Asia featuring John Payne: Difference between revisions

| name = Asia featuring John Payne

| current_memberspast_members = [[JohnErik Payne (singer)|John PayneNorlander]]<br/>[[JeffreyGuthrie KollmanGovan]]<br/>Moni[[Mitch ScariaPerry (musician)|Mitch Perry]]<br/>Jamie[[Bruce HosmerBouillet]]<br/>Johnny[[Jay FedevichSchellen]]

'''Asia featuring John Payne''' is a British–American [[Rock music|rock]] group band formed in 2007 following a schism in the lineup of [[Asia (band)|Asia]]. The band is a continuation of singer and bassist [[John Payne (singer)|John Payne]]'s career as the band's [[frontman]], which lasted from 1991 untilto 2006, whenperforming Asia'ssongs originalrecorded 1982before lineupand during this reunitedtime. In December 2017, Payne and keyboardist [[Erik Norlander]] formed a new group, [[Dukes of the Orient]], with various members and ex-members of Asia featuring John Payne as collaborators. Asia featuring John Payne remains active as a touring stage show.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/john.payne.71697/posts/10155985686573011?comment_id=10155986769423011&notif_id=1513300209293377&notif_t=feed_comment_reply|title=John Payne|website=''facebook.com''}}</ref><ref>{{PrimaryCite sourceweb |last=Ewing |first=Jerry inline|date=May2022-02-08 2019|title=Asia featuring John Payne announce plans for double anniversary tour |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/asia-featuring-john-payne-announce-plans-double-anniversary-tour |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=louder |language=en}}</ref>

[[Asia (band)|Asia]] are a [[Supergroup (music)|supergroup]] formed in 1981 by [[John Wetton]] (formerly of [[King Crimson]] and [[U.K. (band)|U.K.]]), [[Steve Howe (musician)|Steve Howe]] (formerly of [[Yes (band)|Yes]]), [[Carl Palmer]] (formerly of [[Emerson, Lake & Palmer]]) and [[Geoff Downes]] (formerly of Yes and [[the Buggles]]). The group had a successful career with their [[Asia (Asia album)|eponymous debut album]], released in March 1982, receiving considerable commercial success, spending nine weeks at number one in the U.S. album chart and selling over 4 million copies in the U.S. alone. Wetton and Downes became the core songwriters in the band. Howe had left before the band released their third album, while Wetton left the band in 1991.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ling|first=Dave|title=ASIA|url=http://www.daveling.co.uk/docasia.htm|publisher=Classic Rock magazine|accessdateaccess-date=June 11, 2011| archiveurlarchive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110725212531/http://www.daveling.co.uk/docasia.htm| archivedatearchive-date= July 25, 2011 | deadurlurl-status= nodead}}</ref>

In 1991, Downes invited John Payne to join a new lineup of the band,<ref name="ASIA Featuring John Payne">{{cite web|title=ASIA Featuring John Payne official biography |url=http://www.theASIAband.com/biography/ |publisher=ASIA Featuring John Payne |accessdateaccess-date=June 11, 2011 |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716222036/http://www.theasiaband.com/biography/ |archivedatearchive-date=July 16, 2011 |deadurl=yes |dfurl-status=dead }}</ref> and together they enlisted new musicians. The first album with this lineup was ''[[Aqua (Asia album)|Aqua]]'', released in 1992. In addition to Downes and Payne, the album featured guest appearances by Palmer and a returning Howe. Palmer, committed to an ELPEmerson, Lake & Palmer reunion, was able to play on just three songs and left the band before touring. The live shows also featured Howe (whose presence was heavily promoted) who took the stage after the fifth song. Howe did not continue with the band after Aqua.

Downes and Payne continued as Asia, releasing multiple albums, but they struggled to maintain a stable lineup around them. 2001's ''[[Aura (Asia album)|Aura]]'' featured multiple guitarists, including another guest appearance from Howe and a new player [[Guthrie Govan]]. Among the drummers on the album was [[Chris Slade]], who had briefly worked with the band in 1999. A stable touring lineup now emerged of Payne, Downes, Govan and Slade.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pardo|first=Pete|title=A Chat With John Payne From Asia|url=http://www.seaoftranquility.org/article.php?sid=440|publisher=Sea of Tranquility|accessdateaccess-date=June 11, 2011}}</ref> This lineup went on to release ''[[Silent Nation]]'' in 2004. In August 2005, Slade left the group to be replaced by [[Jay Schellen]] (who had helped on some writing sessions for ''Silent Nation'').<ref>''Silent Nation'' CD liner notes, InsideOut Music, 2004</ref> After a short period of further touring, the new band started work on an album, tentatively entitled ''Architect of Time'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jimsteinman.com/messageboard/d.php?id=12373|title=Message Board|website=''jimsteinman.com''}}</ref><ref name="auralmoon">{{cite web|url=http://auralmoon.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1523&Itemid=99999999|title=Aural Moon Radio - ASIA (Featuring John Payne) - New Keys|last=RogorMortis|website=''auralmoon.com''}}</ref> which was originally planned for release in 2006.

