Friday, May 23, 2008

RATT Announce U.S. Dates

RATT have announced a series of U.S. dates for the summer months. The group are said to be working on a new studio album, which would be the first with their current lineup since 1999's self-titled affair. Plans for a more extensive tour, to be dubbed "Year Of The RATT", are said to have been postponed till the Fall.

RATT tour dates:

6/14 - Piercy, CA - Redwood River Run @ Riverview Ranch
6/20 - Cincinnati, OH - Annie's
6/21 - Bay City, MI - Bay City River Roar @ Vet. Memorial Park *
6/27 - Monterrey, MEX - Studio 183
7/03 - Calgary, ALB - Snatch Lounge
7/05 - International Falls, MN - The Roadhouse ("CanAm Rock Festival") *
7/09 - Pryor, OK - Rocklahoma

*with DEE SNIDER, JACKYL
*with FIREHOUSE

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Exclusive: KISS In Talks To Tour Europe In 2009

First off, let me say that I have had personal knowledge about this for a few weeks, but as of this afternoon I can confirm that KISS are indeed in talks with promoters about returning to Europe next year. The jaunt, planned for summer, would see KISS focusing on festivals, return visits to the strongest markets on this current tour, and smaller cities they are missing in 2008. Dates are said to begin trickling out in as early as October.

More as I get it...

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

CINDERELLA/WARRANT Fill Out Itinerary, Offer Meet & Greet Packages

Seems like it's taken forever but the CINDERELLA/WARRANT itinerary is starting to fill up. Advance ticket sales have been disappointing thus far so look for the remaining six or so shows that are TBA are being rerouted into smaller cities/venues.

If your city doesn't get the package, don't worry. CINDERELLA are already plotting additional headline dates to begin after the August 16 package tour finale' in Colorado, while both WARRANT and a solo JANI LANE will continue to play several "spot shows" through the end of the year.

Meanwhile, CINDERELLA have announced that they will be offering two ticket packages this summer. The CINDERELLA "Meet & Greet" package will top out at around $260.00 USD and will give the buyer a seat within the first 5 rows, an exclusive meet & greet with CINDERELLA including personal photos and autographs, a CINDERELLA tour bandanna, a set of CINDERELLA tour guitar picks, a laminate, and $25 voucher to the CINDERELLA online store. The "Premium Ticket" package features a seat within the first 10 rows, along with the afformentioned bandanna, $25 voucher, and guitar picks. More information can be found at this location: http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/849000/&tab=mtou

Latest confirmed dates for CINDERELLA/WARRANT/THE LYNCH MOB/LYNAM:

5/17 - Nashville, TN - The Wildhoorse Saloon (WARRANT only)
5/18 - Walker, MN - Northern Lights Casino (WARRANT only)
6/24 - Nashville, TN - The Wildhorse Saloon (CINDERELLA / LYNAM only)
6/26 - Walker, MN - Northern Lights Casino (CINDERELLA only)
6/27 - Walker, MN - Northern Lights Casino (CINDERELLA only)
7/02 - Stockton, CA - Stockton Arena (tour kickoff)
7/03 - Alpine, CA - Viejas Concerts In The Park
7/04 - Universal City, CA - Gibson Amphitheater at CityWalk
7/05 - Las Vegas, NV - Sunset Station Casino
7/07 - El Paso, TX - County Coliseum
7/08 - Odessa, TX - Dos Amigos Cantina
7/09 - Lubbock, TX - Lone Star Amphitheater / Events Ctr.
7/11 - Amarillo, TX - Aztec Music Hall
7/12 - Pryor, OK - Rocklahoma
7/13 - Wichita Falls, TX - Kay Yeagar Coliseum
7/16 - Dallas, TX - House Of Blues
7/17 - Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theater
7/19 - Cleveland, OH - TWC Amphitheater at Tower City
7/20 - Tinley Park (Chicago), IL - FMB Amphitheatre
7/21 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
7/22 - Baltimore, MD - Pier 6 Pavilion
7/25 - Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Forum
7/26 - Pompano Beach, FL - Pompano Beach Amphitheatre
7/27 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
7/29 - Springfield, MO - Ozark Empire Fair
7/31 - North Hampton, NH - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
8/01 - Clearfield, PA - Clearfield County Fair
8/02 - Asbury Park, NJ - Asbury Park Convention Hall
8/03 - Farmingdale, NY - Brookhaven Amphitheater
8/09 - Oshkosh, WI - Leech Amphitheater
8/10 - Des Moines, IA - Iowa State Fair (w/NIGHT RANGER)
8/16 - Winter Park, CO - Hawgfest

Monday, May 12, 2008

DEF LEPPARD/WHITESNAKE To Pick Tour Again In Fall

Not quite on our side of things, but DEF LEPPARD and WHITESNAKE will be picking their co-headline tour up again, this time in Asia. Several dates are being planned outside of the two confirmed shows at Budokan in Tokyo. If promoters can get the proper clearences, the rest of Asia is being looked at to host shows (Hong Kong for example). This is being worked on currently. DEF LEPPARD will make up their postponed Indian dates on this leg, and will tour arenas in Australia and New Zealand this November to cap things off, though it is unclear if those shows will be with WHITESNAKE since David Coverdale and crew just toured Oz a matter of weeks ago.

DEF LEPPARD / WHITESNAKE tour dates:

10/17 - Mumbai, IND - MMRDA
10/19 - Bangalore, IND - Palace
10/23 - Tokyo, JPN - Nippon Budokan
10/24 - Tokyo, JPN - Nippon Budokan

CINDERELLA/WARRANT: A Few New Dates, Update

CINDERELLA and WARRANT dates are still trickling out. Ticket sales have been disappointing so look for the remining six or so shows that are TBA are being rerouted into smaller cities/venues. Negotiations to bring the package to Texas and South Carolina are seemingly at a stand-still. If your city doesn't get the package, don't worry. CINDERELLA are already ploitting additional headline dates to begin after the August 16 package tour finale' in Colorado, while both WARRANT and a solo JANI LANE will continue to play several "spot shows" through the end of the year.

Latest confirmed dates for CINDERELLA/WARRANT/THE LYNCH MOB/LYNAM:

7/31 - North Hampton, NH - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
8/02 - Asbury Park, NJ - Asbury Park Convention Hall

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

It's Official: DEF LEPPARD Debut At No. 6 On BILLBOARD 200

As of this afternoon thr numbers are in and DEF LEPPARD's Songs From The Sparkle Lounge has debut at No. 6 on this week's Billboard 200. Sparkle Lounge sold 54,402 to land at 6, a tough number to swallow considering DEF LEPPARD's labelmates THE ROOTS debuted at No. 5 with Rising Down's sales of 54,710. Literally 308 units seperated the two releases.

DEF LEPPARD will resume their U.S. tour in early August with BILLY IDOL in support. Many confirmed dates for the jaunt have been postponed, but will be made up before year's end.

Monday, May 5, 2008

KISS Rehearsal Report

One of my most trusted sources has informed me of a few new developments at KISS' full band rehearsals last week in Los Angeles.

Alive! was indeed played in its entirety at one of the rehearsals along with an encore set of hits. The most interesting development is that KISS have worked up a version of "Crazy, Crazy Nights" for the tour and are rumored to be throwing it into the set, possibly opening night, this Friday at Arena Oberhausen. It is also worth noting that KISS will be playing several deep album cuts, most never performed live, sporadically throughout the tour.

I can also confirm that the band have been working on a couple of new stage effects for the tour, most notably during the Tommy Thayer guitar solo. "Shock Me" will be a regular part of the set, and apparently Tommy is doing something during his solo that "has never been done by KISS before" according to my source. If all goes well during a full production rehearsal in Germany on Thursday evening, this will become a regular part of the KISS show.

Stay tuned for more as I get it...

DEF LEPPARD To Debut At No. 6 On BILLBOARD 200

According to current data, DEF LEPPARD's Songs From The Sparkle Lounge sold far better than anticipated over the weekend. The group were projected to make a No. 9 splash on the chart with sales of 45-50K, but things changed over the weekend and Sparkle Lounge is projected to debut at No. 6 with sales of 55,000 copies.

