Crossfire Releases Zappa Veteran Bob Harris’ The Great Nostalgia with Guests Steve Vai, Thana Harris, Tommy Mars and Stuart Hamm

Bob Harris, keyboardist/vocalist of the 1980 Frank Zappa band with guitarists Steve Vai, Ray White and Ike Willis, keyboardist Tommy Mars, bassist Arthur Barrow and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, will soon have his 1986 album The Great Nostalgia released in an expanded format by Crossfire Publications. The Great Nostalgia, originally a self-financed release on his Mastahna label, has been remastered (and in some cases remixed) from the original session tapes.

More than twenty-one years after its first release, The Great Nostalgia has been expanded by six additional tracks. Frank Zappa heard the album in 1986 and thought that the track “Ageless Love” was outstanding and should kick off the album. Bob Harris, who is currently working with '80s rock legends Axe, wanted to change the song order because he highly valued Zappa’s opinion, but the album had already been pressed. Out of respect for Frank Zappa, “Ageless Love” is now the first track on Crossfire’s reissue, and Jeremy Barber’s violin has replaced the original keyboard emulation of that instrument.

Suzannah (Thana) Harris, known to Zappa fans for her vocals on the revised Sleep Dirt album, can be found throughout The Great Nostalgia on the tracks “Ageless Love,” “The Flower” and three of the bonus tracks. Of the additions to the album, Thana and Bob’s duets on the standard “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” (live at the Zappanale 13 festival) and It’s A Beautiful Day’s “White Bird” (from Thana’s album Thanatopsis) are obvious highlights.

Guitar legend Steve Vai played electric sitar on “Autumn In Nepal,” presented here in Vai’s remixed version. He also played lead guitar on a remixed version of the bonus track “There’s Still Hope.” Fellow FZ band member Tommy Mars played on “Autumn In Nepal,” and noted bassist Stuart Hamm contributed to the track “The Flower.” Billy James, known to music fans as the Ant-Bee, played percussion on the entire album. James’ tasteful use of percussion instead of drum machines is a very important asset to the longevity of The Great Nostalgia, as it sounds fresh without the usual ‘80s trappings.

One instrumental track recorded at the original sessions, “The Blue Gazebo,” has been included on this edition. Two more recent tracks complete the album: the brilliant piano ballad “Magnet And Iron” and “Nobody Wins In A War,” featuring sped-up vocals from Bob, Thana and son Nathan Harris.

The Great Nostalgia will be available at retail and through dozens of paid download services.

UK Female fronted melodic rockers Dante Fox have been chosen by legendary ex-Survivor vocalist Jimi Jamison as support act for his First UK tour in May 2008. Dante Fox will also performing for the whole tour as Jimi Jamison's backing band. The promoters "Factory 5" are currently finalising venues but at this stage we can confirm that the tour dates will consist of the following cities - Wolverhampton, Sheffield, Manchester, Nottingham, Cardiff, Bristol, Norwich, London and Bournemouth with tickets going on sale before the Christmas break.

  

Dante Fox will be promoting their latest album Under The Seven Skies which was released on Frontiers Records earlier this year and capitalising on the rave reviews for the new album from press and fans. For further updates please check out www.jimijamison.com , www.dantefox.com , www.myspace.com/dantefox or www.factory5.co.uk.

Gay For Johnny Depp are out the closet and over here.

More than just a novelty band with a memorable name, the New York quartet’s debut album ‘The Politics Of Cruelty’ has been getting rave write-up's in NME, Q, Uncut, The Guardian, Rock Sound, DrownedInSound, Arena, Men Only, Big Cheese, 3:AM, Terrorizer, Artrocker, ShortList, Guitar World, New Noise, Contact Music, Subba-Cultcha and multiple plays on Radio 1. It signals the death of hardcore as a macho-dominated genre and the re-birth of something far more special. And now Gay For Johnny Depp are painting the night pink and brown in the following towns:

Jan 25th - Northampton The Racehorse
Jan 26th - Leeds Royal Park Cellars
Jan 27th - Nottingham Rock City
Jan 28th - Luton University
Jan 29th - Bournemouth iBar
Jan 30th  -Bristol The Louisiana
Jan 31st - Exeter The Cavern
Feb 1st - Brighton The Barfly
Feb 2nd - London The Barfly

Support comes from Hearts Under Fire and The Computers.

The 2008 incarnation of the Latitude Festival will take place in the beautiful Henham Park in Southwold, Suffolk on 17th – 20th July. Fans of last year’s sold out festival will have a chance to buy a limited number of 5,000 weekend tickets via the Latitude website from Saturday 1st December.

The award winning formula behind Latitude Festival is to create an arena for visitors to sample the cream of music, comedy and the arts all within one place; to wander from books to music, from film and theatre; to discover new and exciting things whilst surrounded by beautiful countryside.

In the past two years, Latitude has welcomed the most interesting and thought provoking programme of music any festival has ever seen, across its four arenas. Arcade Fire, Antony and the Johnsons, Damien Rice, Mercury Rev, Jarvis and Wilco are just a few of the names who have graced the Obelisk Arena, alongside the seminal Patti Smith, rising stars CSS and Bat for Lashes as well as the best new and emerging bands.

But Latitude is not just about music, it’s about so much more, with six arenas dedicated to the whole arts spectrum from theatre to poetry, film to art, music to comedy and literature to cabaret.

2007 boasted a spectacular comedy line up with Bill Bailey, Dylan Moran, and Alan Carr. Latitude embraced Poetry with performances from Roger McGough, Simon Armitage and John Hegley plus readings from Hollywood actors via WordTheatre and writers’ readings via Vox n Roll in the Literary Arena. Royal Court Theatre, Paines Plough, Bush Theatre, plus BAFTA Q&A’s with Shane Meadows and Richard Curtis all leant a decidedly cerebral edge to the entertainment, whilst nipple tassled burlesque, fan dancing workshops and Sean Rowley’s Guilty Pleasures turn the fun volume up to maximum.

Retro-rockers SLAVES TO GRAVITY are having a great year.....they had a #4 single in the UK Rock Charts back in July, with debut 'Big Red'....they were finalists in the 'Best Breakthrough Artist' category at this years BT Digital Music Awards.....and they caused quite a stir in the US when they played at this years CMJ Music Festival in New York....but it just got better!!

New single 'Meantime' has just topped the UK Rock Charts at #3!! (Watch the accompanying video here www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKHyU06-SOs).
With the release of their debut full-length 'Scatter The Crow' lined up for the spring, 2008 looks set to be the year of the Slaves...!!

