Big News For Fans of London
Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 12:01AM I received this release about London from LA Daily News writer Gerry Gittleson.
A star attraction on the Sunset Strip a generation ago, the band London was once a breeding ground for rock stardom for some of the early members like Nikki Sixx, Slash, Steven Adler, Izzy Stradlin and Blackie Lawless, but there is now a lot to more to London after a flurry of creativity has breathed new life into the band.
Frontman Nadir D’Priest, the iconic pretty boy heartthrob now all grown up, still has the same star qualities that made London such a buzz band back in the day, and he is singing better than ever -- as the world will soon find out upon the release of a live new CD for “London Live,” recorded in Nashville and engineered by the legendary Michael Wagener.
“I knew the record would have to sound big, and it sounds humongous. That’s the best way I can put it,” D’Priest said. “There was a specific sound we needed. It had to sound large or it wouldn’t even be worth doing, and Michael Wagener is great because he’s one of the superstars of producing.”
Still in place is guitarist Sean Lewis, who has been in London since 1987, and bassist Brian West, whose London pedigree goes back to 1984. Also, London has pulled a big coup by re-uniting with legendary drummer Alan Krigger, a founding member of Giuffria who joined briefly in 1988 and has also played with Tina Turner, Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys and other superstars.
“It’s an honor to play for London. It’s just a great band to be in,” Krigger said.
There are big plans. In addition to the heavily-anticipated “London Live,” there is a batch of new songs just begging to see the light of the day, and a large-scale tour is planned for the summer.
Instead of being a feeder best known for being featured in “Decline of Western Civilization Part 2,” London is primed and ready to carve a deeper niche with a revitalized comeback that is sure to make the band not just the talk of the town in Hollywood – a badge London has worn since the spandex days – but now the whole world.
“There’s also a lot of interest in this kind of music again, and it’s a worldwide interest,” D’Priest said. “The demand is there and it exceeds the Southern California area. Our number one goal is to show people a good time and have a good time ourselves, and that will never change.”
London was formed in 1978 by Nikki Sixx and Lizzie Grey. The lineup shuffled and at times including future Guns N’ Roses guitarists Slash and Izzy Stradlin future WASP singer/bassist Blackie Lawless and future Cinderella drummer Fred Coury.
Once D’Priest joined in 1984, London really began to take off. The band recorded “Non-Stop Rock” and “Don’t Cry Wolf” to critical acclaim, then was introduced to a worldwide audience in 1988 Penelope Spheeris film “The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years.”
A third album in 1990 called “Playa Del Rock” was released, and this point the band was sometimes called D’Priest. Frustratingly, the band was still trying to find its grip on mass appeal by this time – why London did not sell millions of records is among Rock’s great mysteries – but D’Priest refused to let go of the vision.
Sixteen years passed, and D’Priest dedicated his life to raising a family and being financially successful in business, but as the years went by he learned more than anything that rock and roll was in his blood. He has stayed in great shape – mind, body and spirit – and eventually an overwhelming urge not just to get up on stage again and the music flow through his body but also to finish what he started, D’Priest was more and more convinced that London is a band the singer could not turn his back on.
London is primed and ready to go from footnote to big toe, and the good news is the band has never sounded better. It’s easier than ever to reach fans at the simple press of a button, and London is ready to rock again – and this time they plan to play loud enough that everyone can hear. And they do mean everyone.
The live album is produced by London and engineered by Michael Wagener. Roy Z Ramirez (Halford, Bruce Dickinson) provided additional mixes, and Maor Appelbaum (Halford, Bruce Dickinson) did the mastering.
London is also releasing two new tracks, “Get Back Home,” written by D’Priest and West, along with “Tu Cultura y Tu Nacion,” London’s first Rock En Español single (written by D’Priest) also featuring renowned keyboardist Teddy “Zig Zag” Andreadis, who toured with Guns N’ Roses during “Appetite For Destruction” and “Use Your Illusion.” London is in pre-production for the filming of music videos for both new songs.
