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Feature Interview: Richie Zito
Legendary record producer and session guitarist Richie Zito on Bad English: "I got in early so as we made that record I went through the growing pains and the band went through growing pains of becoming a band. It's sort of like growing up on TV as it were. So they were becoming that band. Even though some of them had those previous relationships, 3 of them having been in The Babys, and Jon and Neal being in Journey together. It was very difficult working out the sociological aspects of that relationship because they're all very strong guys, very talented, came from… it's almost like they were all in situations where they had a degree of autonomy and now they were… having to sort of compromise, not compromise artistically by any means, compromise wasn't the best word, a better word is, finding a way to work together in that particular environment. It was a challenging record. Everyone was on their toes the entire time." |
Richie on the Grunge era: "You can't get mad at anything post 1990. The tide had already changed. Even the Poison record I made, there were times where we felt that we were going to be the ones that showed that bands that came out in the '80s were still viable in the public's eyes. That was one of the biggest disappointments. There were a couple of songs on there that I could have probably maybe showed a more mature Poison and a growth with Richie Kotzen involved. So again, some of those records like Poison's Native Tongue, good, bad, or indifferent, or Tyketto or White Lion's record that I made, again, the dye was already cast.."
Richie on his Avalon record: "It's something that's very special to me, very close to my heart. Most of the stuff that I've done that people would know about through your web site and Serafino's company and lots of other things out there, pretty much is me producing other artists and at the time I produced a lot of those records, those bands contained very talented musicians so I was pretty much, my role was my role. This record, I got a chance to play guitar, I played bass on everything, the keyboards, so it was a very good time for me as a musician."
Read the full interview now!
SITE UPDATES - FEATURE REVIEWS AND NEW STREET TALK INTERVIEW:
There is also a new e-Interview online with Street Talk and Bloodbound founding member Frederik Bergh. Frederik talks about the current StreetTalk classic V and the upcoming second Bloodbound record. Read The Interview.
After a fair break, Feature Reviews have been updated so readers can add their own reviews and comments on a whole range of new and recently released melodic rock records.
There are a lot of titles here, so get ready to type and add all your reviews. This is an important feature to the site - with your reviews you can support the artist if desired, or perhaps send them a message in regards to what you think could have been done a little better.
Right now you can follow the Feature Reviews link and add your reviews for the following titles:
Talisman / 7, Winger / 4, Meatloaf / Bat Out Of Hell 3, Europe / Secret Society, Skid Row / Revolutions Per Minute, Nexx / Another Dawn, Kingdom Come / Ain't Cryin' For The Moon, Leverage / Tides, TNT / Live In Madrid, UFO / The Monkey Puzzle, Eden / Open Minds, Planet Alliance / Planet Alliance, Moonstone Project / Time To Take A Stand, Slamer / Nowhere Land, Sunstorm / Sunstorm, Avalon / Avalon, Taz Taylor Band / Welcome To America, Sammy Hagar / Living It Up, Ten / The Twilight Chronicles, Fair Warning / Brother's Keeper, Axel Rudi Pell / Mystica, Lunatica / Edge Of Infinity and Saracen / Vox In Excelso.
Add Your Reviews Now.
RICHIE ZITO LAUNCHES NEW RECORD LABEL:
He may be the new Feature Interview, but Richie Zito is also in the news for another reason - the launch of a new record label he is a partner in.
Press Release / Music Industry Vet Larry Lee and Former Producer of the Year Richie Zito to Helm with Backing from $12 Billion WMC Mortgage President and CEO Amy Brandt.
Burbank, Calif.--(Business Wire)--A newly formed west-coast based label, Your Music America has opened its doors for business with industry veteran Larry Lee and former Producer of the Year and creator of 40 chart hits, Richie Zito at the helm. YMA will seek out and sign fresh, new talent and develop a rock oriented roster backed with the extensive marketing promotion, production resources enjoyed by major labels.
