For 15 years guitarist John Fontana played in numerous bands on the NYC music scene. Then he set out to create music on his own that recalled his progressive rock roots. During the process he met four other musicians who enthusiastically embraced the developing music, and Shadow Circus was born.
Often inspired by literary works from the likes of Ray Bradbury and Stephen King, the music Shadow Circus pulls from the progressive past, yet is firmly anchored in today. The symphonic label with which their recordings are usually categorized only serves to indicate a small portion of Shadow Circus’s diversity of musical exploration. Epic tracks, ballads, theatrical presentations, in-your-face rockers and everything in between are all delivered with impeccable musicianship and style. While bands like Spock's Beard, Styx, The Tangent and Crack The Sky are sometimes used to reference their sound, Shadow Circus’s personal mix of adventurousness, accessibility, drama and fun carves out its own place in the world of modern prog.
Shadow Circus is joined by Flash, Mars Hollow, The Muffins, Half Past Four and Mahogany Frog at ProgDay 2010. ProgDay is the longest running progressive rock festival in the world. The 16th edition will take place on Saturday, September 4, and Sunday, September 5, at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. For more information, and to hear music from this year's bands, please visit us at www.progday.net. Two more bands to be announced!
Showing posts with label progday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label progday. Show all posts
02 August 2010
20 July 2010
FLASH to play Progday 2010
NB: I knew I had seen this press release around the end of the week last week...when I went to find it again, I couldn't. At that point I honestly thought I had been imagining this announcement. Apologies for the delay, then, in posting this...
In 1971, Colin Carter, formerly lead singer with Peter Barden’s Camel, initiated an idea with Peter Banks, recently the first ex-Yes guitarist, to form a new band. Musician Ray Bennett had previously met Banks while staying with Bill Bruford, Bennett's former bandmate from The Breed. Recently returned to London, Bennett arrived right on time to fill the bass spot. Carter and Banks discovered Mike Hough, a hard working drummer with a jazz, rock and big band background, playing in a ballroom in London. Together they formed Flash.
In the early 70s Flash put out three albums on EMI/Capitol Records, had the hit single "Small Beginnings" (#28 Billboard), and toured Europe and the USA four times. They even made it to Australia. But after two and a half years, Flash disbanded. All four members later reunited in various combinations during the late 70's and early 80's. But by 1982 the Flash members had gone their separate ways.
In 2002 all four original members made contact again and were initially enthusiastic about a Flash reunion. Now spread out across the globe, plans to get together were discussed over several months. However, in the end, Banks and Hough failed to commit. In late 2004 it was Flash songwriters Ray Bennett and Colin Carter who began working together again. They discovered that the old chemistry was still there and in 2005 they officially re-launched their musical partnership as Flash.
2009 saw the almost miraculous resurrection of the fully realized Flash. Gibson Guitars listed Flash's In the Can as one of their top 10 vintage classic prog-rock albums. Also in 2009, all of their albums were reissued. Now, with a spectacular new 5-piece line-up and a studio album of new material in the works, these prog-rock pioneers set sail again with renewed vigor and their hallmark originality, ready to continue their saga. Advance copies of the new album should be available in September at Progday.
Mars Hollow, The Muffins, Half Past Four and Mahogany Frog join Flash at ProgDay 2010. ProgDay is the longest running progressive rock festival in the world. The 16th edition will take place on Saturday, September 4, and Sunday, September 5, at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. For more information, and to hear music from this year's bands, please visit us at www.progday.net. Three more bands to be announced soon!
Current Line Up:
Colin Carter: Lead Vocals
Ray Bennett: Guitar, Vocals
Mark Pardy: Drums
Wayne Carver: Bass
Rick Daugherty: Keyboards
Discography:
Flash (1972)
In The Can (1972)
Out Of Our Hands (1973)
Psychosync (archival recording from 1973) (1997)
Flash 4 (To be released 2010)
http://www.myspace.com/flashbennettcarter
In 1971, Colin Carter, formerly lead singer with Peter Barden’s Camel, initiated an idea with Peter Banks, recently the first ex-Yes guitarist, to form a new band. Musician Ray Bennett had previously met Banks while staying with Bill Bruford, Bennett's former bandmate from The Breed. Recently returned to London, Bennett arrived right on time to fill the bass spot. Carter and Banks discovered Mike Hough, a hard working drummer with a jazz, rock and big band background, playing in a ballroom in London. Together they formed Flash.
In the early 70s Flash put out three albums on EMI/Capitol Records, had the hit single "Small Beginnings" (#28 Billboard), and toured Europe and the USA four times. They even made it to Australia. But after two and a half years, Flash disbanded. All four members later reunited in various combinations during the late 70's and early 80's. But by 1982 the Flash members had gone their separate ways.
In 2002 all four original members made contact again and were initially enthusiastic about a Flash reunion. Now spread out across the globe, plans to get together were discussed over several months. However, in the end, Banks and Hough failed to commit. In late 2004 it was Flash songwriters Ray Bennett and Colin Carter who began working together again. They discovered that the old chemistry was still there and in 2005 they officially re-launched their musical partnership as Flash.
2009 saw the almost miraculous resurrection of the fully realized Flash. Gibson Guitars listed Flash's In the Can as one of their top 10 vintage classic prog-rock albums. Also in 2009, all of their albums were reissued. Now, with a spectacular new 5-piece line-up and a studio album of new material in the works, these prog-rock pioneers set sail again with renewed vigor and their hallmark originality, ready to continue their saga. Advance copies of the new album should be available in September at Progday.
Mars Hollow, The Muffins, Half Past Four and Mahogany Frog join Flash at ProgDay 2010. ProgDay is the longest running progressive rock festival in the world. The 16th edition will take place on Saturday, September 4, and Sunday, September 5, at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. For more information, and to hear music from this year's bands, please visit us at www.progday.net. Three more bands to be announced soon!
Current Line Up:
Colin Carter: Lead Vocals
Ray Bennett: Guitar, Vocals
Mark Pardy: Drums
Wayne Carver: Bass
Rick Daugherty: Keyboards
Discography:
Flash (1972)
In The Can (1972)
Out Of Our Hands (1973)
Psychosync (archival recording from 1973) (1997)
Flash 4 (To be released 2010)
http://www.myspace.com/flashbennettcarter
07 July 2010
A few brief news bits
CalProg 2010 ticket reminder
Ambrosia
RPWL
District 97
Mirthkon
Date: October 2
Place: Center Theater in Whittier, Ca.
Tickets go on sale at http://www.calprog.com on Saturday July 10 @ 7am.
MARS HOLLOW Performs At ProgDay 2010!
MARS HOLLOW is a prog band from Southern California that's created quite a stir with their debut CD "Mars Hollow," released by 10T Records earlier this year. Listeners and critics alike have lauded it as one of the best symphonic albums of the year. Beginning with a foundation of early bands like ELP, Yes and Genesis, MARS HOLLOW mixes it up with later bands like Spock's Beard, and then finishes with a fresh contemporary twist to create melodic hook-driven progressive rock delivered with a flourish of expert musicianship. With just the right balance of old and new, this is a show that fans of symphonic rock won't want to miss!
