Jul 29, 2014

The Cult brought their brand of Heavy Acid Goth Punk Sonic Hard Rock to the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California on Thursday (July 24) and didn't disappoint. After 30 years as a unit, the band, consisting of long time members vocalist Ian Astbury, lead guitarist Billy Duffy, bassist Chris Wyse, drummer John Tempesta and returning rhythm guitarist James Stevenson still deliver a dynamic sound.

The rhythm section of Tempesta and Wyse are a rock solid foundation and the always great Duffy showcased his skills and sound that can distinctively and definitively only be The Cult's. The choice to bring Gene Loves Jezebel guitarist James Stevenson back to the band in 2013 has proven to be a good one. Stevenson previously had a stint with the band on their Beauty's On The Streets tour in back in 1994. While Astbury's vocals at times dropped in and out of the mix, Wyse and Stevenson contributed nice backing vocals to fill in the few spaces vacated by Astbury.

After the band's 'Electric 13' tour last year that showcased the 'Electric' album in its entirety, they returned to tracks from all their albums for this current trek. 'Spiritwalker' was included from 'Dreamtime,' with tracks from 'Love' also well represented ('Rain,' 'The Phoenix' and 'She Sells Sanctuary'). Songs from the 'Electric' album included 'Wild Flower,' 'Lil' Devil,' 'Aphrodisiac Jacket,' 'Love Removal Machine' and set closer 'King Contrary Man.' 'Sonic Temple' songs in the set were 'Sweet Soul Sister' and 'Sun King,' but I found it odd that two of the most well known tracks from the band 'Fire Woman" and 'Edie (Ciao Baby)' were not included in the set from that album. Looking back at past set lists, the band hasn't been performing those two in concert for quite some time. 'Gone' was the lone track included from 1994's 'The Cult' album, with 'Rise' representing 2001's 'Beyond Good and Evil' release. 'The Witch' from 'Pure Cult: The Singles 1984–1995' was included, and the quintet also dug into its latest album, 2012's "Choice of Weapon," for a few songs; 'Honey From a Knife,' 'For the Animals' and 'Lucifer.'

Ian Astbury thanked the Chumash people for having them on their sacred land for the show and continuously thanked the crowd for coming out to join the band. After wrapping up with 'King Contrary Man,' (which wasn't on the original set list), Astbury said more new Cult music will be coming soon and invited everyone to join the band online www.thecult.us

Special Thanks to Mike Traphagen of Chumash Casino Resort. For all upcoming shows and events, or to book a room in their beautiful hotel go to www.chumashcasino.com

 

Jul 23, 2014

GRAMMY-nominated guitar superstar Joe Bonamassa will release his brand new solo album 'Different Shades Of Blue' on September 23. This is Bonamassa’s first studio album in two years and the first album of his career to feature all original material. The result is a record with more of an experimental edge than previous Bonamassa records. It’s a blues record that explores the outer reaches and the many different sounds that shape the genre.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been involved in the writing on an entire album. So I decided I wanted to make a completely original blues album,” said Bonamassa. “I’ve really had to push myself to make everything I do better than the last project. I know the fans expect it. And I feel like I owe it to the fans to give them an original record after all these years.”

o prepare for the record, Bonamassa took 2013 off from releasing any new studio material, a rarity in the tireless bluesman’s career, and instead spent time in Nashville writing with Jonathan Cain (Journey), known for hits “Who’s Crying Now,” “Open Arms,” and “When You Love A Woman;” James House (Diamond Rio, Dwight Yoakam, Martina McBride), and Jerry Flowers (Keith Urban).

“The writers really inspired me, and having access to really great lyricists and songwriters made it such a great experience,” said Bonamassa.

Recorded at Studio At The Palms in Las Vegas, NV, Different Shades Of Blue was produced by Kevin Shirley (Black Crowes, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin), who has helmed Bonamassa’s last fifteen projects including his solo projects and collaborations with Black Country Communion and Beth Hart. To compliment Bonamassa’s signature guitar style and vocals, Shirley brought together a group of musicians including Reese Wynans (organ, piano), Carmine Rojas (bass), Michael Rhodes (bass), Anton Fig (drums, percussion), Lenny Castro (percussion), Lee Thornburg (trumpet, trombone), Ron Dziubla (saxophone), the Bovaland Orchestra (strings), and Doug Henthorn and Melanie Williams (background vocals).

