| OLD NEWS & RUMOURS
OCTOBER 2005
PETER BANKS - HARMONY IN DIVERSITY
SEPTEMBER 2005
NEW FLASH CD WITHDRAWN
JUNE 2005
RAY BENNET ARTICLE @ DME MUSIC SITE
Read an article about the Baja Festival that Ray Bennett did for the DME Music Site @ http://dmme.net/specials/flash.html
MAY 2005
- NEW FLASH CD!
- FLASH @ BAJAPROG!
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Colin Carter and Ray Bennett re-launched Flash and performed as a duo at Baja Prog 2005, in Mexicali, Mexico on March 31, 2005. Ray was on electric and acoustic guitars/vocals and Colin on acoustic and vocals. The set consisted of songs from all three Flash albums as well as a brand new song, Walls.
Ray has written a piece about the gig on his web site -- http://www.raybennett.co.uk
FLASH @ BAJA PROG GALLERY
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PETER BANKS NEW GROUP
Harmony In Diversity
Pete Banks (guitar)
Nick Cottam (bass guitar)
Andrew Booker (drums, vocals)
Get ready for Harmony In Diversity, one of the least derivative fusions of progressive rock, psych, jazz and ambient ideas to emerge from England for the last four decades. Angular and vibrant former Yes/Flash guitarist Peter Banks joins both halves of the stunning live bass and drums duo Pulse Engine in an explosive cocktail of sounds.
The very first gig of Pete Banks brand new trio Harmony In Diversity, will be on June 3rd The Klinker club at the Sussex Pub, 107A Culford Rd, Islington, London N1 4HT , Tel: 020 7254 3965
The music will be totally improvised; not rehearsed, not discussed,- just played!
“The Struggle Continues”
P.B
What is being said about Harmony In Diversity:
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“Not Just Another Boy Band” - Hair Dresser Monthly
“Vastly Overrated “ - Vogue
“I’ve Heard Better” - Anglers Monthly
MARCH 2005
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PETER BANKS PRESS RELEASE
Peter Banks reveals the truth about the current SYN project
READ THE LETTER @ PETER BANKS' site
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FLASH @ BAJA
March 31, 2005 FLASH are scheduled to perform at Teatro del Estado Stage, Mexicali, Mexico as part of the Baja Prog Fest 2005. Also performing at the festival are TriPod, Carl Palmer, Ozric Tentacles, Caravan and 15 others. More information @ http://www.bajaprog.org/
NOVEMBER 2004
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FLASH REUNION SCHEDULED!
Colin Carter, Ray Bennett & Mike Hough are scheduled to perform at the 2005 Baja Prog Fest along side Caravan, Ozric Tentacles, Tripod, Tryo and many others! More info: http://www.bajaprog.com/
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PETER BANKS JOINS PUSLE ENGINE
Peter Banks has joined Pulse Engine—Nick Cottam (bass guitar, vocals), Andrew Booker (drums, vocals)—for a low-key London gig in October. The trio are planning to form a new band and tour North American with dates to be announced.
Newsflash: PULSE ENGINE has now changed their name to TRIO.
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AUGUST 2004
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Peter Banks and Syn are releasing an archive CD of classic 60's SYN recordings. There is also a special offer on board through YesServices. A special edition of the CD will be available through www.YesServices.com and will include a bonus cd of a soon to be recorded Chris Squire interview, with questions submitted by fans to the YesServices website. It will also include a new epic style Syn recording of the Yes song, Time and a Word, as a bonus track, plus a full size 20 page colour booklet charting the history of the band. It is an advance of the standard cd which will be availble soon. For further information about these new projects, visit the official SYN homepage (http://www.synmusic.net) and www.YesServices.com.
JUNE 2004
- Goodbye Decca, Hello Syn
Syn have now purchased outright the 4 tracks released by Deram during the 1960's for an undisclosed  but substantial sum. The songs, Flowerman, 14 Hour Technicolour Dream, Created by Clive and Grounded, will be released on their forthcoming archive album Original Syn. The musical content having now been finalised, will include some very rare material, plus a 16 to 20 page fully illustrated booklet spanning the Syn years. Steve Nardelli, Syn's vocalist and songsmith was quoted as saying just how much it meant to now own the songs which he and Andrew Jackman wrote and performed together with Chris Squire, Pete Banks and Gunnar Hakenarson so many years ago.
- Syn visit the clinic
Syn Music have employed the professional services of London based design company, Clinic, to create the Original Syn CD packaging and design. After a preliminary meeting with Ken Ansell, creative director and top album designer, the band left really fired up by some great visual ideas and look forward to seeing the finished product.