In early 2006, the partnership between Downes and Payne was dissolved when Downes left for a reunion of the original band lineup under the Asia name,<ref name="goldminemag">{{cite web|url=http://www.goldminemag.com/features/just-call-erik-norlander-the-analog-kid|title=Just call Erik Norlander the 'Analog Kid'|date=February 18, 2011}}</ref> a breakup that Payne described as "painful".<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.theasiaband.com/2008/06/03/scranton-pocono-500-fanfest-interview-with-john/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828084926/http://www.theasiaband.com/2008/06/03/scranton-pocono-500-fanfest-interview-with-john/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 28, 2008|title=Asia featuring John Payne » Blog Archive » Scranton Pocono 500 Fanfest Interview with John|date=August 28, 2008|website=web.archive.org|accessdateaccess-date=May 27, 2019}}</ref> The existing lineup minus Downes, ''i.e.'' Payne, Govan and Schellen, continued working together. They recruited [[Ryo Okumoto]] on keyboards to form new band [[GPS (band)|GPS]], using some of the material planned for ''Architect of Time'' on their debut album, ''Window to the Soul'' (2006).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dingwall.jp/artist/gps/interview.html |publisher=Dingwall Music Inc.|title=John Payne & Guthrie Govan Interview|date=April 3, 2007|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009120507/http://www.dingwall.jp/artist/gps/interview.html|archivedatearchive-date=October 9, 2007}}</ref>

On May 9, 2006, Geoff Downes, John Wetton, Carl Palmer and Steve Howe contractually allowed John Payne to continue as "Asia Featuring John Payne,".<ref name="ASIA Featuring John Payne"/>. Payne also took a significant portion of the rights to the 'Asia' band name following Downes' departure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://regenmag.com/reviews/asia-featuring-john-payne-recollections-a-tribute-to-british-prog/|title=ASIA featuring John Payne – Recollections (A Tribute to British Prog)|date=March 26, 2015}}</ref> Payne regrouped ex-members of Asia and formed the new band Asia Featuring John Payne in May 2007 with Payne on vocals/bass, Guthrie Govan on guitar and Jay Schellen on drums. Later that year, [[Erik Norlander]] was announced on keyboards.<ref name="auralmoon" /><ref name="goldminemag" />

Asia featuring John Payne toured the US through 2008. In 2009, the band released an EP entitled ''Military Man''. The band has continued to tour the US since 2008, performing songs from the entire history of Asia, both before and during Payne's time in the band. In 2009 Govan was replaced by Mitch Perry, a session musician with experience touring with major acts including [[Cher]], [[Michael Schenker]] and [[Edgar Winter]].<ref name="ASIA Featuring John Payne"/> Payne, Govan, and Schellen are also continuing work as GPS.

The band signed a three album deal with [[Sony Music Entertainment Japan|Sony Music Japan]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Moon |first=Jill |title=Touring Asia: Longtime frontman John Payne brings own band version |url=http://www.thetelegraph.com/articles/version-40106-john-alton.html |work=The Telegraph |accessdateaccess-date=June 11, 2011 |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723072449/http://www.thetelegraph.com/articles/version-40106-john-alton.html |archivedatearchive-date=July 23, 2011 |deadurl=yes |dfurl-status=dead }}</ref> A studio album, originally called ''Architect of Time'' (the name ultimately used for a Payne side project instead) and nowthen ''Americana'',<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Caitlin|title=Twenty Questions With Rock Star JOHN PAYNE (of ASIA Featuring John Payne)|date=September 8, 2010 |url=http://celebritiesindisgrace.wordpress.com/2010/09/08/twenty-questions-with-rock-star-john-payne-of-asia-featuring-john-payne-by-caitlin-mccarthy/|publisher=Celebrities in Disgrace|accessdateaccess-date=June 11, 2011| archiveurlarchive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110718091451/http://celebritiesindisgrace.wordpress.com/2010/09/08/twenty-questions-with-rock-star-john-payne-of-asia-featuring-john-payne-by-caitlin-mccarthy/| archivedatearchive-date= July 18, 2011 | deadurlurl-status= nolive}}</ref> was underway and expected for release late in 2012,<ref name="Studio Clips from Americana">{{cite web|title=Studio Clips from "Americana"|url=http://www.theASIAband.com/studio-clips-from-americana/|accessdateaccess-date=August 1, 2012}}</ref> but has beenwas delayed. A digital single and video "Seasons Will Change" was released in late 2012.<ref name="Seasons Will Change (Video)">{{cite web|title=Seasons Will Change Official Video| website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr6JDq6XX3o/|accessdateaccess-date=March 31, 2014}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref>

