Much to the excitement of music fans across the planet, Dutch rock legends Focus will be undertaking a worldwide tour beginning November 2012 in support of their forthcoming CD 'Focus X'. With their unique brand of progressive rock, Focus manifested themselves at the start of the '70s as the most successful and appreciated of all the Dutch pop-rock exports. Fronted by founding member Thijs Van Leer, and best known for their hits "Hocus Pocus", "House of The King" and "Sylvia", as well as critically acclaimed albums 'Moving Waves', 'Focus 3' and 'Hamburger Concerto', the iconic Dutch music masters are back with their tenth album, which is guaranteed to please their legions of fans!
After a comeback in the early 2000's, which resulted in the well-received albums 'Focus 8' and 'Focus 9', the band regrouped with a fantastic new line-up. Along with Thijs van Leer on vocals, flute and keyboards, back on the drums is famed Focus drummer Pierre van der Linden, who joined the group on their second album 'Moving Waves' in 1972. Internationally renowned for his rhythmic skills, Pierre remains a defining factor in the Focus sound. Bassist Bobby Jacobs, who comes from a well-acclaimed Dutch musical family and guitarist Menno Gootjes, who participated in Focus at an earlier stage, completes the band's current line-up. Recently, Focus's biggest hit "Hocus Pocus" was used in a 4-minute Nike commercial before the World Cup broadcast. Focus music can be regularly heard on Top Gear and Saxondale TV.
A new Focus era has arrived! There is a rejuvenated passion in the new compositions that adorn the new album 'Focus X', which features a full scale Roger Dean painting on the cover. Says Thijs van Leer, who holds the distinction of being the first ever knighted musician in Holland, "It's a thrill to have finally completed 'Focus X'; we are all ecstatic and looking forward to playing the new material on the forthcoming Focus X Tour."
Focus X UK tour dates:
November 08 – Opera House – Buxton
November 09 – Town Hall – Hessle
November 10 – The Ferry – Glasgow
November 11 – Bridge Trades Club – Hebden
November 13 – Robin 2 – Wolverhampton
November 14 – The Brindley – Runcorn
November 15 – Birdwell – Barnsley
November 16 – Trading Boundaries – Fletching
November 17 – The Wharf – Tavistock
November 18 – Boom Boom Club – Sutton
November 19 – The Stables – Milton Keynes
November 20 – Beaverwood Club - Chislehurst
Title: 'Focus X'
Release Date: November 5, 2012
Label: East World Recordings.
Focus X website: http://www.focus10.net/
Visit the official Focus website: http://www.focustheband.com/
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Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine
