BLACK SWAN
ANNOUNCE DEBUT ALBUM, "SHAKE THE WORLD” OUT FEBRUARY 14, 2020
GROUP FEATURES
ROBIN McAULEY, REB BEACH, JEFF PILSON & MATT STARR
FIRST SINGLE &
VIDEO, TITLE TRACK OF DEBUT, OUT TODAY
Vocalist
Robin McAuley (McAuley Schenker Group), guitarist Reb Beach (Winger,
Whitesnake), bassist Jeff Pilson (Foreigner, The End Machine, ex-Dokken), and
drummer Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr. Big) have joined forces in BLACK SWAN, a
new band project signed to Frontiers Music Srl. Their debut album, “Shake The
World,” an aptly titled album if ever there was one, is a delightful romp of
powerful hard rock that is not simply the sum of its parts, but a powerful rock
‘n roll machine. It will be released on February 14, 2020 on CD, LP, &
Digital formats.
Watch the
first single and video, for the title track, NOW!
Fans can pre-order
the album, including signed items and merch bundles, and stream the single
HERE: https://radi.al/ShakeTheWorld
The genesis
of Black Swan was sparked by a conversation between Jeff Pilson and Frontiers'
President & Head of A&R, Serafino Perugino, who wanted a project that
would not only showcase McAuley's vocal prowess, but have a mighty musical
backbone to stand skyscraper tall behind him. Thus, the initial seeds were
planted and Pilson ran with it from there. "Shake The World" was tracked at
Pilson’s home studio in Los Angeles and is a showcase of both the musical
talents of the instrumental players in the band as well as McAuley’s powerful
voice. The four members got Black Swan off the ground by exchanging ideas back
and forth and then bringing all the songs together. The final result is
something fresh, very heavy, but still intensely melodic and it’s certainly not
Dokken, nor Winger, nor MSG, or some combination thereof, but it’s own unique
animal. As an example, one of the songs was written by Jeff Pilson right after
seeing the Queen movie 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. "I came home and I sat down at the
grand piano and pretty much wrote exactly the chorus that we have, just coming
straight [from] the movie. It is a bit Queen-like."
Continues Pilson, "It's
amazing, incredible music. Wait until you hear everybody's playing and singing.
It's beyond — way beyond."
Adds Robin McAuley, "This is really exciting
for me to read: Black Swan announces the release of “Shake the World," the first
offering from the band on the Frontiers' label." I’ve known Jeff for some thirty
years and we have a history of performing together on MSG Unplugged, in addition
to being great friends, musically and socially. When he asked me to do this and
collaborate with Reb, I didn’t have to think too long with my response.
Initially he wasn’t going to play bass on this, but Reb and myself soon changed
his mind, lol!!! Bringing Matt into the mix was a great decision. His powerful
energy and style is unmistakable on this album. Overall, it is a very powerful
blend of styles and writing. Reb is truly an amazing guitarist and songwriter.
Jeff captured my vocals the way I like to sound. Probably the best vocal sound
I’ve had... ever!!!! Such a great and creative studio experience for me. This is
kick ass, powerful music on an album full of great songs. If you love strong
melodies and BIG choruses, BLACK SWAN won’t disappoint!! It’s time...”SHAKE THE
WORLD!!!"
Guitarist Reb Beach says, "When Jeff approached me to do this, I was so excited
because I loved writing “Erase the Slate” with him for Dokken. I also played in
the band with Jeff for four years, and we worked so well together, writing and
live too. He is as good as it gets when it comes to a rock musician, a great
songwriter and an absolute joy to work with. I came in with riffs, Jeff arranged them
into a song by adding his own parts, and then Robin wrote the lyrics, and
knocked it out of the park with the vocals. I am pretty particular about
singers, and Robin’s voice is so slammin' that I wouldn’t want anyone
else. Matt came in with his
huge drum sound, and we had a great sounding band. Very exciting stuff!!"
"Shooting the video was a blast," says drummer
Matt Starr. "Shot in Los Angeles over the course of two days, it was similar to
recording the record, everything was very organic and comfortable. That’s the
advantage of working with guys who have so much experience. There’s not too much
discussion going on. Everybody knows what to do, we just get to work and do it.
That leaves more time for hanging out, chatting and smoking cigars!"
Black Swan's
“Shake the World” is a killer slice of melodic hard rock and heavy metal from
seasoned players who have gelled musically. Whether you are a fan from “back in
the day” or brand new to the scene and just diving in, this album is essential
listening!
Follow the band on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackSwanRockNRoll
Tracklisting:
1. Shake The World
2. Big Disaster
3. Johnny Came Marching
4. Immortal Souls
5. Make It There
6. She's On To Us
7. The Rock That Rolled Away
8. Long Road To Nowhere
9. Sacred Place
10. Unless We Change
11. Divided/United
Black
Swan:
- Robin
McAuley - Lead Vocals and Background Vocals
- Reb Beach
- Guitars and Background Vocals
- Jeff
Pilson - Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Keys and Background Vocals
- Matt Starr - Drums
and Percussion
