The two VE Day Heroes being celebrated within the Fripp and Willcox families: Uncle Bill, aka RAF Flight Sergeant Alfie Fripp https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfie_Fripp, who helped in planning The Great Escape. Beric Willcox of the Royal Navy, based in Alexandria, who guarded convoys in the Mediterranean.
Watch the video:
The guitar used in the video is RF’s Les Paul serial no. 9-1986; used on all KC albums 1969-74; and on the Heroes session in Berlin with David Bowie, Tony Visconti & Brian Eno at the Hansa Studios, July 1977.
Backing track: King Crimson Live In Berlin on September 12th. 2016.
Personnel: Gavin Harrison, Jeremy Stacey, Pat Mastelotto, Mel Collins, Tony Levin, Jakko Jakszyk & Robert Fripp. Fairy dustings provided by Bill Rieflin.
Recorded and mixed by Chris Porter. Produced by Chris Porter with Robert Fripp & David Singleton.
Used by permission.
Vocal track & video: Toyah Willcox, at home in the kitchen, Middle England; May 5th. 2020 on iPhone. For more information:www.dgmlive.com
“We all thank the brave, hardworking front-line medics and care workers around the world. Leslie managed to put into the lyrics references to the police, grocery clerks, supermarket workers too. I would like to add those essential worker folks who it was impossible to squeeze into a three-minute song. To all, we say, thank you.” - Ian Anderson on singing and playing flute on Leslie Mandoki’s “WeSayThankYou.”
Los Angeles, CA - As the world continues to be consumed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson sings and plays flute with Mandoki Soulmates leader Leslie Mandoki. Mandoki has found inspiration and a new spark of hope amidst the chaos. He has penned a powerful new song in appreciation for the heroes who have emerged in this global crisis, the nurses, doctors, and other health care providers as well as the grocery store clerks and food delivery personnel who have stepped up to serve their communities. The new song, entitled simply “#WeSayThankYou,” expresses so clearly the feelings of gratitude many of us have felt in these troubled times.
Mandoki explains, “As an artist, I feel it is my duty to contemplate ideas for a better world. Now, like so many of us, I suddenly have the time. Let us grab this uncommon moment of pause together and take a new approach to the problems of the world. And let’s take a hard look at who this crisis is casting in a heroic light, and who comes out the villain.”
The duet is being released as an EP on Thursday, May 7, 2020, through the Purple Pyramid imprint of indie giant Cleopatra Records, Inc. and is Mandoki Soulmate’s first release in the recently inked partnership with the L.A.-based label. Additional Mandoki releases are set to follow later this year.
There are three different versions of the song on the EP:
1. Duet with Ian Anderson. 2. New Version with Ian Anderson and Leslie Mandoki featuring Soulmates: Supertramp saxophonist John Helliwell, multi Grammy Winner Randy Brecker (on trumpet), Chair of Berklee´s Bass Department Steve Bailey, Simon Phillips (drums, along with Leslie),and backup singers: Bobby Kimball (Toto) and Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann´s Earth Band). 3. Unplugged, Acoustic, Living-Room-Concert, with Ian & Leslie, Randy, Steve, John.
Leslie will be donating the royalties from the sales, syncs, and airplay of “#WeSayThankYou” to a To-Be-Announced Charity.
“#WeSayThankYou” was written in the context of Leslie’s own isolation in Germany, where his doctor wife, Eva, is a first contact physician.
Ian and Leslie have worked together for over 25 years on various collaborations with his jazz-rock band Soulmates featuring the good and great of classic rock and jazz. Mandoki’s Soulmates toured North America in 2018.
VIDEOS Ian Anderson & Leslie Mandoki #WeSayThankYou
Statements of the Mandoki Soulmates on the crisis: Leslie, Ian, Randy, Al DiMeola, Bill Evans, Jesse Siebenberg, Nick Van Eede, Steve, John, Simon, Chris talking about the “#WeSayThankYou”’ mission.
Ian Anderson & Leslie Mandoki with the Mandoki Soulmates #WeSayThankYou with John Helliwell of Supertramp, Chris Thompson of Manfred Mann, Bobby Kimball & Simon Phillips of Toto, Jazz-Icon and Grammy-Winner Randy Brecker, Chair of Berklee´s Bass Department Steve Bailey
Album features guest appearances by Korn’s Jonathan Davis, world renowned vedic chanter P.N. Sivarama Krishnan, Tony Levin, Chester Thompson, Scott Page of Supertramp & Pink Floyd, Jane’s Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins, Norwood Fisher of Fishbone, and others!
Los Angeles, CA - Lakshminarayana Shankar, professionally known as L. Shankar, is widely considered a living legend, a pioneer, and a musical genius who has collaborated with giants such as Frank Zappa, Peter Gabriel, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna and many, many more. His solo albums have always drawn not only enormous interest from fans and critics alike but also showcase the collaborative spirit that is integral to Shankar’s art. Musicians, singers, visionaries, both known and obscure, have all come to pay tribute to this uniquely talented musician and perhaps even find new inspiration for themselves by performing on his recordings. That tradition continues on Shankar’s new single “In My Heart,” which features the talents of groundbreaking artist Jonathan Davis, lead singer of alt-metal icons Korn, as well as Jane’s Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins, Fishbone’s Norwood Fisher, Scott Page renowned saxophonist from Supertramp and Pink Floyd and others. The song’s meditative pace sets the perfect vibe for Shankar’s mantra-like lyrics and melody while an ethereal musical bed transports the listener on a spiritual journey.
A gorgeously animated music video captures the song’s essence perfectly and can be viewed here:
This is the first single from Shankar's newest full-length album Chepleeri Dream that also features guest performances from King Crimson’s Tony Levin, Chester Thompson (Phil Collins / Genesis / Frank Zappa), Dileep Palakkad, and more! Shankar shares this about the album, “I was so inspired to work on this album and to have many great musicians involved with this project. The songs reflect upon my experience living at Chepleeri Temple in Kerala when there was a major disaster, floods which destroyed Kerala and I had to over come all the obstacles to get this project finished. It was truly a challenge and I love challenges. It gives me strength.”
“My friend Shankar is an exceptional musician, and it’s been a pleasure to work with him both on his own music and Peter Gabriel’s.” - Tony Levin
“Working with L. Shankar on this project has been a great experience. His compositions are very enjoyable to play and his arrangements are always very interesting. I am very grateful and humbled to be part of this.” - Chester Thompson
The album is set for release on July 31 and will be available on both CD and limited edition red vinyl courtesy of Cleopatra Records, Inc.
