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Monday, May 10, 2010

Rock News for Sunday 9th May, 2010

First of all, a Happy Mother's Day to all Mum's / Mom's in the USA today ... In the UK it was back in March, funny how that goes. Still, enjoy your day! :)

Lukather new album, 'Recording is finished!'

Yes, the guitar maestro, Steve Lukather has announced the last track for his new album is done!
This from his site:
May 6th 2010

Steve Lukather: "Finished the last track today and now it is time to do the last overdubs and sings a few things, a few guests mix and done! Sounds easy right. NOT, lol. IT will take a few weeks yet but I am almost done. My pal CJ Vanston and I wrote this last one and he and Phil Collen from Def Leppard stopped by today as well as my son Trev..."
Pic from the studio - Courtesy of: http://www.stevelukather.net/Article.aspx?id=63

May 7th 2010
Steve Lukather: "Back in the studio today with Carlitos and Trev and Me doin OD's on the new tune CJ and I wrote. My son Trev just came up with a KILLER part on the new tune. Great Father and son moments!
I am pumped. Off for a run then the studio then a chill weekend with the family. Mothers day. Dont forget to hug your Mom or whomever IS a mom around you. VERY important people they are!"

May 7th 2010
Trev Lukather: "Heading to the studio 2 play guitar on my pop's new record... didn't get a chance to write with him but he wants me on the record... the song is a killer one."

Primal Fear new live DVD, 'Live in the USA.'

German Metal masters PRIMAL FEAR are back with a new DVD recorded in various locations between September and November 2009 and a live CD album aptly titled "Live in the USA".

The main part of the DVD was recorded in Switzerland a the Z7, but there is more footage from headlining show held at the ProgPower festival in Atlanta USA plus footage from Brazil/Sao Paulo, Toyko & Osaka/Japan. That's why the DVD is named "16.6 - All Over The World" while the Live CD is titled "Live In The USA" because the live CD was recorded in Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles.

The DVD is filled with loads of extra materials, such as an entire bootleg section with funny moments on the road, some bootleg shots from festivals and other concerts, all Primal Fear latest video clips, plus the making of the band’s last album 16.6 in the recording studio and a brand new interview section about the past & future of Primal Fear.
The item is available in 3 formats: CD only; DVD only; combo CD + DVD in digipak.

- Youtube clip sample for KILLBOUND: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxAd2esa9yg

WIG WAM finish Japanese tour with a party concert

The Wig Wamania Golden Party was held at Shibuya Boxx in Tokyo on Saturday night. This was a special event for the dedicated fans. In a three hours show Wig Wam gave an electric set and an acoustic set. The show also included a Q&A session and a karaoke competition.

May 3, 2010 - Wig Wam completed their Japan tour with an exclusive party concert in Tokyo, 1st of May. A packed Shibuya Boxx attended Wig Wamania Treasure Island, Saturday Night Golden Party on Saturday night. This was a special event for dedicated fans.

Wig Wam started the evening with an electric set, where they among other things, gave the Japanese fans their AC/DC medley with Flash & Teeny spinning around playing each others instruments back to back. The electric set was followed by a Q&A session with Wig Wam on stage answering questions from the audience.

Afterwards, there was a karaoke competition where the public could choose between different Wig Wam songs. Glam was the host and Flash, Teeny and Sporty constituted jury.

In the acoustic set Wig Wam also did the Dream Police-song "Hot Legs". During the very last song Glam left the stage and went down to the enthusiastic audience and sang with them as he walked around in the arena. This was of course extremely popular by the crowd.

When the audience eventually left Shibuya Boxx, Wig Wam stood in the doorway and greeted everyone and gave away signed flyers.

Later that evening Wig Wam had a dinner with the winners from competitions held before Wig Wam came to Japan, and of course the winner of the karaoke contest at Shibuya Boxx.

Mike Portnoy Will Drum With Avenged Sevenfold Throughout 2010

Dream Theater's drummer extraordinaire Mike Portnoy has just shared this information on his plans for 2010!

