Legendary guitarist Michael Schenker performed a brand new song, “Horizons”, from his forthcoming album, “Bridge The Gap”, at last night’s (Friday, April 5) concert at Izvestiya Hall in Moscow, Russia. Backing Schenker at the show, and the rest of “Temple Of Rock – Lovedrive Reunion Tour 2013″, were fellow former SCORPIONS members Herman Rarebell (drums) and Francis Buchholz (bass), along with singer Doogie White (RAINBOW, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) and keyboardist Wayne Findlay. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.
British metallers TANK have announced via their official website and facebook page, that former DRAGONFORCE frontman ZP Theart will be joining the band on stage for the rest of the year, while Doogie White is on tour and recording with Michael Schenker. Here is what the various band members had to say:
“We are very pleased to announce that while Doogie White is out on tour and recording in the studio with Michael Schenker’s ‘Temple of Rock’ , we will have the pleasure of being joined on stage for all our 2013 shows by our good friend and former Dragonforce frontman ‘ZP Theart’. “
MICK TUCKER -
“We thrive on bringing fresh blood into the band. It gives us a good kick in the ass and breathes new life into our songs. We’ve worked very hard over the past few years and have been rewarded with the success of our ‘War Machine’ and ‘War Nation’ albums and the release of our first official DVD ‘War Machine Live’. Bringing in a world class vocalist like ‘ZP’ is a great privilege for us and a real treat for metal fans.“
CLIFF EVANS - “Mick and me have been playing together for a long time. We know what we want when it comes to making good music. We’re very proud of the albums we made with Doogie’s and the response we received from the fans and press has proved that we are a band that can deliver the goods when it comes to it. We’ve been rehearsing with ZP this week and we can’t wait to get on stage and do what we do best. Play British rock/metal the way it should be played.”
ZP THEART –
“Good music is good music end of story, and being asked to fill Doogie’s boots for these TANK shows is an honour I’m very much looking forward to. While I AMI is still my priority, we’ve managed to fit these shows in with both our schedules so we can go out there and kick some ass, and if rehearsals are anything to go by, then we’ve got something very special coming your way!”
April 14th – PPM Festival Belgium
May 19th – Rockhard Festival Germany
May 31st – Shepherds Bush Empire London UK
June 23rd – R-MINE Festival Belgium
ZP will be on tour with his own band ‘I AM I’ supporting SKID ROW on their UK tour from April 4th – April 13th and will also be appearing at this years Download festival on June 15th.
Anthony Morgan of Metal Forces recently conducted an interview with legendary guitarist Michael Schenker. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
On filming live DVD “Temple Of Rock – Live In Europe” in Tilburg, The Netherlands on May 13, 2012:
Michael: “We had to go from Glasgow overnight to go there, and get ready to do the filming. It was a long way. We were filming, and there was a lot of stuff going on. Something that I notice with this particular line-up — with Herman [Rarebell, ex-SCORPIONS drummer] and Francis [Buchholz, ex-SCORPIONS bassist] — is that even in Germany and other countries, for the first few songs people would just look and look. They really watch everything, and then after a few songs they would start going crazy. That’s what also happened in Tilburg, but it happened not just in Tilburg. It happened everywhere with the exception of England. In England the people just go for it straight away, but in Europe it took a little while because I think they tried to figure out what this combination was all about.”
On the health status of Robin McAuley [ex-MCAULEY SCHENKER GROUP]:
Michael: “I don’t know if he’s had surgery yet. The last time I heard he was being tested, and he didn’t enjoy that. I’m not really sure. Nobody has reported to me yet that he has had it done. I don’t think he’s had it done yet, because otherwise people would’ve said something. I think he’s waiting for an appointment, and being tested.”
On touring the U.K. in April 2013:
Michael: “I don’t know why, but in the U.K. they’re just happy right from the beginning. In Germany, Holland, and some other places, they just check you out for the first four to five songs. I don’t know why, but that’s what they do. A third into the set, they then start getting into it. I guess maybe they try to figure out what we’re gonna be doing. If it’s anything good and they like what they see, then they get into it.”
