Primitive Race premiere ‘Take it All’ from forthcoming new album ‘Soul Pretender’

Primitive Race, the metal/industrial collective who released their debut album in 2015 featuring MarkGT, have just premiered brand new song ‘Take it All’ taken from the forthcoming album ‘Soul Pretender’ due 3rd Nov. Click below to stream:

Download/stream the full album here: Physical CD | Bandcamp | iTunes | Amazon

Spearheaded by the core lineup of Chris Kniker with Mark Gemini Thwaite and Erie Loch, and bringing on a new complement of guest collaborators, ‘Soul Pretender’ marks a natural progression from the band’s first incarnation – a more straightforward, hard rocking effort that draws on more of an alternative rock sound. “Having MGT and Erie there to round out the group and bring their sound in was always central in my mind,” according to Kniker, with “Thwaite’s driving guitar tone to add depth and that extra level of fury to the songwriting trinity”.

Among the newcomers on Soul Pretender is former Faith No More front man Chuck Mosley, bringing what Kniker calls “this gritty yet soulful style of punk rock to the mix.” Also joining the ranks this time is Melvins drummer Dale Crover; “I love Dale’s style – the big toms and the powerful snare hits. It was perfect and it brought a whole different tone, energy, and vibe to the songs.” Unlike the debut PR album, every song on the new record features the same musicians. Joe Haze lends his mixing talents to Soul Pretender, & Maor Appelbaum returns to once again after mastering the 2015 debut; Appelbaum’s presence is a perfect fit for the album given his experience with Mosley, remastering Faith No More’s “We Care a Lot,” following his work on the band’s “Sol Invictus” and bringing that distinctive alternative rock edge to the album.

Order the full album here: Physical CD | Bandcamp | iTunes | Amazon

STOP PRESS: Ex Faith No More & Primitive Race frontman Chuck Mosley dead at 57

On November 9, 2017, Mosley was found dead by his partner Pip Logan on the living room floor of their Cleveland home. Drug paraphernalia was discovered at the scene, with police later confirming a drugs overdose was the cause of death. His family released a statement that read:

After a long period of sobriety, Charles Henry Mosley III lost his life, on November 9th, 2017, due to the disease of addiction. We’re sharing the manner in which he passed, in the hopes that it might serve as a warning or wake up call or beacon to anyone else struggling to fight for sobriety. He is survived by long-term partner Pip Logan, two daughters, Erica and Sophie and his grandson Wolfgang Logan Mosley. The family will be accepting donations for funeral expenses. Details to follow when arranged.

Faith No More released the following statement:

It’s with a heavy, heavy heart we acknowledge the passing of our friend and bandmate, Chuck Mosley. He was a reckless and caterwauling force of energy who delivered with conviction and helped set us on a track of uniqueness and originality that would not have developed the way it had had he not been a part. How fortunate we are to have been able to perform with him last year in a reunion style when we re-released our very first record. His enthusiasm, his sense of humor, his style and his bravado will be missed by so many. We were a family, an odd and dysfunctional family, and we’ll be forever grateful for the time we shared with Chuck.

Faith No More Followers site also spoke to Chris Knicker and Mark Gemini Thwaite in December 2017 about the making of the new ‘Soul Pretender’ album and their thoughts on the untimely passing of Mosley  – click here for interview.

Connect with Primitive Race:
Official Website | Facebook | Twitter

‘Knowing Me Knowing You’ -the spirited ABBA cover by MGT with Ville Valo of HIM now surpassed a whopping 2 MILLION views on Youtube – Download the song HERE!  Brand new MGT music coming this November… announcement coming soon!

 

 

 

MGT video with Ville Valo hits ONE MILLION views

“Mark is a friend, and the stars were aligned… it was the right song at the right time” – Ville Valo

MGT’s cover of ABBA classic ‘Knowing Me Knowing You’ with Ville Valo of HIM was released as a single on SPV records back in April this year, with an accompanying video shot & directed by noted videographer Ville Juurikkala.. now 6 months later the video has now surpassed over ONE MILLION views! We’d both like to take this opportunity to thank all of the fans out there for enjoying the video and for buying the single and the MGT ‘Volumes’ album, which also features the full length version, given a dark brooding hard rock twist by Thwaite & Valo!

“I’d had an inspiration to record a dark and brooding version of ‘Knowing Me Knowing You’ a few years ago.. the solo album was in the works during last summer, so I recorded the music for it, lovingly reconstructing the parts and melodies based on the ABBA version, and then sent the completed music demo to Ville, who came back with his fantastic vocals, perfect for the song..” Mark Gemini Thwaite

‘Knowing Me Knowing You’ single edit is available on iTunes and Amazon [HERE]

MGT ‘Volumes’ including full version of KMKY available on CD / MP3 at these links:

Just in: MGT INTERVIEW in TONE REPORT WEEKLY

Check out this weeks issue of Tone Report Weekly magazine with a deep dive 12 page feature interview discussing  MGT’s new album & career, the Schecter Guitars MGT Signature model and the relaunched Dirty Chorus pedal by Pro Tone Pedals! Click on cover image below…

Tone Report Weekly – Interview with a Serial Axe Slinger – a conversation with Mark Gemini Thwaite

MGT ENDORSED BY MESA BOOGIE AMPLIFICATION

In other news, MGT is proud to confirm his endorsement by legendary California premium amplifcation company MESA BOOGIE.. Thwaite has played various Mesa amps since the last 1990s and continues to rate them as his favourite amps bar none! Click on image..

http://mesaboogie.com/artist/mark-gemini-thwaite.html

MGT is also proud to play SEYMOUR DUNCAN pickups and effects pedals.. the MGT Signature model has Mark’s choice of Duncan JB and Alnico Pro II pickups..  check out the MGT artist page on the Seymour Duncan website [here]

Schecter Announces MGT Signature Guitar -MGT Video Passes 850k Views

Following the release of Mark Gemini Thwaite’s debut solo album ‘Volumes’ last month on SPV, & the MGT/Ville Valo video single for ABBA classic ‘Knowing Me Knowing You’ surpassing over three quarters of a million views in three months, renowned USA company Schecter Guitars have announced a special limited edition MGT Signature model will go into production and will debut later this year (www.schecterguitars.com/mgt):

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Schecter MGT Signature Solo-II Ultraviolet custom was designed with Thwaite’s own specifications on electronics, hardware, colour and choice of fretboard wood.. this includes a flip/flop ultraviolet top with stained mahogany red back, sides and neck, all gold hardware including MGT choice of USA made Seymour Duncan Jeff Beck JB custom zebra Bridge and Alnico Pro II neck coil tapping humbuckers, Bigsby B7, TonePros roller bridge, and unique custom appointments such as aged creme double binding, custom style MOP block inlays on a Rosewood neck, gold mirror pickguard and gold MGT truss rod cover (unique to MGT model), graphtech ivory nut, and Grip Tip speed knobs, CTS 500 pots and more. Schecter expect production models to be in stores later this year, click on the Schecter banner below for more images, specifications and details:

The Mark Thwaite Signature Solo-II now available to pre-order [here]. More links soon.

In other news, noted custom pedalboard maker Pro Tone Pedals have also revealed plans for an MGT special edition chorus, which will also debut later this year.. more details here!

MGT ‘Volumes’ is available now on CD/Digital Download at these links below:

Some of the stellar reviews for ‘Volumes’ so far:

“Mark Gemini Thwaite is a man who should need no introduction, given the breadth of artists and musical styles he’s made his indelible mark in. Lending his skills as a composer and guitarist to the likes of goth/rockers like The Mission and Peter Murphy, classic rock & rollers like Thin Lizzy’s Ricky Warwick and The Who’s Roger Daltrey, and well known in industrial circles for his collaborations in Primitive Race, Revolting Cocks, and Gary Numan” REGENmagazine

“You will find the who is who of goth rock on ‘Volumes’ – From Ville Valo to Wayne Hussey, Julianne Regan and Andi Sex Gang. Thwaite does what he’s doing best, playing guitar and watching the songs. It’s marvelous that even though so many singers joined, the result is a homogeneous debut solo album” SONIC SEDUCER MAGAZINE

“A real highlight is the dramatic singer/songwriter ballad Drive and Forget, sung by Warwick. The rest of the 13 songs are real songs (and no guitar orgies) and really deliver on diversity and bandwidth… again, with so much original talent and so many famous friends, you can’t do a lot wrong” CLASSIC ROCK MAGAZINE

“It’s an ambitious project overall when you consider how much talent is spread across one hour, but it goes beyond hitting the bullseye, and tears through the dartboard and into the next room” – 4/5 PureRawk.com review

“‘Volumes’ has a very cohesive feel about it, something that in this age of single track downloads many full bands seem to struggle with and that togetherness has in part got to be down to the crystal clear and razor sharp production and mix” UBERROCK.co.uk

