Author: bradbirzer
By day, I'm a father of seven and husband of one. By night, I'm an author, a biographer, and a prog rocker. Interests: Rush, progressive rock, cultural criticisms, the Rocky Mountains, individual liberty, history, hiking, and science fiction.
BLANK MANUSKRIPT Touring the UK
Austrian Prog Rockers BLANK MANUSKRIPT touring UK this Halloween Weekend
Austrian Progressive, Psychedelic, Art Rock band, Blank Manuskript, have announced a short UK tour taking place later this month. The group from Salzburg promotes their latest release, 2015’s The Waiting Soldier, which was originally released only as a vinyl. The album is scheduled as a digipak CD release next week.
The band’s first UK tour takes place over the Halloween weekend with shows in Brighton, Manchester, Leicester and London.
Some Glass Hammer Thoughts
For those of you who have not had the chance to listen to the new Glass Hammer album, VALKYRIE, do so.
Now!
I’m not usually an authoritarian kind of guy–but, really, go to amazon or iTunes or Glass Hammer’s website and order it. Now!
Seriously, whatever your finances are at the moment, you owe it to yourself to support such beauty. I pre-ordered the CD, and I’ve downloaded the 24bit version (for the glorious Fidelia). So, I might have gone a bit overboard, but I can’t help but be elated–well, maybe even more so–by this album. A lot of folks have already noted that it’s one of the great concept albums of all time. I certainly won’t disagree. With every listen, I hear something new in Fred’s keyboards, Steve’s bass, Aaron’s drumming, and Alan’s guitar.
Nice Article (Chattanooga) on Glass Hammer
And, your favorite website is even referenced!
For the uninitiated, prog rock emerged in England in the late ’60s with such lysergically-altered bands as Pink Floyd and the Moody Blues, but hit its popularity peak in the early ’70s with Yes, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, King Crimson and Genesis, among others. Perhaps the best-known example to the general public is Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” which has sold 45 million copies since its release in 1973.
From the start, prog rock fans have been fiercely loyal, not only to their favorite groups but to their listening media. They like actual CDs. Babb says he expects to sell about “several thousand” hard copies of “Valkyrie.” To that end, Glass Hammer offered signed copies to fans who pre-ordered the album; Babb says it was the best pre-sale they’ve ever had, but he declines to give numbers.
Lifesigns News
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Pledge CampaignWe are very pleased to announce the official launch of the pledge campaign for our new CD “Cardington”. This will be our second CD and the follow up to the critically acclaimed “Lifesigns” CD which was launched back in January 2013. Little did we know back in 2013 the epic journey we were embarking upon. We are privileged to have made so many new friends along the way and the support that you have shown us has been inspirational. We would like to thank every one of you for being with us on this journey, from humble beginnings in small pubs and clubs to playing the Cropredy, Ramblin Man and Lorelei festivals this year. Sadly, Cropredy was the last gig with guitarist and good friend Niko Tsonev who has decided to move on to new challenges. In this and all things, we wish him well. So onwards to album number two – Cardington. Not a concept album, but a concept track about some sheds in Bedfordshire ! As with the first album we will be working with a wide range of very talented musicians, in addition to the core of Frosty Beedle, Jon Poole, John Young and Steve Rispin. On guitars we will be joined by our good friends Dave Bainbridge (Celestial Fire, Strawbs, Iona), Menno Gootjes (Focus) and Robin Boult (Fish, Howard Jones, JYB). The artwork as always comes from the magical talents of Mr Brett Wilde. We hope that you will join us in making “Cardington” the next step in the world of Lifesigns. Please feel free to spread the word far and wide ! For those about to pledge….. we salute you. Thank You.
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Progdreams VIWe are very pleased to announce that we have been invited to play at Progdreams VI at the Cultuurpodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer, Netherlands next March. A wonderful festival with many great bands including some of our old friends Dave Stewart and Steve Vantsis in their new band TILT. Both Dave and Steve were members of the John Young Band so it will be great to meet with them once again. The festival will be held on March 4th and 5th with Lifesigns playing on the 5th. Please support this great festival if you can. The Boerderij is a great venue. Hope to see some of you there.
The Voice In My Head Tour – 2017Straight after our appearance at Progdreams we will be touring Germany with dates in Hamburg, Berlin, Dortmund, Russelsheim (Frankfurt) and Riffelhoff (Ulm). After the success of this years shows supporting Marillion, it is a welcome opportunity to revisit our German friends and build on those previous shows. The German Tour will be promoted by MFP Concerts, Eventim and Eclipsed Magazine. We will have a special guest for these shows on guitar. Please spread the word and we look forward to seeing you soon !
