Joe Elliott (DEF LEPPARD), Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION), Duff McKagan (GUNS N’ ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER), Matt Sorum (GUNS N’ ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER), Gilby Clarke (GUNS N’ ROSES), Steve Stevens (BILLY IDOL) and Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW) have called for an end to bear bile farming in Asia in a new video produced for Animals Asia.
Bear bile farming sees more than 10,000 bears — mainly moon bears — kept on bile farms in China, and around 2,400 in Vietnam. The bears are milked regularly for their bile, which is used in traditional medicine.
The video below was put together for the charity by Matt Sorum, who was moved to action on finding out about Animals Asia just a few weeks ago.
Animals Asia has named Matt as their newest Ambassador for the United States.
Matt commented: “Watching the Animals Asia movies was a shock and an education for me. I previously had no idea of the issue but felt compelled to do anything I could to help. I was inspired further when I met [Animals Asia founder] Jill [Robinson], and when she later asked me to be the U.S. Ambassador for Animals Asia, I was honored to accept. This is all about those of us in the west standing up, alongside those who inspire positive change in China. We must continue to grow the number of voices in opposition to this cruel, horrific industry.”
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION — the Anglo-American rock group comprising vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, TRAPEZE), drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN, FOREIGNER), Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, ALICE COOPER, BILLY IDOL) and blues-rock guitarist/vocalist Joe Bonamassa — is officially “over” following Bonamassa‘s decision to exit the project. Hughes writes on his Facebook page: “Joe left and will not allow us to keep the name… Nice, huh? Jason, Derek and I will continue with a different name when the time is right.”
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION released its third album, “Afterglow”, last October amid a public feud between Hughes and Bonamassa.
The war of words goes back to early September, when Hughes began telling journalists that Bonamassa‘s solo touring schedule was preventing BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION from touring and fulfilling its potential. He stated that if the situation didn’t change, “Afterglow” could be the group’s last recording project.
Asked about the current status of BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, Bonamassa told PremierGuitar.com earlier this month: “As far as I’m concerned, my involvement is pretty much done, and I’ll tell you why: Originally, I did it for the same reasons I did the stuff with Beth Hart and ROCK CANDY FUNK PARTY— it was an excuse to play a different kind of music that I don’t get to play normally.
“The first two records were a blast — the band is fantastic when the Ritalin kicks in, the ADD goes away, and everyone’s focused. It’s a devastatingly good rock band of the early-1970s type, and Glenn is a fantastic singer — just one of the best ever. So I did it and did a nine-week tour in 2011 that really, by the end of it, wasn’t fun for me. It wasn’t because I didn’t like the cats in the band, but it was just too much — too much involved in getting people from place to place and getting the band onstage. Everybody seemed to be very tense, and it made my crew very tense, and it’s not the way I like to tour. I run a family — I have 21 people who go on the road with me all the time, and if you asked them who was the cause of the least of their problems, they would say me. Unless there was no Diet Coke — then it’s a huge [expletive] problem, and either I’m going to the supermarket or somebody else is. [laughs]
“But it just wasn’t fun for me anymore. All the stuff that Glenn says in the media, essentially pinning it on me — that I was the reason for the band’s lack of touring and the band’s lack of future. It became rapidly not fun at all. It would be dishonest of me to get onstage and pretend like I’m having fun to please the band. I’m just not the guitar player for that band, but, unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any out-of-work guitar players in L.A. that they can get. There are so many guys that can fill that role and I would be the first guy to queue up and buy a ticket. So that’s my story with it. I’m happily not involved anymore, but I’m happy with the legacy that I left with that band and happy with the records we made. It was a great three years for me.”
“Afterglow” sold 8,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 48 on The Billboard 200 chart.
2011′s “2″ CD from BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION opened with 8,000 units to land at No. 71.
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION‘s self-titled debut album registered a first-week tally of 7,100 copies to enter the chart at No. 54.
Just like its two predecessors, “Afterglow” was overseen by Kevin Shirley, whose catalog of hit records for LED ZEPPELIN, IRON MAIDEN, AEROSMITH, JOURNEY, THE BLACK CROWES and many more has made him one of the hottest producers that rock music has to offer. Shirley — who had the idea of putting Hughes and Bonamassa together in a band together after seeing them jamming onstage in Los Angeles back in November 2009 — was previously described as the group’s unofficial “fifth member.”
