1st July 2022: Legendary guitarist Steve Hackett is pleased to announce, Genesis Revisited Live: Seconds Out & More, the visual document of his 2021 UK tour celebrating the classic Genesis live album. Set for release on the 2nd September 2022 (with vinyl following on the 25th November), it sees Steve and his band perform Seconds Out in full & in sequence, as well as a selection of solo material including tracks from his most recent studio album Surrender of Silence.
Watch the band perform the Genesis track Squonk here:
Steve comments: Im so happy to release my Seconds Out & More show… A spectacular night with a band on fire tearing into that magic music combining the true spirit of Genesis with a fresh virtuosic approach and an extraordinary sound under amazing lights. This show is a feast for both ears and eyes. The best of so many worlds!
Genesis Revisited Live: Seconds Out & More will be available as Limited 2CD + Blu-ray & Limited 2CD + DVD, both including 5.1 surround sound, behind the scenes documentary & promo videos. Steve Hackett and his band comprise Roger King, Rob Townsend, Jonas Reingold, Nad Sylvan & Craig Blundell, and they were joined by Amanda Lehmann as special guest on the night.
Steve Hackett & his band have just completed a run of shows in New Zealand and Australia, and will continue their Seconds Out & More tour in Japan, Europe and North America throughout the rest of year. In September and October 2022, they will present their Foxtrot at Fifty 25-date tour in the UK. For the full list of dates and to buy tickets go to HackettSongs.com.
About Steve Hackett
Steve Hackett joined Genesis at the beginning of 1971 and gained an international reputation as the guitarist in the bands classic line-up alongside Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins. Hacketts intricate guitar work was a key element of Genesis albums from Nursery Cryme (1971) to Wind And Wuthering (1977) including the classic Selling England By The Pound.
After leaving Genesis at the end of 1977, Hacketts solo career, which now spans more than 30 albums, has demonstrated his extraordinary versatility with both electric and acoustic guitar. Hackett is renowned as both an immensely talented and innovative rock musician and a virtuoso classical guitarist and composer and this was recognised in 2010 when he was inducted into the Rock Hall Of Fame. He has also worked alongside Steve Howe of YES in the supergroup GTR.
Hacketts compositions take influences from many genres, including jazz, classical and blues. For his later studio works The Night Siren (2017) and At The Edge Of Light (2019) Hackett has explored the influences of world music. Recent tours have seen Hackett celebrate his time with Genesis including a spectacular 2018 tour in which he realised a long-held ambition to perform the works of Genesis live with his band and an orchestra.
The lockdown enforced by the 2020 global pandemic has proven to be a particularly creative period for Hackett. He began by releasing Selling England by the Pound & Spectral Mornings: Live at Hammersmith, a live recording of 2019s hugely successful tour celebrating that Genesis classic together with the 40th anniversary of one of his most-loved solo albums. Lockdown also gave Hackett the opportunity to write and record two new studio albums, the UK Classical Chart hit Under A Mediterranean Sky and the forthcoming Surrender of Silence.
Dutch progressive rock band For Absent Friends have reunited after a hiatus of more than 10 years. They will release their new studio album Disappear on 29 September 2022.
For Absent Friends were originally formed in 1986 and released 6 studio albums between 1990 and 2006. They have been regarded – both by fans as media – as one of the best progressive rock bands from the Netherlands during the period.
After the band disbanded Ed, Edwin & Hans joined the Genesis tribute band Squonk together with two new Friends Clemens & Jan. During the rehearsals for these shows their love of progressive rock music was revived: “…it was a blast and a learning bonanza!…” Not soon after new original material started popping up during rehearsals. This culminated in releasing one new track The Poet under the moniker of SQ1.
