Rated X

Mon
27
Jul

Focus On Metal - TONY FRANKLIN

Artist: 
Release Year: 
2015
Categories: 
Podcasts & Radio
 
This week on Focus On Metal comes the fourth installment in our Little Mountain Sound Studio series. Our guest this week is none other than bassist and all around cool guy, Tony Franklin. Tony has played with an impressive list of artists including Gary Hoey, Marty Freidman, Ripper Owens, Doug Aldrich, and Whitesnake. Did I mention the guy has also played with Jimmy Page in The Firm? Jimmy Freaking Page! Of course he was also a big part of Blue Murder with John Sykes and Carmine Appice. So yeah, I think this guy knows his way around a studio so he's a perfect guy to talk about his time at LMS. These days when he's not enjoying his Ninja blender Tony is playing with Rated X and Heart of Storm with Doug Aldrich.
www.focusonmetal.net and iTunes under "focus on metal".
 
Mon
06
Apr

Double Stop Podcast - CARMINE APPICE

Monday, April 6, 2015
Categories: 
Podcasts & Radio
 
This week on The Double StopPodcast - Carmine Appice walks us through his entire career - from early days learning drums (and helping his brother Vinnie) to early success with Vanilla Fudge and Cactus. He also covers working with Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart and Ozzy Osbourne. We also take a look at his 80/90's bands King Cobra, Blue Murder (and clears up the details of his involvement with the 2nd album Nothin' But Trouble) and supergroup Mothers Army. Busier than ever, Carmine also gives details on Drum Wars, Rated X and the new Vanilla Fudge cd. He also reveals that he wants Dave Grohl to produce a new Drum Wars cd and that he's currently about to mix a new Cactus album.

https://soundcloud.com/thedoublestop/ep-54-carmine-appice-vanilla-fudge-cactus-rated-x-drum-wars
 
Thu
18
Dec

Totally Drive Radio Show - RATED X

Artist: 
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Categories: 
Podcasts & Radio

Totally Driven Radio, the weekly radio podcast heard live every Thursday night from 8 - 11 pm Est time on the Totaally Driven Entertainment Radio Network, hosted by Bay Ragni and Nick Wilkinson covers the world of sports and entertainment each week, as well as bringing you celebrity guests interviews.

This week Bay got to interview both Joe Lynn Turner, and Carmine Appice which lead to our 2 hour Rated X Special, the new band with both Joe and Carmine, where we played cuts from their Rated X album, and their interviews.

Carmine talks to us for almost 50 minutes, and discusses these topics and more!!

**His Rod Stewart Experience Band

**his passion for cars, some cars he has owned, and the next car he plans to buy

**talked about some old times playing the Philly Spectrum

**How his new band Rated X was formed

**He names some people that were supposed to be in Rated X, but were too busy to commit

**How guitarist Karl Cochran Rated X came down sick, and couldn’t finish the record

**The recording process of the Rated X album, how they were never in studio at same time

**If Rated X, will be playing songs from Carmine, Tony & Joe’s past

**He would love to play drums with Zeppelin, The Police

**How his drum style is more like John Bonham, than Jason Bonham’s

**How Sharon Osbourne fired him from Ozzy’s band, for being too popular

**If he ever thought about having Jake E. Lee for Rated X: He said “Jake is out there”

**He tells a story of how Jake wouldn’t get on the phone with Carmine

**His thoughts on Dave Grohl

**His book Realistic Rock Drum Method and how it is being downloaded for free

You can listen here

http://youtu.be/w97v32Wmaqw

Or listen to the full show here.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/totallydriven/2014/12/16/totally-driven-radio-rated-x-special-with-joe-lynn-turner-carmine-appice

Remember to listen to Totally Driven Radio every Thursday, and Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

https://www.facebook.com/TotallyDrivenTV

https://twitter.com/ttllydrvnradio

https://twitter.com/TotallyDrivenTV
 
Fri
21
Nov

RATED X - "Rated X" (Review)

information persons: 
section name: 
SCORE
content: 

 

