DETROIT DIVA ELIZA NEALS: INTERVIEW BY JACKIE WALLACE!

Eliza Neals. B&W Photo by Mike Toumey

“When I get on stage, I completely loose it. I go with the feel of the music and the energy from the audience. I don’t think about anything, I just go with it.”

Singer / Songwriter Eliza Neals

The album cover and color photos/albums/flyer "HJN Consulting"

Eliza Neals, a Sanger not a Singer
By Jackie Wallace

This past summer at the Royal Oak, Michigan festival, Arts, Beats & Eats, I was lured into a performance by a big, bluesy, voice. The sound was electrifying and I was instantly intrigued. That voice was that of Eliza Neals and the Narcotics. They undoubtedly stopped people in their tracks and sustained the attention of a packed crowd and I immediately wanted to know more. 

Born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit Michigan, Eliza Neals has earned the respect from music fans of all genres. Neals began her music career at a very young age, singing and playing piano, and she later pursued a degree in Opera from Wayne State University. Her love for Motown coupled with her signature soulful voice led her in the direction of Blues. She has experienced the high points in her musical journey, such as when she was signed to a developmental deal with Virgin Records. As well as some lows, Virgin label changed directions, and the deal fell through. Despite what challenges she faced, Eliza continued to pursue her dreams.

Within the last two to three years, Eliza’s musical career has exploded. She has graced the covers of Detroit Magazines, and has been a multi nominee at the Detroit Music Awards, winning "Outstanding Blues/R&B Recording (album)," "Rock Songwriter,” and "Outstanding Blues Songwriter.” Eliza Neals and the Narcotics were featured as part of the “Hot 100 Live Unsigned Artists/Bands of 2014” by Music Connection Magazine.

In 2013, Eliza Neals was voted by Real Detroit Weekly readers as the “Best Blues artist/group in 2013.” Her music is played on Pandora, Discovery Channel, HBO, the list goes on. Neals, currently resides in both New York as well as Detroit. “The success did not come overnight,” explains Neals. “I have been at this for some thirteen years, writing, recording, gigging, touring and then repeat.” 

Part of her success comes from surrounding herself with talented people both musically as well as business minded. Her production team includes “her man” and business partner, HJ, as well as Detroit legend, Barrett Strong, whose résumé consists of working with greats such as the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and others. In addition to co-writing on each others albums, Strong has been a mentor to Eliza and has played an active role in her career offering priceless advice and guidance.

Eliza has spent the last year working on her new album titled “Breaking and Entering.” This new album showcases the soulful elements in her voice that identify her as a “Sanger” and not just a “Singer.” Her vocals have earned her such titles as, “The Detroit Diva,” and as her fans from the south refer to her as “Northern Soul”. 

The album unleashes the Detroit Diva’s sass, with catchy hooks such as “Now let me tell you ‘bout the time when I caught him with a girlfriend of mine” (Sugar Daddy). “Breaking and Entering” is a merge of retro meets new funk that will continue to appeal to her loyal blues fans as well as cross over to mainstream music, gaining the likes of a new generation.

Neals will be featured on Detroit Fox 2 News on January 30th, 2015 at 9:00am with her band, The Narcotics, to promote her performance on January 31st. The band is made up of some of Michigan’s music icons, which includes blues guitarist Howard Glazer (EL 34’s), hit producer, Mike Puwal (CannonBall Records, ICP), guest guitarist, Kenny Olson (Kid Rock), and Gabe Gonzalez (George Clinton) on drums.

Eliza Neals and the Narcotics will be kicking off the Blues Festival on Saturday, January 31st, 2015 at The New Way Bar in Ferndale, MI, at 9:00pm. The two-set show will include songs from her award winning album, “Messin’ with a Fool,” as well as a sneak peak into “Breaking and Entering.” Although the album has not been officially released, it will be available for sale that evening and can also be purchased from CD Baby and iTunes.

After kicking off the Blues Festival in Ferndale, Eliza Neals and The Narcotics will head down to Miami for their “Breaking and Entering” album release concert on February 20th, 2015 at The Will Call Venue in Miami, FL.

