Drummer Chad Smith Says Chili Peppers Struck Deal with Metallica to Headline Orion + More Festival
Red Hot Chili Peppers will be one of the headliners for the second edition of Metallica’s Orion Music + More Festival this summer, and drummer Chad Smith says that to get the Chili Peppers on the roster, Metallica made them an offer they couldn’t refuse.
“They said if you come and play the festival, we will come and play a [charity] show for [bassist] Flea’s Silverlake Conservatory of Music, which is a non-profit music school,” he tells ABC News Radio. “It’s a beautiful thing [and] it’s a great school, so it’s a win-win.”
Smith says he’s looking forward to performing at the fest, which will take place June 8-9 at Belle Isle Park in Detroit, MI, near Smith's hometown. “I grew up in Michigan outside of Detroit,” he says. “It’s a great place to play music…and my mother still lives in the house I grew up in, so she’s really happy. She gets to see me and then I’ll bring my family in and she can see the kids and…[we’ll] make it a good weekend.”
In other Smith news, the drummer is headed to Washington D.C. next month to join members of the National Association of Music Merchants to lobby Congress about the importance of funding comprehensive music education in schools. Smith will be speaking to NAMM delegates and guests at a dinner at the U.S. Capitol on March 19, and will be in meetings on Capitol Hill with members of Congress on March 20.
Megadeth to Release Super Collider in June
Megadeth has a new album headed our way. The band has just announced that they will drop their 14th studio album, Super Collider, sometime in June. The upcoming album will be the first release on frontman Dave Mustaine’s new label, Tradecraft, through Universal Music Enterprises.
“We have worked with some great people over the years, and it is amazing to see so many of them on the Universal team for our new record, Super Collider,” said Mustaine in a statement. “If Megadeth being here isn’t satiating enough, having Tradecraft as my own label is going to be really amazing for metal bands around the world.”
Nine Inch Nails Confirms First Summer Festival Appearances
Nine Inch Nails have just confirmed their first two summer festival performances of 2013. The band, whose new lineup includes frontman Trent Reznor, former Jane’s Addictionbassist Eric Avery, King Crimson multi-instrumentalist Adrian Belew, Alessandro Cortini, Telefon Tel Aviv’s Josh Eustis, and Ilan Rubin, will be performing at Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival, which runs July 26-28, and at Germany’s Rock ‘n’ Heim Festival, which takes place August 16-18.
While the band is expected to announce more tour dates soon, Billboard quotes sources saying that NIN will be performing at this year’s Lollapalooza festival, which takes place August 2-4 in Chicago, IL.
Stone Sour/Slipknot Frontman Corey Taylor to Speak at SXSW Festival
Producers of the South by Southwest festival have revealed that Stone Sour/Slipknotfrontman Corey Taylor will be speaking at an event during the fest, which runs March 12-17 in Austin, Texas.
Titled “What the Hell Was That?! Corey Taylor & the Art of Making Mistakes,” Taylor discussion will focus on his personal experiences as “a band member, best-selling author, Grammy winner and Oxford University speaker.” It will take place on March 15 at 2 p.m. in Ballroom E of the Austin Convention Center.
In addition, the singer will sign copies of his book, Seven Deadly Sins: Settling the Argument Between Born Bad and Damaged Good, at the South by Book Store immediately following his talk.
Lars Ulrich Says Metallica Probably Won’t Play Any Full Albums During Upcoming Orion + More Fest
Last year, Metallica thrilled fans by performing 1984’s Ride the Lightning and 1991’s Metallica, a.k.a. the Black Album, in their entirety during their inaugural Orion Music + More Festival. However, drummer Lars Ulrich says that fans shouldn't expect the band to perform any full albums during their sets at the fest’s upcoming second installment, which takes place June 8-9 at Belle Isle Park in Detroit, Michigan.
“I think you’ve got to be careful that it doesn’t become something that people expect from you every year, especially when you only put records out every five years like we do,” Ulrich tells Revolver. “We’ll run out of records to play at some point pretty quick. I think it’s something that we’ll keep doing throughout Metallica’s next decade or so, but I don’t know if we’re going to do it at this year’s Orion Festival.”
Ulrich adds that the band will be adding something new to the festival this year: a stage that features electronic dance music. “When we played at the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco in August…our kids dragged us over to the electronic tent,” he explains. “I stood on the side of the stage and watched 20,000 to 25,000 14-year-old kids go absolutely f**king apes**t to Skrillex. And so we both stood there with our kids and were like…we’ve got to bring some of that to the Orion Festival.”
With Metallica, more than 30 bands will take the stage at the fest, including headlining sets by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rise Against, Deftones and Bassnectar. Other bands set to perform include Silversun Pickups, Dropkick Murphys, Gogol Bordello, and Foals.
Scott Weiland Says Stone Temple Pilots Never Told Him He Was Fired
On Wednesday morning, Stone Temple Pilots released a one-sentence statement saying that they have “officially terminated” founding member Scott Weiland as their frontman. Now, Weiland has released a statement of his own claiming that he had no idea that was being dismissed from the band.
"I learned of my supposed 'termination' from Stone Temple Pilots this morning by reading about it in the press," said Weiland. "Not sure how I can be 'terminated' from a band that I founded, fronted and co-wrote many of its biggest hits, but that's something for the lawyers to figure out."
Weiland adds that he's "looking forward to seeing all of my fans" on his solo tour where he'll be performing STP’s first two albums, 1992’s Core and 1994’s Purple, with his new solo band, The Wildabouts. That outing kicks off on Friday at The Machine Shop in Flint, MI.
While STP's future is uncertain, Weiland has said that he plans to release a solo album with The Wildabouts sometime in the near future.
Stone Temple Pilots Fire Scott Weiland
Stone Temple Pilots needs a new lead singer. The band released a one-sentence statement Wednesday morning, saying that they have “officially terminated” founding member Scott Weiland as their frontman. A replacement for Weiland has yet to be announced.
The announcement comes just two weeks after Weiland scheduled a number of solo tour dates where he would be performing STP’s first two albums, 1992’s Core and 1994’s Purple, with his new solo band, The Wildabouts.
While STP's future is uncertain, Weiland has said that he plans to release a solo album with The Wildabouts sometime in the near future.
If you're keeping score, it was five years ago that Weiland left Velvet Revolver under less than amiable circumstances.
MACHINE HEAD Frontman On Firing Of Bassist ADAM DUCE: 'I Just Couldn't Take It Anymore'
Guitarist/vocalist Robb Flynn of San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD has posted the following message in the latest installment of his online blog, "The General Journals: Diary Of A Frontman... And Other Ramblings - Life Affirming":
"2-11-13. That is the date we fired [MACHINE HEAD bassist] Adam Duce. That is the day that I had to tell Adam that after 21 years of being in a band together, I just couldn't take it anymore.
"That is the day I said, 'My hope is that this can be amicable.'
"The words sounded like someone else had spoken them.
"It was like being outside of my body watching someone else deliver these painful words.
"But it was me saying it.
"And we all said it.
"We had our say sitting in our jam room in Oakland. Dave [McClain, drums] said it. Joseph (our manager) said it. Phil [Demmel, guitar] said it. We all said that we couldn't take being in a band with him anymore. That if this didn't happen, we were going to break up the band.
"It was hard. One of the hardest moments of my life.
"It was also a long time coming.
"We may have fired Adam on 2-11-13, but Adam quit MACHINE HEADwell over a decade ago. He just never bothered to tell anyone… but we all knew it.
"Contrary to popular belief, being in a band is tough. Really fucking tough. It's the toughest sonofabitch you'll ever come across in your life and it will beat the living shit out of you 80% of the time. Many times it feels like one big rollercoaster, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. There are wins and losses seemingly every single day. Being in a band is one of life’s strangest gambles.
"But when you do win, when you win that 20%, well... it truly is salvation. It's what makes eating the other 80% of that shit sandwich bearable. It's where 'those' stories come from. It can be the best job you'll ever have and unquestionably one of the hardest you'll ever have. But until you've done it for 20+ years, you have no clue. Until you've held a band together for 20+ years, you really don't know jack shit about it.
"You think you do.
"You don't.
"A band is a dysfunctional family. A brotherhood, a family business, and a renaissance-era-court. You're roommates in studio-apartment-on-wheels for years at a time, 24 hours a day. Plus you're in the pressure cooker of the spotlight, every move analyzed, read into, or attacked. Everybody wants something from you, everybody wants to be your friend, everybody loves you, everybody can do so much better for you than the people you have now. Some people try and turn you against each other, and everyone wants to take credit for your success.
"Often time you're enemies. At odds and fighting about something, but 'pretending' everything is 'fine' onstage.
"But it isn't...
"You just wear a mask that looks like it's fine, and after 20 years, we know that mask so well, it slides on way too fuckin' easy.
"Adam hasn't been happy in this band for a long time. But how do you leave? To a guy like Adam, everything is either winning or losing. A stunning victory or the ultimate failure. There was no in between. And while that sounds great for a TV show or an interview soundbite, or even a John Wayne movie that wraps up in 90 minutes... life just isn't like that.
"And life certainly isn't like that for a band like MACHINE HEAD. A band who operate in the upper-middle-tier. For us, there are no stunning victories, only respectable wins. No ultimate failures, just better-luck-next-times. We carved a niche, we OWN that niche, but it's still just a niche. Nothing wrong with that.
"No matter how unhappy or fed up he got, quitting the band would be seen as 'losing' or a 'failure.' Truth be told, he was sick of it. Sick of touring, sick of recording, sick of practicing, sick of looking at album artwork, sick of being on a team but never getting the ball, sick of yearning for the honeymoon to resume when 20 years deep it never does. Sick of never quite hitting the big time, sick of carving the niche... sick of caring.
"I don't blame him. It's hard to keep the passion.
"But he just wouldn't quit.
"We wanted him to quit. We were hoping he would quit, 'Guys, my heart isn't in this anymore, it was a good run, later dayz.' We didn't want it to come to this...
"But he wouldn't.
"I didn't feel anything as I drove away from the jam room that night. When I awoke the next morning I didn't feel anything either. I wasn't 'numb,' I still 'felt,' was just kinda blank. But three days after the meeting, an argument broke out in the jam room about how conflicted I felt about it. Then I cried.
"I cried and cried.
"I've cried every day since. I've been an emotional wreck. I cried writing this. I was sick the day that we announced it (11 days and 2 General Journals after actually doing it), walking around about to vomit for hours.
"I met with him for a couple hours last Wednesday, met with him yesterday. It's civil.
"I don't know what else to say.
"I don't have some inspirational quote to end with here. I'm not gonna sit here and tell you everything is gonna be all right, or that's it gonna be the same. At this moment I can’t even bring myself to say that it's going to be better.
"Why?
"Because it sucks.
"It fucking sucks.
"It sucks for everyone who tried to save this.
"It sucks more than you can imagine...
"It's a horrible relief."
BRIAN 'HEAD' WELCH On Reunion With KORN: 'It's So Cool To Feel So Welcome'
KORN will reunite with founding guitarist Brian "Head" Welch for several festival shows this summer, including two dates in Germany, one concert in the United Kingdom and at the upcoming Rock On The Range festival in Columbus, Ohio.
Welch, who has just released an album with his new band LOVE & DEATH, doesn't rule out the possibility of a full U.S. tour with KORN or a collaboration on the band's next studio album.
"We're not trying to tease; it's really a sensitive thing," he tells Loudwirein a new video interview which can be seen below. "And it's seriously, like, we're taking it slow. We're getting together and we're hanging out and we're talking about playing shows and I'm just saying anything is possible right now. But at the same time, I haven't been on the road with them. I think [KORN guitarist] Munky did an interview not too long ago where he was, like, 'We've gotta be around each other every day.' As far as right now, it's all good — it's all good — and I've never seen my family so positive and healthy and happy. There's no drama, there's no fighting, from what I've seen, the little I've been around them. And so I'd say anything is possible. We're talking and we'll see what happens."
He continues: "I'd love to do LOVE & DEATH, even if [I rejoin] KORN [as a permanent member]. LOVE & DEATH is, like, my whole project to just get what's in my soul out into words and stuff, so I'd love to do always do that, but the KORN thing, man, it's just… I love those guys and just connecting with the fans again, it's just like… It's so cool to feel so welcome, you know?!
"We're talking about a lot of stuff right now. It's just like friends back together — that's the main thing right now. I think it would be something that we would know, like maybe in the fall or something like that. But, again, we're not trying to pull any tricks, we're just going slow because it's been so long and I've been busy, so we've just gotta get together more."
Welch joined KORN onstage for the song "Blind" last May at theCarolina Rebellion festival in Rockingham, North Carolina, marking the first time in eight years that KORN played with Welch.
According to Welch, the feedback he has received from KORN fans thus far has been overwhelmingly positive. "Everyone is broken in this world. There's so much divorce, hate and unforgiveness. For people to see this, I think it's just really uplifting," he told Rolling Stone magazine. "I never thought it would happen, and I'm not sure they did either. The fans just love it, because a lot of the fans back in the day were like, suicidal, and from broken homes and abuse. They looked up to us like their family. And to see their family split up was hard on them. To get it put back together, there is a joy around the people who care about it."
Welch left KORN in 2005 to become a born-again Christian. The band never officially replaced him and stayed a four-piece, although they've used several touring guitarists for live work.
KORN has been touring for much of the past year behind its 10th studio album, "The Path Of Totality", but has also begun work on a new set of material.
BUCKCHERRY's 'Confessions' Cracks U.S. Top 20
"Confessions", the sixth studio album from Californian rockers BUCKCHERRY, sold 18,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 20 on The Billboard 200 chart.
BUCKCHERRY's previous CD, "All Night Long", opened with around 28,000 units in August 2010 to debut at No. 10.
The band's fourth studio effort, titled "Black Butterfly", premiered with around 47,000 copies back in September 2008 to enter the chart at No. 8.
To celebrate the release of "Confessions", the Los Angeles rock band —Josh Todd (vocals), Keith Nelson (guitar), Stevie D. (guitar), Jimmy Ashhurst (bass), Xavier Muriel (drums) — will headline three intimate hometown shows at The Viper Room in West Hollywood on March 7, 8 and 9.
"The Viper Room is where it all began for us," says Todd. "At one point when we would hit the stage in that small club, the crowd sounded like an arena. It was so explosive that we landed a record deal and now 15 years later we're coming back to do it all again."
"Confessions" was produced by Keith Nelson and Marti Frederiksen(AEROSMITH, OZZY OSBOURNE) and features eclectic CD artwork by graffiti artist Ewok. The songs on "Confessions" merge punk grit, gutter attitude, honest storytelling, and razor sharp hooks, while the lyrics are tied together by the underlying theme of the Seven Deadly Sins.
In a recent interview with Loudwire.com, Todd elaborated on the album's subject matter. Josh explained, "There was a point in my life when I was a youth when I lost a family member and I acted out in my grieving process through the deadly sins, so that's kind of what the story's about on the record. I think the seven sins are timeless and that everybody struggles with them in their daily lives all the time."
The album's first single, "Gluttony", is impacting Active Rock in the U.S. and Top 5 at Active Rock in Canada. The provocative video for"Gluttony" — directed by Billy Jayne and filmed in a North Hollywood church — can be seen below.
A two-disc deluxe version of the "Confessions" CD is also available and features the bonus tracks "Give 'Em What They Want" and "When The Fire Starts". In addition, a bonus DVD includes the "Gluttony" music video and lyric video, behind-the-scenes footage and band interviews from the set of the "Gluttony" video shoot, and "The Story Behind Confessions" featurette. "Confessions" will also be released on vinyl in April.
Source: Blabbermouth.net
Jack White Reveals He Recorded New Music with Raconteurs; Talks Next Solo Album
It appears that there may be some new music from The Raconteurs headed our way. Singer Jack White says that he recently got together with the band in the studio to create some new material.
“All The Raconteurs and all The Dead Weather live in Nashville now, so we often go on trips together, because we're all just good pals,” he tells Rolling Stone. “We've recorded some things, too. And [guitarist and co-frontman] Brendan [Benson] and The Raconteurs just built a new studio right in town, so it's a lot of great inspiration going around.”
White adds that he’s also working on “20 to 25 tracks” for his second solo album, and that the new songs will feature “many different styles” of music. “I don't pick my style and then write a song,” he explains. “I just write whatever comes out of me, and whatever style it is is what it is, and it becomes something later. Someone else can label it if they want to, but as it's being written and recorded I'm just trying to service the song as best as possible.”
Scott Weiland Reveals Reasons for Launching Purple at the Core Tour Without STP; Talks New Solo Album
On Friday, Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland will be launching a new solo tour where he’ll be performing tracks from the band's first two albums: 1992’s Core and 1994’s Purple. The singer says that he's wanted for quite some time to do a special tour to honor the albums.
"Originally, it was an idea I came up with for STP for the anniversary of Core to do theCore album in its entirety," Weiland tells MLive.com. "The rest of the guys didn't want to do it. I talked to the guys in my solo band, The Wildabouts, and they were totally into it, as were the promoters. It worked out."
Weiland adds that he’s also about halfway done making a new solo album with The Wildabouts. "This is something where the new album is more of a rock 'n' roll album, as opposed to more of the sort of outside-the-box artistic sonic adventures that we've gone on in the past,” he explains. "The record that we're making, hopefully will attract more of the STP and Velvet Revolver fans. I think it will also help that we're doing this tour this way."
A title and release date for the album has yet to be revealed.
Metallica Announces Lineup for 2nd Annual Orion Music + More Festival
Metallica has revealed the lineup for the second edition of their Orion Music + More Festival, which takes place June 8-9 at Belle Isle Park in Detroit, MI.
More than 30 bands will take the stage at the fest, including headlining sets by Metallica,Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rise Against, Deftones and Bassnectar. Other bands set to perform include Silversun Pickups, Dropkick Murphys, Gogol Bordello, and Foals.
"Last year's Orion Music + More Festival was hands down the highlight of the Metallica calendar,” said drummer Lars Ulrich in a statement. "The fact that it also resonated with enough of our fans and friends that it warrants another go-around in '13 is beyond exciting. I can think of no better place than the Motor City, with its rich and diverse history of music, for the second ride on our Orion festival train.”
In addition to the performances, the festival will once again offer up attractions curated by members of Metallica. Fans will get the chance to check out frontman James Hetfield's custom car and motorcycle show, watch movies in the Hit the Lights film tent with Ulrich, and experience guitarist Kirk Hammett’s extensive horror memorabilia collection in Kirk’s Crypt. A Metallica museum will also be featured on the festival grounds.
Fan club pre-sales for the festival begin Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET and will run through Thursday, with two-day passes starting at $150. The public will get access to the tickets on Friday at 10 a.m. ET. Visit OrionMusicandMore.com to buy tickets.
Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Discusses Vegas Meltdown in Rolling Stone
Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong doesn't remember much about his meltdown at a Las Vegas music festival last September, which prompted him to enter rehab for substance abuse treatment.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Armstrong says he remembers "tiny things" about his band's performance that night, during which he profanely claimed that the group's set was being cut short and he smashed his guitar into the stage floor.
Armstrong recalls, "The next morning, I woke up. I asked [my wife] Adrienne, 'How bad was it?' She said, 'It's bad.' I called my manager. He said, 'You're getting on a plane, going back to Oakland and going into rehab immediately.'"
