......................................THE BAND AND RECORD OF THE MONTH
Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - Logo
. FEBRUARY 2012
Comments:
We started 2012 with a collection of amazing new bands and wonderful new musical projects, "Airs - A Rock Opera" is one of these important musical pojects released from the beginning of 2012 and, naturally, will be considered as one of the best albuns from this year. Airs Project is led by two musicians monsters already known of the progressive rock community, Steve Brockmann is the main magician of all arranegements, the holder of the guitar and keyboards also the main producer of this project, he is a multi- instrumentalist who has played an active role in Northern Germany’s scenery, since the early 1980s, together with George Andrade, which, is the responsible by the lyrics, where both are a perfect combination, between the music and the lyrics, and become musically something that is absolutely gorgeous, something like a majestic project, where all musical elements work to a vibrant and emotional journey to the realm of Progressive Rock world. Airs project takes its origin from the idea of creating something exciting and really original in the actual musical scene. The main musicians on this project, had a hard research, creating a special combination of musical elements rarely found in existing projects, bringing together complexity of multiple instrumental and vocals lines, specially combined, which involves us around a trip into many musical genres, blending unlimited orchestral possibilities, combining musical styles such as Symphonic Progressive Rock, Heavy Metal, Melodic Metal, Hard Rock, Classic Rock and Progressive Metal, into a modern experimentation, using diverse ways of amazing arrangements. One of the main points in this production was the correct choice of musicians featuring on this project, an amazing cast of participants including prominent musicians, in both the instrumental, also as the diversified vocals, very well interpreted by a set of singers, where each has a defined interpretation within the musical ensemble. This musical project is characterized by an elaborate harmonic texture, with diverse rhythmic evolutions, clear melodic lines and a liking for sudden instrumental alterations around the arrangements, which are many times symphonic and melodic, that rapidly changing to a more aggressive line of Heavy Metal and Prog Metal, which is remarkable by powerful drums, sometimes using aggressive vocals, led by amazing guitars solos creating an overwhelming musical dimension. Each member on the band and the cast, contributed with their diverse musical influences and styles adding original ideas to elements derived from Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, Classical Rock, Melodic Hard Rock and some touchs of Progressive Metal. If you admire an energetic and creative music that catches your attention, surely "AIRS - A Rock Opera" is your best choice, where really can be considered as an attractive album for any Progressive Rock enthusiast. I have to say, congratulations guys, to this amazing album with an impecable production. Musically the sound on this album leans heavily on the influences of rock from seventies/eighties, but with some hints of Rock from nineties, listen carefully and you will find musical smells from "Black Sabbath", "Pink Floyd", "Yes", "Uriah Heep", "Saga", "Styx", "Queensryche", "Iron Maiden" and so on. "Airs - A Rock Opera" is an amazing album for any fan of Progressive Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Metal, Heavy Metal, Prog Metal or for any fans of catchy music in general. Brilliant and fantastic, highly recommendable...

The line-up on AIRS - A Rock Opera's album are:
Steve Brockmann - Guitars, Bass and all Keyboards
Jochen Ohl - Drums on all Tracks But "Grounded Ii
Phil Robertson - Drums on "Grounded II"
Dave Meros - Bass on "Annabelle" and "Flight II"
Christoph Brockmann - Bass on "The Great Salt Pond"
Alan Morse - Guitar Effects and solos to "Flight II

With:
George Andrade - Provides Spoken Words for Owen 
Seann Jackson - Provides Spoken Words for Craig 
Leigh Andrade - Provides Spoken Words for Rachel 
Nicolette Collard-Andrade - Provides Spoken Words for Annabelle 
Tony Kost - Provides Spoken Words for Coleman Burke

The Vocal Cast on the album:
Paul Adrian Villarreal ("Sun Caged") as Owen 
Gordon Tittsworth ("Images Of Eden", "Dread The Forsaken") as Derrick, Owen & The Narrator 
Tilman Eckelt ("Grailknights")
as Owen 
Cornelius Kappabani as Owen, Derrick & The Islanders 
Jan Hoving ("Stonefly", "A. Vandenburg") as Owen
Floor Kraaijvanger ("Superfloor", "Floored") as Annabelle & The Narrator 
Antila Thomsen as Hannah

AIRS

January 30, 2012 – Steve Brockmann (“Expected Errors”) and George Andrade (The Anabasis) to release “AIRS – A ROCK OPERA”, Featuring Guest Appearances by Paul Adrian Villarreal (Sun Caged), Gordon Tittsworth (Images of Eden), Dave Meros and Alan Morse (Spock’s Beard) on Fencesound Music.