89%
Produced By: 
Alessandro Del Vecchio
Running Time: 
60
Release Date: 
2014
Released: 
Worldwide
Musical Style: 
Melodic Hard Rock
Label: 
Frontiers
Artist: 
Score: 
89
Friday, November 21, 2014
Categories: 
Reviews
 
Any project featuring Joe Lynn Turner on vocals is going to get my attention. Add in Joe’s Mother’s Army partner Carmine Appice on drums; Carmine’s Blue Murder partner Tony Franklin on bass and star guitarist Karl Cochran and you have me standing to attention, ready to salute whoever’s idea this was.
But, what looks good on paper must deliver in reality. Rated X thankfully does just that. Under the direction of producer Alessandro Del Vecchio (who also adds writing credits, all keyboards, organ and backing vocals to his list of credits), the band delivers a knock out blues driven classic hard rock album.
 
 
Not unexpectedly, the style here is a mix of Joe Lynn Turner solo, classic Rainbow as well as adding parts of the Mother’s Army and Blue Murder sound.
The band overcame Karl’s recent health scare by bringing in Nikolo Koyzev and Daniel Palmqvist to complete guitar parts on several tracks, but Karl remains the driving force behind the album’s power.
 
It’s a joy to hear Appice and Franklin as a rhythm section again. The two really pack a punch on this record, with Tony’s bass groove rolling through the album and Carmine is simply all over these songs. Why add one drum fill when you can add three? I love it; the powerful rhythm section just adds so much power. And Joe Lynn Turner has seldom sounded better, his authorative rasp in full control.
 
Get Back My Crown is a ripping opener that throws me back to the debut Mother’s Army album.
This Is Who I Am is one of two tracks taken from the unreleased JLT/Chris Antblad collaboration. The song here is beefed up from its original form, with some shredding guitar and a ton of extra drum fills.
Fire And Ice is an organ drenched classic Zeppelinesque 70s rocker with drums again belting through the speakers through the chorus while Tony Franklin’s bass glides over the verse.
I Don’t Cry Anymore is another great JLT driven rocker, with the singer sounding in classic form.
The very cool and moody Lhasa has to be inspired by the Blue Murder track Valley Of The Kings. This seven minute epic has a very similar vibe, especially with Franklin and Appice involved.
Devil In Disguise is a pretty simple rocker after the complex preceding track.
You Are The Music is a quality slower track with a nice melodic edge.
Peace Of Mind is another quality untempo melodic rocker.
Maybe Tonight is a classic AOR track – the second from the JLT/Antblad sessions. Here it has been rocked up a little and expanded musically and is another highlight.
On The Way To Paradise picks up the tempo and the rock attitude once again for a straight ahead tour de force. Great guitar solo too!
Our Love Is Not Over is the big sentimental ballad of the album. Classic JLT here.
Stranger In Us All closes the album by firing us up again with crashing guitars and pounding bass and lots of organ once again.
 

 
A very fine debut collaboration from the folks that form Rated X. I hope this can continue as an ongoing touring and recording band.
The only point I would raise overall would be that the production could be described as a bit muddy in places and the drum and bass sound does vary a little from track to track.
But great energy in the performances, despite the challenges of getting the record recorded and mixed.
You wouldn’t want the album any longer than the 60 minutes delivered, but that said, there’s no filler here.

 

 
Fri
14
Nov

RATED X Premieres 2nd Official Music Video 'Fire and Ice'

Artist: 
Friday, November 14, 2014
Categories: 
News Feed
 
RATED X: HARD ROCK's NEWEST
ALL-STAR BAND RELEASES SELF-TITLED DEBUT
Premieres 2nd Official Music Video,'Fire and Ice'
 

Line Up Includes Vocalist Joe Lynn Turner;
Drummer Carmine Appice; Bassist Tony Franklin
and Guitarist Karl Cochran
.
 

