DIAMOND HEAD‘s Brian Tatler made his stay debut as SAXON‘s new touring guitarist earlier tonight (Friday, July 7) on the Rockwave competition in Athens, Greece. Fan-filmed video of the live performance will be seen beneath.

Two months in the past, Tatler spoke to Ernest Skinner of Border Metropolis Rock Discuss concerning the announcement that he was becoming a member of SAXON because the alternative for just lately departed founding guitarist Paul Quinn.

“Paul Quinn has stepped down from touring as a result of — I feel partly it is his age,” Brian mentioned. “I imply, he is been doing it for thus lengthy — 45, 47 years or one thing. And all respect due; I imply, he is a implausible participant. So I used to be glad to just accept the supply. And I am trying ahead to it. I am at dwelling busy studying the set.”

Along with a dozen or so already-announced competition appearances in 2023, SAXON has revealed that it’ll assist JUDAS PRIEST on a U.Ok. tour in early 2024. “We’re taking part in actually large venues,” Brian mentioned. “And it is JUDAS PRIEST, SAXON and URIAH HEEP. And I am amazed to be… I’ve by no means been on a tour with JUDAS PRIEST earlier than. The closest DIAMOND HEAD‘s come previously is we have been on the identical competition invoice. I am a giant PRIEST fan and have been since perhaps 1975. So to be on tour with them the place we will watch them each evening and get to know ’em somewhat bit and chat will probably be implausible. I am stoked about that. That is solely are available a few weeks in the past, and I am excited for that already. It isn’t until March 2024, however I am already trying ahead to that.”

Brian joins fellow guitarist Doug Scarratt, bassist Nibs Carter, drummer Nigel Glockler and Byford for exhibits beginning July 7 in Athens, Greece however will proceed to be a member of DIAMOND HEAD.

In March, Quinn thanked followers for his or her “outpouring of affection and respect” after his announcement that he was “stepping again from touring”.

On account of Quinn‘s choice, SAXON canceled its April 2023 South American tour in addition to the looks on the Monsters Of Rock cruise.

On March 25, Quinn took to his social media to jot down: “Pricey all, seeing the large outpourings of affection and respect worldwide, I’m deeply grateful. It was an honour sharing this life-enhancing expertise with you, our loyal followers.

“I agreed to carry out the confirmed exhibits till autumn, however on account of different circumstances the band want time to regroup sooner.

“After 50 years of being on the highway, I stay up for attempting some new issues that this battered physique nonetheless permits, so our paths would possibly cross once more.
“I’ll all the time be happy with what we created with SAXON, so it would stay in my DNA. Ending these final gigs for you and recording music when required is a part of the plan.

“I want all the perfect to the band for his or her new chapter and I hope you’ll be part of me on mine, whether or not it’s with THE CARDS or different initiatives.

“Play it Loud and preserve the Wheels of Metal rolling.

“All my greatest, Paul Quinn“.

In a latest interview with Robert Cavuoto of Myglobalmind, Byford spoke about Quinn‘s choice to retire from the highway. The singer mentioned: “Yeah, it is gonna be a change. The factor is it wasn’t a shock. It was talked about for just a few years now that he would possibly retire. And the factor is the band are getting larger, and we’re busy and we’re doing longer excursions and larger venues. I simply suppose he needs to relaxation now. So it wasn’t actually a shock. We talked about it just a few instances, the truth that he will get very drained fairly shortly. There’s lots of strain on you while you’re touring in a band. So, he is gonna be round. He is gonna be doing present until the top of the 12 months with us, and he is gonna doing the brand new album with us. So just about he will probably be there, however not there, if you understand what I imply.”

Requested if SAXON was “actively auditioning” guitarists to switch Quinn on the highway, Byford responded: “No, not in the meanwhile. We’re gonna put anyone in who’s been round for a very long time and may play nice guitar. We would like anyone who’s from that very same period — the ’80s period — so I am gonna let folks guess on that.”

When Paul‘s departure was first introduced on March 10, SAXON mentioned in a press release: “After a lot soul looking our nice pal and fellow warrior Paul Quinn has determined to step again from touring with SAXON. After a few years on the highway, with the following stress and tiredness that accompany lengthy tour schedules, Paul would not need his efficiency to undergo and let his fellow band mates and followers down. Paul will proceed to report with the band and will play choose particular exhibits sooner or later.

“SAXON stand by Paul‘s choice and can preserve you all knowledgeable concerning our subsequent journey.

“The present run of March exhibits in Europe will proceed as is however the band will probably be cancelling their April dates in South America and the MOR Cruise to offer time to re-group. These territories will probably be re-booked as quickly as time permits. All summer season festivals will proceed as booked.”

Quinn alluded to his choice on March 9 in a since-deleted Fb put up. He wrote: “You might want to know I’ll miss you & my SAXON co-workers for the nice instances on and off stage, so with remorse I’ll go away whereas I can nonetheless maintain my head excessive and never fear about my fingers or mind forgetting riffs, keys or stumbling over licks, as they do sometimes. I’m not taking this frivolously, and I need to do SAXON proud, while persevering with to like and play music with THE CARDS and different initiatives.”

THE CARDS is a traditional rock trio which Quinn based in 2016 with DORO/U.D.O. alumnus Harrison Younger, and VANDENBERG drummer Koen Herfst. They’re at present poised to launch their second album this 12 months.

4 years in the past, the now-71-year-old Quinn mirrored on over 4 a long time of being within the group in an interview with HeadBangers LifeStyle. He mentioned: “A lot of highway miles and air miles. It feels nice to be related nonetheless. We all the time have a blast and I feel the viewers know that we’re certainly one of them. We’re a type of celebration bands that they like. That all the time helped to get the message throughout, and Biff shouting at them sometimes. We have all the time had good members and good songwriters. The current band is included, and we’ve made some great things collectively, I feel.”

SAXON‘s new album, “Extra Inspirations”, arrived on March 24 through Silver Lining Music. Following the discharge of “Inspirations” in 2021, “Extra Inspirations” is the second “deep dish” serving of the influences which have fed SAXON‘s immensely profitable 40-plus-year profession.

Produced by Biff, with Seb Byford serving to report the music alongside mixing engineer Jacky Lehmann, “Extra Inspirations” consists of takes on RAINBOW, ZZ TOP and CREAM, in addition to “Razamanaz” by NAZARETH, THE WHO‘s “Substitute”, and URIAH HEEP‘s “Gypsy”.

Byford and Quinn are the only remaining unique members in SAXON‘s present lineup.