“Sleepwalkers”
Brian Fallon
Island Records
Producer: Ted Hutt
Tracks: 12

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Gaslight Anthem front man Brian Fallon is back with a brand new solo album titled “Sleepwalkers”. The twelve track album is being released via Island Records as was produced by Ted Hutt. As the follow up to Fallon’s 2016 solo debut “Painkillers”, “Sleepwalkers” continues on with the front mans raspy, old timey style long time fans have come to love.

Two parts Dylan and two parts Springsteen is how I like to best describe Brian Fallon’s music. “Sleepwalkers” fits that description perfectly as the albums twelve tracks blend the singer/songwriters love of folk and rock into one unique package. Much like Fallon’s previous works “Sleepwalkers” paints a lyrical picture of classic Americana elements as tracks like “Forget Me Not” and “Neptune” talk about lost love and missed opportunity while being sung against robust, upbeat instrumentation while, tracks like “Etta James” and “See You on the Other Side” feature a more scaled back folk like style which nicely showcases Fallon’s vocal style. Probably my favorite track off the album was the Clash esque “Come Wander with Me” which comes complete with a quasi reggae beat, a catchy chorus and, a line taken from the Clash’s song “Bank Robber” acting as the cherry on top of a proverbial music sundae.

“Sleepwalkers” might not be as strong of a release as its predecessor or when compared to some of Fallon’s previous other works however, the album certainly shows progression. As an artist Brian Fallon is not afraid to brave new ground or try things out of his comfort zone and his latest release is a testament to that. If you are looking for a nice mixture of poppy infused rock with classic folk elements then “Sleepwalkers” is the album for you.

Track Listing:
1.) If Your Prayers Don’t Get to Heaven
2.) Forget Me Not
3.) Come Wander with Me
4.) Etta James
5.) Her Majesty’s Service
6.) Proof of Life
7.) Little Nightmares
8.) Sleepwalkers
9.) My Name Is the Night (Color Me Black)
10.) Neptune
11.) Watson
12.) See You on the Other Side

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2018 Vans Warped Tour®, Presented by Journeys®
Celebrates Its History and Heart
In Brand New Retrospective Video
Watch it now, here: http://smarturl.it/VWTRetrospec

Early Bird Tickets & Super Fan Bundles On Sale Now
Line Up To Be Announced on Thursday, March 1st
General Admission Tickets on Sale Thursday, March 8th

Los Angeles, CA, February 26, 2018 – Following the announcement that 2018 would be its final cross-country run, the Vans Warped Tour extended family has released a retrospective video celebrating the history and heart of the iconic tour. Fans can watch the video, which features founder Kevin Lyman, Vans VP of events and promotion Steve Van Doren, Fletcher Dragge (Pennywise), Silverstein, and more, here: http://smarturl.it/VWTRetrospective

On the upcoming shows, Lyman has shared: “I truly am happy to get the chance to travel around the country one more time to thank you for your support, and bring you another best day ever.”

“I have spent half of my adult life traveling alongside Kevin on the tour, connecting with bands and fans around the world,” Steve Van Doren recalls. “Bringing music and action sports to youth for over two decades has been a personal honor and I’m excited to hit the road on the last cross-country tour.”

Early Bird Tickets for the 2018 Vans Warped Tour, presented by Journeys, have gone on sale today at VansWarpedTour.com. Super Fan Bundles are also available and offer fans exclusive merchandise, including a limited edition poster, collector ticket laminate, and custom Vans Warped Tour Authentics.

As a bonus for early ticket buyers, the first 500 tickets sold for each show will be at the lowest price available and will include a digital download of the Official Vans Warped Tour 50-song compilation.

The line up for the 2018 Vans Warped Tour, presented by Journeys, will be announced this Thursday, March 1st. General admission tickets will be available on Thursday, March 8th.

The Vans Warped Tour is the largest traveling music festival in the United States, and the longest-running touring music festival in North America. Originally conceived by founder Kevin Lyman in 1995 as an eclectic alternative rock festival, with a focus on punk rock, over the years the tour has grown to include a multitude of genres, including metal, hip hop, reggae, pop and more. It remains one of the best tours to attend to discover emerging acts, to learn more about wonderful non-profits and companies who are working to make a positive impact on the world that surround them, and to meet like-minded friends.

Over the past two decades, Vans Warped Tour has built a legacy as the must attend summer festival for rock and music lovers alike. Since its start in 1995 it has provided a platform for established as well as up-and-coming artists, with past performers including blink182, No Doubt, Sublime, Beck, Katy Perry, NOFX, Limp Bizkit, Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, Eminem, Yellowcard, Bad Religion, and countless others.

In addition, the tour continues to host a wide array of amazing non-profits and educational workshops for attendees and 2018 will be launching The Preventum Initiative, focusing on youth and adolescent opioid prevention. Teens With a Purpose, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Donate Life New England, Planned Parenthood, Keep A Breast, Testicular Cancer Foundation, To Write Love on Her Arms, and Project HEAL will all be involved this summer, just to name a few. Fans can see their favorite bands as well as become educated on these causes and how they can help.

“I am very excited about the upcoming year. With it being the last tour, the non-profit presence will be as big as ever. Groups who have been out in the past will be coming out in more markets, and hopefully we will attract new non-profits,” comments Sierra Lyman. “With more non-profits coming out there will be more options for our audience to hopefully get involved before, during, and after the tour. I am hoping that this last year encourages non-profits to partner with bands and for bands to partner with non-profits on their own events and tours once this summer is over.”

