Prog Legends Flash Featuring Ray Bennett & Colin Carter To Release New CD!

For Immediate Release

Prog Legends Flash Featuring Ray Bennett & Colin Carter To Release New CD!

Los Angeles, CA – British progressive rock legends Flash, featuring founding members Ray Bennett & Colin Carter, will be releasing their highly anticipated new CD on Purple Pyramid Records on May 21, 2013. Titled ‘Flash featuring Ray Bennett & Colin Carter’, it’s the first album by the group in 40 years, taking the band to a new level of creativity and virtuosity with this current set of progressive melodic rock tunes.

Founded by lead vocalist Colin Carter, original YES member, guitar legend Peter Banks, bassist Ray Bennett and drummer Mike Hough, Flash released three critically acclaimed albums in the 1970′s and undertook several successful tours of the US and Europe. In the USA, the single “Small Beginnings” reached #29 in the Billboard charts, and the first album ‘Flash’ made the top 50, propelling the band into major venues on their first tour. In the US, Flash went from intimate venues like the Whisky A Go Go, to large concert halls like New York’s Avery Fisher Hall, to the wild crowd of 300,000 music fans at the Soda Pop Festival in Indiana. Flash also made high profile performances on TV shows in Europe and the US, including ‘The Midnight Special’ and the Wolfman Jack hosted ‘Superstars Of Rock’.

The band’s new CD was recorded over a period of three years and it delivers a mixture of classic and modern progressive rock sure to please die-hard Flash fans and new listeners alike! Says Ray Bennett, “First and foremost, I think the new album turned out really well. No, that’s being somewhat modest… I think it’s brilliant. I wouldn’t be happy with anything less. The goal for me, and I think Colin would agree, is to put an album together that’s always a turn on. Not just in the beginning when you are all excited about the newness of it, but always. I realized somewhere back in time that it is possible to have that. It’s really just as the old saying goes… ‘a thing of beauty is a joy forever’. I think this CD is always going to shine.” Colin Carter adds, “It’s left brain / right brain rock. Enough skill, detail and finesse to tease the intellect, mixed with enough raw power to send you skidding out of control across the stage on your knees and crashing into amps. Watch out for the splinters!”

Along with Ray, now on lead guitar, and Colin, on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, keyboardist Rick Daugherty has been added to the line-up giving the band’s sound more warmth and depth. Mark Pardy on drums and Wayne Carver on bass make up the new rhythm section. The album includes five new songs penned by Ray and Colin, two new instrumental pieces, and a cover of NIN’s ‘Hurt’, which the band has performed in concert. There is also a new version of the classic Flash song “Manhattan Morning” from the band’s third studio album ‘Out Of Our Hands’.

Ray explains, “Colin and I did write a large chunk of the old Flash material, and our sensibilities as writers haven’t changed a huge amount. We still write all the time. But obviously we’ve developed, we’re more sophisticated, and we have a few more tricks up our sleeves. I think that all shows up on the new CD. I saw a lot of magic happen on this new album. As it grew into a finished thing, all kinds of excellent stuff popped up as we let it develop. A lot to be said for giving it time.”

“Iconic prog rockers Ray Bennett and Colin Carter have achieved the impossible: they’ve created complex contemporary rock boasting all the sonic hallmarks of Flash’s classic material. It’s all here: dynamic compositions, perfect vocal intonation and kick-ass guitar work.” – Will Romano, author of ‘Mountains Come Out of the Sky’, a history of prog rock

In closing Ray has this to impart, “I think that with the years passing you can get new growth and new inspiration if you are willing to try new things. Colin and I are up for that. However, in our case, oddly enough, trying new things led back to Flash.”

To pre-order Flash ‘Featuring Ray Bennett & Colin Carter’ CD: http://www.amazon.com/Featuring-Ray-Bennett-Colin-Carter/dp/B00BY8DLF8/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1367112562&sr=1-1&keywords=flash+featuring+ray+bennett

Flash Psychosync website: http://www.psychosync.info/
Flash information: http://www.myspace.com/flashbennettcarter
Flash ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/flashbennettcarter

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

CLEOPATRA LABEL GROUP
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
http://www.CleopatraRecords.com

Bass Player Antoine Fafard To Release Second Album ‘Occultus Tramitis’ Featuring Former Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck, Mahavishnu Orchestra, King Crimson Members!

For Immediate Release

Bass Player Antoine Fafard To Release Second Album ‘Occultus Tramitis’ Featuring Former
Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck, Mahavishnu Orchestra, King Crimson Members!

