Welcome to the sixth "unofficial" Cheap Trick newsletter.

The band released this statement in September following the cancellation of the European tour:
"Due to the current re-organization of it's U.S. record company (Red Ant) and the impending change in distribution of it's U.K. and European arm, CHEAP TRICK is forced to cancel it's upcoming U.K. and European tour. While the band was looking forward to it's first headline tour in 16 years, they feel with the record company in a state of flux that the total benefits of a tour at this time would not be felt. The band is hoping that the re-organization of the label will occur quickly and that the dates can be re-played in early 1998."
The reorganisation at Red Ant, referred to in the statement, has led to the company's UK office being closed down. However, Red Ant (US) signed a licensing and distribution contract in October with a Dutch based entertainment company, covering Continental and Eastern Europe, with a "new" Red Ant record label planned for the UK. What effect this has on any future touring plans in the UK and Europe, I do not yet know.

It is not clear whether any further singles from the Cheap Trick "1997" album will be released in Britain or Europe in the short term. I previously reported that Anytime appeared to be the likely second single release in the US. That didn't happen, and Hard to Tell was rumoured for US release in mid Nov, but to date does not seem to be on the shelves there.

The band have been touring with Motley Crue in the US during Oct and Nov. Trick's last date on this tour is 22 Nov in Des Moines, Iowa. I have no news of their plans after that, but it looks like they'll have a few weeks break from touring .

The interview Rick & Bun E did for the satellite TV channel VH-1 (UK) for their "Ten of the Best" programme is not scheduled for broadcast in their schedules to the end of December, and seems to have been shelved indefinitely. This also appears to be the fate of the Cheap Trick tribute album "Cheap Shots" . But the satellite (and cable) channel UK GOLD are broadcasting Rock goes to College (first broadcast on BBC in the late 70's) on Friday nights. Keep an eye out on the schedules, as the show featuring Cheap Trick (from Brighton, in 1978) might appear ?

A new Cheap Trick song, Bad Little Girl (written by Robin Zander and Mike Campbell) appears on the Scotty Moore/DJ Fontana (Elvis Presley backing musicians) album entitled "All the Kings Men". It was released in the US in August, but I think is only available in Europe on import.

Trick International have announced that Trickfest '98 may take place in late Feb/early March 1998, and is likely to be a 3 day event, rather than one day. It will be open only to TI members, as the number of available tickets will be limited. The location has not been announced, but is likely to be Chicago or within an hour or two's journey from Chicago. Trick International members will be informed direct when firm plans are in place.

The unofficial Cheap Trick biography written by Mike Hayes, "Reputation is a Fragile Thing" is complete and will shortly be published. It details the history of the band and its members, and spans their entire recording and performing career right up to autumn 1997. With help from writer and publisher, Ken Sharp, it is planned to be available by the end of 1997 or early 1998. Price details are to be finalised, but if you would like to register your interest in acquiring a copy, please either e-mail Ken Sharp at sharpk@aol.com giving your name and address, or write to him at PO Box 1249, Willow Grove, PA19090, USA.

For those of you on the Internet, the band took part in an entertaining "chat" for America Online late in October. Look out for similar happenings in future, which are usually announced on the official Cheap Trick Web site (http://aol.members/melkel/index.html) or the Newsgroup at alt.music.cheap_trick. An "online" concert from the House of Blues, Los Angeles, recorded in late March 1997 can also be found at www.liveconcerts.com, and there are a number of unofficial (and entertaining) Cheap Trick pages produced by fans that can be found on the World Wide Web.

To remind you that Trick International can be contacted at PO Box 7118, FDR Station, New York, NY 10150, USA. Merchandise can be ordered from Trickstuff, 630 S Whitney Way, # 150, Madison, WI 53711, USA. Remember that you can get a 10% discount on most orders (other than special offers) if you are a TI member.

I hope you've found this issue informative. Unless you have already done so, please send an sae (UK) or International Reply Coupon (IRC) (Europe) for the next issue.