AXE Live At Sweden Rock 2012 CD/DVD by Dean Swett

Remind me

AXE performed at Sweden Rock on 6/8/12 and recorded the show in HD to release a Live CD/DVD for world-wide distribution. .

A personal note from Bobby Barth

When we went to Europe on the first of June, it was our intent to record our first real live album and we hired a production company to do a six-camera HD video shoot. We did both! While I was gone a friend decided to open a Kickstarter account for the project. The Kickstarter funds will be used for the professional editing and mixing of the live CD, the packaging and most importantly, to hire top notch promotion people to promote the new product.

The goal is high, for a purpose. As those of you who know the Axe story are aware, through all the years of touring with pretty much every rock band in the world, when it was all said and done we never made any money. That didn't stop us, as we have always played for the love of it, never for the financial rewards. So we continued to make records for Europe and Japan. But on this last tour, it became apparent that we all really wanted to tour America one more time. I know that in this time of financial hardship the country is going through not many people have a lot of extra income. I know I don't. But if all our fans donate even a little, we can reach our goal. By way of explanation, we wish to raise the money to hire the best editors and of course Mark Pinske from Zappa to mix the record. The show is 75 minutes long, and we will package it as both a DVD and a live CD. We plan to raise the money necessary to hire professional promotion people, and above all, it is our greatest wish to come home to America and do a full tour of this country. We can do that if we have enough support. We are also toying with the idea of putting the names of the biggest donors, or all the donors, into a hat for a drawing to have the band go to the winner’s hometown to do a full concert. Although I am a bit uncomfortable going about raising money this way, it sees to be the smartest idea we can come up with and I really want to complete this project. So now I ask you to help us finish the project by donating what ever you can. The way Kickstarter works is that unless the project is fully funded, no one pays anything.

I get dozens of letters each year, telling stories about what certain Axe songs have meant to fans all over America. After 44 years as a working musician, I want to give our fans and supporters what I have always had in my heart but never had the money to get done. There will be a few surprises as well, so as a favor, if you have enjoyed our music over the decades, please donate. Pass it on. With a little luck we will see you in your hometowns soon. We CAN reach our goal. With all of our hearts we want to do a tour of America. You can help make it happen.

Thanks,

Bobby Barth 32°

AXE History:

AXE Performed at Sweden Rock on 6/8/12 and recorded the show with 6 HD cameras. This will be the only live AXE release, and their only live DVD.

After several years of great music lying dormant, Bobby Barth (LEAD SINGER AND GUITARIST FOR BLACKFOOT/and Original Founder of AXE), with the help of friends Bob Harris, and Brad Banhagel, have decided that the time is right to bring AXE back to the stage, and have accepted an offer to perform at this year’s Sweden Rock Festival to coincide with Cleopatra Records releasing a box set of previous AXE releases in the spring of 2012.

Previously known as Babyface with a line-up of vocalist Edgar Riley, guitarist Bobby Barth, bassist Mike Turpin, and drummer Teddy Mueller, the group adopted the new title of Axe in 1979 when the band added second guitarist Michael Osborne. Signing with major label MCA Records, Axe released their self-titled debut in 1979 and immediately gained attention with a melodic Rock sound comprising heavy guitars mixed with keyboards.

The band was notable for being photographed on their first LP all sporting B. C. Rich Guitars, one of the first bands to use them exclusively.

Following “Axe”, with 1980's “Living On The Edge”, the group switched labels to Atco in 1982 for their third album, “Offering”, an album that included the hit anthem “Rock n' Roll Party In The Streets”, which became the 63rd most played song of 1982, with “Offering” charting at #75 on the Billboard Charts.

The album marked the addition of new bassist Wayne Haner to the ranks and AXE got to tour with the likes of the Scorpions, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, and ZZ Top. The band also played in Britain during 1983 opening for Iron Maiden.

Following the arrival of the band's fourth album “Nemesis” and touring with Mötley Crüe in 1984, AXE were dealt a fatal blow when guitarist Michael Osborne was killed in an auto crash in which a badly injured Bobby Barth was lucky enough to escape with his life. The band, however, promptly dissolved following the tragedy.

Barth, once recovered, joined Blackfoot, replacing the seasoned Ken Hensley for the 1984 album “Vertical Smiles” and subsequent touring. The tenure was short lived however and Barth subsequently released a well crafted solo album “Two Hearts, One Beat” on Atco Records in 1986.

An attempt in 1989 at reforming AXE, including UFO drummer Andy Parker, was made but petered out, with Barth going to Australia in order to work with ex-Rose Tattoo frontman Angry Anderson.

Due to Barth's connections with the Japanese label Zero and German company MTM Music Bobby felt there was sufficient interest in AXE to make a renewed effort to put the group back together, albeit with a slightly revised line-up, and the release of a brand new album, aptly titled “Five”.

The reformed 1997 line up was former Frank Zappa vocalist Bob Harris, Barth on guitars, Edgar Riley Jr on keyboards, and original drummer Teddy Mueller, plus bassist Blake Eberhard. Blake is one of Colorado's premier studio and live bassists. He joined Axe after being hired by Barth for several recording sessions, and added the new dimension of fretless bass and slap-bass style to the Axe sound.

A brand new AXE album, “Axe (Twenty Years From Home)” was released in September 1997 featuring re-recorded versions of choice tracks from each of the first four AXE albums, plus two from the recently released “V” record. For their 2000 album, “The Crown”, the group inducted new personnel, guitarist Danny Masters, and drummer Christian Teele.

AXE would release a limited edition mini album “Live In America 1981” to commemorate their European 2001 tour dates.

During 2003 Bob Harris re-emerged fronting the Edge of Forever project, an eighties Rock styled venture in union with keyboard player Alessandro Del Vecchio, bassist Christian Grillo and the Sleek, Gotthard and U.D.O. credited guitarist Igor Gianola.

In 2004, Barth rejoined Blackfoot, and performed with them till medical problems forced him to leave in 2010.

Now feeling better than ever, Bobby has decided to return home to the band he founded to continue the legacy.

AXE-Sweden Rock 6/8/12 Singing in the Rain

“Jennifer” (2 Versions a close up and a distant shot showing the rain)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPqpbdcDnY0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QduArGEa4xw&feature=related

“Burn This City Down”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOTHua9Z9Wc

AXE Z-7 Pratteln Switzerland 6/10/12

“Rock N Roll Party In The Streets”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5APyJ5Kw00

“Battles”