For Immediate Release

LEGENDARY PROG MASTERS SPOCK’S BEARD RETURN WITH THEIR NEW ALBUM THE ARCHAEOPTIMIST (21^st November, Madfish)

FIRST SINGLE ‘INVISIBLE’ OUT TODAY

Following their recent signing to the Madfish label, legendary prog outfit Spock’s Beard have announced their highly anticipated new album The Archaeoptimist. Set for release on 21^st November, the new album sees the group at their effervescent and experimental best delivering some of their finest work from a career spanning more than 30 years.

“a true heir of the legacy of bands as Yes, Gentle Giant, Pink Floyd and old Genesis…a truly fascinating voyage.” – METAL TEMPLE

Speaking on the news, frontman Ted Leonard shared: “The new album is largely the brainchild of Ryo and a co-writer, Michael Whiteman, with lyrical contributions from Alan and myself. While not a concept album, the title is taken from one of the tracks called ‘The Archaeoptimist’. This epic follows the story of a young girl being raised by her father in a post-cataclysmic world and her pathway from being an inspiration to a leader. Other songs vary in theme from obsession with one’s work or task to musings about the passage of time forging ahead despite obstacles.

Musically, while tipping a hat to the Spock’s legacy, the new album has an energy that arguably surpasses many or our previous releases due, in no small part, to the addition of Nick Potters on drums. He’s an amazing and well-rounded musician who has perfect pitch and a great singing voice (yes, we found a drummer that is an amazing singer…named Nick!). Between Michael and Ryo’s writing, this album also has a melodic complexity that may sound new to fans. Anyone who has heard Ryo improvise will have likely picked up on a fusion influence and that certainly shows up in the writing.

I can’t speak for everyone, but I’m very proud, excited, and honestly relieved that it turned out as good as it did.  Everyone put in a ton of work but none so much as Ryo in pushing this over the line.”

STREAM/DOWNLOAD THE NEW SINGLE ‘INVISIBLE’ NOW

At the centre of this particular storm is Ryo Okumoto, whose fingerprints are all over the album, not just as a performer, but as a driving creative force. Teaming up with co-writer Michael Whiteman (I Am the Manic Whale) and longstanding bandmembers Alan Morse & Ted Leonard, Ryo has helped shape an album that is undeniably Spock’s Beard with a characteristic wry smile to boot.

The album was produced by Okumoto and recorded at each band member’s respective home studio. Esteemed producer Rich Mouser (Dream Theater/Weezer) takes up the mixing and mastering duties.

Spock’s Beard – The Archaeoptimist
1. Invisible [06:33]
2. Electric Monk [06:16]
3. Afourthoughts [07:31]
4. St. Jerome In The Wilderness [08:46]
5. The Archaeoptimist [20:57]
6. Next Step [10:58]

THE ARCHAEOPTIMIST WILL BE RELEASED ON 21^ST NOVEMBER, PRE-ORDER HERE

Formats:
• 2LP red vinyl gatefold edition
• 2LP black vinyl gatefold edition
• 2 Disc CD/DVD edition of The Archaeoptimist, features 5.1 & hi-res 24/48 stereo mixes and is presented as a digipack CD including an 8-page printed lyric booklet
• digipack CD, includes a 12-page printed lyric booklet

Over more than 30 years, Spock’s Beard have established themselves as one of modern progressive music’s most exciting and consistent acts, with live shows as renowned as their studio work and tours that draw sold-out audiences across the globe. Their albums regularly chart worldwide, with 2018’s Noise Floor reaching #3 on the UK Official Rock & Metal Chart and #6 on the Official Progressive Albums Chart.

Spock’s Beard are:
Alan Morse – guitars, vocals
Dave Meros – bass, keyboards, vocals
Ryo Okumoto – keyboards, vocals
Ted Leonard – lead vocals, guitars, keyboards
Nick Potters – drums, vocals

The Archaeoptimist will be released on 21^st November on Madfish. Pre-order here: https://spocksbeardmadfish.lnk.to/The_Archaeoptimist

For more information:
Facebook
Spotify
Apple Music

www.madfishmusic.com

Press inquiries: Keith James, Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

For Immediate Release

Prog Legends Spock’s Beard Film New Video In Support Of Newly Released Album
‘Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’

Los Angeles, CA – Prog legends Spock’s Beard, in support of their newly released and critically acclaimed album, ‘Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’, are filming a video for the track “Submerged.” The three-day shoot is based in Los Angeles, and inside sources say it is a full-on music spectacle! Released on April 2nd, ‘Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’, marks the return of Spock’s Beard to the InsideOut Music label, and the two-disc set has been garnering rave reviews from fans and critics alike worldwide.

Founding band member Alan Morse comments about the video: “’Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’ is a new and exciting direction for us, and when we read the director’s treatment for the video, we immediately knew we had found the perfect person to help us bring our musical vision to the screen. It is equal parts performance and concept, and there will be as many twists and turns in the video as there are in our music. You’ll never hear ‘Submerged’ the same way again.”

In their 20 years together, Spock’s Beard have built a reputation for invention, musicality and sheer restive energy. Yet perhaps nothing they have done before can properly prepare you for their 11th studio album. ‘Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’ is an album that will constantly surprise. Featuring the recording debut of long-time tour drummer Jimmy Keegan (Santana), and vocalist/guitarist Ted Leonard (Enchant, Thought Chamber), it also sees the return of a familiar name to the song-writing credits – Neal Morse, who has co-written two tracks, his first since leaving the band more than a decade ago.

Gary Brown of Classic Rock Radio Dot EU raves about Spock’s Beard’s ‘Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’, “Perfect album from start to finish…one of the best hard rock/mainstream prog albums I’ve heard in a long time!” Ytsejam touts, “In the end, it is the Spock’s Beard album we all have been waiting for, as Morse, Meros, Okumoto, Leonard and Keegan have produced another excellent offering of musical mayhem. A true testament to what progressive rock is in the 21st Century and beyond.”

Co-produced by Alan Morse, Rich Mouser and John Boegehold, ‘Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’ is described by Meros as, “quirky, edgy, and reminding us a little bit of older times in the band, but also taking us further forward.” In regards to the song the band is filming the video to, “Submerged”, Dave explains, “Ted had originally written and recorded this for his solo album ‘Way Home’ (released in 2007), and it’s a real stadium rocker. We’ve adapted it to our own sound but stayed faithful to Ted’s original arrangement. I wouldn’t say it’s strictly Prog Rock, but fits what we do and is a great song.”

Spock’s Beard Is:
Alan Morse – guitar, vocals
Dave Meros – bass guitar, vocals, keyboards
Ryo Okumoto – keyboards, vocals
Jimmy Keegan – drums, vocals
Ted Leonard – vocals, guitar

In closing Dave has this to impart about ‘Brief Nocturnes & Dreamless Sleep’, “I am proud of what we’ve done. I believe this is the way Spock’s Beard should sound in 2013.”

Spock’s Beard ‘Brief Nocturnes & Dreamless Sleep’ (2CD)(INO0647-2)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/brief-nocturnes-dreamless/id628629207
http://www.amazon.com/Brief-Nocturnes-and-Dreamless-Sleep/dp/B00C40DJ1G/ref=sr_1_6?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1364924098&sr=1-6&keywords=spock%27s+beard

For more information on SPOCK’S BEARD, visit:
http://www.spocksbeard.com
http://www.facebook.com/spocksbeard
http://www.twitter.com/spocksb
http://www.youtube.com/Spocksbeard
http://www.insideoutmusic.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com