Thursday 21 March 2013

Hawkwind Warrior On The Edge of Time Various Limited formats!!!


ATOMHENGE, the home of HAWKWIND’s catalogue from 1975 – 1997, are pleased to announce the long awaited release of a definitive edition of the classic 1975 album "WARRIOR ON THE EDGE OF TIME”. Recorded in 1975, the album is a ground-breaking classic of Hawkwind’s career. Featuring a line-up of DAVE BROCK, NIK TURNER, LEMMY, SIMON HOUSE, SIMON KING & ALAN POWELL, the album is arguably one of the finest rock albums of the mid-1970s. 

 This Atomhenge edition marks the first time that the original analogue stereo master tapes have been used for a remastered edition. This set also features the single B-side "Motorhead” as a bonus track. This edition of "WARRIOR ON THE EDGE OF TIME” is a definitive remaster of this classic album.       

In addition to the standard edition there are also two Boxed sets

The Three disc set details are here:THE LONG AWAITED OFFICIAL EXPANDED 3 DISC DELUXE REMASTERED EDITION OF HAWKWIND’S CLASSIC 1975 ALBUM

FEATURING THE FIRST EVER REMASTERED VERSION MADE FROM THE ORIGINAL ANALOGUE MASTER TAPES ON CD ONE PLUS 8 BONUS TRACKS, FIVE PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

CD TWO FEATURES A NEW STEREO MIX BY STEVEN WILSON MADE FROM THE MULTI-TRACK MASTER TAPES PLUS 5 BONUS TRACKS, TWO PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

DISC THREE – NTSC REGION FREE DVD FEATURING NEW 5.1 SURROUND & STEREO MIXES OF "WARRIOR ON THE EDGE OF TIME” BY STEVEN WILSON & A 96 kHz 24-BIT FLAT TRANSFER OF THE ORIGINAL 1975 STEREO MASTER TAPES

ALSO FEATURES BOOKLET WITH PHOTOS, MEMORABILIA & ESSAY


The Super Deluxe Edition is described here :
A SUPER DELUXE BOXED SET OF THE LONG AWAITED OFFICIAL & EXPANDED REMASTERED EDITION OF HAWKWIND’S CLASSIC 1975 ALBUM
A STRICTLY LIMITED COLLECTORS EDITION

FEATURING THE FIRST EVER REMASTERED VERSION MADE FROM THE ORIGINAL ANALOGUE MASTER TAPES ON CD ONE PLUS 8 BONUS TRACKS, FIVE PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

CD TWO FEATURES A NEW STEREO MIX BY STEVEN WILSON MADE FROM THE MULTI-TRACK MASTER TAPES PLUS 5 BONUS TRACKS, TWO PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

DISC THREE – NTSC REGION FREE DVD FEATURING NEW 5.1 SURROUND & STEREO MIXES OF "WARRIOR ON THE EDGE OF TIME” BY STEVEN WILSON & A 96 kHz 24-BIT FLAT TRANSFER OF THE ORIGINAL 1975 STEREO MASTER TAPES

D
ISC FOUR - 180g VINYL LP FACSIMILE EDITION WITH "SHIELD” GATEFOLD SLEEVE & INNER BAG (cut from the original analogue cutting master tapes)

ALSO INCLUDES: § DELUXE 48 PAGE BOOK WITH PHOTOS, MEMORABILIA & ESSAY § A REPRODUCTION OF THE AMERICAN IN-STORE PROMOTIONAL POSTER § A REPLICA CONCERT TICKET FROM DETROIT IN 1975 § THREE PROMOTIONAL POSTCARDS


Obviously we here at Classic Rock radio highly recommend the Super deluxe Boxed set  although the three disc set is also an inviting option. Ordering details and costs can be found by clicking on the links below 
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=4119 (box set)

http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=4120 (three disc)

http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=4121 (standard)

Tuesday 19 March 2013

Gamma Ray to release “Master Of Confusion” on March 18th, 2013


Gamma Ray to release “Master Of Confusion” on March 18th, 2013
via earMUSIC

‘Master Of Confusion’ and ‘Empire Of The Undead’ are the first two new studio songs by Gamma Ray to be released after the successful studio album “To The Metal!” which brought Gamma Ray at the highest positions in the charts worldwide.

