Guitar virtuoso, Gus G. joins Talk In The Fast Lane to discuss the upcoming, Live, Firewind album "Still Raging," How his Dad's tastes in music inspired him to start playing the guitar, The Peter Frampton album, Ozzy and his endorsements over the years from ESP to Jackson. 

September 1, 2023 sees hard rock power metal titans FIREWIND release their epic anniversary live album, titled "Still Raging", through AFM Records. Recorded in 2022 at a frenetically-acclaimed hometown show in Thessaloniki, Greece, "Still Raging" will be available on Blu-Ray and as a 2CD edition, the pre-sale has just recently started at THIS LOCATION!

Since more than twenty years, the iconic band founded by exceptional guitarist Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne, Arch Enemy, Dream Evil) enthralls heavy music fans with their exciting blend of hard rock and power metal. Razor-sharp riffs, big hooks and solos meet the incredible vocal skills of charismatic singer Herbie Langhans (Avantasia, Radiant, Seventh Avenue, amongst others), who joined the band in 2019.

 "It's hard to believe that a band like Firewind has been around for 2 decades," Gus G said. "In 2022 we had only planned a re-issue of our debut album, but with the pandemic slowly winding down, we were fortunate enough to start doing shows in America and Europe again. Come Fall of 2022 we played 2 headline shows in our homeland, Greece to celebrate our 20th anniversary."

 "Prior to the Greek shows, my friends from OTSE film crew asked me about filming our hometown gig in Thessaloniki", the guitar legend reveals. "In a way, the stars aligned, as we returned to the same venue (Principal Club Theater), with the exact same crew that filmed our DVD back in 2008 (Live Premonition anyone?). With this opportunity in front of us, I started thinking about a cool way to put this onto our beloved fans homes as a special thank you for the support you've shown us over the years. Together with AFM Records, we bring you a special BluRay + 2CD package. So yeah... Firewind Still Raging, 20 years later and it's all thanks to YOU! 
 
While we're currently hard at work on some new music, we hope this commemorative Live release will keep you good company, till our new Metal anthems arrive!"

For More Info Visit:
www.firewind.gr
www.facebook.com/firewindofficial
www.instagram.com/firewindofficial
www.afm-records.de

FIREWIND Live:
29.07.23 CZ - Ostrava v Plamenech
04.08.23 DE - Helmfest
25.08.23 DE - Paddy Rock Open Air 
02.09.23 GR - Metal Union Agrinio festival 
03.09.23 GR - Gimme Shelter Open Air @ Athens Technopolis
22.09.23 CH - Rocknacht Tenwill

FIREWIND is:
Gus G. (guitars) 
Herbie Langhans (vocals)
Petros Christo (bass)

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The legendary vocalist of Bangalore Choir sits down with the Fast Lane to discuss the new album "Center Mass," the gig that launched his career with Accept and the "Eat The Heat" album, the forming of Bangalore Choir and recording the "On Target" album, plus everything that is David Reece. 
Join in for this very in-depth and inciteful interview. 

Fronted by former Accept and Bonfire vocalist David Reece, Bangalore Choir emerged in 1991 at the tail end of the 1980s melodic metal movement, instantly impressing the rock press with big choruses, melodic guitar playing and songwriting contributions by Jon Bon Jovi, Aldo Nova and Autograph’s Steve Plunkett.

The new album, "Center Mass" is a direct sequel in style to the classic debut On Target, and is sure to excite fans of the debut album and of the melodic heavy rock genre in general.

David Reece explains: “I am very happy with this brand new Bangalore Choir record, we really went for everything that made the debut the great album that it was, that being loads of harmony vocals, big hooks, and great guitar solos. We also worked really hard on the songs making sure we had only the very best set of tunes for this album.”

After many auditions, Reece was chosen to be the new Accept singer, and was the lead vocalist appearing on the album Eat the Heat. He and the rest of the band produced what has been regarded as a much different sounding album compared to the previous Accept albums. The 1989-1990 tour with W.A.S.P and Metal Church was eventually cancelled, and he was dropped from the band as Accept went on a hiatus.

After being fired from Accept, he formed Bangalore Choir and released the album "On Target" with them. The band included members of Reno, Nevada's Razormaid and the slightly more well-known Hericane Alice - a band for which Reece had declined to record demo vocals earlier due to his involvement with Lillian Axe - a partnership which never resulted in any recorded material. The following years he released two albums with Sircle of Silence with Larry Farkas from Vengeance Rising, Jay Schellen from Hurricane and Greg Chaisson, formerly of Badlands. He then released an album with American band Stream.

