Welsh proggers Man hit Leamington Spa with Deke Leonard
MAN
With Special Guest Deke Leonard
Date - Saturday 1st October
Tickets - £16 adv
Doors - 18:00
Age Restriction - 14+
Man are a rock band from South Wales whose style is a mixture of West Coast psychedelia, progressive rock, blues and country-rock. Formed in 1968 as a reincarnation of Welsh rock harmony group 'The Bystanders', Man are renowned for the extended jams in their live performances.
The band reformed in 1983, with a line-up of Micky Jones and Deke Leonard on guitars, Martin Ace on bass and John “Pugwash” Weathers (formerly of Gentle Giant) on drums.
Prolific would be an understatement as Man have 409 releases on 71 labels, in 24 countries under their belt at the last count in Feb 2010. Man are one of the most hardworking progressive bands in Brittan having toured year in year out since the late 60's except for a short break between 78 and 83.
The band are very popular in progressive circles having played many shows with the likes of Hawkwind, IQ and occasionally with Marillion all of which have played to adoring crowds at the Leamington Assembly.
Deke Leonard was in and out of the Man band during the seventies, sometimes of his own will, sometimes not. During that time he released three solo albums, which many consider to be classics in their own right, albeit deserving of far wider recognition. He worked with his own band 'Iceberg', for a while, often supporting Man, and also worked with Sean Tyla in a band called 'The Force' for a time.
Deke's songs tend towards the short and sharp, with some of the wittiest, smartest couplets this side of a Shakespearian sonnet. He's equally capable of coming up with a memorable riffs and addictive melodies to hang a song on, which can absolutely be expected as standard from the current Man live show.
Doogie White to release Solo Album "As Yet Untitled"
Former Rainbow and Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist Doogie White will be releasing a solo album this year on the Metal Mind label.
Doogie White will release his first solo album through Metal Mind Productions in October. The album called "As Yet Untitled" is a collection of 10 dramatic and hard hitting rock songs co-written by White and some good friends he has made over the years on the rock scene.
White says, "I always thought my first solo album should be called this. The journalists at Sounds and Kerrang! always had a line that so and so are in the studio recording an album, as yet untitled… Well now I have actually done that. I always like to be part of a band but I found myself isolated for a short while and decided to record some of the songs that I had been working on, while either on the road or back at home. I won’t sit around and wait for the phone to ring. A bored Doogie is a dangerous thing! I gathered the good and the great, companions who had travelled the world with me at various times. Friends who I knew were outstanding players and to a man and one beautiful woman they gave freely of their talents and time. I am forever in their debt."
The list of guest musicians involved in the recording of "As Yet Untitled" looks impressive:
Patrick Johansson (Yngwie)
Thomas Broman (Glenn Hughes) – Drums
Derek Sherinian (Black Country Communion) - bass
Tony Carey (Rainbow) – Bass
Neil Murray (Whitesnake) - Keyboards
Greg Smith (Ted Nugent) - Keyboards
Paul Logue (Edens Curse) - Keyboards
Pontus Norgren (Hammerfall) - Guitars
Marcus Jidell (Royal Hunt) - Guitars
Phil Hilborne (Queen Musical) - Guitars
Mick Tucker (Tank) - Guitars
Patti Russo (Meatloaf, Cher) - Guest vocals
The album was recorded at various studios in Florida, Germany, and Scotland but most of the production was handled in Sweden with Pontus Norgren (Hammerfall) at the helm.
White: "Pontus and I became great friends through our time with Yngwie. He shone a bright light on the songs with his production. He brought a certain calmness to the madness and made sure that everything that was in the song had to be there for a reason. Even when the hard drive with the initial mixes was stolen, I knew that Pontus could sort it out."
Metal Mind Productions set the release date for the 24th of October in Europe and the 7th of November in USA (via MVD).
Touchstone sign Worldwide record deal with SPV Records
Touchstone, the five-piece rock band with prog/rock/alternative influences have signed an exclusive long term World Wide deal with SPV Records covering new recordings and three back catalogue recordings.
Their much-anticipated new album, The City Sleeps, is due to be released on 10th October 2011 on SPV’s Steamhammer label. The release of the new album will be supported by a UK tour in October 2011 with European dates to be announced and a US Tour planned for the second half of 2012.
