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SINGER/SONGWRITER RICKY WARWICK RELEASES
'TATTOOS & ALIBIS' ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2003
THROUGH SANCTUARY RECORDS
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Ricky Warwick has grown immeasurably as an artist the past few years, and this surge of creative inspiration has resulted in his new solo album 'Tattoos & Alibis' set for release on Sanctuary Records on September 23, 2003.
On 'Tattoos & Alibis,' Warwick, formerly of the British punk/hard rock band the Almighty, has embraced no-frills, emotionally direct, pure music exemplified by such American influences as Johnny Cash, the Eagles, Bruce Springsteen, Cheap Trick, Tom Petty, Steve Earle and many others. "I learned how to play guitar from my dad's Johnny Cash records and an Eagles songbook," Warwick says, although bands like Motörhead, MC5, the Ramones, the Clash, the Sex Pistols were just as influential.
Def Leppard vocalist Joe Elliott co-produced 'Tattoos & Alibis' with Ronan McHugh. Warwick and Elliott have been close friends for several years. The 14 songs on Tattoos & Alibis include: "Mysterioso," "Enemies," "Can't Live With Maybe," "The Genuine Fool," "Three Sides to Every Story," "It Always Rains on Sunday," "The Church of Paranoia," "Nothing is Real," "Tattoos & Alibis," "Minor Miracles," "Crack 'N' Divide," "Can't Get Arrested," "Close to the Last Call" and "Ending is Better Than Mending." The album has already been released in Japan, but "Can't Live With Maybe" and "Minor Miracles" are recently recorded bonus tracks for the North American release. Warwick's co-writers on a few songs include Elliott and Del James (known for his work with Guns 'N Roses).
"I found myself writing songs that were radically different from what I had done in the past, but it came naturally. I played some demos of these songs to people at my publishing company who really liked them and to Joe Elliott who also liked them," says Warwick, a Northern Ireland native. "This really encouraged me to make this album.
"These songs gave me new areas to explore. Lyrically, they go into other directions. The Almighty's songs were political, but my new songs are different. The hard part was having the guts and confidence to do it. I also completely changed my singing style. I realized that you don't have to shout to get your point across. Part of it was relaxing and having that confidence. When the melodies are strong you have to sing them. It's far, far easier to sing than shout."
Warwick, Elliott and McHugh performed most of the music on 'Tattoos & Alibis.' Notable special guests include Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham and Hothouse Flowers bass guitarist/mandolinist Peter O'Toole as well as S.J. McArdle and Seanie Foy, both who are popular vocalists/guitarists in Ireland. Warwick's rich vocals and expressive acoustic guitar playing are enhanced by Gorham and Foy's electric guitar work and McArdle's mandolin lines. Warwick has appeared on Hothouse Flowers albums, so O'Toole returned the favor. Occasional violin and banjo parts contribute more flavors to the sonic stew and Warwick says it's impossible to escape the influence of such folk music in Ireland. "I feel completely comfortable with the direction I've taken with my music, and I'm constantly writing all the time as a result," Warwick says.
Warwick has been touring extensively as a solo opening act for Def Leppard. One man armed with an acoustic guitar in such a position might seem like a shaky proposition on the surface, but Warwick excitedly reports he has received nothing but enthusiastic responses from the crowd. Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell will occasionally pop on stage and sit in with Warwick. "The reaction from Def Leppard fans has been unbelievable. It's a dream come true. As the opener I do seven songs, but they are very in-your-face. That's the beauty of an acoustic guitar and strong songs," says Warwick.
He will remain on the road with Def Leppard this fall and then he plans to tour on his own for at least another year to promote 'Tattoos & Alibis.' Warwick plans both acoustic shows and ones with a band.
Warwick's latest tour dates with Def Leppard include:
DATE
CITY
VENUE
Tuesday, September 23rd
Vancouver, BC
Pacific Coliseum
Thursday, September 25th
Seattle, WA
Key Arena
Friday, September 26th
Ridgefield, WA
Amphitheatre @ Clark Co.
Saturday, September 27th
Boise, ID
Bank of America Centre
Tuesday, September 30th
Spokane, WA
Spokane Arena
Thursday, October 2nd
Concord, CA
Chronicle Pavilion
Friday, October 3rd
Irvine, CA
Verizon Amphitheatre
Saturday, October 4th
Las Vegas, NV
The Joint
www.rickywarwick.com
www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com
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