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Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Rock News Update for Tuesday 21st June, 2011


MR. BIG GEAR UP FOR AMERICAN TREK WITH ALL
FOUR ORIGINAL BAND MEMBERS
 
(New York, NY) - After a successful run of tour dates overseas, shredder rock-pop metallers and fan favorites Mr. Big,vocalist Eric Martin, guitarist Paul Gilbert, bassist Billy Sheehan, and drummer Pat Torpey, will be hitting the road in the United States this summer in support of the band's new album, 'WHAT IF...?' 
The tour opens in San Diego, June 30th, (see full itinerary below) and marks the first time in 13 years the original line-up has toured North America!

 Produced by Kevin Shirley (Aerosmith, Rush, Iron Maiden), 'WHAT IF...?' is now available as 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.

 Formed in 1988, Mr. Big forged its place in hard rock history by combining trademark virtuosic musicianship with stellar vocal harmonies. 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.

 In other Mr. Big news, the next single from the new album, "American Beauty," will ship to radio in July in support of the tour.
 MR. BIG on tour:
JULY 2011
30 San Diego, CA 4th & B
31 Agoura Hills, CA The Canyon Club

AUGUST 2011 
2 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre
4 Santa Ana, CA Galaxy Theatre
5 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
6 Modesto, CA Xclamation Festival
8 Salt Lake City, UT The Complex
9 Denver, CO Summit Music Hall
12 Chicago, IL House Of Blues
13 Columbus, OH Al Rosa Villa
16 Pittsburgh, PA Trib Total Media Amphitheater
17 Cleveland, OH House Of Blues
19 Buffalo, NY Town Ballroom
20 Detroit, MI Harpo's
23 New York, NY BB King's
24 Foxborough, MA Showcase Live
26 N. Myrtle Beach, SC House Of Blues
27 Lake Buena Vista, FLHouse Of Blues
30 Houston, TX House Of Blues
31 Dallas, TX House Of Blues

 For more information please visit:




THE SECOND ANNUAL“CARNIVAL OF MADNESS”
ANNOUNCES NEW DATES



Annual Summer Tour to Feature Platinum Artist Theory of a Deadman,
Alter Bridge, Black Stone Cherry, Adelitas Way and newcomer Emphatic

The highly anticipated Carnival of Madness Tour has added more dates to the 15 previously announced. Joining the Carnival this summer will be Theory of a Deadman, Alter Bridge, Black Stone Cherry, Adelitas Way and Emphatic.
Sponsored by Monster Energy Drink, the trek will steamroll through North America starting August 13 in Twin Lakes, WI. See below for the complete list of shows.

VIP ticket pre-sales for these new dates are now available for fans belonging to Theory of a Deadman’s Deadfan Club, and on the Carnival of Madness mailing list at www.carnivalofmadness.com. VIP bundles that include a meet and greet with Theory of a Deadman, fan club membership, exclusive merchandise, and tickets will be available for purchase at http://www.ticketmaster.com/Theory-of-a-Deadman-tickets/artist/841413?tm_link=edp_Artist_Name.
The public on-sale for the first new shows was Friday, June 10. All of the ticket on-sale info can be found at www.carnivalofmadness.com. The “Carnival” ticket price acknowledges the current state of the economy offering an “affordable” ticket that will be in the $25 - $35 range.
The Carnival of Madness Tour made its inaugural launch in 2010 with Shinedown, Sevendust, Chevelle, Puddle Of Mudd and 10 Years, which proved to be one of the biggest Rock shows of the summer as a Top 50 tour.
CARNIVAL OF MADNESS 2011 TOUR DATES
DATE CITY VENUE

August 2011

Saturday, August 13 Twin Lakes, WI Shadow Hill Ranch
* Sunday, August 14 Chillicothe, IL Three Sisters Park
* Tuesday, August 16 Royal Oak, MI Royal Oak Music Theatre
* Wednesday, August 17 Indianapolis, IN The Lawn at White River State Park
Friday, August 19 Council Bluffs, IA Harrah’s Casino
** Saturday, August 20 Sedalia, MO Missouri State Fairgrounds
* Tuesday, August 23 Fargo, ND The Hub (outdoors)
* Wednesday, August 24 Sioux Falls, SD Sioux Falls Arena
Friday, August 26 Louisville, KY KY State Fair/Cardinal Stadium
Saturday, August 27 Waterloo, IA McElroy Auditorium (outdoors)
Sunday, August 28 St. Paul, MN Minnesota State Fair
* Wednesday, August 31 Albany, NY Times Union Center

