Video Stream- Ghost-Rats

Ghost has a new album out titled Prequelle. I am betting this is their best yet after hearing several cuts today. This track is called "Rats." It looks like Papa Emeritus has new character and look to introduce as well.

Ghost is a very visual and theatrical band, they are quite entertaining. Beware, they are not for the faint of heart, but keep in mind this is an act. I can guarantee one thing, if you love metal, this band will quickly become one of your favorites.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck 
 

Legendary King Crimson Violinist David Cross To Release New Collaborative Album "Crossing The Tracks"

Featuring guest appearances by Sonja Kraushofer, Anne-Marie Hurst, Ofra Haza, Kimberly Freeman, Marion Küchenmeister & Eva O

Los Angeles - Renowned electric violinist David Cross, best known for his work with King Crimson and prolific solo career, presents this new collection of studio recordings featuring a diverse array of styles and moods!

The collaborative album includes both instrumental tracks as well as vocal performances by guest singers Sonja Kraushofer of L'Ame Immortelle, Anne-Marie Hurst of Skeletal Family, acclaimed Israeli singer Ofra Haza, Christian Death vocalist Eva O and more!

“Crossing the Tracks” is an exciting new departure for me. 

Cleopatra Records and producer Jurgen Engler presented me with twelve tracks and gave me free reign to play on all of them, hence 'Crossing the tracks.'

This was an unusual situation for me as I am generally composer/performer/producer, albeit in collaboration with other band members, and I wasn't sure how I would fare as a 'session' player.
However the lure of artistic freedom and a new musical challenge was too strong to resist.

I wanted to stay true to the existing compositions and performances by the other artists and yet create an impact on the music by adding melody, string parts and solos. I surprised myself by having real fun doing this - I just had to play the violin and follow my instincts (leaving those difficult production decisions to Jurgen!). 

I love the cover artwork - heading for the light at the end of the tunnel without getting derailed!

David Cross June 2018

David Cross is currently wrapping up a tour with Italian prog rockers Le Orme and will continue to book performances through 2018!

Track List:
1. White Bird feat. Sonja Kraushofer
2. Kalahari Fantasy
3. For What It's Worth feat. Anne-Marie Hurst
4. Prince Of Darkness
5. Love Me feat. Ofra Haza
6. Into The Oblique
7. The Light Inside Me feat. Kimberly Freeman
8. Shifting Sands
9. Hero Of Kingdom feat. Marion Küchenmeister
10. Hallelujah
11. The Key feat. Ofra Haza
12. Shadows Do Know feat. Eva O

To purchase:
Buy the CD: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/david-cross-crossing-the-tracks-cd/
Buy the digital: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/crossing-the-tracks/1390162787

For more information:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.cross.33821
David Cross Music Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/David-Cross-Music-105639052830314
Twitter: @DavidCrossMusic

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

Press inquiries: 
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

King Crimson The Elements Tour Box 2018 2CD Set Now Available!

Featuring live and unreleased material! 2CD set + 24 page booklet in DVD digi pack style book case 

The Elements Tour Box was originally devised specifically as a one-off edition for the 2014 King Crimson tour but has since become an in-demand series with subsequent editions in 2015, 16 & 17 becoming firm sellers.

As with previous releases in the series, the full variety of King Crimson’s music can be represented over 2CDs with extracts from rehearsals, new live recordings, elements from studio recordings, full tracks, alternate takes & finished recordings from 1969-2017, many of which make their first appearance on CD. Every line-up is featured across the 2CD set.

The accompanying booklet features sleeve-notes by co-compiler Sid Smith, photos of memorabilia, full info about the current tour & a number of band & individual photos of the now 8 musicians King Crimson line-up.



Disc 1

1 Wind (Extract)
2* The Court of the Crimson King (Instrumental edit section)
3* The Court of the Crimson King (Live 2015)
4   Groon (Take 6)
5* Cirkus (Live 2017)
6   Formentera Lady (Live 1972)
7* Larks' Tongues In Aspic Part I (Live 2016)
8   Doctor Diamond (Live 1973)
9   Red (Live 2016)
10* Discipline (Jakko Jakszyk/Gavin Harrison Demo recording)
11* Neurotica (Live 2017)
12   Funky Jam
13* The Errors (Jakko Jakszyk, Tony Levin & Gavin Harrison Demo recording)
14* Larks' Tongues In Aspic Part IV (Guitars highlighted from original album multi-tracks)
15   Heroes (Radio Edit)

Disc 2

1* Deception of The Thrush (Robert Fripp: Guitar/Soundscape extract)
2   A Scarcity of Miracles (Live 2015)
3   Prelude: Song of the Gulls (Rehearsal Take)
4* Cadence & Cascade (studio recording, Vocal overdub: Jakko Jakszyk)
5   Book of Saturday (Alt. take)
6* Dawn Song (studio recording, Vocal overdub: Jakko Jakszyk)
7* Interlude (Live 2017)
8* Matte Kudasai (Live 1984)
9   Spenta's Counter Claim (Live 2016)
10* The Night Watch (Extract, elements highlighted from original album multi-tracks)
11* Walking on Air (Live 1995)
12   Peace (Live 2015)
13   Islands (Live 2017)
14* Starless (Extract, element highlighted from original album multi-tracks)
15* Deception of The Thrush (Live 1999)
16   I Talk to the Wind (Original album recording sessions)

Tracks marked * previously unreleased on CD

To purchase King Crimson The Elements Tour Box 2018 2CD Set:
https://shop.schizoidshop.com/king-crimson---the-elements-tour-box-2018-p1752.aspx

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Chilean Prog Ensemble Aisles Premiere Last Video of Live Series and Announce EP

The “Live from Estudio del Sur” sessions will be out on July

Chilean Prog ensemble Aisles, South America's most acclaimed prog band of the last 10 years, is premiering the last video of their “Live from Estudio del Sur” sessions, for the song “Club Hawaii”, which was originally released on the album “Hawaii” (2016). The clip was directed by Bernardo Quesney, who has worked with artists like Gepe and Javiera Mena.

