Thursday, October 05, 2017

Sights and Sounds: The Church, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Marillion

Here is a roundup of some major news in the world of music from three super great artists from across the music spectrum...


the church Release 26th Album
Man Woman Life Death Infinity out Friday, October 6th
On Tour in North America now


"…the music of the church still sounds vital and challenging. They sound just as hungry and exciting as they did three decades ago."
ABC News 

"There is nothing, or not much, that is obvious and instant about the church. Songs that at first pass you by flare into life once you've paid them proper respect and attention…no doubt why people care so deeply about them."
news.com.au
 
"Arguably one of the greatest Australian bands of all time."
Tone Deaf



One of the most indelible, progressive and passionately admired rock bands of our time, the church release another masterpiece of sonic exploration, Man Woman Life Death Infinity. The ARIA Hall of Fame band's 26th album is their second with the rejuvenated line-up - Steve Kilbey, Peter Koppes, Tim Powles and Ian Haug - and is released this Friday worldwide. 

The past several years have been wildly successful for the church, pulling a 20,000 strong crowd at at Primavera Sound, a performance at SXSW, four North American tours and their first European tour in almost a decade. The band is presently touring in support of their new album in the states. Woven with classics spanning almost 50 years of underground glory, the set will feature selections from Man Woman Life Death Infinity, including the shape-shifting dreamscape of the first, exhilarating cut, 'Another Century', and its imminent follow-up, new single 'Undersea': yet another new dimension of chiming strings and kaleidoscopic images.

Man Woman Life Death Infinity is where the revitalized quartet's freshly tuned chemistry reaches a new potency and precision: ten songs, 45 minutes, and a quantum leap into unexplored territory as strange as it is irresistible. Written in two separate sessions in March across Ian Haug's Airlock Studios in Brisbane and Tim Powles' Space Junk Studios in Sydney Man Woman Life Death Infinity is the first full length since the early 90s where the band have collected their song ideas before hitting the record light and just 'going with the flow'.  Co-produced alongside long-term audio accomplice Ted Howard at Rancom Street Studios, Man Woman Life Death Infinity delivers a more succinct release than 2014's Further/Deeper. 

Singer, lyricist and bassist Steve Kilbey explains this 26th full length offering is the church's 'water record'.  "I guess water is my element. I've always marveled at the sea and rivers and rain. It wasn't conscious at all but on reflection, it definitely is a preoccupation on this record. What that means, I don't know," he says. "This is an album we’re really looking forward to exploring live," he says. "The way I write lyrics is very stream-of-consciousness. I never question them until we perform live, so I discover them in time as much as the audience."

Tour Dates:

10.03.2017     Philadelphia PA      Union Transfer
10.05.2017     Detroit MI                Magic Stick
10.06.2017     Chicago IL                Park West
10.08.2017     Minneapolis MN    Cedar Cultural Center
10.10.2017      Omaha NE              The Waiting Room
10.11.2017      Englewood CO        Gothic Theatre
10.12.2017      Salt Lake City UT   The State Room
10.13.2017      Las Vegas NV          Brooklyn Bowl
10.14.2017      Phoenix AZ              The Press Room