This would mark Def Leppard's biggest chart success since Retro Active spent a lone week at No. 9 in 1993.

Meanwhile, as previously reported here, "C'mon C'mon" will be serviced to radio in a month's time to hype the band's U.S. tour, which is itself a bit in jeopardy. A video for the song will be commissioned, but no further details are available as of now.

DEF LEPPARD Postpone U.S. Tour Dates

DEF LEPPARD have confirmed that the previously announced U.S. tour has been scrapped for the time being. Their management is saying the details were released prematurely but there is that pesky rumor that the band are wanting ailing vocalist Joe Elliott some extra time to recover.

Furthermore, STYX and FOREIGNER are no longer being advertised for the Canadian shows. The Leps have also been unable to snag a proper support act (or acts) for this run of secondary markets which is said to lead into a major market arena tour this Fall. More as it develops. The remaining dates are listed below:

7/30 - Hidalgo, TX - Dodge Arena *Postponed
8/01 - Nashville, TN - Sommet Center *Postponed
8/02 - Pelham, AL - Verizon *Postponed
8/03 - Biloxi, MS - Mississippi Coast Coliseum *Postponed
8/06 - Hamilton, ON, CAN - Copps Coliseum
8/07 - London, ON, CAN - John Labatt Centre *Postponed
8/09 - Quebec City, QC, CAN - Colisee' Pepsi
8/10 - Ottawa, ON, CAN - Scotiabank Place
8/13 - Winnipeg, MB, CAN - MTS Centre
8/15 - Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena
8/16 - Des Moines, IA - Iowa State Fair Grandstand
8/17 - Omaha, NE - Qwest Center Omaha *Postponed
8/20 - Fort Wayne, IN - Allen County Coliseum *Postponed
8/21 - Youngstown, OH - Chevrolet Convocation Centre *Postponed
8/23 - Detroit, MI - Joe Louis Arena
8/24 - Syracuse, NY - New York State Fair *Postponed

Friday, May 2, 2008

Major KISS Rumor

Just spoke to two of my most trusted sources who have informed me that KISS are planning a return to the U.S. and Canada in August. Plans are being made for the band to perform a series of shows in North America for the first time since the Rock The Nation Tour ended in 2004 (last summer's Hit N Run Tour not withstanding). There is no word on exact cities, dates or venues, but it worth noting that band's camp have looked into dates at venues in Los Angeles and British Columbia in the last few weeks.

CINDER ROAD, who will be supporting KISS in Europe (alongside LIT), are strongly rumored to be taking part in the second phase of KISS' Alive/35 Tour. When contacted, their camp would only confirm that the group will be on tour with KISS through June 28 and would be launching a U.S. tour in "the late summer".

CINDERELLA/WARRANT: Tour News, Dallas, L.A. & East Coast Update

CINDERELLA and WARRANT have finally confirmed dates for their upcoming summer tour. The dates are listed below (both "officially announced" dates and ones I have personally confirmed).

The tour was originally planned to play 40 shows in the U.S. but due to the high asking price of the tour, and over saturation of rock tours this summer, I can confirm that the CINDERELLA/WARRANT package will only play 24-26 of the planned 40 shows. The two bands will be padding out the open dates on their itineraries with headlining shows, as previously reported here. CINDERELLA are also planning to stay on the road until September according to my sources, while JANI LANE of WARRANT is already booking solo shows for late August.

The shows in Dallas, San Antonio and Los Angeles have yet to find a venue even though CINDERELLA announced the gig would take place on July 4 at Gibson Amphitheater. As of this afternoon, Gibson Amphitheater has yet to confirm the date but Nokia L.A. Live have confirmed they were contacted about hosting the show. I was also told by a trusted source that the Dallas, Atlantic City and Mertyle Beach shows have yet to be confirmed because HOB Concerts is concerned that the shows in their House Of Blues venues in these cities will not be profitable, mainly due to the $100K asking price for the tour. Regardless the entire picture will be extremely clear in the coming days, and per the usual, any and all information I recieve will be shared right here.

