'ASIA In Asia – Live At The Budokan, Tokyo, 1983' coming June 10, 2022

Very VERY exciting news that a historic 1983 performance by ASIA is coming out on June 10. Read on for all the details and make plans to pick this title up later this spring...Robert Kinsler

ASIA IN ASIA LIVE AT THE BUDOKAN ARENA, TOKYO, DECEMBER 1983 DELUXE BOX SET, 2LP, 1CD & DIGITAL Released on June 10, 2022   Multi-platinum selling English supergroup ASIA announce they are to release ASIA In Asia – Live At The Budokan, Tokyo, 1983, as a Deluxe box set containing: 2LP, 2xCD, 40 page 12” book, Blu-ray video, printed memorabilia and ‘ASIA’ pin badge, through BMG Records on 10th June 2022. Also available as a 2LP Gatefold, 1CD and Digital Formats. Pre-order here: https://asiaband.lnk.to/budokanPR    ASIA, Geoff Downes (The Buggles & YES, keyboards & backing vocals), Steve Howe (YES, guitars & backing vocals) and Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, drums) with special guest Greg Lake(Emerson, Lake & Palmer, bass & lead vocals), visited Japan at the end of two years of touring to promote their phenomenally successful eponymous debut album (1982) and the follow-up Alpha (1983).  The second of three shows at the historic Budokan arena in Tokyo, on 6th December 1983, would make history as first live broadcast between Japan and MTV in America, an amazing achievement for its time. This performance has previously only been available on VHS. The concert featured some of ASIA’s biggest and most memorable tracks including, Time Again, Only Time Will Tell, Sole Survivor, Wildest Dreams and the global hit single Heat Of The Moment. Greg Lake stepped in, at short notice, following the sudden departure of ASIA’s founder member John Wetton ahead of the Japanese dates. Despite a short period for Lake to learn the songs, and some changes to the arrangements to accommodate Lake’s different vocal range, the Japanese shows were hailed a great success. Carl Palmer was proud of his former ELP bandmate for performing exceptionally in the situation. “Greg Lake did a great job jumping into John’s shoes. So many songs to sing, he did it so well. It was impressive." Geoff Downes, too, was pleased with the event, especially given the massive undertaking. “It was a grand and sumptuous affair. The stage was the iconic ‘A-frame’ shape we had for the US tour. I think we pulled it off admirably in the end. There were some good people behind us: crew, lighting designers, cameramen and backing singers, it was quite a production." “The show was an important global commitment,” says Steve Howe, “so we had to rise to the occasion, which we did, with Greg’s help. We couldn't have done it without him, for sure."  For Downes, the release stands as a testament to the band’s resilience. “It deserves its place in the Asia catalogue. Aside from its musical strengths, it demonstrates the level of professionalism that we have always striven to bring to the ASIA name.”

