Matt Starr

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Steel Pan Project PAN ROCKS Release Documentary Of “Pan Rocks Project LA” Sessions

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 19, 2018
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PAN ROCKS is the brainchild of heavy metal drummer turned internationally recognized steelpannist, Tracy Thornton. Last summer PAN ROCKS entered the Ocean Studios Burbank in Los Angeles, CA, recording 5 songs for the “Project LA” sessions, with Producer Matt Starr (Mr Big, Ace Frehley) and 30 steel pannists from around the world, along side Billy Sheehan (Mr Big), Tracii Guns (LA Guns), Bruce Kulick (KISS) and Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction).

This is what Tracy Thornton, the mastermind of the Project, has to say on the documentary:

This is the documentary of the “Pan Rocks Project LA” sessions that features the Pan Rocks Steel Orchestra led by steelpannist Tracy Thornton and joined by members of Jane’s Addiction, KISS, LA Guns, Mr. Big, David Lee Roth as well as Cellist sensations Emil & Dariel. This documentary takes you inside this groundbreaking musical project recorded at Ocean Studios Burbank in Los Angeles, CA. Hear from the steelpannists involved, the rock stars that signed on, producer Matt Starr and Pan Rocks creator Tracy Thornton on how all of this came about and went down. Enjoy!

Watch the documentary here:

“Pan Rocks” soul purpose is to get people excited about the steelpan art form, while at the same time, show the world the possibilities, the capabilities and diversity this amazing gift to the world from Trinidad & Tobago has by introducing it into uncharted territories and musical genres such as Rock, Punk and Heavy Metal!

To learn more about Pan Rocks or to contact Tracy Thornton directly go to http://www.panrocks.com for producer Matt Starr http://www.mattstarrmusic.com

Metal Shock Finland‘s Tarja Virmakari had a very interesting chat both with the PAN ROCKS mastermind, Tracy Thornton, and the drummer/producer Matt Starr, talking in detail about this unique project, PAN ROCKS, and the details around it. Join the conversation below:

Also watch below the videos PAN ROCKS have released from the LA Sessions:

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Steel Pan Project PAN ROCKS Release Fifth Video “Carol Of The Bells” From “Project LA” Sessions

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 22, 2017
Posted in: Int. News. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

PanRocks-band

PAN ROCKS is the brainchild of heavy metal drummer turned internationally recognized steelpannist, Tracy Thornton. This past summer PAN ROCKS entered the Ocean Studios Burbank in Los Angeles, CA, recording 5 songs for the “Project LA” sessions, with Producer Matt Starr (Mr Big, Ace Frehley) and 30 steel pannists from around the world, along side Billy Sheehan (Mr Big), Tracii Guns (LA Guns), Bruce Kulick (KISS) and Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction).

Today PAN ROCKS have unleashed the fifth video “Carol Of The Bells” from the “Project LA” sessions, watch it below.

Stated PAN ROCKS:
“The Holiday season is upon us, so here is “Carol Of The Bells” Pan Rocks style (from the Project LA Sessions) to help you get in the spirit! Please feel free to share!”

Also watch the first 4 videos from the LA sessions, released in these past weeks:

“Pan Rocks” soul purpose is to get people excited about the steelpan art form, while at the same time, show the world the possibilities, the capabilities and diversity this amazing gift to the world from Trinidad & Tobago has by introducing it into uncharted territories and musical genres such as Rock, Punk and Heavy Metal!

To learn more about Pan Rocks or to contact Tracy Thornton directly go to http://www.panrocks.com for producer Matt Starr http://www.mattstarrmusic.com

Just recently Metal Shock Finland‘s Tarja Virmakari had a very interesting chat both with the PAN ROCKS mastermind, Tracy Thornton, and the drummer/producer Matt Starr, talking in detail about this unique project, PAN ROCKS, and the details around it. Join the conversation below:

See the main interview tobics here:

(O:25) Two drummers, from different backgrounds, now working together for this amazing project PAN ROCKS…

(2:30) Tracy talks about his first two loves, Rock Music and Steelpan.

(3:58) This past summer PAN ROCKS entered the Ocean Studios Burbank in Los Angeles for the “Project LA” sessions and yielded 5 songs, all produced my Matt.

