Signed by JON LORD a copy of DEEP PURPLE’s ‘Concerto For Group and Orchestra’ now on Ebay and raising funds for the RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People)…
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=300321827073
Oh how cool is this news…Mastedon released two great albums featuring Dave Amato (REO SPEEDAWGON), Dave Pack and many more. They are classic albums and overdue a full re-issue…can’t wait for this new album.
Frontiers Records announces proudly the signing of Mastedon featuring former Kansas singer John Elefante for the release of the long awaited third studio album.
John Elefante’s name came to prominence in 1981 when he became the new lead singer and keyboardist for Kansas. John sang the lead vocals and performed keyboards on three multi – Platinum albums with band, giving also a major songwriting contribution. In 1984, together with his brother Dino, he started to become involved for the first time in producing the Christian act Sweet Comfort Band. Soon the couple became one of the most renowned producers in the genre, in particular their tenure with Petra brought multiple gold and platinum albums, 10 consecutive CCM Magazine Reader’s Choice Awards, induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Hard Rock Cafe, and the only artist to ever have 4 albums in the SoundScan top-100 Christian chart.
Elefante also felt the songwriting muse and formed a metal band with his brother, Mastedon. The band’s name was a pachyderm-inspired reference to the brothers’ last name. Although John was an accomplished vocalist and performer, the Mastedon albums featured multiple lead singers and performances by other artists, creating an eclectic sound anchored by John’s songwriting. His brother Dino played a prominent role, contributing songwriting and handling most of the guitar work. Mastedon’s first release was titled “It’s a Jungle Out There!” (1989). A year later, the band released “Lofcaudio”. This album continued the guest performance theme, though John sang more of the lead vocals. Unfortunately, John and Dino’s production schedule preempted any touring to commercially support the album. Even so, the albums charted at #25 and #10, respectively in the Billboard Top Contemporary Christian chart. To this day, they are still considered classics in the genre.
John and Dino then formed their own record label, Pakaderm. Given their intense recording schedules, John and Dino decided to build their own recording studio in Nashville, the Sound Kitchen which soon became one of the largest complex studios in the USA, with artists such as Elton John and Bruce Springsteen that used it for their recording. In 1996 John started a solo career that brought him to release three successful albums more in the Adult Contemporary – Pop Rock vein.
After a few years of hiatus, John is now working on a new Mastedon album that – contrary to the predecessors – will only feature his amazing lead vocals. Musically, the new album will hearken back to the best of Mastedon and to his work with Kansas.
“Mastedon has far surpassed my expectations as far as longevity and shelve life” says John. “I would say it has garnered somewhat of a cult following. I have people from 17 years old to 50 something that still ask me about Mastedon and will there ever be another one? My answer has always been “I don’t know” But the writing is on the wall that after all this time, it is time to deliver a new Mastedon record and mainly because people that loved the first 2 can’t be ignored any longer. This record will differ in some ways and others it won’t. Being the majority songwriter there will be obvious similarities in style. I will be singing everything so that will change a bit from prior Mastedon projects. Also the sonic quality will be very much up to date. Rich melodic harmonies and melodies are the keys to a Mastedon record. This record will most certainly be the beginning of a new chapter in my life both musically and lyrically. One day you turn around and it’s been 10 years since you’ve done a project, but when it really sinks in that you were put on this earth to something, YOU MUST DO IT !!!”
Frontiers salutes the return of a legendary artist and looks set to release Mastedon III in the fall of 2009.
KANSAS ‘Power’ MCA (1986)
‘Power’ is one of the band’s best albums in my humble opinion. This album was the first after the band reformed in 1985. They had split a couple of years earlier after a couple of albums featuring the Elefante brothers, John and Dino. This album saw original members drummer Phil Ehart and guitarist Rich Williams being joined by returning vocalist Steve Walsh (who also played keyboards), who had formed the band Streets after leaving Kansas in 1981 and he brought along fellow Streets member Billy Greer on bass. On guitar was former Dixie Dreggs member Steve Morse who added a heavier sound to the band’s music.
Starting with ‘Silhouettes In Disguise’ this sets the album’s sound and style out nicely, heavy guitar riffs, fast paced hard rock and a lovely rich, big drum sound. The title track again has the drums to the fore and again it is a great hard rock tune. ‘All I Wanted’ sees the band bring it down a notch with vocalist Steve Walsh giving a passionate delivery. He gets another chance at a ballad on ‘Can’t Cry Anymore’, a real show stopper. The acoustic based ‘Taking In The View’ may only put some of with the children’s choir which can come across as a bit twee
‘Tomb 19′ is a song that could have been made for ‘Indiana Jones’ movies, the whole song has a cinematic feel to it and has a very catchy chorus. ‘Secret Service’ allows Steve Morse to let fly both on heavy riffs and a couple of tasty solos. ‘Three Pretenders’ is very similar as well and for a slight musical interlude the instrumental ‘Musicatto’ adds a touch of classical music to the mix.
Often overlooked by Kansas fans this may not be like the bands 70’s more prog rock leanings or their last two albums which saw a return to the more prog/epic sound. But it is a very strong set of melodic hard rock tunes with two real stand out ballads. Can’t recommend this album highly enough! The next album ‘Spirit of Things’ is another personal favourate, a concept album based on an old ghost town and one I will do a classic album review on someday…
1. Silhouettes in disguise
2. Power
3. All I wanted
4. Secret service
5. We’re not alone anymore
6. Musicatto
7. Taking the view
8. Three pretenders
9. Tomb 19
10. Can’t cry anymore
The band released ‘Spirit Of Things’ in 1988, then did a couple more studio albums the last of which was released in 2000. The band still tour, mainly in the US but are supporting Status Quo on the latter’s German tour in October. Steve Walsh, Rich Williams, Billy Greer and Phil Ehart still remain joined by David Ragsdale (violin/guitar) on his second stint with the band. Steve Morse went off to join Deep Purple where he remains to this day and still does a few gigs with his previous band the Dixie Dreggs (their song ‘Take It Off The Top’ was the theme tune to Tommy Vance’s ‘Rock Show’ on BBC Radio One).
Robin George will be known to many for his hit single ‘Heartline’ but he has worked with David Byron (Uriah Heep), Roy Wood, Magnum, Asia and his most recvent band are Damage Control whose line-up features UFO’s Pete Way, Spike from the Quireboys and drummer Chris Slade (AC/DC,Asia/Uriah Heep). He is also doing an EP around Xmas, and will be donating copies and royalties to various charities including the Donna Louise Trust & the Nordoff-Robbins Music Threapy. It includes Nick Tart (DIAMOND HEAD/NOTORIOUS), Andy Pike, Vix, Ruby Turner, Pete Way (UFO) and of course Robin himself.
What are you currently up to? (e.g. recording, gigs etc.i
We’ve just released RAW, which is the original inspiration of the Damage Control album.
Pete and I are singing, so it’s a very different sounding album than Spike’s version. We always intended to release ‘Raw’ as our original inspiration for the songs on the album, and this is it.
I’m In the studio working on Damage Control 2 demos at the moment. Thanks to the internet we’re writing across the world, (I’m in Spain, Pete’s in Brum and Chris is in California) but we’re coming together in Spain to record and gig later this year.
I’ve also helped form a record label, Damage Control Music. After so many years of being ripped off and badly marketed, we’ve decided to fight back by being open and honest with our artists, which is working really well for all concerned.
2. What have been the best five gigs you have been to or involved in?
0ne of the best as in the audience was the Reading Festival when Slade blew the roof off. Not bad at an open air festival!
Also playing in the band at Reading with Magnum was a great gig.
Madrid with The Byron Band was great as well. My first visit to Spain, I live here now.
Touring with Dangerous Music was also a great experience.
The charity gigs with Asia were really memorable as well…there’s talk of a release of the Marquee nights soon.
3. Have you been pleased with how the Damage Control CD was received by fans and reviewers? Will there be a second album from the band and if so would Spike be on vocals again?
Very pleased. As I said, we’re working on album 2 right now, and input from fans and reviewers was really positive, so we have a strong commitment to deliver more of the same.
Spike came in as a friend of Pete’s to do some backing vocals on Damage Control ‘Damage Control’. Spike added a level of Spikeness we really liked, so we decided to do a version of the album with him singing lead vocals. Unfortunately, when the time came to tour, Spike had previous commitments with his own band, which left us unable to fulfil commitments as the original Damage Control band.
We’re still in touch and we’ll probably do more together in the future.
4. Any recent music/books/films you would recommend?
I read so much I forget most books as soon as I finish them, which means I can re-read them!
I really rate a book I’ve just read called The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, maybe ‘cause it’s set partly in Andalusia.