Track List: 1. In My Heart 2. Faith 3. Spreading All Over 4. Can't Wait 5. Chepleeri Dream 6. Suppose 7. Knowing You 8. Ocean Waves 9. New World 10. Patience 11. Emotions
Special guests Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) / Paul Gilbert (Mr Big, Racer X) / Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) / Carl Verheyen (Supertramp) / Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick) / Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings / Steve Hackett) / Jem Godfrey (Frost*) and more
Invisible is the second solo album by California born but Indiana based drummer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Nick D’Virgilio and comes almost two decades after his debut solo offering. D’Virgilio describes his new record as: “a collection of songs that make up the story of a man who is unhappy with where his life has ended up. He finally decides to take the scary step of leaving everything behind so he can go and find the meaning of his life,” before continuing: “Throughout my career I have been in many different places. Over time the word ‘invisible’ kept coming to mind and it got me thinking of people that truly had the hardest jobs in the world, or no job at all. The outliers. The ones we all take for granted. The ones we will never know but if they were not there then our lives would not be the nearly the same. Over time I amassed lyric and song ideas with the idea of writing a concept record on the subject.”
Keen to establish that: “This is not your typical drummer record,” D’Virgilio describes Invisible as “a rock record with various musical flavours thrown in because the songs were formed with the story in mind. A classical prelude that uses various themes from the whole piece sets the stage. From there comes a mellow ballad outlining the story and then it is onto the adventures of the central character. The main thing making this record did for me was to reaffirm my strong belief that we are all here for something. We all have a purpose.”
With the recording process split between the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London (including full string and brass sections) and the world class Sweetwater Studios in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Invisible boasts star turns from luminaries such as guitarists Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big), Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick) and Carl Verheyen (Supertramp), bassists Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) and Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings, Steve Hackett), plus keyboard players Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) and Jem Godfrey (Frost*).
Watch “Where’s the Passion” lyric video:
Nick D’Virgilio’s “Where’s the Passion” lyric video and NDV’s new website are both scheduled to go live on Friday May 1st at 9am PST / noon EST, 5pm UK, 6pm central European.
D’Virgilio’s debut solo album, Karma (2001), had appeared midway through his tenure with US progressive rock titans Spock’s Beard, with whom he started out as drummer upon their inception in the early 1990’s before taking on additional lead singer and live frontman duties in 2002 for four studio albums prior to his departure in 2011. At the time, this was partly in order to continue touring as drummer, singer and assistant bandleader with Cirque du Soleil, with whom he performed over 1400 shows over a five year period until 2014. He has also been the drummer with the award winning UK band Big Big Train since 2007 and performed with world renowned acts such as Genesis (appearing on the Calling All Stations album) and Tears For Fears (with whom he toured for over a decade).
Upon ending his stint with Cirque du Soleil, D’Virgilio relocated to Fort Wayne to become the face of the drum division of world leading music technology and instrument retailer Sweetwater Sound and states: “The drum division at Sweetwater has exploded and I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of very interesting people while building some new life-long relationships. I’ve also had the chance to play on so much great drum gear – it really is Disneyland in that regard! Many of my old bands and music compatriots have been there to record or do workshops, which is icing on the cake.”
The release of Invisible now begins yet another fascinating chapter in D’Virgilio’s multi-faceted career, which he concludes “has taken many twists and turns. I have been able to live out some major musical fantasies. I have seen some of the highest highs as well as some of the lowest lows. It has been a wild ride that is not over yet!”
Nick D’Virgilio’s Invisible will be released on June 26, 2020.
Wishbone Ash continues a milestone year with tour of Southern, Western United States
Wishbone Ash celebrates a half-century of live twin-lead guitar power in 2020. Fans can look forward to enjoying repertoire from the band's vast catalog of exactly 100 unique releases – 27 studio albums, 24 live albums, 43 compilations and box sets and five live DVDs, along with a DVD rockumentary (“This is Wishbone Ash”). Continually pushing their creative process, the band will release their next studio album, “Coat of Arms,” through SPV/Steamhammer on February 28th, 2020 as CD DigiPak, 2LP version (incl. bonus track), download and stream: https://WishboneAsh.lnk.to/CoatOfArms
The first single, “We Stand As One,” was officially released on Jan. 10. See the video at:
The first leg of the 50th anniversary tour in the States begins in Melbourne, FL on Feb. 15, traversing the country's Southern swath from Florida to California and up the Pacific Coastline. The band will return for a Fall Tour in the Northeast and Midwest.
Formed in October 1969 in London, England, Wishbone Ash is one of the most influential guitar bands in the history of rock. Inspired equally by British folk traditions, American jazz and R&B, the group vaulted to public and critical acclaim, touring arenas, stadiums and theaters throughout Europe and the United States. Power and melody have made the Ash a hard act to follow, while they are currently being discovered by new generations of loyal rock fans.
Through the years the band has delved into various musical genres, from folk, blues and jazz to pedal-to-the-metal rock and electronica. Whatever the style, Wishbone Ash’s signature is the distinctive twin-melodic lead guitar interplay that has influenced such bands as Thin Lizzy, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Iron Maiden and, more recently, Opeth.
“The blueprint and musical roots that we laid down in the early 1970s must have been really strong to have lasted this long,” says founding member Andy Powell (guitar, vocals). “Every band needs a plan and most importantly, to find THEIR own sound.”
The 50th-anniversary tour officially kicked off in October 2019 with 31 shows in the UK, followed by January and early-February dates in Europe that included a package tour with Nazareth and Uriah Heep. Following the US tour, the band embarks on their second On the Blue Cruise adventure, with more exciting shows to be announced later in the year.
True road warriors, each year Wishbone Ash logs around 30,000 road miles, roughly equivalent to circumnavigating the earth.
“The band basically lives together year-round on the road, so we have a very strong level of communication that translates in our performances and recordings,” says Powell. A key ingredient in the band's recipe for success is a devoted fan base, many who have followed Wishbone Ash from the beginning, and which often includes their children and even grandchildren. “We value our fan community above all else,” Powell says.
In 2015, Powell released his musical memoir, “Eyes Wide Open: True Tales of a Wishbone Ash Warrior,” co-written with renowned Irish music journalist Colin Harper and available in Kindle and Apple iBook formats.
