(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) - Vocalist Joseph Michael has joined L.A.-based rock group Desert Dragon and makes his debut with the band at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 7, where they perform with Jack Russell's Great White. Michael will also appear as lead vocalist on Desert Dragon's upcoming studio album currently being recorded with James "Jimbo" Barton (Producer/Mixer for Rush, Queensryche, Eric Clapton, Metallica), the follow-up to their critically lauded EP, Desolation.

Joseph Michael is best known as lead vocalist in the Los Angeles-based metal band White Wizzard on their 2013 release The Devils Cut (Century Media/Earache Records Ltd).  Joseph is related to the late, great metal singer Ronnie James Dio. Michael's vocals have been compared to Dio, Tim "Ripper" Owens and King Diamond.

The colorful musician was also previously vocalist/composer for dark melodic heavy metal band, Midnight Silhouette. Originally born Joseph Michael Furney and hailing from Utica, NY, Michael, now Los Angeles-based, is also a prolific songwriter/composer and multi-Instrumentalist versed in many styles and various instruments. He is also associated withMidnight Reign and known for his work on Vixens Vol. 1 -  writing, performing, producing and providing background vocals on the album.  Michael's song "LMFAO" featuring vocalist Dez Cleo was used in the soundtrack of Fright Night 2 (2013).

Michael was awarded "Metal Song of the Year" at the 2007 Los Angeles Music Awards for "The Hollywood Rx."

Other notable groups Joseph Michael has also written and or played with include The Peppermint Creeps, Zachary Throne, Hayley Dees, Michael Dees, David Chamberlain (Entrzelle, Starmachines), Skronky Kong, and Omery Rising.

Known for their high-energy live shows, Desert Dragon took to the road on a six-city SXSW Tour this past Spring that included a date at Shakespeare's Pub in Austin, TX for the 2014 SXSW conference. KESHA keyboardist Jenn Stone joined Desert Dragon for the tour.  The band was back on a mini-tour in May where they performed live on the rooftop of the Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino Las Vegas and returned to L.A. for a showcase at the House of Blues Sunset Strip the following day (Surge Events).

Last January Desert Dragon recently performed with iconic rock band Blue Oyster Cult at The Canyon Club to great reviews. Vintage Rock's James Shelley wrote, "before I get started on BOC's performance I must shout from the mountain about the opening band, Desert Dragon. In a word, dynamite! These guys rocked! They definitely have the old school sound: heavy on guitars, thick bass lines, dynamic percussion, keyboards. Percussionist Nicholas Mason held everything together. No fancy moves, just solid rock drumming."

National publication Music Connection opined, "(Desert Dragon's) rhythm section is tight...Double-duty DeCario plays deep, sludgy grooves on the bass and atmospheric synthesizers, one of the highlights of the set...the twin guitar attack of Greg Patnode (who also wrote "Darkness Shines") and Thiago Straioto show the kind of balance expected from Judas Priest's K.K. Downing and Glen Tipton, if not with harmonized solos, then definitely with their distinct styles."

In a recently-published review, the L.A. Music Examiner calls Desert Dragon's recent EP release Desolation, "miles away from the competition." Writer Will Phoenix goes on to say, "Darkness Shines" is an energetic introduction to their signature sound..."Miles Away" is yet another song that works well live...every band needs a song like closing cut "Bring Back The Life." Read the entire review here: http://www.examiner.com/article/desert-dragon-s-desolation-is-miles-away-from-the-competition?CID=examiner_alerts_article.

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