Andrea Faulk, Author at SRO PR

November 18, 2021

ANDREW HAGAR Shares Hard-Charging New Song And Video “Red Light Appetite” Today 11/18

DT: NOVEMBER 18, 2021

FM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/ANDREA FAULK/SRO PR

ANDREW HAGAR
MAKES A STRONG STATEMENT WITH HARD-CHARGING NEW SONG
“RED LIGHT APPETITE”
THE CINEMATIC + BLOOD-THIRSTY VAMPIRE WESTERN VIDEO
FROM THE SINGER, SONGWRITER AND GUITARIST
IS OUT TODAY
AHEAD OF SINGLE’S FRIDAY RELEASE
WATCH HERE

FULL-LENGTH DEBUT ALBUM
‘LIMITED EDITION PSYCHO’
TO BE RELEASED IN 2022

Andrew Hagar
Photo Credit: Chris Profera

Rocker ANDREW HAGAR makes a strong statement with the hard-charging song “Red Light Appetite” and its video, a cinematic + blood-thirsty vampire Western video that he shared today (November 18) ahead of the single’s release tomorrow (November 19).

“Red Light Appetite” was written by the singer, songwriter and guitarist with Trev Lukather (who also produced it) and was inspired by “my own struggles with the cycle of addiction.” says HAGAR. The song will appear on the singer, songwriter and guitarist’s full-length debut album, LIMITED EDITION PSYCHO, in 2022 (exact release date is TBA). Watch the video here.

“Red Light Appetite” was filmed in a ghost town outside Austin, Texas, called “J. Lorraine Ghost Town.” This location has been featured in many well-known movies and TV shows, such as Westworld and The Walking Dead. “We filmed in an actual saloon on location,” says HAGAR. The video was directed by Tyler Wolff of Wolffhaus Studios, a creative collective known for its commercial, film, and music video work. Some of the other artists he’s worked with are Machine Gun Kelly, Yelawolf, Ed Sheeran, and Snoop Dogg, to name a few.

The video was premiered yesterday (November 17) by Heavy Consequence which praised the song as “a glammed-out rocker that unabashedly aims for a massive stadium sound.”

More quotes from HAGAR are below, along with the single artwork, lyrics and info about the song.

Q&A with ANDREW HAGAR ABOUT THE
“RED LIGHT APPETITE” SONG AND VIDEO

–How would you describe the video?

The video for “Red Light Appetite” was inspired by horror classics such as Evil Dead, 30 Days of Night, The Lost Boys, and From Dusk Till Dawn. We were really going for a particular vibe with the color and photography, and I think we accomplished that pretty well.

–What was it like to shoot the video?

From concept to completion, the whole thing came together in about two weeks, bell to bell. We were under some serious time and budget constraints, but I’m so happy with how the music video turned out! We were filming on a full moon and didn’t wrap until 4am, which is pretty perfect considering both the subject matter, themes, and lyrics of “Red Light Appetite.” We even got members of a real bonafide motorcycle club to be involved with the video. Shout out to The Amigos for being so rad and such wonderful people on set.

–Who is playing the role of the cowgirl vampire?

Our main vampiress was played by Torrie Blake, a model who has been featured in many print ads and music videos. She is also a real-life rancher, cowgirl, and horse breeder.

–Who is the cowgirl vampire seen playing guitar?

Our guitar playing vampiress, Lexii Lynn Frazier, is a professional touring guitar player and rising social media star. She plays for some big pop and R&B acts, such as Pink Sweat$, Kehlani, Chloe x Halle, Ian Diorr, Nelly, and many more.

–Can you give us some details about the recording of the song?

“Red Light Appetite” was written and recorded on the spot in Trev Lukather’s home studio in Los Angeles with additional drums recorded at Jake Hayden’s studio, also in L.A. Vocals were myself, Trev Lukather, and Jake Hays. Guitars and bass were tracked by Trev, and drums were tracked by percussive powerhouse Jake Hayden.

–What inspired the song?

The song was inspired by my own struggles with the cycle of addiction. Not being able to identify the difference between love and lust, using sex as an unhealthy coping mechanism, burying my trauma with drugs and alcohol. Basically all the hallmarks of an addict prior to an intense spiritual awakening.

–Will the song appear on an album? Will your two other songs on streaming platforms (“Cold Knife Karma” and “Judgement Day”) be included?

“Red Light Appetite” is part of a bigger release, Limited Edition Psycho, which will drop in 2022. My recent singles “Cold Knife Karma” and “Judgement Day” are both stand-alone singles and will not be part of the upcoming record, but I will be releasing other singles in the lead up to the full-length album.

–Will you be touring in 2022? Who will be in your band?

I will definitely be touring in 2022, and my band will most likely consist of Liam Kevany (Noah Cyrus, Albert Hammond Jr, Holy Child), R.C. Rossell (Role Model), Alexander David Potts (The Memorials), Micayla Grace (Albert Hammond Jr), and Caleb Shields (Anuhea, Roswell Sounds).

Production Notes—Red Light Appetite
Written by Andrew Hagar and Trev Lukather
Produced by Trev Lukather
Engineered by Jake Hayes
Mixed by Will Brierre
Mastered by Howie Weinberg (who has mixed and mastered an array of music for Sammy Hagar

Lyrics—Red Light Appetite

(song written by Andrew Hagar and Trev Lukather)

Feeling something I can’t define
(I really need to know)
Wishing for the touch of divine
(I need to let it go)
Drowning in the thought of your lips
(Caught in the undertow)
Dreaming of the push of your hips

Caught in the quicksand of your lust
Our souls are sinking
Caught in the web between us
Our souls are screaming

Ride the line cause we’re up all night
With the red light appetite
Ride the high as we’re up all night
With the red light appetite

Feeling something under my skin
Feed the devil living within
(I just can’t let it go)
Taste it on the tip of my tongue
(Tastes like addiction)
Found this love my mouth to your gun

