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Welcome to FabricationsHQ
Home to the musical articles, reviews and features by
Ross Muir
Music Critic, Freelance Writer, Artist Review & Promotion
"Putting the Words to the Music"
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Welcome to FabricationsHQ
Home to the musical articles, reviews and features by
Ross Muir
Music Critic, Freelance Writer, Artist Review & Promotion
"Putting the Words to the Music"
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Muirsical Thoughts, Muirsical News
A selection of the latest or topical music news, snippets, press releases and announcements, a
number of which include a dash of Muirsical humour or alternative, behind-the-spin views on the
official press blurb.
A selection of the latest or topical music news, snippets, press releases and announcements, a
number of which include a dash of Muirsical humour or alternative, behind-the-spin views on the
official press blurb.
The Rush Backstage Club website, the one-stop shop for any and all Rush merchandise the major collector/ fan could ever want, have announced a 40th anniversary re-release for the Canadian band’s debut album.
Re-DISCovered is packaged as a high quality vinyl box-set and is now available for pre-order.
The release date is expected to be April the 15th.
The album has been remastered at Abbey Road studios by Sean McGee, who has been responsible for the recent run of Beatles vinyl re-masters.
Re-DISCovered will be packaged in a high quality 12”x12” box and the record will be 200 gram vinyl from the Direct Metal Mastering process, the highest quality vinyl currently available.
The box set will include re-production of the original 1974 Canadian retail poster and publicity photos from Moon Records of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and original drummer John Rutsey.
Also part of the package is an early/ origins Rush Family Tree and a memorabilia collage featuring gig adverts, reviews and photos.
Pre-ordering information:
http://www.rushbackstage.com/rushbackstage/media-260/compact-discs/rush-rediscovered-lp-box-set.html
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Re-DISCovered is packaged as a high quality vinyl box-set and is now available for pre-order.
The release date is expected to be April the 15th.
The album has been remastered at Abbey Road studios by Sean McGee, who has been responsible for the recent run of Beatles vinyl re-masters.
Re-DISCovered will be packaged in a high quality 12”x12” box and the record will be 200 gram vinyl from the Direct Metal Mastering process, the highest quality vinyl currently available.
The box set will include re-production of the original 1974 Canadian retail poster and publicity photos from Moon Records of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and original drummer John Rutsey.
Also part of the package is an early/ origins Rush Family Tree and a memorabilia collage featuring gig adverts, reviews and photos.
Pre-ordering information:
http://www.rushbackstage.com/rushbackstage/media-260/compact-discs/rush-rediscovered-lp-box-set.html
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Pink Floyd’s music will form part of what is being described as a "surreal, multi-sensory journey through Pink Floyd’s extraordinary worlds" when Their Mortal Remains exhibition opens in Milan at the La Fabbrica Del Vapore.
The exhibition within the large factory space will host special effects, audio and imagery relating to Pink Floyd’s music and art.
Aubrey Powell, director and curator of the exhibition, commented that "If ever a band lent itself to a major retrospective exhibition it’s Pink Floyd. For a curator, selecting what to include from such a treasure trove, is both a dream and a nightmare: however there were elements that just had to be included, for example a 20 metre-wide sculpture of The Wall, 5 metre high inflatables and of course a flying pig. We shall be aiming for state-of-the-art, visuals and sonic delivery, similar to the experience of attending a Pink Floyd concert, you never know what to expect next."
Their Mortal Remains opens on the 19th September.
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The exhibition within the large factory space will host special effects, audio and imagery relating to Pink Floyd’s music and art.
Aubrey Powell, director and curator of the exhibition, commented that "If ever a band lent itself to a major retrospective exhibition it’s Pink Floyd. For a curator, selecting what to include from such a treasure trove, is both a dream and a nightmare: however there were elements that just had to be included, for example a 20 metre-wide sculpture of The Wall, 5 metre high inflatables and of course a flying pig. We shall be aiming for state-of-the-art, visuals and sonic delivery, similar to the experience of attending a Pink Floyd concert, you never know what to expect next."
Their Mortal Remains opens on the 19th September.
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On the back of the part rarities, part re-recordings High Hopes album, Bruce Springsteen will release a four-track EP on vinyl in April.
American Beauty will feature four previously unavailable songs recorded during the sessions that produced High Hopes – ‘American Beauty,’ ‘Mary Mary,’ ‘Hurry Up Sundown’ and ‘Hey Blue Eyes.’
The EP will not be as ready available to the millions of Springsteen fans across the world as High Hopes was however, or at least not initially – American Beauty will only be available at local record stores as part of Record Store Day on April the 26th.
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Sons of the Sea RedSand Press Release
Sons of the Sea is the quintessential Brandon Boyd record.
An introspective, eclectic collection from the artist, author, activist, environmentalist and surfer that will tantalize long-time fans while further spotlighting his evolving interests.
The acclaimed Incubus vocalist is stretching his formidable creative muscles with a daring new foray into solo music.
While Boyd’s inviting, empathetic voice is familiar to millions, Sons of the Sea, the self-titled album, infuses it in challenging new contexts.
Produced by the renowned Brendan O’Brien (Incubus, Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Rage Against the Machine), the album luxuriates in innovative sonic backdrops, allowing what they coined as "oddball pop" to flourish.
For an artist like Boyd, the thrill and confusion of the quest to create will always trump the tangible, material rewards bestowed for his efforts.
Lead-off track ‘Jet Black Crow’ flaunts what Boyd calls a "stomping playfulness" that befits his dreamlike musing on infatuation’s ups and downs.
And he is just as compelling in the record’s many departures, from the eerie, synth-driven obsession of ‘Lady Black’ to playing lothario in the seductive ‘Come Together,’ contemplating his unique creative process in the piano-driven ‘Avalanche,’ or paying tribute to Emily Dickinson’s perspective on an artist’s responsibility via ‘Untethered’—"tell us the truth, but tell it to us gently, lest we all go blind."
Boyd and O’Brien joined forces when Incubus went on hiatus following 2011’s If Not Now, When?
"After much toiling and overthinking about how I was to go about starting a new music project, I decided that the best way forward was to let go completely!" Boyd enthuses -- "Stop thinking about where, when, what, who and how, and simply…GO!"
That ability to overcome doubt and give voice to complex thoughts applies to his visual art as well.
Boyd’s third art book, So the Echo, emerged this fall, following up acclaimed predecessors White Fluffy Clouds (2003) and From the Murks of the Sultry Abyss (2007).
A compendium of unobstructed watercolor, ink pieces and photographic spreads, So the Echo "offers some of my most vulnerable observations yet, unedited and out on a limb. After all, the echo towards a life of expressivity is only as loud as the call!"
"There is no end in creativity," Boyd concludes. "Hence, to strive towards an end result is a fool’s errand. Set goals, make music and paint pictures, but know that the crux of your happiness balances delicately on the wings of the act of creativity itself. Not at the finish line."
The album Sons of the Sea is set to be released in Europe on March the 3rd on Membran, with the first single, ‘Come Together,’ following on March the 24th.
The album includes special acoustic versions of ‘Space and Time,’ ‘Come Together’ and ‘Lady Black.’