The COVID period was a blessing in disguise for the band. What else to do than write and record new music, albeit with the challenges caused by the pandemic. But musically speaking it was magic, as is the result. However, it didn’t feel good to release the music under the name SQ1. “…We know we said goodbye to For Absent Friends. But it’s time to say hello again to old and new friends…”
The seventh studio album of the band is entitled Disappear and will be released on CD, vinyl and on all digital platforms via FREIA Music on 29th September 2022. The album will be presented at Poppodium De Boerderij in Zoetermeer where the band will perform – as special guests of Von Herzen Brothers – the album for the first time live. Tickets are already available here.
For Absent Friends are: Edwin Roes – guitars, keyboards Hans van Lint – vocals, piano, keyboards Ed Wernke – drums & percussion Clemens Steenweg – piano, keyboards, organ, backing vocals Jan Nieuwenhuis – bass guitars, bass pedal, backing vocals
Prog-Ducer Passes on Sale TODAY Saturday, June 25 at 12:00 PM ET
ProgStock 2022 Current Lineup
Orpheus Nine District 97 Rachel Flowers Melanie Mau & Martin Schnella Pattern-Seeking Animals Adam Holzman & Brave New World ProgJect Stick Men Reuter Motzer Grohowski More acts to come!
Evership Special pre-release album listening party (venue TBD) for the new album, The Uncrowned King – Act 2 The full band will join us at ProgStock 2023…but, they have some additional surprises in the works for us in 2022. Stay tuned!
ProgStock 2022 Ticket Options & Sale Dates
Prog-Ducer Passes Available Beginning TODAY, Saturday, June 25 at 12:00 PM ET Prog-Ducer 3-Day Pass: $375 USD (plus taxes & fees) Early access to the lobby each day (30 minutes before regular attendees) Priority access to artist meet-and-greets each day (after 5-Year Patrons) Merchandise package, including some special items only for Prog-Ducers: Exclusive ProgStock 2022 Prog-Ducer Wristband (wear it proudly!) Other special items (to be determined) exclusive to Prog-Ducers Select items from our ProgStock 2022 merchandise catalog Festival Poster, Wristband, and Program (with autograph pages!) Festival T-Shirt in your chosen style and size
Regular 3-Day Passes and 1-Day Passes Not Available Until Saturday, July 16 at 12:00PM ET
Regular 3-Day Pass: $250 USD (plus taxes & fees) Access to artist meet-and-greets each day (after Prog-Ducers) Festival Poster, Wristband, and Program (with autograph pages!) Festival T-Shirt in your chosen style and size Single-Day Pass: $75/$100 USD (plus taxes & fees) Friday: $75 USD, Saturday: $100 USD, Sunday: $100 USD Access to artist meet-and-greets that day (after Prog-Ducers) Streaming Options: Coming soon!
5-Year Patron Passes Available NOW and anytime before October 7, 2022 A ProgStock 5-Year Patron may select any available seat within our theater and reserve it for 5 years, starting with this year’s festival. Patrons receive a three-day pass to the festival and are also entitled to these amazing perks:
Earliest access to the lobby each day (30 minutes before all others) First-in-line access to all artist meet-and-greets each day (before all others) Highly-valuable merchandise packages (unique each year, with cool freebies from us and our artists) An exclusive ProgStock 5-Year Patron badge (new and unique each year) Great perks throughout the year when opportunities arise from our alums and friends.
SiX By SiX is the exciting new trio formed by Ian Crichton (Saga), Nigel Glockler (Saxon) & Robert Berry (3; Emerson, Berry, Palmer), and their eponymous debut album is set for release on August 19th, 2022 via InsideOutMusic/Sony Music. This hugely accomplished trio of musicians is also pleased to announce their first single ‘Yearning to Fly’, and you can watch the video now here:
The roots of SiX By SiX can be traced back several decades to when Glockler and Berry were together as part of Yes guitarist Steve Howe’s continuation of the band GTR. Then there’s the Asia connection, where Crichton and Glockler contributed to sessions and recordings, while Berry was the link for his guitarist friend Pat Thrall joining that band.