In 2007, Reece joined Swedish band Gypsy Rose, releasing an album with them the following year.

Reece released his first solo album on August 28, 2009, with Andy Susemihl (ex-U.D.O.), Stefan Schwarzmann (ex-U.D.O., ex-Accept) and Jochen Fünders (ex-Holy Moses) participating. He later released an album from a joint project with Martin Kronberg from Gypsy Rose in between releases from a reunited Bangalore Choir, and another solo album in between releases by Tango Down. He then released an album with the band EZ Livin' before joining Bonfire in 2015.[5] On the new solo project "Resilient Heart" 2018, Reece has teamed up with the musicians Marco Angioni (guitar, songwriter, producer), Martin J. Andersen (guitar, songwriter), Malte Frederik Burkert (bass) and Sigurd J. Jensen (drums). The album was recorded at Death Island Studio in Denmark with Marco Angioni as producer and is entitled 'Resilient Heart'. It was released in November 2018.

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One of Hard Rocks premiere bands, Hurricane, is back after over 20 years with their new album titled "Reconnected." In this Exclusive interview, the band sits down with Talk In The Fast Lane to discuss the new album, recording the new songs, getting signed back in the 80's, recording the "Take What You Want" EP, their first tour with Stryper which launched the band, a reunion with Kelly and Jay?, touring plans for 2023-24 and much much more. 

Hurricane is an American heavy metal band formed in 1983, originally featuring current Foreigner lead vocalist Kelly Hansen (vocals/rhythm guitar), Robert Sarzo (guitar), Tony Cavazo (bass), and Jay Schellen (drums) currently with Yes. Cavazo and Sarzo are the brothers of Quiet Riot's Carlos Cavazo and Rudy Sarzo. Hurricane released four albums: Take What You Want (1985), Over the Edge (1988), Slave to the Thrill (1990), and Liquifury (2001). Over the Edge was their album featuring the charting song, "I'm on to You", which peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in 1988. In 2010, Robert Sarzo and Tony Cavazo, founding members, reunited and recruited drummer Mike Hansen. In 2021, Dan Schumann an Australian-born singer best known as a member of the Las Vegas Headliner vocal group, Tenors of Rock joined Hurricane. 

Quiet Riot's Kevin DuBrow introduced Robert Sarzo and Tony Cavazo in the early 1980s. After deciding to form a band, Sarzo and Cavazo recruited singer Kelly Hansen, drummer Jay Schellen. With little label interest, the band decided to release an album themselves, Take What You Want.[3] The album and constant touring led to them getting a major label deal. In 1986 and 1987, they opened for Stryper on their To Hell with the Devil album tour. They were soon signed to Enigma Records, the same label as Stryper. They also opened for Gary Moore's 1987 US tour. 

In 1988, the band released their major label debut album, Over the Edge. Propelled by a powerful, yet melodic heavy metal sound, the album made #92 on the US album charts and featured a cover of Alice Cooper's "I'm Eighteen," as well as the band's most successful song, the Jeff Jones-penned "I'm on to You." The title track, "Over the Edge", was also released as a single.

Hurricane is: 

Daniel Schuman: Lead Vocals 
Robert Sarzo: Guitars
Tony Cavazo: Bass
Mike Hansen: Drums 

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Talk In The Fast Lane welcomes the great Joel Hoekstra. One of today's outstanding guitarists, currently of WHITESNAKE, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and his solo project Joel Hoekstra's 13, joins me to discuss the new Joel Hoekstra's 13 Album "Crash Of Life" which drops on June 16th, writing with David Coverdale, working with Night Ranger, playing live with Cher and working with new vocalist Girish Pradhan.

New York guitarist Joel Hoekstra currently plays for Whitesnake and Trans Siberian Orchestra. Joel is also well-known for his work with: Cher, Night Ranger, the Broadway show Rock of Ages, his fill in work with Foreigner, annual sets on the Monsters of Rock Cruise, recording projects like Iconic, VHF and his acoustic shows with Brandon Gibbs. He is also a frequent columnist for Guitar World Magazine. In recent years Joel released the critically acclaimed albums Dying to Live and Running Games from his side project Joel Hoekstra's 13! He has also released 3 instrumental solo albums that YOU should own!

