Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius are releasing their new live box set, “Behind the Curtain (Live at ProgStock)” on May 19 on Melodic Revolution Records. The collection on two CDs and DVD/Blu-rays show this treasured electric violinist/singer-songwriter’s history of favorites in the past decade and a half in the rock scene.
“Game of Chicken” is a race to self-destruction. The country-inspired “Climbing,” and Joe’s co-write with Alex Skolnick “Heavy Shtettle,” are just part of Stratospheerius’ sound. There are topical songs for speaking up against corrupt and hypocritical leaders, “Behind The Curtain,” “The Prism,” and “Take Your Medicine.”
“One Foot in the Next World,” which is also topical, is the new music video; watch it on YouTube, tonight May 12, at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT/May 13 at 1 AM in the Netherlands. https://youtu.be/riBWgHo3MgE
“(Live at ProgStock)” features eclectic covers. King Crimson’s “Frame by Frame” a Queen-esque approach to muse’s “Hysteria,” and an unrehearsed cover of Chick Corea’s “Spain” with blind piano and flute virtuoso Rachel Flowers and Alex Skolnick.
“Behind the Curtain (Live at ProgStock)” is three years in the making; the collection is made up of his 2019 and 2021 live performances at the ultimate Northeast progressive rock festival, ProgStock. Writes festival attendee John Giordano in the new issue of UK’s “The Progressive Aspect, “The performance is so alive, I can almost feel the discomfort of the old theatre seat on my bum. Wow!”
Part of the “(Live at ProgStock)” celebration includes the only USA show for the group this spring and summer at the Iridium, NYC, May 31. Special guests for this performance and party are Randy McStine (Porcupine Tree), and Bill Hubauer (Neal Morse). Randy and Bill and Joe have shared bills and recording projects through the years.
Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius’ previous studio album, “Guilty of Innocence” reached #4 on the Jamband/Relix charts in North America, and broke the European Top 200 Indy releases at 72. The group, which has 5 albums out, is signed to Melodic Revolution Records.
\Joe (who plays in orchestras for the Who, Bruce Springsteen, 50Cent, and as the concertmaster for Renaissance) and his bandmembers: (Jason Gianni-drums (The Ultimate Queen Celebration, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rock of Ages, Neal Morse Band), Michelangelo Quirinale-guitar (Thrilldriver), and Paul Ranieri-bass (Mark Wood, Riot Act), have streamed over 3 million times on Spotify, YouTube, and other digital services.