Label: Avow! Records/ Membran Release: 3rd March 2014; Order No. 233813
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An introspective, eclectic collection from the artist, author, activist, environmentalist and surfer that will tantalize long-time fans while further spotlighting his evolving interests.
The acclaimed Incubus vocalist is stretching his formidable creative muscles with a daring new foray into solo music.
While Boyd’s inviting, empathetic voice is familiar to millions, Sons of the Sea, the self-titled album, infuses it in challenging new contexts.
Produced by the renowned Brendan O’Brien (Incubus, Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Rage Against the Machine), the album luxuriates in innovative sonic backdrops, allowing what they coined as "oddball pop" to flourish.
For an artist like Boyd, the thrill and confusion of the quest to create will always trump the tangible, material rewards bestowed for his efforts.
Lead-off track ‘Jet Black Crow’ flaunts what Boyd calls a "stomping playfulness" that befits his dreamlike musing on infatuation’s ups and downs.
And he is just as compelling in the record’s many departures, from the eerie, synth-driven obsession of ‘Lady Black’ to playing lothario in the seductive ‘Come Together,’ contemplating his unique creative process in the piano-driven ‘Avalanche,’ or paying tribute to Emily Dickinson’s perspective on an artist’s responsibility via ‘Untethered’—"tell us the truth, but tell it to us gently, lest we all go blind."
Boyd and O’Brien joined forces when Incubus went on hiatus following 2011’s If Not Now, When?
"After much toiling and overthinking about how I was to go about starting a new music project, I decided that the best way forward was to let go completely!" Boyd enthuses -- "Stop thinking about where, when, what, who and how, and simply…GO!"
That ability to overcome doubt and give voice to complex thoughts applies to his visual art as well.
Boyd’s third art book, So the Echo, emerged this fall, following up acclaimed predecessors White Fluffy Clouds (2003) and From the Murks of the Sultry Abyss (2007).
A compendium of unobstructed watercolor, ink pieces and photographic spreads, So the Echo "offers some of my most vulnerable observations yet, unedited and out on a limb. After all, the echo towards a life of expressivity is only as loud as the call!"
"There is no end in creativity," Boyd concludes. "Hence, to strive towards an end result is a fool’s errand. Set goals, make music and paint pictures, but know that the crux of your happiness balances delicately on the wings of the act of creativity itself. Not at the finish line."
The album Sons of the Sea is set to be released in Europe on March the 3rd on Membran, with the first single, ‘Come Together,’ following on March the 24th.
The album includes special acoustic versions of ‘Space and Time,’ ‘Come Together’ and ‘Lady Black.’
Label: Avow! Records/ Membran Release: 3rd March 2014; Order No. 233813
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Frontiers Records Press Release - March releases (Europe: March 21st; North America: March 25th):
ASIA - Gravitas; Pretty Maids - Louder Than Ever; L.R.S - Down to the Core
ASIA - Gravitas; Pretty Maids - Louder Than Ever; L.R.S - Down to the Core
ASIA’s debut album exploded onto the worldwide music scene in April of 1982; it was the best-selling album of that year around the globe.
Featuring John Wetton (bass, lead vocals), Steve Howe (guitar), Carl Palmer (drums), and Geoff Downes (keyboards), ASIA was the logical successor to the members’ collective bands of the 70s – UK, Yes, ELP and The Buggles.
The legendary British rock band now returns with a brand new studio album Gravitas.
The release introduces new guitarist Sam Coulson, a young British talent from Bromsgrove, described by his band mates as “a wonderful player, world-renowned among guitar virtuosos.”
Coulson has shared stages alongside legends such as Paul Gilbert, Guthrie Govan and Tony MacAlpine, amongst others.
The first single taken from the highly anticipated new album is ‘Valkyrie,’ for which a video clip was shot in January 2014 in Los Angeles.
Gravitas will be available as a CD and Deluxe Edition CD/DVD (featuring two bonus tracks, DVD with video clip for 'Valkyrie,' behind the scenes footage and three Asia classics recorded live with full symphonic orchestra in Plovdiv, Bulgaria).
Track listing:
Valkyrie; Gravitas; The Closer I Get To You; Nyctophobia; Russian Dolls; Heaven Help Me Now; I Would Die For You: Joe Di Maggio’s Glove; Till We Meet Again.
The Closer I Get To You (Acoustic)*; Joe Di Maggio’s Glove (Acoustic)*
*Available only on the Deluxe Edition
Deluxe Edition DVD:
Valkyrie (video clip), Making of the album footage; three tracks live in Plovdiv with the Plovdiv Symphonic Orchestra.
Produced by John Wetton and Geoff Downes
Mixed by John Mitchell
Featuring John Wetton (bass, lead vocals), Steve Howe (guitar), Carl Palmer (drums), and Geoff Downes (keyboards), ASIA was the logical successor to the members’ collective bands of the 70s – UK, Yes, ELP and The Buggles.
The legendary British rock band now returns with a brand new studio album Gravitas.
The release introduces new guitarist Sam Coulson, a young British talent from Bromsgrove, described by his band mates as “a wonderful player, world-renowned among guitar virtuosos.”
Coulson has shared stages alongside legends such as Paul Gilbert, Guthrie Govan and Tony MacAlpine, amongst others.
The first single taken from the highly anticipated new album is ‘Valkyrie,’ for which a video clip was shot in January 2014 in Los Angeles.
Gravitas will be available as a CD and Deluxe Edition CD/DVD (featuring two bonus tracks, DVD with video clip for 'Valkyrie,' behind the scenes footage and three Asia classics recorded live with full symphonic orchestra in Plovdiv, Bulgaria).
Track listing:
Valkyrie; Gravitas; The Closer I Get To You; Nyctophobia; Russian Dolls; Heaven Help Me Now; I Would Die For You: Joe Di Maggio’s Glove; Till We Meet Again.
The Closer I Get To You (Acoustic)*; Joe Di Maggio’s Glove (Acoustic)*
*Available only on the Deluxe Edition
Deluxe Edition DVD:
Valkyrie (video clip), Making of the album footage; three tracks live in Plovdiv with the Plovdiv Symphonic Orchestra.
Produced by John Wetton and Geoff Downes
Mixed by John Mitchell
After celebrating their 30th Anniversary as a band and their last monumental release Motherland, the Danish melodic hard rockers Pretty Maids are serving the fans with Louder Than Ever.
This is not a completely new album; it consists of seven re-recorded classics from the 1995 - 2006 era plus five brand new songs specially written for this record.
There is also a Special Bonus DVD including archive footage from the 80’s, brand new interviews and plenty of cool material for the fans!
“The reason for doing this project is to give those songs a different spin with the band and producer we have now” explains singer Ronnie Atkins.
Pretty Maids will appear in the spring and summer on selected dates in support of the album’s release.
Turn Up The Volume – Danish Dynamite is… Louder Than Ever!
