Soul SirkUS Embarks on First U.S. Tour April 5 in Support of Debut Album "World Play"

Soul SirkUS - a "supergroup" of legendary music talents - will embark on their first U.S. tour starting April 5 in Allentown, PA and conclude April 28 in Santa Ana, CA in support of their critically acclaimed WORLD PLAY debut album, which is available now exclusively on the band's website (www.soulsirkus.com).

Soul SirkUS was born out of the ashes of Planet US, a band originally featuring guitarist Neal Schon and drummer Deen Castronovo of Journey along with Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony of Van Halen. When Hagar and Anthony left the band to return to their roles in Van Halen last year, Schon and Castronovo teamed up with former Yngwie Malmsteen and Talisman singer Jeff Scott Soto (who also provided lead vocals for the lead character in the movie "Rock Star") and bassist Marco Mendoza (Ted Nugent, Whitesnake) to create Soul SirkUS which picks up where Planet US left off.

Due to mutual agreement, Deen Castronovo will not be joining the band on this month-long trek. He's chosen to step down as drummer for Soul SirkUS as the work load between both Soul SirkUS and Journey left him devoid of personal/family time. Earlier this year, he was diagnosed with extreme dehydration and exhaustion, which forced the cancellation of this tour which was originally scheduled to start in January. World renowned Australian drumming sensation, Virgil Donati (Steve Vai, Planet X), has stepped in to replace Deen behind the skins.

Deen says, "Virgil Donati SERIOUSLY kicks my butt! He is the most unreal drummer I have ever seen - this guy is a studied musician and does things on a kit I had never witnessed - with 'this guy' in Soul SirkUS they are going to make some real noise in the music business. They couldn't have chosen a better guy - they just don't come better than Donati."

Neal Schon recently commented on the vibe of the band: "The new stuff is cool, melodic and has plenty of edge. We are very much looking forward to playing live. I definitely feel we have the goods. It's raw, in-your-face rock - the way rock should be."

In international news, Soul SirkUS will release a re-recorded version of WORLD PLAY - with drum tracks by Virgil Donati and three brand new songs--in Europe on April 25 on Frontiers Records. As a special bonus, the entire first pressing (including Deen Castronovo's drums) will be specially packaged in ecobook (recycled paper) edition and will feature a bonus DVD, which will include videos for the songs "New Position" and "Another World," as well as an interview with the band and behind-the-scenes footage.

Here's a taste of what the press have been saying about WORLD PLAY since it was released in December. To wit:

"For any fans of melodic hard rock, this is one of the best albums I have heard in a very long time... plain and simple... the perfect combination of beautiful melodies and explosive attitude... if you are into the "old school" hard rock sound, then you have to get this disc... this is one of those rare albums that you can play completely from beginning to end without skipping any songs. The production is amazing, atmospheric ballads, heavy intricate melodies,.WORLD PLAY is an audio addictive masterpiece and comes highly recommended."

--The Atomic Chaser, All Access Magazine (Los Angeles, CA), January 2005

"It may be a wee bit early to declare this my AOR album of the year, but I can't see anything topping this. Rating: 5/5."

--Marty Dodge, Blogcritics.org, February 23, 2005

"WORLD PLAY is an album that lives up to the high expectations a lot of people have been hoping for. It's a monster of an album, but not for the most obvious reasons. This album showcases what rock 'n' roll is all about. It is an untamed record and showcases four first class musicians playing how they were born to perform. WORLD PLAY is very loose and raw - it's a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of record - the performances are electric.This is without doubt one of Jeff Scott Soto's finest ever releases. It also ranks up there with the best Neal Schon has offered us over his illustrious career. WORLD PLAY is one of the grooviest hard rock records in a long time and stands alone as far as style and content. Absolutely essential for any fans of Schon and Soto and anyone who adores the Hardline album. Bring on album #2."

--Melodicrock.com, December 14, 2004

Check out Soul SirkUS at the following stops:

DATE*, CITY, VENUE

Tue 4/5, Allentown, PA, Crocodile Rock

Wed 4/6, Alexandria, VA, The Birchmere

Thu 4/7, New York, NY, B.B. King's

Fri 4/8, Philadelphia, PA, Trocadero

Sun 4/10, Boston, MA, Sommerville Theatre

Tue 4/12, Detroit, MI, Magic Bag

Wed 4/13, Chicago, IL, Park West

Thu 4/14, Minneapolis, MN, First Avenue

Sun 4/17, Denver, CO, Gothic Theatre

Tue 4/19, Phoenix, AZ, Alice Cooper's Town

Wed 4/20, West Hollywood, CA, House of Blues

Fri 4/22, Las Vegas, NV, Boulder Station Casino

Sat 4/23, Lake Tahoe, NV, Harrah's Tahoe

Sun 4/24, San Francisco, CA, The Fillmore

Tue 4/26, San Diego, CA, Belly Up Tavern

Wed 4/27, Ventura, CA, Ventura Theatre

Thu 4/28, Santa Ana, CA, Galaxy Theatre

* All dates are subject to change.

For more information visit: www.soulsirkus.com