MARS HOLLOW is joined by The Muffins, Half Past Four and Mahogany Frog at ProgDay 2010. ProgDay is the longest running progressive rock festival in the world. The 16th edition will take place on Saturday, September 4, and Sunday, September 5, at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. For more information, and to hear music from this year's bands, please visit us at www.progday.net. Four more bands to be announced soon!
ROSFEST ANNOUNCES THE GALACTIC COLLECTIVE FOR 2011
THE GALACTIC COLLECTIVE is a fresh and innovative approach to the best of Erik Norlander's vast instrumental catalog written for ROCKET SCIENTISTS, LANA LANE and his own solo albums over the years. The versatile keyboardist recorded his new CD with an astounding new band of stellar musicians from the Akron, Ohio area in collaboration with Executive Producer Dena Henry: guitarist Freddy DeMarco, bassist Mark Matthews and drummer Nick LePar takes Norlander's music to new heights of drama and intrigue as they weave through the most subtle atmospheric art rock soundscapes to maximum martial progressive metal fireworks.
Look for this wonderful band to be featured at RoSfest on Saturday May 21st as our third band playing the 5 pm to 7 pm slot.
Erik Norlander site - http://www.eriknorlander.com
The Galactic Collective - http://www.thetank.com/entgc.htm
Look for a complete bio at the RoSfest website - http://rosfest.com/Performers-2011/Galactic_Collective.htm
Ambrosia
RPWL
District 97
Mirthkon
Date: October 2
Place: Center Theater in Whittier, Ca.
Tickets go on sale at http://www.calprog.com on Saturday July 10 @ 7am.
MARS HOLLOW Performs At ProgDay 2010!
MARS HOLLOW is a prog band from Southern California that's created quite a stir with their debut CD "Mars Hollow," released by 10T Records earlier this year. Listeners and critics alike have lauded it as one of the best symphonic albums of the year. Beginning with a foundation of early bands like ELP, Yes and Genesis, MARS HOLLOW mixes it up with later bands like Spock's Beard, and then finishes with a fresh contemporary twist to create melodic hook-driven progressive rock delivered with a flourish of expert musicianship. With just the right balance of old and new, this is a show that fans of symphonic rock won't want to miss!
MARS HOLLOW is joined by The Muffins, Half Past Four and Mahogany Frog at ProgDay 2010. ProgDay is the longest running progressive rock festival in the world. The 16th edition will take place on Saturday, September 4, and Sunday, September 5, at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. For more information, and to hear music from this year's bands, please visit us at www.progday.net. Four more bands to be announced soon!
ROSFEST ANNOUNCES THE GALACTIC COLLECTIVE FOR 2011
THE GALACTIC COLLECTIVE is a fresh and innovative approach to the best of Erik Norlander's vast instrumental catalog written for ROCKET SCIENTISTS, LANA LANE and his own solo albums over the years. The versatile keyboardist recorded his new CD with an astounding new band of stellar musicians from the Akron, Ohio area in collaboration with Executive Producer Dena Henry: guitarist Freddy DeMarco, bassist Mark Matthews and drummer Nick LePar takes Norlander's music to new heights of drama and intrigue as they weave through the most subtle atmospheric art rock soundscapes to maximum martial progressive metal fireworks.
Look for this wonderful band to be featured at RoSfest on Saturday May 21st as our third band playing the 5 pm to 7 pm slot.
Erik Norlander site - http://www.eriknorlander.com
The Galactic Collective - http://www.thetank.com/entgc.htm
Look for a complete bio at the RoSfest website - http://rosfest.com/Performers-2011/Galactic_Collective.htm
30 June 2010
Some Festival news
PROGDAY:
THE MUFFINS is one of those amazing bands that you used to hear about from the 1970s...after it had disbanded. Formed in 1973, the band released its first official album, "Manna/Mirage," in 1978. This would later be hailed as one of the best all-time American prog releases from the 70s and an essential release for any progressive music collection. But while the band developed a cult following on the US east coast, notoriety on a larger scale was elusive. Despite continuing to create excellent music and working with artists like Fred Frith (the band backed Frith on his 1980 album "Gravity"), THE MUFFINS played it's last show of the period in 1981 and broke up soon afterwards.
However, the legend of THE MUFFINS continued to grow long after its demise and in 1998 the progressive music scene was given a reprieve when the original members decided that they still had something to say and reformed. Unlike many other "reunions," THE MUFFINS really DID still have something to say and the band started writing and playing music again like they had never taken a 17 year vacation. This culminated in the release of a new critically acclaimed studio album, "Bandwidth," in 2001. Since then the band has continued to record and perform, appearing at ProgDay in 2001 and 2002, and at NEARfest in 2005. We are very happy to host the return of THE MUFFINS to the Storybook Farm stage.
THE MUFFINS is joined by Half Past Four and Mahogany Frog at ProgDay 2010. ProgDay is the longest running progressive rock festival in the world. The 16th edition will take place on Saturday, September 4, and Sunday, September 5, at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. For more information, and to hear music from this year's bands, please visit us at http://www.progday.net
NEARFEST:
Signed for NEARfest 2011 are simakDIALOG (Indonesia) and Gosta Berlings Saga (Sweden). Bios to follow shortly, or alternatively:
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=3083 (Gosta Berlings Saga)
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=4831 (simakDIALOG)
http://www.nearfest.com
CALPROG:
German progressive rock band RPWL was signed this week as the 4th performer at the 7th annual CalProg Progressive Rock Festival. The event will be held on October 2 at the Center Theater in Whittier California. The complete lineup is:
Ambrosia
RPWL
District 97
miRthkon
Tickets go on sale Saturday July 10 @ 7am. All seats reserved.
Visit http://www.calprog.com for more details and to listen to audio samples of the bands.
SUMMER’S END:
The Summers End Festival to be held at Lydney Town Hall, Gloucestershire on October 8,9,10 is delighted to announce that day tickets will go on sale on 1st July from www.summersend.co.uk. We are also pleased to announce the draft day line-ups now that all the bands have been confirmed.
Ticket prices. Day tickets Friday - £17. Saturday and Sunday - £27.50 per day
A small booking fee will be applied to each order to cover the transaction fees for online purchases. Still available: 3 day tickets £60. 2 day (Saturday and Sunday) tickets £45
Draft line up - subject to change
Friday 8th October
The Defence of the Realm with 3Js and a P - featuring Jem Godfrey, Pete Trewavas and John Mitchell (UK)
Tinyfish (UK)
Unto Us (UK)
Saturday 9th October
Karmakanic (Sweden)
Agents of Mercy (Sweden)
Unitopia (Australia)
Ark (UK)
Haken (UK)
Sunday 10th October
The Watch (Italy)
Sylvan (Germany)
Phideaux (USA)
Dead Heroes Club (Ireland)
Multifuse (UK, France, Italy)
http://www.summersend.co.uk
THE MUFFINS is one of those amazing bands that you used to hear about from the 1970s...after it had disbanded. Formed in 1973, the band released its first official album, "Manna/Mirage," in 1978. This would later be hailed as one of the best all-time American prog releases from the 70s and an essential release for any progressive music collection. But while the band developed a cult following on the US east coast, notoriety on a larger scale was elusive. Despite continuing to create excellent music and working with artists like Fred Frith (the band backed Frith on his 1980 album "Gravity"), THE MUFFINS played it's last show of the period in 1981 and broke up soon afterwards.
