June 2002

news - archive

23/06/2002

Spock's Beard
Bonus Collectors Edition of "Snow"
On Sunday June 9, the members of Spock's Beard assembled at a very elaborate "home studio" in Hollywood to woodshed harmonies, and test drive some songs that are possible candidates for inclusion on a Bonus Collectors Edition of SNOW.
This would be on a THIRD CD in the package. This CD would include one fully electric cover song of a very famous progressive band that has already been recorded. In addition there may be a set of acoustic covers as well. Being considered are previously recorded Spock's songs, a song by the WHO, Jethro Tull, and more.

Saga.
The date for the release of the DVD is now set to september 16th.
The release of the remasters is set to early july.
The albums “Saga”, “Images At Twilight”, “Silent Knight” and “Pleasure and the Pain” will be the first remasters to appear. (july 2002)

Saga will be at an afterparty in Bonn at july 6th. The place were they will appear is called 'Harmony'. The possibility for a meet & greet is also being considered. Details about a possible meet & greet are coming up soon.

Ozric Tentacles Live Album and DVD
Ozric Tentacles release their new live album on 1st July 2002 on the Snapper Music label.  The live double album entitled The Pongmasters Ball was recorded at their sold-out show at London’s Shepherds Bush Empire earlier this year.  A DVD of the show is planned for release in September.  As exponents of a cornucopia of complex music styles and forms the Ozrics appeal to fans of many different genres.  Now, do I wear my faded jeans or dig out a kaftan?

ProgSol
A new progfestival in Switzerland.
Now it is official, Switzerland will have its first Progressive Rock Festival.For the first edition we will have a "small but fine" one, with only 200 Tickets to sell
Where ? Solothurn / Soleure, Switzerland
Date ?  25th and 26th october 2002
which Bands ?LEST (France), ARF (Switzerland), HIGH WHEEL (Germany), TRAVELMIND (Switzerland),DEEP THOUGHT (Switzerland), THONK (Switzerland), MOONGARDEN (Italy), ERTLIF (Switzerland)
and SPECIAL GUESTS!

Camel
Mixing of 'A Nod and a Wink' is nearly complete!  Camel Productions is gearing up for pre-order shipping so if you've already made a pre-order you'll be hearing from us very soon.  If you haven't made a pre-order give it some thought. Only the pre-ordered copies of the CD and DVD will be autographed to you, personally, by Andrew Latimer.  After the official release date -- which we expect next month -- Andrew will be back in the studio to record the acoustic album and he will not be available for signing.

The 'Coming of Age' DVD is also nearly complete!  A veritable mine-field of technical challenges, the DVD finally began to take firm shape last week. This mastering process is entirely different from the CD format.  It is also nearly 3 times more expensive.  As a result, the DVD will be offered only in the 'NTSC Region 0' format.  We are informed that this will permit the DVD to be played without any region restrictions and that most PAL players in Europe were sensibly designed to be able to accept NTSC format. CamelProductions looked carefully at offering both formats but the demand for NTSC is greater and it would require 2 different masters, which would double CPs costs and dramatically increase the cost of the DVD itself.  We have had a wonderful response for pre-ordering and only one order has had to be cancelled due to the format.  If you have any doubts, ask the manufacturer of your DVD player if it will play 'NTSC Region 0' format.
www.camelproductions.com

STRATOVARIUS album progress
STRATOVARIUS have finished recording the drums, guitars and bass for their forthcoming album, entitled Elements Part I, and are presently in the process of laying down keyboard and vocal tracks. One of the cuts to be included on the CD, "Stratofortress", is said have turned out to be " the most difficult song to record because of its speed," according to the group's official web site. "It took 6 hours for [bassist] Jari Kainulainen to record the bass parts to 'Stratofortress' alone and a whole day for [guitarist] Timo Tolkki to do the guitar parts.".
Elements Part I is set for a January 2003 release through Nuclear Blast Records. Among the song titles that are tentatively set to appear on the forthcoming CD are the following:
01. Eagleheart 02. Elements 03. Soul of a Vagabond 04. Find Your Own Voice 05. Alpha & Omega 06. Papillon 07. Drop in the Ocean 08. Stratofortress
Described as "faster, heavier and more symphonic than ever before", Elements Part I will feature a full-size symphony orchestra and choir conducted by Riku Niemi. The cover artwork for the CD will, once again, be done by Derek Riggs (i.e. IRON MAIDEN).

