Mr. Big announces new album “Ten” for July

O Mr Big announced his next studio album for July 7th. As the title indicates, “Ten” it will be the band’s tenth album in the format.

The work is now available for pre-sale and pre-save on digital platforms. In addition to Eric Martin (voice), Paul Gilbert (guitar) and Billy Sheehan (bass), the 10-track record — in addition to an instrumental bonus for the Japanese market — features Nick D’Virgilio (Spock’s Beard, Big Big Train), drummer who fills the vacancy left by the deceased Pat Torpey.

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The production is signed by Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Stone Sour, Uriah Heep, Steel Panther etc) in partnership with the band itself. The compositions are written by Martin, Gilbert and two external collaborators: Andre Pessis It is Tony Fanucci.

New album amid farewell tour

The decision to release an album, following “Defying Gravity” (2017), is surprising at first, as the band is on a farewell tour. “The Big Finish”, which still has no closure date, came to Brazil last April, with dates in São Paulo (Summer Breeze festival) and Rio de Janeiro.

On the other hand, the musicians had already been anticipating the news in interviews. At the end of 2023, during an interview with “This That and the Other”, by Troy Patrick Farrell (drummer for several bands from the hard 80s scene, such as Bulletboys, Bang Tango and White Lion), Eric Martin gave more details about the next album by group studio.

The successor to “Defying Gravity” (2017) does not yet have a release date. However, there are already musical ideas being worked on. According to Blabbermouth’s transcript, the frontman stated:

“We’re doing this now, Paul Gilbert and I – I’ve been going back and forth to Portland, Oregon, where he lives. We are writing and recording everything. We have between 10 and 13 songs so far. Billy just brought one for us too.”

The singer also made it clear that the closure of activities was not in his original plans.

“Well, I really didn’t want to end this. For me, I would just keep the door open forever. I hate the end of anything, but Pat Torpey is no longer with us, which kind of takes the wind out of the sails. He was the anchor of the band. Nick D’Virgilio is a great replacement, phenomenal drummer. He sings exactly like Pat. But everyone has so many other projects. I am not. I really like the Mr. Big project… I have some burning irons. But yes, it’s over. For me, it’s kind of boring. But it’s time. It’s been 35 goddamn years, man.”

The excitement with his colleague is such that there is even time to give Torpey’s first replacement a poke – although Eric guarantees it is not a provocation.

“No offense to Matt Starr, he was fine. The problem is, he came when Pat just couldn’t take it anymore. He had a little percussion kit by his side and would play drums with us from time to time. Matt helped us, but it was too early for me. I wasn’t ready to give up on Pat Torpey. But Matt is more like a John Bonham, not a Pat Torpey, which is what we were looking for. But I want to make it clear that there is no bad blood between Matt Starr and Mr. Big, me personally or anything like that. He is amazing at what he does.”