Catch them at one of their up-coming shows:

Sunday-02-Dec London The Fly
Friday-07-Dec Peterborough Met Lounge
Friday-21-Dec Southampton Unit 22

Having just come off tour with Alexisonfire, Brighton punk rockers The Ghost Of A Thousand have exclusively released a new video to track 'Black Art Number One', taken from debut album 'This is Where the Fight Begins', on Atticus TV...... You can watch the video via the following link: http://www.atticusclothing.com/ The band have also just announced they'll be headlining the "Atticus 'Flip the Bird' Tour" in Feb of next year!!

Having spent the majority of 2007 on the road, the punk quintet are taking a well earned break from gigging until February, save for a number of private shows. They will, however, not be enjoying a total rest as work has already begun on their follow-up to critically acclaimed debut album 'This is Where the Fight Begins' (out now on Undergroove Records). More news on it's progress as it comes in!

Catch the guys at one of the following:

15th Feb - Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach
16th Feb - Yeovil Orange Box
17th Feb - Leeds Cockpit
18th Feb - Glasgow King Tuts
19th Feb - Manchester Music Box
20th Feb - Stoke Sugarmill
21st Feb - London Camden Barfly
22nd Feb - Birmingham Barfly
23rd Feb - Brighton Freebutt

Metal Heaven have announced the signing of heralded US melodic metal masters, Driver, featuring powerhouse vocalist Rob Rock and acclaimed guitarist/producer, Roy Z (Halford, Bruce Dickinson).

Based out of Los Angeles, Driver were one of the top local acts at the height of melodic hard rock in the late 1980's and issued a widely circulated 5-song cassette EP in 1990 that garnered the band a dedicated worldwide following. The band was ultimately denied by major labels with the emergence of the grunge rock scene that dominated the musical landscape during the early 90's, yet Driver's cult status as one of the most underrated HR acts of their time held steadfast over the years.

With Metal Heaven stepping in and inking the band to a deal, Driver will finally get a chance to release the album they intended to deliver back when. The new CD will feature re-recorded versions of songs that were written by Roy Z and Rob Rock during the band's 2-year bi-coastal existence spanning the years 1989 and '90, including those on the original demo and some new songs as well. Original drummer Reynold "Butch" Carlson will perform and some other special guests including Mat Sinner on bass. The album is scheduled for a Spring 2008 release.

Alaska-based heavy-hitters 36 Crazyfists have set "The Tide and Its Takers" as the title of their new album, tentatively due in March 2008 via the group's new label, Ferret Music. The band is about to begin recording the effort with guitarist and backing vocalist Steve Holt sitting in the producer's chair. Andy Sneap (Machine Head, Testament, As I Lay Dying) will once again mix the CD at his Backstage Studios in England.

Commented lead singer Brock Lindow: "Our new record is now finished being written and we will start recording right after Thanksgiving. We will be out on tour in January starting with the UK and Europe first, looking forward to hitting the road and seeing all of our friends again."

36 Crazyfists will support Bullet For My Valentine in Europe beginning on January 31 in Newport, Wales. The full list of dates for the UK leg of the trek are:

Jan 31st - Newport – Centre
Feb 1st  – Wolverhampton Civic Centre
Feb 3rd  – Glasgow Academy
Feb 4th  – Manchester Academy
Feb 7th  – London Brixton Academy

In addition to these shows 36 Crazyfists, along with Skindred will also play the following headline shows:

Feb 2nd T – Stoke ON Trent Sugarmill
Feb 5th  – Oxford Academy
Feb 8th  – Colchester Arts Centre

From a garage in a Los Angeles suburb in 1982 to becoming the leading true independent Heavy Metal record label in the world, Metal Blade Records continues to lead the way in introducing artists to the Heavy Metal world, which we have continually defined. To commemorate 25 years of the Loudest, hardest, heaviest and the very best Heavy metal on the planet, Metal Blade records is set to release the definitive Live Metal DVD.

Recorded on April 28th, 2007 at the New England Metal And Hardcore Festival in Worcester, MA, this live DVD captures live pro shot performances from Unearth, Cannibal Corpse,  The Black Dahlia Murder, The Red Chord and Job For A Cowboy as well as current and past Metal Blade artists, coming together for the first time to celebrate a milestone in Heavy Metal history.

The DVD will also include a second disc containing 14 official video clips of bands like As I Lay Dying, Autumn, Evergreen Terrace, The Black Dahlia Murder, Unearth or Goatwhore. The set also includes 35 minutes of bonus footage of various musicians and Metal Blade bands commenting on the 25th anniversary of the label - Meatllica, As I Lay Dying, Unearth and Job For A Cowboy among others...

The set will be available on MID-PRICE once it is released on January 28th and the full track listing for the release is as follows:

Disc 1 - New England Metal & Hardcore Fest 2007:

Beyond The Embrace -  "Plague" & "Insect Song", Hallows Eve - Speed Freak, Demiricous - Never Enough Road & Matador, Since The Flood - At The End & Laid To Rest, Shai Hulud - A Profound Hatred Of Man, Three - Monster & Amazed Disgrace, Goatwhore - Alchemy Of The Black Sun Cat & In The Narrow Confines Of Defilement, Impious - Purified By Fire & Wicked Saints, God Dethroned - Villa Vampiria & The Warcult, Lizzy Borden - Notorious & Psychopath, Job For A Cowboy - Embedded & Altered From Catechization, The Red Chord - Black Santa & Antman, The Black Dahlia Murder - Contagion & When The Last Grave Has Emptied, Cannibal Corspe - Unleashing The Bloodthirsty & Murder Worship and Unearth - Giles & The Great Dividers.

Disc 2 - Video Clips

Unearth - Sanctity Of Brothers, Amon Amarth - Cry Of The Blackbirds, Six Feet Under - Ghosts Of The Undead, Job For A Cowboy - Embedded, Goatwhore - Forever Consumer Oblivion, As I Lay Dying - Nothing Left, The Black Dahlia Murder - What A Horrible Night For A Curse, The Red Chord - Dread Prevailed, Evergreen Terrace - Chaney Can't Quite Riff Like Helmet's Page Hamilton, Unearth - This Glorious Nightmare, Six Feet Under - Doomsday, Three - All That Remains and Autumn - Satellites

Shy are the latest act to be confirmed for Z Rock 08, , more info can be found at www.myspace.com/zrockfest 


Following on from the Bon Jovi story of a couple of days ago the band are to release a new single, in the shape of the title track from latest album Lost Highway on Dec 3rd and have just released 'Lost Highway : The Concert' DVD. Filmed in Chicago earlier this summer the DVD features the entire Lost Highway album played live in it's entirety as well as Bon Jovi classics "It's My Life", "Have A Nice Day" and "Wanted Dead Or Alive", bonus semi-acoustic performances plus new and exclusive interviews with the band.