(12:00) One of the recorded videos was the Jane’s Addiction song “Been Caught Stealing”.

(12:37) Jane’s Addiction posted the video on their Facebook page. The post received over 90,000 views and 800+ shares in one week.

(14:55) The groundbreaking project was recorded in 360° video and a documentary will be released in the near future.

(16:50) PAN ROCKS’ soul and purpose.

(20:10) What will happen next with PAN ROCKS?

(24:35) Besides PAN ROCKS Matt and Tracy told about their other engagements.

Tracy Thornton

Audio Interview With PAN ROCKS Mastermind TRACY THORNTON And Producer MATT STARR, Talking About Steelpan Art Form, “Project LA” Sessions And More!

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 13, 2017
Posted in: Int. News, Interviews. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

PanRocks-band

Interview by Tarja Virmakari

PAN ROCKS is the brainchild of heavy metal drummer turned internationally recognized steelpannist, Tracy Thornton. The idea is to have as many steelpannists as possible on stage performing Rock music. Since the first PAN ROCKS concert in 2013, Tracy has put on PAN ROCKS themed concerts with University, High School and Community steel bands throughout the continental US, as well as performed in Hawaii, Trinidad & Tobago, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Mexico, Canada and throughout Europe. He has performed on stage with Greg Bissonette (Ringo Star, David Lee Roth), John Blackwell (Prince and Justin Timberlake), Ndugu Chancler (Michael Jackson, Herbie Hancock) Stephen Perkin’s (Jane’s Addiction, Porno For Pyros) and he was chosen to put together a 75+ piece steel band to perform a showcase concert at PASIC 2015 in San Antonio, TX.

This past summer PAN ROCKS took the next step in getting the steelpan instrument to the masses and went into Ocean Studios Burbank in Los Angeles, CA, recording 5 songs for the “Project LA” sessions, with Producer Matt Starr (Mr Big, Ace Frehley) and 30 steel pannists from around the world, along side Billy Sheehan (Mr Big), Tracii Guns (LA Guns), Bruce Kulick (KISS) and Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction). One of the recorded songs was the Jane’s Addiction song “Been Caught Stealing”, which received over 90,000 views and 800+ shares in one week. Furthermore, the groundbreaking “Project LA” was recorded in 360 video and a documentary will be released in the near future of this first-of-its-kind recording session.

TracyThorntonPanRocks

Tracy Thornton

Last Saturday, November 11th, Metal Shock Finland‘s Tarja Virmakari had a very interesting chat both with the PAN ROCKS mastermind, Tracy Thornton, and the drummer/producer Matt Starr, talking in detail about this unique project, PAN ROCKS, and the details around it. Join the conversation below:

See the main interview tobics here:

(O:25) Two drummers, from different backgrounds, now working together for this amazing project PAN ROCKS…

(2:30) Tracy talks about his first two loves, Rock Music and Steelpan.

(3:58) This past summer PAN ROCKS entered the Ocean Studios Burbank in Los Angeles for the “Project LA” sessions and yielded 5 songs, all produced my Matt.

(12:00) One of the recorded videos was the Jane’s Addiction song “Been Caught Stealing”.

(12:37) Jane’s Addiction posted the video on their Facebook page. The post received over 90,000 views and 800+ shares in one week.

(14:55) The groundbreaking project was recorded in 360° video and a documentary will be released in the near future.

(16:50) PAN ROCKS’ soul and purpose.

(20:10) What will happen next with PAN ROCKS?

(24:35) Besides PAN ROCKS Matt and Tracy told about their other engagements.

The first 4 “Project LA Sessions” videos can be watched here:

“Kashmir”

“Detroit Rock City”

“Dain Brammage”

“Been Caught Stealing”

“Pan Rocks” soul purpose is to get people excited about the steelpan art form, while at the same time, show the world the possibilities, the capabilities and diversity this amazing gift to the world from Trinidad & Tobago has by introducing it into uncharted territories and musical genres such as Rock, Punk and Heavy Metal!

