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DIRTY HONEY – California Dreamin’ Tour dates

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DIRTY HONEY PRESENTS THE “CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’” TOUR
Dorothy and Mac Saturn will be Special Guests.

Having recently wrapped up the massively successful Young Guns tour that Bass Magazine called “a co-headline tour of two of the greatest modern-day rock bands,” today DIRTY HONEY announces “The California Dreamin’ Tour.  ” The 28-date, North American headline trek will also see the band play a handful of major festivals and radio shows and include their first tour of Canada.  “The California Dreamin’ Tour” will launch on Thursday, August 25,  at Waterfest in Oshkosh, WI, and wrap at the Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, CA, on October 9.  Fellow Los Angeles rock band Dorothy will join the tour in Portland, OR on September 7 as direct support, and Detroit rockers Mac Saturn will open the shows on all dates. Go HERE for all ticket purchasing information.

“This tour is a statement tour, and the statement is that ‘Rock is alive and well,’ and three bands are heading out to prove that – Dirty Honey, Dorothy, and newcomers Mac Saturn,” said guitarist John Notto.  “Get your ticket and get your ass out here.”  

“While this will be our first tour of Canada,” vocalist Marc LaBelle added, “we’ve played a handful of shows there and were floored by the reception.   Canada definitely has a very strong appetite for rock’n’roll, and we’re coming to feed the fire.” 

Although this is their first proper Canadian tour, Dirty Honey is no stranger to the Great White North.  Dirty Honey’s debut single, “When I’m Gone,” hit #7 Active Rock in Canada, and their second single, “Rollin’ 7s,” peaked at #5 on the same chart.  And this past March, Dirty Honey co-headlined a show with Mammoth WVH in Toronto and has previously played in Canada with Slash and Miles Kennedy/Alter Bridge and at Heavy MTL in 2019.

Just before the “California Dreamin’ Tour” kick-off, Dirty Honey will make it’s UK/European debut with a 29-city run.  The itinerary will include a handful of headline club dates, slots on major summer festivals, including the UK’s Download Festival, Switzerland’s Rock The Ring, Hellfest in France, and Belgium’s Graspop, playing stadiums with Guns N’ Roses and KISS, and theaters with Rival Sons. 

The dates for Dirty Honey’s “California Dreamin’ Tour” are as follows:
August 
25  Waterfest, Leach Amphitheater, Oshkosh, WI*
26  Fine Line, Minneapolis, MN*
27  Fargo Brewing Co., Fargo, ND*
29  The Park Theatre, Winnipeg, MB*
31  Louis’, Saskatoon, SK*

September
2  Starlite Room Edmonton, AB*
3  Commonwealth, Calgary, AB*
5  Rickshaw, Vancouver, BC*
7  Revolution Hall, Portland, OR^
8  The Neptune, Seattle, WA^
9  Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA^
11  The Pub Station, Billings, MT^
13  Bourbon Theatre, Lincoln, NE^
14  Val Air Ballroom, Des Moines, IA^
16  House of Blues, Cleveland, OH^
17  Del Lago Casino, Waterloo, NY@
19  Club Soda, Montreal, QC*
21  HMAC, Harrisburg, PA^
24  Pine Knob, WRIF Radio Show, Detroit, MI+
25  Louder Than Life, Louisville, KY+
27  The Intersection, Grand Rapids, MI^
28  The Forge, Joliet, IL^
30  Apollo Theatre AC, Belvidere  , IL^

October
1  Red Flag, St. Louis, MO^
2  TempleLive, Fort Smith, AR^
5  Rialto Theatre, Tucson, AZ^
7  The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA^
9  Aftershock Festival, Sacramento, CA+
* Mac Saturn will support
@ Dorothy will support
^ Mac Saturn and Dorothy will support
+ Festival date

Band bio / press, 2021:
Some musicians take a while to build an audience and connect with fans. For the Los Angeles-based quartet Dirty Honey, success came right out of the gate.  Released in March 2019, the band’s debut single, “When I’m Gone,” became the first song by an unsigned artist to reach No. 1 on Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock chart. Their second single, “Rolling 7s,” went into the Top 5 and was still headed up when COVID changed everything.  That same year, Dirty Honey opened for The Who, Guns ’N Roses, Slash, and Alter Bridge and was the “do-not-miss-band” at major rock festivals such as Welcome to Rockville, Rocklahoma, Louder Than Life, Heavy MTL, and Epicenter.  On its first U.S. headline tour in January and February 2020, the band sold out every date. When it came time to record its self-titled full-length debut album, the band—vocalist Marc LaBelle, guitarist John Notto, bassist Justin Smolian, and drummer Corey Coverstone—wasn’t about to mess with what was already working. Teaming up with producer Nick DiDia (Rage Against the Machine, Pearl Jam), who also produced the band’s 2019 self-titled EP, Dirty Honey again captured the lightning-in-a-bottle dynamics and energy of their live sound. “As a guitarist, I’m always inspired by the everlasting pursuit of the perfect riff,” says Notto. “I also wanted to extend the artistic statement that we had already made. We weren’t looking to sound different, or prove our growth, necessarily. It was more about, ‘Oh, you thought that was good? Hold my beer.'” “Because of the pandemic,” added drummer Coverstone, “we had a lot more time to write and prepare, which was great.  It meant that we were able to workshop the songs a lot more, and I think it really made a difference.” Dirty Honey’s album indeed builds on the band’s output to date, with airtight songwriting that plays up their strengths:  sexy, bluesy, nasty rock’n’roll, melodic hard rock, and soulful 70s blues-rock.  On “The Wire,” LaBelle reaffirms his status as one of contemporary rock’s best vocalists, while “Another Last Time” is a raunchy, timeless ballad about a toxic relationship that you just can’t stop saying goodbye to.  “Tied Up” and the album’s lead single “California Dreamin,’’ both feature smoking guitar solos bookended by massive riffs and hooks.  “‘California Dreaming’ was the last song we wrote,” said bassist Justin Smolian.  “We finished it about two weeks before we recorded it, so the song was still so new, and we were trying out different things, so every take was a little different.  But there was that one where we just captured it, and it was magic.” Although each band member started playing music as kids—at the age of eight, Notto’s parents even bought him a red-and-white Stratocaster—each one brings eclectic influences to Dirty Honey’s sound.  For example, drummer Coverstone has studied with jazz and L.A. session drummers but loves heavy metal; Notto grew up listening to ’70s funk and R&B as well as rock ‘n’ roll, and bassist Smolian has a bachelor of music in classical guitar and loves Tom Petty and The Beach Boys.  LaBelle meanwhile, takes cues from his songwriting idols (to name a few, Robert Plant, Steven Tyler, Mick Jagger, Chris Robinson, and the late Chris Cornell) when coming up with lyrics. As a result, the songs on the Dirty Honey album hint at life’s ebbs and flows—shattering heartbreak, romantic connection, intense soul-searching—while giving listeners space to draw their own conclusions.   “Sometimes, if you just let lyrics pass behind your ears, they sound like cool shit is being said,” LaBelle says. “And then once you dive in, you realize, ‘Oh, that’s really thoughtful.’ But it still doesn’t have a meaning that’s easy to pinpoint. There’s an overarching idea that is really cool, but it’s not necessarily on-the-nose.” Although the Dirty Honey album may sound effortless, its genesis had a bumpy start. The day before the band members were due to fly to Australia to track the album, Los Angeles entered lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and traveling was off the table. However, Dirty Honey was still eager to work with DiDia, so they devised a Plan B: recording the full-length in a Los Angeles studio with one of DiDia’s long-time engineers, and the producer beamed into the proceedings via the magic of modern technology. “He was able to listen to what we were laying down in real-time, through this app,” says LaBelle. It was like he was in the room with us. It was surprisingly seamless the way it all went down.” Having to switch gears delayed the start of recording slightly, although this extra time ended up being a boon. Dirty Honey rented a rehearsal space and demoed the album’s songs in advance, meaning the tracks were in good shape when DiDia came onboard. Notto mixed and recorded these workshopped tracks himself, which helped him rediscover one of Dirty Honey’s biggest strengths: being well-rehearsed while not over polishing their work. “I’ve learned just a little bit more about what people might mean when they say, magic—you know, ‘This one has the magic,'” he says. “We would do two and three different demos of a song, so there would be a few versions. On a few occasions, the version that people kept going back to was the sloppiest, if you look at it from a performance standpoint.” LaBelle agrees. “It’s just about getting the performance right and not thinking about it too much. I never like to be perfect in the studio. None of the stuff that I really liked as a kid was. I don’t really see myself getting away from that too much in the future just because I think you lose the soul if you do it too many times, if it’s too perfect.” Notto also admits that the creative process isn’t necessarily always all fun and games. But for him and the rest of Dirty Honey, pushing through those tough times and coming out stronger on the other side is worth it. “When you finally come through on those moments, that’s where the real magic comes in,” he says. “What makes all of our songs fun to play and listen to is we don’t allow ourselves to stop short of getting the best possible results out of each one of them.”
Dirty Honey’s self-titled debut album was released on April 23, 2021, debuted at #2 on the Hard Rock Albums Chart, and the album’s first single, “California Dreamin’,” sailed into the Top 15.  As a nod to the many people who come to California chasing a dream, the song’s music video, directed by APLUSFILMZ’ Scott Fleishman, took the viewer on several trips through a magical doorway, not to the glitz and glamour, but to the darker sides of the Golden State.  That summer, the band went out on a nine-week tour as Main Support for The Black Crowes’ “Shake Your Money Maker” U.S tour, receiving glowing reviews and standing ovations at the majority of the tour’s shows – not bad for a still-breaking opening act.  Dirty Honey began 2022 with a special performance of the Prince classic, “Let’s Go Crazy,” shot on one of Minnesota’s 10,000 frozen lakes, that kicked off TNT’s New Year’s Day broadcast of the National Hockey Winter Classic.  On February 20, the band headed out on the Young Guns tour, a 34-city, co-headline tour with Mammoth WVH, with both bands firmly intent on proving that rock’n’roll is very much alive and well.  Dirty Honey’s new single, “Another Last Time,” was released on February 25, accompanied by a captivating, real-time, “one-take” music video, that plays out as an unbroken ribbon of storytelling.

