Slam Cartel Announce The Release of Their Brand New Double A Side Single: Vanishing Worlds / Hypnotised Release date: 16th December  Something you may have missed in the run up to Christmas but still worthy of your attention is the new single from Slam Cartel Vanishing Worlds/Hypnotised Although its been three years since the last new material was released, the band have been far from dormant; they are battle hardened from touring all over the UK, playing many prestigious venues such as Oxford 02 Academy, Sheffield Corporation, Nottingham Rock City and Islington 02 Academy, also opening for world famous acts; Queensryche, Y&T and Vandenberg’s Moonkings. 2014 saw a line-up change & brought an energised, vibrant and powerful edge to the band as well as a new front man and lead guitarist. A Live act to be reckoned with, they are also Kings in the studio, teamed with producer George de Angelis and Grammy nominee Mandy Parnell, Slam Cartel utilise all the recording environment has to offer, with many textures and an ambience to get lost in, these new tracks will blow your mind.  Vanishing Worlds & Hypnotised are proof that Slam Cartel have evolved as a band, maintaining their well known “Slam Sound”. Since Handful of Dreams was released in 2011, Slam Cartel have been steadily conquering the press and public with their now familiar true rock sound, combining memorable hooks and epic riffs.  They don’t sound like anyone else, they don’t look like anyone else, a true band from Olde London Town. Slam Cartel will be touring in a town near you in the new year…. Watch the website for more details.

Slam Cartel are; Gary Moffat (vocals), Terence Warville (guitar), Marc Neudeck (bass), Damo Fawsett (guitar) and Steve Campkin on drums.

To buy a copy of the CD go to www.slamcartel.com or direct to: 

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/slam-cartel/id451159760

www.slamcartel.com

 @slamcartel

www.facebook.com/slamcartel

SAXON RE-SCHEDULE UK DATES 

NWOBHM legends Saxon have announced the re-scheduled dates for their recently postponed UK shows. The tail end of the UK tour, originally planned for December 2014, had to be delayed due to Nigel Glocker’s sudden health problems.

The drummer, who was taken to hospital with a brain aneurysm, is now back home and on the mend after two surgical procedures; he won’t however be able to perform in the remaining dates and will be replaced by Sven Dirkschneider, the son of Udo Dirkschneider (Accept), who will be joining on stage frontman Biff Byford, Paul Quinn (guitar), Doug Scarratt (guitar) and Nibbs Carter (bass).

Biff says: “It’s great to see Nige on the mend, he will get the chance to see the band from out front for a change.”

Nigel has recently posted a video message on the band’s Facebook page to thank fans and loved ones and update them on his current health status. The remaining members of Saxon are extremely pleased with his fast recovery and are looking forward to finish what they started performing the last five shows of their landmark 35^th anniversary tour.

The new dates are as follows:

February 3rd                        Newcastle                                  Academy
February 4th                         Nottingham                                 Rock City
February 5th                         Wolverhampton                       Wulfrun Hall
February 6th                         Oxford                                          Academy
February 7th                         London                                          Shepherds Bush Empire

Ticket price for London is £27.50 (subject to booking fee) - all other shows £26 (subject to booking fee); please refer to www.Saxon747.com or www.Kililive.com (24 hour ticket line - 0844 871 8803) for more info. December’s tickets will be valid for the rescheduled shows and new tickets are now available.

The UK dates are to be the culmination of 38-date European tour “Warriors of the Road” celebrating their 35th Anniversary. The set list will tracks from what is known to the fans as 'The Holy Trinity' - Saxon's seminal albums Wheels of Steel, Strong Arm of the Law and Denim and Leather.

Robin Trower Releases New Album 

Something's About To Change

Released March 9th

UK Tour To Coincide With Release

Highly anticipated as his first new studio album since 2013’s critically acclaimed Roots And Branches, Robin Trower’s Something’s About To Change, will be released by Manhaton/V12 Records on 9th March 2015 - the same day as his 70th birthday.
The new album coincides with Trower’s nationwide 17-date UK tour with special guest Joanne Shaw Taylor that kicks off on 26th March 2015.