PRETTY MAIDS
Ronnie Atkins: Vocals
Ken Hammer: Guitar
Rene Shades: Bass
Allan Tchicaja: Drums
Morten Sandager: Keyboards
Produced by Jacob Hansen
Track listing:
CD: Deranged; Playing God; Psycho Time Bomb Planet Earth; My Soul To Take; He Who Never Lived; Virtual Brutality; Tortured Spirit; With These Eyes; Nuclear Boomerang; Snakes In Eden; Wake Up To The Real World; A Heart Without A Home.
DVD: A Retrospective of the Motherland 2013 World Tour. Includes Archive footage from early stages of the band’s career, interviews, backstage, studio footage.
This is not a completely new album; it consists of seven re-recorded classics from the 1995 - 2006 era plus five brand new songs specially written for this record.
There is also a Special Bonus DVD including archive footage from the 80’s, brand new interviews and plenty of cool material for the fans!
“The reason for doing this project is to give those songs a different spin with the band and producer we have now” explains singer Ronnie Atkins.
Pretty Maids will appear in the spring and summer on selected dates in support of the album’s release.
Turn Up The Volume – Danish Dynamite is… Louder Than Ever!
PRETTY MAIDS
Ronnie Atkins: Vocals
Ken Hammer: Guitar
Rene Shades: Bass
Allan Tchicaja: Drums
Morten Sandager: Keyboards
Produced by Jacob Hansen
Track listing:
CD: Deranged; Playing God; Psycho Time Bomb Planet Earth; My Soul To Take; He Who Never Lived; Virtual Brutality; Tortured Spirit; With These Eyes; Nuclear Boomerang; Snakes In Eden; Wake Up To The Real World; A Heart Without A Home.
DVD: A Retrospective of the Motherland 2013 World Tour. Includes Archive footage from early stages of the band’s career, interviews, backstage, studio footage.
Introducing L.R.S. featuring Tommy La Verdi (21 Guns), Josh Ramos (The Storm, Hardline) and Michael Shotton (Von Groove, Airtime).
Started initially as a way to bring back to the public the amazing vocal talent of Tommy La Verdi, a singer who came to the attention of the fans on the fabulous 21 Guns debut album Salute in 1992, the whole project morphed into a power band trio when guitar player Josh Ramos and drummer Michael Shotton were brought into the picture by the album’s producer Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline).
The writing sessions were fast and steady, with Del Vecchio managing all contributions from the band members (who lived in different places) and offering a number of his own writings and co-writings to the band, which developed a distinct sound in the tradition of Journey/ The Storm with hints of Canadian AOR.
“I felt honored when Serafino Perugino, Frontiers Records President, offered me the opportunity to return to the homeland of my family and to work with people I respect artistically,” says Tommy La Verdi.
“My only complaint is that it went by so fast. I will be happy to continue making many records with Alessandro and Frontiers Records in the future! We all became friends so quickly, it was very sad to leave each other after we finished recording and filming the videos."
Josh Ramos adds: “It was great to work with Alessandro. I got to know him first through e-mail, then when I met him in person it was like I already knew him, nice person, great singer, producer, keyboard player and cook. Tommy is a very funny guy, interesting person, sometimes intense, but that's by being in the business so long and having to deal with so many things. Mike is also a funny guy, very talented drummer and vocalist. Wish we could spend more time together!”
Michael Shotton states: “I am exceptionally proud to be a part of this project. The songs are punchy with great hooks and performances. Since the first time the three of us actually met in person an unbelievable vibe created instantaneously between us. It was like we had been playing in a band for years.”
The resulting album promises to be a shining example of today's AOR music with soaring vocals from a superb vocalist who comes back into the well-deserved spotlight and some exquisite guitar playing from Ramos.
LRS will also play as a live unit; they will perform at MelodicrockFest 2014 in Chicago and more shows are being confirmed, including in Europe.
LRS
Tommy La Verdi - lead vocals
Josh Ramos - guitars
Michael Shotton – drums, backing vocals
With:
Alessandro Del Vecchio keyboards, Hammond organ, backing vocals
Nicola Mazzucconi bass, fretless bass
Anna Portalupi bass, fretless bass
Jamie Browne bass
Tracklisting: Our Love To Stay; Livin’ 4 A Dream; I Can Take You There; Never Surrender; Almost Over You; Shadow Of A Man; Universal Cry; To Be Your Man; Down To The Core; I Will Find My Way; Waiting For Love; Not One Way To Give.
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Started initially as a way to bring back to the public the amazing vocal talent of Tommy La Verdi, a singer who came to the attention of the fans on the fabulous 21 Guns debut album Salute in 1992, the whole project morphed into a power band trio when guitar player Josh Ramos and drummer Michael Shotton were brought into the picture by the album’s producer Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline).
The writing sessions were fast and steady, with Del Vecchio managing all contributions from the band members (who lived in different places) and offering a number of his own writings and co-writings to the band, which developed a distinct sound in the tradition of Journey/ The Storm with hints of Canadian AOR.
“I felt honored when Serafino Perugino, Frontiers Records President, offered me the opportunity to return to the homeland of my family and to work with people I respect artistically,” says Tommy La Verdi.
“My only complaint is that it went by so fast. I will be happy to continue making many records with Alessandro and Frontiers Records in the future! We all became friends so quickly, it was very sad to leave each other after we finished recording and filming the videos."
Josh Ramos adds: “It was great to work with Alessandro. I got to know him first through e-mail, then when I met him in person it was like I already knew him, nice person, great singer, producer, keyboard player and cook. Tommy is a very funny guy, interesting person, sometimes intense, but that's by being in the business so long and having to deal with so many things. Mike is also a funny guy, very talented drummer and vocalist. Wish we could spend more time together!”
Michael Shotton states: “I am exceptionally proud to be a part of this project. The songs are punchy with great hooks and performances. Since the first time the three of us actually met in person an unbelievable vibe created instantaneously between us. It was like we had been playing in a band for years.”
The resulting album promises to be a shining example of today's AOR music with soaring vocals from a superb vocalist who comes back into the well-deserved spotlight and some exquisite guitar playing from Ramos.
LRS will also play as a live unit; they will perform at MelodicrockFest 2014 in Chicago and more shows are being confirmed, including in Europe.
LRS
Tommy La Verdi - lead vocals
Josh Ramos - guitars
Michael Shotton – drums, backing vocals
With:
Alessandro Del Vecchio keyboards, Hammond organ, backing vocals
Nicola Mazzucconi bass, fretless bass
Anna Portalupi bass, fretless bass
Jamie Browne bass
Tracklisting: Our Love To Stay; Livin’ 4 A Dream; I Can Take You There; Never Surrender; Almost Over You; Shadow Of A Man; Universal Cry; To Be Your Man; Down To The Core; I Will Find My Way; Waiting For Love; Not One Way To Give.
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Perhaps unsurprisingly, as AC/DC enter their 40th Anniversary year, rumours that Black Ice and the subsequent, lengthy world tour would be the last album and tour from the legendary rockers, has turned out to be just that.
According to gravel voiced vocalist Brian Johnson, in an interview with the US Radio Station Gater 98.7, the band will head to the studio to start recording a new album in May.
Potential 40th Anniversary shows were also mentioned, with Johnson stating that “we’re gonna try to do 40 gigs, 40 shows, to thank the fans for their undying loyalty… You know what? It’s been four years, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
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According to gravel voiced vocalist Brian Johnson, in an interview with the US Radio Station Gater 98.7, the band will head to the studio to start recording a new album in May.