DIRTY HONEY ONLINE:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/dirtyhoneyb… Twitter – https://twitter.com/DirtyHoneyBand Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DirtyHoneyMu… Website – https://www.dirtyhoney.com/

GEORGE KOOYMANS & FRANK CARILLO Release 2nd album

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For GOLDEN EARRING fans, guitarist/writer Goerge Kooymans and American guitarist Frank Carillo released their 2nd album titled Mirage. It includes 10 tracks , notably Kooymans’ “Seasons”, which was originally written in 1968 for Dutch band Earth & Fire.


from press:

Twelve years after their debut album On Location, George Kooymans and Frank Carillo return to the front with their second album entitled Mirage. Recorded over a period of approximately three years in various studios and countries, Mirage offers ten tracks that illustrate the natural chemistry between the two guitarists, showcasing artistic excellence, as well as a wide array of musical influences.

,,Four countries, a fantastic cast of real characters, sometimes an ocean between us and more than a few laughs: That’s how Mirage came to life. We wrote a number of the songs in George’s kitchen while he cooked and I strummed guitar. Then he strummed and I got on the cutting board. We like to cook.” – George Kooymans & Frank Carillo

George and Frank are accompanied by a.o. Paul Orofino (banjo, guitar, Hammond Organ), Rinus Gerritsen (bass), Bobby Langenberg (drums), Ocki Klootwijk (bass), John Sonneveld (keyboards, programming) and George’s daughter Cassy on harmony vocals.

,,It wasn’t a conscious effort to make a CD. We just wanted to write and record because we loved doing what we do. After a while, we realized that we had enough material recorded to put out a new collection so here it is.” – George Kooymans & Frank Carillo

TRACKLISTING

1. Mirage 5.01
2. Where The Devil Won’t Go 2.43
3. Sweet Revenge 3.25
4. If I Go There 3.13
5. Den Of Thieves 4.03
6. Ticket To Heaven 3.21
7. I Wish You Were Still Here 4.50
8. Living Now 4.06
9. Crystal Cracking 4.40
10. Christmas in Gaza 2.27
11. Seasons (bonus track) 4.41

Mirage is released on 17th June 2022 by Red Bullet Productions and will be available through all renowned worldwide music dealers and online shops, plus digital channels (Spotify, Apple Music, a.o.). A vinyl version will follow later this year through Music On Vinyl.

*There is also Another release of Golden Earring’s classic Live album. I have the white vinyl of this, as well there is a red vinyl issue (released in 2019 & ’21 respectively). This edition issued on ‘blade bullet’ vinyl reportedly comes from the master tapes – “To celebrate its 45th anniversary, the album is being remastered for the very first time from the original master tapes.” I am curious how improved it will sound(?) A shame there’s no ‘bonus’ material .

Links:

https://www.jpc.de/…/kooymans-carillo-mirage/hnum/10946342

https://www.jpc.de/…/golden-earring-the…/hnum/10931042

https://www.musicmaker.nl/muzieknieuws/artikel/2-27108/release-van-de-week-kooymans–carillo–mirage?fbclid=IwAR0ej300vo7BWzLI6NFSaWDPqAQ0NSxGycnM2LnCgfadvzNkCo2dCcHqRtA

http://www.frankcarillo.com

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKooymansFanpage

https://www.facebook.com/groups/190008391032053

DON MANCUSO – Interview from the Archives [2001]

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This is an interview I did via email with Don Mancuso, formerly of Black Sheep in August of 2001 to promote his first solo album Now You See It. The CD featured 14 tracks, all written or co-written by Don, except for a cool cover of Badfinger’s “No Matter What”. His next album would be titled DDrive, and would be the basis for the band that became DDrive and more recently Lips Turn Blue, who’ve just released a new album – LTB.

(08/01) Rochester based guitarist Don Mancuso has been around the upstate New York scene for decades! In his early days he was in BLACK SHEEP with singer Lou Gramm [pre FOREIGNER], and after extensive tours of the US in the 70s supporting numerous classic bands and 2 LPs Black Sheep split before Don went on to form such bands as AURORA, CELTIC FIRE, and the legendary CHEATER!

 Most recently Don has been playing and recording in RED HEART – which features a few ex members of Cheater. Don’s also got his first solo album out titled “Now You See It”; issued independently. Now You See It is a fine mix of rock, along with influences of fusion, southern, and roots rock n roll. It features a number of strong cuts like “Eyes of God”, “Freedom”, the instrumental “Waazzup”, and a decent cover of the Badfinger classic “No Matter What”.

Here Don discusses his career, tells a few Black Sheep tales, and gives the lowdown on his brand new solo album.

Can you give me a Top 10 list of favorite albums?

DM:

1) Axis Bold As Love (Hendrix)
2)Guitar Shop (Jeff Beck)
3)Free At Last (Free)
4) Dosage (Collective Soul)
5) White Album (The Beatles)
6) Sergeant Peppers Lonely Heart (The Beatles)
7) Magical Mystery Tour (Beatles)
8)Couldn’t Stand the Rain (SRV)
9) Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (Traffic) I think that’s the title…
10) Goodbye Creame (Creame)

Black Sheep was your first band, with Lou Gramm !? How did you get involved in that band, and what was your early take on Lou? 😉

Actually the bass player Bruce Turgon (who is now with Foreigner) heard me playing outdoors at a dance that I was playing at with a band called Maelstrom. He was at his girlfriend’s house and heard me playing from a half a mile  away. (I must’ve been playing pretty LOUD!) He liked what he heard and had me over for an audition, which of course led to being the first american act signed to Chrysalis Records. (see my bio for details) then to 2 albums with Capital Records. That of course led to him getting into Foreigner.  As far as my take on Lou, I felt that he was a great person, writer and singer and I loved working with him. We were like brothers from 1973- 1976. Didn’t spend much time apart between touring, recording, writing and hanging out together.