When it comes to a new album by Robin Trower, some things never change. The guitar work will be breathtaking. The song writing will be heartfelt and fearless. The vocal will siphon the soul. True to form, from the opening swoop of electric guitar, Something’s About To Change is a thrilling encapsulation of everything fans love about the celebrated bandleader. And yet, as the title implies, this album finds Trower twisting his talent into bold new shapes.

To support the release of Something’s About To Change Robin Trower will embark on a 17-date March/April Tour. His special guest will be guitarist and singer/songwriter, Joanne Shaw Taylor.
Tickets for all regional shows are priced at £22.50, while London tickets are priced £25.00. Tickets can purchased at www.thegigcartel.com or from the 24 hour box office - 0844 478 0898. 

LINCOLN, ENGINE SHED
Thursday 26th March 2015
Tickets: £22.50 / Box Office: 0844 888 8766
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS
www.engineshed.co.uk

BURY ST. EDMUNDS, THE APEX
Friday 27th March 2015
Tickets: £22.50 / Box Office: 01824 758 000
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3FD
www.theapex.co.uk

BIRMINGHAM, TOWN HALL
Saturday 28th March 2015
Tickets: £22.50 / Box Office: 0121 345 0600
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Victoria Square, Birmingham, B3 3DQ
www.thsh.co.uk

SALFORD, LOWRY
Sunday 29th March 2015
Tickets: £22.50 / Box Office: 0843 208 6000
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Pier 8, Salford Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ
www.thelowry.com

CHESTER, LIVE ROOMS
Thursday 2nd April 2015
Tickets: £22.50 / Box Office: 01244 317171
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
1 Station Road, Chester, CH1 3DR
www.theliverooms.com
 
GATESHEAD, SAGE
Friday 3rd April 2015
Tickets: £22.50 / Box Office: 0191 443 4661
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
St Mary's Square, Gateshead Quays, Gateshead, NE8 2JR
www.sagegateshead.com

GLASGOW, ARCHES
Saturday 4th April 2015
Tickets: £22.50 / Box Office: 01415 651 000
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
253 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G2 8DL
www.thearches.co.uk

ABERDEEN, LEMON TREE
Sunday 5th April 2015
Tickets: £22.50 / Box Office: 01224 337 688
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
5 West North Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5AT
www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

STOCKTON, ARC
Tuesday 7th April 2015
Tickets: £22.50 / Box Office: 01642 525 199
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Dovecot Street, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1LL
www.arconline.co.uk

YORK, BARBICAN
Wednesday 8th April 2015
Tickets: £22.50 / Box Office: 01423 502 116
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Paragon St, York, North Yorkshire,  YO10 4AH
www.yorkbarbican.co.uk

SHEFFIELD, CITY HALL BALLROOM
Thursday 9th April 2015
Tickets: £22.50 / Box Office: 01442 789 789
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Barkers Pool, Sheffield, S1 2JA
www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk

HOLMFIRTH, PICTUREDROME
Friday 10th April 2015
Tickets: £22.50 / Box Office: 0844 478 0898
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Market Walk, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire HD9 7DA
www.picturedrome.net 

LONDON, O2 SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE
Saturday 11th April 2015
Tickets: £25.00 / Box Office: 0844 477 2000
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Shepherds Bush Green, London, W12 8TT
www.o2shepherdsbushempire.co.uk

CRAWLEY, HAWTH
Tuesday 14th April 2015
Tickets: £22.50 / Box Office: 01293 553636
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
The Hawth, Hawth Avenue, Crawley, RH10 6YZ
www.hawth.co.uk

EXETER, CORN EXCHANGE
Wednesday 15th April 2015
Tickets: £22.50 / Box Office: 01392 665 938
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Market Street, Exeter, EX1 1BW
www.exeter.gov.uk/cornexchange

SALISBURY, CITY HALL
Thursday 16th April 2015
Tickets: £22.50 / Box Office: 01722 434 434
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Malthouse Lane, Salisbury, SP2 7TU
www.cityhallsalisbury.co.uk

