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Jason Bonham: Confident LED ZEPPELIN Will Play Again

Posted by aliblackdiamond on December 20, 2015
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Jason Bonham says he believes LED ZEPPELIN will play together again at some point in the future, according to classicrock.com.

The son of the band’s late drummer John Bonham was behind the kit when vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones took to the stage in 2007 for their one-off reunion show in London, later documented on the DVD “Celebration Day”.

And despite the fact Plant has spoken out on several occasions against resurrecting the group, who split in 1980 following the sticksman’s death, Bonham still feels it’s a distinct possibility.

He tells Vanyaland: “In my heart of hearts I do believe we will play together again. It remains to be seen if it will be in public or privately, but I do think we will play again.”

Bonham, who has just wrapped up his Led Zeppelin Experience tour of the US, says playing tracks including ‘Rock And Roll’ was a challenge as he had to change his style to suit that of his father’s.

Bonham continues: “What I try to do is play in his mindset – so it’s his ability to go for it on each night. Nothing is predictable.

“You keep the fundamentals there, but some of the fills you can change around and I basically take from every year that I remember and put them all into my performance.”

Earlier this year, Page talked down the chances of a Zeppelin reunion and revealed he’s planning a return to the stage in 2016.

Plant reunited with Alison Krauss last month to record the track ‘Light Of Christmas Day’ – their first material together since 2007 album “Raising Sand”.

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 09: (Exclusive Coverage) Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham attend the premiere of "Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day" at Ziegfeld Theatre on October 9, 2012 in New York City. Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, and Robert Plant along with Jason Bonham attend premiere of Celebration Day at Ziegfeld Theatre in New York. Celebration Day captures their 2007 tribute concert for Atlantic Records Founder Ahmet Ertegun at London's O2 Arena. Film will be released worldwide on October 17, 2012 by Omniverse Vision on 1,500 screens in over 40 territories, it will then be available in multiple video and audio formats on November 19, 2012. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 09: (Exclusive Coverage) Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham attend the premiere of “Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day” at Ziegfeld Theatre on October 9, 2012 in New York City. Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, and Robert Plant along with Jason Bonham attend premiere of Celebration Day at Ziegfeld Theatre in New York. Celebration Day captures their 2007 tribute concert for Atlantic Records Founder Ahmet Ertegun at London’s O2 Arena. Film will be released worldwide on October 17, 2012 by Omniverse Vision on 1,500 screens in over 40 territories, it will then be available in multiple video and audio formats on November 19, 2012. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

CALIFORNIA BREED, Feat. Glenn Hughes, Jason Bonham, Andew Watt, To Release Self-Titled Debut Album In May

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 4, 2014
Posted in: Int. News. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

New powerhouse trio, CALIFORNIA BREED, featuring legendary vocalist-bassist Glenn Hughes, drummer extraordinaire Jason Bonham and 23-year-old newcomer guitarist-singer-songwriter Andrew Watt, are set to release their first self-titled debut album in may available on cd and cd/dvd deluxe edition on Frontiers Records.

CALIFORNIA BREED (L-R): Andrew Watt, Glenn Hughes and Jason Bonham. Photo credit: Austyn Blaine

CALIFORNIA BREED (L-R): Andrew Watt, Glenn Hughes and Jason Bonham. Photo credit: Austyn Blaine

Tweet it: “.@CaliBreedBand–featuring Glenn Hughes, Jason Bonham and Andrew Watt–will release their self-titled debut album coming 5/20”

Think of California and you think of brilliant color and bright sunlight. Think of a breed and it’s all about bloodlines and brotherhood. Put the two together as CALIFORNIA BREED, and you have the most exciting new band of 2014, built around the foundation of legendary vocalist-bassist Glenn Hughes, drummer extraordinaire Jason Bonham and 23-year-old newcomer guitarist-singer-songwriter Andrew Watt. Mixing massive riffs, gutsy vocals and gale force rhythms, this powerful three-piece band will release their self-titled debut album May 16th in Europe and May 20th in North America on Frontiers Records. It was produced by Dave Cobb (Jamey Johnson, Rival Sons, Shooter Jennings and more). Look out for future announcements on the band at www.californiabreed.com.

