Tag Archives: jeff scott soto

“Buffalo Rock City II” – Hard Rock All-Stars Joins Western New York Talents on KISS Tribute Album

“Buffalo Rock City II” – Fun Love Songs Helping the Maria Love Fund (Hard Rock All-Stars Joins Western New York Talents on KISS Tribute Album)

Buffalo Rock City II” is coming October 31, 2023 to digital media and CD (via Bandcamp at LINK) and at “brick and mortar” retail record stores.  “BRC II” is the sequel to the first “Buffalo Rock City,” the best KISS tribute album ever made! Proceeds from the sales of “BRC II are earmarked to the Maria Love Fund, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, providing immediate financial assistance to those in need.

Lifelong KISS fan and KISS THIS! founder/guitarist, John Jeffrey, has, once again, assembled a who’s who of artists, largely representing the Western New York music scene.  Among the artists are original “Buffalo Rock City” alumni: Shawn Przybylak (drums), Gene Schmidt (guitar), Joe Teresi (guitar), Rock Rollain (bass) and Nat Peace (vocals). “II” features WNY “newcomers” to the studio project – Larry Kremer (drums), Kylie Velletta (vocals) & Debbie Knight (who made her first “BRC” appearance on 2022’s, “Buffalo Rock City ALIVE!“).  The 2 headlining bands returning to “Buffalo Rock City II” album, are tribute band, KISS THIS! and DoDriver, an all-original act, handpicked by KISS and their manager Doc McGhee, to open for KISS on the Sonic Boom tour at Darien Lake on August 13, 2010.  

Another WNY artist bassist Billy Sheehan spearheads the list of international rock artists contributing to the project.  The album features John Corabi (vocals), Jeff Scott Soto (vocals), John Gioeli (vocals), Jean Beauvoir (vocals), Tommy Henriksen (vocals), Tommy Denander (guitar), Howie Simon (guitar), Rafael Moreira (guitar) Deen Castronovo (drums/vocals), Steve Blaze (guitar), Philip Shouse (bass), Dave Comer (vocals) & Mitch Weissman (vocals). These “celebrity guests” have toured and recorded with Ace Frehley, Alice Cooper, Warlock, Accept, David Lee Roth, Hardline, Talas, KillSET, Gene Simmons, Journey, Ozzy Osbourne, The Hollywood Vampires, Lillian Axe, Winger, Stryper, Tesla, Michael Jackson, Motley Crue, The Dead Daisies, The Ramones, The Plasmatics, Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Stanley, Soul Station and Beatlemania. 

Mitch Weissman, who sang on “Buffalo Rock City,” returns with his co-write with Gene Simmons, “What You See Is What You Get.”  Originally demoed by Weissman and Simmons for the 1987 Ron Nevison produced KISS album, “Crazy Nights,” the Mitch and BCR’s producer John cleared 30-year old cobwebs to complete this special song.  

Making an additional note in “KISStory,” Jean Beauvoir plays a significant role, recording a brand new version of “Who Wants To Be Lonely,” which he originally contributed to KISS’ 1985 release, “Asylum.”

Buffalo Rock City II” was mixed by C. Wood (Brian McKnight, Rascal Flatts, Alicia Keys, Leann Rimes, Lenny Kravitz, Justin Timberlake, Kenny G & Slash) and David Julian.  Julian is an established producer and songwriter, who has written songs for Jack Russell (Great White) and Ace Frehley.

Keeping in tradition with the great KISS album covers, Kevin Conrad, the comic artist who penciled and inked the front cover of “Buffalo Rock City,” created a masterpiece once again– the front and back art for “II.”  A life-long KISS fan, Kevin’s most known for ink all 31 issues of Todd McFarlane’s “KISS – Psycho Circus” comic book series. This new BCR II cover art depicts the KISS members that the musicians in KISS THIS! portray and personify. The cover is an homage to the iconic KISS “Love Gun” album artwork, featuring Buffalo’s Albright Knox Art Gallery as the centerpiece.

As the first album, “Buffalo Rock City” focused on topical/non-cock rock KISS songs, it was decided that “Buffalo Rock City II,” while serving a greater purpose, would focus exclusively on all the fun “love” themed songs in the catalog.   