MILTON KEYNES, STABLES
Friday 17th April 2015
Tickets: £22.50 / Box Office: 01908 280800
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Stockwell Lane, Wavendon, Milton Keynes,
Buckinghamshire, MK17 8LU
www.stables.org

Photo Credits: © Mike Prior

STEVE HACKETT ANNOUNCES NEW SOLO STUDIO ALBUM ‘WOLFLIGHT’

OUT ON 30^TH MARCH

Music pioneer Steve Hackett has announced the release of his new solo album Wolflight. According to the man himself, this “wild pack of tracks – starting with a wolf cry – will be unleashed on the unsuspecting on 30^th March 2015.”    

From a plaintive wolf cry to Steve embracing real wolves (see sleeve above), exploring dark caverns, ancient ruins and tropical lagoons, primal energy is at the root of this album as a springboard to an exotic and exciting adventure.

Wolflight is Steve’s first original solo studio album since Beyond The Shrouded Horizon in 2011.  Primal and orchestral, it retains the Hackett trademark as electric guitar runs right the way through with a regular sprinkling of acoustic.  The concept behind it is a new unexplored chapter in the guitarist’s career.

The ten tracks take the listener through a journey in space and time looking at the different faces of the endless fight for freedom. Wandering between parallel universes, Hackett explores contemporary and ancient cultures, from Greece (Corycian Fire) to the Far East (Wolflight), the USA and Martin Luther King (Black Thunder), but also his very own childhood memories (The Wheel’s Turning) and the unresolved drama of domestic violence (Love Song to a Vampire).

An excited Steve Hackett tells us more about the record: “My new rock album Wolflight is at the ready and lying in wait. It reflects everybody's struggle for freedom on a journey travelling through both inner and outer space. It explores sounds from as far afield as Greece, Azerbaijan, the deep American South, Sahara desert and beyond, from all our yesterdays, evoking the ancient past”.  

Steve Hackett's electric guitar plays a powerful role, whilst we also hear him on acoustic guitar, Arabian lute and twelve string, along with his strong lead vocals.  Guest Musicians include long time collaborators Roger King (Keyboards & programming), Gary O’Toole (drums), Rob Townsend (sax, duduk), Nick Beggs (bass & stick) and Amanda Lehmann (harmony vocals).  Malik Mansurov on tar and Sara Kovaks on didgeridoo add an extra exotic element, plus YES bassist Chris Squire plays on Love Song to a Vampire and Hugo Dagenhardt plays drums on Dust and Dreams.   The innovative song writing team includes Steve Hackett, his wife Jo Hackett and also Roger King.

Track list as follows:

1.    Out of the Body

2.    Wolflight

3.    Love Song To a Vampire

4.    The Wheel’s Turning

5.    Corycian Fire

6.    Earthshine

7.    Loving Sea

8.    Black Thunder

9.    Dust and Dreams

10.  Heart Song

Let Steve Hackett’s magic guitar lead you like Pan’s flute through a primordial dream of love, struggle and liberation.  Take the journey to freedom with Wolflight; taking off 30^th March.

Steve will embark upon his Acolyte To Wolflight with Genesis Revisited Tour in October 2015, with 19 UK shows. Hackett states: “I'm excited to embrace Genesis Revisited once more on my tour whilst also celebrating 40 years of Voyage of the Acolyte, playing several Hackett favourites and introducing my new Wolflight album.”

