MR-X - NEW YEAR STARTS WEDNESDAY!:
Wednesday December 10 is the first anniversary of MR-X. With that in mind, those that joined on that very first day (and subsequent days following that date) will start being billed for the next 12 months ahead - the 2004 year.
To be honest, I am not really sure how the whole mechanism works, as getting any sort of customized answer from Paypal is next to impossible.
But, you should automatically be billed and continue to have access to the MR-X page.
Throughout the past year, if anyone made any adjustment to their personal information at Paypal.com, a cancellation of any subscriptions was triggered. For those affected by that, you may find yourself locked out of the MR-X page as the subscription has (according to Paypal), been cancelled and will expire soon. To gain access again, simply re-join and a new password and username will be e-mailed to you.
For those that have been with MR-X right from the opening weeks, and indeed all registered members, may I thank you sincerely for your valued support. The continuation of the site would not have been possible without such support.
I am really looking forward to the year ahead with the site and the MR-X area. A fresh look to the members area will be unveiled in a couple of weeks time, with more great rare tracks and feature downloads to be offered.
I am also looking at expanding my hosting options, which will allow more room for updates and in particular, lots more classic melodic rock videos. In fact, I'm picking up a DVD drive for the PC this week for that very purpose!
If there are any problems with the re-subscription to MR-X over the next few days - please e-mail me, but be aware that I am away from the site until Friday. For general information on the MR-X area, read the Intro Page.
I'll be in Melbourne with the family, taking in some "down time" and also enjoying Duran Duran and Robbie Williams at Telstra Dome, Wednesday night!
NO ACE FOR KISS....FOR NOW:
Ace Frehely rejoining Kiss? Well, no. Both Gene Simmons and Ace have both come out and said no, this is not the case. Their comments stem from a rumor printed here last week. Nice to be in the thoughts of such megastars. My source still holds his position that Ace does want back in, but as with all things Kiss, you never really know what's going on until after it's happened. So for now at least, no Ace!
FIREHOUSE ON THE ROAD WITH VAUGHN & PRIDE IN EUROPE 2004:
UK melodic rock fans - please support these shows and you might just get some more like it! Firehouse, Danny Vaughn and Pride will play a round of dates across the UK in early 2004.
Press Release:
Following months of negotiations, we take great pleasure in confirming one of the hottest hard rock tours to hit Europe for a number of years. Multi-platinum American melodic hard rock act Firehouse will return to Europe for the first time in thirteen years. Firehouse stormed onto the music scene in 1990 on the back of their self titled debut album which has attained double platinum status in the USA. The MTV staples Don't Treat Me Bad and All She Wrote, as well as the Billboard top 5 hit single Love of a Lifetime helped the band scoop the American Music Award for the best new hard rock band in 1991 beating out Nirvana. Hold your Fire, the sophomore effort, has also attained platinum status and featured the hit single When I Look Into Your Eyes as well as the driving hard rock of Reach For The Sky and the title track Hold Your Fire. The band to date have recorded seven albums and have sold in excess of eight million records worldwide as well as notching up twenty six gold and platinum awards from around the world. Firehouse are extremely excited to be returning to Europe after such a long absence and promise to kick ass in no uncertain terms.
Danny Vaughn needs absolutely no introduction to European audiences. Establishing his reputation with Waysted in the mid-eighties, it wasn't long before such a talent gained recognition in his own right as the frontman with the seminal Tyketto. Following two critically acclaimed albums Don't Come Easy and Strength in Numbers, Danny took a well deserved break before returning to the music business with the excellent Soldiers and Sailors on Riverside in 2000 and the equally impressive Fearless in 2001. Over the last eighteen months Danny has toured acoustically - just him and his guitar, but as he has said before he missed the band. So with that in mind it's a fully plugged in and powered up version of Vaughn that will lay waste to stages throughout the UK in March. Details of the band personnel will be announced shortly but one thing for certain is, for the first time Vaughn will consist of two guitarists, making good on Danny's promise to rock hard every night.
New English band Pride will be the support act at all the shows, cementing their status as the rising stars of British melodic hard rock. Pride have two mightily impressive albums Far from the Edge and Signs of Purity to their credit and put in a massive performance at this years Gods festival in Bradford, earning them a whole new army of admirers. Pride have, in their own right, impressed on their short tours of Ireland, England and mainland Europe this year and are delighted to be playing with two bands they cite as major influences. Expect yet more blistering shows from the boys from Brighton.
