KRIS BARRAS BAND have released their new album ‘Death Valley Paradise’ via Mascot Records / Mascot Label Group. Watch the ‘making of the album’ video below.

Next week the band will be beginning their biggest headline tour of the UK to date, playing 15 shows, beginning in Exeter for the first of two shows at the Phoenix on 8th March and finishing at London’s Electric Ballroom on 26th March. You can buy tickets from here. 
 
Death Valley Paradise started life as a song before it was dissected and spread across the album. Death Valley is a place of extremes, where living things are said to not be able to survive. “To survive and thrive in those circumstances and find your paradise in it. For me, it sums up the journey I’ve been through,” says the former MMA/Cage fighter. 

Track list

1. Dead Horses
2. Long Gone
3. My Parade
4. These Voices
5. Who Needs Enemies
6. Devil You Know
7. Wake Me When It’s Over
8. Hostage
9. Cigarettes and Gasoline
10. Bury Me
11. Chaos

Produced by Dan Weller (Enter Shikari, Bury Tomorrow, SiKth) and recorded at VADA Studios in Alcester, they return darker, more introspective, but enormous at the same time. On the album, Barras began collaborating with songwriters for the first time, such as the heavyweights; Jonny Andrews (Three Days Grace, Fozzy), Bob Marlette (Alice Cooper, Airbourne, Rob Zombie), Blair Daly (Halestorm, Black Stone Cherry) and Zac Maloy (Shinedown, Tyler Bryant).

They’ve so far released four singles, including the album’s high voltage calling card, “My Parade” – Barras says, “This is my life, and this is how I’m gonna live it.” Album opener and first single, “Dead Horses”, shakes the foundations delving into broken relationships, he addresses negative internal thoughts on “These Voices” and on “Who Needs Enemies” Barras says; “This track started life as one of the first songs I wrote for the album. It was originally called ‘Friends Like Enemies’. I probably re-wrote it 4 or 5 times before settling on the final version, after working on it with a songwriter friend based in Nashville, Blair Daly. It’s basically a song about betrayal, a friend that has stabbed you in the back. The main tag line being “Who needs enemies, with friends like you”.  
 
Death Valley Paradise is the band’s heaviest material to date and they ended last year with triumphant 16-date sold-out tour supporting Kentucky heavyweights Black Stone Cherry – including the iconic Royal Albert Hall in September 2021 and they played two nights at the prestigious Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London with The Darkness in December, playing the new songs to a rapturous response. Following their headline tour this month they will be playing the prestigious Wembley Arena with the mighty Thunder in May.
 
The band are Kris Barras (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Josiah J. Manning (Rhythm Guitars/ Vocals), Billy Hammett (Drums) And Kelpie Mackenzie (bass).

KRIS BARRAS BAND have revealed a new video for ‘Who Needs Enemies’, taken from the band’s upcoming album “Death Valley Paradise”, coming out on March 4th via Mascot Records / Mascot Label Group. Watch the video below. You can pre-order the album here http://smarturl.it/KBB

Another ground-shaking blast from Barras’ cannon tears through the air as he war-cries; “Who needs enemies to twist the truth, with a stab in the back like it’s just for fun, a snap of the neck and the damage is done, who needs enemies with friends like you,” as the panzer attack ploughs its way through your ears.

The video was filmed at their incredible performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Talking about it, Barras says, “Performing at the Royal Albert Hall was a dream come true. It was such a surreal experience to be standing on that stage, where so many legends have stood before us.” About the song, he continues, “This track started life as one of the first songs I wrote for the album. It was originally called ‘Friends Like Enemies’. I probably re-wrote it 4 or 5 times before settling on the final version, after working on it with a songwriter friend based in Nashville, Blair Daly. It’s basically a song about betrayal, a friend that has stabbed you in the back. The main tag line being “Who needs enemies, with friends like you”.  

Following their triumphant 16-date sold-out tour supporting Kentucky heavyweights Black Stone Cherry – including the iconic Royal Albert Hall in September 2021, they played two nights at the prestigious Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London with The Darkness in December, ending the year on a firecracker. Talking about playing with The Darkness, he says, “The Darkness are a great bunch of guys. Really funny, down to earth and a real kick-ass group of musicians! They made us feel really welcome, and it was a great honour to open up for them at such a fantastic venue.”

They’ve entered 2022 with their sights on their biggest headline tour of the UK to date in March 2022, playing 15 shows, beginning in Exeter for the first of two shows at the Phoenix on 8th March and finishing at London’s Electric Ballroom on 26th March. You can buy tickets from here. They will then be taking the stage at Wembley Arena in support of British rockers Thunder on 28th May.

