Andrea Faulk, Author at SRO PR

July 13, 2022

OZZY OSBOURNE To Make Comic-Con Debut; Osbourne And Todd McFarlane To Reveal Artwork For McFarlane-Designed Comic Book On Friday, July 22 In San Diego

DATE: JULY 12, 2022

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/MITCH SCHNEIDER

OZZY OSBOURNE
TO MAKE COMIC-CON DEBUT
FRIDAY, JULY 22

OSBOURNE AND TODD MCFARLANE TO
REVEAL ARTWORK FOR THE MCFARLANE-DESIGNED COMIC BOOK THAT’S AVAILABLE IN SOME OF THE SPECIAL LIMITED-EDITION ‘PATIENT NUMBER 9’ PACKAGES
ALONG WITH SIGNING AT THE
STERN PINBALL/REBELLION REPUBLIC BOOTH

PRE-ORDER THE SPECIAL LIMITED-EDITION BLACK VINYL
WITH THE MCFARLANE ARTWORK HERE
FROM ALBUM OUT SEPTEMBER 9

“PATIENT NUMBER 9” SINGLE DEBUTED AT
#1 ON BILLBOARD’S “HOT HARD ROCK SONGS” CHART
AND ALSO TOPS THE “HARD ROCK DIGITAL SONG SALES”

LIMITED EDITION MCFARLANE/ JASON SHAWN ALEXANDER
VARIANT LP COVER FOR
OZZY’S ‘PATIENT NUMBER 9’

OZZY OSBOURNE will make his debut at this year’s SAN DIEGO COMIC CONVENTION (Comic-Con International) on Friday, July 22. OSBOURNE and Todd McFarlane will reveal artwork for the limited-edition special McFarlane-designed comic book (that is available that is part of some of the special edition album packages) along with a signing at the Stern Pinball/Rebellion Republic booth, further details of which will be announced soon. In addition, today the two revealed the alternate cover [image above] for the limited-edition cover variant of OSBOURNE’s new PATIENT NUMBER 9 (out September 9 on Epic) album with artwork by McFarlane and Jason Shawn Alexander.

This marks the latest collaboration with Grammy winner and multiple Grammy nominee McFarlane who recently directed the video for OZZY’s new single “Patient Number 9”). A special limited-edition black vinyl with the McFarlane artwork can be pre-ordered here. An exclusive version of PATIENT NUMBER 9 with a limited-edition special McFarlane-designed comic book is also available for preorder here. Pre-order PATIENT NUMBER 9 here.

The album’s first single “Patient Number 9” debuted at #1 on Billboard’s “Hot Hard Rock Songs” chart and also tops the “Hard Rock Digital Song Sales” charts. It also sits in the Top 25 on the “Hot Rock Songs,” “Hot Rock & Alternative Songs,” “Rock & Alternative Airplay,” “Mainstream Rock Airplay” charts. The song earned 2.2 million radio audience impressions, 1.4 million official U.S. streams in the June 24-30 tracking week. “Patient Number 9” features a riveting solo from legendary guitarist Jeff Beck (one of the notable guest stars on the album, additional details below).

PATIENT NUMBER 9 is Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy®-winning singer and songwriter OSBOURNE’s new album and the first since his critically acclaimed, worldwide, chart-topping 2020 ORDINARY MAN release. Produced by Andrew Watt (who handled the same duties on ORDINARY MAN), the new album marks OSBOURNE’s 13^th solo studio album. It’s heavy, it’s hard-hitting, it’s historic–it’s everything you’d want from an OZZY OSBOURNE record and maybe more. Working with producer Watt for the second time, OZZY welcomed a dynamic A-list featured guests. For the first time ever, Black Sabbath co-founder, guitarist, and riff-master Tony Iommi appears on an OZZY solo album. The record also boasts guitarists Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, and longstanding righthand man and six-string beast Zakk Wylde who plays on the majority of the tracks. For the bulk of the album, Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers held down drums, while the late Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters appears on three songs. Old friend and one-time OZZY band member Robert Trujillo of Metallica plays bass on most of the album’s tracks, with Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses and Chris Chaney of Jane’s Addiction supplying bass on a few songs.

A person holding a baby Description automatically generated with medium confidence Photo credit: Ross Halfin

About OZZY OSBOURNE:

He’s sold over 100 million records, is one of a handful of artists who has had top ten albums in last six decades, received induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame^® as a co-founder of Black Sabbath, won three GRAMMY^® Awards, earned the Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Achievement from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors, set a Guinness World Record, and claimed real estate on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Birmingham Walk of Stars. He’s played for royalty (even the Queen of England) and dignitaries around the world, interacted with presidents and performed to millions of devoted fans on five continents. Earlier this year, Ozzy’s CrytoBatz NFT launched as one the biggest Celebrity NFT project ever created, it’s currently ranked in the top 100 biggest NFT projects ever and is valued at over $40 Million. That’s the stuff you already know (we hope), but what really matters is OZZY OSBOURNE is the real “Iron Man” and is still kicking ass and “going fucking crazy!” to this day.

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About Todd McFarlane

Todd McFarlane is an Emmy-and Grammy-winning Director/Producer, CEO of McFarlane Toys and McFarlane Films, President of Image Comics, and world-renowned artist. McFarlane is best known for his work as the artist on THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN. He is the creator of the comic superhero SPAWN and co-created Marvel’s top villain, VENOM. McFarlane has received two Emmy Awards, 1 Grammy Award, two Grammy nominations, two MTV Video Music Awards, a Canadian MuchMusic Award, and more than 150 International awards in action figures, comic books, and publishing. McFarlane and Ozzy have collaborated on the Image Comics best-selling comic series Todd McFarlane Presents Ozzy Osbourne, and McFarlane Toys’ hit Ozzy Osbourne Action Figure series, bringing Ozzy’s personae to life. McFarlane and Grammy-winning international DJ Steve Aoki’s NFT Agency, Aoki Industries, have also launched OddKey.com —an NFT marketplace powered by Metaplex.

About Jason Shawn Alexander

Jason Shawn Alexander is an artist/writer, having worked in comics for over twenty years receiving 3 Eisner Award nominations and the Silver Medal from the Society of Illustrators. Along side his comics career, Alexander exhibits his fine art work in galleries in Los Angeles, New York, London, Berlin and has shown in the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian. His current project, with co-creator Rodney Barnes, KILLADELPHIA, has been optioned for a new television series. His series, EMPTY ZONE, has garnered much critical acclaim. Among his list of credits is co-writer and artist of SPAWN, as well has having contributed his art to HELLBOY, ABE SAPIEN, BATMAN, SUPERMAN, THE ESCAPISTS, THE SHADOW, THE SECRET, FROSTBITE, 30 DAYS OF NIGHT, QUEEN AND COUNTRY, MARVEL ZOMBIES, HELLRAISER, CREEPY, DAMN NATION, DEAD IRONS and others. He’s created art for motions comics for such films as PAN’S LABYRINTH, PREDATORS, and MAD MAX as well as storyboards and concept design for music videos and film. Alexander lives and work in Los Angeles, CA with his wife, and amazing kids…and a dog.

