Posts Tagged ‘Joe Bonamassa’

Black Country Communion announce new album “Afterglow”

Black Country Communion the Anglo-American rock group comprising vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Trapeze), drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, Foreigner), Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Alice Cooper, Billy Idol) and blues-rock guitarist/vocalist Joe Bonamassa, release their third album, ‘Afterglow’, via Mascot Records on Monday October 29th.

Like its two predecessors, ‘Afterglow’ was produced by Kevin Shirley, whose catalogue of hit records for Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Aerosmith and the Black Crowes has made him the hottest producer that rock music has to offer.  Shirley– who had the idea of putting Hughes and Bonamassa together in a band after seeing them jam onstage back in 2009 – is the group’s unofficial ‘fifth member’.

The additions of Jason Bonham, esteemed son of Led Zeppelin’’s John, who took his father’s place when the legendary group made musical history by reuniting at London’s O2 Arena in December 2007, and the in-demand Derek Sherinian, makes BCC a force to be reckoned with.

Both BCC’s previous offerings (2010’s eponymous debut album and 2011’s “2”) have gone straight in at #1 on the official UK Rock Album Chart.  Embraced by the UK’s music press, Black Country Communion were voted “Best New Band” by the listeners of Planet Rock Radio and won “Best Breakthrough” at the prestigious Classic Rock Magazine Roll Of Honour Awards in 2011.

To find out more check out the official BCC website HERE.

Joey Tempest talks about the new Europe album and much more….

Every band wants to write a song the world will remember, but few ever do.  Europe can surely lay claim to being close to doing just this though with ‘The Final Countdown’, a track so familiar that the mere mention of the title will usually result in it being sung back at you, complete with ‘de do do do’s’.

This can still be a double edged sword however, how many people will assume that Europe were nothing more than Euro pop-rockers, more kitsch than cool.  I confess, a few months back and I may well have scoffed slightly at the idea of listening to a full Europe album but this point of view was challenged by an enthusiast Europe fan cornering me to bestow the virtues of the band (Yes Jon, you).  One listen to the current single ‘Not Supposed To Sing The Blues’ saw me do a full about turn, get the hairspray out and get my classic rock on.  So, when the opportunity to interview Europe main man Joey Tempest came up, how could I refuse?

Due to some technical issues, getting patched through to the waiting Tempest takes longer than expected, this does cut down our talk time but I still manage to cram in as much as I can.  With the truncated time in mind, I launch straight into the new album and find out exactly what inspired the ‘Bag Of Bones’ title.

‘It was the first lyric I wrote (for the album) actually, I was renting a place in Shepherds Bush, a small rehearsal space, and I was feeling completely empty from the last tour.   I just didn’t know where to start and I said to myself I feel ‘like a bag of bones’ and it just started becoming more like a nursery rhyme’ Joey then sings ‘bag of bones, I’m a bag of bones’ in a lilting tone to illustrate the point before carrying on ‘That is how it started and it built from there. Then the London riots happened in the middle of that so (hence) the chorus ‘my city lies in ruins’… so it was sort of a mixture but it was the first song written for the album’ pausing for a moment Joey adds ‘ We recorded the album in Stockholm and I think it was Ian (the drummer) who suggested it could be the title for the album and everyone agreed’.

Before speaking to Joey I had done a little bit of reading and spotted a quote that caught my interest, he had said that Start From The Dark (2004) and Secret Society (2006) had led the band to be able to produce the sound they wanted for Last Look At Eden.  This then begged the question, did that mean that Bag Of Bones feel like the most definitive Europe release so far.

‘I think we have crossed the line to another dimension’ he contemplates this for a second before expanding ‘there is more expression in the voice, the guitar and the song writing.  We touched on it a little with Last Look At Eden, with bringing in the blues influence but with this we have taken it all the way and it is the first time we have made a record we always wanted to make and is similar (in sound) to some of the 70s albums we all really love’.

Every band always claims their new album is ‘their best yet’ but I get the impression that Joey really believes this about Bag Of Bones. I press him to see if he agrees the current incarnation of the post millennial Europe is the strongest yet.