To celebrate the release of the DVD and new single, the band will be visiting the UK over the next few days. You'll be able to catch them on the following the TV shows!

Saturday Live Again - Saturday 1st December - 9:40pm to 11:10pm (ITV1)

Marking the 21st anniversary of the ground-breaking entertainment show. Comedians including Jimmy Carr, Lee Mack, Mitchell and Webb, and Jocelyn Jee Esien join original host Ben Elton for one night only to commemorate the programme that was the launchpad for some of Britain's most popular comedians. With musical performances by Bon Jovi and Hard-Fi. Presented by Marcus Brigstocke.

This Morning - Tuesday 11th December (ITV1). Interview and performance of new single 'Lost Highway'.

The Royal Variety Performance - Sunday 9th December (ITV1). Bon Jovi join a galaxy of stars from the world of entertainment to light up the 79th Royal Variety Performance.

After completing a European tour alongside As I Lay Dying, Darkest Hour and Maroon this past September, Seattle's Himsa will return to the UK for their own headlining trek in March 2008. Direct support will be Century Media labelmates The Agony Scene who will use the opportunity to present their new album "Get Damned", which is released on February 18th, live.

The full list of dates for the tour is as follows

Mar. 13 - Yeovil, UK - The Orange Box
Mar. 14 - Birmingham, UK - Barfly
Mar. 15 - Leeds, UK - Rios
Mar. 16 - Sheffield, UK - Corporation
Mar. 17 - Glasgow, UK - Barfly
Mar. 18 - Cardiff, UK - Barfly
Mar. 19 - London, UK - Underworld

Z Records have announced details of the labelsr latest signing, Chicago's Scream In Eden. The band are yet another fine example of excellent melodic hard rock that fans have grown to expect from Z.

Discovered by Mark Alger a few months ago Scream In Eden's debut entitled " Original Sin" will be released on January 28th 2008 and is essential for fans of Tesla, Dokken and Babylon AD. Over the past week the label has run special anonymous previews from the album at www.myspace.com/zrockrecordsuk  with amazing feedback, if you haven't yet checked out the two tracks by the band do so now you will be impressed!

Featured around the fantastic vocals of Joe Dokken and the guitar work of White Cross Axeman Rex Carroll  Scream In Eden are set to make 2008 their year.

In related label news anyone buying a Z Rock 08 ticket, or any Z title, from the online store at www.zrecords.net before December 21st 2007 for every transaction the purchaser will receive a Z compilation album for your Christmas box [while stocks last]. Check out the Z Online store at www.zrecords.net  for CD's and Z Rock 08 tickets or www.myspace.com/zrockfest for just Z Rock 08 tickets,

Firewind mastermind Gus G. has posted the following update regarding the recording process of their new yet untitled album, which is scdeduled to be released via Century Media Records in March 2008:

“Well, most of the recordings for the new album are done by now! We’ve been locked @ Sweden’s Studio Fredman for about a month now and I’m super excited with the way things are shaping up! Killer sounds on the drums, guitars and bass. We’ve recorded 12 original songs and a few covers which will be revealed in time. I also want to set something straight since some people seem to be confused: Apollo is still in the band! Yes, he is singing on the new album (currently finishing up his vocal tracks - which in my opinion are his best performances ever!) and yes, he is going back on the road with us in 2008.

Another band nearing completion on a new album is the UK's Power Quest. Mainman Steve Williams issued the following update on the recording process to date:

 “Well, I'm back from Italy where recording has being ongoing since October 25th and I have to say it is sounding awesome. Richard West (Threshold), who has been handling vocal and keyboard production, and I returned to the UK on November 19th after an intense week of vocal recording. We now have completed drums, bass, guitars and vocals. Just half the keyboards left to go, before we can produce a rough mix ahead of the final mix in January.

11 songs have been recorded.....10 originals and 1 cover version (possibly for a bonus track). We actually had another 5 songs to choose from, which is most unlike us, but we made the decision in pre-production as to which songs would make it and which wouldn't. I'm sure we have chosen the right ones! Everyone has played a blinder on this album to a man, and Richard West and Nick Savio (guitars/drums production) have both been integral parts in the process. I really can't wait for you guys to hear the new album as it will have been the best part of 3 years since MND by the time the new album is released!! Cheers and thanks for all your support!“ Steve W.

Bon Jovi have added a second date at London's Twickenham to their already announced 2008 UK tour. The new show takes place on Saturday 28th June

Tickets for the newly announced gig go on sale as of Friday Nov 30th.

Ferret Music have announced the signing of Gwen Stacy to the label. The Indianapolis four piece play furious and experimental hardcore with a mission to push the envelope with every song they write. The band is currently in the studio with Producer Brian McTernan (Cave In, Snapcase, Thrice) and Paul Leavitt (All Time Low, The Bled) recording their full-length debut album The Life I Know which is set to be released on February 4th, 2008. In the meantime you can check out some material at www.myspace.com/gwenstacy

Gallows are set to kick off 2008 in the UK with a scorching punk rock tour that is due to explode across the country this coming February. Support comes from snarling Canadian punk giants Fucked Up, Californian hardcore heroes Set Your Goals and Liverpool skate-thrashers SSS. With a line-up like that, every gig is going to be a guaranteed adrenaline rush.

“We’re stoked with the line-up for the next UK tour,” says guitarist Laurent Barnard. “Liverpool’s thrash kings SSS, our Canadian friends Fucked Up and posi crew Set Your Goals are bands we’re all huge fans of and when you come to the shows you’ll know why.”

Dates are as follows:

February ‘08
15th - Norwich  UEA
16th - Birmingham Academy
18th - Cardiff University
19th - Nottingham Rock City
21st - Manchester Academy 2, Manchester
22nd - Newcastle Carling Academy
23rd - Glasgow ABC
24th - Leeds Met University
26th - Exeter Lemon Grove
27th - Portsmouth Pyramid
29th - London Astoria NME Brats (main support Anti-Flag)

The ‘Orchestra Of Wolves’ album is available on Black Envelope Records and current single ‘Staring At The Rude Bois’ is out now.

The Black Crowes are set to release their first studio album of all new material in seven years. Due out on March 4th through their own Silver Arrow record lable, with distribution via Megaforce/Sony BMG, the album has been christened 'Warpaint'. Produced and mixed by Paul Stacey at Allaire Studios, Woodstock, NY, the album features 11 songs, all of which were written by Chris and Rich Robinson, except “God’s Got It” by the Reverend Charlie Jackson. The album builds compellingly on the band’s trademark adventurous brew of rock, blues, country, soul and gospel.

Warpaint also marks the recording debut of two new band members—guitarist Luther Dickinson and keyboardist Adam MacDougall--who join the Robinson brothers, drummer Steve Gorman and bassist Sven Pipien. Dickinson, of North Mississippi Allstars, officially steps in to replace producer/guitarist Paul Stacey, whose position with the band was always intended to be temporary. The Black Crowes are deeply appreciative that Stacey committed his genuine talent and time to the band and their performances for most of 2007.

The album’s complete track listing is as follows:

“Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution,” “Walk Believer Walk,” “O, Josephine,” “Evergreen,” “We Who See The Deep,” “Locust Street,” “Movin’ On Down The Line,” “Wounded Bird,” “God’s Got It,” “There’s Gold In Them Hills,” and “Whoa Mule.”

CHRIS says the album’s title signifies “the revolution that could take place in all our souls.”

The band will begin promotion of the album with a world tour, kicking off on March 24 with a headline performance at the Byron Bay Festival in Australia. They’ll continue their down under trek—their first since 1991—through April 5 before playing special engagements in Tokyo, Amsterdam and London, and concluding with shows in Hamburg and Cologne, Germany.

UK progressive metal band To-Mera are to release their latest album, entitled Delusions, through Candlelight Records on February 18th.

In the 18 months since the release of their debut album “Transcendental”, To-Mera has already forged forward to sit amongst the cream of the progressive metal crop. Prestigious support slots with the likes of Dream Theater and Emperor, plus numerous high profile European festival performances have proved that there was a great deal of substance to the band’s initial hype. Now with their second album “Delusions”, To-Mera has once again pushed their musical ideas forward to ever greater heights. All the elements present on the last album have been greatly expanded upon. The music displays a much broader range of moods, tempos and dynamics, ranging from fragile subtlety to epic bombast via everything in between. The result is a more sophisticated, melodic and coherent album, teeming with massively heavy riffing, challenging rhythms and jaw-dropping technicality. The vocals of front woman Julie Kiss have become substantially more versatile and powerful, taking on a jazzier tone that befits the more adventurous musical output. 0-Mera have succeeded in creating a daring and forward-thinking metal album, defined by a belief that the term “progressive” is not simply a genre tag. The band will also be playing material from the new album at the Candlelight Xmas show on December 1st at the Borderline in London.

The full track listing for Delusions is as follows:

The Lie, Mirage, The Glory of a New Day, Inside the Hourglass, A Sorrow to Kill, Asylum, Fallen From Grace and Temptation

Asia, the first legendary super group to emerge with the dawn of the MTV-age, reunited in 2006 with its original line-up and now Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer & John Wetton have announced the release of a brand new studio album on Frontiers Records.

The founding members Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer and John Wetton all had experiences in Classic Rock icons such as Yes, Emerson Lake & Palmer, King Crimson and The Buggles, and released one of the most enduring and commercially successful debuts of all time. Simply entitled "AsiaA", the album stayed at the #1 spot on the Billboard Top 100 album chart for an astounding 9 weeks in 1982. Only a handful of albums such as Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon" and Michael Jackson's "Thriller" have been #1 on the Billboard charts for a longer time.

Asia celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the debut album's release with a World Tour that brought more than 70 successful dates. During their time and work together, the four musicians began to write new songs and, in the summer 2007, they started working on the recording of a brand new all original studio album. The natural choice for the band was to sign a worldwide deal with Frontiers Records, the Italian label which has a solid trademark for quality, enthusiasm and professionalism in Classic Rock Music.

"Our initial optimism was more than rewarded by the enthusiasm of our fans" says, John Wetton. Adds Geoff Downes: "It's great finally to give some new music to those ASIA fans who have remained with us patiently all these years". "There is a certain chemistry and energy that comes out when the four of us are working together and the new material reflects this", says drummer Carl Palmer. "This is the REAL ASIA", states guitarist Steve Howe "and the new album will be the landmark of our enthusiasm and pleasure to work together again".

Geoff Downes concludes: "We've all remained dedicated to our craft of making compelling and powerful music. After many years apart, I think we all have a new and very fresh attitude to the music. I am looking forward to playing the new songs on stage"

Recording is well underway with a commercial release scheduled for April 2008. The new album will also see the return of Roger Dean who will provide one of his paintings for the cover art. ASIA have already announced a new UK Tour in March 2008, where they will be showcasing the songs from the yet untitled album for the first time. More tour dates are being settled in the USA and Japan for the rest of the spring 2008, with a full European tour to follow.

Michael Harris is one of the most acclaimed instrumental guitarists going thanks to a number of solo releases over the last 2 decades and his current prog metal band Thought Chamber. His 2006 Lion Music release "Orchestrate" received scorching reviews from media worldwide, so why has Michael decided to re-release his 1996 work "Ego Decimation Profile"

  

First of all, this release is a remixed, re-mastered, and repackaged version. Michael remixed and re-mastered the CD myself. On the remix and remastering Michael states, "EDP originally came out in the 90s, when a drier mix was in vogue, so one of my goals in remixing the record was to get a more ambient sound overall, (especially on the lead guitars and drums). My goals were also to get a better drum tone, to get a "rounder" sound overall, and to use the stereo field a bit more with things like stereo delays and panning".

Stylistically, "EDP" is a combination of metal, prog, funk, groove, and jazz fusion and is considered Harris' heaviest instrumental disc to date, as there is a running "metal" influence in all of the songs, although it does contain 3 of Michael's personal favourite slower numbers in "Grandscape", "Pawn to King IV", and "Terminus Epic". Melody and composition was Michael's primary focus on the CD. As progressive as it gets at times, Harris tried to never go too over the top with flashy solos or intricate parts. The album was also an open invitation to great musicianship from the other players and to achieve that many of the tracks were purposely composed with sections that had trade-offs.

On Michael's aim with the album he states, "It was to blend rock, prog, jazz fusion, groove, funk, and neo classical all with melody and lots of guitar. Other than the opening piece, "Forewarning", there are not a lot of keyboards on the record. My goal on any of my instrumental records is that the compositions are strong, the melodies are original and memorable, and that I'm not just showing how many notes I can play on guitar".