Armstrong says his struggles with alcohol and prescription drugs were so great leading up to the incident that he "couldn't predict" where he was going to end up on any given night. He says, "I'd wake up in a strange house on a couch. I wouldn't remember how. It was a complete blackout."
The interview is featured in the issue of Rolling Stone hitting newsstands this Friday, with Armstrong on the cover.
The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach to Appear on ABC's Nashville on Wednesday
The Black Keys guitarist Dan Auerbach is set to play himself on ABC's Nashville on Wednesday night. He'll join country stars Kip Moore, Vince Gill and Pam Tillis in the episode, titled “Dear Brother,” which features the Nashville-based musicians hanging out at a surprise birthday party for Deacon, played by actor Charles Esten, at The Bluebird Café.
Auerbach’s appearance, which can be viewed at RollingStone.com, shows the guitarist offering some kind words to actress Connie Britton’s character Rayna, who is going through a tough divorce.
This isn’t the first time that Auerbach has appeared on a TV show to do something other than play or talk about music. Last year, he and Keys drummer Patrick Carneyappeared on an episode of celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain's Travel Channel show, No Reservations. In addition, the Keys briefly appeared as guys with long ponytails in an episode of Comedy Central’s Workaholics. Nashville airs Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.
Kings of Leon to Headline UK’s V Festival
Kings of Leon have added another summer music festival to their calendar. The band will headline this year’s V Festival in the U.K., set to take place on August 17-18 in both Hylands Park in Essex and Weston Park in Staffordshire. The band is currently in the studio working on its sixth studio album and is expected to play some new songs from the forthcoming release at the festival.
Other artists appearing at the 18th edition of the V Festival include fun., Two Door Cinema Club and Of Monsters and Men, plus more. To see the complete artist roster, head over to VFestival.com.
Green Day Schedule Three Live Club Dates Ahead of 2013 Tour
Want to see Green Day, up close and personal? If you're lucky enough to live in Pomona, California; Tempe, Arizona or El Paso, Texas, you'll get the chance next month.
The band has scheduled three live club dates ahead of their official 2013 tour, which starts March 28 in Rosemont, Illinois. The three dates are March 10 at the Fox Theater in Pomona, March 11th at The Marquee in Tempe, and March 13 at Tricky Falls in El Paso. Tickets for these three shows go on sale this Friday, March 1 at 10 a.m. local time.
Green Day's documentary film ¡Cuatro! will be featured at the 20th Anniversary edition of the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival, which runs from March 8 - 16, 2013 in Austin, Texas. In addition, a second Green Day film, Broadway Idiot -- a backstage look at the creation of the American Idiot Broadway musical -- will world premiere at SXSW. The band will perform at Austin's Moody Theater on March 15 as part of the festivities.
TOOL Marks 21st Anniversary Of 'Opiate' With Commemorative Limited-Edition Package
TOOL will release a handcrafted, bonus-laden, limited-edition package of its original debut EP, "Opiate", on March 26 to mark the 21st anniversary of the six-song release.
The anniversary edition is limited to 5,000 copies and features art direction by Adam Jones, illustrations by legendary artist Adi Granov and design packaging by Mackie Osborne, who has collaborated with TOOL on many albums, including "10,000 Days", "Lateralus" and "Salival" as well as posters and merchandise.
The 5,000 copies will be broken down as 5 x 1,000 runs with each set featuring a variation of the exterior graphics and included bonus items which include a new stereoscopic image for fans to use with their glasses from the "10,000 Days" packaging.
The packages will only be available via TOOL's web site on March 26 and there will be no pre-orders. A limit of three packages from each of the 5 x 1,000 versions will be in place. More details to be announced soon.
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS Frontman Talks About Performing 'Core' And 'Purple' Songs On Upcoming Tour
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS/ex-VELVET REVOLVER frontman Scott Weilandrecently spoke to MLive.com about his upcoming tour and and album with his solo bandTHE WILDABOUTS (consisting of multi-instrumentalistDoug Grean, bassist Tommy Black, drummer Dan Thompson and guitarist Jeremy Brown).
"I'm really looking forward to it," Weiland said about the 20-city run of dates which will see him performing songs from the first two STONE TEMPLE PILOTS albums, 1992's "Core" and 1994's "Purple". "It's going to be really exciting — something completely new."
Regarding how the concept for the tour came about, Weiland said: "Well, originally, it was an idea I came up with for STP for the anniversary of'Core' to do the 'Core' album in its entirety. The rest of the guys didn't want to do it. So, it was still something that there was a lot of public interest in. Having that said, the idea was brought up to me through management. I talked to the guys in my solo band, THE WILDABOUTS, and they were totally into it, as were the promoters. It worked out."
He added: "We're still going to do some of our space jams and have them correlate into some of our STP songs and a couple STP songs into a couple of the covers that we've done during our solo band stuff."
As for the upcoming studio CD, Weiland described it as "more of a rock 'n' roll album, as opposed to more of the sort of outside-the-box artistic sonic adventures that we've gone on in the past.
"The record that we're making, hopefully will attract more of the STP and VELVET REVOLVER fans. I think it will also help that we're doing this tour this way."
Weiland and THE WILDABOUTS have not yet secured a label deal for the upcoming album, which they are producing themselves. He says of the process: "[it] isn't hard, unless you have a group of guys like STP where every single person in the band is a producer. It's not as difficult in this situation. We're writing together. It's actually a lot easier. We're allowing everyone to put in their input and it's coming across much more as a rock 'n' roll record, but it's much more organic sounding."
HINDER: Official 'Should Have Known Better' Lyric Video Released
The official lyric video for the song "Should Have Known Better" from Oklahoma hard rockers HINDER can be seen below. The track comes off the band's fourth album, "Welcome To The Freakshow", which was released on December 4, 2012 via Republic Records. The CD was co-produced by HINDER drummer Cody Hanson and Marshall Dutton.
According to The Pulse Of Radio, HINDER frontman Austin Winkler toldBillboard on that a "really dark drug binge" fueled much of his songwriting on "Welcome To The Freakshow". Winkler explained to The Pulse Of Radio what his state of mind was during this tough period. "I was in a very, very, very dark addiction, and you can kind of hear the turmoil in my voice and stuff like that," he said. "And, you know, as soon as we got the record done I went into treatment to get help, and it's interesting to go back and listen to it now."
Winkler told Billboard that he entered rehab as soon as the record was finished. The album follows 2010's "All American Nightmare".
The first single, "Save Me", touches on Winkler's struggle, with him saying, "I had a really nasty attitude in that song, but I had a blast singing and recording it. I think it's our heaviest single yet, and we're getting a pretty good response."
The vocalist called the new disc "really diverse," adding that "it's going to surprise a lot of people."
"Welcome to The Freakshow" track listing:
01. Save Me
02. Ladies Come First
03. Should Have Known Better
04. Freakshow
05. Talk To Me
06. Get Me Away From You
07. Is It Just Me
08. I Don't Wanna Believe
09. See You In Hell
10. Anyone But You
11. Wanna Be Rich
COREY TAYLOR Says He Never Gave SLIPKNOT Bandmates 'Homework' For Next Album
Although it has been reported on some blogs and web sites that SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor gave the rest of the band"homework" to do for their next studio album, he tells Artisan News that he was misquoted. "I never fucking said that," Corey says. "What I did was is I asked them to jot down their feelings, no matter how good or gnarly they are, about [late SLIPKNOT bassist] Paul [Gray] and about his passing and how it affected them. 'Cause for this album — if and when we make this new SLIPKNOT album, which will probably be a while; it'll probably be a year and a half, two years — for this to work, everyone has to have a voice on this album. And I refuse to let it be anything other than that — whether it's riffs, whether it's lines, whether it's full-blown songs; it doesn't matter. Everyone needs to have a voice on this album or it's just not meant to be. So I've been encouraging the guys to kind of just write stuff down, no matter how trivial they feel it is, just write it down and give it to me, and we'll find some art in it."
Taylor told Loudwire that SLIPKNOT will play five festival shows this year, all overseas, and that other, unnamed members of the band are "getting healthy and trying to stay healthy," although he did not go into detail.
He mentioned a similar timeline in that interview as well, saying that the band would begin demoing material in late 2014.
SLIPKNOT's last U.S. performances were its own Knotfest shows, which took place last August in Council Bluffs, Iowa and Somerset, Wisconsin.
SLIPKNOT bassist Paul Gray died in May 2010 from an overdose of drugs — a devastating tragedy which brought the other members of the band closer together and helped them reconnect after they grew apart through years of touring and success.
"We had all stretched ourselves into different lives for the most part, and then we lost Paul," Taylor told DesMoinesRegister.com in August. "It was such a shock to us that it made us sit up and look at what we were doing with our lives and how we were toward each other. We were so close in the beginning, then for whatever reason we all drifted apart here and there.
"Losing someone like that, a great friend and an amazing brother — someone who is so important to the band in so many ways — you start to look at what you take for granted."
Gray made his final recorded appearance on SLIPKNOT's 2008 album, "All Hope Is Gone", which was certified platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) in August 2010 for shipments in excess of one million copes in the United States — the band's fourth consecutive full-length release to achieve the milestone.
Source: Blabbermouth.net
Green Day to Perform at SXSW Festival
Green Day has just announced that they’ll be performing at next month’s South by Southwest festival. Shortly after the band screens their two documentaries at the fest,¡Cuatro! and Broadway Idiot, the guys will play a concert at Austin City Limits’ Moody Theatre on March 15.
The show marks the band's debut at the annual festival, and is also their first North American live appearance since frontman Billie Joe Armstrong shocked the world with an angry outburst during a music festival performance in Las Vegas in September 2012.
Green Day will kick off their rescheduled North American tour, which was postponed after Armstrong entered rehab, on March 28 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL. Visit GreenDay.com for the full itinerary.