“Unlike many solo guitar releases, there’s an emphasis on songcraft over flashy solos, with Thwaite’s session musician chops offering a versatile, multi-faceted sound throughout” 4/5 SmellsLikeInfiniteSadness.com

“Mark Gemini Thwaite fashions a highly listenable and quite captivating collection of songs that draws more on his strengths not just as a guitarist but as a composer. In short, Volumes is quite an excellent album indeed” REGENmagazine

“MGT has out done himself.. It’s been a long wait for a solo album from this guitar player & it’s well worth it.. A real mix of pop sensibilities brewed with Goth fusion. The guest vocalists are a perfect pick…An absolute masterstroke” 8.5/10  AllAboutTheRock.co.uk

“Under the name MGT, with over 30 years and 20 albums to his credit, the currently US-based Thwaite will not slow down.. He’s still thriving in a groove of constant craft, just as he was during his formative years in Birmingham”… MusicExistence.com review

“Often, guitarists’ albums are little more than an excuse for furious guitar tirades, most often at the expense of the song itself. In this case, though, Mark’s restraint has let him produce a pretty decent album full of good tracks. Definitely worth a listen” TheMidlandRocks.com review

“Contender for my album of the year. Each track on this album is a highlight.. I like when artists can show influences without directly copying them and Mark Thwaite does this in 14 different ways on this album” www.rocknreelreviews.com

“‘Volumes’ is a very surprising album, each song shines with its special charm, sometimes powerful, sometimes soft, but always wonderful” www.badblack-unicorn.de

“Mark’s musical talents shine through so well on ‘Volumes’.  He was always an asset to the bands he played in, but what I love here is how cohesive the sound is.  The vocalists come from a wide variety of backgrounds and mix up so many singing styles.  But with Mark as the constant driving force, the album works brilliantly.  I’m so pleased to finally see his name on the cover”  Ian Camfield XFM/ XS Manchester UK

“Volumes is incredibly executed album. Excellent production allows the sophisticated arrangements on these songs to take the listener on a trip from deep, dark places to bright pinnacles, and back. MGT’s first solo outing is a powerful collection of superbly crafted songs” 1340Mag.com

MGT ‘Volumes’ is available now on CD / MP3 at these links:

MGT feat.Ville Valo-official video premiere for ‘Knowing Me Knowing You’

“Mark is a friend, and the stars were aligned… it was the right song at the right time” – Ville Valo

Along with the release of the single ”Knowing Me Knowing You” on April 15th, British guitarist Mark Gemini Thwaite (aka MGT) premiered his new  video starring Ville Valo (HIM), the featured vocalist on the ABBA cover. Now over 600k (half a million) views! Stream or download the single here: https://MGT.lnk.to/KnowingMeKnowingYou

The video was shot in the California mountains and Helsinki Finland during February and March with well-known Finnish video director & photographer Ville Juurikkala (The 69 EYES, APOCALYPTICA, HIM). Juurikkala is known for his very unique way of catching pictures, blending in colours, and with the layered shots in this video, he creates a kind of James Bond feeling to it.

MGT gave the following comment about the video shoot:
“ABBA released ‘Knowing Me Knowing You” nearly 40 years ago in the winter of 1977, and the single sleeve and their video had a wintery feel to it, so when we decided to shoot a video for our version, both myself and Ville Valo agreed we should try and capture some of the feel of the ABBA version and have a winter vibe to our video as well.. So we shot my footage up in snow covered mountains, and Ville’s close-ups in front of a fire place in a secret place in Hell-sinki.. we’re pleased with it, and director Ville Juurikkala did a fantastic job!”

Order link: Digital single includes two mixes – the original rock version plus the exclusive trance remix by award winning producer YOUTH! Click this link below to choose your prefered vendor/streaming service:  https://mgt.lnk.to/KnowingMeKnowingYou

Also check out recent interviews with MGT below discussing the inception of the KMKY single with Ville Valo, and more info on the forthcoming album ‘Volumes’! Click on the banners below for each interview.. HIM Mexican Team and Eatmusic (Russia):

• SIDELINE MAGAZINE ‘Volumes’ album update
• BLABBERMOUTH.net News update
• TEAMROCK/METAL HAMMER news update
• UBER-ROCK UK News Update
• SONIC SEDUCER (Germany) news update
• KERRANG RADIO news update
• LOUDWIRE (USA) news update

The video premiered 14th April on metalhammer.de in Germany, the same at 3pm GMT in UK on teamrock.com and in Finland on iltalehti.fi and metalunderground.com (USA).

