NINE BELOW ZERO

 A&M Years

To mark the re-release of their two critically acclaimed A&M studio albums from the 1980's, Nine Below Zero are reforming their classic ‘Young Ones’ line-up for a special one-off UK tour this Autumn.

The two classic albums, ’Don’t Point Your Finger’ and ‘Third Degree’ were re-packaged, re-mastered and released through Universal Music earlier this year.

The band’s original drummer Mickey ‘Stix’ Burkey will re-join the band for the tour. He recently played live with the band for the first time since the 80s, in November 2012 at the 30^th Anniversary of The Assembly Room in Islington. Mickey and frontman Dennis Greaves co-wrote many of the songs on ‘Don’t Point Your Finger’ and ‘Third Degree’.

Don’t Point Your Finger, originally released in 1981, was Nine Below Zero’s second album. Recorded in 12 days at Olympic Sound Studios in Barnes and produced by the legendary Glyn Johns. Dennis says, “We were walking in the footsteps of some of the all-time greats. Led Zeppelin’s first album was recorded there, along with “Who’s Next” and “Beggars Banquet” by The Stones. It was the most inspiring experience”. The double CD also includes a live performance recorded for the BBC Radio One’s In Concert series in 1981 at The Granary Club in Bristol.

Third Degree, originally released in 1982, included the single 11+11, which was performed on the first episode of cult TV show, The Young Ones. This album spent six weeks in the album chart. David Bailey, renowned photographer of The Beatles, The Stones and the Kray Twins (to name a few), took the photograph for the album front cover artwork.

Nine Below Zero originally recorded the album, again with Glyn Johns, at his studio in Sussex. However, with it’s raw sound, A&M wanted to hear the album with a more clinical production and the band went on to re-record it with producer Simon Boswell. Now available for the first time, Johns’ original recording will be available on the re-release along with the more familiar version of the album.

Dennis says “I think it will be interesting for fans to see how a series of songs can sound so different and how the production process affects the finished article”.

THU 2 OCT                 NOTTINGHAM Glee Club                    0871 472 0400

FRI 3 OCT                  MANCHESTER Sound Control           0844 338 0000

SAT 4 OCT                 GLASGOW G2 at The Garage           0844 415 5221 (Tickets Scotland)

THU 9 OCT                 OXFORD O2 Academy 2                   0844 477 2000

FRI 10 OCT                LEEDS The Wardrobe                       0844 338 0000

SAT 8 NOV                 BRIGHTON The Old Market               01273 201 801

SUN 9 NOV                 BIRMINGHAM Glee Club                     0871 472 0400

THU 13 NOV               BRISTOL The Fleece                         0844 338 0000

SUN 16 NOV               GUILDFORD The Boileroom              0844 338 0000

WED 19 NOV             LONDON O2 Academy Islington        0844 477 2000

                                   

Tickets are on sale now and available through the venue box offices, select authorised agents and the tour hotline 0844 338 0000 and online at BookingsDirect.com 

 Nine Below Zero classic line-up with all four original band members; Dennis Greaves (guitar/vocals), Mark Feltham (harmonica), Mickey Burkey (drums), Brian Bethell (bass). 

“Status Quo Live” Box Set
Released September 8th 

Status Quo release the “Status Quo Live” Box Set, issued by UMC, on 8 September 2014.  This carefully curated special release comes as a 4CD Deluxe Edition Box and on digital formats [Cat Nos 3739854 and 3793134 respectively], each boasting 35 live tracks - many never before released - recorded as far afield as Glasgow, Tokyo and Sydney.  The “Status Quo Live” Box Set / digital booklet features extensive liner notes by rock writer Dave Ling and a host of rare artist photos provided by former tour manager and ‘fifth member’ of the band Bob Young.

The first two discs feature material from the band’s seminal ‘Live!’ album issued in 1977.  Routinely described as one of the greatest ever live concert releases, it is here in all its glory. Captured at Glasgow’s Apollo Theatre using the Rolling Stones’ mobile studio between 27 and 29 October 1976, it is a stunning set recorded by a band at the height of its powers.  Disc 3 offers the rare ‘Tokyo Quo’ album, which, as the name suggests, was released only in Japan; barring a very limited vinyl release for Record Store Day 2014 this has never been released in the UK.  This album was recorded on 17^th November at the Sunplaza Hall.  The final disc in the box is the previously unreleased ‘Australia ‘74’, thirteen tracks recorded on 20th November that year at the Hordern Pavilion, Sydney.