If the cold weather has you singing the blues, head out to The New Way Bar in Ferndale, MI on January 31st to cozy up to the sultry sound of Eliza Neals and the Narcotics.

For more about Eliza Neals:

Website: www.elizaneals.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElizaNeal

FaceBook:ELIZA NEALS

Jonezen MTV

Detroit's own, Jonezen, added to MTV.COM and MTV JAMS

Watch the "Tear THe Club Up" video on MTV.com right here. The video will beginning rotation on MTV Jams this Sunday. 

Twitter @Jonezenmusic / Instagram @jonezenmusic / Facebook.com/jonezenmusic 

Jonezen - Tear The Club Up feat. Gucci Mane and Natalia Damini - Music - More Music Videos

THE KINGPINS KID RADIO TUNE IN TONIGHT @ 9PM

DETROIT'S OWN JONEZEN RELEASES NEW MIX TAPE!

Detroit's own JONEZEN releases a brand new mix tape "The Party Ain't Over" vol 1 ft tracks with Gucci Mane and songs off his upcoming album Beautiful Disaster. Get the free download here. 

http://www.datpiff.com/Jonezen-jonezenmusic-The-Party-Aint-Over-Mixtape-feat-mixtape.680077.html

2013 has been a break-through year for Jonezen who was crowned Hip Hop Artist Of The Year at the 2013 Los Angeles Music Awards. He has done two independently booked tours, performed at the Speak Your Mind Hip Hop Festival, along side Blackalicious, licensed material for use in TV and film, and been nominated for two Los Angeles Music Awards.

Jones learned the hard way and was told by his doctor after an arrest that may not live another year due to his excessive drinking. Constant touring and partying had caught up with Jonezen. He was faced with a choice: Either go to rehab or die from his habit.

Jonezen refused to go to rehab unless he could bring his recording studio. He found a treatment center in Los Angeles that would let him do just that and upon entering he began working on the critically acclaimed mixtape Live From Rehab.

After leaving treatment Jonezen landed a distribution deal with Famous Records/ Fontana/ Universal. Jeffrey Collins, President, Famous Records Corp., says, “His first release Buried By Six is not only an anthem for people to wake up from their ‘addiction’ but it’s also becoming a popular record that’s being played not only in clubs across the US but also across Europe & as far away as Japan".

2014 is shaping up to be another great year for the rapper. He is nominated for Solo Performer of The Year and Hip Hop Artist Of The Year at the 2014 Los Angeles Music Awards, booked for SXSW, recently signed with Mannatt, Phelps, and Philips, and finishing his new album Beautiful Disaster.

Videos, press, music, photos, and more are available at www.jonezenmusic.com .

DOWNLOAD "THE PARTY AIN'T OVER" NOW

JAMES WILLIAMSON'S RE-LICKED SOLO RELEASE AND FORTHCOMING LIVE SHOW...

Full frontal disclosure: I did the Art Direction along with frequent design partner 

Joel Pelletier of Wayhome.com, I drew the Leopard Lady logo and photographed a great deal of the recently released Re-Licked solo album by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee James Williamson, guitarist extraordinaire of Iggy and The Stooges.  Then  Retrokimmer, DETROIT ROCK N ROLL and a host of other inquiring minds wanted to know the particulars of this design process. Prepare yourself for rather dry, clinical graphic art rumination ahead about what is actually exhilarating, passionate, mind-blowing, wild Stoogemusic! Below, James sans makeup.

After the last Iggy and The Stooges show 9.28.13 (see LINK) and his keynote speech and performance this year at SxSW 2014 and Austin School of Rock respectively (LINK) Williamson honed in on a project that my friend, author Harvey Kubernik called "a karmic correction." Williamson wanted to properly record what would have been the followup album to Iggy and The Stooges' Raw Power, songs written by Iggy Pop and him that only saw light of day as bootlegged tracks varying in "quality" from muffled rehearsal audiocassette tapes to various noises sounding like Jacques Cousteau shrieking underwater while his scuba equipment was being jerked away. When present day Iggy somewhat waffled, appropriately intense singers promptly signed on.



