Paul Gilbert Discusses Almost Everything
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: Influences and a little history come oyut when you interview ex- Mr. Big and Racer X guitarist Paul Gilbert.
Topic: Misc.
Blasting-Zone.com recently spoke with former Racer X/ex-Mr. Big guitarist Paul Gilbert. Several excerpts from the interview follow:

Blasting-Zone.com: Is there any chance of Racer X releasing any new material?

Paul: "With Racer X, whenever we have time, we try to put a record together. And that's always fun because the guys in the band are great friends and I don't think I ever laugh as hard as I do when I'm with the Racer X guys. When we started that band, none of us were really known and we just sorta built it from nothing into something. That sorta made us friends for life. That was a great experience…coming up through the L.A. scene and being a band that nobody really knew about. Mr. Big was amazing, too, but by that point, we had all done albums and were known somewhat in our various areas. It was a little easier. We instantly had a high power manager and a major record company. It was probably the most amazing ride for me because I was the youngest and hadn't done a lot of that stuff before. With Racer X, we really did it together and it was a great experience. It was a lot of fun back then."

Blasting-Zone.com: Who first came up with the idea (for Mr. Big) to record an acoustic track? Was it a mutual decision?

Paul: "Initially, it was us because the songs were Eric's. When we Eric played them for us, we thought they were great, but we knew we still wanted to be a big, heavy and powerful band. …So we put 'To Be With You' last on the record after an album of huge, hitting the snare drum as hard as you can songs. We figured we could get away with putting a quieter song at the end. And that song went on to become a number one hit and this giant song. People would come to see us expecting to hear an entire set of stuff like that and would end up watching us play guitars with drills. In general, it was nothing but a blessing. It really exposed us to a lot of people. And after the initial shock, I think a lot of people enjoyed the guitars being played with drills, so it was alright."

Blasting-Zone.com: I definitely grew up with a lot of people that never would have picked up a Mr. Big album had it not been for "To Be With You"…

Paul: "It was a good billboard for us and I still like the song. It had good harmonies…it was a good Beatles-y tune."

Blasting-Zone.com: What was the main motivation behind you leaving Mr. Big?

Paul: "The music started to suffer because we couldn't get along with each other. We held on for a long as we could, but it got to the point where…we weren't writing together or really doing anything together anymore. We were trying to figure out how to make records without seeing each other and I thought that was just ridiculous. It was good while it lasted and I'm still really proud of the music that we did. And now some time has passed and we're much more civil towards each other. It's good that it ended well."

Blasting-Zone.com: Other than Van Halen,musically, what are you influences?

Paul: "Just about every rock band and every guitar player from 1964 to 1984. To me, that's the golden period of rock. From the first Beatles album hitting America to the last VAan Halen album with David Lee Roth. That's where all my favorite rock exists. More specifically, for guitar players, it would be Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, Robin Trower, Pat Travers, Alex Lifeson, Angus Young, Tony Iommi, the guys from Def Leppard, the guys from Aerosmith…Nancy Wilson, Johnny Winter…the list just goes on and on and on."

Blasting-Zone.com: At first I was going to ask you why your list stopped at 1984, but I guess I already know the answer to that one…

Paul: "Sammy Hagar was good, too, but there was a certain intensity in the early stuff that was just unmatchable. Also, Bon Jovi came out then…and to me, that was the end of metal… …And I love pop, but to me, pop should be more like Beatles-influenced. To me, you had to have at least a couple of ugly guys in the band. That's why Saxon was great. I remember seeing Saxon and I had no idea who they were. They were opening up for Triumph and they just sounded great. …They sounded great, they were really ugly and I didn't care. Maybe I was just jealous because all the girls were into Bon Jovi. Plus, I could never get my hair that cool. It took me years to get my hair right…after years of perms, conditioning…Nirvana came out and it wasn't cool to have big hair anymore. It was just a horrible injustice."

Read Paul Gibert's entire interview at http://www.blasting-zone.com/PaulGilbert1.htm.

