John Taglieri has signed with Now & Then for a three album deal. Says John, "I am so excited about signing to Now & Then Records and the possibilities that it creates. My first CD, "Leap Of Faith", made some good strides and now it's time to step it up another notch! I know that with all the promotion that Now & Then does, coupled with mine, we will ddefintiely make a statement with this upcoming album. They have the name and credibility as a label, and the experience to make it all happen. I'm looking forward to a long rewarding relationship with the label. It's nice to finally have a place to call home!" The album includes appearances from Dave Baldwin, Keith LuBrant, Dean Fasano, Carlos Rodriguez, Randy Jackson and none other than Rik Emmett (!).

The Swedish band MISTER KITE have finished their new album which is produced by Bjorn Dahlberg (Pete Sandberg, Bad Habit) and Crull-E of S.P.O.C.K. Mattias "IA" Eklund of Freak Kitchen has recorded solo on one of their songs. For info and sound bite check out their site at: www.misterkite.net  

The Marvelous 3 will slip after their Aug. 3 performance at On the Bricks, Atlanta's hugely popular new weekly free downtown summer music festival. The band will pursue separate creative interests. Butch Walker says he may begin a solo project "that would be a little different from what I write for the Marvies," in addition to writing and production work for other artists.A live album as well as a DVD, titled "History of Marvie," are in the works, according to the site.

Mick Jagger's first solo record in eight years has found a home at Virgin Records, the label confirms. Although a title has yet to be announced a November release date is promised. The Rolling Stones frontman has spent the bulk of the year working on the project in New York and London with a variety of collaborators, including U2 frontman Bono, Lenny Kravitz, the Who's Pete Townshend, and matchbox twenty vocalist Rob Thomas.

VH-1 Bands On The Run winners Flickerstick have signed with Epic and will have their debut album, “Welcoming Home The Astronauts”, reissued in October.

Check out this site http://www.rockticket.com to see footage of JOSHUA PERAHIA live at this years Stryper Expo.

Legendary American axeman Doug Aldrich has signed to Z Records for a special as yet untitled solo release. Doug is renowned for his fret work for such major names as Lion, Hurricane, Bad Moon Rising and Burning Rain, and today is acknowledged as one of the finest guitar talents to emerge from the US scene. Doug's first ever European solo release will be released during October and will also feature Kal Swan [Lion, Bad Moon Rising], Johnny Gioeli [Hardline], Ron Young [Little Caesar], Matt Kramer [Saigon Kick], Tony Franklin [Blue Murder, Rainmaker] and Chris Frazier [Steve Vai]. Doug is currently writing new material for the forthcoming third release from Burning Rain which will be released by Z Records during early 2002

91 SUITE will become the first Spanish band to play at the prestigious Gods festival. The band are understandably excited about the prospect and promise to deliver a set to remember. Which day the band play will be confirmed soon. Now & Then is proud to announce that a deal has been struck between the company and Vinny Records to allow distribution of the bands debut album in the UK via NOW & THEN / CARGO RECORDS. The album will be officially released in early 2002, but a special pressing will be done to enable copies to be available at The Gods. AOR legend, Mark Mangold, mixed the album, added keyboards and helped with the song arrangements whilst his Drive, She Said partner, Al Fritsch supplied backing vocals.

Frontiers Records and Now & Then Productions are pleased to announce the signing of HORAKANE for a two album licensing deal. HORAKANE is the studio project formed by famed Praying Mantis singer TONY O'HORA and skilled guitar player JAMIE KANE. "Eternal Infinity", their first album was released in Japan by Pony Canyon back in `99, but the European version, which shall be released in September 2001, will feature a different mix and completely new and more attractive packaging. This album will make all the Praying Mantis fans - both old and new - happy before the band's new CD, which is currently in the production stages and will be released sometime during 2002.

The come back album of GIANT, simply titled "III" is approaching the final stages of mix and mastering. Release date is tentatively scheduled for early November to coincide with the Gods Festival in the UK.