“The fans have never left ASIA,” says drummer Carl Palmer. “That first ASIA album with all those radio and MTV hits  weaved the fabric of the music scene in the early 1980s.  Those great songs like ‘ Heat Of The Moment,’ ‘Sole Survivor,’ and ‘Only Time Will Tell,’ still hold up today.  When we play those songs and our other hits, we can see the entire audience singing along.”  In December the multi-platinum selling English supergroup released its most ambitious collection to date:  a 10-CD boxset The Official Live Bootlegs Volume 1 .  Issued through BMG Records on December 3rd., the expansive set chronicles five complete performances of the original line-up captured between 1982 and 2010.  The collection celebrates the huge appeal of the concert tours that followed ASIA’s first two albums in 1982 and 1983. The success continued following ASIA’s 25th anniversary reunion in 2006 and three more highly acclaimed albums. The slipcase boxset features 5 x 2CD concerts from 1982 (Buffalo, NY, USA), 1983 (Worcester, MA, USA), 2007 (São Paulo, Brazil), 2008 (Tokyo, Japan) and 2010 (London, UK). The bootleg collection follows a previous 5 CD box set of studio recordings released in April, 2021. ABOUT ASIA: Geoff Downes (The Buggles, Yes, keyboards), Steve Howe (Yes, guitars), Carl Palmer(Emerson, Lake & Palmer, drums) and John Wetton (King Crimson, UK, bass/vocals), took the world by storm with their eponymous debut album, globally the biggest-selling album of 1982, and the single Heat Of The Moment. ASIA was a true ‘supergroup’ pooling the talents of its four members who had already amassed tens of millions of record sales with their collective bands of the 70s. Leaving behind their progressive roots, ASIA embraced the commercial FM rock sound that dominated US airwaves and took that, and the new MTV video channel, by storm.  The single Heat Of The Moment was a world-wide monster smash and their eponymous 1982 debut album spent an incredible 9 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard chart as ASIA became the biggest selling album of the year and world tour dates sold out. A second album, Alpha, was released in 1983, followed by Astra in 1985. The four original members reconvened in 2006 for a world tour, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of that incredible success, and the album Phoenix followed. While the members were still heavily involved in other projects, they came together again to record Omega in 2010 and XXX in 2012, both albums were acclaimed by their faithful fans and supported by more world tours. Steve Howe stepped back from ASIA to concentrate on his work with Yes and was absent for 2014’s Gravitas. Following this tour came the news of John Wetton’s treatment for cancer, a fight he sadly lost in 2017.  Asia was special guest of Journey for an extensive US tour in 2017, and in 2019 the band toured with Yes within the Royal Affair tour. “We are planning an extensive tour to celebrate our 40th,” adds Downes, “and the music will feature all the hits the fans have embraced.  Stay tuned! It will be show you won’t want to miss.” This newly packaged box set includes: • Exclusive new artwork by Roger Dean • Colour vinyl 2LP of original MTV Telecast concert audio, remixed 2022 from the master tapes, with two previously unreleased, post broadcast encore tracks • 2 x audio CD: • Live at The Budokan Arena, Tokyo, Japan, MTV satellite telecast concert (6 December 1983, USA time), remixed 2022 from the master tapes by Matt Wiggins and Rick Nelson • Live at The Budokan Arena, Tokyo, Japan, previous night’s show (6 December 1983, Japanese Time), remixed 2022 from the master tapes by Hiroki Furutani • Audio-visual Blu-ray of restored original broadcast concert video with 2022 remixed au-dio by Hiroki Furutani (Duration: 1hr 20 mins), plus restored original concert laserdisc featuring alternate camera angles (Duration: 1hr) and The Road To Budokan pre-concert band documentary • 40 page, deluxe 12” book with rare and unseen band photos, memorabilia and exten-sive new sleeve notes new quotes from the original band members • New, bespoke metal and enamel ‘ASIA’ logo pin badge • Printed memorabilia: • 2 x exclusive new Roger Dean artwork A3 posters • 2 x reproduced live broadcast original concert tickets • Replicated, matt laminated original AAA backstage pass • Original concert VHS advert • 3 x glossy 8” x 5” rare band photos ASIA In Asia – Live At The Budokan, Tokyo, 1983 Tracklist (2 x LPs, CD1 & CD2) 1. Introduction From Mark Goodman (MTV) 2. Time Again 3. The Heat Goes On 4. Here Comes The Feeling 5. Eye To Eye 6. Steve Howe Solo (Sketches In The Sun) 7. Only Time Will Tell 8. Open Your Eyes 9. Geoffrey Downes Solo (Ihiri - The Setting Sun / Bolero) 10. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes 11. Wildest Dreams 12. Carl Palmer Solo 13. Heat Of The Moment 14. Sole Survivor 15. Cutting It Fine 16. Daylight ASIA In Asia – Live At The Budokan, Tokyo, 1983 is available as a Deluxe box set containing: 2LP, 2xCD, 40 page 12” book, Blu-ray video, printed memorabilia and ‘ASIA’ pin badge, as well as 2LP, 1CD & Digital formats on 10th June 2022 through BMG Records. About ASIA ASIA was a true rock ‘supergroup’ bringing together the talents of John Wetton, Carl Palmer, Geoff Downes and Steve Howe who had already amassed tens of millions of record sales with their collective bands of the 70s. Leaving behind their progressive roots, ASIA embraced the commercial FM rock sound that dominated US airwaves and took that, and the new MTV video channel, by storm. The single Heat Of The Moment was a world-wide monster smash and their eponymous 1982 debut album spent an incredible 9 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard chart as ASIA became the biggest selling album of the year and world tour dates sold out. A second album, Alpha, was released in 1983. The four original members reconvened in 2006 for a world tour, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of that incredible success, and the album Phoenix followed. While the members were still heavily involved in other projects, they came together again to record Omega in 2010 and XXX in 2012, both albums were acclaimed by their faithful fans and supported by more world tours. Steve Howe stepped back from ASIA to concentrate on his work with YES and was absent for 2014’s Gravitas. Following this tour came the news of John Wetton’s treatment for cancer, a fight he sadly lost in 2017. Website: https://originalasia.com/ Facebook – Original Asia Twitter - @OriginalAsia- The OInstagram – asiatheband Instagram – asiatheband

New Wave Icons DEVO To Donate Licensing Revenue to Benefit Ukraine

Media release: For Immediate Release

DEVO ANNOUNCE THEY WILL DONATE LICENSING REVENUE FROM THEIR SONG CATALOG TO ORGANIZATIONS HELPING SUPPORT UKRAINIAN PEOPLE AND REFUGEES

THE INITIATIVE STRIVES TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY TO FOLLOW SUIT

LOS ANGELES – (March 21, 2022) In response to the ongoing war in Ukraine and atrocities levied against the Ukrainian people, New Wave pioneers and platinum-selling music icons, DEVO, announced today that in addition to making their own personal monetary contributions, they will be donating their licensing revenue from their song catalog for the entire month of April 2022. The money will go directly to Music Saves UA and World Central Kitchen, two organizations on the ground helping to directly support the Ukrainian people and refugees. The group is encouraging others to join them in this effort.

“Vladimir Putin’s rape of a sovereign nation, Ukraine, whose citizens are committed to democratic rule of law should not and cannot stand in the 21st Century,” shared Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale of DEVO. “To help the victims of Putin’s unprovoked war, DEVO will be donating these revenues from the licenses of our song catalog throughout the month of April. We invite our rights holder partners in masters and publishing matters to join us in doing the same. Further we encourage all successful recording artists to do something similar to help make this gesture reach critical mass.”

