Hi folks, first of all it's always nice to be able to mention and share any landmark detail about the site and although to many sites, this may not be a big deal, but to me for this blogsite, I do appreciate the support of all you regular visitors!
Thursday night the site passed the 40,000 mark for page visitors at 'Chambers of Rock,' which isn't too bad in my eyes for the past year, for a blog site that gets no publicity from anywhere else and simply just exists!
Thank you all, I'm glad you appreciate the site enough to become returning visitors!
So I'll just leave you with a wish that you enjoy your weekend, before I plug the news!
Cheers, Al
MR. BIG HIT IT BIG (AGAIN) WITH Strong chart debuts ABROAD FOR NEW ALBUM “WHAT IF…”; ALBUM FINDS ALL FOUR ORIGINAL BAND MEMBERS REUNITED
“WHAT IF…” NOW SET FOR FEBRUARY 15TH RELEASE IN NORTH AMERICA
(New York, NY) – Shredder rock-pop metallers Mr. Big are back with brand new album WHAT IF… The new studio release finds all four original band members reuniting for their first album in 14 years. Produced by Kevin Shirley (Aerosmith, Rush, Iron Maiden), WHAT IF… will now be released in North America on February 15th. The first single from the album, “Undertow,” will impact at radio this week. Released last month overseas, WHAT IF… has hit the European album charts with strong respective debuts including: #36 in Switzerland, #50 in Germany, #71 in Austria, #71 in Italy and #75 in Sweden.
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. The DVD includes videos of “Undertow” and “All the Way Up” plus a documentary “making of” the album including interviews and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the four band members. Please see below for the complete album track listing.
In other Mr. Big news, the band will play their first U.S. show in more than 14 years on April 2nd at the House Of Blues in West Hollywood, CA. More U.S. tour dates will be announced later this year.
Formed in 1988, Mr. Big forged its place in hard rock history by combining trademark virtuosic musicianship with stellar vocal harmonies. The original (and now reunited) line-up features vocalist Eric Martin, guitarist Paul Gilbert, bassist Billy Sheehan, and drummer Pat Torpey. The quartet produced numerous hit songs that ranged across a wide array of rock genres, including the ubiquitous "To Be With You,” which was a Billboard Hot 100 #1 single in 15 countries for weeks, propelling the band to huge international success and record sales in the multi-millions.
WHAT IF… track listing:
1. Undertow
2. American Beauty
3. Stranger In My Life
4. Nobody Left To Blame
5. Still Ain’t Enough For Me
6. Once Upon A Time
7. As Far As I Can See
8. All The Way Up
9. I Won’t Get In My Way
10. Around The World
11. I Get The Feeling
12. Unforgiven
GUITARIST BRIAN ROBERTSON REMEMBERS GARY MOORE
NEW SOLO ALBUM "DIAMONDS AND DIRT" OUT ON APRIL 5 IN NORTH AMERICA
Legendary guitarist BRIAN ROBERTSON recently took some time out to reflect and remember former band mate and friend Gary Moore, who passed away earlier this week.
BRIAN spoke about the recording process of the Thin Lizzy "Nightlife" album and his refusal to re-record Gary's solos:
"When I first joined Thin Lizzy and we recorded the Nightlife album, there was this track that we had to do, a song called "Still In Love With You". As it was time to record the guitar solos I refused to replace Gary's original solos. They were the best solos I'd ever heard at that point and I wouldn't let anyone talk me into changing that!"
ROBERTSON reflected on just one of his memorable Gary Moore stories:
"In the early days with Lizzy we did a tour of Europe with Colosseum II, which was the band Gary was in at the time, and we did a gig in Arnhem, Holland. Gary came round my room at the hotel after the show with a crate of brandy. Needless to say, we had a great time and we ended up hosing each other down with the fire hoses in the hallway. Unfortunately the fire alarm went off and the whole hotel had to be evacuated. It was a very cheap hotel and it had lots of senior citizens living there, so all of these people had help each other out of the hotel in the middle of the night while Gazza and I stayed in the room and tried to hide. We ended up in the nick for that prank, but it was quickly sorted by our managements"
BRIAN ROBERTSON is set to release his first solo album "Diamonds and Dirt", on April 5th in North America on SPV/Steamhammer. The album blends hard rock with definite blues elements and gritty mainstream, wonderfully melodic excellent guitar arrangements. In terms of compositions, the album presents a number of outstanding Robertson numbers, such as the driving title track, the truly intense "Passion", "Texas Wind" with its wonderfully atmospheric beginning, and the powerful "Devil In My Soul" with its awesome wah-wah guitar solo. The album is rounded off by tracks from Robertson's extremely successful collaboration with Phil Lynott during their Thin Lizzy days in the years 1974 to 1978 and his fellow-countryman Frankie Miller, with whom he recorded "Dancing in the Rain" in 1986, among others.
TRACKLISTING
01: Diamonds And Dirt (Brian Robertson)
02: Passion (Brian Robertson)
03: It's Only Money (Phil Lynott)
04: Mail Box (Frankie Miller)
05: Running Back (Phil Lynott)
06: Texas Wind (Brian Robertson)
07: Devil In My Soul (Brian Robertson)
08: Do It Till We Drop (Drop It) (Frankie Miller/Jeff Barry/Brian Robertson)
09: Blues Boy (Brian Robertson/Phil Lynott)
10: That's All...! (Brian Robertson)
11: 10 Miles To Go On A 9 Mile Road (Jim White)
12: Running Back (Phil Lynott) (slow version)
13: Ain't Got No Money (Frankie Miller) (bonus track)
Produced by Chris Laney, Sören Lindberg and Brian Robertson except for "Ain't Got No Money" produced by Sören Lindberg and Brian Robertson
LINE-UP:
Brian Robertson - All Guitars, Lead & Backing Vocals, Keyboards(Bass Guitar and Percussion on "Ain't Got No Money) (Ex-THIN LIZZY, Ex-MOTÖRHEAD, Ex-WILD HORSES)
Ian Haugland - Drums and Percussion (Drummer EUROPE)
Nalley Påhlsson - Bass Guitar & Backing Vocals (Bassplayer THERION and TREAT)
Leif Sundin - Lead Vocals (Ex-singer of MSG)
Liny Wood - Backing Vocals
Rickard Jakobson - Percussion
Chris Antblad - Piano on "Running Back"
Ola Gustafsson - Dobro on "Running Back"(slow version only!)
Rob Lamothe - Lead Vocals on "Ain't Got No Money" (RIVERDOGS)
Ellinor Alm - Backing Vocals on "Ain't Got No Money"
Håkan Persson - Drums on "Ain't Got No Money"
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT
Watch out! Out of Sweden, THE POODLES release their new album “Performocracy”
The title of the album is a combination of the words “Performance” and “Democracy”, meaning “The power of Performance” or “Rule by Performance”. The album was again produced by Mats Valentin, but this time Tobias Lindell (Europe, Mustasch) mixed the 12 outstanding tracks that make up the cd. “I think we have followed through on what we started with the last album, “Clash of the Elements”, explains singer Jakob Samuel. “Besides continuing to work with producer extraordinaire, Mats Valentin, we took a step further with some of the material that was hinted at on “Clash of the Elements”. On “Performocracy” there is a more epic and darker character to some of the songs that we wanted to explore in more detail. Having said this, we have definitely stayed with a lot of the signature melodic elements that are trademark of the band”.
The first single off “Performocracy” is “Cuts like a knife”, which promises to entice both Poodles fans and anyone with a passion for rock n’ roll. The song will impact at radio on February 21st and the single will be released digitally only on March 3rd. A video produced by Steve Ravic, who also shot and produced the band’s landmark DVD release “In the Flesh”, will accompany the release of the first single. After the gold and platinum records that the band was able to achieve in their home country Sweden, now it is time for them to take on the world !
“One important aspect of having a few releases in the bag is that you know more what you want as a band” adds bassist Pontus Egberg. “Someone once said that “if you want to dream big, you have to dream in great detail”. To us this means that we take all the knowledge and experience that we have acquired from our previous efforts and use that to plan ahead and make our dreams bigger.”
As the album title suggests, performing songs live is the reason for what The Poodles are as a band. A full European tour is planned for the early fall of 2011 and in conjunction to this The Poodles will also head to South America and Japan to support the release of “Performocracy”. For the summer of 2011 The Poodles will take part to festivals and shows with a focus on Sweden.
“Performocracy” will include the following tracks: I Want It All; Until Our Kingdom Falls; Father To A Son; I Believe In You; Cuts Like A Knife; As Time Is Passing; Love Is All; Your Time Is Now; Action!; Bring Back The Night; Vampire's Call; Into The Quiet Night; Don’t Tell Me (Bonus Track).
Heavy Metal has never been more exciting and the new album promises to be a milestone in rock n’ roll history!
THE POODLES
Jakob Samuel - vocals
Pontus Egberg – bass
Christian Lundqvist - drums
Henrik Bergqvist – guitars
Produced by Mats Valentin
Weblinks:
MOLLY HATCHET ANNOUNCES 2011 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
LATEST ALBUM "JUSTICE" OUT NOW ON SPV/STEAMHAMMER
MOLLY HATCHET'S latest studio effort Justice is available now on SPV/Steamhammer. In support of the album, MOLLY HATCHET has just confirmed the 2011 "Justice" North American tour. Dates are listed below:
March 2011
3/9 - DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA BIKE WEEK @ DOGHOUSE
3/10 - REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA @ BRIXTON REDONDO
3/11 - AGOURA HILLS, CALIFORNIA @ THE CANYON
3/12 - SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA @ RAMONA MAIN STAGE
3/13 - SAN LUIS OBISTO, CALIFORNIA @ SLO BREWING COMPANY
3/15 - EXETER, CALIFORNIA @ ORANGE BLOSSOM JUNCTION
3/17 - BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS @ SPRING FESTIVAL
3/25 - GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA @ BLIND TIGER
3/26 - JIM THORPE, PENNSYLVANIA @ PENN'S PEAK
3/27 - CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA @ SPRING FEST 2011
April 2011
4/30 - ORANGE PARK, FLORIDA @ SUNSHINE BIKE RUN AND SOMER CONCERT
May 2011
5/27 - MONTEAGLE, TENNESSEE @ BIKER FEST 2011
5/28 - EDEN, NORTH CAROLINA @ 2 RIVERS SPRING BIKE RALLY
5/30 - ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI @ SOLDIERS MEMORIAL PARK RIB AMERICA FESTIVAL
June 2011
6/4 - MEARS, MICHIGAN @ VAL DU LAKES
July 2011
7/15 - DETROIT, MICHIGAN @ WOUNDED WARRIORS BIKE RALLY
7/16 - OGEMAW, MICHIGAN @ BIKE WEEK FESTIVAL
7/23 - BIRKENFELD, OREGON @ NORTHWEST'S PREMIERE BIKER RALLY
7/30 - ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI @ WOUNDED WARRIORS BIKE RALLY
September 2011
9/16 - NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS @ OTT RALLY COUNTY EXPO FAIRGROUNDS
9/17 - PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA @ RIB AMERICA FESTIVAL
December 2011
12/1 - ROCK LEGENDS CRUSIE 2011
12/2 - ROCK LEGENDS CRUSIE 2011
12/3 - ROCK LEGENDS CRUSIE 2011
12/4 - ROCK LEGENDS CRUSIE 2011
12/5 - ROCK LEGENDS CRUSIE 2011
To Bobby Ingram, brain, guitarist and main songwriter of American Southern rock act MOLLY HATCHET, the term 'Justice' is more than just a word. To him, this basic concept expresses his whole philosophy of life. Justice, fairness, trust between friends, family members, parents and their children: what could be more important? MOLLY HATCHET live this maxim, to them this solemn promise applies not only within the international Southern Rock community, but also to their music and its impact on their fans. Yet Ingram saves himself any kind of self-assessment, leaving the verdict on MOLLY HATCHET'S latest offering, Justice, to his audience. "Have we evolved as a band? Have we become better? Stronger? These are questions that everybody should answer for themselves when they have listened to our new album. I'm sure that the clarification of this matter will turn out in our favor."
Ingram's confidence, his joy and his pride in the new material on Justice are well warranted. A dozen rock numbers prove that MOLLY HATCHET are justly considered to be on par with legends such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers. Justice is marked by hot Southern Rock that is exceptionally powerful and diverse. Almost every single track signals its musical and thematic direction. As front man Phil McCormack unmistakably sings on 'American Pride': "Got that American pride with that southern style, born and bred something deep inside." And the title track is pretty much representative of the whole album: "We need some Justice to make the wrong into right."
At the same time, MOLLY HATCHET don't just broadcast these type of statements, they fill them with altruistic commitment, the most impressive example being 'Fly On Wings Of Angels (Somer's Song)', which is based on a true story. MOLLY HATCHET have dedicated this haunting track to seven-year-old Somer Thompson from Florida, who was abused and brutally murdered. Without a second's hesitation, Ingram and the band supported Somer's parents when they needed help, by playing a charity concert to raise money and informing the public about the tragic events. As a listener, you can't help but be moved when you hear Somer's sister Abby Thompson sing at the beginning and end of the track. "Coincidentally, a few days ago a prime suspect was arrested," Ingram says. "The indications are that he killed her, but we will be fair and not prematurely judge him until all questions have been answered. That's also part of true Justice."
There are so many exciting aspects to discover on an album which presents MOLLY HATCHET (Ingram, McCormick, Dave Hlubek (guitar), Tim Lindsey (bass), Shawn Beamer (drums), John Galvin (keyboards)) at the pinnacle of their creativity. MOLLY HATCHET have recorded a true masterpiece; not only in terms of their compositions, but also in terms of its production, Justice leaves nothing to be desired. Producer Ingram is responsible for the awesome sound, supported by sound engineer Tommy Newton, who mixed the album. "I wanted a warm, natural sound, which you only get with an analog mixing desk," Ingram explains his decision of working with Newton and his Area 51 studio. And so Justice has turned into an album which impresses at all levels: earthy, dynamic, with a lot of love for detail and loads of energy. You could say it's MOLLY HATCHET at their best!
TRACKLISTING
01. Been To Heaven Been To Hell
02. Safe In My Skin
03. Deep Water
04. American Pride
05. I´m Gonna Live `Til I Die
06. Fly On Wings Of Angels (Somers Song)
07. As Heaven Is Forever
08. Tomorrows And Forevers
09. Vengeance
10. In The Darkness Of The Night
11. Justice
VISIT MOLLY HATCHET AND SPV ON THE WEB
Earl Slick joins the 'New York Dolls' on forthcoming UK tour
Legendary guitarist Earl Slick, best known for his spectacular guitar work on David Bowie’s albums David Live (1974), Young Americans (1975) and Station To Station (1976), has officially joined the New York Dolls as their new guitarist on their forthcoming UK tour dates.
The Dolls will perform concerts at:
O2 Newcastle Academy on Sunday March 27th
Manchester Club Academy on Tuesday March 29th.
Next week details of two further London concerts on the Dolls’ March UK tour will be revealed.
The March UK tour dates coincide with the Dolls’ new studio album “Dancing Backwards In High Heels” which is produced by the Killers engineer Jason Hill, and features David Johansen (vocals), Sylvain Sylvain (guitar, vocals), Frank Infante (guitar), Jason Hill (bass) and Brian Delaney (drums). The album is released in the UK on Blast Records on Monday March 14th.
Weblinks:
Ex-Iron Maiden frontman Paul Di'anno faces jail term
How crazy is this? As desperate as people get and I'm aware of how tough it is for people that have given up their day jobs, to try and go professional or semi-pro as a musician, but former Iron Maiden frontman, Paul Di'anno, looks like he's in big trouble!
What's really makes the guy look bad, is that he was claiming benefits for not working during the years of 2002 to 2008, as he claimed he was too ill to work during that time.
Where did Di'anno slip up? He posted live videos of his performances on You Tube and apparently the ones that got him busted were from 2006!
Di'anno, real name Paul Andrews, appeared in a UK court and admitted to swindling taxpayers out of more than £45,000 and Judge Andrew Barnett who Andrews faced in the Salisbury Crown Court, said this:
''You have got the sense and courage to plead guilty to these matters, but you have to understand that they are very serious.
''Although all sentence options will be open, you should prepare yourself for a prison sentence - and an immediate one at that.''
Doesn't look good for the man at all right now, at all.
Read the full story here in the UK's paper, The Daily Telegraph:
Here's one of those You Tube video's, uploaded in 2006:
Also, singing 'Wrathchild' in 2007 ...
Running Free same time:
Erm, he doesn't look like his back's that bad, now does it?!
Rob Zombie to induct Alice Cooper into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
White Zombie frontman Rob Zombie will induct Alice Cooper into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during the 2011 induction ceremonies March 14 in New York City.
Neil Young will do the same for 2011 inductee Tom Waits.
The Rock Hall released its official list of 2011 presenters Tuesday morning.
Here’s the complete inductee-presenter list:
Alice Cooper: Rob Zombie (White Zombie)
Neil Diamond: Paul Simon
Dr. John: John Legend
Darlene Love: Bette Midler
Tom Waits: Neil Young
Jac Holzman: John Densmore (The Doors)
Art Rupe: Lloyd Price
Leon Russell: Elton John
The 2011 induction ceremony will be held March 14 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. An edited version of the ceremony will be broadcast at 9 p.m. March 20 on cable TV channel Fuse.
.... And finally ....
Stephen Pearcy and Ratt ... Is it finally all over ...?
OK folks, just a brief note, because right now, that is all that Stephen Pearcy is sharing with his fans, via Twitter or through his site, you can follow the mans 'Tweets!'
"Management (MMG) major press release next week on my new solo band, new solo record, summer tour, future (if at all) in the band RATT. CYA!"
Now then, is the 'CYA' a cryptic clue regarding Ratt or is he simply saying 'later' to his fans?
Apparently, since this was posted on Friday 11th, I guess we'll find out next week.
