Former MEGADETH Guitarist Conquers Japan

August 11, 2003

Former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman recently played two songs from his latest solo CD, "Music For Speeding" ("Lust For Life" and "It's The Unreal Thing"),live in the broadcast center for Japan's Sky Perfect TV's "Party Dude!" program. This nationwide hard rock show will broadcast the two songs plus interviews on two separate programs over the next month. This can be seen around the world depending on your cable system.

In other news, Friedman is involved in the songwriting for Japanese rock singer Aikawa Nanase's forthcoming album. One new track, "Dahlia", was debuted live at the first three shows on Nanase's recent tour — which featured Friedman as part of the singer's backing group — but there are other tracks in the running for first new single as well. "I'm really excited to be in Nanase's band," says Marty. "Nanase herself, her producer, staff and other band members are absolutely top-notch, and I am looking forward to working with her much more in the future. Being a part of her music makes me glad that I came to Japan."

Also on the Friedman front, Marty hooked up with multi-platinum DO AS INFINITY arranger Yoshihisa Tokuda to add guitar tracks to Japanese heavy band 03 for a song on their forthcoming Sony Records release. More details will be made available soon.

On August 20, Marty will be one of the very first — if not the first — non-Japanese rock musicians to perform on Japan's nationwide NHK network during prime time. He will perform two songs live during an hour-long special hosted by vocal legend Masanori Sera (with whom he will be playing at Tokyo's Budokan on October 8.)

On August 4, Marty played "Nasty Machine" for an auditorium of music journalists as well as mainstream journalists debuting Roland/Boss's brand new multi effect/computer recording device, the GS-10. This futuristic product will go on sale first in Japan at the end of August, and the rest of the world after that. Guitar tones that Marty created himself for this unit will be downloadable from the Internet by those who have the GS-10. For those of you wanting to know how Marty gets his tone, this is a must-have. See www.roland.co.jp for more information.

As previously reported, Friedman will be teaming up with Alex Skolnick's (ex-TESTAMENT, SAVATAGE) jazz combo THE ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO and original MEGADETH guitarist Chris Poland's (ex-DAMN THE MACHINE) prog-rock outfit OHM fo a month-long U.S. tour, dubbed "Guitarevolution". Marty's backing band for the trek will consist of guitarist Ron Jarzombek (WATCHTOWER, SPASTIC INK),drummer Jimmy DeGrasso (ex-MEGADETH, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, Y&T) and bassist Chris Catero (RAZER, ex-WARDOG).

Upcoming "Guitarevolution" tour dates:

Sep. 05 - Tucson, AZ - City Limits
Sep. 06 – Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre
Sep. 08 - San Diego, CA - Canes
Sep. 09 - Santa Ana, CA - Galaxy Theatre
Sep. 10 - West Hollywood, CA - The Troubadour
Sep. 11 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
Sep. 12 - Orangevale, CA - The Boardwalk

Additional dates will be announced soon.

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