Black Sheep released 2 albums. How did those albums do nationally? And how do you think of them in retrospect? [any favorites?] oh…and how did you get signed on to Capitol ?

The first album “Black Sheep” sold well. I heard somewhere around 80-100,000 copies world wide. The second one “Encouraging Words” didn’t do quite as well. Somewhere around 40-50.000 copies.(from what we heard!) not 100% certain that these numbers are it, but that’s what we were told. I think these albums were GREAT! Some of my finest work and definitely a lot of emotion to it. I didn’t quite have the experience, or chops that I do now, but I have learned a lot from “myself” and what I’m capable of doing both writing and playing wise from these albums.(As you do with every project)  I think my favorite one is Encouraging Words though. We had a chance to grow a little before that one and laid out a lot of spontaneous emotion along with some more organized ideas. The way we got signed was through an A&R rep that had heard a demo and quit Columbia Records to pursue his own production company. Stuart Allen Love was his name and between himself, a music lawyer named Barry Platnik and Vincent Romeo a honcho at ICM booking agency in NYC they worked the political magic that gets act signed.

The saying “it’s not what you know, but who!!”. It’s all that and more!

You guys toured with a ton of great 70s bands like Kiss, Argent [Wow! I’m a fan], Manfred Mann, 10 years After…. Any great stories from those tours? Any bands you loved or hated playing with?

I loved playing with all of them! (oh, by the way you forgot Blue Oyster Cult, Ted Nugent, Peter Frampton and Procol Harem) But seriously, they were all my idols,  except for Kiss at the time. I never thought much about them until I witnessed them Live! They were WILD!!

As far as stories I’ll give you the worst and the best. When we were touring with  Kiss the very first show I was standing on the side of the stage after we had finished our set and all of sudden I’m standing in this huge shadow. I turned around to see Gene Simons towering over me in that unbelievable outfit with an axe guitar! He must’ve known what I was thinking by the look on my face. He told me that he had watched our show and he loved the band! I was shocked and honored. Most headliners shit on the opening acts, basically because they need to make them selves look and sound better. These guys did not worry about that! Alvin Lee from Ten Years after was the same way. We got to be great friends and got into lots of trouble together…    The bad story, well we had just finished recording our second album with a new drummer who hadn’t even played out in 5-6 years and was a farmer outside of Rochester N.Y.  We had done some work to get the new show together and accepted a last minute gig at the New York Academy of music in NYC warming up for our hero at the time Peter Frampton. Well Peter hadn’t hit the big time with Alive yet and it turned out he was not the draw for the show either! We were plugged in, in place of a group called Montrose (who were the draw on that show). To try and make a long story short, we came out all psyched and had people screaming for Montrose and throwing shit at us to get us off the stage. If that wasn’t bad enough the power went out on the guitar amps and keyboards so Lou, Bruce and the “new” drummer who never played in front of a crowd larger than 200 people were naked in the wind for the rest of the set! That’s Rock-N-Roll!!

Who else was in Black Sheep? Any recordings past Lou Gramm’s time with the band?

The only people that were in Black Sheep during 1973 through  1978 when we broke up were myself, Lou, Ron Rocco (first drummer), Bruce Turgon, Larry Crozier and Mike Bonnafiedie (the second drummer) that was it. Everything we recorded was released on either Chysalis, or Capital.

What can you tell me such band’s as Aurora and Celtic Fire? [who else was in them, any recordings, tours…] ?

Well, Aurora was a fusion band that I was in for 2 years after BS. We didn’t do any national touring, but did a lot of TV shows and club dates. Linda Rutherford & Celtic Fire was a Celtic Rock band that did a good amount of touring and had 2 CD’s out on their own label. I was the guitarist on the second one only “Flames of Eviction”. Great Stuff and Linda and her family are some incredibly talented and creative musicians. Our claim to fame was playing at Woodstock 99 on the “Emerging Artist Stage” It just so happened that both the main stages were down when we played, so they broad casted us over the whole network of media equipment over the 5 mile coverage!  More people saw me play guitar that day than on 4 dates combined on the Kiss tour. Not bad! You know the story on Cheater, we had an EP out and toured nationally and were like the Beatles of upstate NY when we disbanded.

Cheater was a fairly popular band in the Buffalo area for years. What are your fondest memories of this band, and the scene back then? Buffalo had a big HR scene in the 80s. Did Cheater have much success or following outside of the region?

Yes Cheater was huge in the area of upstate NY, Ohio, Florida and one, or two other places in the country. It was mostly from people that lived in NY had the EP and would turn people onto it where ever they happened to move. We had fans in Texas, Calif, Tennessee and who knows where else. Not millions, but 100’s. My fondest memories are of the people & the music that band created. We were actually supposed to be sign after spending $60,000 on the Cheater Album, which was produced by an assistant of Mutt Langs, Nick Blagona.  Just before they signed us and heard the record they decided that our singer Jeff Cosco sounded too much like Steve Perry of Journey and for them to release it, we would need to get a new singer. Well, being the people we were there was no way we were going kick out the singer we loved working with and that helped create these songs, so we allowed ourselves to get dumped and ate the cost of the record. Only recently we finally got the masters back and are going to have them re mastered for release!

What’s the deal with the Cheater CD coming out of previously unreleased recordings? What can you tell us about those? BTW, aside from originals did Cheater play many covers? [if so, anything in particular?]

See above! Cheater did play covers like Zeppelin, Humble Pie , Journey (of course).

You also did some sessions with Ian Lloyd. What project was this for?

The thing with Ian Lloyd was a demo that Bruce Turgon was doing for his solo thing. We did it at the Hit Factory in NYC.

Wish I had a copy of that! Someday I’ll have to nail Bruce down and get one. It was wild working with him he was one of the lesser known staff writers for Foreigner from what I heard. Great voice, it just took him a while to work into it in the studio.  (He said it was blowing himself out on the road with Stories after Brother Louie)

In recent years you put together Red Heart [w/ Jeff Cosco, also of Cheater]. What can you tell me about this band?  How is the CD you guys recorded? And what are you currently up to with them?

Red Heart is basically a Modern rock band with a classic rock edge to it. We have the original drummer from Black Sheep (Ron Rocco) and between myself Jeff and Ron we wrote all the material on it. It’s got some great songs on it and it was recorded and produced by Jeff Cosco at his 8trk studio. We play a lot of clubs, festivals and so forth in the Northeast part of the country. A couple of our songs from the Bridge CD are being considered for movie soundtracks. We’re doing warm up dates for some national acts like Kim Mitchell. (Who is another one of my idols by the way!) We’re also working on the next CD.

When did you decide to do a solo disc? Is it safe to assume this was done over a long period of time?

I decided to do a solo disk about 2 years ago. Yes, it did take all 2 years and then some to complete. Way more than I had hoped..

Now You See It features a wide range of rock songs, jazz and southern influences, etc… What can you tell me about how the process of putting together such an album? 😉

I took all the ideas out of a library that I keep at home of all the original pieces of music that I’ve recorded over the years. Some are even original demo’s of the Celtic Fire cd that I really thought came out cool and left it just the way it was.  Most people don’t recognize it as being Celtic Fire of course because it’s me doing everything and it sounds much  heavier. As far as the different types music on it, I did that intentionally. I love everything from R&B to soul, to Punk, to classical, to Celtic, to Reggae. I love anything that has an edge to it. You have to understand that many people have used me as a hired gun guitarist/writer and all they know me for is hard rock, which I love and can do very well, but I needed to show people that there are another couple of sides to Don Mancuso.

You used a number of singers, but don’t do any vocals yourself, why? And aside from Jeff, what can you tell me about a few of the others?

