Michael Sweet‘s autobiography, “Honestly”, is “almost finished being edited” and he is due to fly to Florida in June to schedule a release date. There is also a 12-song solo record to go hand in hand with the release of the book.
According to Sweet, his “friend and brother,” Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine was “kind enough” to write the following blurb/quote for the book:
“Sometimes you see someone or something and you think you got it all figured out, just to find you were pretty far off base. That’s a sucky feeling. I learned a long time ago not to judge a book by its cover, and as much as I used to think that I am nothing like Michael Sweet, I have come to realize that we both have had a lot of hardships in common; the same trials and tribulations, the same band problems, and some of the same relationship issues. Fortunately for us, we both believe in the same Jesus, and serve the same amazing, loving creator, so it’s no wonder that we would both be standing on the same victorious side of life, once all the smoke clears at the end of the fight. I hope you will enjoy his memoirs and come to a new understanding and a new appreciation of Michael Sweet.”
Sweet previously stated about his upcoming book: “Writing and finishing my autobiography has gone WAY beyond my expectations, good and bad. It’s been much more difficult than I could ever imagine yet it’s been somewhat therapeutic being able to talk about my life and the past 30+ years of all things Stryper. I get into everything and share things that may surprise you. I talk about the disfunction in this band, the pain and heartache of being so close to each other that we sometimes hurt each other the most, the ups and downs from our highest point [1987-1988] to our lowest point [1991-1992] and why we were driven to bankruptcy and how we climbed our way back from complete loss and despair. I share my personal pain from considering to give up music altogether to the day I broke the news to the guys that I would be leaving the band and why. From that day forward, I had everything a man could ask for and then, in what seemed like an instant, it was all taken away.
“I’m almost 50 yet I feel like I’ve lived the life of a man who is almost 90. I look back on everything and all I can say is thank you God for allowing me to serve you and for giving me my gift, my life!
‘Honestly’ will be available soon and I can say from the bottom of my heart, it is brutally honest and my hopes and prayers are that it touches you in some way.”Michael‘s new solo album will be issued via Big3 Records. Guest musicians set to appear on the CD include Chickenfoot drummer Kenny Aronoff, Fozzy singer Chris Jericho, Whitesnake guitarist Doug Aldrich; Tony Harnell of TNT, and Michael‘s brother Robert Sweet and Stryper‘s Timothy Gaines.
Michael‘s new solo album will be issued via Big3 Records. Guest musicians set to appear on the CD include Chickenfoot drummer Kenny Aronoff, Fozzy singer Chris Jericho, Whitesnake guitarist Doug Aldrich; Tony Harnell of TNT, and Michael‘s brother Robert Sweet and Stryper‘s Timothy Gaines.
Regarding Harnell‘s appearance on the CD, Sweet previously stated, “I think Tony is truly one of the most underrated singers of all time. He’s always been one of my favorites and is an incredibly nice, humble guy to boot. I’ve always wanted to work with Tony and I knew this would be the perfect song and opportunity to do so. ‘Taking On The World Tonight’ is very heavy with a combination of old-school riffs and solos yet it’s got a very modern, relevant sound as well. It’s the best of both worlds!”
Frontiers Records in January announced the signing of Stryper to a multi-album deal. The first CD to be made available the agreement was a collection of re-recorded versions of the band’s classic songs, released in North America on March 26. Entitled “Second Coming” and produced by Michael Sweet, the album contains a total of 16 cuts — two from “The Yellow And Black Attack”, six from “Soldiers Under Command”, six from “To Hell With The Devil”, as well as two new tracks, “Bleeding From Inside Out” and “Blackened”.
You can find our album review for “Second Coming” at this location.
Stryper have set “No More Hell To Pay” as the title of their brand new studio album, due this fall via Frontiers Records.
Stryper 2013 Tour Dates
06/28/13 Dallas, TX Granada Theater
06/29/13 Houston, TX Warehouse Live
07/12/13 Hampton Beach, NH Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom w/ Mike Tramp of White Lion**
07/13/13 New York, NY B.B. Kings w/ Mike Tramp of White Lion**
07/14/13 Poughkeepsie, NY Chance Theater**
07/19/13 Toronto, ON The Rockpile
07/20/13 Chesterfield, MI Diesel Concert Lounge**
08/09/13 Bolingbrook, IL Tailgaters
08/10/13 West Allis, WI Wisconsin State Fair w/ Vince Neil**
Michael Sweet and Oz Fox (special acoustic set)
07/16/13 Teaneck, NJ Mexicali Live**
08/14/13 Hollywood, CA Whiskey A Go Go w/ Mike Tramp of White Lion**
08/15/13 San Juan Capistrano, CA Coach House w/ Mike Tramp of White Lion**
08/16/13 Las Vegas, NV Club Madrid @ Sunset Station w/ Mike Tramp of White Lion
** On Sale Now!
Band members:
Michael Sweet- Lead Vocals / Guitar
Robert Sweet- Drums
Oz Fox- Guitar / Vocals
Timothy Gaines- Bass/Vocals
Weblinks: Website / Facebook / Twitter
Related articles:
‘Stryper’ To Begin Recording All-New Album Of Original Material In April [Jan. 2013]
‘Stryper’ More Fan-Filmed Video From Anaheim Show, Pre-Order ‘Second Coming’ Now, New Tour Dates [Feb. 2013]
‘Michael Sweet’ Says “I’m Almost 50 Yet I Feel Like I’ve Lived The Life Of A Man Who Is Almost 90″ [Feb. 2013]
‘Dave Mustaine’ Says ‘Michael Sweet’ And I ‘Believe In The Same Jesus’ [Feb. 2013]
‘Stryper’s’ ‘Michael Sweet’ Says Next Studio Album Will Be ‘Really, Really Great’ [March 2013]
New Interview With ‘Stryper’s’ ‘Michael Sweet’, New ‘Stryper’ Dates [March 2013]
Stryper – Second Coming [Album review]
‘Stryper’ First-Week Sales Revealed For ‘Second Coming’, New Tour Dates Announced [April 2013]
‘Michael Sweet’ On Re-Recording Classic Songs: ‘We Have, In Many Ways, Outdone The Originals’ [April 2013]
‘Stryper’ Recording Cover Version Of ‘Jesus Is Just Alright’ For Next Album, New Tour Dates Announced [April 2013]
‘Stryper’ New Album Title Revealed ‘No More Hell To Pay’, New Tour Dates Announced [May 2013]