March 18th, 2022, will see the release of melodic rock stalwarts FM’s thirteenth studio album, the appropriately titled “Thirteen”. Produced by the band, “Thirteen” is yet another high-quality album that furthers the band’s standing as one of the premiere melodic rock entities in the world.
The band’s current, and longest running, line-up, in place since 2008, has spent the last decade plus writing, recording, and touring and thus is an incredibly gelled and cohesive unit. The rhythm section of bassist Merv Goldsworthy and drummer Pete Jupp anchor FM with a rock-solid backbone, while guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick delivers delicious hooks and melodies with keyboardist Jem Davis adds lush layers to the band’s dynamic sound. And what more could be said about Steve “The Voice” Overland, whose golden pipes have easily withstood the test of time and who still sings like an angel, while adding delightful guitar parts to the proceedings. The five-piece once again bonds together as the mighty unit FM on “Thirteen” and delivers beautiful melodic rock that their fans have come to expect.
Founded in 1984 when singer Steve Overland and his brother, guitarist Chris (both formerly of Wildlife) teamed up with drummer Pete Jupp (ex-Wildlife and Samson) and bassist Merv Goldsworthy (ex-Diamond Head and Samson), the guys were soon joined by Didge Digital on keyboards and by December of that year they had secured a recording contract with CBS/Portrait and headed to Germany for a run of dates with Meat Loaf. Further tours with Tina Turner, Foreigner, and Gary Moore built their momentum and on September 8, 1986, FM released their debut album “Indiscreet”, which featured the hugely popular single “Frozen Heart”, to great critical acclaim and the year ended on a high with FM supporting the white-hot Bon Jovi on their Slippery When Wet tour.
For the next nine years, FM consolidated their position at the forefront of British melodic rock, touring extensively as headliners and also joining bands such as Status Quo and Whitesnake on tours to promote 1989’s “Tough It Out”, 1991’s “Takin’ It to the Streets” (with Andy Barnett on guitar, replacing the now-departed Chris Overland), 1992’s “Aphrodisiac” (featuring Tony “Slim” Mitman of Romeo’s Daughter on keyboards), and what was to be their “final” album, 1995’s “Dead Man’s Shoes” with new recruit Jem Davis (Tobruk, UFO) on keyboards. The band would then go on hiatus, until 2007 when, after a 12 year sabbatical, they returned to the stage for a “one-off” headline performance at a sold-out Firefest IV at Nottingham Rock City.
The rapturous reception from the fans at Firefest led to FM quickly making the decision to record a new album and following a return to Firefest in 2009, in March 2010 FM released their much-anticipated sixth studio album “Metropolis” with Jim Kirkpatrick replacing Andy Barnett on lead guitar. And FM hasn’t stopped since! Headline tours both in the UK and overseas, special guest slots touring with Foreigner, Journey, Thin Lizzy, and Heart, festival appearances including Download, Planet Rockstock, Sweden Rock, Graspop, Steelhouse Festival, Frontiers Rock Festival, HRH and HRH AOR, Cambridge Rock Festival, and in 2018 their first-ever live show in the US at Melodic Rock Fest 5.
When not touring, FM have been busy in the studio and since their 2010 “comeback” album they have released five original albums, a re-recorded version of their debut album, and a few live releases.
Watch the video for the new single “Waiting on Love” below.
Pre-order & pre-save “Thirteen” on CD/LP/Digital here. Signed copies of the album can also be pre-ordered at the previous link.
Tracklist:
1. Shaking the Tree
2. Waiting on Love
3. Talk is Cheap
4. Turn This Car Around
5. Love and War
6. Long Road Home
7. Be Lucky
8. Every Man Needs a Woman
9. Just Got Started
10. Fight Fire with Fire
11. Be True to Yourself
European Tour Dates 2022:
March 31 – Barnsley – Birdwell, UK
April 01 – Cottingham – Civic Hall, UK
April 02 – Manchester – Club Academy UK
April 07 – London – Islington Assembly Hall, UK
April 08 – Nuneaton – Queens Hall, UK
April 09 – Norwich – Waterfront, UK
April 15 – Bournemouth – Madding Crowd, UK
April 16 – Swansea – Patti Pavilion, UK
April 17 – Nantwich – Civic Hall, UK
April 22 – Newcastle – University, UK
April 23 – Glasgow – G2 Garage, UK
April 29 – Reading – Sub89, UK
April 30 – Nottingham – Rescue Rooms, UK
May 01 – Durham – Northern Kin Festival, UK
May 10 – Oberhausen – Resonanzwerk, Germany
May 12 – Landgraaf – Oefenbunker, Netherlands
May 13 – Mannheim 7er Club, Germany
May 14 – Aarburg – Musigburg, Switzerland
May 15 – Milan – Legend Club, Italy
May 16 – Marseille – Le Cherrydon, France
May 18 – Barcelona – Razzmatazz 2, Spain
May 19 – Madrid – Shoko, Spain
May 20 – Segovia – Teatro Juan Bravo, Spain
May 21 – Pamplona – Sala Totem, Spain
August 27 – Colne – The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival, UK
November 25 – Helmond – Cacaofabriek, Netherlands
November 26 – Antwerp – All Star Fest, Belgium
Line-up:
Steve Overland – Vocals, Guitar
Merv Goldsworthy – Bass
Pete Jupp – Drums
Jem Davis – Keyboards
Jim Kirkpatrick – Guitar
