENGTH ALBUM PROJECT:
Los Angeles, March 30 -- After several live performances throughout southern California in 2011, including the Venice Beach SummerFest, Starfire founder and frontman Dairenn Lombard returned to the studio the following year, teaming up with producer Tim Moore, guest vocalist Tammy Moran and engineer Tom Parham to complete the music for a new release, The Way I Am. Composed between 1997 and 2001, the songs on the band's third album were written during a time of persistent unrequited love. "Sometimes it makes you sad, sometimes it makes you happy… Sometimes, you want to cut through all the social B.S. and just get what you need. Then sometimes, it all makes you mad. Those are all the moods on this record that I tried to represent," says Lombard about the collection of music. "I did it as a way of surviving the emotional roller coaster from attraction and rejection but then realized after talking with other guys—especially in their late teens and early twenties as I had been—that we all go through it. I chose to end the album with the title track because I feel the thing we hate the most are stereotypes yet we've all heard the phrase: you're not my type. We've also heard the phrase that you don't judge a book by its cover. It's a defiant message that champions those of us who don't make it on the cover of GQ, don't drive Euro-imports, aren't tall enough to be in the NBA or have their salaries, but make great partners nonetheless."
The Way I Am, which is set to release on September 30th, 2013, remains faithful to Starfire's pop-influenced rock, however, showcases a matured, harder sound -- something Lombard says will please existing Starfire fans while simultaneously attract a future generation. The band plans to hold an album release party in September in Los Angeles to celebrate the release and will donate ticket sale proceeds to benefit the Disabled American Veterans charity.
About Starfire: Dairenn Lombard has been singing, playing guitar and piano for over 26 years and is the founder of Starfire, a Melodic Rock music project from Los Angeles, launched in 2005. Five years later, he teamed up with bassist Andrew James, who has gigged for over a decade on stages as big as The Rachel Ray Show, ABC's Good Morning America, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno also, and is a touring member of the band Karmin. Lombard also found Minnesotan Blake Paulson, Berklee College of Music alum with a BA in Professional Music and author of Hal Leonard's "Drum Set Coordination." Also in the lineup is Sacramento-native Greg Pajer, Musicians Institute alum with a degree in Commercial Music. Pajer has played on national commercials and television shows as well as toured with major label artists such as Mandi Perkins and Nina Bergman. Berklee College of Music alum, Neara Russell, is the latest addition to the band. Hailing from Wisconsin, Russell is a studio and touring keyboardist/vocalist who has toured with major label artists such as American Idol Season 10's Haley Reinhart and Bridgit Mendler.
Starfire's catalog can be purchased on CD from Dynasty Records at any TransWorld, Sam Goody, FYE, HMV, CD Plus, Warehouse, Strawberries, Coconuts, Streetside, Harmony House music store, online at Amazon.com and CDbaby.com, and digitally from Apple iTunes for iPod, iPhone and iPad devices, and AmazonMP3 for Kindle Fire and other MP3-compatible personal music listening devices.
Track Listing: The Circle of Misery, Temptation, Rock Your World, Cat Walk, Lip Service, Did You Know?, The Angel, Pass Away, It's You!, The Way I Am.
PINK FLOYD DARK SIDE OF THE MOON TURNS 40 :
Dallas, TX - APRIL 2, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands lights the candles for a very special Rock album birthday, the 40th anniversary of Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon. Coming on the heels of perhaps the most important year in progressive rock, DSOTM would go on to spend a record 741 weeks on the Billboard Top 200 chart between 1973-1988, selling an estimated 45 million records worldwide and turning Pink Floyd into global superstars. Roger Waters recalls to InTheStudio host Redbeard the original meeting in Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason's kitchen in which Waters laid out the concept for DSOTM. "My idea for what the record should be about...(was)... our lives could really be seen as a microcosm of the lives of Every Man, all the different things, like fear and love and hope and anxiety and hatred and pain and religion and authority, that impinged upon our lives at the time and had done throughout our childhoods. And somehow that could be turned into a record that was about the potential we have for being human, and humane, and fulfilling our potential as human beings; but how that potential is eclipsed often by negativity."
Pink Floyd 'DSOTM' /InTheStudio interview is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/pink-floyd-dark-side-moon-40th-anniversary.
JUDAS PRIEST CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF HEAVY METAL DOMINANCE: Judas Priest, the heavy metal legends whose influence on generations of musicians and metalheads is incalculable, celebrate their 40th year as recording artists this year with the release of the live concert Epitaph. A unique live career retrospective, Epitaph will be released on Blu-ray and separate DVD on May 28th through Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. This release precedes a new studio album by Judas Priest which the band are working on now.
Judas Priest's current lineup comprises lead singer Rob Halford, lead guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. Heavy metal historians will regard Epitaph as the most far-reaching live concert recording in the band's career. The set revisits the climactic closing date of the 50-week "Epitaph World Tour," captured live at London's HMV Hammersmith Apollo on May 26, 2012. Adding to the drama is the fact that this was Judas Priest's final large-scale world tour ever. Epitaph's 23 tracks represent at least one song from every one of the band's 14 studio albums, from 1974's Rocka Rolla (Never Satisfied) to 2008's Nostradamus (Prophecy).
In the special case of British Steel, four songs are featured: Rapid Fire, Metal Gods, Breaking The Law, and perennial set closer, Living After Midnight. Others exempted from the one-song-quota are the LPs which appeared before and after British Steel. The first of these is 1979's Hell Bent For Leather (UK title: Killing Machine) which lends the title song as well as The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown). The other LP is 1982's Screaming For Vengeance, source of The Hellion, Electric Eye, and You've Got Another Thing Coming.
They have epitomized the genre with their Harley riding frontman, rapid-fire guitar assaults, and spectacular stage shows, wrote journalist Bryan Reesman in his liner notes for 2004's leather-bound, metal-spiked Metalogy box set. Influential, innovative, and exuberant in expression, he wrote, they are the true Metal Gods who have been as unwavering in their desire to expand the boundaries of their music as they have been in crossing international borders to deliver it to their disciples.
Unabashedly committed to their cause, and unrepentant in proclaiming themselves a true heavy metal band even when others have shied away from the term, Judas Priest have forever been defenders of the faith.
Epitaph by Judas Priest (Columbia/Legacy: Blu-Ray 88765481119, DVD 88883715539)
Selections: 1. Battle Hymn (L) • 2. Rapid Fire (F) • 3. Metal Gods (F) • 4. Heading Out To The Highway (G) • 5. Judas Rising (M) • 6. Starbreaker (C) • 7. Victim Of Changes (B) • 8. Never Satisfied (A) • 9. Diamonds And Rust (C) • 10. Prophecy (N) • 11. Night Crawler (L) • 12. Turbo Lover (J) • 13. Beyond The Realms Of Death (D) • 14. The Sentinel (I) • 15. Blood Red Skies (K) • 16. The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown) (E) • 17. Breaking The Law (F) • 18. Painkiller (L) • 19. The Hellion (H) • 20. Electric Eye (H) • 21. Hell Bent For Leather (E) • 22. You've Got Another Thing Coming (H) • 23. Living After Midnight (F).
Album index: A from Rocka Rolla (originally issued 1974, on Gull Records) / B from Sad Wings Of Destiny (originally issued 1976, on Gull Records) / C from Sin After Sin (originally issued 1977, on Columbia Records) / D from Stained Class (originally issued 1978, on Columbia) / E from Hell Bent For Leather (originally issued 1979, on Columbia; aka Killing Machine in UK) / F from British Steel (originally issued 1980, on Columbia) / G from Point Of Entry (originally issued 1981, on Columbia) / H from Screaming For Vengeance (originally issued 1982, on Columbia) / I from Defenders Of the Faith (originally issued 1984, on Columbia) / J from Turbo (originally issued 1986, on Columbia) / K from Ram It Down (originally issued 1988, on Columbia) / L from Painkiller (originally issued 1990, on Columbia) / M from Angel Of Retribution (originally issued 2005, on Epic Records) / N from Nostradamus (originally issued 2008, on Epic).
Thursday, March 28, 2013
COMING UP FROM KIVEL RECORDS IN 2013:
Lots of news brewing in the Kivel Records camp - First a video announcement from Scott Board of No Love Lost: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjyEx6oKrlU.
Look for the No Love Lost release sometime this spring. Release date to be announced soon. Also, don't miss No Love Lost at MRF3!
In other Kivel title news: LaValle has been pushed back til Late April early May. Eddie LaValle and Ty Sims (Album Producer) felt that a couple of things needed some last minute tweaking to really make this album go from "good" to "GREAT". Eddie LaValle had this to say: "This album means a lot to me, and I don't want to short change myself or anyone that buys this CD. We are going to make this the best CD possible. So we apologize for the slight delay, but it will be worth the wait, I promise!"
Upcoming releases from Kivel: No Love Lost TBA LaValle "Dear Sanity" April/May Adriangale "Suckerpunch!" Sept 27th (MRF3!) Adriangale "Best Of" Sept 27th (MRF3!)
In other AG news: with the recent buzz for the back catalog - and in trying to keep up with the times and technology - for the first time ever, Adriangale's entire catalogue will be up for purchase digitally via iTunes!
Spanning back to 2000, Adriangale has released some of the most consistently well-regarded, high quality melodic rock in the genre. From the debut Feel The Fire through their last release Crunch, Jamie, Vic, Ed and company have continually set a high water mark for themselves and for their brand of music, doing it with great songs, great musicianship, and often thought-provoking lyrics and themes.
Popular musical styles and tastes inevitably come and go, but Adriangale has managed to forge and maintain their own identity through it all. We are are now offering the opportunity to stock up on all of Adriangale's music via iTunes, all in anticipation of their highly anticipated new album, Suckerpunch!, set for release, September 27th 2013! That's right - our CD Release Party will be none other than MelodicRockFest 3! Also to be released that day will be a Best Of AG that will consist unreleased and newly recorded Bonus tracks!
Pre-orders for both AG releases will take place right here on melodicrock.com in August. ALL pre orders can be picked up day of show at the Kivel Records booth, and will be signed by the band in person!! Any pre orders by customers that are not attending MRF3. Your orders will ship on Oct 1st.
xxxxxx
GLENN HUGHES TALKS BCC AND THE FUTURE:
Vocalist Glenn Hughes was kind enough to send me a personal message pertaining to the break-up of Black Country Communion. Glenn states:
"Joe felt it was time to leave. We are all good friends, and life goes on. I have nothing but love and respect for Joe, and the last time we spoke, the tone of our conversation was of our friendship and love of music. I know he wants Jason, Derek and I to continue, and & sometime in the future we may do so...there is absolutely no ill feeling within the members of our band....to my knowledge no other guitar players have been asked to join, as we are taking a break from BCC & this time...
I am busy writing a new Rock album, that I plan to record before the end of the year for spring O14 release.... All we ask is for fans to celebrate the music of our band, you make a difference...."~ GH.
ARFM THIS WEEK - MELODIC ROCK FEST AND DAVID COVERDALE:
This week on ARfm - me! Yes, Saturday night ARfm.co.uk will be featuring bands from this year's MelodicRockFest 3 event and included in there will be a chat with myself about the show. Also featured on Saturday with ARfm is some bloke from an unknown band called Whitesnake. Here's the blurb...
David Coverdale will be joining Steve Price on ARfm on Sunday 31st March and will be chatting about Whitesnake's "Made In Japan" CD/DVD/Blu-ray set which is being released through Frontiers. Whitesnake are celebrating 10 years since Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach joined David Coverdale, and Steve Price joined the band on their first dates back in 2003 so their may be some reminiscing. The show is broadcast 6pm-9pm UK time at www.arfm.co.uk.
QUEENSRYCHES UPDATES:
A couple of Queensryche updates from Blabbermouth: QR1 - Legendary Seattle progressive hard rockers Queensryche are rescheduling some of their upcoming European shows next month. The postponement of these dates is caused by changes in the bands promotional schedule brought upon by their new label, Century Media Records, in order to meet the demands of their upcoming June 10th worldwide release date. All affected performances have been moved to October in an effort to honor the band's desire to play for their fans around the globe.
Please note, the Sweden Rock Cruise and the Power Prog & Metal Festival in Belgium have not been affected. While the promoters of the other shows were gracious and accommodating enough to move around their dates, the cruise and festival show obviously could not be changed. Queensryche did not want to miss out on these amazing events knowing there was no chance to make them up to the fans.
Tateryche - Acclaimed musician, record producer and engineer Billy Sherwood has revealed via his Facebook page that he has landed "a new gig": remixing "Frequency Unknown", the new album from the Geoff Tate-fronted version of Queensrÿche. Sherwood writes: "[It] seems there are sonic issues with the previous versions and so I shall be fixing it for all to enjoy. [I am] starting on it [Wednesday] morning [March 27]."
Sarcastic comments and more info at: www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=188025.
JOHN SYKES REVEALS STUDIO MUSICIANS FOR NEW ALBUM: John Sykes has added an interesting little update to his website news page - the recording line-up for his next studio release, It reads: "Hi Guys, It's been a while; I want to thank you all for your interest and hope that you are all doing well out there. I am still working on my new music and very much look forward to you all hearing it in the near future". Some of the studio players are: Josh Freese: Drums; Tony Franklin: Bass; Chris Chaney: Bass; Curt Bisquera: Drums; Jamie Muhoberac: Keys."
MRX UPDATED:
Two Feature Albums added to MRX today - those being:
- Michael Breen (Self Titled)
- De Pinto (Self Titled) Join MRX now.
REVIEWS ADDED: New Reviews added today - Bon Jovi, N.O.W., Crashdiet, Diamond Dawn, Player & Sebastian Bach. Read them now. More to come shortly...
HAPPY AND SAFE EASTER:
Happy and safe Easter to everyone worldwide. See you back here Tuesday for the next news update.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
PROJECT 4 FOR GUITARIST GIUNTINI: Escape Music will release the latest Giuntini: Project album on May 5. Titled IV, the lineup for this release will be: Aldo Giuntini - Guitars; Tony Martin - Vocals (ex Black Sabbath); Fabiano Rizzi - Drums; Roberto Gualdi - Drums; Fulvio Gaslini - Bass; Liz Vandall - Vocals on "Bring on the Night".
Track list: 1) Perfect Sorrow 3:08 2) Born In The Underworld 5:17 3) Shadow Of The Stone 3:58 4) Cured 4:08 5) I Don't Believe In Fortune 4:03 6) If The Dream Comes True 4:45 7) The Rise And Fall Of Barry Lyndon 4:33 8) Bring On The Night 4:20 9) Not The Jealous Kind 4:32 10) Saint Or Sinner 3:57 11) Last Station: Nightmare 5:19 12) How The Story Ends 4:24 13) Truth Never Lie 5:12.
Italian guitar wizard Aldo Giuntini is back for the release of his brand new Giuntini Project "IV" album on May 24. It has been six years but Aldo is now back with the fourth chapter of his Project. "My way of writing and producing the songs needs a lot of time", he says, "One could say I am a perfectionist, but when I have musical ideas for my guitar, I often have the other guys working with their own inputs: Also I need to have Tony Martin to work on the lyrics at the end, so this takes away a lot of time".
Aldo comments "Project IV continues the line of Project II, III, musically and I' m sure that who loved my 2nd, and 3rd work will appreciate the IV album in the same way and more, since the production work is "a lot improved" this time and produced by Dario Mollo (Mollo / Martin)."
The sound of Giuntini's work is a combination of "the warmth and the power of Black Sabbath "Headless Cross", "Tyre", Rainbow "Long Live Rock & Roll and Rising" and Dio "Holy Diver" with energetic sound of Loudness, the Japanese metal heroes!", while Giuntini's guitar playing is mainly influenced by Akira Takasaki, Vivian Campbell, Edward Van Halen, Jake E. Lee, John Norum and, of course Malmsteen.
Handling all vocals once again on "Project IV" is none other than Tony Martin (ex Black Sabbath), with the help of Ezio Secomandi (on drums), Dario Patti (on keyboards) and Fulvio Gaslini (on bass). "I wanted to have Tony again" explains Aldo, "because he is my favourite voice and I think that the blend of our styles is just perfect!"
Project IV promises to be like a breath of fresh air and will please the long time fans as well as the new ones, which are bound to fall in love with this great new Album.
WebLink: www.Escape-Music.com.
MARCH 2013 RELEASES SPOT (OFFICIAL): Frontiers Records presents their March 2013 Releases Spot featuring: Pretty Maids, Sebastian Bach, Stryper and De La Cruz. For more info: www.frontiers.it - www.frontiers.it/usstore.
BLACK COUNTRY CONFUSION:
So Glenn Hughes has stated publicly that Black Country Communion is no more, after guitarist Joe Bonamassa walked away (after disagreeing with Glenn on band plans) and is now apparently refusing to allow the band to continue on using the BCC name.
I've held off on reporting this in hope that I could actually get long time contacts Glenn Hughes and producer Kevin Shirley to comment further. Sadly there has been no response.
What I can confirm is that the 3 remaining members were searching for a new guitarist and had invited at least 2 well known musicians to join - both declined. Stay tuned...
PAUL LAINE TO PRODUCE THE RADIO SUN DEBUT:
Aussie melodic rockers The Radio Sun have announced that Paul Laine (solo artist, ex Danger Danger, Dark Horse) will produce the band's debut album. Guitarist Stevie Janevski goes on to say "it's been great working with Paul – an all-round great guy who gets what we're about. We can't wait for everyone to hear this album!"The Radio Sun will showcase their new material at the upcoming Melodic Rock Fest 3 by playing an acoustic set on the Friday and an electric set on the Saturday. The Radio Sun debut album will be released late 2013. www.facebook.com/theradiosun.
TAINTED NATION ADD FURIOUS AXEMAN:
UK's modern hard rocker Tainted Nation have announced the addition of guitarist Joel Peters (Fury) to the group's ranks.
Commented Tainted Nation drummer Mark Cross: "We'd like to introduce to you and welcome Joel Peters, former guitarist of the band Fury, to the Tainted Nation family. Since we started rehearsing and playing live with the band, we realised how important a second guitar was, especially for our live performances. We had Joel along since day one, but recently invited him to become a member Joel is an extremely gifted guitar player and great singer and brings a fourth dimension to our set up. Joel will be on tour with us, check www.taintednation.co.uk for all details. See you all soon on tour!" Tainted Nation are Pete Newdeck (Eden's Curse) vocals, Mark Cross (ex Firewind, Helloween) Drums, Pontus Egberg (The Poodles) Ian Nash (Lionsheart) – Guitars and Joel Peters (Fury) – Guitars.
Tainted Nation recently released the first video 'Loser': youtu.be/UILFu8hf5NE.
Tainted Nation – F.E.A.R. over the UK Tour 2013
19.04.13 "The Yardbirds" Grimsby, UK
20.04.13 "The Diamond" Mansfield, Sutton in Ashfield, UK
10.05.13 "The Vine Bar" Workington, UK
22.06.13 "R Mine Festival" BE
21/22.09.13 "Skyfest Festival" Mansfield, UK
For information on ordering the new album F.E.A.R visit www.taintednation.co.uk and hit the merchandise tab. The band are offering a variety of packages or via the usual outlets from Massacre Records.
SEVENDUST NINTH STUDIO ALBUM, "BLACK OUT THE SUN," OUT TODAY:
March 26, 2013 -- As the fans proudly and bombastically chant at the opening of every show, "Sevendust has arrived!" That mantra has even more meaning as it heralds the release of the band's new album, Black Out The Sun, now available everywhere.
The Atlanta band (@Sevendust)--Lajon Witherspoon (vocals), Morgan Rose (drums/vocals), Clint Lowery (guitar/vocals), Vince Hornsby (bass/vocals) and John Connolly (guitar/vocals)released their highly anticipated ninth studio album, Black Out The Sun, today on their 7Bros. Records in conjunction with ADA Label Services. The first single, "Decay," is currently bulleted on the BDS Active Rock Chart at #13 and the Mediabase Active Rock chart at #12. It has also spent the past four weeks in the #1 spot on SiriusXM's "Big Uns" countdown on the Octane active rock channel.
Also released today was the video for "Decay," which makes its debut on Fuse's website (on.fuse.tv/11DDWOY) and it's also airing on Xbox LIVE.
Sevendust continues to prove why they're the hardest touring band in Rock today as they criss-cross the U.S. on their headlining tour with Lacuna Coil and Candlelight Red through March 27 in El Cajon, CA. From there, they'll team up with Coal Chamber for a co-headlining tour starting March 28 in Tempe, AZ at The Marquee and concluding April 28 in Dallas, TX at The Palladium Ballroom. Starting April 30, the band will play headlining shows joined by such bands as Pop Evil and In This Moment. Stops at festival shows, including Rock On The Range in Columbus, OH on Sunday, May 19, will be made throughout the on-going headlining tour.
As Drumhead magazine praised: "Somehow Sevendust grows stronger with each successive album...Black Out The Sun sees Sevendust at their most uncompromising, unwavering and undeniable." While Outburn magazine agreed: "...brooding verses that build up to cavernous choruses and raging, blues based fretwork that reveals the band's Southern roots...Black Out The Sun stands as their most polished effort yet." And ArtistDIRECT.com concludes: "Sevendust have made a landmark record in a career of landmark records, but they've still got even more to give."
WebLinks: www.sevendust.com / www.facebook.com/pages/Sevendust/25493613958.
CORNERSTONE ON FESTIVALTOUR ALL OVER EUROPE:
As already announced at the end of last year, Cornerstone will concentrate on playing at the bigger European festivals... one highlight will be the Cambridge Rock Festival (UK), where the band is going to share stage with legends like The Animals and Hazel O' Connor (UK). Whereas they'll play at the annual Donauinselfest in 2013 again, the band is also very active in Germany: as for the Weigendorf Open Air in Bavaria (Headliner: Jennifer Rostock, Tanzwut) and at the Winestock Festival, for the second time meanwhile. Before they will go back to studio in fall to record the follow-up of "Somewhere in America", the group is going to participate at the premiere of Skyfest in Mansfield (UK). Cornerstone will appear on the Line-Up together with Melodicrock-legends like Pretty Maids (DK), Vega (UK) and the new "Supergroup" Rage Of Angels (Danny Vaughn, Tommy Denander, Harry Hess a.o.)
More details about the concerts might be found here: www.cornerstone.co.at/content.php?id=17.
DAVID BOWIE 'INTHESTUDIO' FOR LET'S DANCE 30TH ANNIVERSARY:
Dallas, TX - MARCH 26, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands "puts on its red shoes and dances the blues" this week with the ever-changing chameleon of rock, David Bowie. Far from David Bowie's first "comeback", thirty years ago he emerged from a protracted period of self-imposed exile in Berlin where he had virtually singlehandedly co-opted the best elements of Kraut Rock (Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream, Can, Amon Duul) into a series of critically lauded if not best-selling albums Low, Lodger, Heroes, and Scary Monsters, whose influence can now be seen in full bloom in today's wildly popular Electronica movement. When Bowie's Let's Dance emerged in Spring 1983 with songs "Modern Love", "China Girl", "Cat People" (with young unheralded Texas blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan), Metro's "Critical World", and the seven minute title strut, it put David back in heavy rotation on North American rock radio where he had been MIA since his previous "comeback" to rock, 1976's #1 seller Station to Station. In this week's InTheStudio program with host Redbeard, Bowie explains the difference between rock music as change agent versus popular music. "It's very important for an art form to be the way that only a certain group of people think. That's when it's still an incendiary device. But then when it just becomes the way that we ALL think, it's popular music. We all love popular music. Access to it is so easy. It's everywhere."
David Bowie 'Let's Dance' /InTheStudio interview is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/david-bowie-lets-dance-30th-anniversary-2/
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the digital release today of "Enshrined in my Memory", the first single off the Timo Tolkki's Avalon new Metal Opera "The Land of New Hope". The song is available for download and legal streaming through all fine shops such as iTunes, Amazon and Spotify all over the World. It is also possible to enjoy the videoclip of the song, shot by Patric Ullaeus (Europe, Amaranthe, Kamelot etc.) following this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=98mD8hvKKso.
With a stunning vocal performance from Amaranthe singer Elize Ryd, the song shows the more melodic side of Tolkki's songwriting and sets the pace for the wide variety of musical styles that it is possible to find on the full album. "The Land of New Hope" is Tolkki's glorious return to music in full force. He managed to gather an amazing cast of singers and performers including Michael Kiske (Unisonic), Elize Ryd (Amaranthe), Rob Rock (Impellitteri), Russell Allen (Symphony X), Sharon Den Adel (Within Temptation) and Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica). Rounding up the stunning line-up of this album are: Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody Of Fire) on drums and Jens Johansson (Stratovarius), Derek Sherinian (Black Country Communion), Mikko Härkin (Sonata Arctica) on keyboards, with Tolkki taking care of all guitars and bass recordings and of course production duties. You can enjoy a full EPK presentation of the album following this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HoyZll5j0c.
"The Land of New Hope" will be released on Frontiers Records on May 17 in Europe and May 21 in North America.
NIGHT RANGER BACK IN CALIFORNIA STUDIO: Night Ranger are already well into the making of their next studio album, due out in September-ish via Frontiers Records. Earlier this year I talked to Brad Gillis and Joel Hoekstra at NAMM, who told me the blueprint behind this record was to "...take everything that Somewhere In California was and crank it up even further..."
I thought it was time for Jack Blades to weigh in on the subject. Here's what he had to say earlier today: "We are hard at work slamming out killer songs for the new record.....a few working titles: St. Bartholomew, Rollin' on, Brothers, Coming Home. If you liked Somewhere In California you're gonna love this record. KK at his usual finest, Brad and Joel are the guitar harmony Gods! And Eric.....Yea...oh Yea.....
We are in Sioux Falls South Dakota right now and along with Alice Cooper, Vince Neil, Steven Percy, Tommy Thayer, Eric Singer and a slew of other people we are helping our friend Chuck Brennan open the Brennan Rock N Roll Academy that benefits the Boys and Girls Club of SD. We broke it in today and wrote a song for our new album while we were there...the first music ever penned in the place...Back to the studio in California Wednesday."
Cannot wait for this one!
On a similar topic - also hanging out for new albums later this year from Winger, Tom Cochrane, Jorn, Meat Loaf, Alliance, Magnus Karlsson and Harem Scarem's Mood Swings re-record. And plenty more!
SEBASTIAN BACH'S VIDEO FOR "18 & LIFE" TAKEN FROM UPCOMING CD/DVD HAS WORLDWIDE PREMIERE: Sebastian Bach fans worldwide can click here to check out the exclusive worldwide premiere of the video for "18 & Life," taken from the forthcoming CD/DVD package ABachalypse Now; the set is out now in Europe and due out tomorrow in North America via Frontiers Records. The ABachalypse Now Ultimate CD/DVD Edition includes never-before-seen footage from last year's GrasPop Festival in Belgium, the full never-before-seen Hellfest set from France and the fully-remixed and remastered Nokia show from Los Angeles (originally broadcast on AXS TV), as well as bonus music videos. The DVD contains a running time of nearly 160 minutes. ABachalypse Now will be available in two configurations: the Ultimate CD/DVD Edition (2 CDs + DVD) and a standalone DVD; the respective covers can be accessed here and here. You can check out the official EPK here and preorder the set here.
Sebastian Bach's latest album, Kicking & Screaming, was produced by Bob Marlette (Black Sabbath, Shinedown, Atreyu, Filter) and debuted in the Top 75 of the Billboard Top 200 Album chart and received rave reviews from critics and fans alike. Outburn declared, "Sebastian Bach delivers a balls out gang of mountainous hooks, titanic grooves and straight down the middle hard rock", while Revolver avowed, "Bach's voice is in particularly fine form on Kicking & Screaming, boasting more color and range than most…" Bach was recently named one of the 100 greatest living rock stars by Revolver.
Sebastian Bach has sold in excess of 20 million records worldwide as lead singer with his former band, Skid Row and as a solo artist. Far from just being a multi-platinum recording artist, the singer/songwriter/actor/entertainer has expanded his career over the past decade to include episodic television with a 5-season recurring role on the CW's hit series "Gilmore Girls", starring roles on Broadway ("Jekyll & Hyde", "The Rocky Horror Picture Show") and national touring companies ("Jesus Christ Superstar"), and has appeared regularly on MTV and VH1.
WebLinks: www.sebastianbach.com / www.facebook.com/sebastianbach / www.frontiers.it.
THE REAL QUEENSRYCHE SHOW HOW IT'S DONE: Queensrÿche - Redemption (New Song!). New album in stores June 10th EU/June 11th US! Queensrÿche is: Todd La Torre vocals | Michael Wilton guitars | Parker Lundgren guitars | Scott Rockenfield drums, percussion, keys | Eddie Jackson bass. For more info: www.facebook.com/QueensrycheOfficial.
Meat Loaf: he's the towering tough man of hard rock famed for repeatedly cheating death – the self-proclaimed Bat Out Of Hell. And yet, he's currently struggling to hold back the tears. "You'll have to forgive me if I'm a bit emotional," he says. "I've just been talking to someone about the fans. "There's a notion that people have about entertainers and how we're all spoiled and temperamental, and I'm not saying they're not out there. But the one thing that you'll never see from me is pictures of me walking out of a bar or getting in a fist fight, because my whole thing is about the audience. I'm very conscientious and very professional... Oh god," he chokes, "my words won't come out."
Given this emotional outpouring, it's even more surprising to find that Meat (as he likes to be called) is about to give it all up. Or at least, give up touring. The 'wear and tear' of taking a massive show around the globe is one he can no longer endure; at 65 he has, after all, reached the age at which most of us are doing the final dash to our pension. His Last At Bat tour, arriving in Manchester on April 17, marks his final live outing in the UK. And to make it memorable for everyone involved, he's shaped the programme around iconic albums and greatest hits.
Act one is about the big singles – with a strict rule it has to be post-Bat II, so think Dead Ringer For Love, I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That), Objects In The Rear View Mirror – and act two is a never-done-before chronological run through his 1977 breakthrough album Bat Out Of Hell, complete with a video of album co-composer Jim Steinman kicking off the opening title track. "All I have to do is think about (final album song) For Crying Out Loud and I'm crying out loud," he laughs. "It's my favourite song I've ever recorded. I think it could live forever. "But recording Bat almost killed me. I literally had a nervous breakdown from it. I was seeing a psychologist every day for six months because they wanted to call me a star, and I didn't want to be called a star. I thought I was an actor, I took characters on stage."
For his 11th album, Hang Cool Teddy Bear, he shut himself in a studio with The Darkness' frontman Justin Hawkins and Jon Bon Jovi and was rewarded with Top 5 chart positions around the world. And his last album, Hell In A Handbasket, released just days after his 63rd birthday, saw him working with rapper and Beastie Boy Chuck D. The current artists he admires are people who do the same: Florence + The Machine, Foo Fighters and Adele are his tips for the iconic characters of the future, in part because they've been given the same chance to grow by their labels as he was. But also because they're real. Across 12 studio albums, Meat claims he's only ever let an engineer autotune a single note. "It was about four o'clock in the morning and we were working on this ballad and my voice was just giving out," he confesses. "I was just a hair underneath the note and I said, 'Just push it'. But every other time, I've refused." He has no plans to let them tweak him on album 13, Brave And Crazy, which sees him recording Jim Steinman tracks again.
They're also working on a Las Vegas production, set for a four week residency, called Rocktails and Cocktails, which starts like an 1960s dance revue before Meat busts out from his secret seat in the audience to call a halt to the Broadway feel and get the rock show started.
Why make another record? Because making music, he says, is something he can never put down. "Music is like being in jail," he laughs. "It gets you into a whole lot of trouble and its hard to find a way out."
Rich Wyman has recently released his 9th album "Good Company" and will be touring this year behind it. He has won 10 ASCAP awards, had two TOP 40 hits in Europe, and worked with Eddie Van Halen and opened shows for Alanis Moristte and the Goo Goo Dolls. Most recently, he performed in Las Vegas at the Monte Carlo and New York, New York. For the latest show dates check out his website: www.richwyman.com for more information. 100 Years Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFU_P5slgKI&feature=plcp.
Dio Messiah is Csaba Zvekan (Raven Lord, Exorcism) and Jay Parmar (Exorcism) playing straight up DIO songs. The idea came too play all possible Dio songs from the Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio und Heaven and Hell era. A new approach of today's recording technique with a modern style and still keep true to the original. The Band presents the new song "Rock N Growl Children" and gives an idea on how the band sounds like. The song can be streamed below: soundcloud.com/rockngrowl/dio-messiah-rock-n-growl.
Dio Messiah is currently seeking for a bass player, drummer and keyboardist to complete the Band. Serious parties are asked to send a video or link of themselves playing any song to the management: promo@rockngrowl.com. www.diomessiah.com.
AFM Records proudly welcomes another legendary act: Danish cult rockers D-A-D have signed a worldwide (except Scandinavia) record deal. As the first release of their new collaboration, D-A-D's 2011 studio album Dic.Nii.Lan.Daft.Erd.Ark is available from today on as an extensive Deluxe Edition, which comes as 2-CD in Digipak format and includes a 16-track live CD beside the regular album.
Italian Symphonic Metal kings Rhapsody Of Fire will release Live - From Chaos to Eternity on May 3rd (USA: May 7th). It will be available as 2-CD Digipak and as limited 3-Vinyl set. The material (a mixture of old classics and newer tracks) was recorded on the band's latest European tour in Spring 2012.
JOHN TAGLIERI VISITS SOUTHERN PARADISE ON HIS ELEVENTH RELEASE:
(Hanson, MA - 25 March 2013) When John Taglieri abruptly quit his lucrative day job in 2005 to become "a professional musician" people thought he was out of his mind. Literally. I mean, who quits a steady pay check to play music for a living in the 21st Century, right? More than half a decade later Taglieri is having the last laugh because he's made it on his terms and his terms alone. It's not a spiteful laugh, though, more along the lines of "hey, let's head down to Florida and have a little party on the beach" type of chuckle.
Now, stealing a few chapters from the book of Jimmy Buffett for his new Ep, Southern Paradise, John has the beach party bit down to a science. Not that he's copping Jimmy musical style, mind you, just his "fun at all costs and always have a margarita in each hand" happy go lucky attitude. "On this record I wanted to do things differently. I have a great balance in my life right now, and it's lots of fun! This is my 11th release, I live in Key West, FL half the year and get to play music for a living…what's NOT to LOVE about that!??!" says John. Songs such as the title track talk about his own Southern Paradise and how life can be truly fun when you do what you love. "When I Think About" (written with Nashville writer Bobby James) and "Days of Night" (written by Sean Mormelo) all show a marked maturity and balance in Taglieri's material. This is his eleventh release overall and tenth of all new music.
Working with the up and coming Nashville based production team of Sean Mormelo and Mark Cohn of Illusionati Entertainment, and mastered by multi Grammy Award winning Richard Dodd (George Harrison, Keith Urban, Green Day, Sheryl Crow, Tom Petty), the team has crafted a feel good record that sounds and feels like summer, no matter what your weather outside may be. "Sean and I go back about 10 years as writers and touring acts. We've always wanted to work together and this seemed like the right time. His partner, Mark Cohn was on board from the start and we brought Richard in to master the tracks. I think we put an amazing team together and put out a great product both musically and sonically!", said Taglieri
Not only does 2013 bring John's new Ep to you, it also marks the year he reached the milestone of 20,000 sales. Starting with the release of 'Leap Of Faith' in 1999 thru his 'Very Best Of' collection from late 2012, and through relentless touring in the last 10 years, on March 8th, 2013, Taglieri went over 20,000 units and downloads sold as an indie artist running his own record label. Taglieri had this to say about it..."I'm amazingly proud of this milestone. As a guy putting out my first CD in 1999 from a home studio, I never thought I'd have gotten this far, but here I am, and things are still moving better than ever. 20,000 is an amazing number to me and one that makes me proud of all the hard work its taken to get this far."
Watch for John's new Ep, Southern Paradise, coming on April 16,2013 and get ready to sit back and soak it in…¦and let it take you to your own personal Southern Paradise!
WebLinks: JohnTaglieri.com / Facebook.com/JohnTaglieriMusic.
MASTERCASTLE RELEASE NEW PROMOTIONAL VIDEO FOR "CHAINS" FROM UPCOMING NEW ALBUM "ON FIRE":
Italian metallers Mastercastle return on 19 April 2013 with the red hot new album "On Fire" released through Lion Music. Home to 9 tracks of melodic heavy metal with neo-classical influences, Mastercastle have been honing their trademark sound since their debut "The Phoenix" (2009) and refining it through "Last Desire" (2010) and "Dangerous Diamonds" (2011). Led by the powerful vocals of Giorgia Gueglio, the virtuoso guitar of Pier Gonella and the driven bass lines of Steve Vawamas, "On Fire" marks the band's first release with one of the metal world's most respected drummers behind the kit, one John Macaluso (Ark, Yngwie Malmsteen, and James LaBrie). Macaluso's addition has given the band a kick up the proverbial backside taking their unique brand of metal to an even higher plateau.
On the band's newest member Pier Gonella comments, "John gave us great energy because from the first time he heard our music he was really impressed. He participated in the composing process of "On Fire" and his vast experience was a great help for the albums production as well". To give fans a taste of the upcoming album a promotional video has been produced for the track "Chains" and is streaming now at: youtu.be/eETgaC6IeJ0. Full album information and pre-ordering link can be found at www.lionmusic.com/cd/onfire.htm.
Monday, March 25, 2013
ASIA 2013 EPK PRESENTING SAM COULSON ON GUITAR: ASIA 2013 EPK presenting Sam Coulson on Guitar. Asia latest studio album "XXX" is available now on Frontiers Records. For more info: www.frontiers.it / www.frontiers.it/usstore.
PORTNOY / SHEEHAN / KOTZEN TO ISSUE DEBUT ALBUM IN MAY AS THE WINERY DOGS:
From BW&BK: Drummer Mike Portnoy (Adrenaline Mob, Flying Colors, Ex-Dream Theater), bassist Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, Talas) and guitarist Richie Kotzen (ex-Poison, ex-Mr. Big) teamed up in the summer of 2012 for a new project which has now been officially dubbed The Winery Dogs. An official release for Japan via Victor Entertainment has been confirmed for May, with other territories due to be announced soon.
More at: www.bravewords.com/news/201030.
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STEAMHAMMER SIGN WORLDWIDE DEAL WITH NEW MELODIC METAL OUTFIT ARTLANTICA:
Guitarist Roger Staffelbach says about the signing: "After all the blood, sweat and tears we've put into making that album, we're more than happy and excited to see our album getting released by one of world's finest companies, SPV/Steamhammer. It's a true pleasure to work with Olly Hahn and all at SPV and we're confident that this is only the beginning. A big hello and thank you go out to Olly Hahn, all at SPV and Peter Knorn from our Management (UTM) for sharing our vision and making this happen."
A&R Steamhammer Olly Hahn ads: "What do we have here: great melodies, awesome guitar virtuosity and a tight band which knows how to play melodic metal how it should be. We are more than happy to welcome Artlantica to the SPV family!"
Great vocal melodies with anthemic potential, virtuoso guitar and keyboard passages including spectacular solos, in addition to a blistering rhythm section which gives the songs their pace, groove and dynamics: the very ingredients which guaranteed seven brilliant releases in ten years from the American-Swiss cult act Artension and caused a global stir on The End Of Never, the only album by Artension's successor Angel Of Eden, also inspire listeners on Artlantica's debut album Across The Seven Seas. Which doesn't really come as a surprise: after all, Artlantica features three of the most important driving forces behind Angel of Eden in guitarist Roger Staffelbach, frontman John West and keyboardist Mistheria. In addition, Staffelbach and West (Artension, Royal Hunt) belonged to Artension (together with Vitalij Kuprij (now Trans-Siberian Orchestra), among others), and Mistheria has made a name for himself with his collaborations with Bruce Dickinson and Rob Rock. All three are without a doubt real masters of their trade who have combined their talents to present ten brilliant new songs. Staffelbach describes the result as "powerful, heavy occasionally majestic, grooving, melodious and timeless. Each instrument has its place, none of them sound too dominant, everything has only one purpose – to serve the song." A perfect description of Across The Seven Seas.
Across The Seven Seas is a prime example of a diverse melodic metal album which combines compositional quality, great technical skill and charisma. Staffelbach comments enthusiastically about his two band colleagues: "John is a fantastic singer, everything he does is over the top, whether live or in the studio. An exceptionally gifted vocalist. It's in his blood to write great melodies and turn songs into stories. Mistheria, on the other hand is a true artist by all means. I value his skills as a musician just as much as his gift for writing and arranging songs. We blend extremely well, in my opinion he's one of the most accomplished keyboardists of our time." Not forgetting Staffelbach himself, who has contributed countless significant impulses to his new band. His unmistakable songwriting and guitar playing, his signature guitar sound and playing style, his persistence and ability to get projects off the ground and produce albums that have been and continue to be the base for the existence of Artension and now Artlantica with their furious debut album.
Staffelbach, West and Mistheria enjoy an excellent reputation among their colleagues and can pick and choose when it comes to selecting their guest musicians: Across The Seven Seas features Dani Löble (Helloween) and John Macaluso (Malmsteen, TNT, Ark) on drums, the bass parts were recorded by Bass Icon Steve DiGiorgio (Sadus, Testament), who also worked with Artension and Angel Of Eden previously. And last but by no means least, Artlantica succeeded in enlisting none less than Chris Caffery of Savatage/Trans-Siberian Orchestra as their guest guitarist. The result of this high-calibre collaboration was mixed and mastered at Tommy Newton's (Helloween, Gamma Ray, among others) Area 51 studios, Newton also adding his extensive expertise.
So the world is eagerly awaiting a new band with its experienced members who have never sounded this good before in this formation. As Roger Staffelbach puts it so aptly: "Artlantica's music is gritty, excellently produced and absolutely song-oriented. But first and foremost this band consists of musicians who commit to themselves and really want to go for it with this band." That's exactly the kind of determination that comes across on Across The Seven Seas!
Tracklisting of "Across The Seven Seas": 1. 2012 04.00 2. Devout 04:36 3. Across The Seven Seas 04:53 4. You`re Still Away 05:19 5. Ode To My Angel 03:54 6. Fight For The Light 04:21 7. Demon In My Mind 04:37 8. Return Of The Pharaoh Pt.3 05:43 9. Heresy 04:49 10. Nightmare Life 05:25.
The debutalbum "Across The Seven Seas" will be released through SPV / Steamhammer in Germany on May 24, in Europe on May 27 and in the US/Canada on June 4 (new) as CD and download (incl. 1 bonus track "Stormbringer").
Photo from left to right: Mistheria - keyboards / John West - vocals / John Macaluso - drums / Roger Staffelbach - guitars.
WebLinks: www.spv.de / www.facebook.com/artlanticamusic.
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CHAPTER ONE FOR NEW SKID ROW:
United World Rebellion - Chapter One, the new 20 minute/5 track EP from Skid Row is due for release April 16.
Track Listing: Kings of Demolition 4:10 2. Let's Go 2:54 3. This Is Killing Me 4:55 4. Get Up 4:56 5. Stiches.
Sounds pretty good with a small sample of music at: www.amazon.com/United-World-Rebellion-Chapter-One/dp/B00BMCN3PO/ref=tmm_other_meta_binding_title_0.
LOVE/HATE IN THE UK:
Frpm the pen of Keri Kelli: "Today is the day… D-Day, Fly-Day, whatever you want to call it… UK We are coming your way! This Monday (25th) my brothers in ROQ Jizzy Pearl, Robbie Crane & Matt Star will embrace the diehard Love/Hate fans starting @ the good ol Underworld in Camden Town, London. We'd LOVE to see you ALL out on these special shows, as you know we don't do them often! Attached is 'Wasted In America' MP3 for your daily dose of ear candy :)
I/We will be armed with plenty of Love/Hate, Keri Kelli, Saints Of The Underground & Adler's Appetite merch to sink your teeth into & we hope to hang with you all after all the Roq chaos has ceased and the dust has settled.
Dates are as follows:
March
25 - The Underworld - London, UK
26 - The Yardbirds - Grimsby, UK
27 - Bannermans - Edinburgh, UK
28 - Trillians - Newcastle, UK
29 - The Gasworks - Bradford , UK
30 - The Diamond - Sutton, UK
31 - The Snooty Fox - West Yorkshire, UK
April
1 - The Patriot - Crumlin, UK
3 - The Slade Rooms - Wolverhampton, UK
4 - Bogiez -Cardiff, UK
5 - The Diamond Rock Club - Belfast, IE
6 - The Vault - Rugby, UK
If you haven't been to Las Vegas lately, get on out there and over to my bar 'Aces & Ales'! We are Vegas' Premier craft beer bar and also offer a chef driven menu, full bar, 22 draft beers, 120+ bottled beers, 15 video poker machines as well and Eighteen 50 inch plasmas screens displaying all your favorite sporting events!
Hope to see you ALL at the upcoming shows and events, thank you all again for the love & support…I appreciate it immensely! ~ KK
WebLinks: www.kerikelli.com / www.facebook.com/acesandales.
INTERVIEWS WITH DUG PINNICK, JEFF SCOTT SOTO, LOVER UNDER COVER AND HARVEY DALTON ARNOLD: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 24th March 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 25th March 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) featured exclusive interviews with Dug Pinnick (Kings X), Jeff Scott Soto (W.E.T.), Lover Under Cover and Harvey Dalton Arnold (ex-Outlaws), and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-dug-pinnick-jeff-scott-soto-lover-under-cover-harvey-dalton-arnold/
In the first hour, Dug Pinnick (Kings X) talks about the new Pinnick Gales Pridgen album, his project with George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob) and Ray Luzier (Korn), his forthcoming solo album "Naked", and Kings X's plans to tour and make a new album in 2013.
Also in the first hour, Jeff Scott Soto talks about the new W.E.T. album "Rise Up", and chooses 2 tracks to be played on the show.
And in part 2, former Outlaws bassist Harvey Dalton Arnold discusses the newly reissued live album "Bring It Back Alive", working with legendary producer Mutt Lange, and his new outfit, The Harvey Dalton Arnold Blues Band. And Lover Under Cover's Mikael Carlsson talks about the band's debut album "Set The Night On Fire", with a song from the album and the band's cover of Thin Lizzy's "Warrior", featuring a guest appearance from ex Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson.
The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from Whitesnake, Anthrax, Gloryhammer and more!
Multinational heavy metallers Raven Lord celebrate their second anniversary. As a birthday present a gift is made to the fans and the supporters in the form of a new song called "Perish" as FREE DOWNLOAD. Raven Lord present their very first metal ballad and thank all their friends, fans, press and supporters who gave such a great momentum after the release of their debut album "Descent to the Underworld". The new song "Perish" can be downloaded here: soundcloud.com/rockngrowl/raven-lord-perish.
The singer of the band Csaba Zvekan comments: "I am thankful to you all who helped us the past few months to achieve such a great success. We want to give something back to our fans so we can all celebrate together. Let's enjoy our first ballade together with a rather dramatic topic called "Perish". Thank you so much!"
Austrian Symphonic Metal Band Edenbridge release the first trailer for the new studio album: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHGjmUjmZKo. The Bonding will be released on June 21 in Germany, June 24 in Europe and in the US/Canada on July 2nd through SPV/Steamhammer.
Friday, March 22, 2013
JIMI JAMISON JOINS MELODIC ROCK FEST 3!: MelodicRockFest 3 and Mecca are excited to welcome one more special guest to the fold for their appearance at MelodicRockFest 3 in September - Survivor lead singer Jimi Jamison! Jimi will team with Mecca as part of a special one time set of deep cuts of Survivor material and Jimi's solo albums. Jimi already joins what promises to be a set to remember, with former Toto vocalist Fergie Frederiksen's appearance announced earlier this week.
Fergie will be doing some of his solo material as well as songs he sang on Mecca I, and some rarely sung Toto songs he masterfully performed with them during his tenure with the iconic group. Mecca vocalist Joe Vana will do material off of Mecca and Undeniable and sing backgrounds for the whole show!
The band will be the entire group from Mecca II lead by none other than Tommy Denander on guitar!
Tickets for MelodicRockFest 3 are on sale now at: www.melodicrockfest.com and www.homebarchicago.com.
THIN LIZZY MEMBERS DEBUT FIRST SONG FROM NEW ALBUM: Classic Rock is proud to deliver the online premiere of Black Star Riders' debut single Bound For Glory. Hear it here: www.classicrockmagazine.com/music_and_videos/online-premiere-black-star-riders-bound-for-glory/
It's the first track from the Thin Lizzy offshoot's first album All Hell Breaks Loose, due out on May 27 via Nuclear Blast. After originally planning to record an album under Phil Lynott's name they chose Black Star Riders as their new title and laid down the record with producer Kevin Shirley earlier this year.
Guitarist Scott Gorham says: "When it came time to pick one of these songs as a single, we had a really hard time. There are so many really great tracks here and everyone had their favourites. In the end we all agreed that Bound for Glory is the perfect choice and represents what Black Star Riders is all about."
Frontman Ricky Warwick says of the track: "It's a song for the lost but never lonely, walking tall in the face of everyday adversary – everyone has a story to tell, revolution begins in the mirror!"
JOE LYNN TURNER JOINS THE ALL-STAR LINEUP OF RAIDING THE ROCK VAULT:
The former Rainbow and Deep Purple vocalist will appear as a special guest performer, March 25 – April 17
LAS VEGAS, Nev., (March 21, 2013) – Joe Lynn Turner, former vocalist for legendary hard rock bands Rainbow and Deep Purple, joins the all-star lineup of Raiding The Rock Vault, the ultimate journey through the history of rock 'n' roll, Monday, March 25 through Wednesday, April 17. The iconic vocalist, known for co-writing and recording hit Rainbow songs "Stone Cold" and "Street of Dreams," also performed with Deep Purple and has had a prolific solo career.
The story of classic rock comes to life with Raiding The Rock Vault. Boasting the ultimate set list, the show takes audiences on a magical musical journey from 1948 to 1989, traversing the genre's history chronologically through the '40s, '50s, '60s, '70s and '80s.
Raiding The Rock Vault features classic anthems from The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, the Eagles, Queen, Van Halen, AC/DC, Journey, Free, Bryan Adams, Supertramp, Toto, Deep Purple, and more, truly boasting "The Greatest Set List Ever."
The show's all-star lineup includes Howard Leese [Guitar] (Heart, Bad Company), Tracii Guns [Guitar] (LA Guns, Guns n' Roses), Robin McAuley [Lead Vocals] (MSG, Survivor), John Payne [Lead Vocals and Bass] (Asia), Paul Shortino [Lead Vocals] (Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot), Jay Schellen [Drums] (Badfinger, Asia), Andrew Freeman [Lead Vocals and Guitars] (Lynch Mob, The Offspring), and Michael T. Ross [Keyboards] (Lita Ford, Hardline).
Ticket prices for Raiding The Rock Vault range from $49 to $100 (plus fees) for a special Rock Star Package (which includes tickets in first five rows, t-shirt, signed concert program, signed album, meet and greet and VIP pass). Tickets can be purchased by visiting the LVH box office or by logging onto thelvh.com, vegas.com, or ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 702-732-5755 or 1-800-222-5361.
For more information or to book accommodations, call toll free at (800) 732-7117 or log on to www.thelvh.com or connect with us on our social pages www.thelvh.com/Hotel/stayconnected.
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/RaidingTheRockVault / twitter.com/Rock_Vault / www.raidingtherockvault.com.
SAFFIRE SIGNS WITH INNER WOUND RECORDINGS: Inner Wound Recordings are proud to announce the signing of the Swedish melodic hard rock band Saffire to the label. Their debut album "From Ashes To Fire" will be released on May 17th in Europe and North America. Saffire are inspired by the 70's and 80's rock and metal bands like Rainbow, Dio, Whitesnake, Van Halen and Black Sabbath. The sound of Saffire can be described as a mix of those bands with a progressive twist, something that makes them stand out in the scene.
The debut album "From Ashes To Fire" was mixed by Fredrik Nordstrom & Henrik Udd at Studio Fredman [At The Gates, In Flames, Hammerfall] and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios [Symphony X, Opeth, Kreator]. Needless to say, the production on From Ashes To Fire is excellent. The artwork for the album was created by Anders Fastader at A Trailermade Production [H.E.A.T., Hardcore Superstar, The Poodles].
Victor Olssons intelligent songwriting and impressive guitar playing together with the bands excellent musicianship and the powerful and emotional vocals from Tobias Jansson, Saffire is a dangerous five piece with an exciting future ahead of them.
Check out an album teaser for "From Ashes To Fire" over at YouTube: youtu.be/OiDvkOhe8BQ.
"From Ashes To Fire" track listing; 01. Magnolia 02. Kingdom of the Blind 03. Freedom Call 04. End of the World 05. What If 06. A Symphony Unheard 07. Paralyzed 08. Modus Vivendi 09. The Betrayer's Fate 10. She Remains a Mystery 11. Say Goodbye 12. The Redemption 13. Stormy Waters.
"From Ashes To Fire" can be pre-ordered at the Inner Wound Store: www.innerwound.bigcartel.com
Saffire online: www.facebook.com/saffiresweden / www.saffire.se.
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FRANK VESTRY UPDATES FANS:
Straight from Frank Vestry's newsletter today -
"I know it's been a while and I hope you're all doing great. Spring is right around the corner and I just wanted to pass along some news to my friend's.
1.For starters I just received my Gold iTunes award from Austria for our song "What You Mean" and it was worth the wait. www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-BFgXgS92c.
2. A fan from Italy just did a complete redesign of my website. Let me know how you like it. www.frankvestry.com
3. I just joined Twitter. Say hello to me and some of my Melodic Rock friend's from all over the world. @FrankVestry
4. The debut Laneslide album will be released on April 12 on the Avenue of Allies label.
5. COMING SOON - "That 80's Band"
6. Jen and I are expecting a new bundle of joy in May. Other than that, not much is going on. [Congratulations Frank and Jen!]
I'll see you all down the road. ~ FV."
THE HISTORY OF THE EAGLES: The Eagles have announced the initial concerts for the iconic band's "History of the Eagles" tour, which kicks off on July 6 in Louisville, Kentucky with 11 concerts scheduled through July 25. In celebration of the release of the band's documentary, History of the Eagles, which made its television broadcast debut on Showtime last month, the Eagles will perform concerts in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Cleveland, Ohio; Toronto, Ontario; Ottawa, Ontario; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Uncasville, Connecticut; Boston, Massachusetts; Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Bethel, New York. See below for complete July 2013 tour information. Tickets for all currently announced "History of the Eagles" tour dates go on sale beginning Thursday, March 28 at 10 AM.
The Eagles - Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit - will perform classics spanning their career including "Hotel California," "New Kid In Town," "Take It To The Limit," "One Of These Nights," "Lyin' Eyes," "Rocky Mountain Way," "Best Of My Love" and "Take It Easy." Hits from band members' solo catalogs will also be featured during the evening.
Tickets for all concerts (except for the Cleveland and Philadelphia shows) can be purchased beginning Thursday, March 28 at 10 AM via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000, Ticketmaster Express at 866-448-7849 (automated only self-service line), and online at Ticketmaster.com. American Express® Cardmembers can purchase advance tickets beginning Saturday, March 23 at 10 AM local time through Wednesday, March 27 at 10 PM local time.
Tickets for the Quicken Loans Arena concert in Cleveland, Ohio can be purchased online at www.theQarena.com, charge by phone at 1-888-894-9424, at the Quicken Loans Arena Box Office, and at one of Discount Drug Mart's 58 northern Ohio locations. Tickets for the Wells Fargo Center concert in Philadelphia, PA can be purchased through ComcastTIX at comcastTIX.com or 1-800-298-4200. Check www.eaglesband.com for tour and ticketing updates.
The acclaimed documentary, History of the Eagles, is being released on DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday, April 30. This exceptional three-disc set includes History of the Eagles Part One and History of the Eagles Part Two, as well as Eagles Live At The Capital Centre - March 1977, featuring never-before-released performances from the Eagles' two-night stand at Washington, D.C.'s Capital Center during the legendary Hotel California tour.
Seeking to provide an unprecedented and intimate look into the history of the band and the legacy of its music, History of the Eagles is a meticulous creation featuring rare archival material, concert footage, and never-before seen home movies that explore the evolution and enduring popularity of one of the world's biggest-selling and culturally significant American bands. Pre-orders are available now through Amazon.com and the Eagles website, www.eaglesband.com; as well as through Ticketmaster when purchasing the DVD package together with concert tickets.
History of the Eagles made its television broadcast debut on Showtime last month, earning the network its highest ratings for a music documentary in eight years. Part One premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January to great acclaim.
The Eagles have sold more than 120 million albums worldwide, earning five #1 U.S. singles and six GRAMMY® Awards. Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 is the best-selling album of all time, exceeding sales of 29 million units. The band's Hotel California and Their Greatest Hits Volume 2 have sold more than 16 and 11 million albums respectively. The Eagles were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
EDENS CURSE VIDEO BLOG 4:
Multinational melodic metallers Eden's Curse have released the second episode from their fourth album studio video diaries. Featuring bassist Paul Logue in his home studio in Scotland recording the bass tracks for the brand new album and in particular the new track called Evil & Divine which was featured in episode one.
The nine-minute video can be viewed here: youtu.be/5Mk3xpw6o-g.
Eden's Curse's follow-up to 2011's Trinity album is scheduled for worldwide release at the end of the summer via AFM Records.
MRX MEMBERSHIP DETAILS: MRX has been updated with the following new features:
- Aerosmith - Skin And Bones 1993
- T'Pau - Earls Court London 1988-10-06
Plus the following new Video Clips: Rage of Angels - Over and Over; Crashdiet - Cocaine Cowboys & California; Wake Up Call - Just Wanna Dance; Voodoo Circle - Cry For Love; Jeff Scott Soto - Neverending War; De La Cruz - Cherry Bomb. MRX Membership Details.
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Thursday, March 21, 2013
W.E.T. LOVE HEALS (OFFICIAL VIDEO): W.E.T. Love Heals is taken from the album Rise Up out now on Frontiers Records. W.E.T.: Jeff Scott Soto: Lead Vocals; Erik Martensson: Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Vocals; Robert Sall: Keyboards, Guitars; Robban Back: Drums; Magnus Henriksson: Guitars.
JAPAN PAPERSLEEVES FOR SAMMY HAGAR AND MORE:
A bunch of great Papersleeves re-issues due out of Japan May 29 - Sammy Hagar / Standing Hampton, Three Rock Box, VOA & I Never Said Goodbye - Cardboard sleeve reissues. Features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD player) and the latest remastering. Part of a four-album Sammy Hagar cardboard sleeve reissue series.
And - TNT / Nights Of New Thunder & Tell No Tales - Cardboard sleeve reissues. Features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD player) and the latest remastering. Part of a two-album TNT cardboard sleeve reissue series.
Plus - HSAS - Through The Fire; Dio Dream Evil; Dream Theater When Dream And Day Unite.
Order all of the above re-issues via CD Japan.
BORN TO BE WILD: STEPPENWOLF'S JOHN KAY FROM BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN INTO ROCK HISTORY:
Dallas,TX- March 20, 2013. InTheStudio.NET, the web home for North American syndicated Rock radio show InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands takes a magic carpet ride with John Kay of Steppenwolf as part of InTheStudio.NET's Medium Rare rockumentary series. Steppenwolf gave us some of the greatest Rock anthems of all time. Iconic songs "Born to Be Wild", "Magic Carpet Ride", "The Pusher", "Rock Me", "Move Over", Hoyt Axton's "Snowblind Friend" were all recorded in rapid succession from 1968 to 1971 by Steppenwolf (named after the Hermann Hesse novel), led by Communist East Germany-via-Canada exile John Kay (born Joachim Krauledat) whose real life story, as you will hear, beats any Hollywood
back lot fable. InTheStudio host Redbeard coaxed Steppenwolf founder and lead singer John Kay to describe why he felt the band succeeded when it did. "In the late Sixties, as you know, FM radio was really experimental. There were very few restrictions. People did damn near anything they pleased in terms of what they played, and people were really hungry for new progressive different things. And so we succeeded not because we were like everything else on the chart, we succeeded because we were like ourselves and no one else."
Stream the full Steppenwolf program this month as part of InTheStudio's Medium Rare "online-only" rockumentary series: www.inthestudio.net/online-only-interviews/steppenwolf-gold.
MUSIC FANS ARE PREPARED TO SPEND UP TO $2.6 BILLION MORE ANNUALLY FOR PREMIUM CONTENT: Nielsen has unveiled the findings from "The Buyer and the Beats: The Music Fan and How to Reach Them," an unprecedented music study created especially for the 2013 SXSW conference attendees that provides beneficial insights about music fans, defined as those who are passionately invested in music. Co-presented by Nielsen and SXSW during this year's conference in Austin, the report explores how music listeners engage with music and technology, utilize their smartphones, tap into free content, and engage in crowdsourcing; as well as how companies, artists and fans can be better served.
"The Buyer and the Beats: The Music Fan and How to Reach Them" reveals that 40% of U.S. consumers – those classified as "Fans" – are responsible for 75% of music spending. These Fans, who spend between $20 billion and $26 billion on music each year, could spend between $450 million and $2.6 billion more on music if compelling content is made commercially available. Additionally, the study finds that that the most avid of "Fans" have downloaded the most tracks for free--approximately 30 digital songs per fan over the course of a year. "It's encouraging to see such strong demand for content from music fans," says David Bakula, SVP Client Development & Analytics for Entertainment, Nielsen. "We are finding that there's a lot of untapped demand for additional content, which can translate into beneficial and profitable opportunities for artists, labels, and advertisers."
A majority of "Fans" want greater engagement with their favorite musicians and would be willing to pay considerably for that access. They want to know more about what they're like as people, and get a better understanding of the creative process. These "Fans" are prepared to pay more for exclusive or premium content, autographed products, and special merchandise. In addition, these fans would consider paying about $30 for an "online ticket" to view an exclusive live webcast.
Nielsen identifies the difference between a casual music consumer and a music "Fan," and the best way to reach them. The core music fans include "Aficionado Fans," "Digital Fans," and "Big Box Fans." Fans who don't meet the criteria to be classified as one of Nielsen's core music fans are the "Occasional Concert Consumers," "Ambivalent Music Consumers," and "Background Music Consumers."
Ø Aficionado Fans (14% of respondents) - the most avid and engaged music fans are spending about $400 per year on music, concerts and artist merchandise through retailers such as iTunes, Amazon and independent record stores. These fans prefer alternative rock, are active social network users, attend live concerts and listen to music via computer.
Ø Digital Fans (13%) – the smartphone is the entertainment hub for these fans, who discover music via technology and listen to music via Facebook. They spend over $300 per year on music and share music more than other fans, giving music as gifts and sharing their playlists.
Ø Big Box Fans (13%) - these fans shop at mass retailers, are partial to pop and country music, and listen to music through a CD or mp3 player. They are highly influenced by bargains, respond well to brand endorsements, and spend about $200 per year on music.
Ø Occasional Concert Consumers (14%) and Ambivalent Music Consumers (22%) are less engaged with music than the "Fans," and they spend less (about $100 and $70 per year, respectively). Nonetheless, the Ambivalent Music Consumer is open to discovery (60% use Pandora) and expressed some willingness to pay for exclusive content.
Ø Background Music Consumers (24%) are the least engaged of all music consumers, spending only $40 per year on music.
"The Buyer and the Beats: The Music Fan and How to Reach Them" presenters included Barbara Zack, Chief Analytics Officer, Entertainment Measurement for Nielsen; David Bakula, SVP Analytics for Nielsen; Benji Rogers, Founder & CEO of PledgeMusic; and Shawn O'Keefe, Interactive Festival Producer, SXSW. During the panel, Bakula projected On-Demand streaming to exceed 100 billion by the year's end.
Data for "The Buyer and the Beats: The Music Fan and How to Reach Them" was collected via 1,000 consumer surveys using Nielsen's proprietary, high-quality ePanel in the United States; 1,800 PledgeMusic contributors; and 1,200 SXSW attendees.
WebLink: www.nielsen.com.
RAVEN CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALL FOR ONE:
New wave of British heavy metal and thrash legends Raven are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their seminal album "All For One" in 2013. Originally released in 1983, "All For One" was not only the band's breakout album, but also a massively influential slab of classic metal. The band's groundbreaking and high-energy approach was a vital element in the development of thrash. "Wow, hard to believe but it was 30 years ago when we hooked up with mega producer Michael Wagener (and Udo Dirkschneider of Accept) to craft our breakthrough album All For One," said Raven vocalist/bassist John Gallagher. "It's still one of our favorites and although we still play quite a few songs [from the album] live, on the upcoming dates we will squeeze a few more into the set as a celebration. We can't wait to dust them off, get out there & kick ass!"
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of "All For One", the NWOBHM lunatics will play select dates dubbed All For One Forever, during which they will perform many tracks from the album, including some rarely or never performed live.
Confirmed dates follow, with more to be announced:
APR 19 - Springfield, VA - Empire (w/ A Sound of Thunder)
APR 20 - Pittsburgh, PA - Dead Horse Cantina (w/ A Sound of Thunder)
APR 21 - Brooklyn, NY - St. Vitus Bar (w/ A Sound of Thunder, Holy Grail & Bröhammer)
MAY 11 - Freehold, NJ - Encore Event Center (w/ Anvil, The Rods, & more)
Washington, DC traditional metallers A Sound Of Thunder will provide direct support on April 19-21. John Gallagher appeared on the band's latest album "Out of the Darkness" (Nightmare Records, 2012), performing a vocal duet with A Sound Of Thunder vocalist Nina Osegueda on the title track.
Raven's latest album, "Walk Through Fire", was released in the U.S. on March 30, 2010 (one day earlier in Europe through SPV/Steamhammer) via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at Assembly Line Studios with engineer/mixer Kevin 131 (Project: Failing Flesh, Deceased, Dysrythmia, Garden Of Shadows).
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
THE POODLES ARE READY WITH THEIR NEW ALBUM OUT IN MAY ON FRONTIERS: Frontiers Records is excited to announce the anticipated return of The Poodles with the release of the band's fifth album Tour de Force on May 17 in Europe and May 22 in North America.
Tour de Force is the eagerly awaited follow-up to their Swedish No. 1 album from 2011, "Performocracy". Behind the wheel, taking on the duties of producer for a fourth time, will be Mats Valentin and once again the band wishes to underline with the album title their superb entertaining abilities both as Hard Rocking studio unit and as live act. "When writing and creating music we try to do something that we would love to listen to ourselves. It's always been important for us to do music close to our hearts", says bass player Pontus Egberg. "I do feel however that there's a newly found playfulness about a lot of the tracks. I'm not quite sure what it is myself but it's great!"
With songs like "Shut Up", "Happily Ever After", "Kings And Fools" and "Going Down", The Poodles stay true to their legacy of powerful, melodic Metal while at the same time stretching into a new, more playful arena, flirting with influences from the past but always with a watchful eye on the present and in to the future.
In May 2013 the World Championships of Ice Hockey will be held in Stockholm, Sweden and the official theme song for the Swedish team will be performed by The Poodles! "The Swedish team wanted a great song to help cheer the team and the fans on during the games. Apart from a great song they also needed an artist/band to perform the song that could put some fire in to it" tells Pontus. A fruitful collaboration between songwriters Anders Wikström (Treat) and Fredrik Thomander (Scorpions, Treat, Gotthard) and The Poodles came about and it resulted in the powerful sing-along, raise-your-fist-in-the-air rocker "En För Alla För En" which will be impacting at Swedish radio and TV on March 27 and is an exclusive bonus track for the physical edition of the album.
Another single from "Tour de Force" - "40 Days and 40 Nights"- a song which promises to entice both Poodles fans and anyone with a passion for rock n' roll will impact at radio and available for digital sales on April 26.
"Tour de Force" will include the following tracks: Misery Loves Company; Shut Up!; Happily Ever After; Viva Democracy; Going Down; Leaving The Past To Pass; 40 Days And 40 Nights; Kings & Fools; Miracle; Godspeed; Now Is The Time; Only Just Begun; En För Alla För En (bonus track – physical edition only).
More good news is that The Poodles will be on the road to promote the new album! "We are kicking off the tour by doing three dates in Spain April 25-27. Then we are going to start touring mainly in Sweden in May and all through the summer. We are playing the H•E•A•T-festival in Germany in November and we are working on more European dates during the fall." says Pontus who looks forward to rock The Poodles fans all over the world: "We love you, missed you, it's been far too long, we hope you'll love the new album as much as we do and we are looking forward to seeing you all soon on tour!"
After the gold and platinum records and the top chart results The Poodles achieved in their home country Sweden, now it is time for them to take on the world!
The Poodles: Jakob Samuel - vocals; Pontus Egberg – bass; Christian Lundqvist - drums; Henrik Bergqvist – guitars; Produced by Mats Valentin & Rickard Nilsson.
Weblinks: www.poodles.se / www.frontiers.it.
TOUR DATES:
April 25 – Explosivo! Club, Zaragoza (Spain)
April 26 – Salamandra 2, Barcelona (Spain)
April 27 – Sala Rockitchen, Madrid (Spain)
November 3 - Rockfabrik, Ludwigsburg (Germany)
More dates TBA!
xx
3/4 OF ORIGINAL HAREM SCAREM LINE-UP IN PLACE:
News in from Harem Scarem frontman Harry Hess: "Hi Everyone, I wanted to let everyone know that the Mood Swings re-record is underway and going well. We have been pleasantly surprised with all the interest about the return of the band which has led to an extensive European tour and as well as many other international dates in the works. Due to the huge time commitment everyone would need to make these live dates doable Creighton Doane had to bow out as the tour dates keep growing. That being said Darren Smith will be back behind the kit for our live dates with Stan Miczek on bass."
SATCH UNSTOPPABLE WITH NEXT SOLO STUDIO ALBUM:
Legendary performer and the hardest working guitarist in the business, Joe Satriani confirms the release of his 14th studio album, "Unstoppable Momentum" in the UK on Monday May 6 (U.S. release is Tuesday May 7) through Epic Records/Sony Music UK. The album was recorded at Skywalker Sound in San Francisco and was produced by Satriani and Mike Fraser (AC/DC). The new album features an amazing array of talented players including Vinnie Colauita (Sting, Jeff Beck) on drums, Chris Chaney (Janes Addiction) on bass and on keyboards, Mike Keneally (Dethklok).
The album dovetails Satriani's UK Tour which starts a month later on Saturday 8 June at the Manchester Apollo. Joe's touring band for the upcoming UK dates includes Mike Keneally (keyboards), Marco Minnemann (drums) and Bryan Beller (bass). At www.satriani.com, fans will receive an exclusive, never before seen art book featuring drawings, doodles and sketches that Satriani has done over the years. "Some of my drawings have made their way on to guitars, straps and picks, LP and CD booklets, t-shirts, hats, keychains, and even my live stage productions," explains Satriani. "This book represents my first effort to finally compile my oddly drawn friends into one place, a wildly colorful portfolio of sorts. A collection of drawings meant to inspire and entertain."
After returning from the South American G3 Tour in October 2012, Satriani got down to writing new music over the next two months. As he recalls, "A very prolific and cathartic two months followed resulting in a bundle of new music I was very excited to get recorded!"
Eleven songs were selected to record, all "heading in different directions and touching on a variety of musical influences." With that in mind, Satriani decided to assemble a new studio band. "The idea was to crank up the energy level of the sessions, and allow for more individual expression of the material from each player. The chemistry with Mike, Chris and Vinnie was fantastic and we blazed through all of the tracks with everyone laying down amazing performances."
For two decades, Satriani has traveled the world, playing to sold-out crowds as both a headliner and as founder of the all-star "G3" guitar extravaganza. His studio and live recordings have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide to date and of his many solo albums, two have gone platinum and four others went gold, with 15 Grammy nominations between them.
His side project, Chickenfoot, featuring former Van Halen front man Sammy Hagar, former bassist Michael Anthony, and Red Hot Chili Peppers' drummer Chad Smith saw their debut album certified gold and their second studio album debuted at #9. In 2009, Chickenfoot won voted "Best New Band" at the UK's prestigious Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards. They toured Europe twice to packed venues. In January 2012 they performed a sold out concert at London's Brixton Academy which attracted the like of Queen's Brian May.
In late 2010, music sensation Nicki Minaj sampled the classic Satriani song, "Always With Me Always With You" in her song, "Right Through Me" from her multi-platinum debut album. In 2011, Satriani recreated his National Anthem performance for the Opening Day of the Oakland A's historic 2002 season in the Brad Pitt movie Moneyball.
Track Listing: 1. Unstoppable Momentum 2. Can't Go Back 3. Lies And Truths 4. Three Sheets To The Wind 5. I'll Put A Stone On Your Cairn 6. A Door Into Summer 7. Shine On American Dreamer 8. Jumpin' In 9. Jumpin' Out 10. The Weight Of The World 11. A Celebration.
SHARP DRESSED MEN OF ZZ TOP 'INTHESTUDIO':
Dallas, TX - MARCH 19, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands goes to Houston, Texas via Memphis Tennessee for the 30th anniversary of the ten million selling album Eliminator from ZZ Top. The little ole band from Texas carved out a unique niche in 1970s rock, but it would be the March 1983 release of Eliminator that would take ZZ Top from 'bad and nationwide' to international super stars. The introduction of synthesizers had actually occurred on ZZ Top's 1981 album El Loco, but the sound was perfected along with their songwriting on Eliminator which delivered three hits "Gimme All Your Lovin'", "Sharp Dressed Man", and "Legs". Billy Gibbons tells host Redbeard why Memphis was such an important place for ZZ Top to record many of their most popular albums. "When you get into Memphis and you start breathing that air and that musical vibe hits you, it's just right there. It inspires you to write. You can go to Memphis and there's just something that comes over you."
ZZ Top 'Eliminator' / InTheStudio interview is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/zz-top-eliminator-30th-anniversary.
FIREHOUSE LEGEND BILL LEVERTY RELEASES CLASSIC ROCK COVERS CD 'DRIVE':
Richmond, VA – Much to the excitement of hard rock fans around the globe, Firehouse legend Bill Leverty has released a fantastic new CD of classic rock covers – guaranteed to thrill even the hardest of rockers! Covers include songs from bands and artists such as Creedence Clearwater Revival, Little Feat, The Ohio Players, Three Dog Night, Eric Clapton, Edgar Winter, The Guess Who, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan and Rare Earth.
Says Bill, "These songs were all very personal. In choosing these songs to cover, each had to be a song that I loved before I started playing guitar that I still love today, a song that hadn't been covered to death in the genre, and a song that I thought I could put my own spin on, while still staying true to the original recordings. That narrowed it down to these ten songs."
Hailing from Richmond, VA, Bill Leverty and Firehouse first gained recognition in 1991 when they won the 'Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock New Artist' from the American Music Awards. Signed to Epic Records, Firehouse would go on to release several hit songs throughout the '90s such as "Don't Treat Me Bad", "Love Of A Lifetime", "All She Wrote" and "Reach The Sky", to name a few. The band sold over 2 million copies of their debut album 'Firehouse', and sold close to a million copies of their second album 'Hold Your Fire' in the US alone. For their 3rd release the band secured the production chores of famed producer Ron Nevison (Led Zeppelin, Ozzy Osbourne, Damn Yankees, UFO, etc). 'Firehouse 3' went on to be another big seller, especially in Asia. Their next release 'Good Acoustics', the first of several albums produced by Bill Leverty, won them a Gold record in several countries. Firehouse would go on to release 5 more well-received critically acclaimed albums as well as successful world tours throughout the 2000's. The band to this day continues to tour playing their back catalog of hits to cheering fans everywhere and has sold over 6 million units worldwide!
In the mid-2000's Bill Leverty released several musically diverse solo albums 'Wanderlust' (2004), 'Southern Exposure' (2007) and 'Deep South' (2009). Which leads us to 'Drive', Bill's new covers CD.
Tracks include: "Fortunate Son" - CCR; "Spanish Moon" - Little Feat; "Free Ride" - Edgar Winter; "One" - Three Dog Night; "I Shot The Sheriff" - Eric Clapton; "Fire" - The Ohio Players; "No Time" - The Guess Who; "Jesus Children Of America" - Stevie Wonder; "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" - Steely Dan; "I Just Want To Celebrate" - Rare Earth.
In a recent interview with Jeb Wright of Classic Rock Revisited, Bill explains the exciting rock guitar sound he has created on the album's recordings, "It all starts with my C.R. Alsip guitar. C.R. Alsip guitars are made right outside of Wichita, KS. Mine is a neck-through-body guitar. It's hard rock maple with mahogany sides. This wood combination, along with some other very unique design elements, makes the guitar very solid and it has a very favorable tone. I used the bridge pickups, which are Billy Gibbon's Pearly Gates pickups by Seymour Duncan, on this one. I plugged the guitar straight into my Splawn Quick Rod 100 for a stereo pair of rhythm tracks and into my Fractal Audio Axe FX II for another stereo pair."
In closing Bill has this to impart to his fans and listeners, "I really want to thank all the people who have supported my career and made it possible for me to be able to work full time in the music business for over 25 years. It's been a great ride so far. I'm going to do everything in my power to keep this train rolling for another 50 years. Hope to see you down the road!!"
Check out the recent interview Bill did with Guitar World magazine: www.guitarworld.com/drive-firehouse-guitarist-bill-leverty-discusses-new-album-classic-cover-songs.
To Purchase Bill Leverty's 'Drive' dowload: www.amazon.com/Drive/ / itunes.apple.com/us/album/drive/id602634728 / To Purchase Bill Leverty's 'Drive' CD: www.leverty.com/vip/store-01.php.
AIRBOURNE AGAIN IN MAY:
Press Release / "Behold the cover art to Airbourne's upcoming third album, Black Dog Barking! The disc will be available everywhere May 21! Produced by award-winning producer Brian Howes, this is the follow-up to 2010's No Guts. No Glory. The band says, "A lot of thought and effort has gone into this record not only by the band, but by the production crew who worked countless hours, seven days a week, even through Christmas and New Year's Eve to achieve the best possible performances, backed by real undying tones. Now we're handing it over to you...so crank it up, crack a beer and stick some rock 'n' roll in your ear!"
MELODIC BRIEFS: Amazon US is selling the full acoustic version of Rick Springfield's masterpiece release Songs For The End Of The World. Sadly the album or individual track digitial downloads are only for USA residents. I've asked management for an update on international sales. Stay tuned... www.amazon.com/dp/B00BRLFCEK.
Winger are back in the studio for their next opus due later this year.
Thin Lizzy Live 2012 @ O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London is released as a 2CD set April 8.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS ON RICH DAVENPORT'S ROCK SHOW: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 17th March 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 18th March 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) featured exclusive interviews Circle II Circle, Vega and Freddie Salem (ex-Outlaws, Godz), and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-circle-ii-circle-vega-and-freddie-salem-ex-outlaws-interviews.
In the first hour, Circle II Circle vocalist Zak Stevens (ex-Savatage) discusses the band's new album "Seasons Will Fall", their new line-up, and playing the entire Savatage album "The Wake of Magellan" during the band's European live dates in 2012. Zak also chooses 3 tracks from the new release to be played on the show. Also in the first hour, Vega frontman Nick Workman talks about the band's new album "What The Hell" and their current UK tour supporting FM.
And in part 2, former Outlaws guitarist Freddie Salem (also formerly of The Godz) talks about joining the band just prior to the recording of their newly reissued live album "Bring It Back Alive", and pays tribute to late Outlaws members Hughie Thomasson and Billy Jones.
The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from Whitesnake, Dio, Kingdom Come, Pretty Maids, Rose Tattoo, Covered Call, WASP, Mortillery and Wild Horses.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
WHITESNAKE'S VIDEO FOR "FOOL FOR YOUR LOVING" WORLDWIDE PREMIERE: Whitesnake fans worldwide can click here to check out the exclusive worldwide premiere of the video for "Fool For Your Loving," taken from their forthcoming CD/DVD package Made In Japan. The new DVD/live CD package is set for release on April 23 in North America and will be available in several formats: a deluxe 2CD/DVD edition, Blu-ray and a standalone DVD. The performance footage is shot in stunning HD in 5.1 and stereo and is taken from Whitesnake's co-headlining set at the "Loud Park" festival on October 11, 2011 held at Saitama Super Arena in Japan during their "Forevermore World Tour." The performance was initially recorded only for Japanese TV and future Loud Park promotions, but after three songs were broadcasted on a Loud Park highlights program in Japan, Whitesnake received unprecedented requests for this performance to be made available to the general public. Click here to check out the official EPK; click here to pre-order Made In Japan.
Made In Japan contains songs from Whitesnake's most recent studio album, Forevermore, as well as classic hits such as "Is This Love," "Still Of The Night" and "Here I Go Again." The bonus CD also includes never-before-heard outtakes and acoustic versions of material from the award-winning Forevermore album that were recorded during soundchecks on the 2011 Japanese tour. Additional DVD content includes various band photo slideshows and fan-shot videos.
Formed in 1977, and steered by the legendary David Coverdale, Whitesnake carry a rightful reputation as one of the world's leading rock bands. Coverdale's blues roots, combined with a feral sense of rock and roll, have consistently shaped the 'Snake's sound along with Coverdale's love and appreciation of impeccable musicianship. Whitesnake's ascent to the very top of the rock n' roll heap was confirmed with 1987's self-titled mega-platinum album, which saw two massive Top 10 hits, two #1 singles with "Here I Go Again" and "Is This Love" and a virtual 24-hour domination of MTV around the world. David Coverdale was recently named one of Revolver's "100 Greatest Living Rock Stars" and the UK's Kerrang voted Coverdale the "Last Great Rock Star." Musicians on Made In Japan include David Coverdale (vocals), Doug Aldrich (guitars), Reb Beach (guitars), Michael Devin (bass), Briian Tichy (drums) and special guest Brian Ruedy (keyboards).
For more information, please visit: www.whitesnake.com / www.facebook.com/Whitesnake.official / www.twitter.com/davidcoverdale / www.frontiers.it.
DOWNLOAD FREE CODE OF SLIENCE TRACK:
UK-based melodic metallers Code Of Silence are offering a free download of the track 'Tame The Tempest'. The song is taken from the band's debut album 'Dark Skies Over Babylon' which has already received glowing reviews. This track is now available as a free download for signing up to the band's Reverbnation mailing list. Just go to: www.reverbnation.com/play_now/16625691
The track started out as a piece written by guitarist Ben Randall and ended up a collaboration with Paul Logue (Eden's Curse) and Pete Newdeck (Eden's Curse, Tainted Nation).
Get Ready to ROCK! reviewer Alan Jones wrote about the track: "an opportunity for Randall to thrust himself forward as the new guitar hero for the next generation. Plenty of raw meat for guitar wannabes to get their teeth into and an absolute shoo-in for Riff Of The Year."
The first single 'Sky Is Falling Down' (also available at Reverbnation) is a four-minute burst of pop metal – catchy, re-playable, and engaging – the promo video is available at the band's website www.codeofsilence.co.uk and has gathered an amazing 200,000-plus views since February: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSPtR8ote-I.
The brainchild of respected U.K. melodic rock producer/ musician / songwriter Paul Logue (Eden's Curse) and James Murray (bass), Code Of Silence is completed by John Clelland (drums), Scott McLean (keys), guitarist Ben Randall and vocalist Gus Monsanto (Revolution Renaissance, Adagio).
The album 'Dark Skies Over Babylon' is released by Mausoleum Records in Europe (February 25) and North America (April 9) in Japan by Rubicon Music. The band will be sharpening their spurs in late-September playing selected UK dates including the inaugural Skyfest on September 21., 2013.
WebLinks: www.reverbnation.com/codeofsilenceuk / www.codeofsilence.co.uk / www.facebook.com/codeofsilenceuk.
MELODIC BRIEFS: Biff Byford and Doug Scarratt of NWOBHM legends SAXON will be the featured guests on this week's Noize In The Attic (Where Your Past Comes Back To Haunt You) first airing this Friday 2-4PM EST on WNHU 88.7FM New Haven, CT (streaming live on www.wnhu.net) A full list of repeat air times / affiliates as well as a link to the free podcast can be found at www.noizeintheattic.com as well as on iTunes!
TheRighttoRock.com has issued their latest podcast (episode #148), featuring Guitarist Tracy G. Tracy took time out of his busy schedule to discuss his book Beyond the Skull (The Dio Yerars). Tracy also discusses his current metal project as well as what is going on with the Tracy G Group. Interview lasts approx. 75 min.
The new album by Crying Steel titled "Time Stands Steel" will be published on April 22nd, 2013, under My Graveyard Productions. At this link, you can listen to the track Defender: youtu.be/v4xgviDkotc.
GUITARIST JULIA KOSTEROVA TO RELEASE DEBUT EP FEATURING ALL STAR SPECIAL GUESTS: Julia Kosterova is internationally acclaimed solo artist, LAG guitars and Hughes & Kettner international endorsee. Bringing the spotlight back onto instrumental rock, Julia has been called by fans "… an alien sent down to represent the last several decades of music…" paying justice to Julia's music inspired by a wide range of influences from Jeff Beck to Steve Vai.
This is more than a guitar instrumental album. The EP features Derek Sherinian (ex-Dream Theater, Planet X, BCC) as a special guest on keyboards; Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats, Paul Gilbert, Joe Satriani) and Brian Tichy (ex-Whitesnake, S.U.N.) on drums; Chris Buck (3 Crows), Michael Devin (Whitesnake, S.U.N.) and Rufus Philpot (S.Henderson) on bass.
Springs Of Time - Single - streaming links: soundcloud.com/juliakosterova-guitar/springs-of-time-single-mix/s-T0RBU / youtu.be/GEnliGNMojE. EP preview: soundcloud.com/juliakosterova-guitar/springs-of-time-ep-preview.
SEVEN WITCHES IS APPROACHING THE FINISH LINE ON THEIR 9th RELEASE THE REBIRTH:
Press Release / "We are very excited to unveil the latest incarnation of the band" says Anthony Cross the newest member of the SW family. "I'm happy to be a part of the band and look forward to continue in the history that is Seven Witches. We've been reviewing mixes taking photos and even shooting a couple of videos in the past few weeks. Going over all the last minute details to get this out as quickly as possible. Grab your Leather and howl at the moon cause there's a Rumor that a Vicious Tour is being planned in the states this fall. Also The Rebirth will feature a bonus track with Alan Tecchio behind the microphone. We have much love and respect for this man as a friend and long-time member of SW!"www.facebook.com/pages/Seven-Witches-Official/185545834901482.
In other news Jack Frost instructional DVD is near release. Johnny Kelly Is gearing up for a tour with Danzig and has a CD release pending with A Pale Horse Named Death. Ronnie Parkes has signed on to play Bass with Tango Down and has some festivals booked across the U.S. So if you get a chance check some of this stuff out too.
xx
Monday, March 18, 2013
FERGIE FREDERIKSEN JOINS MELODICROCKFEST 3 LINEUP WITH MECCA: MelodicRockFest, Joe Vana and the rest of the Mecca guys are very excited to announce an addition to the band's line-up for MelodicRockFest 3, this September in Chicago, IL.
Joining the guys for their already anticipated set will be the great Fergie Frederiksen!
Fergie is well known in melodic rock circles for his lead vocals on one of the greatest Toto albums ever - 1984's "Isolation". Not only that, he is the vocalist behind genre classics with Frederiksen/Phillips; Trillion; Le Roux, not to mention acclaimed solo albums and a pairing with Tommy Denander on Frederiksen/Denander. And he was an integral part of the brilliant Mecca debut, singing lead on half of the album.
It is a real pleasure to have Fergie join us, as he was part of the MelodicRockFest 1&2 wish lists. With Mecca, Fergie will perform songs from that much loved Mecca debut as well as some classic Toto tracks.
Tickets for MelodicRockFest are on sale now at: www.homebarchicago.com and www.melodicrockfest.com.
SEBASTIAN BACH "ABACHALYPSE NOW" OFFICIAL TRAILER: Sebastian Bach ABachalypse Now 2CD/DVD and standalone DVD will be out on Frontiers Records. Release dates: Europe: March 22nd 2013 / North America: March 26th 2013. CD1 - Sebastian Bach -- Live at Hellfest, France 2012 - Slave to the Grind; Kicking & Screaming; Here I Am; Big Guns; Piece of Me; 18 & Life; American Metalhead; Monkey Business; I Remember You; Youth Gone Wild. CD2 - Sebastian Bach -- Live at Nokia, Los Angeles CA 2012 - Big Guns; (Love Is) a Bitch Slap; Piece of Me; 18 & Life; American Metal Head; Monkey Business; I Remember You; TunnelVision; Youth Gone Wild.
DVD Contents: Live at Hellfest, France - Slave to the Grind; Kicking & Screaming; Here I Am; Big Guns; Piece of Me; 18 & Life; American Metalhead; Monkey Business; I Remember You; Youth Gone Wild.
Live at Nokia, Los Angeles - Big Guns; (Love Is) a Bitch Slap; Piece of Me; 18 & Life; American Metal Head; Monkey Business; I remember You; TunnelVision; Youth Gone Wild
Live at Graspop, Belgium - Kicking & Screaming; Dirty Power; Here I Am; Big Guns; 18 & Life; American Metalhead; Monkey Business; I Remember You; TunnelVision
Bonus Music Videos: Kicking & Screaming; TunnelVision; I'm Alive.
Musicians: Sebastian Bach: All Vocals / Cowbell; Nick Sterling: Electric Guitar / Acoustic Guitar; Bobby Jarzombek: Drums; Johnny Chromatic: Guitars, background vocals; Jason Rappise: Bass.
COLD SILENCE FOR SNOWFALL: Snowfall and their debut album, Cold Silence, due April 19 in Europe. Includes Lee Small, Tore Meli, PB Riise, and special guest Perra Johansson. Mixed and mastered by Martin Kronlund. Released through Escape Music.
RETROSPECT RECORDS LOOK AT US FESTIVAL COMMEMORATION: Retrospect Records is searching for bands and sponsors to join what will become the largest Melodic Rock / Hard Rock festival in the past 30 years. Tentatively titled U.S. Festival 2014 and being held over 3 days in early September 2014 (Labor Day Weekend) , the festival will commemorate the legendary 1983 US Festival, where 300,000 Metal fans converged in San Bernardino California and made music history by setting records for being the largest audience ever on American soil.
U.S. Festival 2014 will be held near Kingman, Arizona - just a few hours away from the original San Bernardino location and will feature over 50 bands on 3 stages.
Retrospect Records CEO Sam McCaslin states "This is such an honor putting an event like this together. The 1983 Festival was legendary and I consider this to be the last great 80s Festival specifically for the fans who never forgot the greatest decade in the history of rock & roll. It is my intention to mix well-known headliners with a lot of bands who may have never sold a million records but we still cherish all the same. Heavy Metal, Hard Rock and AOR fans will be extremely pleased with this line-up and I hope you all will be able to attend this final salute to the music we have had such a passion for. It is also my intention to introduce the new blood of Melodic Rock to the old school fans who don't have the chance to hear the amazing new bands coming from Europe."
Retrospect Records is accepting submissions from AOR, Melodic Metal, Glam and Melodic Hard Rock bands from all over the world for this event. Limited slots are available so contact Retrospect Records at streetsofmetal@aol.com.
FNA RECORDS RELEASES UNDERGROUND INDIE ALBUM FROM 80'S DALLAS HARD-ROCKERS STREET TOYZ: Street Toyz plain and simple was a band in Overdrive! Like it or leave it, they raised the bar for every band that played the Dallas scene in the 80's...and then they shut that bar down! Other bands took their lead from the roadmap that Street Toyz paved; their professionalism was second to none, their product rivaled that of the majors, and their live show...well that was the cherry on top of the sundae.
In the summer of 1985, Jimmy K Simmons and John Leasure formed Street Toyz (The original working name for the band was Soakin' Wet). John and Jimmy eventually moved to Dallas, Texas, which would ultimately become home base for Street Toyz. They obtained an apartment (boy...if walls could talk) and rented a rehearsal room at Musicians Exchange. The year was now 1986 and the guys decided on Chris Debray (drums) and David McKnight (bass) as the rhythm section to complete the band...and so started the foundation of the band and a long wild trip. Jimmy buckled down and wrote the music and arrangements for the songs on the original album and John completed the songs lyrically (with the exception of "She's Alone" written completely by Jimmy).
The eighties were rolling along full speed ahead and the band was living the life of rock stars (well rock stars without a lot of money...but whatever the band lacked in money they more than made up for in the women department). Street Toyz also kept good company with other talented musicians. Down the hall was a newly formed band called Tracy Lords (later changed to Lord Tracy). Tracy Lords/Lord Tracy was made up of Terry Glaze (fresh out of the band Pantera as their front man), Barney Wolfe, Chris Craig, and Jimmy R.
In 1987, Street Toyz entered the Planet Dallas Recording Studios and recorded Some Assembly Required. When the album was finished, they had to let David go and thus began a continuous rotation of bassists in and out of the band. The guys lived this band as if it were a day job and refined their live show so that it was flawless - and many industry people took notice. One of those guys was Madd Maxx from ZRock Radio. He saw Street Toyz play at one of their many performances at Dallas City Limits and thus began a long beloved relationship between Madd Maxx and the band. He took such a liking to the band that he was playing every one of our tracks in regular rotation; this was huge considering that ZRock was 'THE' metal radio station for the entire US at the time.
Some Assembly Required remains a highly sought after album by hard rock aficionados and those who can get their hands on a copy usually wind up shelling out $50-$60 for the vinyl. For those long-time fans who have wanted the album at a decent price, remastered and with bonus tracks – the wait is over! FnA Records were able to get into the vaults and obtain the original well-preserved reels for Some Assembly Required and then had those 5 tracks from that album fully remastered. Tracks 6 to 8 features unreleased songs from what Jimmy K. Simmons considers the "best and most cohesive" version of the band and those tracks definitely show how the band was progressing and why they were catching the attention of the majors. The last 3 tracks showcase some of Jimmy's flair for writing powerful, melodic, and catchy tunes and were recorded with long-time friend Bo Bullock. FnA Records were able to get their hands on the last remaining handful of STILL SEALED 1987 vinyl records of Some Assembly Required and is making them available to the first handful of fans that want this collector's item!!! Additionally, FnA Records will be selling the new album entitled Some Assembly Required + More Assembly Required in CD format, as an autographed CD fan pack, and as a CD/Vinyl Collectors package. Those who rocked hard and played hard on the Dallas rock scene in the 80's recognized that Street Toyz was a notch above the competition. They gave way to bands like Lord Tracy and Pantera and played host to an on-going rock-n-roll party night after night. "We enjoyed the ride and a ride it was! And here it is, twenty-five years later, and thanks to FnA Records we get to prolong and relive that memory just a little bit longer", says band leader Jimmy K. Simmons. "We hope that you enjoy these tracks as much as we enjoyed creating them, and we thank everyone of you that was there that helped us live out our dreams and those of you who are now carrying on the legacy by keeping our music alive in your hearts."
LabelLink: www.fnarecords.net.
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FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN AUSTRALIA - KAMELOT:
Having never visited our shores before, the announcement of a Kamelot Australian tour is bound to excite hordes of melodic metal fans across the country! Kamelot's style has been described as a blend of melodic, progressive and gothic metal interwoven with classical elements that defines a genre all their own. With a new album 'Silverthorn' released late last year and a gigantic back catalogue to select from, the band will have no shortage of 'elaborate melodic metal' to share with their fans this June.
With a tonne of positive live reviews to their name, including a stellar live performance at the world-renowned Wacken Festival last year, their live show is one not to be missed. Blistering guitars, soaring vocals and searing solos demand your full attention and will open your mind. "Kamelot delivered all the pieces of instrumental and vocal excellence that is easily identified with the supreme talent of the group"- UltimaMusicBlog.
Embarking on a new chapter in the group's history, the long-awaited Australian tour will be packed with intensity, outstanding musicality and epic storytelling that we've all been so eagerly waiting for.
Tour Dates: June 2013
Tuesday 4th. Brisbane. Hi Fi
Wednesday 5th. Adelaide. The Gov
Thursday 6th. Sydney. Manning Bar
Friday 7th. Melbourne. Hi Fi
Tickets only $59 + BF available from metropolistouring.com and at the venues from 9am Friday 22nd March. Strictly Limited VIP Meet and Greet Packages available for each show.
HEART/JASON BONHAM EXPERIENCE TOUR DATES: Heart's 2013 tour dates are in - they are as follows. Show apparently features an additional 30 minute Led Zeppelin set at the end.
June 17 West Palm Beach, Fla., Cruzan Amphitheater
June 18 Tampa, Fla, Live Nation Amphitheater
June 20 Atlanta, Chastain Park Amphitheater
June 21 Charlotte, N.C., Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
June 22 Raleigh, N.C., Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion
June 24 Virginia Beach, VA Farm Bureau Live
June 25 Washington, D.C., Jiffy Lube Live
June 27 Wantagh, N.Y., Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
June 28 Boston, Comcast Center – Mansfield
June 29 Bethel, N.Y., Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
July 2 Holmdel, N.J., PNC Bank Arts Center
July 3 Philadelphia, Susquehanna Bank Center – Camden
July 4 Uncasville, Conn., Mohegan Sun Arena
July 19 Detroit, DTE Energy Music Theater
July 21 Pittsburgh, First Niagara Pavilion – Burgettstown
July 22 Cleveland, Blossom Music Center
July 27 Cincinnati, Riverbend Music Center
July 29 Chicago, Ravinia Festival
July 30 Indianapolis, Klipsch Music Center
Aug. 1 West Allis, Wisc., Wisconsin State Fair
Aug. 14 Houston, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Aug. 15 Dallas, Gexa Energy Pavilion
Aug. 17 St. Louis, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Aug. 18 Kansas City, Mo.,Starlight Theater
Aug. 20 Denver, Fiddler's Green Amphitheater
Aug. 22-23 Los Angeles, Greek Theater
Aug. 24 Indio, Calif., Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Aug. 26 San Diego, Open Air Theater
Aug. 28 San Francisco, America's Cup Pavilion
Aug. 30 Portland, Ore., Sleep Country Amphitheater
AFTER A BREAK, YESTERROCK RETURNS:
After a little break, the next releases will be due for release on Yesterrock soon. Scheduled for a release on April 5th, 2013 are the following two albums:
Perfect Crime - Blonde On Blonde / Perfect Crime is another name of the Norwegian group Blonde On Blonde. In 1989, the self-titled debut album "Labyrinth Of Love" by Blonde On Blonde was released as limited edition private pressing. The album sold out soon and became a rare collector's item. Their second CD got released in 1990 under the band name of Perfect Crime and was called "Blonde On Blonde". Why this happened is a secret which only the band knows. However, the second effort marked a big improvement for the Norwegian outfit. All tracks have been remastered and now offer an updated sound, contemporary sound und will please all friends of the bands which have been waiting for this re-issue for too long.
The Arrows - The Lines Are Now Open / The Lines Are Open was originally released in 1985. It was the second record of the Canadian Melodic Rockers. The Arrows were formed in 1981 and performed in several clubs of Toronto at this time. Their first release, a four track EP, was titled 'Misunderstood'.
Afterwards the band signed a deal with A&M records. Their 1984 debut album 'Stand Back' was a national success, providing the top 40 hit 'Meet Me In The Middle'. In the same year they toured with Chris de Burgh. Upon returning back, they worked on their second album 'The Lines Are Open' which was released in 1985, produced by David Tyson and mixed by Bob Rock. The singles 'Heart Of The City', 'Talk Talk' and 'Chains' received reasonable airplay in Canada, but pressures from label and management for a breakout hit were causing trouble within the band. After a cross-Canada tour, the group quit at the end of 1986.
In 1995, a CD-Compilation 'Talk Talk - The Best Of The Arrows' was released through the German independent label 'Long Island' and contained the majority of tracks from their first two albums. So far this has been the only release of Arrows material on CD, apart from the European release 'The Lines Are Open'.
In 2011, the German label 'Yesterrock' released Arrows' debut album 'Stand Back' for the first time on CD. 'The Lines Are Open' is now re-released through 'TMC' in cooperation with Rock Distribution Toronto and 'Yesterrock'.
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Friday, March 15, 2013
TIMO TOLKKI RETURNS WITH A STUNNING SYMPHONIC METAL OPERA THE LAND OF NEW HOPE: Frontiers Records is excited to announce the release of Timo Tolkki's Avalon stunning new Metal Opera entitled The Land of New Hope on May 17 in Europe and May 21 in North America.
Hailed by fans and press as one of the forefathers of the Power Metal genre with his songwriting for the band Stratovarius in the late 90's and early 00's, Timo Tolkki has been silently preparing his musical revenge. Following a call in August 2012 from Frontiers Records President Serafino Perugino, Tolkki quickly cancelled all plans and started writing new music following an original concept discussed years ago between the artist and Perugino. The idea was to have a magniloquent metal / rock opera with some cinematic orchestrations to bring back the Stratovarius original sound in a more symphonic and grandiose fashion. "I sort of rediscovered myself musically in the process of making this album", explains Tolkki. "I wrote the story first and started composing the music after that. My aim was to write memorable songs with good melodies that would support the story. In Stratovarius back in early 90's, I was one of those who were there in creating the whole Power Metal genre, so it is natural that people may associate this music style to me. But on this album you will find a lot of different dynamics as well with some songs that are fully orchestrated and sound very very big".
For this unique album, Tolkki managed to gather some of the most renowned singers around including Michael Kiske (Unisonic), Elize Ryd (Amaranthe), Rob Rock (Impellitteri), Russell Allen (Symphony X), Sharon Den Adel (Within Temptation) and Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica).
Rounding up the stunning line-up of this album are: Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody Of Fire) on drums and Jens Johansson (Stratovarius), Derek Sherinian (Black Country Communion), Mikko Härkin (Sonata Arctica) on keyboards, with Tolkki taking care of all guitars and bass recordings and of course production duties.
Anticipated by a sequence of YouTube trailers which have already ignited the interest among the fans, "The Land of New Hope" opens a new chapter in Tolkki's career and perspectives, with the Finnish artist regaining full artistic credibility with his own music and performances. Tolkki says: "The Land of New Hope album is one part of the story, the end of it actually. The story is longer and goes back to the time before this album's story, so 2 more Metal Operas are likely to follow to complete a trilogy. In generally, I find the Metal Opera concept fascinating and logical to me at this point of my career. I love classical music and just like in Classical Opera, in the Metal Opera you can also create stories and have almost limitless possibilities musically. It is not so easy to stay fresh after 25 years career, but this album is truly something special".
The stunning artwork was specially created for this project by Stanis W. Decker which will be released in two versions – regular CD and deluxe edition with a bonus DVD include a 30 minutes documentary "making of the album" and two promotional video clips.
"The Land of New Hope" final tracklisting includes: Avalanche Anthem, A World Without Us, Enshrined in My Memory, In the Name of the Rose, We Will Find a Way, Shine, The Magic of the Night, To the Edge of the Earth, I'll Sing You Home, The Land of New Hope.
The first single "Enshrined in My Memory" (sung by Amaranthe's Elize Ryd) will be released digitally worldwide on March 25th. You can enjoy a full EPK presentation of the album following this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HoyZll5j0c.
WebLinks: www.tolkki.org / www.frontiers.it.
VINDICTIV DEBUT NEW VOCALIST WITH CAGE OF INFINITY: Escape Music have revealed more details about the new Vindictiv album Cage of Infinity, to be released in Europe May 10.
Track List: The Chosen / Cage of Infinity / Down In a Black Hole / Choices / Astronaut / Human Emergency / Resistance / Orphans / Son Of Fate / Screaming For Answers.
Lineup: Marco Sandron: Vocals; Stefan Lindholm: Guitars; Pontus Larsson: Keys; Nalley Pahlsson: Bass; Henrik Hedman: Drums.
Produced by: Stefan Lindholm; Mixed and Mastered by: Lars Chriss.
Every brilliant musician feels the need to push boundaries further: to progress and to find new challenges and outlets for his or her talents. Swedish guitarist Stefan Lindholm has now reached that defining moment in his career. As the founder and musical backbone of Vindictiv, he is responsible for some of the most exquisite examples of contemporary neoclassical metal.
However, the Gothenburgian constellation's newest effort "Cage of Infinity" marks a certain departure from the progressive leanings of their two previous albums, "Vindictiv" (2008 ESM164) and "Ground Zero" (2009 ESM190).
This time round Vindictiv have challenged themselves to get their point across not through complexity, but through forthrightness. "I'm no longer the same person as I used to be" says Stefan "so now I am going for a simpler approach and it's more in your face". Stefan also explains "Cage of Infinity definitely contains a lot of immediate hooks and choruses. At the same time, I think it just may be more metallic than previously. Possibly a tad Judas Priest-ish, but I'll leave that for the listener to decide!!!".
It is indeed, albeit a new and exciting Vindictiv. Stefan's guitar playing is as stellar as ever and the core of the band is intact, featuring the exceptional talents of keyboard player Pontus Larsson and bassist Nalle Påhlsson (Therion, Treat, Zan Clan, Last Autumn's Dream). There are two new faces to the line-up: drummer Henrik Hedman is an excellent addition to the Vindictiv family tree, but the man with the biggest shoes to fill is undoubtedly the new lead singer Marco Sandron who has dared to accept the torch passed on by legendary journeyman Göran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen, Glory,Kharma, Xsavior). Marco is the Italian ex-vocalist from multinational power metal sensations Eden's Curse and whose vocal skills have turned an apparent suicide mission into a raging triumph. Marco's performances on "Cage of Infinity" are nothing short of spectacular, comparable even to the great Jørn Lande and marking the beginning of a new era. Vindictiv has turned over a new leaf, a more predominantly song-based one, without sacrificing any of their defining characteristics which include the usual blistering guitar solos and great vocal work.
So we have a new breed of "Vindictiv" and we are very sure that you will love the sound that has been created here. Certainly a band to watch for as they rise continuously upwards through the ranks of the rock music world…essential!
Discography: Vindictiv (ESM164) / Ground Zero (ESM190) / Cage Of Infinity (ESM252).
WebLink: www.Escape-Music.com.
DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST CRUSH?: Crush is a brand-new Swedish AOR-band founded in spring 2012. The band members are 3 experienced, Swedish musicians who all have been playing in different bands and constellations during the years. "Some of us are still playing in other established bands; others have recently left old projects. The most important thing right now is that we've found each other and that we're gonna aim high with Crush. Our debut single "In a blink of an eye" is now available at YouTube, Facebook and soon Spotify. The identities of all band members will remain a secret until the release of our next song."
KINGDOM COME'S NEW OUTLIER:
Fame and fortune have always played a minor role in Kingdom Come mastermind Lenny Wolf's longstanding career. In fact, his more than 30 years as an artist have been fuelled first and foremost by musical challenges and the desire to keep evolving. His credo has always been: authenticity before commercial considerations. "Naturally, nobody is happier than I am when my music is loved by as many fans as possible," he says, "but these kinds of aspects are irrelevant when it comes to creating a new album. The only thing that matters is testing myself as an artist and embarking on new paths." To avoid any misunderstandings: the new Kingdom Come album Outlier presents flawless rock music with a welcome tendency towards melancholia and a gift for anthems. But: with Outlier Lenny is starting a new chapter of his diverse creative career, expertly positioning his charismatic voice between traditional rock structures and modern sound elements, which add a third dimension to this album.
"I simply felt the need to delve deep inside of me and run riot in the infinite expanse of the audio cosmos. The result is a friction of mercilessly mechanical, heartless sound collages, combined with my typical melancholy-melodious style," Wolf explains the album's artfully interwoven experimental approach to his sound, which never detracts from the familiar atmospheric basic mood of his songs. "A whole number of souls happen to dwell in my breast, which is why experimentation and the development of my musical existence simply belong together." Lenny purposely takes into account that this approach may also lead to friction and requires an open mind of its listeners: "It's of secondary importance to me whether this is clever in business terms. To me, it's all about creating optimum varieties of sound signals which go through the ear straight into the heart. Some call it a vocation. Hallelujah."
A vocation which is reflected in ten haunting, stirring and diverse songs. Some numbers are welcome reminders of Kingdom Come's glorious past, other songs document a future-oriented direction. "I could have written a track such as 'Let The Silence Talk' back in 1988 during our In Your Face period, whereas listening to 'Rough Ride Rallye' and 'When Colors Break The Grey' for the first time may have you think: Oops, what's all this about," Lenny confesses, knowing fully well that it's precisely those opposite poles which make Outlier a very special album. Especially since "one song by itself cannot reflect the character of a whole album. To understand this record, you have to take time and become one with those compositions, some of which are extremely diverse."
Outlier is well worth the effort, especially in view of the album's deep lyrical content. As ever, Lenny's lyrics are personal snapshots straight from his soul, touching on autobiographical subjects on 'Don't Want You To Wait' and documenting – for example on 'God Does Not Sing Our Song' and 'Skip The Cover And Feel' – an attitude which is as fierce as ever and deeply rooted in Lenny Wolf. He has also consciously chosen the album title in line with this: "The term Outlier suits me to a tee. It symbolises my whole personality, the musical media I work with, the story of my life."
Outlier was recorded at Wolf's own Hamburg studio, the Two Square Noise Factory. With the exception of the solo guitar parts contributed by Eric Förster, all instruments were recorded by the Kingdom Come boss himself. In addition, Wolf produced, engineered, mixed and mastered his new album. "Eighteen-months of struggle and madness lie behind me, a period which saw me go through the usual alternating bath of euphoria and doubt. As an artist, you can never be quite sure just what you've cooked up, but I happen to be an idealist and simply have to keep embarking on new adventurous journeys. The path of predictability has never satisfied me."
Outlier is Kingdom Come's first studio album featuring completely new material since the arrival of their 2009 release, Magnified. The album is bound to provoke discussion, in every respect, which is precisely the intention Lenny has with his compositions: "I never write to please anybody, I simply stretch my means of expression as a musician as far as possible. Always in the hope that others will like the result." That certainly is one thing that Lenny needn't worry about!
"Outlier" will be released worldwide through SPV/Steamhammer and will be available as CD and download in Germany on April 26, in Europe on April 29 and in the US/Canada on May 07.
Tracklisting: God Does Not Sing Our Song 04:05, Running High Distortion 04:14, Rough Ride Ralleye 04:35, Let The Silence Talk 03:29, Holy Curtain 03:59, The Trap Is Alive 04:41, Skip The Cover And Feel 03:37, Don`t Want You To Wait 04:31, Such A Shame 03:18, When Colors Break The Grey 05:03.
Watch out also for the new single God Does Not Sing Our Song which will be released digitally worldwide on April 05!.
WebLinks: www.lennywolf.com / www.spv.de.
OWN A PIECE OF ROCK & ROLL HISTORY:
When esteemed guitarist and close friend, Joe Satriani, decided to part with some personal musical instruments, studio equipment and live gear, he chose Bananas At Large to help him out. With our experience and expertise hosting successful private sales for Journey, Neal Schon, Santana, Doobie Brothers, Metallica, Grateful Dead, and many others, 'Satch' knew his private collection was in good hands.
Joe is letting go of some of his prized electric & acoustic guitars, amplifiers, effects, recording equipment, and more. With items starting as low as $50, there's something for every fan. Over 65 pieces will be available for this once in a life time event. Our doors will reopen after-hours on Wednesday, March 27th, 2013 for you to have the opportunity to acquire a piece from the private collection of a musical icon. Bananas At Large, 1504 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA 94901, (415) 457-7600.
Wednesday, March 27th, 2013, 7:00pm - 10:00pm, Online sales begin at 7:30pm.
This is the real deal... We've got tons of actual, functional equipment that's been tested in-house by Bananas At Large Staff. Look for items from Ibanez, Marshall, Fender, Gibson Custom Shop, Peavey, Mesa Boogie, Freedman, Sexauer, Dr. Z, Wizard, and lots more.
R.I.P. PETER BANKS (ORIGINAL YES GUITARIST) ORIGINAL YES GUITARIST PETER BANKS DIES:
From: www.pollstar.com/news_article.aspx?ID=804469 / British axeman Peter Banks, who played on the first two Yes albums, passed away from heart failure last week. He was 65. Banks was a member of the 1960s band The Syn which also included bassist Chris Squire. When the band broke up in 1967 Squire and Banks went on to join psychedelic band Mabel Greer's Toyshop. After meeting Jon Anderson in a pub in 1968, Squire invited the singer to join MGT. When drummer Bill Bruford joined the group, a new band eventually emerged – Yes – with a lineup consisting of Anderson, Squire, Banks, Bruford and keyboardist Tony Kaye.
But Banks wasn't destined to be a long-time Yes man. Having played on 1969's Yes and 1970's Time And A Word, Banks left after the second album and was replaced by Steve Howe.
Shortly after leaving Yes, Banks founded the prog-rock band Flash, which released three albums. The guitarist also started a band called Empire. Banks' body was found after the guitarist failed "to show up for a recording session," according to Rolling Stone.
Former Genesis guitarist, collaborator and friend Steve Hackett tweeted, "I'm sorry to hear of Peter Banks' passing … a great pal and a great guitarist." --Jay Smith.
CD SHOWCASE UPDATE: CD Showcase has been updated with some great upcoming releases to check out. They are: Paris, Laneslide & Charming Grace (Avenue Of Allies Music, out April 12); Covered Call & Bai Bang (AOR Heaven) and Snowfall & Stala & So. (Escape Music, April 12 release). Sample now.
MRX UPDATE: MelodicRockXtra has been updated with two new features:
- Rush - State Of Grace Live (1991)(Full killer soundboard live show - wonderful sound!)
- Ten Years Later - Live At The Calderone Concert Hall (1978) Join MRX Now.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
BLACK SABBATH'S '13' SET FOR JUNE 11 RELEASE:
As the countdown for the June 11 arrival of Black Sabbath's 13 gets closer, the second Jack Osbourne-directed clip of the rock legends at work on the album can now be seen at the band's website: www.blacksabbath.com. YouTube direct link: youtu.be/p6h6bUVZbDo.
Beginning today, 13 will be available for pre-order on a variety of formats via www.blacksabbath.com. Options include: • Standard CD album • Deluxe double CD album in a deluxe soft-pack (includes a second disc of exclusive bonus audio material) • Vinyl: a 12" heavyweight (180g) vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve • Super Deluxe Box Set: a Limited edition 12" clamshell box set which contains: Deluxe double CD album, 12" heavyweight (180g) vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve, Exclusive DVD containing "Black Sabbath--The Re-union" documentary, plus 5 behind-the-scenes videos, Download card containing exclusive track by track interview with Black Sabbath, 13 exclusive photographic prints and hand written album lyrics.
In addition, anyone who pre-orders any of these formats via www.blacksabbath.com will be entered into a drawing to win a pair of VIP tickets to an official 13 album launch event in London, including a meet and greet with the band, flights and accommodation Additional details and full terms and conditions on the contest can be found at www.blacksabbath.com.
On the live front, Black Sabbath will launch their world tour with a series of dates kicking off next month in New Zealand, Australia and Japan.
13 was recorded primarily in Los Angeles and features the original Black Sabbath--Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar) and Geezer Butler (bass)--who were joined at the sessions by drummer Brad Wilk (Rage Against The Machine). Produced by Rick Rubin (seven-time Grammy winner, two of those as Producer of the Year), the album will be released on Vertigo (worldwide) and Vertigo/Republic in the U.S.
Black Sabbath's overseas dates are as follows:
Sat 4/20 Auckland, New Zealand Vector Arena
Mon 4/22 Auckland, New Zealand Vector Arena
Thu 4/25 Brisbane, Australia Entertainment Centre
Sat 4/27 Sydney, Australia All Phones Arena
Mon 4/29 Melbourne, Australia Rod Laver Arena
Wed 5/1 Melbourne, Australia Rod Laver Arena
Sat 5/4 Perth, Australia Perth Arena
Tues 5/7 Adelaide, Australia Adelaide Entertainment Center
Sun 5/12 Tokyo, Japan Ozzfest - Makuhari Messe
WebLinks: www.blacksabbath.com / www.facebook.com/BlackSabbath.
WHITESNAKE MADE IN JAPAN EPK (OFFICIAL): Whitesnake Made in Japan will be released on Frontiers Records. Release dates: EU: April 19th / NA: April 23rd / Available in: 2CD + DVD Deluxe Edition, 1DVD and Blu-ray. For more info: www.frontiers.it / www.frontiers.it/usstore.
VAN HALEN EUROPEAN TOUR NOT HAPPENING: IRVING AZOFF:
From yesterday's Billboard. I held back a day because I wanted to see if there were any further updates! Maybe tomorrow...!
"Comments by Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth that the band will tour Europe beginning late this year are incorrect, according to Irving Azoff, manager for group founders Alex and Eddie Van Halen and bassist Wolfgang Van Halen. In comments picked up by multiple media outlets, Roth said on the Sirius Opie & Anthony radio show Monday that Van Halen were "going to be playing Europe – probably 50 or 60 shows starting at the end of this year." Azoff disagreed. "All the announced dates, which include the date in Australia, the dates in Japan and a date in Wisconsin, are confirmed and on sale and those are real," Azoff tells Billboard.biz. "I manage the Van Halen's, and I know nothing about any European tour."
Azoff did confirm that Roth will indeed front the band that will play the scheduled dates, which include the Stone Music Festival in Sydney, Aus. April 20; June 21 at the Tokyo Dome, and June 24 and 26 at Osaka's City Central Gymnasium. Van Halen will also headline the final night of Rock USA festival July 20 at Ford Festival Park in Oshkosh, Wis.
Van Halen played 46 shows last year and grossed $54 million, with attendance of 522,296, according to Billboard Boxscore, eighth among all touring acts for the year. –Ray Waddell, Nashville."
HAREM SCAREM - BACK, RECORDING AND ON TOUR!:
Time for an update on the activities of the legendary Harem Scarem and their Mood Swings Anniversary come back. Harem Scarem's Harry Hess commented earlier about the band's plans to first re-record the classic Mood Swings album. He stated: "A few people have asked me why we would re-record Mood Swings. We don't own the masters to those recordings, we don't own anything that we recorded while we were with Warner, the only way for us to have ownership and control over those songs is to re-record them. That being said, we also feel that the new recordings will sonically be much better than the originals side by side. Also to add value to the release we are recording 3 new bonus tracks as well as a DVD with recording footage and interactive audio... This is a package (and tour) to celebrate the 20th year anniversary of the release not just another version of what is already available." Harry added that the new tracks would be "...in the spirit of that time..."
An all new studio album is planned for 2014.
I'm pleased to announce more tour dates for the band. already announced is their appearance at Firefest in October and their first USA show in 20 years (and only their second ever!) at MelodicRockFest 3 (Chicago, September 27-29 / www.melodicrockfest.com).
Of the MRF3 appearance, guitarist Pete Lesperance has this to say earlier today: "I can't tell you how excited we are to be back and playing at Melodic Rock Fest 3 in Sept! Seems like to perfect gig to start the 2013 Mood swings reunion tour! This time I promise we'll make sure our Visas are in order and actually show up. Oops!"
Other tour dates are (with Japan dates to come):
18-10-2013 United Kingdom Nottingham Rockcity Firefest
20-10-2013 Holland Kerkrade Rock Tempel
23-10-2013 Germany Munchen Garage Deluxe
24-10-2013 Switzerland Pratteln Gallery
25-10-2013 Portugal Lisboa Musicbox
26-10-2013 Spain Madrid Rock Kitchen
27-10-2013 Belgium Vosselaar Biebob
28-10-2013 Belgium Oostende Bada Bing
1-11-2013 Sweden Upsaland Sala Rockland
3-11-2013 Germany Ludwigsburg Rockfabrik H.E.A.T. festival
FIREWORKS 56 OUT NOW: Fireworks #56 is packed with quality this issue. 96 glossy pages span all corners of the rock globe - whether it's a chat to German guitar maestro Michael Schenker about his live album and DVD, or a look at the new solo album from English Moody Blues legend Justin Hayward. American rockers Buckcherry tell us all about their new album 'Confessions' while we investigate the star studded new release Rage Of Angels, which boasts the talents of Danny Vaughn, Tommy Denander, Robert Hart and many others.
On the subject of collective talents, we have Snakecharmer featuring ex-Whitesnake men Neil Murray and Micky Moody. The German side of things is solidified with interviews with Pink Cream 69 and power metal pioneers Helloween - not to mention a revealing three page interview with controversial German born ex-Queensrÿche vocalist Geoff Tate. Finland's Von Hertzen Brothers give their thoughts about their new album, while Japan's very own Loudness are back with a bang. Denmark is covered thanks to the veteran Pretty Maids gracing our pages again, Poland's Riverside impress us with their record 'Shrine Of New Generation Slaves' and we also talk to two of Brazil's emerging stars, Vandroya and Pastore. We even have Heaven covered by talking to Christian rockers Stryper! Eric Martin, Dan Reed and John Corabi are just some of the other stars we have features on in our mind blowing selection of 32 interviews. The issue is rounded out with over a hundred new albums reviewed, as well as live gigs, reissues and all the other stuff you know and love us for. If you want more than that for the price, you're just being plain greedy!
Available from ... Participating WHSmith and McColls Group stores (see Store Finder for participating stockists) / Fireworks Magazine Mini Store / Direct from Fireworks HQ by emailing fireworks.mag@ntlworld.com, paying via Paypal. Send £6 (Inc P&P) for UK, £8.50 (inc P&P) for Europe, and £9.50 (inc P&P) for USA/Rest of World.
FIREWORKS MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION:
The latest Issue 56 and the recent Issues 55 and 54 of Fireworks Magazine Digital Editions are now online for purchase and download. Previous back issues can be purchased online here.
British rockers Iron Maiden have paid tribute to their former drummer Clive Burr after he lost his battle with multiple sclerosis. The percussionist died in his sleep on Tuesday at the age of 56 after a long struggle with the debilitating illness. Burr joined Iron Maiden from fellow rock band Samson in 1979 and played on their first three albums, including their breakthrough record The Number of the Beast.
He left the band in 1982 due to personal issues and the stress of heavy touring schedules, but continued his rock career with several other bands, including alongside former Twisted Sister star Dee Snider in Desperado. "I first met Clive when he was leaving Samson and joining Iron Maiden," Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson said. "He was a great guy and a man who really lived his life to the full. Even during the darkest days of his MS, Clive never lost his sense of humour or irreverence. This is a terribly sad day and all our thoughts are with (Burr's wife) Mimi and the family."
Bassist Steve Harris added, "This is terribly sad news. Clive was a very old friend of all of us. He was a wonderful person and an amazing drummer who made a valuable contribution to Maiden in the early days when we were starting out. This is a sad day for everyone in the band and those around him and our thoughts and condolences are with his partner Mimi and family at this time."
REDRUM TO RELEASE THEIR SECOND ALBUM VICTIMS OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES: Redrum will release their second album Victims Of Our Circumstances via RMB Records April 26. Redrum is a melodic Hard Rock band based in Thessaloniki (Greece). Athan 'Lyssa' Kazakis and Panos Baxevanis founded the project during September 2003. About a year later, they had recorded 12 songs in a local studio. At this point the band still wasn´t complete in the way of needed members.
They decided to get in touch with well-known German vocalist, songwriter, producer and engineer Michael Bormann (ex-Jaded Heart, J.R. Blackmore, Bonfire, Zeno Roth, Rain). Michael liked the material and so he recorded all the vocal parts (and co-wrote a couple of the songs) in his RMB Studios in Germany. The first record label, "Sleazy Rider Records", a greek label, released No Turning Back, in September 2007 with rave reviews and successful sales.
During their headliner shows in Greece, Redrum supported great acts like Bonfire, Tyketto, Krokus, Danger Danger, House Of Lords, Adlers Apetite, Blue Tears, Europe, Robert Plant and Glenn Hughes. Redrum also appeared at festivals such as "Firefest" and "Rockwave" in Athens.
"No Turning Back" was the first Redrum song released, from their debut which was a featured track on V3 the third compilation CD of www.melodicrock.com. The Redrum project came together as a dynamite and popular hard rock band with the Greek/German alliance that is working very well in the way of musical chemistry.
For their 2nd album Redrum decided, to write and record together at RMB-Studios in Duisburg, Germany with Michael Bormann at the helm. In about fourteen days, 12 killer songs were written and the basics were recorded. These incredible songs are now ready to rock you on their new CD titled "Victims Of Our Circumstances" set for a worldwide release in 2013 along with a tour to support their latest greatest masterpiece loaded full of pure hard rock heaven.
WebLink: www.facebook.com/RedrumOfficialGR.
line-up: Athan Kazakis – guitar; Panos Baxevanis – guitar; Michael Bormann – vox; Thanos Sarketzis - drums; Alex Kidd – Bass; Marco Grasshoff – keyboard.
Track Listing: 1. One Of Us 2. Scream 3. You Can't Buy No Hero 4. Dust In Your Eyes 5. Empty Promises 6. Pokerface 7. Dirty White Boy 8. Mother I´M Coming Home 9. Tear Down The Walls 10. Have A Nice Day 11. Victims Of Our Circumstances 12. You're The Voice.
WebLinks: www.redrum-rocks.com / www.facebook.com/RedrumOfficialGR.
UPDATED JSS TOUR DATES:
Updated Jeff Scott Soto European Tour Dates:
04/04/2013 Thursday UK Belfast The Limelight
05/04/2013 Friday UK Birmingham The Asylum
06/04/2013 Saturday UK London Camden Underworld
07/04/2013 Sunday UK Rotherham Hard Rock Hell AOR Festival
11/04/2013 Thursday DE Hamburg 'Rock 'N Roll Warehouse'
12/04/2013 Friday BE Vosselaar Biebob
13/04/2013 Saturday NL Kerkrade Rock Temple
16/04/2013 Tuesday DE Essen Turock
17/04/2013 Wednesday FR Cergy Vaureal (Paris) Le Forum
19/04/2013 Friday DE Lichtenfels Paunchy Cats
20/04/2013 Saturday HU Budapest Barba Negra Music Club
21/04/2013 Sunday BG Sofia 'Sofia Club Live'
23/04/2013 Tuesday BG Burgas 'Bar With No Name'
25/04/2013 Thursday GR Thessaloniki 8ball
26/04/2013 Friday GR Athens Kyttaro Live
27/04/2013 Sat GR Ioannina 'Cafe Kaplaneio'
29/04/2013 Monday IT Milan Blue Rose Saloon
30/04/2013 Tue IT Turin 'Il Peocio'
02/05/2013 Thursday ES Barcelona Sala Razzmatazz 3
03/05/2013 Friday ES Valladolid Sala Porta Caeli
04/05/2013 Saturday ES Santiago de Compastella Sala Capitol
05/05/2013 Sunday ES Madrid Sala Caracol
SLASH PARTNERS WITH GUITAR WORLD MAGAZINE FOR ULTIMATE COVER CONTEST: Slash has partnered with Guitar World magazine in search of the ultimate cover artist. Starting today, Wednesday, March 13, musicians can upload a YouTube video of themselves performing Slash's new single "Anastasia," using the interactive guitar tab feature found here: www.slashonline.com/videos and email the link to: SlashSignedGuitar@gmail.com. The live video and interactive guitar tabs for the song were created by RealNetworks/Invu and enable fans to watch Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators perform "Anastasia" live for inspiration. Guitar World magazine editors will choose the Top 5 contestants and the winner will be selected by Slash. The winning video will receive a guitar from Epiphone/Gibson signed by Slash. For more details, visit Guitar World magazine online: www.guitarworld.com/video-contest-win-signed-guitar-slash.
For videos to be eligible, the following contest guidelines must be followed:
Video must be titled: "Slash – Anastasia (Cover Contest)."
All entries must perform Slash's new single "Anastasia" only, upload their performance using the interactive guitar tab http://slashonline.com/videos and email the link to: SlashSignedGuitar@gmail.com.
All entries must be a minimum of at least 30 seconds, but it is not necessary to perform the entire song.
All entries must be uploaded from March 13 through March 20.The winner will be contacted through a direct YouTube message and the signed guitar will be delivered by April 30.
Slash and his bandmates Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators--Myles Kennedy (vocals), Brent Fitz (drums), Todd Kerns (bass) and Frank Sidoris (guitar)--are in the midst of a world tour for their critically acclaimed album Apocalyptic Love which earned Slash his two first-ever #1 rock radio hits: "You're A Lie" and "Standing In The Sun." The album's third single "Anastasia" has cracked the Top 25 at Active Rock this week landing at #24. The album was produced by Eric Valentine, who did the same honors for his first solo disc Slash, and all the songs on Apocalyptic Love were written together by Slash and Myles Kennedy.
For more information, visit: slashonline.com / twitter.com/#!/slash.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
AVENUE OF ALLIES HEAD TO PARIS:
The third Avenue Of Allies release for April 12 can now be revealed. It is the debut album for French AOR outfit Paris titled Only One Life.
The Melodic Rock outfit Paris has its origins in the French capital, but a short look at the album credits of the band's debut record illustrates that we are actually dealing with an international affair. The two main characters, Frédéric Dechavanne and Sébastien Montet, hail from France, the duo is responsible for the songwriting, the lead vocals, the guitars and the keyboards. The Italian delegation is represented by producer Alessandro Del Vecchio (Lionville, Hardline, Issa), the rhythm section Anna Portalupi (Mitch Malloy, Lionville, Hardline) on bass and Alessandro Mori (Mitch Malloy, Lionville, Axe) on drums. Guests are in-demand Swedish songwriter Robert Säll (Work Of Art, W.E.T.) on guitar and Steve Newman (Newman, Big Life) from the United Kingdom on backing vocals.
Frédéric and Sébastien grew up in the suburbs of Paris. They were already long-time friends when they discovered their common interest in AOR and Melodic Rock in the mid 80s. During their days in High School in the late 80s they attend countless concerts of bands like Def Leppard and Bon Jovi and they founded their first band and instantly started writing their own songs, inspired by some of the most successful acts of the Melodic Rock genre. Until 2003 they kept on working on their own material, but life had other plans for the guys and their songwriting activities were put on hold.
In 2010 the two friends, who always kept in touch through the years, rediscovered the joy of making music together. New technologies paved the way for their revitalized musical collaboration with Frédéric now living in Germany, and they eventually recorded a demo album with 11 newly songs in 2011.
Ready then to take the next step, they contacted Alessandro Del Vecchio. The internationally renowned producer and musician took them under his wings and produced the songs in his studio, including some old favorites Frédéric and Sébastien had written 20 years ago. The Paris debut "Only One Life" was recorded with the help of an international line-up of studio musicians, resulting in a collection of truly catchy Melodic Rock tunes.
All songs written by Frédéric Dechavanne, except "America and "South of Love" written by Frédéric Dechavanne & Sébastien Montet, Produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio, Recorded, mixed & mastered by Alessandro Del Vecchio at Ivorytears Music Works, Italy. Arranged by Frédéric Dechavanne, Sébastien Montet & Alessandro Del Vecchio.
Paris are: Frédéric Dechavanne: Lead & backing vocals, keyboards; Sébastien Montet: Lead & rhythm guitars.
Additional musicians: Anna Portalupi: Bass, Alessandro Mori: Drums, Alessandro Del Vecchio: Backing vocals, Steve Newman: Backing vocals, Robert Säll: Lead guitars on "America".
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NO MONEY NO LOVE FROM HEAVEN AND EARTH: Heaven & Earth bring you their first single No Money No Love from their upcoming new album Dig. Check it out below! The album is released April 23.
WebLinks: heavenandearthband.com / twitter.com/HeavenEarthBand.
DEADLINE RECORDS TO RELEASE WAR & PEACE THE FLESH AND BLOOD SESSIONS:
On April 23, Deadline Records (a division of Cleopatra Records) will release a special edition of The Flesh And Blood Sessions from War & Peace. The collection includes an unreleased track and liner notes from Jeff Pilson. War & Peace is the all-star line-up of Jeff Pilson (Dokken, Dio, Foreigner) on lead vocals and guitar, Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio, Kill Devil Hill) on drums, Michael Diamond (Legs Diamond) on bass, and Randy Hansen on lead guitar.
The Flesh And Blood Sessions contains the original 1988 studio sessions recorded at the legendary Sound City Studios by Angelo Arcuri (Black Sabbath, Dio, Hellion) and mixed by Neil Kernon (Dokken, Queensryche, Kansas), as well as five tracks chiefly put together by Jeff Pilson in the mid 1990s.
Re-mastered by Wyn Davis (Dokken, Dio), The Flesh And Blood Sessions re-issue comes with all new artwork, liner notes by Jeff Pilson, and includes an exclusive bonus track, "Heaven Knows", featuring guitarist Darren Housholder (Love/Hate), not found on the original 1999 release. Making a guest appearance on 'What I Hid Behind' is Robin McAuley, with whom Jeff was working in MSG. Jeff Pilson is a prolific musician, a multi-instrumentalist who has been in internationally-recognized bands almost his entire career. As evidenced by the musical fire power in War & Peace, Pilson's collaborations lead to material that holds up in today's heavy music environment. 'To this day I'm frequently asked about this period of the band and thought that putting out this CD could answer many questions,' said Jeff.
Track List: Kill For The Love Of God, Snake Eyes, If I Put My Love In You, I Don't Want To Be Lonely, Nailed To The Cross, Idle Worship, Bringing It On, Raising Cain, What I Hide Behind, Heaven Knows.
MP3 Stream : 'Nailed To The Cross' - soundcloud.com/brosseaupr/nailed-to-the-cross-war-peace.
The Flesh And Blood Sessions will be available in stores and online April 23 for the MSRP of $14.98. The album is Amazon pre-order link is www.amazon.com/The-Flesh-Blood-Sessions-Peace/dp/B00BKBCIDU.
CONSPIRACY LIVE CD & DVD, FEATURING CHRIS SQUIRE AND BILLY SHERWOOD:
On April 9, 2013, Purple Pyramid (a subsidiary of Cleopatra Records) will release a special CD/DVD combo of Conspiracy Live featuring the giants of prog rock, Chris Squire and Billy Sherwood (both currently or formerly with Yes).
The CD has been remastered to fully enhance the unmistakable vocals of Chris Squire, and the exceptional, intricate musicianship spearheaded by Billy Sherwood. Sherwood said the recording was 'a very special and unique event. It has stood the test of time…' From the modern classic title track to the more moody downtempo 'Red Light Ahead,' Conspiracy Live showcases renditions of songs from both Conspiracy studio albums, as well as from Squire's Fish Out Of Water, which as Sherwood says, 'has hardly ever been played live.'
Bonus material on the DVD includes interviews with the band - Chris Squire (bass, guitar, vocals), Billy Sherwood (guitar, vocals), Jay Schellen (drums), Michael Sherwood (keyboards, vocoder, vocals) and Scott Walton (keyboards, synth bass) – as well as behind-scenes footage and a photo gallery.
CD/DVD Track List: Conspiracy, Days Of Wonder, New World, Red Light Ahead, Confess, The More We Live, Hold Out Your Hand / You By My Side, Universal Garden.
The CD/DVD combo of Conspiracy Live will be in stores and online retailers for MSRP of $14.98.
U2 DECLARED WAR 30 YEARS AGO: 'INTHESTUDIO' FOR BREAKTHROUGH 1983 ALBUM:
Dallas, TX - MARCH 12, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands explores the 30th anniversary of U2's breakthrough third album War. U2 marched into 1983 and delivered the goods in America with two Top 10 Rock hits "New Year's Day" and "Sunday Bloody Sunday". With the help of intense touring, a new television network, MTV, and a strong and faithful fanbase, U2 were charting a course to rock stardom. But beyond the obvious career breakthrough, U2 was seeking a new level of social conscience not seen since the '60s. The all-too-close experiences in war torn Northern Ireland gave U2 the perspective that could be amplified to the world. Bono tells program host Redbeard in this classic InTheStudio interview what the War record meant to U2, and how its political tone was far from fashionable. "I think War was a very important record for us and I think it sort of set up the mood that led eventually to Live Aid and things like that. It was very uncool at the time of the War album to be in any way political or to have strong feelings on such matters."
U2 'War' /InTheStudio interview is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/u2-war-30th-anniversary-2.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
NEAL SCHON WEIGHS IN ON JOURNEY'S RECORDING FUTURE:
Some waves were created last week with Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain suggested the band might be done with recording new music - at least in the full length album format. He stated to The Pulse Of Radio: "We're not convinced the market will bear another CD from us. And it's so much work to make one. Maybe we get a soundtrack shot with a movie. And the last album we made was a departure. It was Neal [Schon's] 'I wanna do one this way once' — and so we did. Y'know, we did a heavy, rock n' roll record. And it kinda wasn't received very well here in the States and they kinda liked it in Europe and that's kinda what I thought was gonna happen and it barely sold 100,000 [copies]."
I had a short conversation with guitarist Neal Schon earlier today when I asked him about his opinion on this. Neal stated for the record "I think recording in the future looks bright to me for the band..."
I suggested to Neal that the band could have recorded Escape 2 and it still would not have made any difference in sales, being that the wave of interest and publicity the band was riding prior to the release of Revelations was all but impossible to replicate - not to mention the exclusive 2CD/1DVD value pack that album was sold as in WalMart stores for just $12. Neal's thoughts: "We were the only band in their store besides the Eagles and by the time Eclipse came out it was a library of music..."
I stated that I still think Eclipse is magnificent (although many disagree), Neal says he still loves the record and delivered a little more good news - the band's new film Don't Stop Believin' - Everyman's Journey is #3 at iTunes and Neal's solo single Primal Surge (from The Calling album) is #3 at classic rock radio.
In closing, Neal gave away another exclusive: "We played Budokan last night here in Tokyo filmed it and recorded it and heard it...sounds amazing...great great crowd...was really great to be back in Japan and [we are] coming back this way!"
VAN HALEN IN EUROPE? COULD IT BE TRUE?!: Van Halen are heading for Europe after a couple of "event" performances during the US summer (and Australia in April). The news came from David Lee Roth speaking on the Opie & Anthony Show Monday morning (March 11). "We're going to be playing Europe, probably 50, 60 shows outside of the States, starting at the end of this year, and then come back around through the US [in 2014]". Of the event shows, David stated: "I'm frankly surprised that these happened now. I think probably they had designs on somebody else, and somebody else got sick. 'Cause y'know, we're kind of here to save the day. These are big shows — these are like 50-70,000-person shows. And they're just coming together fast, which says probably somebody else bowed out or somebody else took ill."
He also added that "Van Halen is very pure and uncut kinda music. It's a little like getting drunk on shots of really good Kentucky bourbon. It's like, you'll have a great night, but you probably won't want to see us again for three years!"
So does this allow enough time to get new music ready in 2013? Hear Dave for for yourself at: youtu.be/PpNjd4HNTPI.
AVENUE OF ALLIES REVEALS DETAILS BEHIND LANESLIDE: Avenue Of Allies will release the anticipated debut album Flying High for new melodic rock outfit Laneslide April 12. Laneslide is a new Melodic Rock project developed by Italian songwriter / guitarist / producer Bruno Kraler (Brunorock). The international line-up of the band is made up of vocalist extraordinaire Frank Vestry, best known for the successful and critically acclaimed Marcello/Vestry album and the classic one off-record by US Melodic Rockers Last Temptation. Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline, Lionville, Edge of Forever) one of the rising stars of today's Rock scene plays keyboards and the rhythm section are John Billings (Rick Springfield, Donna Summer, Lancia) on bass and Dominik Hülshorst (ex-Bonfire) on drums.
Four additional renowned musicians also lend their musical talents to the Laneslide album: Lino Gonzalez from Argentina on lead and rhythm guitars, Bobby Altvater on guitars and backing vocals and Erik Mårtensson and Michael Bormann on backing vocals.
Laneslide are one of the most exciting collaborations in recent years, their hard hitting yet very catchy brand of Melodic Rock is powerful, passionate and it has all the trademarks to let it stand out from the bulk of releases coming out this spring.
Ladies and Gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts, turn up your stereo and get ready for the Rock'n'Roll Laneslide.
Laneslide are: Frank Vestry - Lead Vocals, Bruno Kraler - Lead & Rhythm Guitars, John Billings - Bass, Alessandro Del Vecchio - Keyboards & Grand Piano, Dominik Hülshorst - Drums. Special Guests: Lino Gonzales - Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Bobby Altvater - Rhythm Guitars, Backing Vocals, Erik Mårtensson - Backing Vocals, Michael Bormann - Backing Vocals.
Produced & mixed by Bruno Kraler. Mastered by Christoph Stickel. Artwork by Mattias Norén.
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/Laneslide / www.laneslide.com.
DEEP PURPLE "ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD" OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO: Deep Purple have released an Official Lyric Video for the lead single All The Time in The World from their album Now What?!, due out April 26-29 worldwide. Check out the clip below.
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MOTLEY CRUE - VINCE SURGERY & ONE MORE ALBUM TO GO: Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil limped off stage 4 songs short of the band's Sydney show after suffering a bout of Kidney stones. Nikki Sixx posted this update to Facebook: "Hey guys, I just woke here in Sydney. As many have heard we had to cut our set short by 4 songs last night due to Vince be in severe pain on stage.. He was doubled over on his dressing room floor 5 minutes till show time and was told by the promoter to not even play but Vince said he couldn't do that to the fans. I've seen Vinnie go onstage with broken bones, his voice completely blown out and torn ligaments but he never ever cancels…Just like an athlete you sometimes have to play through the pain but last night it became to excruciating. I was texting with Vince most of the night last night as he was just waiting for the doctor to come back with the test results. This morning we found out he had to be admitted into surgery to remove kidney stones. He Just got out 5 minutes ago and the doctors said everything went well in the operating room. I am going to the hospital to see him before I head to Brisbane. Will update you more later…Nikki."
Vince himself updated fans with tweets from hospital: "Just out of surgery. Spent night in hospital probably have to again tonight. Thank you all for the kind words and prayers....Doc says I should have a full recovery and be back onstage for the Brisbane show tomorrow. Thanks to my bandmates and crew for your support!"
In related news: Motley Crüe To Split After One More Album & Tour
A backstage interview with Nikki Sixx, before their second Etihad show with KISS last night, saw the bassist spill his guts to Bryget Chrisfield about Mötley Crüe's plans to go out on a high. "I wanna finish our movie [adaptation of Mötley Crüe's New York Times bestselling collaborative autobiography The Dirt: Confessions Of The World's Most Notorious Rock Band] and put out a new album," he revealed before adding they will also release a soundtrack to the movie and then embark on "a farewell tour". "We'll be back in Australia and, ah, that'll be it," he said. "I can honourably say, 'We did it our way and we're never coming back'." Sixx accentuated that this split would see the band done for good, he has no interest in resurrecting its corpse down the track. "It's important that when you do a farewell tour that people understand that when you put a bullet in the back of the horse's head, and it goes down, it's not a plastic bullet it's a fucking shotgun blast. You know, blow its fucking brains out, it's never coming back. It has to [be that way]," he stressed. "It's the only way I can look at myself in the mirror and do a farewell tour. That's it. So when we take our final bow, it's IT. I will cry. I cry thinking about it."
ArticleLink: themusic.com.au/news.
ROD STEWART FINALLY READY TO DELIVER NEW STUDIO MATERIAL:
As teased to Billboard in October, the veteran's new set rocks. "Just a good, old-fashioned Rod Stewart album (with) a lot of mandolin and acoustic (guitar) and fiddles and good storytelling, I believe, too." That was Rod Stewart describing his next album to Billboard in October. Following an industry preview Thursday night (March 7), Stewart's self-assessment seems on point.
The pop/rock icon releases "Time," his first collection of all-new material since 2001, on May 7. The set is his first on Capitol Records after he released "Merry Christmas, Baby" last holiday season on Verve. The yuletide album rose to No. 3 on the Billboard 200, marking his highest rank since 2006, and has sold 863,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It also generated his first Adult Contemporary No. 1 since 1993, "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow." Stewart previously logged a 10-year run on the RCA Music Group, which yielded two Billboard 200 leaders among his series of covers albums. That run followed a more than two-decade tenure with Warner Bros., which produced some of his best-known AC staples, including "Forever Young," "Downtown Train" and "Have I Told You Lately." He arrived on Mercury with his first of four Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s, "Maggie May," in 1971.
Capitol previewed seven songs from the set for industry attendees at RdV in New York City on Thursday and Billboard's ears were perked. In opening comments, the label echoed Stewart's tease in the fall that the album is a personal collection, with him having written all its original songs. "An issue which I thought had long passed and which I'd given up, songwriting, has come back, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it."
While no track listing has been finalized, five of the seven songs played from "Time" last night sported an abundance of tempo and an overall guitar-based core sound. One was reminiscent of his 1988 No. 12 Hot 100 hit "Lost in You" from its opening riff; another brisk-paced cut was Celtic-influenced, evoking the instrumentation of "Maggie May"; a later track harkened back to such dance-leaning Stewart classics as "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" and "Infatuation," complete with a sultry sax solo by song's end. Of the two ballads, one sounded in line with Elton John's '70s-era compositions, while the other was more lushly produced, akin to many of Stewart's '80s/'90s AC hits.
At 68, and following his run of albums of remakes, Stewart rocks again. His inimitable warm vocals sound as strong as ever and the new set appears hook-heavy. The themes on "Time" are "a little more adult now," according to Stewart. "There's no 'Hot Legs.' But they're, I think, songs people can relate to."
ArticleLink: www.billboard.com/articles/news/1551282/rod-stewarts-new-album-to-be-titled-time-due-may-7-first-set-of-originals.
OSUKARU PREPS TWO NEW RELEASES FOR 2013:
The Swedish melodic rock outfit Osukaru will return with not only one, but two releases by the end of May this year; the new album Triumphant and a special EP called Covered Up. "Triumphant" is the bands 2nd full album but the 4th release in total and it features the brand new line-up including Oz Osukaru (guitars, keyboards), Fredrik Werner (lead vocals, guitars), Cecilia Camuii (lead vocals), Jens Björk (saxophone), Adrian Lopez (piano, keyboards), Axel Ryberg (drums) and co-founder Ryan Coyle (drums, percussion). "To me, this version of Osukaru is more like a new band, a reboot so to speak, and in a way 'Triumphant' is like a debut album" Oz says. "However, that doesn't mean that I'm not proud of our previous releases, because I really am. But to make Osukaru grow I felt that it was time for a change."
"Triumphant" will include a total of 14 tracks with titles like "Walk In Balance", "Triumphant", "Prisoner of the Night", "Believe", "Never Play With Fire" and a song called "Mafia Rules" featuring Erik Heikne (Miss Behaviour) on lead guitars. As if this wasn't enough, a special EP titled "Covered Up" will be released the very same day, featuring five cover songs getting the full Osukaru treatment. This EP is strictly limited to 500 numbered copies and you can only get it as a bonus if you order "Triumphant" directly from the band or their label City of Lights Records. "Covered Up" will be included with the album as a free gift to their fans and the songs featured on the disc are "Who Cries Now" (Unruly Child), "Tough Times Don't Last" (Bad English), "Midnight Blue" (Lou Gramm), "Waiting For Love" (Alias) and a rock version of "Hair" (Lady Gaga) featuring the pop singer Jessica Frost on lead vocals. Jessica Frost is also the cover model for both "Triumphant" and "Covered Up" and the artwork is, as always, created by Oz Osukaru himself.
Visit Osukaru on Facebook (www.facebook.com/pages/OSUKARU/323280557510) to get the latest news on when, where and how to pre-order the new album "Triumphant" with or without the bonus EP "Covered Up".
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DISCLIVE NETWORK TO RECORD BAD COMPANY'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR:
Individually numbered packages will contain that night's full show and an exclusive bonus Rockumentary Interview CD
Memphis, TN. March, 11, 2013 – Bad Company has announced the complete itinerary for the band's Summer tour of the U.S. Celebrating their 40th anniversary since forming, the excursion begins on June 15 in Rancho Mirage, CA and will stage 22 dates, ending on August 3 in Orilla, Ontario, including 13 Co-Headline dates with Lynyrd Skynyrd. DiscLive Network, the global leader in the field of "instant" live content, will be recording and releasing commemorative 40th Anniversary CD sets for the band at each stop along the way.*
Bad Company were dubbed a super-group upon the band's formation due to the union of Free's Paul Rodgers (Vocals / Multi-Instrumentalist) with Mott The Hoople's Mick Ralphs (Guitar) plus Free's Simon Kirke (Drums) and King Crimson's Boz Burrell (Bass), who passed away in 2006. Over the next nine years, the band released a string of six albums that sold tens of millions of copies, yielding international hits "Can't Get Enough," "Bad Company," "Feel Like Makin' Love," and many others penned by the main songwriters Paul Rodgers and Mick Ralphs. Original members Rodgers, Ralphs, and Kirke will be joined by guitarist Howard Leese and bassist Todd Ronning (from Paul Rodgers solo band).
Bad Company has inspired many of today's musicians, most notably, metal band Five Finger Death Punch who scored a #1 Active Rock hit with a cover of the song "Bad Company". Since 2001, the band has had only a few isolated performances, and has not staged a tour of the United States and Canada until now.
In front of the run, Rodgers shares, "When Mick and I formed the band in the 70's we were amazed at the instant success. It didn't hurt to have Led Zeppelin behind us, and we wrote some decent songs that still resonate. This one is for fans."
"This is a huge milestone for Bad Company," said Bair, "and we are so excited to be part of it. We've previously worked with Paul and the guys, and they sound amazing and are a lot of fun to work with. Their fans were simply spectacular and we are very excited to be offering this exceptional collectible product to them."
The fully mixed and mastered CD sets will be packaged in high-gloss DigiPaks, commemorating the band's incredible 40 year journey with a silver stamped Bad Company logo on the front. Each package will contain a double CD set of the night's performance, along with a bonus "Rockumentary" CD featuring an exclusive new interview from syndicated radio personality Redbeard, of InTheStudio. Each copy will be individually numbered and only a few hundred will be made for each show. Once they are gone, they will be gone forever!
The initial tour dates that will feature a DiscLive Network recording are below. Fans can pre-order a copy of these very special keepsakes at www.disclivenetwork.com and choose to pick it up at the venue or have it shipped to them. They can also purchase a copy on-site while supplies last.
DREAM THEATER LAUNCHES TRANSLATED NEWS PAGES & TRAILER FOR NEW DVD, BLU-RAY, CD: Dream Theater has always had strong fan support outside of the United States, and in order to bring their international fans closer to the band, they have reached out to fan sites all over the world to create translated versions of the Dream Theater news page. Argentina, Israel, Italy and Venezuela are the first to join the band in creating and making available these localized news pages.
While on tour recently in South America, John Petrucci heard from a number of fans about the need for an official Dream Theater connection. John states, "Our efforts to further unite our online international community have only just begun. We are very fortunate to have so much incredible support and devotion from fans in many different countries around the world, and we hope that more and more fan communities will participate in this ongoing endeavor. We look forward to hearing from fans interested in having the news page translated for their countries."Jordan Rudess adds, "We are excited to be working with these first four fan sites, and can't wait for others from around the world to reach out to us on Facebook."
If you would like to work with the band in bringing a translated Dream Theater news page to the fans in your country, please contact Dream Theater by visiting: www.facebook.com/dreamtheaterofficial and leaving a message.
As Dream Theater continues work on their next album, Live At Luna Park, a live concert captured on 2DVD, Blu-ray, Digital Video, 2DVD/3CD, Blu-ray/3CD, and a deluxe edition (2DVD/Blu-ray/3CD), will drop in May 2013. To whet the appetite of their fans, Dream Theater have released this trailer:
Live At Luna Park was filmed over two nights in South America, home to one of Dream Theater's most ardent fanbases. The DVD was filmed after a 15-month world tour, hitting 35 countries. "This is without a doubt the closest a viewer at home will come to experiencing a live Dream Theater concert," states guitarist and founding member John Petrucci. "Between the hi-def and 3D video, the huge audio mix and the documentary style behind the scenes footage, you are truly transported to the arena and completely immersed in the entire live experience."
Progressive metal band Dream Theater formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy. Though a number of lineup changes followed, the three original members remained together, along with James LaBrie and Jordan Rudess, until September 2010, when Mike Portnoy exited the band. In October 2010, Dream Theater held auditions for a new drummer, and added drummer extraordinaire Mike Mangini to its roster.
In 2012 the band received its first-ever Grammy nomination for "On The Backs Of Angels" in the Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance category. The song was the first single from their eleventh studio album A Dramatic Turn Of Events (released September 13, 2011 on Roadrunner Records), which had fourteen top 10 debuts around the world (including the U.S., where it entered at #8 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart).
In 2012, Dream Theater wrapped up a massive worldwide, headline tour in support of A Dramatic Turn of Events and is currently at work recording their next album. To date, the legendary progressive metal masters have sold in excess of ten million records and DVDs worldwide.
WebLinks: www.dreamtheater.net / www.facebook.com/dreamtheaterofficial.
KROKUS SAY: CHEERS 'N THANX TO THE FANS!:
Founder, producer and bassist Chris Von Rohr has commented on Krokus' new album making it's Swiss debut at #1. "We have spent a year working on this album, the band is in top form. We thank our loyal fans that they have supported and rewarded us with this. [We will celebrate] on the concert stages worldwide with a fiery power set. This is our party. It will be big and loud, I promise!"
[Fans can expect] "a band that has fun with what they are doing. A rock party full of song nuggets spanning over more than 30 years of Krok'n'Roll. We will start concerts in support of the new album in Switzerland and the first five shows are called "The Close Contact Tour", because we play in smaller venues where we are in arm's length from our fans. Four of the five shows are already sold out, however, you can still get tickets for the second show at the Volkshaus in Zurich on May 3rd.
We have improved steadily in recent decades. And that is hard work, of course. Together we are a force. We can easily keep up with anyone on an international level. This is illustrated by the positive response we have received from around the world on our newest release Dirty Dynamite. May it continue to go on like this for a while. And in celebration of our 40th anniversary in 2015 a brilliant live album."
JON ANDERSON TAKES SOLO SHOW TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND FOR FIRST TIME:
Asheville, NC - Music fans 'down under' are buzzing with excitement about the upcoming solo tour of Australia and New Zealand by legendary vocalist Jon Anderson, Yes's singer/songwriter for 35 years along with his successful work with Vangelis, Kitaro, and Milton Nascimento. This will be the very first time Jon has performed solo in either country. The tour promises to deliver an exciting mixture of material from Jon Anderson's prolific solo career, collaborations with Vangelis and classic Yes songs, along with songs from his latest CD 'Survival & Other Stories' and new compositions, highlighted by humorous and enlightening stories told by Jon. Says Jon, "I'm very excited to bring my show to Australia and New Zealand. I enjoy the show that I do, and people really seem to have a great time."
Tour Dates: Australia
Mar. 28 – Powerhouse, Brisbane – www.brisbanepowerhouse.org
Mar. 30 & 31 – Byron Bay Blues Festival – www.bluesfest.com.au
Apr. 03 – Lizottes Supperclub, Newcastle – www.lizottes.com.au
Apr. 06 – Factory Theatre, Sidney – www.factorytheatre.com.au
Apr. 10 & 11 – The Corner, Melbourne – www.cornerhotel.com
Apr. 14 – The Gov, Adelaide – www.bluesfesttouring.com.au
New Zealand
Apr. 17 – Sky City Theatre, Auckland – www.skycityauckland.co.nz
Apr. 20 – St James Theatre, Wellington – www.pwv.co.nz/live-in-wellington/single-show/show/jon-anderson/
Monday, March 11, 2013
FAIR WARNING - NEW ALBUM "SUNDANCER" COMING IN MAY 2013:
The new album Sundancer by German rock band Fair Warning will be released in Germany on May 24, Europe May 27 and US/Canada May 21. You can watch a new teaser regarding the awesome album cover here (and below): youtu.be/z5yqKx8nZUk.
"Sundancer" will be released as CD and download through SPV / Steamhammer worldwide except Japan/Asia.
Photo from left to right: C.C. Behrens - drums / Helge Engelke - guitars / Tommy Heart - vocals / Ule W. Ritgen - bass.
WebLinks: www.fair-warning.de / www.spv.de.
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NEW RELEASES FROM FNA RECORDS: Cleavage finally drops a pair of long awaited releases to the pleasure of hard rock fans the world over!
Twenty-Two years after releasing "The Demo", Cleavage re-releases this highly sought after album with eight additional bonus tracks. The band has also compiled a much anticipated 18 track album of never before released material entitled "XOXO"
New Jersey is obviously known for its great hard rock exports like Bon Jovi and Skid Row. In the early 90's, NJ Rocker's Cleavage, were chomping at the bit, prepping to be the "Next Big Band from the Garden State". And the fans were right there in stride; calling into radio stations (requesting spins of Cleavage tracks), resulting in the band often beating out bands like Bon Jovi and Skid Row on the nightly local countdown programs.
Cleavage was a band that had it all – Catchy melodic songs, an over-the-top live show, an ever-growing fan base, major label interest, and girls, and girls, and more girls!
Cleavage was the brain child of "Hollywood Tease" guitarist and songwriter Larry Ganci. In the late 80's Hollywood Tease was the first hard rock band to be signed to the famous rap label "Sugar Hill Records" and their independent offshoot "Bon Ami Records". As the record label was going through a transition, Larry started a cover band called "Cleavage" with the members of a band he was producing. "Cleavage", soon realized that they had something special and transitioned from a cover band to one of the most respected local bands on the New Jersey circuit.
A few personnel changes resulted in a tight knit band that commanded the respect of fans and industry people alike. Cleavage was composed of Larry Ganci (vocals), brothers Ronnie (guitar) and Mike Parkes (bass), and Scott "Nazz" (drums).
With the band in full effect and Larry at the helm, Cleavage entered the studio and churned out what some consider one of the best hard rock, self-released albums ("The Demo") to ever hit the music scene. With strong comparisons to Bon Jovi and ACDC, and having that classic blue collar New Jersey sound with a tinge of metal edge, the album quickly sold out. A limited second pressing was made with an extra track .That also sold out quickly. This was due to heavy local radio support, which in turn led to an increase in show attendance and demand for the band. In fact, one fan favorite - "15 Gets Ya 20" held the #1 Local spot for several weeks in a row on WSOU. Within one year's time, Cleavage became a top draw headlining act and local opener for national acts. A management deal and showcases at legendary clubs like the China Club would follow. Then came the major label interest. And then came Nirvana.
With a resurgence of interest in 80's style hard rock and the loyalty of those who never wavered, it became evident that the Cleavage material was a no-brainer when it came to albums needing a re-release. With very few copies ever printed of the original 1990/1991 releases, both versions of the album "Demos" became collectible, commanding large sums of money on the market. The problem with this is that the high price keeps some fans who want the music from ever obtaining it. So FnA Records approached the band and Cleavage decided it was time to make their music available to all fans at a fair price. Cleavage also mentioned that they had enough tracks recorded to not only add bonus tracks to "The Demo", but to also release an album of never-before-heard material recorded from the same time period.
Available exclusively from FnA Records (www.fnarecords.net), are two fully remastered albums by Cleavage entitled "15 Gets Ya 20" and "XOXO". "15 Gets Ya 20" includes all the tracks from the highly-sought after "The Demo" album. Additionally, 8 bonus tracks have been added including the Billboard winning track "Time May Rust" and an unedited version of the bands classic "Blood and Wine". All the newly added tracks are just as catchy, just as hooky, and just as rockin' as the fans will remember. And for those that are new to the music of Cleavage – they will finally have the chance to hear one of the best ever self-produced, eighties style, indie hard rock albums of all time. But it doesn't stop there. The band has opted to release another album of unreleased tracks making all of Cleavage's material available to fans around the world – old and new alike. The second album entitled "XOXO" is packed with high-energy hard rock gems, With seventeen tracks in all; "XOXO" is a rocker's paradise with a few obligatory ballads.
Do yourself a favor - Expose yourself to Cleavage - and don't miss out on one of head banging hard rock's absolute 'Diamonds In The Rough'. 15 Gets Ya 20 and XOXO are available individually, as a package deal, and in an autographed Fan Pack version. Available at FnA Records, www.FnARecords.net.
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FnA Records releases long-overdue glam rock album from one of Chicago's favorite 'glam bands' – Tres Chic.
Tres Chic loves glam rock! And Chicago loves Tres Chic! That's how the band would like to be remembered. Tres Chic were a staple on the Midwest club circuit in the early 90's bringing their style of 'Glam Rock' to those fans looking to express themselves through good-time party music and style. The band held their own for numerous years bringing the party wherever they played – and the locals knew that this was more than a show, it was a spectacle not to be missed!
Tres Chic' were born and at the Thirsty Whale (Chicago's premiere hard rock club), back when big hair and rack systems ruled the stage, and when a show was a 'show'! The thing that really stood out about Tres Chic was that these Contempo shopping, street walking, misfits had more fun drinking and partying than anyone!!! And that's no exaggeration! They were loud, obnoxious, and very silly looking, but it didn't stop them from sharing the stage with some of the coolest bands, playing some of the hottest venues, f@#king some of the most beautiful ladies, and hosting a ton of garage and backyard parties.
Often compared to the 'other favorite Chicago glam band' Enuff Z'nuff, Tres Chic took the image of glam ten times further. But it only takes a little bit of money, a little bit of an eye for the eccentric, and a few cool chicks wanting to play dress up with you to create a solid 'Glam' image. Without the music – you had nothing, and you didn't last long all dolled up on the 'mean streets' of Chicago. Tres Chic did have the music, and that was evident by the legions of fans who came out to every show to listen to the band run through memorable song after memorable song; but perhaps the biggest drawing power was the sing-a-long power ballad "Memory Lane" – hands down one of the favorite songs on the "unsigned" Chicago scene in the early 90's.
A power ballad in the late 80's and early 90's gave a band mileage, and this helped Tres Chic land many coveted opening slots for national touring artists. Other memorable songs such as "Mothers' Side", "Laughing Clownz", "Love Not War", "Shy" and "Madame Roxy" helped to confirm that Tres Chic was a band with momentum. FnA Records proudly releases Tres Chic's first ever album, Memory Lane, featuring 20 tracks of 'Glam and Debauchery'. The first 9 tracks comprise all of the bands studio recordings. Tracks 10 and 11 are taken from the bands rehearsals, followed by three early demo recordings and then five live recordings recorded at legendary Chicago clubs (The Thirsty Whale and the Gateway Theater). The last track is a "nod" to the fans, the scene, the era, and the party! You only know the down and dirty details…if you were there. "Some things we can't remember, Some you will never forget!!" Tres Chic – Memory Lane is available at www.fnarecords.net.
TUFF ANNOUNCE APPEARANCE @ M3 ROCK FESTIVAL & EAST COAST SPRING TOUR DATES:
Los Angeles -- Tuff will head East for the spring! To the East Coast that is. The West Coast based band will make an appearance at the M3 Rock Festival in Maryland on May 4th. It will be the group's first time at the annual event, but not their first time in the Baltimore area. TUFF singer Stevie Rachelle says, "We go way back to the heyday of 'Hammerjacks' during our early tour years. That club is as legendary as any on the East Coast and we cannot wait to play for our fans there again."
Tuff formed in early 1985 and 2013 will be the band's 29th year in existence. "We're honored to still have this opportunity to play our music and I truly enjoy doing it. Crazy to think this band was an idea of mine when I was just out of High School" adds Todd 'Chase' Chaisson band founder and bassist. Chase continues; "We're ready to put the METAL back into HAIR METAL again!"
The set will feature the bands global mega hit and Sirius/XM 'Hair Nation' #1 request "American Hairband", "I Hate Kissing You Goodbye" (#3 Dial MTV) and pop anthem "All New Generation." Other notable cuts sure to be heard at these shows are the up tempo ballad "So Many Seasons" and the heavy metal themed "Good Guys Wear Black." "We're beyond excited to play for the old skool and nu skool metal fans on the East Coast. We don't get out that way often, and we look forward to this in a big way." adds Rachelle. "Just like the East Coast guys from Kix, Trixteror Danger Danger - they don't get out West much, but they got fans here and we got fans there."
TUFF will enlist Billy Morris (Ex. Warrant, Ex. Quiet Riot) to play guitar during their spring run. Morris is a native of Ohio and is still active with multiple entertainment related ventures. Rounding out the bands tour line-up will be Trent Anderson (Ex. Bang Tango, D'Molls) on drums. The Chicago based drummer has chopped wood on the throne with Tuff on past tours in both 2011 and 2012.
Tuff Spring Tour Dates:
Wed. Apr. 24th The Foundry Cleveland, O
Thur. Apr. 25th Tap House Akron, OH
Fri. Apr. 26th Tink's Rock House Marion, OH
Sat. Apr. 27th Dead Horse Cantina Pittsburgh, PA
Sun. Apr. 28th "TBA" PA
Tue. Apr. 30th Tobacco Road New York City, NY
Wed. May 1st "TBA" NJ
Thur. May 2nd "Rebel Rock Bar" Philadelphia, PA
Fri. May 3rd "M3" Hanging @ Friday Nite Show
Sat. May 4th M3 Rock Fest Baltimore, MD (Noon)
Sat. May 4th Ding Batz Clifton, NJ (Midnite)
WebLinks: tuffcds.com / www.facebook.com/StevieRachelle / twitter.com/StevieTuff.
SILVERTHORN OVER EUROPE 2013: KMI Entertainment & Contra Promotion proudly present Kamelot and their Silverthorn Over Europe 2013 tour:
03. Nov 13 GER-Cologne, Essigfabrik
06. Nov 13 FIN-Tampere, Pakkahuone
07. Nov 13 FIN-Helsinki, Nosturi
08. Nov 13 SWE-Stockholm, Klubben
09. Nov 13 NOR-Oslo, Rockefeller
11. Nov 13 GER-Hamburg, Knust
12. Nov 13 GER-Bochum, Matrix
13. Nov 13 BEL-Genk, Rondpunt
15. Nov 13 NED-Tilburg, O13
16. Nov 13 CHE-Lausanne, Les Docks
17. Nov 13 CHE-Pratteln, Z7
18. Nov 13 GER-Frankfurt, Batschkapp
19. Nov 13 GER-Munich, Backstage Halle
21. Nov 13 ITA-Trieste, Teatro Miela
22. Nov 13 SVK-Bratislava, Majestic
23. Nov 13 CZE-Zlin, Winter Masters of Rock Festival
WebLinks: www.kamelot.com / www.spv.de.
U.D.O. UNVEIL TRACKLISTING OF NEW ALBUM STEELHAMMER:
German Heavy Metal masters U.D.O. have unveiled the tracklisting of their upcoming studio album Steelhammer (to be released on May 24th in Europe, May 21st USA).
Track listing: 01. Steelhammer 02. A Cry Of A Nation 03. Metal Machine 04. Basta Ya 05. Heavy Rain 06. Devil's Bite 07. Death Ride 08. King Of Mean 09. Timekeeper 10. Never Cross My Way 11. Take My Medicine 12. Stay True 13. When Love Becomes A Lie 14. Book Of Faith. Bonus track on ltd. Digipak: Shadows Come Alive.
GLEN SOBEL AT TAM TAM FESTIVAL:
March 8, 2013 - Alice Cooper drummer Glen Sobel (whose other credits include Vivian Campbell, Beautiful Creatures, Sixx: A.M. and Impellitteri) has posted video of his recent appearance at the Tam Tam Drum Festival in Néris Les Bains, France which concluded with late night set and Sobel joining the French house band for a cover of the Deep Purple classic "Burn" at 3 a.m. in front of a packed house. The footage can be viewed at this location: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc_2ngBkRMg.
Sobel also conducted a master class/clinic earlier in the afternoon, followed by a late night performance where he played to tracks by Alice Cooper and former Michael Jackson guitarist Jennifer Batten whose 1997 album "Momentum" Sobel appeared on. Other Tam Tam festival participants included Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez (Santana, Stevie Winwood), Dirk Brand (Axxis), Canadian drum phenom Emmanuelle Caplette, and French standouts Eric Thievon and Nicolas Bastos, among others.
Sobel will be with Alice Cooper and band as they head out next week to Crans-Montana, Switzerland for a headline appearance at the 10-year anniversary edition of the Caprices Festival on March 14th. Cooper will be teaming up with Marilyn Manson for the "Masters of Madness" tour of the U.S. starting in early June.
Glen Sobel online: www.glensobel.com.
VAN HALEN IN THE MOVIES - A VIDEO TRIBUTE: Brian Bernhardt of Shoot To Thrill Video MultiMedia Services sent me a link to his Van Halen movie tribute video - described as "a compilation of Van Halen movie references throughout the years". It's very clever and a good watch - youtu.be/y19rufPQNXo.
LA RECORDING STUDIO FOR HIRE:
Beautiful recording studio/suite 5 rooms available for rent. $2575/month. Professional recording suite + vocal booth + office/editing rooms available. Prime location on Ventura Blvd. in beautiful Sherman Oaks, completely built out floating vocal booth, lifted neoprene floors, expensive decor with double glass window. Lobby, full kitchen, bathroom, parking. Alarmed, very secure building and location. Great vibe. Work in a beautiful, clean building along with top professional musicians, producers and Grammy winning engineers. Please see attached pic of floor plan for sizes. Priced to rent fast! Serious inquiries only please. Please call (818)259-7244 or e-mail to alexandertrack@yahoo.com.
Friday, March 08, 2013
BURNING RAIN TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM: "EPIC OBSESSION" IN MAY VIA FRONTIERS RECORDS: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of bluesy hard rockers Burning Rain's third studio album, Epic Obsession, on May 17 in Europe and May 21 in North America. Burning Rain was founded by current Whitesnake axeman Doug Aldrich together with singer Keith St. John (ex-Montrose). The line-up for the new album is rounded out by Sean McNabb on bass (ex-Quiet Riot, Dokken, House of Lords) and Mat Starr on drums (Ace Frehley). Epic Obsession comes after a long hiatus from the release of the band's second album, Pleasure To Burn, in 2000.
Of Epic Obsession, Aldrich commented, "I think we have a good batch of songs that will stand up. It's a melodic blues rock approach to the band's sound. It's really the only thing I have done outside of Whitenake in the last ten years." Frontiers Records will be also be releasing on the same date reissues of the long out-of-print first two albums from Burning Rain, the self-titled debut (released in 1999) and the aforementioned Pleasure To Burn. Both albums will be repackaged and remastered and will contain two added bonus tracks to each respective album. Burning Rain's previous efforts received great acclaim in Japan and the UK prior to Aldrich being tapped as guitarist for Whitesnake in 2002, with Melodicrock.com declaring on the Pleasure To Burn review: "Great quality song writing...fantastic production that rivals any others out there. For fans of classic blues influenced hard rock there will be few albums to rival this record..."
Epic Obsession tracklisting includes: Sweet Little Baby Thing; The Cure; Till You Die; Heaven Gets Me By; Pray Out Loud; Our Time Is Gonna Come; Too Hard To Break; My Lust Your Fate; Made For Your Heart; Ride The Monkey; Out In The Cold Again; When Can I Believe In Love: Kashmir*; Heaven Gets Me By (acoustic)* / * Bonus tracks.
WebLinks: www.burningrain.net / www.facebook.com/BurningRain.
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CHARMING GRACE THE LATEST NEW AOR ALL-STAR PROJECT: Avenue Of Allies announce the release of the debut self-titled Charming Grace album on April 12.
The pure AOR of the international recording project Charming Grace is based on the idea of writing songs in the classic style of the 80s and recording them as duets. To give the record its own identity all songs are sung by one main lead vocalist while the featured duet partners are picked individually for each tune because of their special musical talents. The concept was developed by Pierpaolo "Zorro 11" Monti (drums – Shining Line, Lionville) together with Davide "Dave Rox" Barbieri (lead vocals & keyboards – Wheels Of Fire) and Amos Monti (bass - Shining Line, Lionville).
After having met in 2010 through their mutual friend Gregor Klee, owner of the Avenue Of Allies label, the trio soon discovered that they have a love for AOR and Melodic Rock in common.
Already during 2011 the trio made plans how to combine their talents and the brain storming began which guests should be invited for the recordings of each song. As far as it comes to handling an all-star project, Zorro and Amos had already the experience of their successful self-titled Shining Line album (2010, Avenue 10040012) under their belts. Dave has also worked with various internationally renowned musicians, like James Christian (House Of Lords), Robin Beck, Rob Marcello (Danger Danger) and Michele Luppi (Los Angeles, Secret Sphere) for the recordings of the two albums of his own band Wheels Of Fire, "Hollywood Rocks" (2010, Avenue 10070015) and "Up For Anything" (2012, Avenue 12080046).
Most of the songs for the album are written by Zorro together with Dave and they also picked two songs to record them in the Charming Grace style, Bon Jovi's "Everybody's Broken" and Belinda Carlisle's Top 10 hit from 1989 "Leave A Light On". Over the course of the months the CHARMING GRACE guest list became a very special round up of musicians as it includes artists which haven't been in a recording studio for years or even decades. Prime example is David Forbes, whose unique vocal talent was one of the major keys to turn Boulevard, the Canadian band he fronted during the late 80s and early 90s, into the cult act they are among AOR connoisseurs.
Other very welcome guests on lead vocals celebrating a glorious return to the AOR and Melodic Rock world are the Scandinavians Bente Smaavik (Perfect Crime, Blonde On Blonde), Thomas Lassar (Crystal Blue), Henrik Launbjerg (Toys Of Joy) and Kimmo Bloom (Urban Tale) and from the States Moon Calhoun (Michael Thompson Band), who is accompanied by his mate Jeff Paris on backing vocals. The new generation of vocalists is represented by Nick Workman (Vega), Stefano Lionetti (Lionville), Michele Luppi (Los Angeles), Josh Zighetti (Hungryheart) and Gui Oliver (Auras). In addition to Bente the female part of CHARMING GRACE is taken over by the husky voiced Jesse Galante, an American born singer with Italian roots and the wonderful newcomer Aurë.
Among the ranks of the "Charming Grace Guitar Army" are the Swedes Sven Larsson (Street Talk, Lionville) and Peter Friestedt (Williams/Friestedt), local Italian string masters Roberto Priori (Danger Zone), Mario Percudani (Hungryheart, Shining Line, Mitch Malloy), Stefano Lionetti (Lionville), Mario Manzani (Florence 99), Steve De Biasi (Gunshy), Stefano Zeni (Wheels Of Fire), Andrea Lanza (Skill In Veins), Carmine Martone and Matteo Serra, while Tom Martin (Vega) is representing the UK. Additional guests are Boris Matakovic (Human Zoo) on saxophone as well as James Martin (Vega) and Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge Of Forever, Shining Line, Lionville, Hardline) on keyboards and backing vocalists Michael Carrata (Soul Seller), Franco Campanella (Myland) and Tomas Borgogna (Borgogna).
The production of the Charming Grace debut was overseen by Dave, with Zorro in the co-producers seat. When the two had finished the production of the songs they handed over the tracks to another Avenue Of Allies regular, their multi-talented friend Alessandro Del Vecchio, to put the finishing touches to their tunes. Alessandro had previously worked with the guys on various albums and the undisputed quality of his work in the studio made him an in-demand producer in recent years.
The mix and the mastering of the Charming Grace songs were handled in Alessandro's newly built Ivorytears Music Works Studio, near Milano, Italy. The highly regarded sound wizard gave the songs a big and powerful sound, just like you expect it from an album in the tradition of the big budget productions of the glorious Eighties and with the stunning line-up Zorro, Dave and Amos have gathered for the recording debut of Charming Grace.
Track Listing:
1) Everytime You Touch My Heart - Duet with Nick Workman (Vega)
2) The Way You Feel Inside Duet with Moon Calhoun (Michael Thompson Band)
3) Shining Light - Duet with David Forbes (Boulevard)
4) Just Take My Hand - Duet with Gui Oliver (Auras)
5) Close Your Eyes - Duet with Michele Luppi (Los Angeles, Secret Sphere)
6) Still Dreamin' - Duet with Thomas Lassar (Crystal Blue)
7) The Sound Of Your Heart Duet with Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge Of Forever)
8) Everybody's Broken - Duet with Josh Zighetti (Hungryheart)
9) The Answer Was You Duet with Bente Smaavik (Perfect Crime, Blonde On Blonde)
10) Run Away - Duet with Jesse Galante
11) Through The Stars - Duet with Stefano Lionetti (Lionville)
12) Endless Flame - Duet with Henrik Launbjerg (Toys Of Joy)
13) Bring My Life Back - Duet with Kimmo Blom (Urban Tale)
14) Leave A Light On (Bonus track) - Duet with Aurë
Produced by Davide "Dave Rox" Barbieri, Co-produced by Pierpaolo "Zorro11" Monti, Mixed and mastered by Alessandro Del Vecchio, Executive producer: Gregor Klee Charming Grace are: Davide "Dave Rox" Barbieri: Lead Vocals & Keyboards Pierpaolo "Zorro11" Monti: Drums & Percussion Amos Monti: Bass Guests on Backing Vocals: Jeff Paris, Michael Carrata (Soul Seller) Franco Campanella (Myland) Tomas Borgogna (Borgogna) Guests on Guitar: Sven Larsson (Street Talk, Lionville, Coastland Ride, Galleon) Peter Friestedt (Williams/Friestedt, State Cows) Roberto Priori (Danger Zone) Mario Percudani (Hungryheart, Shining Line. Mitch Malloy) Stefano Lionetti (Lionville) Mario Manzani (Florence 99) Steve De Biasi (Gunshy)Stefano Zeni (Wheels Of Fire)Tom Martin (Vega) Andrea Lanza (Skill In Veins) Carmine Martone Matteo Serra Guests on Keyboards: James Martin (Vega), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge Of Forever, Hardline, Lionville, Issa). Guest on Saxophone: Boris Matakovic (Human Zoo).
AOR HEAVEN CLASSIX OUTSIDE EDGE DOUBLE HEADER: Outside Edge are clearly one of the bands that fate should've been a good deal kinder to, for despite releasing two albums on major labels in a period (the mid-80s) when melodic rock was surely at its peak, the British group just seemed to be overlooked – certainly at home – despite some pretty high profile support slots to the likes of Bryan Adams and Manfred Mann's Earth Band showing on their CV. Interestingly, whilst the group had been met with little more than a cursory nod in the UK, they were at least better known in European circles, where the group's product is highly revered and previous CD releases have been commanding quite hefty premiums.
The self-titled Outside Edge album had been released in France after the trio had impressed label executives at WEA having spent time in the country gigging in the early 80s in the post Liner guise of Spoilers, a Police influenced new wave outfit (who released two singles through the same label in 1980). The musical experiment that was Spoilers had eventually led to the three musicians finding a more natural groove and that was a decision that had looked to have paid dividends when WEA France excitedly offered an album deal. The release of the record, although criminally ignored back in the UK, nonetheless paved the way for the band – now bolstered in number with the addition of keyboard player Peter Giles – to gain the support slot on Bryan Adams' 1985 UK tour and a subsequent deal with 10 Records.
The first fruits of the new relationship with 10 (who also had Manowar, Warrior and Gary Moore on the roster) came in the tasty form of 'Running Hot' (now also reissued as part of the AOR Heaven Classix series). Produced by Terry Manning (ZZ Top/Joe Cocker/Molly Hatchet) and released in 1986, the group subsequently toured in support of the album throughout Europe opening for Manfred Mann's Earth Band; also gaining a spot at the Reading Festival in August of that year.
Bizarrely, after the label had been championing the forthcoming new album ("More Edge") in the press, it's release was suddenly shelved after the 10 Records operation was decamped to Los Angeles and it became evident that the, as yet untitled, new record would not be getting a US release after all. Or a release at all, as it transpired. One may ask why the mother label, Virgin, failed to pick the record up for release at the time?
"More Edge" as it was called later on got released for the first time through Virgin Sweden in the year 2000.
The AOR Heaven Classix releases has been as usually digitally remastered by Chris Lyne (Soul Doctor) with additional liner notes from Dave Reynolds. Both CDs are now available through www.aorheaven.com and selected retailers.
xx
MIKE TRAMP IS TOURING IN EUROPE AND NEW SINGLE RELEASED:
The anticipated new Mike Tramp album "Cobblestone Street" will be released April 8 (GAS April 12). To support the release Tramp will embark on a comprehensive 40+ solo show tour in Europe, including France, Switzerland, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Turkey and the UK (see below). Last year Tramp traveled across Europe playing 40 shows, while driving and doing everything by himself. "This is the most rewarding and fulfilling tour I have ever done, and that coincides with an album that represents all of that, and is just real completion to what I have worked so hard to accomplish." So why shouldn't he do it again? The fans can look forward to meet Mike Tramp unmasked, intimate and down to earth with his guitar as his only companion.
Tour Dates: www.miketramp.dk/shows / www.miketramp.com / www.facebook.com/MikeTrampOfficial / www.targetdistribution.dk/miketramp.
DANGER ANGEL LAUNCH VIDEO SINGLE: Danger Angel are very excited to release the first video out of the new "Revolutia" album, titled "When I'm Gone", also featuring Jeff Scott Soto: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa3AALoy7EY.
Revolutia is the sophomore release by Danger Angel, following their debut, same titled album of 2010. "Revolutia" was produced by Jeff Scott Soto and engineered by John Ellis. It is released via Perris Records.
This video comes out at the perfect moment as "Revolutia" is now available worldwide and Danger Angel are ready to embark on their European tour supporting Jeff Scott Soto. The tour, commencing April 5th, 2013 will cover the UK and most of continental Europe.
"Revolutia" is now available worldwide at all the major internet and physical retail stores, including iTunes, Amazon, CDUniverse, Tower Records, NEHRecords, CDInzane, Musicbuymail and CDBaby among many others. It is also available through the Danger Angel official web page, BandCamp and Perris Records.
NEW STRICTLY STRYPER PODCAST:
Press Release / We are very excited and happy to announce that in anticipation of the new Stryper album 'Second Coming' we have just launched a brand new episode, a special edition of Strictly Stryper, where we will debut 2 brand new tracks from the album! In addition we will also get to hear Michael Sweet's thoughts on the new record and 30 years of Stryper via the new Stryper EPK.
Also you will get to hear a brand new track from Liberty n Justice featuring Tim Gaines, as well as tracks from Sin Dizzy, Michael Sweet and much more! So tune in and be one of the first to hear some brand new music from the March 26 release of… Second Coming!! WebLinks: strictlystryper.podomatic.com/entry/2013-03-02T10_45_57-08_00 / www.strictlystryper.com.
R.I.P. ALVIN LEE:
British rock guitarist Alvin Lee, founder of the band Ten Years After who burst to stardom with a memorable Woodstock performance, has died. He was 68.
A statement posted on Lee's official website said he died Wednesday unexpectedly from complications following a routine surgical procedure. Lee's manager, Ron Rainey, said the guitarist died in Spain. "We have lost a wonderful, much loved father and companion," said the statement signed by his daughter Jasmin, wife Evi and former companion Suzanne. "The world has lost a truly great and gifted musician."
Read more: entertainment.time.com/2013/03/07/rock-guitarist-alvin-lee-68-dies/#ixzz2Mwv3dgLa.
He was truly a legendary guitarist and the music world has lost another master. R.I.P. Alvin.
MRX UPDATED:
Two new feature albums on MRX this week - the sum total of Sic Vikki's recorded output - Kiss Me In French and Streetside Picasso. MRX Membership Details.
LA RECORDING STUDIO FOR HIRE:
Beautiful recording studio/suite 5 rooms available for rent. $2575/month. Professional recording suite + vocal booth + office/editing rooms available. Prime location on Ventura Blvd. in beautiful Sherman Oaks, completely built out floating vocal booth, lifted neoprene floors, expensive decor with double glass window. Lobby, full kitchen, bathroom, parking. Alarmed, very secure building and location. Great vibe. Work in a beautiful, clean building along with top professional musicians, producers and Grammy winning engineers. Please see attached pic of floor plan for sizes. Priced to rent fast! Serious inquiries only please. Please call (818)259-7244 or e-mail to alexandertrack@yahoo.com.
Friday, March 08, 2013
BURNING RAIN TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM: "EPIC OBSESSION" IN MAY VIA FRONTIERS RECORDS: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of bluesy hard rockers Burning Rain's third studio album, Epic Obsession, on May 17 in Europe and May 21 in North America. Burning Rain was founded by current Whitesnake axeman Doug Aldrich together with singer Keith St. John (ex-Montrose). The line-up for the new album is rounded out by Sean McNabb on bass (ex-Quiet Riot, Dokken, House of Lords) and Mat Starr on drums (Ace Frehley). Epic Obsession comes after a long hiatus from the release of the band's second album, Pleasure To Burn, in 2000.
Of Epic Obsession, Aldrich commented, "I think we have a good batch of songs that will stand up. It's a melodic blues rock approach to the band's sound. It's really the only thing I have done outside of Whitenake in the last ten years." Frontiers Records will be also be releasing on the same date reissues of the long out-of-print first two albums from Burning Rain, the self-titled debut (released in 1999) and the aforementioned Pleasure To Burn. Both albums will be repackaged and remastered and will contain two added bonus tracks to each respective album. Burning Rain's previous efforts received great acclaim in Japan and the UK prior to Aldrich being tapped as guitarist for Whitesnake in 2002, with Melodicrock.com declaring on the Pleasure To Burn review: "Great quality song writing...fantastic production that rivals any others out there. For fans of classic blues influenced hard rock there will be few albums to rival this record..."
Epic Obsession tracklisting includes: Sweet Little Baby Thing; The Cure; Till You Die; Heaven Gets Me By; Pray Out Loud; Our Time Is Gonna Come; Too Hard To Break; My Lust Your Fate; Made For Your Heart; Ride The Monkey; Out In The Cold Again; When Can I Believe In Love: Kashmir*; Heaven Gets Me By (acoustic)* / * Bonus tracks.
WebLinks: www.burningrain.net / www.facebook.com/BurningRain.
xx
CHARMING GRACE THE LATEST NEW AOR ALL-STAR PROJECT: Avenue Of Allies announce the release of the debut self-titled Charming Grace album on April 12.
The pure AOR of the international recording project Charming Grace is based on the idea of writing songs in the classic style of the 80s and recording them as duets. To give the record its own identity all songs are sung by one main lead vocalist while the featured duet partners are picked individually for each tune because of their special musical talents. The concept was developed by Pierpaolo "Zorro 11" Monti (drums – Shining Line, Lionville) together with Davide "Dave Rox" Barbieri (lead vocals & keyboards – Wheels Of Fire) and Amos Monti (bass - Shining Line, Lionville).
After having met in 2010 through their mutual friend Gregor Klee, owner of the Avenue Of Allies label, the trio soon discovered that they have a love for AOR and Melodic Rock in common.
Already during 2011 the trio made plans how to combine their talents and the brain storming began which guests should be invited for the recordings of each song. As far as it comes to handling an all-star project, Zorro and Amos had already the experience of their successful self-titled Shining Line album (2010, Avenue 10040012) under their belts. Dave has also worked with various internationally renowned musicians, like James Christian (House Of Lords), Robin Beck, Rob Marcello (Danger Danger) and Michele Luppi (Los Angeles, Secret Sphere) for the recordings of the two albums of his own band Wheels Of Fire, "Hollywood Rocks" (2010, Avenue 10070015) and "Up For Anything" (2012, Avenue 12080046).
Most of the songs for the album are written by Zorro together with Dave and they also picked two songs to record them in the Charming Grace style, Bon Jovi's "Everybody's Broken" and Belinda Carlisle's Top 10 hit from 1989 "Leave A Light On". Over the course of the months the CHARMING GRACE guest list became a very special round up of musicians as it includes artists which haven't been in a recording studio for years or even decades. Prime example is David Forbes, whose unique vocal talent was one of the major keys to turn Boulevard, the Canadian band he fronted during the late 80s and early 90s, into the cult act they are among AOR connoisseurs.
Other very welcome guests on lead vocals celebrating a glorious return to the AOR and Melodic Rock world are the Scandinavians Bente Smaavik (Perfect Crime, Blonde On Blonde), Thomas Lassar (Crystal Blue), Henrik Launbjerg (Toys Of Joy) and Kimmo Bloom (Urban Tale) and from the States Moon Calhoun (Michael Thompson Band), who is accompanied by his mate Jeff Paris on backing vocals. The new generation of vocalists is represented by Nick Workman (Vega), Stefano Lionetti (Lionville), Michele Luppi (Los Angeles), Josh Zighetti (Hungryheart) and Gui Oliver (Auras). In addition to Bente the female part of CHARMING GRACE is taken over by the husky voiced Jesse Galante, an American born singer with Italian roots and the wonderful newcomer Aurë.
Among the ranks of the "Charming Grace Guitar Army" are the Swedes Sven Larsson (Street Talk, Lionville) and Peter Friestedt (Williams/Friestedt), local Italian string masters Roberto Priori (Danger Zone), Mario Percudani (Hungryheart, Shining Line, Mitch Malloy), Stefano Lionetti (Lionville), Mario Manzani (Florence 99), Steve De Biasi (Gunshy), Stefano Zeni (Wheels Of Fire), Andrea Lanza (Skill In Veins), Carmine Martone and Matteo Serra, while Tom Martin (Vega) is representing the UK. Additional guests are Boris Matakovic (Human Zoo) on saxophone as well as James Martin (Vega) and Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge Of Forever, Shining Line, Lionville, Hardline) on keyboards and backing vocalists Michael Carrata (Soul Seller), Franco Campanella (Myland) and Tomas Borgogna (Borgogna).
The production of the Charming Grace debut was overseen by Dave, with Zorro in the co-producers seat. When the two had finished the production of the songs they handed over the tracks to another Avenue Of Allies regular, their multi-talented friend Alessandro Del Vecchio, to put the finishing touches to their tunes. Alessandro had previously worked with the guys on various albums and the undisputed quality of his work in the studio made him an in-demand producer in recent years.
The mix and the mastering of the Charming Grace songs were handled in Alessandro's newly built Ivorytears Music Works Studio, near Milano, Italy. The highly regarded sound wizard gave the songs a big and powerful sound, just like you expect it from an album in the tradition of the big budget productions of the glorious Eighties and with the stunning line-up Zorro, Dave and Amos have gathered for the recording debut of Charming Grace.
Track Listing:
1) Everytime You Touch My Heart - Duet with Nick Workman (Vega)
2) The Way You Feel Inside Duet with Moon Calhoun (Michael Thompson Band)
3) Shining Light - Duet with David Forbes (Boulevard)
4) Just Take My Hand - Duet with Gui Oliver (Auras)
5) Close Your Eyes - Duet with Michele Luppi (Los Angeles, Secret Sphere)
6) Still Dreamin' - Duet with Thomas Lassar (Crystal Blue)
7) The Sound Of Your Heart Duet with Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge Of Forever)
8) Everybody's Broken - Duet with Josh Zighetti (Hungryheart)
9) The Answer Was You Duet with Bente Smaavik (Perfect Crime, Blonde On Blonde)
10) Run Away - Duet with Jesse Galante
11) Through The Stars - Duet with Stefano Lionetti (Lionville)
12) Endless Flame - Duet with Henrik Launbjerg (Toys Of Joy)
13) Bring My Life Back - Duet with Kimmo Blom (Urban Tale)
14) Leave A Light On (Bonus track) - Duet with Aurë
Produced by Davide "Dave Rox" Barbieri, Co-produced by Pierpaolo "Zorro11" Monti, Mixed and mastered by Alessandro Del Vecchio, Executive producer: Gregor Klee Charming Grace are: Davide "Dave Rox" Barbieri: Lead Vocals & Keyboards Pierpaolo "Zorro11" Monti: Drums & Percussion Amos Monti: Bass Guests on Backing Vocals: Jeff Paris, Michael Carrata (Soul Seller) Franco Campanella (Myland) Tomas Borgogna (Borgogna) Guests on Guitar: Sven Larsson (Street Talk, Lionville, Coastland Ride, Galleon) Peter Friestedt (Williams/Friestedt, State Cows) Roberto Priori (Danger Zone) Mario Percudani (Hungryheart, Shining Line. Mitch Malloy) Stefano Lionetti (Lionville) Mario Manzani (Florence 99) Steve De Biasi (Gunshy)Stefano Zeni (Wheels Of Fire)Tom Martin (Vega) Andrea Lanza (Skill In Veins) Carmine Martone Matteo Serra Guests on Keyboards: James Martin (Vega), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge Of Forever, Hardline, Lionville, Issa). Guest on Saxophone: Boris Matakovic (Human Zoo).
AOR HEAVEN CLASSIX OUTSIDE EDGE DOUBLE HEADER: Outside Edge are clearly one of the bands that fate should've been a good deal kinder to, for despite releasing two albums on major labels in a period (the mid-80s) when melodic rock was surely at its peak, the British group just seemed to be overlooked – certainly at home – despite some pretty high profile support slots to the likes of Bryan Adams and Manfred Mann's Earth Band showing on their CV. Interestingly, whilst the group had been met with little more than a cursory nod in the UK, they were at least better known in European circles, where the group's product is highly revered and previous CD releases have been commanding quite hefty premiums.
The self-titled Outside Edge album had been released in France after the trio had impressed label executives at WEA having spent time in the country gigging in the early 80s in the post Liner guise of Spoilers, a Police influenced new wave outfit (who released two singles through the same label in 1980). The musical experiment that was Spoilers had eventually led to the three musicians finding a more natural groove and that was a decision that had looked to have paid dividends when WEA France excitedly offered an album deal. The release of the record, although criminally ignored back in the UK, nonetheless paved the way for the band – now bolstered in number with the addition of keyboard player Peter Giles – to gain the support slot on Bryan Adams' 1985 UK tour and a subsequent deal with 10 Records.
The first fruits of the new relationship with 10 (who also had Manowar, Warrior and Gary Moore on the roster) came in the tasty form of 'Running Hot' (now also reissued as part of the AOR Heaven Classix series). Produced by Terry Manning (ZZ Top/Joe Cocker/Molly Hatchet) and released in 1986, the group subsequently toured in support of the album throughout Europe opening for Manfred Mann's Earth Band; also gaining a spot at the Reading Festival in August of that year.
Bizarrely, after the label had been championing the forthcoming new album ("More Edge") in the press, it's release was suddenly shelved after the 10 Records operation was decamped to Los Angeles and it became evident that the, as yet untitled, new record would not be getting a US release after all. Or a release at all, as it transpired. One may ask why the mother label, Virgin, failed to pick the record up for release at the time?
"More Edge" as it was called later on got released for the first time through Virgin Sweden in the year 2000.
The AOR Heaven Classix releases has been as usually digitally remastered by Chris Lyne (Soul Doctor) with additional liner notes from Dave Reynolds. Both CDs are now available through www.aorheaven.com and selected retailers.
xx
MIKE TRAMP IS TOURING IN EUROPE AND NEW SINGLE RELEASED:
The anticipated new Mike Tramp album "Cobblestone Street" will be released April 8 (GAS April 12). To support the release Tramp will embark on a comprehensive 40+ solo show tour in Europe, including France, Switzerland, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Turkey and the UK (see below). Last year Tramp traveled across Europe playing 40 shows, while driving and doing everything by himself. "This is the most rewarding and fulfilling tour I have ever done, and that coincides with an album that represents all of that, and is just real completion to what I have worked so hard to accomplish." So why shouldn't he do it again? The fans can look forward to meet Mike Tramp unmasked, intimate and down to earth with his guitar as his only companion.
Tour Dates: www.miketramp.dk/shows / www.miketramp.com / www.facebook.com/MikeTrampOfficial / www.targetdistribution.dk/miketramp.
DANGER ANGEL LAUNCH VIDEO SINGLE: Danger Angel are very excited to release the first video out of the new "Revolutia" album, titled "When I'm Gone", also featuring Jeff Scott Soto: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa3AALoy7EY.
Revolutia is the sophomore release by Danger Angel, following their debut, same titled album of 2010. "Revolutia" was produced by Jeff Scott Soto and engineered by John Ellis. It is released via Perris Records.
This video comes out at the perfect moment as "Revolutia" is now available worldwide and Danger Angel are ready to embark on their European tour supporting Jeff Scott Soto. The tour, commencing April 5th, 2013 will cover the UK and most of continental Europe.
"Revolutia" is now available worldwide at all the major internet and physical retail stores, including iTunes, Amazon, CDUniverse, Tower Records, NEHRecords, CDInzane, Musicbuymail and CDBaby among many others. It is also available through the Danger Angel official web page, BandCamp and Perris Records.
NEW STRICTLY STRYPER PODCAST:
Press Release / We are very excited and happy to announce that in anticipation of the new Stryper album 'Second Coming' we have just launched a brand new episode, a special edition of Strictly Stryper, where we will debut 2 brand new tracks from the album! In addition we will also get to hear Michael Sweet's thoughts on the new record and 30 years of Stryper via the new Stryper EPK.
Also you will get to hear a brand new track from Liberty n Justice featuring Tim Gaines, as well as tracks from Sin Dizzy, Michael Sweet and much more! So tune in and be one of the first to hear some brand new music from the March 26 release of… Second Coming!! WebLinks: strictlystryper.podomatic.com/entry/2013-03-02T10_45_57-08_00 / www.strictlystryper.com.
R.I.P. ALVIN LEE:
British rock guitarist Alvin Lee, founder of the band Ten Years After who burst to stardom with a memorable Woodstock performance, has died. He was 68.
A statement posted on Lee's official website said he died Wednesday unexpectedly from complications following a routine surgical procedure. Lee's manager, Ron Rainey, said the guitarist died in Spain. "We have lost a wonderful, much loved father and companion," said the statement signed by his daughter Jasmin, wife Evi and former companion Suzanne. "The world has lost a truly great and gifted musician."
Read more: entertainment.time.com/2013/03/07/rock-guitarist-alvin-lee-68-dies/#ixzz2Mwv3dgLa.
He was truly a legendary guitarist and the music world has lost another master. R.I.P. Alvin.
MRX UPDATED:
Two new feature albums on MRX this week - the sum total of Sic Vikki's recorded output - Kiss Me In French and Streetside Picasso. MRX Membership Details.
Thursday, March 07, 2013
GEOFF TATE QUEENSRYCHE'S NOT SO SUBTLE ALBUM TITLE:
Press Release / The year is 2013 and revolution is calling once again for Queensryche front man Geoff Tate, who is leading the charge with the band's forthcoming studio effort titled, Frequency Unknown, due out April 23 on Deadline Music/Cleopatra Records.
Although "F.U." might be perceived as a fitting tribute and salutation, it is, without question, a no-holds barred album of new music featuring original Queensryche vocalist Geoff Tate along with an entirely new line-up consisting of bassist Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot/Ozzy Osbourne/Whitesnake/Dio/Blue Oyster Cult), guitarist Robert Sarzo (Hurricane), drummer Simon Wright (AC/DC/Dio), guitarist Kelly Gray (Queensryche 1998 - 2001) and keyboardist Randy Gane (Myth).
For Frequency Unknown, Tate and company invited a few of their friends to come join in on the recording "fun" for what will mark Queensryche's thirteenth studio album.
The result? An album containing ten new hard-hitting, distinctively Queensryche songs, four newly-recorded Queensryche classics and an array of well-known guests including guitarists Chris Poland (Megadeth), Dave Meniketti (Y&T), Brad Gillis (Night Ranger), Ty Tabor (King's X), K.K. Downing (Judas Priest), Craig Locicero (Forbidden) and Chris Cannella along with drummers Paul Bostaph (Slayer/Testament) and Evan Bautista.
Also appearing on the album will be bassist Jason Slater, who has worked on several previous Queensryche projects with Tate including Operation: Mindcrime II and American Soldier. Slater co-wrote some of the songs on Frequency Unknown with Geoff Tate and is also the album's Producer. "I think that the idea of having guest appearances evolved from the time constraints we had imposed on the project," states Tate. "And I must say that I was humbled by the enthusiasm and excitement of all the players that contributed."
Frequency Unknown Track Listing: Cold, Dare, Give it to You, Slave, In the Hands of God, Running Backwards, Life Without You, Everything, Fallen, The Weight of the World. Bonus Tracks: (newly-recorded Queensryche classics) I Don't Believe in Love, Empire, Jet City Woman, Silent Lucidity.
Although times have changed for Geoff Tate, his hard rock wavelength, as represented on Frequency Unknown, remains the same. With Geoff at the helm, Queensryche has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide, toured in approximately 50 countries and received four Grammy nominations.
Frequency Unknown. Coincidental abbreviation? Unlikely. Fun for all metal heads to sink their teeth into? Definitely. Feel free to feast.
Please note: Beginning on April 6th at the Peppermill Casino in West Wenover, Nevada, the band will be hitting the road to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of its epic 1988 release, Operation: Mindcrime. The performance will include all fifteen songs from the album (including "Revolution Calling," "Operation: Mindcrime," I Don't Believe in Love" and "Eyes of a Stranger") along with other well-known hits and rarities from the catalog they've compiled over the past 30 years (see current tour itinerary below).
Operation: Mindcrime was recently named one of the Top 10 Concept Albums of All Time by Guitar World magazine.
25th Anniversary Operation: Mindcrime Tour 2013*
April 6 - Peppermill Casino in West Wendover, Nevada
April 9 - Belly Up in Aspen, Colorado
April 10 - Mesa Theater in Grand Junction, Colorado
April 11 - Paramount Theatre in Denver, Colorado
April 12 - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico
April 13 - Chrome in Las Vegas, Nevada
April 14 - Marquee Theater in Tempe, Arizona
April 16 - Rialto Theatre in Tucson, Arizona
April 17 - The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, California
April 18 - The Canyon Club in Agoura, California
April 19 - Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, California
April 20 - Club Nokia in Los Angeles, California
April 21 - Fillmore in San Francisco, California
April 22 - Ace of Spades in Sacramento, California
April 24 - Emo's in Austin, Texas
April 25 - The Concert Pub North in Houston, Texas
May 16 - Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
May 17 - The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois
May 18 - St. Croix Casino in Turtle Lake, Wisconsin
*More dates to be announced.
For more information on Queensryche, please visit the following: www.queensryche.com / www.facebook.com/Queensryche / www.facebook.com/GeoffTateOfficial / www.twitter.com/GeoffTate.
xx
STACEY BLADES ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIPS, LAUNCHES NEW ONLINE PROFILE:
Los Angeles, CA…Since leaving L.A. Guns last December, guitarist Stacey Blades has been busy, partnering with music and tech companies, creating his own online community, and working on new music.
Stacey's ten years with L.A. Guns cemented him as a must-watch guitar player, and his final record with the band, Hollywood Forever, earned him critical acclaim for his exceptional fretwork. To that end, he was asked to work with Soundtrack Loops, a producer of loops, samples and synth patches for TV and film production. Jason Donnelly, co-founder of the company, says, "We're tracking guitar riffs and solos in different keys, tempos, and genres. Stacey is extremely versatile. We just finished the first set and we're psyched to announce them later this month."www.soundtrackloops.com.
Stacey has also partnered with a great new app for the guitar community, SixString. The app allows users to upload and showcase images, audio, video, and gig info while the community can applaud and comment on the posts. "SixString is happy to be partnering with Stacey Blades to promote his new ventures via the app. As one of our first pro partners, along with Zakk Wylde, Pete Thorn and Gary Hoey, Stacey is interacting with fans of his guitar prowess and sharing content you won't see on other fan pages." Grab the app for free and become a fan of Stacey at: www.sixstring.com.
In addition to becoming a go-to studio guitarist – he has reunited with legendaary producer Andy Johns to record with a singer from New Orleans – and looking ffor some great new recording and live opportunities, Stacey will be playing live with Jaime St. James (Black 'N Blue), Juan Croucier (Ratt) and Pete Holmes (Black 'N Blue) as The Hard Rock All Stars. "I'm looking forward to working with old friends and new, and now that I'm available to do that, I invite people to be in touch!" said Stacey.
In order to connect personally with the amazing fans that have supported him for some many years, Stacey has redesigned and relaunched his online profiles, and is inviting people to connect with him online to get all the news, and stay in touch. His main website is www.staceyblades.com and the interactive Facebook fan page is facebook.com/staceybladesmusic.com.
FURYON SET TO TAKE ON SPAIN: Lestrato and Rock N Growl Booking have forged their first collaborative tour together. It is for British metallers Furyon who will play 9 shows in September this year in Spain. The tour is part of an extended EU/UK tour that will be announce to a later point.
Furyon Tour dates Spain 2013
12 Sept – Bilbao – Kafe Antzokia
13 Sept – Ferrol – Sala Super 8
14 Sept – Ourense – Sala Berlín
15 Sept – León – El Gran Café de León
17 Sept – Madrid – (Sala por confirmar)
18 Sept – Murcia – Sala B
19 Sept – Castellón – Pub D'leyend
20 Sept – Zaragoza – Sala Utopia
21 Sept – Barcelona – Sala Rocksound Furyon is: Matt Mitchell – Vocals, Pat Heath – Guitars, Alex "Nickel" Bowen – Bass, Lee Farmery – Drums.
Furyon is a new band from the U.K. who like nothing more than to challenge expectations. Raised on a diet of heavy metal, prog, and classic rock. FURYON mix all these components for a truly unique and contemporary sound. Delivering huge rock-radio-friendly songs, with technically-challenging-yet-infectiously-catchy musicianship, they are dedicated to one sole purpose: making hard-hitting songs that will stand the test of time.
WebLink: www.facebook.com/pages/Furyon/114816935285870 / www.furyon.net.
APPICE DRUM WARS KICKS OFF CANADIAN TOUR MAY 9:
Legendary drummer brothers Carmine and Vinny Appice will kick off their first Canadian tour on May 9th, 2013 at This Ain't Hollywood in Hamilton, Ontario. "Drum Wars" was created with Vinny Appice and older brother drumming legend Carmine Appice. It is a Rock Drumming Show featuring music from the history of bands the Appice brothers have played with, as well as drum solos, comedy and a massive drum battle finale that tears it up. The brothers will also offer VIP Ticket Packages to fans for this tour. The packages offer concert attendees an opportunity to hang out with two of rock's legendary icons – Carmine and Vinny Appice. VIP Packages also include admission to the show and soundcheck prior to the show; photo opportunities at soundcheck; free Drum Wars t-shirt; autographed Drum Wars photos; photos of VIP ticket holders behind Carmine and Vinny's drum sets; and VIP commemorative passes. The VIP Ticket packages are limited to 10 per show and can be purchased for $125US through paypal at: www.serge.org/drumwarsviptix.htm. "There is nothing like Drum Wars in rock music. When me and Vinny play together or battle, it's like thunder!!" – Carmine Appice.
Appice Drum Wars tour dates include:
Thursday, May 9, 2013 – This Ainn't Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton, Ontario – 9:30PM
Friday, May 10, 2013 – The Rockpiile Nightclub, 5555 Dundas Steet West, Toronto, Ontario – 8PM
Saturday, May 11, 2013 – Le Petitt Campus, 57 Prince Arthur Est., Monteal, Quebec – 8PM
Sunday, May 12, 2013 – Maverickk's, 221 Rideau Street, Ottawa, Ontario – 7:30PM
WebLinks: www.drumwars.com / www.facebook.com/appicedrumwars.
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
PRETTY MAIDS SINGLE OUT NOW:
Danish Rockers Pretty Maids released today Sad to See You Suffer, the second digital single off the forthcoming album Motherland due for release on Frontiers Records on March 22 in Europe and March 26 in North America. The song shows a more melodic side of the band compared to the initial single/video Mother of All Lies which got so far approx 60,000 hits on the Official YouTube Frontiers Channel.
The single can be ordered for download via iTunes (t.co/nuMGAkTR7p), Amazon and other fine online shops and can be streamed digitally through Spotify (open.spotify.com/album/5CwvC9KA9Yz9ALd4Iyrb0J). At the same time it is possible to watch the video EPK that the band prepared for the new album following this link: youtu.be/fICQOPdv9hM.
STALA & SO - THE BOYS ARE HAVING FUN: Escape Music will release the new Stala & So. album Play Another Round on April 12 throughout Europe. Here's the new video:
BAI BANG BACK IN APRIL ON AOR HEAVEN: AOR Heaven's upcoming April 26 release is from Swedish rockers Bai Bang.
BAI BANG - one of the most powerful rock acts from Sweden - features four talented and dynamic rockers in the line-up: Diddi Kastenholt (vocals), Pelle Eliaz (Guitar), Joacim Sandin (bass), Jens Lundgren (guitar) and Johnny Benson (drums). Since the band has started in the late 80's, Bai Bang have spent a lot of time together on their tours all over Europe, USA, Canada, Japan – including the famous Whisky a Gogo and the Cat Club in Los Angeles twice each. The Swedes shared the stage with bands such as LA Guns, Thin Lizzy, Wishbone Ash, Ratt, Dio, Mötley Crüe, Pretty Maids, Saxon, Axel Rudi Pell and played at festivals such as Sweden Rock, Wacken and Rocklahoma.
The album "Are You Ready" was released in 2009 and nominated for the best sleaze/glam album in at the Swedish Metal Awards and voted as "The Best all round party anthem album of the year" in the Australian magazine The Rockpit. In 2011 the band released their seventh album in total "Livin My Dream". This CD was recorded in Sunshine Explosion studios in Helsingborg, Sweden during the years 2010 & 2011. A video was shot for the track "Rock it". The new album "All Around the World", the bands 8th was recorded at Sunshine Explosion Studio. Bai Bang has been working with Pontus Assarsson as producer this time too. Martin Kronlund did the mastering again.
RUSS DWARF RELEASES NEW ALBUM WIRELESS ON MARCH 18: Russ Dwarf, the two time Canadian Juno Award nominee and founding member The Killers Dwarfs, is pleased to announce the release of his latest album, Wireless, on March 18th. Having stripped back ten of his most recognizable hits from his thirty plus year career, Russ has delivered an album high on raw emotion and inner beauty. Guns N' Roses guitarist, Bumblefoot, lends a hand with a blistering solo on the album's closing track, Driftin' Back.
To support the new album, Russ has launch the all new web site, www.RussDwarf.com where fans can pre-order the album and be kept up-to-date on all his latest news. The album is available worldwide as of March 18th via iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and all other distribution channels.
The track listing for Wireless is: 1. Keep The Spirit Alive 2. Stand Tall 3. I'm Alive 4. Startin' To Shine 5. Doesn't Matter 6. Comin' Through 7. Dirty Weapons 8. Look Around 9. Four Seasons 10. Driftin' Back.
Russ is currently on tour supporting the new release and is hard at work on a documentary film about his life tentatively called Tall Tales. The movie with an accompanying book of the same title is set to be released in early 2014.
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HOPE FOR THE NEW ANVIL ALBUM:
Their 2009 movie documentary The Story Of Anvil has made them famous the world over, following seemingly endless years of energy-sapping tours de force marked by dismal organisational conditions. Their albums are considered as landmarks among a musical genre which is otherwise successively losing its identity. Their most recent release, Juggernaut Of Justice (2011), was a powerful and unrelenting thunderbolt of the first order. Now Canadian cult metal act Anvil are back with their new studio recording Hope In Hell. The album presents guitarist/vocalist Steve 'Lips' Kudlow, drummer Robb Reiner and their new bassist Sal Italiano in top form, highly dynamic and full of energy from the first to the last note. "We're really proud and already love the new album just as much as our early releases from the beginning of the eighties, because Hope In Hell sounds like Anvil live on stage: natural, honest, unvarnished, never over-produced and straight from the heart."
Which is hardly surprising since Hope In Hell was written and recorded following an 18-month world tour which took Anvil around the globe. "We hadn't expected this kind of extensive tour when we brought out Juggernaut Of Justice," Kudlow confesses. "Time just flew by. I could hardly believe it when I found myself in the studio again after the tour, ready to work on the next album. The reactions to Juggernaut Of Justice and the shows had been so positive that we had plenty of ideas and inspiration for new material."
Kudlow is referring to typical Anvil tracks such as 'Hope In Hell', which the Anvil guitarist considers a logical continuation of legendary numbers like 'Forged In Fire', 'Metal On Metal' and 'Plenty Of Power'. He also mentions 'Eat Your Words', according to Kudlow a "hybrid between 'Jackhammer' and '666', in other words pure Anvil, like in our early days." Pretty much the same applies to haunting new tracks like 'The Fight Is Never Won' and 'Call Of Duty', which present Anvil true to form. But there are also a number of real surprises on Hope In Hell: "A song like 'Badass Rock'n'Roll' with its rock'n'roll groove surprised even me", Kudlow admits. "It shows our great respect for bands like AC/DC and Motörhead. I'm sure that all Anvil fans will love this song because it's the best we've done in this direction." 'Mankind Machine' sees Kudlow & Co. break new ground: never before has this band sounded so mechanical (like the title suggests). And never before has it sounded as oriented to the classic rock feel of the seventies as in ´Time Shows No Mercy´.
So Anvil are proud to present the kind of album that Anvil fans will love: no concessions to short-lived trends, no modern frills but traditional metal with lots of classic rock music elements. "What we do is totally timeless," says Anvil's frontman. "We've never tried to change our sound or experiment with trends and fashions. We live in our own world and have maintained our individuality and own identity." Like Juggernaut Of Justice, Hope In Hell was produced by Bob Marlette (Black Sabbath, Airbourne, Alice Cooper) at the NRG Recording studios in North Hollywood, California, and brilliantly mastered by Maor Appelbaum (Malmsteen, Sepultura). These are the first cuts featuring Anvil's new bassist Sal Italiano, who joined the band a year ago. "We're really happy with Sal, his style is powerful and amazingly imaginative. It's a little as if we'd enlisted Steve Harris," enthuses Steve 'Lips' Kudlow, who composed the whole album together with drums legend Robb Reiner.
Hope In Hell will be available in Germany on May 24th and Europe on May 27th through SPV / Steamhammer in four different formats: as a limited-edition Digipak including 2 bonus tracks, as a jewel case CD, double gatefold colored vinyl including 2 bonus tracks and as download. "The album's flair reminds me of the beginnings of classic heavy metal in the most positive sense of the term," says Kudlow. "I grew up in the seventies, and I still like what I listened to back then. You can always rely on Anvil, we don't write our music for the radio and we don't want to break any records. Some media criticise our uncompromising attitude, but we're proud of never having betrayed our ideals and having remained faithful to our roots."
Tracklisting: Limited Edition Digipak: 1.Hope in Hell 04:43 2.Eat Your Words 03:41 3.Through with You 04:47 4.The Fight is Never Won 04:27 5.Pay the Toll 02:48 6.Flying 04:50 7.Call of Duty 03:53 8.Badass Rock n Roll 04:35 9.Time Shows No Mercy 04:36 10.Mankind Machine 04:13 11.Shut the Fuck Up 03:38 12.Hard Wired 03:08 (bonus track) 13.Fire at Will 04:03 (bonus track).
Jewel case version / Double Gatefold LP, coloured orange vinyl.
WebLink: www.anvilmetal.com / www.spv.de.
Tuesday, March 05, 2013
PRESS RELEASE / MelodicRockFest is very pleased to announce the addition of vocalist, singer/songwriter Kelly Keeling to the show lineup.
Kelly will appear on the Friday acoustic night to perform a very personal "best of" set, accompanied by just a guitar and a piano.
Kelly has appeared on many albums over the years including MSG, Heaven & Earth, John Norum, Carmine Appice and of course as frontman for Baton Rouge! Expect to hear songs from all of the above in his set.
But that's not all - opening up Friday's acoustic bonanza will be acclaimed US melodic rock newcomers Line Of Fire.
Tango Down would like to confirm that vocalist David Reece will of course be fronting the band and will perhaps throw in some of those classic Bangalore Choir songs for fans!
Tickets go on sale at www.melodicrockfest.com at 5pm THISWednesday evening Chicago time (US Central Time), 6pm East Coast, 3pm West Coast USA / Wednesday 11pm UK / Midnight Wednesday Europe and Thursday morning 10am Local Australian time.
All sales are first in, first served. Sales will be via PayPal and if any packages are sold out, PayPal will redirect back to the sales pack to pick alternative package.
Venue capacity is 1000.
PLAYER "TOO MANY REASONS" OFFICIAL EPK:
Too Many Reasons is out NOW on Frontiers Records! Player Release dates: Europe February 22nd 2013 / North America: February 26th 2013.
For more info: www.frontiers.it / www.frontiers.it/usstore.
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LET THE SPECULATION BEGIN:
I know this picture of Eddie Van Halen in the studio was released via Social Media outlets this morning - but interestingly enough, it was also sent directly to me from someone in the Van Halen camp, with the caption "Let the speculation begin..."
What does one say to that?!!
AVENUE OF ALLIES DELIVER IN APRIL:
The following great albums will be released through the Avenue Of Allies label on April 12. Stay tuned for more details on each release! WebLink: www.avenue-of-allies.com.