Potential 40th Anniversary shows were also mentioned, with Johnson stating that “we’re gonna try to do 40 gigs, 40 shows, to thank the fans for their undying loyalty… You know what? It’s been four years, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
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Another anniversary comes by way of Walter Trout celebrating a twenty-five year solo career in 2014.
The blues guitarist, who previously played with Canned Heat and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, will celebrate that anniversary by re-releasing ten albums from his back catalogue on high quality 180g vinyl.
The records will be a Limited Edition of 2,000 copies per album.
The release schedule for the reissues is anticipated to be as follows:
3rd March - No More Fish Jokes
7th April - Deep Trout
5th May - The Outsider
7th July - Positively Beale Street
18th August - Breakin’ The Rules
8th September - Life in The Jungle
6th October - Unspoiled By Progress
3rd November - Transition
1st December - Prisoner of a Dream
15th December - Face The Music
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The blues guitarist, who previously played with Canned Heat and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, will celebrate that anniversary by re-releasing ten albums from his back catalogue on high quality 180g vinyl.
The records will be a Limited Edition of 2,000 copies per album.
The release schedule for the reissues is anticipated to be as follows:
3rd March - No More Fish Jokes
7th April - Deep Trout
5th May - The Outsider
7th July - Positively Beale Street
18th August - Breakin’ The Rules
8th September - Life in The Jungle
6th October - Unspoiled By Progress
3rd November - Transition
1st December - Prisoner of a Dream
15th December - Face The Music
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Ex David Coverdale and Whitesnake six-stringer Adrian Vandenberg, who also had his own band in the eighties, has a new group project and album on the go.
The debut release from Vandenberg’s Moonkings is the first studio album to feature the Dutch guitarist in sixteen years; the album will include a version of Whitesnake’s ‘Sailing Ships’ with David Coverdale providing guest vocals.
As a taster, you can check out the official video for another of the twelve tracks, ‘Breathing,’ here:
The debut release from Vandenberg’s Moonkings is the first studio album to feature the Dutch guitarist in sixteen years; the album will include a version of Whitesnake’s ‘Sailing Ships’ with David Coverdale providing guest vocals.
As a taster, you can check out the official video for another of the twelve tracks, ‘Breathing,’ here:
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Well, another Brit Awards show has come and gone and another Brit Awards show has come and gone that I missed.
OK, avoided.
The usual suspects were of course present and correct and, in an obvious attempt to prove the show is for all ages, One Direction (Best British Video) and, becoming the oldest ever winner of a Brit, David Bowie (Best British Male Artist) picked up awards.
Well, Bowie didn’t physically pick up his; he sent his supermodel lackey Kate Moss to accept the award on his behalf and read out his prepared speech, which included a quick political comment asking Scotland to “stay with us.”
That’s probably put a small but significant percentile swing of On The Fence voters on to the Yes side of the border, Ziggy me old mucker.
Other award winners included the Arctic Monkeys (Best British Group and Best British Album for AM) with the band's front man Alex Turner sticking one in the eye of the MTV crowd with his rock ‘n’ roll will never die speech:
"(rock and roll) it's always waiting around the corner to make its way back through the sludge and smash through the glass ceiling better than ever. And there’s nothing you can do about it."
However, dropping the microphone on the floor post-speech and walking away wasn’t exactly driving the limo into the swimming pool, Alex.
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Well, another Brit Awards show has come and gone and another Brit Awards show has come and gone that I missed.
OK, avoided.
The usual suspects were of course present and correct and, in an obvious attempt to prove the show is for all ages, One Direction (Best British Video) and, becoming the oldest ever winner of a Brit, David Bowie (Best British Male Artist) picked up awards.
Well, Bowie didn’t physically pick up his; he sent his supermodel lackey Kate Moss to accept the award on his behalf and read out his prepared speech, which included a quick political comment asking Scotland to “stay with us.”
That’s probably put a small but significant percentile swing of On The Fence voters on to the Yes side of the border, Ziggy me old mucker.
Other award winners included the Arctic Monkeys (Best British Group and Best British Album for AM) with the band's front man Alex Turner sticking one in the eye of the MTV crowd with his rock ‘n’ roll will never die speech:
"(rock and roll) it's always waiting around the corner to make its way back through the sludge and smash through the glass ceiling better than ever. And there’s nothing you can do about it."
However, dropping the microphone on the floor post-speech and walking away wasn’t exactly driving the limo into the swimming pool, Alex.
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David Crosby, who released his latest album Croz earlier this year, was forced to postpone his solo US tour dates after needing an emergency cardiac catheterization and angiogram, following a routine cardiac stress test.
The legendary singer later announced that “I am once again a very lucky man. I'm sorry to have to move the dates, but I promise the music will be good when we do play them.”
Crosby is still expected to take part in the Crosby, Stills and Nash US tour next month.
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The legendary singer later announced that “I am once again a very lucky man. I'm sorry to have to move the dates, but I promise the music will be good when we do play them.”
Crosby is still expected to take part in the Crosby, Stills and Nash US tour next month.
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Albert Lee, who turns 70 this year, will celebrate becoming a septuagenarian by playing two shows at London’s Cadogan Hall on March the 1st and 2nd.
The legendary blues guitarist is expected to be joined by a number of guest musicians over the two dates including Bill Wyman, Joe Brown, Gary US Bonds, Gary Brooker, Marty Wilde, Bruce Welch, Chris Farlowe, Dave Edmunds and Andy Fairweather Low.
Tickets have already sold out but a small allocation is expected to be available nearer the time of the dates.
The London shows will immediately be followed by the release of a single, ‘Spellbound,’ and a new album Frettening Behaviour (which has to be in the running for album title of the year).
Both will be released on March the 3rd; Albert Lee then begins a UK tour on March the 7th.
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The legendary blues guitarist is expected to be joined by a number of guest musicians over the two dates including Bill Wyman, Joe Brown, Gary US Bonds, Gary Brooker, Marty Wilde, Bruce Welch, Chris Farlowe, Dave Edmunds and Andy Fairweather Low.
Tickets have already sold out but a small allocation is expected to be available nearer the time of the dates.
The London shows will immediately be followed by the release of a single, ‘Spellbound,’ and a new album Frettening Behaviour (which has to be in the running for album title of the year).
Both will be released on March the 3rd; Albert Lee then begins a UK tour on March the 7th.
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Setting sail soon, like so many other acts have done recently, are Motörhead.
Although only teaser announcements for their Motörboat Cruise have been released so far, it does seem that the loudest ever sea event is going to be a reality, setting sail from Miami later in the year.
Personally, I’d rather hear an announcement that Lemmy is back to full health before a life on the ocean wave is undertaken; it was only last month after all that Motörhead cancelled their European dates when it was confirmed Lemmy’s health is still a concern.
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Although only teaser announcements for their Motörboat Cruise have been released so far, it does seem that the loudest ever sea event is going to be a reality, setting sail from Miami later in the year.