Ego Decimation Profile is released on Dec 7th via Lion Music

Associated Press have today confirmed that Kevin Dubrow, lead singer for Quiet Riot was found dead in a Las Vegas home. He was 52. The cause was not immediately known. A neighbor summoned police and paramedics Sunday to the house where he was pronounced dead, police and coroner's officials said. There was no forced entry, and no suspicious circumstances were reported, police Officer Jose Montoya said Monday.

"I can't even find words to say," Quiet Riot drummer Frank Banali wrote on his Web site. "Please respect my privacy as I mourn the passing and honor the memory of my dearest friend Kevin DuBrow." Determination of the cause of death was pending an autopsy and toxicology results, Clark County coroner's spokeswoman Samantha Charles said

The original Dean Cadillac electric guitar, which was played by CANNIBAL CORPSE guitarist Rob Barrett on the "Kill" World Tour is being auctioned on ebay from Thursday November 29th to Sunday, December 9th. The guitar, which is in  good condition and will be shipped in its original case has been signed by all five members of Cannibal Corpse.

The complete proceeds of this auction will be donated to the charity Strahlemaennchen.de. Strahlemaennchen.de is a German organisation which helps children with cancer and their families with everyday problems as well as making the children's wishes come true.

Chris Nelson will be interviewing some of the bands that appeared at this years Z-Rock festival including James Christian from The House Of Lords, Eric Saint Micheals from the band China, with also interviews from Lost Weekend,Sacred Heart and Bullitt.Hair Metal Haven, Saturday December 1st on www.rock247online.co.uk 17.00-19.00 GMT/18.00-20.00 CET.

In related Z Records news Snow's debut release has been delayed by a few days at the pressing plant due to seasonal overload there, the album will be shipped out in a few days time.

Adler's Appetite, the band led by former Guns 'N Roses drummer Steven Adler, has cancelled its previously announced UK tour. In a statement issued via the bands MySpace site the following reasons were given for the cancellation:

"We sincerely apologize to all our friends and fans for the cancellation of this tour. Of course, Steven loves to play and meet his fans. Unfortunately, he has some personal issues that prevented him from participating. He was optimistic about doing the shows, but when it came down to it, he just couldn't. Steven's like a brother to us, and we just want to see him healthy. We're looking forward to making up these shows next year. Please forgive us, and thank you for your patience and understanding. Peace."

Extreme are planning to reunite fully for the first time in over a decade to record and release a new album in 2008. Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt will produce the disc, and Billboard reports that Satellite Party drummer Kevin Figueiredo will join Bettencourt and original members Gary Cherone and bassist Pat Badger for the venture. The plan is then for the band to undertake a world tour on the back of the album.

"It's a real record," Bettencourt went on explain to Billboard talking aboutthe new album, which will likely include such songs as "King" and "You're a Star." "It's not just a throwaway to tour with. I think it's gonna be one of our better records yet."

"Rock and roll famine…I know it might sound crazy, but there is a massive shortage of rock and roll on this planet," said Bettencourt. "It's almost extinct. I mean the true spirit of quality rock and roll — you know, musicianship, when you would give up every moment of your day to master your instrument and create your own identity and sound so as to respectfully outdo all your past heroes whilst proudly wearing the badge of their influences. Passion, is what drives Extreme. To do whatever it takes, with integrity, to bring music to the people, not because of fame…but just cause you simply couldn't wait to share it with them. "We realized," added Bettencourt, "not only are the people starved for rock and roll...So are we. Let's eat."

Following on from their decision to withdraw from their upcoming co-headline tour with Thin Lizzy, Seattle legends Queensryche have announced details of their own UK tour set to take place in June 2008.

The full list of confirmed dates are as follows:

June 13 - Glasgow Carling Academy Glasgow
June 14th - Newcastle City Hall
June 15th - Leeds University Leeds
June 17th - Manchester Academy
June 18th - Wolverhampton Civic Hall
June 20th - Norwich Uea
June 21st - Cambridge Corn Exchange
June 22nd -  London Indigo
June 24th - Bristol Colston Hall
June 25th -  Southampton Guildhall

Tickets for the tour go on sale on Tuesday November 27th

Swedish melodic death metallers Dark Tranquillity return to the UK for a headline club tour in February. Commented the band on the dates "Given the great response at the recent UK/Scotland shows, we decided to book a headline club tour in order to be able to play real full-length sets to the ever growing legions of British fans. "These are the currently confirmed dates. More shows will most likely be added, and support acts will be announced in the near future."

Feb 02 - Cardiff Barfly
Feb 03 - Liverpool Barfly
Feb 04 - Birmingham Barfly
Feb 05 - Aberdeen Barfly
Feb 06 - Glasgow Barfly
Feb 07 - York Fibbers
Feb 09 - London Barfly

Z Rock Records have announced the signing of UK rockers Alibi featuring Vince O'Regan [Bob Catley, Eden] to a Worldwide deal for their forthcoming all new studio album which is scheduled to be released on February 25th 2008.

Lead vocals are handled by Rick Chase [Mama's Boys] and the all new album surpasses their debut, both in production and song writing. The band have recorded 14 tracks in all and we are in the process of deciding the final running order for the new album.

Metal Blade have announced the signing of Dutch Death Metal supergroup Hail Of Bullets

Hail Of Bullets were formed in late 2006 by former Pestilence/Asphyx singer Martin van Drunen, ex-Houwitser bass player Theo van Eekelen, Gorefest drummer Ed Warby and both Thantos guitarists Paul Baayens and Stephan Gebédi. A mutual love for old school death metal bands like Autospsy, Bolt Thrower, Massacre, Celtic Frost and Death resulted in the idea to form a band together.

In the summer of 2007 the band recorded a four-song promo-CD in Rotterdam, which was mixed by the infamous Death Metal guru Dan Swanö in Sweden. And Swanö stated it right: "If this promo doesn't get you guys a good record deal, I will eat my laptop!" Dan's stomach is still in good shape since Metal Blade Records didn't hesitate to sign Hail Of Bullets and the band is now set to record their debut album in February 2008. The as-yet-untitled album is expected to be released by Metal Blade Europe in May of 2008.

The whole four-song promo CD is available for streaming at www.myspace.com/hailoffuckenbullets.

Vocalist Martin van Drunen comments on signing the deal with Metal Blade: "When we heard the final Swano mix of the promo, the question for me was not if we got signed at all, but more to whom. We're all very experienced musicians and we knew that we created an awful fucken heavy piece of molten metal. A smart and appropriate A & R man/woman at a high quality label recognized this immediately. So Metal Blade didn't hesitate. Important to me was that they let us free in performing in our other bands and they didn't have a problem with that at all. Of course as a young metal kid I saw this label rising from a little company 'til the standard that it has now; the name Brian Slagel always remaining in the back of my head as one of the pioneers. Always delivering quality metal bands and never a bad word in the press from whatever what signing. The Pact is solid. We'll deliver our old school death metal supreme, Metal Blade will do the rest. We're one of the best in what we do and they're in theirs. Blades meet Bullets!"

