Really I cant'wait to hear this new album! Yeah!!!
As he prepares for the "dream" of being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Monday (Mar. 14), Alice Cooper is also delivering a nightmare.
Make that another nightmare. This fall, the shock rocker will be releasing "Welcome 2 My Nightmare," a sequel to his 1975 concept album "Welcome to My Nightmare" -- his first "solo" release after the break-up of the original Alice Cooper band. Cooper tells Billboard.com that the project grew out of a desire to work again with original "Nightmare" producer Bob Ezrin, but on a sequel to another of his albums.
Rock Hall of Fame to Induct Alice Cooper, Neil Diamond, Tom Waits
"I had an idea to do a part two to (2008's) 'Along Came a Spider,' " Cooper says. "I came to Bob with it, and he listened and goes, 'Eh. I would be more excited if 'Along Came a Spider' was a No. 1 record.' He wasn't really into it. Then we started talking about 'Welcome to My Nightmare's' 35th anniversary or something like that, and he said, 'What if Alice had another nightmare?' All I was trying to do was get Bob to say, 'Yeah, I want to produce the album,' so we found a place where both of us really felt comfortable, and that was doing 'Nightmare 2.' "
The album features some other familiar faces from Cooper's past. The original "Nightmare" tandem of Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner played on the album, while Vince Gill plays on a track called "Runaway Train." And surviving Cooper band members Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway and Neal Smith reunited on the track "When Hell Comes Home." "I was going to go in and say, 'What I want this thing to have is this live, 70s sound -- but I didn't have to say that. That's just the way they play," Cooper recalls. "They just had that sound you couldn't go in and try to direct them to get. That's the normal way they play. I said to Bob, 'I don't want it to sound any different than that."
"Nightmare 2," meanwhile, will have plenty of similarities to its predecessor. "There are certain songs where we let some of the themes from (the original) 'Nightmare' slip in," Cooper says. "All of a sudden you'll hear the little piano part from 'Steven' or from 'The Awakening.' I wanted (the albums) to be married together. I think we even make reference to a couple of characters from the original (album)."
Though planning to play an "Alice hits" set on tour this year, Cooper is planning a full-fledged "Nightmare 2" show for 2012. Meanwhile, he's gearing up for the Alice Cooper band's Rock Hall induction in New York, where the group -- joined by Hunter in place of the late Glen Buxton -- will play a three-song set that will include "School's Out" and two others still being determined.
"We're actually getting special tuxedos made, special Alice Cooper tuxedos," Cooper says. "We'll do the tuxedos, but it'll definite be our style. It'll be within our sense of humor." And, he adds, the induction "is terrific. The whole idea of finally being in that club, and the great thing about it is...it's your peers that voted you in, the guys that you actually watched on 'Shindig' and 'Hullabaloo' and all that, and they're the guys voting on you. That's a really nice thing."
by Gary Graff
Billboard.com
Really I cant'wait to hear this new album! Yeah!!!
i heard alice's new album was titled Night Shift. any feedback?
WHY OH WHY did it take so long for you to get into the music hall of fame??? The greatest showman ever for the Rock Stage. Now WELCOME 2 MY NIGHTMARE 2. It brings back visions as if it was yesterday of Giant Spiders, Getting pined in a coffin, bursting through a screen onto the stage. And that nurse. Welcome to my Nightmare 2, I haven't woken from this one yet! I have great memories of Alice and his albums have always been part of the back drop of my life. I could never thank him enough for all the enjoyment he has given me over the years. Looking forward to the new nightmare tour. And who gave me the Power? Well it wasn't Donny Osmond, it was ALICE COOPER.
Thanks Alice and may your God Bless You.
congrats alice. I have been a fan for as long as i can remember. Your music has gotten me thru some really tough times. I hope you will be coming to Los Angeles when you tour, I would love to see you in concert again and I am very excited about welcome 2 my nightmare. the first one is my favorite album.
And even when I'm old and grey, you're jokes still make me smile, and i could be with you a while.
***** me in for the show and the cd, Ofo course Welcome to my nightmare is my favorite album and steven my favorite nr, played it 3 times last evening. I don't know if you can get an even great album, but with brutal planet, hey stoopid, from the inside, dada and Alice Cooper goes to hell you almost reached that high level. Of course you're always reaching a high level, but everyone has it's ups and downs. It must be very lonely for you at the top.
I am very excited to hear about a nightmare 2 and cant wait for its release i have been a fan of alice cooper since my mother went to from the inside concert and was eight months pregnant with me you rock alice keep it up ...
I've been a fan since the killer release. Seen you at least 6 times. and cant wait to see you again.Dont ever stop
A huge fan since 1973 and wondered why he wasn't inducted a long time ago, but glad he finally made it!!! Congratulations Alice Cooper!
great news about induction & album very pleased hope to see you in cardiff south wales.
Have been waiting for this since I was 14 & my parents would never let me go. Nightmare2 here I come! [Wish it was this year though!] Luv ya Alice. You are an ignigma with a nuclear reactor in your core. Rock on & on & on...........yeah, fan of 40 yrs. need ANY help? Can't hurt to ask. Take care.
OH HELL YES!! Can't wait!! I wanna help!!!!!
bring an album out that sounds like the great tracks pre 72 now that would be great... i have all the cds and a lot of early albums it doesnt even matter whats on the new album its already bought..remember the coop heh...
saw Original Welcome to my nightmare in 1977 Melbourne , had my 50th birthday @ Theatre of death in Canberra 2009, Welcome to my nigtmare "2" , cant wait , hope Aus gets the show. In the Hall of Fame ! "always has been"
Had the pleasure to hang with the Coop privately at a store while he painted guitars for charity. He is the nicest most humble human being you can imagine. I'm so happy he and the original band have gotten the recognition they so rightfully deserve. My dream concert would be he opens with the fist Nightmare, take an intermission then play the new Nightmare (which I look forward to adding to my complete collection). Keep on rocking you prolific genius American icon. Love you Alice.