I spend most of my time making music, so I don’t really listen apart from in bars…We’re about to sign a couple of great bands to Damage Control Music, one Spanish and a great young British rock band. We’re also releasing a re-mastered version of the David Byron Band One Minute More, and an album spanning 20 years of Vix , who was lead singer with Fuzzbox.We’ve also signed Marshall Law, Nick Tart from Diamond Head in Life, and an album of my history, so obviously I would recommend those. Check out damagecontrolmusic.com for more info.
I don’t really watch many films either…there’s not enough time these days, which is good…
I did like Saving Grace as a gentle English comedy.
Mr Brooks is a great American thriller; also Wild Hogs is a good daft road movie.
5. Message for your fans…
As always, thanks for all your support. It’s priceless to me.
101 SOUTH ‘Roll Of The Dice’ (2002) gypsyrockrecords@aol.com
I know this is an ‘old’ release having originally been released back in 2002 on Atenzia Records but like the band’s debut album in 2000 released on MTM, both record labels have since gone out of business. But luckily keyboards player and one of the driving forces in 101 South (and also Harlan Cage) Roger Scott Craig has made this superb AOR release available again. On vocals is Gregory Lynn Hall who has the perfect AOR/melodic rock voice, albeit at the harder edge of vocalists -hints of Lou Gramm at times. The other notable name musician is Billy Liesegang on guitars (his solo albums are worth checking out as well).
There are some great songs on here like ‘What’s Your Game?’ with its pomp keys and catchy chorus. The ballad ‘Dark Cloud On The Horizon’ reminded me of Dare on their AOR led debut album – fantastic stuff. The hooks and keys keep on coming as can be heard on ‘Borderline’ and ‘Ride Out The Storm’, both would easily grace the airwaves if given the chance. The closing song ‘Get Up And Go’ takes a detour into slow blues rock and Gregory Lynn Hall’s vocals suit the music perfectly.
Like many great AOR and melodic rock albums this one was hampered by label problems and getting the music out there. Fans of Harlan Cage, Dare (their first two albums) and Foreigner would certainly love this album. Go grab a copy if you don’t have this as this is what classic AOR is all about.
Lots of good music from tonight and my selection of tunes are featured this Sunday evening between 6pm & 7pm including classics from JOURNEY, WHITE SISTER, GIUFFRIA & CHEAP TRICK along with newer tunes from BROTHER FIRETRIBE, KHYMERA, H.E.A.T., ASIA & RAIN. Air keyboards to the fore!
Mind you tonight at 8pm is good for blues rock fans with tunes from JOE BONAMASSA, GARY MOORE, NAZARETH, RORY GALLAGHER, SAHB & many more. Not so sure about jazz/fusion though 
Cheers,
Jason R
THURSDAY June 5
19.00-20.00 Unsigned/indie
20.00-21.00 Blues Rock (selected by Stuart Hamilton)
21.00-22.00 The Songwriters
David Randall interviews Eleanor McEvoy and talks about her career and new album, ‘Love Must Be Tough’.
22.00-00.00 Thursday Rock
00.00-01.00 In the Early Hours (Jazz rock/fusion)
FRIDAY June 6
19.00-20.00 Unsigned/indie
20.00-21.00 Metal (selected by The Fluffmeister)
21.00-22.00 Progressive/eclectic (selected by Peter Muir)
22.00-00.00 Friday Rock
00.00-01.00 Blues Rock (repeat)
SATURDAY June 7
12.00-00.00 Continuous Music
SUNDAY June 8
12.00-15.00 Continuous
15.00-17.00 Assume The Position
David Randall signposts new additions to the website, new releases and upcoming tours.
17.00-18.00 Hydrogyn
David Randall talks to Hydrogyn’s Julie Westlake including tracks from their new album ‘Deadly Passions’.
(This is the full version of the interview first broadcast on June 1).
18.00-19.00 Melodic Rock (selected by Jason Ritchie)
19.00-20.00 The Songwriters
David Randall interviews Eleanor McEvoy and talks about her career and new album, ‘Love Must Be Tough’.
(First broadcast June 5)
20.00-22.00 Continuous Music
22.00-00.00 Assume The Position (repeat)
The following are the bands who have been troubling my PC and IPod most this last week…
1 Journey - playing some classics in readiness for the band’s new album due early next month
2 Brother Firetribe – I am a convert after getting their recently re-released debut album. Cracking melodic rock/AOR tunes!
3 The Hooters – downloaded their latest album of EMusic and it is not bad at all. Classic Hooters sound but slightly less folk sound.
