Roky Erickson Emerges

Roky Erickson is set to tour Australia this coming March, 2012. As singer,songwriter and guitar player for the legendary Austin,TX band The 13th Floor Elevators,  they were one of the first rock n roll bands to describe their music as “psychedelic” and made an impact on the San Francisco scene,when they moved there in 1966.

The Elevators unique brand of heavy,hard-rocking electric blues spurned one hit ‘You’re Gonna Miss Me’,  yet their appeal was far-reaching,and influenced a long list of artists including REM, ZZTop, The Cramps, Radio Birdman and The Jesus and Marychain; all of whom have either recorded or played live versions of Roky’s songs. With a list of admirers that include Sonic Youth, Patti Smith, The Butthole Surfers, Pere Ubu and The White Stripes, his songs have appeared on countless soundtracks (Drugstore Cowboy, Boys Don’t Cry, Hamlet).

Unfortunately, Roky’s struggles with drug abuse and mental illness took a serious toll, including a three year stint in Rusk State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, for possession of a single marijuana cigarette (1969) where he was reportedly subjected to Thorazine,electroshock therapy and other experimental treatments.

Happily,today we find Roky in the process of being his own miracle and making an astounding recovery from nearly a two-decade long period. He has played his first shows in New York City, London and throughout Europe,as well as California’s Coachella Festival in 2007.

April 2010,saw the release of his first album of new material in 14 years; True Love Cast Out All Evil.

 

Tickets on sale Monday 31st October 2011

Tuesday,13th March 2011 – The Corner Hotel,MELBOURNE

Wednesday,14th March 2011, The Factory,  SYDNEY

Also playing Golden Plains Music Festival and Adelaide Festival 2012

 

Aerosmith Cancel US Tour

There wont be any love in elevators or anywhere else for Steven Tyler this American summer after Aerosmith cancelled their US tour following Tyler breaking his shoulder in a stage fall a week ago.

The following post on the bands website said it all.

“It is with great regret that Aerosmith are canceling the remainder of their summer tour. Due to Steven Tyler sustained last week when he fell from the stage during a concert in Sturgis, SD, doctors have advised the lead singer to take the time to properly recuperate from the accident that resulted in a broken shoulder and stitches to his head. In his current condition, Tyler is unable to tour and the band wants to give him time to get healthy.

Aeorsmith had been touring with ZZ Top.

Tyler fell from the stage during the August 5 show that was part of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Western South Dakota. Sturgis is a famous and long running event where thousands of Harley Davidson riders from around the world – including a dubious bunch from Melbourne Australia – converge on the small South Dakota town. Sometimes they even film the evidence of this mid life crisis!

The mishap occurred while Tyler was dancing during the band’s hit song Love in an Elevator.  Tyler was subsequently airlifted to a hospital and then returned to the bands home in Boston to consult with his own doctors, who apparently told him he was “too old for that kinda shit”.

I made that last bit up.

Joe Perry had this to offer: “ Words can’t express the sadness I feel for having to cancel this tour. I would like to thank our loyal fans for sticking by us through thick and thin and all the good energy they are sending our way. We hope we can get the Aerosmith machine up and running again as soon as possible. I sure am going to miss playing with ZZ Top just as I’m sure the fans are going to miss seeing them playing with us as well. Hope to see you sooner than later.”

He also had a nice word for their road crew, presumably to assist in negotiating their severance package.

” My hat’s off to our crew for putting up with this crazy stop and start tour. In my estimation, it was one of the best looking and best run tours we’ve ever had. Us road dawgs will meet again. May your wheels keep turning and your load in’s stay smooth.”??