Laneslide – Flying High / Laneslide is one of the most exciting Melodic Rock collaborations in recent years, the line-up put together by Italian songwriter / guitarist Bruno Kraler (Brunorock) for their debut album, includes vocalist extraordinaire Frank Vestry (Marcello/Vestry, Last Temptation), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline, Lionville, Edge of Forever) on keyboards, John Billings (Rick Springfield, Donna Summer, Lancia) on bass, Dominik Hülshorst (ex-Bonfire) on drums, as well as Lino Gonzalez and Bobby Altvater on guitars and Erik Mårtensson & Michael Bormann on backing vocals.
Charming Grace – Charming Grace / Charming Grace is an international recording project developed by Pierpaolo "Zorro" Monti (drums - Shining Line, Lionville) together with Davide "Dave Rox" Barbieri (lead vocals & keyboards - Wheels Of Fire) and Amos Monti (bass - Shining Line, Lionville). The idea behind the album is writing songs in the classic AOR style of the 80s and recording them as duets. Among the co-lead vocalist are David Forbes (Boulevard), Moon Calhoun (Michael Thompson Band), Bente Smaavik (Perfect Crime, Blonde On Blonde), Thomas Lassar (Crystal Blue), Henrik Launbjerg (Toys Of Joy), Kimmo Bloom (Urban Tale), Nick Workman (Vega), Stefano Lionetti (Lionville) and Michele Luppi (Los Angeles).
Paris – Only One Life / The Melodic Rock newcomer Paris is made up of Frédéric Dechavanne and Sébastien Montet. The duo took its songs to Alessandro Del Vecchio (Lionville, Hardline, Issa), who produced the catchy rocking AOR of the Paris debut "Only One Life" with the help of an international line-up of studio musicians including Anna Portalupi (Lionville, Hardline) on bass, Alessandro Mori (Mitch Malloy, Lionville) on drums, as well as Robert Säll (Work Of Art / W.E.T) on guitar and Steve Newman (Newman, Big Life) on backing vocals.
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VINDICTIV SIGNS WITH ESCAPE MUSIC:
Swedish metallers Vindictiv has inked a new deal with UK based label Escape Music Ltd. The band's third album, Cage of Infinity, was mixed by Lars Chriss (Lion's Share), and will mark the recording debut of their new singer, Marco Sandron (ex-Eden's Curse). "With the new album we are heading in a more straight-ahead heavy metal direction compared to the first two releases. I made an effort to make the album cohesive, but as a notorious shredder, I couldn't restrain myself completely," laughs band leader and guitar wiz Stefan Lindholm. Vindictiv released two albums so far — the self-titled debut in 2008 and "Ground Zero" in 2009. Apart from his main band, Stefan has been a successful soloist on a number of albums, among them record producer Tom Galley's international project "Phenomena" and "Soulspell". Other great vocalists Stefan has worked with include Tony Martin (Black Sabbath), Oliver Hartmann (At Vance, Avantasia), Goran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum) and Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Ring Of Fire).
WebLinks: www.escape-music.com / www.stefanlindholm.net.
AXEL RUDI PELL LIVE:
Despite having planned his career meticulously over the past 25 years or so, even in the camp of German hard rock master Axel Rudi Pell surprises cannot be ruled out: Before playing in front of a sold out Cologne crowd on the second leg of his wildly successful "Circle Of The Oath" tour the opportunity arose for taping the whole show, with cameras being all over. Well, Axel gave it a try. And that was a good move. Ten years after his last live album "Knights Live" you can - again - be a witness of a complete concert from the Bochum based guitar virtuoso and his German-American all-star band. To round out the Axel Rudi Pell live package, the recording of the co-headlining gig at last year´s "Rock Of Ages" festival was added to "Live On Fire", the name of his newest live oeuvre.
Teaser for "Live On Fire": youtu.be/jUtUwuMEvN4 - Release Date Germany: March 22nd, Release Date Europe: March 25th 2013, USA: March 26th 2013.
Tracklisting: Cologne, Essigfabrik (October 18th 2012) 1. The Guillotine Suite (Intro) 2. Ghost In The Black 3. Strong As A Rock 4. Before I Die 5. The Masquerade Ball / Casbah / Dreaming Dead / Whole Lotta Love / Dreaming Dead 6. Drum Solo 7. Mystica / Mistreated / Mystica 8. Oceans Of Time 9. Circle Of The Oath 10. Fool Fool 11. Keyboard Solo / Carousel / Jam / Carousel 12. Tear Down The Walls / Nasty Reputation 13. Rock The Nation.
Rock Of Ages - Festival (July 28th 2012) 1. The Guillotine Suite (Intro) 2. Ghost In The Black 3. Strong As A Rock 4. Before I Die 5. The Masquerade Ball / Casbah / Dreaming Dead / Whole Lotta Love / Dreaming Dead 6. Drum Solo 7. Mystica / Mistreated / Mystica 8. Oceans Of Time 9. Circle Of The Oath 10. Tear Down The Walls / Nasty Reputation 11. Rock The Nation.
Line-Up: Johnny Gioeli - Lead Vocals; Axel Rudi Pell - Guitars; Ferdy Doernberg – Keyboards/Backing Vocals; Volker Krawczak – Bass/Backing Vocals; Mike Terrana - Drums.
Configurations: Limited Digipak 2 CD / 2DVD plus poster and tour pass, Bonus: new interview with Axel Rudi Pell, home story Axel Rudi Pell, Hallelujah - video clip; 3LP in coloured vinyl (Cologne, Essigfabrik); Digipak 2CD (Cologne, Essigfabrik); Digipak 2DVD (Cologne, Essigfabrik, "Rock Of Ages"-Festival) (also on Blu-ray: release tba); Bonus: new interview with Axel Rudi Pell, home story Axel Rudi Pell, Hallelujah-video clip; Download (Cologne, Essigfabrik).
WebLink: www.axel-rudi-pell.de / www.spv.de.
MAXINE PETRUCCI HEADS BACK TO THE GARDEN:
Part leather, part lace and full of fury, Maxine Petrucci is back with a new album for 2013. Back to the Garden - Petrucci's third solo album - is a heavy, melodic and evolved power metal record.
In creating this album, the guitarist/vocalist/songwriter drew on influences from her past, creating a sound that's equal parts throwback and modern metal for an album that's hard-hitting, technical and layered with heavy riffing, classical scales and tons of melody and harmony. Petrucci also shows off her skills as a flute player on the track, "Wicked."
Guitarist Patti Quatro (Pleasure Seekers, Cradle, Fanny) calls Back to the Garden, "A rich lush garden, filled with intricate and creatively haunting harmonies, incendiary guitar, and relevant lyrics. This album takes you on a ride with a hard foot on the gas, a raw and gritty Detroit edge and plenty of attitude, yet it weaves you into eerie surprises with interesting time changes and a very satisfying mixture of hard and soft. Maxine's amazing guitar skills and catchy riffs provide a full throttle punch throughout."
"Back to the Garden," was produced by Kevin Sharpe and features drummer Pat DeLeon (Imminent Sonic Destruction). A video for the album's first single, "Assassinate" (Blindspot Production) can be seen on YouTube.
Petrucci has a long musical history dating back to 1984 with the band Madam X, which she formed with her sister, Roxy Petrucci, who went on to play drums for Vixen. Madam X was signed to Jet/CBS Recording in 1984 and released its debut album, "We Reserve the Right," that same year. A video, "High in High School" was featured on MTV. Former Skid Row frontman, Sebastian Bach would later join the group.
Petrucci has appeared in nearly every major rock magazine since 1984, including Billboard, Creem, Circus, Hit Parader, Faces, Guitar World, Kerrang, Sweden Rocks, Burrn, Metal Edge and more and has opened for such names as Rick Derringer, Slaughter, Warrant, Ronnie James Dio, Doro Pesch (Warlock), Geoff Tate (Queensryche), Lita Ford, Steve Marriot (Humble Pie), Steve Stevens (Billy Idol) to name a few.
Bassist Billy Sheehan calls Petrucci, "A true rarity. A lady who has such powerful command of her instrument and her voice." While rock legend Rick Derringer cites her guitar playing as, "masterful," going on to explain, "her technique is amazing, I call her right hand picking 'the hummingbird effect,' so fast its a blur."
Several solo albums, including 2005's "Titania" (which featured Roxy Petrucci on drums and Bassist Billy Sheehan on title album's title track) and 2008's 'Don't Hate Me' (produced by Darren Trentacoste) plus a 1998 stint as the bassist in Vixen have kept Petrucci busy throughout the years.
The album is available via: cdbaby.com and amazon.com.
LETHERWOLF LIVE AND UNCHAINED:
March 4, 2013 - California Triple Axe Attack metal masters, Leatherwolf, are hitting the road in support of their forthcoming live album, "Unchained." Fans will experience an evening of intense metal music spanning the Leatherwolf catalog, including MTV video classics "The Calling" and "Hideaway" and fan favorites such as "Street Ready", "Gypsies & Thieves", and "Dr. Wicked (Rx O.D.)."
The rejuvenated line-up consists of original members vocalist/guitarist Michael Olivieri and drummer Dean Roberts, long-time friend and bassist Patrick Guyton, and the guitar duo of Rob Math and Greg Erba. "We are all excited about this new constellation and the possibilities it holds", enthuses Olivieri. "More than anything, we're looking forward to getting out there and really kicking some ass on stage. I think live is where it's always been at for us and this group of guys can definitely deliver the goods!"
"Unchained" was mixed by producer extraordinaire, Roy Z ,whose resume includes Judas Priest, Sepultura, Halford, Bruce Dickinson and many others. Though the release date is yet to be announced, fans can download a free MP3 single of "Spiter" from "Unchained" by liking the only official Leatherwolf Facebook page at facebook.com/leatherwolfmetal.
The band also launched a new official web site at LeatherwolfMetal.com where their classic releases are available for purchase as MP3 (320Kbp) downloads . Fans can watch videos, stay informed with the latest news, find tour dates and sign up for the Leatherwolf Newsletter.
Confirmed Tour Dates:
Apr. 06 - Mirror Image Studios - Anaheim, CA
Apr. 20 - Jammin Joes - Arvada, CO
June 13 - Bobby McGee's - Chicago Ridge, IL
June 14 - Penny Pub Road - Barrington, IL
June 20 - The Dead Horse Cantina & Music Hall - McKees Rocks, PA
June 21 - House Of Rock - White Marsh, MD
Nov. 09 - Rock Harvest II at House of Rock - White Marsh, MD
Additional dates tba
For more information visit: www.leatherwolfmetal.com.
Monday, March 04, 2013
MELODIC ROCK FEST 3 - UPDATE PENDING:
More news on the MelodicRockFest 3 festival due tomorrow in the lead up to tickets going on sale at 5pm Chicago (USA Central Time) / 6pm NYC / 3pm LA / Midnight Europe and 11pm UK.
Another name will be added to the acoustic night and some updates on general show information. Thanks to all for the awesome response so far and for helping spread the word online.
event Websites: www.melodicrockfest.com / www.facebook.com/MelodicRockFest.
JEFF SCOTT SOTO – THE AUTHORISED BIOGRAPHY: Hillock Productions is proud to announce the imminent launch of the long awaited biography of Jeff Scott Soto entitled Stand Up And Shout…The Story Of A Rock Star.
This authorised biography, by Frank Tunney, takes the reader through Jeff's early years right up to the present day ahead of his forthcoming European tour. Frank, who has been Jeff's tour manager for over 10 years, has based the book on a limited edition biography, which was published in 2001 (but only in German) by Ronny Hahn, a long-time Talisman and Jeff Scott Soto fan. This original content has been translated, researched and expanded by Frank in order to cover the past 10 years and to bring the story to a wider audience. Stand Up And Shout…The Story Of A Rock Star follows Jeff's career - from his first college band through to W.E.T. and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Running to over 400 pages, the book is filled with facts and anecdotes and is illustrated with more than 120 pictures, many of which are from Jeff's own extensive archive. These include track-listings; cover art and a comprehensive, up to date discography/videography, together with many quotes from Jeff, his fellow musicians and backstage team.
The first 100 copies will be available during Jeff's 2013 Tour, as a limited advance edition of the 'book' on a USB card – ahead of the official publication, which will be in Kindle, iBook and eBook formats, as well a digitally printed version on Amazon's Create Space platform.
Author, Frank Tunney noted; "I wanted this to be a biography that wasn't based on 'kiss and tell' but doesn't pull any punches and tells you everything you wanted to know. I hope every fan of Jeff Scott Soto and Melodic Rock will find plenty in Stand Up And Shout that will both surprise, delight and leave them wanting to more."
Soto commented; "…it has EVERYTHING I have done in it! There are a lot of inputs from many I have worked with in the business, but one thing it's not and that's a tell-all...I don't want an exploitation book out there, it's not necessary, this is more of a chronicle of my life and leaves no stone unturned!"
List Of Chapters:
An Epilogue for Marcel Jacob (1964 – 2009) / Biography – Jeffrey Scott Soto (1964 - ) / Leading roles including: College Bands, Yngwie Malmsteen, 'Panther', 'Kuni' (Kuni Takeuchi), 'Eyes', 'Talisman, 'The Boogie Knights', 'Takara', 'Axel Rudi Pell',
'Skräpp Mettle', 1994 – 2013: 'Jeff Scott Soto' - Solo Releases, 'Redlist' and 'Velvet J' – "Ignorance", 'Soul SirkUS', 'Journey', 'Trans-Siberian Orchestra', 'W.E.T.', 'The Queen Extravaganza' / Demos, Backing Vocals, Collaborations and Producing: Cinematic, Video, Radio and other media projects / Tribute Albums / Solo Touring and Appearances (1996 Onwards) / Discography & Videography.
The Players: Marcel Jacob, Tom Werman – Producer (1990 – 2001), Frontiers Records (2002 - ), Jeff Scott Soto's fellow band members, Team Soto – the back office.
Announcing for the first time, VIP packages now available for the JSS Damage Control Over Europe Tour 2013!!
We are now offering a limited amount of spots for each venue for the upcoming Jeff Scott Soto European tour. For 25€, you will partake in a private afternoon meet and greet with the band that may include watching the soundcheck (whether it will be a soundcheck or simply a private gathering depends on the venue as some venues have laws not allowing public entrance between certain hours), having photos and autographs with Jeff and the band, a special VIP t-shirt with laminate, a CD of rarity/one of a kind/unreleased songs by JSS and an 8x10 personalised JSS photo.
This price does NOT include ticket/admission to the show, ticket must be purchased separately. All orders must be made through PayPal but major credit cards are accepted for those without a PP account.
These packages are limited and are already selling out so reserve yours NOW!
04/04/2013 Thursday UK Belfast 'The Limelight'
05/04/2013 Friday UK Birmingham 'The Asylum'
06/04/2013 Saturday UK London 'Camden Underworld'
07/04/2013 Sunday UK Rotherham 'Hard Rock Hell AOR Festival'
11/04/2013 Thursday DE Hamburg 'Rock 'N Roll Warehouse'
12/04/2013 Friday BE Vosselaar 'Biebob'
13/04/2013 Saturday NL Kerkrade 'Rock Temple'
16/04/2013 Tuesday DE Essen 'Turock'
17/04/2013 Wednesday FR Cergy Vaureal (Paris) 'Le Forum'
19/04/2013 Friday DE Lichtenfels 'Paunchy Cats'
20/04/2013 Saturday HU Budapest 'Club 202'
22/04/2013 Mon OFF BG Burgas (TBC)
23/04/2013 Tuesday BG Sofia 'Sofia Club Live'
25/04/2013 Thursday GR Thessaloniki '8ball'
26/04/2013 Friday GR Athens 'Kyttaro Live'
27/04/2013 Sat GR Ioannina 'Cafe Kaplaneio'
29/04/2013 Monday IT Milan 'Blue Rose Saloon'
30/04/2013 Tue IT Turin 'Il Peocio'
02/05/2013 Thursday ES Barcelona 'Sala Razzmatazz 3'
03/05/2013 Friday ES Valladolid 'Sala Porta Caeli'
04/05/2013 Saturday ES Santiago de Compastella 'Sala Capitol'
05/05/2013 Sunday ES Madrid 'Sala Caracol'
WebLink: www.jeffscottsoto.com/store/page1/2013/vip_package.html.
MASTERPLAN: NEW ALBUM 'NOVUM INITIUMM' TO BE RELEASED ON APRIL 26:
A highly-anticipated release that Melodic Metal fans worldwide are looking forward to: the new Masterplan album Novum Initium will be released on April 26. The band, which now features vocalist Rick Altzi (At Vance, Thunderstone) and bassist Jari Kainulainen (ex-Stratovarius) in its ranks, also recently filmed a video clip for the first single "Keep Your Dream Alive". Novum Initium will be released as CD, ltd. Digippak and ltd. Vinyl.
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MELODIC BRIEFS: Sin City's second output is the album Th13teen which was released on 22.02.13 with a big party and guests named The Milestones (Fin), Bonafide (Swe) and Rhino Bucket (USA) in front of 1000 RnR maniacs in Germany. New single "Come Hell" is a straight pumpin' Rock track with great melodic chorus hookline! www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrplXN2eIBs.
Doolittle Group artist Lancer, The Swedish hope for heavy metal are back with their excellent 2nd video "Young and Alive" from their highly acclaimed self-titled debut album released on Doolittle Group. Here is the link and it will please all fans of Iron Maiden, Helloween and Edguy: youtu.be/CdkQIyk3dD4.
ERIC MARTIN SOLO ACOUSTIC IN EUROPE:
From the Newsletter of Eric Martin: "We'll I'm all packed up and ready to leave bright and early for my solo acoustic tour of Europe. I got myself a brand new Gibson guitar and can't wait to play it on this tour. I'll be trekking through Europe for the entire month of March and then I'll head home for a week and head right back to Europe with Avantasia. I'll be hanging with these guys for the rest of the summer as well. Looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces. ~E~"
Friday, March 1 Woodstock: Grandate, Italy
Saturday, March 2 Il Peocio: Tofarello, Italy
Sunday, March 3 Auntie Annie's: Belfast, North Ireland
Tuesday, March 5 Rock City: Nottingham, UK
Thursday, March 7 Musik Container: Uster, Switzerland
Friday, March 8 Blue Note: Nove Mesto Nad Vahom, Slovakia
Saturday, March 9 Pesca Cafe: Budapest, Hungary
Monday, March 11 Bounty Rock Cafe: Olomouc, Czech Republic
Tuesday, March 12 Futurum Music Bar: Prague, Czech Republic
Wednesday, March 13 Borderij: Zoetermeer, Holland
Friday, March 15 Lakei: Helmond, Holland
Saturday, March 16 Blusiana: Velden, Austria
Monday, March 18 INIT CLUB: Roma, Italy
Tuesday, March 19 The Live Lounge: Cardiff, UK
Thursday, March 21 Orange Café : Madrid, Spain
Friday, March 22 Monasterio: Barcelona, Spain
Saturday, March 23 Aula de Cultura: Zizur Mayor/Navarra, Spain
Monday, March 25 Black Stuff: Udine, Italy
Tuesday, March 26 Local: Vienna, Austria
Thursday, March 28 Oldies Pub: Sibiu, Romania
Friday, March 29 Hard Rock Cafe: Bucharest, Romania
Saturday, March 30 Doors Clu: Constanta, Romania
HEAVY METAL TELEVISION HITS 100,000 PLUS VIEWS IN THREE MONTHS:
(1 March 2013 - Phoenix, AZ) First came the antenna television, then cable television, followed by satellite television, and now Heavy Metal Television has successfully launched the first network television station, via the Internet. In a mere 90 days over 125,000 IP addresses (unique visitors) have viewed the station, and the numbers continue to grow by the minute. To date there has been no major marketing or mainstream media dollars supporting Heavy Metal Television, just simple word of mouth throughout the world. Consumers can easily tune in through a web address that is NOT a website, as there is NO navigation. There is NO log in, or password required. Nor will you be bothered by annoying pop-ups or Facebook buttons.
Heavy Metal Television was created by a small national US team in September 2012. The network is the home of the 1 minute commercial break limited by 20 second commercial spots 4 -5 times an hour, (the station has to pay its bills somehow). Sandwiched between classic and current heavy metal videos, that span over 40 years of metal history, 24 hours a day 365 days a year around the world. Dishing up a buffet of metal delights, is the newly hired 8 person VJ team, that also includes a "Demon" VJ Baron Von Killmore.
Heavy Metal Television beat Apple, Google, YouTube, and Intel in the race to create / offer the first 24 hour international television through the net, for free to consumers. All you have to do to experience it for yourself is tune into heavymetaltelevision.com.
INTERVIEWS WITH STRATOVARIUS, THE OUTLAWS, PAUL RAYMOND (UFO) AND GRAND MAGUS: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 3rd March 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 4th March 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) featured exclusive interviews with Stratovarius, Paul Raymond, The Outlaws and Grand Magus, and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-stratovarius-paul-raymond-ufo-outlaws-and-grand-magus-interviews/
In the first hour, Outlaws drummer Monte Yoho talks about the newly remastered reissue of the band's 1978 live album "Bring It Back Alive" (out now on www.rockcandyrecords.com). Also in part one, Stratovarius frontman Timo Kotipelto gives the lowdown on the band's new album "Nemesis", and their recent "Unbreakable" EP.
And in the second hour UFO keyboard player Paul Raymond talks about the new Paul Raymond Project album "Terms and Conditions Apply", and Grand Magus bassist Fox drops in to report on the band's current European tour, and the reaction to their new album "The Hunt"
The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from Saxon, UFO, Diamond Dawn, Rush, Girlschool, Rainbow & Wild Horses.
REINTRODUCING ANDRZEJ CITOWICZ:
Polish guitarist/songwriter Andrzej Citowicz, 37 yrs old from Walbrzych, Lower Silesia (now based in Cairo, Egypt) on 1st March 2013 will be the release of his new E.P. Shot Down, Get Up Under his ex-label: Down Boys Records (the label owned and operated by both Jerry Dixon and Erik Turner of Warrant) Citowicz released a compilation of his old demos, called Year Of The Dragon and he released a Christmas EP with 2 new original songs and 2 traditional (these 2 releases can be purchased through all digital music stores worldwide, from iTunes to Amazon) Now Citowicz is no longer with label and decided to release another instrumental/ hard rock E.P. Shot Down, Get Up! More info about artist, sound clips, and videos you can find here: www.citowicz.net or www.facebook.com/andrzejcitowicz.
Friday, March 01, 2013
SOMETHING TO WATCH: Frontiers Records have released another trailer for the upcoming Timo Tolkki rock opera The Land Of New Hope. Check out trailer #4. Then check out the new Jimi Jamison EPK for his album Never Too Late. And finally...the new video clip for Million Dollar Reload - Broke.
GENE THE WEREWOLF LIVE ON STAGEIT: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce a special event for the band Gene The Werewolf. The band will be performing (2) separate shows on Stageit.com on Sunday, March 10th, one (at 8:05 PM GMT / 9:05 PM CET) geared for the European territory and one for folks in the good ol' USA (at 7.05PM EST). Both shows will be available to all territories, just themed as is for the fans convenience. The European territory show will be limited (150) tickets which are available now at the link below and the American date will be limited to (100) tickets (link also available below).
Each show will have a minimum 'buy in' of $5.00. Additionally, both shows will be interactive in the sense that fans can chat with other fans as well as ask the band any questions they like throughout the set. Gene the Werewolf will reserve (10) minutes at the end of each set to address all questions asked by fans.
Both sets will consist of Hi-Def video and professional sound through the same mixing console that produced the band's debut album 'Rock N' Roll Animal'!
Fans can purchase tickets for the early date (i.e. European show) HERE. This show starts at 8:05 PM GMT / 9:05 PM CET or 3:05 PM EST.
Fans can purchase tickets for the late date (i.e. American show) HERE. This show starts at 7:05 PM EST or midnight / 1 AM CET.
Note: Each show will consist of a 30 minute full band set, followed by a 10 minute segment where the band personally chats with its audience.
ESCAPE MUSIC SIGN STALA: Escape Music will release the new Stala & So. album Play Another Round on April 12 throughout Europe.
Founded in 1997, Stala & So. is known for melodic rock tunes and a positive attitude. The band has had the freedom to follow their own direction with their music and live performances while entertaining audiences and gathering lots of fans from all over the world along the way. The 70's and 80's glam rock bands, such as Sweet, T-Rex and Ziggy Stardust -era David Bowie, have had a strong influence on the band's image. Stala & So. is making music professionally and also having fun with it. The late Finnish comedian, Spede Pasanen, said: "The main thing is to have FUN!". This has been, and continues to be, the guideline for the band as well.
In the beginning of 2011 the band became familiar to the Finnish tv-viewing people by taking part in the Finnish Eurovision Song Contest. They made their way to the national finals. There is also one ESC 2006 winner in the band's line up. After the Eurovision show it was time for the Finnish release of their self-written, -recorded and -produced debut album "It Is So."
On October 24th the Japanese record company, King Records, released the It Is So. -album in Japan and South-East Asia. The German-based music company, Music Buy Mail, released the album in Europe and South America on September. In the fall of 2011 the band recorded five new songs and those were released as an EP, titled "Gimme Five".
The band toured in Europe with Vain (US) throughout March 2012. This was Stala & So.'s first international tour and they played in countries like Great Britain, Germany, Belgium and Scandinavia. The songwriting and the pre-production for the new album began immediately after the European tour. The American top-producer, Beau Hill, contacted the band and wanted to do some co-operation. Beau Hill has produced several multi-million selling album in the hard rock history, from the bands like Ratt, Europe, Alice Cooper, Twisted Sister and Warrant. As a result of this fruitful co-operation with Stala & So., Beau Hill mixed the first single, Rock Until I'm Done, from the upcoming album. It was released on November 7th 2012.
"Play Another Round" is the second outing for the band, and has some great melodies. This is Stala & So. for your listening and viewing pleasure. Enjoy the ride!
Stala – Lead Vocals (Kita - ex Lordi, Finland); Nick Gore – Bass, vocals; Sami J. – Lead Guitars, Vocals; Pete Vaughn – Rhythm Guitar, Vocals; Hank - Drums.
Track List: Rock until I'm Done / Tokyo Delights / The Boys and Having fun / Never Again / Back Together / Alrite Tonite / Life Goes On / All Alone / All she wrote / For Your Love / Rockstar/ *Pamela / *Shot In The Dark *Exclusive Bonus tracks for European Release only.
WebLink: www.Escape-Music.com.
xx
ROCK CANDY UNLEASH LATEST RE-ISSUES:
Four new Rock Candy titles are available now from www.rockcandyrecords.com for a discounted price including postage to anywhere in the world for the next two weeks ending March 17.
Wild Horses 'S/T' CANDY168 / Launched as a veritable super group featuring ex-Rainbow bassist Jimmy Bain and former Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Roberston, Wild Horse were trumpeted by the music community as the next big thing. Indeed, their self-titled debut album turned a great number of heads and confounded those who dismissed the toxic twins as mere opportunists looking to cash in on their notoriety. With an impressive album behind them and explosive live shows helping to build up a healthy head of steam, the bands star was decidedly in the ascendancy. 'Stand Your Ground', originally issued in May 1981, found the band changing the line-up with Neil Carter departing for pastures new (going on to join UFO) and being replaced by the previously unknown John Lockton. Enlisting the help of Producer/Engineer Kit Woolven who had previously worked with Thin Lizzy and on Phil Lynott's two solo albums, the band headed into Good Earth Studio, owned and operated by another Lizzy alumnus, Tony Visconti. In keeping with the bands volatile reputation the recordings were the subject of fractious conflict between Bain and Robertson, the two men at odds with the direction the music was taking. With that in mind, 'Stand Your Ground' is a diverse and exciting record full of surprises set amidst an atmosphere of tension and nervous energy. Not surprisingly it was the final record from the band, both principals opting to go their separate ways.
24-bit remastering from original source tapes, seven bonus tracks, features Brian Robertson and Jimmy Bain, 3,500 word essay about the making of the album, new interview with Brian Robertson and enhanced artwork as all spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. I'll Give You Love 2. In The City 3. Another Lover 4. Back In The U.S.A. 5. Stand Your Ground 6. The Axe 7. Miami Justice 8. Precious 9. New York City 10. Stake Out Bonus Tracks: 11. The Kid 12. Everlasting Love 13. Because I Care (Demo) 14. Are You Ready(Demo) 15. The Kid (Demo) 16. Saturday Night (Live) 17. Rocky Mountain Way (Live).
Wild Horses 'Stand Your Ground' CANDY169 / Rainbow and Thin Lizzy were two of the biggest names in rock during the 70s so when Rainbow dispensed with the services of bassist Jimmy Bain and Thin Lizzy dismissed guitarist Brian Robertson it was almost inevitable that the two would join forces to create a new powerhouse rock group. Indeed, with Bain and Robertson sharing a London flat together the musical combination was quickly cemented going under the forceful moniker of Wild Horses. Looking to solidify the line-up they approached several potential drummers including, at first, former Faces and Who stalwart, Kenney Jones before settling for one time Pat Travers sticks man Clive Edwards. They also enlisted then unknown multi-instrumentalist Neil Carter, later to join UFO and Gary Moore. Stepping into Konk Studios with South African born producer/artist Trevor Rabin it was this unit that cut the debut Wild Horse album for EMI, a record bristling with fresh promise.
Renowned for their hair raising personalities Robertson and Bain delivered explosive guitar driven tracks big on hooks but smooth enough to appeal to radio. Amongst the material on offer were songs co-written by Robertson's former Lizzy band mates Scott Gorham and Phil Lynott. Originally released in April 1980, the band's debut album still sounds exciting and fresh, a testimony to the talent involved.
24-bit remastering from original source tapes, eight bonus tracks, features Brian Robertson, Jimmy Bain and Neil Carter, 3,500 word essay about the making of the album, new interview with Brian Robertson and enhanced artwork as all spread out over a 16 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. Reservation 2. Face Down 3. Blackmail 4. Flyaway 5. Dealer 6. Street Girl 7. No Strings Attached 8. Criminal Tendencies 9. Nights On The Town 10. Woman Bonus Tracks: 11. The Rapist 12. Reservation (Demo) 13. Blackmail (Demo) 14. Flyaway (Demo) With Philip Lynott 15. Dealer (Demo) 16. The Rapist (Demo) 17. Retribution (Demo) 18. Breathe On Me (Demo).
xx
Freddie Salem & The Wild Cats 'Cat Dance' CANDY165 / He may not be internationally well known but Freddie Salem is one of the most impressive American rock guitarists to have emerged in the 1980s. As a member of Southern guitar gods the Outlaws, Freddie injected feisty guitar pyrotechnics into the band's most commercially successful albums like 'Ghost Riders' and 'Los Hombres Malos', before cutting loose to record a solo album. This was his debut, and so far only, solo album, recorded for the Epic (Sony) label in 1982 and it showcased Freddie in valedictory mood, looking to spread his wings with various shades of guitar-fuelled mayhem. Self-produced and recorded in New York City, the album captured a healthy mixture of Manhattan's manic pace whilst still boasting a Southern rock tinge, proving that you can take the man out of the country but you can't take the country out of the man. 'Cat Dance' is a fine album indeed, boasting a healthy selection of solid and memorable hard rock tracks and blessed with lashings of Freddie's blistering guitar work, including hip thrusting riffs and lightning fast solos. Released just as SONY laid off half of their US staff in a frantic cost cutting exercise, the album failed to make a commercial impact and was left to find its own audience."
24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 3,500 word essay about the making of the album, new interview with Freddie Salem, enhanced artwork and previously unseen photos all spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. Dark Horizon/London Town 2. Open My Eyes 3. Long Gone 4. Sunset (Second Chance) 5. Got The Feelin' 6. Evil For Evil 7. Rock N Roll Woman 8. Monica.
Lightning Raiders - Sweet Revenge / In a just and righteous world it would be satisfying to report that the Lightning Raiders rose from humble beginnings to take the world by storm, notching up sell out tours and a string of platinum albums, with their faces splashed across the front cover of every music magazine. Sadly, none of those achievements materialised but, amongst a select few, the Lightning Raiders were cherished far more than the biggest rock stars in the world.
Based in West London, the Lightning Raiders carved out a serious reputation during the early 80s as an uncompromising quartet that took every opportunity to tear down barriers and set fire to tradition. Half punk, half metal and blessed with an anything goes attitude, the band's live reputation for militant confrontation soon turned into an anything can happen in the next half hour kind of event.
With musical links to Motorhead, the Pink Fairies, the Sex Pistols, Kilburn & The High Roads and many more, their reputation for setting the stage on fire was second to none. Signed by Island Records, the band recorded tracks for their debut album at the Who's Ramport Studios, only to find half way through that the label's direction had changed and that they were no longer considered part of the plan. The eight songs on this record are the surviving mixed tracks from those sessions, giving us a taste of what would have been if the band had been allowed to continue on their path to fame and fortune.
24-bit mastering from original source tapes, previously un released album, features members of the Pink Fiaries and the Sex Pistols, 3,500 word essay about the making of the album, new interview and previously unseen photos all spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. Sweet Revenge 2. Rowdies 3. Addiction 4. Soul Recue 5. Criminal World 6. Citizens 7. Disguises 8. Made In Japan Bonus Tracks: 9. Psychedelic Musik 10. Views.
xx
NEWMAN, NEW STUDIO, NEW ALBUM, NEW LINE UP: New Studio - Chrome Dome is a new multi-purpose studio based in the South of England, originally named "The Blue Room", previous work has included mastering on songs by such artists as Robin Beck, Crunch, James Christian, FM, Harem Scarem, Valentine, Talon, Stormzone, and Bombay Black, album mastering such as Atlantic - Power, Kane Roberts - Unsung Radio, plus numerous album credits for songwriting, backing vocals, and guitar. In 2012, the studio underwent a re-location and a total upgrade. Owned and managed by singer/songwriter Steve Newman (Newman) we are also now opening our doors and offering competitive rates for mixing, mastering, and session work. For further details, information and rates please contact: info@newmansound.com.
New Album - Steve is also working on the next Newman album to be released in the early summer. The album, which will be the follow up to 2011's acclaimed "Under Southern Skies", is currently in the recording stages. Songs set for inclusion are 2 co-writes with Pete Newdeck (Eden's Curse, Tainted Nation) and 1 co-written song with Nick Workman (Kick, Vega). There will be more details to follow very soon.
New Line Up - There have also been some changes within the current band line-up. We're very sorry to announce the departure of bass player Dave Bartlett and drummer Nic Lipscombe. Both the guys have decided to move on for various reasons. Dave has made the following statement: "It is with great sadness that I announce my decision to leave Newman. The experience working with Steve has been life changing and I would not be where I am in my life right now if it weren't for what I consider my Newman family. Times have unfortunately changed and I feel I must drift away, but I wish Steve the best of luck and many a successful show with the 2013 line up."
Steve had the following to say: "I'd sincerely like to wish both Dave and Nick the best of luck in their future endeavours, I couldn't even begin to describe what they have brought the band in terms of hard work and dedication. They have both taken the live band somewhere that I could not have even imagined just a few short years ago and have injected their own passion into playing the Newman songs. I thank them from the bottom of my heart. I know that both Dave and Nick have found this decision a difficult one, and for me it's been a difficult one to accept."
So, with the departure of two members of the Newman family, it is time to introduce another two guys that will take the live band into 2013. Firstly, we'd like to introduce you to bass player, singer, George Haworth. George has had considerable experience on the local South Coast UK live scene and his own recording project called Creature That Bites.
And secondly, taking up the drum stool for Newman is none other than Pete Newdeck, widely known as the drummer in the very successful Eden's Curse and also the powerful frontman in rising rock sensations Tainted Nation. Both George and Pete will make their debut appearance with Newman at HRH Festival in Rotherham on 7th April, and also at MelodicRockFest 3 in Chicago on 28th September with more dates to be announced soon.
Further information can be found at www.newmansound.com.
xx
JORN: "LONELY ARE THE BRAVE" 12" VINYL EDITION ANNOUNCED: Inner Wound Recordings are proud to announce the release of a 12" vinyl edition of the Jorn album "Lonely Are The Brave". A deal was inked with Frontiers Records, and the release date is set to April 19th. The edition includes an insert with lyrics. "Lonely Are The Brave" is available for pre-ordering at the Inner Wound Store; www.innerwound.bigcartel.com.
Track listing; Side A: 01. Lonely Are The Brave 02. Night City 03. War Of The World 04. Shadow People 05. Promises.
Side B: 01. Man Of The Dark 02. Soul Of The Wind 03. The Inner Road 04. Hellfire.
For more information: www.innerwound.com.
MRX UPDATED: MRX has been updated with two new features:
- Extreme - Live Donington, UK 1994
- Various / Tribute to Dio - Holy Dio MRX Membership Page.
REVIEWS UPDATE:
Late, but at least we are rolling for 2013 finally. The first Reviews of the year are up - W.E.T., Snakecharmer, Pink Cream 69, Jorn, Edge & Rage Of Angels. Check them out now and more to come.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
NEW VIDEO PROMOS:
Two videos to kick off Thursday - first the new February YouTube spot from Frontiers Records:
Secondly - the debut video for Swedish melodic rock outfit Edge and their single Nowhere To Hide. Album out now on Escape Music.
FM TO RELEASE NEW DVD - INDISCREET 25 LIVE OUT 1ST APRIL 2013:
In March 2012 FM performed a series of sell-out concerts to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their debut album Indiscreet. Dubbed "Indiscreet 25 Live" the shows featured Indiscreet played live in its entirety for the first time ever. Transported back to 1986, both the audience and the band found themselves swept up in a wave of unashamed nostalgia... Grown men admitted to feeling so emotional that a few tears were shed... Some fans even managed to squeeze their torsos into their original 1986 FM T-shirts for the event...
Now everyone can revisit 1986 as FM release their new DVD. Filmed at Manchester Academy 2 and London O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire on 9th and 10th March 2012, Indiscreet 25 Live also features a behind the scenes documentary in which the band members reflect on Indiscreet's place in FM history.
Tracklisting: That Girl / Other Side Of Midnight / Love Lies Dying / I Belong To The Night / American Girls / Hotwired / Face To Face / Frozen Heart / Heart Of The Matter / Dangerous.
Indiscreet 25 Live is released via Riff City Films on 1st April 2013. The DVD will be available from the merchandise stand on the upcoming tour, and from release date at the FM webshop (www.fmofficial.com) and all good DVD stockists.
LIBERTY & JUSTICE DIGITALLY FOR JUST $9.99: Liberty N' Justice wants you to own their new double CD "The Cigar Chronicles" so much we are now offering all 26 song on iTunes for $9.99!!!! The CD features 70 guests musicians on 26 songs (1/2 covers & 1/2 originals) and be purchased on any digital music site, directly through LNJ (www.libertynjustice.net), Roxx Productions website (www.roxxproductions.com), or like we said $9.99 through iTunes! For those who have downloaded the CD at the original price of $19.99 please send proof of purchase to justinmurr@aol.com and we will compensate you by sending you a physical copy of "The Cigar Chronicles". If you downloaded just one song you now can download the rest of the CD for an even lower price than $9.99! We appreciate your support and ask only 2 more things (I know we are pushing it) spread the word and if you have an iTunes account and have bought "The Cigar Chronicles" please leave a review or a rating...thanks so much!
Purchase Link: bit.ly/CigarChron
INTRODUCING GARY BAILEY:
Christian rock guitarist Gary Bailey (Revelation 22 The Band/The Chosen) has released his debut solo CD entitled The Soundtrack To Life. This CD is an instrumental disc, very diverse with styles ranging from rock, rnb, blues and worship. At front and center at all times on the recording is Gary's melodic soulful guitar playing. The Soundtrack To Life was Produced by Tony Mascara ,Jr and engineered by Frank Degennaro (Paula Cole/Sting/Blood,Sweat and Tears). Its is available on Itunes, Amazon, CD Baby and Emusic. www.reverbnation.com/garybaileyinstrumental / itunes.apple.com/us/album/soundtrack-to-life-instrumental/id603750468?ign-mpt=uo%3D4.
INNERWISH: NEW VOCALIST ANNOUNCED:
The melodic metal band Innerwish from Greece just announced their new vocalist; George Eikosipentakis, who will replace Babis Alexandropoulos that quit the band last year. "Hey there! It has been a quite busy, but creative period in the Innerwish camp and now it's time for some briefing at last. Finally, the search for our new singer, after Babis Alexandropoulos last year's departure, is over. We are extremely happy and proud to announce that George Eikosipentakis will be the voice of Innerwish from now on! George is an excellent and experienced vocalist, and fits exactly with the past but also with our plans for the future of the band. Our first live show with George will be at the Metal From Hellas Festival which will take place on the 26th of May at Gagarin 205 Live Music Space in Athens, Greece. But before that, our fans worldwide will be able to listen to 2 covers we made, which mark the first recordings with George on vocals and Fragiskos Samoilis behind the drums. One on Warlord's classic Black Mass, for the Sons Of A Dream – A tribute to Warlord release, and one on Black Sabbath's opus Neon Knights for a tribute CD that will be released with the Greek edition of Metal Hammer magazine. Beside all these, we are working on songs for our next studio album. Some tunes are already shaping up and more will be announced in the coming months. Innerwish are back on track and the best is yet to come! The desires are burning more than ever!"
Innerwish are; George Eikosipentakis: Vocals; Thimios Krikos: Guitar; Manolis Tsigkos: Guitar; Antonis Mazarakis: Bass; George Georgiou: Keys; Fragiskos Samoilis: Drums.
For more information on Innerwish; www.innerwish.gr / www.ulterium-records.com.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
The full lineup for MelodicRockFest 3 will be announced 10am Thursday - local Australian time. That equates to Wednesday 5pm Chicago time / 6pm East Coast / 3pm West Coast / 11pm Wednesday night for UK and midnight European time.
Please check out the Official MRF3 page at: www.facebook.com/MelodicRockFest - information, additional details and event conversation all to be featured on that page. Please "like" the page and share the event information with others. We really need this event to kick serious ass.
Questions, comments, enquiries - ajm@melodicrock.com.
STRYPER FROM THE INSIDE OUT:
Christian Rockers Stryper released today "Bleeding From the Inside Out", the first digital single off the forthcoming album "Second Coming" due for release on Frontiers Records on March 26 in North America. The song is one of the 2 original tracks which can be found on this new release (with the other being "Blackened"). The other 14 songs making out the new album are brand new recordings of Stryper classics taken from the band's first three albums "The Yellow and Black Attack", "Soldiers Under Command" and "To Hell With the Devil". "Second Coming" is produced by Stryper frontman Michael Sweet.
The single can be ordered for download via iTunes (t.co/jncC4QST20), Amazon and other fine shops and can be streamed digitally through Spotify (open.spotify.com/album/5nFgnOZxxRca1bT2ZLK75R). At the same time it is possible to watch the video EPK that the band prepared for the new album following this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdiJhZmecqk.
'LIVE FROM DARYL'S HOUSE' COMES TO RFD-TV AND FAMILYNET:
Omaha, NE, (www.rfdtv.com)– Live from Daryl's House, the hit web-series created by Daryl Hall, will debut on Rural Media Group's networks, RFD-TV and FamilyNet, on Sunday, March 3 at 9:30pm EST. The series has been added to RFD-TV and FamilyNet's Sunday night primetime slot of family-orientated music and entertainment programming. The series joins the network's other top-rated variety series including, The Marty Stuart Show, Larry's Country Diner, The Mollie B Polka Party and Joey+Rory. Live from Daryl's House on RFD-TV will feature a mix of well-known performers: Chromeo (March 3), KT Tunstall (March 10), Eric Hutchinson (March 17), Nick Lowe (March 24), Travis McCoy (March 31), Finger Eleven (April 7), Todd Rundgren (April 14), Kevin Rudolf (April 21) and The Bacon Brothers (April 28). In addition to RFD-TV, Live from Daryl's House also debuts new episodes on Viacom's high-definition music channel Palladia every Thursday night at 11 p.m. (ET/PT). Live from Daryl's House is syndicated nationally by Good Cop Bad Cop Productions. Executive Producers for the show include Daryl Hall along with his manager, Jonathan Wolfson.
Daryl started the monthly web show in November 2007 after having the idea of "playing with my friends and putting it up on the Internet," and the show instantly garnered acclaim from music mainstream publications such as Rolling Stone, SPIN, Daily Variety, CNN, BBC, Yahoo! Music and influential blogger Bob Lefsetz, who have cited Live From Daryl's House as, "The perfect example of a veteran artist reinventing himself in the digital age by collaborating with both established colleagues and newer performers." The show was an immediate hit with both viewers and critics and went on to win a WEBBY Award in 2010 in the Variety Category.
About the addition of his series to the rural and family-values focused networks, Daryl Hall says, "I've been watching RFD-TV for a few years. As a person who lives mostly in the country, I appreciate a network that shows the many facets of rural life. I think that this is an important network in America and I'm really excited about the fact that Live from Daryl's House is going to be part of that."
Randy Bernard, CEO for Rural Media Group adds, "Live from Daryl's House is the perfect fit for our family-focused Sunday night primetime lineup. Daryl brings a stunning roster of guest stars, great music and a truly enjoyable show that's suitable for everyone in the family to watch and enjoy together."
MELODIC BRIEFS:
MetalSymphony.com has published an interview with Jim Peterik & Toby Hitchcock from Pride of Lions about the new Immortal album, their career, their future and much more. Check it out at this location: www.metalsymphony.com/?p=12507#english.
Hard rockers Badmotorfinger came to an agreement with logic(il)logic Records to release their first full-length "It's Not The End", featuring 13 tracks of pure hard'n'heavy! The release date for the debut album is scheduled in late spring 2013. www.badmotorfinger.it.
Aldo Nova has a new Facebook page up and running at: www.facebook.com/aldo.nova.355. However, there is no word on his long since completed rock opera or any other new music.
NEW DRUMMER FOR RAVEN LORD:
International metallers Raven Lord have announced the addition of Power Quest drummer Rich Smith to the group's ranks. The chance to challenge himself in a different field with Raven Lord was an opportunity he did not want to miss. Rich will finish the two shows for Power Quest's farewell tour by the end of May. Commented Smith: "…I'm delighted to of been offered the throne to drum for Raven Lord. I can't wait to get in the rehearsal room with these guys and hit the road to play some kick ass shows I'd like to thank all the guys in the band and the management for this opportunity…"
Ex-drummer Larry Paterson on his leave: "…It is meant as no disrespect to any of you at all – and I wish great success for everybody. To cut a long story short, things are pretty tough right now as I have another band, a book and a documentary to make. All of this is running on a very tight schedule which WILL definitely get in the way of Raven Lord…"
Singer and bandleader Csaba Zvekan commented "I'm saddened to see Larry go from Raven Lord but if dates are clashing there is not much any of us can do. The good thing is me and Larry Paterson will continue working on another band project called Exorcism which is expected to be released in 2014. Well, you know what they say ; the show must go on! And with summer shows in the pipeline we had to act fast and find another drummer as a permanent solution. Rich Smith is highly motivated to be the next Lord drummer and with Power Quest calling it the quits it was obvious that he was available for grabs. We took the opportunity and welcome Rich Smith to Raven Lord."
WebLinks: www.raven-lord.com / www.facebook.com/ravenlordmusic.
Monday, February 25, 2013
SNOWFALL COMING TO EUROPE IN APRIL: Escape Music introduces its April 19 due release - Snowfall Cold Silence.
Snowfall are a Scandinavian band that are based in a very cold part of Norway, hence their name and album title! "PB" is no stranger to the music scene as he used to be in Winter Parade who have previously released two fine albums. When Winter Parade dissolved PB and Tore formed Snowfall and at first used a Norwegian Vocalist but then Lee Small (Shy / Phenomena) came into the scene and Snowfall really started to mature. Musically the band sound like a mixture of British and American eighties bands such as Whitesnake, Giant and Firehouse but they retain a Scandinavian trademark too. So you get the best of all worlds! The latest addition to Snowfall is a man used to all things "Cold", none other than Coldspell drummer Perra Johnson. To put the icing on the cake Martin Kronlund of Sweden was hired to twiddle the knobs (mixing and mastering) and of course the result is flawless.
The songs you will find on this debut album are a joint venture between the band members and it shines through in the quality of the material. A mixture of riffs, hooks and elaborate arrangements make the album an experience that will both grab you instantly and hold that interest long-term. An exciting thought indeed. Songs like Don't drive me home tonight, Wolf's lair and Citadel of Hope are all great examples of fine hard edged rock. Snowfall are certainly a name to look out for in April, their debut is bound to cause an avalanche of publicity giving their future a much warmer prospect…
Lineup: Lee Small Vocals; Tore Meli Guitars; "PB" Riise Bass / Keyboards; Perra Johnson Drums special guest.
Additional keyboards by Helge Flatgård, Additional backing vocals by Bjørn Westum.
Produced, Mixed and Mastered by Martin Kronlund at JM Studio, Gothenburg. Cover Art & Booklet Design By Carl-André Beckston.
Track Listing: 01. Don't Drive Me Home Tonight 4:57 02. Citadel Of Hope 4:27 03. House Of Prayer 4:58 04. Heaven's Not Up There 5:00 05. Jack Of Diamonds 3:52 06. Wolf's Lair 4:43 07. I Won't Be Lonely Anymore 4:06 08. Stampede 4:10 09. Oscillate 5:20 10. Alexandria 4:08 11. The Vesper Bell 6:39.
WebLinks: www.Escape-Music.com / www.snowfallcoldsilence.com.
CLASSIC ROCK PRESENTS AOR - ISSUE 8: ClassicRock Presents: AOR - Issue 8 is due on newsstands March 20 and features Tesla as the cover story.
Formed in Sacramento, California in 1984, Tesla have sold 14 million albums in the United States yet remain a cult band in Europe. But that could be about to change when they visit the UK in April to headline the hotly anticipated, Classic Rock-sponsored HRH AOR festival!
PLUS! Major features on Journey and Whitesnake and a sensational Free 15-Track CD featuring the very best modern-day melodic rock songs.
Key features in this issue: Neal Schon/Journey As the mighty Journey get set for their UK arena tour with Whitesnake and Thunder this May, we engage the band's guitarist in a wide-ranging and far-reaching Q&A session. Schon talks about Journey's past, present and future, and about his relationship with Steve Perry, his spat with former Bad English bandmate John Waite, his experiences with drugs in the 70s, and the role of the guitar hero in the modern era… Whitesnake We fearlessly name David Coverdale's Top 20 Most AOR Moments! Jimi Jamison As the frontman with Survivor and as a solo artist, Jamison has sung some of the all-time great melodic rock songs. And with his latest album Never Too Late he has created a modern masterpiece with flawless vocals throughout. We also talk to Jamison's new key collaborator, Swedish producer Erik Mårtensson. Jettblack We track down the fast-rising British rockers ahead of their hotly anticipated appearance at the HRH AOR festival. Quiet Riot For Los Angeles' Quiet Riot, success was slow to come and quick to disappear. But if their time at the top was brief, it was also spectacular. For in the early 80s, at the dawn of the golden age of hair metal, this band were major players. We chart QR's fast rise and equally rapid decline… Praying Mantis Although they came to prominence during the NWOBHM in the early 80s, Praying Mantis have always been the most melodic of bands. We take a critical look at their topsy-turvy career to date. Skid Row The band's guitarist Dave 'Snake' Sabo is the subject of issue 8's Q&AOR session. We also preview Skid Row's appearance at HRH AOR. Danny Vaughn Another chief attraction at HRH AOR, Vaughn comes clean on the dirty deeds and dastardly doings of his past in our High Infidelities column. Lillian Axe Steve Blaze, leader of the legendary New Orleans combo, talks about their most recent album XI: The Days Before Tomorrow and what the future holds in store for his veteran outfit.
HRH AOR Spotlight Previewing April's festival with articles on two more bands on the bill – Vega and Moritz – and a whole lot more besides. Toto Buyers Guide The definitive guide to the absolute best of Toto. Holly Knight She's written hits for Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Cheap Trick, Hall & Oates, Kiss, Meat Loaf, John Waite, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Pat Benatar, Heart, Lou Gramm… the list goes on…
NEAL SCHON TALKS - SANTANA REFORMS SANTANA:
From: www.noise11.com/news/exclusive-santana-reforms-santana-20130222 / by Paul Cashmere on February 22, 2013 / Carlos Santana has confirmed he is putting the original Santana band together for his next album.
In an interview with Noise11.com Carlos said that he is putting the line-up from the first three albums back together for his next record. "So far we have invited the original members like Greg Rolie from the first three albums," he told Noise11. "It will be like Santana IV because we stopped at 'Santana III'".
Journey's Neal Schon broke the news of the reunion to Noise11 this week and Carlos has confirmed that he has just about everyone on board for the project. "As well as Neal we have the two Mikes, Mike Carabello and Michael Shrieve. I am pretty sure Greg's going to do it. So that is pretty much everyone," he says. Bass player David Brown passed away in 2000.
According to Carlos, the album will have the African feel of the first three Santana records. "We have been checking out a lot of African music, African patterns," he says. "Each artist has his own thing that he listens to. Led Zeppelin listened to Otis Rush. Cream listened to Freddie King and Albert King. We all had someone that we listened to. It was a beautiful common ground for Santana to play African music".
The band will start work on the album after Carlos finishes a big year of touring that will see him head to Deniliquin in New South Wales next month for the Deni Blues and Roots Festival. He says to "expect it in 2014". The Deni Blues & Roots Festival will take place over the Easter long weekend. The festival also features Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Cliff, Jason Mraz, Steve Miller Band, Zac Brown Band, Status Quo, Newton Faulkner and Tony Joe White.
Journey guitarist Neal Schon could be back working with Santana again. He says he is talking to Carlos about a new music project.
In an interview with Noise11.com, Neal said, "I've reconnected with Carlos Santana now and we have been talking about doing something together again. We've talked a lot on the telephone and I hooked up with him before Christmas. You never know what's going to happen. Life is full of surprises. It's very exciting."
Neal was with Santana for the albums 'Santana III' (1971) and 'Caravanserai' (1972). "Yeah, just two records. I joined the band in 1970 through '72," he said.
Neal Schon was a 15-year old kid when he joined Santana and he had the choice of playing in Santana with Carlos Santana or in Derek and the Dominoes with Eric Clapton. "I played with Derek and the Dominoes on stage in Berkeley in San Francisco. Eric came in the studio, Santana was in the studio, we were jamming," he said. "I got to jam with Clapton that night. I was astounded he was in the room. He was one of my biggest idols. I was very young. I was 15. It was cool". "The next day I came back to the studio to jam with the Santana band and Eric left a message for me and asked me to come over to Berkeley Community Theater. I didn't have a licence. I didn't have a car. I talked somebody into driving me over there at the last minute. They got me there 10 minutes before he was to go on. I walked in backstage. I had my guitar and he told me that we'd play seven songs. He would then introduce me and I would stay on stage and keep playing". "Afterwards, he asked me back to the hotel. He asked me who I listened to and I told him mainly him. I learned to play by listening to 'Wheels of Fire' and he didn't believe me. He had a guitar there and I played note for note 'Crossroads'. I knew every note. He asked me if I would move to London but it was crazy. I was so young and still living at home with my folks".
Although the Derek and the Dominoes job didn't happen, Santana did. "I had been hanging out with Greg Rolie and Carlos Santana for a good three and a half months," he said. "I felt in my gut they were going to ask me to join and the next day Eric asked me to join and they asked me to join so I chose to go with the Santana band".
And the rest was history. Journey and Deep Purple will begin their tour in Auckland this weekend.
Dates are:
February 24, Auckland, Vector Arena
February 26, Brisbane, Entertainment Centre
March 1, Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena
March 2, Sydney, Entertainment Centre
March 4, Adelaide, Entertainment Centre
March 7, Perth, Perth Arena
Santana dates are:
March 17, Christchurch, CBS Canterbury Arena
March 19, Auckland, Vector Arena
March 21, Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena
March 22, Adelaide, Entertainment Centre
March 27, Sydney, Entertainment Centre
March 28, Brisbane, Entertainment Centre
Santana will also play at Bluesfest, Byron Bay and the Deni Blues & Roots Festival in Deniliquin, both over the Easter long weekend.
"Primal Scream," the second single from Neal Schon's critically acclaimed solo album, The Calling, has reached #10 on Mediabase's Classic Rock Chart, just two weeks after being released to radio. The song debuted at #40 two weeks ago, but soared to #10 this week. "I love the embodied melody in Primal Surge. I knew it would do well," says Schon. "The album is a really interesting mix, with a lot of different flavors and colors!" The Calling, Schon's first solo album since 2005's I On You, has received rave reviews since its release in October 2012:
Guitar Player declared, "It's a thrilling, edgy, ballsy, inspiring, and beautiful work that sounds as purposely constructed as a symphony piece. Less-blessed composers and guitarists can now take a moment to cry…"
For more information please visit www.schonmusic.com.
LONDON RETURNS WITH LONDON LIVE AND NEW TRACKS & REISSUE:
Hollywood -- A star attraction on the Sunset Strip a generation ago, the band London was once a breeding ground for rock stardom for some of the early members like Nikki Sixx, Slash, Steven Adler, Izzy Stradlin and Blackie Lawless, but there is now a lot to more to London after a flurry of creativity has breathed new life into the band.
Frontman Nadir D'Priest, the iconic pretty boy heartthrob now all grown up, still has the same star qualities that made London such a buzz band back in the day, and he is singing better than ever -- as the world will soon find out upon the release of a live new CD for London Live, recorded in Nashville and engineered by the legendary Michael Wagener. 'I knew the record would have to sound big, and it sounds humongous. That's the best way I can put it,' D'Priest said. 'There was a specific sound we needed. It had to sound large or it wouldn't even be worth doing, and Michael Wagener is great because he's one of the superstars of producing.'
Still in place is guitarist Sean Lewis, who has been in London since 1987, and bassist Brian West, whose London pedigree goes back to 1984. Also, London has pulled a big coup by re-uniting with legendary drummer Alan Krigger, a founding member of Giuffria who joined briefly in 1988 and has also played with Tina Turner, Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys and other superstars. 'It's an honor to play for London. It's just a great band to be in,' Krigger said. There are big plans. In addition to the heavily-anticipated 'London Live,' there is a batch of new songs just begging to see the light of the day, and a large-scale tour is planned for the summer.
Instead of being a feeder best known for being featured in 'Decline of Western Civilization Part 2,' London is primed and ready to carve a deeper niche with a revitalized comeback that is sure to make the band not just the talk of the town in Hollywood a badge London has worn since the spandex days but now the whole world.
'There's also a lot of interest in this kind of music again, and it's a worldwide interest,' D'Priest said. 'The demand is there and it exceeds the Southern California area. Our number one goal is to show people a good time and have a good time ourselves, and that will never change.'
London was formed in 1978 by Nikki Sixx and Lizzie Grey. The lineup shuffled and at times including future Guns N' Roses guitarists Slash and Izzy Stradlin future WASP singer/bassist Blackie Lawless and future Cinderella drummer Fred Coury.
Once D'Priest joined in 1984, London really began to take off. The band recorded 'Non-Stop Rock' and 'Don't Cry Wolf' to critical acclaim, then was introduced to a worldwide audience in 1988 Penelope Spheeris film 'The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years.'
A third album in 1990 called 'Playa Del Rock'was released, and this point the band was sometimes called D'Priest. Frustratingly, the band was still trying to find its grip on mass appeal by this time - why London did not sell millions of records is among Rock's great mysteries but D'Priest refused to let go of the vision.
Sixteen years passed, and D'Priest dedicated his life to raising a family and being financially successful in business, but as the years went by he learned more than anything that rock and roll was in his blood. He has stayed in great shape mind, body and spirit and eventually an overwhelming urge not just to get up on stage again and the music flow through his body but also to finish what he started, D'Priest was more and more convinced that London is a band the singer could not turn his back on.
London is primed and ready to go from footnote to big toe, and the good news is the band has never sounded better. It's easier than ever to reach fans at the simple press of a button, and London is ready to rock again and this time they plan to play loud enough that everyone can hear. And they do mean everyone. The live album is produced by London and engineered by Michael Wagener. Roy Z Ramirez (Halford, Bruce Dickinson) provided additional mixes, and Maor Appelbaum (Halford, Bruce Dickinson) did the mastering.
London is also releasing two new tracks, 'Get Back Home,' written by D'Priest and West, along with 'Tu Cultura y Tu Nacion', London's first Rock En Espanol single (written by D'Priest) also featuring renowned keyboardist Teddy 'Zig Zag' Andreadis, who toured with Guns N' Roses during 'Appetite For Destruction' and 'Use Your Illusion.' London is in pre-production for the filming of music videos for both new songs.
Also, London is re-releasing its cult classic LP 'Don't Cry Wolf' on both CD and vinyl (with two different album covers, too) through the website: londontheband.net.
THE CIGAR CHRONICLES OUT TODAY:
This Tuesday 2-26-13, Liberty N' Justice "The Cigar Chronicles" gets an official release! You can purchase it through all major digital sites like iTunes (itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-cigar-chronicles-vol.-1-2/id598332718) , Amazon (www.amazon.com/The-Cigar-Chronicles-Vol/dp/B00B8NDPZA) and others. The double CD features over 70 guest musicians and took over four years to record. The CD features the talents of JK Northrup (Liberty n' Justice/ King kobra/ XYZ) with Kip Winger (Winger), George Lynch (Dokken/ Lynch Mob), Jeff LaBar (Cinderella), Cj Snare & Bill Leverty (Firehouse), Gunnar Nelson (Nelson), Tony Harnell (TNT), Mark Kendall & Terry Ilous (Great White), Jerry Dixon (Warrant), among many many others! The CD and other LNJ swag can be purchased at www.libertynjustice.net.
And in closing ...can't get enough of LNJ music, well "The Band Project" has an unofficial name and all 13 songs have been written and recorded we are just waiting on Cagle to finish one more vocal, Michael to lay down his drums, and Eric to bring it all together with his keys!!! JK and Justin are extremely happy with this concept album and can't wait to play these songs live!
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH VOIVOD, THE OUTLAWS AND CRASHDIET: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 24th February 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 25th February 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) featured exclusive interviews with Voivod frontman Snake, Henry Paul of The Outlaws, and Crashdiet vocalist Simon Cruz, and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-voivod-special-outlaws-and-crashdiet-interviews/
In the first hour, Outlaws frontman Henry Paul talks about the newly remastered reissue of the band's lost 1986 album "Soldiers of Fortune" (out now on www.rockcandyrecords.com) , which has been a highly sought after collector's item, with rare cd copies going for hundreds of dollars on eBay, having been out of print since the 80s. Henry tells the story behind the album, which saw him reunited with late Outlaws mainstay Hughie Thomasson for the first time since 1977, and selects 4 tracks.
Also in the first hour, Crashdiet vocalist Simon Cruz gives the low down on the band's new album "The Savage Playground", with 2 songs from the new release.
And the remainder of the show is an in-depth Voivod interview feature, in which vocalist Snake traces the 30 year history of the innovative and highly original Canadian band, from 1983 to the current album "Target Earth". Running at over an hour in length, the interview features Snake's choice of songs from throughout the band's career, from their early thrash punk sound, following their journey to the progressive outer limits of Metal. Snake also discusses the formation of the band's current line-up featuring returning original bassist Blacky and new guitarist Dan "Chewy" Mongrain, the recording of "Target Earth" and the band's future plans.
NEW VOCALIST FOR STRIKEFORCE: Sweetsounds/Island Artists and Midwest hard rock veterans Strikeforce have updated their 2013 tour dates and have announced killer new singer Daryn Steel to the line-up! Visit Strikeforce at: www.sweetsounds.us.
SAX & FLUTE PLAYER CLIVE JONES BATTLING CANCER: Melodic Revolution Records would like to express our sympathies to Clive Jones and his Partner Kelvin Beer-Jones in this difficult time. We wish Clive all the best in his next round of chemo and hope that not only his life will be extended but the quality of life he wants will be there. You are in our hearts and prayers Clive.
A posting from Clive's Facebook page dated February 22, 2013: "Hello everyone on Wednesday I was at the hospital to see my chemo Doc sadly the cancer has spread like mad and is now in my stomach wall and cannot be cured he gave me 4 to 24 months to live I have been offered chemo a much stronger type than last time that might prolong my life so I have to take that offer, It will be very harsh and i may well become very ill so please excuse me if I miss your birthday or don't reply to messages. My partner Kelvin is supporting me through this and I know all my friends on here will do also. ~ Thanks Clive."
Clive Jones is the Sax & Flute player for (Black Widow, Agony Bag) and has recently collaborated with Corvus Stone on the song 'You're So Wrong' from the critically acclaimed album Corvus Stone released on November 26, 2012 via Melodic Revolution Records.
In a statement from Corvus Stone: "We have been very shocked to know Clive is very ill and we are spiritually with him when he continues his fight against cancer. We cannot take your physical pain away, Clive, but we hope you know and feel we are with you. You are a rare individual; even now you remember people's birthdays and want them to forget their sorrows. We have a lot to learn from you.
Much love to Clive!"
WebLink: www.melodicrevolution.com.
Friday, February 22, 2013
MELODIC ROCK FEST 3 - LINEUP NEXT WEEK:
The full lineup for MelodicRockFest 3 will be announced mid-next week. The announcement will take place right here, at MelodicRockFest.com and at www.facebook.com/MelodicRockFest.
ALL LINEUP, TICKET AND HOTEL INFORMATION IS COMING.
MRF3 will take place in Chicago over a full weekend of serious rock n roll - Friday September 27th, Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th, 2013!
The weekend will include 3 days: Friday – All acoustic night (almost!)
Saturday – Midday till midnight.
Sunday – Midday till late.
Hosting the weekend festivities will be the very fabulous and newly opened H.O.M.E. Bar Chicago in Arlington Heights (close to O'Hare Airport) www.homebarchicago.com.
Please check out the Official MRF3 page at: www.facebook.com/MelodicRockFest - information, hints at the line up and event conversation all to be featured on that page. Please "like" the page and share the event information with others. We really need this event to kick serious ass.
Questions, comments, enquiries - ajm@melodicrock.com.
A PERFECT COVER: Frontiers signed prog-rockers A Perfect Day have recorded and released a new track Skyfall (Adele cover). The song was not part of the band's latest album, but is available digitally worldwide. YouTube preview below.
W.E.T.: "RISE UP" 12" VINYL EDITION ANNOUNCED: Inner Wound Recordings are proud to announce the release of a 12" vinyl edition of the W.E.T. album "Rise Up". A deal was inked with Frontiers Records, and the release date is set to April 19th. The edition includes an insert with lyrics. "Rise Up" is available for pre-ordering at the Inner Wound Store; www.innerwound.bigcartel.com.
Track listing; Side A 01. Walk Away 02. Learn To Live Again 03. Rise Up 04. Love Heals 05. What You Want 06. Bad Boy
Side B 01. The Moment 02. On The Run 03. Broken Wings 04. Shot 05. Still Believe In Us 06. Still Unbroken.
For more information: www.innerwound.com.
SWEDEN ROCK FESTIVAL UPDATE: SwedenRock Festival has updated a few aspects of the line-up and schedule for the 2013 show. Dates for the following bands confirmed and dates for the following bands confirmed:
Wednesday 5/6: Candlemass, The Sweet, Vader, Bullet, Threshold, The Scams, Stacie Collins, Mårran, Sister Sin.
Thursday 6/6: Kiss, Amon Amarth, Status Quo, Five Finger Death Punch, Rick Springfield, Survivor, Devin Townsend Project, Raubtier, Huntress.
Friday 7/6: Europe, Saxon, Krokus, UFO, ASIA, At The Gates, Doro, Hardline, Amaranthe, Axxis, Crazy Lixx, Spiders, Martin Prahl's Skelter Wheel.
Saturday 8/6: Rush, Accept, Avantasia, Kreator, Skid Row, Pugh, Jon English, Satan, Ihsahn, Tankard, Heathen, Nine Below Zero, Leprous.
WebLink: www.swedenrock.com.
BILLBOARD AND NIELSEN ADD YOUTUBE VIEWS TO ITS PLATFORMS: Billboard and Nielsen announced today the addition of U.S. YouTube data to its platforms, which includes an update to the methodology for the Billboard Hot 100, the preeminent singles chart. The YouTube data is now factored into the chart's ranking, enhancing a formula that includes Nielsen's digital download track sales and physical singles sales; as well as terrestrial radio airplay, on-demand audio streaming, and online radio streaming, also tracked by Nielsen. Billboard is now incorporating all official videos on YouTube captured by Nielsen's streaming measurement, including Vevo on YouTube, and user-generated clips that utilize authorized audio into the Hot 100 and the Hot 100 formula-based genre charts – Hot Country Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, R&B Songs, Rap Songs, Hot Latin Songs, Hot Rock Songs and Dance/Electronic Songs – to further reflect the divergent platforms for music consumption in today's world. "The very definition of what it means to have a hit is ever-changing these days," says Bill Werde, Billboard's editorial director. "The Billboard charts are the ultimate measure of success in music, and they constantly evolve to reflect these new music experiences. When the charts launched over 70 years ago, a hit was defined as selling copies of a single or generating airplay. While those avenues are still viable, one needn't look any further than CeeLo, Gotye, PSY or now Baauer to know that a song can be a massive hit on YouTube alone."
The most notable YouTube-influenced title this week is viral sensation "Harlem Shake" by producer Baauer, which debuts at No. 1 on both the Hot 100 and Streaming Songs charts and jumps 12-1 on Dance/Electronic Songs with 103 million views, according to YouTube. According to Nielsen, the "Harlem Shake" arrival also benefits from viral video-influenced sales of 262,000 downloads. That sales sum alone, good for a No. 3 ranking on Hot Digital Songs, would have placed the title within the top 15 on the Hot 100 without the inclusion of YouTube views into the calculation.
Other YouTube-influenced highlights on the Hot 100 include Rihanna's "Stay" which jumps 57-3 and Drake's "Started From the Bottom" which soars 63-10. Videos for both songs were posted on YouTube during the tracking week, with Rihanna's title garnering 3.8 million views in the U.S. and Drake's "Started" earning 5.1 million. In addition, perennial YouTube favorite PSY rebounds 48-26 on the Hot 100 with "Gangnam Style" which adds another 3.7 million streams this week to its already impressive streaming total. "We're excited to join Billboard and Nielsen in sharing how YouTube's global stage helps fans discover new artists, and artists discover new audiences," said Robert Kyncl, Google's Vice President and Global Head of Content at YouTube. "From Bieber and Baauer to Macklemore and PSY, YouTube is proving to be a launchpad for both established artists and the next generation of music talent."
The inclusion of YouTube data comes nearly one year after Billboard and Nielsen launched the On-Demand Songs chart and added streaming data from leading on-demand subscription services such as Spotify, Muve Music, Rhapsody, Slacker, Rdio and Xbox Music to its chart and tracking offerings. "Nielsen is continually evolving our measurement to provide the most meaningful view of what music fans listen to and buy," said David Bakula, SVP Client Development & Analytics for Nielsen. "As digital continues to transform the music business, we recognize that YouTube is a preeminent destination for music consumption and we are pleased to include YouTube among our existing group of music streaming services." "The Billboard charts, especially the Hot 100, have always served to reflect the most popular songs in the country, based on the ways fans are consuming music," says Silvio Pietroluongo, Billboard's director of charts. "There is no denying the impact YouTube has today on music and popular culture. The inclusion of this type of interactive data to the formulas of the Hot 100, Streaming Songs and our many genre song charts is a perfect and natural complement to our varied data sources, assuring the Billboard charts are the most accurate gauge of song popularity."
In addition, YouTube data will also contribute to Billboard's Streaming Songs chart, launched last month, which blends all of the available streaming sources into one ranking.
The updated Hot 100, Hot 100-based genre charts and Streaming Songs chart will be available on Billboard.com and Billboard.biz today, and will be featured in the March 1 issue of Billboard magazine, which hits newsstands on February 23. The issue will feature Baauer on the cover, diving into his rise to mainstream with "Harlem Shake," while also looking into the business of how Brooklyn based company, INDMusic, monetized the millions of viral videos.
For more information on the Billboard charts, please visit: www.billboard.com/articles/news/1549388/baauers-harlem-shake-debuts-atop-revamped-hot-100 / www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/chart-alert/1549398/billboard-nielsen-add-youtube-video-streaming-to-its-platforms.
