In the show's only interview, Lawrence Gowan of STYX discusses the band's LIVE AT THE ORLEANS ARENA LAS VEGAS DVD, his recently re-released Lost Brotherhood & ...But You Can Call Me Larry solo albums, becoming the voice of STYX, touring and much more.
Quotes from the interview:
Styx Live (time 4.56): "As JY says - they have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to choices of songs to play."
Becoming the voice of STYX (time 8.14): "The great thing about this band and what made me lean towards it - was that they never asked me... Not once on the very first meeting... Not once until here we are seventeen plus years later... Not once did they ever ask me to replicate or imitate or in any way do any sort of impression of Dennis DeYoung. In fact, it was never even put that I was replacing anyone in the band."
If you like what you hear and would like to contribute to the continued success of One On One With Mitch Lafon - our Paypal is MitchMinute@aol.com or simply PayPal.Me/MitchLafon
Dallas, TX - August 2, 2016. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio with Redbeard: The Stories Behind History’s Greatest Rock Bands celebrates the 25th anniversary of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ hit album Into The Great Wide Open.
Tom Petty was on a huge roll in August of 1991. He had hit paid dirt with his first solo album, 1989’s Full Moon Fever. He had become a member of the Traveling Wilburys supergroup with bandmates Jeff Lynne of ELO, Beatle George Harrison and legends Roy Orbison and Bob Dylan. It was following these two multiplatinum endeavors that Tom Petty reunited with the Heartbreakers to record Into The Great Wide Open.
The album came at a time when Petty could reflect. He had recently turned 40, chuckling, “I’ll probably look back at this as some kind of mid-life crisis album.” It was also a period, pre-911 but post first Gulf War, which disturbed long-dormant feelings in Tom as well as many others who came of age during the nation’s lengthy, deadly, ill-advised Viet Nam War. With those factors in place, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers produced a thought -provoking album that included two timeless classics, “Learning to Fly” and “Into the Great Wide Open”. Tom Petty reveals to InTheStudio host Redbeard how the songwriting process unfolds for him.
“I don’t think all of these grand thoughts while I’m writing the songs. I’m hit with some inspiration of some kind and I’m just trying to finish it off and exorcise it from my system... It still fascinates me that you can pick up the guitar and sit for a few hours and find something that you never knew. That you didn’t know existed. That’s the beauty of music. It’s always something you can count on.” - Tom Petty
SERIOUS BLACK new album "Mirrorworld" to arrive on September 9th!
The year 2015 started more than promising for fans of high class melodic metal: SERIOUS BLACK, a so-called ‘all-star band’ appeared on the scene and dropped their highly acclaimed debut album ‘As Daylight Breaks’. Much to the surprise of many, the band indeed proved to be a real band and they kept their promise of rocking the stages wherever possible.
So during only a year they not only successfully released a fantastic debut album, but also went on extensive European tours with HammerFall and later Gamma Ray. In addition, SERIOUS BLACK was chosen to be special guest on Kamelot’s German Summer shows and also played numerous festivals in Europe. Being that active in the past 18 months, it’s surprising to see the band announcing a brand new studio album already. You’ll be even more surprise when ‘Mirrorworld’ sees its release: SERIOUS BLACK have managed to outperform their excellent debut! Prepare for something special: the Mirrorworld opens on September 9.
"The video is a celebration of the music that has shaped my playing and simply because it was a blast to do." ~ Guitarist, Producer, Recording Artist, Jay Parmar
East Sussex, UK / July 2016 - Guitarist Jay Parmar celebrates 35 years of Legendary Guitarist George Lynch's monster guitar playing with an impressive exhibition of electrifying and provocative guitar wizardry. Not to mention, the Axe eye-candy is to die for...