HARDLINE's comeback album featuring the Gioeli brothers, entitled "Hyperspace", is finally starting to take shape in LA, under the supervision of producer Bob Burch. The band also has a new drummer in line - none other than BOB ROCK (Nelson, Vinnie Vincent Invasion). The lead guitarist is confirmed as being JOEY TAFOLLA.

HOUSE OF LORDS is currently busy laying down the tracks for the new album, tentatively called "The Power And The Myth".

As previously announced the Hurricane come back record "Liquifury" is finally ready for release. Final tracklisting shall be: River Gold; New God; Heart Made Of Stone; It's Your Life; Happy To Be Your Fool; Bleed For Me; Shelter; In My Dreams; Torn; Shine. Hurricane`s lineup for the album is: Kelly Hansen - vocals; Jay Schellen - drums; Larry Antonino - bass; Sean Manning - Lead Guitars.

Johnny Lima is hard at work recording the follow up to his "Shine On" album in his own studio in sunny San Jose, California, having taken a brief break from the process to get married to his fiancee Cara last month. The new album, to be titled "Made In California" is set for an early 2002 release.

THE GODS UPDATE - JULY 18TH
Now and Then has announced some initial details regarding this year's GODS festival which will be held once again in Wigan, England. Coming back to the succesful full-weekend formula the festival will take place in the MAXIMES club on November 3rd and 4th 2001. The initial line-up is the following though further bands are yet to be announced for each day:

Saturday November 3rd:
Dare
Stan Bush
Emerald Rain
Adriangale
Jorn
Urban Tale
Boneyard Dog
(Featuring Russell Burns, brother of Vinny!)

Sunday November 4th:
Harem Scarem
Bourgeois Pigs
(Featuring Jake E. Lee, Richard Black & Michael Guy)
Mitch Malloy
Skin Tag
(Featuring Jimmy Lawrence & Shotgun Symphony members)
Hush
Bailey's Comet

Ticket Prices: £22.50 Per Day or £40 for a 2 Day Ticket.
Ticket Outlets: Directly from Now & Then: Cheques / P.O.`s payable to "Mark Ashton" c/o NOW AND THEN RECORDS, Unit 23, Empress Mill, Ince, Wigan, Lancs, WN2 2BG.

Credit Card Payment:
Destiny Records: Tel: (01489) 603549 Fax: (01489) 603550
Web site: www.destinyrocks.co.uk
Email: destiny.records@virgin.net

Loud 1: Tel: (01782) 522370 Web site: www.loud1.co.uk
Email: Loud@btinternet.com

Groove Machine: Tel: (016977) 46102 Fax: (016977) 46775
Website: www.thegroovemachine1.co.uk
Email: igrooveman@aol.com

Ticketline: Tel:0161-832-1100 Fax:0161-832-1112
Website: www.ticketline.co.uk

For further info check out the website www.nowandthen.co.uk

JULY 17TH
New reviews online feat new releases by Hush, Urban Tale, Paradise and Stan Bush.

The organizers of the Ultrasound festival would like to inform every band that might be interested that the deadline for submitting your songs to be included in the UltraSound 2001 CD sampler is July 20. All the tracks must be sent in DAT's or CD's format. The payment is also due by then.  If sending a CD, please mark which track you would like. The rate for the CD sampler is $150 per track.

KIVEL RECORDS are happy to announce the signing of Peter Barron (Studio engineer for ADRIANGALE and STONE ANGEL) who will now join the ranks as a recording artist. John Kivel said "We couldn't be happier that Peter is stepping out from behind the board and in front of the mic!! He is currently in the studio with his band working on material". Special guest musicians will be announced very soon. The music is said to be like early DEF LEPPARD with some touch of AEROSMITH.

