Yes....Your eyes are not deceiving you...FLYING COLORS 2019 TOUR DATES!!!
The good news: Flying Colors’ long awaited 3rd Studio Album “Third Degree” is being finished as we speak and currently set for a September release (a lot more info on that coming very soon!)
The bad news: Steve will be on tour with Deep Purple upon the album’s release...
But wait...there’s more good news: our fearless guitarist has offered himself on DP’s days off to be able to swing some FC shows in select cities throughout their US Tour!!! (Hurray Steve!! Thank you)
And guess what?? There’s even MORE good news: We are going to be able to swing 4 shows in Europe in December as well!! (We will likely be announcing those next week)
I've checked it out once for the most part. It's not bad, but I'd be lying if I said I was blown away by it. Needs more time I suppose. The Transatlantic comparison is still there, naturally with Neal Morse especially, it often sounds like a lot of his music. 8/20/14 6:15AM "Mask Machine" video. Not bad. Not as bad at least as some of the comments on some of the forums have given it. Does it sound like Muse? in spots, but so did parts of their debut album. Is it too long? not really just from hearing it initially.
also I never got around to sharing this.The 3 shows in the US Bend Sinister is the support act. I'd love to go, but the Chicago show for example, falls on Yom Kippur anyway. O well, I do hope naturally a lot of new people catch on to Bend Sinister from the exposure as it is cool Flying Colors (Portnoy) is having them share the bill on those 3 dates in the US at least.
OCTOBER 2014 TOUR 10/02 LOS ANGELES, CA JAMES ARMSTRONG THEATER 10/03 CHICAGO, IL ARACDA THEATER 10/04 PHILADELPHIA, PA KESWICK THEATER
10/07 BARCELONA, SPAIN RAZZMATAZZ 2
10/08 MILAN, ITALY MILAN LIVE CLUB
10/09 TILBURG, NETHERLANDS 013
10/11 FRANKFURT, GERMANY BATSCHKAPP
10/12 PRATTELN, SWITZERLAND Z7
10/13 LONDON, UK ISLINGTON ASSEMBLY HALL
10/14 PARIS, FRANCE ALHAMBRA
Special Guests for the US shows will be BEND SINISTER
Special Guests for Europe/UK will be JOHN WESLEY 7/28/14 10:50PM Preorder
Trailer:
Second Nature, the sophomore statement from Flying Colors is released via Mascot Label Group / Music Theories Recordings on September 29, 2014 in Europe and September 30, 2014 in the rest of the world. Sporting stunning artwork from the legendary designer Hugh Syme (Rush, Iron Maiden, Dream Theater) and bookended by two tracks of truly epic stature – Open Up Your Eyes and the multiple-part Cosmic Symphony – the album is every bit as breathtaking as the debut. Second Nature will be released on CD and 2LP (180 gram vinyl). The vinyl has a downloadcard, good for one MP3 download of the album. Both the CD and 2LP can be ordered with a specially designed t-shirt that's only available from MLG Merch. As always we will include a free poster with each order. But wait, that's not all! Each pre-order will include a free bonus DVD with behind the scenes footage, interviews and more, and we will send you MP3s of 2 bonus songs that are not available on the album**. **The bonus tracks are being prepared by the band. As soon as we receive them, we will send everybody who pre-ordered the album a link to get these bonus MP3s. Tracklisting: 1. Open Up Your Eyes 2. Mask Machine 3. Bombs Away 4. The Fury Of My Love 5. A Place In Your World 6. Lost Without You 7. One Lost Forever 8. Peaceful Harbor 9. Cosmic Symphony I. Still Life Of The World II. Searching For The Air III. Pound For Pound
Please note that this is a pre-order item. If you order this item together with an item that is already available, we will hold your order and ship all items around September 22. We recommend that you place a separate order if you wish to receive the released items sooner.
7/26/14 11:56AM
There is no PRESS RELEASE that I can find at the moment, but the linked website with this information is there, so I'm going with it.
Below is information already published on this Finnish? website/webstore showing the title, artwork, release date (September 26th, 2014) and track list for the sophomore LP from the prog rock "super group" of a sort featuring Mike Portnoy, Neal Morse, Steve Morse, Casey McPherson and Dave LaRue, whose Self Titled debut LP made somewhat of a big splash in 2012, at least among progressive rock fans.
Personally? I thought I was going to fall head over heals for that record back in 2012, and while I did enjoy it for the most part, I kind of enjoyed it enough, but also remained curious where this group could go in the future.
I love progressive rock when combined with well produced pop music, and I actually grew to like Casey McPherson as a singer in Alpha Rev after hearing this.
But the jury is out a bit with this band, I think they have the potential to make some amazing songs, so I certainly hold optimism for this. But do I expect this to fight for my favorite record this year? given their debut LP didn't really, I would be pleasantly surprised if it did. But, then again, those are the kind of surprises and albums I often appreciate even more with time (and even their older work after that experience).