About Rebellion Republic

Rebellion Republic has over twenty years of experience in the music industry and is the home to Meshuggah, Arch Enemy, Carcass, Exodus, Brujeria, Accept, and more. Their headquarters are on the east coast an hour north of Boston and they service tours all over North America. Rebellion Republic strives to step out of the bounds and challenge the status quo when aligning with musicians to convert their art into unique compelling merchandise and collectibles while utilizing responsible resources as often as possible. Creativity is inherently bold, unique, and rebellious – Rebellion Republic not only nourishes that, but they also embody it.

About Stern Pinball, Inc.

Stern Pinball, Inc. is a global lifestyle brand based on the iconic and outrageously fun modern American game of pinball. Headquartered minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in the heart of North America, the company creates, designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, and distributes a full line of technologically advanced terrestrial and digital pinball games, parts, accessories, and merchandise. Stern Pinball serves digital, consumer, commercial, and corporate markets around the globe. Recent Stern Pinball titles include Rush, Godzilla, The Mandalorian, Led Zeppelin, Avengers: Infinity Quest, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Stranger Things, Elvira’s House of Horrors, Jurassic Park, Black Knight: Sword of Rage, The Munsters, The Beatles, Deadpool, Iron Maiden, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, Aerosmith, Ghostbusters, KISS, Metallica, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Star Trek, AC/DC, Batman, and Spider-Man.

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July 13, 2022

LOVE BY NUMB3RS Share Video For “Earth Needs A Moon”—New Album Out 9/30

DATE: JULY 13, 2022

FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/MARCEE RONDAN

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LOVE BY NUMB3RS
SHARE VIDEO FOR
“EARTH NEEDS A MOON,”
THE TITLE CUT OF THEIR SECOND ALBUM OUT SEPTEMBER 30
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Portland, Maine-based indie trio LOVE BY NUMB3RS–co-vocalists DAN CONNOR and ANNA LOMBARD and multi-instrumentalist JON ROODS–have today (July 13) shared the video for “Earth Needs A Moon” ahead of the single’s July 15 digital release. With its big spacious sound, rootsy feel and the soulful vocals of DAN and ANNA, “Earth Needs A Moon” marks the first single from LOVE BY NUMB3RS’ second album that’s due out September 30. As with the band’s previous self-directed videos, “Earth Needs A Moon” lures viewers with its moody and compelling imagery. Watch the video here and see the quotes below from ANNA.

The song video was premiered yesterday with Glide Magazine, which noted that “the dramatic title track song and video that showers our ears with the dramatic interplay between the trio that takes listeners to a nostalgic hideout where secrets are sheltered and sins are forgotten. There is a bleeding guitar solo midway through the song as Lombard pours her fervently soulful vocals into the song’s building storyline.”

The EARTH NEEDS A MOON album, produced by JON and ANNA, is filled with haunting and evocative songs about love, devotion and more with finely etched, atmospheric settings, over which the band cast their spells. The tracks are sonically wide-open and move slowly, however confidently, and make the listener feel like they are floating in air on a journey somewhere. The album was recorded at Fisher’s Waterhouse on Peaks Island as well as the band’s South Ranch studio. EARTH NEEDS A MOON follows the band’s November 2021 Colours EP and doesn’t repeat any of its songs. This is the music of a band who freewheelingly chart a course through eloquent alternative, Americana and roots rock.

The video for “Earth Needs A Moon” was shot in a town called Industry, Maine where there are rolling hills and back roads and lots of expansive landscapes with wildflowers and fields. It is based on a story and art by celebrated artist and their friend Pat Corrigan. The band got his permission to use his drawings and bring them to life in the video.

QUOTES FROM ANNA LOMBARD ABOUT THE
“EARTH NEEDS A MOON” VIDEO AND SONG

–Jon and I co-directed and filmed this video. We also co-produced and edited ourselves, with the majority of the editing falling on Jon.

–Pat Corrigan is a very celebrated artist of many mediums and one of our dearest friends. When I stumbled upon his Instagram post, I was specifically really drawn to the content of the conversation bubbles in his drawings talking about the earth and the moon. I felt this overwhelming feeling of some semblance of cosmic connection, as though stars had aligned between what his drawings were meant to convey and the concept/context behind writing this song. It couldn’t have just been by coincidence. So we felt very compelled to dig deeper and bring his drawings to life by reenacting them within our video.

–We ended up renting a trailer and bringing Jon’s 1976 Honda 550 Four K motorcycle along with all our gear for the festival we were playing the night before in the neighboring town, and we stayed up there for a few days to film. It was kind of cool that the Tau Herculids meteor shower was happening at the same time–the visibility of the night sky up in Industry is like no other…which is cool because of how much this record is influenced by the workings of the universe and the moon etc.

–In regards to the song’s lyrics/meaning, Dan had come up with a rough sketch of lyrics for first verse which ended with the line “earth needs a moon”–I knew immediately that he was referring to our musical partnership and history–but I wanted to get deeper into understanding the actual scientific reasons the earth needs a moon so I went into my typical manic mode and researched all about WHY the earth needs a moon, and all the things that would be different if we had no moon. Without the moon, human life would change so significantly: nights would be darker, days would be longer, the earth would slow down because we wouldn’t have the moon’s gravitational pull, there would be no tides or seasons. I could go on and on and on–but the main point is that the moon stabilizes the earth. If the moon disappeared, life as we know it would be disastrous.

–So the second verse where I come in, I tried to reverse the concept–“when you’re hiding out in the daytime but I know you’re always there” (referencing Dan’s illness and effects of chemo and all the time he’s sleeping during the day)– but even when you can’t see the moon, you know it exists and is still out there. The lyric “When you only give me half of you” is about how Dan has struggled with his illness and doesn’t always have the ability to be in the studio, or he’s had to bow out of filming or recording because he’s ill.

–“I never want to see your darker side” references the influence that Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” has on this song but also the darkness that comes with cancer and addiction.

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‘EARTH NEEDS A MOON’
ALBUM TRACK LISTING

1. Intro
2. When I Close My Eyes
3. Earth Needs A Moon
4. Don’t Be So Hard On Me
5. Ashes
6. Do It All Over
7. The Universe
8. What Would I Do Without You
9. The Refuge
10. Last Love
11. A Million Suns

LOVE BY NUMB3RS

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July 12, 2022

Promoter MAMMOTH Announces New Partnership With Tommy Ginoza/Sugar Monkey

DATE: JULY 12, 2022

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN

MAMMOTH—
THE LEADING MIDWEST PROMOTER—
ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH
TOMMY GINOZA
IN HIS NEW SUGAR MONKEY VENTURE

Leading Midwest promoter MAMMOTH, INC. has announced another new partnership, this time with industry veteran and former Live Nation exec Tommy Ginoza and his newly formed Los Angeles-based company Sugar Monkey. Additional details on the new venture will be announced in the coming months.