Early Bird Tickets and Super Fan Bundles for this year’s tour on are sale now and can be purchased at www.vanswarpedtour.com

The 38-date tour will commence June 21st in Pomona, CA and end on August 5th in West Palm, FL.

VANS WARPED TOUR DATES:
6.21 POMONA, CA
6.22 SAN DIEGO, CA
6.23 MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA
6.24 VENTURA, CA
6.28 PHOENIX, AZ
6.29 LAS VEGAS, NV
6.30 SALT LAKE CITY, UT
7.01 DENVER, CO
7.03 ST. LOUIS, MO
7.05 BONNER SPRINGS, KS
7.06 DALLAS, TX
7.07 SAN ANTONIO, TX
7.08 HOUSTON, TX
7.10 NASHVILLE, TN
7.12 VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
7.13 CAMDEN, NJ
7.14 HOLMDEL, NJ
7.15 HARTFORD, CT
7.16 PITTSBURGH, PA
7.17 TORONTO, ON
7.18 CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH
7.19 CINCINNATI, OH
7.20 DETROIT, MI
7.21 CHICAGO, IL
7.22 MINNEAPOLIS, MN
7.23 MILWAUKEE, WI
7.24 INDIANAPOLIS, IN
7.25 DARIEN CENTER, NY
7.26 SCRANTON, PA
7.27 MANSFIELD, MA
7.28 WANTAGH, NY
7.29 COLUMBIA, MD
7.30 CHARLOTTE, NC
7.31 ATLANTA, GA
8.02 JACKSONVILLE, FL
8.03 ORLANDO, FL
8.04 TAMPA, FL
8.05 WEST PALM BEACH, FL

About Vans Warped Tour:
The Vans Warped Tour, presented by Journeys, is well known as America’s longest running touring music festival of the summer. Since 1995, the tour has been a showcase for both established and up and coming talent, across a wide range of eclectic sub-genres.

The tour has also cemented its place in history by bringing alternative rock and skate culture from the underground to the forefront of global youth culture, while at the same time helping those in need through non-profit and eco initiatives.

Alternative Press readers voted the Vans Warped Tour as the “Best Tour/Festival” and Rolling Stone called it “America’s Most Successful Festival”.

Learn more about the Vans Warped Tour:
www.vanswarpedtour.com

ANVIL Announce US Tour
New Album “Pounding The Pavement” Out Now On SPV/Steamhammer

Canadian Metal heroes ANVIL are currently thrashing their way across Europe in support of their new release “Pounding the Pavement”. As soon as the European devastation ends the band will be ready to return to North America and have announced their next North American tour.The tour starts May 2nd in Buffalo, NY and runs through June 16th in Canton, OH. A complete list of dates can be found below. Additional dates will be added soon.

“Hello America pounders…we’re looking forward to the return smashing’s, and Golden Corrals,” says drummer Robb Reiner.

ANVIL released their new album “Pounding The Pavement” January19ththrough SPV/Steamhammer as a digipak version (+1 bonus track and poster), 2LP gatefold colored version, download and stream.

ANVIL North American Tour:
5/2: Buffalo, NY @ Buffalo Iron Works
5/3: New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
5/4: Boston, MA @ Middle East
5/5: Portland, ME @ Genos
5/6: Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
5/12: Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter
5/13: Washington, DC @ The Black Cat
5/18: Memphis, TN @ Hi Tone
5/19: Dallas, TX @ Rack Daddy’s
5/20: Austin, TX @ Barracuda
5/24: Portland, OR @ Bossanova
5/26: Seattle, WA @ Highline
5/27: Eugene, OR @ Old Nick’s
5/30: Petaluma, CA @ Phoenix Theater
5/31: Las Vegas, NV @ Vamp’d
6/1: San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
6/2: Fullerton, CA @ Slidebar
6/3: Los Angeles, CA @ Roxy
6/6: Denver, CO @ Streets Of London
6/7: Lincoln, NE @ Duffy’s Tavern
6/8: Rock Island, IL @ Rock Island Brewing Co.
6/9: Chicago, IL @ Reggies
6/10: Detroit, MI @ El Club
6/14: Lexington, KY @ Cosmic Charlie’s
6/15: Indianapolis, IN @ Indiana City Brewing Co.
6/16: Canton, OH @ Buzzbin

ANVIL “Pounding The Pavement” European Tour 2018
20.02.GB-Bilston – Robin 2
21.02.GB-York – Fibbers
22.02.GB-Evesham – Iron Road
23.02.GB-Weston – The Bear
24.02.B-Kortrijk – De Kreun
25.02.F-Paris – Le Trabendo
27.02.F-Colmar – Le Grillen
01.03.E-Irun – Sala Tunk
02.03.E-Madrid – MON
03.03.E-Valencia – Paberse Club
04.03.E-Barcelona – Sala Boveda
13.03.CH-Solothurn – Kofmehl
14.03.D-Munich – Backstage
15.03.D-Essen – Turock
16.03.D-Mannheim – 7er Club
17.03.D-Münster – Sputnikhalle
18.03.D-Berlin – Musik & Frieden
20.03.D-Flensburg – Roxy
22.03.SE-Gothenburg – Sticky Fingers
23.03.SE-Finspang – Hugo
24.03.SE-Uppsala – Katalin
25.03.SE-Stockholm – Fryshuset Klubben
28.03.NO-Oslo – Olsen Pa Bryn
29.03.NO-Haugesund – Flytten
30.03.NO-Hamar – Gregers
31.03.NO-Odal – Odal Rock Club
04.04.D-Frankfurt – Nachtleben
05.04.D-Hamburg – Markthalle
06.04.D-Siegburg – Kubana

15-17.04. F/E – Full Metal Cruise VI
25.08.GB-Newark – Stonedeaf Festival
26.-28.07. D-Brande/Höhnerkirchen – Headbangers Open Air

HALESTORM + IN THIS MOMENT TO CO-HEADLINE ALL FEMALE-FRONTED LIVE TREK
TOUR BEGINS APRIL 30 IN HOUSTON
SUPPORT COMES FROM NEW YEARS DAY AND STITCHED UP HEART
EPIC ITINERARY ALSO INCLUDES ROCK FESTIVALS ACROSS AMERICA

Atlantic recording group Halestorm have announced details of a milestone North American tour showcasing all female-fronted hard rock outfits. The dates —co-headlined by Roadrunner recording group In This Moment— begins April 30 at Houston, TX’s White Oak Music Hall — Lawn and then travels through mid-May. See below itinerary.