“I’ve seen a lot of changes in the music business and the world in general, as you can imagine,” Powell says. On looking back over the 50 years of the band, he muses, “Like all success stories, a career like this has its downs as well as its ups, and and the true ups can only be measured in this way.”
There is no other rock band in history that has done more with the twin guitar concept than Wishbone Ash. Visit www.wishboneash.com for more information, and follow the band on Facebook (@wishbone.ash.official) and Twitter (wishboneash_com).
2020 US Spring Tour 15 FEBRUARY King Center – Melbourne, FL 16 FEBRUARY Skipper’s Smokehouse – Tampa, FL 18 FEBRUARY Vinyl Music Hall – Pensacola, FL 19 FEBRUARY House of Blues – New Orleans, LA 20 FEBRUARY Dosey Doe The Big Barn – The Woodlands, TX 21 FEBRUARY The Guitar Sanctuary Music & Event Center –McKinney, TX 22 FEBRUARY Sam's Burger Joint – San Antonio, TX 23 FEBRUARY One World Theatre – Austin, TX 26 FEBRUARY Rhythm Room – Phoenix, AZ 27 FEBRUARY Boulder Station – Las Vegas, NV 28 FEBRUARY Ramona's Mainstage – Ramona, CA 29 FEBRUARY Arcadia Blues Club – Arcadia, CA 1 MARCH The Coach House – San Juan Capistrano, CA 4 MARCH Yoshi’s – Oakland, CA 5 MARCH The Fox – Redwood City, CA 7 MARCH Abstract Entertainment – Sacramento, CA 8 MARCH Moe’s Alley – Santa Cruz, CA 11 MARCH Aladdin Theater – Portland, OR 12 MARCH Jazzbones – Tacoma, WA 13 MARCH Triple Door – Seattle, WA 01-08 APRIL Miami, FL US/St. Maarten, AQ /St. Thomas, VI/Great Stirrup Cay, BS
2020 US Fall Tour 09 SEPT Bull Run – Shirley, MA 10 SEPT Daryl's House Club – Pawling, NY 11 SEPT Mauch Chunk Opera House - Jim Thorpe, PA 12 SEPT Rams Head on Stage – Annapolis, MD 13 SEPT Tin Pan – Richmond, VA 16 SEPT Ludlow Garage – Cincinnati, OH 17 SEPT The 210 – Highwood, IL 18 SEPT Arcada Theatre – St.Charles, IL 19 SEPT Wildey Theatre – Edwardsville, IL 20 SEPT Wildey Theatre – Edwardsville, IL 22 SEPT River Music Experience – Davenport, IA 23 SEPT The Black Room at Colectivo – Milwaukee, WI 24 SEPT The Vogue – Indianapolis, IN 25 SEPT The Kent Stage – Kent, OH 26 SEPT Fur Peace – Pomeroy, OH (sold out) 28 SEPT Club Cafe – Pittsburgh, PA 29 SEPT Sportsmen's Tavern – Buffalo, NY 01 OCT Tupelo Music Hall – Derry, NH 02 OCT Wall Street Theater - Norwalk, CT 03 OCT Record Collector – Bordentown, NJ 04 OCT Sellersville Theater – Sellersville, PA
Band photo at top from left to right: Bob Skeat, Andy Powell, Joe Crabtree, Mark Abrahams.
For more information: www.wishboneash.com Facebook: @wishbone.ash.official Twitter: @wishboneash_com
Los Angeles, CA - Hot on the heels of their debut release, The Future Is Us, the Hawkwind-themed supergroup returns with a brand new single, “Circles” featuring the extraordinary guitar work of legend Todd Rundgren and gorgeous violin soloing by musical genius Lakshminarayana Shankar (L. Shankar) who has worked with Frank Zappa, U2, Peter Gabriel, Jeff Beck, Pete Townsend and many, many others! The song, which will be featured on the forthcoming Hawkestrel album (coming in 2020), is an historic first for Prog Rock as it is the first Prog Rock-style cover version of a song originally performed by a hip hop artist!
Check out the new single and its accompanying video (directed by Jared Cohn):
DISTRICT 97 is undoubtedly the most musically adventurous rock band in the world to feature an American Idol Top 10 Female Finalist. For over a decade, this quintet from Chicago has melded an adventurous instrumental prowess with the look, sound, and stage presence of Leslie Hunt.
Bill Bruford on Screens:“It’s almost intimidatingly skilful; tremendous refinement on previous work – you’re doing what you do only better. Great recording sound.”
Mike Portnoy:“District 97 continue to prove to be one of the most unique bands in modern Prog!”
Through world tours and a stream of studio and live releases, the band has garnered a worldwide fan base; collaborating with the late John Wetton and drawing praise from numerous rock luminaries along the way.
“Screens retains the essential elements of the District 97 sound, while also incorporating fresh, exciting influences” the band says. “The synergy of the new lineup is well beyond what we could have expected. We're so excited for everyone to embark on this next chapter of District 97.”
Ahead of the release on 25th October, of the new solo album, All This Will Be Yours from Bruce Soord, the multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and frontman for The Pineapple Thief, Soord has revealed his video for the title track.
The new album, described by Soord as an observational record, it is inspired by the joy felt by the birth of his third child juxtaposed by the local deprivation in his hometown and with the release of the title track Soord explores these themes more “This song was literally inspired by walking with my new-born daughter in my hometown of Yeovil. I love my hometown, but it's got its fair share of problems. I was taken by the contrast of this smiling soul staring up from her pram, surrounded by lost souls. Drunks, addicts, the hopeless. Near me is a notorious drug den. No windows, no electricity, no running water. But nevertheless, it is a hive of activity. Lifeless addicts drifting in and out. So our only choice was 'to push past 158'. Myself, turning a blind eye. The community turning a blind eye. But don't get me wrong, I love my hometown. And the people in it. All this will be hers.”
Bruce continues “The video was created by George Laycock and produced by Blacktide Phonic/Visual, who I’ve worked with previously, was shot in London rather than Yeovil as a way of, hopefully, reflecting the universal themes of the song. Talking of the themes, they are not universally bleak. There is plenty to be worried about. But there really is plenty to be hopeful for as well”.