Featuring! Terry Bozzio (Jeff Beck, Frank Zappa), Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra), Gavin Harrison (King Crimson, Porcupine Tree), Scott Henderson (Tribal Tech), Simon Phillips (Jeff Beck, Toto), Chad Wackerman (Allan Holdsworth, Frank Zappa) and Dave Weckl (Chick Corea, Mike Stern)

London, UK – Much to the excitent of music aficionados across the globe, the second solo album by composer and bass player Antoine Fafard, ‘Occultus Tramitis’, will be released digitally on May 15 and on CD June 1, 2013. Featuring the contributions of a number of jazz-rock legends including Terry Bozzio (Jeff Beck, Frank Zappa), Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra), Gavin Harrison (King Crimson, Porcupine Tree), Scott Henderson (Tribal Tech), Simon Phillips (Jeff Beck, Toto), Chad Wackerman (Allan Holdsworth, Frank Zappa) and Dave Weckl (Chick Corea, Mike Stern), ‘Occultus Tramitis’ encompasses 11 tracks presenting almost an hour of exciting new music.

“Working on Antoines project was a real treat…his compositions and playing made it a unique experience. Both challenging and joyful at the same time! He put together a great team of players and I only wish we could have been playing in the same room!” – Jerry Goodman

Says Antoine, “I started to work on this CD in September 2011, right after the release of the ‘Solus Operandi’ album, and was still working on it in April 2013. I began to compose music with specific players in mind, hoping that they would eventually agree to participate. I guess that the players themselves were a great source of inspiration during the composition process. Interestingly, I wasn’t present during the recording sessions of any of the collaborators on this CD (all 15 of them). Each player on this album recorded their tracks in their home studios and all the songs were mixed in my home studio.”

Drum legend Terry Bozzio comments on the track he performs on: “This is a really challenging piece. It was very subtle – it’s in eleven and it’s very sneaky… It is deceptively simple because it has an open, very flowing feel to the piece.”

Antoine Fafard’s recording career began with his band Spaced Out, who released their first album in 2000. By 2008 Spaced Out had recorded five studio albums, one live album and two DVDs, and had performed on international stages including Nearfest, USA in 2002 and Crescendo, France in 2006.

In 2010, Antoine decided to begin recording under his own name, without the limitations of the band format. His first solo album, ‘Solus Operandi’, released in August 2011, features more than an hour of original instrumental music by Antoine, working with a total of 13 collaborators, including world-class performers such as Dave Weckl (Chick Corea, Mike Stern), guitarist Jerry De Villiers Jr and drummer Magella Cormier. ‘Solus Operandi’ was composed on electric fretless bass and classical guitar, after Antoine reacquainted himself with the guitar following many years focusing on the bass.

Which brings us to 2013 and the release of Antoine’s highly anticipated new solo album, ‘Occultus Tramitis’. The music on ‘Occultus Tramitis’ differs between the tracks, and the fusion of influences that characterizes Antoine’s music means it doesn’t fall easily into a single style or genre. However, the album was composed as a complete work. Melodic aspects are beautifully realized by Jerry Goodman, who is featured on more than half of the tracks among odd time signatures, multiple modulations and rhythmical illusions. There are exceptional performances from all Antoine’s collaborators, including spectacular solos.

“Antoine is a fantastic musician. It was a real joy to play on this CD.” – Chad Wackerman

‘Occultus Tramitis’ is an independent release presenting exciting and powerful new music for any fan of instrumental jazz-rock, progressive and fusion music.

Antoine Fafard’s ‘Occultus Tramitis’ can be puchased on Amazon.com, itunes and most online music stores.

To listen to audio excerpts and pre-order a signed copy of the CD, go to http://www.antoinefafard.com

To Pre-order ‘Occultus Tramitis’ CD via Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Occultus-Tramitis-Antoine-Fafard/dp/B00CMDPTEA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367604370&sr=8-1&keywords=occultus+tramitis

Digital release: May 15, 2013
CD release: June 1, 2013

Antoine’s website: http://www.antoinefafard.com
Unicorn Digital’s website: http://www.unicorndigital.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

French Music Legends Magma Release EPOK 5 On DVD

For Immediate Release

French Music Legends Magma Release EPOK 5 On DVD

Paris, France – After the success of the DVDs EPOK 1-2-3-4, published in 2006 and 2007, the jazz club Le Triton again welcomed Magma in June 2011. This was for a nine concerts cycle to complete the DVD series “Myths & Legends ” .


EPOK 5 not only includes pieces from 1971, 1977 and 1978 but also Félicité Thösz , the latest MAGMA release, heard here in a version prior to the recording of the album. There are, in addition, 20 minutes of unpublished music.
 A dynamic and extremely musical edit enables the listener to enjoy the band at the height of its powers, showcasing the intensity of each composition and the technical prowess of the musicians. The exceptional sound quality was captured as usual by Francis Linon who knows, better than anyone, how to record the power and musicality of MAGMA.