Support throughout the trek comes from special guests New Years Day and Stitched Up Heart.

The tour will include stops at a number of upcoming festivals and state fairs, including Jacksonville, FL’s Rockville 2018 (April 27); Fort Lauderdale, FL’s Fort Rock (April 28); and Charlotte, NC’s Carolina Rebellion (May 5). For ticket information and VIP packages, please go here.

“We’ve been wanting to put together a tour like this for a long time,” says Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale. “We are a few of the hardest working women in rock, so the fact that we are all on the same stage every night is something not to be missed! We support and love each other, and we are representing our genre. This lineup is a beautiful display of what it means to be a strong female example for rock fans everywhere.”

In This Moment’s frontwoman Maria Brink echoed the sentiment, saying, “I am very excited about being a part of such an empowering, divine, female-fronted tour. It is very rare in rock music to have a movement like this and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Lzzy and I are already discussing the possibility of more tours like this in the future. Let the Amazons rise!”

New Years Day frontwoman Ash Costello added, “I am beyond thrilled to be sharing the stage with such strong women. Having toured with both Halestorm and In This Moment already, they are such powerful forces, it’s just incredible to be a part of every night. I’m very excited for an all female fronted tour, because in all my years of touring, this is the very first time I’ll have been a part of one. I can’t wait to walk on stage and feel the support of a crowd that is there to witness women of rock slay for an entire evening. What an evening it will be! You won’t want to miss this tour, I can promise you that.”

“This is our dream lineup,” said Stitched Up Heart frontwoman Mixi. “Every single band on this bill is a huge inspiration to us and unbelievably talented. We are beyond excited for this run!”

TOUR DATES:
4/27 — Jacksonville, FL — Rockville 2018*
4/28 — Fort Lauderdale, FL — Fort Rock*
4/30 — Houston, TX — White Oak Lawn
5/1 — Corpus Christi, TX — Concrete Street Amphitheatre
5/3 — Nashville, TN — Municipal Auditorium
5/4 — Cincinnati, OH — PNC Pavilion @ Riverbend Music Center
5/5 — Charlotte, NC — Carolina Rebellion*
5/7 — Pittsburgh, PA — Stage AE
5/8 — Indianapolis, IN — FBI Lawn @ White River State Park
5/10 — Reading, PA — Santander Arena
5/11— Boston, MA — Tsongas Center @ UMass Lowell
5/12 — Asbury Park, NJ — Summer Stage
5/14 — Huntington, WV — Big Sandy Superstore Arena
5/15 — Grand Rapids, MI —Deltaplex
*Festival Appearance

Additional dates to be announced.

“It’s Alive” Tour 2018
John 5 and The Creatures

Wednesday, February 14th, 2018
The Lost Horizon, Syracuse, NY

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Lovers and the broken hearted gathered in Syracuse, NY for an unforgettable night of haunting guitar tones and blistering solos courtesy of guitarist John 5 and his band The Creatures. The Rob Zombie guitarist is currently out on the road in support of his latest solo release “It’s Alive”. Only a true virtuoso such as John 5 could turn a quiet love filled Valentine’s Day into the loudest Halloween themed shred-fest the month of February had ever seen.

As the final notes of the opening act rang out the inflatable Halloween decorations rose up from the depths of the intimate Lost Horizon stage. Shortly thereafter master of ceremonies John 5 appeared with a colored flashing LED grin flanked by his band misfits. The trio kicked of the show with “Here’s to the Crazy Ones” which set a face melting pace for the evening. The makeup adorned 5 danced around the stage with various incarnations of his trusted telecaster which only further mesmerized the slack jawed onlookers. Creatures, bass player Ian Ross and drummer Rodger Carter, kept pace as the band followed up with rippers like “This Is My Rifle,” “Season of the Witch,” and “Guitars Tits and Monsters.” As the night wore on the charismatic leader John 5 even dedicated “Behind the Nut Love” to the Valentine’s Day crowd and even offered free lap dances to all in attendance. Easily the most captivating moment of the night was when 5 donned his laser guitar for a medley of hard rock and heavy metal classics which included snippets of “Enter Sandman” and “Thunder kiss 65” to name just a few.

Just when the place was about to burst at the seams, John 5 and Company closed out the night with an encore performance of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” The crowd was overjoyed and as the guitarist took his final bow of the evening and appeared confident that he had made the traditionally lovey-dovey holiday into his very own spooktacular shredathon. The “It’s Alive” Tour runs through April so I highly recommend checking it out.

STYX, JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS TO CO-HEADLINE
U.S. SUMMER TOUR KICKING OFF MAY 30 WITH TESLA
TICKETS ON SALE STARTING FEBRUARY 16 ON LIVENATION.COM

LOS ANGELES, CA (February 13, 2018) – Legendary rockers STYX and JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS are teaming up with TESLA for a summer U.S. tour that kicks off May 30 in Irvine, CA at the FivePoint Amphitheatre.

