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NEWS

STEEL DRUM ORCHESTRA TAPS 

MIKE PORTNOY FOR  TRIBUTE TO "RUSH"

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​Steel Drum Orchestra, “Pan Rocks”, lead by founder Tracy Thornton, 

returned to the studio this past fall to record a tribute to RUSH

with Mike Portnoy (Sons of Apollo, Winery Dogs) to handle drumming duties for the recording project.

 

"I am excited to take part in this unique musical experience unlike anything I have done in my career...and it is always an honor to pay tribute to one of my biggest inspirations, my hero and friend, Neil Peart", adds Portnoy.

Bassist Philip Byone (Steve Vai Band), Guitarist Pete Thorn (Chris Cornell) and synth/keys master Walter Ino (Eagles of Death Metal) rounded out the band..

Pan Rocks is a 50 piece steel drum orchestra founded by drummer Tracy Thornton. The RUSH recording is a follow-up to 2017‘s Pan Rocks Project LA which featured the music of Led Zeppelin, KISS and Jane’s Addiction performed by 30 steel pan drummers and a band consisting of Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, Sons Of Apollo), Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction, Porno For Pyros), Tracii Guns (LA Guns) and Bruce Kulick (KISS, Grand Funk Railroad). 

Tracy Thornton once again  called on Matt Starr (Mr. Big, Ace Frehley) to produce the follow up release. “I’m grateful to have the opportunity to help Tracy to realize his vision for this amazing project.” says Starr. “Hearing 50 steel pan drummers play RUSH is just mind blowing. I can’t wait for everyone else experience it .”

The Pan Rocks Orchestra is made up of anywhere from 30-100+ steel pannists from around the world. “I’m so excited to be doing another Pan Rocks project and celebrate the music of the band that inspired me to be a musician in the first place, RUSH”, said Tracy Thornton. 

Regarding the future of the project, Thornton says,“My goal is to keep pushing the boundaries and highlight the capabilities of steelpan in the rock and roll genre and reach more music enthusiasts. Ultimately, I envision a touring show.”

The recording took place at El Dorado Studios in Los Angeles. It will be mixed by Smiley Sean (APC, Motley Crue) and mastered by Grammy Award Winning Mastering Engineer Dave Collins (Metallica, The Police). 

"YYZ"

STEELPAN DRUM ORCHESTRA
“PAN ROCKS” JOINS FORCES WITH MEMBERS OF KISS, LA GUNS, MR BIG & JANE’S ADDICTION FOR A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND GROUNDBREAKING RECORDING PROJECT
This past summer Pan Rocks went into Ocean Studios Burbank in Los Angeles, CA for the “Project LA” sessions. Over 25 steelpannists from all over the US & Canada came in to record with LA Rock Icons Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction), Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big/David Lee Roth), Tracii Guns (LA Guns) & Bruce Kulick (KISS/Grand Funk Railroad), all produced by Matt Starr (Mr. Big/Ace Frehley). The project was mixed by Smiley Sean (Tommy Lee) and mastered by Dave Collins (Metallica/Soundgarden/The Police). The groundbreaking project was recorded in 360 video and a documentary will be released in the near future of this first-of-its-kind recording session.

Dain Brammage

"LA"

PRESS

PAN ROCKS featured in Metal Shock Finland, Audio Interview...

Audio Interview With PAN ROCKS Mastermind TRACY THORNTON And Producer MATT STARR, Talking About Steelpan Art Form, “Project LA” Sessions" And More!

PAN ROCKS! featured in Loop Magazine...Trinidad & Tobago

"American Rocker Puts New Spin On Pan With Pan Rocks"

PAN ROCKS featured in Pan Mag...

"Pan Rocks Steel Orchestra Joins Forces With Rock Legends In Upcoming Recording "

PAN ROCKS featured in Bravewords...

"STEELPAN DRUM ORCHESTRA PAN ROCKS JOINS FORCES WITH MEMBERS OF KISS, L.A. GUNS, MR. BIG AND JANE’S ADDICTION FOR UPCOMING RECORDING"

PAN ROCKS featured in the Trinidad Guardian...

"From heavy metal drummer to pan fanatic - Pan Rocks"

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