However, the legend of THE MUFFINS continued to grow long after its demise and in 1998 the progressive music scene was given a reprieve when the original members decided that they still had something to say and reformed. Unlike many other "reunions," THE MUFFINS really DID still have something to say and the band started writing and playing music again like they had never taken a 17 year vacation. This culminated in the release of a new critically acclaimed studio album, "Bandwidth," in 2001. Since then the band has continued to record and perform, appearing at ProgDay in 2001 and 2002, and at NEARfest in 2005. We are very happy to host the return of THE MUFFINS to the Storybook Farm stage.
THE MUFFINS is joined by Half Past Four and Mahogany Frog at ProgDay 2010. ProgDay is the longest running progressive rock festival in the world. The 16th edition will take place on Saturday, September 4, and Sunday, September 5, at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. For more information, and to hear music from this year's bands, please visit us at http://www.progday.net
NEARFEST:
Signed for NEARfest 2011 are simakDIALOG (Indonesia) and Gosta Berlings Saga (Sweden). Bios to follow shortly, or alternatively:
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=3083 (Gosta Berlings Saga)
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=4831 (simakDIALOG)
http://www.nearfest.com
CALPROG:
German progressive rock band RPWL was signed this week as the 4th performer at the 7th annual CalProg Progressive Rock Festival. The event will be held on October 2 at the Center Theater in Whittier California. The complete lineup is:
Ambrosia
RPWL
District 97
miRthkon
Tickets go on sale Saturday July 10 @ 7am. All seats reserved.
Visit http://www.calprog.com for more details and to listen to audio samples of the bands.
SUMMER’S END:
The Summers End Festival to be held at Lydney Town Hall, Gloucestershire on October 8,9,10 is delighted to announce that day tickets will go on sale on 1st July from www.summersend.co.uk. We are also pleased to announce the draft day line-ups now that all the bands have been confirmed.
Ticket prices. Day tickets Friday - £17. Saturday and Sunday - £27.50 per day
A small booking fee will be applied to each order to cover the transaction fees for online purchases. Still available: 3 day tickets £60. 2 day (Saturday and Sunday) tickets £45
Draft line up - subject to change
Friday 8th October
The Defence of the Realm with 3Js and a P - featuring Jem Godfrey, Pete Trewavas and John Mitchell (UK)
Tinyfish (UK)
Unto Us (UK)
Saturday 9th October
Karmakanic (Sweden)
Agents of Mercy (Sweden)
Unitopia (Australia)
Ark (UK)
Haken (UK)
Sunday 10th October
The Watch (Italy)
Sylvan (Germany)
Phideaux (USA)
Dead Heroes Club (Ireland)
Multifuse (UK, France, Italy)
http://www.summersend.co.uk
06 April 2009
Ozrics officially announced for Progday!
OZRIC TENTACLES are a band that probably need no introduction to fans of progressive rock. The band was formed when the original members met at a festival on the grounds of Stonehenge in 1983. By 1984 they had released the first of their early cassette-only titles. Soon after they grew a large and devoted fan base and eventually become legends in the UK underground. They have now been a leader of the progressive/psychedelic music scene for the better part of two decades and have released over 20 albums. Their new CD, “The Yum Yum Tree,” will be released in April.
Led by founding member Ed Wynne, OZRIC TENTACLES continue the tradition of free-form instrumental space rock that made them famous. Long associated with open-air events, we're sure seeing the OZRICS close ProgDay weekend, as the sun sets on Storybook Farm, will be a special opportunity to experience this remarkable band.
ProgDay is the world's longest running progressive rock event. The 15th edition will take place on September 5th & 6th, 2009, at beautiful Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. OZRIC TENTACLES joins MÖRGLBL and FRENCH TV for another great weekend of the best in progressive music! For more information and to hear music from all of this year 's ProgDay bands, please visit us at www.progday.com .
Led by founding member Ed Wynne, OZRIC TENTACLES continue the tradition of free-form instrumental space rock that made them famous. Long associated with open-air events, we're sure seeing the OZRICS close ProgDay weekend, as the sun sets on Storybook Farm, will be a special opportunity to experience this remarkable band.
ProgDay is the world's longest running progressive rock event. The 15th edition will take place on September 5th & 6th, 2009, at beautiful Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. OZRIC TENTACLES joins MÖRGLBL and FRENCH TV for another great weekend of the best in progressive music! For more information and to hear music from all of this year 's ProgDay bands, please visit us at www.progday.com .
10 March 2009
ProgDay announces the return of FRENCH TV
ProgDay is happy to announce the return of FRENCH TV to the Storybook Farm stage. The band put on a memorable performance at ProgDay in 1997, so we thought it was high time to have them back again.
FRENCH TV is based out of Louisville, Kentucky. Led by founder, bassist and main composer MIKE SARY, FRENCH TV’s music is challenging and complex. They are often compared to bands like NATIONAL HEALTH, SOFT MACHINE, BRUFORD, BRAND X and HAPPY THE MAN, and their sense of humor recalls FRANK ZAPPA and SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA.
Since their beginning in 1983, the band has released 8 studio albums and 1 live album to great reviews from both the progressive rock press and fans. The band’s most recent album, “This Is What We Do,” was released in 2006 and continues their tradition of creativity and risk-taking.
The band has also toured all over the world, gaining an international audience. Along with their previous ProgDay performance, the band's festival appearances include Baja Prog in Mexico (2003), The Gouveia Art Rock Festival in Portugal (2005), and The Altrock Festival in Italy (2008). Returning to the US festival scene, French TV will be sure to provide another unforgettable performance at ProgDay 2009.
ProgDay is the world's longest running progressive rock event. The 15th edition will take place on September 5th & 6th, 2009, at beautiful Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Join us for another great weekend of the best in progressive music! For more information and to hear music from announced bands MÖRGLBL and FRENCH TV, please visit us at www.progday.com.
FRENCH TV is based out of Louisville, Kentucky. Led by founder, bassist and main composer MIKE SARY, FRENCH TV’s music is challenging and complex. They are often compared to bands like NATIONAL HEALTH, SOFT MACHINE, BRUFORD, BRAND X and HAPPY THE MAN, and their sense of humor recalls FRANK ZAPPA and SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA.
Since their beginning in 1983, the band has released 8 studio albums and 1 live album to great reviews from both the progressive rock press and fans. The band’s most recent album, “This Is What We Do,” was released in 2006 and continues their tradition of creativity and risk-taking.
The band has also toured all over the world, gaining an international audience. Along with their previous ProgDay performance, the band's festival appearances include Baja Prog in Mexico (2003), The Gouveia Art Rock Festival in Portugal (2005), and The Altrock Festival in Italy (2008). Returning to the US festival scene, French TV will be sure to provide another unforgettable performance at ProgDay 2009.