“We have been away for quite some time”, declared guitarist and founding member Kai Hansen.  “We have released what we consider a very beautiful live product, ‘Live – Skeletons & Majesties’, but we felt it was time to release some new music by the Rayz…
Yes, we planned to have an album ready by now but deadlines are not our best friends. No, seriously, although we have already started working on the new album, we did not want to wait any longer and thought we should let the fans listen to these two new songs before the world tour with Helloween. We have also recorded cover versions of two songs we have always loved and… before anybody could say that a CD can feature more minutes of music… we are also releasing the live material recorded for the ‘Skeletons’ Blu-ray that could not be included on the live CD.
OK, it’s not a new album. But it’s 60 minutes of music… call it the longest single in metal, if you like!”

With its 60 minutes of pure and raw Gamma Ray, “Master Of Confusion” is a great way to wait for the new album, scheduled for the end of 2013. Coinciding with the start of the “Hellish Rock, Part II” tour, “Master Of Confusion” will be released on March 15th, 2013 via earMUSIC.
Gamma Ray always takes its music and the relationship with their fans very seriously, and the band wanted this release to be priced as a mid price mini-album.

Kai & Co are not afraid to celebrate their peculiarity with humour and irony.
Reading the lyrics of the song ‘Master Of Confusion’ not too many clarifications are necessary…
Gamma Ray are indeed the masters of confusion, a trait all the fans and also the music industry had no option than to accept and appreciate. They bring chaos to other people’s lives, they miss important deadlines, they reschedule the release of the desperately awaited new long player, but they never miss a show, they never let a fan down, and in a world of calculated and career-driven rock stars, they are among the few remaining honest true heavy metal heroes.
 In addition to the brand new studio song, “Master Of Confusion” features a second new studio track: ‘Empire Of The Undead’, showing the heavier side of the band, with an explosion of energy and pure Gamma Ray sound at its best.
The release is not free from tasty rarities: a brand new studio cover versions of British Glam Rock band Sweet (Lost Angels’ - “the reason I have joined a band many years ago”, stated Hansen) and a hidden treasure of NWOBHM (‘Death Or Glory’ by Holocaust).

“Master Of Confusion” is rounded off with six live versions (‘The Spirit,’ ‘Wings Of Destiny,’ ‘Farewell,’ ‘Gamma Ray,’ ‘Time To Break Free’ and ‘Insurrection’ recorded in Bochum) that were already included on the Blu-ray “Live – Skeletons & Majesties” but were not featured on the CD release (which included the show recorded in Pratteln).

Tracklist
A Side
1. Empire Of The Undead (new studio track)
2. Master Of Confusion (new studio track)
B Side
3. Death Or Glory (Holocaust studio cover version)
4. Lost Angels (Sweet studio cover version)
C Side*
5. The Spirit / 6. Wings Of Destiny / 7. Gamma Ray
8. Farewell / 9. Time To Break Free / 10. Insurrection
*Recorded live in Bochum

Gamma Ray are also special guests on the Helloween “HELLISH ROCK PART II” Tour which extends into June Dates below,


21.03. Bratislava – NTC – Aegon Arena (SK)
22.03. Prague - Tesla Aréna (CZ)
23.03. Zlín - Hala Euronics (CZ)
24.03. Brezno - Sport Hall (CZ)
26.03. Krakow - Studio (PL)
27.03. Warsaw - Stodola (PL)
29.03. Helsinki - The Circus (FIN)
30.03. Tampere - Pakkahuone (FIN)
31.03. Oulu - Teatria (FIN)
02.04. Oslo - Rockefeller (NOR)
04.04. Stockholm - Arenan (S)
05.04. Karlstad - Nöjesfabriken (S)
06.04. Gotheburg - Lisebergshallen (S)
08.04. Paris - Olympia (F)
09.04. Saarbrücken - Garage (GER)
10.04. Langen - Neue Stadthalle (GER)
12.04. Kaufbeuren - Allgäu Event Center (GER)
13.04. Bochum - Ruhrcongress (GER)
14.04. Mons - PPM-Fest / Lotto Mons Expo (B)
16.04. London - HMV Forum (UK)
18.04. Hamburg - Docks (GER)
19.04. Geiselwind - Music Hall (GER)
20.04. Balingen - Volksbankmesse (GER)
21.04. Schwandorf - Oberpfalzhalle (GER)

28.05. Kiev - CKM „Nau (UKR)
30.05. Minsk - Concert Hall (BLR)

01.06. Moscow - Arena (RUS)
02.06.  Sankt Petersburg - Kosmonavt, (RUS)


TRIAXIS UNVEIL "BLACK TRINITY" MUSIC VIDEO



TRIAXIS UNVEIL "BLACK TRINITY" MUSIC VIDEO
South Wales metallers Triaxis unveil the music video for "Black Trinity" taken from the acclaimed album "Rage and Retribution".
This is another beautiful step forward for Triaxis, on a high with the latest album taken to heart by press and fans alike and now a string of captivating live performances in UK and Europe.

