To celebrate release day, the guys have delivered a brand new video. Please enjoy:
FICTION SYXX mixes progressive hard rock with a nuance of melodic rock. The first release from this project was a way to bring a talented core of seasoned musicians together and to bring several guest artists and what came out of the effort is a solid 11 songs of progressive rock.
PRE-ORDER FICTION SYXX - The Alternate Me ($15 + $5 airmail shipping worldwide) Get 3 Tracks In Advance
Fiction Syxx is:
Mark Allen Lanoue - Lead Vocals & Guitar
JK Northrup - Guitar, B. Vocals & Production
Rory Faciane - Drums
Larry Hart - Bass
Eric Ragno – Keyboards
The new album picks up where the debut left off, but at the same time, dials everything up 3 notches. The musicianship, the complexities of the songs, the production and the hooks. All maximized for fan enjoyment.
FICTION SYXX is the brain child of songwriter/vocalist/guitarist, Mark Allen Lanoue. But like all ideas, including musical ones, it is not just about the writing; it is about the delivery. So, after writing the first song called “Welcome to my Nightmare” for this new musical journey, Mark started talking with friend and multi-talented musician/songwriter/producer, JK Northrup (KING KOBRA, XYZ) about starting a project that would be framed around a core of members.
MRR is excited to announce the second Premium Preorder campaign will be for the second studio album from progressive melodic rockers FICTION SYXX.
THIS IS THE FINAL WEEK FOR PREMIUM PREORDERS. Next week an official release date will be announced for the regular edition.
New this week for Premium Preorder customers are 5 rough mixes and 9 (almost) final mix tracks to check out!
New Video!
FICTION SYXX is dialling in on their sophomore release, ‘The Alternate Me’!
The line-up had one change - Larry Hart (King Kobra/Montrose) on bass guitar takes over for Tony “The Fretless Monster” Franklin. This release is focused more on the core than their debut release ‘Tall Dark Secrets’. There are no guest artists on this one and JK Northrup & Mark Lanoue share the lead guitar duties. Prepare for a mix of melody, harmony, soaring slide, and at times SHRED!
Fiction Syxx is:
Mark Allen Lanoue - Lead Vocals & Guitar
JK Northrup - Guitar, B. Vocals & Production
Rory Faciane - Drums
Larry Hart - Bass
Eric Ragno - Keyboards
There will be 11 tracks … plus bonus material for Premium Preorder supporters.
MRR and FICTION SYXX are excited to launch one full track right now – the epic album opening track ‘Tall Dark Secrets’. PP supporters will get a WAV file of this track delivered to them shortly, along with another full length mixed and completed track, plus an exclusive video of JK Northrup in the studio discussing this track.
MRR/FS2 Premium Preorder is available today for just $30
Standard inclusions in the PP Packs include the following:
- Exclusive ‘Longbox’ Cardboard Sleeve Slipcover CD Packaging
- WAV file of debut track
- Additional fully mastered, completed song
- Weekly updates from the artist
- Exclusive Advance Release Date, receiving the CD weeks ahead of an official release
- Names included in the CD booklet
- Additional demos and completed tracks sampled along the way
- Digital Download of completed release ahead of shipping of CD
MelodicRock Records is excited to announce the release of one of the finest melodic hard rock records for 2018 – JK Northrup & David Cagle’s first collaboration together, titled ‘That’s Gonna Leave A Mark’.
There is no doubt whatsoever that this record is gonna leave a mark on fans of hard rocking, guitar driven melodic rock, with a production to die for and songs dripping in hooks and melodies.
JK Northrup & David Cagle ‘That’s Gonna Leave A Mark’ arrives March 30 worldwide.
PRE-ORDER JK NORTHRUP & DAVID CAGLE - 'That's Gonna Leave A Mark'
$15 + $5 worldwide shipping
MARCH MRR DEAL - TOTO TRIBUTE & JK NORTHRUP & DAVID CAGLE
$32 + $5 worldwide shipping
MRR’s Andrew McNeice: “I’m immensely proud and excited to finally be releasing this killer record from JK and David. I’ve worked with JK since the very first MR.com compilation over 15 years back and he’s been there for me as a mastering engineer every time since. His work with me remastering some important archive releases in the last couple of years has only further emboldened my respect for him as a first rate professional and someone who can bring out the very best results in any situation. On top of that, he is a Grade A gentleman who I value as a friend and college.
Everyone I have recommended Jeff to as an engineer or producer has ended up using him and continuing that relationship. But I’ve long felt that his name is undervalued as a writer and guitarist and I think this record is his finest achievement to date and a truly stunning release – in all facets – the guitar playing, the writing and production and David Cagle is one hell of a vocalist who I think we need to work with again ASAP!”
Jeff Northrup: “David Cagle and I had worked together in the past and started this album back in 2014. Unfortunately, it was shelved due to 'circumstances'. We knew we had something special even then, and the time was right to pull out this great collection of songs, dust it off and polish it up. The result is 12 of the best songs put together on any album I've been a part of!
