Saturday, February 6, 2010
Robert Fripp’s UK Dates With The Humans
Following on from their gig in Estonia last year, The Humans with special guest, Robert Fripp undertake a short series of UK dates later this month.
In case you’ve not been reading Robert’s diary recently or checking the news updates, The Humans are Toyah Willcox, Chris Wong and Bill Rieflin with RF joining the band as guest guitarist.
The gigs with Robert take place on
22 Feb 2010 Assembly, Leamington Spa
http://www.leamingt onassembly. com/EventInfo. aspx?id=145
23 Feb 2010 The Junction, Cambridge
http://junction. iristickets. co.uk/tickets/ all.php5
24 Feb 2010 The Scala, London
http://www.ticketwe b.co.uk/user/ ?region=gb_ london&query=detail&event=350872&interface=scala
These concerts will be the first time Robert has appeared in the UK as part of a band since King Crimson’s appearance at the Shepherds Bush Empire in 2000.
On Monday 8th February a previously unreleased track of the band live in Estonia will be made available for downloading at DGMLive.
http://www.dgmlive.com
Check out The Humans
http://www.myspace.com/wearethehumans
Friday, February 5, 2010
Virginia's Kinetic Element Nominated For Best Debut CD
American neo-symphonic progressive rock band KINETIC ELEMENT has been nominated for “BEST DEBUT RECORD” by the Italian-based PROGAWARDS for their 2009 CD release entitled Powered By Light. You can check out their nomination listing at www.progawards.it .
KINETIC ELEMENT hails from Richmond, Virginia and harbors strong musical ties with classic artists like Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Yes, Asia and Genesis and blends those types of influences with deep philosophical and spiritually powerful and uplifting lyrics.
The band features Mike Visaggio (keyboards/lead vocals), Michael Murray (drums/backing vocals) and Todd Russell (electric/acoustic guitars).
Here’s what some of the critics are saying about Powered By Light:
* “ Fans of progressive rock in all its forms—including Transatlantic, Neal Morse, Tiles, KDB3 and Proto-Kaw—will find a lot to like here; but those whose musical tastes stray towards progressive music on the heavier side of things—think Darkwater, Shadow Gallery, Suspyre or Threshold—should be able to embrace this as well.—Andrew Rockwell, www.angelicwarlord.com .
“This is an outstanding progressive rock album that fans of the genre really need to check out because it does put together all the familiar elements yet still makes it fresh and does something new with it.”—Metalfro, www.metalfroreview.blogspot.com .
“Instrumentally KINETIC ELEMENT is at the top of their game. The driving force behind the group is keyboardist Mike Visaggio, who is positively brilliant. This is some of the most energetic keyboard work I’ve heard since the Golden Age of Progressive Rock when Wakeman and Emerson were producing their best work. Yes, he’s that good. And his surrounding cast of players are equally adept: Michael Murray (drums & backing vocals), Tony D’Amato (bass) and Todd Russell (guitars).”—Joseph Shingler, www.prognaut.com .
“It’s a vintage keyboard fan’s wet dream.”—Erik Neuteboom, www.progwalhalla.nl
“Like the starmen had done in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the musical expressions in this release could only come from highly-intelligent lifeforms…In the end, the album sustains itself with a righteous energy that raises spirits and lightens minds.”—Josh Turner, www.ytsejam.com.
The finalists for this category as well as many others will be published at www.progawards.it on February 14th 2010.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Alan Reed Is Forced Out Of Pallas
From the Facebook Of Alan Reed of Pallas:
It is with great regret that I must tell you that I am no longer a member of Pallas.
This is not a situation of my desire or choosing. I have been unceremoniously informed that the other members of the band have unanimously decided to sack me. This has happened without prior warning or discussion.
The purported reason is an alleged lack of commitment on my part to the band and the forthcoming album. My external activities with other projects is cited in support of this.
I can only express my sadness that I will no longer be part of the Pallas story. The new album was/is shaping up to be a good one, and I was looking forward to participating fully in it.
I take extreme exception to the suggestion that I was not committed to the band. As I'm sure anyone who knows me will testify, I've been passionate about Pallas since I first joined 25 years ago. I've also been very active in the organisation of the band on many levels.
