If you’ve ever played in a classic rock cover band, chances are you had a Greg Kihn song strategically placed somewhere in your set list. In my own experience, that song was “The Breakup Song”. I called it “Old Reliable” not only because it was a staple in our arsenal, but because it was a song we could quickly pull out on a whim whenever the ladies came within striking distance of the dance floor.
Kihn, who has spent the better part of the last sixteen years as a published author and radio fixture in San Francisco, was recently relieved of his morning radio duties and has since discovered a new burst of creative energy. He’s releasing digital remasters of his classic albums from his Bersekley days and is considering a Greg Kihn Band summer tour that will include his hits and possibly some new material as well. With another brand new novel on the way and a chance to wear the rock star moniker again, 2013 will be a big year for Kihn.
I spoke with Kihn about his “breakup” from radio as well as his new book, music and plans for the summer. Read it here.
Since their debut EP thirty years ago, Great White has achieved worldwide success; including sales of over six million records and even a Grammy nomination for their version of the Ian Hunter song, “Once Bitten, Twice Shy”. During those same thirty years, members of the band have also suffered through great adversity as well. Most notably, The Station nightclub tragedy and the confusion/departure of singer Jack Russell from the band (there was even a time when Jani Lane filled in on vocals). But through it all, the band has persevered and continues to record and tour.
Some have called him a future guitar god, and with good reason. At the age of 21, Tyler Bryant’s resume already reads like a guitarist who’s been performing for a long time. Before he had even reached the legal age to vote, Bryant was awarded the Robert Johnson Foundation’s “New Generation Award” and was also chosen by Eric Clapton to play at his Crossroads Festival. He was also recruited by the legendary Jeff Beck to be the opener for his 2011 tour and invited to play alongside him during his encore set each night. An almost unheard of event that put the young Bryant in the elite company of Stevie Ray Vaughn (the last opener Beck invited to play with him on-stage, in 1989).
Alex Grossi is considered one of the hardest working guitarists around. His resume includes working with such artists as Quiet Riot, Steven Adler (Adler’s Appetite), Jani Lane of Warrant, Beautiful Creatures and Dizzy Reed and Gilby Clarke (Guns N’ Roses).
It’s been quite a while since Wang Chung released a full-length studio album (1989’s “The Warmer Side of Cool” to be exact). But throughout their “hiatus” the band’s music, synonymous with the 1980’s has still been going strong. Most recently, as part of the soundtrack for TV shows like ‘Breaking Bad’ (Dance Hall Days) and the pilot episode for ‘The Walking Dead’ (Space Junk).
go.Jimmy.go 