Deadline, the Yorkshire based band who have just released a self financed EP called Is Anybody Paying Attention will also join the tour for a few shows and regard this as a major opportunity to convert a few more fans to their cause. If hard rock with a touch of blues in the mould of Thunder is your thing , then these guys are not to be missed.
Tour Dates:
Saturday March 6th…….Caracol…..Madrid, Spain
Tuesday March 9th……..Classic Rock Society, Oakwood Leisure Centre, Rotherham * incl. Deadline
Wednesday March 10th…..The Limelight , Belfast, N.Ireland
Thursday March 11th…….Renfew Ferry, Glasgow, Scotland *incl. Deadline
Saturday March 13th…….The Underworld, London
Sunday March 14th……..JB's, Dudley
Tickets for all venues will be on sale Monday December 15 through usual ticketing outlets.
We have also agreed to place tickets with a number of online CD retailers throughout England, a full list of whom will be available shortly.
Further announcements regarding extra ticketing outlets, telephone contact numbers and e-mail addresses for venues etc. very soon.
If you have questions or comments regarding this tour, or indeed an individual show, please feel free to e mail them to k_dargan@hotmail.com with the words Tour 2004 in the heading.
DANNY VAUGHN SPEAKS!:
And speak of the devil, here's a nice end of year update from Danny Vaughn himself:
"As a number of you have pointed out in your e-mails, it has been quite a while since there has been any news from my end of things. Well, it's time to break the silence.
We have just confirmed that I will be touring live again in the first week of March. My merry men and I will be co-headlining with none other than Firehouse! Those guys are long overdue for a return to Europe and the UK, and this will be the first time that I have played with a full band in a long time. There will be gigs in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Spain. I will send out all official places, dates, and times within the next week. We will also have Pride and Deadline opening for us on some of the shows. It's going to be a blast so make plans to be there!
Some more interesting features about the tour, this will be the first time I have ever played with a double guitar attack, (it worked so well at the Gods this year, I thought, "why not"?). Some will be saddened to know that, because of a lot of financial considerations (it costs a bundle to tour), and scheduling problems, I won't be touring with my usual band.
However, I am very excited because I will be touring for the first time ever with a completely British band! Who are these mad, young talents? You'll have to guess for a while until my next announcement! Ooohhhh, I can be so cruel!
Another added feature of the tour is that our official, on tour DJ at all the shows will be none other than Total Rock's Sleazy H!! (of course, many of you won't be completely surprised by that!) This is your chance to meet the voice so many of you have been drooling over (don't you hate it that they took away that web cam?) on those late, classic rock and metal nights. Bring your cameras and come say hello! The house will be rocking!
I'm sending out my prayers and wishes for all of you to have a safe and happy Christmas! All the best, Danny Vaughn."
ROBERT LAMM TO STAR IN ONE-OFF NZ SHOW FOR DVD RELEASE:
Elements Music, in conjunction with Robert Lamm, announces a special solo concert to Lamm fans world wide.
To coincide with the release of Robert's album subtlety&passion in New Zealand, Robert is to perform a solo concert in Auckland, New Zealand February 4, 2003. This show is to be recorded.
Robert will be joined by his friends, Jason Scheff (Bass + Vocals), Hank Linderman (Producer, Guitar + Vocals), Tris Imboden (Drums), Lee Loughnane (Trumpet + Flugelhorn), Nick Lane (Trombone + Arranger) and Additional New Zealand based players.
"We are thrilled that Robert Lamm has agreed to this event" said Elements Music spokesman Tony Andrew. This follows up Robert's appearance in New Zealand in 2002 where he performed a mix of his solo works and songs he wrote and performs with Chicago. "The sound and reaction from the 5000 crowd from his set is something we wished we had captured as a permanent record of Robert's rare solo performance. This was our motivation in deciding to record this special private show."
This performance will be a private event limited to industry and media to showcase Robert's new album. However, a limited number of seats have been made available to fans who are able to attend this event.
If you are interested in attending, please contact webmaster@robertlamm.org, so we can put together a list for the promoter.
The show will take place on February 4th between the two Chicago concerts to take place in New Zealand on January 31 and February 6, 2004.
