In this feature we help readers locate bands/musicians that they have lost touch with.

Updated January 31, 2002:
Trouble has reunited. The lineup includes: vocalist Eric Wagner, guitarist Rick Wartell, guitarist Bruce Franklin, drummer Jeff Olson and bassist Ron Holzner. They played their first Chicago gig in over six years on January 26th at Night Cap. The band are rumored to be working on new material.

Hanoi Rocks: (from Knac.com) Andy McCoy and Michael Monroe have reunited under the name Hanoi Revisited to perform sets of classic Hanoi material around the world. They will also do some new songs. The band is working on a new album and a worldwide tour. It seems that they are working on getting Nasty Suicide and Sam Yaffa involved.

Updated April 25, 2001:
Crimson Glory: Sector 9 is made up of x-Crimson Glory vocalist Wade Black, ex-guitarist Ben Jackson, ex-drummer Jesse Martillo and guitarist Jimi Delisi (Juliet). A bassist will be announced soon. Sector 9 will be making their live debut opening for Kamelot on Saturday June 2nd in Seminole, FL at Boomerz. For more info check the band's official site at: www.sorcerystudios.com/sector9/. Former Crimson Glory vocalist, Midnight, will be releasing a new MP3 demo on April 28 via his website at: MidnightsAttic.com New content has also been added to the site with rare audio, video, and a new message board. Midnight will also be auctioning off some of his private collection of old CG items including original handwritten drafts of CG songs, and CG video performances starting in May.

Faster Pussycat: Hollywood glam band Faster Pussycat is staging a reunion tour set to kick off in their hometown July 20th at the Key Club. Following the headlining Los Angeles date, the band will head out for a national tour with support act L.A. Guns before taking off for a string of Japanese dates. A Canadian leg is being discussed as well. The band will be promoting two new releases on Cleopatra Records. One is a Remix album of Faster Pussycat songs overseen by lead singer Taime Down. The other is the new studio album by Down's industrial goth band The Newlydeads. "The line-up of Faster Pussycat will basically be a Newlydeads version of the band," says Down. "It'll be me, Brent Muscat, Greg Steel, plus Newlydeads members Danny Nordall, Chad Stewart and Xristian Simon. We'll play four remix version of Pussycat songs, four original version, three or four Newlydeads songs, and some covers. We might do The Cars 'Bye Bye Love.' We'll probably do different stuff every night, so each city will get a different set. We start rehearsing soon, so we'll see what happens." In addition to rejoining the Pussycat line-up Steel contributes, Steel plays on the remix album alongside Goldfinger guitarist Charlie Paulson. Both albums should be out in time for the tour.

Giant: The following came from melodicrock.com: Here's the very latest update from the Giant camp. Just this morning I had the opportunity of talking at length with Giant's David Huff, who (with full co-operation and support from brother Dann and Mike Brignardello) is hard at work putting together this Giant comeback release. The full interview with David will be available in a week or so, but I jotted down a few details for those eagerly waiting news of the re-union. The album will comprise of a selection of unreleased songs and some live tracks. For the studio tracks, some are complete already, some are in need of some studio work/re-mixing/finishing before they will be ready, and three tracks look like being re-recorded from their original base. The live tracks come from some acoustic London shows and a few tracks from the US radio show Rockline, from the band's debut album.But the exact make up of the album is not yet finalized. They guys are looking at 12 or so tracks, and hope to finalize and hand in the release in August. A big photo booklet is being planned, with David sifting through old and new photo's before we talked. David added that the guys are very excited by this and would love to do some live dates, with their busy production schedules being examined currently.

Hardline: I believe the following came from Melodicrock.com: "Late last week I hinted at news of two major U.S. melodic bands reforming for new records. I am happy to be able to announce that one of those bands is none other than Hardline. The group had only the one album released through MCA Records in 1992, but it became an instant classic with fans. The line up is not yet official, but it will at least feature the Gioeli Brothers. There is bound to be a stack of questions surrounding this release and I will bring you a further update very shortly with all additional details."

Kik Tracee: Rob (bassist) is in Superfine. Check out their site at: www.superfineband.com. There is a club for his band on Yahoo! Check it out at: clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/superfine. It is quite active & is one of the biggest clubs in Yahoo. Rob sings now and plays guitar. A new album is due out soon. Ex-KT vocalist, Stephen, is now in Revel 8. You can listen to him at Revel8.com.

Alice Cooper: Dennis Dunaway and Neil Smith have a new band with bassist Joe Bouchard (Blue Oyster Cult). The band will be called Eyescream. A new CD will follow this summer as well as a tour. Joe will sing and play guitar, Its great Rock n Roll. Eyescream live will consist of new material, BOC, and Alice Cooper tunes. Ian Hunter has co-wrote 4 songs and he has also helped with the production of the new CD. The trio recorded a CD in 1988 under the name Deadringer which was a pop-rock type of CD.