RPM Will Come In October
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: Skid Row's new album, Revolutions Per Minute, will be release in late October.
Topic: Hard Rock
The world would lack many a positive surprise if rock groups were to give up whenever an important band member leaves the fold. During the Nineties, Skid Row the band, were considered by some to be the medium of their frontman of that time. When they parted ways, many experts predicted the end of a superb act. Now, over ten years later, it is clear that this band always contained an inner substance characterized much more by its songs and guitarists, Scotti Hill and Dave 'Snake' Sabo, and bassist Rachel Bolan than even insiders had realized. Together with their current vocalist, Johnny Solinger, and new addition, Dave Gara (drums), Hill, Sabo and Bolan make up a tight unit, continuously refining their typical style without denying their roots. Their latest album, Revolutions Per Minute, presents Skid Row as a highly topical act who expertly present their typical trademarks, allowing for new influences at the same time. Revolutions Per Minute is sheer, concentrated power - pure energy – and the perfect example of dynamic songs, driven by wild guitar attacks at the interface of hard rock and heavy metal. While fans all over Europe are eagerly awaiting the new material, Skid Row will be demonstrating their fierce determination night after night during their American tour. These guys have never led a life of leisure.

The twelve new songs on Revolutions Per Minute see Skid Row pull out all the stops. Bolan, Hill and Sabo play their guitars with a vengeance, firing off power chords by the second, turning their amps to the max and apparently knowing but one direction: straight ahead! Whether on the hook-oriented opener, 'Disease', the aggressive 'Another Dick In The System', the catchy 'White Trash' or the programmatic 'Shut Up Baby, I Love You' - their unadulterated vitality seems to practically jump out at the listener. The three string magicians expertly throw the bait to vocalist Johnny Solinger, who skillfully elaborates on the theme, refining the material further. Solinger pulls all the compositional strings, the material is constructed around him, he is at the epicenter of a soundquake that shakes the audience with full force. It is the power of a track named 'Strength' that marks Skid Row in general and Revolutions Per Minute in particular. And it is the close attachment of the five band members to their home country that continues to shine through and that Skid Row express on their country rock number, 'You Lie'.

Skid Row were founded in 1987 in a garage in Toms River, New Jersey - the band name referring to American inner city Ghettos and symbolizing the closeness of the musicians to the roots of heavy metal. Having been discovered by Jon Bon Jovi, Skid Row signed a management contract with McGhee Entertainment and a recording deal with Atlantic Records. Autumn 1988 saw the band ensconce themselves in the studio for the first time to record their debut album with the support of renowned producer, Michael Wagener. Skid Row arrived at the stores in 1989, immediately selling over five million copies in the U.S. alone, accompanied by a celebrated tour around the globe. Their second album, Slave To The Grind, came out in 1992, making it to No. 1 on the Billboard charts. Skid Row were the first metal act ever to achieve this feat. Slave To The Grind also sold several million copies, followed by another worldwide tour. Although there were a number of internal problems by 1995, the group returned to the recording studio to produce their album, Subhuman Race, which had the press suspect that it would be the last in Skid Row's career as the vocalist position was emptied, calling for an organizational restructuring phase.

In 1999, founder members Rachel Bolan, Scotti Hill and Snake Sabo decided to infuse Skid Row with new energy, refusing to have their band drift off into the land of rock memorabilia. Vocalist Johnny Solinger from Texas was suggested by a good friend of the band. The musicians visited Solinger's website and were immediately interested in what they heard. A few e-mails later, the vocalist found himself on a plane to New Jersey. "As soon as he walked through the door, he came across as confident and pleasantly low-key at the same time," Snake remembers. Rachel adds: "We knew after the first half of a song during that rehearsal that Johnny was our man. Great voice, amazing presence, and he knew exactly what this band is about."

In 2000, Skid Row scored the sought-after opening slot for Kiss' Farewell Tour - the mother of all tours, which brought Skid Row's music back to the starving masses. Since then, they have traveled thousands of kilometres on tour buses, played well over 400 shows and released their comeback album Thickskin. Revolutions Per Minute is another highlight in Skid Row's career. Who would have thought so ten years ago?

DISCOGRAPHY

SKID ROW (1989)
SLAVE TO THE GRIND (1991)
SUBHUMAN RACE (1995)
THICKSKIN (2003)
NEW: REVOLUTIONS PER MINUTE (2006)

Courtesy of www.skidrow.com

Vince To Rock Carnival In 2007
Mood:  bright
Topic: Misc.
MOTLEY CRUE frontman Vince Neil will call the Carnival Cruise Lines "Fun Ship" Fascination his Home Sweet Home in January 2007. The four-day, three-night rock and roll cruise sets sail on Friday, January 12 from Miami, Florida, to Nassau, The Bahamas, and returns to Miami on Monday, January 15.