Full Dates Are:

October 2015

Tue 6^th           GUILDFORD            GLive                                          0844 249 4300

Wed 7^th          LONDON                  O2 Shepherds Bush Empire      0844 477 2000

Fri 9^th             NORTHAMPTON     Derngate                                     01604 624 811

Sat 10^th          CARDIFF                 St David’s Hall                             02920 878 444

Sun 11^th         SOUTHAMPTON     02 Guildhall                                 02380 632 601

Tue 13^th         BASINGSTOKE       The Anvil                                      01256 844 244

Wed 14^th       YORK                        Barbican                                       0844 854 2757

Fri 16^th           ABERDEEN              Music Hall                                    01224 641 122

Sat 17^th         GATESHEAD            The Sage                                      0191 443 4661

Sun 18^th        GLASGOW                Royal Concert Hall                       0141 353 8000

Tue 20^th         LEEDS                      Town Hall                                     0113 224 3801

Wed 21^st        LLANDUDNO            Venue Cymru                               01492 872 000

Fri 23^rd           LIVERPOOL              Philharmonic                               0151 709 3789        

Sat 24^th         LEICESTER              de Montfort Hall                            0116 233 3111

Sun 25^th        SALFORD                 The Lowry                                    0843 208 6000

Tue 27^th         IPSWICH                  Regent Theatre                            01473 433 100

Wed 28^th        BRISTOL                  Colston Hall                                  0844 770 1797

Fri 30^th            BIRMINGHAM          Symphony Hall                            0121 345 0602

Sat 31^st          SOUTHEND              Cliffs Pavilion                               01702 351 135

Tickets for all shows (apart from London) £29.50, £27.50; London: £37.50 level one, £33.50; (All tickets subject to booking fee).  24-hour ticket hotline 0844 338 0000 and Online: BookingsDirect.com.   Showtime will be 7.30pm (plus support).

The album will be released in the following formats:

Special edition CD & Blu-Ray mediabook 0507070

2LP & CD Gatefold vinyl 0507071

CD Standard Jewelcase 0507072

Digital Download 0507076

www.hackettsongs.com

MULTI-PLATINUM ARTIST EXTREME CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF EXTREME II: PORNOGRAFFITTI WITH DELUXE EDITION  – FEBRUARY 9TH 2015

Two-CD Deluxe Edition Via UMC/Polydor Features Rare Mixes, B-Sides Remastered From Original Tapes, Slated For Release February 9th, 2015

Band will tour in 2015, playing multi-platinum album front to back, featuring #1 hit “More Than Words,” Top 5 “Hole Hearted” and “Get the Funk Out” 

Extreme II: Pornograffitti (A Funked Up Fairy Tale) first came out on A&M Records in August 1990, the follow-up to the band’s 1989 debut. The album is considered, according to the newly penned liner notes by Metal Hammer’s Malcolm Dome contained in the accompanying booklet, as the “definitive album” of the band’s career.

“This was the album where we found ourselves,” says vocalist Gary Cherone. “Our first album showed us to be the bastard sons of Queen, Aerosmith and Van Halen. But on the second record, we discovered our style and sound.”

The deluxe edition reissue includes a full second album of rare mixes and B-sides re-mastered from the original tapes, and is scheduled for release on February 9th, 2015. The original album, which went double platinum in the U.S. with more than two million sold, cracking the Billboard 200 Top 10, featured the chart-topping single “More Than Words,” the Top 5 “Hole Hearted” and the rock radio standout “Get the Funk Out,” which included vocals by Pat Travers. Dweezil Zappa, (whose solo album guitarist Nuno Bettencourt was about to produce) added some guitar riffs to “He-Man Woman Hater” when the band recorded some of the album at Scream Studios in Studio City, CA.

Bettencourt was instrumental in initially composing the original songs, leaving Cherone alone to write the lyrics, which Cherone describes as “a coming of age tale… about an innocent boy who is growing up and exposed to sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll.”

Bettencourt himself doesn’t see the disc as “a concept album,” but admits in the liner notes, “I suppose what happened was a little like writing a play, and then trying to make sure the songs fit into the plot.”

Among the collectibles on the second disc of the package are a B-side a cappella version of “More Than Words,” rare B-sides “Nice Place to Visit” and “Sex N’ Love” and 7” and 12” remixes of “Get The Funk Out.”

The album has come to define the band’s career.

“I still constantly have musicians say to me that the album meant so much to them, and that proves what an impact it had. Its success established us as a major band,” recalls “decadent drummer” Paul Geary.

