Geoff Tate Readies Solo Album and Tour

Los Angeles, CA (September 11, 2012) -- GEOFF TATE is one of the most acclaimed vocalists in the history of hard rock and heavy metal.  As the frontman of Queensryche, he has sold over 20 million records and received four Grammy nominations.  With an undeniable musical history including fourteen studio albums, GEOFF TATE will release his sophomore solo album on November 6, 2012 in North America.Appropriately titled KINGS & THIEVES, this will be TATE's first solo album in more than a decade and his debut release for InsideOut Music.

KINGS & THIEVES is a journey into the mind of one of rock's most dynamic vocalists.  "My goal with this record was to make a solid rock album," says TATE. "I wanted it to be an album that I could play live that would be both satisfying and fun, because, as a singer, you need to create a show that has a lot of dynamics to it and takes people on a ride." See below for GEOFF TATE's current tour dates, including a 7-date Canadian run with metal legend Alice Cooper. More dates are constantly being added.

Fans and press alike have fallen in love with GEOFF TATE's expertly crafted lyrics, unique progressive style and breathtaking vocals.  KINGS & THIEVES once again shows why TATE is one of the most influential forces in mainstream rock and metal. 

Tour Dates:

09/14/12 - Temecula, CA @ Wiens Family Cellar

10/17/12 - Newton, NJ @ Newton Theatre

10/18/12 - New York, NY @ B.B. King's Blues Club

10/19/12 - Rochester, NY @ The Montage Music Hall

10/20/12 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance

10/21/12 - Philadelphia, PA @ JC's Washington House

10/23/12 - Springfield, VA @ Empire

10/24/12 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Rex Theatre

10/25/12 - Teaneck, NJ @ Mexicali Live

10/26/12 - Amityville, NY @ Ollie's

10/27/12 - Chesterfield, MI @ New York New York

10/28/12 - Akron, OH @ Ripper Owen's Tap House

10/29/12 - Akron, OH @ Ripper Owen's Tap House 

10/31/12 - Milwaukee, WI @ Shank Hall

11/01/12 - Barrington, IL @ Penny Road Pub

11/02/12 - Columbus, OH @ Alrosa Villa

11/03/12 - Boilingbrook, IL @ Tailgater's Grill

11/07/12 - Calgary, AB, Canada @ Southern Jubilee Auditorium (*with Alice Cooper)

11/08/12 - Saskatoon, SK, Canada @ TCU Place (*with Alice Cooper)

11/09/12 - Moose Jaw, SK, Canada @ Mosaic Place (*with Alice Cooper)

11/11/12 - Medicine Hat, AB, Canada @ Medicine Hat Arena (*with Alice Cooper)

11/13/12 - Dawson Creek, BC, Canada @ Encana Events Centre (*with Alice Cooper)

11/14/12 - Edmonton, AB, Canada @ Northern Jubilee Auditorium (*with Alice Cooper)

11/16/12 - Vancouver, BC, Canada @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre (*with Alice Cooper)

11/21/12 - San Antonio, TX @ Backstage Live

11/23/12 - Dallas, TX @ Trees

11/24/12 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live

11/27/12 to 12/1/12 - Shiprocked

What Happened to Eddie Money?

Just. Wow.

Picture it: Monday Night Football. I'm watching my beloved Bengals play the Ravens when a Geico commercial comes on. Featuring Eddie Money. Singing his hit "Two Tickets to Paradise" to a very confused family. Eddie is apparently a travel agent... but he looks bad, yo. Just really bad.

Now, if you want some true, hilarious, Eddie Money action... nothing beats the time he appeared on The King of Queens.

KISS and Motley Crue, 'The Tour' - Live Review

On Friday, August 31, I saw The Tour with KISS and Motley Crue. The show was at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati and I went with my husband Eric and friend Joe, who flew in from D.C. for the weekend. We sat/stood on the lawn.

When we got to the venue, Motley was already playing, which surprised me because it was still very early. Turns out the band was on their first song, "Saints of Los Angeles" as we were being scanned in, so it didn't much matter.

I've currently got a messed up back and leg and was in a ton of pain that night, so I sort of hobbled up to a "family area" and was pleased to find a little barrier to lean against. People couldn't bring alcohol into the area, so it was basically empty. I was grateful for that barrier and the direct sight-line to the stage.

The Motley show was pretty typical. Vince Neil sounded better as the show went on. Joe had never seen them before, and I think he enjoyed it. Eric mocked Vince's high notes. Typical. I enjoyed Tommy Lee's drum solo and was jealous of the guy who got to ride along. I was thankful, for once, of not being down front because Motley blasted people with water cannons and that just would've been uncomfortable to be all soaked while waiting for KISS.

The new song, "Sex" just didn't sound very good live. I don't know if it is because the song doesn't translate well or what. I just wasn't impressed. As always "Dr. Feelgood" and "Girls Girls Girls" was a highlight for me. The band ended with "Kickstart My Heart" and poof - they were done. The set felt incredibly short.

