The summer of 2005 saw CRASH KELLY support legendary Swedish glam-punks Backyard Babies on a full North American tour, after which they returned home to perform a sold-out hometown show alongside Motley Crue. That same season, front man Sean Kelly was named a finalist in Guitar Player magazine’s “Guitar Hero 2005” competition, which led to a live performance before such six-string luminaries as Joe Satriani and Steve Lukather at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

By year’s end, the group – which also includes guitarist Allister Thompson, drummer Kevin Taylor and bassist Jordan Michael Stewart – had put the finishing touches on its second album, produced by former Guns N’ Roses guitarist (and star of CBS’ “Rock Star: Supernova”) Clarke. In addition to his stints in GNR, Heart and The MC5, Clarke has produced albums by acts as varied as Bullets and Octane, The Bronx and L.A. Guns, and as evident from his four acclaimed solo recordings, he’s a kindred musical spirit to CRASH KELLY. The studio pairing was magical, and Clarke even called in his former GNR/Col. Parker bandmate Teddy “Zig-Zag” Andreadis to contribute piano and keyboards to select tracks.

“The new album is all about honing in on the spirit of the rock album as a collection of great songs,” Sean explains. “Gilby had a huge role, for not only did he have all of the necessary tools to make the album I’d always heard in my head, he has a huge musical personality, great ears and a rock n’ roll heart. He went above and beyond his duties in making a record we could all be proud of. We share many of the same musical references, and he knew exactly what I was talking about when I mentioned a certain Starz recording or the guitar sound on a particular Thin Lizzy song. Plus, when you're trading solos with Gilby Clarke, you can't help but feel that all is right in your rock n’ roll universe!"

On May 1, CRASH KELLY kicked off their Electric Satisfaction tour in grand style with a series of Canadian arena shows alongside Alice Cooper (whom they honor on the album with a cover of the Alice classic “Cold Ethyl”). “Playing with Alice Cooper in an arena setting was the culmination of many teenage fantasies, and it really felt like the beginning of the next phase for CRASH KELLY,” Sean says. “The songs I write are designed to capture the feeling of the best of the ‘70s arena rock giants, and to actually share the stage with one of those giants was an immense pleasure and privilege.”

In addition to the shows alongside Alice Cooper, the band is performing a series of Jagermeister- and B.C. Rich-sponsored “Alice Cooper Afterparty” gigs throughout the month. Further touring will follow, but no matter whether they’re onstage or in your stereo, CRASH KELLY is always 100% Satisfaction guaranteed.

CRASH KELLY on tour (* with Alice Cooper):

5/9 The Starlight – Kitchener, ON
5/11 The Foundation – Barrie, ON
5/12 Bovine Sex Club – Toronto, ON
5/16 Keystone Centre – Brandon, MB*
5/16 North 40 Saloon – Brandon, MB

(late show)