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Monday, August 8, 2011

News and Site Update for Monday 8th August, 2011

Hello folks, yes, finally I am back and it's been a tough week but you're not interested in all that, so ... On with the updates!
Since I've been away there's been plenty of press releases to hit my inbox, so this update is capturing a hell of a lot of those ... Hopefully, you haven't read all these already somewhere else and there is something new for each of you here ... If anyone is still reading ....?!

Before the news, I just wanted to update you on the Doobie Brothers giveaway, as I get the impression that either you figured since I was wasn't around ..., there was no point even bothering, well you should!
I will extend this giveaway, once again this time until end of the day Tuesday 9th August ...
I already have one correct answer entry, so just waiting for one more correct entry!

Just in case you needed reminding .... Here's the giveaway details again.
If you want to grab yourself a copy of the Eagle Rock (Through Universal) release of the 'Doobie Brothers - Live at the Greek Theatre 1982' on their farewell tour at that time, here's the question.
First correct answer can pick, either the CD or DVD and the second correct answer get's the other one!
In the current line up of the Doobie Brothers, which four members also appeared on the recording of 'Live at the Greek Theatre?'
Now I wonder, are there any true Doobie Brothers fans out there that can figure this one out?
If so, the first person to drop me the answer, takes their pick of the two prizes.

Giveaway rules:
1. Answers to me at: alun_williams@comcast.net
2. Please provide your full name and postal address.
3. The contest is open to US and Canadian residents only.
4. Please understand, there are ONLY two copies, ONE DVD and ONE CD and the editors decision is final.
Please Note: I had previously in error said one was signed. Neither are signed. Sorry!
5. Closing date for ALL entries is End of the day Tuesday August 9th, 2011.

Official band website:

Cheers, Al





Alice Cooper Returns with a New Album, New Nightmare



The Long-Awaited Sequel to his 1975 classic out on September 13, 2011

August, 2011, Santa Monica, CA: Alice Cooper’s widely anticipated new album, Welcome 2 My Nightmare, will be released September 13, 2011, by Universal Music Enterprises. Recorded with longtime collaborator Bob Ezrin, who produced the original multi-platinum Welcome To My Nightmare album in 1975, the album picks up right where they left off, with Alice trapped in his own warped mind.

The original release is an all-time rock classic that spawned a worldwide theatrical tour and pioneering U.S. TV special, and certified Alice Cooper as a visionary trailblazer whose influence persists today in rock, metal, pop, punk, theatre, television, film and much more.
More than 35 years later, Alice and Ezrin have resurrected the horror and humor for a new generation.

"This is Alice's nightmare 35 years later," explains Alice, "Bob and I created this character and we know how to write for him. I play the part but we're not writing for me, we're writing for Alice. We kept the first 'Nightmare' album very personal to us, on this one we found more humor and we were more open. This was our world and we want to present it to the fans. The original album was my first solo album after all those huge hit records with the original band and now that nightmare is exposed, this one can be a little bit more open. The music crosses all sorts of boundaries; we went where the lyrics took us."

There is an array of collaborators on the new album, including original Alice Cooper members Denis Dunaway, Michael Bruce and Neal Smith reunited on 3 tracks; global pop superstar Ke$ha, who affectionately calls Alice “dad”; and legendary Alice and Lou Reed guitarist Steve Hunter, who is part of Alice’s current touring band and featured prominently on the first Nightmare album.
Musically, the album ranges far and wide, from trashing disco to garage punk, pop balladry to a rocking number, very much in the spirit of the Rolling Stones. And then there’s the ballad “Something To Remember Me By,” described by Alice as “the prettiest song we have ever released.”

Glimpses of themes from the original album are intertwined throughout, each track representing a different aspect of Alice's nightmare.

From the opener, "I Am Made Of You," through the already established live favorite and first single "I'll Bite Your Face Off," to the surprising duet with Ke$ha, "What Baby Wants," this album is a reminder that albums just aren't made this way anymore.
And musicians do not play together like Dennis Dunaway, Michael Bruce and Neal Smith anymore.

