PHIL MOGGs MOGGS MOTEL releases second single “Sunny Side Of Heaven”

MOGG'S MOTELthe new band with UFO Singer Phil Mogghas released his second single and his second video, “Sunny side of heaven”The title comes from the group's album of the same name, which was released on September 4th via Cleopatra Records in the USA and Steam hammer/SPV outside North America.

Mogg said: “Motel Update: We just hired a new chef for the motel: James Ormsby. He is from San Francisco and comes highly recommended. And since the Tonka Town Bar just opened for our latest single release, he has created a new cocktail called 'Sunny side of heaven'.

“I thought after all this 'Apple pie' Maybe you want to wash it down with something special, and since the Devil's Angels in this particular song are featuring a Mr Way and a Mr Chapmanit is an ideal way to celebrate life on the sunny side.

“I hope you enjoy it and remember to drink responsibly. Yes, I'm talking to you.”

It has been over 50 years since Mogg and we organized the first lineup of UFObut it didn’t take long for them to establish themselves among the crowned heads of metal, performing in front of hundreds of thousands of fans and releasing singles like “Doctor Doctor”, “Lights out” And “Only you can rock me”Now, at an age when most artists would end their careers, Mogg is looking forward to a whole new chapter in his historic career, a new band project and a full album that offers everything a fan could hope for – outstanding songwriting, sophisticated production courtesy of the bassist Tony Newtonand unmatched musicality, including guitar by UFO alum Neil Carternext to the guitarist Tommy Gentry and drummer Joe Lazarus.

The first single from the album, “Apple pie”has already given us a taste of what awaits us: a dynamic explosion of pure rock fury, complete with harmonizing guitar solos and heavy atmosphere, rounded off by the unmistakable Mogg Agree.

“Sunny side of heaven”is, if anything, even more thunderous, a lascivious riff and blitzkrieg percussion. Mogg delivers a song for eternity, while guest singers Zoe Devlin Love sings from the bottom of his heart behind him. It's a stunning combination… but what else can you expect?

Mogg previously said about the LP's first single: “'Apple Pie' is the first track of the MOGG'S MOTEL Extravagance. It's about the quest for a piece of the pie, which is 'Apple', because I'd like a nice big piece of cream this time. Plus I'd get to ride the pony while it wags its tail – how sweet is that! I just need that elusive pie. This track was conjured up towards the end of lockdown. This was our first meeting as a team and it was a very fun affair too – so enjoy the ride and grab a bite… not just a nibble please.”

UFO Fans, watch out! Anyone who has feared in the last two years that Moggone of the most influential rock singers in the world, would completely disappear from the scene after the end of his band and his health problems, which has fortunately now turned out to be wrong.

After a short creative break, the 76-year-old British musician with the unmistakable voice is ready to present his latest band and release. “Mogg's Motel”which he together with Tony Newton (Bass and Keyboards) from the band VOODOO SIXthe tour partners of UFO previously and long-time employee Neil Carter (Guitar, keyboards, vocals). The album was recorded at IRON MAIDEN Bassist Steve Harris's Studio in Essex, UK In the studio the band was accompanied by Joe Lazarus (drums) and Tommy Gentry (guitar) to complete the line-up.

The album’s twelve timeless songs show that Mogg has lost none of his artistic charisma, his uniquely expressive voice and his love of unbridled creativity.

MOGG'S MOTEL align:

Phil Mogg – Singing
Tony Newton – Bass, Keyboards
Neil Carter – Guitar, keyboard, vocals
Joe Lazarus – Drums
Tommy Gentry – Guitar

In a recent interview with Ultimate Classic Rock to promote the 2024 remastered reissue of UFO1977 Album “Lights out”, Mogg was asked if there was “more to do” with the band. He replied: “No, no. I think it's come to a conclusion. We did the last UK tour in 2019, just before COVID. So that was kind of the end and the time was right.”

Mogg suffered a heart attack in August 2022. The musician was hospitalized where two stents were implanted in his coronary arteries. This is known in medicine as coronary angioplasty and aims to reopen the blocked coronary artery by inserting one or more stents. This helps to keep the narrowed artery open.

UFOThe farewell tour was scheduled to begin on October 15, 2022 at De Casino in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium and end with a final show at Fuzz Club in Athens, Greece on October 29, 2022.

In 2021 UFO announced that he will go on his final tour in the summer of 2022 with a series of exclusive concerts to say a fitting farewell to his fans. UFO was supposed to play the very last concert in Athens, where the band played their first show with the current guitarist Vinnie Moore in February 2004.

UFO Guitarist/Keyboardist Paul Raymond died in April 2019. He performed on more than a dozen UFOAlbums by, including “Lights out” and the live classic “Strangers in the Night”.

UFOThe most recent line-up included the original members Mogg and drummer Andy Parkeras well as Moorewho joined in 2003, and Rob DeLuca (Bass), member since 2012.

UFOThe latest release was the 2017 cover collection “The Salentino Slices”.

Photo by Charlie Smith