‘We like to keep it fresh so that’s why we changed producers and changed studios, we changed direction a little bit so our fans and listeners go on a little journey with us because we don’t want to make the same albums all the time. It seems to be working, it bonds with the fans really well, they get a bit of a surprise at first but they join us and we get new fans as well’.

Joey sums it up by concluding ‘I think Bag Of Bones is more of a rock record and could bring new people on board as well’.

As I mention in the opening, you think of Europe and most people will instantly think The Final Countdown.  This can lead to preconceptions about the band, Europe are actually a much harder rock band than this track would have you believe so I ask Joey whether having such a famous song is actually a mixed blessing.

‘It works both ways, we don’t really sing it in the shower or anything’ he adds wryly ‘but we love playing it live, it has a place in our live set as it was written for our live show at the beginning’. Seemingly unfazed by talking about THAT song yet again he continues ‘It introduces a lot of people to the band.  We have a different definition of The Final Countdown, for us it was an album track from our 3^rd album (1986s The Final Countdown) we wanted to open the album and the show with. (but) it reached a broader media and a wider audience, it was a cross over and for Europe, a guitar based rock band it was a surprise, we appreciate being in the rock community but as a song it is quite unique, it is rock and roll in its own way as it is so different and was quite a daring move (at the time)’.

Returning to the more relevant topic of the upcoming Bag Of Bones album we discuss the guest appearance from guitar God Joe Bonamassa on the title track and how this came about.

‘Kevin Shirley (album producer) played it for Joe Bonamassa at our request; we wanted Joe to play on our album so we asked Kevin to ask if he was interested.  He put that guitar on afterwards in New York and we were really thrilled with the results’. Joey adds with a chuckle ‘Kevin produces all his stuff so he was a good guy to ask!’.

Bringing in guest players is an unusual step for the band so I wondered if this experience and sparked thoughts of working with other musicians.

‘It is interesting you say that as I have been thinking a lot about that now we have tried this with Bonamassa and it worked really well’. Pondering this further Joey elaborates ‘maybe on the next record we try something else… I don’t know, there are a lot of options but they wouldn’t fit the scenario.  I love Jackson Browne and David Bowie of course but those people would never do this. Maybe new bands like Rival Sons who I think are great (the) new generations that carry the classic rock (sound) with them and I think they are great’.

I was instantly hooked by the new single Not Supposed To Sing The Blues, a big Led Zeppelin style classic rocker with an almost autobiographical tale to tell.  When you couple this with the album closer Bring It All Home you sense a slightly nostalgic feel to the lyrics so I ask whether this was a theme throughout the record.

‘Maybe, I feel more like an English person writing now, I don’t think in Swedish at all, I think on Bag Of Bones it was the first time it flowed really and it was nice, just singing exactly what was in your heart.  The melancholic bit is from being Scandinavian; all the bands, even pop bands have it!’ he laughs before getting serious again, ‘I think Bag Of bones has some deeper expression in the voice, tone and lyrics which I’m really proud of’ before adding earnestly ‘it is the first time I’ve dug a little deeper maybe’.

With a new album comes a return to the road, Europe will be hitting the festival circuit in the summer before embarking on a UK tour in the winter but I wondered how touring changes when you get older and have family to think about.

‘It is fun when you are standing there on stage but the travelling becomes a bit more boring, I say that because we are booking long tours for the Autumn and everybody is saying we need to have breaks for our families and stuff.  We work hard, we are one of the hardest working bands in Scandinavia but we try to organise it a bit to have breaks for our families as well.  Some of us have young kids so we have to think about that as well’ clearly fearing he sounds a bit jaded he quickly adds ‘It is more planning but still fun playing!’

Having had a hiatus throughout the 90s before reuniting in 2003 and therefore having effectively two back catalogues we turn to the matter of writing set lists.  I ask which classic Europe tracks they like to slip into the set these days.

