Article By: Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker ‡ Edited By: Leanne Ridgeway
There’s a lot going on in the camp of the long-running San Francisco thrash band Vicious Rumors. At 38 years and sixteen albums into their musical legacy, the band has just shared some major news announcements.
First, Vicious Rumors is proud to welcome back lead singer Brian Allen. Brian sang on SPV/Steamhammer albums ‘Razorback Killers’ (2011), ‘Live You To Death’ (2012), and ‘Electric Punishment’ (2013). Brian, who left the band in 2013 for family reasons, returns to the band with his searing vocal delivery intact and ready to go.
Guitarist Geoff Thorpe says: “We’re so excited to have Brian back! Life really does have a funny way of coming full circle!” Thorpe addressed the departure of vocalist Nick Holleman saying, “With no bad feelings at all we wish Nick all the best and thank him for 4 great years of recording and touring!”
The Vicious Rumors news doesn’t end there, the band also announces the addition of a new guitarist to the fold. The thrashers are happy to introduce their new lead guitarist from Portland, OR, Gunnar DüGrey. At only 18 years old, Gunnar is a world-class guitar player along the lines of revered axe-men like Jeff Loomis, Vinnie Moore, Mark McGee, etc.
Thorpe comments: “His style, feel and general playing ability is out of this world!”
Vicious Rumors lineup 2017:
Brian Allen – vocals
Geoff Thorpe – guitars
Gunnar DüGrey – guitars
Tilen Hudrap – bass
Larry Howe – drums
In the summer of 2017, the band will perform an exclusive German Open Air concert at the prestigious Bang Your Head Festival in Balingen, as well as several club shows. Vicious Rumors returns to the legendary Dynamo Club in Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Zoom Nightclub in Frankfurt, Germany with fellow Bay-area legends Death Angel. The band will also perform German headline shows in Munich at the Backstage and in Marburg.
The only North American appearance is scheduled at Bossanova Ballroom in Portland, OR on June 24th. The band is currently at work on a new studio recording.
Tour Dates:
June
24 – Portland, Oregon – Bossanova Ballroom
July
7 – Munich, Germany – Backstage
8 – Eindhoven, Netherlands – Dynamo Club (with Death Angel)
9 – Marburg, Germany – Knubbel
15 – Balingen, Germany – Bang Your Head Festival
16 – Frankfurt, Germany – Zoom (with Death Angel)
