Two guitar heroes drop in on this week’s RICH DAVENPORT’S ROCK SHOW, in the shape of former GENESIS/GTR maestro Steve Hackett and WHITESNAKE axemaster Joel Hoekstra (ex-NIGHT RANGER). The show is now available for streaming, below.
Steve Hackett opens the show, discussing his new box set “Premonitions-The Charisma Recordings 1975-1983”, the writing and recording of his latest solo album “Wolflight”, his current “Acolyte to Wolflight” tour, and the recently reissued debut album from GTR. Steve also picks tracks from each of these releases.
Room Experience’s Gianluca Firmo introduces a song from the band’s debut album, as part of an ongoing showcase of exciting new releases from Melodic Rock Records.
And finally, WHITESNAKE guitarist Joel Hoekstra drops in to discusses his new solo project JOEL HOEKSTRA’S 13, and discusses the possibility of kidnapping the all-star line-up of musicians that played on the album (Jeff Scott Soto, Russell Alan, Tony Franklin and Vinny Appice) so that they can tour! Joel also chooses 2 songs from the 13 album “Dying to Live”.
BLACK STAR RIDERS are set to cap a hugely successful 2015 with two headline shows in the UK in December 2015. These shows are in addition their guest slot on the fast selling DEF LEPPARD/WHITESNAKE double bill in the same month.
The headline dates are as follows:
Fri 11th December 2015 London, O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Thurs 17th December 2015 Wolverhampton, Wulfrun Hall
Tickets for London are priced £27.50 (subject to booking fee). Guest Acts: Graham Parker & Brinsley Schwarz, Geyser (feat. Al Murray) – Tickets for Wolverhampton are priced £24.50 (subject to booking fee). Guest Acts: Toseland, Leogun
2015 saw BLACK STAR RIDERS release a new studio album, “The Killer Instinct”, to follow their 2013 debut “All Hell Breaks Loose”. Produced by Grammy winning Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, Foo Fighters, Mastodon) the album was released to widespread worldwide critical acclaim. The album also received major support at UK radio – with singles playlisted on BBC Radio 2 in addition to Planet Rock. March 2015 saw the band complete a sold out UK and Eire tour culminating in two nights at the iconic Shepherds Bush Empire. The band have since played to packed crowds across Europe throughout 2015.
The current guitarist for WHITESNAKE, Joel Hoekstra is still maybe best known for NIGHT RANGER, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA and as well as from the show “Rock Of Ages”, but from now on, surely also for his new side project JOEL HOEKSTRA’S 13, set to release a new melodic hard rock studio album “Dying To Live” on October 16th, via Frontiers Music. JOEL HOEKSTRA’S 13 has a stellar line-up, besides Joel himself, the band features Jeff Scott Soto and Russell Allen on lead vocals, Vinny Appice on drums and Tony Franklin on bass.
Just a couple of days ago Tarja Virmakari had a nice chat with Joel, talking in detail about his JOEL HOEKSTRA’S 13. Joel revealed many details about this new project, and how it all started, and of course Tarja and Joel discussed the upcoming album. Tarja also asked “if we will we see him playing on stage and touring with JOEL HOEKSTRA’S 13?”, along with the curiosity of the number “13”. Among other topics were of course WHITESNAKE and their recent First Leg North American tour… to discover Joel’s answers, please join the chat below.
Album Tracklisting:
1.Say Goodbye To The Sun
2.Anymore
3.Until I Left You
4.Long For The Days
5.Scream
6.Never Say Never
7.Changes
8.The Only Way To Go
9.Dying To Live
10.Start Again
11.What We Believe
12.Kill or Be Killed (Bonus Track digital download)
Rock icons WHITESNAKE just recently concluded their recent North American Tour, supporting their “The Purple Album”, released in May 18th, via Frontiers Music Srl. A fan-filmed video footage of the band’s August 16th performance in St. Charles, Missouri has been posted online, check it out below.
WHITESNAKE‘s Guitarist Joel Hoekstra has announced the release of his new melodic hard rock studio album “Dying To Live” (on October 16th, via Frontiers Music srl) from his electrifying new side project, JOEL HOEKSTRA’S 13. Hoekstra is best known to rock fans as the current guitarist for Whitesnake, and also known for his work with Night Ranger, Trans Siberian Orchestra and the show Rock of Ages.
Dying To Live features an all-star cast of rockers including Jeff Scott Soto (vocals), Russell Allen (vocals), Tony Franklin (bass), Vinny Appice (drums), and Derek Sherinian (keyboards), and will be available via Frontiers Music SRL on Friday, October 16th.
