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| News archive March-June 2008 | ||
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BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 15th 16th 17th August 2008
This years Bloodstock Open Air festival has already been tipped to be THE heavy rock /metal festival of 2008 not to be missed. 10,000 metal heads will descend on the picturesque village of Walton On Trent, in Derbyshire expecting to rock out to the finest metal line up the UK has ever witnessed.
The campsite opens Thursday at 12 noon giving plenty of time to set up camp for when the festivities begin. The Guitar Hero 3 Tent and Lava Stage and bar will be open on Thursday at 12 noon.
To follow on from this - Friday, Saturday and Sunday will see on the main stage headline acts - Opeth, Dimmu Borgir and Nightwish with Special Guests Helloween, as well as Iced Earth, At The Gates, Soulfly and Soilwork, to name just a few.
UK EXCLUSIVE - Sunday night headliners Nightwish will close the festival with a spectacular performance as they are bringing their entire pyros light show never before seen in the UK.
The cream of the UK unsigned metal acts will play on the Scuzz Underground Stage, and there are fairground rides, the International Metal Market plus Guitar hero 3 Champion competition madness and much much more
Full weekend tickets with camping are just £85. Limited day tickets are on sale at just £45. Tickets on sale through our secure online shop at www.bloodstock.uk.com plus selected HMV stores around the UK - you can also purchase from SEE tickets, Ticket Web, Piccadilly, Gigantic, Ticket Factory and Last minute or call the 24 hour ticket hotline: 0871 2200260
Band line up:
Friday 15: OPETH, HELLOWEEN, SOULFLY, PRIMAL FEAR, DESTRUCTION, AKERCOCKE, TYR, PRAYING MANTIS, EVILE, SAINT DEAMON,
Saturday 16: DIMMU BORGIR, ICED EARTH, SOILWORK, NAPALM DEATH, MOONSORROW, COMMUNIC, SWALLOW THE SUN, ELUVEITIE, MOB RULES, CLOUDSCAPE
Sunday 17: NIGHTWISH, AT THE GATES, OVERKILL, AS I LAY DYING, KATAKLYSM, GRAND MAGUS, ALESTORM, CROWNING GLORY, HEAVENS BASEMENT
WHITESNAKE CELEBRATE 30 YEARS WITH NEW CD AND TOUR
To celebrate their 30th Anniversary, Whitesnake will release "Good to Be Bad", through SPV Records in April, their first studio album in a decade. The album features 11 new, slamming Whitesnake songs which are guaranteed to take their place alongside their better known multi-million selling catalogue.
Legendary front man, David Coverdale, says, "The new album contains all the elements I enjoy about Whitesnake, and more. I can hear moments that take me back to the bluesy, early years of the band all the way through the band's musical history to fully embrace the more electric aspects of where we are now, as a band. I'm thrilled with it and can hardly wait to unleash it on an unsuspecting public! If this is indeed the last Whitesnake studio record then I'm happy to finish like this. It was a labour of love making this record...a joy... and I'm still enjoying listening to it. Can't be bad!"
The 11 new songs, written by Coverdale and guitarist Doug Aldrich (who also co-produced the album with Coverdale and Michael McIntyre) provide a good balance of 8 rocking tracks and 3 ballads. Coverdale feels it's the first 'real' Whitesnake album in almost 20 years, commenting "It's very butch. Very muscular..."
Track Listing:
1. Best Years Album review
With their blend of hard rock, soul, blues, and balladry plus a healthy dose of priapic posturing and good time fun, Whitesnake brings a welcome, positive energy to the current musical climate. Their recent release "Live In The Still Of The Night" was voted Best DVD of 2006 by the readers of Classic Rock magazine.
On 9 June EMI release WHITESNAKE 30th Anniversary Collection 3CD Set
To mark the 30th anniversary, EMI are releasing a 3CD collection of their career highlights in a 3CD jewel-case set. The 30 year career-spanning tracklisting includes big rock hitters such as 'Here I Go again', 'Is This Love', 'Fool For Your Loving' and 'In The Still Of The Night'.
The set also covers highlights from some of Coverdale's other projects such as a fantastic live acoustic version of the Deep Purple classic 'Soldier of Fortune'. Sleevenotes are provided by Coverdale himself, and Mick Wall.
Album review
Additionally, Whitesnake will be taking to the road with Def Leppard, playing a series of co-headline shows across the UK in summer of 2008. The internationally renowned, multi-platinum band will be featuring songs from David Coverdale's colourful career including the hits (for the choir to join in with) and new material from 'Good To Be Bad'.
This is an opportunity to experience the ultimate line-up and celebrate 30 years of Whitesnake, who are:- Doug Aldrich on guitar; Reb Beach on guitar; Timothy Drury on keyboards; Uriah Duffy on bass; Chris Frazier on drums and of course, the inimitable David Coverdale on vocals.
"I can't wait to get back on stage - after being in the studio for most of 2007 I am most definitely ready to let off some steam. The front row should definitely be prepared!" says Coverdale
Special Guests on the tour are 'Black Stone Cherry' who hail from the USA and recently won Best New Band at the Classic Rock Awards.
Whitesnake and Def Leppard UK Tour 2008 confirmed dates.
JUNE 2008
Tue 17th Glasgow SECC 0870 040 4000
JULY 2008
Mon 14 Jul Cardiff International Arena (CIA) Cardiff (with Dep Leppard, Black Stone Cherry, Thunder)
Tickets are priced at £37.50 and can be booked through www.livenation.co.uk or 24hr cc hotline 0844 576 5483 (all tickets subject to a booking fee).
From 1973 to 1976 Coverdale was the vocalist with Deep Purple, one of the biggest bands in the world. In late 1977, a year after leaving, he formed Whitesnake as a blues-based, melodic rock band to tour and promote his solo records 'Whitesnake' and 'Northwinds'.
The band then took on a life and an identity of its own, attracting not only the supporters from Deep Purple, but a whole new audience hungry for the blues, soul and good time rock Whitesnake offered.
In the early 90's Coverdale spent 3 years working with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, on the rock classic 'Coverdale Page' album, before retiring from the music business for several years.
Visit www.whitesnake.com and www.spv.de for any news updates.
SPARKS CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF THEIR NEW ALBUM 'EXOTIC CREATURES OF THE DEEP' WITH INSTORE SIGNING AT BORDERS ISLINGTON!
Pioneering pop siblings Ron and Russell Mael - aka Sparks - will be signing copies of their new album 'Exotic Creatures Of The Deep' on Tuesday 20th May at the Islington Borders store, N1 Centre, Angel, London from 5pm*, prior to their concert at the Islington Academy as part of the Sparks Spectacular.
Sparks' 21st studio album will be released on May 19th on the band's own label Lil' Beethoven Records. 37 years after their debut LP Sparks once again display their extraordinary ability to create, to challenge, and to confound. Should it be possible for two people to be so fresh, so vital, so unpredictable and so incomparably individual?
Album review
Gig review
RON GEESIN LIVE ON STAGE AND CD
Atom Heart Mother 2008 sees maverick composer, multi-instrumentalist and poet Ron Geesin return to the stage overseeing the live performance of "Atom Heart Mother", the orchestral rock-suite that took Pink Floyd to No1 on the album charts with their first gold record back in 1970.
"Atom Heart Mother" was arranged and scored by Geesin, and will be performed at two nights of the Chelsea Festival, 14 and 15 June. The performance will feature Italian band Mun Floyd; a ten piece brass ensemble from the Royal College of Music; cellist Caroline Dale; and the 40-strong chorus Canticum conducted by Mark Forkgen.
The performances will also feature archive material from the original recording and other music by Ron Geesin, including new scores created especially for the occasion.
For further info and to book tickets, please go to www.chelseafestival.org
A new 2CD set, Biting The Hand - BBC Radio Broadcasts 1969-1975 presents Ron Geesin's live and recorded broadcasts for BBC Radio, including those for John Peel and Bob Harris.
Issued by Hux (HUX098) on 12 May 2008 and compiled and re-mastered by Ron Geesin himself, it features all of his first BBC radio session recordings, never released before now, and 12-page informative booklet.
More information: www.huxrecords.com
During the 1970s Ron Geesin recorded three LPs for renowned and collectable library label KPM: Electrosound; Electrosound2 and Atmospheres. The first of these, Electrosound (originally released in 1972) is being issued on Glo-Spot in the first week of June, as a limited 500 copy run on vinyl.
It comes with a new gatefold sleeve, designed by Fraser Geesin. This release keeps the original catalogue number, Glo-Spot 1102.
Interview
QUEENSRCHE TO TOUR UK WITH OPERATION: MINDCRIME I & II THEATRICAL EXTRAVAGANZA
Following the significant success of their US Tour, Queensr’che are to bring their theatrical show to the UK, hitting 10 venues across the country. Queensr’che perform their critically acclaimed and commercially successful concept albums: Operation: Mindcrime and Operation: Mindcrime II in their entirety in the UK for the very first time.