Caught in the quicksand of your lust
Our souls are sinking
Caught in the where between us
Our souls are screaming

Ride the line cause we’re up all night
With the red light appetite
Ride the high as we’re up all night
With the red light appetite

Every night as we cross the line
With the red light appetite
Ride the high as we’re up all night
With the red light appetite

A picture containing map

Description automatically generated “Red Light Appetite” single graphic, art by Luca Martinotti, logo by Lukas Havlik

INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK

For more info about ANDREW HAGAR, contact SRO PR:

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

###

November 16, 2021

Mike Thrasher Presents And Mammoth Join Forces To Create A Midwest/West Coast Alliance

DATE: NOVEMBER 16, 2021

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN

MIKE THRASHER PRESENTS AND MAMMOTH
JOIN FORCES TO CREATE
A MIDWEST/WEST COAST ALLIANCE

Having already established themselves in their respective markets of the Pacific Northwest and the Midwest, Mike Thrasher Presents and Mammoth, Inc. will join forces uniting the Portland, OR and Lawrence, KS based companies. The companies will be aligned under one umbrella with a combined 41 years of experience. This news comes on the heels of the March 2020 devastating loss of industry veteran Mike Thrasher.

Originally founded in 1994, Mike Thrasher Presents was founded by local musician Thrasher, who is considered to be one of the principal promoters in the Portland, OR area. Thrasher oversaw the company’s growth which includes a 2009 partnership in the Hawthorne Theater; the company now books 450+ shows a year across the Pacific Northwest. Thrasher worked with a top-level team including Gordon Cross (who first served as the company’s CFO in 2012 and was named CEO in 2013, managing all aspects of operations and personnel) and Sean Major (who was recruited from the William Morris Agency in Los Angeles in 2014 to serve as a talent buyer).

Mammoth launched in 2006 and produces a wide range of events including concerts and full-scale festivals, along with tour booking. Venues include amphitheaters, arenas, small independent clubs, numerous boutique theaters, and 50+ historic indoor theaters as well as an independently owned venue portfolio. The company is co-owned by Jeff Fortier and Josh Hunt who together have over 55 years of combined music industry experience. Based out of Lawrence, KS and Kansas City, MO Mammoth produces 700+ concerts and live events across the country per year.

“Learning from one of the best independent promoters in the country provided me with invaluable insights into the music business,” said Sean Major. “Mike’s innate sense of assessing talent along with his business acumen provided a strong foundation for what has become a very successful company. It is my privilege to assume the Head Talent Buyer role for the Mammoth/Thrasher alliance as we move forward into the future.”

Together in partnership with Mammoth, Cross and Major will continue to lead the development of the businesses. “We were all devastated by Mike’s death,” says Gordon Cross. “Mammoth has given us an exciting and fresh perspective of what the future may look like, and we look forward to working with Jeff and Josh to bring great music to the Pacific Northwest.”

“Mammoth is thrilled to partner with the Mike Thrasher organization, bringing great music to the Pacific Northwest”, said Jeff Fortier. “My partner, Josh Hunt and I had known Mike for 25 years and we were both devastated to hear of his sudden death last March at age 48. Knowing that we can continue Mike’s legacy under the Mammoth name is an honor that we take very seriously, and we are committed to keeping his memory alive.”

For more information please visit https://mikethrasherpresents.com/ and https://www.mammothlive.com/.

###

November 10, 2021

Split Second Meltdown–The Hard-Hitting Project By Rob Clores–Release Video For New Single “Big Game Hunting”

DT: NOVEMBER 10, 2021

FM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/ANDREA FAULK/SRO PR

SPLIT SECOND MELTDOWN,
THE HARD-HITTING PROJECT BY ACCLAIMED EAST COAST ROCK
MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST ROB CLORES,
RELEASE VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE
“BIG GAME HUNTING”

THE SONG WILL APPEAR ON
SSM’S FULL-LENGTH DEBUT ALBUM IN 2022
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

SPLIT SECOND MELTDOWN is the hard-hitting project by acclaimed East Coast rock multi-instrumentalist Rob Clores (The Black Crowes, Charli XCX, Jesse Malin). Building on the release of last year’s EP, SSM today (November 10) has released the video for “Big Game Hunting,” an energetic, action-packed sonic rollercoaster with the rawness of Rage Against The Machine and lyrically trippy imagery of Pink Floyd. Watch the video here. “Big Game Hunting” will be available as a single on all streaming platforms November 12 (this Friday) and will be included on SSM’s full-length debut album in 2022.

The “Big Game Hunting” video was premiered yesterday (November 9) by Glide Magazine which hailed the song as “rapturous and mysterious.” Glide also noted that CLORES has “a music flavor worth digging into. Clores helms a new project titled Split Second Meltdown which delivers a Foo Fighters arena rock immediacy mixed with the psych rock mysterious elements of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.”

The video is a combination of performance footage (shot in black-and-white at the NYC venue East Berlin) and outdoor concept scenes filmed in color in Melville on Long Island, New York. It was directed by Scott Rosenbaum of Red Hawk Films who has many films and videos to his credit including the award-winning feature length documentary Sidemen: the Long Road To Glory (2018) The Perfect Age of Rock (2011).

“Big Game Hunting” was written and produced by Clores and mixed by Jason Agel (Prince, John Legend). Clores sang lead and backing vocals, played rhythm guitar and keyboards. He is joined by Jimmy Messer (whose credits include Awolnation) on lead and rhythm guitar and two members of the band Death Diamond: drummer Charlie Paxson and bassist Sol Walker. The song was recorded in three separate studios including Clores’ home studio in Jersey City N.J.

“The song has several different feels starting with a four-on-the-floor dance type groove switching back and forth to a heavy rock backbeat,” says Clores. “Then it moves along to a mellow tom-tom drum feel section. I think the diversity in the grooves keeps the listener engaged and excited. I like the combination of heavy guitars with synthesizer. Trent Reznor is a big influence as well as Rammstein. The song also has some sonic comparisons to RATM and the mellow side of Pink Floyd; it reminds me a bit of the Clash in spots, too.”

