SCUM OF THE EARTH: More Tour Dates Announced

Instead of cancelling shows on the trek, Belladonna's solo band — which includes RC Ciejek on bass and Jack Frost (SAVATAGE, SEVEN WITCHES) on guitar — has soldiered on, with Joey himself playing drums and singing lead.

The Never Look Back tour will take Joey and his band across the U.S. and Canada, then sending them to Mexico, South America, Europe and Australia by year's end. In their downtime from touring, BELLADONNA will be hard at work on a new album due some time this fall.

 BW&BK scribe David Perri has checked in with the following special report:

"Joey Belladonna's scheduled performance at Montreal's Foufounes Electriques went on as planned (last) night (May 21), despite the fact that one key component was missing from the band: drummer Paul Marciano, out with pneumonia. Instead of cancelling dates on the tour, Belladonna's solo band (including RC Ciejek on bass and SEVEN WITCHES' Jack Frost on guitar) has soldiered on with Joey himself playing drums.

Joey's drum performance was flawless in Montreal, and he hit all the high vocal notes while also making every cymbal crash. Belladonna started off the night with three solo tunes, including 1995's solid 'Rob You Blind' and then headed into an ANTHRAX-filled set that included the likes of 'Madhouse', 'Medusa', 'Anti-Social', 'Got The Time', 'N.F.L.', 'Indians' and 'Metal Thrashing Mad'. Joey's band also ventured into playful medleys of both RUSH and DIO classics.

Belladonna's immense enthusiasm for the show shone through, and his group raged through the impressive set. This is — surprisingly — one of 2008's top tours, as Belladonna's good-natured, never-ending energy is reflected in his band's excellent stage presence.

After the encore of 'Metal Thrashing Mad' ended, the houselights at Foufounes went on and music blared through the PA. Montreal's fans were having none of it though, as the chants of 'Joey! Joey! Joey!' that had swirled through the venue all night emerged once more. With the promoter's quick ok, the houselights were dimmed and Belladonna's band ripped into an unexpected second encore of 'Caught In A Mosh', a track that the band has yet to play on this tour.

If you have the chance to see Belladonna, jump at it. Joey and his crew are putting on a stellar show."

Belladonna's tour schedule is as follows:

September
19 – The Ferry – Glasgow, Scotland
20 – Yardbirds Rock Club – Grimsby South, England
24 – Dudley JB's – Dudley, Midlands, England
26 – Astoria 2 – London, England

For more information, visit www.joeybelladonna.com.

Read Rocket's acclaimed 2007 Interview With Joey Belladonna HERE.