I don’t like the sound of my voice unless it’s used for texture, or harmonies. I’m not a great singer and I didn’t want to settle for doing it myself just because I could. There’s a lot of my voice on there, but it’s disguised. Maybe someday I’ll find a song that I like the way I sound on and do it then! The other singers.. First there Garrett Crumb who co- wrote and sang the first cut Alota Nerve and the tenth cut Black-N-Dizease, which is getting some airplay in Germany on the Lord Litter’s Radio Show. The other main singer writer on is Pat Petrone. We go back to high school together and have done many bands. He has the most incredible Ballad voice.  sounds kind of like Steve Winwood. That’s what prompted me to do a lot of the mellower stuff on there. It just complimented his voice very well. He also sings on Eye’s of God, which is definitely the heaviest cut though! I also had a friend that I wanted to do some writing with that is on their, Dawn Sherman. She has a wonderful voice and a real feel for writing in that country/rock type of vein. So that’s why Freedom is in there. (Besides the fact that I LOVE the performance and sound of the guitar solo!!) It’s one of those things that only will happen once!

Decent cover of Badfinger’s ‘No Matter What! Why did you do this track [being a trademark tune of their’s] ? And are you a big BF fan?

Thank you for the compliment on the choice. I loved Badfinger and had this version of No Matter What that I  had done with another band that I liked, so I had just got a deal on a used Leslie 122 tone cabinet, which I needed to finish it and whaallaa!  By the way the singer on that one’s name is Vince Guarnerie. Forgot to mention him in question 12  He’s a good friend and the only guy I know right now that can hit those high notes!

Can you give me a few words about some of your personal faves [or stronger tracks] from Now You See It? Are there any tracks you’ve been [or will be] pushing to local radio stations?

Every song on the Now You See It CD is my personal fave. I had plenty of ideas to pick from and these were all the A cuts. It depends on what type of music you like or are interested in playing on a radio station. For hard rock I really like Little Tail and

Black-N-Dizease, for more current sounding stuff I like Eye’s Of God.. (Very Heavy)  For Pop I recommend Lonely Look!  And for soulful rock I’d say Waaazzup. (I even have trouble recreating that one live!) If you like more of a classical edge then I Fly. Well as you can see I’m going to mention every song on there because I love them all, so I’ll stop here and let your readers decided. It’s interpretation anyway.

How has response been thus far to the CD? What promo / marketing plans are you undertaking? & Will the disc be mainly available at your web site, or will it be in [local?] shops? Any plans to promote it live?

The response has been GREAT! It’s the first project that I’ve done to date outside of Black Sheep that’s in the Black after only 4 months. The promo right now is just word of mouth, internet, and talking to anybody and everybody I can about it. I have Phil Naro (who might possibly sing, co-write and help produce the next one!) shopping it overseas in Canada and the US. I very little to nothing about marketing and promo, so can’t imagine how well I would be doing if I had that end together! I have hired a personal manager though to help try and get this done as well as book live performances for the show.

I’ve only played one show so far in my own home town, so I’m looking for opportunities to get into other areas and see if it does as well there as it does here. We’re trying to get airplay in Buff. and go there to play. At this point I’ll do whatever it takes to get this disc into peoples hands that would dig it as much as the hundreds that already have it. It is availible on the web site and also in Rochester at Media Play, The Record Archieve, the Bop Shop and the House of Guitars. I sell a lot of them at live shows, but the shows are with Red Heart and the Park Ave Band (R&B/rock/reggae/fusion) in the tri state area that we play in. I’m pretty sure that Red Heart will be doing a couple of songs off of the Now You See It disk in their show and the Park Ave Band is the main band that is with me for the Now You See It show’s. We just add the violin, chello, sax and all the vocalists (along with an extra guitarist or 2) and it’s the Now You See It show!

What other projects are involved in at this time? any plans?

See above! I think I mentioned everything I’m involved with except I am producing albums for a few friends out of my studio in Rochester NY. It’s great because I get to play on a lot of different stuff and help someone else live their dream!

What’s your association with Phil Naro? Any comments on him?

Yep, Phil’s a great singer and song writer. We’ve been in a few different projects together and we’re even toying with the idea of having him Co-produce the next CD and have him doing some writing and vocals on it.

What sort of music do you listen to these days? any current faves? 

I listen to Aerosmith, Collective Soul, Jeff Beck, Hendrix, Incubas, Just about  anything with any heart & soul in it!

Ever open for or familiar with Uriah Heep?

Nope, but I did love seeing them live and listening to them. Saw them in Rochester at the Dome arena [1972]. Great show, but as far as favorite songs I loved almost every song that they wrote!… Demon’s and Wizards!!

Interview: KJJ, Aug, ‘2001

Links:

http://www.donmancuso.com

http://www.lipsturnblue.com

https://vwmusicrocks.com/an-interview-with-ron-rocco-of-black-sheep/

LIPS TURN BLUE – An interview with DON MANCUSO

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DON MANCUSO is the guitarist and a major songwriter in the band LIPS TURN BLUE. The band started out as DDRIVE years ago, which had originally taken the name of Don’s second solo album DDrive, from 2004. Upon starting the band’s new album the band decided to change the name due to the name D_Drive also being used by a young prog-metal band from Tokyo. In the ’70s Don was part of the legendary band Black Sheep, along with singer Lou Grammatico – who went on to Foreigner. Black Sheep released 2 classic albums on Capitol Records. Don went on to various bands including Cheater, Red Heart, as well The Lou Gramm Band (see their 2009 self-titled album).

In this interview Don discusses the new Lips Turn Blue album – the making of it, the songs, the late Phil Naro, LTB’s current happenings, as well a bit on Black Sheep, and what else he has on the go.

For more, check out all the links below!


How much of the album was done when Phil was still with you?

Probably 90 per cent of it was done while Phil was still with us. He couldn’t sing after he went through the 2nd round of the chemo and therapy he was doing, trying to beat it, but he was in on what songs we were going to pull from earlier albums. You know, we ended up using a couple of songs, where he couldn’t sing, we had to go back in the catalogue and we picked up a couple of DDrive songs and we re-did those around his vocals.

You co-wrote most of the songs with Phil. Were the lyrics his and it was all put together from that?

It was a group effort – Phil and I wrote a couple of songs, and Phil and I and the keyboard player, Eric Beiber wrote. We all contributed with music, words, ideas, melodies. And there was a couple that Eric wrote with just Phil and Steve Major, the producer up in Toronto.

Can we talk about some of the songs? I just saw the new video for “Pray For Tomorrow”.

That was a total remake. That’s what started the album going. Phil had some friends during the pandemic that said it would be a great idea to do an acoustic version of it, and we said ‘it’s a good idea – we’re sitting around anyway.’ We all kinda chipped in at our home studios and we got that rendition of it.

“Just Push” was the first single. Can you tell me anything about that song?

That was an idea Phil brought to the table, and him and I worked on it actually til we completed the song. It was during the pandemic, so we couldn’t actually work face to face. We were working on the internet, doing tracks with the other guys, and the producer coordinated it, sending all the tracks up to Toronto to have them mixed. It was our first take on the pandemic.


I like “Build My Castle”, that’s a great one. and I like Phil’s intro to that, it’s kind of a different approach.

Steve came up with. It’s actually off my 2nd solo album with Phil. And he wanted to re-do it in a different light, so we added keyboard passages, and melodies with keyboards, and changed the solos around a little bit, and he did the thing with intro and the chant in the breakdown in the middle, also. A great song. That was actually getting some airplay in Pittsburgh.

“Better Than I Used To Be” ?

Yes. That’s one of my favorites. That one is close to my heart. I actually wrote the basic hook part, and most of the lyrics on it – with Phil’s help. And Eric Beiber contributed, I think he wrote the solo section. That’s a good one. It’s the story of my life – haha – ‘I may not be perfect, but I’m always better than I used to be.’

There’s a couple of things on here that have kinda reflective lyrics, and I’m wondering if those are things that Phil wrote – “No Need For You To Call” and “Life’s Crazy Ride”

“No Need To Call” was one that I helped him with. He had just had a falling out with his fiancé, and I had a new girlfriend, and we kind of wrote that one. And the other one – that was basically how he summed up his life before it was over — for everybody, not just for him, for all of us.

Was he well aware of his situation when he wrote that stuff?

Oh God yeah. He was in the middle of wondering how long it was going to be. It was tough.

What stands out for you on the album – what are you happiest with?

