Manager of ALCATRAZZ Giles Lavery and Keyboardist Jimmy Waldo will appear live on The Metal Voice Sunday Dec 6 3pm EST to provide a statement and clarify the recent announcement and split with singer Graham Bonnet.
Watch here live
12pm Pacific 3pm Eastern 8pm UK Time
On Dec 4 2020 it was announced on Facebook
Alcatrazz members Jimmy Waldo, Joe Stump, Gary Shea and Mark Benquechea will be joined by singer Doogie White for all their 2021 Alcatrazz tour
Later that day Graham Bonnet took to his social media and posted saying that he will still be recording and performing with Alcatrazz despite the fact that he has parted ways with the musicians who performed with him on the band’s latest album, “Born Innocent”.
ALCATRAZZ have released a new single ‘Dirty Like The City’ ahead of their brand new full-length album, Born Innocent, which is set to be released via Silver Lining Music on July 31st; pre-orders are available at this location
Frontman GRAHAM BONNET comments:
“Steve Vai sent us about 60 songs, out of all of them ‘Dirty Like The City’ was the one that stood out right away for me and after a good listen, I just knew it had to be included in the Album.”
Keyboardist JIMMY WALDO adds:
“I loved this piece when Steve Vai sent it to us, and knew right away that Alcatrazz would eat it alive, it was a perfect fit with all the other material on the album.”
Due to the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic it is with deep regret that Alcatrazz have had to postpone their up and coming European tour which was due to take place this August and September.
“The safety of our crew and fans is of the upmost importance so we have taken the decision to move the current tour to 2021, new dates will be confirmed very soon and we look forward to seeing you all on the road once again – ALCATRAZZ”
The hard-hitting, melodic heavy metal band ALCATRAZZ will once again throw down a studio gauntlet on July 31st with Born Innocent, their first studio venture since 1986’s Dangerous Games. Alongside the unique vocal prowess and range of star frontman and founding member GRAHAM BONNET, Born Innocent also features fellow founding members JIMMY WALDO and GARY SHEA. And from the classic album art, featuring the mighty rock itself, Born Innocent is a journey into the sort of heavy, melodic and supremely articulated hard rock that is a cornerstone of the likes of RAINBOW and the MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, territory ALCATRAZZ successfully strode in the ‘80s before going on hiatus.
Debuting on Born Innocent is the latest of the illustrious ALCATRAZZ guitarists to bring their extreme six-string talents to the band, with Boston-based Berklee College of Music Assistant Professor of Guitar, and one-man metal impresario JOE STUMP perhaps proving the finest of a list which includes the likes of YNGWIE MALMSTEEN and STEVE VAI.
Mixed and mastered by ANDY HALLER, Born Innocent also sees former stars from BONNET’s long career making guest appearances, from CHRIS IMPELLITTERI, who wrote the music and played all guitars on the arpeggio-powered ‘Born Innocent’ with BONNET’s vocals soaring to old-school heights, and BOB KULICK who wrote and laid down guitar for ‘I Am The King’. Virtuoso Japanese guitar maestro NOZOMU WAKAI -a new invitee to the party- similarly wrote and played guitars on the double-kick steel-plated Irish warrior ode ‘Finn McCool’, while STEVE VAI wrote ‘Dirty Like The City’. Meanwhile, ‘Something That I Am Missing’ and ‘Warth Lane’ were written by -and feature the guitar work of- Italian six-string hero DARIO MOLLO, with RIOT bassist DON VAN STAVERN playing bass on the title track, ‘Polar Bear’, ‘Finn McCool’, ‘London 1666’, ‘Dirty Like The City’ and ‘Paper Flags’. Add D. KENDALL JONES’ writing and guitar work on ‘We Still Remember’ and even a quick solo by another new invitee to the ALCATRAZZ mega-sound, ANNIHILATOR’s JEFF WATERS on ‘Paper Flags’ (the second one to be precise), and it’s clear that studio ALCATRAZZ 2020 is one giant piece of rock for sure.
Though ALCATRAZZ might well have been Born Innocent, their new album shows they obviously learnt some robust and rawkus stuff along the way.
ALCATRAZZ’s Born Innocent will be released on CD and digital formats. For pre-orders, go to this location.
ALCATRAZZ will release their brand new full-length, Born Innocent, via Silver Lining Music on July 31st; pre-orders now available at this location
The band has released a new single “LONDON 1666” from the new album. Watch the official video below.