'After having had such an amazing experience recording my drum tracks for the new Avenged Sevenfold album, we all knew it would be awesome if I'd be able to do some touring with the band after its release...
I am happy to say that the timing worked out perfectly that my touring cycle with Dream Theater (and Transatlantic) was coming to an end just as A7X's was scheduled begin!
(well, perfect for everyone except my poor family!) : )


Although I wish I could stay on board with A7X in a more permanent capacity, the reality is that I am commited to Dream Theater as my main priority (that is my baby afterall!), and I will need to resume work with DT to start a new album at some point in 2011....


However, I will be able to join my brothers in Avenged Sevenfold for at least the duration of their touring throughout 2010...and hopefully this will give them the time to continue to heal and get comfortable back on the road....
You can look at me like the band's "rebound drummer" to buy them some time until they are comfortable and ready to make a commitment to somebody new for full-time relationship in their future!


In the meantime, I am real excited to hit the road with the boys...to bring my drumming from their new album to life on stage and to honor The Rev with all of their older material....


(Hey, do I get to have a cool, bad-ass stage name now???) : )
C-ya out there,'
MP

Kottak Rock´n´ Roll Forever out May 14 in Europe

Scorpions drummer, James Kottak is excited to announce that his side project Kottak, have the new Kottak album 'Rock´n´ Roll Forever' released this Friday May 14th in Europe!
No more info than that right now, but apparently this is the album cover!



Jim Peterik's World Stage - Up Close and Unplugged

Mark a big red "X" on Friday, June 4th and make sure you're in town! There will be a "World Stage Unplugged" show at the Montrose Room of the Hotel Intercontinental in Rosemont, IL. Featured guests: Jeff Carlisi, the original guitarist for 38 Special, Lisa McClowry, Jack Blades from Night Ranger and others. Showtime is set for 8:30
This is a VERY limited seating concert so get your tix FAST before they sell out. You can get your tix at Ticketmaster - http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0400449D750D1D4E?artistid=1442947&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1


Toto reunion - European Tour dates update

So far there's little over a handful of dates from Toto that have been announced, but here's hoping differences can be pushed aside and the guys decide to get back on track as a band and a) add more live dates and b) provide another class studio album!
Here are the current European dates that have been announced:
July 2010
07 - Jul - 2010 Wednesday Neu-Isenburg Hugonottenhalle Germany
09 - Jul - 2010 Friday Clam Burg Clam Austria
10 - Jul - 2010 Saturday Wiesen Lovely Days Festival Austria
11 - Jul - 2010 Sunday Weert Bospop Festival Netherlands
13 - Jul - 2010 Tuesday Heerhugowaard (near Amsterdam) De Waerdse Tempel Netherlands
15 - Jul - 2010 Thursday Locarno Moon & Stars, Piazza Grande Switzerland
16 - Jul - 2010 Friday Singen Hohenentwiel Festival Germany
17 - Jul - 2010 Saturday 83671 Benediktbeuern Kloster Benediktbeuern Germany
20 - Jul - 2010 Tuesday Copenhagen KB Hall Denmark
22 - Jul - 2010 Thursday Pori Pori Festival Finland


Francis Rossi 'One Step at a Time' - Solo Tour - May 2010

Status Quo's Francis Rossi's first ever solo tour starts on May 13th. The "One Step At A Time" UK tour, that takes the name of his solo album to be released by EarMUSIC, released through Edel, will take in six UK dates. He will be accompanied by an 8 piece band.