On his forthcoming studio album:
Michael: “We are actually already starting a new album which will be released by the end of 2013, so hopefully we will have something ready to perform on the next tour which starts in April. Everybody is putting their things together. I’m putting my things together, putting down my guitars. Basically from that moment on, it goes pretty quick. It’s with Doogie White [ex-RAINBOW, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN], with that lineup. Doogie White, Herman Rarebell, Francis Buchholz, Wayne Findlay, and myself. It’s the same lineup as Tilburg.
“When I’m writing, of course, I have Doogie in my head because I know he’s gonna be doing the vocals. He’s a more metal singer, and so automatically it will be more metal. It will be more on the level of ‘Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead’ [from 2011's 'Temple Of Rock'] of course, because that’s Doogie singing there. Doogie has more of a heavy metal voice. Automatically, when I’ve been writing this time I’ve been writing with Doogie in my head, but I have a very good concept usually. When I wrote ‘Temple Of Rock’, I didn’t know what I was doing in the beginning. I just started and went for it, but this time I have a concept. I already know that the title of the album is gonna be ‘Bridge The Gap’, and so this time I have a blueprint in my head, like a map that I see. I can see that it’s a concept I have, and so I have a very clear direction of what I’m doing.”
On his forthcoming acoustic collaboration with DOKKEN mainman Don Dokken:
Michael: “There is the ‘Thank You’ [1993] album. Don and I got together, and we had been talking awhile about doing something together. He likes the first ‘Thank You’ album, so I said to him ‘Why don’t you put some vocals on it and see what happens?’ He did it on one song, and sent it to me. It was fantastic, so I said, ‘Keep going. Let’s make this a project.’ I can’t wait to hear more.”
Rich Davenport’s Rock Show this week featured exclusive interviews with legendary guitarist Michael Schenker, and Tony Niva of rising Swedish melodic rockers Oxygen, and is available now for streaming at this location.
Michael Schenker
In the first hour, Michael Schenker talks about his new live album “Temple of Rock – Live In Europe” (also available on DVD and Blu Ray), and selects live versions of MSG, UFO and Scorpions classics from the new release. Michael also talks about playing with his former Scorpions bandmates Herman Rarebell and Francis Bucholz, and his forthcoming Temple of Rock April 2013 UK tour.
And in the second hour, Oxygen vocalist Tony Niva (ex Lions Share, ex Swedish Erotica) talks about the band’s debut album “Final Warning”, an impressive and passionate slab of melodic rock with a metallic edge.
Tony Niva
The show also features classic tracks and killer new cuts from Lynyrd Skynrd, Stratovarius, Dio, Thin Lizzy, Sapphire Eyes, Rory Gallagher, Badlands and more.
You can also listen on www.bloodstockradio.com on Sunday 6th January 15:00-17:00 GMT, repeated Monday 7th January 02:00-04:00 GMT.
CD1 (Live In Tilburg) Band: Michael Schenker, Doogie White, Herman Rarebell, Francis Buchholz, Wayne Findlay
1. Into The Arena
2. Armed And Ready
3. Lovedrive
4. Another Piece Of Meat
5. Hanging On (special guest Michael Voss)
6. Cry For The Nations
7. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
8. Coast To Coast
9. Assault Attack
10. Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead
11. Lights Out
12. On And On
13. Let It Roll
CD2 (Live In Tilburg)
1. Shoot Shoot
2. Rock You Like A Hurricane
3. Rock Bottom
4. Holiday
5. Blackout
6. Doctor Doctor
Bonus Concert (Live At High Voltage Festival) Band: Michael Schenker, Michael Voss, Herman Rarebell, Elliott “Dean” Rubinson, Wayne Findlay
7. Armed And Ready
8. Another Piece Of Meat
9. Rock You Like A Hurricane (special guest Rudolf Schenker)
10. Hanging On (special guest Rudolf Schenker)
11. Doctor Doctor (special guests Rudolf Schenker, Doogie White, Jeff Scott Soto, Pete Way)
A major contributing factor in the legendary Michael Schenker‘s comeback was the release of the album “Temple Of Rock” in 2011. To quote Michael, who sees himself as a building block with the entire construction of the Temple Of Rock, “The Temple Of Rock is almost finished. there’s not much left to expect, but I am glad to be a part of this temple. It is unbelievable fun and an honour to share a stage and make music with some of the world’s best musicians.“
Michael Schenker has gone on to release the double CD “Temple Of Rock – Live In Europe” earlier this month. It was recorded with many musicians, plus several special guests. The first CD (and part of the second) was recorded in Tilburg, Netherlands, in May 2012. the remainder of Disc 2 features extracts from London’s 2011 High Voltage Festival. It was released on three formats: CD Edition (2 discs), DVD Edition (1 disc) and Limited Deluxe Edition (2CD, 1 Blu-Ray, 1 Bonus DVD).