"I wanted a `70s feel for `When Hell Comes Home,' says Alice, "and I didn't even have to ask for it, it's just how they play and they did it live in the studio. When they got done playing the basic track, Bob and I just looked at each other, that sound is built into their DNA. We didn't need to go and fix anything. The way they finished was a little bit ragged, and that's the way we used to finish songs, that's what I like about it."

Co-writers on various songs include the aforementioned Bob Ezrin; singer-songwriter, Tommy Henriksen; Ke$ha; Dunaway, Bruce and Smith; Buckcherry’s, Keith Nelson; Desmond Child, who famously co-wrote and produced “Poison” with Alice; longtime collaborator Dick Wagner; current touring band member Chuck Garric; and film composer Jeremy Rubolino.

“That’s my rebellion,” says Alice of the more surprising guests, “I like people that don't belong and yet what they're doing works perfectly. I don't care where it comes from, as long as it's right. If you tell me something doesn't work, I’ll work my head off until it does then shove it down your throat.”
“I think a lot of my audience is going to go 'KE$HA!?', but she probably wrote the most wicked lyrics in the song – we had to rein her in. I like people to know that just because artists are put in a pigeon hole, that doesn't mean that's what they are. Give people a little room.”

With Steve Hunter, one of rock's great guitarists, added to the band's lineup of guitarists Damon Johnson and Tommy Henriksen, bassist Chuck Garric, and drummer Glen Sobel, Alice has been tearing up venues worldwide on his 2011 “No More Mr. Nice Guy” tour.
Alice gave fans an up close and highly personal experience in June with a surprise performance at London’s legendary 100 Club, when actor Johnny Depp joined the band on guitar. Alice showcased the powerful band that had blown away the Download Festival crowd the previous weekend.

This year, the original Alice Cooper group was inducted into the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame, and Alice was honored with both the Kerrang! Icon Award in the U.K. and the Revolver Golden God Award in the U.S.


Tracklist:
1. I Am Made Of You
2. Caffeine
3. The Nightmare Returns
4. A Runaway Train
5. Last Man On Earth
6. The Congregation
7. I’ll Bite Your Face Off
8. Disco Bloodbath Boogie Fever
9. Ghouls Gone Wild
10. Something To Remember Me By
11. When Hell Comes Home
12. What Baby Wants
13. I Gotta Get Outta Here
14. The Underture



Alice Cooper’s Worldwide “No More Mr. Nice Guy” 2011 Tour Continues:

August 2011

August 7 Moorhead, ND - Bluestern Center for the Arts
August 9 Akron, OH - Civic Theatre
August 11 Grand Rapids, MI - Rock The Rapids
August 12 Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
August 13 Mashantucket, - Connecticut Foxwoods
August 15 Morristown, NJ - Mayo Performing Arts Center
August 16 Reading, PA - Sovereign Center
August 17 Columbus, OH - LC Pavilion
August 19 Lewisburg, WV - State Fair
August 20 Englewood, NJ - Performing Arts Center
August 21 Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Theatre
August 23 Scranton, PA - Cultural Center
August 25 Northampton, MA - Calvin Theatre
August 26 Buffalo, NY - Erie Canal Harbor Park
August 27 Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Center


September 2011

September 22 Auckland, New Zealand - Trusts Stadium
September 24 Brisbane, Australia - Soundwave Revolution
September 25 Sydney, Australia - Soundwave Revolution
September 26 Sydney, Australia - Enmore Theatre
September 29 Melbourne, Australia - Palais
September 30 Melbourne, Australia - Soundwave Revolution


October 2011

October 1 Adelaide, Australia - Soundwave Revolution
October 3 Perth, Australia - Soundwave Revolution
October 5 Singapore Marina - Bay Grand Theatre
October 7 Jakarta, Indonesia - Venue TBA
October 12 Rome, Italy - Atlantico
October 13 Padova, Italy - Gran Teatro Rex
October 14 Milan/Bergamo, Italy - Live Club
October 16 Basel, Switzerland - St Jakobshalle
October 18 Vienna, Austria - Gasometer
October 20 Chemnitz, Germany - Stadthalle
October 21 Goppingen, Germany - EWS Arena
October 22 Mannheim, Germany - Rosengarten
October 23 Zoetermoor, Holland - Silverdome
October 25 Sheffield, England - City Hall
October 26 Bristol, England - Colston Hall
October 27 Birmingham, England - NIA
October 29 London, England - Alexandra Palace
October 30 Manchester, England - O2 Apollo
October 31 Glasgow, Scotland - Clyde Auditorium


