Friday, April 8, 2011

News Update for Friday 8th April, 2011

Sorry for no news yesterday folks, hopefully today's makes up for it ... Cheers, Al 

The future of Y&T - A Note from Dave Meniketti

Y&T have been a band that I persoanlly have always appreciated since I first heard title track 'Meanstreak,' from the album of the same name, released in 1983.
I bought that album and wanted more! I then picked up 'Black Tiger' - the album prior to 'Meanstreak' and thought, 'Wow! These guys are good! Why haven't I checked them out before?!'
I've since got to see the band live two or three times now and Dave Meniketti, what a leader and a trooper, great player and it's clearly from his heart, it really is, go and see them!

The band actually began as Yesterday and Today back in 1972, yes, really and released their first, self titled album in 1976 and to be honest it's all just grown ever since.
Nowadays, Dave Meniketti is the only original member and following the death a few months back of
Phil Kennemore -who was a member from 1974, until the band first disbanded in 1991, then rejoined the band in 1995 until this year. - he has started to reflect on whether or not to continue Y&T and has issued this statement:


'I have been thinking a lot in the last 8 months as to how I would feel about Y&T and what might happen to this band when Phil were to pass. I've had so many feelings and scenarios that have gone on in my head, tearing at me in many different ways, but I always seemed to come back to the same conclusion. However, before I was prepared to make any hard and fast decisions I also wanted to know how Phil felt about this as well. So we talked about this exact thing, alone, during his last months of life on this planet. I suspected what he would have said, but I wanted to hear it from his lips and feel it from his heart. Put simply, Phil expressed to me with no uncertainty that he wished Y&T to go on, no matter what happened to him. I understood, because we are lifetime Y&T people and lifelong musicians. This is what we know and where we have received much of our joy throughout our lives. There is so much of us invested in Y&T, and I don't mean monetarily, but emotionally and spiritually. This band has always had a special life force that is hard to describe, but has had a hold on us for almost 4 decades. This relationship we have had with ourselves, the band members, and the fans is what everyone always hopes for in their lives - a job to be proud of and look forward to.'

'Now, having said that I also questioned any decision to continue, regardless of all of the above, simply because I know how I had felt about other bands that have continued to play with only 1 remaining original member and wondered if I wasn't going to be a hypocrite by holding this band to a different criteria. Well maybe I am, but the bottom line, as many of us have come to as a life lesson, is that many times you can't truly understand a situation until you actually experience it first hand.'

'So . . . with current experiences in hand, I have made my decision to continue with Y&T. As quickly as I say this, I am also a realist, and if the fans seem to lose interest in the band, so be it, I will move on and do something else. However, if we continue to go along how it has been without Phil so far, then I feel privileged to continue to bring the music to the people, along with John, Mike and Brad.'

'I know that some have already said and will continue to say "The band isn't the same any longer", etc, etc. I don't need to elaborate, you all know what folks will say and have said, in front of us and in private. I understand it because I've heard it all before - in fact on and off for the last 25 years, since we let - Original drummer - Leonard (Haze), Joey (Alves - Guitarist) and others go throughout our long career. Though it's been a dagger thrown at us for many years, we learned to deal with it.'
'I've always known that no one else can answer for what I do with my life but myself. Certainly no anonymous person on the net is going to influence how I go about my decisions, which is as it should be. Negative opinions cast from persons that are not directly or deeply invested in another's life can't actually offer anything more than an opinion from a position of little actual understanding. As such I take these with little credence. We are all responsible for our decisions, and if we do what feels right and make decisions done with the best of intentions, then I believe we can go forward with little reservations and in good conscience, and let the rest go by the wayside.'

'The bottom line in all of this is that if the band weren't up to the task of presenting a valid and compelling show every night, then I wouldn't be inspired to go forward, no matter the other reasons. But the plain fact is that this band in it's current form is as good a band as Y&T has ever been. Sure, different in ways from previous iterations of the band, but equally as good, if not better with what experience brings to seasoned performers. We mean business and our passions are still on that stage with every performance.'

'So come on out to the shows and let's share in some great moments together. Now, more than ever, we all need to have some happy and positive experiences in our lives and music is one of those things that has the ability to deliver that in spades, especially at a live performance.'

'There's nothing that says it better than as Phil so eloquently coined on our new CD - 'On With The Show!'
Cheers,
- Dave'

Editor's note: Great news Dave, thanks! I for one will be looking forward to the next time Y&T hits Detroit!
Official site for Y&T: http://meniketti.com/



Uriah Heep 'Nail On The Head' video from forthcoming album 'Into The Wild'

British rockers Uriah Heep, who are soon to release their latest album, 'Into the Wild,' through Frontiers records, have a new video available of 'Nail On The Head (Official Video)'
Here you go! - Direct link below this 'reduced' - Sorry! - size screen.