- Back in Strangeways
Syn are planning on returning to Strangeways Studio in London during September to complete  the new album which now has the working title, Syn In The 21st Century. This recording is part of the Original Syn project that saw the relaunch of the band. Nardelli has penned four new songs which promise to be every bit as good as his early material and with Syn keyboard player Gerard Johnson, has already recorded the four tracks as demos which may be auctioned for charity later in the year
- Original Syn release date pending
Syn will be signing with one of the major specialist record labels within the month. Watch this space for more details!!
SYN online
Keep yourselves up to date with the latest Syn news at www.synmusic.net.
CHECK OUT THE PSYCHOSYNC SYN PAGE
- FLASH in PUBLIC
Stay tuned for the release of an archival complete Flash concert. This is being put together by the production company AdequateSounds formed by Banks and former Flash road manager George 'TheMiz' Mizer.
MAY 2004
- SYN online
Keep yourselves up to date with the latest Syn news at www.synmusic.net.
- FLASH in PUBLIC
Stay tuned for the release of an archival complete Flash concert. This is being put together by the production company AdequateSounds formed by Banks and former Flash road manager George 'TheMiz' Mizer.
- SYN is back!
Peter Banks and fellow former members Stephen Nardelli (vocals) and Martyn Adelman (drums) are working on a Syn reunion. The band are in the studio and a release is planned entitled Original Syn, consisting of archival material (some live, most with Chris Squire on bass) and some new recordings. While the album is still being assembled, it is expected to include new recordings of "Illusion" and Yes's "Time and a Word". The studio line up consists of Banks, Nardelli, Adelman, Gerard Johnson (Funky Monkey, St Etienne, Peter Banks; keys) and Steve Gee (Landmarq; bass). (IQ's John Jowitt was due to play bass, but had to withdraw because of family illness. John Wetton was then to play, but withdrew also.) The band are considering a UK tour for later in 2004 and a new studio album.
Previously unreleased archival material on Original Syn is expected to include a demo recorded by The Selfs (Squire, Andrew Jackman—keys, Chris Slater—vocals, John Wheatley—guitar, Mick Richardson—drums) of The Who's "I Can't Explain"; "Merry-go-round" (written by Paul Korda; Syn's first recording, with Nardelli, Squire, Adelman, Jackman, John Painter—guitar); "Sunshine and Make Believe" (Nardellli/Jackman; recorded after Syn split up by Nardelli, Jackman, Tony Kaye—keys, Davy O'List (ex-The Nice)—guitars, plus session drummer and bassist) and "I'll Never Stop Loving" (Nardelli, Jackman and others); and material from a 40-minute rehearsal tape of the band's "Gangster Opera" (written by Nardellli/Jackman; performed by Nardelli, Squire, Jackman, Banks and possibly Gunnar Hakenarson on drums). Also expected are the previously available "Created by Clive", "14 Hour Technicolour Dream" and "Grounded" (all Nardelli, Squire, Jackman, Banks, Hakenarson), some in stereo for the first time. The album may also include "The Last Performance of the Royal Regimental, Very Victorious and Valiant Band", a piece by Nardelli/Jackman recorded not long after the band split up with full orchestra but without vocals from Nardelli, to which new tracks (vocals by Nardelli and a rhythm section by Syn) would be added. Another possible inclusion is Ayshea's 1970 version of "Mr White's White Flying Machine" produced by Jackman and with the Syn rhythm section. Banks and Nardelli have also been writing new material (they already have four songs) that may be included on the album. Original Syn will come with a booklet of rare photos and other material, including the band's original Deram biography.
- Ray Bennett in America
Ray Bennett's record company, Voiceprint signed a deal with Navarre, an American distributor, so Ray's solo CD "Whatever Falls" should be out and about in US record shops! Look out for it.
OCTOBER 2003
- FLASH & OUT OF OUR HANDS albums reissued on a single disc by Friday Records.
Order it online at CD Universe, Half.com or Tower Records (UK)
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PETER BANKS would greatly appreciate any leads in finding a stolen pedal board of his that was recently listed on EBay. Pictures here. Please e-mail me or George Mizer.
SEPTEMBER 2003
- The EMPIRE Cd's (as well as other solo FLASH albums) are available easily through AMAZON.com. Check out the SHOP to order them!
- The site has switched servers, but things should be working properly. However, if you encounter a problem (i.e. real audio link not working, missing pages) please send me an e-mail.
