STYX 'Crash of the Crown' album set for release on June 18, 2021

Celebrated rock band STYX is set to release a new studio album, "Crash of the Crown," on Friday, June 18. I have been fortunate to get an early listen of the ambitious album and it fully delivers on the troupe's talents as one of classic rock's most enduring artists. I will have a full-length review of the album closer to its release date next month. Read on to get details about the highly-anticipated release...Robert Kinsler

A new era of hope, survival, and prosperity comes calling with the release of Crash of the Crown, STYX's new studio album, which was written pre-pandemic and recorded during the trying times of the pandemic.
 
The legendary rockers--James "JY" Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Lawrence Gowan (lead vocals, keyboards) and Ricky Phillips (bass, guitar, vocals)--will release their 17^th album June 18 on the band's label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, which will be sold as clear vinyl, black vinyl, CD, and on digital platforms. Fans can listen to the title track here, and pre-order the album here and at Styxworld.com. (Read my review of STYX's incredible July 15, 2016 performance at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA HERE).
 
 

Styx performing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on July 15, 2016. From left: James "J.Y." Young, Tommy Shaw, Chuck Panozzo and Ricky Phillips.
Photo: Kelly A. Swift

Additionally, for Record Store Day on Saturday, June 12, STYX will also release "The Same Stardust" EP on blue 180-gram 12-inch vinyl only, which will feature two brand-new songs on side one ("The Same Stardust" and "Age of Entropia"), as well as five live performances on side two of some of STYX's classic hits previously heard during their "STYX Fix" livestreams that have been keeping fans company during the pandemic on their official YouTube page, including "Mr. Roboto," "Man In The Wilderness," "Miss America," "Radio Silence," and "Renegade."
 
In touring news, STYX and Collective Soul are rested, healthy, and ready to hit the road for their first-ever multiple city tour together. STYX had previously announced their return to Las Vegas with a three-night sold-out engagement at The Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian® Resort Las Vegas on September 24, 25, and 26, which will include an exclusive set list and brand-new stage production. Tickets for various cities, as well as exclusive VIP packages from each band, are available now at StyxWorld.com and CollectiveSoul.com.
 

Tommy Shaw at Pacific Amphitheatre on July 15, 2016.
Photo: Kelly A. Swift

Check out the cool "Crash of the Crown" pseudo video HERE.

Crash of the Crown is the follow-up to STYX's 16^th studio album, The Mission, (their first in 14 years at the time, which critics called "a masterpiece") which was released June 16, 2017 on the band's label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe. The highly anticipated two-disc reissue of The Mission was released on July 27, 2018 via Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, which includes a CD of the original album, as well as a Blu-ray of the album mixed in 5.1 surround sound accompanied by stunning visualizations for each of the album's 14 songs based on the album artwork. It originally debuted on various Billboard charts, including: #6 Top Rock Albums, #11 Physical Albums, #11 Vinyl Albums, #13 Current Albums, #14 Billboard Top Albums, #16 Retail, #17 Mass Merch/Non-Traditional, #29 Digital Albums, and #45 Billboard 200 (includes catalog and streaming).

The Psychedelic Furs upcoming album, 'Made of Rain' moves release date to July 31, 2020

Today comes news about one of the year's most highly-anticipated album releases, The Psychedelic Furs' upcoming 'Made of Rain.'

On a somewhat related note, you can read my review of the band's memorable July 2018 concert at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA here.

Richard Butler of the Psychedelic Furs greets fans at Pacific
Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa on Thursday, July 19, 2018.
(Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos, OC Fair & Event Center)

The much-anticipated upcoming studio album by The Psychedelic Furs Made of Rain has moved to July 31 by Cooking Vinyl. The Psychedelic Furs have released the following statement via their Facebook page, "Due to the current situation we are all facing around the world, and because of the logistical issues it has presented us with, we have made the difficult decision to reschedule the release of Made Of Rain to July 31st. It's been a long time since we've put out a new album, and we want to make sure that we can make it available to everyone. A bit of a delay will allow us to do that. Thanks for your patience! #PFurs #MadeOfRain #StaySafe"

 

For The Psychedelic Furs touring information: http://www.thepsychedelicfurs.com/#shows

Roger Hodgson revisits Supertramp's past

In honor of Roger Hodgson's 70th birthday (the English artist was born March 21, 1950), I wanted to repost my review of his wonderful concert I caught at Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa back in summer 2013. My review originally ran on The Orange County Register website on August 13, 2013 (the day after the concert). - Robert Kinsler


Roger Hodgson revisits Supertramp’s past

Roger Hodgson performing at the Pacific Amphitheatre in 2013.