Support for the tour will be The North, featuring Francis's daughter Bernadette Rossi. http://www.wearethenorth.net/

Francis has commented, "I never stop writing songs and melodies but there have been many tracks over the years that just weren't right for Quo. These songs have been gathering dust in my mind for too long and now seems the right time to showcase them. It's a big step for me but I hope to see lots of the same faces out there on the road!"
http://www.statusquo.co.uk/

EAGLE VISION TO RELEASE MUCH-ANTICIPATED STONES IN EXILE DVD JUNE 22


Never-Before-Seen Footage Highlights Incredible Documentary About The Recording of The Rolling Stones’ Exile On Main Street!
New York, N.Y. (May 3, 2010)—Eagle Vision—the wholly-owned subsidiary of Eagle Rock Entertainment—is proud to announce the June 22 release of Stones In Exile, a compelling hour long documentary look at the recording of what many rock historians call the greatest album in history: 1972’s Exile On Main Street. The packaging comes complete with 90 minutes of behind-the-scenes bonus footage.
There has been, over the years, a veritable mountain of debate, conjecture, written words and mythologizing about this most classic album. It has been the subject of books, of rumors, of innuendo, of stories that have only added to the Stones’ legend. Now, for the first time, one can step back in time to the spring of 1971 and enter the villa called Nellcote at Villefranche-sur-Mer in the South of France where Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor created and recorded this most classic of albums in the most chaotic of circumstances.

The footage is extraordinary. It includes interviews with all five Stones as well as sections of the long-dormant notorious Cocksucker Blues movie, which every Rolling Stones fan has talked about, wondered about, but few have actually seen. Other key cinematic moments have Mick and Charlie returning to Olympic Studios where some of the early Exile work was laid down, as well as Mick’s country estate, Stargroves.

There’s also a star-studded list of contributors to this film who share their most intimate remembrances: Martin Scorsese, Anita Pallenberg, producer Jimmy Miller, engineer Andy Johns, photographer Dominique Tarlé, legendary sax man Bobby Keys and many others.

Stones In Exile, is directed by Stephen Kijak and produced by Oscar-winning filmmaker John Battsek, Victoria Pearman and executive produced by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, & Charlie Watts. The film will be aired May 14th on NBC TV’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” In the week leading up to the broadcast, Fallon will host a celebration of the Rolling Stones beginning May 10, saluting the re-release of the band’s 10th studio album Exile on Main Street. Exile will be available in the U.S. May 18 with never-before-released bonus tracks. Ladies And Gentlemen…The Rolling Stones 1972 concert movie will be fully restored and released for the first time on Blu-Ray later this year as the second project in the two-film deal between Eagle Rock Entertainment and the Rolling Stones.
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Friday, May 7, 2010

The Scorpions - Sting In The Tail CD review

The Scorpions – Sting In The Tail CD review
The Scorpions, to be honest and if you really think about it, have had just as impressive a career as possibly any other major rock act and so no surprise that they are looking to call it quits in the game, on a high!
Why do I say that? Well, the new album here, ‘Sting in the Tail’ is a release that should really please most of the bands loyal fans, especially after their last release, ‘Humanity Hour 1’ that seemed to receive a mixed reception from fans of the band. I for one thought it was an excellent release, a little different and definitely looking for that conceptual angle in its overall presentation.

The band is probably best known for its live act, which I can certainly bare witness to, having seen the band live on 4 of their UK tours and twice here in the US and I’m hoping to see them on this tour too as they have certainly not disappointed me!
It’s ironic also because typically The Scorpions seem to have been a band that will often shift more album sales, after a tour just because of how good they are live, but what I can tell you here, is this album seems to capture possibly the best elements of their many years of recorded material.

Starting with what to a certain degree sounds like a re-write of ‘Rock You Like A Hurricane,’ in ‘Raised on Rock,’ so no bad thing there! Have to laugh a little as Klaus Meine even sings, ‘I was born in a hurricane …,’ in the very first line! Little side note though, is it just me or does the verse almost come across a bit like ZZ Top’s ‘Sharp Dressed Man,’ with how the song is phrased?!
Oh and yes, the lyrics I have to say are just a little on the clichéd side, but it all works here!

Title track ‘Sting in the Tail’ is next and I have to get this off my chest right now, it almost sounds like ‘Lovedrive’ period Scorpions and that guitar solo, if I didn’t know better I’d say was Michael Schenker!

The tone and style just reeks of Rudolf’s brother Michael’s playing …
The track does have a part that I’m not over keen on with the sub-rap pre-chorus, ‘Yo yo, I got to go …,’
But otherwise the song is true to Scorpions style.

