BLACK COUNTRY Forced To Come Up With New Name

The new project featuring drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN) alongside legendary bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH),keyboardist Derek Sherinian (ALICE COOPER, DREAM THEATER, KISS, BILLY IDOL) and guitarist Joe Bonamassa is being forced to come up with a new name.

"There is a band already called BLACK COUNTRY and their legal representatives have already reminded us of that fact," Bonamassa tells Undercover News.

According to Bonamassa, the name was never have meant to have been made public when it was.

"It jumped out of the gun," he says. "It got leaked inadvertently and it has spread like wildfire. It wasn't anybody's fault, it just got leaked. Somebody overheard a conversation. The definition of overhearing a conversation is putting it online and acting if its fact."

He adds, "We will finish this thing in March and we'll have a united, clear-cut name. It is still a work in progress."

In an exclusive interview with Dave Lewis for the forthcoming Tight But Loose magazine, Hughes revealed the future plans for the band formerly known as BLACK COUNTRY.

"You might think with Joe involved it's going to be a bluesy record, and while there are elements of that, it's developed into a classic modern rock album," he said. "There's a real groove to it all, but with a Bonham involved, that's to be expected!

"Jason's drumming is amazing. He really feels the music and knows exactly what's going on in the songs. This is his best playing on an album ever, in my view. It's an honor to be in a band with him. His father helped me so much in my early days in TRAPEZE and was a real mentor to me. He really championed my music. It's amazing to think back and remember being at John's house and seeing him tutoring Jason when he was really young and now I'm playing in a band with him."

Talking about recording the project's debut album, Glenn recalled the sheer buzz of performing in this lineup.

"I remember we were recording the second track, 'One Last Soul', on January 3; it was a Sunday. We were doing it all live and I had this overwhelming feeling that this is the way it should be now. This is what I'm supposed to be doing.

"I'm back in a band and I feel totally rejuvenated. I need, for my own sake, to be involved in this. I love the variety we have and there's a real focus that allows us to grow musically. It's a real 'black country'-sounding album, too. Kevin Shirley's production is typical of his style; there's a rawness and lots of live solos and not a lot of overdubs. There's a light and shade there, too, but as I said, it's also a very gutsy vocal record."