DEEP PURPLE ANNOUNCES “1 MORE TIME” NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES WITH YES

Deep Purple, one of Britain’s most influential bands, today announced 1 More Time Tour of the U.S., to celebrate over 50 years of Smoke On The Water.

They will be shaking the walls of North American amphitheaters this summer with an explosive lineup of unforgettable hits taken from their repertoire of rock, spanning half a century. Joining Deep Purple on their tour is Yes, making each stop an unmissable event for rock fans everywhere.

Fronted by the legendary Ian Gillan, whose vocals have defined generations and accompanied by the masterful bassist Roger Glover, the powerhouse drummer Ian Paice, the maestro on keyboards Don Airey, and the sensational guitarist Simon McBride, Deep Purple guarantees a musical journey like no other. Since joining the band in 2022, McBride has already played to Deep Purple audiences totaling more than half a million people.

Tickets will go on sale beginning with a presale on April 10th at 10 a.m. VIP packages will go on sale on April 10th at 10 a.m. The general on-sale begins on April 12th at 10 a.m.

Tour dates:

August 14 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live
August 15 – Tampa, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Event Center
August 17 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
August 18 – Durant, OK – Choctaw Casino – Grand Theatre
August 19 – Forth Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
August 21 – Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavilion At Riverbend Music Center
August 22 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre At Freedom Hill
August 23 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
August 25 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
August 27 – Montreal, QC Bell Centre
August 28 – Gilford, NH – Banknh Pavilion 30 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
August 31 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
September 1 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health At Jones Beach Theater
September 3 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater
September 4 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Broadview Stage At Spac
September 6 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center For The Arts
September 7 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
September 8 – Scranton, PA – The Pavilion At Montage Mountain

Selling over 100 million records and laying the ground for hard rock and metal, the band continue to tour arenas the world over and release hit albums. Their last studio album, 2020’s Whoosh!, was their highest charting in 46 years, making No. 4 in U.K. album charts.

Combining Now WHAT?! (2013) and Infinite (2017) and Whoosh(2020), Deep Purple returned as one of the best-selling hard rock bands around, with sales exceeding one million copies.

They have been touring the globe consistently since forming in 1968, travelling through rock genres and line ups to become a British institution. A measure of their influence can be seen in their fans, who count Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden and Metallica among their most ardent numbers.

Hit songs  Highway Star, Perfect Strangers, Knocking At Your Back Door, Hush, Black Night, Fireball and Smoke On The Water helped define heavy rock, riffs and all. They remain true to the band’s origins and their ever-forging future.

Deep Purple was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in April 2016.

CAREGORY 7: NEW BAND FEATURING JOHN BUSH, PHIL DEMMEL, MIKE ORLANDO, JACK GIBSON AND JASON BITTNER, JOINS METAL BLADE RECORDS

Metal Blade Records is pleased to welcome Category 7, the new band featuring vocalist John Bush, guitarists Phil Demmel and Mike Orlando, bassist Jack Gibson, and drummer Jason Bittner, to its legendary roster.

With veteran musicians from such legendary acts as Anthrax, Armored Saint, Adrenaline Mob, Machine Head, Overkill, Exodus, and Shadows Fall, it’s hard not to think of Category 7 as a supergroup. The origins of the band began with discussions between Demmel and Orlando of their mutual desire to form a twin lead guitar hard rock unit harkening back to bands of the ’70s such as Thin Lizzy. Bittner was next to join the conversation followed by Gibson. After composing some early music, it was obvious that the only vocalist that would fit the concept would be Bush.

Notes Bush, “Mike Orlando‘s and Phil Demmel‘s awesome riffs made writing lyrics over the music a piece of cake. The rhythm tandem of Bittner and Gibson rounded out the sound and the connection felt like it was put together in the stars. Obviously, everyone being a veteran of the metal scene made it that much easier.”

Based on Demmel‘s and Bush‘s long-term relationships with Metal Blade Records, it seemed to be the perfect home for the band. The label agreed and a union was quickly forged.

Comments Metal Blade Records‘ founder Brian Slagel of the signing, “Happy to welcome Category 7 into the Metal Blade family. Of course, some of them are already in. Seriously love working with this crew and it’s great stuff.”

As crushing and confrontational as an armed rebellion and as fiercely melodic as infectious riffs and aggressive vocals can be, Category 7 is a new breed of hard rock that lives up to the storied histories of its members. Category 7‘s debut will see release this Summer with their first single to be unveiled on May 2nd. Stand by for details!

Follow Category 7 at: Official Website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Youtube.

DREAM THEATER ANNOUNCE “40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2024-2025” STARTING IN EUROPE THIS OCTOBER

A tour announcement that has been fourteen years in the making, GRAMMY®-winning, progressive music titans Dream Theater are announcing their 40^th Anniversary Tour 2024 – 2025. The tour – presented as An Evening With Dream Theater – is the first outing since drummer Mike Portnoy’s return to the lineup joining vocalist James LaBrie, bassist John Myung, guitarist John Petrucci, and keyboardist Jordan Rudess. The European leg consists of stops in 23 cities and begins on October 20^th and runs through November 24^th. Dream Theater will be performing classics and fan favorites from their catalog in what promises to be an unforgettable evening of music. More information on all tickets and VIP packages can be found at dreamtheater.net/tour. 

