In constructing this new album, legendary rock icons UFO composed more than 35 new tracks in advance of hitting the studio, 13 of which were short-listed and produced at the studio, and 10 of them making the final cut. The final product; the band’s new album, The Visitor.
The current UFO 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 continues,”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.”
UFO’s The Visitor is in stores June 2nd, 2009. Confirmed US tour dates are below, with more TBA in the coming weeks.
10/02/2009 Jaxx – Springfield, VA
10/03/2009 Tangiers – Akron, OH
10/07/2009 The Rex – Pittsburgh, PA
10/08/2009 The Chance – Poughkeepsie, NY
10/09/2009 Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
10/10/2009 BB Kings – New York, NY
10/15/2009 Ameristar Casino – St. Charles, MO
10/16/2009 House Of Blues – Chicago, IL
10/17/2009 Medina Ballroom – Hamel, MN
10/21/2009 The Catalyst – Santa Cruz, CA
10/22/2009 The Brixton – Redondo Beach, CA
10/23/2009 The Coach House – San Juan Capistrano, CA
10/24/2009 Boulder Station Casino – Las Vegas, NV
10/25/2009 Majestic Ventura Theater – Ventura, CA
10/27/2009 Key Club – West Hollywood, CA
10/28/2009 The Fat Cat – Modesto, CA
10/29/2009 Aladdin Theatre – Portland, OR
10/30/2009 Neumos – Seattle, WA
11/01/2009 The Independent – San Francisco, CA