Artist: RICKY WARWICK [BLACK STAR RIDERS, THE ALMIGHTY]
Album: WHEN PATSY CLINE WAS CRAZY & GUY MITCHEL SANG THE BLUES VINYL (2LP)

Release date: 2016
EAN/UPS: 727361364816
Media type: LP

Singer/songwriter/guitarist RICKY WARWICK was cut from the cloth of a mill workers jacket. RICKY has embraced no-frills, emotionally direct, pure music exemplified by such American influences as Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Woody Guthrie and Steve Earle.

Born in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland, RICKY got his first guitar at 14. "That old, used guitar changed my life... it saved me, it was more than just notes on a fret board, it was the deepest breath of life I ever experienced. I felt like I was armed when I carried it. I knew exactly what I wanted to do and nothing was ever gonna be the same again once I dragged my thumb across those strings."

It turned out that RICKY was a natural fit for the well-worn acoustic. It wasn't long before he was aping Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen records, although it would not be much longer before bands like STIFF LITTLE FINGERS, MC5, THE CLASH and SEX PISTOLS infiltrated his bedroom. "Those artists gave me a voice”, says RICKY. “When no one would listen to a fourteen year old boy, they gave me something important to say." The following year, his family relocated to Strathaven, Scotland. RICKY got his first taste of the real world of rock ‘n’ roll, when he was asked to join UK punk/folk band NEW MODEL ARMY as an additional guitarist on the band’s »Ghost Of Cain« album world tour. After leaving NEW MODEL ARMY, the young guitarist went on to found THE ALMIGHTY in Glasgow, Scotland. THE ALMIGHTY enjoyed ten Top 40 singles and four Top 20 albums in the UK and shared the stage with such iconic bands as THE RAMONES, ALICE IN CHAINS, IRON MAIDEN and METALLICA over their career.

In 2002, RICKY brazenly embarked on an acoustic solo career and recorded his first release, »Tattoos & Alibis«. Recorded in Dublin, Ireland, RICKY collaborated with Peter O' Toole of HOTHOUSE FLOWERS and Scott Gorham of THIN LIZZY fame, a meeting that would have great ramifications for RICKY’s future. This album brought about a much different feel than his past efforts with THE ALMIGHTY, with RICKY drawing from his influences such as STEVE EARLE, JOHNNY CASH, RAMONES and THE CLASH. Released in September of 2003 on Sanctuary Records, »Tattoos & Alibis« was produced by DEF LEPPARD's Joe Elliott. It seemed as if RICKY has finally found a balance to his art, and was able to mix his influences in powerful story driven songs about his roots, life, loss, redemption and love.

RICKY has always been a driven performer and whilst BLACK STAR RIDERS is his main priority he also found time to mine his creative soul and created two new solo records. RICKY explains, “While we were working on the new BSR album, I just got into a very productive song writing zone. The songs just kept coming and coming”. RICKY writes songs in a number of styles and many of these tracks would not be at home on a BLACK STAR RIDERS album. So, he decided to record and to release these albums as solo projects.

The results are the beautiful acoustic album »Hearts on Trees« and the more hard-rock centred »When Patsy Cline Was Crazy (And Guy Mitchell Sang The Blues)« which will be released as a double album by Nuclear Blast.

RICKY comments "»Hearts On Trees« and »When Patsy Cline Was Crazy (And Guy Mitchell Sang The Blues)« were written by myself and my good friend Sam Robinson, both albums depict our experiences of growing up and coming from the Greater East Belfast area, not only experiences that have happened to us but historical references and stories that have been told to us by friends and family...in saying that both albums translate those experiences on to a global scale that hopefully anyone geographically can relate to.”

The release also boasts an array of acclaimed musicians with guests such as; Joe Elliot (DEF LEPPARD), Damon Johnson (THIN LIZZY/BLACK STAR RIDERS), Andy Cairns (THERAPY?), Billy Morrison (BILLY IDOL), Nathan Connolly (SNOW PATROL), Ginger Wildheart, Jake Burns (STIFF LITTLE FINGERS), Richard Fortus (GUNS N’ ROSES/DEAD DAISIES).

RICKY put together a full band to bring these great songs to fruition on the stage contacting some of the amazing musicians he has befriended over the years and virtually overnight The Fighting Hearts were born. To kick things off, RICKY WARWICK & THE FIGHTING HEARTS will be supporting Belfast’s own favourite sons, STIFF LITTLE FINGERS on their UK tour in Feb/March of 2016.


Side A:

01. The Road To Damascus Street
02. Celebrating Sinking
03. When Patsy Cline Was Crazy
04. Toffee Town
05. That’s Where The Story Ends
06. Johnny Ringo’s Last Ride

Side B:

01. Gold Along The Cariboo
02. Son Of The Wind
03. If You’re Not Gonna Leave Me…
04. Yesteryear

Bonus:
05. The Whiskey Song
06. Tank McCullough Saturdays
(Electric Version)

Side C:

01. Presbyterian Homesick Blues
02. Tank McCullough Saturdays
03. Psycho
04. Hearts On Trees
05. Said Samson To Goliath
06. Way Too Cold For Snow

Side D:

01. Schwaben Redoubt
02. The Year Of Living Dangerously
03. Disasters
04. 82

Bonus:
05. Love Owes
06. Eight Bells (Demo)


RICKY WARWICK & THE FIGHTING HEARTS are:

RICKY WARWICK - vocals & guitars (THE ALMIGHTY, THIN LIZZY, BLACK STAR RIDERS)
Robbie Crane - bass (RATT, BLACK STAR RIDERS)
Mark Thwaite - guitars (THE MISSION, PETER MURPHY)
Gary Sullivan - drums ((sic))