 
Direct link to You Tube video:
Taken from the forthcoming album "Into the Wild"


Out on April the 15th 2011 in Europe and on May the 3rd 2011 in North America.
Official weblinks:


DEF LEPPARD 'MIRRORBALL' live album tracklisting and release dates

Def Leppard, Britain's greatest arena rock band, are set to release a brand new live album, "MIRRORBALL", this summer featuring a mix of live Def Leppard classics (recorded throughout The Sparkle Lounge Tour), three brand new studio songs and a bonus DVD that contains energetic live performances and intimate backstage footage captured on the road. "MIRRORBALL" is Def Leppard's first ever live album and features rock classics such as "ANIMAL", "POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME", "PHOTOGRAPH", "NINE LIVES" and "ROCK OF AGES".
The album also brings together three brand new studio tracks - "UNDEFEATED", "KINGS OF THE WORLD" and "IT'S ALL ABOUT BELIEVIN'" taking their place with ease within this classic setlist.

Full tracklisting is as follows:

DISC 1:
1. Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)
2. Rocket
3. Animal
4. C'Mon C'Mon
5. Make Love Like A Man
6. Too Late For Love
7. Foolin'
8. Nine Lives
9. Love Bites
10. Rock On

DISC 2:
1. Two Steps Behind
2. Bringin' On The Heartbreak
3. Switch 625
4. Hysteria
5. Armageddon It
6. Photograph
7. Pour Some Sugar On Me
8. Rock Of Ages
9. Let's Get Rocked
10. Action
11. Bad Actress
12. Undefeated (new studio track)
13. Kings Of The World (new studio track)
14. It's All About Believin' (new studio track)

"MIRRORBALL" will also be available online, marking the first time the band's music will officially be made available for digital purchase. Def Leppard will also be releasing their new community based website in May, which is being developed to be the ultimate Def Leppard fan experience and go- to destination for all things on the band.

Def Leppard remain one of the world's biggest and most successful live acts. The band last played the UK and Eire in 2009 - headlining Download Festival that year after a hugely successful sold out UK Arena tour in 2008. 2011 will see Def Leppard headline Download Festival for the second time in three years. The band will also play Arena shows in both Dublin and Belfast with legendary special guests Alice Cooper and Thin Lizzy. Full details below:

June 2011
Tues 7th June 2011 - The Odyssey Arena, Belfast, N. Ireland
Wed 8th June 2011 - The O2, Dublin, Eire
Fri 10th June 2011 - Download Festival, UK

Belfast and Dublin tickets are priced £41.50 (Belfast) E59.50 (Dublin) - (subject to booking fee)
In person: From 100 Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide
By Telephone (24 Hour): ROI - 0818 719 300, Northern Ireland - 0844 277 44 55

The Odyssey Arena, Belfast. Odyssey Arena Box Office: Tel. 02890 739074

Download tickets are onsale now.
For information please refer to http://www.downloadfestival.com/

With more than 65 million albums sold worldwide and two prestigious Diamond Awards (Def Leppard are one of only five rock bands to have two consecutive 10 million plus selling albums in the U.S. - the others are The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Van Halen) to their credit, Def Leppard - Joe Elliott (vocals), Phil Collen (guitar), Rick "Sav" Savage (bass), Vivian Campbell (guitar) and Rick Allen (drums) - continue to be one of the most important forces in rock music. Over the course of their career, the band has produced a series of classic groundbreaking albums that set the bar for generations of music fans and artists alike. The group's spectacular live shows, filled with powerful melodic rock anthems, continue to sell out venues worldwide. Their epic live show and arsenal of hits have become synonymous with their name, leading Def Leppard to be heralded as an institution in both the music and touring industry.

"MIRRORBALL" will be released through Bludgeon Riffola/Mailboat Records. For dates, see below:
Germany / Switzerland / Austria - June 3
UK & Europe - June 6
North America - coming this summer, exact date to be announced

 
Dio Disciples are here, featuring ex-Dio members


“There’s No Sign Of The Morning Coming, You’ve Been Left On Your Own, Like A Rainbow In The Dark” - Ronnie James Dio

There will never be another Ronnie James Dio but we wanted to keep his music alive!

Dio Disciples are:

Simon Wright (AC/DC, Dio, UFO, Michael Schenker Group and Rhino Bucket) has played drums in Dio since 1990’s “Lock Up The Wolves” album.

On guitar is longtime Dio member Craig Goldy (Rough Cutt, Giuffria, David Lee Roth, Dio) who made his Dio debut on 1985’s “Sacred Heart” album.

On keyboards is 15 year Dio and Heaven & Hell veteran Scott Warren. Scott made his Dio debut on 1996’s “Angry Machines” album.

On bass is the multi-talented James LoMenzo (Megadeth, Black Label Society, Slash's Snake Pit, HAIL!, White Lion and David Lee Roth).

On vocals is Tim “Ripper” Owens (Judas Priest, Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force, Beyond Fear, Iced Earth, Hail! and Charred Walls of the Damned)
Joining “Ripper” on vocals from Manchester, UK is Toby Jepson (Little Angels, Fastway, Gun and Toby and the Whole Truth).