Music Saves UA is a non-profit fundraising project created to provide immediate humanitarian help, including medical, food, water and hygiene, to those who need it most right now in Ukraine. Learn more at musicsavesua.com

"The whole team at Music Saves UA is incredibly grateful for all the donations and constant help and support from the world of music and culture,” says Music Save UA representative Vlad Yaremchuk. “Our incredible team and dozens of volunteers who joined our cause are working 24/7 to provide supplies and aid via our humanitarian HQ in Kyiv. Every penny that reaches us is put to good use immediately, especially as we work to establish new centres on the Moldovian and Romanian borders for those fleeing. Every act of support is invaluable for us and we deeply appreciate it.”

World Central Kitchen, founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, is a non-profit organization that provides fresh meals in response to crises while working to build resilient food systems with locally led solutions. In response to the Ukraine invasion, WCK has activated in Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Moldova, and Hungary, where they are providing meals for as many people as possible at border crossings, shelters, and other locations along the journey by working with local restaurants, caterers, and food trucks, and their own field kitchens. Learn more at wck.org

DEVO has a longstanding dedication to political and social activism. Known for hits like “Whip It,” “Beautiful World” and “That’s Good,” as well as for a career that spans across more than four decades and touches everything from music, art, television, movies and more, the group and its members are credited not only for pioneering the music video but also for using music and performance art as commentary on conformity, emotional repression and dehumanization.

New Music: Cowboy Junkies, Colin Hay, The Loud Family, Anton Barbeau

March 2022 is being marked by a number of stellar new audio releases.

Artist: Cowboy Junkies

Title: Songs of the Recollection (Proper Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Hope Sandoval, Cowboy Junkies, Mazzy Star

Tell me more: The Cowboy Junkies are back with Songs of the Recollection, a set of nine artfully reworked covers that surprise and thrill. The potent "Five Years" mines the introspective elements of the David Bowie classic, with Margo Timmins' signature vocals focused and then subsequently detached as the song purposely unravels to great effect in its burgeoning close. The cosmic country feedback-adorned reading of Gram Parsons' "Ooh Las Vegas" is equal parts Americana and shoegaze. The troupe's countrified folk rock is the perfect sonic brush to paint the lovely "No Expectations" (a Mick Jagger and Keith Richards co-write), haunting version of the Neil Young favorite "Don't Let It Bring You Down" (bolstered by some fiery electric guitar work) and atmospheric reading of Bob Dylan's "I've Made Up My Mind To Give Myself To You." Other songs artfully revisited include Neil Young's "Love In Mind," Gordon Lightfoot's "The Way I Feel," Vic Chesnutt's "Marathon" and The Cure's "Seventeen Seconds." In addition to singer Margo Timmins, Cowboy Junkies' talented lineup includes her brothers Michael Timmins (guitar) and Peter Timmins (drums) along with Alan Anton (bass guitar). Songs of the Recollection will be released via Proper Records on March 25, 2022. Information: CowboyJunkies.com.  

Artist: Colin Hay

Title: Now And The Evermore (Lazy Eye/Compass Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Colin Hay, Men At Work

Tell me more: Let's face it; the last few years have been tough. A global pandemic that continues to claim thousands of lives everyday, relentless violence across American cities — and now a terrible invasion led by Russia against the Ukraine resulting in the genocide of countless men, women and children — is all enough to make even the best of us to retreat from the real world. Leave it to singer-songwriter Colin Hay to cast a welcome ray of hope amidst the darkness. His new album Now And The Evermore (available now) finds Hay frequently tackling life and mortality with an optimistic approach. Just listen to the bona fide singalong original "Love Is Everywhere," wistful "Into The Bright Lights," defiant "The Sea Of Always" and Celtic-minded "All I See Is You" to be inspired by Hay's infectious songcraft. The title track (enhanced by terrific drumming from Ringo Starr) is aimed at making the best of the days we have left ("Nobody gets a sequel, no / Everyone gets shown the door / I'll be counting on the rising sun / To give me all my waking days / Until it sets upon the now and evermore"). Hay is able to explore loss as well, as he does on the chamber folk gem "Starfish And Unicorns," reflective "A Man Without A Name" and shimmering album closer "When Does The End Begin?" Information: ColinHay.com.  

Artist: The Loud Family and Anton Barbeau

Title: What If It Works? (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Game Theory, Anton Barbeau, Big Star, The Three O'Clock

Tell me more: Founded by singer-songwriter Scott Miller in 1982, Game Theory released a number of outstanding albums and several EPs that secured the power pop band's hero status. After the end of Game Theory in 1990, Miller recruited a new group of players and formed The Loud Family. In 2014, Omnivore Recordings began to release a series of remastered and expanded reissues of Game Theory's complete catalog. That record label's ambitious effort to champion the work of Miller now includes an expanded and deluxe edition of The Loud Family's 2006 album What If It Works, an LP which found Miller teaming with rising singer-songwriter Anton Barbeau to create a true masterpiece (sadly, Miller passed away in 2013 at the age of 53).  The material across What If It Works? is melodic to be sure, but the surrounding layers made up of literate songwriting, sharp musical arrangements, great musicianship and experimental elements make for an action-packed listen with new discoveries to be heard with every listen. Just listen to original album track-list offerings "Rocks Off" (a Rolling Stones cover), "Pop Song 99," "Flow Thee Water" and the title track, as well as bonus tracks like the cascading "Don't Bother Me While I'm Living Forever," melodic "I've Been Craving Lately," and rocking "Little Daisy." The reissue (due March 25 via Omnivore Recordings) features the original 10-track release, as well as more than a dozen bonus tracks. The wonderful packaging includes a 16-page booklet filled with photos, an essay from Stew Stewart, and a conversation between Barbeau and Scott Miller's widow (Kristine Miller) discussing the making of the album. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com. 

Artist: Anton Barbeau

Title: Power Pop!!! (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Cheap Trick, Matthew Sweet, The Beatles

Tell me more: March 25th is twice as nice for songsmith Anton Barbeau; not only is Omnivore Recordings issuing a must-hear reissue of his 2006 collaboration with Scott Miller and the Loud Family, but Big Stir Records is issuing his highly-anticipated new studio album Power Pop!!! the same day. Power Pop!!! features 19 tracks, including a mix of brief entries (including the 6-second "When I Am Happy") and full-length selections that are both listenable and ambitious. Barbeau's return comes on the heels of parade of notable titles including Manbird (2020) and Oh The Joys We Live For (2021). The title Power Pop!!! is somewhat sardonic with Barbeau's melodic music gifts on display even while he bends and outright expands the genre powerfully exclaimed in the album title itself. In addition to melodic and memorable tracks such as "Power Pop," the psychedelic "American Road," Beatlesque "The Drugs," bewitching "Rain, Rain" and Baroque ballad "Valerie's Waiting"; the intoxicating instrumental "Entrez-Vous Dans Les Maisons," driving electronica-tinged "The Never Crying Wolf Boy," hard-charging minute-long "Hillbilly Village," experimental "The Sound," jazzy instrumental "Fretless Bronze (For Matthew)" and Neo-funk sortie "Free" collectively keep the listener on the edge of their sonic seat. Information: antonbarbeau.com and bigstirrecords.com.

Robert Kinsler

Queen + Paul Rodgers: Live In Ukraine 2008. YouTube Special. Raising funds for Ukraine Relief

Earlier today a historic 2008 performance by Queen + Paul Rodgers staged in front of a crowd of 350,000 in Kharkiv, Ukraine was streamed via Queen's official YouTube channel for Ukraine Relief.

A screen shot from today's steaming event featuring Queen + Paul Rodgers.

Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen shared: “Queen + Paul Rodgers: Live In Ukraine 2008. YouTube Special. Raising funds for Ukraine Relief. In September 2008 Queen + Paul Rodgers answered a call from Ukraine’s Elena Pinchuk’s ANTIAIDS Foundation to reach out to the youth of the country with the message Don’t Let AIDS Ruin Your Life by playing a free Life Must Go On AIDS awareness concert in Kharkiv’s historic Freedom Square to a live audience of more than 350,000 – and a television audience of more than 10 million.”

I really enjoyed the concert and it was nice to help out with the important cause as the invasion by Russia and the obvious genocide of the Ukrainian people continues to play out in Eastern Europe. The setlist includes classics from Queen as well as Rodgers-fronted bands Free and Bad Company.

Donations made in connection with the online concert stream go to UNHCR - The UN Refugee Agency.

Here is the track listing for the two-hour concert:

Tracklisting:
One Vision
Tie Your Mother Down
The Show Must Go On
Fat Bottomed Girls
Another One Bites the Dust
Hammer to Fall
I Want it All
I Want to Break Free
Seagull
Love of My Life
39
Drum Solo
I’m in Love With My Car
Say It’s Not True
Shooting Star
Bad Company
Guitar Solo
Bijou
Last Horizon
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
C-lebrity
Feel Like Makin’ Love
Bohemian Rhapsody
Cosmos Rockin’
All Right Now
We Will Rock You
We Are the Champions
God Save the Queen

For more information, visit Queen's stream of the event HERE.

'Should Rap and Country be nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?' TJR & Robert Kinsler discuss Rock Hall selections

Check out a discussion of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame following the news that Dolly Parton has asked not to be among the nominees in 2022, and the Rock Hall's announcement that she will remain on the ballot. 

Watch the episode HERE

Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame® Inducted Icons & Rock Legends Def Leppard are back with new album 'DIAMOND STAR HALOS' on May 27

Def Leppard is set to return with a new album this spring! Robert Kinsler

ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME® INDUCTED ICONS & ROCK LEGENDS 

DEF LEPPARD 

ARE BACK WITH NEW ALBUM DIAMOND STAR HALOS

 ON MAY 27, 2022

PRE-ORDER HERE

DEF LEPPARD SHARES NEW SINGLE “KICK” - LISTEN HERE

 

FEATURING 15 NEW TRACKS WITH A VERY SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE ON TWO TRACKS FROM MULTI-GRAMMY WINNER ALISON KRAUSS

 

DEF LEPPARD’S 36 CITY US & CANADA STADIUM TOUR WITH MÖTLEY CRÜE SET TO KICK OFF ON JUNE 16^th IN ATLANTA, GA

 

Ready to ignite 2022, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame®-inducted icons and rock music legends Def Leppard return with their twelfth full-length album, Diamond Star Halos [UMe], on May 27^th, 2022. It marks the band’s first new work since 2015’s chart-topping self-titled, Def Leppard. It is available for pre-order now in multiple configurations, including a Deluxe Edition, 2-LP Vinyl, Digital formats and more. Exclusive bundles including newly designed album merch have also launched. Pre-order on the band’s official store—HERE.

To herald the arrival of Diamond Star Halos, the UK quintet—Joe Elliott [vocals], Rick Savage [bass], Rick Allen [drums], Phil Collen [guitar], and Vivian Campbell [guitar]— have just shared a powerful and rip-roaring new rock single entitled “Kick.” The song thrusts into an anthemic stadium-ready frenzy kickstarted with driving guitars and bombastic drums woven into its musical fabric. Meanwhile, the chorus has all the makings of another iconic Leppard hit with its skyscraping vocals and melodies the band has become synonymous for. The artwork for Diamond Star Halos is art in itself. The design follows pedigree with their instantly recognizable album covers from their celebrated past. With images by world renowned photographer and director Anton Corbijn, styling concepts by Maryam Malakpour and graphics by the UK based Munden Brothers, the design truly follows the band’s influence through their eyes today. 

Stay tuned for the premiere of the music video very soon. Following the album’s release, Def Leppard will co-headline the massive 36 city The Stadium Tour with Mötley Crüe joined by special guests Poison and Joan Jett. 

Over the past two years, Def Leppard recorded Diamond Star Halos simultaneously in three different countries with Joe in Ireland, Sav in England, and Phil, Vivian, and Rick in the United States. Without the pressure of timelines or a fixed schedule, they poured all of their energy into crafting 15 meaningful tracks with a mixture of classic spirit meets modern fire. Thematically, they nodded to their earliest collective influences such as David Bowie, T. Rex, and Mott The Hoople, among others. The title itself notably references T. Rex’s “Bang a Gong (Get It On).” However, they didn’t embark on this journey alone. The multi-Grammy award winning and legendary artist Alison Krauss lent her instantly recognizable and angelic voice to “This Guitar” and “Lifeless,” while David Bowie pianist Mike Garson performs on “Goodbye For Good This Time” and “Angels (Can’t Help You Now).”

Check out the full tracklisting below.  

2022 is the year of Def Leppard.  

TRACKLISTING

1. Take What You Want
2. Kick
3. Fire It Up 
4. This Guitar [feat. Alison Krauss]
5. SOS Emergency
6. Liquid Dust
7. U Rok Mi
8. Goodbye For Good This Time
9. All We Need
10. Open Your Eyes
11. Gimme A Kiss
12. Angels (Can’t Help You Now)
13. Lifeless [feat. Alison Krauss]
14. Unbreakable
15. From Here To Eternity

 

TOUR DATES:

6/16 Atlanta, GA   Truist Park

6/18 Miami Gardens, FL  Hard Rock Stadium

6/19 Orlando, FL   Camping World Stadium

6/22 Washington, D.C.  Nationals Park

6/24 Flushing, NY   Citi Field

6/25 Philadelphia, PA  Citizens Bank Park

6/28 Charlotte, NC   Bank of America Stadium

6/30 Nashville, TN   Nissan Stadium

7/2 Jacksonville, FL  TIAA Bank Field

7/5 St. Louis, MO   Busch Stadium

7/8 Chicago, IL   Wrigley Field

7/10 Detroit, MI   Comerica Park

7/12 Hershey, PA   Hersheypark Stadium

7/14 Cleveland, OH   FirstEnergy Stadium

7/15 Cincinnati, OH   Great American Ball Park

7/17 Milwaukee, WI   American Family Field

7/19 Kansas City, MO  Kauffman Stadium

7/21 Denver, CO   Coors Field

8/5 Boston, MA   Fenway Park

8/6 Boston, MA   Fenway Park

8/8 Toronto, ON   Roger’s Centre 

8/10 Orchard Park, NY  Highmark Stadium

8/12 Pittsburgh, PA   PNC Park

8/14 Minneapolis, MN  U.S. Bank Stadium

8/16 Indianapolis, IN  Lucas Oil Stadium

8/19 Houston, TX   Minute Maid Park

8/21 San Antonio, TX  Alamodome

8/22 Arlington, TX   Global Life Field

8/25 Glendale, AZ   State Farm Stadium

8/27 Inglewood, CA   SoFi Stadium

8/28 San Diego, CA  Petco Park

8/31 Seattle, WA   T-Mobile Park

9/2 Vancouver, BC  BC Place

9/4 Edmonton, AB   Commonwealth Stadium 

9/7 San Francisco, CA  Oracle Park

9/9 Las Vegas, NV  Allegiant Stadium

Photo Credit: Anton Corbijn

 

FOLLOW DEF LEPPARD

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Sights and Sounds: The Killers, Tommy Castro, 2022 MusiCares Person Of The Year Tribute

Some pretty exciting news for fans of The Killers, Tommy Castro and a high-profile benefit honoring Joni Mitchell...Robert Kinsler

The Killers Release Deluxe Edition of Their Acclaimed Seventh Album 'Pressure Machine'

Pressure Machine Deluxe Edition Features Reworked, Newly-Realized Versions of Select Album Tracks

 

“Notes From A Quiet Town” Live Film Debuts March 21st on Facebook; 

Click HERE to Watch the Trailer

The Killers will release an expanded, deluxe edition of their critically-lauded seventh studio album, Pressure Machine, on Island Records on March 25, 2022. The deluxe edition of Pressure Machine will feature newly-realized, reimagined versions of select songs from the album, framing the stories they tell in different sonic colors. 