ProgDay is the world's longest running progressive rock event. The 15th edition will take place on September 5th & 6th, 2009, at beautiful Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Join us for another great weekend of the best in progressive music! For more information and to hear music from announced bands MÖRGLBL and FRENCH TV, please visit us at www.progday.com.
13 October 2008
MORGLBL signed as first band for Progday 2009
ProgDay is very excited to announce MORGLBL as our first confirmed band for 2009!
Made up of guitar master CHRISTOPHE GODIN, bassist IVAN ROUGNY and drummer JEAN-PIERRE FRELÉ ZEAU, THE MORGLBL TRIO released their first album in 1998. The Mörglbl Trio !! offered a guitar-driven instrumental combination of jazz and metal served up with dollops of humor that was well received by critics and fans. The heavier Bienvenue á Mörglbl Land was released in 1999 to even greater acclaim and the band toured Europe.
The momentum of other projects led to the end of THE MORGLBL TRIO in 2000, but everyone stayed in touch. In 2005, while working together on Christophe Godin's Metal Kartoon, the members found renewed interest in their old band. They reformed as MORGLBL and released their third album, Grötesk, in 2007.
French music scene veteran AURÉLIEN OUZOULIAS took over the drum chair in late 2007, and the band went on to deliver a striking set at NEARfest in 2008. As anyone at NEARfest X that Sunday morning can tell you, MORGLBL at ProgDay will be a performance you won't want to miss!
ProgDay is the world's longest running progressive rock event. The 15th edition will take place on September 5th & 6th, 2009, at beautiful Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Join us for another great weekend of the best in progressive music!
For more information, please visit us at www.progday.com.
Made up of guitar master CHRISTOPHE GODIN, bassist IVAN ROUGNY and drummer JEAN-PIERRE FRELÉ ZEAU, THE MORGLBL TRIO released their first album in 1998. The Mörglbl Trio !! offered a guitar-driven instrumental combination of jazz and metal served up with dollops of humor that was well received by critics and fans. The heavier Bienvenue á Mörglbl Land was released in 1999 to even greater acclaim and the band toured Europe.
The momentum of other projects led to the end of THE MORGLBL TRIO in 2000, but everyone stayed in touch. In 2005, while working together on Christophe Godin's Metal Kartoon, the members found renewed interest in their old band. They reformed as MORGLBL and released their third album, Grötesk, in 2007.
French music scene veteran AURÉLIEN OUZOULIAS took over the drum chair in late 2007, and the band went on to deliver a striking set at NEARfest in 2008. As anyone at NEARfest X that Sunday morning can tell you, MORGLBL at ProgDay will be a performance you won't want to miss!
ProgDay is the world's longest running progressive rock event. The 15th edition will take place on September 5th & 6th, 2009, at beautiful Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Join us for another great weekend of the best in progressive music!
For more information, please visit us at www.progday.com.
18 July 2008
Secret Oyster to close Progday 2008
(NB: I know posting has been slow of late...combine several technical issues with a decided lack of time and a number of things happening on a personal level, and time simply has been at a premium. I am going over a number of options which I hope will allow for a slightly more frequent posting schedule, so please continue to watch this space...)
ProgDay announces SECRET OYSTER, the legendary fusion group from Denmark, as our closing band on Sunday. The band was formed in 1972 by KARSTEN VOGEL (saxophones, keyboards) of BURNIN' RED IVANHOE who had a vision of a new band featuring long improvisational instrumental passages pushed along by a driving rhythm section. Joined by Claus Bøhling (guitar), Kenneth Knudsen (keyboards), Bo Anderson (drums) and Mads Vinding (bass), that vision birthed what would eventually be one of the foremost fusion ensembles to arise out of Europe in the 1970s.
SECRET OYSTER was incredibly active in the 70s, releasing four studio albums to great commercial and critical success and performing over 500 concerts (including a 30,000 sellout in Paris) with the likes of WEATHER REPORT, SHAKTI, GEORGE DUKE and HERBIE HANCOCK. They were poised by Columbia Records to be their next big thing after Weather Report, but when CBS changed direction and withdrew their support, the band began to unravel, ultimately playing what everyone thought was their final show in December, 1977.
Then in 2006, THE LASER'S EDGE made SECRET OYSTER's 70s recordings available for the first time on CD. The renewed interest in the band prompted an invitation to perform at NEARfest. After 30 years of not performing, the band reunited and played their first show in America at NEARfest 2007.
ProgDay is thrilled to bring SECRET OYSTER back for their first US appearance since their triumphant return. We're sure it will be a performance to remember!
ProgDay, the world's longest running progressive rock festival, takes place this year on August 30th and 31st at Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Other bands this year are Ain Soph (Japan), Canvas Solaris (US), CHEER-ACCIDENT (US), Holding Pattern (US), VonFrickle (US), Abigail's Ghost (US), Mirthrandir (US) and Pinnacle (US). To hear music and get information about all the bands, please visit our website at www.progday.com.
ProgDay announces SECRET OYSTER, the legendary fusion group from Denmark, as our closing band on Sunday. The band was formed in 1972 by KARSTEN VOGEL (saxophones, keyboards) of BURNIN' RED IVANHOE who had a vision of a new band featuring long improvisational instrumental passages pushed along by a driving rhythm section. Joined by Claus Bøhling (guitar), Kenneth Knudsen (keyboards), Bo Anderson (drums) and Mads Vinding (bass), that vision birthed what would eventually be one of the foremost fusion ensembles to arise out of Europe in the 1970s.
SECRET OYSTER was incredibly active in the 70s, releasing four studio albums to great commercial and critical success and performing over 500 concerts (including a 30,000 sellout in Paris) with the likes of WEATHER REPORT, SHAKTI, GEORGE DUKE and HERBIE HANCOCK. They were poised by Columbia Records to be their next big thing after Weather Report, but when CBS changed direction and withdrew their support, the band began to unravel, ultimately playing what everyone thought was their final show in December, 1977.
Then in 2006, THE LASER'S EDGE made SECRET OYSTER's 70s recordings available for the first time on CD. The renewed interest in the band prompted an invitation to perform at NEARfest. After 30 years of not performing, the band reunited and played their first show in America at NEARfest 2007.
ProgDay is thrilled to bring SECRET OYSTER back for their first US appearance since their triumphant return. We're sure it will be a performance to remember!
ProgDay, the world's longest running progressive rock festival, takes place this year on August 30th and 31st at Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Other bands this year are Ain Soph (Japan), Canvas Solaris (US), CHEER-ACCIDENT (US), Holding Pattern (US), VonFrickle (US), Abigail's Ghost (US), Mirthrandir (US) and Pinnacle (US). To hear music and get information about all the bands, please visit our website at www.progday.com.
07 July 2008
Progday announces Pinnacle!