This release is fully supported and endorsed by the band members, past and present - “Status Quo Live” Box Set is a triumphant revisiting of the glory days of one of the world’s most important rock act.  The ‘Frantic Four’ themselves have just completed a valedictory tour of Europe in March and April 2014, including 10 UK / Eire dates. Collectors should also note the release of ‘The Frantic Four’s Final Fling’ on 2CD, double vinyl, DVD and Blu-ray formats, through Abbey Road / Universal, on 1 September 2014.

“Status Quo Live”

TRACKLISTING:

DISC ONE – ‘Live!’

Junior’s Wailing / Backwater – Just Take Me / Is There A Better Way / In My Chair / Little Lady – Most Of The Time / Rain / Forty Five Hundred Times

DISC TWO – ‘Live!’

Roll Over Lay Down / Big Fat Mama / Don’t Waste My Time / Roadhouse Blues / Caroline / Bye Bye Johnny

DISC 3 – ‘Tokyo Quo’

Is There A Better Way / Little Lady / Most Of The Time / Rain / Caroline / Roll Over Lay Down / Big Fat Mama / Don’t Waste My Time / Bye Bye Johnny

DISC 4 – ‘Live Sydney’

Junior’s Wailing / Backwater / Just Take Me / Claudie / Railroad / Roll Over Lay Down / Big Fat Mama / Don’t Waste My Time / Roadhouse Blues Part One / Roadhouse Blues Part Two / Caroline / Drum Solo / Bye Bye Johnny

STATUS QUO

‘The Frantic Four’s Final Fling’

When the last notes rang out in the Dublin o2 on Saturday 12 April 2014, the 9000 fans packing the venue knew that they were witness to the end of something special.  The reunion that nobody thought would ever be possible did happen, but now the itch was scratched and that particular book was closed.  On 1 September 2014, the band will commemorate one very special night with the release of ‘The Frantic Four’s Final Fling’ on 2CD, double vinyl, DVD and Blu-ray formats, through Abbey Road / Universal. As well as the full concert, the visual formats will contain a bonus fourteen track CD made of highlights recorded across the final tour of March / April.  The Blu-ray format also has, as a bonus feature, the documentary made by Sky News’ Ian Woods entitled ‘The Final Fling?’

When the original line-up of Status Quo reunited for a 9-date UK tour in March 2013 the outpouring of approval and raw emotion from the fans was incredible. public demand made the final tour of 2014 mandatory and it was just as emotional – and by now the band were an even tighter unit.  Rossi, Parfitt, Lancaster and Coghlan received a rapturous response; the band clicked straight back into their groove, the chemistry obvious, the music stunning and the volume almost overpowering.  It all led to Dublin; the final show of the final tour. Ever.

TRACKLISTING:

Junior’s Wailing, Backwater / Just Take Me, Is There A Better Way, In My Chair, Blue Eyed Lady, Little Lady / Most Of The Time, Rain, (April) Spring Summer & Wednesdays, Railroad, Oh Baby, Forty Five Hundred Times / Gotta Go Home / Big Fat Mama / Down Down / Roadhouse Blues / Caroline / Bye Bye Johnny

The Frantic Four tours were highlights in a career that has seen Quo achieve more than anyone dreamed possible.  The Times said, “It sounded fantastic.  And they, like us, were clearly getting a tremendous kick out of revisiting these long-neglected songs.”  Classic Rock said, quite simply, “Fuck me, dreams can come true”! Dublin was a genuine milestone on the incredible road that Quo have travelled, and it’s captured in all its glory here. ‘Frantic Four The Final Fling’ – effin’ fantastic. Collectors should also note the release of the forthcoming “Status Quo Live” Box Set, issued by UMC, on 8 September 2014.

