Express & Star

Dan Reed Network to play Bilston

Dan Reed Network are heading back out on the road in March to promote their latest album Fight Another Day.

Published

They will plug in at Bilston's Robin 2 on Sunday, March 12 with special guests in the form of Vega.

Reed is excited about the dates: "DRN is thrilled to be returning to Europe this next March," he said, "and especially excited about the extensive UK Tour in celebration of our album Fight Another Day.

"Dan Pred, Brion James, Melvin Brannon II, Rob Daiker and I are really looking forward to playing many new and unique venues throughout the UK, and rockin' up the funk hardcore and meeting all those who are able to attend and bring down the house with us.

"We thank you for the many years of support and especially believing that we had new music in us to offer. We are forever grateful for you all being there with us on this journey!"

Fight Another Day dropped back in June and the album marked a significant and anticipated return of one of the most infectious and gifted bands to come out in the melodic rock world in the second part of the 80s.

Originally formed in Portland, Oregon, Dan Reed Network packed out local clubs from late 1984 through 1986 with their compelling mix of musical styles ranging from hard rock and funk to soul.

In the winter of 1987, the group released their self-titled debut album which was produced by Bruce Fairbairn (Bon Jovi, Aerosmith) and engineered/mixed by Mike Fraser in Vancouver. The first single, Ritual, peaked at No38 on the US Billboard Charts and became a staple of the funk rock genre. The debut album received a wealth of positive reviews, not the least of which was a four-star write-up from the notoriously hard-to-please Rolling Stone magazine.

In January 1989, Dan Reed met up with producer Nile Rodgers (Duran Duran, Madonna, David Bowie) which led to the creation of the second album Slam.

Fast forward to the 21st century and Dan Reed Network played their 25th anniversary reunion show on New Years Eve 2012 in their home town of Portland, Oregon, with all the original band members – Dan Reed, Dan Pred, Brion James, Melvin Brannon II and Blake Sakamoto.

They found it was incredibly fun being back together and, consequently, DRN decided it was a good time to bring the band and the music back to Europe.

"The title Fight Another Day represents the fact that after 25 years we were able to gravitate back to the passion we discovered playing together all those years ago, and battle once more," Dan (pictured) added.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.