ProgDay is pleased to announce Pennsylvania based PINNACLE for ProgDay 2008. PINNACLE first formed in 1997 when guitarist/vocalist KARL EISENHART met drummer GREG JONES and they began performing together as DREAD PIRATE ROBERTS and later as LANDSLIDE. After several lineup changes, multi-instrumentalist BILL FOX became the magic third person they needed to complete the band.
PINNACLE's musical goal is to write accessible songs that are firmly rooted in the best progressive rock traditions. Both vocal and instrumental tracks are featured on the band's two albums, "A Man's Reach" (2003) and "Meld" (2006). PINNACLE's live shows have underscored their place as one of the best up and coming symphonic bands in the US, including their performance at PROGOCTOBERFEST in Saratoga, New York, and a headlining appearance at THE NEW JERSEY PROGHOUSE. PINNACLE are sure to please with their modern take on classic progressive rock.
ProgDay, the world's longest running progressive rock festival, takes place this year on August 30th and 31st at Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Other bands announced so far are Ain Soph (Japan), Canvas Solaris (US), CHEER-ACCIDENT (US), Holding Pattern (US), VonFrickle (US), Abigail's Ghost (US) and Mirthrandir (US). One more band to be announced. To hear music and get information about all the bands, please visit our website at www.progday.com.
PINNACLE's musical goal is to write accessible songs that are firmly rooted in the best progressive rock traditions. Both vocal and instrumental tracks are featured on the band's two albums, "A Man's Reach" (2003) and "Meld" (2006). PINNACLE's live shows have underscored their place as one of the best up and coming symphonic bands in the US, including their performance at PROGOCTOBERFEST in Saratoga, New York, and a headlining appearance at THE NEW JERSEY PROGHOUSE. PINNACLE are sure to please with their modern take on classic progressive rock.
ProgDay, the world's longest running progressive rock festival, takes place this year on August 30th and 31st at Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Other bands announced so far are Ain Soph (Japan), Canvas Solaris (US), CHEER-ACCIDENT (US), Holding Pattern (US), VonFrickle (US), Abigail's Ghost (US) and Mirthrandir (US). One more band to be announced. To hear music and get information about all the bands, please visit our website at www.progday.com.
23 June 2008
NEARfest 2008 post-fest wrapup part 1
Yeah, I blew all the posting last week. A lot happened. I'm on a more even keel today though, so things should pick back up. In the first part of my festival wrap-up, I'm going to post my list of swag I brought back.
It's a significantly longer than I thought it would be...
MY MUST BUYS
I had a short list of titles I had to buy. If I got these the rest didn't matter. I got all three of my must buys:
Le Orme - Live in Pennsylvania 2-CD/1-DVD set. Sadly not the whole show...it misses Collage and Rondo. But still nice to have about 100 minutes of the 2 hour set.
The Red Masque - Fossileyes. Got it early enough to score the promo DVD along with it.
Nice.
Pure Reason Revolution - Live at NEARfest. Does what it says on the label.
'IMPULSE BUYS'
This is kinda everything else :-)
Strawbs - Live at the Calderone on Witchwood Records
DFA - Work in Progress Live
DFA - 4th (both of these I got at Moonjune on the 2 for $25 deal)
Progday 2001 2-CD set (for 5 bucks I complete the collection)
Banco del Mutuo Soccorso - Di Terra (my friend Mark Guenther kindly picked this up for me)
Banco del Mutuo Soccorso - Canto di Primavera
Kingfisher Sky (the preview on the screen and PA sold this one)
Gerard - can't remember the title (my friend Kevin Cosentino was kind enough to pick this one up)
Fireballet t-shirt (free! and not in my size!)
Fireballet CD sampler (free! and IN my size!)
NEARfest 2008 T-shirt (in progfan size! dark grey with the dual twisted dragon logo)
NEARfest 2008 programme (for which a story exists for later)
It's a significantly longer than I thought it would be...
MY MUST BUYS
I had a short list of titles I had to buy. If I got these the rest didn't matter. I got all three of my must buys:
Le Orme - Live in Pennsylvania 2-CD/1-DVD set. Sadly not the whole show...it misses Collage and Rondo. But still nice to have about 100 minutes of the 2 hour set.
The Red Masque - Fossileyes. Got it early enough to score the promo DVD along with it.
Nice.
Pure Reason Revolution - Live at NEARfest. Does what it says on the label.
'IMPULSE BUYS'
This is kinda everything else :-)
Strawbs - Live at the Calderone on Witchwood Records
DFA - Work in Progress Live
DFA - 4th (both of these I got at Moonjune on the 2 for $25 deal)
Progday 2001 2-CD set (for 5 bucks I complete the collection)
Banco del Mutuo Soccorso - Di Terra (my friend Mark Guenther kindly picked this up for me)
Banco del Mutuo Soccorso - Canto di Primavera
Kingfisher Sky (the preview on the screen and PA sold this one)
Gerard - can't remember the title (my friend Kevin Cosentino was kind enough to pick this one up)
Fireballet t-shirt (free! and not in my size!)
Fireballet CD sampler (free! and IN my size!)
NEARfest 2008 T-shirt (in progfan size! dark grey with the dual twisted dragon logo)
NEARfest 2008 programme (for which a story exists for later)
13 June 2008
ABIGAIL'S GHOST Comes To ProgDay 2008!
When one thinks of music from Louisiana, progressive rock is not usually the first thing that comes to mind. With a few exceptions, like ProgDay alumni WOODENHEAD, the state is best known for jazz, blues and zydeco. So it was a bit of a surprise in 2007 when the album Selling Insincerity burst out of the bayou by a young band that went by the moniker of ABIGAIL'S GHOST. The album drew rave reviews on the Internet and in both the prog and mainstream rock press.
Founded by childhood friends JOSHUA THERIOT and KENNETH WILSON, both former students at the Berklee College Of Music, the band draws influences from a wide array of both modern and classic progressive rock and art rock. Often compared to PORCUPINE TREE, shades of OPETH, RIVERSIDE and PINK FLOYD can also be found within the framework of the band’s material. The songs are emotional and atmospheric, encompassing both soft acoustic interludes and bombastic heaviness bordering on metal.
ProgDay is proud to welcome ABIGAIL'S GHOST to the Storybook Farm stage. We are sure they are going to be a major highlight of the weekend.
ProgDay, the world’s longest running progressive rock festival, takes place this year on August 30th and 31st at Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Other bands announced so far are Ain Soph (Japan), Canvas Solaris (US), CHEER-ACCIDENT (US), Holding Pattern (US), and VonFrickle (US).
To hear music and get information about all the bands, please visit their website at www.progday.com.
Founded by childhood friends JOSHUA THERIOT and KENNETH WILSON, both former students at the Berklee College Of Music, the band draws influences from a wide array of both modern and classic progressive rock and art rock. Often compared to PORCUPINE TREE, shades of OPETH, RIVERSIDE and PINK FLOYD can also be found within the framework of the band’s material. The songs are emotional and atmospheric, encompassing both soft acoustic interludes and bombastic heaviness bordering on metal.
ProgDay is proud to welcome ABIGAIL'S GHOST to the Storybook Farm stage. We are sure they are going to be a major highlight of the weekend.