In ‘Slave Me’ it’s stop start riffing from the start, with a grinding vibe, in say a fashion like ‘Sammy Hagar’s 'Heavy Metal,’ which is OK but the sub-spoken piece just before the guitar solo is a little disappointing, but then again the song is in general something that keeps the band current, even with it being the last studio release, apparently …

‘The Good Die Young’ has Klaus again doing the sub-talk routine for each verse, but the chorus is great stuff and musically the song is right where Scorpions fans should be pleased.

Drums kick off next track ‘No Limit’ which cranks with true Scorpions pace and then ‘Rock Zone’ gives a slight nod to AC/DC or even G ‘N’ R if you ask me, intense is too small a statement and the band is seriously rocking out here and the solo is immense!

Time to take things down with a ballad next, that we all know The Scorpions can write all too well and ‘Lorelei’ is no exception to the rule with its haunting vibe. Nice stuff.

‘Turn You On’ is a mid paced, almost chug along rocker that then takes an interesting turn mid way through prior to the solo and again it’s big choruses that resound throughout this album and strong hooks. It’s probably a lot more instant than the last release, ‘Humanity Hour 1.’

‘Sly’ tells an emotional tale and is true power ballad material which again is nicely done.

Is it me or does ‘Spirit of Rock’ start with an almost ‘Born to be Wild’ like riff into the verse, before the strong chant chorus which almost rises with Boston like harmony vocals in places, but a fairly basic rocker overall.

Ending with ‘The Best Is Yet to Come’ is an ironic statement if this really is the bands last studio release. It’s almost written in a ‘Winds of Change’ manner to be honest and there’s nothing wrong with that but it does mean surprisingly that it’s power ballad time again for the third occasion on ‘Sting In the Tail.

I guess we’d have perhaps expected these guys to go out in a blaze of rockin’ glory, so 3 of the 11 tracks here being on the lighter side is to me, a bit of a surprise.
Still, all said and done these guys have really come up with an album that as I said before grabs elements of the bands very best material, so good stuff in my opinion.

How original is the new material? It’s really not and yes, there are many clichés here but I think overall Scorpions fans will be very happy with this release. Here’s to that farewell tour!
Raised on rock, oh yeah, you’d better believe it, even with the ballads taken into account, there’s much here to prove the Scorpions still have a sting in their tail!
Rating: 4 out of 5.
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Rock News for Thursday 6th May, 2010

Heaven and Hell 2010 Tour Dates cancelled

It seems something is not quite right in the Heaven and Hell (Dio era Black Sabbath) camp, who had set up a reasonable amount of European tour dates ahead in 2010, although it had previously been stated that all was dependant upon Ronnie James Dio making a full recovery from cancer.

At the Heaven and Hell website - http://heavenandhelllive.com/site/ - a statement was posted - by management or who? - as follows:
"We have to announce that all forthcoming Heaven & Hell European shows have been cancelled as sadly Ronnie isn't well enough to tour this summer. We hope that everyone understands and want to thank fans and industry colleagues for their continuing support at this time."
Heaven & Hell - May 4th, 2010

Then you look at the Dio website and a message appears that perhaps could be interpreted, that Ronnie (himself) and Wendy Dio are perhaps not happy with this decision ...?
The message there reads as follows:

Message From Ronnie 5/4/2010 3:09:34 PM
I would like to voice my great disappointment on the cancellation of the Heaven And Hell summer tour. Wendy, my doctors and I have worked so hard to make it happen for all of you, the ones we care so much about, that this set back could be devastating, but we will not let it be.
With your continued love and support, we ... will carry on and thrive.
There will be other tours, more music, more life and much more magic. RONNIE JAMES DIO

Interesting, watch this space I guess ...?!

