Peter Gabriel unveils Record Store Day exclusive release

'Rated PG' is a collection of Peter Gabriel songs from films and due out April 13 on LP.

“I have always loved film and any chance I have been offered to work with good film projects and good directors I have jumped at," said Peter Gabriel.

"This is a mixture of songs that have been written for specific films, and existing songs that found an appropriate place in a story. Consequently, there is a mix of different styles and moods.”

Having always loved the combination of film and music (at age 17 he gave up a place at film school to pursue a career in music) Peter Gabriel's first opportunity to really marry these twin interests came when he was asked to create the music for Alan Parker’s film ‘Birdy’ in 1985. Further film work, including his music for Martin Scorsese’s ’The Last Temptation of Christ’ (that became the album ‘Passion') and the soundtrack to Philip Noyce’s film ‘Rabbit-Proof Fence’ (released as the album 'Long Walk Home'), has continued to feed that interest.

Alongside those longer soundtrack commissions Peter Gabriel has also regularly contributed songs to a diverse range of movies and 'Rated PG' explores this other connection forged by Peter between his music and film.

'Rated PG' is an opportunity to bring together in one place, for the first time, a selection of songs be they written especially for, or used to notable effect in, movies and includes new and previously unreleased versions, otherwise unavailable songs and a brand new track.

Available as a single LP, it is specially packaged for Record Store Day, as a picture disc in a die-cut sleeve. The LP is numbered, a limited edition and comes with a hi-res download code.

Track listing:

Side 1 

That’ll Do - from Babe 2: Pig in the City

Down to Earth - from Wall-E
This Is Party Man - from Virtuosity. New version, previously unreleased
The Book of Love - from Shall We Dance? The film version, different to the 'Scratch My Back' version
Taboo - from Natural Born Killers, featuring Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Side 2

Everybird - from Birds Like Us, previously unreleased

Walk Through The Fire - from Against All Odds
Speak (Bol) - from The Reluctant Fundamentalist. New version, previously unreleased
Nocturnal - from Les Morsures de l’Aube. Previously unreleased
In Your Eyes - from Say Anything. The film version, previously unreleased.

Bad Religion examines the 'Age Of Unreason' in May

photo: Alice Baxley

Bad Religion will release a new album, Age Of Unreason, via Epitaph Records on May 3.

“The band has always stood for enlightenment values,” Brett Gurewitz, co-songwriter/guitarist for the veteran LA punk rock group, explains. “Today, these values of truth, freedom, equality, tolerance, and science are in real danger. This record is our response.”

The track “Chaos From Within” examines the current border wall controversy with the lyrics, “Threat is urgent, existential / with patience wearing thin / but the danger's elemental / it’s chaos from within.”

As co-songwriter and lead singer Greg Graffin says, “Throughout history, walls have been used to keep the barbarians out, but it seems to me the truly barbaric aspect of a civilization is the chaos that comes from within.”

Listen to “Chaos From Within” by going here:

https://youtu.be/clI_8HnCGVo

Age Of Unreason is Bad Religion’s 17th studio album and was co-produced by Carlos de la Garza. The song “Candidate" vividly evokes the current president, “I am your candidate / I am bloody lips and makeup /I'm your caliphate, opioids and mutilation / a celebrity and my name is competition.” Another track, entitled “The Approach,” addresses the possible demise of democracy with the lyrics, “There’s a moral and intellectual vacuum / and you're right to be lookin' askance / philosophically moribund, revolution hasn't a chance.”

The overall message is to seek truth about the world and oneself. As Graffin, who holds a PhD in the history of science, says, “When I saw all these headlines about how terrible our world had become, I started doing a lot of reading. I read about the French revolution, the American Revolution, the Civil War, and I started to recognize that this is a pattern of history and something we should never venture into. There are ample warnings against it. Every school child should know this but it’s hard to get people to read about these things. Maybe this album can help. Because right now, with social media, we are just playing a version of kill the guy with the ball.”

Track listing:

Chaos From Within 

My Sanity
Do The Paranoid Style
The Approach
Lose Your Head
End of History
Age of Unreason
Candidate
Faces of Grief
Old Regime
Big Black Dog
Downfall
Since Now
What Tomorrow Brings
The Profane Rights of Man (bonus)

Nick Lowe continues his recording, touring partnership with Los Straitjackets

On May 17, Yep Roc Records will release Nick Lowe’s Love Starvation/Trombone, his latest collaboration with Los Straitjackets. Recorded in Woodstock, New York over a short break from touring, the collection features three new Lowe originals and a cover of the obscure Phil Spector-produced gem "Raincoat In The River."

Lowe's second consecutive release with Los Straitjackets (after 2018's Tokyo Bay/Crying Inside) brings the ongoing collaboration to new heights, as he notes “The Straitjackets definitely influenced these new songs. Love Starvation was written very specifically with them in mind.”

Love Starvation/Trombone will be released via all digital platforms and as a 12" featuring unique sequencing on each side and exclusive artwork for each. The EP is now available for pre-order here: https://yeproc.11spot.com/nick-lowe-love-starvation-trombone.html 

Listen to “Love Starvation” here:

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hear-nick-lowe-love-starvation-los-straitjackets-797626/

Lowe on “Love Starvation”: “It has a kind of Ritchie Valens feel to it that I thought might suit Los Straitjackets. It’s funny, that song could’ve been a Rockpile song. But in a way, I don’t think I was good enough to write a song like that back then. It sounds like old stuff, but I’m just better at doing it now.”

Love Starvation/Trombone comes at an exciting time for Lowe, who was just the subject of a career-spanning profile in the December 2018 issue of Rolling Stone magazine. The group brought single “Tokyo Bay” to Conan for a special performance during the show's final week of music bookings.

Track listing:

1. Love Starvation

2. Blue On Blue
3. Trombone
4. Raincoat In The River

Tour dates:

April 3: Atlanta, GA - The Variety*
April 5: Asheville, NC - Orange Peel*
April 6: Saxapahaw, NC - Haw River Ballroom*
April 7: Washington, DC - The Hamilton*
April 9: Philadelphia, PA - Ardmore Music Hall^
April 11: Boston, MA - The Wilbur*
April 12: Tarrytown, NY - Tarrytown Music Hall*
April 13: New York, NY - The Bowery Ballroom*

April 14: Infinity Music Hall and Bistro - Hartford, CT*

* with Dawn Landes

^ with Molly Parden

Taking Back Sunday adds dates to 20th anniversary tour

Throughout 2019, Taking Back Sunday is celebrating their 20th anniversary with a year-long celebration, including an extensive worldwide tour, paying tribute to their catalog – and their fans – with full album performances, plus a 21-song career-spanning compilation (featuring two new songs), titled Twenty, available now on Craft Recordings.