Welcome 2 My Nightmare? FAAAARRRR OUT!!! Looks like I will be on my way soon to visit my 7th Cooper show. YES!!
Remember the Coop..... We're not worthy!!!!!
welcome to my nightmare, was and still is my fave Alice album.
it scrared the life out of me "years ago" when i was younger, and still freaks me out now, listening to it at night while reading stephen king's latest novel.
AND I LOVE IT.
congrats on being inducted into the rnr hall of fame. long, long overdue.
and what's more Alice is playing Belfast this summer.... never thought i'd get the chance to see the great man live again.
i can't wait.
I think an Along Came a Spider 2 would be good, or a mix of the two - Old And New - because for some reason I really like "(In Touch With) Your Femenine Side" and that song would fit in with a mix actually
Please, please, please come to Alabama with this on tour! I am down here for work from Detroit and I just don't get my Alice fix down here and what could be better than Nightmare 2! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!! I've been lovin' Alice since I was 15 in 1976!
From the first album that I bought in 1971 Love It To Death,to Spider,Alice Cooper Band and Alice have been my Rock and Roll guides,saw Theatre of Death show twice(awesome)Glad to see you in the Hall,and that you and your boys are back together,hope you record some great tracks. Fans of yours are over the wall Alice Thanks
Welcome to my nightmare was my first album and Steven my all time favorite song. I'll be there to see the concert where ever Alice is!
Absolutely stoked for the Induction ceremony...and Nightmare 2 is a "dream" come true for this Cooper fan!!
Alice ...Invented the stage show for concerts!!!You are the best man!!!
a big yay for this, esp, news that he will tour in 2012 for nightmare 2, cant wait hope for a show in PA. PLZ ALICE.
A nightmare Show....WooooooW! Especially for us that never got to see the orginal. Do Not forget to include The Late Great Vincent Price. Remember You had him first (evil Grins) see you soon in Phoenix I hope!
**** yeah! I've been waiting for this ever since I heard the first NOTE from the original "Nightmare" album. It had BETTER kick ass...! ^^
It's about time!Congrats Alice.We all love you!!!!
So Good to see Alice,Micheal,Dennis,Neal, together again sad about Glen we all miss him, Cant wait to hear When Hell comes Home. Thanks for making my life enjoyable guys still listen to the main 5 Alice cd,s on my 5 disc player, Rock on
Alice, I am so happy to hear of another album from you. I will buy it the day it comes out. I wish we could all live forever and you could just keep on making albums. You are the God of rock n roll, thank you Alice for all the beautiful, creepy rocking memories.
I Just gotta get out of this place. Did someone say their taking me out of the freezer? =Cold Ethel
Nightmare 2? This is a great way to re-introduce the Alice experience to all of these poor kids that have to suffer with the garbage that is being played on the radio today. Can't wait …
Congrats Alice!! I always knew that you would be in the R&R Hall of Fame. Can not wait for Nightmare 2 to come out and I will be watching for you to be within driving distance of Emporium PA.
Congrats again , You deserve and have earned it!
Alice ,I have been a fan for many years . I went to see the first nightmare tour . I have met you at one of your meet and greets ! But nightmare 2 and the Rock & Roll hall ! wake me now I'm dreaming ( but it's no nightmare ) ! Way to go Alice !
Alice Cooper - I Love You Man.
yeah, induction into the Hall WAY overdue!
tho i wasn't crazy about Alice's work when he featured that 'buff' eddie halen type guitarist, his earlier stuff makes up for it i think. those 1st handfullS of lp's are just dominate style & melody...
he's an original & going back to his "real" sound will be welcome, tho i wish it were also inc. at least M. Bruce.
rock on Vincent!
"Welcome TWO my nightmare"
Congrats to the band that defined my teen years! Thanks, Alice and Co., for for seeing me through some tough times. I've had lots of fun listening to Brutal Planet, etc. too. Looking forward to the new Nightmare!
Years ago, here in Italy, it wasn't so common being an Alice Cooper's fan; I'm very proud of being one of them since 1991 not because of the induction, but for everything you did in your career. Thank you.
This new album is what we've been waiting for since the original Nightmare.The remaining old band , Steve and Dick plus Bob overseeing - it will be mind blowing and the tour next year !!
i think he is my father
It was long over due. Congradulations.
I first started listen in 1973 and have every album. Now the world knows " Alice is the Man" ! New Album and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Life is GOOD !
I wake up in the basement. Im dry. its been 35 years was I sleep walking?
I love it Bob Ezrin and welcome 2 awesome
Yes Yes Yes! Cant wait to hear it! Onya allice!
'Years ago' when I was 18 and in the 'Department of Youth', the original album came out and some friends and I 'escape' from Dublin, Ireland to see the show in Liverpool's Empire Theatre, England.
What an 'Awakening', its still one of the best shows ever, despite what 'Some Folks' say. Looking forward to the sequel. Well done Alice, its about time you were inducted!
3 little words I hate to say ~ "I CAN'T WAIT" !!! Hail to Alice Cooper, my Rock & Roll God !!!
"Welcome 2 My Nightmare"? Sweet! I think I'm gonna like it...
Would love to see a nightmare 2!!! I have been a fan since Alice shocked my parents in 1970 and that was enough for me. Keep up the attitude and good work!