Buffalo Rock City II is available for PRE-ORDER now on Bandcamp at https://buffalorockcity.bandcamp.com/album/buffalo-rock-city-ii

*Check out the first video for the album, “Calling Dr. Love,” filmed and directed by Joe Palumbo of Niagara River Pictures LLC)

Buffalo Rock City II tracks:

“I Stole Your Love ’89”  (Johnny Gioeli & Howie Simon)

“Saint And Sinner” (DoDriver)

“Who Wants To Be Lonely”  (Jean Beauvoir)

“Down On Your Knees”   (John Corabi)

“Have Love Will Travel/Got Love For Sale'” (Dave Comer)

“Tomorrow and Tonight”  (Dave Comer)

“Love For Sale” (Billy Sheehan & Jeff Scott Soto) 

“Calling Dr. Love” (KISS THIS!)   

“Makin’ Love” (KISS THIS!) 

“Save Your Love”   (Tommy Henriksen & Philip Shouse)

“Love Gun” (Deen Castronovo & Rafael Moreira)

“Shoot U Full Of Love” (Various artists) 

“Exciter” (Dave Comer)

“You Love Me To Hate You” (Steve Blaze)

“I” (Dave Comer & Tommy Denander)

“Hell Or High Water” (Various artists)

“What You See Is What You Get” (Mitch Weissman)

The release is available for PRE-ORDER now!!!!  All ordering information can be found at www.BuffaloRockCity.com and more details can also be found at their social media page: Buffalo Rock City – KISS Tribute Album (facebook.com/WNYTribute2KISS)

LINKS:

Maria Love Convalescent Fund: https//marialovefund.org

KISS THIS! www.facebook.com/SpaceAceBuffalo

Main Bandcamp page: Music | KISS THIS! (bandcamp.com)

TALAS members with Jeff Scott Soto cover PETER CRISS song for upcoming Buffalo Rock City II release.

The first single from the upcoming studio album, “Buffalo Rock City-II will be a cover of Peter Criss’s “Love for Sale” on May 3, 2023. The song will be released as a digital download, exclusively on Bandcamp at https://buffalorockcity.bandcamp.com/track/love-for-sale. Buffalo Rock City II will be released this September on digital media, and as a physical CD, and via Bandcamp.

Buffalo Rock City II follows the critically acclaimed KISS tribute album, Buffalo Rock City – Western New York’s Tribute To KISS cited as “the Best KISS tribute album ever” by “Music and Food,” and the 2022 live album, Buffalo Rock City ALIVE! Buffalo Rock City II will also be a musical tribute to all things KISS. Buffalo Rock City II is spearheaded by Buffalo, New York native, John Jeffrey, who co-produced the first two releases. 

John is the “Ace” member of KISS THIS!, and–along with bandmates Kevin Blakita as “The Starchild,” Taylor Stursa as “The Demon,” and Julius Giambelluca as “The Fox”– they join cream of the crop Western New York musicians including “Buffalo Rock City” contributors Gene Schmidt, Jody Velletta, Shawn Przybylak, Nat Peace, Joe Teresi, and Debbie Knight from Buffalo Rock City ALIVE! Newcomers to Buffalo Rock City-II are Buffalo’s Larry Kremer, Kylie Velletta, and Valentino Rockgod, plus international favorites; these are players who’ve toured and recorded with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, Alice Cooper, Motley Crue, Accept, the Hollywood Vampires, Ozzy Osbourne, Journey, the Plasmatics, the Ramones, Lillian Axe, Stryper, Tesla, Winger, Yngwie Malmsteen, Sons of Apollo, Hardline, Alcatrazz, Warlock, Mr. Big, Winery Dogs, and David Lee Roth. The “Love for Sale” single was mixed by Rochester native, C. Wood (Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Wayne Shepherd….).

The release date of May 3 for “Love for Sale” is significant, as it marks the 2 year anniversary of the passing of singer Phil Naro. A Rochester native, Phil was best known as the lead singer of Buffalo’s TALAS (Version 2 aka “V2”), which toured with many top hard rock attractions, including Anthrax, White Lion, Quiet Riot, and Iron Maiden. Phil was also the lead singer for CRISS, the solo band of the original drummer from KISS. Naro wrote songs, performed, and recorded with CRISS in the early 1990s, but left the group prior to the release of their sole record in 1994.

