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Fireworks Magazine
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Issue 34 Out Now £4.50 + Shipping + Free CD
Feature Interviews: Richie Blackmore, Jeff Scott Soto, Bob Catley, Michael Schenker, The Bangles, Uriah Heep, REO Speedwagon, Tony Harnell, Backyard Babies, Quireboys, Eden's Curse, Black Stone Cherry, Spock's Beard, Glyder, Sinner, Todd Rundgren, Venice, Driver, Crown of Thorns, Serenity, Edgar Winter and more.
New ISSUE 34 Fireworks/MelodicRock Showcase and Magazine online PDF purchase available NOW!
Full Details + MP3s: Fireworks Showcase 34 |
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Tuesday, January 06, 2009
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Ok...back to work. Welcome all to 2009. Please excuse the extra day's vacation, but we had a power blackout here last week which blew out my PC power supply and I only had access to e-mail and browsing. Now with that replaced finally yesterday I have no excuses! Please keep in mind I have a family trip planned for end of next week for 10 days, so there will be another gap in updates.
Until then, time to get firing and caught up and see if I can't get started on the MelRock Awards 2008 and get them online before May!
I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday period.
FINE-TUNING FOR A ROCKIN' 2009; EONIAN RECORDS ANNOUNCES SIGNINGS:
I know hard rock enthusiasts and collectors just adore this stuff, so it is with great pleasure I can detail the initial releases of new US based archive label Eonian Records!
I've heard a number of songs from the artists detailed below and feel that fans of the classic era of melodic hard rock will have plenty of goodies to sort through with this label, with plenty more to come. The quality sounds solid and impressive, so without further ado...
Press Release / Since opening their doors on July 4th, 2008, Eonian Records has become synonymous with some of the highest quality hard rock and metal music in the world. Busy building on its new found reputation; Eonian Records has recently become the home of several musical icons of Chicago's legendary music club The Thirsty Whale, including Dear Diary, Gynger Lynn, Pistol Dawn, Sgt. Roxx, Sweet Sybil, and UZI.
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Dear Diary // Gynger Lynn // Pistol Dawn
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Sgt. Roxx // Sweet Sybil // UZI
Eonian Records has also signed Southern California Guitar Hero Ronny North. Ronny endorses his own signature line through Tregan Guitars and was named Best Male Guitarist Award at the 2006 All Access Magazine Music Awards. Ronny North's "Then & Now" release will feature several never released tracks from his earlier days on the Sunset Strip: Kidd Comet and Forever Young, and a few big name guest players such as Rikki Rocket, Eric Singer, and CC Deville to name a few.
One of Eonian Records most noteworthy signings comes from the Seattle metal scene, Dr. Grind. In the heart of the grunge movement storms a combination of power resembling Queensryche and the melodic metal behind Dokken. Dr. Grind's "Speechless" release is a striking collection of the charismatic hook-line-and-sinker choruses, blinding twin guitar melodies, and solid walls of anthemic five-part vocal harmonies.
Emerging from the Columbus, Ohio rock scene to become one of the most popular and critically acclaimed bands was the Christian metal group Legacy. Touring with the likes of Sacred Warrior and REZ, Legacy pounded the Midwest club circuit delivering their slick, polished, L.A. metal, featuring dual guitar wizardry of Fred Blanchard and Matt Rice.
Named one of the top bands and one of the very best live acts to come out of the Tri-state area is Strike Twice. This five-piece shows its influences on its debut release with its mixture of Motley Crue, AC/DC, and Skid Row; while delivering a straight-forward, unapologetic, slab of metal. Strike Twice promises to deliver one of the best and most fulfilling Hard Rock releases of 2009!
However, the great signings do not end there. Eonian Records has also become the home of Bad Attitude, Charlemagne, High Noon and Shake City, all of whom played throughout Southern California in the late 80's and early 90's with a majority of those shows on the infamous Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California. Gazzarri's, The Whiskey, The Rainbow, The Roxy, and The Troubadour all played host to these four bands at one time or another.
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Bad Attitude // Charlemagne
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High Noon // Shake City
Finally, hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana, comes three flamboyant, photogenic bands with killer hooks in Felony, Snakeskin Cowboy and Wanted, all who has packed clubs all over the Midwest with Record Executives in the house nearly every night.