“It’s definitely my favorite Joe Bonamassa record to date,” said Shirley. “It’s an album that deserves to be listened to in its entirety. Luckily Joe’s fan base really seems to appreciate a body of work and not just songs.”

Each year, Bonamassa strives to deliver something new for his fans to thank them for their loyalty, dedication, and enthusiastic activity on Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook which has helped grow the guitarist’s reputation exponentially in the U.S. and abroad.

Shirley said, “I think Joe has learned the value of not underestimating his audience. He plays music as well as he can, and always tries to bring music of depth to his audience. We try very hard to make the records as multidimensional as possible and really try not to cut any corners in delivering them.”

Bonamassa has twelve #1 Billboard Blues Albums (more than any other artist) and received his first GRAMMY nomination in 2013 for his collaboration with Beth Hart on the duo’s sophomore album Seesaw. His 2013 solo acoustic project An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House was nominated by the Blues Music Awards for Best DVD and his 2009 DVD Live From The Royal Albert Hall recently received RIAA Platinum Certification.

Pre-order the album now: here
http://jbonamassa.com/
https://www.facebook.com/JoeBonamassa
Twitter: @JBONAMASSA
Instagram: @JOEBONAMASSA

Jul 23, 2014

'Memoirs of a Madman,' an audio and video collections celebrainge the legacy of Ozzy Osbourne will be released on October 7th via Epic Records/Legacy Recordings. It will be available as a single CD, two DVD set, 180g double vinyl and limited edition picture disc vinyl.

17 of Osbourne’s biggest solo hits will be featured on the single CD, with it also available on vinyl from two LP's (standard 180-gram pressings or special edition picture discs). The CD/double-DVD set will include music videos, unreleased and out-of-print live performances, and interviews.

Over the past few days Ozzy fans helped to unscramble the cover art for the release by using the hashtag #OzzyRules on Facebook and Twitter. to unlock the image.

‘Memoirs of a Madman’ CD Track Listing

‘Crazy Train’
‘Mr. Crowley’
‘Flying High Again’
‘Over the Mountain’
‘Bark at the Moon’
‘The Ultimate Sin’
‘Miracle Man’
‘No More Tears’ (edit)
‘Mama, I’m Coming Home’
‘Road to Nowhere’
‘Perry Mason’
‘I Just Want You’
‘Gets Me Through’
‘Dreamer’
‘I Don’t Wanna Stop’
‘Life Won’t Wait’
‘Let Me Hear You Scream’

‘Memoirs of a Madman’ DVD Track Listing
DVD 1
‘Bark at the Moon’
‘So Tired’
‘The Ultimate Sin’
‘Lightning Strikes’
‘Crazy Train’
‘Miracle Man’
‘Crazy Babies’
‘Breaking All the Rules’
‘No More Tears’
‘Mama, I’m Coming Home’
‘Mr. Tinkertrain’
‘Time After Time’
‘Road to Nowhere’
‘I Don’t Want to Change the World’ (Live)
‘Changes’
‘Perry Mason’
‘I Just Want You’
‘See You on the Other Side’
‘Back on Earth’
‘Gets Me Through’
‘Dreamer’
‘In My Life’
‘I Don’t Wanna Stop’
‘Let Me Hear You Scream’
‘Life Won’t Wait’
‘Let It Die’

BONUS
‘Mama, I’m Coming Home’ (alternate version)
The Making of ‘Let Me Hear You Scream’
The Making of ‘Life Won’t Wait’

DVD 2
Rochester, N.Y. 1981
‘I Don’t Know’
‘Suicide Solution’
‘Mr. Crowley’
‘Crazy Train’

Ozzy’s Bunker

Albuquerque, N.M. 1982
‘Over the Mountain’

