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[Short Link: http://3rdstg.ca/632]The time between Boston albums can be long - very long. So it's natural that members of the band use that time to persue other projects.
Gary Pihl is working with a band called December People. This band, made up of Robert Berry (who Gary has worked with in the band Alliance), Mike Vanderhule, Jack Foster and Dave Medd. This group performs Christmas music - and does an awesome job of it.
The group released their album Rattle & Humbug October 10, 2010, which features Christmas classics such as Joy to the World, Little Drummer Boy and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. The music is described by the band as Industrial Strength Holiday Music.
For more info on the band, go to decemberpeople.com.
Buy Rattle & Humbug:
Amazon
iTunes
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[Short Link: http://3rdstg.ca/631]
(Courtesy of bandboston.com)
This coming Saturday night, October 16, Kimberley Dahme, Gary Pihl, former Boston drummer, Doug Huffman, and Ric Podmore will be performing Kimberley's songs - and some surprise cover songs - at The Spillway in Aurora, CO. The occasion is Jeff Greenstein's Birthday Party. It's open to the public, so if you're in the Denver area, please stop by and join the party!
Then on November 13th, Gary Pihl will be sitting in with the December People to celebrate the holidays at the The World Theater at California State University Monterey Bay. Partnering with HIPPO FM104.3 to help those in need this holiday season in a canned food drive to benefit the Food Banks of Monterey and San Benito counties and the SPCA. For every five cans of people or pet food you bring to the theater on the night of the performance, you can get a ticket to The December People for only $10!
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[Short Link: http://3rdstg.ca/623]
As previously announced, Stryper is releasing a new CD, called The Covering. This features covers from different rock and metal bands. Michael Sweet had been posting hints on his Twitter account during the recording process as to what songs they were covering. Stryper has now released some audio samples on their site.
To listen to them, just go to: www.stryper.com/thecovering777
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[Short Link: http://3rdstg.ca/622]
Update Sep 15, 2010: I have received an email from Barry who received a copy of this remaster with the interview he did (which he had forgotten about as it was done a long time ago). He says the release is on the "up and up" and gives his okay to endorse this album.
Previously, some doubts arose as Barry had no knowledge of this remaster, despite the fact it was advertised as having "full involvement from Barry Goudreau." Based on that, I did not recommended purchasing it. However, now that Barry has given his okay to endorse the album, I have reversed my previous recommendation to avoid it.
This info comes from Rock Candy. It has also been posted on melodicrock.com.There's no getting away from the fact that the debut Boston album was one of the greatest, and of course most successful, recordings in the history of rock music. It was a record that changed the lives of the band members forever, rapidly elevating them from humble beginnings to headlining huge arenas worldwide. But good fortune soon turned to disappointment as the band slowly began to implode under the constant demand to keep the cogs of their hit making machine in motion.
By 1980 Boston was effectively put on ice by leader Tom Scholz, in an effort to resolve numerous business differences, leaving the rest of the group with time on their hands. Guitarist Barry Goudreau seized the moment and set about recording a solo album, enlisting the help of then unknown vocalist Fran Cosmo who, ironically, would later go on to replace front man Brad Delp in Boston.
Every inch as good as a fully-formed Boston album, the record is choc full of superbly constructed songs, great hooks, impressive production (from John Boylan, the producer of the debut Boston album) and Goudreau’s unmistakable, rich guitar tone. Look out too for further support from fellow Bostonians Sib Hashian and Brad Delp. A great lost classic for sure and one that sounds as impressive today as it did when first released.
24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 4,000 word essay about the making of the album and a new interview and full involvement from Barry Goudreau. Additional previously unseen photos and memorabilia spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.
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[Short Link: http://3rdstg.ca/621]
Stryper will be releasing a new album in Fall of 2010. The Covering, which will be released on Big 3 Records in the Fall. The release date has not been set, but according to Michael Sweet, they are aiming at a September release.
Based on Michael's Twitter feed, the album will feature covers such as:
Iron Maiden - "The Trooper"
Judas Priest - "Breaking The Law"
Scorpions - "Blackout"
Ozzy Osbourne - "Over The Mountain"
Sweet - "Set Me Free"
Van Halen - "On Fire"
Deep Purple - "Highway Star"
Black Sabbath - "Heaven and Hell"
UFO - "Lights Out"
Kansas - "Carry On Wayward Son"
KISS - "Shout It Out Loud"
Led Zeppelin - "Immigrant Song"
Stryper will also include a new song called God.