The Gathering.
A newsletter from the band:
Dear people,
We, the band, are proud to announce the release of the new mini CD Black Light District. This mini-album marks the 12½-year anniversary of The Gathering. Starting as a group of friends in a shed making metal-oriented music with a twist, we have evolved into a band that thrives on experimenting and freedom in doing what we want to do best: making music!

Today, we have our own label, Psychonaut Records, to ensure total creative freedom. Black Light District and the upcoming full-length album will be the first completely new releases on this label. The material for these albums has been written during a time of stress, both professional and personal, making the material dark and gloomy. Black Light District is out now, to celebrate 12½ years of music and friendship with you, our dedicated fans. It contains 3 songs (a mere 25 minutes of music, including the epic title track, clocking 16 minutes, and the modern and catchy 'Debris'), and a multimedia part showing the band working in the studio with producer Zlaya Hadzich and exclusive rockumentary video material!

First, Black Light District will be released on the Internet only. Psychonaut Records is working with 4Tune Shop, where you can order a copy directly by credit card or bank account.
Please visit http://www.4tune-shop.nl/index.php?categorie=gathering
and order your copy today!
We will promote this new mini CD by playing on several festivals in August, and by making a club tour in The Netherlands and Belgium in October/November. After the full-length release (Spring 2003), The Gathering will start an intensive tour throughout the world.
Black Light District proves that even after all these years, we are still exploring our musical boundaries, always searching for new ways to express ourselves. And now that we have taken matters into our own hands, who is going to stop us?
Kind musical regards,
The Gathering
www.gathering.nl

The Best of Kerry Livgren release
Kerry's new album, "The Best of Kerry Livgren" has been officially released. It contains 2 all new songs, and 4 totally new recordings of Kerry classics. The track-list is:
01. Konelrad (enhanced, re-mastered) – 02Exiles (new recording) - 03. White Light (previously unreleased) - 04. Time Line (new recording) - 05. Incantos (re-mastered) -
06. On the Air (re-mastered) - 07. When You Walk (previously unreleased) - 08. Eerie Cove (remastered) - 09. To Live for the King (new recording) - 10. The Fury (re-mastered) -
11. Utopian Dream (re-mastered) - 12. Smoke Is Rising (remastered) - 13. The Navigator
(re-mastered) - 14. Ground Zero (new recording)
Order yours today from Numavox Music

"Kansas II" official release!
Cuneiform Records is proud to announce the September, 2002 release of Proto-Kaw "Early Recordings From KANSAS 1971-1973" (Cuneiform Records Rune 171)
This album compiles and releases for the very first time recordings made by guitarist and composer Kerry Livgren with the seven- piece band that immediately preceded the formation of the lineup of the band that the world knows as KANSAS.
These studio and live recordings present a different and fascinating contrast to the music that Kerry would develop and release upon the world with KANSAS just a couple of years later. Yet, as composer of all the tracks here, they still have his obvious imprint.
The line up of the band consisted of: Lynn Meredith: Vocals - John Bolton: Electric Saxophone, flute - Don Montre: RMI piano, flute, alto sax - Kerry Livgren: Guitar
Dan Wright: Hammond Organ, Ring Modulator - Rod Mikinski: Bass - Zeke Low or Brad Schulz: Drums
The sound is obviously influenced by early jazz/rock pioneers such as Soft Machine, Don Ellis, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, as well as early progressive rock bands such as Van Der Graaf Generator and early King Crimson.
Kerry Livgren has returned to the original tapes and worked on all tracks in his studio to present this material in the best possible light. He also contributed liner notes and provided archival photographs of the musicians.