Joel has been able to perform/play/record with the following:

ARTISTS/MUSICANS (LIVE & RECORDING):

Whitesnake

Trans Siberian Orchestra

Cher 

Night Ranger

Broadway’s Rock of Ages Band  

Foreigner

The Turtles                                                                                                    

Big Brother and the Holding Company                                                    

Jeff Scott Soto

Scrap Metal 

Jim Peterik (Ides of March, Survivor)

Gunnar and Matthew Nelson (Nelson)

Michael Sweet (Stryper)

Brandon Gibbs

Dee Snider

Mickey Thomas (Starship)

Don Barnes (38 Special) 

Amy Lee (Evanescence)

Eric Martin (Mr Big)

Kip Winger

Joan Jett

Rik Emmett (Triumph) 

Sammy Hagar

Vince Neil

Bret Michaels

Tommy Shaw (Styx)

Robin Zander (Cheap Trick)

Derek St. Holmes

John Waite

Alan Parsons                                                  

Emily Saliers (Indigo Girls)                                                                        

Beth Hart 

Jimi Jamison (Survivor)

Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple)

Donnie & Johnny Van Zant 

Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon)

Stephen Pearcy (RATT)

Mike Reno (Lov

The founder, song-writer and bassist of Danger Danger and the Defiants, Bruno Ravel joins Talk In The Fast Lane to discuss the new Defiants album "Drive," the formation of Danger Danger, writing the classic albums, the Westworld project with Tony Harnell (TNT) and Mark Reale (Riot) and much more.

Bruno Ravel is best known for playing in the band Danger Danger in which he is the main composer.

Before Danger Danger, Ravel was in the band Hotshot, along with original Danger Danger lead vocalist Mike Pont and Danger Danger drummer Steve West. Ravel originally played with White Lion but was frustrated by a lack of compositional input.

In Danger Danger, Ravel started out as a bassist, but after the departure of guitarist Andy Timmons, he also played guitar for a while. Guitarist Rob Marcello has since taken up the guitar spot in Danger Danger.

Ravel guested as a backing vocalist on Warrant's Cherry Pie album.

He also guested on TNT's All the Way to the Sun and My Religion. In 1998, Ravel played in the 1998 tour with German singer Nena. One show from the tour is available on CD, Nena Live (Polydor).

Ravel had a side band, Westworld which released four albums between 1998 and 2002.

The Defiants have announced their return with a new album, their third overall, "Drive"! Formed by Paul Laine, Bruno Ravel, and Rob Marcello, who are all current or former members of popular hard rockers Danger Danger, The Defiants latest opus is yet another impeccable slice of melodic hard rock.

Best known for being the D2 vocalist on four studio albums over the course of 12 years, Paul Laine came back to work with his former bandmates Bruno Ravel and Rob Marcello, who are the other two pillars of The DEFIANTS, for the band’s self-titled debut album in 2015. The guys reunited at the suggestion of Frontiers' President & Head of A&R, Serafino Perugino, who really wanted these current and former Danger Danger members to offer fans of that band some new music. The resulting album was pleasing not only to the D2 fans, but also to ALL the fans out there who are into the classic sound of the era from which D2 emerged.

The Defiants debut album was greeted with a great acclaim as a glorious return to the “in your face” melodic hard rock that enraptured millions of fans back in the '80s and '90s and is currently enjoying a renaissance here in the 21st century, so a follow-up album was a no-brainer. That second album, “Zokusho”, a Japanese word meaning "the sequel” or "the next chapter”, was released to critical acclaim in 2019. As a special treat on that album, Danger Danger drummer Steve West was a special guest on drums. Needless to say, "Zokusho" had all the ingredients to thrill both D2 and The Defiants fans. A BIG melodic rock album with big choruses, hooks and soaring guitars and vocals.

Now, after another four year wait between albums, The Defiants return with "Drive", perhaps their greatest musical achievement...so far.

In a classic interview from 2017, Warrant guitarist Joey Allen joins Talk In The Fast Lane to discuss Jani Lane's Songwriting, the formation of Warrant and much more.

Allen played in approximately 20 bands before joining Warrant. He endorses GMP guitars, Hughes and Kettner amplifiers and Dean Markley strings. In an interview, his bandmate and co-guitarist from Warrant Erik Turner states that "Joey is more of a technical player than me. I never really took a lot of lessons or studied. I just learned by jamming with different people, picking up stuff off records, or watching people play live. Joey is a true lead guitarist, and I'm a rhythm guitarist at heart who plays a little bit of lead."