CALIFORNIA BREED (album cover art pasted below) was recorded at Cobb’s Nashville studio and features equal co-writing credits among the three-man lineup. “It’s proper rock,” Hughes told ClassicRockMagazine.com (2/6), “but at the same time it’s very now. Andrew is as influenced by Mick Ronson as he is Jimmy Page.” “This kid is amazing,” says Bonham. “The first time we met I thought he looked like the white Jimi Hendrix. And he plays in the studio likes he’s onstage!” Glenn Hughes, ‘The Voice Of Rock’, is a true original, a legendary icon whose credits include Deep Purple and guesting with everyone from Black Sabbath to Earth, Wind & Fire — up to his most recent collaboration in rock supergroup Black Country Communion. No other rock musician has carved such a distinctive style blending the finest elements of hard rock, soul and funk. That astonishing voice is Hughes’ calling card. The legacy of Led Zeppelin lives on in Jason Bonham, British drummer and son of Zep’s legendary John Bonham. He has inherited the best of his father’s skills while mastering his own distinctive and dynamic technique. Jason has followed his own distinctive path over the years, fronting his own successful outfits like Bonham, and playing with Led Zeppelin, Foreigner, Heart and, most recently, movie composer Hans Zimmer. Andrew Watt is a soulful singer/songwriter & multi-instrumentalist whose high-energy aggressive style & creative spirit are synonymous with New York City. Hughes says: “I live in the moment, it’s all about NOW, California Breed is exactly where I live, breathe and where my freak flag flies.”

CaliforniaBreed-logo

Here’s the track listing for CALIFORNIA BREED’s self-titled debut album:

1. The Way
2. Sweet Tea
3. Chemical Rain
4. Midnight Oil
5. All Falls Down
6. The Grey
7. Days They Come
8. Spit You Out
9. Strong
10. Invisible
11. Scars
12. Breathe
13. Solo*

*Deluxe Edition includes “Solo” bonus track and a DVD including 2 video clips (“The Way” and “Sweet Tea”), plus documentary

About CALIFORNIA BREED:
Glenn Hughes has spent the subsequent years working with the biggest legends in music, as a solo star, and guesting with everyone from Black Sabbath to Earth, Wind & Fire – up to his most recent collaboration in rock supergroup Black Country Communion, which included Jason Bonham. When Black Country Communion disbanded Hughes and Bonham had a strong desire to keep playing together. They’re only challenge was finding a new guitarist worthy of their musicality. Easier said than done for these stars who between them have worked with some of the greatest guitarists in history – including Ritchie Blackmore, Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page and Joe Bonamassa, to name just a few. Then fate took a hand in things when Glenn’s friend Julian Lennon introduced him to the astounding talents of a New York City hotshot guitarist named Andrew Watt. “Literally, the first day me and Andrew got together we wrote two songs,” recalls Glenn. “One was ‘Chemical Rain’ and the other was ‘Solo’, both of which are now on the finished album. I was so moved by the music, I said, ‘We’ve got to record this!’ That’s when I called Jason.” Cut to autumn 2013. Recording with Dave Cobb at the producer’s own studio in Nashville, added all the finishing touches, says Glenn. At Cobb’s insistence, every vocal was recorded live as the band was playing. “Totally the reverse of what I’m used to,” says Glenn. “But I went into that aggressive rock soulfulness and everything down to the whispers, it was all done live! I enjoyed myself so much, just going for it. For what is on paper a three-piece, the sheer range of sounds and melodies you get from California Breed are breathtaking

Above: Album cover for CALIFORNIA BREED’s self-titled debut album. Credit: Austyn Blaine

Above: Album cover for CALIFORNIA BREED’s self-titled debut album. Credit: Austyn Blaine