Eonian Record's releases will be available at www.eonianrecords.com through secure online shopping and will be mailed nearly worldwide. However, if you would like to see an Eonian artist in your local music shop, this can also be possible.
Expect a very busy 2009 and nothing but the most sought after artists and releases from Eonian Records. Visit www.eonianrecords.com / www.myspace.com/eonianrecords for more details.
MELODIC BRIEFS:
Stryper have wrapped up work on their next studio album to be titled Murder By Pride. A release date will be announced shortly, with the track listing set to be: Eclipse of the Son, 4 Leaf Clover, Peace of Mind, Alive, The Plan, Murder by Pride, I Believe, Run In You, Love Is Why, Mercy Over Blame, Everything, My Love.
News and sign up for MP3 previews at: www.michaelsweet.com/News/News.htm.
BOSTON'S REMASTERED HITS PACKAGE:
From: www.thirdstage.ca / "According to billboard.com, the Boston Greatest Hits remaster is due to be released Tuesday, January 27, 2009. The remaster will have some changes to the lineup, most notably Tell Me, which was a new track sung by David Sikes, is being replaced with I Had a Good Time, which was the lead-in to the 2003 release Corporate America. As well Livin' For You will be replaced with I Need Your Love. The CD also excludes the Kalodner Edit of Higher Power.
Track Listing: 01. I Had A Good Time 02. Higher Power 03. More Than A Feeling 04. Peace Of Mind 05. Don't Look Back 06. I Need Your Love 07. Cool The Engines 08. Party 09. Feelin' Satisfied 10. Foreplay/Longtime 11. Amanda 12. Rock & Roll Band 13. Smokin' 14. A Man I'll Never Be 15. The Star Spangled Banner/4th of July Reprise.
LIVE NEWS:
On Thursday 19th March, UK rock band FM will be performing at Winstanley College. The band are currently working on numerous projects with the students at the college and students will be working on the night as enrichment activities. More information via e-mail: AnthonyCritchley@Winstanley.ac.uk.
Performance news from Stan Bush - "I wanted to let you know that I'll be performing at JACON in Orlando on Memorial Day weekend. The event is being promoted by Greenmustard.com, and they have started a petition drive to get "The Touch" on Guitar Hero/Rock Band. It's on the front page of www.greenmustard.com and there's a link to www.jacon.org."
INTERVIEW BRIEFS:
TheRighttoRock.com has issued their latest Podcast (episode #70), featuring guitarist Axel Rudi Pell. Axel took time out of his busy schedule to discuss his band's latest CD Tales from the Crown as well as their upcoming tour. Axel also give us a behind the scenes look at how he got vocalist Johnny Gioeli out of retirement. Interview last approx. 12 min.
Happy New Years! Another year gone by, but another year of new metal to take in. It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it. Join Genghis and Ragman as they countdown to the new year "twice", as well as discuss their expectations for 2009. The boys give a preview of what is to come in the new year as well as get a surprise call from Tracy G. Tracy wishes the boys well and gives them the skinny on his plans for the new year.
Next the boys channel in guitar extraordinaire Axel Rudi Pell for a heart to heart. Axel discusses his latest release Tales of the Crown, as well as the story behind how he got vocalist Johnny Gioeli out of retirement. If you're looking for some holiday cheer, then it's hangin' right here. *Note: This is a 2 parter, make sure you get both Podcasts.
In a brand new exclusive interview conducted by Nightwatcher's House Of Rock with rock legend Mark Farner, the ex-Grand Funk Railroad frontman discusses his latest album, 'For The People', his days in Grand Funk, the possibilities of a reunion of the original band, the chances of the band being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame and much more: nightwatchershouseofrock.blogspot.com/2008/12/getting-closer-to-home-exclusive.html.
Michael Monroe interviewed at: www.rockeyez.com/interviews/int-michael-monroe.html.
China Blue Interview: hallofmetal.com/ver_entrevista.php?id=125&leng=en.