The lyrics, explains Clores, “come from the perspective of someone pursuing a ‘prize’ of some kind,” whether it be a girl or a guy and then having the realization that they did not achieve their objective.” Here are the lyrics in the chorus and second verse: “Big game hunting comin’ up with nothing/It’s up ahead I see it in the crosshairs of my mind/Just out of reach it knows I’m coming closer all the time/ It can’t get away/I might not ever get this close again/I smell the fear/I do believe it’s coming all from me.”

In the video, says Clores, “the Hunter character is pursuing the Cat Girl who turns the tables and winds up tricking the Hunter into sitting down for a cup of tea which turns out to be toxic. The Hunter is played by Ed Bergtold and the Cat Woman is played by Sara Frankino.”

The name Split Second Meltdown describes the act of losing one’s cool in a rapid manner—it’s an emotional state, or occurrence,” says Clores, who’s planning a Split Second Meltdown show this winter in NYC (TBA).

ABOUT ROB CLORES:

Tens of thousands have seen Rob Clores perform alongside The Black Crowes, Tom Jones, Charli_xcx, Jesse Malin and Alejandro Escovedo. But now the gifted multi-instrumentalist described by none other than Sir Paul McCartney as a “great talent,” is back in the spotlight with his own solo project. Following his critically acclaimed 2020 self-titled debut EP Split Second Meltdown, which Boston Rock Radio called the EP “a victory for fans of Rock,” Clores has delivered a killer new single entitled “Big Game Hunting.”

A picture containing text, person, outdoor

Description automatically generated Pictured: Rob Clores. Photo credit: Cristina Arrigoni

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE

For more info about ROB CLORES, contact SRO PR:
Mitch Schneider // mschneider@sropr.com
Andrea Faulk // afaulk@sropr.com

###

November 5, 2021

OZZY OSBOURNE’s ‘Diary Of A Madman’ 40th Anniversary Expanded Digital Edition Out Today; New Video For “Flying High Again”

DATE: NOVEMBER 5, 2021

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/MITCH SCHNEIDER

A picture containing text, book, store

Description automatically generated

OZZY OSBOURNE’S
‘DIARY OF A MADMAN’
40^TH ANNIVERSARY EXPANDED DIGITAL EDITION
OUT TODAY (NOVEMBER 5)

ALBUM IS CELEBRATED WITH VIDEO CLIPS FOR
“FLYING HIGH AGAIN,” “OVER THE MOUNTAIN” AND “BELIEVER”
SPECIAL LIMITED-EDITION DISC
AVAILABLE AS PART OF WALMART’S
BLACK FRIDAY VINYL

With OZZY OSBOURNE’s DIARY OF A MADMAN celebrating its 40^th anniversary this week, a variety of video clips have been released to commemorate the album. These include a new video for “Flying High Again,” (created from exclusive images from Ross Halfin’s newly released Randy Rhoads book), along with live versions of “Over the Mountain,” “Flying High Again,” and “Believer.” In addition, an exclusive blue swirl DIARY OF A MADMAN vinyl will be available November 12 via Walmart (in the U.S. only) as part of their annual Black Friday Vinyl. Click here to pre-order.

The updated digital release of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy®-winning singer and songwriter’s 1981 DIARY OF A MADMAN album is available today (November 5) via all digital platforms and includes two live tracks previously unreleased digitally, including a live version of his Mainstream Rock Top Five hit “Flying High Again.” Listen here.

DIARY OF A MADMAN is OZZY’s second studio release and the last album to feature 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Famer guitarist Randy Rhoads. The multi-platinum release (with five million albums sold worldwide) included the #2 Mainstream Rock track “Flying High Again.” The album was listed at #15 on Rolling Stone’s 2017 list of “100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time.” Kory Grow noted, “A year after proving he was still a vital musical force on his first post–Black Sabbath solo LP, 1980’s Blizzard of Ozz, Ozzy Osbourne demonstrated it wasn’t a one-time fluke with an album of poppy and gothic anthems like ‘Flying High Again’ and the almost classical closing title track. Guitarist Randy Rhoads, who died in a plane crash while touring for Diary in 1982, had already proven himself a virtuoso on Blizzard; here, he worked even harder to find the rare nexus between showboat chops and clever songwriting…”

THE DIARY OF A MADMAN 40^th Anniversary Expanded Digital Edition track list is as follows:

Over the Mountain
Flying High Again
You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll
Believer
Little Dolls
Tonight
S.A.T.O.
Diary of a Madman
Believer (live)*
Flying High Again (live)*

*previously unavailable digitally

A group of people sitting on stairs

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

Photo credit: Ross Halfin

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Spotify
YouTube

###

November 2, 2021

Don Brewer Of GRAND FUNK RAILROAD Talks About Creating The Perfect Set List

DT: NOVEMBER 2, 2021

FM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/ANDREA FAULK

SRO PR

Shape Description automatically generated with medium confidence

DON BREWER OF
GRAND FUNK RAILROAD
TALKS ABOUT BUILDING THE PERFECT SET LIST
AND DISCUSSES SET HIGHLIGHTS
THE LEGENDARY ROCK & ROLL POWERHOUSE
IS CURRENTLY ON ITS 2021
“SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL TOUR”

Grand Funk Railroad (Pictured L-R: Bruce Kulick (guitar), Mel Schacher (bass guitar), Max Carl (vocals), Don Brewer (drummer), Tim Cashion (keyboardist))
Photo credit: Allen Clark

“You cannot talk about rock in the 1970s without talking about Grand Funk Railroad!”
–David Fricke, Rolling Stone Magazine

Legendary rock & roll powerhouse GRAND FUNK RAILROAD is currently on its 2021 “Some Kind Of Wonderful Tour,” performing 30 shows this year and dynamically underlining their trademark “Rock and Soul” classics. Recently, original founding member Don Brewer (vocals and drums, writer and singer of the multi-million selling hit, “We’re An American Band”) took the time to talk about building the perfect set list and also discuss highlights of the GRAND FUNK RAILROAD set list. *See the two Q&A’s below.

