by Markmon40 | Mar 13, 2018 | News
The year 2018 marks half a century since the formation of the legendary group YES, one of the biggest bands in prog rock history and true pioneers of the genre. To celebrate the milestone, YES–Steve Howe (guitar since 1970), Alan White (drums since 1972), Geoff Downes (keyboards; first joined in 1980), Jon Davison (vocals since 2011) and Billy Sherwood (guitar/keyboards in the 1990s and the late Chris Squire’s choice to take over bass/vocals in 2015)–will embark on a 50th Anniversary North American summer tour, on the heels of a European outing which kicks off tonight (March 13) in the UK.
Beginning June 2018, the cross-country trek will bring the 2017 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees to such markets as Philadelphia, New York and Seattle, among many others. Look for the official details and dates to be revealed next week.
In other news, on March 25, YES will release Fly From Here – Return Trip, a new version of their album, Fly From Here, featuring the Drama lineup and new lead vocals by Trevor Horn. The original 2011 release of the album featured the late Chris Squire, Howe, White and Downes, with Benoit David on lead vocals and Horn as producer. In addition to featuring Horn on lead vocals and remixed parts, Fly From Here – Return Trip–a labor of love for all involved, recorded over the last two years following Horn’s guest appearance with YES at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 2016–also contains a previously unreleased song, “Don’t Take No For an Answer,” recorded in 2011 featuring Howe on lead vocals, and the full-length version of “Hour of Need,” previously only available as a Japanese bonus track. Fly From Here – Return Trip is a long-awaited treat for all YES fans and, following Squire’s passing in 2015, represents the last chance for fans to hear a follow-up to the classic YES release Drama. The album is available to pre-order now exclusively via PledgeMusic here: https://yesthedramalineup.pmstores.co/
by Markmon40 | Mar 12, 2018 | News
Tool, the band that always seems to be working on a follow up album that never happens, have finally given more concrete info on an upcoming new album. Posted on the band’s Facebook page, the band themselves have revealed that the new album is in fact written and they are heading into the studio to record. Whether or not an album will be released at some point is still unknown, but this is as close as the band seem to have come to making new music in a long time. The message on the band’s page read as follows:
“Who’s ready for some major breaking news? Brace yourself; get ready… okay, here we go. We are very excited to announce what is sure to be welcome news for both fans of TOOL and prog-metal enthusiasts in general. After all the years of writing and arranging (and re-arranging) at the band’s loft, I can at this time officially report that the guys have moved into a major studio where the recording process for the next album is about to begin in earnest. For the past few days the band members have been getting sonically adjusted to their new surroundings – dialing in the equipment settings and restaurant catering choices – in preparation for Danny to begin his tracking any time now – perhaps by the time that you read this!
I am also excited to announce that ‘evil’ JOE BARRESI will once again have his capable fingers at the engineering controls for what will certainly be another masterful TOOL offering by the talented team. Pinch yourself if you want, but I have been told that all systems are GO at this point for the upcoming sessions.
I will be posting periodic bits and pieces on the progress of the tracking once the guys get deeper into the recording process, and hope that all of you will keep checking back to the official website for these updates. In the meantime, be sure to also visit the individual band members’ sites and socials (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) for more inside glimpses as TOOL prepares for the next stage in their musical odyssey.”
by Markmon40 | Mar 1, 2018 | News
Kino recently announced the release of their new album ‘Radio Voltaire’, arriving 13 years after the band’s much-loved debut ‘Picture’ back in 2005. Out on March 23rd, 2018, it sees John Mitchell (It Bites, Lonely Robot) & Pete Trewavas (Marillion) teaming up once more, with Craig Blundell (Steven Wilson) on drums & John Beck (It Bites) guesting on keyboards.
Today sees the release of the second track to be taken from the album, titled ‘Grey Shapes on Concrete Fields’, and you can watch the video now below.
John Mitchell comments: “‘Grey Shapes On Concrete Fields’ is a song about the unfortunate reality that in today’s over populated society, nature is rapidly giving way to urbanisation. It’s only a matter of time before the grey fields outweigh the green ones.”
Get the album at: www.insideoutmusicshop.com
by Markmon40 | Mar 1, 2018 | News
Legendary US progressive rockers Spock’s Beard have announced the release of their 13th studio album ‘Noise Floor’ for May 25th, 2018. As announced previously, for this album Ted Leonard, Alan Morse, Dave Meros & Ryo Okumoto are joined in the studio once again by drummer & original member Nick D’Virgilio.
Spock’s Beard is a band that is in a continual state of evolution, as is always the case with genuinely creative musicians. And their new album, ‘Noise Floor’, fits perfectly into this process.
“We are always about evolution, not revolution. But what we have done this time is make the songs more melodic,” believes vocalist/guitarist Ted Leonard. “We still love our crazy prog, but now appreciate how important it is to grab people’s attention early on.”