Legendary Guitarist George Lynch is best known for his work with the heavy metal band Dokken and his band Lynch Mob. Lynch is considered to be one of the most influential and famous 80's metal guitarists. He is known for his unique playing style and sound. He is ranked #47 on "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" by Guitar World magazine and is also ranked #10 on "Top 10 Metal Guitarists of All Time"
As the Guitar Guru recalls, 'the idea came to me one day of doing a video compilation of Mr. Scary's music ... I wanted to tie-it-in with my weekly YouTube show "Lynch Lycks", where I teach how to play in the style of George Lynch. It's a skill that I have acquired over the 27 years I have played and I want to share that with the many guitarists who want to learn that style. So, I listed every original studio album George has done, took a favorite clip of one song from each LP and then recorded the audio and video - so it's a historic account of George's 35 Years. I had an absolutely amazing time creating it and I'm super pleased with it! I had an absolutely amazing time creating it. It's a real privilege to have had to opportunity to do this and I'm super pleased... by the same toke, I got to play pretty much every guitar that I own, especially my collection of ESPs and the guitars I build, Spirit Dance Guitars, and of course showcase the Randall Amp (I am a Randall endorse)!'
My GOAL is to get this video out to as many people as possible!!!Please enjoy the entertainment...
As well as being a solo artist, Jay has worked and recorded with a variety of bands and musicians over the years, including Eden's Curse, Iron Knights and The Inner Road. Jay works from his studio, Sacred Sound, in East Sussex, UK, where he writes, records, engineers, produces, and teaches.
The German power metal band REFUGE built around heavy metal icon Peter 'Peavy' Wagner has recently signed a record deal with Frontiers Music Srl.
The Herne, Germany based Refuge, which consists of Manni Schmidt (guitars), Christos Efthimiadis (drums) and frontman/bassplayer Peavy Wagner, is the 1987 ' 1994 line up of the German Metal institution Rage. The former Rage members got back together at the end of 2014 under the name Refuge to play the old Rage songs from their time in the band. What started out as a fun project with friends, has since evolved into a very special band.
Refuge guitarist Manni Schmidt says: 'When we played at a number of festivals last summer, we instantly realized that the chemistry was back. The shows worked out great and very naturally, there were ideas for new songs that we wanted to hold, because we liked them so much. Somehow the guys from Frontiers have heard about this and they offered us a deal. Peavy, Efthi and I are very thrilled to say that there will be a record released full of brand new songs by our band REFUGE!'
Frontman Peavy Wagner also points out that releasing a new album with REFUGE won't clash with his other band RAGE: 'REFUGE and RAGE are two different bands now. With REFUGE, we are able to play songs of the old era that have never found their way to a setlist of a RAGE show. REFUGE also consists of different musicians ' except me ' who have different ideas and a different vibe. REFUGE is more like old school. The fans will find out latest when they will hold the new REFUGE album in their hands.' About the signing with Frontiers Music Srl, Peavy says: 'The members of REFUGE are looking very much forward to working with such a renowned label as Frontiers Music Srl. The company's roster is impressive and for all I know, Mario, Serafino and their crew are behind the band to a 100%. I can't wait to start working with them.'
Mario de Riso, Label Manager of Frontiers Music Srl adds: 'We are very happy to welcome REFUGE to our label. Since we are all fans of the 'old' RAGE, we are particularly glad about the fact, that the band with the lineup from back then is a part of the Frontiers family now and we look forward to our future cooperation.'
MelodicRock Records is proud and excited to announce a partnership with MECCA to release their monumental new album Mecca 3 on October 14.
Records like this don't come along very often. At least not in 2016 they don't.
But this is one for the ages. Mecca will now find themselves sitting alongside genre classics from Toto, Mr. Mister, Survivor, Giant and Journey to name a few.
Recorded over the last 3 years in Nashville, this is a record that would have topped AOR charts back in the day. Make no mistake - this is a classic.
MRR's Andrew McNeice: "Joe has been a friend of mine since 1996 and I've seen him develop into one of the most reliable and mature songwriters in this game. On Mecca III he takes everything that came before as a launching pad for what must come next and Mecca III delivers. This is a monster record that is layers deep in rich textures that remain fresh to my ears even after first receiving the original writers' demos some 3 years ago.