 Who sang what is legible on the back cover art above. Each singer contributes apropos Stoogepassion in his or her singular style. You're sure to have your own favorites given the spread from O.G. punks like Jello Biafra to popular young rock artists like The Orwells. Who played what is documented in both the 24-page booklet and "The Making of Re-Licked" documentary film that accompany each of the release's formats, cd, vinyl and digital download. Below, James and Mario Cuomo, The Orwells' singer.

Below, Alison Mosshart (of The Kills, The Dead Weather) and Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees) tackle "Wild Love" as a call and response duet for Re-Licked. 

Below, the next three photos were shot in Dave Grohl's deluxe-but-funky Studio 606.  606's main draw could be the Neve soundboard Dave purchased from Sound City when it folded, an establishment with equipment so astonishing that it warranted its own documentary.

  

  

The photos above are singer Petra Haden and Primal Scream bassist Simone Marie Butler adding background vocals; Simone on bass with James; James being percussive with drummer Michael Urbano; singer Ron Young of Little Caesar, Simone, and Joe Cardamone at the latter's Valley Sound studio where the rest of Re-Licked was recorded . The touring Stooges, Mike Watt, Toby Dammit and Steve Mackay contributed to many of the tracks as well. Below, at Valley Sound, Simone Marie finds the perfect equipment...

 

With force-of-nature Lisa Kekaula (above) volcanically belting out "I Got A Right," James Williamson playing at his finest, fastest and furious-est plus top of her field Cleo Viper demonstrating her own right to move, I thought this would be a good concept and a good match of talents for the planned promotional video. Below, stellar retro-burlesque artist Cleo Viper performing in my photo studio and the "I Got A Right" video teaser, which is one of the special features included on the album's "The Making of Re-Licked dvd. Both were directed by Amy D'Allessandro with cinematographer James Stolz. 

                                      (Video LINK )          

Our client captioned the shot below "rockin' the estrogen" whereas Studio 606 sound tech Vanessa Silberman (below far left) noted it was the most women seen working in the studio rather than being companions and whatnot. Below left to right, Silberman, Simone Marie Butler, Amy D'Allessandro, Petra Haden, yours truly and James in front, Neve console lurking in back. Women indeed shine on this release with Lisa Kekaula, Carolyn Wonderland and Alison Mosshart mining all possible emotions from their respective songs.

Below, my drawing based upon but not mimicking the art found on James' original Gibson guitar (see above back cover pic) used in all his original Stooge doings and much of the recording. 

 James as client fortunately presented Joel and me with strong images that made for  memorable graphics. The initial two projects were the covers of the Re-Licked preview 45rpm singles above, both featuring the handiwork of Trina Merry's ArtAlive bodypainting studio, with the skull theme related to James' nickname in the 1970s.  "Open Up And Bleed" photography by Juan Moreno, "I Got A Right" photography by Franklin Avery.

The first concept for the Re-Licked front cover was from photographer Mark Schvartzman's session with model Ryann Hilairey portraying the Leopard Lady sans clothing --more trompe l'oeil body paint by Trina Merry-- as seen below left in the shot that ended up in the gatefold of the lp and cd.  It had a black background plus an extra leopard but wasn't as strong an image as was required for a front cover, particularly given our graphically successful predecessors on the wild 45 singles covers above. 

 

A Franklin Avery shot below right with James himself in Trina Merry skull makeup against Tibetan prayer flags had been in consideration for the second single. However, the simplicity of the color planes of the flags adjacent James' face seemed perfect for the Re-Licked cover wherein the busyness of a whole lotta artists' names would be competing for attention. The artists' names column starts next to James' eyes for maximum impact, as human nature tends to observe anyone's eyes first (vestigial limbic brain reaction to assessing threats or not when we were but little bitty primates in the forest) before scanning around any layout. And I certainly approved of the 'they live again!' undercurrent of our heroically 40-years-persistent Stooges coupled divine intervention! (Jesus and Buddah love the Stooges to update their old motto...) 

Even without the universal acclaim of others (an easy Google) Re-Licked's highly enjoyable/energetic/emotional performances of some of Rock's best music ever should be your next purchase. 