Ginoza got his start at Goldenvoice in 1996 and his experience includes stints at Live Nation, Universal Concerts and House of Blues Concerts. Throughout his career he’s worked with artists of all genres at venues from local clubs to arenas, as well as on North American tours.

“I have known and worked with Jeff and Josh for nearly 20+ years and we have become good friends during that time,” Tommy Ginoza says. “In my career, I’ve been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with several great people who have become great friends. I have always admired the work ethic, integrity and entrepreneurial drive of Jeff, Josh and Streigs (Sean Striegel) and I’m thrilled that I get to continue that by joining forces with them and the entire Mammoth team.”

“Tommy is a reputable talent and booking executive and an expert in the event operations field,” MAMMOTH’s Jeff Fortier says. “When he shared that he was creating his own company, Sugar Monkey, we knew this would be a great opportunity to closely work with Tommy. We’re excited to be partnering with him.”

This continues MAMMOTH’s expansion and follows the announcements of a merger with Portland, Oregon’s Mike Thrasher Presents and the opening of Mammoth Northeast headed by Sean Striegel.

Launched in 2006, MAMMOTH produces a wide array of live events including concerts and festivals, as well as national tours. MAMMOTH’s events range in size from small club shows to amphitheaters and arena shows (including more than 50 historic indoor theaters). The company is headed by Jeff Fortier and Josh Hunt, who together have over 55 years of combined music industry experience. With home offices in Lawrence, KS and Kansas City, MO, MAMMOTH produces more than 1,000 concerts and live events across the country per year.

For more information, please visit https://www.mammothlive.com/ and for previous MAMMOTH releases, go here.

For more information on Sugar Monkey contact:

Sugar Monkey
tg@sugarmonkeylive.com
(310) 919-0035
11400 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 200 #158
Los Angeles, CA 90064

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June 28, 2022

+LIVE+ Raises Money For United24 To Benefit Victims Of War In Ukraine

DT: JUNE 28, 2022

FM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/ANDREA FAULK

+LIVE+
RAISES $13,000 FOR UNITED24
WHICH COLLECTS CHARITABLE DONATIONS
TO BENEFIT VICTIMS OF WAR IN UKRAINE
A FENDER GUITAR THAT LEAD SINGER ED KOWALCZYK
PERSONALLY SIGNED AND DESIGNED
WITH THE LYRICS FROM “LIGHTNING CRASHES”
WAS AUCTIONED TO CELEBRATE THE
NEWLY REIMAGINED VERSION OF THE SONG
BY +LIVE+ AND AVIRA,
THE CANADIAN EDM ARTIST/PRODUCER,

LISTEN HERE

Photo of Ed Kowalczyk

To celebrate last week’s release newly reimagined version of “Lightning Crashes” by +LIVE+ and EDM artist AVIRA via Armada Music, the band’s lead singer Ed Kowalczyk personally signed a beautiful Fender guitar and inscribed it with the lyrics from the song. It was auctioned this past weekend with the $13,000 in proceeds going to UNITED24 (https://u24.gov.ua) to benefit the victims of war in Ukraine. The charity was launched by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the main venue for collecting charitable donations in support of Ukraine. Funds will be transferred to the official accounts of the National Bank of Ukraine and allocated by assigned ministries to cover the most pressing needs: Defence And Demining, Medical Aid And Rebuilding Ukraine.

Of the remix of “Lightning Crashes,” for which Kowalczyk recorded completely new vocals, Stereogum wrote: “Today in unexpectedly great remixes, Canadian DJ/producer AVIRA has put an EDM spin on Live’s 1994 Throwing Copper classic ‘Lightning Crashes’ (6/17/24).

Listen to LIVE x AVIRA – Lightning Crashes

In the past few years, AVIRA has built quite the reputation when it comes to remixing classic songs. Having already put his hand to The Alan Parsons Project’s “Sirius” (with Armin van Buuren) as well as timeless dance tracks such as “Communication” (by Armin van Buuren), “Silence” (by Delerium), “Strange World” by (M.I.K.E. Push) and “Saltwater” (by Chicane), the Canadian DJ and producer has now joined forces with multi-platinum rock band LIVE for an incredible reimagining of their self-written 1994 smash hit “Lightning Crashes.” The song was released (June 17) by Armada Music.

Marking the multi-platinum band’s biggest single (#1 at Modern Rock radio for ten consecutive weeks) and one of the most acclaimed songs of the modern rock era, “Lightning Crashes” has now been pushed into an electronic dimension. With subtle chord plucks, droning bass, freshly recorded vocals–by LIVE’s lead singer Ed Kowalczyk–and lyrics that narrate the circle of life, this brilliant take on the globally beloved rock classic will resonate with listeners across genres and stylistic preference.

“When I was growing up in Toronto, I always felt like dance music had a bad reputation,” AVIRA reminisces. “I knew that only small circles were into it, but almost everyone listened to rock, hip-hop and Top 40. ‘Lightning Crashes’ is one of those records that is universally understood as a masterpiece, and I immediately saw the opportunity to bring that legendary rock radio sound to the dance space, hopefully opening the eyes of many to dance music!”

“I had been getting inspired and actually talked about working or wanting to do some experimenting in the EDM/trance space when this email and scratch demo from AVIRA came in.” Ed Kowalczyk says. “I was excited to hear it because of the synchronicity of how it unfolded for me personally, and my excitement only grew after I popped it up on the speakers! My initial thought was how protective AVIRA’s version was of the original; I could tell he really cared about the song and wasn’t just throwing a beat to it. My second thought was for the minimalistic but super-powerful counter melodies he composed that felt like emotional and spiritual exclamation points on my lyrics. As good as the original version is for its raw energy and rock-and-roll vitality, AVIRA’s production and its sophisticated, modern and soulful depth immediately felt like the next chapter for the song to me.”

“Ed’s performance on this new recording sent chills down my spine,” AVIRA adds. “I wanted to make this feel like an epic homage to LIVE’s original and show a new generation of listeners what dance music can be all about. I’m forever grateful that Ed was involved in making my dreams come true.”