I'm so proud of my friend and I'm honoured to be given the chance to bring this exceptional album to the world. The instrumentation is nothing short of world class, the production is analogue all the way - you can hear it in every crisp, clear note. And the vocals are quite simply the most stunning and emotion filled tones that I have ever heard from Joe. I simply cannot wait to hear fan reactions to this album. It's a masterpiece."
Joe Vana is equally as excited to finally reveal his masterpiece to the world. "Mecca III, here we are! I wanted to take all I had learned from the amazing list of players involved in Mecca up to this point...from Shannon Forrest to Pat Mastelotto...David Hungate to Tony Levin...Mike Aquino to Christian Wolff and my son Joey...and the production I learned over many years working closely with Jim Peterik on his songs as well as Mecca 1.
But...I wanted even more...I wanted A TRUE Audiophile record...not a pro-tooled, over edited mess of 100 takes edited into one...and the groove less, lifeless carcass that playing to the grid creates, the ruination of vibe, groove and soul in music.
I hope everyone digs the record....it's 8 tracks because that's all I needed to tell the story I wanted to convey...lyrically the record flows...All are separate but continuous chapters...vocally the songs even feel different as I move through different phases of my life."
And what does Toto's Steve Lukather think about it? "Killer new music! Great songs! Great playing from everyone...and Joe's vocals are better than ever! Smooth, real and soulful. I love the 'surprise modulations' that are now his style which make this a great listen for fans of his and the entire genre of melodic rock music. Creative arrangements throughout and I love the synth/keyboard work. David Hungate is amazing as is Shannon Forrest on drums and production. Great sounds + killer guitars all over it! Can't say what is my fave yet cause I love all of it. Summing it up in 3 words...Well f-ing done!" Luke - 2016.
The album was produced by new Toto drummer Shannon Forrest (Tim McGraw, Michael McDonald, Kenny Rogers, Don Henley), Associate Produced by Joey Vana and Recorded at Off The Grid Studios, Nashville Tennessee.
Alongside drummer Shannon Forrest, featured on the album are some of Nashville's very finest musicians:
Tim Akers - B3 and Piano (Rascal Flatts, Amy Grant, Kid Rock, Alabama); Toto's legendary bass man David Hungate; plus David Browning (Katy Perry, Amy Grant, Hollywood Heroes).
MECCA III is:
Joe Vana - Lead Vocals
Shannon Forrest - Drums and Percussion
David Hungate - Bass
Tim Akers - B3 and Piano, Background Vocals and Duet on "Believe"
David Browning - Synths
Joey Vana - Guitars
Mark Baldwin - Guitar
With:
Sol Philcox-Littlefield - Additional Guitars
Ethan Forrest - Additional Guitars
Rudy Chmelik - Additional Percussion on "Believe"
Bill Syniar - Vibe
All Lyrics and Melodies written by: Joe Vana
Except Track 8: Akers, Vana; Track 7 - Richard Page
Mecca 3 will be released worldwide via MelodicRock Records October 14 with 4 different options:
1 - Standard CD (available via Cargo Distribution)
2 - Limited Edition Numbered CD featuring special effects print on disc (pre-order soon via MelodicRock.com)
3 - Fan Pack 1 - Limited Edition CD (as above) with Mecca III Tshirt (pre-order soon via MelodicRock.com)
4 - Fan Pack 2 - Limited Edition CD (as above), Limited (150 ONLY) Vinyl LP, plus Mecca III Tshirt (pre-order soon via MelodicRock.com)
Frontiers Music Srl is excited to announce the return of HARDLINE with the brand new album “Human Nature”, set for release on October 14.
Following the rebirth of the band that happened with the release of “Danger Zone” in 2012, Hardline have regrouped around fabulous singer Johnny Gioeli with the excellent production and keyboard skills of Alessandro Del Vecchio (Rated X, Resurrection Kings, Revolution Saints), the shredding talents of guitarist Josh Ramos (The Storm), and the powerful rhythm section made up of bassist Anna Portalupi (Tarja Turunen) and drummer Francesco Jovino (Primal Fear, Jorn). All these musicians have an impressive pedigree, but what makes Hardline special is how well their unique and different talents blend together.