And if you dwell in Los Angeles, you're in for an even bigger treat: the live show Friday Jan. 16th at the Bootleg Hifi Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., L.A. CA 90057. See below!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2014!

Wishing you safe travels this holiday season and always from our family to yours. Have a merry Xmas and a happy New Year.

CHINA SKY HAS A NEW RELEASE "ONE LIFE"!

China Sky features Detroit in new music video, new album due in February

International recording artists China Sky have released "One Life", a new music video featuring shots of iconic Detroit landmarks. The band will be releasing its first album of all new material since 1988 this February on UK-based label Escape Music.

Lead vocalist Ron Perry, a Detroit native, (who some may remember from Detroit 80's punk/metal band "The Nasties") dishes on the video and the new record: "As a kid growing up in Detroit, all my musical influences were artists that were from here. The first record I ever bought was "Smokin' In The Boys Room" by Brownsville Station. People like Seger, Nugent, and the MC5 all figured very prominently in my musical education, so for the video to include shots of the city that made me the musician that I am, and the city that I will always call home, was a no-brainer.

The concept is simple: I'm watching old tapes of the band, and decide that I'm going to go rejoin the group. Being a musician, of course I don't have a car, so I just start walking to Hollywood. The house I walk out of is the actual house I grew up in. From there I walk through downtown Detroit past the Ren-Cen and the giant fist, and continue across the country until I reach the Hollywood soundstage where I join with the band after 25 years. I thought it was a fitting analogy for the incredible journey we have been through".

China Sky's 1988 debut album has become something of a cult classic in recent years, prompting the reunion. Perry explains: "I was contacted by Escape Music about re-forming the band, and at first I thought it was a joke. I couldn't believe that people were still interested after all this time, but after taking two years to think about it, I called my old bandmate Richard Smith, who was not only receptive to a reunion, but was quite excited by the prospect.

At that point we decided that we had to surround ourselves with the best musicians available. One of the things that people seemed to like about the first China Sky album was the guitar work, and this time around, our new guitarist Steve Wheeler definitely kicks it up a notch or ten. He plays in a classic style, but in almost every solo, he throws in an unexpected twist that makes you turn your head and say "Wait…what was that"?

Fans of tasteful rock guitar shredding will love him. He never wastes a note, and I think he has raised the bar for melodic rock guitarists". Our drummer, Bruce Crump, was the original drummer in southern rock band Molly Hatchet. The guy played drums on "Flirtin' With Disaster"! 'Nuff said. Scottish keyboardist Tim McGowan is living proof that "If it's not Scottish, it's crap".

"In my opinion, the new album is much stronger than the first and definitely rocks a little harder. The lyrics have more depth, and the tracks are more thought out and dynamic. The new lineup is pure magic, and I can't wait to bring the band to Detroit"!

Check out China Sky's new video and Facebook page!

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GITTIN OFF ZERO: WEALTH, HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT EPISODE 5 OF THEKINGPINSKIDRADIO.COM FEATURING COURTNEY R BROWN JR. 

ANOTHER GREY DAY, ANOTHER VIDEO

ROCK THE LIGHTNING EFFIN MOTORHEADS!!!!!! burn out at end...

DETROIT BAND: THE SUNDAY FUNNIES!

The Sunday Funnies were inducted into the "Michigan Rock & Roll Legends Hall of Fame" June 2017

One of my favorite local bands that played around Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor was the Sunday Funnies. My gang of girls loved to dance to their fun tunes. We never missed them when they played nearby.

Kim I hope ya get this email -

Was checking out your site Motorcity Music Archives and hope it's your site - lol (It's not mine it's Mike Krawczyk's LOL)

Just wanted to let you know all Sunday Funnies members are still alive but that includes me the drummer that took over for Richard Mitchel - Mitchel recorded the 45 for Hideout records and then the two albums for RareEarth and then left the band right after that early 1972.

I was a drummer friend of Mitchel's and Fidge and Aitken too - we all grew up together from the same neighborhood - anyways - we all stayed together till January 1st, 1975. We also had guitarist Gary Quackenbush (SRC) from middle of 1973 to the end.