Frontiers Music Srl, the label known for embracing new music from legendary Rockartists, returns with yet another impactful band: RATED X. The self-titled debut album features songs built upon a classic Hard Rock foundation, with a distinctly contemporary edge. The album can be purchased via Amazon: http://geni.us/RatedXAMZ or iTunes: http://geni.us/RatedXiTunes

The band has shot and released its 2nd official music video, this time for the song 'Fire and Ice', one of the album's most powerful tracks.  A straight performance clip, the edgy black and white video focuses on the band's musicianship and Turner's soaring vocals. View the video for ' Fire and Ice' here:  http://youtu.be/HLtxuXhdluE
RATED X was formed at the suggestion of Frontiers' President Serafino Perugino, who mentioned to singer Joe Lynn Turner that a band of the highest caliber musicians should be assembled to create an album of classic Hard Rock music.  Turner, the former lead vocalist for both Rainbow and Deep Purple and a solo artist in his own right, agreed, and the search for the right players was on. Carmine Appice, who already had a relationship with Frontiers, was on board immediately.  A true percussion icon, Appice's resume is one that Rock legends are made of: Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Ozzy Osbourne, Rod Stewart, Blue Murder, King Kobra and others.
 
Appice's former Blue Murder bandmate and bassist, Tony Franklin (also known for his work with The Firm, Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers, David Gilmour, Kate Bush, and Whitesnake), signed up next. After a lengthy search for the right guitarist, they settled on long-time Turner collaborator Karl Cochran, who has also worked with Ace Frehley, and worked in the past with Joe Lynn Turner on his solo albums.
           
The self-titled debut album is remarkable in that it sounds like a band that has worked together as a unit for years. The songs are powerful and the performances are tight and innovative.  Frontiers in-house producer, Alessandro del Vecchio, not only handled studio production but added keyboards on several tracks. Pat Regan (Mr Big, Deep Purple, Gotthard, Kiss, Doro) mixed the album.
 
Critics are already heaping praise on the release, including Powerplay, who said 'Rated X are a real treat; seen through the prism of history, we are bound to add all sorts of references, but this doesn't wallow in them, it exults. The petition for a continuation starts here''. Hard Rock Haven proclaims 'If you're a Rainbow staunch aficionado or an avid Blue Murder fan, you know you can't miss Rated X anyway, but if you're just into the contemporary melodic hard rock that has its back-to-roots moments too ' be sure to include it on your list of must-haves.' Melodic Rock declares 'Joe Lynn Turner is in devastating form, ripping through 12 energized classic rock tracks drenched in organ and driven by some tough riffing from Karl Cochran. Drummer Carmine Appice and bassist Tony Franklin reunite for the first time since Blue Murder, delivering the precise ear drum shattering rhythm section expected of both journeymen.'
 
 
RATED X EPK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCnxyqlpspg
'This Is Who I Am' official music video: http://youtu.be/jkmWYqztVi8
'Stranger In Us All' lyric video: http://youtu.be/9yg9U1bg-wU
 
Track listing:
1.    Get Back My Crown
2.    This Is Who I Am
3.    Fire And Ice
4.    I Don't Cry No More
5.    Lhasa
6.    Devil In Disguise
7.    You Are The Music
8.    Peace Of Mind
9.    Maybe Tonight
10.  On The Way To Paradise
11.  Our Love Is Not Over
12.  Stranger In Us All

 
Fans can purchase the album on Amazon: http://geni.us/RatedXAMZ or iTunes: http://geni.us/LDm
          
For all things RATED X, please visit: www.facebook.com/RatedXRocks
 


 
 
Wed
05
Nov

RATED X Added To Vasby Rock Festival

Artist: 
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Categories: 
Tour News
 
VASBY ROCK FESTIVAL is extremely proud to announce that Rated X are coming to Väsby Rock Festival.
 
All Star Hard Rock Line Up Includes Vocalist Joe Lynn Turner; Drummer Carmine Appice; Bassist Tony Franklin and Guitarist Karl Cochran.
 
RATED X was formed at the suggestion of Frontiers President Serafino Perugino, who mentioned to singer Joe Lynn Turner that a band of highest caliber musicians should be assembled to create an album of Classic Hard Rock music. Turner, the former lead vocalist for both Rainbow and Deep Purple and a solo artist in his own right, agreed, and the search for the right players was on. Carmine Appice, who already had a relationship with Frontiers, was on board immediately. A true percussion icon, Appice’s resume is one that
Rock legends are made of: Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Ozzy Osbourne, Rod Stewart, Blue Murder, King Kobra and others.
 