NEW BOOK – DAWN OF THE METAL GODS:
Press Release / Al Atkins is the former lead singer and founder of the multi-million selling British heavy metal band Judas Priest. Atkins will forever be associated with the self-proclaimed Metal Gods. But how did it all happen?
During the 1960s when the popular Brum Beat era produced band after band (such as The Move and The Band Of Joy,) Atkins played in various local outfits some of which laid the blue print for the heavier progressive sounds of early Judas Priest. And so it was in 1969 that a disillusioned Atkins decided to have a go at forming yet another band with his childhood friend Bruno Stapenhill. The band in question was Judas Priest.
Judas Priest quickly built up a reputation in the Midlands as a powerful live act and even secured a record deal with Immediate, which was owned by ex-Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham. Unfortunately Immediate folded and so did Priest. Undeterred, Atkins formed yet another line-up of Priest in 1970 with guitarist K.K. Downing and bassist Ian Hill. At Atkins' behest Downing and Hill ditched the name Freight and resurrected the mighty Judas Priest. Through the early seventies Priest supported many bands including Slade, Status Quo, Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath. Line-up changes continued until May, 1973 when Atkins finally decided to call it a day.
Atkins is the co-writer of several Priest songs which are included on the band's first two albums Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings Of Destiny both of which eventually went Gold. Atkins co-penned the heavy metal classic 'Victim Of Changes' which was a combination of Rob Halford's song 'Red Light Lady' and Atkins' own 'Whisky Woman.' He also co-wrote the fan classics 'Winter,' 'Never Satisfied,' 'Dreamer Deceiver' and 'Caviar And Meths.' His autobiography contains very rare archive photos and memorabilia from Judas Priest's past circa 1969-1973. Also included are interviews with various members of Priest's history and Atkins' solo career.
Dawn Of The Metal Gods includes a foreword by Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill as well as contributions from: Bruno Stapenhill (Judas Priest Mark I), Ernie Chataway (Judas Priest Mark I), John Ellis (Judas Priest Mark II), Trevor Lunn (ex-Judas Priest roadie), David Howells (Gull Records), Dave Corke (ex-Judas Priest manager 1970-'76), Norman Hood (IMA Agency).
Atkins' debut solo album Judgement Day was released to great acclaim in 1989. But it was Heavy Thoughts and Victim Of Changes (the latter being his collaborative album with ex-Judas Priest drummer Dave Holland) that brought him strong sales and critical acclaim around the world. Recently, Atkins has released his fifth solo opus Demon Deceiver and formed the Midlands heavy metal band The Holy Rage. They've shared the bill with ex-Rainbow singer Graham Bonnet, the NYC band Warrior Soul and legendary rockers Skid Row.
In Dawn Of The Metal Gods Atkins share's his entertaining life story with the reader. This is not just a book for Priest fans but a bible for anybody wishing to form a band in the tumultuous world of heavy metal.
Written in a style that represents Al's working class Birmingham roots, Dawn Of The Metal Gods will set the story straight on the roots of the world's most revered and dedicated heavy metal band. Celebrating 40 years of (Judas Priest style) heavy metal!
Please contact Neil Daniels for more information: www.neildaniels.com / n_daniels_5@hotmail.com.
KEN HENSLEY & LIVE FIRE FOR THREE GIGS IN THE NETHERLANDS:
Press Release / Ken Hensley, the legendary keyboard player and songwriter of Uriah Heep is coming to The Netherlands. With his Scandinavian band 'Live Fire' Ken will do three gigs at the end of May. After Ken left Uriah Heep in 1980 he joined Blackfoot for two studio albums and had his contributions on projects of bands and artists like Cinderella, W.A.S.P, and Arjen Lucassen's Ayreon. His last 2008 major project was the rock opera Blood On The Highway with great vocal contributions by Glenn Hughes, Eve Gallagher and Jorn Lande.
There are plans to have a songwriting masterclass as a special event before the gigs. The revenues will go to the by Ken endorsed Esperanza Street Charity Foundation. More detailed news will be released later on. Keep checking: www.uriahheepholland.com.