"a sustained onslaught of triumphant melodies, blazing solos and brisk rhythmic precision" Metal Hammer
"brilliant melodic heavy metal.. add some glorious progressive shred.. gets to the point and hammers it home with great power and a lot of class" Powerplay

Formed in 2006, the band underwent a few line-up changes before bursting onto the UK metal scene with the self-released debut album "Key To The Kingdom", capped by sensational appearances at Bloodstock Open Air and Hammerfest.

Having opened eyes and ears, the band then spent 2011 predominantly writing their sophomore album which was released in October 2012 on Rocksector and projected the band to the front of the metal scene and prompted full page features in Metal Hammer and Terrorizer.
Band members Krissie Kirby (vocals), Giles Wilson (drums), CJ Hale (guitars), Owen Crawford (bass) and Glyn Williams (guitars) are now oozing confidence and touring the new record with a vengeance. 

As well as 2012's return to Bloodstock, a genuinely triumphant return to Hammerfest took place in March 2013. The band also played Europe for the first time and the response was quite glorious. 

The current tour continues with the following performances, mainly at summer festivals but also including an exciting show in Manchester on 
April 18th opening for Queensryche, also with Absolva....

Other dates Confirmed are......

March: 23rd Belgium, Aalter, Wizzfest, 
April: 18th Manchester, The Ritz (w/Queensryche), 
26th Ebbw Vale, Odin's, 
May: 3rd Burnley, Sanctuary, 
4th Liverpool, The Lomax, 
June: 29th Scotland, LesFest (acoustic), 
30th Scotland, LesFest (electric),
July: 20th Manchester, SOS Festival (acoustic), 
21st Manchester, SOS Festival (electric), 
August: 10th Belgium, Erpe-Mere, Summerrock, 
24th Stoke, SCARfest, September: 7th Shildon, Cradle will Rock Fest.

The "Black Trinity" video was directed by Adam Stevenson and filmed at Swansea Metropolitan University in September 2012. The video can be viewed by clicking on this link.... 