Appice’s former Blue Murder bandmate and bassist, Tony Franklin (best known for his work with The Firm, Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers, David Gilmour, Kate Bush, and Whitesnake), signed up next. After a lengthy search for the right guitarist, they settled on long-time Turner collaborator Karl Cochran, who has also worked with Ace Frehley, and worked in the past with Joe Lynn Turner on his solo albums.
 
-We know this is going to be an awesome band to see on stage at Väsby Rock Festival next summer. So many great members with such a resume, it’s an all star line-up, says Väsby Rock Crew.
Rated X will be playing songs from their new album, but also take us back through the memory lane with some of their old classic rock songs.
 
 
 
Mon
27
Oct

One on One with Mitch Lafon - RATED X

Artist: 
Monday, October 27, 2014
Categories: 
Podcasts & Radio

http://www.spreaker.com/user/talkingmetal/one-on-one-61-carmine-appice_1


In episode 61 of One On One with Mitch Lafon, Mitch is joined by legendary drummer Carmine Appice. Carmine discusses his new band RATED X which includes bassist Tony Franklin, guitarist Karl Cochran and vocalist Joe Lynn Turner. The band's first album is released November 7th via Frontiers Records. Carmine also discusses his work with Rod Stewart, playing on Paul Stanley's 1978 solo album and much more.

Co-hosting with Mitch this week is famed studio drummer ALLAN SCHWARTZBERG. Allan's studio credit include working on KISS (including Peter Criss and Gene Simmons' 1978 solo albums), Peter Gabriel, Roger Daltrey, Jimi Hendrix, Alice Cooper, Rod Stewart albums and many more.

Listen to the One On One With Mitch Lafon Podcast on iHeartRadio, iTunes, Spreaker, TuneIn and Stitcher.

For more RATED X visit: http://www.facebook.com/RatedXRocks and for Carmine visit: http://www.carmineappice.com

For more Allan Schwartzberg visit: http://www.facebook.com/allan.schwartzberg

Follow Mitch Lafon on Twitter: @mitchlafon

One on One With Mitch Lafon's Official Twitter is: @1On1WithMitch

And Official Facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/OneOnOneMitchLafon
 
Mon
13
Oct

RATED X Debut Lead Video 'This Is Who I Am', Debut Out Nov 7

Artist: 
Friday, November 7, 2014
Categories: 
News Feed
RATED X RELEASES FIRST VIDEO: THIS IS WHO I AM
 
Debut Album From New All Star Hard Rock Band With Vocalist Joe Lynn Turner; Drummer Carmine Appice;
Bassist Tony Franklin and Guitarist Karl Cochran Due For Release November 10th on Frontiers Music Srl

Frontiers Music Srl, the Italian-based label known for embracing new music from legendary Rock artists, has released the first video by its newest acclaimed band: RATED X. Entitled 'This Is Who I Am,' the song is taken from the band's self-titled debut set for release in the EU on November 7th and in North America on November 10th.

View THIS IS WHO I AM:
 

Fans who pre-order the album on iTunes here: http://geni.us/LDm, will receive an instant download of the song or it can be purchased as a digital single. RATED X was formed at the suggestion of, and under the guidance of Frontiers' President Serafino Perugino, and consists of singer Joe Lynn Turner, the former lead vocalist for both Rainbow and Deep Purple and a solo artist in his own right; drum legend Carmine Appice, (Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Ozzy Osbourne, Rod Stewart, Blue Murder, King Kobra and others); Appice's former Blue Murder band-mate and bassist, Tony Franklin (best known for his work with The Firm, Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers, David Gilmour, Kate Bush, and Whitesnake); and long-time Turner collaborator and former member of Ace Frehley's band, guitarist Karl Cochran. Frontiers in-house
producer, Alessandro del Vecchio, not only handled studio production but added keyboards on several tracks. Pat Regan (Mr. Big, Deep Purple, Gotthard, Kiss, Doro) mixed the album.
 
