Tales Of The Bumblefoot : An Exclusive Interview With Guns N' Roses Guitarist Ron Thal

Chinese Democracy. Those two words have become synonymous with one of the most anticipated, legendary and mythical albums in rock history. Fourteen years in the making, by the time 2005 rolled around, production costs for the album reached $13 million and counting (according to a New York Times article published in March of that year.) All for an album few thought, aside from perhaps members of the band and die hard Guns N' Roses fans, would ever see the light of day - at least in official form.

Truth be told, many simply stopped caring after many years of numerous delays and false reporting of release dates which came and went with no payoff, save for the odd track such as "Oh My God", a rumored song from the album which was released as part of the soundtrack to the 1999 Arnold Schwarzenegger action flick 'End Of Days'.

So it was with hardened and cynical ears the rock world heard of an actual November 2008 release date set for this white elephant of an album. But also with such scepticism came curiosity. If indeed it actually saw the light of day, what songs would be on the final listing? Would the tracks be the same as the ones leaked onto the Internet numerous times? Which musicians of the seemingly cast of thousands (actually a little more than twenty) would appear? Would GNR mastermind and sole original member Axl Rose pull the plug on the whole thing altogether at the last minute?

All such questions were duly answered when lo and behold, in late November 2008, the album finally hit store shelves exclusively at Best Buy here in the United States. While no album could possibly have lived up to the huge expectation surrounding the release, amazingly it holds up as a cohesive, logical progression from the band's last full length offerings, 'Use Your Illusion Pt 1 & 2'. While seeming to polarize long term fans expecting another 'Appetite For Destruction', more open-minded listeners will find the album to be, despite the odds against it being so - one damn fine rock record which gets better with consecutive listening.

One of the major components in the creation of the album is Brooklyn born guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, who on the recommendation of Joe Satriani, joined the band in mid 2006. The only axeman to appear on all tracks of the release, either via rhythm parts or lead work, his talent cuts through the thick, at times grandiose production, displaying the guitar wizardry which has been evident over the course of a decade-plus long recording career, prior to his hooking up with Axl Rose & Co.

Nine CD's, a live DVD, numerous appearances on various compilations and being a guest performer on other artists' work have established him as a force to be reckoned with within the guitar community. The exposure afforded to him by recording and touring world - wide with one of the most high profile bands of the past 20 years is sure to spread the word on this humble, down to earth yet technically astounding musician.

Recently I had the opportunity to catch up with Thal just outside of Los Angeles at the Burbank Airport, for a candid conversation punctuated from time to time with the sounds of jets taking off. Topics discussed included the aforementioned 'Chinese Democracy', the guitarist's new solo release 'Barefoot : The Acoustic Sessions', how being in one of the biggest bands in rock has changed his life, his philosophy on making music and much more. Read on for the exclusive interview at this location

Welcome To The Bumble - Guns'n'Roses
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Hendrix Killed By Manager Claims Ex Roadie

The UK's Daily Mail is reporting that rock legend Jimi Hendrix was murdered by his manager as part of an insurance scam, a new book by one of former aides claims.

Hendrix choked to death on his own vomit when he was 27 – but the exact circumstances of his death have always been a mystery.

Now James ‘Tappy’ Wright, one of the rock star’s roadies, claims that Hendrix’s manager, Michael Jeffery, confessed to killing him. Jeffery is said to have made a drunken confession a year after the star’s death in September 1970.

An ambulance crew found Hendrix’s body in the Samarkand Hotel in West London, in the room of Monika Dannemann, a girl he had known for just a few days.

Wright claims Jeffery was worried that Hendrix was preparing to find a new manager when their deal was due to end in December 1970. According to Wright, Jeffery said he went to the hotel room and stuffed Hendrix full of pills and wine.

The book, called Rock Roadie, out next month, recalls Wright’s life with various rock stars during the Sixties, including Tina Turner and Elvis Presley.

In it, Wright claims Jeffery, who was married to actress Gillian French, made the confession at his apartment in 1971, two years before he died in a plane crash.

He writes: "I can still hear that conversation, see the man I’d known for so much of my life, his face pale, hand clutching at his glass in sudden rage."

He says Jeffery told him: "I had to do it, Tappy. You understand, don’t you? I had to do it. You know damn well what I’m talking about."

He quotes Jeffery as saying: "I was in London the night of Jimi’s death and together with some old friends ...we went round to Monika’s hotel room, got a handful of pills and stuffed them into his mouth ...then poured a few bottles of red wine deep into his windpipe.

‘I had to do it. Jimi was worth much more to me dead than alive. That son of a bitch was going to leave me. If I lost him, I’d lose everything."

Phil Spector Sentenced To 19 To Life, Da Doo Ron Ron Ron Da Doo Ron Ron

Phil Spector returned to a Los Angeles County courtroom today to face the music for his second-degree murder conviction in the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson and left heading for the big house.

The famed record producer faced at least 15 years to life in prison for Clarkson’s death, the mandatory sentence under California law. But the big question going into this morning’s sentencing was how many additional years Spector would receive because Clarkson’s death was a shooting fatality.

Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson had already asked for an additional four years, while Spector’s defense attorney, Doron Weinberg, had asked the judge to reduce the DA’s request to three years.

But the judge sided with the D.A. this morning and sentenced the 69-year-old music legend to 19 years to life. The judge also ordered Spector to make restitution payments in the form of more than $16,800 in funeral expenses and more than $9,700 to a state victim’s assistant fund.

Spector’s lawyer said his client will appeal the conviction.

British Blues Rock Power Trio Firebird's 'Grand Union' To Be Released In June

British blues-rock power trio Firebird has completed work on it's fifth full length album, the follow - up to 2006's critically acclaimed 'Hot Wings' entitled 'Grand Union'. The record will see a June 23rd North American release date via Rise Above Records.