About +LIVE+

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

For more information on +LIVE+, visit:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

For press inquiries, contact:

SRO PR
Mitch Schneider // mschneider@sropr.com
Andrea Faulk // afaulk@sropr.com

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June 24, 2022

OZZY OSBOURNE Confirms September 9 As Release Date For New Album ‘Patient Number 9’ (Epic); Debuts Todd McFarlane Video For Title Track

DATE: JUNE 24, 2022

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/MITCH SCHNEIDER

OZZY OSBOURNE
CONFIRMS SEPTEMBER 9
AS RELEASE DATE FOR NEW ALBUM
‘PATIENT NUMBER 9’ (EPIC)

FIRST SINGLE, THE ALBUM’S TITLE TRACK,
FEATURES LEGENDARY GUITARIST JEFF BECK,
ACCOMPANIED BY
TODD McFARLANE-DIRECTED VIDEO

ALBUM GUEST STARS INCLUDE
ZAKK WYLDE, ERIC CLAPTON, MIKE MCCREADY (PEARL JAM),
CHAD SMITH (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS), THE LATE TAYLOR HAWKINS (FOO FIGHTERS), ROBERT TRUJILLO (METALLICA),DUFF MCKAGAN (GUNS N’ ROSES), CHRIS CHANEY (JANE’S ADDICTION)
AND FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, ON AN OZZY SOLO ALBUM,
OZZY’S BLACK SABBATH CO-FOUNDER TONY IOMMI

LISTEN TO THE FIRST SINGLE HERE
AND WATCH THE NEW VIDEO DIRECTED BY
GRAMMY-WINNER TODD McFARLANE HERE

PRE-ORDER PATIENT NUMBER 9 HERE
ADDITIONAL PRE-ORDERS INCLUDE A LIMITED-EDITION SPECIAL PACKAGE WITH A MCFARLANE-DESIGNED COMIC BOOK AND A LIMITED-EDITION COMIC WITH FOIL COVER IN A SPECIAL DELUXE BOX AVAILABLE HERE

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OZZY is back.

Mark September 9 on your calendar as the release date for PATIENT NUMBER 9, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy®-winning singer and songwriter OZZY OSBOURNE’s new album and the first since his critically acclaimed, worldwide, chart-topping 2020 ORDINARY MAN release.

The album’s self-titled first single and video have today (Friday, June 24) been released worldwide. Listen to “Patient Number 9” here and watch the video Grammy winner and multiple Grammy nominee Todd McFarlane-directed here.

“Having worked with Ozzy in the past, I jumped at another opportunity to do so again…especially on the music side this time,” Todd McFarlane says. “In the harsh business called the music industry, any creative person who’s sustained a multi-decades career has shown the skill, talent and tenacity that will always garner my admiration. Ozzy has shown many of us creative folks that it’s indeed possible to make a living doing what you love for nearly an entire lifetime. Go, Ozzy!”

Produced by Andrew Watt (who handled the same duties on ORDINARY MAN) and set for release on Epic, the new album marks OSBOURNE’s 13^th solo studio album. It’s heavy, it’s hard-hitting, it’s historic–it’s everything you’d want from an OZZY OSBOURNE record and maybe more.

“Patient Number 9” was written by OZZY, Watt, Robert Trujillo, Chad Smith and Ali Tamposi and features a riveting solo from legendary guitarist Jeff Beck (one of the notable guest stars on the album, additional details below). The video marks the first collaboration from the project with Emmy-and Grammy-winning director/producer Todd McFarlane. It is highlighted by McFarlane’s signature illustrations interspersed with live OZZY vignettes in the role of “Patient Number 9,” which the revolutionary creative force in the world of comics and toys also filmed. In addition, this is the first-ever video to incorporate OZZY’s artwork: his hand-drawn demons were animated and can be seen during the Jeff Beck solo in the song.

Working with producer Watt for the second time, OZZY welcomed a dynamic A-list supporting cast. The record boasts guitarists Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, and longstanding righthand man and six-string beast Zakk Wylde who plays on the majority of the tracks. For the bulk of the album, Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers held down drums, while the late Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters made an appearance. Old friend and one-time OZZY band member Robert Trujillo of Metallica plays bass on most of the album’s tracks, with Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses and Chris Chaney of Jane’s Addiction supplying bass on a few songs. For the first time ever, Black Sabbath co-founder, guitarist, and riff-lord Tony Iommi appears on an OZZY solo album.

A person holding a baby Description automatically generated with medium confidence Photo credit: Ross Halfin

An exclusive version of PATIENT NUMBER 9 with a limited-edition special McFarlane-designed comic book will be available for preorder; a limited-edition comic with foil cover is also available with a special deluxe box. Both can be pre-ordered here. Pre-order PATIENT NUMBER 9 here.

OZZY OSBOURNE
ON
‘PATIENT NUMBER 9’

Q: This is your first album to be released after the pandemic. What was going through your mind during the early days of the pandemic and are any of those feelings reflected in these songs?

OZZY: “Well, I was vaccinated and boosted and I still caught Covid in the end. My last album (Ordinary Man) was released just a few weeks before the pandemic started, and I was just about getting ready to go into the studio to work on this new one when the world shut down. It’s no secret that the last four years have been very difficult for me but making this album took my mind off of my problems.”

Q: The album features some players with whom have history. What was it like to be reunited with Tony Iommi musically?

OZZY: “It was really great working with Tony. He’s the riff master. No one can touch him in that respect. I only wish we had these songs for Black Sabbath’s 13 album.”

Q: Zakk contributes a lot on this album–how was the decision made to have him play since he didn’t play on the last album?

OZZY: “Zakk is part of my family and always will be. The album needed that weight that his playing provides. He just came in and really sorted things out.”

Q: Tell us about the first single, “Patient Number 9,” which features Jeff Beck. What do you feel he has contributed to the song?

OZZY: “The song is about a mental institution. Having someone like Jeff Beck play on my album is just incredible, a total honor. There’s no other guitar player that plays like him and his solo on ‘Patient Number 9’ is just jaw-dropping.”

PATIENT NUMBER 9 track listing:

Patient Number 9 (feat. Jeff Beck)
Immortal (feat. Mike McCready)
Parasite (feat. Zakk Wylde)
Mr. Darkness (feat. Zakk Wylde)
One of Those Days (feat. Eric Clapton)
A Thousand Shades (feat. Jeff Beck)
No Escape From Now (feat. Tony Iommi)
Nothing Feels Right (feat. Zakk Wylde)
Evil Shuffle (feat. Zakk Wylde)
Degradation Rules (feat. Tony Iommi)
Dead and Gone
God Only Knows
Darkside Blues

About OZZY OSBOURNE:

Website
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Twitter
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YouTube

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June 24, 2022

TOMMY EMMANUEL With Mike Dawes Acoustically Rework “Smells Like Teen Spirit” With Newly Released Single + Video

DT: JUNE 24, 2022

FM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/ANDREA FAULK/LYNDIE WENNER

SRO PR (LOS ANGELES, NASHVILLE, LAS VEGAS)