Personally, I’d rather hear an announcement that Lemmy is back to full health before a life on the ocean wave is undertaken; it was only last month after all that Motörhead cancelled their European dates when it was confirmed Lemmy’s health is still a concern.
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Robert Plant has confirmed that his new band Sensational Space Shifters have been busy in the studio and have a number of songs recorded for a forthcoming album.
In his chat with The Pulse Of Radio Plant stated “We've got nine tracks already… We've been going into the studio with little filigrees of ideas that have popped up while we've been touring.
"Led Zeppelin II was created entirely on the road, and I think that's kind of been going on here, too.”
The album is expected in the Spring.
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In his chat with The Pulse Of Radio Plant stated “We've got nine tracks already… We've been going into the studio with little filigrees of ideas that have popped up while we've been touring.
"Led Zeppelin II was created entirely on the road, and I think that's kind of been going on here, too.”
The album is expected in the Spring.
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Bruce Springsteen doesn't exactly have to win over his audience any time he kicks off a set, but for his final show of three in Perth, Australia (the recent dates were the first time Springsteen had ever played the city) he couldn’t have opened proceedings with a better or more raucous choice, as the YouTube fan footage loudly and (relatively) clearly indicates...
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Having come to the end of the road with Black Country Communion, primarily because of issues between Glenn Hughes and Joe Bonamassa, the former has formed another band with BCC band-mate Jason Bonham.
Hughes and Bonham have been working with young guitarist Andrew Watt in a band known as California Breed.
Watt has stated that “getting to play with these legends has given me wings. I don't really believe in luck. For me, luck is preparation meets opportunity. You rise to the occasion. That's what California Breed has been for me.”
The band’s debut album was recorded last year in Nashville and is expected to be released in May. Meanwhile Hughes, perhaps unsurprisingly, has declared that the songs will “shake up the music industry.”
But, in a not dissimilar circumstance to the new, young six-string blood in Asia, proof will be in the musical pudding.
http://www.californiabreed.com/
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Having come to the end of the road with Black Country Communion, primarily because of issues between Glenn Hughes and Joe Bonamassa, the former has formed another band with BCC band-mate Jason Bonham.
Hughes and Bonham have been working with young guitarist Andrew Watt in a band known as California Breed.
Watt has stated that “getting to play with these legends has given me wings. I don't really believe in luck. For me, luck is preparation meets opportunity. You rise to the occasion. That's what California Breed has been for me.”
The band’s debut album was recorded last year in Nashville and is expected to be released in May. Meanwhile Hughes, perhaps unsurprisingly, has declared that the songs will “shake up the music industry.”
But, in a not dissimilar circumstance to the new, young six-string blood in Asia, proof will be in the musical pudding.
http://www.californiabreed.com/
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Alice Cooper, recently announced as the Special Guest act for Mötley Crüe‘s farewell tour, has confirmed the idea he had last year for a covers album has come to fruition.
The album should be out by the Spring and will feature Cooper covers of material from, amongst others, The Doors, The Who and The Beatles.
There is a somewhat macabre link (well it is Alice Cooper) yet a fitting tribute being paid to some of the artists being covered – the songs chosen by Alice Cooper are all based around members of an informal drinking club from the 60’s and 70’s called the Hollywood Vampires (Cooper was part of the club):
“It’s basically all my dead, drunk friends, I’m covering all my friends that I used to drink with that aren’t with us anymore” confirmed the Coop.
It’s a well-known fact Alice Cooper shared a drink or three with Jim Morrison, Keith Moon, John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix; but it was far more than just a five piece band:
“That’s just four of ‘em, when you get down to Harry Nilsson and T. Rex, all the other guys that we used to drink with, then you can start picking some pretty good songs for a covers album.”
I’ll drink to that, Alice.
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The album should be out by the Spring and will feature Cooper covers of material from, amongst others, The Doors, The Who and The Beatles.
There is a somewhat macabre link (well it is Alice Cooper) yet a fitting tribute being paid to some of the artists being covered – the songs chosen by Alice Cooper are all based around members of an informal drinking club from the 60’s and 70’s called the Hollywood Vampires (Cooper was part of the club):
“It’s basically all my dead, drunk friends, I’m covering all my friends that I used to drink with that aren’t with us anymore” confirmed the Coop.
It’s a well-known fact Alice Cooper shared a drink or three with Jim Morrison, Keith Moon, John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix; but it was far more than just a five piece band:
“That’s just four of ‘em, when you get down to Harry Nilsson and T. Rex, all the other guys that we used to drink with, then you can start picking some pretty good songs for a covers album.”
I’ll drink to that, Alice.
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Following the announcements earlier in the year from Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks (where the guitarists’ confirmed they will be leaving the Allman Brothers Band at the end of 2014), Gregg Allman has announced he is to wind down the legendary band he co-founded in 1969:
“This is it – this is the end of it… 45 years is enough and I want to do something else, anyway.
Everyone has their own real good perspective bands.”
It’s a fitting time to end the legendary band – 2014 is the 45th Anniversary of the group and with Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks departure the Allman Brothers Band would unarguably become the Allman Brothers Brand – Gov’t Mule man Haynes has been with the ABB for a quarter of a century while Trucks has been a member of the southern rock outfit for fifteen years.
Both will be part of the band’s 45th and final year; the anniversary celebrations start with a residency at New York’s Beacon Theatre throughout March.
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“This is it – this is the end of it… 45 years is enough and I want to do something else, anyway.
Everyone has their own real good perspective bands.”
It’s a fitting time to end the legendary band – 2014 is the 45th Anniversary of the group and with Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks departure the Allman Brothers Band would unarguably become the Allman Brothers Brand – Gov’t Mule man Haynes has been with the ABB for a quarter of a century while Trucks has been a member of the southern rock outfit for fifteen years.
Both will be part of the band’s 45th and final year; the anniversary celebrations start with a residency at New York’s Beacon Theatre throughout March.
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Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings are to re-release the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Concert as a remastered Deluxe Edition and, for the first time, on DVD and Blu-ray format.
The release is expected to feature the entire Madison Square Garden show, as performed and recorded in October 1992.
The anniversary event, celebrating 30 years since Dylan’s first recording for Columbia, featured notable artists performing Bob Dylan songs; the list of performers included Eric Clapton, Johnny Cash, John Mellencamp, Lou Reed, Johnny Winter, Neil Young, George Harrison, Tom Petty and Willie Nelson.
Bob Dylan performed on the last three numbers of the show.
The concert, which will also be available as audio CD, has footage taken from a High Definition video master with remastered audio.
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The release is expected to feature the entire Madison Square Garden show, as performed and recorded in October 1992.
The anniversary event, celebrating 30 years since Dylan’s first recording for Columbia, featured notable artists performing Bob Dylan songs; the list of performers included Eric Clapton, Johnny Cash, John Mellencamp, Lou Reed, Johnny Winter, Neil Young, George Harrison, Tom Petty and Willie Nelson.
Bob Dylan performed on the last three numbers of the show.
The concert, which will also be available as audio CD, has footage taken from a High Definition video master with remastered audio.