This presents an ideal opportunity for fans of Chicago and Robert Lamm to see him three times in one week and be a part of the musical legacy that is Robert Lamm.
NYE IN VEGAS:
As mentioned late last week - there will be a New Years Eve show in Las Vegas featuring Steven Adler & Marky Ramone on the same stage doing all GNR and Ramones songs. In addition to the line-up below, I've been told off the record several other guests are set to make an appearance, but they can't be mentioned officially. The details are:
New Years Eve Las Vegas @ club LIVE Las Vegas
Addlers Appetite - featuring Steven Adler (GNR), Robbie Crane (Ratt), Brent Muscat (Faster Pussycat), Keri Kelli (Ratt, Warrant) Jizzy Pearl (Ratt), George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob), Marky Ramone, Motochrist.
Guest DJ Tamie Downe (Faster Pussycat)
Plus special guest musicians from some of the biggest bands in Rock on stage throughout the night.
Tickets available at ticketweb.com Questions to editornightlife@earthlink.net
MORE REVOLUTIONARY SOUNDBYTES FROM CHRISTIAN PROJECT:
Christian rock superstar project Liberty & Justice have put out yet another press release. This one is again updating us on the release date for the album Welcome To The Revolution and teaser soundbytes previewing the album.
On December 16, www.3ChordRecords.net will update preview clips with final mix previews from Lou Gramm of Foreigner, Doug Phelps of The Kentucky Headhunters, John Schlitt of Petra, Mitch McVicker, Jeff Fenholt of TBN/Black Sabbath, and the duet with Harry Hess of Harem Scarem and Mike Roe of The 77's.
The CD will be released publicly for the first time at the concert March 20,2004. With the release to the Christian and secular markets, worldwide to follow.
Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com/artist/897629 or at all Ticketmaster locations for the Saturday March 20,2004 record release party in East Peoria, IL.
MAJESTIC ROCK APOLOGISE FOR LATE DELIVERIES:
A note from Majestic Rock Records:
As you will probably know by now, Majestic Rock's parent company went into receivership in early November, resulting in the team running the label having no stock, no access to their e-mail account and with internet orders to be fulfilled. This situation has now been resolved, and the company has been purchased by the people who care about the label. All outstanding orders have now been dispatched, and we can only apologise for the delay in getting your CD's to you.
We are not 'scam merchant's as some have suggested, just unfortunates who had the rug pulled from under them when they least expected it! We are now firmly in control, and can promise you some excellent releases early in 2004. May we also take this opportunity to thank Andrew & Melodicrock.com for his continued support during this mess - good on ya, cobber! [That was nice, wasn't it?!]
JON OLIVA STARS HIS OWN SOLO TRAIL:
Jon Oliva, founder member and mastermind of Savatage, has embarked on a new adventure. Jon has been writing material for a solo album for several years and has now begun the process of bringing that music to life. Jon has recruited the former members of CircleIICircle to perform a series of concerts showcasing his new solo material as well as classic Savatage material. Some of that Sava-material has never been performed live on stage, so this will be a real treat for Sava-fans everywhere. Jon's voice is in excellent shape and he is handling all the lead vocal duties at these shows. The response from the fans at these first shows has been nothing short of incredible. Some will remember Jon debuting some of his new material at the Criss Oliva Memorial Concert back in October. Jon is also toying with the idea of taking this show on the road in the US and possibly overseas. It is likely that the band (Matt Laporte - guitar, Kevin Rothney - bass, Christopher Kinder - drums, and John Zahner - Keyboards) will return to the studio with Jon to record more tracks for this solo project. Sorry, but there is no information available on a possible release date. Check the websites for updates!!
Upcoming Shows Friday December 12th @ Liquid Blue-Clearwater FL. 727-446-4000
WebLinks: www.jonoliva.net and www.crissoliva.com
SONG HAUS MUSIC LOOK FORWARD TO 2004:
Song Haus Music is pleased to announce the signing of David Zychek (Airborne, Night Ranger) to Song Haus, he is just putting the finishing touches on his album as yet to be titled. As lead singer and guitarist for the band Airborne he cemented his reputation as a great song writer. The new album is hard rock at its best with big guitars and choruses with a lot of Texas dirt thrown in for good measure. Look for the album to be released in March of 2004. David's work on the Night Ranger album Feeding Off The Mojo is severely underrated, some of his finest guitar work to date. The band Airborne was groundbreaking for what became melodic rock in the 80's with Beau Hill's production it became the blueprint for high octane guitar driven melodic hard rock.
