Rock News for Monday 2nd August, 2010

Update on Steve Lukather's forthcoming release

I must say, I was a little disappointed to hear this Steve Lukather update, nothing drastic or really bad in the way of news, but saddened that US fans of the man will have to wait until 3 months after his new album European release, before they can pick up a copy! Also that the new album will only be 9 tracks.

Read on ...

Steve Lukather is set to release his new solo album All’s Well That Ends Well on Monday 11th October 2010 in Europe and Japan, and in February 2011 in the USA and at iTunes.

The album will be released in 3 versions:

M 7308 1 Vinyl.

M 7308 2 Jewel case CD.

M 7322 2 Limited Edition Digibook (first print run and Europe only).

Extended booklet with exclusive studio pics, liner notes from producer CJ Vanston, track by track line notes from Luke and a personal message from Luke.

Lukather: "I’m very excited because I have some great new music. I tried for a personal best and worked very hard on all aspects of music. It’s a journey that’s for sure. It is a VERY personal record. You have to check it out in October and tell ME. There is plenty of music on there, almost 50 minutes. That's ENOUGH. Records used to be no more than 38 minutes tops! Keeps your attention.”

Album tracklisting

1 Darkness in my world (Steve Lukather)

2 On my way home (Steve Lukather)

3 Can't look back (Steve Lukather)

4 Don't say it's over (Steve Lukather)

5 Flash in the pan (Steve Lukather, Fee Waybill)

6 Watching the world (Steve Lukather)

7 You'll remember (Steve Lukather)

8 Brodie's (Steve Lukather)

9 Tumescent (Steve Lukather)

Musicians:

Steve Lukather - guitars, vocals

Steve Weingart - keyboards

Carlitos Del Puerto - bass

Eric Valentine - drums

Fee Waybill - background vocals

Joseph Williams - background voacals

C.J. Vanston - keyboards, mixing

Trev Lukather - guitars

Bernard Fowler - background vocals

Lenny Castro - percussion

Steve Lukather European tour dates:

03 November 2010 Spirit 66 , Verviers (Belgium)

04 November 2010 Paradiso , Amsterdam (Holland)

05 November 2010 Jovel , Münster (Germany)

06 November 2010 Rosenhof , Osnabrück (Germany)

07 November 2010 Columbia Club , Berlin (Germany)

09 November 2010 Leverkusen Jazz Tage , Leverkusen (Germany)

10 November 2010 Batschkapp , Frankfurt (Germany)

11 November 2010 Backstage Halle , Munich (Germany)

13 November 2010 Elysee Montmartre , Paris (France)

15 November 2010 Hiroshima , Turin (Italy)

16 November 2010 Z7 , Pratteln (near Basel) (Switzerland)

18 November 2010 Academy Islington , London (UK)

19 November 2010 The Robin , Bilston (near Wolverhampton) (UK)

20 November 2010 The Brook , Southampton (UK)

Luke's site: www.stevelukather.net/

 

BAD COMPANY MOVIN' ON 2010

Los Angeles, CA - July, 2010 - Bad Company announce the production of "Movin' On 2010". "Movin' On 2010" is a concert tour video blog and documentary production which will follow the Bad Company North American Tour 2010.

Film crews will follow the band and their crew during their daily tour activities and will film each nights show. The Rogue HD video director describes the project as a film where the tour itself is the star, which means the cities, the venues and the fans are as much a part of the tour as the band themselves.

The original members of Bad Company; Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke along with guitarist Howard Leese (Paul Rodgers/Heart) and Bassist Lynn Sorenson (Paul Rodgers) are giving Bad Company fans a special look into their concert tour. The new Bad Company official iPhone and Android apps are now available at http://road.ie/bad-company and the "Movin' On 2010" tour video blog will be hosted exclusively in the smartphone apps and on the Official Bad Company website. Fans can interact with other fans at the venues within the app, see concert video clips and a backstage look into the tour itself. Stay tuned to:

http://www.badcompany.com/

and

http://www.roguehd.com/ for more news.

Twitter; @OfficialBadCo

Community; http://www.officialbadcompany.ning.com/

iPhone app; www.road.ie/bad-company

Android app; www.road.ie/bad-company

Remaining North American tour dates are:

August 2010

Wednesday August 4, 2010 Casino Rama Entertainment Center Rama, Ontario (Toronto), Canada

Saturday August 14, 2010 Dog's Nest At Grand Bend Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada

October 2010

Saturday October 2, 2010 Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona, CA

Monday October 4, 2010 Potawatomi Casino, Milwaukee, WI

Tuesday October 5, 2010 Potawatomi Casino, Milwaukee, WI

Thursday October 7, 2010 The Joint/Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Catoosa, OK (Tulsa)

www.badcompany.com/

Foreigner - Two Live Releases from Current Europe Tour Coming Soon!

Two new live releases will be out this year from the current Europe tour! It was first announced that the Digital Album of Foreigner's performance at the iTunes Festival at Roundhouse was to be released 48 hours after the show. As with many of the shows of the iTunes Festival, further mixing and approvals were needed, and it will now be available to download exclusively from iTunes on July 31st, 2010. Here is the track listing:

Double Vision

Cold As Ice

When It Comes To Love

Dirty White Boy

That Was Yesterday

Starrider

Feels Like The First Time

Urgent

I Want To Know What Love Is

Hot Blooded

The order link is here:

www.foreigneronline.com/busa/index.php?mod=articles&sort=&sortdir=desc&page=1&task=edit&dc_id=499

It can also be found by searching at the iTunes store!