The band's debut album, entitled Rated X, features all new songs built upon a classic Hard Rock foundation, with a distinctly contemporary edge. 'This Is Who I Am,' with its solid bottom, soaring guitar riffs driven by Turner's compelling vocals, is sure to please hard rock fans around the world.
 
Says Joe Lynn Turner: 'It's about a personal experience of mine and I think it relates to everyone. We all want to shine as individuals. Too many people were judging me and telling me how to look and how to act; basically it's about rebellion.' 'It has a really cool groove,' says Carmine Appice. 'I love the hook and I love what it is saying.' Much of the album was recorded in different cities, using current recording technology, however, it never strays from a solid band sound. 'The songs will stand by themselves,' says Karl Cochran.' They are strong songs.'
Adds Tony Franklin about the project: 'There is a lot of talent in this band and we respect each other. Some of us in this band have known each other for 20 to 30 years. So, it didn't feel like something that had just been put together randomly. It feels real.'
For more info, watch the RATED X EPK here: http://youtu.be/mCnxyqlpspg
 

Track listing:

1. Get Back My Crown
2. This Is Who I Am
3. Fire And Ice
4. I Don't Cry No More
5. Lhasa
6. Devil In Disguise
7. You Are The Music
8. Peace Of Mind
9. Maybe Tonight
10. On The Way To Paradise
11. Our Love Is Not Over
12. Stranger In Us All

Preorder RATED X on Amazon: http://geni.us/RatedXAMZ
Preorder RATED X on iTunes: http://geni.us/LDm
Visit RATED X on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RatedXRocks
 
Tue
30
Sep

RATED X - Rated X (Pre-View)

Artist: 
Friday, November 7, 2014
Categories: 
News Feed
 
Rated X Exclusive Preview:
 
Joe Lynn Turner is in devastating form, ripping through 12 energised classic rock tracks drenched in organ and driven by some tough riffing from Karl Cochran. 
 
Drummer Carmine Appice and bassist Tony Franklin reunite for the first time since Blue Murder, delivering the precise ear drum shattering rhythm section expected of both journeymen. 
 
Song wise, what is delivered is exactly what was expected and hoped for.  
A mix of Mother's Army, Blue Murder and Joe Lynn Turner's rocking solo best. 
 
The opening track Get Back My Crown is a high energy blast, Lhasa is epic classic rock, the melodic hard rocker I Don't Cry Anymore sees Carmine in crashing form and the heavy ballad Fire And Ice is prime time JLT. 
Our Love Is Not Over is another great pure melodic rock track. 
 
Looking forward to reviewing this in full detail and enjoying playing it on high rotation for some time to come. 
 
First impressions are very favourable indeed. 
 
 
 
 
 
FRONTIERS MUSIC Srl SET TO
RELEASE RATED X
 
All Star Hard Rock Line Up Includes
Vocalist Joe Lynn Turner; Drummer Carmine Appice;
Bassist Tony Franklin and Guitarist Karl Cochran.
 
Frontiers Music Srl, the Italian-based label known for embracing new music from legendary Rock artists, returns with another impactful project: RATED X.  Set for release in the EU on November 7th and in North America on November 11th, the album features all new songs built upon a classic Hard Rock foundation, with a distinctly contemporary edge.
 
 
RATED X was formed at the suggestion of Frontiers President Serafino Perugino, who mentioned to singer Joe Lynn Turner that a band of highest caliber musicians should be assembled to create an album of classic Hard Rock music.  Turner, the former lead vocalist for both Rainbow and Deep Purple and a solo artist in his own right, agreed, and the search for the right players was on. Carmine Appice, who already had a relationship with Frontiers, was on board immediately.  A true percussion icon, Appice’s resume is one that Rock legends are made of: Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Ozzy Osbourne, Rod Stewart, Blue Murder, King Kobra and others.
 
