Veteran rock act Cheap Trick will return on June 6 with "Rockford," an album named after the Illinois town that birthed the group over three decades ago. The band produced the Cheap Trick Unlimited/Big 3 Records project itself, but with the aid of renowned studio pros Steve Albini, Jack Douglas and Linda Perry.

"We oversaw the thing, because we were the only 'constant,'" bassist Tom Petersson tells Billboard.com. "Steve didn't record any of the songs -- he mixed everything and put it all together. He made it all cohesive, because it was kind of all over the place. It was a bit of a pain in the ass for him, but he did a great job, I thought."

"People look at us like we should know something since we've been around for so long, when we actually know about as much as the producers do," adds guitarist Rick Nielsen. "Making records is harder work than it seems, but it's not physical labor, so we don't get many blisters from working too hard. But as far as spending time away from your family and being holed up in a studio -- it's a long, lengthy process. You've got to love it -- that's why we're still doing it."

The group, which also includes singer Robin Zander and drummer Bun E. Carlos, enlisted Perry to produce and co-pen lead single "Perfect Stranger." "She's an engineer, songwriter, producer, guitar player and a singer," Nielsen enthuses. "She can do it all -- I don't know why in the heck she needs us!"

Although Cheap Trick just finished "Rockford," Petersson says the band has already reserved Albini for its next studio effort. But as for the Albini-produced re-recording of classic 1977 album, "In Color," he says there are no concrete plans for its official release. "Since it's already finished, we should do something with it. But I don't know what's going to happen with it."

The band is especially excited about shows next month in the United Kingdom supporting Def Leppard. A reunited Sensational Alex Harvey band is also on the bill. "They were huge favorites of ours," Petersson says. "Unfortunately, Alex is dearly departed, but boy, they were such a great band. It's a big honor to be working with them. Def Leppard have [also] been real nice to us. They've got a great audience."

"It's Good To Be Here, It's Good To Be Anywhere"-Keith Richards

"Halloween Is Every Night Of My Life"-Keith Richards

"I Got The Sticky Fingers, For Some Girls"

isn't this one of those non-stonesey posts that you were lamenting on Drake's WTF thread?

lol, i'm not sayin cheap trick is better than the Stones, or that robin zander should front the Stones,lmao

"It's Good To Be Here, It's Good To Be Anywhere"-Keith Richards

"Halloween Is Every Night Of My Life"-Keith Richards

"I Got The Sticky Fingers, For Some Girls"



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2006-05-08 05:40 by RollingStonesUSA.

haha fair enough.

They have 3songs off the album up on www.cheaptrick.com

"It's Good To Be Here, It's Good To Be Anywhere"-Keith Richards

"Halloween Is Every Night Of My Life"-Keith Richards

"I Got The Sticky Fingers, For Some Girls"

i adore cheap trick; saw 'em providence civic center in rhode island as Dream Police was cresting...holy sheeeeit...

friend saw them not so long ago at house of blues in l.a.
they played several nights in a row (all sold out)
each night featuring a different album...

bun e. carlos is one amazing amazing dude.
thanx for the tip; i'll hit their site and give a listen...
how cool...
ALSO...i'm pretty sure...NOT TOTALLY...
that that is Cheap Trick playing the music Stephen Colbert (American Hero)
uses nightly for his theme on the Colbert Reporrr....

Beelyboy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> i adore cheap trick; saw 'em providence civic
> center in rhode island

i feel obligated to inform you that the arena listed above is now known as the 'Dunkin' Donuts Center.' no joke.

I do believe you are correct, I saw Cheap Trick last August in Atlanta with Alice Cooper, great show, I love Robin's vocals, wow, Bun E. is the man....

"It's Good To Be Here, It's Good To Be Anywhere"-Keith Richards

"Halloween Is Every Night Of My Life"-Keith Richards

"I Got The Sticky Fingers, For Some Girls"

nikkibong Wrote:
------------------------------------------------------
>
> i feel obligated to inform you that the arena
> listed above is now known as the 'Dunkin' Donuts
> Center.' no joke.


that is all kinds of disgustingly sad...yikes.
speechless. irony is dead...
graceless
horrifying
oh man...
well at least i saw them pre-dunkin effin donuts period...
rhode island; you're supposed to be hipper than that!!!!

it's taken me this long to get used to the staples center instead
of the forum or the universal amphitheatre or hollywood bowl...for shows
back west in uknowwhere.