CINDERELLA/WARRANT with THE LYNCH MOB, LYNAM:
6/24 - Nashville, TN - The Wildhorse Saloon
6/26 - Walker, MN - Northern Lights Casino (CINDERELLA only)
6/27 - Walker, MN - Northern Lights Casino (CINDERELLA only)
7/02 - Stockton, CA - Stockton Arena
7/03 - Alpine, CA - Viejas Concerts In The Park (onsale today)
7/05 - Las Vegas, NV - Sunset Station Casino (onsale 5/10)
7/07 - El Paso, TX - County Coliseum
7/08 - Odessa, TX - Dos Amigos Cantina
7/11 - Amarillo, TX - Aztec Music Hall
7/12 - Pryor, OK - Rocklahoma
7/13 - Wichita Falls, TX - Kay Yeagar Coliseum (onsale 5/3)
7/17 - Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theater
7/19 - Cleveland, OH - TWC Amphitheater at Tower City
7/20 - Tinley Park (Chicago), IL - FMB Amphitheatre (onsale 5/3)
7/21 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
7/25 - Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Forum (onsale today)
7/26 - Pompano Beach, FL - Pompano Beach Amphitheatre (onsale 5/10)
7/27 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live (onsale 5/3)
7/29 - Springfield, MO - Ozark Empire Fair
8/01 - Clearfield, PA - Clearfield County Fair
8/03 - Farmingdale, NY - Brookhaven Amphitheater
8/05 - Atlantic City, NJ - House Of Blues (unconfirmed)
8/08 - Oshkosh, WI - Leech Amphitheater
8/09 - Columbus, OH - LC Pavilion
8/10 - Des Moines, IA - Iowa State Fair (w/NIGHT RANGER)

Thursday, May 1, 2008

More CINDERELLA/WARRANT Dates, Onsales

The CINDERELLA/WARRANT tour is finally beginning to take shape. The following is an updated list of dates and onsales. Look for an official announcement tomorrow (or Monday at the latest). As of this evening the Pompano Beach onsale has been postponed until next weekend so it won't compete too heavily with the Orlando and Tampa dates. The July 5 show in Las Vegas was originally scheduled to be CINDERELLA only, but those plans have changed and Sin City will get the full tour. Furthermore, the planned August 9th show at Leach Amphitheatre in Oshkosh, WI is off the schedule but could be made up near the end of the tour. Meanwhile the planned July 5 show has yet to be confirmed, but Nokia L.A. Live is now said to be in the running for the gig.

One thing that seems to be common with this tour is the asking price. Promoters in two major cities noted that they ready to confirm the date, but have yet to reach a financial agreement with tour organizers. Both expressed to me they will work until eleventh hour to make sure the show goes on since both have blocked off dates on their respective schedules for the event.

I can also confirm this evening that CINDERELLA will be announcing several headlining shows both ahead of, during, and after the package tour.

The following are dates either confirmed officially or ones that I have personally confirmed:

CINDERELLA/WARRANT with THE LYNCH MOB, LYNHAM:
6/26 - Walker, MN - Northern Lights Casino (CINDERELLA only)
6/27 - Walker, MN - Northern Lights Casino (CINDERELLA only)
7/03 - Alpine, CA - Viejas Concerts In The Park (onsale 5/2)
7/05 - Las Vegas, NV - Sunset Station Casino (onsale 5/10)
7/11 - Amarillo, TX - Aztec Music Hall
7/12 - Pryor, OK - Rocklahoma
7/13 - Wichita Falls, TX - Kay Yeagar Coliseum (onsale 5/3)
7/17 - Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theater
7/19 - Bonner Springs, KS - Capitol Federal Park at Sandstone
7/20 - Tinley Park (Chicago), IL - FMB Amphitheatre (onsale 5/3)
7/21 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
7/25 - Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Froum
7/26 - Pompano Beach, FL - Pompano Beach Amphitheatre (onsale 5/10)
7/27 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live (onsale 5/3)
8/01 - Clearfield, PA - Clearfield County Fair
8/10 - Des Moines, IA - Iowa State Fair (w/NIGHT RANGER)