UFO replace bass player

No, don't be thinking it's Pete Way that's been kicked out, nothing could be further from the truth. Although we all wonder when he may come out of the shadows, as it's been over a year since it was first announced of his illness for a liver complaint ...
UFO at that time back in February 2009 posted this message:

For a while now, Pete has been dealing with a medical condition which affects his liver, and he's currently undergoing treatment to cure it. The medication he's on makes him tired and dizzy, and he feels that taking part in the recording sessions and the hectic touring schedule would be too much for him at the moment, so he'll be taking some time out from UFO until he is match-fit.

But as we all know with Pete, he won't be able to stay away from rocknroll for long - so it's very likely that he'll be doing a few gigs here and there with Waysted.
We all wish him the very best and hope for a swift and full recovery.
We love ya Pete! Get well soon man.

No the latest news from the UFO camp is that tour bassist Barry Sparks has had to pull out due to a family member being seriously ill. This posted at UFO's website:
After the show in Bruchsal, Barry Sparks sadly had to leave the tour to fly home to Arizona

where a member of his family is seriously ill.
Hannover's Peter Pichl, who played bass on The Visitor album, has immediately travelled to Osnabrück
to stand in for Barry for the final three shows of this leg of the tour.
Our love and best wishes go out to Barry and his family. 
http://www.ufo-music.info/news.htm
Not good news at all and I also wish Barry's family well.

Win a pair of tickets to go to the movies with Rob Halford!

Enter for your chance to join Rob Halford of Judas Priest and celebrate the 30th Anniversary of British Steel! Click here to sign up for a chance to win a pair of tickets to attend the May 10th screening of the 30th Anniversary of British Steel in NYC! The screening is at 7pm and winners will also have the opportunity to watch a live question and answer session with Rob!

For more information or to sign up, click here: http://www.iheartradio.com/cc-common/contests/britishsteel2010

Info from here:
http://www.judaspriest.com/news/fullstory.asp?id=E9686B71-38EE-4720-9E6D-6DB5E6AD8F2B

Y & T Facemelter album preview available

Over at the online Y & T store, you can preview tracks off the forthcoming new album, 'Facemelter' due to be released soon!
Go here to listen to tracks:
http://store.meniketti.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=YTCD-FACEMLTR#

Asia announce last date to be added to 2010 US tour

As previously announced here, the original Asia line up will be touring the US from August and into September and the band has just announced the last date that they will add to their existing tour dates, in support of new album 'Omega.'
This from their website:
Final Date Added To US Omega Tour - Thursday, 06 May 2010
One more date has been added to the band's itinerary:
Aug 23rd - Majestic Theatre, San Antonio, TX
http://originalasia.com/index.php


The full US tour dates are as follows:
August 2010
Aug 2nd - Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, New Bedford, MA

Aug 3rd - Birchmere, Alexandria VA
Aug 5th - Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe PA
Aug 6th - Theatre at Westbury, Westbury NY
Aug 7th - Showboat. Atlantic City NJ
Aug 8th - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield CT
Aug 10th - Bergen PAC, Englewood, NJ
Aug 12th - Market Block Party, Syracuse, NY
Aug 13th - House of Blues, Cleveland, OH
Aug 14th - Armory, Rochester, NY
Aug 15th - Carnegie Hall of Homestead, Pittsburgh, PA
Aug 17th - Memorial Auditorium, Raleigh, NC
Aug 18th - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
Aug 20th - House of Blues, Dallas, TX
Aug 21st - House of Blues, Houston, TX
Aug 22nd - Paramount Theatre, Austin, TX
Aug 23rd - Majestic Theatre, San Antonio, TX
Aug 25th - Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, AZ
Aug 26th - Veijas Casino at DreamCatcher, Alpine, CA
Aug 27th - Club Nokia, Los Angeles, CA
Aug 28th - The Grove, Anaheim, CA
Aug 29th - The Uptown, Napa, CA
September 2010
Sep 1st - Laxon Auditorium, Chico, CA
Sep 2nd - Fox Theatre, Bakersfield, CA
Sep 3rd - Ovation at Green Valley Resort & Spa, Henderson, NV
Sep 4th - Peppermill Casino, Wendover, NV
Sep 5th - Nugget Casino, Sparks, NV
Sep 7th - Aladdin Theatre, Portland, OR
Sep 8th - Moore Theatre, Seattle, WA 

Jason Bonham update (From April 30th ...)

