As reported by the Irish news site Independent.ie : A statue in honour of THIN LIZZY frontman Phil Lynott in Dublin, which has been badly damaged after vandals pushed it over (Garda/PA).
The life-size bronze sculpture just off Grafton Street has been removed after it almost split in two on impact.
Gardai said two men, thought to be aged in their 20s, carried out the vandalism at about 4.15am on Harry Street.
The statue sits near the front door of Bruxelles bar.
The suspects left the area on foot in the direction of Grafton Street and on to Wicklow Street.
Gardai said one was wearing a white shirt, a tie, trousers or jeans and had short dark hair while the second man wore a navy or dark jacket, had a tight haircut and heavy build.
Gardai in Pearse Street said they wanted to make a specific appeal for a number of people to come forward, including the group who lifted the statue after the attack, a man driving a white van who may have been making deliveries nearby and anyone else who saw the incident.
The statue, which was badly cracked across the midriff, has been removed for repairs.
Nuclear Blast has issued that BLACK STAR RIDERS, the new band featuring THIN LIZZY members Ricky Warwick, Damon Johnson, Scott Gorham and Marco Mendoza together with drummer Jimmy DeGrasso (ALICE COOPER, MEGADETH a.o.), have announced their first UK headline tour. The tour will support the release of their debut album “All Hell Breaks Loose” which will be released on Nuclear Blast Entertainment on the 24th May 2013.
“Songs that could slip onto a THIN LIZZY album and stand shoulder to shoulder with almost anything there” – Classic Rock Magazine (UK) review of “All Hell Breaks Loose”!
The band already released their debut single “Bound For Glory”. You can enjoy the lyric video here:
The band are set to take the UK and Eire by storm on their 2013 tour, playing much of the debut album and some THIN LIZZY classics. Confirmed headline and festival appearances for BLACK STAR RIDERS in 2013 include the below (with more dates to be announced):
01.06. D Chiemgau – Max-Aicher-Arena / High Rock Festival
02.06. D Loreley, St. Goarshausen – High Rock Festival
08.06. S Solvesborg – Sweden Rock
22.11. UK Bournemouth – O2 Academy
23.11. UK London – Shepherds Bush Empire
25.11. UK Bristol – O2 Academy
26.11. UK Cambridge – Junction
27.11. UK Norwich – UEA, Norwich
29.11. UK Pwllheli, Gwynedd – Hard Rock Hell
30.11. UK Wolverhampton – Wulfrun Hall
01.12. UK Cardiff – Solus/University,
02.12. UK Oxford – O2 Academy
05.12. UK Inverness – Ironworks
06.12. UK Edinburgh – Picturehouse,
07.12. UK Newcastle – O2 Academy
08.12. UK Leeds – O2 Academy
10.12. UK Leamington Spa – The Assembly Rooms
12.12. UK Nottingham – Rock Cit
13.12. UK Manchester – Ritz
14.12. IRL Dublin – Academy
Info for all UK shows:
Tickets for headline shows are priced 22.50 GBP / 25.00 GBP London (subject to booking fees) – Dublin is E25. Tickets are available as an exclusive Planet Rock presale at 9am GMT on Monday 29th April 2013 via
http://www.planetrock.com/blackstarriders and on general on sale through all normal outlets at 9am GMT Thursday 2nd May 2013.
VIP Packages available for all shows – including meet and greet and special acoustic performance – available from April 29th via the VIP package link at:
http://www.blackstarriders.com
Special Guests to be announced…
The album will be released as a standard CD and also as a special edition digi-pak featuring a bonus track “Right To Be Wrong” and a “Making of” DVD. You can order it directly at the NB mailorder:
http://www.nuclearblast.de/blackstarriders
A 24-minute compilation of behind-the-scenes video reports from the band’s studio time in Los Angeles can be viewed on YouTube:
Nuclear Blast has issued that BLACK STAR RIDERS, the new band featuring THIN LIZZY members Ricky Warwick, Damon Johnson, Scott Gorham and Marco Mendoza together with drummer Jimmy DeGrasso (Alice Cooper / Megadeth), have announced All Hell Breaks Loose as the title of their debut album on Nuclear Blast Entertainment, which will be released in the UK on the 27th May 2013.
The band have now exclusively revealed the album artwork below
The artwork features a painting by Gil Elvgren (March 15, 1914 – February 29, 1980), the legendary US painter best known for his work on pin-up girls, advertising and illustration.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gil_Elvgren
The artworks ties directly to the origins of the album title. Ricky Warwick explains “I was watching a documentary about World War II bombers and saw the name painted on the side of one of the aircraft. The name just resonated with me and it seemed to encapsulate the turmoil that we, as a society, are currently experiencing. The past few years have been such a wild ride and now with the release of the album, it sounded like a bad-ass album title that summed up what BLACK STAR RIDERS is all about.”