Updated August 2000:
Misfits: Former guitarist Bobby Steele can now be found in The Undead. He was recently injured and severed half of his right thumb but is still touring. Check the site at: www.misfitscentral.com

Elf: Rumor has it that Ronnie James Dio and Rock Feinstein are working on an Elf reunion. They have already written some songs. Keyboardist Mickey Lee Soule (Elf) will join them. Drummer Simon Wright (Dio) and bassist Joey DeMaio (Manowar) will also play on the album.

Starcastle: The long lost IL 70’s legends are working on a new studio album with all six members of the original band. To see the guys in the studio go to: www.songhausmusic.com/aer_cd.html.

Foghat: After the death of founding member Dave Peverett, it was unclear if the remaining members of the band would stay together. They have decided to carry on. The band will continue to do live performances, also releasing previously unheard and unseen music and video featuring Lonesome Dave.Generating income to the Peverett estate is a priority, “It’s tragic but Dave didn’t have any medical insurance and there is a mountain of debt” said a Foghat spokesperson. The band’s current lineup includes original members Roger Earl on drums and Tony Stevens on Bass, Lonesome Dave’s good friend and co writer Bryan Bassett on lead and slide guitar and Charlie Huhn on vocals and guitar. Huhn has fronted and recorded with The Ted Nugent Group, Humble Pie, Gary Moore and Victory.

Warrior: Rob Rock has replaced Perry McCarty as Warrior’s singer. The band is currently working on a new album. For more info. check out the site at: http://www.angelfire.com/ yt/triad.

Doro Pesch: Having been out of the US music spotlight for over a decade, German rock icon Doro Pesch has returned to show America what’s been missing in the current state of hard rock! After captivating & enchanting the audience at this year’s March Metal Meltdown in New Jersey, Doro is preparing to unleash a new album through KOCH Records (set for release on September 12th) that will re-position her name to true rock regality. Although she has kept musically active in Europe over the years, this will be her first US release since 1990’s self-titled release. Former vocalist for 80’s Metal giants Warlock, Doro felt the need to break away from the ‘sword & sorcery’ stigma that surrounded the band and spread her wings to focus on a more emotional & personal sound. As a solo artist, she has in excess of eight releases to her credit and has achieved worldwide success. Now it is time for her to re-establish herself on American shores, and in order to achieve this goal, she is prepared to release a very memorable album. Not a woman to pull any punches, Doro enlisted the assistance of some very noteworthy musicians to compose this magnum opus! She recently teamed up with Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister in Los Angeles to re-record the Motorhead track,”Love Me Forever” in pure, emotive Doro fashion. The song originally appeared on Motorhead’s album 1916. This collaboration also spawned a new track, another duet called “Alone Again.” Both songs will appear on her new album, which is now titled Calling The Wild. If your palate is not yet whet with anticipation, the release also features contributions from Slash (Snakepit, ex-Guns ‘N Roses) and Al Pitrelli (Megadeth, ex-Savatage, ex-Asia, etc.). If that wasn’t enough to make a mammoth of an album, the proverbial icing on the cake, however, is an amazing Doro-ized cover version of the Billy Idol classic “White Wedding.” Guest appearances coupled with Doro’s trademark rock ethic of ‘stunning beauty meets aggressive beast’ will make this an album not to miss! www.oocities.org/SunsetStrip
/Alley/1765/index.html.

W.A.S.P.: Former guitarist Randy Piper has a new official website at: www.randypipersanimal.com. His new band, Animal, has a CD available.

Extreme: Vocalist Gary Cherone has a new band called Tribe Of Judah. The music has been described as a mix of Nine Inch Nails and Pink Floyd.

Trixter: Former vocalist Pete Loran has a new band called the Pete Loran Project. The band features Pete and Harry McGraw on vocals and guitar, Mike Hodges on bass and vocals, and A.D. Adams on drums and vocals.

Supertramp: Vocalist Roger Hodgson has a new album out called Open The Door. You can hear Media Player samples on his site www.rodgerhodgson.com. Also of interest on the site are some interesting interviews regarding Roger’s falling out with Rick Davies, the other notable Supertramp member, and his subsequent departure and the ensuing feud which followed.

Thunder: Harry James and Chris Childs are in a new band called Bad Influence. They have a new CD out. Check out samples at their website at: www.badinfluence.org.uk/.

Whitesnake: Micky Moody’s new solo album has been released. It is titled I Eat Them For Breakfast. You can order directly at:www.bluearmadillo.com.
Fair Warning: Singer Tommy Heart has left to join Soul Doctor. They have an album due out next spring. For more info. visit: www.oocities.org/tommyrocksyou
/english.html.

XYZ: Former vocalist Terry Ilous has a new solo project called Flynn. The album is called The Day I Spoke To The Dog and the lineup features Ilous on vocals, Jeff Northrup and Kameel on guitar; Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Steve Walter, Matt Bissonette, and Kameel on bass; Paul Mirkovich, Glen Woodward, David Garfield, and Charles Ollins on keyboards and Vinnie Colaiuta and Ryan Ferrando on drums. Check out the site at: www.flynn-ontheweb.com/.

Jefferson Airplane: Guitarist Jorma Kaukonen now runs a guitar camp in the secluded southeastern Ohio wilderness, with former bandmate and longtime friend Jack Casady dropping by on occasion to help out.

The Bangles: The band has reunited. The ball started rolling when Susanna Hoffs, Debbie Peterson, Vicki Peterson, and Michael Steel got back together to record a song, “Get The Girl,” for the Austin Powers (The Spy Who Shagged Me) soundtrack. The band is hitting the road again, starting with a series of Sept. dates in San Diego, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Los Angeles. They have been writing together, with an eye towards releasing a new album in the spring of 2001.

Dogs D’Amour: The band is presently negotiating with labels for a European release and are close to getting signed. Recently Crown Records secured a Japanese deal with the band. They hope to have the new album,Rogues Amongst The Brotherhood, out by Aug. The band are also planning a world tour to support the album. Tyla is back online with a new e-mail address. Send all inquiries on his solo recordings, artwork, poetry, etc. to: TYLAERIKA@teleline.es. Meanwhile Bam and Share’s band, Bubble have released their new CD, How ‘bout This and it will be available in the UK and Europe through Cargo Records. The band also features ex-Faster Pussycat members Eric Stacy and Brent Muscat and they have just completed a short Japanese tour. Brent is now on tour with L.A. Guns.

Iron Maiden: Paul Di’anno has a new CD out with his solo project, Di’Anno. The album, Nomad, is available through Encore Records. The band will be touring the U.S. in August with a stop at the Troubadour Club in L.A.

Vagabond/The Snakes: Vocalist Jorn Lande’s debut solo album Starfire is now due Aug. 28 from Frontiers Records/Now & Then Productions.

Hurricane is back and signed to Frontiers Records, but so far press releases have only mentioned vocalist Kelly Hansen. A new album is being planned for early next year.

Brother Cane: Damon is the new singer for Damn Yankees, replacing Tommy Shaw. He also has a new solo CD out. Roman Glick can be found playing bass for Jesse James Dupree.

Tesla: Drummer Troy Lucketta and Brian Wheat were supposed to release a new album with their band SoulMotor in July. Also scheduled for a July release is the release of Bar 7’s new CD, The World Is A Freak. The band includes Jeff Keith. Tommy Skeoch used to be in the band but recently departed. Frank Hannon took over for him. (ed. note: I do believe that Tommy is back in the band.) For more info, check the Bar 7 site at: www.Bar7.com.

White Lion: Greg D’Angelo and James Lomenzo are working on a project with vocalist Jimmy Lawerence. It has been described as “in the style of Hardline, White Lion and Winger.

Stryper: MichaelSweet.com reported the fan club is coming back, and there will also be a new Stryper DVD compiling the home videos Live In Japan and In The Beginning, plus unreleased live footage. Michael is also co-producing the new Savannah CD at Mixed Emotions Studios in Middleton, MA.

Foreigner: On August 15, Rhino/Atlantic records will release Jukebox Heroes - The Foreigner Anthology. It is said to be the ultimate collection of hits, album cuts and rare tracks. The 45-song, two-volume package will be available in stores, as well as online at www.rhino.com. New interviews with Mick Jones and Lou Gramm will be included in the extensive liner notes, written by noted rock scribe Jerry McCulley. It also features rare cuts from Spooky Tooth (the group co-founded by Foreigner guitarist Mick Jones and Gary “Dream Weaver” Wright) as well as tracks from both Mick Jones’ and Lou Gramm’s solo records. The band will be touring is support of the album. Drummer Brian Tichy has left Foreigner to tour with Ozzy this summer. Ex-Foreigner drummer Mark Schulman is back in.

Helix: The band has begun writing for the next album with Mike Hall and Jerry Finn (both from Killer Dwarfs). They will begin recording in early 2001.

Toto: According to the website, David Paich is not leaving the band. He will not participate in the European shows in June because he is working in his studio, producing the Toto 5 CD Box set. Jeff Babko will fill in for Dave.

Gamma: According to Ronnie Montrose’s website, a Gamma 4 project is in the works. Original Gamma members Ronnie Montrose (Guitar), Davey Pattison (Vocals), Denny Carmassi (Drums) and Glenn Letsch (Bass) are in Troy Lukketa’s studio recording a new Gamma album. For more info. visit Ronnie’s site at: http://www.ronnieland.com/
gamma.html.

Updated May 2000:
Great White: Tony Montana (ex-bassist) has a new solo album out titled Tombstone Shuffle. For more info. visit his site at: www.tony-montana.com. The lineup for the CD includes: Montana - guitars, vocals; Bryant Markovich - percussion and Ethan Gladstone - guitars. The album is out now in Japan on BigMF/Zain with the bonus track “San Antonio.” Hopefully it will be out in Europe and North America later this year. Ex-Great White drummer, Gary Holland also has a solo album out that can be purchased at his site (www.garyholland.com).