Now the rock band from Long Island announced the second leg of their U.S. tour, kicking off this September in Kansas City, MO. The first leg of the North American tour begins in Houston next month. A full list of dates is available below for both legs of the North American tour. For tickets and VIP packages, visit:TakingBackSunday.com/tour.

At all shows, Taking Back Sunday – vocalist Adam Lazzara, guitarist John Nolan, drummer Mark O'Connell and bassist Shaun Cooper – will be performing their debut album Tell All Your Friends in its entirety.

For tour stops where the band are performing over two nights, each nightly set will offer a double-album play – using a specially designed coin, Taking Back Sunday will flip to play either their Where You Want To Be or Louder Now, in addition to Tell All Your Friends.

In headline cities where they are playing only one night, they’ll perform Tell All Your Friends, plus a selection of fan favorites from their extensive catalog. Click here to watch a video of Adam elaborating on the coin toss concept, when the tour was first announced in 2018.

Celebrating not only their career-defining moments but also landmark albums that chronicle the band's story, Twenty includes 19 catalog tracks from all seven of their full-length albums, plus two new studio recordings (single "All Ready To Go" and "A Song For Dan"), which hint at the direction the band is heading in.

Recently, Taking Back Sunday premiered the debut episode from their eight-part "album-by-album" series, featuring the band looking back on one album from their discography in each episode. Click here to watch the first episode featuring the guys share insight on the making of their new compilation and how they're feeling about the band’s 20th anniversary.

Click here to buy and/or stream Twenty (available in CD, 2-LP, and digital formats).

Click here to watch the video trailer for Taking Back Sunday’s 20th anniversary celebration.

Tour dates (previously announced, on-sale now):

March 25 & 26: House Of Blues, Houston, TX

March 28 & 29: Emo’s, Austin, TX (3/29 sold out)
March 30 & 31: House Of Blues, Dallas, TX (3/30 sold out)
April 1: Charley B’s, Lubbock, TX
April 3: Sunshine Theater, Albuquerque, NM
April 4 & 5: Marquee Theatre, Phoenix, AZ
April 6 & 7: The Observatory North Park, San Diego, CA (4/6 sold out)
April 9: 1933 Club, Bakersfield, CA *
April 11 & 12: Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, CA
April 13 & 14: The Warfield, San Francisco, CA
April 16 & 17: Ace of Spades, Sacramento, CA (both sold out)
April 19 & 20: Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR (both sold out)
April 21 & 22: Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC
April 24: MacEwan Hall, Calgary, AB
April 26: Burton Cummings Theatre, Winnipeg, MB
April 27 & 28: First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN (4/27 sold out)
April 30 & May 1: The Summit, Denver, CO
May 2 & 3: The Complex, Salt Lake City, UT
May 4 & 5: House Of Blues, Las Vegas, NV
July 18: Great South Bay Festival, Patchogue, NY *

* Newly announced dates

Second leg of North America tour (on-sale details below):

September 13: Kansas City Live!, Kansas City, MO
September 19: Waterside District, Norfolk, VA
September 20: Power Plant Live!, Baltimore, MD
September 21: Ballpark Village, St Louis, MO
October 3 & 4: Fillmore, Charlotte, NC
October 5 & 6: The Masquerade, Atlanta, GA
October 8 & 9: House Of Blues, Orlando, FL
October 11 & 12: Revolution Live, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
October 16 & 17: Marathon Music Works, Nashville, TN
October 18 & 19: Bogart’s, Cincinnati, OH
October 24 & 25: St. Andrew’s Hall, Detroit, MI
October 26 & 27: Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, ON
Oct. 31 & Nov. 1: Buffalo RiverWorks, Buffalo, NY
November 2 & 3: Upstate Concert Hall, Clifton Park, NY
November 5 & 6: Webster Theater, Hartford, CT
November 8 & 9: House Of Blues, Boston, MA
November 10 & 11: Fillmore Silver Spring, Washington, D.C.
November 13 & 14: Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA
November 15 & 16: Terminal 5, New York, NY

VIP on-sale date: Wednesday (2/27) at 12:00pm ET / 9:00am PT (no password required)

Public on-sale date: Friday (3/1) at 10:00am local time

For tickets and VIP packages for all tour dates, visit TakingBackSunday.com/tour.

Morrissey covers album due in May

Well this is a pleasant surprise...

Following last year’s cover of Pretenders’ “Back on the Chain Gang,” Morrissey is releasing a covers album, ‘California Son,’ on May 24 via BMG.

It includes 1960s and '70s tracks, covering Joni Mitchell, Dionne Warwick and Bob Dylan while also delving into more obscure musicians of the time, such as early gay icon Jobriath and political activist Phil Ochs.

Paying equal tribute to the marginalized stars as he does household names, Moz has help from guests including Billy Joe Armstrong (Green Day), Ed Droste (Grizzly Bear), Sameer Gadhia (Young the Giant) and LP.

"We love Morrissey! Morrissey's hair, and melancholy and poetic lyrics always reminded me of my dad. His version of “It’s Over” is great." - Roy Orbison, Jr.

“When I would think of Morrissey and his music it was always with great respect and appreciation as I’m sure is the case with many of his fans. However, I soon realized when I hung out with him and he played me all the songs he was putting on this record that behind this was the heart of an audiophile and a deep fan of his own musical heroes. He is well versed in so many genres and knows deep cuts of artists I thought I knew so much about. It is inspiring to see the enthusiasm and intellect he brings to people through his own musical journey." – LP

PRE-ORDER ‘CALIFORNIA SON’ HERE

Track listing:

1. Morning Starship (Jobriath) with Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear
2. Don’t Interrupt The Sorrow (Joni Mitchell) with Ariel Engle of Broken Social Scene
3. Only a Pawn In Their Game (Bob Dylan) with Petra Haden
4. Suffer the Little Children (Buffy St Marie)
5. Days of Decision (Phil Ochs) with Sameer Gadhia of Young The Giant
6. It’s Over (Roy Orbison) with LP
7. Wedding Bell Blues (5th Dimension) w/Billie Joe Armstrong; Lydia Night of The Regrettes
8. Loneliness Remembers What Happiness Forgets (Dionne Warwick)
9. Lady Willpower (Gary Puckett)
10. When You Close Your Eyes (Carly Simon) with Petra Haden
11. Lenny’s Tune (Tim Hardin)
12. Some Say I Got Devil (Melanie) 

Alan Parsons album, tour details; new single features Jason Mraz

Alan Parsons will return with a new album, “The Secret” on April 26 via Frontiers Music Srl. The first song from the album, entitled "Miracle", featuring Jason Mraz on vocals, has been made available. Listen to the track HERE.