ProgDay, the world’s longest running progressive rock festival, takes place this year on August 30th and 31st at Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Other bands announced so far are Ain Soph (Japan), Canvas Solaris (US), CHEER-ACCIDENT (US), Holding Pattern (US), and VonFrickle (US).
To hear music and get information about all the bands, please visit their website at www.progday.com.
10 June 2008
CANVAS SOLARIS at ProgDay 2008!
CANVAS SOLARIS have defied the constraints of their beginnings in the death/mathcore scene to evolve into one of the most cutting edge instrumental bands to hit progressive rock in many years. Initially a vocal quartet playing an unusual and experimental form of death metal, by the time they recorded their first official release they had shed their vocalist and shifted focus to intricate instrumental arrangements. TRIBUNAL RECORDS called it "...genius level stuff."
The evolution continued as CANVAS SOLARIS incorporated additional elements in their work. Their sound became eloquently expansive as more prominent keyboards, integral acoustic arrangements, and ethnic percussion widened their musical vocabulary.
Signing with SENSORY RECORDS (The Laser's Edge) in 2005, they began a series of releases that has shown just how far they have come from their origins. Contrasting intense hyper-technical passages with introverted, spacey, quiet and acoustic-based interludes, today CANVAS SOLARIS have established themselves as one of the bands pointing a new direction for the heavy progressive and progmetal scenes. As Tribunal Records has said, "We guarantee it will blow your mind!"
ProgDay, the world’s longest running progressive rock festival, takes place this year on August 30th and 31st at Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Other bands announced so far are Ain Soph (Japan), CHEER-ACCIDENT (US), Holding Pattern (US), and VonFrickle (US). To hear music and get information about all the bands, please visit our website at www.progday.com.
The evolution continued as CANVAS SOLARIS incorporated additional elements in their work. Their sound became eloquently expansive as more prominent keyboards, integral acoustic arrangements, and ethnic percussion widened their musical vocabulary.
Signing with SENSORY RECORDS (The Laser's Edge) in 2005, they began a series of releases that has shown just how far they have come from their origins. Contrasting intense hyper-technical passages with introverted, spacey, quiet and acoustic-based interludes, today CANVAS SOLARIS have established themselves as one of the bands pointing a new direction for the heavy progressive and progmetal scenes. As Tribunal Records has said, "We guarantee it will blow your mind!"
ProgDay, the world’s longest running progressive rock festival, takes place this year on August 30th and 31st at Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Other bands announced so far are Ain Soph (Japan), CHEER-ACCIDENT (US), Holding Pattern (US), and VonFrickle (US). To hear music and get information about all the bands, please visit our website at www.progday.com.
08 May 2008
Discovering discipline.
(Being the first in a series of slightly less news based, personal observational posts that will be showing up over the next few days...)
Let's turn the clock back, shall we? To a quieter and more innocent time, when yr. obd't blogger thought progressive rock was dead, save for a few still semi-active bands from that long-gone golden era who'd trot out their material on a semi-annual Summer Shed basis.
Yr. Obd't Blogger and his lovely wife were at just such a shed, the now renamed PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel NJ for a progtastic double bill of Emerson Lake and Palmer with Jethro Tull. This was my anniversary present to her, as she was a massive fan of both bands, and I enjoyed both bands equally. Inside the venue itself, there was a table with a banner for a publication called Progression Magazine, purporting to be the 'quarterly journal of progressive rock.' Intrigued, we picked up a card, and decided to order a subscription.
When the first issue arrived, we were shocked to see that not only was progressive rock (sort of) alive and (for the most part) well, there was an incredibly (semi) active underground scene and hundreds of (occasionally) new and unique bands presenting new material. We sat there, going through the magazine for days, and in the end, decided to each pick two bands and order a CD from each of them to see what was out there.
I know my wife picked Spocks Beard and Braindance, and I picked Mastermind and a band out of Michigan called discipline. I picked the later because the name reminded me of King Crimson, and I was hopeful that the hallmarks of what I liked in KC would be evident in this newer band I'd never heard of before.
The album I ordered was called unfolded like staircase. When it arrived, I was surprised to see there were only 4 songs on it...even more surprised when I found out the CD was over 60 minutes long. Cautiously I put it in my CD player and hit play.
I was blown away.
Dark, bits of violin and sax, fluid Howe-like guitars, and a voice unlike any I had ever heard before (this was long before I had heard of a group called Van der Graaf Generator). The lyrics were powerful and full of symbology, and I was hooked. Over the years, the hooks have gotten embedded deeper, rather than letting go.
I was a less tactful person in those distant days; I followed up that order with an order for their debut CD, Push and Profit. When I was accidentally sent a second copy of the new album, I sent it back with a sarcastic note saying I already had a copy, and that if they didn't have the debut in stock anymore, then I wanted my money back. The day after I sent it back, I got a second packet in the mail from their label, with the debut in it, and a handwritten note from Matthew Parmenter apologising for the mistake, and asking me to share the second copy with a friend. I felt like a heel.
Not long after the circle turned a little bit, and I began writing for Progression. One of my first reviews was of the discipline. album, with an ending line that I see quoted often for this album..."No neo-prog effort this, but a progressive statement of epic proportions that rocks."
Time passes. Tempus fugit. I miss seeing the band with the remnants of a relatively recently fractured echolyn in Philly, and before long, discipline. goes into hiatus. In 2002, I attend my first NEARfest, and discover that the Progday festival had several album releases of live performances from their annual fest; several had live discipline. tracks on them. Needless, I grabbed them quickly. Two years later, I get a packet in the mail from Strung Out Records, containing the new Matthew Parmenter solo album astray in it. I didn't order it...someone had it sent to me. Enclosed was another nice little note from MP. At that point, I start e-mailing him, and we develop a close acquaintanceship/I suppose friendship at this point. I start running a mailing list/e-group for him on Yahoo, and it's announced that he'll be doing a solo spotlight at NEARfest 2005.
NF 2005 was a rough one for me on a personal level, yet the highlight was his set. And the fact that I got to go on stage and do his introduction,which to this day amazes me. It was one of the most awesome (in the sense that I was filled with awe and almost unable to speak) things to ever happen to me. I got to spend a decent bit of time with him, talking to him, and so on. He gave me a copy of the re-released discipline. DVD gratis. And, when he found out that someone had taken my jewel cases and trayliners for the two discipline albums (I'd left the discs at home and had him sign the booklets), sent me new copies of both albums, again for free.
Skip forward to 2007. We get to the first day of NEARfest 2007, and co-organiser Rob LaDuca grabs me and says "Bill, I want to talk to you."
Nervous I am, until he tells me that he wanted to tell me first, before anyone else, who the first band signed for NF 2008 was, as I was such a huge fan: the reunited, classic quartet line-up of discipline. Matthew Parmenter, Paul Dzendel, Mathew Kennedy, and Jon Preston Bouda.
I think I squealed like a thirteen year old girl in the Ed Sullivan Theatre in 1964 when the Beatles played.