Says Aisles guitarist, German Vergara, “We knew that 'Club Hawaii' could not be left out of this live series. It's a very collective effort in which we incorporated elements from electronic and Latin music, pop, jazz, and even metal, so as to transport the listener to the future in which the concept of the album takes place. We used more distortion, sounded heavier than usual and Sebastián recites a heart wrenching poem in the darkest section of the song. Personally it's my favorite on the 'Hawaii' album and I'm very proud of my lyrics. When playing it live I get goosebumps every time we reach the part 'Turn my soul into flesh and soil and blood and waves...'”

Watch the video here:

The session started with the video for 'Clouds Motion', and it continued with 'Shallow and Daft', 'Still Alive', and 'Club Hawaii'. All of these songs will be included on their new EP, “Live from Estudio del Sur” which will be out on July 6th and it will be available on digital platforms and on a limited edition CD. To pre-order: https://www.aislesproject.com/product/live-from-estudio-del-sur-ep-cd/

With four studio albums and a career spanning thirteen years, Aisles have become South America's most acclaimed prog act of the last decade. Their daring combination of rock, fusion, jazz and world music illustrates the band’s uniquely eclectic approach. The group has played in South America and Europe, and their albums have been released in Europe, the Americas, and Japan.

In 2009 their second album “In Sudden Walks” was nominated for Best Foreign Record in the Italian Prog Awards and the group was invited to open the 11th Progressive Rock Festival Crescendo in France. Their third album, “4:45 AM” (2013) was widely acclaimed worldwide and was chosen among the best albums of that year in a number of specialized publications. “Hawaii” (July, 2016), their fourth studio album was called a “masterpiece” and named one of the albums of the year by media outlets such as Prog (England), Neoprog (France), Raw Ramp (England) and Chile's premiere rock magazine, Rockaxis.

Aisles are:
Germán Vergara: guitar, vocals
Felipe Candia: drums, percussion
Sebastián Vergara: lead vocals
Rodrigo Sepúlveda: guitar, vocals
Daniel Concha: bass
Juan Pablo Gaete: keyboards

For more information:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6J59KdFHCHPSmiGhN5JoKb
Aisles official store: http://www.aislesproject.com/aisles/store/hawaii.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aislesproject
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aislesproject
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aislesproject/

Press inquiries:
Alvaro Rojas, Alvaro.aisles@gmail.com
Glass Onyon PR: PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Instrumental Jazz-Rock-Fusion Review: Manuel Muzzu-New Stories – Old Hands

Release Date: June 25, 2018

Label: Independent

Website

Manuel Muzzu has a handicap on his right hand that prevents him from being able to move all of his fingers. Well, you would think that is a huge handicap for everyday life never mind playing the bass, right? Not only did he cast the word or thought of being handicap aside, he taught himself to play the bass regardless of the challenges. He is definitely an above average player and he proves it on the 10 tracks on New Stories – Old Hands.

Six years ago, one of my staff members covered Manuel’s first release in 2012 titled The Right Hand’s Miracle. 6 years have passed and Manuel came calling again with a request to review his latest release. So here we are with an eclectic group of tracks to check out and all of them are instrumental.
 

The fact that they are all instrumental tracks makes the listener even more critical of what they are hearing. There is more focus, and on the bass in particular. What I heard was a literal jazz stew that included smooth jazz, fusion, rock and a hint of the blues here and there. That kind of variety is just my cup of tea. It showcases a talented musician stretching out and spreading his wings across the vast expanse of musical genres that fall under jazz. For my ears jazz offers a wide variety of sub-genres and most are quite appealing, as long as true jazz is the foundation that everything is built from. That is exactly what you get on New Stories – Old Hands. 

One of the best examples of a bass being a lead instrument is the track “Project 11.” Manuel bends and persuades those strings to make some gorgeous sounds and at times very powerful. In the first few minutes he just cranks, it sounds like something Jaco Pastorius or Stanley Clarke might produce during some their finest moments. That may be a stretch in some worlds, but as far as I am concerned he pulled out all the stops on that track proving that he is a force to be reckoned with. It just blew me away and it was after I was already totally impressed by what I heard. 

This is as good as it gets for instrumental jazz music that touches upon many styles, moods, and tempos. Miles would have been proud of you Manuel. Handicap?

¡Fantástico trabajo, Manuel!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

June 19, 2018

Founder of:

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Tracks:
01. Growling
02. 0, 30
03. From A to J
04. Gransalsa
05. 4U
06. Project 11
07. Stolen Notes
08. Gerdis World
09. Tre Note Per Vicente
10. At The End

Drum Legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Bill Bruford's Definitive Boxed Set "Bruford 1977-1980: Seems Like A Lifetime Ago" Nominated For Progressive Music Awards "Reissue of the Year"!