Hoekstra took charge of the creative process by handling the production, song writing and arranging (music and lyrics). The end result could best be described as hard, melodic, classic rock that is Dio’ish at its heaviest and Foreigner’ish at its lightest.
“Years ago, I released three solo albums that were mainly instrumental guitar music. I wanted to put something out that showcased my production, writing and playing in the genre that I’m known for, which is melodic, hard rock’’, explains Hoekstra. ‘’That’s when I decided to start what I consider to be my rock side project, Joel Hoekstra’s 13. Dying To Live focuses on struggles, potential pitfalls and the art of overcoming obstacles in life to finally arrive where we are meant to be.’’
Dying To Live was conceived before Hoekstra joined Whitesnake. David Coverdale gave the album his full blessing. “David wants his players to spread their wings and fly and of course be ready to rock when Whitesnake needs them, which obviously won’t be an issue.”
Excited how the new album turned out, Hoekstra is looking forward to the overall reaction from fans and media. “I hope everyone will give it a listen. I feel it showcases my production, writing and playing in the genre I’m best known for thèse days. The line-up of musicians is stellar! I want to thank everyone for any support in advance. Life is good!”
Enjoy an EPK for Dying To Live:
Album Tracklisting:
1.Say Goodbye To The Sun
2.Anymore
3.Until I Left You
4.Long For The Days
5.Scream
6.Never Say Never
7.Changes
8.The Only Way To Go
9.Dying To Live
10.Start Again
11.What We Believe
12.Kill or Be Killed (Bonus Track digital download)
The Musicians:
Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake) – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Jeff Scott Soto (Journey, Yngwie Malmsteen) – Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
Russell Allen (Adrenaline Mob, Symphony X) – Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio) – Drums
Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder) – Bass
Special Guest Musicians:
Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Black Country Communion) – Keyboards
Chloe Lowery (Trans Siberian Orchestra) – Vocals
Toby Hitchcock (Pride of Lions) – Additional Backing Vocals
Charlie Zeleny (Joe Lynn Turner) – Percussion
Dave Eggar (Amy Lee, Coldplay) – Cello
THE ANSWER overcame the recent US Visa system crash and made it to the USA in time for their tour with WHITESNAKE! The band’s new single ‘Gone Too Long’ will be released July 31st 2015 following the North American Tour and in anticipation of European Festivals and a special one off London Planet Rock London Borderline show on July 29th.
The band had to re route their US flights at the last minute and at a considerable cost in order to secure a P1 visa waiver in Dublin, Ireland before heading to Dallas where they made it by the skin of their teeth. Lead singer Cormac Neeson commented:
“Our first gig in Dallas was one of my favorite gigs of all time. It may well have been an outpouring of pent up emotion having nearly missed our tour because of the visa crash or maybe it was because this was our first gig on American soil in more than 5 years. Either way it rocked hard and we had the gig of our lives!!”
‘Gone Too Long’ has been mixed for radio by Chris Sheldon (Foo Fighters / Biffy Clyro) and is presently impacting at US Active Rock radio. The track will be released internationally on July 31st 2015 via Napalm / Essential / Universal. With over 300,000 sales worldwide, The Answer are one of the hardest working British artists in rock, having performed over 200 shows worldwide in the last eighteen months.
Tour Dates:
July 03rd Sterling Heights MI @ Freedom Hill (w/ Whitesnake)
July 05th Northfield OH @ Hard Rock (w/ Whitesnake)
July 07th Huber Heights OH @ Music Centre (w/ Whitesnake)
July 08th Wabash IN @ Honeywell Centre (w/ Whitesnake)
July 09th St Louis MO @ ORH Headline show
July 10th Kansas City MO @ Daveys Headline show
July 11th St Paul MN @ Myth (w/ Whitesnake)
July 12th Chicago, IL @ Reggies (w/ Whitesnake)
July 14th Clear Lake IA @ Surf Ballroom (w/ Whitesnake)
July 16th OshKosh WI @ Rock USA Festival
July 17th Geneva IL @ Geneva Music Pk (w/ Whitesnake)
July 18th Merrillville IN @ Star Plaza (w/ Whitesnake)
July 20th Greensburg PN @ Palace Theatre (w/ Whitesnake)
July 21st Washington DC @ DC9 Headline show
July 22nd New York @ Knitting Factory Headline show
July 24th Green Bay WI @ Burning Cow Festival
July 29th London @ The Borderline Special Headline show
July 30th Wacken Festival DE
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