Sights and Sounds: Mystery Science Theater 3000, Experience Hendrix Tour, Martha Davis and The Motels, 'Live Lounge' Performance Series

Whew! There is a slew of updates to share as it relates to upcoming releases, tour and industry news...

Mystery Science Theater 3000: Vol. XXXIV

Four DVD Box Set Features Previously Unreleased Episodes

The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of

The Great Sea Serpent, War of The Colossal Beast, The Undead

and The She-Creature

While Mystery Science Theater 3000  isn’t set a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, it is an epic tale of heroes and villains, two robot sidekicks, alien races and snappy one-liners. Joel and Mike, the unlucky witnesses to the cheesiest movies in any galaxy, may not have the force with them, but they have an even more powerful weapon — the riff! In the not too distant future, December 1^st, 2015, join the rebel forces at Shout! Factory in the epic battle against four generally grievous movies from the galactic empire once known as American International Pictures.

Featuring four episodes never before on DVD: The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of The Great Sea Serpent, War Of The Colossal Beast, The Undead and The She-Creature; Mystery Science Theater 3000:Vol. XXXIV also comes loaded with brand-new bonus features, including new introductions by Frank Conniff, the feature length documentary It Was A Colossal Teenage Movie Machine: The A.I.P. Story, theatrical trailers and four exclusive Mini Posters by artist Steve Vance. Fans can pre-order their copies now through ShoutFactory.com 

Mystery Science Theater 3000:Vol. XXXIV brings us The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of The Great Sea Serpent, Roger Corman’s chronicle of Viking women on a journey of adventure, jealousy and redemption; War Of The Colossal Beast, the story of how the disfigured and unbalanced Lt. Col. Glenn Manning goes on a rampage, helmed by MST3K mainstay Bert I. Gordon; The Undead, a Corman film about reincarnation and witchcraft; and  The She-Creature, a touching tale about a mysterious hypnotist putting his beautiful assistant back in touch with her past life as a sea monster.    

Mystery Science Theater 3000:Vol. XXXIV also includes the shorts The Home Economics Story and Mr. B Natural.

Mystery Science Theater 3000:Vol. XXXIV Bonus Features:

·         New introductions by Frank Conniff

·         It Was A Colossal Teenage Movie Machine: The A.I.P. Story  documentary

·         Theatrical Trailers

·         Four exclusive Mini-Posters by artist Steve Vance

For more information on Mystery Science Theater 3000 and on Shout! Factory, visit www.shoutfactory.com            

2016 Experience Hendrix Tour set to roll with Buddy Guy, Billy Cox, Kenny kWayne Shepherd, Zakk Wylde, Dweezil Zappa, Jonny Lang, Eric Johnson and more!

Hailed by critics and fans alike as the ‘Guitar Event Of The Year,’ the multi-artist celebration known as the Experience Hendrix Tour is set to return in 2016.  These special concert performances present legendary artists who join together to pay homage to Jimi Hendrix.   This next edition of the Experience Hendrix Tour will encompass twenty seven performances this coming February and March, stopping in more than two dozen cities along the east coast, midwest and southern states.  Now in its second decade, the tour celebrates the musical genius of Jimi Hendrix by bringing together a diverse array of extraordinary musicians, ranging from blues legend Buddy Guy to Black Label Society and former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde, as well as Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Johnson, Dweezil Zappa and many others.  Billy Cox, bassist for both the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Band of Gypsys, anchors a rhythm section that provides the foundation for exciting renditions of such signature Hendrix favorites as “Purple Haze” and “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)”. 

Jonny Lang performing at the Doheny Blues Festival
in Dana Point, CA in May 2008. Photo: Robert Kinsler

Jimi Hendrix was a pioneer in both rock and blues, and expanded the possibilities of what could be achieved with the electric guitar, forever altering the course of music history. Likewise, the Experience Hendrix Tour is developing a rich history of its own.   By 2004, the first Experience Hendrix Tour came to fruition with a three-date string of shows on the west coast, starting in Hendrix’s hometown of Seattle.   By 2008, the Experience Hendrix Tour had become a full-fledged, coast-to-coast expedition that continues to date, without showing any signs of slowing down Audiences are presented the opportunity to see great artists paying homage to Hendrix and collaborating with each other in ways they’d never do in their own live shows. 

“It is such an honor to be asked back for another run,” says blues/gospel/rock guitar prodigy Jonny Lang, who has played every tour since 2008. “The music of Jimi Hendrix speaks to each of us in indelible ways. It’s another chance to celebrate his legacy.”

You can read my coverage of the Experience Hendrix a year ago at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles here.

As in years past, Fender Music Instruments is the primary tour sponsor.   Fender and Experience Hendrix L.L.C. have long enjoyed a successful relationship—an association that traces back to Hendrix transforming the Fender Stratocaster into the dominant instrument of rock and roll music.

