Monday, April 26, 2010

Update - Saturday 26th April, 2010

Hi all, well, don't be too disappointed, but the site is going to be quiet for a while as the family is getting a breather, after some crazy work hours done by both Rhonda and I over the last few weeks.
So, a brief vacation now for the next week, but normal service should be resume here on May 5th!

Yes, there's a number of reviews almost ready to go live here too, so they'll be the usual news updates as well as some rather tasty reviews of some very good new albums!

So a little update here, but that's all today as we race to get ready to leave! Cheers!

Bret Michaels still critical

CNN is reporting that Poison lead vocalist Bret Michaels is still in a critical condition.

Rock singer and reality TV personality Bret Michaels remained in critical condition Sunday in a hospital intensive care unit, his publicist said.
Michaels suffered a massive brain hemorrhage and was hospitalized Friday, spokeswoman Joann Mignano said at the time, confirming a http://www.people.com/ report.

"Everyone at Michaels Entertainment would like to thank all fans and friends for their continued thoughts and prayers through this difficult time," Mignano said in a statement Sunday. "At this point, Bret remains in ICU in critical condition. He is under 24-hour doctors' care and supervision.

"We are hopeful that further tests will locate the source of the bleeding, which still has not been located. As we all know, Bret is a fighter, and we are hopeful that once all is complete, the slurred speech, blurred vision and dizziness, etc., will be eliminated and all functions will return to normal."
Full story here:
 
Bret Michaels was always an excellent showman live and he's also done plenty for charitable organisations, so to be honest, he's a pretty good guy.
I guess many will argue about his moral values based on his Rock of Love series on VH1, which ran for 3 series, but away from that he's always been out there for everyone, wanting to help, even flying out to entertain the troops overseas, when the other Poison band members weren't willing to.
I can only wish Bret the very best and really hope he can get through this and my thoughts go out to his close family.
Here's to a speedy and hopefully as full as a recovery as he can achieve.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Rock News for Saturday 24th April, 2010

Michael Schenker Group North American Tour Dates

OK, so it's not been officially posted through the Michael Schenker website as yet, but it seems Pollstar has got a hold of a number of MSG tour dates for North America, starting in Redondo Beach, CA on 15th July, with other dates showing a run through to Seattle, WA on 11th August.
Based on the gaps in between some of these dates, it is almost a certainty that more dates will be added!
I for one, look forward to a show in my neck of the woods with open arms, as by all accounts it seems that of late, Mr. Schenker has really got his act together and from reports, has been once again showing everyone exactly just what a talent he can be!
Also looking forward to that new live DVD from Japan in The Fall as well!
On these North American dates, you might just notice thyat they are around the same timeframe as The Scorpions North American tour, so don't be surprised if there are nights where they jam together!
One that has to almost be a certainty is the Oklahoma gig on July 24th. :) 

Those dates are as follows:
July 2010
Thu 07/15/10 Redondo Beach, CA Brixton - Appearing with Pretty Boy Floyd
Fri 07/16/10 Santa Ana, CA Galaxy Concert Theatre
Wed 07/21/10 San Antonio, TX Back Stage Live
Sat 07/24/10 Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma City Zoo Amphitheatre - Appearing at "Rock "N' America"
Tue 07/27/10 Foxboro, MA Showcase Live
Wed 07/28/10 Pittsburgh, PA The Altar Bar
Thu 07/29/10 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom
Fri 07/30/10 West Springfield, VA Jaxx
Sat 07/31/10 New York, NY Fillmore New York At Irving Plaza
August 2010
Sun 08/01/10 Farmingdale, NY The Crazy Donkey
Mon 08/02/10 Binghamton, NY The Hideout
Sun 08/08/10 Fresno, CA Tower Theatre
Wed 08/11/10 Seattle, WA Studio Seven
Michael Schenker's home page is here: http://www.michaelschenkerhimself.com/home.php

'That' supergroup may be all done, before they've even released their album!

The band that was put together featuring Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Trapeze, Hughes/Thrall, etc), Jason Bonham (Foreigner, UFO, Airrace, Bonham, etc), Joe Bonamassa and  Derek Sherinian (ex-Dream Theater), after all telling the world what great music they are making, it seems is on the brink of disaster! It seems though, it's not due to the individuals ...