Death Valley Paradise started life as a song before it was dissected and spread across the album. Death Valley is a place of extremes, where living things are said to not be able to survive. “To survive and thrive in those circumstances and find your paradise in it. For me, it sums up the journey I’ve been through,” says the former MMA/Cage fighter. 

Produced by Dan Weller (Enter Shikari, Bury Tomorrow, SiKth) and recorded at VADA Studios in Alcester, they return darker, more introspective, but enormous at the same time. On the album, Barras began collaborating with songwriters for the first time, such as the heavyweights; Jonny Andrews (Three Days Grace, Fozzy), Bob Marlette (Alice Cooper, Airbourne, Rob Zombie), Blair Daly (Halestorm, Black Stone Cherry) and Zac Maloy (Shinedown, Tyler Bryant).

Three previous singles were taken from Death Valley Paradise, including the album’s high voltage calling card, “My Parade” – the bands’ protest song. “It says this is my parade, but it’s collective; it’s our parade,” Barras says. “This is my life, and this is how I’m gonna live it and if you don’t like it. Fuck off.” Album opener and first single, “Dead Horses”, shakes the foundations delving into broken relationships, and he addresses negative internal thoughts on “These Voices.”

The road warriors have played across Europe, crisscrossed the UK several times over building up their fervent fanbase along the way with sold-out tour after sold-out tour as well as colossal mainstage festival performances and supporting the likes of Black Stone Cherry, The Darkness, Therapy?, The Black Crowes’ Rich Robinsons band The Magpie Salute and Jon Bon Jovi along the way. They’ve had packed-to-the-rafters one-in, one-out festival performances, awards, A-list singles and two BBC Radio 2 live sessions so far along the way. The band have only just begun to get going.

The band features a new rhythm section of Billy Hammett (Drums) and Kelpie Mackenzie (Bass) along with Kris Barras (Lead Vocals/Guitar) and Josiah J. Manning (Rhythm Guitars/ Vocals). 

Track list

1. Dead Horses
2. Long Gone
3. My Parade
4. These Voices
5. Who Needs Enemies
6. Devil You Know
7. Wake Me When It’s Over
8. Hostage
9. Cigarettes and Gasoline
10. Bury Me
11. Chaos

KRIS BARRAS BAND have revealed a lyric video for ‘These Voices’, taken from the upcoming album “Death Valley Paradise”, set to be released on March 4th via Mascot Records / Mascot Label Group.

Death Valley Paradise started life as a song before it was dissected and spread across the album. Death Valley is a place of extremes, where living things are said to not be able to survive. Kris Barras says, “To survive and thrive in those circumstances and find your paradise in it. For me, it sums up the journey I’ve been through. As a musician, you were put into a place where it was hard to survive, and you had to do different things to keep it moving.” 

Produced by Dan Weller (Enter Shikari, Bury Tomorrow, SiKth) and recorded at VADA Studios in Alcester, they return darker, more introspective but enormous at the same time. “These Voices,” perfect encapsulates this side of Barras. The song opens with the lyrics, “In my head, turning deaf from the silence. Abandoned hope, all alone, I’m lost in a crowd, and I’m burning out,” as it builds to the anthemic chorus, “scream out distant memories, they’re reminding me I should let go.”

This is one of the self-penned songs on the album and talking about it Barras says: “This song is one of my favourites from the album and perhaps one of the most personal to me. I wrote this over the Xmas period of 2020 and it’s about those niggling voices that you get in your head. The one’s that tell you, you can’t do something, the one’s that make you second guess every decision you make. We love playing this one live, the riff is always a classic head banging moment of the set!”

You can watch the video here:

You can also pre-order the album here http://smarturl.it/KBB

Elsewhere on the album Barras began collaborating with songwriters for the first time, such as the heavyweights; Jonny Andrews (Three Days Grace, Fozzy), Bob Marlette (Alice Cooper, Airbourne, Rob Zombie), Blair Daly (Halestorm, Black Stone Cherry) and Zac Maloy (Shinedown, Tyler Bryant).
 
The albums high voltage calling card is “My Parade” – the bands’ protest song. “It says this is my parade, but it’s collective, it’s our parade,” Barras says. “This is my life, and this is how I’m gonna live it and if you don’t like it. Fuck off.” Album opener and first single, “Dead Horses”,  shakes the foundations delving into broken relationships.

The band features a new rhythm section of Billy Hammett (Drums) and Kelpie Mackenzie (Bass) along with Kris Barras (Lead Vocals/Guitar) and Josiah J. Manning (Rhythm Guitars/ Vocals).

