BMG are proud to announce the worldwide release of the debut album Smith/Kotzen by Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen on March 26.
Scars is the second single from the upcoming album and follows on from Taking My Chances.
Scars is described by Adrian as a song which ‘starts off with a dreamy intro then comes in heavy’, a hark-back to 70’s bluesy rock which the duo found particularly fun to work on.
Watch the video here
https://smith-kotzen.lnk.to/albumPR
As Richie explains, ‘I remember Scars being one of the songs we wrote in the very beginning of the process. There is something moody and mysterious going on in this track that I find quite engaging. This would be a great track for us to stretch out live for some guitar improvisation between the two of us’.
As well as the pair co-writing, co-producing and sharing guitars and vocals, Richie also plays bass and drums on the track. The black & white video was once again shot on both sides of the Atlantic. Performances from the band take place in home studios in London and LA whilst outdoor footage juxtaposes the rugged beauty of the British Jurassic coast with the historic Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific coastline near Malibu.
Adrian Smith is best known as one of Iron Maiden’s principal guitarists, having also enjoyed success as a solo artist. Richie Kotzen is the frontman for The Winery Dogs as well as having been the guitarist for both Mr Big and Poison during his long and acclaimed career, which has to date seen him release more than 20 solo albums. Both artists are also prolific songwriters.
Recorded on the Turks & Caicos Islands in February 2020, produced by Richie and Adrian and mixed by Kevin “Caveman” Shirley, this nine track opus is a consummate collaboration between these two highly respected musicians who co-wrote all the songs and also share lead vocals and trade off on guitar and bass duties throughout the record.
Exploding with powerful melodies & harmonies, the album embodies the spirited attitude of 70’s classic rock with a melting-pot of influences ranging from blues, hard rock, traditional R&B and more, blending the pair’s backgrounds and life experiences to result in a thoroughly contemporary sound.
The record features special guest performances by Adrian’s fellow Iron Maiden bandmate Nicko McBrain on drums for the track Solar Fire, and Richie’s longstanding friend and touring partner Tal Bergman on drums for You Don’t Know Me, I Wanna Stay and ‘Til Tomorrow, with Richie picking up the sticks on the other five songs.
The album will be available in these formats:
Digipack CD
12” black vinyl with embossed sleeve
Digital (streaming and download)
Limited edition 12” red & black smoke effect coloured vinyl
The full track-listing is:
Taking My Chances
Running
Scars
Some People
Glory Road
Solar Fire
You Don’t Know Me
I Wanna Stay
‘Til Tomorrow
Pre order now from
smith-kotzen.lnk.to/albumPR