Because of Rudy Sarzo’s commitment to B.O.C., James LoMenzo will join the band for their European dates until Rudy fulfills his commitment to Blue Oyster Cult

We hope that you will support the band and become a Dio Disciple!
Thanks,
Wendy Dio

DIO DISCIPLES 2011 EUROPEAN TOUR

June 2011
Wed 6/08 Moscow, Russia, A2 Club
Thu 6/09 St. Petersburg, Russia Kosmonayt
Fri 6/10 Tampere, Finland Sauna Open Air Festival
Sat 6/11 East Midlands, UK Download Festival
Sun 6/12 Newcastle, UK Academy
Tue 6/14 Glasgow, Scotland Garage
Wed 6/15 Wolverhampton, UK Sleigh Rooms
Thu 6/16 Manchester, UK Academy 2
Fri 6/17 London, UK Islington Academy
Sun 6/19 Uden, Netherlands De Pul
Mon 6/20 Aschafensburg, Germany Colos Saal
Tue 6/21 Hamburg, Germany Markthalle
Wed 6/22 Berlin, Germany C Club
Fri 6/24 Dessel, Belgium Graspop
Sat 6/25 Bochum, Germany Matrix
Mon 6/27 Vienna, Austria Szene Wien
Tue 6/28 Lucerne, Switzerland Konzerthaus Schuur

Plus more dates to follow!

The LEGENDARY BAND The Rods join the tour starting on 6/11-6/28!




DOWN 'N' OUTZ live DVD,
"LIVE AT THE HAMMERSMITH ODEON" is coming soon!


Down 'N' Outz live DVD shot at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo Hammersmith Odeon - It will ALWAYS be know as Hammy Odeon, by those that remember those days! - in London on October 6th 2009, when the band opened for the reunited Mott The Hoople, the DVD will be first available at merchandise stands at shows on the British Paul Rodgers / Down 'n' Outz tour (April 2011). A limited edition of only 500 copies will be made available initially, all of which personally signed and numbered by lead singer, Joe Elliott (Def Leppard), and signed by the rest of the band - The Ouireboys - as well.
Any remaining copies, and a regular (unsigned) version will be available through our web site shortly after the tour.
For details on the Down 'N' Outz tour with Paul Rodgers and more, check out the bands website:

The DVD tracklisting is as follows:

1. Golden Opportunity
2. Overnight Angels
3. One More Chance To Run
4. Storm
5. Shouting And Pointing
6. Career (No Such Thing As Rock 'n' Roll)
7. Who Do You Love
8. By Tonight
9. England Rocks
10. Good Times

Bonus material includes footage from the Dave Kilner tribute show (featuring Def Leppard bass player Rick 'Sav' Savage), three promo videos and a behind-the-scenes documentary.


TOMMY TUTONE TO RELEASE "A LONG TIME AGO" MAY 31ST ON SPV'S YELLOW LABEL

DIGITALLY REMASTERED AND REMIXED BY FRED JAMES


 
TOMMY HEATH with guitarist Jim Keller formed the band TOMMY AND THE TU-TONES. They soon shortened the name to TOMMY TUTONE and recorded for Jupiter Records in the late 1970s.
In 1980 they signed with Columbia Records and had a minor hit with "Angel Say No" later that year. This led to an opening slot touring with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Determined to break out with a hit, the ban spent the better part of a year writing and recording the next album "TOMMY TUTONE", which was released in late 1981. The first single "867-5309/Jenny" proved to be their breakthrough record and reached #4 on the pop charts in 1982. The song was written by Keller with Alex Call of the bay area group Clover. The two bands were closely linked and over the years swapped members and wrote songs together. Clover never had a hit record, but will be forever remembered as Elvis Costello's backing band on his debut album "My Aim Is True". TOMMY TUTONE the band released their third album for Columbia, "National Emotion" and eventually called it quits in 1984.

TOMMY continued in the music business as a songwriter and headed to Nashville, the song-writing capitol of the world, in the late eighties. He co-wrote with heavy hitters like Keith Sykes (writer for Jimmy Buffett, Rosanne Cash, etc.) and Johnny Neal (of the Allman Brothers Band).

TOMMY recorded this solo album with Nashville producer Fred James which was originally released in 1994 as "Nervous Love".

Fred has remixed, re-mastered and added extra tracks to this re-titled album. Quite to his surprise, when he dug out the old tapes he found several out-takes and alternate versions of songs. He had completely forgotten that they had tried both electric and acoustic versions of "Another Slow Dance" and "Nervous Love", and an acoustic version of the mega-hit "867-5309/Jenny.

TOMMY has a great depth of knowledge of all forms of classic American musical genres and it's a big part of what makes his song-writing so unique. So we can look forward to what he'll come up with next, but until then we have "A Long Time Ago".

For more info visit:
http://www.tutone.com/
http://www.myspace.com/spvmusic


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Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Slight Update for Wednesday April 6th, 2011

STEVE HACKETT TO RELEASE "LIVE RAILS"
ALBUM IN STORES MAY 3rd ON INSIDEOUT MUSIC



STEVE HACKETT is renowned as an immensely talented and innovative rock musician. He was lead guitarist with Genesis as part of their classic line up with Gabriel, Collins, Banks and Rutherford, that produced acclaimed albums such as Selling England by the Pound (a favorite of John Lennon). With STEVE's extraordinary versatility in both his electric guitar playing and his composing, he involves influences from many genres, including Jazz, World Music and Blues. He is equally adept in his classical albums that include renditions of pieces by composers from Bach  to Satie, his own acoustic guitar compositions that have gained the admiration of many, including Yehudi Menuhin, and ambitious guitar/ orchestra albums such as A Midsummer Night's Dream, recorded with the Royal Philharmonic.