Soundgarden Schedules Second Leg of King Animal Tour Dates
Soundgarden isn’t done promoting their first album in over 15 years, King Animal -- the band has just added a second leg of North American tour dates to their calendar. That outing kicks off on May 3 at the Borgata in Atlantic City, NJ, and will make stops in Atlanta, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Dallas, among other cities.
Fan club members will get access to a ticket pre-sale for all the newly-announced dates on Tuesday. Visit SoundgardenWorld.com for information.
Here are the tour dates:
5/3 -- Atlantic City, NJ, Borgata
5/4 -- Washington, D.C., RFK Stadium
5/5 -- Charlotte, NC, Carolina Rebellion @ Rockingham Speedway
5/7 -- Atlanta, GA, Tabernacle
5/8 -- Atlanta, GA, Tabernacle
5/10 -- Louisville, KY, Louisville Palace
5/11 -- Indianapolis, IN, Klipsch Music Center
5/12 -- Pittsburgh, PA, Stage AE Outdoors
5/14 -- West Long Branch, NJ, The MAC at Monmouth University
5/15 -- Worcester, NA, The Palladium
5/17 -- Wallingford, CT, Toyota Presents Oakdale
5/18 -- Camden, NJ, Susquehanna Bank Center
5/19 -- Columbus, OH, Rock on the Range Festival @ Columbus Crew Stadium
5/21 -- St. Louis, MO, The Pageant
5/22 -- Kansas City, MO, Midland Theatre
5/24 -- Houston, TX, Bayou Music Center
5/25 -- Austin, TX, Austin Music Hall
5/26 -- Dallas, TX, Palladium Ballroom
5/28 -- Broomfield, CO, 1st Bank Center
Metallica Announces Lineup for 2nd Annual Orion Music + More Festival
Metallica has revealed the lineup for the second edition of their Orion Music + More Festival, which takes place June 8-9 at Belle Isle Park in Detroit, MI.
More than 30 bands will take the stage at the fest, including headlining sets by Metallica,Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rise Against, Deftones and Bassnectar. Other bands set to perform include Silversun Pickups, Dropkick Murphys, Gogol Bordello, and Foals.
"Last year's Orion Music + More Festival was hands down the highlight of the Metallica calendar,” said drummer Lars Ulrich in a statement. "The fact that it also resonated with enough of our fans and friends that it warrants another go-around in '13 is beyond exciting. I can think of no better place than the Motor City, with its rich and diverse history of music, for the second ride on our Orion festival train.”
In addition to the performances, the festival will once again offer up attractions curated by members of Metallica. Fans will get the chance to check out frontman James Hetfield's custom car and motorcycle show, watch movies in the Hit the Lights film tent with Ulrich, and experience guitarist Kirk Hammett’s extensive horror memorabilia collection in Kirk’s Crypt. A Metallica museum will also be featured on the festival grounds.
Fan club pre-sales for the festival begin Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET and will run through Thursday, with two-day passes starting at $150. The public will get access to the tickets on Friday at 10 a.m. ET. Visit OrionMusicandMore.com to buy tickets.
3 Doors Down Schedules "Intimate" Acoustic Performance in Nashville
3 Doors Down have announced that they will perform a one-time-only acoustic concert in the group’s adopted hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, at the War Memorial on May 4.
"We all call Nashville home, and we cannot wait to perform for our fans in a more intimate setting at War Memorial,” said frontman Brad Arnold in a statement. “It will also be the first time we have performed a full set acoustically. It’s going to be a great evening."
The band is expected to perform a number of songs from their Greatest Hits album, which was released in November of last year. "These songs translate so well from the electric versions," adds guitarist Chris Henderson. "We go through and strip each one down to figure out what will work best for this type of show. It’s a reimagining of the songs."
Tickets for the special acoustic gig will go on sale on Friday.
A brand new lineup of NINE INCH NAILS will will embark on an extensive U.S. tour this summer. Joining the band's mainman Trent Reznor in the group's latest incarnation will be Eric Avery (JANE'S ADDICTION),Adrian Belew (KING CRIMSON), and Josh Eustis (TELEFONTEL AVIV), along with previous NIN collaborators Alessandro Cortiniand Ilan Rubin.
Commented Reznor: "I was working with Adrian Belew on some musical ideas, which led to some discussion on performing, which led to some beard-scratching, which (many steps later) led to the decision to re-think the idea of what NINE INCH NAILS could be, and the idea of playing a show. Calls were made to some friends, lots of new ideas were discussed, and a show was booked — which led to another, which somehow led to a lot of shows.
"The first shows will begin this summer, followed by a full-on arena tour of the US this fall, and lots of other dates worldwide to follow through 2014."
In early 2009, Reznor announced that NINE INCH NAILS was embarking on a 20th-anniversary farewell tour, after which he stayed busy recording with HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS, writing music for "Call of Duty: Black Ops 2" and scoring "The Social Network" and "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" with composer Atticus Ross.
HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS is the project featuring Reznor and his wifeMariqueen Maandig (ex-WEST INDIAN GIRL) along with Ross and NIN's longtime graphic designerRob Sheridan.
HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS' first full-length album, "Welcome Oblivion", arrives March 5 and will be supported with a brief U.S. tour.
Source: Blabbermouth.net
Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready Says New Album Will Be Released "This Year, for Sure"
Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready has revealed to Rolling Stone that he expects fans will get their hands on the band’s follow-up to 2009’s Backspacer sometime “this year, for sure.”
“[The band’s] working on demos right now and we're going to be recording soon,” he tells the magazine. "We have seven songs that are relatively completed. But then we have an additional 15 ready to go aside from any that [frontman] Eddie [Vedder] brings in, so we'll weed through those."
McCready adds that the band will be exploring some new creative avenues on the upcoming release. "It's kind of a logical extension of what Backspacer was," he explains. "But I think there's a little bit more experimental stuff going on. There's a Pink Floydvibe to some of it, there's a punk rock edge to other stuff."
Dave Grohl Reveals How He Came Up with Concept for Soundgarden’s “By Crooked Steps” Video
Last month, Soundgarden unveiled the video for their single, “By Crooked Steps,” directed by Dave Grohl. Now, the Foo Fighters frontman has revealed that he got the idea for the video immediately after he first heard the album.
“I was on vacation and they sent me their new record which is awesome,” he tells Fuse in a video interview. “I didn’t know if it was gonna be a single or if they wanted to make a video or what, so…I called my manager and I said, ‘I think I have an idea for a Soundgarden video.’”
Grohl then sent an email to drummer Matt Cameron with the video’s humorous concept, which features the band as a Segway-driving biker gang out for a night on the town. “For Soundgarden to do something like that, they’re not known for their ‘wicked’ sense of humor,” he explains. “Although, they are really f**king funny people…they’re super dry and hilarious. But the idea of them on the Segways I thought, ‘You know, it could work.’”
David Draiman Talks “Amazing” Songwriting Process, Guest Stars for Device’s Debut Album
Disturbed may be on hiatus, but frontman David Draiman has been busy working on tracks for the debut album for Device, his new side project with former Filter guitaristGeno Lenardo, Evanescence drummer Will Hunt and Dope guitarist Virus. The singer says that he enjoyed the creative freedom that he experienced while writing tracks for the self-titled release, which is due on April 9.
“It’s been a wonderful experience,” he tells Austraila's Heavy Magazine. “With as much respect as I’ve had from the people I’ve been working with, with as much great input I’ve had from the people I’ve been working with, it’s really been an amazing new experience and process.”
Device’s debut album includes appearances by Avenged Sevenfold frontman M. Shadows, System of a Down singer Serj Tankian, Rage Against the Machine guitaristTom Morello, Halestorm frontwoman Lzzy Hale, Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butlerand former Deep Purple bassist Glenn Hughes. Draiman notes that idea to include a number of special guests on the album came together organically.
“They are good friends of mine and we finally found an opportunity to do something together,” he explains. “For a number of these guys, it literally just came up in dinner conversation. We’d been toying with the idea of doing something together for years.”
While Device has yet to announce a proper tour to promote their upcoming debut album, the band will be performing at a number of festivals this summer, including Wisconsin’s Rock Fest, Oklahoma’s Rocklahoma festival, North Carolina’s Carolina Rebellion, and the inaugural Fort Rock Fest in Florida.
Rob Zombie Guitarist John 5 Talks Scoring The Lords of Salem, Upcoming Zombie Album
Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 is a very busy guy. In addition to working with Zombie on his fifth solo album, Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor, the axeman recently scored Zombie’s upcoming film, The Lords of Salem, which hits theaters on April 26.
"This was a huge challenge for me,” said John 5 in a statement. “It was like 10 times the intensity of writing a record. You had to be able to follow the story and create emotions for each scene with the music.”
While the guitarist is excited for fans to check out the horror flick, he’s also looking forward to fans getting their hands on Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor, due on April 23. “I can only describe this album as an aggressive, live-sounding and totally unique album,” he explains. “This album has a little bit for everybody. The guitar tones are not traditional. There is also an instrumental track called the ‘Theme for the Rat Regeneration Vendor’ which is played aggressively with an electric sitar.”
DAVID DRAIMAN Says Writing And Recording Away From DISTURBED 'Has Been A Wonderful Experience'
Australia's Heavy magazine recently spoke to DISTURBED frontmanDavid Draiman about his new project, DEVICE. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Heavy: So where did the idea for DEVICE come from?
