Los Angeles, CA. (Top40 Charts/
Warrior Records) - Ratt, Warrant,
Alice Cooper - the roots of rock's newest super group, Saints of the Underground. You can call them S.O.T.U.
S.O.T.U. - drummer Bobby Blotzer and bassist Robbie Crane (Ratt), vocalist Jani Lane (Warrant) and guitarist Keri Keli (Alice Cooper) - are set to rock the charts April 22 with their debut CD, "Love the Sin, Hate the Sinner" - mixed by Andy Johns, whose credits include Stones and Zeppelin.
A music business that enjoys increasing sales of Guitar Hero and Rock Band video games, is already hearing significant buzz about S.O.T.U.'s premiere effort - written and produced by Jani, Bobby, and Keri - which features tracks such as "Dead Man Shoes," "All in How You Wear It," "Signs of Life," as well as a mesmerizing take on the Stones classic, "Moonlight Mile."
"With more than six decades of combined experience, S.O.T.U. represents classic hard rock with current elements of today rock genre," said Kelli.
The band came about, as so many bands do, unexpectedly. The four musicians were covering tunes together for fun during down time from their other bands - and what do you know, chemistry called and they evolved into a creative partnership that started to turn out original songs.
"For me, S.O.T.U. was like when a Monty Python skit stops abruptly and you hear a voice over say, 'and now for something completely different,'" said Lane. "I was in a very slow and boring rut when I got a call from the guys. It really got the creative juices flowing again ... and some other juices too!"
S.O.T.U. laid down drums and bass tracks at Blotzer's Diamond Recording Studios in Texas, and then overdubbed guitars and vocals at Kelli's studio in California.
"We were psyched to start recording together," said Blotzer, "and we each brought something special to the songs."
Lane was especially jazzed (rocked?) by the opportunity to mix the record with Johns.
"He was an English prince and we had a blast working together," he said.
"Love The Sin, Hate The Sinner" is scheduled for release April 22 on Warrior Records, distributed via Universal Music Group Distribution. Tour dates are to be announced.