New Ian Anderson album Homo Erraticus entered the UK album Charts at No.14 this week.

Ian begins his 21 date UK tour on Monday 28th April.    Derby Assembly

Rooms on 13th May is unfortunately cancelled due to a fire at the venue.   

However, Ian will be playing at nearby Leicester De Montfort Hall on 11th May.

Tour Dates are:

APRIL

28^th      Brighton Dome                                 01273 709 709        £26 + £30

29^th      Southampton  O2 Guildhall             023 8063 2601        £26 + £30

MAY

                       

01^st     Salisbury  City Hall                           01722 434 434        £26 + £30

02^nd     Liverpool Philharmonic                   0151 709 3789        £26 + £30

03^rd      Birmingham  Symphony Hall         0121 345 0600        £27.50 + £32.50

04^th      Oxford  New Theatre                      0844 871 3020        £28 + £32

06^th      Bristol  Colston Hall                        0844 887 1500        £28 + £32

07^th      High Wycombe  Swan Theatre     01494 512 000        £28 + £32

08^th      Guildford  G Live                             0844 7701 797        £28 + £32

09^th      Cambridge  Corn Exchange          01223 357 851        £26 + £30     

10^th       Ipswich Regent Theatre                 01473 433 100        £26 + £30

11^th      Leicester De Montfort Hall              0116 233 3111        £26 + £30

14^th       Manchester Palace Theatre          0844 871 3019        £28 + £32

15^th       York  Royal Opera House              0844 871 3024       £28 + £32

16^th       Gateshead  Sage Theatre              0191 443 4661        £26 + £30

18^th       Edinburgh  Festival Theatre          0131 529 6000        £26 + £30

19^th       Perth  Concert Hall                         01738 621 031        £26 + £30

20^th       Aberdeen  Music Hall                     01224 632 080        £26 + £30

21^st      Inverness  Eden Court                     01463 234 234        £26 + £30

24^th      London   02 Shepherds Bush  Empire   0844 477 2000       £28 + £32

25^th     London    02 Shepherds Bush Empire   0844 477 2000       £28 + £32         

Tickets 

online booking: 

www.gigantic.com/artist/ian-anderson 

or from venue box offices.  

Tickets are subject to booking fee.  

Ian Anderson will be onstage at 7.30pm.  There is no support.

Guitar Legend Announces New Album "So U" 

Released 16th May

Guitar legend Neal Schön has joined forces with bassist Marco Mendoza (Black Star Riders, Ted Nugent, Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy) and drummer Deen Castronovo (Journey, Ozzy Osbourne, Steve Vai, Hardline) to create a unique body of work with jazz and blues-inspired virtuosic hard rock playing, entitled SO U.  The new album features Schön, Mendoza and Castronovo splitting vocal and writing duties, with many of the tracks also co-written by Night Ranger/Damn Yankee’s songwriter, singer and bassist Jack Blades.

Neal Schöncommented, “This is a great new record that features all three of us – Deen, Marco and myself – sharing lead vocals.  Enjoy!”

Best known as founding member and lead guitarist of Journey, Neal Schönhas enjoyed a remarkable career as one of rock n’ roll’s top virtuosos, with a hand in creating some of the most popular songs of all time.  Beginning his career more than 35 years ago in the San Francisco Bay area, the 15-year-old guitar prodigy left home to join Santana.  Schönmoved on in 1973 to form Journey.  With Journey and other projects, he has earned 19 Top 40 singles and 25 platinum and gold albums, was awarded the prestigious “Legend Of Live Award” at the 2011 Billboard Touring Awards, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005 and was individually inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall Of Fame in 2013.   As the only member to record on all of Journey’s albums, Schöncontinues with the band today in its latest incarnation.

In addition to 6 solo albums and 14 studio albums with Journey, Neal Schönhas also performed with Joe Cocker, Sammy Hagar, Paul Rodgers, Larry Graham, Betty Davis, Michael Bolton, fusion legend Jan Hammer, Hardline and supergroup Bad English,as well as a variety of side projects.

His latest instrumental solo album, THE CALLING, released in 2012 via Frontiers Records, won rave reviews from fans and the media alike, with Vintage Guitar declaring “THE CALLING is a fine piece of work demonstrating that Schönstill has it going on – and then some…The songs are strong and his guitar tones are absolutely luxurious.”

In demand as one of the leading guitarists of his generation, Schönalso worked with Gibson to manufacture his own limited edition "Neal SchönSignature Model Custom Les Paul” guitar, but now uses custom PRS Neal SchonLTD Private Stock guitars, made especially for Neal by Paul Reed Smith.