I can't begin to say how angry and hurt I feel at the way this has been done. We've all been through a lot together over the years, and I've always considered every member of the band and crew a close personal friend. I'd like to say that I wish Graeme, Niall, Ronnie and Colin the best of luck without me - but as you will understand, such Machiavellian treatment leaves a bitter taste. However, I am not and never have been vengeful, and perhaps in the fullness of time we'll speak again.. But this is a betrayal that is not easily forgiven.
As for my own future, it's too early to say. I had not anticipated this, and was expecting a full programme of Pallas-related activity over the next year. Whatever my next move is, it's likely to sound very different. I hope you will continue to offer me the same support and friendship that I have enjoyed up until now.
Alan Reed
It is with great regret that I must tell you that I am no longer a member of Pallas.
This is not a situation of my desire or choosing. I have been unceremoniously informed that the other members of the band have unanimously decided to sack me. This has happened without prior warning or discussion.
The purported reason is an alleged lack of commitment on my part to the band and the forthcoming album. My external activities with other projects is cited in support of this.
I can only express my sadness that I will no longer be part of the Pallas story. The new album was/is shaping up to be a good one, and I was looking forward to participating fully in it.
I take extreme exception to the suggestion that I was not committed to the band. As I'm sure anyone who knows me will testify, I've been passionate about Pallas since I first joined 25 years ago. I've also been very active in the organisation of the band on many levels.
I can't begin to say how angry and hurt I feel at the way this has been done. We've all been through a lot together over the years, and I've always considered every member of the band and crew a close personal friend. I'd like to say that I wish Graeme, Niall, Ronnie and Colin the best of luck without me - but as you will understand, such Machiavellian treatment leaves a bitter taste. However, I am not and never have been vengeful, and perhaps in the fullness of time we'll speak again.. But this is a betrayal that is not easily forgiven.
As for my own future, it's too early to say. I had not anticipated this, and was expecting a full programme of Pallas-related activity over the next year. Whatever my next move is, it's likely to sound very different. I hope you will continue to offer me the same support and friendship that I have enjoyed up until now.
Alan Reed
SUBSIGNAL To Support SAGA In Germany
SUBSIGNAL, the new German band featuring former SIEGES EVEN members Arno Menses (vocals) and Markus Steffen (guitar), will support Canadian rockers SAGA on a number of shows in March/April.
SUBSIGNAL's schedule is now shaping up as follows:
Mar. 27 - Osnabrück, Germany - Rosenhof *
Mar. 29 - Hamburg, Germany - Logo *
Mar. 30 - Darmstadt, Germany - Centralstation
Mar. 31 - Paderborn, Germany - Capitol *
Apr. 01 - Rüsselsheim, Germany - Das Rind
Apr. 02 - Uster / Zürich, Switzerland - Rock City
Apr. 03 - Stuttgart, Germany - LKA *
Apr. 07 - Bonn, Germany - Brueckenforum *
Apr. 08 - Mannheim, Germany - 7er Club
Apr. 09 - Menden, Germany - Hubertushalle *
Apr. 13 - München, Germany - Muffathalle *
* Supporting SAGA
SUBSIGNAL released its debut album, entitled "Beautiful & Monstrous", on September 25, 2009 via GoldenCore Records/ZYX Music. The CD was helmed by co-producer Kristian Kohlmannslehner, who worked on SIEGES EVEN's 2007 release, "Paramount". The special edition of the album, which has an approximate running time of 60 minutes, comes with a stylish digipack cover and one bonus track. The LP was also released as a normal jewelcase version with rounded corners, and it was made available on double vinyl.
SUBSIGNAL describes its music as "progressive, melancholic, cutting edge, emotional, blended with a good portion of melodic heaviness."
SUBSIGNAL is:
Markus Steffen (guitar)
Arno Menses (vocals)
Ralf Schwager (bass)
David Bertok (keyboards)
Roel van Helden (drums)
For more information, visit www.subsignalband.com
Renaissance To Play Rosfest 2010
Renaissance Announced for RoSfest 2010
Renaissance are an English progressive rock band that rose from the
ashes of the Yardbirds, with Annie Haslam and Michael Dunford joining
at the dawn of the 1970s to define their work with folk rock and
classical fusions, including quotations from/allusions to such composers
as Bach, Chopin, Debussy, and Rachmaninoff. The band is most notable
for their 1978 UK top 10 hit "Northern Lights" and progressive rock
classics like "Mother Russia" and "Ashes Are Burning."
