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Friday, November 26, 2010

Rock News for Friday 26th November, 2010

Well, here's hoping everyone didn't go too far overboard with the turkey and goodies from Thanksgiving and that you've managed to survive any early attempts this morning to fight the shopping crowds and are now home safely?! Hope you all had a great day, those that did celebrate Thanksgiving and just think, in a months time you can do it all over again for Christmas! Yes, it really is that close, scary eh?
Anyway, enough of my jabbering on with the news!

Brian Howe releases new music, 'A Christmas Song'


Earlier this year, Brian Howe (Ex-Bad Company, Ted Nugent) released what was certainly one of my albums of the year, in the excellent 'Circus Bar.' It's chock full of great songs, it really is! - Review link here:
I also have an interview with the man that I did back in the summer - Yes, sorry it';s taken so long folks, you too Brian! - that should finally see the light of day very soon and it was great to do. - Too many reviews and personal stuff have basically pushed back getting it wrapped up, but it will be soon!

OK, well the man has just recorded a new song and made it available through iTunes in the true Christmas spirit called simply, 'A Christmas Song' and I must say, it's another good 'un!
You can go get it on iTunes right here:
I can also tell you that Brian shared with me that he has been recording this whole past week, material towards his new album!
I for one am very much looking forward to this, 'Circus Bar' was a great return for the guy! Looking forward to it Brian.

Legendary TOTO guitarist Steve Lukather returns to the UK due to popular demand!
March 2011 solo gigs confirmed for Leamington Spa, Manchester and Holmfirth

(Steve Lukather Photo credit Carey Brandon)

Following the release of his critically acclaimed new studio album “All’s Well That Ends Well”  (Official USA CD release in 2011) and his packed UK gigs in London, Wolverhampton and Southampton earlier this month, TOTO guitarist STEVE LUKATHER has announced a handful of rare UK solo concerts during March 2011.

Lukather will play the Assembly in Leamington Spa (Thursday 17th March), Manchester Club Academy (Friday 18th March), and Holmfirth Picturedrome (Saturday 19th March). Tickets go on sale to the general public from 9am on Friday November 26th via the 24 hour box office: 0871 230 1110, http://www.seetickets.com/ 

Steve returns to the UK and Europe in 2011 with the same band who accompanied him on his 2010 European dates – Eric Valentine (drums), Steve Weingart (keyboards, vocals) and Renee Jones (bass guitar, vocals).

“The reaction from the recent UK and European tour was incredible,” says Lukather. “The All’s Well That Ends Well” has received tons of amazing rave reviews and I’m really excited about coming back to the UK and the rest of Europe to perform more of my solo work with one of the best band’s I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with.”

Continues Lukather, “Earlier this year I told everyone I was genuinely excited because I had some great new music to play. However I wasn’t expecting the overwhelming response from the fans. I originally set out to achieve a personal best, and the plan was to work hard on all aspects of the music. It’s still a journey that’s for sure.”

For over 30 years Lukather has been known as one of the founding members of the multi-million selling, multi-Grammy Award winning band ‘Toto’.

His outstanding guitar playing has appeared on hundreds of albums with the biggest stars and music legends including Van Halen, Whitney Houston, Alice Cooper, George Benson, Rod Stewart and even played guitar on Michael Jackson’s multi-million selling milestone album ‘Thriller’. Lukather even appears on Jackson’s posthumous studio album “Michael,” released on December 10th.
In 2009 Lukather was also inducted into Nashville’s Musicians Hall of Fame. The following year he received the international Eddy Christiani Award for 33 years of guitar mastership.

STEVE LUKATHER - 2011 UK Tour Dates
24 HR Ticket Hotline: 0871 230 1101
Agency & CC Bookings subject to a fee
Doors open at 7:30pm

Thursday 17th March 2011
Leamington Spa, The Assembly
Tickets: £23 / Box Office: 01926 523001
Doors open at 7:30pm
Spencer Street Leamington Spa
Warwickshire, CV31 3NF

Friday 18th March 2011
Manchester Club Academy
Tickets: £23 / Box Office: 0161 832 1111
Doors open at 7:30pm
UMSU, Oxford Road
Manchester. M13 9PR

Saturday 19th March 2011
Holmfirth Picturedrome, West Yorkshire
Tickets: £23 / Box Office: 0871 230 1101
Doors open at 7:30pm
Market Walk, Holmfirth. HD9 7DA

For all things Steve Lukather related go to:
And his record label:

Announcing Saxon World Tour 2011 - Part I

British hard rockers Saxon have announced 'Part 1' of a set of World Tour dates, that will literally include travelling ALL over the world!
There will also be a new album from the band in March 2011, meantime if you want to catch the band in the UK this year, get yourself booked at Hard Rock Hell Festival on the 4th December, 2010. 
Full details at the event's website here: www.hardrockhell.com/

Editors note - When you really think about it, that's a terrible name for a rock festival, it might imply that these are the most hellish bands in the genre right(?), even though I know they're not! As there's some really great rock acts on the bill. It's just an observation on the event's name.

The band's management has made this announcement in conjuction with the tour details:
 
"Dear guys,
We are working quite hard behind the scenes to get the upcoming year planned and scheduled.
The band is in the studio right now and busy working on the new album.

