VELVET REVOLVER will now release their new album on July 3rd.

U2 frontman Bono and guitarist the Edge will be providing the music and lyrics to a Broadway musical version of Spider-Man, reports Broadwayworld.com.

Cheap Trick has signed on to be the house band for a 40th anniversary celebration of the Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The events will take place on August 10th and 11th at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, and Cheap Trick will back a number of vocalists who will re-create the Sgt. Pepper's album, as well as other Beatles favorites. None of the singers have been announced yet for Sgt. Pepper's At 40... A Beatles Celebration, but the shows will also feature the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and conductor Edwin Outwater.

PRESS RELEASES

Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of the long awaited FREDERIKSEN / DENANDER album "Baptism By Fire" on June the 8th 2007!

Best know for his role as lead vocalist in TOTO's "Isolation", Dennis "Fergie" Frederiksen is undoubtedly one of the most gifted singers in Melodic Rock history. He left his mark also on timeless albums such as Trillion's debut, Le Roux "So Fired Up" and more recently singing on the awesome Mecca project.

Hot on the heels of that recording Fergie, took the chance to work with Swedish guitar player Tommy Denander on his very popular Radioactive albums. Tommy is a very clever and respected musician and producer who has worked with an amazing number of artists and played on an equally impressive number of records (with more than 1000 albums on his credit list that can boast such names as Paul Stanley, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, Richard Marx, Desmond Child, TOTO and many more).

Getting to know each other better and better, the guys started to focus on the idea of working on a full album together with Tommy working on the songwriting and production and Fergie offering his incredible vocal and of course songwriting skills.

But of course when you have such amount of talent involved you can't help but call… even more talent to help! Fellow Frederiksen buddy, Ricky Phillips (with whom Fergie released the successful Frederiksen / Phillips album in 1995) of Styx, Jim Peterik of Pride of Lions and Tommy's songwriting partner on many albums Björn Lindbom – among others - offered their songwriting contributions to the project, while Michael Thompson (TRW), Steve Porcaro (Toto) appeared on guitars and keyboards respectively (completing the line-up on the record is NY session drummer Eric Z Daniels whose recent work include coming albums for Robin Beck, Radioactive and Jimi Jamison).

After 3 long years of work, now the wait is over and the album is ready to be unleashed. This is an unashamedly, straight ahead Melodic Rock album with plenty of magnificent hooks and brilliant musicianship. Everyone who's dreamed to listen again Fergie's voice singing on material that can live up to the levels of the Le Roux or Toto classics, can now safely add this incredible record to his collection.

Final tracklisting includes:
Let Him Go; Right Heart, Wrong Time; Silver Lining; Crossing Over; Written In Stone; Saving Grace; Baptism By Fire; Can't Get Enough; Never Try To Love Again; Dead End; Keep A Light On; Left With Nothing.

"Baptism By Fire" is a true Melodic Rock gem which just waits to be discovered on June 8th on Frontiers Records with a Japanese release on King Records.

GIG NEWS

Hyde Park Calling - Saturday 23rd to Sunday 24th June 2007

Main Stage
Saturday 23 June
Peter Gabriel + Crowded House + The Feeling + Ghosts

Sunday 24 June
Aerosmith + Chris Cornell + Jet + The Answer +McQueen

Second Stage
Saturday 23 June
Pete Yorn

Sunday 24 June
Joe Satriani

Third Stage
Saturday 23 June
Seth Lakeman
Borne
Sunday 24 June
Reuben
yourcodenameis:milo
Kids in Glass Houses
Brigade
Haunts
Enjoy Destroy

STEVE VAI
19TH JULY - CARLING ACADEMY - BIRMINGHAM
21ST JULY - ROYAL CONCERT HALL - NOTTINGHAM
22ND JULY - APOLLO HAMMERSMITH – LONDON

FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE
20TH MAY - MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY - MANCHESTER
21ST MAY - ASTORIA - LONDON

