Ricky Warwick has been a very busy man! Over the past year, he has co-written and recorded the second album for BLACK STAR RIDERS (the UK top 20 albums »The Killer Instinct«) and toured extensively to support that release.
In addition, he has recorded not one but two (!) new solo albums! These albums will be released on Feb 26, 2016, through Nuclear Blast Entertainment.
The first of these two albums is entitled »When Patsy Cline Was Crazy (And Guy Mitchell Sang The Blues)«. The second is an acoustic album called »Hearts On Trees«. Both albums will be bundled together in a special package and released as a double CD.
Ricky co-wrote almost all of the songs on this double album with his friend Sam Robinson and there's a very personal feel to both albums. BLACK STAR RIDERS fans may notice an immediate connection with the catchy hooks on the more hard-rock centered »When Patsy Cline Was Crazy....« but the more stripped back acoustic album »Hearts On Trees« shows a more tender side to Ricky's abilities and the powerful lyrics really hold their own. Lyrical themes on this record range from war to religion to relationship regrets with many of the tracks about Northern Ireland where he was born and raised. The acoustic tracks are by no means simplistic musically however with guitar melodies ranging from Celtic folk sounds to broody blues riffs and even more psychedelic fuzzy styles, there's lots of diversity.
The release also boasts an array of acclaimed musicians with guests such as; Joe Elliot (DEF LEPPARD), Damon Johnson (THIN LIZZY/BLACK STAR RIDERS), Andy Cairns (THERAPY?), Billy Morrison (BILLY IDOL), Nathan Connolly (SNOW PATROL), Ginger Wildheart, Jake Burns (STIFF LITTLE FINGERS), Richard Fortus (GUNS & ROSES/DEAD DAISIES).
When the conversation changed to possibly doing some touring to support this release, Ricky was on board. But he wanted to have a full band to bring these great songs to fruition on the stage. So, he contacted some of the amazing musicians he has befriended over the years and virtually overnight THE FIGHTING HEARTS were born. Tapping his old bandmate Gary Sullivan from one of his post-almighty bands, (sic) to play the drums was a no brainer. Gary had recorded all the drums on the »Patsy Cline« record and is an extremely talented musician. Next up was a call to his BLACK STAR RIDERS’ bandmate bassist Robbie Crane. Robbie was thrilled to be a part of it. Guitarist Mark Gemini Thwaite completed the line-up. Having previously played for such luminaries as The Mission and Peter Murphy, Mark added that special something that made the whole band gel.
To kick things off, RICKY WARWICK & THE FIGHTING HEARTS will be supporting Belfast’s own favorite sons, STIFF LITTLE FINGERS, on their UK tour in February/March of 2016.