In addition to a live concert by Neil and his band, a wet and wild shore excursion is planned, and several on-board activities will help to raise money for his Skylar Neil Memorial Fund and the TJ Martell Foundation.

"I can't wait to rock the Carnival boat with my favorite fans. It's going to be a blast from start to finish, and will help support a cause that's very near to my heart," said Neil.

In true Vince style, there will be plenty of bikini-clad babes on and off the ship. Hooters will send thirty of their most beautiful models to compete in The Hooters Girls Girls Girls Bikini Contest, as part of Vince Neil's Tres Rios Tequila Beach Party. South Florida's finest Gentlemen's club, Pure Platinum, a long-time supporter of Neil's charitable efforts, is sending a bevy of Platinum beauties to be caddies for the Pure Platinum Miniature Golf Challenge, which will help to raise money for charity.

Vince Neil's Motley Cruise passengers will also enjoy a slew of other Rock Star Style amenities and events, including a custom Motley Cruise Survival Kit, Vince Vineyards Wine Tasting Party, a one-of-a-kind live charity auction, photo and autograph session with Vince, and a No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament where one lucky winner could disembark with an extra $10,000 in their wallet!

Cabin rates start at only $399 per person, and you must be 21 or older to sail (unless accompanied by an adult). For complete pricing and other details, and to reserve your spot on the cruise, visit www.motleycruise.org, or call 1-877-666-8539.

The Skylar Neil Memorial Fund supports research for children's Cancer, Leukemia and AIDS research, via the TJ Martell Foundation.

www.BlaBVBERMOUTH.NET

Steelheart Finishes New Album
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Hair Metal
Hello everyone this is Mili.

I personally wanted to tell you that things are moving forward fast so I thought I should bring you up to speed to what's happening. The album is complete and it will be released in early spring of 2007. It is heavier and harder than the old SteelHeart, a new vision. This album cranks!!!!!!! We will release three songs before Christmas so everyone can get a taste of what's to come. I am happy to announce that I will be performing some dates in The US starting in Florida on November 3rd, just to get my feet wet and rock the F#$*ck'n house. Please check the site for dates this week.

I am also proud to say that Chris Risola will be joining me as my right hand Lead guitar gun slinger. As you all know, Chris is an amazing guitar player; I thought it would be great to have him with me on this new journey. Welcome aboard Chris!! We will be performing some old nasty SteelHeart as well as some songs from the movie "Rock Star" and then some songs from the new album. It will be a show not to miss.

The live SteelHeart DVD is complete and it will be released in Europe, October 2006 through SteelHeart Records LLC, Fallen Sky Records and distributed by Cargo. For everyone who would like to purchase the DVD before the US release you may do so in November 2006 at the SteelHeart store. We are anticipating a US release early next year.

SteelHeart Records has also entered into a new merchandising deal with Balzout and BioWorld, two leading manufacturers of the Heavy Metal/Rock merchandising. They support everyone from Led Zeppelin to Pantera, Megadeath just to name a few. In the near future you will be able to purchase SteelHeart swag across, Tower Records, Music land stores, Spencer's, Kohl's, Target, FYE. SteelHeart Records would like to thank licensing agent Jim Paidas of "Paidas Management" for his hard work in making this deal come together. The project is called "Rockstalgia", you may get more information at www.balzout.com or at the www.paidasmanagement.com website. This project is growing rapidly so please keep checking the site for news.

I will also post a new logo and snippets of the new album shortly. Take Care, I look forward to see you all live!!!!!!!!! Mili

Courtesy of www.steelheart.com

48 Hours Interviews New Supernova Frontman
Mood:  surprised
Topic: Modern
He may be a reality TV star, but twelve hours after the Rock Star: Supernova finale, reality had yet to set in for winner Lukas Rossi. "It's mind-blowing," he told us in a hangover haze while sitting poolside at new bandmate Tommy Lee's house, where he's crashing. "I'm just surprised anyone cares about a little punk from Toronto."