Tickets for various cities of the tour, produced by Live Nation, will go on sale starting Friday, February 16 at 10am local time at Livenation.com. STYX and TESLA will be offering VIP packages via their own exclusive pre-sales beginning Wednesday, February 14 at 10am local time at StyxWorld.com and Teslatheband.com. Fans can explore JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS VIP packages available at the time of ticket purchase and at VIPNation.com.

Check out this video to learn more about the STYX/JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS/TESLA tour:
https://youtu.be/qelxkiMjhdk.

Tour Dates:

* Wed 5/30 Irvine, CA FivePoint Amphitheatre
* Fri 6/1 Concord, CA Concord Pavilion
* Sat 6/2 Sacramento, CA Toyota Amphitheatre
Mon 6/4 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
** Tue 6/5 Denver, CO Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
Thu 6/7 Oklahoma City, OK Chesapeake Energy Arena
Sat 6/9 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Presented by Huntsman
Sun 6/10 Dallas, TX The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Tue 6/12 Nashville, TN Ascend Amphitheater
Wed 6/13 Charlotte, NC PNC Music Pavilion
Thu 6/14 Raleigh, NC Costal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
** Sat 6/16 Atlanta, GA Verizon Amphitheatre
Sun 6/17 Tampa, FL MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Wed 6/27 Boston, MA Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
Thu 6/28 Syracuse, NY Lakeview Amphitheater
Fri 6/29 Wantagh, NY Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Sat 6/30 Hershey, PA GIANT Center
Tue 7/3 Montreal, QUE. Place Bell at Laval
Wed 7/4 Toronto, ONT. Budweiser Stage
Fri 7/6 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
Sat 7/7 Chicago, IL Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
Sun 7/8 St. Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Tue 7/10 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theatre
Wed 7/11 Indianapolis, IN Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
* Fri 7/13 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live
Sat 7/14 Pittsburgh, PA KeyBank Pavilion
Sun 7/15 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center

* For these shows, VIP packages will be available starting Wednesday, February 21 at 10am local time, and general on-sale will be Friday, February 23 at 10am local time.

** Not a Live Nation show. Atlanta show’s general on-sale is February 16 at 9am local time.

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BLACK STONE CHERRY TO RELEASE BAND’S SIXTH STUDIO ALBUM TITLED FAMILY TREE
VIA MASCOT RECORDS / MASCOT LABEL GROUP ON APRIL 20

BLACK STONE CHERRY is set to release their sixth studio album, Family Tree via Mascot Records/Mascot Label Group on 20th April 2018. Burnin’, the first musical taste of the new collection is available today, along with the ability to pre-order the release in various physical and digital formats. Check out the lyric video for Burnin’ here: https://youtu.be/zOryfVbQEY0 and pick up your digital version here. Physical album formats, including a UK exclusive clear vinyl option limited to just 1500 copies are available here.

Family Tree is the much-anticipated follow up to 2016’s Kentucky, which debuted at #5 on the Official UK Album Chart. Like Kentucky, BLACK STONE CHERRY opted to self-produce and track Family Tree at David Barrick’s Barrick Recording in Glasgow, KY, the same studio where the four-piece recorded their eponymous debut. BSC also opted to not over-rehearse upfront of the album sessions, instead preferring the immediacy and spontaneity of in-the-moment takes. The band also entrusted frontman Chris Robertson to mix the songs, which perfectly fit the loose, creative process that birthed Family Tree.

Family Tree boasts BSC’s tried-and-true lucky number with its 13 songs, and like all BSC releases, features songwriting contributions from each member. Drummer John Fred tells us, “Family Tree showcases all of our collective musical influences and how we have taken those to create something that is truly our own unique Southern American rock ‘n roll sound.” Two special guests appear, one bringing the concept of family full circle. Chris’ 5 yr old son contributes backup vocals on the swaggering You Got The Blues, while the other, revered jam-band musician Warren Haynes (Allman Bros/Gov’t Mule) offers a guitar cameo and vocals on the delta stomp of Dancing In The Rain. The band first met Warren 17 years ago as freshly-signed youngsters on their first visit to New York City.

The concept of family looms large in the world of BLACK STONE CHERRY’s four band members. Sticksman John Fred Young’s father Richard and his uncle Fred, are founding members of the Grammy Award-winning country rock n’ roots band, The Kentucky HeadHunters. BSC’s four high school-aged friends – Young, plus frontman/guitarist Chris Robertson, guitarist Ben Wells and bassist Jon Lawhon – grew up honing their craft in the Headhunters’ Practice House, an abandoned property on the Young family’s farmland. John Fred says, “We grew up in the Kentucky Headhunters’ rehearsal space, looking up at posters of Cream, Led Zeppelin, Uriah Heep, the Stones, Montrose, and the Faces. We were like kids someone took in a time capsule and put in the woods,”

Family Tree’s tracklisting runs as follows:

Bad Habit
Burnin’
New Kinda Feelin
Carry Me On Down The Road
My Last Breath
Southern Fried Friday Night
Dancin’ In The Rain (featuring Warren Haynes)
Ain’t Nobody
James Brown
You Got The Blues
I Need A Woman
Get Me Over You
Family Tree

BLACK STONE CHERRY’s first visit to UK shores in 2018 will be as direct special guests to Guns n’ Roses at Download Festival (www.downloadfestival.com) on Saturday 9th June. The band’s honest, gutsy, no-nonsense approach to their live show has allowed them to rock 12,000-cap arena dates across the UK for a number of years. Expect this to be their modus operandi for the foreseeable future in the wake of the release of Family Tree.