Airs – A Rock Opera” is packed with 74 minutes of exciting and emotional music that runs the gamut of rock, metal, blues, pop, gospel and even cinematic score in a classic rock opera style and comes with a beautifully designed, 24 page lyric book illustrating an engaging narrative story.

Steve Brockmann, music composer, arranger and producer, is a multi-instrumentalist who has played an active role in Northern Germany’s music scene since the early 1980s. Amongst others, he has played support gigs for such rock legends as Uriah Heep, Moody Marsden Band, and Hawkwind. Steve currently concentrates his musical work on various projects in his personal studio. Steve’s releases include “Don’t Sing” (2001), “Broskro Skrobro” (2002), “Expected Errors” (2007) and the upcoming “Pools Under Ganymede”. 

George Andrade, story, lyrics and narratives, is the lyricist and Executive Producer for the progressive metal band The Anabasis (10T Records). He has written adult and children’s fiction, provides critical readings for screenplays, reviews novels for HorrorNews.net and is a freelance editor. He is listed in the Locus Magazine author index and has been an artist-in-residence for Very Special Arts Rhode Island.  He also wrote, produced and directed the short film “Supports’ which won RI Cable Award for “Best Entertainment/Variety”.

Airs – A Rock Opera” by Brockmann/Andrade is available for immediate pre-order through the official “AIRS” website or at Fencesound Music.  All orders received by February 19 will be entered into a random drawing for a chance to receive one of fifteen 8.5x11 signed glossy prints of the AIRS logo and kite detail from the album cover design of Matt Willett and will be shipped in time to be received as close to the release date as possible. Also available at your favorite online, digital download, or retail outlet on 2/29/12. 

Teaser trailers from “Airs – A Rock Opera” are now available to preview on the Fencesound Music YouTube Channel. Additional trailers and the release of a single “Annabelle” are soon to follow. Further promotional support provided by month long radio campaign culminating with World Premiere Event on AiiRadio, February 28, 2012.

THE COMPOSERS

GEORGE ANDRADE
George Andrade, story, lyrics and narratives, is the lyricist and Executive Producer for the progressive metal band The Anabasis (10T Records). 
He has written adult and children’s fiction, reviewed albums for such progressive bands as Mars Hollow, Shadow Circus and Relocator, reviews novels for HorrorNews.net, provides critical readings for screenplays and is a freelance editor. George is listed in the Locus Magazine author index and has been an artist-in-residence for Very Special Arts Rhode Island where he taught screenwriting at Dorcas Place in Providence. He also wrote, produced and directed the short film “Supports" for Vision Cable in Pawtucket, RI, which won a RI Cable Award for “Best Entertainment/Variety” in 1992.
George recently managed the Children's, Teen, Family & Childcare and Education Department at Barnes & Noble in Middletown, RI.
STEVE BROCKMANN
Steve Brockmann, music composer, arranger and producer, is a multi-instrumentalist who has played an active role in Northern Germany’s music scene since the early 1980s. Amongst others, he has played support gigs for such rock legends as Uriah Heep, Moody Marsden Band, and Hawkwind. Steve currently concentrates his musical work on various projects in his personal studio. Steve’s releases include “Don’t Sing” (2001), “Broskro Skrobro” (2002), and “Expected Errors” (2007). Steve has also composed and contributed charity singles for The Haiti Projekt, a collaborative album of 40 musicians and bands including Neal Morse, Roine Stolt, Dave Meros and IZZ ("For You", 2010), and for Förderkreis für krebskranke Kinder und Jugendliche. e.V., a center for young children and teens living with cancer in Northern Germany ("For Those Who Left, For Those Who Came (Christmas Eve)", 2011).

THE BAND

Steve Brockmann
Steve Brockmann, music composer, arranger and producer, is a multi-instrumentalist who has played an active role in Northern Germany’s music scene since the early 1980s. Amongst others, he has played support gigs for such rock legends as Uriah Heep, Moody Marsden Band, and Hawkwind. Steve currently concentrates his musical work on various projects in his personal studio. Steve’s releases include “Don’t Sing” (2001), “Broskro Skrobro” (2002), and “Expected Errors” (2007). Steve has also composed and contributed charity singles for The Haiti Projekt, a collaborative album of 40 musicians and bands including Neal Morse, Roine Stolt, Dave Meros and IZZ ("For You", 2010), and for Förderkreis für krebskranke Kinder und Jugendliche. e.V., a center for young children and teens living with cancer in Northern Germany ("For Those Who Left, For Those Who Came (Christmas Eve)", 2011).

