Friday, November 29, 2013

America; prepare to meet The Strypes

The Strypes in March 2013. Photo credit: Jill Furmanovsky
This past August I was in Dublin, Ireland and had the fantastic chance to catch Blur in concert. Because I got to the Irish Museum of Modern Art early, I also got to see and was very impressed by the rousing spirit of the opening band on the bill, Ireland's own emerging pub-rock champs The Strypes (read my review of that show here). Now comes word that the band is set to arrive here in the U.S. in connection with the release of Blue Collar Jane. Here is how you can learn more about the promising young outfit:

US DEBUT EP + JANUARY DATES FOR HARD-CHARGING IRISH QUARTET THE STRYPES


Roughneck Irish rhythm and blues band The Strypes have confirmed their debut US EP, Blue Collar Jane, coming out January 21, 2014 on Photo Finish Records.  It features 3 hard-charging originals plus a ferocious version of Nick Lowe's "Heart Of The City."  They've appeared on Jools Holland, been praised by NME and deemed "the most thrilling live band in the UK" by Q Magazine.

You can learn more about the Strypes and check out a number of videos featuring the band via their official Web site: 
http://thestrypes.com

The Strypes' debut album Snapshot was released last month in the UK and hailed as "one dizzying burst of energy after another" by The Independent.  It debuted in the Top 5 in the UK and Japan.  They are currently on a UK and European arena tour with Arctic Monkeys.

'Blue Collar Jane' EP, produced by Chris Thomas (Beatles, Pink Floyd, Sex Pistols) - out Jan 21:
1.  Blue Collar Jane
2.  Hometown Girls
3.  What The People Don't See
4.  Heart Of The City

DATES:
Jan 20 - Toronto, ON - Lee's Place
Jan 22 - NYC, NY - The Studio @ Webster Hall
Jan 24 - San Francisco, CA - Brick & Mortar Music Hall
Jan 28 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour

Information: http://thestrypes.com

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Inbox Update: Davy Jones, The Zombies, The Association and more featured on 'My Music' special this weekend

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Hanukkah everybody! I had hoped to post this earlier today but the day got away from me. Here is a media release of interest to fans of '60s rock…

MY MUSIC: THE BEST OF THE '60s Premieres Nationwide on PBS Starting November 30 (check local listings)

The Biggest Hits of the Hippest Decade!

The late Davy Jones of The Monkees performs on
 MY MUSIC: BEST OF THE '60s
The MY MUSIC series has been preserving the greatest songs of the 1960s on PBS for a dozen years and now presents THE BEST OF THE '60s, a special of original hits from the sounds of pop, rock, folk and and soul – covering the British Invasion to Motown. This new program is hosted by WJRZ-FM/WJRZ.com radio personality TJ Lubinsky. Relive the peace, protest and love of this pivotal era in MY MUSIC: THE BEST OF THE '60s premiering on PBS stations starting November 30 (check local listings).  

Among the hits featured are Cherish by The AssociationTime of The Season by The Zombies and Born To Be Wild by John Kay & Steppenwolf. Also seen are final performances by Rob Grill of The Grass Roots (Let's Live For Today) and Scott McKenzie's Summer of Love anthem anthem San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair). The special closes with a segment devoted to the late Davy Jones of The Monkees in his last television concert singing favorites such as Daydream Believer.

Davy Jones photo credit: PRNewsFoto/TJL Productions

Music-minded Gift Guide: Blu-rays, DVDs and albums aplenty

With Christmas and Hanukkah rapidly approaching, you've come to the right place if you are looking for interesting gift ideas for that favorite music fan. I'll have more picks in another column slated to run later this week, but there are more than enough choice releases here to start filling your shopping cart...

Let's kick off with some noteworthy albums and audio box sets.


Artists: Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs
Title: Under the Covers, Vol. 3 (Shout! Factory)
You might like if you enjoy: R.E.M., The Bangles, The English Beat
Tell me more: There have been plenty of musical supergroups over the years ranging from ASIA and Bad Company to the Traveling Wilburys. When it comes to super duos, the unlikely teaming of Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs has been equally special. In 2006, Sid and Susie released their musical love letter to the '60s, Under the Covers, Vol. 1, which showcased artful and exuberant versions of some of that decades best songs. With the release of a similarly-minded Under the Covers, Vol. 2 tackling '70s songs in 2009, fans had been hoping for an 1980s-mining disc and it has fully arrived via the 14-track Under the Covers, Vol. 3. Highlights here include a buoyant take on R.E.M.'s "Sitting Still," introspective reworking of the Dave Edmunds fave "Girls Talk" and captivating take on Roxy Music's "More Than This." Information: www.ShoutFactory.com
Get Under the Covers, Vol. 3 On Amazon Here