“We came into our own on this album,” admits bassist/vocalist Pat Badger. “We honed in on our hard rock sound. The songs were riff-driven yet also had a little funk groove. But we were still diverse, which has always been one of our trademarks.”

“It seems like another lifetime to me,” says Bettencourt, “I listen to it, and I can criticize some things. But I am still proud of it. And so many fans do still say it’s their favorite album.”


Tracklisting:  

Extreme II: Pornograffitti  


DISC ONE  
•    Decadence Dance                            
•    Li'l Jack Horny                                              
•    When I'm President                          
•    Get The Funk Out                              
•    More Than Words                              
•    Money (In God We Trust)                  
•    It ('s A Monster)                                
•    Pornograffitti                                      
•    When I First Kissed You                    
•    Suzi (Wants Her All Day What?)      
•    He-Man Woman Hater                      
•    Song For Love                                  
•    Hole Hearted                                      

DISC TWO                
•    More Than Words Remix            
•    Nice Place To Visit  Single B-Side          
•    More Than Words  Edit                
•    Decadence Dance   Edit    
•    Money (In God We Trust)  Edit    
•    More Than Words (Acappella) Single B-Side          
•    Get The Funk Out       7" What The Funk? Mix      
•    More Than Words (A Capella With Congas)  Single B-Side          
•    Get The Funk Out (12" Remix)  Single B-Side 7”
•    Sex N' Love  Single B-Side            

ULI JON ROTH - SCORPIONS REVISITED - VOLUME 1

RELEASE DATE: MARCH 10TH!

Copied from Uli Jon Roth's Facebook Page:

Dear Friends,

please take some time to watch our new trailer which announces the upcoming double album ULI JON ROTH - SCORPIONS REVISITED - VOLUME 1 and our Autumn Tour.

The material we recorded for this project will be released in two stages, beginning with a double CD, which was recorded last year in the same hall near Hanover that we used for the Scorpions rehearsals 1973-1978. Together with an amazing bunch of very talented young musicians, I revisited my personal favourites from the early Scorpions period, some of which were written in that same hall. It was an emotional few days and I am very pleased with the results in more ways than one. The idea was to stay truthful to the original spirit of the music, while also putting a new slant on it whenever it felt like the right thing to do. I feel we succeeded in this. It was a intense journey into the past and I think we really managed to bring the songs back to life with a vengeance. They seem to have a timeless quality and it was easy to revisit this music and fill the old songs with new life. For me, personally, it was very inspirational and I hope that some of that translates towards you, dear friends. I really learned a lot from the whole experience.
The second release, which is scheduled for next Spring, will be a Blu-Ray, featuring live concert footage from my Scorpions Anniversary Tour and lots of other goodies. Enjoy.

Musicians:
Nathan James - vocals
Jamie Little - drums
Ule W. Ritgen - bass
Niklas Turmann - guitar, vocals
Corvin Bahn - keyboards, vocals
David Klosinski - guitar

Track listing - CD1:
01. The Sails Of Charon
02. Longing For Fire
03. Crying Days
04. Virgin Killer
05. In Trance
06. Sun In My Hand
07. Yellow Raven
08. Polar Nights
09. Dark Lady

Track listing - CD2:
01. Catch Your Train
02. Evening Wind
03. All Night Long
04. We’ll Burn In The Sky
05. Pictured Life
06. Hell Cat
07. Life’s Like A River
08. Drifting Sun
09. Rainbow Dream Prelude
10. Fly To The Rainbow

2015 ULI JON ROTH U.S. Tour Dates:
JANUARY
21.01.2015 – California – Ramona - Mainstage
22.01.2015 – California – Anaheim - House of Blues
23.01.2015 – California – Hollywood - House of Blues
24.01.2015 – Nevada – Las Vegas - Vamp’d
25.01.2015 – California – San Josè - Rock Star Bar
26.01.2015 – Oregon – Portland - Tonic
27.01.2015 – Washington – Seattle - Studio 7
29.01.2015 – Minnesota – Moorehead - The Garage
30.01.2015 – Minnesota – Spring Lake Park - POVS
31.01.2015 - Illinois – St. Charles – Arcada Theatre