September 2011
Thursday, September 1 Allentown, PA The Great Allentown Fair
Saturday, September 3 Hampton Beach, NH Hampton Beach Casino
* Sunday, September 4 Bangor, ME Bangor Waterfront
* Monday, September 5 Fitchburg, MA Central Mass Expo Center
Wednesday, September 7 Baltimore, MD Pier Six Concert Pavilion
* Friday, September 9 Big Flats, NY Tag’s Summer Stage
Saturday, September 10 Atlantic City, NJ House of Blues
Sunday, September 11 Huntington, WV Harris Riverfront Park
Tuesday, September 13 Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Uptown Amp.
Wednesday, September 14 Fayetteville, NC Crown Coliseum
Friday, September 16 Tulsa, OK Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino
Saturday, September 17 Poplar Bluff, MS Black River Coliseum
* Sunday, September 18 Dayton, OH Montgomery County Fairgrounds
* Newly added date.
**Black Stone Cherry will not be at this show.
For up-to-the minute news and information, please visit www.carnivalofmadness.com.

 

LEGENDARY ROCKERS URIAH HEEP KICK OFF AMERICAN TREK WITH SOLD-OUT DATE;
NEW ALBUM "INTO THE WILD" DEBUTS TOP 50 IN MULTIPLE TERRITORIES
 
 
 

(New York, NY) - Legendary rockers Uriah Heep have just kicked off their 2011 American trek with a sold-out show at Atlanta's Variety Playhouse on Tuesday, June 14th
The band is touring in support of their new album, INTO THE WILD (Frontiers Records). 
Please see below for American tour dates. 


The recently-released CD debuted Top 50 in multiple territories, including Sweden (#29), Finland (#31), Germany (#32), Switzerland (#42) and more and will be available as an LP on July 12th
Uriah Heep's Mick Box commented, "It is just fantastic to be back in the USA, celebrating the bands 40th Anniversary, with a new CD, called 'INTO THE WILD' on Frontiers Records. The start of the tour in Atlanta could not have been better, with a sold-out show. The fans reaction to hearing five songs from the new CD, alongside the Heep classics, was wonderful. It is an exciting time for the band playing to American audiences once again. By receiving this kind of reaction, it makes us feel like we have never been away."

 
Uriah Heep's 23rd studio album, 'INTO THE WILD,' was released in North America on May 3rd via Frontiers Records and follows the completion of the band's 40th Anniversary Tour. 
'INTO THE WILD' features new material recorded in January, 2010 at Liscombe Park Studios in Buckinghamshire, England, and has been receiving rave reviews from the press and fans alike. Goldmine declared, "...the riffs and melodies are strong and memorable; the songs fully developed and realized...everything is in perfect balance..."
 
 
 Uriah Heep debuted in 1970 with the release of one of hard rock music's milestones, 'VERY 'EAVY...VERY 'UMBLE,' and have since sold in excess of 30 million albums worldwide. They constantly tour the globe, playing in more than 53 countries. The band's live setlist features classic songs Like "July Morning," Easy Living," "Stealin'" and "Gypsy," which sit alongside some soon-to-be classic Heep songs from their recently-released CD, 'INTO THE WILD.' 
Uriah Heep is: Mick Box (guitars, vocals), Trevor Bolder (bass, vocals), Russell Gilbrook (drums, vocals), Phil Lanzon (keyboards, vocals) and Bernie Shaw (lead vocals).
 
 
 URIAH HEEP on tour in North America:
JUNE 2011
20 Sellersville, PA Sellersville, PA
22 New York, NY B.B. King's
23 Foxborough, MA Showcase Live
24 Jim Thorpe, PA Penn's Peak
25 Ridgefield, CT Ridgefield Playhouse
27 Norfolk, CT Infinity Hall
28 Londonderry, NH Tupelo Music Hall
29 Del Mar, CA Del Mar Fairgrounds - Paddock Stage
JULY 2011
2 Indio, CA Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
 
 
For more information please visit:


EAGLE TO RELEASE DEEP PURPLE’S PHOENIX RISING ON DVD JUNE 28

On June 28, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Deep Purple’s Phoenix Rising – a two-hour-plus revelatory documentary including 30 minutes of never-before-seen (not even on bootleg) onstage footage from Japan. Phoenix Rising will be released on DVD, Blu-ray, & in a special two-disc DVD/CD package.
The release is cause for celebration amongst Purple fans due to the rarity of material. Extensive interviews with keyboardist Jon Lord and bassist Glenn Hughes tell the tale of a band caught by circumstance into one of its most controversial, extreme and exciting eras of its long career. Ian Gillan and Roger Glover were gone. A young unknown singer by the name of David Coverdale was recruited as was bassist Hughes. The results were the albums Burn and Stormbringer (both released in 1974). But then Ritchie Blackmore left the band. Against all odds, they rocked on, recruiting Tommy Bolin (from Zephyr and The James Gang). The album Come Taste The Band (1975) documents the short-lived Bolin era, an era that all came crashing down when the band announced in July of 1976 that it was breaking up. By December, Bolin would be dead due to a heroin overdose. Nine years of silence would ensue.
The never-before-seen 30 minutes, “Rises Over Japan,” has the Coverdale/Lord/Bolin/Hughes/Paice lineup delivering the goods in 1976 on eight songs: “Burn,” “Getting Tighter,” “Love Child,” “Smoke On The Water,” “Lazy,” “Homeward Strut,” “You Keep On Moving” and “Stormbringer.” (The double-disc package contains these eight songs on CD.) This segment is some of the only video footage that showcases Tommy Bolin performing in Deep Purple.
The 90-minute documentary portion, “Getting Tighter,” recounts the trials and tribulations of a band in turmoil, riding the rock’n’roll roller coaster to total excess. With its live images, backstage footage, never-before-told stories and original video material carefully culled from years of research, it’s a veritable bonanza for Purple fans and fans of Rock History. No stone is left unturned…and sometimes it’s not pretty. Gritty, truthful, wild, this is the story of an era in the 1970s that is simply unforgettable.


Powerhouse Vocalist Toby Hitchcock to debut solo with 'Mercury’s Down'
Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of Toby Hitchcock’s debut solo album 'Mercury’s Down' on August 23rd in North America and August 26th in Europe.



 Toby Hitchcock name and abilities came to the attention of Melodic Rock fans when former Survivor founding member Jim Peterik chose him as the lead singer for the band that would mark his return on the scene: Pride of Lions.
With Pride of Lions, Toby had the chance to sing on three studio albums which are considered as true classic among the fans. Toby also appeared live fronting the band and his performances at the Lokerse Feesten in Belgium and at the United Forces of Rock in Germany created a vast consensus about his amazing abilities. Often compared to Bobby Kimball (Toto), Jimi Jamison (Survivor) or Lou Gramm (Foreigner), Hitchcock’s voice has the depth, the feeling and the extension of each of them, still keeping his own identity and trademark.

While Pride of Lions took a small hiatus (but they are already preparing their full comeback album for 2012), Toby took the chance to hook up, under suggestion from Frontiers Records President Serafino Perugino, with the Swedish songwriter and producer Erik Martensson (Eclipse), whose name came to prominence when he wrote and produced the very popular W.E.T. album which saw the return of singer Jeff Scott Soto to Melodic Rock.

Erik’s abilities impressed so much Toby that another marriage made in AOR Heaven could not be avoided! Consequently Erik started to write another bunch of amazing songs which have been sung with ability and passion by Toby. “I feel really great about this album release and I am looking forward to it. I can't wait for people to listen and hopefully enjoy the music that Erik and I put our hearts into. I love every song on the album. Every song is filled with passion and emotion. They are all amazing!” says Toby.

 'Mercury’s Down,' shows and carves in stone the unbelievable talent of two young guns. Toby is definitely a top vocalist and Erik songwriting and producing abilities keep getting better and better. There is no reason to miss this record, which promises to be easily one of the top Melodic Rock debuts of the year!

 'Mercury’s Down' includes the following songs:
This Is The Moment; Strong Enough; How To Stop; Let Go; One Day I’ll Stop Loving You; I Should Have Said; If It's To Be (It's Up To Me); Just Say Goodbye; Summer Nights In Cabo; Tear Down The Barricades; A Different Drum; Mercury's Down.



Includes bonus videoclip: This Is The Moment.
You can enjoy the album EPK following the link below :



The first single "This is the Moment" can be exclusively listened in streaming on the Frontiers webradio on : www.frontiers.it/webradio
Official site:



Brief other notes ....