Founding band member Rob Cottingham said in a statement: "TOUCHSTONE are delighted to be signed to SPV's Steamhammer label for the release of our new album, The City Sleeps. SPV/Steamhammer has a long tradition of highly successful rock bands and for the band we see this as the next natural step up for us to reach a broader rock market, across a more global geography. We are very grateful to Frank Uhle, Del Taylor and the SPV team for their fantastic support and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship”.
In this exciting new album, the band venture into familiar 'Touchstone Rock' territory with the dynamic, moving epics: The City Sleeps, and When Shadows Fall. The City Sleeps is a sequel to the title track of Touchstone’s previous album, Wintercoast and we can exclusively reveal that Anna-Marie Wayne, actress and daughter of Jeff Wayne, adds her substantial voice-over talent to the title track. When Shadows Fall is a sequel to the track Shadow from Touchstone’s first album, Discordant Dreams, and picks up a few decades later. There are also some exciting departures for the band venturing into the more melodic rock areas. And then there is the downright crazy in Good Boy Psycho, where the mental twists and turns of this psychotic rollercoaster of a track leave you gasping for breath!
All the music is written by Touchstone, with lyrics by Rob Cottingham and Kim Seviour, and The City Sleeps concept and narrative written by Adam Hodgson, who also designed the album artwork.
TOUCHSTONE are:
Kim Seviour – Vocals
Rob Cottingham – Vocals, Keyboards , SFX
Adam Hodgson – Guitars
Paul Moorghen – Bass Guitar, Bass Pedals and Backing Vocals
Henry Rogers – Drums
TOUCHSTONE live:
25 Aug 2011 - (UK) Peterborough Beer Festival, The Embankment, Peterborough
THE CITY SLEEPS UK Launch Tour 2011 with special guests Heather Findlay (ex Mostly Autumn) & Chris Johnson
13 Oct 2011 – Mr Kyps - Poole
14 Oct 2011 – The Borderline - London
15 Oct 2011 – Riverside - Newcastle
16 Oct 2011 – The Robin 2 - Bilston
Circa featuring former Yes members Tony Kaye and Billy Sherwood release new CD 'And So On'
Prog fans across the globe are buzzing with excitement about the new CD release by CIRCA: featuring former YES members Tony Kaye and Billy Sherwood. 'And So On' is the 4th release from the innovative progressive rock ensemble and currently available at the band's official website www.circahq.com. Along with veteran YES rockers Tony Kaye (keyboards) and Billy Sherwood (guitar, vocals), CIRCA: features Johnny Bruhns on guitar and Ronnie Ciago on drums. “Although the album was not written as a concept record, the songs are somehow tied together and are all symbiotic,” Billy Sherwood explains, “it's really just an evolution of CIRCA: music. This is our 3rd Studio release.”
The band was formed in 2007 by Tony Kaye and Billy Sherwood. The debut self-titled CD, 'CIRCA:', also featured YES drummer Alan White and Jimmy Haun on guitar, with guest appearances by Michael Sherwood and Cole Coleman. The album includes two tracks based on material Billy Sherwood co-wrote with Trevor Rabin in 1995. A two-track download-only EP was previously available for a short period in the United States. The band's debut live show was on August 23, 2007 in San Juan Capistrano, with a set that included an extended instrumental medley of Yes tunes. A DVD of this show was released as 'CIRCA: Live' in February 2008. A few North American dates followed in early 2008, with Jay Schellen, a previous collaborator of Sherwood's and Kaye's, filling in for White on one date.
In July 2008, Jay Schellen permanently replaced Alan White, who chose to focus on his work in Yes. The new line-up recorded an album 'CIRCA: HQ' in the latter half of 2008, and was released on January 14, 2009. Early 2011 saw a band change, with guitarist Johnny Bruhns replacing Jimmy Haun and Ronnie Ciago replacing Jay Schellen, who wanted to focus on work with Asia Featuring John Payne. CIRCA's next release 'Overflow' is a collection of extra bonus material from the first and second recording sessions, available only as a digital download via iTunes. And now in 2011, after years of anticipation from fans of the band around the world, the new CIRCA: CD 'And So On' is available! In support of the new CD release, plans to tour are in the works.
“There are plans to get out there and do shows,” says Billy, “we are heading to Mexico to play Mexicali and Ensenada in September and some Southern California dates to follow... it's early going but we are working hard to get the band on the road.” Stay tuned via CIRCA's official website for any updates regarding live shows.
“CIRCA: would like to thanks all the fans who have followed us from the start, along the way... and now into the future!”