Marshall Amplifiers and Dunlop Manufacturing, whose gear is an integral part of the tour’s backline, also sponsor the Experience Hendrix Tour together with Axe Heaven IK Multimedia and Hal Leonard.

Profoundly popular with fans and critics alike, an earlier edition of the Experience Hendrix Tour inspired Doug Walters of the Charleston City Paper to rave, “It was an inspired night of great energy and incredible playing. Nothing but good vibes filled the Performing Arts Center. Jimi’s spirit and music could not have been honored more.” 

Robert Kinsler of the Orange County Register, called the Experience Hendrix Tour “a steller event,” as well as “a special night, and a fitting tribute to a music legend, to be sure.”

Jackie Braje of Creative Loafing Tampa wrote, “All epic performances aside, the one truly admirable thing about this show is that it never once let us forget who the real star performer is.”

Tour Dates:

Feb 24 - Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live

Feb 25 - Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall

Feb 26 - Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theater

Feb 27 - Atlanta, GA – Fox Theater

Feb 28 - Charleston, SC – Gaillard Center

Feb 29 - Nashville, TN – Schermerhorn

Mar 2 - Tulsa, OK – Brady Theater

Mar 3 - Grand Prairie, TX – Verizon Theatre

Mar 4 - San Antonio, TX – Majestic Theater

Mar 5 - Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center

Mar 6 - New Orleans, LA – Saenger Theater

Mar 8 - St. Louis, MO – Fox Theater

Mar 9 - Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theater

Mar 10 - Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theater

Mar 11 - Detroit, MI – The Fox Theater

Mar 12 - Chicago, IL – Chicago Theater

Mar 13 - Cincinnati, OH – Taft Theater

Mar 15 - Northfield, OH – Hard Rock Casino

Mar 16 - Syracuse, NY – Landmark Theatre

Mar 17 - Wallingford, CT – Oakdale Theater

Mar 18 - Brooklyn, NY – Kings Theater

Mar 19 - Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Casino

Mar 20 - Poughkeepsie, NY – Mid Hudson Civic Center

Mar 22 - Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Theater

Mar 23 - Worcester, MA – Hanover Theatre

Mar 24 - New Bedford, MA – Zeiterion

Mar 25 - Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino

Vesuvio Entertainment sets new release date for Martha Davis and The Motels concert/documentary film: November 6, 2015 FILM COMMEMORATES THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ICONIC WHISKEY A GO-GO ON SUNSET STRIP INTRODUCTION BY ROSANNA ARQUETTE AND LINDA PERRY

“More intriguing now than she was in 1980.” – Arts Fuse “Arguably the most charismatic female performer in rock.” – Robert Hilburn, Los Angeles Times “Martha Davis and the Motels gave their audience a Five-Star experience.” – Herald Sun

Los Angeles, CA, October 26--Following a banner year in which Martha Davis and The Motels have played their most shows since 1985, Vesuvio Entertainment is releasing--at last-- THE MOTELS LIVE AT THE WHISKY A GO-GO-50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL, a lush and tuneful concert film of this iconic artist's landmark performance at the historic Whisky A Go-Go's 50th Anniversary Celebration on DVD and Blu-ray and digitally November 6. While The Bangles, Robbie Krieger and many others had shows marking this Sunset Strip institution’s 50th birthday, only Martha Davis and the Motels captured their show for posterity, marking their first ever hi def, 5.1 audio state of the art concert film. Double Emmy® winning cinematographer Roy H. Wagner (NBC's Elementary; Wes Craven's NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3) photographed the concert film, with choreographer/director Denise Faye (BURLESQUE) in her directorial debut. Ms. Faye is currently directing Cher's global "Dressed to Kill" Tour. Golden Globe® nomineeRosanna Arquette and Grammy® nominee Linda Perry both appear in the film introducing Martha and the band. THE MOTELS LIVE AT THE WHISKY A GO-GO-50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL will now be released by Vesuvio Entertainment on November 6, on DVD and Blu-ray and digitally to more than 200 digital stores and services, from iTunes to Amazon, Spotify to Google Play, Beats to Pandora, Rdio to Deezer, Beatport to Tidal and Shazam to Millward Brown. The Blu-Ray and DVD are distributed by AMPED, the nation's largest supplier of video and audio content. This legendary live concert performance features seventeen of The Motels’ greatest hits, coupled with memorable and unique DVD extras such as interviews, outtakes and other goodies. There's also an audio-only version of the concert for music fans. The concert film had its world premiere at the renowned Regent Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles September 21. Bruce Ravid, the original A&R exec at Capitol who signed Martha and the Motels, said, “Martha, the band, the camerawork, and the audio quality are all ace. The Motels magic remains and this absolutely shows why we were so stoked to sign them and to see their success.” Industry executive Russ Reganadds, "I was never involved professionally with The Motels, but always admired Martha Davis' amazing voice and equally great songwriting skills, and this film is really a testament to great music that solidifies The Motels' status as one of the bands that not only launched New Wave, but whose music stands the test of time." From winning an early American Music Award for Best Performance in “Only the Lonely,” to writing Top 10 hits like “Suddenly Last Summer,” Davis is one of the most prolific singer/songwriters to come out of the New Wave movement. In addition to returning to Australia, where “Total Control” became their biggest hit and helped pave the way for their American success, The Motels also did a US Summer 2015 tour with old friends “The Go–Go’s,” as well as doing a headline tour of the East Coast, to renewed critical acclaim.She’s currently touring and recording new material and occasionally performs jazz standards along with a few dazzling rearrangements of Motels classics, teaming up with original Motels’ sax and keys player Marty Jourard, and legendary keyboard player Greg Hawkes from The Cars. That trio is known asDavis, Hawkes & Jourard, LLP --is a bit of a tongue in cheek reference to a law firm, but instead serves up music and not legal advice. THE MOTELS LIVE AT THE WHISKY A GO-GO-50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL Genre: Feature Concert Film; unrated Distributor: Vesuvio Entertainment Format: NTSC DVD and Blu Ray; Year: 2015 Total Running Time: 87 minutes Audio: Dolby 5.1 surround HD DVD; MSRP $24.98 Item # VESU1001; UPC 00854021006004 BLU RAY DVD $29.98 Item # VESU1002; UPC 00854021006011 The Motels Live at The Whisky A Go Go - Digital Audio-Only Edition Item Number: VESU1004 UPC Number: 854021006035 Price: TBD Social Media Handles: https://www.facebook.com/MarthaDavisMotels Twitter/Instagram: @TheMotels YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MarthaDavisTheMotels Vesuvio Entertainment: Twitter @vesuvioent