Drum legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bill Bruford's recently released definitive boxed set “Bruford 1977-1980: Seems Like A Lifetime Ago” has been nominated for “Reissue of the Year” by Progressive Music Awards. Containing the collected works of the band on one extraordinary 6cd/2dvd-a box set, “Seems Like A Lifetime Ago” is a magnificent testament to one of the UK's most inventive and important Progressive Fusion bands.

Voting has begun and will remain open until August 24, 2018. Cast your vote here!
https://www.loudersound.com/features/vote-now-in-the-2018-progressive-music-awards/7

Bill Bruford's official website: http://www.billbruford.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billbruford/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Prog Ensemble 41POINT9 Premieres Risqué New Video "Confessions At Midnight"

41POINT9 is great modern prog/metal/jazz/pick-your- drawer stuff – Tony Carey (Planet P)

Prog Ensemble 41POINT9 is premiering the first video and single from the band's forthcoming album “Mr. Astute Trousers.” “Confessions At Midnight” is the risqué new video that has been accepted into a service providing music to over 2500 strip clubs in the US making the single the first ever Prog Rock single and video to be accepted into this type of market. Yes, you heard that right, for the first time thanks to 41POINT9 you can hear Prog in a Strip Club. Gentlemen, you're welcome.

Watch 41POINT9's “Confessions At Midnight”:

Says bassist Bob Madsen, “What started as an inside joke has actually become a pretty cool lil' tune. One evening the band was wondering why you never hear Prog in a Strip Club? That just seemed unfair. So 41POINT9 set out to rise to the challenge and correct this tragic wrong. Hence, 'Confessions At Midnight' was born. For the first time Progsters can now hear 'Prog In A Strip Club.' Gentlemen, yer welcome... This video tells the story of a burlesque dancer that falls in love with her Emcee and the sparks sure do fly! Enjoy!”

41POINT9 came about in a dark, cobweb filled corner of Bob Madsen's mind. One day whilst navel gazing, he thought to himself, “My, there's a lot of lint in there.” Err...umm…scratch that…what I meant to say is... he thought to himself, “If its unlikely I'll ever make money making music, then I'm just gonna make music that I want to hear and that I enjoy making.” With that decided, he went back to wondering why the lint was blue when he was wearing a red sweatshirt…

Such was the genesis of this group of misfits from Northern California. In 2011 they released their debut album “Still Looking For Answers” to critical acclaim and way more success than was warranted based on the small budget they had for marketing.

From 2013 to 2016 the band took a break and dealt with life. In the process the band has consolidated to two core members: Brian Cline (Guitarist/Vocalist) and Bob Madsen (Bassist/Producer). In early 2016 Bob started The Highlander Company Records with renowned Engineer/Producer Tom Size (Journey, Mr. Big, David Lee Roth etc) Tom immediately remixed the band's first album and was halfway through mixing the second, “Mr. Astute Trousers” when he succumbed to cancer in October of 2016. The guys were fortunate enough to enlist the help of Matt Wallace who just happened to be one of Tom’s old students. Matt finished the album in the summer of 2017 and helped get them introduced to AISA, LLC who provided 41POINT9 with access to international distribution and manufacturing. Both albums were remastered by the award winning mastering engineer Dave Collins (Elton John, Soundgarden etc) and the results are astounding.

For the past year Bob and Brian have been producing a series of high quality concept videos for songs on “Mr. Astute Trousers.” These videos are set to be released this summer with the albums slated for release on September 21, 2018.

Here's what some of our friends are saying about the album:

“What a great Progtastic album by 41POINT9. The compositions, playing and production by Bob and the boys is superb. Listen out for some familiar players on the excellent collection of tracks” - John Payne – Asia, Dukes of the Orient

“In my mind this is a band that melds two of my favorite things about music; Pop sensibility and progressive complexity. Delivered in droves by, not only the songwriting but by the vocals from Brian Cline (the original vocalist of Enchant) and the Bass playing of Bob Madsen (who has guested on numerous Enchant releases) Love it.!!!” - Ted Leonard – Spocks Beard, Enchant

“41POINT9 is great modern prog/metal/jazz/pick-your- drawer stuff, driven by Madsen's elegant basslines and composition skill, and genre-busting guitars by Chad Quist. The record sounds fantastic, this is a great mix by Tom Size and Matt Wallace. From a bit Gothic to a bit Fusion to a lot of Metal and performed with skill and confidence, this is good stuff. I wish I'd played on it.” - Tony Carey – Rainbow, Planet P, Tony Carey Solo

For more information:
www.41POINT9.com
www.TheHighlanderCo.com
https://www.facebook.com/41POINT9/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Wetton Downes' iCon Trilogy of Studio Albums Re-Released with Bonus Tracks – OUT NOW !

London - The John Wetton Estate and Geoffrey Downes are pleased to announce the re-release of the iCon Trilogy of albums, now remastered with bonus tracks in six panel digipacks.

The re-releases have been personally overseen by Geoff Downes and are intended to be a return to the marketplace of individual albums for fans who may wish to purchase a definitive edition.

Of his song-writing relationship and the formation of iCon, Geoff Downes says, “Throughout my entire career, there is no doubt in my mind, that some of my proudest achievements have been the songs that I wrote with the late John Wetton. Not only were we great friends, but also blood brothers in the song-writing department. His magic rubbed off on me immensely, and outside of the hugely successful Asia template, we decided to step out together with our Icon project. It was a 'bromance' made in heaven, because here we had the chance to expand our innermost thoughts and variety of influences, without interference. It was effectively 'us'. We also had the luxury of working with some of the finest musicians in the world who were willing participants in the project.”

For fans of the whole iCon legacy, a box set is being planned out featuring these albums and all the other recordings of the iCon duo, including previously unreleased material.

Geoff Downes continues,“The Wetton Downes Icon catalogue spans across some 4 studio albums, this trilogy plus a prequel album called Zero and various live releases, and incorporates some of our greatest collaborations I firmly believe, and I am happy to impart the news that this entire body of work is being re-released with all of the bonus tracks and some previously unheard renditions of our classic songs. It is in fact Icon in its entirety. If you appreciate the music of John & I, then I sincerely hope you will appreciate these re-issues. Please sit back and enjoy. I know John would be equally proud to see these projects back on the market. All of these recordings mark special periods in our personal and creative lives.  

“'Icon 1' was the foundation of the Asia reunion. 'Rubicon' is thronged with the mysticism, symbolism and multi layers that illuminate John's lyrical prowess, virtually unrivalled in any era of creativity. John married events occurring in both our personal lives with Classical events in Roman History, crossing the Rubicon, the die is cast and some intensely personal reflections. His vocal performance is astounding. I look forward to discussing this amazing period in our lives at greater length in the box set planned for Christmas 2019.

“'Icon 3' was a further milestone for us, with Dave Kilminster reuniting with John, a Japanese tour and possibly the most fulfilling DVD I have ever been involved in, Urban Psalm, filmed in St Mary Le Bow Church. I could reflect for hours and hours, take up the entire booklet, but for now...May our music live on forever.”

The albums are OUT NOW on the duo's own Epicon Records via Cherry Red.

To purchase:
iCon: http://geni.us/iCon1
iCon II Rubicon: http://geni.us/iCon2
iCon 3: http://geni.us/iCon3

A previous re-release of the Wetton/Downes recordings of the 1980s, re-vitalised and re-packaged as iCon Zero continues to be available on Amazon ( http://geni.us/icon0 ) and iTunes ( http://geni.us/icon0dig )

Official Websites: www.johnwetton.com and www.geoffdownes.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

The Pineapple Thief, The UK's Future Art Rock Stars, Reveal More Details on New Album Dissolution - Released August 31 on Kscope

Premiere of first single “Far Below”

(photo credit James Cumptsy)

The Pineapple Thief  have revealed their first single, entitled “Far Below” from forthcoming new studio album Dissolution. The highly anticipated follow up to 2015's Your Wilderness, is the band's second album to feature King Crimson and Porcupine Tree virtuoso drummer Gavin Harrison.

Vocalist, songwriter and guitarist Bruce Soord explains the song's evolution “'Far Below’ began life as a bit of a jam session between myself and Gavin. Gavin had this distinctive 6/8 rhythm going and it didn't take long for me to find the melodies. And so, a song was born. Is it my favourite track from the album? Impossible to judge as the album covers so much ground. But it does showcase what the four of us want The Pineapple Thief to be about and I for one can't wait to play this one live.”



“we just want you back from the life that claimed the life of you”
LISTEN TO NEW TRACK “FAR BELOW” HERE:

Bruce Soord reveals more about the themes within Dissolution“broadly speaking the title reflects the disintegration of relationships and the undoing of our social fabric. We're living in a time when supposedly we are more connected than ever before, but, I personally am at my happiest when I unplug that connection.”

Bruce Soord elaborates on the writing and recording process “We've once again been joined by Gavin Harrison. It's been a real collaborative journey between the 4 of us writing and recording this record, with the songs taking on a life of their own. When everyone pulls in the same direction, amazing things can happen. The Pineapple Thief is a different proposition with Gavin. This time he was with me from the inception of 'Dissolution' and together we took the songs into territory I wouldn't have found on my own. We found ourselves pushing each other so much further, both technically and artistically. There were times in the depths of the writing and recording process, which took 6 months, that I felt so exhilarated but at the same time exhausted and overwhelmed, that I couldn't imagine us ever finishing the record. Every day we found ourselves finding that extra something we didn't know we had. None of us would let anyone or anything get in the way of what we felt the album should become. I look back on the process with immense pride”

Gavin Harrison stated “It's been fantastic to collaborate with these guys again – especially as this time I've been involved from the ground up. It's been a most inspiring effort and I think it will prove to be the best yet.” 

Dissolution was recorded across the UK at the band member's various studios, Bruce explains “The drums were recorded and mixed by Gavin at his studio, 'Bourne Place' in London. He has the best sounding live room I have heard and gets an incredible drum mix. Gavin would send me a stereo drum mix that he would constantly tweak as the songs progressed. Jon records his bass at his studio north of Leicester. Steve records his keyboards at his mastering studio in Exeter and I record and mix the rest here in my studio (Soord Studios) in Yeovil, Somerset. It may seem odd that we were able to create something as 'a band' when we are so far apart. But we talked almost daily. Technology means ideas can be shared instantly. We were effectively jamming a lot of the time. Just a bit further apart.”

Dissolution features cover art artwork from iconic design agency Stylorouge, who have produced artwork for the likes of Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Blur and the British film Trainspotting.

The Pineapple Thief have grown to become one of the leading lights of Europe's experimental rock domain, Your Wilderness produced 4m+ album streams, a #7 in the UK Independent Charts and two extensive headline European tours culminating at London's Islington Assembly Hall where the concert was recorded for the live release Where We Stood.