Of the collaboration with Mraz, Alan says, “I met Jason two years ago through a neighbor who grows coffee on his ranch. Jason wanted to grow coffee himself and our neighbor, Jay was kind enough to introduce us since we had mutual musical interests. For 'Miracle’, Jason recorded his vocals in Dallas while I listened in Santa Barbara and we sent files back and forth, resulting in this song. Thus proving that you don't necessarily have to be in the same studio with someone to create music. This was also the case with Lou Gramm on the track "Sometimes", which he sang in New York.

Mraz adds, "'Eye In The Sky' is a song I have a very early memory of, strapped in the backseat of my mom's green Fiat, 1982. Alan Parsons is on the radio and I’m singing along, harmonizing. That sound of rich harmony over magical words would stick with me for my whole life and ultimately become what my own career is about, trying to solve universal quandaries through song craft." When Mraz heard "Miracle", he said, "I loved it. It sounded like a song right off of 'Eye In The Sky'. As if no time had passed, proving time might just be a construct after all". Woking with Alan was "[m]agic. Alan is very kind, very creative, and very authentic," concludes Mraz.

Pre-order "The Secret" in multiple formats and stream "Miracle" HERE: http://radi.al/AlanParsonsTheSecret

U.S. fans can pre-order signed copies, limited edition blue vinyl, & more HERE: https://shop.bandwear.com/Frontiers

EU fans can pre-order signed copies, limited edition blue vinyl, & more HERE:
https://www.frontiers.shop/parsons-alan/

Available on CD, CD + DVD Audio Deluxe Edition (DVD includes Stereo Hi Definition Mix and 5.1 Surround Audio Mix), LP (Standard & Color), limited edition Box Set, and Digital. Box Set includes CD+DVD Deluxe Edition, 180g Gatefold Vinyl, the rare "LiveSpan" 2CD set, exclusive T-shirt (size: XL for US retailers, L for all European retailers), Poster, Numbered Lithograph (album cover).

Alan’s longtime hobby has been performing magic and this brand new album showcases his own passion for the craft, hence the title “The Secret.” The album sees a return to the pop rock sound with symphonic and progressive rock interludes which the Alan Parsons Project was known for.

"Magic has always been a passion of mine, I am a member of The Magic Castle in Los Angeles. I've also worked with the Japanese magic company Tenyo, writing instruction books and catalogs for their tricks. I dabble with magic myself in my free time, so an album with magical influences was a natural progression”.

Alan’s history in the music business one is a storied and unique one. He was fortunate enough to work as assistant engineer on the last two albums by The Beatles and after he became a fully-fledged recording engineer, he went on to work with Paul McCartney and The Hollies, among many others. But it was his contribution as engineer on Pink Floyd’s classic "The Dark Side Of The Moon" that really got him the world’s attention. That soon led to striking successes as a producer, notably with Pilot’s “Magic", John Miles’ “Highfly" and “Music”, and Steve Harley’s "Make Me Smile". He also produced the hugely successful "Year Of The Cat" album with Al Stewart and two albums with American prog rock band Ambrosia.

In 1975 he met Eric Woolfson who not only became his manager, but joined forces with Alan as a songwriting and performing partner for what became known as The Alan Parsons Project. The APP’s debut album, "Tales Of Mystery And Imagination" based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe paved the way for signing to Clive Davis’ newly launched Arista label and a string of hit albums, namely, "I Robot" (1977), “Pyramid" (1978), "The Turn of a Friendly Card" (1980), "Eye in the Sky" (1982), "Ammonia Avenue" (1984), "Vulture Culture" (1985), “Stereotomy" (1986), and “Gaudi" (1987).

With his long-standing previous APP collaborators, guitarist Ian Bairnson, drummer Stuart Elliott and orchestral arranger Andrew Powell, Alan dropped the “Project” identity for Alan Parsons’ “Try Anything Once” in 1994. The partnership continued for “On Air” in 1996 and “The Time Machine” in 1999. During this time, the first incarnation of “Alan Parsons Live Project” toured extensively all over the globe. Following Alan’s relocation to California in 1999, a brand new Live Project band was formed in 2003. Another band reshuffle happened in 2010.

The current live band consists of Alan on acoustic guitar, keyboards and vocals, P.J. Olsson on vocals, Tom Brooks on keyboards, Guy Erez on bass, Jeff Kollman on guitar and vocals, Danny Thompson on drums, Todd Cooper on sax, percussion and vocals, Dan Tracey on guitar and vocals.

Parsons’ last album "A Valid Path", a unique foray into the world of electronica, was released in 2004.

Track listing:

1. THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE (instrumental)*
2. MIRACLE (lead vocal: Jason Mraz)
3. AS LIGHTS FALL (lead vocal: Alan Parsons)
4. ONE NOTE SYMPHONY (lead vocal: Todd Cooper)
5. SOMETIMES (lead vocal: Lou Gramm)
6. SOIRÉE FANTASTIQUE (lead vocal: Todd Cooper, Alan Parsons)
7. FLY TO ME (lead vocal: Mark Mikel)
8. REQUIEM (lead vocal: Todd Cooper)
9. BEYOND THE YEARS OF GLORY (lead vocal: PJ Olsson)§
10. THE LIMELIGHT FADES AWAY (lead vocal: Jordan Huffman)
11. I CAN’T GET THERE FROM HERE (lead vocal: Jared Mahone)§ featured in Motion Picture “5-25-77”

Guitars: Steve Hackett (on *), Jeff Kollmann, Dan Tracey, Tony Rosacci, Ian Bairnson (solo on §), Alan Parsons
Synth, Keyboards: Andy Ellis, Tom Brooks, Dan Tracey, Alan Parsons
Piano: Pat Caddick, Angelo Pizzaro
Bass: Nathan East (on *), Guy Erez, Jeff Peterson
Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta (on *), Danny Thompson, Carl Sorensen
Sax: Todd Cooper
Cello: Michael Fitzpatrick

ORCHESTRAL ARRANGEMENTS Tom Brooks / STRINGS CONDUCTED BY Alan Parsons except on * Tom Brooks
ORCHESTRA The CMG Music Recording Orchestra of Hollywood

PERCUSSION Alan Parsons
UKULELE Jake Shimabukuro
TROMBONES Oscar Utterström
TRUMPETS Vinnie Ciesielski

Tour dates:

02/26/19 Quebec City, QC Grand Theatre De Quebec
02/27/19 Medford, MA Chevalier Theatre
03/01/19 Tarrytown, NY Tarrytown Music Hall
03/02/19 Mashantucket, CT Foxwoods resort Casino
03/03/19 Glenside, PA Keswick Theatre
04/04/19 Beverly Hills, CA Saban Theatre
04/06/19 Reno, NV Grand Sierra Resort – Grand Theatre
04/07/19 Jackson, CA Jackson Rancheria Casino
04/09/10 Boise, ID Egyptian Theater
04/10/19 Portland, OR Revolution Hall
04/12/19 Bow, WA Skagit Casino Resort
04/13/19 Bow, WA Skagit Casino Resort
04/15/19 Calgary, AB Grey Eagle Event Centre
04/16/19 Edmonton, AB Winspear Centre
04/27/19 Milan, Italy Live Club Frontiers Rock Festival

04/28/19 Pratteln, Switzerland Z7 Pratteln
04/30/19 Amsterdam, AQ Paradiso
05/01/19 Nijmegen, AQ De Vereening
05/02/19 Brussels, BE Ancienne Belgique
05/04/19 De Oosterpoort Groningen, Netherlands
05/05/19 TivoliVredenburg Utrecht, Netherlands
06/03/19 Mann Auditorium Tel Aviv, Israel
06/04/19 Mann Auditorium Tel Aviv, Israel
06/10/19 Crocus City Hall Moscow, RU
06/14/19 Oldenburg, DE Weser-Ems-Halle
06/15/19 Leipzig, DE Haus Auensee
06/16/19 Hamburg, DE Stadtpark
06/18/19 Munster, DE Halle Munsterland
06/19/19 Dusseldorf, DE Mitsubishi Electric Halle
06/21/19 Frankfurt am Main, DE Jahrhunderthalle
06/22/19 Berlin, DE Admiralpalast
06/24/19 Munchen, DE Circus Krone

Mike Peters of The Alarm is knighted; has new album, tour on tap with Modern English, Gene Loves Jezebel

PA Pictures

I'm very excited to hear about this news featuring three acts I've either interviewed or reviewed live many times over the years. Check out my 2017 interview with Mike Peters here:

https://newwavegeo.blogspot.com/2017/08/a-chat-with-mike-peters-of-alarm.html

Mike Peters and The Alarm, Modern English, and Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel will join forces for a North American tour this summer. See initial dates below.

The Sigma LXXXV Tour tickets go are on sale now and information is available at all three bands websites: www.thealarm.com, www.modernenglish.me,www.genelovesjezebel.co.uk

Mike Peters and The Alarm will release new album Sigma to coincide with the tour on June 28, alongside a reissue of their 1985 album Strength (available March 15). Strength is available to PRE-ORDER now from thealarm.com.

All individual CD and LP pre-orders placed through thealarm.com will qualify for a Free CD that is exclusive to the alarm.com entitled: ‘The Alarm – A Story of Strength‘ featuring a host of exclusive Alarm tracks and narration by Mike Peters. This CD tells the entire story of The Alarm’s Strength period from 1985-1986. A special Limited Edition package of 300 is also being made available to pre-order which will include both the CD and LP Editions, a free CD copy of The Alarm – A Story of Strength, along with a very special Replica Strength Era Backstage Pass personally signed by Mike Peters, that can be used to create a unique ‘collectors’ edition. The Limited Edition Collectors package is only available at thealarm.com All titles have been remastered from the original master tapes by mastering engineer Pete Maher (u2, White Stripes…) under the supervision of Mike Peters.

The Alarm will perform a full and lengthy set at Irving Plaza on April 13th as part of their US/NYC “Gathering” concerts and will also headline The Gramercy in NYC the day before (April 12) performing a set list that was originally performed by the band during the “Spirit of ’86” concert that was historically broadcast around the world via MTV on April 12, 1986.

Sigma acts as the sequel to 2018’s critically acclaimed EQUALS release and features musical contributions from original Alarm guitarist Dave Sharp and Billy Duffy from The Cult. Full details on Sigma will be revealed in the coming weeks.

In addition, Mike Peters was recently honored with an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) Award by HIs Royal Highness Prince Charles Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace (pictured above). The MBE is one of Britain’s highest honors. Mike was awarded for his services to charity having raised thousands for cancer care projects in the UK and abroad and dedicating his life to giving hope for families affected by cancer.

Modern English first toured on a double bill with The Alarm back in 1985/86 during the Strength tour. Modern English released their latest album Take Me To The Trees in 2017, and are still a staple of American First Wave Alternative radio station playlists with amongst others, their classic hit ‘I Melt With You’.

Also hailing from Wales UK, are Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel, who first broke onto the American charts in 1985 with a cocktail of infectious hit songs such as ‘Desire’, ‘Jealous’ and ‘The Motion Of Love’, and will be joining the Sigma LXXXV Tour in support of their most recent album release, Dance Underwater which was received with delight by their legion of fans.

Throughout the Sigma LXXXV Tour, members of all three bands will join together each night for a Grand Finale version of the ‘Love Hope Strength’ charity anthem to highlight the additional life-saving aspect of the tour.

Love Hope Strength is a charity dedicated to ‘Saving Lives One Concert at a Time’ and throughout the Sigma LXXXV Tour it will be hosting bone marrow drives at each concert aimed at finding donors for people suffering from Blood Cancer who need a transplant for a second chance at life! The charity has already registered over 200,000 individuals and located some 4,000 plus potentially lifesaving matches. Visit www.lovehopestrength.org for more information.

Alarm Fans attending the tour will also have the opportunity to enhance their participation by purchasing EXPERIENCE SIGMA LXXXV TOUR 2019 passes which will be limited to '85' which matches the tour theme, and will feature additional and exclusive pre-show acoustic performances with Mike Peters, along with an interactive Q&A / Record signing session and a guaranteed photo opportunity Attendees will also have the opportunity and to catch up with exclusive tour merchandise along with the most recent Alarm record releases in the tour ‘pop up record store’ and merchandise emporium.

"The Sigma Tour will bring out the best that The Alarm has to offer the 21st Century, and along with our friends Modern English and Jay Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel, we look forward to taking part in an event that will hopefully, live long in the memory for all our fans." says Mike Peters. "Our music, which still gets played on the radio every single day, gives us all a platform for creativity that will shine through every second of the Sigma Tour. Fans can expect collaboration, moments of reflection, camaraderie and also the unexpected. The tour will be alive on all the social media platforms allowing fans from around the world to see what its like for British bands to be on the road in the USA. Each show will be presented by an in-house MC / DJ and play host to intimate pre-show events that will connect fans to the musicians in a setting away from the spotlight. Up on the main stage every night, The Alarm will be celebrating the release of a new music album entitled Sigma, and honoring the 1985 Strength album reissue that has literally changed and saved lives through Love Hope Strength, the charity which sprang from the intention of the lyrics. The Sigma Tour will look, sound and feel like no other. It's an opportunity for our generations of fans, to make themselves heard, and for us as artists to prove that we are still as relevant as when we first helped shape the musical landscape of America, and when it's citizens looked to British bands for inspiration and alternatives."

