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bloody cold winter news poor brass monkeys email your news to news@silhobbit.com or txt us on 07748 722224 | ||||
 TouchstoneRob, from tri-County, Chiltern, award winning proggers Touchstone has pointed out that Saturday's gig at The Peel in London, where Touchstone support Tinyfish, will be a truly glittering affair. This is due in no small part to the CRS 2007 Guitarist of the Year - John Mitchelll - will be guesting with the band. Surely a night not to miss! | ||||
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 Pete
Backs Happy HensPete Trewavas has added musical weight to our Prog For Poultry campaign. "I make my own kebabs. That way I can make sure that I use chickens that have been allowed to roam freely." he claims. Meanwhile Kino have been in contact with each other regarding recording a new album. If you're backing our campaign, be like Pete and email us your story and photo to poultry@silhobbit.com | ||||
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 John
Dexterous Jones says:We've got all sorts lined up....but we just had to tell you that 'John Dexter Jones and The Steven Twins' will be releasing their acoustic album called 'Man in the Window' in a couple of weeks... Recording for Jump will also start soon and the nation's desperate clamour for the crossover classic (that's prog/rock/country/indie) Staring at the Rain will be satisfied. Oh Yes. Martin Atkinson has shunted Dame Kiri out of his vast, cavernous studio to make room for a drum kit bigger than the one Mick is taking on the Script tour and away (like a herd of unleashed wildebeest) we'll go. Finally on that note I'd like to wish
Mick and his men the very best in their recitals. I was glad to have
played my small (but most enjoyable) part in helping that particular
project come to fruition... and will watch with interest as the
continent reverberates to those hallowed tunes. | ||||
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 Abel
GanzScottish proggers Abel Ganz are back with a bang. A big bang too, as they're releasing their new album Shooting Albatross at the end of March. It'll be released on their newly formed Abel Music label, and will be available through their website at www.abelganz.com, which is currently offline, whilst undergoing reconstruction. News can be read on their MySpace site in the meantime. The band will having a free album launch party at Stereo in Renfield Lane, Glasgow on Thursday 27th March in Stereo, Renfield Lane in our home town of Glasgow. The gig will feature songs from the new album, as well as the live debut of new front man Stuart "Mick" McFarlane. | ||||
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 John
MitchellThe compassionate guitarist/singer took time away from recording the It Bites album to visit Holloway women's prison as part of the Prog for Poultry campaign. John spent four days at the prison making it officially a "Happy Hen Jail". "I sat down with all the girls at meal times and explained to them that bringing a bird that has been caged inside a place where women were behind bars was wrong. Many of them were using mayonnaise from caged-eggs and many of them had no idea that chickens were often reared badly" he insisted Holloway prison has followed John's advice and now feeds the women free range eggs and organic outside chickens. | ||||
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 Touchstone2008 is looking like it could be three-counties proggers Touchstone's year. Already they've gone and won the prestigious CRS Best New Band award which was presented by Prog Legend John Wetton (see picture) as well as getting their album Discordant Dreams nominated for the Best Album award (won by Galahad's Empires Never Last), and bassist Paul Moorghen nominated in the John Jowitt Best Bass Player Award (won by John Jowitt). They followed this up with a fantastic gig at the Horn in St Albans. Next week, the boys and girl will be part of the hottest double bill this side of the equator when they support the band who had the 15th Best Album Of 2007, according to Classic Rock Magazine, Tinyfish, at The Peel in Kingston. Make sure you're part of what is sure to be an historic evening, where you're sure to be surrounded by some of progs glitterati. | ||||