For more information on CALIFORNIA BREED, visit:
www.californiabreed.com
www.facebook.com/CaliforniaBreed
https://twitter.com/CaliBreedBand
http://instagram.com/CaliforniaBreedOfficial/#
http://www.youtube.com/user/CaliBreedBand
https://plus.google.com/+CaliforniabreedOfficial/posts
https://myspace.com/california.breed
#CaliforniaBreed

JASON BONHAM: ‘My Dream Is To Do The Hologram Drum Solo With Dad Next To Me’

Posted by aliblackdiamond on July 15, 2013
Posted in: Int. News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

Source: Blabbermouth.net

John Parks of Legendary Rock Interviews recently conducted an interview with Jason Bonham, son of legendary LED ZEPPELIN drummer John Bonham. An excerpts from the chat follows below.

Legendary Rock Interviews: You’ve said before that your current touring band, JASON BONHAM’S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE, was in part inspired by the LED ZEPPELIN show at O2 Arena. How so?

Jason: It was, but there was also a considerable amount of time between when the actual concert took place in ’07 and when the “Celebration Day” CD/DVD was released late last year where I gave it lot of thought. I really started considering it but I was of two minds. At first, I thought I would really just leave playing those songs with those guys at that and I was really worried about what people would think — not critics, but fans in general. I gave it a tremendous amount of thought, and it was a couple of years before I actually took it out on the road and it was well-received. Then, when the actual O2 concert was finally released, I would have never imagined that I would still be playing the material and doing the shows, but it’s still doing well. I think the DVD of “Celebration Day” helped, though, people seeing me performing with John Paul [Jones], Jimmy [Page] and Robert [Plant]. It’s definitely helped with people coming out to the shows. I think if you were a non-believer before, I feel confident that my performance on that show was me giving my best at that time. I think that my performances with LED ZEPPELIN got better with each performance and I think that our performances as LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE have also gotten better with each show. The more relaxed we play, the better it sounds.

Legendary Rock Interviews: There is a lot going on visually during these shows. I don’t wanna give it all away, but how much fun is it for you to work with the show elements of the LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE tour?

Jason: It’s been fun, and it’s important to me to have something in addition to the music; that was the whole point of it. When I first started doing this, I was working with some of the people behind some of the biggest tribute tours like THE PINK FLOYD EXPERIENCE, THE BEATLES and now I’m doing it. It’s imperative that I continue putting together the best shows and take it to the next level. I’m talking to people about holograms, and my dream is to do the hologram drum solo with dad next to me.

Legendary Rock Interviews: Holy shit.

Jason: [laughs] Yeah, so…. That is my goal, my dream and we’re just trying to figure out everything that we can do with this show. There’s so much more that I would love to do, but obviously, I am limited somewhat as far as the footage that I have and the quality of the footage. These guys were operating in the 1970s, and it’s not at all like it is today where everybody can record everything with a phone or digital camera. Back in those days, if you had a camera that could record video, you were well off, and to be able to be proficient enough to edit or work with it or process it and release it was a whole other matter. It wasn’t as instant of a thing as it is now. [laughs] I am trying to work with the limited footage I have, to put it together in a way that works and is purposeful. I did not want to go onstage and play LED ZEPPELIN songs; there has to be more than that. I wanted to create a complete experience of what LED ZEPPELIN means to me, growing up around them and being part of it all my life. Believe me, it can also be a hindrance but it has mostly been a pleasure, and if anything, playing their music and performing this show has simply been a pleasure. It’s definitely less stressful for me, because I am way less critical of this music, obviously, than I am when writing or recording new material for myself of my band. I am notoriously hard on myself in terms of working on new material and while I am critical of my performance on the LED ZEPPELIN material, I am way more critical of my own stuff. I’m pretty hard on myself.

Legendary Rock Interviews: I think you got some of the best advice in general from Robert Plant when he told you if you’re going to do it you need to do it with a big smile on your face.