TOMMY EMMANUEL
ANNOUNCES NEW FIVE-SONG EP
‘ACCOMPLICE SERIES VOL. 3’ WITH MIKE DAWES
OUT SEPTEMBER 23 ON CGP SOUNDS
UNVEILS SINGLE + VIDEO
“SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT”

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

LISTEN TO THE SONG HERE

TOMMY EMMANUEL AND MIKE DAWES WILL TOUR TOGETHER
STARTING DECEMBER 6

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Description automatically generated ACCOMPLICE SERIES VOL. 3 Cover Art

Sparks fly on “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” the new all-instrumental single and video from acoustic guitarist extraordinaire TOMMY EMMANUEL and British acoustic guitar virtuoso Mike Dawes. They first joined forces last year to record and release their interpretation of Goyte’s 2011 hit “Somebody That I Used To Know” (described by Guitar Player as “spellbinding”) and now their combined prowess takes flight again on their cover of Nirvana’s classic, released today (June 24). It’s one of the highlights on the upcoming five-song EP from TOMMY EMMANUEL with Mike Dawes, ACCOMPLICE SERIES VOL. 3 due out September 23 on CGP SOUNDS. Watch the video here and listen to the song here. The video was premiered yesterday (June 23) by Guitar World which noted that “the acoustic virtuoso duo combine powers to rework the era-defining grunge anthem, with spectacular results.” Pre-order the EP here.

EMMANUEL and Mike Dawes also light up the EP with their stirring all-instrumental reworkings of “Slow Dancing In a Burning Room” (John Mayer), “Fields of Gold” (Sting) and “Be My Mistake” (The 1975), alongside “Somebody That I Used To Know” and “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” the video for which was directed and edited by Joshua Britt and Neilson Hubbard for Neighborhoods Apart. The live audio was recorded by Dylan Allredge, while the audio was mixed and mastered by Marc DeSisto. It was filmed in an empty warehouse in Franklin, KY.

“I’ve always loved Nirvana’s original recording and music video of this song, but I never dreamed I’d play it as an instrumental one day,” says EMMANUEL. “Having Mike on tour with me gave me a window into other possibilities as a player, performer, and arranger. So, we set about to make it live for us. I let my imagination run wild and Mike created a strong foundation that gave us the freedom to soar with our hearts open when we play it!”

Mike Dawes says that “It has been so much fun playing this arrangement live with Tommy, and a thrill to bring some of my own guitar heritage to the table for this project. Some of my parts are heavily inspired by my old guitar teacher, the great Stuart Ryan, who had an arrangement of his own. Much like the late, great Eric Roche. To have Tommy Emmanuel play on top of the rhythm is an exceptional circumstance and the one-take recording we did in LA turned out so great! I hope that this timeless trans-generational piece sets up this ‘Accomplice Series’ EP in the appropriate way. A mix of shredding and percussive grunge!”

TOMMY EMMANUEL and his special guest Mike Dawes, who have toured together in the past including this past January’s run, will do so again in the U.S. starting in December 2022. The dates follow below and most shows are on sale now.

Full Track Listing for Accomplice EP #3:

1. Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana cover)
2. Slow Dancing In a Burning Room (John Mayer cover)
3. Fields of Gold (Sting cover)
4. Somebody I Used to Know (Gotye cover)
5. Be My Mistake (1975 cover)

DATE		LOCATION	VENUE
6-Dec	TUE	Boise, ID	Egyptian Theatre
7-Dec	WED	Salem, OR	Elsinore Theatre
9-Dec	FRI	Bend, OR	Tower Theatre
10-Dec	SAT	Grants Pass, OR	Rogue Theatre
11-Dec	SUN	Chico, CA	Laxson Auditorium
13-Dec	TUE	Santa Cruz, CA	Rio Theatre
14-Dec	WED	San Juan Capistrano, CA	Coach House
15-Dec	THU	San Juan Capistrano, CA	Coach House
16-Dec	FRI	Malibu, CA	Smothers Theatre

A person playing a guitar

Description automatically generated with medium confidence Artist: Tommy Emmanuel:
Photo Credit: Alysse Gafkjen

ABOUT TOMMY EMMANUEL:

TOMMY EMMANUEL has achieved enough musical milestones to satisfy several lifetimes. At the age of six, he was touring regional Australia with his family band. By 30, he was a rock n’ roll lead guitarist burning up stadiums in Europe. At 44, he became one of five people ever named a CPG (Certified Guitar Player) by his idol, music icon Chet Atkins. Today, he plays hundreds of sold-out shows every year from Nashville to Sydney to London. He’s piled up numerous accolades, including two Grammy Award nominations, two ARIA Awards from the Australian Recording Industry Association (the Aussie equivalent of the Recording Academy); repeated honors in the Guitar Player magazine reader’s poll including a cover story for their August 2017 issue; a cover feature for Vintage Guitar’s July 2020 issue; and was Music Radar’s reader’s poll #1 winner of the Ten Best Acoustic Guitarists in The World (December 2019). A noted fingerstyle guitarist, EMMANUEL frequently threads three different parts simultaneously into his material, operating as a one-man band who handles the melody, the supporting chords and the bass all at once. His talents, which translate in any language, carry him to the far corners of the globe, but EMMANUEL never plays the same show twice, and he improvises big chunks of every date. That leaves him open to those technical imperfections, though they also provide some of the humanity to an other-worldly talent. On May 8, 2020, he released a newly recorded career-spanning double album, THE BEST OF TOMMYSONGS, via CGP Sounds/Cruzen Street Records). Watch the album trailer here which focuses on TOMMY’s unique ability to tell stories without words: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SOQEMWYAQ4&feature=youtu.be

For more information on TOMMY EMMANUEL, visit:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

SRO PR Assets + Press Releases:
http://sropr.com/portfolio/tommyemmanuel/

A person playing a guitar

Description automatically generated with medium confidence Mike Dawes
Photo Credit: Adam King Photography

ABOUT MIKE DAWES:

Mike Dawes is an award-winning solo guitarist known for composing, arranging, and performing multiple parts simultaneously on one instrument. He is regarded as one of the world’s most creative modern fingerstyle guitarists with a repertoire spanning solo viral video hits and mainstream chart success with artists including Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues. The British guitarist was named “Best Acoustic Guitarist in the World” by Total Guitar Magazine and MusicRadar twice in their end-of-year reader’s poll. Popular YouTube personality Rick Beato recently interviewed Dawes in a video titled “World’s Greatest Acoustic Guitarist?”, with Dawes regularly appearing online sharing tips and tricks regarding his unique playing style. All three of Dawes’ solo albums have spawned viral video hits with millions of views including his popular arrangements of Metallica’s “One” and Van Halen’s “Jump.” His original songs “The Impossible” and “Boogie Shred” are frequently covered by aspiring fingerstyle performers. Dawes has been featured on multiple Justin Hayward live releases, including Spirits…Live, which debuted at #2 on the US Billboard Charts. As a keen educator, Dawes has frequently worked as a columnist for the biggest guitar magazines in the world, including Guitar World and Acoustic Guitar.