“This tour is going to be incredibly special for all of us!  Each show will surely be filled with anticipation and a variety of emotions. We can’t wait to step on stage together once again and begin this historic celebration of 40 years with everyone this Fall. This is just the beginning, and we will have plenty of more exciting Dream Theater news to share in the coming months,” explains Dream Theater. 

An Evening With Dream Theater 40^th Anniversary Tour 2024 – 2025:

October 20 – London, England – The O2

October 22 – Berlin, Germany – Uber Eats Music Hall

October 23 – Koln, Germany – Palladium

October 25 – Milan, Italy – Forum

October 26 – Rome, Italy – Palazzo dello Sport

October 28 – Munich, Germany – Zenith

October 29 – Zagreb, Croatia – Arena Zagreb

November 1 – Budapest, Hungary – Budapest Arena 

November 2 – Prague – Czech Republic – Fortuna Arena

November 3 – Lodz, Poland – Atlas Arena 

November 6 – Helsinki, Finland – Metro Areena

November 8 – Stockholm. Sweden – Waterfront

November 9 – Oslo, Norway – Spektrum 

November 10 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Poolen

November 12 – Luxembourg – Rockhal 

November 13 – Zurich, Switzerland – The Hall 

November 14 – Lyon, France – Halle Tony Garnier

November 16 – Lisbon, Portugal – MEO Arena

November 17 – Madrid, Spain – La Cubierta de Leganés

November 20 – Stuttgart, Germany – Beethovensaal

November 21 – Frankfurt, Germany – Jahrhundderthalle

November 23 – Paris, France – Adidas Arena

November 24 – Amsterdam – AFAS Live

Dream Theater has been in their DTHQ studio working on their 16^th studio album and the first with Portnoy since 2009’s Black Clouds & Silver Linings. More information on the upcoming release will be unveiled in the future

Find Dream Theater online: dreamtheater.net, facebook.com, twitter and instagram.

FIREHOUSE SINGER C.J. SNARE PASSES AT AGE 64

C.J. Snare, the lead singer of the 80s hair metal band FireHouse — behind hits like Don’t Treat Me Bad and Love of a Lifetime — died unexpectedly Friday after suffering cardiac arrest. He was 64, as reported by the New York Post.

The band mourned Snare’s passing as a “sad day for Rock N Roll” in a statement on Facebook Sunday.

“It is with great sorrow we are letting the world know we have lost our brother: CJ Snare, the rock and roll warrior, lead vocalist, and a founding member of FireHouse,” it read. “CJ Snare passed unexpectedly at home Friday night, April 5th. He was a young 64 years old.”

“As you are all aware, CJ was expected to be back on stage with the band this summer after recovering from surgery,” the statement read adding that everyone in the group was “in complete shock with CJ’s untimely passing.”

“CJ was arguably one of the best vocal talents of a generation, touring the world with Firehouse nonstop the past 34 years,” the statement added. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the entire Snare family, Katherine Little, friends, and all our beloved fans all over the world.”

“‘Reach for the Sky’ CJ,” the post concluded referring to their 1992 song of the same name. “You will be forever missed by family, friends, fans and your bandmates. You’re singing with the angels now.” 

Several fans of the group also shared their shock over Snare’s sudden passing.

“A living legend. Loved your music, and so glad to have worked with you and met you,” one person commented on the Facebook post. “Your music and voice is my inspiration, my condolences and respect to the family, Rest well my friend. Your voice inspired generations!

“This is so sad. CJ was one of the most kind-hearted beautiful people I ever met. He was like family. A huge loss to the world, wrote a second person. 

“No words. This is so terrible and my heart goes out to his loved ones. He was a friend and a true talent,” a third person lamented.

The New York Post has reached out to Snare’s reps for comment.

Snare’s daughter, Heather, later told TMZ that her father had passed away after suffering cardiac arrest after a lengthy cancer battle. 

In addition to singing, the frontman — who helped form the group in 1987— also played keyboards on seven of the group’s albums including their debut LP which went double platinum in the United States.

Prior to his death, the singer posted a photo on Instagram announcing that he would be taking a brief hiatus from the band “until I have recovered from abdominal surgery…”

…In what would be his last social media post, Snare once again reiterated that he was feeling stronger and would be back on stage “before you know it.” 

Snare is currently survived by his three children.

[Dana’s note: EddieTrunk.com send our condolences, and in honor of Snare, I will embed one of my favorite FireHouse songs, which I was listening to, yesterday.]