Fronted by guitarist / vocalist Bill Steer (ex-Carcass / Napalm Death), Firebird creates energetic wah-wah-laden jams with roots in late-'60s and early-'70s rock, calling for comparison to Cream, Free, Gov't Mule and Humble Pie.

Renowned for his pioneering efforts in grindcore and extreme metal, Steer takes a different route with Firebird; his guitar wizardry generates a “cool blues” vibe that merges with huge bass lines and big drums to create rock grooves you could drive a truck through.

Recorded in Malmö, Sweden’s Berno Studios, Grand Union ratchets Firebird's proven musicianship and electrified, amped-up crunch to fresh new heights. The album contains nine new Firebird originals and three cover tunes; 'Fool for You' scarcely resembles the sensitive James Taylor original, while 'Worried Mind' is a power-driven tribute to legendary '60s Brit-Blues genius Duster Bennett. The final delve into the past comes courtesy of Humble Pie's 'Four Day Creep'.

The tracklisting for Grand Union is as follows: 'Blue Flame', 'Jack The Lad', 'Lonely Road', 'Fool For You' (James Taylor), 'Silent Stranger', 'Release Me', 'Wild Honey', 'Gold Label', 'Worried Mind' (Duster Bennett), 'See The Light', 'Four Day Creep' (Humble Pie), 'Caledonia'.

The brand new Firebird track 'Blue Flame' has been posted online and can be rocked out now at this location.

In addition to Steer, Firebird features drummer Ludwig Witt and bassist Smok Smoczkiewicz.

Ozzy Osbourne Suing Tony Iommi Over Sabbath Name

The New York Post is reporting that Ozzy Osbourne is going off the rails against one of his Black Sabbath bandmates.

The "Godfather of Heavy Metal" claims guitarist Tony Iommi illegally claimed sole ownership of the band's name, in a filing with the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Osbourne is suing Iommi for a 50 percent interest in the "Black Sabbath" trademark, along with a portion of Iommi's profits from use of the name.

The Manhattan federal court suit also charges that Osbourne's "signature lead vocals" are largely responsible for the band's "extraordinary success," noting that its popularity plummeted during his absence from 1980 through 1996.

Zakk Wylde On Aerosmith : "If You Can’t Write Songs You’re As Phony As Britney Spears"

Classic Rock Magazine is reporting that Zakk Wylde – the always outspoken Black Label Society and Ozzy Osbourne guitarist – is shooting his mouth off again, and this time he’s got Aerosmith and Metallica in his sights.

In an interview with Gibson.com, Wylde criticizes Aerosmith for using outside songwriters and Metallica for hiring counselors, or ‘life coaches’, as seen in the band’s Some Kind Of Monster movie.

Wylde fumes: “I laugh when I go into a music store and there’s a title called How To Write Songs. You can’t teach someone how to write a song.

“Angus Young didn’t need books to learn to write Hell’s Bells. The musicians I grew up on and loved - like Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix - it’s their names on their songs. That’s the beauty of buying a record by a real artist.

“Appetite for Destruction was written by Guns N’ Roses, not some weak-asses like those lame songwriters on Aerosmith. Aerosmith wrote great songs like Dream On and Back In The Saddle when they were on booze and drugs.

“Next thing you know, they get sober and bring songwriters in, and then it’s the most watered-down shit. If you can’t write songs you’re as phony as Britney Spears. You don’t have any business making records.”

Wylde also takes a swipe at Metallica’s reclining-on-the-coach, soul-baring tactics.

“Who needs a psychiatrist? I’ve been married 24 years. I’m gonna get in fights with the wife and that’s life - you got the highs and the lows.

“You’re in a band, you’re gonna fight, you’re gonna get over it or it wasn’t meant to be any more. Tough times don’t last - tough people do. I’ve got no time for weak-willed bullshit. Get tough or get out.”

Ronnie Montrose Suing Gary Moore Over Stolen Les Paul Guitar

Music Radar is reporting that it was in 1972 when Ronnie Montrose says he had his 1959 classic sunburst Gibson Les Paul stolen.

Montrose was then part of the Edgar Winter Group, and claims he had his rare 1959 'burst stolen from a EWG show on 20 October 1972 in Dudley, Massachusetts.

Montrose says he bought the guitar from J Geils in 1972, and used it to record the Edgar Winter Group album They Only Come Out at Night.

Montrose says he has since hired private detectives over the past 37 years to track down the guitar, but he had no luck.

Until he saw Gary Moore's guitar collection in the British guitar magazine, Guitar Buyer.

Montrose is convinced that one of Moore's pictured Les Pauls is his missing guitar.

According to court reports, Moore has not responded to Montrose's efforts to establish contact since 2007, so Montrose is suing the Irish rocker. There is no suggestion Moore was behind any claimed theft in 1972.

Reached at his home in Brighton, England, Moore refused to discuss the matter, saying only that the “whole thing is a sham” and “I’ve had that guitar for more than 20 years.” Montrose doesn’t dispute that notion, but he insists that doesn’t change the fact that Moore is in possession of his stolen guitar and must return it. An angry Moore refused to comment further on his tussle with Montrose over the decades-old instrument.

Eric Clapton And Steve Winwood Live From Madison Square Garden To Air On PBS

Long-time friends and former Blind Faith band mates Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood team up for a once-in-a-lifetime reunion concert in Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood: Live From Madison Square Garden Thursday, May 28 at 8 p.m. (ET) on THIRTEEN's Great Performances on PBS (check local listings).

Presented in 5.1 digital surround sound on PBS HD, the special telecast captures Clapton and Winwood at New York’s Madison Square Garden performing songs from their short-lived Blind Faith collaboration, including "Presence of the Lord", "Can’t Find My Way Home", "Well All Right", along with hits from their respective solo careers.