For funding, Lee and Zito have partnered with the President and CEO of a $12 Billion company, WMC Mortgage topper, Amy Brandt, one of the top female executives in the business world. In 2004, after building WMC into a $12 Billion Mortgage Originator, Brandt, along with her partners, a well-known New York based investment fund, sold WMC to affiliates of General Electric. Under her leadership WMC's monthly production volume soared from $12 million to over $1 billion a month in 2004 and to $3 billion a month in 2006.
The company simultaneously announced its distribution duties will be handled by ADA via Adrenaline (Kevin Day, Fred Croshal and Bob Divney). In other news, a joint venture with Andrew McMahon has also been inked. Lee and Zito are pleased to announce the formation of Airport Tapes and Records ("ATR"). Headed by Andrew McMahon (Something Corporate, Jacks Mannequin) and Your Music America.
Legal matters will be handled by Scott Bradford, who represents a variety of music clients such as Panic! At the Disco, The Shins, and Plain White T's. Your Music America's first artist signing is the band Kessler, a diverse, upbeat group from Dallas who have already delivered a hit track, "Outside Your Window." Selling out clubs from Texas to Louisiana, YMA's Kessler will be produced by Jim Wirt whose credits include Incubus, Hoobastank, Fiona Apple, Live, Something Corporate, and many more. The Kessler album is slated for a February 2007 release.
WebLink: www.yourmusicamerica.com.
Richie had this to say to me about the company: "I'm very proud of the fact that we're starting this new company Your Music America, YMA, and again it's going to be primarily young developing artists but those are the ones that need a place to be creative.
Someone to help them because the bigger companies more or less say, "Look guys, we'd love to help you," it's not that they don't want to help, it's not economically feasible until they get to a certain level. So we're there to pick up the slack. And it's happening. A lot of the new rock bands that are selling a million records, either got their start or quite frankly more than their start are more than happy being with independent record companies. I think that could be a very and already positive thing for rock."
FAIR GROUND AND HAREM SCAREM NEWS:
News from haremscarem.net on both the new Harem Scarem album and guitarist Pete Lesperance's Fair Ground release:
"Fair Ground debut album Down In It is out now and available at CD Baby! Go ahead and order your copy! The brand new Fair Ground website will be up very soon!
Don't forget about Free digital single download of the [Harem Scarem] Human Nature title track, which will be available for the Gold Fan Club members! It's scheduled for December 6th and, last but not least, Harem Scarem website is getting a new look on that day as well.
The song called Be The One that Pete co-wrote with his brother Jason has found its way into a movie called Simple Things. You can hear the track on the movie soundtrack MySpace page, further info is available at MySpace page for the movie itself and you can also download the poster or the movie press release."
Coincidently, Pete dropped me a line yesterday regarding the Fair Ground release. In his own words: "Just thought I'd drop you a line to let you know that the Fair Ground record is finally available on cdbaby.com. Also we will be doing a short radio/promo tour in western Canada the week of the 19th...I'll have more info on the cities and dates soon."
TOMMY SHAW AND JACK BLADES SPREAD THEIR INFLUENCE:
Press Release / What happens with two of today's most successful classic rockers join forces to create an album of songs that have been a source of inspiration for their respective multi-Platinum careers?
The result is Influence, the sophomore album by Shaw Blades, led by Styx/Damn Yankees guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw and Night Ranger/Damn Yankees bassist/vocalist Jack Blades, which is set for release February 20, 2007 on VH1 Classic Records.
The self-produced album was mixed by Noel Golden (Matchbox Twenty, Willie Nelson) and Great White keyboardist/guitarist Michael Lardie. The first single, Your Move, will be serviced to radio in January.