Tracklisting: 1. The Secrets I Know [02:24] 2. Our Gravest Threat Apart [04:14] 3. The Solitary Path Of A Convicted Man [03:44] 4. All This Will Be Yours [06:04] 5. Time Does Not Exist[03:33] 6. One Misstep [04:00] 7. You Hear The Voices[06:54] 8. Cut The Flowers[04:35] 9. One Day I Will Leave You [05:17]
All This Will Be Yours will be released on CD, LP, digitally and as a deluxe hardback book 3 disc edition featuring the album on CD, with an extra CD of acoustic re-workings and bonus studio tracks plus a DVD with All This Will Be Yours as a Hi-res 24/88 WAV stereo album, Hi res 24/88 WAV acoustic album and Hi res 24/88 WAV bonus studio tracks, all of which will also be available in 24/88 DTS 5.1 surround. PRE-ORDER AVAILABLE HERE https://brucesoord.lnk.to/AllThisWillBeYours
“He’s created something remarkable” - Classic Rock
“A journey that would please fans of Floyd and Steven Wilson” - Total Guitar
“Soord has genuinely created something truly outstanding” - Prog
“Deceptively simple, emotionally rich, this album shows Soord at the peak of his powers” - Echoes and Dust
Bruce Soord has confirmed he’ll be supporting his new album with live shows beginning early next year – look out for more dates to be announced soon:
Jan 25 – NL – De Cacaofabriek, Popzaal, Helmond Mar 20-21 – NL – Prognosis Festival – Eindhoven
THE PINEAPPLE THIEF will be playing their first ever North America tour in November and December 2019: Nov 19 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse Nov 20 - Charlotte, NC - Neighborhood Theatre Nov 21 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage Nov 22 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer Nov 23 - New York City, NY - Sony Hall Nov 24 - Boston, MA - The Sinclair Nov 26 - Quebec City, Canada - Palais Montcalm Nov 27 - Montreal, Canada - Corona Theatre Nov 28 - Toronto, Canada - Mod Club Nov 29 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom Nov 30 - Detroit, MI - The Crofoot Ballroom Dec 1 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge Dec 3 - Guadalajara, Mexico - C3 Stage Dec 4 - Mexico City, Mexico - Lunario del Auditorio Nacional Dec 6 - Englewood, CO - Gothic Theatre Dec 8 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom Dec 9 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre Dec 10 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's Dec 12 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre Dec 13 - Vancouver, BC, Canada - Rickshaw Theatre Dec 14 - Seattle, WA - Neumos
Bruce Soord online: Facebook, twitter & Instagram: @bsoord
Crystal Beth is what happens if you cross Frank Zappa, Yoko Ono, Patti Smith, and Janice Joplin
Crystal Beth unleashes her first full-length studio record, PUSH THRU, a solo incarnation using wailing vocals, amplified clarinet, beat-boxing and electronics to weave a sonic universe all her own. The album will be released on Trey Gunn's 7D Media on October 18, 2019. Beth has been described as “world music from an imaginary planet..quite compelling & magical” (Seattle Times), “a supremely versatile and virtuosic maverick” (The Stranger), and “one of the most fearless and innovative musicians in the city…” (Earshot Jazz). Known for crafting aural rituals that encompass industrial chants, alien disco breaks, heart gushings, and robot love songs, Crystal Beth redefines the possibilities of the voice and clarinet in tight experimental pop songs and undulating, cathartic noise cries. Crafting moments that ricochet between meditation and a full body purge, she is an electric, adrenaline inducing performer voted Seattle's Best Classical Musician and nominated for NW Vocalist of the Year.
Rooted and defined by singing in her own syllabic language, Crystal Beth began in 2010 and she performs solo using loop pedals and delays, and a five-piece rock outfit (the Boom Boom Band) to craft and explore her idiosyncratic and distinctive original music. Seattle's The Stranger magazine writes “You can find {Crystal Beth} fearlessly indulging her wildest creative inklings whenever she materializes in a musical forum…Crystal Beth & the Boom Boom Band falls somewhere between the grisly skronk-punk of Stickers and earthy freak-indie of tUnE-yArDs, but even fans of those left-of-center acts will be thrown for a loop. Wailing vocals not bound to any conventions but {her} own, paired with percussive 'Bethnic chants,' are set over freely drawn jazz figures and world-y rhythms.”
The music on this record is primal and visceral, sweet and expansive. It's a completely solo work- recorded in 2 days of full live takes at Studio Litho with engineer Floyd Reitsma (Pearl Jam, Audioslave, Dave Matthews Band), mixed by Marcel Fernandez (Foo Fighters, ZZ Top, Molotov), and mastered by Michael Cozzi (Sky Cries Mary, Security Project, Bill Rieflin). With artwork by Mexican artist Ale De la Torre, Crystal Beth's PUSH THRU is available on vinyl, CD, and digitally.
With the reflexes of a mongoose, Crystal Beth spins cathartic hardcore purge pop art punk - sweaty, trance inducing, heart-pouring – these are sonic cupcakes for your soul.
Crystal Beth has 20 years of professional international performances under her full name, Beth Fleenor, where she has been featured on recordings with polymaths including Wayne Horvitz, Jherek Bischoff, and Julie Slick, and includes performances with David Byrne, Terry Riley, Butch Morris, Bobby Previte, Trey Gunn, Robin Holcomb, Joshual Kohl/Degenerate Art Ensemble, Matana Roberts, Skerik, Tamar Kali, LaFrae Sci, Seattle Symphony, Wordless Music Orchestra, Samantha Boshnack, Led To Sea, Mirah, Soko, William O. Smith, Eyvind Kang, Malcom Goldstein, Jessika Kenney, Paris Hurley / Object As Subject, Timothy Young, John Tchicai, Gretta Harley, Mike Dillon, Briggan Krauss, Parenthetical Girls, Gino Yevdjevich/Kultur Shock, Amy Denio, and Shane Parish & Ryan Oslance / Ahleuchatistas – often doing upward of 170 shows a year in different genres.
Her work has been heard in 100,000 seat rock festivals, maximum-security prisons, and some of the most prestigious concert halls, museums, clubs and theaters in the world. Believing that “art is the discipline of being,” Fleenor uses sound to open the channels of communication between and within individuals and environments. Her work as been heard in live music, recordings, theater, performance art, installation, modern dance, and film. She believes that “an emphasis on creativity in a culture gives rise to creative solutions to social problems.”
Along with the straight-forward stamp of “excellent” from the New York Times, Fleenor has been called an “exceptional clarinetist” by the Seattle Times, and The Seattle Weekly writes, “If you’re getting tired of music that’s even remotely formulaic, Beth Fleenor is for you. Her experimental mixing of genres is powerful and refreshing.” Earshot Jazz has described her as “one of the most fearless and innovative musicians in the city…” and City Arts Magazine remarks “Beth Fleenor transcends labels – a multi-talented, creative force in Seattle.”