“Songs From Tsongas -

The 35^th Anniversary Concert -

Special Edition”

Eagle Rock Entertainment are proud to announce the simultaneous release on 2DVD, single Blu-ray and 3CD on 22 September 2014 of “Songs From Tsongas - The 35^th Anniversary Concert - Special Edition” from Yes[Cat No EREDV1026, ERBRD5223 and EDGCD536 respectively]. This Special Edition of “Songs From Tsongas” contains a concert from Yes’ 35^th Anniversary Tour in 2004, the last tour by the band to feature the classic line-up of Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Rick Wakeman and Alan White [the visual formats also containing a second live show!].

Disc One of the DVD [the single Blu-ray contains all the same material as the double DVD set] contains the whole of the concert from the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Massachusetts, previously spread across two discs. This epic show features tracks from across the band’s career including an extensive acoustic section (tracks 11 – 18) and some tracks that have rarely been performed live. Disc Two contains 70 minutes of highlights from a very different concert on the same tour filmed at Estival in Lugano, Switzerland. This outdoor concert sees a stripped down stage and full on rock versions of the acoustic tracks from Tsongas whilst the crowd wield a multitude of umbrellas against the pouring rain, which is clearly not preventing them having a great time!

As Bonus Features [on the visual formats] we include another track “Ritual”, also filmed at the Tsongas Arena, and an insightful interview with legendary designer and Yes collaborator Roger Dean who created the brand new stage set for the shows.

TRACKLISTING:

Disc One DVD / Part One Blu-ray: Songs From Tsongas – 1) Intro/Firebird Suite   2) Going For The One   3) Sweet Dreams   4) Your Move / All Good People   5) Mind Drive Parts 1 & 2   6) South Side Of The Sky   7) Turn Of The Century   8) My Eyes   9) Mind Drive Part 3   10) Yours Is No Disgrace   11) The Meeting (Piano Solo)   12) Long Distance Runaround   13) Wonderous Stories   14) Time Is Time   15) Roundabout   16) Show Me   17) Owner Of A Lonely Heart   18) Second Initial (Guitar Solo)   19) Rhythm Of Love   20) And You And I   21) Every Little Thing   22) Starship Trooper

Disc Two DVD / Part Two Blu-ray: Live In Lugano – 1) Intro/Firebird Suite   2) Going For The One   3) Sweet Dreams   4) Your Move / All Good People   5) Long Distance Runaround   6) The Fish   7) Owner Of A Lonely Heart   8) And You And I   9) Starship Trooper   10) Roundabout

This Special Edition of the very successful “Songs From Tsongas” DVD is packed with an additional 70 minutes of highlights from Lugano being released for the first time. This release offers a fantastic setlist of favourites and rarities including “Going For The One”, “Roundabout”, “Owner Of A Lonely Heart”, “And You And I”, “Starship Trooper”, “Wonderous Stories”, “I’ve Seen All Good People”, “Yours Is No Disgrace”, “Ritual”, “Turn Of The Century” and many more captured here in all their glory.

Official Website

www.yesworld.com

Guitar Hero Tommy Bolin's First Band Zephyr 

To See 1969 Debut Album Reissued On Both CD& Vinyl

 Tommy Bolin fans, you are in for a treat! The 1969 recorded debut of the guitar great performing with his first major act, Zephyr, the blues and jazz influenced rock and roll steamroller fronted by powerhouse female vocalist, Candy Givens, will be reissued courtesy of Purple Pyramid Records starting August 5. With newly remixed and remastered audio created under the supervision of founding member David Givens, this gem of an album has truly been restored to the band’s original vision. As Givens says, “For the first time you can hear what we heard before everything went wrong. I’m happy with the results!”

Happier still will be Bolin fans everywhere as a treasure trove of unreleased live material and studio improvisations were also uncovered in the process of remixing the album. These include performances of the band at small clubs in their home state of Colorado as well as Reed’s Ranch where the band opened for The Grateful Dead. In addition, the studio rehearsals showcase Bolin’s adventurous playing on two free form jams as he lays down blistering solos and eerie atmospheres courtesy of his Echoplex effect.

A limited edition 2,000 unit pressing of the reissue in a 3CD deluxe box set was released in May and has already been sold out, but a single disc version is set to arrive August 5 and a special 180 gram colored vinyl pressing will follow later this year.

