Self-Titled Debut Album Out August 19th

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Photo Credit: Dave Lepori

SIX BY SIX is the exciting new trio formed by Ian Crichton (SAGA), Nigel Glockler (SAXON) & Robert Berry (3; EMERSON, BERRY, PALMER), and their eponymous debut album is set for release on August 19th, 2022 via InsideOutMusic/Sony Music.

Following the release & incredible reaction to their first single "Yearning To Fly", the band are pleased to release their second single "Save The Night". Watch the video now on KNAC.COM HERE.

Robert Berry comments: “For every SIX BY SIX song there is something in the extraordinary guitar ideas which Ian sends me that immediately sparks an idea for the lyric and melody. It is quite magical and still a mystery to me how the process precisely unfolds. With this band and debut album it felt like there was a predestined plan that we were following. At this point the creative musical journey for the album was almost complete. But we still needed a big closing song to conclude the album and which could also potentially close our live show. The lyric had to be positive and leave you on an emotional high, and the music needed to build to a powerful finale. Once the arrangement was developed, Nigel laid down a powerful drum track, and then after guitar and vocals were recorded, we were still seeking a special element to keep the song building and leave the listener wanting more. With the addition of an inspired guitar solo, we decided to try two female background singers just to spice it up. And there it was! The last song written, the last song recorded and a fitting end to the album and the live show…. "Save The Night".”

The roots of SIX BY SIX can be traced back several decades to when Glockler and Berry were together as part of YES guitarist Steve Howe’s continuation of the band GTR. Then there’s the ASIA connection, where Crichton and Glockler contributed to sessions and recordings, while Berry was the link for his guitarist friend Pat Thrall joining that band.

Time marches on, paths cross and fate brings these three musicians together, born from a conversation with an industry insider in the UK who connected Ian Crichton in the Toronto area with Robert Berry outside San Francisco, who in turn reached Glockler at his home on the south coast of England.

Powered by Glockler’s dynamic drumming, the result is an expansive guitar-driven pallet, paired sonically with the unique flavour of the Crichton/Berry songwriting collaboration, which they are very excited to present on this debut album.

Ian Crichton comments: “Throughout my career, I’ve been very selective about what to get involved in outside SAGA and when opportunities have arisen, I have said ‘no’ far more often than I have said ‘yes’. When Robert's manager contacted me in 2020 and explained what Robert was seeking to do creatively and how my guitar could be central to the musical vision, I was intrigued. Now it’s over 18 months and many Zoom calls later, but crucially Robert, Nigel and I have also spent plenty of time together at Robert’s base in northern California. We’re three experienced players from three different countries, and with our six hands, we’re here to break the rock music mould. SIX BY SIX is a band that we’ve built together and nurtured into a unique style that I'm very proud of.”

Nigel Glockler continues: “When Robert and Ian first approached me about becoming part of this band, I felt very honoured to be asked and absolutely thrilled to be working with a couple of guys I’ve admired for a long time. Robert and I first met during GTR days and we’ve kept in touch ever since. My path has crossed with Ian many times on the road over the years, so once the three of us got together in California it was like a meeting of old friends. Musically it immediately clicked and working within the framework of a three piece allows us to branch out in all directions and really push ourselves. I’m best known as the SAXON drummer, but I’ve always been a massive fan of progressive rock – GENESIS and PFM are amongst my favourite bands! SIX BY SIX is just the beginning of an exciting journey - bring it on!!”

Robert Berry adds: “After working with the genius of Keith Emerson and losing that musical partnership in 2016 following Keith’s death, I faced a daunting question: whether to bring down the curtain creatively or seek something inspiring which would reach new musical heights. My intuition was to lean into a dramatically more guitar oriented direction. But which guitarist is as impressive as Keith was as a keyboardist? At my manager’s suggestion, an incredible meeting of minds, style and future goals was struck with Ian Crichton. Was it luck, timing or destiny? I think it was all three because 3 is my lucky number. Ian and I were determined to keep this a 3 piece band (there’s that number again) and needed a drummer with a similar mindset and who is a solid, heavy hitter. My friend Nigel Glockler was the perfect fit. And with this extraordinary combination of friendship, musicality, and humor, a Brit, a Canadian and an American have come together as the brand new band SIX BY SIX.”

Available as a Limited CD Digipak, Gatefold 180g LP & as a Digital Album, now available to pre-order here: https://sixbysixband.lnk.to/SixBySix

The full track-listing is as follows:

• "Yearning To Fly"
• "China"
• "Reason To Feel Calm Again"
• "The Upside Of Down"
• "Casino"
• "Live Forever"
• "The Last Words On Earth"
• "Skyfall"
• "Battle Of A Lifetime"
• "Save The Night"