Operation: Mindcrime was released in 1988 and went platinum. The album tells the story of Nikki, a junkie who is manipulated by Dr. X into assassinating corrupt public figures, which conflicts with his love for hooker-turned-nun, Sister Mary. The album has often been compared to the likes of other notable concept albums, such as Pink Floyd's: The Wall and The Who's: Tommy. Operation: mindcrime II is set 20 years later and explores Nikki's life since his release from prison and answers the question "Who Killed Sister Mary?"
Queensr’che have taken the opportunity to make this tour much more than a concert: the show features surround-sound, video imagery and a full cast with actors re-enacting the storyline behind each of these albums. Lasting 3 hours (with an intermission), this is an epic piece of prog-metal theatre not to be missed.
Geoff Tate says, "This is the most extensive stage show we have ever put together. Working with the actors and creating the different scenes helped us to really tell the story. Between ritualistic execution, working prostitutes, motorcycle crashes and everything in between, we are able to really draw the audience in to the story."?
Queensr’che are: Geoff Tate (lead vocals & keyboards); Michael Wilson (lead & rhythm guitars); Mike Stone (lead & rhythm guitars); Eddie Jackson (bass); Scott Rockenfield (drums, percussion & keyboards).
Full tour details are:-
Fri Jun 13 Glasgow Academy www.glasgow academy.co.uk 0870 771 2000
Tickets for all shows (except London) are £22.50. London tickets are £23.50. All tickets are subject to booking fee. Online booking at www.livenation.co.uk and www.ticketline.co.uk. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
CITY SHOWCASE EMBRACE THE INDIE AND ROCK MUSIC SCENE ON JUNE 2
The City Showcase Festival cranks up the volume this year with a series of delectable rock/indie driven nights, bringing us the future stars of tomorrow, today. Renowned for discovering the best in new music, City Showcase has in the past introduced us to the likes of Hot Chip, Scouting For Girls, Razorlight, Keane, and Newton Faulkner.
Back by popular demand for a sixth consecutive year, 2008 sees them once again serving up a hair raising feast of tasty music shenanigans.
For rock and indie fans, the highlight of the festival will be the series of hotly tipped City Showcase gig nights over at The Metro. If you missed the hi octane live shows of South Africa's finest export, The Parlotones, fret not as the boys from Johannesburg will take the stage as they kick off the Billboard series of Global Pulse International nights. Kahn Morbee and his crew will indulge us with a rousing night of sing a long hits taken off their latest album, radiocontrolledrobot after support from Canadian indie trio, Land of Talk.
City Showcase attracts people and artists from all over the world. For 5 days last June, music fans flocked to central London to witness 400 artists across all music genres perform at 35 different venues. From midday to midnight they mingled, browsed, shopped and listened to great live music. With venues ranging from Carnaby Street's hippest fashion boutiques to St Giles-in-the-Fields Church and The Astoria the locations for the 5 day event promise to be as diverse as its many artists.
City Showcase returns to London on 2nd June and everyone is invited!!
For more information or to book tickets please visit www.cityshowcase.co.uk
GLENN HUGHES PLAYS UK DATES IN JUNE
Glenn Hughes has now announced his London date to add to the other two at Wolverhampton's Robin 2 (Friday 6th June) and Liverpool Carling Academy (Saturday 7th June). He and his four piece band will be playing London's Astoria 2, Charing Cross Road 020 7434 9592 on Tuesday 10th June.
His world tour begins at the end of March in Norway and ends in December. He is back in the UK to headline the Friday of the Rock and Blues Festival on 25th July.
May 7th sees the release of First Underground Nuclear Kitchen from which a radio edit of forthcoming single Love Communion has just been released on www.myspace.com/glennhughesonline
Glenn Hughes is playing Liverpool for the first time since Purple finally imploded March 1976.
FRIDAY JUNE 6TH
SATURDAY JUNE 7TH
TUESDAY JUNE 10TH
Gig review and video
BIRMINGHAM GIG SUPPORTS CLIVE AID
Tygers of Pan Tang, Blaze Bayley and Shy are among the confirmed bands for the Clive Aid event The Lunatics Asylum Festival, set to take place May 31 at The Asylum in Birmingham, England.
Clive Aid is the organization which was set up in 2004 as a fund-raising event for original IRON MAIDEN drummer Clive Burr.
Burr is suffering from multiple sclerosis - a disease of unknown cause. The disorder is causing him intermittent numbness and can affect his balance. At present there is no known cure for MS, although he is helping test new drugs in the hope that his body response may contribute to a cure.
Clive joined IRON MAIDEN at the very end of December 1979 and played on the first three albums - "Iron Maiden", "Killers" and "Number of the Beast" - and toured extensively with the band over this groundbreaking period before leaving in early 1983.