SKULL FEST NEBRASKA: Skull Fest in North Platte, Nebraska (10-18 & 10-19-13) are excited to announce Jack Russell of Great White and Phil Lewis of L.A.Guns will be both joining the party on Friday 10-18. They join already announced performers on Friday Enuff Z'nuff, Hurricane, Joel Ellis (the voice of Cats In Boots/ Heavy Bones), Gn'R tribute act Hollywood Roses and Paitsy Jenny. This is a two day event where seating is limited (750 per day). The Saturday list of performers include Kip Winger, Ted Poley, Ron Keel, Tango Down, Mass, Liberty N' Justice among others.
You can more info including the last 2 bands to be announced for this rocking concert event at: www.facebook.com/events/520949311290225/ or tikets can be purchased at: www.tickettailor.com/checkout/view-event/id/7187/chk/8b5e.
OLIVER WEERS JOINS GERMAN ROCKERS PUMP:
German heavy rockers PUMP have announced the addition of vocalist Oliver Weers (Oliver Weers Band, Ripe, D.I.M) to the group's their ranks. "Tear Down The Walls", a brand new song snippet with the new vocalist Oliver Weers can be viewed below: youtu.be/wu0m86ZG0O4.
Commented PUMP bassit Michael Vetter: "We had many candidates for the vacant position, among them a number of really good musicians, and having to reject them really wasn't easy. We want to thank all the applicants, thank you for your understanding and we wish you all lots of success in the future!"
Guitarist Aki Reissmann has to say: "We are extremely excited to announce and welcome Oliver Weers into the band as vocalist. Oliver has really been a breath of fresh air for us, and in the first week of jamming with him we were able to finish the recoding of the new album 'Waiting For The Rapture' soon. Oliver's voice adds new dimensions to our sound. Thanks for always supporting PUMP, and keep your ears open for hot news in 2013."
A photo of the new PUMP lineup can be seen below. Pictured below (left to right): Marcel "Selly" Bernhardt – Guitars, Andreas Minich – Drums, Oliver Weers – Vocals, Axel "Aki" Reissmann – Guitars, Michael Vetter – Bass.
WebLinks: www.pump-rocks.net / www.facebook.com/PumpBandpage / www.youtube.com/user/pumpstuff.
FREEDOM CALL - AGES OF LIGHT - BEST-OF ANNIVERSARY ALBUM OUT ON 29 APRIL:
15 years of Freedom Call, 15 years of top melodic metal with definite anthem potential: the German band surrounding vocalist/guitarist Chris Bay are set to release their anniversary offering, Ages Of Light, on 29 April 2013 (Germany: 26 April 2013, USA: 7 May 2013). Ages Of Light is a best-of double album full to the brim with the 18 most important songs from the band's history, plus a bonus CD entitled Masqueraded featuring six Freedom Call tracks in a new, unusual guise. The stylistic range includes folk, reggae, rockabilly, ska and swing, so get ready for a surprise!
Ages Of Light combines not only the essence of the best songs from the seven Freedom Call studio recordings to date, but also marks a meeting of various former and current band members. Along with Chris Bay and guitarist Lars Rettkowitz, three different drummers can be heard on the bonus tracks: founder member Dan Zimmermann, his successors Klaus Sperling, and Ramy Ali, whom fans know from the most recent Freedom Call tour. The two bassists, Samy Saemann and original band member Ilker Ersin, and guitarist Cede Dupont, who was part of Freedom Call between 2001 and 2005, are also featured.
"It was great fun to work with old and new friends alike at the studio, turning previously typical Freedom Call numbers into unusual songs," Chris Bay explains, stressing that the group will commence working on a new studio album after the tour in spring 2013: "But first we want to celebrate our anniversary in style!"
Tracklisting for "Ages Of Light" CD 1 "Ages Of Light" 1. We Are One 04:57 2. Tears Falling 05:39 3. Freedom Call 05:33 4. Farewell 04:06 5. Metal Invasion (live) 07:10 6. Warriors 04:20 7. Land Of Light 03:54 8. Hunting High And Low 04:02 9. Mr. Evil 03:43 10. Far Away 03:19 11. Blackened Sun 04:39 12. Thunder God 03:31 13. Tears Of Babylon 03:38 14. A Perfect Day (live) 03:57 15. Hero On Video 03:42 16. Power & Glory 03:25 17. Rockstars 04:57 18. Back Into The Land Of Light 05:11.
CD 2 "Masqueraded" 1. Metal Invasion - Metal Folk Version 04:13 2. Mr. Evil - Melodic Reggae Version 04:10 3. Hero on Video - Speed Ska Version 03:48 4. Rockin' Radio – Killerbilly Version 03:55 5. Freedom Call - Camp Fire Strumming Version 03:37 6. Age of the Phoenix - Power Swing Version 04:25.
WebLinks: www.freedom-call.net / www.spv.de.
DOOGIE WHITE & LA PAZ TO RELEASE THEIR SOPHOMORE ALBUM:
As previously announced, British band Doogie White & La Paz will release their sophomore album in late Spring. The album entitled "The Dark and The Light" is set to be released on May, 27th in Europe and June, 4th in USA. The drums and most of the bass guitar parts were recorded in Gorbals Sound in Glasgow. The guitars, additional bass parts and keyboards were recorded at The Farm owned by Chic McSherry, while the vocals will be recorded at Kinman Studio in London. Mixing was done again by Rolf Munkes at Empire Studios in Germany.Chic McSherry and Doogie White comment the writing and recording process:
Chic:"After 'Granite' was finished and released I went on holiday in Mexico, near La Paz actually. I was out on the Pacific Ocean for a few days and the constant thrum of the boat engine was just morphing into all sorts of noises and beats in my head. The beer probably contributed to that as well… When I got back from the trip the earworms just wouldn't go away so I eventually called Doogie and said 'I got some ideas man, I think I will make up a couple of demos.' To my surprise he immediately said 'Yeah – why not? Send them down when you're ready and I'll take a listen.' I started to record the basic framework ideas and emailed them to Doogie as I finished them, and he kept coming back and saying "Yep – that's good, what else you got?" Over 3 weeks I wrote 11 pieces of music, 10 of which have made it onto 'The Dark And The Light'. After Doogie and I had agreed which ones we would work on further, the demos then went to the other Flying La Paz Brothers and they immediately started adding their unique and distinctive styles and ideas to them to bring the final work together.
This is the real heart of the thing for me - I have no ambition to be judged amongst the virtuoso guitar players out there, many of whom Doogie has worked with and is still working with on other projects. I have no illusions about where I stand next to those guys, many of whom are my heroes! I have just been lucky enough to write a lot of songs with Doogie, songs that we both really enjoy and are proud of, and then we get to play them with the great musicians in La Paz. I guess that if you believe that music is an art form, you could think of me as the guy who makes the canvas upon which others can create some magic! 'Granite' was a great album for us to do, but in a lot of ways we were playing music that we already knew really well. This was much more of an exploration of new territories for everyone and we all have had SUCH a blast putting it together."
Doogie:"Chic is very driven, creatively and emotionally, and I get bored when I am not working. It therefore makes for the most wonderful combination for us to write songs together. I personally never thought that La Paz would never record another album. I knew we had at least another one in us. It's a natural thing we have. Chic knows, I know, and together we both know that between us we can write a song or two. Then when you add in the solid foundation of Big Al and Wee Paul it's all there. Of course 'Posh Boy' Andy has his part to play on the keyboards to make it really become La Paz. Chic's songs for this album have 'traditional' La Paz influences but we are older and more travelled and his ideas outwit the great traditions of what La Paz should sound like, shines a new light on the music we write. It was challenging for us both to write it, but we knew what we needed. For some people, a few of the songs may be challenging and unexpected, both musically and lyrically. But that's the joy of La Paz. We came from nothing and we may return to nothing but the road we ventured on has been so satisfying and creative. We may even send each other Christmas cards this year! I think we have made ourselves proud with this record. 'Granite ' was easier as it was taking old ideas and revamping them. Then we added some twists on the new songs. 'The Dark And The Light' is different but when all 5 of us are working together like that it fair brings a smile to one's face."
La Paz were formed in Lanarkshire, Scotland in the summer of 1984 by Chic McSherry (guitars), Doogie White (vocals) and Alex Carmichael (bass). At the first rehearsal together they hit it off immediately on a personal level - they also liked the same music and they had the same influences and heroes (Purple, Rainbow, Journey, Gary Moore) so they started to recruit other members to try to form a band and go do some gigs. Andy Mason (keyboards) joined the trio and he fitted in from the start, even though he was still at school when he joined. Drummers were always a problem and, over the life of the band, La Paz went through almost as many as Spinal Tap. Unquestionably the loudest and the most accomplished was/is their current drummer, Paul McManus. La Paz played live regularly, sometimes playing up to a hundred gigs in a year. They played the world-famous Marquee Club in London as well as at some festivals in Milton Keynes and they were featured regularly in Kerrang! (Derek Oliver becoming a big fan of the band) and attracted interest from a number of UK and US record companies, finally agreeing terms with one of them for a three album deal. But it was not to be - for reasons which were never explained by the record label the deal fell through at the very last minute. Sadly the band didn't survive for very long after that. They did their last gig on 15th October 1988 and then Doogie moved to London to join Midnite Blue, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Cornerstone, Yngwie Malmsteen and now the mighty Tank. And then legendary DJ Tom Russell of 96.3 Rock Radio called Doogie and asked him if he would do some acoustic numbers at The Garage in Glasgow for Rock Radio's Birthday Bash in January 2008. Doogie agreed and asked Chic to play guitar. It was a big ask after 20 years: almost 1000 people, Doogie singing alone and Chic with one flamenco guitar! "We had such a blast though and it woke up so many great memories in both of us that we decided to give it a go with the full band for my 50th birthday" said Chic. And so the full band started to rehearse and it was clear that they could still play a bit. The band just gelled: just like old times and the gigs were a terrific success. And so the idea of re-recording some of the favourites from the set that had never had a proper production job was conceived. The final result could be heard on the album "Granite" released in early 2012. It was an album with its roots in the past but its energy in the present. And today the band return with their sophomore album entitled "The Dark and The Light". Doogie White & La Paz on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LaPaz.rocks?fref=pb.
STATE COWS - ALBUM TEASER #6:
Teaser number six from our upcoming State Cows album is a song called Nineteen Eighty One - a pop-progressive number with an eighties flavor. Do you remember 1981? soundcloud.com/statecows/state-cows-nineteen-eighty-one. Enjoy and feel free to share with your friends! We are also proud to present some more great guest players for the upcoming album. Besides already mentioned Jay Graydon and Peter Friestedt, Bill Champlin, Michael Landau and Ian Bairnson (Alan Parsons Project) have done some amazing contributions to our songs!
WebLinks: www.statecows.com / www.facebook.com/statecows.
MRX UPDATE: MRX update this week features the following new features:
- The Snakes - Live In Europe
- Little America - At The Stone Pony, NJ
Plus the following new videos: Pretty Maids - Mother of All Lies, Tainted Nation - Loser, Great White - Hard to Say Goodbye, Code of Silence - Sky Is Falling Down, Eclipse - Wake Me Up, Diamond Dawn - Take Me Higher. MRX Membership Info.
CD Showcase - please note that the Great White Live showcase has been updated with the correct files. View.
STATION FIRE 10th ANNIVERSARY:
My apologies for not mentioning it on Wednesday, but February 20th was the 10th Anniversary of "The Station" Nightclub fire in West Warick Rhode Island in which 100 people were killed and hundreds injured.
I'm sure everyone's memories are as fresh as mine of this disaster. I knew personally some people that died that night, some that made it out ok and others that for whatever reason decided to skip that show that night. I just wanted to say that these folks are not forgotten and my thoughts and prayers stay with those that died that night or continue to live with the events of that night.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
FIREFEST 2013 PRESS RELEASE:
As you will know by now, 2013 will see staging of the Firefest 10th Anniversary Show from Friday October 18th to Sunday October 20th. Firefest has always endeavoured to something "that little bit special" from delivering the totally unexpected (F.M., White Sister, Romeo's Daughter, Shotgun Symphony, Paul Laine, Bangalore Choir etc.) to just doing something "cool" because we as fans like the sound of it. Having sold in excess of 50% of tickets for all three days a mere 2 months after the announcement of the 2013 line up, Firefest is absolutely delighted to be able to announce we are once again going to do something cool, just because we can. As a THANK YOU to all those that have supported Firefest since its inception ten years ago, we are adding yet another act to Friday October 18th with no increase in ticket price for those that have already purchased or those that are about to purchase. This was not planned, there was absolutely no intention to add another act until one of our great friends and supporters let it slip during a conversation that he would be available during the Firefest weekend instead of preparing for his touring commitments starting November 1st. Now considering the rest of his band mates were already going to be in attendance with their 'other' bands, we thought it would be downright rude not to invite him along to perform with them , so ladies and gentlemen we are delighted to announce that Mr. Jeff Scott Soto will perform with W.E.T. on Friday October 18th. Here is what Jeff had to say:
"10 Years...what can I say, Firefest, you did it! I was there with Soul SirkUS at the 1st FF and am proud to come celebrate the 10th Anniversary show with W.E.T.! Thanks Kieran, Bruce and all that keep this thing alive and kicking, we can't wait to return with all the other great bands this year!" ~ JSS.
So there you have it folks, W.E.T. added to the bill in what is without doubt a MUST SEE. Following their performance at Firefest 2011 where they absolutely took the roof off Rock City, no self-respecting fan of melodic hard rock will want to miss this.
The addition of W.E.T. to an already kick ass line up on the Friday (and remember – no increase in ticket price and all those that have already purchased) - this is a little present to you from Firefest and W.E.T.
Friday October 18th Line Up:
Harem Scarem
Dare
W.E.T.
Work Of Art
Eden's Curse
The Magnificent
Tickets are available and on sale, full details of how to purchase can be found on www.firefestofficial.com. Needless to say that tickets for the Friday show will now be one of the hottest items around, and with almost 60% of Friday tickets already sold, it is advisable to get yours sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment. This is the only W.E.T. show currently scheduled and will definitely be the only U.K. show during 2013.
We hope you enjoy the THANK YOU from Firefest, see you at the front.....
JOURNEY TO INFINITY: NEAL SCHON, GREGG ROLIE, STEVE PERRY REVEAL 1978 BREAKTHROUGH:
Dallas, TX - February 20, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands celebrates the 35th anniversary of Infinity, the make-or-break 4th album from San Francisco bay area rockers Journey. With Infinity came a new singer and songwriter to the mix, Steve Perry, whose natural frontman skills only further mapped the band's road to success.
Famed producer Roy Thomas Baker was added to the project helping turn "Wheel In The Sky", "Lights", "Feeling That Way" and "Anytime" into future FM radio gold. But as co-founder/guitarist Neal Schon explains to InTheStudio program host Redbeard, things were looking more than dire to that point. "I think that everybody's feeling at the time was, 'Look it, we're all starving to death', you know? And 'it's time we gotta start making a living at this' or I was going to have to get a job selling ladies shoes or something. We just decided, 'Well maybe we should look for a singer or something, maybe we need a frontman... We need something else for people to focus on to make this work."
The Journey Infinity/ InTheStudio interview is available now to STREAM at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/journey-infinity-35th-anniversary.
RONNIE JAMES DIO STAND UP AND SHOUT CANCER FUND UPDATE:
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 20, 2013 -- The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (Dio Cancer Fund) Board of Directors presented the T.J. Martell Foundation with $100,000 during the 5th Annual Wine Celebration Dinner in Los Angeles on Wednesday, February 6th. The contribution is part of a three-year pledge for gastric cancer research at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
Formed in honor of the legendary singer who lost his life to stomach cancer, The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable fund dedicated to support prostate, colon and stomach cancer research, raise awareness and educate the public with the focus that early detection and prevention is of vital importance when dealing with this deadly disease that robs families of its loved ones. Wendy Dio, President and Founder of the Cancer Fund, made the check presentation to the T.J. Martell Foundation's CEO Laura Heatherly, saying, "After my husband, Ronnie James Dio passed away from Gastric Cancer, I made a promise to him to raise funds for cancer research and education and I formed the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund. Two and a half years ago we pledged $300,000 to the T.J. Martell Foundation and with our recent donation of $100,000 we have met our pledge. We intend to continue to raise funds for cancer research and hope one day we can find a cure for this horrible disease." "We have a special partnership with Wendy Dio and the Board of Directors of the Ronnie James Dio Cancer Fund," said Laura Heatherly. "Both groups are working hard to do what we can to fund important cancer research that will eventually turn into drug discoveries and clinical trials which ultimately may save someone's life."
With the support of the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, Vanderbilt has established a collaborative research environment with some of the leading gastric cancer researchers in the world including Pelayo Correa, M.D., Richard Peek Jr., M.D., James R. Goldenring, M.D., Ph.D., Robert J. Coffey, M.D., Wael El-Rifai, M.D., Ph.D., and Stephen Fesik, Ph.D. These key investigators have made seminal discoveries on the causes of gastric cancer and are using these discoveries to find new therapies.
A WORLD WITH HEROES - A 40TH ANNIVERSARY KISS TRIBUTE:
A World With Heroes (40th Anniversary Kiss tribute) with all profits going to benefit a cancer care hospice. KISS songs from every era will be represented. All basic tracks will be recorded by Eric Brittingham (bass - Cinderella) , Jeff LaBar (guitars - Cinderella) and Troy Lucketta (drums - Tesla). Vocalists and other artists that will contribute to the CD include: Terry Ilious (Great White), Bumblefoot (GNR), Russ Dwarf (The Killer Dwarfs), Ron Young (Little Caesar), Doug Alrich (Whitesnake), Rex Brown (Pantera, Kill Devil Hill), Dery Grehan (Honeymoon Suite), Bill Leverty (Firehouse), Mark Slaughter (Slaughter), Phil Lewis (LA GUNS), Doro and Sean Kelly (Nelly Furtado's band & Helix). With more to be announced shortly. KISS 40th Anniversary Tribute album for cancer care: www.pledgemusic.com/projects/kiss40thtribute.
EDENBRIDGE SIGNS NEW DEAL WITH SPV / STEAMHAMMER FOR JUNE ALBUM RELEASE:
Austrian Symphonic Metal Band Edenbridge signed a new worldwide deal with German based company SPV / Steamhammer. Bandleader and composer Lanvall comments: "We are extremely happy and proud to be part of the SPV family. After several months of meetings we feel that the title of our new album "The Bonding" fits perfectly into our new home. Our fans should expect a new album filled with emotional and powerful music and a mystical artwork which will form a unity with the message of the album."
A&R Steamhammer Olly Hahn adds: "Edenbridge were always a band way ahead and I´m happy that they decided to join the SPV family. Together we will create some exciting things for the new album which will present the band in a light which they deserve!"
The new album "The Bonding" will be released on June 21st in Germany, June 24th in Europe and in the US/Canada on July 2nd. It will be available as a limited edition ecol book with a bonus CD and some exciting extras, double gatefold colored vinyl with printed inner sleeves, jewel case version and download.
For more information: www.edenbridge.org / www.spv.de.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
2013 TO BRING THREE MORE RELEASES FROM JEFF LYNNE AND ELO AS PART OF ELO'S 40th ANNIVERSARY:
Just as the third quarter of 2012 brought three exciting works from Jeff Lynne--his second solo album Long Wave, the freshly recorded Mr. Blue Sky–The Very Best Of Electric Light Orchestra and the illuminating documentary "Mr. Blue Sky: The Story of Jeff Lynne and ELO"--2013 will be marked by more treats from the creative force of ELO and one of rock's most iconic figures.
On April 19 in Europe (April 22 in the UK) and April 23 in North America, Frontiers Records will release three albums: Electric Light Orchestra Live and two reissues, ELO's Zoom (remastered and including a brand new track) and his debut solo album Armchair Theatre (also remastered, with two new brand new tracks). It's all part of the 40th Anniversary of ELO, who've sold 50 million-plus records worldwide. These releases will all feature new packaging and the LIVE CD will come in a special ecolbook edition.
Electric Light Orchestra Live hasn't been issued as an album until now. Taken from a 2001 performance for a PBS television special in Los Angeles at CBS Television City, the music was released as a DVD that year. The new hits-packed CD offers fans four tracks that weren't on the DVD ("Secret Messages," "Sweet Talkin' Woman," "Twilight," and "Confusion") as well as two new, unreleased studio tracks, "Out of Luck" (recorded in 2010) and "Cold Feet" (recorded in 1992). Although the singularly accomplished British singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer has always preferred the creative experience of the recording studio, he is a compelling performer who's always figured out ways to bring his distinctive widescreen musical universe to life onstage when he needed to.
ELO's Zoom--unavailable for over 10 years--has been remastered and features a brand new track, "One Day" (recorded in 2004) as an added bonus, along with a live version of "Turn To Stone" from 2001's Zoom special on PBS. At the time of its original release in 2001, Lynne hadn't issued an ELO album since 1986's Balance of Power. He called upon notable friends for a little help, enlisting contributions from longtime ELO member Richard Tandy as well as good friends George Harrison and Ringo Starr. The result is an album rich in that distinct ELO sound--classic Lynne melodies and songwriting, foot-stomping rock anthems and sweet, sexy strings.
Lynne's first solo album, 1990's Armchair Theatre, is a melting pot of different styles and influences featuring unexpected collaborations with Lynne's heroes and close friends, including Tom Petty, Richard Tandy and George Harrison. This reissue, unavailable for the last decade, includes two previously unreleased bonus tracks, "Borderline" and "Forecast" (both recorded in 1989). Interestingly, the album also features a few notable covers--"Don't Let Go," "Stormy Weather" and "September Song"--that demonstrated Lynne's flair for covers two decades before the release of 2012's acclaimed Long Wave. Suitably, the core of the album is Lynne himself, though he also left room for the contributions of a few friends and fellow travelers. Harrison contributed guitars and vocals on a number of tracks. Petty co-wrote "Blown Away," a gorgeously romantic ballad. Longtime ELO band member Richard Tandy also contributed on keyboards and other instruments. Armchair Theatre captures the musical genius of Jeff Lynne when--perhaps more than ever before--the world was his stage.
Outside of the success of ELO, Lynne has led a remarkable career producing and collaborating with many of the greatest musical artists of all time. They include a number of Lynne's all-time heroes like Roy Orbison, Del Shannon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and remarkably, even the Beatles themselves, as well as contemporaries like Tom Petty and Joe Walsh, whose new album Analog Man Lynne recently produced some tracks for. Together with Harrison, Orbison, Petty and Bob Dylan, Lynne was, of course, a member of the Grammy award-winning Traveling Wilburys--a super group like no other. "I've been in love with music since I was probably just five years old," says LYNNE. "I was mad for music then--and I still am today."
Track listings:
Electric Light Orchestra Live: Evil Woman, Showdown, Secret Messages, Livin' Thing, Sweet Talkin' Woman, Mr. Blue Sky, Can't Get It Out Of My Head, Twilight, Confusion, Don't Bring Me Down, Roll Over Beethoven, Out of Luck (Bonus), Cold Feet (Bonus)
Zoom: Alright, Moment in Paradise, State of Mind, Just for Love, Stranger on a Quiet Street, In My Own Time, Easy Money, It Really Doesn't Matter, Ordinary Dream, A Long Time Gone, Melting in the Sun, All She Wanted, Lonesome Lullaby, One Day (Bonus), Turn to Stone (Live From CBS Television City) (Bonus)
Armchair Theatre: Every Little Thing, Don't Let Go, Lift Me Up, Nobody Home, September Song, Now You're Gone, Don't Say Goodbye, What Would It Take, Stormy Weather, Blown Away, Save Me Now, Borderline (Bonus), Forecast (Bonus)
WebLinks: www.elo.biz / www.frontiers.it.
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TORA TORA RELEASES LIMITED EDITION PACK IN HONOR OF ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY: Tora Tora is releasing an extremely limited and rare "Super Fan Package" in honor of its 25th Anniversary together as a band. The band has decided to offer up only 100 total packages ever making it one of the most limited "Hard Rock" fan packages on the market. The Tora Tora 25th Anniversary fan package will include the following items: (1) Tora Tora – To Rock To Roll CD (true to the original indie cassette that was released 25 years ago in a limited run of 500 cassettes) (2) Tora Tora Limited Edition 25th Anniversary T-shirt (exclusive to this package) (3) Tora Tora Limited Edition 25th Anniversary Bandana (exclusive to this package) (4) Tora Tora embroidered ball cap (5) three Tora Tora Limited Edition 25th Anniversary guitar pics. Additionally, each of the lucky 100 fans to buy this "Super Fan Package" will also be entered into a contest to win an autographed guitar signed by the entire band (see below).
Just over 25 years ago, hard-working, blue collar hard rock band Tora Tora were on a high after winning a 'Battle of the Bands' contest giving them the opportunity to record and release their very own independent album. The end result was an album entitled To Rock To Roll. While the look of the indie cassette was very amateurish, the music was undeniably representative of a band that had what it would take to run with the 'Big Dogs'…and the major labels did come calling. This led to the band being signed by A&M Records and the release of a very-well respected album entitled Surprise Attack, which in turn led to MTV Music videos, tons of radio airplay, and national tours. The band received praise from the fans and press alike allowing them to come off the road and head right back into the studio to record their sophomore effort, Wild America, which led to even more music videos and touring. It was 1993, and Tora Tora was a band with momentum set forth to start recordings for what would be a third effort entitled Revolution Day. However, unbeknownst to most hard rock enthusiasts, a new scene ("Grunnge") was brewing and the bottom of the hard rock world fell out from underneath countless bands of the same ilk. Revolution Day would never see the light of day until almost two decades later when FnA Records (www.fnarecords.net) teamed up with Tora Tora to release a handful of never-before-heard Tora Tora recordings.
This "Super Fan Pack" harkens back to the album that got the whole thing started. Tora Tora has graciously allowed for 100, and 100 only, exact replicas of the To Rock To Roll album to be produced, and have vowed that they will never remanufacture To Rock To Roll again. The artwork is true in every way to that of the indie cassette release which featured original versions of the songs "Phantom Rider" and "Love's A Bitch". This limited edition CD also contains three other tracks from the To Rock To Roll album: "Wasted Love", "To Rock To Roll", and "Time On the Edge". Each of the hundred CD's are autographed by all of the original members (Anthony Corder, Keith Douglas, Patrick Francis, and John Patterson) and individually numbered through an imprinted hologram security sticker that guarantees its authenticity. All the other items are available only as part of this package and are not being sold individually.
Although this package is extremely limited and will sell out quickly, fear not as the music from To Rock To Roll is also available on the 2010 FnA Records release Before & After. Also included on Before & After is an original recording of the popular hit "Walkin' Shoes" and four demos written for the Revolution Day sessions. If you haven't had the opportunity, be sure to pick up the other Tora Tora releases on FnA Records. In addition to Before & After, is the album Bombs Away (which features 11 tracks written during the Surprise Attack sessions) and Miss B' Havin' (which features 13 tracks written during the Wild America sessions), and the heavily sought after third recording Revolution Day featuring memorable tracks like "Mississippi Voodoo Child", "Candle and the Stone", "Rescue Me", and a handful of other true-to-form Tora Tora classic sounding album tracks.
Tora Tora is truly one of those bands that has stood the test of time. They have managed to do what most of their fellow bands have not been able to do, and that is keep all the original members together (and on friendly terms) for over two-and-a-half decades. The band still gets out and does the occasional live performance; infact this year – the band is looking at playing a few gigs in the U.S. and in Canada. Make sure to stay tuned for what this band has on the horizon.
For More Information about Tora Tora, please contact FNA Records: www.fnarecords.net.
Tora Tora 25th Anniversary fan package includes:
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ROCKVILLE II SET TO GET STANDALONE RELEASE:
With their new album Rockville due out 11th March, FM are pleased to announce that due to the amount of interest generated in Rockville II, this album will now also get a standalone release via Riff City Records on 25th March 2013. Originally only available as part of a two-CD Rockville package via the FM PledgeMusic campaign, Rockville II features ten new recordings, nine of which are new songs. The album also includes a new version of the song "High" which was originally recorded by Steve Overland and Pete Jupp for the So! album Brass Monkey. "We love this song and we wanted to give it the FM treatment!" says bassist Merv Goldsworthy.
Rockville and Rockville II will both be available from the merchandise stand on FM's March tour and from the FM webshop and all good record stores and internet retailers from release date.
Full Track listings: Rockville - Out 11 March 2013 - Tough Love / Wake Up The World / Only Foolin' / Crave / Show Me The Way / My Love Bleeds / Story Of My Life / Better Late Than Never / Crosstown Train / Goodbye Yesterday / High Cost Of Loving.
Rockville II - Out 25 March 2013 - High / Bad Addiction / Guilty / Desolation Station / Runaway Train / Living For The Weekend / Forever And A Day / Paradise Highway / Brother Take Me Home / Last Chance Saloon.
ANVIL'S "HOPE IN HELL" OUT ON 27 MAY 2013 IN EUROPE:
Two years after their current release Juggernaut Of Justice, Canadian cult metal act Anvil are back with their latest studio album. Hope In Hell, an impressive metal recording featuring 13 haunting songs, has been scheduled for release on 27 May 2013 in Europe an 24 May 2013 in Germany on SPV / Steamhammer and will be available in four different formats: as a limited-edition Digipak including 2 bonus tracks, as a jewel case CD, double gatefold colored vinyl LP and as download. These are the first cuts featuring Anvil's new bassist Sal Italiano, who joined the band a year ago. "We're really happy with Sal, his style is powerful and amazingly imaginative. It's a little as if we'd enlisted Steve Harris," enthuses guitarist/vocalist Steve 'Lips' Kudlow, who composed the whole album together with drums legend Robb Reiner.
Hope In Hell was written and recorded following an 18-month world tour which took Anvil around the globe. "We hadn't expected this kind of extensive tour when we brought out Juggernaut Of Justice," Kudlow confesses. "Time just flew by. I could hardly believe it when I found myself in the studio again after the tour, ready to work on the next album. The reactions to Juggernaut Of Justice and the shows had been so positive that we had plenty of ideas and inspiration for new material."
Kudlow promises the kind of album that Anvil fans will love: no concessions to short-lived trends, no modern frills but traditional metal with lots of classic rock music elements. "What we do is totally timeless," says Anvil's frontman. "We've never tried to change our sound or experiment with trends and fashions. We live in our own world and have maintained our individuality and own identity." Like Juggernaut Of Justice, Hope In Hell was produced by Bob Marlette (Black Sabbath, Airbourne, Alice Cooper) at the NRG Recording studios in North Hollywood, California, and brilliantly mastered by Maor Appelbaum (Malmsteen, Sepultura).
Photo from left to right: Sal Italiano (bass), Lips (guitar, vocals), Robb Reiner (drums). Photo credit: Grant Yoshino.
WebLinks: www.anvilmetal.com / www.spv.de.
STYX DRUMMER WEIGHS IN ON GUITARIST ADRIAN GALYSH's CROWD FUNDING PROJECT: STYX drummer, Todd Sucherman, weighs in on melodic instrumental rock guitarist Adrian Galysh's crowd funding project, in this video which also contains exclusive studio footage: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke8RXonZomk.
Adrian Galysh is crowd funding his fourth solo release, Tone Poet, through RocketHub.com. In exchange for goods like MP3s, CDs, autographed items, online guitar lessons, Galysh's instructional guitar book, and even an 'Adrian Galysh Signature C90F electric guitar, supporters can fund the completion of Tone Poet. Anyone in the world can contribute!
Tone Poet includes 11 tracks featuring a fusion of hard rock, sweeping orchestral works, and world music. His tasteful guitar work and compositional style will be complemented by Mark Boals' (Yngwie Malmsteen, Royal Hunt) vocals, and grooves by world-class drummer, Todd Sucherman (STYX).
Fans can show their support and reap the rewards here: www.rockethub.com/projects/16951-adrian-galysh-s-tone-poet-is-possible-with-your-support.
CD SHOWCASE UPDATE:
Big CD Showcase update today. Added to the site for previewing is the latest releases from Frontiers Records - Player, Diamond Dawn & Great White (all due out next week); the anticipated brand new N.O.W. album (Escape Music, March 22 release); the 3 upcoming releases for Frontiers - Stryper, Sebastian Bach, Pretty Maids, De La Cruz (all due March 22). Also added is a new release from Swedish rockers Jeerk - a band taking the indie route, so give them some love. Check out all showcases now.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
THE LAND OF NEW HOPE: "The new Metal Opera" - out May 2013 on Frontiers Records.
RAGE OF ANGELS VIDEO DEBUT:
I am pleased to be able to exclusively deliver the first video of the first single from the first album from Rage Of Angels! The song Over And Over features Tyketto frontman Danny Vaughn on vocals and can be seen right now below and via the MelodicRock.com YouTube channel: .
ADRENALIN MOB BACK WITH SECOND EP:
Melodic metallers Adrenalin Mob will release a new EP Coverta March 12 featuring 7 interesting 'rocked up' covers. They are: 1. Highwire (Badlands), 2. Kill the King (Rainbow), 3. Lemon Song (Led Zeppelin), 4. Stand Up and Shout (Dio), 5. Barracuda (Heart), 6. Break on Through (The Doors), 7. Romeo's Delight (Van Halen).
MELODIC BRIEFS:
New Jersey hard rockers Rivera Bomma featuring Symphony X's Mike LePond have released their new album Infinite Journey of Soul. Released by Retroactive Records on January 21. "Infinite Journey of Soul" has been getting great reviews worldwide by fans & media. To Preview, Buy Album & Mp3 visit www.cdbaby.com/cd/riverabomba. Check out The New Video Single "Empty Desire" www.youtube.com/watch?v=nevmUs1Ykpo.
Chris Tsangarides will be the producer of PnG's new CD. Persona non Grata is very proud to announce a major collaboration with the Grammy nominated producer Chris Tsangarides (from Helloween, Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest's Painkiller to the Tygers of Pan Tang and the poppier Tigertailz, Billy Ocean and Depeche Mode). The third CD of the band will be recorded mixed and produced at Chris studios seated in UK early this summer. For more info: www.personanongrata.info.
Just a few days to go until Swedish Rock n Rollers Psychopunch will release their new album Smakk Valley. Release date for Europe will be February 25. Interview teaser: youtu.be/JwjSzACaRW4.
A CANADIAN GEEK-CAST:
The Decibel Geek Podcast has released an interview with Johnnie Dee and Derry Grehan from Canadian rockers Honeymoon Suite. The Canadian Decibel Geeks, Wally Norton and Rich Dillon sat down with the lead vocalist and guitar player a few hours before they rocked the packed house at Toronto's Rockpile.
Included in the interview are thoughts on touring in today's musical climate, musical influences, how the band earned their stripes playing the clubs in the 80's and working with some high profile record producers. Direct link to the interview: dbgeekshow.blogspot.ca/2013/02/honeymoon-suite-feel-it-again.html.
Monday, February 18, 2013
VAN HALEN IN ONE-OFF AUSSIE FESTIVAL APPEARANCE:
In David Lee Roth's little Rolling Stone 'behind the scenes with Van Halen' expose, he neglected to mention a pending trip to Australia! Sadly the event is a one-off festival appearance in Sydney. At a mere $180 pp/pd. Here's the blurb:
From: Yahoo.com"Billy Joel and Van Halen have been confirmed to headline Australia's newest rock festival that is sure to shake the foundations of Sydney's ANZ stadium. Organisers announced the international lineup for the brand new Stone Music Festival in April on Sunday. Van Halen's inclusion will see the band's original members return to Australia for the first time in a quarter of a century and frontman David Lee Roth says festival goers can expect a playlist reflecting their heavy metal roots, it's `flamboyant' pop tunes and a number of tracks from their 2012 album A Different Kind of Truth. "We are one of the few acts that could open for a Jimmy Buffett on one night and play with Metallica on the other and still move with alarming credibility," Roth told Fairfax. Supporting Van Halen and Joel on the festival bill over the Anzac day weekend will also be an array of legendary international and Australian rock acts, including Lifehouse, Kings of Chaos, Richie Ramone, Buckcherry and Illumination Band. The Australian acts are still to be announced.
The Stone Music Festival takes its name and its attitude from the iconic 1974 Ozploitation biker flick, STONE. A special directors cut of the film will be shown each day of the festival. A commemorative motorcycle ride and hot rod show will also feature over the two-day event.
Tickets go on sale from 12 noon (AEDT) on February 21. Pre-sale tickets for Visa, Ticketek and ANZ Stadium members will be available from February 18.
Also in the lineup is the rck supergroup Kings Of Chaos, featuring within its ranks Matt Sorum, Duff McKagen, Gilby Clarke, Joe Elliott, Glenn Hughes, Seb Bach and Steve Stevens.
Other bands include Baby Animals, Buckcherry, The Living End and more... Billy Joel headlines the second day of the festival April 20 and 21.
WebSite: www.stonemusicfest.com.
220 VOLT UNVEILS NEW LINEUP:
Veteran Swedish hard rockers 220 Volt have announced the addition of singer Anders Engberg (Therion, Lion's Share) to the group's ranks. The band's current line is completed by founding members Thomas Drevin and Mats Karlsson on guitar, returning drummer Peter Hermansson and Mike Krusenberg on bass. "The time is right," says Karlsson in a statement. "2013 will be great for us, things are moving in the right direction again, forward that is. We're letting people hear a few samples of our new demos, and we hope to be releasing new music in the next few months, but a full album will not be out until late this year." 220 Volt describes its new songs as "as classic hard rock/metal — a bit harder than before, but still melodic." Sony/BMG has just reissued 220 Volt's first five albums ("220 Volt", "Power Games", "Mind Over Muscle", "Young And Wild", "Eye To Eye") digitally with some bonus tracks added on to the "Power Games" and "Eye To Eye" LPs. They are now available on iTunes, Spotify and similar platforms, though it may still be a few weeks before they are released in the U.S.
2013 marks the 30th Anniversary of 220 Volt's self-titled first LP and the 25th anniversary of their landmark effort, "Eye To Eye". The band recently released short stories on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/pages/220-Volt/359383687415864) about the recordings of each of their albums.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH PINK CREAM 69, ROBIN McAULEY: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 17th February 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 18th February 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) featured exclusive interviews with Pink Cream 69 bassist Dennis Ward, former McAuley Schenker Group vocalist Robin McAuley and guitarist/vocalist Lenny B of rising German thrashers Dust Bolt and is available now for streaming at this link: www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-pink-cream-69-robin-mcauley-and-dust-bolt-interviews/
In the first hour, Pink Cream 69 bassist Dennis Ward discusses the band's return to action after a 6 year break, and chooses tracks from their new album "Ceremonial". And Lenny B, guitarist / vocalist of rising young German Thrash metal crew Dust Bolt talks about their new album' "Violent Demolition".
And in the second half of the show, former McAuley Schenker Group vocalist Robin McAuley (Grand Prix, Far Corporation) talks about his enduring partnership with legendary guitar hero Michael Schenker, and traces the history of the McAuley Schenker Group with a selection of tracks from the recently reissued albums "Perfect Timing", "MSG" and "Unplugged Live" (available from www.cherryred.co.uk)
The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from Black Sabbath, Lordi, 38 Special, Edge, Wild Horses, Psychopunch, Huw Lloyd-Langton and more.
MELODIC BRIEFS: House of Shakira is right now working on a new studio album. On the subject of HoS, here's a clip/teaser from last summer when the band opened for Legends - Voices of Rock in Stockholm: youtu.be/-F7jkTHwW6o.
DON MANCUSO DEPARTS THE LOU GRAMM LINEUP:
News from Canadian guitarist Don Mancuso: "As most of you know The Lou Gramm Band has been retired and the the new term is Lou Gramm, so this isn't really new. On the other hand things are changing! I wanted to let all of you know that I will not be appearing live with Lou as of this week. We have decided to part ways. Best of luck to Mike Staretow. I'm sure he'll do a fine job! As for me I will be continuing to do what I've always done with, or without Lou. Playing, writing, producing and recording. I will be putting more time into my other projects and the new ones that usually come up that normally I wouldn't be able to commit to. Should be fun! I'm actually looking forward to the change.
On another note.. I've also partnered with my good friend Rob Sewar as a part owner in his studio and will be producing and engineering there as well. Great place to do "Live Recordings"!! Remember those? LOL!! DDRIVE will be doing our next full length CD there. Perfect place to do it..."
JOURNEY DOCUMENTARY HITS CINEMAS NEXT MONTH:
The new documentary Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey tells the story of Arnel Pineda, a Filipino singer who rose from a YouTube sensation to the frontman of Journey. Directed by Ramona S. Diaz, the film chronicles the challenges Pineda faced before he joined the band in 2007, as well as his efforts to fill the shoes of the band's much-beloved frontman, Steve Perry, and embark on a massive world tour. Now you can check out this exclusive clip in which Pineda meets Jason Scheff – who replaced Peter Cetera as Chicago's bassist in 1985 – and the two bust out an impressive, spontaneous duet of Chicago's "Will You Still Love Me?"
In cinemas from March 8.
Read more: www.rollingstone.com/music/videos.
Friday, February 15, 2013
WHITESNAKE TO RELEASE NEW DVD/LIVE CD PACKAGE: "MADE IN JAPAN" IN APRIL: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of legendary rock band Whitesnake's new DVD/live CD package, Made In Japan. Made In Japan is set for release on April 19 in Europe (22 in the UK) and April 23 in North America and will be available in several formats: a deluxe 2CD/DVD edition, Blu-ray and a standalone DVD. The performance footage is shot in stunning HD in 5.1 and stereo and is taken from Whitesnake's co-headlining set at the "Loud Park" festival on October 11, 2011 held at Saitama Super Arena in Japan during their "Forevermore World Tour." The performance was initially recorded only for Japanese TV and future Loud Park promotions, but after three songs were broadcasted on a Loud Park highlights program in Japan, Whitesnake received unprecedented requests for this performance to be made available to the general public.
Made In Japan contains songs from Whitesnake's most recent studio album, Forevermore, as well as classic hits such as "Is This Love," "Still Of The Night" and "Here I Go Again." The bonus CD also includes never-before-heard outtakes and acoustic versions of material from the award winning Forevermore album that were recorded during soundchecks on the 2011 Japanese tour.. Additional DVD content includes various band photo slideshows and fan-shot videos. Please see below for the full content listing.
Formed in 1977, and steered by the legendary David Coverdale, Whitesnake carry a rightful reputation as one of the world's leading rock bands. Coverdale's blues roots, combined with a feral sense of rock and roll, have consistently shaped the 'Snake's sound along with Coverdale's love and appreciation of impeccable musicianship. Whitesnake's ascent to the very top of the rock n' roll heap was confirmed with 1987's self-titled mega-platinum album, which saw two massive Top 10 hits, two #1 singles with "Here I Go Again" and "Is This Love" and a virtual 24-hour domination of MTV around the world. David Coverdale was recently named one of Revolver's "100 Greatest Living Rock Stars." and the UK's 'Kerrang!' voted David Coverdale the 'Last Great Rock Star'. Musicians on Made In Japan include David Coverdale (vocals), Doug Aldrich (guitars), Reb Beach (guitars), Michael Devin (bass), Briian Tichy (drums) and special guest Brian Ruedy (keyboards).
Made In Japan track listing: CD1 - Best Years; Give Me All Your Love Tonight; Love Ain't No Stranger; Is This Love; Steal Your Heart Away; Forevermore; Six String Showdown; Love Will Set You Free; Drum Solo; Fool For Your Loving; Here I Go Again; Still Of The Night.
Bonus CD 2 – Soundcheck - Love Will Set You Free; Steal Your Heart Away; Fare Thee Well (Acoustic Version); One Of These Days (Acoustic Version); Lay Down Your Love; Evil Ways; Good To Be Bad (Acoustic Version); Tell Me How (Acoustic Version).
DVD / Blu-Ray contents - Best Years; Give Me All Your Love Tonight; Love Ain't No Stranger; Is This Love; Steal Your Heart Away; Forevermore; Six String Showdown; Love Will Set You Free; Drum Solo; Fool For Your Loving; Here I Go Again; Still Of The Night. / Fan Videos For Forevermore and Steal Your Heart Away.
For more information, please visit: www.whitesnake.com / www.facebook.com/Whitesnake.official / www.twitter.com/davidcoverdale / www.frontiers.it.
xx
DIAMOND DAWN VIDEO TOPS 100,00 VIEWS: Diamond Dawn official debut videoclip for the song Take Me Higher taken from the forthcoming album "Overdrive" has crossed 100,000 hits on YouTube! Enjoy the clip again by clicking on the image below. "Take Me Higher" is taken from the album "Overdrive" out on Frontiers Records. Release dates: Europe: February 22nd / North America: February 26th
For more info: www.frontiers.it / www.frontiers.it/usstore.
SILENT OPERA GET NEW VOCALIST:
Italian symphonic metal band Silent Opera announced that Francesca Zaff is their new singer, enlisted Alex Lombardi as second guitarist and released the new video for the single "Symphony Of Time". Watch the new video: youtu.be/ZmApc6qJyMc.
The band has to say: "After ups and downs, we are happy to present Francesca Zaff as our new singer today and Alex Lombardi on guitars. The new concept of the band doesn't require some alter-ego figures to create a story; that's why the real names of the members are going to be used for now." Silent Opera working heavily on a new album, the new songs are going to be more aggressive, but theatrical, and more voices and chorus are going to be implemented. Silent Opera are: Francesca Zaff (vocals), Marco Clari (guitars), Loris Volcizzi (drums), Andrea Pin (bass), Alex Lombardi (guitars). Silent Opera's music is ageless symphonic metal, traversing the terrain between the rhapsodic romance of Mother Earth/Silent Force-era Within Temptation, the dynamic drama of Nightwish and the theatrical thrill of Phantom Of The Opera.
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/Silentoperaitaly / www.silentopera.it.
JACKSON BROWNE CAREER RETROSPECTIVE INTERVIEW ON INTHESTUDIO.NET:
Dallas,TX- February 14, 2013. InTheStudio.NET, the web home for North American syndicated Rock radio show InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands gets a full retrospective from the Topanga Canyon troubadour himself, Jackson Browne. Along with James Taylor and Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne became the template for the post-Dylan singer/ songwriter. While still a teenager, others including The Byrds, ex-Velvet Underground singer Nico, and Linda Ronstadt all covered Jackson Browne songs. Despite popular myth, it was Jackson Browne who was discovered and signed by David Geffen's Asylum Records before the Eagles, and he even co-wrote their first single "Take It Easy". Jackson Browne placed no less than three albums on Rolling Stone's Top 500 albums of all-time and was elected into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame. Yet the Hall of Fame honors almost preceded Browne's first ever proper career anthology. After resisting several overtures from his record company over the last 30 years, Jackson Browne finally relented and authorized an impressive 'Very Best of' double disc set in 2004. Jackson Browne explains the change of heart to InTheStudio host Redbeard. "I finally thought this was a good time to do this... New people can come to your music easier than if they have to go through 11 CDs to find your best stuff... I think that my career has lasted long enough to be able to say,' This is the body of my work' . I like buying hits
packages and accessing the best of something I already know."
STREAM the full two part interview with Jackson Browne about his entire career this month as part of InTheStudio's Medium Rare online-only series: www.inthestudio.net/online-only-interviews/jackson-browne-very-pt-1 / www.inthestudio.net/online-only-interviews/jackson-browne-very-pt-2.
HARDROCK HAVEN CELEBRATES 10 YEARS ONLINE:
Although founded and first published online in 2001, Hardrock Haven (www.hardrockhaven.net) initially was more of a concept than a full-fledged, multi-faceted website. John and Kathy Kindred started the site, and when Derric Miller joined Hardrock Haven in 2003, the team worked together on a vision to create a website that covered the globe and all of the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal that it had to offer. This was not a U.S.-focused website. With writers all over the world and label and band relations from Canada to Italy, from England to Australia, from South America to Russia … Hardrock Haven had you covered. On Jan. 26, 2003, Hardrock Haven landed the long-standing URL www.hardrockhaven.net.
As of the release date of this press release, Alexa.com rankings show that Hardrock Haven is a top 762k-global website and a top-210k United States' website.
With John's technological background, the website continually evolved over the next decade, with a user interface consistently becoming more intuitive, with quicker loading times and enhanced search analytics that made Hardrock Haven updates and content easier to find.
Kathy and Derric, both, are trained journalists. Their focus with editing and writing reviews (book, concert, album, etc.) and interviews is with strict adherence to Associated Press Style Guidelines, which means Hardrock Haven's content matches industry standards at all levels.
To read staff interviews, quotes from musicians/artists/PR firms/managers/labels/etc. that Hardrock Haven has worked with over the years, listen to three Hardrock Haven theme songs, and even more, go to hardrockhaven.net/online/10-years-of-hardrock-haven-2003-2013.
MRX UPDATED: MRX has been updated with a few old favourites by request. They are:
- Starship - Live USA 1986
- Sammy Hagar - Unplugged In Boston
- Bon Jovi - Live & Rare
- Damn Yankees - Live In Tokyo 1993
- Foreigner - House Of Blues Hollywood 1995 MRX Membership Details.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
MELODIC ROCK FEST 3 - CONFIRMED AND LOCKED IN:
I am very excited to confirm that MelodicRockFest 3 has a full GREEN light and will take place in Chicago over a full weekend of serious rock n roll - Friday September 27th, Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th, 2013!
The weekend will include 3 days: Friday – All acoustic night
Saturday – Midday till midnight
Sunday – Midday till late
Hosting the weekend festivities will be the very fabulous and newly opened H.O.M.E. Bar Chicago in Arlington Heights (close to O'Hare Airport) www.homebarchicago.com.
The lineup is just about fully confirmed and locked down, just a few tweaks needed before the full announcement will be made in a week or so. Stay tuned for the exact timing of that. Also to be announced alongside the lineup will be ticket pricing, weekend VIP packages and some special Meet & Greet options. For those content to hang in the spacious event room, there will be plenty of roaming around by the artists gathered for the weekend.
The H.O.M.E. Bar is also "home" to a great sports bar, with a full restaurant to keep everyone satisfied during the event. There will be several vendors on site selling some cool music and merch and I am currently negotiating with a hotel chain for event discount rates for rooms.
ALL these details will be revealed in the next 2 weeks with tickets on sale early in March.
Keep those calendars free for the weekend of September 27-29, 2013. MelodicRockFest is coming back to the USA!
Please checkout the Official MRF3 page at: www.facebook.com/MelodicRockFest - information, hints at the line up and event conversation all to be featured on that page. Please "like" the page and share the event information with others. We really need this event to kick serious ass.
Questions, comments, enquiries - ajm@melodicrock.com.
HICKS BAND GATHERING PACE IN USA:
Country rockers Hicks picked up a big award at Independent Music Network Country Music Awards. They won "Favorite Country Group". Hicks is the only Swedish act that have managed to be nominated and win this prestigious award. The band started in 2011 by Miqael Persson (W.E.T, Jimi Jamison, Eclipse, Toby Hitchcock, Giant...). The first single "Mamas Kitchen" made a lot of noise on country radio and country charts 'round the world.
The new single Hayride (written by Miqael Persson/Lasse Andersson, produced by Erik Martensson) is off to a flying start. Entered IMN Country Top 30 Countdown at # 2; CMR Nashville Hotdisc Top 40 @ # 7; ICoMA Country Chart @ # 6; topplistan.eu # 7.
The video was shot in Stockholm in -16 C (-3 F). It was so freakin' cold but it was so much fun recording it that it was worth the freeze.
Check out the new video Hayride: youtu.be/jX-XX4-WIoc.
xx
ROCK FOR THE ANGELS' DOC NEESON:
The incomparable Doc Neeson is the enigmatic frontman who won The Angels legions of fans from the bands very beginning. For generations, Doc's on stage theatrics have lured in many loving fans and sold millions of records worldwide. Since co-founding the Keystone Angels in Adelaide in 1974, Doc has now racked up 38 years with the band and it's many different lineups, released two solo albums, acted in the mini series 'Spirited' and 'Holy Smoke,' formed bands with friend David Lowy and performed at numerous charity events. Inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008, The Angels' 38 years of powerhouse rock'n'roll is etched into the Australian music history landscape.
As a show of respect and support for Doc, The Angels, Bob Spencer, James Morley, Buzz Bidstrup and Jim Hilbun plus a stellar cast of artists including: Rose Tattoo, Jon Stevens and Steve Balbi (Noiseworks), Jimmy Barnes and Don Walker (Cold Chisel), Rob Hirst and Jim Moginie (Midnight Oil), Baby Animals, Mark Gable (Choirboys), Diesel, Screaming Jets, The Radiators, Mi-Sex, Red Phoenix with Peter Northcote, Diva Demolition and personalities from all areas of the music industry including Jonesy & Amanda from WSFM, are coming together on this special night to 'Rock For Doc'. The proceeds from this event will assist Doc through this difficult time with medical treatment and day to day living expenses. Kindly donating their time and support are: The Enmore Theatre for the venue, Catalyst PR Co-ordinating and Publicity, Spitfire Music Promoting/Management, Hyperbole Advertising, PowWow Studios, T-Rex Art, Cards 4 Kids, Jaden Social, Camelion Lighting, Rock Posters, Lizottes, Money Penny Services and friends along with a host of bands and celebrities performing on the night – more to be announced. Proudly presented by Support Act Ltd in association with Spitfire Music. All proceeds from the benefit go to the Doc Neeson Suport Fund.
Get your tickets now for Rock For Doc and support a true legend and the statesman of rock! Where: The Enmore Theatre Monday April 15 / Tix: $89 incl GST & B/F Tickets on sale: February 15 @ The Enmore Theatre enmoretheatre.com.au.
For more information go to The Angels new Website, Facebook & Twitter: www.theangels.net / www.facebook.com/angelsofficial / twitter.com/theangelsOZ.
UK ROCKERS EVILYN STRANGE LAUNCH NEW SINGLE: Evilyn Strange are proud to announce the release of their second single, Love Finds You through Thirteen772 Music. The digital only single has been released to tie in with Valentine's Day, and is taken from the band's forthcoming debut album, Mourning Phoebe.
Not content with injecting a mighty dose of Mikael Johannesson 'Sumo Rock' Slide Guitar, the track opens with... an Al Strange drum solo! Yes, you don't get many of those to the pound these days. Vocally there are more fist raising 'Yeah, yeah, yeeeahs' than you'd think possible. What more could any self-respecting rocker want? TURN IT UP!
Join the band on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Evilyn-Strange/120496958047309?sk=wall&filter=12 / www.evilynstrange.co.uk / Purchase music: www.tunecore.com/widgets/show/25695.
S.U.N. DEBUT OUT NOW:
New rock supergroup Something Unto Nothing (S.U.N.)--featuring multi-platinum Canadian vocalist and Juno Award winner Sass Jordan, Brian Tichy on guitar (Whitesnake, Billy Idol, Foreigner, Ozzy), Michael Devin on bass (Whitesnake, Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience, Kenny Wayne Shepherd) and drummer Tommy Stewart (Godsmack, Lo Pro, Everclear, Fuel)--has physically released their debut full-length self-titled album in stores nationwide on Robo Records with distribution through Fontana/Universal Music.
Something Unto Nothing is available NOW at the following retailers: Best Buy, Amazon, Amoeba: Los Angeles area; Electric Fetus: Minneapolis area; Exclusive Company: Wisconsin area; J&R: New York City area; Newbury Comics: Northeast area; Rasputin: San Francisco area; Silver Platters: Seattle area; Zia: Phoenix area.
FIRST VIDEO CLIP FROM MAKING OF BLACK SABBATH'S '13':
Rock legends Black Sabbath are seen at work on their new album, 13, which will be released this June (exact date TBA). The original Black Sabbath--Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar) and Geezer Butler (bass)--recorded the album primarily in Los Angeles and were joined at the sessions by drummer Brad Wilk (Rage Against The Machine). Produced by Rick Rubin (seven-time Grammy winner, two of those as Producer of the Year), the album will be released on Vertigo (worldwide) and Vertigo/Republic in the U.S.
WebLinks: www.blacksabbath.com / www.facebook.com/BlackSabbath / twitter.com/OfficialSabbath
MAIDEN ENGLAND '88 CONCERT TO BE RELEASED ON DVD: EMI are proud to announce the highly anticipated release of the Double Iron Maiden DVD Maiden England '88 on 25 March. Now available for the very first time on DVD, this live show was filmed across two sold-out nights at Birmingham N.E.C Arena, UK in November 1988 during the band's "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son World Tour". Disc one contains the concert which has been specially upgraded and extended from the existing 1989 longform VHS release and now includes three previously unreleased encores: Running Free, Run To The Hills and Sanctuary thereby completing the full concert with a total running time of 110 minutes . Maiden's own Film Producer and Director Andy Matthews went back to the 1988 edit and painstakingly remastered each shot digitally; colour correcting and grading to give the image the best possible look from that time. As well as the VHS stereo sound track by Martin Birch, the band's producer between 1981 and 1993, the DVD also includes a brand new 5.1 audio surround mix by Maiden's current producer Kevin Shirley. The concert was meticulously directed and edited by bass player and founder member Steve Harris, so as to capture the performance from a fans-eye view of the stage, focusing fully on the music, the elaborate stage production and the lighting. Add into the mix an electrifying set list and of course Eddie, and Maiden England now offers a snapshot of a bygone era in which the band, as they continue to do today, devote their all in delivering the ultimate live experience for their fans.
Disc two is an extensive bonus disc featuring an exclusive documentary charting Part 3 in the History of Iron Maiden. This 40-minute film comprises recent interviews with the five band members and manager, Rod Smallwood. Picking up the story in the aftermath of the '84/85 World Slavery tour, this interesting and insightful documentary sees the band speak candidly about their memories of an exciting and occasionally turbulent period from which would emerge the albums Somewhere In Time and Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son. As the Eighties began to draw to a close, so did another chapter in Maiden's compelling history.
Other special extras on the bonus disc include Twelve Wasted Years. First released as a longform VHS in 1987 and available for the first time on DVD, this documentary runs for 90 minutes and includes archive interviews and dynamic live footage from the band's beginnings in the now legendary Ruskin Arms pub, via London's Marquee club and three World Tours. Five promo videos for the singles from the aforementioned albums are also featured and have been carefully restored and improved upon from the original films using the very latest software with the audio remastered in digital stereo.
Manager Rod Smallwood comments "We've been busy upgrading this concert footage for a long time, with our in-house Film Producer and Director Andy Matthews working tirelessly to weave his magic yet again!. The 1989 VHS video has been largely unavailable for many years and we know how eagerly our fans have been awaiting the new version so we wanted to give it the best possible treatment. The current Maiden England World Tour which continues later this year revisits much of the set list and production from the initial 1989 VHS release so it will be interesting to compare just how much has changed in terms of our 2013 live show production, especially with all the advances in modern technology and the improvements we've been able to make to the set".
The Maiden England '88 concert soundtrack will also be made available on 2CD album, Limited Edition double vinyl picture disc and Digital Download formats. The audio had previously only ever been available before on CD as part of EMI's 1994 Sound And Vision Series packaged alongside the VHS, but with two tracks fewer than the video contained. Can I Play With Madness and Hallowed Be Thy Name were not featured as there was no space on the 1CD disc. Now with the three encores also included the double disc offers a total of 5 tracks previously unavailable on CD making this the first full and complete audio recording release of this historic tour.
Disc One – Maiden England '88 Set List: Moonchild, The Evil That Men Do, The Prisoner, Still Life, Die With Your Boots On, Infinite Dreams, Killers, Can I Play With Madness, Heaven Can Wait, Wasted Years, The Clairvoyant, Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son, The Number Of The Beast, Hallowed Be Thy Name, Iron Maiden, Run To The Hills*, Running Free*, Sanctuary* / *previously unreleased.
Disc Two – The History Of Iron Maiden Part 3 The History Of Iron Maiden - Part 3 - 12 Wasted Years, Wasted Years promo video, Stranger In A Strange Land promo video, Can I Play With Madness promo video, The Evil That Men Do promo video, The Clairvoyant promo video.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
JUST IN TIME FOR VALENTINE'S DAY PLAYER'S NEW VIDEO "I WILL" HAS EXCLUSIVE WORLDWIDE PREMIERE:
Just in time for Valentine's Day, Player fans worldwide can click here to check out the exclusive worldwide premiere of the video for the romantic track "I Will". The song is taken from Player's forthcoming set, Too Many Reasons; the album is due out on February 22nd in Europe and February 26 in North America via Frontiers Records.
Too Many Reasons is Player's first album in nearly 20 years and is written and produced by Peter Beckett. To pre-order Too Many Reasons, please click here (for North America) or here (for Europe).
Player was formed in 1977 when Englishman Peter Beckett met J.C. Crowley at a Hollywood party. Beckett had come to the United States after the demise of his popular English band Paladin. The band was completed by Ronn and John Friesen and the four became the founding members. After many rehearsals and songwriting sessions, Player was born. In 1978, the band had an international number one hit with first single "Baby Come Back", which was co-written by Beckett and J.C. Crowley and sung by Beckett. The first album entitled simply Player went platinum and the band toured extensively, including support stints with Boz Scaggs, Eric Clapton, Heart and Kenny Loggins, consistently playing to sold out arena audiences. Four albums followed spawning four more hit singles, including "This Time I'm In It For Love", which reached number eleven on Billboard's chart. Player "redux" consists of founding members Peter Beckett (guitars/lead vocals/keyboards) and Ronn Moss (bass/lead vocals). Peter Beckett has written hit songs for such artists as Heart, Olivia Newton-John, Kenny Rogers, The Temptations, Poco, Janet Jackson, The Commodores, Cliff Richards, Survivor, Grace Slick, and most recently Vanessa Hudgens. He has numerous movie credits as artist, producer and/or writer, including "The Karate Kid", "Two of a Kind", "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure", "Major League", "St Elmo's Fire" (Grammy nomination), "Frankie and Johnny", "Rock Star", "Terminator 3", "Basic Instinct", "Beyond Borders", "Life or Something Like It", "Dirty Dancing 2", and "Transformers". From 1989-1997, Peter was a featured member of Little River Band and has written several singles for them.
Since the mid '80s, Ronn Moss has also gained worldwide stardom with his other career: 25 years as Ridge Forrester, the male lead in the CBS television series "The Bold And The Beautiful," a role from which Moss recently elected to depart to allow him time to devote to Player and other film and TV roles. "B&B" consistently ranked as the most watched television series in the world, averaging more than 26 million viewers per day, and garnered more than 500,000 Twitter followers for Moss. He has also appeared in numerous feature films and television commercials, and took second place on the Italian version of "Dancing With The Stars".
For more information, please visit: www.player-theband.com / www.frontiers.it.
Q&A: DAVID LEE ROTH VENTS ABOUT VAN HALEN'S FUTURE:
Thnaks to the VHND for posting the latest news from the Van Halen camp - that is....there is no news. In what will no doubt be a very frustrating read for continually frustrated fans of the band, singer David Lee Roth outlines the lack of information he has on future plans and the total lack of control he has over anything the band does, plus throws in a little support for displaced bassist Michael Anthony.
I would certainly look forward to working with Ed on some new material, but we have yet to do that. Almost all of the music that you hear on our most recent album was written and demoed before the first album. And I would certainly look forward to writing a whole list of songs with Ed, but we haven't found the time to do that [laughs]. You hear the tone. I'm not sure what's in Ed's mind at this point. I'm gonna guess that his plans are to write with his son, and I'm not sure where that actually leads. But truth be told, Edward and I haven't written a new song in 20 years.
The Tokyo dates are coming up. Will there be more after that?
There's nothing on the ticket as far as travel, and that's a disappointment, frankly. How long have I been back with the gang? Maybe six years, we'll say and we have yet to travel to Europe, South America, Japan, anywhere outside of those basic 50 cities in the United States. And again that's been a disappointment. We have an audience and we have a potential future in many, many places, but our story is one of a whole lotta Shakespeare going on. And I don't know where the Van Halen future lies aside from the States. We'll always be able to play our hits – and keep in mind we have more hits than Beethoven, we have more hits than Tony Soprano – so getting onstage and playing that is glorious, and certainly getting onstage with the brothers will always be an excitement for me. But in terms of taking the music past where we found it, I'm not sure where that's going to go.
And in the interim I've written and recorded an entire album of material with a fellow named John 5. It's called Somewhere Over the Rainbow Bar & Grill, and it was designed as a jukebox musical after seeing what the South Park fellows did. Those fellows are ardent Van Halen fans – they're been to Vegas and L.A. variously on the last tour. I saw the play [Book Of Mormon] and went home and we started putting together what I guess is called a jukebox musical, but it's not particular to Van Halen. Indeed we can create Van Halen material as the interstitials, but we have 15 songs ready to go, and it's my story. Indiana kid goes to the big city, sells his soul to the devil. Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets Dave. It's knockout stuff.
But Ed has his own vision, I'm assuming. We haven't really been able to speak about it and it's a disappointment, just as not having a chance for a reunion of the original band. Clearly, vocals are every bit as much a component of success as a rhythm section or a guitar solo, and there's an old expression saying, "They don't go home singing the lighting show, they don't go home singing the production." You're right, they sing my words and my melodies. And what we have at our fingertips is arguably one of the greatest high tenor voices ever – that was in Michael Anthony. In our tiny little corner of the universe, that voice is as identifiable as the high voice in Earth, Wind & Fire, as identifiable as the high voice in the Beach Boys. Van Halen is an indelicate house blend of both – that's intentionally. So I would always look forward to that reunion, and I would always look forward to writing a whole variety of material. I've offered the fellows, come on out here to the land of the gods. And if you don't want to make it that far we'll make it halfway – Konishiki [his friend and former champion sumo wrestler] has said he'll lend me his house in Hawaii, Let's go woodshed. But so far there hasn't been any response, so hope and faith are not actual tactics and strategies – they're strippers from Albuquerque.
I was just on the phone yesterday with John, and we're now beginning to explore what that means. It's been a year since our last tour with Van Halen. There's virtually no impact or contact in terms of writing new material...
You mentioned Coachella. Would we ever see Van Halen on that type of stage?
Alex and I have been begging to become part of that, and Glastonbury and Reading and Hyde Park. We keep being shuttled into the heavy metal world, and that's a very exclusive neighborhood, but here we are – we're back knocking on the doors begging for Bonnaroo and begging for Lollapalooza and Coachella, not even as an advancement of career, but there's a whole new audience who doesn't know and doesn't give a shit about Van Halen, and that's exactly the best audience to sharpen your spirit on. That will compel you to the very best that you have. I can't wait for those opportunities and wish us well. We've been asking for those shows since I've gotten back with the band six years ago, and I'll be very curious to see where we wind up come next season.
DEF LEPPARD LIGHT IT UP FOR THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF PYROMANIA 'INTHESTUDIO':
North American syndicated Rock radio show InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands celebrates the 30th anniversary of Def Leppard's 10x platinum album Pyromania with lead singer Joe Elliott, bassist Rick Savage, and guitarist Phil Collen. The birth of MTV would definitely aid in fueling the success of Def Leppard's third album, which lit the fuse for the Pop Metal bands so successful throughout the remainder of the decade, but as lead singer Joe Elliot reveals to InTheStudio host Redbeard, it was a challenge throughout the recording sessions to ignite those soon-to-be anthemic songs. "About halfway through the Pyromania album I first noticed that it was getting difficult to create something that was as good as the top notch artists. We weren't that little band from Sheffield anymore, we had to be better and bigger than Boston, Foreigner… you
name it."
The Def Leppard Pyromania/ InTheStudio interview is available now to STREAM at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/def-leppard-pyromania-30th-anniversary/
YET ANOTHER NEW JOE BONAMASA RELEASE!: Joe Bonamassa - An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House will be released in the U.K. on 2-CD, 2-LP, 2-DVD & Blu-ray formats by Provogue Records on Monday March 25 (followed by U.S. release on Tuesday March 26). The release dovetails Bonamassa's run of four exclusive London concerts which kicks off on March 26 at The Borderline.
The concert was recorded at the historic Vienna Opera House in July 2012 during a very special unplugged tour, played to a limited audience over seven exclusive European shows. Varying from Bonamassa's predominantly electric blues shows, this presentation was an all-acoustic concert performance, making it a unique and very special show fans had been waiting years to experience.
The Opera House in Vienna, regarded as the "City of Music," was chosen for the main event because of its history and splendour, and association with many legendary composers. Accompanying Bonamassa on stage are traditional Irish fiddler Gerry O'Connor, who also plays mandolin and banjo; Swedish multi-instrumentalist Mats Wester on the nyckelharpa, a keyed fiddle; Los Angeles-based keyboardist Arlan Schierbaum texturing the mix with celeste, accordions, toy pianos, and assorted "organic" instruments; and renowned Puerto Rican percussionist Lenny Castro.
Joe recalls, "Originally, when I had the idea of doing an all-acoustic concert, I imagined doing it solo. I'd surround myself with a bunch of guitars, tell the background story of each song, and then play it. Kevin believed the show would be more exciting with a band and he got to work. All of a sudden, we had a five-piece group, and 72 hours to rehearse 20 or so songs. It was amazing, different than anything I'd ever done before."
An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House features gorgeously textured music made with a wealth of rare, vintage, organic, and "oddball" instruments. Highlights among the 22 songs include Woke Up Dreaming —the one acoustic song, and fan favourite, that Bonamassa regularly plays during his electric shows, as well as Around The Bend, Driving Towards The Daylight, and Sloe Gin.
To download the free MP3 of From Athens To Athens, click HERE.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH RYAN ROXIE, JORN LANDE AND BISON BC: Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week (Sunday 10th February 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 11th February 02:00-04:00 GMT on www.bloodstockradio.com) featured exclusive interviews with Alice Cooper's long-time guitarist Ryan Roxie, Jorn Lande and James Farwell of Bison BC and is available now for streaming at this link www.mixcloud.com/richdav1/rich-davenports-rock-show-ryan-roxie-jorn-lande-bison-bc-interviews/
In the first hour, Jorn Lande discusses his new "Symphonic" album, which sees orchestral instruments and arrangements added to a selection of Jorn's favourite tracks from throughout his career, with two songs from the new release. And Bison BC vocalist/guitarist James Farwell talks about the Canadian Rockers' latest album "Lovelessness", which sees the band delivering another potent blast of classic rock influences mixed with raw punk energy.
And in the second half of the show, long-time Alice Cooper guitarist Ryan Roxie (also a veteran of Slash's Snakepit and Gilby Clarke's solo band) chooses a selection of tracks from his new box set, "The Roxie Box", which includes remastered albums from Ryan's bands Dad's Porno Mag and Roxie 77, and a disc of lost gems and rare tracks, all of which show Ryan's Cheap Trick-influenced songwriting skills to impressive effect.
The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from Gary Moore, Heartbreak Radio, Girlschool, Thin Lizzy, The Righteous Hillbillies, Enforcer and more.
ROBOT LORDS OF TOKYO?: The Robot Lords of Tokyo have returned to deliver their third album of ten-ton riffage and whiskey-fueled vocals, available on CD and download January 15th, 2013. Entitled Virtue & Vice, the record features numerous guest six-stringers, including Chris Poland (Megadeth), Tracy G (Dio), Wayne Findlay (Michael Schenker Group) and Steve Theado (American Dog). Production duties were once again handled by Joe Viers (Bobaflex, No Sky Today), with mastering by Rickard Bengsston (Opeth, Arch Enemy).
The Robot Lords are the brainchild of Ohio-based songwriting duo Rick Ritzler (drums, guitar) and Paul Jones (vocals, guitar), who came up with the idea for the guest-laden project in 2006 and have since released two critically acclaimed albums on their own RLOT Records. Renowned metal scribe Martin Popoff called their 2009 sophomore effort, Whiskey, Blood & Napalm, "the best indie I've heard in a decade. Like an ass kickin' Black Label Society crossed with The Sword, it's a masterpiece of bludgeoning perfection and it will knock you on your ass." His colleague Bob Nalbandian of Shockwaves/HardRadio called Jones "one of the most powerful new vocalists in metal today", while Classic Rock Magazine named WB&N one of their Top 50 Albums of 2009.