Likewise guitarist Stephan Gebédi commented: "The Hail Of Bullets promo was sent out to just a handful of carefully selected record labels. Metal Blade was my personal first choice, so when they actually made us an interesting offer, it was an offer I definitely could not refuse! Many classic metal albums have been released on Metal Blade Records over the past few decades, so an old school Death Metal band signing to a classic metal label can be seen as the ultimate metal marriage forged in the fires of Hades!"

US rockers The Outline have just been announced as main support to Powderfinger on their sold-out UK tour beginning in just two weeks. With album 'You Smash It, We'll Build Around It' planned for a UK release in March next year, the Los Angeles quartet hope to be making the road their second home in order to support it fully, "we hope to be on the road - not forever, but for quite a while," says singer Fink. Having already gigged with such bands as My Chemical Romance, Jack's Mannequin, Panic At The Disco, Ben Lee and the 5,6,7,8s, these guys have a live show well worth checking out!

Catch them at one of the following:

6-Dec - London Hammersmith Apollo
7-Dec - London Hammersmith Apollo
8-Dec - Birmingham Academy
10-Dec - Manchester Academy
11-Dec - Glasgow ABC
12-Dec - Dublin Tripod

Say Anything return to the UK this month supporting Hellogoodbye on their 13-date UK tour. They’ll be bringing back their mix of madness, quirkiness and fun. The tour kicks off in Cardiff on November 27 and will go on to everywhere from Portsmouth to Sheffield, Glasgow, Birmingham and Manchester. They’ll be performing at London’s Brixton Academy on December 7.

Off the back of the success of their debut album …Is A Real Boy, Say Anything went out on a headline UK tour in 2006 a few months after performing at Give It A Name festival. Furthermore, they were specifically chosen by Brand New as the sole support for their only 2006 UK show at Brixton Academy. While the band have reached mainstream success in the States, the LA sextet are determined to elevate themselves to the same level here in the UK. With a new album out early next year, Max Bemis and co are back to visit new and old fans alike and let them know what’s in store for 2008.

On where the band stands at the moment, Bemis declares:

So here I am, at “so far so good.” It’s a hard place to be but it is a blessing. There’s so much hope for my future yet so much potential for me to become a) a coked up diva b) a bitter, penniless hack c) a cab driver. I don’t really care either way because there is that small chance I’ll get what I want; to be someone to relate to for anyone who is as alienated, awkward, spastic and passionate as me.

In Defense Of The Genre is the band’s latest effort. The double album features 27 tracks which trace one man’s attempt to find love, pursue his career while battling heartbreak, and put his life back together again. Guests include Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance, Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional, Adam Lazzara and Fred Mascherino from Taking Back Sunday, Hayley Williams from Paramore and Jordan Pundik from New Found Glory. In Defense Of The Genre is now available digitally with the physical release due out within the first quarter of 2008.

The full list of tour dates is as follows:

Nov 27th - Cardiff University
Nov 28th - Exeter Lemon Grove
Nov 29th - Portsmouth Pyramids
Nov 30th - 3Cambridge Corn Exchange
Dec 2nd - Sheffield Leadmill
Dec 3rd - Newcastle Carling Academy
Dec 4th - Glasgow ABC
Dec 5th - Leeds Metropolitan University
Dec 7th - London Brixton Academy
Dec 8th - Folkstone Leas Cliff Hall
Dec 9th - Norwich UEA
Dec 10th - Birmingham Academy
Dec 11th - Manchester Academy

Fresh from the frantic and fun-filled Enter Shikari tour that culminated with a raucous and sold out Brixton show at the beginning of November; Hundred Reasons are pleased to announce further details of their own headline tour in January. This tour takes place exactly 12 months after their incendiary last headline jaunt, which saw them introduce new member Ben Doyle and subsequently rip apart venues across the country with a new sense of purpose. Joining them throughout the tour as main support are New York’s post-hardcore rabble From Autumn To Ashes. More details of the other supports to follow.

Showcasing tracks from fourth album ‘Quick…Sharp…’ – an album Q Magazine described as “full of slick post-hardcore anthems…” this tour will see Hundred Reasons back on the bigger stages where they belong and at the top of their game!

JANUARY 2008
11 Exeter Lemon Grove
12 Cardiff The Point
13 Plymouth Hub
14 Southampton University
15 Brighton Concorde II
17 Wolverhampton Wulfren Hall
18 Manchester M.D.H.
19 Glasgow Q.M.U.
20 Leeds Cockpit
21 Newcastle Academy II
23 London Astoria Theatre
24 Norwich Waterfront

As well as this tour, January will see the release of their second single from ‘Quick…Sharp…’, the anthemic and emotionally charged ‘A Sick Little Masquerade’ – a song that’s been pinpointed by critics and fans alike as one of the band’s best songs to date.

XTRA MILE RECORDINGS AND BIG SCARY MONSTERS ANNOUNCE CHRISTMAS PARTY TOUR!

(Almost) everybody loves Christmas. (Almost) everybody loves parties. So, West London’s Xtra Mile Recordings and Oxford’s Big Scary Monsters, united by a similar independent and creative spirit, have come up with a delightful little proposition: a Christmas Party Tour! Each date of the mini-tour will feature Xtra Mile’s Dartz along with BSM’s This Town Needs Guns and Secondsmile, with everyone’s favourite folk/punk hero Frank Turner celebrating his incredible year with an intimate headline slot on the London date. There’ll be freebie festive giveaways available at all of the gigs too - including a limited edition 16 track Xtra Mile/BSM sampler CD. Nice.

Having toured with the likes of Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, I Was A Cub Scout, Hot Club De Paris and The Rumble Strips, as well as sharing stages with everybody from We Are Scientists to Melt Banana to Badly Drawn Boy to Make Believe, young Teesside post-punk trio Dartz are no strangers to playing a gig or two. Over the past couple of years, they've played almost 200 shows - taking in 8 different countries - and they also found time to release one of 2007's most critically acclaimed debut albums in the form of 'This Is My Ship'; which has recently been released in North America and Japan via the legendary Deep Elm imprint.