KISS SELLS SONG CATALOG FOR MORE THAN $300M TO COMPANY CO-FOUNDED BY ABBA MEMBER

KISS has reportedly sold their catalog, brand name and IP to Swedish company Pophouse Entertainment Group in a deal estimated to be over $300 million, it was announced Thursday.

This isn’t the first time the band has partnered with Pophouse, which was co-founded by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus. 

When the band’s current lineup — founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons as well as guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer — took the stage at the final night of their farewell tour in December at New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden, they ended by revealing digitized avatars of themselves.

The cutting-edge technology was created by George Lucas’ special-effects company, Industrial Light & Magic, in partnership with Pophouse…The ways in which KISS’ avatars will be utilized has yet to be announced, but Pophouse CEO Per Sundin says fans can expect a biopic, a documentary and a KISS experience on the horizon.

An avatar show is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2027 — but don’t expect it to look anything like ABBA Voyage, Sundin told the AP. And fans can expect it to launch in North America.

Sundin says the goal of the purchase is to expose KISS to future generations— which he believes sets Pophouse apart from other acquisitions of music catalogs.

“The record companies, the three big ones that are left, they’re doing a fantastic job, but they have so many catalogs and they can’t focus on everything,” he says. “We work together with Universal (Music Group) and KISS, even though we will own the artists rights, and we’re doing it in conjunction with Kiss. But yes, we bought all rights, and that’s not something I’ve seen that clear before.”

“I don’t like the word acquisition,” Gene Simmons tells the AP over Zoom, assuring the band would never sell their catalog to a company they didn’t appreciate.

“Collaboration is exactly what it’s about. It would be remiss in our inferred fiduciary duty — see what I just did there? — to the thing that we created to abandon it,” he continued. “People might misunderstand and think, ‘OK, now Pophouse is doing that stuff and we’re just in Beverly Hills twiddling our thumbs.’ No, that’s not true. We’re in the trenches with them. We talk all the time. We share ideas. It’s a collaboration. Paul (Stanley) and I especially, with the band, we’ll stay committed to this. It’s our baby.”

And within that: no more live touring, for real. “We’re not going to tour again as Kiss, period,” he says. “We’re not going to go put the makeup on and go out there.”

More at the NY Post.

CONEY HATCH ANNOUNCE FIRST-EVER VINYL PRESSING OF “POSTCARD FROM GERMANY” AS RECORD STORE DAY CANADA EXCLUSIVE 

Canadian rock band Coney Hatch is thrilled to announce that its live album, Postcard from Germany will be available on vinyl for the first time ever through Anthem Records. The limited-edition vinyl pressing will be available for purchase on April 20th, as part of Record Store Day. Each album has been autographed by the band, with only 300 units available. 

Recorded LIVE at HEAT Festival in Ludwigsburg, Postcard from Germany also features two newly recorded releases, It’s About A Girl and Heaven’s on the Other Side.” A Cream Vinyl with Turquoise Splatter Variant will be a Record Store Day exclusive.

“Canada is going to love the stunning turquoise vinyl of Postcard from Germany by Coney Hatch, as much as we enjoyed pressing it here at Microforum Vinyl in Toronto,”says Noble Musa, Sales & Marketing for Microforum.”It is always a very special experience to be able to work with Canadian bands to create exclusive Canadian pressings for Canadian music fans.”

“It’s always a blast collaborating with classic Canadian bands,” adds Ryan Kerr, Operations Manager for Record Store Day Canada. “The Record Store Day Canada release with Coney Hatch is no exception. For the first time ever, we are bringing Postcard from Germany on vinyl on April 20th, as part of Record Store Day. We have loved the band for years, so this vinyl is definitely for the fans, by the fans.”

“So cool to have Coney Hatch part of Record Store Day for the first time ever,” says Coney Hatch bassist Andy Curran. “We’ve been a band for 40 plus years and ticked a lot of boxes …but not this one. We had a blast going to see our limited-edition vinyl being pressed real time at Microforum. It’s come full circle to when we started with vinyl releases, I guess everything old is new again.”

The band recently visited the Microforum facility to have a look at the test pressings of vinyl hot off the presses. You can view the visit here.

Postcard from Germany tracklist:

1. It’s About A Girl (Studio 2022)

2. Heaven’s On The Other Side (Studio 2022)

3. We Got The Night

4. Stand Up

5. Blown Away

6. Boys Club

7. She’s Gone

8. This Ain’t Love

9. Wrong Side Of Town

10. Girl From Last Nights Dream

11. Fantasy

12. Fallen Angel

13. Don’t Say Make Me

14. Devil’s Deck

15. Monkey Bars

Record Store Day, the global celebration of the culture of independent record stores, takes place this year on April 20th, as it has annually for the last 17 years. Once again, the moment has arrived to unveil the remarkable lineup of titles awaiting enthusiasts during the cherished annual celebration of independent record stores worldwide. This year’s Record Store Day raises the bar yet again with its unparalleled magnitude, artistry, and diverse array of releases. 

For more information, logos, full list of participating stores please visit: recordstoredaycanada.ca.