Magma was founded in Paris in 1969 by drummer Christian Vander, who derived his inspiration from a “vision of humanity’s spiritual and ecological future” that profoundly disturbed him. Vander was a self-taught musician, who received some tips from drum legend Elvin Jones. In the course of Magma’s first album, the band tells the story of a group of people fleeing a doomed Earth to settle on the planet Kobaïa. Later, conflict arises when the Kobaïans, who are descendants of the original colonists, encounter other Earth refugees. A distinguished aspect of Magma’s music is that Vander actually invented a constucted language, Kobaïan, in which most lyrics are sung. Later albums told different stories set in more ancient times; however the Kobaïan language remained an integral part of the music. Reportedly, Christian Vander is also highly influenced by the work of jazz legend John Coltrane. “For my work, it is still Coltrane who actually gives me the real material to work on, to be able to move on,” says Vander.

To purchase Magma’s EPOK 5 DVD (playable in all regions): http://v2.seventhrecords.com/en/video-dvd-38/magma-epok-5-1127.html

For more information: http://v2.seventhrecords.com/en/
http://www.myspace.com/magmaofficial
seventh@seventhrecords.com

http://www.youtube.com/user/MagmaOfficialTV

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

UK Prog Legends Nektar To Tour The US Summer 2013!

For Immediate Release

UK Prog Legends Nektar To Tour The US Summer 2013!

London, UK – One of the summer’s most highly anticipated tours, “Legends of U.K. Classic Rock”, will feature progressive rock legends Nektar, beginning in June 2013. After a bit of an absence from U.S. Stages, Nektar is sure to be a treat for concert-goers who will be fortunate enough to catch one of the shows!

Nektar founding member Roye Albrighton (guitars/lead vocals) says, “We can promise you high quality performances wherever we play. I know I speak on behalf of the band when I say we are all looking forward to it.”

Nektar, featuring Albrighton, founding drummer Ron Howden, keyboardist Klaus Hentasch and bassist Lux Vibratus, is British, but was formed in Hamburg, Germany in 1970. Their early albums featured a heady, exhilarating mix of progressive, experimental rock sounds that soon caught on worldwide at the height of the international prog-rock boom. Touring the world behind numerous album releases throughout the ‘70s & ‘80s helped to cement the band’s reputation as an influential prog-rock legend. Having undergone a variety of personnel changes over the past decade or so, the band now boasts its strongest lineup in years and is ready to prove so yet again to its many fans throughout North America. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the original release date of the band’s classic album, Remember the Future, Nektar is looking to perform in its entirety this most heralded release from its vast catalog, a rarity in that the band has not performed the entire album live in years.

Nektar’s new album, Time Machine, featuring the band’s first album of new original material in several years, will be released on Cleopatra Records on June 18.

Nektar Tour Dates:

June 20 – Chantilly, WV – Sully’s
June 21 – Pittsburgh, PA – Altar Bar
June 22 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theatre
June 23 – New York City – B.B. King’s
June 26 – Cleveland, OH – The Winchester Music Hall
June 28 – Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall
June 29 – Lincolnshire, IL – Viper Alley
June 30 – Minneapolis, MN – Famous Dave’s Blues Club

For Further Information:

Nektar facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nektar/198355536955655
Nektar website: http://nektarsmusic.com/nn/home/home_new.asp

Nektar Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
http://www.CleopatraRecords.com

Eclectic Second Release By Netherland’s Mr Averell Features Lene Lovich, Mike Garson, John, Ellis, Members of Van der Graaf Generator and Others

For Immediate Release

Eclectic Second Release By Netherland’s Mr Averell Features Lene Lovich, Mike Garson, John, Ellis, Members of Van der Graaf Generator and Others

Featuring Mike Garson (David Bowie), David Jackson, Hugh Banton and Judge Smith (Van der Graaf Generator), John Ellis (Peter Gabriel, Peter Hammill, The Stranglers), Lene Lovich

The Netherlands – Avant Garde music aficionados across the globe are excited about the forthcoming second album by Dutch visual sound artist René van Commenée under the guise Mr Averell titled ‘Gridlock’. Van Commenée is known in The Netherlands for his music (sound) art objects, theatrical performances and soundtracks for theatre, fireworks spectacles and film. Over the years he has worked with many acknowledged musicians around the world and became well-known by fans of Van der Graaf Generator through his percussion performances with VDGG member David Jackson. About ten years after their first duo-performances they released the well-received critically acclaimed album ‘Batteries Included’, a collection of their live recordings. In the same scene, René performed on albums by VDGG’s Judge Smith as percussionist, drummer and vocalist.