As you can see we have already scheduled the first half of 2011 very well; playing the 70.000 tons of Heavy Metal cruise in January, Australia in February/March and back to the UK in April where our old friends of Wolfsbane will support us on this run along with an exciting young classic metal band called Fury UK.

The rest of Europe in May and June plus we are planning to play several festivals over the summer... and this is only the first part of our World tour!
Keep the faith,
Leo (tour manager)"

 
If you can't read the above plaque - Got to admit, it's small text! - then go here to see all the dates more clearly: www.saxon747.com/en/index.php/tour

TSO offers Free MP3 Download of 'Dream Child (New 2010 Version)' and issues band update


The Tran-Siberian Orchestra currently on their annual Christmas / Winter tour are offering a new 2010 version of their 'Dream Child' track.
The band has issued this statement:

"We are a few weeks into the tour and having a great time. As a special thank you to the fans, we've teamed up with http://www.amazon.com/ to bring you a free download.

Starting this Saturday, November 27th we will be giving away a free MP3 download of 'Dream Child 2010' through Amazon.com. This will be available for a limited time so please act quickly!

Earlier this fall the band went back into the studio with Tim Hockenberry, who also sings 'Believe' on the 'Night Castle' album, to re-record this classic 'The Christmas Attic' track. There is a magic to this track that Tim captures perfectly. We hope you enjoy it - perhaps on the drive back from a TSO show!"

For more details on the band and their remaining Winter tour dates - Which there's quite a few left to catch! - go here:

JOURNEY IS HEADED TO IRELAND IN JUNE 2011!

Following Journey's recent announcement of UK tour dates with Foreigner and Styx, new dates have just been announced for Dublin and Belfast!
At this time, only Foreigner are confirmed to be playing these two new shows with Journey and not Styx.
The third act is yet to be determined.
This has just been announced through the Journey website: www.journeymusic.com/home

Journey will be performing in Belfast and Dublin at The O2 Arena in Dublin on Saturday, 11 June 2011 and at The Odyssey Arena in Belfast on Sunday, 12 June 2011 along with Foreigner and other special guests (TBD).

Tickets go on sale Friday - 26 November - at 9:00 AM.
Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets nationwide, by telephone (24 Hour) ROI - 0818 719 300, Northern Ireland - 0844 277 44 55, and online:

Dublin / The O2 Arena
Saturday 11th June 2011
Tickets from €49.20 including booking fee

Belfast / The Odyssey Arena
Sunday 12th June 2011
Tickets from £44.00 including booking fee
Tickets for The Odyssey Arena Belfast concert are also available at the venue Box Office - Tel. 02890 739074

Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) - Sikth Project - A Message

Iron Maiden's lead guitarist Adrian Smith has recently been touted as working with another project outside of the Maiden camp and to qualm any misdirected rumours, the bands website has issued the following statement:

"Following the many news stories and speculation on metal websites around the world over the last couple of days, Adrian called and asked us to explain to you fans more fully about his involvement with The Primal Rock Rebellion, his current side project outside of Maiden.

In between Maiden tours, Adrian continues to enjoy writing and playing the guitar; a couple of years ago he got together with his mate Mikee Goodman (formerly of the band Sikth) to write some songs and see where it led. Liking the results, they have been recording on and off since then and an album of this material - under the working title of The Primal Rock Rebellion - may well see the light of day at some point in the future.

Adrian was keen to stress that T.P.R.R. is not a band, but a studio project with Mikee. The pair had been planning a one-off "under the radar" gig at the Wycombe Bucks Student Union, along with some fellow musician friends, mainly for fun and also to try out some of the material live. However due to the show being inadvertently advertised, it has since become unviable to proceed with this idea. Full refunds are available from point of purchase for anyone who bought tickets. Adrian would like to make it clear he has no touring plans at the moment other than those with Iron Maiden, who embark on an extensive World Tour in early 2011."
Iron Maiden website: http://www.ironmaiden.com/
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Thursday, November 25, 2010

Brief Rock News Update for Thursday 25th November, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving to all the American readers wherever you may be today!
To be fair though, a very Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and anyone who feels the urge to recognize the occasion. I wish everyone a great day to you and yours!

Triumph are doing a little giving themselves ...

Perhaps that should be Frontiers records, as they recently announced the remixed / remastered complete back catalogue of Triumph's material, including the specially packaged "Diamond Collection" ten disc set.


In connection with the release of this set and the complete individual reissued remixed / remastered albums, complete free tracks are popping up for downloads as MP3's.
Classic Rock magazine in the UK has offered two tracks already in first 'Rock 'n' Roll Machine' right here:
They then offered 'Lay It On The Line' too, from the 'Just A Game' reissue here:
If you go to the bands website, you can also get, 'Young Enough To Cry' right here:
So go ahead, what are you waiting for?!
Keep checking at the Frontiers site too, as they seem to have the rights to the reissues:
Triumph were a great band and if they get enough interest, then just maybe they can be coaxed back out on the road again! Here's hoping!

