Vocalist DOOGIE WHITE (EMPIRE, TANK, ex-RITCHIE BLACKMORE’S RAINBOW, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) checks in with the following update:

"It's been a magic summer of rawk.

Started with an 8 AM emergency call from Germany's DEMON'S EYE to fly in and stand in for GLENN HUGHES (ex-DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) who was ill. No time to rehearse no time for much but three hours of great rawk. The looks on the faces of the fans standing outside the venue when the limo pulled up and I stepped out was priceless. They were waiting for Glenn and word had not spread yet. But once the recognition set in they seemed happy enough. Only four out of a thousand wanted a refund. Most fun I have had for a long time.

Four festival shows with TANK, playing two brand new songs that went over very well, thank you very much. Reviews were positive, crowd reaction was positive. This might actually work, because the new songs are killer.

Then there were two solo shows in Finland with the fantastic MEN WITH BEARDS. 24 hour daylight is a strange thing. And the tour bus rawked. I gave away all my stage clothes after the show. Why? Seemed like a good idea at the time.

La Paz played two Scottish gigs for our Mexican Children's Charity (We don't like to talk about it. But if we don't then no one knows or can give support).

To round the summer off, an amazing event with Jon Lord (ex-DEEP PURPLE) in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, with full orchestra. As a once in a lifetime occasion for me, surely one of the highlights of my career. So different from anything I have ever done. Fine wine and conversation were shared until the wee small hours. What a top bloke.

Finally a concert in Acqua Terme Italy with the drum legend Ian Paice, with Phil Hilborne Neil Murray and Neil Otapacca. We blasted through Mk2 and Mk3 Purple songs and a couple of classic WHITESNAKE. Again fine wine and banter flowed.

I am now taking a rest from fine wine.

Recordings:

The Tank album is well underway and we're deciding which of the songs we have written will make the album. Its heavy and dark.

The solo album is almost ready for mixing. Tony Carey (ex-RAINBOW) and Derek Sherinian (ex-DREAM THEATER) have played some keys on it now and when Pontus Norgren (HAMMERFALL) is finished doing live sound for OPETH then the mix can be finalized.

The album with Craig Goldy (DIO) is coming on but our respective commitments over the last while have put it on the back burner this summer.

Thanks to all of you who have come out and supported the various wee things I have been doing over the past few months. Keep coming back for more info."