The positive things that have come from legendary producer Kevin Shirley (Journey, Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, Rush, to name a few!), as posted at his website - http://www.cavemanproductions.com/cavediary.htm - have read like this:

Tuesday April 6th 2010
Actually I am smack in the middle of finishing the mixes for the debut album of "the-band-formerly-known-as-Black-Country" and running out of time fast! In this last month I have finished all the vocals and tracking and mixed the new Iron Maiden album, 'The Final Frontier' - in my studio. I have also mixed an album of material by a solo artist who will come out of the woodwork when it suits him, and I have tracked and am finishing this BC(?) material. Glenn Hughes singing in the room with me was extraordinary, as he may be one of the finest vocalist I've ever worked with and I have worked with the best - Steven Tyler, Steve Perry, Lou Gramm, Chris Robinson, Bruce Dickinson, Robert Plant, to name just a few. It's pretty thrilling stuff - very raw, quite basic, and 95% of it is cut live - well, between all their schedules, there just hasn't been time to do much else - but I think that's a poisitive - it's very cool. Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris heard some songs and was knoocked out - he said "this is the kind of music that made me want to play in the first place. I'd go out and buy it now....." The band played out at a gig in Riverside, CA for the first time in mid-March, and it's very exciting stuff!

Then April 19th ..., this - Interesting to note that the new Journey album is on the way, by the way! :)
 Just cycled most of the way to San Francisco, to start producing a new Journey album. Had an awesome ride along Big Sur to get here - surely one of the most beautiful places in the world and stunning to ride. A lot of climbing, and hard work if you're not fit enough (which I am not!). All the rest you know..... new Iron Maiden is in the bag, the new Glenn Hughes/Joe Bonamassa/Jason Bonham/Derek Sherinian project (formerly known as Black Country) is done and I love it!
Let's see if they can get it out there soon...... And that's it for now.

Before then posting this through his Facebook page on Friday:
I'm the studio with Journey - producing their next album. Despite not rushing, we already have two new tunes in the can! They are a really special band.
Black Country looks to have imploded, with a completed album in the can! We set out as friends and lovers of music, to make something special. Then the managers got in...volved... and kept changing their wants, ultimately demanding EVERYTHING! I can't absolve all the musicians - but one I can completely absolve, is the one who actually has a career and has just been voted Best Guitarist in the World - who was 100% open ALL the way. And he doesn't ride on anyone's coattails... see below. -
Maybe they'll come to their senses.... I'm not holding my breath.

Ironically, today through MySpace and his site - http://www.glennhughes.com/ - Glenn Hughes posted this note:
Don't worry.... we have made an amazin' album... we aint splittin' up.... we want everyone to hear this... GH
What a shame if they do ... Managers / Agents ... messing things up for the artists, they should all fire ALL of their agents!

Bad Company announce new North American dates ...

Just don't get too excited like I did ..., as they posted that same heading on their website, for ..., wait for it .... Just 2 new US dates!

Those solitary Bad Company dates as of right now are:
Sunday August 1, 2010 Outlaw Jam, Frederick County Fairgrounds Frederick, MD
Wednesday August 4, 2010 Casino Rama Entertainment Center Rama, Ontario (Toronto)
Ah well, obviously when I know more, you'll see it here folks! :)

Triumph's Mike Levine does Italian interview

Yes really!
This posted just recently on Triumph's website:
Listen to Mike Levine's interview on the "Mad Max" show here on http://www.rocknrollradio.it/ in Milan, IT with host, Max De Riu. This is the first interview ever done on Italian radio in Triumph's entire 35 year career! In it, Mike talks about the forthcoming release of Triumph's 'Greatest Hits Remixed,' the reasons why the band came only twice to Europe, future projects, and more.
Follow this link:

Keep up to date on anything Triumph - You never know, they may just do something new this year but I'm not holding my breath, although with the new 2 disc - CD/DVD - Greatest Hits remixed set, who knows?

Jimmy Barnes to do 25th Anniversary Tour, in Oz only ...

Qlive and Regional Touring presents Australia's very own rock legend JIMMY BARNES live in concert celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the classic Australian album Working Class Man. In the spirit of the title track Working Class Man which en-captures the earth and soul of regional Queensland, Jimmy will be joined on stage by very special guest, Queensland's own adopted son, Shannon Noll for regional Queensland only!

Marking 25 years since the release of his signature song, Jimmy Barnes will belt out his oz rock masterpieces spanning a total of 27 charting albums (14 with Cold Chisel and 13 solo). This includes a staggering nine ARIA #1's giving Barnes the highest number of hit albums of any Australian artist.

