Ex-HELLOWEEN Singer MICHAEL KISKE Talks Influences, Vocal Technique In New Video Interview

Marko Osterholz of Rockvoice HQ recently conducted an interview with former HELLOWEEN and current UNISONIC vocalist Michael Kiske. You can now watch the chat below.

In addition to Kiske, UNISONIC's current lineup includes Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY, ex-HELLOWEEN), Dennis Ward (bass) and Kosta Zafiriou (drums) of Germany's PINK CREAM 69 and Swiss guitarist Mandy Meyer (who has previously played with ASIA, GOTTHARD and KROKUS).

UNISONIC is:

Michael Kiske (vocals)
Mandy Meyer (guitar)
Kai Hansen (guitar)
Dennis Ward (bass)
Kosta Zafiriou (drums)

Having split with HELLOWEEN in late 1993, Kiske participated in various projects and released several solo albums but had not been part of a real group effort until now.

While collaborating with Ward and Zafiriou on the PLACE VENDOME project five years ago, Kiske found two musical soulmates. They ended up recording two PLACE VENDOME albums before deciding to join forces in a new brand new band. Ward, who had previously produced a record for KROKUS, suggested Meyer as the perfect addition to the group in the vacant guitarist slot.

Kiske, one of the finest and most unique voices in contemporary rock music, explains his motivation of becoming a part of a band again: "Since the PLACE VENDOME productions I was impressed by Dennis Ward's skills as a songwriter and producer. We were occasionally fooling around since then via email that we should do more together in the future, so the idea came up to do a new band. I was generally getting a bit tired of doing everything on my own for so many years, so it just felt like the right thing to do now. We can all only benefit from working together. No matter how good you are solo, four people will always be better than one, I think, if they manage to function together. And a real band is also a very good reason to finally go on tour again."

Source: Blabbermouth.net

Motley Crue's Tommy Lee and Poison's Brett Michaels could face gun crime charges

Montley Crue drummer Tommy Lee and Poison frontman Brett Michaels could face gun crime charges after a local TV station reported them to police.

The pair had taken time off from their co-headlining US tour to visit a shooting range in North Carolina and were photographed posing with guns, but could be prosecuted as at least one of them has a criminal record, which prevents them from operating a gun legally.

North Carolina state laws sets out that it is an offence "for any person who has been convicted of a felony to purchase, own, possess, or have in his custody, care, or control any firearm."

Bizarrely, the rockers were accompanied to the shooting range by a former police officer and were not aware they were committing an offence until local TV station WSOCTV brought it to the attention of police.

WSOCTV said in their bulletin on the subject:

"The sheriff and local police chiefs didn't know about it until we brought it to their attention. It could be illegal if any of those men have criminal records that prohibits them from using guns. There were officers from the Rowan County Sheriff's Office, Salisbury and Spencer police departments with the rockers. We found that out when the sheriff and both chiefs called me to say they’re now investigating. The sheriff wants to know if the pictures show bad judgement, a policy problem or a crime".

Source: NME