Hydrogyn to release 'Private Sessions' April 20th 2012
With forthcoming album 'Private Sessions,' it shows Julie Westlake and Hydrogyn returning to their melodic roots in what the band is calling their strongest release to date. Combining the brilliance of their freshman release “Bombshell” and the heaviness of the follow-up to that in “Deadly Passions” the band has put together a stunning release in “Private Sessions”.
Hydrogyn Bio:
"Hydrogyn is going to be big, very big..." – Michael Wagener, Producer (Ozzy Osbourne, Skid Row, Alice Cooper)
IN THE BEGINNING… In January 2004, West Virginia guitarists Jeff Westlake and Jeff Boggs began work on a new experiment – a compelling modern heavy rock tour de force like no other on the scene – an outfit designed to destroy musical and industry barriers. Fortified delivered by Julie (just “Julie”), a stunning front lady with a multioctave range, the result is a formula set to conquer everything from Alternative Rock to Modern Hard Rock to Timeless Metal without sacrificing credibility.
HYDROGYN is built to explode.
By the time the band’s self-produced debut hit the scene, the industry was already putting their ears to the ground, picking up on the rumble that is HYDROGYN. Best Served With Volume found the band in favor with soft drink giant Pepsi, who not only sponsored the fledgling outfit but hoisted them in front of tens of thousands strong at NASCAR (Chevy Rocking 400 May 2005). The audience response was nothing short of inspiring. It was clear, even without prior exposure to the band, onlookers fell into the hands of the fivesome’s massive, genre leaping sound and mesmerizing front lady, making the case that Jeff Boggs, Jeff Westlake, Julie, bassist Jason Fields and drummer Jerry Lawson were onto something.
In October 2006 “Bombshell” dropped officially in the US hitting the Billboard on three different charts to mark it amazing release. With Billboard charting, 3 tours of Europe and 2 releases under their belt the band changed bass players for Chris Sammons and Drummer to Josh Kitchen and released a live offering up for the fans that were not able to see them on the Bombshell tour. “Strip’em Blind Live” was released in July 2007 again by their own label in the US and again on the bands label in Europe as well. This live offering was recorded on September first of 2006 in Charleston WV in front of 15000 screaming people. It showcased the band in a big way and even though it was a bit early in a career to be releasing a live CD it worked great.
In January of 2008 the band re entered the studio to record Bombshell’s follow up in “Deadly Passions”. This time was a bit different as Jeff Boggs has stepped down for family commitments and the band had signed what was thought to be a great deal with Demolition Records to cover the world and get a big push. While the CD itself is a stellar piece of modern molten Hard Rock the label faltered in every way to deliver. The band toured relentlessly both for the release in the US and as a one guitar player band but never got to Europe or any other part of the world.
There were a lot of festivals that year and the DP tour that the band saw themselves playing multiple shows with bands like Seether, Shinedown, Rhino Bucket, Great White, Chevelle, Crossfade, Bobaflex and a small tour with Derringer. Deadly did hit the CMJ radio charts at number six in the states and did very well for the remainder of that year.
Hydrogyn continued to tour throughout 2009 and releasing a DVD called “No Borders” which again struck the charts in the US because of their great following. In the fall of '09 the band had taken its first rest in almost 6 years.
2010 saw the experiment with Jeff Young (ex-Megadeth) entering the band. After 5 months of trying to get the cog to work with Young the trial period ended. With Young out of the band in July of 2010 the band finished up “Judgement”. “Judgement” released in October of 2010 to hitting the top Heat Seeker charts at #10.
In July of 2011 all lights were green to proceed with what is now “Private Sessions”. After two months of writing and recording both at Westlake’s Ridgeline Studio and Peek Studio, Boisseron, France the band was finished with the new release.
Following the success of “Judgement” the band stayed with the system in the US that had achieved the numbers it did. 2012 is looking to be a great year for the band and it is starting out with a great new release in “Private Sessions”.
Album tracklisting:
1. Something To Say
2. Forbidden Kind
3. Scream
4. I Don't Know How
5. Heated Nights
6. Creeper
7. Don'tcha Walk Away
8. Roseline's Song
9. Feeling
10. Un Monde Perdu
11. It Doesn't Matter
12. Alone (Bonus Track)
Official band site:
Marco Mendoza and band announce UK live dates
Marco Mendoza the charismatic bassist / vocalist who has a fantastic pedigree for having been a part of great rock acts such as Blue Murder, John Sykes, Whitesnake, Ted Nugent, Soul SirkUS and is currently an active member of Thin Lizzy, has lined up a bunch of solo UK shows.
Marco has already released two very good solo albums in 'Live For Tomorrow' and 'Casa Mendoza,' not to mention having played countless endorsement related gigs and contributed bass to countless albums.
Ahead of the UK dates, Marco will be playing at possibly his favourite gig this Friday 16th March at the Baked Potato, in L.A. with Joey Heredia on Drums and Renato Neto on Keyboards.
Check him out, he's a great player and fantastic all round guy!
Official website:
Doobie Brothers Drummer passes away
RIP Michael Hossack 1946-2012
March 13,2012 — Sonoma CA — Longtime Doobie Brothers drummer Mike Hossack passed away peacefully yesterday March 12 at his home in Dubois, Wyoming after a long battle with cancer he was 65. Doobie Brothers manager Bruce Cohn made the announcement.
“Mike was a one-of-a kind guy and a long-time member of the Doobie Brothers,” remembers Cohn. “He was a fighter and fought the big battle with cancer and he was a close personal friend of mine and I speak for Mike’s family and the entire band when I say he will be greatly missed.”
The Doobie Brothers Tom Johnston remembered Hossack, “Mike has always been a part of my musical life and the life of the Doobie Brothers; from our earliest singles, like China Grove and Blackwater to our most recent single Brighter Day. He was an incredible musician, a studio quality drummer. The last few years, he was brave and determined to keep on playing in the face of ill health, and I will always admire him for that. He was a terrific dad and family man, and we will all miss him.”
The Doobie’s Pat Simmons, who was a close friend of Hossack’s, said, “When my kids were little, they used to call him Big Mike, because to them he was such a big guy. But to me and those who knew him, he had an even a bigger heart. We were friends for 43 years and we shared some wonderful adventures together, times I will never forget. Thanks for all those wonderful memories Mike, and all the great music. We love you.”
RIP Mike, thoughts and prayers go out to his family from us here at Chambers of Rock.
More info at:
