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Wednesday, 30 April 2014
REST IN PEACE ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION'S PAUL GODDARD
The members of the Atlanta Rhythm Section are sad to announce that Paul Goddard, our bass player and a founding member of the band, died today after a brief, sudden illness. Paul was 68.
Paul was frequently singled out for the flawless and tasteful tone of his Rickenbacker 4001 and Fender P bass guitars on ARS's string of hit singles, which began in 1977 and included "So in to You," "Imaginary Lover," "I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight," "Do It Or Die" and a remake of the Classics IV's "Spooky." Rolling Stone magazine voted his bass solo on "Another Man's Woman," from the 1978 ARS live album "Are You Ready" as one of the top five bass solos of all time.
He had retired from touring in the mid-80s, but returned to the band in 2011. He still loved to play on road, actually more now than when the band was at its peak. "I knew Paul when he was a guitarist, and maybe that's why his bass playing was so musical," singer Rodney Justo said. "And to go with that musicality was a unique sound that made him so identifiable to fans and other musicians as well. Yes, at one time he was 'that big fat guy that played bass,' but once he started playing, he wasn't fat. He was a giant." Official Website http://www.atlantarhythmsection.com/
Rich Robinson Album ‘The Ceaseless Sight’ June 3rd 2014
On June 3rd, The End Records will be releasing Rich Robinson's third full-length studio album The Ceaseless Sight. As co-founder of the seminal rock act - The Black Crowes, and having sold well over 30 million albums throughout a career that spans over 25 years, I feel Rich has nailed the mark on this record offering the kind of crossover potential that appeals to a country /indie audience as well.
On TCS, Rich reminds us that it all comes down to the song, and among some of the great electronic music which relies heavily on technology, there's still a place for organic, stripped down songwriting and storytelling.
- The Ceaseless Sight is Rich's third solo album - The album will be release via The End Records June 3rd as announced by Rolling Stone - The first single, "One Road Hill" is available now! - Rich performed on the Experience Hendrix Tour in March/April and will be embarking on a full headline US run with select dates featuring co headliner Jackie Greene and his band.
Following an extensive USA tour Rich Robinson is travelling to Europe for the following dates June 18th - London, England @ The Borderline June 19th - Nijmegen, NL @ Doornroosje June 20th - Hengelo, NL @ Metropool June 21st - Zoetemeer, NL @ Boerderij
Rush are as we all know one of the Biggies in terms of Rock bands. Hard to think however that their studio debut was released forty years ago this year. well the fact of the matter is that yes it is forty years since this self titled album was released so now the powers that be and these days that also includes the members of Rush see fit to celebrate the anniversary of the release of this album with a boxed set of the vinyl album with deluxe packaging.So what do we get for our Dollar so to speak.
Well, the vinyl has been remastered from the original quarter inch master tapes at Abbey Road Studios and pressed onto heavyweight virgin vinyl. The sleeve is an exact replica of the first edition of the album on Moon Records. Inside the box holds an original shop poster, 3 individual photos of each band member and an intricate band family tree. All alongside a download card.
The audio quality considering the age of the recording is actually very good and the playing? Well obviously not quite as sophisticated as the band are now but the spark of what the band would go onto is all here. Sure it sounds like a lot of three piece bands from the time but in songs like Working Man, Finding My Way and In The Mood were certainly a little more sophisticated than the rest of the album and are still considered key songs by the bands now massive fan base
Whilst very "Of its time" Rush certainly was a great leaping off point for the band and while from this point on the band would improve with leaps and bounds for many this was were it all began. Of course this album is the only recording to feature original drummer John Rutsey who sadly passed away in 2008. He was replaced by Neil Peart shortly after the release of this album and the line up has stayed the same ever since.
In terms of a release of course many fans will already have this and of course on vinyl there are no extras in terms of audio, but would you want that? I think not and while the packaging is the real pull here it will be a nice collectible for the hardcore Rush fan and as such serves the anniversary well. As far as I am concerned really this is a must have album perhaps not representative of the band in 2014 but certainly an excellent start of something that went on to become the foundation stone of one of Rock Music's most cherished acts.
JUDAS PRIEST UNLEASH TASTER FROM THEIR 17TH ALBUM,
'REDEEMER OF SOULS'
For U.S. fans of Judas Priest that simply cannot wait for the July 15th release date of their latest classic metal album, 'Redeemer of Souls,' there is some relief on the way. On Tuesday, April 29th, the title track from the album will be available for purchase via iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/redeemer-of-souls-single/id863086125) and other digital service providers. And a clip of the song (plus the single's artwork) is now available to sample at the band's website, www.judaspriest.com.
If you are wondering what to expect from the mighty Priest on their forthcoming album, guitarist Glenn Tipton has set the record straight. "Sometimes in the past we may have come under fire for being too adventurous musically - so we have listened!! From start to finish 'Redeemer of Souls' is 13 songs of pure classic Priest metal!!"
There are only a select number of bands that have accomplished what Judas Priest has throughout their career (as well as having served as a stylistic influence on such a wide variety of bands). Soon the group - singer Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill and drummer Scott Travis - will be offering up more classic Judas Priest metal with the release of 'Redeemer of Souls'
Styx 'Paradise Theater' Album To Be Released On Limited Numbered Hybrid SACD!