We are also pleased to announce that another live release will be filmed at this year's "Rock Of Ages" in Seebronn, Germany on July 31st, 2010. The live DVD will be released later this year! Updates for both releases will be provided as details are received.

Info from: www.foreigneronline.com/

REO Speedwagon 'Hi-Infidelity' 30th Anniversary news

REO plans 'Hi Infidelty's' 30th anniversary release. Story from Gary Graff, Billboard

Though REO Speedwagon frontman Kevin Cronin says that he's "not one for nostalgia," he's enthusiastic about the band's two-year plan to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its biggest-selling album, 1980's "Hi Infidelity" -- which includes a deluxe reissue and possibly a tour playing the full album.

"This is 2010, so we're kind of celebrating 30 years since we recorded the album," Cronin tells Billboard.com. "Next year is 2011 -- 30 years since 1981, the year that rocked our world...The 'Hi Infidelity' record was such a turning point for us, just on a personal and professional level. And an awful lot of people took this music into their lives, into their hearts. It's just too special of a time to ignore, so I just decided for this anniversary I'm going to embrace it and go for it...We're milking it for everything it's worth!"

"Hi Infidelity" was REO's only No. 1 album and the top-selling rock release of 1981. It's been certified nine-times platinum and spawned four Top 40 hits, including the chart-topping "Keep on Loving You" and the Top 5 "Take It on the Run." And, Cronin adds, it came at a time when REO was "literally on the brink of being dropped by our label. This was kind of our last chance."

Now the group and its fans will have multiple opportunities to relive "Hi Infidelity." The group is performing the album's entire first side, with some subtle re-arrangements, on its current summer tour with Pat Benatar; meanwhile, Cronin says, REO is talking about performing the complete album in 2011 -- which it's only done once before, for an XM satellite radio broadcast.

Also on tap for next year is a deluxe edition of "Hi Infidelity," which will likely include the original demos that REO's manager recently found in his garage.

"He found a box that said 'REO' on it," Cronin recalls. "It was mostly old photographs, but he dropped it off at my house and when I went through it there it was, a tape from Crystal Recording Studios, July 1980. No one knew where they were. We searched the vaults in New York, L.A. -- a full cavity search, you might say -- and no one found them. So we were like, 'All right, I guess that's our holy grail. We'll keep searching for them'. "

Cronin says it took significant work to get the tape into usable shape, but the results were as good as he remembered. "It's pretty fun to listen to -- no keyboards, no backing vocals, just guitar and lead vocals. On the finished 'Hi Infidelity,' about half of it is performances that were on that demo tape. There was just some magic in those performances, so hopefully we'll include that in the deluxe set."

Other plans for the reissue are still being set, as are REO's tour plans for 2011. Meanwhile, Cronin says the current edition of REO is in a "creative spurt" that he hopes will yield the group's first set of new material since 2007's "Find Your Own Way Home" (not counting the 2009's holiday album, "Not So Silent Night.")

Cronin is playing a new song in concert -- which he says will be called either "Can't Stop Loving You" or "Unfinished Poem" -- and he's pleased that "this is another one of those tight periods for the band. You can't take it for granted when you get five guys all in the same mindspace -- like we were for 'Hi Infidelity.' It's a real special thing."

Information from: www.speedwagon.com/

Rock News Brief Update for Sunday 1st August, 2010

PHIL LYNOTT - YELLOW PEARL: A COLLECTION

Yellow Pearl: A Collection brings you a delightful and intriguing trip into the solo work of Phil Lynott. It's guaranteed to hold the listener spellbound as you realise just how iconic Lynott was - and still is.

The release brings together the hit singles from both solo albums Solo in Soho and The Philip Lynott Album, including King's Call (a tribute to Elvis Presley), Dear Miss Lonely Hearts and major hit Yellow Pearl, which reached number 14 in the UK charts and also became the theme for BBC TV's Top Of The Pops show.

Also included is Parisienne Walkways, released as a single by Gary Moore in 1978, B sides Somebody Else's Dream and Beat Of The Drum, as well as his last solo single, Nineteen, released just a few weeks before his tragic death on January 4, 1986.

A musical hero, a master songwriter, a majestic singer, a monarch on bass - the proof is here that the whole was so much greater than the sum of these parts.

Sleeve notes by Malcolm Dome, English writer and journalist for Record Mirror, Kerrang!, Metal Hammer and Classic Rock among others as well as DJ for online radio station Total Rock.

And for those who don't know ... - Shame on you .... - Some background.

Philip Parris "Phil" Lynott (20 August 1949 - 4 January 1986) was an Irish singer, bassist, musician, songwriter and poet who first came to prominence as the frontman of Thin Lizzy.

He released two solo albums and also formed and fronted the band Grand Slam, right up until his death on 4 January 1986. He was 36 years old.

