UFO Puts 40th Anniversary Celebrations On Ice

Veteran British rockers UFO have decided not to celebrate their 40th birthday this year — because lead singer Phil Mogg doesn’t want his band to end up like STATUS QUO.

Speaking to Classic Rock magazine, Mogg said, "We are not in our 40th anniversary. STATUS QUO does that. We don't. No. Do you know what? I don't look too deep. This is, like, rock. If you start looking too deep, then you get carried away with your own stuff. You disappear up your own arse, basically. So I don't really look too deep at it. It's a rock group, you know? It's never that important. Some people find it really important for their own self-importance, if you get what I mean. . . Shut up, just do it. Get up on stage and rock. That's my theory, anyway. I don' like bullshit."

A gydget for the brand new UFO album, "The Visitor", is available below.

UFO composed more than 35 new tracks in the run-up to the recordings, 13 of which were short-listed and produced at the studio.

The current lineup continues to consist of the three original members, Phil Mogg (vocals),Paul Raymond (guitar, keyboards),and Andy Parker (drums),as well as American world-class guitarist Vinnie Moore. Bass legend and original member Pete Way is currently suffering from a liver disease and was unfortunately not available for the studio production.

"All those who have been into UFO for a long time will find all our characteristic trademarks on 'The Visitor', and anybody new to the band will be impressed by our enthusiasm and dynamism," frontman Phil Mogg enthuses on the subject of the new songs. "The Visitor" sees the band benefiting especially from their collaboration with Vinnie Moore, who joined UFO in autumn 2003 and has made an excellent impression on the albums "You Are Here" (2004) and "The Monkey Puzzle" (2006),and on the band’s tours. Mogg says,"Without running down previous UFO lineups, it's been a long time since we had a team as strong as this one. Vinnie contributes his youthful energy and amazing guitar technique, and in Andy's return we've seen the reappearance of a musician who has always been very important to the band's original sound."

Release dates for "The Visitor" (via SPV/Steamhammer):

Germany, Austria, Switzerland: May 29
Rest of Europe: June 2
USA, Canada: June 2

"The Visitor" track listing:

01. Saving Me
02. On The Waterfront
03. Hell Driver
04. Stop Breaking Down
05. Rock Ready
06. Living Proof
07. Can't Buy A Thrill
08. Forsaken
09. Villains & Thieves
10. Stranger In Town
11. Dancing With St. Peter (2009 edition) (digipack bonus track)