Derek Sherinian's new solo album 'Oceana' is released Monday September 5th by the Music Theories Recordings label via the Mascot Label Group.
If this were the 1970's, the heyday of such keyboard titans as Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman and Jon Lord, Sherinian would be among that elite circle of players who were superstars back in the day when such talent was not only appreciated, but celebrated in popular music. This is, however, 2011, and in this age, Derek Sherinian is the premiere rock keyboardist of his generation, a member of the supergroup Black Country Communion, a former member of Dream Theater, and a solo artist in his own right.
Sherinian has played keyboards with artists including Alice Cooper, Billy Idol, Yngwie Malmsteen and KISS. In addition to being a former member of Dream Theater, Sherinian was also a member of the prog rock band Platypus, and the founder of the progressive fusion metal band Planet X.
'Oceana' is mixed by legendary drummer Simon Phillips (whose drumming credits include Toto, The Who, Jeff Beck, 10CC, Roxy Music). Phillips also plays drums on the entire album.
Steve Lukather collaborates with Sherinian on 'Mulholland', 'Euphoria' and 'Seven Sins', while former Planet X guitarist Tony MacAlpine performs on 'Five Elements' and 'Mercury 7'. Steve Stevens is featured on 'Ghost Runner' and the title track, while Black Country Communion band-mate Joe Bonamassa performs on 'I Heard That'. Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake) performs on 'El Camino Diablo', and Jimmy Johnson plays bass on all tracks with the exception of 'Ghost Runner' and 'Oceana', which both feature Tony Franklin.
DEREK SHERINIAN – OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
Keyboardist Derek Sherinian is a man out of time. Raised in Santa Cruz, California, he began playing piano at the age of five, then came under the spell of Elton John's music, and the early influences of The Beatles and Bob Dylan.
While still a junior in high school, Derek was offered a scholarship to the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. After three semesters he was introduced to Buddy Miles (Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsys), who was putting together a touring band. After an ultimately impressing audition, he earned his spot.
After leaving Miles, he landed a gig with rock legend Alice Cooper. He toured with Alice and performed over 250 shows in support of his 'Trash' album. Alice nicknamed Sherinian, "The Caligula of the Keyboards."
After another tour, in 1991 he became offstage keyboardist for hard rockers KISS. However, it was with him joining prog metal superstars Dream Theater that his profile began to rise. More technically challenging musically than anything he had previously been a part of, he was named the band's keyboardist just prior to the tour in support of the album Awake. After spending four years with the band, Sherinian went solo in 1999 and released his first solo album Planet X.
Between 2000 and 2009, Sherinian released several albums including Universe (2000), Inertia (2001), Moonbabies (2002), Black Utopia (2003), Mythology (2004), Blood of the Snake (2006) and Molecular Heinosity (2009).
In 2010 he toured extensively with Billy Idol. In the same year, he joined the rock supergroup Black Country Communion alongside Joe Bonamassa, Glenn Hughes and Jason Bonham. BCC's first two albums went to No.1 in the Official UK Rock Album Chart. The band is currently in the midst of a European tour which includes London's High Voltage Festival.
Derek Sherinian - Official Website
http://www.dereksherinian.com/
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