“Styx's high-water mark...one of the greatest albums in rock history.”
Styx fans rejoice with the release of the band's critically aclaimed album 'Paradise Theater' on limited numbered Hybrid SACD by Marshall Blonstein's Audio Fidelity. Styx's 10th album, the 1981 release, 'Paradise Theater' was the band's fourth consecutive triple-platinum album. A resounding success, 'Paradise Theater' was their greatest commercial triumph and their only #1 album. It remains one of the best examples of the convergence between progressive rock and AOR which typified the arena rock sound of the top groups of the late-seventies and early-eighties such as Journey, REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick and Kansas.
Styx was a great group of talented musicians - Dennis DeYoung, Tommy Shaw, James Young, Chuck Panozzo and John Panozzo. The album included three Billboard Hot 100 hits, “The Best of Times,” “Nothing Ever Goes As Planned” and “Too Much Time on My Hands” considered among Tommy Shaw's finest singles ever. Another track, “Rockin' The Paradise” reached #8 on the Top Rock Track Chart.
The concept album is a fictional account of Chicago's Paradise Theatre from its opening to closing, used as a metaphor for America's changing times from the late 1970s into the 1980s.
“...some of the best songs Styx would ever write!”
TRACKS:
A.D. 1928
Rockin' the Paradise
Too Much Time on My Hands
Nothing Ever Goes As Planned
The Best of Times
Lonely People
She Cares
Snowblind
Half-Penny, Two-Penny
A.D. 1958
State Street Sadie
Produced by Styx
Mastered by Kevin Gray
at Cohearent Audio
Sunday, 27 April 2014
CANADIAN PROGRESSIVE ROCKERS DRUCKFARBEN
RELEASED 'SECOND SOUND' CD
Canadian progressive rock band Druckfarben will release their sophomore album, Second Sound, worldwide on March 22. The record will be available in CD form from their website (druckfarben.ca) and CD Baby, and digitally from iTunes and Bandcamp.
Second Sound features bold new colours in such songs as “An Answer Dreaming”, “In Disbelief” and “Liberated Dream”, and concludes with the 19-minute “Second Sound” suite. “This is a natural progression from our first album,” says guitarist Ed Bernard, “but also introduces musical elements that might be surprising to those who know our music so far.”
Bernard leads the group, which was formed in 2008 along with bassist Peter Murray(Surrender Dorothy, Ron Sexsmith), keyboardist William Hare (Crystal Shawanda, Angelica DiCastro, Abraham's Children), drummer Troy Feener (Full Nine, Tom Cochrane) and singer Phil Naro (Talas, Peter Criss, DDrive). In German, Druckfarben means “coloured ink used for printing on textiles or other media.” In the mid-80s, teenaged Ed and Troy had no idea what the word meant when they discovered it stencilled on mysterious black barrels in their rehearsal studio. But many years later it resurfaced as the name of Canada’s great new prog export.
All five members of Druckfarben grew up with a shared love of classic progressive rock music, such as Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant, Rush, King Crimson and Kansas. They played their first show on March 1, 2008 in Port Credit, Ontario. Their self-titled debut was released in October 2011, followed by a live DVD (Artifact) in 2013. They quickly built up an international following, including supporters such as Kim Mitchell, Nick D’Virgilio (Spock’s Beard), and Maurizio Guarini of Italy's Goblin, as well as producers Terry Brown (Rush) and David Bendeth (Bruce Hornsby, Paramore).
The band is eager to perform the exciting new material from Second Sound live throughout 2014 and beyond.
Louisiana Music Hall of Fame members, Lillian Axe, will be releasing their thirteenth album, the acoustic live, One Night in the Temple, produced by Steve Blaze, on May 27, 2014 via CME Records / Sony Music (RED) in the USA and Canada and on Melodic Rock Records / Cargo for the rest of the world on May 19.
Performed acoustically in an intimate setting housed in a Masonic Temple in the Bayou, with their most die-hard fans, One Night in the Temple, features all their hits including, True Believer, Show A Little Love, Crucified, Misery Loves Company, Ghost of Winter, The Great Divide, Bow Your Head, Waters Rising and the crowd favorite Nobody Knows.
Lillian Axe founder Steve Blaze reflects; “ when I first had the idea of putting this show together, it was originally going to be a private 20 person show with acoustic guitars, vocals and no production, however, it took on a life of its own.”
One Night in the Temple; will be released as 3 disc set (2CDs/1DVD and 2CDs/1Blu-Ray), housed in an elaborate digipack. Filmed in high definition, the Blu-Ray will contain the acoustic performance, fan question and answer session, videos for the songs Caged In and Death Comes Tomorrow, featuring 3 songs live in concert from their July 4, 2013 performance at the Paragon Casino and behind the scenes footage while the DVD will contain 1 song from the Paragon Casino and the video for Death Comes Tomorrow.
FULL TRACK LISTING:
Disc 1: Waters Rising, Death Comes Tomorrow, Ghost of Winter, See You Someday, The Great Divide, Nocturnal Symphony, Sad Day On Planet Earth, Bow Your Head, Show A Little Love and Misery Loves Company.