I think “Sit Up” is one of my more .. .I mean even though it’s a real R & B metal tune, it’s got a great hook to it, and it’s one of those ones that makes you want to move. That one, and “Better Than I Used To Be”. There’s a couple of Eric’s that I really like, that are really amazing.

“Chain On Me”?

That was one that Lou and I wrote with Bruce (Turgon). We re-did it from the Black Sheep days; it was on the Encouraging Words album. That was Phil’s last request, he said ‘I always wanted to do that song.’ And I was like – ‘you got it – let’s do it!’. And he did it, he pulled it off great.

The last cut on the album Lou sings on.

Yes. That’s from my 2nd solo album. And we decided to add that in to the que when Phil really couldn’t do any more. And we didn’t want to put anything out that was half-baked. So we took a song that Phil and I wrote from my 2nd solo album, and had the new guys play on it. The only other original guy we left on it was Joe Lana, he also passed away 5-6 years ago.

Who’s idea was it to do the Beatles’ cover? It’s an interesting choice.

That was mine and Phil’s. That was another one originally off of my 2nd solo album that we always loved, so we said ‘let’s re-do this one too!’

Now when I see the album – I love the cover, but I see there is no vinyl option of it , yet. When I look on Discogs and on Amazon I only see the CD.

No? I thought they were going to do that, I heard they were going to do it. I know I want vinyl.

Now you guys have moved on, and you have Iggy Marino as your new frontman. How many shows have you done?

We’ve done 2 shows so far, one in Rochester, and one in Phoenix, Arizona.

So you are part way or mostly done a new album as well?

Yes, about half way. We’ve got a lot of it in the can.

Will we still see Phil in any of the credits?

Oh yeah, he’ll be on 2 or 3 of them, I think, as far as credits. He wasn’t able to sing on them, but he was part of writing them, And I think we did have some vocal parts that are still usable that we’ll probably slip in here or there, I’m sure.

Is there a projected date for the next album?

No. We’re just trying to put together a tour, and get out and promote the Hell out of this one. It’s going to take time, I mean we’re not a super huge classic rock band or anything, so we’re going to be toughing it out for probably the next 6 months to a year to try and get that out there. And in the interim we’ll slowly widdle away at the next album.

Are you still working with Lou at all, on the side?

No. I still play with him periodically when he needs me, and he calls me up and says ‘I’m in trouble I need a guitar player and a band.’ But he’s actually retired, but he’s been doing these guest spots with other groups who want to bring him in to the fold just for a few gigs, or special shows, kind of ‘all-star’ band stuff.

I just want to ask about Black Sheep. Is there anything in the vaults that would interest you guys in putting them out as reissued with anything extra?

No, probably not. Lou was actually thinking about that a few years ago and tried to check in to who owned it, and it was like a circle-jerk, no one could really nail it down as to who owned it. So to do something like that might be a lawsuit in the making. I’ve got digital copies of the mastered albums that I just turn friends on to, and give it to them if they want it.

That’s a shame there’s not newer pressings of them out there because they’re hard to find and they’re albums.

Oh they are! That’s why I’m glad I’ve got the digital remaster of it. I was really fortunate because it’s a cut-out in the catalogue now, and luckily a DJ who happened to get a copy of it before they burned them all, he sent them to me, and I was ‘Oh thank you – you’re my hero!’

Did Black Sheep have any regional hot spots, aside from where you guys were from in Rochester and New York – any places where you guys got a lot of air-play or had a hit?

Yeah, we had a hit in Knoxville, Tennessee. We had a hit in Japan. And I think in Europe there were a couple of classic rock stations that were giving us a lot of air-play – like in Germany, Switzerland, Austria.

Was that back when the albums came out?

Yes, when the albums were out and we were touring with Kiss, Hall & Oats, and Ten Years After, and all that.

What else are you working on now?

Basically, right now my main focus for original acts is Lips Turn Blue because we’ve got the deal with MIG Records over in Germany, and the record’s doing good. Then I’m still working with Tony Carbone and Derek Crom in Johnny Smoke. We’re going to be coming to Buffalo in January, I think, at The Rock. And I’m still working with Lisa Gee, from Chicago, who’s last albums and EPs were done with a different drummer, he’s a session drummer out in California, but now I’ve been working with Carmine Appice on her new stuff. We’ve got 5 songs in the can; she’s going to be releasing an EP, and she’s got 1 song we’re still finishing up, it’ll be a separate single with Carmine. (ed: single premiers June 18)

I interviewed Carmine a few months ago. A busy guy.

Yeah he is. Great musician, I love working with him.

Do you know the name Mike Marconi?

Oh God yes! I used to go watch him when I was in Black Sheep just to learn new licks and get my sound down. He was one of the guys – him and Mike Nicoles were my local heros. He’s a good guy, great guitar player. He was in a band called Wale here. They were a good band. They were the one voted ‘most likely to succeed’ over Black Sheep. haha. We fooled them.

Can you give me a bit of insight in to Phil as a writing partner, bandmember, and person, how you got along with him and that?

We got along great because we loved writing together, and playing together. Every opportunity we would get we would both work at it, but we were always involved in other projects to keep moving forward, learn more stuff, and hopefully grab more contacts.

Anything else you can add in about the album..

It was the biggest labor of love any of us have ever done. It was like pulling teeth to get it out. Luckily we were blessed with a guy that got behind us – Bruce Pilato, he manages the band and he kind of tied up all the lose ends and got it to a point where we can get it out to people. So, you gotta hand it to him.

Are you guys going to be adding a store to the website to order CDs and merchandise directly?

Yeah. We want to. Because I mean with the gigs we played we probably could’ve sold hundreds of those t-shirts with the cover art on them.

Do you know much about it (the cover)?

Yes. It was done by a gentleman in the mid-west who’s referred to as ‘Man In The Mountain’ , and he does all graphic art covers, a lot of CD stuff, and big time artwork.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/LipsTurnBlue/

https://donmancuso.com/

https://www.discogs.com/artist/1116275-Don-Mancuso

https://cbsaustin.com/news/entertainment/new-york-rockers-lips-turn-blue-keep-promise-to-fallen-singer-by-releasing-debut-album-rock-music-guitarist-bassist-drummer-band-pandemic-cancer

https://www.goldminemag.com/blogs/foreigners-black-sheep-beginnings

http://www.pilato.com

http://www.travellersintime.com/UniversalWheels/LouGrammBand.html

06/’22

JOHN SLOMAN – Fans Ask The Questions (Interview)

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This interview appeared recently on the Uriah Heep facebook group page https://www.facebook.com/groups/1799464413661777 . The site is administered by Heep fan Rikki Fox who set up this Q & A with John and has allowed me to re-post the entire exchange here.

Rikki Fox: From the age of 5 until now, a lofty nearly 63, music has been my passion in life At the age of 14 I got into Uriah Heep 49 (FORTY NINE!!) years later they remain, through all the eras, line up changes and sad losses, my all time favorite group
A couple of years back I started my own little site “Friends Who Like Uriah Heep” (Yes, I know it’s a naff name) but it’s great laid back fun and has grown way beyond my expectations
I’m honored and humbled to have John Sloman as a FB buddy and suggested a Q & A exclusive for my site To my utter surprise he agreed

What follows are answers that pull no punches given in John’s usual lucid articulate forthright and intelligent manner.

Enjoy, and please check out John’s stunning new release “Two Rivers”

(Understand if the question is too sensitive) Did Ken and you try and work things out or was there too much friction at the time? (Johnny Har)

JS: There was never any friction between Ken and me. We never had a cross word. It was strictly one way traffic. I knew he loathed my singing. And the fact he’d been overruled by the other guys pissed him off. But the real friction was between Ken and the other guys. I just happened to walk in on a climate of distrust which had existed since when I was still in school. I didn’t engage with Ken, because I knew he hated me. And that hatred continued for years after I left the band. If I had my time over again, I wouldn’t have joined Heep…mainly because the band’s main man wasn’t happy with me. But I was young and thought things might turn around. But I had complete respect for Ken’s contribution to the band. And I loved his playing. We never got to sit in a bar and talk. And now he’s gone, the possibility of that has gone with him.

