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April 30, 2007

RECORD DEALS AND SPINNING WHEELS

So there you have it. We signed our deal with Koch Entertainment, and couldn’t be happier. The record will be released on July 3rd and our first single, LOADED, will be heading towards a radio station near you sometime in May. I am still working on album artwork, press, rehearsing, merch ideas etc etc and enjoying the process. Being able to move Circus Diablo forward is a blessing and hopefully we will be able to bring you the list of confirmed extra dates this week. Either way, we are off and running and, along with Camp Freddy, a movie, a radio show and my sites, I can now front an amazing rock band all summer long. Not really sure what I did to deserve all that, but I am certainly very greatful for everything. It felt like we were spinning our wheels for a while, but there is no point in getting caught up in the details - we just had to let it all play out.

And some of you have been asking about Jeremy, and the answer is simple – he had previous commitments with Steve Vai and was unable to do the summer touring with Diablo. We all love Jeremy, and it was tons of fun working with him. But he had already committed to touring with Steve, and when our plans started to unfold, we all realized they didn’t match up. And that’s it – enter Charles Ruggiero. We have been rehearsing together and the band sounds tight (and LOUD!!) Onwards towards Ozzfest and beyond.

Got the new Podcast up on this site now – and I hope that the I-Tunes subscribing thing still works. Well, it works for me, so I presume its all good. And Dave and I will be in again this coming Saturday. Gilby Clarke was a great guest and if you didn’t hear the show, go to the PODCASTS page of this site and listen NOW!!

That’s all I got for you right now. Keep an eye on all the sites - CIRCUS DIABLO’s MYSPACE PAGE, CIRCUS DIABLO’s WEBSITE, and of course, this very blog of mine. As we get dates, news, details etc, I will make sure that you guys know first. And with that, I gotta get out and get to the gym. I know I still need to attack a bunch of questions, so be patient and I’ll get to it, I promise. And I will also reschedule that Web Chat Session with Karen – God, I just gotta remember to do all this stuff, and then find time. Thank you to everyone who has stuck around – should be a fun summer.

Peace

Billy

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Posted by vivelerock at 09:16 AM | Comments (33)

April 26, 2007

THE MASTERY OF MASTERING

STOP PRESS: DEAL WITH THE DEVIL.

Koch Entertainment, the large, forward thinking,independent label, have signed Los Angeles based hard rock group Circus Diablo to a worldwide exclusive recording agreement. The band is made up of Billy Morrison, Billy Duffy, Ricky Warwick and Brett Scallions. Matt Sorum played drums courtesy of RCA on the forthcoming debut album, which is scheduled for release July 3rd. Charles Ruggiero of Slunt, will be taking up the drum stool for the upcoming tour.
The band is confirmed for all 24 Ozzfest shows this summer, and will be adding headlining shows to their itinerary, along with Ozzfest partners in crime, Mondo Generator. More details to follow. Circus Diablo's first single "Loaded" is headed for rock radio in mid-May.

I am typing this from the mastering suite where Ricky and I are sitting – watching Dave Donnelly master the Circus Diablo album. After we finish all this tweaking, we arrange for Fed Ex to pick up all the mastered files and take them to New York ….. and that’s it. Album done, finished, mastered, tweaked and put to bed. How fantastic is that! Its taken quite a bit of focus, patience, faith and money!! But we managed to finish what we started and we get to move into phase two now – putting it all on the road. I have been videoing bits and pieces from today, so I am bound to edit up a V-Blog over the weekend if I get a bit of time.

We are definitely adding dates in and around the Ozzfest schedule and I’ll put them all up next week, along with all the other details I have. Suffice to say that we are all very happy, and look forward to seeing you all at a show. The two live pics are from a friend of mine (thanks Randy) who shot the Camp Freddy San Francisco show (in case you are wondering, that'll be me next to Joe Satriani!) and the one of Ricky and I is from a recent visit we had back to Matts place – Drac Studios – where we recorded two more Diablo tracks, just so we had extra (you never know when you’re gonna need a b-side, or something).

Dave and I are back together this weekend and we have Gilby Clarke coming in to hang with us – I am really looking forward to getting with Dave on Saturday. I only took one week away and it feels like a month!! I totally enjoy doing CFR and look forward to it every week. Tune in on 103.1FM or www.indie1031.fm on Saturday night from 6.00pm to 8.00pm West Coast time. That’s it – I have to go listen to what our record is sounding like - and from outside the door, it sounds LOUD!!! I'll go through the previous two or three posts and answer some of your questions on the V-Blog, so be patient and I'll get to them all. See ya soon.