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 MagentaIn more shocking Magenta news, the band have unveiled young Kieran Bailey, 20, as their new drummer. Kieran, from South Wales, has recently completed a diploma at the Drum School in London. Already a skilled and versatile musician, the band have been hugely impressed by his technical proficiency and enthusiasm behind the kit. Rob Reed says: "People are going to be surprised by the transformation that Kieran has brought to the band. We think that alongside Dan Fry on bass guitar, we finally have the rhythm section we've been looking for, and are now eager to get out and play live again." The band have announced the following dates, which will support their forthcoming album:
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 Stevie
WilsonIn preparation for the two remaining Cover Version singles (the final one of which will come in a box set to house all six CDs), Headphone Dust have re-pressed the previous four Steven Wilson Cover Version CD singles, now packaged in plastic wallets instead of jewel cases. Throughout January you can buy all 4 CDs for the price of 3 from Headphone Dust. Also available from Headphone Dust now is the deluxe vinyl edition of the second album by Steve's ambient project Bass Communion. Meanwhile, Porcupine Tree's Fear Of A Blank Planet is up for a Grammy! Yes, the album has been nominated in Category 95 : Best Surround Sound Album where it's battling against The Flaming Lips' At War With The Mystics 5.1, Love by The Beatles and some classical stuff. That's gonna be one hell of a long night! | ||||
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 Proggers
for PoultrySilhobbit's long running campaign to bring awareness to the shocking conditions which chickens are kept in is gaining momentum. Over a million chickens are slaughtered in England everyday, almost all of them have never seen daylight except when they are crammed into tiny crates and loaded onto a truck to the slaughterhouse. Last year Silhobbit said "enough is enough", so we contacted media chefs and told them how bad hens are treated and how good the ratings would be by making a heartbreaking documentary. What can be done to help caged or barn chickens? Demand free-range at the supermarket and insist that your Sunday dinner said "cheep" outdoors when it was alive but wasn't sold "cheap" as it came from the indoors. Our campaign will run until pancake day. During that time we'll print your emails and comments. Here is what the stars are already saying.
email us your comments - silhobbit@gmail.com Remember: "Cheep, not cheap" | ||||
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 Chemical
Steve Presents The Second Somerset Prog FestivalSolstice, Ezra, The Fast Camels, and Gothic Chicken will be on the bill for the Second Somerset Prog Festival on 25th May, 4pm - Midnight at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, Somerset. Tickets will be £12 advance. More details when we get them! | ||||
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 Deep
ImaginationGerman proggers Deep Imagination, the ambient / electronic project from Art of Infinity keyboarder Thorsten Sudler-Mainz, have just released their new album Gemstones, on SynGate Records. The album featured four previously unreleased tracks, two remixes and four live tracks. It also comes with a bonus DVD "The Live & Versions DVD" Samples from the album can be heard at the bands MySpace page, and the album can be downloaded from www.musiczeit.com for £8.99 (flac) or £7.99 (mp3). The band will be performing along with Tau at Ambient Night, at the Planetarium, in Bochum, Germany on Saturday 26th January. More info at www.myspace.com/ambientnight2008 and www.planetarium-bochum.info | ||||
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 CaamoraThey say that the caamora never lies, so when Clive Nolan told us that there would be another EP release from the band, he wasn't telling porkies. The new EP, Embrace, features 4 alternative versions of tracks from the forthcoming She album and will be available on 11th February 2008 on Metal Mind Productions (15th April 2008 in the US via MVD) in a digipak edition limited to 1000 copies. The worldwide premiere of She is scheduled for 25th February 2008 in Europe and 15th April 2008 in the US (via MVD). Caamora, featuring Clive and the impressive Agnieszka Swita, performed She in its entirety on 31st October 2007 at the Wyspianski Theatre, Katowice, Poland. The musical version of She is based on the classic novel of the same title by Victorian adventure writer H. Rider Haggard. The concert was filmed for the purposes of a DVD release which will accompany the double CD album. This represents the culmination of the last two years work of Caamora and features a host of musicians such as Alan Reed (Pallas/Neo) & Christina Booth (Magenta) on the vocals, bassist John Jowitt (IQ, Neo), Mark Westwood & Martin Bowen on the guitars, Richard West & Steve Williams on the keyboards and Scott Higham on the drums. Additional orchestra and choir, eye catching visuals and dramatic stage show formed an ambitious two hour musical journey. | ||||
