The Guitar Channel

Greg Howe to perform with Eddie Jobson's new band

Prog-rock legend and UKZ founder Eddie Jobson has a new project entitled U-Z (The Ultimate Zero Project). This largely instrumental band will feature a revolving lineup of guest musicians playing Jobson's music, and it appears other prog music as well. The first lineup has been announced, and it includes Greg Howe on guitar (!). Here is Jobson's announcement:

"Author: EJ
Date:   07-04-09 20:20

I would like to announce here, on my forum, the lineup for the first "Ultimate Zero" tour:

Apart from Eddie Jobson - keys/violin (well I guess I have to show up...), my guests will include Greg Howe - guitar (Michael Jackson), Michael Bernier - stick (Stick Men), Marco Minnemann drums (UKZ), and Simon Phillips - drums (Jeff Beck, Pete Townsend, Toto etc.).

Greg Howe will NOT be playing New York; the guest guitarist in New York will be announced shortly.   All of the other players will perform all six shows... yes, that's TWO of the world's best drummers together in the band.

I think that's a pretty great lineup   Thank you to the musicians who have agreed to perform with me, and also to the ones who wanted to do it and, I hope, will be able to join me on future tours.

Please support the shows and help me to promote them as much as you can.   I'll see you there!   Thanks.

Eddie"

Here are the announced dates so far, as posted on Marco Minnemann's MySpace:

Aug 17 2009        Jammin Java,U-Z: Eddie Jobson, Marco Minnemann, Simon Phillips, Greg Howe and Michael Bernier     Vienna, Virginia
Aug 18 2009        BB King’s; Eddie Jobson, Marco Minnemann, Simon Phillips, Greg Howe and Michael Bernier     New York, New York
Aug 19 2009        Regent Theatre; U-Z: Eddie Jobson, Marco Minnemann, Simon Phillips, Greg Howe and Michael Bernier     Arlington, Massachusetts
Aug 20 2009       North Star Bar; U-Z, Eddie Jobson, Marco Minnemann, Simon Phillips, Greg Howe and Michael Bernier     Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Aug 21 2009       Beachland Ballroom, Eddie Jobson, Marco Minnemann, Simon Phillips, and Michael Bernier     Cleveland, Ohio
Aug 22 2009      Martyr’s, U-Z, Eddie Jobson, Marco Minnemann, Simon Phillips, Greg Howe and Michael Bernier     Chicago, Illinois

Review: UKZ - Radiation

Eddie Jobson is a legendary figure in the world of progressive rock. Proficient on both the keyboards and violin, Jobson played with several prog/art rock bands in the 60s and 70s including Frank Zappa's band, Curved Air, Roxy Music, Jethro Tull, and others. However, Jobson may best be known for his work with UK; one of prog-rock's true "supergroups." With an original lineup of Bill Bruford on drums and John Wetton on bass (who had both come from King Crimson), plus Allan Holdsworth on guitar and Jobson on keys and violin, UK developed a cult status following their 1978 self-titled debut that exists to this day. Though Jobson does have some solo albums to his credit, the bulk of his work for the past 20-some-odd years has been in TV and film scoring. Now, Jobson has returned with a new band - UKZ. Much like it's late-70s predecessor, UKZ is undoubtedly a supergroup. This illustrious band consists of guitarist Alex Machacek (BPM, solo artist), drummer Marco Minnemann (Paul Gilbert, KMB, solo artist), Warr 10-string touch guitarist Trey Gunn (King Crimson, solo artist), vocalist Aaron Lippert (Expanding Man, Godboxer, solo artist), and Jobson on keys and violin. After a long gestation period that often saw the band members writing and collaborating remotely, the band has produced their first release - a promising 4-song EP entitled Radiation (Glo Digital).

The title track is the most well-rounded song on the disc, making it a perfect choice for the opener. It's a heavy, modern, progressive rock song that's chock-full of all the staples of the gene; heavy riffs, odd meters, radical mood-swings, you name it. Machacek takes a great solo on this one, filled with smooth legato lines and sweeps. What's really interesting here, is the guitar solo flows seamlessly into a distortion-laden violin solo courtesy of Jobson. Given Jobson's guitaristic licks and tone, it's hard to tell at first where the guitar solo ends and violin solo begins. Couple all this with gritty lyrics sung by Lippert through a transistor radio-like tone, and you've got a great prog tune. Next up is a synth-heavy ballad called "Houston," which shows a completely different side of the band. Gunn single-handedly provides the rhythm section in this song with some subtle, percussive touch guitar work. The vocals are strong and right out front in the mix on this one.

The polyrhythmic "Tu-95" was released early as the teaser track from the disc, and for good reason. This is a heavy prog instrumental that basically throws the kitchen sink at you. Packed full of turn-on-a-dime meter and mood shifts, this is an "out there" tune that I can see being an acquired taste for non-prog heads. Machacek provides the EP's final track - the solo jazz guitar piece "Legend," which features some beautiful chords and voice-leading.

After listening to this EP from beginning to end, my initial knee-jerk reaction was "I wish there were more songs like 'Radiation'." The four songs presented here differ radically from one another, and it's often hard to find a common thread. My suspicion now is that is exactly Jobson's point. Perhaps Jobson is using this short release to showcase the many facets of his new band; to give listeners a small taste of the varying directions this supergroup is capable of going in. I hope that's the case; I'd certainly like to see a full album from UKZ in the future.

