June 2010
Here is an acoustic version of one of the new songs on Michael's upcoming solo album No Past, No Future,
No Problem.
Courtesy of Sin City Social Club's channel on YouTube:
Another new song is also up on YouTube here.
Below are some pictures from the April - May recording sessions in Austin (click to enlarge):
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May 2010
Michael with producer Jesse Dayton.
Michael recently went back to Austin, Texas to work on a new album together with producer Jesse Dayton. He says that this is the album he's always wanted to make, and that he can't wait for everyone to hear it.
Jesse Dayton has been posting some updates about the recording process on his blog at jessedayton.com.
Here are a few quotes from the producer:
- "Michael has been a star since he was a kid, and after seeing him at SXSW I was blown away with his high raspy Sam Cooke/early Rod Stewart style soul shouting vocals. This record has got some heavy cats on it...wait and see." (28 April)
- "The record I'm producing for Michael Des Barres sounds like a cross between an early Faces/Rod Stewart record, and Sam Cooke's "What A Wonderful World" single." (5 May)
- "This week, we return to the studio where I finish producing the new Michael Des Barres record and try to wrangle all the talented musicians I can in and out of the studio. MDB whose known to his friends as "The Marquis Des Barres" is singin' pure soul music style these days with a classic Rod Stewart/Sam Cooke voice, and songwriting skills that, quite simply, only a handful of musicians will ever have." (18 May)
A short video clip from the first day in the studio can be seen here.
April 2010
Michael with Emily Deschanel,
who plays Dr. Brennan on the show.
Bones guest-appearance
Michael guest-stars on an upcoming episode of the FOX crime drama Bones, which airs on April 29th.
The episode, entitled "The Rocker in the Rinse Cycle", is about a murder that takes place in a fantasy rock 'n' roll camp and Michael plays the promoter of the camp.
This is Michael's first acting role since his appearance on Nip/Tuck in 2007.
Bones is one of the most popular shows on the FOX Network, and is currently in its fifth season. It stars David Boreanaz as Agent Booth and Emily Deschanel as Dr. Brennan.
The cover of the new collector's edition.
Detective re-issue
A new collector's edition CD re-issue of the first Detective album from 1977 was released by Rock Candy Records in the UK on March 29th.
It features 24-bit remastering from the original source tapes and a 16 page full colour booklet with a 4,000 word essay about the making of the album and new interviews with Michael and other Detective band members.
"They did a terrific job", Michael says about how the label has treated this re-issue.
The new collector's edition CD can be ordered from
Amazon.co.uk
Juliette Lewis and Michael on the set.
Juliette Lewis music video
Michael has also just shot a video with the actress and musician Juliette Lewis. He appears as a character in her new music video, which has been directed by her brother Lightfield Lewis.
Juliette has posted a picture from the video shoot on her Facebook page, which can be seen here. "Guess who's playing a strange character in my epic video? He's amazing on many levels", she writes.
More info about this later...
Michael is also working on several other exciting projects at the moment, so keep checking desbarres.com for more updates.
With Jimmy Quill, performing
"Children Of The Revolution".
(Picture by J.B. Sigmon)
March 2010
Michael did a powerful 7-song set at SXSW in Austin, Texas on March 19th, where the audience got a chance to hear rare live performances of the Silverhead classic "More Than Your Mouth Can Hold" from 1973 and the hit song "Obsession", which he wrote together with Holly Knight in 1983.
He was backed by a band which included Danny B. Harvey on guitar and Kevin Remme on drums. On "More Than Your Mouth Can Hold" he was joined on stage by original Silverhead bassist Nigel Harrison, while Jimmy Quill did a guest appearance on "Children Of The Revolution".
The setlist:
1. White Light/White Heat (The Velvet Underground)
2. I Don't Need No Doctor (Ray Charles)
3. More Than Your Mouth Can Hold (Silverhead)
4. Obsession (Michael Des Barres/Holly Knight)
5. Stay With Me (The Faces)
6. Children Of The Revolution (T. Rex)
7. All You Need Is Love (The Beatles)
Video of the whole concert can be viewed below (courtesy of Viewtopia on Justin.tv):
With BP Fallon and Clem Burke, March 21st.
The songs can also be viewed on YouTube.
More pictures from the concert can be seen in this set on Flickr, while some pictures from the "Music in Film" discussion panel on March 15th can be seen on BMI.com.
On Sunday, March 21st, Michael did an intimate mini-concert at Jimmy Quill's ranch, where he was also joined by Nigel Harrison, Clem Burke and BP Fallon.
"What a wonderful, explosive trip", Michael wrote about his experiences at this year's South by Southwest in one of his status updates on Facebook.
February 2010
Michael will once again be at the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas next month. This is the fourth year in a row that he attends this large music and film event.
On March 19th he will do an exclusive performance at the annual RajiWorld party to benefit Sweet Relief, where he'll be joined on stage by his old bandmates Nigel Harrison (Silverhead, Chequered Past) and Clem Burke (Chequered Past).
"I'll do two new acoustic songs and a hi-energy rock n roll set", Michael says.
The RajiWorld party is held at Jovita's (1619 South First St.) and Michael is scheduled to play outside at 6 PM. Other artists performing include Billy Harvey, Nakia and Victoria Williams. For more details, visit the Sweet Relief website.
Michael will also do several other appearances at SXSW, including a roundtable discussion called "Sound Decisions: A Reality Check on Using Music in Film" on March 14th. More info can be found on the SXSW website here.