CalProg Presents...
|
|
Live at The Armstrong
Theater Tickets ONLY Available at CalProg.Com New Album Video New Video Single Official Website
with special guests Bend Sinister |
The concept of a “super group” has been around a long time. The idea
is to create a band featuring artists who have made names for themselves
as members of other
projects. Some of them are great, while others are… not so much. But
rarely is the potential realized as fully as it is with “Flying
Colors”. This is a band that really is GREATER than the sum of its
parts and that’s saying a lot when names like Spock’s Beard, Dream
Theater, Transatlantic, Dixie Dregs, Deep Purple and even Disney are in
the pedigree.
The
self-titled debut album “Flying Colors” has had far reaching impact
in the rock music world. Debuting in the Billboard Top 25, this record
has gotten rave reviews both in and out of the prog community. While you
can occasionally hear the distinct contributions of its members, theirs
is a sound very unique and refreshing. It’s melodic and song oriented
yet complex and satisfying. But how do you DESCRIBE good music? If you
haven’t heard it yet, I urge you to have a listen to the audio
sample right now and if you like what you hear, go get the CD!
Due
to our close association with Mike Portnoy and Neal Morse, CalProg
played host to the very first Flying
Colors live show in 2012. And
again they have chosen to rehearse for the tour with us and we will be
the first show of the tour.
ABOUT THE PRICE I know this price is higher than most of our shows, but there are many costs associated with this production including travel from New York, Florida and Nashville, a new more expensive venue, and a bunch of famous dudes! I am sensitive to that in this hard economy. When I ran the numbers I was faced with the choice of passing on the opportunity, or charging this much in hopes that the CalProg audience would support it for the chance to see this rare appearance. Just be assured that our primary objectives are quality and survival. No one is getting rich here!
JIm
"PapaJ" Harrel |
New York --- Mascot Label Group - 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, uncharted 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."
www.flyingcolorsmusic.com
www.facebook.com/flyingcolorsofficial
http://twitter.com/flyingcolors
www.musictheoriesrecordings.com