The original lineup of the long-defunct Arizona thrashers SACRED REICH — Phil Rind (bass, vocals), Wiley Arnett (lead guitar), Jason Rainey (rhythm guitar) and Greg Hall (drums) — will reunite for several shows in Europe this summer, including an appearance at the Wacken Open Air festival on August 4. The band has also lined up two "warm-up" dates in Arizona. The group's schedule is now shaping up as follows:
Jul. 20 - The Rock - Tucson Arizona
Jul. 21 - The Venue of Scottsdale - Scottdale, AZ
Jul. 29 - Underworld – London, UK
Aug. 01 - Hof Ter Loo – Antwerp, BEL
Aug. 02 - Dynamo Club – Eindhoven, NETH
Aug. 04 - Wacken Open Air – Wacken, GER
AXL ROSE ON GUNS N' ROSES FIRST EVER IN SOUTH AFRICA
Axl Rose, Guns N' Roses leadman, Rose has commented on the band's upcoming first-ever performance in South Africa at the My Coke Fest 2007. The event is scheduled for April 27 in Johannesburg and May 1 in Cape Town, with EVANESCENCE and HOOBASTANK also confirmed on the bill. The show is a sort of sequel to 2006's Coca-Cola Collab Massive Mix, which featured the South African live debut of METALLICA as well as appearances from natives SEETHER and others.
Said Rose: "I've been fortunate enough to play in some of the most historic buildings and stadiums around the world but performing in South Africa will truly be an honor. I can't wait to see South Africa. This is a dream come true."
March 26th is the release date for Everyone Loves A Happy Ending, the new album from REO Speedwagon. Frontman Kevin Cronin is excited about the project, but he told IceBergRadio that he's also dealing with some bittersweet feelings about letting go of the record: "We've been working on this project for two-and-a-half years now, so it's been a, a labor of love. But the letting go, man, after two-and-a-half years working on it -- I had to give my final approval to the album, and it's just, like... there's this urge, 'Well there has to be something else I can do,'you know what I mean, even though there isn't. Yeah, it's very exciting."
Snippets of a few of the new songs can be heard and downloaded at the official speedwagon.com website, as well as at myspace.com/reospeedwagon.
The group is plotting out their 2007 tour plans. There's been talk about a double-bill with Boston, but neither band has confirmed those plans yet.
REO Speedwagon played in Miami yesterday (Sunday, February 4th) as part of the Super Bowl pre-game festivities. Their next date is Friday (February 9th) in Coquitlam, British Columbia
