““I never meant to be so bad to you, one thing I said that I would never do. A look from you and I would fall from grace, and that would wipe the small right from my face……Do you remember when we used to dance? An incident arose from circumstance. One thing led to another we were young, and we would scream together songs unsung….it was the Heat of the Moment”…..Man did I love that song in my younger years and to this very day it is still one of my favorite tunes from Rock radios heyday. Well, at least during my own era’s heyday for Rock radio. Take a look at the press release.
Press Release:
The dragon has risen again. Iconic British rock band ASIA is about to embark on its 2014 Gravitas World Tour, incorporating visits to Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The band is taking to the road in support of its acclaimed new CD, Gravitas, introducing its newest member, guitarist Sam Coulson. “It always was a great live band, but this time the dragon has awakened with fresh energy, direction and purpose,” says Asia’s John Wetton, adding: “last summer, ASIA played live dates which opened in the UK, took in the massive Sweden Rock Festival, a European tour and a TV show in the glorious Roman Amphitheater, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, with an orchestra. These were the first dates of the new chapter of ASIA.” “There is a great energy when we step on stage,” says keyboardist Geoff Downes. “We can feel it and I know the fans can feel it.”
Asia’s debut album exploded onto the music scene in April, 1982, with several Top 10 singles. It became the best-selling album in the World in 1982. Featuring Geoff Downes on keyboards, Steve Howe on guitar, Carl Palmer on drums and John Wetton on lead vocal and bass, Asia was the logical successor to their collective bands of the 70s – Yes, ELP, King Crimson, UK and The Buggles. Asia became one of the most played acts during the first year of MTV. Throughout most of ’82, Asia ruled the radio airwaves and MTV, selling out every date on tour as the debut album crushed all the competition in record stores around the World. The original line-up of ASIA reformed in 2006. It was the first time the four original members had worked together in 23 years. Prior to Gravitas, ASIA had completed several world tours, released three brilliant studio albums (2008’s Phoenix, 2010’s Omega, and 2012’s XXX), as well as three live albums and Blu`-rays / DVDs. For ASIA’s long-devoted fans, the band’s return to the concert stage cannot come soon enough. As Carl Palmer says: “performing on stage is where this band truly comes into its element. Seeing the fans reacting to our music is what makes it all worthwhile. It is the fuel that drives this train we call ASIA
Let’s get a look at those tour dates and for the first time here on the PiercingMetal page, I am even going to list those shows happening outside of our own US territories We can discuss more after that alright?
Tour Dates:
UK
Wed 6/11 Malvern UK Malvern Theatre
Thu 6/12 Holmfirth, UK Picturedrome
JAPAN
Tue 6/17 Nagoya, Japan Zepp
Wed 6/18 Osaka, Japan Sankei Hall Breeze
Thu 6/19 Tokyo, Japan Shibuya Kokaido
Fri 6/20 Tokyo, Japan Shibuya Kokaido
NORTH AMERICA
Thu 9/11 Norfolk, CT Infinity Hall
Fri 9/12 Shirley, MA Bull Run
Sat 9/13 Verona, NY Turning Stone Casino
Sun 9/14 Hartford, CT Infinity Hall
Wed 9/17 York, PA Pullo Center
Thu 9/18 State College, PA State Theater
Fri 9/19 Akron, NY Brauns Concert Cove
Sat 9/20 New York, NY BB Kings
Mon 9/22 Warrendale, PA Jergel’s
Wed 9/24 Newark, OH Midland Theater
Thu 9/25 Morristown, NJ Mayo Performing Arts Center
Fri 9/26 New Hope, PA (Phil) Havana (Rosh Hashanah)
Sat 9/27 Englewood, NJ Bergen Performing Arts Center
Sun 9/28 Wilkes-Barre, PA Mohegan Sun Casino – Poconos
Tue 9/30 Annapolis, MD Rams Head
Wed 10/1 Annapolis, MD Rams Head
Fri 10/3 Atlanta, GA Variety Theater
Sat 10/4 Biloxi, MS Hard Rock Casino
Sun 10/5 Franklin TN Franklin Theater
Tue 10/7 Milwaukee, WI Pabst Theater
Wed 10/8 Royal Oak, MI Royal Oak Music Theater
Thu 10/9 St. Charles, IL Arcada Theatre
Sat 10/11 Dallas, TX Granada Theater
Mon 10/13 Tucson, AZ Fox Theater
Tue 10/14 Phoenix, AZ The Press Room
Thu 10/16 Agoura Hills, CA The Canyon
Fri 10/17 Las Vegas, NV Red Rock Casino – Rocks
Sat 10/18 Beverly Hills, CA Saban Theater
Sun 10/19 San Juan Capistrano Coach House
Mon 10/20 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern
UK
Tue 10/28 Gateshead, Sage H2
Wed 10/29 Manchester, RNCM,
Thu 10/30 Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall
Fri 10/31 Christchurch The Regent Centre
Sun 11/2 London Shepherds Bush Empire
Since I noticed that one of the shows of the great Asia will be happening at our home away from home, the venerated B.B. King Blues Club, you can bet your bottom dollar that I am going to try and be in attendance. Who knows, if luck is on my side (and you readers mostly) perhaps I will have a contest to offer up about the show. Please stay tuned for more on that. I should share that I never actually saw a full Asia concert. I did some photography of the reunited original line a couple of years ago but the photographers were only permitted to shoot and then get on with their night. Sigh, don’t worry that is one of the trials of this particular pursuit. So what do you think? Will you be looking into a show in your area? What do you like most about this band?
Official Website: www.originalasia.com
I’ve assembled some links for you to peruse their most recent offerings and some legendary classic releases on Amazon.com – I think that you should look into adding them to your music library.