Q&A with DON BREWER

–Is there a secret sauce to creating the perfect set list?

We have been working on our show for over 40 years. You learn what works and what doesn’t work by trial and error. Spreading out the hits during the show keeps the audience involved beginning to end. Always try to leave them wanting more!

–How do you determine a set list that satisfies both the audience and the musician?

Everybody in the band loves the music we play. I guess you could say we’re all Grand Funk fans. We don’t do a lot of new material because we know the audience wants to hear the classics. We have a spot in the show that we have experimented with new songs over the years and the songs keep changing. Helps keep it interesting for us.

–Can you talk about figuring out which song to open with? This has to be a challenge as a band wants to come on strong but some of the audience is still finding their seats and the sound may not be at its best near the beginning of a set.

We have tried several different songs as openers over the years, even doing an unknown original of ours. The two openers we do now, “Rock & Roll Soul” and “Footstompin’ Music,” are classic GFR hits and always get the audience going even if they don’t know Grand Funk.

–In coming up with the list, do you think about the various tempos of songs and

which keys they’re played in?

Don’t really worry too much about what key a song is in, but yes, tempos need to blend between songs. Our goal is to have the show flow from high to low and back to high again with a few sparkles in between. Entertainment needs to be entertaining.

–Finally, what goes into choosing which song will be the last one and which song

will be the encore?

The last song and the encore can be interchangeable. In other words, you can switch them and it won’t really make a huge difference. In our case we could close with “We’re An American Band” and come back with “Closer To Home,” Depends on how you want to leave the audience.

THE GRAND FUNK RAILROAD SET LIST HIGHLIGHTS,
ACCORDING TO DON BREWER

“Rock & Roll Soul”: The phrase “rock and roll soul” is an apt description of the band’s music + mission. Why does this song light you up when you perform it?

“Rock & Roll Soul” was our first single after leaving our crooked manager Terry Knight who had stolen all our money and was taking us to court over the name Grand Funk Railroad. Having a top 40 hit with Rock & Roll Soul was our first step to freedom. The song is truly descriptive of GFR’s Rock/R&B blend. The opening line “We’re havin’ a party, everybody’s invited” is a perfect opening statement.

“Footstompin’ Music”: This song has a ferocious rhythmic groove and it’s another one that pumps up the listener/concert-goer. What inspired you to include it here?

After doing the song live as a three-piece band, in 1971 we tried recording this song in the studio a few times until we captured the final version on our album E Pluribus Funk. The drums, bass and organ track is a blast to play and the vocal lines are awesome: “Come on everybody, we’re gonna have a good time.” The song works well as an opener or as we do it now as our second song of the show. Gets the audience going every time.

“Shinin’ On”: This is another song that underlines how Grand Funk Railroad wrote and performed positive anthems that galvanized people. Why does the song continue to resonate for you?

“Shinin’ On” was fashioned after Freddy King’s great blues song “Goin’ Down.” After having Freddy open for us on our “Phoenix Tour,” we were so impressed with his music and style that the influence was clear. The song has a great R&B feel and switching up with me on lead vocal adds to the flavor for the show.

“The Loco-Motion”: This song’s an important one for the band, hitting #1 in 1974 on the pop charts. It’s the definition of a feel-good tune, a pop song that you guys really Grand Funk-ized, making it heavy. Can you talk about the joy in performing this one?

GFR doing “The Loco-Motion” came about as a funny episode. We were in our studio in Michigan with Todd Rundgren producing and working on the album Shinin’ On. We felt we needed another “hit” type song for the album and started throwing around ideas. Grand Funk doing “The Loco-Motion” was such a silly idea we thought we would try it. The result was a # 1 hit. I love watching the audience get up on their feet and start dancing as soon as we sing the opening lines. They even do a “Loco-Motion” line dance through the crowd. Fun to watch!

“Walk Like A Man”: This song is another instant anthem, highlighting the band’s rhythmic rock, with some progressive rock touches. What’s it like to perform this one?

This is a nice follow up to “The Loco-Motion” in that it stays in the same tempo and pop style as “The Locomotion.” Switching lead vocals again with me on lead gives it a little more texture in the show. Just a great GFR/Todd Rundgren-produced rock record.

Drum Solo/“Lightning and Thunder”: Can you talk about what goes into your classic drum solo? Lots of skill + athleticism…how do you pull this off so successfully?

I’ve been working on my solo for over 50 years. It is a true reflection of how I play drums and my “Rock” personality. It really is who I am when onstage with Grand Funk. I must say that at 73 it takes some added work in my lifestyle, and I do try to exercise and eat right. During the pandemic I continued to practice drumming as well as walk four miles and work out in the gym daily. Love It!

“Inside Lookin’ Out”: You guys put your own spin on this song The Animals originated…doubling down on its urgency with a monster groove courtesy of you and Mel. It’s a real working-class song that underlined the band’s relationship with its fans. So many years later, can you talk about how it fits into the Grand Funk Railroad set?

“Inside Lookin’ Out” has been a staple in Grand Funk’s show since our beginning in 1969. We originally did a cover of the Animals song in our previous band The Pack. When we changed to a three-piece as Grand Funk Railroad, we adapted the song to our new power trio style, slowed it down, and stretched out the guitar solo over the simple bass and drum groove. With Bruce Kulick on guitar, the song becomes a great show piece.

“Some Kind Of Wonderful”: This is another fine example of how the band merged rock with R&B and you took it all the way to #3 on the pop chart. It’s a real crowd-pleaser live. Why is it one of the set highlights for you?