“Mr Averell is a one-off and hard to classify. Is he a sensitive singer-songwriter, a rock music wildman, and avant garde performance artist or a musical clown? Maybe he’s a little of each, and his music is always surprising and full of interest.” – Judge Smith

The name Mr Averell has been employed by René in order to record and release song-based recordings. He explains, “As a musician I work mainly as a percussionist, electronic music performer and sound designer. I am a member of the trio The Art of Doing Nothing with Pipe Organ master Willem Tanke and MIDI-wind-controller/flutist Martijn Alsters. With Alsters I formed a duo for live-surround concerts and installations also. Separate from this I create visual sound art installations. I always like to use my voice though – I was a singer in several Dutch rock bands in the seventies and eighties, and like to write, record and perform more song-based music as I call it. But if you do so many diverse things I think you have to make clear to your audience what it is they can expect when buying your work or attending your concerts/performances. Therefore I chose to give my song-based projects a separate name, Mr Averell; a band in which I am the main writer and performer.”

‘Gridlock’ is the second Mr Averell album and features guest performances by Mike Garson (David Bowie), David Jackson, Hugh Banton and Judge Smith (Van der Graaf Generator), John Ellis (Peter Gabriel, Peter Hammill, The Stranglers), Lene Lovich, along with Stuart Gordon (Peter Hammill, Peter Gabriel, Massive Attack), Dyane Donck (Daisy Bell), Martijn Alsters, Willem Tanke, Ninca Leece, Tammo Heikens and Lisa Weiss.

“René is a wonderfully creative artist who is always pushing the boundaries of music!” – Mike Garson

The album is an adventurous journey through very different kind of songs and instrumentals, but all with the typical, quite theatrical Van Commenée signature. ‘Gridlock’ should be listened from beginning to end and isn’t just a collection of songs. Literally ‘Gridlock’ stands for the famous Dutch traffic jams, but also tells about the ‘Gridlocks’ in our lives and heads. The wonderfully produced album may take a bit of time to sink in but once it does, it becomes timeless and unique.

And how did René amass such an impressive list of famous guest artists? He explains, “Luckily, this was not too difficult – they’re friends! In my past musical career I met many fantastic, well-known musicians with whom I’ve worked in several projects. With David Jackson I performed a couple duo-concerts which were recorded and released as the live CD ‘Batteries Included’. We’ve always stayed in contact and both performed on the song-stories of Judge Smith (Curly’s Airships and and Orfeas). We’ve always enjoyed working together, but since we’re both very busy with other projects there’s seldom a moment we can, and this was a nice opportunity for the both of us. Jackson quest-performed even in the Mr Averell band at a festival a couple of years ago. Via Judge, who himself does some harmonic voices and even plays euphonium on the album. I came in contact with John Ellis thanks to the fact that he asked us both to perform on ‘The Full English’, which we also performed as a band in London. Besides a fabulous musician John is a very nice person as well. The fabulous violinist Stuart Gordon, who I met many years ago via Peter Hammill, also performed on my previous Mr Averell album. While he performed and arranged a whole acoustic string section then, on my new album he performs violin work with astonishing electronic effects. The listener might think it’s electric guitar at first, but if you listen carefully you will notice that the effect is totally different because the violin is a bowed instrument – I’m very happy with it. People are probably very much interested in the incredible Mike Garson who is the pianist with David Bowie since ‘Aladdin Sane’ (1973). During the ‘Outside’ tour I asked Bowie to give a lecture at the Utrecht School of the Arts (I was Music Technology and Music Production teacher at several art schools at that period). Bowie, who was interested, didn’t see a chance because of his very busy and demanding tour schedule. Coincidentally though, Garson happened to be a friend of a visiting professor from the States who was asked to do a project at the same school later on. This triggered us both, Mike Garson and I, for a meeting at the hotel the band stayed in and we kept in touch ever since. I was able to get him over for several (school) projects and while I was working on ‘Gridlock’ we finally found time to work together in the studio, resulting in a few songs of which we composed my personal favorite ‘Sightseeings’ together (with an amazing sax solo by Jackson). And then there is of course the extraordinary Lene Lovich with whom I sing two songs on the album.”

“It’s always a pleasure to be involved in sonic adventures with Mr Averell / René van Commenée. Often a challenge but always a joy.” – John Ellis

In support of the release of ‘Gridlock’ plans for Mr Averell to perform in Europe are currently in the works. In closing René has this to impart to his listeners, “It is important to know that ‘Gridlock’ is intended as an album and not just a collection of songs. I would suggest really playing the album from start to finish and taking the time to listen and let it sink in. Everything’s made for this purpose in the first place, the order of songs and even the pauses in between them are composed. This makes it very hard in these download-times, this album should probably be downloaded as one track.”