One of the CRISS songs Phil contributed to was “Love for Sale.” He eventually recorded an unrefined version of the song in the late 1990s. This forgotten gem was finally remembered by Phil’s bandmates from Talas – bassist Billy Sheehan, drummer Mark Miller & guitarist Kire Najdovski; they recorded their new version of “Love for Sale” for Buffalo Rock City II as a dedication to the memory and legacy of Phil Naro. Though he doesn’t appear on this song, Journey’s drummer, Deen Castronovo suggested vocalist Jeff Scott Soto (Yngwie Malmsteen, Journey, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Sons of Apollo with Billy Sheehan) to sing for the song. (Deen plays on another song on Buffalo Rock City II!)

In advance of the release of the single, there is a teaser clip, with a foreword from surviving members of Talas (V2), which can be viewed here – https://youtu.be/COpm4mIA5Yk

All proceeds from the single and the forthcoming album will go to the Maria Love Convalescent Fund, a Buffalo-based charity, which provides interim financial assistance for the people in the community with convalescent care needs. 

For more information:
www.BuffaloRockCity.com
http://www.facebook.com/WNYTribute2KISS/
https://buffalorockcity.bandcamp.com/track/love-for-sale

URIAH HEEP – Announce 25th studio album Chaos & Colour, release new single

Uriah Heep have released the first single & video from their forthcoming 25th studio album – Chaos & Colour – to be released in January of the new year! Details, ordering links, track-listing below.

November 8, 2022 – British hard rock legends and progenitors Uriah Heep announce the release of their 25th studio album, Chaos & Colour, set for release January 27th, 2023 via Silver Lining Music. Pre-orders available from November 8th on this site https://lnk.to/ChaosandColour

“Save Me Tonight” is another powerful melodic rock track which we have chosen to be the first single as well as the opening track of the album,” says Mick Box, Uriah Heep’s venerable and effervescent founding member, “it is made for rock radio and will surely be included on our new set list in 2023.”

Chaos & Colour is an album which bristles with explosive classic rock guitars, supreme harmonies, and Heep’s famously generous keyboard foundation. It is, unsurprisingly, an album that found its extra thrust during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was as bizarre for Uriah Heep as it was for humanity in general. “The album title reflects that we were in chaotic times with being locked down, tours being cancelled, businesses folding, and all the chaos that was thrown into the world,” explains Box, “and as far as I could see it, the only colour people had was through music. It helped so many people get through those difficult years, using that strength and power which music has, to make those bad times not quite so bad.” There were still the looming spectre of protocols and rules to follow in the middle of 2021, as the world tried to find its feet. Heep slowly found their way into Chapel Studios in London during the summer of 2021 as restrictions were tentatively lifted, working once again with Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Corey Taylor, Black Star Riders). “Jay was completely on board with what we are trying to achieve in the studio,” says Box. “We’re a band that has a fantastic heritage and to carry on that tradition it was vitally important that the band recorded in the studio all playing at the same time. Jay understood that and he pulled out the best of us as a band, as well as individual players, while getting us some amazing sounds.” Led by Box, it is no surprise that themes of light, love and, ultimately, positivity are constant through the album eleven tracks. “One Nation, One Sun” is a journey of soaring balladic contemplation, “Fly Like An Eagle” takes the listener on a journey of meditation, whilst “Closer To Your Dreams” is a battle cry for all rockers to get out there and do it, with Shaw imploring that “So many have tried but slipped away/Now it’s time for you to have your say.” During the entire album, Bernie Shaw’s timeless vocals sit expertly beside the band’s phenomenal artistry (Mick Box – guitar, Phil Lanzon – keyboard, Russell Gilbrook – drums, Dave Rimmer – bass), rounding out exceptional performances throughout. Produced by Jay Ruston, and engineered by Pieter Rietkerk, Chaos & Colour is a superb album of quality hard rock from the pioneers of the genre who continue to create top class material. Old fans will be reinvigorated whilst new fans will surely find Chaos & Colour an exceptional discovery.