November 2011

November 2 Brussels, Belgium - Ancienne Belgique
November 3 Lille, France - Zenith
November 5 Toulouse, France - Zenith
November 6 Lyon, France - Halle Tony Garnier
November 8 Paris, France - Zenith
November 9 Rouen, France - Zenith
November 10 Rennes, France - Liberte
November 12 Bremen, Germany - Pier III
November 13 Mulheim An Der Ruhr, Germany - RWE Arena
November 14 Berlin, Germany - Columbiahalle
November 17 St Petersburg, Russia - Oktiaborski
November 19 Moscow, Russia - Crocus City Hall Expo, 3rd Pavilion


Official Website:








Vocal legends Bobby KIMBALL (Toto) and Jimi JAMISON (Survivor) team up for forthcoming album due out in October




"Hold the Line", "White Sister", "English Eyes", "Goodbye Elenore", "Rosanna", "Is This Love", "Burning Heart", "The Search Is Over", "High on You", "I Can't Hold Back"... These songs from Toto and Survivor are true evergreens and are still played on radio stations everywhere in the world. They have sold millions and have created a Melodic Rock sound that has now become legendary and has ruled the airwaves for years now. The soaring vocals that kept these melodies in so many fans memories come from two amazing singers: Bobby Kimball (of Toto) and Jimi Jamison (of Survivor).

While not exactly a “super group”, the 'Kimball Jamison' alliance is not just a one off studio project, as the main motivation behind this album is the ongoing friendship between the two singers who have been singing live together with the “Legends of Rock” and the “Voices of Classic Rock”, who are ensembles featuring singers and musicians from very popular classic rock groups.

The album features Kimball and Jamison's signature vocal styles in a familiar musical environment created for them by such esteemed songwriters as Richard Page (Mr. Mister), Jim Peterik (Survivor), Randy Goodrum (Steve Perry, Toto), John Waite, Erik Martensson (W.E.T.) and Robert Sall (Work of Art), among others, and directed by the expert hands of German producer Mat Sinner (Primal Fear, Sinner, Kiske Somerville).
“Kimball Jamison” is a labour of love & friendship and is set to become a true classic among the Melodic Rock fans.
The Kimball Jamison album will include the following songs:
Worth Fighting For; Can’t Wait For Love; Sail Away; Chasing Euphoria; Find Another Way; Get Back In The Game; I Did Everything Wrong; Shadows Of Love; Hearts Beat Again; We Gotta Believe; Kicking And Screaming; Your Photograph.
The album will be released exclusively in a glossy digipak edition featuring a bonus DVD which includes: The Making of the Album (approx. 30 mins. documentary); Worth Fighting For (videoclip); Can’t Wait for Love (videoclip)




Kimball Jamison is: Lead & Background Vocals: Bobby Kimball & Jimi Jamison
Guitars & Lead Guitar: Alex Beyrodt
Bass Guitar: Mat Sinner
Keyboards: Jimmy Kresic
Drums & Percussion: Martin Schmidt

PRODUCED BY : Mat Sinner, co-produced by Jimmy Kresic
Enjoy the EPK here:


BRITISH METAL GREATS, SAXON, ANNOUNCE U.S. RELEASE OF 'CALL TO ARMS'


One of the leading bands of the 'New Wave of British Heavy Metal' movement, Saxon, is about to hit the U.S. shores hard once more.
On September 27th, Saxon will release their 19th studio album overall, 'Call to Arms' (via UDR Music/EMI), and starting the following day, will launch a Stateside tour.
And as evidenced by such ass-kickers as "Hammer of the Gods" and "Call to Arms," the group hasn't lost their grip on composing hard-hitting yet anthemic heavy metal with their latest offering.

Comprised of members Biff Byford (vocals), Doug Scarratt (guitar), Paul Quinn (guitar), Nibbs Carter (bass), Nigel Glockler (drums), Saxon is responsible for penning some of the 1980's most enduring metal anthems, including "Wheels of Steel," "Strong Arm of the Law," "Motorcycle Man," "Princess of the Night," and "Never Surrender," and along with the likes of Iron Maiden and Def Leppard, helped breath life back into a metal scene that many had left for dead at the time.