 

KISS becomes first band to introduce live interactive concert photo experience for fans

(LOS ANGELES) – KISS, the iconic American rock band that has sold more than 80 million albums, played for millions and become an integral part of the American culture, has just notched another first in their long list of stellar achievements: Liveshare by Cooliris featuring KISS (www.cooliris.com/liveshare-kiss), an exciting mobile photo-sharing application that will launch on KISS’ The Hottest Show on Earth tour this summer.

Fans attending The Hottest Show on Earth tour, KISS’ biggest, loudest, most over-the-top concert tour ever that kicked-off July 23 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, will become the first to have photos of KISS, themselves, and their friends experiencing the raw power and excitement of a live KISS concert, appear live on giant KISS video screens.

Through a free downloadable app, KISS fans can snap photos during the concert with the highlights being displayed on the KISS jumbo screen. Users will also be able to share photos to Facebook and Twitter, bringing their friends into the live concert experience.

The new KISS Liveshare experience is the first time that the excitement and energy of a concert can be shared in real time with friends and fans that can't be at the live event. Photos taken at the Hottest Show on Earth will appear on Facebook and KISSonline while the event is unfolding, allowing fans to immerse themselves in the concert photos through the popular Cooliris 3D wall.

KISS is excited to be able to bring this awesome concert experience to fans wherever they may be.

The free Liveshare app featuring KISS will be available for download at the iTunes Store and Android Market.

KISS is the first band ever to launch such a highly-interactive and socially-engaging fan photo experience. KISS and Live Nation Merchandise partnered with Los Angeles-based new media firm Riot House (http://www.theriothouse.com/) and Cooliris (http://www.cooliris.com/), innovator of the fastest and most stunning way to engage with media on desktops or devices, to bring KISS Liveshare to fans on The Hottest Show on Earth tour.

The Hottest Show on Earth tour, produced by Live Nation, will trek through a mix of arenas and amphitheaters throughout North America. KISS is giving back to the United States Armed Forces by donating one dollar from each ticket sold to benefit the Wounded Warrior Care Project (http://www.projectaugusta.org/).

KISS is also partnering with Guitar Center, the world’s largest musical instrument retailer, for Guitar Center On-Stage, an unsigned band competition that will provide emerging artists the chance to open for KISS at 22 of the band’s tour stops. In addition, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley will choose one grand-prize winner to receive a $10,000 Guitar Center shopping spree among other prizes. For more information, visit http://www.gconstage.com/ 

KISS is also a great family value this summer. Up to four kids (under 14 years of age) get in free with the purchase of one adult lawn ticket.

Kiss website is: www.kissonline.com/

Kiske / Sommerville digital only single release details

Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the digital only release of the single track “Silence” from the much anticipated album featuring the collaboration between singers Amanda Somerville and Michael Kiske on August 20th 2010.

“Silence” was written by the Primal Fear team featuring bassist / producer Mat Sinner and guitarist Magnus Karlsson. The song explores a different, more atmospheric and melodic direction for the two writers. According to Kiske “The video shoot was a long day from 6 AM to midnight, but since everyone was so nice and easy going, it was a very pleasant experience. Especially Amanda and Sander Gommans are such fine people and made it an extraordinary journey. I do like the song 'Silence' a lot, nice drama and good melodies”.

The videoclip of “Silence” can be watched on youtube now. Click the below link and enjoy the clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI3OgbJS6oc

“Silence” video, along with the other clip “If I Had A Wish” and a making of documentary will be available on bonus DVD which will come together with the full album to be released in Europe on September 24th and USA on October 12th 2010 on Frontiers Records.

Eagle Rock Reveals More Rockpalast

NILS LOFGREN: CRY TOUGH 2 DVD

~Three Separate Performances In One Set! ~ August 10, 2010 ~

New York, NY (July, 2010) — Eagle Rock Entertainment is building a mighty library of Rockpalast performances on DVD. On August 10, Eagle will release the 2 DVD set Cry Tough from guitarist/singer-songwriter Nils Lofgren.

A kaleidoscopic view of his success as a solo artist, this DVD captures three performances from different stages in Lofgren’s career. With over four hours of footage and 35 tracks deep, it showcases Nils stepping out into the spotlight on his own. Lofgren, formerly of the E Street Band and Neil Young’s Crazy Horse, wowed this crowd with his unfettered six-string talent, charismatic stage presence, moving songs, and impressive showmanship.

Disc 1 features his 1991 performance, when Lofgren returned from a stint with the E Street Band with his 1991 album Silver Lining (Ryco).

Disc 2 backtracks to his earlier days playing solo, with sets from 1976, just after the release of his critically-acclaimed solo debut, and 1979.

In addition to this latest release, Eagle Rock has recently released Rockpalast titles from Joan Armatrading, Thin Lizzy, Meat Loaf, and UB40.