Time marches on, paths cross and fate brings these three musicians together, born from a conversation with an industry insider in the UK who connected Ian Crichton in the Toronto area with Robert Berry outside San Francisco, who in turn reached Glockler at his home on the south coast of England.
Powered by Glockler’s dynamic drumming, the result is an expansive guitar-driven pallet, paired sonically with the unique flavour of the Crichton/Berry songwriting collaboration, which they are very excited to present on this debut album.
Ian Crichton comments: “Throughout my career, I’ve been very selective about what to get involved in outside Saga and when opportunities have arisen, I have said ‘no’ far more often than I have said ‘yes’. When Robert’s manager contacted me in 2020 and explained what Robert was seeking to do creatively and how my guitar could be central to the musical vision, I was intrigued. Now it’s over 18 months and many Zoom calls later, but crucially Robert, Nigel and I have also spent plenty of time together at Robert’s base in northern California. We’re three experienced players from three different countries, and with our six hands, we’re here to break the rock music mould. SiX By SiX is a band that we’ve built together and nurtured into a unique style that I’m very proud of.”
Nigel Glockler continues: “When Robert and Ian first approached me about becoming part of this band, I felt very honoured to be asked and absolutely thrilled to be working with a couple of guys I’ve admired for a long time. Robert and I first met during GTR days and we’ve kept in touch ever since. My path has crossed with Ian many times on the road over the years, so once the three of us got together in California it was like a meeting of old friends. Musically it immediately clicked and working within the framework of a three piece allows us to branch out in all directions and really push ourselves. I’m best known as the Saxon drummer, but I’ve always been a massive fan of progressive rock – Genesis and PFM are amongst my favourite bands! SiX By SiX is just the beginning of an exciting journey – bring it on!!”
Robert Berry adds: “After working with the genius of Keith Emerson and losing that musical partnership in 2016 following Keith’s death, I faced a daunting question: whether to bring down the curtain creatively or seek something inspiring which would reach new musical heights. My intuition was to lean into a dramatically more guitar oriented direction. But which guitarist is as impressive as Keith was as a keyboardist? At my manager’s suggestion, an incredible meeting of minds, style and future goals was struck with Ian Crichton. Was it luck, timing or destiny? I think it was all three because 3 is my lucky number. Ian and I were determined to keep this a 3 piece band (there’s that number again) and needed a drummer with a similar mindset and who is a solid, heavy hitter. My friend Nigel Glockler was the perfect fit. And with this extraordinary combination of friendship, musicality, and humor, a Brit, a Canadian and an American have come together as the brand new band SiX By SiX.”
Ian Crichton is best known as one of the founding members of Saga, alongside his brother Jim. Saga went on to sell roughly 10 million albums world-wide and continue to perform around the world. As the driving force behind SiX By SiX, Ian takes a cunning turn, in assembling another potent band but one that focuses on his guitar prowess. This time with established players, each with a celebrated past, refined skills, and unlimited potential.
Nigel Glockler began his career in 1980 as the drummer for the British band Krakatoa. In 1981 he found an opportunity with singer Toyah. By the end of the year, he joined metal legends, Saxon. Except for two brief absences, Nigel has been behind his massive drum kit as an integral part of Saxon ever since. His powerhouse drumming is the engine that drives SiX By SiX’s songs forwards relentlessly.
Robert Berry first gained international attention with San Francisco-based Hush, releasing well-received recordings and then touring the USA. In the mid-1980s Berry’s first solo album garnered positive reviews in the most influential trade publications and attracted the attention of several major labels. At the suggestion of one of those labels, Robert moved to the UK to work with guitarist Steve Howe (of Yes fame) along with drummer Nigel Glockler in an effort to revitalize GTR. When GTR stalled, Robert partnered with British rock legends Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer to form ‘3’. With Emerson and Palmer, Robert achieved a top ten charting single and toured the USA. Robert’s melodic sensibilities complement Ian’s extraordinary guitar and Nigel’s signature drumming perfectly.
