Manowar have announced they will retire after an upcoming farewell tour.
Date and venues for The Final Battle tour have not yet been revealed, but it will begin in Germany, the band say in a statement.
The New York metal band say their most recent trek – the Gods And Kings world tour – was a groundbreaking moment in their career and they aim to go out on a high.
Manpower says, “Message To All Manowarriors. The Gods And Kings tour was a groundbreaking moment in our career. The stage, sound, video and you, our fans, were magnificent.
Coming off such an amazing tour it was clear that the next time we must go even bigger and beyond anything we have ever done – something that will fulfil every Manowarrior’s dreams.
Then that will be the ultimate moment to say thank you and farewell. The Final Battle will begin in Germany and take us all over the world to say goodbye to all of you.”
Manpower continue, “Those who join this tour will be left with an eternal memory, having witnessed the band that has dedicated their blood, hearts, souls and every moment of their career to true heavy metal.
We are calling all Manowarriors to prepare yourselves now and to join us for The Final Battle.”
Manowar’s most recent studio effort was 2014’s re-recording of their 1988 album Kings Of Metal.
Greg Prato of Brave Words spoke with singer Joe Lyn Turner. Excerpts from the interview appear below.
BraveWords: ..You have some upcoming US dates and European dates this summer.
Joe Lynn Turner: “Yes, we’re doing two quick ones [in the US] – one at Vamp’s in Vegas and then we’re hitting the Whisky in Hollywood, then I come back for about a week or whatever it is, and then mid-June, we go back out to Europe and continue doing some pretty big festivals, some private shows – all kinds of stuff.”
BraveWords: What can fans expect from these shows?
Joe Lynn Turner: “I think the ones in California…because I haven’t been out there in forever, I think will be mostly the Rainbow/Purple stuff – maybe with one or two originals mixed in. And doing some acoustic. When I do acoustic, I do a lot of influences – everything from the Beatles, the Doors, Van Morrison. Whatever my influences were when I was a kid. So it’s going to be a mixed set of different things. Nobody was out there doing the Rainbow stuff and people want to hear it, so I was carrying the torch. I think next year I’ll change the set up to be completely just solo stuff.”
BraveWords: Any forthcoming projects?
Joe Lynn Turner: “I’ve got what I call ‘the secret project’ right now – I’m working with a producer in Sweden. He’s pretty well known and has done some really great things, and he’s got his own band which is pretty well known. But at the same time, it’s going to be a different style for me. When I say ‘different style,’ I mean it’s going to be a different usage of the voice – in a way that’s more dark, heavy, yet still accessible. When I say ‘accessible,’ it’s a dirty word for commercial, but I’ve always been a melodic singer. I like singing melodies, I like people to remember the choruses, the hooks. But at the same time, it will be a darker sounding record. I’m hoping to go to Sweden for two weeks and lock ourselves into the studio and do about six or seven more songs, and we’ll know better where the direction is. Right now, I’m also promoting Sunstorm, which just put out Edge Of Tomorrow and a brand new video (see below). It’s doing very well – it was just released May 13th. I’m trying to get a tour on that, but it’s very difficult these days, because the economy. Money’s tight – promoters are only betting on sure things. So Frontiers Records offered us a show in Milan, but you don’t rehearse a band for a week and a half/two weeks to do one show. You want to take it out on the road. But the days of tour support are pretty much over. It’s a whole different paradigm.”
BraveWords: When do you think the ‘secret project’ album will be released?
Joe Lynn Turner: “There’s a lot of factors – that’s why I’ve put a distant date on it, of the fall of ’17, because we’re going to work this summer, and then we’re going to record, and we’re going to get some guest stars, and we’ve got a whole bunch of different plans. To put all that together is not easy – especially when he’s got schedules and I’ve got schedules. That’s the tough thing nowadays – everybody’s got to eat and have families. We’re not kids anymore and we’ve got responsibilities. So it’s not like you can just take a month off. I mean, you can – I usually do during the winter months, but I record during the winter months. But we’re trying to get the writing done, then during the winter months record it all, and then hopefully we might even make a spring release.”
Greg Prato of the Long Island Pulse spoke with drummer Jason Bonham. Portions of the interview appear below.
Pulse: How would you describe your dad’s [late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham] personality?
Bonham: I was fourteen when he passed away. I knew him as a very shy guy. Very quiet. Didn’t really make much noise, yet, when the family was together and the drink was flowing, the alcohol would open him up a bit and it would make him a little bit more jolly and fun. But for the most part, dad was very calm and very quiet. Loved music. Loved to sit and listen to music at home. He was not the “Bonzo” [Bonham’s nickname] that everyone remembers—this wild guy that would throw TV sets through windows and trash hotel rooms. I never saw that side.
