Alcatrazz are happy to announce that the very long dispute with former lead vocalist Graham Bonnet has come to an end. The United States Trademark Trial & Appeals Board have today ruled in the favor of the original founding members of the band Jimmy Waldo and Gary Shea, and not in favor of departed vocalist Graham Bonnet. There is, and will be, only one band called “Alcatrazz“.
The band comments:
“Graham quit the band in 2020, leaving us on the eve of our 2020 album release ‘Born Innocent‘… he has stated this clearly in many interviews since then, while we have continued with significant touring and album releases, and are now working on our next studio album for BraveWords Records, we are delighted that the courts have recognized this unfortunate episode for what it was, and is, and thus, Alcatrazz is now a registered trademark and we move forward with the utmost confidence and dedication to making more Alcatrazz Heavy Metal music… this is now our third album since Graham‘s departure so this is all well and truly behind us“
The band and Bonnet had been engaged in a public and heated dispute over the Alcatrazz band name since 2021, with the remaining members revealing that Graham‘s excessive drinking and significant lip-synching during live performances had taken a huge toll on the bands brand and reputation.
“We are putting all that behind us now, we wish Graham well and we know via various mutual contacts that he wishes the same for us“.
“He is happy doing what he is doing, and we are happy continuing on our path“
BraveWords Records recently released the re-record of ‘Island In The Sun (Re-Opened 2025)‘ by Alcatrazz. The single is available on all digital services – here
Alcatrazz hit the road in Europe later this year with Girlschool.
Girlschool + Alcatrazz
11/14 Sweden, Sala, Rockland
11/15 Sweden, Stockholm, Rock At Sea Cruise
11/18 Finland, Turku, Nirvana + Daze Dolls
11/19 Finland, Helsinki, On The Rocks
11/20 Finland, Tampere, Tavara-asema
11/21 Finland, Nakkila, Verstas
11/22 Finland, Kouvola, House Of Rock
Girlschool + Alcatrazz + David Reece’s Bangalore Choir
11/25 Belgium, Kortjik, DVG Club
11/27 Germany, Kassel, Goldgrube
11/28 Germany, Passau, Zauberberg
11/29 Austria, Steyr, Kulturverein Röda
12/02 Czechia, Olomouc, Bounty Rock Cafe
12/05 Germany, Selb, Rockclub Nordbayern
12/06 Germany, Mörlenbach/Weiher, Live Music Hall
12/07 Germany, Dortmund, Musiktheater Piano
More dates to be announced soon!
Line-up:
Giles Lavery – Vocals
Joe Stump – Guitar
Jimmy Waldo – Keys
Gary Shea – Bass
Mark Benquechea – Drums
About Alcatrazz:
Alcatrazz, formed in 1983 in Los Angeles, has been as well known for the legendary players and singers who have passed throughout the bands ranks as much as they have for their music.
Formed originally by the trio of Jimmy Waldo, Gary Shea (both fresh from late 70’s hitmakers New England and the short lived band Warrior featuring a pre-Kiss Vinnie Vincent) along with vocalist Graham Bonnet (himself with impressive credentials having been a then recent member of Rainbow and the Michael Schenker Group) the band set about completing the line up with drummer Jan Uvena (formerly of Alice Cooper) and a then very young Yngwie Malmsteen, a guitarist who had quickly made a name for himself upon arriving in the USA in the early 80s. The band issued their now classic debut ‘No Parole From Rock N Roll‘ album (1983) which was met with universal critical acclaim. Yngwie was soon to depart in favor of Steve Vai just in time for the bands second album ‘Disturbing The Peace‘ (1985).
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About BraveWords Records:
There is a serious void which desperately needs to be filled, hard-working and creative bands that have yet to find a partnership and a mutual vision with a professional team. The music-fuelled minds behind BraveWords Records, Brian Adams, Giles Lavery, Tim Henderson and Michael Brandvold, have built the ultimate home for an artist that will take you where you want to be. Collectively, with nearly 100 years of music industry experience under our belts, the BraveWords Records team will take care of all the crucial aspects of your project from global distribution (digital and physical), publicity and media coverage (web, radio, visual), social media blanketing and streaming opportunities (such as Streaming For Vengeance). Where most labels have forgotten the concept of actually marketing a release sensibly, BraveWords Records will construct a viable and comprehensive marketing plan, including visibility at BraveWords.com, which attracts a million visitors monthly. BraveWords Records has all senses on high alert as the music industry continues its never-ending transitioning, so the artist will always be aware of new opportunities to build their brand and strive for world domination. BraveWords will also have a focus on licensing film and TV content, both contemporary and retrospective across many genres. As artists and labels transition to the many new mediums available today for their work, BraveWords intends to stay ahead of the curve in providing and actively seeking opportunities for our roster of clients.
With the rapid spread of the world wide web, BraveWords.com was born in 2000 and quickly became the CNN of heavy metal. With its team of global writers and photographers, the site flourished with 24/7 updated news, features, reviews, audio and video steams.
For nearly 30 years, BraveWords wears their metal heart loudly on their sleeve, as they celebrate the greatest genre of music with the most dedicated and passionate fans on the planet!
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