The DVD of this performance, filmed during a sold-out three-gig stand in late February 2008 'Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood: Live From Madison Square Garden' has just been released May 19th via WEA/Reprise.

The Allman Brothers Band Kicks Off West-Coast Tour

The Allman Brothers Band opened the West Coast leg of their 40th anniversary tour last week in grand fashion. They kicked it off with two sold-out shows at the Fox Theatre in Oakland, played with the Dead and the Doobie Brothers at a sold-out Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington state, and followed it up with two star-studded nights at Los Angeles' Greek Theatre.

In Los Angeles, the group - Gregg Allman (vocals and keyboards), Butch Trucks (drums and tympani), Jaimoe (drums), Warren Haynes (vocals, lead and slide guitar), Derek Trucks (slide and lead guitar), Oteil Burbridge (bass) and Marc Quinones (congas and percussion)-welcomed some special guests to the stage.

On night one, Tom Petty and bandmates Benmont Tench and Mike Campbell joined the group for two Bob Dylan covers, "It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry" and "Highway 61 Revisited," with Tench also sitting in for "The Sky Is Crying." Longtime group friend Bruce Willis played harmonica on "You Don't Love Me" and "Southbound" (also with Tench).

On night two, Susan Tedeschi, wife of Derek Trucks, played "Little By Little," Ziggy Marley helped the ABB with their first-ever version of "I Shot The Sheriff" (along with Tedeschi) and Conan O'Brien's horns section jazzed up "Same Thing," "Soulshine," "Into The Mystic," "Little By Little" and "I Shot The Sheriff."

For more, check out allmanbrothersband.com

Fan produced footage of "Dreams" live at The Greek Theater, Los Angeles May 22, 2009 :

Alice Cooper's Classic 'School's Out' To Get Remastered Vinyl Release

The Alice Cooper Band's classic 1972 album, "School's Out", will be reissued on 180-gram audiophile vinyl with a fold-out sleeve on June 2 via Friday Music. Originally produced by Bob Ezrin, this multi-platinum effort forever etched the word superstar to Alice Cooper, as this legacy recording has truly stood the test of time.

Aside from the smash title track, the album contained equally strong album tracks like "Public Animal #9", "My Stars" and "Alma Mater". This major release has also been one of the most influential hard rock recordings of its time, as well as being one of the biggest albums of Cooper's amazing career. Remastered impeccably from the original Warner Bros. vault tapes by Joe Reagoso (David Lee Roth, Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy), this stunning album now has the most thrilling sound ever, complete with a very sharp gatefold cover with the original art elements, and poly sleeve to protect your investment.

American Idol's Adam Lambert Being Considered As New Queen Frontman?

After Adam Lambert’s killer performance with Queen on Wednesday night’s season finale of American Idol, rumors flew that he had already been offered a job singing with the band. That’s slightly premature, according to the band’s guitarist, Brian May.

“Amongst all that furor, there wasn’t really a quiet moment to talk,” May tells Rolling Stone in an e-mail interview. “But [drummer Roger Taylor] and I are definitely hoping to have a meaningful conversation with him at some point. It’s not like we, as Queen, would rush into coalescing with another singer just like that. It isn’t that easy. But I’d certainly like to work with Adam. That is one amazing instrument he has there.”

Blues Rock Guitar Devotees Will Have The Luck Of The Irish With Rory Gallagher's 'Live In Cork'

Rory Gallagher
Live In Cork (DVD)
Eagle Rock

Review by Nightwatcher

"The man who got me back into the blues" - Eric Clapton on Rory Gallagher


Finally available in the U.S. after being issued on DVD in Europe several years back, 'Live In Cork' captures the late, great Irish guitarist Rory Gallagher in a rousing sold out performance originally filmed for TV airing at the Cork Opera House in his hometown in 1986.

Known not only for his legendary guitar skills, but for putting on an incredible live show, this shows Gallagher and band in good light as they power through classic after classic. Ably assisted by longtime bassist Gerry McAvoy and drummer Brendan O' Neill, with Mark Feltham, notably also with UK blues band Nine Below Zero on blues harp, they play lean and mean from start to finish. While Rory isn't as intense here as he was in the 70's, the music certainly doesn't suffer. It's only by raising the bar so high earlier in his career that a slightly lesser comparison can be made. This may not rate as the ultimate performance, but a mere extremely good show from this battered Strat wielding bluesman still wipes the floor with the majority of the competition.

Ranging from the smoldering, hard rocking originals "Follow Me", "Shadow Play" and "Tattoo'd Lady" to the simmering grooves of "Ain't No Saint", pure Chicago blues ( via a cover of Sonny Boy Williamson's "Don't Start Me To Talkin') to acoustic blues such as a cover of Leadbelly's "Out On The Western Plain" the band simply cooks, with the guitarist giving a sweltering 13 track, 78 minute master clinic on all what is right in the history of blues rock guitar.

Besides the performance, the package, while full screen, has admirable sound both in 2.0 stereo and 5.1 Surround, and the video quality is quite good despite being filmed over two decades past. While there is some fading, and there are some slight tracers suggestive of the gel cameras which were popular in the 80's, but they're not of the red variety such as on U2's 'Under A Blood Red Sky', so they're none too obtrusive nor distracting.

There are some nice extras in the virtual tour of Cork, with info given on the music store where Gallagher purchased his first guitar and other landmarks, to give one a flavor of what influenced the young musician growing up. A memorabilia section with newspaper and magazine clippings, a discography and a photo gallery is included also, and while a commentary would have been nice, it's not essential, and what is here makes this a very well rounded offering. Lovingly compiled by brother Donal, who supplied the text of the booklet which accompanies the disc, this is top notch all around.