Disc 2: Crucified, The World Stopped Turning, Dyin’ to Live (Shades of Blue), Until The End Of The World, The Day I Met You, The Promised Land, Nobody Knows, My Apologies, True Believer and Nobody Knows (Crowd Version).
Lillian Axe is Brian Jones (lead vocals), Steve Blaze (guitar and vocals), Sam Poitevent (guitar and vocals), Eric Morris (bass guitar) and Ken Koudelka (drums).
Lillian Axe will be touring to support this release this summer beginning in the middle of July.
Confirmed dates with more to be announced:
4/18 in Houston, TX @ Concert Pub North
4/19 in Dallas, TX @ Red Blood Club
5/9 in Jackson, MS @ Duling Hall
7/19 in Pekin, IL @ Goodfellas
9/27 in Melbourne, FL @ 80's In The Park Festival
STRANGE KARMA'S NEW SINGLE, "DEVIL FROM THE MOON" OUT NOW!
Led by the Australian brother duo of Martin and Paul Strange (who supply vocals and guitar, respectively), Strange Karma is set to unleash a brand new single, "Devil from the Moon," via iTunes on Tuesday, April 22nd (on Flexitone Records).
"Devil from the Moon" also serves as a prelude to the group's upcoming, yet-to-be-titled album, which was produced and engineered by Grammy nominated David Ivory.
"Working on the new album with David was an unforgettable experience," the brothers recall. "He instinctively recognized what was necessary to manifest the essence of Strange Karma and mold it into something that appeals to a worldwide audience."
"During our collaboration, David connected with us both on a musical and personal level. His intrinsic ability as a producer to bring out the best in us as musicians has led to the creation of an authentic live performance experience and an honest representation of the Strange Karma sound.”
Martin also discussed how the new song came to be: "Devil From The Moon emerged from a guitar riff my brother Paul (Strange) created. We kicked it around the studio for some time and out of the blue, the line ‘devil from the moon' just came to me. From there, the lyric manifested seamlessly into a song - an entity that demands allegiance from its audience!"
"For us, lyric and melody are of equal importance - neither takes precedence in our songwriting and each is imperative in the telling of the story. People who have seen us perform already know that Strange Karma has always strived to create music that also incorporates a theatrical element - we want our audiences not only to be moved by our music, but to 'live' the experience created with every note, every drum beat, every word."
"As the lead single from our new album, we believe 'Devil from the Moon' delivers the high-voltage energy and excitement the fans have come to expect from Strange Karma. It's been a long time coming, but we're confident the collaboration of haunting guitar riffs and menacing lyrics on 'Devil from the Moon' makes this track a compelling listen."
Strange Karma's first album, 'Volume 1,' was issued in 2011 and racked up countless accolades from the music press, perhaps most flattering of all being WeLoveMetal.com, who said, “I’m going to start this is a big way. Who in the hell needs a Led Zeppelin reunion when we have a band with the sound of Strange Karma? These guys are the second coming of the music that started it all.” Additionally, Matt O’Shaughnessy from WVOX Metal Mayhem said, “Strange Karma is one of the most refreshing and highly innovative bands I have ever had the pleasure of spinning on air.”
Judging from "Devil from the Moon," Strange Karma's upcoming sophomore disc will expand on the promise of their debut effort. Go ahead and start setting your "expectation meters" high!
KEVIN ESTRADA’S ‘ROCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING’ BENEFIT RAISES OVER $10,000 TO BATTLE HUMAN TRAFFICKING
LEFT PHOTO (Courtesy of Stephanie Cabral Photography)
L-R : Chris Broderick (Megadeth), Dave Lombardo (Philm/Slayer), Kevin Estrada, Robert DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots), Keith St. John (Montrose)
Veteran photographer Kevin Estrada's Rockers Against Trafficking benefit to help raise awareness of human trafficking this past April 11th at Paladino's in Tarzana, CA (sponsored by Monster Energy) was an amazing success. All of the proceeds from the show will be used to rebuild the lives of these young victims with housing, medical assistance, legal aid, and job placement, and the donations will also be used to build and set up border monitoring stations between countries that are known for human trafficking. All proceeds will be divided between CAST LA (www.castla.org) and Tiny Hands International (www.tinyhandsinternational.org).
A completely packed venue witnessed a silent auction and raffle, with highlights including a Schecter guitar signed by all the musicians (for which a bidding war broke out!), a DW Collectors Series snare signed by all the musicians, a signed Motley Crue 'Greatest Hits' 2-LP Set and a signed drum cymbal by the Cult. There were also a few impromptu live auctions on stage offering a very rare guitar pick owned and used by Dimebag Darrell, and a pair of drumsticks – signed on stage by a sweaty Dave Lombardo just as he finished his set.
Performance highlights included a blistering set by Helmet, a gritty and fire fueled debut performance by Randy Piper's F-4, and a mind-blowing all star set by Chris Broderick (Megadeth), Dave Lombardo (Slayer/Philm), Robert DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots), and Keith St. John (Montrose). The heaviness was balanced out with touching acoustic moments by Burton C. Bell of Fear Factory and an uplifting acoustic set by Gonzo and Phil Sandoval of Armored Saint. To Humans, Spiders and Snakes and Edge Of Paradise and Ann Boleyn’s Hellion set helped round out the night and kept the crowd energized.