More information and sound samples from this album will be found at Cuneiform Records' website closer to the September release date.
www.cuneiformrecords.com

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18/06/2002

Ayreon / Star One
INTERGALACTIC  SPACE CRUSADERS VISIT PLANET EARTH!

Arjen:
Finally, I've decided to play live! It will be a short European tour under
the name of "Star One featuring Ayreon". We will play shows in Holland,
Germany, France and Belgium and the supportband will be Vandenplas
from Germany. The tourmotto will be "Intergalactic Space Crusaders" and we
will play Star One *and* Ayreon material.

These are the 9 musicians (to be confirmed):

Guitars: Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon, Star One, Vengeance)
Drums: Ed Warby (Ayreon, Star One, Gorefest)
Bas: Peter Vink (Ayreon, Finch, Q65)
Keyboards: Joost van den Broek (Sun Caged)
Vocals: Russell Allen (Ayreon, Star One, Symphony X)
Vocals: Damian Wilson (Ayreon, Star One, Threshold)
Vocals: Robert Soeterboek (Ayreon, Star One, Wicked Sensation)
Vocals: Floor Jansen (Ayreon, Star One, After Forever)
Backing Vocals: not confirmed yet

And these are the dates:
28 September: Zoetermeer - Boerderij (Holland)
29 September: Tilburg - 013 (Holland)
30 September: Hamburg - Markthalle (Germany)
01 October: Bochum - Zeche (Germany)
02 October: Aschaffenburg - Colos Saal (Germany)
03 October: Paris - Ellysee (France)
04 October: Antwerpen - Hof ter Loo (Belgium)
05 October: Rijssen - Lucky & Co (Holland)

I'm really looking forward to finally seeing you all on this tour!
There will be more detailed info later. Right now I'm going to rehearse like crazy! ;O)
Arjen
Photo taken by Barbara M. Haster / Universal Ayreonauts

Dream Theater

First few confirmed European dates for the Fall

An An Evening With Dream Theater

October 23 and 24 - Paris, France - Mutualité**
November 3 - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Ahoy

**As will always be a Dream Theater tradition, the 2 night stand will have completely different sets from the first night to the second, and one of the sets on the second night will be a classic album covered in its entirety**

Many more dates to come......
(Tickets for the concert in Rotterdam, Netherlands will go on sale on Saturday June 22 at the usual addresses)

Dream Theater European Summer Tour Dates

Dream Theater - Europe Summer 2002
DT = An Evening With Dream Theater
F = Festival

NOTE: The show on June 19th was moved from San Sebastian, Spain to Valencia, Spain due to a strike.
June 14th Seinajoki, Finland - Provinssirock Festival (F)
June 16th Lisbon, Portugal - Praca Sony (DT)
June 17th Oporto, Portugal - Coliseu (DT)
June 18th Madrid, Spain - Larviera club (DT)
June 19th Valencia, Spain - Republicca Club (DT)
June 21st Murcia, Spain - Plaza de toros de murcia (DT)
June 23rd Lyon, France - Le TransBordeur (DT)
June 24th Lichtenfels, Germany- Stadthalle (DT)
June 25th Dresden, Germany - Alter Schlachthof (DT)
June 27th Prague, Czech Republich - Club Brumlovka (DT)
June 28th Krakow,Poland - Hala Wisla (DT)
June 29th Budapest, Hungary - Petofi Open Air (DT)
July 1st Athens, Greece - Rockwave Festival (F)
July 3rd Sofia, Bulgaria - National Palace of Culture (DT)
July 4th Bucharest, Romania - Arenele Romane (DT)
July 6th Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Festival (F)
July 7th Frauenfeld, Switzerland (F)
July 10th - Toscolano Maderno, Italy - Campo Sportivo **NEW**
July 11th Conegliano, Italy - Veneto Campo (DT)
July 12th Pistoia, Italy - Duomo Square (F)

More dates still come.....
All dates are subject to possible change....