Crystal Beth began after Fleenor spent years collaborating with other musicians and artists, when she starting bursting at the seams with her own compositions. After years as a free improviser, Crystal Beth is Fleenor's first project that focuses entirely on her original songs.
She speaks personally about the project, “I believe in the power of sound to clear the body and cleanse the soul. Music is a powerful tool as a listener and as a maker. It changes the state of things internally. I think we need a way to deal with ourselves so that we can better deal with each other….and when we have that, it leads us to a different way of conducting ourselves – a way of empathy, compassion, awareness, consideration, communication – a mutual respect of shared experience. We need focusing agents that help us process experiences – a way to make sense of it all – a way to get it to move through our bodies. Transcendent happiness, and deep tragedy, and everything in between, we need some kind of a ritual to catch up with ourselves in the present moment, to be able to move forward in a state of personal alignment. Crystal Beth is how I deal with myself, how I heal myself, how I Push Thru to the deepest parts of myself, and begin again every single day. My hope is that by sharing my most vulnerable self, perhaps it will offer a moment of the same catharsis and solace to others.”
RECORD RELEASE PARTY Thursday, October 24 at Substation (Seattle) Crystal Beth with special guest Alex Faide, Trey Gunn, RGK + the Alternative Facts, and Devils in Skirts
Fleenor holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Classical Clarinet Performance from Cornish College of the Arts. Her work has been supported by Jack Straw Productions, 4Culture, Allied Arts, Artist Trust, the Millay Colony for the Arts, and the Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs. Crystal Beth's solo record PUSH THRU was brought to life through patrons on the Indiegogo platform. Born in Bristol TN/VA, she has been based in Seattle since 1998.
Here's what the press have said about Beth Fleenor:
“Beth Fleenor transcends labels – a multi-talented, creative force in Seattle.” (City Arts Magazine)
“Crystal Beth creates her own sonic cult through stage thrashing her way through 'cathartic hardcore purge pop,' and wielding psychedelic clarinet melodies and bethnic chants.” (The Stranger )
“Crystal Beth – is an undeniable, unstoppable musical force, and one of Seattle’s treasures. She uses her voice and clarinet to channel strange, disturbing, and beautiful sounds into existence from beyond most of our imaginings. ....Beth’s chants and shrieks bypass the language centers of the brain and drill directly into the deepest, primal folds, beckoning you to surrender to sound, to find peace and clarity through a modicum of musical insanity.” (Ball of Wax)
“If you're getting tired of music that’s even remotely formulaic, {Crystal Beth} is for you. Her experimental mixing of genres is powerful and refreshing.” (Seattle Weekly)
“…a supremely versatile and virtuosic maverick” (The Stranger)
“exceptional clarinetist” (Seattle Times)
“Crystal Beth & the Boom Boom Band are what happens when accomplished jazz musicians decide to take a reckless holiday in the rock realm.... a kind of artful, deranged rock that recalls the Dirty Three and the Geraldine Fibbers at their most agitated and, alternately, at their most lugubrious.” (The Stranger)
“one of the most fearless and innovative musicians in the city…” (Seattle's Earshot Jazz)
“alternately buoyant and ponderous, transfixing and exceptional” (City Arts Magazine)
“….fare perhaps best described as world music from an imaginary planet….quite compelling and magical….” (Seattle Times)
AUDIENCE REFLECTIONS
“Some crazy combination of Bjork & Mike Patton, but with a voice truly her own.”
“Brian Eno meets the Beastie Boys in Mumbai and they have a spirited discussion about Alice Coltrane”
“Crystal Beth is what happens if you cross Frank Zappa, Yoko Ono, Patti Smith, and Janice Joplin”
“Experimental primal scream punk meets world meets prog meets jazz meets the Dali Lama…and I'm not exaggerating…”.
First Ever North America Tour Begins With Drummer Gavin Harrison
Following the release of their latest studio album Dissolution, through Kscope, The Pineapple Thief, one of the leading lights of Europe’s experimental rock domain, announce their new concert album Hold Our Fire captured during their 16-date European headline tour in September 2018. The new album is due for release on 15th November, ahead of their debut North America tour in November / December.
Holding up a mirror to our chaotic, social media-fixated society, Dissolution is a modern masterpiece that pulses with charged emotion – the perfect album for the times. The album earned them their highest UK album chart entry to date at #36 and also #1 in Rock and Metal, as well as reaching #22 in the German album chart, #4 in the Netherlands Platomania album chart and #14 in the Finland album chart.
Hold Our Fire features eight concert performances of Dissolution tracks, including the singles “Far Below”, “Try As I Might”, “Threatening War” & “Uncovering Your Tracks”, as well as “3000 Days” from 2010 studio album Someone Here is Missing with extra guitars from new guitarist George Marios.
The band's virtuoso drummer, also known for his work with Porcupine Tree and King Crimson, Gavin Harrison reveals more about their performances for Hold Our Fire: “I feel this live recording really captures the energy and spirit of the band playing together in front of a great enthusiastic crowd.”
It's a feeling shared by frontman, composer and guitarist Bruce Soord: “It's a great souvenir from such a memorable tour. I am really looking forward to taking the show over to North America in November and mixing the record reminded me just how much fun we have playing live.”
Hold Our Fire track list 1. Try As I Might (live) 2. Threatening War (live) 3. Uncovering Your Tracks (live) 4. All That You`ve Got (live) 5. Far Below (live) 6. Not Naming Any Names (live) 7. White Mist (live) 8. Shed A Light (live) 9. 3000 Days (live)
Hold Our Fire will be released on CD, LP and digitally on 15th November worldwide. Fans can also pre-order Soord's new solo album All This Will Be Yours, which is due to be released on 25th October.