In his introduction of Roger Hodgson’s concert Sunday night at Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, “Uncle Joe” Benson, former KLOS mainstay who now hosts the morning show on The Sound 100.3 FM, told the audience that the evening was being filmed for DVD release.

Let’s hope so.

For the next two hours the singer-songwriter best known for his work with Supertramp delivered an especially memorable evening of music-making on the final evening of the 2013 OC Fair. In a venue that typically squashes any potential for magic, largely because of the unfairly high number of party-minded concertgoers it attracts – Hall & Oates’ terrific performance last week, for instance, came with countless inebriated chatterboxes – there was wizardry aplenty this night.

Any attendees at the Hodgson concert who opted to go on beer runs invariably missed out. This was a superb show that was much more than a nostalgic trip through Supertramp’s most beloved material. Even when performing such hits, like leadoff cut “Take the Long Way Home,” Hodgson, 63, and his potent four-member group reworked arrangements in ways that strengthened the songs live.

“Look at you,” Hodgson said, beaming after the warm reception and standing ovation he received after that opening number. “I’ve been looking forward to tonight for a long time.”

Turns out several of the British singer’s band members are from Orange County. Hodgson admitted, however, that he didn’t know if anybody would show up for this gig; he needn’t have worried, as the majority of seats were filled.

Supertramp’s early work was lumped in with progressive rock of the early ’70s, but the troupe scored greater success as the decade wore on and they adopted a more mainstream approach, culminating in 1979’s multiplatinum smash Breakfast in America. Both those worlds were fused during this Pac Amp set, with Hodgson blending English folk-rock, harder-edged yet still melodic rock and more ambitious prog elements throughout the night.

“School” recalled early Pink Floyd, Hodgson playing acoustic guitar while Aaron Macdonald added artful harmonica blasts. The more recent song “In Jeopardy” offered a bouncy beat and involving vocal harmonies en route to a dramatic conclusion. The performance of the alluring ballad “Lovers in the Wind” allowed Hodgson room to showcase his instrumental skills while seated at a Yamaha grand piano.

Roger Hodgson, playing keyboards, performing with his band in Costa Mesa.

Ever the affable host, he also told short stories touching on emotions or events that led him to compose certain songs, adding heft to oft-heard favorites. “The Logical Song” remains an infectious romp, the crowd moving to its feel as Hodgson’s distinctive high voice soared. “Dreamer,” another buoyant piece, found the singer employing his mighty falsetto as fans tried to sing along.

While most people only stood during Hodgson’s best-known hits, they knew a good thing when they heard it. In the performance of his ’00s solo track “Death and a Zoo,” he speculates whether a wild animal would prefer death over life in a zoo. With its mix of symphonic keyboards, African rhythms, effects that recreate the sound of wild beasts and a powerful ending, with Hodgson banging an electronic drum pad, achieved the artistic depth most identified with Peter Gabriel. The crowd was collectively drawn into the inspired performance and erupted in cheers at the song’s fiery close. A performance of the piano-anchored “Lord Is it Mine?” achieved a similar sensation in the set.

In addition to Macdonald (who also played saxophones, keyboards, melodica and tin whistle), Hodgson’s wonderful touring band includes bassist David J. Carpenter, drummer Bryan Head and keyboardist Kevin Adamson.

Another highlight was an epic, “Fool’s Overture,” that likely hasn’t been performed in O.C. since Hodgson said goodbye to Supertramp with a closing-night performance at Irvine Meadows on their 1983 tour. Hodgson explained that it comprises three pieces of instrumental music he fused together into what would become the denouement of 1977’s “Even in the Quietest Moments …” Hodgson and his band performed the long opus in perfect sync, the dynamic fusion of classical music, spoken word and pulsating rock rhythms as striking as ever.

But the ensemble wrapped things up on a more upbeat note via infectious performances of “Give a Little Bit” and “It’s Raining Again” that once again got people on their feet, obviously thrilled to have witnessed such a skilled overview of a sometimes overlooked career.

A special thank you to Kelly A. Swift for the use of her photos that ran with my concert review.

Sights and Sounds: 'Woodstock: The Director's Cut' coming to movie theaters on Aug. 15; new titles from +LIVE+ and The Flaming Lips

Going into the weekend, plenty of cool music news to share...