Queensryche Singer Goes Solo

Queensryche vocalist Geoff Tate is branching away from the band and winging a solo album and tour. Just days prior to the release of his self-titled project, Tate hits the road, tackling clubs from June 22 through July 27.
"I'm very excited about playing out again," said Tate. "Working with these guys (new bandmates Jeff Carrell, Scott Moughton, Howard Chilcott, Chris Fox and Evan Schiller) has been such a great experience and I can't wait to take it onstage. I'm doing a two-hour show that will feature almost all of the new album and some more obscure Queensryche material I haven't performed in years.
"We're really going to shake things up on this tour and try some different arrangements on some of the tracks. I can't wait!"
Although Tate is exploring a solo path, fans can rest assured that this does not spell the end for Queensryche. The band is readying a new album to release later this year. Meanwhile, other members in the group are working on their own side-projects as well. Guitarist Michael Wilton has his band Soulbender and drummer Scott Rockenfield recently released an album with Slave To The System.

Progday Friday 2002  
August 30, 2002 8pm
Local 506
506 W. Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27516-2317
Phone: (919) 942-5506
The 8th annual Progday Progressive Rock Festival (www.progday.com)  is set for Labor Day Weekend featuring a lineup that includes Happy the Man, Starcastle, The Muffins, Kraan, Izz, Tempano, Avant Garden and Thieves Kitchen in an outdoor setting at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, NC on Saturday Aug 31st and Sunday Sep 1st. In addition to all this fun in the North Carolina sun, an indoor concert has been scheduled for Friday night Aug 30th at Chapel Hill's Local 506 venue featuring The Dark Aether Project, Smokin' Granny and French TV.

About the bands:

The Dark Aether Project has been an ever-mutating musical entity since it was founded by multi-instrumentalist Adam Levin in 1997 during a weekend of work with the Seattle Guitar Circle - an offshoot of King Crimson mainstay Robert Fripp's Guitar Craft seminars. Nearly 5 years, 3 albums, several tours up and down the east coast and scores of glowing reviews later, the current lineup of Levin (8 String Warr Touchstyle Guitar, keyboards, bass and guitar), Allen Brunelle (drums, keyboards, vocals), Jennifer Huff (vocals), John McCloskey (guitar) and Marty Saletta (keyboards, stick) are continuing to reach new heights with their new album "The Gentle Art of Firewalking" which has garnered comparisons to a blend of 80's King Crimson, early Mahavishnu Orchestra, Pink Floyd and modern post-rock influences. See
http://www.darkaether.net/

Smokin' Granny is a North Carolina based instrumental outfit whose music is a powerful blend of avant-fusion and funky prog. Exploratory improvisations weave tapestries of many interesting textures, from industrial noise, ambient washes, and angular melodies to pounding rhythms that coalesce into intriguing excursions. The band consists of Brian Preston on basses, Todd Barbee on saxophones and midi wind controller, Jeffrey Damon Lindsey on drums, David Oskardmay on acoustic guitar, and Steve Hatch on electric guitar.  See http://meta4ik.home.mindspring.com/smokingranny/

French TV is a Louisville, Kentucky-based progressive band that has been in existence since 1983. Over the years, members have come and gone, but founder/bassist/main composer Mike Sary continues to drag the band into the next millenium. They have released 6 cds to date: "French TV "[1984]; "After a Lengthy Silence"[1987]; "Virtue in Futility"[1994]; Intestinal Fortitude"[1995]; "Live: YOO-HOO!!!"[1997]; "The Violence of Amateurs"[1999] and their most recent, 2002's "The Case Against Art". Musically, they have been compared to the best progressive bands of the'70s: National Health, Soft Machine, Zappa, Bruford, Brand X, Happy the Man, and Samlas Manna Mamma, among others.  See http://www.frenchtvonline.com/

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10/06/2002
Vanden Plas
A few pictures of Vanden Plas live in The Spirit of 66, Verviers, Belgium on june 9th 2002.
You can find the rest of the pictures on the photopage of our newslist. (you have to be a member off course) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/prog-nose-news/
The first picture is of Philippe Thibaut, a belgian guitarplayer, who was supporting Vanden Plas and who did a very good job on his own. He plays very virtuoso.(Satriani, Vai). Later this year, he will be back in the Spirit of 66 with his band.