We used to sing this a capella in the limo from the hotel to the venue as a warm-up on our way for a show. Our manager liked it so much that he suggested we record the song and we did for our All The Girls In The World Beware!!! album in 1975. It became a huge hit and is probably the most played song at wedding receptions around the world. I love to watch the faces in the audience light up when Mel starts that chugging bass line. We can usually see four generations of people in the audience singing along to the song. Amazing feeling!

“I’m Your Captain/Closer To Home”: How do you feel this song works in the set list? It was a song that resonated with many people including American troops in Vietnam. Musically, it has such an epic feel to it. Can you talk about why the song is key to have in the set?

“Closer to Home” is a true Rock Anthem. It seems to have a different meaning to everyone and it is definitely spiritual. I have seen men in the audience brought to tears when we play it. We use it as our closing song because it deserves a prestigious place in our show and it is easily recognized and sung along with by every audience.

“We’re An American Band”: This song you wrote, another #1 pop hit, really defines the freewheeling rock star lifestyle…it still makes everyone want to be a rock star, and your vocals on it capture it all perfectly. And of course, the cowbell is part of its charm. This is the song you close with. What’s going through your head when you perform it night after night?

“We’re An American Band” came to me when we were flying from town to town on our “Phoenix Tour” in 1972. We were being sued by our former manager Terry Knight and he was trying to stop us from performing. The line “We’re comin’ to your town, we’ll help you party it down” came to me first and I wrote the song around that line. Taking snippets of things going on during the tour at that time, like staying up all night with Freddy King playing poker, four young chiquitas in Omaha, sweet sweet Connie in Little Rock, and finally the declaration, “We’re An American Band,” because it sounds great and sings well. I feel lucky and blessed every time we play it live.

###

ABOUT GRAND FUNK RAILROAD:

After playing to millions of fans on the band’s tours from 1996 to 2019, GRAND FUNK will continue to reach both new and long-time fans on the “Some Kind Of Wonderful Tour,” named in honor of their 1975 Billboard pop smash. Originating from Flint, Michigan in 1969, this top-selling American rock group of the 70’s is “Comin’ To Your Town To Help You Party It Down.” Notably, this year marks the 50^th anniversary of when the group’s show at New York’s Shea Stadium sold out faster than the Beatles.

Known as “The American Band,” the high-energy five-piece group GRAND FUNK RAILROAD includes original founding members Don Brewer (vocals and drums, writer and singer of the multi-million selling hit, “We’re An American Band”) and bassist Mel Schacher, “The God of Thunder.” Joining Don and Mel are true “All Stars.” Singer Max Carl is a rock veteran from 38 Special. Max penned and sang 38’s biggest hit “Second Chance” and was co-founder of California’s legendary Jack Mack and the Heart Attack. Don refers to Max as “the best blue-eyed soul singer on the planet.” Lead guitarist Bruce Kulick is best known for his 12 years with KISS and has credits with Michael Bolton, Meatloaf and Billy Squier. (KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were influenced early on by Grand Funk.) Keyboardist Tim Cashion has a master’s degree in music from the University of Miami. Affectionately called “Dr. Tim,” his credits include stints with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band and English soul man Robert Palmer.

Grand Funk laid the groundwork for such bands as Foreigner, Journey, Van Halen and Bon Jovi with its signature hard driving sound, soulful vocals, muscular instrumentation and forceful pop melodies. The fact that Grand Funk’s legacy still reigns over the Classic Rock landscape 50 years after is a testament to the group’s influence and staying power. Mega-hits “We’re An American Band,” “I’m Your Captain/Closer to Home,” “Locomotion,” and “Some Kind Of Wonderful” still receive continuous airplay on Classic Rock radio. “We’re An American Band” has received notoriety in recent years being used in movie soundtracks and in television/radio advertising. The huge hit was featured in a General Motors national TV ad campaign and in Disney’s animated feature film The Country Bears. “We’re An American Band” was featured in the Cuba Gooding Jr. film Radio, and in the swash buckler Sahara starring Matthew McConaughey.

Internationally acclaimed Grand Funk has toured the world, selling out in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan and South America. A 1971 performance at New York’s Shea Stadium sold out faster than the Beatles. The group’s widespread appeal is also evident in its prestigious recording achievements. Over their career, Grand Funkhas had 19 charted singles, 8 Top 40 hits and two Number One singles (“We’re An American Band” and “Locomotion,” both selling more than one million each). The group has now accumulated 13 gold and 10 platinum records with record sales exceeding 25 million copies sold worldwide. The most recent gold CD award was presented to the band for their greatest hits package Grand Funk Railroad the Collectors Series.The multi-talented band carries on the tradition of Grand Funk hits and creates a new chapter in the legacy of Grand Funk Railroad. GFR drew 25,000 people to their Molson Canal Series Concert outside Buffalo, 20,000 in Albany, New York, and 20,000 fans to downtown Orlando, Florida. EMI/Capitol (Universal Music) released a new Grand Funk Greatest Hits package that includes a bonus DVD of rare concert footage. Grand Funk Railroad’s 2019 “50 Years Of Funk Tour” was a huge success and now, with the group’s 2021“Some Kind Of Wonderful Tour,” seasoned Grand Funk lovers and contemporary rock fans discovering the group for the first time will be able to celebrate 50 Years of Funk with Grand Funk Railroad.

