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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Rock News Update for Tuesday 8th November, 2011

SPV / Steamhamme​r announce UFO new album release date

Plus UK / Ireland Tour Dates announced!

UFO


UFO UK / Ireland - Tour 2012

Well look at this, as soon as I post my interview with UFO's Andy Parker, this happens!
Could this be a sign? 'Do more interviews Al, it gets results!' Yeah, right! LOL!
Anyway, that new album Andy spoke of in the interview has a release date BUT ..., as yet no firm title. 
This from the bands label:

British rock legends UFO have announced a massive UK / Ireland Tour for 2012.
The band (Phil Mogg - vocals, Andy Parker - drums, Vinnie Moore - guitars, Paul Raymond - keyboards) is currently in the studio with producer Tommy Newton to record their new studio album which will be released on February 27th 2012 through SPV / Steamhammer.

March 2012

15th March - Cambridge - The Junction
16th March - Edinburgh - HMV Picture House
17th March - Newcastle - 02 Academy
18th March - Leeds - 02 Academy
20th March - Dublin - Academy
21st March - Belfast - Spring & Airbrake
23rd March - Milton Keynes - The Stables
24th March - Tavistock - The Wharf
25th March - Bristol - 02 Academy
27th March - Nottingham - Rock City
28th March - Norwich - Waterfront
30th March - Manchester - HMV Ritz
31st March - Wolverhampton - Wulfrun Hall

April 2012

1st April - Southampton - The Brook
3rd April - Brighton - Concorde 2
4th April - London - Forum

Official weblinks:



Van Halen to appear at this months Grammy Awards?

Well, it seems a lot of people are speculating that Van Halen are to be the 'surprise,' special guest act at the Grammy Awards happening on November 30th, the cat is out perhaps?

Hitfix.com blog site tend to think so ...

Also, the Grammy's official Twitter site added this later the same day:
Who do u predict the reuniting band will be @ #GRAMMYnoms? grm.my/vH7p3Y  Does this hint make u wanna “Jump” & “Dance the Night Away”?
To summarize, “The iconic group” will make a live ANNOUNCEMENT during the Grammys Nomination Concert (Nov. 30th) about their reunion. The Grammy’s tweet pretty much leaves NO doubt that the mystery band is indeed VAN HALEN.
Is this just dishonest hype? Or will Van Halen really appear at the Grammy Nominations Concert on Nov. 30th?

Van Halen's fan run www.VHND.com is certainly thinking as much and ..., if anyone should know ...., they should!



Magnum's Al Barrow talks of tour rehearsal sessions on the eve of new album release


Yes, the much loved Magnum lads who are just about to release 'Evolution' through SPV / Steamhammer, their re-recording of earlier, previously released Magnum songs and two completely new tracks, are heavily into rehearsal time right now.

The line up of guitarist / songwriter / producer Tony Clarkin, vocalist Bob Catley, keyboard player Mark Stanway, bassist Al Barrow and drummer Harry James, have excelled themselves on ‘Evolution’, one of the strongest and most unusual best of albums in their illustrious (near-40-year) history to date.
Over on Facebook, Al Barrow has shared a little of where they are at right now:

'We have been in the studio today working on the set and thinking about pre production for the dates we have coming up soon. We are really looking forward to getting out on the road, even if only for a few days. We hope we get to see a lot of you guys out there. With the new album ready for launch we will be excited to read your comments. We have enjoyed re visiting these songs and feel it has..(excuse the pun) breathed new life in to some great Magnum tunes. We hope you enjoy it and we cant wait to play some new stuff for you all soon, cheers for now , Al & the boys.'

"Evolution", will be released on Steamhammer / SPV, in the UK / Europe on November 14th (Germany November 11th, USA / Canada end of November) and it comes in a high value ecol book.

Official links:



Wishbone Ash new album, 'Elegant Stealth' due for release later this month



Classic, some may say semi-prog rockers Wishbone Ash, the UK's sometimes forgotten rock sons have a new album on the way, due out later this month.

This press release piece from the band:



'Elegant Stealth,' the brand new album from Wishbone Ash, will be released on 25th November 2011.