Dissolution tracklisting
Not Naming Any Names [02:05]
Try As I Might [04:26]
Threatening War [06:37]
Uncovering Your Tracks [04:29]
All That You've Got [03:27]
Far Below [04:36]
Pillar of Salt [01:25]
White Mist [11:05]
Shed A Light [05:20]

Dissolution will be released in the following formats – all available to pre-order now HERE: https://thepineapplethief.lnk.to/DissolutionPR
CD
Black LP - pressed to audiophile 180g vinyl
Limited Edition Crystal Clear LP edition - pressed to audiophile 180g vinyl
Blu-ray - features a 16-page booklet, the album plus bonus music in a 24/96 DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround sound mix and 24/96 hi-res stereo audio
Deluxe 4 disc edition - features 52 pages containing exclusive additional artwork, the original album on CD plus a second CD of bonus music, and is topped off with a DVD and Blu-ray featuring the album and bonus material in a 24/96 DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround sound mix and 24/96 hi-res stereo audio.
All digital & streaming platforms 

The Pineapple Thief will be taking Dissolution on the road starting in September 2018, with new dates added for March 2019. This tour includes their biggest show to date at London's prestigious O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire – tickets are on sale now and selling fast: http://www.pineapplethief.com/tour/ ;

The Pineapple Thief – Dissolution Tour 2018/2019
Sep 15 – FR – Paris - La Maroquinerie
Sep 16 – BE, Brussels-  La Madeleine
Sep 17 – DE, Bremen - Schlachthof
Sep 18 – DE, Hanover - Musikzentrum
Sep 19 – DE, Berlin - Lido
Sep 21 – PL, Warsaw - Stodola
Sep 22 – CZ, Olomucany - S-Club
Sep 23 – CZ, Prgaue - Rock Cafè
Sep 25 – AU, Wien - Szene
Sep 26 – DE, Munich - Backstage Werk
Sep 27 – DE, Aschaffenburg-  Colos-Saal
Sep 28- DE, Cologne - Live Music Hall
Sep 29 – NL, Amsterdam – Melkweg
Oct 4 – UK, Edinburgh – Liquid Rooms
Oct 5 – UK, Sheffield – Leadmill
Oct 6 – UK, London – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire

2019
Feb 22 - IT, Roma - Largo Venue
Feb 23 - IT, Milano - Santeria Social Club
Mar 3 - DK, Copenhagen - Vega
Mar 5 - SE, Stockholm - venue tba
Mar 6 - NO, Oslo - John Dee

The Pineapple Thief are:
Bruce Soord - vocalist, guitarist, composer
Gavin Harrison - drums
Jon Sykes - bass
Steve Kitch - keyboards

The Pineapple Thief online:
Website: www.thepineapplethief.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thepineapplethief
Twitter: www.twitter.com/pineapplethief
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thepineapplethief
Spotify: https://play.spotify.com/artist/4lrBMUSk8PiNnCEZfsmPAk
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE6401DB011BD837E
Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/the-pineapple-thief/id278648772

Kscope: 1st floor, 52 Lisson Street, London, UK NW1 5DF

Press inquiries (North America): Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Krautrock Legends faUSt to Tour North America Summer 2018!

Vagabondages in North America tour featuring founding members Jean-Hervé Péron & Werner 'Zappi' Diermaier

German Krautrock legends faUSt will be embarking on their Vagabondages in North America tour in July 2018! faUSt is an experimental rock band which came out of the Hamburg music scene in the late sixties. Formed in Wümme in 1971, faUSt were the first band to have the term “krautrock” applied to their music, and to the genre that ensued. German for “fist,” and also the protagonist of Goethe's eponymous play, faUSt were one of the first bands to use the recording studio as an instrument. Their live appearances were explosive (literally), as the pinball machines and jack-hammer legends detail.

Featuring founding member Jean-Hervé Péron, faUSt's North American tour begins on July 11th in Chicago. There will be line-up changes and guest additions at various points of the tour – founding member and drummer Werner 'Zappi' Diermaier will join the ensemble in Brooklyn on July 22 to the end of the tour. Also featured with the band is guitarist Amaury Cambuzat.

Hello faUSt friends in Canada and USA!

As for 1994! and for the fifth time now, faUSt will ride again the highways of your continent, up and down from Chicago/IL to Montreal/QC, across and back, from Brooklyn, NY to L.A., CA, spreading the good words of DadaKrautRock.

Here all musicians involved in the tour... well, almost all because we do have “last-minute guests”...

In the North East faUSt will be: Jean-Hervé Péron aka art-Errorist (voc, strings, wind and tools), Amaury Cambuzat (guit, voc), Tim Barnes (drums and sounds). In Chicago we will share the stage  with  Bobby Conn (guit, voc), Monica Boubou (voc, violin) and Josh Johannpeter (drums). In Brooklyn we will meet up with Braden Diotte (bass and sounds)... and  Zappi, yeah! That's “ze big man wiz ze big nose!” on drums, voc, tools and metal.

But wait: on the West Coast faUSt will fuse with the German/Spanish/Croatian all female dada-punk trio Ernsthafte Angelegenheiten. Yes, just call them “E.A.” before your tongue get cramped.