“Bound For Glory”, the debut single from the album, saw its exclusive first play on Ken Bruce’s Radio 2 radio show on Thursday 21st March 2013. The song is now available to hear HERE!
The single and album were produced & mixed by the legendary Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, Rush). The album will be released as a standard CD and also as a special edition digi-pak featuring a bonus track “Right To Be Wrong” and a “Making of” DVD.
A 24-minute compilation of behind-the-scenes video reports from the band’s studio time in Los Angeles can be viewed on YouTube:
Confirmed festival appearances for BLACK STAR RIDERS include:
June 1st Hi Rock Festival – Inzell, Germany
June 2nd Hi Rock Festival – St. Goarshausen, Germany
June 8th Sweden Rock Festival – Solvesborg, Sweden
Nov. 29th Hard Rock Hell – N. Wales, U.K.
Since guitarist/vocalist John Sykes (WHITESNAKE, BLUE MURDER, THIN LIZZY) left the THIN LIZZY reunion band a few years back, he has been immersed in the studio writing and arranging new tracks. He has written well over 30 songs so far and has also had new equipment fitted in his studio, where he records all his own material.
John is currently working on his fifth studio album that is due for release later this year. The title of the CD has not yet been disclosed, but there are some fantastic guest musicians on board, including:
* Josh Freese (WEEZER, A PERFECT CIRCLE, GUNS N’ ROSES, DEVO): Drums
* Tony Franklin (THE FIRM): Bass
* Chris Chaney (JANE’S ADDICTION): Bass
* Curt Bisquera (SARAH MCLACHLAN): Drums
* Jamie Muhoberac (THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS, FLEETWOOD MAC, THE ROLLING STONES): Keyboards
Sykes‘s much-hyped collaborative project with drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ADRENALINE MOB) came to an abrupt end in January 2012. Portnoy later blamed the split on the fact that he “couldn’t wait around any longer” for Sykes to get ready to enter the studio.
Portnoy and Sykes announced they were working together during a July 2011 taping of season eight of VH1 Classic‘s “That Metal Show”. The program’s co-host Eddie Trunk tweeted about the project at the time, “I heard demos. Sounds like killer BLUE MURDER meets ’1987′ WHITESNAKE. Amazing!” He also said that the new group would perform some BLUE MURDER material when it hits the road.
The project in 2011 demoed more than a dozen songs at a Los Angeles studio, with Portnoy describing one track as “copping the [LED] ZEPPELIN/[BLACK] SABBATH vibe” and another as “[PINK] FLOYD meets [DEEP] PURPLE!!! Some serious old-school classic rock.”
Sykes announced his departure from THIN LIZZY in July 2009, explaining that “I feel it’s time to get back to playing my own music.”
Nuclear Blast has issued that BLACK STAR RIDERS, the new band featuring THIN LIZZY members Ricky Warwick, Damon Johnson, Scott Gorham and Marco Mendoza together with drummer Jimmy DeGrasso (Alice Cooper, Megadeth), have announced All Hell Breaks Loose as the title of their debut album on Nuclear Blast Entertainment, which will be released in Europe on the 24th May 2013. You can buy the single here on iTunes:
http://bit.ly/blackstarridersbfg
The album will be preceded by a first single “Bound For Glory”. Set for release on Friday 22nd March 2013, the single will get its first public airing on Ken Bruce’s Radio 2 radio show on Thursday 21st March 2013. The german premiere will happen on German “Rockantenne” radio station between 3.00 – 4.00 pm same day.
Black Star Riders
About the single, BLACK STAR RIDERS frontman Ricky Warwick states: “Bound For Glory – a song for the lost but never lonely, walking tall in the face of everyday adversary, everyone has a story to tell, revolution begins in the mirror!!!”. Guitarist Scott Gorham adds: “When it came time to pick one of these songs as a single, we had a really hard time. There are so many really great tracks here and everyone had their favourites. But in the end, we all agreed that Bound for Glory is the perfect choice and represents what Black Star Riders is all about.”
About the origin of the album title, Ricky goes on to say:
“I was watching a documentary about World War II bombers and saw the name painted on the side of one of the aircraft. The name just resonated with me and it seem to encapsulate the turmoil that we, as a society, are currently experiencing. The past few years have been such a wild ride and now with the release of the album, it sounded like a bad-ass album title that summed up what BLACK STAR RIDERS is all about.”
The single and album were produced & mixed by the legendary Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, Rush).
The album will be released as a standard CD and also as a special edition digi-pak featuring a bonus track “Right To Be Wrong” and a “Making of” DVD.