Revered by musicians ranging from Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Brian May and Slash to modern day devotees Joe Bonamassa and young up and comers The Answer and Ryan McGarvey, there's good reason Gallagher has a statue erected and a street named after him not only in his hometown, but also in Paris : It's the fact his talent was so transcendent and mesmerizing it has reached throughout the decades to touch the souls and hearts of disciples and soon to be converted devotees to the present day.

While he may have passed from this world at the all too young age of 47 following complications from a nearly successful liver transplant in 1995, the music contained on this DVD goes a long way towards showing why he's still, and will continue to be considered one of the finest to ever pick up the instrument. Pick this one up without hesitation, but be sure to grab as many Rory Gallagher albums and videos that you can. Trust me, you'll be thankful you did. Highly recommended. 9/10 http://www.rorygallagher.com/

Ringo Starr Snubs Elderly Autograph Seeker

Piers Morgan has branded Ringo Starr "disgusting and selfish" amid reports the Beatles legend snubbed an autograph-hunting pensioner.

The drummer is alleged to have turned down an elderly lady when she asked for his signature at the Chelsea Flower Show in London earlier this week.

And America's Got Talent judge Morgan is so incensed by the claim, he has launched a furious verbal attack on the rocker.

He says, "Ringo was always the least talented, ugliest, jammiest member of The Beatles. We can now add the words 'disgusting', 'selfish', 'greedy' and 'thoughtless' to the list too."

Last October, Starr released a video on his official web site wherein he instructed fans if they were to send in any requests for autographs they would be shredded without reply stating "I have too much to do". After public outcry, Starr later stated it was a misunderstanding and retracted the statement.

Michael Schenker, UFO Official Bootleg Boxsets To Be Released

According to HMV Japan, the Michael Schenker Group's's CD/DVD box set, titled 'Walk The Stage: Official Bootleg Box Set', is due for release on June 22nd.

Also, a similar UFO 6 CD box set is also to be released early July.

Available details are as follows:

Michael Schenker Group - Walk The Stage: Official Bootleg Box Set (4 CD + 1 DVD)
Limited Box Set (Official) only for the first pressing
CD 1 - Live At The Hammersmith Odeon 1980
CD 2 - Live At Osaka 1st Show, September 10th, 1981
CD 3 - Live At Osaka 2nd Show, September 11th, 1981
CD 4 - Live At The Reading Rock Festival, August 29th, 1982
DVD - Live At The Hammersmith Odeon 1983 (2008 Digital Remaster)

UFO - The Official Bootleg Box Set (6 CD)
Limited Box Set (Official) only for the first pressing
CD 1 - Live At Record Plant, NYC
CD 2 - Live At The Roundhouse, London April 25th, 1976
CD 3 - TBA
CD 4 - Live In Cleveland, Ohio
CD 5 - Live In Hammersmith
CD 6 - Live At The Hammersmith 'BBC In Concert'

Stay tuned for further details.

Sir Paul Gets Home Taken Off Google Street View

Sir Paul McCartney has had his London home removed from Google street view after he made a complaint.

Macca was furious when he discovered fans could goggle at his multi-million-pound home online.

It was photographed along with others on the posh street as part of Google’s ground-level views of the city.

The former Beatles's security team, who monitor access to the house 24 hours a day, complained to the web giant.

Sir Paul, 66, has been careful about security since bandmate John Lennon was murdered in 1980.

A source said: “He was unsettled when he heard Google users could get a 360-degree view of the property.”

The star penned classic tracks Penny Lane, Getting Better and Hey Jude at the town house in St John’s Wood, North London, which he bought in 1965 for £40,000.

He built a meditation chapel in the garden in 1967 which has a circular bed given to him by actor Groucho Marx.

Last night a Google spokesman said anyone could now remove their house from the site by clicking a button.

But he added: “Since the launch of Street View, millions have used it and the vast majority are very happy to have their house included.”

Lynyrd Skynyrd New Album Title, Release Date Announced

Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records announced today the title and release date for the new album from legendary Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd. God & Guns will be released on September 29th.

The new album features 13 tracks embodying Skynyrd’s classic sound. It was recorded in Nashville with legendary producer Bob Marlette(Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Stone Cherry). The first single from the album, 'Still Unbroken', will be shipping to rock radio in July, and will be accompanied by a new video, set to shoot in Nashville next month. God & Guns marks the first set of new studio material since 2003’s Vicious Cycle.

Lynyrd Skynyrd will be co-headlining the Rock Rebels Tour this summer across the US with their good friend Kid Rock.

B.B. King - At Sing Sing Prison To See DVD Release For The First Time

On June 16th, via Music Video Distributors, a live concert featuring blues legend B.B. King, 'B.B. King -At Sing Sing Prison', filmed at the maximum security prison north of New York City in 1972 will see its first appearance on DVD.

By 1972, The Prison Concert was already an established, if infrequent event in the calendars of American jails; the blueprint had been set by the famous performances given by Johnny Cash at Folsom and San Quentin in 1968 and 1969 respectively. The huge success of these shows reassured the authorities and encouraged other musicians to follow suit. It was against this backdrop that film-makers David Hoffmann and Harry Wiland were allowed into New York's notorious Sing Sing prison, not just to make a film themselves, but to teach film-craft to some of the inmates. This relationship developed to such an extent that, encouraged by the prisoners, they persuaded the Department of Correction to allow the Thanksgiving Concert which is the subject of this film.

Many acts were approached to take part, and most refused, but Blues legend B.B. King and veteran folk singer and activist Joan Baez recognised the importance of the venture, and with enthusiastic support from The Voices Of East Harlem, comedian Jimmy Walker and performances from a few of Sing Sing's inmates, a unique and never-to-be-forgotten show was staged.