Get a glimpse into the early salad days of this inimitable virtuoso whose rise to fame occurred nearly as fast as his untimely exit. His music lives on!

1. Sail On

2. Sun’s A Risin’

3. Raindrops

4. Boom-Ba-Boom

5. Somebody Listen

6. Cross The River

7. St. James Infirmary

8. Huna Buna

9. Hard Chargin’ Woman

BONUS TRACKS (CD ONLY)

10. Guitar Solo / Cross The River (Reed’s Ranch, Colorado Springs, CO - July 3, 1969)

11. Jam (San Bernardino, CA 1971)

12. Uptown (To Harlem) [Boulder, CO 1971]

13. Sail On (Tulagi’s - Boulder, CO June 19, 1973)

To order the CD on Amazon:

http://georiot.co/47xz

To order the digital version on iTunes:

http://georiot.co/31hA

HELLION

'Karma's A Bitch'

The new mini album 

7th October 2014

 HELLION ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF NEW “KARMA’S A BITCH” MINI ALBUM

Iconic female-fronted metal act HELLION announce details of their first new album in over a decade.  Entitled Karma’s A Bitch, the new mini-LP is set for release via HNE/Cherry Red Records on October 8 in Europe and the UK, just before the band set out on a massive tour of the US.  The cover artwork was designed by British artist Wolven Claws of The Crystallomantic Art. 

 

With a stellar line-up featuring vocalist Ann Boleyn, drummer Simon Wright (formerly of AC/DC, DIO, and UFO), keyboardist Scott Warren (formerly with DIO and HEAVEN & HELL), bassist Bjorn Englen (formerly with Yngwie Malmsteen), and up-an-coming shred guitarist Maxxxwell Carlisle, this is easily Hellion's strongest line-up ever. 

 

HELLION’s new tracks were produced by Simon Wright and Ann Boleyn alongside legendary British studio icon Ken Scott, who has produced iconic albums, including DAVID BOWIE's "Hunky Dory", "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars", "Aladdin Sane" and "Pinups".

 

A top producer at Abbey Road Studios, Scott is also acknowledged as one of the five principal engineers for THE BEATLES.  He has engineered countless classic works, including GEORGE HARRISON's "All Things Must Pass", ELTON JOHN's "Madman Across The Water", "Honky Chateau" and "Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player."  Other credits include gold and platinum albums by SUPERTRAMP, DAVID BOWIE, MISSING PERSONS, KANZAS, and more.

 

Scott recently said of the comparison between working with David Bowie and Ann Boleyn: "Working with Bowie or working with Ann of HELLION, you've got sheer talent.” Acknowledging Boleyn as the driving force propelling the band, Scott notes: "Over the years, the musicians have changed. The one musician that has always been the same is Ann. So once again, it's new musicians. The one constant thing about HELLION is Ann, and her incredible voice."

 

“Starting off with a mysterious and ethereal ghostly introduction, Betrayer quickly blasts into overdrive with a scream from Hell and the raw power the likes of which can only come from Ann Boleyn,” commented Rob DiMartini of Metal Scream Radio.  “The title track, Karma's A Bitch, is a tough sounding rocker destined to be one of the strongest songs on metal radio this year.”

 

Di Martini continued, ”Hell Has No Fury delivers full-tilt metal with a sublime orchestral section by Scott Warren and the blistering guitar work of Maxwell Carlisle. Watch The City Burn takes listeners on an in-depth journey into the anger and chaos of a full-blown riot. The final piece, Til The End, begins with the hammering double-bass power grove of Simon Wright at his finest. With an anthem-like melody, this is a song that fans will be singing along with when Hellion hits the road.”

 

HELLION is set to kick off their North American tour in October (dates here), and are looking forward to hitting the UK & Europe afterwards!  

 

 

www.hellion.us

www.cherryred.co.uk

 

Danny Bryant Releases Temperature Rising In September 

plus Tour Dates To Coincide With Release

If Danny’s previous album ‘Hurricane’ was notable for pairing Danny Bryant’s best ever songs with Richard Hammerton’s expansive production, then ‘Temperature Rising’ is the closest he’s come to nailing a defining blues rock recording.