Draiman: It came about quite accidentally, to be honest. [The members of DISTURBED] always intended during this hiatus to do some of things we'd never had a chance to. I'd planned to do some producing, working with the guys from TRIVIUM on their new record, but I'd not really planned another project. Geno Lenardo from FILTER, a friend and colleague of mine, reached out to me about participating in the"Underworld: Awakening" soundtrack. I told him to send me some music, and I listened to what he sent me and was really into it. I wrote something to it, and then called him the next day and said, "Alright, when are we tracking this, because it's big?" So I flew to Chicago within a week and tracked it, then kind of sat back and was really amazed at what we'd done. Lakeshore wanted to use it as the lead track on the soundtrack, but we had a DISTURBED track from "The Lost Children" B-sides compilation out on radio at the time and we didn't want the two tracks competing with each other. So I said, "Let's hold on to it, and wait for the next opportunity." Then the song grew on us, and we started talking and said maybe we should write some more, so Geno came out to my home in March 2012 and we started writing. "Hunted" was the track for the soundtrack, and it set the template for what the project was to become.
Heavy: Has it be a different experience writing/recording away fromDISTURBED?
Draiman: It's been a wonderful experience. [laughs] I've been loving it, really, just free to go and create. With as much respect as I've had from the people I've been working with, with as much great input I've had from the people I've been working with, it's really been an amazing new experience and process. Like, imagine you have an opportunity to create something really amazing and unique after already being in the business of doing that for 16 years; being given the chance to start over again with all the knowledge and experience that you've already accumulated, and being a better musican as well — I'm chomping at the bit. I love being the guy where nobody has any idea what this is about yet. Although that has some weird consequences. I think it's pretty ridiculous I'm nominated for aGolden God award, for instance. I don't get it — I'm very thankful and I thank everyone so much for the nomination, but no one has heard this! How can you nominate something for "best new act" when you haven't even heard it. I appreciate it, but … it's almost an overwhelming vote of confidence, and it can be quite a burden to have to live up to that kind of hype.
Heavy: You've seen a lot over the past 16 years in the industry. Would you rather be launching DEVICE in 2013 or in 2003?
Draiman: Oh, I would so have preferred to put it out in 2003! It's just night and day … even as hard as it was in 2003, it certainly wasn't as bad as where we are now. As a business, it has gotten so much worse. It's trench warfare out there, everybody fighting for everything, everybody expecting to do everything with nothing. [laughs] Really, it's an unreasonable state of affairs; as an industry, it's very frightening. We all, no matter who we are, no matter how strong a record we've created, we all need all the luck in the world right now. And I believe if you're going to go into battle, you better bring your biggest guns — that's what I'm doing with DEVICE.
Read the entire interview from Heavy magazine.
Source: Blabbermouth.net
Foo Fighters to Start Working on Next Album This Week
Good news for Foo Fighters fans: frontman Dave Grohl says that he will begin working on the band’s next studio album this week. NME is reporting that while attending the Brit Awards on Wednesday, Grohl told the event's host, James Corden, that he will be “return[ing] to Los Angeles tomorrow to start work on a Foo Fighters record.” When Corden asked when fans might get their hands on the new album, he replied, “eventually.”
In other Grohl news, the singer will be the keynote speaker at next month’s South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas. He will deliver his address on March 14 at the Austin Convention Center, the event's main venue.
RHCP Drummer Chad Smith to Lobby Congress on Importance of Music Education in Schools
Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith is headed to Washington D.C. next month. The Grammy-winning drummer has announced that he will be joining members of the National Association of Music Merchants to lobby Congress about the importance of funding comprehensive music education in our nation’s schools.
“I am a perfect example of someone who's been musically educated exclusively throughout grade school, middle school and high school by the public school system,” said Smith in a statement. “If there hadn't been a music program in my public schools, I would not be where I am today. Every kid -– and I mean everyone –- needs a chance to learn and grow with music.”
Smith will be speaking to NAMM delegates and guests at a dinner at the U.S. Capitol on March 19, and will be in meetings on Capitol Hill with members of Congress on March 20.
Killswitch Engage’s Adam Dutkiewicz Promises Darker Songs on Disarm the Descent
Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz says that the band’s upcoming album,Disarm the Descent, will feature some heavier themes now that they’ve reunited with original frontman Jesse Leach.
"There's a lot of dark stuff on the record,” he tells Billboard. “I know Jesse gets the rep of being very positive all the time, but the stuff he talks about on this record, some pretty unhappy stuff gets on there."
Dutkiewicz adds that Leach’s fierce lyrics helped influence the sound of Disarm the Descent. "The only kind of goal I had, personally, was to make a more aggressive record and give it a little more teeth than the last record [2009's Killswitch Engage], which was a little too singer-songwritery to me,” he explains. “And after that, the main thing we were concerned about with Jesse was that he was going to be able to give those songs some character and do 'em justice. And he did." Disarm the Descent is due in stores on April 2.
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE's 'Temper, Temper' Cracks U.S. Top 15
"Temper, Temper", the fourth album from Welsh metallers BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, sold 44,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 13 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD arrived in stores on February 12 via RCA.
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE's previous effort, 2010's "Fever", opened with 71,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at No. 3. It was also a Top 10 release in the U.K., Japan, Australia,Austria, Canada, Germany and Switzerland.
The Welsh quartet changed the way they approached making an album this time around, with guitarist/vocalist Matt Tuck and drummer Michael "Moose" Thomas traveling to Thailand to do the initial writing and recording for the album. Tuck told The Pulse Of Radio why they made the trip. "It was just nice being in a studio 24/7, really, you know, with no distractions from home and stuff," he said. "So that was kind of the main reason why we went there and it just worked out well, you know, because we didn't have any pressures from having to travel, having to cook your own food — just all the stuff that is an everyday process obviously takes a lot of time out of the day to be creative. So just being there, being able to write 24/7, was a huge advantage."
The first single from "Temper, Temper" is called "Riot".
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE will headline the fifth edition of the"HardDrive Live" tour, which will kick off on April 12 in Denver. Joining them will be main support HALESTORM, plus special guests YOUNG GUNSand openers STARS IN STEREO. The trek is sponsored by the nationally syndicated weekly Active Rock radio program "HardDrive".
"Riot" video:
BUCKCHERRY's 'Confessions' Projected to Sell 12K-15K First Week
"Confessions", the sicth studio album from Californian rockers BUCKCHERRY, is likely to sell between 12,000 and 15,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to industry web siteHits Daily Double. The estimate was based on one-day sales reports compiled after the record arrived in stores on February 19 via Century Media Records.
BUCKCHERRY's previous CD, "All Night Long", opened with around 28,000 copies in August 2010 to land at position No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart.
The band's fourth studio effort, titled "Black Butterfly", premiered with around 47,000 copies back in September 2008 to enter the chart at No. 8.
To celebrate the release of "Confessions", the Los Angeles rock band —Josh Todd (vocals), Keith Nelson (guitar), Stevie D. (guitar), Jimmy Ashhurst (bass), Xavier Muriel (drums) — will headline three intimate hometown shows at The Viper Room in West Hollywood on March 7, 8 and 9.
"The Viper Room is where it all began for us," says Todd. "At one point when we would hit the stage in that small club, the crowd sounded like an arena. It was so explosive that we landed a record deal and now 15 years later we're coming back to do it all again."
"Confessions" was produced by Keith Nelson and Marti Frederiksen(AEROSMITH, OZZY OSBOURNE) and features eclectic CD artwork by graffiti artist Ewok. The songs on "Confessions" merge punk grit, gutter attitude, honest storytelling, and razor sharp hooks, while the lyrics are tied together by the underlying theme of the Seven Deadly Sins.
In a recent interview with Loudwire.com, Todd elaborated on the album's subject matter. Josh explained, "There was a point in my life when I was a youth when I lost a family member and I acted out in my grieving process through the deadly sins, so that's kind of what the story's about on the record. I think the seven sins are timeless and that everybody struggles with them in their daily lives all the time."
The album's first single, "Gluttony", is impacting Active Rock in the U.S. and Top 5 at Active Rock in Canada. The provocative video for"Gluttony" — directed by Billy Jayne and filmed in a North Hollywood church — can be seen below.
A two-disc deluxe version of the "Confessions" CD is also available and features the bonus tracks "Give 'Em What They Want" and "When The Fire Starts". In addition, a bonus DVD includes the "Gluttony" music video and lyric video, behind-the-scenes footage and band interviews from the set of the "Gluttony" video shoot, and "The Story Behind Confessions" featurette. "Confessions" will also be released on vinyl in April.
Source: Blabbermouth.net
Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan Stars in Humorous Furniture Commercial
Billy Corgan takes on the owners of the Walter E. Smithe furniture company in a new commercial for the Chicago-area retailer.
The 30-second spot features The Smashing Pumpkins frontman in a game of musical chairs with the Smithe brothers, who are known around Chicago for appearing in company commercials. Corgan scores a seat when the music stops, which angers one of the Smithe brothers. The singer gets shoved out of his seat and calls in three wrestlers from his Resistance Pro wrestling company to take the Smithe brothers out.
“I am proud of Resistance Pro’s growing popularity,” said Corgan in a statement. “Tim Smithe and his brothers presented us with the opportunity to share our brand.”
While the commercial will run on TV in the Chicago area starting next week, you can see it now on YouTube.
Record Store Day is April 20, and ex-White Stripes frontman Jack White has been named the event’s ambassador for 2013. The singer posted a message on the Record Store Day website, explaining that he's excited to teach young people about the benefits of buying vinyl records.
“We need to re-educate ourselves about human interaction and the difference between downloading a track on a computer and talking to other people in person and getting turned onto music that you can hold in your hands and share with others,” writes the singer.
White adds that the experience of buying music in an actual brick-and-mortar record store is much more satisfying than buying music online. “As Record Store Day Ambassador of 2013 I’m proud to help in any way I can to invigorate whoever will listen with the idea that there is beauty and romance in the act of visiting a record shop and getting turned on to something new that could change the way they look at the world, other people, art, and ultimately, themselves,” writes White.