Track Listing:

Disc 1- 1991:

1.) Sticks And Stones

2.) Keith Don’t Go

3.) Rock ‘N’ Roll Crook

4.) Cry Tough

5.) Trouble’s Back

6.) Delivery Night

7.) Bein’ Angry

8.) Moon Tears

9.) Girl In Motion

10.) Valentine

11.) The Sun Hasn’t Set

12.) Across The Tracks

13.) Silver Lining

14.) Walkin’ Nerve

15.) Gun And Run

16.) No Mercy

17.) Back It Up

18.) Shine Silently

19.) See What Our Love Can Do

20.) I Came To Dance

Disc 2 – 1976/1979

1976:

1.) Cry Tough

2.) It’s Not A Crime

3.) Keith Don’t Go

4.) Going Back

5.) Share A Little

6.) Jailbait

7.) Like Rain

8.) Rock ‘N’ Roll Crook

9.) Back It Up

1979:

1.) Keith Don’t Go

2.) A Fool Like Me

3.) Beggar’s Day

4.) No Mercy

5.) It’s Not A Crime

6.) Like Rain

7.) Heart of Fire

8.) Cry Tough

9.) Going Back

10.) You’re So Easy

11.) I Came To Dance

12.) (Incidentally) It’s Over

13.) Back It Up

14.) Moon Tears

15.) Soft Fun

For all things related: www.nilslofgren.com/

Interview with Jeff Pilson (Foreigner)

Interview with
Foreigner’s Jeff Pilson
on June 12th, 2010

 

 

 

(Jeff Pilson, with Foreigner at DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston, MI. June 27th, 2010. Photo: Alun Williams)

A short time back, I got to interview a man who in the world of hard and melodic rock has certainly played with some of the best in the game including Dokken of course, Dio, George Lynch, M.S.G. and various others and now lines up as a member of Foreigner and has done so for the past 6 years.

Believe it or not, he was also the bass player in the band Steel Dragon, from the movie 'Rock Star' that featured Mark Wahlberg as the lead singer and a rather hot and good looking Jennifer Aniston.

The Steel Dragon band - for those that don't know, also included Jason Bonham on drums and Zakk Wylde on guitar. Jeff Pilson, Bonham and Wylde also all played on the soundtrack album on the Steel Dragon songs, which also featured Jeff Scott Soto on lead vocals and Steelheart frontman Miljenko Matijevic on lead vocals on other tracks.

Jeff spoke with me about how Foreigner are doing, the World Cup - The Mick Jones Influence! Even my home team Portsmouth got a name check! Well, it was both Mick's and my birthplace! - the sad loss of Ronnie James Dio, Dokken reunion talk and more too.

I hope you enjoy the interview. It could've possibly gone on some more, but unfortunately the time it was set up for, ran close to preparation of 'showtime' on the Foreigner tour and Jeff had to jump in the elevator as we were wrapping things up.

Busy times indeed for the man ....

Jeff: Hello?

AW: Hello Jeff?

Jeff: Yes!

AW: Jeff, it’s Alun Williams, how are you?

Jeff: Hi, how are you doing man?

AW: Good, good, is this a good time for you?

Jeff: Yes of course it’s fine.

AW: Excellent! So, let me ask you this, are you a football fan, soccer fan or no?

Jeff: Well, I kind of have to be in this band because of Mick Jones. (Laughter in the background, guessing Mick is there.) Yes, I’m aware that England and the US just had a draw.

AW: OK, well it’s good to talk to you. Thank you for taking time out to do so.

Jeff: Sure.

AW: Well I guess it’s not too long since the ‘United in Rock tour’ kicked off so how’s it going so far?

Jeff: Oh it’s been fabulous, everything has been great. The bands all get along great, the bands are all sounding great, the production is wonderful. We’re doing really good business, which this year is pretty amazing so yeah, we’re all very, very happy.

AW: Excellent! Yeah, I’m hoping to see you guys at the end of the month. You’re playing up here at Clarkston at Pine Knob as it used to be known and we all still call it today and I’m looking forward to that one.

Jeff: Oh great, great. Yeah, you’ll enjoy it, it’s very cool.

AW: Good stuff! So, it’s been six years for you now in Foreigner, how’s that going? It’s going good with Mick and the guys?

Jeff: Yeah, I know … It’s going really well.

AW: How’s Jason slotting in after Brian’s (Tichy) departure?

Jeff: Oh he’s doing great man. Not easy shoes to fill and he’s doing a great job.

AW: Can you say why Brian wanted to move on, I mean he only rejoined the band about 2 years back?

Jeff: Yeah (Sounding perhaps awkward), well, I look at it as it’s not really a musical thing and it’s not any personality thing, I mean we all got along great. He just has some personal issues that you know, it’s not really my business to go into but …, but they made it so that he needed to stay home more …

AW: Oh OK, because I know he had his own band there for a while on the side …

Jeff: It was nothing like that, we were all getting along great and it’s all good, but he had some personal stuff that he had to take care of and it was impossible for him to be on the road with us and do that.

AW: Right, OK. I guess on a different note, one of my other questions was, has Mick got you into watching football, because I’m from Portsmouth too, where Mick’s from …

Jeff: OK! How funny?!

AW: Yes, so I’m guessing he doesn’t talk too much …

Jeff: Yeah, I hear all about the trials and tribulations of the Portsmouth team that is and their financial woes and everything, yes. (Both laughing) I mean they’re getting penalized and I mean that really sucks.

AW: Yeah, it’s not too good at all and it means I won’t be able to watch them on Fox Soccer channel next season! (Laughs)

Jeff: Exactly! That’s what Mick has said too! (Both laughing).

AW: So I’ll have to search out the games online I guess.

Jeff: Um hmm, that’s what he’s going to do.

AW: I guess getting back to the Foreigner stuff, you’ve been such a strong band from the start, especially when Jason Bonham was in the band as well … Why was it … I guess that you put out a live DVD before you put out a new studio album? I guess that was to show what Kelly and you guys can do right?