UFO first 2011 dates announced


As mentioned already just a few days back, classic UK rockers UFO are about to embarked on a five date mini UK tour.
Well now the band has revealed their first set of live USA dates for 2011, started in May.
Perhaps they'll be a new album out before then, but nothing on that at this time.
Those first USA live dates are as follows:
May 2011
USA
11th May - Baltimore - MD - Bourbon Street
13th May - New York - NY - B.B. Kings
14th May - Foxboro (Boston) - MA - The Showcase Live
20th May - Chicago/St. Charles - IL - The Arcada Theatre
21st May - Chicago/St. Charles - IL - The Arcada Theatre
Source official band website: www.ufo-music.info/news.htm


ERIC JOHNSON RELEASES EXPANSIVE NEW ALBUM, UP CLOSE, ON DECEMBER 7TH, 2010


Includes Guests Steve Miller, Jimmie Vaughan, Johnny Lang and Sonny Landreth Hits Road with Acoustic Guitar Masters Package and Experience Hendrix Tour

Guitarist, songwriter and singer Eric Johnson brings listeners Up Close to his stunning musicality when the Grammy winning artist releases his sixth studio album on his own Vortexan Music label (via EMI Distribution) on December 7th 2010. The 15-track disc presents 14 new Johnson compositions plus his version of the Electric Flag song “Texas,” and features guest appearances by fellow master players Jimmie Vaughan and Sonny Landreth on guitar and vocals by Steve Miller, Johnny Lang and Lyrical themes of reflection, emotional revelations, personal growth and fulfillment are underscored on the album by Johnson’s most daring, urgent, progressive and at times raw and fervent guitar work to date. As with all of Johnson’s work, his all-encompassing style draws from rock, blues, pop, country, jazz and classic to exemplify his stature as “an extraordinary guitar player accessible to ordinary music fans” (Memphis Commercial Appeal). Malford Milligan as well as Johnson. It returns him to the EMI family where Johnson enjoyed his greatest record success with the albums Ah Via Musicom and Venus Isle.

Praised by All Music Guide as one of the “very few musical artists [to] achieve a true signature style which makes comparisons to other musicians impossible,” Johnson expands, deepens and enhances his sound on his first album release since Bloom in 2005. The title reflects the revelatory and spontaneous performances on Up Close as well as its sonic immediacy thanks to a mix by legendary veteran engineer Andy Johns.

“I decided to let go a bit and allow things to happen and just go with the flow,” explains Johnson of his approach to the album. “I like my work to have a high proficiency, but I also wanted to go for the energy and magic of the performances.” He precedes the album’s release with a special acoustic Guitar Masters tour alongside acclaimed players Peppino D’Agostino and Andy McKee in October, and follows it with his second appearance on the Experience Hendrix tour later this year and another leg of the Guitar Masters tour in January 2011. Lyrical themes of reflection, emotional revelations, personal growth and fulfillment are underscored on the album by Johnson’s most daring, urgent, progres- sive and at times raw and fervent guitar work to date. As with all of Johnson’s work, his all-encompassing style draws from rock, blues, pop, country, jazz and classic to exemplify his stature as “an extraordinary guitar player accessible to ordinary music fans” (Memphis Commercial Appeal).

Track Listing:
1. AWAKEN
2. FATDADDY
3. BRILLIANT ROOM (Malford Milligan -vocal)
4. TEXAS (Steve Miller –vocal, Jimmie Vaughan - guitar)
5. GEM
6. TRAVERSE
7. AUSTIN (Jonny Lang - vocal)
8. SOUL SURPRISE
9. ON THE WAY
10. ARITHMETIC
11.THE SEA AND THE MOUNTAIN
12. VORTEXAN
13. A CHANGE HAS COME TO ME
14. CHANGE - revisited
15. YOUR BOOK (Sonny Landreth - guitar)

Johnson burst into the musical main- stream with his landmark 1990 album Ah Via Musicom, which won him a Grammy, yielded a record three Top 10 instrumental hits like “Cliffs of Dover” from a single LP release, and earned him platinum sales status. Enshrined in Guitar Player’s Gallery of Greats and named one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century by Musician magazine alongside numerous other awards, Johnson’s career has been marked by his gift for writing songs with vivid and indelible melodies and lyrical, concise and adventurous playing that focuses on melody and the song rather than six-string gymnastics. A frequent collaborator with other guitar legends, he has continued to explore the myriad possibilities of guitar-based musical artistry since his debut major label release in 1986, Tones, that landed him on the cover of Guitar Player magazine.

Up Close is energized by Johnson’s continuing focus on broadening and enriching his work “I wanted to bare myself a little further and show myself more,” he says. “I want my music to always grow and have more of a profound meaning and impact.”
For more information, visit http://www.ericjohnson.com/
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Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Dio - Live at Donington (UK) 1983 and 1987 review

Dio – Dio at Donington UK Live 1983 and 1987 CD album review
Released on: BBC Recordings through Niji Ent. Group. Release date: Available now.


So here is a release from a truly great, yet sadly departed artist (And band), no longer with us but before Ronnie James Dio passed away, he did apparently perform the duties of Executive Producer of this two CD set, both are two separate performances of Dio, the band, Live at Donington (England) 1983 and 1987.

To me personally, Ronnie James Dio was a rock legend, no question and although – sadly – I never met or interviewed the man, I can say that I got to see him fronting Black Sabbath, Dio and finally Heaven and Hell. 
Sadly though, I never saw him in the line up I always longed to see live, Rainbow with Ronnie fronting the band, a huge shame indeed.
I probably saw him live around ten or so times so yes, I know he was that good and what an excellent persona!
He always tried to make every gig so personal, wherever it was and never once did I get the impression that he was simply going through the motions that sadly cannot be said for many other rock acts these days.
OK, without dragging out this intro any longer, let’s get to it!