For Virtue & Vice, Ritzler and Jones have once again teamed up with producer Viers to cook up their unique combination of classic metal riffing, stoner/doom grooves and southern swagger, sprinkled with just the right amount of shredding lead guitar pyrotechnics. In addition to the record's nine new sonic sledgehammers, the Robots have once again reworked an obscure classic from the hard rock vaults, this time tackling the title track from Cinderella's 1986 debut, Night Songs.
Check out Virtue & Vice here (www.cdbaby.com/cd/robotlordsoftokyo), and learn more about the Robot Lords at www.robotlordsoftokyo.com or www.facebook.com/RobotLordsofTokyo.
MELODIC BRIEFS:
AUDIO Interview on RockEyez (www.rockeyez.com) - Royal Hunt front man DC Cooper.Talks about how tough it is in the music industry plus talks about his new solo release which he is work on at this time.
Madison Cain and Miles Schon set to open for Journey in Japan this March - "Hey Everyone! Miles Schon and I are pleased to announce that we will be opening for Journey in Japan this March. We are honored and so incredibly grateful for this once in a lifetime opportunity!" For info on the tour dates, check out www.journeymusic.com.
Noize In The Attic (Where Your Past Comes Back To Haunt You) is honored to have an exclusive interview with Uli Jon Roth on this Friday's episode airing 2-4PM EST on WNHU 88.7FM New Haven, CT (streaming live on www.wnhu.net) Photos from the resent NYC show and a full list of repeat air times / affiliates as well as a link to the free podcast can be found at www.noizeintheattic.com. Noize In The Attic is also available as a free podcast on iTunes!
Served Hot, the awaited debut album from Ukrainian sleaze/glam band John Gält, has had its release date postponed. The new release date is February 26! A full album preview is available for streaming on Street Symphonies' YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXnGbSwTA8M&feature=youtu.be.
On January 11th, Swiss Power Rockers Shakra were releasing their ninth studio album Powerplay. For their new video clip, filmed for the song Save You From Yourself, the band teamed up with Nina Burri, well-known for her snake woman appearances in several TV shows. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTLCIDgI0Rw.
Norwegian melodic metal-act Nergard releases first single/music video from the upcoming all-star album Memorial for a Wish. The song A Question Of God is co-written with legendary British singer Tony Mills (TNT, ex Shy). Tony also appears in the video which was filmed and edited by Sondre Sivertsen. www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6TqV1A4OrnI.
Angel King's released the first Music video. See below:
ERIC RAGNO TALKS UPDATES:
News from the ever popular and busy Eric Ragno: "This year's NAMM show was as amazing as ever. I'm very proud to be added to the list of Hammond Organ artists. The Hammond Organ is a legendary staple of the rock sound – it's as iconic as the Les Paul guitar and the Marshalll amp. This week the guys officially welcomed me on board as a Hammond Organ artist, and I've already started using their instruments on albums and videos, starting with the new Faithsedge track (featuring Giancarlo Floridia, Alex de Rosso, Fabrizio Grossi & Tony Morra). Hammond has done an amazing job of packaging this legendary instrument into a lighter, sleeker axe that you can carry around with you. We're looking forward to a productive relationship together.
In addition to Faithsedge I'm wrapping up new albums with Jesse Damon (Silent Rage) and Danny Veras (7 Months), both with Paul Sabu at the helm and by soul brother Pete Newdeck screaming in the backseat! Also look for new records with Liberty n Justice & my pal Frederic Slama, and a few other surprises I can't talk about just yet. It's shaping up to be another amazing year!"
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
GREAT WHITE REMIXED ALBUM DUE AT VALUE PRICE: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce that during the week of the release of Great White's forthcoming live album 30 Years - Live From the Sunset Strip (planned for February 22 in Europe and February 26 in North America), a newly remixed version of the band's latest studio album Elation will be made available for digital download sales across the board at the special price of 4.99 USD / 3.99 GBP / 3.99 EURO. The album was remixed by George Tutko known for his work with such artists as Rod Stewart, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne, John Mellencamp and more. After the first week, the album will go back to normal price.
In the meanwhile the band's latest video "Hard to Say Goodbye" is officially in rotation on MTV.com. The song is also #8 on the Classic Rock Radio media charts. This is indeed a major milestone for the band!
"When I assembled this band in 1979 that eventually became Great White in 1982, to have it still be around 30 years later is a complete blessing," guitarist Mark Kendall said. "The music and fans is what keeps us rocking. From "On Your Knees" to "Elation" the music has been for the fans. We decided to celebrate by taking it back where it all started for us, and that is on The Sunset Strip in Hollywood California. Being a big part of our history, The Key Club in Hollywood, California, was the perfect venue to record this live album and celebrate our 30 years of making music together." Drummer Audie Desbrow added: "A big thank you to all the fans, past present, and future, we could have never done it without you!"
Great White Artist Page: www.mtv.com/artists/great-white / Official video link: www.mtv.com/videos/great-white/876641/hard-to-say-goodbye.jhtml / www.greatwhiterocks.com.
xx
Pink Cream 69 - Wanted: virtual actors for a new music video!
Germany's international rock band Pink Cream 69 will be shooting a new video for their new single "Special" (from their brand new album "Ceremonial" which entered the national album charts in Germany in the week of release at number 83) We are looking for people that would be will to act as internet users/chatters. The lyrics in "Special" are about people pretending something they are not in the social networks, visually and mentally.
If interested please make a short video of yourself in front of a computer doing "stuff" and send it to: special@pinkcream69.com (E-Mail or download link) The best short videos will make it to the actual video with a length of 1-2 seconds max...
You should be looking funny, crazy, weird or sexy. You will be chatting with the video's main female character. We are looking forward to your videos!
HEAVEN & EARTH PREMIERES EPK FOR THIRD STUDIO ALBUM 'DIG':
Taking up where iconic bands like Deep Purple and Bad Company left off, Heaven & Earth is on a mission to resurrect the sanctity of classic rock in its purest, most accessible form on their third studio album titled Dig. Due out April 23 on Quarto Valley Records, Dig was produced by Dave Jenkins, who's worked with everyone from Metallica to Tower of Power - and features special guests Howard Leese (Heart, Paul Rodgers), Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi), and David Paich (Toto).
The band have recently released a special behind the scenes look into the making of Dig and what brought these five musicians together to make such a "classic" sounding record. The clip premiered on AOL Noisecreep.com earlier this week and can be seen below.
The album cover for Dig was created by acclaimed photographer Glen Wexler, who has shot over 300 album covers, including records by Van Halen, Black Sabbath, and Michael Jackson.
The track listing for Dig is as follows: 1. Victorious 2. No Money, No Love 3. I Don't Know What Love Is 4. Man & Machine 5. House of Blues 6. Back in Anger 7. Waiting for the End of The World 8. Sexual Insanity 9. Rock & Roll Does 10. A Day Like Today 11. Good Times 12. Live as One.
About Heaven & Earth:
The origins of Heaven & Earth align the band's founder and visionary, Stuart Smith, with a rich lineage of rock's most celebrated musicians. Kelly Hansen (Foreigner), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow) and Kelly Keeling (King Kobra) all fronted the band at various junctures. Guitarists Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) and Howard Leese (Heart, Paul Rodgers), singer and bassist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Country Communion), bassist Steve Priest (Sweet) and drummer Camine Appice (Jeff Beck Group/Vanilla Fudge/Rod Stewart), among others, have each contributed their extraordinary talents to Heaven & Earth's first two albums: Heaven & Earth Featuring Stuart Smith (1994) and Windows to the World (2000).
Heaven & Earth's ground-breaking debut album, Heaven & Earth Featuring Stuart Smith, is considered a cult classic and brought Smith to the forefront of the guitar elite being compared in the press to Deep Purple's Ritchie Blackmore, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page and garnering Smith the award for "Best Guitarist" and "Best New CD" for three years running at the Los Angeles All Access Music Awards. In the summer of 2012, the guitarist set out to mold Heaven & Earth into a world-class recording and touring band which led to the recording of their new album Dig and now the future has never looked brighter for the band.
For more information, check out: heavenandearthband.com / www.facebook.com/Heaven-and-Earth-Band / twitter.com/heavenearthband.
LIVING LIKE A RUNAWAY – DOWNUNDER, MAY 2013: Blue Palm Touring are proud to present the queen of metal, Lita Ford, in Australia for the first time ever this May.
As a teenager in the late 1970's, Lita Ford was a founding member and lead guitarist of the pioneering all-female rock group, The Runaways. Lita, along with band members Joan Jett, Sandy West, Jackie Fox, and Cherie Currie, not only proved that girls could rock, but they could do it with the best of them. From the bands beginning to their eventual breakup in 1979, Lita Ford's guitar playing provided much of the force behind the band's ground-breaking sound. The Runaways have influenced countless musicians over the years, both male and female. Bands such as The Donnas, Bikini Kill, and L7 wear their influence as a badge of honour, while other all-female groups like The Bangles and The Go-Go's may not have had the opportunity to exist without the doors opened by The Runaways. Ford's career with The Runaways was immortalized in the blockbuster 2010 film featuring Kristen Stewart.
The 1980's began the solo career of Lita Ford. With the release of albums such as Out for Blood, Dancin' on the Edge, and Lita, she was well on her way to earning the title of "The Queen of Metal".
As a solo artist Lita had the freedom to lean more to the hard side of rock n' roll. Hit singles Kiss Me Deadly (named one of the best hard rock songs of all time by VH1) and Close My Eyes Forever, a duet with metal master Ozzy Osbourne, took Lita to new heights both commercially and artistically.
Lita's newest release, Living Like A Runaway is available on iTunes.
Melbourne - Thursday 23 May Prince of Wales Bandroom Tickets: www.princebandroom.com.au
Sydney - Saturday 25 May The Factory Theatre Tickets: www.factorytheatre.com.au
Tickets: General Admission $59.90 + booking fee. VIP Meet and Greet tickets $199.90 + booking fee.
CODE OF SILENCE OFFER TRACK BY TRACK: "Taken in the round, this is a fabulous rock album … As a debut album it's simply stunning." Get Ready to ROCK! (www.getreadytorock.com)
A guitarist who wants to go to Japan, a drummer who thinks political leaders should settle arguments over a few beers, and a Brazilian who likes Scottish breakfasts. These are some of the fascinating facts you will glean from Code Of Silence's newly launched website! (www.codeofsilence.co.uk)
You'll also find their debut video 'Sky Is Falling Down' - which has gained in excess of 15,000 views since posting recently - together with an informative EPK introducing the band.
The latest addition is a track-by-track album breakdown provided by band leader and bassist James Murray who also supplied the debut album's historical theme of the Knights Templar at the time of the Crusades. This can be viewed at www.codeofsilence.co.uk/music.htm.
James says: "Although the album is thematic each song can be enjoyed in its own right separately away from any concept."
The album – 'Dark Skies Over Babylon' - has been written and produced by Paul Logue (Eden's Curse) and mixed by Alessandro Del Vecchio (Eden's Curse, Hardline, Lionville). Stylistically it covers a range of genres from hard rock to progressive, fused with highly melodic metal.
The band includes seasoned vocalist Gus Monsanto, who has worked with Stratovarius vocalist Timo Tolkki (Revolution Renaissance) and Adagio and guitarist Ben Randall who for a time was with Power Quest. Scott McLean on keys (Concept Of Time and Falloch) and John Clelland on drums (The Jack) complete the line-up.
The album is released in Europe on 25 February and in North America on 9 April via Mausoleum Records. It was released in Japan via Rubicon Music on 23 January. There is a limited pre-order offer before release date at the band's website: www.codeofsilence.co.uk.
DAMNATION ANGELS FIND A LABEL HOME WITH INTROMETAL: Intromental Worldwide is thrilled to announce the signing of UK-based melodic/symphonic power metal act Damnation Angels. Following the great success in Japan, the debut album "Bringer Of Light" will be released upon the rest of the world end of February. Damnation Angels are taking the world by storm and redefining Symphonic Metal in the process. Formed in Britain late 2006, the band has gained ...a reputation for huge drum beats, monstrous riffing, powerful and expertly performed vocals all blended with the massive power of the orchestra. Having perfected their live performance playing many shows around the UK with bands such as Sabaton the band decided it was time to take it to the next level.
In February 2009 the band headed to Grindstone studios Ipswich to create a new benchmark in symphonic metal with the aid of esteemed producer Scott Atkins (Sylosis, Cradle Of Filth). After many months of hard work, "Shadow Symphony" was born and with the aid of top Finnish artist Jan Yrlund (Korpiklaani, Turisas, Manowar), "Shadow Symphony" would be brought to life and the vision would be complete.
"Shadow Symphony" was greeted with rave reviews from critics stating that the band are "the brightest spark to emerge upon the UK scene in a very long time" and are "comparable with mega acts such as Avantasia and Blind Guardian," delivering "symphonic Grandiloquence Metal with the emphasis on the Metal that bands such as Kamelot, Rhapsody Of Fire and Nightwish can't seem to be able to produce anymore."
The E.P. went on to sell well worldwide and after touring it extensively throughout the UK the band decided it was time to make the debut album. After many negotiations with record labels worldwide the band struck a deal with Radtone Music (Japan) and released their debut album in Japan on March 7th 2012 with the rest of the world to follow. The album is entitled "Bringer Of Light", with artwork from Jan Yrlund and production from Scott Atkins.
"Bringer Of Light" was also greeted with rave reviews, downloads and pre-orders topping the Amazon Japan charts, over 500 sales in the first 2 weeks and over 100,000 views on the YouTube video Pride (The Warrior's Way). The band have now signed a multi-album deal with Massacre Records (Germany) and "Bringer Of Light" will be released worldwide in February 2013. They're also scheduled to make their debut appearance in USA at ProgPower September 6th 2013.
LabelLink: www.intromental.com.
ROCKERS REDLINE TO SUPPORT SAXON IN UK: Redline, will be supporting Saxon on their UK tour (11 dates):
18th April - Leamington Assembly
19th April - Nottingham Rock City
20th April - Newcastle Academy
21st April - Glasgow ABC
23rd April - Manchester Ritz
24th April - Leeds Academy
26th April - Wolves Wulfrun
27th April - London Shepherds Bush Empire
28th April - Bristol Academy
5th May - Oxford Academy
6th May - Falmouth Princess Pavilion
WebLink: www.saxon747.com/en/
STYX, REO SPEEDWAGON AND TED NUGENT LAUNCH NEW ROUND OF TOUR DATES:
Last year's debut of "The Midwest Rock 'n Roll Express" tour, recognized by Rolling Stone as one of the "Ten Hottest Summer Package Tours of 2012," was such a huge success that Rock's finest from the Midwest REO Speedwagon, Styx and Ted Nugentare teaming up again for another round of shows starting April 18 in Grand Forks, ND at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The trek concludes May 19 in Burgettstown, PA at First Niagara Pavilion. Styx and REO Speedwagon will be offering direct-to-fan access to the best seats in the house via their own exclusive fan club pre-sales. Visit StyxWorld.com to join the Styx Lounge for access to exclusive content, ticket pre-sales and VIP packages, and visit www.facebook.com/reospeedwagon for information about REO Speedwagon's ticket pre-sales.
To say that everyone on the tour is excited to get back out there would be an understatement, in their own words:
"Due to the overwhelming success of last year's tour, we are going to once again wind up the juggernaut of megatainment. Styx, REO and the Motor City Madman: there aren't enough expletives in my vocabulary to explain how great this is…but I'll try. This is going to be *$@&#@*&@# awesome!" – James "JY" Young, Styx (guitars, vocals)
"Yo, wake up everybody! Winter is over, the snow is melting, the sun is coming out--it's time for the second annual REO, Styx, Nugent springtime extravaganza. We had so much fun in 2012 we all decided to fire this 'Midwest Rock 'n Roll Express' thing up and do it again. Time to strap on our six strings, pack up the trucks and tour buses, get together with our best rock buddies and go out to have some big fun. See y'all soon." – Kevin Cronin, REO Speedwagon (vocals, guitars, keyboards)
"Blazing vocal melodies and guitars, soaring arrangements steeped in Progressive Rock roots, heart touching ballads you know in your bones, and that's just my Damn Yankees brother Ted Nugent I'm talking about! Wait until STYX and REO take the stage! You might need to take the next day off after riding this glorious train!" -- Tommy Shaw, Styx (vocals, guitars)
"When you live the ultimate American guitar player's dream, with the ultimate grinding band, performing the most intense fun songs in the world to the most enthusiastic audiences alive, every tour and every concert is an indescribable celebration. Styx and REO deserve me. Here we come again baby, like dogs in heat!" --Ted Nugent
"The Midwest Rock 'n Roll Express" tour racked in rave reviews during its debut run, including: "Tuesday's lineup of Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon and Styx brought album-oriented rock to a rabid, near sold-out audience that ate up every lick, groove and wail like it was manna from heaven."
-- Candace Horgan, Denver Post. "The 'Midwest Rock 'N Roll Express' tour proved to be aptly named and by the time the last guitar pick had been thrown and the final encore had faded away, it's likely that more than a few in the audience were pulling out their smartphones to look for their chance to stow away as passengers to catch the next stop." --Matt Wardlaw, Ultimateclassicrock.com. "One would be hard pressed to find a tour line-up that can boast more combined top 40 hits and platinum recordings than that of Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon and STYX…on this night, (the fans are) going to get their money's worth." --Craig Ross, Guitarinternational.com.
Check out "The Midwest Rock 'n Roll Express" at any of the following stops. Ted Nugent hits the stage at 7:00pm at every stop unless noted otherwise.
Thu 4/18 Grand Forks, ND Ralph Engelstad Arena Styx
Fri 4/19 Minneapolis, MN Target Center REO Speedwagon
Sat 4/20 Moline, IL iWireless Center Styx
Sun 4/21 Toledo, OH Huntington Center Ted/Styx/REO
Tue 4/23 Springfield, MA MassMutual Center Styx
Wed 4/24 Glens Falls, NY Glens Falls Civic Center REO Speedwagon
Fri 4/26 East Rutherford, NJ IZOD Center Styx
Sat 4/27 Raleigh, NC Walnut Creek Amphitheatre Styx
Sun 4/28 Roanoke, VA Roanoke Civic Center REO Speedwagon
Wed 5/1 Estero, FL Germain Arena REO Speedwagon
Fri 5/3 St. Augustine, FL St. Augustine Amphitheatre Styx
Sun 5/5 Atlanta, GA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Styx
Wed 5/8 Tulsa, OK BOK Center REO Speedwagon
Fri 5/10 Kansas City, KS Starlight Theatre Styx
Sat 5/11 Lincoln, NE Pinewood Bowl Theater REO Speedwagon
Tue 5/14 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena Ted/REO/Styx
Wed 5/15 Evansville, IN Ford Center REO Speedwagon
Fri 5/17 Green Bay, WI Resch Center REO Speedwagon
Sat 5/18 St. Louis, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre REO Speedwagon
Sun 5/19 Burgettstown, PA First Niagara Pavilion Styx
WebLinks: www.styxworld.com / www.reospeedwagon.com / www.tednugent.com.
DECIBEL GEEK PODCAST RELEASES EPISODE 71 "BIZARRO COVERS VOL 3":
This week the Decibel Geek Podcast takes a look at some very, VERY strange cover versions. Hosts Chris and Aaron spend treat us to some cover versions that you thought you would never hear.
Don't believe us? How about Yngwie Malmsteen covering ABBA? Blind Guardian covers a 50's classic as well as cover songs performed by Doro, Ace Frehley and the Lemonheads. The Decibel Geek Podcast was launched in June of 2011 by Chris Czynszak, a former rock journalist and webmaster. With co-host Aaron Camaro, the Decibel Geek Podcast is quickly earning a reputation as one of the go-to music commentary podcasts on the internet. All episodes are available on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, as well as the official Decibel Geek Podcast website.
Direct Link to Interview: dbgeekshow.blogspot.ca/2013/02/episode-71-bizarro-covers-3.html. To access the Decibel Geek Podcast visit www.decibelgeek.com.
Monday, February 11, 2013
INTRODUCING STATE OF SALAZAR: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the signing of the swedish Melodic Rock newcomers State Of Salazar. The band was formed in 2010 by five students from the Malmö Academy of Music who wanted to play rock music made for the big arenas. The band's singer and songwriter, Marcus Nygren, began thinking of the concept of having a band like State of Salazar in 2009 when he wrote a couple of songs that did not fit his metal based band 8-Point Rose.
State of Salazar released their debut EP "Lost my Way" in the summer of 2012, it spread fast in magazines and blogs and created a flood of praise. The Swedish quintet has received a lot of positive critique from all over the world during a very short period of time. "This is something that can grow really big."; "...State Of Salazar will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the genre"; "…this EP is an extremely polished piece of art..."; "The performances and the production are superb…", and so on. Considering bands such as Toto, Queen, Journey, Survivor and especially Bill Conti and Vince DiCola have influenced them, State of Salazar have a lot to prove. But they handle all this pressure with their honor intact and their heads held high.
"I think this is an amazing opportunity for us in State of Salazar and I can't think of a better record company for us to sign with. I remember when Marcus and I had conversations about the bands future a couple of years ago and that we thought that Frontiers would really be a great place to wind up", says guitar player Johan Thuresson, while singer Marcus Nygren adds: "To be able to release our first full length album with Frontiers is simply a dream coming true. I can't wait for you all to hear these great new songs we're working on. You don't want to miss this one when it hits the stores!"
One of the bonus tracks from the EP "I Believe In You" will be re-recorded from scratch and also included in the debut album, which has a working title of "All The Way". You can check the original version on the Youtube clip following this link: youtu.be/0eVxt0yxGeI or tune in on the Frontiers webradio www.frontiers.it/webradio to start enjoying the music from these amazingly talented guys.
There is no mistaking that State of Salazar delivers "feel good" music, and it is no wonder, since one of the biggest influences is "training montage" music from the ROCKY IV movie. This is just one of many reasons why they actually stand out from many of the other bands in the same genre. State of Salazar is not a retro band, or a walk down memory lane. They write songs and play music that strives forward and not backwards. Their songwriting, arranging and instrumental performance show that this is a band that wants to develop and contribute to the Melodic Rock genre. State of Salazar's debut album is scheduled to be released later this year - lookout for a another winner in the amazing Frontiers Records roster of bands!
It will be possible to follow progress on the album's recording via the bands websites: www.facebook.com/stateofsalazar / www.youtube.com/stateofsalazar.
GET THE LED (ZEP ART) OUT:
Legendary record cover artist Ioannis (Deep Purple, Allman Brothers, Boc, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Uriah Heep) has just released a series of limited edition prints from the best selling book Get The Led Out How Led Zeppelin Became The Biggest Band In The World. by Denny Somach. Ioannis did the cover and fifteen paintings for the book. Each limited edition print from this very limited run, is hand embellished and hand signed and comes with a COA, to see more details and view he art click this link: www.dangerousage.com/dagstore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=68.
JEAN BEAUVOIR & MICKI FREE - UK TOUR (ACOUSTIC):
American rock veterans Jean Beauvoir and Micki Free, the duo who shook the bones of the rock world in the early '90s with their debut Crown Of Thorns album are back together, reuniting for just a handful of acoustic dates across the UK in April. Their last performance together was in 2009 at Hard Rock Calling (London) with Bruce Springsteen and Dave Matthews but fans of Beauvoir and Free can rejoice for their first joint UK club appearance since 1994.
Outside of Crown Of Thorns, their collective credits read like a "who's-who", rock'n'roll, hall of fame since Beauvoir and Free parted ways.
Famed for his blond Mohawk whilst an original member of the Plasmatics, Beauvoir also played bass and guitar with Steve Van Zandt's Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul. He was then signed by Richard Branson to Virgin and went on to pursue an international platinum solo career, including the worldwide hit "Feel The Heat", the featured song for Sylvester Stallone's 'Cobra' film. He later formed and fronted Voodoo X and recorded a further five albums with Crown Of Thorns.
Beauvoir has produced and written for The Ramones, KISS, Debbie Harry, The Pretenders, John Waite, Lionel Richie, N'Sync; appeared on over 100 albums over the past two decades and his film music credits are endless, with Cobra, Pet Semetary, Flawless, Christmas With The Kranks, Rock'n'Roll High School Forever and School of Rock; not to mention tours and live performances with Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Tina Turner, Aerosmith, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen and more!
Grammy Award winner and international multi-platinum recording artist Micki Free continued to tour the world and record and perform with his own projects after Crown of Thorns. Famously discovered by none other than Gene Simmons of KISS, Free was a member of the R&B super group Shalamar who spawned countless top ten hits, including the "Dancing In The Sheets" from Footloose.
Original founding member of Crown of Thorns and principle co-writer of the debut album, along with partner Beauvoir, Micki Free has since performed, written and/or recorded with Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Bill Wyman, Carlos Santana, Cindy Blackman-Santana, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS, and Prince to name but a few.
"We both coincidentally moved back to LA 2003 and met up, letting bygones be bygones," says Beauvoir. "We talked of joining forces again for a new project, but due to commitments, only some demo recording sessions and a one off show at Hard Rock Calling was all we had time to do, so this is the first chance for us to get together and tour the UK as Beauvoir and Free. I look forward to this exciting new chapter in our careers!"
This short UK acoustic run in April will be the first official tour of any kind for the duo with recording plans in the making. "Performing with my long-time friend and partner Jean brings a certain magic that we create together. We think as one with classic hard rock riffs and melodic hooks that we do so well as a team. I am looking forward to unleashing this magic again performing acoustically with Jean in my favourite part of the world, the UK!" Micki Free
Tickets for Beauvoir - Free are on sale now from ticketweb.co.uk or 0844 477 2000.
INTERNATIONAL POWERHOUSE ROCK GROUP W.E.T.'S BRAND NEW VIDEO:
Hard Rock lovers worldwide can click here to witness the Worldwide Premiere of the video for international powerhouse Rock group W.E.T.'s brand new track, Learn To Live Again. The video was shot on location last month in an industrial barn outside Stockholm, Sweden under bone-chilling weather conditions. "Learn To Live Again" is taken from W.E.T.'s forthcoming album, RISE UP, due out in Euriope on February 22 and North America on February 26 via Frontiers Records. The album is already receiving early critical praise, with Sweden's Hallowed declaring, "…this is the best ever melodic rock or AOR album", while the UK's Planet Mosh avowed that W.E.T. are "at the top of their game and raising the standards for others…" An EPK for the new album can be seen below. W.E.T. is the union (and corresponding acronym) of some of the world's most accomplished musicians. W.E.T. is Robert Säll ("W" = the keyboardist/guitarist from Swedish melodic rockers Work of Art), Erik Mårtensson ("E" = from Swedish hard rockers Eclipse; Mårtensson plays guitars, bass, keyboards and lead vocals) and Jeff Scott Soto ("T" = from Talisman, the highly-celebrated American vocalist, also known for his work with Yngwie Malmsteen, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Journey), along with members Magnus Henriksson (guitars) and Robban Bäck (drums), also from Eclipse. W.E.T.'s self-titled debut album in 2009 was one of the rare occasions when a band created by the vision of Frontiers Records President/Founder Serafino Perugino managed to create such a wave of enthusiasm and interest from fans and the media alike that it went beyond the band's own expectations.
For more information, please visit: www.facebook.com/TheBandWET / www.frontiers.it.
COVERED CALL RETURN FOR IMPACT: AOR Heaven's upcoming March release from Swedish rockers Covered Call, Impact is due for release on March 28.
Covered Call: An expression used in financial circles depicting a picture of Wall Street, big cities, and the frenzy of the stock market. Covered Call the band, however, was born in a small carpentry shed in the dark, deep forests of Sweden. The contrast couldn´t be greater between the band and their name. Covered Call was formed by drummer Ronny Svanströmer and guitarist Joel Carlsson. Subsequently, second guitarist Morgan Rosenquist joined the band and the material rapidly started taking shape. The band immediately landed a deal and released their debut album "Money Never Sleeps" internationally in 2009. During the recording sessions for the band's second album bassist Andy Loos (ex Glory, Lion´s Share) was recruited as a full member in the lineup.
Andy had previously been working with Göran Edman (ex John Norum Band, Yngwie Malmsteen), who was soon after recruited to complete this stellar lineup.
The new album, entitled IMPACT, was recorded by Covered Call along with Studio Fredman (Arch Enemy, Hammerfall, Dimmu Borgir, In Flames) and was mixed by Lars Chriss of Lion´s Share (who also performed a guest solo on the track "Hold On") at LS Studio. The band has left their suits behind and is ready to deliver unforgettable rock music in the true AOR spirit!
This new musical constellation together with vocalist Göran Edman now sound stronger than ever and with fantastic new material Covered Call will prove, once again, that their brand of hook-layered rock is a force to be reckoned with.
Track list: 1. Lorraine, 2. When The Lights Are Out, 3. Think About All Times, 4 Look Into Your Mind, 5. Hold On, 6. Make A Wish, 7. Nothing Lasts Forever, 8. Wake Up, 9. When I´M Gone, 10. Live It Up, 11. Last Goodbye.
Line-Up: Göran Edman - Lead vocals, Joel Carlsson – Guitars, Morgan Rosenquist – Guitar, Andy Loos - Bass, Ronny Svanströmer - Drums.
WebLinks: www.coveredcall.se / www.facebook.com/coveredcallrock / www.metalheaven.net.
BON JOVI TOUR KICKS OFF THIS WEEKEND:
Pre-order Bon Jovi's What About Now on iTunes starting Tuesday, February 12. Receive title track "What About Now" instantly upon purchase. Bon Jovi's highly anticipated new album, What About Now will be released worldwide between March 8 and March 15. What About Now offers 12 Brand New songs, including the hit single "Because We Can".
Join the band live from Mohegan Sun this Saturday night, February 9, to celebrate the kick-off of the tour! Fans around the world can tune in and watch Bon Jovi live on stage from their very own computers. Catch the first 30 minutes of Because We Can - The Tour live starting at 8pm ET (New York) / 5pm PT (Los Angeles) on BonJovi.com or Radio.com. Pre-show begins at 7:30pm ET (New York) / 4:30pm PT (Los Angeles).
The second of four videos for "Because We Can" will be unveiled exclusively on the Bon Jovi app this Sunday night! Join us at 10pm GMT (London) / 5pm ET (New York) Sunday night for the big reveal!
Click here to download the app today for free.
DENNIS WARD NAMED AS PRODUCER FOR NEW NEONFLY ALBUM: Neonfly are pleased to announce that they will be working with producer Dennis Ward (Unisonic, Pink Cream 69, Angra…) on their as yet untitled sophomore release, and follow up, to their critically lauded debut Outshine The Sun. Dennis has been at the forefront of the metal scene since the late 80's as the bass player and producer of the mighty Pink Cream 69, and more recently of Unisonic. As well as his own bands, Dennis has produced albums for Angra, Krokus, Bob Catley, Sinner, Primal Fear, Vanden Plas, Axxis, Adagio, Robin Beck… the list goes on! His track record, needless to say, speaks for itself.
Production is set to start on April 1 at Hofa studios in Karlsdorf, Germany. Excitement is high within the band as to the new sonic possibilities presented by working with Dennis Ward. New musical horizons surely beckon and a major leap in the band's profile is assured.
Guitarist and main songwriter Frederick Thunder comments: "The material we have for this album is the best we've ever written, I have no doubt about that. The arrangements are bigger & more bombastic, the riffs are killer, the songs are even more hook laden, and following extensive touring with heroes like Magnum and Freedom Call we feel our playing has reached fever pitch… we're just more together and inspired as a band. With this record we want the fans to get some sense of the energy and ferocity we present in our live shows, whilst at the same time melting their brains with what we aim to be a massively ramped up orchestral scale to our sound." "That's why it was really important to choose the right producer for this album, to make sure that the scale of the production could match our ambitions, and Dennis is the right man for the job. We just can't wait to get started, and I know once we do, we won't want to stop!"
As previously announced however, the band will be taking a break in the production to fly back to the UK for their tour in support of Sonata Arctica.
Dates are as follows:
14th April – Nottingham Rescue Rooms
15th April – Manchester Club Academy
16th April – Birmingham HMV Institute | Library
17th April – London | The Garage
Chapter two of the Neonfly story is about to commence, Neonfly look forward to presenting the fruits of their labours to the metal masses later in 2013.
WebLinks: www.neonfly.net / www.facebook.com/NeonflyUK / twitter.com/NeonflyUK.
R-MINE METALFEST 2013: R-Mine Metalfest 2013 is scheduled for June 21th – 23th in Tongeren, Belgium. A new trailer for the festival can now be seen here: youtu.be/K5uY3VdRQOQ. Symphony X recently announced as headliner with Rhapsody Of Fire and Hell. Acts confirmed for the festival include:
Friday 21/06 – Rhapsody Of Fire, Jorn, Nightmare, Evil Masquerade, Fate, Voodoo Highway, Ex Libris, Ethernity, Azylya (tickets presale 25€ – atd 30€ – combi ticket 3 days 65€)
Saturday 22/06 – Symphony X , Freak Kitchen, Secret Sphere, Raven Lord, Blood Bound, Tainted Nation, Tore St Moren Feat. John Macaluso & Nic Angileri, Sunburst, Max Pie, Arhythmia, Magnacult, Scarlet Anger, Keyrah, Hell City, Pulver One (tickets presale 30€ – atd 35€ – combi ticket 3 days 65€)
Sunday 23/06 – Hell, Tygers Of Pan Tang, Holocaust, Savage, Demon, Cloven Hoof, Fireforce, Attic, Wizz Wizzard, Voltrage, Civilian, Valkyre (tickets presale 25€ – atd 30€ – combi ticket 3 days 65€)
Tickets for R-Mine Metalfest 2013 are available at www.mymusicevents.be and all Free Recordshops in Belgium Giga Swing Hasselt,Metal Zone Shops Belgium, Moonlight Shop Tongeren, etc. Real metal fans will have a good time at the R-Mine Metalfest 2013 with the Metal Market + Meet & Greet area.
WebLinks: www.facebook.com/events/123709357795939 / www.mymusicevents.be / www.r-mineproductions.be.
TAINTED NATION NEW VIDEO TEASER ONLINE:
New rockers Tainted Nation release today their aptly titled Million Dollar Teaser video clip! The video can be viewed here: youtu.be/XLFvBSkjO5o.
This video clip is to raise awareness and promote the debut album F.E.A.R., released on January 25 on Massacre Records. Bassist Pontus Egberg cheerfully says: "For this, we wanted to show that we do have fun playing rock 'n roll! We all feel the same pleasure working together with such great chemistry."
Vocalist Pete Newdeck added: "There was no expense spared making this creative masterpiece of a teaser clip under the supervision of Cross. It oozes class! In all seriousness, we are having a ball and blown away by almost every album review. So far, so good." Tainted Nation recently released the first video 'Loser': youtu.be/UILFu8hf5NE.
The band – somewhat an 'all-star' line up of Pete Newdeck (Eden's Curse) vocals, Mark Cross (ex Firewind, Helloween) Drums, Pontus Egberg (The Poodles) and Ian Nash (Lionsheart).
Tainted Nation are already booked for R-Mine Metalfest 2013 in Tongeren Belgium in June alongside Symphony X, Hell, Jorn Lande, Rapsody Of Fire, Nightmare, Secret Sphere, Voodoo Highway and Raven Lord to name but a few. Mark Cross added 'We plan on doing dates around the UK and Europe, which to us is very important – live shows are what this band is about'.
For information on ordering the new album F.E.A.R visit www.taintednation.co.uk and hit the merchandise tab. The band is offering a variety of packages or via the usual outlets from Massacre Records.
WebLinks: www.taintednation.co.uk / www.facebook.com/officialtaintednation / www.youtube.com/TaintedNationUK.
KAMELOT NEW SINGLE FALLS TODAY: Kamelot will release a new single tomorrow digitally. Falling Like The Fahrenheit combines everything what the band stands for: melody, epic and melancholy atmospheres, and the unique voice of the new singer Tommy Karevik. The single will feature a special radio edit and the full album version.
Kamelot have held their own, very special position in the world of rock and heavy music: their elaborate melodic metal has always opened itself in a remarkably clever way to like-minded styles, integrating progressive elements as well as cross-references to doom/gothic metal and classical music, which have allowed their songs to define their own genre. Two of their most successful releases in particular, namely the albums Karma (2001) and The Black Halo (2005), are prime examples of Kamelot's multi-layered approach, intensity and outstanding musicality. Their latest offering, Silverthorn, sees the band raise this demanding standard even higher, because Silverthorn is a masterpiece of grand gestures, gritty melodies and haunting atmospheres. In addition, the album confidently and proudly features the band's new singer: with his debut Tommy Karevik from Sweden has proved that he suits Kamelot perfectly in every respect!
The LP and limited edition will have one version of the art, while the standard version of Silverthorn will have a different but equally exquisite version of the artwork. The standard version is presented as an Ecolbook. The limited edition contains the Ecolbook, a bonus CD with nearly 60 minutes of music, a 44 page book and an exclusive poster. The double LP version is a gatefold on colored blue marbeled vinyl. The digital version is available on iTunes.
For More Information Please Visit: www.kamelot.com / www.facebook.com/kamelotofficial / twitter.com/KamelotOfficial / www.spv.de.
CD SHOWCASE UPDATE:
New CD Showcases again today - this time AOR Heaven's two February 22 releases - Heartbreak Radio and Wild Rose. Check them out.
MRX UPDATE: MRX has been updated with 4 new features (3 feature albums and a great slice of demos...). They are:
- Tony MacAlpine - Eyes Of The World
- Red Fun - Red Fun
- Erotic Suicide - II
- Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet Final Production Demos (1986)(15 Tracks) MRX Membership Details.
Thursday, February 07, 2013
CRASHDIET BRAND NEW VIDEO "CALIFORNIA" HAS EXCLUSIVE WORLDWIDE PREMIERE:
Hard rock lovers worldwide can click here to witness the worldwide premiere of the video for Swedish sleaze rockers Crashdiet's brand new track, California. The song is taken from their latest album, THE SAVAGE PLAYGROUND, which was just released worldwide via Frontiers Records and debuted at #2 on the Swedish album charts. Next month, Crashdiet are set to take their fiery live show to the masses in North America with a headlining tour kicking off on March 15 at Hooligans in Albuquerque, NM. Please see below for confirmed tour dates.
A leading force in the Swedish "sleaze rock" scene of the 2000s, Crashdiet harkens back to the glam metal movement of the 1980s, with a more pronounced punk element. Crashdiet has earned an international following of diehard fans through extensive touring, with stints supporting the likes of Motley Crue, Ozzy Osbourne and more. Crashdiet overcame tragedy early in their career when original lead singer Dave Lepard committed suicide. Determined to carry on Lepard's legacy, Crashdiet has endured and has become an example of determination to their fans. Crashdiet is Martin Sweet (guitars), Peter London (bass), Eric Young (drums) and Simon Cruz (vocals).
Crashdiet North American tour:
March
15 Albuquerque, NM Hooligans
20 Phoenix, AZ Joe's Grotto
22 Los Angeles, CA The Whisky A Go Go
25 San Francisco, CA DNA Lounge
26 Las Vegas, NV Vinyl – Hard Rock Hotel Casino
30 Arvada, CO Jammin Joes
APRIL
2 Kansas City, MO The Riot Room
4 Chicago, IL Double Door
5 Detroit, MI Hard Rock Cafe Detroit
6 Toronto, ON The Mod Club Theatre
7 Ottawa, ON Mavericks
9 Montreal, QC Petit Cafe
11 West Chester, PA The Note
13 New York, NY Gramercy Theatre
16 White Marsh, MD House Of Rock
For more information, please visit: www.crashdiet.org / www.frontiers.it.
FULLFORCE GET READY FOR NEXT LEVEL:
Swedish melodic Metal outfit Fullforce release the second video from their new studio album Next Level today. Less than 18 months after the release of their debut album "One", Fullforce launched their second offering: the new album bears the programmatic title Next Level and presents a distinctive progress in the band's music: "We have grown and feel confident that our new material will appeal to a much wider audience," Elmgren explains. "One was a little more complex stylistically, while Next Level sounds more straightforward and compact. And while we didn't have a single ballad on our debut, Next Level features two." The Fullforce guitarist is referring to 'Strongest Thing Of All' and 'Smile At The World,' which, according to Elmgren, have a slight Scorpions flair: "I always wanted to write a real guitar ballad and am very proud of those two emotional numbers."
Strongest Thing Of All can now be found on SPV's YouTube channel: youtu.be/45OueC8WebQ.
Fullforce Line Up: Mike Andersson (Cloudscape) – Vocals, Stefan Elmgren (ex-Hammerfall) – Guitars, Stefan Rosqvist – Guitars, Tommy Larsson (ex-Heed) – Bass, Anders Johansson (Hammerfall, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen) – Drums.
WebLinks: www.fullforce.se / www.spv.de.
UPDATE FROM GREAT WHITE:
News from Great White via vocalist Terry Ilous: "The Hard to Say Goodbye video is officially in rotation on MTV.com. The song is also #8 on the Classic Rock media charts. This is indeed a major milestone for a band that many thought would fall into the abyss after the departure of their original singer. A big thank you to all the fans, past present, and future, we could have never done it without you! Thank you to all who did not believe it could be possible!. A gracious thank you to my family, friends, my band, Team GW, our tenacious Street Team! A special thank you to my Martial Arts teacher, Shihan Dai Vince Cecere, who reminded me years ago that the dream was not over as long as I still believe!
Great White Artist Page: www.mtv.com/artists/great-white / Official video link: www.mtv.com/videos/great-white/876641/hard-to-say-goodbye.jhtml / www.greatwhiterocks.com.
SWEET SOUNDS TALK LEAVING EDEN: Sweetsounds Management is proud to announce "killer female fronted" and Boston's best Leaving Eden are climbing up the international loud radio charts! Leaving Eden have toured the USA and UK and plan to continue touring the USA with their 2013 worldwide release Between Heaven And Hell, on UK's right recording and distributed worldwide by Nova/Universal. Check out Leaving Eden at: www.sweetsounds.us.
SPOTIFY CRANKS UP THE METAL WITH NEW APPS: Spotify puts the pedal to the metal by launching apps from two of the rock genre's biggest names. Following the arrival of Metallica last December, Spotify is taking its metal offering to even greater heights with the launch of new apps from heavy metal bible Metal Hammer and indie record label Century Media. The new app from Metal Hammer, one of the foremost authorities on metal in the world, brings Spotify users the best in the past, present and future of metal music. The magazine brings all its expertise to the app with a ton of specially curated playlists, including:
· Killer Covers: A list of the finest cover versions from the metal world
· 1980: From Motorhead to Maiden, ten reasons why 1980 was the best year for heavy metal.
· Pantera Ultimate Playlist: Dimebag. Phil. Rex. Vinnie. All you need right here.
Alexander Milas, editor of Metal Hammer, says: "The way that metal fans connect with music may be changing, but their passion for it never has. Metal Hammer's been helping fans connect since 1986, and with Spotify we're bringing it into the 21st century. Turn it up." Legendary rock music label Century Media also brings its official app "Metal of the Century" to Spotify, bubbling over with entertaining and informative features from the most successful and fascinating acts in metal, prog, rock, punk and hardcore.
Features include personally curated and continually updated playlists from artists including Anders Friden (In Flames), Greg Mackintosh (Paradise Lost), Bleed From Within and Cristina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil). In addition, each label of the Century Media family gets its own section where users can check out the best in new releases and browse through news stories and tour dates. Click here to check out the new Metal Hammer app on Spotify. Click here to check out the new Metal of the Century app on Spotify.
GILMOUR, MASON & WATERS REVEAL PINK FLOYD'S MUSICAL MISSING LINK ANIMALS, 'INTHESTUDIO':
Dallas, TX- February 5, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands heads to the farm this week for an insider's look at Pink Floyd's 1977 album Animals. How did Pink Floyd evolve from the sublime cynicism of Dark Side of the Moon to the madness and despair of The Wall six years later? In these classic interviews with David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and big concept composer Roger Waters you'll hear first-hand the vital importance of this transitional Pink Floyd album Animals. As Roger Waters reveals to InTheStudio host Redbeard, it was actually during the final stadium concert on the Animals tour when Waters experienced a cathartic climax that would change rock history. "The last one we did was in Montreal in the Olympic Stadium. Ninety thousand people stretching forever into the distance. Chain link fencing in front of the stage. Kids apparently on some kind of Pavlovian dog trip, screaming their heads off (for the song "Money") from the moment we appeared on stage until the moment we left. Nobody listening. And what was important was the demagoguery, the worship of the very 'rich' people...It's the worship of idols, from afar, and I find it distressing...And I experienced 'the wall ' very powerfully on that day."
Pink Floyd 'Animals'-InTheStudio program is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/pink-floyd-animals-2.
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
A TASTE OF WHAT'S TO COME: Frontiers Records Teaser: Click and play loud - tune in on February 11 for more news...
FAIR WARNING SUNDANCER COMING IN MAY:
The new album Sundancer by German rock band Fair Warning will be released in Germany on May 24th, Europe May 27th and US/Canada May 28th.
You can watch a short teaser here: youtu.be/_nGrxFEsOoo.
Sundancer will be released as CD and download through SPV / Steamhammer worldwide except Japan/Asia.
WebLinks: www.fair-warning.de / www.spv.de.
ROCK MEETS CLASSIC CONFIRM SPECIAL GUEST FOR 2013 EUROPEAN TOUR:
Organizers for the 2013 edition of the annual Rock Meets Classic tour through Europe have confirmed vocalist Bonnie Tyler for the line-up: "Very special guest on the Original Rock Meets Classic tour 2013 will be Bonnie Tyler, with a Best Of setlist including the perfect Rock Meets Classic anthem 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart' - enjoy!"
Rock Meets Classic have also confirmed former Journey frontman Steve Augeri, Manfred Mann's Earth Band's Chris Thompson, Free / Bad Company vocalist Paul Rodgers and The Hooters' Eric Bazilian for the February/March run. In addition, Primal Fear drummer Randy Black has been confirmed as the man behind the kit for the tour. He joins his Primal Fear bandmates Mat Sinner (bass/master of ceremonies), Alex Beyrodt (guitars) and Ralf Scheepers (backing vocals) as part of The Mat Sinner Band.
Now into its fourth year, Rock Meets Classic showcases classic rock artists of the '70s and '80s performing their hits backed by a full-on rock band and an orchestra. The Mat Sinner Band also features Trillium / Avantasia's Amanda Somerville (backing vocals), Avantasia's Oliver Hartmann (guitars), Jimmy Kresic (keyboards), Tiffany Kirkland (backing vocals) and Verena Schock (backing vocals).
Confirmed dates for the 2013 are as follows:
February
18 - Berlin, Germany - Max Schmeling Halle
19 - Rostock, Germany - Stadthalle
21 - Kerkrade, Netherlands - Rodahal
22 - Halle/Westfalen, Germany - Gerry Weber
23 - Essen, Germany - Grugahalle
25 - Frankfurt, Germany - Jahrhunderthalle
26 - Hof, Germany - Freiheitshalle
27 - Passau, Germany - Dreiländerhalle
March
1 - Prague, Czech Republic - Tipsport Arena
2 - Ingolstadt, Germany - Saturnarena
3 - Neu-Ulm, Germany - Ratiopharm Arena
5 - Landshut, Germany - Sparkassen-Arena
6 - München, Germany - Olympiahalle
8 - Mannheim, Germany - SAP-Arena
9 - Nürnberg, Germany - Arena
10 - Würzburg, Germany - S. Oliver Arena
11 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Saarlandhalle
13 - Stuttgart, Germany - Porsche Arena
15 - Kempten, Germany - Big Box
16 - Regensburg, Germany - Donauarena
17 - Zürich, Switzerland - Hallenstadion
A review of last year's event can be found at: www.unratedmagazine.com.
PURPLE PYRAMID TO RELEASE THE PROG COLLECTIVE ON VINYL FEBRUARY 12: Purple Pyramid (a subsidiary of Cleopatra Records) will release The Prog Collective, a massive and unique project that features the biggest names in the progressive music genre, in a 2-LP vinyl set this February 12. The Prog Collective was released last year to critical and fan acclaim. Seven original songs written and produced by Billy Sherwood (Yes, Toto, Circa, etc.) were performed by an international cast of luminaries from the prog and rock communities. LP1 Side A
1: The Laws Of Nature - John Wetton Lead Vocals / Tony Levin Stick & Bass / Jerry Goodman Violins / Billy Sherwood Backing Vocals, Drums, Keyboards, Electric & Acoustic Guitars
2: Over Again - Richard Page Lead Vocals / Geoff Downes Keyboard Solos / Billy Sherwood Backing Vocals, Bass, Drums, Keyboards, Electric & Acoustic Guitars
3: The Technical Divide - Alan Parsons Lead Vocals / Chris Squire Bass / David Sancious Keyboard Solos / Gary Green Lead Guitar / Billy Sherwood Backing Vocals, Drums, Keyboards, Electric & Acoustic Guitars
LP1 Side B
1: Social Circles - Annie Haslam Lead Vocals / Peter Banks Lead Guitar / Billy Sherwood Backing Vocals, Bass, Drums, Keyboards, Electric and Acoustic Guitars
2: Buried Beneath - Billy Sherwood Lead & Backing Vocals, Bass, Drums & Acoustic Guitars / Larry Fast Keyboards / Steve Hillage Electric Guitars
3: Following The Signs - John Wesley Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar / Tony Kaye Hammond Organ & Keyboards / Billy Sherwood Backing Vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric & Acoustic Guitars
LP2 Side A
1: Check Point Karma - Colin Moulding Lead Vocals / Rick Wakeman Keyboard Solos / Billy Sherwood Backing Vocals, Bass, Drums, Keyboards, Electric & Acoustic Guitars
2: The Laws of Nature (instrumental) 3: The Technical Divide (instrumental)
LP2 Side B
1: Social Circles (instrumental) 2: Check Point Karma (instrumental) 3. Over Again (single edit) 4. Let the World Revolve (bonus track).
The band is also proud to announce its involvement in The Moody Blues – The Voyage cruise, taking place March 20-25. In addition to The Moody Blues, The Prog Collective will be playing with Little River Band, Greg Lake, Asia, Stephen Bishop, The Zombies and more: moodiescruise.com The Prog Collective will be in stores and online retailers for MSRP of $26.98.
WAKEUPCALL NEW VIDEO SINGLE: JUST WANNA DANCE:
Despite their young age, WakeUpCall have worked with American producer Beau Hill (Alice Cooper, Eric Clapton) and M. Baggio (The Fire, Vanilla Sky) and spent the last 2 years touring (more than 100 shows around Europe with bands such as Winger, Heaven's Basement, Tito & Tarantula, The Fire, The Electric Diorama). WakeUpCall just released the second video/single Just Wanna Dance from their first full-length album, entitled: Batteries Are Not Included. You can watch Just Wanna Dance video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFLzzY7JI2Q.
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
N.O.W. REVEALS A BOHEMIAN KINGDOM IN MARCH: Escape Music are excited to announce the upcoming release of the highly anticipated second N.O.W. album, titled Bohemian Kingdom across Europe on March 22.
At age six, Alec Mendonça stumbled across the Boston debut album along with some old Beatles records which changed his life forever. When he turned 14 he started playing more professionally and got a Luthier homemade bass. At age 18 his grandmother bought him his first fender Jazz Bass special, even recording an album in 1996 that had some air play in Brazil but then it all came to a halt due to sickness in the family. After a hiatus of 14 years taking care of family business, Alec Mendonça was finally back to the world he loved, the music world. N.O.W. was born then, and by joining forces with stellar Brazilian Keyboardist Jean Barros, all the basis of the songs were done in Studio 430. After 3 months Alec put down 12 songs! Alec had to travel to the studio so many times he lost count of that, sometimes spending the whole day away from home for months, but it was worth it. With the demo CD in hand, he only wanted the right vocals to do it and although Alec can sing, his voice is more of a background voice. Taking his chances, he decided to send the tapes to some people he knew through the internet and caught the attention of gifted vocalist Philip Bardowell (ex-Peter Criss, Ace Frehley from Kiss, ex-Beach Boys, ex-Unruly Child) who loved the songs so much that he decided to sing the songs for Alec.
Force of Nature, the debut in 2010 (ESM204), is indeed a force to be reckoned with and has so many twists and turns you will so easily get wrapped up in its universal appeal. The reviews were astounding with magazines praising how good the band sounded.
After 3 years in the making a new line-up was required for Alec to achieve his so sought after sound. So Alec found what seemed to be the main ingredient for his sophomore album; the guitar player Juno Moraes. Juno is all heart and melody and his licks are to die for. A new drummer was also required and this time Lars Chriss was called to mix and master the album. Lars gave the new album the punch and life it needed so bad to sound like a real winner. During the recordings of the second album Alec also lost a very close friend who was the close we can get to an Angel at the tender age of 17 due to Leukaemia, these are the times one wonders If there's a God.... and so the result was a much darker and moodier album. Alec also found the need to transmit all the rage and pain he went through after his friend's passing and wrote a song to exteriorize his feelings, this song is ''No One Can Feel It's Over''.... It also has to be said that The NOW sound has leanings towards Foreigner and Rainbow in places…no bad thing.
If you liked the first album for all the right reasons and Foreigner, Journey. We can guarantee a Magical Mystery Tour with this second instalment, full of surprises, hooks, choruses and loads of layers of guitars. NOW are back with a second album that will just set the pace again, this is a much stronger release than the debut and is bound to impress both fans old and new.
Track Listing: 1-I'm Alive 2- I Feel Divine 3- Don't Go Now 4- Strong Enough 5- Mary-Ann 6- Tonight Is The Night 7- Bohemian Kingdom 8- Leon's Going Soft 9- Cassie's Dream 10- No One Can Feel It's Over.
Lineup: Philip Bardowell – Vocals / Alec Mendonça - Bass & Vocals / Jean Barros – Keyboards, Piano & Vocals / Juno Moraes – Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Acoustic Guitars & Mandolin / Diogo Macedo – Drums.
Backing Vocals: Mike Wallace, Matti Alfonzetti, Philip Bardowell, Alec Mendonça, Church Choir of Mission Viejo - California. Saxophone & Flute: Zé Canuto. Guest Musicians: Anders Loos on Bass and Lars Chriss on Drums.
All the songs written, arranged and co-produced by Alec Mendonça * Except ''I'm Alive'' written by Alec Mendonça & McCoy.
Produced and Mixed by: Lars Chriss - Vox Engineer: Mike Wallace at firepan Studios CA - Mastered by: Mike Lind.
LabelLink: www.Escape-Music.com.
DE LA CRUZ "CHERRY BOMB" (OFFICIAL VIDEOCLIP): Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release today of the digital single "Cherry Bomb" from Australian Hard Rockers De La Cruz. The song is taken from the forthcoming album "Street Level", the band's international debut which will hit the streets on March 22nd in Europe and March 26th in North America. The band has also shot a new video clip for the single which can be enjoyed following the YouTube link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fFo91v87CI.
Frontiers Records is proud to present the new issue of Melodic Rock Fanzine. The 54th release of the label's successful magazine is available for free all over the world through record shops, mailorders and every fine dealer carrying the Frontiers Records releases. Below is the previews of the two Melodic Rock Fanzine covers. This new issue includes reviews and interviews of W.E.T., Crashdiet, Snakecharmer, Hardcore Superstar, Rage of Angels, Vandroya, Great White, Diamond Dawn, Player, Pink Cream 69, Jorn... and more! Electronic readable version of the magazine is available on the Frontiers official site and here.
BON JOVI REVEAL COVER ART:
Here's the latest from Bon Jovi: "It's here! The ground-breaking album artwork for our new album, What About Now! Using the official Bon Jovi app & the image above you can make the album artwork come alive. The experience starts now! Download the official Bon Jovi app here. Open the app, then click on the tab labeled 'Augmented Reality' (If your AR tab doesn't open be sure you have downloaded the most recent version of the app). Point your device at the image above. The app will open the animation. Tap the animation to unlock an exclusive new video: the Track By Track for "Not Running Anymore!"
LOVERBOY'S "JOURNEY" CONTINUES WITH 2013 TOUR DATES, TV NODS, CRITICAL PRAISE:
Legendary multi-platinum Canadian rockers celebrate new album, Rock 'n' Roll Revival, as blockbuster Journey tour dates continue through end of month Loverboy is still wowing fans on the road and "lovin' every minute of it," as their blockbuster national tour with Journey continues in February. The Canadian rock legends schedule features dates with Journey and Pat Benatar + Neil Giraldo in Sioux City (2/5) and Moline, IL (2/6); with Journey and Night Ranger in Grand Rapids, MI (2/9), Fort Wayne, IN (2/10) and Evansville, IN (2/12) and their own headlining shows in Biloxi, MS (2/8) and Coachella, CA (2/16). The band will then hit the road on their own starting in April. The February schedule is listed below.
Going on 30-plus years as a working rock and roll band, Loverboy has sold more than 10 million albums, with four multi-platinum plaques, including the four-million-selling Get Lucky. The group still features the original line-up of vocalist Mike Reno, guitarist Paul Dean, drummer Matt Frenette and keyboardist Doug Johnson with bassist Ken "Spider" Sinnaeve replacing the late Scott Smith.
The band's most recent Frontiers Records studio album, Rock 'n' Roll Revival, features three new tracks, "Rock 'n' Roll Revival," "Heartbreaker" and "No Tomorrow," with the latter two produced with their original engineer Bob Rock (Metallica, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi) at Bryan Adams' famed Warehouse Studios in Vancouver. Rock worked under Loverboy producer Bruce Fairbairn, whose work with the band was recently praised by prominent blogger Bob Lefsetz; "'Turn Me Loose' is a masterpiece…certain tracks are just undeniable. This debut was as strong as Bad Company's, as strong as ANYBODY'S!"
The band have been keeping busy in between tour dates, with lead guitarist Paul Dean mixing, producing and adding guitar tracks while on the tour bus for legendary Canadian rocker Greg Godovitz's solo debut, aMuseMe, which can be streamed on SoundCloud (soundcloud.com/machinedean/sets/amuseme). Meanwhile, lead singer Mike Reno appeared on the Canadian TV comedy show, Health Nutz, where he talked about the band's tour, which can be seen on YouTube.
Loverboy have also made their mark on popular culture. The band will appear in a video montage taking place inside the mind of Matthew Perry on the Feb. 26 episode of his new NBC comedy, Go On, as part of his education on meditation.
Wrote Today.com of the band's current shows: "Loverboy is embracing its past while setting its sights on a future that … will bring them more music, fans and fun."
Feb. 5: Tyson Center (Journey, Pat Benatar), Sioux City
Feb. 6: iWireless Center (Journey, Pat Benatar), Moline, IL
Feb. 8: Hard Rock (headlining), Biloxi, MS
Feb. 9: Van Andel Arena (Journey, Night Ranger), Grand Rapids, MI
Feb. 10: Allen County War Memorial Coliseum (Journey, Night Ranger), Fort Wayne, IN
Feb. 12: Ford Center (Journey, Night Ranger), Evansville, IN
Feb. 16: Spotlight 29 Casino (headlining), Coachella, CA
KIX, FEMME FATALE & EVOLUTION EDEN TICKET GIVEAWAY: Evolution Eden will be playing a show on March 8th at the Key Club in Hollywood California with 80's rockers Kix and Femme Fatale. We are offering 5 free pairs of tickets to Melodicrock.com visitors who will be in the LA area at that time and as a special bonus...free signed "The Perfect Crime" CDs for any MRX subscribers. Anyone interested can simply e-mail us your name and information at evolutioneden@aol.com and we will draw/announce the winning names by February 20th.
RUSS DWARF OF THE KILLER DWARFS CONNECTS WITH MICHAEL BRANDVOLD MARKETING: Michael Brandvold Marketing is excited to announce their newest client, former KiLLeR DWaRFs lead vocalist, Russ "Dwarf" Graham. Michael Brandvold Marketing will be helping guide Russ' digital strategy for his new acoustic CD release, "Wireless", his documentary movie TaLL TaLeS, a KiLLeR DWaRFs unreleased album STaRT @ ONE, his appearance on the Monsters of Rock Cruise, and a brand new RuSS DWaRF Solo Rock Album.
Speaking about Russ, Michael said, "I first was introduced to Russ when he was a guest on my web series the Dropping The Needle podcast (www.DroppingTheNeedle.com), well truthfully I remember playing "Keep The Spirit Alive" by the KiLLeR DWaRFs when I was doing a metal radio show. A classic song that still sounds great today." Russ commented, "With the release of my new acoustic CD, "Wireless", I knew I needed to bring someone onboard my team who could help with a digital strategy and help steer me in the new music business. Michael immediately came to mind as the person I wanted."
A two time Canadian Juno Award nominee Russ"Dwarf" Graham has also sold close to two million records worldwide and has had a career spanning more than 30 years. Russ was the co-founder of the KiLLeR DWaRFs in 1981. He and the KiLLeR DWaRFs quickly gained international success, first in Canada with the Juno nominated self-titled KiLLeR DWaRFs debut album in 1983 with Attic Records which was produced by Doug Hill. Using his own money, the band cut the iconic and now highly sought after album Stand Tall in '86 on Maze/A&M Records in Canada, and Grudge Records stateside. Russ and the band toured relentlessly in support of it. The first single, "Keep the Spirit Alive," was an anthem of the times. Much Music's new Pepsi Power Hour provided substantial airplay for the his hits "Stand Tall " and "Keep The Spirit Alive" in Canada, while MTV provided great American exposure for Russ and the band. MTV soon put the band's videos for "Keep The Spirit Alive" and "Stand Tall" on a 13-week rotation allowing the album to sell an unprecedented 80,000 copies during that time. By the spring of 1987, the video became the most requested video on MTV, setting a record that would take years to overcome. It still holds the record for MTV's most-requested independent video of all time. With the addition of national tours of the United States and Canada the exposure got Russ and the band noticed and brought Sony/Epic Recordsto their door offering a multimillion dollar worldwide recording contract. Russ first album with Sony/Epic was Big Deal. It was recorded again in Toronto and produced by Simon Halhart, whose previous credits included the likes of Saxon and Marillion. That year they went on tour to support Iron Maiden across Europe on a sold out tour and appearing at several outdoor rock festivals here and overseas. The next year, Russ and the band moved operations from Toronto to Los Angeles to record "Dirty Weapons" with award-winning and much sought after producer Andy Johns (Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Rod Stewart, Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Bon Jovi and Cinderella). Released in 1990, the resulting album sported 'Doesn't Matter' – Russ' first radio hit in the USA. The song went to #1 in thirteen cities, including two major stations in Los Angeles. The title track, 'Dirty Weapons,' also became a smash hit and a standard on MTV's Headbanger's Ball program. In 1991 Russ and The Killer Dwarfs were nominated for a Juno for Best Hard Rock Group. The following year saw the release of Method To The Madness also with Andy Johns in the producer's chair. This album was touted to be one of the best hard rock albums Canada ever produced, including the title track, "Hard Luck Town" and "Cowboys and Conmen " along with the chart topping "Driftin Back" power ballad. After a few years of touring in support of Method To The Madness, Russ and his band parted ways with Sony/Epic.
Currently Russ has a new solo album is in the works again with Legendary producer/engineer Andy Johns who is set to produce it. The album has attracted the attention of many prolific artists in the metal world who will either guest on the project or assist with song-writing including present/past members of Guns N' Roses, Whitesnake, Alice Cooper and Motley Crue and Ratt. Russ is also set to release and Acoustic CD ("Wireless") of some of his greatest hits from the KiLLeR DWaRFs era as well as a "lost" never before released KiLLeR DWaRFs album entitled Start @ One.
Work is also currently under way on a documentary movie on Russ' life and career tentatively titled "Tall Tales" which should be released in 2013/2014 as well as a book version to follow.
Visit: www.Facebook.com/RussDwarf for more information on Russ "Dwarf" Graham and www.MichaelBrandvold.com for more information on Michael Brandvold Marketing.
FAST RISING UK ROCK ACT SKARLETT RIOT CONFIRMED AS SUPPORT FOR D-A-D AND VOODOO SIX: Skarlett Riot have confirmed three more shows. They will open for Danish rock legends D-A-D at Wolverhampton's Slade Rooms, March 1 and the O2 Academy in London on March 2, they'll also be opening for Voodoo Six at NQ Live, Manchester on March 28.
Don't forget Skarlett Riot hit the road with Heaven's Basement next week for the following shows;
5th Feb – Rugby, The Vault
6th Feb – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
7th Feb – Grimsby, Yardbirds
Skarlett Riot release their debut album 'Tear Me Down' on March 25, through Code 7. Led by the hugely impressive vocal talents of Skarlett, the four-piece mix powerful guitar lines with huge, memorable choruses on an irresistible collection of songs. First single 'Faded Memory' continues to enjoy play across national and regional radio and was recently hailed by Record Collector magazine as 'The UK's answer to Halestorm, by way of Paramore!'
Born in the summer of 2010 in North Lincolnshire, Skarlett Riot are a brazen four-piece female fronted hard rock unit who deliver melody and grit, fused with the muscular garage rock'n'roll. Spitting out fiery riffs and infectious hooks, the Northern noiseniks boast a sound that is truly captivating and anthemic, full to the brim with attitude and a confidence that belies their age.
Skarlett Riot have shared stages with Reckless Love, Periphery, Firewind, Edguy. Black Spiders, Deaf Havana, Crashdiet, Taking Dawn, L.A Guns, Glamour Of The Kill, Vains Of Jenna, Francesqa plus many more.
The band's debut EP "Villain" received glowing accolades across the UK press, including Big Cheese, Kerrang, Powerplay and Rocksound. The video was playlisted at Kerrang TV & Scuzz TV. Skarlett Riot were voted as one of the top 40 bands to rock Download festival on Scuzz TV, whilst Kerrang awarded the band with an amazing 4K live review from the festival.
SR currently endorse: ESP Guitars, Dunlop, AD Drums, Stagg, Spiral Clothing, Fernandes Guitars.
NEW CD SHOWCASES:
4 new CD Showcases added to the site today - the monster W.E.T. album Rise Up and the comeback Player opus (both Frontiers Records, Feb. 22), the killer debut from Rage Of Angels (Escape Music, Feb 22) and a new release out now from Inner Wound from Vandroya. Check them out now.
xxxxxx
Monday, February 04, 2013
NEW SINGLE "PRIMAL SURGE" FROM NEAL SCHON'S HIGHLY-ACCLAIMED SOLO ALBUM:
Primal Surge, the second single from guitar icon Neal Schon's latest solo album, THE CALLING (Frontiers Records), is now set to go for adds at Classic Rock radio this week in the US. "Primal Surge" highlights Schon's beautiful sweeping guitar lines and eclectic fusion sound. Of the track, Schon commented, "This is a great song for sports channels! I love the embodied melody in the song." THE CALLING has been receiving rave reviews from the international media, with the US' Guitar Player declaring, "It's a thrilling, edgy, ballsy, inspiring, and beautiful work that sounds as purposely constructed as a symphony piece. Less-blessed composers and guitarists can now take a moment to cry…" and Vintage Guitar avowing, "THE CALLING, has some of his most vibrant playing to date…epic textures and some of the most stellar guitar tones Schon has ever recorded." The UK's Classic Rock proclaimed, "…a musical masterclass," while Guitarist stated, "stratospheric playing!" Neal Schon graces the cover of the February issue of the US' Goldmine, on stands now.
In other news, PRS Guitars recently announced the introduction of two new Neal Schon signature models, NS-14 and NS-15. Schon was intimately involved in the design of nearly every aspect of the instruments. For more information, please click here. Schon just appeared at the NAMM trade show in Anaheim, CA to personally introduce the new guitars.
Neal Schon's The Calling is produced by, and features, Neal Schon on all guitars and bass, and reunites Schon with former Journey bandmate, Steve Smith, who lends his virtuoso drum talents to all 12 tracks on the new album. In addition, Grammy® Award-winning special guest Jan Hammer (Jeff Beck, Mahavishnu Orchestra,) recorded Moog synthesizer solos on two tracks - "Fifty Six (56)" and "Tumbleweeds" and Igor Len, an accomplished classical, jazz and film composer who has previously collaborated with Schon, is featured on acoustic piano throughout the album. Recorded at Berkeley's famed Fantasy Studios during a break from Journey's busy touring schedule, Neal completed the album from start to finish in just four days.
Journey, one of the most popular American rock bands of all time, of which Neal Schon is a founding member, has earned 19 Top 40 singles and 25 gold and platinum albums, was awarded the prestigious "Legend Of Live Award" at the 2011 Billboard Touring Awards, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As the only member to record on all of Journey's albums, Schon continues to lead the band today in its latest incarnation. Schon will be on a world tour with Journey in 2013.
For more information please visit: www.schonmusic.com.
SEBASTIAN BACH'S DVD/LIVE CD PACKAGE REVEALED:
Iconic rock vocalist Sebastian Bach's brand new CD/DVD package ABachalypse Now has now been set for release on March 22nd in Europe and March 26th in North America via Frontiers Records. The ABachalypse Now Ultimate CD/DVD Edition includes never-before-seen footage from this year's GrasPop Festival in Belgium, the full never-before-seen Hellfest set from France and the fully-remixed and remastered Nokia show from Los Angeles (originally broadcast on AXS TV), as well as bonus music videos. The DVD contains a running time of nearly 160 minutes. ABachalypse Now will be available in two configurations: the Ultimate CD/DVD Edition (2 CDs + DVD) and a standalone DVD; the respective covers can be accessed here and here. Please see below for the complete track listing.
Sebastian Bach's latest album, Kicking & Screaming, was produced by Bob Marlette (Black Sabbath, Shinedown, Atreyu, Filter) and debuted in the Top 75 of the Billboard Top 200 Album chart and received rave reviews from critics and fans alike. Outburn declared, "Sebastian Bach delivers a balls out gang of mountainous hooks, titanic grooves and straight down the middle hard rock", while Revolver avowed, "Bach's voice is in particularly fine form on Kicking & Screaming, boasting more color and range than most…" Bach was recently named one of the 100 greatest living rock stars by Revolver. Sebastian Bach has sold in excess of 20 million records worldwide as lead singer with his former band, Skid Row and as a solo artist. Far from just being a multi-platinum recording artist, the singer/songwriter/actor/entertainer has expanded his career over the past decade to include episodic television with a 5-season recurring role on the CW's hit series "Gilmore Girls", starring roles on Broadway ("Jekyll & Hyde", "The Rocky Horror Picture Show") and national touring companies ("Jesus Christ Superstar"), and has appeared regularly on MTV and VH1.
ABachalypse Now track listing: DVD: Live At Hellfest, France, June 16th, 2012 / Live At Nokia, Los Angeles, CA, August 2nd, 2012 / Live At Graspop, Belgium, June 24th, 2012 / Bonus Music Videos: Kicking & Screaming, TunnelVision, I'm Alive. CD1 – Live At Hellfest, France, 2012 CD2 – Live at Nokia, Los Angeles, CA 2012
Set lists: Live At Hellfest, France, June 16th, 2012 1. Slave To The Grind 2. Kicking & Screaming 3. Here I Am 4. Big Guns 5. Piece Of Me 6. 18 & Life 7. American Metalhead 8. Monkey Business 9. I Remember You 10. Youth Gone Wild.
Live At Nokia, Los Angeles, CA, August 2nd, 2012: 1. Big Guns 2. (Love Is) A Bitchslap 3. Piece Of Me 4. 18 & Life 5. American Metalhead 6. Monkey Business 7. I Remember You 8. TunnelVision 9. Youth Gone Wild.
Live At Graspop, Belgium, June 24th, 2012: 1. Kicking & Screaming 2. Dirty Power 3. Here I Am 4. Big Guns 5. 18 & Life 6. American Metalhead 7. Monkey Business 8. I Remember You 9. TunnelVision.
Bach on the web: www.sebastianbach.com / www.facebook.com/sebastianbach / www.twitter.com/sebastianbach / www.reverbnation.com/sebastianbach / www.frontiers.it.
OUT NOW FROM ROCK CANDY:
The following four new Rock Candy titles are available now from www.rockcandyrecords.com for a discounted price including postage to anywhere in the world, ending on February 11.
Outlaws 'Bring It Back Alive' CANDY161 / "Please welcome the four guitar army...' Never has there been a more fitting introduction for a band of such enduring stamina and total commitment to the art of guitar soloing. Alongside the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Outlaws were one of the premiere Southern Rock groups operating during the late 1970s, unleashing a superlative selection of rural, country-tinged songs, laced with lashings of deliciously executed lead guitar from not one... nor two... but THREE lead guitarists.