Available on GONZO MultiMedia, UK – May 6, 2013
Available in the US and Canada – May 14, 2013

To purchase Mr Averell – Gridlock CD: http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15550

For more information: http://www.commenee.nl

Press inquires: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

UK Modern Prog Ensemble Sanguine Hum Release Eagerly Awaited New Studio Album ‘The Weight Of The World’

For Immediate Release

UK Modern Prog Ensemble Sanguine Hum Release Eagerly Awaited New Studio Album
‘The Weight Of The World’

London, UK – Esoteric Antenna is pleased to announce the release of the eagerly awaited new studio album by modern progressive rock ensemble Sanguine Hum. ‘The Weight of the World’ sees Oxford, UK’s Sanguine Hum expand their musical horizons on all fronts with a seven-track collection of diverse compositions – technically challenging and exciting yet always melodic and direct. Songs such as “From the Ground Up”, “Cognoscenti” and “System for Solution” pursue the Porcupine Tree meets Radiohead approach of their debut record ‘Diving Bell’ with powerful yet intricate riffs propelling the songwriting that continues to make ever more inventive use of surprising twists and turns in the arrangement.

“Best prog rock album so far this century. The kind of record that prog rock bands 40 years from now will try to copy…” – Michael Bjorn, Strange Days (Japan)

Surprises are to be found as well in the instrumentation as the band open up the sound and more explicitly reference a love of electronica and the music of artists such as Boards of Canada and Aphex Twin, best heard in the song “Day of Release” as synthetic percussion and rumbling synths give way to chiming acoustic guitar and a soaring vocal melody. As a counterpoint, the album also features the highly atmospheric “Phosphor”, which sees Sanguine Hum break new creative ground. Perhaps even more exciting for a band that perhaps held some of their progressive influences in check on their debut album, is the 15-minute title track that manages the task of combining effective and emotional songwriting with thrilling musical developments that push the band to the limit. ‘The Weight of the World’ breaks new ground for a band at the forefront of truly “progressive” music.

Recorded at Oxford’s Evolution studios, Joff Winks (vocals, guitars, programming), Matt Baber (keyboards, percussion, programming), Brad Waissman (bass) and Andrew Booker (drums, percussion) have pushed the creative boundaries of Sanguine Hum to produce one of THE truly progressive and landmark albums of 2013.

In support of the release of ‘The Weight of the World’, Sanguine Hum will be performing at The Borderline in London on Friday June 7th with TIN SPIRITS and MATT STEVENS. The band will also be playing at Band on the Wall in Manchester on June 21st – same line-up as at the Borderline.

SANGUINE HUM – ‘The Weight of the World’ CD can be purchased at http://www.cherryred.co.uk/esoteric-exd.asp?id=4017

SANGUINE HUM – ‘The Weight of the World’ Limited Digipack 2 disc deluxe edition with Bonus DVD (NTSC Region Free): The Making of ‘The Weight of the World’ home movie.

For more information: http://www.troopersforsound.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

http://www.esotericrecordings.com
Esoteric Antenna is a Cherry Red Records label
Cherry Red Records, Power Road Studios, 114 Power Road, London W4 5PY

Legendary Singer/Songwriter Jon Anderson To Play The 9th Festival Des Guitares Du Monde In Quebec, Canada – May 25, 2013

For Immediate Release

Legendary Singer/Songwriter Jon Anderson To Play The 9th Festival Des Guitares Du Monde
In Quebec, Canada – May 25, 2013

Asheville, NC – Legendary vocalist Jon Anderson, YES’s singer/songwriter for 35 years along with his successful work with Vangelis, Kitaro, and Milton Nascimento, will be performing at the 9th Festival Des Guitares Du Monde in Quebec, Canada on May 25, 2013. The show promises to deliver an exciting mixture of material from Jon Anderson’s prolific solo career, collaborations with Vangelis and classic YES songs, along with new compositions, highlighted by humorous and enlightening stories told by Jon.

Says Jon, “I’m very excited to bring my show to Quebec. I enjoy the show that I do, and people really seem to have a great time.”

Where: the 9th Festival Des Guitares Du Monde – 41, 6e rue, Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, Canada -
PH: 819 797-8288
When: May 25, 2013
Ticket information: https://www.fgmat.com/en/program/venues/5/25/scene-agnico-eagle-du-centre-de-congres-de-rouyn-noranda-2

In other news, Jon has made some recent guest appearances on several new CD releases: Acoustic guitarist Jeff Pevar’s debut album ‘From The Core’; French keyboardist/composer Jean Philippe Rykiel’s new CD ‘Inner Spaces’; and guitarist Dennis Haklar’s debut CD release ‘Lizard Tale’. Says Jon, “With the internet my musical world has evolved to an amazing degree, one day I’m singing with a Brazilian dude, the next day with peeps in Liverpool, the next creating a Symphonic work with a mate in India…then singing with Steve Layton ‘down under’ – it’s an endless musical world!” Jon is currently recording new material, including the follow-up to his critically acclaimed 21-minute opus “OPEN” from 2011 titled “EVER”.