2009 Dutch concerts:
29th of May: De Bosuil www.debosuil.nl Vrakkerveld 2 C 6002 AZ Weert 0495 524269
30th of May: Zeelandhallen www.blueeagleevents.nl Da Vinciplein 1 4462 GX Goes 0113 - 22 10 20
31th of May: KDANZ www.kdanz.nl Loet 13 1741 BN Schagen 0224 212 555.
ARTIST OF THE WEEK:
Due to blowing out my PC power supply during the holiday season and being unable to update the main page as promised, this week will be the AOTW re-cap week while a new feature is sorted out for next week.
So - the Artist Of The Week deals to date have been:
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Wednesday, December 24, 2008
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MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Yes, a massive update I know...!
I'll post those Artist Of The Week links in the next couple of days. Right now it is 57 minutes until Midnight Christmas Eve and its been a crazy day getting ready for tomorrow.
I just would like to say thank you to all readers for the support this year and to one and all - a Merry Christmas wherever you are and a safe and happy holiday season. Stay warm if you are North of me (that's just about everyone except the penguins) and for us on the Southern side of the world, we'll try and not enjoy the sunshine and beach too much in the week ahead.
All the very best and may your Christmas Day be filled with a bounty of melodic gifts!!
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Tuesday, December 23, 2008
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TRANSMISSION COMMENCES FOR TXS AND ESCAPE MUSIC:
Escape Music announce the release of the debut album of Norway's TXS, titled Transmission X on February 20, 2009.
Coming from Norway like a breath of fresh air these four guys combine an exciting blend of traditional hard rock with extremely commercial overtones. Dag, Terje, and Kenneth are no strangers to the rock scene; they were all in the first version of Norwegian band “Hush” in 1996, a band who played original tunes as well as songs by Def Leppard, Van Halen and ZZ Top. Some twelve years later and here we are with a new band and a new approach to rock. With a grand, tight production and huge melodic songs the band TXS are on to a winner. In the grooves you will find similarities to Hush but the songs are much stronger, with fist punching anthems and blistering guitar chords. These guys are just at home playing rockers like “Who Will to run you”, “Unbelievable” as they are at sugar coated ballads like “Time to Say Goodbye” and the fantastic “Stay”. Their commercial appeal is fantastic and they can fit alongside fellow Norwegians “TNT” and “Stage Dolls” with perfect ease. They also draw influences from Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Foo Fighters, so there is plenty going on here.
Transmission X is a debut album that needs to be looked out for in 2009; it has all the hallmarks of a classic, with Dag's raspy vocal work, arena like guitars, intricate keyboards and air punching anthems. A formidable combination, no less. Oh, and just check out that last track “Stay”, a memorable anthem that has you wishing there was much more from this band. Surely, destined to be a classic….
Line-Up: Dag Aspen – Vocals; Kenneth E Kristiansen – Guitar, Vocals; Kjell Reierstad – Bass, Vocals; Terje Smedfold – Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals.
Track Listing: Who Will You Run To / Chameleon Man / Time To Say Goodbye / Breathe You Out / Unbelievable / Kicking Leafs / Rat Trap / Turn Back Time / BAD / Stay.
And here an exclusive full track download - Who Will You Run To.
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R.I.P. MANAGEMENT LEGEND BUD PRAGER:
It has been another yet of sad loss for the rock world and today yet another legendary name passed on. Mega-manager Bud Prager died earlier today and while his name may not be familiar to some, his influence and legacy lives on. Bud was better known as ESP Management and had under his control such luminaries as Foreigner, Megadeth, Bad Company, Tall Stories, Damn Yankees and Glen Burtnik to name just a few. R.I.P. Bud.
Journalist Bob Lefsetz commented on Bud's passing today:
"Bud told me he cut the Scotti Brothers in on Foreigner, gave them a percentage from record one.
He recited how he rescued the uber-talented Terry Thomas from a life of drudgery by selecting him to produce the reconstituted Bad Company. Bud told me how he convinced Atlantic to let his best friend Felix Pappalardi produce Cream.
Today, Bud Prager was reunited with his old buddy in heaven. A great manager can't work for anybody else, he's sui generis, he cares. Through sheer force of personality, he bends wills, he gets his act a slot, he schemes until his proteges break through.