"We are so excited to be touring the U.S. with our dear friends The Alarm & Modern English." says Jay Aston. "We all go way back back of course. I remember The Alarm & Gene Loves Jezebel regularly playing different nights at the legendary RockGarden in Covent Garden and as a fellow Welshman, I always kept an eye on their incredible progress. We opened for Modern English early on in our career & often bumped into Rob & the lads at our label (Beggars Banquet) in London. Always great fun to see them and I can vividly remember Ivo (A&R man at 4AD), playing me songs from “After The Snow” & being concerned at rising studio costs (I think 4AD might have got a fair return on their investment…). I once played solo gigs with thee Mike Peters in the UK of course and James Stevenson has been playing with the The Alarm for some time. It’s actually amazing that we haven’t toured together before! We can’t wait to play songs from our “Dance Underwater” album and music from all our albums on the upcoming tour. We’re all planning to make it a very, very special tour."

"We are all really looking forward to it." says Modern English vocalist Robbie Grey, "Three bands all from the same era, still creating and performing and coming together for this summer tour. The response has been amazing from promoters and fans alike. Modern English has known Mike Peters and The Alarm since the 80's, same with Jay Aston and Gene Loves Jezebel. It’s going to be fantastic. Modern English are looking forward to performing our early post punk material including 'After The Snow' songs, along with tracks from our most recent album 'Take Me To The Trees' and hopefully a new song which will be the first Modern English single in a long time (that’s a maybe by the way!!). When Mike said did we want to do it ? We said f…k yes".

Sigma LXXXV Tour 2019 Dates

Friday, July 19, 2019 

Austin, TX
3Ten Live

Saturday, July 20, 2019
Dallas, TX
Gas Monkey

Sunday, July 21, 2019
Oklahoma City, OK
Tower Theater

Thursday, July 25, 2019
San Diego
House of Blues

Friday, July 26, 2019
Temecula
Wiens Family Cellars

Saturday, July 27, 2019
LOS ANGELES
MICROSOFT THEATER

Friday, August 02, 2019
San Francisco
Regency Ballroom

Saturday, August 03, 2019
Sacramento
Ace of Spades

Monday, August 05, 2019
Portland, OR
Aladdin

Tuesday, August 06, 2019
Seattle, WA
Triple Door

Wednesday, August 07, 2019
Spokane, WA
Bing Crosby Theater

Friday, August 09, 2019
Denver
Oriental Theater

Saturday, August 10, 2019
Lawrence, KS
Liberty Hall

Monday, August 12, 2019
St. Louis
Delmar Hall

Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Minneapolis
Fine Line

Thursday, August 15, 2019
Milwaukee
Turner Ballroom

Friday, August 16, 2019
Chicago
House of Blues

Saturday, August 17, 2019
Detroit
St. Andrews

Sunday, August 18, 2019
Cleveland
House of Blues

Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Boston, MA
Paradise

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Asbury Park, NJ
Asbury Lanes

The Alarm “Gathering New York” solo shows:

April 12 Gramercy Theatre New York – Performing “Spirit of ‘86” setlist

April 13 Irving Plaza New York – Full electric concert

Gathering NYC 2019 Weekend Passes and Tickets are on sale now exclusively via ticketmaster.com

Fans who purchase weekend ticket passes for both events, will also receive a commemorative collectors laminate pass as they enter the venue on April 12.

Bruce Hornsby unveils details of 'Absolute Zero' and tour

Sacks & Co.

Absolute Zero, the new studio album from three-time Grammy award winning pianist, singer and songwriter Bruce Hornsby is out April 12 and is now available for pre-order at https://ffm.to/absolutezero.

The forthcoming album follows the release of 2016’s Rehab Reunion. In advance of the new release, the first single, “Voyager One,” is debuting today. Hornsby calls the song, “Steve Reich meets Prince.”

Listen/share it here: https://youtu.be/KKf6VaznU2k 

The genesis of Absolute Zero began within Hornsby’s work as a film composer for writer-director Spike Lee. Hornsby started collaborating with Lee in 1992; ultimately, in 2008, he began scoring for Lee. What began to intrigue him were scoring components known as “cues,” those comparatively brief passages of music used in films to heighten certain narrative visuals and/or spoken developments.

Additionally, Hornsby’s interest in literary fiction, specifically the work of Don DeLillo and the late David Foster Wallace, inspired his songwriting.

Predominantly produced by Hornsby, the 10-track album includes added production from Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Tony Berg (Phoebe Bridgers, Andrew Bird, Public Image Ltd.) and Brad Cook (Sharon Van Etten, Hiss Golden Messenger).

Absolute Zero also includes musical contributions from yMusic, The Staves, Blake Mills, Jack DeJohnette, Sean Carey, the The Orchestra of St. Hanks (Frost School/Univ. of Miami), Hornsby’s longtime band The Noisemakers and more. The track “Cast-Off” was co-written with Vernon who also duets with Hornsby on the track while “Take You There (Misty)” was co-written with Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter.

Hornsby is set for a run of U.S. tour dates with The Noisemakers. Tickets go on sale on March 1 at 10AM local time and are available at BruceHornsby.com. See below for the first leg of summer tour dates.

Based out of Williamsburg, VA, Hornsby first rose to national prominence with The Way It Is, his 1986 Grammy-winning debut album with The Range. The title track became the most-played song on American radio in 1987, winning ASCAP’s Song of the Year award. Hornsby also won Grammys in 1989 for “Best Bluegrass Recording” for his version of “The Valley Road”—which appeared on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Will The Circle Be Unbroken, Volume II—and in 1993 for “Best Pop Instrumental Performance,” for his song with Branford Marsalis for the Barcelona Olympics, “Barcelona Mona.”

Additionally, Hornsby was a part-time member of the Grateful Dead from September 1990 to March 1992, performing over 100 concerts in America and Europe. Hornsby has written six full film scores and contributed music to four others including Lee’s Netflix series She’s Gotta Have It and BlacKkKlansman.