Jeff: Which live DVD do you mean now?

AW: The ‘Alive and Rockin’’ DVD, the one in Sweden?

Jeff: Oh right. Well, yeah sure we wanted to … I mean anytime we capture a good little magical show, I mean regardless of who’s on drums or whatever we figure it’s something we should put out and you know, it all contributes to the legacy.

AW: Right. I mean what was the feeling before ‘Can’t Slow Down’ was finished and released? As I mean there’s no real telling how a new album is going to do, especially since it’s been so long …

Jeff: Yeah, I mean we’re all aware of what the world is like right now and selling CD’s is not the thing it was several years ago and we’re aware of that …, but really it just came down to, we just felt that the chemistry was about right within the band and it was time to make a statement and show that Foreigner is relevant musically and it’s not about how many CD’s you sell or how many hits you have or whatever. That’s not really the game these days and of course we’d love to have a hit as much as anybody but if that didn’t happen, I think just the fact that we’ve done as well as we have both in America and Europe, is a testament that what we’re setting out to do we’ve achieved. We’ve proved that there’s some relevance here, that this version of the band the chemistry is right and like I said, it was time to make a musical statement.

AW: Right and I’ve got to say, I personally think that the band as strong if not stronger than it has been for a long, long time. I can remember seeing Foreigner back in the UK with Lou, many, many years ago but I’ve seen you guys play, probably two or three times now since this line up’s been together (Generally) and it’s good, it’s a class act you know.

Jeff: Yeah, well thank you. We appreciate that and you know that’s one of the reasons that we tour as much as we do. The demand is there and we love doing it. So, making a record even though all the parts aren’t there like they once were for the machinery for a record, still the artistic desire for us is there to do it so it worked out great.

AW: Right and Kelly has slotted in so well, I mean who would’ve thought it?

Jeff: I know, I know, really couldn’t have asked for a better guy for the band. I mean he was born to be in this band, I’m convinced!

AW: (Laughing) Yeah, I think so. That was one of the things at the beginning I guess why you guys didn’t feel like doing an album before you went out on the road with Kelly, I guess you thought you’d go out and road test it first. I mean if you look at say Journey, when they got Steve Augeri in first of all they did the album before they went out on tour and even with Arnel, the current guy, but I guess you guys just decided to road test it first right …?

Jeff: Well, you’re giving us more credit. It wasn’t like it was that thought out. It was basically just that Mick wanted to kind of get working again so just the first thing we did was live performance, we didn’t really give it much thought beyond that and then as we played, it just dominoed and got better and better and the band got stronger … Then of course, as we realized that it really was turning into a strong act, that recording was the next logical step. It wasn’t like it was thought out ahead of time, we’ll go out and road test it before we do a record … (Laughing) I wish we had that much foresight, but we really didn’t …

(Both laughing)

AW: Just got the band together and just got out on the road right?!

Jeff: Yeah, we just did it!

AW: Well it is good and it’s nice that … I mean the CD package that you put out, the whole Walmart deal that’s going on, it’s the latest thing isn’t it? I guess everyone is doing it I mean Kiss has done it, REO has done it, so many bands have done and you know …

Jeff: Yeah, well you know, you want to go where the record sales are and Walmart is one of the best distributors of records in the world right now, so it’s kind of a no brainer, plus they were really cool conceptually about everything, they’ve been very supportive of the band and so it really became a very logical fit.

AW: Right. So was there any thought at all towards Kelly singing the ‘Best of’ or not really? Was that never a plan at all?

Jeff: Well, I mean obviously we thought about it, because as you brought up that Journey had done that and it was mixed feelings that it was somewhat erm …, he just felt that it was … I don’t want to say disrespectful to the old band, had we done that but he just felt that, what’s the point … I mean maybe we’ll do that someday, who knows but at this point it was just like, ‘Hey listen, let’s just remix the original recordings, we know they’re great. There’s no need to prove what Kelly can do because you can come and see him live and obviously the guy can sing all the songs,’ so it was really all down to what seemed the best overall solution for the record.

AW: Right, it must be nice to have a Top 30 album in the US charts though …?

Jeff: It’s kind of freaky! (Laughs) It really is!

AW: It’s nice because so many of the bands that were so successful in the 80’s and I’ve basically followed this for all my life too and it’s like … The bands have been pulling everyone in live, for years and years every summer … I mean all the bands go out and tour and everything and the albums have been still released by bands, but not been shifting but now it’s like it’s turned around again hasn’t it? So it’s nice.

Jeff: Yeah, well let’s see what happens … I attribute a lot of that to Mick’s vision for everything. I think he’s very smart about how he does stuff. I think he waited for the right time to put out the record and I think he knew … and certainly his quality control is the highest it gets so … He wanted to make sure that when we did put out a record that it was really strong and I believe that’s the case so … I think it’s a lot of factors and I think we’ve also been fortunate that we’ve been able to do a lot of national television which has really helped and I think it all comes down to the fact that we’ve got the goods. The band is strong, the band is someone that people want to see live … So, you can hype up a record or you can hype up a band all you want, but without the goods behind it, it’s ultimately not going to do a lot of good so I just think that, the timings been right, Mick’s vision and approach has been right and the product is there, so there you go!