So are we! But like the hundreds of thousands who tuned in to see Tommy, Gilby Clark and Jason Newsted critique a glorified karaoke contest of freaks and geeks, we too were secretly captivated by the show and its two front-runners: the deep-voiced and dreadlocked South African Dilana Robichaux, and the emotive Lukas, who impressed both the judges and viewers with his intense delivery covering songs like Radiohead's "Creep" and the Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony." Sure, he must have ravaged the local Sephora for eye shadow and glittery lipstick on a weekly basis, and maybe the whole sunglasses-at-night thing is a bit played out, but the act paid off for the twenty-nine-year-old high school drop-out. And Tommy, for one, called it early on. "As soon as I first saw him, I thought, 'That's our man.' It wasn't necessarily about finding the best singer or the right look, it was about finding the guy -- or girl -- that could front this band . . . and Lukas is that person."

Judging by his behavior at the show's wrap party later that night, it seems Lukas has taken to his new rock star role quite naturally. Flanked on all sides by L.A.'s dimmest and drunkest, Lukas handled the ladies like he'd been negotiating groupie advances forever. To say that he liked the attention would be a major understatement. Even growing up, Lukas tells us, he didn't have pictures of his favorite bands the Cult or Smashing Pumpkins on his bedroom wall. "I wanted to be the one on the poster!"

And now that he may have that chance, this former line-cook at Hooters isn't wasting any time. He'll soon head into an L.A. studio to lay down vocals to almost a dozen already-written songs and one or two of his originals. And after that, the Supernova tour, which kicks off in December and features Dave Navarro's Panic Channel and the ridiculously rockin' Rock Star house band (fronted by the season's four runner-up contestants) as openers.

No doubt, it's a dream come true, but fame has its price and even on this first celebratory evening, Lukas paid it when he was accused by TMZ.com of leaving his girlfriend stranded outside of the Geisha House doors. Not cool, right? So being the stealth journos that we are, we tracked Lukas down the next night in the smoking section of the Henry Fonda Theatre where he, Dilana and finalists Tony Rand and Magni Asgeirsson came to see Supernova producer Butch Walker play with his band, the Let's-Go-Out-Tonites. Lukas's response to the item? "No comment." Tommy Lee has taught him well, indeed.

Courtesy of www.rollingstone.com

Let's See Some New Albums!
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: There seems to be a lot of new albums on the way from some of your favorite hair masters... and most of them look pretty good.
Topic: The Only-Rock Weekly Look

'Tis the season for new releases from some of your favorite bands. Quite a few look pretty good. Let's start out with some already released tracks:

-Iron Maiden's "The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg": I bought this single the first day it came out, and man oh man, it was great! Basically classic Maiden with a newer flair, but not too new, it's still Maiden. A 7:21 mintue epic with some awesome vocals, guitars, and storyline. Great to see age hasn't taken the toll on these guys! Can't wait for the new album.

-Sammy Hagar and the Wabos' new album, "Livin' It Up": Sammy sounds great! The band can play some great music. I am a little saddened at the new turn of direction; it's very cliche and margaritaville-sounding. Don't get me wrong, it sounds good and fun, but it's not the old Hagar. He's beginning to lose it. I wouldn't recommend the album, but the single, "Let Me Take You There", is a must-have. Buy it on iTunes for 99c.

 

Here are the albums on the way from the metal world according to sleazeroxx.com:

10/03: Quiet Riot - Rehab

10/03: Jet - Shine

10/17: Twisted Sister - A Twisted Christmas

10/20: Kingdom Come - Ain't Crying For The Moon

10/24: Krokus - Hellraiser

10/31: Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell III

11/10: Pretty Maids - Wake Up To The Real World

Alldates are subject to change.

 I'm looking forward to the QR "Rehab", "A Twisted Christmas", and maybe "Bat Out Of Hell III". I've gotten the single for "Bat Out Of Hell III", and it sounds really heavy for Meat Loaf. Almost industrial-like.

I really wonder what the new Jet album will sound like. I hope it continues in the same direction as their debut.

 

Fall is the starting time for many great tours! Let's check out the ones either in progress or about to begin.

-L.A. Guns/Bulletboys, Aerosmith/Motley Crue, Mike Tramp's White Lion, Paul Stanley, Winger, Guns N' Roses, Wolfmother, Europe, W.A.S.P., Stephen Pearcy, Supernova (see below), Queensryche, and quite a few more. We have stories and dates on some of the tours in the Rock News Blog, others you'll have to research yourself.

 

Rock Star: Supernova has ended and a singer has been picked for Supernova! Lucas Rossi sings in the style of punk and was picked by Jason Newstead (bass, Metallica), Gilby Clarke (guitar, Hollywood Rose, Gn'R, Candy), and Tommy Lee (drums, Motley Crue & Solo).

Do I agree with their choice? Not at all... but this isn't the place to explain it all. I would've much more liked to see Toby or Magni get the gig. Too bad.

They are starting their tour very soon and have an album on the way. Hoever, it should be known that they have lost the rights to their name, Supernova. Long story short, they are now known simply as The Tommy Lee Project. We'll let you know when they decide on a name.

 

What's new with Only-Rock? Nothin' much. School takes it out of me, and gives me very little time to update. I'll try to update the Rock News Blog Mon., Wed., and Fri. Also, there should be a new Only-Rock Special next week, entitled The Guitarists. In this edition, we will go into the most important guitarists and solos of all time.

 

Misc: There is still no word on Chinese Democracy. I think time is running out for Axl to release it... if he doesn't soon, the Guns N' Roses fans may never see another album. Thinking positive :)

2/5 Of Ratt Hit The Road
Mood:  celebratory
Now Playing: Stephan and Jaun (original Ratt singer and bassist) begin their Metal In Amercia tour.
Topic: Hair Metal
Top Fuel Tours Present's The "Metal in America" Tour 2006.

Stephen and his Rat Bastards will be playing all the Ratt hit's and muzik from Arcade, solo and more.

Juan Croucier (former original bass player and singer/song writer for Ratt), will be fronting his power trio and handling bass guitar as well. Juan will be on as many shows as his schedule will permit. These two ex Ratt's (who haven't performed together in over a decade) will be "Laying it Down" for an end of night encore that will surely leave hard core Ratt fans screaming "Back for More"!

Other special guests will be announced!



Stephen Pearcy Solo Dates:
09/16/06 - Angels Roadhouse - Yucaipa, CA
10/20/06 - The Factory - Mexico City, Mexico
MIA Starts-------
10/27/06 - Vine Street Lounge - Hollywood, CA
w/ Special guests; the Juan Croucier Band
10/28/06 - Bourbon St - Concord, CA
10/30/06 - Hubba's House of Rock & Roll - Aurora, CO
10/31/06 - Venue 8 - Rapid City, SD
11/02/06 - Alley Catz - Lees Summit, MO
11/04/06 - The Winchester - Cleveland, OH
11/05/06 - The Ritz - Warren, MI
11/07/06 - Dingbatz - Clifton, NJ
11/08/06 - Whiskey Dix - Oreland, PA
11/15/06 - The Meridian - Houston, TX
12/02/06 - Tap Daddy's - San Jacinto, CA

Courtesy of www.stephen-pearcy.com

More From KISS & Paul Stanley
Mood:  quizzical
Now Playing: Is there a possibility for another KISS tour? Yes. How about a possibility for a new album form the knights? Paul says no.
Topic: Classic Rock
The Kiss Army may be able to pack its gear for a tour in the near future, but not an album. The group's Paul Stanley, preparing for the Oct. 24 release of his solo album "Live To Win" and an attendant tour, tells Billboard.com he's "sure there will be a [Kiss] tour at some point."

He even confirms that one of the ideas being discussed is a traveling version of the orchestral shows Kiss played in 2003 in Australia, which resulted in the "Kiss Symphony" CD and DVD releases.

"It's not out of the realm of possibility," says Stanley, who welcomed his second son, Colin, with wife Erin on Sept. 6. "Anything's possible, but we're far away from conforming or committing to something like that. I'll let you know when it's true."

New Kiss music is another matter, however. Stanley says as far as he's concerned, trying to make a new album in the shadow of Kiss' classic repertoire is, at the very least, a challenge. "The fact is, [fans] may tolerate the new songs, but it's the old ones you want to hear," he notes. "I think Jimmy Page and Robert Plant found that out. The [Rolling] Stones certainly know it. The Who certainly know it. So unless you're willing to go into the studio accepting that how your album will be received will never match your expectations, I'm not sure it's worth the effort."

What would it take to change his mind? Control, Stanley says. "I would consider doing it if I could do it the way I wanted to do it," he explains. "If 'Live to Win' was good for anything, it was me confirming how I believe I'd like music to sound that I'm a part of. To do another Kiss album, I would not be willing to compromise my point of view perhaps as much as I have in recent years."