To learn more about Pan Rocks or to contact Tracy Thornton directly go to http://www.panrocks.com for producer Matt Starr http://www.mattstarrmusic.com

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Steel Pan Project PAN ROCKS Gets A Big Boost From JANE’S ADDICTION

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 4, 2017
Posted in: Int. News. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

PanRocks-band

Earlier this year, world renown steel pannist and creator of PAN ROCKS, Tracy Thornton collaborated with producer Matt Starr (Mr Big, Ace Frehley) to record 30 steel pannists from around the world along side Billy Sheehan (Mr Big), Tracii Guns (LA Guns), Bruce Kulick (KISS) and Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction). The project was recorded at Ocean Studios in Burbank and yielded 5 songs. One of the songs was the Jane’s Addiction song “Been Caught Stealing”. On October 16 Jane’s Addiction posted a video for the Pan Rocks version of “Been Caught Stealing” on their Facebook page. The post received over 90,000 views and 800+ shares in one week. Watch the video below.

The recording is the first step in what Thornton says are some big plans for 2018. “It has always been my vision to bring together the Trinidadian Steelpan, the visuals of Carnival and rock and roll in a traveling circus type show. This recording was the first step towards realizing that vision.” “It’s an honor to be part of this project”, says Jane’s drummer Stephen Perkins, who first met Thornton in 2009. After several years of developing his idea, Thornton met drummer/producer Matt Starr in 2016. “The combination of music and culture is incredibly powerful and a natural match,” says Starr. “There is so much mystique, sexuality and power in the way the Trinidadians celebrate Carnival, it lends itself perfectly to a spectacular rock and roll show.”

The sessions were documented by 360 video pioneer Dave Faires. Thornton and Starr have been talks with Dave and his partner Tim Hicks who’s collective credits include Coldplay, Stevie Wonder and a record setting journey to the top of Mount Everest. The team is creating a show that would encompass elements of live music and dance combined with 360 degree footage, live streaming content and live VJ effects inside of a giant portable dome. “The idea is to first present it using a hybrid of live performance and 360 Video to start and then build it into the full live show”, says Thornton. “We will premier the show in a few select cities including Las Vegas in 2018 before ultimately taking it on the road.”

Videos for the remaining 5 songs recorded will be released over the next 4 weeks starting on November 1, 2017. Titles include “Detroit Rock City” (featuring Bruce Kulick), the Led Zeppelin classic “Kashmir” (featuring Russian rock cellists from America’s Got Talent Emil and Dariel), an original composition entitled “Dain Bramage” and the Holiday classic, “Carol Of The Bells” also featuring Emil and Dariel. ‘Like’ the page http://www.facebook.com/PanRocksShow to see the video premiers.

To learn more about Pan Rocks or to contact Tracy Thornton directly go to http://www.panrocks.com for producer Matt Starr http://www.mattstarrmusic.com

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MATT STARR Currently Touring With MR BIG, Next Shows 2017 Announced

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 28, 2017
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After a successful 4 week run in the US in June with MR BIG, MATT STARR has announced the tour shows for the rest of the year. The tour is in support of the new record of MR BIG “Defying Gravity” which Matt Starr played on. The album was released on July 7 via Frontiers Music Srl, Produced by Kevin Elson (Journey, Lynyrd Skynyrd). “Defying Gravity” debuted #1 in Japan, and in the top 10 on the international charts, top 20 in the US.

MATT STARR Touri Dates With MR BIG:
August
17 – Manaus, Brazil
19 – Sao Paulo, Brazil
19 – Matt Starr/Billy Sheehan Workshop School Of Rock Brazil
20 – Belo Horizonte, Brazil
22 – Porto Alegre, Brazil
24 – Montevideo, Uraguay
26- Santiago, Chile
27 – Buenos Aires, Argentina
29 – Lima, Peru
31 – Bogota, Colombia

September
2 – Mexico City, Mexico
20 – Sapporo, Japan
22 – Ishikawa, Japan
24 – Nagoya, Japan
26 – Tokyo, Japan (The Budokan, filming DVD)
28 – Tokyo, Japan
29 – Sendai, Japan

October
1 – Osaka, Japan
2 – Kita, Japan
3 – Fukuoka, Japan
5 – Hiroshima, Japan
8 – Seoul, S Korea
10 – Taipei, Taiwan
12 – Manilla, Phillipines
13 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
15 – Singapore
26 – Hamburg, Germany
27 – Eindhoven, Netherlands
29 – Cologne, Germany
31 – Stockholm, Sweden

