Dokken Without Dokken Reveal Debut Album Plans

[That 70s Guy]

ultimateclassicrock.com



George Lynch revealed the new name of the band featuring himself, Jeff Pilson and Mick Brown – the original lineup of Dokken except for frontman Don Dokken himself.

The End, who were originally called Super Stroke, is rounded out by former Lynch Mob and current Warrant singer Robert Mason. The band is working on its debut album, which is tentatively expected in February.

“Jeff and I spent a lot of time crafting the songs, as we did in the Dokken days,” Lynch told 94.9 & 104.5 The Rock in a new interview. “I think there’s quite a bit of ‘70s art rock going on in some of these songs, which is pretty cool. It’s got the usual groove, heavy rock thing, melodic rock thing, it’s got all that. But it’s also for that ‘70s ELO, Elton John [thing]: just really interesting, intelligent, classic changes.”

“It doesn't sound like Dokken, it doesn't sound like LP [Lynch/Pilson], it doesn't sound like Lynch Mob," Lynch noted. "It has elements of all that, obviously. … It's me and Jeff sitting at his studio working it out, so what you're going to get is really that, with Robert Mason on top of it.”

Lynch called singer Mason "a monster." "Robert's been doing Lynch Mob shows this year with us," he said. "I'd forgotten how powerful he is. Unbelievable singer.”

Earlier this year Mason said the End were in no way “Dokken with me stapled to it." “I love what they did, and I was a fan – I still am," he explained. "That wasn't something that I wanted to do. And thankfully, when Jeff and George started playing me demos and their early ideas, it doesn't sound like that. …We're just making music and having fun, but we are having fun being creative with each other again. And I pray that that translates into the final product and that people will just embrace that."

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Isn't Mick still in "Dokken with Dokken"?

 

[Lynch]

Isn't Mick still in "Dokken with Dokken"?

Yep

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Maybe they've mellowed. I figure Don would have had a fit in the past.

 

[Lynch]

Originally called Super Stroke... i'm not sure why they decided to change the name. I didn't mind SS as the name. In fact, I've been super stoked about this album since I first heard about it. Still am, regardless of the name of the guys.

Lynch = my #1, all-time favorite guitarist. Been following his career since I first heard him play in the early 80's. Robert Mason on vocals during his original run with Lynch Mob is among my all-time favorite albums (regardless of genre). Mason is a beast on the mic. Pilson is no slouch on bass and to this day still has great backup vocals (as does Mick) and Mick Brown is still a damn good drummer.

I wish this band would become a full-time thing for them and that they'd tour together, but that's not in the plans from what I understand. It's just a fun project in creating some music together. I know I'll be buying this the week that it comes out.

Stoked about The End!

 

[Lynch]

Maybe they've mellowed. I figure Don would have had a fit in the past.

Don doesn't own Mick, although his ego might say different. Mick has played on every single Dokken album except one, which was either the last one or the studio album they are currently working on (if I'm not mistaken). Mick was part of Lynch Mob for the first few years after Dokken broke up and he has also toured with them at times over the years since then. When I saw Lynch Mob back in 2011, Mick was playing the drums at the show I saw, even though he wasn't in the band at the time. Mick also has played with and toured with Ted Nugent over the years. Jeff has been in Foreigner for what seems like 20 years (it's not that long, but it's 15+ for sure) and has also played in a few different projects.

Also, back in 2012, Lynch, Pilson and Brown did an album that was originally to be entitled Tooth & Nail, but apparently there is another band somewhere on earth that has the same band name so they ended up going with the name T&N. They put out one album with 12 songs, 5 of which were Dokken tracks with guest vocalists (Seb Bach, Tim Ripper Owens, Dug Pinnick and again Robert Mason). Mick played drums on about half of that album and Brian Tichy played the other half.

Anyway, this isn't the first time these three have worked together in the capacity. So, yeah, being a huge fan of Dokken and just about everything else that George has done, I'm pumped about this.