THE SMASHING PUMPKINS RELEASE DOUBLE ALBUM ‘CYR’ 0

Formed in Chicago in 1988, The Smashing Pumpkins released their heralded debut album Gish in 1991 and found mainstream success with 1993’s 4x multi-platinum Siamese Dream and 1995’s 10x multi-platinum Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. It’s that landmark double album that made the band one of the most revered in the world. The double album concept worked well for them back then, so in 2020 why not crank out another?

Following the release of their latest critically acclaimed singles ‘Cyr’ and ‘The Colour Of Love,’ GRAMMY® Award-winning, alternative rock luminaries, The Smashing Pumpkins today release their eleventh studio album, titled ‘CYR,’  via Sumerian Records (Friday, November 27). 

The 20-track full-length double album was produced by front-man Billy Corgan and recorded in Chicago, and features founding members Billy Corgan, James Iha, Jimmy Chamberlin and guitarist Jeff Schroeder.  

Global praise continues to pour in since the release of their current single and album namesake ‘Cyr,’ – which was #1 most added at US Alternative Radio first week of release –  and ‘The Colour of Love,’ both from their now confirmed forthcoming double album. Variety applauded the songs for remaining “rooted in the now,” and for “effortlessly taking their place alongside a catalog of cherished Smashing Pumpkins classics.” While Billboard exclaimed “The Smashing Pumpkins are getting ready to smash it up once more.”

The accompanying music video for ‘Cyr’ – co-directed by Linda Strawberry and Billy Corgan – amassed an impressive 1 million views upon release. 

Watch the official music video for ‘Cyr’ below

In September the band also released a trailer and details for their five-part animated series, titled ‘In Ashes’, created by Billy Corgan and animation by Deep Sky. The first two episodes ‘As The Crow Flies’ and ‘Inspirations, Aspirations’ were revealed in September, along with new music from the album. Since then two more parts in the series have been released.
 
Watch the trailer for ‘In Ashes’ and the first 4 episodes on the band’s YouTube channel

CYR TRACK-LISTING

1. The Colour of Love
2. Confessions of a Dopamine Addict
3. Cyr
4. Dulcet in E
5. Wrath
6. Ramona
7. Anno Satana
8 Birch Grove
9. Wyttch
10. Starrcraft
11. Purple Blood
12. Save Your Tears
13 Telegenix
14. Black Forest, Black Hills
15. Adrennalynne
16. Haunted
17. The Hidden Sun
18. Schaudenfreud
19. Tyger, Tyger
20. Minerva

THE SMASHING PUMPKINS AND GUITARS

Unhappy with his association with a couple of major guitar brands over the years, more recently Billy Corgan and fellow band member Jeff Schroeder seem to have found a great working working relationship with Yamaha Guitars.

In this video, iconic Smashing Pumpkins leader Billy Corgan details how his connection to the acoustic guitar unlocks his creativity like no other instrument – and how impressed he was with the plug-and-play sound quality of his new Yamaha LJ16BC acoustic guitar while touring and promoting his first solo record Ogilala.

And below Smashing Pumpkins guitarist Jeff Schroeder chats about tone and why he’s loving Yamaha. He also works closely with the company on developing new products as well as his own gear.

CYR

In the lead up to the release of CYR, fans were also able to purchase high quality CYR merchandise, including limited edition CYR beanies, tee’s, special ORCHID COLOR STANDARD VINYL, exclusive LIMITED EDITION PURBLE MARBLE VINYL, plus a limited edition collector’s CYR DELUXE BOX SET, featuring exclusive black-ice vinyl, a photo-book, art prints and posters.

All available now on The Smashing Pumpkins webstore
shopcyr.smashingpumpkins.com

The Smashing Pumpkins today release their eleventh studio album, titled ‘CYR,’  via Sumerian Records (Friday, November 27). Check it out HERE

FLEETWOOD MAC: LIFE, LEGAL BATTLES & PETER GREEN. DENNIS DUNSTAN CHATS 0

Greg Phillips Nov 19, 2020 Artists, Interviews

Dennis Dunstan with Mick Fleetwood last year

In honour of the passing of Fleetwood Mac co-founder and guitar great Peter Green this year we put together an interview tribute with people who either knew or worked with Peter or were just inspired by the legendary guitarist. You can see the full tribute REMEMBERING PETER GREEN: Fans and Friends Tell their Stories HERE.

One of the most intriguing interview sections of the tribute was a chat with former Fleetwood Mac manager Dennis Dunstan, in which he spoke about claiming back some of the royalties that had been taken from Peter over his career. However, what we didn’t run in that tribute were more amazing stories from Dennis about Fleetwood Mac in their Lindsay and Stevie days and tales of even more stolen fund battles. Dennis speaks about his rise through the ranks from security to tour management and then management of the band. Dennis is now Managing Director of Front Row Management. Finally we’ve put together the whole interview for your enjoyment.