Fast forward to 2017… After rewriting some of the lyrics, some arrangement changes, re-recording guitars and vocals, then bringing in the powerful rhythm section of Larry Hart - bass (Montrose, Gypsy Soul, King Kobra) and Steve Brown - drums (Montrose, Oleander-and Mick Brown's younger brother), the album has truly come to life!
Larry and Steve have been playing live together for a couple years and are TIGHT. I've played on a few albums with Larry including King Kobra, Shortino-Northrup and Gypsy Soul, which began in 1987.
When you hear the opening track 'The Night Is Mine', you'll know right away that you are going to Get Rocked HARD!!! David's modern approach on vocals is a breath of fresh air and I pull no punches on guitar!! With some heavy, powerful rock songs, to more main stream rockers and a couple killer ballads, it's all here!!!
Although a predominately guitar driven album, Eric Ragno does a masterful job playing keyboards on 6 songs.
The title track, 'That's Gonna Leave A Mark' was written by myself several years back, but sounds as fresh and powerful as if written today. Some of the lyrics are based on true life experiences about love, hate and a relationship gone bad, which is reflected in the artwork that was done by the great Nello Dell'Omo. 'The Siren' cuts out your heart and leaves you still alive, clutching your chest. Been there, done that!!! I truly am excited for everyone to here this album!! Cheers!" ~ JK Northrup
Produced, Recorded, mixed and mastered by JK Northrup at Alien Productions Music Studio
MelodicRock Records is excited to announce the release of one of the finest melodic hard rock records for 2018 – JK Northrup & David Cagle’s first collaboration together, titled ‘That’s Gonna Leave A Mark’.
There is no doubt whatsoever that this record is gonna leave a mark on fans of hard rocking, guitar driven melodic rock, with a production to die for and songs dripping in hooks and melodies.
JK Northrup & David Cagle ‘That’s Gonna Leave A Mark’ arrives March 30 worldwide.
A very early demo form of this album was on select digital platforms under the Liberty & Justice banner, but ‘That’s Gonna Leave A Mark’ is a whole new ball-game from the ground up.
MRR’s Andrew McNeice: “I’m immensely proud and excited to finally be releasing this killer record from JK and David. I’ve worked with JK since the very first MR.com compilation over 15 years back and he’s been there for me as a mastering engineer every time since. His work with me remastering some important archive releases in the last couple of years has only further emboldened my respect for him as a first rate professional and someone who can bring out the very best results in any situation. On top of that, he is a Grade A gentleman who I value as a friend and college.
Everyone I have recommended Jeff to as an engineer or producer has ended up using him and continuing that relationship. But I’ve long felt that his name is undervalued as a writer and guitarist and I think this record is his finest achievement to date and a truly stunning release – in all facets – the guitar playing, the writing and production and David Cagle is one hell of a vocalist who I think we need to work with again ASAP!”
Jeff Northrup: “David Cagle and I had worked together in the past and started this album back in 2014. Unfortunately, it was shelved due to 'circumstances'. We knew we had something special even then, and the time was right to pull out this great collection of songs, dust it off and polish it up. The result is 12 of the best songs put together on any album I've been a part of!
Fast forward to 2017… After rewriting some of the lyrics, some arrangement changes, re-recording guitars and vocals, then bringing in the powerful rhythm section of Larry Hart - bass (Montrose, Gypsy Soul, King Kobra) and Steve Brown - drums (Montrose, Oleander-and Mick Brown's younger brother), the album has truly come to life!
Larry and Steve have been playing live together for a couple years and are TIGHT. I've played on a few albums with Larry including King Kobra, Shortino-Northrup and Gypsy Soul, which began in 1987.
When you hear the opening track 'The Night Is Mine', you'll know right away that you are going to Get Rocked HARD!!! David's modern approach on vocals is a breath of fresh air and I pull no punches on guitar!! With some heavy, powerful rock songs, to more main stream rockers and a couple killer ballads, it's all here!!!
Although a predominately guitar driven album, Eric Ragno does a masterful job playing keyboards on 6 songs.
The title track, 'That's Gonna Leave A Mark' was written by myself several years back, but sounds as fresh and powerful as if written today. Some of the lyrics are based on true life experiences about love, hate and a relationship gone bad, which is reflected in the artwork that was done by the great Nello Dell'Omo. 'The Siren' cuts out your heart and leaves you still alive, clutching your chest. Been there, done that!!! I truly am excited for everyone to here this album!! Cheers!" ~ JK Northrup
JK Northrup's professional career began in 1982 when bassist-songwriter Bruce Turgon (Lou Gramm, Foreigner) heard his demo tape and asked if he would like to record with him in Los Angeles. That offer was accepted and the next thing that happened was they were in the studio at Pasha Records being produced by the legendary Billy Thorpe (Children Of The Sun). In the next room, Quiet Riot was mixing their debut album 'Metal Health'. Billy asked JK, Bruce and Frankie Banali to tour for his new release and that's how it all began!