Track list

1. Dead Horses
2. Long Gone
3. My Parade
4. These Voices
5. Who Needs Enemies
6. Devil You Know
7. Wake Me When It’s Over
8. Hostage
9. Cigarettes and Gasoline
10. Bury Me
11. Chaos

KRIS BARRAS BAND will release their new album “Death Valley Paradise” on March 4th 2022 via Mascot Records/Mascot Label Group. Today the band unleashes a new video ‘My Parade’ from the album, watch it below.

“This is my parade, fall into line or get out of my way” My Parade.

Also watch the video for “Dead Horses”

You can also pre-order the album here http://smarturl.it/KBB

Produced by Dan Weller (Enter Shikari, Bury Tomorrow, SiKth) and recorded at VADA Studios in Alcester, they return heavier, darker, more introspective but enormous at the same time. Barras decided to remove all shackles and began collaborating with songwriters, such as the heavyweights; Jonny Andrews (Three Days Grace, Fozzy), Bob Marlette (Alice Cooper, Airbourne, Rob Zombie), Blair Daly (Halestorm, Black Stone Cherry) and Zac Maloy (Shinedown, Tyler Bryant).
 
Death Valley Paradise started life as a song before it was dissected and spread across the album. Death Valley is a place of extremes, where living things are said to not be able to survive. “To survive and thrive in those circumstances and find your paradise in it. For me, it sums up the journey I’ve been through. As a musician, you were put into a place where it was hard to survive, and you had to do different things to keep it moving.” 

For 18 months the world stood still and we realised that we didn’t have control of ourselves anymore. “I had some really dark times. I didn’t want to get out of bed. I didn’t want to do anything. It was really tough,” Barras says. “I’ve thrown everything at this. It was tough not knowing if I’d ever be able to do this again. What am I going to do with my life? I’ve gone all-in. If I’m not this, who am I?” he says

For the ex-MMA/cage fighter, there was only one way out, to re-focus. “Once Covid hit, it was a case of ‘anything goes’, and I don’t give a fuck anymore,” he says with no preconceived plan for the album.

Early 2020 was uncharted waters for all of us. “At first we thought, three weeks and it’s over,” he says. “I went through a cycle. At first, I tried to take it positively and then reality set in. I’ve been fortunate in my life in that I’ve been sad, but never suffered from anything that I would count as depression until last year.”

One of the shining lights of the period was co-writing. “It was a bit of a game-changer”, he enthuses. Seeds of the songs had already been sewn in late 2019. “There were a few riffs we were playing around with on tour, and a lot of those early songs were heavy. I sat down with the label and said the stuff I’m writing is heavier, and they were completely supportive. “In my teens, I was pretty much only listening to Hard Rock and Metal so it feels completely natural and free. More than ever, this album is me on an LP. I do think I’ve gone a little bit darker and deeper on it. Writing songs about topics I haven’t done before.”

The albums high voltage calling card is “My Parade” – the bands’ protest song. “It says this is my parade, but it’s collective, it’s our parade,” Barras says. “This is my life, and this is how I’m gonna live it and if you don’t like it. Fuck off.” Album opener and first single, “Dead Horses,” shakes the foundations delving into broken relationships, which steamrolls into the crushing “Long Gone,” a tale of letting go.

They take an introspective look on “These Voices.” “It’s that inner voice that is always telling you that you can’t do things and dragging you down,” he says. “For me, it’s been quite prevalent in my life over the past year.” They submerge themselves in the melancholic and haunting “Wake Me When It’s Over” whilst venturing into the chaotic darkness documenting his mental health struggles on the thundering finale, “Chaos.” 

The band features a new rhythm section of Billy Hammett (Drums) and Kelpie Mackenzie (Bass) along with Kris Barras (Lead Vocals/Guitar) and Josiah J. Manning (Rhythm Guitars/ Vocals). “The band on this album are a big part of how it sounds. When we get in a room and jam, everything just comes out heavier and more angsty,” he says.

They are set for an incredible 12 months ahead; They’ve just finished a sold-out UK tour with Kentucky’s favourite sons Black Stone Cherry, culminating with a show at the world-famous Royal Albert Hall. Their biggest headline tour to date begins in March 2022, followed by playing the iconic Wembley Arena in support of Thunder.  

