Hadrien Feraud Injury Puts Tour Plans On Hold

Bass prodigy Hadrien Feraud, who's new solo album and recent stint with John McLaughlin has been the buzz in the fusion world, has broken a finger on his right hand and will not be able to perform for the beginning of the Fourth Dimension tour with John McLaughlin. Feraud is to be replaced by Dominique DiPiazza for the European tour. There are still hopes that he will be able to perform by the end of May.

Feraud's bass style has been compared to the late great Jaco Pastorius. His recent self titled solo album is stunning in its diversity from beginning to end. Fusion lovers began their new affair with Hadrien in 2006 when he was featured on John Mclaughlin's Industrial Zen. McLaughlin spoke with Tom Gagliardi in November of 2006 and said "You have to hear this cat...he's amazing, he's a kid. So Talented.." Hadrien has recently recorded for an upcoming album with guitarist Bireli Lagrene. The album is due out in October, and features Hadrien's band Ruemers.

He will also be joining the Gagliarchives radio program to talk about his upcoming work as well.

We hope for a speedy recovery for Hadrien. He is the next one.

Forgas Band Phenomena Featured On Daily Motion

A band that has been a big favorite in recent years to the fusion community and the Gagliarchives, has been the Forgas Band Phenomena. This is rare concert footgage performed at the Forterre Festival on 5/17/08 in Courson Les Carrieres, in Bourgogne, France. The recent album Soleil 12 was released on Cuneiform Records. Special thanks to Steve Feigenbaum.

Forgas Band Phenomena - "Extra-Lucide"
Uploaded by forgasbp

and this...

Forgas Band Phenomena "Soleil 12"
Uploaded by forgasbp

Spock's Beard To Release Live DVD & CD

The long-awaited Spock's Beard live DVD and 2 CD set are set be released. They are to be released in Germany, Austria & Switzerland on 6/13/08, the remainder of Europe on 6/16/08 and North America on 6/24/08.
Recorded live in Holland in 2007, it Includes: On A Perfect Day, Mouth of Madness, Crack the Big Sky, The Slow Crash Landing Man, Return to Whatever, Surfing Down the Avalanche, Thoughts (Part 2), Drum solo, Skeletons At The Feast, Walking On The Wind, Hereafter (Ryo solo), As Far As The Mind Can See (Dreaming In The Age Of Answers, Here's A Man,They Know We Know, Stream Of Unconsciousness) Rearranged and The Water / Go The Way You Go medley. Fans will be excited to see that the DVD and CD set contain the same songs.
To see a video trailer of the DVD, go to YouTube



Spock's Beard 2008 Live
June 26 (Thu)
Ulm, Germany - Ulmer Zelt

June 27 (Fri)
Netzschkau bei Reichenbach/Vogtland,Germany III. Art-Rock-Festival
www.bergkeller-reichenbach.de

June 28 (Sat)
Bochum, Germany - Zeche Open Air

June 29 (Sun)
Zoetermeer, Netherlands - De Boerderij

June 30 (Mon)
Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7

July 2 (Wed)
Cardiff, UK - PointBox Office: 029 2046 0873 or www.thepointcardiffbay.com

July 3 (Thu)
London, UK - Islington AcademyBox office: 0844 477 2000 or www.islington-academy.co.uk

July 4 (Fri)
Manchester, UK - AcademyBox Office: 0161 832 1111 or www.manchesteracademy.net

July 5 (Sat)
Leeds, UK - RiosBox Office: 0844 414 2182 or www.rios-leeds.com

July 6 (Sun)
Glasgow, UK - ArchesBox Office: 0141 565 1000 or www.thearches.co.uk

July 7 (Mon)
Wolverhampton, UK - The Robin 2Box Office: 01902 401211 or www.therobin.co.uk

August 23 (Sat)
Pittsburgh, PA at The Three Rivers Prog Festival. More info here: 3progfest.com

Visit Spock's Beard website at http://spocksbeard.com

Excellent New Internet Radio Station Unfurled

Radio DJ Luis Jimenez has created an excellent new internet radio station featuring fusion and progressive rock. The station goes by the name Fusion 101 on Live365.com. The DJ is looking for help, suggestions, and music recommendations for his station. Jimenez is also planning on doing a progressive rock radio show as well.
The website can be heard at Live365 or http://fusion101radio.com
The station plans on featuring the best hand-picked songs from worldwide fusion and prog rock artists like: Al Di Meola, Passport, U.K., Gong, The Soft Machine, Tommy Bolin, Bill Bruford, Larry Coryell, Steve Khan, King Crimson, John McLaughlin, Allan Holdsworth, Chick Corea, Area, Gentle Giant, George Duke, Jan Hammer, Jeff Beck, Brand X, Etna, Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, Stanley Clarke, Alphonso Johnson, Jaco Pastorius, Can, Miroslav Vitous, Billy Cobham, Steve Gadd, Narada Michael Walden, Lenny White, Tony Williams, and many more.

Founding Member Of Rush Passes Away

John Rutsey, a founding member of Toronto rock band Rush, passed away this weekend according to Rush management company Anthem Entertainment. He was 55.Rutsey was famous for playing on Rush’s 1974 debut album, including the song 'In The Mood', before deciding to leave the group due to health concerns. Rutsey suffered from diabetes and was unable to go on extended tours with the group. Rutsey was replaced by dummer Neil Peart, which marked a turning point in the band’s sound towards progressive rock. Rush formed in 1968 in Toronto and was originally composed of guitarist Alex Lifeson, bassist Jeff Jones (who shortly thereafter was replaced by Geddy Lee) and Rutsey. According to a 1989 interview with Alex Lifeson on the Rockline Radio program quoted by Wikipedia.org, Rutsey, “gave up playing (drums) shortly after he left the band and went into bodybuilding. He competed on an amateur level for a while, doing that for a few years.”

Rutsey died in his sleep of an apparent heart attack, possibly related to complications from diabetes. Rutsey's family wish to keep the funeral a private affair, although an obituary posted in the Toronto Star on May 15 suggested those wishing to pay tribute to Rutsey could do so by making a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Ontario.

Fish To Do One Of A Kind Show In June...

From the desk of Nearfest:


In the wake of NEARfest stepping up to sponsor him for his 2008 NorthAmerican tour, Fish has offered to bring his critically-acclaimed "Clutching at Stars" performance to the NEARfest stage. This encore performance celebrating the 20th anniversary of Marillion's classic"Clutching at Straws" album, a fan-favorite and the last one featuring Fish, is a NEARfest-exclusive! The Clutching at Stars tour did not reach North American shores in 2007, so this is sure to be a very special show.
This will take place on Friday, June 20th, and Synergy will be the opening act.

Jon Anderson In Hospital

Jon Anderson, vocalist of Yes, suffered a severe asthma attack on May 13th. He is currently recovering in the hospital. Jon Anderson's website has asked all his fans to say a prayer for him for a speedy recovery.