Warrior Soul: According to a recent message that Rob got from Johnny Ricco, the rumors of an upcoming Warrior Soul reunion are true. More info. when we get it.

Life Of Agony: Ex-members Joey Z, Dan Richardson, and Corey Lowery have a new band called Amazing Disgrace. The band also includes vocalist Erik Rogers.

Bad 4 Good: Drummer Brooks Wackerman just finished a new record with Suicidal Tendencies. His other band is Hot Potty. He sings and plays guitar. His brother John is also a member of the band. Ex-Bad 4 Good member Zack Young has a new band called Artificial Intelligence. They have been signed by DreamWorks Records and will have a record out this summer.

Britny Fox: Johnny Dee recently announced that the second Britny Fox line-up, with Tommy Paris on vocals, would reunite for a mini-tour. It will kick off in Philadelphia and New Jersey. This is the first time since 1992 that the band has performed live. The lineup includes: Billy Childs, Johnny Dee, Michael Kelly Smith and Tommy Paris. The band is said to be recording some of the shows for a live CD. They recently signed with Spitfire Records for a deal that will include re-issues of their original 3 albums, plus a new live album that will include 2 new songs. They also have the option to do a new studio album. For those of you who don’t know, Johnny Dee is the drummer for not only Uncle Edna and LeCompt, but also for Doro. Ex-vocalist Dizzy Dean Davidson (aka Jarod Dean) has a new website at: www.jaroddean.com. He has a new CD titled A Weekend Soul Massage that may be available on the site soon.

Faster Pussycat/Dog D’Amour/Vixen: “Hey Rockers! The new album is going great! We’re gonna call it how ‘bout this? and expect to be done in the next month (with any luck!). It’ll have between 10 and 14 songs on it so get ready to rock!!! If ya wanna check out a rough mix of a new song for the record....go to http://www.mp3.com/bubble and listen to “Eye!” Hey, did any of ya see VH1 on January 21st? They played a Faster Pussycat video and mentioned the fact that Brent Muscat and Eric Stacy are in Bubble now! If ya wanna mail bomb either VH1 and/or MTV and see what kinda trouble we can cause....maybe mention they ought to do a follow-up on what certain band members are doin??? shows@vh1.com that’s for the Rock Show and bug mtv about seein us here in LA at this site (http://www.mtv.com/sendme.tin?page=/mtv/local/los_angeles/). HELP US START A BUBBLE REVOLUTION!!! Okay, a lot of you have asked about the new Dogs D’Amour album. We’re gettin to it. The Dogs are negotiating with various record companies so it’s takin a bit of time. But in 2000 we WILL record the new album, kay? PEACE n ROCK n ROLL! Bam, Share, Brent n’ Eric” And the following came from a mailing list that I’m on: “Hey Everyone! We’re sending you this email to invite you to join our mailing list. The Dogs D’Amour are back together again and we’re making a new album in May. The mailing list is free and will keep you updated about the new record, merchandising, tour news and lots of other cool stuff. At the moment we have a “Fans Only” “Dogs Dinner Lunch Box” which will be shipped in August. It will ONLY be available through our mailing list and will be a VERY limited edition. It’s a lunch box filled with great stuff like the new CD Rogues Amongst The Brotherhood, a 30 minute video, signed artwork and an additional CD with out takes and oddities! If you want to reserve your “Dogs Dinner” send us an email. It will be 50.00 UK Pounds or $80.00 US Dollars. Or if you just wanna join our list send us an email too...and if you don’t, you won’t hear from us again! All The Best!! Tyla, Jo, Bam and Share. E-mail: Dogs d Amour@aol.com.”

W.A.S.P.: Ex-guitarist Randy Piper has a new band called Animal. Check out their site at: http://www.oocities.org/~meanman
/Animal/Animal.html. The rest of the lineup also includes vocalist Rich Lewis, bassist Burn Coldewey and drummer Kelly Wilmot.

Fastway/Katmandu: Vocalist Dave King now has a new band called Flogging Molly. Their CD, Swagger, was to be released in March.

King Crimson: The band is back together and working on a new album. The ConstruKction Of Light will be their first album since 1995. The album features guitarists Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, and Trey Gunn alongside drummer Pat Mastelotto and will be released on May 8 by Virgin. A European tour kicks off May 27 in Copenhagen and will continue on to Japan and the U.S. later this year.

A-ha: The band is back with a new studio album titled Minor Earth Major Sky. It will be released in Japan on May 10 and a European release will follow that.

Cro-Mags: Orignal members, Harley Flanagan (vocals/bass) and Parris Mayhem (guitar) have regrouped. Former Suicidal Tendencies guitarist Rocky George joins the guys. They will soon have a new album out on their own label and will tour in the winter.