AW: Absolutely and as you say, it’s nice to be getting the television coverage you been getting and you’ve been getting quite a lot of radio play too, which is excellent for the singles as well too.

Jeff: Yeah, we’ve been pretty consistently in the Top 20 at AP and again, all the stuff that you would just not expect at this point in both what’s going on with the music business and the age of the band so … Yeah, a lot of factors have worked in our favor, to our favor … We’re grateful for it, we don’t take a minute of it for granted.

AW: Excellent! That’s good stuff. This is probably a silly question to even suggest but because of the success of the album and the tour, whether there’d be another live album or DVD from this tour put out, because again if it’s not so long since the last one right, it’s probably not so …

Jeff: No it’s not such a ridiculous question at all. Actually we did a … We’re going to be doing a special for HDNET that’s going to be coming out in the fall and that’s going to be a performance that we recorded at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville a couple of months ago and the whole show ended up being really strong. So they’re going to air about an hour or so of it or so I believe or an hour and a half maybe and at some point I think we’re going to put out a … You know, I don’t know when, butat some point we’ll probably put that out as a DVD. We’ll probably include it, like we did the live DVD in the Can’t Slow Down package, but I would not be surprised at all if someday there’s not a package like that.

AW: Right, I guess there’s already been the Alive and Rockin’ DVD and then the bonus live DVD with the Can’t Slow Down package as you just said, so obviously you don’t want to go for overkill on that do you … (Laughing).

It is a good, nice package and nice album and it rally does sound good …

Jeff: Well thank you man, just to hear that is great.

AW: Yes, it is good and as I say I’m looking forward to seeing the live show this year …

Jeff: Great man, well I hope I have a chance to meet you at the show …

AW: Yeah. So what about Jeff Pilson though? You’ve done a heck of a lot of other stuff like Dio and Dokken, I mean …

Jeff: (Laughing) Right! Well of course Ronnie passed away recently and that’s been real tough and there’s talk of some memorial shows in the fall that I’m hoping to be a part of, but I’m not sure how all that’s going to quite work out right now with scheduling, etc, but … That’s been a devastating loss both personally and professionally so … I was on the road when he passed, but fortunately my wife and daughter got to be with him at the hospital before he passed so there was a connection there at least at the end, that was very important to us and that’s been tough. As far as Dokken goes, you know, the guys are friends and we’ve finally managed to bury all the hatchets of the past and you know George and I are real close and his wife and my wife actually work together fairly frequently (Laughing), doing real estate and real estate loans so … (Laughing) Who would’ve ever thought that! (Both laughing.)

AW: How about that as you say …

Jeff: We’ll see what happens …

AW: Yeah, well there’s also talk of a reunion with Don, George and yourself, I mean is that actually happening or is that really just rumors …?

Jeff: Well you know the rumors spread before there was really any substance to it. What is true, is that we are talking and we’re discussing that possibility for somewhere in the future but we’re all open to it now. I mean we’re all past the point of you know, none of us are resisting it anymore … Now it’s down to, is it the right time? Can it be … Will it make sense? I mean all of us are really, really busy so it’s really hard to see when or how but it’s not ruled out so … We’re talking, so maybe …

AW: Of course I only mentioned Don, George and yourself, but of course Mick Brown jumps around all over the place too with Ted Nugent and other folks too …

Jeff: Right, right …

AW: But do you think an album is likely at all if you do?

Jeff: You know, it’s just too early to say and I’d be honest with you, I just don’t know … Again I’m just so busy right now, that it’s kind of hard to imagine right now doing a Dokken record …

AW: Yeah, with Foreigner right and that what kind of what I was thinking …

Jeff: You know Foreigner right now would have to have quite a bit of time off, which is not on the immediate horizon so …At this point I just don’t know but because we are talking, because we get along or we seem to be getting along, I can’t rule it out for the future, you just never know.

AW: Sure and the other projects you were involved in like M.S.G. and Wild Horses … I mean two albums with Wild Horses and it’s kind of ironic that Johnny Edwards (Foreigner vocalist on ‘Unusual Heat.’) was in there just before you did the first album … and then he joined Foreigner …! (Laughs)

Jeff: Yeah, I thought that was kind of funny too. Well, I haven’t done anything with Wild Horses in a while or M.S.G. but they’re all good friends and I did do another Wild Horses record, when was it about 5 – 6 years ago or something like that or maybe longer … My God, times going so fast … (Laughs) I don’t think there’s anymore talk of that but ‘Hey,’ once again you just never know. I’d probably like to do another War and Peace record one of these days but it’s just having the time you know … (More laughter.)

AW: Right and you did one with George too didn’t you so …?

Jeff: Yeah, yeah and he and I want to do another one of those again too … but again (Laughs) it’s all down to time so we’ll just have to see. Anyway I hate to cut this off, but I half to go downstairs and I’m getting in an elevator and I’m afraid we might get cut off but thank you so much for everything. I really appreciate it and like I say, I hope we get to meet at the show at Pine Knob.

AW: OK Jeff, well listen, I appreciate your time anyway and yep, take care of yourself and good luck in Washington tonight. Have a good show, enjoy the gig.

Jeff: Alright man, thank you so much, we’ll talk soon.