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The Red Hot Chilli Peppers have been announced as the Saturday headliners for the Isle of Wight Festival; they join Biffy Clyro (Friday) and The Kings of Leon (Sunday) as the main stage attractions.
It will also be the Chilli’s only UK performance in 2014 and first festival appearance in the UK since 2007.
On confirming the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Isle of Wight’s Festival Promoter John Giddings commented:
“Finally- we’ve got them! One of the most exciting rock bands of the modern era come to visit… and judging by the performances I have seen previously, will be a highlight in the music history of the festival… Rock the Wight!”
Biffy Clyro, who won the Q Magazine Award for album of the year with Opposites, will play the Main Stage on Friday the 13th of June.
Guitarist/ vocalist Simon Neil commented: “To follow the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Bob Dylan and Pearl Jam is an honour. We cannot wait to get back to this iconic Festival, and this beautiful island!”
The Kings of Leon, in what will be their only UK festival appearance of the year, bring the event to a close on the Sunday.
The 2014 Isle of Wight Festival takes place from Thursday the 12th to Sunday the 15th of June and tickets are now on sale.
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It will also be the Chilli’s only UK performance in 2014 and first festival appearance in the UK since 2007.
On confirming the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Isle of Wight’s Festival Promoter John Giddings commented:
“Finally- we’ve got them! One of the most exciting rock bands of the modern era come to visit… and judging by the performances I have seen previously, will be a highlight in the music history of the festival… Rock the Wight!”
Biffy Clyro, who won the Q Magazine Award for album of the year with Opposites, will play the Main Stage on Friday the 13th of June.
Guitarist/ vocalist Simon Neil commented: “To follow the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Bob Dylan and Pearl Jam is an honour. We cannot wait to get back to this iconic Festival, and this beautiful island!”
The Kings of Leon, in what will be their only UK festival appearance of the year, bring the event to a close on the Sunday.
The 2014 Isle of Wight Festival takes place from Thursday the 12th to Sunday the 15th of June and tickets are now on sale.
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Exactly what I would expect Steve Perry to say when put on the spot and after Neal Schon’s “let's talk” malarkey last year and hints that the Journey guitarist would welcome a return of the band’s seminal vocalist if/ when it was part of a farewell tour. Ever the diplomat, Mr Perry...
And anyway, we’ve had the ultimate Journey reunion – it was called Trial By Fire.
Be a hell of a pay day, though.
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Be a hell of a pay day, though.
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Australian based American singer Jac Dalton releases his fabulous classic rock single 'For Your Love' on March 10th.
Taken from Jac's recently released and critically acclaimed ICARUS album, 'For Your Love' is a huge slice of classic AOR that tips its hat back to the truly great stadium rock songs of the '80s; the stunning video for the track is being submitted to ARIA and other video music awards for its unique cinematic style.
Taken from Jac's recently released and critically acclaimed ICARUS album, 'For Your Love' is a huge slice of classic AOR that tips its hat back to the truly great stadium rock songs of the '80s; the stunning video for the track is being submitted to ARIA and other video music awards for its unique cinematic style.
ICARUS marks a significant development in the Jac Dalton Band's sound and style.
The Renegade Southern Gentleman from down-under has distilled a blend of classic and melodic rock that pays homage to his adopted homeland while forging a new international identity.
Ten tracks of Jac Dalton at his best, in the company of some amazing Aussie talent that have just raised the bar for contemporary Oz rock.
From the soaring vocals, guitars and uplifting message of the title track to the anthemic 'State Of Rock,' from the groove laden riffs of 'Waterline' to the bone-crunching 'Suck, Bang, Blow' (co-written with Rose Tattoo’s Rob Riley and SA legend Doobie Whitehorn), ICARUS offers up a sound and performance that will resonate across borders and generations.
Having broken new ground with his first release, the country/ rock crossover From Both Sides, and after the success of the two rockier tracks from the CD, ‘Til We Run Outta Highway’ and ‘Dirty Mean & Nasty’ (which saw over 40,000 plays for these two tracks alone (APRA) since the album’s release in 2008), coupled with over 2.5 million hits on MySpace to prove the point, it was an obvious choice for Jac to step up to the plate and deliver the sublime rock album ICARUS.
The Renegade Southern Gentleman from down-under has distilled a blend of classic and melodic rock that pays homage to his adopted homeland while forging a new international identity.
Ten tracks of Jac Dalton at his best, in the company of some amazing Aussie talent that have just raised the bar for contemporary Oz rock.
From the soaring vocals, guitars and uplifting message of the title track to the anthemic 'State Of Rock,' from the groove laden riffs of 'Waterline' to the bone-crunching 'Suck, Bang, Blow' (co-written with Rose Tattoo’s Rob Riley and SA legend Doobie Whitehorn), ICARUS offers up a sound and performance that will resonate across borders and generations.
Having broken new ground with his first release, the country/ rock crossover From Both Sides, and after the success of the two rockier tracks from the CD, ‘Til We Run Outta Highway’ and ‘Dirty Mean & Nasty’ (which saw over 40,000 plays for these two tracks alone (APRA) since the album’s release in 2008), coupled with over 2.5 million hits on MySpace to prove the point, it was an obvious choice for Jac to step up to the plate and deliver the sublime rock album ICARUS.
ICARUS was produced by Darren Mullan (Australia) and Grammy winner Gregg Brown at the world famous Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. In Gregg's own words, “It's where I've done my best work.”
Multi Grammy Award winning engineer John Hampton, an Ardent stalwart, took a personal interest in the album and came on board as engineer. ICARUS was mastered by fellow Grammy winner, Richard Dodd.
'For Your Love' and ICARUS are available to buy from:
http://www.jacdalton.com/music/buy-jac-dalton-cds.htm
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/icarus-remastered/id606653174
BJF Media & Management Press Release
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Multi Grammy Award winning engineer John Hampton, an Ardent stalwart, took a personal interest in the album and came on board as engineer. ICARUS was mastered by fellow Grammy winner, Richard Dodd.
'For Your Love' and ICARUS are available to buy from:
http://www.jacdalton.com/music/buy-jac-dalton-cds.htm
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/icarus-remastered/id606653174
BJF Media & Management Press Release
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AFP/Getty
With the death of Pete Seeger on the 27th of January the music world lost a truly iconic figure and pioneer of the early American folk movement.
Pete Seeger was never off the radio in the forties and followed that airplay success with a number of hits (with the Weavers) in the early fifties, including their cover of Lead Belly's ‘Goodnight, Irene.’
The song has been covered countless times but the Weavers recording is, to this day, one of the most well known and most successful (topping the American charts for 13 weeks in 1950).
But for all Pete Seeger’s success in the forties and fifties it was the decade of peace, love and protests that the singer songwriter will always be associated with.
Seeger became prominent in the sixties as a protest singer, taking stances in support of a multitude of causes including civil rights and international disarmament.
And the self-penned hits kept coming, or became hits for others.
‘If I Had a Hammer’ (with Lee Hays of the Weavers) was a hit for Peter Paul and Mary; ’Where Have All the Flowers Gone?’ (with Joe Hickerson) was a hit for the Kinsgton Trio; one of his best known numbers ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’ was a Number One hit for The Byrds.