The show, though, really belongs to B.B. King. His opening banter established an easy rapport with the crowd, and he opens with a masterful performance of 'I Got The Blues'. An extraordinary sequence follows, with hardened cons firstly in tears during King's emotionally-charged 'Somebody Really Loves You', then convulsed with laughter during his treatment of 'I Think You're Cheating On Me, Baby'. King himself has suggested that these performances are among the finest he has ever given. This DVD is not just the film of an extraordinary concert however, it is also a touching and enlightening documentary about the creation, production and filming of that concert, and equally works as a revealing tale of American prison life in the early 1970s.

New Aerosmith Album To Be Walmart Exclusive?

In a new interview with EW’s Music Mix, Joe Perry opened up about Aerosmith’s delayed new album and upcoming tour with ZZ Top — and also inadvertently let slip that the band’s new album might be a Walmart exclusive, like AC/DC’s Black Ice and the Eagles’ Long Road Out of Eden.

According to Perry, the band is frustrated that despite Perry’s need for knee surgery and singer Steven Tyler’s pneumonia, they haven’t finished their new album in time. “This is about the third time I’ve had to make excuses why the record isn’t out,” Perry told EW. “You line everything up just right: Brendan O’Brien producing, Walmart and Sony screaming for the record, tour coming up, and there’s no record. We’re still in shock that it’s not happening.” Perry was able to complete his own “fucking great” solo album, as well as make some culinary advances with his hot sauce and a new product called Rock n’ Roni.

Perry also confirmed that like many acts hitting the road this summer, Aerosmith will play one of their LPs in its entirety on their upcoming tour. “We’re going to pick an album and do it from front to back. Even though we do bits and pieces from all the albums, to me, there’s kind of a vibe that happens when you hear an album from beginning to end,” Perry said, though he wouldn’t specify which LP the band would play. Aerosmith kick off their tour with fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Famers ZZ Top on June 10th in Maryland Heights, Missouri.

Rock Faithful Sure To Give UFO's 'The Visitor' A Warm Welcome

UFO
The Visitor
SPV/Steamhammer

Review by Nightwatcher

On their 20th studio album 'The Visitor' - the third with American world class guitarist Vinnie Moore, English hard rock legends UFO have gone deeper into their blues rock roots while still managing to sound classic and vital. Proving that after 40 years as a band these rock veterans still have what it takes in terms of musicianship, song craft and melodies to please the hard rock faithful.

From the lead off track, the swampy blues inflected "Saving Me", which opens with gritty slide guitar, to the anthemic "Stop Breaking Down" on which crushing power chords give way to a commercial leaning yet infectious chorus, suddenly exploding with an amazing, vintage sounding Moore solo, the guitarist passes with flying colors and then some. Reminiscent in tone and phrasing of Uli Jon Roth, reminding that they haven't forgotten from whence they came, this is one of many memorable moments, guitar -wise throughout. From blues to heavy rock to funk (more about that later), if you've ever had doubts about him fitting into the band, it's time to lay those to rest.

While there's plenty of potent blues rock contained here, there's still room to stretch those boundaries, such as on the swinging, funk (Yes, funk on a UFO album!) informed "Living Proof" with Moore once again shining, throwing out hard edged Albert King styled licks, showing they're not afraid of thinking outside the box even after all these years. Phil Mogg (Tabbed recently as # 28 on Classic Rock Magazine's '50 Greatest Singers In Rock' list) seemingly has found the fountain of youth, vocally speaking - even at age 60 the man can sing rings around the vast portion of the competition effortlessly. Founding drummer Andy Parker and long serving keyboardist Paul Raymond underpin the surroundings with style and power, and are both integral cogs in the wheels of the success of this album. Other highlights to be found include the moody drugs and booze fable "Can't Buy A Thrill", the hard rocking "Rock Ready" and the riff rocker which ends the album "Stranger In Town".

While in spirit the band may be missing founding bassist Pete Way, currently battling liver disease and unable to record or tour, the remaining foursome have battened down the hatches in the storm and come up with an offering arguably their best since 1995's 'Strangers In The Night' lineup reunion disc with Michael Schenker, 'Walk On Water'.

Although not quite to that level, more bluesy and organic, with less of the Euro hard rock stylings which were a hallmark of that era and earlier, ultimately by forging a different sound which still strikes familiar they sound revitalized and self assured. By paring down in a selective process from a reported 35 compositions to a streamlined 11 which appear on the final issue, separating the wheat from the chaff, these time worn rockers have beaten the odds, coming up with a minor classic. One which Mogg, Parker, Raymond and Moore have every reason to be proud of.

Compared to the majority of their contemporaries, one would be hard pressed to find any, with the exception of Heaven & Hell or perhaps AC/DC who are capable of producing contemporary original material in the classic heavy rock genre which isn't a pale imitation of years past. While the aforementioned Ronnie James Dio led Sabbath reunion is getting all the attention as of now, this is equally as good, albeit in a different vein.

Unless one is a die hard Michael Schenker fan who still can't fathom the idea of UFO without the mercurial guitarist, give this one a few spins and you'll find a wealth of strong material to be had here. The combination of Moore and the rest of the musicians have gelled in a way they haven't before, and it makes one look forward to hearing these songs in a live setting. Don't go into this expecting another ''Obsession', 'Force It' or 'Lights Out' as this isn't that band. However, based on the evidence here, this is a solid welcome return to form which bears up extremely well across repeated listening. The bottom line is, if classy hard rock with a bluesy bent is your forte, this one's a winner, and if you haven't had a listen to the band in some time, this would be a mighty fine place to start again. 8.5/10 http://www.ufo-music.info/band.htm

If You Want Loud, You've Got It : AC/DC Show In Munich, Germany Causes Noise Complaints 20 Kilometers Away

A concert by rockers AC/DC in Munich, Germany on Friday drew over 100 noise complaints by irate neighbors, police reported Sunday.

Complaints came from as far as Unterhaching, a suburb almost 20 kilometers (12 miles) away from the stadium. Police said the neighbours complained about “overly-loud music” that violated local noise ordinances.