The 1985 release of Working Class Man, that went on to sell over 500,000 copies in Australia alone, shaped Australia's rock n roll scene - the front cover art of Barnes standing in a burning Sugarcane field became one of the most iconic images that is etched in to people's minds.

Having been the only artist to have been inducted in to the ARIA Hall Of Fame twice (1993 - Cold Chisel / 2005 - Solo), "Barnesy" has spent years developing the many and varied facets of his music; starting out with raw rock & roll and educating himself in soul music and country. Add to the mix a showcase of new tracks from his forthcoming album, it will make this one massive concert spectacular you simply will not want to miss!

Joining Jimmy as his special guest on this celebration tour, is none other than SHANNON NOLL. Shannon's music career has hit the ground running since his five-times platinum selling debut album "That's What I'm Talking About" featuring the hits "Drive", "What About Me" and "Learn To Fly". His first ever live performance was in Capella Central Queensland in 2004 giving him his "adopted son" status. Shannon has re-written Australian chart history by becoming the first artist, male or female, domestic or international, to have achieved 10 consecutive top 10 singles on the ARIA charts. "It feels like home up here in Queensland," says Shannon. "I love it - it's gold".

Jimmy Barnes - Working Class Man 25th Anniversary Tour 2010
with special guest Shannon Noll
Tickets on sale Monday, April 19

Tour dates are:
Thursday June 3: Buchanans Park, Mount Isa
Tickets from Mount Isa Civic Centre - Phone (07) 4747 3300
ALL AGES SHOW: Tickets – Adults 18+ - $73.40 (inc b/f); Ages 13 – 17 - $44.40 (inc b/f); Ages 12 and under - $24.40 (inc b/f)

Saturday June 5: Fogarty Park - Cairns Esplanade
Tickets from Tickets Cairns Phone (07) 4053 8333 or http://www.ticketscairns.com.au/

Sunday June 6: Jupiters Casino, Townsville
Tickets from the Ticket Shop (07) 4727 9797

Friday June 11: Marley Brown Oval, Gladstone
Tickets from Gladstone Entertainment Centre Phone (07) 4972 2822 or www.gladstonerc.qld.gov.au/gec
ALL AGES SHOW: Tickets – Adults 18+ - $73.40 (inc b/f); Ages 13 – 17 - $44.40 (inc b/f); Ages 12 and under - $24.40 (inc b/f)

Saturday June 12: Avondale Tavern, Bundaberg
Tickets from Oztix Phone 1300 762 545 or http://www.oztix.com.au/ or from the venue Phone (07) 4156 1206

Friday June 18: Emerald Show Grounds, Emerald
Tickets from Pilbeam Theatre Rockhampton Phone (07) 4927 4111 or http://www.pilbeamtheatre.com.au/ or Lilli Brown Boutique Centro Emerald Phone (07)4982 3382

Saturday June 19: Mackay Blue Water Quay
Tickets from Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre Phone (07) 4961 9777 or http://www.mackaytix.com.au/
 
Scorpions "Sting in the Tail” goes Gold!

While their album “Sting in the Tail” has made itself comfortable in the Top 3 of the German Charts, the Scorpions now have another reason to celebrate – the long player has already reached gold status and has thus become the most successful Scorpions album in the past 20 years. Klaus Meine stated, “ we are so incredibly happy about the fantastic feedback we have been receiving from around the world on “Sting in the Tail”. We can’t wait to see our fans soon!” The “Get Your Sting and Blackout” tour starts May 7th in Leipzig.
Get your Sting and Blackout World Tour 2010 / 2011

Date City Country Venue Tickets Comments
April 2010
April, 29th 2010 Minsk Belarus Minsk-Arena http://www.allstars.by/