The 13-time Grammy nominee has solidified his status as a highly sought after collaborator. Hornsby’s own 20 albums have sold over 11 million copies worldwide, and Hornsby has appeared on over 100 records including releases with Bob Dylan, Don Henley, the Grateful Dead, Ricky Skaggs, Bob Seger, Chaka Khan, Brandon Flowers, Bonnie Raitt, Sting, Mavis Staples, Leon Russell, Willie Nelson and more.

Track listing:

1. Absolute Zero (featuring Jack DeJohnette)

2. Fractals
3. Cast Off (featuring Justin Vernon and Sean Carey)
4. Meds (featuring Justin Vernon, Blake Mills and Rob Moose)
5. Never In This House (featuring yMusic and The Staves)
6. Voyager One (featuring yMusic)
7. Echolocation
8. The Blinding Light Of Dreams (featuring yMusic)
9. White Noise
10. Take You There (Misty) (featuring yMusic)

Tour dates:

April 25—Wilbur Theatre—Boston, MA
April 26—Ridgefield Playhouse—Ridgefield, CT
April 27—Ulster Performing Arts Center—Kingston, NY
April 29—National Sawdust—Brooklyn, NY
April 30—National Sawdust—Brooklyn, NY
May 3—Beachlife Festival—Redondo Beach, CA
May 6—Troubadour—Los Angeles, CA
June 18—Charleston Music Hall—Charleston, SC *
June 19—Knight Theater—Charlotte, NC *
June 21—Atlanta Symphony Hall—Atlanta, GA (w/ Atlanta Symphony Orchestra)
June 23—Lime Kiln Theatre—Lexington, VA *
June 25—Bijou Theatre—Knoxville, TN *
June 26—Salvage Station—Asheville, NC *
June 28—The Majestic Theatre—Gettysburg, PA *
June 29—Smith Opera House—Geneva, NY *
June 30—Tupelo Music Hall—Derry, NH *
* w/ Sam Amidon

Prince catalog reissue series continues with 'Ultimate Rave'

The Prince Estate and Legacy Recordings/Sony Music Entertainment announce the next round of physical titles set for release as part of the ongoing and definitive Prince catalog project. Next up will be Prince's Ultimate Rave on April 26.

A 3-disc bundle of Ultimate Rave brings together CDs of 1999's Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic and its 2001 remix Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic alongside a DVD containing the full-length performance version of Prince In Concert:Rave Un2 the Year 2000, Prince's epic 1999 New Year's Eve party, originally captured for on-demand pay-per-view airing during the dawning of Y2K.

Also available on April 26, both Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic and Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic on vinyl, marking the first ever vinyl release for Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic. Each of the vinyl titles will be pressed on highly collectible, limited edition purple vinyl. In addition, the albums will be available in both CD/LP form alongside new exclusive merchandise corresponding to the Rave era via the Official Prince Store.

The Rave titles are available now for pre-order: https://Prince.lnk.to/rav3

First came Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic, his only album for NPG/Arista (and last released under the unpronounceable "Love Symbol" moniker), a record showcasing Prince's pop and R&B stylings through a variety of tracks and guest artists including Chuck D, Eve, Gwen Stefani, Ani DiFranco, and Sheryl Crow (Prince covers Crow's smash hit "Every Day is a Winding Road" on the album).

By 2001, Prince had established a groundbreaking internet presence through his NPG Music Club, an online destination site where fans could access new music alongside tracks from the fabled Prince Vault and other rarities. One of the first full-length releases from NPG Music Club was Prince's Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic, a remix and reimagining of his ongoing "Rave" project.

In 1999, Prince promoted the release of Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic with his pay-per-view special, Prince In Concert: Rave Un2 the Year 2000. Broadcast on New Year's Eve 1999, the special featured guest artists including Morris Day & the Time, Maceo Parker, Larry Graham, George Clinton, and Lenny Kravitz.

The DVD of this concert features 23 tracks plus 4 "bonus groovez." Tracks from across Prince's career are featured including hits like "Let's Go Crazy," "Purple Rain," "U Got The Look," "Raspberry Beret," "Gett Off," and "Kiss" and deeper cuts like "She's Always In My Hair," "The Christ,” (originally "The Cross" from Sign O’ The Times) and "Nothing Compares 2 U" plus songs from Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic like "Baby Knows" and "The Greatest Romance Ever Sold." Besides this physical re-issue, a broadcast edit of Prince In Concert: Rave Un2 The Year 2000 is slated to air on PBS stations in June.

Prince's Ultimate Rave arrives during CELEBRATION 2019, the ultimate four-day Prince event to be held April 25-28 at Paisley Park, Prince's historic home and recording sanctuary outside Minneapolis. The annual event welcomes Prince fans from around the world into an inspired environment of live music, concert screenings, panel discussions and special presentations highlighting Prince’s tremendous talent and cultural impact.

Performing artists this year include guitarist and original member of The Time, Jesse Johnson; Prince’s group The Revolution, featuring Bobby Z, BrownMark, Lisa Coleman, Wendy Melvoin and Matt Fink; and Funk Soldiers, a fifteen-piece New Power Generation and Paisley Park musical alumni. To learn more and purchase tickets, please visit this link.

The Minnesota Timberwolves will distribute an exclusive Minneapolis-themed 7" purple vinyl single to all attendees of the Timberwolves vs Miami Heat game on April 5 at Target Center in Minneapolis, MN. The exclusive 7” release is an extension of the broader collaboration between The Prince Estate and the Timberwolves rooted in the Timberwolves Nike City Edition uniforms. A Minneapolis native and avid basketball fan, Prince would often be seen sitting courtside at Target Center.

Prince - Ultimate Rave

Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic (1999)

1. Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic
2. Undisputed (featuring Chuck D)
3. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold
4. Segue
5. Hot Wit U (featuring Eve)
6. Tangerine
7. So Far, So Pleased (featuring Gwen Stefani)
8. The Sun, The Moon and Stars
9. Every Day Is A Winding Road
10. Segue
11. Man 'O' War
12. Baby Knows (featuring Sheryl Crow)
13. Eye Love U, But Eye Don't Trust U Anymore (featuring Ani DiFranco)
14. Silly Game
15. Strange But True
16. Wherever U Go, Whatever U Do
17. Segue
18. Prettyman

Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic (2001)
1. Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic
2. Undisputed (featuring Chuck D) (The Moneyapolis Mix)
3. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold
4. Hot Wit U (featuring Eve) (Nasty Girl Remix)
5. Tangerine
6. So Far, So Pleased (featuring Gwen Stefani)
7. The Sun, The Moon and Stars
8. Man 'O' War (Remix)
9. Baby Know (featuring Sheryl Crow)
10. Eye Love U, But Eye Don't Trust U Anymore (featuring Ani DiFranco)
11. Beautiful Strange
12. Silly Game
13. Where U Go, Whatever U Do
14. Prettyman