BIG HEAD TODD AND THE MONSTERS CONFIRM U.S. TOUR DATES
UPCOMING ALBUM NEW WORLD ARISIN’ OUT NOVEMBER 3 ON BIG RECORDS

photo credit: Jason Siegel

Colorado band Big Head Todd and the Monsters are set to tour the U.S. throughout the fall/winter in support of their forthcoming eleventh studio album, New World Arisin’, due November 3 on their own Big Records imprint. See below for a complete list of dates.
The album’s first single “Damaged One” is currently at #26 and rising on the AAA Chart. Listen HERE.
New World Arisin’ was written and produced by vocalist/guitarist Todd Park Mohr with original members Rob Squires on bass and Brian Nevin on drums and percussions. Plus, Jeremy Lawton on keyboards, lap and petal steel guitar and backing vocals. It was recorded at E-Town Studios in Boulder, Colorado and mixed by Mark Needham with engineering by James Tuttle.
Mohr explains that the songs were written over a twenty-year period. He describes that “some songs fell into place immediately, while others took many years to materialize. Yet after such a long gestating process for the writing, the recording was completed in just six days.”
Having played Denver’s historic Red Rocks Amphitheater more than nineteen times with recent dates sold out this summer, the band is part of the fabric of the Colorado music scene. The trio of Mohr, Nevin and Squires founded the band in the early ’80s in Boulder and quickly built a strong reputation in the local club circuit. The band’s debut album, Another Mayberry, arrived in 1989, though it would be another four years before their breakthrough platinum-selling third full length Sister Sweetly made them a national phenomenon with the single “Bittersweet,” which remains a rock radio staple to this day. The only personnel change in these three decades has been the addition of a fourth member, putative “new guy” Lawton, in 2004
The band has released music steadily throughout the decades leading to their most recent release 2014’s BlackBeehive. They have also released two live albums Live MonstersLive at the Fillmore and 2015 Live at Red Rocks.
The band has proudly controlled its own business dealings and marketing from the start, releasing 2007’s All the Love You Need via their fan email list. In 2011, they formed a new project under the name Big Head Blues Clubrecording two albums under the moniker. The first 100 Years of Robert Johnson celebrates the songs of the late blues great and features legends such as BBKingCharlie MusselwhiteCedric BurnsideDavidHoneyboy” Edwards, Hubert SumlinRuthie Forster and Lightin’ Malcolm. Their second LP Way Down InsideSongs of Willie Dixon is a tribute to Willie Dixon featuring Mud Morganfield, Billy Branch, Ronnie Baker Brooks, and Erica Brown. The album was produced by multiple Grammy winner Chris Goldsmith and Todd Park Mohr. The band has gone on to play shows under the name Big Head Blues Club moniker inviting some of the legends featured on the album to perform with them.
Recently, band composed the theme song to programs including “NCISNew Orleans” and “Swamp Wars.” Their music has also been included in Contraband, The To Do ListGrudge MatchGarden Party, “So You Think You Can Dance” and many more.
New World Arisin’ Track listing
1. Glow
2. New World Arisin’
3. Damaged One
4. Trip
5. Mind
6. Detonator
7. Wipeout Turn
8. Long Coal Train
9. Under Your Wings
10. Room Full of Mirrors
Big Head Todd and the Monsters Tour Dates
October 5—Kenny’s Westside Pub—Peoria, IL
October 7—Breckenridge Brewery—Littleton, CO
October 11—Jackson Hole Fireman’s Ball—Jackson, WY
November 29—Avalon Theatre—Grand Junction, CO
November 30—Park City Live—Park City, UT
December 1—Pub Station—Billings, MT
December 2—The Wilma—Missoula, MT
December 5—Revolution Event Center—Garden City, ID
December 7—Revolution Hall—Portland, OR
December 8—Hifi Music Hall—Eugene, OR
December 9—Showbox—Seattle, WA
December 12— Crest Theatre—Sacramento, CA
December 14—House of Blues—Anaheim, CA
December 15—Troubadour—West Hollywood, CA
December 16—Warfield Theatre—San Francisco, CA
December 17—Crystal Bay Club/Crown Room—Crystal Bay, NV
December 21—Aggie Theatre—Ft. Collins, CO
December 31—Belly Up Tavern—Solana Beach, CA
January 12—The Pageant—St. Louis, MO
January 13—Palace Theatre—St. Paul, MN
January 14—Pabst Theater—Milwaukee, WI
January 16—Vogue Theatre—Indianapolis, IN
January 18—State Theatre—Kalamazoo, MI
January 19—Vic Theatre—Chicago, IL
January 20—Vic Theatre—Chicago, IL
January 23—House of Blues—Cleveland, OH
January 25—9:30 Club—Washington, DC
January 26—Theatre of the Living Arts—Philadelphia, PA
January 27—Capitol Theatre—Port Chester, NY
January 28—Wilbur Theatre—Boston, MA
January 31—The National—Richmond, VA
February 1—The Ritz—Raleigh, NC
February 2—The Fillmore—Charlotte, NC
February 3—Variety Playhouse—Atlanta, GA