MTV 1982

New York, N.Y. 1982
‘Fairies Wear Boots’ (clip)

Ozzy’s Bunker

‘Entertainment USA’ 1984

Kansas City, Mo. 1986
(Jake E Lee, Phil Soussan, Randy Castillo)
‘Bark at the Moon’
‘Never Know Why’
Ozzy’s Bunker
‘Killer of Giants’
‘Thank God for the Bomb’
‘Secret Loser’

Ozzy’s Bunker

Philadelphia, Pa. 1989
(Zakk Wylde, Geezer Butler, Randy Castillo)
‘Bloodbath in Paradise’
‘Tattooed Dancer’
‘Miracle Man’

MTV 1989

Marquee, U.K. 1991
(Zakk Wylde, Mike Inez, Randy Castillo)
‘Bark at the Moon’ (clip)

Studio 1992

San Diego, Calif. 1992
(Zakk Wylde, Mike Inez, Randy Castillo)
‘I Don’t Want to Change the World’
‘Road to Nowhere’

Japan 1992
Ozzy’s Bunker
‘No More Tears’

Studio 1992
‘Desire’

MTV 1992
‘Mama, I’m Coming Home’

Studio 1992

‘Ozzmosis’ Recording Session 1995

Ozzfest 1996
(Joe Holmes, Robert Trujillo, Mike Bordin)
‘Perry Mason’

‘Fame & Fortune’

Tokyo, Japan 2001
(Zakk Wylde, Robert Trujillo, Mike Bordin)
‘Gets Me Through’

‘Fame & Fortune’

Ozzfest 2007
(Zakk Wylde, Blasko, Mike Bordin)
‘Not Going Away’

‘Black Rain’ Photo Shoot

Las Vegas, Nev. 2007
(Zakk Wylde, Blasko, Mike Bordin, Adam Wakeman)
‘I Don’t Wanna Stop’

‘Scream’ Recording Session 2010

London, England 2010
(Gus G, Blasko, Tommy Clufetos, Adam Wakeman)
‘Let Me Hear You Scream’

Philadelphia, Pa. 1989
(Zakk Wylde, Geezer Butler, Randy Castillo)
‘Flying High Again’

Tokyo, Japan 2001
(Zakk Wylde, Robert Trujillo, Mike Bordin)
‘Believer’

Pre-order the collection here. Check out the promo clip:

Jul 17, 2014

Incredible sad news reported today as it was confirmed that Blues guitar legend Johnny Winter passed away at the age of 70 in his hotel room in Zurich, Switzerland. A brief statement released from spokesperson Carla Parisi read, "His wife, family and bandmates are all saddened by the loss of one of the world's finest guitarists."

Johnny's brother Edgar and his wife Monique posted the following:

"Hello all, My wife, Monique, and I are shocked at the suddenness of Johnny's passing, especially since I was so looking forward with such joy and anticipation to seeing him again and playing together. I know his body is departing this physical realm, but his presence, his music, and his spirit are undiminished, and alive as ever in my heart.

Johnny has always been, is now, and will forever remain my greatest musical hero of all time. But more than all that, he's my brother--in family, in music, in life and beyond. I will do my best to carry on in honor of his memory and the Winter name.

Blessings Peace & Love,
Edgar & Monique

Johnny Winter began his career at 10 years old with performances on children's TV shows in Texas. He started recording at age 15 and released his first album in 1968, then signed with Columbia Records and released his eponymous first album for the label in 1969. He played with his brother until Edgar left to form his own band in 1970, then with a band including Rick Derringer as "Johnny Winter And" and then continued recording solo albums. He produced three Grammy-winning albums for Muddy Waters and was nominated for several Grammys for his own albums.

Johnny was a pathfinder in turning a minority music from a forgotten age into a World force that helped to power a youth revolution. Johnny inspired a generation of 'roadhouse' rockers. After almost fifty years on the road, Winter played his last show this past Saturday in Austria. RIP Johnny and Thank You for all the joy you brought all of us. Your music will live on forever.