Band website www.triaxis.info
Label website www.rocksector.com

Sunday 17 March 2013

"Hats Off To Led Zeppelin" - a fitting tribute

There are very few people who would claim to have seen Led Zeppelin doing pub gigs. By the time the lineup had decided that they could not work as the Yardbirds they were also recognised as far too big a draw to go on the pub circuits. Their first gigs at the Marquee Club proved that fans who had followed the Yardbirds had fully embraced Led Zeppelin and new manager Peter Grant was skilfully manipulating bookers and larger venues to build on that running start. Chances are then if you saw Led Zeppelin it was in a very big room or a stadium would have been nice to have them local though would it not? This brings us to tributes to Led Zepp everybody likes to bash out a bit of Led even me (badly) some bands have it in their blood quite literally. If you were friends or colleagues of the President of the United States or of the genuine Led Zeppelin this year you could have sat and wept at the sheer beauty of the tribute paid by Jason Bonham and Heart, I will play that clip of 'Stairway' until I am called up those stairs ( though certain people have suggested I might be doing the bookings at the other venue) and if Jason and his own band decide to tour the UK I will be there. A few weeks ago I heard that a UK tribute band were going to have a gig at 'The Brooklands Tap' which is very local to me tempered by Jason and friends performance I simply had to go . The band in question was 'Hats Off To Led Zeppelin" and a little research revealed they are very well liked, which built my expectations of a very good night of classic rock. Classic Rock is a funny thing and Zeppelin doubly so because we have heard, absorbed and enjoyed it so many times hearing a live performance brings automatic comparisons with the original vinyl. I know how the phrasing of a song sounds on the album the odd half missed note squeaky strings and kick pedals it is all imprinted but by far the most important factor how it feels when the volume is up high and proud. We were in a fairly modest sized room packed to the seams with rock fans in such a situation it is easy for the Soundman to go Batcrap crazy, turn everything up to 10 and slope off for a beer out of harms way. Happily good sense prevailed at the 'Tap' and the sound was comfortably loud ,clear and free from feedback proving there is no need for the audience to leave a gig hearing impaired. From the first riff it was very obvious that the band feel the same way about Led Zeppelin as I do little details such as the way Robert Plant sings a word is pleasingly just right, how the drumming compliments the guitar riffs rather than being a rhythmic addition to them just as Bonzo would have done it.The welcome appearance of a double neck SG really was icing on this cake few have the kahunas to wield a double but if you are going to be Zepp then you really have to hitch em up high and go for it, just about everything else I'd want about a Led Zeppelin gig was there including some rather fine refreshments. The only missing authentic touch would have been a bunch of crazies outside selling knock off T Shirts and bootlegs before being chased off by the roadies - (happy days). Rock and Roll is one of the songs everybody knows but often gets overlooked on radio (not by us BTW) and is a staple of Led Zeppelin performances a superb up tempo blues romp that starts with that instantly recognisable drum solo and Hats Off To Led Zeppelin nailed it perfectly galloping through it with the audience rocking away. With a start like that I was quickly relaxing into the set letting it flow over me, this was what I remember of Zepp when I was unfeasibly young, glancing at the people surrounding me it was easy to see that just about everybody was riding that wave. I completely forgot to write down the set list as the magic poured off the stage, when I spoke to the band post gig they admitted it was just going so well they were carried away and far from certain exactly what was played. So from what I can recall prompted by the band the great first half included We're Gonna Groove, The Ocean, Trampled Underfoot. However the second set was just plain inspired and featured (in no particular order because frankly I was just lost in the moment, refreshment and a sea of people) Kashmir, The Immigrant Song,Black Dog and more which all flew by. The final songs were/had to include Stairway, Heartbreaker, Wearing and Tearing and last off Whole Lotta Love which just about everybody was mouthing the words? might have been singing too er possibly I was. So in conclusion I'd say if you want to see Led Zeppelin and you are not Dr Who this is your best chance to experience what it could have been back when the Prog bands ruled the earth. I have been told that on bigger gigs they costume up - so time to break out the flowery shirt unbuttoned halfway down and give the velvet jacket the chance of an outing.

Thursday 14 March 2013

BLACK STAR RIDERS ANNOUNCE DEBUT ALBUM TITLE,
TRACK LISTING & WORLDWIDE RELEASE DATES












BLACK STAR RIDERS, the new band featuring THIN LIZZY members Ricky Warwick, Damon Johnson, Scott Gorham and Marco Mendoza together with drummer Jimmy DeGrasso (Alice Cooper / Megadeth), have announced All Hell Breaks Loose as the title of their debut album on Nuclear Blast Entertainment, which will be released worldwide on the following dates:

May 21st - Japan
May 22nd -Sweden
May 24th - Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Norway
May 27th - U.K., France, BeNeLux, Poland, Czech Republic, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Greece
May 28th - U.S., Canada, Italy, South America

About the origin of the album title, BLACK STAR RIDERS frontman Ricky Warwick states:

“I was watching a documentary about World War II bombers and saw the name painted on the side of one of the aircraft. The name just resonated with me and it seem to encapsulate the turmoil that we, as a society, are currently experiencing. The past few years have been such a wild ride and now with the release of the album, it sounded like a bad-ass album title that summed up what BLACK STAR RIDERS is all about.”

Produced & mixed by the legendary Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, Rush), the track listing for All Hell Breaks Loose is:

01. All Hell Breaks Loose
02. Bound For Glory
03. Kingdom Of The Lost
04. Bloodshot
05. Kissin’ The Ground
06. Hey Judas
07. Hoodoo Voodoo
08. Valley Of The Stones
09. Someday Salvation
10. Before The War
11. Blues Ain't So Bad

The album will be released as a standard CD and also as a special edition digi-pak featuring a bonus track “Right To Be Wrong” and a “Making of” DVD.

A 24-minute compilation of behind-the-scenes video reports from the band’s studio time in Los Angeles can be viewed on YouTube: http://youtu.be/JEx9gD8RPz8
Confirmed festival appearances for BLACK STAR RIDERS include:

June 1st Hi Rock Festival - Inzell, Germany
June 2nd Hi Rock Festival - St. Goarshausen, Germany
June 8th Sweden Rock Festival - Solvesborg, Sweden
Nov. 29th Hard Rock Hell - N. Wales, U.K.
More tour dates to be announced shortly. 