4 Asia – mainly the new album and some John Payne-era songs getting an airring.
5 Ayreon – still loving the new album.
6 Europe - back in my palylist after picking up their ‘Best Of’ for £2 in a recent car boot sale.
7 King’s X – their new album ‘XV’ combines all the best bits of this band. Well worth getting.
8 Tom Fuller Band – US singer/songwriter with a Beatles/Tom Petty sound. Very enjoyable album.
9 Don Airey – his new solo album is just right – some good vocal rockers, a ballad and some superb instrumental tunes.
10 Pineapple Thief – new band to these ears but definitely a band to check out if you like Elbow.
Check out my music taste: http://www.last.fm/user/Stokieboy/
Y&T ‘Down For The Count’ A&M (1985)
Y&T had been going as far back as the mid-70’s and prior to this album they had released a string of well received albums including ‘Mean Steak’ and ‘Black Tiger’. Main man Dave Meniketti has a nice raw vocal amply suited to the band’s hard edge rock sound. ‘In The Name Of Rock’ with its gang chorus vocal sets the scene nicely for the superb rock anthem ‘All American Boy’ – just under three minutes of sheer hard rock bliss. ‘Anytime At All’ is another hook filled rocker and the other real stand out is ‘Summertime Girls’, a song that is made for a warm summer’s day and deserves to be in any rock fans collection. Y&T really knew how to pen catchy riff based rockers and choruses that never leave your head. The cover of the rock ‘n’ roll standard ‘Your Mama Don’t Dance’ is good fun and only the plodding ‘Don’t Tell Me What To Wear’ lets the side down slightly. Of course Y&T also nailed that other hard rock staple the power ballad with the closing sing ‘Hands Of Time’. Chiming guitars and a big chorus make for a classic song. Of all the band’s albums this will always be my favourite and I like it as much now as when I first heard it back in 1985!
Where are they now?
The band carried on right through the 90’s and released two so-so studio albums in the 90’s but have done nothing new since. But Dave Meniketti keeps the band’s flame alive with a series of rarities releases (‘Unearthed’) plus live releases. The band still tour today with Dave Meniketti joined by original member Phil Kennemore plus on guitars John Nymann and drummer Mark Vanderhule. Unlikely they will ever release a full new album of new material but you never know…
In The Name Of Rock
All American Boy
Anytime At All
Anything For Money
Face Like An Angel
Summertime Girls
Looks Like Trouble
Your Mama Don’t Dance
Don’t Tell Me What To Wear
Hands Of Time
Line-up:
Dave Meniketti (lead vocals/lead guitar)
Leonard Haze (drums)
Phil Kennemore (bass)
Joey Alves (rhythm guitar)
XTC ‘Apple Venus – Volume 1′ Cooking Vinyl (2003)
Ahhh XTC a fine band who started out in the late 70’s New Wave boom and have since spread their musical wings in any direction that takes their fancy. Sadly due to main man Andy Partridge’s stage fright problems they have been a studio based band since the early 80’s onwards. After leaving long standing label Virgin following the usual label hassles, XTC released this little pop rock gem. From the opening drip drop strings on ‘River Of Orchids’ you just knew this was something special. The musical arrangements are simply breathtaking be it the school production effects – recorders and woodwinds on ‘Harvest Festival’ through to the lush sound of ‘Knights In Shining Karma’. Andy Partridge hits the English love of whimsy right on the head with the excellent ‘Frivolous Tonight’ – an absolute pop rock gem. Elsewhere his then recent relationship troubles result in the cutting ‘Your Dictionary’. Get this, as well as ‘Volume 2′ for some of the finest pop rock music around.
Where are they now?
XTC is basically now just Andy Partridge. The band released ‘Apple Venus Volume 2′ and then there were the Apple Venus demos released a few years ago plus Andy Partridge has been releasing lots of his own musical wanderings under the ‘Fuzzy Warbles’ title. An extremely talented writer and musician who never really gets the accolades he deserves.