MGT signs with SPV – Single out 15th April feat. Ville Valo, “Volumes” album in June

MGT Solo album “Volumes” out in late June 2016 on SPV records
Single ´Knowing Me Knowing You` out on 15 April worldwide – pre order below!
ABBA cover version featuring Ville Valo of HIM! plus additional Youth remix!

Now it’s official: British guitarist Mark Gemini Thwaite, MGT for short, has signed with Hanover record imprint SPV and is scheduled to release his first solo album “Volumes” at the end of June. The lead single, ´Knowing Me Knowing You`, a cover version of the Abba classic featuring guest vocalist Ville Valo of HIM, will be available from 15 April, complete with new video with director Ville Juurikkala, featuring Ville Valo and MGT.  Valo is not the only guest musician on Volumes, which has turned into a veritable all-star recording. Other appearances include Wayne Hussey of Mark’s previous band The Mission, Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls of The Wonder Stuff, Ricky Warwick (Black Star Riders/Thin Lizzy), Raymond Watts (Pig/KMFDM), Saffron (Republica), Julianne Regan (All About Eve), Ashton Nyte (The Awakening), Carlo Van Putten (Dead Guitars) and Goth legend Andi Sex Gang.

Pre order links below – more links to come soon.. Digital single includes two mixes – the original rock version plus the exclusive Youth trance remix!

iTunes USA: https://goo.gl/F3k6SZ
Amazon USA: https://goo.gl/q2wyMQ
iTunes Mexico: https://goo.gl/mpf36H

iTunes UK: https://goo.gl/oVko6F

Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/1nr0sX

iTunes Finland: https://goo.gl/uIow9V

iTunes Germany: https://goo.gl/5rCvqo

Amazon Germany: https://goo.gl/QGWzzX

iTunes Italy: https://goo.gl/FdXS4v

Amazon Italy: http://goo.gl/IHtwph

iTunes Spain: https://goo.gl/CW68qZ

Amazon Spain: https://goo.gl/hsypei

iTunes France: https://goo.gl/8EnLXc

iTunes Denmark: https://goo.gl/orQN7V

Amazon France: http://goo.gl/pPsV8Q

Google Play: https://goo.gl/LL2Oyr

Originally from Birmingham UK, MGT appeared on over 20 albums. He worked with The Mission, Peter Murphy (Bauhaus), Tricky, Gary Numan Official, Ricky Warwick (Thin Lizzy), Al Jourgensen (Ministry), P.J. Harvey, Roger Daltrey (The Who), members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alanis Morissette, Warrior Soul as well as Tommy Victor and Prong to name a few.

During his joint concert with Ricky Warwick/Black Star Riders at London’s Kentish Town Forum, Mark Gemini Thwaite, Silke Yli-Sirniö (Tough Enough Promotion) and Gero Herrde (A&R SPV) met to sign the contracts. They later spoke about the recently sealed collaboration:

Mark Gemini Thwaite: “Having been a member of The Mission for many years I have a longstanding relationship with Gero Herrde and SPV, a great independent label who have released several of our albums and live DVDs over the years. Now that I am finally releasing a solo album, I feel at home releasing the record through my friends at SPV!“

Silke Yli-Sirniö, Management Tough Enough Promotion: “When Mark first sent me the tracks last autumn, I was immediately enchanted! No doubt that I wanted to be part of this project after being asked so kindly. A big THANK YOU actually goes to Ville Valo of HIM who first brought my attention to MGT. I am happy that at least some people are still making music like this in 2016 – and that people like Gero Herrde of SPV still believe in this kind of music!“

Gero Herrde, A&R at SPV: “Mark and I have known each other for many years; we never really lost sight of each other since our work with The Mission. With such a brilliant musician it was only a question of time before he started working on his own solo album, recruiting the crème de la crème of independent rock vocalists for his project. Now the album is here at last and I’m proud to have the opportunity to release it on SPV!”  http://www.spv.de

 

 

 

 

 

MGT discusses forthcoming solo album with REGEN magazine..

MGT recently sat down with REGEN magazine and revealed plans for his upcoming solo album, including collaborations with Ville Valo of Finnish Love Metallers H.I.M, also Miles Hunt of The Wonder Stuff, Wayne Hussey of The Mission, Ricky Warwick of Black Star Riders/Thin Lizzy, Saffron from Republica, Youth of Killing Joke, Ashton Nyte of The Awakening plus many more, as well as his career and guitars of choice..

REGEN magazine MGT interview Oct 2015 (click here or above)