Conventional wisdom is labels break acts. This is untrue. Behind every legendary performer is a great manager. Bob Dylan would still be little Bobby Zimmerman without Albert Grossman's direction. The Beatles wouldn't have become icons without Brian Epstein. Aerosmith wouldn't have broken through without David Krebs.
Rather than study the label legends, dig deeper and discover the managers, who believed, oftentimes when no one else did, and shepherded their charges to greatness. Bud Prager cared. He was compassionate. He could argue minutiae with you til dawn. No detail was too small for his attention. He may be gone, but the acts and records he brought into the marketplace will live forever.
I can still remember the first time I heard "Feels Like The First Time" on the radio. I drove straight to Music Odyssey on Wilshire and bought the album. Good isn't good enough, we're truly only interested in great. Bud Prager was a great manager. "
FIREWORKS #34 DIGITAL DOWNLOAD & SHOWCASE AVAILABLE NOW:
A reminder and an update to the current Fireworks 34 Showcase.
We have added another band and 2 more MP3s for you to download and sample. Jaded Sun are the band, so check them out via the Fireworks 34 Page.
Fireworks 34 is now available via Digital Download right here. The audio from the 3 cover CDs is also included in the Digital Download files - check the Fireworks 34 Page.
Interviews this issue include Richie Blackmore cover feature, plus Jeff Scott Soto, Bob Catley, Michael Schenker, The Bangles, Uriah Heep, REO Speedwagon, Tony Harnell, Backyard Babies, Quireboys, Eden's Curse, Black Stone Cherry, Spock's Beard, Glyder, Sinner, Todd Rundgren, Venice, Driver, Crown of Thorns, Serenity, Edgar Winter, Haggard, Dream Evil, Morten Harket, Heaven's Basement and LOTS more, including 6 page special on female fronted rock acts and 4 page special on Southern Rock & Blues bands!
Any bands wishing to appear on the cover CD for Fireworks #35 please E-Mail: fireworks.mag@ntlworld.com.
For several years now, Fireworks Magazine has been featuring the best in new melodic hard rock on its free CD, and now the perfect method of promoting your band has just got even better as Fireworks teams up with melodicrock.com to offer the absolute best value for promotion yet, with a dedicated Fireworks page on the #1 melodic rock site!
The price for a song on our Fireworks CD remains constant at £75 ($115) but now for an optional further $100, melodicrock.com will feature up to 1000 words of promotional text and TWO MP3 tracks to accompany this feature - with the showcase to stay online indefinitely thereafter. This represents amazing value for money and gives the opportunity to reach over 250,000 dedicated melodic hard rock fans every month!!
Anyone interested in taking part in this showcase and being included in the next issue of Fireworks should contact Bruce Mee at: fireworks.mag@ntlworld.com.
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Monday, December 22, 2008
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It seems just about everyone has buggered off for the holidays already, so don't expect too much breaking news this week!
There are still a few things to take care of and Artist Of The Week for this and the next few weeks is going to be a re-feature of all previous offers one last time before I start 2009 with a fresh slate.
I'll get those links up on Wednesday so they can sit up front over the holiday period and you can purchase at your leisure if so desired. Shipping will continue through most of the holiday period when services are running...
Speaking of holidays, after Wednesday's update I will be taking a much needed break through until January 5 and another 10 days later in January for a family vacation. 2008 has been an exhausting year and the upcoming breaks will allow me to freshen up and focus on things as soon as we get back to normal and deliver more of what you folks all want.
I'll keep an eye on e-mail and the message boards and also start playing around with the 2008 MelRock Awards (online in February one hopes!), so if anyone needs anything, just shout...
MR-X UPDATE - 2008 MONSTER RE-CAP:
The last MR-X update for the year sees the re-run of some of 2008's most popular featured downloads. We're talking nearly 100 different titles/folders to rummage through in case you missed something at the time or couldn't join at the time.
This is a massive opportunity to jump in and collect some great music, which will hopefully inspire music purchases for the months ahead.