May 2010
May, 7th 2010 Leipzig Germany Arena Eventim Special Guest: Edguy
May, 8th 2010 München Germany Olympiahalle Eventim Special Guest: Edguy
May, 12th 2010 Frankfurt Germany Festhalle Eventim Special Guest: Edguy
May, 14th 2010 Stuttgart Germany Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle Eventim Special Guest: Edguy
May, 15th 2010 Longirod Switzerland Long'I'Rock Music Open-Air Festival
May, 19th 2010 Paris France L' Olympia Ticketnet Support: Karelia
May, 21st 2010 Liévin France Stade Couvert Régional Ticketnet Support: Karelia
May, 22nd 2010 Straßburg France Zénith Ticketnet Support: Karelia
May, 29th 2010 Berlin Germany O2 World Eventim Special Guest: Edguy
May, 30th 2010 Zwickau Germany Stadthalle Eventim Special Guest: Edguy
June 2010
June, 1st 2010 Hannover Germany TUI Arena Eventim Special Guest: Edguy
June, 5th 2010 Ioannia Greece Ioannina Stadium - Zosimades http://www.ticketarena.gr/ http://www.i-ticket.gr/
June, 7th 2010 Thessaloniki Greece Makedonikos Stadium - Nea Efkarpia
June, 9th 2010 Patras Greece Pampeloponisiako Stadium of Patras
June, 12th 2010 Recklinghausen Germany Stadtgarten am Festspielhaus Eventim Special Guest: Edguy
June, 18th 2010 Holmdel, NJ USA PNC Bank Arts Center Ticketmaster Support: Cinderella
June, 19th 2010 Columbia, MD USA Merriweather Post Pavilion Ticketmaster Support: Cinderella
June, 22nd 2010 Wantagh, NY USA Nikon at Jones Beach Theater Ticketmaster Support: Cinderella
June, 23rd 2010 Gilford, NH USA Meadowbrook Amphitheatre www.mdtix.com Support: Vince Neil
June, 25th Quebec City, QC Canada Pavillion de la Juenesse Ticketmaster Support: Cinderella
June, 26th Montreal, QC Canada Bell Centre Ticketmaster Support: Cinderella
June, 27th Toronto, ON Canada Molson Amphitheatre Ticketmaster Support: Cinderella
July 2010
July, 1st Detroit, MI USA DTE Energy Music Theatre
July, 2nd Milwaukee, WI USA Summerfest
July, 5th Pittsburgh, PA USA Amphitheatre at Station Square
July, 8th Sarnia, ONT Canada Sarnia Bayfest Festival http://www.sarniabayfest.com/  Support: Cinderella
July, 16th Miami, FL USA Bayfront Park Amphitheatre Ticketmaster Support: Ratt
July, 17th Tampa, FL USA Ford Amphitheatre Ticketmaster Support: Ratt
July, 19th New Orleans, LA USA Mahalia Jackson Theatre Ticketmaster Support: Ratt
July, 24th Oklahoma City, OK USA Oklahoma City Zoo Amphitheatre Ticketmaster Support: Cinderella
July, 26th Albuquerque, NM USA The Pavilion Ticketmaster Support: Tesla
July, 27th Phoenix, AZ USA Dodge Theatre Ticketmaster Support: Tesla
July, 29th Ontario, CA USA Citizen’s Business Bank Arena Ticketmaster Support: Cinderella
July, 31st Los Angeles, CA USA Nokia Theater Ticketmaster Support: Cinderella
Aug. 2010
August, 6th Roseburg, OR USA Douglas County Fairgrounds Ticketmaster Support: Dokken
August, 7th Ridgefield, WA USA Amphitheatre at Clark County Ticketmaster Support: Dokken
August, 17th Denver, CO USA 1st Bank Center TicketHorse Support: Cinderella
Sept. 2010
September, 4th 2010 Monterrey México Arena Monterrey
September, 7th 2010 México, D. F. (Mexico City) México Palacio de los Deportes
September, 9th 2010 Bogotá Colombia Parque Simón Bolivar
September, 16th 2010 La Paz Bolívia
September, 14th 2010 Santiago de Chile Chile Movistar Arena
September, 19th 2010 São Paulo Brazil Credicard Hall
Oct. 2010
October, 9th 2010 Sofia Bulgaria Festivalna Hall http://www.eventim.bg/  
Nov. 2010
November, 12th 2010 Mannheim Germany SAP Arena Eventim Special Guest: Edguy
November, 13th 2010 Cologne Germany LANXESS Arena Eventim Special Guest: Edguy
November, 19th 2010 Hamburg Germany Color Line Arena Eventim Special Guest: Edguy

Thin Lizzy ... Something on the way ....?
 
The Thin Lizzy MySpace site is starting to tease fans of the band, with posting small notices first on Friday 23rd with, '19 days and counting ...' and then earlier today with '17 days and counting ...'
Hmm, keep watching I guess: