Welcome to the twelth "unofficial" Cheap Trick newsletter. Its been two years since I started this newsletter, so many thanks to all of you for your continuing support and correspondance. Its been a strange and difficult year personally, so my sincere apologies if I havn't answered correspondance as fast as I'd like to. I hope you still find this newsletter both interesting and informative. This issue also includes a review of the New York shows that I recently attended {Newsletter Review - newyork.htm}.

The busy touring schedule for 1998 is drawing to a close, and the remaining shows are currently:

19 Nov - Arena WI; 20 - Milwaukee WI; 21 - Kenosha WI; 25 - Chicago; 27-29 - Detroit (album shows).

It appears that further dates may be added between Dec-Feb (eg, latest rumour suggests album shows in Aurora, Illinois around 9-11 Dec). As always, all dates are subject to confirmation and change. If you are on the internet, the Cheap Trick home page contains the latest information (see below) .

The album shows throughout the autumn have been very well received. Following the Smashing Pumpkins opening for Trick in Chicago in May, Pearl Jam opened for one of the album shows in Seattle in Oct (briefly reported in Kerrang magazine), and Aerosmith joined the band for an encore of "Train kept a-rollin'" in Minneapolis early in November. Bad Boy open the 20 Nov show in Milwaukee, which should be interesting as they feature original Cheap Trick vocalist, Xeno.

Some titbits of information from the Question & Answer session after night #1 in New York. The live album, "Music for Hangovers" is hoped for release in early 1999. I understand the Chicago Metro material from Apr/May 98 forms the basis, but it may also include live material from other 1998 shows. A photo shoot for the album was done at Irving Plaza, after the New York "In Color" show. The band expect to head into the studio in March 1999 to start recording their next studio album. No decision has yet been made on a producer. The band are very unlikely to return to Europe before the next studio album is released.

The first 3 albums ("Cheap Trick"," In Color ... and in Black and White", and "Heaven Tonight") remastered were released on Oct 26 in the UK (and Europe ?). It is expected that further "remasters" will be released during 1999.

Cheap Trick band members feature on the new John Lennon Anthology box set, also the highlights CD titled "Wonsaponatime". In each case, the track is "I'm Losing You". This features Bun E and Rick, but not Tom as incorrectly stated in the CD liner notes, and was recorded with John Lennon in New York in Aug 1980 during the Double Fantasy sessions. Rick and Bun joined a video shoot for this track shortly after the recent New York shows. The version of the second track that Rick and Bun played on ("Moving On") remains officially unavailable.

For those Trick International members amongst you, it looks as if Trickfest 3 will happen in 1999, possibly at the end of May. This is unconfirmed as yet, as is the location (though likely to be within the Chicago area, possibly the band's home town of Rockford). Members will hear direct from TI if/when details are confirmed. If TF3 doesn't happen in May, it might take place later in 1999. My guess is that TF3 will, like TF2, be open only to TI members.

Fan news: An established, and often light hearted fanzine, "One on Four", is available in America. Write to One on Four, PO Box 10942, Fairfield, NJ 07004, USA or e-mail Oneonfour@aol.com. Rates are $18 (US), $20 (Canada), $22 (Rest of World), payable by Intl Money Order in US $ only. Scottish fan Annabelle Maver is planning to set up a new CT fanzine, and would be happy to hear from CT fans who may be interested in subscribing. Write to 11 Hillside Cottages, Parkmore Dufftown, Keith, Banffshire, AB55 4DN Scotland. Another fan happy to correspond with fellow Tricksters is Paolo Carnelli, at Via Eurialo 15, 00181 Roma, Italy (Pcarnel@tin.it).

The official fan service, Trick International is at 1957 - 86th Street, Suite 149, Brooklyn, NY 11214 USA. Write to this address for membership details. Additionally TI can be contacted via e-mail at TRICKINTL@aol.com. Merchandise is available from Trickstuff, 630 S Whitney Way, # 150, Madison, WI 53711, USA. The official Cheap Trick home page on the Internet has been revamped recently and looks terrific. It can be found at http://www.cheaptrick.com, and includes "Cheap Trick Radio", a "Mix room", some video and audio files, and news. Well worth checking out and bookmarking.

I hope you've found this issue informative. I'd be grateful you could send a sae (or more) or IRC for the next issue. This newsletter is also available via e-mail (as "text" only, but including any reports or interviews). If you would prefer to receive it in this way in future, rather than on paper, please write to me or e-mail me. And finally, Merry Trickmas to all !!