VEVO AND THE BBC COLLABORATE ON DISTRIBUTION FOR LIVE LOUNGE PERFORMANCE SERIES

Vevo to become new International home for high-profile BBC Radio 1 original series   

NEW YORK October 27, 2015– Vevo and BBC Worldwide today announced a collaboration on the distribution for BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge performance series.  The relationship will see BBC Radio 1 provide an extensive back catalog of over 200 Live Lounge performances on Vevo as well as provide an exclusive home for the majority of future Live Lounge performances internationally.  With this agreement BBC Radio 1 gains access to the world’s largest premium music video platform with over 12 billion monthly views and extensive exposure within the coveted millennial viewing audience.

“Vevo is one of my favourite apps, so to get Radio 1’s world-famous Live Lounge to its massive audience of new music fans across the globe is utterly fantastic.” said Ben Cooper, Controller, Radio 1 and 1Xtra, BBC. 

Radio 1’s Live Lounge features a combination of the music industry’s highest profile established and emerging artists performing a small selection of stripped-back songs both within and outside of their musical genre.  Live Lounge will be available on Vevo as of November 12^th.

“We’re excited to collaborate with BBC Worldwide and BBC Radio 1 to bring such an iconic and unique program as Live Lounge to Vevo’s growing audience,” said Alex Kisch, Executive Vice President, Business Development and Affairs, Vevo.  “We see this as a tremendous first step in our collaboration as we look to expose Live Lounge’s phenomenal music catalog and forthcoming performances to new audiences around the world.”

“I’m delighted that we have been able to broker this deal on behalf of the BBC which benefits the BBC, record labels and artists alike” said Dominic Walker, Director of Radio and Music BBC Worldwide.

About BBC Worldwide

BBC Worldwide is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).  Its vision is to build the BBC’s brands, audiences, commercial returns and reputation across the world.  This is achieved through investing in, commercialising and showcasing content from the BBC around the world, in a way that is consistent with BBC standards and values.  The business also champions British creativity globally.

In 2014/15, BBC Worldwide generated headline profits of £138.6m and headline sales of £1,001.8m and returned a record £226.5m to the BBC. For more detailed performance information please see our Annual Review website:

http://www.bbcworldwide.com/annualreview

bbcworldwide.com
twitter.com/bbcwpress

About Vevo

Vevo is the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform with over 12 billion monthly views globally. Vevo brings a library of 150,000 HD music videos, exclusive original programming and live concert performances to everyone on the planet who loves music both on-demand through Vevo.com, the mobile web, apps for mobile/tablets and connected TVs, and on Vevo TV, an always-on broadcast-style linear music channel built by expert human programmers. Additionally, Vevo syndicates its catalogue to dozens of sites across the web giving music fans the option to view their favorite programming anywhere, anytime. It is Vevo’s massive scale and reach that has attracted more than 900 brand marketers around the globe since its launch in 2009.