Musicians
Neal Schon: guitars, lead vocals
Marco Mendoza: bass guitar lead vocals
Deen Castronovo: drums, lead vocals

New Album By Nick Magnus " N'Monix"

(Former Keyboard Player With Steve Hackett and The Enid)

   

Featuring Guest Appearances By Steve Hackett, Rob Townsend, Pete Hicks, Tim Bowness, kate Faber,Tony Patterson, James Reeves and Andy Neve.

Esoteric Antenna is pleased to announce the release of the new studio album by NICK MAGNUS. Keyboard player in STEVE HACKETT’s band for five years, Nick was also a member of THE ENID and his skill as an arranger and writer graced legendary Hackett albums such as "Spectral Mornings” and "Defector”.

With his new album "n’monix”, Nick Magnus has been joined in the studio by STEVE HACKETT, ROB TOWNSEND and vocalists PETE HICKS, TIM BOWNESS, KATE FABER, TONY PATTERSON, ANDY NEVE and JAMES REEVES and lyricist DICK FOSTER to produce a collection of songs and music in the finest tradition of his past work with Steve Hackett. "n’monix” is one of the outstanding Progressive Rock releases of 2014.

This CD is released 28th April .

1.    TIME
2.    MEMORY
3.    KOMBAT KID
4.    HEADCASE
5.    EMINENT VICTORIANS
6.    BROKEN
7.    SHADOWLAND
8.    ENTROPY

This is a great video of the track "Shadowlands" which Steve Hackett plays the   guitar on and is the albums only instrumental--brings  a tear to the eye! 

And for those who missed it a few weeks ago here's a great "Old School"  video of"Eminent Victorians" with Nick, Pete Hicks and Steve Hackett and lots of

animation.

U    R    I    A    H       H    E    E    P

O     U     T     S     I     D     E     R

RELEASE DATE 9th JUNE 2014

Uriah Heep, one of the pivotal hard rock groups to emerge from England in the late 1960s, returnn with ‘Outsider’, the band's 24th studio album and the first since 2011’s critically acclaimed ‘Into The Wild’.

“We are very proud of our history,” says founder/guitarist Mick Box, “but it is equally important to keep producing new material. This new album, ‘Outsider’, is very much a rock album in true 'Heep' style. It shows that we still have the same passion and energy for our music that we have always had.”

From the opening chords of the album’s hard driving rocker, ‘Speed of Sound’, to the more introspective closer, ‘Say Goodbye’, ‘Outsider’ proves that Uriah Heep has remained a musical powerhouse, and one that can effectively balance its legendary sound with a distinctly contemporary approach. The record, which was produced by Mike Paxman (Asia, Status Quo), also introduces bassist Dave Rimmer, who joined the band in the summer of 2013 following the untimely death of long time member Trevor Bolder.

In a curious twist of fate, the UK release date of ‘Outsider’ coincides with the birthdays of both Box and his late friend Bolder, with Box paying tribute in stating that “we lost a world class bass player, singer, songwriter and friend. While Trevor was ill, he wanted us to continue working, so we used a bass player called Dave Rimmer, who Trevor approved of. It was only natural that Dave carried on with the band.”

  

The release of ‘Outsider’ coincides with a Scandinavian tour and a number of summer festival appearances in mainland Europe, following which Uriah Heep will launch a world tour – including UK dates - as the band promotes the new album to an eager international audience.

Formed in London in 1969 by guitarist Mick Box and late singer David Byron as ‘Spice’, the group evolved into Uriah Heep (the name was taken from a character in the Charles Dickens novel ‘David Copperfield’) when they began conceptualising their first record. The album, ‘Very ‘eavy, Very ‘umble’, launched the band’s distinct sound in 1970, one that was built around layered harmony vocals, swirling keyboards, and heavy guitar riffs. Current lead singer Bernie Shaw and keyboardist Phil Lanzon have been ever present since the mid 1980s, while drummer Russell Gilbrook joined in 2007. Mick Box has remained a constant presence throughout.

The band's repertoire features hits over five decades from the 1970’s through to the present day including tracks such as ‘Gypsy’, ‘Easy Livin’’, ‘July Morning’, ‘Look At Yourself’, ‘Stealin’’ and ‘Lady in Black’, which went to no.1 in Germany on three different occasions and once stayed there for six months. They have gone on to sell 40 million records, and have toured globally for five decades, visiting no less than 56 countries, headlining numerous festivals and arena tours, including being the first western rock band to play Russia, in 1987. Founder Mick Box has remained throughout.

Official Website
www.uriah-heep.com

Progressive metal band since 1985, DREAM THEATER “Along For The Ride” tour at The McCaw Hall in Seattle, Washington on April 14, 2014 celebrated their new self titled album DREAM THEATER, released September 24, 2013, the 20^th anniversary of their third studio album AWAKE, and the 15^th anniversary of their fifth studio album SCENES FROM A MEMORY, the band gave us a three hour concert!

I have to mention The Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, formerly known as The Civic Auditorium.   In 2003 McCaw Hall went under a major renovation that cost $20 million, donated by the four sons of Marion Oliver McCaw.   It was a perfect venue to experience Dream Theater , the acoustics were amazing!  Every note and beat played by Dream Theater soared, vibrated, and bounced off of every surface.

The show started right on time at 7:28pm with “False Awakening Suite,” track one of their brand new album DREAM THEATER.  The song was a two minute suspenseful instrumental played on the PA, as a cool video of their animated discography was shown on the huge cinema screen.  It was a perfect opener to let you know that you are about to go along for an intense ride!   After the intro, they kicked right into “The Enemy Inside” the second track off of their new album and inspired by the true accounts of Iraq war survivors.  The audience already knew the words to this song and I could faintly hear them singing along to James LaBrie’s high pitched soaring vocals.

James LaBrie appreciatively tells the audience, “It is absolutely our pleasure to be here, are you guys having a good time?” at which the audience responded with an incredibly loud…..YEAH!  With that, DREAM THEATER kicked into “The Shattered Fortress,” off of their BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS album.   Jordan Rudess definitely puts the prog in DREAM THEATER’s sound.  He gave an incredible symphonic keyboard solo with his custom made rotating and tilting keyboard.

 James LaBrie took a moment to say, “We’ve been coming to Seattle since (he took a moment to think)…..1993 and we FINALLY made it to the Space Needle!”  At that, the audience loudly cheered!  The band then went into “On the Backs of Angels,”  “The Looking Glass,” and “Trial of Tears.”  The light show for each song was, by far, the best light show I have ever experienced at a concert!  Each song presented a different array of color and patterns.  “Trial of Tears” was my favorite light show, giving the illusion that the band was under water, with green and purple waves of light gently rippling across the stage.

The next song was “Enigma Machine” and was Mike Mangini’s turn to really show us how he uses every bit of the monstrous symmetrical drum kit he has.  The newest member of DREAM THEATER since 2010, Mike Mangini really brings strength and interesting sound to the band.  I clearly heard several styles of drumming Jazz, Progressive, and Metal through-out his performance.  John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess played back and forth with intense speed, even teaming up for duels.   Jordan brought out his Keytar and played a synthesized solo like I've never heard!   John Myung is the glue that holds it all together and he is definitely not lost in the shadows.  He accents each song with his mastery and some quick bass solos playing a SIX string bass!  “Along For the Ride” and “Breaking All Illusions” were the next two songs played with the same intense, high speed ferocity.

At this point, the band, understandably, took a thirty minute break.  A fifteen minute intermission and fifteen minutes on a video of hilarious commercials, featuring cartoon characters of each band member and some DT fan’s videos pulled off of YouTube one of which was a cover by a 14 year old, incredibly talented girl covering John Petrucci's shred in “The Best of Times.”

DT went on to play six more songs, “The Mirror,” “Lie,” “Lifting Shadows Off A Dream,” “Scarred,” “Space-Dye Vest,” and the 20 minute “Illumination Theory Suite.”  Every single song played was practiced to perfection.  The players were modest, all holding their positions at their designated spots on the stage, mostly I think, because of the need to switch pedals, as each song had so many textures and layers.  James LaBrie, having the charisma and confidence of a good frontman, roamed around the stage.

That was it, the band left the stage and the crowd cheered loudly for an encore, which we all knew we were going to get.  Everyone shouted their approval at the image on the screen of their next song “Overture 1928,” off of the bands fifth studio album, Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory.  They continued with “Strange Deja-Vu,”  “The Dance of Eternity,” and “Finally Free.”

I went to this show not knowing much about DREAM THEATER and left a new fan, excited to explore more of their music!  DT was an experience to see, definitely the ultimate concert with technical perfection, an awesome light show, and clever and creative videos.  I highly recommend seeing them if they are coming to your town.

