FEATURING LEGENDARY VOCALIST-BASSIST GLENN HUGHES,
DRUMMER EXTRAORDINAIRE JASON BONHAM AND
23-YEAR-OLD NEWCOMER GUITARIST-SINGER-SONGWRITER ANDREW WATT
SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM RELEASED BY FRONTIERS RECORDS
UK RELEASE: MONDAY MAY 19, 2014
AVAILABLE ON CD AND CD/DVD DELUXE EDITION
Think of California and you think of brilliant color and bright
sunlight. Think of a breed and it’s all about bloodlines and
brotherhood. Put the two together as CALIFORNIA BREED, and you have the most exciting new band of 2014, built around the foundation of legendary vocalist-bassist Glenn Hughes, drummer extraordinaire Jason Bonham and 23-year-old newcomer guitarist-singer Andrew Watt.
Mixing massive riffs, gutsy vocals and gale force rhythms, this
powerful three-piece band will release their self-titled debut album in
the UK on Monday May 19th on Frontiers Records. The album is produced by Dave Cobb (Jamey Johnson, Rival Sons, Lindi Ortega, Shooter Jennings).
Look out for future announcements on the band at www.californiabreed.com.
CALIFORNIA BREED (L-R): Jason Bonham, Glenn Hughes and Andrew Watt.Photo Credit: © Joe Lester
CALIFORNIA BREED was recorded at Cobb’s Nashville studio and features equal co-writing credits among the three-man lineup. “It’s proper rock,” Hughes told Classic Rock Magazine – “but at the same time it’s very now. Andrew is as influenced by Mick Ronson as he is Jimmy Page.”
“This kid is an amazing guitarist,” says Bonham. “The first time we met I thought he looked like the white Jimi Hendrix. He plays in the studio likes he’s onstage!”
Glenn Hughes, nicknamed The Voice of Rock,
is a true original, a legendary icon whose credits include Deep Purple
and guesting with everyone from Black Sabbath to Earth, Wind &
Fire, and his most recent collaboration with rock supergroup Black
Country Communion.
Album artwork for CALIFORNIA BREED’s eponymous debut albumNo other rock musician has carved such a distinctive style blending
the finest elements of hard rock, soul and funk. That astonishing voice
is Hughes’ calling card.
The legacy of Led Zeppelin lives on in Jason Bonham,
British drummer and son of Zep’s legendary John Bonham. He has
inherited the best of his father’s skills while mastering his own
distinctive and dynamic technique. Jason has followed his own
distinctive path over the years, fronting his own successful outfits
like Bonham, and playing with Led Zeppelin, Foreigner, Heart and, most
recently, movie composer Hans Zimmer.
Andrew Watt is a soulful singer/songwriter and
multi-instrumentalist whose high-energy aggressive style and creative
spirit are synonymous with the energy and vibe of New York City.
“I live in the moment, it’s all about now,” says Hughes. “California
Breed is exactly where I live, breathe and where my freak flag flies.”
Glenn Hughes has spent the subsequent years
working with the biggest legends in music, as a solo star, and guesting
with everyone from Black Sabbath to Earth, Wind & Fire – up to his
most recent collaboration in rock supergroup Black Country Communion,
which included Jason Bonham.
When Black Country Communion disbanded Hughes and Bonham had a
strong desire to keep playing together. They’re only challenge was
finding a new guitarist worthy of their musicality.
Easier said than done for these stars, who between them, have
worked with some of the greatest guitarists in history, including
Ritchie Blackmore, Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page and Joe Bonamassa, to name
just a few.
Fate took a hand in things when Glenn’s friend Julian Lennon
introduced him to the astounding talents of a New York City hotshot
guitarist named Andrew Watt. “Literally, the first day
me and Andrew got together we wrote two songs,” recalls Hughes. “One
was ‘Chemical Rain’ and the other was ‘Solo’, both featured on the new
album. I was so moved by the music, I said, ‘We’ve got to record this!’
That’s when I called Jason.”
Cut to autumn 2013. Recording with producer Dave Cobb at his studio in Nashville, added all the finishing touches, says Hughes.
At Cobb’s insistence, every vocal was recorded live as the band was
playing. “Totally the reverse of what I’m used to,” says Hughes. “I
went into that aggressive rock soulfulness and everything down to the
whispers, it was all done live! I enjoyed myself so much, just going
for it. For a three-piece, the sheer range of sounds and melodies you
get from California Breed are breathtaking.”