In August 2011, the band played summer tour dates in the US with a new guitarist, [[Bruce Bouillet]].<ref>"ASIA Featuring John Payne Welcomes Grammy®-Winning Guitarist Bruce Bouillet on Summer Live Dates", Asia Featuring John Payne press release, August 9, 2011</ref> In 2012, the band announced that Bouillet had left to pursue solo work, replacing him with a dual guitar lineup of Moni Scaria and Jeff Kollman.<ref>{{cite web|title=Welcome to Jeff Kollman and Moni Scaria on Guitar|url=http://www.theASIAband.com/welcome-to-jeff-kollman-and-moni-scaria-on-guitar/|accessdateaccess-date=August 1, 2012}}</ref> Also in 2012, the group released a live album "Risen Sun" on Sony Japan, which was the third release of ''Extended Versions'' with a different title.<ref name="ASIA Featuring John Payne Risen Sun Discogs listing">{{cite web|title=ASIA Featuring John Payne Risen Sun Discogs listing|website=[[Discogs]] |url=http://www.discogs.com/Asia-2-Featuring-John-Payne-Live-Risen-Sun/release/4193829|accessdateaccess-date=March 31, 2014}}</ref> On April 15, 2014 the group released an album of covers called ''Recollections: A Tribute to British Prog''.<ref>{{cite web|title=ASIA Featuring John Payne Facebook Timeline Photos|website=[[Facebook]] |url=https://www.facebook.com/ASIA.featuring.John.Payne/photos/a.315374640210.193922.315080810210/10152275918060211/|accessdateaccess-date=March 29, 2014}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=May 2019}}</ref>

In 2014, Norlander was replaced<ref>{{cite web|url=http://getreadytorock.me.uk/blog/2016/08/interview-erik-norlander/|title=Interview: ERIK NORLANDER|last=jason|website=Get Ready to ROCK! News - Reviews - Interviews - Radio|accessdateaccess-date=May 27, 2019}}</ref> by [[Ryo Okumoto]] from [[GPS (band)|GPS]]. Schellen stopped working with the band in 2016, and started filling in for [[Alan White (Yes drummer)|Alan White]] in [[Yes (band)|Yes]] alongside Geoff Downes.<ref name="goldminemag" />

Material by Payne and Norlander for anthe Asia featuring John Payne album to be called ''Americana'', including the single "Seasons Will Change", iswas now to bethen released under the name Dukes of the Orient instead in 2018.<ref name="auto"/> Payne and Norlander described this decision as coming out respect for the passing of John Wetton, also citing this material was written by them and not under Asia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/john-payne-and-erik-norlander-join-forces-in-dukes-of-the-orient/|title=JOHN PAYNE And ERIK NORLANDER Join Forces In DUKES OF THE ORIENT|date=January 12, 2018}}</ref> Asia featuring John Payne (without Norlander) continueshas continued as a live act.

In 2019, the groupAFJP toured on a bill with former [[Foreigner (band)|Foreigner]] singer [[Lou Gramm]], also acting as his back-up band.

*[[Jeffrey Kollman]] - guitar, backing vocals <small>(2012–present)</small><ref>{{citationCitation |last=Nagy |first=Brandon |title=ASIA ft. John Payne {{!}} 2021.10.09 needed|date=February2021-10-09 2017|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/brandondaartist/51573521526/ |access-date=2023-08-12}})</smallref>

*[[John Fedevich|Johnny Fedevich]] - drums, percussion <small>(2017-present2017–present)</small>

*[[Mitch Perry (musician)|Mitch Perry]] - guitar, backing vocals <small>(2009-2011)</small>

*[[Jay Schellen]] - drums, percussion, backing vocals<ref>{{Citation |last=Nielsen |first=Erik |title=PICT2933a |date=2008-11-15 |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/eriknielsen/3034559526/ |access-date=2023-08-12}}</ref> <small>(2007–2016)</small>

'''===Timeline'''===

<div class="left" >{{#tag:timeline|

Period = from:01/01/2007 till:12/3101/20182024

TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

id:lvocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals,_bass,_additional_guitar

Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

ScaleMajor = increment:12 start:2007

*2012: "Seasons Will Change" (digital single and video, later re-released on Dukes of the Orient’s debut album)