Contrary to popular belief, progressive rock didn’t disappear with the advent of punk, and the lack of media support didn’t prevent new bands from forming and new music being created. It is hard to imagine these days, with everyone being permanently connected, but there was a time not long ago when communication was by word of mouth and letter. With no coverage by much of the media, it was down to fanzines and independent magazines to spread the word of what was happening within the progressive rock scene, what was being released, and who was worth going to see in concert. Most of these magazines survived for just a few issues, while others continued for many years, all having their part to play in spreading the word.
One of the most important during this period was ‘Feedback’. It initially started as the newsletter of Mensa’s Rock Music Special Interest Group in 1988, but when Kev Rowland became secretary in 1990, he determined to turn it into a magazine promoting music which often wasn’t being written about in the mainstream press. ‘Feedback’ soon became one of the key promoters of the underground progressive scene, and Rowland one of the most well-known and popular reviewers. He also became a contributor to ‘Rock ‘n’ Reel’, as well as writing for the Ghostland website in the early days of prog on the web.
Rowland collated all his progressive rock reviews and interviews written between 1991 and 2006 into three volumes which have been described by Record Collector and others as “The Bible” while one reviewer called it the “Encyclopaedia Progressivica”. It was originally intended to be just one book, but with the word count at more than half a million it was too big, so instead, it was decided to break it into easily digestible chunks and also include all the album artwork. The books have been widely acclaimed, and questions were asked of Rowland as to when the next one in the series would be available? Originally there was never any intention to produce any others as these had captured the time when he was running ‘Feedback’. However, even though he moved to the other side of the world and dropped out of the music scene, Rowland did begin writing again in 2008, and was soon as involved as he had previously been in the UK. Also, all his reviews were now saved digitally and did not have to be brought back to life from poorly photocopied fanzines, and he became convinced that it would be worthwhile to continue the series as the music had never stopped.
This brings us to Volume 4, which contains his writings from 2008 to 2013, with all album covers in full colour and cover art again by Martin Springett. Unlike the others in the series, this one-volume contains the complete alphabet, along with some book and DVD reviews, various artists, and a few interviews. The foreword is by the highly respected reviewer Olav M. Björnsen, while the comments on the rear cover are from Thierry Sportouche of the French progzine Acid Dragon (one of the longest-running progressive rock fanzines in the world) and Jerry van Kooten, founder of the highly influential Dutch Progressive Rock Pages (DPRP.Net). Together, these four stalwarts of the prog scene have more than 100 hundred years’ experience of writing about the music they love.
Along with the other three volumes in the series, this book shines a spotlight onto a scene time which is still critically ignored by many and provides information about the music in a constructive manner. It is again possible to discover some great music from wonderful bands, and this should be used as a guide to expand collections and understand that prog-rock really didn’t die, it just went underground.
About the author
Kev Rowland is a self-confessed music addict, who has never really been the same since he heard ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’ in 1975. In the Eighties he spent quite a ridiculous amount of money on all things related to Jethro Tull and was asked by David Rees to write a piece on Carmen (the band including John Glascock, not the opera) for the Tull fanzine ‘A New Day’. This simple request was life-changing, although neither realised it at the time.
Kev discovered he enjoyed writing about music and submitted reviews for the inaugural Mensa RockSIG newsletter, before becoming secretary himself in 1990. Over the next 16 years, the newsletter gained a name, and he put out more than 80 issues, many of them doubles, more than 11,000 pages. When he moved to New Zealand in 2006, he retired from the music scene, but was pulled back in – initially kicking and screaming until he accepted his fate. These days he can be found contributing to many magazines and websites and is thoroughly enjoying the amazing music which can be found at the end of the world, saying the gigs remind him so much of what he used to attend 30 years ago.
When he isn’t listening to music, writing about music, or thinking about music, then he can be found on his lifestyle block with his wonderful wife Sara, and their 8 cats, 6 dogs, chickens, sheep, lambs, calves and cattle. Oh, apparently, he has a day job as well.