Hailing from Bridport in deepest, darkest Dorset, soaring post-hardcore chaps Secondsmile are back with new material and their second full length album is due out in 2008. Their split 7” with Meet Me In St. Louis, released earlier this year, showed just what they’re capable of and fresh from dates with such luminaries as Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Planes Mistaken For Stars and The Fall of Troy, it’s no surprise that Rock Sound reckon they’re “one of the UK's finest young bands.”

Oxford's This Town Needs Guns have been making waves in 2007. A recent Maida Vale live session recorded for Huw Stephens Introducing show on Radio 1 and a split EP with the equally frantic Cats and Cats and Cats have made TTNG a band to look out for. Intricate guitar pieces, towering drum rolls and bass lines that would put jazz’s best to shame somehow combine beautifully with soothing piano led vocals to create a sound that effortlessly merges influences such as American Football, Cap'n Jazz and Mineral.

Xtra Mile Recordings and Big Scary Monsters Christmas Party Tour 2007:

13th December - London The Luminaire - Frank Turner + Dartz + Secondsmile + This Town Needs Guns + guest DJ Chris T-T.
14th December - Oxford The Wheatsheaf  - This Town Needs Guns + Dartz + Secondsmile.
15th December - Middlesbrough Dr. Browns - Dartz  + Tellison + Secondsmile + This Town Needs Guns.
16th December - Birmingham The Flapper - Dartz + This Town Needs Guns + Secondsmile + Blakfish.
17th December - Sheffield The Red House - Dartz + This Town Needs Guns + Secondsmile + special guests.

Following on from their recent UK tour alongside Onslaught, Destruction have released the following statement about the dates:

“All three bands really want to thank all of the fans who turned out to support us on our recent tour of the UK., but we also wish with hindsight, to apologise to some of you that you had to see us in circumstances that were not ideal, at some venues which sometimes should not have even been included on the schedule. This is solely down to the work undertaken by the booking agent we opted to use, Jon Knight of HAGP Music, and we would like to draw the attention of all other bands and the fans to this person because we are most disappointed that charlatans like this continue to be in positions of power in the industry we all love – that of Metal!”

Destruction frontman Schmier adds – “After 24 years of playing Metal on a professional level, working with this Concert agency was the worst and most unprofessional experience we’ve ever had in Europe! I wanna thank all the faithful fans that made this tour a success. Our loyal crew & our brothers in Onslaught and Amenti who suffered the same circumstances as well, (Sorry mates!!) but, we all really deserve better than this HAGP Music guy, surely?! No catering on most of the gigs, no posters & advertisement for the shows and the technical rider, which we did send to the UK several months ago, all just seemed to have evaporated or been ignored!”

“Some of this tour was an insult to METAL! A bloody fuckin´ shame, but because the fans had waited so fuckin´ long, we did not want to disappoint any of you. I really hope that the of the lack of professional equipment at some of the venues will not harm any of the bands in the future or take away from the fact that we know many of you supported us to the hilt on this tour. WE found solutions to go on and did not lose a single show on this chaotic horror trip! The replacement gig (Nottingham, Old Angel) for the cancelled show (in Liverpool) came with local assistance and from within the touring family, not from HAGP Music, who then decided also to stop talking to our management and ignoring our email requests for assistance?”

Realistically, several shows on this tour should never have been booked in the first place. HAGP Music didn’t care about contracts, venues, the fans, the bands, not even his local guys who were making the best of it sometimes. To have shows announced as being cancelled without our knowledge, to not have the right equipment or have even researched the venues at all etc., caused dreadful tumult to everyone on the tour and required us ourselves to go on to Metal Forums telling people that the gigs would go ahead. How unprofessional is that? Without the long held experience of our combined band and crew and the great support shown by the ONSLAUGHT and Amenti blokes, this tour wouldn’t have survived! I publicly thank every single one!”

“It’s scary how losers like this guy, Jon Knight, can be in charge of representing us to the fans. I’m posting this, to WARN OTHER BANDS, DO NOT work with this liar! He calls himself a concert agent, but he is no more than a shady amateur!”

“Thanks again to the fantastic UK & Irish FANS; ONSLAUGHT, AMENTI and the locals that made the gigs possible! METAL doesn’t need this guy, and I can only discourage everybody to not work with him if you don’t wanna lose your ass! Be warned!!!”

Destruction’s European Booking Agent, Dragon Productions added; “ In the beginning, Jon Knight (HAGP Music) left a great and professional impression on us. His offer was good so we decided to commit to this tour. Then, when time came to fix the contracts etc., the original offer broke down to only 50%. And this left the band without income, only payments for crew, flights etc. covered. The band decided to do the tour anyway; they didn't want to let their fans down, but our feelings got worse and worse. The closer the tour became, the more questions we had, and the less Jon responded. He brought in a Tour Manager who tried to save the chaos, but of course, this guy was fighting a losing battle as the tour progressed because this was a disaster just waiting to happen caused by the lack of professionalism at its base. That tour manager left during the tour and Destruction’s sound engineer took this job on as well. If band and crew hadn’t been such a brilliant team, this tour could never have been finished. No one should work with dreamers like HAGP Music, simply look for the professionals. We will not make this mistake again as I’m sure won’t others who we are told have also worked with HAGP Music. We’re hopefully the last who will suffer this?”

Lunarmile, the British band featuring frontwoman Toni-Marie Iommi (daughter of Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi) and bassist Alex Hill (son of Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill), will embark on a UK tour of Barfly clubs in February alongside Nemesea and Serenade For June. The dates are as follows:

Feb 16th - Aberdeen Barfly/Moshulu
Feb 17th - Glasgow Barfly
Feb 18th - Birmingham Barfly
Feb 19th - Cardiff Barfly
Feb 20th - London Barfly
Feb 21st - Cambridge Barfly
Feb 22nd - Brighton Barfly

Irish pagan metal outfit Primordial have announced details of a one-off UK show set to take place at the Camden Underworld in London on February 2nd 2008. This will be the bands first London show since the summer of 2006 and follows hot on the heals of the release of their most recent album "To the Nameless Dead" which was released earlier this month on Metal Blade to much critical acclaim, both in mainland Europe and the UK. Full line up details will be announced in the following week, but the band are keen to make this a special event and are working to add some of their personal favourites to the show.

On the back of the band's recent support slot with Dream Theater Symphony X will play an exclusive one off London show at the Astoria on March 6th as part of their headline European tour.

Fightstar will be releasing 'Deathcar' as the second single to be taken from their new album “One Day Son This Will All Be Yours” on December 3rd 2007 on a very special edition VinylDisc - a crossover of old and new technologies that sees a CD embedded into a vinyl single.