With Genesis, STEVE's guitar playing produced some of the most memorable moments, from the sensitivity of his acoustic sound on Horizons and Blood on the Rooftops to the dramatic rock guitar solos of Firth of Fifth and Fountain of Salmacis. As he embarked on his solo career he developed his exceptional range, pushing musical boundaries into exciting areas, inventing new sounds and also techniques such as 'tapping'. His solo career went from strength to strength and the mid eighties not only saw the hit single Cell 151, but also the STEVE HACKETT and Steve Howe super group GTR, highly successful in America.

After GTR STEVE worked further with many renowned musicians such as Paul Carrick, Bonnie Tyler, John Wetton and Brian May, who has credited STEVE as an early influence. STEVE went on to produce his hit album Genesis Revisited. He went even further back to his roots with Blues with a Feeling, whilst continuing to challenge his own 'horizons' with an amazingly eclectic mix of sounds, genres and a sense of the exotic that excites his many followers to this day.

Recent albums have possessed a high level of sophistication, along with an everpresent powerful dynamic, from the dramatic and atmospheric darkness of Darktown and Wild Orchids to the colourful voyage through time and space of ToWatch the Storms. 2009's Out Of The Tunnel's Mouth, written and recorded in the midst of domestic and professional upheaval, was released to an overwhelmingly positive response from fans and reviewers alike, many of them proclaiming it his best ever.

STEVE's live electric gigs take his fans on an extraordinary journey drawn from a rich musical heritage. Perennial Genesis favorites such as the mighty Firth Of Fifth sit alongside solo classics, while more recent material, with much of Out Of The Tunnel's Mouth now included, demonstrate that Steve is an artist still at the very top of his game. Supported by some of the best musicians on the planet, STEVE's unique guitar work remains the fulcrum on which this challenging and exhilarating show is balanced.

Genesis' induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in March 2010 stands as a testament to the enduring qualities of their music. Never one to rest on his laurels, though, STEVE continues to blaze a trail with new material and to be an exhilarating and groundbreaking artist.

The new Double Live CD "Live Rails" is a worthy documentation of his last world tour for "Out Of The Tunnel's Mouth" including new material and classics from the STEVE HACKETT and Genesis catalog!

For more info please visit:


MORE 2011 USA TOUR DATES FOR URIAH HEEP ANNOUNCED AND MORE DATES TO FOLLOW!

As Uriah Heep approaches the release date for their new album, 'Into The Wild,' released through Frontiers Records on April 15th in Europe and May 3rd in North America, they've added new shows to the previously announced dates.

Guitarist and founder member, Mick Box is buzzed and excited about this new release and when I asked him his thoughts on the new album, he said this, 'Yeah it does feel good to have some new product coming out for sure Alun!'
These days, many reviews by sites like 'Chambers of Rock' are done through downloading the album and not a physical CD in your hand. I told him, it's just not the same anymore and Mick felt the same,'I miss the old album days too, although we are going to release 'Into the Wild' on vinyl!'
So there you have it!

It's great the band are coming back to the States again with so many dates ... I just wish they'd squeeze in a date in Detroit!
The album artwork looks good and song samples, sound equally impressive.


Check out some sample tracks off the album right here:

The dates currently confirmed are as follows and there will be other dates added. Come on guys, let's hear it for Detroit, please!

Uriah Heep North American Tour 2011

June 20116/14/2011 Atlanta GA Variety Playhouse
6/15/2011 Chattanooga TN Riverbend Festival
6/17/2011 Kettering OH Fraze Pavilion for the Performing Arts
6/18/2011 Annapolis MD Rams Head on Stage
6/19/2011 Falls Church VA State Theater
6/20/2011 Sellersville PA Sellersville
6/22/2011 New York BB King Blues Club
6/23/2011 Foxborough MA Showcase Live
6/24/2011 Jim Thorpe PA Penn's Peak
6/25/2011 Ridgefield CT Ridgefield Play House
6/27/2011 Norfolk CT Infinity Hall
6/28/2011 Londonderry NH Tupelo Music Hall

August 20118/09/2011 Lincolnshire IL Viper Alley
8/10/2011 West Allis WI Wisconsin State Fair - Cousins Subs Amphitheater
8/12/2011 Three Forks MT Rocking the Rivers Festival Site
8/14/2011 Rochester MN Mayo Park
8/18/2011 West Hollywood CA Key Club
8/19/2011 Santa Anna CA Galaxy concert Theatre
8/20/2011 Henderson NV Green Valley

Official band website:


JOURNEY to release first single from the forthcoming album "Eclipse."

Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the April 4th digital release of the new JOURNEY single, “City of Hope” from the forthcoming album “Eclipse”. “City of Hope” will be available at all European online music stores. “City of Hope” is a “classic Journey style anthem”, writes melodicrock.com.

