Kansas - 2 July 2020 Kansas are American Progressive Rock heroes. Following a rebirth in a new guise in 2016, the band are preparing to unleash follow up ‘The Absence of Presence’, which given the events of 2020, couldn’t be more aptly titled. We sat down with producer and guitarist Zak Rizvi for a chat about the new album, releasing in the time of coronavirus, and respecting the past.
Doug Sampson & Airforce-20 June 2020. Airforce are preparing to take flight again, with a new album set for release this September. Featuring original members Chop Pit [guitars], Tony Hatton [bass], and former Iron Maiden drummer Doug Sampson, the NWOBHM heroes have recently recruited vocalist Flávio Lino. We sat down with the band at Burrfest in London to chat the early days, later days, and Doug’s tenure with Maiden.
Donal Gallagher - 14 June 2020 He may have been his manager, but as brother and confident, Donal Gallagher is undoubtedly the man who knew Rory Gallagher best. By his side through most of his career, Donal saw it all; from the guitarist’s showband days, to being courted by the Rolling Stones. Commemorating 25 years since Rory’s passing, we sat down with Donal for a chat about all of the above.
Limahl - 05 June 2020. It’s been almost four decades since Limahl came to prominence as lead singer of Kajagoogoo. With debut single ‘Too Shy’ proving a global smash, the singer’s status as an ‘80s icon is secured, however he’s now back with new release ‘Still in Love’. We sat down with Limahl for a chat the new track, Kajagoogoo’s highs and lows, and surviving the lockdown.
Ross the Boss - 21 April 2020 Ross ‘the Boss’ Friedman is among metal’s pioneers. A founder of Manowar, his vision for the band helped shape the genre. Now with his own Ross the Boss band, he’s just released ‘Born of Fire’, an utterly uncompromising return to his Power Metal best. We sat down with Ross for a chat about fighting the world in the time of coronavirus, as well as all of the above.
Testament- 02 Apr 2020. With a new album due for release and a successful bout of touring just completed, things should be fantastic in the world of Testament. World events however, have conspired to place them right in the middle of the current COVID-19 crisis. We sat down with Eric Peterson, to chat how “It’s kind of followed us around”, ‘Titians of Creation’, and why the next Testament album will feature a ballad.
Blaze Bayley - 25 March 2020 There have been plenty of ups and downs in Blaze Bayley’s Career. The “incredible roller coaster of emotions” in joining, and ultimately parting with Iron Maiden, have been tempered by his struggles with his own mental health. We sat down with Blaze, for an in-depth chat about his Maiden Days, Wolfsbane’s high water moments, and keeping the black dog at bay.
Ian Anderson - 24 Feb 2020. Things are never quiet in Ian Anderson's world, but of late he's been particularly busy, so busy in fact, that even the release of his next album has lapsed. "The reality is that yet again, I had January and February set aside for working to complete the new album, and that has just disappeared", he tells us. We caught up with the Prog God for a chat about what's going on in 2020.
Biff Byford- 17 Feb 2020 Diagnosed with a heart condition that required immediate surgery last September, Saxon's Biff Byford has had to sit back and take stock. The fact that the health scare coincided with plans for his first ever solo release is something that is not lost on the Yorkshireman. “I don’t know; maybe it was a bit of a premonition”, he tells us as we sit down for a chat. We caught up with Biff to talk about the set, and Saxon past and future.
Gibson - 04 Feb 2020. The last few years have seen a complete rebirth for Gibson Brands. The iconic guitar company first started life in 1894, and following troubled times, has forged ahead into a bright future under the leadership of CEO James ‘JC’ Curleigh. “We’ve got to make guitars matter”, he says as we sit down for a chat at NAMM Show 2020 in Anaheim, California.
Paul Di'Anno- 16 Dec 2019 Suffering health woes that have left him wheelchair bound for the last few years, Paul Di'Anno may have been knocked down, but he's not out. Readying a new album; 'Hell over Waltrop - Live in Germany', we sat down with the former Iron Maiden front man for a chat about the disc, his early days with Maiden, and reconnecting with Steve Harris.
Everclear - 29 Oct 2019. A lot has happened since we last spoke to Art Alexakis. He’s released his first solo album ‘Sun Songs’, and completed a short European solo run in support of the set, but thoughts are turning towards next year’s 20th anniversary of the release of Everclear’s ‘Songs from an American Movie’. We caught up with Art for a chat about the album's fraught creation.
a-ha- 25 Oct 2019 EXCLUSIVE: With sales of over 50 million albums, a-ha are one of the biggest bands ever to have emerged from their native Scandinavia. It all started with debut album ‘Hunting High and Low’ in 1985, and the band are now heading out on a world tour during which they’ll play the album in its entirety. “It’ll be a whole different show for everybody”, says instrumentalist and song writer Pal Waaktaar-Savoy.