Artist: Humble Pie Title: Rockin' the Fillmore: The Complete Recordings (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Peter Frampton, the Black Crowes
Tell me more: The late '60s and early '70s produced a number of fantastic British blues-rocks bands including Led Zeppelin and Ten Years After.  The recent release of Humble Pie's Rockin' the Fillmore: The Complete Recordings has (thankfully and about time) cast a renewed focus on the British band co-founded by Steve Marriott and Peter Frampton. The four-disc set features all audio recordings pulled from Humble Pie's four shows played over the course of two consecutive nights at the legendary Fillmore East in May 1971. Highlights include the textured versions of "I Walk On Gilded Splinters" and bone-crunching rocker "I Don't Need No Doctor." Information: http://omnivorerecordings.com.

Get Performance: Rockin' the Fillmore-Complete Recordings on Amazon Here


Artist: Herb Alpert
Title: Steppin' Out
You might like if you enjoy: Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass
Tell me more: Looking back at the 1960s, it's easy to believe that seminal rockers such as The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and the Byrds completely owned the Billboard charts. But artists working outside of rock were also able to make their mark. Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, headed by Los Angeles-born trumpeter Herb Alpert, embarked on a career more than 50 years ago with the success of his 1962 hit "The Lonely Bull." Now the 7-time Grammy-winning artist is back with this unique blend of Latin-tinged pop and jazz courtesy of Steppin' Out. The 16-track disc features choice cuts from his own catalog and the Great American Songbook while he is joined by his wife Grammy-winning singer Lani Hall, as well as keyboardist Bill Cantos, drummer Michael Shapiro, bassist Hussain Jiffry, acoustic guitarist Ramon Stagnaro and a guest turn from lead guitarist Carlos Santana. Information: www.ShoutFactory.com
Get Steppin' Out on Amazon here

Here are some of the new DVD and/or Blu-ray releases available now.

Artists: Bruce Springsteen, U2, The Police, Peter Gabriel, Radiohead, more
Title: Released! The Human Rights Concerts 1986-1998 (Shout! Factory)
You might like if you enjoy: U2, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Radiohead
Tell me more: For anyone who caught (or missed for that matter) any of Amnesty International's Human Rights Concerts between 1986 and 1998, the great news is that Shout! Factory has released a a 6-DVD set featuring more than 1,000 minutes of concert performances and bonus features from the storied shows. U2, The Police, Jackson Browne, Lou Reed, Radiohead, Bruce Springsteen and Peter Gabriel are among the wide range of top-tier artists on the highly-anticipated collection. A companion 2-disc audio CD features highlights from the DVD collection. Information: www.ShoutFactory.com

Get Released: The Human Rights Concerts 1986-1998 (6 DVD Set) here
Get Just The CDs Here



Artist: Rush
Title: Clockwork Angels Tour (Anthem/Zoe Vision/Rounder Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Rush, Dream Theater
Tell me more: Anyone who caught Rush at any of the trio's Clockwork Angels shows in 2012 or early 2013 knows the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers' three-hour concerts were each a tour de force. Now the band's 11-month world tour in support of the Canadian outfit's wonderful Clockwork Angels concept album will live on thanks to the release of the aptly-titled Clockwork Angels Tour (available on DVD and Blu-ray). In addition to the concert itself, bonus features include a soundcheck recording of "Limelight," a tour documentary and much more. Information: http://www.rush.com.
Get Clockwork Angels Tour [Blu-ray] Here
Get The CD Here


Artist: The Rolling Stones
Title: Sweet Summer Sun - Hyde Park Live (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
You might like if you enjoy: The Rolling Stones, Mick Taylor
Tell me more: It's hard to keep a great band down. More than 50 years after forming in London in 1962, the Rolling Stones returned home this summer to perform in front of 100,000 at Hyde Park. The two-hour 2013 concert not only featured the band playing rousing versions of some of their most beloved songs ("Brown Sugar," "Happy," "Miss You," "Gimme Shelter"), but found Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood joined by former Stones guitarist Mick Taylor (whose first gig with the group was at the original 1969 Hyde Park concert) for the blues-rock opus "Midnight Rambler" and set ending "Satisfaction." Sweet Summer Sun - Hyde Park Live showcases a legendary band that despite all the odds - and years - still can deliver in full. Information: http://www.eaglerockent.com

