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Artist News: Frost* Welcome Craig Blundell To The Drumstool

Posted on Sunday, June 27 @ 01:00:00 UTC by nightowl

On the eve of the release of their double live CD featuring Nick D?Virgilio (Spock?s Beard) behind the drum kit, Frost*, the British neo progressive rock band led by Jem Godfrey, announced Craig Blundell (David Cross, Congo Natty, King King, Dr oKtopUs) would be joining them as permanent occupant of the Frost* drum stool.

Says Jem Godfrey ?I?m really genuinely, whopper proper thrilled to announce that the much adored and seriously seriously talented drummer, producer and all round good egg, Craig Blundell has joined Frost* to be its lawful wedded rhythmnist from this day forth.

?Filling Andy Edwards? shoes has been an immense challenge. Our good chum Nick d?Virgilio (Spock?s Beard) did a fantastic job for us at RosFest as you will hear on the The Philadelphia Experiment live CD, but California to Somerset is a hell of a commute for anybody, especially when you?ve got 75 kilograms of drums strapped to your inner thighs.



?But with Craig now nicely saddled up on our horse of destiny, I think we?re ready to take on the world again. I?m really really really really excited. Anybody who knows anything about music will know about Craig. He?s one of the country?s, nay, the world?s top drum clinicians and session players. Quite literally the hundreds and thousands on the trifle of drumming life. Definitely a good news day.?

Craig has been playing drums for at least 33 years (his mother swears he was beating out rhythms in the womb) and has gradually built his profile and reputation to the point where he is now in high demand worldwide to perform live, teach, record and appear at drum clinics.

Craig comments: ? ?I?m over the moon to have been asked to join what ranks in my mind as THE English neo-progressive supergroup & to be working alongside producing & keyboard legend Jem, and such stars of the British rock scene as Nathan King, and John Mitchell. Not forgetting Dec of course! The material is savage and I can?t wait to start rehearsals with these guys for the December dates. What a huge honour??

Aside from Frost*y duties, he performs live with David Cross (King Crimson), writes a hugely popular column for Drummer magazine, holds down the role as international clinician for Roland, records and performs with legendary junglist Congo Natty, appears internationally for Mapex and Paiste and can be seen playing at R&B festivals with King King.

Craig is a natural innovator, continually pushing the boundaries of his instrument with a relentless energy. He writes and produces his own material under the name Dr oKtopUs and can regularly be seen wowing audiences with his incredible Dr oKtopUs Dj set combining the use of triggered aggressive samples with live breaks played over the top.

His tireless and infectious energy coupled with the need to help others makes him one of the most respected players and educators on the circuit today. He is soon to start working with Steve White on their Nu Skool Old Skool tour plans - a must see in 2010.

Craig completes a Frost* line up now comprising Jem Godfrey (keys & vocals), John Mitchell (guitar ? Frost*, It Bites, Kino, John Wetton), Declan Burke (vocals, guitars ? Frost*, Darwin's Radio), and Nathan King (bass ? Level 42, It Bites).

Frost* Bites:

* Frost* will be playing a series of UK dates later in 2010, supported by arK (John Jowitt & friends):

???1. Friday, December 3rd - Islington 02 Academy 2, London
???2. Saturday, 4th December - Manchester Academy 3
???3. Sunday, December 5th - The Robin, Bilston, West Midlands

* Jem will be playing the Summer?s End Festival October 8th as ?3J?s and a P? featuring John Mitchell and Peter Trewavas (Marillion, Transatlantic). The gig will be billed as ?The Defence of the Realm? ? Bring your gasmask. No, really. Tickets from www.summersend.co.uk

* Look out for the Frost* version of ?Fanfare For The Common Man? - part of the ELP tribute CD shortly to be on sale with Classic Rock Presents? Prog magazine.

The Philadelphia Experiment ? the live Frost* album (double CD), recorded at ROSFest 2009, was released on 1st June 2010, and includes the new song called "The Dividing Line," recorded to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the online radio station of the same name.

Orders for the album can be made via the Frost* shop at the band?s website at www.frost-music.co.uk/store//

Craig Blundell fully endorses and works closely with: Mapex Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Roland, Sennheiser Audio, Vater Drumsticks, Aquarian Drumheads, Bose Audio, Protection Racket Cases, Bigfoot Beaters, Baskey Ruglugs

[Source: Frost*]

Posted in Band News (tours, comings/goings, etc)