Some of the titles featured include:
Bonfire (Demos 93); Michael Bormann (TAX Demos); Mr. Big Unplugged (Video - TV Broadcast); Heart (Unplugged); Gotthard (Rarities & Live 2007); Poison, Motley Crue and AC/DC (VH1 Behind The Music TV Broadcasts); Krokus (Live 81); Huey Lewis (Live 89), Scandal (Live 84); TMG (Live); Jim Peterik (Demos); Hooters (Live 07); Steinberg/Kelly (Demos); Slamer/Boals (Demos); Live (MTV Unplugged 95); Loverboy (2007 NYE Live) and a whle host of compilations, best ofs and classic feature albums.
All 2008 files will be deleted Januray 5!
MR-X Membership Details.
THE ANSWER SIGN WITH STEAMHAMMER/SPV:
They are considered Europe's hottest rock act and are currently causing a world-wide stir: the sensational quartet The Answer from Newcastle in County Down, Northern Ireland, have just signed a contract with the German record label, Steamhammer/SPV. The band, led by charismatic frontman Cormac Neeson are currently on a world tour alongside AC/DC, impressing even the most discerning audiences night after night. 2 March 2009 (Germany: 27 February 2009) will see the arrival of The Answer's second album, Everyday Demons. Experts see the band as legitimate successors of rock and blues rock legends such as Free, Cream, Led Zeppelin and The Black Crowes. "Everything we do is basically thoroughly honest", guitarist Paul Mahon describes the band's philosophy. "We're a real team and draw our strength from an indestructible inner strength. The four of us stick together like glue."
The Answer who got together in spring 2000, signed to legendary Australian rock label Albert Productions in 2005 and brought out their debut album, Rise, in 2006. It took us three or four years to really get noticed, Paul Mahon explains, but then it all started to happen at once. The band have performed with icons such as the Rolling Stones, The Who and Aerosmith, playing celebrated headlining tours in England, Japan and Australia. Their debut, Rise, was greeted enthusiastically by fans and media alike (the Britsh music bible Kerrang! commented: "The Answer are superstars already) and has sold more than 100,000 copies to date."
The Answer will continue to tour America with AC/DC until the end of January, and starting 18 February, the band will visit Europe as special guests as part of the sold-out Black Ice tour. Their spectacular second album, Everyday Demons, is scheduled to arrive around that time, too. We've been on tour almost constantly for two years, have seen a lot of the world and made a lot of important experiences - a development that you can hear on Everyday Demons, comments Mahon, giving a little preview of an album that's likely to make rock history.
In a brand new exclusive interview conducted by Nightwatcher's House Of Rock with Cormac Neeson of Irish hard rockers The Answer, currently supporting AC/DC on their 'Black Ice' North American tour, the vocalist discusses touring with AC/DC, the band's upcoming album 'Everyday Demons', appearing on CBS TV's 'Late Night With David Letterman' in November of this year and much more: nightwatchershouseofrock.blogspot.com/2008/12/from-streets-of-downpatrick-to-madison.html.
PROGPOWER EUROPE 2009:
Press Release / "Because in 2008 we celebrated our 10th anniversary, ProgPower Europe 2008 was a 3-day festival. In previous years we had a 2-day event with a pre-party on Friday evening. But because of the succes of this year, we have decided that we will stay with 3 days for the next couple of years. This means that you can enjoy ProgPower from Friday early in the evening until Sunday late. For Friday we will book 3 bands and for Saturday and Sunday we will book 6 bands. So in total 15 bands will be booked, and once again we will try to book a very diverse line-up. The exact dates for next year are Friday 2 October, Saturday 3 October and Sunday 4 October.
Cloudscape, Seventh Wonder, Prospect confirmed for ProgPower Europe 2009
The first 3 bands to play ProgPower Europe 2009 are confirmed. Swedish band Cloudscape will return to Baarlo, the band did their first gig outside Sweden back in 2005 when they already played at ProgPower Europe. Also travelling from Sweden will Seventh Wonder, who has played in The Netherlands before, but have not played at ProgPower before and the band is really looking forward to it. Prospect from Slovenia is the 3rd band confirmed, it will be the first Slovenian band to play at ProgPower Europe. We have booked all bands for an exclusive performance in The Netherlands for the second half of 2009. Check out all the details about the bands at our website: www.progpower.eu."
