ORIGINAL VICIOUS RUMORS BASSIST DAVE STARR CELEBRATES THE 30-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE BAND'S LEGENDARY 1988 ALBUM, 'DIGITAL DICTATOR,' WITH NEW FACEBOOK PAGE
Before playing guitar and bass in WildeStarr, and a run with CHASTAIN, Dave Starr was the bassist in one of the world's premier power metal bands; VICIOUS RUMORS (aka VR). As a member for 10 years on all of VR's greatest albums, tours, and videos, Dave was also the one responsible for bringing vocalist Carl Albert and guitarist Mark McGee into the band, thus cementing the greatest lineup in the bands history.
The first album with this lineup, 'DIGITAL DICTATOR,' was recorded the summer of 1987, and released on Shrapnel records April of 1988. The record became an instant classic worldwide, and the band played tour dates in the USA, Mexico, Canada and Europe. The record is still in print and selling strong - 30 years after its release!
Dave says: "Digital Dictator is generally regarded by VR fans as the band's best album. Everything clicked - we all contributed to the songwriting, and the amazing chemistry the 5 of us had just came through with incredible results."
Shrapnel Records President Mike Varney recently said, "Vicious Rumors was one of the early bands that I signed to Shrapnel. Among many other distinctions, VR were a live band and not a studio project. 'Digital Dictator' has become a metal classic and, among other things, introduced amazing vocalist Carl Albert to the world. It's hard to believe that 30 years has passed but the quality of the performances has stood the test of time."
This FB page will feature pics and stories from the classic 'Digital Dictator' era, and more importantly, Dave has finally unleashed never before seen videos he had filmed of the band! These videos have sat in boxes for over 30 years, until Dave started to transfer them to digital format this year. LIVE shows, backstage, in the studio, hanging out, etc. - a literal treasure trove of VR videos that are finally seeing the light of day!! The first 4 segments are up now for all the fans to see for the first time ever, with lots more videos to come.
Dave Starr is now available for interviews with the metal press worldwide to discuss the VR Digital Dictator 30th anniversary 1988 - 2018, and the new WildeStarr "Beyond the Rain" CD (issued in December of last year). And you can expect the following from Dave in conversation:
* Unique insight from Dave Starr, who was the bassist in VR for 10 years, and played on all the bands greatest albums, tours, and videos.
* Co-writer of 3 songs from the Digital Dictator album: RLH, Digital Dictator, and Replicant
* The straight story, with no BS and no filter. Dave tells it like it was...and is.
* The true story behind how Dave assembled the VR Digital Dictator lineup
TheRighttoRock.com has issued their latest podcast (episode #231), featuring Animal Drive vocalist Dino Jelusic. Dino took time out of his busy schedule to discuss Animal Drive's debut album Bite!, as well as what it is like to be a hard rock band in Croatia. Interview lasts approx. 30 min.
Well it is St. Paddy's day again and you know what that means, our annual visit from rock's most notorious leprechaun, Jose McLucky. Well, if that ain't enough to grab ya, then join Genghis and Ragman as they discuss some of their favorite Irish hard rock and heavy metal bands. Who will they chose as their fave? Tune in to find out. Next the boys chatted with new comers Animal Drive. Ragman checked in with vocalist Dino Jelusic, to discuss the band's debut album Bite!, as well as what it is like to be a member of TSO. This one is not to be missed!
TNT will release their new album, "XIII" on June 8. More details and first single COMING SOON!
XIII tracklisting:
1. WE’RE GONNA MAKE IT
2. NOT FEELING ANYTHING
3. FAIR WARNING
4. IT’S ELECTRIC
5. WHERE YOU BELONG
6. CAN’T BREATHE ANYMORE
7. GET READY FOR SOME HARD ROCK
8. PEOPLE, COME TOGETHER
9. TEARS IN MY EYES
10. 17th OF MAY
11. CATCH A WAVE
12. SUNSHINE
The Radio Sun are very pleased to be announced at HRH AOR in Wales, U.K for 2019. This will be the band's fourth time in a row, something no other band has ever done previously. The Radio Sun have made so many life-long friends at the event with some goers even calling them the 'house band' - audience feedback that they are extremely honored and proud of. The event will sell out so get your tickets now.
The Radio Sun will also be appearing at Melodic Rock Fest in Chicago this May electric (Sunday) and acoustic (Thursday V.I.P only) - tickets at: www.melodicrockfest.com
The boys will be announcing further news shortly to coincide with their festival spot.
March 28, 2018 -- SONS OF APOLLO--former Dream Theater members Mike Portnoy and Derek Sherinian, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (ex-Guns N’ Roses), Billy Sheehan (The Winery Dogs, Mr. Big, David Lee Roth) and Jeff Scott Soto (ex-Journey, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force)—released a six-song EP today, “ALIVE”/“TENGO VIDA,” which includes three versions of the latest single, “Alive,” from their #1 debut album, PSYCHOTIC SYMPHONY, as well as three versions of the song in Spanish, “Tengo Vida.” It’s available now on all digital outlets worldwide.
Here’s the complete track listing:
Alive – album version
Alive - radio edit
Alive - acoustic version
Tengo Vida (Alive Spanish version) – standard
Tengo Vida (Alive Spanish version) – radio edit
Tengo Vida (Alive Spanish version) – acoustic version
The Vicente Cordero-directed for “Alive” is now available in both versions.
“It was discussed we should do a Spanish language version of ‘Alive’ before our first tour in South America and I was excited to make it work,” explains singer Jeff Scott Soto. “I brought in my close friend Alex to help with the translation as well as coach me on my enunciation. I am not fluent in Spanish so it was a difficult process, but it sounds pretty damn cool now that we made it work. I think my favorite part is hearing Bumblefoot singing in Spanish!”
Guitarist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal is excited about offering these new versions of “Alive” to their fans. "I love stripping down a song to its simplest form, showing the core of what the song is,” he says. “The acoustic version of ‘Alive’ has that naked vulnerability, and shows what a great lyricist and melody-maker Jeff is."
It’s with a heavy heart we have to announce that our brother Ronnie Atkins is in hospital in Basel, Switzerland. He suffered an unfortunate blow to the head and had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital. He is currently undergoing tests and being observed by specialists.
The latest news is that he is conscious but has to remain in hospital for a while. As a consequence of this we have to cancel the last 3 shows on our tour. Once Ronnie is fully recovered we will come back and play these shows and film the scheduled DVD.
We apologize for this and know you guys travel far to come to these shows. Our main concern at this time is Ronnie’s health.
Pls contact your ticket seller for more information. We will also provide this as soon as we have the information. Thank you for your understanding. You can send Ronnie you best wishes on our Facebook page. We will be back with an update on the situation as soon as we can. ~
SUNSTORM feat. Joe Lynn Turner will release their new album, THE ROAD TO HELL on June 8.
THE ROAD TO HELL tracklisting:
1. ONLY THE GOOD WILL SURVIVE 2. THE ROAD TO HELL
3. ON THE EDGE
4. BLIND THE SKY
5. MY EYES ON YOU
6. FUTURE TO COME
7. EVERYWHERE
8. RESURRECTION
9. CALLING
10. STATE OF THE HEART
11. STILL FIGHTING
AMANDA SOMERVILLE will return with another Trillium album, TECTONIC on June 8.
TECTONIC tracklisting:
1. TIME TO SHINE
2. STAND UP
3. FULL SPEED AHEAD
4. HIT ME
5. FIGHTING FATE
6. NOCTURNA
7. FATAL MISTAKE
8. SHARDS
9. CLICHÉ FREAK SHOW
10. ETERNAL SPRING
