JOE SATRIANI To Release ‘Shapeshifting’ Album In April; ‘Nineteen Eighty’ Single Now Available

Joe Satriani‘s new studio album, “Shapeshifting”, is set for release on April 10 via Sony Music/Legacy Recordings. The first single, “Nineteen Eighty”, is available today on all streaming platforms and at rock radio stations nationwide. Pre-order packages are also available beginning today. In addition to the CD and standard black vinyl, the D2C store will offer an exclusive translucent blue colored, signed vinyl. Additional offerings will include stemless wine glasses, coffee mugs, koozies, crew socks, guitar picks and a t-shirt — all featuring Joe’s original artwork. Also available, an autographed CD via pre-order with Newbury Comics online retails store. Anyone who pre-orders via the D2C will receive early access to the upcoming U.S. tour, to be announced shortly.

“Shapeshifting” was co-produced by Satriani and Jim Scott (FOO FIGHTERS, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS), with longtime associate John Cuniberti on board handling the mastering duties. Satriani enlisted a wide range of collaborators, both old and new, to help him bring the songs to life. Legendary drummer Kenny Aronoff (John Fogerty), bassist Chris Chaney (JANE’S ADDICTION) and keyboardist Eric Caudieux were the core musicians on the new album with additional contributions coming from Lisa Coleman (THE REVOLUTION) and Christopher Guest.

The retro feeling sounds of first single “Nineteen Eighty” find Satriani spiritually revisiting the time period when he was working with his first band, THE SQUARES. The future guitar hero the world came to know less than a decade later, would have to wait. He recalls that in those early days, they “dialed back the guitar solos and histrionics to try to create a cooler new wave vibe.” Decades removed from those goals, he was free to go forward and attempt to recapture what was on his mind in 1980.

Staying true to the sounds of the time, he even used a vintage MXR EVH phaser. “I’ve always been a huge fan of Eddie Van Halen,” Satriani says. “In my mind, he just crystallized that era. The late ’70s and early ’80s, he kind of saved rock guitar. So that’s what I would have been doing.”

In April, Satriani’s also heading out on his Shapeshifting tour, which begins with 42 dates in Europe and will hit the U.S. in the fall. His band will include fellow virtuosos: bassist Bryan Beller, drummer Kenny Aronoff, and keyboardist Rai Thistlethwayte.

More details are on the way, but Satriani has plenty to do before then. Wednesday, he’s going to be inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame by his friend Steve Vai, joining Motörhead, Randy Rhoads, Judas Priest, Ronnie James Dio, and others.

Tour dates:
Apr 15, 2020
Mainz, DE
Halle 45

Apr 16, 2020
Zurich, CH
Volkshaus Zurich

Apr 18, 2020
Karlsruhe, DE
Tollhaus

Apr 19, 2020
Berlin, DE
Huxleys

Apr 20, 2020
Oberhausen, DE
Turbinenhalle

Apr 21, 2020
Amsterdam, NL
Melkweg the max

Apr 23, 2020
Antwerp, BE
De Roma

Apr 24, 2020
Enschede, NL
Muziekcentrum Enschede

Apr 25, 2020
Winterbach, DE
Salierhalle

Apr 27, 2020
Aarhus, DK
Train

Apr 28, 2020
Odense, DK
Posten

Apr 29, 2020
Copenhagen, DK
Amager Bio

Apr 30, 2020
Stockholm, SE
Fryshuset

May 02, 2020
Oslo, NO
Rockefeller

May 05, 2020
Warsaw, PL
Stodola Club

May 06, 2020
Prague, CZ
Prague Congress Centre

May 07, 2020
Vienna, AT
Wiener Stadhalle

May 08, 2020
Budapest, HU
Barba Negra Track

May 10, 2020
Bologna, IT
Teatro Europauditorium

May 12, 2020
Firenze, IT
Teatro Verdi

May 14, 2020
Napoli, IT
Teatro Augusteo

May 15, 2020
Lecce, IT
Politeama Greco

May 16, 2020
Roma, IT
Auditorium Conciliazione

May 18, 2020
Milano, IT
Teatro Dal Verme

May 19, 2020
Nuremberg, DE
Lowensaal

May 20, 2020
Heerlen, NL
RABOzaal Heerlen

May 22, 2020
Bexhill, GB
Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion

May 23, 2020
Glasgow, GB
O2 Academy Glasgow

May 24, 2020
Gateshead, GB
Sage

May 25, 2020
Manchester, GB
Bridgewater Hall

May 26, 2020
London, GB
Palladium

May 28, 2020
Birmingham, GB
Birmingham Symphony Hall

May 30, 2020
Gerardmer, FR
Gerardmer Motordays Festival

May 31, 2020
Strasbourg, FR
La Laiterie

Jun 02, 2020
Paris, FR
L’Olympia

Jun 04, 2020
Nantes, FR
Cite des Congres

Jun 05, 2020
Saint-Malo, FR
La Nouvelle Vague

Jun 06, 2020
Clermont-Ferrand, FR
La Cooperative de Mai

Jun 07, 2020
Lyon, FR
Transbordeur

Jun 09, 2020
Valencia, ES
Auditori Burjassot

Jun 10, 2020
Madrid, ES
Sala Riviera

Jun 11, 2020
Barcelona, ES
Sala Barts