It's been 35 years since Saxon was originally up and running, and the group can still easily hold their own with the headbanging competition.
“It’s important to keep one foot in the past and one foot very much in the present,” says Byford. “At some points in your life, whether you’re younger or older, you do have these wonderful periods of ‘state of graceness’ where everyone likes everything you write. But you can’t keep being your own tribute band, you have to try and write great new songs, and you have to try to appeal to a younger audience. Saxon has been successfully doing that for the last decade, and the result is we still have our old fan base but we also have a whole new, younger one too.”
Saxon's latest video clip, for the song "Call to Arms," will be premiered this Friday, August 5th at noon EST on America Online Noisecreep.
And hardcore Saxon fans will surely be interested in tracking down the "Digipack" version of 'Call to Arms,' as it includes a glorious bonus – a free seven-track CD, 'Live at Donington 1980.'

Soon, U.S. fans will be able to recapture "The Power and the Glory" of Saxon all over again – with the release of 'Call to Arms,' and on a concert stage near you.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
www.saxon747.com
www.saxon.udr-music.com


'CALL TO ARMS' TRACK LISTING:
01 Hammer of the Gods
02 Back in 79
03 Surviving Against the Odds
04 Mists of Avalon
05 Call To Arms
06 Chasing the Bullet
07 Afterburner
08 When Doomsday Comes (Hybrid Theory)
09 No Rest for the Wicked
10 Ballad of the Working Man
11 Call To Arms – orchestral version



DIGIPACK BONUS FEATURE:
Live At Donington 1980 [Re-mixed and re-mastered from original multitrack tape]

01 MOTORCYCLE MAN
02 STILL FIT TO BOOGIE
03 FREEWAY MAD
04 BACKS TO THE WALL
05 WHEELS OF STEEL
06 BAP SHU AP
07 747 (STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT)

TOUR DATES:
9-28-11 Key Club, West Hollywood, CA
9-29-11 Last Day Saloon, Santa Rosa, CA
9-30-11 Avalon, Santa Clara, CA
10-1-11 The Boardwalk, Orangevale, CA
10-2-11 Galaxy Theatre, Santa Ana, CA
10-5-11 Club Red, Tempe, AZ
10-7-11 Sunken Gardens, San Antonio, TX
10-8-11 The Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, IL
10-10-11 Foufounes Electriques, Montreal, QC
10-13-11 B.B. Kings, New York, NY
10-14-11 Jaxx, Springfield, VA
10-15-11 Bourbon Street, Baltimore, MD


We are delighted to announce details of the new Newman album ...!
"Under Southern Skies" will be released through AOR Heaven on 23rd September.



Newman – Under Southern Skies

Newman was formed in 1997 by Singer/Guitarist Steve Newman. He enlisted the help of Mark Mulholland (Drums) and William Marshall (Bass) for the first self-titled album which was subsequently released in Germany that following year.
In 1999 Newman signed to a British label (Escape Music) for a four album deal which spawned the albums “One Step Closer”, “Dance In The Fire”, “Sign Of The Modern Times” and“Heaven Knows”. The first of which saw the title track “One Step Closer” chart in Japan. Those albums established Newman as one of the top UK rock bands with a reputation for producing well-crafted melodic rock.
In 2006 Steve parted ways with his label and formed his own venture Chrome Dome Records. Later in 2007 “Primitive Soul” was released to great reviews around the globe and was followed in 2008 with the double CD “Decade”. The first CD charting the bands career so far and adding a second CD of unreleased material. Steve then worked towards re-establishing the live band by recruiting Neil Richardson (Guitar), Paul Boyle (Keyboards), Nic Lipscombe (Drums), and Terry Horne (Bass). In 2009 the band played Z Rock Festival and supported John Waite on his UK Tour.
2010 saw the release of " The Art Of Balance", which not only raised the bar sonically it also proved again that Steve Newman has a talent for producing quality hook laden, melodic rock. This release went on to become one of the most successful albums of Steve's career.
The band, with new bassist Dave Bartlett played various shows to support the new album including the Cambridge Rock Festival and after enlisting the talents of a new Guitarist in Shaun Bessant the band were asked to play at the prestigious Firefest Festival that year and a CD/DVD was recorded for future release. This brings us to 2011 and after the signing and release of the much acclaimed Big Life album featuring Steve Newman and Mark Thompson-Smith. The relationship between AOR Heaven and Steve Newman continues with the release of Newman's brand new studio album“Under Southern Skies”.This CD, recorded and produced once again at Steve's Blue Room Studios features 11 songs much in the style of Newman's earlier work but taking in modern influences present in the crisp up to date production. The album once again features Steve Newman on Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, and Rob McEwen taking on Drum responsibilities. There is also an appearance by Shaun Bessant playing Lead Guitar on the track “If He Loves You”.Track list: 01 Killing Me, 02 If He Loves You, 03 Under Southern Skies, 04 Strength To Carry On, 05 Ghost In The Night, 06 Without Warning, 07 She's Gone, 08 Fire With Fire, 09 Save No Prisoners, 10 Wish You Were Here, 11 Montserrat.