Disc 1 - Live 1983
The first disc I guess is probably the best known and first Dio line up that featured RJD on lead vocals, Vivian Campbell on lead guitar, Jimmy Bain (Bass), Vinny Appice (Drums) and Claude Schnell on keyboards.

The opening track cannot be knocked, ever! The all powerful and out and out rocking ‘Stand Up and Shout’ and boy is this fast live! Intense! Wow! All sounds good and incredibly tight! Immediately you are reminded what a huge loss Dio’s passing has been to the world of rock.

Next up is ‘Straight Through the Heart,’ a lot more of a steady punchy rocker and again sounds great and what an incredible voice the man possessed!
He dedicates the next song to the Donington crowd, ‘This is just for you because you’re all 'Children of the Sea.’' A great track from his Black Sabbath days and the ‘Heaven and Hell’ album, performed very well indeed here, although Viv Campbell is certainly no Tony Iommi! The accompanying backing keys sound full and back it up well … Unfortunately that seems to drift later …

OK, this next track is where the keyboards seem to go astray if you ask me … The intro to ‘Rainbow in the Dark’ has to have the distinct synth keyboard there, but it’s missing at the start and also it seems the keys are a little off key down half a step or more, when you can hear them! Very sad on a track where they are meant to be so prominent.
Now it’s time for the medley from the band, probably due to the bands position on the bill so they tried to cover as much of Ronnie’s background as possible. Starting with ‘Holy Diver’ and it’s pretty solid stuff before Vinny Appice gets a short drum solo (40 seconds).

Time for a trip back to Rainbow days with brief version of ‘Stargazer’ next complete with mystic keyboard backing, before it’s stopped and Viv Campbell then gets to take the spotlight for a minute and a half. Then next  it’s the Sabbath anthem ‘Heaven and Hell.’ There does seem to be a slight disconnect here with the band where Ronnie comes back in after the first instrumental break and the band should back off to allow his vocal to carry through. Then Viv Campbell gets a chance to get the extended solo part ‘play time.’ Ronnie then gets to do his crowd sing along part with the crowd and also takes the opportunity to thank the crowd for sticking with him through all he’s done. The band then kicks back in again, before taking it down again for Ronnie to sing an additional added verse to the crowd where he also throws in a comment about a little white shape appeared and says ‘Heaven is where you want to be …’ and Ronnie tells the angel to, ‘Go away I’m going to burn in hell, with all of you (Donington crowd.)!’ Nice Ronnie … Perhaps could’ve have left that one out but that was your call … The song then builds up and rocks out and is seriously, riffarama!

‘Man on a Silver Mountain’ is next and is certainly an up tempo version on the original with Campbell shredding some of (Ritchie) Blackmore’s original parts, but it rocks with the mood and RJD is of course giving his all here too. This then gives way to a very mellow section before RJD sings, ‘If I’m high on a hill, will she still be looking down on me …' Cue another Rainbow classic ‘Starstruck,’ again presented in speed fashion, but only for around forty seconds and then they get back into ‘Man on a Silver Mountain’ and the set is done. That was 1983 live at Donington! Short and sweet!

Disc 2 - Live 1987
When the band returned in 1987 the band were higher on the bill as special guests to headliners Bon Jovi but above Metallica, imagine that?! - Quite right in my books though! Metallica obviously were still on the up, but not at their peak yet.

By 1987 the band had parted ways with Viv Campbell who had been replaced here by Craig Goldy and the band had just released ‘Dream Evil’ and the title track from that release opened the set on this occasion.
Ronnie thanks the crowd for their applause and introduces next track, ‘Neon Knights’ as a track he and Vinny used to play in a previous band they were in together (Black Sabbath for those who’ve been under a rock for many a year!) and this track totally rocks out and I must say, although Viv Campbell was a founder member of Dio, I prefer Craig Goldy’s more precise style.

‘Naked in the Rain’ is up next from ‘Dream Evil’ and as Ronnie introduces it he says ‘I think this is a song that applies to all of us here …’ Donington sadly often had the reputation for being a rain soaked event, but the 60,000 rock fans at each of the annual events were always loyal to the end. Craig Goldy gets a lengthy solo spot here too, although it’s a pretty lengthy track anyway.

‘Rock And Roll Children’ is next and the sound balance in this recording is in fact much better than the first event from 1983.
The keyboards from Claude Schnell are clearly obvious for the intro as they should be and for an overall live mix at an outdoor gig the BBC clearly got this right.
It’s funny as I was driving home the other night, I heard Eddie Trunk talking to Craig Goldy about this release and Craig was saying he really wasn’t even aware of the BBC tapes, until he received a press copy of this CD set and he was very impressed by the sound mix from the time.

The band next launch into Rainbow’s ‘Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll’ and a rousing rendition it is too, before getting back into ‘Rock And Roll Children’ and Ronnie applauds the crowd for being ‘bloody great!’

‘The Last in Line’ is next and sound simply great and I think this line up was really cooking without doubt and Ronnie as ever sounds like he’s really enjoying himself here. He always was such a great live performer.

‘Children of the Sea’ is listed next on sleeve notes but they really only just briefly touch on it, as the band then heads into a big medley. ‘Holy Diver’ follows in its shortened form before surging into ‘Heaven and Hell’ which likewise gets chopped quite a bit.