Jochen Ohl
Jochen Ohl played drums on all the songs except for “Grounded II”. Jo (Jochen) Ohl from Wittbek, Nordfriesland, Germany, started playing gigs behind the drum kit at the age of 15.  He later played drums for such well known northern German bands as "Full House" and "Wolfen" (with guitar player Micky Wolf). Jo was a friend of a friend of Steve’s and now also plays in a band with his brother “Luppi” - North Band - also available from Fencesound Music. Jo is known for his "merciless" punch.

Dave Meros
Dave Meros plays bass on the songs “Annabelle” and “Flight II”. Dave is best known as the bass player for the critically acclaimed progressive rock band Spock's Beard. He has also played with such artists as Gary Myrick, Bobby Kimball of Toto, Simon Phillips, Steve Lukather, Michael Landau, Glenn Hughes, Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere and the Raiders, Big Big Train, and has the dubious honor of having played for Eric Burdon and The Animals for more consecutive years than any other human (15 years 10 months).  He was also tour manager for many of those years with The Animals and has worked as a tour manager for other artists as well.  As a bassist, Meros' musical influences are varied, including Paul McCartney, John Entwistle, Chris Squire, James Jamerson, Marcus Miller, Francis "Rocco" Prestia of Tower of Power, Chuck Rainey and David Hungate. Some musical highlights: • Dave began studying classical piano at age 9, five years formal training. • Studied French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, and Tuba between the ages of 13–18. Received the Bank of America award for musical achievement, 1974.  Received the John Phillip Souza Band Award, 1974.  Played in the Reno Jazz Festival All-Star Band, 1974. • Played bass trombone and tuba in the U.C. Berkeley Jazz Ensemble, 1974–1977. • Began playing electric bass in 1976 while at U.C. Berkeley. Played professionally since 1978.  Relocated to Los Angeles early 1985. • Played bass and tour managed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Eric Burdon and The Animals from January 1990 through November 2005, and toured very extensively worldwide with various bands since the late '80s. Dave's main creative venture since 1994 has been recording and touring with Spock's Beard, which to date has released nine full-length studio CDs plus a number of live CDs and EPs, videos, DVDs, and rarities collections. Their tenth studio album, "X", was release in May 2010 and another live album, “The X Tour LIVE”, is scheduled for release on February 13th, 2012.

Alan Morse
Alan Morse provided guitar effects and solos for the finale “Flight II”. Alan is best known as the guitarist and co-founder, along with his brother recording artist Neal Morse, for the critically acclaimed progressive rock band Spock's Beard.  He is married to Kathryn Morse (Owner/CEO of Heirloom Wooden Toys) and has two children, Julia and John. Alan has recorded with many artists including Chad & Jeremy, Spencer Davis, Neal Morse, and Ryo Okumoto (Spock's Beard keyboardist). Along with the guitar, he sings and plays the Theremin, the cello, musical saw, keyboards, drums, bass & bouzouki.  Unusual for a rock guitar player, Morse does not use a pick.  His first solo album, “Four O'Clock & Hysteria”, was released on April 24, 2007 on InsideOut Music. Spock's Beard has released nine full-length studio CDs plus a number of live CDs and EPs, videos, DVDs, and rarities collections. Their tenth studio album, "X", was release in May 2010 and another live album, “The X Tour LIVE”, is scheduled for release on February 13th, 2012. Alan came up with the name for the band after a particularly wild party where he remarked to his brother, "It's almost as if we were in an alternate universe, like that one episode of Star Trek where Spock had a beard. Wouldn't that be a cool name for a band?  Spock's Beard?"  Then, when it came time to choose a name for the band, Alan made a list of over 100 names and threw “Spock's Beard” in on the end as a joke … and the band chose it.

