BraveWords Records releases the re-record of “Island In The Sun (Re-Opened 2025)” by Alcatrazz. The single is available today on all digital services.
Gary Shea, Alcatrazz bassist and founding member, “I have played Island In The Sun many times since it’s inception. So much sometimes I hear it in my sleep. Giles Lavery nails the vocal right up there with other past performances. Well done and looking forward to new music on BraveWords Records.”
Alcatrazz lead singer Giles Lavery, “I do seem to have a thing for placing a target on my head… re-record a classic song originally sung by a legendary vocalist… yeah right!, no big deal! (!!!) Jimmy Waldo wrote the main theme to this while still a member of New England in 1981… the first single from Alcatrazz back in 1983….and here is Alcatrazz 2025 presenting a new version just in time for the Alcatraz Prison reopening?… Back to the island we go! Stranger things have happened!”
Alcatrazz, formed in 1983 in Los Angeles, has been as well known for the legendary players and singers who have passed throughout the bands ranks as much as they have for their music.
Formed originally by the trio of Jimmy Waldo, Gary Shea (both fresh from late 70’s hitmakers New England and the short lived band Warrior featuring a pre-KISS Vinnie Vincent) along with vocalist Graham Bonnet (himself with impressive credentials having been a then recent member of Rainbow and the Michael Schenker Group) the band set about completing the line up with drummer Jan Uvena (formerly of Alice Cooper) and a then very young Yngwie Malmsteen, a guitarist who had quickly made a name for himself upon arriving in the USA in the early 80s. The band issued their now classic debut No Parole From Rock N Roll album (1983) which was met with universal critical acclaim. Yngwie was soon to depart in favor of Steve Vai just in time for the bands second album, Disturbing The Peace (1985).
The bands mission has always been a not necessarily stable lineup, but of an evolving union of established performers all forming a “supergroup” of sorts, one with perhaps more guitar fire-power than many, but definitely also with the songs to back it up.
Alcatrazz hit the road in Europe later this year with Girlschool.
GIRLSCHOOL + ALCATRAZZ
11/14 Sweden, Sala, Rockland
11/15 Sweden, Stockholm, Rock At Sea Cruise
11/18 Finland, Turku, Nirvana + Daze Dolls
11/19 Finland, Helsinki, On The Rocks
11/20 Finland, Tampere, Tavara-asema
11/21 Finland, Nakkila, Verstas
11/22 Finland, Kouvola, House Of Rock
GIRLSCHOOL + ALCATRAZZ + DAVID REECE’s BANGALORE CHOIR
11/25 Belgium, Kortjik, DVG Club
11/27 Germany, Kassel, Goldgrube
11/28 Germany, Passau, Zauberberg
11/29 Austria, Steyr, Kulturverein Roda
12/02 Czechia, Olomouc, Bounty Rock Cafe
12/05 Germany, Selb, Rockclub Nordbayern
12/06 Germany, Morlenbach/Weiher, Live Music Hall
12/07 Germany, Dortmund, Musiktheater Piano