Each day, each gig a new adventure, like vagabonds on tour... Rund ist schoen!!! -  Jean-Hervé Péron

faUSt line-ups:

July 11 line-up:
Bobby Conn (vocals and guitarist), Monica BouBou (vocals and violin), Josh Johannpeter (drums), Amaury Cambuzat (guitar and vocals), Tim Barnes (drums and sounds),  Jean-Hervé Péron ((vocals, strings, wind and tools)

July 12-21 line-up:
Amaury Cambuzat, Tim Barnes, Jean-Herve Peron

July 22 line-up:
Amaury Cambuzat, Tim Barnes, Braden Diotte (bass and sounds), Werner 'Zappi' Diermaier (drums, vocals, tools and metal), Jean-Hervé Péron

July 25-29 line-up:
Ernsthafte Angelegenheiten (all-female punk trio), Amaury Cambuzat, Braden Diotte, Werner 'Zappi' Diermaier, Jean-Hervé Péron

faUSt Vagabondages in North America tour dates:

July 11 - Chicago (IL) - The Empty Bottle
July 12 - Cinncinatti (OH) - Woodward Festival
July 13 - Detroit (MI) - El Club
July 14 - Hillside Festival / Guelph (ON) / Canada
July 15 - Toronto (ON) / Canada - Jamfactory
July 16 - Montreal (QC) / Canada - BAR LE RITZ PDB
July 17 - Portland (ME) - Space Gallery
July 18 - Boston (MA) - Brighton Music Hall
July 20 - Philadelphia (PA) - Underground Arts
July 21- Baltimore (MD) - Creative Alliance
July 22 - Brooklyn (NY) - Murmrr Theater
July 25 - San Francisco (CA) - The Chapel
July 26 - Felton (CA) - Don Quixote's Music Hall
July 28 - Los Angeles (CA) - Summer Happening / Social Shamans / The Broad
July 29 - San Diego (CA) - Casbah

In May 2017 faUSt released a new album “Fresh Air”; a partially live CD, some tracks were compiled from the band's gigs in Los Angeles, Austin and Jersey City in 2016. To purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Air-Faust/dp/B06XR82XV9/ref=ntt_mus_ep_dpi_1

For more information:
http://faust-news.blogspot.com/
http://www.art-errorist.de/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

New Biography on The Cars Singer/Bassist Benjamin Orr by Vermont Writer Joe Milliken to be Published November 2018!

Bellows Falls, VT – Veteran music journalist Joe Milliken recently announced a publishing deal with the Lanham, Maryland-based publisher Rowman & Littlefield Publishers to produce his first book, a biography about the late Benjamin Orr. Orr was the co-founder, co-lead singer, and bassist for the platinum-selling rock band The Cars. Titled Let’s Go! Benjamin Orr and The Cars, a release date is set for November 15, 2018. 

Often considered the band’s heartthrob, Orr possessed an incredible voice, diverse musical talent and rare stage presence, all balanced by a magnetic, yet enigmatic personality, striking good looks, and a relentless determination to reach rock stardom. Born Benjamin Orzechowski (aka “Benny Eleven Letters”) and raised in the Cleveland suburb of Parma Heights, Orr was, prior to becoming a world-famous rock star with The Cars, a “teen star” as a house band musician for the nationally syndicated television show Upbeat.

A few years later Ben met his musical partner and future Cars' bandleader, Ric Ocasek, and by 1976 their quest for the perfect blend of songs, bandmates, and musical landscape finally materialized as The Cars. They would go on to sell over 30 million albums worldwide resulting in 15 “Top 40” hits.

From his early success in Cleveland through his stardom with The Cars, to his solo band efforts and eventual rebirth with the emerging supergroup Big People, this definitive account of Orr’s rock-and-roll life is not a backstage ‘tell all,’ but the story of a charismatic musician with a vision, a sense of adventure, and unwavering perseverance. Orr passed away much too young at 53, but he achieved his dream through hard work and determination, a long road that began in Cleveland and culminated with The Cars coming back to his hometown to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in April of 2018.

This first-ever biography about Orr spans 11 years in the making, as Milliken draws together interviews with over 120 family members, friends, bandmates, and music associates from Orr’s life, as well as many unpublished and never before seen photos from private collections, to reveal an intimate portrait of one of classic rock’s great talents.



About the Author: Joe Milliken has been a music journalist, editor and website publisher for two decades. A die-hard music fan with a degree in visual arts, Joe turned to writing as his creative outlet, first as a local reporter, then a sports/arts & entertainment editor and freelancer. In 2014, he launched Standing Room Only, a website dedicated to promoting music and the arts on a local (New England) and national level. Originally from Boston, Milliken now resides in southern Vermont with his wife, Kelly, and his children, Nate and Erin. 

Learn more about upcoming book-related announcements, events, discounts, and author interviews at www.facebook.com/BenOrrBook, by email at benorrbook@gmail.com or follow @benorrbook on Twitter. 

Joe Milliken: Author, Website Publisher
Donna Neale: Public Relations Assistant: benorrbook@gmail.com

Let’s Go is available for presale: 
Rowman & Littlefield’s website: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538118658
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Go-Benjamin-Orr-Cars/dp/1538118653/ref=sr_1_1

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Italian Instrumental Ensemble Armonite Releases Second Album "And the Stars Above"

Includes guest appearance by Colin Edwin of iconic UK prog-rockers Porcupine Tree

Italy - Armonite, the instrumental rock collective led by composer Paolo Fosso and violinist Jacopo Bigi, have released their second album And the Stars Above on LA-based indie label Cleopatra Records.