‘Well, funny enough Superstitious still works, that is from the Out Of This World album (1988), that track seems to make it through all the time.  A new track that we really love now would be Last Look At Eden from the last album (2009), we’ll probably never tour without that, some tracks just stick in the set now.  Other old songs like Girl From Lebanon or Seven Doors Hotel we like to throw in sometimes, that was one of the first tracks we wrote as band and sometimes it is really nice to play it as we really like it’.

During the decade long break for the band, Joey released three solo albums (A Place To Call Home 1995 – Azalea Place 1997 – Joey Tempest 2002) so does this mean we should expect more in the future or did the return of Europe take precedent.

‘No, these days it is only for Europe, it takes up all my time, I can’t combine the two! Those three albums were really educational for me, I was really into singer song writers like Tom Waits, Bob Dylan and Neil Young, I bought all the albums and learnt a lot about lyrics.  I bought that with me when we did Europe again; I think it worked in my favour as far as lyrics are concerned’.

Taking a minute to reflect on this deeper Joey confirms ‘I have no more plans for solo stuff; I did three which I am really proud of but Europe takes up all my time’.

As a band that have, how do I put it delicately, been around the block a bit, I wanted to know if this meant they still got nervous waiting for the reviews for the new album or if this got easier with time and experience.

‘There is a certain amount of confidence because we have done something good, but I am looking forward to seeing what Metal Hammer, Classic Rock and the UK magazines say as they have been very supportive so far’ tongue in cheek he confides ‘I will call our publicist to see if he can get the reviews to us before they come out as I am really curious! So yeah, I get a little bit nervous but a little bit excited as we are proud of this album… it would be nice for people to feel the same way we do about this album’.

Time had all but run out so I thought I’d squeeze one last quick question in before having to let Joey go, presumably onto the next waiting scribe.  As a huge fan of both Europe and one of Joey’s favourite groups Thin Lizzy, Kodiak Jack’s guitarist Jon had asked me to find out what Joey’s favourite Thin Lizzy track was.

‘That is very difficult actually, maybe Got To Give It Up as I have strong memories of seeing Thin Lizzy play that track and it is also from the Black Rose album, that is one of my favourite Lizzy albums, that or Don’t Believe A Word I love those ones’.

And with this the metaphorical sand has slipped through the hourglass and we wrap things up.  Joey was good company for our fifteen minutes, amiable and clearly excited about the imminent release of the new album.  Whatever your thoughts on Europe may be, check out the new album with an open mind and I think you may be pleasantly surprised.

You can read the full review of the single HERE and album HERE.

As told to Jules

Bag Of Bones – Europe

Returning with their ninth studio album, their fourth since their post millennial regrouping and resurgence, ‘Bag Of Bones’ is a full on classic rock record.  Uber rock producer Kevin Shirley is at the helm and has helped Tempest & Co to create an unashamedly huge stadium rock album.

All the rock clichés are present, the fist pumping anthems, air guitar inducing riffs and the lighter waving power ballads but delivered with such irresistible style it is virtually impossible not to be swept away by it all.

Opening with ‘Riches To Rags’, Europe draw their line in the sand right from the off.  Built around a rolling riff, Tempest’s voice is as commanding as ever and there is a blistering guitar solo thrown in just to remind you this a long way from the euro rock of The Final Countdown.

Heavily influenced by Zeppelin, first single ‘Not Supposed To Sing The Blues’ is a mini musical autobiography, signposting many of Europe’s influences and those that shape the sound of the album.  Shifting things up a gear, ‘Firebox’ has a considerably harder edge to it that you may be expecting from a Europe track.

Wunderkid Joe Bonamassa adds some beautifully restrained guitar to the title track.  If Springsteen had ever done hairspray and spandex, it wouldn’t be far from this.

‘Doghouse’ is made to test your shoe leather, just try listening to the driving riff without tapping along, it is virtually impossible and is as devastatingly simple as it is effective.

Closing on the big emotive power ballad, ‘Bring It All Home’ keeps the histrionics to a minimum and is all the more affecting for it.  A slightly misty eyed homage to the journey the band have been on and a ‘Thank You’ to those who have helped them along.