 

JOURNEY is currently touring Latin America in front of packed audiences. Following shows in Santiago, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Lima and Caracas, JOURNEY will play the following dates:

April 2011
April 7 Guatemala City, Guatemala - Mundo E
April 9 Panama City, Panama - Centro Figali
April 12 Mexico City, Mexico - Auditorio Nacional
April 13 Monterrey, Mexico - Arena Monterrey

“Eclipse” will be released on Scarecrow Records in Mexico, WET Music in Brazil and D.B.N. in the rest of Latin America.

The first single from “Eclipse” in South America will be “Human Feel”, also available digitally from April 4th. Online stores carrying the new single include iTunes and Telcel in Mexico, Claro, Telefonica and Comcel in Colombia, and Porta in Ecuador.


“Eclipse” will be released in Europe on May 27th, with the “Eclipse Tour” kicking off with major arena shows in the UK and Eire together with Foreigner and Styx (check local listings for lineups). The tour also visits Germany, Switzerland, Benelux, Scandinavia, France and – for the first time ever – Italy, before the North American tour which starts in mid-July.

Since its formation in 1973, Journey has earned 19 Top 40 singles and 25 gold and platinum albums in the US alone. The band’s “Greatest Hits” album is 15 times platinum, bringing Journey into the elite club of Diamond-certified album holders. “Revelation”, Journey’s 2008 studio album, is the sixth album to reach double platinum worldwide. Journey (Neal Schon - lead guitar, Jonathan Cain - keyboards, Ross Valory – bass guitar, Deen Castronovo – drums and Arnel Pineda – lead vocals) have performed for over two million fans, and the Eclipse Tour will take them around the world well into 2012.

For more information on Journey and complete tour details go to http://www.journeymusic.com/


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Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Brief News Update for Tuesday April 5th, 2011

The Cars, back together with a new album, new North American tour dates and a new website ...

Well, on the last one it's almost there, but indeed the band have a new album recorded, 'Move Like This' featuring original members without of course, the sadly departed Benjamin Orr (RIP).
The album will be released worldwide on May 10th, 2011.
Here's the cover artwork ... Yeah I know, not the greatest but good to see Ric Ocasek back in the fold again.


The website is on the way and you can check it out here:



They are also currently lining up a new North American tour, with the following dates lined up:

May 2011
Tue 05/10/11 Seattle, WA Showbox SoDo
Thu 05/12/11 Hollywood, CA Hollywood Palladium
Fri 05/13/11 Oakland, CA Fox Theater
Sun 05/15/11 Denver, CO Fillmore Auditorium
Tue 05/17/11 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
Wed 05/18/11 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
Fri 05/20/11 Toronto, ON Sound Academy
Mon 05/23/11 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
Wed 05/25/11 New York, NY Roseland Ballroom
Thu 05/26/11 Boston, MA House Of Blues Boston Presented By Foxwoods Resort Casino

The band have just had their new single 'Sad Song'  released as a pre-cursor to 'Move Like This,' and here's the video for it. - Editors note: Sorry but Blogspot doesn't always allow the full You Tube screen to be shown, so I've also posted the direct like to the You Tube video, underneath:


You Tube link:

It's probably best to follow their activities right now through either their MySpace or Facebook sites:



DEEP PURPLE TO TOUR NORTH AMERICA FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH A SYMPHONY
ORCHESTRA IN EACH CITY JUNE 3-25



"DEEP PURPLE: THE SONGS THAT BUILT ROCK” TOUR WILL FEATURE THE BAND’S ICONIC HITS AND MORE

DEEP PURPLE have announced their first tour in North America in four years, and the pioneering rock band--featuring classic members Ian Gillan (lead vocals), Roger Glover (bass) and Ian Paice (drums, percussion) -- will perform for the first time in North America with a symphony orchestra in each city (except San Francisco). Launching June 3 and wrapping June 25, the tour is called “DEEP PURPLE: The Songs That Built Rock,” with stops in New York (two nights at the Beacon Theatre), Los Angeles (Greek Theater) and Montreal (Bell Centre).

Fans can expect to hear the band’s trail-blazing iconic hits -- including “Smoke On The Water,” “Highway Star,” “Hush” and “Space Truckin’” -- plus other favorites achieve a new dimension of sound with the added heft of a symphony orchestra. In other parts of the world, DEEP PURPLE has achieved acclaim for its live epic presentation of symphonic rock.

As they eye a new studio album for release in 2012, DEEP PURPLE continues to tour around the world. The band, rounded out by Steve Morse (guitar) and Don Airey (keyboards), recently launched (March 18-27) their eighth visit to Russia, a country where the group made early inroads as a touring act and where they’ve played at the personal request of the country’s president Dmitry Medvedev. They performed in three cities -- Ekaterinburg, St. Petersburg and Moscow -- before moving on to Kiev (Ukraine) and Minsk (Belarus). The band also has nine more shows on tap -- Heraklion, Greece (May 6), Limassol, Cyprus (May 8), Ceasarea, Israel (May 14, 15), Istanbul, Turkey (May 18), Athens, Greece (May 20), Patras, Greece (May 21), Thessaloniki, Greece (May 23) and Ioannina, Greece (May 25) -- before heading to North America.