Guitarist JOE STUMP comments,
“HELL ON EARTH IS HERE! ‘London 1666’ is about the Great Fire of London which had a devastating effect on the lives of Londoners from all parts of society, with many losing their loved ones and 100,000 losing their homes. Eerily comparable to the destruction that COVID-19 is now inflicting across the world.”
The hard-hitting, melodic heavy metal band ALCATRAZZ will once again throw down a studio gauntlet on July 31st with Born Innocent, their first studio venture since 1986’s Dangerous Games. Alongside the unique vocal prowess and range of star frontman and founding member GRAHAM BONNET, Born Innocent also features fellow founding members JIMMY WALDO and GARY SHEA. And from the classic album art, featuring the mighty rock itself, Born Innocent is a journey into the sort of heavy, melodic and supremely articulated hard rock that is a cornerstone of the likes of RAINBOW and the MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, territory ALCATRAZZ successfully strode in the ‘80s before going on hiatus.
Debuting on Born Innocent is the latest of the illustrious ALCATRAZZ guitarists to bring their extreme six-string talents to the band, with Boston-based Berklee College of Music Assistant Professor of Guitar, and one-man metal impresario JOE STUMP perhaps proving the finest of a list which includes the likes of YNGWIE MALMSTEEN and STEVE VAI.
“The name Alcatrazz is a brand name,” announces star frontman and founding member GRAHAM BONNET. “People know what Alcatrazz delivers, and on this album you have the original ideas of Alcatrazz but played in a modern way with new inspiration.”
Mixed and mastered by ANDY HALLER, Born Innocent also sees former stars from BONNET’s long career making guest appearances, from CHRIS IMPELLITTERI, who wrote the music and played all guitars on the arpeggio-powered ‘Born Innocent’ with BONNET’s vocals soaring to old-school heights, and BOB KULICK who wrote and laid down guitar for ‘I Am The King’. Virtuoso Japanese guitar maestro NOZOMU WAKAI -a new invitee to the party- similarly wrote and played guitars on the double-kick steel-plated Irish warrior ode ‘Finn McCool’, while STEVE VAI wrote ‘Dirty Like The City’. Meanwhile, ‘Something That I Am Missing’ and ‘Warth Lane’ were written by -and feature the guitar work of- Italian six-string hero DARIO MOLLO, with RIOT bassist DON VAN STAVERN playing bass on the title track, ‘Polar Bear’, ‘Finn McCool’, ‘London 1666’, ‘Dirty Like The City’ and ‘Paper Flags’. Add D. KENDALL JONES’ writing and guitar work on ‘We Still Remember’ and even a quick solo by another new invitee to the ALCATRAZZ mega-sound, ANNIHILATOR’s JEFF WATERS on ‘Paper Flags’ (the second one to be precise), and it’s clear that studio ALCATRAZZ 2020 is one giant piece of rock for sure.
Though ALCATRAZZ might well have been Born Innocent, their new album shows they obviously learnt some robust and rawkus stuff along the way.
ALCATRAZZ’s Born Innocent will be released on CD and digital formats. For pre-orders, go to this location.
ALCATRAZZ will release their brand new full-length, Born Innocent, via Silver Lining Music on July 31st; pre-orders now available at this location
The hard-hitting, melodic heavy metal band ALCATRAZZ will once again throw down a studio gauntlet on July 31st with Born Innocent, their first studio venture since 1986’s Dangerous Games. Alongside the unique vocal prowess and range of star frontman and founding member GRAHAM BONNET, Born Innocent also features fellow founding members JIMMY WALDO and GARY SHEA. And from the classic album art, featuring the mighty rock itself, Born Innocent is a journey into the sort of heavy, melodic and supremely articulated hard rock that is a cornerstone of the likes of RAINBOW and the MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, territory ALCATRAZZ successfully strode in the ‘80s before going on hiatus.
Debuting on Born Innocent is the latest of the illustrious ALCATRAZZ guitarists to bring their extreme six-string talents to the band, with Boston-based Berklee College of Music Assistant Professor of Guitar, and one-man metal impresario JOE STUMP perhaps proving the finest of a list which includes the likes of YNGWIE MALMSTEEN and STEVE VAI.