When asked, drummer Ian Haugland says that ‘If Bag Of Bones was a dinner menu at a restaurant, it would get 5 stars in the Michelin guide’.  In truth ‘Bag Of Bones’ is not really fine dining, it is meat and potatoes, not as pretentious as haute cuisine but infinitely more satisfying.

Jules says….

For more info on Europe visit their official website HERE.

Europe Bag Of Bones 2012 Tour 

Academy Events and the DHP in association with The Agency Group are pleased to announce Europe’s Bag of Bones UK Tour 2012.  Hot off  the heels of last year’s Balls N’ Banners UK Tour and sold out concert at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (where they filmed their recent live DVD), Sweden’s biggest hard rock band undertakes a nationwide November 2012 UK Tour.

A 48-Hour Ticket Pre-sale will happen from 9am on Wednesday 7th March via www.planetrock.com.  Tickets will then go on sale on Friday 9th March at 9am via www.ticketweb.co.uk and www.eventim.co.uk.  Tickets are priced £18.50, except London (£20).

The UK tour dovetails the recent announcement of Europe’s new single Not Supposed To Sing The Blues, released digitally by iTunes throughout the UK and Europe on Friday March 9th, followed by their 9th studio album, Bag of Bones, released in the UK on Monday 30th April.

Last year, Classic Rock Magazine rated Europe’s previous album, Last Look At Eden, as one of the best hard rock albums of 2009, citing them as – “One of the few bands around still making consistently thrilling rock records.”

Metal Hammer praised Europe for their outstanding concerts – “Europe’s live show pulls together all ages, and tastes for a feel-good finale that smells like total victory.”

Europe are:
Joey Tempest – Vocals
John Norum – Guitars
John Leven – Bass Guitar
Mic Michaeli – Keyboards
Ian Haugland – Drums

Best known for their 1986 global classic rock anthem, The Final Countdown, the Swedish rockers received unanimous praise a heavier bluesy, hip-shaking metal sound.  The new album, Bag of Bones, is produced by Kevin Shirley (Black Stone Cherry, Aerosmith, Black Country Communion, Joe Bonamassa, Led Zeppelin).  Celebrated blues rock guitarist, Joe Bonamassa, makes a guest appearance on the title track, Bag of Bones.

Europe vocalist Joey Tempest believes that 2009’s Last Look At Eden album was a significant turning point for the band.  That album proved to be Europe’s most important record since The Final Countdown.  Now, with the highly anticipated release of Bag of Bones, Tempest says Europe is “ready to do some serious damage.”

- Bag of Bones 2012 UK Tour -  

With very special guests

Regional Tickets: £18.50 Advance
London Tickets: £20.00 Advance

Credit Card Hotline for all UK shows – 0844 477 2000
Book Online: www.ticketweb.co.uk
(excluding Manchester) – 0844 478 0898
(excluding Nottingham) – 0845 413 4444
(excluding Cardiff) – 02920 230 130

Birmingham O2 Academy
Wednesday 21 November
Box Office: 0844 477 2000
www.ticketweb.co.uk
www.o2academybirmingham.co.uk
16-18 Horsefair, Bristol Street, Birmingham, B1 1DB

Glasgow O2 ABC
Thursday 22 November
Box Office: 0844 477 2000
www.ticketweb.co.uk
www.o2abc.co.uk
300 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JA

Manchester HMV Ritz
Friday 23 November
Tickets £18.50
Box Office 0844 478 0898
www.hmvritz.com
Doors: 6:30pm
Whitworth Street West, Manchester, M1 5NQ

Newcastle O2 Academy
Sunday 25th November
Box Office: 0844 477 2000
www.ticketweb.co.uk
www.o2academynewcastle.co.uk
Westgate Road, Newcastle, NE1 1SW

Leeds O2 Academy
Monday 26th November
Box Office: 0844 477 2000
www.ticketweb.co.uk
www.o2academyleeds.co.uk
55 Cookridge Street, Leeds, LS2 3AW