Diagram Description automatically generated

Grand Funk Railroad 2021 Tour Dates
https://www.grandfunkrailroad.com/tour.html

For more information on GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, visit:
WEBSITE | SPOTIFY

###

For press inquiries regarding GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, contact:

SRO PR
Mitch Schneider // mschneider@sropr.com (National)
Andrea Faulk // afaulk@sropr.com (Tour)

October 29, 2021

OZZY OSBOURNE And Lemmy Kilmister Reunite In Animated Video For Their “Hellraiser” Duet

DATE: OCTOBER 29, 2021

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/MITCH SCHNEIDER

A picture containing text, light

Description automatically generated Scene from the animated video of “Hellraiser” with Ozzy Osbourne and Lemmy Kilmister

OZZY OSBOURNE
AND LEMMY KILMISTER REUNITED
IN ANIMATED VIDEO FOR THEIR
“HELLRAISER” DUET
WATCH THE CLIP HERE

SPECIAL 10” BLACK VINYL SINGLE
SET FOR DECEMBER 3 RELEASE
AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

OZZY OSBOURNE and his longtime friend and colleague Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead are reunited one last time in the new animated clip for their mash-up duet of “Hellraiser.” The clip is an homage to their decades-long friendship. Produced by Hey Beautiful Jerk and directed by Mark Szumski and Gina Niespodziani, the video opens with OZZY and Lemmy hanging out at the infamous Rainbow Bar And Grill on Sunset Blvd. (Lemmy’s unofficial second home) surrounded by friends. The two are transported from a calm day playing video games in the bar to a post-apocalyptic world where they battle evil forces before ultimately returning to the bar, where they pick up their video game as if nothing had occurred. Watch the clip here.

“I’m so glad we were able to honor my dear friend Lemmy (Kilmister) with this duet and now the video,” OZZY says. “We immortalized him with a clip of the two of us being together, hanging out and getting into some trouble as we so often did.”

The song–which was co-written by the two and OZZY’s longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde–originally appeared on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy®-winning singer and songwriter’s 1991 NO MORE TEARS album; Motorhead then recorded their own version and released it as a single from their 1992 March ör Die album.

The never-before-released “Hellraiser” mash-up with Ozzy and Lemmy was recently included on the digital 30^th anniversary release of OZZY’s classic album NO MORE TEARS, released September 17 via Sony. In addition, “Hellraiser” will be issued as a stand-alone release on OZZY’s birthday, December 3. The special 10” black vinyl single features three versions of the song: the classic original OZZY track with Motorhead’s version of the same song as the B-side. It is available for pre-order here.

A picture containing text, person, posing, crowd

Description automatically generated

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Spotify
YouTube

###

October 27, 2021

OZZY OSBOURNE’S ‘Diary Of A Madman’s’ 40th Anniversary Expanded Digital Edition Due Out November 5; Ozzy X Dogtown Limited Edition Collab On Sale This Friday

DATE: OCTOBER 27, 2021

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/MITCH SCHNEIDER

Diary of a Madman Ozzy

OZZY OSBOURNE’S
‘DIARY OF A MADMAN’
40^TH ANNIVERSARY EXPANDED DIGITAL EDITION
DUE OUT NOVEMBER 5

OZZY X DOGTOWN
LIMITED EDITION
SKATEBOARD DECKS AND CLOTHING COLLAB
ON SALE THIS FRIDAY (OCTOBER 29)

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy®-winning singer and songwriter OZZY OSBOURNE will celebrate the 40^th anniversary of his 1981 DIARY OF A MADMAN with an updated digital release that includes a new track: a live version of his Mainstream Rock Top Five hit “Flying High Again.” At the same time comes news of an exciting collaboration with Dogtown, available this Friday.

Ozzy Downtown Skateboard OZZY X DOGTOWN Limited Deck

The OZZY X DOGTOWN collection comes as an homage to OZZY’s music being the soundtrack to skateboarding for more than 40 years. The collaboration features skateboard decks and clothing with art by Sean Cliver on 200 limited-edition custom paint “Midnight Fade” skateboard decks with a silver metal flake dusting designed by Jim “Red Dog” Muir, manufactured by Paul Schmitt at PS Stix, and hand silk screened by Chicken at Screaming Squeegees on the iconic 80’s Dogtown Stonefish shape. In addition, look for a limited run of T-shirts and pullover hoodies with the OZZY X DOGTOWN graphic to also be released. All items are available this Friday (October 29) at 12:00 Noon (PT). Click here or here to order or for more information.

Ozzy Dogtown Skateboard Collab

The DIARY OF A MADMAN special digital re-issue will be available November 5 via all digital platforms. The album is OZZY’s second studio release and the last album to feature 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Famer guitarist Randy Rhoads. The multi-platinum release (with five million albums sold worldwide) included the #2 Mainstream Rock track, “Flying High Again.”

Ozzy DIary of a Madman Photo Credit Ross Halfin Photo credit: Ross Halfin

The album was listed at #15 on Rolling Stone’s 2017 list of “100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time.” Kory Grow noted, “A year after proving he was still a vital musical force on his first post–Black Sabbath solo LP, 1980’s Blizzard of Ozz, Ozzy Osbourne demonstrated it wasn’t a one-time fluke with an album of poppy and gothic anthems like ‘Flying High Again’ and the almost classical closing title track. Guitarist Randy Rhoads, who died in a plane crash while touring for Diary in 1982, had already proven himself a virtuoso on Blizzard; here, he worked even harder to find the rare nexus between showboat chops and clever songwriting…”

THE DIARY OF A MADMAN 40^th Anniversary Expanded Digital Edition track list is as follows:

Over the Mountain
Flying High Again
You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll
Believer
Little Dolls
Tonight
S.A.T.O.
Diary of a Madman
Believer (live)*
Flying High Again (live)*

*previously unavailable digitally

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Spotify
YouTube

###

October 21, 2021

JACOB & THE DAZEY CHAIN Releases “The Sky Is All I Need To Get High” Single + Visualizer Today (10/21)

DT: OCTOBER 21, 2021

FM: LYNDIE WENNER, SRO PR

JACOB & THE DAZEY CHAIN
RELEASES NEW SINGLE & EP’s TITLE TRACK
“THE SKY IS ALL I NEED TO GET HIGH”
OCTOBER 21
WATCH VISUALIZER VIDEO HERE

Brit Pop/Rock-influenced guitarist, singer and songwriter JACOB REESE THORNTON of JACOB & THE DAZEY CHAIN announces today’s release (October 21) of the fourth single and title track of the EP “The Sky Is All I Need To Get High” on indie label Gratuitous Noise. The new single was written by JACOB REESE THORNTON and as with many of his self-written songs, they’re inspired by his longtime musical influences (R.E.M., Oasis, Lindsey Buckingham and Fleetwood Mac). “The Sky Is All I Need To Get High” was co-produced with Bill Reynolds (Band of Horses), who also played bass. All the vocals and guitars were performed by JACOB, with Rami Jaffee (Foo Fighters) on B3 organ, and Jerry Roe (Legendary Shack Shakers) on drums. Jason Kingsland engineered and mixed the track with mastering by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road. The B-side “Sketches Of You” accompanies the single release.