Containing all of Kev Rowland’s progressive rock reviews and interviews written between 1991 and 2006, the first four volumes of The Progressive Underground are essential for all lovers of the genre, but don’t just take our word for it.
A book that will be quickly referred to as “a bible”.
Daryl Easlea, Record Collector
Rowland is collecting his reviews in three volumes (in alphabetical order): their preservation for posterity is welcome. His writing is informative, intelligent, and generous. It certainly makes interesting reading… As Brian Appleton would put it, thank you Kev for your contribution.
Rychard Carrington, Rock n Reel
The third compilation of reviews from his Feedback fanzine is warm, honest and engaging. It is also, like the best underground writing, unvarnished and unencumbered by any expectations of PR; the reviews in The Progressive Underground Vol 3 are clearly done for no other reason than the love of the genre.
DE, Prog Magazine
This is best treated as a kind of guide to the neo-progressive genre. Thanks to this release, you can rediscover the wonderful albums of great bands and see that progressive rock has never really died, it just went from the mainstream to the underground.
Artur Chachlowski, MLWZ
All I can say is if you are a true proghead this book should be in your library of progressive rock literature. Because it’s a great work. A book to be considered of superior or lasting artistic merit.
Henri Strik, Background Magazine
Chronic well-crafted, short and mostly written in order to develop the subject with ease…Simply relevant information, the essential and useful. Personally, I believe that many current columnists should emulate the writing of Mr. Rowland.
Fred, ProfilProg
Laying his fan card on the table, Rowland has brought all of these reviews together to create a veritable Encyclopaedia Progressivica in three volumes… the ultimate pan-progressive fanzine.
PeacockSunrise Records is pleased to announce the signing of an exciting new 3-piece rock band, Gayle Ellett & The Electromags. Featuring Gayle Ellett (Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Hammond B-3 Organ, Rhodes Electric Piano) Craig Kahn (Drums & Percussion), and Mark Cook (Bass), Gayle Ellett & The Electromags is Instrumental hard-rocking guitar music with a 1970’s vibe.
When describing the band, Ellett, says “I formed this group because of my great love for guitars and the joy I get from playing guitar. I wanted to focus on the style that was popular back in my teenage years: the 1970s. I wanted to spend more time writing melodies and stretching out as a player, pushing myself to improve as a composer and producer, trying my hardest to capture the best tones possible. And luckily, I’m working with Craig Kahn and Mark Cook, who are a great fit for this group. They are super talented, highly motivated, and really easy to work with. Craig is a really talented and aggressive drummer, and Mark is an amazingly creative bass player. Making this album with them has been really fun!”
Album art by Matt Mahurin
Shiny Side Up Tracklist
1. No Deposit, No Return 06:15
2. Highway 27 04:14
3. The Old Canyon Road 05:26
4. Southern Slide 04:48
5. Hardtailed Knucklehead 05:45
6. Donuts & Fishtails 05:18
7. Beyond The Milky Way 01:22
8. Brass Saddles & Steel Trees 02:36
9. Three Way Switch 05:31
10. Crash Bar 05:26
11. Trail Dust 05:10
All music was composed and produced by Gayle Ellett
Recorded in Topanga, California, and Arlington, Texas
The artwork on the album is by the award-winning artist Matt Mahurin, who has created numerous album covers for groups like Peter Gabriel, U2, Metallica, R.E.M., Tom Waits, Muse, T-Bone Burnett, Soundgarden, Motley Crew, Def Leppard, Scorpions, Joe Satriani, Cher, and many others. And he has also illustrated the cover of TIME Magazine more than 40 times.
East Coast DJ Tom Gagliardi had this to say about the album, “Gayle Ellett & The Electromags have embarked on an eleven-track instrumental journey of old school atmospheres that include a truly analog sound so good….you can smell the ozone charge from those beloved tube amplifiers.”
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