Lemmy Kilmister (MOTÖRHEAD), John 5 (ROB ZOMBIE, MARILYN MANSON), Glenn Hughes (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, DEEP PURPLE), Rob “Blasko” Nicholson (OZZY OSBOURNE), Billy Morrison (CAMP FREDDY), Steven Adler (GUNS N’ ROSES), Kenny Aronoff (CHICKENFOOT), Ginger Fish (ROB ZOMBIE), Wayne Static (STATIC-X), Tommy Victor (PRONG), Phil Buckman (FILTER), Jack Russell (GREAT WHITE), Jeff Pilson (FOREIGNER), Jeff Young (MEGADETH) and Marky Ramone (RAMONES) are among artists are coming together to support longtime friend and publicist Nancy Sayle, who was struck with primary progressive MS in 2009. This is a severe version of the disease and only 10% are inflicted with this level. She was also diagnosed with a pituitary brain tumor 2012.
While visiting her close and dear friend as well as client, Steve Stevens and his wife Josie Stevens, Nancy informed them of this news and all the medical issues. Knowing that she would not be working as much and facing large amounts of medical bills, Stevens suggested that a benefit was in order to help her. This is an amazing selfless gathering with a lot of love as well as creating the much-needed awareness.
The Rock Against MS benefit concert is now being held at the Whisky A Go-Go (8901 W. Sunset Blvd) in West Hollywood, California on Wednesday, March 27. The show will be hosted by Bob Coburn and Gary Moore of KLOS.
About multiple sclerosis: Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. MS interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The advancement, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 2.1 million worldwide.
The final Deep Purple Mark 3 concert – featuring Jon Lord, Ritchie Blackmore, David Coverdale, Ian Paice and Glenn Hughes – has been remixed and reissued; Live In Paris 1975 will be released on January 28th in The UK and January 29th in North America.
Featuring a blistering near two-hour set, the show includes:
Disc 1:
‘Burn’
‘Stormbringer’
‘The Gypsy’
‘Lady Double Dealer’
‘Mistreated’
‘Smoke On The Water’
‘You Fool No One’
Disc 2:
‘Space Truckin’’
‘Going Down’
‘Highway Star’
Bonus 1975 interview with Coverdale, Hughes and Paice.
Audio samples of each of the aforementioned 11 tracks can now be heard via Amazon.co.uk.
Live In Paris 1975 has been digitally remixed and re-mastered from the original multi-track recordings, sonically transmitting all the power and electricity of Deep Purple’s live stage prowess. Originally released via Purple Records, this historic concert is now presented in stunning, updated audio quality.
Recorded on April 17th, 1975 at the Palais des Sports in Paris, this was the very last concert with famed guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, who was leaving Deep Purple to form RAINBOW. Immersed in high energy solos and noteworthy improvisations, Live In Paris 1975 captures a significant moment in time in the band’s history, and is essential for any Deep Purple fan.
Artist: Black Country Communion Album: Afterglow Label: Mascot Music Year: 2012 Country: UK/USA
Tracklist:
1. Big Train
2. This Is Your Time
3. Midnight Sun
4. Confessor
5. Cry Freedom
6. Afterglow
7. Dandelion
8. The Circle
9. Common Man
10. The Giver
11. Crawl
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION are back with their third album “Afterglow” which will be released tomorrow, Monday 29th October, via Mascot Records.
The band comprises of vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, TRAPEZE), drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN, FOREIGNER), keyboard player Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, ALICE COOPER,YNGWIE MALMSTEEN,BILLY IDOL) and blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa.
The album was written within 6 months and recorded in Westlake Village, outside Hollywood, USA during 5 productive days. As Glenn explains: “I wanted this album to have more acoustic moments than the previous two. I wanted to hear more of Derek and I wanted the more angelic voice of Glenn as well as the more aggressive one which there is on songs like “Crawl” and “Midnight Sun”. Above all I wanted more drama.”
As with the two previous albums, “Afterglow” was overseen by producer Kevin Shirley who has a catalogue of hit records by bands such as IRON MAIDEN, AEROSMITH, LED ZEPPELIN and EUROPE. It was his idea to put Hughes and Bonamassa together after seeing them jamming onstage together in 2009 and is the groups “unofficial” fifth member.
The album begins with Big Train which I wasn’t too sure of at first, but after several listens it really grew on me with its catchy melodies and the great vocal range demonstrated by Glenn, backed up by the brilliant drumming of Jason. The next track This Is Your Time grabs me immediately with the deep grooves of Joe’s guitar intro, which keep up the pace throughout the song, a perfect combination with Glenn’s vocals and the great music written by Jason. Midnight Sun comes crashing into my ears next, the pace really picks up and Glenn’s vocals are top notch, he’s not called “The Voice Of Rock” for nothing! For me, the song evokes sounds of Deep Purple and there is a brilliant guitar solo by Joe, he can make it sing! Confessor is another fast paced track with excellent turbo charged drumming. I love the melodic sounds of the chorus and the Hammond organ sounding solo by Derek.
