Monday, July 25, 2011

Brief News Update for Monday 25th July, 2011

First off, since I've not got to post anything here since last Friday, my sincere and heartfelt sympathies and condolences go out to the families and friends in Norway, who have suffered an absolutely horrible chain of events, this past weekend where it seems another madman took it upon himself to blow up a building in Oslo city centre and then go on a rampage at a youth camp, slaughtering over 90 people, young kids too.
There's some thing in this world that are such a mystery to us all and this goes along with that.
Why would a 32 year old man, do such a thing? What set him off? Crazy and sad at the same time.
Norway, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Well folks, I'd loved to have said I had a great night at the Paul McCartney show going on in downtown Detroit last night, at the Tigers Comerica Park venue, but it wasn't to be, alas as we did not have tickets and you can guess how much decent tickets were, so it simply wasn't happening. And no, I don't have a PR contact for Sir Paul McCartney ....!
My brother-in-law (Thanks Floyd!) was there though and he kept phoning me from time to time to check it out. Very cool, some good tunes played for sure ... I'm guessing this really will be his last 'world tour' so it's doubtful I'll ever be able to say that I saw him play live ... Shame.

Anyway, probably hot and muggy, plus we had a big old storm come through earlier in the evening, so it wasn't the best night for a gig ... Ah well ...
Onto my news pieces folks, Cheers and have a good week folks. Al


YES FINDS SUCCESS ON THE CHARTS WITH FIRST ALBUM IN 10 YEARS WITH TOP 40 DEBUTFly From Here Soars to #9 on Rock Charts and Lands at #35 on Top 200 Current Chart
Legendary progressive rockers, YES, have released their first album in ten years, Fly From Here. The album bows at #9 on the Billboard Rock album chart and #35 on the Billboard Top 200 Current Album chart, respectively.
Released on July 12th through Frontiers Records in the USA, the long-awaited 20th studio album is the follow-up to 2001’s Magnification and marks the band’s return to working with legendary producer, Trevor Horn. Horn was at the production helm for the band’s chart-topping album, 90125 and also sang for YES on the Drama album in 1980. Critics are already crediting the ground-breaking band for releasing their “best work since the ‘70s” (Paste) and their “ability to still craft a richly appealing soundscape” (The Republican).

YES also recently released the music video for first single “We Can Fly”. The video was directed by award-winning filmmaker Ken Horn (BAFTA- and Emmy-Award winner for the BBC series “The Street”) and features a guest appearance by Trevor Horn. The video builds upon the existential aeronautic theme developed in the song’s lyrics. You can watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKJwXLCnBKs


The band recently kicked off their summer tour on July 4th in Philadelphia. In support of Fly From Here, YES will be performing new music as well as hits from their hugely successful and indelible catalogue of music. The 22-city tour ends August 3rd in Mountain View, CA.

YES is Benoit David on vocals (his first studio recording with YES), Steve Howe on guitars/vocals, founder Chris Squire on bass/vocals, Geoff Downes on keyboards and Alan White on drums. First formed in 1968, YES’ remarkable career spans over 40 years and the band has time and again redefined the boundaries of rock music. YES has sold nearly 50 million albums worldwide and continues to stretch the boundaries of progressive art-rock with their symphonic use of sound and innovative musical styles.

For more official YES news and information, go to
http://www.yesworld.com.
The YES EPK discussing Fly From Here can be seen at


Black Country Communion invade the UK!

The critically acclaimed Anglo-American rock supergroup Black Country Communion will kick-off their highly anticipated debut nationwide UK tour tomorrow evening at the Llandudno Cymru Arena in North Wales. BCC have also just announced that a live DVD and Blu-ray, documenting the European dates, will be released in October 2011.

Comprised of Joe Bonamassa (guitar, vocals), Jason Bonham (drums), Glenn Hughes (vocals, bass) and Derek Sherinian (keyboards), BCC's UK tour dates include Llandudno Cymru Arena (Sat July 23), London's High Voltage Festival (Sun July 24), Leeds O2 Academy (Tue 26th July), Newcastle O2 Academy (Wed 27th July), Glasgow O2 Academy (Fri 29th July) and Manchester Academy (Sat 30th July).

You can check out the official press release here - http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/blackcountrycommunion/tour.htm




THE STICK PEOPLE UNLEASH DEBUT ALBUM, 'MADNESS'



Nowadays, it's becoming increasingly hard to find rock bands that refuse to be pigeonholed to a single style. But the Stick People are certainly an exception, as they manage to fuse together elements of hard rock, alternative rock, and punk rock – as evidence by their full-length debut, 'Madness.'
Released, July 19th via EFM Records/Bungalo Records/Universal Music Group Dist., 'Madness' is available for purchase via the iTunes, Amazon.com, and Loudtrax websites, or by following these links:

itunes.apple.com/us/album/madness/id448686770

www.loudtrax.com/Album/74588-The-Stick-People-Madness

Also, the album's first video, "Think About That," can be viewed on YouTube, or by following this link:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJRzwsmo5NU

There's a reason why the Stick People are so adept at touching upon a variety of styles - its members are rock music veterans, having learned their skills playing with quite a few renowned names.
Case in point, guitarist/vocalist Mike Stone has played with Queensrÿche, Klover, Bret Michaels, and Peter Criss, guitarist Bernie Godwin with credits including a track on the latest 'My Name is Bruce' soundtrack with Bruce Campbell, and bassist Billy Close has played with the Drop Kick Murphys and Klover. Rounding out the line-up is lead singer/guitarist/songwriter Stephen D Duffy and drummer Frankie Anthony.

And the Stick People themselves are confident they have a winner on their hands with 'Madness.' "We're excited for the release of 'Madness,' says Duffy. "It's been many months in the making and we hope our fans like it as much as we do!" And while the group just came off the road (two solid months of touring from Milwaukee to Houston), the Stick People will be back touring from August to October, so stay tuned for details.

'Madness' Track Listing:
1. Open Up
2. Waiting
3. Madness
4. I Am the Rain
5. Bulletproof
6. Think About That
7. My Everything
8. The Box
9. Hello, Goodbye
10. Flip
11. Matter of Time
12. Trust
13. Misery's Angel

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
www.facebook.com/thestickpeople
 
 
 
Rock fans Down Under, here comes Def Leppard and Heart!
 
 
 
DEF LEPPARD will be returning to New Zealand and Australia this October with special guests HEART and CHOIRBOYS. Tickets on sale now and for all show details click HERE
Editors note: Not sure if this is the UK's Quireboys just wrongly spelled or not, sorry ...
Wish I could confirm, but right now I have no idea, sorry folks?!



 Watch video promo clip HERE
Live dates are:

October 2011

Oct 12th - Vector Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
Oct 15th - NIB Stadium, Perth, Western Australia
Oct 18th - Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Hindmarsh, South Australia
Oct 20th - Sydney Entertainment Centre, Darling Harbour, New South Wales
Oct 22nd - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Victoria
Oct 25th - AIS Arena Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Oct 27th - Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Queensland
Oct 29th - Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Broadmeadow, New South Wales

For further details go to:


And finally ....

Amy Winehouse - 1983 to 2011

I know she wasn't a rock singer as such, but I know a few friends that are rock fans, that her music appealed to ...

Amy Winehouse, what a tragic waste of life ... 27 years old and now gone.
She was found dead in her London apartment on Saturday and although cause of death at this time has not been announced, most people are already assuming that it was most likely drink or drug related, after she had a history of battling her demons, in that world.

No matter what the cause of death, she did have a unique voice and style that caught many peoples attention and won her awards as well.

RIP Amy Winehouse
September 1983 - July 2011



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