Other Tidbits: A new Asia album is due from the duo of Geoff Downes and John Payne. Ex-White Lion members Greg D’Angelo and James Lomenzo can now be found working with Jimmy Lawrence. Jimmy is finishing up work on a new album. Rumor has it that former Crimson Glory vocalist, Midnight, is working on a new album titled Coocoo Flower.

Updated January 2000:
Vixen: Guitarist Jan Kuehnemund, who was a founding member of Vixen, now has a new all girl band (tentatively called Drawing Down The Moon). They were scheduled to make their debut at a Breast Cancer Benefit at a club in West Hollywood on Oct. 20.

Backyard Babies: The band will be on tour in the US till Dec. Guitarist Dregen was in a punk band called Hellacopters for a while. The new Backyard Babies site should be up and running in January at: www.backyard-babies.com.

Fastway/Katmandu: I received the following info. in an email: “Dave King has a new band called Flogging Molly. They have a very different sound...picture ‘80’s hard rock/heavy metal, ‘90’s punk, and celtic influenced Irish folk music. They are very good and are causing quite a stir in L.A. They are on an independent record label called 26F. They already have a live CD out titled Alive Behind The Green Door. Dave King still sings every bit as good as he did in Fastway and Katmandu. Flogging Molly kind of reminds me of Fastway meets an Irish Spring soap commercial! No, seriously, they are a fierce, ferocious band. They are very good! They are working on major label distribution via Warner Bros. for their upcoming full length studio CD called Swagger. They also have a web site to buy their CD, and it also lists tour dates. For more information on Flogging Molly, check out their site at: www.floggingmolly.cm.

Spread Eagle: Vocalist Ray West has a new band called Girls Of Porn. As of yet, they have no record deal. They have been gigging around NYC.

Blackboard Jungle: Singer Kenny Price was in a band called Crave. They have now changed their name to Jet 68’s. They are currently playing around the Los Angeles area.

Slamhound: Singer Josh Todd is now the singer of Buckcherry (wow...didn’t realize that one).

Europe: I got the following E-mail on Nov. 25: “The band was given close to 3 million dollars for one gig on New Years Eve in Stockholm, Sweden. It will feature their last line-up - Joey Tempest, Ian Haugland, John Levén, Kee Marcello and Mic Michaeli as well as their old guitarist John Norum (who played with Dokken for a while).”

Lizzy Borden: The band is back. They signed a new deal with Metal Blade Records. Their new album, Deal With The Devil will be released in early 2000 and a world tour will follow.

Junkyard: The band is playing a series of shows to promote their new live album Shut Up We’re Trying to Practice, which was recorded in 1989 at the Hollywood Palace. It was released on Nov. 30. The band currently consists of Chris Gates (guitar), David Roach (vocals), Pat Muzingo (drums), Todd Muscat (bass) and guitarist Tim Mosher. Tim replaced Brian Baker who is currently in Bad Religion. The band has cut a new four song demo and is currently label shopping.

Michael Monroe: Michael has a new solo album out titled, Life Gets You Dirty. The CD includes a new version of Hanoi Rocks’ “Self Destruction Blues” plus 11 new songs. Michael’s touring band consists of Jari (bass), Pete (drums), guitarists Rocka and Daffy, with Jude Wilder on backing vocals. They are currently touring the UK and Europe. He hopes to have the new album out in the US soon.

Doro Pesch: Doro has signed a deal with German label Steamhammer. A new album is due early next year, and catalog reissues will also occur. A U.S. deal is being worked on as well. See Doro’s official site http://www.doropesch.com/ for more.

Kik Tracee: Rob Grad former bassist/songwriter formed Rob Sauce a few years back. With Rob now as the frontman for the band, they can be seen in an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer performing “Already Met You” and “Stoner Love.” “Already Met You” can also be found on the Buffy soundtrack CD.

Bad 4 Good: Vocalist Danny Cooksey is now doing voice over work.

Riverdogs: MTM will release a new Riverdogs album sometime this year. Rob LaMothe and Nick Brophy have been working on some songs which will be in the same vain as the bands’ debut album.

Hurricane: Kelly Hansen did vocals on Stuart Smith’s latest album. He is currently working on his own solo album to be released through MTM. A Hurricane reunion is underway with 3 original members. The disc will be released next year and is allegedly titled Trade Winds.

Kix: I’m sure you’ve heard by now that vocalist Steve Whiteman has a great new band called Funny Money. They released their debut album in 1999 and have another album on the way. It is tentatively titled Back Again. Guitarist Ronnie Younkins currently plays in a band called Jeremy and the Suicides, who have released a five song EP titled Subway To Success. He recently joined Steve Whiteman on a version of “Immigrant Song” for an upcoming Led Zeppelin tribute album. Guitarist Brian Forsythe moved to L.A. and is working with several different projects. He has a Southern rock blues band called Trouble Walkin’ that features former Rhino Bucket bassist Reese. He also plays with Joe LeSte of Bang Tango in a funk rock side project called The Vagabonds and has a new band called the Purple Gang. Bassist Donnie Purnell is currently building a studio in his house and is producing local Baltimore bands. Drummer Jimmy Chalfant is a chef.

Megadeth: Ex-Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland will release his solo album, Chasing the Sun, in Jan on 2000 Grooveyard Records. The CD will only be available through Grooveyard’s website at: www.grooveyard.com. The musicians include Mark Poland on drums and percussion, Francis DiCosmo on bass, and OHM’s very own Robert Pagliari making a special guest appearance on Wendell’s Place.

Mountain: Guitarist Leslie West has a new album out titled As Phat As It Gets. He will be doing some shows at Leslie West’s Fat City, a new rock club in South Nowell, CT. The club is co-owned by West and his brother.

From the Aug/Sept. 1999 issue
Backyard Babies: The band will be releasing a new, limited edition single on their own Pastor label in October. The single - which will be restricted to a run of 1000, on 12" vinyl only - will include two different versions of ‘Babylon,’ the Faster Pussycat cover that has now become a staple of the Babies’ live set. One of the versions (featuring former Wildheart Ginger on guest guitar & vox) has been taken from the ‘Safety Pin & Leopard Skin’ mini-album, released here late last year, while the other is a previously unreleased remix by Swedish hip-hop outfit Infinite Mass. Available on a mail-order only basis, with those in the fan club getting first chance to pick up a copy, the single will also include a giant full color poster plus an etching designed by BYBS’ guitarist Dregen - the latter will cover the whole b-side of the record, with both versions of ‘Babylon’ appearing on side a. On the live front, it has now been confirmed that the band will be undertaking a tour of North America in November with L7 supporting the release of their current Total 13 album, which is due to come out Stateside via the Warners affiliate label Scooch Pooch. The Los Angeles-based label, who can claim to have launched the careers of both Nashville Pussy & Zeke, will be giving a remastered version of the record a full US release on November 2nd.

Heaven: Impulse Records/Pulse Music will be releasing a brand new album, with all original members. They have 4 songs finished and another 8 without vocals. There will be a single (more than likely to be an EP featuring 2-3 new songs and new versions of up to 3 old classics). Release of the CD will hopefully be in October.

Jefferson Airplane: Guitarist Jorma Kaukonen now teaches guitar at his Jorma Kaukonen Fur Peace Ranch Guitar Camp in Meigs County, Ohio. I get to play guitar all day and talk about myself,” he says. “What could be better?” Airplane alums Jack Casady and Pete Sears also teach there.

Alice Cooper: Ex-Alice Cooper guitarist, Kane Roberts has a new project called Phoenix Down. Their first album, Under A Wild Sky is scheduled to be released on Oct. 18 on Frontiers Records. The album features contributions from Mike Slamer (Steelhouse Lane), Jim Peterik (Survivor) and songwriter Desmond Child. The album is said to be “a masterpiece of modern sounding heavy rock with varied styles going from melodic rock to heavy metal without losing its typical trademark of quality and Kane’s temper.”

Loudness: Vocalist Minoru Niihara has resurfaced in a new band called XYZ. Other members are guitarist Fumihiko Kitsudaka, and the bassist and drummer from the Japanese band Bakufu Slump. XYZ just finished their debut album in Los Angeles this past May, and live dates - including the US and Europe - are next on the agenda.

Hanoi Rocks: Vocalist Michael Monroe will have his fourth solo album, Life Gets You Dirty, released on September 27th in Europe and on October 21st in Japan. Tour dates can be found at http://www.michaelmonroe.com. To join his mailing list, send an email to Hanoi-Rocks-subscribe@onelist.com.

Uriah Heep: Original keyboards/guitar player, Ken Hensley has a new album out. Ken Hensley & Visible Faith - A Glimpse Of Glory contains 12 brand new songs. It was to be mastered in August. Orders can be placed at: http://www.ken-hensley.com. The first 1,000 copies, a limited and numbered edition, will be personally signed by Hensley. Ken also appears on the Uriah Heep tribute album, Heepsteria. For more info visit the site at: www.uriah-heep.com.

Rock City Angels: The following letter was sent to me by bassist Andy Panik: “The best thing I can say about Rock City Angels is that there is a new record coming out. It’s on New Renaissance Records. It was recorded in 1985. It’s the record that Geffen didn’t want to come out, because we would have beat Guns N’ Roses to the punch. Instead they signed us, bought out our contract from New Renaissance and shipped us out to Memphis for a year and a half while GN’R got all the glory. I’ve recently e-mailed Duff from Guns n’ Roses to get his comments about this and to try and make peace within myself, but he has yet to email me back. Please go to www.ubl.com and then punch up Rock City Angels. Go to the web site that is called You Can’t Kill RnR and you can see exactly what I am talking about. It is totally glam, the way we originally were...kind of like the dolls but with a southern edge...rather disgusting actually. Then they’ll release stuff from when Johnny Depp was in the band. These days I got a punk and glam band called Sucker Punch. I really can’t stand the state that music is in these days. When you’ve got MTV touting the backstreet boys as a RnR band you know there is trouble. I can’t stand bands like Limp Bizkit or Korn or Kid Rock We would have laughed at that shit in the 80’s. I’m really sick of hip hop also...white kids trying to be black makes me ill. Industrial music is for people that try to hide the fact that they don’t have any talent behind all that distortion. I do like Buckcherry, however. Make sure to check out the web site. Oh yeah, go to ebay if you wanna buy the new Rock City Angels album.

Bang Tango: Ex-Bang Tango member, Mark Knight posted the following message on Sept. 1: “Sorry I have been so out of touch lately but I have been putting in lots of hours in the studio and didn’t feel like talking about it until something was finished. The good news is that we have just completed four new songs for our up coming CD, still untitled. We recorded the basic tracks at our own home studio and did overdubs and the mix at Apparatus studio. We hired Paul Carlen who had worked on Nirvana’s Nevermind CD to mix the first four. The song titles are Me and You And The World, Hotel Heaven, Heartbeat Away, and a new version of Shackled. Our management company Triple JJJ has plans for a new promo pack with new photos, a DVD and an updated Bio, as well as new merchandise, hats, shirts, the normal swag. The band believe it or not is still the same members and on the four songs we get some help from our friends Debra Taylor sings background on shackled and hotel heaven and Jon Lalaine plays harp on heartbeat away. I think that is about it no smut or juicy gossip sorry just music. By the way I keep getting a lot of email from Bang Tango fans that want me to rejoin the band and I really appreciate it and maybe someday it will happen, but after you hear the new Worry Beads material you will hopefully realize it would be a foolish move on my part. Thanks for the support.”

Britny Fox/Blackeyed Susan: Here is a press release from the former lead singer who is now going by the name Jarod Dean: “Jarod Dean is a AAA format singer / songwriter who has developed serious management and production interest, as well as receiving recognition from both independent and major record labels. His debut album, A Weekend Soul Massage, will first be available through the Jarod Dean web site, followed shortly thereafter by music stores, retail outlets, and online CD stores. The release date will be advertised on the web site. The album contains twelve tracks with styles influenced by artists such as Tom Petty and Sheryl Crow. Jarod Dean wrote, recorded, and produced each track, playing each instrument on the album apart from bass guitar, which was played by Stefan Braham. Drums on four of the tracks were performed by drummer Ray Rodriguez, with all remaining drum tracks performed by Jarod Dean. Jarod Dean began his professional music career as lead singer/guitarist/songwriter of the bands Britny Fox and Blackeyed Susan, which gained him platinum record sale status. He now spends his waking hours at Song Camp, his private studio nestled in the woods of rural New Jersey, rehearsing live performances and staging his plan for promoting the CD worldwide. He performs with five backing members - Timi on additional guitar and backing vocals, Stefan Braham on bass guitar and backing vocals, and Ray Rodriguez on drums, along with two session musicians performing additional guitars and piano. The performances are set on a Victorian-era stage - candles, chandeliers, and Oriental rugs dominate the setting. He currently showcases out of the New York, New Jersey and Delaware area, with performances soon expanding as far as the Midwestern United States. Over five thousand orders have already been placed for the CD by local fans, all through only word-of-mouth publicity. The web site, www.jaroddean.com, will debut on September 10, 1999, containing information on the project, contact information, merchandise (hats, shirts, posters, 8x10 photos, as well as a box set of several pre-production videos), CD ordering information, video and audio clips, and a schedule of upcoming public performances. Jarod Dean is currently receiving heavy airplay on college radio stations throughout Southern & Central England, expanding into Northern England in the near future. He is also distributing several album tracks to college radio stations throughout North America, with major market radio playing the songs by January 2000. News pertaining to a recently filmed major TV program regarding the project will also be available on the web site on Sept 10. Jarod Dean will also be featured on VH-1’s “Where Are They Now” on Nov. 16.

Fastway/Katmandu: Vocalist Dave King is now heading up an Irish-folk-punk band called Flogging Molly out of Los Angeles. They have a live album out with a label called 26f Records and a studio album pending that was produced by Steve Albini. They play around a bunch.

King Cobra/Bulletboys: Guitarist Mick Sweda invites fans to check out some of the music he’s written before, during and since his days in King Kobra and Bulletboys at the website of his new label, Monsters Making Music. Check out the site at: www.monstersmaking musi.com. He’s also accepting submissions from artists making “edgy music” at P.O. Box 3612, Hollywood, CA 90078-3612.

Loudness/Yngwie Malmsteen: Vocalist Michael Vescera has signed to Z Records. Vescera was labeled as the man who helped relaunch Malmsteen’s career on the Seventh Sign and Magnum Opus releases. Z will release Michael’s debut Windows which was previously only available within Japan, on November 22nd, and his new album Animation during February 2000. Animation features Helloween guitarist Roland Grapow.

House Of Lords: Micheal Guy - the guitarist on the House Of Lords album Sahara, has his own website operational at freerock.com.