Get Sweet Summer Sun - Hyde Park Live [Blu-ray] on Amazon here
CD DVD Combo Here 2DVD/Blu-ray/2 CD Combo here
Just the DVD Here


Artist: Dream Theater
Title: Live at Luna Park (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
You might like if you enjoy: Rush, Iron Maiden
Tell me more: Like Rush, Dream Theater has amassed a large and zealous following through its marathon-length performances showcasing virtuoso prog-rock chops. Filmed over the course of two nights at the Luna Park Arena in Buenos Aires, Argentina in August 2012, Dream Theater's Live at Luna Park will surely please diehard fans of the American quintet while introducing the otherworldly power of the band to listeners just discovering the power of progressive rock. Live at Luna Park boasts a potent 160-minute concert performance, as well as bonus performances, a documentary and more. Information: http://www.eaglerockent.com
Get Live at Luna Park [Blu-ray] here
Blu-ray+3CD Here
DVD Here

Artist: Joe Bonamassa
Title: Tour de Force – Live in London (JRR Adventures)
You might like if you enjoy: Walter Trout,  Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton
Tell me more: Arguably rock's most exciting living electric guitarist, Joe Bonamassa has released four DVD titles (also available on Blu-ray) filmed earlier this year capturing the ax master at four iconic London venues. Each of the performances find the freewheeling guitar hero exploring a different corner of the universe. The intimate Borderline features a hard-edged heavy rock approach, blues is highlighted at Shepherd's Bush Empire; rock 'n' roll is celebrated via a night at Hammersmith Apollo and a mix of winning acoustic and electric music (including his most beloved material) is highlighted at Royal Albert Hall. Information: http://jbonamassa.com

Get all 4 Joe Bonamassa Tour De force releases here


Artist: George Thorogood & The Destroyers
Title: Live at Montreux 2013
You might like if you enjoy: Chuck Berry, Elmore James, Bo Diddley
Tell me more: After more than 35 years classic rocker George Thorogood is still having as much fun as ever. As evidenced by his spirited performance with the Destroyers on the newly-issued Live at Montreux 2013 DVD (also available on Blu-ray and as an audio CD release too) the singer-guitarist was not about to waste his long-overdue debut at the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival. Kicking things off with "Rock Party" and firing right into "Who Do You Love?," his set including rollicking versions of "I Drink Alone," "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" and "Bad to the Bone." The DVD also comes with a colorful booklet detailing Thorogood's history leading up to the July 2013 concert. Information: http://www.eaglerockent.com

Get Live At Montreux 2013 [Blu-ray] on Amazon here
Get it on DVD here

Sights and Sounds: She & Him; 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' soundtrack update

Before everybody heads off for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, here are a couple of music-minded updates that have landed in my inbox this week...

She & Him to release 'The Capitol Studios Session' on December 2nd

On December 2, She & Him will release The Capitol Studios Session, a special digital-only release of new versions of four songs from their latest album, Volume 3.
The She & Him band convened in Los Angeles in June of 2013 to capture a more intimate version of their vibrant new songs. The novelty of having the whole band together in a legendary recording studio inspired the looser arrangements characteristic of the band’s live performances.
Recorded at Capitol Studios, mixed by Larry Crane, and mastered at Gateway Mastering,The Capitol Studios Session features Zooey Deschanel, M. Ward, Abigail Chapin, Lily Chapin, Mike Coykendall, Tom Hagerman, Scott McPherson, and Chris Scruggs.


THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG 
ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK 2 CD SET DUE DECEMBER 10THFROM WATERTOWER MUSIC

Featuring Original Music by Academy Award® Winner Howard Shore

With An Original Song I See Fire Performed by 
GRAMMY Nominated Singer-Songwriter Ed Sheeran

2 CD Special Edition Soundtrack Also Available

WaterTower Music has released details of the soundtrack to “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), the second in a trilogy of films by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. The soundtrack will be released on December 10, 2013, three days before the December 13 release of the film, and will be available both digitally and as a 2 CD set. A Special Edition soundtrack, featuring twelve extended tracks, a bonus track, expanded liner notes and interactive sheet music will also be available. Fans will be able to preorder the album at both iTunes and Amazon on November 5.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Original Motion Picture Soundtrack features the music of Howard Shore, one of film music’s most respected, honored, and active composers and conductors. "I’m looking forward to introducing you to Smaug," exclaimed Shore, who previously worked with director Peter Jackson on The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and on The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

