Sights and Sounds: Chuck Berry, Fastball

Here is a roundup of several highly-anticipated news items in the world of music, and I can't think of a better way to start Wednesday than watching the feel-good video for "Big Boys"...and it is more than exciting to see that Fastball is set to return with a new album too!

NPR Music is premiering the first-ever Chuck Berry video for the great, infectious rocker "Big Boys." Watch the video here: http://n.pr/2qRfD2w

Chuck Berry's songs codified the sound, rhythm and language of rock and roll, influenced the The Beatles and Rolling Stones, and earned him induction into the inaugural class of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. But they were never the subject of a music video - until now. Today, NPR Music has premiered the first-ever official video for a Chuck Berry song, "Big Boys," the lead single from the forthcoming album CHUCK, due out June 9 on Dualtone Records, an Entertainment One Company. CHUCK is the final studio album and first new music in nearly four decades from the founding rock and roll legend, who passed away in March at the age of 90. Directed by Matt Bizer and Curtis Wayne Millard (Old Crow Medicine Show, Shovels & Rope), the video revisits the culture of hot cars and sock hops that Berry helped create, with choreography that blends swing and hip-hop. Watch here: http://n.pr/2qRfD2w

Comprised of ten new recordings, eight of which were written by Berry, CHUCK is his first new album since 1979's Rock It. It was recorded and produced by Berry in various studios around St. Louis and features his longtime hometown backing group - including his children Charles Berry Jr. (guitar) and Ingrid Berry (vocals, harmonica), plus Jimmy Marsala (Berry's bassist for forty years), Robert Lohr (piano), and Keith Robinson (drums) - which supported him for nearly two decades on over two hundred residency shows at the famed Blueberry Hill club. In addition to Gary Clark Jr., the album includes guest performances from Tom Morello, Nathaniel Rateliff, and Chuck's grandson Charles Berry III. Acclaimed author and historian Douglas Brinkley contributes liner notes.

Following the release of first singles "Big Boys" and "Wonderful Woman," early praise began pouring in for 'CHUCK.' The New Yorker says that 'CHUCK' shows that "after all those years of duck-walking, crisscrossing the United States on tour, and giving his disciples and imitators hell, the man still had it." Rolling Stone said the album finds Berry "raging against the dying of the light, but in a vulnerable and tender way his earlier music had not prepared us for," while The Guardian raved that 'CHUCK' "proves the late rock'n'roller was brimming with energy until the very end." Uncut remarked that "Berry has as much to say about life and death as Cash and Bowie and Cohen did on their final albums."

'CHUCK' Track List:
Wonderful Woman
Big Boys
You Go To My Head
3/4 Time (Enchiladas)
Darlin'
Lady B. Goode
She Still Loves You
Jamaica Moon
Dutchman
Eyes Of Man

FASTBALL SWINGS INTO ACTION 

 WITH NEW ALBUM 

 

"STEP INTO LIGHT" 

Out This Friday, May 19th via  33 1/3 Records 

 

Full Album Premieres on BILLBOARD

FASTBALL Joins EVERCLEAR and VERTICAL HORIZON 

on North American Tour  

 

“Not only is the studio chemistry between band members Tony Scalzo (vocals, bass, guitar), Joey Shuffield (drums), and Miles Zuniga (vocals, guitar) unwavering, 

but their sheer love for making music seems to be at an all-time high.”—Consequence of Sound 

 

 

This Friday, May 19, 2017, Alt Rockers Fastball will release their 6th album, Step Into Light. In advance of the street date the band will share the entire album exclusively via billboard.com.  

 

Recently, Fastball visited Sirius XM Studios for an interview and performance on the Howard Stern Wrap Up Show where they discussed the unexpected reincarnation of their late ‘90s hit “Out of My Head” on Machine Gun Kelly & Camila Cabello’s #1 smash Hit “Bad Things.” The band also performed one of Howard’s favorite Beatles songs “The Two Of Us.”  Highlights can be found here:

 

For fans that order early, the single,“I Will Never Let You Down” will be offered as an instant grat track with preorder. The album will be available through the bands own 33 1/3 label and is the first FASTBALL album to get a vinyl LP release. 

