Artist: GARY JOHN BARDEN
Album: AGONY & XTASY (CD)

Year: 2006
Media type: CD

GARY BARDEN belongs to THE voice of British hard rock. The first time BARDEN appeared in the scene was as part of the newly formed MSG (Michael Schenker Group) founded by the former SCORPIONS guitarist of the same name. Their first collaboration resulted in the highly acclaimed album “The Michael Schenker Group” which was released in 1980. Besides the great songs and the great guitar output BARDEN’s voice was one of the reasons why this album became a huge success and allowed the band to hit the road in Europe, Japan and the USA.

Their second album “MSG” saw the light of day in 1981 and followed an even more melodic direction than its predecessor. After the following world tour BARDEN was informed that he was no longer part of the band and replacement was found soon in ex-RAINBOW singer Graham Bonnet. Chrysalis, however, released a live disc recorded in Japan by the original MSG entitled “One Night At Budokan”.

Searching for a new band, BARDEN started to write some songs with THIN LIZZY axeman GARY MOORE which later on ended up on MOORE’s “Corridor Of Power” release. Their working period was short and so was the collaboration between Bonnet and Schenker. Bonnet sang on the 1982 record “Assault Attack” but BARDEN was back with MSG for some live appearances including Reading Festival in the same year and the 1983 record “Built To Destroy”. The label’s pressure to steer more into a commercial direction made the band quit business in 1984.

BARDEN moved on and found a new home in the business together with ex-THIN LIZZY six-string Brian Robertson and the band STATETROOPER, who put out their highly acclaimed self-titled debut album in 1987 and played a couple of live shows in the following months.

After a long break BARDEN returned to the scene with PRAYING MANTIS’ “The Power Of Ten” and the live album “Captured Alive In Tokyo City” (1996). In 2000, BARDEN hit the road again for a couple of live shows with COMPANY OF SNAKES and founded the band SILVER together with Michael Voss (CASANOVA) and Bernie Tormй (IAN GILLAN). STATETROOPER finally re-united in 2004 and put out the classy new record “The Calling”.

The album „Past & Present“ marked the first solo album by GARY BARDEN and offered a very personal collection of new, exciting interpretations of some all-time MSG classics, a selection of songs that both suited GARY BARDEN and MSG fans!

With his long time pal Michael Voss (CASANOVA, BONFIRE) and a couple of friends he went back to the roots to perform his bluesy coverdalish smoky songs that will touch your soul and now are included on “Songs From The Thai Room”. Crunchy guitars,big hammond,natural drums and the honky tonk man on the piano give you the impression of real handmade rock at its best with Michael Schenker himself laying hands on leadguitar (“Let Me Down”); after all these years together with Gary on an album is an exciting moment for all the fans.

Furthermore Swedish axe wizzard Tommy Denander (RADIOACTIVE) reveals his bluesy talent on ”Need Some Love” along with Axel Kruse (JADED HEART) on drums; just listen to the chunky guitar bits Steve Morris (SHADOWMAN, IAN GILLAN) is offering on ”Arise” and last, but not least, Bertram Engel (Robert Palmer, Jimmy Barnes, Bruce Springsteen) steams in like a d-train on the majority of drums. These classic tunes like the fast hitter “Hot Daze”, the stonish grover “No More Reasons” featuring the incredible Martin Huch (Carl Carlton, Oni Logan) on the track!!

TRACKLIST:

Track 1 - Hot Daze
Track 2 - Can't Stop Dreaming
Track 3 - Stop (What 'cha Doing To Me)
Track 4 - Let Me Down
Track 5 - Wounded
Track 6 - No More Reasons
Track 7 - In & Out oOf Love
Track 8 - Arise
Track 9 - Change Of Wind
Track 10 - Need Some Love