Following the intense disruption to live music caused by the pandemic, the band are ecstatic to be back on the road and continue to bring their live show across Europe this winter. For a full list of confirmed dates, tickets, and additional information visit this this location – http://www.uriah-heep.com/2020Site/Index.html

Tour Dates:

12 November – Nürnberg, Germany – Löwensaal*

14 November – Vilnius, Lithuania – Compensa Concert Hall

15 November – Tallinn, Estonia – Alexela Concert Hall

17 November – Helsinki, Finland – Helsinki Ice Hall

19 November – Turku, Finland – Konserttitalo

20 November – Oulu, Finland – Madetojan Sali

22 November – Umeå, Sweden – Idun

23 November – Stockholm, Sweden – Göta Lejon

24 November – Oslo, Norway – Sentrum Scene

26 November – Kristiansand, Norway – Kilden Performing Arts Centre

27 November – Stavanger, Norway – Stavanger Kuppelhallen

28 November – Bergen, Norway – USF Verftet

29 November – Trondheim, Norway – Olavshallen

1 December – Sundsvall, Sweden – Tonhallen

2 December – Gothenburg, Sweden – Gothenburg Studios

3 December – Randers, Denmark – Vaerket Teatre & Musikhus

4 December – Copenhagen, Denmark – Docken Koncerter

5 December – Malmö, Sweden – Slagthuset Teater

7 December – Stuttgart, Germany – Liederhalle*

8 December – Dresden, Germany – Culture Palace*

9 December – Suhl, Germany – Congress Centrum Suhl*

10 December – Prague, Czech Republic – Forum Karlin

11 December – Budapest, Hungary – Hungexpo Hall C

13 December – Sofia, Bulgaria – National Palace of Culture, Hall 1

14 December – Thessaloníki, Greece*

15 December – Athens, Greece* (*Celebrating 50 years of Uriah Heep)

Chaos & Colour will be available to pre-order from November 8, in Black and Coloured Vinyl configurations, as a standard CD Digipak, a Deluxe CD packaged in a hardcover book with Uriah Heep’s Chaos & Colour signature patch and in digital formats.

“Save Me Tonight” is the first single from the upcoming album Chaos & Colour. Available to pre-order from November 9th here: https://lnk.to/ChaosandColour, Out via Silver Lining Music on January 27th, 2023.

Music video by Natalia Jonderko Śmiechowicz – N.STATION Animation & Design Studio.

The buoyant, blistering single “Save Me Tonight”, feels at once like a cry for lost love and an expression of COVID era pain. “I think that’s the beauty of a good lyric,” smiles founding member Mick Box. “A good lyric means that you can interpret it in many ways, and it’s so important to me when writing a lyric that it has those avenues to go in.” enthuses Box.

The single was written by bass guitarist Dave Rimmer and Jeff Scott Soto, who has been the vocalist for the likes of Journey and Yngwie Malmsteen. “’Save Me Tonight’ comes from a place of frustration and helplessness living through these unprecedented past couple of years but hanging on to this raging hope that we would all meet again! Once again, collaborating with Jeff Scott Soto has been a natural and very creative experience and the perfect platform for me to express these feelings and to carry on the Heep legacy.” Rimmer comments.

Chaos & Colour Track List:

Save Me Tonight / Silver Sunlight / Hail The Sunrise / Age Of Changes* / Hurricane / One Nation, One Sun / Golden Light / You’ll Never Be Alone / Fly Like An Eagle / Freedom To Be Free / Closer To Your Dreams* / Save Me Tonight (demo)**

*CD and Digital only

**Deluxe CD only

URIAH HEEP:

Mick Box – Lead Guitar / Vocals

Phil Lanzon – Keyboards / Vocals

Bernie Shaw – Lead Vocals

Dave Rimmer – Bass Guitar / Vocals

Russell Gilbrook – Drums & Percussion

Produced by Jay Ruston

Engineered by Pieter Rietkerk

Recorded at Chapel Studios, UK

Mixed by Jay Ruston at TRS West, Sherman Oaks, California

Additional Engineering by John Douglas

Mastered by Paul Logus