Pulse: Many point to your father as one of the greatest rock drummers ever.
Bonham: I saw the recent Rolling Stone thing—he was voted the best drummer of all-time. That’s a big category to be in, with so many different styles and so many amazing drummers. I appreciate them voting for him. But without a doubt, every drummer I’ve ever met, dad is in their top three. And they don’t always say the same top three, but dad is always in there.
Pulse: Why do you think Led Zeppelin’s music continues to resonate with subsequent generations?
Bonham: As I’ve gotten older I could still put that music on and it still stands up to anything when you play it—sonically, sound-wise. There’s still nothing ever like it, the way it was written. It was written outside the box.
I know it was different times then. But the way they were individually as players, how good they were individually and collectively as a band, it was even better. It’s funny—I was talking to Robert only an hour ago and we were going through some old fun stories. It was just nice to grow up as a part of this. Even though my father is not around, there is a certain calmness that I feel through the music and what people write to me and talk to me about, and the work that dad did for them. I’m very lucky that I get to go and play this great music and have fun with it. And play live—which is what I love, when young people and fans come out to see the show. So thank you, to everybody.
The Winery Dogs-Richie Kotzen (lead vocals/guitar), Mike Portnoy (drums), Billy Sheehan (bass)—will launch their latest U.S. headlining tour Saturday, June 25th in Hinckley, MN at the Grand Casino Amphitheatre in support of their critically-acclaimed, self-produced second album, Hot Streak, which was released in North America October 2nd on Loud & Proud Records. It was preceded by the first single, Oblivion, which quickly made its way onto the Top 30 of the Billboard “Mainstream Rock Tracks” chart. A double vinyl edition of the new album was released November 13th.
“Eight months after kicking off our 1st U.S. leg last October and following runs in Europe, Japan & South America,” explains Portnoy, “we are excited to round home plate and return home with some more U.S. shows in June and July.”
To get fans revved up for the new tour, the hard rocking trio is releasing a new single, Captain Love, to radio on June 3rd. A Vicente Cordero-directed video for the song premiered on GuitarWorld.com earlier today. Watch it below.
It’s one of the band’s favorite songs on the album. While lyricist/singer/guitarist Richie Kotzen doesn’t confess to be the subject of the song, drummer Mike Portnoy believes it’s the perfect groove to be played in strip clubs around the world, as he and Kotzen explains in this clip below.
Check out The Winery Dogs at any of the following stops:
6/25 Hinckley, MN Grand Casino Amphitheatre
6/28 Eau Claire, WI State Theater
6/29 Ashwaubenon, WI Green Bay Distillery
6/30 St. Charles, IL Arcadia Theater
7/2 Hazard, KY The Forum
7/3 Sterling Heights, MI Stars & Stripes Festival
7/5 Buffalo, NY Taft Music Hall
7/8 Houston, TX Warehouse Live
7/9 Dallas, TX Gas Monkey Live
7/10 San Antonio, TX Alamo
Whitford/St. Holmes, featuring the dynamic duo of Aerosmith guitarist, Brad Whitford and Ted Nugent vocalist/guitarist, Derek St. Holmes are back together and ready to release their new studio album and hit the road with Whitesnake – all beginning on June 3rd.
Joining the two on the road will be bassist Chopper Anderson and keyboardist Buck Johnson, who both played on the Reunion album. Filling in on drums for all dates will be Brent Fitz (Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators) replacing Troy Luccketta, who will be touring with Tesla at the same time.
“We are very excited to have Brent join us on this run,” says Whitford. “Troy is so good, he is just not an easy guy to replace!” “We really needed a guy with the right feel.” adds St.Holmes, “Brent brings that with him along with the power that kicks these songs out like they were meant to be. We can’t wait to get out there with him.”
When asked how Brent felt about his new gig he was quick to answer. “I was already excited for the new Whitford/St.Holmes reunion record. So, it goes without saying how thrilled I was to get a call from Derek and Brad asking me to step in on drums for the upcoming tour. Playing brand new music with these two legends, and in such a great new band, couldn’t be more exciting! I consider them both architects of my own musical makeup, so of course I’m looking forward to playing a few of their own classics as well!”
Whitford/St. Holmes are excited to reunite and reclaim the rock magic they first produced over thirty years ago. It was 1981 when Whitford, who had left Aerosmith, first teamed up with Derek St. Holmes to release their self-titled debut. Tracks like Sharpshooter and Whisky Woman carried on the stadium rock n’ roll style that made them famous. The album received critical acclaim and they did a successful round of tour dates before returning to their respective bands and shelving the duo.