Peace

Billy

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Posted by vivelerock at 01:51 PM | Comments (37)

April 20, 2007

BACK FOR THE WEEKEND

Just wanted to open the site back up here for the weekend. Thanks to those who observed some kind of thought or prayer for Virginia. Now then - I just got time to tell you that I will be in Vegas this weekend for the opening of an envelope, NO, sorry, I mean the opening of The Palms Casino's new concert venue, PEARL - and Gwen Stefani is performing. So that means an on-the-spot phoner from me to CFR, where Dave will be holding down the fort with author Neil Strauss (The Game, Dont Try This At Home). Tune in for fun and frolics on Indie 103.1FM.

Still holding our tongues regarding the whole Diablo deal thing, but shouldnt be too much longer - added a ton more club dates to the summer, and we will give you those when we get all the details. We now have 40 shows coming up in total, and I am exhausted just thinking about it!! And I am now into all the fun stuff that I love - album artwork, getting press stuff rolling, mastering the record next week (and recording a couple of extra tracks as well) - I am really enjoying this process.

Gonna get outta here, but I'll post after the Vegas weekend. Have a good one.

Billy

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Posted by vivelerock at 08:41 AM | Comments (27)

April 18, 2007

TAKE A MINUTE

If we can all just stop a second. Just take a breath, and take a step back from the minutia of daily life. Consider, if you will, the devastating effect that the Virginia shooting has had on the victims, the families, the friends and the community. Think about what we were all worrying about a few days ago – and then think about how suddenly things can change. I would ask you all – regular bloggers, casual observers, even the haters of all things Morrison – to set aside a couple of minutes of silence to remember the devastation that the shooting has caused, and to remember those that died. Try to get things into perspective and put the families in our thoughts and prayers. We discuss, argue, dissect, question and pontificate over music and the entertainment business. PLEASE let’s direct that energy for a while towards those that have suffered in this tragedy.

Peace

Billy

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Posted by vivelerock at 09:50 PM

April 14, 2007

HOW LONG IS A POST?

STOP PRESS: ONLINE CHAT POSTPONED: Tomorrows online chat will have to be postponed. Totally my fault and I will reschedule with Karen for a weekend very soon. Something I completely forgot about is happening tomorrow and I will not be in front of a computer at that time. Keep your eyes here for a rescheduled date and time. Sorry folks. Billy

First thing to report is that we can give you all the Circus Diablo details next week. In fact, I know them all as I type this, but it would be bad form to announce it all before the label does!! So you’ll just have to wait until next week – but we have FINALLY done a deal, and we are all VERY happy with the situation. The label is 100% behind the band, understands rock music, and is commited to Circus Diablo. We have a release date, we have the first single being planned to radio, we have the Ozzfest, and we have some club dates getting thrown in for good measure. The artwork for the sleeve is shaping up nicely, and it feels good to be in that ‘gearing up’ mode – getting ready to be a band, release a record, and to get out there and play shows. Lets leave the label to make the ‘official…. We are proud to announce that …..etc etc’ thing, and then I can get back on here once that’s happened and let you all know exactly what the plan is. Exciting stuff.

Questions: OK – well, as most of the questions seem to be about hair (Jesus, people, what is this? Morrisons Beauty School? – hope not cos then we’re ALL in trouble!!!), let me answer that first, and to everyone that’s fussing over the straight hair dilemma! I get a Japanese thing done to my hair that straightens it for about 5 months at a time. It also fucks it up big time, so unless you want that ‘just got outta bed’ look ALL the time, don’t do it. Its expensive, takes about 4 hours to do, but is well worth it for me. It stays straight when wet, dirty, clean, whatever. Alternatives are flat iron, relaxers, a skinhead haircut or an afro. Take yer pick. Now ENOUGH with the fucking hair shit – go visit Kieth Hair God if you wanna talk about your curls!!! Next ……

Danni – GREAT question. Let me see? I think I could watch any or all of the James Bond movies time and time again. Also pretty much any huge budget action movie – I love a good explosion. Natural Born Killers is also an ‘anytime’ sort of flick for me.

