P090, the prog band built around The Tangent mainman Andy Tillison have been bouyed by the responses to their recent Jitters album and Summer's End and Prog Resiste festival appearances. So much so that they have announced their first headline show in nearly a decade.
The band - Dan Watts, Alex King and Matt Clarke make up the quartet - will be playing at The Henshaws Centre in Knaresborough, Yorkshire on Sunday March 28th.
Leeds based space proggers Area 39 have been announced as the support band when Galahad play their 25th anniversary show at the Montgomery Hall in Wath-Upon-Dearne on Saturday April 24th.
The band, built around multi-instrumentalist Ray Burrell released the excellent Stand Alone Together way back in 2004 (check out the Silhobbit review here) and are due back into the studio this year to work on a follow up.
They are also playing some other dates: Thursday 4th March - Elbow Rooms, Leeds Friday 26th March - Rio's Leeds (supporting Leodis & The Red Pills) Sunday 18th April - Robin 2, Bilston (supporting The Aurora Project) Saturday 24th April - Montgomery Hall, Wath-Upon-Dearne (supporting Galahad) Thursday 29th April - The Pulse Bar, Barnsley
Winter's End Festival openers Andonova have been forced to pull out of the festival. Their set on the Saturday has been replaced by Cirencester band Eliza Tale. You can check out their mixture of progressive and classic rock sounds on their MySpace page.
The Festival takes place at The Space in Stroud on March 13th and 14th.
Cumbrian proggers It Bites have teamed up with a host of progressive rocks brightest stars to re-record a charity version of their 1986 top ten hit Calling All The Heroes. The band have drafted in Marillion's Steve Hogarth and Pete Trewavas, as well as John Wetton, Geoff Downes, Jason Perry and Jem Godfrey. Original singer Francis Dunnery also features a lot in both the single and accompanying video.
There is also a video for sale via iTunes for £1.89. The video was produced by Russell Cherrington from the Film and Television Department of the Faculty of the Arts at the University of Cumbria. Russell has previously worked with Japan, Peter Gabriel and Queensryque.
All proceeds from the sale of the single will be going to the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund.
The band are hoping that this single will break into the top 40 and raise as much money as possible for the fund.
There will also be a physical CD copy for sale at the bands forthcoming gigs, featuring the single, radio edit and video.
Brummie proggers IOEarth have been forced to cancel tonights (March 2nd) hometown gig at The Jam House due to "unforseen circumcisions"
The band apologise for any inconvenience caused to fans for this.
Silhobbit.com hope that the circumstances don't hinder the bands appearance at The Wesley Centre in Rotherham this weekend, where the band will be supporting the resurgent Shadowland.
Ok, ok, I know that this ain't prog, but fuck it. If there's a better video released this week, tell me about it!
OK Go! are well know for their videos, and have relied on them being spread virally amongst web bloggers, and as a form of promotion, that worked immensely well. However, their record company, being corporate jerks only concerned with the loss of income (YouTube only pays them for plays through the YouTube site) stopped embedding on their videos, leading the band to write an open letter to the New York Times last week, condemning their short sighted actions.
PRESS RELEASE : "Following weeks of speculation, Pallas are finally pleased to announce that their new vocalist is fellow Aberdonian Paul Mackie.
Paul who is probably known throughout the world as one the vocalists on the Grand Theft Auto games, culminating in GTA Vice Citys very own fictional Scottish Rock Band Love Fist. This band was put together to record several songs co written by Paul and various members of Rock Star Games talented staff.
Paul has toured extensively regularly playing to rowdy audiences throughout the UK in venues such as Nottingham Rock City, Glasgow Barrowlands and various Carling Academies etc
Whilst playing in a small but extraordinary Blues machine called Blues Deluxe, with Colin Fraser of Pallas, it came to light that Pallas were looking for a replacement vocalist for their new album XXV and forthcoming gig commitments.
Paul accepted the challenge and looks forward to playing to and meeting Pallas' fans and promises that he will give his all to them.