  

This audio format features a CD on one side and a vinyl on the other, building a bridge between both analogue and digital audio on a single format. Fightstar will take the honour of releasing the first record on the VinylDisc format in the UK. The limited edition single will include the title track, plus 3 extra exclusive tracks. “99” was recorded at the band’s recent sold-out show at London’s Koko, and two other tracks “Nerv/Seele” and “Shinji lkari” are new tracks recorded specifically for this release. Only 4,000 copies will be manufactured and all those copies will be signed by the band. Another track, “Deathcar – Live at Koko” will be available as a download exclusively for iTunes.

“Deathcar” – is a song inspired by a harrowing news item on Chinese human meat wagons. “Deathcars are Chinese vans - if they need an organ donor for someone, then they execute death-row prisoners in the vans and bring the organs to accident victims,” explains singer Charlie Simpson. “I heard about them on the news at the same time as I heard that my ex-girlfriend was going out with someone new. I’ve sort of merged him and the deathcar together. I’m driving and he’s in the back…”

Fightstar have also announced a tour early next year, and have also been named for the Kerrang! Tour 2008 along with Coheed and Cambria. The tour dates are as follows:

January 2008
23 Belfast, Mandela Hall
24 Dublin, Ambassadors
26 Southampton, Guildhall
27 Bristol, Academy
28 Nottingham, Rock City
30 Cardiff, Uni
31 Norwich, UEA

February 2008 Kerrang! Tour
01 Manchester, Academy
03 Leeds, University
04 Glasgow, Barrowlands
05 Newcastle, Academy
07 Birmingham, Academy
08 Brixton, Academy

With their latest UK tour only recently finished the Foo Fighters have quickly made plans for a return to these shores having announced details of a headline show scheduled to take place at Wembley Stadium on June 7th 2008

The Dillinger Escape Plan, along with Between The Buried And Me, will join forces for a tour of the UK/Ireland in February. Confirmed dates are as follows:

Feb 12th - Sheffield Corporation
Feb 13th- Newcastle Academy 2
Feb 14th - Manchester Academy 3
Feb 15th - Glasgow Cathouse
Feb 16th - Dublin Whelans
Feb 17th - Belfast Spring & Airbrake
Feb 19th - Leeds Cockpit
Feb 20th - Birmingham Academy 2
Feb 21st - Yeovil Orange Box
Feb 22nd - Bristol Academy
Feb 23rd - London Astoria 2
Feb 2424 - Brighton Concorde 2

Jethro Tull are to celebrate their 40th Anniversary as a band with a mammoth 29-date UK tour. Most performances of “An Evening With Jethro Tull” will feature a special guest, who fans will know and recognise, as Ian Anderson honours past band members, friends and local musicians. As well as performing a Tull song or two, guests might also perform one of their own songs.

Ian Anderson is taking this opportunity to thank Tull fans for their continued support over the past four decades by performing a bumper show which will provide a comprehensive trip through their history. Much of the show will focus on the first 3 albums – performing such early favourites as Serenade To A Cuckoo, My Sunday Feeling, Living In The Past, Bouree, A Song For Jeffrey and A new Day Yesterday. The band will also treat fans to some new songs, which are as yet unreleased as well as perennial favourites from their long career.

The band will consist of Ian Anderson on vocals, flute and acoustic guitar and Martin Barre, who joined at the end of 1968, on electric guitar. The rest of Jethro Tull are: Doane Perry on drums and percussion since 1984; David Goodier on bass and John O’Hara playing piano and accordion – who are amongst the 26 musicians who have been recording or touring members of Jethro Tull in the last 40 years.

EMI Records will be releasing product around the tour, which will be confirmed nearer to the dates.

Full details are:-

April 6th -  Swindon Wyvern Theatre
April 8th -  Oxford New Theatre
April 9th -  Salford Quays The Lowry
April 10th -  St Albans Arena
April 11th -  Brighton Dome
April 12th -  Cambridge Corn Exchange
April 14th -  Cardiff St David's Hall
April 15th -  Salisbury City Hall
April 16th -  Bournemouth Pavilions
April 17th -  Basingstoke The Anvil
April 18th -  Bristol Colston Hall
April 19th -  Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall
April 30th -  Dunfermline Carnegie Hall
May 1st - Edinburgh The Queens Hall
May 2nd - Glasgow Pavilion Theatre
May 3rd - Aberdeen Music Hall
May 6th -  Inverness Eden Court
May 7th -  Perth Concert Hall
May 8th -  Newcastle City Hall
May 9th -  Carlisle Sands Hall
May 10th -  Sheffield City Hall
May 11th -  York Grand Opera House
May 13th -  Liverpool Philharmonic
May 14th -  Llandudno Venue Cymru
May 15th -  Blackburn King George's Hall
May 16th -  Peterborough Broadway
May 17th -  Ipswich Regent Theatre
May 28th -  London Royal Festival Hall

Tickets are available from venue box offices or online from venue websites and maybe subject to a booking fee. There will be no support artist on this tour and Jethro Tull play for approx 2 hours with a 20 minute intermission. The show starts at 7.30pm unless otherwise stated on the tickets.

In their 40 years, Jethro Tull have sold over 60 million albums and have performed over 2,600 shows in more than 40 countries. There are several UK venues in which they have performed many times, including Bristol’s Colston Hall, The Manchester Apollo, Royal Albert Hall and the now-defunct Wembley Empire Hall. In their history, major US venues have included: 3 Madison Square Garden shows in 1975; shows at Red Rock, Jones Beach NY and the Boston Pavilion. Jethro Tull were the first band to play 5 consecutive performances at the LA Forum – a massive achievement for any British band!

It is evident that Anderson loves to tour, having played more than 130 shows in 2007. However, the band will slow down and perform a mere 80-90 shows in 2008. With the significant travel involved in touring, Anderson is acutely aware of climate change and says: “I have a personal carbon footprint equal to Al Gore’s – it’s large and I’m not happy about it but, like Al Gore, the upside is that I try to bring something with me on my travels to help awareness and in the last years have planted tens of thousands of trees as a personal carbon offset.” In his personal life, Ian tries to be as green as he can and takes trains, travelling economy, whenever possible and he uses a Toyota Prius which he call the Pious… because it makes him feel holier than thou! Not for the first time as, throughout the drug-fuelled 60’s and 70’s Ian never smoked pot, experimented with any drugs or complicated sex. However, he reserves the right to attempt a more orthodox Rock and Roll lifestyle in later life….

Another little known fact is that, in 1984, Jethro Tull turned up for an interview at the then brand new MTV studios in New York. As they had their instruments with them, Ian said, why didn’t they just play some l