BraveWords Records is excited to announce the signing of Alcatrazz, for a new studio album, their 7th, to be released in 2026. Alcatrazz is also working on another top secret studio project. The new album will build on the obvious strength of their recent three releases “Born Innocent” “V” and “Take No Prisoners”
Jimmy Waldo of Alcatrazz proposes the band perform at reopening of Alcatraz Prison, “U.S. President Donald Trump has recently made a claim that he wishes to “re-open” the high security prison, the legendary Alcatraz Island. Regardless of anyones thoughts on this, and make of it what you will … we really are the only logical choice… should this re-opening actually happen, we expect the invite from the Donald!. Alcatrazz would be the perfect and only band that should launch the “New Alcatraz Prison” as we have actually all spent time in cells in the joint (check out our video for “Island In The Sun”) climbed the famous prison tower, spent the whole day in every place on the rock … even inside the walls of the cells, where the famous escapes were attempted — so to play at the new opening celebration would be like coming home.”
Members of Alcatrazz talk about signing with BraveWords Records,
Gary Shea: “Alcatrazz looks forward to merging forces with BraveWords Records, benefiting from the very impressive backgrounds of partners Tim Henderson, Michael Brandvold and Brian Adams. With their combined years of experience we will take on the Music Business and the Business of Music together. Let’s Rock!”
Jimmy Waldo: “It’s very exciting to be on BraveWords Records — great people that really get what Alcatrazz is all about, and are excited about taking the band to the next level. The combined background of the BraveWords brand already puts us at the forefront from Rock and Metal press, and the creative and innovative PR skills of Michael Brandvold gives this label an edge like no other… they are a one-stop shop for anything a band like us could ask for.”
Joe Stump: “For multiple decades now BraveWords has always been my source for all things metal, dating back to when I used to buy their print mag at specialty record shops and news stands … I’m thrilled to be working with their label and extremely excited for what’s to come. As for the album: pay attention, we are ready to do some damage”
Giles Lavery: “To be singing for one of my favorite bands, and to also be close friends with these guys is something that might come along once in a lifetime… I now have that three-fold! as a member of Warlord, my recent work with Jack Starr on his new album and now with Alcatrazz! …none of this I take for granted. My partners at BraveWords Records are also dear friends, so we have a great team all the way around. Lets just make a great record!”
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About ALCATRAZZ:
Alcatrazz, formed in 1983 in Los Angeles, has been as well known for the legendary players and singers who have passed throughout the bands ranks as much as they have for their music.
Formed originally by the trio of Jimmy Waldo, Gary Shea (both fresh from late 70’s hitmakers New England and the short lived band Warrior featuring a pre-Kiss Vinnie Vincent) along with vocalist Graham Bonnet (himself with impressive credentials having been a then recent member of Rainbow and the Michael Schenker Group) the band set about completing the line up with drummer Jan Uvena (formerly of Alice Cooper) and a then very young Yngwie Malmsteen, a guitarist who had quickly made a name for himself upon arriving in the USA in the early 80s. The band issued their now classic debut “No Parole From Rock N Roll” album (1983) which was met with universal critical acclaim. Yngwie was soon to depart in favor of Steve Vai just in time for the bands second album “Disturbing The Peace” (1985).
The bands mission has always been a not necessarily stable line-up, but of an evolving union of established performers all forming a “supergroup” of sorts, one with perhaps more guitar fire-power than many, but definitely also with the songs to back it up.
Vocalist Doogie White (himself also formerly of Rainbow and Michael Schenker) served a successful two album stint with the band, while the “shred-lord” himself…the acclaimed Joe Stump (also a very established solo artist and a Berklee college professor) has now been the bands longest serving guitarist, with this year now making his 6th continuing year as a member of the band.
Longtime Graham Bonnet and Alcatrazz collaborator, producer, songwriter and vocalist Giles Lavery is now the man behind the microphone, having proved he was an inspired choice on two recent U.S. tours — having worked with the band in numerous other creative capacities since 2017 the band feel it was a logical move, but also one chosen on merit. Giles can be heard on the recent BraveWords Records release, Jack Starr’s “Out Of The Darkness Part II” as well as his studio and live work with U.S. metal legends Warlord, a band who feature non-other than Mark Zonder on drums…himself a former member of the Graham Bonnet Band, Fates Warning, and worth noting here… as he is also currently leading the band A-Z who feature none other than Alcatrazz main man keyboardist Jimmy Waldo! confused yet? don’t be, as all of this proves that there is a firm but perhaps overlooked consistency and lineage to what on the surface may seem like an ever evolving band personnel.
Indeed Jimmy Waldo continues to be the heart and soul of Alcatrazz… as aside from being the bands talented keyboardist, he has been the one who would, over the bands career find himself at the centre of all band affairs and decision making, from booking the band in the early days, working closely with the bands various record labels, to making sure other members, at the height of 1980s rock n roll decadence were present and accounted for when it came time to get the work done…”i think i even drove the tour bus once or twice back then” says Waldo… in fact it was Jimmy himself who personally selected Steve Vai out of a number of other contenders for the guitarist position in 1984 when Yngwie Malmsteen chose to move on to his own distinguished solo career.. “alot of people have come and gone over the years” says Jimmy… “It’s kept it fresh and we are hardly the only band like that, we still have myself and Gary still holding down the frontline from that early era” Chris Impellitteri historically was one such player in line for the job, who may not have made it into the bands ranks back in 1984, but who in 2020 finally recorded with the band as a special guest on the successful “Born Innocent” album (co-produced by Giles and Jimmy). Bassist Gary Shea, he who named the band and designed the bands logo no less… came up with the above-mentioned iconic album titles (lets also not forget “Live Sentence”) as noted above, has been flying the Alcatrazz flag with Jimmy for over 4 decades now and is looking forward to this next phase. Gary’s recently published book “No Bass, No Party” is also an essential read for those wanting to delve deeper into the Alcatrazz story!
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