 

Songs like album opener “The West Hills” get both a stripped back, acoustic version, as well as a ghostly, choral rendition. Pressure Machine’s stirring duet “Runaway Horses” with Phoebe Bridgers is re-imagined with a full band. Album closer “The Getting By” is revamped in four different styles, each one highlighting what The Killers do best - perfect choruses, stadium-ready melodies, and the soaring instrumentation that has made them one of the most beloved bands of the last two decades. 

 

The new tracks on Pressure Machine, like the original album, were co-produced by the band, Shawn Everett, and Jonathan Rado (of Foxygen), all of whom worked together on The Killers’ critically-acclaimed album Imploding The Mirage, released in 2020.  

 

On March 21st, in celebration of the deluxe edition’s release, The Killers will also debut a live film entitled “Notes From A Quiet Town” exclusively on Facebook. Featuring three stripped back performances from the band, the film, which is set in frontman Brandon Flowers’ hometown of Nephi, Utah, also includes stories from Nephi locals, much like the album. Click HERE to watch the trailer for the film. 

 

A quieter, character-study-driven album, Pressure Machine made major waves upon its release last summer. The album lives squarely in Nephi, Utah, a close-knit community of 5300 people with no traffic lights, a rubber plant, wheat fields, and the West Hills. Nephi is the place Flowers spent his formative years (10-16), saying “had it not been for advancements in the automotive industry, Nephi in the 90s could have been the 1950s.” The album’s songs are based on the memories and stories of people that impacted him growing up, interspersed with commentary from current Nephi locals about their town. 

 

The resulting record is an aural document of growing up - and living - in the American Southwest, told from a myriad of perspectives. For the first time in his life, Flowers had complete lyrics before a note of music was put to tape. No stranger to inhabiting different characters in songs, on Pressure Machine he steps into the shoes of some of the people whose lives he watched unfold as a teen. The album weaves the threads of Flowers’ signature lyricism throughout his career into a perfect whole culminating in the most elegant album The Killers have ever made. Indeed, Pressure Machine’s stories detail the real life personal battles, overwhelming regrets, local tragedies, and the opioid epidemic that hit Flowers’ hometown, as well as every hometown in America. Flowers sings about the choices people make, for better and for worse, and the consequences of those choices; the ones who were left behind, and the ones that can’t be forgotten.

 

The Killers will be touring throughout North America to celebrate both Pressure Machine and Imploding The Mirage, along with their much-loved catalog of global hits. Tickets for these shows are on sale now. 

 

Pressure Machine Deluxe Edition Tracklist:

1. West Hills
2. Quiet Town
3. Terrible Thing
4. Cody
5. Sleepwalker
6. Runaway Horses
7. In The Car Outside
8. In Another Life
9. Desperate Things
10. Pressure Machine
11. The Getting By
12. "The Getting By II"
13. "The Getting By III"
14. "The Getting By IV"
15. "The Getting By V"
16. "Runaway Horses II"
17. "West Hills II"
18. "West Hills III"

 

 

Tour dates:

Date                                     City                            Venue

Fri April 15, 2022                   Las Vegas NV            The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan (SOLD OUT)

Sat April 16, 2022                  Las Vegas NV            The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan (SOLD OUT)

Tue April 26, 2022                 Monterrey MX            Arena Monterrey

Wed April 27, 2022                Monterrey MX            Arena Monterrey

Fri April 29, 2022                   Mexico City MX          Foro Sol (SOLD OUT)

Sun May 1, 2022                   Guadalajara MX         Estadio 3 de Marzo (SOLD OUT)

Fri August 19, 2022              Vancouver BC          Rogers Arena

Sat August 20, 2022             Seattle WA               Climate Pledge Arena

Sun August 21, 2022            Portland OR              Moda Center

Tue August 23, 2022            San Francisco CA    Chase Center

Wed August 24, 2022           San Diego CA           Pechanga Arena

Fri August 26, 2022              Las Vegas NV          T-Mobile Arena

Sat August 27, 2022             Los Angeles CA        Banc of California Stadium

Tue August 30, 2022            Salt Lake City UT     Vivint Arena

Wed August 31, 2022           Denver CO               Ball Arena

Thu September 8, 2022        Houston TX              Toyota Center

Fri September 9, 2022         Austin TX                  Moody Center

Sat September 10, 2022      Fort Worth TX           Dickies Arena

Tue September 13, 2022     Miami FL                   FTX Arena

Wed September 14, 2022    Orlando FL                Amway Center

Fri September 16, 2022       Atlanta GA State       Farm Arena

Sat September 17, 2022      Nashville TN             Bridgestone Arena

Sun September 18, 2022     St. Louis MO             Chaifetz Arena

Tue September 20, 2022     St. Paul MN              Xcel Energy Center

Wed September 21, 2022    Chicago IL                United Center

Fri September 23, 2022       Toronto ON               Scotiabank Arena

Sat September 24, 2022      Montréal QC             Bell Centre

Sun September 25, 2022     Verona NY                Turning Stone Event Center

Thu September 29, 2022       Washington DC        Capital One Arena

Fri September 30, 2022       New York NY            Madison Square Garden

Sat October 1, 2022              New York NY            Madison Square Garden

Mon October 3, 2022           Boston MA                TD Garden

Tue October 4, 2022            University Park PA   Bryce Jordan Center

Thu October 6, 2022            Pittsburgh PA           Petersen Events Center

Fri October 7, 2022              Cleveland OH           Wolstein Center

Sat October 8, 2022             Detroit MI                  Little Caesars Arena

  

