LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Sept. 25, 2013) – Melodic instrumental rock guitarist Adrian Galysh will release Tone Poet, on December 3rd, 2013. The album includes 12 tracks featuring vocal rock songs, instrumentals with world music influences, and sweeping orchestral works. While epic in scope, the album is tied together by Galysh’s tasteful guitar work and compositional style which is complemented by vocalist Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Royal Hunt, Uli Jon Roth), bassist Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai, RIng of Fire), and grooves by world-class drummer, Todd Sucherman (STYX).
Described as “a virtuoso of modern electric and acoustic guitar techniques” by 20th Century Guitar magazine, Galysh has a successful trajectory spanning three previous solo albums and numerous collaborations and performances with industry giants like Uli Jon Roth, Dweezil Zappa, Yngwie Malmsteen, Robben Ford, Mike Keneally, George Lynch, Warren DeMartini, and many more.
Galysh confesses, “Tone Poet is my most mature album. I’ve written a very melodic, musical, collection of tunes, that includes my progressive hard rock influences, classical, and world-music influences. Mark Boals’ powerful voice and Todd Sucherman’s tasteful drum playing are right in sync with where I am at, musically.”
Tone Poet album artwork was illustrated and designed by Kristina Maloney.
Tone Poet track-listing:
1. Resurrectis (2:28)
2. Brick By Brick (5:42)
3. When You Fall (5:17)
4. Flying (5:17)
5. Movie in My Mind (4:25)
6. Luminae (3:42)
7. La Dolce Vita (4:47)
8. Tone Poet (3:44)
9. Epoch (3:05)
10. Echoes of El Greco (3:53)
11. Ur of the Chaldees (6:12)
12. Spring (The Return) (5:22)
Adrian Galysh: Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, and Programming
Charlie Waymire: Drums on tracks 2, 3, 4, 5
Philip Bynoe: Bass on tracks 4, 5, 8
Todd Sucherman: Drums on tracks 7, 8, 10, 11, 12
Guitars, bass, and keyboards were recorded at Adrian's home studio. Charlie Waymire's drums were recorded by Lizzy Ostro at Ultimate Rhythm Studios in Panorama City, CA; Todd Sucherman's drums were recorded by J.R. Taylor and Todd Sucherman at the Bee Hive in Austin, TX.
Tone Poet was mixed by Jessie Billson, except tracks 1, 6, and 9 mixed by Adrian Galysh. Mastered by Vinnie Simonette at Little Simy, Alexandria, VA.
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I have been hard at work making progress on the new album called "Tone Poet". Last week saw guest vocalist, Mark Boals, laying down some fantastic tracks and great harmonies.
So far, it looks to be 12 tracks, and features rock, metal, world music and classical influences. A lot of the tunes feature acoustic guitars - more so than on previous efforts. If I were to describe it using comparisons, I'd describe it as Eric Johnson meets Dream Theater & Deep Purple, with Peter Gabriel and Trevor Rabin producing...
The songs have a variety of styles, some with modern backdrop of sounds and instrumentation, and a couple even have a choir! Sonically, this will be the best sounded Adrian Galysh album to date by far.
Up next is to start tracking drums, then I will re-track any scratch guitar parts on the demos.
Below is a sample of a classical inspired track, tentatively entitled "Resurrectis" - Enjoy!
I wanted to thank all those who came and supported me at the world famous Baked Potato in Studio City last Tuesday, May 15th. It was an intimate night of music, (and potatoes!) featuring my band-mates and friends, Philip Bynoe on bass, Glen Sobel on drums, and Yuko Tamura subbing for regular member, Maureen Baker, on keys.
We plowed through 12 tunes in our 70 minute set, that included tunes from my albums "Venusian Sunrise", "King Friday", and "Earth Tones"... We tweeked up the set in rehearsal, trying to add some performance elements, tying a few tunes together, added an extended intro to fan-favorite "Ventura Blvd.", and I've been trying to improve my between song-patter. It isn't easy describing or giving a story behind instrumental songs! I think the band is developing a few key memorable "moments" over the course of our set - including the jaw-dropping drum solo by Glen Sobel.
Below are a couple video clips from the show, enjoy!