In other news Ken Tamplin's killer album Wake the Nations continues to battle all new comers on the Rock and Christian Rock charts at CD UNIVERSE, we are continuing to work the album hard and will continue to promote it throughout all of 2004. Be sure to pick up a November issue of Hit Parader as Song Haus has a ad in there for Wake the Nations right under the Motorhead ad. www.kentamplin.com
The New Machine album has received great reviews throughout 2003 and has just been released in worldwide excluding US by Mascot Records (www.mascotrecords.com), they are committed to promote the album to radio and the press in 2004 so it should be readily available now worldwide retail and mail order sites.
The Ventura based power pop band The Army of Freshmen have just finished a US tour with Bowling for Soup and have now scanned 10,000 copies in the US of their self-titled debut album. They also played to over 50,000 at this years' Sonic Festival in Japan playing with Good Charlotte, Radiohead and many others. They have just finished recording their second album titled Beg, Borrow, Steal produced by Agnus Cooke (Ataris, Nerf Herder). The album was released on the Sonic label in Japan.
Rewind Records last release The Dig by Airborne continues to garner great reviews and Rewind has been on hiatus this year as we decide what direction the label is to take. It seems now everyone is reissuing 80's melodic rock which Rewind pioneered over the last four years, we believe the market is flooded with to many releases. We are committed to releases the finest in back catalog from the major and indie labels in the future.
The newest project on tap for Song Haus in 2004 is Daniel J. discovered by Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater. Daniel is now working on his debut album in NY and he has been giging regularly in the Village (Kenny's Castaways, The Elbow Room, Don Hills) He is also playing guitar on the new Jordan Rudess solo album which Jordan is returning the favor to Daniel on his debut album. Daniel is only 20 has a great voice a great songwriter as well as guitarist and his music is very progressive yet melodic a cross between Nickleback, System Of A Down and Dream Theater. For more info and music samples go to www.danieljrocks.com Daniel J is the latest guitar prodigy to come out of the New York area.
LabelLink: www.songhausmusic.com
AOR HEAVEN NEWS - FRONTLINE, DEACON ST., BLIND ALLEY, HIGHER GROUND:
The label side of AOR Heaven has a busy year ahead planned. Here are some of the details announced this week by the company:
The promo campaign for or next release, Swedish AORsters Blind Alley, has just started and soundbytes should be available from the usual sources within the next couple of days. [Friday folks...]
Alyson Avenue have finished 8 tracks so far (rough mixed) and should deliver the final master due the end of January.
Deacon Street, a superb project under the belts of Tommy Denander is also at the final stage with contributions from an endless list of well known musos incl. such new talents like Jamie Meyer, Jan Johansson (Ignition), Marcel Jacob plus a some surprising guests - stay tuned for more details!
Higher Ground have also started the recordings for their first release through AOR Heaven and if everything goes in plan they should be able to deliver the master by late March/early April.
Our very own Finish metal super stars of Altaria are currently recording the follow up to their critically acclaimed debut "Invitation" and they'll deliver the master due early March.
Last but not least German AOR heroes Frontline have finished five new tracks for their upcoming new release which should be finished by March at the latest.
WebLink: www.aorheaven.com
RANDY PRATT: HEAVY METAL HERO?:
Press Release:
Having found his mission, Randy Pratt is setting out to make sure that fans of a certain style of hard, classic rock music get some satisfaction. This musician-producer-studio owner-record label entrepreneur is leading the charge in a resurgence of what he terms "new classic rock," which blends the most compelling stylistic elements of a revered style with a sensibility tailored to modern tastes.
"This music is heavier than current heavy metal because there is more emotion behind it," Pratt says. "Heavy guitar rock has lasted longer than anything, and I am working with the grandmasters that created this style."