Throughout its career, DEEP PURPLE has sold over 100 million albums worldwide and has incorporated classical music, blues-rock, pop and progressive rock. (Although the band’s devoted fans treasure their live album Concerto for Group and Orchestra, the upcoming tour of North America will not draw from this work.)
DEEP PURPLE US / CANADIAN TOUR DATES

June 2011

Fri 06/03/11 Rama, ON Casino Rama Entertainment Centre
Sat 06/04/11 Quebec City, QC L'Agora Du Vieux Port
Mon 06/06/11 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
Tue 06/07/11 Boston, MA Wang Theatre - Citi Performing Arts Center
Wed 06/08/11 Hartford, CT Mortensen Hall at The Bushnell
Fri 06/10/11 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
Sat 06/11/11 Atlantic City, NJ Tropicana Casino & Resort
Sun 06/12/11 Bethel, NY Bethel Woods Center For The Arts
Tue 06/14/11 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Wed 06/15/11 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Fri 06/17/11 Detroit, MI Fox Theatre
Sat 06/18/11 Highland Park, IL Ravinia Festival At Ravinia Park - At "Ravinia Festival"  
Sun 06/19/11 Minneapolis, MN The Orpheum Theatre
Fri 06/24/11 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre
Sat 06/25/11 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre (Non-Orchestra tour date) 

 Official band website: http://www.deeppurple.com/
 
  Vivian Campbell announces his own Lizzy replacement, then says 'Oops!'

While Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham had told me in the interview we did last month that,
"We’ve got another guy that’s coming out on the right, he’s kind of a biggish name and I can’t really say who it is right now …" It seems after Lizzy were joined onstage in Chicago by Guns 'n' Roses current guitarist, Richard Fortus, Vivian Campbell posted on his Facebook page, "Well, that was it; my last U.S. show with Lizzy, and Chicago was a great one to end on! I have one, final gig with them at Slane Castle festival in Ireland on May 28th. The very next day we start Def Lep rehearsals. New guitarist, Richard Fortus came and played a couple of songs with us tonight."

This posting was even picked up on by Gibson.com, with this piece:
http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/News/Thin-Lizzy-0405-2011/

Now, Vivan Campbell has almost posted a retraction to what he had said before that reads, "Oops! It seems I may have been a bit presumptuous about the next Lizzy guitarist; although Richard is very much a target (and in my opinion, a great fit), he's still involved with Gn'R, so it remains to be seen if he will be available to play with Thin Lizzy when required. The mystery thickens ..."

Interesting ... We will indeed see what arises ...
Official Lizzy site: http://thinlizzyband.com/




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Monday, April 4, 2011

Pushking – The World As We Love It album review

Pushking – The World As We Love It album review
Released on: Armoury Records through Eagle Rock. Release Date: Available now


The guys in Russian rockers Pushking must be the envy of so many bands out there, to have had such an array of star guests contribute to this album. It's also an album that I know the band had been waiting a long time to finally get released. I first heard about the project in the first quarter of last year, that it was done, but getting the final product out and through whoever, seemed to be the next issue. Why? Who knows?!

I would’ve thought with the list of people involved, labels from everywhere would’ve been looking to get their hands on this, especially with the band hailing from Russia and the fact of how intriguing that is too.
Also that they managed to get all these players involved with the project in the first place.
There must be someone rich somewhere behind all of this!?!

I mean, just read this guest list: Paul Stanley, Billy Gibbons, Alice Cooper, Glenn Hughes, Steve Lukather, Joe Lynn Turner, Eric Martin, Graham Bonnet, Jeff Scott Soto, Joe Bonamassa, Steve Vai and the list goes on, Jorn Lande, Nuno Bettencourt, Dan McCafferty, John Lawton, Udo Dirkschneider, Steve Stevens, Eric Ragno and Keri Kelli! Unreal, huh?!
All that said, if I was playing in Pushking and was the lead singer or lead guitarist, I might be tempted to say, ‘What am I doing on here?!’ In truth though, none of the Pushking band is left out on this release and they all contribute with great style, their own input.

The album opens with 'Intro' and the scream of, ‘The World is Willing ….,’ before kicking into the Billy Gibbons sung ‘Nightrider.’ I’d even say Glenn Hughes threw in some vocals there too.
It really rocks, even if it does remind me of Autograph’s ’19 and Non Stop.’
What a full sound, it’s great!

Then ‘It’ll be OK,’ is next with Gibbons here again and Nuno Bettencourt ripping out some nice guitar. Gibbons vocal sounds a little strange at times, although to be honest, since I’ve never heard Pushking before, I’m guessing Konstantin ‘Koha’ Shustarev is probably sharing all lead vocals across the album.
It’s a laid back grooving track, similarities echo again to something else, but I’ll leave it there!

Alice Cooper takes ‘Troubled Love’ next and this a great track! I love the piano backing that kind of sounds a little Mott The Hoople like, some really nice guitar work from Keri Kelli too.
This is really catchy and you will be singing along, no doubt!