Mike Anthony reports in on Chickenfoot

Michael Anthony has reported in on his Facebook page to make two statements,

'Thanks to everyone for all the birthday wishes!
The only thing that makes my day better is that mixing on the new Chickenfoot CD is done! It's a lot heavier than the first record and I can't wait to get it out there! The first single should hit the airwaves sometime this summer with the full enchilada to follow in the fall. Stay tuned for all the details and we hope to see you all real soon! Mad Anthony'

Official links:


Stevie Nicks announces new tour dates

Stevie Nicks, the voice so many people know only too well associated with Fleetwood Mac, is about to hit the road again, on another solo trek.
After an earlier tour this year with Rod Stewart, she heads out on a new bunch of solo headline dates, in support of her latest album, 'In Your Dreams,' released last month.

New Summer 2011 Tour Dates Announced
Upcoming Shows

Sun 6/26/11
London, England
Hard Rock Calling at Hyde Park
Tue 8/9/11
Denver, CO
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Fri 8/12/11
Dallas, TX
Verizon Theatre at Grand Prarie
Sat 8/13/11
Houston, TX
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Mon 8/15/11
Atlanta, GA
Chastain Park Amphitheatre
Wed 8/17/11
Indianapolis, IN
Verizon Wireless Music Center
Fri 8/19/11
Toledo, OH
Huntington Center
Sat 8/20/11
Cincinnati, OH
PNC Pavilion
Tue 8/23/11
Chicago, IL
Rosemont Theatre
Wed 8/24/11
Prior, MN
Mystic Lake Casino
Sat 8/27/11
Bethel, NY
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Mon 8/29/11
Boston, MA
Bank of America Pavilion
Tue 8/30/11
Saratoga Springs, NY
Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Thu 9/1/11
Holmdel, NJ
PNC Bank Arts Center
Sat 9/3/11
Bristow, VA
Jiffy Lube Live
Sun 9/4/11
Wantagh, NY
Nikon at Jones Beach Theatre

Official website:
http://www.rockalittle.com/

Monday, June 20, 2011

News Update for Monday 20th June, 2011

Clarence Clemons, E-Street Band main man passes away

(Photo by Danny Clinch - from www.brucespringsteen.net)

RIP Clarence Clemons - January 11, 1942 – June 18, 2011

The man who alongside Bruce 'The Boss' Springsteen, MADE the E-Street Band what it really was all about, Clarence Clemons has passed away aged 69.
The lion hearted, saxophonist suffered a stroke last week, sadly lost his fight for life on Saturday 18th June.

Over at the Bruce Springsteen website, this message is posted, including words from Bruce himself:

It is with overwhelming sadness that we inform our friends and fans that at 7:00 tonight, Saturday, June 18, our beloved friend and bandmate, Clarence Clemons passed away. The cause was complications from his stroke of last Sunday, June 12th.

Bruce Springsteen said of Clarence: 'Clarence lived a wonderful life. He carried within him a love of people that made them love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage. His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly forty years. He was my great friend, my partner, and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. His life, his memory, and his love will live on in that story and in our band.'

Another huge loss to the music world.
RIP Clarence, thoughts go out to your family and close friend at this time.


UFO adds more US Tour dates in the Fall 2011



Yes, it's time for west coast UFO fans to catch the band, as additional dates have now been added to the original few California shows.
The band who has not long wrapped up a fourteen date Mid-West US tour - Sadly once again missing Detroit. :( - have lined up twelve dates, mainly for west coast fans plus three Texas shows.
They have also just completed a brief - seven date - tour of Europe.

The new 2011 US dates are:

 15th September - Santa Rosa - CA - Last Day Saloon
16th September - Sacramento/Orangevale - CA - Boardwalk
17th September - Santa Clara - CA - Avalon
19th September - Portland - OR - The Aladdin Theater
21st September - Modesto - CA - The Fat Cat
23rd September - Las Vegas - NV -
Boulder Station Casino
24th September - Los Angeles - West Hollywood - Key Club
29th September - San Juan Capistrano - CA - The Coach House
1st October - San Bernardino - CA - Orange Raceway
6th October - Dallas - TX - House of Blues
7th October - Houston - TX - Warehouse Live Studio
8th October - San Antonio - TX - Backstage Live
MORE DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED
No new music is likely to be released in time for the tour, my guess being early next year now.


 
Van Halen new album 'Incredible!' states Alter Bridge guitarist

More news on the forthcoming new Van Halen album comes from perhaps a strange source, Alter Bridge guitarist, Mark Tremonti speaks out, as revealed at:

In a new interview with Austria’s Mulatschag TV, Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti reveals that he was recently at Van Halen’s 5150 studios, where Eddie, Alex, and Wolfgang Van Halen treated him to a live performance of their upcoming album, played in it’s entirety.

