Spudman
January 12th, 2012, 11:58 AM
This sounds pretty exciting. Steve Morse, Mike Portnoy, Neal Morse, Dave LaRue, Casey McPherson
MASCOT LABEL GROUP ANNOUNCES MARCH 27 RELEASE DATE
FOR DEBUT FROM FLYING COLORS
Quintet Features Mike Portnoy, Dave LaRue, Neal Morse, Casey McPherson
and Steve Morse
New York --- Mascot Label Group has announced a March 27 release date
for the debut from Flying Colors (available the day prior overseas) on
their Music Theories Label. The formation of the ensemble began with a
simple idea: virtuoso musicians and a pop singer joining together to
make new-fashioned music the old fashioned way. Refreshing, classic,
old and new, the recordings are saturated with the many styles, tones
and hues of the players who in becoming a band have delivered a unique
fusion of vintage craftsmanship and contemporary music. Flying Colors
is Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals), Dave LaRue (bass), Neal Morse
(keyboards, vocals), Casey McPherson (lead vocals), and Steve Morse
(guitar). Portnoy shares, "This album has bits and pieces of what
you'd expect from each of us. However, the sum of all its parts led to
brand new, unchartered territory for all involved."
In 2008, executive producer Bill Evans brought the idea to the world
renowned musicians and producer Peter Collins. Intrigued by the idea,
and the prospect of working together, the four signed on to form a
band and record a first album. Steve Morse and Dave LaRue have
developed a magical music chemistry over the years, that began early
in their careers as partners in Dixie Dregs.
Morse subsequently became a member of Deep Purple in 1995, while LaRue's ongoing
musical adventures include Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess,
Steve Vai, and the aforementioned Portnoy. Multi-instrumentalist,
composer and singer Neal Morse is one of the leading figures in
progressive rock, who's significant notoriety follows his co-founding
of the seminal band, Spock's Beard in 1995, recordings as a solo
artist, and contributions to the super-group Transatlantic. Mike
Portnoy is one of the most popular and respected drummers in both
metal and rock, and an accomplished writer and producer. He is the
recipient of numerous industry accolades, including 26 Modern Drummer
awards, Revolver Magazine's Golden God award for "Best Drummer"
and Drum Magazine's "Drummer of the Year". He rose to prominence as
the leader, drummer, producer, and co-writer for metal/prog juggernaut
Dream Theater, before moving on in 2010. That same year, he worked on
Avenged Sevenfold's #1 album Nightmare and their subsequent tour.
And, it was Portnoy who recommended Alpha Rev's emotive singer Casey
McPherson as a contender to join Flying Colors.
McPherson, who's 2010 Hollywood/Disney album New Morning debuted in
the Top-5 on two Billboard charts, enjoyed major success at radio with
multiple hits. The track "New Morning" spent 17 weeks in the
Top-10 on Triple A Radio, and enjoyed a run on Vh1's Top-20
Countdown for months. Steve Morse offers, "Casey was a glorious find,
because he could make anything sound fantastic, and is a multitalented
like the others."
Flying Colors convened for just nine days in early 2011, and composed
and recorded this album during a short and intense session. Dave
LaRue recalls, "It was quite an experience - the band moved at a fast
pace, ideas flying around the room at all times. Sections of tunes
were arranged, then re-arranged, ideas were tried every which way
until we made them work, or, in some cases, discarded them altogether.
Just keeping track of everything was a challenge!" McPherson adds,
"This record is filled with trial and triumph. Raw and delicate songs
alike amidst the swirling and daring orchestration of Steve, Neal,
Mike and Dave. It's been such an inspiring challenge melding folk,
prog, pop, and metal all into one big recording."
Touring plans for Flying Colors will be announced in the coming
months.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsYw_nGwlOM
Back to
MASCOT LABEL GROUP ANNOUNCES MARCH 27 RELEASE DATE
FOR DEBUT FROM FLYING COLORS
Quintet Features Mike Portnoy, Dave LaRue, Neal Morse, Casey McPherson
and Steve Morse
New York --- Mascot Label Group has announced a March 27 release date
for the debut from Flying Colors (available the day prior overseas) on
their Music Theories Label. The formation of the ensemble began with a
simple idea: virtuoso musicians and a pop singer joining together to
make new-fashioned music the old fashioned way. Refreshing, classic,
old and new, the recordings are saturated with the many styles, tones
and hues of the players who in becoming a band have delivered a unique
fusion of vintage craftsmanship and contemporary music. Flying Colors
is Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals), Dave LaRue (bass), Neal Morse
(keyboards, vocals), Casey McPherson (lead vocals), and Steve Morse
(guitar). Portnoy shares, "This album has bits and pieces of what
you'd expect from each of us. However, the sum of all its parts led to
brand new, unchartered territory for all involved."
In 2008, executive producer Bill Evans brought the idea to the world
renowned musicians and producer Peter Collins. Intrigued by the idea,
and the prospect of working together, the four signed on to form a
band and record a first album. Steve Morse and Dave LaRue have
developed a magical music chemistry over the years, that began early
in their careers as partners in Dixie Dregs.
Morse subsequently became a member of Deep Purple in 1995, while LaRue's ongoing
musical adventures include Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess,
Steve Vai, and the aforementioned Portnoy. Multi-instrumentalist,
composer and singer Neal Morse is one of the leading figures in
progressive rock, who's significant notoriety follows his co-founding
of the seminal band, Spock's Beard in 1995, recordings as a solo
artist, and contributions to the super-group Transatlantic. Mike
Portnoy is one of the most popular and respected drummers in both
metal and rock, and an accomplished writer and producer. He is the
recipient of numerous industry accolades, including 26 Modern Drummer
awards, Revolver Magazine's Golden God award for "Best Drummer"
and Drum Magazine's "Drummer of the Year". He rose to prominence as
the leader, drummer, producer, and co-writer for metal/prog juggernaut
Dream Theater, before moving on in 2010. That same year, he worked on
Avenged Sevenfold's #1 album Nightmare and their subsequent tour.
And, it was Portnoy who recommended Alpha Rev's emotive singer Casey
McPherson as a contender to join Flying Colors.
McPherson, who's 2010 Hollywood/Disney album New Morning debuted in
the Top-5 on two Billboard charts, enjoyed major success at radio with
multiple hits. The track "New Morning" spent 17 weeks in the
Top-10 on Triple A Radio, and enjoyed a run on Vh1's Top-20
Countdown for months. Steve Morse offers, "Casey was a glorious find,
because he could make anything sound fantastic, and is a multitalented
like the others."
Flying Colors convened for just nine days in early 2011, and composed
and recorded this album during a short and intense session. Dave
LaRue recalls, "It was quite an experience - the band moved at a fast
pace, ideas flying around the room at all times. Sections of tunes
were arranged, then re-arranged, ideas were tried every which way
until we made them work, or, in some cases, discarded them altogether.
Just keeping track of everything was a challenge!" McPherson adds,
"This record is filled with trial and triumph. Raw and delicate songs
alike amidst the swirling and daring orchestration of Steve, Neal,
Mike and Dave. It's been such an inspiring challenge melding folk,
prog, pop, and metal all into one big recording."
Touring plans for Flying Colors will be announced in the coming
months.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsYw_nGwlOM
Back to