Brief Chambers of Rock Update - September 23rd, 2013

*Updated 26th September, 2013*

Hi folks and a huge welcome to all new readers!
 

 

Thought it was about time for me to at least touch base with you all again, with a few words outside of the reviews posted.

 

Yes, very busy schedules currently in the Williams household, not to mention craziness in my current day job situation, with long days and a bunch of travel, more than I was told there would be, but ... It's work ...

 

Anyway, just a brief update to you all that I am still working at album reviews and trying to get them wrapped up and posted, but it seems lately I've had even less time to listen to the music in the car on business trip, due to so many business calls enroute, ah well, they'll come folks!

 

Trying to wrap up both James Christian and his wife Robin Beck's solo releases currently, then hope to get Status Quo's latest 'Bula Quo' too, there are a few others in the works too ... :)

 

Right now though, I've been re-familiarising myself with a bunch of acts that Rhonda and I will be checking out this Saturday 28th September at the third Melodic Rock Fest!

 

Organised by Andrew McNiece - www.MelodicRock.com - with help from John Kivel - Kivel Records - it promises to be something special indeed and if you are in the Arlington, IL area this coming weekend Friday 27th, Saturday 28th or Sunday 29th September, make your way to the Home Bar - www.HomeBarChicago.com - it's going to be great and if you don't believe me, go here to check out all the details:

http://www.melodicrockfest.com/

 

The event is going on all weekend, although we will only be able to attend the Saturday event, but there are some great other acts playing on both the Friday and Sunday.
Friday's lineup includes Gary Schutt (Jeff Scott Soto), Glen Burtnik (Styx, Dennis DeYoung), Kelly Keeling (Michael Schenker, Heaven + Earth, Lynch Mob), Eric Martin (Mr. Big) and Bonrud.
Sunday's event are even more impressive with acts including Bombay Black, House of Lords, Ted Poley, Eclipse and Steve Augeri (Tall Stories, Journey).



Here's some of the details on Saturday's lineup for you though folks ...



Saturday's event starts with, The Radio Sun kicking things off, then there's Evolution Eden a power trio, then 7th Heaven who played both the previous Melodic Rock Festivals, so previous attendees should be familiar with these guys for sure!
Some links folks:
https://www.facebook.com/TheRadioSun
http://www.evolutioneden.com/
http://www.7thheavenband.com/

The only band playing from the UK, is Newman from the English south coast, my old stomping ground and they've not long released a great new album in 'Siren'  which just received a top notch review here on Chambers of Rock!
http://chambersofrock.blogspot.com/2013/08/newman-siren-album-review.html

Newman will of course be playing various other favourites from their vast back catalogue of nine studio releases, on their first ever US live appearance!

I spoke with Steve Newman last week and he was saying how much of a big deal this was to the band and how excited the band were about finally getting a chance to play to their US fans and that this gig was the first of some very important gigs for them, including Firefest again next month!

I'm looking forward to this set very much!
http://www.newmansound.com/





Next up will no doubt be the emotional appearance of the Brett Walker Tribute, featuring Brett Walker's band members and various guest vocalists from other weekend artists, to pay tribute to the man who passed away suddenly just over a month ago.
Brett was booked to play on the Saturday and with his sudden passing, the melodic rock community just wanted to pay tribute to the guy, by going ahead with his planned set.
I'm sure many will raise a glass in tribute to Brett on Saturday.
RIP Brett ...

https://www.facebook.com/brett.walker.1042032








Kivel Records act Tango Down will play next and their 'Identity Crisis' is an album I'm a fan of, so I know I'll enjoy this!

https://myspace.com/tangodown








The much touted Adriangale will follow, another Kivel Records band but sadly, they are an act I am not familiar with.
I'm sure it will be good though. :)
 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Adriangale/135735596598758







A very special acoustic set will be next from the magical Heaven + Earth band, and while originally it looked like only three of the band would be playing, I learned last night that it would be a FULL Heaven + Earth band performance, still an acoustic set, but with a full band!

The main man behind the band Stuart Smith, will no doubt impress with his guitar work, although with an acoustic set it will be a little bit of a restrained performance for this talented player!

Stuart will be joined by H+E vocalist Joe Retta (Sweet), Richie Onori (Sweet) on drums, keyboard wiz Arlan Schierbaum and guest bassist Tony Morabito, as Chuck Wright will not be available due to a prior Quiet Riot commitment.
I'm certain this will be great, although would've loved to have seen a full electric set!

No doubt they'll be tracks from 'Dig' their latest album performed, check the review of that, captured here:

http://chambersofrock.blogspot.com/2013/03/heaven-earth-dig-album-review.html

Catching up with Stuart Smith last night, he told he was really looking forward to it, pumped as he headed out for one more band rehearsal.
http://www.heavenandearthband.com/








Mecca is a great project formed by Joe Vana, a very slick vocalist as well as ex-Toto players bassist David Hungate and former Toto vocalist Fergie Frederiksen, but they also had the talents of former Survivor singer / songwriter Jim Peterik helping nail down some great stuff!
Sadly for Melodic Rock Fest # 3, Fergie is not well enough to perform due to his health battles. All is not lost though as Survivor frontman Jimi Jamison has offered to step in and help out and there is just a chance that Fergie may at least be present at the event, even if he's not available to sing.
I'm sure it will still be special!

Last year's 'Undeniable' was a very impressive album and you can check out my review of that here:

http://chambersofrock.blogspot.com/2012/02/mecca-undeniable-album-review.html


https://www.facebook.com/MeccaTheBand

W.E.T. is the combination of Jeff Scott Soto (Vocals), Eric Martensson (of Eclipse on guitars) and Robert Sall (of Work Of Art on guitars/keyboards) and combined they have put out two very strong albums, the latest being the excellent 'Rise Up!'

These guys are just a class act and Jeff Scott Soto never disappoints!

To check out 'Chambers of Rock's' review of 'Rise Up,' go here:
http://chambersofrock.blogspot.com/2013/04/wet-rise-up-album-review.html


http://jeffscottsoto.com/WET2/








Headliners on Saturday are Canadian rockers featuring Harry Hess and gang, Harem Scarem!
Just a few years back these guys had called it a day, but now they are back and have a new album out soon 'Mood Swings 2.'
They will be a perfect end to a packed day of class acts, oh and yes, that is just Saturday's line up!!

http://www.haremscarem.net/


 

Rhonda and I are only bummed that we can't be there for the whole weekend and will sadly only be there on the Saturday, but what a day that plans to be for sure!

Hope to pull together as much of a review of the Saturday gig as I can folks, so look out for that too.

 

Plan to post a review of the Dokken show from August 3rd, now sadly looks beyond me, again due to the lack of time to wrap it up in my own words from my notes made that evening. Sorry ... :(

 
 

Well, aside from that please stick with Chambers of Rock, there will be more to come.
Cheers, have a good week folks!

Keep on rockin'!!!

Al