BLAST MAGAZINE....."We Go To Eleven"

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Concert Photography

3/30/2012:
"Dig In Deep" to be released 20. April 2012:
Getting together to write our first album in over eighteen years is no easy feat, especially when the band members are spread out all over the globe. But after many successful years of touring on the heels of their classic albums DON'T COME EASY and STRENGTH IN NUMBERS, Tyketto felt it was time to introduce the fans to new music.
The music should have stayed true to the Tyketto roots, but at the same time the album should have reflected where the band member’s lives were today. It should rock!
Sessions for ‘DIG IN DEEP’ began in 2009 ago with the exchanging of demo ideas and a few preproduction visits to Brooke's Las Vegas home. With Brooke in Vegas (and now in Wisconsin), Danny in Gibraltar (and now Spain) and Michael in New Jersey (and still in New Jersey!), the band certainly had their work cut out for them.
Dig In DeepMichael recalls receiving the initial song demos from Danny: "As I listened to the first set of songs, I immediately drew parallels to our debut album, ‘Don’t Come Easy’. Although the words were different, many of the sentiments were the same. The themes of classic Tyketto songs such as “”Walk On Fire”, “Wings” and “Sail Away” were simple: don't let anything stand in the way of what you want in life. Those sentiments are echoed in songs like THE FIGHT “Left Me In” and “Dig In Deep”. As the months passed and the ideas became songs, we knew we were onto something very special. In typical Tyketto fashion, we collected a wide array of material. Rockers like “Sound Off” and “Faithless” will make those "Forever Young" fans happy, while we show our more melodic side with “Battle :ines”, “Monday” and the epic ballad “This Is How We Say Goodbye”, “Love To Love: shows off our acoustic laced rock side ala “Seasons”. We feel there is something here for everyone. It is hard to meet that balance of giving fans what they want without repeating yourself. We feel ‘Dig In DErrp’ has met that balance perfectly."
The making of the album was fraught with scheduling issues, weather delays, internal differences of opinion and a myriad of other problems associated with making an record. In the end, the band’s vision was met, so now ‘Dig In Deep’ is the perfect third chapter in the Danny Vaughn era of Tyketto
The band debuted some of the new material at British and American shows in December 2011 to rave reviews. With a 2012 slot scheduled for Firefest and a full scale tour in the works, Tyketto keeps on doing what they do best: writing great songs and performing live for their fans.
Tyketto – Dig In Dep’
1.) “ Faithless”
2.) “Love to Love”
3.)“ Here's Hoping It Hurts”
4).” Battle Lines”
5.) “The Fight Left in Me”
6. ) “Evaporate”
7.) “Monday”
8.) “Dig in Deep”
9.) “Sound Off”
10.) “Let This One Slide”
11.) “This Is How We Say Goodbye”

Dokken Will have broken Bones On their next release:
     The cover artwork for Dokken's forthcoming album, "Broken Bones", can be seen below. The drums for the CD were laid down at Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee's The Atrium studio in Calabasas, California. A summer release via Frontiers Records is expected.
     Dokken frontman Don Dokken stated in a recent interview about the new album title, "[It]is a metaphor that we all have broken bones, be it from an accident, failed relationship, or a broken heart. Everybody gets wounded as we go through life, but, as they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
     Dokken previously described the band's new material as "very uptempo and heavy." He added, "We know our fans like the classic Dokken sound, and this is where our new music is headed. It's been a band of brothers doing what we love: 'music.”
     Regarding the new songs' lyrical approach, Dokken said, "I write what comes from the heart, I don't believe in writing music trying to repeat what you've already done. I understand what the fans want but as an artist I see no point in painting the same picture over and over."
     The cooperation between Frontiers and Dokken started with the European release of the group's "Lightning Strikes Again" CD in 2007. The album marked a return to Dokken's signature style with melodic hooklines and blazing guitar riffs that epitomized the band's sound on such records as ‘Tooth And Nail’, ‘Under Lock And Key’, ‘Back For The Attack’ and ‘Dysfunctional’.
    Dokken's current lineup consists of Don Dokken on lead vocals, Jon Levin on guitar, Sean McNabb on bass and Mick Brown on drums.

3/29/2012:
Great White Releases 1^st CD With New Vocalist:
Great White’s 12th studio album and first with singer Terry Ilous (XYZ) called ‘Elation’ is set to come out May 18th in Europe and May 22nd in North America via Frontiers Records.
“Elation is a new birth of the band,” drummer Audie Desbrow says. “I wanted to call the album Tabula Rasa which means rebirth, but we went for Elation because of the euphoria in the atmosphere. It’s a fresh and healthier start than ever before. I’m like a kid in a candy store.”
Mark Kendall, one of rock’s most notable guitarists, echoed Desbrow’s pure excitement. “The energy in the studio is amazing,” Kendall says. “This is the most excited I’ve been since I was nine-years-old and got my first guitar. It's remarkable to be doing our third record with Frontiers Records and to feel the love and support from Serafino and his team. They are truly part of the Great White family."
Guitarist Michael Lardie, who also served as Elation’s producer, applauded the band’s teamwork in the studio. He was struck by the group’s song writing approach and enthusiasm, and assures fans will embrace the record.
“The difference in this studio experience was simple. Everyone was completely present and contributed to the making of this album. As a producer, I feel my part is to get the best out of each of us and I got better than anyone’s best!”
Look out for Shark Tales - The Tell All Book: 30 years of Rock and Roll and Great White rocking in a city near you in 2012!

