Fresh from a 95-date world tour and album release with THE WINERY DOGS in 2023, Richie Kotzen returns with a brand new single and lyric video called “Cheap Shots” released today (May 1). A gloriously powerful slice of guitar-driven and hard-riffin’ heavy rock, with Kotzen‘s passionate vocals calling out haters and people who take advantage of others, it pulls no punches and delivers knockout hooks throughout.
“I really never know how, when or where inspiration will strike for a song idea,” explains Kotzen. “I never try to force anything because I know ultimately at some point in time life will hand you a situation and for a guy like myself that is the perfect spark. I’m not someone that likes to outwardly go at it with someone if I feel I was wronged but I certainly use my creative outlet as a song writer to exercise that stuff out of me so I never find myself carrying around resentment or bad vibes. So if someone does you wrong, multiple times, then we’re done here. You’re your own worst enemy. I’ve tried to help and now I’m a target? Nope… No thanks… I’m off the bus. My attitude is ‘Get it out! Throw it in the trash where it belongs.’ Move on and forget ’em! That is really where the song is coming from.”
The single, which will be a part of a full-length album to be released later in the year, came together very quickly in March 2024 after a trip back to Kotzen‘s original hometown of Reading, Pennsylvania.
“It has been quite a while since I have released new solo music and I feel very fulfilled to have come to a place where I’ve got new music I believe in,” continues Kotzen. “Although I find myself writing all the time not always do I feel compelled to share the work. When the story for ‘Cheap Shots’ came to me, I knew I had the perfect lead track to follow up where I left off from my previous record.
“Of course I’m thrilled to be able to say I’ve got a new song for you but I’m equally overjoyed to announce the upcoming live dates. In fact, the timing is perfect as we embark on an extensive European tour in June which will end in the U.K. on July 13th at London’s Islington Assembly Hall. And these dates will most likely spill into a North American fall tour as well.”
Ahead of Kotzen‘s European tour, he plays two warm-up shows in Southern California in mid-May. Full tour dates are below. Tickets and VIP package links at richiekotzen.com.
USA:
May 17 – The Canyon Montclair, Montclair, CA
May 18 – The Canyon Agoura Hills, Agoura Hills, CA
Europe:
Jun. 04 – Batschkapp, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
Jun. 05 – Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany
Jun. 06 – Rosenhof GmbH, Osnabrück, Germany
Jun. 08 – Sweden Rock Festival 2024, Sölvesborg, Sweden
Jun. 09 – Pumpehuset, København, Denmark
Jun. 11 – Victory Podium, Alkmaar, Netherlands
Jun. 12 – Turbinenhalle Oberhausen, Oberhausen, Germany
Jun. 13 – Metropool, Hengelo, Netherlands
Jun. 14 – Le Forum, Vaureal, France
Jun. 16 – Sala Riviera, Madrid, Spain (SOLD OUT)
Jun. 17 – La Salamandra, Barcelona, Spain
Jun. 20 – Rock Imperium Festival 2024, Cartagena, Spain
Jun. 22 – Crossroad, Angoulins, France
Jun. 24 – Garage, Saarbrucken, Germany
Jun. 25 – Große Freiheit, Hamburg, Germany
Jun. 26 – F-Haus, Jena, Germany
Jun. 28 – Backstage Halle, Munich, Germany
Jun. 29 – Amphiteatre, Sokolov, Czechia
Jun. 30 – Charita Olomouc, Olomouc 9, Czechia
Jul. 01 – Collosseum Club, Košice I, Slovakia
Jul. 04 – Dürer Kert, Budapest, Hungary
Jul. 05 – Majestic Music Club, Bratislava I, Slovakia
Jul. 06 – Metal Park 2024, Romano D’ezzelino, Italy
Jul. 07 – Dynamo, Zürich, Switzerland
Jul. 10 – Limelight, Belfast, United Kingdom
Jul. 11 – Opium Live, Dublin 8, Ireland
Jul. 13 – Islington Assembly Hall, London, United Kingdom
Kotzen has performed on some of the biggest stages in the world since he first signed a deal with Shrapnel Records in 1988 as a guitar prodigy. He began releasing records both as a solo artist and in multi-platinum bands POISON, MR. BIG and THE WINERY DOGS. Now known also as a prolific songwriter and one half of acclaimed duo SMITH/KOTZEN with IRON MAIDEN‘s Adrian Smith, Richie‘s ever-growing back catalogue (including more than 20 solo albums) ensure that his fans around the world are constantly treated to his prodigious talent both recorded and live.
Photo credit: Travis Shinn