MR. BIG “DEFYING GRAVITY” WITH NEW ALBUM SET FOR RELEASE JULY 7TH; U.S. TOUR STARTS MAY 31ST

The call went out. Time for a new Mr. Big album. They convened in a Los Angeles studio and in a matter of six days, the boundless result of all that musical talent is Defying Gravity, with the release of their ninth original studio album and start of a new worldwide tour.

Set for release July 7th on Frontiers Music Srl, Defying Gravity will be available at traditional retail and all digital service providers, as will a deluxe edition version with CD and bonus DVD that features music videos and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the new album. The album will also be made available on vinyl in the coming months. An official trailer for Defying Gravity can be seen below.

Defying Gravity deftly showcases that patented Mr. Big blend of crunch and melody, from the freight-train ride of opening cut Open Your Eyes to the harmony-laden wonderment of Damn I’m in Love Again to the grateful/wistful nostalgia of 1992 (recalling the days when the band was flying high atop the singles charts with their international #1 smash To Be With You) to the barnburning slide-blues closer, Be Kind. Overall, Defying Gravity is prime evidence that the only thing Mr. Big remains tethered to is their ongoing pursuit of achieving creative excellence.

Original members Eric Martin (lead vocals), Paul Gilbert (guitars), Billy Sheehan (bass) and Pat Torpey (drums) reunited with producer Kevin Elson (who was behind the boards for the band’s 1989 self-titled debut, 1991’s Lean Into It and 1993’s Bump Ahead) for an intensive six-day recording session in Los Angeles. While Torpey was unable to perform some of the songs on Defying Gravity due to a recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, Matt Starr has been filling in for him on a majority of the album. Starr also been touring with the band for the past couple of years, with Torpey able to play a couple of songs at each stop.

“It was great to get back in the studio with our original producer, Kevin Elson,” says guitarist Paul Gilbert. “Kevin recorded all of our original classic albums from the ‘80s and ‘90s, and we immediately felt that magic chemistry with him on Defying Gravity. We basically played live in the studio. Over the years, we’ve all had a chance to experiment with every recording technique possible, but it’s still always the best just to play together as a band. Most of my guitar solos were tracked live with the band. I’ve worked hard on my improvisation in the last few years, and it really paid off on this record…both melodically, and on the face-melting stuff.”

Defying Gravity is the follow-up to 2014’s The Stories We Could Tell (Frontiers Music Srl).

Mr. Big is gearing up for the launch their latest worldwide tour which starts May 31st in Milwaukee, WI at the Potowatami Casino. For all the latest tour dates, fans should check the band’s official website.

“2017 is filling up quickly with tour dates all around the world,” proclaims Gilbert. “I can’t wait to play the new songs, and of course our favorites from the old days like Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy Just Take My Heart, Green Tinted Sixties Mind, Wild World, and To Be With You.”

Defying Gravity song listing:

1. Open Your Eyes
2. Defying Gravity
3. Everybody Needs a Little Trouble
4. Damn I’m In Love Again
5. Mean to Me
6. Nothing Bad (About Feeling Good)
7. Forever and Back
8. She’s All Coming Back to Me Now
9. 1992
10. Nothing At All
11. Be Kind

Check out Mr. Big at any of the following tour stops:

Leg 1:

5/31 Milwaukee, WI Potowatami Casino
6/2 St. Charles, IL Arcada Theatre
6/3 Wetland, MI The Token Lounge
6/6 Warrendale, PA Jergel’s Rhythm Grille
6/7 Newton, NJ Newton Theatre
6/9 Uncasville, CT The Wolf Den/Mohegan Sun
6/10 New York, NY B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
6/12 Nashville, TN Basement East
6/14 Lexington, KY Manchester Music Hall
6/16 Dallas, TX Gas Monkey Live
6/17 Houston, TX Scout Bar
6/19 Kansas City, MO Knuckleheads Saloon
6/22 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre
6/23 Agoura Hills, CA Canyon Club

Mr. Big online:

Official Website
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5 Responses

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  • Rattlehead on

    Great News!! I hope this announcement means that Torpey’s health has greatly improved. This band was a surprise find, for me. When I first read that shredders Paul Gilbert and Billy Sheehan were teaming up, I expected (and hoped) the band’s music to be a cross between Racer X and Talas, with ALOT of “string master” guitar and bass shredding. I did not expect their melodic rock music, but I really enjoyed it. Saw them once, on the Lean Into It tour, so I hope this tour comes to my area for another chance to see them perform.


  • Keith G on

    HUGE Mr. Big fan! These guys are just SO talented, I cannot get enough of their music. They can shred with the best of them, but their music is also incredibly melodic and memorable. I saw them as an opening act when their first record came out, back in the day. So glad that they are still putting out new music and touring. I would love to catch them on this tour, if they play anywhere near here.


    • Doug on

      Completely agree! The musicianship of this band is phenomenal.


    • Dana on

      I agree wholeheartedly, every member of this band is super talented.

      Martin, happens to be of my favorite vocalists, as well.

      D


  • Ray Gillen on

    Saw them do a 1 off show last sept. in san fran., they were as awesome as ever. Torpey played a few songs but they had some other dude(sorry forgot the name) help out on drums.Its great the band is supporting him so well, a true brotherhood in that camp.Now I have 30 days in the hole stuck in my head, there version kicks ass.


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