Mr. Big Ready To Rock 2017

Mr. Big will soon “be with you.” The rock band is headed out on the road later this month for a U.S. tour in support of its upcoming album, Defying Gravity.

Marking the group’s ninth studio album, Defying Gravity is due out July 7 on Frontiers Music. The release promises to showcase “that patented Mr. Big blend of crunch and melody.” Tracks include the harmony-laden “Damn I’m in Love Again” and the slide-blues “Be Kind.” 

Original members Eric Martin (lead vocals), Paul Gilbert (guitars), Billy Sheehan (bass) and Pat Torpey (drums) once again teamed up with producer Kevin Elson. Drum duties on the album were split up between Torpey and Matt Starr, with Starr playing a majority of the album because of Torpey’s recent diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease. Since revealing his diagnosis in 2014, Starr has been touring with the band and Torpey has performed a few songs each gig.

Rod Tanaka / TanakaPhoto.net – Billy Sheehan and Paul Gilbert of Mr. Big
Summit Music Hall, Denver, Colo.

“It was great to get back in the studio with our original producer, Kevin Elson,” Gilbert said. “Kevin recorded all of our original classic albums from the ’80s and ’90s, and we immediately felt that magic chemistry with him on Defying Gravity. We basically played live in the studio. Over the years, we’ve all had a chance to experiment with every recording technique possible, but it’s still always the best just to play together as a band. Most of my guitar solos were tracked live with the band. I’ve worked hard on my improvisation in the last few years, and it really paid off on this record … both melodically, and on the face-melting stuff.”

“2017 is filling up quickly with tour dates all around the world,” Gilbert added. “I can’t wait to play the new songs, and of course our favorites from the old days like ‘Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy’ ‘Just Take My Heart,’ ‘Green Tinted Sixties Mind,’ ‘Wild World,’ and ‘To Be With You.’”

The tour launches May 31 at Milwaukee’s The Northern Lights Theater. The last confirmed stop is June 24 at The Rose in Pasadena, Calif. 

Tickets are available now.

Head over to Mr. Big’s tour page to take a look at the schedule.