The noise did not drive off Economy Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, who showed up at the concert with his wife, Stephanie, according to the daily Bild. The 37-year-old minister has admitted his love of heavy metal before and said that he’s been a fan of the Australian rockers since he was a teenager. Bild quoted Stephanie zu Guttenberg as saying that she had never been to an AC/DC show before, but was going because her husband was so excited to see the band.

The concert at the Olympic Stadium was attended by 70,000 fans. Police said despite the noise, the concert was extremely calm. Four people were arrested for trying to get into the stadium with counterfeit tickets, otherwise there were no reports of brawling or rowdiness. Five fans without tickets also climbed a crane at a nearby building site in order to get a free peek from afar into the stadium.

Chickenfoot’s Debut Tour Date Interrupted By Fire Department

Rollingstone.com is reporting that the launch of new rock supergroup Chickenfoot’s short spring tour at Seattle’s El Corazon last night (May 14th) pleased the rowdy crowd despite a number of logistical issues. Nine songs into the band’s main set, a visit from the local fire department to the crowded club prompted a halt on movement from the venue’s bar to its stage room.

Chickenfoot were nine songs and 40 minutes into their set and presumably ready to continue when the group’s singer, Sammy Hagar, told the audience, “The fire department’s going to shut us down in 10 minutes … This is the end of the regular set.” He also promised a 45-minute encore to make up for the delay.

For 20 minutes, the music was halted while the crowd began to trickle out (some with help from the club’s security staff); eventually, Hagar and bandmates Michael Anthony (like Hagar, a former Van Halen member), cult shredder Joe Satriani on guitar, and drummer Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) made good on Hagar’s promise, playing through six more tunes, including set-ending jams on “Bad Motor Scooter” (which Hagar first performed with his former group, Montrose) and Deep Purple’s “Highway Star.”

The rest of the set was made up of tunes from the band’s debut album, due in June and also titled Chickenfoot. The tracks are as driving as you’d expect given the group’s lineup, and the fans ate up songs such as the bluesy “Sexy Little Thing” (”She can drive and not get wasted/Stoner’s dream on a Friday night”), the rocking “Oh Yeah” (”When I was a young man I slept around/When I turned 30, I settled down”), and the grungy “Bipolar.”

All four musicians seemed to be having a blast, perhaps because El Corazon — capacity 807 — is smaller than the rooms they’re used to playing. (They brought a good deal of their own arena-ready gear for the show, which sounded huge.) Both sets seemed well rehearsed, something Hagar hopes not to repeat too much, as he put it during the encore: “It feels like we’ve been together a long time,” he said. “We don’t like to rehearse; well, Joe does … But there’ll come a time when Chickenfoot doesn’t have to rehearse. We’ll just come on and play.”

Here's some fan produced footage from last night at the El Corazon :

Steve Marriott's Pack Of Three 'All Or Nothing : Live In London' To Get US DVD Release In June

On June 16th, Music Video Distributors will release a full length concert DVD by the late great Steve Marriott's Pack Of Three, 'All Or Nothing : Live From London".

"All Or Nothing :Live From London London" features a full show Steve Marriott played with his band "Packet Of Three" at London's Camden Palace Theatre in 1985. Marriott revisits many hits from his back catalog including classic Small Faces songs "What'cha Gonna Do About It", "All Or Nothing" and "Tin Soldier" and Humble Pie singles "30 Days In The Hole" and "I Don't Need No Doctor".

Marriott is quite simply a rock n roll legend - as leader of the Small Faces and Humble Pie he is responsible for some of the all-time great songs created by any British musician. Marriott formed the Small Faces with Ronnie Lane in 1964 and they went on to become of the legendary British bands of their era with classic hit songs including "All Or Nothing", "Tin Soldier", "Lazy Sunday" and "Itchycoo Park" and the seminal album "Ogden's Nut Gone Flake". The band split in 1969 and Marriott went on to form Humble Pie with Peter Frampton - creating one of the 70's first supergroups and enjoying success on both sides of the Atlantic. Their live offering from 1971 'Performance : Rockin' The Fillmore' is considered by many to be one of the best live albums of all time.

Sadly, Marriott tragically died at the age of 44 in a house fire in 1991 - but his legacy and loyal fanbase around the world continue on.

New Video Interview With Hard Rockin' Blues Guitarist Joe Bonamassa Available

Recently hard rockin' "New King Of The Blues", Joe Bonamassa was interviewed by Channel One News' Justin Finch.

During the interview, the guitarist, who on May 4th was joined by rock legend Eric Clapton at a sold out performance at London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall, discusses his beginnings, his work with the Blues In The Schools program, and more :

Paul Rodgers Done With Queen

Initially reported by VH1 Classic Radio, Queen guitarist Brian May's official website posted the following item on May 1st:

The next time (vocalist) Paul Rodgers tours, it probably won’t be with Queen. After spending a lot of time with them the past couple years, it seems he’s amicable parted ways with the legendary group.

“Well, you know, we did a world tour, we did a second tour of Europe and the Far East and Eastern Europe and we did a studio album and I think we’re kind of leaving it there gently. It’s out there for us to do things in the future if there’s something, a huge charity say like Nelson Mandela, I’m always open to that, but I think we are pretty much done.”

Fans can see Paul and the rest of Bad Company when the group kicks off their reunion tour on June 17th in Hollywood, FL. For all the dates, head to BadCompany.com.

New Studio Offering From Maryland Rockers Clutch Due Out In July

Veteran Maryland rock quartet Clutch have all but finished putting the finishing touches on their ninth studio album, titled 'Strange Cousins From the West'.

Produced by Clutch and J. Robbins at Magpie Cage Studios in Baltimore. The effort is the first Clutch original to be released on the band's own Weathermaker Music.