Symphonic rockers SARACEN are set to return, after no less than 15 years in "retirement", following the signing of a 3-album record deal with Now & Then/Frontiers Records. The album will be entitled "Red Sky" and features four members of the original line-up: Richard Lowe - Keyboards/Backing Vocals: Jason Gardner - Bass/Backing Vocals: Steve Bettney - Lead Vocals: & Rob Bendelow - Guitar. There's already a second album in the pipeline. It will be a conceptual album based around the history of the Knights Templar

Mark Boals, Ted Poley, Mark Mangold, Johnny Lima and Pamme from Haven have all contributed to the Jason Becker charity tribute CD, "Warmth In The Wilderness" due out on July 22nd. Mark Boals has recorded a version of the Dave Lee Roth number "Hammerhead Shark" with Lars Eric Mattsson, whilst Johnny Lima, Pamme from Haven have recorded "Tell The Truth" along side Alex Masi, Lars Eric Mattsson and former MSG singer Robin McAuley. Meanwhile Ted Poley has got together with Mark Mangold, Kenny Aaronson and Gerhard Pichler to record "Drop In The Bucket" using the moniker ALL THE USUAL SUSPECTS. All proceeds of the tribute CD will be donated to Jason Becker and his family.

AOR/Melodic band Broke[N]Blue from Sweden will release their debut album "Northern Light" on Maple Leaf Records in Germany anyday now. Check out www.mp3.com/broke-n-blue and http://listen.to/l.a.music for soundbytes etc.  

A chat board has been set up on the Stun Leer web site...  http://www.stunleer.com.

Tesla's upcoming double-live album is due out September 11 on Sanctuary Records

In October Hotwire, Shakra and Domain will be touring togehter. These dates are confirmed, maybe there will be some more:
01. Okt.     Z7 - Pratteln (CH)
03. Okt.     Zeche Carl , Essen
04.Okt.      Garage, München
06. Okt      Adlkofen/Landshut (Hotwire only!)
10.Okt.      Razzle Dazzle, Berlin
11.Okt.      Schwimmbad Musicclub, Heidelberg
12.Okt.      Meisenfrei, Bremen

Frontiers Records / Now & Then Productions are also able to announce that a new production deal has been struck for the band MAC BETH. Even if MAC BETH is a new name, the line-up for this exciting band is made up of very well known artists in the melodic hard rock field as it features: BRUCE GOWDY (Unruly Child, World Trade) on guitar PHILIP BARDOWELL (Magdalen) on vocals GUY ALLISON (Unruly Child, World Trade) on keyboards Bruce Gowdy is particularly excited to work again on a full time basis with his ex songwriting partner in Unruly Child, Guy Allison and also wishes to stress that the songwriting direction will be the logical step forward to Unruly Child`s music. Production will begin in Los Angeles at the beginning of September 2001 for a release planned in mid 2002.

DARE will play only one show in Germany introducing their new album "Belief". Here are the details: Date: August 14th, 21:00 Location: GARAGE, Kunstpark Ost, Grafinger Str. 6 Tickets: at the club or at www.aor-shop.de

JULY 3RD
New reviews can be found at Kurt's Krap covering releases such as: Sugar Ray, John Waite, The Tour Bus: Road Trip copilation, Styx and Jean Beauvoir. Enjoy!

Ted Poley's slightly revamped Melodica UK tour takes in the following shows:

Aug 4th 2001 Rock City, Nottingham
ticket  hotline: 0115 9412544

Aug 5th 2001 Cavern , Liverpool
ticket hotlines: 01695 556302 / 0151 709 4321

Aug 7th 2001 University, Newcastle
ticket hotline :  01697 746102

Aug 8th 2001 Underworld. London
ticket hotline: 0207 267 3939

Support will be provided by PASSION STREET

Terry Brock has launched his own website at: http://www.terrybrockmusic.com His debut solo album "Back To Eden" has been receiving excellent reviews in magazines and at online sites and has been selling fast.

In a recent note Dave Baldwin (Tradia, Departure) informed that he has uploaded new pic and more info in his official website. Check it out at: www.davebaldwin.com

Classic Westcoaster Boz Scaggs new album is now nearly completed. It is said that Boz Scaggs will deliver another good slice of Westcoast pop. The Japanese version will be released on August 29 with a bonus track.