Cry Freedom has shared vocals between Glenn and Joe. Glenn feels that he and Joe sing well together and I agree: Joe’s more laid back style perfectly compliments Glenn’s raw edged sound. The title track Afterglow is long at 6:06 (but not the longest track) and has a quiet intro, but full of atmosphere. The song then builds into that familiar Black Country Communion sound and Glenn’s powerful voice kicks in. Plenty more melodic guitars here to keep fans happy. Dandelion is another slow paced song to start with and picks up soon enough, as with all these songs the whole sound is polished but also with a rawness that keeps it rocking. The Circle slows the pace and has a dream like quality to it, a very relaxing vibe, more great vocals. This track really demonstrates the power and depth to Glenn’s voice and is one of his favourite tracks. Common Man has that classic ’70′s sound, ‘groovy’ is the main way to describe the guitar and bass line and again that Hammond organ sound adding more texture and feeling. This song really sounds to me like the band are having an awesome jamming session together in the studio and is one of my favourites. Again more classic sounds on The Giver then to the last song Crawl: I love the sound here, Glenn’s rasping edgy vocals and a huge sound. There is yet another great guitar solo and awesome powerhouse drumming, another favourite for me. I’m very happy the band saved this track from “BCC2” to use on Afterglow, a great aggressive song to finish on.
More behind-the-scenes footage from the recently-released Re-Machined – A Tribute To DEEP PURPLE‘s Machine Head is available. A video featuring vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, ex-DEEP PURPLE), guitarist STEVE VAI and drummer Chad Smith (CHICKENFOOT, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS) talking about and recording the classic track ‘Highway Star’ for the album can be seen below:
Machine Head is cited as one of the influential masterpieces in the history of hard rock/heavy metal. Deep Purple’s sixth studio album was recorded through December 1971 in Montreux, Switzerland, and released in March 1972. The album reached number one in the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and Canada.
Re-Machined – A Tribute To Deep Purple’s Machine Head tracklisting:
‘Smoke On The Water’ – CARLOS SANTANA / JACOBY SHADDIX
‘Highway Star’ – CHICKENFOOT
‘Maybe I’m A Leo’ – GLENN HUGHES / CHAD SMITH
‘Pictures Of Home’ – BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
‘Never Before’ – KINGS OF CHAOS
‘Smoke On The Water’ – THE FLAMING LIPS
‘Lazy’ – JIMMY BARNES with JOE BONOMASSA
‘Space Truckin’ – IRON MAIDEN
‘When A Blind Man Cries’ – METALLICA
‘Highway Star’ – GLENN HUGHES, STEVE VAI, CHAD SMITH, LAUCHLAN DOLEY
Former DEEP PURPLE bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes tells CBS Local that he has been in touch with the band’s ex-lead singer, David Coverdale, about doing something special to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the “Burn” album. He says, “David and I have talked about this weekly since [former DEEP PURPLE keyboardist] Jon [Lord] died [in July]. How we can do something to keep the flame burning. But we don’t want to hinder the heritage of the band. Some bands get back together and sound bloody awful. It’s the 40th anniversary of ‘Burn’ next year. I’m not giving you a hint to something that’s gonna happen, but you just never know.”
According to Hughes, he and Coverdale made an attempt several years ago to reunite with their DEEP PURPLE bandmates Jon Lord, Ian Paice (drums), Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), but the roadblock was the band’s famously mercurial guitarist. “Jon, David and I were trying to get it together,” Hughes said. “[but] we couldn’t get ahold of him. We sent carrier pigeons, and the Pony Express. But nobody at ‘Castle Blackmore’ answered the door. It wasn’t meant to be.”
Lord told U.K.’s Classic Rock magazine in 2010 that he couldn’t ever see a reunion of PURPLE‘s Mk. III lineup.
“I think it’s a dream too far,” Lord said. “I know a lot of people would like it to happen, but it would have to have Ian Paice involved, and right now he’s committed to the current PURPLE lineup. And I know they are planning a new studio album, as well as more touring.”
He added, “I got an email from David recently, and it seems Glenn and Ritchie might be into it, although I don’t know how Glenn feels now, with BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION happening.
“Yes, I would love to play with Ritchie again, but don’t read anything into that as far as Mk. III is concerned.
“I must admit I’d also have a concern or two about David‘s voice.”
Coverdale and Hughes joined DEEP PURPLE in 1973 to create the band’s Mk. III lineup, though co-founding member and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore left in 1975, to be replaced by Tommy Bolin.
Orange Amplification are proud to announce the legendary bassist Glenn Hughes is now endorsing their amps. For over forty years Glenn has been a vocalist, bass player and songwriter in some of the greatest rock acts of all time as well as achieving success in his own solo career.
From his early days with Trapeze, the British rock bassist and vocalist went onto to join one of the biggest bands of the ‘70’s, Deep Purple where Glenn’s bass playing and vocals were the anchor for several classic albums including Burn, Stormbringer and Come Taste The Band. He is currently lead vocalist and bass player in the rock supergroup Black Country Communion and still finds time to record and tour in his own name as well as many other projects such as The Rock & Roll All Stars.