Please visit the online store at www.circahq.com and for Billy Sherwood solo works visit www.billysherwood.com where his forthcoming 5th solo CD titled 'What Was The Question?' is due out August of 2011.
US Prog Metallers Mastodon return to the scene with a new album The Hunter on 27th September. As a teaser, the band have put out the track Black Tongue on YouTube to whet our appetiites.
Sounds as mighty as their last album, Crack The Skye did, doesn't it!
The album is available as a pre-order package from www.ukundercurrent.com, featuring the CD/DVD housed in digi-pack with an alternative cover, a 20” x 30” Lenticular Poster featuring the album cover artwork of the standard release, Instant download of "Black Tongue and a second download of "Curl Of The Burl", the first official single from The Hunter as soon as it becomes available
The Outlandish Knights are playing for a ceilidh in Weston Park, Sheffield this Sunday 31st July 2-4pm, admission free. The band comprise the three original Haze members plus the Ashton sisters playing rocked-up, progged-out original ceilidh tunes. Check out the website at www.theoutlandishknights.co.uk
Treebeard are playing the Pagan Pride festival in the Arboretum Gardens, Waverley Street, Nottingham, NG7 4HF at 4pm on Sunday 7th August, admission free, then the Folk Train, leaving Sheffield Midland Mainline Station at 19:14 from platform 2C on Tuesday 23rd August to The Rambler Inn, Edale & back on the 21:28. Following that, they're at the Grimsthorpe Castle Festival on Monday 29th August, admission £5 on the folk stage around 6.30pm and then another folk train, this time at the MadFest Folk Festival at the Elsecar Heritage Centre on Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th September, between 12-5pm.
Check out the bands gig guide for the latest updates, I'm also playing in an experimental improvised band Meson and with Ceri in folk-rockers Jabberwocky.
But the most startling news is that Jennifer Moore has re-emerged with Single Bass, a new website and even recorded a couple of new songs. See www.single-bass.co.uk if you don't believe me!
Progress on the Haze CD is predictably slow, mainly 'cos I've spent most of my free time on the allotment(!), but I'm planning to get seriously stuck into it in the Autumn.
Fresh from their wonderful appearance at this years High Voltage festival, Scottish proggers Pallas have released a slightly disturbing video for the track "Monster". A "Radio Edit" of the song, taken from their Silhobbit Rated XXV album, is also available as a free download from their website.
The Pallas set from this years High Voltage Festival is available from the Concert Live website for £15.
Karnataka's lead vocalist, Hayley Griffiths, has released her second solo album. Celtic Rose is a collection of Hayley's favouite celtic songs. You can get a signed copy of the album from www.hayleygriffiths.com for £11.99 (+ p&p).
Tracklist
Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears
Wild Mountainside
Galway Bay
Danny Boy
No Frontiers
You Raise Me Up
Carrickfergus
May It Be
I Know My Love
Bright Blue Rose
Lagan Love
Song For Ireland
Folk-Rock Super Group, The Gathering Britannia release debut CD 'The Bridge Between'
Featuring members of Fairport Convention, Lindisfarne, Magna Carta, The Albion Band, Jethro Tull, Fotheringay and Steeleye Span
Folk rock enthusiasts around the world are buzzing with the forthcoming CD release by The Gathering Britannia, a British folk-fock Super Group whose history is undeniable. The Gathering Britannia features a veritable Who’s Who of key players, whose combined experience and membership have seen them record or perform with some of the most influential artists to grace stages and record collections across the world. Comprised of former and current members of Fairport Convention, Lindisfarne, Magna Carta, The Hellecasters, The Albion Band, Jethro Tull, Steeleye Span, Fotheringay and Pentangle, never before (outside of the seminal festivals of folk-rocks’ brightest and finest period) has such a line-up drawn from the genres’ most influential bands come together to celebrate their shared heritage of songs and performances with you! Their first release, The Bridge Between, to be released on Philadelphia's www.ItsAboutMusic.com, features original songs and covers of favorites from the past along with tunes written by Richard Thompson and Alan Hull.
The Gathering Britannia are:
RAY JACKSON (Lindisfarne)
DOUG MORTER (Magna Carta/Albion Band)
JERRY DONAHUE (Fairport Convention /Fotheringay/The Hellecasters)
CLIVE BUNKER (Jethro Tull/Pentangle)
JACK KEMP (Steeleye Span)
KRISTINA DONAHUE (3 time Fairport guest at Cropredy Festival)
The Gathering Britannia 'The Bridge Between' CD will be available July 12th, 2001.