After what felt like a longish wait of me getting up and down, trying to stay comfortable, KISS began. Before their curtain dropped, I couldn't help by laugh at all the promos asking people to text a number to receive KISS Army alerts. If Gene Simmons could bottle and sell air, he would!

This was my first KISS show (same for Eric and Joe) and the real reason why we were at the concert. KISS opened with "Detroit Rock City" and I decided I definitely need a pair of those famous platforms. "Shout It Out Loud" and "I Love It Loud" were next. Gene breathed fire, Paul Stanley pranced. During "Love Gun" Paul flew out on a little platform in the middle of the audience and that was cool. My favorite KISS song is "Lick It Up" and they played that next with a bit of an extended end. Then the band left the stage, giving audience the cue to beg for an encore. Since I was limping and had to be helped down steps, we decided to cut our losses early and leave while the band was playing "Calling Dr. Love" and "Rock n' Roll All Nite." It didn't matter that we left our positions as we could hear both songs clear as day while we walked the nine miles out to the car.

Later I learned that was the first time KISS did "Calling Dr. Love" on this tour. Apparently they've been switching up the second-to-last song quite a lot. I was a little surprised at not hearing "Duece" or "Strutter," but like Motley, the KISS set seemed super short. It was over in a flash!

Led Zeppelin's Facebook Goes Cryptic

Is Led Zeppelin getting ready to release a new album? Tour? Live DVD? The band's official Facebook just posted the word "Five" written in the same font as the band's Houses of the Holy album cover.

The band already has a fifth album and that is Houses of the Holy. And the band has nine studio albums, so the numbering-album theory doesn't really add up. I can't imagine singer Robert Plant agreeing to a tour, but holy crap if it happens! Talk about the music event of the year.

It has been five years since the band's reunion show at the O2 arena, so I think a DVD of that performance is probably what this all means. What do you think?

Aerosmith, 'Music From Another Dimension' -- Official Trailer

Aerosmith recently released a teaser for their new album Music From Another Dimension, due November 6th. The teaser makes that Geoff Tate EPK I posted yesterday look even worse. Look, I realize that Aerosmith and Geoff Tate are running two different economies of scale, but come on. The Aerosmith teaser below is top-notch and makes me even more excited for the new album. The band is doing webisodes about the "making of" the album as well, and you can watch episode one here.

Is This For Real?

I thought the video below was a joke, but I think it's actually real. The video is apparently the official Geoff Tate electronic press kit (EPK). When I watched it for the first time, I was just flabbergasted. Like, I was confused. One of the most common uses of electronic press kits is to get booked for gigs. But Geoff's new video doesn't do much to sell his solo music career. Instead, it acts as a sales tool for his line of wine, Insania, and his love of motorcycles. Seriously, the clip is just so odd. You have to watch it. Thank Glam it's Friday! 

KISS and Motley Crue Support Operation Homefront

Just because this is too cool, I wanted to share this press release with all of you. All jokes aside, it does seem that the guys in KISS and Motley Crue really do support our troops.

Nashville, TN  (September 5, 2012)- Rock legends KISS and MÖTLEY CRÜE announced at their concert in Nashville, TN last night that they will donate $50,000 to Operation Homefront, an organization that provides emergency financial and other assistance to families of service members and wounded warriors coping with deployment and injury recovery by providing funds for immediate needs such as food, housing, childcare, moving costs and vehicle expenses.

Country superstar Tim McGraw, who partnered with Operation Homefront, Chase Bank and ACM Lifting Lives-  the charitable arm of the Academy of Country Music-  to donate a mortgage-free home in each city during his summer tour accepted the check on behalf of the organization.

KISS’ Paul Stanley states “The freedom we all enjoy and may take for granted is only made possible by the brave servicemen and women who chose to put themselves in harm's way to protect this great country. Tim's work for Operation Homefront with ACM Lifting Lives is a great example of how those in our position can show our appreciation while also urging all Americans to contribute on whatever level they can and KISS is proud to support this worthy cause.

Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx affirms ““We wanted to give back to the servicemen in need. They are the ones who bravely go out to defend our freedom so the least we can do is support them & their families when they return. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with our friends KISS to donate money. Hopefully it will help create awareness and inspire many others to follow suit"  

Operation Homefront was formed in February 2002 to support the families of deployed service members immediately following 9/11. A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers with nationwide presence, and has met more than 590,000 needs of military families since its inception.  A four-star rated charity by watchdog Charity Navigator, nationally, 94 percent of total revenue donated to Operation Homefront goes directly to assist service members.  The majority of military families served by Operation Homefront are the lowest-paid service members, the E-1 through E-6 enlisted ranks.

To donate, please visit: http://www.operationhomefront.net/donate.aspx