Ready for some more Rainbow? ‘Man on a Silver Mountain’ is next and even as short as this version is, Goldy’s playing once more comes across better than Campbells did. Then simply Claude Schnells keyboards back up Ronnie next as he dwells on the end of ‘Man …,’ before the band launch back in too and wrap things up as the ending then drifts into ‘All the Fools Sailed Away’ and it’s all big epic like stuff here. What will we do without Dio … What a great band they were!

There’s a reprise of ‘The Last in Line’ to wrap things up or so you’d think, but there’s one more Dio classic that this 1987 line up that they have not yet played cue, ‘Rainbow In The Dark.’
The keyboards though again, do not sound right at the start … Something not quite right with Claude Schnells interpretation here, unless Ronnie had wanted them all to tune down half a step or something like that … Weird that, as 'Holy Diver Live' from 2006 doesn’t sound off at all? The keys here are also very buried in the mix generally, in places where we all know they should be prominent or at least obvious.
That aside, both discs are a worthy addition to any rock collection, yes I’m down on the keyboard mix across both discs and even to a degree critical of Campbells kind of ‘sloppy’ at times playing – for want of a better word. – on the first disc, but Ronnie’s voice is as good as ever if you ask me and his absolutely great interaction with the crowd, his fans is as obvious as ever.

On the Eddie Trunk show that I mentioned earlier, where he spoke with Craig Goldy about this live set, Eddie also asked the question of Craig, ‘Is there any live footage to be made available on DVD from this show,’ to which Craig seemed doubtful.
Craig was saying that back then he didn’t believe there were the big live screens for the crowd at the back to be able to se, so it was unlikely there was any live footage recorded.
That to me is an inaccurate statement, as I went to some of the early Donington gigs, my last there being 1986, where Ozzy headlined, Def Leppard came back from Rick Allen's terrible crash and him losing his arm and the Scorpions simply killed at that show!
I seem to recall that there were live screens there and that was the year before this live 1987 CD, so who knows.
I think for sound mix, the ’87 disc has the edge, so a DVD release of that would be great …!
I guess we’ll have to see what Wendy Dio has and gets put out, as I know there’s been a lot of talk of live material now seeing the light of day through Niji Entertainment, that she and Ronnie started together.

Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll as the man sang, I think this is a very strong double set, yes there’s a few blips but then I guess they were both ‘in the moment’ live recordings from a festival gig, so it’s how it goes, right?!
I for one am thankful to have this set, Ronnie left us more than his legend, he left us some fantastic music!
God bless RJD!
Thanks for all you gave us Ronnie, you are deeply missed but you will never be forgotten!
Rating: 4 out of 5

Official website: www.ronniejamesdio.com
Finally here's a video from way back in the days where Ronnie joined Black Sabbath to give them a new lease of life and what an apt song this is, as Ronnie may have been older than many others in the genre, but seriously, he never showed it!
Black Sabbath - Die Young
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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Late Brief Rock News Update for Tuesday 23rd November, 2010

Goo Goo Dolls announce Canadian 2011 tour

Starting in February 2011, the Goo Goo Dolls will embark on a Canadian tour taking them through February and into March in support of their, 'Something For The Rest of Us'  album.


Here's the Canadian dates confirmed so far, although I'm sure they'll be more knowing these guys and their love of playing live!

February 2011
02/08 St John's, NL Delta Conference Centre*

02/09 Grandfalls Windsor, NL Joe Byrne Memorial Stadium*
02/11 Halifax, NS Rebecca Cohn Auditorium*
02/12 Charlottetown, PE Charlottetown Trade and Convention Centre*
02/14 St John, NB Saint John Trade and Convention Centre*
02/16 Montreal, QC Olympia Theatre*
02/18 Ottawa, ON NAC*
02/19 Hamilton, ON Hamilton Place*
02/20 Windsor, ON The Colosseum @ Ceasar's
02/23 Winnipeg, MB Pantages*
02/25 Regina, SK Casino Regina
02/26 Edmonton, AB River Cree Casino
02/28 Calgary, AB Jack Singer*
March 2011
03/02 Vancouver, BC Commodore*
03/04 Grande Ronde, OR Spirit Mountain Casino
03/05 Tacoma, WA Emerald Queen Casino
03/06 Worley, ID Coeur D'Alene Casino
Pre-sales kick off through the bands website and fan club, The Inner Machine:

Meantime, here's a live clip from a recent show in Brixton:

Jimi Jamison working with Bobby Kimball

Not a lot of details on this at this time and many of you may have already seen this information posted at other sites, but anyway ... It's here now! ;-)
Yes, according to Jimi Jamison's (Ex-Survivor, Target, Cobra) website, he is currently recording a new album with ex-Toto and current YOSO frontman, Bobby Kimball.
I'd like to think Jim Peterik may have a hand in it also, so keep looking folks and as soon as I know more, I will share.
Alternatively go to: www.jimijamison.com/

Mike and the Mechanics return with new line up

It was extremely sad when the world lost Paul Young, the former singer in Sad Cafe and also joint lead vocalist in Mike and the Mechanics, but Mike and the Mechanics seemed to soldier on, albeit on a more reserved form and only performing rare gigs.
Then Paul Carrack decided to go back to a solo career with live shows and new albums.
So with Genesis looking to be on hold once more, what was Mike Rutherford going to do?
It seems he's formed a new version of Mike and the Mechanics, now featuring solo artist and leader of the band formerly known as Roachford, Andrew Roachford, alongside stageshow vocalist, Tim Howar.