BKSlice – Call in CFR tonight. Dave and I will be there and we will be all over the Sex and Love advice. And its better if you are NOT vertical when you call in!!

Max – In some circles, 56k record sales is a SUCCESS these days! I get what you are saying, but you need to remember that millions of albums sold is not happening these days. I wish Tommy and co luck – and let me tell you, I expect you ALL to buy a Circus Diablo album so we don’t suffer the same fate!!

Mr Master Of Gozer (??) – I am indeed an LA local, and believe me, I frequent WAY more normal bars and clubs than I do the ‘celeb’ type. Top of the list is any of the music venues on Sunset Blvd – the bit known as the strip. Viper, Whiskey, Roxy, Key Club. While you’re there, hit the Rainbow, get some food. Cross the street to Shamrock Social Club – get a tattoo – go to bed. Get up. Repeat nightly. SUCCESS!!!

Curt – I think that those early days of CFR are gone mate. I have a few but I don’t have time to trawl through them and edit them, and before anyone offers to do just that, I don’t even remember where I put the Cds!! Maybe if and when we move house someday, I’ll find em, edit them, and post them online. Until then – you might just be S.O.L.

Dawna – If you wanna keep tabs on Circus Diablo, keep an eye on the MySpace page – www.myspace.com/circusdiablo - and there are a couple of tracks on there as well.

Flash – You come up with the ridiculous amount of money it would take to get TPC, Diablo and Revolver down to Australia, and I guarantee we will ALL be there!!

Linda – True life crime is not really my bag. I much prefer the SAW type crazy schlock horror gore thing. Or the Grudge type weirdness.

Dave C – I am proud of you. You came up with one of the strangest questions ever!! So I will answer it just because of that!! I sit on the drum riser sometimes when I get bored – but its pretty disrespectful to do that, so I try not to indulge that feeling! Only sat on stools on a stage when I’ve done acoustic stuff. That lends itself to a bit of stoolage …. (??)

Kate – Every band has one guy that does a bunch of logistics, artwork, planning etc. I seem to naturally be that guy – both in CD and CF. Its not a deliberate choice. Sometimes I wish I could just be that band member that shows up, plays, leaves …… but I’m not.

Fred – Anything that’s free!! No seriously, I didn’t search at all. There is no contest for me – its Marshall amps and Gibson Les Pauls, the classic Rock And Roll sound. Tone is very important to me – all my favorite players have a full, distinct eq to their playing, and by using certain pick ups and dialing the amp in just right, I ‘feel’ more than hear when it sounds right.

Jay – Another good question. And while we wont be playing two hour sets every night on the main stage, touring for months at a time takes a certain level of either fitness, or drunkness!! I don’t drink, so I need to take the fitness route!! Luckily I don’t need to do anything extra, or ‘prepare’ because since I quit smoking, I have been following a pretty strict diet and exercise regime which will serve me well when we jump on that bus.

Sue – Not sure what an ARG is (maybe you would explain!) but I have been listening to Year Zero in my car for about three weeks now! No idea how I got it, so don’t ask. But its fucking brilliant. Tracks two and three ROCK. All I’m gonna say is ……”This Is The Beginning” ….. that’ll make sense when you hear the record.

Peebs – Looking forward to Seattle, cos it’s the first show, and Miami (cos by that time I’ll be looking forward to the LAST one!!). And believe it or not, I have no idea what happened with Tripping Forward! I saw it in a movie theatre, and I know they are preparing DVD’s, so I think it did a limited release and now its DVD and TV movie stations.

Ylais – Let me hit a few of your questions here. First of all, looking good in every photo requires a gallon of BOTOX!! Ha ha!! I have no idea – I think I look terrible in tons of pics, so I don’t have the answer to that one. Keeping a good attitude only requires one thought from me – I remember how absolutely lucky I am to do what I do and be able to pay the bills. If life was fair, I would be dead. That usually straightens out my attitude. And finally, yes I will be somewhat immersing myself in the role next month, although a junkie is hardly a stretch. But I will be shooting for three weeks, so I presume I will just be a scuzzball for most of that time!!

OK OK OK. I answered them all (I think! If I missed a few I am sorry!) and I HAVE to get moving now. This post has ended up being LONG! Hope you like the black and white shots - stumbled across them last night when I was looking for something else. Camp Freddy's manager, Brent Bolthouse, took them - he's all about that grainy action thing, and he captures some great moments. Camp Freddy Coffee Table Book, anyone???? Last nights DJ thing was crazy – no one wanted to hear any rock…..people kept saying ….”do you have any hip hop?” ……guess they hired the wrong DJ!! I’ll see you all soon – tune into CFR tonight for Dave and I on Camp Freddy Radio. Adios Amigos.