09/06/2002

Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree will be undertaking their first live shows for a year, starting in the USA at the end of July. Their new album "In Absentia" will be issued by Lava/Atlantic in September, but these early dates will be an opportunity for the band to preview some new material, as well as introducing new drummer Gavin Harrison. In addition (and for the first time in the USA) the band will be bringing the Fruit Salad light show with them on all of these dates.
So far confirmed are :
July 22, Middle East, Boston
July 24, Bowery Ballroom, NYC
August 1, House of Blues, Los Angeles
August 2, Slims, San Francisco
Further dates will be announced on the porcupinetree.com website shortly.

Jan Akkerman
Jan Akkerman and his band are giving a free open air concert in the Vondelpark, Amsterdam on Sunday august 4, 2002. The gig starts at 16.15 hour.

Star One.
Arjen has put a list of the movies, that inspired his songs for Star One, on his site.

The Gathering
Delay MiniCD Black Light District.
Due to some illness we have a little delay. We expect to have the miniCD Black Light District out around the 24th of june. These things happen, hope you understand.. - Hans
Videoclip My Electricity now online.
Our videoclip of 'My Electricity' is now online. Just click on our download area. The shoots are from Vlieland/the Netherlands, recorded on 8mm by Rob Ponsen, and edited by Hans Nagtegaal, who did an excellent job!
The videoclip was recorded in 1999, and we just couldn't resist to put it on our homepage. 8mm rulez! – Hans
www.gathering.nl

COWDRAY CONCERT
Friday 21st June 2002
For the WHITE LOTUS SCHOOL, Ladakh and TIBET HOUSE TRUST

An evening of Beatles music performed by:

David Gilmour, Ringo Starr, Mike Rutherford, Roger Taylor, Lulu, Bob Geldof, Paul Carrack, Donovan, Gary Brooker, Kenney Jones, Damon Hill and other special guests

with Mike Sanchez and his band

at Cowdray House, Midhurst, West Sussex

Daniel Gildenlow
Daniel Gildenlow, guitarist and singer of the very clever Pain of Salvation, has been put away from the project made up by Jim Matheos with Mike Portnoy, Kevin Moore and Sean Malone. Daniel explains, withoutn resentment but sad, that Jim prefered entrusting all the vocal parts to Kevin Moore

Genesis
After the success of Genesis For Two Grand Pianos (see Reviews), the CD is being re-released on the (Steve Hackett’s) Camino label next month with a bonus track (Mad Man Moon).
Yngve Guddal, one of the musicians behind the project, tells us that a second album is currently underway, The Lamb Lies Down and Cinema Show having already been recorded, and a further five tracks are planned.  A release date is yet to be set.

LANDMARQ
GFT-Cyclops comple their re-issues all of the early Landmarq albums with the release of the band's 1992 debut album, 'Solitary Witness' (CYCL 116).
As with 'Infinity Parade' last month's release,the CD has undergone a make over with a re-designed cover.  There is also a bonus track; the earliest of all the band's official releases: an abridged version of 'Suite: St. Helens' recorded prior to Damian Wilson joining the band it features vocals by Rob Lewis-Jones.  This 5-minute track was previously only found on the 10th anniversary compilation from SI Records in 1991.
The booklet was actually put together by Clive Nolan.

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03/06/2002
 

Renaissance
On May 22nd Japanese fans could get hold of the new live album from RENAISSANCE, "In The Land Of The Rising Sun", recorded on March 16th, 2001 in Tokyo. On that date the band comprised three of five original members – vocalist Annie Haslam, guitarist Michael Dunford and drummer Terence Sullivan - as well as two keyboard players, Mickey Simmonds and Rave Tesar, and bassist David Keyes. Performance spread over two CDs, includes, alongside classic material, four songs of the group's latest studio work, 2000's “Tuscany” and three of Haslam's solo albums.
Disc 1 : Carpet Of The Sun - Opening Out - Midas Man - Lady From Tuscany - Pearls Of Wisdom - Dear Landseer - Northern Lights - Moonlight Shadow - Precious One – Ananda
Disc 2 : Mother Russia - Trip To The Fair - One Thousand Roses - I Think Of You - Ashes Are Burning

Mike Oldfield
Mike Oldfield isn't a lazy artist - especially, when it comes to another version of his classic, "Tubular Bells". Originally out in 1973, the album is to be re-recorded one more time and issued in 2003. But, before that, on June 3rd "Music VR", "stunning visuals with equally breathtaking musical themes", will hit the community. All this led Mike to sign a new three-album contract with Warner Music. The first of them is "Tr3s Lunas" which debutes alongside first episode of "Music VR" of the same title - the video will be included on the CD.