As with all Spock’s Beard songs, most of the new album was written by the individual members, and then brought to the rest of the band as high quality demos. “We all do this type of thing in our home studios,” adds Leonard. “So, by the time they reach the stage where the entire band get to judge them, they are really developed, and therefore everyone can make a reasoned judgement.” Much of what you will listen to here is very much the product of fresh inspiration from the Californian band.
One key change on this album sees the return of drummer Nick D’Virgilio, who originally left in 2011. There are also two violinists, a cello player, a viola player and an English horn featured on the album, thereby giving the sound a slightly more evocative and persuasive twist.
The album was once again engineered by long-time collaborator Rich Mouser and will be released as a 2CD digipak (featuring an EP of material from the same sessions), gatefold 2LP + 2CD & as digital download.
The track-listing is as follows:
Disc 1 – Noise Floor
1. To Breathe Another Day
2. What Becomes of Me
3. Somebody’s Home
4. Have We All Gone Crazy Yet
5. So This Is Life
6. One So Wise
7. Box of Spiders
8. Beginnings
Disc 2 – Cutting Room Floor
1. Days We’ll Remember
2. Bulletproof
3. Vault
4. Armageddon Nervous
Look out for more information in the coming weeks!
by Markmon40 | Feb 27, 2018 | News
Yes have revealed the details behind the re-recording and release of their 2011 album Fly From Here. The album with vocalist Benoit David features the 6 part, 23 minute title song, and was produced by Trevor Horn. Following Horn’s guest appearance with the group at their Royal Albert Hall show in 2016, the producer began re-recording the vocals for the album. The album will be launched at the Yes 50th Anniversary Fan Convention at the London Palladium on March 25.
Horn says: “I really enjoyed listening to Alan and Chris playing together again. Finishing off the album was a labour of love.”
Guitarist Steve Howe adds: “It is great to have the original Drama lineup playing Fly From Here plus several other songs Trevor had a big part in writing.”
Keyboardist Geoff Downes calls Horn’s work on the record “amazing” and adds: “It is most refreshing and adds a whole new dimension to the original recordings from 2011.
“I think the fans will appreciate it as a genuine sequel to the Drama album, and embrace it as a valuable part of our YES50 celebrations.”
Horn has also added new liner notes to the album, while the sleeve design features the painting by Roger Dean that originally appeared on the inside of the 2011 edition.
Pre-order the album here: https://yesthedramalineup.pmstores.co/
Yes Fly From Here: Return Trip tracklist
Fly From Here – Overture
Fly From Here Pt 1 – We Can Fly
Fly From Here Pt 2 – Sad Night at the Airfield
Fly From Here Pt 3 – Madman at the Screens
Fly From Here Pt 4 – Bumpy Ride
Fly From Here Pt 5 – We Can Fly (Reprise)
The Man You Always Wanted Me to Be
Life on a Film Set
Hour of Need (full length version)
Solitaire
Don’t Take No for an Answer
Into the Storm
by Markmon40 | Feb 27, 2018 | News
MESTIS (featuring Javier Reyes from Animals As Leaders) will soon embark on their first-ever official tour with HYVMINE as direct support. The trek will kick off on May 11th and wrap-up May 18th (dates below).
MESTIS are supporting their latest effort, Polysemy, on Sumerian Records and HYVMINE are supporting their debut offering, Earthquake, on Seek and Strike. TOUR AD-MAT ATTACHED!
Reyes states: “I am very excited to get out on the road with MESTIS and have my brothers in INTRONAUT (Joe Lester on bass and Dave Timnick on drums) as my touring members. It’s going to be a blast!”
Al Joseph (vocals, guitars) of HYVMINE states: “Since the release of our debut record, Earthquake, the response supporting HYVMINE has been absolutely overwhelming. We can’t thank our fans enough for the support and kind words from all around the world and industry. It is with great honor we announce that HYVMINE will be going on tour this spring with none other than the great Javier Reyes and Mestís. It’s always a great feeling putting out your own music and sharing it with the world, but there’s no greater feeling than to be out there bringing the music straight to the people. See you soon!”
MESTIS
Official Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/mestismusic
“Pura Vida” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjrTc3q7I54
HYVMINE
Official Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hyvmineband
“Shogun” Official Music Video – http://bit.ly/2GEIGKA
MESTIS w/HYVMINE
May 11th – Petaluma, CA – Phoenix Theater
May 12th – Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone
May 13th – Sacramento, CA – Holy Diver
May 14th – Los Angeles, CA – 1720
May 16th – Las Vegas, NV – Beauty Bar
May 17th – Phoenix, AZ – Club Red
May 18th – Anaheim, CA – Chain Reaction