‘Woodstock’ 50 Years Later – The Most Legendary Weekend in Music History Rocks Movie Theaters Nationwide August 15 Only

Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Iconic Festival,

Fathom Events Brings the Extended Director’s Cut of Michael Wadleigh’s
Oscar®-Winning Documentary to Movie Theaters

DENVER – July 19, 2019 – Before it happened, the rock-music festival on a dairy farm was billed as “An Aquarian Experience: 3 Days of Peace and Music” and no one realized the weekend would become one of the seminal moments not just in music history, but in American history.

Fifty years later, the groundbreaking film that captured the original Woodstock music festival has become one of the most acclaimed documentaries ever produced – and Fathom Events is partnering with Warner Bros. to bring it back to movie theaters for one night only. “Woodstock: The Director’s Cut” will play at 7:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, August 15, in movie theaters nationwide.

Tickets are available now at www.FathomEvents.com.

“Both as a documentary and as a pop-culture phenomenon, ‘Woodstock’ is a milestone, a pivotal moment in history captured forever, proving the enduring power of cinema,” said Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Events. “Fifty years later, there has never been anything quite like it, either as a music festival or as a film, and Fathom Events is proud to be part of the anniversary of Woodstock.”

Directed by Michael Wadleigh and utilizing extraordinary perspectives, including split-screen and multi-screen sequences, “Woodstock” received an Academy Award® for Best Editing for Thelma Schoonmaker, a longtime collaborator of Martin Scorsese, who is also credited (along with Stan Warnow, Yeu-Bun Yee, Jere Higgins and Wadleigh) as one of its editors. The movie features 30 musical performances, among them a five-song set by Jimi Hendrix (including “Purple Haze”); The Who; Ten Years After; Janis Joplin; Crosby, Stills & Nash; Jefferson Airplane; and Joan Baez.

But apart from the raw, intimate ways it captures the performances, “Woodstock” also offers extraordinary insight into the people who attended the festival, the chaotic mood of the era, and the incendiary sparks let off by the event. Entertainment Weekly called “Woodstock” “the single greatest film ever made about the 1960s.”

The 3-hour, 44-minute director’s cut features performances – like Joplin’s and Jefferson Airplane’s – not seen in the original theatrical version, which was a box-office smash when first released in March 1970. This one-night-only Fathom Events presentation is the first wide, national theatrical re-release of the film since its original run.

For more information, visitwww.FathomEvents.com.

+LIVE+

Today release the Super Deluxe 25TH Anniversary edition of their landmark 8X Multi-Platinum sophomore album 'Throwing Copper'

BAND ALSO SHARE LYRIC VIDEO FOR

“SUSQUEHANNA,”

AN UNRELEASED TRACK FROM THE ORIGINAL SESSIONS

FOR ‘THROWING COPPER’

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: https://UMe.lnk.to/ThrowingCopper25/YouTube

Seminal rock band +LIVE+ today (July 19) release the super deluxe 25th anniversary edition of their landmark 8x multi-platinum sophomore album Throwing Copper on  Radioactive/MCA/UMe. The band today also shared the lyric video for “Susquehanna,” an unreleased track from the original sessions for the album. View the video here: https://UMe.lnk.to/ThrowingCopper25/YouTube. The haunting song with questioning lyrics about life, love and spirituality appears on the deluxe multi-format reissue of the album.

The Super Deluxe 25th Anniversary Throwing Copper box set edition not only features the album with bonus tracks on 2LP black vinyl, and a 12-page booklet with an in-depth interview with the band chronicling the era of the album, but it also contains 2CDs with a 26-track lineup that includes LIVE’s previously unreleased, explosive eight-song performance at Woodstock ’94 on a separate disc, mixed by +LIVE+ guitarist Chad Taylor. The 25th anniversary Throwing Copper collection is also available in a deluxe digital version, as well as a standalone 1CD set as well. Read the press release about the album here and its multiple configurations.

Initially released on April 26, 1994, Throwing Copper cemented the band’s position as one of the most instrumentally powerful and lyrically impactful bands of the modern alternative-rock era. Throwing Copper, which topped the Billboard 200 Albums chart a year after its initial release, also features a pair of No. 1 Modern Rock singles (“Lightning Crashes,” “Selling The Drama”) and has since been certified 8x multiplatinum by the RIAA, having sold over 8 million copies. The album also features the previously unreleased track “Hold Me Up”which is spinning at rock radio stations nationwide. View the lyric video here.