Label manager Jon Nardachone reports, "Strange Cousins..." will be available both digitally and through retail on July 6th. He also reports the first single and video, "50,000 Unstoppable Watts" will be officially released prior to Memorial Day weekend in the US"

The official track listing for "Strange Cousins From the West" is:

Motherless Child
Struck Down
50,000 Unstoppable Watts
Abraham Lincoln
Minotaur
The Amazing Kreskin
Witchdoctor
Let a Poor Man Be
Freakonomics
Algo Ha Cambiado
Sleestak Lightning


The band have also announced UK June tour dates (support from And so I Watch You from Afar)
Jun 13 2009 Corporation Sheffield
Jun 14 2009 Download Festival Donington
Jun 15 2009 HMS Hammer Gig Boat to Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards London
Jun 16 2009 Wedgewood Rooms Portsmouth
Jun 17 2009 TJ's Newport
Jun 18 2009 Cockpit Leeds

Jun 20 Hellfest, Clisson, France
Jun 21 2009 De Helling Utrecht
Jun 22 2009 Kulturfabrik Esch-sur-Alzette
Jun 23 2009 Underground Koln
Jun 24 2009 Molotow Hamburg
Jun 25 2009 Knaak Berlin

For more info go to http://www.pro-rock.com/

Alice Cooper, Barack Obama To Appear At Arizona State University

Our friends at Brave Words are reporting that rock legend Alice Cooper will perform for the students of Arizona State University this Wednesday and US President Barack Obama will deliver a speech to the crowd.

Alice has mixed with the rich and famous for decades but to share a stage with Barack Obama is indeed an honor for the rock star. "Of all the people I've ever shared a stage with Obama is the biggest rock star," said Alice. "And I'd like to thank him, in advance, for changing the national anthem to 'Schools Out'."

Alice will sing his anthem at the school, backed by the band Runaway Phoenix featuring his son Dash Cooper.

Dash is a student at the school.

B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Jeff Healey Among Big Winners At 2009 Blues Music Awards

The soulful singer Janiva Magness won entertainer of the year at the 2009 Blues Music Awards, held May 7th in Memphis. The Michigan native also won best contemporary female artist at Thursday’s show.

Buddy Guy won three awards: contemporary blues album, contemporary male artist and album of the year for 'Skin Deep'. Blues legend B.B. King took home two honors: traditional male artist and best traditional blues album for the T Bone Burnette produced 'One Kind Favor'. Eden Brent won acoustic artist of the year and best acoustic album for Mississippi Number One. Kenny Neal won song of the year for "Let Life Flow". The late Canadian guitarist Jeff Healey took the Rock Blues Album of the Year for the posthumously released "Mess of Blues", while slide master Sonny Landreth was named Instrumentalist - guitarist of the year.

For the complete list of BMA winners go to this location

Steve Vai To Release 'Flex-Able' 25th Anniversary Edition

Guitar god Steve Vai has outlined his plans for the remainder of the year and beyond. He will be releasing a live DVD, the box set of The Naked Tracks exclusively at Guitar Center and the 25th anniversary edition of his first solo album, 'Flex-Able'.

These are just a few amongst other amazing projects Vai has up his sleeve for 2009-10.

'Flex-Able' was originally released in 1984 and subsequently reissed in 1997.

For more info go to http://www.vai.com/

David Gilmour To Headline Homeless Benefit Gig

David Gilmour has announced that he will headline a secret gig to raise money for London's homeless.

The Pink Floyd guitarist will take to the stage at a mystery venue on May 24th (09) alongside blues act Amadou & Mariam and all proceeds will go to charity Crisis.

Fans will only be told where the concert is taking place the day before via text message.

Gilmour said: "It was a wonderful surprise when (Amadou & Mariam) called recently, inviting me to collaborate with them on this special one-off occasion for Crisis.

"I'm looking forward to breaking down a few musical boundaries in the cause of helping the homeless".

UFO's Phil Mogg : "I Don't Want To End Up Like Status Quo"

Veteran British rockers UFO have decided not to celebrate their 40th birthday this year — because lead singer Phil Mogg doesn’t want his band to end up like Status Quo.

Speaking to Classic Rock magazine, Mogg said, "We are not in our 40th anniversary. Status Quo does that. We don't. No. Do you know what? I don't look too deep. This is, like, rock. If you start looking too deep, then you get carried away with your own stuff. You disappear up your own arse, basically. So I don't really look too deep at it. It's a rock group, you know? It's never that important. Some people find it really important for their own self-importance, if you get what I mean. . . Shut up, just do it. Get up on stage and rock. That's my theory, anyway. I don' like bullshit."

"All those who have been into UFO for a long time will find all our characteristic trademarks on 'The Visitor', and anybody new to the band will be impressed by our enthusiasm and dynamism," frontman Phil Mogg enthuses on the subject of the new songs. "The Visitor" sees the band benefiting especially from their collaboration with Vinnie Moore, who joined UFO in autumn 2003 and has made an excellent impression on the albums "You Are Here" (2004) and "The Monkey Puzzle" (2006), and on the band’s tours. Mogg says,"Without running down previous UFO lineups, it's been a long time since we had a team as strong as this one. Vinnie contributes his youthful energy and amazing guitar technique, and in Andy's return we've seen the reappearance of a musician who has always been very important to the band's original sound."

UFO composed more than 35 new tracks in the run-up to the recordings, 13 of which were short-listed and produced at the studio.

The current lineup continues to consist of the two original members, Phil Mogg (vocals) and Andy Parker (drums), long time member Paul Raymond (guitar, keyboards) as well as American world-class guitarist Vinnie Moore. Bass legend and original member Pete Way is currently suffering from a liver disease and was unfortunately not available for the studio production.