MARILLION RETURN LIVE IN THE USA

Fan Pre-Sale Available NOW; General On-Sale Friday, October 6

New Version of Single “Living In F E A R” Available Friday, October 6

Recently crowned Prog Band of the Year by their peers at PROG Magazine, legendary British prog pioneers Marillion, are set to return to the US in the new year announced today. Marillion will headline the next installment of Cruise to the Edge departing the port of Tampa on February 3, 2018, returning February 8, 2018, immediately followed by nine headlining dates beginning in Orlando at The Plaza Live on Friday, February 9. Complete routing below.

The nine-day run was curated in part by fans as the band will see many cities not visited in more than a decade, if ever.  Presale begins today with general onsale on Friday, October 6, 2017 (**unless noted below).  Fans can visit Marillion.com for more information.
The new single, “Living In F E A R” is available for pre-order now, releasing Friday, October 6.  With exclusive packaging, the single will include the newly recorded 4-track version, exclusive live edits of “Living In F E A R” and “The Leavers,” and two songs from the forthcoming limited live issue series.  The single will be available in multiple formats including Vinyl and CD on Amazon,  digitally on iTunes, and in the UK at HMV. The new video for “Living In F E A R” can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lNOv-QVeuo&feature=em-subs_digest.

Formed in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England, in 1979, Marillion have sold more than 
18 million albums and are celebrated across the globe by a devoted following whom they share a most unique and intimate relationship. 
Hailed as Internet pioneers for their game-changing use of technology to unify and mobilize their global fan community, Marillion have been un-compromising with their music and vision. Their revolutionary presale campaigns, in-house label and their own Racket Records recording studio, Marillion have remained uniquely independent and paved the way for a new modern business. Marillion host a bi-annual “Marillion Weekend,” celebrated as the ‘Best Live Event’ by the Progressive Music Awards, wherein fans have an opportunity to not only see their favorite act perform different sets, multiple nights in a row, but also become immersed in the Marillion culture and history with various activities. Marillion released their critically acclaimed 18th studio album, F E A R (aka Fuck Everyone And Run) in 2016 and continue to tour an annual average of 100 sold-out shows and festival stops globally.
Marillion are Steve ‘h’ Hogarth (vocals), Steven Rothery (guitar), Pete Trewavas (bass), Mark Kelly (keyboard) and Ian Mosley (drums).

Find a better way of life at Marillion.com

Marillion by the numbers:
Studio Albums: 18
Live Albums: 9
Boxed Sets: 4
Singles: 36
Racket Records limited releases: 56
DVD and Home Video releases: 23
Front Row Club Live Releases: 43
Convention Weekends: 21
Fan Club Xmas CDs: 19
Longest Marillion Song: Ocean Cloud (17:23)

Marillion Live in the USA 2018:
February 3 – 8                              Cruise to the Edge                      Port of Miami
Friday, February 9                      The Plaza Live                               Orlando FL
Saturday, February 10               Variety Playhouse                      Atlanta GA
Monday, February 12                Carolina Theatre                         Durham NC (**October 13 onsale)
Tuesday, February 13                Palace Theatre                             Greensburg PA
Thursday, February 15              Town Ballroom                            Buffalo NY
Friday, February 16                    Royal Oak Music Theatre         Royal Oak MI
Sunday, February 18                  20 Monroe Live                           Grand Rapids MI
Monday, February 19                The Arcada Theatre                   St. Charles IL
Wednesday, February 21         Granada Theatre                        Dallas TX



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