There's always loads of old prog tat going on eBay, but Silhobbit editor Charlie O'Mara is having a bit of a clear-out and has got the following up for sale:
YouTube of the Week - Dream Theater "On The Backs Of Angels"
Well, they're back. And just to prove that there is life after Portnoy, the band, including new drummer Mike Mangini, have released new song "On The Backs Of Angels" on popular video-sharing website, YouTube. However, the official RoadRunner version isn't embeddable, so we cant show it here (but you can see it here).
So, instead we have this sneaky upload from itisburn. Thanks man!
Their highly anticipated new album, A Dramatic Turn of Events will be out September 13th.
9 hours of live music, 7 CDs + 4 DVDs, a must have box set!
with PFM, Ian Anderson, Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso, David Cross, Thjis Van Leer, Osanna and many others...
After two sold out shows in Rome last year, comes the long-awaited box set PROG EXHIBITION. 9 hours of live music, 7 CDs and 4 DVDs, a booklet full of photos exclusive to live again the event which celebrated forty years of imaginific music, with the greatest mythical figures of Italian and international progressive rock.
On 5 and 6 November 2010, in fact, for the first time in the progressive history played on the same stage heroes of yesterday, today and tomorrow: PFM - Premiata Forneria Marconi, the Italian rock band's most popular with special guest Ian Anderson, leader of Jethro Tull. Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso, one of the best examples of global contamination. Aldo Tagliapietra, Tony Pagliuca and Tolo Marton had their live debut together for the first time after 35 years with the participation of the violinist David Cross, formerly in King Crimson. The Trip, making their debut on stage in the aftermath of the announced reunion that saw them reform after decades of separation.
Osanna, representatives of the Neapolitan prog with Gianni Leone (Balletto di Bronzo histrionic leader), David Jackson (formerly Van Der Graaf Generator), laNuova Raccomandata Ricevuta di Ritorno with Thijs Van Leer, leader of dutch band Focus. At this prestigious line up also young italian progressive heroes Sinestesia, Maschera di Cera, Periferia del mondo and Abash played on the same nights.
40 years after the birth of progressive genre, the box set is meant to become a collector's item for all lovers of progressive rock: the wonderful opportunity to live again not just a concert, but an unforgettable live music show that could enter in the history of music.
Chicago to perform only UK concert in London on July 6th
Chicago, one of the most successful rock’n’roll bands of all time, will perform a special one-off “Greatest Hits” UK concert at London’s HMV Hammersmith Apollo on Wednesday 6th July. Tickets are available from 0844 888 9991 and 0844 847 1642. Book online: www.ticketline.co.uk, www.ticketmaster.co.uk. The London show will be their only UK date this year.
The multi-million selling band’s greatest hits set will include classic songs such as Colour My World, Hard to Say I’m Sorry, Saturday In The Park, and If You Leave Me Now, which topped the singles charts in the UK and America. The current line-up includes original founding members Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow and Walt Parazaider, plus Jason Scheff, Tris Imboden, Keith Howland, Lou Pardini and Drew Hester.
Chicago’s numerous lifetime achievements include multiple Grammy Awards, American Music Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Their record sales are in excess of 100 million; including 21 Top 10 singles, 5 consecutive Number One albums, 11 Number One singles and 5 Gold singles. Twenty five of their 32 albums have been certified platinum.
Todd Rundgren confirms intimate UK concerts in October
Todd Rundgren, rock and roll icon, guitar genius, interactive progenitor, consummate singer-songwriter and record producer, will get up close and personal with four rare UK concerts in October 2011.
Todd will be performing “An Evening with Todd Rundgren”, universally described by the US press as “The greatest hits tour his fans have been waiting to see for years.”
Dates include HMV Ritz, Manchester on Saturday October 1st, and the London Jazz Café on Monday October 3rd, Tuesday October 4th and Wednesday October 5th. Tickets go on sale from 10:00 GMT on Tuesday June 28th. Ticket Hotline: 08700 603 777, www.seetickets.com.
The October 2011 dates mark Rundgren’s first UK shows since 2010’s sold-out London Hammersmith Apollo concert where he performed the entirety of his 1973 milestone album A Wizard, A True Star.
An acclaimed record producer, composer, songwriter and recording artist, Rundgren is widely regarded as the acknowledged godfather of the marriage of music and multimedia. Having founded and fronted The Nazz, the quintessential `60's power-pop psychedelic band, in 1969 he left them to pursue a solo career, recording his debut offering, the classic Runt.