FEBRUARY
01.02.2015 - Illinois – Chicago – Reggie’s (& Sky Academy)
02.02.2015 – Michigan – Detroit – Token Lounge
03.02.2015 – Toronto – Mod Club
04.02.2015 – Ohio – Cleveland – Agora Ballroom
05.02.2015 – Connecticut – Hartford – Infinity Hall
06.02.2015 – New Hampshire – Londonderry – Tupelo Music Hall
07.02.2015 – New York – Poughkeepsie – The Chance
08.02.2015 – New York – Manhattan – BB King’s
09.02.2015 – Virginia – Springfield – The Empire

2015 ULI JON ROTH International Tour Dates:
19.02.2015 – Japan – Nagoya – Bottom Line
20.02.2015 – Japan – Tokyo – Nakano Sun Plaza Hall
22.02.2015 – Japan Osaka - Quattro

11.04.2015 – Full Metal Cruise II –
to Mediterranian Sea –
16.04.2015 Plama de Mallorca/Barcelona/Ibiza

24.04.2015 – Germany – Lauda-Königshofen – Keep it True Festival
22.05.2015 – Germany – Bocholt – Alte Molkerei
23.05.2015 – Germany – Bocholt – Alte Molkerei
22.08.2015 – Germany – Balve - Balver Höhle

27.08.2015 - Full Metal Cruise III –
to North Sea -
31.08.2015 Kiel/Copenhaven/Gothenburg/Hamburg

For more information, visit ulijonroth.com

The Return of Toto: New Album Toto XIV 

Released March 23rd

Celebrated rock band “TOTO” will release “TOTO XIV” – their first studio album in ten years!  The album will be released by Frontiers Music Srl in Europe on March 20, followed by the UK on March 23 and the US on March 24, and will be followed by a World Tour that kicks off in Glasgow on May 21^st, 2015.

Configurations include CD, with a Deluxe Edition available featuring a "Making of" Documentary on DVD, expanded booklet that includes an in depth story and interview about the new album alongside exclusive pictures in ecol-book packaging. Additionally Toto XIV will be available as a 2LP vinyl set, and a Super Deluxe limited edition which includes the Deluxe CD/DVD edition, 2LP vinyl, an exclusive poster, t-shirt (large size only), and lithograph.  A pre-order has gone live via Amazon for the LP, CD and Deluxe Edition, and from RecordStore.co.uk and from all digital retailers.

The new album is a realised vision three plus decades in the making exhibiting world-class musicianship, masterful arrangements, topical lyrical commentary, and melodies that the collective genius of Steve Lukather, David Paich, Steve Porcaro, Joseph Williams and their assembled band-mates bring to life. TOTO XIV is the band’s first album of new material since 2006’s Falling In Between.  However, the band personally considers the new album to be the true follow-up to TOTO IV, which made the band global superstars.

"This is opposite of going through the motions,” says keyboardist Steve Porcaro.  We’re treating this like it is Toto V, our follow-up to TOTO IV. We just want to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. Be true to ourselves and make the best music we can.  Entertain people which is what we were put on this earth for." 

"When you put us in a room, and everybody brings in their pieces, the next thing you know it all fits together,” says guitarist Steve “Luke” Lukather. “Everybody's performances are top notch. We are really bringing our best out, forcing ourselves to make personal best choices, what's best for the music. I'm really excited to hear what people think."

 TOTO (L-R) - David Paich (keyboards, vocals) Joseph Williams (lead vocals)

Steve Lukather (guitar, vocals, keyboards) Steve Porcaro (keyboards, synthesizers, vocals)

Photo Credit: © Heather Porcaro

TOTO XIV –TRACK LISTING

1.            Running Out Of Time

2.            Burn

3.            Holy War

4.            21st Century Blues

5.            Orphan

6.            Unknown Soldier (For Jeffrey)

7.            The Little Things

8.            Chinatown

9.            All The Tears That Shine

10.          Fortune

11.          Great Expectations