Prince In Concert: Rave Un2 the Year 2000 (2000)
1. Let's Go Crazy
2. She's Always In My Hair
3. U Got The Look
4. Kiss
5. Jungle Love (Morris Day & the Time)
6. The Bird (Morris Day & the Time)
7. American Woman (Lenny Kravitz)
8. Fly Away (Lenny Kravitz)
9. Gett Off
10. Medley (Rosie Gaines, Mike Scott, Maceo Parker)
11. It's Alright
12. Everyday People (Cynthia Robinson & Gerry Martini)
13. Higher (Larry Graham)
14. Purple Rain
15. The Christ
16. Blues Medley (Maceo Parker, Johnny Blackshire)
17. Nothing Compares 2 U
18. Take Me With U / Raspberry Beret
19. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold
20. Baby Knows
21. 1999 Intro
22. Baby I'm A Star
23. 1999 

"Bonus Groovez"
1.Flashlight - George Clinton
2.The Undertaker (Sax Solo) - Kathy Jensen
3.The Undertaker (Harmonica Solo) - Jimmy Russell
4. Release Yourself - Larry Graham, Prince and NPG
"Innerviews"
Interviews w/ George Clinton, Lenny Kravitz, Morris Day and Prince

A new compilation due from Stevie Nicks

Stevie Nicks makes history in March when the singer-songwriter becomes the first female artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice - first as a member of Fleetwood Mac in 1998, and this year for a solo career that spans nearly 40 years.

To honor Nicks' groundbreaking achievement, Rhino Records has assembled a variety of new releases that celebrate her solo career with essential recordings chosen from studio albums, live performances, and soundtrack contributions, plus several of her most-celebrated collaborations with artists including Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Don Henley, Lana Del Rey, and Lady Antebellum.

STAND BACK will be available on March 29 from Rhino as an 18-track, single-CD collection. Accompanying versions will be released through digital download and streaming services on the same day. STAND BACK: 1981-2017, a 50-track, 3-CD version will then be released on April 19, followed by a 6-LP vinyl version on June 28.

Music from all eight of Nicks' studio albums are included in the set, from Top 10 hits like "Stand Back" and "Talk To Me" to "The Dealer" from her latest, 2014's 24 Karat Gold: Songs From The Vault.

On STAND BACK, those solo tracks are joined by Nicks' memorable collaborations with other artists, including "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, "Leather And Lace" with Don Henley, "You're Not The One" with Sheryl Crow, and "Beautiful People Beautiful Problems" with Lana Del Rey.

Beyond Nicks' work as a recording artist, STAND BACK also explores her career on stage with live recordings, including performances from her 1981 Bella Donna tour ("Dreams" and "Rhiannon"), and her 2009 live album The Soundstage Sessions ("Sara" and a cover of Dave Matthews Band's "Crash Into Me.") Rounding out the collection are several of her contributions to film soundtracks, like "Blue Lamp" from Heavy Metal and "If You Ever Did Believe" from Practical Magic.

Aaron Lewis spring album details

Aaron Lewis' next album State I'm In is due out April 12. He wrote six of the 10 tracks, which also features cuts by acclaimed songwriters Dan Tyminski and the late Keith Whitley, among others.

Produced by Buddy Cannon, pre-orders are live now, while the title track and “The Bottom” are out at all digital partners. Special album bundle packages are accessible now directly on Lewis’ website AaronLewisMusic.com.

The current tour State I'm In: Acoustic Songs and Stories, runs parallel with his full band live shows. Fans will receive a physical copy of the new album (available April 12) when they purchase a pair of tickets to the tour on participating dates.

Track Listing:

1. “The Party’s Over “ | Aaron Lewis
2. “Can’t Take Back” | Aaron Lewis, Ira Dean, Dan Tyminski
3. “Reconsider” | Charlie Brocco, Keith Gattis
4. “It Keeps On Workin’” | Aaron Lewis, Ira Dean, Chris Wallin
5. “State I’m In” | Aaron Lewis
6. “God And Guns” | Aaron Lewis, Bobby Pinson
7. “Love Me” | Aaron Lewis
8. “If I Were the Devil” | Houston Phillips, Trent Tomlinson
9. “Burnt the Sawmill Down” | Jim Elliot, Keith Whitley
10. “The Bottom” | Waylon Payne

Tour dates:

February 22 – Virginia Beach, VA / Sandler Center *

February 23 – Rocky Mount, VA / Harvester Performance Center *
February 24 – Rocky Mount, VA / Harvester Performance Center *
February 28 – Durham, NC / Carolina Theatre *
March 1 – Charleston, SC / Charleston Music Hall *
March 2 – Macon, GA / Grand Opera House *
March 7 – Effingham, IL, Effingham Performance Center *
March 8 – Springfield, MO / Gillioz Theatre *
March 9 – Oklahoma City, OK / The Criterion *
March 10 – Davenport, IA / Adler Theatre *
March 14 – Zanesville, OH / Secrest Auditorium **
March 15 – Owensboro, KY / Owensboro Convention Center **
March 16 – Huntington, WV / Big Sandy Superstore Arena **
March 21 – Madison, WI / Barrymore Theatre *
March 22 – New Buffalo, MI / Four Winds Casino *
March 23 – Milwaukee, WI / Eagles Ballroom *
March 24 – Sioux Falls, SD / The District *
March 27 – Joliet, IL / Rialto Square Theatre *
March 28 – Tiffin, OH / The Ritz Theatre *
March 29 – Akron, OH / Akron Civic Center *
March 30 – Elkhart, IN / Lerner Theatre *
April 6 – Manistee, MI / Little River Casino *
April 11 – Odessa, TX / Dos Amigos **
April 13 – Austin, TX / Nutty Brown Amphitheatre **
April 19 - Little Rock, AK / Robinson Center Music Hall **
May 2 – Chattanooga, TN / The Signal **
May 3 – Cherokee, NC / Harrah’s Cherokee Casino **
May 4 – Decatur, AL / Fredrick’s Outdoor **
May 10 – Schenectady, NY / Rivers Casino **
May 11 – Burlington, VT / Flynn Center for Performing Arts **
May 16 – Kansas City, MO / Harrah’s Kansas City **
May 17 – Mulvane, KS / Kansas Star Casino **
May 31 – Lake Charles, LA / Golden Nugget Lake Charles **
June 1 – Biloxi, MS / Hard Rock **
June 13 – Bethlehem, PA / Sands Bethlehem **
June 14 – Atlantic City, NJ / Borgata **
June 15 - Atlantic City, NJ / Borgata **
June 19 – Missoula, MT / The Wilma **
June 20 – Filer, ID / Gordy’s Hwy 30 Music Fest
June 21 – Reno, NV / Silver Legacy Casino **
June 27 – Robinsonville, MS / Horseshoe Tunica **
June 28 – Robinsonville, MS / Horseshoe Tunica **
July 14 – Waupaca, WI / The Indian Crossing Casino **
July 19 – Washington, PA / Meadows Casino **
July 20 – Peoria, IL / Tailgates N’ Tallboys **
July 26 – Cohasset, MA / South Shore Music Circus **
July 27 – Hyannis, MA / Cape Code Melody Tent **
August 10 – Lancaster, PA / American Music Theatre **
August 17 – Bossier City, LA / Horseshow Bossier City Riverdome **

Album bundle not available
*Acoustic Songs + Stories
**Full Band

AaronLewisMusic.com.