For more information on MIKE DAWES, visit:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

For press inquiries regarding TOMMY EMMANUEL, contact:

SRO PR
(Los Angeles, Nashville, Las Vegas)
Mitch Schneider // mschneider@sropr.com
Andrea Faulk // afaulk@sropr.com
Lyndie Wenner // lwenner@sropr.com

June 23, 2022

Minneapolis’ Singer-Songwriter Pamela McNeill shares New Single & High Voltage Video “Hollywood Rain ” LISTEN HERE

DATE: JUNE 23, 2022

FROM: LYNDIE WENNER/MITCH SCHNEIDER, SRO PR

PAMELA McNEILL:
MINNEAPOLIS-BASED SINGER/SONGWRITER AND PERFORMER
TODAY SHARES NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO, “HOLLYWOOD RAIN”

FROM UPCOMING ALBUM ‘NEON LIGHTNING’
LISTEN TO “HOLLYWOOD RAIN” (HERE),

OUT TOMORROW AT ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS
VIEW THE HIGH VOLTAGE VIDEO
“HOLLYWOOD RAIN” HERE

Image Credit: Rik Cannon

“Her voice has a certain quality about it that you just like her immediately. Her songwriting, on her own, strives for new territory–it’s not the same clichés over and over–it’s actually very beautiful language.”
–Jim Peterik- Grammy Award winning songwriter of ‘Eye of the Tiger’ and founding member of the band Survivor

Singer, songwriter, pianist and performer PAMELA McNEILL today (June 23) has shared the video for her new single “Hollywood Rain” on indie label Farm To Label Records. Watch the lush, Hollywood-style stage production video, which was premiered June 22 at Vents Magazine. “Hollywood Rain” will be released tomorrow via all streaming platforms here. The song will appear alongside seven other tracks on the raised-on-classic-rock artist’s forthcoming album NEON LIGHTNING due out August 5, marking her seventh album.

“Hollywood Rain” was written by McNEILL and inspired by her longtime musical influences from Tom Petty to Pink to Sir Elton John; with its “80’s tribute anthem” sound, the track shimmers with youthful innocence and a lush Elton-esque production. “It’s epic and it’s joyful,” says McNEILL. “It’s kind of looking back. It’s just powerful.” The single was arranged and produced by longtime friend and bandmate, Minneapolis producer and guitarist, Matthew Kirkwold (Quietdrive, AM Taxi). McNEILL’s vocals and piano work light up the song, with John Richardson (Gin Blossoms) on drums, Adam Ollendorff (Kacey Musgraves, Will Hoge, Katy Perry) on acoustic and steel guitars and Adam Keafer (Kacey Musgraves, Matthew Perryman, Brooks and Dunn) on bass.

“This is one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written,” elaborates McNEILL. “Because of how it makes me feel—it’s my ‘Elton John’ song! Tommy Barbarella wrote the string arrangements for this song. I’d asked for ‘Elton John’ strings and he delivered that in spades! Tommy worked with Prince so he’s truly amazing!” She continues: “10 months into the pandemic–I was sitting at home playing ‘Pearl’ (our white baby grand)–and I was so depressed. Not being able to go anywhere. No gigs. It was very hard for me. A strong feeling hit me–‘I miss the Madonna Days.’ The 80’s. The colors. The way it seemed we all got along better (whether real or imagined). Then, thinking about how different life feels now. I wanted this song to be a joyful celebration of those times.”

The video for “Hollywood Rain”–directed by Rik Cannon and edited by Michael Luebber, both of Redline Creative Group–was filmed at Vū Technologies in Nashville. MCNEILL shares: “the vision I had in my head was big and cinematic and very colorful–like the skies in the “Oklahoma” (musical) movie–which we used for reference. I also wanted it to be a performance video. We immediately searched for a BIG soundstage.”

McNEILL, who more than casually flirted with Nashville’s songwriting community, traveled there often through the years leading up to NEON LIGHTNING. A few of her favorite co-writing sessions were with ACM, CMA and Grammy-winning artist Pam Tillis and Grammy-winning songwriter Bobby E. Boyd. Artists who have recorded her songs are Buffy Lawson: “Rainy Night in Memphis” soley written by MCNEILL (from Lawson’s 2012 album “I’m Leaving You for Me” on Wrinkled Records), Yanni: “Love is All” (from his 1997 Tribute album, Virgin Records), plus “The Promise” and “Almost a Whisper” (from his 2003 Ethnicity album, Virgin Records). She also co-wrote, with Jim Peterik, “Coin of the Realm, recorded by Pride of Lions (from their 2012 Immortal album on Frontiers Records).

Photo Credit: Jessica Hegland Photography

PAMELA McNEILL’s vocals and keyboard skills extend from Minneapolis to London to Nashville and back. She’s played iconic venues and stages from London’s Royal Albert Hall to Nashville’s Bluebird Café and she’s released six previous albums. https://www.pamelamcneill.com/music

Connect with PAMELA McNEILL
BIO
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM

For press inquiries, please contact:

Lyndie Wenner, SRO PR
lwenner@sropr.com
615-512-8360 (direct to cell)
615-973-4160 (office)

June 22, 2022

Oakland-based singer-songwriter HELLCAT BLOOM Releases First Single Video “Malibu” From Her Debut EP Semi-Sweet Out August 19

DATE: JUNE 22, 2022

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN

HELLCAT BLOOM
TO RELEASE ‘SEMI-SWEET’
SEVEN-SONG EP
AUGUST 19 ON pOprOck
TRACK INCLUDED ON BANDCAMP’S
JUNETEENTH (JUNE 17) FUNDRAISER

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Description automatically generated Photo credit: Arrica Rose

HELLCAT BLOOM, the pseudonym of Oakland-based singer-songwriter Alex Avritch, is set to release her seven-song debut EP SEMI-SWEET August 19 on pOprOck Records. The EP was previewed by the single and video for the laid-back, nostalgic heartbreak of the first track “Malibu.” Watch the “Malibu” video here and listen to the song here.

A group of people with their mouths open

Description automatically generated with medium confidence Still from “Malibu” music video

The “Malibu” single was recently included in Bandcamp’s third annual Juneteenth (June 17) fundraiser (whereby they donated 100% of their share of sales to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to support their ongoing efforts to promote racial justice through litigation, advocacy, and public education). Beyond Bandcamp’s donation, HELLCAT BLOOM also donated a portion of the proceeds earned that day via her Bandcamp page.

HELLCAT BLOOM TALKS ABOUT HER FIRST SINGLE

“MALIBU”

There are many songs with “Malibu” in the title, what was the inspiration for your song?

