Super group FLYING COLORS – featuring Steve Morse, Mike Portnoy, Neal Morse, Dave LaRue and Casey McPherson – announce a global release of new studio album “Third Degree”, coming out on October 4th via Music Theory Recordings / Mascot Label Group. Today the band has released a new video “More” from the upcoming album, watch it here:
Music Theory Recordings / Mascot Label Group and Flying Colors have announced the global release of the band’s third studio album THIRD DEGREE on October 4. The band’s self-titled debut launched a career that has had fans across The World anticipating the magic that emanates from the studio each and every time the five members reconvene. That title was released on March 26, 2012 and was celebrated on both sides of the Atlantic with a Top Ten debut on the Billboard Hard Rock chart, alongside an entry at #11 on the BBC’s Rock Album chart. SECOND NATURE followed in September 2014 and was celebrated worldwide. Third Degree will be available as a CD Digipack, limited edition 2LP 180 gram blue vinyl in a gatefold sleeve (w/ download card), a 2LP 180 gram black vinyl in a gatefold sleeve (w/ download card), and a limited edition box set featuring CD, 40 page photobook, two coasters, and a bonus disc with six tracks.
In chemistry, when certain galvanizing elements come together, they become quite explosive. In music, when certain galvanizing artists come together, they become Flying Colors. In fact, whenever the five gentlemen who encompass Flying Colors — guitarist Steve Morse (Deep Purple, Dixie Dregs, ex-Kansas), drummer Mike Portnoy (Winery Dogs, ex-Dream Theater, Transatlantic), keyboardist/vocalist Neal Morse (Transatlantic, ex-Spock’s Beard, and a prolific solo artist in his own right), bassist Dave LaRue (Dixie Dregs, ex-Joe Satriani), and powerhouse vocalist and songwriter Casey McPherson (Alpha Rev, The Sea Within) — are able to conjoin their collective talents, the result is a sweet sonic bouillabaisse that reflects where their inherent mastery of melody intersects with top-shelf progressive musicianship.
And now, Flying Colors soar to even loftier heights with Third Degree, their third studio album in a decade. Third Degree builds upon the genre-bending momentum of 2012’s self-titled Flying Colors and the aural-template ascension of 2014’s Second Nature. From the skittery psychedelic/classical turnaround of the lead single “More” to the Beach Boys-meet-Asia vibe of “Love Letter” to the deep emotionality of the album-ending, prog-leaning epic “Crawl,” the nine tracks that comprise Third Degree signify just how much Flying Colors are willing to explore new frontiers. “There’s a lot of ear candy sprinkled throughout every song,” observes Mike Portnoy, “and each one takes you on a little journey. As albums go, Third Degree is a complete piece that I don’t think ever overstays its welcome. I think it’s an enjoyable ride from start to finish.”
Third Degree did not come effortlessly, nor too quickly. “It took time — but that’s the thing with Flying Colors,” Portnoy admits. “It’s very hard to get the five of us in the same room at the same time. But once we do, it flows so easily.” The first sessions for Third Degree took place at Steve Morse’s studio in Florida in December 2016, wherein seven songs were written. From there, the bandmembers had to scatter back to their other personal and professional obligations, eventually reconvening two full years later in December 2018, when three more tracks were added to the overall Third Degree mix. (The tenth track, “Waiting for the Sun,” will be made available in forthcoming special editions.)
Flying Colors have booked nine live dates on their calendar, mostly split evenly between the U.S. and Europe — in essence, to perform as many shows for their fans as they can possibly fit in between their many other band and touring commitments. “There’s an evolution happening within our sound on this record, and I’m excited to explore that onstage,” McPherson notes. “We’ve seen that evolution start with this record, and we’re going to see it happen even more so on the fourth record, in terms of capturing all our beautiful differences.”
Portnoy agrees the future of Flying Colors looks quite bright indeed. “Our mission statement when we came together is still the same now,” he affirms. “It’s the same five guys with extremely different musical personalities and backgrounds coming together into a giant melting pot where it all comes out on the other end with music that’s accessible, melodic, deep, and colorful. That’s always been the goal of this band, and so far, I think we’re three for three.”
With Third Degree, Flying Colors continue to fire on all cylinders — and, in the process, they also handily prove the third time’s an unquestionable sonic charm.
Pre-Order Live Here: https://smarturl.it/Flying-Colors
Tracklisting:
“The Loss Inside”
“More”
“Cadence”
“Guardian”
“Last Train Home”
“Geronimo”
“You Are Not Alone”
“Love Letter”
“Crawl”
Deluxe CD bonus disc:
“Waiting For The Sun” (Unreleased Bonus Studio Track)
“Geronimo” (Alternate Instrumental Arrangement & Mix)
“You Are Not Alone” (Alternate Instrumental Arrangement & Mix)
“Love Letter” (Alternate Acoustic Arrangement/Mix)
“Last Train Home” (Alternate Instrumental Arrangement & Mix)
“Crawl” (Alternate Instrumental Arrangement & Mix)
Flying Colors will make the following appearances in 2019:
8/30 – Cross Plains, TN – MorseFest 2019
9/05 – Ventura, CA – Ventura Theater
10/07 – New York, NY – Sony Hall
10/11 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theater
10/17 – St. Charles, IL – Arcada Theater
12/11 – Pratteln, Switzerland – Z7
12/12 – Cologne, Germany – Essigfabrik
12/13 – Tilburg, Netherlands – 013
12/14 – London, England – Shepherd’s Bush Empire
