Eric Martin

NEWS: Mr. Big reunion press release

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Finally confirming the rumors that have been circulating the internet for weeks, all four original members of the popular 90’s rock supergroup, Mr. Big, are taking to the stage together for the first time in 13 years for a reunion tour of Japan.
The Japanese run will bring back the magic of the original chart-busting foursome: vocalist / frontman Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, guitar, Billy Sheehan, bass, and Pat Torpey, drums.

The tour takes off in Sapporo on June 5 and culminates June 20 in Tokyo with a feature concert at Budokan the famous Japanese venue known for its rich history of legendary performances by rock’s elite. The band will record a live CD / DVD during the Budokan show that will also mark the band’s 20 year anniversary!

Formed in 1988, Mr. Big forged its place in hard rock history combining trademark “shredding” mucicianship with awesome vocal harmonies and signed a record deal in 1989 with Atlantic Records. The self-titled album. Mr. Big, received critical and commercial success in the US and Japan but it was the band’s second album, Lean Into It, that provided the major breakthrough. Lean Into It, featured two ballads that established the band as a commercial success, To Be With You and Just Take My Heart, propelling the band the band to huge international success and record sales in the multi-millions.

Gilbert left the band in 1996 to pursue a solo career and the original members had not shared a stage together until late 2008 at Gilbert solo show at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. Paul was joined onstage by Sheehan and Torpey to perform a couple of covers songs and the three had such a good time together, they contacted Martin a few days later and the reunion was put into motion.

While no concert dates beyond Japan have been announced as yet, the band is looking at possible dates in Southeast Asia and America later in the year.

CLICK HERE to buy Billy Sheehan’s new album ‘Holy Cow’ from CDJapan.co.jp

NEWS: Billy Sheehan speaks about Mr. Big reunion

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Joe Bosso (one of my guitar journalism heroes) from MusicRadar recently spoke with Billy Sheehan about the Mr. Big reunion. 

Here are some excerpts.

“We got together last fall” says Sheehan. “It was just one of those things, the timing was right. We played a gig at the House Of Blues in LA and we smoked the joint. Afterwards, we all kind of looked at one another and were like, ‘OK, that was cool…Now what?”

“The way I look at it is, it’s like getting back with an old girlfriend,” says Sheehan. “But because you want to, not because you have to. All of us are doing fine in our solo careers. This is something that felt right, and after that one gig we were like, ‘We should do more of these. This was fun!'”

As for the animosity that tore the original lineup apart, Sheehan laughs and says, “You know what? I can’t honestly remember who was mad at who. That’s the great thing about getting older: you forget the bad times and remember the good times. And hopefully, this band will have a lot more of the latter.”

CLICK HERE to read the full interview.

CLICK HERE to buy Billy Sheehan’s new album ‘Holy Cow’ from CDJapan.co.jp



NEWS: Mr. Big 20th anniversary reunion!

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So I was just sitting around trying out my new iPhone, and I tested out the Google Reader. The very first heading I saw was Mr. Big Confirms 20th Anniversary Reunion, Plans To Tour Japan over at the Random Chatter Music blog.

Click the link for the full story, but here’s a little excerpt:

Feb. 1, 2009: It is the 20th anniversary of Mr. Big’s debut release (and also the 20th anniversary of Paul Gilbert’s first PGM signature guitar, the PGM 100). What better way to celebrate this then to re-form and then tour Japan, the beloved home-away-from-home of Mr. Big for many years? It will be exciting!

HMS interview, Jan. 31, 2009
Verbatim transcript follows:

“Hello listeners of Kosa Kai, Burrrn presents Heavy Metal Syndicate. Kosa Kai, who was there at the very beginning for Mr. Big, and we’re so happy to have a friend like him in Japan. And we’re very happy, and thankful, to have all of you, as our friends. So, Mr. Big’s coming back soon to play for you, we’re excited to see you all, Kosa Kai, domo arigato, for 20 great years, my brother. Take care, see ya soon, This is Billy Sheehan of Mr. Big, over and out.”

The article continues with similar statements from the other members of Mr Big.
I’m not sure how I feel about this. I love Mr. Big (there, I said it), but I really hope this will just be a one-off Japanese tour or something. I’d much rather hear Paul Gilbert and Billy Sheehan continue with their own music.

CLICK HERE to buy Paul Gilbert & Freddie Nelson’s ‘United States’ from CDJapan.co.jp

CLICK HERE to buy Billy Sheehan’s ‘Holy Cow’ from CDJapan.co.jp