AW: Alright, cheers.

Jeff: Bye, bye.

 

Jeff Pilson website:
www.jeffpilson.com/
 

His MySpace seems to be a little more up to date ....

www.myspace.com/jeffpilson
 

Rock News Brief Update for Saturday 31st July, 2010

Bassist JAMES LOMENZO Joins LYNCH MOB For The Summer Tour and Europe

“Smoke And Mirrors” Out Now On Frontiers Records USA

HOLLYWOOD, CA (July 29, 2010) – James Lomenzo (Megadeth, Black Label Society) joins Lynch Mob for their summer tour in support of their current release “Smoke and Mirrors” on Frontiers Records. The band line-up for this tour consists of George Lynch (shred master), Oni Logan (vox), and Brian Tichy (time-keeper).

After seventeen long years singer Oni Logan and guitar wizard George Lynch found their way back together and again show their amazing abilities in some killer new Hard Rock songs."I would say this new record "Smoke and Mirrors", is the record we should have put out as a follow up to "Wicked Sensation"...better late than never I guess...”, says Lynch presenting the new record.

Lynch Mob was formed by George Lynch, one of the few genuine guitar heroes of substance to emerge from the Los Angeles scene, after DOKKEN split up in 1989. The band’s first album” Wicked Sensation” went on to sell over 500,000 units in the US and featured the talents of singer Oni Logan, Anthony Esposito on bass and another former DOKKEN member Mick Brown on drums. After a tour in support of Queensryche, Logan opted out, with Robert Mason taking his place on the follow up self titled release. However Lynch and Brown eventually returned to Dokken releasing 2 studio albums until he left again in late 1997 putting together a several new incarnations of Lynch Mob and exploring new sounds with different projects.

LYNCH MOB – 2010 TOUR SCHEDULE

July 2010

July 31 The Filmore New York, NY

August 2010
Aug 01 Crazy Donkey Farmingdale, NY

Aug 02 Eleanor Rigby’s Jermyn, PA

Aug 03 House of Blues Cleveland, OH

Aug 04 Scatz NightClub Middleton, WI

Aug 06 Club Vegas Salt Lake City, UT

Aug 07 The New Oasis Sparks, NV

Aug 08 Tower Theater Fresno, CA

Aug 11 Studio Seven Seattle, WA

Aug 12 Dante’s Portland, OR

Aug 13 Last Day Saloon Santa Rosa, CA

Aug 14 Sky City Amphitheater Pueblo of Acoma, NM

http://www.georgelynch.com/

or

www.myspace.com/lynchmobrocks

New UFO compilation release from SPV

It seem's German hard rock / metal label SPV GmbH have announced the release dates for the 16 track UFO compilation album BEST OF A DECADE.

The album will be initially released in Germany: 27th August 2010 - Rest of Europe: 30th August 2010 then it gets a release in USA/Canada: 28th September 2010.

It includes 6 live tracks although whether or not these have been released before elsewhere, I cannot confirm. I tend to think they probably have as they are classic UFO tracks - i.e. Michael Schenker era - and not tracks from the SPV years studio albums.

The full album tracklisting is as follows:

1. The Wild One

2. Hard Being Me

3. Lights Out (Live)

4. Saving Me

5. Daylight Goes To Town

6. Let It Roll (Live)

7. This Kids (Live)

8. Heavenly Body

9. Hell Driver

10. Too Hot To Handle (Live)

11. Mr. Freeze

12. Shoot Shoot (Live)

13. Black And Blue

14. Can´t Buy A Thrill

15. Baby Blue

16. Doctor Doctor (Live)

The band are adding new tour dates all the time so keep track of all thing UFO at:

www.ufo-music.info/

 

Toto live CD & DVD with Mascot Records

TOTO have signed a deal with Mascot Records for the release in 2011 of a live CD and DVD. The recording was made on July 20 2010 in Copenhagen's KB hallen (Denmark) and features many of their great songs including Pamela, 99, Africa amongst others (tracklisting to be announced at a later date).

The line up of Toto for this DVD/CD:

David Paich, Steve Lukather, Joseph Williams, Simon Phillips, Steve Porcaro and special guests Nathan East, Mabvuto Mavuto and Jori Steinberg.

 

Asia confirms three UK dates in December

 

Prog rockers Asia are pleased to announce three new tour dates for the UK in December.

After last weekend's successful performance at London's High Voltage Festival, the band will return to the UK for the following three dates in December 2010.

 

Friday, December 10 - Edinburgh Picturehouse

Satursday, December 11 - Birmingham Institute

Tuesday, December 14 London Forum

The band is just about to start an extensive US tour through August and into September.