Visit BLACK STAR RIDERS online at: 



Wednesday 13 March 2013

Conspiracy LIVE Released April 9th CD/DVD Package!



On April 9, 2013, Purple Pyramid (a subsidiary of Cleopatra Records) will release a special CD/DVD combo of CONSPIRACY LIVE featuring the giants of prog rock, Chris Squire and Billy Sherwood (both currently or formerly with Yes).

The CD has been remastered to fully enhance the unmistakable vocals of Chris Squire, and the exceptional, intricate musicianship spearheaded by Billy Sherwood. Sherwood said the recording was “a very special and unique event. It has stood the test of time…” From the modern classic title track to the more moody downtempo “Red Light Ahead,” CONSPIRACY LIVE showcases renditions of songs from both Conspiracy studio albums, as well as from Squire’s FISH OUT OF WATER, which as 

Sherwood says, “has hardly ever been played live.”

Bonus material on the DVD includes interviews with the band - Chris Squire (bass, guitar, vocals), Billy Sherwood (guitar, vocals), Jay Schellen (drums), Michael Sherwood (keyboards, vocoder, vocals) and Scott Walton (keyboards, synth bass) – as well as behind-scenes footage and a photo gallery.
CD TRACK LIST
  1. Conspiracy
  2. Days Of Wonder
  3. New World
  4. Red Light Ahead
  5. Confess 
  6. The More We Live
  7. Hold Out Your Hand / You By My Side
  8. Universal Garden
DVD TRACKLIST
  1. Conspiracy
  2. Days Of Wonder
  3. Universal Garden
  4. New World
  5. The More We Lice
  6. Hold Out Your Hand
  7. You By My Side
  8. Confess
  9. Red Light Ahead

Quicksilver Messenger Service Important Archive Release! April 9th



On April 9, 2013, Purple Pyramid (a subsidiary of Cleopatra Records) will release a 2-CD live Quicksilver Messenger Service recording from June 7, 1968 at the legendary Fillmore.

The extensive liner notes by Dave Thompson illustrate the historical context for the aural trip on which this collection sets the listener out. Quicksilver had already conquered the Monterey Pop Festival, already signed to Capitol making them label mates with the Beatles, and were so familiar to Fillmore audiences (this was not their first appearance at a Fillmore venue) the line was around the block for the bill which included Steppenwolf and Electric Flag. Drugs were a enhancing factor in the creativity and the experience, and there was no set list; the night was organic, free-flowing, and extraordinary.

From the crowd-favorites “Pride of Man” and the jammy “Acapulco Gold & Silver” to the soulful covers of Bo Diddley’s “Mona” and Willie Dixon’s “Back Door Man,” there’s a definitive transport back to the era, but also a genuine rock ethic that holds water today. Gritty, earnest vocals from Gary Duncan, his twin guitar interplay with John Cipollina, and David Freiberg’s bass meshing with Greg Elmore’s drums, as Thompson writes, “kicks in where your senses have yet to travel.”


DISC 1
  1. Pride Of Man
  2. If You Live (Your Time Will Come)
  3. Dino’s Song 
  4. Smokestack Lightnin’
  5. Codine
  6. Light Your Windows
  7. Mona
  8. Calvary
DISC 2
  1. Back Door Man
  2. Acapulco Gold & Silver
  3. Who Do You Love?
  4. The Fool

Tom Keifer Solo Album The Way Life Goes Released May 6th



‘THE WAY LIFE GOES’
THE LONG-AWAITED, HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED DEBUT SOLO ALBUM
DUE OUT IN THE UK 6th MAY 2013
SET TO LAUNCH FIRST-EVER SOLO TOUR IN USA

Best known as the singer/songwriter/guitarist of the Philadelphia-based Blues-Rock band Cinderella, TOM KEIFER is making his debut as a solo artist with the release of his long-awaited and highly-anticipated solo album, THE WAY LIFE GOES, May 6th via Merovee Records (through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group).

The collection of 14 new songs ranges from intimate, organic, acoustic tracks to driving hard rock. It embraces the blues, rock and country roots that have always been present in his unique sound that has generated the sale of over 15 million records worldwide for Cinderella. Rolling Stone praised KEIFER as “a gritty, bluesy (rocker) with enough genuine swagger to draw comparisons to Mick Jagger.”

THE WAY LIFE GOES is a raw, introspective look at the roller coaster ride that has been KEIFER’s life for the past 15 years. From being told that he would never sing again as a result of a partially paralyzed left vocal cord, to the emotional and personal battles that followed, his solo debut is a story of perseverance, a testament to the power of passion and will, when combined with a true love of music.

KEIFER launched his first-ever solo tour in the USA on February 9 2013 in Winston-Salem, NC at Ziggy’s. The 14-city trek of small, intimate rooms was an up-close and personal preview of songs from THE WAY LIFE GOES along with some Cinderella classics. The tour was extremely successful, and additional dates are being booked in the USA for the April / May 2013.


Complete track listing for THE WAY LIFE GOES:

1. Solid Ground
2. A Different Light
3. It’s Not Enough
4. Cold Day In Hell
5. Thick And Thin
6. Ask Me Yesterday
7. Fools Paradise
8. The Flower Song
9. Mood Elevator
10. Welcome To My Mind
11. You Showed Me
12. Ain’t That A Bitch
13. The Way Life Goes

Tuesday 12 March 2013

Peter Banks An Appreciation 1947-2013


I have found that as I get older more and more musicians that I admire are passing away. Whilst this is to be expected and happens in everyday life I still feel incredibly sad when a musician that I admire passes away no matter in many cases that I have never met them.
In the case of Peter Banks I was lucky to meet him and remain in contact with him until his death last week at the age of 65. The details of his death are not known to me and if I am honest that is not the important thing; it is however dreadfully sad that he has died at a relatively young age.

I first became aware of Peter when the first Flash album came out in 1972. I was not aware when I got the first Flash album that peter had indeed been a member of Yes in fact a founder member and had played in a band with Chris Squire called The Syn and also the pre Yes band Mabel Greer’s Toyshop”. I read about that once I started to dig a little deeper.

I first met Peter personally when the MD of the record company that had released the Yes album “Something’s Coming invited me down to London to interview Peter about the album. We met up at the appointed time to find that the record company offices were closed so we went to the pub and had a chat. I was immediately impressed with Peter’s knowledge of music and also his sense of humour.

When we finally got back to the office we recorded the interview the transcript of which will be in my forthcoming book of interviews with the various and many members of Yes. Peter was very honest about the album and also brutally honest about the lo fi nature of the album but explained that in those days no one really considered recording sessions that important and time was of the essence and you rarely had chance to listen to what you had recorded and once recorded it would be broadcast and that was basically it. This dissatisfaction also extended to the first two Yes albums  and like the BBC sessions Peter admitted that he always heard the mistakes. He did however concede that the albums were what they were and overall he thought they were good

Some of the broadcasts contained on the album sounded very raw and Peter explained that he had recorded them himself “off air” hence the raw quality to the recording. For many Yes fans however these recordings were of immense importance as the early days of the band had only previously been represented by the two studio albums Yes and Time And A Word.


 














The conversation continued and Peter was happy to talk about Flash and his solo career. Following that meeting we remained in touch and met up occasionally, notably in late 1999 when Geoff Downes got married. We spoke on the phone and we were trying to arrange a time to talk about the pre Yes days and the first two Yes albums for the Book but Peter was very focused on the recording he was doing which presumably would have formed the basis for his next album. He was keen to talk to me however and I was hopeful that we could arrange something. Sadly that was not to be.

Peter seemed to be at least by the press regarded as the “Lost” yes man however the fan base certainly did not regard Peter as lost or even remotely missing and whenever Peter met fans he was always happy to talk about anything musical including his time with yes and was grateful for the fans interest in his work.

As I sit here writing this piece I am listening to the Yes version of Every Little Thing which has an incredible opening guitar work out from Peter. Really there was nothing like Peter at the time and in many ways there still isn't  He was unique and as Steve Howe said in his interview about his early period with Yes following Peter’s departure.

 I really liked what he played and really he did set the scene for me very well because he was an quite an original guitarist and he did colour it with different styles”

It is however Peter the man I remember. I was thrilled to be mentioned in Peter’s autobiography which was published in the late nineties and in it Peter said some nice things about me and regarded me as a friend which was a nice thing to say

I will always remember Peter as a lovely guy with a cynical nature but the cynicism could be tinged with humour and Peter always had a keen sense of humour.