I am so happy to have been asked to join such a workhorse of intelligent and passionate music. Pallas came into my life when I went to see them on Stage with UFO and Shy when I was a lad. It is hard to believe that here and now is a chance for me to blend all the things I have learned and I guess only now, at this point in my life could I take this challenge and do it the justice that both the band and their fans deserve. I hope they take to me as I hate rotten tomatoes.
As previously announced the band are currently hard at work in the studio on their next album XXV, a thematic sequel to the bands 1985 debut studio album The Sentinel and due for release in the autumn.
Whilst working on the album the band will be taking a break for a number of UK live shows to introduce Paul to their fans.
The first of these shows will rightly enough be a hometown introduction at The Tunnels in Aberdeen on Friday 23rd April with support from Jo McCafferty.
Following this the band will be playing Progeny 3 on Sunday 9th May at The Assembly in Leamington Spa along with Twelfth Night and Mick Pointer's Recital Of The Script.
The band then hit London with a show at The House Of Progression at The Peel in Kingston upon Thames on Saturday May 22nd.
Further dates and summer festival appearances will be added to these with the band undertaking a full European Tour to coincide with the release of XXV - The Sentinel 2."
According to our research, guitarist Paul also plays in a two piece, The Citrus Theory, as well as a solo artist "Pmac". Our research only consisted of looking at his website.
Bristol proggers Crimson Sky recently played ay The Peel in London, supporting IOEarth. Singer Holly Thody recently posted a video collage of the band playing at the gig, interspersed with photo's from the night, along to the song "Season's End" taken from their début album "Misunderstood".
PRESS RELEASE: Overhead 10th Anniversary European tour
The Finnish progressive rock band Overhead celebrates its 10th anniversary with a European tour. The band will tour for two weeks in five different countries in May.
Confirmed tour dates:
12.5.2010 Russelsheim, Germany
13.5.2010 Basel, Switzerland
14.5.2010 Magdeburg, Germany
15.5.2010 Bielefeld, Germany
16.5.2010 Verviers, Belgium
18.5.2010 Hohenleimbach, Germany
19.5.2010 Bonn, Germany
20.5.2010 Berlin, Germany
21.5.2010 Roggel, Netherlands
22.5.2010 Lidköping, Sweden
Overhead has released three studio albums and their latest release Live After All, a live DVD shot in Poland, was favoured by fans and critics alike. In addition to songs from its back catalogue, Overhead will also be debuting some new material on the tour.
Twelfth Night’s Complete 2010 “Play On” Tour Schedule and Line-up Announced
PRESS RELEASE: We are delighted to announce the final two live dates for our 2010 “Play On” tour.
So rather than performing a single major London show (somewhere like the Albany) this year we have decided to perform two smaller shows, one in London and one in Reading. These are at intimate venues with capacities of around 200-300, so the emphasis will be very much on the music … just like in the old days at the Marquee!
RC2 pull out of Winter's End - Mermaid Kiss swim in
Due to "unsforseen circumstances", Spanish / Mexican proggers RC2 have been forced to drop out of the Winter's End Festival, taking place at The Space in Stroud on March 13th and 14th. Luckily, their slot has been filled by the excellent Mermaid Kiss - check out their website at www.mermaidkiss.co.uk to get a feel for them.
Steve h, the voice and words of experimental art-rockers, Marillion, has also quietly made a name for himself as a solo artist. He has done so over the years by marrying styles as diverse as XTC, Japan, Blondie and The Stone Roses in his 8 piece h band. In 2008 he took to the stage alone under the banner h Natural for a series of sold-out shows across Europe. These shows quickly drifted from their initial "An evening with" format to audience-request free-for-all's, as he abandoned the set list in response to cries for Marillion-favourites along with covers from artists as diverse as Kraftwerk, Glen Campbell and Elvis.
May 14th is his birthday.
"I intend to live until I'm 102. Come and celebrate as I step into middle-age."
Expect an evening of surprises and a chance to hear the soul of Marillion stripped bare
Steve Hogarth will be playing at The Garage in London on May 14th, and at The Cavern in Liverpool on May 15th. See Facebook for more information.