Recorded in little over 2 weeks in April of this year and drawing on songs that Danny wrote on the road during 2013, ‘Temperature Rising’ is an album full of his wailing signature guitar with deeply wrought intensity and heartfelt ballads. It’s an album by an artist with over 14 years touring behind him and enough personal experiences to transpose them effortlessly into songs.
To coincide with the release of the album Danny embarks on a series of concert dates in September. Dates Below:

The Robin 2, Bilston
Wednesday 3rd September
Tickets: £12.50/£15.00 - Box Office: 01902 401211
Doors: 7:30pm Stage: 8:00pm
www.therobin.co.uk
20-28 Mount Pleasant, Bilston, Wolverhampton, WV14 7LJ
(Plus support from Motherlode)

The Rescue Rooms, Nottingham

Thursday 4th September

Tickets: £12.00/£14.00 – Box Office: 0845 413 4444
Doors: 7:00pm Stage: 7:30pm
www.rescuerooms.com
25 Goldsmith Street, Nottingham NG1 5LB
(Plus support from The Mentulls)

The Citadel Theatre, St Helens
Friday 5th September
Tickets: £12.00/£14.00 – Box Office: 01744 735436
Doors: 7:30pm Stage: 8:00pm
www.citadel.org.uk
Waterloo Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1PX

Arc, Stockton
Saturday 6th September
Tickets: £13.00/£15.00 – Box Office: 01642 525199
Doors: 7:30pm Stage: 8:00pm
https://arconline.co.uk
Dovecot Street, Stockton-on-Tees TS18 1LL
(Plus support TBC)

The Scene, Swansea
Tuesday 9th September
Tickets: £12.00/£14.00 – Box Office: 01792 654226
Tickets: www.derricksmusic.co.uk
Doors: 7:30pm Stage: 8:00pm
Venue: www.thesceneclub.co.uk
50 Plymouth Street, Swansea, SA1 3QQ

The Waterfront, Norwich
Wednesday 10th September
Tickets: £12.00/£14.00 – Box Office: 01603 508050
Doors: 7:30pm Stage: 8:00pm
 www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk
139-141 King St, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 1QH

**LONDON RELEASE SHOW**
The Borderline, London
Friday 12th September
Tickets: £13.00/£15.00 – Box Office: 0844 847 2465
Doors: 7:30pm Stage: 8:00pm
www.ticketweb.co.uk
Orange Yard, Manette Sreett, London W1D 4JB

The Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham
Sunday 14th September
Tickets: £12.00/£14.00 – Box Office: 01273 464440
Doors: 7:30pm Stage: 8:00pm
http://ropetacklecentre.co.uk
High St, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex BN43

Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury
Thursday 2nd October
Tickets: £13.00/£15.00 – Box Office: 01635 244246
Doors: 7:30pm Stage: 8:00pm
www.ticketweb.co.uk
Mary Hare School, Newbury, West Berkshire RG14 3BQ

Blues Fest, London
Wednesday 29th October
www.bluesfest.co.uk
The Royal Albert Hall
Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP

Whelan’s, Dublin
Thursday 6th November
Tickets: €15.00 – Box Office: 00353 1890 200 078
Doors: 7:30pm Stage: 8:00pm
www.belfasttickethub.com
25 Wexford Street, Dublin, Ireland

The Empire, Belfast
Friday 7th November
Tickets: £12.00/£14.00 – Box Office: 02890 31 31 31
Doors: 8:00pm Stage: 8:30pm
www.belfasttickethub.com
42 Botanic Ave, Belfast, County Antrim BT7 1JQ

The Spirit Store, Dundalk
Saturday 8th November
Tickets: €15.00 – Box Office: 00353 42 9352697
Doors: 8:00pm Stage: 8:30pm
www.belfasttickethub.com
George's Quay, Dundalk, Co. Louth

The Saints Room, Cockermouth
Sunday 21st December
Tickets £15.00 - Available: http://saintsroomslive.com
Doors: 7:30pm Stage: 8:00pm
Kirkgate, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 9PJ

Photo Credit: © Barbara van Geffen