A Long Island native, Pratt has been instrumental in reuniting a number of seminal metal bands—such as the hallowed Sir Lord Baltimore, along with Vanilla Fudge, Cactus and Blue Cheer (whose crunching 1967 cover of Eddie Cochran's "Summertime Blues" was the prototype for the Who's later [and tamer] hit version); and giving them a home on his own Hyperspace label, which comes complete with a fully equipped recording facility, wryly dubbed Electric Randyland. No shadowy, behind-the-scenes operator he, Pratt also plays bass in his own new classic rock quartet called the Lizards, whose lineup features his Hyperspace partner Patrick Klein on guitar, Sir Lord Baltimore alum John Garner and Blue Oyster Cult alum Bobby Rondinelli on drums (Rondinelli's impressive resume also includes touring/recording with Rainbow and Black Sabbath).
"Some of these guys are better than they ever were," Pratt explains of his interest in this genre. "Through years of touring, these bands have live chops that are amazing. The dilemma is that these bands are encouraged to do only the old material. I want to give them the chance to go out and make new art. Back in the '60s, the careers of some amazing blues guys like B.B. King and Albert King had slowed down. But when musicians such as Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page expressed how much they were influenced by them, their careers grew stronger than ever."
Located in Manhasset, NY, Electric Randyland boasts state of the art gear and has hosted sessions by the likes of Jimmy Kunes (Savoy Brown vocalist), former Vanilla Fudge-Dave Mason-Tommy Bolin keyboardist Mark Stein and the Vagrants (Leslie West's first band). Though Manhattan, with its dizzying number of studios and vibrant club scene, is but a few miles away, Long Island, Pratt asserts, has a singular energy that continues to inspire him in his quest to spread the new classic rock gospel. "Long Island was always huge for hard rock. Bands could make serious money playing clubs here because people would always come out and see them."
So with the Lizards on the road in the U.S. (with European and Asian dates forthcoming), supporting a soon to be released live album, (recorded when the band was touring with Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush), Pratt is confident that some of that Long Island energy fans a flame in the rest of the world. At the very least, Pratt knows there's a huge audience out there longing for some hard, merciless rock played with fury and intelligence, and that the Lizards are primed to charge to the forefront of a new wave.
"Subconsciously I think I got the band's name from back in the punk period," Pratt says of his group's reptilian moniker. "Back then it was cute to call a classic band a dinosaur. The way I see it, you were a dinosaur if you were considered a good player because it wasn't cool to be good back then. If the Sex Pistols had continued to tour back then they'd have to cut their fingers off to sound as rough as they were in the beginning. We are crawling out of that trend now."
Contact: dis COMPANY/David Salidor/p-212.245.5909/f-212.956.4126/email-DSalidorcompany@aol.com
KERI KELLI QUITS LA GUNS:
For Immediate Release:
Keri Kelli has unfortunately parted ways with LA Guns due to scheduling conflicts with the Steven Adler project - Adlers Appetite. Keri has had a fantastic time playing with LA Guns, and would like to thank all the fans for their continued support, but now has to concentrate on the Adler project. This includes a forthcoming tour of Europe (Italy, Spain, Holland as well as the UK) and the upcoming recording of an album. Ex-GN'R Izzy Stradlin looks set to also take part in the recording. The split from LA Guns means Keri will not be playing the forthcoming Mexican and European shows, however did stress that if he ever had a free schedule he would be there to fill in and help out. You can check out Adler's Appetite playing a special News Years Eve event with Marky Ramone in Las Vegas!
For more information visit the official Keri Kelli website at www.kerikelli.com
MELODIC BRIEFS:
Jonathan Cain will be joining fans on Journey's Message Board Back Talk Wednesday, December 10, 2003 at 630 p.m. (PST). He will be answering questions and responding to your online posts. Send your questions for Jonathan to Fanclub@journeymusic.com (Deadline 12/09/03).
China are reforming, with their Sign In The Sky line-up to be featured. For those that want details, that means Patrick Mason, John Dommen, Claudio Matteo, Freddy Laurence & Brian Kofmehl will be back at work. The band intends to release the new album but first the come back tour is planned for June 2004. WebLink: www.matteomusic.ch
AWOL UNTIL FRIDAY!:
As mentioned earlier in the news update, I will be away from the site from tonight until Friday. I will be in Melbourne checking out Duran Duran & Robbie Williams on Wednesday night and will be back at work Friday morning for a fresh news update and to address any issues that may arise between now and then. If you have e-mailed me, there is quite a backlog as usual, and I'll do my best to reply to all e-mails by the end of the week.
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