ARIZONA ROCK BAND REMEMBER THE MONSTERS DEBUT
NEW SINGLE “ROMEO & JULIET” AT NEWNOISEMAGAZINE.COM
New Album, The Pieces Remain, Out March 16th!

January 19, 2018 – Los Angeles, CA – Arizona’s next, breakout rock act Remember The Monsters have announced today plans to release their debut, full-length album, The Pieces Remain, on March 16th. Gearing up for the record’s unveiling, the band has partnered with NewNoiseMagazine.com to premiere the record’s first new track, “Romeo & Juliet.”

Stream “Romeo & Juliet” here

Commenting on the new song, the record’s producer Cameron Mizell (Sleeping With Sirens, Danny Worsnop) says, “This song makes me feel all of the feelings all at once, intensely, and when the song is over I feel as if I was just beaten senselessly in a masochistic fashion. It’s fucking bizarre in the best way.”

Remember The Monsters’ vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Ashten Banks add’s the song is “my sick and twisted take on a literary classic.”

Blending the wide range and dynamic sounds of their many influences, Remember the Monsters combines the sleazy glam and soaring melodic hooks of Rock N’ Roll (think Mötley Crüe and Guns N’ Roses) with the hard-hitting edge and soulful introspection of their modern contemporaries. Genre defying and passionately driven, the band delivers a listening experience unlike any other.

Fans can also stream “Romeo & Juliet” at the locations below:
Spotify – http://spoti.fi/2FTUGZg
Apple Music – https://apple.co/2Ds3w2A
Google Play – http://bit.ly/2Be5JJb

POISON, CHEAP TRICK AND POP EVIL
JOIN FORCES FOR “POISON…NOTHIN’ BUT A GOOD TIME 2018” U.S. SUMMER TOUR
STARTING MAY 18 IN IRVINE, CA
TICKETS ON-SALE STARTING FEBRUARY 9 AND 10

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 6, 2018) — Music fans wanting a little variety with their summer tour package will get that very thing with the “Poison…Nothin’ But A Good Time 2018” tour. Iconic rock band POISON, with all original members, will be joined by CHEAP TRICK and POP EVIL on its trek across the U.S. this summer. The tour is set to launch May 18 in Irvine, CA at Five Points Amphitheatre.

Check out this video to learn more about the “Poison…Nothin’ But A Good Time 2018” tour here:

Produced by Live Nation, tickets for various cities will go on sale starting Friday, February 9 and Saturday, February 10. Each band will be offering their own exclusive VIP packages and meet & greet opportunities beginning February 6 at 12pm local time. POISON will be offering direct-to-fan access to the best seats in the house via their own exclusive pre-sales at PoisonOfficial.com for access to exclusive content, ticket pre-sales and VIP packages. VIP Packages for CHEAP TRICK will be available for all dates, details for which can be found at www.CheapTrick.com. POP EVIL will also be offering VIP meet & greets at PopEvilVIP.com. For more information about the “Nothin’ But A Good Time 2018” tour, please visit Livenation.com.

The bands are fired up to make the journey across the U.S. together. Bret Michaels, POISON lead singer and noted philanthropist says, “The all original POISON is headlining again this summer. It’s going to be a mega concert and party combined. We will be playing all the hits and bringing high energy rock and roll good times. I promise this will be awesome. My friends CHEAP TRICK and POP EVIL will be joining us as well as some special guests on select dates. Again, I know all the bands with all the hits will be giving 1000%!!! Over the last years, POISON has got to co-headline with some great bands: Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Kiss, Lynyrd Skynyrd, to name a few, but I promise again, C.C., Bobby, Rikki and myself together will bring NOTHING BUT A GOOD TIME!!!”

“POISON is a just great American Rock and Roll Band,” declares Bob Roux, President of U.S. Concerts, Live Nation. “Along with CHEAP TRICK, this show is going to be Nothing But A Good Time – The Full Tilt Party of the Summer. POISON and CHEAP TRICK always deliver the goods.”

Rick Nielsen, CHEAP TRICK (lead guitar) proclaims, “Another Poison/Cheap Trick Tour!!! It’s always been FUN with these guys!”

While POP EVIL singer Leigh Kakaty concludes, “This summer is going to be an exciting one for POP EVIL, that’s for sure! What a fantastic opportunity to bring our live show across the country on the big stage with such legends like POISON and CHEAP TRICK.”

Check out the “Poison…Nothin’ But A Good Time 2018” tour at any of the following stops.

DATE CITY VENUE

Fri 5/18 Irvine, CA Five Points Amphitheatre
* Sat 5/19 Las Vegas, NV The Joint
* Sun 5/20 Reno, NV Grand Sierra Resort
Tue 5/22 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
Wed 5/23 Denver, CO Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
Fri 5/25 Kansas City, KS Sprint Center
* Sat 5/26 St. Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Thu 5/31 Nashville, TN Ascend Amphitheatre
* Sat 6/2 Dallas, TX Toyota Pavilion at Irving Music Factory
* Sun 6/3 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
* Tue 6/5 Atlanta, GA Verizon Amphitheatre
Thu 6/7 Indianapolis, IN Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
* Fri 6/8 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
* Sat 6/9 Chicago, IL Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
* Sun 6/10 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
* Tue 6/12 Cleveland, OH Blossom Music Center
Wed 6/13 Syracuse, NY Lakeview Amphitheatre
Thu 6/14 Hartford, CT The Xfinity Theatre
Fri 6/15 Gilford, NH Bank of NH Pavilion
* Sun 6/17 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live
Tue 6/19 Toronto, ONT. The Budweiser Stage
* Thu 6/21 Wantagh, NY Northwell Health at Jones Beach
Fri 6/22 Bethel, NY Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
* Sat 6/23 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
Sun 6/24 Allentown, PA PPL Center

* POISON, CHEAP TRICK, to be announced

Michael Landau is world renowned session musician and producer who has worked with everyone from James Taylor and Michael Jackson to Pink Floyd and Miles Davis. Outside of his work as a session player Michael has released a hand full of solo albums and on February 23rd will release his newest solo album titled “Rock Bottom”. Media Mikes had the pleasure of speaking with Michael recently about the albums creation, his studio work and his touring plans for 2018.