Armonite's instrumental music is perfectly in line with the spirit of the label, especially now that Cleopatra expanded in the movie industry.

With the film division Cleopatra Entertainment, the company has distributed, developed, and produced several films most of which have a strong horror and/or music component, including The Devil's Domain (starring Michael Madsen), The Black Room (starring Lin Shaye), Halloween Pussy Trap Kill! Kill! (featuring the voice of Dave Mustaine from Megadeth), The 27 Club (featuring Todd Rundgren), England Is Mine (Steven Morrissey bio-pic), A Street Cat Named Bob.

“Working with Cleopatra has been great,” says Fosso, “They're skilled and competent, I'm sure they will take Armonite to the next level. I've always been a great lover of movies and videogames, I was just moving forward to the composition of soundtrack music, so this collaboration comes right on cue.”

As with the previous album, And the Stars Above is an instrumental mix of electric violin, keyboards, bass, and drums with focus on the amazing and powerful electric violin, performed by Jacopo Bigi. Interpreting the music composed by keyboardist Paolo Fosso, Armonite also performs with bassists Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree) and Alberto Fiorani, along with drummers Corrado Bertonazzi, Emiliano Cava, and Jasper Barendregt.

The sound of the album is more oriented to soundtrack music with textures that feel very immediate. “We consume tons of music every day, we can't just stick to one genre”, says Fosso, “generally speaking, the album is rock, but with this idea of soundtrack music.”

Throughout the album, lingers a ghostly female voice, appearing and disappearing here and there before fully emerging in the band's first song with lyrics, “Clouds Collide”. The track tells the story of a girl between time and memories.

And the Stars Above is a journey through 12 tracks, starting with “The March of the Stars” inspired by Dante's Paradise and ending with “Ghosts”. The album also features two bonus tracks: a polyrhythmic piece for piano solo, “The Fire Dancer”, and the String Quartet “A Playful Day”.

“We're confident this is going to be a great release, with a rather peculiar view,” says Fosso, “The Sun is New Each Day had a heavy compact sound... And the Stars Above is groovy, with different vibes across a bunch of genres. There's something indie in this new sound that we've never explored before and it's kind of sexy for us!”

You can find more information about Armonite and their new album at the band's official website, www.armonite.com



And the Stars Above Tracklist
01. The March of the Stars
02. Next Ride
03. District Red
04. Plaza de España
05. Clouds collide
06. Blue Curaçao
07. By heart
08. Freaks
09. By the Waters of Babylon
10. The usual drink
11. What's the Rush?
12. Ghosts
13. [Bonus Track] A Playful Day (for Strings Quartet)
14. [Bonus Track] The Fire dancer (for Piano solo)

Original music composed and arranged by Paolo Fosso

Performed by Armonite
Jacopo Bigi - acoustic and electric violin
Paolo Fosso - piano and keyboards
with
Colin Edwin (The March of the Stars, District Red, Freaks, By the Waters of Babylon, What's the Rush?, Ghosts); Alberto Fiorani (Next Ride, Blue Curaçao, By heart) - bass
Giacomo Lampugnani (Plaza de España, Freaks); Gianmarco Straniero (By the Waters of Babylon) - double bass
Corrado Bertonazzi (The March of the Stars, District Red, Blue Curaçao, Freaks, What's the Rush?, Ghosts); Emiliano Cava (Next Ride, Plaza de España, By heart); Jasper Barendregt (By the Waters of Babylon) - drums
Maria Chiara Montagnari (The March of the Stars, Clouds collide, By the Waters of Babylon) - voice
Diletta Fosso (Ghosts) - child's voice
Marcello Rosa (District Red); Gabriele Montanari (The March of the Stars, A Playful Day) - cello
Quartetto Indaco: Eleonora Matsuno, violin; Jamiang Santi, violin; Francesca Turcato, viola; Cosimo Carovani, cello (District Red) - string quartet
Jacopo Bigi also plays viola (District Red, Ghosts) and ukulele (By the Waters of Babylon). He whistles on “Freaks” and plays both violins and viola on “A Playful Day”.

To purchase:
CD: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/armonite-and-the-stars-above-cd/
Digital: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/and-the-stars-above/1380495940

For more information:
Website: http://www.armonite.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armonitemusic
Twitter: http://twitter.com/armonitemusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armonitemusic
Bandcamp: https://armonite.bandcamp.com
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/armonite
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Armonite

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com


Press inquiries: 
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Gin Blossoms to Release Eagerly Awaited New Album "Mixed Reality" and Embark on Major US Tour

Los Angeles - Cleopatra Records will be releasing the brand new album from one of the most successful melodic alt-rock bands still making music today, Gin Blossoms! “Mixed Reality” will be released on June 15, 2018. The Blossoms recently celebrated the 25 year anniversary of their seminal, multi-platinum album “New Miserable Experience,” which spawned the blockbuster singles “Hey Jealousy” and “Found Out About You!”

Gin Blossoms' blockbuster 1992 album “New Miserable Experience” spawned four Top 40 hit singles, and established the Arizona quintet as one of the top rock groups of that decade. More than 25 years have passed since the release of “New Miserable Experience,” and now Gin Blossoms are back with their best set of songs in years. Produced by Don Dixon and engineered by Mitch Easter, “Mixed Reality” demonstrates that the timeless appeal of Gin Blossoms' music has endured.