Los Angeles, California - Guitarist, Adrian Galysh, whose previous releases have been mainly instrumental fair, has enlisted former Yngwie Malmsteen / Royal Hunt/ Uli Jon Roth vocalist, Mark Boals, to contribute vocals to his new record. While the record is currently in preproduction, listeners can still expect Galysh’s tasteful guitar work, with hard rock and world music influences, to be heard throughout.
Described as “A virtuoso of modern electric and acoustic guitar techniques” by 20th Century Guitar magazine, Galysh has been dazzling southern California audiences for over a decade, whether he’s backed by his band or as sideman for ex-Scorpions guitar legend, Uli Jon Roth.
Boals, whose career started with stints in Savoy Brown and Ted Nugent, is noted most for his vocal work with neoclassical guitar virtuoso, Yngwie Malmsteen, appearing on four studio albums, including the hard rock classic, Trilogy.
Galysh and Boals have worked together before, performing in ex-Scorpions guitarist, Uli Jon Roth’s band during a 2011 tour. Galysh says of the opportunity to write and record with Boals, “Mark Boals is one of my all-time favorite singers. I clearly remember first hearing him on Yngwie’s Trilogy album, and being blown away by how strong and unique his voice was. I’ve been fortunate to have been able to perform with both my favorite guitarist, Uli Jon Roth, as well as favorite vocalist, Mark Boals, and am thrilled to have him on my new record.”
The new album, tentatively titled, “Tone Poet”, is expected to be released in summer 2012. For updates and information, please visit www.AdrianGalysh.com
Los Angeles, CA - Instrumental rock guitarist, Adrian Galysh, will perform a blistering set at the world famous Baked Potato in North Hollywood on Tuesday, May 15th at 9pm. Featuring band members from Uli Jon Roth, Alice Cooper, Gladys Knight and Steve Vai, this ensemble is sure to bring down the house, performing material from Galysh’s three solo releases.
Described as “A virtuoso of modern electric and acoustic guitar techniques” by 20th Century Guitar magazine, Galysh has been dazzling southern California audiences for over a decade, whether he’s backed by his band or as sideman for ex-Scorpions guitar legend, Uli Jon Roth.
His band features ace-drummer Glen Sobel (Alice Cooper), Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai) on bass, and Yuko Tamura (Gladys Knight) on keyboards. Fans of guitar centric music ala Jeff Beck, Joe Satriani, and Eric Johnson will enjoy Galysh’s tasty phrases, and anthem like melodies.
Galysh remarks about performing at the Baked Potato, “I’ve always enjoyed playing the ‘spud. It has an intimate vibe, and audiences love it - nowhere else can you witness such world class musician ship so close from your seat!”.
Growing up in the 1980s and 90s, with a guitar in my hands, I listened to a lot of hard rock and metal music. I've always tended to listen to music "before my time" though, and am attracted to music from the 70s and early 80s. I have been familiar with Graham Bonnet's voice since I was probably 10 years old.
Being a huge Scorpions fan, it was inevitable that I would have Michael Schenkerrecords in my collection, including the classic, "Assault Attack". From Graham's work with MSG, then Alcatrazzwith both Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai, (did I mention I was a guitar nut in the 80s?) I then went back and bought all the Rainbow albums I could get my hands on. Graham stood out at that time in music. For one thing, he didn't look like all the other long haired, leather wearing "metal musicians". He had a more James Dean thing going on, with short blond hair, often seen wearing white sport coats. And secondly, his voice was just .... different. He is a powerful, loud singer, with tone like no other.
Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting Graham for the first time, having booked a gig billing my solo band, Alcatrazz Featuring Graham Bonnet, and Uli Jon Roth. Graham was very approachable, friendly, and funny! Catching a bit of his sound check and set that night, I have to say Graham is at the top of his game. His vocals are stronger than ever - I was impressed!
That show went well, so we decided to play together again a few months later in San Diego, where my band and Alcatrazz blew the doors down.
We'll be at it again on Friday, February 10th at Marquee 15in Corona, CA.
I recently caught up with Graham and conducted a short interview, please enjoy!
Adrian Galysh: Do you remember how old you were when you first started singing? Do you remember what prompted you to pursue singing more seriously?
Graham Bonnet: I started singing when i was four and listened to operatic music back in the fifties with all that, there was no rock music... until Buddy Holly and Little Richard came along.
AG: Do you remember your first performance?