Pendragon have been added to the prestigious 4 day Sweden Rock Festivalline-up, taking place in Solvesborg, Sweden on 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th June 2010.
The festival is being headlined by Aerosmith, Guns n Roses and Gary Moore, and other proggers taking part include Mastodon, Opeth, Saga, Magnum and Bigelf.
Pendragon will also be appearing at the Finisterrae Festival, in La Coruna, Spain, which takes place on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd April. Pendragon will be headlining the Friday, supported by RPWL and Magic Pie. Prog god Steve Hackett headlines the Thursday and Planet X headline Saturday. Other bands include Italian legends PFM.
Dutch Progressive Rock Ensemble Mangrove Receive International Acclaim With New CD Release
PRESS RELEASE: When you think of Dutch progressive rock, bands like Focus, Supersister, Kayak and Earth and Fire immediately come to mind. Now with the release of their 5th CD, Dutch prog ensemble Mangrove can proudly be added to this prestigious list. Touted by as essential listening by Jerry Ewing of Classic Rock Presents Prog magazine, Mangrove's latest CD masterpiece Beyond Reality has been garnering international praise since its release this past June. "We are very excited about the great reviews out there," says Chirs Jonker who plays keyboards with the band. "They come from all over the world, which is truely amazing! Most reviewers are stunned and excited about the the big step forward we made in comparison with the previous albums. We are also very happy that our latest album has been nominated for the Italian Prog Awards, for best artwork, best recording and best foreign record. Its predessor Facing The Sunset already got the IO Pages Prog Award in 2005 for best prog album of that year in The Netherlands."
Classic Rock Society spread their wings into London
Rotherham's own Classic Rock Society are starting to put their considerable weight and expertise behind organising some gigs in London. The gigs, which will be played at The Luminaire in Kilburn, feature Aeon Zen, Jebo and Emerald Sky on Friday 9th April; Touchstone and Dutch proggers The Aurora Project on Saturday 17th April; Twelfth Night on Friday 28th May; Karnataka on Friday 11th June; Blank Bonzo on Friday 23rd July.
The rest of the CRS gigs are:
Saturday 6th March - Shadowland + IO Earth - Wesley Centre, Maltby
Saturday 20 March - Manning - Wesley Centre, Maltby
Friday 9th April - Aeon Zen, Jebo + Emerald Sky - The Luminaire, Kilburn, London
Saturday 17 April - Touchstone + The Aurora Project - The Luminaire, Kilburn, London
Saturday 24 April - Galahad - Montgomery Hall, Wath-Upon-Dearne, Yorkshire
Saturday 22nd May - Jump - Wesley Centre. Maltby
Friday 28th May - Twelfth Night - The Luminaire, Kilburn, London
Saturday 29th May - Twelfth Night - Montgomery Hall, Wath Upon Dearne
Friday 11th June - Karnataka - The Luminaire, Kilburn, London
Friday 23rd July - Black Bonzo - The Luminaire, Kilburn, London
Saturday 24th July - Black Bonzo - Wesley Centre, Maltby
The CRS are also helping out with the forthcoming Winter's End Festival on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th March at The Space, Stroud, and Progeny 3 on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th May at The Assembly, Leamington Spa.
Check the Classic Rock Society's website at www.classicrocksociety.co.uk for information on prices and member discounts, amongst other things.
The Gak Omek, the New Jersey based brainchild of space progger Robert Burger, have been busy over the last couple of years working on their third album Nonrenormalizability. As a taster, the track Alien Television has been put up on YouTube:
So here they are once more... Nottingham proggers Coralspin are on the hunt for another new drummer, after things didn't work out with former new drummer Clive Wellings.
The band are looking for someone: who can rehearse in Nottingham and is a top-notch, creative drummer who can handle complex prog material, as well as some more conventional and softer songs.
The Summers End Festival is delighted to announce that this year’s Festival will take place on October 8, 9, 10, and for the third year running will be held at Lydney Town Hall, Lydney, Gloucestershire.