Nobody should be under any illusions about Peter’s contribution to Yes. He was a founder member and his guitar style and playing was a huge part of the bands original sound. Without him the band would have sounded an incredibly different.

 Peter Brockbanks aka Peter Banks 15th July 1947-8th March 2013

Jon Kirkman March 2013

You can buy the three Flash albums and Peter's solo album The Two Sides of Peter Banks directly from Esoteric here
http://www.esotericrecordings.com/

And you can watch an excellent and in depth interview with Peter here:
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/other/cherryredtv/interviews.htm


Monday 11 March 2013

New Killer Shoes New Album and Tour With Adam Ant!


NEW KILLER SHOES CONFIRMED AS MAIN SUPPORT FOR ADAM ANT TOUR


Fast rising Birmingham rockers New Killer Shoes have been confirmed as main support for the upcoming Adam Ant tour from a pool of over 500 bands who were jostling for the slot.  Adam Ant himself personally chose the band after being impressed with what he saw and heard.


New Killer Shoes deliver a unique blend of Rock, Ska and Punk which reflect their humble roots on the streets of the UK's second city. Having recently returned from a Europe-wide tour with Seattle's Brad (featuring a member of Pearl Jam), the band are primed and ready to hit the road again with the iconic genius that is Adam Ant!

With their debut album, I AIN'T EVEN LYIN’ dropping on the 22nd of April preceded by super-catchy single PRETTY RECKLESS, New Killer Shoes are certainly a star in ascendancy.

Adam Ant commented:

"I have selected New Killer Shoes to support me on my forthcoming live dates. They have impressed me greatly with their young fresh sound, their enthusiasm and energy.  I know they will go down very well with my fans."

Jon Kings, frontman from New Killer Shoes said:

“ We’re super-excited about playing alongside Adam Ant – he’s a proper Icon.  We’re loving his new album & can’t wait to hear it played live.   It’s going to be a great tour & a lot of fun.


Christopher Cross: A Night In Paris CD/DVD Released In April






5 Time Grammy winner Christopher Cross, best known for hits including
Arthur's Theme, Sailing and Ride Like The Wind
releases A Night in Paris - his first live 2CD and DVD set on 8th April
Through earMUSIC.

A Night in Paris was recorded on the European leg of Christopher's tour in April 2012,
at the Theatre Le Trianon in Paris and features all his hits as well as some material
From his current album Doctor Love. Over the years Cross has collaborated with musicians including
The Beach Boys, The Doobie Brothers and The Eagles and has sold over 20 million albums
Worldwide.

After the release of the studio album “Doctor Faith“, Christopher Cross started one of his biggest tours in Europe in the last 15 years. “A Night In Paris” is the first live 2CD/DVD by Christopher Cross, which was filmed at the notorious Theatre Le Trianon in Paris, France in April 2012.  It will be released on April 8th, 2013 via earMUSIC.


While the previous tours showed a more acoustic (at times even jazzy) approach, Cross decided that for the ‘Doctor Faith’ tour he would go back to his musical roots and expanded his band to include a more classical “rock line-up“: Andy Suzuki (keyboards, sax), Dave Beyer (drums), Chazz Frichtel (bass, vocals), Kiki Ebsen (keyboards, vocals), Richie Gajate Garcia (percussion) and famous sound engineer Ross Pallone (Michael Jackson, Alice Cooper, Elton John...)

The 90 minutes show is impeccable, the new material is fused beautifully with all the songs the audience is expecting. The wonderful theatre gives the concert a magical atmosphere. Songs like ‘Sailing’, ‘Ride Like The Wind’ and Arthur’s Theme’, sound simply perfect placed beside the most recent songs like ‘Leave It To Me’ and ‘November’.

Tracklist:
01. All Right
02. The Light Is On
03. Leave It To Me
04. Everything
05. No Time For Talk
06. When You Come Home
07. Minstrel Gigolo
08. Walking In Avalon
 09. Sailing
10. Never Be The Same
11. Dreamers
12. Spinning
13. I Really Don’t Know Anymore
14. November
15. Arthur’s Theme
16. Ride Like The Wind
17. Say You’ll Be Mine






By the way Saxon covered Ride Like the Wind on their album Destiny in 1988 and then had a hit with the track…..

Photograph © Denis Purcher