But it’s his rendition of ‘We Shall Overcome’ (Seeger himself apparently responsible for changing the traditional “We Will” to “We Shall”) that became the protest plea song of the sixties and beyond.
Pete Seeger was still active in the second decade of the Millennium and up until very recently, appearing on talk shows, doing book signings and still occasionally performing.
In 2010 Seeger co-wrote and performed the song ‘God's Counting on Me, God's Counting on You’ with Lorre Wyatt, referencing the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
In September of last year Seeger, joined by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews, performed ‘This Land is Your Land’ at Farm Aid at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Pete Seeger died peacefully at New York’s Presbyterian Hospital on January 27th, 2014. He was 94.
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Pete Seeger was never off the radio in the forties and followed that airplay success with a number of hits (with the Weavers) in the early fifties, including their cover of Lead Belly's ‘Goodnight, Irene.’
The song has been covered countless times but the Weavers recording is, to this day, one of the most well known and most successful (topping the American charts for 13 weeks in 1950).
But for all Pete Seeger’s success in the forties and fifties it was the decade of peace, love and protests that the singer songwriter will always be associated with.
Seeger became prominent in the sixties as a protest singer, taking stances in support of a multitude of causes including civil rights and international disarmament.
And the self-penned hits kept coming, or became hits for others.
‘If I Had a Hammer’ (with Lee Hays of the Weavers) was a hit for Peter Paul and Mary; ’Where Have All the Flowers Gone?’ (with Joe Hickerson) was a hit for the Kinsgton Trio; one of his best known numbers ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’ was a Number One hit for The Byrds.
But it’s his rendition of ‘We Shall Overcome’ (Seeger himself apparently responsible for changing the traditional “We Will” to “We Shall”) that became the protest plea song of the sixties and beyond.
Pete Seeger was still active in the second decade of the Millennium and up until very recently, appearing on talk shows, doing book signings and still occasionally performing.
In 2010 Seeger co-wrote and performed the song ‘God's Counting on Me, God's Counting on You’ with Lorre Wyatt, referencing the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
In September of last year Seeger, joined by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews, performed ‘This Land is Your Land’ at Farm Aid at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Pete Seeger died peacefully at New York’s Presbyterian Hospital on January 27th, 2014. He was 94.
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As hinted at by the band last year and rumoured in the last few weeks, Mötley Crüe officially announced their final tour and impending retireal at a press conference in Los Angeles on the 28th of January.
The final tour is scheduled to start with 72 North American dates (kicking off on the 2nd of July 2014);
2015 dates for international territories (including the UK) are expected to be announced soon.
Alice Cooper, not exactly unfamiliar with a bit of thrash and glam himself, will be support on the tour.
More interestingly, and far more noteworthy, the band members also signed a "cessation of touring" contract, which is almost certainly a first in this reimagined day and partial reformation age.
Doug Mark, the band's attorney, stated it was “mutual among all four original members and a peaceful decision to move on to other endeavours and to confirm it with a binding agreement.”
Crüe member Vince Neil added:
"We started talking about it a few years ago and we don’t wanna be one of those bands that maybe have one guy left in it or somebody’s brother, we want to go out with the four founding members and go out on top and leave a legacy of a band called Motley Crue.”
The recent film adaptation of The Dirt (the 2001 book about the band's career) is expected to be released to coincide with the tour, while a country music tribute album covering the hits of Mötley Crüe is to be released this summer.
You couldn’t make it up. But then it is Mötley Crüe.
I’ve never been a fan of the band but I applaud the “cessation of touring” contract and the concept of never letting a successful band become a tribute brand; pity many others don’t feel compelled to do the same.
That said, I can’t help but feel there will be press conference for the full reunion of all four original members in a few years time…
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The final tour is scheduled to start with 72 North American dates (kicking off on the 2nd of July 2014);
2015 dates for international territories (including the UK) are expected to be announced soon.
Alice Cooper, not exactly unfamiliar with a bit of thrash and glam himself, will be support on the tour.
More interestingly, and far more noteworthy, the band members also signed a "cessation of touring" contract, which is almost certainly a first in this reimagined day and partial reformation age.
Doug Mark, the band's attorney, stated it was “mutual among all four original members and a peaceful decision to move on to other endeavours and to confirm it with a binding agreement.”
Crüe member Vince Neil added:
"We started talking about it a few years ago and we don’t wanna be one of those bands that maybe have one guy left in it or somebody’s brother, we want to go out with the four founding members and go out on top and leave a legacy of a band called Motley Crue.”
The recent film adaptation of The Dirt (the 2001 book about the band's career) is expected to be released to coincide with the tour, while a country music tribute album covering the hits of Mötley Crüe is to be released this summer.
You couldn’t make it up. But then it is Mötley Crüe.
I’ve never been a fan of the band but I applaud the “cessation of touring” contract and the concept of never letting a successful band become a tribute brand; pity many others don’t feel compelled to do the same.
That said, I can’t help but feel there will be press conference for the full reunion of all four original members in a few years time…
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Wilko Johnson and Roger Daltrey will release Going Back Home, an album they recorded last year, on March the 10th.
The pair recorded the album in under a week last year; it features remakes of ten Wilko Johnson songs from his solo career and Dr. Feelgood days.
A cover of the Bob Dylan song ‘Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?’ is also part of the package.
Roger Daltrey, who will donate his royalties from the album to a Teen Cancer charity, commented:
"I’m very proud of this album. So much music today is over polished. This record has a freshness that can only come from the pressures we’re under."
The release of the album will follow on from a one-off gig at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on the 25th February.
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The pair recorded the album in under a week last year; it features remakes of ten Wilko Johnson songs from his solo career and Dr. Feelgood days.
A cover of the Bob Dylan song ‘Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?’ is also part of the package.
Roger Daltrey, who will donate his royalties from the album to a Teen Cancer charity, commented:
"I’m very proud of this album. So much music today is over polished. This record has a freshness that can only come from the pressures we’re under."
The release of the album will follow on from a one-off gig at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on the 25th February.
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The Vintage Caravan, a retro-rock power trio from the Greater Reykjavik area of Iceland, have just released Voyage on Nuclear Blast Records.
The album showcases both the heavily influenced late 60’s/ early 70’s blues/ hard rock sound of the band and their modern, feisty musical attitude.
Voyager is available as a digital download, CD and a 2 LP 180 gram clear or black vinyl edition.
To get a taste of what to expect, check out the official lyric video for 'Midnight Meditation' below.
The album showcases both the heavily influenced late 60’s/ early 70’s blues/ hard rock sound of the band and their modern, feisty musical attitude.
Voyager is available as a digital download, CD and a 2 LP 180 gram clear or black vinyl edition.
To get a taste of what to expect, check out the official lyric video for 'Midnight Meditation' below.
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Iron Maiden and Metallica have been announced as the major-name players at Sonisphere 2014 (the festival is making its return to Knebworth and the UK after a two-year absence); it’s also expected these appearances will be the only 2014 shows in the UK for either band.