THE PINEAPPLE THIEF will be playing their first ever North America tour in November and December 2019: Nov 19 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse Nov 20 - Charlotte, NC - Neighborhood Theatre Nov 21 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage Nov 22 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer Nov 23 - New York City, NY - Sony Hall Nov 24 - Boston, MA - The Sinclair Nov 26 - Quebec City, Canada - Palais Montcalm Nov 27 - Montreal, Canada - Corona Theatre Nov 28 - Toronto, Canada - Mod Club Nov 29 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom Nov 30 - Detroit, MI - The Crofoot Ballroom Dec 1 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge Dec 3 - Guadalajara, Mexico - C3 Stage Dec 4 - Mexico City, Mexico - Lunario del Auditorio Nacional Dec 6 - Englewood, CO - Gothic Theatre Dec 8 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom Dec 9 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre Dec 10 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's Dec 12 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre Dec 13 - Vancouver, BC, Canada - Rickshaw Theatre Dec 14 - Seattle, WA - Neumos
The Pineapple Thief are: Bruce Soord – guitars and vocals Gavin Harrison – drums Jon Sykes – bass Steve Kitch – keyboards George Marios – guitars and backing vocals (live)
Press for Dissolution and The Pineapple Thief's 2018 tour: “Poetic, erudite, emotionally powerful, and chock-full of musical imagination” - All Music “Their ability to move from lo-fi intimacy to 21st-century Floydian rock is fantastic” - PROG “They delivered fabulously constructed, atmospheric music, built on sublime melodies” - Record Collector “TPT live is an increasingly exciting proposition... they've recently struck some gold. 9/10” - Powerplay
Press inquiries (North America): Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com
REVEALS FIRST TRACK “THE SOLITARY PATH OF THE CONVICTED MAN”
KSCOPE – Digitally Released on October 25 and CD / LP Released on November 1
Bruce Soord, the multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and frontman for internationally renowned experimental rock outfit The Pineapple Thief, has confirmed the release of his second solo album. Entitled All This Will Be Yours it will be released through Kscope digitally on October 25 and CD / LP on November 1, 2019.
Taking elements from the recent musical developments with The Pineapple Thief, as well as an ambition to experiment with his own sound, All This Will Be Yours is an album of acoustic and personal vision from Bruce Soord. Described by Soord as an observational record, it is inspired by the joy felt by the birth of his third child juxtaposed by the local deprivation in his hometown.
Bruce explains, “Emotionally it was a pretty unique & eventful time, my wife was due to have our 3rd child at any time but she managed to come to see the final date of the TPT tour at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire, after the show that night we returned home to Yeovil and the next day our baby girl arrived. So, we had this new life in our lives and it introduced a very different perspective on the world around me. I was totally inspired and started writing almost immediately.”
He continues, “You’d like to think that something as simple as having a child shouldn’t impact on how you view things, but even the sight of a serene, sleeping baby in my studio while I was writing and recording, impacted on how I was inspired to write. I was still observing. Taking walks in my hometown, witnessing the deprivation, the ‘incarcerated souls’ shuffling to my local drug den ‘number 158’, the screaming children on their commute to school. And the incessant sounds of sirens. I would take a mobile recorder out with me and some of these sounds made it onto the record. The kids, an old man walking along the street singing outside my house (‘Our Gravest Threat Apart’). And the sirens. The sirens appear throughout the record.”
The sound of All This Will Be Yours features modern production elements, as well as acoustic guitars delicately layered with samples. Ever present are Soord's familiar vocals, which deliver an emotive and accessible view into his contrasting feelings when writing about austerity whilst his newborn dozed in the studio. The audio has been recorded as two continuous linear pieces to replicate the pleasure of listening to an album on vinyl and was mastered by fellow The Pineapple Thief member Steve Kitch.
The new album, All This Will Be Yours, builds on Soord's momentum gained by The Pineapple Thief's multiple headline Europe and UK tours in support of 2018 UK #1 Rock album Dissolution and 2016 summer hit album Your Wilderness. November 2019 sees The Pineapple Thief embark on their first North American tour. A prolific musician, Soord has also previously collaborated with Katatonia’s Jonas Renkse on fan-favourite album Wisdom of Crowds and produced 5.1 mixes for the likes of Katatonia, Opeth & Anathema.
Tracklisting: 1. The Secrets I Know [02:24] 2. Our Gravest Threat Apart [04:14] 3. The Solitary Path Of A Convicted Man [03:44] 4. All This Will Be Yours [06:04] 5. Time Does Not Exist[03:33] 6. One Misstep [04:00] 7. You Hear The Voices[06:54] 8. Cut The Flowers[04:35] 9. One Day I Will Leave You [05:17]
All This Will Be Yours will be released on CD, LP, digitally and as a deluxe hardback book 3 disc edition featuring the album on CD, with an extra CD of acoustic re-workings and bonus studio tracks plus a DVD with All This Will Be Yours as a Hi-res 24/88 WAV stereo album, Hi res 24/88 WAV acoustic album and Hi res 24/88 WAV bonus studio tracks, all of which will also be available in 24/88 DTS 5.1 surround. PRE-ORDER AVAILABLE HERE https://brucesoord.lnk.to/AllThisWillBeYours
“He’s created something remarkable” - Classic Rock
“A journey that would please fans of Floyd and Steven Wilson” - Total Guitar
“Soord has genuinely created something truly outstanding” - Prog
“Deceptively simple, emotionally rich, this album shows Soord at the peak of his powers” - Echoes and Dust
THE PINEAPPLE THIEF will be playing their first ever North America tour in November and December 2019: Nov 19 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse Nov 20 - Charlotte, NC - Neighborhood Theatre Nov 21 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage Nov 22 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer Nov 23 - New York City, NY - Sony Hall Nov 24 - Boston, MA - The Sinclair Nov 26 - Quebec City, Canada - Palais Montcalm Nov 27 - Montreal, Canada - Corona Theatre Nov 28 - Toronto, Canada - Mod Club Nov 29 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom Nov 30 - Detroit, MI - The Crofoot Ballroom Dec 1 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge Dec 3 - Guadalajara, Mexico - C3 Stage Dec 4 - Mexico City, Mexico - Lunario del Auditorio Nacional Dec 6 - Englewood, CO - Gothic Theatre Dec 8 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom Dec 9 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre Dec 10 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's Dec 12 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre Dec 13 - Vancouver, BC, Canada - Rickshaw Theatre Dec 14 - Seattle, WA - Neumos
Bruce Soord online: Facebook, twitter & Instagram: @bsoord
Drummer Dave Schoepke will be releasing his first solo drum album titled “Drums On Low” on July 15, 2019. Schoepke is an accomplished North American drummer, who has had the pleasure of working with the legendary Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre. Dave toured with Martin's band in 2017 and in 2018 for the “Cruise To The Edge” Tour. He's also been the primary drummer for The Willy Porter Band since 2002, and has loved every second of his time with the band. Dave has toured with Willy Porter on a number of occasions over the years, and has numerous television and radio appearances on his record. The amazing part is that Dave is able to do all of this, and still has time to devote to his own band Tweed. Tweed has been a mainstay touring in Europe for the last few years along with a number of other blues and soul groups.