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The Gig Guide – 2017
• Sun, 5th March – Progdreams VI Festival – De Boerderij, Zoetermeer, Netherlands • Tue, 7th March – Knust, Hamburg, Germany • Wed, 8th March – Privatclub, Berlin, Germany • Thu, 9th March – Musiktheater Piano, Dortmund, Germany • Fri, 10th March – Das Rind, Russelsheim, Germany • Sat, 11th March – Riffelhoff, Burgreiden, Germany Full details available on the website and facebook page. MerchAlthough we take a fair amount of CDs, vinyl, t-shirts, posters etc., out on the road with us, you can find a lot more items by browsing at the store on the website. We are also introducing solo back catalogue at present. There are a number of JY CDs, and two from Niko, and we hope to add Dowling Poole shortly. Back catalogue wise the pre-band to Lifesigns was the John Young Band, and the live CD is available, although Significance and Life Underground, the two singer songwriter CDs, are now out of stock.T-shirts are always popular and the Under the Bridge T-shirts are sold out in some sizes, so best to order now, while you can, as there will be no reprint on this design. The Lifesigns Live in London DVD is of course available to order Please be aware that because some gigs/festivals charge the band a percentage on merch we may not be selling at certain shows, as it is just uneconomical for us. Love and best to you all JY and the boys |
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Some Random Prog Thoughts
My apologies for being so quiet for a bit now. After the great visit by the Reverend John Simms and his beautiful bride, Jude, I’ve been working on tons of things not directly related to music or to progarchy. Mostly classes and lecturing, but quite a bit of traveling as well.
Yet, at the back of everything, prog keeps reminding me what matters most in the world–hearth, home, kids, my students, beauty, truth, and goodness.
I’ve been rather obsessed with a few albums through the first third of this academic semester: Glass Hammer’s VALKYRIE; Marillion’s FEAR; and SAND’s SLEEPER. If you’ve not gotten these yet, please do so. They have been in constant rotation.
The Colin Tench Project
Revel in the beauty of it all!
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The digital album is now officially released and the song that Peter Skov has picked as the best song in the world is this one.
14. Part 4b [7.56]
Peter Jones: Lead Vocals
Phil Naro: Lead Vocals
Colin Tench: Guitars
Gordo Bennett: Orchestra, Percussion, Triangle, Thing that goes boing
Petri Lemmy Lindström: Bass guitar
Angelo Hulshout: Fretless bass
Jay Theodore McGurrin: Drums
https://colintenchproject.bandcamp.com/track/part-4b
John Wesley–A Week from Today
John had this say: “The lyrics in this song try and touch upon that moment when you know your life is going to change forever and there is nothing you can do about it. You begin to question your own identity. You look back on all the years invested and fear that everything you thought you knew, was wrong to begin with. You wonder if perhaps, you have, “outrun the light”.”Pre-order the album digitally from iTunes or AmazonMP3, and receive both ‘to outrun the light’ and ‘by the light of a sun’ immediately:Listen to ‘by the light of a sun’ now here:‘a way you’ll never be’ was produced by Jim Morris at the legendary Morrisound Studios and you can find the full track-listing below:1. by the light of a sun (5:32)2. a way you’ll never be (7:18)3. to outrun the light (7:07)4. the revolutionist (5:57)5. nada (5:41)6. the silence in coffee (5:09)7. unsafe space (4:17)8. sun.a.rose (6:44)9. epic (4:51)10. pointless endeavors (03:38)The album will be available in Digipak CD, Digital Download.John Wesley has built a long and varied career as a songwriter, guitarist, and recording artist. His music has been called lyrically sensitive and musically dynamic. His song-writing style incorporates emotionally-charged vocals that evoke the honesty and intimacy of Roger Waters and Patty Griffin coupled with a melodic yet intricate guitar style reminiscent of David Gilmour, Alex Lifeson, and Jeff Beck. John Wesley has performed as guitarist/vocalist for critically acclaimed UK based recording act Porcupine Tree, during the “In Absentia”, “Deadwing”, “Fear of a Blank Planet”, and “The Incident” world tours with whom he played with for nine years, culminating in 2010 with sold out performances at Radio City Music Hall and the Royal Albert Hall.In support of the album, John will head out as support to Marillion & Steven Wilson in the US & Canada and you can find the full list of dates below:With MarillionFriday 21 October 2016 – The Regency Ballroom San Francisco, CA, USASaturday 22 October 2016 – Saban Theater Beverly Hills Beverly Hills, CA, USATuesday 25 October 2016 – Paramount Theatre Denver, CO, USAThursday 27 October 2016 – Vic Theatre Chicago, IL, USAFriday 28 October 2016 – Vic Theatre Chicago, IL, USASaturday 29 October 2016 – Hard Rock Live Northfield, OH, USAMonday 31 October 2016 – Danforth Music Hall Toronto, ON, CanadaTuesday 1 November 2016 – Virgin Mobile Corona Theatre Montreal, QC, CanadaWednesday 2 November 2016 – L’Impérial Bell Québec, QC, CanadaFriday 4 November 2016 – Royale Boston Boston, MA, USASaturday 5 November 2016 – 9:30 Club Washington, DC, USASunday 6 November 2016 – Keswick Theatre Philadelphia, PA, USATuesday 8 November 2016 – Playstation Theater New York, NY, USAWith Steven WilsonThursday 17 November 2016 – Center Stage Atlanta, GA, USAFriday 18 November 2016 – The Plaza Live Orlando, FL, USASaturday 19 November – State Theatre Tampa, FL, USASunday 20 November – Culture Room Fort Lauderdale, FL, USALook out for more information on the album in the coming weeks.Discography:1994 – Under the Red and White Sky1995 – The Closing of the Pale Blue Eyes1998 – The Emperor Falls2002 – Chasing Monsters2005 – Shiver2011 – The Lilypad Suite2014 – Disconnect2016 – a way you’ll never be
JOHN WESLEY online:INSIDEOUTMUSIC online:INSIDEOUTMUSIC Spotify Playlist:
Exclusive Interview with Glass Hammer: VALKYRIE, The Best of 2016
From the beginning of this, let me [Brad] note that I think that VALKYRIE is not only Glass Hammer’s finest achievement, but it’s the best album of 2016, thus far.