Since then, JK has recorded with, toured with and produced some of the biggest names in music and that list continues to grow today. Not only known as an elite guitarist, songwriter and producer, but also as a recording engineer and mastering specialist. In 2017 alone, JK produced, mixed and/or mastered some of the top-rated rock albums for a who's who of recording artists.
Having written songs that have been recorded by artists such as Foreigner, King Kobra, Great White, XYZ and including television and movies, the list continues to grow.
JK has appeared on over 30 albums over the years as a songwriter, guitarist and producer, and has mixed and mastered many others.
Now in 2018 comes a new album called JK Northrup & David Cagle, 'That's Gonna Leave A Mark'. This album showcases all of JK Northrup's skills as a songwriter, guitarist, producer, recording and mastering engineer.
In JK's words, 'I'm just getting started! Enjoy the ride folks'.
Award-winning international singer David Cagle has recorded vocals on more than 1000 songs over the past 10 years for clients all over the world, covering multiple genres of music. Although a singer of many styles, Cagle is most known for his melodic, soulful rock voice. A few of Cagle's credits include:
- February Fallen: Black and White (all lead and backing vocals)
- Marty and the Bad Punch: Moon Over Baskerville (all lead and backing vocals) *Winner of 4 awards at the 2015 German Rock and Pop Awards
- Brannon: Welton St. and The Road Less Traveled (all lead and backing vocals), and many individually released singles *Winner of multiple international songwriting competitions
- Majestic: V.O.Z, Epsilon 1, Epsilon 2 (lead and backing vocals on select tracks)
- Fiction Syxx: Tall Dark Secrets (backing vocals on Given Sight and Your Promised Land)
'That's Gonna Leave A Mark' guest performers:
Gunnar Nelson - backing vocal on ‘Forever Starts Tonight’
Richard Kendrick - backing vocal ‘Can't’
Kelly Keeling (MSG, Blue Murder) - backing vocal ‘For Sure Thing’
Track List: 1. Funk Soul Sister 4:44 / 2. Launching Pad 4:18 / 3. Moon Calling Sun 5:13 / 4. I'm a Pharmacist 5:20 / 5. I Just Wanna Sit Down 4:05 / 6. We Are the Mushroom Men 3:49 / 7. Never Count the Cost 4:15 / 8. Stone Dead Man 2:18 / 9. Disintegrating Gods 3:31 / 10. Leaning Too Far In 4:44
The Mood Groove is:
Ed Balldinger - Lead and Backing Vocal, Rhythm and Lead Guitar, Vibe
JK Northrup - Lead and Rhythm Guitars, Keyboards, Backing Vocal, Vibe
Glenn Hicks - Drums, Lead and Backing Vocal, Vibe
Larry Hart - Bass, Backing Vocal, Vibe
Additional Lead Vocals by:
Willy Seltzer- Moon Calling Sun
Buddy Davis- Stone Dead Man
Featuring backing vocals by Diana Short and The Salamander Choir Boys including Willy Seltzer, Buddy Davis, Dr. DruP, Richie D., John Short, StatMaster Rob and the Mood Groove
Phil Ireland- Harmonica and Vibe on Stone Dead Man
Produced by- JK Northrup
Co-Produced by- Ed Balldinger
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by- JK Northrup at Alien Productions Music Studio
All songs written by- Ed Balldinger and JK Northrup
The Mood Groove was formed by Ed Balldinger and JK Northrup as an outlet to create and record music that stretched their collective imaginations and to invite listeners to something a little different. Their goal was to be “Out of the box” and not be confined to any particular style or genre, yet to be a part of them all. As JK says, “It is musical ear candy for the brain, so the third eye can see again!”Ed Balldinger is an amazing, if not eclectic lyricist, or “Wordsmith” and published poet, as well as a talented guitarist with a wide variety of musical influences. JK brings his skills as a songwriter, producer, recording engineer and guitarist. Together they have combined their song-writing skills to create 10 songs in the vein of Rock, Funk, Psychedelic, Soul, Blues, Experimental, Gospel and most of all, Mood and Groove!
JK and Ed brought in the powerhouse rhythm section of Larry Hart on bass (Gypsy Soul, Montrose, King Kobra, Shortino-Northrup) and Glenn Hicks on drums and vocals (Gypsy Soul, Shortino-Northrup). With much of their performances being played powerfully off the cuff, it adds an element of “live” to the album! Glenn and Larry both played with JK in Gypsy Soul with Johnny Edwards on vocals from 1987-1989, and then again on several songs for the Shortino-Northrup “Back On Track” album in 1993.
Adding female backing vocals by Diana Short gives a Pink Floyd, Zappa sound to some songs, while having other singers on a few songs to add a variety of vocal textures and feel.
If you like bands such as Living Colour and Mother Finest then this is the album to add to your music collection!