Yeah, one I missed while I was away, but when I saw it, I thought it was worth sharing, although quite who's involved besides Jason Bonham is beyond me.
Anyway, this was posted at: http://www.jasonbonham.net/diary.html

Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience - April 30, 2010
Well looks like the cat is out of the bag!
First off, I would like to correct the news that broke today on the world wide web. I read today that I would be performing the Led Zep story! Well, what I will be doing is 30 shows in memory of my father, as its 30 years since he left this world this September 25th, 2010.


I have always loved playing the music of Led Zeppelin and after such a great night back in 2007 at the 02 Arena, I took an opportunity to do a very special show which would look at my life with the music of Led Zeppelin. Old photos, home movies and videos would help take you on a journey into my life, from my earliest memories right up to the 02 show .


There is still a lot of work to do on this project and I want to make sure it's done tastefully and with the detail it deserves! Thanks for all the emails and good wishes and even the bad ones, it all helps, really it does.
- Cheers JB
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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Rock News for Wednesday 5th May, 2010

Hi all, yes I'm back and it's been a long day - Up since 4am UK time and it's now 8.50pm here in the US of A! - and the rest of the Williams clan is out for the count, I'm sure I won't last too much longer!
Anyway, without any further delay, here we go!

Bret Michaels looks set to make full recovery!

Well, I'm happy to have some good news to start with, based on this story posted on the BBC website.
It seems, Poison singer Bret Michaels has been discharged from hospital and is expected to recover completely from a brain haemorrhage, doctors have said.

The 47-year-old has been advised to wait up to six weeks before resuming regular activity.
Medical experts have declined to say when the rock star might resume touring.
Doctors at the Phoenix medical centre where the singer was treated said they will examine him every two weeks until he is declared fully fit.

"This produces a great deal of stress on the body. This is like being involved in an accident from inside," said Dr Joseph Zabramski.
He also declined to confirm whether Michaels had gone home or into a rehabilitation facility.
For the full story go here:

It also seems that Michaels has already been speaking to People magazine as well, based on this posted at Classic Rock magazine from news at the rockers website:
Michaels revealed to the People magazine exactly what has got him through this terrifying ordeal:

“I opened my eyes and was like: ‘I am so thankful. I’m lucky to be alive.’ It just wasn’t my time yet! I’m a believer it’s a combination of will and faith [that kept me alive]. Will — and good medical attention — and faith.”
More on that here:
His website is here:

Michael Schenker updates continue - 30th Anniversary tour

This 'Note from Michael' over at his website, indicates the that his current 'MSG World Tour' will continue on into 2010!

'The MSG - 30th Anniversary - (Special Line-up) World Tour will continue in Europe and North America celebrating 30 Years of The Michael Schenker Group!
All the best
Michael'
The dates posted at his site currently read as such:

MSG 30th Anniversary World Tour — European Dates
May 2010
MAY 21 2010 Faktoria D'Arts Terrassa ESP
MAY 23 2010 Sala Heineken Madrid ESP
MAY 27 2010 Millennium Music Hall Cardiff WAL
MAY 28 2010 Civic Hall Wolverhampton ENG
MAY 30 2010 02 Academy Liverpool ENG
June 2010
JUN 02 2010 Shepherd's Bush Empire London ENG
JUN 04 2010 Tell Saal Ostermundigen SWI
JUN 05 2010 Halles des Congres La Bresse FRA
JUN 11 2010 Sweden RockFestival Sölvesborg SWE
July 2010
JUL 01 2010 Ulmer Zelt Festival Ulm GER
JUL 02 2010 Classic Rock Night Ratshaussen GER
JUL 03 2010 Open Air Holledau Unterempfenbach GER
JUL 09 2010 Culturpodium Boerderij Zoetermeer HOL
JUL 10 2010 Spirit of 66l Verviers BEL
JUL 11 2010 Bospop Festival Weert HOL