Throughout the 70s/80s, progressive rock FM stations across the USA,
such as WNEW (New York), WMMR (Philadelphia) and WHFS (DC), were
turning America onto Renaissance, while the band was thrilling
concertgoers on the world's most distinguished stages, from Carnegie
Hall in New York City to the Royal Albert Hall in London. Records
released throughout the 70s by Renaissance placed in the top-half of
the Billboard Hot 100 Album Charts including Ashes Are Burning,
Scheherazade and Other Stories, Live at Carnegie Hall and Novella,
among others.
Led by Haslam and Dunford, the voice and principal songwriter of the
band's most popular lineup, Renaissance reunited in October 2009 to
celebrate their 40th anniversary. The band embarked on a highly
successful nine-city East Coast tour of theaters and performing arts
centers which inspired them to consider additional engagements for
2010. Joining Haslam and Dunford in the latest incarnation of
Renaissance are keyboardist Rave Tesar and bassist-vocalist David J.
Keyes, both of whom were previous members of Renaissance and the Annie
Haslam Band, in addition to keyboardist-vocalist Tom Brislin Yes,
Debbie Harry, Meat Loaf, Francis Dunnery) and drummer-percussionist
Frank Pagano (Bruce Springsteen, Smashing Pumpkins, Bette Midler, Barry
Manilow). Together, these world class musicians are revisiting the
symphonic textures, stunning vocals and poetic lyrics that embody the
band's haunting and compelling international themes, with fresh
interpretations of the most admired compositions from Renaissance's
most prolific period (1972-78).
Now, Renaissance begins an exciting new chapter, while honoring its
beloved body of vintage work. Haslam and Dunford promise that the new
six-piece lineup will perform the band's timeless classics with the
same care with which the material was originally crafted, while
utilizing technological advances to reproduce the music's original
symphonic textures like never before. They're also enthusiastic about
introducing the music to a new generation of listeners as well as
longtime fans.
"I'm thrilled to be performing these songs again, and to be performing
them with Michael Dunford and a great group of musicians," Haslam
states. "These songs are a big part of my life, so I'll be singing my
heart out."
"We're very excited to be playing for American audiences again," adds
Dunford. "With these great musicians, I'm expecting the songs to sound
better than ever, and I'm looking forward to it with great
anticipation."
Renaissance Myspace site: http://www.myspace.com/renaissanceofficial
Renaissance official Website: http://www.nlightsweb.com/
Renaissance wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_(band)
For ticket information go to http://www.rosfest.com
Renaissance are an English progressive rock band that rose from the
ashes of the Yardbirds, with Annie Haslam and Michael Dunford joining
at the dawn of the 1970s to define their work with folk rock and
classical fusions, including quotations from/allusions to such composers
as Bach, Chopin, Debussy, and Rachmaninoff. The band is most notable
for their 1978 UK top 10 hit "Northern Lights" and progressive rock
classics like "Mother Russia" and "Ashes Are Burning."
Throughout the 70s/80s, progressive rock FM stations across the USA,
such as WNEW (New York), WMMR (Philadelphia) and WHFS (DC), were
turning America onto Renaissance, while the band was thrilling
concertgoers on the world's most distinguished stages, from Carnegie
Hall in New York City to the Royal Albert Hall in London. Records
released throughout the 70s by Renaissance placed in the top-half of
the Billboard Hot 100 Album Charts including Ashes Are Burning,
Scheherazade and Other Stories, Live at Carnegie Hall and Novella,
among others.
Led by Haslam and Dunford, the voice and principal songwriter of the
band's most popular lineup, Renaissance reunited in October 2009 to
celebrate their 40th anniversary. The band embarked on a highly
successful nine-city East Coast tour of theaters and performing arts
centers which inspired them to consider additional engagements for
2010. Joining Haslam and Dunford in the latest incarnation of
Renaissance are keyboardist Rave Tesar and bassist-vocalist David J.