This summer at amphitheatres and arenas throughout North America, +LIVE+--Ed Kowalczyk (vocals, guitar),Chad Taylor (guitar, backing vocals), Patrick Dahlheimer (bass) and Chad Gracey (drums, percussion)--ismarking Throwing Copper’s milestone on the co-headline The ALT-IMATE Tour with Bush produced by Live Nation. Among the upcoming dates are a concert at the legendary Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Aug. 6, and a date at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, Aug. 10.

ABOUT +LIVE+:

+LIVE+, the multi-platinum band from Pennsylvania--Ed Kowalczyk (vocals, guitar), Chad Taylor (guitar, backing vocals), Patrick Dahlheimer (bass) and Chad Gracey (drums, percussion)--have sold over 22 million albums worldwide and earned two number one albums (Throwing Copper, Secret Samadhi). Their catalog is filled with such gems as “Lightning Crashes,” “I Alone,” “All Over You,” and “Lakini’s Juice,” which live on today as classics at rock radio. Throwing Copper—which is being celebrated in 2019 with a new deluxe 25th anniversary edition via Radioactive/Geffen/Ume--produced the band’s biggest single, “Lightning Crashes,” which was #1 at Modern Rock radio for 10 consecutive weeks. Throwing Copper reached #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and eventually surpassed sales of 10 million albums sold with Rolling Stone honoring the album with placement on their list, “1994: The 40 Best Records From Mainstream Alternative's Greatest Year.” Secret Samadhi (1997) immediately shot to #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and eventually went double platinum. The release of the platinum-selling The Distance to Here (1999) turned +LIVE+ into an international powerhouse and moved the band from arenas into stadiums. +LIVE+ has been and remains today a global concert juggernaut. The band released an acclaimed five-song EP in 2018, LOCAL 717, their first new music in over a decade.

For more information on +LIVE+, visit:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

The Flaming Lips release 'King's Mouth: Music and Songs' on all formats today

NEW VIDEO “HOW MANY TIMES” OUT NOW 

 

SUMMER 2019 TOUR WITH THE CLAYPOOL LENNON DELIRIUM AND PARTICLE KID BEGINS JULY 23. TICKETS ON SALE NOW

July 19, 2019 (Los Angeles, CA) – Today, THE FLAMING LIPS release their 15^th studio album, King’s Mouth: Music And Songs, via Warner Records on vinyl, CD and digital platforms. The original gold colored vinyl Record Store Day limited edition pressing sold out instantly. King’s Mouth is now widely available on all formats. To coincide with the album’s release and tour, a brand-new video from the album “How Many Times,” is also released today. In typical Lipsian fashion, the video is lysergically colorful and completely joyous in its simplicity. It was shot in the band’s hometown of Oklahoma City and directed by Wayne Coyne. Click HERE to view and share. Click HERE to purchase King’s Mouth: Music And Songs.

The Lips have previously released a lyric video for ”Giant Baby,” and a visualizer for “All For The Life Of the City,” from King’s Mouth.  

King’s Mouth: Music And Songs was produced by The Flaming Lips, Dennis Coyne and Scott Booker with additional production by Dave Fridmann and Mike Fridmann. This is The Lips’ first new studio album since 2017’s Oczy Mlody and features twelve new originals that create a conceptual storyline threaded together by the dulcet-toned narration from Mick Jones of The Clash. The music provides the soundtrack for Wayne Coyne’s immersive art installation of the same name. The album has already received critical praise in advance of its release:

“Musically, King’s Mouth is very Soft Bulletin / Yoshimi — you know, orchestral space rock psych flower power pop…there are so many great moments on this album. Glad to have that spirit back in a new Lips record. A psychedelic experience that is kind of like the last 10 minutes of 2001: A Space Odyssey.” –Brooklyn Vegan

“’King’s Mouth’ is planetarium-ready space pop.” – Stereogum

“Consistently weird, consistently fresh, artistically adventurous. Nowhere is the band’s bold vision more evident than on its new album KING’S MOUTH: MUSIC AND SONGS. A full-on concept album, King’s Mouth breaks new ground.” – The Daily Beast 

“’King’s Mouth’ is the most “Flaming Lips” release you could possible imagine…a psychedelic explosion of sound. Kind of a spiritual follow up [to The Soft Bulletin and Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots] it returns to the breezy, optimistic space pop that made them the band of choice. Classic Lips…the most complete Flaming Lips album in over a decade.” – Under The Radar

Originally introduced in 2015, the art installation A King's Mouth: An Immersive Installation, showcased its psychedelic visuals and soundscapes through North America in museums such as Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, NM, the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, MD, the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, OR and Wayne’s own creative space, The Womb, in Oklahoma City, OK, Rough Trade NYC, Nashville’s Fort Houston, and currently installed at the Arts Center of the Ozarksin Springdale, AR.

