MIKE KENEALLY has released his latest album on Exowax Recordings. 17 years in the making, Scambot 2 is the long-awaited sequel to the 2009 release Scambot 1. As Mike reveals:
“Scambot 2 continues the epic tale of a grumpy little guy named Scambot, whose behavior and personality are being controlled by an evil fruit jam magnate named Ophunji. Scambot 2 contains wonderful performances from the likes of Kris Myers, Pete Griffin, Bryan Beller, Joe Travers, Doug Lunn, Gregg Bendian, Ben Thomas, Jesse Keneally and Marco Minnemann, and I think it‘s the best set of songs I‘ve turned out on album since Wooden Smoke in 2001.”
The 2-CD physical edition comes with a second album called Inkling, consisting of additional music recorded during the Scambot 2 sessions but standing apart as an album in its own right. Dave Gregory, formerly of XTC, had the following wonderful things to say about Scambot 2 and Inkling:
“Truly progressive, imaginative compositions, and performance standards most of us could never hope to obtain…Having played both discs 3 times each so far, I would venture to suggest that they‘re the best–sounding digital recordings I‘ve yet heard.”
Mike notes that, in contrast to the dense, mostly instrumental and pretty abstract Scambot 1, the sequel Scambot 2 may take listeners by surprise with its more melodic and relatively accessible nature. Mike’s goal was to write a bunch of songs, as opposed to compose a bunch of pieces. From the multi-movement epic “In The Trees” to the rocking “Roots Twist” and “Roll” to the lilting “Sam” to the twangy “Constructed” to the proggity “Buzz” and “Clipper”.
Scambot 2 is available to purchase as a special double-CD set consisting of the Scambot 2 album (65 minutes of music) and the Inkling album (48 minutes of music) in a handsome digi-pak with two booklets.
Mike will also be touring Northeast and Midwest dates in the U.S. with the classic trio configuration of Mike Keneally & Beer For Dolphins (featuring Bryan Beller and Joe Travers) for the first time since forming in the 1990s. Mike Keneally (guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist) has been playing with Joe Travers (drums) and Bryan Beller (bass) since 1993, when they were members of the Dweezil and Ahmet Zappa band Z. Throughout the 90s, as Mike Keneally & Beer For Dolphins, they played frequently on the West Coast in support of Keneally’s solo albums hat., Boil That Dust Speck and Sluggo! Although Keneally has worked with countless brilliant musicians throughout his solo career, fans have long held a special appreciation for the high energy, humor, camaraderie and virtuosity of the Keneally/Beller/Travers triumvirate. Now finally, after more than two decades, this powerful trio version of MK/BFD is coming to states in the Midwest and Northeast of the US, and playing music covering the gamut of Keneally’s career, from those classic 90s releases all the way up to the brand new Scambot 2.
Mike: “I was a bit stunned to realize that this particular configuration, with whom I gigged so much in California in the ’90s, has never played in the Midwest and Northeast as a trio. There is a certain ferociousness that takes hold on when it’s just me, Bryan and Joe, and it’s going to be fun to finally bring that vibe to the other side of the country for once.”
Tour Dates (for ticket links see: http://www.keneally.com/live/)
Mike Keneally as special guest (In a tribute to Keith Emerson)
- Friday, October 21 at Reggie’s Progtoberfest II, Chicago IL.
Mike Keneally & Beer for Dolphins Tour (with Bryan Beller and Joe Travers)
- October 22: Reggies’s Progtoberfest II in Chicago IL
- October 25: River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains, PA
- October 26: Iridium Jazz Club in New York City (8pm & 10pm)
- October 27: Jammin’ Java in Vienna, VA (Washington DC)
- October 28: Kennett Flash in Kennett Square, PA
- October 29: New Jersey Proghouse in Dunellen, NJ
- October 30: The Wheelhouse in Narragansett, RI
- November 1: The Camel in Richmond, VA
- November 2: The Pour House in Raleigh, NC
- November 3: The Rabbit Hole in Charlotte, NC
For more information on Mike Keneally, please visit:
- Website: http://www.keneally.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mike.keneally
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