We will start announcing bands in early March, but in the meantime put the date in your diaries.
Don’t also forget Winters End, starring Magenta, Moon Safari, Touchstone and Galahad on March 13-14 at the Space in Stroud. www.winters-end.co.uk . Tickets are selling fast!
After the furore of the last weekend, Pallas have posted a video up on YouTube to prove that there's life in the old dog yet! The video, on their official PallasMike shows the band in The Mill studio watching while Niall lays down some guitar parts
Pure Reason Revolution announce first dates of 2010
Brit Space-dance proggers Pure Reason Revolution have announced their first dates of the year. The band, who are currently recording their third album, have been asked to support Poles Riverside on the following dates:
Friday 23 April – 013, Tilburg, Netherlands
Saturday 24 April – Turbinen Halle, Oberhausen, Germany
Sunday 25 April – Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany
Monday 26 April – Z7, Pratteln, Switzerland
Hot News
P090, the prog band built around The Tangent mainman Andy Tillison have been bouyed by the responses to their recent Jitters album and Summer's End and Prog Resiste festival appearances. So much so that they have announced their first headline show in nearly a decade.
Leeds based space proggers Area 39 have been announced as the support band when Galahad play their 25th anniversary show at the Montgomery Hall in Wath-Upon-Dearne on Saturday April 24th.
Cumbrian proggers It Bites have teamed up with a host of progressive rocks brightest stars to re-record a charity version of their 1986 top ten hit Calling All The Heroes. The band have drafted in Marillion's Steve Hogarth and Pete Trewavas, as well as John Wetton, Geoff Downes, Jason Perry and Jem Godfrey. Original singer Francis Dunnery also features a lot in both the single and accompanying video.
Brummie proggers IOEarth have been forced to cancel tonights (March 2nd) hometown gig at The Jam House due to "unforseen circumcisions"
PRESS RELEASE : "Following weeks of speculation, Pallas are finally pleased to announce that their new vocalist is fellow Aberdonian Paul Mackie.
Whilst working on the album the band will be taking a break for a number of UK live shows to introduce Paul to their fans.
Steve h, the voice and words of experimental art-rockers, Marillion, has also quietly made a name for himself as a solo artist. He has done so over the years by marrying styles as diverse as XTC, Japan, Blondie and The Stone Roses in his 8 piece h band. In 2008 he took to the stage alone under the banner h Natural for a series of sold-out shows across Europe. These shows quickly drifted from their initial "An evening with" format to audience-request free-for-all's, as he abandoned the set list in response to cries for Marillion-favourites along with covers from artists as diverse as Kraftwerk, Glen Campbell and Elvis.
Pendragon have been added to the prestigious 4 day Sweden Rock Festivalline-up, taking place in Solvesborg, Sweden on 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th June 2010.
PRESS RELEASE: When you think of Dutch progressive rock, bands like Focus, Supersister, Kayak and Earth and Fire immediately come to mind. Now with the release of their 5th CD, Dutch prog ensemble Mangrove can proudly be added to this prestigious list. Touted by as 
Rotherham's own Classic Rock Society are starting to put their considerable weight and expertise behind organising some gigs in London. The gigs, which will be played at The Luminaire in Kilburn, feature Aeon Zen, Jebo and Emerald Sky on Friday 9th April; Touchstone and Dutch proggers The Aurora Project on Saturday 17th April; Twelfth Night on Friday 28th May; Karnataka on Friday 11th June; Blank Bonzo on Friday 23rd July.
So here they are once more... Nottingham proggers Coralspin are on the hunt for another new drummer, after things didn't work out with former new drummer Clive Wellings.
The Summers End Festival is delighted to announce that this year’s Festival will take place on October 8, 9, 10, and for the third year running will be held at Lydney Town Hall, Lydney, Gloucestershire.
Brit Space-dance proggers Pure Reason Revolution have announced their first dates of the year. The band, who are currently recording their third album, have been asked to support Poles Riverside on the following dates:
