BLACK STAR RIDERS and WAMI bassist Marco Mendoza spoke with Eric Blair of The Blairing Out With Eric Blair Show at this year's NAMM event. Check out the 30-minute chat below:

Black Star Rider recently announced the band’s first four US shows with SKID ROW coming up this May, two of which are co-headlining dates:

May

1- The Aztec Theater - San Antonio, TX

3 - Concert Pub North - Houston, TX
9 - The Marquee - Tempe, AZ
10 - M15 Concert Bar & Grill - Corona, CA
15 - Canyon Club - Agoura Hills, CA (co-headining with Skid Row)
16 - The Coach House - San Juan Capistrano, CA (co-headining with Skid Row)

Additional dates will be announced soon.

Currently in Nashville, TN working on material for the next Black Star Riders album, Ricky Warwick and Damon Johnson have checked in with the following video update:

When it comes to the team behind the soundboard, Black Star Riders decided to change things up this time around. Taking over the production reins will be DEF LEPPARD frontman Joe Elliott. Adding to the dream team will be long time Leppard sound guru Ronan McHugh.

Vocalist Ricky Warwick chimes in on the reason Joe was tapped for this album: “Joe Elliott's passion, enthusiasm for music, as a fan, artist and friend is unquestionable and Ronan McHugh is a phenomenal engineer. Personally having worked with these guys before, it was a no brainer when they said they would like to produce the new BSR album. We are confident that this will be a huge leap forward in the evolution of BSR.”

Joe Elliott adds, “Having worked with Scott on the THIN LIZZY remixes a few years ago and having produced Ricky’s first two solo albums, I’m looking forward to taking our musical journey together even further. We’re aiming to make a serious leap forward with the next album and I’m proud to be able to contribute to the next chapter in the BSR story.”

Guitarist Damon Johnson adds “We are all excited about working with Joe, he is like part of the family. And recording this album in Ireland is a special treat for us.”

Black Star Riders is set to enter the studio in Dublin, Ireland in October to start recording their follow-up release. The new, as yet untitled, album will be released in the spring of 2015 through Nuclear Blast.