Dave said this about “Drums On Low”: “The music and recording are a direct response to my life changes. Post the birth of my son I was inspired to craft and assemble this album. The concept is simple: to make an album in response to the overwhelming feelings I had about my family and where I was as a musician at this stage of my career. What flowed out was soaked with the spirit of love and harmony between our family unit and the reality that rhythms of life which bind us are always there in the ways we talk, feel, think, breathe and react to one another. I was motivated to write music that to me resonated those elements.”
The completion of this album was the realization of a dream of Dave's since age 16 to make music solely on drums and percussion instruments. Until now, that was an unattainable goal due to work demands, recording capabilities and costs. Written and recorded at Dave's home studio in the first 2 months after the birth of his 2nd child, this collection of pieces reflects the joy, wonder, and sleeplessness of being a new parent. The music was assembled in bits and pieces in between naptimes and family maintenance.
“My wife was very supportive in that when there was some free time, I was able to run downstairs and work on the music. Often, I began recording a piece only minutes after changing a diaper, feeding my son or some other family business. It was nearly impossible to separate the elements which is the biggest part of this whole story. The music is so directly informed by my day to day family life, and it's as much a reaction to those things as it is to my purely musical pursuits. At times I just sat down and the music flowed with no thought or preconceived ideas, nothing but reaction to life with my family. Ultimately the content on the album is 1/3 pre-formed pieces, 1/3 sketches that were embellished on and 1/3 full improvisations. I had the intention of having it all ready to go ahead of time, and a lot of things were finished, but when inspired I was able to turn on a dime and go with where the muse took me, which often happened in the midst of working on another piece. My overall goal with this album was to create a body of work that reflected where I had been as a musician but with the intent that the pieces come across as songs rather than solos. All of the music was recorded live with no overdubs, punch-ins, or edits/splicing on a combination of drum kits with varied tuning schemes.”
Some of the pieces are more melodically driven with the pitches, “Window, War Of The Grasshoppers, and Eleven Three” are examples of pieces that reflect that approach with mallets being the choice to draw the tones out. “Which One ARE You and N'ging” are informed with more traditional approaches and are considerably more aggressive. Some tracks are more experimental in form and approach, “Sound On Low” uses free spinning metal shakers on various snare drums and micro percussion alongside a detuned 26” kick drum, while “The Thing From The Darkness” is a flat out free expression coupled with audio from an old 1930's radio show.
“At times I wanted to abandon any concept of bars or strict form to the pieces, which I felt would restrict me and inhibit my transference of ideas. If I added a beat, dropped one, or the form floated away from my original intent, I went with it rather than be beholden to anything other than the moment. I wanted to disregard any of the common notions of form, tempo, tuning, and theory in favor of feel, attitude, flavor, vibe and excitement. There was no fixing or editing on anything, so if there are mistakes, odd sounds, and any quirkiness that didn’t take away from the flow and intent of the piece, I left it in and in turn feel it adds more human element to the production rather than an over polished product. All in all, 20 songs were recorded and 11 selected to represent where I was at that time. Because this was to be my first solo endeavor and one I longed to do since childhood, I felt like I had a lot to get out. Concurrently making this album has inspired me to work on building this facet of my career, as I have a slew of concepts and ideas I'd love to share.”
Watch the video for “Which One ARE You?”:
Dave said this about the video, “This is about an illustration of dualities in life. The two girls symbolize struggles that sometimes exist within people, good and bad, yin and yang, whatever. The music informs the manic-ness and chaos that can exist. I wanted to express chaos to the form of the song and do away with measures and structure at points, while returning to a rabid unrelenting ostinato that symbolizes the need to walk the line in life. The fight within people is often so much greater and out of control than we can comprehend. I learned this firsthand from a bi-polar suicidal father who took his own life when I was 10.”
When Dave is not touring with Martin Barre, touring Europe or holding down the drum throne for Willy Porter, he can be found in the studio recording. He is an extremely busy session musician with over 50 albums to his credit. These albums cut across all genres of music. He has also done dozens of instructional CD's for the Hal Leonard Corporation (One of the world's largest music publishers). Dave also heads up the improvisational recording project, Blank Radio, and is the chief engineer and curator of hundreds of sessions with musicians from all over the greater Milwaukee area, culminating 23 full length album releases since 2008. These albums feature improvisations in all styles from ambient soundscapes to classical, jazz, and seething progressive rock.
Currently Dave makes his home in Milwaukee and is a private lesson instructor at Cascio Interstate Music. He has done dozens of clinics and been billed with legendary drummers Ed Thigpen, Paul Wertico, Dom Famularo, Greg Bissonette, Ernie Adams, and Carmine Appice. He maintains a busy schedule of teaching, touring, clinics, and sessions, and is always striving to evolve in every facet of his music making. Dave proudly endorses Ludwig Drums and Paiste Cymbals and was named 2009 Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) drummer of the year. In support of the release of “Drums On Low,” Dave is booking shows for August/September 2019
In closing, Dave has this message to impart to his listeners, “Joy and exploration. To make music with joy in the heart devoid of the constraints and trappings of the business and analytical side of the music industry.”
500 ONLY AUDIOPHILE HANDCRAFTED AND NUMBERED DARK BLUE VINYL WITH INSERTS AND GOLDEN EXPANDED CD
999 AUDIOPHILE HANDCRAFTED AND NUMBERED GOLDEN PAPERSLEEVE CD
Cover notes by Robert Wyatt and Jonathan Coe
Italy - Critically acclaimed as one of the best records ever, Robert Wyatt's 1974 masterpiece “Rock Bottom” has been re-arranged by Craig Fortnam for his amazing North Sea Radio Orchestra. Featuring long time Wyatt's collaborator and Henry Cow founder John Greaves on bass guitar and vocals and the amazing vocalist Annie Barbazza as lead singer, “Folly Bololey: Songs from Robert Wyatt's Rock Bottom” is a hearfelt, fantastic tribute to Robert Wyatt's music.
The limited hand numbered edition of 500 LP audiophile blue premium vinyl with gimmix foldout cover and bonus golden CD & 999 Cardboard sleeve hand numbered audiophile golden CD will be released on May 17th on Dark Companion Records.