Also, London is re-releasing its cult classic LP “Don’t Cry Wolf” on both CD and vinyl (with two different album covers, too) through the website: londontheband.net.
Reader Comments (21)
I've got all the LONDON stuff and to be honest, the production has always been crap except for "Playa Del Rock". Hopefully, their new reissue of "Don't Cry Wolf" has been properly remastered.
Also, D'Priest's voice has always been a little warbly.
Let's also hope now that he's got the infamous mega-pro knob twirler, Wagener, his vocals can get punched in and smoothed out when they sensed a missed note coming on.
It's no coincidence that his voice is mentioned in the article as that's what held this band back more than anything back in the day. These guys lived it, looked it but when it came down to it, couldn't cut it. D'Priest's vocals had to be one of the bigger hurtles -- That, plus inconsistent material.
The only proof you need to draw these conclusions is watching London in action in "The Decline of Western Civilization: The Metal Years".
But, there's no denying their place in L.A. Glam Metal History and if this new album is what everyone hopes it is, well, it's never too late for Rock & Roll!
p.s. It will be interesting to hear what Ace and Kari have to say. Ace surely knows D'Priest as they are both L.A. Glam Metal Cognescenti, Ace being the singer of the legendary band, ACTRESS. And Kari saw London perform at The 2011 Sunset Strip Music Festival, along with Crüe, who received a lifetime achievement award there, AND Black Veil Brides, I might add (read her review here).
Nadir did not fit in Steel Profit at all. Although I give him credit for trying..
Steel Prophet, fronted by Nadir D'Priest
http://youtu.be/xfzbRHwV8p4
Glad to see the band back in business. Maybe with with these big names in production, {Michael Wagener, Roy Z Ramirez, Maor Appelbaum) London can achieve some kind of success this time around.
Metalboy.. Check this out: I know you will LOVE this..
COSTON & Terry LeRoi - STAND UP AND SHOUT!!!!
Since there was NO DIO Tribute last year.
I played a show in Syracuse and had Terry
sing one song at the end of the night.
Club Fusion Feb 15th 2013
My son Gunnar Coston {15 years old on Drums}
Mike 'BINGO' Jaquays on bass.
http://youtu.be/5fZ0H0yJHh4
Ps. Metalboy! did you still want a BVB review?? Im going tonight.
p.s. DJ! Hellz Yeah! You gotta give us a review, Bro! Dyin' to see those cat's. If it's long enough and detailed enough, you should submit it to Allyson. If not, yeah, just stick it in comments of the latest post, which I'm sure she would be cool with. Can't wait to hear what you think!
London was ex-Mott singer Nigel Benjamin, Nikki Sixx on bass, Dane Rage on drums, Jon St.John on keyboards & main songwriter & guitarist Lizzy Grey.
One by one, these musicians bailed out until Lizzy Grey pulled the plug at the beginning of 81. Lizzy went on to create a string of bands that failed to create the same following the original London did, so he resurrected the name in 1987 & tried again,(and were famously skewered in "Decline of Western Civilization II - The Metal Years". Once again, Lizzy broke up his band & went on to found Ultra Pop & later, Spiders & Snakes. His songs were the center of any LONDON, & sadly, this current band has nothing to do with that. Nadir is grasping for whatever publicity he can garner from it. But this AIN'T London... far from it.
Wanna see what REAL London looked like? I was there... Camera in hand. I only wish I had a way to share their songs with you. It was different, classy & unique. Like Mott the Hoople meets Sweet & Slade in an English pub, & decides to play music. It was great while it lasted.
http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz14/acesteele1/SixxLondon-smaller.jpg
http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz14/acesteele1/NikkiandLizzyNov22-80.jpg
http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz14/acesteele1/lizzy-nikki-1-focalb-w.jpg
http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz14/acesteele1/lizzy-1.jpg
http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz14/acesteele1/London/nigel-1.jpg
http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz14/acesteele1/London/DaneRage-1.jpg
http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz14/acesteele1/London/Londonagain-Starwood.jpg
This is as close as you're gonna get. This horribly 18th generation of the old London demo tape. Still you can hear how they don't sound like your average metal band. It had a little bit of English soul & glitz to it.
What a rewarding feeling you must get when you turn around and approach that drum riser to put one of those Priest-like outro finishing touches on the end of a song, only to look up and see your son staring back at you with a big grin on his face! And how great it must be for him to be playin' with his Dad like that. It's something I don't think too many people get to experience.
Ace! Thanks for the lowdown and early photos of London, some featuring a very young Nikki Sixx! Also, that audio clip of them is absolutely stunning! And I checked out your Photobucket, too! Incredible stuff, man. Except for the political ones, of course, hahaha!!!
I urge all to check out the photos AND clips provided by Roy and Ace here. A true Metal treasure trove!
p.s. Roy, where was that clip filmed, if you don't mind me asking?
I just want to play despite my on going health issues.
If you like that jam - check this out!
Roy Coston & Dave King {many Syracuse Bands/CrossRhoads/Joey Belladonna's solo band BELLADONNA} Nothin' Fancy 10-19-2012 Jammin on 'Day Of The Eagle' Robin Trower
http://youtu.be/FKqcvzWK_-4
My wife filmed the video at a place called Club Fusion, Syracuse NY.
They have a KICK ASS PA system!!!..
We promoted the hell out of this show..
I supported Nasty Habit. - VERY GLAM
www.nastyhabitkills.com
http://youtu.be/gB5jXLaAUys
We play as 'COSTON' and play a 4 hour show OR
Roy Coston's 'Tribute to the Guitar Legends'
www.wix.com/roythebatboy/RoyCoston
we are a three piece;
Songs for the Fusion show:
Ted Nugent - Stranglehold
Pat Travers - Snortin Whiskey
John Sykes {Whitesnake/Thin Lizzy} - Cold Sweat
Ace Frehely - Deuce
Michael Schenker - Rock Bottom
Ac/Dc - Whole Lotta Rosie
Stand up and Shout was the last song with Terry.
Check out Terry's bands: Granny 4 Barrel!
http://youtu.be/ISmeCdaxGVU
Titanium Black - Stripped live at MCF 2008
http://youtu.be/Y89BOTRZfbM
Terry has time off until May.
So we are going to play a few shows together until then.
Set List.... Are you ready!!!
Stand up and Shout, Heaven & Hell, Holy Diver, & Man on the Silver Mt., Kill the King, Priest- Painkiller, & Forever Y&T, for starts, LOL!!!.
I am not worthy!
You are a TOTAL MONSTER! And so are the total pros you are playin' with.
Everybody who's still readin', ya gotta check out these links Roy has posted!
p.s. Love your song choices and set lists! Very unexpected. Syracuse knows how to ROCK!!!
They were one of the best combinations of hard pop glitter glam rock and to this day they are one of my favorite bands ever and that's over a lot of years and a ton of bands since then. Granted Lizzie was no Randy Rhoads but, he had a cool style like Mick Ronson too, very fluid and melodic and sometimes kinda frantic and the song writing was just so friggin' brilliant I thought all bands were be able to write incredibly perfect pop metal gems like that but time showed they were very unique. And even the covers, they did "Mama We're All Crazy Now" long before Quiet Riot or even the Runaways and really gave Slade a run for their money. And their NY Dolls meet Alice Cooper image was the blueprint for a million bands on the strip after them including of course ACTRESS.
The demos on London Daze by Spiders and Snakes are the only actual London recordings (pre-Nadir and the only one's that include Nikki no matter what you might read around the web) but Lizzie has re-recorded a few London tunes with Spiders and Snakes which you can find on their website including Radio Stars, Where Are the LA Jets?, Can't Buy Love, Public Enemy #1, and Dream Girl. Even the version of Radio Stars on Non-Stop Rock isn't bad, at least it's more the orginal tempo than the S&S version. And of course Dane's band after Lonon, The Brooklyn Brats did "Guess I Don't Mind" which you could probably find somewhere on E-Bay if you really care.