While the music was outstanding, the audience continued to be educated throughout the evening about the dangers of the human trafficking epidemic. One portion of the evening that really hit home was an eye opening and heart breaking speech by a Burbank, CA mother whose daughter was kidnapped and forced into the world of human trafficking. The show was also dedicated to two missing girls, Ali and Savannah. The loudest audience cheer of the entire event was when Estrada announced from the stage, "Hopefully the next Rockers Against Trafficking concert will be to celebrate Ali and Savannah as they are rescued and reunited with their families."
"Besides being a photographer, I am a dad – that is my top priority in life," adds Estrada. "I am so thankful to all the artists that donated their time and talents. The event was a huge success, I am very happy with the outcome. We have so many great supporters behind us and we gained many more that evening. Rockers Against Trafficking is here to stay."
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A DONATION, PLEASE VISIT:
Classic Rock Legends Wishbone Ash Tour North America Spring 2014 In Support of New CD Release - Blue Horizon
Tour includes South and Western regions for the first time in years!
New London, CT - Wishbone Ash, one of the most influential guitar bands in the history of rock, returns to North America this Spring with brand new tunes from their upcoming release, Blue Horizon.
The group returns to these shores following last year’s annual tour through the the East, Midwest, Northwest and Western Canada, where they delighted fans with high-energy performances featuring a vast catalog spanning 45 continuous years of music-making.
The 2014 Spring tour has been nicknamed “The Blue Horizon Tour” to coincide with the March US release of Blue Horizon and celebrate the return of the band to areas not visited in many years.
“I thought, why not ring the bell to see if our fans in the South and Southwest would come out and join the party,” says bandleader and founding member Andy Powell.
The first leg of the tour begins April 15 in Florida and winds south and west before heading northward through the Pacific West Coast and Canada.
“We hope our long-lost fans will come check out what we’ve been doing, which has been continuously touring, recording and rehearsing,” said Powell. “The band has a fire in its belly, and we want to share that.”
Formed in 1969, Wishbone Ash has to its credit 24 original studio recordings, 10 live albums and four live DVDs along with a DVD rockumentary (“This is Wishbone Ash”). The band is led by founding member Andy Powell on guitar and vocals, trading licks with Finland’s guitar wizard Muddy Manninen. Bassist Bob Skeat, a 17-year veteran of the band and in-demand studio musician, sets the pace with Joe Crabtree, one of the best of Britain’s new breed of drummers whose performance credits include Pendragon and David Cross of King Crimson.
“The band basically lives together year-round, so we have a very strong level of communication that translates in our performances and recordings,” says Powell.
Wishbone Ash’s new album, Blue Horizon (Solid Rockhouse Records), includes guest artist Pat McManus playing fiddle on two tracks. Fans will recall McManus made an appearance on 2011’s Elegant Stealth and also co-wrote one of the songs, “Can't Go It Alone,” with Andy Powell. Blue Horizon features two songs written by Aynsley Powell (Powell's son) and one by former Wishbone Ash guitarist Roger Filgate.
Elegant Stealth (ZYX Records) was enthusiastically received by fans and critics alike. Classic Rock Revisited’s Jeb Wright called it “One of the best albums in Wishbone Ash’s career.”
“This band is like a fine wine that just keeps getting better with age and this is one of their strongest studio releases in years,” said Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck of MuzikReviews.com.
“The songs are catchy, very technical, but there is a soul in what Wishbone Ash is doing!” said Mark Kadzielawa of 69 Faces of Rock.
Lynyrd Skynyrd cites Wishbone Ash as a primary influence on their style along with Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden and, more recently, heavyweights like Opeth and some of the guitar-based Indie/Alternative bands. All have been transformed by the original, legendary twin-guitar approach of Wishbone Ash. There is no other rock band on the planet that has done more with the twin guitar concept than The Ash.
Longtime fans and new converts will find that Wishbone Ash offers an undeniable concert experience.
Manfred Mann's Earth Band Vocal Legend Chris Thompson Releases Eagerly Awaited New CD 'Toys & Dishes'
Esoteric Antenna is pleased to announce the release of the new album by CHRIS THOMPSON. Known for his work as the vocalist and guitarist on many hits with Manfred Mann's Earth Band, including “Blinded By The Light”, “For You” and “The Mighty Quinn”, as well as featured on the classic Jeff Wayne concept album 'War of the Worlds', Chris is also a noted songwriter (penning among other songs the smash hit “You’re the Voice” for John Farnham). His new studio album, 'Toys & Dishes', is his first in over ten years and draws on all the musical elements that make Chris's songs and voice so instantly recognizable.
Of his new album, Chris reflects; “I'm very proud of the result. The songs really mean a great deal to me, mostly inspired by my daily life, a couple of forays into the past and a story or two! Hopefully they’re accessible to both my very loyal fans and to everybody struggling to find time and money to do what they really want to with the people they love.”
'Toys & Dishes' is a must have for all fans of legendary Chris Thompson!
Chris Thompson 'Toys & Dishes' album preview video:
Drum Legend Terry Bozzio Presents a Solo Musical Performance on World´s Largest Tuned Drum and Percussion Set on Forthcoming North American Tour!