Marc Broussard revisits first hit 'Home' and others on acoustic album

Marc Broussard wanted to offer his fans something different prior to the release of his next studio album. Rather than a standard greatest hits package or a perfunctory live album, Broussard had something different in mind.

His upcoming release Home (The Dockside Sessions) provides the audio tracks from the various videos Broussard has compiled over the course of his career, all of them recorded live at Dockside Studios near his Lafayette Louisiana home. The album includes a remake of Broussard’s signature song -- “Home.”

Home (The Dockside Sessions) will be released on April 5 on digital and CD formats and is  available for pre-order now.

“This song has given me a career,” Broussard remarks of the title track. “Without it, I don’t think I’d be where I am. However, when I hear the original, I hear a boy trying to sound like a big man. It needed a redo; something swampier and dirtier than before. Something that showed its age a little more honestly.”

The live performance videos have garnered more than 30 million plays. His acoustic version of the classic “Cry to Me” has gained over 10 million views on YouTube.

Interpretations of classics such as “These Arms Of Mine,” “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man” and “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know” are mostly performed solo on acoustic guitar or piano. 

Broussard is currently on tour which includes a performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on May 2. Initial tour dates listed below with more to be added soon. For updates and more information visit www.marcbroussard.com.

Track Listing:

French Cafe
The Wanderer
I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know
Lonely Night in Georgia
Do Right Woman, Do Right Man
The Beauty of Who You Are
Gavin’s Song
Let Me Leave
Send Me a Sign
Don’t Be Afraid To Call Me
Come In From the Cold
Lucky
Cry To Me
These Arms of Mine
Home

Tour dates:

February 28 - Saxapahaw, NC @ Haw River Ballroom
March 1 - Charlotte, NC @ McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square
March 2 - Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
March 3 – Asheville, NC @ Diana Wortham Theatre
March 5 – Athens, GA @ Georgia Theatre
March 7 – Birmingham, AL @ Lyric Theatre
March 8 – Knoxville, TN @ Bijou Theatre
March 9 – Chattanooga, TN @ Walker Theatre
March 21 – Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall
March 22 – Derry, NH @ Tupelo Music Hall
March 23 – Rockport, MA @ Rockport Music-Shalin Liu Performance Center
March 24 – Hartford, CT @ Infinity Hall
March 27 - Richmond, VA @ The Tin Pan
March 28 – Washington, DC @ The Hamilton
March 29 – Pitman, NJ @ Broadway Theatre
March 30 – Bethlehem, PA @ ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks
March 31 – Albany, NY @ The Egg
April 24 – Lafayette, LA @ YLC Wednesday at the Square
May 2 – New Orleans, LA @ Jazz & Heritage Festival
May 2 – New Orleans, LA @ Howlin’ Wolf
July 13 – Rotterdam, Netherlands @ North Sea Jazz Festival
July 14 – Weert, Netherlands @ Bospop 2019

UB40 news

Just a reminder to avoid confusion for longtime UB40 fans that have been out of the loop: This version of the band does not include Ali Campbell, Astro or Mickey Virtue...

For The Many, UB40's 19th studio album and first since 2013's Getting Over The Storm, arrives March 22. It will be available on CD and LP and includes a 24-page booklet.

The current lineup has founding members Robin Campbell (co-vocals/Guitar), Brian Travers (saxophone/keyboards), Jimmy Brown (drums), Earl Falconer (bass/keyboards/vocals) and Norman Hassan (percussion/vocals), alongside long-time members Duncan Campbell (vocals), Martin Meredith (saxophone), Laurence Parry (trumpet) and Tony Mullings (keyboards).

Jimmy Brown said, "For The Many is our first original album with Duncan, and a true reflection of where the band are at right now. It gave us an opportunity to go back to our roots and draw on the 1970s-style reggae that inspired us to be in a band in the first place. We intended to make an uncompromising reggae album and I think we have achieved that. There's lots of dub, various guest toasters and a blend of love songs and political songs. I'm really happy with the final result. We're really looking forward to playing some of these tunes live on our 40th anniversary tour in spring next year."

Duncan Campbell said, "After ten years of fronting UB40, for us to make an album of our own original material feels like the final hurdle for me. The album and its title reflect how UB40 are all in support of Jeremy Corbyn and The Labour Party. Both of the songs I have written on the album (I'm Alright Jack and Poor Fool) also reflect this. We all feel this album is going back to what UB40 was all about and we are all excited for everybody to hear the album and looking forward to touring it."

Robin Campbell added, "For The Many is a great mix of reggae styles, while the different artists we have collaborated with will appeal to more fans and tastes in reggae - it really is an album for the many. The 2019 UK tour is a continuation of our 40th year celebrations, as well as sharing tracks from our latest album. We're playing all over the UK instead of a few arenas dates, meaning our fans from all over the UK can get to see us much more locally and up close - truly a tour for the many."

The album's artwork was created by Brian Travers, whose abstract canvases have been the subject of several highly acclaimed exhibitions. He said, "Our 40th anniversary celebrations started earlier last year with our sold-out show at the Royal Albert Hall in June, and we had our big hometown concert at Arena Birmingham on 21 December. We can't wait to finally release For The Many in February and then start our 40th anniversary in March."

MUSIC VIDEOS:

Moonlight Lover [VIDEO]
You Haven't Called [VIDEO]

Track listing:

1. The Keeper
2. Broken Man (Feat. Kabaka Pyramid)
3. Gravy Train (Feat. Slinger)
4. I'm Alright Jack (Feat. Pablo Rider)
5. Moonlight Lover (Feat. Gilly G)
6. You Haven't Called
7. What Happened to UB40
8. Bulldozer
9. Poor Fool
10. All We Do Is Cry (Feat. Hunterz)