 

 

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Tommy Castro Marks 30 Years On The Road With 

A Bluesman Came To Town' and a Live Performance In San Juan Capistrano

 

“Castro is one of the brightest stars in the blues-soul genre. Voracious blues energy and ultimate soul power...impassioned vocals and pure inventiveness in his stellar guitar solos.” 

--Blues Music Magazine

 

“With a sterling reputation, guitarist and vocalist Tommy Castro is one of the foremost practitioners of electric blues. Searing delivery…rousing and teeming with emotion…funk-fueled, wailing and rocking. Tommy Castro Presents A Bluesman Came To Town is a revelatory experience, one that stands as not only Tommy Castro’s most essential album to date, but a sheer, soaring tour-de-force as well.” 

--Living Blues

 

“Soul-baring roadhouse blues….top-notch Memphis soul.”

--Washington Post 

 

Internationally beloved guitarist, singer and songwriter Tommy Castro will celebrate the release of his trailblazing new album, Tommy Castro Presents A Bluesman Came To Town, with a live performance featuring Castro and his band, The Painkillers, at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Multi-instrumentalist Deanna Bogart will join the group as a special guest for this performance.

 

2022 marks Castro’s 30th year as a bandleader as well as his 30-year association with bassist Randy McDonald. Castro is also celebrating the 10th anniversary of the formation of his current band, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, with McDonald, drummer Bowen Brown and keyboardist Michael Emerson. Live, the band will perform material from A Bluesman Came To Town, along with fan favorites from throughout Castro’s long career. 

 

On Thursday, February 10, 2022, the Blues Foundation announced the nominees for the 43rd Annual Blues Music Awards. Tommy Castro received six nominations. His nominations include the coveted B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year, Album Of The Year (for Tommy Castro Presents A Bluesman Came To Town) and Song Of The Year (for Somewhere). Additionally, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers were nominated for Blues Band Of The Year. The awards ceremony will be held in Memphis, Tennessee on Thursday, May 5, 2022.

 

Concert information is as follows:

 

Date: Saturday, April 23, 2022

Venue: The Coach House

Address: 33157 Camino Capistrano

City: San Juan Capistrano, CA

Phone: 949-496-8930

Showtime: 8:00pm

Ticket price: $25

Website: www.thecoachhouse.com

*See website for complete performance information

 

Music video for “A Bluesman Came To Town”:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=scFKfvofYJU</ >

 

A Bluesman Came To Town is a roots music odyssey. Through its 13 songs, Castro tells the tale of a young man, working on his family farm, who gets bitten by the blues bug. He masters the guitar and heads out on the road seeking fame and fortune, only to find what he’s left behind is the treasure he’s been looking for. “A Bluesman Came To Town isn’t a story about me,” says Castro. “It’s pulled from some of my friends’ and my experiences, though. I’ve seen first-hand for a lot of years what it’s like out there on the road.”

 

The road is where Castro has made his mark over the past three decades. Talking about his 30 years as a bandleader, Castro says, “When Randy and I started out playing blues joints and bars in San Francisco in the early 90s, we had no idea what kind of a ride we were in for. I’ve always been inspired by all the old blues guys and now I’m one of them. I look forward to the next 30 years!” McDonald adds, “We’ve lasted longer than all our marriages combined, and we’re still rockin' somewhere nearly every night.”

The two have performed over 6000 shows together, including three seasons as the house band for NBC's Comedy Showcase, two summer-long tours with B.B. King and Buddy Guy, 40 music cruises (including 33 consecutive sold-out Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruises), and many of the world’s largest music festivals. They have shared stages with legends including John Lee Hooker, Carlos Santana, Bob Weir, Greg Allman, Dr. John, Willie Nelson, Jeff Beck, Joe Bonamassa, Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite, Magic Dick of The J. Geils Band, Taj Mahal and Los Lobos.

Throughout his long, constantly evolving career, Castro has always remained true to himself while exploring, growing and creating new music, and he has taken his thousands of devoted fans right along with him. Ranging from horn-fueled R&B to piping hot blues to fiery, stripped-down rock ‘n’ roll, each of his 16 albums is solidly built on Castro’s unshakable musical foundation—a dynamic mix of 1960s-influenced guitar-fueled blues, testifying Memphis-soaked blue-eyed soul and Latin-tinged East San Jose funk, all driven by Castro’s grab-you-by-the-collar vocals and passionate guitar work. Blues Revue declared, “Tommy Castro can do no wrong.”