An Evening with TERRY BOZZIO North American Tour 2014
Los Angeles, CA – Drum legend Terry Bozzio, known for his work with Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck, UK and his critically acclaimed solo ventures, celebrates the 50th anniversary of his first drum lesson with “An Evening With Terry Bozzio” coast-to-coast North American tour! During the course of this tour, Terry Bozzio will hit over 40 cities from San Diego to Jacksonville to Montreal to Vancouver to Los Angeles and everywhere in between. This will be a night of solo drumming and include compositions from throughout his career, as well as improvisation. It is by no means a clinic or a workshop. Enjoy an intimate evening of Terry Bozzio and his monster sculpture of a drum kit together for the first time in seated venues across North America.
“TERRY BOZZIO - An Evening of Solo Drum Music” is a unique, intense, dynamic, spiritualistic, melodic, orchestral, atmospheric, and musical performance on the largest tuned drum & percussion set in the world. Unless you have seen Terry, you have no idea what you are in for. Bozzio is an enigmatic, evocative, and engaging musician whose instrument just happens to be the drums. Terry Bozzio is able to accompany himself with bass note patterns and, at the same time, melodically solo on top with highly developed coordination skills to express a complete musical statement on the drum set alone. Drawing from jazz, classical, & ethnic percussion styles from around the world, Terry Bozzio is “a storyteller,” able to weave a hypnotic spell over audiences and enthrall them with an eclectic experience filled with contrast, variety, intimacy, excitement, & passion.
Terry has had tremendous success with his last two Terry Bozzio solo drum performance tours in Europe (2012 included his headline show at the Jazz Festival Frankfurt – the oldest jazz festival in the world – and 2013 which included sold out performances in Sweden, Germany, Eastern Europe, and France). Please note that this is not a bombastic 2 hour drum solo. This is MUSIC on drums, “an evening with Terry Bozzio.” In most of Bozzio’s works, he accompanies himself with bass lines while soloing over it melodically on the tuned toms. There is space, classical forms & structures, ambient electronic loops, and atmospheric percussion effects, as well as some exciting & fiery drumming that brings audiences to their feet!
An Evening with TERRY BOZZIO North American Tour Dates:
Aug 15, 2014 - Mexicali, BC, Mexico - Lob Bar (Bol Bol)
Sept 19, 2014 - Richmond Hill, ON, Canada - Cosmopolitan Music Hall
Sept 21, 2014 - Buffalo, NY - Nietzches
Sept 24, 2014 - Nashville, TN - 3rd and Lindsley
Sept 26, 2014 - Newport, KY - The Southgate House Revival
Sept 30, 2014 - Little Rock, AR - Juanitas
Oct 05, 2014 - Chicago, IL - Martyrs
Oct 06, 2014 - Chicago, IL - Martyrs
Oct 14, 2014 - Calgary, AB, Canada - Orpheus Theatre
Oct 16, 2014 - Vancouver, BC, Canada - Imperial
Oct 17, 2014 - Vancouver Island, BC, Canada - Tidemark Theatre
Oct 19, 2014 - Seattle, WA - The Triple Door
Oct 20, 2014 - Portland, OR - Aladdin Theater
Oct 23, 2014 - Oakland, CA - Yoshi´s
Oct 25, 2014 - Los Angeles, CA - Catalina´s
Oct 26, 2014 - Los Angeles, CA - Catalina´s
In other news, Over the last four decades, drummer Terry Bozzio has built an extraordinary legacy based on his unique approach to rhythm and the diverse and acclaimed recordings to which he's contributed. On April 18, 2014 he'll go beyond genres into new mediums with the release of an art collection titled [RHYTHM] + [SKETCH]. Available exclusive at www.terrybozzioart.com, the collection is a fusion of artwork crafted over the last three decades mixed with new abstract visuals made from capturing rhythm.
A project that began a year ago, [RHYTHM] + [SKETCH] is a highly limited release of artwork on canvas. The collection's visuals are a unique fusion of ink sketches Bozzio has made throughout his career, as well as his take on the new medium of rhythm-on-canvas, a process of creating abstract artwork through the documentation of rhythmic performance and light movement. To build the collection, Bozzio joined Los Angeles art team SceneFour in the creation process. SceneFour is the team responsible for the rhythm-on-canvas movement, working exclusively with the world's finest drummers to craft abstract artwork from performance. “Terry's collection is a remarkable step forward. His style is so unique that once captured the arcs and techniques he's mastered become crystal clear to a discerning viewer,” SceneFour's Co-Founder Cory Danziger states. “The fusion of Terry's sketches into the rhythmic creations is a natural. His work behind the kit has similarities to the artwork done by hand. It's very telling of how his creativity is consistent even as it crosses platforms.” In total, twelve different works are featured in Bozzio's collection, with a limited number of each piece available to the public on April 18, 2014. Each piece is numbered and signed individually by Bozzio. To join the interest list to learn more and see it before the release, sign up at www.terrybozzioart.com. Terry's stage setting for his upcoming solo drum tour will include large pieces of his [RHYTHM] + [SKETCH] work as a backdrop on the stage.