David Bowie
In 1972, David Bowie's "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars", was released.. Thirty years down the line, the 30th anniversary reissue of the album is ready to take off and pencilled for release on July 8th, expanded with bonus disc featuring some songs tied-in with the album.
Disc1: Five Years - Soul Love - Moonage Daydream - Starman - It Ain't Easy - Lady Stardust - Star - Hang On To Yourself - Ziggy Stardust - Suffragette City - Rock 'n' Roll Suicide
Bonus Disc: Moonage Daydream (Arnold Corns version) - Hang On To Yourself (Arnold Corns version) - Lady Stardust (demo) - Ziggy Stardust (demo) - John, I'm Only Dancing - Velvet Goldmine - Holy Holy - Port Of Amsterdam - The Supermen - Round And Round - Sweet Head (take 4) - Moonage Daydream (new mix)

Genesis
You are an avid Genesis fan and want to fully illustrate your fanatism ? Then put one of the original Genesis watches around your arm. None other than artist Paul Whitehead has released a very limited run of watches based on his designs for Trespass, Foxtrot and Nursery Crime. Now these can be yours in no time. Just visit www.paulwhitehead.com to find out all the details. In the meantime here are some pictures of what to expect ! Time gentlemen please !

Asia:
Asia will be playing a single date in the UK on July 6th at a festival at Trowbridge Park, Wiltshire. The band is expecting to be playing more UK dates later this year.
A new Asia release entitled Quadra is scheduled for July. The album is reported to be a box set of three or four live shows from the John Wetton eras of Asia. There is no word on what the shows are, or what the sound quality is like. The label in question, ZOOM CLUB, previously released another Asia live set called Alive In Hallowed Halls, which was not only poor quality, but was also not what it claimed to be (the last ever show from the original Asia lineup), so caution is in order

Mike Stone
Another sad day: Mike Stone, one of the best rock producers died, aged only 51. Stone's magic hands' touch are on many an album he engineered and produced - by Keith Moon, JOURNEY and KISS to name but a few. It was him who worked on Lou Reed's "Transformer" and AMERICA's "Homecoming", "Funny Lady" by Barbra Streisand and "Bongo Fury" by Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart. His creative peak Mike achieved in the '80s, first with three first ASIA albums and then with WHITESNAKE's magnificient "1987". A great loss for music.
ASIA's Geoff Downes said that the forthcoming "Anthologia: 20th Anniversary / Geffen Years Collection:1982-1990" containing three said albums and additional tracks, will be dedicated to Mike Stone's memory.

Porcupine Tree
The new Porcupine Tree album "In Absentia" is now mixed and scheduled for release in September by Lava/Atlantic Records.
The album was recorded in New York and London and mixed in Los Angeles. The sessions were produced by SW, this time with the assistance of engineer Paul Northfield and mixing specialist Tim Palmer. Dave Gregory provided string arrangements for 2 tracks. More details and exclusive audio previews from the album will shortly be available from the porcupinetree.com website.
The band will be back out on the road at the end of July to start promoting the album. Keep on eye on the website for confirmed tour dates.

Nathan Mahl
The band has just released their new album entitled "Heretik Volume III: The Sentence", which can already be ordered by mail order to mahlproductions@rogers.com, and will be available to order online and in shops very soon.

Jadis
The band is already working on a new studio album with the working title "Fanatic" that would be released in January/February 2003 through Inside Out.
They already have 3 scheduled concerts for July: July 6th in Southampton, July 12th in London and July 13th in Rotherham.

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