Sad to say that years later Richard Mitchel ended up homeless and died in a halfway house in Detroit during the 90's.

I'm sending this and hope ya get it - you might want to get rid of the question marks on the page you have up for the Sunday Funnies... I'll ask Mike to zap the question marks for you guys ok?
with respect too - Rosco 63

READ MORE ABOUT THE SUNDAY FUNNIES HERE

*Richard Fidge (V)

*Ron Aiken (G, B, V)

*Richard Kosinski (K, V)

*Richard Mitchel (D)(RIP)

*Ross (Roscoe) (D)

Singles:
"Heavy Music" / "Path Of Freedom" (Hideout) 1970
"Walk Down The Path Of Freedom" / "It's Just A Dream" (Rare Earth) September 1971

Albums:
"Sunday Funnies" (Rare Earth) May 1971
"Benediction" (Rare Earth) May 1972

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FUNKY D RECORDS TO PRODUCE DETROIT'S LONGNECK STRANGLER!

There’s no simple way to label Longneck Stranglers’ sound. Their grungy, sometimes psychedelic, guitar riffs paired with hard-hitting drums and that good ‘ole southern harmonica yield a rockabilly-roots rock that would be just as at home at a honky tonk as it would in a grimy hole-in-the-wall in downtown Detroit.

Their hodge-podge style is no happy accident but is very likely the product of the boys’ hometown of Hazel Park, Michigan - aptly dubbed “Hazeltucky” because of the several residents, transplants from Kentucky, that brought with them their love for southern music. Pair that with the influence of neighboring Detroit Rock City and you’ve got Longneck Strangler.

As lead singer, Ricky Lentz, explains, “We’re at a crossroads where fans of both rock and country can meet.” Although they frequent the festival scene, at their core Longneck Strangler is the great American bar band.

Their name is, in fact, a euphemism for drinking a beer. A name that became so associated with grabbin’ a cold one that the boys have their own limited edition brew for fans to “strangle.” Give one listen to their upcoming full-length album, Home (release date 12/12/2014), to see how far the boys have come since their first EP, My First Rodeo, in 2007.

Guitarist Rick Browarski, the predominant songwriter of the band, writes his best stuff when pulling from real life, and there’s no doubt this album is shaded by mature themes like family and real love, while keeping just enough of those rambunctious beer-bar tunes the band was founded on.

Lentz’s deep, pure baritone vocals, ooze from the speakers, creamy as velvet, with moments of contradictory gruffness that are only more alluring, like a recently-shaved beard on an otherwise smooth face. The rest of the band, including drummer Jeremy Kanouse and bassist Kevin Davis, form the backbone of the music, delivering gospel-tinged blues, Opry-licious Americana, beer-soaked ballads and everything in between.

“We’re a country band that plays rock and we’re a rock band that plays country,” Browarski said. We’ve always been neither and both.” Longneck Strangler sit comfortably at their crossroads, a genre-spanning group, that can relate to fans on both sides of the tracks. When struggling to define their sound, just call them American music.

LONGNECK STRANGLER FACEBOOK
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NEW RELEASE FROM DAVID BIERMAN OVERDRIVE!

 

We got a cool message today from Ex-Junk Monkey David Bierman! He has a new band with fellow Detroiters from American Mars, The Beggars and The High Strung for first new music in 20 years..We were big Junk Monkey fans and his voice just improves with time.....I love his VOCALS!! and we are itching to go see them asap.....Check out my favorite tune for Tuesday....

a little old clock...ticking all the time....

From David:

Long story (mostly) short:
I was lead singer of Detroit’s Junk Monkeys, a sorta seminal alty-rock band that released several albums in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s. Signed to Metal Blade/Warner Bros along with Goo Goo Dolls in the ‘Great Modern Rock Roundup of 1990.’ Put out a handful of albums that were loved among a too-small handful of people. Toured and toured and toured some more.

Stopped for a long list of reasons in 1994.

Started writing songs again last year, and gathered a great band to help me out. The result is the new album, ‘Standard Skies.’