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 The UrbaneFurther to our scandalous The Urbane / Paddy Darlington story below, bassist Martin Raggatt has contacted the Silhobbit hotline to ask for our help to retrieve a bottle of shampoo that Paddy stole from him, that fateful night! Martin told us that he broke into Paddy's luxury apartment to get it back, but found out that he'd already placed it up on ebay! It was subsequently bought by an avid The Urbane fan in Guatemala for £1.27. | ||||
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 PendragonFormer drummer Joe Crabtree, who has now officially "left the band", was the victim of a sickening attack just before New Years Eve and it probably happened when he was on stage! According to a close friend Joe was "gobsmacked" when he returned to his car, after the bands sell out Christmas gig at Riff's (near Swindon) to find that one of his tyres on his car had been slashed! As if that wasn't bad enough not one but two tyres had been slashed. According to an insider, Joe was "even more gobmacked". Luckily help was at hand and those kind hearted people at Dutch website www.dprp.net offered Joe a lift home, and a large selection of delicious oliebollen, which are often given out on New Years Eve. And luckily for Joe, this meant that he was still able to attend the bands and fans Christmas lunch at a nearby hotel the following day. Silhobbit would like to point out that Dutch people often use knives. Tyres have been slashed in the Netherlands. | ||||
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 The
UrbaneWhen Paddy Darlington invited bassist Martin Raggatt over to attend John Mitchell's starstudded house party he didn't reckon that Martin would steal a key for a cupboard and then mysteriously hide it. A frantic Paddy contacted Silhobbit's Gay Gordon accusing him of taking the key when he had been at the luxury apartment hours earlier. After a search the key was found in the lock. "Martin must have put it in there" said Paddy. The Urbane hope to release an album later in the year. | ||||
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 MagentaMagenta celebrated a fortnight of stability recently by following in the footsteps of such rock legends as Rush, Queen and Hawkwind, and working at the legendary Rockfield studios in Monmouth, UK. The band decided to finish off their soon to be released fourth album at the studios over the holiday period, assisted by renowned producer and engineer Tim Lewis. On hearing the latest demos, the band’s label Tigermoth Records decided that the album warranted the level of production for which Rockfield has been renowned for many years. "Some of the greatest music of the last 40 years has been recorded at Rockfield” says Rob Reed. “We were working in the same studio that Rush recorded ‘A Farewell to Kings’, and that Queen made ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. It was an amazing experience. It was also a real treat to work with Tim Lewis, as his contribution has been immeasurable and because of this, the new album has seen the band make a huge advancement both musically and technically". Magenta's new album will be released early this year. Further details will follow very soon. | ||||
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Mick Pointers Script As promised a few weeks back, the full Mick Pointer "Script For A Jester's Tour" has been announced. The dates are:
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 RPWLGreat news for the Progging Germans. They've sent their record label an early Christmas Present - the master of their new album! They're keeping the title and music close to their hairy Germanic chests, and who can blame them! The album is due to be released on February 29th 2008. We can/'t wait. But will have to, I suppose... | ||||
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 Crash.
Bang. Wallop!