Adam Lawton: Can you give us some details on your new solo album “Rock Bottom”?

Michael Landau: My last couple of albums had been instrumental albums. With this new one I reunited with my old pale David Frazee who I played with in Burning Water in the 90’s. We wrote a bunch of tunes and I got to rock again. I wanted to do vocal music again and put out something that had a little harder edge to it. We did this album to actual tape as I still have a tape machine in my studio. The album has a real nice creamy tape sound that’s just big and gooey.

AL: Are the songs that made it on the album all newly written songs or are there some that have been around for awhile?

ML: A few years ago I got together with my brother Teddy and Alan Hertz as I had some tunes I had written and we recorded those over the course of a couple days. It took me awhile to getting to finish those however once I reunited with David things came together pretty quickly and we also started to write new material.

AL: Can you tell us a little bit more about who you have playing on the album with you?

ML: The drummer is Alan Hertz who has toured with throughout the years. My brother Teddy who doesn’t really play professionally is a rock solid bass player. I love the way he plays as he has a really big tone. He actually co-wrote a couple of the songs on the album. David and I did those three or four records together in the 90’s and he is just a great vocalist and lyricist. He writes really interesting melodies and I am just a big fan of his. Also playing organ on the record is Larry Goldings. Any record I do I try and get him on there as he is one of my all time favorite musicians.

AL: When you are working with a group or on your own where do you traditionally start with your songwriting process?

ML: I play a lot every day. I don’t have a real practice regime or anything but I do play around the house quite a bit. Songs always start with some kind of riff. There was one song I wrote titled “Freedom” which is this sort of spooky ballad that I had lyrics for first. Mostly things start with toying around with riffs that come about when I am playing at home. From there I will edit them and move things around until everything comes together.

AL: Having done predominately instrumental albums over the last few years, what was it like delving back in to lyrical based music?

ML: David did most of the vocal on the record. I would say he wrote probably seventy percent of lyrics as well. There are one or two tunes that I sing but I don’t think I wrote the lyrics for those. It’s fun for sure as I enjoy singing if it’s a range I am comfortable with. Lyrics are fun for me to write even though I don’t write them that often.

AL: With you having done a lot of work/playing for other musicians how do you go about putting your personal touches on someone else’s material?

ML: One of the things I think I do well is backing up a vocalist. I try and contribute parts that will enhance the material while still being respectful of the tune. I kind of pride myself on being able to do that quite well. For a long time when I was doing sessions people would hire me as they had an idea of what I was about sonically so when you go in there you have to sort of fit in but push and add to things without taking anything away. Overtime with experience I learned that being able to edit myself made things quicker rather than having whoever I was working with at the time have to do it.

AL: The album is set for release in late February. What are your plans once it is out?

ML: The plan is certainly to get out there and play this material live. Europe is obviously easier for a musician like me to put together a tour over there. We actually have a nice four week run of shows set up over there in support of the album. We are looking at hitting Asia also this year along with some dates here in the States. After that I will be touring Europe with the Steve Gadd band right after my tour finishes’ so I will be over there for quite a bit. I have some more James Taylor duties to handle this year as well and those start in either April or May. There have been talks to end that tour by doing a couple shows with the Eagles so that should be really great.

For more info on Michael Landau you can visit his official site at www.mikelandau.com

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“41”
Reggie and the Full Effect
Pure Records
Tracks: 14

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Revered punk-rock project Reggie and the Full Effect will release their 7th studio album, “41” on February 23rd 2018 via Pure Noise Records. Serving as the solo project for Get Up Kids keyboardist James Dewees since 1998 Reggie and the Full Effect blend synth infused rhythms with a driving punk rock ferociousness which creates the perfect foundation for Dewees gravely vocal style.

With almost a five year lapse between Reggie’s 2013 release “No Country For Old Musicians” and their latest offering “41” I was quite anxious to hear what Mr. James Dewees had in-store for listeners this time around. Clocking in at 53 minutes “41” is a very deep and heartfelt album that is brimming over with emotion. Tracks like “Broke Down” and “New Years Day” hit hard lyrically as Dewees pulls directly from some very personal experiences. The album has plenty of lighter moments as well including tracks like “Karate School” the interstellar instrumental “Channing Tatum Space Rollerblading Montage Music” and “Trap(ing) Music” an industrial powered behemoth featuring James’ alter ego Klaus and Common Denominator which will surely have you chanting the comical chorus before the end of the song.

From start to finish “41” is the type of album I really enjoy listening to. From light to heavy and touching on all points in between both emotionally and stylistically “41” has something for everyone. Having listened to the album from start to finish several times over before writing this I just couldn’t and still can’t stop playing it. With 2018 just starting do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this album as I think its definitely going to be one of the bright spots in music this year.