I like to think there are so many songs named after the city because Malibu holds a certain magical quality that breeds endless inspiration. Especially for someone who grew up in the valley. It was the backdrop of so many formative moments growing up. More specifically, the moments I fell in love.

As for what inspired my particular Malibu, it’s heartbreak. It’s about how you never think something or someone so precious to you can let you down or break your heart, and how deeply it hurts when they do. This person, much like Malibu, had an irresistible quality about them that was intoxicating. So much so that it was easy to look past the cracks in the facade. This song is all about taking off the rose-colored glasses and realizing it was time to say goodbye to this “place” I had called home for so long.

The artsy, multi-colored clip invokes the beach theme in a less obvious fashion. What was the creative reason behind this?

Though the song is lyrically built around a Malibu beach backdrop, we really wanted the visuals to embody the emotions behind the motif. Much like waves, love and loss can feel both turbulent and absolutely still. The video will switch from a wash of overlapping, psychedelic patterns to ethereal hues in the matter of seconds. This uncertainty of what’s to come next, while remaining at the forefront of heartache, is what Malibu is all about.

You’re shown in split, multi-screen and swirling images throughout the clip–what inspired this?

A lot of the visuals for this video were inspired by the retro use of split screen to capture simultaneous states of being as well as psychedelic imagery to convey the vivid spaces one finds themself in while going through various stages of heartbreak. In a single moment, you’re sifting through the pieces of sadness, anger, relief etc. That feeling of fragmentation was an extremely important piece of the story.

SEMI-SWEET’s seven songs were written alongside collaborator Arrica Rose; it was recorded at Comp-ny in Los Angeles (Be Hussey engineering) and O2 and The Tree House in Oakland (Arrica Rose engineering). It was mixed and mastered by Dan Garcia at Radio Hill Santa Monica. HELLCAT BLOOM features Alex Avritch on vocals and songwriting duties; producer/co-writer Arrica Rose rhythm guitars, backing vocals, synths, and loops; Marc Thomas on lead guitars; Mark W. Lynn on bass; and Ryan Brown on drums and percussion.

The tracks on HELLCAT BLOOM’s elegantly crafted debut EP pull in elements from 60s girl groups, 90s indie-rock, and modern-day electropop, all wrapped up in a sheen of analog warmth. While the sound is ambitious and confident in its scope, it draws listeners close with the intimacy of lo-fi bedroom folk. Always at the forefront are nuanced lyrics that express the complicated emotions of a passionate love affair as it comes apart at the seams, captured in clever retorts and evocative scenes. Eclectic yet cohesive, melancholy yet carefree, bitter and sweet, the EP is an expression of worlds and sounds gently colliding—from the indie rock anthem “Love Is Strange,” to the sultry, noir slow burner, “Valley Eyes.” The EP is anchored by HELLCAT BLOOM’s lilting vocals that belie the lyrics’ harsh honesty. As every breakup contains both roses and thorns, even the darkest songs are dressed up sweetly in ethereal synths and hypnotic loops, paired with live drums and dreamy guitars.

HELLCAT BLOOM’s creative output revels in the dichotomy that’s true of most romantic relationships, art, and life itself. “I like to say we’re all multi-faceted human beings, and we aren’t just one thing, within a single moment, day, or year,” HELLCAT BLOOM says. “This music is a little bit old school, a little bit new, a nod to this, a nod to that. It’s almost like it’s built from all these perfect fragments of myself and Arrica that came together in this salty but sweet goodness that is the project.”

In the end, HELLCAT BLOOM knew when the project was fully realized, not because of a particular sonic moment or song, but because of the beautiful-but-complex whole. Always, with every lyric, every note, she’s aiming not just to entice listeners, but to move them. If it sounds like HELLCAT BLOOM is asking herself the big questions about art and life, she is. Not only because of her need to express herself through her music, but because of her desire to grow into an artist who can, in turn, be an inspiration for the next generation “It’s important to me in all facets of my life to carve a path for other creators of color, who want to be in the tech space, in the makeup space, in music,” she says. “While finding my own way, I want to make sure I’m doing my part to bring up as many seats at the table as I possibly can.”

Canadian Producer AVIRA Reimagines LIVE’S 1994 Hit “Lightning Crashes”; Released Today

DT: JUNE 17, 2022

FM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/ANDREA FAULK

CANADIAN PRODUCER AVIRA
REIMAGINES LIVE’S 1994 HIT ‘LIGHTNING CRASHES’
LISTEN HERE

Listen to LIVE x AVIRA – Lightning Crashes

Marking the multi-platinum band’s biggest single (#1 at Modern Rock radio for ten consecutive weeks) and one of the most aclaimed songs of the modern rock era, “Lightning Crashes” has now been pushed into an electronic dimension. With subtle chord plucks, droning bass, freshly recorded vocals–by LIVE’s lead singer Ed Kowalczyk–and lyrics that narrate the circle of life, this brilliant take on the globally beloved rock classic will resonate with listeners across genres and stylistic preference.

“When I was growing up in Toronto, I always felt like dance music had a bad reputation,” AVIRA reminisces (*see a full Q&A below with both artists*). “I knew that only small circles were into it, but almost everyone listened to rock, hip-hop and Top 40. ‘Lightning Crashes’ is one of those records that is universally understood as a masterpiece, and I immediately saw the opportunity to bring that legendary rock radio sound to the dance space, hopefully opening the eyes of many to dance music!”

“Ed’s performance on this new recording sent chills down my spine,”AVIRA adds. “I wanted to make this feel like an epic homage to LIVE’s original and show a new generation of listeners what dance music can be all about. I’m forever grateful that Ed was involved in making my dreams come true.”

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Ed Kowalcyzk + AVIRA Q&A – ‘Lightning Crashes’

ED:

•As the writer and singer of “Lightning Crashes,” certainly one of the biggest songs of the alternative rock era, what were your initial thoughts when you heard that AVIRA created an electro remix of the song?

I had been getting inspired and actually talked about working or wanting to do some experimenting in the EDM/trance space when this email and scratch demo from AVIRA came in. I was excited to hear it because of the synchronicity of how it unfolded for me personally, and my excitement only grew after I popped it up on the speakers! My initial thought was how protective AVIRA’s version was of the original; I could tell he really cared about the song and wasn’t just throwing a beat to it. My second thought was for the minimalistic but super-powerful counter melodies he composed that felt like emotional and spiritual exclamation points on my lyrics. As good as the original version is for its raw energy and rock-and-roll vitality, AVIRA’s production and its sophisticated, modern and soulful depth immediately felt like the next chapter for the song to me.

•What inspired you to actually go into the studio and re-record the song for this new version?