Setlist:

False Awakening Suite (intro tape)

1. The Enemy Inside

2. The Shattered Fortress

3. On the Backs of Angels

4. The Looking Glass

5. Trial of Tears

6. Enigma Machine (w/ drum solo)

7. Along for the Ride

8. Breaking All Illusions

Intermission

9. The Mirror

10. Lie

11. Lifting Shadows Off A Dream

12. Scarred

13. Space-Dye Vest

14. Illumination Theory

Encore:

15. Overture 1928

16. Strange Deja-Vu

17. The Dance of Eternity

18. Finally Free

Tour Dates:

Apr17	The Warfield San Francisco, CA, United States
Apr18	Fox Performing Arts Center Riverside, CA, United States
Apr19	Orpheum Theatre Los Angeles, CA, United States
Apr20	Ikeda Theatre Mesa, AZ, United States
Apr23	Arena Monterrey Monterrey, Mexico
Apr24	Arena Ciudad de Mexico Mexico City, Mexico
Apr26	Auditorio Telmex Guadalajara, Mexico
Jul5	Sheffield City Hall Sheffield, United Kingdom Tickets: http://www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk/events/dream-theater-2014
Jul6	Knebworth Park/Sonisphere 40yrs of Festivals Knebworth, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom Tickets: http://sonisphere.co.uk/buy-tickets/
Jul7	Olympia Paris, France
Jul10	Masters of Rock Vizovice, Czech Republic
Jul11	Thuringenhalle Erfurt, Germany
Jul12	Stadtpark Hamburg, DE, Germany
Jul14	Gdynia Arena Gdynia, Poland
Jul15	Admiralspalast Berlin, Germany
Jul16	013 Tilburg, Netherlands
Jul18	Amphitheater Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Jul19	Reitstadion at Maimarket Mannheim, Germany
Jul21	Concerti Piazza Loggia Brescia, Italy
Jul22	Gru Village Grugliasco, Italy
Jul23	Adriano Flacco Pescara, Italy
Jul26	Budapest Park Budapest, Hungary
Jul28	Romexpo Bucharest, Romania
Jul29	Festivalna Hall Sofia, Bulgaria
Jul31	KüçükÇiftlik Park Istanbul, Turkey
Oct19	Loud Park Festival Saitama, Chuo Ward Shintoshin, Japan

Dream Theater Website:

http://www.dreamtheater.net/

Facebook Page: 

https://www.facebook.com/dreamtheaterofficial?ref=br_tf

Review by:

Jill Maciel

West Coast Correspondent CRRdotEU

Photography by:

Scott Banning

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY ALBUM OUT NOW!

Catacombs of the Black Vatican was released April 8th 2014! You can pick up your copy anywhere music is sold.

Nick Catanese has been replaced with guitar player Dario Lorina and Zakk Wylde has been quoted as saying, "I had called Nick to tell him about the album and he told me that he was already knee deep into doing his own thing and wanted to stick 1,000 percent into it," Wylde told Guitar World. "I told him it was cool and that we loved him and that he'd always have a home here."

Wylde continued: “The thing is no one ever gets kicked out or fired. If you want to go, you're always able. Now we've got (guitarist) Dario Lorina in the band, and not only is he a kick-ass guitar player who can shred, but he’s also a really cool dude.”

Of the new album, Wylde says, “I think everyone can expect a lot of fun and excitement. he laughed. "It was like what Chris Farley did in that one skit, where he was selling that hair-care product. Make sure you always use the word 'fun' when you describe it.

“Someone asked me what the difference was between this new record and the other nine. I told them that it's basically all of the songs we used on the other nine records, except they've got different titles now. It's fun and exciting for the whole family!”

My Time Of Dying

Track List:

01 – Fields of Unforgiveness
02 – My Dying Time
03 – Believe
04 – Angel of Mercy
05 – Heart of Darkness
06 – Beyond the Down
07 – Scars
08 – Damn the Flood
09 – I’ve Gone Away
10 – Empty Promises
11 – Shades of Gray
12 – Dark Side of the Sun (Bonus Track)
13 – Nomad (Bonus Track)

BLS:
Website   Facebook

Monday Mocha Musings - An Inglorious 'Striptease' - mystery marketing?

CRR Cuppa

Yes, I did say 'striptease' (not bad for a rock n roll prude eh)     

I'm having my Monday morning treat, (a decaf mocha!) and thinking about  how there are so many bands out there all clamouring for attention . (some good some bad some great and some bloody awesome! I'll get to the latter soon)  I can't begin to tell you just how many   emails, tweets & Facebook messages/posts we get at Classic Rock Radio with the words 'hey check out MY band!!'  My email goes ping! ping!ping! and ding! ding!ding! with them along with the rest of the Classic Rock Radio Crew

 ( Some even rudely  glue them to other posts on our page , not good netiquette, and at one point we even set our page so that Joe Public / Joe Performer) couldn't plaster our page with spam (again NOT good netiquette) but anyway, I am stepping aside from the thread although you can guarantee one of these days I will write my How To Get Ignored Not Noticed By Radio People   post ;-)   )

So where was I....