A Clive Aid single is planned for a early spring realease,penned by Ronny Munroe and Corey Jackson. Slots at many of the summer festivals have been secured, plus a stage at the Hard Rock Hell in November.
Clive Aid,is now a registed charity in the U.S.A. raising money for Teen Impact.Money is also raised for the Bergen hospital in Norway.As well as just teaming up with the Orchid Cancer Appeal,based at Barts hospital in London.
Former IRON MAIDEN/WOLFSBANE frontman Blaze Bayley headlined the Clive Aid event on March 29 at the Garage in Bergen, Norway. Also appearing on the bill were SABBAT singer Martin Walkyier, OCTAVIA SPERATI and THE BETTIES.
Like every charity Clive Aid depends on donations and sponsorship. If you feel you could help please contact Clive Aid at www.Clive Aid.com
www.cliveaid.com
Bergen photos
RODRIGO Y GABRIELA ANNOUNCE ONLY UK GIG OF 2008: JUNE 25 - LONDON ROUNDHOUSE
Rodrigo y Gabriela return to London in June for their only UK gig of 2008. The June 25 date at London's Roundhouse will follow sold out tours in Australia, America and Japan - where Rodrigo y Gabriela's are currently one of the most successful international acts - and their first ever gig in their homeland Mexico.
Instrumental music has never sounded so good and the acoustic rock guitarists deliver a crowd-pleasing 5 star-rated show with their dexterity and virtuosity never failing to impress and thrill. Their third, and self titled, studio album has now sold in the region of half a million copies worldwide.
Rodrigo Sįnchez and Gabriela Quintero grew up in Mexico on a diet of rock and metal music and met whilst playing in the thrash band Terra Acida. The band had some domestic success but to make ends meet Rod & Gab entertained tourists and the like playing their favourite songs on acoustic guitars - think Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Testament. Relocating to Europe the duo took this acoustic-metal to the streets busking their way around the continent. They settled in Dublin where Damien Rice heard them playing on the street and asked them to support him on tour. A record deal followed and now, four CDs later, they have earned a reputation as one of the most impressive and talented live bands.
Box office www.roundhouse.org.uk Tel : 0844 482 8008 Tickets £20
Tickets on sale on Wednesday April 9th
Photo: Ian Pollard/GRTR!
DIO UK TOUR DATES
Dio play 2 UK shows as part of their forthcoming European Tour. Led by the irrepressible former Black Sabbath and Rainbow vocalist, Ronnie James Dio, the band will be performing material from across their 20-year career.
The dates in Birmingham and London come hot on the heels of the massively successful Heaven and Hell UK Tour, which featured the Black Sabbath line-up fronted by Ronnie James Dio.
The current incarnation of Dio features a classic line-up, with 4 of the 5 members having been part of the band for over 12 years. The band are: Ronnie James Dio (Vocals), Craig Goldy (Guitar), Rudy Sarzo (Bass), Scott Warren (Keyboards), and former AC/DC member Simon Wright (Drums)
Tues 27th May Birmingham Academy 0844 77 1000 £20.00 7pm
All tickets subject to booking fee. Birmingham Academy tickets available from www.ticketweb.co.uk London Astoria tickets from www.seetickets.com
Support on both dates comes from the legendary Girlschool, the longest running female rock band in the world!
Dio was formed in 1982, soon after after Ronnie James Dio left Black Sabbath. Their first album Holy Diver is widely regarded as one of the classic heavy metal albums, and went Platinum in the US. The band have released 10 studio albums as well as numerous live albums & DVDs; the most recent being 2004's Master of The Moon.
Dio are regularly celebrated as one of America's most influential metal bands, and appear both in person and on the soundtrack of Tenacious D's Pick Of Destiny as well as having the dubious pleasure of being spoofed in the South Park episode Hooked on Monkey Phonics.
Z ROCK 2008 LINE-UP FIRMS UP
The Z Rock 2008 festival line up is almost complete and joining STORMZONE onstage in 'The Asylum', Birmingham, England on May 17th so far are BONFIRE, SHY, VON GROOVE, STEVE GRIMETT BAND and BRITNY FOX.
May 2008 will also see the follow up to the STORMZONE debut album 'Caught in the act', with recording taking place in Dublin, Ireland in December and January. Tentatively titled 'The Secret Gateway' it will feature 12 songs embracing the classic style adopted on the band's debut CD but also featuring a healthy heavier and darker side incorporating the addition of a second guitarist, an element making the current STORMZONE live shows full of power and entertainment.
Artwork for the second album is being handled once again by legendary artist Rodney Matthews (Praying Mantis, Thin Lizzy, Diamond Head, Magnum etc).
Photo: Lee Millward/GRTR!
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