'Bring It Back Alive' was the band's fourth record, in an era where the double live album was king. It was a time when Kiss, Peter Frampton, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Rush had been benefitting enormously from the release of live recordings, helping to boost reputations and serving as a platform for further success. This album is a double live master-class in vintage Southern Rock, recorded on the band's 1977 North American tour (one gig in Miami playing to 30,000 screaming fans) when they were affectionately dubbed the 'Four Man Guitar Army'. Aided and abetted by two drummers and featuring guitar wizard Freddie Salem, the album boasts, for the first time, a fully reinstated twelve song quota and includes the definitive twenty-one minute version of their epic live centre piece 'Green Grass And High Tides', this is an essential example of the vintage Southern Rock sound.
24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 3,500 word essay about the making of the album, new interview, fully restored track sequence, 20 minute version of 'Green Grass And High Tides', enhanced artwork and previously unseen photos all spread out over a 16 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. Intro (Relay Breakdown) 2. Stick Around For Rock & Roll 3. Lover Boy 4. There Goes Another Love Song 5. Freeborn Man 6. Prisoner 7. I Hope You Don't Mind 8. Song For You 9. Cold And Lonesome 10. Holiday 11. Hurry Sundown 12. Green Grass And High Tides.
Outlaws 'Soldiers Of Fortune' CANDY162 / 'The south's gonna do it again' sang Charlie Daniels in 1974 pontificating on the future of all those south of the Mason Dixon line. The point he was alluding to is that you can take the man out of the South but you can't take the South out of the man. It was a maxim that all the great Southern rock bands of the1970s stuck by even when fads, trends and personal circumstances laid waste to their confederate flag flying dreams. The Outlaws were a case in point. By 1982 the band had left behind their glory years, operating mostly out of a sense of duty. And they chose to hang up their stetsons and kick off their muddy cowboy boots was no surprise. Fortunately in 1985 the band reunited around the core components of Hughie Thomason and Henry Paul to sign with Pasha Records, a label exploding with the success of a revitalised Quiet Riot. Produced by Randy Bishop and recorded in Los Angeles, 'Soldiers Of Fortune' explores the heart of the Southern rock style, injecting it with a well executed dose of contemporary hard rock bravado. The songs here are mainly rough and tough barn burners, working the same musical path as Blackfoot and Molly Hatchet with the twin lead guitars working over time. Hell Yeah!
24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 3,500 word essay about the making of the album, new interview and enhanced artwork as all spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. Intro (Relay Breakdown) 1. One Last Ride 2. Soldiers Of Fortune 3. The Night Cries 4. The Outlaw 5. Cold Harbor 6. Watcha Don't Do 7. Just The Way I Like It 8. Saved By The Bell 9. Lady Luck 10. Racin' For The Red Light.
xx
Le Roux 'Last Safe Place' CANDY170 / Baton rouge isn't exactly the first port of call when talking AOR. The area is primarily known for cajun and zydeco music, so it may surprise you to know that early 80s melodic rockers Le Roux and Toto both had their roots in Louisiana. Toto's lead vocalist Bobby Kimball was born and raised there and, coincidently, had sung in an early formation of Le Roux before departing for the west coast. Originally going under the rather cumbersome handle of Louisiana's Le Roux, the band cut two exploratory albums, very much in the style that you might expect any band to have sounded like coming from that region. However, by their classic 'Up' album their style had changed radically. Taking its cue from the great melodic rock bands of the day, such as Journey, Foreigner and Styx, the album showcased a keen love of melodic hard rock. Originally issued in 1982, 'Last Safe Place', produced in-house by bassist Leon Medica, took the template and moved it one stage closer towards AOR nirvana. Recorded for their new label RCA, the album satisfied on a number of levels, and is packed out with sophisticated, memorable songs, and killer hooks. Indeed, the track 'Nobody Said It Was Easy' became something of a hit, reaching #18 on the Billboard charts and establishing the band as supreme contenders for the AOR crown.
24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 3,500 word essay about the making of the album, new interview and enhanced artwork as all spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. Addicted 2. It Doesn't Matter 3. Nobody Said It Was Easy 4. The Last Safe Place On Earth 5. Inspiration 6. You Know How Those Boys Are 7. Midnight Summer Dream 8. Rock 'N' Roll Woman 9. Long Distance Lover 10. Make Believe.
Le Roux 'So Fired Up' CANDY171 / Four albums into their career and Le Roux were edging ever closer to scoring success on a national and, indeed, international level. This was back in the days when record companies would give artists enough creative lee-way to develop their craft and build a committed fan following. 'So Fired Up' was, then, the band's fifth album and is largely regarded as one of their finest, erupting with the sort of energy and sophistication that rivals the great melodic rock champions of the day such as Foreigner and Journey.
Originally released in 1983 and once again produced in-house by bassist and founder member Leon Medica, the record featured two new member; that's guitarist Jim Odon and vocalist Fergie Frederiksen, formerly of lauded pomp rockers Trillion. With the new material highlighted by Frederiksen's captivating vocals and the tough-guy guitar playing of Odon, the band found a new lease of life, constructing a record to rival their previous masterpiece 'Up'. Sadly, despite the quality of 'So Fired Up' and the momentum built with their preceding releases, the record commercially underachieved, leaving the band exposed to label politics. So, when a change of regime occurred at RCA, Le Roux where summarily dismissed along with several other promising acts on the cusp of success. Holed beneath the waterline, the band fell apart, unable to sustain such a body blow. Thank heaven we still have their musical legacy to cherish.
24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 3,500 word essay about the making of the album, new interview and enhanced artwork as all spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. So Fired Up 2. Lifeline 3. Let Me In 4. Yours Tonight 5. Line On Love 6. Carrie's Gone 7. Wait One Minute 8. Turning Point 9. Don't Take It Away 10.Look Out.
xx
NEW DEGREED BELONGS IN ALL CD COLLECTIONS:
Swedish rock sensations Degreed have completed work on their sophomore release to be titled We Don't Belong. The band's anticipated comes after their acclaimed debut Love, Life, Loss (MRR) and will be released on Ninetone/Universal Music in Europe, Spinning Inc in Japan and Spectra Records in USA/Canada. No release date is set just yet, but it is due for release this spring. Erik Lidbom has once again produced the album, and he's also been co-writing a few songs. Bill Champlin and his son Will Champlin have co-written two songs on the album. The artwork is done by Henrik Englund Wilhelmsson at H.E.W Design and the band asks for fans to "like" their Facebook page to keep up with information.
The track list is: 1. Intro 2. Black Cat 3. What If 4. In For The Ride (feat. Bill Champlin) 5. Inside Of Me 6. Follow Her 7. Blind Hearted 8. Here I Am 9. Access Denied 10. Coming Home 11. We Don't Belong.
Japanese Bonus Tracks will be We Don't Belong (feat. Godbrother) and Just Another Heartache. Check out Black Cat now at: soundcloud.com/degreedmusic/black-cat.
Fans of the debut are going to LOVE this album - trust me!
KINGDOM COME - OUTLIER - NEW STUDIO ALBUM OUT IN APRIL 2013:
A red-letter day for fans, and for the media at large an important date which makes their representatives prick up their ears: Lenny Wolf and Kingdom Come are set to release their new studio album Outlier on 26 April 2013 in Germany, 29 April 2013 in Europe and 7 May 2013 in the USA, picking up with ten powerful rock songs where his long tradition of fascinating studio albums left off. At the same time, mastermind Lenny is starting a new chapter of his diverse creative career, expertly positioning his charismatic voice on Outlier between traditional rock structures and modern sound elements, which add a third dimension to this album. "I simply felt the need to delve deep inside of me and run riot in the infinite expanse of the audio cosmos. The result is a friction of mercilessly mechanical, heartless sound collages, combined with my typical melancholy-melodious style," Wolf explains the album's artfully interwoven experimental approach to his sound, which never detracts from the familiar atmospheric basic mood of his songs. "A whole number of souls happen to dwell in my breast, which is why experimentation and the development of my musical existence simply belong together."
Outlier was recorded at Wolf's own Hamburg studio, the Two Square Noise Factory. With the exception of the solo guitar parts contributed by Eric Förster, all instruments were recorded by the Kingdom Come boss himself. In addition, Wolf produced, engineered, mixed and mastered his new album. "Eighteen-months of struggle and madness lie behind me, a period which saw me go through the usual alternating bath of euphoria and doubt. As an artist, you can never be quite sure just what you've cooked up, but I happen to be an idealist and simply have to keep embarking on new adventurous journeys. The path of predictability has never satisfied me."
Outlier is Kingdom Come's first studio album featuring completely new material since the arrival of their 2009 release Magnified and will be released as CD and download worldwide through SPV / Steamhammer.
WebLinks: www.lennywolf.com / www.spv.de.
FASTBALL MUSIC ARTIST UPDATE: Jaded Heart are back on the road. They're coming back to Japan, after their first tour in 2010. This time they will bring some friends with them, as they are playing at the Melodic Metal Festivals together wit/b> an.
Live-Dates:
09. Feb. JP Osaka - Fanj twice
10. Feb. JP Nagoya - Apollo Theater
11. Feb. JP Tokyo - Club Holiday
Nicolaj Ruhnow, the voice of Tokyo Blade and, is about to release his first solo album under the project name of Nick Hellfort. This gives him the possibility to express all his musical and personal influences with one driving vision: "Fuck all the rules,'cos as long as it's feeling good it can't be bad." Nick Hellfort is pure Heavy Metal with a strong influence from 70's Prog-Rock-Era without excluding modernism. After a long period of time and a couple of lineup-changes since founding Nick Hellfort in 2007, it's finally done: "The Mask Within" (produced by Arne Lakenmacher at High Gain Recording Studios) will be released 1st March via Sonic Revolution / Fastball Music.
FastBall are very excited to announce that Swiss rock band Adrenaline 101 have signed a worldwide deal with Fastball Music for their second album Demons In The Closet. The album will be released in June 2013.
The awaited sophopmore effort features their signature type of raunchy rock n'roll combined with modern elements. After supporting their debut album Twelve Step Program in 2010/11, the band found themselves at a point in which they wanted to grow as a band as well as songwriters. In Ralph Zünd a Producer was found who not only encouraged them to redefine territories but also understood what the band is all about: Being a gang and going all the way together in order to write and perform on a high energy level. In a musical world where "flavor of the week" is the main agenda, Adrenaline 101 stands out as a no compromise, fist in the face act with everything to prove and nothing to lose!
BILL LEVERTY TURNS TO THE CLASSICS:
News from the great Bill Leverty: "First, I want to let you know that on 2/8/13, I'll have copies of my new CD, Drive, ready to be shipped - PLEASE click this link to order: www.leverty.com/store-01.php.
Drive is a cover tunes CD of songs that influenced me before I started playing guitar. The songs on the CD are:
Fortunate Son (Creedence Clearwater Revival); Spanish Moon (Little Feat); Free Ride (Edgar Winter Group); One (Harry Nilsson / Three Dog Night); I Shot The Sheriff (Bob Marley / Eric Clapton); Fire (The Ohio Players); No Time (The Guess Who); Jesus Children Of America (Stevie Wonder); Rikki Don't Lose That Number (Steely Dan); I Just Want To Celebrate (Rare Earth).
I hope you'll add this CD to your collection. These are 10 of my all-time favorite songs, and they made me who I am as an artist. Second, for a limited time only, if you order the combo pack, you get a free color autographed photo made out to you. Third, I have a new app. It's free and worth every penny! It's available for iPhone and Android. Here are the links so you can download it and get all sorts of cool stuff: iPhone: itunes.apple.com/us/app/levertymusic/id590939838?mt=8 / Android: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app_levertymusic.layout
Finally, please help me spread the word by telling your friends (and enemies) about my new CD and the app. While you're at it, tell them about my Facebook and Twitter pages as well. www.facebook.com/LevertyMusic / twitter.com/Leverty.
Thanks SO much for your support, and I hope to see you out on the road this spring/summer as FireHouse ROCKS 2013... Bill - www.leverty.com / www.firehousemusic.com.
TOM KEIFER EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE OF "THE FLOWER SONG" ON USA TODAY'S WEBSITE ONLINE NOW:
The time has come for fans of Tom Keifer who've been waiting over 10 years to finally hear his solo music. "The Flower Song" premiered on USA Today's website yesterday (usat.ly/110wDeA), who proclaim "has the feel of a vintage Faces cut--a little 'Maggie May,' a little 'Ooh La La'--with Keifer's gritty vocals front and center." It's the first single from his long-awaited, highly anticipated solo album, The Way Life Goes, due out April 30 via Merovee Records in conjunction with ADA Label Services.
"The Flower Song" will be serviced to AAA radio stations nationwide on February 4, while "Solid Ground" will be serviced to all Rock formats on March 11. "To me, that song is about how unbelievable it is that you're able to find that one person that's perfect for you," as Tom Keifer explained to USA Today's Brian Mansfield. "Obviously, it's told from the perspective of a guy, but I think it's true for both men and women: When you find that one person, it's a miracle."
The Way Life Goes ranges from intimate, organic, acoustic tracks to driving hard rock. It embraces the blues, rock and country roots that have always been present in his unique sound that has generated the sale of over 15 million records worldwide for Cinderella. In touring news, Keifer will launch his first-ever solo tour on February 9 in Winston-Salem, NC at Ziggy's. The 14-city trek of small, intimate rooms is an up-close and personal preview of songs from The Way Life Goes along with some Cinderella classics. Dates beyond February 28 are currently in the works.
Check out Tom Keifer at any of the following stops:
Sat 2/9 Winston-Salem, NC Ziggy's
Mon 2/11 New York, NY Highline Ballroom
Wed 2/13 Philadelphia, PA JC Dobbs
Fri 2/15 Pittsburgh, PA Altar Bar
Sat 2/16 Salisbury, MA Blue Ocean
Sun 2/17 Portland, ME Asylum
Tue 2/19 Cleveland, OH Peabody's
Wed 2/20 Nashville, TN 3rd & Lindsley
Fri 2/22 Chicago, IL Viper Alley
Sat 2/23 Lexington, KY Buster's
Sun 2/24 Detroit, MI Magic Bag
Tue 2/26 Grand Rapids, MI The Intersection
Wed 2/27 Cincinnati, OH 20th Century
Thu 2/28 White Marsh, MD House of Rock
WebLinks: www.TomKeifer.com / www.facebook.com/TomKeiferOfficial / twitter.com/TomKeiferMusic.
7TH HEAVEN WELCOMES ANTHONY FEDOROV TO THE BAND:
Great news from 7th heaven: "We are happy to announce Anthony Fedorov as our new lead singer. Anthony has an amazing story and an incredible accomplishments list. Not only was he a season 4 finalist on American Idol, but the things he has done since that time really sets him apart from many others. His amazing voice and ability to sing in so many different genres and languages, makes him a strong asset to 7th heaven. We are taking no break, as we start up with Anthony on our private shows in two weeks. We will have our first public show with him on February 15 at John Barleycorn in Schaumburg. We have a solid schedule booked up and will release our dates thru May in our next newsletter in a couple weeks. Furthermore, our website is currently being re-designed from the ground up, so it will be a basic splash page with a video of Anthony's journey to 7th heaven! Please give him a big Chicago welcome on February 15. Thanks for your support." ~ Richie - 7th heaven.
Check out the video we did to introduce him here: youtu.be/CcsuJtXNbEg.
SHREDGUY RECORDS TO RELEASE TOM KOPYTO-RESURRECTION ON FEBRUARY 5:
"Resurrection": Tom Kopyto's debut CD for Shredguy Records releases on February 5... 8 tracks of virtuoso instrumental guitar with special guests Mark Zonder (Fates Warning), Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall, Marty Friedman), and Matt Garstka (Animals as Leaders) on drums, bassist Andy DeLuca (Symphony X, Michael Angelo Batio, James LaBrie's Mullmuzzer), and guitarists Mike Abdow (Last Chance to Reason, Solo Artist) and Oli Herbert (All That Remains). The record was mixed and mastered by Keith Merrow at Merrowsound Studios.
A native of Chicago, Tom Kopyto has defined himself as a well respected instrumental guitarist and one of the most sought after instructors in New England. Tom was introduced to the instrumental guitar scene with with his debut CD YTK. The now out of print CD was executive produced by legendary guitarist Michael Angelo Batio and was released in 2000. Shortly after the release, Tom entered Ernie Ball/Music Man's "Best Guitarist on The Web" contest and was awarded "Best Rock Guitarist". Between 2004 and 2007, Tom appeared on compilation CD's released by Lion Music ("Tribute to Shawn Lane Vol. 2") and Shredguy Records ("Shredding Across the World Vol.1" & "Shredding Across the World Vol.2"). During this time Tom also released two instructional DVDs through Chops From Hell Guitar Methods ("Terror Death Licks" and "Picking Sequences & Modes") and authored online courses for MusicDojo.com.
"My approach to the instrumental guitar genre is to merge the simpler songwriting styles of my favorite hard rock bands with the technical styles of my favorite progressive metal bands while using the guitar as the vocals." Resurrection can be ordered for a special price at www.shredguyrecords.bigcartel.com. For more info check out www.lordtommy.com.
OUTLOUD GET SERIOUS FOR NEXT STUDIO RELEASE: Outloud, the Greek / USA melodic hard rock band that made waves with their self-titled debut album in 2009 and the follow-up "Love Catastrophe" in 2011 are back with a vengeance. George Kollias of the band Nile, one of the best extreme metal drummers in the world and long time friend of the band, agreed to participate in Outloud's next album tentatively titled "Let's Get Serious" (due out late 2013 - early 2014) recording all the drums! Bob Katsionis says: "We (Chandler Mogel, Bob Katsionis and bassist Sverd) are currently working on new melodic and versatile songs, and George Kollias' addition is gonna put the icing on the cake! We couldn't be more excited about this lineup for our new album. We are deep into the songwriting process and believe that this is some of the best and most powerful material we have written thus far. We can't wait to share it with you!" Like the band on Facebook at www.facebook.com/outloudtheband and check their official websitewww.outloud-rock.com for updates!
Additionally, Outloud are auditioning a 2nd guitarist and permanent drummer for the band. If you can sing background and live in Europe it's a major plus! Please forward your links / video / bio etc. to bob_katsionis@yahoo.gr.
"THE PRIDE" FEATURING ZAKK WYLDE, KEVIN MARTIN, MORGAN ROSE, JD DESERVIO ARTWORK REVEALED : The Pride Featuring Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne), Kevin Martin (Candlebox, The Gracious Few), Morgan Rose (Sevendust, Call Me No One), John "JD" DeServio (Black Label Society, Cycle Of Pain) & The Infinite Staircase, the song written and recorded for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, is now available for Pre-order on iTunes with the official release date set for February 5th, 2013. (Pre-order the song here: itunes.apple.com/us/album/pride-feat.-zakk-wylde-morgan/id598185653)
"The Pride" was recorded at Architekt Music in Butler, New Jersey with engineer Mike Ferretti (Sevendust, Call Me No One) at the helm and was mastered by Alan Douches (Fleetwood Mac, Yes) at West West Side Music in New Windsor, New York.
"The Pride" will be released as an iTunes exclusive via Vanity Music Group and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Carl V.Bini Memorial Foundation for distribution to those affected by Hurricane Sandy. A music video is also in the works with details on its release expected soon. The Carl V. Bini Memorial Fund was founded in honor of Firefighter Carl V. Bini, a member of the FDNY tragically taken during 9/11. The fund's mission is to memorialize the heroism of its fallen hero by providing aid to those who so desperately need it now and in the future.
Coverart designed by Michelle Volpe.
CHRIS HEAVEN RETURNS TO EDGE OF TIME:
Italian singer Chris Heaven has resurrected the Edge Of Time project with Japanese guitarist Yasu Matsushita, Italian keyboard player Luigi Accardo and Italian drummer Frank Marzetti.
In 2002, Heaven and Michael Von Knorring (Yngwie Malmsteen's drummer on album "Eclipse") recorded some songs together for benefit and tributes album (including a cover version of Malmsteen's "Crystal Ball" for melodicrock.com compilation "The beast inside") and started to work on materia for Edge of Time debut album. But Von Knorring left the band for same health problems he suffered during "Eclipse" tour and Edge of Time disbanded. Edge Of Time forthcoming album will feature guest appearance by former members of Yngwie Malmsteen, Dio and Empire, including Rick Renstrom (Rob Rock), Michael Troy (Malmsteen), Gerald Kloos (Empire) and Mistheria.
The titles including: Lemuria, Ufo on Area 51, Spirit Resurrection, The Mayan Prophecy, Avengers of Justice, Salem's Lies.
Band Page: www.facebook.com/edgeoftimeproject.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
AUSTRALIAN ROCK SENSATION DE LA CRUZ TO UNLEASH THEIR DEBUT ALBUM ON FRONTIERS IN MARCH: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of De La Cruz's debut full length album Street Level on March 22nd in Europe and March 26th in North America.
Hailing from the Gold Coast, Australia, De La Cruz are easily one of the most promising Arena Hard Rock bands to come out of underground scene. They came to the attention of the fans when Geoff Barton of Classic Rock Magazine described their sound: "like a Pomptastic, Hyper-active Leppard!" in his review of the band's self-financed EP.
De La Cruz are born from the meeting between guitarist Casey Jones – a guy born and raised with 80's Rock Music – with Auckland born singer Roxxi Catalano. With Catalano's air-raid siren vocals, street level attitude and Jones fretboard melting riffs and string-searing shred, the pair instantly clicked musically and through a shared passion for 80's arena-style rock and musical respect the dream was started, Jones and Catalano going on to record several demos via the internet over the next few years, until they put together the right line-up, adding Rory Joy on guitar, Grant Daniell on bass and Lacey Lane on drums. "This album talks about our highs, the lows, the parties and all of the crazy times we've had!", says guitarist Casey Jones. "We aimed for a killer album to introduce De La Cruz to the world and this is the height of our musical existence thus far and we cannot wait for everyone to have the CD in their hands- This is De La Cruz!"
The band has kept the musical coordinates of their debut EP and developed into something new and exciting. "De La Cruz means anthemic Rock!" continues Casey, "We make Hard-hitting-YELL-IT-OUT-LOUD-arena-rock with a blast from the past and a twist of something new!" So get the party started and enjoy "Street Level" which promises to be one of the Hard Rock highlights of the season and certainly puts on the map one of the most promising bands of the globe.
Anticipated by the digital release of the awesome 1st single "Cherry Bomb" on February 4th, "Street Level" final track-listing will include the following tracks: Street Level; Girls Go Wild; Turn It Up; Legions Of Love; Gimme Love; Cherry Bomb; Dreaming; Invincible; Worlds Collide; S.E.X.; Set The Night; Shine.
Turn it up loud and enjoy a sneak peak at the songs of the new album following this link: youtu.be/AqhJ7-7FR9o.
The band shows no sign of stopping with the boys currently setting their sights firmly on rocking the global arena into 2013. "De La Cruz will be hitting the road real soon! We're going to be heading to the USA mid this year on a Coast to Coast Tour! We're also looking to tour Europe, Japan and Australia shortly after! It's going to be a wild ride!" concludes Casey.
Get ready to Rock and Roll!
De La Cruz: Roxxi Catalano - Lead Vocals; Casey Jones - Guitar; Rory Joy - Guitar; Grant Daniell - Bass; Lacey Lane - Drums.
WebLink: www.delacruzofficial.com.
xxxx
MORE PRIMAL FEAR COMING VIA FRONTIERS DEAL: Frontiers Records and Primal Fear are pleased to announce to have renewed their partnership for another multi album deal which will include two more studio albums and one further Live CD and DVD. The band is already in advanced stages for the songwriting of the next studio album, which will be recorded during the summer of 2013 and released in early 2014.
Primal Fear bass player, songwriter and producer Mat Sinner said: "We're very excited about the final news that we will renew our contract with Frontiers Records for some more albums. My personal thanks go out to Serafino & Mario for their patience to deal with me. The band is very happy to continue with Frontiers Records after the release of our worldwide most successful album "Unbreakable" and their great work. We plan to enter the recording studio during the summer to record a new, ass kicking, pure metal album!"
Frontiers Records President Serafino Perugino stated "Working with Mat, Ralf and the other guys from Primal Fear is truly a professional delight. Not only are they among some of the true living talents of Heavy Metal music, but also outstanding professionals who live up to their word and to the expectations that all the fans have from them. Long Live Primal Fear!"
Pictured: Frontiers Records President Serafino Perugino together with Ralf Scheepers and Mat Sinner.
PRETTY MAIDS LAUNCH NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of Pretty Maids first single Mother of All Lies on all digital shops worldwide! You can also enjoy the videoclip on YouTube following this link: youtu.be/OZrmVdsKoqw.
The video was shot by the famed director Thomas Tjader who already worked with Pretty Maids for the clip Little Drops of Heaven.
The new single anticipates the release of the album "Motherland" scheduled to be released on Frontiers Records on March 22nd in Europe and March 25th in North America.
JANUARY 2013 RELEASES SPOT:
January 2013 Releases Spot (Official) - Featuring: Pink Cream 69 "Ceremonial", Crashdiet "The Savage Playground", Jorn "Symphonic" and Snakecharmer.
BOBBY BARTH TALKS TO FANS WITH EXCLUSIVE STATEMENT:
An exclusive message from Bobby Barth:
"I wanted to take a moment to write a message to the Axe fans out there, especially my long-time friend Andrew and everyone at MelodicRock.Com. Everyone who is into AOR Music is aware that the business has been changing so rapidly, it's almost impossible to recognize the music business from even 10 years ago, much less 45 years ago when I cut my first record.
Axe has always been a labor of love, we never expected to make a lot of money after our reformation in the 90's, but thought, like you do with your favorite mates, we would get together every year or so and have some fun making music. This we did until around 2000, about that time Bob Harris and I pretty much shook hands and said goodbye to Axe after "The Crown" was recorded. But as all rock fans know "never say never". In early 2012 we were given the chance to play Sweden Rock in June. All the old players were contacted and asked to take part in one final show. Sadly Teddy was in really bad shape and as most of you know he passed away before he ever got to plan the trip. We hoped he would be able to come out and play at least one song, but, it just wasn't to be. Others had retired and wanted to participate, but just didn't feel up to it. But we were able to field a great band for the show.
I did a lot of soul searching, with the release of "Axeology" on Cleopatra, I knew the catalog had a good home. But then it dawned on both Bob and myself, that there was never a show filmed and recorded of Axe. In over 35 years together, nothing. If this was going to be the final show, this would be our last chance. The money we would make at Sweden Rock would cover about 33 percent of the cost of producing the kind of DVD/CD we wanted to be our parting "offering" to the fans. So we put 2/3 of the money into it ourselves. We hired a 6 camera crew and a Protools recorder and it was on. Since this type of production is a one shot deal, we knew we would have to live with the results, as once you hire a crew to do a large video shoot, you're going to do it, come hell or high water. We got the high water. It rained as hard as I have ever seen it rain and the temperature on that day was in the mid 50's. But it really didn't bother us, just the chance for us to be on stage together again, with A+ musicians next to us was a worthy way to say goodbye and put that final missing puzzle piece into place.
When we brought home the tracks I realized that of any recording ever done live or otherwise, this was the first and only one to sound like Axe sounds onstage. Maybe it was because in our hearts it was the last one, but I was very careful not to talk too much about it, I was afraid that, after the long and at times sad story of Axe, I might get a bit emotional. With the exception of a few moments, I got through it.
Everyone worked so very hard on this project, we put our money into the audio and video quality, as if we are remembered at all, it should be for that. Many modern trends are to take old demo or rejected songs, load them up in fancy packaging and make that the selling point. Nothing wrong with that, but we went another way. We forced the highest quality audio and video that would fit and still play on a regular DVD player. The booklet is on the disc itself. So as you watch and listen, know that this was the purest we could leave it, and we didn't use a lot of tech tricks to fool the public. We feel like it is the best that we could offer the people and even more importantly, the most honest. We brought one of the finest mix engineers in the world into the project, Mark Pinske, from Zappa, Steve Vai, and a few dozen others, my mentor as an engineer, to mix, old school.
With all my heart I hope that, even if you didn't care much for Axe, you will see the value in the songs and in the truthfulness of it. It is all that survives of a band who walked a rough and rugged road for over half my life. We hope you enjoy it, we wish we could shake the hands of all of you who have followed us over the years. Good times and bad, so as a parting gift to you, we give you our last real performance.
Many thanks to Andrew and MelodicRock.com for letting me write this note to you. Please share it with friends and buy a copy, as all I have left is invested in this DVD last piece of the Axe puzzle. I don't expect, as I never did, to make money, but as we went to no label to help us, it's all on our back and I would like to put Axe to bed owing no money for it. With this and the release of "Axeology" on Cleopatra, the Axe legacy is in your hands, as it should be.
With much love and gratitude, Bobby Barth."
EDEN'S CURSE BEGIN RECORDING NEW ALBUM:
Multinational Melodic Metal band Eden's Curse are currently in the studio working on their as-yet-untitled, fourth album, which is scheduled for worldwide release via AFM Records in late Summer 2013. English drummer Pete Newdeck entered the studio in mid-January and has now completed recordings on all fourteen tracks at Higher Studios in Tewkesbury.
German virtuoso guitarist Thorsten Koehne began guitar recordings this weekend at COP Studio in Bielefeld, Germany. Among the fourteen songs selected for recording are Evil & Divine, Break The Silence, Unbreakable, Great Unknown and Devil In Disguise. Mixing duties will once be performed by the bands long time engineer, Pink Cream 69 and Unisonic bassist, Dennis Ward, whilst German graphic designer Thomas Ewerhard (Edguy, Avantasia, Jorn) completes the same winning team who worked on the bands previous album, 2011's critically acclaimed Trinity record.
The fourth album will be the first to feature the bands new vocalist, who at this point has yet to be named, from a meticulous audition process. "The plan was never to rush this appointment" states bassist Paul Logue, who further adds "Our aim is to find the best possible voice and personality for Eden's Curse. Getting to know these guys is a fun but slow process and we are extremely excited about the quality on show".
Further studio video diaries and news will be posted on the bands official sites at: www.edenscurse.com / www.facebook.com/edenscurseofficial.
BACK TO NORMAL: MelodicRock.com returns to business as normal from Monday with daily news updates and all the rest of the things everyone looks forward to such as new Reviews and CD Showcases etc...
Thursday, January 24, 2013
MIKE TRAMP DREAMS UP COBBLESTONE STREET ALBUM:
Cobblestone Street is the album Mike Tramp has dreamt of making all of his life. Now the time is right, and the album is finally here.
The new album "Cobblestone Street" is a departure from the sound that most people would expect from a singer, that has been around since White Lion crashed on to the Hard Rock scene in the 80's. Rock fans have gotten to know Mike Tramp as a legit rock singer and frontman that looked like he was born to be just that. Therefore many might find it surprising that Tramp's roots and musical upbringing, lie deeply buried in folk music. Heavily influenced by fellow Danish artists with acoustic guitars and international stars like Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen, Tramp says that all of his songs through 35 years on the music stage, have always come from sitting with the old faithful acoustic guitar playing and singing. That White Lion songs like "When the Children Cry", "Broken Heart" and "Wait", and Freak Of Nature's "Rescue Me" later have ended up as epic rock classics is just a question of arranging them in that way with the band in the rehearsal room, but all songs have always been fit to play around the campfire or in the back of a shady bar.
What seems like the most natural thing for an artist, can sometimes be the opposite for both fans and critics! Still Mike Tramp has full confidence in the fans that have followed and grown with him through the past 25 years and know that they will stand by his side and enjoy his new solo album, although they might be in for a big surprise from the former White Lion and Freak of Nature frontman.
Tramp says that he is so at home with the new album, and in lack of better words, it's really like coming home after a long journey that has taken him around the world over the past 30 years.
"I am not lost, I am not confused, I am not taking a break. This is the album I have waited a long long time to record, because I didn't have the guts to do it earlier on. Still it's not just a matter of doing an album like this and then returning to the screaming Marshall amplifiers, thundering bass and drums like canons," Tramp says. "This is where I am, and this is where I am going to stay as a solo artist, and anytime the urge to play loud rock'n'roll awakes in me, it will be some kind of band project where I am just the singer and part of the package."
Last year Tramp traveled across Europe playing 40 shows, while driving and doing everything by himself. "This is the most rewarding and fulfilling tour I have ever done, and that coincides with an album that represents all of that, and is just real completion to what I have worked so hard to accomplish."
Cobblestone Street, was recorded over a week in Medley Studio, Copenhagen-Denmark in summer of 2012, with just Mike and his good friend engineer/Co-producer and multi-instrumentalist Soren Andersen. "Some of the songs I wrote 20 years ago, and some songs just the week before I recorded them, but they are all a 100% representation of who Mike Tramp is." Tramp says, he hadn't really planned to do an album, but one day called up Soren Andersen and said he had a lot of songs that he wanted to hear come out of the speakers. "I showed up in the studio and Soren said, why don't you just sit down with the guitar and mic and recorded the songs the way you wrote them, kinda like your big hero Dylan did long time ago? At the end of the day we had recorded the first four songs, with Soren adding some keyboards and percussion. It was a wonderful feeling sitting there in the couch listening to the songs that were rough and naked, but at the same time so complete."
Tramp says he feels that Cobblestone Street, is like a movie, a movie about his own life in great details. Once it ends, you will know who Mike Tramp is.
"Cobblestone Street" will be released in Europe April 8 (GAS territory April 12) via Target Records in the following formats: CD, limited digipack CD (with 2 bonus tracks), LP and digitally.
After the release Mike Tramp will head out on an ongoing tour in Europe. Check out his website for dates and places.
Tracklist: 01. Cobblestone Street 02. Caught In The Storm 03. New Day 04. Ain't The Life I Asked For 05. Revolution 06. We'll Be Alright 07. Angel Or Devil 08. Find It In Your Heart 09. What Are You Gonna Do 10. Once 11. More To Life Than This (Bonus track) 12. '92 (Bonus Track).
WebLinks: www.miketramp.com / www.targetdistribution.dk/miketramp / www.targetrecords.dk.
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QUEENSRYCHE SIGNS WORLDWIDE RECORD DEAL WITH CLEOPATRA RECORDS: Queensryche -- featuring original lead singer Geoff Tate at the helm -- have just signed a worldwide record deal with Los Angeles-based independent record label, Cleopatra Records. Although a line-up was originally announced in the fall of 2012, things have changed.
The band will now feature Geoff Tate along with bassist Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy/Dio/Whitesnake/Quiet Riot), guitarist Kelly Gray (Queensryche 1998 - 2001), keyboardist Randy Gane and stellar new additions, guitarist Robert Sarzo (Quiet Riot/Hurricane) and drummer Simon Wright (AC/DC /Dio/Rhino Bucket).
Wright takes over for previously announced drummer Bobby Blotzer, who will be returning to Ratt as an integral part of the band that made him famous.
"I'm very much looking forward to being involved in the Queensryche project with Geoff," states Simon Wright. "I've always admired his singing and songwriting and working with Rudy Sarzo again is going to be cool! Between this and my other project, Dio Disciples, I look forward to a very busy year!"
Queensryche, with all members cited above, will soon be entering the studio for the first Cleopatra effort due out later this year. The recording will mark the band's thirteenth studio album and its first with this particular line-up.
Legendary guitar slinger K.K. Downing of Judas Priest fame will be making a special guest appearance on the forthcoming CD as will King's X guitarist Ty Tabor and Ratt drummer Bobby Blotzer. TY TABOR comments, "I'm very happy that Geoff considered me for this record. It will be great to play with all of these great musicians."
Beginning in early April, Queensryche will be hitting the road to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the band's epic 1988 release, Operation: Mindcrime, performing all fifteen songs from the album (including "Revolution Calling," "Operation: Mindcrime," "I Don't Believe in Love" and "Eyes of a Stranger") along with other well-known hits and rarities from the catalog they've compiled over the past 30 years (see list of scheduled dates below). "I try to surround myself with the best players available and feel our longtime fans deserve nothing less," says long time Queensryche front man Geoff Tate. "I expect the forthcoming effort to be one of our best yet."
Last November, Tate released his first solo CD in over a decade titled, Kings & Thieves (InsideOut Music) and toured with his solo band in support of the CD, which included dates with the legendary Alice Cooper.
For additional information, please see Queensryche's official website at www.queensryche.com.
25TH Anniversary Operation: Mindcrime Tour 2013*
April 6 - Peppermill Casino in West Wendover, Nevada
April 9 - Belly Up in Aspen, Colorado
April 11 - Paramount Theatre in Denver, Colorado
April 12 - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico
April 13 - Chrome in Las Vegas, Nevada
April 14 - Marquee Theater in Tempe, Arizona
April 16 - Rialto Theatre in Tucson, Arizona
April 17 - The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, California
April 18 - The Canyon Club in Agoura, California
April 19 - Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, California
April 20 - Club Nokia in Los Angeles, California
April 21 - Fillmore in San Francisco, California
April 22 - Ace of Spades in Sacramento, California
*More dates to be announced.
GOO GOO DOLLS TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM 'MAGNETIC' MAY 7, 2013:
Multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated Goo Goo Dolls have announced the release of their new album, Magnetic, on May 7, 2013. The debut single from Magnetic, entitled Rebel Beat, is being met with coast to coast excitement in advance of its official launch February 12th. Listen to "Rebel Beat" here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jUcEgDnujY.
The band, singer/guitarist John Rzeznik, bassist Robby Takac, and drummer Mike Malinin recorded in New York, London and LA with Gregg Wattenberg (Train), Rob Cavallo (Green Day), John Shanks (Bon Jovi), and Greg Wells (Katy Perry). Magnetic is the tenth studio release for the Buffalo, NY trio. "I'm so proud of our new album," says Rzeznik. "I've had such a great time and learned so much from the amazingly talented people who worked on it with me." He continues, "I think that positive energy comes across on the songs. Writing and recording Magnetic changed my thinking about making music and doing it in a fun way."
Goo Goo Dolls have sold over 10 million albums worldwide, with 14 Top 10 Radio hits, more than any other artist in the history of the Hot AC format. They are the only artist to have three songs on Billboard's "Top 100 Songs from 1992-2012" including the Number One slot, for "Iris." John Rzeznik has been honored with the Songwriters Hall of Fame Hal David Starlight Award and they have shared the stage with everyone from The Rolling Stones to Taylor Swift, who recently covered "Iris" with Rzeznik onstage. Most recently Goo Goo Dolls honored President Barack Obama with a headlining slot at The Creative Coalition's Inaugural Ball, which took place in Washington, DC.
For more information visit www.googoodolls.com, www.facebook.com/googoodolls, twitter.com/googoodolls. Look for the band on tour later this year.
"STYX: THE GRAND ILLUSION/PIECES OF EIGHT LIVE" DVD:
January 23, 2013 -- The countdown is truly on to the broadcast premiere of Styx's Styx: The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live DVD.
Recently released by Eagle Rock Entertainment, the show will air Saturday, January 26 at 9pm ET/8pm CT on the Palladia HD channel and Friday, February 1 at 9pm ET/PT on VH1 Classic. A countdown clock to the grand premiere can be seen on the band's official website at www.styxworld.com/gipo8/. Fans should check local listings for both programs.
Members of the video production team will be offering insights to the making of the DVD LIVE on Twitter via @STYXtheband during the Palladia broadcast using the hashtag #gipo8.
The landmark concert was recorded November 9, 2010 at the historic Orpheum Theater in Memphis, on the tour that saw Styx--Tommy Shaw, James "JY" Young, Chuck Panozzo, Lawrence Gowan, Ricky Phillips and Todd Suchermanperform both of their classic albums, The Grand Illusion and Pieces Of Eight, in their entirety for the first time. The 20-song, two-hour and 11-minute presentation features stunning high-definition visuals accenting the complex musical arrangements recorded in DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital 5.1, and LPCM Stereo. "This is the most magnificent piece of video we've done," proclaims guitarist James "JY" Young. "It's really exciting for me for it to finally reach the airwaves of Palladia and VH1 Classic. Our two biggest selling albums performed live in their entirety, all captured in state-of-the-art high definition is something we're extremely proud of. The collective skill set of the people involved in this project rivals NASA in its heyday."
As singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw continues, "We loved creating a show around these two albums. It was a joyful challenge to match the mojo of the songs we've been playing for years against the edgier newness of the ones that had not been performed since the day they were recorded. And because the songs were sequenced for the album listener, it made for a completely different experience for the fans."
Here's the Styx: The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live DVD track listing: 1) Intro/1978 2) The Grand Illusion 3) Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) 4) Superstars 5) Come Sail Away 6) Miss America 7) Man In The Wilderness 8) Castle Walls 9) The Grand Finale 10) Great White Hope 11) I'm Okay 12) Sing For The Day 13) The Message 14) Lords Of The Ring 15) Blue Collar Man (Long Nights) 16) Queen Of Spades 17) Renegade 18) Keyboard Interlude 19) Pieces Of Eight 20) Aku-Aku.
WebLinks: www.styxworld.com / www.youtube.com/styxtheband.
CODE OF SILENCE RELEASE DEBUT VIDEO SINGLE & PRE-ORDER CD AVAILABLE!:
British Melodic Metal band Code Of Silence, fronted by Brazilian vocalist Gus Monsanto (Timo Tolkki's Revolution Renaissance / Adagio / Symbolica / Lord Of Mushrooms), and young virtuoso guitar player Ben Randall (Power Quest), have released their debut promo video for the track "Sky Is Falling Down".
Written by Paul Logue (Eden's Curse) and bassist James Murray, "Sky Is Falling Down" is the first single from the bands full-length debut, "Dark Skies Over Babylon", which is described in the label press release as "a grandiose thematic album based upon the tales of the legendary Knights Templar during the period of the Crusades".
The four minute composition about the legendary Knights Templar focuses on the protagonists experiences and thoughts, in particular, what it meant in regards to his personal sacrifice and chosen life path.
Filmed in the derelict Lansdowne Parish Church in Glasgow, Scotland, on a freezing cold December day, the video was captured by Director MJ Dixon of Mycho Pictures. The Video can be viewed here: youtu.be/FSPtR8ote-I.
Code Of Silence recently signed with Mausoleum Records and Rubicon Music. Produced by Paul Logue (Eden's Curse) and mixed and mastered by Italian producer Alessandro Del Vecchio (Eden's Curse, Hardline, Lionville) Code Of Silence's full-length debut, "Dark Skies Over Babylon", is scheduled for release on January 23 in Japan, February 25 in Europe and April 9 in North America.
The band have also launched their official website which includes pre-order links for UK, Europe & Rest Of The World. North American pre-orders will be active in March to coincide with the April 9th release date.
NEONFLY TO SUPPORT SONATA ARCTICA ON APRIL 2013 UK TOUR:
After a highly successful European tour as main support act for melodic rock legends Magnum, which saw the band playing18 packed out shows all over the continent; the time has finally come for Neonfly to return to their homeland to play some eagerly awaited shows in support of Finnish power metal heroes Sonata Arctica.
Tour dates are as follows:
14th April - Nottingham, Rescue Rooms.
15th April - Manchester, Club Academy.
16th April - Birmingham, HMV Institute, Library.
17th April - London, The Garage. Neonfly are looking forward to getting out there and meeting their UK fans and friends once again on what promises to be a killer bill. Their last UK tour dates date back to March 2012. Front man Willy Norton comments: "These are going to be some really special shows. For starters, Sonata Arctica are a great band and a huge influence on us, they always put on a great show! We are determined to rise to the occasion. We've been also writing a lot of new material recently for our second album - more info on that later. But keep your eyes peeled!!! We might just play a new song or two to give fans an exclusive little taster of where we're at with our new material. It's always good to try new material live. This is some of the strongest material we've ever written, so it's a real blast for us to get the chance to get the music out there as soon as possible, see you out there!"
More info on: www.neonfly.net / www.facebook.com/NeonflyUK / twitter.com/NeonflyUK.
ROSS THE BOSS RETURNS WITH A VENGEANCE, IN ALL-NEW METAL GROUP, DEATH DEALER:
As a founding member of both Manowar and the Dictators, guitarist Ross the Boss needs no introduction. But it's been a while since the metal masses heard from Ross, leading some to wonder if or when he would return. The wait is now over, as his newly formed outfit, Death Dealer, is ready to rock and take the world by storm, with their debut album, 'Warmaster.' "The Death Dealer sound is a mighty combination of five very talented, seasoned musicians," explains Ross. "It's classic power metal with the brutal edge of thrash, speed, and precision." And when he says the band is comprised of talented and seasoned musicians, he's not kidding, as Death Dealer also includes vocalist Sean Peck (Cage), guitarist Stu Marshall (producer and guitarist for such voices as Udo Dirkschneider and Steve Grimmett), bassist Mike Davis (Rob Halford, Lizzy Borden), and drummer Rhino (Manowar).
Formed last year via correspondence over the internet, as soon as work commenced on the material, Ross knew he had met his metallic match. "Well, after they sent the first tune over, I was blown away, then Stu and Sean tell me they want me to join this band, called Death Dealer. I say, 'Who else is in the band? They say, 'Rhino on drums.' I'm in! Stu goes, 'It was either you or we would have asked KK Downing to be on guitar.' Wow!"
As evidenced by such tunes as "Death Dealer," "Never to Kneel," and "The Devil's Mile," for fans of authentic, no-holds-barred, manly heavy metal, 'Warmaster' is an absolute godsend.
And soon, Death Dealer will be converting metalheads worldwide to their cause. "Our future plans? Obviously to put Death Dealer on the worldwide metal map, and to engage large crowds and render them shocked and satisfied."
For more information, visit: www.deathdealer.com / www.facebook.com/DeathDealerband.
KING'S CALL TAP NEW VOCALIST MIKE FREELAND:
The search is over for German based rockers King's Call, they have recruited Mike Freeland to sing on their forthcoming new album Lion's Den. King's Call a melodic rock outfit is the brain child of Greece origin Alex Garoufalidis (guitars, vocals) and is joined by Azerbaijan native Asec Bergemann (drums), Germany's Andreas Kramer (bass) and now to be completed with Mike Freeland hailing from the UK.
King's Call search for a new singer went on from Germany, Scandinavia to the States and even Brazil but found Mike Freeland basically in their backyard. As it turns out while laying down the tracks producer Chris Tsangarides introduced Mike Freeland to the guys and they hit it off straight away.
Mike Freeland is known for his work fronting legends Praying Mantis, also the band More and takes on this new challenge. The new adventure with King's Call will not interfere with Mike's other bands and he is looking forward to work with his new band mates and help them to conquer the melodic rock scene all over the world.
The Euro rockers recorded the new album "Lion's Den" in the Ecology Studios with top producer Chris Tsangarides (Gary Moore, Yngwie Malmsteen, Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy) and are in the final stages of mixing their next epic. The new recording will be the follow up album to their 2011 debut album "Destiny" (Mausoleum records). More news about the release date will follow shortly.
See the bands video from the single All You Can Do on Youtube: youtu.be/N-MnI1Ytqno.
Destiny is still available through Mausoleum records or the bands website: www.kings-call.com and www.myspace.com/kingscallrock.
MASS ADDED TO SKULL FEST 2013:
On October 19th North Platte, Nebraska will be Rockin Hard as 12 bands hit the stage! Also appearing will be Kip Winger (Winger), Ted Poley (Danger Danger) Ron Keel (Keel), Liberty n' Justice, Hollywood Roses, Innersiege, Paistyenny, Scotty Dunbar & Burning Heat with more acts to be announced in April! Order your tickets today before this Show Sells out!!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
ALL STAR PROJECT SET TO RELEASE HURRICANE SANDY CHARITY SINGLE, "THE PRIDE":
The project comprised of the NY based band The Infinite Staircase along with Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ex-Ozzy Osbourne), Morgan Rose (Sevendust, Call Me No One), Kevin Martin (Candlebox, The Gracious Few) and John "JD" DeServio (Black Label Society, Cycle Of Pain) has completed work on the single, which is now called The Pride.
Co-writer, singer and guitarist, Lenny Cerzosie explains the meaning of the song title and the process in which he and vocalist, Kevin Martin took to get to that conclusion. "In terms of the writing process and the meaning behind "The Pride", which the coolest thing about it to me is that it was written by all of us, it was a group effort and where I see where it started was Kevin, being the one who technically is not necessarily from the area but has very close ties and of course it touched home to him, but he said 'tell me what you guys experienced, tell me what you guys saw, tell me what you guys heard, tell me what really went on, what people didn't see, what did you guys see, the home, your neighborhood. Everything that we were saying, he's just jotting down ideas…we had a whole bunch of ideas. He had a couple of pages full of just ideas, whether it be the names, different things, the topics we wanted to touch; One of the main topics was about how the streets, the beach came all the way to the major boulevards. The streets and our home and our memories, those are all the main topics, the things that Kevin felt, that we all felt, those were the things to talk about. Kevin really took charge of, well let's now put these things in some kind of order. We were talking about the chorus. So we were talking about the flooded streets and what the chorus has to be, it has to be the hope part. He's like 'These are our streets, this was our home' And I said, you know what, that's awesome but what about 'These are our streets. This IS our home.' 'Cause even though it's washed away, it's still our home. He was like 'Yeah, you're right! Let's do that!' It kind of flowed where he said, 'Yeah, we are the pride. And I said 'Yeah, because New York, New Jersey, Philly, you know, we're all about the pride' – he's like 'Yeah, bbut I'm talking about the lion's pride, like the lion's den. Forget FEMA and Red Cross and everybody else- that we take care of our own. We're here for a reason. We are the lion's den, the lion's pride, that's what it's about. It's the roar. It's the pride.' I thought that was very cool. I think in the end, that's going to be what really touches everybody; that we're all in this together. This was a group effort and we're all going to take care of our own and each other and that's what the song really comes down to, it's all about the pride."
The track was recorded with Mike Ferretti at Architekt Music in Butler, NJ where Sevendust recently wrapped the recording of their new album, 'Black Out The Sun' and The Infinite Staircase continue to work on their new album.
"The Pride," originally set for release on January 8 is now slated for a release date of February 5 through Vanity Music Group. Jeff Cerzosie of The Infinite Staircase explains "We wanted to get this out there as quickly as possible but also didn't want to sacrifice quality for speed. Getting everyone together on this project and bringing in the right charitable organization while trying to ensure that we deliver something worthy of those who have suffered and lost everything was something that we all felt very strongly about. After all, we're hoping to change at least a few lives through this project and to do that, everything needed to be perfect."
It will be released as an iTunes exclusive and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Carl V.Bini Memorial Foundation for distribution to those affected by Hurricane Sandy.
"Living on the Jersey shore my entire life, I was mortified at the after effects of Hurricane Sandy," says JD DeServio. "It was heart breaking to see all the lives that were affected throughout the tri-state area. Hopefully the song we recorded will benefit some of those unfortunate people. God bless." Lenny Cerzosie - "Since we are talking in terms of the pride, the lion's pride, the lion's den type of mentality, it's nice to know that the Carl V. Bini Memorial Foundation is based on the idea of a hero from 9/11. To work with a foundation like that, that's already something that of course anybody, especially a New Yorker, would be proud to be a part of, it's nice to know that we have 100% confidence that all of the money that's going to be raised is going to go directly to people who need it and it's not a corporate entity where money's going to be laundered here and there and the other way. The musicians involved did not take a penny, did not ask for a penny, did not expect a penny, some of us even took pennies out of our pockets to make this happen. It's great to work with a foundation like this. They're so excited. They're on board with us. It's great to work with guys like this who are open to the musicians that are involved. It's not corporate BS. It's a sincere movement, a sincere group and I think in the end that's what's going to make this project successful; that everybody involved is 100% sincere and 100% authentic and that's what's going to make all the difference."
The Carl V. Bini Memorial Fund was founded in honor of Firefighter Carl V. Bini, a member of the FDNY tragically taken during 9/11. The fund's mission is to memorialize the heroism of its fallen hero by providing aid to those who so desperately need it now and in the future.
REISSUE OUT NOW OF THE CLASSIC BRETT WALKER ALBUM NEVERTHELESS:
Originally released in 1994 on Swedish independent label, Empire Records, American singer/songwriter Brett Walker's debut Nevertheless impressively charted in Scandinavia's Top 40. Brett Walker, who was following up his chart success with Alias' Top 10 smash "Waiting For Love," delivered 12 tracks of sure fire melodic rock magic.
Besides once again flexing his own masterful writing muscle with single "Lecia" (which would crack the Top 10 in Europe), he found himself teaming up with industry heavyweights Jonathan Cain (Journey, Bad English), Jim Peterik (Survivor), Stan Bush and Carl Dixon (Coney Hatch) hoping to strike commercial gold once again. These partnerships proved extremely successful with tracks like "Bad Time For Goodbye," "More Than A Memory," "Hard To Find An Easy Way," and "Take Me Home" all becoming immediate fan favorites and remaining completely relevant in today's music market despite the passage of nearly 20 years. Nevertheless is a timeless album for a timeless style of American melodic rock.
Nevertheless has been unavailable since the mid-90s and this Divebomb Records edition features newly remastered audio, 2012 interview with Brett Walker conducted by Line Of Fire's Shawn Pelata and personal photos from the album's recording sessions.
Nevertheless (CD/Digital) 1. Hard To Find An Easy Way 2. Lecia 3. Everything I Want To Do 4. Take Me Home 5. Never Gave Roses 6. Quicksand 7. Didn't Mean To Say Goodbye 8. Bring Back The Night 9. No Fire Without You 10. Bad Time For Goodbyes 11. More Than A Memory 12. Give A Little Love. Bonus Track 13. Midnight Angel (2012 Remix).
SAVAGE ALBUM NOW ON LP WITH BONUS TRACKS: High Roller Records Germany, have released Savage NWOBHM legends Sons of Malice album on double vinyl, including three bonus tracks from the 'Sons of Malice' recording sessions. The bonus tracks 'Better Believe it', 'Holy Water' and 'Murder from the Skies' where written and recorded as part of the 'Sons of Malice' sessions, but not on the original CD release in 2012 now available for the first time on this collector's edition.
The album is available in both Black and Clear vinyl in a gate fold sleeve direct from High Rollers Mail order site at these links: Black Vinyl www.hrrshop.de/SAVAGE-Sons-of-Malice-DLP / Clear Vinyl www.hrrshop.de/SAVAGE-Sons-of-Malice-DLP-CLEAR.
'INTHESTUDIO' CELEBRATES BRYAN ADAMS BREAKTHROUGH ALBUM CUTS LIKE A KNIFE:
North American syndicated Rock radio show InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands hosts Canadian international star Bryan Adams for a salute to his first million seller, January 1983's Cuts Like A Knife. With the perfect blend of rock hooks, his MTV boyish good looks, and a great live rockin' band, Bryan Adams burst onto the North American rock scene scoring his first Top 10 single, "Straight From The Heart", followed by the Top 15 title track "Cuts Like A Knife" and the Top 30 single "This Time". Bryan shares with program host Redbeard what was the common thread that made the Cuts Like a Knife album and tour a career-breaking success. "When we went into the studio, I had written songs around the idea of playing them live. So, what you have on Cuts Like a Knife is a record of songs that are very accessible live."
'Cuts Like A Knife'-InTheStudio program is available now to stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/bryan-adams-cuts-knife-30th-anniversary.
LINE IF FIRE AT ROCK HARVEST 2 FESTIVAL:
After releasing their self-titled debut album in 2005, and their sophomore album 'Momentum' in 2010 (both on Tribunal Records and to much critical and fan acclaim), US Melodic Rockers Line Of Fire are set to make their Live Debut at the Rock Harvest II festival. Rock Harvest II is being held at the House of Rock in White Marsh, MD. The festival, now expanded to two days, will take place November 8-9, 2013.
Line Of Fire joins previously confirmed artists Circle II Circle, Farcry, King Kobra, Russ Dwarf, Mitch Malloy, Ron Keel, Leatherwolf, Reverence, Tango Down, Edge of Paradise, Attackhead, Liberty N Justice, Twisted Tower Dire and Modern Superstar.
Ticket info is as follows:
$60, VIP Package (60 total) – includes ticket to both days, VIP Laminate, Poster, meet & greet with artists performing.
$35, 2 Day Package (100 total) -includes entrance to both shows.
$20, Friday Night Show (300 total) – includes ticket to show.
$25, Saturday All-Day Show (300 total) – includes ticket to show.
The pre-sale will start on December 31, 2012, and run until January 2, 2013. From there, the tickets will open up to the public.
Show schedule, more artists, etc, will be announced prior to the pre-sale. For more details, visit: www.facebook.com/events/570063546342470/?fref=ts.
NEW FROM THE PAUL RAYMOND PROJECT: Paul Raymond, songwriter, keyboardist and rhythm guitarist of legendary cult hard rock outfit UFO has inked a deal with Cherry Red Records' new hard rock imprint label Hear No Evil for his new solo album with The Paul Raymond Project. The new album, entitled "Terms & Conditions Apply" is set for a worldwide release on January 28, 2013. It will mark the sixth release by the group and features a guest appearance from Michael Schenker (MSG, UFO, Scorpions) on a cover of 'Reach Out (I'll Be There)' and by Reuben Archer (Stampede, Wild Horses, Lionheart, Lautrec) on 'Love Is Blind'. Paul Raymond is set to play some select regional solo UK shows to promote "Terms & Conditions Apply" in the New Year, including a special headline launch show at London's Borderline venue on Friday 1st February, before resuming his duties touring with UFO. The shows will feature Stampede vocalist Reuben Archer amongst other special guests and will showcase the new material as well as UFO classics. Regional dates are yet TBA.
Paul Raymond is primarily best known for his work in UFO, having joined the band's ranks in 1976. Beginning with "Lights Out" in 1977, to date Paul has appeared on 11 UFO albums, including the incendiary double live "Strangers In the Night". In a varied career, he's also been a key member in a number of acts, including 70s legends Savoy Brown, Chicken Shack, Michael Schenker Group and Waysted. The Paul Raymond Project (PRP) was first formed in 1989 in Japan featuring original lineup of Frank Di Mino (formerly of Angel) on lead vocals and Masoyoshi Yamashitu (Loudness) on bass. Paul spent 1990 writing new material, inspired by the resurgence of straight-ahead blues/rock led by bands such as the Black Crowes and the Quireboys, until, joined by guitarist Andy Simmons, the third incarnation of the project released "Man on a Mission" through Zoom Club records. It was to be nine years before Paul and Andy joined forces again and recorded "Virtual Insanity" as UFO had once again intervened. In 2010, together with bass player Mark Coles and drummer Tony Steel, they began working on "Terms & Conditions Apply".
"Terms & Conditions Apply" Track Listing: 1. Born & Raised On Rock 'N' Roll 2. End Of Life As We Know It 3. Deeper Shade Of Blue 4. C-List Celebrity 5. We Will Be Strong 6. Terms & Conditions 7. Whiskey Mac 8. Bright Lights 9. Reach Out (I'll Be There) (featuring. Michael Schenker) 10. Love Is Blind (featuring Reuben Archer) 11. If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody. Bonus Tracks: 12. Still The Same 13. Drifting Apart 14. Partners In Crime.
PRP are: Paul Raymond – lead vocals/lead & rhythm guitars/keyboards; Andy Simmons – lead & rhythm guitars/ keyboards; Mark Coles – bass/backing vocals; Tony Steel – drums/backing vocals.
For further info please visit: www.facebook.com/paulraymondproject / www.paulraymond.info / www.cherryred.co.uk.
GUITAR GREAT JEFF HEALEY - LIVE FROM THE VAULT:
On Friday 22 February, inakustik will release three a compilation of three rare previously unreleased German concerts recorded and filmed in 1989, 1995 and 2000, from the Canadian blues rock guitarist, Jeff Healey. Entitled "Jeff Healey - As The Years Go Passing By: Live in Germany 1989 – 1995 - 2000", the concerts will be released as a 3 CD-set and as a Deluxe Edition 3CD + 2DVD. The latter includes an extensive booklet with contributions from the participating musicians and rare photos.
The three concerts, "Ohne Filer Extra" (1989), "Extraspät in Concert" (1995), and "Ohne Filter Extra" (2000), give an insightful look into the evolution of Jeff Healey; a document of an outstanding guitarist in three distinct phases of his career. The concerts are presented as they were performed, live without the aid of studio intervention. Spanning over eleven, they document different periods of the Jeff Healey Band. "With the fifth anniversary of Jeff's passing coming up on 2nd March 2013, we were looking for a special way to commemorate and help celebrate Jeff's life and legacy," says Jeff's widow, Cristie Healey. "In preparing for this release, it was important to include the participation of as many of the performers involved. Jeff's friends and colleagues have enthusiastically shared their memories of the concerts which help make this rare live compilation extra special."
"The Jeff Healey Estate is very proud to endorse this release. It's the first collection of archive material to be officially released with the approval of the Healey Family since Jeff left us all too soon. We are privileged to continue the legacy of his immense efforts, incredible talent and sheer love of music, for everyone to enjoy."
Friday, January 18, 2013
DIAMOND DAWN TAKE YOU HIGHER: Frontiers Records is pleased to unleash today the debut single from Diamond Dawn "Take Me Higher" taken from the forthcoming debut album entitled "Overdrive" which will be released on February 22nd in Europe and February 26th in North America.
The song can be ordered online through digital shops such as iTunes, Amazon, Emusic etc. You can also enjoy the videoclip of the song via YouTube here:
AOR HEAVEN CLASSIX DELIVERS DREAMS:
The AOR Heaven Classix series features rare classic albums as well as some previously unreleased gems. After the lost albums from Roq Royale and Marchello, it's time now to enjoy Dreams. It's for the first time that the material of this US-band gets officially released on CD as it was previously only released as download and on cassette. The 12 songs included here deliver the full dose of US-Melodic Rock in the style of early Danger Danger, Signal, Vital Signs or Robert Tepper.
It's incredible, given the quality of the material Dreams put together, that they weren't signed or, at least, made greater waves overseas where a piece in one of the leading magazines in Europe, for example, could've made all the difference. Despite being contemporaries of the likes of Enuff Z'Nuff (Chip Z'nuff and Todd are local musical acquaintances, as it happens) and Diamond Rexx, Dreams were unarguably, the Chicago music scene's best kept secret with a sound that sat comfortably alongside the likes of Danger Danger and Heavens Edge and, in fact, quite comparable to another band featured in the 'AOR Heaven Classix' stable in the Australian melodic hard rock outfit Roxus.
As usually digitally remastered by Chris Lyne (Soul Doctor) and containing liner notes by Dave Reynolds, the CD is now available from www.aorheaven.com and through selected retailers.
DOCKER'S GUILD GOES LIVE: Docker's Guild will host a Special Event on February 23, 2013 for the world-wide premiere of the short film "Darwin's Tears", which will include a press conference, the debut live performance of the band, preceded by opening act Last40Days, a few contests with prizes, a meet & greet with the band, lots of merchandising, a few special guests and a live shooting of the entire evening.
All takes place on 23 February 2013 at Audiodrome Live Club, Strada Mongina, 9, 10024 Moncalieri. Italy: Full details on the event can be found at: www.facebook.com/events/447667928624073/
The Docker's Guild live line up is confirmed as: Douglas R. Docker on keyboards and vocals, lead vocalists Andrea Rampa (Rustfield) and Anna Petracca (Last40Days), guitarist Davide Ronfetto (Rustfield), bassist Anna Portalupi (Hardline) and Salvatore Amato (Rustfield) on drums.
Teaser video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rag9kHYl87U.
For band mastermind Douglas R. Docker taking the band out of its until now studio environment and into the live arena is the next step on what is proving to be an exciting journey. Docker comments; "The Docker's Guild project was conceived from the beginning as a multimedia story to be told in various formats, with the albums and music at its center and with videos, games, comics, novels and the like expanding the world I have created.
The release of short film "Darwin's Tears", shot and produced by Silos Production (the same team that produced 011 by Therion), is the first major step in that direction. They have done a spectacular job, with the film being shot in black and white, in the style of 1920's German Expressionism and movie serials of that time. It will be about 11 minutes long and I have to say I haven't seen anything quite like it anywhere else.
There was never any intention of playing live or touring at first, but the release of the short film required a special event to mark the occasion, and I thought that combining this with a long overdue album release party would be a good idea. At that point, there was no choice but to go live, something I am very excited about. Writing, developing and recording the first album was a very exciting albeit solitary journey, and it is a very welcome change to be able to interact with other musicians who also happen to be very good friends of mine. The new lineup is very skilled and motivated and I can't wait for the show. If that goes well, I am already toying with the idea of bringing the project on the road for an Italian tour first, perhaps followed by something more international a little later. Keep your fingers crossed!"
Not only does 23 February 2013 mark the band's first live appearance but also the premiere of the highly anticipated short film for the track "Darwin's Tears" taken from the band's debut album "The Mystic Technocracy - Season 1" (out now). The worldwide premiere of the "Darwin's Tears" video will commence at 15:00hrs with a press conference and projection of the "Darwin's Tears" short film following later in the evening at 22:00 hrs with the band's live performance with special guests Last40Days along with a long awaited album release party.
The "Darwin's Tears" short film will then be made available worldwide via YouTube on the following day, 24 February 2013.
Docker's Guild Official YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/dockersguild.
KEVIN CHALFANT TEAMS WITH HYBRID ICE:
Friends of the Ice, Kevin Chalfant, Tubby's, Duncannon PA 9 PM / Kevin Chalfant with Hybrid Ice features all of the lights and sounds of a Journey-esque atmosphere. This is a very talented singer who actually shared the stage with Journey! We will perform all the hits that made Journey famous; one fabulous hit after another! www.kevinchalfant.com.
February 10-17, 2013 Legends Of Rock Cruise 2 / After our 1st successful year, the Legends Of Rock Cruise is ready to impress you again! Hosted by Ray McGill, Paul & Diane Mahoney and Hybrid Ice. Prices start at $999.00, Sailing out of Cape Liberty, New Jersey with local transfers included. 7 nights onboard Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas, ports of call include: Port Canaveral, Florida – NNassau, Bahamas – CocoCay, Bahamas – 3 days cruising. While onboard the ship we will entertain you with 7 different music performances, exclusively for our group. Artists for this year's cruise include: Former members of "Boston" Barry Goudreau and Sib Hashian along with Fran Cosmo, Jimi Jamison, Rick Derringer, John Cafferty, Derek St. Holmes, Kevin Chalfant, The Comets and Hybrid Ice, Special Guest: Michael 'Tunes' Antunes. For more information, contact Ray at 570-748-6611, 800-326-934 or by email at raym@nittanytravel.com. Click here to go to Nittany Travel and download the brochure for full details.
PHILIP BARDOWELL FINISHING UP SOLO DEVOTION ALBUM:
News from popular singer Philip Bardowell / "I am excited to announce the release of my new music video, "Jesus In My Life", on January 22nd in anticipation of my upcoming album, To The Ends Of The Earth. The video will be released on my website as well as being on rotation for JCTV Network. You can Watch JCTV if you live in the Southern California area over the air on Digital 40.3 or download the JCTV app where you can watch my video as well as other Christian artists such as Third Day, Mercy Me, and Chris Tomlin. www.JCTV.org.
As of right now I'm busy singing and speaking as well as finishing up the final touches for my new album To The Ends Of The Earth! It has been 5 years in the making beginning with the writing of the song "Your Love (Hallelujah!)" in 2007 and ending with "Song Of Hope" in 2012. In that time, so much has changed. I have served on staff at 4 different churches and Sarah and I even expanded our family by one member in 2008 welcoming Elijah David Bardowell to join his older brothers Isaiah and Jonah. During that time, there is one thing that never changed and was constant throughout-God's love for us and His guiding hand on our lives. He provided for us each step of the way-during times of great joy ("Your Love") and times of trial and sorrow ("Song Of Hope") He NEVER changed. All that said, this album is not about me, but rather, it's about what the Lord has done for me. Our God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. My prayer is that these songs speak to and lift up and/or encourage the listener's heart to persevere and keep trusting Him so that we can all help spread the good news of Christ to the ends of the earth. To God be the glory.
God bless you and I pray that 2013 brings you all your heart desires." ~ Philip / www.PhilipBardowell.com.
DOOGIE & LA PAZ WORKING ON DARK AND LIGHT:
We are very proud to announce that British band Doogie White & La Paz have just re-new their recording contract with Metal Mind Productions. Their next studio album entitled "The Dark and The Light" is planned to be released in late Spring.
La Paz were formed in Lanarkshire, Scotland in the summer of 1984 by Chic McSherry (guitars), Doogie White (vocals) and Alex Carmichael (bass). At the first rehearsal together they hit it off immediately on a personal level - they also liked the same music and they had the same influences and heroes (Purple, Rainbow, Journey, Gary Moore) so they started to recruit other members to try to form a band and go do some gigs. Andy Mason (keyboards) joined the trio and he fitted in from the start, even though he was still at school when he joined. Drummers were always a problem and, over the life of the band, La Paz went through almost as many as Spinal Tap. Unquestionably the loudest and the most accomplished was/is their current drummer, Paul McManus. La Paz played live regularly, sometimes playing up to a hundred gigs in a year. They played the world-famous Marquee Club in London as well as at some festivals in Milton Keynes and they were featured regularly in Kerrang! (Derek Oliver becoming a big fan of the band) and attracted interest from a number of UK and US record companies, finally agreeing terms with one of them for a three album deal. But it was not to be - for reasons which were never explained by the record label the deal fell through at the very last minute. Sadly the band didn't survive for very long after that. They did their last gig on 15th October 1988 and then Doogie moved to London to join Midnite Blue, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Cornerstone, Yngwie Malmsteen and now the mighty Tank.
And then legendary DJ Tom Russell of 96.3 Rock Radio called Doogie and asked him if he would do some acoustic numbers at The Garage in Glasgow for Rock Radio's Birthday Bash in January 2008. Doogie agreed and asked Chic to play guitar. It was a big ask after 20 years: almost 1000 people, Doogie singing alone and Chic with one flamenco guitar! "We had such a blast though and it woke up so many great memories in both of us that we decided to give it a go with the full band for my 50th birthday" said Chic. And so the full band started to rehearse and it was clear that they could still play a bit. The band just gelled: just like old times and the gigs were a terrific success. And so the idea of re-recording some of the favourites from the set that had never had a proper production job was conceived. The final result could be heard on the album "Granite" released on 13th February 2012 in Europe and 6th March 2012 in USA. It was an album with its roots in the past but its energy in the present.
And today the band is working on their sophomore album entitled "The Dark and The Light". The drums and most of the bass guitar were recorded in Gorbals Sound in Glasgow. The guitars, additional bass parts and keyboards were done at The Farm owned by Chic McSherry while the vocals will be recorded at Kinman Studio in London. Mixing will be done again by Rolf Munkes at Empire Studios in Germany. The release date of the album is scheduled for April/May. More details to be announced soon! Doogie White & La Paz - line-up: Doogie White - Vocals; Chic McSherry - Guitar; Alex Carmichael - Bass; Andy Mason - Keyboards; Paul McManus - Drums. www.lapazrocks.com.
MRX UPDATED:
Thanks to all MRX members for hanging in there for the latest update - online today. There is a lot of new stuff coming in February! Online today is:
- Cyndi Lauper - Houston 1985
- Andy Taylor - Live Japan (5 Tracks)
- B. E. Taylor Group - Love Won The Fight (1983) Join MRX now.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
W.E.T. LIVE IN SWEDEN & SECOND SINGLE:
Following the warm welcome Hard Rock fans globally granted the W.E.T. debut single Learn to Live Again from the forthcoming album "Rise Up", which will be released on February 22 in Europe and February 26 in North America, Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the worldwide digital release of a second single from the album entitled Love Heals on January 21. A sample of the song can be heard on YouTube:
The song shows the other side of the band's songwriting from the first single and will be performed on the forthcoming show that W.E.T. will perform in Stockholm at the Debaser Club on Thu, January 17 (close to being sold out so if you have not yet purchased your ticket hurry up!).
Tickets can be bought in advance following this link - secure.tickster.com/Intro.aspx?ERC=89TYN1LGME921HT.
DANISH DYNAMITE ROCKERS PRETTY MAIDS TO RELEASE THEIR NEW ALBUM IN MARCH: Frontiers Records is excited to announce the release of PRETTY MAIDS anticipated new album entitled Motherland on March 22nd in Europe and March 26 in North America.