Recently, while living in the same town on the outskirts of Nashville, the two got together and began writing a number of songs. Before they knew it, they had an album, assembled a band and recorded the self-produced, and appropriately titled, Reunion. Playing these songs live is going to be the icing on the cake for Whitford and St. Holmes, as Derek said, “We want to share it with our friends, all those hardcore rock ‘n’ roll fans… Like our fans and good whiskey, we all seem to get better with age. These new cuts are bold, brassy and ballsy and we can’t wait to play them live.”
The upcoming tour with Whitesnake launches on June 3rd in Dallas and continues on through Texas, Indianapolis, Ohio, Detroit, Boston and more with headlining dates peppered in between. This leg of the tour will conclude on July 2nd with a headline show. The band will also play with Lynyrd Skynyrd on July 31st at Festival Park in Elgin, IL.
Whitford/St. Holmes On Tour (all dates with Whitesnake unless noted)
6/3/ Dallas, TX The Bomb Factory
6/5 Houston, TX Revention Music Center
6/6 San Antonio, TX Majestic Theatre
6/8 Indianapolis, IN Old National Centre
*6/9 Traverse City, MI Ground Zero (with Tom Keifer)
6/11 Northfield, OH Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park
*6/12 Whitsburg, KY Appalshop Theater (Headline Show)
6/14 Cincinnati, OH PNC Pavilion At Riverbend
6/15 Huber Heights, OH Rose Music Center At The Heights
*6/16 Pittsburgh, PA Stage One (Headline Show)
6/17 Detroit, MI Fox Theatre
*6/19 Farifield, CT The Warehouse (Headline Show)
6/20 Brooklyn, NY Kings Theatre
6/21 Montclair, NJ The Wellmont Theater
*6/22 Sellersville, PA Sellersville Theater (Headline Show)
6/23 Hampton Beach, NH Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
6/25 Boston, MA House Of Blues Boston
6/26 Portland, ME Maine State Pier
6/28 Lewiston, NY Artpark Amphitheater
6/29 Silver Spring, MD The Fillmore Silver Spring
*6/30 Annapolis, MD Rams Head On Stage (Headline Show)
*7/1/16 Londonderry, NH Tupelo Music Hall (Headline Show)
*7/2 Pawling, NY Daryl’s House (Headline Show)
*7/30/ Elgin, IL Festival Park (with Lynyrd Skynyrd)
To read about Whitford/St. Holmes’ new album, Shapes, please click here.
The Dead Daisies’ superlative new studio album Make Some Noise, will be released on SPV Records thru eOne on August 5th, is a vital, vibrant and utterly uplifting opus, which way more than lives up to the legendary ‘classic third LP syndrome’ epithet.
Make Some Noise, packed with huge hooks, giant, intense guitar riffs and glorious, distinctive vocals, celebrates the kind of rock ‘n’ roll that has gone from strength to strength ever since it emerged in the early 1970’s and that sweaty clubs, concert halls and stadiums the world over would be impossible to imagine without. Each of the joyously performed, perfectly crafted, melody drenched 12 songs instinctively aims straight for the centre of the listener’s autonomic nervous system, totally enveloping the heart and soul and compelling them to move to the irresistible rhythm.
“There are lots of very good reasons why this kind of Rock N’ Roll has never gone out of fashion,” band members David Lowy (Red Phoenix, Mink), John Corabi (Mötley Crüe, Ratt), Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio), Marco Mendoza (Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy) and Brian Tichy (Ozzy Osbourne, Foreigner) all agree; “Our songs are simply timeless, immortal, classic! That’s why working with The Dead Daisies is so much fun, and that’s why the reaction is always phenomenal, no matter when and where this band turns up.”
“I’m very pleased with Make Some Noise,” says Aldrich. “It was a very productive time spent in Nashville and New York. The record is a straight up Rock N’ Roll record. Very raw and punchy. We didn’t do lots of overdubbing of the guitars which I loved…it’s really got a good vibe like the days we spent writing and recording. I think it is a cool record that adds to an already cool catalogue they the band had prior. The best part is the guys are all friends and very cool to be working together again!”
The Dead Daisies were formed by guitarist and songwriter David Lowy, whose keen instinct and clear vision has guided the recruitment of an amazing revolving line-up of renowned musicians since the band’s inception in 2012. Initially, Richard Fortus and Dizzy Reed of Guns N’ Roses, plus Rolling Stones band members Darryl Jones and Bernard Fowler, as well as John Tempesta and Charley Drayton of the Cult were involved. Lowy has once again enlisted incredibly talented international stars to record Make Some Noise. “For me as a vocalist, this kind of high caliber line-up is an absolute dream come true” enthuses John Corabi, continuing “When you work with The Dead Daisies, everybody is amazingly motivated to deliver top performances”.
