Courtesy: J Records

PEARL JAM REUNITED

The infamous rock band formed in Seattle Pearl Jam has started recording its ninth studio album. Under the direction of producer Brendan O’Brien, the band hopes to release the still untitled CD later this year.

O’Brien has produced more than five of the bands albums, including huge successes like “Yield”, “Vs.”, Vitalogy” and “No Code.”

“Brendan works really fast,” Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament said during an interview with Billboard. “He’s a super pro. I’ve always felt, working with him, that he understood me as a bass player and that’s not always easy. A lot of producers are there to please the singer. But I’ve always had a great rapport with him. I can tell him I want something to sound like the O’Jays or Led Zeppelin or PJ Harvey and he gets it.”

The bands success in the rock music industry began almost two decades ago as one of the key groups of the grunge movement and has sold an estimated 60 million albums worldwide.

Pearl Jam is currently gearing up for a 13-day East Coast tour that runs from June 11 – 30 throughout places like Portland, New York, Camden, Washington D.C. and much more.

Courtesy: Valory Records

JEWEL HITTING THE COUNTRY MUSIC SCENE

Two of country music’s heart throbs, Jewel and Brad Paisley, are teaming up for a summer concert tour that is set to kick off June 11 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Jewel, who’s sold 30 million albums and has scored pop hits with various songs, is set to release her first country album, “Perfectly Clear” on June 3 via Valory Records.

“Strong Woman” is the album’s first single, which is currently No. 14 on the Hot Country Songs chart, but Paisley and the blonde beauty had agreed to go on tour before the song went Top 20.

Jewel’s excitement for the new direction of her music career is apparent in her work ethics. Although she will not have to perform a 45-minute opening set for Paisley, she admits that it wouldn’t bother her.

“I really look at this as a building kind of thing,” she says. “I want to show that I’m serious about this [country] thing, and I’m willing to pay my dues.”

Jewel goes on to explain that growing up on a ranch in Alaska with her “cowboy” father has infused her life with country music. Although her previous work has been pop-oriented albums, her enthusiasm is in the fact that the “twang of her song arrangements” could be put back into her music.

“I just feel like country is a great continuation for me. I don’t really feel like it’s a musical switch, like it’s the end of something and the beginning of something new. I’ve been here all my life; now I’m just getting a chance to really do it. I’m excited about that.”

Jewel is slated to join Paisley for 36 dates, with the tour concluding Oct. 18 in Selma, Texas.

Courtesy: Hear Music

MELLENCAMP READY FOR LIFE, DEATH, LOVE AND FREEDOM

John Mellencamp was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last month and on July 8 the singer will embark on a month-long summer tour in support of his approaching album “Life, Death, Love and Freedom.”

The CD is set to be released on July 15 by Hear Music, but the bands trek will begin in Philadelphia and wrap up on August 2 in Berkeley, California.

Mellencamp has characterized the album as a collection of “modern electric folk songs.” With backing from his legendary touring band, the album’s 14 tracks were recorded at his studio in Bloomington, Indiana and mixed in Los Angeles with T Bone Burnett behind the boards for all of the sessions.

Mellencamp cites Burnett’s production as key to “finding the soul of each song.”

The band previewed songs from “Life, Death, Love and Freedom” while on tour last year. And guitarist, Mike Wanchic, says the new album is “very, very, very organic — upright basses, cocktail (drum) kits, lots of acoustic guitars, really very atmospheric, absolutely one of the coolest sounding records that I’ve ever heard, of ours or anybody else’s.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

A200

The local rock sensation A200 is an original alternative band mixing sincere lyrics, phenomenal guitar riffs, and enthusiastic performances. The band plays a diverse mix of rock tunes and recently released A200 Play under the production of Rob Robinson. Including spectacular hits like Rain On The Sunshine, Angel, Lies and By The Way, A200 is a definite crowd pleaser!

Catch up with the up and coming A200 on:

- June 1, 5, 6, 8, 15, 22 & 29: 10 pm at the Buddha Bar in Fort Myers, FL.
- June 3, 10, 17 & 24: 9 pm at The Cottage in Fort Myers Beach, FL.
- June 4, 11, 18 & 25: 6 pm at Harborside in North Fort Myers, FL.
- June 5, 12, 19, 20, 21 & 26: 9 pm at the City Tavern in Downtown Fort Myers, FL.

DIANNE RUSSELL BAND

The Diane Russell Band is an eclectic blend of rock-n-roll, rhythm and blues, funk and originals. The band enjoys the sounds of many styles of music ranging from Prince and Marvin Gaye to The Deftones and Tool. Fronting the band, the vocals and guitar of Russell will have you groovin’. Along side her is lead guitarist, Mark Chang, Kevin Brooks on the bass, and Gary Barton on the skins jamming and loading the sounds with passion and energy to keep the crowd moving.

Live it up with the Diane Russell Band on:

- June 4, 13, 14 & 18: 9 pm at The Dek in Cape Coral, FL.
- June 5, 12, 19 & 26: 9 pm at The Lani Kai in Fort Myers Beach, FL.
- June 24: 6 pm at The Joint in Cape Coral, FL.

THE YARD DOGS

Boogie to what they call “Florida’s Swamp Music” with one of Southwest Florida’s greatest entertainers, The Yard Dogs. Mixing blue grass music, country, rock, blues, and more, Charlie Kuchler, Kip Lawrence, and Brian Travis make sure no one is left without a smile thanks to their unique sound. Combining accordions, harmonica’s, a Jamaican rhumba box, a six-string banjo and more the boys can’t help but show the love for music that runs through their veins.

Dance to Florida’s Swamp Music on:

- June 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29: 5 pm at Pincher’s Crab Shack in Fort Myers Beach, FL.
- June 4, 11, 18 & 25: 6:30 pm at Bert’s Bar and Grill in Matlacha, FL.