Influence is the duo's first album since their recently re-released 1995 debut, Hallucination. Like the debut--and unlike their history-carving decades as icons in the more hard-rock minded Styx, Night Ranger and Damn Yankees--the latest release is rooted in acoustic guitar and organic production, harvesting a decade of musical influences into 11 tracks (on which Blades and Shaw played all the music except for drums and the occasional keyboards). With classics from the '60s and '70s including the Mamas and the Papas' 'California Dreamin',' Buffalo Springfield's 'For What It's Worth' and Steely Dan's 'Dirty Work,' Influence offers a track-by-track chronology of the musical era that helped define modern rock. Whether the songs are delivered in faithful tribute, as is the case with Simon & Garfunkel's epic masterpiece 'Sounds of Silence,' or given a modern rock transfusion, as in the duo's 1966 folk anthem 'I Am a Rock,' the results are the same, sparkling like a beacon illuminating the mainstream roots of rock and roll's formative years.
"I cringe at the thought of Paul Simon hearing our stuff," laughs Blades, only half-jokingly. "I honor his spirit so much, and I'm such a huge fan. As far as I'm concerned, they invented the word genius to go along with him, and we just wanted to make sure that we did their songs justice. Tommy and I have that special symbiotic relationship that doesn't come along a lot. Simon & Garfunkel also had it, we have a reverence to it, and it was something that we just wanted to dig into."
"As writers, we're like two old friends who finish each other's sentences," adds Shaw. "We became best friends as a result of the music and the experiences we've had because of it."
But Influence isn't about the experiences of Shaw Blades, it's about the inspiration that helped create the experiences. "This album has been years in the making," continues the Styx/Damn Yankees guitarist. "The recording process didn't take years, but the concept had been looming in our conversations for a long time. We'd always sit around with a couple of guitars and play songs we both knew from or younger days, spontaneous harmonizing and all that, and we slowly eased into the idea of making this record".
One of the most prolific duos in the history of hard rock, Shaw and Blades have sold more than 50 million albums amongst their three bands, scored 12 Top 10 singles on the Billboard 'Hot 100' chart, debuted 16 albums in the Billboard 'Top 200' albums chart, and share joint songwriting credits for the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Aerosmith, Cher and Alice Cooper.
Even so, Influence offered the pair an invigorating musical freedom. "With Shaw Blades," offers Blades, "we're able to take liberties that our respective bands couldn't do. We need to be Styx-sounding, we need to fit in that Night Ranger world, and we even need to think about Damn Yankees, so that's what's fun about Shaw Blades--we get to be our alter-egos when we want to be, yet we can truly be ourselves. We grew up singing harmonies and songs with massive vocals, so it's a wonderful thing to have that freedom here. This was a complete labor of love."
In touring news, a U.S. trek is currently in the works and Shaw Blades hope to bring their music to their fans closer to the album release date. "You can always tell a brilliant song, whether it was written 30 years ago or yesterday," says Blades. "Every song we picked is identifiable in its own right, and they're all immediately recognizable. What does that tell you? That the songs are the stars. That's what we wanted to do on this record; we wanted the songs to be the stars. I think that's what we accomplished."
The complete track listing is as follows: Summer Breeze . Time of the Season . Your Move . I Am A Rock . Lucky Man . Sounds of Silence . California Dreamin' . On a Carousel . Dirty Work . For What It's Worth . Dance With Me.
WebLink: www.shawblades.com.
Classics record label to include new recordings, By Phil Gallo.
VH1 Classic is betting that the artistic well has not run dry for the 1970s and '80s artists that fill the channel's video rotation The MTV Network is expanding its VH1 Classics record label to include new recordings.
The first disc of all-new material will come from Shaw/Blades, a band led by Tommy Shaw of Styx and Jack Blades of Night Ranger. Release is slated for the first quarter.
Prior to that release, label will issue a Twisted Sister holiday album with indie imprint Razor & Tie. Today, VH1 Classics is releasing on DVD Kissology, featuring TV appearances in 1974 and 1975 and concert footage from 1976 and '77. Second and third volumes will be released next year.
All VH1 Classic releases will be distributed by Universal Music's Fontana arm. Their deal commences with the Kiss set.
"We're not necessarily saying we're getting in the record business. It's that a lot of artists tell us 'look, we've got a finished album sitting on the shelf and we'd like to get it released'," VH1 general manager Tom Calderone told Daily Variety. "We're already in business with them and they do so much work for us, hosting shows or doing performances, that this is an extension of that relationship. Nobody says 'you have to sell X amount.' This is a goodwill gesture."