Jackson added, "Howard Shore's music soars and enriches way beyond its connection to our images, a unique sound like no other.  He truly has created an epic musical world of his own. "

Shore’s music for The Lord of the Rings Trilogy has been performed in numerous concerts internationally. In 2003 he conducted the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in the world premiere of The Lord of the Rings Symphony in Wellington, New Zealand. Since then, the work has been performed nearly 300 times by the world’s most prestigious orchestras, and has been the subject of a book, The Music of The Lord of the Rings Films: A Comprehensive Account of Howard Shore's Scores.

Howard Shore’s music for The Lord of the Rings Trilogy stands as his most towering achievement to date, garnering three Academy Awards® for his music for those films, two for Best Original Score, and one for Best Original Song.  Shore has also won numerous other honors for his film work, including four Grammys and three Golden Globe Awards, the Career Achievement for Music Composition Award from the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, New York Chapter’s Recording Academy Honors, ASCAP’s Henry Mancini Award, the Frederick Loewe Award and the Max Steiner Award from the city of Vienna. He holds honorary doctorates from Berklee College of Music and York University, and is an Officier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres de la Franceand the recipient of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award in Canada.

Included on the soundtrack is I See Fire, a new song created for the film by Ed Sheeran, the 22-year old British singer/songwriter and multi-platinum global phenomenon who was nominated in the prestigious “Song of the Year” category at this year’s 55th Annual Grammy Awards. Sheeran is also a two-time BRIT Award winner and recipient of the highly esteemed Ivor Novello award for best song musically and lyrically in the UK." “It was such an honor working with Peter Jackson on this song," Sheeran says.  "Not only is he one of my favorite directors of my favorite films, The Hobbit was the first book I ever read as a child, so it means a lot that I get to produce music for the motion picture.”

Elaborating on the collaboration with Jackson, as well as filmmakers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, Sheeran stated, “I was allowed complete freedom to create what I thought was fitting for the film, which is very rare, and Peter, Fran and Philippa were always on hand to give notes and pointers. The entire team down in New Zealand was out of this world. The film is amazing, I'm still geeking out that I've done a song for a Peter Jackson film set in Middle-earth!”

"Ed Sheeran is a true Tolkien fan, and also happens to be a brilliant singer-songwriter,” offered Peter Jackson. I See Fire is Ed's emotional response to the film. It's perfect."

“It is an honor to once again work with the tremendous Howard Shore, who has created the musical voice of Peter Jackson’s iconic The Hobbit and The Lord of The Ringsfilms from the beginning,” stated WaterTower Music head Jason Linn.  “And we are thrilled that the stars aligned for this collaboration with Ed Sheeran and his truly inspired original song for our soundtrack. WaterTower anticipates another exciting and successful soundtrack journey with these two exceptional musicians.”

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Original Motion Picture Soundtrack will be released on December 10, 2013.  The track list is as follows:

DISC 1          
1.     The Quest for Erebor
2.     Wilderland
3.     A Necromancer (Bonus Track) *
4.     The House of Beorn **
5.     Mirkwood **
6.     Flies and Spiders **
7.     The Woodland Realm **
8.     Feast of Starlight
9.     Barrels Out of Bond
10.  The Forest River **
11.  Bard, a Man of Lake-town **
12.  The High Fells **
13.  The Nature of Evil
14.  Protector of the Common Folk

DISC 2
1.     Thrice Welcome
2.     Girion, Lord of Dale **
3.     Durin's Folk **
4.     In the Shadow of the Mountain
5.     A Spell of Concealment **
6.     On the Doorstep
7.     The Courage of Hobbits
8.     Inside Information
9.     Kingsfoil
10.  A Liar and a Thief
11.  The Hunters **
12.  Smaug  **
13.  My Armor Is Iron
14.  I See Fire performed by Ed Sheeran
15.  Beyond the Forest

* Bonus track available on Special Edition Soundtrack only
** Extended Versions of these songs Available on Special Edition Soundtrack only

 
From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” the second in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. 
 
The three films tell a continuous story set in Middle-earth 60 years before “The Lord of the Rings,” which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar®-winning “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.” 
 