Nottingham Rock City
Tuesday 27 November
Box Office: 0845 413 4444
www.alt-tickets.co.uk
www.rock-city.co.uk
8 Talbot Street, Nottingham, NG1 5GG

Bristol O2 Academy
Thursday 29 November
Box Office: 0844 477 2000
www.ticketweb.co.uk
www.o2academybristol.co.uk
Frogmore Street, Bristol, BS1 5NA

Cardiff Coal Exchange
Friday 30 November
Box Office: 02920 230 130
www.seetickets.com
www.coalexchange.co.uk
Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF10 5EB

London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Saturday 1 December
Box Office: 0844 477 2000
www.ticketweb.co.uk
www.o2shepherdsbushempire.co.uk
Shepherds Bush Green, London, W12 8TT

Europe set to release new album Bag Of Bones on the 30th April.

earMUSIC is thrilled to announce the new album from Swedish rock supergroup, EUROPE. The long player, set for UK release on Monday 30th April 2012, is entitled Bag of Bones. The first single, Not Supposed To Sing The Blues, will be released digitally on Friday March 9th.

Bag of Bones is produced by Kevin Shirley. No stranger to the crème de la crème of iconic rock, Shirley has produced albums for the likes of Iron Maiden, Joe Bonamassa, Black Country Communion, Black Stone Cherry and Journey.

Contributing slide guitar to the title track Bag of Bones is blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa. “We’re honoured that Joe Bonamassa wanted to play some slide guitar on our record. We’re all big fans of his music“, says Europe front man Joey Tempest. Released on CD and vinyl formats, the album features a more straightforward rock approach.

“Why drive a VW beetle when you can drive a Rolls Royce?” asks Europe’s guitarist John Norum. “Bag of Bones is a classic rock album with lots of class. Even my mom likes it!”
“Bag of Bones” Album Track Listing:

1. Riches To Rags
2. Not Supposed To Sing The Blues
3. Firebox
4. Bag Of Bones
5. Requiem
6. My Woman My Friend
7. Demon Head
8. Drink And A Smile
9. Doghouse
10. Mercy You Mercy Me
11. Bring It All Home

Leslie West, Legendary guitarist and the founder of one of rocks most influential bands, Mountain, will release a brand new solo album, ‘Unusual Suspects’, on Monday September 19th.

The album features West alongside a hand-picked line-up of the world’s finest guitar players; including Slash, blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa, Black Label Society front man and ex-Ozzy guitarist Zakk Wylde, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and Toto’s Steve Lukather.

Released by Provogue Records, the album follows the shocking news that, in late June, West underwent life-saving surgery, when his leg was amputated above the knee.   While such an ordeal would surely deter lesser artists, West insisted on honouring the ‘Unusual Suspects’ album’s September release date and is gearing up for a US tour in October.

“These guys don’t just show up to play on everybody’s albums,” says West on his special guests and the album’s title.  “They’re all stars in their own right, and fantastic players – everyone with their own sound and style, about as far from the usual suspects as it gets.”

To find out more, check out the links below.

Leslie West – Facebook
www.facebook.com/lesliewestmountain 

Leslie West – Twitter
www.twitter.com/lwestmountain

Leslie West – Youtube Channel
www.youtube.com/lesliewestmountain

Black Country Communion, the rock and roll band featuring bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Trapeze), blues rock guitarist/vocalist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin), and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater), have confirmed the Monday October 24^th UK and European release of their first ever live DVD & Blu-ray; “Live Over Europe”.

Released by Mascot records, the double live DVD was filmed with 14 HD cameras and 5.1 Surround Sound during the band’s debut world tour in the summer of 2011. Recorded across three nights in the German cities of Hamburg, Munich and Berlin, the 18-song set includes tracks taken from both of BCC’s albums – 2010’s eponymous debut, and 2011’s follow-up album release “2”.

From Thursday September 8^th, fans will be able to download a live version of “Song of Yesterday” (taken from Live in Europe) absolutely free by visiting here. Bonus features include an exclusive 28-page collector’s booklet, and an additional DVD containing a 20-minute “behind the scenes” featurette and photo collection.