MSG 30th Anniversary World Tour 2010 — North American Dates
DATE VENUE CITY COUNTRY
July 2010
JUL 15 2010 Brixton Redondo Beach, CA USA
JUL 16 2010 Galazxy Theatre Santa Ana, CA USA
JUL 18 2010 Brick By Brick San Diego USA
JUL 21 2010 Back Stage Live SA San Antonio, TX USA
JUL 24 2010 Zoo Amphitheatre (Rock N America Festival) Oklahoma City, OK USA
JUL 27 2010 Showcase Live Foxborough, MA USA
JUL 28 2010 Altar Bar Pittsburgh, PA USA
JUL 29 2010 Starland Ballroom Sayerville, NJ USA
JUL 30 2010 Jaxx Springfield, VA USA
JUL 31 2010 The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza New York, NY USA
August 2010
AUG 01 2010 The Crazy Donkey Farmingdale, NY USA
AUG 02 2010 The Hideout Binghampton USA
AUG 04 2010 Scatz Nightclub Middleton, WI USA
AUG 8 2010 Tower Theatre Fresno, CA USA
AUG 11 2010 Studio Seven Seattle, WA USA
AUG 13 2010 The Last Day Saloon Santa Rosa, CA USA
AUG 14 2010 Pepperbelly's Fairfield, CA USA
AUG 15 2010 The Avalon Santa CLara USA

INTHESTUDIO CELEBRATES 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF BAD COMPANY'S STRAIGHT SHOOTER

U.S. syndicated radio show InTheStudio celebrates the 35th Anniversary of Bad Company's second album Straight Shooter. InTheStudio producer and Host Redbeard interviews Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke about life in the band while recording this sophomore effort.

To find out where to listen or to listen online, visit: http://www.inthestudio.net/
Also:

Triumph to appear on Rockline Radio

Triumph will be the featured guests on the nationally syndicated radio show Rockline with host Bob Coburn on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 8:30 pm PDT/11:30 pm EDT. Fans are encouraged to speak with the band by calling 1-800-344-ROCK (7625). For a station near you and for information regarding how to log onto the Internet for the broadcast go to http://www.rocklineradio.com/ This broadcast will be available for two weeks on the Rockline website beginning the evening of the day following the show.

This will originate at Q107 studios in Toronto. The Mighty Q may not carry the show. Call the station to insist that they do!!!!

ROB HALFORD CONFIRMS MONTREAL HEAVY MTL FESTIVAL APPEARANCE - JULY 24th, 2010!

Rob Halford has confirmed his solo band 'Halford' will perform July 24, 2010 at Montreal, Canada's 2nd Annual Heavy MTL Festival. Tickets and additional details available soon at http://www.heavymtl.com/ and http://www.robhalford.com/
“I am excited to re-introduce the Halford band: Mike Chlasciak and Roy Z. on guitars, Mike Davis on bass and Bobby Jarzombek on drums to the Metal fans in Canada this summer,” explains Rob Halford. “We are looking forward to performing a strong set and unveiling a new track for the Montreal Heavy MTL Festival.”

Metal God Records and Rob Halford are pleased to release 'Halford - Live In Anaheim' Original 2CD Soundtrack (6/21), 'Halford Crucible - Remixed & Remastered' (7/12) and 'Halford - Live In Anaheim DVD' (8/3) a 5.1, 23-Song, 2+hour film documenting Rob Halford's 2002 - 2003 solo release (Crucible) and tour.

Armed with Metal's most diverse band of the decade, Halford - Live In Anaheim is an intimate, in-your-face, solo performance featuring Halford, Fight and Judas Priest classics: Golgotha, The Heretic, Sun, Into The Pit, Light Comes Out Of Black, Painkiller, Rapid Fire, Never Satisfied, and more. Also featured are Bonus LIVE tracks from Halford's Tokyo, Japan performances February 2003.

Stay in touch with Rob Halford and his Halford band members at http://www.robhalford.com/ throughout 2010 for NEW Halford music, digital releases and Metal God Apparel, limited concert ticket giveaways, limited meet-and-greets, tour dates, news and more!!

New unreleased STYX song available for download FREE!

A new unreleased STYX song is available for download, absolutely FREE!
This posted over at the Styx site:

STYX - Difference In the World

"Difference In the World," a brand-new and previously unreleased STYX song is available for FREE here on http://www.styxworld.com/! Just click here - http://store.styxworld.com/mailinglist/ - to join our mailing list and get the song!

 Foreigner announce new drummer

Jason Sutter To Be New Foreigner Drummer!


Following a three year stint with Chris Cornell, drummer Jason Sutter will hit the road with Foreigner this month replacing Brian Tichy. Said band founder Mick Jones "Since Brian rejoined the band over two years ago he has helped propel Foreigner to new heights. We all have nothing but love and respect for him and wish him all the best for the future." The bands' summer tour with Kansas and Styx takes them on a 35 show nationwide tour that will be followed by a number of European festival events.
Follow Foreigner updates here:

NEW EXTREME VIDEO RELEASED - First Of 4 Videos
AOL & NOISECREEP - 24 HOUR EXCLUSIVE PREMIER APRIL 28TH  - ‘KING OF THE LADIES”

“TAKE US ALIVE” NOW RELEASED IN THE USA

HOLLYWOOD, CA (April 27, 2010) –Never before seen video KING OF THE LADIES from EXTREME’S studio album Saudades De Rock premiers live on AOL Music and Noisecreep on April 28th at 11am EST - http://www.noisecreep.com/ or http://www.music.aol.com/

This is one of four videos created and directed by EXTREME guitar virtuoso Nuno Bettencourt.
The video is from their critically acclaimed 2009 studio release Saudades De Rock, which released upon their reunion after a 13 year hiatus. KING OF THE LADIES is also 1 of 4 bonus videos on their new live CD and DVD release TAKE US ALIVE out May 4 on Frontiers Records USA.

TAKE US ALIVE captures EXTREME at the peak of their game with a renewed enthusiasm led by Gary Cherone’s spellbinding stage performance and powerful vocals, Nuno Bettencourt’s ferocious guitar, Pat Badger’s flawless bass and Kevin Figueiredo’s pounding drums not to mention the Extreme trademark, spot on, back-up vocals.


This brilliant performance was recorded on the last night of their tour at the House of Blues August 8, 2009 in EXTREME’s hometown of Boston, MA . “We wanted to do something really special for our hometown fans that were there for us since the beginning… the club days,” states Nuno. “It was the last night of the tour and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than by bringing it back to where it all started… Boston.”

“Classic Albums” - Eagle Rock’s Highly Acclaimed DVD Series Erupts With The Story Of
BLACK SABBATH - PARANOID - Honoring The Album’s 40th Anniversary ~ On DVD and Blu-ray June 29


New York, NY (April 26, 2010)—It was big, menacing, controversial…and an absolute masterpiece.
On June 29, Eagle Rock Entertainment’s acclaimed and award-winning Classic Albums series will uncover the story of its making. Black Sabbath: Classic Albums – Paranoid is released, just in time for the 40th anniversary of the album.

The Classic Albums series unwinds the threads of mystery behind artistic genius, recounting the experiences behind the board and through every chord. Unearthing the creative process of definitive albums from Elvis Presley, The Doors, Frank Zappa, Nirvana, Meat Loaf, Phil Collins, Bob Marley and many others, it will now dive into Black Sabbath’s 1970 tour de force.

Throughout the 97 minutes of this documentary, original members Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass), and Bill Ward (drummer), along with their original engineer, deliver the story behind Paranoid. The DVD chronicles the creation of the locomotive force and unrelenting energy behind these tracks, which ignited an electrified and unforeseen brand of blues-rock. The comprehensive collection of interviews, demonstrations, archive videos, and feature cuts from timeless epics such as “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” and the title track, is complemented with 40 minutes of bonus features. For the first time a classic album title is also released on Blu-Ray.
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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.

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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:
 
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