"I just want to make music on the drums." - Terry Bozzio
Dutch Rock Legends FOCUS Release New Album 'Golden Oldies' On April 14, 2014
Dutch rock legends Focus will be releasing their eagerly awaited new album on April 14, 2014. Titled 'Golden Oldies', the new release features re-recordings of classic Focus tracks, featuring “Hocus Pocus”, “Sylvia”, “House Of The King” and others. Focus has recently embarked on a world tour in support of their forthcoming album.
Thijs Van Leer explains, “Producing 'Golden Oldies' is tricky. Both the die hard Fans and the 2014 Focus-members were having doubts about this enterprise, because we didn't know if the recent recordings would match the original material, notwithstanding the fact that we had so much fun in doing the session, quick, romantic, virtuoso, full of funny moments & profoundness; But... the final mix turns out to be fantastic and we all are proud to release this album at our earliest convenience!! Halleluya!!!”
With their unique brand of progressive rock, Focus manifested themselves at the start of the '70s as the most successful and appreciated of all the Dutch pop-rock exports. Fronted by founding member Thijs Van Leer, and best known for their hits “Hocus Pocus”, “House of The King” and “Sylvia”, the iconic Dutch music masters are back with their new album, which is guaranteed to please their legions of fans!
After a comeback in the early 2000's, the band has gone from strength to strength, with their last studio album 'Focus X' still receiving considerable support from music fans across multiple genres. Along with Thijs van Leer on vocals, flute and keyboards, back on the drums is beloved Focus drummer Pierre van der Linden, who joined the group on their second album 'Moving Waves' in 1972.
Internationally renowned for his rhythmic skills, Pierre remains a defining factor in the Focus sound. Bassist Bobby Jacobs, who comes from a well-acclaimed Dutch musical family and guitarist Menno Gootjes, who participated in Focus at an earlier stage, complete the band's current line-up.
Most recently, the group's 1972 worldwide hit “Hocus Pocus” was featured in the major motion picture 'Robocop' starring Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman and Michael Keaton.
UK Punk Legends The Deviants Back Catalog Gets Reissued On Gonzo Multimedia
Much to the excitement of punk rock fans around the globe, Gonzo Multimedia is reissuing the legendary Deviants back catalog. The Social Deviants were founded by singer/writer Mick Farren in 1967 out of the Ladbroke Grove UK Underground community, featuring Pete Munro on bass; Clive Muldoon on guitar, Mike Robinson on guitar and Russell Hunter on drums. The band shortened their name to The Deviants after Munro and Muldoon left and were replaced by Sid Bishop on guitar and Cord Rees on bass. With the financial backing of Nigel Samuel, the 21-year-old son of a millionaire, whom Farren had befriended, the group independently recorded their debut album 'Ptooff!', selling copies through the UK Underground press before it was picked up by Decca Records.
Rees left the band in June 1967 to be replaced by Farren's flatmate Duncan Sanderson and the band released a second album 'Disposable' through the independent label Stable Records. When Bishop married and left the band, Farren recruited Canadian guitarist Paul Rudolph, at the suggestion of Jamie Mandelkau. This band recorded and released the album 'The Deviants 3' through Transatlantic Records.
During a tour of North America's west coast the relationship between Farren and the musicians became personally and musically strained, and the band decided to continue without Farren, who returned to England where he teamed up with ex-Pretty Things drummer Twink and Steve Peregrin Took to record the album 'Mona – The Carnivorous Circus', an album interspersed with interviews with members of the UK Hells Angels, before concentrating on music journalism. The three remaining musicians - Rudolph, Sanderson and Hunter - returned to England, and teamed up with Twink to form the Pink Fairies.
In the mid-1970s, Farren was offered a one-off deal by Stiff Records to record an EP, 'Screwed Up', which was released under the name Mick Farren and the Deviants. The musicians on this record included Rudolph, former Pink Fairies/Motörhead guitarist Larry Wallis, former Warsaw Pakt guitarist Andy Colquhoun and former Hawkwind drummer Alan Powell. This band, without Rudolph, went on to record the album 'Vampires Stole My Lunch Money' and the non-album single “Broken Statue”, both credited to Mick Farren rather than The Deviants.
The Deviants - 'Barbarian Princes Live In Japan 1999':
At the end of the 1970s Farren again concentrated on his writing and relocated to New York. He would resurrect The Deviants name for occasional live performances, such as these shows recorded in Japan with long-time friend and collaborator Andy Colquhoun. (To be released on April 28, 2014)
The legendary Mick Farren, for nearly forty years their singer and guiding light has stated that The Deviants were originally a community band which "did things every now and then—it was a total assault thing with a great deal of inter-relation and interdependence". Musically, Farren described their sound as "teeth-grinding, psychedelic rock" somewhere between The Stooges and The Mothers of Invention. The Deviants have been described as a transition between classic British psych and the punk/heavy metal aesthetic of the 1970s.
Andy Colquhoun, long-time Deviants guitarist explained, “It was recorded in LA. It was mostly recorded at some studio up in The Valley”. He went on to explain that there were actually two versions of the original album, and that the Gonzo release included two tracks that originally only appeared in Japan.
Tracks:
The Deviants - Dr. Crow 1. When Dr Crow Turns on the Radio 2. Strawberry Fields Forever 3. The Murdering Officer 4. Taste The Blue 5. Bela Lugosi 2002 6. You're Gonna Need Somebody On Your Bond 7. Diabolo's Cadillac 8. Song of The Hired Guns 9. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance 10. Sold To Babylon 11. A Long Dry Season 12. What Do You Want?
