PHIL MOGG’s MOGGS MOTEL Releases Second Single, ‘S…

MOGGS MOTEL, the new band featuring UFO singer Phil Mogg, has released its second single and video, “Sunny Side Of Heaven”. The track is taken from the group’s self-titled album, which is due on September 4 via Cleopatra Records in the U.S. and Steamhammer/SPV outside North America.

Mogg said: “Motel update: We have just employed a new chef for the Motel: James Ormsby. He’s from San Francisco and highly recommended. And as the Tonka Town Bar has just opened for our latest single release, he has created a new cocktail called ‘Sunny Side Of Heaven’.

“I was figuring that after all that ‘Apple Pie’ you might want to wash it down with something special, and as the Devil’s Angels in this particular song are related to a Mr. Way and a Mr. Chapman, it’s an ideal way to celebrate being on the Sunny Side.

“I hope you enjoy it and don’t forget now drink responsibly. Yes, I’m talking to you.”

It’s over 50 years since Mogg and co convened the first ever lineup of UFO, but it did not take long at all for them to establishing themselves among the crowned heads of metal, performing before hundreds of thousands of fans and riding the highs of chart success with singles such as “Doctor Doctor”, “Lights Out” and “Only You Can Rock Me”. Now, at an age when most artists would be hanging it up, Mogg is looking forward to an entire new chapter in his historic career, a new band project and a full-length album that delivers everything a fan could hope — stellar songwriting, slick production courtesy of bassist Tony Newton, and unmatched musicianship, including guitar from UFO alum Neil Carter, alongside guitarist Tommy Gentry and drummer Joe Lazarus.

The album’s first single, “Apple Pie”, has already previewed some of what lies in store, a dynamic blast of pure rock fury, complete with harmonizing guitar solos and heavy atmospherics, all topped off by that unmistakable Mogg voice.

“Sunny Side Of Heaven”, if anything, is even more thunderous, a lascivious riff and blitzkrieg percussion. Mogg turns in a vocal for the ages, while guest vocalist Zoe Devlin Love sings her heart out behind him. It’s a devastating combination… but what else would you expect?

Mogg previously said about the LP’s first single: “‘Apple Pie’ is the first track off the MOGGS MOTEL extravaganza. It concerns the quest for a piece of the pie, namely ‘Apple’ because I would like a nice large creamy slice this time around. Also I would get to ride the pony while she’s swishing her tail — how sweet is that! I just need that elusive pie. This track was conjured up towards the end of lockdown. This was our first get together as a team, and a very jolly affair it was too — so enjoy the ride and get a bite… not a nibble please.”

UFO fans, watch out! Anyone who’d feared over the past two years that Mogg, one of the most influential rock vocalists worldwide, would disappear completely from the scene after the demise of his band, in addition to his health problems, has now thankfully been proved wrong.

After a brief hiatus to catch his creative breath, the 76-year-old British musician with the distinctive voice is ready to present his latest band and release, “Moggs Motel”, which he composed together with Tony Newton (bass and keyboards) from the band VOODOO SIX, who had been touring partners with UFO previously, and long-standing associate Neil Carter (guitar, keyboards, vocals). The album was recorded at IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris‘s studio in Essex, U.K. In the studio, the band was joined by Joe Lazarus (drums) and Tommy Gentry (guitar) to complete the lineup.

The album’s twelve timeless songs show that Mogg has lost none of his artistic charisma, uniquely expressive voice and love of unbridled creativity.

MOGGS MOTEL lineup:

Phil Mogg – vocals
Tony Newton – bass, keyboards
Neil Carter – guitar, keyboards, vocals
Joe Lazarus – drums
Tommy Gentry – guitar

In a recent interview with Ultimate Classic Rock to promote the 2024 remastered reissue of UFO‘s 1977 album “Lights Out”, Mogg was asked if there was still “more to do” with the band. He responded: “No, no. I think it’s come to a conclusion. We did that last U.K. tour in 2019, just before COVID. So that was kind of the end of it, and the time was right.”

Mogg suffered a heart attack in August 2022. The musician was rushed to the hospital where he had two stents implanted into his coronary arteries. This is known medically as a coronary angioplasty and aims to re-open the blocked coronary artery by inserting one or more stents. This helps keep the narrowed artery open.

UFO‘s farewell tour was scheduled to kick off on October 15, 2022 at the De Casino in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium and run through a final show at the Fuzz Club in Athens, Greece on October 29, 2022.

In 2021, UFO announced that it would embark on its final tour featuring a series of exclusive concerts in summer 2022 to bid farewell to its fans in style. UFO was scheduled to play the very last concert of in Athens, where the band performed its first show featuring current guitarist Vinnie Moore in February 2004.

UFO guitarist/keyboard player Paul Raymond died in April 2019. He appeared on more than a dozen of UFO‘s albums, including “Lights Out” and the live classic “Strangers In The Night”.

UFO‘s most recent lineup included original members Mogg and drummer Andy Parker, as well as Moore, who joined in 2003, and Rob De Luca (bass),a member since 2012.

UFO‘s latest release was the 2017 covers collection “The Salentino Cuts”.

Photo by Charlie Smith