JEFF PILSON Announces WAR AND PEACE Touring Lineup

Former DOKKEN/DIO bassist Jeff Pilson has announced the touring lineup for his WAR AND PEACE project. "On guitar is the person I was hoping to get, Mitch Perry," Pilson writes on his web site. "Not only have I known and admired Mitch for a very long time, I’ve done some recent playing with him and was convinced he would be the perfect guy. He's definitely someone who never got the recognition they deserved, even though he's played in a lot of pro bands. He played with Michael Schenker in MSG, Cher, and an '80s band called HEAVEN that were actually really good (especially when Mitch was in there). He's recently been playing with Edgar Winter, and his list goes on. The main thing is the guy can really play — and I mean smoke! Plus he's turning out to be quite the singer as we work out backgrounds in all the songs. He's a stupendous musician, and really a true guitar hero in his own right. But it's cool because with him never getting the recognition he deserved, it's like also having a fresh face to conquer the land with! Mitch also has his own records he hopes to put out soon, so there's a lot there to grasp on to. Again, I couldn't be happier about this.

"The choice of drummer will come as no surprise to many of you, but here it is officially — Michael 'Fro' Frowein, drummer extraordinaire! I've posted many times before at how I love playing with Fro, and what an amazing musician he really is, but there is no way I could overstate what an important factor to the band he is and will continue to be. Not only does Fro have one of those 'magical' grooves that only those special drummers seem to have, but he's such an amazing person that his being in the band takes the vibe of the group to a really high and special place. There's no better feeling than making powerful music with people you love and really respect, and Fro is that to the extreme! Many of you are familiar with Fro's work on the LYNCH/PILSON CD, as well as several songs on the new WAR AND PEACE, but I bet a lot of you didn’t know he once played with some of the guys in TESLA (he too is originally from Sacramento, CA). Fro really gets a chance to shine in this group (as does everyone),but wait 'till you see how powerful this whole thing really turns out to be — and it starts with the drums!

"Now for the guy that I'm quite honestly referring to as the secret weapon of WAR AND PEACE — bassist and vocalist Brad Lang. Brad has played in several bands with Fro over the years (it's also cool to have a 'ready-made' rhythm section!),but to most he'll be an unknown. I don't think that'll be the case for long. Not only does Brad have a great feel and amazing chops on the bass, the guy can sing like a proverbial bird! He can hit notes I haven't been able to hit since the '80s — so let me tell you, the background vocals in this band will KILL!!! We plan on dusting off a couple DOKKEN tracks you may not have heard live in a long time, and so far in rehearsal it's been unbelievable! I feel so very lucky to have Brad on board — and all of you will appreciate what I mean when you see the band. I'm really lucky to have everyone there, and to also be surrounded by such a special group of people — well, all I can be is grateful and happy. Now we just gotta hit the road and kick some ass!

"Now here’s a mind-blow that I just learned about. The show WAR AND PEACE will be playing at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England on Sept. 19th will also be recorded for an up-and-coming WAR AND PEACE live CD! So not only are we playing at the place where THE BEATLES were once the house band, but we're recording it for posterity as well! Wow, that excites me!! I have a feeling it will be a magical night — let's hope a little 'BEATLE-dust' rubs off on everyone that evening! Of course I don't know release dates or anything yet, but stay tuned to the site, 'cuz you KNOW I'll keep you up-to-date on all this! I do know the record will be on Z Records — so I'm really excited and full of anticipation (of course thinking about the baby doesn't hurt either!!!)."