A true handcrafted marvel, it consists of a giant metallic head that welcomes spectators inside. Once inside of the foam mouth, an LED light show begins in tandem with music from the album. Now, the record doubles as the sonic companion to the exhibit and allows fans to experience the aural side at any time. Further expanding this multi-faceted world and detailing a fascinating creation myth, the accompanying literary tome, King’s Mouth: Immerse Heap Trip Fantasy Experience tells the story of the King’s Mouth through words and visuals by Coyne, adds yet another dimension to the project, which ranks among the bands most ambitious thus far. About the vision, Coyne wrote, “The King’s Mouth immersive/child-like qualities are born from the same spark and womb as The Flaming Lips’ live performances. The King’s Mouth adventure was made for humans of all sizes, ages, cultures, and religions.” Click HERE to view and share the making of the KING’S MOUTH Part 1. HERE for Part 2. HERE for Part 3, and Part 4 HERE.

King’s Mouth: Music And Songs Track listing:

We Don’t Know How And We Don’t Know Why

The Sparrow

Giant Baby

Mother Universe

How Many Times

Electric Fire

All For The Life Of The City

Feedaloodum Beedle Dot

Funeral Parade

Dipped In Steel

Mouth Of The King

How Can A Head

In other Lips news, Steven Drozd has created a podcast that covers their 35-year recording career. This multi-part series will illustrate their inimitable and out there creative process covering their aural oeuvre in their own words: THE SORCERER’S ORPHAN: A SONG BY SONG HISTORY OF THE FLAMING LIPS: Episode 6 “King’s Mouth”— is available now. Check out the latest episode HERE. Catch up on previous episodes HERE.

As previously announced, THE LIPS have confirmed a twelve-date summer tour with The Claypool Lennon Delirium with support from Particle Kid. Click HERE for further details. Special VIP packages will also be available for those who want the ultimate LIPS experience. This will include early access to the venue, so fans can be part of the pre-show warm up on stage during soundcheck for a few songs. Wayne and members of The Lips will then spend some time for an intimate meet and greet before fans have the chance to grab the best seats in the house close to the stage or be first at the merch booth before the crowds enter the venue.

 

The Flaming Lips/The Claypool Lennon Delirium and Particle Kid Summer 2019 US Tour:

July 23            Wichita, KS                              Wave

July 24            Des Moines, IA                         Water Works Park Amphitheater

July 26            Indianapolis, IN                        Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn @ White River State Park

July 27            Lewiston, NY (Niagara Falls)   Artpark Amphitheater

July 28            Asbury Park, NJ                       Stone Pony Summer Stage

July 30            Port Chester, NY                      Capitol Theatre

July 31            New Haven, CT                        College Street Music Hall (w/o The Claypool Lennon)

Aug 02            Utica, NY                                  Saranac Brewery

Aug 03            Worcester, MA                          The Palladium Outdoors

Aug 05            Charlotte, NC                           Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre

Aug 06            Charlottesville, VA                    Sprint Pavilion

Aug 07            Raleigh, NC                             Red Hat Amphitheater

Europe/U.K./Australia Headline:

Sep 01            Prato, ITL                                Piazza Duomo

Sep 05            Edinburgh, UK                        Usher Hall

Sep 06            Manchester, UK                      Manchester Academy

Sep 07            London, UK                             O2 Brixton Academy

Sep 28            Brisbane, AU                           Fortitude Music Hall

Sep 30            Sydney, AU                             Sydney Opera House

Oct 01             Sydney, AU                             Sydney Opera House

 

Dates below are Festivals:

Sep 13            Chicago, IL                              Riot Fest Chicago

Sep 20            Louisville, KY                           Bourbon and Beyond Festival

Oct 03-04        Melbourne, AU                        Melbourne International Arts Festival

Oct 10-13       Lake Perris, CA                        Desert Daze

Follow The Flaming Lips:

Website: www.flaminglips.com

Twitter: @TheFlamingLips

Facebook: Facebook.com/FlamingLips

YouTube: YouTube.com/FlamingLips