Keyes, both of whom were previous members of Renaissance and the Annie
Haslam Band, in addition to keyboardist-vocalist Tom Brislin Yes,
Debbie Harry, Meat Loaf, Francis Dunnery) and drummer-percussionist
Frank Pagano (Bruce Springsteen, Smashing Pumpkins, Bette Midler, Barry
Manilow). Together, these world class musicians are revisiting the
symphonic textures, stunning vocals and poetic lyrics that embody the
band's haunting and compelling international themes, with fresh
interpretations of the most admired compositions from Renaissance's
most prolific period (1972-78).
Now, Renaissance begins an exciting new chapter, while honoring its
beloved body of vintage work. Haslam and Dunford promise that the new
six-piece lineup will perform the band's timeless classics with the
same care with which the material was originally crafted, while
utilizing technological advances to reproduce the music's original
symphonic textures like never before. They're also enthusiastic about
introducing the music to a new generation of listeners as well as
longtime fans.
"I'm thrilled to be performing these songs again, and to be performing
them with Michael Dunford and a great group of musicians," Haslam
states. "These songs are a big part of my life, so I'll be singing my
heart out."
"We're very excited to be playing for American audiences again," adds
Dunford. "With these great musicians, I'm expecting the songs to sound
better than ever, and I'm looking forward to it with great
anticipation."
Renaissance Myspace site: http://www.myspace.com/renaissanceofficial
Renaissance official Website: http://www.nlightsweb.com/
Renaissance wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_(band)
For ticket information go to http://www.rosfest.com
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
John Payne To Present Pollstar Award February 17th
Los Angeles, CA - John Payne, vocalist/bassist for the classic AOR band ASIA Featuring John Payne is scheduled to present an award at the 21st Century Pollstar Awards at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, California on Wednesday, February 17th. This year's show is hosted by Kathleen Madigan - the comedian Lewis Black describes as "the funniest woman in America". Voting for awards was conducted entirely online in a variety of categories including Major Tour of the Year; Most Creative Tour Package; Talent Buyer of the Year; Best Touring Artist; Music Festival of the Year; among others. Additional presenters include Alan Parsons, Al Jarreau, Rob Halford, Ronnie Montrose, and Jimmy Van Zant. More info about the Pollstar Awards show is available at http://www.pollstarpro.com/live2010/Awards/pollstarawards-index.html.
John Payne became the frontman of the supergroup ASIA in 1992 at the invitation of keyboardist Geoff Downes, replacing vocalist/bassist John Wetton. ASIA extensively toured the world for the next 14 years performing new classics and old favorites. With John Payne fronting the band, ASIA released 8 stunning studio albums and several live recordings. In 2006, Geoff Downes left the band to reform the 1982 line up for their 25th anniversary. On the 9th of May 2006, John Payne, Geoff Downes, John Wetton, Carl Palmer and Steve Howe contractually agreed that John Payne would continue his 14 year legacy with ASIA as ”ASIA Featuring John Payne”. The band's most recent EP "Military Man" was released in October, 2009 to rave reviews. A new full-length CD is scheduled for release this summer with a 2010 worldwide tour currently in the planning stages.
For more information about ASIA Featuring John Payne, please visit http://www.theasiaband.com and http://www.myspace.com/asiafeaturingjohnpayne
Monday, February 1, 2010
Leprous To Perform At ProgPower 2010
Norway's LEPROUS, Canadian newcomers BOREALIS and Texas progressive metallers SIX MINUTE CENTURY have been confirmed for the ProgPower USA Showcase, which will take place on Thursday, September 9, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The headliner for the ProgPower USA Showcase will be announced soon.
The ProgPower USA XI festival will be held September 8-11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
KAMELOT (USA/Norway)
HAMMERFALL (Sweden)
NOCTURNAL RITES (Sweden)
TAROT (Finland)
TYR (Denmark)
DELAIN (The Netherlands)
SEVENTH WONDER (Sweden)
LEAVES' EYES (Germany/Norway)
DGM (Italy)
OCEANS OF SADNESS (Belgium)
STORMWARRIOR (Germany)
PARADOX (Germany)
ILLUSION SUITE (Norway)
ProgPower USA is a progressive and power metal festival held annually in the United States since 2001. Its latest edition was held September 11-12, 2009 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. It was headlined by CRIMSON GLORY and FATES WARNING.
Visit the newly re-launched web site at www.progpowerusa.com
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