The album will be released on September 23rd in Europe through AOR Heaven and Japan through Rubicon Music.

As well as the usual retail and mail order outlets "Under Southern Skies" will be available to purchase from the shop, here on the site!

Thanks for your support !!!!

Official weblinks:


TRIUMPH'S CLASSIC BREAKTHROUGH ALBUM, 'ALLIED FORCES' TO BE REISSUED AS KILLER VINYL PACKAGE FOR 30TH ANNIVERSARY, ROCKLINE APPEARANCE ANNOUNCED


Triumph's 1981 release, 'Allied Forces,' was the album where it all came together for these Canadian prog-metallists – great compositions, great performances, and great album design…back when album designs mattered! And now, fans will be able to take a highly welcome trip down memory lane, as 'Allied Forces' will be reissued as a "30th Anniversary Vinyl Edition," on Tuesday, September 20th, 2011.

The album's tracks are from the original source material (as prepared by the legendary Bob Ludwig), while the packaging itself will exactly mirror the original '81 vinyl version (including the four-color, UV coated inner sleeve, complete with photos, lyrics and credits). The record itself will be pressed on pristine 180 gram vinyl, which will also include a free download card, so fans can download this rock n' roll classic, as well as a video, directly to their digital player.

TML Entertainment will be releasing the album, distributed by ADA in the US and UMG in Canada. The LP will be manufactured by Rainbo Records in Los Angeles, the premier replicator of vinyl in North America.

'Allied Forces' spawned two of Triumph's most beloved and enduring arena rock anthems – "Magic Power" and "Fight the Good Fight."Produced by the group themselves (vocalist/guitarist Rik Emmett, bassist Michael Levine, and vocalist/drummer Gil Moore), the nine-track album was certified Platinum, and has gone on to sell an impressive 2.5 million copies worldwide.

"I am excited that the 'Allied Forces' LP is being re-released," enthuses Levine. "Vinyl was always my favorite audio format, because it has really nice warmth and depth. Yet another reason to polish up the turntable and crank up the volume!"
Additionally, all three members of Triumph, will be debuting the release of the album along with host Bob Coburn, live on Rockline, Wednesday, September 21st (30 years to the week of the album's original release).

Soon, you will be able to re-create the excitement you experienced when you cruised down to the local record shop to pick up 'Allied Forces,' back in the fall of '81.

Get prepared to fight the good fight once more!

'Allied Forces' Track Listing:
Side "A"
"Fool for Your Love" – 4:34
"Magic Power" – 4:54
"Air Raid" – 1:18
"Allied Forces" – 5:05
"Hot Time (In This City Tonight)" – 3:23

Side "B"
"Fight the Good Fight" – 6:16
"Ordinary Man" – 7:17
"Petite Etude" instrumental – 1:15
"Say Goodbye" – 4:34

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
www.triumphmusic.com



And that's going to have to be it for now folks ... Will try to catch up with the other stuff tomorrow with the next update.
Thanks for your continued support of 'Chambers of Rock.'
Cheers, Al

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