We're very excited about this release - the culmination of 2 years of writing and recording sessions.
Featuring guest artists Don Airey (Deep Purple / Ozzy Osbourne / Black Sabbath) - Ed's note: Not to mention: Rainbow, Judas Priest, M.S.G., Gary Moore, Jethro Tull, Living Loud and a mountain more ... -  and Pat McManus (Mamas Boys / Celtus / Pat McManus Band) it's the most adventurous Wishbone album for many years.

The band are all very proud and happy with the finished product.
If you'd like to see some of the writing process and witness the birth of some of the songs on the album check out "This is Wishbone Ash" - a documentary about the writing of the album in France.

The track listing is:

1. Reason To Believe
2. Warm Tears
3. Man With No Name
4. Can't Go It Alone
5. Give It Up
6. Searching For Satellites
7. Heavy Weather
8. Mud-slick
9. Big Issues
10. Migrant Worker
11. Invisible Thread

It will be available as CD or digital download.

Check this You Tube footage for the band's album plug:

Check back here on the 25th November for links to purchase...
And tell your friends! 

Official site:



Airrace planned 'final' tour now cancelled

UK AOR band Airrace who only in the last few years reunited for a special appearance at the popular Firefest event, had been playing live shows again and seemed to be enjoying themselves, so much so they released the very good 'Back To The Start' album earlier this year - http://chambersofrock.blogspot.com/2011/09/airrace-back-to-start-album-review.html

A fresh package tour was announced little over a month back, along with the excellent Vega, Houston and other bands too, that looked very encouraging for UK rock fans - Flyer here:


Vega then recently made the announcement that the tour had encountered some problems and that the tour would continue but only featuring Airrace and themselves issuing this statement through their Facebook page, that included the news that Airrace were calling it quits:

Many rumours about this tour, but this is it, just the two of us. We will be giving our all, as usual, and looking forward to bringing the 'Kiss of Life' era to an end before we hit the studio in January to make 2012 our year! 
Airrace are calling it a day after this tour so it's gonna be a special occasion. See you on tour!!

Airrace then jumped up and posted the official statement:

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that this will be the last ever Airrace tour, and our final gig will be at Hard Rock Hell in Prestatyn. Due to Laurie (Mansworth) and Keith's (Murrell) growing commitments outside the band, they feel that this would be a good time to draw a line under the bands career. We really hope you come to see us on these last shows, where we will be playing songs from 'Shaft of Light' and 'Back to the Start' for the very last time.
We'd like to thank everybody for following us over the years. Lets all have a great time on these last shows.

Today came this fresh, yet sad announcement from Airrace that this tour is now off!

We are absolutely gutted to announce that the forthcoming Smokehead Rocks Tour has been cancelled due to situations totally beyond our control.

We have fought tooth and nail to make this tour happen since the problems arose due to the mismanagement by the tour co-ordinator. Since we found out things were going wrong we have done everything in our power to try to salvage the situation but we final...ly had to give in today.

We are more disappointed than you can imagine and we are very sorry to let people down as this is not OUR way.
To all the people who have bought tickets or were planning on coming to the shows we are deeply sorry but want to assure you we did everything in our power for this not to happen. Please ask for an immediate refund on your tickets.

We will still be appearing at Hard Rock Hell on 2nd December and are still hoping to do some far well shows before we call it a day.

Our apologies again,

Airrace


A very sad turn of events for many people ... Wonder what happaned here then? Hmmm

Official weblinks are:
Airrace
Vega



And finally last, but certainly by no means least ....


Led Zeppelin IV is 40 years old TODAY!

Led Zeppelin 40th Anniversary


Forty years ago today, the greatest rock band of all-time, Led Zeppelin released the greatest rock album of all-time, Led Zeppelin IV.

A powerhouse from the legendary opening vocal intro of "Black Dog" to the final notes of the hypnotic Mississippi blues-infused "When The Levee Breaks," IV contains eight radio classics including "Rock And Roll," "The Battle Of Evermore," "Misty Mountain Hop," "Four Sticks," "Going To California," and, of course, the ultimate rock anthem, "Stairway To Heaven."
"Hats Off" to Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham (RIP) for creating a true work of art that only gets better with age.

The eight track masterpiece, remastered is available on iTunes here:



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