MTV Networks has also struck a deal with Wal-Mart to have branded sections in the stores' CD departments. The VH1 Classic area will promote albums on the label, catalog recordings and new albums from so-called "heritage" artists.
Eric Sherman, senior VP and general manager of VH1 Classic, said the label came together after studying the health of catalog sales and after talking to managers about artists such as Shaw and Blade who were still touring regularly. VH1 Classic was already a steady presence in tour sponsorship.
"We have the marketing ability and really have no limits when it comes to marketing an artist or an album," Sherman said.
For the Twisted Sister and Shaw/Blades releases, hourlong specials have already been shot, they have done "Hanging With" specials and their videos will be added to the "Classic Current" program. The acts' songs will be featured on VH1classics.com. Acts are also part of the channel's "Hear Music First" program.
VH1 Classic will continue to release its "Decades Live" shows as CD/DVD packages on the label. Heart is up next; a show featuring the Pretenders and guests is in negotiations. Bonnie Raitt's "Decades Live" album was released jointly by VH1 Classic and her label, Capitol.
Read the full article at: www.variety.com/article/VR1117952949.html.
RONNIE DIO UPDATES FANS:
Ronnie James Dio has posted a brief update to his website, as follows: "Ronnie has been hard at work with Tony Iommi creating new tracks for the forthcoming box set due tentatively in February 2007. The Tenacious D movie "The Pick of Destiny", which marks Ronnie James Dio's acting debut, hits theatres November 22, and Ronnie recently attended the London premiere, followed by a stop at the Classic Rock Awards in London, where Ronnie was awarded the 2006 Metal Guru Award. Finally, Dio ends the year on a high note (go Ronnie!) as the band brings in the new year with a show at Kavarna City Center in Bulgaria."
UPDATE FROM KIVEL RECORDS:
It's been a while since we've had a Kivel Records artist update. Here's the latest:
"So far 2006 has been a blast for us. Now that the fall is upon us we are gearing up for a new onslaught of rockin releases. What better way to start off the fall then with possibly one of the BEST unsung bands of the IL area....Smash Alley!!
We are ecstatic over the addition of Smash Alley to the Kivel line up. The bands long overdue release Too Late To Say No will satisfy fans of good time fun hard rock. The bands album picks up right where the band left off during their IL club days, with such fan faves as Too Late To Say No, Bedroom Window and Died a Thousand Times.
The CD is due to be in stock Nov 13. We have uploaded two sample MP3 at www.myspace.com/kivelrecords. We are now taking pre-orders.
Also in other label news....Bombay Black just kicked ass in the UK at this years Firefest 3 pre-show. The crowd response was great. Look out for the bands Junk Food release also due Nov 13. Take advantage of our buy two get the third half off automatically offer when buying CDs! So here's a chance to catch up on some past release you may have missed from us! Soon after the rest of the bands shows, and the upcoming holidays, Bombay Black will head into the studio to work on studio album three! Not before cleaning out the vaults though. Everyone felt it would be good to go into album three with a clean slate. So a lil "Junk Food" to hold everyone over til the bands next offering is what we have here! 15 blistering Bombay tracks!
Including unreleased material from both albums and live recordings from the bands recent tour through Spain and Arkansas!
Nov 25 BB will be playing with LA Guns and The Bullet Boys. Check the bands site for more details at www.bombayblackmusic.com.
WebLinks: www.kivelrecords.com and www.myspace.com/kivelrecords.
RON KEEL TALKS RE-ISSUES AND LIVE APPEARANCES:
Here is a couple of updates for Ron Keel, taken from Ron's message board:
"I met with Mike Varney (the president of Shrapnel Records, and the man behind the Steeler album and Keel's Lay Down The Law) this evening - actually, we got up on stage together and jammed at a club here in Vegas called the Tailspin. Sang some ZZ Top & Zeppelin...had a great time hanging together.