“The name Alcatrazz is a brand name,” announces star frontman and founding member GRAHAM BONNET. “People know what Alcatrazz delivers, and on this album you have the original ideas of Alcatrazz but played in a modern way with new inspiration.”
Mixed and mastered by ANDY HALLER, Born Innocent also sees former stars from BONNET’s long career making guest appearances, from CHRIS IMPELLITTERI, who wrote the music and played all guitars on the arpeggio-powered ‘Born Innocent’ with BONNET’s vocals soaring to old-school heights, and BOB KULICK who wrote and laid down guitar for ‘I Am The King’. Virtuoso Japanese guitar maestro NOZOMU WAKAI -a new invitee to the party- similarly wrote and played guitars on the double-kick steel-plated Irish warrior ode ‘Finn McCool’, while STEVE VAI wrote ‘Dirty Like The City’. Meanwhile, ‘Something That I Am Missing’ and ‘Warth Lane’ were written by -and feature the guitar work of- Italian six-string hero DARIO MOLLO, with RIOT bassist DON VAN STAVERN playing bass on the title track, ‘Polar Bear’, ‘Finn McCool’, ‘London 1666’, ‘Dirty Like The City’ and ‘Paper Flags’. Add D. KENDALL JONES’ writing and guitar work on ‘We Still Remember’ and even a quick solo by another new invitee to the ALCATRAZZ mega-sound, ANNIHILATOR’s JEFF WATERS on ‘Paper Flags’ (the second one to be precise), and it’s clear that studio ALCATRAZZ 2020 is one giant piece of rock for sure.
Besides the supreme musicianship, Born Innocent features genuine storyteller lyrics courtesy of BONNET who revels in showing he loves the scent of an entertaining tale, proudly illustrated on the storming lead single ‘Polar Bear’ which bristles with robust old-world adventure.
BONNET explains:
“Take the song ‘Polar Bear’, I heard those words “polar bear” and thought it’s an intriguing title because it sounds all cuddly and nice, but it’s not. It’s a story of how when the Eskimo got too old, they would take their lives by sitting in snow, freezing to death and letting the polar bear take the body. The polar bear was very prominent in their lives as a God and also as a way of committing suicide, which is kind of awful. But when an Eskimo loses all his teeth and he could no longer eat, he would lose his strength obviously and then become a weak old man. He could no longer contribute to the tribe, he’d feel his life was useless and so he’d walk out into the snow and sacrifice himself to the bear.”
Though ALCATRAZZ might well have been Born Innocent, their new album shows they obviously learnt some robust and rawkus stuff along the way.
ALCATRAZZ will take ‘Born Innocent’ on the road kicking-off their European Tour with GIRLSCHOOL in Switzerland on August 26th; more dates to be announced.
Tour Dates:
26 Aug Aarburg – Musigburg (Switzerland)*
27 Aug Biker Charity Rally, Milan (Italy)*
29 Aug Lido, Berlin (Germany)*
30 Aug Bambi Galore, Hamburg (Germany)*
31 Aug Matrix, Bochum (Germany)*
01 Sep Musicon, The Hague (The Netherlands)*
02 Sep Metropool, Hengelo (The Netherlands)*
03 Sep Le Forum, Paris/Vauréal (France)*
04 Sep Ninkasi Kao, Lyon (France)*
05 Sep Razzmatazz 2, Barcelona (Spain)*
06 Sep Auditorio Burlada, Pamplona (Spain)*
07 Sep Capital, Santiago (Spain)*
08 Sep RCA Club, Lisbon (Portugal)*
09 Sep Shoko, Madrid (Spain)*
10 Sep Rock School Barbey, Bordeaux (France)*
11 Sep Atelier de Moles, Montbéliard (France)*
16 Sept On The Rocks, Helsinki (Finland)
17 Sept Jack The Rooster, Tampere (Finland)
18 Sept Henry’s, Kuopio (Finland)
19 Sept WS Arena, Vaasa (Finland)
*GIRLSCHOOL/ALCATRAZZ, with support: ASOMVEL
ALCATRAZZ’s Born Innocent will be released on CD and digital formats. For pre-orders, go to this location.
Fans of Rainbow, Dio, Michael Schenker Group and Dokken pay heed.