A 24-minute compilation of behind-the-scenes video reports from the band’s studio time in Los Angeles can be viewed on YouTube:
Debut Single: Bound For Glory
Release Date: 22nd March 2013
Debut Album: All Hell Breaks Loose
Release Date: 24th May 2013
Confirmed festival appearances for BLACK STAR RIDERS include:
June 1st Hi Rock Festival – Inzell, Germany
June 2nd Hi Rock Festival – St. Goarshausen, Germany
June 8th Sweden Rock Festival – Solvesborg, Sweden
Nov. 29th Hard Rock Hell – N. Wales, U.K.
BLACK STAR RIDERS, the new band formed by THIN LIZZY alumni Ricky Warwick (vocals), Scott Gorham (guitar), Damon Johnson (guitar), Marco Mendoza (bass) with new addition Jimmy DeGrasso (ALICE COOPER, MEGADETH, DAVID LEE ROTH, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES) on drums, will enter a Los Angeles studio tomorrow (Monday, January 7) with producer Kevin Shirley (LED ZEPPELIN, IRON MAIDEN, AEROSMITH, RUSH) to begin recording its debut album for a May release via Nuclear Blast.
Commented the band: “Two years ago today THIN LIZZY‘s reformed lineup played their first show in Aberdeen. Today BLACK STAR RIDERS loaded into the studio in preparation for tomorrow’s start to the recording sessions with Kevin Shirley. The rehearsals went very well and the songs are ready. Time to make it happen!”
In October 2012, THIN LIZZY announced that they would not be recording new material under the THIN LIZZY monicker. The last incarnation of the band — Gorham, Brian Downey, Wharton, Warwick, Johnson and Mendoza — would be looking to form a new project.
According to a press release, Brian Downey decided to not become involved with BLACK STAR RIDERS because he didn’t want to commit to the touring cycle a new album would entail and Darren Wharton wanted to concentrate on DARE and other music and film projects.
The BLACK STAR RIDERS album will feature material the band wrote while touring as THIN LIZZY and the sound retains that classic feel but is very much its own as well. The BLACK STAR RIDERS record is the next step in the evolution of the THIN LIZZY story.
“We are all very excited about the music that we have created for BLACK STAR RIDERS. The synergy between the five of us has been phenomenal and I can’t wait for the world to hear these songs,” says Warwick.
BLACK STAR RIDERS was signed to Nuclear Blast by Monte Conner — the former Roadrunner A&R guru who has worked with such acts as SLIPKNOT, MACHINE HEAD, SEPULTURA and RUSH. Conner recently joined Nuclear Blast as the president of Nuclear Blast Entertainment, a new U.S. partnership he co-founded with Nuclear Blast owner Markus Staiger.
BLACK STAR RIDERS, the new band formed by THIN LIZZY alumni Ricky Warwick (vocals), Scott Gorham (guitar), Damon Johnson (guitar), Marco Mendoza (bass) with new addition Jimmy DeGrasso (ALICE COOPER, MEGADETH, DAVID LEE ROTH, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES) on drums, will enter a Los Angeles studio next week with producer Kevin Shirley (LED ZEPPELIN, IRON MAIDEN, AEROSMITH, RUSH) to begin recording its debut album for a May 2013 release via Nuclear Blast.
In October 2012, THIN LIZZY announced that they would not be recording new material under the THIN LIZZY monicker. The last incarnation of the band — Gorham, Brian Downey, Wharton, Warwick, Johnson and Mendoza — would be looking to form a new project.
According to a press release, Brian Downey decided to not become involved with BLACK STAR RIDERS because he didn’t want to commit to the touring cycle a new album would entail and Darren Wharton wanted to concentrate on DARE and other music and film projects.
The BLACK STAR RIDERS album will feature material the band wrote while touring as THIN LIZZY and the sound retains that classic feel but is very much its own as well. The BLACK STAR RIDERS record is the next step in the evolution of the THIN LIZZY story.
“We are all very excited about the music that we have created for BLACK STAR RIDERS. The synergy between the five of us has been phenomenal and I can’t wait for the world to hear these songs,” says Warwick.
BLACK STAR RIDERS was signed to Nuclear Blast by Monte Conner — the former Roadrunner A&R guru who has worked with such acts as SLIPKNOT, MACHINE HEAD, SEPULTURA and RUSH. Conner recently joined Nuclear Blast as the president of Nuclear Blast Entertainment, a new U.S. partnership he co-founded with Nuclear Blast owner Markus Staiger.
Says Conner: “As a lifelong THIN LIZZY fan, I was floored by this line-up’s new material. Not only do the new songs sound like THIN LIZZY but they sound like CLASSIC THIN LIZZY. BLACK STAR RIDERS totally captures the essence of what was great about the original band while at the same time adding something totally fresh and modern. Even when I heard the band decided to change their name, my interest in signing them did not waver for one second.”
The band are looking to support their May album release with European festivals shows in the summer of 2013 and follow this up with worldwide touring. The setlist will consist of material from the new album and classic THIN LIZZY material.