DEF LEPPARD
June 27 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center
June 29 - Milwaukee, WI - Summerfest
June 30 - Tinley Park, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
July 3 - Bonner Springs, KS - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
July 4 - Maryland Heights, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre St. Louis
July 6 - Noblesville, IN - Verizon Wireless Music Center
July 7 - Burgettstown, PA - Post-Gazette Pavilion
July 8 - Columbus, OH - Germain Amphitheater
July 11 - Walker, MN - Moondance Jam
July 13 - Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Blossom Music Center
July 14 - Camden, NJ - Tweeter Center At The Waterfront
July 16 - Toronto, ONT - The Molson Amphitheatre
July 17 - Montreal, QUE - Bell Centre
July 19 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun
July 21 - Sarnia, ONT - Sarnia Bayfest
July 22 - Farwell, MI - Mountain Rock Music Festival
July 24 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
July 26 - Minot, ND - North Dakota St. Fair
July 28 - Cheyenne, WY - Frontier Park
August 11 - Mansfield, MA - Tweeter Center
August 12 - Hershey, PA - Hersheypark Amphitheatre
August 14 - Wantagh, NY - Nikon At Jones Beach Theater
August 15 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
August 17 - Bristow, VA - Nissan Pavilion
August 18 - Virginia Beach, VA - Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach
August 21 - Raleigh, NC - Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
August 22 - Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
August 24 - Tampa, FL - Ford Amphitheatre At State Fairgrounds
August 25 - Atlanta, GA - HiFi Buys Amphitheatre
August 26 - Louisville, KY - Kentucky State Fair
August 29 - Selma, TX - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
August 31 - The Woodlands, TX - The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
September 1 - Dallas, TX - Smirnoff Music Centre
September 3 - Saint Paul, MN - Minnesota State Fair
September 5 - Oklahoma City, OK - Oklahoma City Zoo Amphitheatre
September 7 - West Valley City, UT - USANA Amphitheatre
September 8 - Grand Junction, CO - Rock Jam
September 9 - Englewood, CO - Coors Amphitheatre
September 12 - Ridgefield, WA - The Amphitheater At Clark County
September 14 - Marysville, CA - Sleep Train Amphitheatre
September 15 - Kelseyville, CA - Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa
September 16 - Reno, NV - Reno Events Center
September 18 - Concord, CA - Sleep Train Pavilion At Concord
September 20 - Phoenix, AZ - Cricket Pavilion
September 22 - Las Vegas, NV - Mandalay Bay Events Center
September 23 - Irvine, CA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
September 26 - Auburn, WA - White River Amphitheatre
September 27 - Vancouver, BC - General Motors Place
September 29 - Calgary, ALB - Pengrowth Saddledome
September 30 - Edmonton, ALB - Rexall Place

REVIEWS

John 5 “The Devil Knows My Name” Mascot (Cat No M72172)

This 11 track instrumental album from Meatloaf collaborator, and former Marilyn Manson/current Rob Zombie guitarist, left me with mixed feelings.
Yes, the musicianship is without doubt. However, it’s a shame there no vocals as, at times, the songs become a bit like one long guitar solo. That said there is plenty of atmospheric openings and a variety of guitar work.
From the shredding and grinding of “The Werewolf of Westeria” (featuring Joe Satriani), to the haunting “July 31st (The Last Stand)” with it Alice Cooper style changes of mood- there are several highlights. These include the almost Metallica like “Bella Kiss”, a cover of “Welcome To The Jungle”- a cover that sounds like an open message to Axl Rose that John wanted the current GnR guitar spot!!! Then there is the bluesy “Young Thing” a track that sounds like the opening on any late 80’s Dave Lee Roth album.
Not bad for an instrumental album.

Tracks to Burn? “The Werewolf of Westeria”, “Welcome To The Jungle” & “Dead Art In Plainfield”.
Why Buy? Fans of John 5 will love this album.

Nikk Gunns 2 out of 5

Hatesphere “Serpent Smiles and Killer Eyes” SPV

Danish thrash band Hatesphere have released their 5th album “Serpent Smiles and Killer Eyes”- a 9 track master class in their given genre. Highlights include “The Stain”, “Drinking With The King Of The Dead” and “Floating”.