LISTEN HERE to the single and the B-side available now on all streaming platforms.

Watch the YouTube visualizer video for the single HERE

"The Sky Is All I Need to Get High" (Official Lyric Video) - Jaob & the Dazey Chain

JACOB reveals the story behind the creation of “The Sky Is All I Need To Get High”:

“‘The Sky Is All I Need to Get High’ is the oldest track on the EP (released 9/20/21) and the only one I’ve yet to play live. I was in Las Vegas rehearsing for Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival in early Sept 2019. I had about 30 minutes to kill in my hotel room and figured I’d try to write a song. The bathroom acoustics were so incredible that I literally just sat by the sink, queued up a voice memo and let it roll. Weeks later I was sifting through old voice recordings and rediscovered the riff. Lyrically, the song is about trusting your own instincts and not letting people dictate the path you take. That’s a common theme in a number of my songs. I knew it had to be the opening track because it pretty much sums up the theme of the EP within the first 10 seconds.”

JACOB shares why he decided to add the “Sketches Of You” B-side. “I love digging through a band’s catalog and stumbling upon a cool B-side or bonus track. It’s like striking gold. It also harkens back to a time when 45’s were the way people bought music. Some DJ’s would flip the 45 and the B-side, THAT became the hit! I want to keep that tradition going. “SKETCHES OF YOU” is a song I wrote back in 2018 and released under my own name. The song is sort of a collage of my musical influences and South Florida upbringing. I was listening to a lot of Santana and Lindsey Buckingham at that time, and it shows.”

Poster Design: Kim Madden Designs

Three singles were released from the EP leading up to the new single “The Sky Is All I Need To Get High”: “Traces” (this past January), “The Kids” (May) and “Swan Dive” (July). JACOB AND THE DAZEY CHAIN is a three-time winner in Classic Rock Magazine’s “New Tracks of the Week” readers’ poll. JACOB & THE DAZEY CHAIN’s debut EP entered Amazon’s Top 25 best-selling, new alternative rock releases. The lead single “Traces” entered the top 20 Play MPE downloads across all AAA/Rock specialty stations and Top 10 (#9) streaming charts and receives regular play on Little Steven’s Underground Garage on SiriusXM with Los Angeles DJ Rodney Bingenheimer.

A LIMITED EDITION VINYL of the EP w/Bonus Tracks is available here

JACOB has performed by invitation at Eric Clapton’s 2019 Crossroads Guitar Festival and played on stage with Bruce Kulick (Kiss & Grand Funk Railroad) and Todd Kerns and Brent Fitz (from Slash & The Conspirators). He has also collaborated and performed with bass legend Tony Franklin (The Firm, Jimmy Page & Paul Rodgers) (watch here).

“Jacob & The Dazey Chain represent Tasteful, Artistic Nostalgia. Young taste-maker Jacob Thornton, the talented and prolific rockstar-on-the rise who has one hand reaching toward the 2020’s and the other holding on tightly to the 1970’s.”
~The Aquarian Weekly, September 13, 2021

“It’s a once in a generational thing… I don’t think we get enough of these ”
~Lori Majewski, SiriusXM Volume, May 3, 2019

“So so talented–I think we are going to be talking about this kid for years and years…”
~Larry Flick, SiriusXM Volume; former Senior Talent Editor, Billboard Magazine, May 3, 2019

Bio
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
Twitter
TikTok

SRO Press Releases + Assets:
http://sropr.com/portfolio/jacob-and-the-dazey-chain/

hei matau

For press inquiries,please contact:

Lyndie Wenner, SRO PR
lwenner@sropr.com
615-973-4160 (Nashville Office)
615-512-8360 (Cell)

October 15, 2021

OZZY OSBOURNE’S ‘Down To Earth’ 20th Anniversary Expanded Digital Edition Out Today

DATE: OCTOBER 15, 2021

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/MITCH SCHNEIDER

OZZY OSBOURNE’S
‘DOWN TO EARTH’ ALBUM’S
20^TH ANNIVERSARY IS MARKED
WITH RELEASE OF THREE RARE OZZY TRACKS
TO DIGITAL PLATFORMS

Having recently celebrated the 30^th anniversary of his NO MORE TEARS album with an expanded digital audio release, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy®-winning singer and songwriter OZZY OSBOURNE

will mark another album anniversary this month. To commemorate the 20^th anniversary of 2001’s DOWN TO EARTH, three rare OZZY tracks–“No Place for Angels,” “Dreamer” (Acoustic Version), and “Gets Me Through” (Single Version)–have been released today (October 15) on digital platforms as part of a 20^th anniversary expanded digital edition. Click here to listen.

The platinum-selling DOWN TO EARTH was OZZY’s eighth album and reached #4 on the Billboard Top 200 chart in the U.S and #19 on the UK Albums Chart. It produced two Top ten singles on the U.S. Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart: “Gets Me Through” and “Dreamer.” Recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Tim Palmer, who co-wrote some of the album’s songs with OZZY, the album’s players include OZZY’s longtime collaborator and guitarist Zakk Wylde along with bassist Robert Trujillo (Metallica) and drummer Mike Bordin (Faith No More).