But how would that go over with longtime Kiss partner Gene Simmons? "Well, y'know, you'll have to see if we go into the studio," replies Stanley -- who says he's not yet watched an episode of Simmons' new A&E reality show, "Gene Simmons Family Jewels."

Stanley takes a break from diaper duty to begin a 15-date solo tour on Oct. 21 in Atlanta.

Courtesy of www.billboard.com

Wolfmother Will Tour America
Mood:  bright
Now Playing: Wolfmother, a blues/heavy metal oriented modern rock trio, returns with a US tour.
Topic: Modern
Aussie power trio, Wolfmother, will roll their unmistakable brew of tripped out rock across North America through November and December. The group will headline major cities from New York to San Francisco. These shows will see the band playing venues that are ten to twenty times larger than those they were playing in the same cities just seven months ago, capping an amazing year in which their self titled debut album has sold over 800,000 copies globally so far.

Wolfmother recently completed some arena dates in Europe opening for PearlJam. In Spain Eddie Vedder joined them onstage to add vocals to their epic "Minds Eye", Mike McCready jammed on "Woman". In Belgium frontwolf, Andrew Stockdale, sang with the headliners on a memorable encore of the Who's "Baba O'Riley" and Temple Of The Dog's "Hunger Strike". It was a trip.

Meanwhile, on this side of the Atlantic, Wolfmother's new single, "Joker & The Thief" can currently be heard in trailers for the forthcoming movie "Jackass Number 2". Johnny Knoxville's notorious crew are also featured in the kinky video for the song that's currently generating loads of buzz both on and off line. Check it out via http://www.wolfmother.com

"Joker & The Thief" isn't the only Wolftune to be making waves right now. The band's first single -- "Woman" -- is featured in the latest version of the massively popular "Madden Football" game and the opening track from their album -- "Dimension" -- is the theme for comedian Dane Cook's HBO series. All this on the heels of a recent iPod campaign featuring the grooves of "Love Train".

But it's on the road where this band has really made its mark with acclaimed performances over the summer at festivals from Coachella through Lollapalooza. This current run of dates will continue through until the end of this month including appearances on Baltimore's V Festival and San Francisco's Download Festival. Their September 28 gig at the famous 3,400 capacity Hollywood Palladium sold out last month as have several other shows later this month ... hence the new November/December dates which were announced today.

To experience Wolfmother live during 2006 you need to be at the following venues on the following dates:

September
Wed 13 The Norva Theatre, Norfolk VA
Fri 15 House of Blues, Orlando FL
Sat 16 Jannus Landing, Saint Petersburg FL
Mon 18 Center Stage Atlanta (Earthlink Live), Atlanta GA ALREADY SOLD OUT
Tue 19 New Daisy Theatre, Memphis TN
Wed 20 Exit In, Nashville TN ALREADY SOLD OUT
Fri 22 Mr. Smalls Theatre, Pittsburgh PA ALREADY SOLD OUT
Sat 23 V Festival, Pimlico Racecourse, Baltimore MD
Thurs 28 Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles CA ALREADY SOLD OUT
Fri 29 Viejas -- Concerts in the Park, Alpine CA
Sat 30 Download Festival, Shorline Amphitheatre, Mountain View CA

November
Tue 21 Electric Factory, Philadelphia PA
Wed 22 Hammerstein Ballroom, New York NY
Fri 24 Majestic Theatre, Detroit MI
Sat 25 Riviera Theater, Chicago IL
Sun 26 Mississippi Nights, St Louis MO
Tue 28 Meridian, Houston TX
Wed 29 Gypsy Ballroom, Dallas TX

December
Sat 2 Roseland Theater, Portland OR
Sun 3 Moore Theatre, Seattle WA
Mon 4 Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver BC
Thu 7 The Joint, Las Vegas NV
Fri 8 Marquee Theatre, Tempe AZ

Courtesy of www.prnewswire.com

The Original L.A. Guns & Guns n' Bullets Tour Announced
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: A ton of club dates have been announced for the L.A. Guns and Bulletboys joint tour this year.
Topic: Hair Metal

L.A. Guns Founding Members Reunite For 20th Anniversary Tour And Album!!!

Twenty years after their break up, the founding members of rock band L.A. Guns make a bold return to the stage to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the band they started together in the mid 1980s.