Track list

1. Dead Horses
2. Long Gone
3. My Parade
4. These Voices
5. Who Needs Enemies
6. Devil You Know
7. Wake Me When It’s Over
8. Hostage
9. Cigarettes and Gasoline
10. Bury Me
11. Chaos

KRIS BARRAS BAND have taken their gloves off and are steamrolling into the end of the year with their anthemic brand new song, “Dead Horses.” The songs’ foundation-shaking roar is them at their towering best. They will also be joining Kentucky heavyweights Black Stone Cherry on their upcoming 16 date September tour.

“Dead Horses” throws down the gauntlet, shows the band heavier than ever, and upped their stadium-filling sound to eleven. The song is taken from their forthcoming new studio album, produced by Dan Weller (Enter Shikari, Bury Tomorrow, Monster Truck), which will be released in 2022 by Mascot Records (Black Stone Cherry, Fozzy, Crobot).

With three albums under their belt to date, the bands’ whirlwind ride has been rapid. From 50 tickets in small Devon bars to 13,000 tickets on their upcoming headline tour, the band have risen-up the ranks to become one of British rocks leading lights. Their breakout album, Light It Up, broke into the UK Top 50 Album Charts, they’ve won best new band awards, had radio smash hits, multiple sold-out tours, performed live on daytime BBC Radio 2 twice, supported the likes of Black Stone Cherry, Therapy? and Rich Robinson (The Black Crowes), not to mention showstopping festival performances and the army of fervent fans they are sweeping up along the way.

Talking about ‘Dead Horses,’ Barras explains, “It’s about the acceptance of a relationship that’s just run its course.” The song is co-written with Johnny Andrews (Three Days Grace, Halestorm, Buckcherry, Fozzy). Talking about the collaboration Barras continues, “this was the first complete song that I had ever properly co-written, and it was an awesome experience working with a guy like Johnny, even if it was done over Zoom during lockdown!”

The video was shot in his home county of Devon and the vast expanse of the moors of Dartmoor. “We managed to get hold of a beautiful 69′ Chevy Camaro,” he says. “I actually jumped in on camera duties for a few scenes, including one hanging out of the back of a car flying through the moors to get some of the driving shots.”

Opening up about the upcoming album, Barras shares, “I really believe that this is a big step up from anything we’ve done before. Everything just fell into place perfectly. From working with top producer Dan Weller to having the time to really work on the songs and fine-tune things. I think the result is a much more hard-hitting album, both musically and lyrically.”
 
They are set for an incredible 12 months ahead; A sold-out UK tour with Kentucky’s favourite sons Black Stone Cherry, culminating with a show at the world-famous Royal Albert Hall, London, their biggest headline tour to date, followed by playing the iconic Wembley Arena in support of Thunder. Plus, the brand-new album. The sky is the limit.

“I can’t wait!” he says about the upcoming shows. “Everyone has missed live music so much, both the bands and the fans. I think it’s going to feel like one big party! The Black Stone Cherry guys are awesome too, looking forward to catching up with them and getting to watch them every night is an added bonus.”
 
Continuing he adds, “We’ve announced our headline tour for March 2022. It’s our biggest tour to date, and there’s some venues on there that I’ve always dreamed of headlining! Ticket sales have been amazing so far, so it looks like we’re going to have a good time! We’ll have plenty of new music out there by then too, so it’ll be great to play these new tunes live.”

Barras is also frontman and guitarist for Supersonic Blues Machine, with Fabrizio Grossi on bass and Kenny Aronoff on drums. At times, Billy F. Gibbons (ZZ Top), Steve Lukather (TOTO) and others join the core line-up for special appearances across The World.
 
Keep your eyes peeled for more information on their upcoming album soon.

The Kris Barras Band are Kris Barras (Vocals/Guitar), Josiah J Manning (Guitar), Kelpie MacKenzie (Bass) and Billy Hammett (Drums).

2021 Tour Dates
 
09 Sep              O2 Academy Bristol, Bristol – UK w/Black Stone Cherry – TICKETS
10 Sep              O2 Academy Birmingham, Birmingham – UK w/ Black Stone Cherry – TICKETS
11 Sep              Engine Shed, Lincoln – UK w/ Black Stone Cherry- TICKETS
13 Sep              Rock City, Nottingham – UK w/ Black Stone Cherry – TICKETS
14 Sep              O2 Academy Leeds, Leeds – UK w/ Black Stone Cherry – TICKETS
16 Sep              O2 Apollo Manchester, Manchester – UK w/ Black Stone Cherry – TICKETS
17 Sep              Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow – UK w/ Black Stone Cherry – TICKETS
18 Sep              Usher Hall, Edinburgh – UK w/ Black Stone Cherry – TICKETS
20 Sep              O2 Academy Newcastle, Newcastle – UK w/ Black Stone Cherry – TICKETS
21 Sep              O2 Academy Liverpool, Liverpool – UK w/ Black Stone Cherry – TICKETS
23 Sep              Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone – UK w/ Black Stone Cherry – TICKETS
24 Sep              Saint David’s Hall, Cardiff – UK w/ Black Stone Cherry  – TICKETS
25 Sep              University of Exeter Great Hall, Exeter – UK w/ Black Stone Cherry – TICKETS
 27 Sep             O2 Guildhall, Southampton – UK w/ Black Stone Cherry – TICKETS
28 Sep              Corn Exchange, Cambridge – UK w/ Black Stone Cherry – TICKETS
29 Sep              Royal Albert Hall, London UK w/ Black Stone Cherry – TICKETS

