World-renowned guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani has announced the release of his sixteenth solo album, "What Happens Next", due on January 12, 2018 via Sony/Legacy Recordings. Just a day prior to the album release, Satriani revives his G3 tour entity, inviting DREAM THEATER's John Petrucci and DEF LEPPARD lead guitarist Phil Collen to join him. The G3 tour launches on January 11 in Seattle, Washington and continues across the U.S. before winding up on February 25 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The new, instrumentally electrifying album features a power trio of legendary status; Satriani on guitar and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee bassist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION) and drummer Chad Smith (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS), the latter reuniting with Satriani for the first time since their work in the supergroup CHICKENFOOT. Satriani is once again joined by producer/engineer/mixer Mike Fraser, his frequent collaborator over the last 20 years, on "What Happens Next". Fraser is well-known for recording/mixing every AC/DC album since 1990's "The Razors Edge" along with his classic works with Satriani going back to the release of "Crystal Planet" in 1998.
These new tracks literally vibrate the soul with an energy rarely found these days. From the dynamic opening track, "Energy", to the majestic crunch of "Thunder High On The Mountain", and the easy, sensual chords of "Smooth Soul". This unparalleled rock-rhythm section gives "What Happens Next" a depth of groove that sets it apart from Satriani's other work.
Since its debut in 1996, Satriani's G3 tour has featured the world's greatest guitarists (everyone from Steve Vai and Eric Johnson to Steve Lukather and Robert Fripp) and has become a consistent concert hall sell-out attraction in the U.S., South America, Europe, Australia and Japan. "I could say that I'm surprised at the durability of G3 and how much it's grown, but in a way I'm not," Satriani says with a laugh, "I think part of its charm and its mojo is in the chemistry of having three top guitarists share what they do on stage. It's fun, it's unpredictable, it's wild — it's everything you could want in a show."
In addition to this new album and exciting tour news, a new documentary "Beyond The Supernova" shot by Satriani's filmmaker son, ZZ, makes its debut at the Mill Valley Film Festival this October. The tour documentary chronicles Joe, along with his band and crew, on their last "Shockwave Supernova" tour throughout Europe and Asia.
Satriani's "Strange Beautiful Music: A Musical Memoir" first released in May 2014 will now be available in paperback. Pre-orders are available now with the official release on November 7. The paperback version includes a new chapter focusing on Satriani's last album, "Shockwave Supernova".
For two decades, the guitar virtuoso has traveled the world, playing to sold-out crowds as both a headliner and as founder of the all-star G3 guitar extravaganza. Satriani's studio and live recordings have sold more than ten million copies worldwide to date and of his many solo albums, two have gone platinum and four others went gold, with fifteen Grammy nominations between them. His side project, CHICKENFOOT, featuring former VAN HALEN frontman Sammy Hagar, former VH bassist Michael Anthony and Chad Smith saw their debut album certified gold and their second studio album debuted at #9.
"What Happens Next" (cover) track listing:
01. Energy
02. Catbot
03. Thunder High On The Mountain
04. Cherry Blossoms
05. Righteous
06. Smooth Soul
07. Headrush
08. Looper
09. What Happens Next
10. Super Funky Badass
11. Invisible
12. Forever And Ever