His move to Orange Amplification sees him returning back to his roots of using a British made vintage inspired amp with full modern tones. Commenting on Orange Amplification, Glenn said, “I plugged into to that Orange amp and it was as though it had been designed for me! It was the Glenn Hughes sound… It was the sound I had with Trapeze in 69 and the sound I had with Deep Purple!”
Glenn will be using the AD200B MK3 Head with an OBC810 8 x 10” Bass Speaker Cabinet on his latest tour. The AD200B MK3 is quite simply one of the purest bass amps ever produced with a creamy dynamic low end and a focused midrange crunch. The OBC810 is a revered Bass Cabinet first made in small numbers back in the 1970s, and recently re-launched, it has to be heard to be believed.
The members of BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, the English-American rock band featuring the talents of bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, TRAPEZE, BLACK SABBATH), blues rock guitarist/vocalist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN), and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER), recently entered the studio to record their third album.
A new one-minute clip from the recording sessions can be seen below.
“With this next album, I’ve had the luxury of being able to write for six months,” Hughes recently told GuitarWorld.com. “With the first album I had six weeks, and the second one was about four months. But I’ve had a lot more time to write this one. If you look at Joe‘s schedule, he doesn’t even have time to wipe his nose. I’ve been left as the keeper of the keys to write these albums.”
In a recent interview with Artisan News, Hughes stated about BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION‘s musical evolution, “We just did two albums back to back, both successful records. And our live DVD is out now.
“We’re really, really happy with the progress of where we’re going musically. So we’re sort of on course now.”
Regarding the sound of the forthcoming BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION CD, Hughes said, “It’s kind of a continuation… There’s gonna be some darker stuff on there, because the lyrics I’m writing are kind of dark. There may be some moments of drama in there — I like drama in the music. So the songs I have ready are definitely a continuation of [the first and the second albums].”
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION released its first concert DVD, “Live Over Europe”, on October 24, 2011 (Blu-ray followed on November 15) on the J&R Adventures imprint. The two-DVD live set was filmed with 14 HD cameras and 5.1 Surround Sound during the band’s debut tour in the summer of 2011. Over three nights, playing to packed venues in the German cities of Hamburg, Munich and Berlin, the 18-song set list (17 originals and one cover) hits on both of BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION‘s albums — 2010′s debut and 2011′s sophomore release “2″.
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION initially came to fruition when producer Kevin Shirley saw Hughes and Bonamassa join forces on stage in Los Angeles in November 2009 for an explosive performance at Guitar Center‘s King of the Blues event. Shirley then recruited Bonham and Sherinian for the project, which is named after the industrial area in the British Midlands where both Hughes and Bonham were born and raised.
The members of BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, the English-American rock band featuring the talents of bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, TRAPEZE, BLACK SABBATH), blues rock guitarist/vocalist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN), and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER), will gather this coming Sunday, June 10 to begin work on their third album. Hughesstates on Twitter, “I’m excited to play my songs to the guys and hear what the lads have been workin’ on.”
“With this next album, I’ve had the luxury of being able to write for six months,” Hughes recently told GuitarWorld.com. “With the first album I had six weeks, and the second one was about four months. But I’ve had a lot more time to write this one. If you look at Joe‘s schedule, he doesn’t even have time to wipe his nose. I’ve been left as the keeper of the keys to write these albums.”
In a recent interview with Artisan News, Hughes stated about BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION‘s musical evolution, “We just did two albums back to back, both successful records. And our live DVD is out now.
“We’re really, really happy with the progress of where we’re going musically. So we’re sort of on course now.”
Regarding the sound of the forthcoming BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION CD, Hughes said, “It’s kind of a continuation… There’s gonna be some darker stuff on there, because the lyrics I’m writing are kind of dark. There may be some moments of drama in there — I like drama in the music. So the songs I have ready are definitely a continuation of [the first and the second albums].”
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION released its first concert DVD, “Live Over Europe”, on October 24, 2011 (Blu-ray followed on November 15) on the J&R Adventures imprint. The two-DVD live set was filmed with 14 HD cameras and 5.1 Surround Sound during the band’s debut tour in the summer of 2011. Over three nights, playing to packed venues in the German cities of Hamburg, Munich and Berlin, the 18-song set list (17 originals and one cover) hits on both of BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION‘s albums — 2010′s debut and 2011′s sophomore release “2″.
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION initially came to fruition when producer Kevin Shirley saw Hughes and Bonamassa join forces on stage in Los Angeles in November 2009 for an explosive performance at Guitar Center‘s King of the Blues event. Shirley then recruited Bonham and Sherinian for the project, which is named after the industrial area in the British Midlands where both Hughes and Bonham were born and raised.
Artist: Black Country Communion