2022 Tour Dates
 
08 Mar             Phoenix, Exeter, UK- TICKETS
09 Mar             Phoenix, Exeter, UK – TICKETS
11 Mar             Tramshed – Cardiff, UK – TICKETS
12 Mar             Rock City, Nottingham, UK – TICKETS
13 Mar             KK’s Steelmill, Wolverhampton, UK – TICKETS
14 Mar             SWX, Bristol, UK – TICKETS
16 Mar             O2 Academy, Manchester, UK – TICKETS
17 Mar             Hanger 34, Liverpool, UK – TICKETS
18 Mar             St Luke’s, Glasgow, UK – TICKETS
19 Mar             Lemon Tree, Aberdeen, UK – TICKETS
21 Mar             Boiler Shop, Newcastle, UK – TICKETS
22 Mar             Leadmill, Sheffield, UK – TICKETS
23 Mar             Waterfront, Norwich, UK – TICKETS
25 Mar             Brook, Southampton, UK – TICKETS
26 Mar             Electric Ballroom, London, UK – TICKETS
 
28 May             Wembley Arena, London w/Thunder – TICKETS 

    

KRIS BARRAS BAND have announced a very special Kris-Mas livestream show for 19^th December at 9pm CET, where you’ll be able to catch the band from the comfort of your own home with more than a small dose of festive merriment. Barras will perform a 30-minute acoustic set, followed by a full band show. There are 3 options; watch the show, show + MP3s and video download of the show and a ‘Meet and Greet’ with the band.

Tickets are available here: www.krisbarrasband.com/tickets

Watch the trailer for the show here:

Talking about the show Barras says; “We would have seen you across the country this year, we would have seen you at the Royal Albert Hall, we would have seen you at Wembley Arena, but because of this pandemic we weren’t able to and we miss you. So, we thought, let’s do a Christmas event and we can all have a party together.”

Going on he says; “We’re really taking things up a notch production wise compared to anything that we have done previously this year. More camera angles, studio quality sound, lights, smoke and definitely more tinsel. It is the Kris-Mas show after all!  We’ll be kicking off with a 30min Acoustic set, followed by a full band electric set for 75mins ish…depending on the length of the guitar solos! We’re super excited for it and we will be doing our best to make it as close to the live gig experience as possible. This is going to be the first time that we have all played together since the early Summer. I can’t wait!”

So get your very best (or worst) Christmas outfits on, turn up the volume, beam them up on the big screen and get a case of your favourite drinks, because the Kris Barras band want to see how YOU ARE enjoying yourselves by uploading pictures and you singing to social media with #krismasparty

Barras has been busy over the last few months with his Box Room Sessions from home creating acoustic versions of his back catalogue as well as covers, suggested by fans ranging from Foo Fighters and Guns n Roses, to Chris Isaak and Bon Jovi.

The Kris Barras Band had a whirlwind ride over the last 3 years until the international pandemic took hold. The band had toured and played shows with Black Stone Cherry, Beth Hart, GUN, King King, The Magpie Salute, Therapy?, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Johnny Lang and Walter Trout. As well as stunning performances at festivals such as Ramblin’ Man Fair and Planet Rockstock. He played to 3 million people on BBC Radio 2 – which caused host Richard Madeley to exclaim, “that’s the reason I love doing this show!“

Barras even found time to join Supersonic Blues Machine as the singer-guitarist alongside ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons, and following a stint as guest presenter for Planet Rock Radio – where the band also won the 2019 award for Best New Band – he now presents a weekly Saturday show from 2pm to 4pm on Feedback Radio.

The Kris Barras Band will also be hitting the road in 2021, supporting Thunder at the SSE Wembley Arena on 15^th May and be joining Kentucky rockers Black Stone Cherry for a month from 9^th September and culminating at the legendary Royal Albert Hall on 29^th September.