At the end of the 1970s, Mick Farren would resurrect The Deviants name for occasional live performances, such as in February 1984 when he teamed up with Wayne Kramer and Wallis' band which featured Sanderson and drummer George Butler. This set was released as Human Garbage. In 2002, a new line-up of the band (featuring bassist Doug Lunn, drummer Rick Parnell and vocalist Michael Simmons) released 'Dr. Crow'.
Farren then continued to perform and record sporadically under the name The Deviants, using a pool of musicians which include Colquhoun and former Blodwyn Pig saxophonist Jack Lancaster. 'Eating Jello With A Heated Fork' was released in 1996, credited to Deviants IXVI, followed by 2002's 'Dr Crow'. On June 25, 2011, after returning to live in the UK, Farren performed on the 'Spirit of 71' stage at Glastonbury Festival with 'The Last Men Standing'. The band included Colquhoun and the Deviants late-1960s rhythm section of Sanderson and Hunter. During a rare performance by The Deviants at The Borderline in Central London on 27 July, 2013, Farren collapsed on stage. He died later in hospital.
This album was originally released in 1999. Critic Dave Thompson writes: “Half live, half-studio Left the Planet bristles with the highest octane intake of new Mick Farren songs in years - and anyone armed with the 'Barbarian Princes' live album will already know what that means. The bulk of the album was recorded with Farren's Deviants lineup of guitarist/bassist Andy Colquhoin and former Motörhead drummer Phil Taylor - itself an aggregation to make your skin crawl. Four live tracks from sundry Terrastock and L.A. shows, however, add a shapeless shadow to any sense of well-being which familiarity might conjure up...the overall mood of the album remains fearful, foreboding, and absolutely poisonous, a kick in the small of the back to propel you into a world which restructures the sound of the rock revolution before the media middlemen tacked their percentage on top - and it proves that some things really can't be bought or sold. Peace of mind is one of them.”
Tracks:
1: Aztec Calender 2: Gunfire in the Night 3. It's Alright Ma (I'm only bleeding) 4. God's Worst Nightmare 5. People are Afraid of Reality 6. Love Among the Zombies 7. Let's Loot the Supermarket again Like we did Last Summer 8. Yellow Dog 9. Mick Farren has Left the Planet 10 Twilight of the Gods 11. Memphis Psychosis
Eric Clapton's 1985 Comeback Album 'Behind The Sun' Released on Hybrid SACD
“...another great recording...perhaps the most experimental of his career”
Eric Clapton fans are buzzing with excitement over the release of his critically acclaimed 1985 comeback album 'Behind The Sun' on limited numbered edition Hybrid SACD on Marshall Blonstein's Audio Fidelity! The musical climate had changed dramatically from the days Eric Clapton had topped the charts in the '70s. 'Behind The Sun' is not his first album of the decade, but he obviously understood it was time to modernize his sound. After signing with Warner Brothers in 1983, Clapton bounced back on the music charts for the first time in five years, and solidified his return in 1985 with the instant success of 'Behind The Sun' his ninth album.
Backed with a line-up of stellar musicians and producers Lenny Waronker, Rod Templeman and Phil Collins, Clapton for the first time in years now had several songs that reached a wider audience scoring Top 40 hits with "Forever Man" and "See What Love Can Do." He didn't abandon his old music, he just blended it more effectively and brought the flavor up to date by mastering the more electronic sound of '80s radio.
This album also had a heavy soul flavor with a really well produced version of Eddie Floyd's "Knock On Wood" and Clapton remained true to the blues with a brilliant eight minute track, "Same Old Blues" which contains some of his most electric playing of the era.
The sessions featured Toto guitarist Steve Lukather and former drummer Jeff Porcaro, as well as Clapton's long-time collaborators, drummer Jamie Oldaker, bassist Nathan East and keyboardist Greg Phillinganes. Clapton's voice had a rich new depth, like whiskey aged to perfection. The recording showcased blistering guitar solos, a high-octane R&B beat and a slick synthesizer-backed production, that was well-suited for the pop-rock market - The Guitar God was now serenading to a new generation of admirers and fans alike.
“Back in the spotlight...this comeback album is an underrated classic - Don't miss out on this gem!”
TRACKS She's Waiting See What Love Can Do Same Old Blues Knock on Wood Something's Happening Forever Man It All Depends Tangled in Love Never Make You Cry Just Like a Prisoner Behind the Sun
Produced by: Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Ted Templeman, Lenny Waronker
Mastered by Steve Hoffman at Stephen Marsh Mastering
Eric Clapton's 'Journeyman' Album Feat. George Harrison, Chaka Khan, Daryl Hall, Robert Cray, Phil Collins and others Now Available On Hybrid SACD
“...one of the greatest rock/blues guitarists on the planet!”
Much to the elation of Eric Clapton fans across the globe, Marshall Blonstein's Audio Fidelity has released Clapton's 'Journeyman' album as a limited numbered edition Hybrid SACD! Eric Clapton is a true legend. 'Journeyman' reached #16 on the Billboard album chart and became Clapton's first solo studio album to go double platinum. Like any of his best albums, there is no grandstanding to be found on 'Journeyman'...it's simply a laid-back and thoroughly engaging display of his virtuosity. The album was heralded as a return to form for Clapton, much of it has an electronic sound, mostly influenced by the 1980s rock scene, but it also includes blues songs like “Before You Accuse Me,” “Running on Faith,” and “Hard Times.”