I then had to keep it secret till they announced it officially that day. At which time everyone that knew me there turned to see my reaction.
Needless, excitement was the theme of the day.
A little less than a year later, I've written a short bio for the NF page (having co-wrote the bio for the 2005 program when Matthew played solo)) and have in my grubby little paws Matthew's latest solo opus, Horror Express. 12 years on, give or take, from when I first saw the name, I am every bit as much a fan as I was when I heard the first notes of "Canto IV," a song that resonated so strongly with me that I took its title as a screen name for many years. My fandom is strengthened by the fact that I've gotten to know Matthew a little bit beyond the albums. It gives me a greater appreciation for the music I enjoy.
NF 2008 is a month and a half away, and something I have looked forward to for over a decade is finally going to happen; I am going to see discipline. live.
And the circle turns again...
Let's turn the clock back, shall we? To a quieter and more innocent time, when yr. obd't blogger thought progressive rock was dead, save for a few still semi-active bands from that long-gone golden era who'd trot out their material on a semi-annual Summer Shed basis.
Yr. Obd't Blogger and his lovely wife were at just such a shed, the now renamed PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel NJ for a progtastic double bill of Emerson Lake and Palmer with Jethro Tull. This was my anniversary present to her, as she was a massive fan of both bands, and I enjoyed both bands equally. Inside the venue itself, there was a table with a banner for a publication called Progression Magazine, purporting to be the 'quarterly journal of progressive rock.' Intrigued, we picked up a card, and decided to order a subscription.
When the first issue arrived, we were shocked to see that not only was progressive rock (sort of) alive and (for the most part) well, there was an incredibly (semi) active underground scene and hundreds of (occasionally) new and unique bands presenting new material. We sat there, going through the magazine for days, and in the end, decided to each pick two bands and order a CD from each of them to see what was out there.
I know my wife picked Spocks Beard and Braindance, and I picked Mastermind and a band out of Michigan called discipline. I picked the later because the name reminded me of King Crimson, and I was hopeful that the hallmarks of what I liked in KC would be evident in this newer band I'd never heard of before.
The album I ordered was called unfolded like staircase. When it arrived, I was surprised to see there were only 4 songs on it...even more surprised when I found out the CD was over 60 minutes long. Cautiously I put it in my CD player and hit play.
I was blown away.
Dark, bits of violin and sax, fluid Howe-like guitars, and a voice unlike any I had ever heard before (this was long before I had heard of a group called Van der Graaf Generator). The lyrics were powerful and full of symbology, and I was hooked. Over the years, the hooks have gotten embedded deeper, rather than letting go.
I was a less tactful person in those distant days; I followed up that order with an order for their debut CD, Push and Profit. When I was accidentally sent a second copy of the new album, I sent it back with a sarcastic note saying I already had a copy, and that if they didn't have the debut in stock anymore, then I wanted my money back. The day after I sent it back, I got a second packet in the mail from their label, with the debut in it, and a handwritten note from Matthew Parmenter apologising for the mistake, and asking me to share the second copy with a friend. I felt like a heel.
Not long after the circle turned a little bit, and I began writing for Progression. One of my first reviews was of the discipline. album, with an ending line that I see quoted often for this album..."No neo-prog effort this, but a progressive statement of epic proportions that rocks."
Time passes. Tempus fugit. I miss seeing the band with the remnants of a relatively recently fractured echolyn in Philly, and before long, discipline. goes into hiatus. In 2002, I attend my first NEARfest, and discover that the Progday festival had several album releases of live performances from their annual fest; several had live discipline. tracks on them. Needless, I grabbed them quickly. Two years later, I get a packet in the mail from Strung Out Records, containing the new Matthew Parmenter solo album astray in it. I didn't order it...someone had it sent to me. Enclosed was another nice little note from MP. At that point, I start e-mailing him, and we develop a close acquaintanceship/I suppose friendship at this point. I start running a mailing list/e-group for him on Yahoo, and it's announced that he'll be doing a solo spotlight at NEARfest 2005.
NF 2005 was a rough one for me on a personal level, yet the highlight was his set. And the fact that I got to go on stage and do his introduction,which to this day amazes me. It was one of the most awesome (in the sense that I was filled with awe and almost unable to speak) things to ever happen to me. I got to spend a decent bit of time with him, talking to him, and so on. He gave me a copy of the re-released discipline. DVD gratis. And, when he found out that someone had taken my jewel cases and trayliners for the two discipline albums (I'd left the discs at home and had him sign the booklets), sent me new copies of both albums, again for free.
Skip forward to 2007. We get to the first day of NEARfest 2007, and co-organiser Rob LaDuca grabs me and says "Bill, I want to talk to you."
Nervous I am, until he tells me that he wanted to tell me first, before anyone else, who the first band signed for NF 2008 was, as I was such a huge fan: the reunited, classic quartet line-up of discipline. Matthew Parmenter, Paul Dzendel, Mathew Kennedy, and Jon Preston Bouda.
I think I squealed like a thirteen year old girl in the Ed Sullivan Theatre in 1964 when the Beatles played.
I then had to keep it secret till they announced it officially that day. At which time everyone that knew me there turned to see my reaction.
Needless, excitement was the theme of the day.
A little less than a year later, I've written a short bio for the NF page (having co-wrote the bio for the 2005 program when Matthew played solo)) and have in my grubby little paws Matthew's latest solo opus, Horror Express. 12 years on, give or take, from when I first saw the name, I am every bit as much a fan as I was when I heard the first notes of "Canto IV," a song that resonated so strongly with me that I took its title as a screen name for many years. My fandom is strengthened by the fact that I've gotten to know Matthew a little bit beyond the albums. It gives me a greater appreciation for the music I enjoy.
NF 2008 is a month and a half away, and something I have looked forward to for over a decade is finally going to happen; I am going to see discipline. live.
And the circle turns again...
07 April 2008
VonFrickle to play Progday 2008
ProgDay is proud to announce one of the leaders of the Midwest American progressive rock scene, VonFRICKLE, to the Storybook Farm stage. Hailing from the Illinois heartland, VonFRICKLE have become a staple of the Chicago area progressive rock underground, as well as playing shows throughout the country.
The band's influences include KING CRIMSON, early PINK FLOYD, THE RESIDENTS, PRIMUS, JEFF BECK, late 70s-early 80s RUSH and FRANK ZAPPA, but they create a brand of music that is all their own. Veteran musician/composer AL KOOPER says, "Just when the words ZAPPA, ELO, and DIXIE DREGS start to escape the vocabulary, here comes this Illinois instrumental band that is not afraid of time signatures, keys or tempo changes."
With seven studio albums to their credit, VonFRICKLE are also known for their theatrical live shows featuring energetic readings of their recorded works. This year saw the highly anticipated release of their first concert album, Live: The Forty Fingers of Doctor V, which nicely captures the excitement of a VonFRICKLE performance.
After impressing fans at PROG IN THE PARK in 2006, VonFRICKLE are excited to make another east coast festival appearance. This is your chance to hear what all the buzz is about. Don't miss it!