Your solo output has been incredibly and refreshingly diverse, Is this a conscious decision or do ideas just “hit” when you start on a new album? (Rikki Fox)

JS: It’s not a conscious thing. Other than the decision to do what I like. As opposed to what people expect. But once I’m into an album, the subconscious will throw ideas at me. Sometimes I’ll doubt it’s any good. But often, those doubtful tracks can turn into the best thing on an album. The Last Coalminer is a case in point. When I started reciting the lyric as a poem I thought ‘Sloman, are you sure?’ But fortune favors the brave, as they say.

Given the chance once again…would you join Heep?…Was your tenure beneficial to your later career or rather negative? (Richard Pascoe)

JS: If I had my time again, I wouldn’t join Heep. And I don’t think they’d have me either. Nothing good ever comes out of forcing an issue. And some of the criticism I took in the years after I left, proves that. When I talk about the stuff I did way back, it’s like stumbling through a minefield. I’ve never traded on Heep etc. And if it has come up, it’s been seen as a negative. Which is why I never ever talk about the stuff from back then, unless I’m asked a specific question. And whenever that happens, I always give an honest answer. And I can honestly tell you now, that the stuff I did back then, as a larynx for hire was no benefit to me at all. And in most instances, quite the opposite.

Re John’s time with Paul Young – was there any bootleg recordings, video, or promo photos? (Kevin Julie)

JS: I’m not aware of any bootlegs from the tour I did with Paul Young. The very first thing I did with him, months before the tour, was the video for the single “Wonderland”. Felt like a fish out of water. As the tour progressed, I acclimatized to the role. But that first day was awkward. I did various TV shows around Europe with Paul ahead of the tour. But the highlight was Saturday Night Live.

How did you feel about your image in the late 70s -80 being compared to Robert Plant, and in retrospect did Plant influence him in some ways? (Kevin Julie)

Of course Plant was an influence. And I took a lot of stick. But I made it easy for them by wearing Plant style shirts on stage. If I had my time over again, I would crop my hair really short and burn the silky shirts. I was a talented kid who wasn’t as confident as he might’ve been. So I hid my light.

John’s list (top 10?) Of his favorite Heep songs (from before his time)!? (Kevin Julie)

Top Ten Heep tracks?
Look At Yourself
July Morning
I Wanna Be Free
Traveler In Time
Rain
Blind Eye
Magician’s Birthday
Sweet Freedom
Stealin
Suicidal Man

Would John please come to London Palladium in October? (Sue Cullen)

So Heep are playing The Palladium? That will be quite an event. I don’t think they’ll need me showing up though after all these aeons. But it will be a great night, I’m sure.

I hear Motown and Stax as well as some Stevie Wonder and Robert Plant in your voice. What are your influences? (Mike Shannon)

JS: Well, all of the above. Stevie was an inspiration. His version of We Can Work It Out was amazing…changing the emphasis from the word We, to the word Can. I already loved jazz, and could see a link between Stevie and Ray Charles. Motown was everywhere in that late 60s early 70s period. James Brown and Marvin Gaye. Led Zeppelin were a huge influence on me. They were like my big brothers. And, once again, there was a thread running through all the great soul acts to Zep. Especially on the first two albums, where Plant is channeling the Blues, Soul and Jazz. All that while inventing Hard Rock! And, just like Stevie, doing lots of improvisation. I learned a lot from listening to Todd Rundgren. Genius. And of course, Joni Mitchell. But the two people who really inspired me most early on were Stevie and Robert.

If you know what you know now, would you still have gone into the music business ? If not what would have been your career path of choice? (Ian MacLaren)

JS: By the time I was 13, I knew music was the only road I wanted to take. So it’s hard to think of an alternative route. When I left school I worked on a tugboat at Cardiff Docks and served part of an apprenticeship as a fitter/welder. But I knew I was only marking time until I could do music full time. It’s been a bumpy ride, but I can’t let it go. But if you’d asked me what I wanted to be when I was in primary school, I would’ve said ‘Archaeologist’.

You express so much in your music, how else do you use your talent to reach out to the world? Do you teach or mentor ? (Julie Shannon)

JS: Up until the Covid thing, I was doing some teaching. Guitar and a bit of voice stuff. I really enjoyed it. It’s a responsibility I took seriously. Someone placing their trust in you. I taught someone from when he was ten till he was around 16. Natural talent. He was offered a place at The Brits School here in London when he was 14. He declined. But then eventually re-applied and got in when he was 16. He’s now playing around London with his own band.
Soon I’ll be publishing a book on Amazon. Kind of a rock memoir. But it’s a bit more than that really. I intend to do more writing. It’s a side of me that is largely unknown. I spent a number of years trying to get a film made, during which I kept recording music as well.

What is your opinion of the Abominog, Peter Goalby sung version of ‘Think It Over’? (Mike Shannon)

JS: I’ve only heard Pete’s version of Think It Over once, many years ago. But my immediate impression was how tailor made for American radio it was. Right on point for that time. Not too fussy. Good vocals…guitar break. Wasn’t it a bit of a radio hit?

Are there any Heep songs you would like to sing today ? (Ian MacLaren)

JS: The first Heep album I heard was Look At Yourself. So the first Heep track I ever heard was the title track. That would fun to sing. The other one is Rain off The Magician’s Birthday.

Is there any chance of you ever appearing to perform a song or two with Uriah Heep as a special guest? This fan would certainly dig it! (Mike Shannon)

JS: If I said yes to that, it would open a floodgate of emotion. Next thing Mick and me are looking at each other across a stage. Our friend Trevor gone. All the people gone out of each of our lives. Lee Gone. Ken gone. And here we are connecting again. And in the same instant reactivating that emotional circuit which lay dormant for decades. People think being in a band is just about music. But it’s so much more than that. Which is why I’ve stayed away. But who knows.

The Bells Of Berlin has rightly achieved iconic status What’s your take on that track John? (Wendy Fox)

JS: The Bells Of Berlin is probably the best thing Lone Star ever recorded. It had something to say about the world at that time (and possibly in future times, given the current situation). Dixie’s drumming is epic. Those guys were so good, they didn’t really need a vocalist.
Back a few years, someone gave me a Marshall digital radio for my birthday. I took a break from working on one of my albums one day, turned on this digital radio (which was tuned to Planet Rock). My finger hit the on button and the very first chord of The Bells Of Berlin came thundering out of the speaker. For a moment, I thought the radio also had a CD player which had Firing On All Six inserted into it. But no, it was Planet Rock. Spooky.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/johnslomanofficial

https://www.facebook.com/Red-Steel-Music-244496395603999/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1799464413661777

https://www.psaudio.com/copper/article/john-sloman-rocking-with-lone-star-uriah-heep-ufo-and-on-his-own/

LIPS TURN BLUE – LTB album out now (a review)

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LIPS TURN BLUE is the band formerly known as DDrive, which features guitarist Don Mancuso [ex Black Sheep], and the late Phil Naro on vocals & guitar. this album also features keyboardist Eric Beiber, bass player Mike Mullane, as well as a few drummers (Roy Stein is the band’s permanent drummer), backing singers, and guests – most notably Lou Gramm! Producer Steve Major also adds guitar and percussion. Most songs here co-written by Naro & Mancuso, with a few others adding to variety of tracks here.

First off is the awesome cover shot by Martin Kornick / Man In the Mountain ! Love the photo and the blue. Makes me wonder why no one issued this on blue vinyl!?

LTB features 13 tracks, a few of which have been re-worked from previous releases, most notably a cool remake of Black Sheep’s “Chain On Me” (the 70s band that featured Mancuso and Lou Gramm, as well as co-writer Bruce Turgon) – love that piano intro and Hammond organ! The band also revisit their own “Pray For Tomorrow”, which is a timely and memorable; a song of hope featuring a fine vocal from Naro, as well as acoustic guitar and mandolin from Mancuso. “Pray For Tomorrow” has been made in to the 2nd video from the album, with the band also offering the video in efforts to raise money for the people of Ukraine.