3/23/2012:

Europe's video for "Not Suppose To Be The Blues"

3/6/2012:
Ronnie Montrose:
November 29, 1947 – March 3, 2012
A few months ago, we held a surprise party for Ronnie Montrose's 64th birthday. He gave an impromptu speech, and told us that after a long life, filled with joy and hardship, he didn't take any of our love for granted.
He passed today. He'd battled cancer, and staved off old age for long enough. And true to form, he chose his own exit the way he chose his own life. We miss him already, but we're glad to have shared with him while we could.
A few comments from fellow musicians:
Sammy Hagar: “I knew nothing about nothing,” Hagar said. “I didn’t know anything about publishing — he could have stolen my songwriting credit, but he got me my own publishing deal. Later on ... well, right away, we started butting heads, but at that point in my life I was seeing a guy I thought was rich and famous and he was reaching out to me and bringing me up….”Ronnie was the most fiery, intense guitar player of everybody,” Hagar said. “There was Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Clapton, those were the guys, but none had Ronnie’s fire. He played at 100 (percent), he was just on fire — he jumped around, just was a really high-energy performer. I learned all that from him, and everything I do today — no ego involved — it came from him, from seeing him perform that first time with Edgar Winter and then standing next to him within a week and rehearsing. I was always a high-energy guy, but I wasn’t that way (onstage) until I got in Montrose.”
JK Northrup: "I am overwhelmed by this beyond the words I can express. Ronnie was not only one of my biggest influences as a guitarist, but was a friend and also helped me with my career not only as a producer of some of my earlier recordings, but he also gave me verbal and mental inspiration that was invaluable. Ronnie was one of the most amazing performers of all time. The first Montrose album is in my top 5 favorite and was the beginnings of west coast American hard rock. RIP Ronnie, you will always be a part of who I am."
Richie Kotzen: "Sad times for the guitar community. RIP Ronnie Montrose."
Billy Sheehan: "Rest in Peace, Ronnie Montrose. First Montrose record---one of the greatest rock records ever made."
Slash: "Myles just told me Ronnie Montrose passed. fn' shame. "Montrose" is one of the all time great R&R albums. Major influence. RIP man. IiiI; )'"
Glenn Hughes: "Just heard that my good friend Ronnie Montrose has passed away....I'm speechless...RIP my brother...you will be missed @ the Hughes's...GH"
Bobby Blotzer: “R.I.P. Ronnie, Im glad I had the privilege to play drums on tour with him in 2002. Very sad!”

1/26/2012:
FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE BAND RIOT PASSES AWAY:

June 7, 1955 - January 25, 2015
Rest In Peace
Mark Reale, the founding guitarist of the legendary metal band RIOT, passed away earlier today (Wednesday, January 25) in a San Antonio hospital due to complications of Crohn's disease — an ailment he has battled for most of his life. He was 57 years old.
Reale had reportedly been in a coma for the past two weeks after suffering a subarachnoid hemorrhage on January 11.
RIOT said in a statement: "To friends and fans of Mark Reale and RIOT, we are deeply saddened to confirm that Mark has lost his battle with a lifelong illness. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated by Mark's family, friends, and bandmates at this difficult time."
Upon learning of Mark's passing, Brian Slagel, founder and CEO of Metal Blade Records, said, "I was a huge fan of RIOT's 'Fire Down Under' album and got to interview them for my fanzine. Great guys and I was lucky enough to finally reissue 'Fire Down Under' and the other early RIOT albums on Metal Blade. We signed the band for their second run, so to speak, and put out some records in the '90s that did well, especially in Europe and Japan. It was a pleasure working with them and Mark was always a kind soul — an AMAZING player who really has a big time place in the history of metal. One of the really nice guys who put out some incredible stuff."
RIOT played two shows without Reale last week — on January 18 at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City and on January 20 at Montage Music Hall in Rochester, New York — and is currently taking part in 70,000 Tons Of Metal, a four-day all-heavy metal cruise which set sail on Monday, January 23 aboard the Royal Caribbean Majesty Of The Seas from Miami, Florida.
Mark spent most of his life working and performing while enduring almost constant pain and the side effects of treatment for Crohn's disease. He was in Texas bravely attempting to practice for the shows, but was felled by a severe onset of Crohn's symptoms, leaving him in the Intensive Care Unit at an undisclosed facility. Mark was struggling with these symptoms throughout the production of RIOT's new album, "Immortal Soul", and guitarist Mike Flyntz recorded a major portion of the guitars on the LP with Mark's creative direction while Reale was unable to perform.
RIOT's original singer Guy Speranza died on November 8, 2003 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 47 years old. Often regarded as the best RIOT vocalist, he sang on the group's first three full-length albums — "Rock City" (1977), "Narita" (1979) and "Fire Down Under" (1981) — before being replaced by Rhett Forrester. Forrester himself left in the mid-'80s to pursue a solo career, only to be murdered on January 22, 1994 in AtlaSinger Mike Tirelli, who toured with RIOT after Mike DiMeo officially left the band in 2007, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in the fall of 2008 and underwent treatment for this life-threatening illness. All the treatments were reportedly a huge success in eradicating the disease.