Track Listing:
1.) IL Sniffy Incontra
2.) IL Pesce Svedese
3.) Alone Again
4.) Broke Down
5.) Heartbreak
6.) Karate School
7.) The Horrible Year
8.) New Years Day
9.) Maggie
10.) Channing Tatum Space Rollerblading Montage Music (feat: Fluxuation)
11.) You’ve Got Secrets
12.) Trap(ing) Music (feat: Common Denominator)
13.) And Next with Feeling
14.) Off Delaware

Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with James Dewees here for more info on the album.

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THE END IS NEAR: SLAYER TO MAKE ITS EXIT WITH ONE FINAL WORLD TOUR
Lamb of God, Anthrax, Behemoth, Testament to Accompany
On Leg One, North America – Dates Announced
(See video announcement HERE)

After making some of the most brutal, breathtakingly aggressive, all-hell’s-a-breaking-loose music ever created, being one of the four bands that defined an entire musical genre and being the band that other heavy acts are measured against and aspire to…after nearly 37 years, releasing 12 studio albums, multiple live recordings, compilations, live video and two box sets, playing nearly 3000 concerts in all corners of the world, receiving countless awards including five Grammy nominations and two Grammy awards, Gold records and other accolades…having its own exhibit in the Smithsonian Institute, gracing hundreds of magazine covers, experiencing the devastating loss of a founding brother, and even appearing on “The Tonight Show,” the age of Slayer, one of the greatest thrash/metal/punk bands of this or any age, is coming to an end.

Slayer announces that it will do one last concert tour around the globe to thank their fans for all of their support over the years, for making the last three-and-a-half decades so packed with good times and unforgettable experiences, and will then move on.

Lamb of God, Anthrax, Behemoth and Testament will support Slayer on the first leg, North America, of its final world tour. Tickets go on sale to the public this Friday, January 26 at 10AM local time. Very limited Slayer onstage + meet & greet+ exclusive merchandise packages will be available. Log on to www.slayer.net for this and all ticket purchasing info.

MAY
10 Valley View Casino Center, San Diego, CA
11 FivePoint Amphitheatre, Irvine, CA
13 Papa Murphy’s Park at Cal Expo, Sacramento, CA
16 PNE forum, Vancouver, BC
17 South Okanagan Events Centre, Penticton, BC
19 Big Four, Calgary, AL
20 Shaw Centre, Edmonton, AB
22 Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, MB
24 The Armory, Minneapolis, MN
25 Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, Chicago, IL
27 Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre @ Freedom Hill, Detroit, MI
29 Budweiser Stage, Toronto, ON
30 Place Bell, Montreal, PQ

JUNE
1 Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT
2 PNC Banks Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ
4 Santander Arena, Reading, PA
6 Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH
7 Blossom Music Center, Cleveland, OH
9 KeyBank Pavilion, Pittsburgh, PA
10 Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA
12 VUHL Amphitheatre, Virginia Beach, VA
14 PNC Music Pavilion, Charlotte, NC
15 Orlando Amphitheatre, Orlando, FL
17 Smart Financial Center, Houston, TX
19 The Bomb Factory, Dallas, TX
20 Austin 360 Amphitheatre, Austin, TX

Travis Barker’s MUSINK, Presented By KROQ
Returns To OC Fair & Event Center In Southern CA
Friday, March 16, Saturday, March 17 & Sunday, March 18

11th Annual 3-Day Music Festival, Tattoo Convention, And Car Show
To Feature Performances From
blink-182, Descendents, Lil Yachty,
Good Charlotte, Fear, Machine Gun Kelly & More

Tickets On Sale Friday, January 26 At 10:00 AM PT

As the premier festival bringing together the best of music, tattoos, and cars, Travis Barker’s MUSINK, presented by KROQ, returns to the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, CA Friday, March 16, Saturday March 17 and Sunday, March 18 for its 11th year. The event will feature hundreds of world-renowned tattoo artists, music performances from top rock, punk and hip hop artists including blink-182, Descendents, Lil Yachty, Good Charlotte, Machine Gun Kelly, Fear and more, as well as the Low ‘N’ Slow Car Show (presented by Travis Barker’s Famous Stars and Straps).

Travis Barker’s MUSINK also features daily tattoo contests, a vendor village, and the Miss MUSINK competition (presented by Sullen) at one of the world’s biggest gatherings of elite tattoo artists.

Travis Barker says, “Every year we have more and more fun and this year I am excited to announce blink-182, The Descendents, Lil Yachty, MGK and more. Super stoked for all the fans to come out for a great time of music, cars, and tattoos.”

blink-182, whose 2015 MUSINK performance was one of the first with the band’s current lineup, adds, “We are excited to come back and play the festival that brought us together.”

The music lineup for MUSINK is as follows:

Friday, March 16: Descendents, Fear, Strung Out, The Adolescents

Saturday, March 17: blink-182, Good Charlotte, The Interrupters

Sunday, March 18: Lil Yachty, Machine Gun Kelly, Wifisfuneral, The Fever 333

The initial list of participating tattoo artists includes Jack Rudy, Robert Atkinson, Black Anchor Collective, Franco Vescovi, Baba, True Tattoo, Small Paul, Eddie Tana, Boog Star, Corey Miller, Britton McFetridge, Spotlight Tattoo, Bob Tyrrell, Big Gus, Elm St. Tattoo, Goethe, Gypsy Rose, Alex Strangler, Karen Costleigh, and Christine Barnum, with many more to be announced. Visit www.MusinkFest.com for updates.

Acclaimed tattoo artist and co-star of Spike TV’s Tattoo Nightmares Big Gus says, “When it comes to SoCal shows, nothing beats music and ink like the MUSINK fest! Hands down best in Cali.”

