Tucson Weekly

"...And people sometimes lose the vision of where we came from. They’re sitting in the laps of luxury in a country that was built on over 3.5 million deaths..."

So begins the saga of American Soldier.

Brace yourself for the boldest statement of Queensryche's storied career.

"We began the project that would become American Soldier right after Mindcrime II was released," says Queensrÿche frontman and visionary Geoff Tate of his band’s ambitious new release, their fourth for Rhino. “The process started with a conversation with my dad. He was a career military man, with the Marines in Korea and an Air Force tour of duty in Vietnam in ’68. He was with the Air Force my entire life–I was born on a base in Germany–and when he retired he ended up taking a job with the Navy. He had never talked about his experiences in war, and all my life I’ve been asking questions and waiting for the stories that I never heard. These past couple of years he started talking, and I taped one of the conversations. That was the beginning…”

American Soldier is more than a concept album; it is a statement of mission, a revelation of purpose, and a march for understanding. One thing that it is not is political. “People have a tendency to misconstrue the difference between political and social issues. This record is not political at all,” affirms Tate. “It’s very much a statement of the soldiers; it’s where they are at and what they have experienced. I hope the album, as a whole, is a statement that can get them talking to each other and begin that process of connecting that needs to happen between people.”

To make that statement, Tate interviewed dozens of enlistees and veterans, the oldest having served in World War II and the youngest still in active duty in Iraq, with every American war in between represented. For an artist accustomed to writing from personal experiences, the lyrical process for American Soldier proved an invigorating challenge. “This was one of the more challenging records for me to write, lyrically, because I am not involved in the songs. It is not about me, and it’s not about how I feel. It is me interpreting stories from the perspectives of the soldiers and putting their words into lyric form, retelling the story in the most honest way that I could.

“As an artistic statement, I’m very happy with this album. I think we’ve said what we want to say and we’ve done it in a way that is respectful to the people that are involved,” he continues. “I hope that people talk about it and debate about it, and I hope it rubs some people the wrong way, because that rub is what inspires conversation. That’s what art should do.”

American Soldier was written by Tate and producer Jason Slater, along with drummer Scott Rockenfield, and contributors Kelly Gray and Damon Johnson. Slater returns to the Queensrÿche creative process in the same capacity that worked for the band with the writing and recording of Operation: Mindcrime II, which was released in 2006 and debuted at #14 on the Billboard Top 200, selling more than 40,000 records in its first week. The album was Queensrÿche’s highest chart debut since Promised Land, in 1994. Both Promised Land and Operation: Mindcrime (1988) have been certified platinum, selling more than one million albums each in America alone, and Empire (1990) has reached triple-platinum status. The band’s first three albums–their self-titled EP (1983), The Warning (1984), and Rage for Order (1986)–have all been certified gold, selling more than 500,000 copies each.

In a first for Queensrÿche, all of the guitar tracks on American Soldier were recorded by Michael Wilton.

With American Soldier Queensrÿche’s epic career continues, proving yet again that the only thing that can rival the band’s music is their vision. As Geoff Tate’s father says in the chilling introduction to “The Voice,” the album’s closing track, “You reap what you sow…”

Don’t be afraid…

[Show More]

Artist info obtained from public profile, artist website or social media

The VooDoos are a 5 piece Rock N' Roll band from Ireland who formed together on the Costa Blanca in Spain. After a few member adjustments the band began to discover writing abilities after playing cover gigs around the tourist area of Alicante/Murcia and it wasn't long before playing the festivals in the area and appearing on radio and t.v. Once the band started figuring out their style the name of The VooDoos was spreading like wildfire and people came to see what was described as a Raw and Energetic live performance. In October 2010 Radiohead Manager Brian Message spotted the band playing in Spain and was quick to bring the band to England to record a demo in Oxfordshire with well known producer Ian Davenport. After the demo was recorded Message suggested the band move home to Ireland and start to build a solid fan-base around the country. The lads decided to take the advise given and moved to Co.Donegal in Ireland and locked themselves away to begin writing their very first album with no distractions. In the months spent in Donegal the majority of the album was written and all the members of the band realized that there was something special between the five of them. 2011 was going to be a big year for The VooDoos and loaded with original material the band decided to take on Ireland and cover as much ground as possible to get a following around the country. It did not take long before the band were spotted again this time in Cork by well known manager Susan Tate who was visiting Ireland from America. Immediately Tate saw something in the band and began to discuss the possibility of a U.S tour as support act for well known American Rock/Metal band Queensryche. Within a few weeks the lads were supporting Queensryche all around America and rapidly began to gain a great following and started to build a reputation for a great live Rock performance. After one show into the tour in Washington D.C the band signed with Susan Tate and the American journey began. After returning home to Ireland the band entered a competition run by Hyundai to perform at the MTV EMA's in Belfast and were delighted to beat off tough competition from nearly 400 other bands. They played an original song called 'Yesterdays Future' to 18,000 people moments before Snow Patrol took to the stage. The last big news of 2011 came when the band were asked to perform on 'Shiprocked' the ultimate Rock N Roll cruise in America and got to play alongside some of the biggest rock bands in America including Hinder,Buckcherry and Candlebox. 2012 saw the band return to Seattle where they recorded with legendary producer Kelly Gray and put the finishing touches on their Debut album. After a crazy year the lads returned to Ireland while the album was being mixed and mastered in Seattle. November 20th is the release date and the album can be bought at www.tinmanmerchandising.com/thevoodoosband To promote the album The VooDoos performed two very special shows in November with American rockers Fozzy in Ireland and have big plans for a lengthy tour in 2013, which will be announced very shortly. Keep your eye out for this Rock N Roll band who plan on putting their name firmly on the Map 2013!

[Show More]

Artist info obtained from public profile, artist website or social media