We finalized our plans to release the digitally re-mastered CD of Lay Down The Law - a state-of-the-art digi-pak with rare photos, the story behind the band and the album, and enhanced video concert footage from Keel's debut performance at The Country Club in Reseda/L.A. from May 27 1984.
We have worked for years to make this happen, and I think it's safe to say that there's a light at the end of the tunnel - no confirmed release date yet, but I'd bet we're looking at early '07.
I am excited to be back in Hollywood this Saturday night, November 11, when I return there for the first time in almost 15 years to participate in an incredible night of Rock N Roll.
I will bring the solo acoustic "Alone At Last" show with me as I open up for Exile Social Club, a new all star LA Supergroup consisting of Chuck Wright, Pat Torpey, Jason Hook, and David Victor - all current or former members of Quiet Riot, Mr. Big, the Vince Neil band, Alice Cooper, Montrose, and many others.
The evening will be hosted by ex-Skid Row drummer-turned-stand up comic Phil Varone, and feature many special guests from the rock and metal circle, concluding with an all-star jam.
For tickets and other info visit: theexilesocialclub.com and www.vinestreetlounge.com.
STEVE HACKETT COMMENTS ON GENESIS REUNION:
Original Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett commented about the forthcoming Genesis reunion tour:
"First of all I would like to congratulate Tony, Mike and Phil for flying the flag once again. Good luck to them and I really hope they have a very successful tour.
I was originally approached to discuss the possibility of a five piece which would have included Peter Gabriel and yours truly but since Peter's schedule precludes this, it makes sense for the other three to celebrate the band in their 'own special way' as it were ...."
Steve's new solo record is titled Wild Orchids.
MELODIC BRIEFS:
Tom Cochrane's new album No Stranger made its debut on the Canadian Album Chart at No. 25 this week.
VH1 have started work on Metal Mania Stripped Vol III for release early next year.
According to April Wine singer Myles G. the new album Roughly Speaking will be out November 15.
GlamMetal.com just posted an interview with Nikki Sixx, an Alice Cooper Halloween review and also a review of Paul Stanley's NYC solo tour performance. Check it all out at www.glammetal.com.
Rockpages web magazine have posted 2 new interviews - one with Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band members Clarence Clemons & Little Steven and the other with Twisted Sister - Dee Snider, Jay Jay French, Mark Mendoza and Eddie Ojeda. The respective links are: Twisted Sister and E Street Band.
UPDATING GUSN N ROSES IN PORTLAND:
Some adverse publicity following Guns N Roses' Portland concert cancellaton have seen Axl Rose and his manager both comment publicly.
First - this from: news.mainetoday.com/updates/007865.html.
"Axl Rose took the brunt of the criticism for the decision, but said his management team cancelled the show because it was concerned about fire inspectors' decision to enforce alcohol regulations.
The band and fire inspectors had a dispute over alcohol regulations hours before the show was scheduled to begin. The band's tour producer felt the band was targeted for stricter alcohol rules than other acts and was worried the dispute would escalate to a level that fans would be affected.
A state fire marshal denied that claim, saying state regulations that prohibit entertainers and their support crews from drinking alcohol during performances is applied across-the-board.
In an e-mail sent to the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram early Wednesday, Rose mentioned concert cancelations and disputes that triggered riots in the past.
"The professionals around me felt that Portland was a potentially explosive situation that could have had a somewhat similar result," Rose said.
The manager, Merck Mercuriadis, added in the e-mail the decision cost the band approximately $200,000."
The band's manager had this to say on the fan site Here Today & Gone To Hell:
"I [Merck] normally do not respond on [Here Today & Gone To Hell!] but a number of your posts have been brought to my attention today and I feel it is right to take the time to dispel the negative speculation through a statement of facts.