For more information: http://www.jonanderson.com,
http://www.facebook.com/thejonanderson, https://www.facebook.com/JonAndersonLiveOfficial

“Brasilian Music Sound” single can be purchased at http://www.amazon.com/Brasilian-Music-Sound/dp/B008S3CYO6/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345046162&sr=301-1

Jon Anderson ‘OPEN’ digital download available: http://www.amazon.com/Open-Single/dp/B005XT5Z8U/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1336499182&sr=1-1

Jon Anderson ‘Survival & Other Stories’ available through Gonzo MultiMedia:
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk,

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com
Interview requests please contact Billy James at Glass Onyon PR

Prog Legends Spock’s Beard Film New Video In Support Of Newly Released Album ‘Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’

For Immediate Release

Prog Legends Spock’s Beard Film New Video In Support Of Newly Released Album
‘Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’

Los Angeles, CA – Prog legends Spock’s Beard, in support of their newly released and critically acclaimed album, ‘Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’, are filming a video for the track “Submerged.” The three-day shoot is based in Los Angeles, and inside sources say it is a full-on music spectacle! Released on April 2nd, ‘Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’, marks the return of Spock’s Beard to the InsideOut Music label, and the two-disc set has been garnering rave reviews from fans and critics alike worldwide.

Founding band member Alan Morse comments about the video: “’Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’ is a new and exciting direction for us, and when we read the director’s treatment for the video, we immediately knew we had found the perfect person to help us bring our musical vision to the screen. It is equal parts performance and concept, and there will be as many twists and turns in the video as there are in our music. You’ll never hear ‘Submerged’ the same way again.”

In their 20 years together, Spock’s Beard have built a reputation for invention, musicality and sheer restive energy. Yet perhaps nothing they have done before can properly prepare you for their 11th studio album. ‘Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’ is an album that will constantly surprise. Featuring the recording debut of long-time tour drummer Jimmy Keegan (Santana), and vocalist/guitarist Ted Leonard (Enchant, Thought Chamber), it also sees the return of a familiar name to the song-writing credits – Neal Morse, who has co-written two tracks, his first since leaving the band more than a decade ago.

Gary Brown of Classic Rock Radio Dot EU raves about Spock’s Beard’s ‘Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’, “Perfect album from start to finish…one of the best hard rock/mainstream prog albums I’ve heard in a long time!” Ytsejam touts, “In the end, it is the Spock’s Beard album we all have been waiting for, as Morse, Meros, Okumoto, Leonard and Keegan have produced another excellent offering of musical mayhem. A true testament to what progressive rock is in the 21st Century and beyond.”

Co-produced by Alan Morse, Rich Mouser and John Boegehold, ‘Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’ is described by Meros as, “quirky, edgy, and reminding us a little bit of older times in the band, but also taking us further forward.” In regards to the song the band is filming the video to, “Submerged”, Dave explains, “Ted had originally written and recorded this for his solo album ‘Way Home’ (released in 2007), and it’s a real stadium rocker. We’ve adapted it to our own sound but stayed faithful to Ted’s original arrangement. I wouldn’t say it’s strictly Prog Rock, but fits what we do and is a great song.”

Spock’s Beard Is:
Alan Morse – guitar, vocals
Dave Meros – bass guitar, vocals, keyboards
Ryo Okumoto – keyboards, vocals
Jimmy Keegan – drums, vocals
Ted Leonard – vocals, guitar

In closing Dave has this to impart about ‘Brief Nocturnes & Dreamless Sleep’, “I am proud of what we’ve done. I believe this is the way Spock’s Beard should sound in 2013.”

Spock’s Beard ‘Brief Nocturnes & Dreamless Sleep’ (2CD)(INO0647-2)

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/brief-nocturnes-dreamless/id628629207

Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep

For more information on SPOCK’S BEARD, visit:
http://www.spocksbeard.com
http://www.facebook.com/spocksbeard
http://www.twitter.com/spocksb
http://www.youtube.com/Spocksbeard
http://www.insideoutmusic.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

LA Prog Duo Days Between Stations To Release Second Album Featuring Members of XTC, YES and King Crimson

For Immediate Release

LA Prog Duo Days Between Stations To Release Second Album Featuring Members of XTC, YES and King Crimson

Featuring Colin Moulding (XTC), Rick Wakeman (YES), Peter Banks (YES/Flash), Tony Levin (King Crimson/Peter Gabriel) and Billy Sherwood (YES/CIRCA:) – with artwork by legendary Paul Whitehead

Los Angeles, CA – Possibly the most anticipated prog release of 2013 will be released on May 15 – the sophomore album by celebrated LA prog duo Days Between Stations titled ‘In Extremis’. Boasting an incredible guest line-up of music legends featuring Colin Moulding (XTC), Rick Wakeman (YES), Peter Banks (YES/Flash) Tony Levin (King Crimson/Peter Gabriel) and Billy Sherwood (YES/CIRCA:), Days Between Stations reach a new level of creative artistry on their new album. With a title like ‘In Extremis’ (Latin, In extremity – A term used in reference to the last illness prior to death) one can begin to understand the intensity and sepulchral mood of the musical direction.