Tracks to Burn? “The Stain”, “Drinking With The King Of The Dead” and “Floating”
Why Buy? If you love your metal heavy and loud then this is the CD for you.

Nikk Gunns 2 out of 5

25 Yard Screamer “Cassandra” Get Ready To Rock (Cat No GRTR001)

25 Yard Screamer hail from South Wales and this, their third CD, is a great slice of modern prog rock- not far removed from Rush mixed with Marillion.
Opening track “Blacklight” weighs is at just over 19 minutes and is a subtle blend of melodic guitar and drum driven melodies and atmospheric interchanging segments. Whilst “Insomnia” is a shorter drum driven track.
The track that could easily be a single is “Boy In The Widow”, with it’s frantic opening giving way to a melodic gem of a song. Rounding of the album, and at 29 minutes, we have “Cassandra” this track is very much in the vein of “Blacklight” and tells a tale of Greek mythology and the gift of
prophecy- all good stuff.
A great 3rd album, especially for a band that was only formed in 2002.

Why Buy? Fans of Prog Rock cannot afford not to buy this future classic.

Nikk Gunns 4 out of 5

Crank County Daredevils “Livin’ In The Red” Bad Reputation

Opening with a cranking motorcycle this 9 track CD is a sleazy, raunchy slab of rock n roll that many a Hollywood band probably wish they had turned out themselves. To be honest this is one of the best albums that I have heard so far this year and there is not a weak track on it. If I had to separate the highlights then I would have to go for tracks “We Want It All”, “Love Me Like A Suicide”, “Livin’ In The Red” and “Back To Piss You Off”. The band look like mid 80’s Nikki Sixx crossed with the same era Guns N Roses- they sound even better with a sound reminiscent of the cream of late 80’s Hollywood bands.
This band will be huge, of that I have no doubt. Hopefully they will get over to Europe in the near future- until then buy this album to recapture the spirit of great times.

Tracks to Burn? “We Want It All”, “Love Me Like A Suicide”, “Livin’ In The Red” and “Back To Piss You Off”

Why Buy? Well, if you don’t want to buy this CD after reading the above, then it probably ain’t for you!!

Nikk Gunns 5 out of 5

MARTIE PETERS GROUP ‘Road To Salvation’ NL Distribution (2007) www.martiepeters.com

Martie Peters (ex-Push) is back with a follow-up to his rather good 2005 debut album. He has worked as well with White Lion’s Mike Tramp and that band is the nearest in sound to the MPG. Take a listen to ‘Fallen’ or the excellent catchy single ‘Shallow’ for proof. Fans hankering after that classic White Lion sound will be in seventh heaven on here! Some good slow numbers with ‘For What It’s Worth’ hitting the spot with its soaring vocals, crashing guitar and layered harmonies. The title track really takes the album out in fine style, making for a very enjoyable melodic hard rock release. Top notch production as well thanks to Tommy Hansen’s involvement.

****
Jason Ritchie

TRAGIK ‘Poetic Justice’ Escape Music (2007) www.escape-music.com

With a band name like this you’ve got to have a good album otherwise reviewers will have a field day making up bad puns to go with their reviews. Luckily this album is a good hard rocker with lots of modern touches, mainly in the synths/programming. The main driving force is Phil Vincent, who has been involved melodic rock scene since the mid-90’s and has released nine solo albums to date. Joining him on here are guitarist Damian D’Ercole and drummer Dirk Phillips.
The opener ‘Show The World’ really hits the spot, a hook filled hard rocker although the next song ‘Never Stand Alone’ brings the tempo right down. A strange move as maybe another uptempo track would have been better suited here. Lighters aloft though for ‘One Of Us’, a classic melodic rock ballad. ‘Jessica’ is a heartfelt ballad that gives REO Speedwagon a run for their money! ‘Higher’ reminded me of Skin – big riffing hard rockers that stay in your head after one play. Good use of guitar and keys on this one. The only downside of the album is the amount of songs as maybe dropping a couple would make it a much tighter listen.
Good melodic hard rock from a underrated talent and worthy of your attention and ears!

***1/2
Jason Ritchie