UKZ - Radiation (Glo Digital)

Personnel:
Aaron Lippert - Vocals
Trey Gunn - 10-string touch guitar
Eddie Jobson - Keyboards, Electric Violin
Alex Machacek - Guitar
Marco Minnemann - Drums

Tracklisting:
Radiation
Houston
Tu-95
Legend

Rich

List all reviews

UKZ "Radiation" review at All About Jazz

John Kelman has written a good review of the new UKZ EP Radiation for All About Jazz. UKZ features prog-rock legend Eddie Jobson on keyboards and violin, Trey Gunn on the Warr touch guitar, Marco Minnemann on drums, Alex Machacek on guitar, and Aaron Lippert on vocals.

All About Jazz review: UKZ - Radiation

UKZ video - "Radiation"

Behold... a new music video from prog supergroup UKZ's upcoming EP Radiation. UKZ is comprised of Eddie Jobson on keys and violin, Warr touch guitarist Trey Gunn, guitarist Alex Machacek, vocalist Aaron Lippert, and drummer Marco Minnemann. The Radiation EP will be released online (iTunes, Napster, etc) on January 6th, followed by a brick-and-mortar retail release in US stores on March 24th.

UKZ “One City World Tour” Concert Announced

PRESS RELEASE

Keyboard and electric-violin legend Eddie Jobson ( UK, Roxy Music, Zappa) announces the new UKZ’s debut concert for January 24, 2009 at 8 p.m. at Town Hall in New York City. The “One City World Tour” will also feature the U.S. debut of special guests Stick Men, featuring King Crimson’s Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto. The ticket on-sale date will be announced soon.

The concert will follow the January 6 pre-release of UKZ band’s debut EP entitled Radiation, which is slated for full retail release nationally on March 3.

Returning from a self-imposed 27-year retirement from band and touring activity, Jobson set out to find the same caliber of next-generation musicians for the new UKZ project that would equal or surpass the talents of his previous colleagues and collaborators—an impressive list that includes Frank Zappa, Robert Fripp, Bill Bruford, Phil Collins, John Entwistle, Ian Anderson, Simon Phillips, Terry Bozzio, Allan Holdsworth, and Tony Levin.

Jobson -- who was born and raised in the Durham area of England -- has hand-selected a truly international dream-band of virtuosos from around the world:

Aaron Lippert -- a citizen of Belgium, but born and raised in New York -- the former lead singer and songwriter for Columbia recording artists Expanding Man.

Trey Gunn -- a Texas native, currently residing in Seattle – a ten-year veteran of King Crimson and the leading exponent of the Warr 10-string touch guitar.

Alex Machacek -- from Vienna, Austria -- an award-winning guitar prodigy and composer.

Marco Minnemann -- from Hannover, Germany -- a drumming phenomenon of unparalleled virtuosity.

Opening for the supergroup will be Stick Men, which features Chapman stick
players Tony Levin and Michael Bernier, with Pat Mastelotto on drums.

http://www.ukzband.com/

UKZ to release "Radiation" EP on January 6th

Prog legend Eddie Jobson's new band UKZ will release their debut EP entitled Radiation on January 6th. The EP will be available as both a CD and a digital download from iTunes. The band is also plannng a debut concert in New York in late January. UKZ features Jobson on keyboards and violin, Trey Gunn on the Warr guitar, Marco Minnemann on drums, Alex Machacek on guitar, and Aaron Lippert on vocals. Check out the band's website for more details.

via Abstract Logix

UKZ teaser track to be released later today

The official UKZ website states a teaser track will be released later today. Finally! UKZ features Eddie Jobson on keyboards, Trey Gunn on the Warr guitar, Marco Minnemann on drums, Alex Machacek on guitar, and Aaron Lippert on vocals. This band first started working together remotely last year, but the project stalled. Word is they did some rehearsing recently and have done a bit of recording. If/when this teaser track goes up, I'll post a link to it here. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: You can now download the track. I just got it; it's great! Click here to purchase "Tu-95" for .99 cents.

UKZ postpones debut concert

Eddie Jobson's new band UKZ has postponed their planned Jan 25th 2008 debut concert, citing labor disputes and a revised recording schedule.

Jobson:

"With the escalating union strikes, Los Angeles is a precarious place to stage a major event right now, there is a ripple effect that impacts the whole community. Furthermore, the album is still a few months away from release and we decided it would be better if more people knew our music ahead of time. Both issues have factored into the decision."

UKZ features Jobson on keyboards, Trey Gunn on the Warr guitar, Marco Minnemann on drums, Alex Machacek on guitar, and Aaron Lippert on vocals.

New Eddie Jobson band featuring Alex Machacek

Saw this on Abstract Logix and also the fusenet Yahoo group (thanks John!): Keyboardist/violinist Eddie Jobson (co-founder of the legendary prog-rock band UK) has announced his new band - UKZ. The band features Aaron Lippert on vocals, Trey Gunn on the Warr touch guitar, Marco Minnemann on drums, and yes, Alex Machacek on guitar. Their debut album is slated for a February 2008 release. They will also be performing a special-event premier concert in Los Angeles on January 25, 2008.