Keyboardist Oscar Fuentes explains the concept behind the album, “There’s the saying that your life flashes before your eyes in near death – and, presumably, actual death – experiences, so the album begins at the climax with ‘No Cause For Alarm’ and, as told on ‘Visionary’, ‘flashes back to the beginning’ and then in not strictly chronological order tells the story of our protagonist’s life. Not cheerful stuff, I know, but there’s some humor in there and if you read the lyrics I think ultimately it’s a positive message. I’ve had some personal losses in the last few years, so I tend to grapple with that in my lyrics, while Sepand is going to be a father soon…we tried to integrate those two themes, birth and death, into the lyrics.”

Billy Sherwood comments, “I really enjoyed working with Days Between Stations, the music is very deep and has a mystique about it that was intriguing from the first time I heard the songs. I can’t wait for people to hear this record. Rick Wakeman and Peter Banks of YES, Colin Moulding of XTC and Tony Levin of Peter Gabriel and King Crimson (playing all the bass), all appear as guests on this record which makes it even more unique. I played drums and sang lead vocals on the record and it was a pleasure to do so.”

Founded in 2003 by guitarist Sepand Samzadeh and keyboardist Oscar Fuentes, the duo named themselves after the cult novel by Steve Erickson and have devoted themselves to, as they say, Art Rock and Post Prog – music that reflects their varied influences, as well as shared disregard for stylistic boundaries. This eclecticism continues apace on this follow-up. At times the music recalls Peter Gabriel or ‘Duke’-era Genesis (as on the propulsive “Visionary”, which features Sherwood’s multi-layered vocals and Levin’s driving Stick bass work), or an ambient marriage between Pink Floyd and Lisa Gerrard and Debussy (“In Utero”), or even a cross between Ultravox and Marillion and ‘Abacab’-era Genesis (the Moulding-sung “The Man Who Dies Two Times”), but the band is about more than influences. As Oscar says, “We always try to create something new and not just re-hash a particular sound from the past. Sometimes it’s the unlikely pairing that gives you something fresh.”

Although, Days Between Stations ‘In Extremis’ in some ways retains the dark somber mood of the group’s first album (released to great acclaim in 2007), in other ways the music is completely different. Says Sepand, “There are four clear distinctions between the two albums. The first, is that we are five years older. Which means we have grown as players and have higher expectations of ourselves. The second, which is most noticeable is that we have vocals (with lyrics) on this album. The debut album provides landscapes and layers of sound that allow the imagination to run free. One negative aspect of having vocals is that the mind mainly focuses on the rhythm and lyrical content and often times constrains the music. We wanted a healthy marriage between the two. Even so, there are several instrumental tracks on this album, one in particular is ‘Blackfoot’.” Oscar continues, “It wasn’t really a conscious decision to add vocals to this one – I mean vocals with lyrics. It’s just how the writing went. Sometimes a song tells you what it needs. So that’s different. Also, the album is more thoroughly composed or let’s say it’s more structurally thought out. Although Sepand and I entirely wrote the music, the lyrics were written collaboratively with Billy Sherwood, who was invaluable in bringing more focus to the whole theme, and who in some cases took the idea in a different direction.”

Sepand concludes, “I feel the third difference on the new album is the extensive use of classical and exotic instruments; a full orchestra was employed on the first track, ‘No Cause For Alarm’, an instrumental overture that weaves together many of the main themes from the album. While the track ‘Waltz In E Minor’ is performed by a string quartet, the full orchestra returns (along with an unexpected Barbershop quartet) on the closer, ‘In Extremis’, a 21-plus minute multi-part epic that also features founding YES guitarist Peter Banks. Additionally, a Persian lute called a Tar is featured on the track ‘Eggshell Man’, a song that also features a blistering Moog solo from YES maestro Rick Wakeman. In fact, on ‘Eggshell Man’ Rick Wakeman, Billy Sherwood and Peter Banks play together. This brings me to my final point; when all these legends came together to contribute on this album, we developed a certain obsession to be at our best. Sadly Peter Banks passed away during the making of ‘In Extremis’, making these recordings even more meaningful and special to us.”

Although not necessarily connected to the Prog world, legendary XTC member Colin Moulding graced the album with a sublime lead vocal on the track “The Man Who Died Two Times”, which has also been issued as the album’s first single. Says Oscar, “Billy Sherwood had the idea that Colin’s voice would be perfect for the song and he was right. ‘Oranges and Lemons’, ‘Skylarking’, ‘The Big Express’…all of these I’ve listened to a million times. Another surreal moment for me!” Sepand adds, “Colin began communicating his thoughts on his first listen. I felt so much excitement and creativity from him, there was a great vibe between us. He really brought the song to life.”

