Lots of fun in the BLAZE camp

[Spiff]

Interesting.

BLAZE, the British band led by former IRON MAIDEN/WOLFSBANE singer Blaze Bayley, have officially parted ways with guitarists John Slater and Steve Wray. John and Steve "are unable to do the tour dates for the rest of the year," BLAZE manager Neil Marklew writes in a posting on the group's web site. "As a result, they have both decided not to continue as full-time members of the BLAZE band."

In addition, BLAZE have parted company with session/touring musicians Dave Knight (drums) and Wayne Banks (bass), who "are unable to do the rest of the tour dates this year due to other projects," according to Marklew.

Joining Bayley in the group's new touring lineup are bassist Nick Douglas (DORO), guitarists Oliver Palotai (ULI JON ROTH) and Luca Princiotta, and drummer Daniel Loeble (RAWHEAD REXX).

Comments Marklew: "Nick is from New Jersey, USA, plays regularly with DORO and has written and recorded his own album ('Through The Pain'). He played bass for BLAZE at the Metal Dayz festival in Z7, Switzerland in 2003. He did such a great job, he was the obvious choice.

"[Oliver Palotai] is from Nurnberg in Germany and is currently on tour in the USA with ULI JOHN ROTH. He stood in for John Slater on part of the 'Blood & Belief' tour. He is a fantastic player!!

"Luca is a 25 year old Italian lead guitarist who has an incredible talent.

"Dani is from Singer in Germany and is 'borrowed' from RAWHEAD REXX. Blaze met Dani on tour last year and was blown away when he saw him play!"

Blaze says: "I can't wait to get back out on the road after all the changes, uncertainty and problems this year. I'm really excited and looking forward to playing these shows with the new band."

Upcoming BLAZE tour dates:

Sep. 30 – Velvet - Pordenone, ITA
Oct. 01 – Motion - Bergamo, ITA
Oct. 02 – Bqo - Rome, ITA
Oct. 15 - Hoehlenrock Festival - Balve, GER
Dec. 18 - Blaze Big Bash - Dudley, UK

In addition to the above shows, Blaze Bayley will be a guest of Doro Pesch on the following shows with the Metal Classic Night Orchestra.

Oct. 16 - Z7 - Pratteln, SWI
Oct. 18 – Passionskirche - Berlin, GER
Oct. 21 – Capitol - Offenbach, GER
Oct. 22 – Filharmonie - Stuttgart, GER
Oct. 23 – Tonhalle - Munich, GER
Oct. 24 – Docks - Hamburg, GER

 

[Lord Tim]

Ah, worthy guys to use! Great players and nice people!

 

[spawn]

Blaze must be a bit of a bastard to work with.

 

[Lord Tim]

Actually, everyone I've ever talked to that knows him says exactly the opposite - he's apparrently a really nice, down to Earth guy..!

 

[spawn]

Yeah but they werent in a band with him! All the fans say Jon Schaffer is a really cool guy and goes out of his way to sign everything and talk to the fans, that doesnt mean he isnt a bastard to work with!

 

[Lord Tim]

True, but you can normally tell if someone is a prick if you work with them in any capacity and I've talked to both Nick and Oliver who have worked with him before and they say he's really cool.

There's actually other issues with Blaze that's likely causing his band to change somewhat... It'll be interesting to see what the next year is like for him!

 

[spawn]

I reckon he should get Roy Z to join the band

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Interesting indeed. I am very curious as to what any new material will sound like, as the Slater/Wray duel guitar work was always one of my favourite parts of the bands music, and they did a lot of the writing, along with Blaze. No doubt all the new members are very talented, but I wonder how the writing will go. It might be the best or worst thing to happen to BLAZE.

I get the impression that he is a pretty nice guy as well, so I wonder the reasons behind the members leaving.

 

[Goreripper]

I saw Nick and Oliver's work on the Doro tour: they are killer players!

 

[Spiff]

Methinks Neil the manager is probably the one most responsible. I've dealt with him a little and he's not exactly my cup of tea.

When I stopped doing the Blaze site I used to do years ago he asked Mark to ask me if they could use all the stuff I did on it for the official site, with "Ask him what size shirt he wants" as his way of offering compensation for what took me quite a while to work on. I told him thanks but no thanks. I dread to think what it must be like to work with him on a professional basis.

I'm sure Mark can offer his fair share of five centses on the matter.

 

[Sydo]

Dig about and read some interviews with ex members - especially Jeff Singer.
It would seem that Blaze, his manager and now SPV have royally screwed the other guys since Tenth Dimension.

 

[Wenda]

I saw Nick and Oliver's work on the Doro tour: they are killer players!

Nick!

He gave me a kiss.

 

[TinMan666]

That's a shame, I think BLAZE was a fucking great band. Hopefully Blaze can keep delivering the goods with a new line up.

He should get me in on guitar though.

 

[Sydo]

The guys he have hired are fine - but can they write?

 

[Goreripper]

Methinks these guys will just be a touring band, and a different bunch will do recording work.

 

[Southy]

Such a shame, I am quite the fan of Blaze, hope he isn't the problem

 

[Mark]

Blaze is a lovely bloke - actually goes out front after a gig to talk to the fans.

Mind you, it's not like he's ever swamped

 

[Sydo]

Writing to the band's official forum, Steve said, "My decision to leave BLAZE has not been one taken lightly and it is with a 'heavy heart,' in some respects, that I leave. There are many reasons for my departure too many and varied to post here but ultimately I decided that it's time to move on and try something else.

"I would like to make it abundantly clear that I have not given up on music and I am if anything more revitalised and ready to rock then I have felt for at least two years.

"I would like to thank [BLAZE manager] Neil for his statement regarding my leaving the band but would also like to make clear that the reason I am no longer in BLAZE is not because I am 'unable to do' the forthcoming dates which is implied in the statement. The simple truth is that at this point in time I choose to no longer be involved with BLAZE and therefore I am not doing the dates."

 

[Blitzkrieg]

But WHY? :zombie:

 

[Southy]

I ope Blaze isn't a egotistical arse behind closed doors.....