From blazing opener Long Way To Go (the first single and soon-to-be crowd favourite) onwards, this album rocks hard right through to the very last note. Cross references from legendary bands from the past feature just as much as highly contemporary sounds and trendsetting directives. Compositions such as Mainline and Last Time I Saw The Sun bring to mind the likes of Aerosmith and Mr. Big, while Song And A Prayer, with its fluid guitar licks and anthemic chorus, is mightily reminiscent of Guns N’ Roses. Make Some Noise, the title track itself, is nothing less than a self-confident, tongue-in-cheek rousing rock statement, bound to be chanted over and over by euphoric audiences at this consummate combo’s electrifying live gigs.
The Dead Daisies, a must-see live act who have already toured with the likes of ZZ Top, Aerosmith, Bad Company, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Def Leppard, among others, have lined up a UK and Irish tour in July in support of Make Some Noise. Audiences across Europe, U.S., and Japan will get the chance to catch the biggest new name in Rock at the following gigs and festivals and when the band joins America’s No. 1 Gold Record Award winning group of all time KISS, on their highly anticipated Summer American Freedom To Rock tour.
strong>Make Some Noise track listing:
Long Way To Go
We All Fall Down
Song And A Prayer
Mainline
Make Some Noise
Fortunate Son
Last Time I Saw The Sun
Mine All Mine
How Does It Feel
Freedom
All The Same
Join Together
The Dead Daisies tour dates:
May 29 Hessentags-Arena Herborn, Germany w/ The Hollywood Vampires
Jul 14 Bang Your Head Festival Balingen, Germany
Jul 15 Woodstock Festival Kostrzyn, Poland
Jul 16 Masters of Rock Festival Vizovice, Czech Republic
Jul 20 Academy Green Room Dublin, Ireland
Jul 21 Limelight Belfast, United Kingdom
Jul 23 Ramblin’ Man Kent, United Kingdom
Jul 23 Rock & Blues Custom Show Derby, United Kingdom
Jul 24 Steakhouse Festival Ebbw Vale, United Kingdom
Jul 26 Slade Rooms Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
Jul 27 Arts Centre Bingley, United Kingdom
Jul 29 Luxor Cologne, Germany
Jul 31 Free & Easy Festival Munich, Germany
Aug 1 BiNuu Berlin, Germany
Aug 2 Bastard Club Osnabruck, Germany
Aug 4 Wacken Open Air Wacken, Germany
Aug 5 Skogsrojet Festival Rejmyre, Sweden
Aug 6 Helgeafestivalen Knislinge, Sweden
Aug 8 Komplex Zurich, Switzerland w/ Steel Panther
Aug 10 Resch Center Green Bay, WI w/ Kiss
Aug 12 Allen County Memorial Coliseum Fort Wayne, IN w/ Kiss
Aug 13 Dow Event Center Saginaw, MI w/ Kiss
Aug 15 Wings Event Center Kalamazoo, MI w/ Kiss
Aug 17 Illinois State Fair Springfield, IL w/ Kiss
Aug 19 Iowa State Fair Des Moines, IA w/ Kiss
Aug 20 BMO Harris Bank Center Rockford, IL w/ Kiss
Aug 22 Nutter Center Dayton, OH w/ Kiss
Aug 24 Huntington Center Toledo, OH w/ Kiss
Aug 26 Corelli Centre Youngstown, OH w/ Kiss
Aug 27 Erie Insurance Arena Erie, PA w/ Kiss
Aug 29 Blue Cross Arena Rochester, NY w/ Kiss
Aug 30 Bryce Jordan Center University Park, PA w/ Kiss
Sep 1 Great Allentown Fair Allentown, PA w/ Kiss
Sep 3 DCU Center Worcester, MA w/ Kiss
Sep 4 Cross Insurance Arena Portland, ME w/ Kiss
Sep 7 Webster Bank Arena Bridgeport, CT w/ Kiss
Sep 9 Richmond Coliseum Richmond, VA w/ Kiss
Sep 10 Big Sandy Arena Huntington, WV w/ Kiss
Oct 8 Loud Park 16 Saitama, Japan
Oct 9 Loud Park 16 Saitama, Japan
, Mike Portnoy (drums), Billy Sheehan (bass)—will launch their latest U.S. headlining tour Saturday, June 25th in Hinckley, MN at the Grand Casino ... )