Galahad bass player Lee Abraham was congratulated by a Galahad fan on an excellent performance on their recent release "Empires Never Last". Trouble is the fan slammed on his brakes in the fast lane of the M27 in Hampshire when he recognised Lee, and didn't give Lee enough time to stop. After a quick prog chat in the fast lane at rush hour the fan then insisted on having Lee's insurance details! Galahad's album Empires Never Last is available here Lee isn't the first prog rock star to hit motoring trouble this year. Mutant pencil-boy Steve Thorne also survived a near-death experience around Southampton, and just this Friday, Silhobbit's own Charlie O'Mara was on the receiving end when a cute young thing ran into his rear end in Hemel Hempstead. Some people will do anything to get his phone number! What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a prog stars phone number? Email us at silhobbit@gmail.com and we'll print the funniest! | ||||
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Magenta In shocking news from Wales, it seems that no-one has left Magenta this week. More news on this as we get it. | ||||
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 Mick
Pointers Script - Brian's Cummin'!To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Script for a Jester's Tear Mick Pointer and friends will be touring in April 2008 throughout Europe playing this remarkable album in it's entirety, plus some extra special numbers from the early days (cough* Grendel *cough*) The line up will be Mick Pointer (ex-Marillion and Arena), Nick Barrett (Pendragon), "Farty" Mike Varty (Credo), Ian Salmon (Arena) and, introducing after an exhausting world wide search, Brian Cummins (Carpet Crawlers) in the shoes of the big man. Brian is an incredible addition to the line up, with an amazing voice and stage presence! So if you are lucky enough to be too young to have caught this amazing live show the first time round, or you are hungry for the nostalgia and heady days of the early 80's then this show is unmissable! A full run down of dates will be announced soon although De Boerderij, Zoetermeer, Netherlands is now confirmed for 17th April 2008. | ||||
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 FishFish has been forced to cancel the rearranged dates on his Clutching at the 13th Star tour. This is due to guitarist Frank Usher having a heart attack on Monday evening. The dates will hopefully be rerescheduled at the end of March / beginning of April. Everyone here at Silhobbit wishes Frank a speedy recovery | ||||
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Pendragon As hinted in this very website over a month ago, Pendragon are parting company with drummer Joe "Don't take the piss out of my surname" Crabtree. The announcement on their website, www.pendragon.mu said "It's musical [drummer's stool] chairs once again, as Joe calls it quits. Yes, sadly Joe has decided to call it quits with Pendragon after a year and a half at the drummer's stool, his position was technically only as a 'session drummer' but we always try to make people feel part of the family, after all, Clive is a session player... and we just can't get rid of him! So, it's farewell to Joe, who will be continuing to work extensively with Wishbone Ash, and welcome ?????. Well we don't quite know yet, we think we've got someone, who is superb! We'll have more news soon, probably by early new year." Keep it here for more news as we get it. | ||||
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Touchstone Congratulations to Herts proggers Touchstone, who have scooped the prestigious Sonicbond Album Of The Year, with their debut Discordant Dreams, which finished ahead of The Reasoning's Awakening and Tinyfishs eponymous debut - which was voted the 15th Best Album of the year by Classic Rock magazine (ahead of Marillion's Somewhere Else, which came somewhere else) Touchstone have also releaunched their website, at www.touchstonemusic.co.uk The band are playing at The Horn in St Albans on Thursday 10th January 2008 | ||||
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 AirwavesSwedish Prog-pop supergroup Airwaves, formerly known as Swedish Whistler, will be releasing their Clive Jones (Black Widow) penned sABBAt tribute Hey You Ring Me Tonight alongside Black Widow's DVD & CD Demons Of The Night Gather To See Black Widow Live on 24th January 2008, on Mystic Records. You can hear the track, along with their Arnold Layne competition entry on their myspace at www.myspace.com/theairwaves
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 StrangefishJust as they finally break into "the big time", Manchester band Strangefish are calling it a day! A statement on their website reads: "We've been around for the last 18 years (yes it really is that long!). Over that time we've taken an idea way beyond our expectations and have enjoyed every minute of it. What's more, we did it without any support other than from those who really matter; our fans. To write, record and perform your own material takes a great deal of effort and requires full attention. Because our lives are becoming more complicated and moving in new directions, we've made the difficult decision to put the band on hold for the foreseeable future. All five of us are in agreement about this, and it's not as a result of disagreements or difficulties - we will always remain the greatest of friends. We are not ruling out performances in future. Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years. In particular we would like to thank Martin and all at the CRS, without whom we would never have had the motivation to record our music. We urge everyone to continue to support the CRS, because there is nothing like them in this country." So long, and thanks for all the (strange)fish | ||||