Christoph Luppi Brockmann
Christoph Brockmann plays bass on the song “The Great Salt Pond”. Christoph "Luppi" Brockmann from Bredstedt, Northern Germany, began playing bass when he was 16 years old. He had played some piano and guitar but when the band of his older brother, Steve Brockmann, needed a bass player he conveniently changed the instrument! A list of bands that Christoph has played with throughout the years include: 1984-1986 – “Level B”, 1987 – “Woozy Wizard”, 1989- “TCS”, 1990-1992 – “Seven Sisters”, 1993-1995 – “Heartland (D)”, 1996-1997 - "Electric Fence", 1998-2000 – “Eve's Droppers”, 2004-2005 – “Steve Brockmann and the Burning Bunch”, 2005 – present – "The North Band". Christoph’s influences on bass are Steve Harris, Dave Meros, Marcus Miller and Pino Palladino. Some of his favorite bands are “Spock's Beard”, “Dream Theater”, “Porcupine Tree” and “The Beatles”.
 

Phil Robertson 
Phil Robertson plays the drums on the song “Grounded II”. Phil has been playing in studios for 24 years, the last 10 or so as a first call session player and online studio drummer.  He has performed on many albums for Warner, Polygram, Electra, EMI, Atlantic, Sparrow, Reunion and Word records as well as 1 of 3 drummers on the 2010 Winter Olympics music and countless jingles and soundtracks. He performed on 3 multimillion selling NBA games for Electronic Arts and the now world famous Humble Brothers remix team with their intense soundtracks as well as Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2, Motor City USA and The Simpson’s Road Rage. He also played on the NBA promotional video starring Montell Jordan that went around the world in 2003, as well as tracking for Holly McNarland, Shari Ulrich, top Hong Kong star Eason Chan, Serena Ryder, Juno Award winning tracks for Brian Doerksen and 2 albums for young guitar virtuoso and sensation Hedra Ramos of Guatemala. Phil has worked with producer/engineers such as Michael Bienhorn (Chili Peppers), Chad Kreoger of Nickelback, county music hit writer Brett James, Bob Rock (Metallica, Motley Crue), Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Aerosmith), Dave Pierce (composer and producer for the 2010 Olympics, Broadway and the Calgary Stampede), Michel Fadel (Nader Guirat), Rhys Fulber (Delirium, Fear Factory), Hedras Ramos Sr. (Hedras Ramos, Jr.), Gred Reely (Sarah McLachlan, Delirium), Rolf Hennemann (Heart, Al Stewart), Bill Henderson (Chilliwack), Dave Slagter (Klaatu, Rush), Pat Glover (BTO, Paul Rogers) along with many others. In a live setting he’s backed American music legend Ray Charles on live television, along with Bryan Adams, Nelly Furtado, Sara McLachlan, K.D. Lang, Nikki Yanofsky and Garou before a live television audience of 3 billion people as part of the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.  2011 also saw Phil recording tracks for the closing ceremonies of the Arab Games. In other live work, Phil has played with the David Foster Band, Roger Hodgson of Supertramp, Burton Cummings, The Canadian Tenors, Michael Buble, Paul Janz and Hong Kong’s Anthony Lun. He was a founding member of the Juno award winning recording act Idle Eyes who toured with Bryan Adams, Toto, Tears For Fears, Tom Cochrane and Red Rider and Human League. Phil was also the drummer and anchor for the 40 piece “Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show” showband from 2004 to 2008 which played to 22,000 people per night as well as Gemni Awards. As a writer, Phil has songs published in New York, Hong Kong and Nashville. He has written, recorded and produced music for film and television, and a variety of up-and-coming Canadian artists.  He also recorded, produced and co-wrote the widely acclaimed guitar instrumental album REZ featuring Scotty Hall, which received great press and rave reviews in 2007.

New Release

"AIRS - A Rock Opera"

1. Now I Know
....I. Fateful Days
.......(Part One)
....II. Grounded
........(Part One)
....III. Kites (Part One)
....IV. Flight (Part One)
2. Current Events
....I. Winds of Change
....II. Heirs
3. Book of Airs
4. The Flyer
....I. Annabelle
....II. Fateful Days
....... (Part Two)
....III. Hannah
5. Airs
....I. Kites (Part Two)
....II. Grounded
........(Part Two)
....III. Flight (Part Two)
....IV. Owen

AIRS - A Rock Opera Including 74 minutes with 18 tracks in the 70s/80s Prog Rock and Metal styles, together in an amazing and incredible story. The music was writen by Steve Brockmann, who produced the album. The story texts are from George Andrade ("The Anabasis"). Including a 24 page booklet.

Well, to get in contact and any other information about the "AIRS - A Rock Opera" and musician, or, if you want to order an album, you must visit and contact AIRS website.
 

For more information and every thing about the musician, please visit AIRS HOME PAGEN
 
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