Of course as with the studio album, “Live In Europe” begins with the dulcet tones of William Shatner, then kicks off with the great chugging riff of “Into The Arena.” The solo is pure magic for any Schenker fan and straight away your are transported into Michael’s Flying V world. There is plenty of enthusiastic cheers from the crowd and then we are launched into the first vocal track “Armed And Ready” with Doogie White sounding clear and as though he’s having a great time. Michael Voss was introduced for “Hanging On” and stormed through the songs with his gravelly vocal style.
The instrumental track “Coast To Coast” again had me floating away to another world with the lovely, rich melodic guitar sound. Back to Doogie’s vocals and the pace steps up for “Assault Attack” which is really heavy. Then we go on to new material with “Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead“, before ending the first CD with “Let It Roll” and it rocks! What can you say about Michael’s precision guitar playing ? Just fantastic in my opinion!
CD2 continues to blast the listener with so many classic songs from Michael’s long career. My favourites include “Shoot Shoot,” and “Rock Bottom,” and it’s great to hear a different version of “Rock You Like A Hurricane,” with Michael Voss on vocals, and of course Rudolf Schenker appearing as a special guest at High Voltage.
The songs on the CD from the High Voltage show are all repeated , but that does not matter to me at all and I’m sure to any Schenker fans who buy one of the packages. The musicians are different, therefore you notice subtle changes in the songs, which makes them more interesting! Also, the differing vocals between Doogie White and Michael Voss are a great contrast. The musicianship from everyone on this album is outstanding and top class in every way, they produce amazing sounds throughout and the album really captures the feel of being at a live show. It also demonstrates how Michael is on top form, his performance is so slick and professional, evoking the feeling that you’re there watching the guitar maestro perform his metal magic.
Rock guitarist MICHAEL SCHENKERhas added a London o2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire concert on Friday May 31st to his 2013 Temple of Rock UK Tour. Tickets for the London concert goes on sale Wednesday December 5th from www.thegigcartel.com and 0844 478 0898.
Stockton on Tees ARC (April 9)
Aberdeen Lemon Tree (April 10)
Edinburgh HMV Picturehouse (April 11)
Newcastle o2 Academy (April 12)
Holmfirth Picturedrome (April 13)
Warrington Parr Hall (April 14)
Falmouth Princess Pavilion (April 16)
Bristol o2 Academy (April 17)
Salisbury City Hall (April 18)
Oxford o2 Academy (April 19)
Nottingham Rock City (April 20)
Norwich Waterfront (April 21)
London o2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (May 31)
The London o2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire concert dovetails Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock: Live in Europe CD, DVD, Blu-ray and Ltd Deluxe Collector’s Edition, released by inakustik on Monday December 10th. Live In Europewas recorded and filmed in Tilburg, the Netherlands in May 2012, and at 2011’s London’s High Voltage Festival.
Legendary guitarist Michael Schenker will release a personal VIP package shortly. This package will include an unreleased and never-before-heard CD which features a recording Schenker made in 1979. Michael plays guitar and bass on all tracks, he even sings on some of the songs. This makes it a very unique and special recording.