In addition, Stryper is putting the song God up for auction. If you recall, Stryper auctioned off their single "Alive" in two auctions, in which the winners share in a percentage of the royalties of the song. In this case, they are auctioning a song that has not yet been released. To see the auction, go to SongVest.
Lot #1: The Platinum Edition - 2 Lots
12.5% of Michael Sweet’s Writer’s Share of the song’s royalties
Exclusive studio access to witness the final mastering of “God” to take place sometime between June 18 and June 21 (travel and accommodations paid for by purchaser)
Special Acknowledgement in the album credits
Personalized, one-of-kind platinum album award with handwritten lyrics and signed CD
Lot #2: The Gold Edition - 10 Lots
2.5% of Michael Sweet’s Writer’s Share of the song’s royalties
Gold single award signed by Michael
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(from bandboston.com)
Acoustic Rock Magazine's July 2010 issue presents a guide to the 25 greatest acoustic songs in hard rock, featuring the lightest tunes from the heaviest hitters. By Joe Bosso "More Than a Feeling" comes in at number two, just behind "Stairway to Heaven" at number one.
"Tom Scholz's soaring leads and crunchy, multi-tracked electric guitar rhythms have more than a little to do with "More Than a Feeling" becoming one of classic rock's most enduring anthems. But it is the song's lilting, arpeggiated acoustic intro that puts fans in the mood. Working as something of a one-man band in his basement, Scholz, one of music's first DIY dudes, played all the guitar parts on "Feeling".
A bit of trivia: Noting the similarities between "More Than a Feeling" and "Smells Like Teen Spirit", Kurt Cobain teased fans at Nirvana's 1992 Reading Festival performance with a few bars of the Boston classic."
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Former BOSTON singer Fran Cosmo has released a demo from 1985 called Highway In Your Eyes. The song was recorded with Fran's Orion the Hunter bandmate Bruce Smith. If you enjoyed Orion the Hunter, I think you'll enjoy this track.
To hear it, you can go to Fran's Facebook page.
UPDATE - May 28: Fran has released two more demos:
I Believe In You
Is It Love
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(this was posted on the official Boston site)
Can a human really sing that well?! Not since the late Brad Delp have I heard anyone consistently display that kind of technical vocal ability, and last night I think Siobhan surpassed it. Even the Darth Vader of talent competition, Simon Cowell, had to summon up a compliment or risk looking completely tone deaf.
But it's not just that she has amazing pitch, incredible range, effortless control, and a huge beautiful voice - although that would be enough - she really seems to live in the moment of the song, putting real heart into her performances. OK, so I'm prejudiced, but how could you not love this girl? I suddenly find myself telling people "I met Siobhan Magnus," and walking around with a phone hitting redial for two hours every Tuesday night.
Good luck, Siobhan, you deserve nothing but the best in this new future you've created for yourself.
-Tom Scholz
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If you were like me when you heard that ABBA was getting into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and wondered how they managed to get in but not BOSTON, well this would be a good time to make your voice heard.
There's currently a petition set up by Boston fan Nick Blazanovic to have BOSTON inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If you want to see Boston inducted, then take a moment and fill out the online petition. www.gopetition.com/online/34819/sign.html
Encourage your friends and family to sign the petition too -- every name counts!
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Yes, you read the headline right, you can get the chance to own a piece of a Stryper song!
SongVest is currently hosting an auction between March 6 to 13, where the winner can get among other things, a percentage of royalties from the song Alive. There's currently two lots up for auction:
Lot #1: The Multi-Platinum Edition
• 40% of Michael Sweet’s Writer’s Share of the song’s royalties
• Private dinner for two with Michael
• Michael's acoustic guitar used on EVERY Stryper and Michael Sweet recording since 1995
• Personalized, one-of-kind plaque with handwritten lyrics and signed CD
• A life-time VIP Guest Pass for two
Lot #2: The Platinum Edition
• 5% of Michael Sweet’s Writer’s Share of the song’s royalties
• Album award signed by Michael
• A one-time VIP Guest Pass for two
The auction ends at 3pm EST Saturday, March 13. If you're wondering if this is legit, Michael Sweet posted this on this official Twitter account.