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Friday, May 14, 2010

Rock News for Friday 14th May, 2010

Dennis DeYoung announces some exclusive 2010 live dates

Former Styx lead vocalist / keys man, Dennis DeYoung has recently announced a few exclusive 2010 summer tour dates.
I say exclusive, because these days he really does not play live quite as much as he did with Styx, but when he does, sometimes he makes it a pretty special event, playing live with a full orchestra.
His last album, 100 Years From Now, was extremely impressive and won back some old Styx fans as it conjured up some wonderfully class moments, that brought to mind classic Styx ala Grand Illusion, Pieces of Eight, etc.
Anyway, I can vouch for the live show, as we've caught it a couple of times and last year he pulled in former Night Ranger guitarist, Jeff Watson to help out with the live dates.
Check him out if you get the chance at:

June 16, 2010
SAN DIEGO - DENNIS DEYOUNG:THE MUSIC OF STYX
Time: 7:30 pm

June 25, 2010
NIAGARA FALLS, NY - DENNIS DEYOUNG:THE MUSIC OF STYX
Time: 8:00 pm

June 26, 2010
TORRINGTON, CT - DENNIS DEYOUNG:THE MUSIC OF STYX
Time: 8:00 pm
July 24, 2010
WEST BEND, WI - DENNIS DEYOUNG:THE MUSIC OF STYX WITH KENNY LOGGINS AND STARSHIP FEATURING MICKEY THOMAS
Time: 5:00 pm

August 7, 2010
SAINTE-PERPETUE, QUEBEC - DENNIS DEYOUNG;THE MUSIC OF STYX
Time: 9:00 pm

Judas Priest British Steel 30th Anniversary Release ... Enough said?!


Check out British Steel 30th anniversary trailer featuring clips from the stunning British Steel Live show plus interview with the band, taken from the bonus DVD - click here now:

Why you need to own this record:
"To me Judas Priest were the first heavy metal band…the darkness, aggression and energy of Priest is undeniable and their twin guitar sound is the template for everything that came after them." Scott Ian, Anthrax

"Without Priest we wouldn’t exist." Matt Heafy, Trivium

"A world-beater at the time, British Steel’s impact still echoes today. It’s an album that played a huge part in defining the geography of the metal landscape." KKKK Kerrang!

"A bumper triple-disc package that once again rams home the brilliance of Priest’s breakthrough release…the ultimate version of a timeless classic." Metal Hammer

"Hugely influential, British Steel is Priest’s career-defining masterpiece." ***** Mojo

"What a celebration this is…an essential buy." Rocksound

Available in 2 editions:
Strictly Limited Deluxe edition (pictured): - Original album + Live album + Live DVD & exclusive 30 minute ‘Making of British Steel’ interview.

CD/DVD edition: Original album + Live DVD & exclusive 30 minute ‘Making of British Steel’ interview.

Lostboy - AKA Jim Kerr - Simple Minds provides update

Summertime Live!
Although I am immersed in my Lostboy! AKA activities over the next month, I am also looking forward to the summer and the growing number of Simple Minds concerts that are due to happen.



I suppose that I am guilty of continually going on about new peaks being reached etc, but I do think that last year’s Graffiti Soul dates in particular hit a level of quality within the performance that we had never touched previously.



A combination of things that made me believe this, the main one was the roving and expansive set list that was augmented with some very strong new songs, as well as simultaneously unearthing past treasures from the catalogue, ones that had lain untouched for decades.



The band itself was in form, and with the ‘new inclusion’ otherwise known as Sara Brown, many commented on how strong an impact this latest model of SM was capable of. Stephen Pollard’s stunning lights framed all of this, and from the little I saw captured on the screens, it seemed that the atmosphere at the shows was pretty near perfect, leaving me to suggest that the aforementioned peak.



Summer is a different game though and as normal in those months, I expect there to be quite a few out door shows, meaning that we have to deal with whatever conditions appear on the night. On one gig for example, it is possible to be struggling for breath as the heat of the summer night refuses to cool, another gig can see both band and audience try to survive the cloudbursts that made the Edinburgh castle show unforgettable.
Basically in these shows we have only our music and our determination to put it across as our weaponry. Then again with the kind of audiences we are used to playing in front of, being there to cheer us on, it is rare to feel that some sort of victory over the conditions will not always ensue.