Tramonti: “We played with Van Halen years and years ago at Madison Square Garden and Palace in Detroit. The first time I saw Wolfgang, he was just a little… probably five-year-old kid or six-year-old kid and Eddie, that day, gave me one of his guitars, so I got to know Eddie.
“Then years went by and Wolfgang ended up being a fan of Alter Bridge, so we got to know him through Alter Bridge. And Wolfgang invited us to go see soundcheck when Van Halen did a tour a couple of years ago, and we were the only in there, so it was quite a treat.
“And then recently, I was in Los Angeles and Wolfgang invited me to his Dad’s house and I got to go to 5150 studios and watch Eddie and Alex and Wolfgang play their new record from front to back. So I was one of the only people who have heard the new Van Halen. It was incredible.”

Van Halen have been recording their as-yet-untitled new album with Grammy Award-winning producer John Shanks. It will mark the band’s first album with David Lee Roth in more than 25 years. The album’s release date is unknown, but is rumored to be sometime in the Fall of 2011.
You can watch the entire interview posted on You Tube, right here:


Dio Disciples slight update note

Another postings from the Dio Disciples team, from over at their Facebook page:



Dio Disciples are celebrating the incredible music of Ronnie James Dio!
The band is on a European tour. Here is the complete schedule:
Come out and celebrate with Dio Disciples and special guests The Rods and Anvil!
Dio Disciples are heading to Germany. Check the schedule and get tickets before the shows sellout!

We hope to do a USA tour in the Fall.



MÖTLEY CRÜE:
STAR-STUDDED SUMMER TOUR DRAWS RECORD CROWDS


"At (Mötley) Crüe's newest road show of fire and a noisy set-list of songs chosen by fans, there was no sign of the acrimony that's sometimes broken the band apart over the decades--just a vivid celebration of their shared history. They reached across a mirrored piano to join hands during ‘Home Sweet Home,’ the kind of epic power ballad that was once essential in the days when hairspray dominated MTV. But most of their set was about tough hooks and pyro, from the grinding, roaring riffs ignited by guitarist Mick Mars on "Live Wire" to the spinning pentagram of ‘Shout at the Devil.’”
--Steve Appleford, RollingStone.com (6/15/2011)
 
MÖTLEY CRÜE sets fire to the Hollywood Bowl (June 14). All photos except * by: Paul Brown.
 

MÖTLEY CRÜE are now on the road, having launched their summer headlining U.S. tour last week.
Performing to record-breaking, star-studded crowds only four shows in, the group’s combination of hit songs (all fan-picked), over-the-top showmanship with pyro, state of the art sound and visual effects--including “The 360” drum coaster--is a must-see show drawing rave reviews from fans and tastemakers nationwide.
On Tuesday night (June 14), the rock icons hit the Hollywood Bowl for the first time--with a packed house, killer show and set list encompassing the below fan favorites and classics:

Motley Crue, Tuesday, June 14--Los Angeles, CA--Hollywood Bowl
:
1) Wild Side
2) Saints of LA
3) Live Wire
4) Shout At The Devil
5) Same Old Situation
6) Primal Scream
7) Home Sweet Home

8) Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
9) Looks That Kill

10) Dr. Feelgood
11) Too Young To Fall In Love
12) Girls, Girls, Girls
13) Smokin' In The Boys Room
14) Kickstart My Heart
Highlights from the Hollywood Bowl show included Cee Lo Green joining onstage for a crowd-pleasing mash-up of “Girl Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)” and “F**k You.” Friends such as Dane Cook, Slash and Perla Hudson, Danny Masterson, Chris Jericho, Criss Angel and many others caught the Los Angeles show.
On Sunday night (June 12) in Albuquerque, NM, actors Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner--in town filming the Avengers movie--caught the show:

VINCE NEIL and Cee Lo Green perform a mash-up of “Girl Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)” and “F**k You,” June 14 at the Hollywood Bowl.
   Following the U.S. tour, Mötley Crüe are the 2011 honorees of Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip Music Festival (www.ssmf.com). The three-day festival kicks off with the group’s tribute on Thursday, Aug. 18 and will culminate on Saturday, Aug. 20 with Mötley Crüe headlining the outdoor festival live on Sunset Boulevard (between Doheny Drive and San Vicente Boulevard).