It’s universally agreed that Michael Schenker is one of the greatest heavy metal/hard rock guitarists of all-time, as the amount of renowned guitarists that list him as a prime influence is off the charts. And on his newest release,Bridge the Gap, this German guitar great has united with his old rhythm section from the Scorpions days – bassist Francis Buchholz and drummer Herman Rarebell – as well as enlisting ex-Rainbow singer Doogie White, plus guitarist/keyboardist Wayne Findlay. And if that wasn’t enough metallic star power, none other than Don Dokken lends his vocals to an exclusive track
(Faith) only available on the album’s “deluxe edition.”
Produced by Michael Schenker and Michael Voss (and engineered by Voss), Bridge the Gap will be released in the US via the inakustik label on January 7th, 2014 (and credited to “Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock”), with the traditional thirteen-track release features such fierce rockers as Where the Wild Winds Blow and Horizons.
Bridge the Gap will be released in three configurations:
* CD
* Deluxe Edition-media book packaging, plus o-card with high relief and partial gloss coating of the Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock logo, extended booklet with signatures of all band members, bonus track, Faith, sung by Don Dokken.
*180 gr LP
Watch a trailer for the album below:
Michael Schenker will begin the first round of his 2014 dates with a US tour, which will feature a line-up comprised of Schenker, White, and Findlay, as wellas bassist Rev Jones and drummer Pete Holmes, before the “album line-up” will take over for a World Tour starting in Japan in March.
Schenker says, “Hello America. I am very much looking forward to touring the States in Jan/Feb, and to introducing my new singer, Doogie White, and material from our brand new album,Bridge the Gap. Doogie, Wayne Findlay and myself will be promoting our new album in the States before teaming up with the album line-up for a World Tour starting in March in Japan. We are all looking forward to rock you. Til then, keep on rocking.”
Michael Schenker Bridge The Gap U.S. tour dates:
January:
9 Las Vegas, NV LVCS
10 Corona, CA M -15 Concert Theatre
11 Ramona, CA Ramona Main Stage Theatre
14 Denver, CO Ecks Saloon
16 Libertyville, IL Austins
17 Libertyville, IL Austins
18 Toronto, Canada Rockpile West
19 Toronto, Canada Rockpile East
20 Englewood, NJ Bergan Performing Arts Center
21 Londnberry, NH Tuepelo Music Hall
22 New York, NY B B Kings
24 Sayrevill, NJ Starland Ballroom
25 Poughkeepsie, NY Chance Theatre
27 Sellersville, PA Sellersville Theatre
28 Cleveland, OH Agora Ballroom
30 Oaklahoma City, OK Chameleon Ballroom
31 Houston, TX Concert Pub North
February:
1 San Antonio, TX Backstage Live
6 San Francisco, CA Yoshi’s
7 Orangevale, CA Boardwalk
8 Portland, OR TBA
9 Seattle, WA El Corazon
12 Hollywood, CA House of Blues
15 San Juan Capistrano, CA The Coach House
16 Hermosa Beach, CA St. Rocke
Bridge The Gap track Listing:
1. Where The Wild Winds Blow
2. Horizons
3. Lord Of The Lost And Lonely
4. Rock n Roll Symphony
5. To Live For The King
6. Land Of Thunder
7. Temple Of The Holy
8. Shine On
9. Bridges We Have Burned
10. Because You Lied
11. Black Moon Rising
12. Dance For The Piper
13. Faith (Bonus Track – Deluxe Edition only)
For more information, please visit michaelschenkerhimself.com
.
18 Responses
I thought Don Dokken was doing an entire album with Schenker? Doogie White is good too but I was excited about Dokken/Schenker. Oh well. MSG album with LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE, ON AND ON, and others is an out and out killer classic album. The same I say for BACK FOR THE ATTACK. Those albums hang with APPETITE and HEAVEN AND HELL as 1980s best metal of the decade. The fusion of Dokken/Schenker brings to mind all those great songs on those 2 records. No offense to White ( my mom is Irish) and THE STRANGER IN US ALL was Blackmore s rock swan song and a solid record.
Couldn’t stand Dokken the man, but loved Dokken the band with the original line up. Was too looking forward to a Dokken/Schenker offering. I last heard that Don was going to try and do a thrash record (not kidding). Dunno how true that is.
Ok, so the first Bridge that he can gap is the one from Houston Tx to Dallas Tx, why no show in Dallas? Man, there have been a lot of bands passing up on Dallas, Black Sabbath passed Dallas after they played Houston! The Winery Dogs have yet to play Texas, seems like they like the northeast or japan or Europe! Why is everyone skipping Dallas?
Dude, Kennedy should have skipped Dallas 50 years ago.
Oh no you didn’t!!
Totally inappropriate thing to say sir with all due respect, it wasn’t funny in the least or “cute.” However, that being said, it is ironic Dallas has been skipped as of late. I love Dallas and see a lot of live shows.
I am so looking forward to a UFO 40 year reunion with Phil, Michael, Pete, Andy & Paul. How cool would that be.
Chicago, IL
Richard Volpe
I wonder if this tour will make it through without any major hitches. The nearest date to me is a 2.5 to 3 hour drive. I’d hate to drive down and find it cancelled.
Long time Michael fan, but the last thing he put out or was on . that was even halfways decent was “In The Midst Of Beauty”. And before that I would say Covenant and Walk On Water. He needs some strong song writing musicans in his band.