Greece's Rock Overdose recently conducted an interview with THIN LIZZY bassist Marco Mendoza, who revealed that he's gearing up to release a new solo album in 2012, and that he is collaborating with JOURNEY guitarist Neal Schon on a new project. The audio is available here.

As exclusively reported here by BW&BK;, guitarist Damon Johnson (BROTHER CANE) has left ALICE COOPER's band to join Irish hard rock legends THIN LIZZY. He replaces GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Richard Fortus on the band's forthcoming US tour with JUDAS PRIEST.

Johnson comments: "The music of Thin Lizzy is the absolute biggest influence on my entire career; as a guitarist, songwriter, singer and performer I've been performing Lizzy songs since I started playing in bars in Alabama in 1987. To be even a small footnote on the list of great guitarists that have been in the band over the years is one of the highest accolades of my life. I am honored and beyond excited!!"

Thin Lizzy's lineup also features Phil Lynott-era members Scott Gorham (guitar), Brian Downey (drums) and Darren Wharton (keyboards), with former THE ALMIGHTY singer/guitarist Ricky Warwick, and bassist Marco Mendoza.

Thin Lizzy dates with Judas Priest and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY:

October

12 - San Antonio, TX - AT&T; Center
14 - Corpus Christi, TX - Concrete Street Ampitheater
15 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
16 - Dallas, TX - Allen Event Center
18 - Tuscon, AZ - Ava Ampitheater
19 - San Diego, CA - Cricket Wireless Ampitheater.
22 - San Bernadino, CA - SAn Mauel Ampitheater
23 - Las Vegas, NV - Hard Rock.
27 - Oakland, CA - Oracle Arena
29 - Seattle, WA - WaMy Theater
30 - Vancouver, BC - Rogers Arena

November

1 - Edmonton, AB - Shaw Conference Center
2 - Calgary, AB - Scotiabank Saddledome
4 - Salt Lake City, UT - Maverik Center
5 - Denver, CO - 1st Bank Center
8 - Cincinnati, OH - US Bank Arena
9 - Springfield, IL - Prairie Capital Convention Center
10 - St. Charles, MO - The Family Arena
12 - Chicago, IL - The Venue At Horeshoe Casino
13 - Detroit, MI - Joe Louis Arena
15 - Cleveland, OH - Quicken Loans Arena
16 - Rochester, NY - The Armory
22 - Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre
23 - Quebec City, QC - Colisee Pepsi Arena
24 - Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
26 - Reading, PA - Sovereign Center