Broadway Records' Tyce Comes to the Metropolitan Room, 9/26

Broadway Records' Tyce plays tomorrow night at The Metropolitan Room in NYC and we were invited to his rehearsal today a tmidtown's Funkadelic Studios. Re-imagining the 1977 Meat Loaf album Bat Out of Hell on his album Hero, it sounded new and improved. Words and music by the legendary Jim Steinman.

With keyboardist Zak Lloyd; bassist John Avilla; John Hummel on drums; Matt Hayes on guitar; and, vocalist Alex Nester in tow, they ran through the entire set. Additional dates at the Havana are in New Hope, PA; The Music Box in Cleveland; and Reggie's Live in Cleveland.

When Broadway Records' Tyce released his Hero project in March, critics and listeners alike were stunned with Tyce's re-working of the classic Jim Steinman-songs from Meat Loaf's 1977 Bat Out of Hell album. Tyce was the first male-vocalist to work with Steinman since Meat Loaf.

Demand for Tyce live only grew with an appearance at Donnie Kehr's Rockers On Broadway, where he performed a sterling version of "More Than A Feeling." Now, a six-date U. S. tour has been set and premieres this week at NY's Metropolitan Room.

We sat with Tyce for a brief update on the tour:

Q: How did this tour come about?

A: We kept getting asked "when are you coming" so we figured it was time to fill in the blanks.

Q: The critical response from your album Hero has been terrifically positive; have you heard from Jim Steinman?

A: Yeah I talk to Jim regularly! He's really happy with it... I mean we couldn't have done it if he wasn't happy. He is VERY encouraging and really wonderful to talk to. I've had the wackiest 3am chats with him about life and career and he is very supportive.

Q: Who is in the touring band?

A: Zak Lloyd of course - mister mastermind himself (cape and all), plus Nick McDonald - guitar, management, and all things Hero, Alex Nester (The Alex Nester) - of Santana fame reprising her incredible vocals, plus a host of the best musicians in the US.

Q: You were in Donnie Kehr's Rockers On Broadway last year; can we expect a repeat performance this November?

A: Yeah it was a blast! I sang "More Than a Feeling" with a kickass group of musicians and singers too. I'd love to do it this year. I'd love to do "Bat Out Of Hell" this year. Makes sense... hopefully it will happen.

Q: Your playing some great venues, Havana's in new Hope; The Music Box Theatre in Cleveland ... it'll be great to get out there and perform live, right?

A: Absolutely. Yeah I'm stoked!!! It's a combo of Hero and Bat Out of Hell, all Jim.... it's gonna be fun!

Q: Any plans for a West Coast tour?

A: Hope to have it locked in by the time we get back from this one..... We're opening for Berlin in December out in L. A. so that would be a start.

(Photos by Derek Storm)