Jimmy Kay from Canada’s The Metal Voice spoke to Graham Bonnet from the Graham Bonnet Band at this years NAMM show on June 25 2019. Graham Bonnet told The Metal Voice that they were planning on relaunching the 80’s band ALCATRAZZ. Bonnet said in the interview, “We have just put the band together and we have a new guitarist. Basically we will be going out and playing the Alcatrazz songs live and we will be recording a new Alcatrazz studio album. Also on the studio album we will be having a few guest players so some good surprises coming up.”
Watch the interview here:
Graham Bonnet Manager Giles Lavery explained in more details to The Metal Voice that the guitarist for the relaunch of Alcatrazz will be Joe Stump (Reign of Terror, Holy Hell ) and that a new double live Alcatrazz album will be recorded (and filmed) on the upcoming Japanese tour. The live album will feature the entire Alcatrazz No Parole from Rock and Roll album and entire Rainbow Down to Earth Album. Plus rarely performed tracks from Bonnet’s days with Impellitteri and Blackthorne.
Alcatrazz keyboardist Jimmy Waldo also added on separate interview to The Metal Voice Feb 1 2019,“The last two Graham Bonnet Band albums stylistically have essentially been Alcatrazz albums as we were aiming for that direction anyways. With our new guitar player Joe Stump we feel we can take Alcatrazz to the next level. Due to popular demand it’s time to bring the name back.”
Alcatrazz is
Graham Bonnet- vocals
Jimmy Waldo- Keyboards
Joe Stump- Guitar
Beth Ami Heavenstone- Bass
Mark Benquechea- Drums
More details to be announced on upcoming Alcatrazz studio album which will feature many guests from Graham’s musical past.
Jimmy Kay from Canada’s The Metal Voice spoke to former if Rainbow, MSG, Alcatrazz singer Graham Bonnet in Montreal Quebec Canada on the Michael Schenker Fest Tour on March 12 2018.
Graham Bonnet spoke about his Audition with Black Sabbath in the 1980’s, his upcoming US tour with the Graham Bonnet band playing ‘No Parole From Rock and Roll’ in it’s entirety and news, timeline and details on upcoming Album by the band
Watch the interview here:
When asked about the details and timeline of the follow-up Album to the Graham Bonnet Band’s The Book
“I finished my part on the new album everything is finished vocally. Now when I go back, we go in the mixing stage but at the moment Beth-Ami Heavenstone is putting down the bass parts. We got the bass to put down a little bit of keyboards. It sounds pretty good I am very pleased. If anybody liked the previous album the Book , they are going to like this too, it has got the same kind of material, same kind of sound and it’s got a little of that Alcatrazz, MSG, Rainbow sound. It will be released in a few of months I think, it will be out this year.”
When asked about the Graham Bonnet Band playing the complete Alcatrazz ‘No Parole from Rock and Roll Album’ in it’s entirety for the 35 year anniversary on their upcoming US tour
“It will be all the material that I made up 35 years ago, we will play all the Alcatrazz tracks off that album along with the Graham Bonnet Band songs. There is a new audience for Alcatrazz it seems like a younger audience, I wish they had been turned on to it back then when we needed a bit more publicity back then. It’s amazing to see kids of 18 years old coming up to me and singing the lyrics.”
When asked about how he turned down an audition to sing for Black Sabbath in the 1980’s
” I can’t actually remember the actual year it was 1980 something. I had a call from one of the guys from Black Sabbath I can’t remember who asked me if i was interested in auditioning cause I just left Rainbow and it was something I wasn’t really sure of. I wasn’t sure of the music, I wasn’t sure if I really fit with my short hair. I wanted to do something different on my own not to be in another band as another singer in a revolving door, so I turned it down.”
USA – GRAHAM BONNET BAND PERFORMS ‘ALCATRAZZ – NO PAROLE FROM ROCK N ROLL’ TOUR
SEPTEMBER
28TH VIPER ROOM – WEST HOLLYWOOD , CA
29TH MALONES – SANTA ANA , CA
OCTOBER
3RD EL CORAZON – SEATTLE, WA
5TH DIVE BAR – LAS VEGAS, NV
6TH BRICK BY BRICK – SAN DIEGO , CA
7TH THE HUB – COLTON , CA
OCT 11 THE CABOOZE – MINNEAPOLIS , MN
OCT 12 BIGS BAR – SIOUX FALLS , SD
OCT 13 THE RED HERRING LOUNGE – DULUTH , MN
OCT 14 RED CARPET – ST CLOUD , MN