There are a few tracks reworked here from Mancuso’s 2nd solo album, titled DDrive – the upbeat (and a favorite here) “Build My Castle”, and though the original was good this is a great production, adding a vocal intro and love the keyboard & guitar exchange here, as well as the solo – this track sounds like it would be an exciting in the live set. As well there’s Lou Gramm singing the Mancuso / Naro penned “A Little Outside” (a nice close to the album), and a cover of Beatles’ favorite “Hey Bulldog”. Favorite tracks here also include the opener (lead single) “Just Push” and “Better Than I Used To Be” (great AOR rocker – love the keyboard runs in this one from Eric Beiber) – actually the first 5 songs here make this worth getting! A couple of excellent ballads included here as well, “No Need For You To Call” and “Life’s Crazy Ride”, both reflective, and one of Phil’s best vocal performances on the latter.

Lips Turn Blue is one of two albums Phil Naro completed before his passing. LTD will appeal to fans of melodic rock, classic AOR, and anyone familiar with Phil’s vocals (the guy did a lot in his career!). Cheers to Don Mancuso and the band and producer Steve Major for getting this album done and out. Lips Turn Blue are currently working on a 2nd album and live dates with new singer Iggy Marino.

Links:

https://www.lipsturnblue.com/

https://www.facebook.com/LipsTurnBlue/

Bill Nelson’s Red Noise 6-disc box set due out in August

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Bill Nelson’s Red Noise “Art/Empire/Industry – The Complete Red Noise” 6CD Remastered Box Set Available August 26, 2022

• A NEW SIX DISC BOXED SET OF THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS MADE BY BILL NELSON’S RED NOISE – COMPRISING FOUR CDs AND TWO DVDs (NTSC/REGION FREE).

• FEATURING A NEWLY REMASTERED EDITION OF THE ALBUM ‘SOUND ON SOUND’, ALONG WITH NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND AND NEW STEREO MIXES BY STEVEN WILSON.

• INCLUDES A PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED CONCERT RECORDED IN LEICESTER IN FEBRUARY 1979 NEWLY MIXED FROM THE ORIGINAL MULTI-TRACK TAPES, PLUS BILL NELSON’S HOME DEMOS, ADDITIONAL SESSION TRACKS AND A BBC RADIO SESSION FROM 1979.

• WITH BONUS VIDEO CONTENT OF THE PROMOTIONAL VIDEO OF ‘REVOLT INTO STYLE’ AND A SESSION FILMED FOR BBC TV’S OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST IN 1979.

• INCLUDES A LAVISHLY-ILLUSTRATED BOOK WITH EXTENSIVE ESSAY BY BILL NELSON AND A FOREWORD BY STEVE WILSON, A FACSIMILE TOUR PROGRAMME, POSTER AND FOUR POSTCARDS.

Following the release of the album “Drastic Plastic” and tour, Bill Nelson disbanded Be-Bop Deluxe. Aware of the emergence of the New Wave artists and out of a desire to continually evolve, he announced the formation of Red Noise.

Working with co-producer John Leckie, Bill recorded a new wave masterpiece, a record that would influence a new generation of musicians with its intelligent and punchy material. “Sound On Sound” and the subsequent live shows would divide opinion of both fans and critics, but with the passage of time, the album is now regarded as one of Bill Nelson’s finest works.

This boxed set features the complete Red Noise recordings; the original album newly remastered by Steven Wilson from the original master tapes, along with stunning new stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound mixes.

The set also includes an outstanding complete live concert recorded in Leicester in 1979, newly mixed from the original 24-track tapes, a session recorded for BBC Radio One and a further Red Noise studio session from May 1979 plus a bonus CD of Bill Nelson’s home demos. The set also includes video material, including the video for “Revolt Into Style” and the band’s session for the BBC TV show “The Old Grey Whistle Test” from February 1979.

Track Listing:

DISC ONE
SOUND ON SOUND REMASTERED
1 Don’t Touch Me (I’m Electric)
2 For Young Moderns
3 Stop / Go / Stop
4 Furniture Music
5 Radar in My Heart
6 Stay Young
7 Out of Touch
8 A Better Home in the Phantom Zone
9 Substitute Flesh
10 The Atom Age
11 Art / Empire / Industry
12 Revolt into Style Bonus tracks
13 Wonder Toys That Last Forever
14 Acquitted by Mirrors (B-side of ‘Furniture Music’ EP)
15 Stay Young (BBC session 17.02.1979)
16 Furniture Music (BBC session 17.02.1979)
17 Don’t Touch Me (I’m Electric) (BBC session 17.02.1979)
18 Out of Touch (BBC session 17.02.1979)

DISC TWO
LIVE AT THE DE MONTFORT HALL, LEICESTER 1979
PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
1 Don’t Touch Me (I’m Electric) (live)
2 For Young Moderns (live)
3 Furniture Music (live)
4 Out of Touch (live)
5 Stop-Go-Stop (live)
6 Atom Age (live)
7 Possession (live)
8 Superenigmatix (live)
9 Substitute Flesh (live)
10 Phantom Zone (live)
11 Radar in My Heart (live)
12 Art / Empire / Industry (live)
13 Revolt into Style (live)
14 Stay Young (live)
15 For Young Moderns (Encore) (live)

DISC THREE
SOUND ON SOUND NEW STEREO MIX
1 Don’t Touch Me (I’m Electric)
2 For Young Moderns
3 Stop / Go / Stop
4 Furniture Music
5 Radar in My Heart
6 Stay Young
7 Out of Touch
8 A Better Home in the Phantom Zone
9 Substitute Flesh
10 The Atom Age
11 Art / Empire / Industry
12 Revolt into Style Bonus tracks
13 Wonder Toys That Last Forever
14 Acquitted by Mirrors
15 My Light (previously unreleased) Recorded for the “Sound on Sound” sessions
16 Instantly Yours
17 Ideal Homes
18 Disposable

DISC FOUR
SOUND ON SOUND
96 kHz/24-BIT 5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIX
NEW STEREO MIX ORIGINAL STEREO MIX
1 Don’t Touch Me (I’m Electric) (5.1 mix)
2 For Young Moderns (5.1 mix)
3 Stop / Go / Stop (5.1 mix)
4 Furniture Music (5.1 mix)
5 Radar in My Heart (5.1 mix)
6 Stay Young (5.1 mix)
7 Out of Touch (5.1 mix)
8 A Better Home in the Phantom Zone (5.1 mix)
9 Substitute Flesh (5.1 mix)
10 The Atom Age (5.1 mix)
11 Art / Empire / Industry (5.1 mix)
12 Revolt into Style (5.1 mix)

DISC FIVE
ADDITIONAL RED NOISE SESSIONS
96 kHz/24-BIT 5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIXES
NEW STEREO MIXES ORIGINAL STEREO MIXES
1 Wonder Toys That Last Forever (5.1 mix)
2 Acquitted by Mirrors (5.1 mix)
3 My Light (5.1 mix) Recorded for the “Sound on Sound” sessions
4 Instantly Yours (5.1 mix)
5 Ideal Homes (5.1 mix)
6 Disposable (5.1 mix)
RAK Studios, London May 1979

VIDEO CONTENT
PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
1 Revolt into Style (Promotional video 1979)
2 Don’t Touch Me (I’m Electric) (BBC TV Old Grey Whistle Test – 1979)
3 Furniture Music (BBC TV Old Grey Whistle Test 1979)
4 Stay Young (BBC TV Old Grey Whistle Test 1979)

DISC SIX
BILL NELSON RED NOISE DEMOS 1978 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
1 Acquitted by Mirrors (demo)
2 For Young Moderns (demo) 3 Stop Go Stop (demo)
4 Furniture Music (demo)
5 Radar in My Heart (demo)
6 Stay Young (demo)
7 Out of Touch (demo)
8 A Better Home in the Phantom Zone (demo)
9 Substitute Flesh (demo)
10 The Atom Age (demo)
11 Revolt into Style (demo)
12 Waiting for the Night (demo)
13 My Light (demo)

To pre-order: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/bill-nelsons-red-noise-art-empire-industry-the-complete-red-noise-6cd-remastered-box-set/

Bill Nelson’s Dreamsville official website: https://www.billnelson.com/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Links:

BIRTH – US prog-psych rockers to release debut album

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California band Birth is set to release their debut album “Born” in July. You can check out the band’s 9 minute + psych-epic “For Yesterday”, and order their album on CD, vinyl, or digitally here – https://birthprog.bandcamp.com/album/born

Fans of heavy psych-rock will love “For Yesterday” with it’s heavy guitar, and various keyboards, making it sound like it’s from a different era. Love the album’s artwork, and looking forward to hearing the full album!