 
David Bierman Overdrive
David Bierman – Vocals, Guitar
Jim Faulkner - Drums (Blueflowers, Beggars)
David Feeny - Pedal Steel, Organ (Loretta Lynn, American Mars, Blanche)
Stephen Palmer - Guitar (High Strung, ex-Back in Spades)
Kevin Perri - Bass (ex-Junk Monkeys)

Here’s what you may find on the hi-fi in our rehearsal space: Nick Lowe, Guided By Voices, Replacements, The Saints, Eels, Superchunk, one Carling Black Label, Centromatic, James, Van Morrison, Whiskeytown, Aimee Mann, Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers, Wilco, Okkervil River, American Analog Set, Flamin Groovies, etc.

Bunches of ways to preview below,

https://soundcloud.com/david-bierman-overdrive/sets/standard-skies

https://play.spotify.com/album/7sxis1sMRbSAR3hE0KNJ8Z 

https://davidbiermanoverdrive.bandcamp.com/releases

http://www.noisetrade.com/davidbiermanoverdrive/standard-skies

https://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Bierman-Overdrive/1441866182756467

http://www.davidbiermanoverdrive.com

Steve Hunter Talks Guitars, Tone and 'Tone Poems Live'

December 1st 2014

Tonight! LIVE!


Guitar Player Steve Hunter talks about his music, his style and his new album 'Tone Poems Live'

On LA Talk Radio (8pm Pacific time, 11pm Eastern time)

‪#‎FLOGuitarEnthusiasts As you know, our show is all about tone, and this week's we really deliver it! But tonight we are also going to experience something else that goes along with great tone - taste, and our guest delivers both! Scott and Jeff welcome back Steve Hunter, who has been one of the most in demand session players and touring guitarists ever, recording and touring with Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, Peter Gabriel, and many others. And, Steve has had success also as a solo artist. We talk to Steve about his latest project, "Tone Poems Live," a live in-studio recording and video featuring Tony Levin on bass, Phil Aaberg on keyboards, and Alvino Bennett on drums and percussion. We will discuss the gear, Steve's tone, and the recording of this epic performance. Join us, 8pm Pacific time, 11pm Eastern time, at www.latalkradio.com on ch 1!

WE SUPPORT THE ROCK N ROLL PREP SCHOOL!

WE SUPPORT  

THE ROCK N ROLL PREP SCHOOL!

MISSING BOOTSEY X: STORY FROM GERALD SHOHAN

Even though he’s been gone for a year now, don’t think any of his fans and friends will ever forget Bootsey X! I’ve spent some time on Youtube the last few days thinking I would add a one of the video’s of Bootsey X and the Lovemasters along with this picture. 

The trouble is, I couldn’t decide which one. Like most of you know, not every show is the brightest star in your universe. Should it be one that reminds me of the time we had that night, or a song that everyone wanted us to play.

I watched one that had both Bootsey and Steve King, both of which left us this past year. Instead of rambling on, I’d just like to say during this holiday season, how thankful I am to have been a part of the life and times of these guys, and thank all of you for being there for us.
Feel free to post or like your favorite tune or moment. THANK YOU GERALD

GUITAR LEGEND PETER BANKS THE MARS TAPES!

Rare Recordings By Guitar Legend Peter Banks 'The Mars Tapes' Now Available!

London, UK – Much to the excitement of prog fans worldwide, rare recordings of guitar legend Peter Banks, best known for his work with YES and FLASH, is now available on GONZO Multimedia! Peter Banks Empire 'The Mars Tapes' (2-CD set) represents Empire lll in rehearsal at Mars Studios in Los Angeles in 1979. The band had set up camp at Mars Studios for six months rehearsing and showcasing their music, much of which has been unheard until this release. The band basically recorded every thing they did off the board, tape hiss and all.

Peter Banks (RIP 2013) and Sidonie Jordan, who not only co-wrote, but fronted the band with her powerful vocals, founded Empire in the early to mid-seventies after Peter’s FLASH endeavors and attracted artists such as Phil Collins. Peter and Phil had joined forces in a band called 'Zok And The Radar Boys' which was pre-Empire for Peter, and pre-Brand X for Phil. “Sky At Night” (bonus track) features Phil Collins on drums and backing vocals and Jon Giblin on bass and is testimony of their collaboration.

Sidonie Jordan, who has an extensive list of music credentials to her name, including a diversified solo career as a staff writer/recording artist for A&M Records, and has recorded for other labels such as Capital Records, Electra Records and Trojan Records. (Her song and recording of ‘All God’s Mornings’ was produced by Peter Townshend and featured on his ‘With Love’ album. Sidonie is currently producing and writing with Jez Larder owner of Skyline Studios in Sunbury- On-Thames UK, and Empire lll drummer, Mark Murdock, more recently known for his 'Cymbalic Encounters’ release featuring members from Brand X, agreed to release these recordings as a dedication to the memory of Peter Banks and his great contribution to progressive rock music.

Says Sidonie, “ 'The Mars Tapes' were recorded live at Mars Studios in Los Angles during the summer of 1979! And include a few tracks that never appeared on any Empire albums. As with all the Empire incarnations this album features the amazing talent and skill of Peter Banks, who has been called the Architect of Progressive Rock.”

Drummer Mark Murdock explains, “The Peter Banks Empire ship set sail against the ever-changing music world, and was uncompromising in producing a range of material with Peter Banks' 'Signature Guitar Sound and Style,' while incorporating themes of the time period in which the band existed and also reliving the past by playing songs from the early Empire catalog and even a YES version of ‘Something’s Coming.’ There are various tracks on ‘The Mars Tapes’ that also represented a ‘Work In Progress,’ which were both instrumental and vocal orientated. Empire was anticipating to make some big waves in the music scene, but the waves never reached the shore- until now!”

For more information:
http://www.gonzomultimedia.com/product_details/15718

BUDDY GUY COMING TO ANN ARBOR!!

Grammy Award Winner Buddy Guy to perform at the Michigan Theater in March

Tickets go on sale now
ANN ARBOR, Michigan - The Ark presents blues legend Buddy Guy March 18 at 7:30pm at the Michigan Theater.

Buddy Guy's impressive resume includes: 5 Grammy Awards, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, more Blues Music Awards (formerly known as W.C. Handy Awards) than any other blues artist in history, and Rolling Stone magazine ranked him among the"100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and his song "Stone Crazy" as one of the "100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time."

Guy began his career in Chicago in the 1960's as a studio session musician at the legendary Chess Records label where he backed dozen of blues musicians, including, Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters. He grew to the forefront of the stage where his cutting electric guitar style and passionate vocals captured the attention of a growing number of rock musicians. Eric Clapton calls Buddy Guy "by far and without a doubt the best guitar player alive." He is now considered a major guitar influence among blues and rock icons alike.

Come see this masterful guitarist with a captivating stage presence at the Michigan Theater. Reserved seats are $49.50 and $39.50 (limited Gold Circle also available) and go on sale at ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster outlets on Friday, November 21 at 10:00 am. Charge by phone at 800-745-3000. Media sponsorship provided by Metro Times.

About the Michigan Theater: Now celebrating its 87th year, the Michigan Theater is Ann Arbor's award-winning non-profit historic center for fine film and performing arts. The Michigan Theater welcomes more than 250,000 visitors each year to its art house films, concerts, lectures, live theater, and special programs such as Sundance Film Festival USA and Cinetopia International Film Festival. The Michigan Theater is located in downtown Ann Arbor at 603 East Liberty Street. Visit michtheater.org or call the 24-hour information line at (734) 668-TIME for schedule and ticket information.

About The Ark: The Ark is a non-profit organization dedicated to the enrichment of the human spirit through the presentation, preservation and encouragement of folk, roots and ethnic music and related arts. The Ark provides a welcoming atmosphere for all people to listen to, learn about, perform and share music. The Ark is located at 316 South Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor. Visit www.theark.org for further information.

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TUNE IN TONIGHT 9PM EST WITH YOUR HOST COURTNEY R BROWN JR. 

MARINER • SWEET CRYSTAL• THE GREAT MYSTERY • JACKSTAND• SRP

Start your long weekend with Mariner 

TOKEN LOUNGE

Wednesday November 26 the day before Thanksgiving