Release dates for "The Visitor" (via SPV/Steamhammer):

Germany, Austria, Switzerland: May 29
Rest of Europe: June 2
USA, Canada: June 2

Lynyrd Skynyrd Bassist Ean Evans Dead At 48

Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist Ean Evans has lost his battle with cancer, just four months after the rockers mourned the death of former keyboardist Billy Powell.

Evans passed away on Wednesday at the age of 48.

Announcing the news on their official website, the group says: "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of longtime Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist Ean Evans.

"Ean put up a valiant battle with an aggressive form of cancer and he will be sorely missed by family, friends and fans."

Evans joined the band in 2001 as a replacement for Leon Wilkeson, who was found dead in his hotel room in July that year after suffering from chronic liver disease.

It is the latest tragedy to hit the group - Powell suffered a suspected fatal heart attack in January.

Evans is survived by his wife Eva and their two daughters, Sydney and Andrea.

Heaven And Hell Hit #8 On Billboard Album Charts

Heaven And Hell's highly anticipated new album The Devil You Know debuted at #8 on this week's Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. The metal masses waited 17 years for a new album from the Dio-era of Sabbath, and The Devil You Know did not disappoint. This equals the highest chart position ever reached by any Black Sabbath lineup (1971's Master Of Reality also reached #8).

The band will take The Devil You Know on the road in North America this August for a month-long trek with support from Coheed And Cambria . Tickets for most shows go on sale the weekend of May 8.

Heaven And Hell tour dates:

August
7 - Vancouver, BC - Thunderbird Arena
8 - Seattle, WA - WaMu Theater*
10 - San Jose, CA - Event Center Arena
11 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theater
12 - Phoenix, AZ - Dodge Theater
14 - Albuquerque, NM - Journal Pavilion
15 - Denver, CO - Red Rocks
18 - Cincinnati, OH - PNC Pavilion
19 - Chicago, IL - Charter One Pavilion
21 - Detroit, MI - Meadow Brook Pavilion
22 - Cleveland, OH - Nautica Pavilion
23 - Baltimore, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion
25 - New York, NY - WaMu Theater @ MSG
27 - Wallingford, CT - Chevrolet Theatre
28 - Boston, MA - Bank Of America Pavilion

*With Neurosis (Coheed And Cambria will not appear on this date)

Joe Bonamassa And Eric Clapton Go Further On Up The Road At The Royal Albert Hall

Tonight, May 4th "New King Of The Blues", hard rockin' blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa played a sold out show at London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall.


As a very special guest, none other than "Slowhand", guitar legend Eric Clapton joined Bonamassa on stage for a very bluesworthy version of "Further On Up The Road".

Here's some fan produced footage of this historic event :

Flashback 1976 : Fleetwood Mac - I'm So Afraid

Definitely one of the heaviest tracks ever recorded by the band, and a true classic. Here's Fleetwood Mac performing a live version of the Lindsay Buckingham penned "I'm So Afraid" from May 1976 at the University of California, Santa Barbara Football Field.

A side of the band which got overshadowed by the hits, it's a shame that someone didn't encourage the band to go more in this direction, that's for sure. But millions of sales can't be wrong, can it? Excellent guitar solo and vocals by Buckingham, and the rest of the band is just cooking :

The Kinks Film In The Works

A movie on legendary UK rockers The Kinks is currently in production, however producers are seeking assistance to complete the film.

Prooducer/creator Geoff Edgers gives some background: "It was on a crisp, May morning a year ago that we began filming. Since then, we’ve been lucky enough to film in New York, Los Angeles, London and to recruit so many of our favorites – Paul McCartney, Sting, Brian Wilson, Zooey Deschanel, Paul Weller, Robyn Hitchcock – to be part of the movie.

Now we need your help. So far, we’ve raised $50,000 to make this movie. We need another $15,000. In less than a year, we’ve put together a 95-minute rough cut that’s been screened by several industry people, including Supersize Me director Morgan Spurlock and Josh Braun from Submarine Entertainment (sales agent for Dig! and History Of Violence). They feel that we have a promising film that is likely to be sold to a cable network or movie distributor. We're writing to ask for help with the understanding that a. Times are tough, b. You may not want to get involved in a film when there are so many other, worthy causes.

After we make these changes, we suspect we’ll be ready to take the next step: To sell our film and move toward an actual release date either in late 2010 or early 2011."

For more info contact gedgers@mac.com.

Original Van Halen First Album Artwork Being Auctioned On eBay

Idolator is reporting that an eBay user is selling off his copy of the original artwork for Van Halen’s first album, which not only has the band’s original, name-written-out-in-full logo, it has a picture of the band where David Lee Roth is relegated to the background–and sorta-mimicking Johnny Rotten:

Original Van Halen cover auction

The reputed story is that David Lee Roth spotted a Sex Pistols similar pose and requested the same for his cover. When this version was done, he rejected it as he thought it was too punky.
Noel also told me that Alex hated his photo, it made him “look like a giant”.

The auction currently has a "Buy it now" price of $2500.00.

Lennon To Be Honored With Rock Hall Exhibition

John Lennon is to be honored with an exhibition about his life in New York.Items such as handwritten lyrics and instruments belonging to the late former Beatle will go on display at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex in New York later this month.

John Lennon: The New York City Years will also show personal photographs and one of his self-portraits. A portion of the proceeds from the exhibition will go towards Spirit Foundations, a charitable organization created by Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono.

The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards: 'I Hated My Name'

The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards has revealed that he used to hate his name – because he thought it was not cool enough.The guitarist was speaking in BBC4 documentary 'Blues Britannia: Can Blue Men Sing The Whites? which aired tonight (May 1) at 9pm (BST).

"It made me sick – my name's Keith Richards," he said. "It hardly makes it against Howlin' Wolf or Muddy Waters, does it?"On my first guitar I had Boy Blue written – just pathetic. But that was as good as I got at the time."