Oh yes.... I mentioned 'awesome'  . a new awesome band is out there  and while this British rock band  INGLORIOUS have done a sliiiiightly similar 'check us out' thing, via Twitter,  (they have been busy tweeting to various radio stations, presenters, magazines and journos etc.) HOWEVER,  not only are they definitely WORTH checking out they've also been pretty clever with a twist.

Firstly  they've only included a short  YouTube preview of their track 'Sun & Moon', long enough to  hopefully make the listener (if they do click it)  hungry, but not long  to satisfy that hunger, in other words it leaves you hungry to hear more . have a  nibble here to hear . They have taken the striptease stance that for every X amount of 'likes' on Facebook / listens on YouTube  they will preview more of it

Then we have the 'air of mystery' they are generating.   Just who are Inglorious?

Well we don't know much but  what we do know is that the vocalist is Nathan James    

Europe's Joey Tempest  &  Nathan James

 You may recognise him from his time on 'reality show'  'Superstar  in 2012  ( Andrew Lloyd Webber didn't want to just merely take an advert out in The Stage like in the good old days ( before it became the Lapdancers Weekly )  to cast the lead for Jesus Christ Superstar  and chose to do it via TV.... ) and though I didn't see any of it til a little trip down YouTube Way the other night, from what I can gleam from various via web posts 'Nathan was one of the most talked-about contestants in the series, with a natural rock talent that impressed the judges night after night.'  Seems he eventually got voted off but hey, it happens, just brush self off and start again. C'est la industry...it's a tough world.

Nathan is also part of   Paul O'Neill's stunning progressive rock touring show Trans Siberian Orchestra     (more info here)

 I don't do 'reality tv' , I can't stand Slop Idol or Vex Factor etc etc so it's not surprising I had not seen him on the reality shows until the other night where I also discovered he had  strangely been 'rejected' during his televised 'blind audition' on  The Voice  as the red seated set didn't turn around to say 'mine!'  .

I say 'strangely' because he has a voice/vocal range you just have to stop everything and listen to

So who are the other members of Inglorious? Well they aren't  quite saying) (yet)  albeit I think I have an idea of who at least a few of them are, but if they want to play 'mysterious' who am I to spoil that?! 

They have been doing a bit of a marketing striptease anyway which has been amusing and clever in creating a bit of a buzz, but could it also backfire with some media people getting a bit tired of the 'game' ? I guess we will see

Personally I'm pleased I took a moment to check when they  tweeted (because we are so inundated with Check Us Out tweets I don't always do )

. I enjoyed some twitter banter with them  and some of their #inglorioushunters (aka admirers)  the other night, and was teasingly promised an exclusive  first 'playing of the track in  full'  if they hit view/like target but we will see. I genuinely hope they reach it anyway, 

I love what I have  heard so far, and look forward to hearing more, the sound is glorious powerhouse grab you by the metaphorical balls sorta stuff. Can't wait to hear the album.  (produced by John Mitchell from It Bites) Bet it will be full of rock anthemic pleasure.

So for me it was 'love at first listen' and how refreshing to hear a band who sound like they will be 'classic rock' of the future. Hear for yourself. ( PS - to the lovely devoted  Inglorious fans, you don't need to keep emailing me about the band's track, I already love it ;-)     )


Useful links: (click to access)

Inglorious on YOUTUBE               Inglorious Twitter      Inglorious Facebook


UPDATE 15.04.14:

Those  Inglorious  rascals continued their Sound StripTease today : ''ANNOUNCEMENT*** THIS IS 'CHAIN ME TO THE WALL' BY #INGLORIOUS http://youtu.be/q_aWmrZqBck  ENJOY AND RT #rock #british #metal #prog #classic #new   ''

Well there you have it - another glimpse into the Inglorious Mystery, what do you think of it? Let us know your thoughts at all good social media :-) My own personal thought  on the 2nd preview is 'uh huh not bad at all!!' It's a great sound yet my favourite out of the two so far is stll Sun &Moon . Only problem is it is keeping me awake long into the night


 (c) Marilyn Michaels 2014

 My twitter    Facebook   Classic Rock Radio Twitter  CRR Facebook