WATCH IT BELOW

DAVE MASON: THE ‘ALONE TOGETHER … AGAIN’ INTERVIEW 0

Greg Phillips Nov 02, 2020 Artists, Interviews

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of his first solo album, Dave Mason has reimagined that iconic release with ‘Alone Together…Again’. Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips spoke to Dave via Zoom about the album, his gear and his work on classic rock songs such as Hole In My Shoe with Traffic, All Along The Watchtower with Jimi Hendrix and Sympathy For The Devil with the Rolling Stones.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason’s career spans over half a century and encompasses producing, performing and song writing. Fans and critics alike hail Dave as one of the most talented songwriters and guitarists in the world – which is why he is still performing over 100 shows a year to sold-out crowds.  Mason has been playing guitar most of his life. By 15, Dave had founded two bands: The Deep Feeling and The Hellions. At 18, the Worcester, England native teamed up with Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood to form the legendary band Traffic. At 19, Mason penned the song “Feelin’ Alright”. The rock anthem, first recorded by Traffic and then covered by dozens of other artists (including Joe Cocker), cemented both Dave’s and Traffic’s legacy and had a profound influence over rock music that continues today.

Mason left Traffic in 1969 to pursue a solo career in the US.  Dave has penned over 100 songs, has 3 gold albums: Alone Together, Dave Mason and Mariposa De Oro and a platinum album Let it Flow, which contained the top-ten single “We Just Disagree”.

In addition to cranking out hits, Dave has performed on or contributed to a number of famous albums, including: The Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet, George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, Paul McCartney and Wings Venus and Mars and Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland. Mason is featured playing acoustic guitar in “All Along the Watchtower” on Electric Ladyland, a favourite in Dave’s live shows!

Dave, a prolific artist in his own right, has collaborated with an enviable list of the who’s who in the music industry… Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, Rita Coolidge, Delaney & Bonnie, Leon Russell, Ron Wood, Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, and Jim Capaldi, just to name a few. In addition to his own productions, Mason’s distinctive work is featured on numerous gold and platinum albums such as:

• Jimi Hendrix Electric Ladyland “All Along The Watchtower” (acoustic guitar) and “Crosstown Traffic” (vocals)
• George Harrison All Thing Must Pass (various tracks),
• The Rolling Stones Beggars Banquet “Street Fighting Man” (shehnai and mellotron)
• Paul McCartney and Wings Venus And Mars “Listen To What The Man Said” (guitar)
• Graham Nash Songs For Beginners
• David Crosby & Graham Nash, Graham Nash David Crosby
• Dave Mason & Cass Elliot (Mamas & Papas) Dave Mason & Cass Elliot
• The Spencer Davis Group “Somebody Help Me”, “Gimme Some Lovin’” and “I’m A Man” (vocals)
• Fleetwood Mac Time (guitar, vocals)
• Eric Clapton Crossroads (guitar)

The new album ‘Alone Together…Again’ is available to pre-order now through Dave’s online store, and will be available November 20 on all digital platforms via his NEW partnership with Shelter Music Group When Dave is not touring, he spends his time writing and producing music in his home studio, as well as tirelessly supporting philanthropic efforts for Rock Our Vets, a non-profit he co-founded.

www.davemasonmusic.com

WATCH: METALLICA'S JAMES HETFIELD PRAISE MELBOURNE'S OPAL OCEAN 0

WATCH: METALLICA'S JAMES HETFIELD PRAISE MELBOURNE'S OPAL OCEAN
In a huge coup, Melbourne based instrumental duo Opal Ocean have had their new album The Hadel Zone praised by Metallica's James Hetfield. Watch the Facebook clip HERE

EXCLUSIVE: NILE RODGERS TALKS ACOUSTASONICS, HITMAKER STRAT, INXS + CARS 0

Nile and the Acoustasonic Stratocaster

Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips was thrilled to catch up with multiple Grammy Award-winning composer, producer, arranger and guitarist NILE RODGERS to chat about a range of topics including: the work ethic of recording, his Hitmaker Strat, his views on the Fender Acoustasonic Strat, working with INXS, selling his cars and guitars and more.

Multiple Grammy Award-winning composer, producer, arranger and guitarist Nile Rodgers is known as one of the most decorated musicians in the history of music, with his name appearing in the credits of countless smash hits. As the co-founder of CHIC and the current Chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Rodgers pioneered a musical language that generated chart-topping hits like “Le Freak,” (the biggest selling single in the history of Atlantic Records!) and sparked the advent of hip-hop with “Good Times”. His work in the CHIC Organization and his productions for artists like David Bowie, Diana Ross, and Madonna have sold over 500 million albums and 75 million singles worldwide while his innovative, trendsetting collaborations with Daft Punk, Avicii, Sigala, Disclosure, and Sam Smith reflect the vanguard of contemporary music.

Throughout Rodgers’ distinguished career, his signature tool of his trade has always been his trademark 1960 Stratocaster with a 1959 neck — otherwise known at the “Hitmaker”. Fender recently introduced Nile Rodgers to the innovative American Acoustasonic Stratocaster and he was immediately drawn to its seamless and endless combination of acoustic and electric tones.

http://www.nilerodgers.com/

WATCH: MUSICIANS IN ISOLATION - PSEUDO ECHO'S BRIAN CANHAM 0

Interview

WATCH: MUSICIANS IN ISOLATION - PSEUDO ECHO'S BRIAN CANHAM
Australian Musician  chats with Pseudo Echo’s Brian Canham to reminisce about the band’s past, discuss the fabulous new album After Party and the gear he used to create it. WATCH IT HERE