[from press release] On ‘Born’, Birth musically and creatively constructs a science-fiction-inspired sound-world in which bleak tumult and skybound rapture co-exist. The result is an intoxicating album haunted by earthly concerns while its sonics aim simultaneously for the stars.   “I’m a scientist by trade and I read a lot of dystopian sci-fi, which I believe is relevant to many of the events that have been occurring lately,” notes Riley. “These views feed a dark, spiritual and mystical relationship that I have with scientific thought”. 

Birth features members of San Diego retro-rockers Astra along with current or former members of Joy, Radio Moscow, and Sacri Monti.

Conor Riley (vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar), Brian Ellis (lead guitar, keyboards), Trevor Mast (bass), and Thomas DiBenedetto (drums). Drums on ‘Born’ performed by Paul Marrone.

Album Track listing:
01. Born
02. Descending Us
03. For Yesterday
04. Cosmic Tears
05. Another Time
06. Long Way Down

photo: C. Martinez, Z Oakley

https://birthprog.bandcamp.com/album/born

BIRTH ONLINE:
Website // Facebook // Instagram

METAL BLADE RECORDS ONLINE:
Website // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter

06/’22

WINGS OF STEEL – Release debut EP.

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Wings Of Steel is a new hard-rock / metal band out of California based around Swedish singer Leo Unnermark and guitarist Parker Halub, who met in 2019 while studying music in Los Angeles. The pair wrote and recorded a 5 track EP (CD). They’ve produced and released it themselves, with Mike Mayhem on drums, Damien Rainaud mixing it, and Spencer Caligiuri providing some pretty cool CD artwork.

The band delivers 5 excellent ’80s type of heavy guitar rockers, with great riffs, hooks, solos, and Unnermark’s high end vocals. These guys take on plenty of classic ’80s influences from Whitesnake and Scorpions, Maiden, and sometimes reminiscent of the likes of Skid Row, Dokken, and MSG.. There’s 4 rockers here, plus 1 acoustic ballad. The ballad is good, but for me it is the other 4 that are solid rock tunes. Lead off track “Stormchild” is a good rocker, a bit pf a euro metal feel, as does the title song, which stands out right away, a bit of power metal, great vocals, fast solos, reminds me of Germany’s Helloween,. “Rhythm Of Love” is another excellent track, this one is a bit more LA 80s, aside from the shredding solo, parts of this remind me of Great White, very cool song. Favorite track here is the last one – “Black Out The Street”; a great 80s melodic hard rocker, reminding me a bit of late 80s Whitesnake. Love the production on this EP, just a great big sound, lots of cool guitar solos, harmonies,hard hitting drums, all mixed well.

Tracklisting: Stormchild / Wings Of Steel / Rhythm Of Desire / Khamsin Riders / Black Out The Street

*You find put more about the band, listen to and order the CD at the band’s site – http://www.wingsofsteelband.com

Links:

https://m.facebook.com/113063034623709/

https://www.filthydogsofmetal.com/interviews/interview-with-wings-of-stee

REBEL PRIEST – Vancouver Metal trio to release EP, Announce tour dates

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L-R – Jayme Black – Vocals/Bass, Nate Pole – Drums/Vocals, Benny Kemp – Guitars/Vocals

Another Canadian metal trio, Rebel Priest is from Vancouver, and will be heading out in British Columbia and Alberta with Toronto’s Deadwolf. Rebel Priest has a new 4 track EP coming out titled Lesson In Love, which has also been released as a video. “Lesson In Love” is good heavy rocker, that quickly reminds me of D’ianno era Iron Maiden. Check out the video below. Following that fast rockers like “Dive Bomber” and “Coatcheck Girl” feature cool riffs, with shades of Motorhead, early Maiden and Motley Crue. The last track is “Bonfire”, coming in under 2 minutes, and musically reminded me of 70s Sabbath and AC/DC. Plenty of energy here, nothing tame or smooth here, and dig the guitar sound. Matching Rebel Priest with Deadwolff sounds like a pretty cool bill, as both bands have a definite Motorhead influence, as well as a few others, and loads of rock energy on their new releases.

Press Release:

Vancouver’s Rebel Priest has been bringing its eclectic brand of rock n’ roll to fans for years in a true unadulterated, unapologetic fashion. A little bit greasy, a little bit sassy, but 100% committed, they have released four records, with a fifth on its way this year. “Lesson In Love” is the name of the upcoming EP as well as the first single, an untraditional ballad, like a love song sung by a Tommy gun. According to the band, it’s about going through the trials and tribulations of loving something – the ups, the downs, the spirals, but without the direct subject being a person. The band explains further:

“It’s open-ended in that it is what you love or love doing and how it’s a journey that can always find a way home. There’s always that one thing in your life that keeps you going, a person, a hobby, a theology. No matter what your vice is, it always comes at a price. You have to go through the blood, sweat, and tears to get what you need outta it and it doesn’t always come easy. This is your education, your lesson in love.”

When people put on the new record, Rebel Priest intends for them to forget about everything else, take a break from the grind, and get pumped! Whether you’re working out, going out, or down and out, put it on and play it loud! Get into it and go wild! Their music is fluid, they find a riff and then follow it where it wants to go. They say it’s just about finding the groove and cruising the wave.

Rebel Priest is headed out on tour with Toronto’s Deadwolff this summer, and spectators are in for a rock n roll treat – guitarist/vocalist Benny Kemp is the embodiment of a denim tornado; that guy will (and has) break his legs to party on stage! Drummer/vocalist Nate Pole is a groovin’ attitudn’ mean machine behind the drums that will sometimes make a wood chipper look like a pencil sharpener on those skins. As for vocalist/bassist Jayme Black, he’s a bit of a mouthpiece and likes his bass real gritty.

The trio just wants to bring rock n roll back to street level, when it was outlaw music for the underdog, so expect a greasy, sweaty, down and dirty rock show. They are recommended for fans of Motörhead, ZZ Top, and Rose Tattoo.

About:

Rebel Priest is a no-nonsense, real-deal rock n’ roll band composed of three seasoned musicians who have been making their way through the Western Canadian rock n roll scene for years. Vocalist/bassist Jayme Black (Lust Boys, The Toxiks); guitarist/vocalist Benny Kemp (Lust Boys, Road Rash); and drummer/vocalist Nate Pole (Kill Matilda, The Toxiks) bring nothing but unadulterated, high energy grease infused Trash N’ Roll!
The band has had the pleasure of touring Japan, and performing alongside bands such as Udo (Accept), Lordi, Diamond Head, Crystal Pistol, Flotsam, and Jetsam along with playing many headlining gigs with the energy of Motorhead meets Motley Crue. Since forming in 2014, the band has released three studio albums “R’ley Heavy”
(2019), Enabler (2017 ), Self-Titled (2015) along with one live record “Dead Alive @ SBC (2017). and an EP – Lost In Tokyo (2021)

The Rebel Wolff Tour w/ Rebel Priest and Dead Wolff
June 24 – Vancouver, BC – Have A Good Laugh Festival. *Afternoon show – Deadwolff only
June 24 – Vancouver, BC – Lana Lous
June 27 – Maple Ridge, BC – The Wolf Bar
June 28 – Kamloops, BC – Pogue Mahones
June 29 – Kelowna, BC – Missions Tap House
June 30 – Lethbridge, AB – TBA
July 1 – Calgary, AB – The Palamino
July 2 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite Temple

https://www.facebook.com/rebelpriestofficial

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbLTWUXBUoaFGhffZ3m5GRw

https://batcaverecords.com/