ALCATRAZZ, the Los Angeles-based iconic heavy metal band, has released its new single “Turn of the Wheel” today via Silver Lining Music. The new album featuring original members Jimmy Waldo and Gary Shea, along with new vocalist Doogie White, drummer Mark Benquechea, and guitarist Joe Stump will be released in the fall of 2021. Pre-order will begin on July 23rd.
Vocalist Doogie White comments:
“Turn of the Wheel’ was the first song we wrote together. When I heard the riff and the groove, I thought HERE WE GO! From that moment, it was all hands on deck to do the best album we could. ‘Turn of the Wheel,’ as a complete RAWK tune works brilliantly. We spend so much time wondering about how the mistakes we made yesterday could be made better tomorrow that we forget about today. Today is what we have. Yesterday is gone, and we may not have tomorrow.”
Formed in 1983, Alcatrazz became famous for its blend of melodic and progressive rock and for introducing guitar hero’s Yngwie J. Malmsteen and Steve Vai. Emerging in 1983 with No Parole from Rock ‘n’ Roll, which featured the hit “Island in the Sun,” the band continued building popularity in 1985 with their sophomore effort, Disturbing the Peace, which contained the hit, “God Blessed Video.” The band issued one more studio LP, 1986’s Dangerous Games, before ceasing operations the following year. The band regrouped and released Born Innocent in 2020, their first studio album containing all-new material since 1986.
Alcatrazz released the following statement in regards to 2021:
“We are extremely happy that our good friend Doogie White will be our singer for the 2021 Alcatrazz tour dates. We are all fans of Doogie’s voice and impressive catalog of music. We promise an explosive live show of the Alcatrazz classics that you know, plus some added selections from Doogie’s work with Rainbow and Michael Schenker. We might even have a couple of new songs for you as well! We look forward to seeing all our fans and friends in what we hope is a much-needed return to live music next year! See you all soon…Be safe! – Jimmy Waldo, Joe Stump, Gary Shea & Mark Benquechea”
Jimmy Waldo – Keyboards
Gary Shea – Bass
Doogie White – Lead Vocals
Mark Benquechea – Drums
New album coming this fall! Stream & download ‘Turn of the Wheel’ at this location
Tune in as singer Doogie White (RAINBOW, MICHAEL SCHENKER) does his first interview after his decision to front the legendary band ALCATRAZZ which includes two of the original members keyboardist Jimmy Waldo and bassist Gary Shea. Also Joining in on the interview Girlschool guitarist Jackie Chambers talking upcoming tour and new music.
Watch Live today, Sunday March 28 12pm Pacific 3pm EST 8pm UK
Shock City Europe and Giles Lavery Management Present Alcatrazz and Girlschool Tour
Thur 11 Nov – HRH AOR Festival,Gt. Yarmouth CLUB SHOWS Thur 18 Nov – Eleven, Stoke-On-Trent Fri 19 Nov – Waterloo Music Bar Blackpool Sat 20 Nov – Hangar 18 Music Venue, Swansea Sun 21 Nov – Yardbirds Rock, Grimsby Thur 25 Nov – Bannermans Bar, Edinburgh Fri 26 Nov – Winter Storm, Troon (Alcatrazz only) – FESTIVAL Fri 26 Nov Bradford Nighttrain (Girlschool only) Sun 28 Nov – Trillians Rock Bar, Newcastle
DECEMBER Wed 1 Dec – The Underworld Camden, London Thur 2 Dec – KK’S Steel Mill – Live Music, Wolverhampton Fri 3 Dec – Voodoo Lounge Dublin, Dublin Sat 4 Dec – Limelight Belfast 2, Belfast
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.