Questions
PROGARCHY: Steve and Fred, after so many years of writing, recording, and producing, what motives you? I ask this, because most bands go the other direction. They start strong, and they lose it. You, however, do just the opposite. You started very strong, and you just keep getting better. Why, how? What’s your secret?
Fred: Luck, perhaps? It may have a little to do with the fact we’re easily distracted and move from one thing to the next like butterflies so we never have a chance to get too stale. We are always interested in trying something different. I think in this case we benefit from having little bits of stuff fly by on the wind and stick to us- post rock, ambient video game music; things we don’t necessarily know well enough to emulate too specifically, but that influence what we’re doing at any given time. The other thing is surrounding ourselves with the right people and I think that has a lot to do with the new album working out as well as it has.
Steve: We’re driven and we just don’t stop. Momentum is important. We have awesome bandmates who invest themselves into our vision and a support team that keeps everything behind the scenes running smoothly. I’m with Fred on the butterfly theory. There are a million things I’d like to try with Glass Hammer. We’ll never get to the end of my list or Fred’s.
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PROGARCHY: What do you think Glass Hammer means as a band, a concept, a project? Where do you see Valkyrie in your personal history, and where do you see it in the long tradition of rock and prog?
Fred: I don’t know what it means. I feel like I have to leave those questions to the people on the outside looking in; people that have an objective view of it all. My perspective is kind of mundane. For me Glass Hammer is an outlet for the music I write and Valkyrie is the latest work we’ve done and that’s it. Time will tell us where Valkyrie fits in the history of the band and of prog in general. I have high hopes though that it will be remembered as an important album in our catalog but it’s not my call.
Steve: For me, Glass Hammer satisfies the need to create and share the work. We’re a musical expression of a world-view as well, and I guess I’ve driven that idea. Valkyrie is or was quite personal. The story of the soldier and the girl started as a way for me to deal with trauma from my own experience. The hope being, that as I wrote it I could build the story toward a hopeful ending, and thus, find answers to my own dilemma. What happened was that I realized how insignificant my experience was when compared to others. It helped me mend. My Valkyrie has already arrived and guided me home so to speak. What happened to me was no battlefield experience and we need to confess that unless we’ve actually been in that situation there is no way we could possibly be able to relate to those who have, or even write music about it. I can’t reduce that sort of horror into music or lyrics. Still, trauma takes many forms in many lives. I just hope Valkyrie helps others, and especially encourages family and friends of trauma survivors. Survivors don’t make it home without help. As for Valkyrie’s place in history I can’t say. We just hope everyone enjoys it and that it has as much or more impact as other important albums in our back catalog.
Continue reading “Exclusive Interview with Glass Hammer: VALKYRIE, The Best of 2016”
PET SOUNDS, 1966-2016: Fifty Years of Prog
Though I’m sure someone could make the case for either REVOLVER or SGT. PEPPER’s being the first prog album, I’ve always turned to PET SOUNDS by the Beach Boys. I’m sure there’s a bit of the American in me that desires this to be so, so I can’t completely claim to be unbiased. I know English proggers–understandably–think of Prog as one of their many national gifts to the world, somewhere above the Magna Carta. And, it is! Still, it’s conceivable that it came about in California but then was perfected by the English. Maybe. Maybe not.
As Brian Wilson has noted, he found his own inspiration for the album in RUBBER SOUL by the Beatles. Is it possible the influence went both directions across the Atlantic? Most certainly.
Regardless, PET SOUNDS is fifty years old. And, what an extraordinary achievement it is. Though one might regard it somewhat probably as a Brian Wilson solo album, it came out under the name of the Beach Boys, and it carries with it many of the trademark Beach Boy sounds and touches.
Continue reading “PET SOUNDS, 1966-2016: Fifty Years of Prog”
Progarchy 