Tickets start at the following prices (plus fees) and go on sale Friday, January 26 at 10:00 AM PT at www.MusinkFest.com:

3-Day General Admission: $99
Friday: starting at $29.50 (GA), $129.50 (VIP)
Saturday: starting at $49.50 (GA), $149.50 (VIP)
Sunday: starting at $39.50 (GA), $129.50 (VIP)

Visit the MUSINK website for all details on VIP and General Admission 3-day and single day ticket options.

Famous Stars and Straps presents Low ‘N’ Slow Car Show returns to MUSINK and will feature the best selection of custom rides, American classics and lowriders in Southern California on display, all handpicked by Travis Barker.

The 2017 MUSINK—the 10th annual event—had over 20,000 in attendance and received rave reviews from the media. Tattoo.com said, “Music, ink, and cars are the trifecta of epic, and it is also MUSINK in a nutshell” [March 18, 2017]. Elsewhere, AXS.com proclaimed, “The event has emerged as the largest tattoo and music festival in the nation” [March 20, 2017].

All ages are welcome at MUSINK, and kids 7 years old and under get in free.

MUSINK hours are 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM on Friday, March 16, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM on Saturday, March 17, and 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM on Sunday, March 18.

MUSINK 2018 is produced by Bill Hardie, Travis Barker, John Reese, and Sean Akhavan.

MUSINK partners include: Famous Stars and Straps, Rockstar Energy Drink, Tecate, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey, Golden Crown Barber Shop, Dixxon Flannels, Cosmic Fog, Sullen, and Johnny’s Saloon in Huntington Beach.

The OC Fair & Event Center is centrally located in Southern California, just off the 405 and 55 freeways at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. The venue is convenient to all in Orange County, as well as Los Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. John Wayne Airport in Irvine, CA is also easily accessible for those traveling from other parts of the U.S. and the world.

For more information on MUSINK, please visit:

Website: www.MusinkFest.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/musink
Instagram: http://instagram.com/musink_tatfest
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Musink_TatFest

Reggie and the Full Effect is the solo project of Get Up Kids keyboardist James Dewees. On February 23rd Reggie releases their first album in four years simply titled “41”. Media Mikes spoke with James recently about the albums deep subject matter, the return of James’s alter-ego Klaus and the bands upcoming tour with Senses Fail which kicks off on February 27th.

Adam Lawton: Can you give us some background on your new album “41”?

James Dewees: I started working on the music just after the release of “No Country For Old Musicians”. During that time there was stuff going on with Get Up Kids and I was working with Gerard Way as well. I tend to do a lot of projects as I find while I am working on those projects I come up with ideas that could be songs for Reggie. The music came about pretty well as I started with about twenty or twenty five demos. For the lyrics I was sort of fishing around and trying to decide what type of record to make. It came down to when I found out my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer and my mother in-law at the time was diagnosed with leukemia. That next year was really just me traveling back and forth to Missouri to be with my mom and then back to Long Island for my mother in-law. Basically I was just going to doctors appointments all the time. I would do a couple shows here or there to make some money but then I would go straight back to the hospital. These events were where the lyrical content ended up coming from. My mom passed on April 9th and then my mother in-law passed away on May 9th. It was a really heavy and emotional time that made it seem pointless in trying to do my silly, funny project. Things were just a big bummer. After about the first year of that I started writing lyrics that were more about what I was going through. This was my way of going through the stages of grief. On the record there is stuff that is kind of funny then some that’s more serious, sad and angry. Music has always been my escape and it’s something that I really enjoy doing and it helped me get through all the stuff I had going on at this time.

AL: Being that you didn’t start writing until a year or so after those passing’s what was it like diving back in and reopening those wounds?

JD: I cried in the studio a lot. Trying to sing songs like “New Years Day” and “Next Time with Feeling” which are really heavy songs was difficult. Whenever I would revisit those feelings and I would remember something else about that time that I had forgotten. I did the record with Ray Toro from My Chemical Romance who is a really close friend and it was very personal and private with just him and me working on the album. This made it where it was ok to cry and be upset and I had a friend there to support and encourage me. He pushed me to keep going even during difficult times.

AL: The album also features a new track from Common Denominator. Can you tell us about that track and when/if we will finally get a full length release from Klaus?

JD: With the popularity of Trap music I thought it would be really funny that with Klaus coming from Finland he didn’t know what it was and believed it was about trapping animals. Instead of singing about drugs and whatever he is singing about trying to catch animals. I have played around with the idea of doing a whole album but every time I have started it things just don’t come together. The thing with Common Denominator is that it can’t be thought about too much. The music has to be written in about twenty minutes and if possible recorded in twenty minutes. You really can’t write the lyrics to much. You just have to start recording and see what comes off the top of your head otherwise I think it loses the humor.

AL: Can you tell us about the latest single off the album titled “Karate School”?

JD: That was a song the label picked after going back and forth for awhile about what songs to release. I chose “Horrible Year” which was released first and they chose “Karate School” there is one more song set to come out but I won’t tell you what that one is just yet. I like the song as its heavy and defiantly a traditional Reggie song. It’s not really about anything it just a song about my day. The label wanted something about the song for a press release so I came up with the Harry Potter story as I couldn’t think of anything without making it sound dull. (Laughs)

AL: The band heads out on the road with Senses Fail on February 27th can you tell us about that?

JD: That came about through a discussion with the label. We originally were going to be out on tour in January doing a headlining run but Buddy Nielsen and I started talking and decided to do a tour together. The tour starts in late February and runs through March. After that Reggie has some solo shows in early April and then I will be pretty busy with Get Up Kids.

For a full list of tour date visit: www.facebook.com/reggieandthefulleffect

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