 

With nearly 20 years of musical explorations and milestones under its belt, FASTBALL remains one of the most consistent and continuously celebrated rock bands on the road today.  The  group recorded the new album Step Into Light in their hometown of Austin, Texas, with the three bandmates co-producing with longtime friend Chris "Frenchie" Smith. 

 

The resulting collection extends FASTBALL’s widely-loved body of work, which encompasses such acclaimed albums as their 1996 debut Make Your Mama Proud, their 1998 platinum breakthrough All the Pain Money Can Buy (which spawned the Grammy-nominated Top Five hit "The Way"), 2000's The Harsh Light of Day, 2004's Keep Your Wig On and 2009's Little White Lies.  

 

The trio is now on an extensive North American tour with fellow 90’s hitmakers; Vertical Horizon and Everclear.  All three groups on the tour will be donating $1 per ticket sold at each show to Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, an organization that provides financial assistance to career musicians, venue workers, production staff, crew members, and their families suffering from injury, illness or disability.

 

View “I Will Never Let You Down" here. 

View “We’re on Our Way” here.

Stream entire Album on Billboard.com

 

“We’re On Our Way” is the propulsive opening track on Step Into Light, kicked off by a buzzy riff and some trading harmonies from Miles Zuniga and Tony Scalzo, matched to Joey Shuffield‘s steady drumbeat. It’s a loud, attention-grabbing introduction to the band’s first album in eight years.” — Rock Cellar Magazine

 

 

As seen on “ Good Day Austin,” “Today in Nashville” and more…

 

So Much For The Afterglow 20th Anniversary Tour

 

5/16 – Calgary, AB @ Marquee Beer Market & Stage

5/17 – Saskatoon, SK @ O’Brians Event Centre

5/18 – Regina, SK @ Casino Regina

5/19 – Deadwood, SD @ Deadwood Mountain Grand Event Center

5/20 – Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall

5/21– Grand Junction, CO @ Two Rivers Convention Center 

5/23 – The Colony, TX @ Lava Cantina

5/25 – Des Moines, IA @ Brenton Skating Plaza

5/26 – Welch, MN @ Treasure Island Resort & Casino

5/27 - Lincoln, NE @ Vega - ** (Fastball only)

5/28 – Kansas City, MO @ CrossroadsKC

5/30 – Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre and Ballroom

6/1 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE

6/2 – Arlington Heights, IL @ HOME Bar

6/3 – South Bend, IN @ Four Winds Field

6/4 – Columbus, OH @ Express Live (Fastball only)

6/6 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza

6/7 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues

6/8 – Portland, ME @ Aura

6/9 – Hampton Beach, NH @ Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom         

6/10 – Fairfax, VA @ Celebrate Fairfax! Festival

6/11 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall

6/13 – Thunder Bay, ON @ Rockhouse 

6/15 – Winnipeg, MB @ Club Regent Event Centre

6/16 – Duluth, MN @ Grandma’s Marathon, Canal Park

6/18 – Wichita, KS @ The Cotillion                                           

6/22 – West Siloam Springs, OK @ Cherokee Casino West Siloam Springs 

6/23 – New Braunfels, TX @ River Road Ice House

6/24 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues

6/25 – Midland, TX @ Wagner Noel PAC                                         

6/27 – Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee

6/28 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Belasco Theatre                                

6/29 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues 

7/20 – Atlanta, GA @ City Winery**

7/22 – Lexington, KY @ Willie’s Locally Known**

7/28 – Marietta, OH @ The Adelphia Music Hall At The Gallery**

7/30 – Pawling, NY @ Daryl’s House

 

**FASTBALL ONLY

 

For ticket info check: http://www.fastballtheband.com/shows/ 

 

More Dates To Be Announced. 

 

Follow Fastball at http://www.fastballtheband.com