In addition, White’s statement is accompanied by a humorous video on Record Store Day’s website where he gives a three-minute tour of a vinyl record plant, United Record Pressing, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Previous Record Store Day Ambassadors include Iggy Pop, Ozzy Osbourne, Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes, and Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme.
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foster the People, Yeah Yeah Yeahs to Perform at Firefly Music Festival
After recently revealing that Vampire Weekend and The Lumineers would be performing at this year’s edition of the Firefly Music Festival, event producers have now announced the full lineup. Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foster the People, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Passion Pit, MGMT,Alabama Shakes, Grizzly Bear, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and Imagine Dragons have all been added to the roster for the musical extravaganza, which runs June 21-23 in Dover, Delaware.
Tickets for the event go on sale on Thursday at 12 p.m. ET. Visit FireflyFestival.com for more information.
Stream Buckcherry’s New Album, Confessions, in Its Entirety
If you can’t wait to check out Buckcherry’s sixth studio album, Confessions, you’re in luck.Noisecreep is currently streaming every song from the release on its website.Confessions, which is available in stores now, features a central theme focused on the seven deadly sins: wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy and gluttony.
In other Buckcherry news, the band has revealed that they are looking to produce a movie based on Confessions in the near future. Guitarist Keith Nelson says that the film is expected to have a running time of less than one hour. “We still haven't shot it yet, but we've got so many things in place to do it,” he tells Lithium Magazine. “We're just waiting on the final business things to get in line so we can complete it.”
Buckcherry are currently out on tour with Kid Rock and Hellbound Glory. Visit Buckcherry.com to see the full itinerary.
Korn, Kiss and Mötley Crüe to Headline 2013 Rock Fest
The producers of the annual Rock Fest have secured an impressive lineup for the 20th installment of their event. Korn, Kiss and Mötley Crüe will headline the festival, which will be held July 18-21 in Cadott, WI. Megadeth, Whitesnake, The Offspring, Stone Sour, Seether, Halestormand Disturbed frontman David Draiman’s side project, Device, are also on the festival bill. A fourth headliner will be announced in the coming weeks.
Tickets for Rock Fest are on sale now, with single-day tickets starting at $77.50 and four-day passes at $155. To see the full lineup and purchase tickets, head to Rock-Fest.com.
NONPOINT Frontman's Back Injury Forces Concert Postponement
Florida's NONPOINT has released the following statement:
"Due to an injury that has taken place with Elias [Soriano, vocals] and his back during a recent performance, at this time we are forced to reschedule [Monday night's] show.
"Anyone who has seen a NONPOINT show knows how passionate we are about the live performance and giving each and every one of you a show you deserve. With that said, Elias will make a full recovery, but must take the next few days to ensure the medication has time to work.
"Please know this was a very difficult decision but his health and recovery is most important to ensure we can continue to melt your faces for the rest of 2013 and beyond! We are working on a new date as we speak with the promoter and radio station. Please make sure to check back for further details on the new date. We will also be working on creating something very special for all of you around the new date.
"Thank you all for understanding."
NONPOINT's new self-titled album, which sold 7,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 62 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Miracle" (2010), opened with around 8,000 units to land at No. 60.
"Nonpoint" was produced/mixed by Grammy-nominated producerJohnny K (DISTURBED, STAIND, MEGADETH) and features additional production and mixing from Brian Virtue (30 SECONDS TO MARS,CHEVELLE). The CD contains 12 of the most raw and real songs of their 15-year career with unique, uncompromising, and undeniable hard rock on their self-titled ninth studio album and first for Razor & Tie. Weathering lineup changes, label shifts, and other trials and tribulations, founding members Elias Soriano (vocals) and Robb Rivera (drums) regrouped with fresh blood — Dave Lizzio (guitar), Adam Wolosyzn (bass), andRasheed Thomas (guitar) — and captured pure fire this time around.
"I Said It", the new video from NONPOINT, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Ramon Boutviseth, who has previously worked with TRIVIUM, DARKEST HOUR, INCUBUS and ALL THAT REMAINS, among others. It was filmed at the Majestic Theater in Madison, Wisconsin.
Commented NONPOINT frontman Elias Soriano: "It's been a long time since I've had this much fun on a video shoot — especially since we had a chance to shoot it in one of our favorite towns to play — Madison, Wisconsin. Put your mouthguards in and protect your neck folks. This one's a swinging fist to the grill."
"I Said It" video:
Video: KORN's MUNKY And BRIAN 'HEAD' WELCH Interviewed Together
KORN will reunite with founding guitarist Brian "Head" Welch for several festival shows this summer, including two dates in Germany, one concert in the United Kingdom and at the upcoming Rock On The Range festival in Columbus, Ohio.
Speaking on the red carpet of the Warner Music Group Grammy Celebration Presented By Mini on February 10 in Los Angeles, Welchsaid: "I just joined [KORN] back. It's been eight years. So I guess absence makes the hearts grow fonder."
Welch joined KORN onstage for the song "Blind" last May at theCarolina Rebellion festival in Rockingham, North Carolina, marking the first time in eight years that KORN played with Welch.
Welch, who has just released an album with his new band LOVE & DEATH, tells RollingStone.com that a setlist for the KORN shows hasn't been discussed yet but that he wouldn't be opposed to playing one of the early KORN albums in its entirety.
"I think that would be kind of cool to do somewhere, sometime," he said. "Like the very first [1994's KORN debut]. We're all in different places, so we're all just going to get together and talk about set lists. Obviously, all the hard-hitting, energetic classics, where people lose their mind — those will definitely be there. Because those are the funnest ones to play."
According to Welch, the feedback he has received from KORN fans thus far has been overwhelmingly positive. "Everyone is broken in this world. There's so much divorce, hate and unforgiveness. For people to see this, I think it's just really uplifting," he said. "I never thought it would happen, and I'm not sure they did either. The fans just love it, because a lot of the fans back in the day were like, suicidal, and from broken homes and abuse. They looked up to us like their family. And to see their family split up was hard on them. To get it put back together, there is a joy around the people who care about it."
The guitarist also doesn't rule out the possibility of a full U.S. tour withKORN or a collaboration on the band's next studio album. "We're going slow," Welch said. "We're hanging out when I've got time, but I've got my album out, and they're busy doing their stuff. But I'd say anything is possible right now."
Welch left KORN in 2005 to become a born-again Christian. The band never officially replaced him and stayed a four-piece, although they've used several touring guitarists for live work.
Welch and bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu have said in interviews that a full reunion could be possible one day.
KORN has been touring for much of the past year behind its 10th studio album, "The Path Of Totality", but has also begun work on a new set of material.
Source: Blabbermouth.net
The Black Keys' Patrick Carney Angers Justin Bieber Fans by Changing Twitter Profile to Feature Picture of Bieber
Patrick Carney had some fun with Justin Bieber fans over the weekend. On Saturday, The Black Keys drummer renamed his Twitter account page to read “Justin Bieber Carney” and changed his profile picture to a photo of the young pop star wearing a pair of black glasses similar to those that Carney wears.
The alteration inspired scores of Bieber fans to tweet criticisms of Carney, which he immediately retweeted along with brief, humorous responses.
"Stop you're not funny at all just plain annoying," tweeted one Belieber to Carney, while another wrote, "you're a grown man picking fights with teens...on twitter. Do you realize how pathetic that is?" Yet another said, "Grow the f**k up. you're just showing how embarrassed you are to be part of what you are today.”
Carney kept the renamed Twitter page up throughout the weekend, but changed it back late Sunday night.
The feud between Carney and Bieber fans began Grammy weekend when The Keys drummer was caught on camera by TMZ saying that Bieber didn't deserve to win a Grammy Award because "he's rich."
3 Doors Down, The Offspring, Stone Sour to Perform at Inaugural Fort Rock Festival in Florida
The people who bring you Rock on the Range, Carolina Rebellion, and the Welcome to Rockville music festivals have a new event for you to add to your calendar. 3 Doors Down, The Offspring and Stone Sour have signed on to take the stage for the first edition of the Fort Rock festival, which takes place April 14 at JetBlue Park in Ft. Myers, FL.
Additional rocking acts tapped to play at the fest include Papa Roach, Volbeat, Pop Evil, and Disturbed frontman David Draiman’s side project, Device.
Tickets for the event start at $44.50 and will go on sale on February 23 at 6 a.m. ET. To see the full lineup and purchase tickets to the musical extravaganza, visit FortRockFestival.com.
Papa Roach’s Jacoby Shaddix Says Writing “Before I Die” Saved His Life; Talks Next Album
Frontman Jacoby Shaddix went through a lot while recording Papa Roach’s latest album,The Connection, dealing with bouts of suicidal depression and struggling to keep his marriage of 15 years together. The singer says that penning the single “Before I Die” was a therapeutic exercise that helped him realize what’s most important.
“I was in a place where I was the most desperate I've ever been in my life,” he tellsARTISTDirect. “[Then] these things in my life that I'm really grateful for kept flashing through my head…my family, my kids, my wife, my spiritual life, the Papa Roach fans. All of those things are what saved me.”
Shaddix adds that he’s very happy with the “dynamic and diverse sound” of The Connection and that he’s looking forward to working on more new songs in the near future. “I feel like we landed on something special with this record,” he reveals. “The way we mixed the old school and new school elements and where we're at sonically, I want to explore this territory more and more. I want to take it deeper.”
Muse, Radiohead, Coldplay Tracks Featured on War Child Charity Compilation
U.K. charity War Child turns 20 this year and the organization has decided to mark the occasion by releasing an album of tracks that artists have donated to them over the years. Titled War Child 20: The Best Of, the compilation features covers and unique versions of tracks by Muse, Radiohead, Coldplay, Oasis, Portishead, The Prodigy,Gorillaz and Beck, among others.