GB: Cub scouts in the early 50's... I was seven years old, and the kids were always asking me to sing "Diana", the Paul Anka song, as I used to sing it on the school bus. I ended up singing it on the Cub Scout annual show, and getting my picture in the local paper, for my performance. I sang another song that mom's and dad's liked called "Good Companions". I don't know where the song came from... I think it was a show tune - I hated it!!
AG: Did you take singing lessons and were your parents supportive?
GB: No lessons. I am not that disciplined, but my parents always supported me.
AG: When did you know that you wanted to pursue music professionally?
GB: When I moved to London, when I was 18, I was lucky enough to play at a club with my five piece band, including my cousin playing guitar. In the audience, of this very nice club in the center of London, "The Revolution Club", was the Bee Gees old manager and came up to my cousin Trevor and said,"I am sure the Gibbs would love to see you Trevor."As they had moved to England, and my cousin, their ex guitarist /singer ...was in a band with me. The Bee Gees had two or three hit records at that time, so Trevor went to see the Gibb boys and told them I sang also, but we had a band together and lived in Wembley in London. Well, I was invited to meet the Bee Gees with their manager, Robert Stigwood, and we all were singing together with the Bee Gees, me and my cousin... at Stigwood's house [singing] Beach boys tunes and Stevie Wonder songs, and of course Beatles [songs].
Next thing i know, we were told we were going in the studio, and Barry was asked to write a song. But they didn't want our band. So we were in the studio and months later in the top three of the charts with a song called "Only One Woman", just under Joe Cocker's, "A Little Help from My Friends" - he made number one! When people like Barry Gibb said he couldn't believe my unusual voice, and how good i was - that was the turning point to persue a music career....In a nut shell!!
AG: The Marbles only seemed to be together for a couple years, from 1968-69, with just one album, why was it so short lived in your opinion?
GB: Because the company didn't want to work with my cousin, and they wanted to have me be like a Tom Jones type singer. So I left Robert Stigwood's company.
AG: You have worked with some of the most respected rock guitarists in the business, including Ritchie Blackmore, Michael Schenker, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, and Chris Impellitteri. Is there an affinity you have for the instrument, or was it just timing and luck that brought you together with these guitarists?
GB: I was looking for guitar players like Ritchie after i left Rainbow, but was asked by Ritchie to join his band. At first I didn't want to, because it really wasn't my thing, but came to enjoy it later when I got into recording.
AG: The albums you recorded with the above mentioned guitarists are considered classics. Writing and recording with these guitarists, do you recall knowing at the time that these albums were special?
GB: Not really, the business was like it is now: all over the place. I looked at everything I did as an audition!!!
AG: Do you still stay in contact with Ritchie, Michael, Steve, or Yngwie?
GB: Steve... sometimes, Ritchie ...Never ...Yngwie never....They have all their own thing going on.
AG: Would you have any interest in working with any of them again?
GB: I would love to do something with all of them again, but times have changed and musicians are fighting for positions in the wonderful world of rock music. They make more money being the star so to speak, by doing their own thing, with lesser known players. You know, it makes sense!
AG: Were any of the albums particularly easy to write and record, considering who you were collaborating with?
GB: They were all hard work. I liked to write good melodies and good words so they all took work!
AG: Please list your top 5 musical influences.
GB: Buddy Holly, Little Richard, the Beatles, Paul Anka, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Ronnie Spector.
AG: Do you get a chance to listen to any new music? Who do you find yourself usually listening to?
GB: I never listen to music. It's my job. If i listen to anything, it's Beach Boys and the Beatles. Nothing of the new, so called, has anything that is different to things I have heard before. So my work is music, and I don't take my work home with me.
AG: If you couldn't sing for a living, what do you think you would be doing? Are there any hobbies or non-musical interests we may be surprised to know about?
GB: Art, or a newspaper reporter.
AG: Most people have a “Spinal Tap” moment or two in their careers, any strange or funny road stories you can share?
GB: Nothing funny happened to me, really ...except firing Yngwie.......
AG: I imagine you have had many great experiences over the years, but is there a particular career highlight that stands out that you can share?
GB: The first Castle Donington "Monsters of Rock", in England with Rainbow headlining (over 35,000 in attendance headlining over Judas Priest, Scorpions, Saxon, and Riot).
AG: Being in so many musical situations, from your solo records that reflect your early rock and r&b influences, to harder rock outings with Rainbow, MSG and Impellitteri, where do your ideas for lyrics come from?