“This concert is a beautiful event, for me. These musicians seem to me to have have really grasped what my songs are about; but at the same time, created an entirely fresh way of putting the music together. I feel so honored and so grateful.” - Robert Wyatt, March 2019
“One of the greatest albums of the 1970s, beautifully reimagined and re-written for orchestra. I have listened to Rock Bottom hundreds of times, and thought I was familiar with it: but this brilliant new version opens up new depths, fresh vistas, hidden truths. An amazing achievement.” - Jonathan Coe, March 2019
“When John Greaves asked me about producing this album and the concert at Conservatorio Nicolini in Piacenza, for Dark Companion I immediately replied 'yes'. I already knew North Sea Radio Orchestra and respect Craig as one of the most talented musicians in today’s British scene. ‘Rock Bottom’ is my favourite album ever and John Greaves my closest friend whom I respect very highly and have had the honour of releasing one of his finest albums to date on Manticore. Annie Barbazza? Well she is a marvelous singer and musician and I very much agree with the late Greg Lake who was really amazed by her voice and went on to produce her first album for Manticore as well. So I hope you enjoy what I think is a fantastically soulful, heartfelt and graceful tribute to the poetry of Robert Wyatt.” - Max Marchini, April 2019
John Greaves & Annie Barbazza
Watch the promotional video:
Track listing: 1. Sea Song 5:54 2. A Last Straw 5:27 3. Little Red Riding Hood Hit The Road 5:04 4. Alifib 7:45 5. Alifie 5:19 6. Little Red Robin Hood Hit The Road 5:18 bonus tracks: 7. The British Road 6:25 8. Maryan 5:41 9. Shipbuilding 4:47 10. O Caroline 5:09
Personnel: Annie Barbazza: Lead Vocal/Farfisa Organ John Greaves: Bass guitar/Vocal (track 4 and 11)/Spoken Word (track 3, 5 and 6) Nicky Baigent: Bb Clarinet/Bass Clarinet/Spoken Word (track 5) Luke Crookes: Bassoon William D. Drake: Piano/Farfisa Organ/Vocal (track 2,3 and 5) Harry Escott: Cello Craig Fortnam: Guitar/Farfisa Organ/Vocal (track 7 and 9) Tommaso Franguelli: Vibes/Percussion Cheb Nettles: Drums Laurent Valero: Violin/Viola/Recorder/Bass Recorder
Arranged and directed by Craig Fortnam Executive Production by Max Marchini Recorded live, mixed and mastered by Alberto Callegari at Elfo Recording Studios, Tavernago, Italy during “Musiche Nuove a Piacenza Festival”, November 30th, 2018
Annie Barbazza appears by courtesy of Manticore Records
ZFG will tour with Toto Summer 2019 in support of new single “Special”
Serendipitous is an adjective that describes accidentally being in the right place at the right time, like bumping into a good friend in some unusual location, or finding a hundred dollar bill on the ground. The word could also be used well in describing the inception of the band ZFG. Within its ranks you'll find seasoned songwriters and performers of which you may be familiar, but sometimes the sum of the parts is beyond expectations and lends itself to being genre defining.
“You guys are better musicians than KISS will ever be and you sound like you could be the next QUEEN.” - Gene Simmons
Based in Los Angeles, ZFG consists of Trev Lukather (son of legendary guitarist Steve Lukather and founding member of Toto), bassist Sam Porcaro (son of original bassist for Toto, Mike Porcaro), drummer Josh Devine of One Direction, and stellar vocalist Jules Galli.
The members were close friends in different projects, but decided to get into the studio for fun with a new approach in mind, making music with no rules or boundaries. “Zero F**ks Given” is what they called their first day in the studio, which led to their band name ZFG. After writing and recording together on day one, the chemistry was undeniable, so the decision was made to forge their individual projects into one. By melding anthemic, hook-filled melodies within funk rock guitar riffs and groove rock beats, the band shows their ability to compact a vast array of influence and experience into a signature sound with substance, style, and soul.
“Having released two songs already, 'Holehearted' and 'Special' it is now apparent just how good that chemistry is. Funk rock grooves and infectious backing vocals are just the first things to jump out at you. These guys can play. Of course when you carry the last name of rock royalty (Lukather and Porcaro) or come from a massive band like One Direction (Devine), people expect good things. These guys deliver that in spades.”
As serendipitous as the making of the band may have been, ZFG runs with a different mindset when approaching the music they write by not restricting themselves to purely rock-style songs. ZFG's music is infused in alternative, pop, R&B and a hybrid of other styles.
ZFG's radio campaign recently launched for their single “Special” and was officially released on April 26th on Spotify and all platforms via Cleopatra Records. “Special” landed #2 MOST ADDED spot on the Billboard (BDS) Mainstream Rock Indicator Chart and grabbed the coveted #1 MOST ADDED spot on the Foundations (SMR) Chart. “Special” lands among the Top 10 Greatest Gainers on BOTH the Billboard Indicator & Foundations Chart!
The band is currently on their first tour with Adelitas Way and The Winery Dogs. Fans can get a taste of their upcoming EP with the release of a lyric video for their single, “Special.”
June 25 - OPERA LESNA - SOPOT, POLAND with TOTO June 27 - BUDAPEST ARENA - BUDAPEST, HUNGARY with TOTO June 29 - BOERDERIJ - ZOETERMEER, NETHERLANDS - HEADLINE June 30 - HEDON - ZWOLLE, NETHERLANDS - HEADLINE July 02 - TOLLWOOD FESTIVAL - MUNICH, GERMANY with TOTO July 03 - PIAZZA DEGLI SCACCHI - MAROSTICA, ITALY with TOTO July 04 - AUDITORIUM CAVEA - ROME, ITALY with TOTO July 05 - PIAZZA NAPOLEONE - LUCCA, ITALY with TOTO July 06 - BALADIN OPEN GARDEN - PIOZZO, ITALY July 10 - MTC - KOLN, GERMANY - HEADLINE July 11 - NOCHTWACHE - HAMBURG, GERMANY - HEADLINE July 12 - MUSIK AND FRIEDEN - BERLIN, GERMANY - HEADLINE July 13 - BLUES GARAGE - ISERNHAGEN, GERMANY - HEADLINE July 14 - GELSENKIRCHEN AMPHITEATER - GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY with TOTO July 16 - Z7 SUMMER NIGHTS OPEN AIR - PRATTELN, SWITZERLAND with TOTO July 17 - BAROCKGARDENT - FUSSEN, GERMANY with TOTO July 18 - SCHLOSS OPEN AIR - SALEM, GERMANY with TOTO