‘Stranger’s Song’ features John Lawton on vocals next and Steve Stevens on guitars and it’s one of those emotional power ballad type tracks and very good too. Outstanding playing by Stevens!

Ready for a track that Paul Stanley makes sound like it’s the latest Kiss single! ‘Cut The Wire’ features Steve Stevens again on guitar here. Mid paced punchy rocker, that then picks up as it’s ending.
I have to say that up to this point I’ve been listening to what the guest players are doing without taking in the band enough and without doubt, these guys sound like such fully seasoned musicians. Very classy indeed!

Konstantin ‘Koha’ Shustarev finally gets to take the lead vocals alone on ‘My Reflections (After seeing Schindler’s List)’ and the guest here is Steve Vai, whose haunting guitar work, works well with the moving song, which has a Russian – I believe – sung chorus.

‘God Made Us Free’ next features Graham Bonnet on lead vocals and it almost has some hints of the (Rolling) Stones about it.
Kind of poppy, almost indie sounding at times, but it grooves.

Ready for some Glenn Hughes then? He takes the lead on ‘Why Don’t You?’ It’s really simply a soulful acoustic number.

Jeff Scott Soto, one of the most underrated singers in rock is next on ‘I Believe’ with a haunting vocal, on a chug along pop rocker, almost in the vein of say Whitesnake. Great stuff, simple and straightforward!

Wow! I thought this was Gary Moore (RIP) right away, but no, it’s Joe Bonamassa on guitars and Glenn Hughes sharing lead vocals with ‘Koha’ on ‘Tonight’ and it’s a beautifully laid back piece.
Classy blues work.

Glenn Hughes sticks around some more on ‘Private Own’ next and Matt Filippini features on guitars, it also features bass from Konstantin Kokorin, who the track is dedicated to. It’s a kind of funky rocker as well suits Hughes’ style.

‘Open Letter To God,’ features Eric Martin next again alongside ‘Koha’ and it’s power ballad territory, with some great guitar work from – I’m guessing – Dmitriy ‘Mitya’ Losev and some nice orchestration here too.

Oh boy, you ready for Udo Dirkschneider?! He really sounds like a cross between Brian Johnson and how Ian Gillan would sing in his old Gillan days on next track ‘Nature’s Child,’ quite a scary effect! Great guitar work again from Dmitriy ‘Mitya’ Losev.

‘I Love You’ features Nazareth’s Dan McCafferty and it’s almost ‘Love Hurts’ revisited in places.
A soulful ballad …

Joe Lynn Turner up next on ‘Head Shooter,’ which is a slow stomp along steady rocker, which is OK, but really nothing really special, except for the guitar work.

‘Heroin’ allows Jorn Lande the chance to shine here, that starts as a blues rocker that then picks up almost halfway through.
Some great almost (Michael) Schenker like guitar work from Dmitriy ‘Mitya’ Losev.

Dan McCafferty returns for ‘My Simple Song’ which is another ballad style track, I guess his soulful howls suit the style.

The last track ‘Kukarracha’ gives many of the vocalists all a chance to sing along together and you can guess each one yourself, as they’re so distinctive and Steve Lukather helps out on guitar here. It’s a fun grooving closer.

Overall, I thought the whole album was pretty average at first but it’s grown and it’s really not a bad project at all.
Rating: 3.75 out of 5

Full tracklist:
1. Intro
2. Nightrider
3. It'll Be OK
4. Troubled Love
5. Stranger's Song
6. Cut The Wire
7. My Reflections After Seeing The "Schindler's List" Movie
8. God Made Us Free
9. Why Don't You?
10. I Believe
11. Tonight
12. Private Own
13. Open Letter To God
14. Nature's Child
15. I Love You
16. Head Shooter
17. Heroin
18. My Simple Song
19. Kukarracha

The band are:
Konstantin "Koha" Shustarev - Vocals, Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Andrey "Drunia" Kruglov - Drums
Dmitriy "Mitya" Losev - Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Slide
Roman Nevelev - Bass
Oleg "Ivanich" Bondaletov - Keyboards, Hohner Clavinet
Andrey Deykov - Sound Engineer


Full guest list:
Paul Stanley - Vocals (6, 19)
Billy F. Gibbons - Vocals (2, 3), Guitar (2)
Alice Cooper - Vocals (4)
Steve Vai - Guitar (7)
Glenn Hughes - Vocals (9, 11, 12, 19)
Jorn Lande - Vocals (17)
Joe Bonamassa - Guitar (11)
Steve Stevens - Guitar (5)
Nuno Bettencourt - Guitar (3)
John Lawton - Vocals (5)
Keri Kelli - Guitar (4)
Jeff Scott Soto - Vocals (10)
Eric Martin - Vocals (13)
Steve Lukather - Guitar (19)
Matt Filippini - Guitar (12)
Dan McCafferty - Vocals (15, 18)
Graham Bonnet - Vocals (8)
Joe Lynn Turner - Vocals (16)
Udo Dirkschneider - Vocals (14)
Stevie Salas - Guitar (6)