From the June/July 1999 issue
Asia: Rumor had it that there was an Asia reunion in the works...but here is the official statement released on July 6: “ Friends, Whilst I am very sympathetic to the many e-mails and correspondence I have received from ASIA fans around the globe expressing their disappointment over my withdrawal from the reunion project—now that the dust has settled somewhat, and having heard some of the reasons put forward as to why I supposedly resigned from all this—I thought that I should set the record straight here...The truth is, the organization of this project was turning into a real shambles. What was originally presented to me in January by Carl Palmer’s management was, that there was to be a “substantial” summer US tour for the Original ASIA lineup in June, July, August, comprising of some 40 + dates. This was then to be followed by major concerts in South America in October, Japan & The Far East in November, culminating in a “big” event (possibly in China) for the Millennium. At the time, this all sounded like good news, an ambitious plan, and one that we could all work towards. But as time went by, the reality was that the US tour kept getting pushed further and further back (probably due to poor response from the promoters), to the point where it became no longer viable, and was canceled. A short, small theatre tour was then suggested as an alternative later in the year, in October or November, with a package of ASIA, Ronnie Montrose (!?), & Gary Wright (!?). In the meantime in August, there were a few dates in Japan offered by a little-known promoter, who had not worked with the band before, and who was suggesting we perform at some US army bases (eh?). And, to fill in time later in August, Carl Palmer “had a friend,” who could get us a handful of dates in Costa Rica, Mexico, Venezuela & Argentina. And the “China.” thing? Never heard another word about it. Now you are probably beginning to get the picture... A cartoon picture that perhaps conjures up a well-known Disney character with the surname “Mouse.” This was the way it was heading, except there was no financial backing behind it. I pointed out that without this, it would not be possible to organize such a scattered array of low-key dates without losing a considerable amount of money...and where nearly breaking even would have been a huge bonus. It just did not add up to me and still doesn’t. Hence the so-called “financial” reasons given on the Official Reunion web site. But this web site was a joke too! After the initial announcement in March advertising the first date of the tour. Also, if ASIA was to be going out as the Original lineup, then I felt it should go off with a major bang. But not this. This was fizzling out before it had even got off the ground. And more importantly, it would have done no good for the band’s reputation nor rekindled any real interest, as there was no new music to perform. It would just have been a nostalgic trip down memory lane, for a few isolated fans, with material only taken from the albums between 1982-1985. And, the substantial plans that had been projected, had turned into nothing more than a small club tour. I did not fancy this, because it was going nowhere. It would have been humiliating for all concerned. Those fans who saw us in our heyday would not have relished witnessing the band years later, performing in such small time circumstances. And indeed—neither would I. It was a farce. And so, I quit. Furthermore, you have to take into account the fact that I was harboring two other major reasons for not wanting to take it any further anyway. One was my allegiance to John Payne, and what we had built up as the New ASIA (which neither Carl Palmer nor John Wetton recognized). We had already started work on another album with Ian Crichton & Chris Slade, and it was sounding very exciting and fresh. I did not want to wreck or delay this opportunity any more than necessary. Secondly though, I had nagging doubts about a true reunion of ASIA which did not incorporate Steve Howe, and for this reason, I do not honestly foresee any type of reunion that could happen without Steve in the future. However, I came to the conclusion, that rather than getting buried in any negativity over all this, I would immediately get on with some more positive elements, such as my solo album -The World Service (now completed), the new ASIA album with John, and a few other things I am working on at the moment. So really out of everything, at the end of the day, there’s plenty to look forward to, I hope. Finally, I should say though, that I do not hold John Wetton or Carl Palmer responsible in any way for how these events turned out, and for my decision to quit the proceedings. But for whatever reasons, I feel that somehow it was just not meant to be, this time. I send them my best wishes for the future. And most of all, thank you for your continued support. Stay with us...Regards, Geoff Downes”

MORE NEWS

BANDS THAT WE ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR INCLUDE:

Dr Starr, It Bites, Mudpie, Candy, Smile, Adam Ant, Black Bambi, Blackboard Jungle, Blonz, Dirty White Boy, D.R.I., The Eric Gales Band, EZO, Fastway, Fiona, Gorky Park, Hericane Alice, Hurricane, Jetboy, Katmandu, Kik Tracee, Kingofthehill, Law and Order, Little Caesar, Lizzie Borden, The London Quireboys, Lord Tracy, Malice, Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom, Marchello, No Sweat, Precious Metal, Princess Pang, Psychafunkapus, Rock City Angels, RU Ready, Seduce, Shok Paris, Shy English, Silent Rage, Siren, Slamhound, Smashed Gladys, Spread Eagle, Stage Dolls, Sweet F.A., Tangier, Tattooed Love Boys, 2 Die 4, Trouble Tribe, Two Bit Thief, and White Trash.

If you have info. on any of these bands or any other bands that is not often talked about and/or has been MIA, please drop us a line and let us know.