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Friday, December 19, 2008
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DON'T STOP BELIEVIN' IN BROADWAY!:
The producers of Rock Of Ages announced today that after an extremely successful off Broadway run and the sale of the film rights to New Line Cinema, the new, smash hit musical will transfer to Broadways Brooks Atkinson Theatre, 256 W. 47Street, and open on Tuesday, April 7, 2009. Previews begin on 20Friday, March 20, 2009.
The off Broadway engagement of Rock Of Ages began previews on October 1, 2008 and opened on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at New World Stages, 340 W. 50 Street. That production will play its final performance on Sunday, January 4, 2009 after 17 preview and 93 regular performances.
"After such an exciting run off Broadway, we are delighted to be moving Rock Of Ages to Broadway", says Matthew Weaver and Carl Levin, the producers of Rock Of Ages. "We know these are difficult and uncertain times for everyone, so we are thrilled to announce that Rock Of Ages will set a new precedent on Broadway with a top tic ket price of $89.00 for weeknight performances and $99.00 for weekend performances."
Written by Chris DArienzo (writer and director of the upcoming film Barry Munday), directed by Kristin Hanggi (Bare, Pussycat Dolls on the Sunset Strip) and choreographed by Kelly Devine (Jersey Boys – Associate Choreographer), Rock Of Ages is an explosive new musical with a heart as big as 80s rock hair. As a legendary rock club faces its demise at the hands of eager developers, a young rocker hoping for his big break falls for a small town girl chasing big dreams of her own. Have nothing but a good time with the cast of Rock Of Ages as they fall in love in the heat of the moment and rock out with more than words.
Rock Of Ages takes audiences on a musical joyride set to blazing hits from iconic rockers such as Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Reo Speedwagon, Pat Benatar,Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and many more. Crowds and critics agree – Rock Of Ages is crazy fun, writes the Associated Press, a nonstop party laden with sexy choreography, energetic performances and an on stage band that totally rocks the house. The Star Ledger proclaims, tons of retro fun for anybody loving those bygone times of big20hair and even bigger power chords, while The New York Post says, Rock Of Ages does for '80s rock what "Mamma Mia!" did for ABBA.
Scenic design is by Beowulf Boritt (Spelling Bee, LoveMusik), costume design is by Tony Nominee Gregory Gale (Cyrano, The Wedding Singer), lighting design is by Jason Lyons (The Threepenny Opera), sound design is by Walter Trarbach (The Farnsworth Invention) and projection design is by Zachary Borovay (A Catered Affair). The Music Supervision, Arrangements & Orchestrations are by Ethan Popp (Tarzan) with original arrangements by David Gibbs (Film: That Thing You Do).
Rock Of Ages premiered in Los Angeles at The Vanguard for a limited 4-week run and was extended to 7 weeks by popular demand.
Rock Of Ages will be produced on Broadway by Matthew Weaver, Carl Levin, Jeff Davis, Scott Prisand, and Corner Store Fund I, in association withJanet Billig Rich, Hillary Weaver, Stefany & Simon Bergson, Charles Rolecek, Susanne Brook, Barry Habib, Israel Wolfson, Jennifer Maloney and Prospect Pictures.
Tickets for the Broadway production of Rock Of Ages range from $46.50 – $99.00 and will go on sale via Ticketmaster.com/ 212-307-4100 on Monday, January 5, 2009. The performance schedule will be Monday at 8pm, Tuesday at 7pm, Thursday at 8pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm and Sunday at 3pm & 7pm. Complete casting will be announced soon.
WebLink: www.rockofagesmusical.com/broadway.html.
PINK CREAM 69 TO FILM GERMAN SHOW ON JANUARY 24TH 2009 FOR FORTHCOMING DVD:
German melodic hard rock band Pink Cream 69 will film it's special 20th anniversary concert at the Festhalle in Karlsruhe-Durlach, Germany for a forthcoming double-DVD-package with the current working title The Past & The Present. The band's first DVD will be released during the year.
The DVD will contain the entire Size It Up! - Live In Japan 1992 concert (with former singer Andi Deris - previously only released on VHS-tape), all of the band's promotional videos, backstage footage, the complete Karlsruhe-concert and several bonus tracks from the band's recent festival appearances such as "Masters Of Rock" in the Czech Republic or "Das Fest" in Germany.