Castro joined Warner Brothers’ artists The Dynatones in the late 1980s, performing all over the country. While in the band, he met and befriended McDonald. With McDonald on bass, Castro formed the first Tommy Castro Band in 1992 and has not stopped touring since. In 1995, soon after releasing his first album on Blind Pig Records, The Tommy Castro Band was selected as the house band for three seasons on NBC Television’s Comedy Showcase (airing right after Saturday Night Live). The show brought him in front of millions of viewers every week and cemented his reputation as a not-to-be-missed, nationally touring live performer. 
 
After a series of successful releases on the Blind Pig, Telarc and 33^rd  Street labels, Tommy Castro joined Alligator Records in 2009. His label debut, Hard Believer, was released to massive popular and critical acclaim. With the album, Castro won four of his six career Blues Music Awards, including the coveted B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year Award (the very highest award a blues performer can receive).

In 2012, Castro formed The Painkillers and released The Devil You Know. The album was embraced by his legion of fans and discovered by hordes of new ones. He released Method To My Madness in 2015, Stompin’ Ground in 2017, and the irresistible Killin’ It–Live  in 2019, with critics shouting praise and admirers cheering the group’s every move. The band has coalesced into one of the telepathically tightest units Castro has ever assembled, delivering soul-shaking, muscular music that makes them one of the most in-demand live roots music acts performing today.

Castro’s relentless road-dog approach—gig after gig, night after night—has won him loyal, lifelong fans everywhere he plays. The Washington Post says Castro is “phenomenal and funky” with “soulful vocals and inspired blues guitar.” The San Francisco Chronicle describes Castro’s music as, “funky Southern soul, big city blues and classic rock...silvery guitar licks that simultaneously sound familiar and fresh.” No Depression says “Castro plays gritty, string-bending blues like a runaway train...a glorious blend that rocks the soul and lifts the spirits.”

SARA BAREILLES, JON BATISTE, BECK, BLACK PUMAS, LEON BRIDGES, BRANDI CARLILE, LAUREN DAIGLE, MICKEY GUYTON, HERBIE HANCOCK, CHAKA KHAN, ANGÉLIQUE KIDJO, CYNDI LAUPER, GRAHAM NASH, PENTATONIX, BILLY PORTER, ALLISON RUSSELL, STEPHEN STILLS, AND ST. VINCENT ANNOUNCED AS PERFORMERS AT 2022 MUSICARES® PERSON OF THE YEAR TRIBUTE HONORING JONI MITCHELL  ANNUAL TRIBUTE BENEFITING MUSICARES PROGRAMS TO BE HELD IN LAS VEGAS ON FRI, APRIL 1, 2022

GRAMMY® Award-winning artists Sara Bareilles, Beck, Leon Bridges, Brandi Carlile, Lauren Daigle, Herbie Hancock, Chaka Khan, Angélique Kidjo, Cyndi Lauper, Pentatonix, Billy Porter, Stephen Stills, and St. Vincent and GRAMMY Award nominees Jon Batiste, Black Pumas, Mickey Guyton, and Allison Russell are set to perform at the 31st annual MusiCares® Person of the Year benefit gala honoring Joni Mitchell on Fri, April 1, 2022. The evening will also feature a remote performance from GRAMMY Award-winning artist Graham Nash. Jon Batiste and Brandi Carlile, each nominated for multiple GRAMMY Awards this year, will also serve as Artistic Directors for the night, a first for Person of the Year.   As previously announced, this year's tribute will be held at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas on April 1, 2022. The evening will include a reception and silent auction, followed by a dinner and tribute concert honoring Joni Mitchell’s impact on the music industry and the inspiration she has provided to artists over the years.   "We're excited to honor Joni together, in person, as a music community and can't wait to bring this great event to Las Vegas," said Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares. "We will be celebrating with a purpose, toasting one of music's greatest songwriters and musicians, while raising vital funds to address the critical health and social service needs of the music community."   Sponsors for the 2022 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute include Live Nation, MGM Resorts International, Vivid Seats, ELS Studio Premium Audio, Gibson Gives, Meta, United Airlines, Wasserman Foundation, GREY GOOSE Vodka, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., and FIJI Water.   "MusiCares' amazing work providing aid to music professionals is crucial to the well-being of our community," said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy®. "Their ongoing support for music people is truly inspiring and we're looking forward to celebrating the return of Person of the Year this April."   The event will be produced by live event broadcast company Lewis & Clark. GRAMMY Award-winning producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Mike Elizondo will serve as Music Director for the 2022 Person of the Year gala. Tickets are available to purchase at https://Joni.givesmart.com. For more information about MusiCares Person of the Year, please visit www.musicares.org/person-year.   Music fans can also look forward to MusiCares®: Music on a Mission Presented by Gibson, a virtual concert celebrating both the power of music and Joni Mitchell as the 2022 MusiCares Person of the Year honoree. Scheduled for Wed, March 30 at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET, music fans everywhere will have the chance to sample a taste of GRAMMY® Week with never-before-seen virtual performances. Tickets are on sale now for $25 and every dollar from tickets purchased will be distributed to those in the music community in need. Visit https://bit.ly/MusiconaMission for more info and for tickets.

ABOUT MUSICARES MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989 as a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit: www.musicares.org