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Power Tracks

Bruce Springsteen – We Take Care Of Our Own

The Boss is set to release his 17th studio album on Mar. 6th. “Wrecking Ball” will be the first music of the post Clarence Clemmons era. The Big Man left us in June of last year following a stroke and left a huge hole in the E Street Band's lineup. Somebody will have to fill those larger than life shoes when the band embarks on a lengthy tour of Europe and the US later this year. No surprise with all the turmoil in the world that Springsteen's new songs delve deeply into the social malaise plaguing us. While Bruce is, as always, very Ameri-centric in his writing, most everybody will be able to relate to titles like “Rocky Ground” “This Depression” and the lead off single “We Take Care Of Our Own”. Long-time Springsteen manager Jon Landau says, “Bruce has dug down as deep as he can to come up with this vision of modern life. The lyrics tell a story you can't hear anywhere else, and the music is his most innovative in recent years.”

Theory Of A Deadman – Hurricane

Tyler Connolly teams up with songwriter and one time American Idol judge Kara DioGuardia to pen this lush song featured on the Vancouver bands 4th CD “The Truth Is...”. The platinum selling act stirs up a storm of emotions with rich orchestration and a massive chorus. Check out the companion video … HOT!

Coldplay – Charlie Brown

Originally called Pectoralz when formed in 1996, they later changed names to Starfish before settling on a final lineup and the Coldplay moniker in '98. The group released 3 EP's before striking it big in 2000 with the song Yellow from their first full-length album “Parachutes”. Now 3 singles deep into their 5th CD “Mylo Xyloto”, the band continues to chart well with an album of material they feel falls into an industrial rock vein. Vocalist Chris Martin describes the recording as being “about love, addiction, OCD, escape and working for someone you don't like”.

Jane's Addiction – Underground

Formed in Los Angeles in 1985, Jane's Addiction were in the vanguard of alternative rock in the early 90's. Their first "farewell tour" (they've had a couple) launched the Lollapalooza festival, as a result the band became icons of alternative rock, leading to reunions in '97, 2001 and 2008. After hiring Duff McKagen to play bass, TV On The Radio bassist Dave Sitek was hired as a new full-time member. Sitek had a major hand in the writing, recording and performance aspect of the new record, "The Great escape Artist", making him an integral part of the group going forward. The band starts their "Theatre Of The Escapists" tour in February, with plans to play many intimate shows in classic theatres. Perry Farrell says to "Expect an orgy of musical and visual delights. We like orgies, and hope you do too".

Van Halen – Tattoo

After much hype and anticipation, rock and roll hall of famers and one of the most influential band of all time, Van Halen have recorded and release new music. The new album “A Different Kind Of Truth” comes out Feb. 7th. While not quite a full reunion, (original bassist Michael Anthony remains on the outs) founding member David Lee Roth is back in the fold for the first full album of new material since the '84 album “1984”. While many lament the absence of Anthony, (long story, but he seems perfectly happy with fellow former Van Halen alum Sammy Hagar in Chickenfoot) others rejoice in the reteaming of Roth and the Van Halen brothers along with the second generation of Van Halen rockers, Eddie's son Wolfgang filling in on bass. Since their formation in 1974, and their first album in 1978, the group changed the rock landscape, displaying unparalleled stage presence, revolutionary musicianship and top notch songwriting over the course of 3-plus decades and as many vocalists. With over 75 million albums sold world wide, their upcoming tour beginning Feb. 18th could be one to shatter records.

Our Lady Peace - Heavyweight

Raine Maida and company are back with their 8th studioalbum since their inception in 1992. The group nearly broke up in 2005 following their 6th record, “Healthy In Paranoid Times”, but re-formed after a four year break for the 2009 disc “Burn Burn”. During the tour for “Burn Burn” the group performed their “Clumsy” and “Spiritual Machines” albums in their entirety, which seemed to invigorate the them. Raine Maida noted that the process of re-learning those songs “brought back all the great things about the band” and that fans should expect to see “a lot of stuff (from the pre-”Gravity” albums) creeping its way back into our music. The forthcoming disc marks the groups first effort for their new label Warner Music Canada. So far the working title for the CD is “Knives”.

Chickenfoot – Different Devil

The supergroup that is Chickenfoot got its start with Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith jamming at Sammy's Cabo Wabo club in Mexico. As people started asking when they were going to tour, the three decided if they were going to get serious they were going to need a serious guitarist. Enter Joe Satriani. Their first performance came in early 2008 and the chemistry was undeniable. So, into the studio they went with the result being “Chickenfoot” the album coming out in June 2009. Their second album “Chickenfoot III” was released this past September and the band has been touring to support the effort. Drummer Chad Smith has a conflict though, as his other band the Red Hot Chilli Peppers are also touring in support of a new disc. For dates thet Smith can't attend, legendary drummer Kenny Aranoff fills in. Aronoff has played with a stunning assortment of artists including John Mellencamp, Bob Seger, Elton John, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Meatloaf and the Smashing Pumpkins.

Before The Curtain – I Want It All

Adam Gontier, front man for Canada's Three Days Grace, is pleased to introduce the first signing to his new record label Sludge Factory Records, Peterborough, Ontario's Before The Curtain. Vocalist and songwriter Adam Haggarty comes from a pedigreed background. His father played guitar for Ronnie Hawkins, Michelle Wright and others. It was he that steered young Adam to pick up the guitar, and by age 15 he knew music was his calling. While living right here in Kelowna with his veterinarian wife Adam opened his own studio and kept at the writing, and through a series of fortuitous friends of friends contacts his music got to Adam Gontier, who was just setting up his new studio. Longtime friend and bass player Tommy Gardner helped put together the bands lineup and Haggarty moved back to Peterborough last Christmas. Rehersals started in January 2011 and by February they were opening for Apocalyptica. The new album, “Act One”, was recorded in Toronto. The first single was co-written by Haggarty and Gontier and has a definate 3DG feel.

Sheepdogs – Who?

The Saskatoon retro-rockers known as the Sheepdogs are living the rock and roll dream. They made the cover of Rolling Stone magazine thanks to incredible fan support, scored a top 5 hit with their first single, toured Canada in support of Kings Of Leon, made appearances on late night talk shows, performed at some of the most prestigious festivals including Bonaroo and signed with major label Atlantic Records. With their awsome 3-part harmonies and double lead guitars its no suprise they are one of the hottest acts on either side of the border right now. Before it was even released as a single radio was hungry for, and began playing this new track off their EP "Five Easy Pieces". With it's 70's inspired vibe, it has been received with great enthusiasm at live shows and should help the band continue its well deserved rise to stardom.

Big Wreck – Albatross

Despite being well known as a Canadian act, Big Wreck actually traces it's origins to Boston, where Berkley College of Music student Ian Thornley met future members of the band. After several years of gigging in Boston and Cambridge they signed to a major label and released "In Loving Memory Of..." in 1997. That album spawned the singles The Oaf, That Song and Blown wide Open. By 2002 the group had disbanded after a less than stellar second album. Ian Thornley went on to a succesful solo career, but in 2010 he reunited with guitarist Brian Doherty for a cross Canada tour and the two decided to resurect Big Wreck. Their first album since reunitng is called, "Albatross".