When I first heard AVIRA’s demo, he used the original vocal as a scratch to give me the idea of his direction. It was understood that I would need to record a new lead vocal as the old one wouldn’t work for technical reasons. It had been four years since I had been in a recording booth to sing anything let alone recreate my most famous vocal performance of a song that I wrote almost thirty years ago! I had to step up!

•Can you tell us what it was like to re-record the song for another musical genre and any challenges this may have posed for you?

What struck me immediately as I got up to the mic to sing this new version, was how natural it felt to sing it, even at a totally different tempo. I’m gonna say it; it was just easy…so wonderfully easy. The vocal flowed out of me like no time had passed at all since I first uttered the lyrics to myself over an acoustic guitar all those years ago. I had so much fun singing it again but did I get it right? Would it hold up to the original that so many people have heard and loved all this time? After one of the takes, I got my answer when I overheard our producer, Ken Lewis, lean into his colleague Brent Kolatalo and whisper “I love my job.”

•What are your thoughts about the finished version of the track?

The finished version of the track is just totally beautiful on every level. Everyone who worked on this are high caliber pros who care deeply about music. I was honored to be a part of it.

•“Lighting Crashes” is definitely one of LIVE’s signature songs and certainly a highlight of the band’s LIVE show. Why do you think this song initially resonated with audiences and why does it still have power when you sing it onstage?

“Lightning Crashes” achieves that alchemy of lyric and melody that allows a particular idea to find resonance at a deeper level than usual. To me, the lyric confronts what the melody, in turn, accepts and celebrates. In other words, it has it all.

AVIRA:

•What is it about the song “Lighting Crashes” that inspired you to do an electronic remix of it?

When I was growing up in Toronto, I always felt like dance music had a bad reputation I knew that only small circles were into it, but almost everyone listened to rock, hip-hop and Top 40. “Lightning Crashes” is one of those records that is universally understood as a masterpiece, and I immediately saw the opportunity to bring that legendary rock radio sound to the dance space, hopefully opening the eyes of many to dance music!

•How did you react when you learned that ED liked the remix so much that he wanted to record new vocals for it?

I was honestly blown away by Ed’s response. Having the approval and involvement of someone like Ed gives me hope that I’m not crazy, that maybe the gap between rock and dance can be bridged in 2022.

•Can you talk about how you feel ED’s new vocals kick this remix up to a whole other level?

Ed’s performance on this new recording sent chills down my spine. I wanted to make this feel like an epic homage to LIVE’s original and show a new generation of listeners what dance music can be all about. I’m forever grateful that Ed was involved in making my dreams come true.

•Was there a particular challenge in taking an alternative-rock song like “Lighting Crashes” into a completely different genre?

I think the pressure I put on myself to pay huge respect to LIVE and entice new listeners was my biggest hurdle. I didn’t allow myself to second guess what I’m doing, instead focusing on doing what came naturally.

•Growing up, did you have a particular connection to “Lighting Crashes” and have you seen LIVE perform it in concert?

Being a 90’s kid, I’d always rummage through my brother and sister’s tapes and CDs. One day I came across Throwing Copper and to be honest it was the crazy artwork that made me pop it in! For what seemed like forever I was obsessed with it. I grew up in Egypt, where rock wasn’t really too popular, so it was quickly forgotten. Fast forward to now, one of my best friends (A&R executive Tanner Wilfong, who grew up in PA) mentioned the song to me and we both had a meltdown talking about our memories with it. Since that moment, we’ve been obsessed and that’s how this whole thing started.

About +LIVE+

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

For more information on +LIVE+, visit:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

For press inquiries, contact:

SRO PR
Mitch Schneider // mschneider@sropr.com
Andrea Faulk // afaulk@sropr.com

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June 13, 2022

JOE PERRY Sets Three Solo July Performances For The Joe Perry Project

DATE: JUNE 13, 2022

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/MITCH SCHNEIDER

Text Description automatically generated

JOE PERRY
SETS THREE SOLO JULY PERFORMANCES FOR
THE JOE PERRY PROJECT
INCLUDING A HOMETOWN SHOW
IN BOSTON

Legendary AEROSMITH guitarist and songwriter JOE PERRY has confirmed three Northeast solo gigs in July for THE JOE PERRY PROJECT: Thursday July 21 at Hampton Beach Casino (Hampton, NH); Friday, July 22 at Leader Bank Pavilion (Boston, MA); and Saturday, July 23 at the Atlantic City Hard Rock Casino (Atlantic City, NJ). These performances mark the first solo shows for PERRY in more than four years (around the release of his 2018 SWEETZERLAND MANIFESTO album).

A person playing a guitar Description automatically generated with medium confidence Photo credit: Aaron Hirsch

“Since my schedule has freed up and we have a slot of time to play some shows, I wanted to jump on that opportunity,” JOE PERRY says. “Aside from the obvious, terrible effects the pandemic brought with it, I missed being on the road. However, it is actually the first time that myself and my wife Billie were able to sleep in our own bed for this long of a period without having to think about packing our bags. So it has been a new experience for us. Now, I’m really excited to do these shows, especially with this lineup of The Joe Perry Project: Buck Johnson on keyboards (Aerosmith, Doobie Brothers, Hollywood Vampires), Joe Pet on drums (one of the original members of the Joe Perry Project), Chris Wyse on bass guitar (Hollywood Vampires, The Cult and Ozzy Osbourne) and the incredible Gary Cherone on vocals.”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee continues, “The setlist will have a couple of new songs, a couple of my other solo songs, and a couple of Aerosmith songs that Aerosmith usually doesn’t play, and everything in between, lol…”

“I am also releasing another solo album on vinyl called Sweetzerland Manifesto MKII later this year, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get some of the new songs out there. And since people will probably be sharing the new tracks on social media, the two new songs from the set—which I recorded in London with my sons Roman and Tony–are “Quake,” with vocal by Gary Cherone and “Fortunate One” which features Chris Robinson. The new album will also include a couple of songs from the first release (Sweetzerland Manifesto), some of which weren’t ready to go on that initial record.”

Following these shows, PERRY will return to his Aerosmith commitments. “We are gearing up to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the band and will definitely have some incredible forgotten treasures for our fans that we found deep-diving into the vaults and there’s a lot more to come! On the live side, we can’t wait to get back on the stage together! We have a special date in Maine in September and our big 50^th anniversary show at home at Fenway [Boston] before we head back to Vegas for the two residencies.”

DATE VENUE CITY

Thurs, July 21 Hampton Beach Casino Hampton, NH
**Fri, July 22 Leader Bank Pavilion Boston, MA
Sat, July 23 Atlantic City Hard Rock Casino Atlantic City, NJ

**Special guest with ZZ Top

For more information, visit:

joeperry.com
http://facebook.com/OfficialJoePerry
twitter.com/joeperry
https://www.instagram.com/joeperryofficial/

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