Allen met guitarist Erik Turner in 1979 and they formed the band Knightmare II. Erik Turner says he left the band before the recording of Knightmare II's Death Do Us Part EP. Allen is however on that EP, credited as Joe Kagle.

Allen left the band to attend trade school, earning an associate degree in electronic engineering in 1985. In the meantime, Turner had formed Warrant. Allen joined the band in March 1987.

In 1994, Allen left the band and became a Microsoft Certified Professional and went to work for a software company. During this time, he also played in a band called Joey Allen Project. In an interview in 1999, Joey revealed that it was his decision to leave Warrant. He left as Warrant's style of music was losing popularity because of the Grunge movement and he did not want to go back to playing clubs. He rejoined Warrant in 2004 after ten years away from the band.

In This classic interview from 2017, Vocalist Extraordinaire Steve Grimmett (19 August 1959 – 15 August 2022) of Grim Reaper sits down for a chat with the Fast Lane. Steve discusses the infection in his foot that spread to the bones in his leg causing his leg to be partially amputated, the forming of Grim Reaper and the latest version of Grim Reaper.

Stephen Grimmett (19 August 1959 – 15 August 2022) was a British heavy metal vocalist, best known as the lead singer for Grim Reaper. Of Grim Reaper's numerous lineups over the band's existence Grimmett was the sole consistent member from 1982 to 1988, then 2006 until his death in 2022. Outside of Grim Reaper Grimmett has been associated with many other various metal-based acts/projects.

Grimmett began his career in the era of new wave of British heavy metal. His original band was the short-lived Medusa, before he became known as the lead vocalist for Grim Reaper. Grimmett later featured in Onslaught for a brief period, before forming Lionsheart and in more recent times, The Steve Grimmett Band and GrimmStine.

Grim Reaper achieved major success worldwide with three highly acclaimed studio albums along with single releases and MTV airplay. After Grim Reaper came a brief spell with Onslaught, with a debut single that charted in the UK. The Steve Grimmett Band is a more recent project, with Grimmett backed by Ian Nash, Chaz Grimaldi and Pete Newdeck. This band has continued to gig as Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper with a lineup now featuring Mark Rumble on drums.

Grimmett had just come back from the US promoting his international band GrimmStine which included Grimmett on vocals, Steve Stine on guitar, Hat on bass and Dave Johnson on drums. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2008.

Grimmett recorded a music video in conjunction with a commercial for Garmin that aired during the 2007 Super Bowl XLI.

In January 2017, Grimmett was hospitalized in Ecuador due to an aggressive infection on his right leg below the knee, where it was amputated in the process. He remained stationed in the medical facility until being released in February. In April, he began to walk again with a prosthetic metal leg attached. On 14 July, Grimmett performed on stage for the first time since his operation in a wheelchair at Bang Your Head!!!. - Wikipedia

In This classic interview from 2017, Guitarist Jon Levin sits down for a chat with the Fast Lane. The talented, guitar master discusses how he got started in Warlock, Playing in Dokken and becoming an Entertainment Attorney. 

Jon Levin was involved with music very early on in life. He began playing piano at age four, trumpet by age seven, and guitar at age nine. Instead of having formal lessons, Levin played along to his favorite musicians including Randy Rhoads, Eric Clapton and later George Lynch from Dokken, whose place Levin would eventually take. He played in a club band called Devias at age 19 in the Long Island, New York area, and then auditioned for and joined German band Warlock at age 22. When the grunge scene took over in the early 1990s, Levin took a break from being a musician because he wasn't interested in that type of music. Levin relocated to the West Coast and became an entertainment lawyer. In his capacity as an entertainment lawyer, Jon has served as legal counsel, working with Jim Paidas, of Paidas Management, on a myriad of licensing programs; some of which include Orange County Choppers, Dog the Bounty Hunter, American Hot Rod, and Rockstalgia.

Dokken

In 1998, Levin was asked by Jeff Pilson, Dokken's bassist, to play some solos on a demo. He anticipated playing on a solo album for Pilson, but when he arrived at the studio, all of Dokken was present. Levin played on a Dokken track called "Dancin' (The Irish Song)" which originally was to be included on the Erase the Slate album but instead was later included on the Long Way Home import. However, Levin did not join the group until late 2003. - Via Wikipedia