Announced bands so far: AIN SOPH (Japan), CHEER-ACCIDENT (US), HOLDING PATTERN (US)
ProgDay, the world's longest running progressive rock festival, takes place August 30th and 31st at Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Please visit our website at http://www.progday.com for more information.
The band's influences include KING CRIMSON, early PINK FLOYD, THE RESIDENTS, PRIMUS, JEFF BECK, late 70s-early 80s RUSH and FRANK ZAPPA, but they create a brand of music that is all their own. Veteran musician/composer AL KOOPER says, "Just when the words ZAPPA, ELO, and DIXIE DREGS start to escape the vocabulary, here comes this Illinois instrumental band that is not afraid of time signatures, keys or tempo changes."
With seven studio albums to their credit, VonFRICKLE are also known for their theatrical live shows featuring energetic readings of their recorded works. This year saw the highly anticipated release of their first concert album, Live: The Forty Fingers of Doctor V, which nicely captures the excitement of a VonFRICKLE performance.
After impressing fans at PROG IN THE PARK in 2006, VonFRICKLE are excited to make another east coast festival appearance. This is your chance to hear what all the buzz is about. Don't miss it!
Announced bands so far: AIN SOPH (Japan), CHEER-ACCIDENT (US), HOLDING PATTERN (US)
ProgDay, the world's longest running progressive rock festival, takes place August 30th and 31st at Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Please visit our website at http://www.progday.com for more information.
02 April 2008
ProgDay Announces Ain Soph for 2008
ProgDay is pleased to announce the very first American appearance of AIN SOPH, the renowned band from Japan! AIN SOPH was formed in 1970 at the beginning of the progressive rock music scene in Japan. Their first official release, "A Story Of Mysterious Forest," came out in 1980 and has since become considered a classic of Japanese progressive rock.
Ultimately AIN SOPH became Japan's premiere contribution to Canterbury music, with tunes that mix the symphonic elements of CAMEL with the jazzy musical flights of SOFT MACHINE and HATFIELD AND THE NORTH, all filtered through a Japanese point of view. RICHARD SINCLAIR, who played with AIN SOPH in 2004, has called them "one of the very best Canterbury music bands in the world."
Join us and help celebrate their first show in the US, and only their second show outside of Japan. We're sure AIN SOPH will deliver a performance to be remembered.
ProgDay 2008 is the 14th edition of the world's longest running progressive rock festival. Performances will take place on Labor Day weekend, Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31. For more information please visit our website at www.progday.com.
Ultimately AIN SOPH became Japan's premiere contribution to Canterbury music, with tunes that mix the symphonic elements of CAMEL with the jazzy musical flights of SOFT MACHINE and HATFIELD AND THE NORTH, all filtered through a Japanese point of view. RICHARD SINCLAIR, who played with AIN SOPH in 2004, has called them "one of the very best Canterbury music bands in the world."
Join us and help celebrate their first show in the US, and only their second show outside of Japan. We're sure AIN SOPH will deliver a performance to be remembered.
ProgDay 2008 is the 14th edition of the world's longest running progressive rock festival. Performances will take place on Labor Day weekend, Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31. For more information please visit our website at www.progday.com.
30 March 2008
CHEER-ACCIDENT Comes To ProgDay 2008
CHEER-ACCIDENT have been identified with (and some say creators of) the Chicago post-rock scene since their formation in 1981. Multi-instrumentalst THYMME JONES has led the band through many incarnations since then, along with guitarist JEFF LEIBERSHER who joined in 1988. Between 1981 and the present the group has constantly progressed and experimented with different styles, from complex prog to progressive pop, to noise and sound collages.
Along the way they have worked with virtually everyone in the underground Chicago scene, from famed producer/engineer STEVE ALBINI to JIM O'ROURKE (GASTR DEL SOL, WILCO, SONIC YOUTH, etc.). The band released its 14th album, What Sequel?, in 2006. Produced by JOHN McENTIRE (TORTOISE, SEA AND CAKE), "Sequel" features the band again exploring the prog/pop landscape with their unique, unclassifiable approach.
CHEER-ACCIDENT are coming to Progday with guns blazing, in the form of an expanded 7-piece lineup that we're sure you won't want to miss!
Check out the band's myspace site at: http://www.myspace.com/cheeraccident
ProgDay 2008 is the 14th edition of the world's longest running progressive rock festival. Performances will take place on Labor Day weekend, Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31. For more information please visit our website at www.progday.com.
Along the way they have worked with virtually everyone in the underground Chicago scene, from famed producer/engineer STEVE ALBINI to JIM O'ROURKE (GASTR DEL SOL, WILCO, SONIC YOUTH, etc.). The band released its 14th album, What Sequel?, in 2006. Produced by JOHN McENTIRE (TORTOISE, SEA AND CAKE), "Sequel" features the band again exploring the prog/pop landscape with their unique, unclassifiable approach.
CHEER-ACCIDENT are coming to Progday with guns blazing, in the form of an expanded 7-piece lineup that we're sure you won't want to miss!
Check out the band's myspace site at: http://www.myspace.com/cheeraccident
ProgDay 2008 is the 14th edition of the world's longest running progressive rock festival. Performances will take place on Labor Day weekend, Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31. For more information please visit our website at www.progday.com.
19 March 2008
Holding Pattern: first band signed for Progday 2008
Driven by the guitar virtuosity of TONY SPADA, HOLDING PATTERN's powerful and energetic prog-fusion first hit the scene in 1981. Their music recalled the best of the instrumental prog and fusion bands of the 1970s and they built a loyal following of prog rock fans around the world during the 1980s. The band split in 1992, but Tony Spada continued to play and record as a solo artist, sharing the stage with many progressive rock icons and headlining his own shows. Interest in Tony's solo career spurred HOLDING PATTERN to reform in 2005. Join HOLDING PATTERN as they burn up the ProgDay stage with old favorites and tunes from their new reunion album, "Breaking The Silence."
"...this is a mature and highly original work by seasoned musicians at the height of their creative powers, and Tony's guitar work...is second to none. If you enjoy instrumental progressive rock with beautiful melodies and inventive solos, then this is certainly for you!" - ZNR
"This is a refreshing instrumental amalgam of sounds that at times evokes HAPPY THE MAN, THE DREGS, and GENESIS - often within the same song! Highly recommended. " - Ken Golden, The Laser’s Edge
ProgDay 2008 is the 14th edition of the world's longest running progressive rock festival. Performances will take place on Labor Day weekend, Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31. For more information please visit our website at www.progday.com.
"...this is a mature and highly original work by seasoned musicians at the height of their creative powers, and Tony's guitar work...is second to none. If you enjoy instrumental progressive rock with beautiful melodies and inventive solos, then this is certainly for you!" - ZNR
"This is a refreshing instrumental amalgam of sounds that at times evokes HAPPY THE MAN, THE DREGS, and GENESIS - often within the same song! Highly recommended. " - Ken Golden, The Laser’s Edge
ProgDay 2008 is the 14th edition of the world's longest running progressive rock festival. Performances will take place on Labor Day weekend, Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31. For more information please visit our website at www.progday.com.
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