Appice’s former Blue Murder bandmate and bassist, Tony Franklin (best known for his work with The Firm, Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers, David Gilmour, Kate Bush, and Whitesnake), signed up next. After a lengthy search for the right guitarist, they settled on long-time Turner collaborator Karl Cochran, who has also worked with Ace Frehley, and worked in the past with Joe Lynn Turner on his solo albums.
 
“I believe we wanted to keep it a bit retro with a modern edge,” says Turner. “The songs are classic rock, but then that's an understatement. They are what they are; and they transformed as we went along recording. So, all in all, we are very happy to finish the record and finally able to get it out to the public. Everyone in this band is a true individual and stylist. When you put it all together, you have Rated X.”
 
The debut album, simply titled, Rated X, is remarkable in that it sounds like a band that has worked together as a unit for years. The songs are powerful and the performances are tight and innovative.  Frontiers in-house producer, Alessandro del Vecchio, not only handled studio production but added keyboards on several tracks. Pat Regan (Mr Big, Deep Purple, Gotthard, Kiss, Doro) mixed the album.
 
Says Carmine Appice: “With his help in coming up with the song ideas and working together with the band I believe we came up with the sound from the late 70s -80s. To me, it sounds like Blue Murder with Joe Lynn Turner singing. Having Tony and myself as the rhythm section and with the heavy guitars, it gives the record a Blue Murder-vibe. Then, adding Alessandro on keys gave us a bit of the Deep Purple thing. It all works together and I loved playing each song.”
 
Enjoy RATED X Electronic Press Kit on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCnxyqlpspg
 
Track listing: Get Back My Crown; This Is Who I Am; Fire And Ice; I Don't Cry No More; Lhasa; Devil In Disguise; You Are The Music; Peace Of Mind; Maybe Tonight; On The Way To Paradise; Our Love Is Not Over; Stranger In Us All.
 
Preorder RATED X at: http://geni.us/RatedXAMZ
            For all things RATED X, please visit: www.facebook.com/RatedXRocks
 
 
Mon
18
Aug

RATED X Debut Due November (Joe Lynn Turner, Carmine Appice, Karl Cochran, Tony Franklin)

Artist: 
Friday, November 7, 2014
 
Announcing Rated X! Featuring Joe Lynn Turner (Joe Lynn Turner Official Page) on vocals, Karl Cochran on guitar and the reunion of the famed and beloved rhythm section of bassist Tony Franklin (Tony Franklin The Fretless Monster) and drummer Carmine Appice (Carmine Appice Himself)!
 
Self-titled debut album will be released November 7th in EU, November 11th in U.S. via Frontiers Records. Pre-order on Amazon.com (Amazon Music) here: http://geni.us/RatedXAMZ
 
First taste of music COMING SOON!
 
1. Get Back My Crown 2. This Is Who I Am 3. Fire And Ice 4. I Don't Cry No More 5. Lhasa 6. Devil In Disguise 7. You Are The Music 8. Peace Of Mind 9. Maybe Tonight 10. On The Way To Paradise 11. Our Love Is Not Over 12. Stranger In Us All 
 
RATED X is an exciting and fresh new band built around the talents of four heavy-hitters of American hard rock. Comprised of vocalist Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple, Yngwie Malmsteen), guitarist Karl Cochran (Ace Frehley), fretless-bass monster Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder, Whitesnake) and iconic drummer Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Rod Stewart, Ozzy Osbourne, Blue Murder, King Kobra).
 
Appice was the first person who was called in to join JLT in the band, given the long history of friendship and musical camaraderie between the two. After a quick search, Tony Franklin soon agreed to be part of the band thus reuniting the rhythm section that was featured on the legendary debut album by Blue Murder. The last step was to find the right guitarist and who could be a better choice than long time Joe Lynn Turner collaborator, Karl Cochran; a flamboyant guitar player that can masterfully handle the Arena Rock style, with a Classic Hard Rock sensibility second to none.
 
With ties to some of heavy rock's most seminal bands Rainbow, Deep Purple, Blue Murder and Vanilla Fudge RATED X is the definition of a supergroup. 
 
 
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