Iron City Rocks recently talked to legendary guitarist JOE SATRIANI. Joe talked about his writing process for the new album, Black Swans And Wormhole Wizards, the new members of his band, technology and social networking and his recent Late Show jam with comedian Bill Cosby.

Listen below:

Joe Satriani

After releasing his 14th studio album, Black Swans And Wormhole Wizards, on October 5th, Satriani embarked on a world tour. Kicking off October 16th in Dublin, Ireland, the tour continued on with sold-out dates in London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Moscow and many more.

The European leg of the tour wrapped up on November 22nd in Lisbon, Portugal. North American dates begin on December 1st in Atlanta, with scheduled dates in Chicago, New York, and Boston. The second leg of the Satriani’s Black Swans tour will begin on January 4th in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with dates confirmed in Seattle, Portland, the Bay Area and Los Angeles.

In other Satriani related news, music sensation NICKI MINAJ recently sampled the classic Satriani song, 'Always With Me, Always With You' within her new release, 'Right Through Me', from her Pink Friday debut album, released today. 'Always With Me, Always With You' originally appeared on Satriani’s platinum-selling album, Surfing With The Alien. Regarding the sample, Satriani says; “What a trip to hear my song in Nicki’s hands. She’s amazing…”

In addition to the Minaj release, that classic Satriani song can also be found on the newly released, Sony Legacy compilation, Essential Joe Satriani, released on October 26th, 2010. Featuring songs culminated from 13 albums – starting with 1986’s Not of This Earth and forward to 2008’s Professor Satchafunkilus And The Musterion of Rock - this album contains a multitude of classic Satriani tunes and even a few surprises!

Out on the road, Joe will be joined by veteran Satriani bandmate, Jeff Campitelli on drums, and newcomers, keyboardist Mike Keneally (FRANK ZAPPA, STEVE VAI) and bassist Allen Whitman (MERMENT), all of whom recorded with Joe on this album. The tour features state of the art video screens which feature the brand new custom video for first single, 'Light Years Away'. You can check the video out below.

In 2009, Satriani joined with former VAN HALEN front man SAMMY HAGAR, former bassist Michael Anthony, and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS’ drummer Chad Smith, to form the stand-out rock collaboration, CHICKENFOOT. After a highly successful US tour, their self-titled debut album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America with over 500,000 in album shipments.

Over the last two decades, Satriani has traveled the world, playing to sold-out crowds as both a headliner and as founder of the all-star G3 guitar extravaganza. Of his many solo albums, two have gone platinum and four others went gold, with 15 Grammy nominations between them.

Tour dates are as follows:

December

2 - Pompano Beach Amphitheatre - Pompano Beach, FL
3 - House of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FL
4 - Ruth Eckerd Hall - Clearwater, FL
6 - The Palace Theatre - Greensburg, PA
7 - Aronoff Center for the Arts - Cincinnati, OH
8 - Massey Hall - Toronto, ON
9 - House of Blues - Boston, MA
10 - Tower Theatre - Upper Darby, PA
12 - Metropolis - Montreal, QC
13 - Nokia Theatre - New York, NY
14 - Nokia Theatre - New York, NY
15 - The Music Center @ Strathmore - North Bethesda, MD
16 - Fillmore Detroit - Detroit, MI
17 - House of Blues - Cleveland, OH
19 - Chicago Theatre - Chicago, IL
20 - Uptown Theater - Kansas City, MO
21 - Historic Paramount Theatre - Denver, CO

January

4 - Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Edmonton, AB
5 - Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary, AB
6 - Kelowna Community Theatre - Kelowna, BC
7 - Queen Elizabeth Theatre - Vancouver, BC
8 - Snoqualmie Ballroom - Snoqualmie, WA
9 - Bing Crosby Theatre - Spokane, WA
11 - Roseland - Portland, OR
13 - Fox Theater - Oakland, CA
14 - Grand Sierra Theatre - Reno, NV
15 - House Of Blues - Las Vegas, NV
16 - Orpheum Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
18 - Granada Theater - Dallas, TX
19 - Paramount Theatre - Austin, TX
20 - House of Blues - Houston, TX