In October, THIN LIZZY announced that they would not be recording new material under the Thin Lizzy monicker. The last incarnation of the band – Scott Gorham, Brian Downey, Darren Wharton, Ricky Warwick, Damon Johnson and Marco Mendoza – would be looking to form a new project.
Black Star Riders
Step forward BLACK STAR RIDERS…
Today sees the announcement of the new band formed by Thin Lizzy alumni Ricky Warwick (vocals), Scott Gorham (guitar), Damon Johnson (guitar), Marco Mendoza (bass) with new addition Jimmy DeGrasso on drums (ALICE COOPER, MEGADETH, DAVID LEE ROTH, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES). The change in personnel came about as Brian Downey didn’t want to commit to the touring cycle a new album would entail and Darren Wharton wanted to concentrate on Dare and other music and film projects.
Black Star Riders is set to enter the studio in Los Angeles in January to start recording their debut album with the legendary Kevin Shirley (LED ZEPPELIN, IRON MAIDEN, AEROSMITH, RUSH). The album will feature material the band wrote whilst touring as Thin Lizzy and the sound retains that classic feel but is very much its own as well. The Black Star Riders record is the next step in the evolution of the Thin Lizzy story.
“We are all very excited about the music that we have created for Black Star Riders. The synergy between the five of us has been phenomenal and I can’t wait for the world to hear these songs.” Ricky Warwick
The new, as yet untitled, album will be released in May through Nuclear Blast – the label behind acts such as ANTHRAX, NIGHTWISH and MESHUGGAH. Black Star Riders are one of the first bands signed by Monte Conner – the former Roadrunner A&R guru who has signed acts such as SLIPKNOT, MACHINE HEAD, SEPULTURA and RUSH. Conner recently joined Nuclear Blast as the president of Nuclear Blast Entertainment, a new US partnership he co-founded with Nuclear Blast owner Markus Staiger.
Says Conner: “As a lifelong Thin Lizzy fan, I was floored by this line-up’s new material. Not only do the new songs sound like Thin Lizzy but they sound like CLASSIC Thin Lizzy. Black Star Riders totally captures the essence of what was great about the original band while at the same time adding something totally fresh and modern. Even when I heard the band decided to change their name, my interest in signing them did not waver for one second.”
The band are looking to support their May album release with European festivals shows in the summer of 2013 and follow this up with worldwide touring. The set list will consist of material from the new album and classic Thin Lizzy material.
For more details visit Black Star Riders on Facebook.
The official Black Star Riders website (Blackstarriders.com) will be active on December 24th.
THIN LIZZY recently announced its decision not to release their upcoming studio under the THIN LIZZY name out of respect to late LIZZY frontman Phil Lynott and the legacy Phil created. The band’s new name, as well as the details of the new CD, will be revealed over the Christmas period.
Says THIN LIZZY frontman Ricky Warwick via Facebook: “A massive thanks to all fans who have supported THIN LIZZY for the last two years. It’s been the biggest honor and privilege of my life to be part of this.
“Stay tuned for big announcements on Christmas on the album and new band name. 2013 is gonna be a very busy year!”
THIN LIZZY guitarist Damon Johnson told Metal Express Radio during a recent interview about the name change: “There’s other bands out there that are established with new lead singers and different members of the band. They’ve made new music without their most famous lineup. We thought for a while that’s exactly what we were going to do, and the songs were written under that umbrella: ‘We’ve got to make a THIN LIZZY record.’ That raised the bar incredibly high. It was a question for Brian [Downey, drums] and Scott [Gorham, guitar] all along.”
He continued: “We’re grateful for the massive support we’ve got from Phil‘s family, his widow and his daughters. They’ve been very supportive of everything that THIN LIZZY has done, particularly since Ricky joined. But I know they expressed some concern about the concept of brand-new original material. I get it, man, I totally get it.
“Once we made that decision, it took a lot of pressure off. It took a lot of pressure off Ricky.”
Regarding the sound of the new THIN LIZZY material, Johnson said: “Phil‘s such a part of these new songs. We felt, ‘Let’s make the record, put it out under a different name — and let the fans know this is THIN LIZZY 2013 under a different name.’
“People who are passionate about the sound that THIN LIZZY has, they’re gonna get a lot of that classic sound with this new record.”
THIN LIZZY‘s current lineup features Phil Lynott-era LIZZY members Scott Gorham, Brian Downey and Darren Wharton (keyboards), as well as Damon Johnson, formerly of BROTHER CANE and Alice Cooper‘s band, former THE ALMIGHTY singer/guitarist Ricky Warwick, and bassist Marco Mendoza.
Quality fan-filmed video footage of THIN LIZZY‘s December 13 concert at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin, Ireland can be seen below.