Finally, it is only a whisper - and certainly not confirmed yet – but seems there is a chance that in addition to the Brazil shows set towards the end of summer that we will also add some Simple Minds shows in North America/Canada. A long time coming but, it’ll be worth the wait.
Fingers crossed!
Jim Kerr

Order the album now! [plus free downloads today]
The wait is almost over!

The Lostboy! A.K.A. Jim Kerr album is available for pre-order RIGHT NOW across Europe if you follow the link here to Jim's site:


JOHN 5 Releases New Solo Masterpiece - THE ART OF MALICE OUT NOW!
On 60 Cycle Hum Records/Rocket Science Ventures
Featuring ACE FREHLEY’s Classic Track FRACTURED MIRROR - ALA J5

John 5 is hands down one of the most mind blowing guitarists around.”- Slash
“John 5 is an underrated guitar GIANT.” Steve Vai

HOLLYWOOD, CA (May 12, 2010) – THE ART OF MALICE is John 5’s 5th album to date was released May 11th on 60 Cycle Hum/Rocket Science Ventures.

THE ART OF MALICE exhibits John 5’s incredible diversity as a writer and guitarist pulling from the pages of his life. “It is a completely different vibe than my other albums,” explains John 5. “The title is derived from the saying “kill then with kindness” like taking a good approach to still obtain a dark result.”

The album also further showcases him to be one of the most technically advanced guitarists in the business today. Fans of driving rhythms and ear-catching, over the top, guitar work will keep this in their CD player for months on end. This album has everything that the fans come to expect, chicken pickin, shred, metal and Spanish guitar. The song titles vary as vignettes into John 5’s life, such as the title JW which are John 5’s initials and what his father had called him growing up. Ya Dig comes from working with the master or front-men David Lee Roth and also features Billy Sheehan on bass – “That is Dave’s saying and it fits the music.”

John 5 has created a worldwide following as a widely respected guitarist with such platinum artists as Marilyn Manson, David Lee Roth, and Rob Halford and currently Rob Zombie. John 5 has taken his notoriety to the next level with his solo masterpieces that many guitar fans described as “the guitar playing of the new millennium”. John 5’s eclectic influences combine for a truly unique guitar oriented record that once again sets new standards in the genre.



BRUCE KULICK SPECIAL GUEST AT PHILADELPHIA KISS EXPO ON MAY 16th
IN-STORE APPEARANCE AT VINTAGE VINYL NEW JERSEY MAY 17th
BK3 IN STORES NOW!

LOS ANGELES – Hot on the heels of his exclusive appearance on A&E’s Gene Simmons Family Jewels, Bruce Kulick, the former KISS/current Grand Funk Railroad guitarist will be heading to the east coast for his only tri-state appearances on behalf of his new album, BK3 – available now in stores and online on Twenty 4 Records / Rocket Science Ventures.

Bruce will be the special guest at the KISS Philadelphia EXPO on Sunday May 16th at the Radisson Hotel Valley Forge. For further information: http://www.getalifeinc.com/

Kulick will also be appearing at Vintage Vinyl in Fords, New Jersey at 7:30pm on Monday May 17th. Bruce will be signing copies of BK3. Those that purchase the album in the store will receive a wristband granting access to the event. For further info: http://www.vvinyl.com/

BK3 continues to get rave reviews from the press.
Classic Rock magazine says, ‘A well crafted effort that reveals Kulick living up to his full potential as a solo artist.’
Guitar Player magazine states ‘ Kulick is a devastatingly ballsy, inventive and melodic guitarist, and BK3’s blend of 70s and 80s rock styles gives him plenty of room to blow your mind.”

Bruce recently appeared on ‘ Gene Simmons Family Jewels’ performing the debut single from BK3 ‘Hand of the King’ with Nick Simmons. For re-air dates and further info, check out http://www.kulick.net/

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