War Child is also offering fans a free download of Muse performing a cover of “House of the Rising Sun” which blends into “Time Is Running Out,” from their third studio album,Absolution. You can get the track after you submit your email address on the organization’s website. War Child 20: The Best Of is available now for digital download at the organizations website, with all proceeds going to children affected by war.
Here is the track list:
“Come Together” -- Smokin' Mojo Filters (featuring Paul McCartney, Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher)
“Lucky” -- Radiohead
“Fade Away” -- Oasis
“Mourning Air” -- Portishead
“Fake the Aroma” -- Massive Attack
“Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” -- Manic Street Preachers
“Shipbuilding” -- Suede
“Miss Sarajevo” -- Passengers (featuring U2 and Pavarotti)
“House of the Rising Sun” -- Muse
“Ghost Town” -- The Prodigy
“Calico Skies” -- Paul McCartney
“Everyone Says Hi (Metro Mix)” -- David Bowie
“Vietnam” -- New Order
“How You See the World No.2” -- Coldplay
“Hong Kong” -- Gorillaz
“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” -- Keane
“Transmission” -- Hot Chip
“Leopard-Skin-Pill-Box-Hat” -- Beck
“Straight to Hell” -- Lily Allen (featuring Mick Jones)
“Running to Stand Still” -- Elbow
DAVID DRAIMAN: The Existence Of DEVICE Does Not Mean The End Of DISTURBED
DISTURBED frontman David Draiman, who last year announced the formation of his new project DEVICE, also featuring former FILTERguitarist Geno Lenardo, has posted the following message online:
"My brothers and sisters, my blood, I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for coming with me on this new journey that is DEVICE.
"I am eternally grateful for the love that you all have for DISTURBED, and I also understand the defensiveness that can come with any thing that could potentially be perceived as a catalyst to some sort of 'breakup theory' that, I assure you, has no base in the first place.
"If you read the DEVICE bio that was posted on the DEVICE Facebookpage, you will learn that the whole project came together quite accidentally, and I'm very glad it did. I think you will be too.
"DISTURBED is still on hiatus. A hiatus is an extended break, not 'breakup.' We have fought long and hard together, all of us, to makeDISTURBED what it has become, and are not just walking away from it. We all needed to just give ourselves some time away from it. The existence of DEVICE does not in any way shape or form mean the end ofDISTURBED. They are two completely separate entities, and I hold them both in the highest regard. You are about to get your first taste this coming week.
"You have all of my love and respect."
DEVICE will play a number of shows this spring and summer in support of its debut album, which is due out April 9. The CD will feature guest appearances from AVENGED SEVENFOLDsingerM. Shadows, SYSTEM OF A DOWN vocalist Serj Tankian, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINEguitarist Tom Morello, HALESTORM singer Lzzy Hale, BLACK SABBATHbassist Geezer Butler and ex-DEEP PURPLE bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes.
Lenardo will not be part of the DEVICE touring band due to previous commitments.
Other members of the live lineup include EVANESCENCE drummer Will Hunt and DOPE guitarist Virus.
A 44-second teaser for DEVICE's forthcoming album can be seen below.
The first single from the DEVICE album, called "Vilify", arrives at rock radio on February 19. A video is being produced as well.
DISTURBED Frontman's DEVICE: More Debut Album Details Revealed
Experimentation remains the best catalyst for progression. Rather than sticking to any pre-existing blueprints or conventions, modern hard rock icon David Draiman of DISTURBED and studio collaborator Geno Lenardo (ex-FILTER) constructed DEVICE from strands of hard rock, industrial, and electronica. As a result, DEVICE's self-titled debut album for Warner Bros. Records is a focused, fierce, and fiery new machine. With the switch turned on, the next chapter commences now.
While the Grammy Award-nominated multiplatinum powerhouseDISTURBED was on hiatus, Lenardo reached out to Draiman to collaborate on a song for the "Underworld: Awakening" soundtrack in late 2011. As soon as the singer heard the music, he was both intrigued and inspired. The duo then cut "Hunted" in Chicago. Even though the track didn't ultimately make the final soundtrack album due to circumstances beyond their control, Draiman urged that they hold on to it and continue writing music. Soon, they had an entire album's worth of material.
"It started to develop very naturally and organically," recalls the frontman. "Geno is a brilliant songwriter in his own right and a tremendously talented sound designer as far as the electronic palette is concerned. Together, we made this monster. It's not metal. It's got a dark electronic vibe. At the same time, these are big, anthemic, and intensely melodic songs. It's futuristic rock."
Paving the way for that future, the first single "Vilify" stands emblematic of DEVICE's sonic alchemy. A guttural guitar grinds alongside synths and keys as the vocalist's unmistakable delivery resounds commandingly.
"It has all of the elements that identify this body of work and band," he affirms. "It's an excellent introduction to what DEVICE is. From a lyrical standpoint, it talks about how some people love to make me out to be a horrible guy. They (the haters) brand me as an evil egomaniac with a chip on his shoulder, but that's not who I am. I'm a pretty easy-going, mild mannered guy, and I'm also a very strong-willed and outspoken individual. I'm very passionate about what I believe, and I don't apologize for standing behind those beliefs."
Quite a few friends stand beside him on the record too. On "Out Of Line",BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler conjures a staggering bass groove, while SYSTEM OF A DOWN vocalist Serj Tankian trades vibrant and visceral vocal melodies with the singer. "Tom Morello's guitar wizardry," as Draiman puts it, casts a spell over "Opinion", and AVENGED SEVENFOLD frontman M. Shadows dives into the shadowy"Haze" as his inimitable wail resounds. Iconic DEEP PURPLE voice Glenn Hughes also makes a cameo on the record's haunting and hypnotic finale"Through It All" — a love letter to Draiman's wife. Meanwhile,HALESTORM's Lzzy Hale teams up with DEVICE for an epic cover of theOzzy Osbourne and Lita Ford classic "Close My Eyes Forever", which allows both of their voices to reach heavenly heights.
"I took a page from the hip hop guys out there who always have everybody and his mother on their records," Draiman laughs. "It's something we'd never done in DISTURBED, and I wanted to call on my list of colleagues and friends who are so ridiculously talented and accomplished. I was honored and humbled beyond words that everybody was into it. This hasn't been done in our genre of music, and it's time. It's time for a resurgence of this darker, heavier sound."
DEVICE undoubtedly stands at the forefront of that resurgence. Upon finishing the record, Lenardo opted to remain a studio collaborator in the project so he could remain free to pursue his other passions/projects, which include film scoring, and spend time at home with his son rather than tour. So in order to bring the album to life and solidify a band in the truest sense of the word, Draiman enlisted EVANESCENCE drummer Will Hunt and DOPE guitarist Virus. Both Hunt and Virus jumped at the chance to be a part of this powerhouse trio.
"As soon as I heard the music, I thought it was super cutting edge," Huntexplains. "I knew this was something I wanted to be involved in. It's going to give people goose bumps whether they hear it on their stereo or live."Virus echoes that sentiment. "This is an album from start to finish, and it's meant to be experienced like that. These songs are all strong, and they'll stay stuck in your head."
In many ways, the group's moniker sums up its ultimate goal. "DEVICEdoes several things," reveals Draiman. "It implies intelligent design, the utilization of technology, and explosive nature." Those three statements will most certainly ring true for listeners as well. "This album is about touching different ends of the spectrum," he smiles. "Some moments are introspective and energizing, while others are mellow and pensive. I want everyone to be taken on an emotional roller coaster. Enjoy the ride."
"Device" track listing:
01. You Think You Know
02. Penance
03. Vilify
04. Close My Eyes Forever (Ozzy Osbourne & Lita Ford cover) (feat. Lzzy Hale)
05. Out Of Line (feat. Serj Tankian, Geezer Butler)
06. Hunted
07. Opnion (feat. Tom Morello)
08. War Of Lies
09. Haze (feat. M. Shadows)
10. Through It All (feat. Glenn Hughes)
SLASH On RANDY BLYTHE: 'I Really Don't Think He, In Any Way, Shape Or Form, Is Guilty'
Be In TV conducted an interview with legendary guitarist Slash (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER) before his February 11 performance in Prague, Czech Republic. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTubeclip below.
Asked about LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe's ongoing trial in Prague on manslaughter charges in connection with the death of a fan at a LAMB OF GOD concert in the Czech Republic nearly three years ago,Slash said: "I know as much as I've been told from everybody I know in that camp. It's a strange, unique situation. I think that when he first came over here and put up his bail and they never let him out and they kept paying and they kept paying and paying and paying, and they never let him out. I said, 'What the fuck is going on there?' I mean, that’s' a whole different type of law, to me, where it's just different. And so finally they let him out, and now it's actually going to trial. And I really don't think he, in any way, shape or form, is guilty. So they're gonna let this thing run its course, I suppose. And because the judicial system here is so different, that he was able to stay in jail here so long, who knows what the verdict is gonna end up being?! It's hard to say. And I guess witnesses didn't show up and they had to postpone it. It's a very long and, unfortunately, it's a very expensive process. It's, like, fuck… Really?!"
Slash's second solo album, "Apocalyptic Love", sold around 38,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 4 on The Billboard 200 chart.
Slash's self-titled debut album scored the highest new entry on The Billboard 200 chart in April 2010, with first-week U.S. sales of around 60,000 copies.
Unlike Slash's solo debut, which featured different vocalists on each track and a number of guest musicians, Slash has recorded all of the new CD with his touring band, MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS.
GUNS N' ROSES Plays Surprise Set At TOMMY HILFIGER's Private Party
GUNS N' ROSES played a special acoustic set last night (Wednesday, February 13) at the Soho House in West Hollywood, California at the after-party for the launch of fashion industry mogul Tommy Hilfiger's new flagship store. SingerAlicia Keys also performed at the event, the ticket for admission to which was a wristband handed out at entrance of the Hilfiger store on Robertson Blvd. earlier in the night.