The band it seems have put together a new album or are now wrapping it up, titled 'The Road' with a release date pencilled in for April 2011 on the Arista label and a full blown UK tour!
There's various news stories around the web that you'll find on this and as there's no official Mike and the Mechanics website or Mike Rutherford site, it's really down to fan site: www.houseofmanyrooms.com/ 
that you'll find the best information, meantime, here's the confirmed tour dates and the tour is backed by Live Nation.

APRIL 2011
Wednesday 27th - HULL City Hall
Thursday 28th - DONCASTER Dome
Saturday 30th - BRADFORD St George’s Hall

MAY 2011
Sunday 1st - YORK Grand Opera House
Tuesday 3rd - OXFORD New Theatre
Thursday 5th - NOTTINGHAM Royal Concert Hall
Sunday 8th - BOURNEMOUTH BIC
Monday 9th - LONDON Royal Albert Hall
Wednesday 11th - PORTSMOUTH Guildhall
Thursday 12th - BRIGHTON Centre
Friday 13th - BRISTOL Colston Hall
Sunday 15th - PLYMOUTH Pavillion
Tuesday 17th - CARDIFF CIA
Wednesday 18th - IPSWICH Regent Theatre
Friday 20th - MANCHESTER O2 Apollo
Saturday 21st - BLACKPOOL Opera House
Sunday 22nd - LIVERPOOL Empire
Tuesday 24th - EDINBURGH Playhouse
Wednesday 25th - GLASGOW Clyde Auditorium
Thursday 26th - GATESHEAD The Sage
Saturday 28th - SHEFFIELD City Hall
Sunday 29th - BIRMINGHAM Symphony Hall

Sorry for the lack of updates folks, we lost power here last night as I was working on updates and so I didn't get to catch up again until tonight! Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day!
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Monday, November 22, 2010

Rock News Update - Monday 22nd November, 2010

BCC announce debut UK shows in December


Black Country Communion, the critically acclaimed Anglo/American rock supergroup comprising vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Trapeze, Black Sabbath), award-winning blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, UFO, Foreigner) and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Billy Idol), are pleased to announce two rare debut UK gigs in December.

(Photo courtesy of © 2010 Christie Goodwin)

The band will play their first concert in the heart of the Black Country when they hit the stage in front of 3,000 people at the legendary Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Wednesday 29th December. The following evening the band will play London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Thursday 30th December.

WOLVERHAMPTON CIVIC HALL
Wednesday 29th December

O2 LONDON SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE
Thursday 30th December
Keep up with band activities at: www.bccommunion.com 

UFO brief UK tour dates

Classic rockers UFO have confirmed just a few UK tour dates for December 2010, including their appearance at Hard Rock Hell 4 next week.
It seems Pete Way is still out of the loop on these dates as Barry Sparks will be completing these shows.
There's also a diary update from drummer Andy Parker, that always makes for an interesting read, right here:

Anyway, here's those UK tour dates:
December 20102nd December - England - Birmingham - HMV Institute
3rd December - Wales - Prestatyn - Hard Rock Hell IV
4th December - England - Holmfirth - Picturedrome
5th December - England - Liverpool - O2 Academy
7th December - England - Brighton Concorde 2

RUSH TIME MACHINE TOUR HITS EUROPE IN 2011

Canada's premier rock band Rush has confirmed they will be extending the Time Machine Tour and coming to Europe this spring.

The following dates are confirmed, including Rush performing in Ireland for the first time ever.
More additional European announcements to come.

May 2011
Thursday, May 12th Dublin O2
Saturday, May 14th Glasgow SECC
Monday, May 16th Sheffield Motorpoint Arena
Thursday, May 19th Manchester MEN Arena
Saturday, May 21st Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
Sunday, May 22nd Birmingham LG Arena
Wednesday, May 25th London O2

http://www.rush.com/ members will be receiving a pre-sale notification on Monday, November 22nd that begins on Tuesday, November 23rd.

Tickets for the Time Machine Tour in Ireland & UK general on sale will commence at 9AM GMT on Friday, November 26th, 2010. Ticket links and details will be posted shortly.
Additional European dates will be announced shortly.
Also confirmed today, the Time Machine tour will return to North America for a selection of dates between March and July, primarily with Rush performing in markets not played on the previous tour run this summer.
Stay tuned to http://www.rush.com/ for more details!
.... and wait for it German fans!

Rush in Germany

Rush will include Frankfurt on Sunday, May 29 at Festhalle as part of the Time Machine Europe 2011 Tour.
General on-sale will commence Friday, November 26th.

Newman issues thank you to fans for Firefest

(Newman live at Firefest 2010 - Photo from www.newmansound.com/)

The following message was posted to fans of the UK band Newman, throught their website:

OK, just to say thank you to everyone who attended Firefest this year would be a huge understatement !!
Once again we became witness to some awesome bands over the three days confirming why this is the UK's number one Melodic Rock Festival. Newman were proud to be there, and were truly humbled by the response that the audience gave to the band throughout their set and the entire weekend. We will have more reviews and pics to come in the next few weeks.

The guys would like to thank Kieran, Bruce, Tony, and the rest of the Firefest crew for making it yet another year which will live in the memories for a long long time to come. We met some great new friends, and some old friends alike, too many to list here but particular mention must go to Vic Rivera, Anders Rydholm, Peter Sundell, Christian Sundell, Ola af Trampe, Per Svensson, Nick Workman, Tom and James Martin, Dave Ling, Terry Brock, Darren Wharton, Jimi Jamison, Alle Martell, Steve Price, and of course our crew, Loz, Dave, and Geoff !!

We can confirm that the Newman set was recorded for a future CD and DVD release, there will be more information to come on this in the next few weeks so watch this space !!

Above all, we'd like to take the opportunity to thank all the people that attended Firefest and our loyal fans that gave us so much support over the weekend. We will be back out on the road in 2011, and we hope to see as many of you as possible again very soon.
Thanks , Steve, Shaun, Paul, Nic, and Dave
Keep up with Newman updates at: http://newmansound.com/
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Friday, November 19, 2010

Brief Rock News Update for Friday 19th November, 2010

Toto Summer Tour on the way in 2011

Yes folks, it really is going to happen!
This was issued on the Toto website Thursday morning:
Toto will return to Europe again in Summer 2011. Check out the Tour dates page for details.
More dates to be added!
 
Then later in the day, David Paich spread the word through the Toto Facebook page that in 2011 he'd be touring once more with Toto.
Here's his message:
"As announced this morning on the Toto page, I'm excited to say that I'll be taking Toto out on the road again this summer. Some of the tour info should be up on our website already!
I really didn't think this would happen, but we had so much fun last time. And the response from all of you guys, like always, was amazing. 33 years later haha. WOW!
I can't wait to hit the road again with these guys. D"
 
At this time, literally there are very few dates posted on the bands tour dates section of the site and currently, sadly they are only in Europe ... Historically, in the last few years of Toto's touring of the US, they frequently said, they were not finding the demand in their native USA to support continued touring although the fans that did show up, they were thankful to.
I was fortunate enough to have caught their last two US tours, but prior to that I last saw them before in the UK on the 'Seventh One' tour way back in the late 80's. I missed the few other times they played very limited UK live dates.
I sincerely hope they return to the US for live dates, likewise Steve Lukather has not as yet announced full US tour dates yet in support of his latest solo album, 'All's Well That Ends Well' just some New York dates ... I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Luke finishes his current UK live dates at The Brook , Southampton (UK) Friday 19th November.
Other dates he's doing can be found here:
 
Meantime, here's the current - although limited at this time - European live dates for Toto:
 
July 2011
21 - Jun - 2011 Tuesday Bruxelles Forest National Belgium
23 - Jun - 2011 Thursday Amsterdam Heineken Hall Netherlands
26 - Jun - 2011 Sunday London Hammersmith Odeon UK
27 - Jun - 2011 Monday Paris Le Zenith France
July 2011
14 - Jul - 2011 Thursday Straubing Jazz an der Donau Germany
15 - Jul - 2011 Friday Ulm Klosterhof Wiblingen Germany
ALL DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

TOTO 2010 is:

Joe Williams - Vocals
Steve Lukather - Guitar and Vocals
David Paich - Keyboards and Vocals
Steve Porcaro - Keyboards and Vocals
Simon Phillips - Drums
Mike Porcaro - Bass
Special Guest:
Nathan East - Bass

For more details on the band:
and

Frontiers Records presents Triumph Reissues Trailer
(Apologies for the screen size issue on the site. It does happen sometimes although strangely not always?!)


The FULL TRIUMPH CATALOGUE reissued in DIGIPAK edition as the 'Diamond Collection!'

FM London (UK) Christmas show and more ... 


Meet and Greet applications for our FM Christmas Party are now open. We'll be meeting and greeting after our set at London O2 Academy Islington on December 1st. Places are limited and the closing date is midnight Friday 26th November, so don't hesitate! For more info and to apply please go to http://bit.ly/FMmandg

If you're wondering whether this will be THE Unmissable Christmas Party of the Year, let us tell you a little about the evening ...

Four Wheel Drive will open proceedings at 7.10pm. Their brand of high-rollin' rock 'n' roll has been getting rave reviews and we highly recommend you check them out. 4WD will be filming on the day for their first live DVD. More info at http://www.fourwheeldriverock.com/.

Our good friends Airrace need no introduction. They will be taking to the stage at 8.10pm and we hear a whisper that their set will include a couple of brand new songs from their currently-being-recorded new album. Don't miss it! www.myspace.com/airraceband

Keeping the evening running smoothly will be Master of Ceremonies none other than DJ Steve Price of ARfm. We're chuffed to bits that Steve agreed to be 'volunteered' (we didn't really give him any choice). Mr. Bah Humbug himself will be playing some cool Yule music in between bands and ensuring that matters get very out of hand...
... and so to FM. We're going to have a blast, you all know how much we love our Christmas shows. To help us celebrate the evening we'll be sharing the stage with some very special guests and we expect you to bring your singing voices with you!


