Izzy Stradlin Gears Up for Online-Only Release

According to Izzy Stradlin’s web site, chopaway.com, the former Guns N’ Roses guitarist will make his new album available exclusively on iTunes sometime between now and June. Titled Miami, the album will be offered in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and Europe simultaneously.

Miami features the regular lineup of Stradlin on vocals and guitar, Rick Richards on lead guitar and Taz Bentley on drums. JT Longoria, who performed on Stradlin’s last album, Like a Dog, returns to cover bass duties on the album, and friend Joey Huffman takes keyboards.

Bentley, who appears on all of Izzy’s solo albums dating from 1998 to 2007, said of the Miami recording sessions, "We had such a good time recording this one. We did it before Christmas and when we got back home decided it was so much fun that we should go back and do some more."

Describing the sound of the forthcoming album, Bentley added, "This recording is more loose. We spent time jamming the songs out a pinch more than normal. I was in a great place mentally so I think that carried over into the recordings. Izzy, Rick and I found a hole-in-the-wall Cuban restaurant that we would walk to every day for lunch. The vibe was relaxed and the songs are as strong and diverse as always."