NEWS: Billy Sheehan Australian clinic tour November 2009

Billy Sheehan is returning to Australia NEXT WEEK for a clinic tour. I haven't seen any press at all about this one, so let's spread the word! Retweet! Forward! Email! Shout!

And whoever's responsible for publicising the tour, um... if I didn't hear about it until I went to Billy's Myspace today, and I'm a huge geek about this kind of stuff, uh... well... that's not great.

Here are the dates:

11 Nov 2009 7:00
Bass Clinic in Perth, Autralia at Kosmic Sound and Light Perth, Western Australia

12 Nov 2009 7:00
Bass Clinic in Melbourne, Australia at Allan’s Music Melbourne, Victoria

13 Nov 2009 7:30
Bass Clinic in Canberra, Australia at Canberra Southern Cross Club Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

14 Nov 2009 1:30
Bass Clinic in Sydney, Australia at The Guitar Factory Sydney, New South Wales

15 Nov 2009 3:00
Bass Clinic in Townsville, Australia at Jupiters Breakwater Casino

Here are a couple of DiMarzio videos featuring Billy.

In this one he talks about discovering hammer-ons from under the shadow of Billy Gibbons' cowboy hat.



And here he shares a secret trick about his unusual picking technique. This one's pretty freaking amazing.



CLICK HERE to buy Billy's new CD, Holy Cow, from Amazon.com.

CLICK HERE to follow Billy on Twitter.

CLICK HERE to follow DiMarzio on Twitter.

NEWS: New DiMarzio Billy Sheehan videos

Here are a couple of great new DiMarzio videos featuring Billy Sheehan.

In this one he talks about discovering hammer-ons from under the shadow of Billy Gibbons' cowboy hat.



And here he shares a secret trick about his unusual picking technique.This one's pretty freaking amazing.



CLICK HERE to buy Billy's new CD, Holy Cow, from Amazon.com.

CLICK HERE to follow Billy on Twitter.

CLICK HERE to follow DiMarzio on Twitter.

NEWS: Billy Sheehan interviewed on Talking Metal

The latest Talking Metal podcast(episode 261) includes a great interview with Billy Sheehan about Yamaha Attitude basses, the Mr. Big reunion, his solo album Holy Cow, collaborating with guys like Terry Bozzio, Tony MacAlpine and Bumblefoot (not together – imagine what an awesome band that would be) and those rumours that David Lee Roth tried to reunite his classic Eat ‘Em And Smile band a few years ago.

I only discovered Talking Metal a few months ago (I kinda avoided listening to podcasts for the longest time because I knew that I’d find it addictive once I started) but it’s essential listening. Check it out! Recent episodes have included awesome interviews with Duff McKagen and drummer Richard Christy.

NEWS: Mr. Big reunion press release

Finally confirming the rumors that have been circulating the internet for weeks, all four original members of the popular 90's rock supergroup, Mr. Big, are taking to the stage together for the first time in 13 years for a reunion tour of Japan.
The Japanese run will bring back the magic of the original chart-busting foursome: vocalist / frontman Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, guitar, Billy Sheehan, bass, and Pat Torpey, drums.

The tour takes off in Sapporo on June 5 and culminates June 20 in Tokyo with a feature concert at Budokan the famous Japanese venue known for its rich history of legendary performances by rock's elite. The band will record a live CD / DVD during the Budokan show that will also mark the band's 20 year anniversary!

Formed in 1988, Mr. Big forged its place in hard rock history combining trademark "shredding" mucicianship with awesome vocal harmonies and signed a record deal in 1989 with Atlantic Records. The self-titled album. Mr. Big, received critical and commercial success in the US and Japan but it was the band's second album, Lean Into It, that provided the major breakthrough. Lean Into It, featured two ballads that established the band as a commercial success, To Be With You and Just Take My Heart, propelling the band the band to huge international success and record sales in the multi-millions.


Gilbert left the band in 1996 to pursue a solo career and the original members had not shared a stage together until late 2008 at Gilbert solo show at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. Paul was joined onstage by Sheehan and Torpey to perform a couple of covers songs and the three had such a good time together, they contacted Martin a few days later and the reunion was put into motion.

While no concert dates beyond Japan have been announced as yet, the band is looking at possible dates in Southeast Asia and America later in the year.

CLICK HERE to buy Billy Sheehan's new album 'Holy Cow' from CDJapan.co.jp

NEWS: Billy Sheehan speaks about Mr. Big reunion

Joe Bosso (one of my guitar journalism heroes) from MusicRadar recently spoke with Billy Sheehan about the Mr. Big reunion. 

Here are some excerpts.

"We got together last fall" says Sheehan. "It was just one of those things, the timing was right. We played a gig at the House Of Blues in LA and we smoked the joint. Afterwards, we all kind of looked at one another and were like, 'OK, that was cool...Now what?"

"The way I look at it is, it's like getting back with an old girlfriend," says Sheehan. "But because you want to, not because you have to. All of us are doing fine in our solo careers. This is something that felt right, and after that one gig we were like, 'We should do more of these. This was fun!'"

As for the animosity that tore the original lineup apart, Sheehan laughs and says, "You know what? I can't honestly remember who was mad at who. That's the great thing about getting older: you forget the bad times and remember the good times. And hopefully, this band will have a lot more of the latter."

CLICK HERE to read the full interview.

CLICK HERE to buy Billy Sheehan's new album 'Holy Cow' from CDJapan.co.jp

NEWS: Mr. Big 20th anniversary reunion!

So I was just sitting around trying out my new iPhone, and I tested out the Google Reader. The very first heading I saw was Mr. Big Confirms 20th Anniversary Reunion, Plans To Tour Japan over at the Random Chatter Music blog.

Click the link for the full story, but here's a little excerpt:

Feb. 1, 2009: It is the 20th anniversary of Mr. Big’s debut release (and also the 20th anniversary of Paul Gilbert’s first PGM signature guitar, the PGM 100). What better way to celebrate this then to re-form and then tour Japan, the beloved home-away-from-home of Mr. Big for many years? It will be exciting!

HMS interview, Jan. 31, 2009
Verbatim transcript follows:

“Hello listeners of Kosa Kai, Burrrn presents Heavy Metal Syndicate. Kosa Kai, who was there at the very beginning for Mr. Big, and we’re so happy to have a friend like him in Japan. And we’re very happy, and thankful, to have all of you, as our friends. So, Mr. Big’s coming back soon to play for you, we’re excited to see you all, Kosa Kai, domo arigato, for 20 great years, my brother. Take care, see ya soon, This is Billy Sheehan of Mr. Big, over and out.”

The article continues with similar statements from the other members of Mr Big.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. I love Mr. Big (there, I said it), but I really hope this will just be a one-off Japanese tour or something. I'd much rather hear Paul Gilbert and Billy Sheehan continue with their own music.

CLICK HERE to buy Paul Gilbert & Freddie Nelson's 'United States' from CDJapan.co.jp

CLICK HERE to buy Billy Sheehan's 'Holy Cow' from CDJapan.co.jp

CLICK HERE to buy Eric Martin's new album, 'Mr Vocalist 2,' featuring the Mr. Big singer covering - are you ready for this? - 'My Heart Will Go On,' 'Eternal Flame,' 'I Will Always Love You,' 'Unbreak My Heart,' 'You've Got A Friend,' 'Amazing Grace' and 'Time After Time.'

NEWS - New Releases 04/11/2008

Not a huge amount of new stuff released this week, but the Jason Becker and George Lynch album are definitely keepers. Click on any title to buy the album.

Jason Becker - Collection Shrapnel
This compilation includes such Becker classics as ‘Altitudes,’ ‘Air’ and the David Lee Roth track ‘It’s Showtime,’ as well as three new songs featuring guest appearances by Steve Vai, Marty Friedman, Joe Satriani, Michael Lee Firkins and Steve Hunter. While you’re at it, check out his classic album, Perpetual Burn.

George Lynch's Souls of We - Let the Truth Be Known Shrapnel
Souls of We is a modern rock band with the Hollywood rock voice of former Brides of Destruction singer London LeGrand, and of course the unforgettable guitar playing of George Lynch. The songs are a little bit dark, with lots of atmosphere and, of course, brilliant shredding from Lynch.

Billy Sheehan - Holy Cow! Victor Entertainment
This one was released about a week ago in Japan and it kinda crept under the radar, so I'm gonna include it in this week's new releases. Bass god Billy's latest album includes guest appearances by Doug Pinnick of King's X, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, and Sheehan's former Mr Big bandmate, Paul Gilbert.

Tenacious D - The Complete Master Works 2 Sony
This cheekily-titled new 2-disc set by the D follows up on the original Complete Master Works DVD with a whole new batch of tenaciousness, including a full length live concert filmed at the Moore Theatre in Seattle, their 2006 MTV Movie Awards performance, a version of ‘Master Exploder’ from Late Night with Conan O’Brien, ‘The Metal’ from Saturday Night Live, and more.

Symphony X - Paradise Lost 5.1 (CD/DVD) Inside Out/SPV
5.1 Surround Sound mix of their latest album, for completists and audiophiles. This release also includes a DVD with the videos for Set The World On Fire and Serpent’s Kiss.

NEWS: New Billy Sheehan album out now

Billy Sheehan’s new album, Holy Cow, is now available in Japan. The album features guest appearances from Doug Pinnick of King's X, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, and Billy's former Mr Big bandmate, Paul Gilbert.

Holy Cow was released in Japan on October 22, but it's not yet showing up on the Amazon.com release schedule, so I’m not sure when it’ll see a wider release.

In the meantime you can pick it up from CDJapan here and you can hear samples of each song here.

1. In A Week Or Two (I'll Give It Back To You)
2. Dynamic Exhilarator
3. A Lit'l Bit'l Do It To 'Ya Ev'ry Time
4. A Bloodless Casualty
5. Make It To Another Day (I Keep Rolling On My Way)
6. Another Broken Promise
7. Just Another Humanoid
8. Turning Point
9. Two People Can Keep A Secret (If One Of Them Is Dead)
10. Theme From An Imaginary Sci Fi
11. Cell Towers
12. Swimming Underwater

CLICK HERE to buy Billy Sheehan's 'Holy Cow' from CDJapan.co.jp

NEWS: Billy Sheehan Oz clinics this week

Just a reminder that bass god Billy Sheehan, he of the flowing blond mane, insane tapping licks and growly tone from albums by David Lee Roth, Talas, Mr Big, Steve Vai, Devil's Slingshot, Niacin and about a billion more, is in Australia this week for three clinics on behalf of Yamaha and Allans Music.

Billy has a new album coming out soon with some very special guests (including ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, Kings X's Doug Pinnick, and Billy's former Mr Big bandmate Paul Gilbert), and Devil's Slingshot recently released their debut album, Clinophobia. The progressive metal band consists of Billy, guitarist Tony MacAlpine and Aussie drummer Virgil Donati, and for a time these three, with the addition of Dave Weiner, were Steve Vai's backing band. You can see them in action on Vai's Live At The Astoria DVD.

Billy has a rad new Yamaha bass to pimp, as you can see from the pic. This one reminds me of the bright pink Yamaha he used to play in the David Lee Roth days.

Dates for Allans are:
Melbourne: October 14, Allans Music, 152 Bourke St, City
Brisbane: October 16, Allans Music, 90-112 Queen Street Mall, City
Sydney: October 17, Allans Music, 228 Pitt Street, City

Tickets are $20 and available from Allans stores and online.

Billy will also appear at Kosmic Sound in Perth on Wednesday, October 15. Email info@kosmic.com.au for details.

CLICK HERE to buy Devils Slingshot's 'Clinophobia' CD

CLICK HERE to buy Billy Sheehan's 'Advanced Bass' DVD.

NEWS: Billy Sheehan Oz clinic tour

Bass god Billy Sheehan, he of the flowing blond mane, insane tapping licks and growly tone from albums by David Lee Roth, Talas, Mr Big, Steve Vai, Devil's Slingshot, Niacin and about a billion more, is coming to Australia for a few clinics on behalf of Yamaha and Allans Music.

Billy has a new album coming out soon with some very special guests (including Paul Gilbert), and Devil's Slingshot recently released their debut album, Clinophobia. The progressive metal band consists of Billy, guitarist Tony MacAlpine and Aussie drummer Virgil Donati, and for a time these three, with the addition of Dave Weiner, were Steve Vai's backing band. You can see them in action on Vai's Live At The Astoria DVD.

Billy has a rad new Yamaha bass to pimp, as you can see from the pic. This one reminds me of the bright pink Yamaha he used to play in the David Lee Roth days.

Dates are:
Melbourne: October 14, Allans Music, 152 Bourke St, City
Brisbane: October 16, Allans Music, 90-112 Queen Street Mall, City
Sydney: October 17, Allans Music, 228 Pitt Street, City

Tickets are $20 and available from Allans stores and online.