The screenplay for “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” is by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson & Guillermo del Toro based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien.  Jackson also produced the film, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh.  The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Blackwood, with Philippa Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers.
 
Under Jackson’s direction, “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” was shot in 3D 48 frames-per-second and will be released in High Frame Rate 3D (HFR 3D) in select theaters, other 2D and 3D formats, and IMAX®.  Production took place at Jackson’s own facilities in Miramar, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand. Post production took place at Park Road Post Production in Wellington.
 
New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Present a WingNut Films Production, “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.”  The film is a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), with New Line managing production. Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television distribution being handled by MGM.  www.thehobbit.net
 
WaterTower Music, the in house music label for Warner Bros.,  has been releasing recorded music since 2001. Distributed through InGrooves Fontana, WTM has released over 150 titles, including the film soundtracks to “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” “Gravity,” “Man of Steel,”  “The Dark Knight Rises,” “Game of Thrones,” and “The Great Gatsby Jazz Recordings” among others. 
 

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Sights and Sounds: Neil Young, Muse, The Babys

It's a short week but there is no shortage of music news...


NEIL YOUNG LAUNCHES PRE-ORDER OF UPCOMING RELEASE LIVE AT THE CELLAR DOOR - DUE DECEMBER 10TH FROM REPRISE RECORDS

THOSE WHO PRE-ORDER BEGINNING TODAY WILL RECEIVE INSTANT DOWNLOAD OF ALBUM TRACK "OLD MAN"

November 26, 2013 - Burbank, CA - Neil Young has launched a pre-order of his upcoming December 10th release Live At The Cellar Door, through his website beginning today.

The latest in his Archives Performance Series, the album collects recordings made during Young's intimate six-show solo stand at The Cellar Door in Washington D.C. between November 30th and December 2nd, 1970, a few months after Reprise released his classic third solo album After The Gold Rush in August.

The album can be pre-ordered here in three configuration options: CD, on 180-gram vinyl mastered by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering and pressed at Pallas in Germany (for maximum vinyl sound quality), and as a FLAC digital album. Everyone who pre-orders will each receive an instant download of the album track "Old Man." Click here for a view into the track.

Live At The Cellar Door, which features Young performing on acoustic guitar and piano, includes stunning live versions of songs that appeared on After The Gold Rush, and many other songs that make up a unique cross-section of material that Neil would draw from for these shows.
Of the many intriguing gems found on Live At The Cellar Door, a rare solo version of "Cinnamon Girl" performed on piano rather than guitar is a particular treasure for Neil fans (the full band version appears on Young's 1969 second solo album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere). In addition, Live At The Cellar Door features early, raw performances of songs that wouldn't appear until subsequent Young albums, including the rarity "Bad Fog Of Loneliness" (which appears on Live At Massey Hall '71 - released in 2007-- but was previously unreleased until the studio band version was included onArchives Vol. 1 1963-1972) and "Old Man" (released two years later on 1972's Harvest album)."Down By The River," also from Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, rounds out the spectacular set. Click here for a preview of Live At The Cellar Door.

The track-listing for Live At The Cellar Door is as follows:

Side One:
Tell Me Why
Only Love Can Break Your Heart
After The Gold Rush
Expecting To Fly
Bad Fog Of Loneliness
Old Man
Birds


Side Two:
Don't Let It Bring You Down
See The Sky About To Rain
Cinnamon Girl
I Am A Child
Down By The River
Flying On The Ground Is Wrong


MUSE LIVE AT ROME OLYMPIC STADIUM AUDIO STREAMING IN FULL AT ROLLINGSTONE.COM 

British rock band Muse are currently premiering the audio from their forthcoming live CD/DVD Live At Rome Olympic Stadium, recorded this past summer in front of 60,000 euphoric fans at Rome's Olympic Stadium. The package will be released by Warner Bros. Records on December 2nd on CD, DVD and Blu-Ray. To stream the audio in full a week prior to release, visit RollingStone.com.


The footage showcases the most extravagant set build and spectacular stage show of any Muse tour to date. The band take the audience on a mesmerizing journey using pyrotechnics, expansive digital screens, and a troop of actors to accompany their epic playlist of 20 tracks, mixed in incredible surround sound, including hits from their most recent studio album The 2nd Law, as well as classics such as "Uprising," "Supermassive Black Hole," "Time Is Running Out," "Starlight," and "Plug-In Baby." To pre-order Live In Rome on Amazon, click HERE.