The goal for their new album was to have a heavier and updated version of the original Hardline sound. Think debut album, 1992's “Double Eclipse” updated for the 21st Century, with a grittier and more straight ahead sound. Anthemic, hard rocking songs are what you can expect from this record and hook after hook, riff after riff, you’ll find yourself wowed by this absolute monster of an album!
When Gioeli and Del Vechhio got together to begin writing songs for the album, “[T]he plan was to create an album that emulates the feeling of "Double Eclipse" combined with the dynamics of modern day rock. Very heavy and in your face, but still with hitting melodies,” says Johnny. “I have a tremendous amount of Axel Rudi Pell fans that know me for the way I deliver a metal song too. So yes, it’s definitely the heaviest we have done since the debut. I see this album as the perfect mix of styles.”
“As a producer I pushed everyone to squeeze these songs and put as much attitude as we could on tape,” adds Alessandro Del Vecchio. “We wanted more of an in-your-face attitude than our softer albums. I think we understood we had something special in our hands when we finished “Take You Home”. Even if it's the ballad of the album I guess it's the focal point of the musical bond that Johnny and myself share with the whole band.”
“The guys put their heart and soul into their performances,” concludes Johnny “You can hear the essence of every drum strike and the sweat hitting the drums shortly after. Do it again, Cesco! HARDER, HARDER! Josh, Anna and Ale wouldn’t stop until their fingers said “enough”…and then……we did it again and again. That’s rock and roll man. Songs like “Where Will We Go From Here,” “Human Nature” and “Take you Home,” to me they are the essence of what I LOVE to sing and HOW I love to sing!”
“Human Nature” tracklisting:
1. Where Will We Go From Here
2. Nobody's Fool
3. Human Nature
4. Trapped In Muddy Waters
5. Running On Empty
6. The World Is Falling Down
7. Take You Home
8. Where The North Wind Blows
9. In The Dead Of The Night
10. United We Stand
11. Fighting The Battle
HARDLINE
Johnny Gioeli – Lead Vocals
Alessandro Del Vecchio - Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Frontiers Music Srl is excited to announce the signing of British hard rockers Stone Broken to the label!
Stone Broken is a four piece band from Walsall, formed in late 2013 from the fragments of two local bands. In just a short time, these guys have gelled into a dynamic outfit that delivers a BIG, chunky rock sound with huge choruses, as can be heard in their acclaimed, independently released, full length debut album, 'All In Time'.
The record received glowing reviews on the national press, including a 10/10 in Powerplay Rock and Metal Magazine, 9/10 in Fireworks Magazine and an Album of the Month award in RGG magazine. Stone Broken were also contender for 'Best New Band' at this year's Planet Rock Awards.
Vocalist/guitarist, Rich Moss says: "Signing with such a prestigious label as Frontiers Music Srl is a dream come true. It is a validation of all the hard work we have put in and a testimony to our ever increasing and loyal fan-base. We are now writing our second album which will be the first with Frontiers. Once again, we will be recording with award-winning producer, Romesh Dodangoda (Motorhead, Bullet for My Valentine, Funeral for a Friend etc.) and can't wait for you all to hear it. Then we are going to tour, tour, tour and play every goddamn town we can!"
You can enjoy some of the finest moments from the bands debut, "All In Time" by clicking the links below:
Stay tuned for their second album coming in 2017 and be sure to check out STONE BROKEN live when you can! Stone Broken are on an extensive UK tour throughout 2016 which includes opening up the main Hammerfest stage at HRH United in Wales and will conclude at Planet Rockstock 2016 in December. All dates can be found here: http://www.stonebroken.com/shows
Stone Broken are:
Rich Moss - Lead Vocals / Guitar
Chris Davis - Lead Guitar / Vocals
Kieron Conroy - Bass / Vocals
Robyn Haycock - Drums / Vocals
