BLACK STAR RIDERS announce the departure of bass player Marco Mendoza after the band’s current US tour, ending June 22nd and the arrival of new bassist, Robbie Crane.
Marco, a founding member of BLACK STAR RIDERS, has decided to pursue other projects after potential conflicts in schedules.
His replacement will be Robbie Crane (formerly of RATT, VICNE NEIL and LYNCH MOB).
Scott Gorham: “I am very sad to see Marco go. We have been together in a band now for almost 20 years and Marco is my brother and we wish him well for the future. It’s an amicable parting of ways and we all respect that Marco wants to do other projects outside of BLACK STAR RIDERS and there just isn’t time to do both.”
Ricky Warwick: “Marco will always be part of the BSR family and a true friend of ours. We are very happy to introduce Robbie Crane to everyone as the new BSR bass player. The guy killed the audition and we can’t wait to get on stage with him on our Euro run starting mid July and then of course in the studio in the autumn for the recording of the second BLACK STAR RIDERS record.”
Marco Mendoza: “I loved my time in Black Star Riders and want to thank all the fans for making the last year on road so successful. I am sorry to be leaving the band but I feel it’s time for me to pursue other avenues, some of which I have already been working with, all of which I am very excited about. I wish the guys all success in the future and I am very happy that my friend Robbie Crane will continue to blaze with BSR.”
But exciting things are ahead with the addition of veteran bassist Robbie Crane. “I am very excited to be a part of the BLACK STAR RIDERS family. As a long time fan of their music, I am thrilled to be a part of the band”.
BLACK STAR RIDERS - featuring Ricky Warwick – Vocals, Scott Gorham & Damon Johnson, Guitars, Jimmy DeGrasso – Drums and Robbie Crane – Bass) - play the following dates in July and August:
18.07. UK Holmfirth - Picturedome
19.07. UK Steelhouse Festival - Ebbw Vale
20.07. UK Brighton - Concorde 2
22.07. UK Northampton - Roadmenders
23.07. UK Leicester - Academy
24.07. UK Guildford - G Live
25.07. D Bochum - Zeche
26.07. S Falkenberg - Falkenberg RockFest
27.07. D Berlin - C-Club
29.07. D Munich - Free & Easy / Backstage Werk
30.07. D Saarbrücken - Garage
31.07. D Geiselwind - Bike & Music Weekend
01.08 D Wacken - WOA Festival
02.08. S Rejmyre - Skogsrojet Festival
03.08. S Helsingborg - Tivoli
05.08. UK Preston - 53 Degrees
06.08. UK Buckley - Tivoli
07.08. UK Birmingham - The Asylum
08.08. S Gavle - Getaway Rock Festival
09.08. NO Alesund - Back in the Fields Festival
The Band then head into the studio to record the follow up to the 2013 release »All Hell Breaks Loose« for Nuclear Blast Entertainment.
The album, as yet untitled, will be scheduled for release in February 2015, with European and US tours to follow with other territories the band has not played as yet the first tim