Track listing:
1 River of Orchids
2 I’d Like That
3 Easter Theatre
4 Knights in Shining Karma
5 Frivolous Tonight
6 Green Man
7 Your Dictionary
8 Fruit Nut
9 I Can’t Own Her
10 Harvest Festival
11 The Last Balloon
Album credits:
Andy Partridge Guitar, Vocals
Colin Moulding Bass, Vocals
Steve Sidwell Trumpet
Mike Batt Arranger
Guy Barker Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Haydn Bendall Keyboards, Engineer, Producer
Nick Davis Keyboards, Mixing, Engineer, Producer
Simon Dawson Mixing
David Gregory Organ, Piano, Guitar, Mellotron
DISTANCE ‘Under The One Sky’ Reprise Records (1989)
The Distance were a natural successor to the Powerstation who featured legendary producer Bernard Edwards and Tony Thompson and replacing Robert Palmer was Robert Hart. Musically this has some great funk rock numbers such as ‘Give It Up’, neat AOR rock like ‘Speech Of Angels’ but it is the ballads that really make this album special. ‘As You Turn Away’ with Robert Hart’s impassioned vocal and Eddie Martinez’s stunning guitar solo – superb stuff! The title track again highlights Hart’s emotive vocals with a sexy funk vibe rumbling under the music. Damn shame another album never materialized and you can get this CD quite cheaply on Amazon and Play.
Where are they now?
Vocalist Robert Hart joined Bad Company for a couple of albums in the mid/late 90’s, along with releasing a very good solo album. More recently he has joined the James Gang featuring ex-Faces drummer Kenny Jones and is back in Bad Company again! Sadly Tony Thomson (who drummed for Led Zeppelin at Live Aid) and Bernard Edwards are no longer with us. Eddie Martinez has released some jazz influenced solo albums and more session work and Jeff Bova has appeared on albums by Tina Arena, Billy Joel, Dave Lee Roth and Celine Dion!
Track list:
01 No way out
02 Leave it up to you
03 Speech of angels
04 As you turn away
05 Give it up
06 Under the one sky
07 Rescue me
08 Looking over your shoulder
09 Everytime I stand up
10 Softly speak
11 Stand up
Band:
Bernard Edwards (CHIC/THE POWERSTATION) bass
Tony Thompson (CHIC/THE POWERSTATION) drums
Robert Hart lead vocals
Eddie Martinez (MEATLOAF) guitar
Jeff Bova (MEATLOAF) keyboards
DIRTY WHITE BOY ‘Bad Reputation’ Polydor (1990)
Sadly Dirty White Boy only ever did this one album but boy is it a corker! Formed around ex-Guffria vocalist David Glenn Eisley and former David Bowie guitarist Earl Slick they rocked big time with plenty of slide guitar courtesy of Earl Slick. Eisley’s vocals are suitably gruff for this lean and dirty rock ‘n’ roll – ‘Lazy Crazy’ being a prime example. ‘Let’s Spend Momma’s Money’ is a real rock ‘n’ roll stomper with a nice honky-tonk piano riff going on in the background. Then its ‘lighters in the air’ time for ‘You Give Me Love’ – just how a ballad should be done, soaring heartfelt vocals, guitar solo midway through and a nice heart tugging lyric. Only ‘Soul Of A loaded Gun’ and ‘Hard Times’ sound average compared to the other great songs on here. They came out just as hair/glam metal was peaking and bands like Guns ‘N’ Roses were the big thing in rock music, the perfect market for this album. For me Dirty White Boy should have been bigger than they were and a real shame they didn’t second a second album.
Where are they now?
Eisley popped up with a solo album in the mid-90’s that had some early versions of songs that made the House Of Lords debut album plus Stream, a very heavy album and not what fans of his pervious work may have expected! He is currently working on a new solo album but not set release date as yet. Earl Slick joined Little Caesar for one album and continues to release solo albums, the last one being in 2003 and drummer Keni Richards has appeared on a few of these.
Links:
http://www.davidgleneisley.com/
http://www.myspace.com/earlslick
Track List:
01. Bad Reputation
02. Lazy Crazy
03. Let’s Spend Momma’s Money
04. You Give Me Love
05. Dead Cat Alley
06. Hammer On The Heart
07. Hard Times
08. Soul Of A Loaded Gun
09. One Good Reason
10. Badlands
Band:
David Glen Eisley (GIUFFRIA) – vocals, keyboards and harmonica
Earl Slick (DAVID BOWIE) – guitar and vocals
F. Kirk Alley – bass and vocals
Keni Richards (AUTOGRAPH) – drums, percussion and vocals
For all things rock & metal please visit www.getreadytorock.com
Please feel free to comment as opinion on here is free and like bums, everyone has one!
Check out the interview pages that feature some older 10Q's interviews that have only posted on a Yahoo Group plus a couple of interviews with two crime writers.
Feel free to contact me at papa_bear70@hotmail.com Happy to review music & books!
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