Hey now, thanks to Deb and John at AAM for once again letting us rant and rave for another year. As long as there are dedicated rockers and rollers out there, then we’ll have something to report. Now for some great news for fans of some of our favorite groups.
Having spent the better part of 2005 on tour with Social Distortion in both Europe and North America, Swedish glam-punks Backyard Babies now offer up a souvenir of their concert experience. Live Live In Paris (no, that’s not a typo; it’s the verb followed by the adjective) showcases 15 classics from the catalog of the band. Recorded during the Stockholm Syndrome European tour before a sold-out French crowd, it provides a memorable snapshot of the booze-fueled gutter rock that’s earned the quartet worldwide acclaim. Recorded during the Stockholm Syndrome European tour, Live Live In Paris will be just as cherished by Backyard Babies fans as ticket stubs and concert t-shirts. For those not as well acquainted with these Billion Dollar Babies, it’s a grade-A slab of Swedish garage sleaze – the perfect primer on one of Europe’s top rock acts in the setting in which they were meant to be experienced. (Drinks sold separately.) For those scoring at home, 10 of the dozen tracks featured on last year’s Tinnitus, were performed live in Paris. Prepare for an ear-ringing, alcohol-fueled, mirrored-shades-and-mascara riot of over-the-top, trashy punk n’ roll. Viva les Babies!
The "reformed" THIN LIZZY, featuring singer/guitarist John Sykes, guitarist Scott Gorham, bassist Marco Mendoza, keyboardist Darren Wharton and drummer Brian Downey, have announced European live dates. Come on come on, where’s the love for L.A. and America.
Following a few days off after the New Year's shows, Gov't Mule is returning to the studio to record its follow-up to Deja Voodoo. Warren flew down to Austin, TX yesterday to write with producer Gordie “Grady” Johnson (Big Sugar) and the band and crew will join him next week and enter Willie Nelson's famed Pedernales Studio to begin recording. This one’s destined to be a classic.
Singer/songwriter and Wildheart main man Ginger, is actively involved in a new charity he has started, called 'Circle Of Friends' and aims to educate people about mental health problems.
Fountains Of Wayne/Ivy principal Adam Schlesinger and former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha have signed on to produce a new studio album from enduring soft rock act America. Also, Fountains Of Wayne have begun work on their first studio album since 2003. The group has already logged time at Bearsville Studios near Woodstock in upstate New York and plans to resume work this month at Stratosphere Studios in Manhattan, co-owned by the Fountains' Adam Schlesinger, former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha and Ivy's Andy Chase. As for a potential release date, Schlesinger says, "We're certainly shooting for sometime this year if we can pull it together." The album will be the follow-up to 2003's "Welcome Interstate Managers," which has sold 417,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Jeff Scott Soto and Marcel Jacob are busy writing and recording a brand new TALISMAN album, tentatively called Bar. The recording is taking place at Ulf Wahlberg's XTC studios in Stockholm, Sweden and the recording line-up will also feature long-time members Fredrik Akesson on guitars and Jaime Borger on drums. According to bass player Marcel Jacob: "The material is extremely melodic and groovy. Very little metal... and we are working on some ballad material. The album is tentatively planned for a late summer release and the band is considering some possibilities for live appearances in the fall.
Former IMPELLITTERI singer ROB ROCK and his wife Lisa welcomed a baby boy, Alexander John Rock, into the world on January 5th. All are doing fine and we wish them well. Rob Rock will be back in Germany on March 18th, 2006 to film and record his first live DVD at the Owen Rock- night Festival.
The Cult guitarist Billy Duff, The Almighty's Ricky Warwick and Bill Morrison of Camp Freddy/Cult fame have been writing songs together, and recording at a studio owned by Velvet Revolver drummer Matt Sorum. The project has the tentative name of Circus Diablo, but whether this turns into an all-out band remains to be seen. They recorded some songs at Drac Studios, owned by Matt Sorum (Velvet Revolver).
Circus Diablo started with some song-writing sessions with Billy Duffy (The Cult), Billy Morrison (Camp Freddy, ex The Cult) and myself. For no other reason than to write some rock songs and have some fun. We ended up writing quite a few tracks and have begun to record them over at Drac Studios, owned by Matt Sorum (Velvet Revolver). Matt has been playing drums on the recordings (as well as co-producing the tracks..
Ricky Warwick and Billy Duffy have been recording the guitars, leaving Billy Morrison to handle the lead vocal and Bass guitar duties.
Check out www.circusdiablo.com for news and updates.
Lacuna Coil are to release new album 'Karmacode' through Century Media on April 3. The full track listing is: 'Fragile', 'To The Edge', 'Our Truth', 'Within Me', 'Devoted', 'You Create', 'What I See', 'Fragments Of Faith', 'Closer', 'In Visible Light', 'The Game', 'Without Fear' and 'Enjoy The Silence'.
One of the all time great AOR records, the classic Hughes/Thrall is likely to get remastered release later this year. Originally recorded in 1982 by Glenn Hughes (vocals and bass) and Pat Thrall (guitars) is currently being prepared for release on the British Rock Candy Records label for release in May 2006. Rumor has it that the remastered album contains some previously unreleased music as well. Can’t wait for this.
Well, that’s it headknockers, don’t forget your loved ones, as this month we celebrate the anniversary of the St.Valentine’s Day massacre or is that just Valentines Day?
