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JOHN BUSH announces three shows celebrating his era of ANTHRAX

04-12-2024

After years of anticipation, legendary vocalist John Bush is proud to announce a special run of live performances showcasing the music he helped create during his decade-long tenure singing with ANTHRAX. This December, Bush will perform songs spanning all four albums he recorded with the band: “Sound Of White Noise”“Stomp 442”“Volume 8: The Threat Is Real” and “We’ve Come For You All”.

Joining Bush on stage will be his CATEGORY 7 bandmates Phil Demmel (guitar), Mike Orlando (guitar) and Jason Bittner (drums), along with his longtime ARMORED SAINT partner and best friend Joey Vera on bass (CATEGORY 7 bassist Jack Gibson has a schedule conflict and is unable to make the gigs).

Bush comments: “I’ve talked about doing this for a long time — and now, I’m finally doing it. Fans constantly tell me how much those records meant to them, and how they miss hearing those songs live. It’s very humbling. The wait is over.”

On the lineup, Bush adds: “These guys are incredible, badass musicians, and it hit me — why look anywhere else? They’re already right here. It was a total no-brainer.”

CATEGORY 7 will also open each night with their own blistering set before returning as his backing band for the ANTHRAX material.

The setlist will include not only the well-known anthems, but also some deeper cuts that haven’t been performed live in years.

John Bush performing songs from his era of ANTHRAX:

Dec. 13 – Los Angeles, CA @ Whisky A-Go-Go
Dec. 18 – St. Charles, IL @ Arcada Theatre
Dec. 20 – New York, NY @ Racket

This limited run marks a rare chance for fans to experience a vital era of heavy metal history — live, loud, and in your face. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 1 at 10 a.m. local time.

ARMORED SAINT has previously  released a rendition of “One Chain (Don’t Make No Prison)” earlier this year. The classic track was originally written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter and was first released by PEOPLE in 1970. Additional covers include THE FOUR TOPS (1974), SANTANA (1978) and THE DOOBIE BROTHERS (1989).

Watch “One Chain (Don’t Make No Prison)” below.

Comments ARMORED SAINT vocalist John Bush: “Bassist Joey Vera came up with the idea of doing the song. We’ve always been huge fans of old-school soul and R&B music, so it was a no-brainer. It’s got a great groove, perfect for our rhythm section, and Jeff‘s (Duncan) and Phil‘s (Sandoval) guitars are screaming. Plus, the cool lyrics make it ideal for the SAINT style. Levi Stubbs (THE FOUR TOPS) was such a rad singer; I just tried to do him justice. I think this would make him a metal fan.”

ARMORED SAINT was inducted into the Metal Hall Of Fame last July at the legendary Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California. The event was hosted by 95.5 KLOS DJ Marci Wiser, and featured performances by WEAPONS OF ANEWSergio Michel and DECONSTRUCT, surprise guest appearances and an all-star jam.

Ten months ago, ARMORED SAINT‘s long-awaited documentary, Armored Saint: Band Of Brothers”, had its world premiere in the band’s hometown at the Harmony Gold Theatre in Hollywood, California.

Armored Saint: Band Of Brothers” celebrates the 40-year career of ARMORED SAINT and the 50-year friendship the bandmembers have shared from school in El Sereno, a Los Angeles suburb.

Many friends of the band have given interviews, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich from METALLICA tell tales of their early days touring, Scott Ian of ANTHRAX talks about seeing ARMORED SAINT in 1985, QUEENSRŸCHE members Eddie Jackson and Todd La Torre talk about the shared history. Key music industry figures and producers, A&R men, roadies, record label executives and family share thoughts and stories about the band’s 40-year history.

ARMORED SAINT‘s eighth full-length album, “Punching The Sky”, came out in October 2020 via Metal Blade Records.

ARMORED SAINT released the “Symbol Of Salvation Live” CD/DVD in 2021 via Metal Blade Records. The release came in celebration of the seminal album’s 30th anniversary. “Symbol Of Salvation Live” was a combination live album and video of the band playing the album in its entirety at New York City’s famed Gramercy Theatre during its 2018 tour.

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