After their successful and highly acclaimed 2010 album Pandemonium, Danish melodic Hard Rockers, Pretty Maids celebrated their 30th anniversary with their debut visual release It Comes Alive (Maid in Switzerland) in 2012. "Pandemonium" showed the world that Pretty Maids were in a creative spring again, with the band in their finest moment. The melodic approach brought a return to the "Future World / Red Hot and Heavy" era of the eighties, but with an updated sound and freshness that consolidated Pretty Maids as strong as ever.
In late spring 2012, the band gathered to finally write the follow up album. Singer Ronnie Atkins tells: "We knew it was going to be a tough one to follow! I remember back in the day when we had to follow up albums like "Future World", we tried more or less to copy the songs from the previous album to keep the same kind of balance. But this time we just wrote what came natural to us and that's what became "Motherland".
The band teamed up again with producer Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Amaranthe) for the new album. Ronnie says: "Jacob was a natural choice since we had a great experience with him producing the "Pandemonium" album. The recordings went smooth to begin with, but then we had to start touring again during the weekends and this created some stress. Though I really feel strongly about "Motherland". In my view it has all the ingredients of a good Pretty Maids album, maybe even more melodic than "Pandemonium" and absolutely, as far as I'm concerned a worthy follow up".
Founded in early 1982 by guitarist Ken Hammer and singer Ronnie Atkins, Pretty Maids soon established themselves as a band to be taken seriously in the early eighties, having their breakthrough with the release - in April 1987 - of the album "Future World". This record soon gathered a universal recognition as a "Classic", which endures to date, and allowed the band to perform in from of large audiences thanks to their tour with Deep Purple and their appearances in the "Monsters of Rock" festival. The following album "Jump The Gun" kept the momentum for the band, particularly in Europe and Japan.
Throughout the nineties Pretty Maids continued to release albums, usually followed by European and Japanese tours with the band still maintaining a very high songwriting and production standards. The release of "Wake up to the Real World" in 2006 started the band's relationship with Frontiers Records.
Motherland will include the following tracks: Mother Of All Lies; To Fool A Nation; Confession; The Iceman; Sad To See You Suffer; Hooligan; Infinity; Why So Serious; Motherland; I See Ghosts; Bullet For You; Who What Where When Why; Wasted.
The release of the new album will be preceded by the release of the single / video Mother of All Lies which will hit the streets on January 22. A sample of the single can be heard following this link: youtu.be/KuqCwrdojho. Pretty Maids will play numerous festivals this summer such as Wacken Open Air and Bang Your Head!!!, followed by an extensive world tour in support of " Motherland".
Pretty Maids are stronger than ever – don't miss them on tour!
xxxx
ICONIC CHRISTIAN ROCKERS STRYPER SIGN TO FRONTIERS RECORDS FOR MULTI-ALBUM DEAL: Frontiers Records is proud to announce the signing of iconic Christian rockers Stryper to a multi-album deal. The first release due out will be a new re-recorded collection; Second Coming will hit streets on March 22 in Europe and March 26 in North America.
The album features sixteen tracks, including new recordings of fourteen songs from the band's early years as well as two brand new songs recorded especially for Second Coming, and is produced by Stryper frontman Michael Sweet.
Sweet commented, "We're really excited about this record. The re-recorded songs are sounding awesome
better than the originals in many ways! One word to describe the record? Heavier. We've hooked up with some great people - we've got new management, a great album, a great label. We just feel like everything is coming together, and hopefully some big things are to follow." Please see below for the complete track listing. Stryper is one of the top Christian rock bands of all time. Comprised of the original line-up of Michael Sweet (vocals/guitar), Oz Fox (guitar), Tim Gaines (bass), and Robert Sweet (drums), Stryper has been rocking since 1984, and is responsible for such '80s metal classic albums as Soldiers Under Command, To Hell With The Devil, In God We Trust and such MTV hit singles/videos as "Calling on You," "Free," and "Honestly."
After a sabbatical for much of the 1990's, Stryper returned strong in the early 21st century. To date, the band has sold upwards of 8 million records worldwide and is a Dove Award-winner and Grammy nominee. Stryper is the first band to have two songs in MTV's Top 10 simultaneously.
Second Coming track listing: Loud N' Clear; Loving You; Soldiers Under Command; Makes Me Wanna Sing; First Love; The Rock That Makes Me Roll; Reach Out; Surrender; To Hell With The Devil; Calling On You; Free; The Way; Sing Along Song; More Than A Man; Bleeding From Inside Out (New song); Blackened (New song).
WebLinks: www.stryper.com / www.frontiers.it.
xx
URIAH HEEP BASSIST TAKES MEDICAL LEAVE: Uriah Heep's Trevor Bolder is going into hospital for an operation which will require several months' recuperation. Everyone connected with Uriah Heep wishes Trevor a speedy operation and recovery, and Trevor's wishes are that the band should carry on without him, until he is fit and ready to come back.
Venerated bass player John [JJ] Jowitt has agreed to deputise for Trevor at short notice, to ensure that the band's show in Israel at the end of January can still go ahead. Having spent 20 years with IQ, plus varying stints with Ark, Arena, Jadis, Frost and other respected bands, John is renowned for his on-stage charisma and has won Classic Rock Society's Bass poll on no less than 10 separate occasions. Mick Box said: "We all wish Trevor a speedy return to the fold, and in the meantime we are very pleased that JJ has agreed to step in and cover Trev's unique bass panache, so crucial to Heep's sound. JJ will also contribute to the signature 5-part vocal operatics". John Jowitt said: "I have long been an admirer of Trevor Bolder's iconic playing, and it is a huge honour to be asked to stand in for one of the all-time greats of the bass. I intend to bring due respect to the legend that is Uriah Heep, and I hope I can do justice to Trevor's presence, both on and off stage".
We know all of you out there will support Trevor and the Band as we move forward together into 2013. Trevor will use his recuperation period to write songs for the new Uriah Heep album, the follow up to Into The Wild, which will be put together in the next 12 months.
JIM PETERIK PENS SONG WITH SINGER/SONGWRITER MARC SCHERER TO BENEFIT SANDY HOOK SCHOOL: MelodicRock fans - not only does this song represent a monumental good cause, it's also a really fabulous new song with a soulful message. Get it!
Chicago, IL (January 15, 2013) - How does a caring individual begin to process the unspeakable horror that the Newtown massacre seared into our consciousness? If you are Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer Jim Peterik (Founding member of Survivor and Ides of March), you put pen to paper, gather a few talented friends and head for the recording studio.
Moved by media accounts of the innocent victims and the teachers who shielded them with their own bodies, the composer co-wrote Newtown (You're Not Alone) with lead singer Marc Scherer. The song is available for download from iTunes, with 100% of all proceeds benefiting the Sandy Hook School Support Fund: newtown.uwwesternct.org.
Calling on the legendary Joe Jammer (first guitarist for Supertramp and studio guitarist for Mick Jagger, Joe Cocker and Ringo Starr) to play counterpoint to Jim's guitar work was more than just coincidence, since Jammer and Peterik – both Chicago-born musical icons in their own right – never had the opportunity to join forces professionally until now. Just as Newtown united us as a nation, Newtown (You're Not Alone) brought two industry giants together for the very first time.
Choosing a singer was simple. Long known for cultivating fresh talent, Peterik is currently crafting an album designed to showcase Scherer's remarkable 4-octave range.
Instead of a somber, sorrowful ballad, the surprisingly upbeat song cuts against the grain of expectation to offer a lyrical embrace that speaks to life even as it confronts the essence of evil and inexplicable violence. Scherer's voice is a cry in the darkness, a plea for sanity in a sea of madness, while the driving beat and frenzied rhythm echo the urgency and confusion of a breaking news story.
Newtown (You're Not Alone) reminds us that as parents, teachers – as human beings - we were all wounded that day and what matters most in times of tragedy is the bond that joins us all at the heart. And remembering that bond is how we begin to heal.
To download Newtown (You're Not Alone), please visit itunes.apple.com/us/album/newtown-youre-not-alone/id592554266. 100% of all sales will benefit the Sandy Hook School Support Fund. LIKE us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/#!/NewtownTheSong.
Newtown – The Song - The Backstory of Newtown (You're Not Alone)
It is said that for every action in the universe, there is an equal but opposite reaction...
Like a stone in a pond, the impact of the Sandy Hook tragedy sent ripples through our psyche that reverberated across the globe and sparked a national debate about our violent culture.
For melodic rock legend Jim Peterik, the senseless shooting triggered alarm bells in his mind. Walking down the street shortly after the incident, the Grammy Award-winning songwriter was stopped in his tracks by a newspaper headline that read Newtown: You're Not Alone. Ready to burst with emotion, he realized he had to do something – anything - to relieve the angst that tormented him. He decided then and there to respond in the style that he knew best, by writing a song. Rather than evoking a somber, sorrowful response, however, the experience elicited a creative primal scream.
And that epiphany was the moment of conception for Newtown (You're Not Alone), a tribute that is available for download on iTunes, with all proceeds going to help the victims' families newtown.uwwesternct.org/.
Peterik sees the surprisingly punchy number as a wake-up call for our nation's complacent attitude toward violence.
Peterik's career spans five decades, from his early days with the Chicago-based Ides of March, when he co-wrote the hit Vehicle, to his current affiliation with Pride of Lions, Lifeforce and Jim Peterik's World Stage. Along the way, he helped write two of the most iconic motion picture theme songs in history, Eye of the Tiger (from Rocky III) and Burning Heart (from Rocky IV), and collaborated with Cheap Trick, .38 Special, Lynyrd Skynyrd, REO Speedwagon, Sammy Hagar and The Beach Boys, to name a few. Jim is also the co-author of Songwriting for Dummies and enjoys mentoring new talent in a variety of genres.
One of Jim's protégés is Marc Scherer, a singer whose astoundingly clear and powerful, 4-octave voice was the perfect instrument to breathe passion into the concept that was taking shape in the maestro's head. When Scherer offered some ideas of his own, the two decided to co-write the song. Scherer is also front man for Arc of Ages, who record at Peterik's Burr Ridge studios. One day, Jim stuck his head in the door to listen to tracks the group was laying down and the rest, as they say, is history. Peterik is now writing and producing an album to showcase Scherer's talent.
One of Marc's friends, guitarist Joe Jammer, happened to be in town on a rare visit from England, where he spends most of his time, touring. Jammer started life as a roadie for some of the biggest rock acts of the '60's and 70's, including Jimi Hendricks, The Who and Led Zeppelin. A frustrated guitar player, Joe was jamming backstage one day when Jimmy Page and Robert Plant overheard him and were so taken with his style that they invited him to join the group at their mansion in London. Aside from his role as the original guitarist for Supertramp, Jammer has contributed to over 150 albums, working with Donna Summer, Mick Jagger, Ringo Starr, Jerry Lee Lewis and Joe Cocker. Scherer suggested that they enlist Jammer as guest guitarist for Newtown (You're Not Alone), and the team was complete.
Ironically, although Joe and Jim are both Chicagoland natives, they had never found the right project on which to join forces - until Newtown. After decades of passing each other in the night, the stars had finally aligned in a way that brought everyone together for a common cause.
Newtown (You're Not Alone) is the creative response of three artists united by tragedy and fate. It is a clarion call to exorcise the demons from our culture and save our children. Most of all, it is proof that for every act of evil – no matter how horrific – there is an equal but opposite reaction of humanity and compassion to serve as counterbalance in the universe.
NEW EDEN'S CURSE STUDIO REPORT:
Multinational Melodic Metaller's Eden's Curse have released the first episode from their fourth album studio video diaries. Eden's Curse: "We have completed the writing phase on our new album and picked the final 14 songs. Pete Newdeck starts recording drums on January 14.
Featuring guitarist Thorsten Koehne, drummer Pete Newdeck and bassist Paul Logue, it focuses primarily on the song writing sessions and in particular a new track called "Evil & Divine".
The 8 minute video can be viewed here: www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=n1FoCDNV1mk.
The new Eden's Curse album, the much anticipated follow up to 2011 s highly acclaimed "Trinity" record, is scheduled for worldwide release via AFM Records towards the end of Summer 2013.
For more news, including the bands appearance at Firefest 2013 and voting for Sweden Rock visit the bands official sites at: www.edenscurse.com / www.facebook.com/edenscurseofficial / www.twitter.com/edenscurse.
CODE OF SILENCE PRESS INFORMATION: EPK – INTRODUCING THE BAND AND THE NEW ALBUM:
Two years in the making, an epic debut album with stunning musicianship, welcome to 2013
Code Of Silence. The brainchild of respected U.K. melodic rock producer/ musician / songwriter Paul Logue (Eden's Curse) and his friend and musical journeyman James Murray, the album Dark Skies Over Babylon will appeal to lovers of melodic hard rock and metal, with shades of prog.
In the introductory video, Paul and James discuss the origins and formation of the band with behind the-scenes footage of their forthcoming promotional video 'Sky Is Falling Down'.
Paul explains how he enlisted the band members: James Murray (bass), John Clelland (drums), Scott McLean (keys), Ben Randall (guitars) and vocalist Gus Monsanto. James, John and Scott are based in Scotland and have worked with Paul on separate projects whilst he managed Ben for a time before the guitarist joined Power Quest in 2009.
The Brazilian vocalist Gus Monsanto was already known to Paul Logue via his work with Timo Tolkki's Revolution Renaissance (ex-Stratovarius) and the French band Adagio. In the video, Monsanto articulates what attracted him to the music, and what he thinks others will find: "strong songs, melodies, hard rock, great guitar
a full package". The visuals are reinforced by the stunning artwork conceived by Belgium-based graphic artist Didier Scohier. Code Of Silence is a fresh-sounding take on heavy but highly melodic rock. Listeners will find many reference points but the band is truly a sum of its parts: five guys who have fashioned a modern masterpiece in a sometimes predictable and certainly overcrowded genre.
The track 'Sky Is Falling Down' is a four-minute burst of pop metal - catchy, re-playable, and engaging - the promo video was filmed on location in Glasgow on a very cold December's day last year. It is due for premiere on Monday 21 January to precede the Japanese album release via Rubicon Music on 25 January.
The album 'Dark Skies Over Babylon' is released in Europe on 25 February and in North America on 9 April via Mausoleum Records. The introductory video can be viewed here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhzffB91RdU.
For more information on Code Of Silence, please visit: www.codeofsilence.co.uk.
xx
ARP - LIVE ON FIRE DOUBLE LIVE DVD / CD PACKAGE ANNOUNCED:
Release Date Germany: March 22nd, Release Date Europe: March 25th 2013, USA: March 26th 2013
Despite having planned his career meticulously over the past 25 years or so, even in the camp of German hard rock master Axel Rudi Pell surprises cannot be ruled out: Before playing in front of a sold out Cologne crowd on the second leg of his wildly successful "Circle Of The Oath" tour the opportunity arose for taping the whole show, with cameras being all over. Well, Axel gave it a try. And that was a good move. Ten years after his last live album "Knights Live" (2002) you can - again - be a witness of a complete concert from the Bochum based guitar virtuoso and his German-American all-star band. To round out the Axel Rudi Pell live package, the recording of the co-headlining gig at last year´s "Rock Of Ages" festival was added to "Live On Fire", the name of his newest live oeuvre.
Obviously a live album doesn´t have the same importance and significance as a new studio output, but it nevertheless is a perfect snapshot in time, because 2012 was the most successful year in Axel Rudi Pell´s solo career by far! "Circle Of The Oath", album No. 14, was released on March 23rd and rode high on the charts all over Europe: in his homeland Germany the critically acclaimed disc made it up to No. 16 in the first week, Switzerland welcomed good old Axel on No. 30, Austria on No. 55, Norway on No. 69 and in Sweden he went up to No. 51. The land of the elks even honoured the German guitarist with a Gold disc for selling well over 10.000 copies of the single "Run With The Wind"! And last but not least he received another Gold Award for selling out three consecutive nights at the famous "Zeche" venue in his native Bochum. Apart from that he rocked the summer crowds at the legendary "Sweden Rock" and "Wacken" festivals, as well as the open air "Rock Of Ages" in Germany together with his band. Not only have those performances disqualified you from criticizing him – but on stage Axel Rudi Pell always delivers the goods in absolutely astonishing hard rock manner. And remember: no f***ing overdubs, guaranteed!
Even though Axel loves the composing part at home and the recording business in the studio, home is where the heart is and that´s being on stage. Being musically socialized in the Golden Age of hard rock (the Seventies) he´s probably a bigger fan of live albums than he would admit. As they say: Applause is the performer´s meat and drink. But without sometimes being anarchistic spontaneously and playing with the audience´s emotions, without the sweat coming off the ceiling and the priceless energy being trapped in the middle of an adventure that is called live concert, when the lights go down and every amp is on fire – the life of a true rocker would be incomplete. Speaking of which: besides his success Axel Rudi Pell has always been that down-to-earth guy and mainly the fan he was turned into when he first heard Deep Purple´s "Fireball" back in the day. With "Live On Fire" he accomplishes a long-desired wish and gives his fans what they desperately want for quite some time.
No surprise at all that the main focus is set on the newbies: here´s the striking chords of fast and furious opener „Ghost In The Black", the hard rocking pounding of „Before I Die" and without a doubt one of Axel´s best songs written in a decade: the brilliant "Circle Of The Oath" which would made Jimmy Page cry out loud. But there´s more to listen to on "Live On Fire": the passion for medleys ("The Masquerade Ball"/"Casbah"/"Dreaming Dead") combined with some all-time classics here and there (Zeppelin´s "Whole Lotta Love" or Purple´s „Mistreated"). And don´t forget his own hits like "Fool Fool", "Nasty Reputation" or "Rock The Nation"! You´ll see (and hear) how well attuned this steady ARP line-up is.
And they aren´t finished yet and will enter the studio in autumn of 2013, with a tour coming up in February/March of 2014. This could be something, as after a quarter of a century as a successful solo artist Axel Rudi Pell and his mates are still "Live On Fire"!
Tracklisting: Cologne, Essigfabrik (October 18th 2012) 1. The Guillotine Suite (Intro) 2. Ghost In The Black 3. Strong As A Rock 4. Before I Die 5. The Masquerade Ball / Casbah / Dreaming Dead / Whole Lotta Love / Dreaming Dead 6. Drum Solo 7. Mystica / Mistreated / Mystica 8. Oceans Of Time 9. Circle Of The Oath 10. Fool Fool 11. Keyboard Solo / Carousel / Jam / Carousel 12. Tear Down The Walls / Nasty Reputation 13. Rock The Nation.
Rock Of Ages Festival (July 28th 2012) 1. The Guillotine Suite (Intro) 2. Ghost In The Black 3. Strong As A Rock 4. Before I Die 5. The Masquerade Ball / Casbah / Dreaming Dead / Whole Lotta Love / Dreaming Dead 6. Drum Solo 7. Mystica / Mistreated / Mystica 8. Oceans Of Time 9. Circle Of The Oath 10. Tear Down The Walls / Nasty Reputation 11. Rock The Nation.
Line-Up: Johnny Gioeli - Lead Vocals; Axel Rudi Pell - Guitars; Ferdy Doernberg – Keyboards/Backing Vocals; Volker Krawczak – Bass/Backing Vocals; Mike Terrana - Drums.
Configurations: Limited Digipak 2 CD / 2DVD plus poster and tour pass Bonus: new interview with Axel Rudi Pell, home story Axel Rudi Pell, Hallelujah-video clip
3LP in coloured vinyl (Cologne, Essigfabrik) / Digipak 2CD (Cologne, Essigfabrik) / Digipak 2DVD (Cologne, Essigfabrik, "Rock Of Ages"-Festival) (also on Blu-ray: release tba)
Bonus: new interview with Axel Rudi Pell, home story Axel Rudi Pell, Hallelujah-video clip / Download (Cologne, Essigfabrik).
WebLink: www.axel-rudi-pell.de / www.spv.de.
L.A. GUNS TO RELEASE LIVE IN CONCERT, FROM M3, WITH BEHIND-SCENES AND INTERVIEW EXTRAS ON FEBRUARY 12:
Los Angeles, CA
L.A. Guns provided one of the most talked-about performances at the 2012 M3 Rock Festival in Maryland last May. That full concert was professionally captured in a multi-camera shoot and packaged with behind-the-scenes, studio, and interview extras in L.A. Guns: Live In Concert to be released February 12 by Cleopatra Records. Also included are three studio music videos from the critically-acclaimed album, Hollywood Forever. The accompanying CD provides the audio tracks for the M3 concert. L.A. Guns continues carry the torch of the glam/sleaze/rock scene from the Sunset Strip, always delivering their trademark sound, but also creatively moving forward with the type of exciting new music displayed in Hollywood Forever. It is this combination of old and new that keeps L.A. Guns on the road, on the radio, and on the minds of rock fans across the globe. L.A. Guns: Live In Concert captures the band at one of the biggest rock festivals in the U.S. and showcases the fan favorites like 'Never Enough' and 'The Ballad of Jayne' as well as tracks from the new record. The concert is uncut and has material not seen in the live festival feed.
In the bonus material, documentarian Jack Foster interviewed Phil Lewis, Steve Riley, Stacey Blades, and Scotty Griffin about songwriting, collaboration, and the band's rich history. In-studio footage throughout the recording process was also captured, including creative banter with legendary record producer Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Van Halen) . Former L.A. Guns member Kelly Nickels makes a special appearance as well.
Track List - Live At The M3 Rock Festival: Sex Action, Never Enough, You Better Not Love Me, Sweet Mystery, Revolution, Sleazy Come Easy Go, Electric Gypsy, The Ballad of Jayne, Rip N' Tear.
Studio Videos: You Better Not Love Me, Arana Negra (Black Spider), Requiem (Hollywood Forever).
The Making Of Hollywood Forever: The Beginning, Bookends, Writing Songs, Working Together, Time Crunch, Phil's Songs, Hot Rods & Strippers, Treasure Chest, Vinyl Spider, Hot Take.
With new guitarist Frank Wilsey, L.A. Guns is starting the new year with club dates in the Midwest and their home start, gearing up for the epic Monsters of Rock Cruise to the Bahamas in March.
1/17 Viper Alley Lincolnshire, IL
1/18 Small's Hamtramck, MI
1/19 Soaring Eagle Casino Mt. Pleasant, MI
1/26 Tiki Bar Costa Mesa, CA
3/14 Bahia Cabana Ft. Lauderdale, FL
3/15 Jake's Tavern Sarasota, FL
3/16-20 Monsters of Rock Cruise
L.A. Guns: Live In Concert will be in stores and online at MSRP $16.99. www.facebook.com/officialLAGuns / cleopatrarecords.com.
MELODIC BRIEFS:
Singer Tony Mills has opened a brand new website that you can check out now at: www.tonymills-official.com. Tony tells me he has been asked to step in with Bobby Kimball and Tommy Denander in Oslo for a show or two in February: www.facebook.com/LegendsVOR.
Tommy will help Tony on his next solo album.
Following their 2011 Roadrunner Records debut album Revenge For The Ruthless, Welsh rockers Revoker are set to return this new year and prove to the heavy metal masses that the number 13 is lucky for some! Revoker, who release their 2nd album in 2013, take a break from the studio in April to tour the UK as main support to co-headliners Drowning Pool and Fozzy (featuring WWE wrestler Chris Jericho).
Heavy Metal weights Raven Lord announce in their third Episode of "Raven Lord TV" video podcast the confirmation of their first Summer Festival R-Mine Festival 2013, June in Belgium. Larry Paterson who is hosting the new episode also introduces his E-drum endorsement with Carlsbro for practice purposes. Raven Lord TV – Episode 3 – Endorsement and Confirmed Festival can be watched here: youtu.be/K1etjqwduM8. While the band is priming themselves for some touring in Spring 2013 followed by Summer Festivals as well as some high profile shows.
Snowy Shaw sings the Book Of Heavy Metal with Australia's Black Majesty & Eyefear - Whilst filling in on drums for Sabaton on their Australian tour, Snowy Shaw took the mic to sing The Book Of Heavy Metal during Black Majesty's support set. Members of Eyefear also joined the stage for a rendition of the Dream Evil track. (Black Majesty, Eyefear & Sabaton are currently supporting Nightwish on select dates around Australia).
Footage from Tuesday 15th January 2013 of the band performing The Book Of Heavy Metal at The Palace, Melbourne, Australia can be seen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLqR5CZ5Su0.
UPDATES: Thanks again for everyone's patience during the down days this month. Another news update tomorrow (with MRX getting a fresh update finally) and then some more downtime next week. But there will be updates when possible. The return to work as usual with daily updates EVERY day will be Monday February 4.
Monday, January 14, 2013
BLACK SABBATH '13' DUE OUT JUNE 2013:
Birmingham, England (January 13, 2013)--Today, the 13th of January 2013, rock legends Black Sabbath have announced the title of their new album, 13, which will be released this June (exact date TBA). The original Black Sabbath--Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar) and Geezer Butler (bass)--have recorded the album primarily in Los Angeles and were joined at the sessions by drummer Brad Wilk (Rage Against The Machine). Produced by Rick Rubin (seven-time Grammy winner, two of those as Producer of the Year), the album will be released on Vertigo (worldwide) and Vertigo/Republic in the U.S. 13 marks the Grammy-winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees' return to Vertigo, the band's original label; it's the group's first studio album together since 1978's Never Say Die! They have sold over 70 million albums together.
In advance of the album's release, Black Sabbath will head to New Zealand, Australia and Japan for live performances (see below for tour dates). Additional tour plans will be revealed in the coming months.
Black Sabbath's initial tour dates are as follows:
Sat 4/20 Auckland, New Zealand Vector Arena
Mon 4/22 Auckland, New Zealand Vector Arena
Thu 4/25 Brisbane, Australia Entertainment Centre
Sat 4/27 Sydney, Australia All Phones Arena
Mon 4/29 Melbourne, Australia Rod Laver Arena
Wed 5/1 Melbourne, Australia Rod Laver Arena
Sat 5/4 Perth, Australia Perth Arena
Sun 5/12 Tokyo, Japan Ozzfest - Makuhari Messe
WebLinks: www.blacksabbath.com / www.facebook.com/BlackSabbath / twitter.com/OfficialSabbath.
SNAKECHARMER "ACCIDENT PRONE" (OFFICIAL VIDEOCLIP): Snakecharmer Accident Prone - Taken from the album Snakecharmer out on Frontiers Records. Release dates: EU January 25th 2013 / NA February 5th 2013
Snakecharmer: Micky Moody - guitar, slide guitar, vocals; Neil Murray - bass; Laurie Wisefield - guitar, vocals; Harry James - drums, vocals; Adam Wakeman - keyboards, vocals; Chris Ousey - lead vocals.
For more info: www.frontiers.it - www.frontiers.it/usstore.
AXE LIVE COMING YOUR WAY: NEH Records LLC is releasing Axe – Live 2012 DVD/CD on Jan 22. This exclusive release is only available through NEH Records and their selected partners. Axe performed at the Sweden Rock Festival in 2012 and were captured live for the first time ever by six HD video camera crews. The lineup consisted of Bobby Barth (guitar, vocals), Bob Harris (vocals), Alessandro Del Vecchio (keyboards, vocals), Mario Percudani (guitar, vocals), Gerald Berger (bass) and Alessandro Mori (drums). Barth recruited former Frank Zappa engineer Mark Pinske and Ben Watts to help with the video production and the result is a stunningly brilliant DVD and CD of that concert sure to please and amaze Axe fans of all ages. Order yours today at www.nehrecords.com.
Track Listing - CD & DVD: 1. The Crown 2. Burn The City Down 3. Battles 4. Magic In Our Eyes 5. Sting Of The Rain 6. Jennifer 7. Steal Another Fantasy 8. Back On The Streets 9. Forever 10. Children's Memory 11. Heroes And Legends 12. Rock N Roll Party In The Streets.
NEW FROM SWEET SOUNDS:
On Tuesday jan 8, 2013 Sweetsounds Music Group will release digitally the hard hitting worldwide release from New England's Still Well Angel. This EP rocks with killer tracks like Circum and Korner Of Khaos. Still Well Angel's the Kalm Before The Khaos available worldwide now at iTunes, media net, spotify, emusic and i heart radio! visit www.sweetsounds.us for more info!
NEW ROCK SUPERGROUP SOMETHING UNTO NOTHING TO PHYSICALLY RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM FEBRUARY 5:
New rock supergroup Something Unto Nothing (S.U.N.) featuring Juno Award winner Sass Jordan, Brian Tichy, Michael Devin and Tommy Stewart will physically release their debut full-length self-titled album Tuesday, February 5 on Robo Records with distribution through Fontana/Universal Music. Initially the album was scheduled to be released Tuesday, January 15; however, S.U.N. guitarist Tichy was recently involved in a serious mountain bike accident which resulted in a broken collarbone, requiring him to undergo surgery on New Year's Eve. This unforeseen injury has temporarily sidelined the band's promotional plans for the record release and as recompense to their fans for the delay, S.U.N. has decided to sign a limited quantity of pre-sale CDs for fans that purchase the physical album beginning today at www.somethinguntonothing.com (while supplies last). This will be the only opportunity for fans to have the album before it's officially out in stores. Also, as a unique and special keepsake for Tichy fans, included in these signed CD packages will be a signed copy of Tichy's x-ray which shows the metal plate and nine screws required to put his clavicle back together. Several other bundles will also be available on the website for various price points including t-shirts, lyric sheets, drumsticks and more.
The album's first single "I'm The One" hit the Top 50 at Classic Rock Radio as the official music video for the track was released. With footage from the band's November 20 show at the Key Club in Los Angeles, celebrating the digital release of the album, the video showcases S.U.N.'s non-stop, high-octane live performance. Watch it now here: youtu.be/7NktMr8Sjqk.
All this news coincides with Tichy's announcement of his departure from the iconic rock band Whitesnake. Tichy, a veteran musician who served as Whitesnake's drummer for 2 ½ years and has also performed with Billy Idol, Foreigner, Ozzy and more, has decided to devote his full attention to S.U.N. "When you start a band with an Interplanetary Mountain Goddess and you both agree it's worth giving 100%, you don't just up and leave," explains Tichy of working with Sass and his decision to leave Whitesnake. "If I did, our efforts would have been a bit of a waste of time, and I might as well stick to being a drummer-for-hire." Tichy goes on to say, "I owe David Coverdale a big 'thank you' for allowing me to be in his band, and be myself in his band. The man simply told me to play how I play and make his band and its music sound like a kick-ass rock 'n' roll freight train. He trusted me. I also owe David thanks for all the inspiration and for clearly letting me see that if you want something, you better at least TRY to get it." A full statement has also been posted to www.briantichy.com.
Whitesnake frontman David Coverdale also released a statement regarding Brian's departure: "We are truly sad to see him go, but, we fully support the pursuit of his ambitions & sincerely wish him well. His fearless drumming brought a relentless driving edge & to our music that we fully embraced. Good Luck, Brian...May the SUN shine brightly on you!!"
Brian and the rest of the band are looking forward to his speedy recovery and to getting back to what they love most
performing live. S.U.N.'s first show of 2013 will be on Saturday, January 19 at the Key Club. They have also confirmed a gig Saturday, February 9 at Vamp'd in Las Vegas alongside Frank Hannon of Tesla.
Additionally, the members of S.U.N. will also make several appearances at the annual NAMM music trade show January 24-27 in Anaheim, CA. On Thursday, January 24 at 7pm at The Observatory, S.U.N. and the world's most accomplished drummers will come together for the Bonzo Bash NAMM Jamm. This event, as with the four previous Bonzo Bashes, is curated by Tichy himself and pays tribute to the legendary drummer John Bonham of Led Zeppelin. Those drummers confirmed to appear and perform their favorite Led Zeppelin songs include Steven Adler (Guns N Roses/Adler), James Kottak (Scorpions), Stephen Perkins (Jane's Addiction), Mike Portnoy (Adrenaline Mob), Dave Lombardo (Slayer), Tichy, Stewart and many more. There will also be special guests on-hand to host the festivities including Eddie Trunk, Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden) and Uncle Joe Benson (Los Angeles' 95.5 KLOS). Tickets are on-sale now at www.observatoryoc.com/events/bonzo. TICHY will also take part in several signing appearances throughout the convention including at booths for Natal Drums, Regal Tips, Remo, Paiste Cymbals and more.
Positive reviews continue to pour in. Here's what's being said about S.U.N.'s debut self-titled album: "
a slab of blues-based rock that might have been blasting from a Camaro's 8-track in the summer of '71
Sass Jordan wails like a congregant called forth to testify on the eve o judgment day. A vocalist in the Janis Joplin mold, the singer hits all the highs and lows
[Tichy] is not only an accomplished shredder; he drives the tracks with his unfussy, supportive playing
his killer guitar tonea thick, dripping snarlis the best thing about his playing in S.U.N
.Something Unto Nothing dips deeply into the '70s canon, but in targeted, discrete ways
" --DRUM, February 2013
"S.U.N.'s debut album is reminiscent of the classic big album sounds of the 1970s. It's raw, real music from the days when records were played on a turntable and cranked up to 10." --James Wood, guitarworld.com, November 28, 2012 "Jordan's gritty, intense vocal stylings are featured prominently on this album, with several short a capella sections on "Burned." The tracks contain a fusion of blues and rock, which is a natural fit for Jordan's voice and Tichy's high energy guitar playing. Michael Devin's bass playing is tight and in control, and adds to the intensity of Stewart's drums." -- Hilary Mahoney, screamermagazine.com, December 20, 2012 "The debut album from rock supergroup Something Unto Nothing is perhaps the first great rock record of 2013. The band have come together for a record that's a solid, no-nonsense rock record." --Philip Sayblack, WNCT TV 9, December 24, 2012 "Something Unto Nothing is a record of soundscapes. It's got delicious, boot-stomping sleaze. It's got nods to the best of grunge and post-grunge. Over here is a valley of groove, with periodic stands of blues. Over there is a vista of Zeppelinesque drum walls and phrasing. The common thread is hard rock purity." --bowilliams.com, December 16, 2012 "Las Vegas was treated to some full out, power blues, over-driven, rock 'n roll on Saturday night, and it went by the name S.U.N. Seeing a band of this caliber in a intimate setting was truly awesome. Imagine a band with a very 70's, bar room, vintage vibe that can jam with no pro tools, no auto tune, Just balls out, bad ass, Rock and Roll." -- fullmetalrock.com, November 16, 2012
WebLinks: www.somethinguntonothing.com / www.facebook.com/pages/SUN-Something-Unto-Nothing/177605938956922 / twitter.com/teamsassjordan / www.reverbnation.com/sunsomethinguntonothing.
Friday, January 11, 2013
GREAT WHITE TO CELEBRATE THE BAND'S XXXTH ANNIVERSARY WITH THE RELEASE OF A NEW LIVE ALBUM: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of Great White's celebrative live album 30 Years – Live From the Sunset Strip on February 22nd in Europe and February 26th in North America.
To mark its 30th Anniversary LIVE on March 22, 2012, Great White celebrated the only logical way – on stage. In a nod to its early days, Great White returned to the infamous Sunset Strip, where a storied past of music's biggest fans are fused into the walls of the Key Club. Great White delivered its entire repertoire to a packed house, pining for the band's raw energy and cheering its illustrious history track after track.
The Southern California blues hard rock band debuted with a Don Dokken / Michael Wagener produced EP in 1983 and later on were signed by EMI for 1984's self-titled debut album. Since then Great White has achieved worldwide success, encompassing sales of over six million records. They received a Grammy nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance for the song "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" and earned a double platinum certification for the album "
Twice Shy".
It's the soulful, blues-based signature sound that turned songs like "Face The Day", "Rock Me" and "Save Your Love" into international hits. The late 80's were boom years for the band, marked by non-stop touring with some of the biggest bands of the era including stints in Europe and Japan. Great White recorded two more albums for Capitol — "Hooked", which was certified gold and "Psycho City".
With a line up featuring Co- Founder Mark Kendall, Audie Desbrow, Michael Lardie Scott Snyder and new singer Terry Ilous (former XYZ), a natural frontman blessed with bluesy-heritage rock tone, Ilous fits the band like a glove. Great White's biting guitar riffs, contagious rhythm section and newfound energy is ready to honor its past and create the next chapter. 30th Anniversary Live is just one night – but the music is timeless.
30 Years – Live From the Sunset Strip tracklisting includes: Desert Moon; Lady Red Light; Face The Day; House Of Broken Love; Save Your Love; Mista Bone; The Big Goodbye; Back To The Rhythm; Rock Me; Can't Shake It; Once Bitten Twice Shy..
WebLink: www.greatwhiterocks.com.
xx
ASIA - NEW GUITARIST, SWEDEN ROCK, NEW ALBUM:
If 2012 was a year to remember for ASIA, with the release of the acclaimed studio album 'XXX' marking the band's thirtieth anniversary, then 2013 is set to be another. John Wetton, Geoff Downes and Carl Palmer are delighted to announce that not only do they have an incredible talent in place to step into Steve Howe's shoes, but also that their first international show with newcomer Sam Coulson will be a high profile performance at Sweden Rock 2013. Sam is a wonderful player, world-renowned amongst guitar virtuosos. Additionally, a new studio album, to be entitled 'Valkyrie', will be recorded for Frontiers Records during 2013 continuing the band's relationship with the label.
John Wetton said, "ASIA is ready to take its next steps along this remarkable road. We cannot wait to perform again for the fans and also to unveil some of the new material, of which we are very proud". Geoff Downes said, "We look forward to writing another chapter in Asia's history". Carl Palmer commented, "We're all looking forward to the next decade of great ASIA music".
Asia formed as a supergroup of stunning pedigrees, bringing together songwriter, lead vocalist and bassist John Wetton [King Crimson, UK], keyboardist Geoff Downes [Yes, The Buggles], drummer extraordinaire Carl Palmer [ELP] and Steve Howe [Yes]. Their self-titled debut album was the biggest selling album in the world in 1982 and monopolized the Number 1 slot in the Billboard charts for 9 weeks. The album is still in the top 3 Geffen sales of all time, with Guns 'n' Roses and Whitesnake! With tracks like mega-hit 'Heat Of The Moment', ASIA helped to create the MTV phenomenon. The band's work perfected the use of videos that encompassed stories and messages, examples being the work for 'Wildest Dreams', 'Only Time Will Tell', 'The Smile Has Left Your Eyes' and 'Don't Cry'. 'Heat Of The Moment' is still a radio fixture and has been in top TV and films including '40 Year Old Virgin', 'South Park', 'Cold Case', 'The Matador' and countless others.
In 2006 the original band reunited for a tour of USA, which was followed by four world tours and several continental tours. The reunited band has played over 300 shows and released three new studio albums, three DVDs and a number of live albums. The track 'An Extraordinary Life', from 2008's album 'Phoenix' was chosen as the theme music for America's Got Talent. This is a band with plenty more to say. With a new guitarist in place, Sweden Rock confirmed and more high profile live dates to come, plus a new album slated for release, the ASIA trajectory continues: onward and upwards!
KIVEL RECORDS INTRODUCED LAVALLE:
News from Kivel Records: 2013 has arrived with the holidays and all their crazy insanity behind us. What better way to embrace the madness than a Dear John Letter to the past. NO.....a DEAR SANITY letter! The new band LaValle will debut their new CD , Dear Sanity March 2013 on Kivel Records. LaValle featuring Carsten Schulz (Evidence One), Paul Logue (Edens Curse), Ramy Ali (Evidence One), and guitarist Eddie LaValle deliver an old school sound with an updated PUNCH!
Pulling from such a pool of talent, this band delivers for fans of "Tooth and Nail" era Dokken, mixed with a blend of Bratta and Lynch influenced guitar playing piled on top of a mountain sized wall of HUGE choruses. This is an album that will satisfy fans of the genre of old, while gaining fans of new. But don't take our word for it, hear it for yourself with the first single "Fading Like The Sun" set to be debuted by Steve Price on ARFM Radio Sat., Jan. 12th !! Tune in and don't miss it at www.arfm.co.uk.
We also want to take the time to unveil our latest album art for this release. Created by none other than graphic designer master Thomas Ewerhard (Tango Down, Shakra, Edens Curse, Edguy, Masterplan). So without further adieux here it is.....LaValle "Dear Sanity" . To add to this news, we wanted to add something a little different to the typical press release. Now, everyone knows how serious we take the visual aspect of our releases, as serious as we take the actual music itself. We have over the years been asked multiple times, what goes into creating one of our album covers? So here you go folks...a glimpse at a typical cover shoot for one of our releases featuring renowned photographer Kent Miller of Kent Miller Studios. Dear Sanity begins Pre Sale orders 1/14/13.
Behind The Scenes of Dear Sanity and the new CD Artwork:
TWO MORE TREATS IN FEBRUARY FROM AOR HEAVEN: AOR Heaven's upcoming Melodic Rock/AOR releases from Wild Rose and Heartbreak Radio are both due February 22. The details are as follows:
Heartbreak Radio - On Air / Heartbreak Radio began as a spinoff project from the band Last Autumn's Dream. The self-titled debut album was released in 2005 and received great reviews from all over the world. Musicians at the time included Mikkey Dee (Motöhead), Tommy Denander, Sayit, Magnus Rosen (Hammerfall) - just to name a few. The project's second album "On Air" is an homage to the 70's AOR/Westcoast legends such as Journey, Pages, Toto, Bill La Bounty, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, Michael McDonald & Bill Champlin and will be released on February 22 on the AOR Heaven label.
Today, the line-up of Heartbreak Radio consists of Mats Johannson (ASIA, guitars), Berra Holmgren (Ace Of Base, bass), Peter Strandberg (Jeff Scott Soto, drums), Johan Axelsson (keys) and Wojtek Goral (Stevie Wonder, saxophone) plus the vocalists Jim Jidhed (Alien), Mikael Erlandsson (Last Autumn's Dream), Pierre Weinsberg (Elevener, Radioactive), Henrik Baath (Dark Water) and Martin Gabriel (solo).
"On Air" was produced by Claes Andreasson (Last Autumn's Dream) and Johan Axelsson.
Tracklist: 1.Love On Fire, 2.Angelina, 3.You Are Love, 4.Turn On Love, 5.I Will Love You, 6.Live Out Of Love, 7.All Over The World, 8.My Heart's Just Missing You, 9.Keep Kickin´ It Back Again, 10.You Don't Love Me Anymore.
Wild Rose - Dangerous / Wild Rose originally was formed in Spring 2004 by Andy Rock. Due to problems finding the right musicians which could play a proper AOR sound, the line-up wasn't stable for a long time. After trying for two years and continuous changes in the song-writing, Wild Rose formed a basic line-up, which was introduced in 2006 to the audience with songs composed by Andreas Peyos. In 2007 Wild Rose released their first promo CD entitled "It's all about love" which contained the same title track and "Too Late", a song that was rapidly accepted and loved by the audience for AOR music. At the same period Wild Rose performed as the support act on Talisman's farewell tour in Greece.
At the beginning of 2008, two members took a break from Wild Rose to take care of their military obligations. The band was put onto hold for a while and Peyos continued to work on the song material. They returned in mid-2009 and recorded a 10 track demo CD with tracks written by Peyos and Dirty Haris. These songs matured through the rehearsal process and ended up in professionally recorded versions on the band's debut album "Half Past Midnight" which was finally released in October 2011 and received great results in the AOR specialized press.
During the year 2012, the band has worked on new songs and recorded their second album "Dangerous" which will be released on February 22 on the AOR Heaven label. This release was produced & mixed by Andy Rock and co-produced by Wild Rose between December 2011 and September 2012 at WR Studios Thessaloniki, Greece and is the first to feature new main vocalist David A. Saylor (PUSH).
Tracklist: 1. Alone, 2. Hold On, 3. I Can't Stop Loving You, 4. If You Still Love Me, 5. Dream On, 6. Awake, 7. Tonight, 8. I Won't Forget You, 9. Is This Love, 10. Not A Day Goes By.
MY DEPARTURE FROM WHITESNAKE - BY BRIAN TICHY:
In case you haven't read drummer/guitarist Brian Tichy's open letter to fans about his departure from Whitesnake to concentrate on the new S.U.N. project, please do so. Much credit to the guy for some rare honesty in this business!
"My decision to leave Whitesnake has already been announced by David Coverdale but I wanted to at least give a bit of my own explanation and be clear on why this decision was made because it is a simple yet heavy one; heavy cuz it involves jumping off a cliff while you were seemingly and supposedly fine on solid ground. It's a reason that you will only understand if you exist with any amount of dreams, goals, ambition and desire to get to that place you haven't been.
First off, Whitesnake will obviously be fine without me. I gave 100% while in the band, with full intent on making David and the Snakes proud I was behind them as their drummer. If still in WS, I would yet again be giving DC and the guys 100% in 2013, and I'd have a blast doing it! I will never complain about being paid to be an adult that plays in the bands he used to practice to since he was 9 years old! And I will never ever give less than 100% when behind a kit of drums because it is my life. It ties everything together for me. The change of musicians in bands is nothing new. My idols left this band too. But I do think my reason is a little different than the others'.
Life is short. Each year is a solid chunk of time to hopefully get closer to all the things you have thought of attempting to achieve throughout your whole life. My Dec. 30th mountain bike accident and Jan. 1st surgery had absolutely nothing to do with my decision; but it certainly made it all the more easier to write it down with total clarity and without any second guessing.
I've always played guitar. I've always written music. I've always wanted to be in my band! I have a new band, S.U.N., that I am beyond proud of. It is with a person, singer Sass Jordan, who is also as passionate about music and our band as I am. We sit on the same page in S.U.N. without worry about the other person's level of commitment. Sass is a lifer in music. She only does this. And she does it better than most. When you have something like that sitting at your fingertips and you both truly believe in it, you don't just put it on the shelf. What you do is figure out HOW you are going to make this new band AND everything else in your lives work together, regardless of the looming uphill battle and tiny percent ratio of something like this becoming a true force to be reckoned with.
But, that's where the confidence and experience come into play. I'd like to think we made a record that is a solid piece of rock that will hold its own next to anything. How will I know if I am right or wrong if I just "talk talk talk" about it? I've got live it and let this band have a fair shot, or else I might as well just call it "a cute little project I do if I have free time." Haha! That is boring and goofy. We've worked hard and we will work hard.
I can't give it its fair shot if I am giving Whitesnake 100%. And like I said, Whitesnake is Whitesnake. It rolls around the planet as a total and complete success, whether YOU like it or not. It just it. When David says, "let's tour," a lot of people become employed and have a solid amount of work for the year. So yeah, that's a success right there.
I owe David Coverdale a big, fat thank you for allowing me to be myself in his band. The man simply told me to play how I play and make his band and its music sound like a kick ass rock n roll freight train. He trusted me. He trusted that after having Paice, Powell, Dunbar, Aldridge, and Frazier, (some of the world's best drummers!) I could be the guy to get the job done! I also thank him for treating his band with complete respect and always being open to tell stories and answer questions having to do with this biz and everything he has been through. You learn a lot from a guy like that when you shut up and listen. Come on, from Blackmore to Page??!!! Sorry, it don't get bigger!
But mainly I owe David a thanks for all the inspiration and for clearly letting me see that if you want something, you better at least TRY to get it. I am going to try. I watch him onstage and offstage, and see this icon that took his amazing gift and worked it hard and watched it all pay off in ways
that most cannot fathom. I will of course always be a drummer and continue to work as a drummer and do all the things that drummers do. But I am allowing there to be an open road that I can now attempt to fill with all the stuff I have yet to do; the main thing being S.U.N. Basically, it would be pretty badass, (as I told David) if down the road, he can see me and say, "Damn, Tichy went for it and did it." With that, I intend on making David proud, proving lots to myself and getting S.U.N. out there and making a dent!
Thanks to all the awesome Whitesnake fans who have been so understanding and accepting of my decision. I know who I'd like to see back on drums in WS! But whoever it is, it will be the right decision because it's David's! So, go buy the S.U.N. "Something Unto Nothing" record with me on guitar and drums, Sass as the Interplanetary Mountain Goddess, Michael Devin on bass (who yes, will remain a member of WS) and Tommy Stewart on live drums! See us Jan 19th at Key Club in LA and at the Bonzo Bash Jan. 24th. Our record has gotten insanely stellar reviews and I think that's cuz we have approached the record the old fashioned way; NO CLICK TRACKS AND NO AUTO TUNE BS!
Focus on the natural groove within. Worry about the songs and the sounds. We are Loud Gypsy Rock!! "Veni, Vidi, Rocky!"
Sincerely, Brian Thomas Tichy."
ANBERLIN ANNOUNCE 2013 TOUR de' VITAL HEADLINING DATES:
In support of their latest album Vital, Florida five-piece Anberlin have announced their first headlining tour throughout the U.S in 2013. Beginning the run on February 17th in their hometown of Orlando, the tour will see the band play such cities as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago before wrapping up on March 23rd in Silver Sprins, MD. Releasing their sixth album Vital on October 16th, the album is now available for purchase with an exclusive track via iTunes.
Tour dates listed below:
February
17 - Orlando, FL @ The Beacham
18 - Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution Live
19 - Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage
21 - Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
22 - San Antonio, TX @ Backstage Live
23 - Houston, TX @ House of Blues
26 - Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues
27 - Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory
28 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
March
1 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
3 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox Market
4 - Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
5 - Missoula, MT @ The Wilma Theatre
12 - Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre
14 - Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
15 - Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall
16 - Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
17 - Rochester, NY @ Water Street Music Hall
19 - Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
20 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
22 - Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero Theatre
23 - Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore
GOO GOO DOLLS TO HEADLINE CREATIVE COALITION INAUGURAL BALL: Goo Goo Dolls have been selected to perform at The Creative Coalition's Inaugural Ball, to take place on January 21, 2013 at the Harman Center for the Arts in Washington, DC. The multi-platinum rock band has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide, with 14 Top 10 Radio hits. Goo Goo Dolls have three songs on Billboard's "Top 100 Songs from 1992-2012" including the Number One slot, for "Iris." They are currently at work on their 10th studio album, due out later this year via Warner Bros Records.
The Inaugural Ball is a benefit gala for The Creative Coalition (www.thecreativecoalition.org) - the premiere nonprofit 501(c)(3), nonpartisan social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating, mobilizing, and activating its members on issues of public importance, primarily public education, the First Amendment, and arts advocacy. Actor Tim Daly serves as the organization's President.
When: Monday, January 21, 2013 9:00 pm
Where: Harman Center for the Arts 610 F Street, NW Washington, DC.
POWER QUEST CALL IT A DAY:
UK melodic metal outfit Power Quest will be calling time on their 12 year existence in 2013. Keyboardist and founder member Steve Williams commented on the news as follows.
"I've decided that now is the time to say that the Quest is over. From a business perspective it is getting harder and harder for us to break even. None of us make any money from PQ (we all work day jobs) but I have been losing significant amounts of money when on the road for the past few years. No matter how much you love something, there comes a point where you have to look at the facts, not the dream. I love nothing more than touring and making records but if there isn't sufficient demand for the product then there comes a time when reality has to bite unfortunately.
I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me and PQ over the past 12 years....it is very much appreciated and it is what has kept me going through the years. It's been a great ride and I've had the pleasure of having some great musicians in this band who I am proud to call my friends. Steve, Alessio, Andrea, Francesco, Rich, Paul, Andy, Gav, Colin, Chitty, Adam, Andre, Bill, Oliver, Gav Ward, ZP, Sam Totman, Pete and Ben......you guys have played such a huge role in making PQ what it has become and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
My dream as a youngster was to make one album. It was not about being a rock star or making lots of money, although that would have been nice It always has and always will be about the music first and foremost, so to have released 5 albums is way beyond anything I could have dreamt of to be honest.
Huge thanks to those who have done so much behind the scenes over the years as well, without whom it would have been immensely difficult for me. Step forward Manuela Froehlich, Anna Walker, Simon Burrell and Sprocket.
But it is you, the fans, who have joined the Quest and supported the band through all the ups and downs over the years that I save my final words of thanks for. You guys have been inspirational to me! I've always said that PQ fans are the best in the world.....and that is as true today as it has ever been. I hope you will understand my reasons for this decision and I hope to see as many of you as possible in the months and years to come.
We will be looking to do a couple of farewell shows in 2013 and hopefully make them a fitting way for us to take our leave. It's never an easy thing to know when the time is right to move on to pastures new, but I believe that time is now.
Through the wind and the rain we'll meet again......." ~ Steve.
ALICE COOPER TAKES BILLION DOLLAR BABIES TO THE BANK ON ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY:
Dallas, TX- January 8, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands celebrates the 40th anniversary of the #1 selling album Billion Dollar Babies from the father of shock rock Alice Cooper. Nothing could compare to the outrages and gruesome theatrical performance of Alice Cooper in 1973. While the shock of it all made headlines and sold-out concert halls, the music from Alice Cooper revitalized American Top Forty radio with "Under My Wheels" and "School's Out" six months earlier, followed quickly by "Elected", "No More Mr Nice Guy", "Hello Hooray" and "Billion Dollar Babies". Alice was able to say and do what he wanted using his own spotlight to poke, not only the Watergate-embroiled Nixon White House, but the rock music establishment as well. Alice recalls to program host Redbeard the unique position he found himself in. "I think a lot of true musical people, who were really into music and that was their life, we were an embarrassment to them, because they couldn't say they didn't like our music. They liked our music, they just couldn't digest our image. You know, everything that was sacred to them, we kinda spit on."
ALICE COOPER 'Billion Dollar Babies'-InTheStudio program is available now to STREAM at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/alice-cooper-billion-dollar-babies-40thanniversary-2/
UPDATES:
Two new CD Showcases added today - both for AOR Heaven, due January 18 - Taste and Shylock. Check them out.
Thanks for hanging in patiently during the summer holiday period down under. As many have seen, the state of Tasmania has been hit with some major bushfires in the last week or two and these continue to burn with more hot and dry weather still to come over the next 6 weeks. Thanks for the messages of concern. Where I am is unaffected thus far, but it's been 14 years since the last fire in this area, so we all await some much needed rain.
The daily updates will return, but there are a few more things to deal with this month that will require some time away from "normal" work. But there is plenty going on, so hang in there please and I'll ensure the best MR news will be delivered asap.
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
PARTY SOON OVER FOR TREAT:
Swedish melodic rock legends Treat are celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2013 and announce some mouthwatering news for all their fans. Treat will release a special 30th anniversary edition package, containg a best of-album with two brand new songs and two previously unreleased songs, and their latest album "Coup de Grace", regarded as a "masterpiece" by Classic Rock Magazine and voted "Melodic rock album of the year 2010" with an extra track.
Treat also plans a big tour, that will kick off with some major festival gigs in the summer, and will see them rockin´on the road in to the autumn. Then it´s over. For good.
"We have a saying in Sweden: You should always leave the party when you have the most fun", says guitarist and songwriter Anders Wikström who formed the band back in 1983 together with singer Robert Ernlund. Say what? Treat is breaking up! Treat has never been a more tight knit rock'n'roll unit than now, and the band is brimming with creativity and excitement. That´s why the band now chooses to call it a day; they want to, as they put it, "end on a high note". "We´re doin' it out of love and respect for our fans", Anders Wikström says. "We quit before they ask us to get the hell out. We want Treat´s legacy to be pure rock´n´roll happiness!"
The decision to close down operation is most amicable, and kind of grew upon the five in the band, but when the decision was made, the band almost immediately started making plans for the farewell party next year. "We´re going out with a bang and will give our fans a ride they didn´t even knew they wanted.", says Anders Wikström.
Treat, who released their classic debut album "Scratch and Bite" back in 1985, now also introduces the new bass player Fredrik Thomander, who's for years been close to The Band Of Brothers that Treat are: Fredrik has been co-writing songs with the band, mixed "Coup de Grace" and has already done some gigs as a Treat Brother.
Anders Wikström (guitar and vocals), Robert Ernlund (lead vocals), Jamie Borger (drums), Patrick Appelgren (keyboards and vocals) and Fredrik Thomander (bass and vocals) take Sweden on a turbo charged rock´n´roll journey in 2013. There's many ways to say goodbye. "We wanna party with our fans", says Robert Ernlund and adds: "The Treat´s on us"!
TOM KEIFER SET TO LAUNCH FIRST-EVER SOLO TOUR IN SUPPORT OF 'THE WAY LIFE GOES,':
Best known as the singer/songwriter/guitarist of the Philadelphia-based Blues-Rock band Cinderella, TOM KEIFER is making his debut as a solo artist with the release of his long-awaited and highly anticipated solo album, THE WAY LIFE GOES, April 30 via Merovee Records (through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group).
The collection of 14 new songs ranges from intimate, organic, acoustic tracks to driving hard rock. It embraces the blues, rock and country roots that have always been present in his unique sound that has generated the sale of over 15 million records worldwide for Cinderella. Rolling Stone praised KEIFER as "a gritty, bluesy (rocker) with enough genuine swagger to draw comparisons to Mick Jagger."
"The Flower Song," the album's first single, will be serviced to AAA radio stations nationwide on February 4, while "Solid Ground" will be serviced to all Rock formats on March 11.
THE WAY LIFE GOES is a raw, introspective look at the roller coaster ride that has been KEIFER's life for the past 15 years. From being told that he would never sing again as a result of a partially paralyzed left vocal cord, to the emotional and personal battles that followed, his solo debut is a story of perseverance, a testament to the power of passion and will, when combined with a true love of music.
In touring news, KEIFER will launch his first-ever solo tour on February 9 in Winston-Salem, NC at Ziggy's. The 14-city trek of small, intimate rooms is an up-close and personal preview of songs from THE WAY LIFE GOES along with some Cinderella classics. Dates beyond February 28 are currently in the works.
TOM KEIFER recently spoke with HuffingtonPost.com about THE WAY LIFE GOES. "The idea for a solo record started in the nineties when the band parted ways and we left Universal," he said. "There was just a changing of the guard in the industry at that time and I started thinking about a solo record. I wrote for it for many years and the songs just kept going on the pile and I never got around to actually making a record...We started cutting tracks for this record in 2003 and I went to the pile of songs that had been building up and picked some that I liked and I've just been working on it ever since. It was produced independently of a label, because the idea from the beginning was to just work and record until I was happy with it. I wrote with a lot of different people--my wife, Savannah, who's a great writer, co-wrote a lot of the songs on the record and also co-produced the record with me, and a good friend of ours, Chuck Turner who's a great engineer and producer. So from the beginning, the attitude was, 'Let's have fun and just make a great record and it'll be done when it's done.' Little did we know it'd be nine years later
it's done and we went through some crazy stuff and mixed and remixed and reworked things over and over and probably made a lot of mistakes along the way, but finally got it where we were all happy with it, so here it is."
Here's the complete track listing for THE WAY LIFE GOES: 1. Solid Ground 2. A Different Light 3. It's Not Enough 4. Cold Day In Hell 5. Thick And Thin 6. Ask Me Yesterday 7. Fools Paradise 8. The Flower Song 9. Mood Elevator 10. Welcome To My Mind 11. You Showed Me 12. Ain't That A Bitch 13. The Way Life Goes 14. Babylon.
Check out TOM KEIFER at any of the following stops:
Sat 2/9 Winston-Salem, NC Ziggy's
Mon 2/11 New York, NY Highline Ballroom
Wed 2/13 Philadelphia, PA JC Dobbs
Fri 2/15 Pittsburgh, PA Altar Bar
Sat 2/16 Salisbury, MA Blue Ocean
Sun 2/17 Portland, ME Asylum
Tue 2/19 Cleveland, OH Peabody's
Fri 2/22 Chicago, IL Viper Alley
Sat 2/23 Lexington, KY Buster's
Sun 2/24 Detroit, MI Magic Bag
Tue 2/26 Grand Rapids, MI The Intersection
Wed 2/27 Cincinnati, OH 20th Century
Thu 2/28 White Marsh, MD House of Rock
WebLinks: www.TomKeifer.com / www.facebook.com/TomKeiferOfficial / twitter.com/TomKeiferMusic.
Friday, January 04, 2013
Welcome to 2013! I had planned a week away with the family starting today, but it's 41C+ here in Hobart today (106F) and there are bushfires popping up all over the place, so we'll leave the driving for tomorrow - which means I have a few minutes for a news update before disappearing for a few more days! Here's a few new headlines for you. News updates will continue to be sporadic over the next couple of weeks.
NEW ROCK CANDY TITLES - THE MONEY MAN:
Four new Rock Candy titles are available now from www.rockcandyrecords.com for a discounted price of £10.99 each including postage to anywhere in the world for the next two weeks ending on 20 January 2013.
Eddie Money 'S/T' CANDY172 - The name Eddie Money carries an impressive cache in the world of melodic rock. With a string of successful albums under his arm, together with a one in a million voice, Mr Money has earned a reputation as an artist who can be relied upon to always deliver the goods, starting with this his debut album, originally issued in 1977.
Born Eddie Mahoney in Brooklyn in 1949, he joined the New York Police Department on leaving school, primarily to escape being drafted, whilst simultaneously singing for a hard rock band. Eventually though, he moved out to California and when his band there broke up he was mentored as a solo artist by renowned promoter Bill Graham who organised a record deal with CBS.
This debut album was produced by former Doors alumni Bruce Botnick, with able assistance from famed engineers Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin) and Mike Clink (Guns 'N Roses). It also featured musical support from members of the Steve Miller Band and introduced guitarist Jimmy Lyon, a man who would act as the perfect foil for Eddie's instantly identifiable voice. The album was a major success boasting two massive hits, namely 'Two Tickets To Paradise' and 'Baby Hold On'. Achieving sales in excess of two million units, the album is recognised as one of Eddie's best works.
24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 3,500 word essay about the making of the album, new interview with Eddie, enhanced artwork and previously unseen photos all spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. Two Tickets To Paradise 2. You've Really Got A Hold On Me 3. Wanna Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star 4. Save A Little Room In Your Heart For Me 5. So Good To Be In Love Again 6. Baby Hold On 7. Don't Worry 8. Jealousys 9. Got To Get Another Girl 10. Gamblin Man.
Eddie Money 'Life For The Taking' CANDY173 - Eddie Money's life was turned upside down by the runaway success of his 1977 debut 'Eddie Money'. The fast-talkin' New Yorker had spent the best part of fifteen years chasing his dreams of rock stardom, first in bands on his native east coast, then right across the other side of the country following a move to Berkeley, California back in '68. Eventually, after being taken under the wing of legendary San Francisco-based promoter Bill Graham in 1976, he achieved the success he deserved. 'Life For The Taking' was his second album and recorded with a clever 'if it's not broken, don't fix it' approach. Sticking to what he knew best, Eddie reconvened the same team who worked on his debut album. The results were equally as magical, Eddie's identifiably gritty voice sitting atop a fine collection of songs that mixed r 'n' b with rock very much in the same style as his debut album.
Issued in early 1979, the album consolidated the success of his debut, lodging itself in the top 20 of the US album charts. It also contained material that would provide more introspective lyrical content such 'You Can't Keep A Good Man Down' and the magnificent title track, a brooding epic inspired by his childhood experiences in Brooklyn.
24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 3,500 word essay about the making of the album, new interview with Eddie, enhanced artwork and previously unseen photos all spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. Life For The Taking 2. Can't Keep A Good Man Down 3. Nightmare 4. Gimme Some Water 5. Rock And Roll The Place 6. Maybe I'm A Fool 7. Love The Way You Love Me 8. Maureen 9. Nobody 10. Call On Me.
xx
Eddie Money 'Playing For Keeps' CANDY174 - Eddie Money's first two albums certainly set the scene: panoramic melodic hard rock filled with memorable hooks supporting an instantly identifiable rasp. It was a tailor made sound that perfectly fitted the American airwaves sitting comfortably besides music from the likes of Boston, Foreigner and Journey. A reliable style that served Eddie well and it was masterfully replicated on this, his third, album. Originally issued in 1980, 'Playing For Keeps' took the original Money format one stage further, upping the stakes by utilising producer in Ron Nevison. Nevison, of course, was the flavour of the time having learnt his craft engineering Led Zeppelin and the Who before embarking on a career guiding some of the world's most successful AOR albums including records from Jefferson Starship, Survivor and Heart. Keeping the basics of his band in place (including super-guitarist Jimmy Lyons) the tracks were augmented by a number of high profile guests, including drummer Carmine Appice. Highlights include 'Trinidad', 'Running Back' and 'Let's Be Lovers Again' all featuring Money's soulful vocal and high energy delivery. That Eddie Money is one of the best performers of his generation is in no doubt, with 'Playing For Keeps' solidly reinforcing that assertion.
24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 3,500 word essay about the making of the album, new interview with Eddie, enhanced artwork and previously unseen photos all spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. Trinidad 2. Running Back 3. The Wish 4. Get A Move On 5. When You Took My Heart 6. Satin Angel 7. Let's Be Lovers Again 8. Nobody Knows 9. Million Dollar Girl.
Eddie Money 'No Control' CANDY175 - Looking to expand his success even further, Eddie Money carefully took stock of the situation. His first two albums had been huge critical and commercial successes but his third album 'Playing For Keeps', despite its artistic quality, failed to match the impressive sales of the former records. It was also a particularly challenging time health wise for Eddie – suffering from Sciatica (a debilitating nerve disorder) he was forced to record 'No Control' severely handicapped and in considerable pain.
Switching to work with a new producer, the revered Tom Dowd (Derek & The Dominoes, Rod Stewart etc), 'No Control' brought Eddie' s music back into focus, giving it the spit and polish required to elevate the contents to classic status. Above all else, it was the quality of the songs that gave the record a golden hue and the raw yet polished production made it shoe-in for saturation play on FM radio.
Chief amongst the best tracks were the two hit singles 'Think I'm In Love' and 'Shakin'', but there were deeper songs to explore such as the John Bellushi tribute 'Passing By The Graveyard (Song For John B)'. With the continued presence of guitar foil Jimmy Lyons, 'No Control' shot Eddie back into the spotlight, notching up sales in excess of three million and re-establishing him as one of the era's most prolific stars.
24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 3,500 word essay about the making of the album, new interview with Eddie, enhanced artwork and previously unseen photos all spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.
Track Listing: 1. Shakin' 2. Runnin' Away 3. Think I'm In Love 4. Hard Life 5. No Control 6. Take A Little Bit 7. Keep My Motor Runnin' 8. My Friends, My Friends 9. Drivin' Me Crazy 10. Passing By The Graveyard (Song For John B.) 11. It Could Happen To You.
xx
LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM SIGN NEW EUROPEAN DEAL: Bad Reputation has signed LAST Autumn's DREAM for the release in Europe of their new album Ten Tangerine Tales. Last Autumn's Dream is a hard rock band formed in 2002 by vocalist and keyboardist Mikael Erlandsson from Sweden and guitarist Andy Malecek from the German hard rock band Fair Warning.
The CD is out January 23 and features the track listing: 1. Ten Tangerine Tales 2. Pickin´ Up The Pieces 3. 2nd Look 4. For You 5. Preludium – The Man I Used To Be 6 I Will See You Thru 7. When I Found You 8. Lie To My Heart 9. New York Rain 10. It´s Magic 11. My Final Love Song.
Bad Reputation has just re-issued Tesla's great Psychotic Supper album as a 2CD remaster edition with bonus tracks + 16 pages booklet.
Tracklist: CD1 1. Change In The Weather 2. Edison's Medicine 3. Don't De-Rock Me 4. Call It What You Want 5. Song & Emotion 6. Time 7. Government Personnel 8. Freedom Slaves 9. Had Enough 10. What You Give 11. Stir It Up 12. Can't Stop 13. Toke About It Bonus Tracks 14. Rock The Nation.
CD2 1. Children's Heritage 2. Cotton Fields 3. Ain't Superstitious 4. Run Run Run 5. Cumin' Atcha Live 6. Modern Day Cowboy (Live) 7. Love Me (Live) 8. Cover Queen (Live) 9. Little Suzi ('Acoustic Live) 10. Song And Emotion (Rockline Version).
707 RETURN WITH NEW LINE-UP:
Announcing the return of classic rockers 707 in 2013. Featuring original founding member Kevin Russell (guitar & vocals) also Gary Moon (bass & vocals) from Night Ranger and Kofi Baker (drums) son of legendary drummer Ginger Baker. Watch for tour dates at: www.thenew707.blogspot.com. Brought to you by The Paramour Group: www.paramourgroup.com.
AEROSMITH CELEBRATE 'INTHESTUDIO' ON THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF DEBUT:
Dallas, TX- January 3, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands travels back to January 1973 when Aerosmith officially took flight starting their eventual rise to rock stardom. It is hard to imagine American Rock'n'Roll without Aerosmith, a band that embodies all of the quintessential elements right from the start: crunchy guitars, sneering vocals, beefy rhythms, and a swagger in attitude. The band's blueprint power ballad "Dream On" actually appears on this album, however, it would be three years before the song would top the charts and ignite the band's career. InTheStudio program host Redbeard catches up with Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Tom Hamilton as they reminisce about the beginnings of what would be Aerosmith. Steven shares, "To say that it's a dream come true, to become famous, to have an album out, get your voice and songs on the radio, it's a real trip. It really IS a dream come true."
AEROSMITH Self-Titled Debut-InTheStudio program is available now to Stream at: www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/aerosmith-40th-anniversary-2.
ALEX DE ROSSO UNLEASHES 4TH SOLO ALBUM:
The fourth solo album of Alex De Rosso (well known as the guitarist of Dokken) is titled Lyons & Lambs and includes the participation of some of the greatest metal rock celebrities, they have appeared in total friendship; Don Dokken, sing in a "Disappear" song! (Dokken), Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesnake), George Lynch (Lynch Mob), Timothy Drury sing in "Chasing illusions" (Whitesnake, the Eagles), Doug Aldridge (Whitesnake), Steve Lukather (Toto).
Super Melodic Hard Rock!!! CD Digipack, Excellent, deluxe Limited Edition Glossy paper format! Release scheduled January 15, presentation in NAMM 2013 Industry Music show and Expo).
WebLink: defoxrecords.blogspot.it/2012/12/alex-de-rosso-new-amazing-album.html.
LIBERTY & JUSTICE NEWS ROUND-UP:
Hey Guys, hope everyone had a great Holiday Season and here is looking forward to 2013! There are lots of things to speak about, so thanks for taking the time to read this. This will be more of an update then a press release. 2012 marked LNJ's 20th year anniversary, and we released a ton of new music, "15 Years Later" (exclusive single for MRCD9 for www.melodicrock.com), "In Time" & "Grinch" (free songs you can download at www.reverbnation.com/libertynjustice), and of course the release of 3 new studio albums "Hell Is Coming To Breakfast", "Before The Revolution: The Best Of LNJ The Early Years" (Preorders), and our last ever all-star project the 26 song mammoth "The Cigar Chronicles vol. 1 and 2" (with a release date of 2-26-13, but anyone who preorders will get the disk early and digital files of songs the same day). You can get all our LNJ CD's (all 13 of ‘em) plus a lot of other LNJ swag and merch at www.libertynjustice.net.
"The Cigar Chronicles" CD's are preparing to be shipped to all preorders. They have been ready for more than a week, but I messed up on some of the electronic rights on "The Covers" side and the manufacturer was holding the CDs until I got all the proper paperwork (thanks Mark Lanoue). When JK and I started working on this CD we envisioned a bigger label taking the CD so we could reach a bigger audience. We quickly found out a lot of labels wanted the project (7 offers) but the offers were minimal at best, and we had a better chance of recouping by releasing ourselves and licensing a certain amount of CDs to other labels (Roxx, Nightmare etc). We have decided that "The Cigar Chronicles" featuring all 26 songs will be a very limited, 1,000 CD run, and "The Cigar" will be re-released as just the 13 original songs plus 3 new tracks later in 2013.
We are truly blessed to have "you" as a listener of our music. We did not do a kick starter or another fundraiser to finish the project - we just made a record. Through your preorders and supporting this project we were able to keep marketing the project and reach a larger listener base. We have plans on making a music video, starting a radio campaign for a single, and doing ads on different websites. If you were going to get a copy of "The Cigar" we ask that you preorder it for 2 reasons: firstly, we have already presold more than half of the 1,000 and if you want this very limited release we hope you pick up a copy before they are gone, and secondly, to help us raise the revenue needed to do what we need to do to market the CD. Some have asked and the answer is yes, iTunes will carry all 26 songs (2-26-13) for a limited time but we are offering the same digital files for less ($15.99) now.
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