Other guests:
Eric Ragno - B3 Organ, Piano
Al Perkins - Dobro
Alex De Rosso - Guitar
Tony Paoletta - Steel
Konstantin Koleshonok - Sax
Fabrizio Grossi - Bass
Anton Vishnyakov - Trombone
ILiya Sergeenko - Trumpet
Vladimir Molodtsov - Pipe
Konstantin Kokorin - Bass (12)

Official Band website: http://www.pushking.eu/
 






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Sunday, April 3, 2011

Thin Lizzy live in Detroit, Thursday March 31st, 2011 Live review

Thin Lizzy live in Detroit, The Soundboard, Thursday March 31st, 2011 - Live 'Guest' review


Well, this is perhaps a sore point with me, as many of you have already established, I've always been a bit of a Thin Lizzy fan ... That's really a huge understatement, I love Thin Lizzy!
Yes, I was supposed to be at this gig to review it but the story's getting old now, I know but I was in hospital ... Fortunately some good local muso friends of mine were there and both have since told me, what a great gig it was, after their initial concerns of going to see Lizzy, for them, for the first time without Phil Lynott fronting the band.

To many, the story has played back and forth that Lizzy without Phil should not be called Thin Lizzy, as Phil to so many including myself for the longest time WAS Thin Lizzy.
So old die hard fans say, the project should be called something else, but NOT Thin Lizzy.

Me personally, I saw four different Lizzy line ups that Phil Lynott fronted - Saw Phil's post-Lizzy band Grand Slam twice too. - since Phil passed on, I had seen Lizzy just once with the John Sykes / Scott Gorham fronted act. 
There was so much buzz about this 'new' Lizzy line up from many people, with many saying Ricky Warwick at times sounds scarily like Phil and both current bassist Marco Mendoza and Scott Gorham both telling me themselves that this line up just sounds and feels so fresh.
So what was it like? What would they play, after the Sykes / Gorham line up tended to play the safe 'Live and Dangerous' set ....
 Here's what my good friends Chris Le Boulch and Rob Lehman saw last Thursday night, you'll probably gather they are both guitarists. Sadly, no photos available.
Over to you guys for your guest review ...


Well, since this was a Casino gig, the first great thing was the venue offers free parking - with security cameras everywhere! - to encourage folks into the location and lose their money, usually ...
Ticket prices for this show had been set pretty reasonably, but we got wind of a very special promotion, just a few nights before the show of $10 tickets, no hidden fees, no extra charges, just $10! Can't knock that!
Editors note - No you bloody can't! I'm stunned!
The venue appears to be pretty intimate, with a pretty good seating plan, often rare for a lot of casino type venues and as we were ushered forwards, we were stunned! We got fourth row, center, killer!

 The sound system was great, very clear and the vocals all came through well.
 It really was a great show, Vivian Campbell on loan from Def Leppard and Scott Gorham formed a great guitar duo and amazed me with their harmonized guitar solos. Something that Lizzy were always famous for and always impressed with.

Vivian really is a great fit and I hope he returns to Lizzy after his duty with Def Leppard is finished. - Editors note: Scott tells me the band has offered an open door to Viv Campbell to return as and when he's ready.
Vivian played through a Mojave Scorpion head into a 4 x 12 cab and Scott used a couple Engl heads into some Engl cabinets. Both guitar players had great sound / tone. - Just for all the guitarist's reading this!  

There was a surprise for me, to see Brian Downey's double bass drum Tama kit, that brought back memories of all the early Lizzy pictures, especially inside the 'Live and Dangerous' liner notes. I realize he used Rogers kits back in the day, but this was a impressive looking kit. Brian hasn't lost a step on the drums and put together an excellent solo. Welcome back to the fold Brian!
Nice to hear the effect Darren Wharton had on the band on the song he co-wrote with Phil, 'Angel of Death.'  
Marco Mendoza is a tight fit in the rhythm section alongside Brian Downey too. 
Ricky Warwick is quite scary at how similar he sounds to Phil, quite often! 
I was always a believer that any form of Lizzy without Phil fronting the band, would simply not cut it, but this show has left me wanting more!
The Boys were certainly Back In Town and they rocked the joint! Go and see them, you won't regret it.
One last note, come back to Detroit guys, after all it is 'The' Rock City!

Here is the setlist from the soundboard. It seems to be the same set list that they've played in many other US cities.
Set list:
1. Are You Ready
2. Waiting for an Alibi - this song seemed to set the tone for a great show
3. Jailbreak
4. Do Anything You Want To
5. Don't Believe a Word
6. Dancing in the Moonlight
7. Massacre
8. Angel of Death
9. Still in Love with You - Darren Wharton / Ricky Warwick shared vocal duties.
10. Whiskey in the Jar
11. Emerald
12. Wild One
13. Sha-La-La-La - Marco Mendoza lead vocals
14. Cowboy Song /
15. The Boys Are Back in Town

Encores:
16. Rosalie
17. Killer on the Loose
18. Black Rose

My huge thanks go out to both Chris and Rob for sharing their input on the show with me, although of course it makes me feel more gutted that I missed it.
Here's to the next Thin Lizzy North American tour! Come back soon guys!
 
 
Official band site:
  
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