USA dates are:

August 2010

Aug 2nd - Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, New Bedford, MA

Aug 3rd - Birchmere, Alexandria VA

Aug 5th - Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe PA

Aug 6th - Theatre at Westbury, Westbury NY

Aug 7th - Showboat. Atlantic City NJ

Aug 8th - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield CT

Aug 10th - Bergen PAC, Englewood, NJ

Aug 12th - Market Block Party, Syracuse, NY

Aug 13th - House of Blues, Cleveland, OH

Aug 14th - Armory, Rochester, NY

Aug 15th - Carnegie Hall of Homestead, Pittsburgh, PA

Aug 17th - Memorial Auditorium, Raleigh, NC

Aug 18th - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA

Aug 20th - House of Blues, Dallas, TX

Aug 21st - House of Blues, Houston, TX

Aug 22nd - Paramount Theatre, Austin, TX

Aug 23rd - Majestic Theatre, San Antonio, TX

Aug 25th - Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, AZ

Aug 26th - Veijas Casino at DreamCatcher, Alpine, CA

Aug 27th - Club Nokia, Los Angeles, CA

Aug 28th - The Grove, Anaheim, CA

Aug 29th - The Uptown, Napa, CA

September 2010

Sep 1st - Laxon Auditorium, Chico, CA

Sep 2nd - Fox Theatre, Bakersfield, CA

Sep 3rd - Ovation at Green Valley Resort & Spa, Henderson, NV

(For room reservations please call 1-800-6-STATIONS)

Sep 4th - Peppermill Casino, Wendover, NV

Sep 5th - Nugget Casino, Sparks, NV

Sep 7th - Aladdin Theatre, Portland, OR

Sep 8th - Moore Theatre, Seattle, WA

The band's website is: www.originalasia.com/

& finally ....

WHOLE LOTTA LOVE: An All-Star rock Salute To Big girls

 

OK, now I don't think this is quite right and no I'm not saying this because I'm defending fat, sorry 'large' girls but, perhaps doing something like this will give people that hate rockers, even more fuel to criticize the genre.

I mean, an all star salute to 'fat girls' is how it's titled ...

Anyway, the reason I have included the details of the press release is simply because of the artists involved. 

 

 

 

Newark, NJ, July 31, 2010 --(PR.com)-- SplitScreen Entertainment has revealed the cover art of its upcoming tribute album "Whole Lotta Love: An All-Star Salute To Fat Chicks." The image can be viewed at the official "Whole Lotta Love" MySpace page or at the SplitScreen Entertainment website. Inspired by the art of 19th century painter William Rimmer, the album cover is based on his most famous work, Evening (The Fall of Day). In place of the winged male in the original is a classically Rubenesque female figure, gracefully floating over a tranquil seascape. The new rendition was created by eminent pop artist Les Toil, known for his bold and beautiful "big girl" pin-up art (as well as concert posters for the likes of Tori Amos and Alanis Morissette, and cover art for albums featuring NOFX, Green Day and Blink-182). In addition to serving as the cover of the tribute, the new artwork is also being offered on posters and T-shirts available from SplitScreen Entertainment.

"To complement such a unique project as this, the cover art needed to be absolutely perfect," reasons SplitScreen Entertainment founder A.J. Confessore. "I wanted to reference an iconic and evocative image, replacing the central figure with a larger woman in a classy and tasteful manner. After months of trying to come up with just the right idea, it finally hit me like a bolt out of the blue! This vision was ultimately given form by the endlessly gifted Les Toil, who rendered our angelic ingenue with due serenity and poise (while also striking that delicate balance between parody and homage). In the end, I hope this image will resonate with fans in the rock and plus-size communities alike."

"Passive and subtle were never qualities that attracted me to rock & roll," adds artist Les Toil. "Apparently the same can be said for my appreciation of the opposite sex. I want a fat bottomed girl. A whole lotta Rosie. A big-legged woman who does (or doesn't) have soul. In other words, I want a whole lotta love!"

As previously reported, "Whole Lotta Love: An All-Star Salute To Fat Chicks" is a musical homage to the big, beautiful women who make the rockin' world go 'round. The tribute will feature all-new recordings of popular songs praising the fuller female figure, originally made famous by some of the biggest names in rock and pop music. These anthems to abundance will be performed by renowned rock & rollers from yesterday and today, along with a select few rising stars. In direct opposition to the "no fat chicks" mantra espoused by some, "Whole Lotta Love" will be a star-studded celebration of large and lovely ladies. Songs confirmed so far include Queen's arena rock classic "Fat Bottomed Girls" by L.A. Guns singer Phil Lewis, with guitarist Paul LaPlaca and drummer John Macaluso. Also on tap is a high-octane version of the AC/DC concert staple "Whole Lotta Rosie" by Rufus Fontain, featuring Cinderella guitarist Jeff LaBar and original Jackyl vocalist Ronnie Honeycutt. The Poison chart-topper "Unskinny Bop" is ably recreated by party rock outfit Evick, featuring members of the Bret Michaels Band. And the bass-heavy Spinal Tap dirge "Big Bottom" is given a 6-string revamp by Twisted Sister guitarist Eddie Ojeda and his Band of Steel. Plus-sized songstress Celisa Stratton brings all-new meaning to the title track "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin, in conjunction with veteran Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali and guitarist Alex Grossi. Additional artists and track listings will be announced as they are confirmed. Samples of all tracks are available at the official "Whole Lotta Love" MySpace page.

"Whole Lotta Love: An All-Star Salute To Fat Chicks" is scheduled for an August 31, 2010 release and is now available for pre-order directly from SplitScreen Entertainment. The first 500 pre-orders will receive a free instant digital download of "Fat Bottomed Girls," as well as a bonus mini-print of the cover art upon delivery of the album. Further details can be found at the SplitScreen Entertainment website.

http://www.splitscreenentertainment.com/

www.myspace.com/WholeLottaLoveTribute