Press from Frontiers Records 05-September-00: THE SIGN is made up of five very talented and seasoned superstars of American hard rock music. The initiator of the project was keyboard player and singer MARK MANGOLD who earned cult fame in melodic rock circles penning hit songs for MICHAEL BOLTON and CHER in the past, as well as being the leader of bands like AMERICAN TEARS, TOUCH, DRIVE SHE SAID and most recently FLESH & BLOOD (along with current MEGADETH guitar player AL PITRELLI and ex TYKETTO singer DANNY VAUGHN) and MYSTIC HEALER. Joining Mangold from day one were superb guitar hero and singer RANDY JACKSON of ZEBRA and the fantastic singer TERRY BROCK of STRANGEWAYS and LE ROUX fame.
Randy Jackson has been and still is the mainman of the band ZEBRA who recorded 3 studio albumns and one live album for ATLANTIC RECORDS spawning several hit singles in the USA during the eighties. Later he recorded the CHINA RAIN project along with the likes of Dave "The Snake" Sabo of SKID ROW, Mark Slaughter and Dana Strum (SLAUGHTER), Jack Ponti (BATON ROUGE, SURGIN') and many other special guests. He's back now with his first hard rock album in 8 years !
Terry Brock has built up his fame singing backing vocals on over 35 records for artists like MICHAEL BOLTON, KANSAS, VALENTINE and many others. He is best known though for being the singer of the best two STRANGEWAYS records, "Native Sons" and "Walk In The Fire" published by RCA in Europe. Those albums are still regarded as being amongst the best AOR records ever to be released by a European band and Terry Brock was regarded as one of the best singers that came out of the tradition of the STEVE PERRY ( JOURNEY ) style.
The rhythm section of THE SIGN came later, first seeing the role of bass player covered by the current KANSAS member BILLY GREER and later with the worthy addition of seasoned drummer BOBBY RONDINELLI. Billy Greer is also well known for his work with STREETS, a band featuring STEVE WALSH (classic singer of Kansas) and guitarist MIKE SLAMER (currently with STEELHOUSE LANE). He has recorded 5 studio and 2 live albums with KANSAS so far, making his vocal debut on their last studio cd "Somewhere To Elsewhere" on the song entitled "Look At The Time".
Bobby Rondinelli virtually needs no introduction having been the drummer for RAINBOW on two albums and having played later for BLACK SABBATH and most recently with BLUE OYSTER CULT.
These talented musicians haved produced a phenomenal album with diverse styles that can be described as an incredible mixture of the sounds of ZEBRA, JOURNEY and TOUCH, with strong symphonic overtones a là KANSAS. All these elements have combined to create a unique trademark sound for THE SIGN, from the symphonic and grandiose rock approach of "Aryon", the title track "Signs Of Life", "I'm Alive", to the classic ballads "Forever Again" and "I'll Be There For You" not forgetting the hard rock of "Stranded" and the more melodic rock typical of Mangold and Brock's roots of "Nothing But A Heartache", "The Wait" and "Desperate Heart". All the songs have a common lyrical theme concerning for the most part the story of a young girl called "Aryon" saved from a coma. The album was produced and mixed by Randy Jackson, Mark Mangold and Terry Brock. This record is definitely going to be one of the highlights of the year !