We can't wait to see you on the 1st December. You have all helped to make 2010 a fantastic year for us and we are thankful for your support. You've wholeheartedly embraced our new songs on Metropolis and City Limits EP. You've sung your hearts out at our shows. We're excited about what 2011 holds for FM and look forward to going on that trip in your very good company.
We'll start 2011 on a good footing by confirming that we will be appearing with Thin Lizzy at London Hammersmith Apollo on January 22nd. That's a good start isn't it peeps!
FM
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Thursday, November 18, 2010

Rock News Update for Thursday 18th November, 2010

MR. BIG hit back in Europe with the release of "What If…"

Frontiers Records is proud to announce the highly anticipated European release of MR. BIG’s new studio album entitled "What If…" on January 21st 2011. The North American release, also on Frontiers records, shall follow in February with more exciting details to be announced!


"What If… " is MR. BIG’s first “all original” album since the reunion of the four original members, Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan and Pat Torpey back in early 2009. Sixteen years after the release of "Hey Man," the new recording is set to bring back MR. BIG on the height of the current Hard Rock scene.

Guitarist Paul Gilbert said: “This is the first MR. BIG album I have been a part of, since fourteen years and it was done in a snap. It was fun and we had really a good time in making this one”. Continues Billy Sheehan “It’s so great to be back with Paul, Eric and Pat too. We wrote this record like we did in the old days for the first 2 records. Jamming together in the same room to write songs”. Pat Torpey adds “Some of the recording process is different now from what we were used to in the old times. But I think this record really managed to capture the performances of the band, not of the individual musicians”.

Eric Martin concludes: “I like to compare this to the first album, when we just got to know each other in a reharsal studio and cut it in 8 or 9 days. This is like chapter 2. We had so many years, so many records and so many things behind us. Now this feels like a beautiful brand new chapter starting for all of us”.

"What If…" was produced by Kevin Shirley (Aerosmith, Rush, Black Country Communion, Iron Maiden) and the release will be followed by a World Tour which will kick off in South America in March and will hit Europe in early summer.

Formed in 1988, Mr. Big forged its place in hard rock history by combining trademark "shredding" musicianship with awesome vocal harmonies. The original line-up – vocalist Eric Martin, guitarist Paul Gilbert, bassist Billy Sheehan, and drummer Pat Torpey. Mr. Big produced numerous hit songs that ranged across a wide array of rock genres – be it ballads, heavy metal, or blues rock.


Their hits included "To Be With You" (Billboard Hot 100 number one single in 15 countries for weeks, in 1991, propelling the band the band to huge international success and record sales in the multi-millions), "Wild World", "Green-Tinted sixties Mind", "Just Take My Heart", and a host of heavy metal songs that were played mostly during their live performances: "Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy", "Addicted to that Rush", "Colorado Bulldog", and "Take Cover".

“What If…” will be released in a special edition CD + DVD in digipak, regular CD, vinyl and digital download and in a limited edition luxury box including the CD, DVD, LP and exclusive memorabilia.

“What If…” tracklisting includes: Undertow; American Beauty; Stranger In My Life; Nobody Takes the Blame; Still Ain’t Enough for Me; Once Upon a Time; As Far As I Can See; All The Way Up; I Won’t Get In My Way; Around The World; I Get The Feeling; Unforgiven (exclusive bonus track for Europe / North America – not on vinyl edition).

The DVD will include the videoclips of “Undertow” and “All the Way Up” plus a documentary “Making of” the album including interviews and exclusive behind the scenes features of the four members.
The first single “Undertow” will have an official promotional launch on November 27th.


Frontiers Records is proud to present the new issue of MELODIC ROCK FANZINE.

The 41st release of our successful magazine, MELODIC ROCK FANZINE is available for free all over the world through record shops, mailorders and every fine dealer carrying the Frontiers Records releases.
Here are the previews of the two MELODIC ROCK FANZINE covers:

This new issue includes reviews and interviews of Nelson, The Poodles, Darkwater, Signum Regis, F.E.A.S.T., Perfect View, Poison Sun, Prime Suspect, Jeff Scott Soto, Vega, Allen Lande, Michael Bormann... and more!
Electronic readble version of the magazine is available on the Frontiers official site and here:

Ratt release new single, 'Eat Me Up Alive.'

Earlier this year, Sunset Strip legends Ratt released their first album in 10 years -- Infestation -- a crushing return to their seminal Ratt n' Roll roots. Since then, the guys: frontman Stephen Pearcy, guitarists Warren DeMartini and Carlos Cavazo, bassist Robbie Crane and drummer Bobby Blotzer hit the road bringing their upbeat, crunchy riffs and catchy choruses -- both old and new -- to fans around the world. And now, with the brand new video for "Eat Me Up Alive" we get a first-hand look at the long-standing band's downright electric live performances from this past year. Check it out below now!


or follow this link:

FM's Pete Jupp take on the role of DJ!

DJ Juppy set to take over the ARfm airwaves


Shhh... don’t tell Steve Price but we have ‘borrowed’ the keys to the ARfm studio. If everything goes to plan (and the locks haven’t been changed!) DJJuppy (Pete Jupp) will be taking over the Steve Price Rock show this Sunday, November 21st 6pm-9pm. Tune in at http://www.arfm.co.uk/ on Sunday to hear some of Pete’s favourite tracks, news about the FM Christmas Party on December 1st, and no doubt some highly philosophical ramblings... Email your requests during the show to studio@arfm.co.uk.
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