Jason: Yeah, and just his advice to enjoy playing in general. Even moments before we went onstage at O2, he was telling me, “Remember to enjoy it, Jason, because it will be over before you know it, and no one can ever take that away from you.” Sometimes when you play these gigs, shows you’ve been looking forward to all of your life, you can get caught up in the moment or caught up in the playing and forget to enjoy it. [laughs] It was around my third song in (at the O2 ZEPPELIN show) where I really started to relax and take it all in and it was amazing. It still is. Who wouldn’t enjoy playing this music? I’m very lucky, I’m working with some truly great musicians who are passionate about LED ZEPPELIN, as I am and it’s fun.

Read the entire interview at Legendary Rock Interviews.

JASON BONHAM On Performing ‘Stairway To Heaven’ At LED ZEPPELIN Tribute Show: “The Hairs On The Back Of Your Neck Stand Up When You See Something Like This”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 11, 2013
Posted in: Int. News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

Source: Bravewords.com

Drummer JASON BONHAM, the son of legendary LED ZEPPELIN drummer JOHN BONHAM, is featured in a new interview with Joanie Cox-Henry at Sun-Sentinel.com. An excerpt is available below:

JasonBonham

Rocker Jason Bonham holds an impressive legacy in his drumsticks. As the son of the late, legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, his passion for drums began at age four. While he’s performed with his dad’s Led Zeppelin band mates in addition to creating his own music, Dec. 26, 2012 was a night that would change his life forever and lead him to his present tour.

Bonham shared the stage with Ann and Nancy Wilson of HEART to perform ‘Stairway To Heaven’ during the Led Zeppelin tribute at the Kennedy Center Honors.

As Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones looked on, the incredible melodic chemistry behind Bonham and the Wilson sisters prompted a phone call from executives at Live Nation.

“When I was asked to do ‘Stairway,’ I was like really? ‘Stairway?’ There are some songs you just don’t touch,” Bonham said. “But the arrangement with the choir, orchestra and way the whole band played was very special. Both Robert and John Paul were both blown away by the arrangements. It was cool and different. The respect to the original was incredible and Ann and Nancy were fantastic. There were 50 people bobbing up and down wearing top hats. The hairs on the back of your neck stand up when you see something like this.”

Bonham was blown away by the more than five million hits that one song garnered on YouTube. “The demand became so great it got released on iTunes,” Bonham said during a recent phone interview with Forum Publishing Group. “I later got a call from Live Nation asking how we could put something like this together for a show.”

Go to this location for the complete story.

Bonham will be the featured guest on US nationally syndicated radio show Rockline with host Bob Coburn on June 12th at 8:30pm PT/11:30pm ET. Fans are encouraged to speak with the band toll free at 1-800-344-ROCK (7625). For more information on finding a station near you and for information regarding how to log onto the internet broadcast go to Rocklineradio.com. The show will be streamed on the Rockline website for two weeks beginning the afternoon after the live broadcast.

JasonBonhamTourBanner

Bonham will embark on a tour with Heart this summer. Confirmed dates are as follows:

June
17 – West Palm Beach, FL – Cruzan Amphitheater
18 – Tampa, FL – Live Nation Amphitheater
20 – Atlanta, GA – Chastain Park Amphitheater
21 – Charlotte, NC – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
22 – Raleigh, NC – Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion
24 – Virginia Beach, VA – Farm Bureau Live
25 – Washington, DC – Jiffy Lube Live
27 – Wantagh, NY – Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
28 – Boston, MA – Comcast Center – Mansfield MA
29 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

July
2 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
3 – Philadelphia, PA – Susquehanna Bank Center – Camden
4 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
19 – Detroit, MI – DTE Energy Music Theater
21 – Pittsburgh, PA – First Niagara Pavilion – Burgettstown
22 – Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center
27 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
29 – Chicago, IL – Ravinia Festival
30 – Indianapolis, IN – Klipsch Music Center

