JAKE E. LEE's RED DRAGON CARTEL Announces North American Tour
RED DRAGON CARTEL, the band led by former OZZY OSBOURNE and BADLANDS guitarist Jake E. Lee, will embark on a North American tour in February. The trek will kick off February 23 in Reno, Nevada and wrap on April 2 in Queens, New York.
Tour dates:
Feb. 23 - Reno, NV @ Nugget Casino Resort Feb. 24 - Agoura Hills, CA @ The Canyon Club Feb. 26 - San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick Feb. 28 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Whisky
Mar. 01 - Santa Ana, CA @ Malones Mar. 02 - Las Vegas, NV @ Vamp'd Mar. 03 - Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Mar. 05 - Denver, CO @ Herman's Hideaway Mar. 07 - Dallas, TX @ Trees Mar. 08 - San Antonio, TX @ The Rock Box Mar. 09 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live Mar. 11 - Nashville, TN @ The Basement East Mar. 13 - Joliet, IL @ The Forge Mar. 14 - Ft. Wayne, IN @ Pierre's Mar. 15 - Detroit, MI @ Token Lounge Mar. 16 - Toronto, ON @ The Rockpile Mar. 18 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Crafthouse Mar. 21 - Buford, GA @ 37 Main Mar. 22 - Greenville, SC @ Firmament Mar. 23 - Hopewell, VA @ Beacon Theater Mar. 25 - Sellersville, PA @ Sellersville Theater Mar. 26 - New York, NY @ Iridium Mar. 27 - Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live Mar. 29 - Teaneck, NJ @ Debonair Music Hall Mar. 30 - Patchogue, NY @ 89 North Mar. 31 - New Bedford, MA @ The Vault at Greasy Luck Apr. 02 - Queens, NY @ Blackthorn 51
RED DRAGON CARTEL's sophomore album, "Patina", is being released today (Friday, November 9) via Frontiers Music Srl. The follow-up to RED DRAGON CARTEL's eponymous 2014 debut, marks the group's first release with drummer Phil Varone (SAIGON KICK, SKID ROW) and bassist Anthony Esposito. The band's current lineup is rounded out by singer Darren James Smith.
RED DRAGON CARTEL's new album was recorded at Esposito's Obscenic Arts studio in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania and was reportedly mixed by legendary producer Max Norman, who has previously worked with OZZY OSBOURNE, MEGADETH, SAVATAGE and LOUDNESS, among others.
In addition to being the new bassist for RED DRAGON CARTEL, Esposito co-produced the album alongside Lee.
"I think we had a great production partnership," says Jake. "He never discouraged me from trying things that were a bit outside the box; in fact, he encouraged it. His attention to detail in the recording of everything was exceptional. Much more than I alone would have toiled over. He has an incredible work ethic that kept me from lapsing into complacency. If we disagreed on how something should be, we'd find a perfect marriage of the two sides, or completely reimagine it. We didn't settle on anything unless we both agreed it was perfect. If I do another album, I'd love it to be with him again."
Another new member to RED DRAGON CARTEL is drummer Phil Varone, whose style Leereally appreciated. "Phil is a very solid and groove-oriented player, who is not afraid to turn things upside down to give the song a more unique flavor," explains Lee.
"Patina" marks a change of style from the debut RED DRAGON CARTEL album, featuring a more bluesy hard rock direction as opposed to its predecessor's heavier leanings.
Lee says: "The first album was more of a piecemeal production with some of the song ideas being 10 years old and never having more than one player in the room at any time. I wanted to do this one from scratch with all the songs originating and worked on with everyone in the room, on their instruments. It felt much more organic, like the way I used to do it for the first 20 years of my career — more honest to my roots."
When asked about his musical inspirations for the record, Jake says: "My inspirations for 'Patina' are from the artists I loved during my youth. Robin Trower, Santana, BLACK SABBATH, CAPTAIN BEYOND, THIN LIZZY, GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, David Bowie… I could go on and on, but let me also say that there are also hints of SLY & THE FAMILY STONE, Dick Dale, psychedelia and even some George Benson. Don't let any of that scare you — it all makes sense!"
"Patina" is a definitive statement of Jake's unbelievable skills with a monster production from Esposito and a perfect mix, courtesy of Norman, whose relationship with Jake dates back to the guitarist's days with OZZY OSBOURNE.
The track listing for the disc is as follows:
01. Speedbag 02. Havana 03. Crooked Man 04. The Luxury Of Breathing 05. Bitter 06. Chasing Ghosts 07. A Painted Heart 08. Punchclown (bonus track) 09. My Beautiful Mess 10. Ink & Water
The official music video for "Havana" can be seen below.