“At the center of it all is Clapton's guitar work...stinging blues and soaring pop.”
There is an all-star assembly of guests: Dire Straits keyboardist Alan Clark, George Harrison, Chaka Khan, Daryl Hall, Robert Cray, Cecil and Linda Womack, Phil Collins and Gary Burton. Among the highlights are several cuts that feature slide-versus-slowhand guitar dueling with Cray. George Harrison is particularly impressive on his little masterpiece “Run So Far,” playing guitar and singing harmony vocals.
A couple of tracks rank among Clapton's best from any decade.The strongest commercial single is “Bad Love,” which won the 1990 Best Male Rock Vocal Performance Grammy Award, and reached the No. 1 position on the Album Rock Chart. “Pretending” is a firm mid-tempo rocker that also reached the No. 1 position on the Album Rock Chart and and includes one of his most assured vocal performances ever.
Clapton sounds more convincing than he had since the early '70s. Not only is his guitar playing muscular and forceful, his singing is soulful and gritty - he seems to have struck the perfect balance between the fiery blues of his youth with the pop flavorings of his later years.
Suits you sir! Shockings in stockings (Photo: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images AsiaPac )
Thanks to the joy of technology we have a worldwide listenership at Classic Rock Radio and we know we have a lot of listeners in Australia and some good ol' aussie rock features are currently in production for the station so yesterday I was very pleased to be at the Media Call for #rockyhorrorau for a bit of a preview and also spoke with a few of the cast including Craig McLachlan who it might surprise you to hear is a total rocker at heart & has been since he first got an electric guitar at 10, As well as being known for his acting antics in Neighbours, Home & Away, Dr Blake Mysteries, NCIS LA, film work, music & various stage musicals he is definitely known for also being a funny good natured and naughty chap..
He totally proved this to me yesterday, it was naturally all in good fun and banter (and very much in keeping with the character of Frank N Furter) I was very tempted to call him Frank N FLIRTER .
Now, I have experienced many weird and wonderful moments both in my time as an actress and of course in radio, however it was the FIRST time I had ever sat down to interview a man wearing more make-up than I would wear in a month (move over Alice Cooper ;-) ) and dressed in a corset , high heels and fishnet stockings (and looking better in them than many women! ) What a vision!! (my late mother would have been very amused, she often laughed recalling the time she had to share a dressing room with Danny La Rue due to a burst pipe backstage, and as they stood there complimenting each others gowns my mother was changing, not realising that Danny was in fact a female impersonator !!!)
However whilst speaking with this 'wonderful vision' I honestly didn't know where to look at times and was trying so hard not to laugh my butt off at some of the things he was telling me . Can't wait until you get to hear it on Classic Rock Radio. . I could only speak with him for a short time as obviously with it being a media call there's only limited time and of course many people wanting to speak with the cast . It was well attended by the media and I could tell we were all delighted by what we were seeing.
Christie Whelan Browne , Tim Maddren & Craig McLachlan (Photo: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images AsiaPac )
As well as speaking with Craig I also spoke to the gorgeous Christie Whelan Browne ( above)who plays Janet - viva la Stepford Wivesesque pretty pink dress! and the charming Kristian Lavercombe the legendary Riff Raff. He has been in it for 6 runs
'like he just stepped out of a salon' RHS's Riff Raff (Kristian Lavercombe)
The cast had ran through two numbers twice for us , naturally it was those classics Time-Warp and Sweet Transvestite. It was utterly awesome. I was so hypnotised by what I was seeing on stage that for a moment I forgot why I was actually there . It certainly left me hungry for more. If I ever become one of those nonchalant smug and blase' seen-it-all-before-yawnnnn ' kind of person then do just kick me and quietly cart me off to a padded ward.
Actually one would have to be crazy not to appreciate the infectiously fun atmosphere and enjoyment that this show obviously generates.
Whilst I have seen the movie and know the songs, to sit there watching it happen a few feet in front of me was utterly enchanting. (Yes I am confessing to having never seen the musical before, this obviously needs to be rectified! )
Cast & crew
Anyway, Craig adores classic rock, and would have spoken about it for ages if he had had more time.. Seems he'd also fancy being a 'rock DJ' so maybe we should bring him in to do a show at Classic Rock Radio sometime ;-) I hope to have an opportunity again for more rock chat with him. He gave me a fun interview about his love of rock music and of course about the musical.
Later that day when I went into a store near the theatre a gentlemen told me he had been at the original show in London in 1973. Yes it is hard to believe there has been 40 years of Rocky Horror , Richard O'Brien is a genius. I wonder if he realised all those years ago when he first wrote it just how popular it would be.
You can find out more about the Australian tour here on Facebook, Twitter and the website
Do you have RHS memories? If so Tweet them to us or pop them on our Classic Rock Radio Facebook page . We'll let you know when this feature will air. In the mean time if in Melbourne what are you waiting for, get those fishnets out and on. Red lipstick at the ready!