Comments Michael: “It’s a 14-track demo I wrote and recorded by myself in the Dieter Dirks‘ (SCORPIONS‘ producer) mobile studio whilst Rory Gallagher and the SCORPIONS were recording next door. It was going to be material for my first solo album. There’s some instrumentals and I even sing on a few. Ringo Funk helped out by playing drums on some tracks. He was the drummer in a famous German band at the time called ATLANTIS. I recorded this after I left the SCORPIONS ‘Lovedrive’ tour in ‘79. Some of this material I rehearsed later with Joey Kramer and Tom Hamilton from AEROSMITH. Some of it I rehearsed with Gary Barden, Billy Sheehan (bass from MR. BIG) and Denny Carmassi (drums from MONTROSE).”
As part of this very personal package, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to have your name printed on Michael‘s new guitar model is also available. This is strictly limited to 1000 names.
Schenker‘s new Dean signature model will be available to purchase once created. This has not been done before and will never be repeated again.
Schenker‘s “Howler” technique is described on an instructional DVD along with the tool he uses to create the distinctive sound. This package will also contain a box of goodies such as a unique T-shirt only available with this package. You will also become part of Michael Schenker‘s VIP Platinum club who receive priority opportunities to take part in meet-and-greets on future tours.
This is limited to 1000 people worldwide and will be dealt with on a first-come-first-served basis. The package is $220 per person.
If you would like to be part of this, please send an e-mail to fanmail@michaelschenkerhimself.com so you can reserve a spot.
Inakustik has set a December 3 release date for Michael Schenker‘s “Temple Of Rock: Live In Europe” that will be made available on CD, DVD, Blu-ray and as a limited deluxe edition containing all three formats. This essential live rock’n'roll release includes songs performed live in Tilburg, The Netherlands in May 2012, and at London’s High Voltage festival in 2011.
The official “Temple Of Rock” microsite has been launched at this location.
Schenker sees his music as a building block in the construction of the Temple Of Rock. “The Temple is almost finished,” explains Michael. “The foundation was laid in the ’60s by LED ZEPPELIN, DEEP PURPLE and BLACK SABBATH. The walls were then built by UFO and others in the ’70s. By the ’80s, it was further reinforced by the likes of the SCORPIONS, and many more influential rock bands.”
The Tilburg gig, recorded May 2012, features Schenker (lead guitar), Doogie White (vocals; RAINBOW, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, TANK), Herman Rarebell (drums), Francis Buchholz (bass) and Wayne Findley (rhythm guitar, keyboards). London’s 2011 High Voltage festival features Michael Voss (vocals), Rudolf Schenker (SCORPIONS), who plays rhythm guitar on “Rock You Like a Hurricane”, “Hanging On” and “Doctor Doctor”, UFO‘s Pete Way, who plays bass guitar on “Doctor Doctor”, and vocalists Jeff Scott Soto (TALISMAN, JOURNEY, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) and Doogie White, who both sing on “Doctor Doctor”.
“Live In Tilburg” track listing:
01. Into The Arena
02. Armed And Ready
03. Lovedrive
04. Another Piece Of Meat
05. Hanging On
06. Cry For The Nations
07. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
08. Coast To Coast
09. Assault Attack
10. Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead
11. Lights Out
12. On And On
13. Let It Roll
14. Shoot Shoot
15. Rock You Like A Hurricane
16. Rock Bottom
17. Holiday
18. Blackout
19. Doctor Doctor
“Live At High Voltage” track listing:
01. Armed And Ready
02. Another Piece Of Meat
03. Rock You Like A Hurricane (ft. Rudolph Schenker)
04. Hanging On (ft. Rudolph Schenker)
05. Doctor Doctor (ft. Rudolph Schenker)
Formats and special features:
CD Edition – 2 Disc
* Recording from 2012′s Tilburg, Netherlands concert
* Recording (extracts) from London’s 2011
* High Voltage Festival
DVD Edition – 1 Disc
* Recording from 2012′s Tilburg, Netherlands concert
* Recording (extracts) from London’s 2011
* High Voltage Festival
* Bonus-Footage‚ Before The Show (Tilburg)
* Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, dts, Stereo
Blu-ray Edition – 1 Disc
* Recording from 2012′s Tilburg, Netherlands concert
* Recording (extracts) from London’s 2011
* High Voltage Festival
* Bonus-Footage‚ Before The Show (Tilburg)
* Bonus-Footage‚ Sound check (Tilburg)
* Audio: DTS HD Master, Stereo
Limited Deluxe Edition – 4 Discs
* Includes 2 CDs, 1 Blu-ray, 1 Bonus DVD.