KRACKERJACK WRITING FOR NEW 2009 RELEASE:
Krackerjack are currently writing songs for the next album (their fourth!). So far 5 songs have been finished - "Fight" (a fast powerhouse of a rocker), "Part Of The Show" (a comment on X Factor and similar programmes), "Helpless" (a very Gotthard-ish ballad), "I Just Wanna Rock You" (a funky blues ditty - with shades of Aerosmith) and "In All Its Glory" (the epic!). The early part of 2009 will be spent adjusting them and finishing off other ideas and hopefully the guys will hit the studio soon. On top of that, Krackerjack might just be coming to the UK next year. Keep your fingers crossed.
Krackerjack Rock On! - for sale at www.destinyrecords.uk.com or www.aorheaven.com. WebLinks: www.myspace.com/krackerjackdenmark / www.myspace.com/mikkelsen77.
INTRODUCING SILVER DIRT:
Silver Dirt will release their new album Never Give Up in March/April 2009 through Gofannon Records, and play everywhere they can. A video for the 'single' Somebody Help Me will be edited by end of January. The band says: "We wish you all a Happy X-mas and a Rocking new year, see you on the road! Silver Steff, Dirty Lyo, SilverGregg, and Dirty Seb." WebLinks: www.silverdirt.com
JIMI JAMISON INTERVIEW ONLINE:
Jimi Jamison checked in with Hardrock Haven to talk about his new CD Crossroads Moment; his musical career in general; how he landed contributing singers like Joe Lynn Turner and Mike Reno on the song "When Rock Was King;" working with Jim Peterik again; and a whole lot more. Here's an excerpt from the interview:
Hardrock Haven: Would you say that Crossroads Moment is a concept album?
Jamison: You know … it didn't start out as any plan to be a concept album, but as we proceeded throughout recording the CD each song began to make sense with the previous song until they each became like a piece of a puzzle that just fit together perfectly. It was strange that it worked out that way but I'm glad it did. It's always great when you start a project from scratch and it just turns out the way you felt all along. So I guess you could call it an indirect concept album.
Hardrock Haven: How did it feel to be re-united with your friend and writing partner Jim Peterik again? How did the meeting transpire? Did you keep in contact over the years?
Jamison: It felt really good. … like coming home and seeing family again. A friend and fellow musician Fergie Frederickson held a benefit and invited us both to perform. Actually we hadn't seen each other in about five years at that point When we got to the show we were so glad to see each other that we decided to perform "The Search is Over" as a duet. Just Jim on keys and me on vocals. When we started playing all our friends, who just happen to be some very famous singers and musicians, came out and formed a kind of semi-circle behind us and cheered us on. The crowd was crying and screaming for more … at that point we knew we had to do something together.
To read the entire interview, head to: www.hardrockhaven.net/interviews2008/JimiJamison08.php.
RODNEY MATTHEWS PRINTS FOR SALE:
The online store of rodneymatthews.com is selling signed open edition prints of the Magnum album artworks - 'On A Story Tellers Night', 'Chase The Dragon', Princess Alice And The Broken Arrow', and Bob Catley's latest album 'Immortal'.
MAJOR REVIEWS UPDATE:
A brand new set of Reviews has been added today - the last major update for the year. Reviews online now for: Guns N Roses, AC/DC, Robert Berry, Nickelback, China Blue, Valentine, Lost Weekend, Hope, Talon, Faith Circus, Anberlin, Axel Rudi Pell, Driver, Hinder, Ecliptica + Undying Fire and We Wish You A Metal Xmas.
Read New Reviews.
And it's time to Add Your Own Reviews for the following new Feature Reviews: Guns N Roses / Chinese Democracy, AC/DC / Black Ice, Robert Berry / The Dividing Line, Nickelback / Dark Horse, China Blue / Twilight Of Destiny, Valentine / Soul Salvation, Lost Weekend / Fear And Innocence, Hope / All Of My Days and Talon / Fallen Angels.
Add Your Reviews Now.
The last MR-X update for the year will be ready Monday. Two more news updates to come and then it's holiday time....
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