November
1 – Gothenburg, Sweden
3 – Drammen, Norway
4 – Helsingør, Denmark
6 – Paris, France
7 – Pratteln, Switzerland
9 – Barcelona, Spain
10 – Madrid, Spain
12 – Milan, Italy
13 – Cologne, Germany
14 – Munich, Germany
16 – Nottingham, England
17 – Newcastle, England
19 – London, England
21 – Manchester, England
22 – Glasgow, Scotland
23 – Wolverhampton, England

More information at http://www.mattstarrmusic.com – http://www.facebook.com/mattstarrmusic

MrBig-cover

MATT STARR Joins Once Again MR BIG On World Tour

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 12, 2017
Posted in: Int. News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

MattStarr

MR. BIG will release its ninth studio album, “Defying Gravity”, on July 7 via Frontiers Music Srl. The effort will be available at traditional retail and all digital
service providers, as will a deluxe edition version with CD and bonus DVD that features music videos and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the new album. The album will also be made available on vinyl in the coming months.

Matt Starr joined original members Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan and Pat Torpey as well as producer Kevin Elson (who was behind the boards for the band’s 1989 self-titled debut, 1991’s “Lean Into It” and 1993’s “Bump Ahead”) for an intensive six-day recording session in Los Angeles. While Torpey was unable to perform on “Defying Gravity” due to a recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, Matt Starr has been filling in for him on a majority of the album. Starr also been touring with the band for the past couple of years, with Torpey able to play a couple of songs at each stop.

“We tracked 11 songs in 6 days. Everything was live. I really enjoyed the process,” says Starr. “It was really cool to work out the parts with Pat and then to have him be in the control room while we tracked, it was like having a dedicated Drum Producer. He did all the percussion, so then it was my turn to sit back and listen. The whole experience working with Pat and the band has been amazing. I’m grateful to have been included on the new record.”

MrBig-drums

As for gear, Starr says, “I played my Ludwig Legacy kit, 24, 14, 18, 20 with my 6.5 chrome over brass and black beauty snares. My Paiste cymbals were a combination of 20” & 18” 2002’s, and 15” 2002 sound edge or 14” RUDE hats, depending on the song and of course my 1976 22” 2002 china. For rides I either played a 24” 2002 ride or a 22” 2002 crash if I needed more wash. Heads were Evans coated G2’s on top, coated G1’s on bottom and heavyweight on the snare. I always use Canopus 42 stand snare wires, nothing sounds better.”

The band will embark on a world tour in support of the record starting out with a four week run in the US at the end of May. “2017 is filling up quickly with tour dates all around the world,” proclaims Paul Gilbert. “I can’t wait to play the newsongs, and, of course, our favorites from the old days, like ‘Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy’, ‘Just Take My Heart’, ‘Green Tinted Sixties Mind’, ‘Wild World’ and ‘To Be With You’.”

MrBig-cover

“Defying Gravity” track listing:
01. Open Your Eyes
02. Defying Gravity
03. Everybody Needs a Little Trouble
04. Damn I’m In Love Again
05. Mean To Me
06. Nothing Bad (About Feeling Good)
07. Forever And Back
08. She’s All Coming Back To Me Now
09. 1992
10. Nothing At All
11. Be Kind

Making-of “Defying Gravity” video:

Tour dates, Leg 1:

5/31 Milwaukee, WI Potowatami Casino
6/2 St. Charles, IL Arcada Theatre
6/3 Wetland, MI The Token Lounge
6/6 Warrendale, PA Jergel’s Rhythm Grille
6/7 Newton, NJ Newton Theatre
6/9 Uncasville, CT The Wolf Den/Mohegan Sun
6/10 New York, NY B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
6/12 Nashville, TN Basement East
6/14 Lexington, KY Manchester Music Hall
6/16 Dallas, TX Gas Monkey Live
6/17 Houston, TX Scout Bar
6/19 Kansas City, MO Knuckleheads Saloon
6/22 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre
6/23 Agoura Hills, CA Canyon Club
6/24 Pasadena, CA The Rose

More to be announced soon.

More information at http://www.mattstarrmusic.com – http://www.facebook.com/mattstarrmusic