MARCH 2003
- The first four YES albums have been remastered and reissued in the US by Rhino. They all benefit from great bonus tracks. Pick up your copies of these essential albums featuring both Peter Banks and Tony Kaye at the Psychosync shop today!
DECEMBER 2002
- Ray Bennett is currently producing New York based progressive rock band TriPod. More details at their website.
- Check out this month's GOLDMINE Prog-Rock issue for an interview with Peter Banks. As mentioned in the interview, Peter will be releasing a couple of Flash items early next year; inlcuding a live album called "Flash In Public".
NOVEMBER 2002
- Peter will be featured in an upcoming Goldmine magazine. (In the next 2 weeks) The issue will be the annual PROG issue and will have an exclusive interviwe with Peter.
Also Peters new CD PRODUCTION is due out in the Spring of 2003
SEPTEMBER 2002
APRIL 2002
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Book update: I am so happy to be able to say this.....after a brief delay...these things do take time....the book we've been talking about....is about to come out. According to Billy James, about six weeks or so. To answer all those who sent in e-mails asking...YES....you can order it now. Good idea really. To refresh:
"Beyond And Before - The Formative Years of YES"
by Peter Banks and Billy James from GOLDEN TREASURES PUBLISHING
The legendary rock guitarist Peter Banks, who is best known for his work with YES and Flash, talks frankly about the struggle to achieve musical success within early YES and comments on his contemporary peers such as ELP, King Crimson and Genesis. Not only is this book a documentation of the formative years of YES and Peter Banks' musical history, but also a chronicle of the origins of 'progressive rock."
Beyond and Before is available EXCLUSIVELY through Golden Treasures Publishing. Pre-order NOW to get a first printing! Approximately 224 pages with photos throughout!
DELUXE SIGNED HARD-COPY WITH UNRELEASED CD - $100 Includes the hardbound edition of the book, 'Small Beginnings' CD, exclusive photo of Peter Banks autographed by Peter Banks and Billy James. Only 100 hand numbered copies!
HARD-COVER BOOK + UNRELEASED CD - $44.95
LIMITED EDITION HARDCOVER - $29.95
6" x 9" SOFT-COVER - $19.95
The song 'Small Beginnings' was a track from the first Flash album. It was also the first real 'song' Peter Banks had written with Flash member Colin Carter some 30 years ago! In the late '90s, Peter Banks had begun reworking and recording a new instrumental version of this track. Although numerous hours were spent on the project - a lengthy piece close to 25 minutes long - the track was never completed. Here for the first time is the unfinished opus!
www.goldentreasurespublishing.com
ADDED:
Picture of Peter Banks soaring high (literally) during a Flash gig in Curry College in Milton, MA 1972.
Work in progress lyric for Dreams Of Heaven.
MARCH 2002
- Now shipping! Get your copies of Ray Bennett's new CD releases by Voiceprint.
Angles & Ghosts (featuring recordings spanning from 1973-1997 including the Flash "Watch Your Step/Never Stand Behind An Old Piano" single!!) and Whatever Falls (10 New Bennett tunes!!)
 Pre-orders are still being made for Peter Banks and Billy James new book "Beyond And Before". The book is currently in the press!
Click on the book cover to go to the order site!
Although the book covers Banks's entire career, it does focus extensively on his years with Yes. The book will also feature unique stories, rare photos of the Syn, Yes and Empire, as well as Flash. For more info, once again, please click the book cover. Click here to see back cover.
JANUARY 2002
- The site is back! It's been like over a month since Psychosync - The Flash homepage was deleted by freewebsites.com. It is back and better than ever: No more pop-up ads! Access it thru www.peterbanks.net or www.dippyrecords.com/psychosync ... update or add your bookmarks!
- Voiceprint releases a couple of brand new Ray Bennett CDs! You may order them through their site.
AUGUST 2000
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The Official Peter Banks Mailing List is just about out of the planning stages, and almost ready to launch. Check out the website for info and how to sign up! http://www.peterbanks.net updated link
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Mike Hough to record drums on Brian Fowler's (of San Francisco Blue) upcoming CD titled Cosmic Blue!
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Pre-orders are still being made for Peter Banks and Billy James new book "Beyond And Before".
Click on the book cover to go to the order site!
Although the book covers Banks's entire career, it does focus extensively on his years with Yes.
The book will also feature unique stories, rare photos of the Syn, Yes and Empire, as well as Flash. For more info, once again, please click the book cover.
Click here to see back cover.
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