K.K. Downing - 21 Oct 2019. K.K. Downing is gearing up for his first proper return to the stage since he parted ways with Judas Priest almost a decade ago. Assembling an all-star cast that includes former Priest members and Megadeth’s David Ellefson, the show at KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton will be"just be like a Priest set, as you’d expect it to”, he tells us. There's also the matter of Judas Priest's possible induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2020 to discuss...
Dweezil Zappa - 14 Oct 2019 Dweezil Zappa has been fully focused on keeping his father Frank’s legacy alive for more than a decade. Currently taking 1969 classic ‘Hot Rats’ out on the road, we sat down with the guitarist to talk the intricacies of the task, working with Ozzy Osbourne, and his role in ‘The Running Man’.
Marillion- 09 Oct 2019. Picking up an award at the 2019 Progressive Music Awards for ‘Best Reissue’, Marillion’s ‘Clutching at Straws’ remains a masterwork of the genre. Released in 1987, the set was their final album with Fish, and for some – including guitarist Steve Rothery – it ranks among their finest works. We sat down with Steve at the bash ito discuss the set, and hear how he “left the band for 24 hours” during its recording.
Feeder- 07 Oct 2019 Coming hot on the heels of 2017’s ‘Best of’, Feeder; singer / guitarist Grant Nicholas and bassist Taka Hirose are riding the crest of a fresh bout of energy, Back with a brand new album, we sat down with Grant for a chat about ‘Tallulah’, and hear EXCLUSIVELY about plans to celebrate 20 years of ‘Comfort in Sound’. “I shouldn’t be telling you this!”, says Grant.
Art Alexakis- 04 Oct 2019. Recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, Everclear's Art Alexakis has had to adjust to a new way of life, one that has informed his debut solo album ‘Sun Songs’. Art is in defiant form however; “I’m going to live for a long time, and love life. That’s the job, right?”, he tells us. We sat down for a chat about the disc, and plans to celebrate 20 years of ‘Songs From an American Movie’.
Thunder- 02 Oct 2019 Celebrating three decades together, Thunder have just released their first ever band sanctioned, career-spanning retrospective; ‘The Greatest Hits’. With eleven studio albums and countless live shows behind them, it’s a good time to take stock. We sat down with front man Danny Bowes for an in depth chat about the London band’s creation, their early years and rise, as well as the bumps along the way.
Megadeth- 30 Sept 2019. Readying his first ever solo run of European dates, Megadeth co-founder David Ellefson is bringing his ‘More Live With Deth’ solo project. He’s also assembled three former Judas Priest members for a one off show at KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton. “This is like a dream moment!”, he tells us. We sat down with David for a chat about the shows, reuniting with Megadeth alumni, and twenty years of ‘Risk’.
Dream Theater- 25 Sept 2019 2019 has been a busy year for Dream Theater. With the release of latest album 'Distance Over Time', the neo prog outfit have done some serious touring that has seen also celebrate 20 years of their defining 'Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory’ set. We caught up with John Petrucci and keyboardist Jordan Rudess for a chat at the Prog Awards in London.
Marillion- 19 Sept 2019. Preparing for a fresh round of activity with a U.K. tour that includes two nights at the Royal Albert Hall, Marillion have everything to be optimistic about. There’s also the ongoing reissues series that next sees 1995 fan favourite ‘Afraid of Sunlight’ getting the expanded treatment. We caught up with front man Steve Hogarth for a chat about the set, and their return to the scene of their greatest triumph.
Michael Schenker - 17 Sept 2019 It’s been a transformative few years for Michael Schenker. Reuniting with a host of musicians who helped shape his career in the 1980s, the resulting Michael Schenker Fest has been a dream for long-time fans of the iconic guitarist. About to release the group’s second album, we sat down with Michael for a chat about the album, as well as his pending 50th anniversary as a recording artist.
Nick Mason- 16 Sept 2019. The man behind the kit with one of the most successful bands of all time, Nick Mason has earned his place in music history. The only member to have played on every Pink Floyd release, Nick has a unique place in the band’s expansive story. We caught up with Nick at the Prog Awards in London, for a chat about his career.