One note: the title being "Second Nature" the Rush song comes to mind of course, but also the name of the band that would become Transatlantic, except would have featured Jim Matheos on guitar instead of Roine Stolt, back in 1999/2000. Matheos it turned out wanted-to but was too busy with Fates Warning (I recall reading many years ago) to be able to work on the music for that band/album so had to depart the project (and replaced by Stolt). And at least some of that experience found motivation for Jim to collaborate with Mike Portnoy again with OSI a few years later. Finnish Webstore Link
This is just a *ROUGH TRANSLATION FROM FINNISH TO ENGLISH*
Virtuoso prog / pop / rock band with (former) members of Deep Purple, Dream Theater, The Winery Dogs, Avenged Sevenfold, Dixie Dregs, Spock's Beard, Alpha Rev & the Trans-Atlantic Release date: 09.26.2014. Product will be shipped the release date. You can book with this product and pick it up from the nearest Record Shop X.. This is done by moving the product to shopping cart, and then checkout the order takeout trade. tracks
1 Open Up Your Eyes
2 Mask Machine
3 Bombs Away
4 The Fury Of My Love
5 A Place In Your World
6 Lost Without You
7 One Lost Forever
8 Peaceful Harbor
9 Cosmic Symphony
I. Still Life Of The World
II. Searching For The Air
III. Pound For Pound
Track Times
1 Blue Ocean 7:05
2 Shoulda Coulda Woulda 4:32
3 Kayla 5:20
4 The Storm 4:53
5 Forever in a Daze 3:56
6 Love Is What I’m Waiting For 3:36
7 Everything Changes 6:55
8 Better Than Walking Away 4:57
9 All Falls Down 3:22
10 Fool in My Heart 3:48
11 Infinite Fire 12:02
1/11/12 11:42AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 11, 2012
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.
To screen the Flying Colors EPK, click here: http://www.flyingcolorsmusic.com/video
For more information contact:
Steve Karas
SKH Music
917-420-0728
skaras@skhmusic.com
Pre-Order will be a Limited Edition Digipack CD!! Product will be shipped before release, so should be with you around releasedate.
Available on Ltd Edition Digipack, Double Vinyl and regular CD
1. Blue Ocean
2. Shoulda Coulda Woulda
3. Love Is What I’m Waiting For
4. The Storm
5. Kayla
6. Forever In A Daze
7. Everything Changes
8. Better Than Walking
9. All Falls Down
10. Fool In My Heart
11. Infinite Fire
well there it is. The tour dates I'll have to keep an eye out for. I will definitely think about that Double Vinyl, although like any single or double Vinyl in this case, it seems pretty much higher than I feel is worth spending €25,00 (or $31.73) then add tax+ shipping, that's likely close to $40 for a band/album I've never heard.
Although I haven't seen that clip yet since I'm at work. But that dollar figure is why I may hold off a bit until hearing more.
• For all those who have been asking: Flying Colors info is coming TOMORROW!! Stay tuned... #MPin2012
maybe a new song or some samples will be included in this announcement coming tomorrow. Either way, it'll be nice to finally get more details about it.
11/9/11 12:17AM
So I was quoted by Portnoy himself on his forum earlier
angra1
I wonder if naming the band Morse Code would be too easy/obvious?
We kicked that name around for a minute and Steve told us he tried to use that name years ago and couldn't because somebody already used or trademarked it...
I can confirm (as Brauer already spilled the beans) that the band name is indeed Flying Colors...
More info coming very soon!
MP
Flying Colors? weird, my cousin's violin/harpsichord/+other instruments baroque project has a similar name in "Flying Forms."
I guess I'll have to mention the similarity to him, even though he nor his wife have ever heard any music from Mike or anyone else involved with this project.
At any case, it's good to finally start to get more pieces to this puzzle after nearly a year.
This MMPLM aka Flying Colors project's 1st album is due in March from what Mike posted a few days ago. And just this evening he posted on twitter:
MP listening to the playback of The Storm by Portnoy, Morse, Morse, LaRue & MacPherson - Electric Ladyland Studios NYC.
So maybe a song is titled "The Storm" or the album is? one or the other (or both?)
I should add a lot more in this blog as the information continues. All I really need to know is a couple of comparisons (made by Portnoy mind you) this project received earlier this year were U2 and especially Jellyfish and Kevin Gilbert in style.
-House of Fools upcoming 2nd LP Versus the Beast is finally mixed and mastered. How it's released, and of course WHEN still remains to be announced. If I had to guess, they'll Self-release it, and it'll come out no later than March, but possibly as early as January.
-The Steve Morse/Neal Morse/Mike Portnoy/Dave LaRue/Casey McPherson collaboration album is being mixed in NYC right now by Michael Brauer and as Portnoy announced, is expected to be released in March. The title of the album or even the band's name is still un-announced. Morse Code?
-I dug White Denim on Saturday, so much so I bought their new album on Vinyl rather blindly.
-Along with them, and The Dear Hunter's performance, I think if I can find the time today or this week, I'll try and write some things I got to chat with people there, including members of The Dear Hunter. Rob Parr specifically.
-1 note I can add right now about that is I did get to ask Casey Crescenzo about what he knows of The River Empires and their 2nd album. And what he said kinda stuck in my head and while I wasn't totally surprised, still disappointed. Pretty much involving TRE's questionable future. Jessy I guess is not as focused on recording music for it right now, and possibly other things like actual cinema soundtrack work, etc. But I am taking this with a grain of salt, given Casey is not the #1 source behind the band. At the same time having been through this with other bands so often, I am trying to accept their may never be another The River Empires album, or it could be a long time for now. But until Jessy announces something more official, that's just speculation.
-The Neverending White Lights album that is released tomorrow, November 8th, is going to run $10.19 just in shipping costs from Canada, lol. I'm scratching my head about that a bit, especially for a compact disc. If it was Vinyl, I'd totally understand. But I may hold on my hard-copy purchase for a little bit for that reason.
The albums of the year crunch time is now happening. I probably will post a few reports as I am able to make progress with it.
Steve Morse is interviewed and talks about it at 7:16 into this video.
just saw this and another interview that mentions it. Not a bad alternative for Mike. As long as it's not Christian, I'm pretty intrigued. Also a good change for Steve Morse since Deep Purple has been more or less a cash-call for him for how long?