August
1 – West Allis, WI – Wisconsin State Fair
14 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
15 – Dallas, TX – Gexa Energy Pavilion
17 – St. Louis, MO – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
18 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theater
20 – Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater
22 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theater
23 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theater
24 – Indio, CA – Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
26 – San Diego, CA – Open Air Theater
28 – San Francisco, CA – America’s Cup Pavilion
30 – Portland, OR – Sleep Country Amphitheater

Review: BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, “Afterglow” (2012)

Posted by aliblackdiamond on October 28, 2012
Posted in: Reviews. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Reviewed by Ali Blackdiamond

Artist: Black Country Communion
Album: Afterglow
Label: Mascot Music
Year: 2012
Country: UK/USA

Tracklist:
1. Big Train
2. This Is Your Time
3. Midnight Sun
4. Confessor
5. Cry Freedom
6. Afterglow
7. Dandelion
8. The Circle
9. Common Man
10. The Giver
11. Crawl

 

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION are back with their third album “Afterglow” which will be released tomorrow, Monday 29th October, via Mascot Records.

The band comprises of vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, TRAPEZE), drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN, FOREIGNER), keyboard player Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, ALICE COOPER,YNGWIE MALMSTEEN,BILLY IDOL) and blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa.

The album was written within 6 months and recorded in Westlake Village, outside Hollywood, USA during 5 productive days. As Glenn explains: “I wanted this album to have more acoustic moments than the previous two. I wanted to hear more of Derek and I wanted the more angelic voice of Glenn as well as the more aggressive one which there is on songs like “Crawl” and “Midnight Sun”. Above all I wanted more drama.”

As with the two previous albums, “Afterglow” was overseen by producer Kevin Shirley who has a catalogue of hit records by bands such as IRON MAIDEN, AEROSMITH, LED ZEPPELIN and EUROPE. It was his idea to put Hughes and Bonamassa together after seeing them jamming onstage together in 2009 and is the groups “unofficial” fifth member.

The album begins with Big Train which I wasn’t too sure of at first, but after several listens it really grew on me with its catchy melodies and the great vocal range demonstrated by Glenn, backed up by the brilliant drumming of Jason. The next track This Is Your Time grabs me immediately with the deep grooves of Joe’s guitar intro, which keep up the pace throughout the song, a perfect combination with Glenn’s vocals and the great music written by Jason. Midnight Sun comes crashing into my ears next, the pace really picks up and Glenn’s vocals are top notch, he’s not called “The Voice Of Rock” for nothing! For me, the song evokes sounds of Deep Purple and there is a brilliant guitar solo by Joe, he can make it sing! Confessor is another fast paced track with excellent turbo charged drumming. I love the melodic sounds of the chorus and the Hammond organ sounding solo by Derek.

Cry Freedom has shared vocals between Glenn and Joe. Glenn feels that he and Joe sing well together and I agree: Joe’s more laid back style perfectly compliments Glenn’s raw edged sound. The title track Afterglow is long at 6:06 (but not the longest track) and has a quiet intro, but full of atmosphere. The song then builds into that familiar Black Country Communion sound and Glenn’s powerful voice kicks in. Plenty more melodic guitars here to keep fans happy. Dandelion is another slow paced song to start with and picks up soon enough, as with all these songs the whole sound is polished but also with a rawness that keeps it rocking. The Circle slows the pace and has a dream like quality to it, a very relaxing vibe, more great vocals. This track really demonstrates the power and depth to Glenn’s voice and is one of his favourite tracks. Common Man has that classic ’70’s sound, ‘groovy’ is the main way to describe the guitar and bass line and again that Hammond organ sound adding more texture and feeling. This song really sounds to me like the band are having an awesome jamming session together in the studio and is one of my favourites. Again more classic sounds on The Giver then to the last song Crawl: I love the sound here, Glenn’s rasping edgy vocals and a huge sound. There is yet another great guitar solo and awesome powerhouse drumming, another favourite for me. I’m very happy the band saved this track from “BCC2” to use on Afterglow, a great aggressive song to finish on.

9/10

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