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 MagentaWell, they say that in Wales, it never rains but it pours, and so it seems for Magenta. Guitarist Martin Rosser has become the second member of the band to quit in the past few weeks. Martin will be joining former drummer Allan Mason-Jones on the C-Sides project, along with Chris Fry (Magenta). The band wished Martin well, and avoided any plays on his surname. | ||||
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 John
ArnisonJohn Arnison, the man who managed Marillion when they were good and played such classics as Grendel and The Web, hopes to be top of the charts this Christmas. The music mogul is the man behind little Connie Talbot, the 6 year old girl tipped by many to beat the Spice Girls to the "all important" Christmas Number One. Arnison, is convinced Connie could be the next Charlotte Church. "When I met her I was blown away," he enthused. "What will amaze people is not that she's little, but just how little she is." The last time a Prog Star tenuously held the coveted number one spot over Christmas was way back in 2005 when Shane Warne crooned his way through the Jem Godfrey penned "It's A Goal" ditty. | ||||
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Crimson
Sky Crimson Sky, the Bristol proggers led by Martin Leamon, play their last gig of the year this Thursday, 6th December, at the Hatchett in Bristol. They will be ably supported by Fabric, formally known as Parry:Matthews, who have just released their wonderful new album Four Two. Doors open at 7:30 and it's £4.00 to get in. | ||||
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The House Of Progression
The venue has the following gigs lined up for next year so far: Saturday 26th January - Solstice & Crimson Sky | ||||
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 MagentaWelsh proggers Magenta have joined the increasing band of, er, bands who are seeking replacements drummers. A source close to the band told Silhobbit this week that following the recording of the bands new DVD, at the Point in Cardiff on the 23rd November, drummer Allan Mason-Jones left the band. During December, he will be appearing as Father Christmas at Debenhams in Cardiff, while in the New Year he will be concentrating on fellow Magenta bandmates Martin Rosser and Dan Fry's new CSides project. When we asked Allan for a comment, he mysteriously said: 'I think it would be much better if the relatives of the deceased took a cut of all money made from those watching. Then at the end of the message you could have: "Have a nice day, please come again!"' | ||||
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 Porcupine
TreePorcupine Tree's Nil Recurring mini-album will be released on Peaceville Records on February 18th, housed in a deluxe Super Jewel case in textured slipcase. Following the release of the
critically-acclaimed Fear of a Blank Planet album and the success
of their 2007 North American tour comes Porcupine Tree's latest offering
'Nil Recurring'. The mini-album (29 minutes of music) was written during
the 'Fear Of A Blank Planet' sessions, completed over the Summer of
2007, and is now presented as a cohesive, self-contained Porcupine Tree
work in its own right, set for general release on February 18th, 2008.
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 JadisLazy coastproggers Jadis will be playing at The Peel in Kingston, London on Saturday 1st December. The gig, which is The Peel's Christmas Prog Bash, also features the wonderful Jo McCafferty supporting. Mick from Croydon says: "Our first year putting on Prog music at The PEEL, We have had some great nights, Well attended nights, Poorly attended nights, But all Good nights! The House Of Progression Gigs are here to stay, Good people ,Good Prices!, We finish are first year off with our XMAS bash, Please come and support our Xmas gig at The PEEL!, " JADIS + Jo McCafferty £8 in Advance, £10 on the door www.jadis-net.co.uk www.myspace.com/jadissssssssss www.jomccafferty.com www.myspace.com/jomccafferty www.peelmuzik.com www.myspace.com/houseofprogression Tickets are Available Now!!! You are able to obtain tickets directly through the venue via credit card on 020 8546 3516 | ||||
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 Neo
say "Oh No"Neo-prog stupor-group Neo have been forced to cancel their Christmas shows in Essen, Germany and at De Boerderij, Netherlands due to "unforseen circumcisions". The band, who had already lost the services of wee Alan Reed, who had fallen down a crack in the pavement, hope to reschedule the concert in the new year. It's a big shame, cos we never got to use the poster on the right! To make up for it, here's some Christmas babes!
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Magenta
After
a successful first year, The House Of Progression celebrated in style
with a cracking gig by laid back Southern softies Jadis on
Saturday at The Peel, in Kingston.