Peace

Billy

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Posted by vivelerock at 09:43 AM | Comments (28)

April 11, 2007

A NEW ENTRY

Its been a few days since I posted (although I have cracked more than a few smiles reading the crazy responses! I swear some of you really need to lighten up a little!!) but I am back here in LA after a few days break over the Easter Holiday. It seems that after a meeting we had yesterday, we have tied up all the finer points of the Circus Diablo deal – we expect to be signing the paperwork in the next few days. What this means is that I will be able to give you release details of the album and single – and we can finally start thinking how we get band and crew around the country on the Ozzfest on $24 and a cheeseburger! I gotta tell you that ANYONE out there, playing in a band, or supporting a band, or just plain old being a fan of music, that thinks getting a record deal is the end of your problems …. Think Again!! It is just the beginning. But it’s a fun journey, and rising to meet the challenges is what its all about. (One day soon, I am actually going to post a detailed blog of JUST how it has all worked with Diablo – maybe once its all underway and we are on the road).

What else, what else? Well, I had a phone call offering me a part in another movie – regular readers will know that I love doing the film thing, so the usual rules apply. No details (although I can tell you it’s a horror film and I get to kill LOTS of people in it!!) but fingers crossed. It shoots in May, so I will know whats happening with that fairly soon. Hopefully it doesn’t go the way of the last one – Sin Jin Smyth – where after meetings and emails and phonecalls …….. NOTHING!!! Typical of a business that hates to say no, and yet does so every hour of every day. I hope it comes out thought, cos I saw the film and its really good!

Camp Freddy Radio will definitely be an all new show this coming Saturday. Dave and I did not go in over the Easter Vacation weekend, but we will be back in full effect this coming weekend for our usual fun and frolics. And I haven’t spoken to anyone in the Freddy camp for a little while now, but I hope that a show or two get announced soon. We were talking about an LA gig with tickets for everyone, but then Sorum disappeared to Chile, I got lost at the restaurants on the Sunset Strip trying to figure out this deal for Diablo, and Dono and Dave …… well, we speak on the phone or text every few days, but I think its time to get our shit together again. Lets play a show.

Finally, lets do another Q+A – go ahead and ask me any questions you have (or have asked already and I just didn’t answer!) – and let me remind you all that I will be signing on to have a webchat on April 15th @ 4:00pm LA time – at www.billymorrison.us - so I will attempt to type as quickly as I can. Last time I did that, it blew my mind!! That’s all I got right now – have a great day everyone and I’ll be back soon.

Peace

Billy

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Posted by vivelerock at 09:11 AM | Comments (43)

April 04, 2007

A PARAGRAPH OR TWO.

Woke up this morning feeling positive about all the upcoming things in my life – a few I cant yet mention, but a few that I can. First up – another DJ gig for me, this time for Antik Denim. Its at The Avalon next Thursday, and I have no idea if it’s a public show or not. But you can ask, right? It would be great to see some of you down there. Also, continued Camp freddy album activity – I don’t question it ….. I just show up! It appears we are recording another couple of guests next week, so we are indeed chipping away at the task in hand. And last, but definitely not least, Circus Diablo rehearsals begin tomorrow for a few days. Not for any reason in particular (the summer tour is a way off, and the one-off LA shows being mentioned are not locked in yet) other than we just wanna feel like a band, try out a few things, and clean out some of the rust – its been a while!! So the next seven days have lots to keep me occupied and out of trouble – and I do believe its Easter as well, right? That means a nice quiet Sunday and Monday in the desert, doing what I do best ….. NOTHING!!

I also wanna let you know that our very own Karen has been working hard , developing her own Billy Morrison site – www.billymorrison.us - and to support those efforts, I am going to be doing a live webchat, at 4.00pm Los Angeles time (or 7.00pm for all you East Coasters!) at that sites new Chat Room. Karen asks me to tell you that any old Doheny login info will still work for the new Chat Room.

That’s it – a quickie from me in the middle of the week. See y’all very soon.

Peace

Billy

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Posted by vivelerock at 05:11 PM | Comments (62)