Bonus DVD includes the following content:
- Brighton Rehearsal
- Doogie’s Video Impressions
inakustik is pleased to announce the December 3rd release of MICHAELSCHENKER’s“Temple of Rock: Live in Europe” that will be released on CD, DVD, Blu-ray and as a Limited Deluxe Edition containing all 3 formats. This essential live rock’n’roll release includes songs performed live in Tilburg, The Netherlands in May 2012, and at London’s High Voltage Festival in 2011.
Schenker sees his music as a building block in the construction of the Temple Of Rock. “The Temple is almost finished,” explains Michael. “The foundation was laid in the 60s by LED ZEPPELIN,DEEP PURPLE and BLACK SABBATH. The walls were then built by UFO and others in the 70s. By the 80s it was further reinforced by the likes of the SCORPIONS, and many more influential rock bands.”
The Tilburg gig, recorded May 2012, features Schenker (lead guitar), Doogie White (vocals), Herman Rarebell (drums), Francis Buchholz (bass) and Wayne Findley (rhythm guitar, keyboards). London’s 2011 High Voltage Festival features Michael Voss (vocals), Rudolf Schenker (The Scorpions) who plays rhythm guitar on “Rock You Like a Hurricane”, “Hanging On” and “Doctor Doctor”, UFO’s Pete Way who plays bass guitar on “Doctor Doctor”, and vocalists Jeff Scott Soto (ex-Journey) and Doogie White, who both sing on “Doctor Doctor”.
Live In Tilburg – Track Listing
1. Into The Arena
2. Armed And Ready
3. Lovedrive
4. Another Piece Of Meat
5. Hanging On
6. Cry For The Nations
7. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
8. Coast To Coast
9. Assault Attack
10. Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead
11. Lights Out
12. On And On
13. Let It Roll
14. Shoot Shoot
15. Rock You Like A Hurricane
16. Rock Bottom
17. Holiday
18. Blackout
19. Doctor Doctor
Live At High Voltage – Track Listing
1. Armed And Ready
2. Another Piece Of Meat
3. Rock You Like A Hurricane (ft. Rudolph Schenker)
According to MICHAEL SCHENKER News and Tour Information, legendary guitarist Michael Schenker‘s (ex-UFO, SCORPIONS) upcoming US tour will feature Robin McAuley on vocals, Pete Holmes on drums, Wayne Findlay on guitars and Elliott Rubinson (Dean Guitars) on bass.
Rubinson tells Michael Schenker News and Tour Information: “The new US Michael Schenker tour kicks off in October in California with the schedule still being solidified. I will tell you that the lineup is the McAuley Schenker lineup including myself on bass, Pete Holmes on drums and of course the great Wayne Findlay. In addition to some new songs from the March tour I am proud to say that we at Dean guitars has just produced a very special guitar for Michael that he absolutely loves. I will say no more. They will be available for sale later in the year. We will play NYC, Chicago, Texas, Canada and many places in between. We will play with our friends from QUEENSRŸCHE on some shows which will be great as well.”
McAuley Schenker dates:
October
4 – San Jose, CA – Rockin Rodeo SJC
6 – Las Vegas, NV – Chrome (Santa Fe Station Hotel & Casino)
5 – West Hollywood, CA – Key Club
7 – Ramona, CA – Ramona Mainstage
13 – San Antonio, TX – South West Texas Festival
18 – Toronto, ON – Rockpile
23 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre
30 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
November
2 – Organevale, CA – Boardwalk
8 – Agoura Hills, CA – The Canyon Club
9 – San Juan Capistrano, CA – The Coach House
10 – Corona, CA – Marquee 15
Artist – MICHAEL SCHENKER