AMore good news for the Westcoasters. The mega classic and ultra rare third PAGES CD (1981) will be reissued in Japan due August, the 8th. Also now out is the new album by Jay Graydon whcih is entitled "Bebop"...as you can guess it's a very jazzy opus.

The new cd by AOR/rocker HENRY LEE SUMMER CD is titled "Big Drum" is a fine piece of midwestern AOR influences.

Legend Records (and not MTM) are proud to announce the release of the new DARE album that as you all know is called "Belief". The band are set to tour Europe this fall, including Scandinavia, Holland, Belgium, Germany and the UK. The official release date is the 27th August 2001.

Escape Music pleased to annouce of the latest signing FIRST SHOT featuring the talented singer Marc LaFrance former lead singer of BLACK STONE, and best known for his works as backing singer on several albums such as AEROSMITH, BLVD, and many more. The music of FIRST SHOT is very similar to Mr.Mister, Rick Springfield and What If.

JUNE 23RD
New reviews are finally available online. Check them out at the reviews section.

Look out for an announcement very shortly with details of this years Gods Festival. The date has been set and the event will take place over the weekend of October 27th / 28th. A suitable venue is being arranged and once that is decided upon a full announcement will be made.

Humanimal featuring Jeff Scott Soto, Marcel Jacob, Pontus Norgren and Thomas Broman have now nearly completed work on their debut release. The release date and title are as yet undecided, but we can confirm that the material is possibly the best ever produced by all four members. Some of the songs that will be included on the forthcoming album are  "Again to be found", "Road Of Forgiveness" and "Who do you think you are". The band will of course be making their debut live appearance at Z Rock 2001 Germany on September 8th, for more details visit www.zrecords.net

According to a message from Don Dokken at http://www.dokken.net , guitarist John Norum and bassist Mikkee D. (not the Motorhead drummer!) filled in for Reb Beach and Jeff Pilson, respectively, for the band's June 9 set at the Sweden Rock Festival. The set list from the show, courtesy of JohnNorum.com: "Erase The Slate," "Kiss Of Death," "The Hunter," "Into The Fire," "Maddest Hatter," "Too High To Fly," "Breaking The Chains," "Alone Again," "It's Not Love", "Tooth And Nail," "In My Dreams," "When Heaven Comes Down" (encore), "Paris Is Burning" (encore). Don's message said Pilson and Beach wouldn't make the trip overseas due to commitments with their individual solo projects, but now Norum's site says he's permanently replaced Beach in the band. Don's message mentioned "some talk of a fall Winger tour," so perhaps that's where Beach will next surface. Regarding future Dokken plans, the new album should be out this fall, Don's solo album should be out "by Christmas," DonDokken.com is launching soon, the new song (presumbaly from the band, not from Don solo) "Little Girl" could possibly be featured in an upcoming "major" film, and there's talk of a Whitesnake/Dokken tour of South America. Stay tuned...

Frontiers Records and Now & Then Productions can finally announce that they have secured a worldwide multi album deal with the duo formed by Italian guitar-hero Dario Mollo (of Voodoo Hill fame) and ex Black Sabbath singer Tony Martin, namely, The Cage. The two have already produced a self titled album two years ago which had a very strong impact on the critics and the public in the hard rock/metal world. The CD is already taking shape at the world renowned Damage Inc. Studios in Ventimiglia, Italy (The Cage; Anathema; Giuntini Project; Voodoo Hill etc.) and tracks are being laid down by Roberto Gualdi on drums, Dario Patti on keyboards and none other than Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder) appearing as guest on bass.

Heavy Weather, featuring Michael Sembello--yes, the Michael Sembello of "Maniac" and "Flashdance" fame--have signed a deal with Now & Then/ Frontiers. Hype from the Maniac himself: "I have always had a rock heart and now the time has arrived to show the world that I can make the ultimate melodic hard rock record for the crowds that are still in love with this music!" The album will feature "a number of outstanding guests from the Los Angeles rock scene" and should be out early next year.