1. The show in Portland was cancelled last night because the fire marshall made it impossible for us to believe we could do our show without putting at risk the safety of the fans and the band. They made it clear that they intended to harrass our fans, crew and the band through enforcing rules and regulations that are 200 years old to an extent that has not been applied to other artists and that we believed would make the gig a potential time bomb that would explode. Our production manager Chris Gratton is a seasoned pro who has worked with everyone from Korn to R Kelly and has terrific relationships with fire marshalls and authorities all over the world. This is the first time he has ever come to us and said this is a dangerous situation and these people intend to use their authority in a negative way against our fans, our band and our crew and I need you to do something about it.
"The cancellation had nothing to do with pyro or ticket sales. Putting our fans, band and crew first cost $200,000 [Monday] night so we did not make the decision without great thought and care and it was made in consultation with our agents and our promoter both of whom lost money as a result and both of whom supported our decision 100% as they too could see that the authorities were more than overzealous in their approach. For all of you to be speculating without any knowledge or credible information that the responsibility for this is Axl's or the band's is nonsense. This band has performed more than 50 shows this year without incident and had every intention of performing last night. They did not perform because we the professionals around the band stopped them as we did not feel it was safe for them or for the fans. We take our responsibility to the band seriously and we take our responsibility to the fans seriously. Now if you want to vent your spleens about this do it to the people responsible i.e. the fire marshalls. We named them for a reason. They are the reason why the Cumberland County Civic Center did not rock [Monday] night.
2. I see a number of people flaming [online site] moderators for removing posts at our request. I understand that you feel that we are using our influence to censor you. We are not. If someone wants to express their opinion or critique the band and its performances, recordings, actions etc. that does not bother us but when you spread lies and disinformation about everything from ticket sales to release dates to how Pollstar calculate their chart we will use our relationship with Jarmo [moderator] to shut you down because you cause chaos and confusion and you try to take something good and turn it into something ugly. When GN'R gets on stage every night for two and a half hours, it is a positive force. The thousands of fans who are there every night lose themselves and have a great time. That is what rock 'n' roll is all about but unfortunately the 300 of you that aren t even at the gigs spread a negativity that does not reflect the reality at all as evidenced by the original thread on the Meadowlands show. We were there. We saw 11,000 fans having a great time. We had a great time. For the people in the room it was a great night but it wasn't to be for those of you at home sitting around your computers.
3. Ticket sales. Guns N' Roses have sold almost 200,000 tickets already for this run and we still have 7 weeks to go. We have sold almost 50,000 tickets in the New York area alone this year between Hammerstein Ballroom, the Meadowlands and Madison Square Garden on the back of one interview with Ed Trunk and before the album has come out. Most bands do not go to Portland, Maine because it is what the music business calls a 'soft market' but we had a lot of letters from fans in the area and we were determined to play there regardless of whether it was 'only' 3500 people. We are doing something positive in a negative world. If you are with us fantastic. If you want to live your live in an adverse way stay at home.
4. This is from Axl: "I would like to apologise to all of the fans in Maine for the show not happening last night. It was important for us to play there and it is a shame that what should have been a great night for all of us was not possible due to the actions of two people. I agree with and ultimately take responsibility for the end decision not to jeopardise the safety of the fans, the crews, the bands and myself as a result of the methods of these particularly draconian authorities. We are not trying to get away or get out of anything or pull a fast one by combining ticket sales as has been speculated. There are reasons that I have not spoken more about Montreal and Philadelphia that have been extremely complicated and are not legally resolved behind the scenes to this day and could have possibly jeopardized the future of Guns N' Roses.
"We have chosen to take the public heat for these events in order to have another shot at the future today with a new album. The professionals around me felt that Portland was a potentially explosive situation that could have had a somewhat similar result based on the behaviour of the two aforementioned fire marshals (it's not my 1st barbeque!) had the fans been given entry to the building and the show started. In respect of these opinions, our fans, the people of Portland, and the bands scheduled to play with us that night, unfortunately the only sensible decision was not to take that chance. We hope to find another way to play for you in the future. Thanks for even trying to see us. It sincerely is much more than appreciated."
Now, that said and posted, I also have word from someone working on this show that: "It was really more that once the band found out they couldn't have open beer bottles on stage (a safety issue an town ordinance), they then pulled out of the show."
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