It was 1972's seminal Something/Anything?, on which he played all the instruments, sang all the vocal parts, and acted as his own producer, that catapulted Todd into the superstar limelight. Among Rundgren's impressive 50+ production projects are albums by Patti Smith, Cheap Trick, Psychedelic Furs, XTC, Grand Funk Railroad, Hall & Oates, and Meat Loaf’s multi-platinum debut Bat Out Of Hell.
Yes is back with a fantastic new album Fly from Here and it really is excellent.
If you liked the Drama album then this recaptures the energy from this period of the band as Geoff Downes returns on keys and Trevor Horn writing and singing on much of it.
Lead vocals are from the Benoit David with contibitions from Oliver Wakeman.
South West proggers Crimson Sky have finally settled on a new singer, in Reading based Jane Setter. In a statement on the bands website Jane says:
“Here's a bit about my musical background. I've been in bands for as long as I can remember, although I vowed in 1994 that I would never do another originals band because I was fed up with the in-fighting ... so it's mostly been covers bands. So much for that vow! My best friend is Diane Fox and we're currently in Reading-based classic rock covers band Swallow. I can count amongst my friends such prog luminaries as John Christian Mitchell, John Beck and Kim Seviour. I grew up listening to the "stories" on Genesis albums played to me by older cousins. Influences: Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, Robert Plant, Peter Gabriel, Geddy Lee, among others. All-time favourite song? It's a tough one, but I'd have to say Wuthering Heights; the guitar solo always brings me to tears. I'm looking forward to working with Crimson Sky and hope all the fans will approve once we hit the stage. Thank you Martin, Scott and Clive for inviting me to join.”
Some good prog credentials there! The band are still on the look-out for a new keyboard player before they continue work on their second album and play live.
Polish trip-proggers Strawberry Fields to release live DVD in early September!
Wojtek Szadkowski, one of the most brilliant artists on the progressive rock scene and the leader of the renown prog-rock band Satellite, returns this Autumn with a DVD release of his outstanding and surprising project Strawberry Fields!
On the 20th of April 2011, at Wyspiański Theatre in Katowice, Poland, Strawberry Fields presented to their audience the band’s very own, unique, subtly simple, magic and, at times, trip-hop-like brand of prog music, crowned with Robin’s – the band’s lead singer’s – mesmerizing, sensual voice. Szadkowski and Robin were accompanied on stage by the former’s fellow musicians from the band Satellite – Sarhan Kubeisi (guitars), Jarek Michalski (bass) and Krzysztof Palczewski (keys) – and together they presented their fans with a genuine musical feast by performing songs from Strawberry Fields’ debut album “River’s Gone Dry” as well as one previously unreleased song.
Also, the band surprised the audience by playing new versions of two memorable songs from Satellite’s repertoire – “Don’t Walk Away in Silence” and “Is It Over” – as also a classic Collage song “Living in the Moonlight”. DVD entitled “Live Strawberry Fields” perfectly captures the magic of that exceptional evening.
The release date of “Live Strawberry Fields” DVD is scheduled for September. Full details to be revealed soon.
Francis Lickerish, one of the founding members of The Enid, will be playing at this years Helpston Festival. The festival, which is celebrating 30 years of the John Clare Society, will be held in the garden at Clare Cottage, where the famous poet lived in the 1800s.
Francis will be supported by Mike Hobson and will play at 1:30pm and 3:30pm on Saturday 9th July.
For more information on the estival, and John Clare himself, visit the John Clare Society website.
Hard-up ebayers are resorting to selling their cherished copies of Silhobbit magazine from the 80's/90's as the recession forces proglovers to part with their most prized possessions.
Last year an issue #4 (with the Yes flexi-dick) was eventually sold to a collector in New York who parted with £60 for the rare item.
Clive Nolan's "She" Fundraiser Show announced in Cheltenham
The Caamora Theatre Company have announced (very few) details of a fundraising show in Cheltenham. The intimate concert will be on Friday 22nd July and will feature Clive Nolan (composer), along with Mark Westwood (guitar), and singers Agnieszka Swita and David Clifford.
At this fundraiser, music from Clive's prolific career will be performed alongside songs from the She production. Tickets for this exclusive event are strictly limited and priced at just £20. Profits will help towards supporting the production costs of 'She' in Cheltenham, in February 2012.
For further information or to book tickets contact
Hot News
