Los Angeles, California - Guitarist, Adrian Galysh, has enlisted Styx stickman, Todd Sucherman, to contribute drums and percussion to his new record, “Tone Poet”. Todd Sucherman brings to the record both world-class drumming and vast experience. Experience which includes session credits for over 1000 radio and TV spots, as well as touring and recording with legendary artists such as Brian Wilson, Spinal Tap, and of course, Styx.
Galysh, described as “A virtuoso of modern electric and acoustic guitar techniques” by 20th Century Guitar magazine, has been dazzling California audiences for over a decade, whether he’s backed by his band or as sideman for ex-Scorpions guitar legend, Uli Jon Roth.
“Tone Poet” is Galysh’s fourth solo album, but will be the first to include both instrumentals as well as a number of vocal tracks, ably sung by Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Royal Hunt).
With “Tone Poet”, Galysh’s tasteful guitar work and compositional style are still front and center, but will now have one of the industry’s most respected drummers laying down the grooves. So respected that 2012 saw Todd Sucherman win multiple categories in DRUM! Magazine’s reader’s poll, including #1 DVD (Methods and Mechanics II), #1 Clinician, #2 Rock Drummer, #2 Book (Methods and Mechanics Transcription Book).
In addition, Modern Drummer’s 2012 reader’s poll clocked him in at #2 DVD (Methods and Mechanics II), #3 Prog Drummer, ranking next to Neil Peart and Mike Mangini!
An exciting year for sure, and a great follow up to 2009 which saw Todd Sucherman on the cover of Modern Drummer, and winning the reader's poll for #1 Rock Drummer, #1 Educational DVD with "Methods and Mechanics" as well as #1 Clinician in DRUM! Magazine - all while touring the world with the multi-platinum Styx and performing drum clinics and recording sessions from coast to coast.
According to Adrian, “I’ve known Todd for about 10 years. We were neighbors in Los Angeles before he moved to Texas. We’ve discussed working together for a long time, but due to his busy tour schedule and the distance (I still live in LA), we weren’t able to do it till now. Todd is a really tasteful drummer, very musical, with a ton of chops - totally in league with the likes of Colaiuta, Smith, and Bozzio.”
Galysh continues, “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. Todd’s playing is right in sync with where I am at, musically.”
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!”.
Cold Spring, NY - The result of 20 years of state-of-the-art electric guitar research and design combined with their long time relationship with Los Angeles guitarist, Adrian Galysh, iGuitar Workshop / Brian Moore Guitars debuts the “Adrian Galysh Signature” C-90F electric guitar. Company president, Patrick Cummings, said, """Adrian has been making our guitars sound great for over 10 years, we are very pleased to honor him with this signature model."
The “Adrian Galysh Signature” model guitar has Brian Moore Guitars’ patented comfort contoured body and innovative rear output jack combined with Galysh’s preferred asthetics and features, which are reflected in its spectacular satin finished spalted maple top and mohaghany back, Seymour Duncan pickups, Floyd Rose locking tremolo, and gold hardware (including the pickup pole pieces!).
Instrumental rock guitarist, music educator, and recording session ace, Galysh professes, ”M”My guitar is like a paint brush, and I want to take the listener on a colorful journey. I need to be able to have a large pallet of tones to work with. My Brian Moore “Adrian Galysh Signature" guitar does this.”
And a large pallet of tones it has indeed. Featuring a 7-way “super switch”, the “Adrian Galysh Signature” guitar lets players select seven different pick up combinations, giving players access to classic single coil and humbucking tones.
Features and specs:
• Adrian Galysh Signature Headstock
• Comfort Contoured Mahogany body
• Spalted maple top with Satin finish
• 22 fret Maple neck 25.5" scale, 15" radius
• Rosewood fingerboard • 6105 Frets
• Matching Sculpted Headstock • Abalone "M" logo
• Seymour Duncan Alnico II neck
• Seymour Duncan JB bridge
• Floyd Rose tremelo
• Gold Hardware • Sperzel locking tuners
• Available left handed at no extra charge
Available factory direct, and customizable with optional left handed model, piezo pickup, and 13 pin synth access.
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!
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