Beelyboy Wrote:

> rhode island; you're supposed to be hipper than
> that!!!!

I think Rhode Island's decline in hipness can be directly traced to Nikkibong's leaving the state. Definite correlation there.

If you haven't seen Cheap Trcik, then do youraself a favor and catch them when you can. These guys are road veterans and still rock. Robin's voice is a wonder. Rick = great writer in the vein of Ray Davies (combining rock with humor). Bun E. can still pound those skins.

Elmo
agree with you about CHeap Trick, a great great live band, going to see them play with Def Leppard in June here in UK- they have a strong following here, and that new cd sounds like a return to classic form, if the 3 songs on the bands website are anything to judge by. Dont know how there popularity is in the USA, but they never seem to get promoted right, always changing labels etc, they should have been MEGAstars but never really have recaptured the Dream Police era in terms of quality and popular acceptance. I said in a thread from sometime back what a great support act to open for the Stones they would have been.

I whole-heartly agree with all you said, scenearts.

One good thing about it, one can usually see them in a club or small venue in the States. Ric throws out picks and a KISS album.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2006-05-08 19:33 by Elmo Lewis.

I can't wait for this album! I still like "Special One" and especially the self titled 1997 release. I've seen them about 50 times (but have grown lazy recently skipping the last several shows). Actually those first 3 album shows at the HOB were quite a while ago, Oct 1-2-3 1998. Some of the best shows I have ever seen in my life by anyone, especially closing with Kick Out The Jams with Wayne Kramer on the last night.

I love the band, but the official site blows. Been trying to post there for years. bv needs to take over that site.

I wasn't a big fan of Special One but loved the self-titled '97 record.

Those three new tracks on the site are amazing, though - really looking forward to Rockford and hopefully some NYC shows over the summer.

yes, special one was a bit patchy, CT97 was excellent- one of the best theyve done. the website seems ok now, but its just been updated, nothing much changes on it and the message board does not come close to this one.Used to post there - but I gave it up.
Elmo, those album flats rick throws are not always KISS, he threw out CT97 in London at a small venue, and I was the lucky one! Its signed and covered in picks, looks pretty neat.
I guess if old mick tried throwing one, it would be lucky to reach the front seats!

I read somewhere that Keith was doing one of those Rockline nationally syndicated phone-in radio specials around the time of either Dirty Work or Talk Is Cheap and took a call from a "Rick in Rockford".

It was indeed Nielsen.

The 3 new songs on the website absolutly ROCK!

"It's Good To Be Here, It's Good To Be Anywhere"-Keith Richards

"Halloween Is Every Night Of My Life"-Keith Richards

"I Got The Sticky Fingers, For Some Girls"

Make sure to watch Conan tomorrow!

"It's Good To Be Here, It's Good To Be Anywhere"-Keith Richards

"Halloween Is Every Night Of My Life"-Keith Richards

"I Got The Sticky Fingers, For Some Girls"

Tonight on Conan, Cheap Trick! Tune In!

"It's Good To Be Here, It's Good To Be Anywhere"-Keith Richards

"Halloween Is Every Night Of My Life"-Keith Richards

"I Got The Sticky Fingers, For Some Girls"

I'll be watching.

Mommy's alright, Daddy's alright, ......

What do you think they will play something new or a hit....

"It's Good To Be Here, It's Good To Be Anywhere"-Keith Richards

"Halloween Is Every Night Of My Life"-Keith Richards

"I Got The Sticky Fingers, For Some Girls"

What a great performance on Conan, did anybody see it....

"It's Good To Be Here, It's Good To Be Anywhere"-Keith Richards

"Halloween Is Every Night Of My Life"-Keith Richards

"I Got The Sticky Fingers, For Some Girls"