Says lead singer Robin Wilson, “I knew we were recording with Don and Mitch, and I managed to hack into a young version of myself to craft songs. All of us turned in our best work in 25 years. Regardless of commercial outcome, I know 'Mixed Reality' is special, and that we've lived up to our legacy.”

Gin Blossoms formed in 1987 in the Arizona city of Tempe; guitarists Jesse Valenzuela and bassist Bill Leen were founding members. After some lineup changes, the group coalesced around Valenzuela, Leen, Robin Wilson (vocals and guitar), drummer Phillip Rhoades, and guitarist Doug Hopkins. One quality that set Gin Blossoms apart from other groups was its deep bench: four of its five members wrote songs.

In 2017 Gin Blossoms began work on their first new album in almost eight years. Longtime producer and friend of the band John Hampton had passed away in 2014, so at first the group considered self-producing. But at one of their shows, they met Don Dixon, producer of the Smithereens' first two albums and a legend in power pop circles.

The group booked time in Mitch Easter's Fidelitorium Studio in Kernersville, N.C., working with Dixon as well as Easter, veteran of R.E.M. sessions. Now Gin Blossoms had a producer and engineer who helped define '80s jangling power pop, a style that exerted a major influence on the band's own musical approach. “We needed to be shaken and taken out of our element,” Wilson explains. “Working with Don and Mitch gave us the inspiration to reconnect with the very foundations of the band: where we came from as songwriters and band mates.”

“Mixed Reality” shares the same timeless feel as “New Miserable Experience”; it's packed with 15 songs, with Wilson, Leen, Johnson and Valenzuela all contributing material. And once again, the mix of songwriters results in something that has that unmistakable Gin Blossoms sound. “As much as we are children of our influences,” explains Wilson, “we managed to do something that was both familiar and original.”

“We're at the point now where we play better, we communicate better, we get along more,” says Wilson. “We're more grateful. It’s a very full-circle thing for us to be releasing 'Mixed Reality.'” Built around the proven strategy of using the band's deep songwriting bench, and packed with memorable songs that connect with listeners while transcending a specific time period, “Mixed Reality” may turn out to be as timeless as Gin Blossoms' major label debut.



Track List:
1. Break
2. Face The Dark
3. New Mexico Trouble
4. Angels Fly
5. Here Again
6. Still Some Room In Heaven
7. Miranda Chicago
8. Girl On The Side
9. Fortunate Street
10. Wonder
11. Shadow
12. Forever Is This Night
13. The JFK Shit Show
14. The Devil’s Daughter
15. Mega Pawn King

Catch the Blossoms on tour this year with special engagements alongside Vertical Horizon & Tonic!

Tue 05 29 18 - Grand Rapids, MI - 20 Monroe Live
Thu 05 31 18 - South Bend, IN - Four Winds Field
Fri 06 01 18 - Eldon, MO - Shawnee Bluff Vineyard
Sat 06 02 18 - Alabaster, AL - Alabaster City Fest
Sun 06 03 18 - Greensboro, NC - White Oak Amphitheater
Wed 06 06 18 - Columbus, OH - Express Live! Outdoor Amphitheater
Thu 06 07 18 - Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theater
Fri 06 08 18 - Big Flats, NY - Tag's Summer Sound Stage
Sat 06 09 18 - Fairfax, VA - Celebrate Fairfax Fair
Sun 06 10 18 - Huntington, NY - The Paramount
Wed 06 13 18 - Huber Heights, OH - Rose Music Center at The Heigh
Thu 06 14 18 - Northfield, OH - Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield
Fri 06 15 18 - Indianapolis, IN - The Pavillion
Sat 06 16 18 - Springfield, IL - Bank of Springfield Plaza
Sun 06 17 18 – West Saint Louis Park, MN - Common Sound Festival
Sat 07 07 18 - Milwaukee, WI - Summerfest
Sun 07 08 18 - Rochester, MN - Down by the Riverside Concert
Tue 07 10 18 - Des Moines, IA - Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater
Thu 07 12 18 - Appleton, WI - Neuroscience Group Field
Fri 07 13 18 - Toledo, OH - Promenade Park
Sat 07 14 18 - Fort Wayne, IN - Headwaters Park
Wed 07 18 18 - Cohasset, MA - South Shore Music Circus
Thu 07 19 18 - Stamford, CT - Alive @ Five Outdoor Summer Co
Fri 07 20 18 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE – Outdoors
Sat 07 21 18 - Atlantic City, NJ - The Theater, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Sun 07 22 18 - Lakeville, PA - Cove Haven Resort
Tue 07 24 18 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
Wed 07 25 18 - Hyannis, MA - Cape Cod Melody Tent
Fri 07 27 18 - Chautauqua, NY - Chautauqua Institution Amphith
Sat 07 28 18 - Island Lake, IL - Sideouts
Thu 08 02 18 - Selbyville, DE - The Freeman Stage at Bayside
Sat 08 04 18 - Mount Tabor, NJ - At The Tabernacle
Fri 08 10 18 - Chamblee, GA - Chamblee City Park
Sat 08 11 18 - Suwanee, GA - Suwanee Town Center Park

To purchase Gin Blossoms “Mixed Reality”:
CD: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/gin-blossoms-mixed-reality-cd/
Digital: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/mixed-reality/1383520725?app=itunes&at=1000lt9k

Official website: www.ginblossoms.net

Management: Chad Jensen, cjallclear@earthlink.net

Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com


CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com