Other confirmed acts include Airbourne, Alice in Chains, Mastodon and Slayer
Sonisphere isn’t just making an impact by grabbing the two biggest metal bands in the world as its headliners; 2014 also marks the 40th anniversary of rock events held at Knebworth House.
Sonisphere takes place from Friday the 4th of July to Sunday the 6th of July 2014 and tickets are on sale now.
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Iron Maiden and Metallica have been announced as the major-name players at Sonisphere 2014 (the festival is making its return to Knebworth and the UK after a two-year absence); it’s also expected these appearances will be the only 2014 shows in the UK for either band.
Other confirmed acts include Airbourne, Alice in Chains, Mastodon and Slayer
Sonisphere isn’t just making an impact by grabbing the two biggest metal bands in the world as its headliners; 2014 also marks the 40th anniversary of rock events held at Knebworth House.
Sonisphere takes place from Friday the 4th of July to Sunday the 6th of July 2014 and tickets are on sale now.
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Due to demand, American southern and country rockers Blackberry Smoke have announced three additional UK tour dates on their 2014 mini-tour of the UK and Europe.
I’m not surprised – the band’s mix of an early Lynyrd Skynyrd and American country produces a fine blend and, coupled with excellent song writing, makes for one of the best new band's currently recording and touring.
The only mystery is the fact the dates are still primarily rock cafés and clubs but the excellent third album, 2012’s The Whippoorwill, was their first to make a dent in the Billboard charts so it’s still relatively early days for Blackberry Smoke.
And let's not forget that, in this rebranded day and reunion age, melodic and classic/ retro rock does bigger business, generally, than the best that new bands have to offer; so it’s perhaps not that surprising.
The Whippoorwill didn’t get a review on FabricationsHQ when it was released back in August of 2012 but it was issued primarily for the North American market – the album however will get a Deluxe Edition (bonus tracks) European release early this year to coincide with the tour.
And rest assured what people are missing, or have missed thus far, will be covered in a Featured Review come February 2014.
The additional dates are in Nottingham, Manchester and London; the complete list of dates is as follows.
Friday, February 28th – King Tuts, Glasgow
Saturday, March 1st – Bodega, Nottingham
Sunday, March 2nd – Academy 3, Manchester
Monday March 3rd – Islington o2 Academy, London
Wednesday, March 5th – Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton
Thursday, March 6th – Winston, Amsterdam, Holland
Saturday, March 8th – Kagelbanan, Stockholm, Sweden
Monday, March 10th – Rock Café, Hamburg, Germany
Tuesday, March 11th – White Trash, Berlin, Germany
Wednesday, March 12th – Blue Shell, Koln, Germany
Thursday, March 13th – Strom, Munich, Germany
Saturday, March 15th – Nouveau Casino, Paris, France
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I’m not surprised – the band’s mix of an early Lynyrd Skynyrd and American country produces a fine blend and, coupled with excellent song writing, makes for one of the best new band's currently recording and touring.
The only mystery is the fact the dates are still primarily rock cafés and clubs but the excellent third album, 2012’s The Whippoorwill, was their first to make a dent in the Billboard charts so it’s still relatively early days for Blackberry Smoke.
And let's not forget that, in this rebranded day and reunion age, melodic and classic/ retro rock does bigger business, generally, than the best that new bands have to offer; so it’s perhaps not that surprising.
The Whippoorwill didn’t get a review on FabricationsHQ when it was released back in August of 2012 but it was issued primarily for the North American market – the album however will get a Deluxe Edition (bonus tracks) European release early this year to coincide with the tour.
And rest assured what people are missing, or have missed thus far, will be covered in a Featured Review come February 2014.
The additional dates are in Nottingham, Manchester and London; the complete list of dates is as follows.
Friday, February 28th – King Tuts, Glasgow
Saturday, March 1st – Bodega, Nottingham
Sunday, March 2nd – Academy 3, Manchester
Monday March 3rd – Islington o2 Academy, London
Wednesday, March 5th – Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton
Thursday, March 6th – Winston, Amsterdam, Holland
Saturday, March 8th – Kagelbanan, Stockholm, Sweden
Monday, March 10th – Rock Café, Hamburg, Germany
Tuesday, March 11th – White Trash, Berlin, Germany
Wednesday, March 12th – Blue Shell, Koln, Germany
Thursday, March 13th – Strom, Munich, Germany
Saturday, March 15th – Nouveau Casino, Paris, France
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The Download Festival, the more metal-orientated successor to the original Donnington rock festival Monsters of Rock, pulled out a bit of a surprise when it was announced Status Quo would be one of the featured acts for the 2014 event.
How the Quo’s twelve-bar and three chord boogie will be received by the fans of Avenged Sevenfold, Linkin Park (two Download 2014 headliners) Steel Panther, Alter Bridge et al remains to be seen, as does just what Quo quartet will play the gig – the current line-up or the ‘Frantic Four’ original line-up that recently reformed for a select number of gigs.
Aerosmith will also play as a headliner.
Download 2014 takes place over Friday 13th, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th of June.
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How the Quo’s twelve-bar and three chord boogie will be received by the fans of Avenged Sevenfold, Linkin Park (two Download 2014 headliners) Steel Panther, Alter Bridge et al remains to be seen, as does just what Quo quartet will play the gig – the current line-up or the ‘Frantic Four’ original line-up that recently reformed for a select number of gigs.
Aerosmith will also play as a headliner.
Download 2014 takes place over Friday 13th, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th of June.
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On the subject of the Three Chord Wonders, the success of the 2013 Status Quo 'Frantic Four' dates has, unsurprisingly, led to a set of 2014 dates by the original and classic Quo line-up.
The band have confirmed this is the last time ever-presents Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt will perform alongside Alan Lancaster and John Coghlan as a foursome, but then it wasn’t that long ago a Frantic Four reunion was considered to be one of the few classic band/ line-up reformations that could never conceivably happen.
The full list of Frantic Four 2014 UK tour dates are as follows:
Friday 28th March – London Hammersmith Apollo
Saturday 29th March – London Hammersmith Apollo
Monday 31st March – London Hammersmith Apollo
Thursday 3rd April – Wolverhampton Civic Hall
Saturday 5th April - 02 Apollo Manchester
Sunday 6th April - 02 Apollo Manchester
Tuesday 8th April - 02 Academy Glasgow
Wednesday 9th April - 02 Academy Glasgow
Thursday 10th April - Wolverhampton Civic Hall
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The band have confirmed this is the last time ever-presents Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt will perform alongside Alan Lancaster and John Coghlan as a foursome, but then it wasn’t that long ago a Frantic Four reunion was considered to be one of the few classic band/ line-up reformations that could never conceivably happen.
The full list of Frantic Four 2014 UK tour dates are as follows:
Friday 28th March – London Hammersmith Apollo
Saturday 29th March – London Hammersmith Apollo
Monday 31st March – London Hammersmith Apollo
Thursday 3rd April – Wolverhampton Civic Hall
Saturday 5th April - 02 Apollo Manchester
Sunday 6th April - 02 Apollo Manchester
Tuesday 8th April - 02 Academy Glasgow
Wednesday 9th April - 02 Academy Glasgow
Thursday 10th April - Wolverhampton Civic Hall
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