"This is the biggest tour we've done in terms of scale and production value and it's definitely the show we're most proud of so we're really excited to be able to release it as the first ever ultra-high definition concert film," says Muse. "It captures an extraordinary amount of detail and not just everything we're doing - the fans, even those at the back, the set, the actors, and the incredible atmosphere on a very special night in Rome. We can promise our fans, whether they managed to come to the live shows or not, an entirely new Muse concert experience."   

The track-listing for Live At Rome Olympic Stadium is as follows:

CD:

Supremacy
Panic Station
Resistance
Hysteria
Animals
Knights 
Explorers
Follow Me
Madness
Guiding Light
Super Massive Black Hole
Uprising
Starlight

DVD:

Intro
Supremacy
Panic Station
Plug In Baby
Resistance
Animals
Knights of Cydonia
Explorers
Hysteria
Feeling Good
Follow Me
Madness
Time Is Running Out
Guiding Light
Undisclosed Desires
Supermassive Black Hole
Survival
The 2nd law: Isolated System
Uprising
Starlight




‘70S HARD ROCK HIT MAKERS THE BABYS REUNITE, RECORD NEW SINGLE, PLAN NEW ALBUM

Isn't it time to reconnect with The Babys again?
New York, NY (November 25, 2013)—Turn on any classic rock radio station across America and you'll invariably hear their timeless music. Best known for the smash hits "Isn't It Time", "Every Time I Think of You", "Head First", and "Back on My Feet Again", '70s hard rock hit makers, The Babys have reformed after a thirty-three year absence from the music scene (and inked a new record deal with SkyRocket Entertainment, a division of Rocket Science Ventures.) 
We've had numerous offers through the years for the Babys to reform," said Wally Stocker. "The whole premise of this band is to keep The Babys alive and have a good time doing it."
The 2013 lineup of The Babys features original members, lead guitarist Wally Stocker and drummer Tony Brock along with new recruits: lead vocalist/bassist John Bisaha and Joey Sykes on rhythm guitar. Of the new members, Brock raves: "John Bisaha is an incredible singer. When I was holding auditions, we had singers lined up around the block to join the band and John was better than anybody." Adds Stocker about his new six-string comrade in arms: "Joey Sykes adds a whole new dimension to the band and has a style that works well in tandem with me." 
 "Not Ready to Say Goodbye", the band's first new recording in over three decades, will be available exclusively on iTunes on November 26th. The track evokes the spirit of past Babys hits "Isn't It Time" and "Every Time I Think of You". "When releasing our first single we discussed that it had to have the flavor of what we were known for some thirty-odd years ago," observes Stocker.  Adds Brock: "It was just magical putting the new song together. By the time I finished putting brass and strings on it, I knew we had the goods." Concurrent with the single release, the band is presently shooting a new video for the track which will premiere the same day on the band's own YouTube channel.
Meanwhile, also on November 26th, The Babys will initiate a direct to fan pre-sale campaign for the new album via pledgemusic.com. Loyal followers of the band can pre-order the album and also become active participants following the progress of the new record in tandem with the group itself.
In November and December, The Babys will embark on a string of shows in Las Vegas, San Diego, Portland and Seattle. Currently hard at work penning new material, look for the first new Babys album in the first quarter of 2014 with an extensive slate of tour dates to follow. 
Formed in London in 1974, The Babys were signed to Chrysalis Records on the basis of a four-song video, which predated the MTV video phenomenon by several years. Combining the muscular musical grit of Free/Humble Pie with a winning commercial sensibility, The Babys released five albums between 1977-1980 (The Babys, Broken Heart, Head First, Union Jacks and On the Edge) which yielded such hits as "Isn't it Time", "Every Time I Think of You,” "Head First", "Back on My Feet Again”, "Midnight Rendezvous" and "Turn and Walk Away". During that time, the group toured with the likes of Journey, Alice Cooper and Cheap Trick and built a loyal following based on their spectacular songs and explosive live performances. The group disbanded in December of 1980.
Now armed with a new single, forthcoming new album and accompanying national tour dates, The Babys are proving that they're not ready to say goodbye.


2013 TOUR DATES:
11/23- Vamp'd, Las Vegas, NV
11/30- Ramona Mainstage, Ramona, CA
12/12-Studio 7, Seattle, WA
12/13-Tonic Lounge, Portland, OR

FOLLOW THE BABYS AT:
Pledge: www.pledgemusic.com/thebabys