Winter's next studio album, "Step Back," will be released on September 2nd release by Megaforce Records. Guests on the offering including Eric Clapton, Joe Perry, Leslie West, Billy Gibbins, Brian Setzer, Dr. John and Ben Harper.

Jul 16, 2014

Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan, and Richie Kotzen of The Winery Dogs are ready to host their "Dog Camp," an unforgettable program that will enable campers to get up close and personal with three legends as they attend instrument-specific clinics, learn songwriting mechanics, and enjoy intimate performances from the group.

Dog Camp will be held July 21st-25th at the Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, New York. The Winery Dogs are excited to have drummer & percussionist, Mike Bennett (Richie Kotzen, Bruno Mars, Hilary Duff, Stevie Wonder) on board as a special guest camp counselor.

Mike Portnoy says about the camp: "If you’re a drummer, we’ve got a course path for you. If you’re a bassist, we have you covered. Same thing goes for guitar players. However, it’s going to be a much deeper experience. We’ll be living together, hanging together, and jamming together. We want you to ask as many questions as possible, and we’re going to engage you on a one-on-one basis to help you realize your goals as a player.

In addition to the instrument-centric sessions, we’re going to offer classes from the entire band with the three of us leading. During these, you’ll get to learn more about the craft of songwriting, and we’ll answer any and all questions about the music industry. We want to dispel the myths and show you what’s really up!"

“Having a band-taught class is a unique concept,” says Richie Kotzen. “We’re a unique band in the sense that we’re all very strong personalities in the way we play. When Billy plays the bass, you know it’s Billy Sheehan. He has his thing. It’s the same thing with Mike. I’d like to think the same about myself! As individuals, we have personalities, but when we come together, it creates something else. This is something that’s so cool to explore in a clinic or class setting.”

One of the things that we’re all looking forward to is the performance aspect. We’re going to play live for you, giving a series of very intimate concerts. This is the best way to see The Winery Dogs, and we’re going to bring it. It’s about to get rowdy."

“I want to emphasize that players should keep an eye on what we’re doing and why during the performances,” adds Sheehan. “In between songs or mid-song, I want to stop to make a point about what’s going on and why. This is what happens. This is how it got here. This is why you need to know this. The ensemble playing and expertise of being able to play ensemble is a bit of a lost art with kids today. They don’t do what we did when we were growing up. Right away, we just got in a band whether we could play or not. We were in bands before we knew how to play. Now, kids want to get up to a level of expertise and then join the band. The band experience is where I got everything I have. That’s the focal point of the performances.”

Check out more now at: winerydogcamp.com

Dog Camp counselor Mike Bennett is continues to emerge as one of the nation's top drummers. DRUM! Magazine has called him, "a full fledged chameleon, showing restraint or blasting chops when called for, with a clean sound, metronomic feel, and a distinctly melodic soloing style." Modern Drummer Magazine agrees saying that Bennett is, "on the fast track...a versatile drummer who is building a reputation as one of L.A.'s finest."

Able to easily cross many contemporary and world genres, Bennett has performed with artists such as Hilary Duff, Richie Kotzen, Benise, Mary Mary, Alicia Keys, Bruno Mars, Sabrina Carpenter, Slash, Stevie Wonder, Marie Digby, Jamie Foxx, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band and many others on stages around the globe. He has also made television appearances on programs such as The Tonight Show, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Good Morning America, The Today Show and many more.

Off stage Bennett is an in-demand producer, programmer and television composer for networks including NBC, FX, HISTORY, DISCOVERY, MTV, VH1, HGTV, DISNEY CHANNEL, A&E and many others.

Co-Owner of Music Evolutions Studios, he keeps up an active schedule recording for projects around the world in their state of the art recording studio. He has also authored the Demystifying Drumming book series and continues to present clinics and workshops around the world.

Mike Bennett is proud to be an artist and clinician for Yamaha Drums & Electronics, Sabian Cymbals, Latin Percussion, Aquarian Drum Heads & XLN/Addictive Drums software.  check out more on Mike at: www.musicevolutions.com