May 29, 2002
Click here to download a quick MP3 message from the guys in the Bahamas.  And here are some images from the studio.  (Those pictures can now be found here.)


May 25, 2002
Day #2 in the studio was reportedly very productive, with Matt Laug finishing his part on "Not Myself," "Tides" and "Most of Us."  He's still hard at work through the weekend before he returns home on Monday.  Bassist Mark Harris arrives tomorrow.


May 23, 2002
Kipp, Mark and Michael Lennon, and Matt Laug, have all landed safely in the Bahamas and began work on the new album today.  (Pat had a few things to take care of out here, and will join his bandmates tomorrow.)  Today was mostly spent setting up and soundchecking, but they did manage to lay down the drum track for "Precious Stone."  And they're off.....

In John Vester news, his new webpage is up and running.  Check that out at johnvester.com.


May 19, 2002
John Vester's second album, "Half A World Away," has just been released.  Venice's Michael Lennon co-produced the album with John, and members of the Venice family perform on every track.  Check out an album preview over here.

Also, be sure and check out 13-year-old Alexander Coe performing "The Man You Think I Am" at a school concert.  Good stuff.  That's over here.

Finally, as unlikely as this sounds, Mark Lennon wants everybody to know that he's currently singing backup on Ozzy Osbourne's reissue of "Blizzard of Oz" (he says he does "the high parts that the drummer used to sing"), and that he also sings on next month's live release, "Ozzy Osbourne - Live At the Budokan."  I have no doubt that all you Venice fans were planning to pick those two up anyway, but now you know there'll be a Lennony surprise waiting for you as well.


May 8, 2002
Venice has selected the producer of their next album.  His name is Terry Manning, and his bio is here.  Of particular note is 18 years producing ZZ Top, and working as an engineer on "Led Zeppelin III."  Recent albums he's produced include Lenny Kravitz, John Popper and Al Green.  Venice will begin recording with him on May 20th, at Compass Point Studios, in the Bahamas.  That webpage is here.  They should be out there for four to six weeks, and then Michael will stay on for mastering for another two.  The album is scheduled for release in August.

Assuming everything is finished on time, Venice plans to spend two weeks in mid-July touring Holland.  As soon as the tour is confirmed and I have the dates, I will post them.

In other news, even as we speak, Venice and PML keyboardist Chris Horvath is attending the birth of his first child.  So he's going to have to miss tomorrow night's Belly Up show.  Sitting in for him on keyboards, however, will be James Raymond of CPR.  So that oughtta be pretty cool.  And hey, congratulations, Chris!  Welcome to the Daddy Club.