GB: Every day observations, and my imagination. So I don't make up words like KISS would, or others. I like the english language, and telling a story.
AG: You've been working with Alcatrazz's current guitar monster, Howie Simon, for over 8 years now, how did you find him?
GB: Howie was introduced to me by our bassist, Tim Luce. We are still working on songs, but we have all been out there making money playing live, as there is no money being made when you are recording. As you know, bills have to be paid. There are no record company advances being handed out like in the past.
AG: What kind of advice would you give younger musicians who may be starting their careers?
GB: Get a real job. Music is becoming a hobby that doesn't always pay well. But always give it a shot. There are too many musicians, well people who play things, not all the time very musical. Real musicians are born, they don't have to be told how the machine works! ...If you know what i mean!
Click here for more info on Graham Bonnet and Alcatrazz featuring Graham Bonnet:
Well, last week was a busy, whirl-wind experience. San Diego's Brick By Brick had a great responsive audience, but seemed to serve as the band's rehearsal/warmup show. After the 2-hour show, Uli and the band met with the audience, who were very glad to see us. Some driving up from Mexico, and some brought old Scorpions albums to autograph as well as a couple guitars floating around for Uli's signature as well. This was my first time in San Diego - I've never been! The band stayed at a hotel near the Old Town "Gas-lamp District". Ate dinner at Casa Guadalajara with the band - great food and margaritas.
Thursday night was in Ventura at the Majestic Ventura Theatre. This is a large venue, an old theatre, similar to LA's Wiltern in size. This night featured a triple bill of my solo band, then Alcatrazz, and then Uli Jon Roth. Huge dressing rooms, back stage food and drinks - a taste of the rock star life.... all too brief. By tonight, I had finally gotten my act together, as I was having trouble learning the unison harmony solo part in "We'll Burn The Sky". While the stage sound was strange, the show went well - though the band would still love to have a set list. Big stage, big lights... always fun.
Uli likes to "free flow" every night. Calling out tunes as he goes, so sometimes it feels like a game of follow the leader. Keeps us on our toes!
The best thing about his gig is getting to play along side my favorite guitarist, favorite singer, favorite drummer, and new comrade, Bjorn Englen.
Alcatrazz put on a top-notch performance, and I have never heard Graham Bonnet sound better. Howie Simon, Tim Luce, and Glen Sobel were great, very tight.
Friday night, brought us to the Blue Cafe in Huntington Beach, CA. At first entry, the club seemed small compared to the previous night, no dressing room, towels, etc... BUT, this night proved to be our best. My band opened for Uli hitting the stage at 10pm. We played great. Having Kevin Chown back on bass felt good. He and the rest of the band, Maureen Baker on keys, and Glen Sobel on drums, really delivered. The audience grew throughout the night and was REALLY excited to be there. By the time Uli and the rest of us got on stage after 11pm, the audience was pressed up to the stage. Tonight, the band was really in sync. The intimate stage and size of the club had such a great energy, and the band could really hear each other well up there. Hands-down the best performance of the week, the 2.15 hour set was loud, hot, and sweaty, and the audience couldn't get enough. We finished up at 1:30am , met with the audience, sold some merch then headed home... My wife and I got back to the house around 3am - just in time to get 5 hours of sleep before having to teach guitar the next morning.
For more information about Adrian Galysh, including video guitar lessons, concert dates, clinics, merch and music, visit:
Today the band had their first rehearsal, with out Uli. He doesn't arrive to SoCal till tomorrow, and with the NAMM convention, it would be difficult to coordinate any other rehearsal before Monday's.
The drummer, Glen Sobel, you may know is my regular drummer for my own gigs, and as always was uber-prepared, and luckily our notes/charts seemed to line up. This, however, is the first time meeting, let alone playing with Bjorn Englen, the bassist for these dates. Bjorn has been Yngwie Malmsteen's bassist for the last 4-5 years and has a strong feel for the tunes. Mark Boals, of course, also known from Yngwie's classic "Trilogy" album and others, was on hand for vocals.
Comedy ensued as Mark kept asking whether I would sing backup/harmony parts for every Scorpions song we ran through... I obliged with mixed results though better than I (and I hope the others) expected.
Overall we did pretty well, and it sounded rather tight. What you would expect from seasoned musicians, I guess.
These SoCal tour dates will feature a number of classic Scorpions songs, some Jimi Hendrix, and a couple Electric Sun tracks.