A picture containing person, person, black, posing

Description automatically generated Photo credit: Nitin Vadukul

Rolling Stone said of the album, “Ozzy Osbourne is the most sentimental man in metal–and tough enough to let it show in ‘Gets Me Through’ and ‘Dreamer,’ the two best songs on Down to Earth. The first is a thumping thanksgiving, Osbourne’s admission that he is nothing like you think and would be even less without his fans…‘Dreamer’ is Osbourne imagining himself as John Lennon: pleading for calm and sense over piano, strings and, at the end, an ELO-style choir…He writes and sings about looking into the abyss – so you know which way to run. He’s never done it better.” Elsewhere, Amazon.com said: “‘Down to Earth’ displays enough eccentricity to keep one entertained and brimming with respect.”

As previously announced, last month, OZZY’s sixth solo album–the Top 10 (#7) and quadruple platinum NO MORE TEARS (Sony) was celebrated with an expanded digital audio album and two special editions–a 2LP black vinyl version and a special yellow and red 2LP vinyl version with a specially created booklet (exclusively at www.towerrecords.com).

The expanded DOWN TO EARTH track listing is as follows:

Gets Me Through
Facing Hell
Dreamer
No Easy Way Out
That I Never Had
You Know…(Pt. 1)
Junkie
Running out of Time
Black Illusion
Alive
Can You Hear Them?
**No Place for Angels
**Dreamer (Acoustic Version)
**Gets Me Through (Single Version)

**previously unavailable for streaming

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Spotify
YouTube

###

October 15, 2021

YES Reveal Video For Track “Future Memories” From New Studio Album THE QUEST

DATE: OCTOBER 15, 2021

FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/ANDREA FAULK, SRO PR

YES
LAUNCH VIDEO FOR THE TRACK
“FUTURE MEMORIES”
AS THEIR NEW ALBUM ‘THE QUEST’
HITS CHARTS WORLDWIDE
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Map Description automatically generated Artwork by Roger Dean

YES, who are Steve Howe, Alan White, Geoff Downes, Jon Davison and Billy Sherwood, today (October 15) have revealed the video for the track “Future Memories” from their newly released studio album THE QUEST on InsideOutMusic/Sony Music. Watch the video here.

THE QUEST also sees its physical release today in North America. The album has also been hitting the charts worldwide, achieving these positions (among others):

#7 German Album Charts
#20 UK Album Charts
#1 UK Rock Album Charts
#5 Swiss Album Charts
#8 Japanese International Weekly Charts
#23 French Physical Album Charts
#37 Belgian National Album Charts
#54 Dutch Album Charts
#60 Italian Album Charts

YES also recently released videos for the album tracks “Dare To Know” and “The Ice Bridge.”

THE QUEST was produced by Steve Howe, who says: “Much of the music was written in late 2019 with the rest in 2020. We commissioned several orchestrations to augment and enhance the overall sound of these fresh new recordings, hoping that our emphasis on melody, coupled with some expansive instrumental solo breaks, keeps up the momentum for our listeners.”

The album was recorded across the globe; the sessions took place in the UK with Steve Howe, Geoff Downes and Jon Davison, while Alan White and Billy Sherwood got together in the studio in the US. “Billy Sherwood and myself did all the rhythm sections, bass and drum, in America,” says Alan White, “down in Los Angeles at Uncle Studios, where he works a lot. It helps when you’ve got a good place to work,” Alan laughs, “and Billy’s really good on the recording desk, so we got things down relatively quickly. I spent quite a while studying the music before I went down to LA so I was prepared.”

THE QUEST is also now available for pre-order on various formats, including a Limited Deluxe Box-Set that features a Gatefold 180g 2LP on exclusive coloured vinyl, 2CD+Blu-ray Digipak (featuring 5.1 mix & backing tracks), 36-page perfect bound booklet, enamel pin badge, 60x90cm poster, slipmat & hand-numbered certificate of authenticity, all housed in a rigid lift-off box.

Containing 11 songs, 8 on the main CD with 3 extra tracks on a bonus CD, THE QUEST will also be available as Limited 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook, 2CD Digipak, Gatefold 2LP+2CD & as Digital Album. Order now here.

THE QUEST – 2CD Digipak tracklisting:

CD1:
01. The Ice Bridge 7.01
02. Dare To Know 6.00
03. Minus The Man 5.35
04. Leave Well Alone 8.06
05. The Western Edge 4.26
06. Future Memories 5.08
07. Music To My Ears 4.41
08. A Living Island 6.52

CD2:

01. Sister Sleeping Soul 4.51
02. Mystery Tour 3.33
03. Damaged World 5.20

Formats are:

Limited Edition Deluxe 2LP & 2CD plus Blu-ray Box-set
Limited Edition 2CD & Blu-ray Artbook
Gatefold 2LP & 2CD plus LP-booklet
2CD Digipak
Digital Album

Cover artwork designed and created by the band’s long term collaborator Roger Dean.

YES Story

For half a century YES have been the definitive band of the progressive music genre, the band by which all others are judged. Their ground-breaking albums of the 70s set the standard for the genre and influenced countless others who followed in their wake.

The current line-up of YES was completed in 2015 when Billy Sherwood replaced founder member Chris Squire, at Squire’s insistence, as he bravely fought a losing battle with leukaemia. Since then, YES have concentrated on touring with their Album Series tours, each featuring a classic YES album in its entirety. During this period YES have released three live albums Topographic Drama – Live Across America (2017), Yes Live 50 (2019) and The Royal Affair Tour: Live in Las Vegas (2020).

The music of YES has endured over the years and has been handed down through generations of music lovers.

YES Online:

http://yesworld.com/
https://www.facebook.com/yestheband/
https://twitter.com/yesofficial
https://www.instagram.com/yesofficial/
https://www.youtube.com/user/yesofficial

INSIDEOUTMUSIC Online:

www.insideoutmusic.com
www.youtube.com/InsideOutMusicTV
www.facebook.com/InsideOutMusic
www.twitter.com/insideouteu

For press inquiries regarding YES, contact:

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

###

« First ‹ Prev 21 22 232425 26 27 Next ›Last »

Follow Us