Colin Moulding comments, “I had been doing some fun sessions for producer Billy Sherwood when he approached me with a side project that he was working on. It was this band Days Between Stations – an LA group I had never heard of before. It was inventive, extremely melodic, and had a lot of the qualities that got me excited about songs. So it was agreed that I would sing lead vocal on this track ‘The Man Who Died Two Times’. As things have turned out it seems to have been a marriage made in heaven; I think with a little careful handling and the right choice of material, this lot could go a long way.”

Along with the legendary guest artists, the ‘In Extremis’ album cover art was created by famed artist Paul Whitehead, best known for his work with Genesis and Van Der Graaf Generator. Says Sepand, “To us, the artwork for an album is just as important as the music. We met with Paul at a coffee shop and I vaguely discussed the concept of the album – as the songs were not fully conceptualized at the time. He came up with some great images – on the spot – about this guy lying on a hospital bed while he was – as our lyrics say – ‘retracing all of the memories’. These memories are whirling around him, while he is in extremis. The great collaboration that we shared with Paul allowed the music and the artwork to become symbiotic…creating a true, tangible concept.”

Veteran engineer William Kaylor (Fleetwood Mac, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson) was also recruited to the project in order to improve the sound quality of the recordings. Once again, Grammy Award winner Evren Göknar, from Capitol Mastering, joins Days Between Stations to master ‘In Extremis’.

As far as future plans for Days Between Stations, a full documentary about the recording of the ‘In Extremis’ album is currently in the works. There is a strong possibility that the debut album will be remixed. Both albums will most likely be issued on vinyl as a limited edition release. Also talks of live performances are being discussed at the moment. In closing Sepand and Oscar have this to impart to their fans and listeners, “Thank you very much for your unequivocal support and for giving us confidence. Sorry for the wait, hope it was worth it!”

Days Between Stations – ‘In Extremis’ CD available May 15, 2013

Days Between Stations – ‘In Extremis’ CD can be pre-ordered at: http://daysbetweenstations.com/store/

For more information: http://daysbetweenstations.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Rare Concert Recording Of Classic Rock Legends Captain Beyond ‘Live in Texas October 6, 1973′ To Be Released On CD & Double-LP By Purple Pyramid Records May 21, 2013

For Immediate Release

Rare Concert Recording Of Classic Rock Legends Captain Beyond ‘Live in Texas October 6, 1973′ To Be Released On CD & Double-LP By Purple Pyramid Records May 21, 2013

Los Angeles, CA – Purple Pyramid Records will be releasing a vintage live recording of legendary classic rock band Captain Beyond ‘Live in Texas October 6, 1973′ on May 21, 2013 on CD & Double-LP. One of the most underrated classic rock bands of the early 1970′s, Captain Beyond were considered a ‘supergroup’ of sorts at the time and featured original Deep Purple lead vocalist Rod Evans, former Iron Butterfly guitarist Larry ‘Rhino’ Reinhardt and bassist Lee Dorman, and ex-Johnny Winter drummer Bobby Caldwell. Although the band only lasted three critically acclaimed albums and several tours of the US and Europe, the band’s following is as strong today as it was back in their heyday! Now with the release of this rare sought after concert recording on CD and vinyl for the first time, fans can relive the magic that was Captain Beyond in concert! Recorded just after the release of the group’s second album ‘Sufficiently Breathless’, Captain Beyond ‘Live In Texas’ captured the band while on tour with King Crimson.

“This was an exciting night of music! Captain Beyond at the University of Texas in Arlington… All the best…” – Bobby Caldwell

Tracks include…
“Distant Sun”
“Dancing Madly Backwards (on A Sea Of Air)”
“Armworth”
“Myopic Void”
“Drifting In Space”
“Pandora’s Box (It’s War)”
“Thousand Days Of Yesterday”
“Frozen Over”
“Mesmerization Eclipse”
“Stone Free”

The amazing liner notes were written by famed rock historian Dave Thompson. Through extensive conversations with Bobby Caldwell, the story of Captain Beyond unfolds, including listening parties with the Allman Brothers, the unusual signing to Capricorn Records, and a fruit-flinging show with Sha Na Na!

To pre-order Captain Beyond – Live In Texas October 6, 1973:
CD: http://www.amazon.com/Live-Texas-October-6-1973/dp/B00BY8DEJ6/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1365304745&sr=1-4&keywords=captain+beyond
Double-LP: http://www.amazon.com/Live-Texas-October-6-1973/dp/B00BY8DEXC/ref=sr_1_3_title_1_lp_?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1365474507&sr=1-3&keywords=captain+beyond

For more information: http://www.CleopatraRecords.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com
Bobby Caldwell interview requests contact Billy James at Glass Onyon PR

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025