Leader Tracii Guns initiated the long awaited reunion of the original members. Its been great jamming with the guys I started this journey with 20 years ago, says Guns of lead vocalist Paul Black and drummer Nickey Alexander. All the classics sound better than ever and well be performing them all as well as some surprises at these special shows!

Paul Black co-wrote the bands fan favorites from the first two records along with Tracii Guns, but left the band just as their deal was signed. Nickey Alexander played all the drum tracks on the classic self-titled record. The band released a CD called Black List earlier this year, which is a collection of previously unreleased recordings of L.A. Guns standards recorded by the original line up between 1985 and 1987. Black List is the only record available by the real L.A. Guns states Black. It was difficult to get out too. Our former label and management buried these original recordings and hid them a long time ago. In fact theyre still locked up in the vaults at Universal Records. That didnt stop Black List from being released though. Paul and Tracii assembled the record from the best versions of the songs they had saved on cassette tapes. Although its only out in limited supply, its being reviewed as the best L.A. Guns record to come out since the debut.

Why did the band break up? Polygram Records and our management had a problem with our singer Paul Black says Tracii. At that time he lived a reckless rock n roll lifestyle and they were afraid of him. Paul was an amazing front man, singer and a great songwriting partner but Polygram told us they needed to replace him or we would be dropped from the label. The band was never the same. Nickey left because we replaced Paul. Our label tore apart the band I loved. Ive been looking to find that same magical chemistry ever since and was never able to achieve that againuntil now.

Were writing together again too says Tracii. Its really exciting cause this is the line up that wrote the most successful songs. Were reclaiming our band and were gonna restore some respect to the name that has been continuously dragged through this mud by our replacements for the last few years.

Weve picked up where we left off and were finally gonna make the record our label wouldnt let us make twenty years ago Black explains. Weve got some great new material plus were gonna give fans some lost classics which made the band popular to begin with. There are so many songs we wrote which never made it to tape cause it was so expensive to record back then. I never forgot em though and were gonna bring em back.

A chip off the rock block, Jeremy Guns (bass) has been adopted into the band family as one of their own. This Gun is loaded with enthusiasm, inspiring Black to dub him the new engine. Upon announcing this project, Tracii, Paul, Nickey and Jeremy were immediately booked to play several special event shows. At the end of October they will be headlining a U.S. Guns & Bullets tour with The Bullet Boys. This weekend you can see the original L.A. Guns in their hometown of Los Angeles for the first time together in twenty years. Saturday September 16th they will appear at the Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana and audiences can catch them Sunday September 17th at The Key Club in Hollywood.

After two decades, L.A. Guns has undeniably come full circle. Its a return to their roots with a new twist. True to its original form, founding members promise the excitement of the music from their 80s heyday with an added element for an updated sound. Featuring original lead vocalist Paul Black, guitarist Tracii Guns, drummer Nickey Alexander and Jeremy Guns on bass, the band is back and better than ever.

Get ready to Rock N Roll!

Courtesy of www.tracii-guns.com

Just announced. Tracii Guns and Marq Torien Agree to tour together for the fall season.

Tracii Guns and the original LA Guns Join forces with the Bulletboys for the following tour schedule.

L.A GUNS AND BULLETBOYS TOUR

10/27/06 Famington, NM Big City Night Club
10/28/06 Aurora, CO Hubba's House of Rock
10/30/06 Lees Summit, MO Alley Catz Bar & Grille
10/31/06 Middleton, WI The Warehouse Stage
11/03/06 Warren, Mi The Ritz
11/17/06 Clifton, New Jersey Dingbatz
11/15/06 Washington, D.C. Rock N Roll Hotel
11/17/06 Oreland, PA Whiskey Dix
11/18/06 Springfield, VA Jaxx
11/22/06 St. Petersburg, Florida The Garage
11/26/06 Little Rock, AR Hall of Industry
12/08/06 Casper, Wyoming Eagles Lodge
12/09/06 Butte, Montana Butte Depot
12/11/06 Seattle, Wa Studio 7
12/13/06 Tacoma, WA The Factory

Join us for Marq Toriens Birthday bash at the Winchester In Cleveland Ohio on Friday the 22nd of Sept with a couple of surprise guests.

See ya there.

Courtesy of www.myspace.com/marqtorien