Since launching a major label career in 1994, COLLECTIVE SOUL has charted a path that most rock bands dream of, but only few achieve. They cut through a noisy 1990s rock scene with a knack for stick-to-you-like-glue melodies, roof-shaking guitars, and a touch of Southern grit. Behind enduring singles like “Shine,” “December,” and “The World I Know,” the band hit the ground running for what would not be a short-lived sprint, but a steady marathon of uncompromising – and always catchy – albums. Since launching, they’ve become one of the most reliable rock bands in America, a tried-and-true force in a world often defined by turmoil and turbulence.
Now COLLECTIVE SOUL is celebrating their 30th anniversary with today’s release of the first song and video, “Mother’s Love,” from their highly anticipated forthcoming double album, HERE TO ETERNITY. Pre-orders of the album will be available tonight at 12:00am Eastern Time on all digital outlets, while the lyric video–created by LyricVids Media–can be now seen on their official YouTube here.
On “Mother’s Love,” Ed Roland sings: “Guess we’re all misunderstood/To what we can and what we should/Still I find above/All my strength from Mother’s Love.” Featuring longtime Paul McCartney guitarist Brian Ray on slide guitar, the track blasts off the turntable with a foot-stompin’, gnarled riff before gliding into a chorus layered by high-flying harmonies. Alongside Ray, who lives in Palm Springs, guests on the album include longtime Sheryl Crow bandleader Peter Stroud and Mickey Thomas of Jefferson Starship fame.
COLLECTIVE SOUL recorded and self-produced HERE TO ETERNITY with co-producer Shawn Grove at Elvis Presley’s estate in Palm Springs, CA. They’re the only other music artist to ever record at the historical landmark.
“I happened to be walkin’ down the street and I had met Brian Ray a couple of times,” Ed Roland said. “I saw him and was like, ‘Brian, hey man. Why don’t you come over and break bread? We’re up at Elvis’ house.’” The invite for a bite of grub turned into a session, of course. With a laugh, Ed Roland added, “I’m gettin’ pretty sneaky in my old age.”
Stepping inside the King’s one-time California getaway, his influence seeped into the album-making process. Ed Roland and album co-producer Shawn Grove slept in the home for the duration of the sessions, which overlapped with the death of Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie in early 2023.
“The sticky DNA, with Elvis being there,” bassist Will Turpin said. “You can just tell it was his designs. All pink tiles. It’s straight out of 1977. It was super cool just to be there and in the zone.”
HERE TO ETERNITY, COLLECTIVE SOUL’s 12th studio release, is due out May 17 on their label, Fuzze-Flex Records distributed physically by AMPED Distribution and digitally by Virgin Music Group. It includes 20 brand new songs which will be available everywhere on digital stores and streaming partners (including a Dolby ATMOS version), as a single disc CD, and as a limited-edition double-disc colored vinyl.
Later this summer, the band will hit the road with Hootie & the Blowfish along with Edwin McCain for the “Summer Camp with Trucks Tour” produced by Live Nation. The trek–which will visit 44 cities across the U.S. and Canada–kicks off May 30 in Dallas and runs through September 28 in West Palm Beach, visiting arenas, amphitheaters and select stadiums such as Boston’s iconic Fenway Park (with special guests Barenaked Ladies) along the way. Tickets are on sale now at LiveNation.com and Citientertainment.com.
With 20 new songs, how does the band decide which to play live? You’ll have to catch a show to find out. “It’s tricky,” Dean Roland explains. “We know we wanna play the songs people came there to see, but it’s still fun. We’re gettin’ up there, doin’ our thing.” And fans can bet on COLLECTIVE SOUL taking songs from HERE TO ETERNITY on the road for years to come. As the album title suggests, three decades is just the start.
The tour will be making a stop here in Michigan at Pine Knob Music Theatre on June 6th. Click here for more infp.