UGLY KID JOE Frontman's RICHARDS/CRANE To Release Debut Album In May

RICHARDS/CRANE, a brand new project birthed from UGLY KID JOE frontman Whitfield Crane and guitarist/vocalist Lee Richards (ANOTHER ANIMAL, GODSMACK, DROPBOX), will release its debut album this May via Metalville Records. The self-titled effort will feature a collection of heartfelt, stripped down songs including the new single “Black & White”, featuring Myles Kennedy (ALTER BRIDGE, SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS) originally released last year. The CD was produced by Dave Fortman (SLIPKNOT, GODSMACK, EVANESCENCE), who also added additional electric guitar, with additional guest appearances by drummer Shannon Larkin (GODSMACK, UGLY KID JOE) and bassist Jim Preziosa (DROPBOX).

In addition to the stunning performance by Myles Kennedy, who duets with Crane on the first single, guest vocals on the album include classical Indian artist Vishal Vaid, who has performed with the likes of Anoushka Shankar, Bill Laswell, Michael Franti and Karsh Kale.

Richards recalls: “This project came together on the heels of the ANOTHER ANIMAL project, which is where Whitfield and I first connected. We had written a bunch of acoustic tracks while on tour as the rest of the guys went back to the GODSMACK camp, Whitfield and I thought it would be a great time to record an acoustic-based album.”

The video for “Black & White”, directed by Dan Sturgess (BUTCHER BABIES, SKINDRED, COAL CHAMBER), was filmed on the streets of London and backstage at the Download festival in June 2014. The video features star-studded cameos from the likes of STEEL PANTHER, Benji Webbe (SKINDRED), Philip Anselmo (DOWN, PANTERA), Dee Snider (TWISTED SISTER), Chris Jericho (FOZZY), Dave “Snake” Sabo (SKID ROW) and Myles Kennedy, to name but a few.

Richards adds: “If I had to describe the sound of this record, I would almost describe it as ’70s sounding with a lot of vocal harmonies as well as a lot of counter melody. Working with Whitfield is truly a pleasure as he has one of the broadest vocal ranges in the business and I’ve always loved the way our voices work together. He is truly one of the best frontmen in the business.”

Fonte: Blabbermouth.net