GUNS N' ROSES' setlist for the show was as follows:
01. You're Crazy
02. Used to Love Her
03. Welcome to the Jungle
04. Better
05. Sweet Child O' Mine
06. Patience
07. Don't Let It Bring You Down (NEIL YOUNG cover)
08. Paradise City
A couple of short video clips of GN'R's performance can be seen below.
Hilfiger and GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose got into an altercation back in 2006 at Rosario Dawson 's 27th birthday at New York nightclub The Plumm. According to reports, Hilfiger was annoyed by Rose 's attempts to move his girlfriend's drink on a table and told him to put the beverage back.
TOOL And A PERFECT CIRCLE Frontman Says There Are 'No Actual Songs' Written For Either Project
First TOOL vocalist Maynard James Keenan reportedly told a Chilean radio station earlier this month that the band would not release a new album in 2013, only for drummer Danny Carey to tell a New Zealand station a few days later that a new CD would arrive "sometime this year." But, according to The Pulse Of Radio, now Keenan has told Spin.comthat while he has been "jamming" with both TOOL and, surprisingly, A PERFECT CIRCLE, neither act is close to having an album's worth of material ready. Keenan said, "Basically, right now it's a lot of ideas. Jamming. There's no actual songs for either project. It's still kind of noodles in a big basket . . . Lots of noodles, just no dishes."
It's been seven years since TOOL last released an album, 2006's "10,000 Days", and nine years since A PERFECT CIRCLE has released a new disc as well.
Despite the long wait, TOOL remains as popular as ever. Danny Careytold The Pulse Of Radio not long ago that he feels the band's integrity has kept the fans coming back. "We truly are an alternative band," he said. "It's an alternative to what other people label as alternative, that actually all sounds the same or whatever. And I think people can identify that and they can relate to it, and they desire the real thing when it's available. You just gotta stick to your laurels and believe in what you're doing, and not do it for money, do it for the art of it, then you can't lose."
Meanwhile, Keenan's other band PUSCIFER is streaming its new EP,"Donkey Punch The Night", online at Spin.com ahead of its release next Tuesday (February 19).
One track on the new set, called "Dear Brother", is dedicated to several people who have passed away recently, including Adam "MCA" Yauch of the BEASTIE BOYS. Keenan explained, "That was a sad day when I got that news. It also pays tribute to our friend Edward Willie, Jr. fromUNCLE SCRATCH'S GOSPEL REVIVAL — they're a band who opened up for us, out of Ohio in the area where I was born. And Ray Beckwith was an Australian winemaker, who, in a way, reinvented the wheel in winemaking."
Both TOOL and PUSCIFER will play some live shows later this spring and possibly summer, while Carey also hinted that TOOL may also be getting ready to release some of its massive amount of live material on CD or DVD.
Source: Blabbermouth.net
Alice in Chains to Release The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here in May
Alice in Chains has revealed the name and approximate release date for their fifth studio album. The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here will hit all the usual outlets sometime in May.
The band’s previous album, 2009’s Black Gives Way to Blue, debuted at #5 on the Billboard200 albums chart its first week out and has sold more than one million copies. In addition, the album scored the guys two Grammy Award nominations for Best Hard Rock Performance: “Check My Brain” in 2010 and “A Looking in View” in 2011.
You’ll get your chance to hear new material from The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here when the band hits the road for a North American tour this spring. That outing kicks off on April 25 at The Fillmore in Miami Beach, Florida. Visit AliceInChains.com for the full itinerary.
Stone Sour’s Corey Taylor Says Upcoming “Do Me a Favor” Video Features “New Form of Animation”
Earlier this week, Stone Sour released the lyric video for “Do Me a Favor,” the first single from the upcoming, second installment of their House of Gold & Bones concept album. Frontman Corey Taylor says that the guys are now in the process of producing a proper video for the track, which will include some unique special effects.
“We’re working on a video for ‘Do Me a Favor’ which is very much like a mini-movie that is actually kind of a new form of animation,” he tells ABC News Radio. “It’s live action but it’s painted…so it looks really, really cool and kinda has an old school, new school feel to it.”
Taylor adds that he chose to release “Do Me a Favor” as the first single from House of Gold & Bones Part 2 because he feels it is one of the most powerful songs on the album. “It’s an absolute barn-burner,” he explains. “I mean, it’s one of those tunes that if you can’t feel that, if you can’t jump around to that, then there’s no saving you. It’s a great tune and it’s got a lot of attitude to it but it’s got a huge chorus.” House of Gold & Bones Part 2 is set to arrive in stores on April 9. You’ll be able to get your hands on the first issue of a comic book mini-series based on the double album starting April 17.
Radiohead to Begin Recording Next Album at “End of Summer”
Colin Greenwood has revealed that Radiohead will begin working on their next studio album later this year. The bassist says that the guys will hit the studio once frontmanThom Yorke finishes promoting Amok, the debut album of his side project, Atoms for Peace.
“We’re taking some time out whilst the…people are…doing some other stuff, doing their own things, and the plan is to get back together again [at the] end of summer,” he tellsBBC Radio 6.
In other Radiohead news, Yorke has revealed that he’ll be putting on three concerts to celebrate the release of Amok, which arrives in stores on February 26. Each of the events will feature DJ sets by Yorke and longtime Radiohead producer/engineer Nigel Godrich, along with special guests Actress and Throwing Snow in London on February 22 and Shed and Anstam in Berlin on March 8. Guest DJs for the New York City concert, which will take place on March 14 at Le Poisson Rouge, have yet to be announced.
Dave Grohl on Next Foo Fighters Album: “We Have Pretty Much an Entire Record Ready”
Good news for Foo Fighters fans: frontman Dave Grohl says he’s already mapped out the band’s next studio album.
“We have pretty much an entire record ready,” he tells People about the band's upcoming eighth album. “Once we’re set, we’ll make a huge stink about it.” Grohl recently told MTV News that the band would begin working on the next Foos album once he finishes promoting his documentary, Sound City.
In other Grohl news, the singer will be the keynote speaker at next month’s South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas. He will deliver his address on March 14 at the Austin Convention Center, the event's main venue.
Jack White Leads mtvU Woodie Awards Nominations
While he didn’t pick up any awards at the Grammys last weekend, Jack White is getting another chance to win a trophy -- at this year's mtvU Woodie Awards.
White is nominated for two awards including a Branching Out Woodie, which recognizes artists who find innovative, creative ways to use social media.
In addition, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zero, fun., and Walk the Moon will all competing for the award show's biggest category, Woodie of the Year. Other notable acts who scored nods include Fiona Apple, Best Coast, Of Monsters and Men, Alt-J, The Lumineers and The xx.
You can vote for your favorites at Woodies.MTV.com. The Woodies will be awarded on March 14 in Austin, TX at the South by Southwest festival. You can check out the awards show when it airs on mtvU on March 17 at 8 p.m. ET.
Scott Weiland to Perform Tracks from Core & Purple on Upcoming Solo Tour
Scott Weiland is keeping busy while Stone Temple Pilots are on a touring hiatus. The singer has just announced that he’ll be launching a new solo tour next month where he’ll be performing tracks from the band's first two albums: 1992’s Core and 1994’s Purple. That outing, dubbed the Purple at the Core tour, begins on March 1 at The Machine Shop in Flint, Michigan and will make stops in Boston, New York, Chicago and Houston, among other cities.
Tickets for all the newly-announced shows are on sale now at ScottWeiland.com. More dates are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Here are the tour dates:
3/1 -- Flint, MI, The Machine Shop
3/2 -- Traverse City, MI, Ground Zero
3/4 -- Niagara Falls, NY, Rapids Theatre
3/6 -- Patchogue, NY, The Emporium
3/7 -- Boston, MA, Wilbur Theatre
3/9 -- New York, NY, Irving Plaza
3/11 -- Washington, D.C., Howard Theatre
3/12 -- New Brunswick, NJ, State Theatre
3/14 -- Bethlehem, PA, Sands Bethlehem Event Center
3/19 -- Chicago, IL, House of Blues
3/20 -- Cleveland, OH, House of Blues
3/22 -- Cincinnati, OH, Bogarts
3/23 -- Indianapolis, OH, Egyptian Room
3/26 -- Houston, TX, House of Blues
3/27 -- Dallas, TX, House of Blues
A posting on ALICE IN CHAINS' various web sites and social media accounts earlier today offered the title of the band's new studio album up in the form of an anagram.
"H V L E N T P S U S D A H I E E O E D T I U R R"
Share your decoded messages on Instagram, tagging #AICALBUMTITLE.
Shot by award-winning director Roboshobo (a.k.a. Robert Schober;METALLICA, MASTODON), ALICE IN CHAINS' video for the song"Hollow" captures a man closed off and losing himself in an empty repetition of daily tasks until his last thread with reality is completely severed. Also available is a lyric video for the song, which was created by fans and comprised of images submitted through Instagram.
ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist Jerry Cantrell recently confirmed to Guitar World that the band has finished recording its fifth studio album and second without original vocalist Layne Staley. The new disc was once again produced by Nick Raskulinecz (FOO FIGHTERS, DEFTONES) and is scheduled for release in the spring.
"I don't think you'll be surprised by anything you hear," Cantrell toldRevolver about the new CD's musical direction. "It's us. But it's also really unique. It's got all the elements of any record we've put out, but it's unlike any record we've put out. Basically, it's the next chapter in theALICE IN CHAINS book, and it's going to be a big one."
The new disc will follow up 2009's "Black Gives Way To Blue", which ended a 14-year gap between studio efforts for the group and featured singer/guitarist William DuVall.
"In my opinion, that record stood up to anything else we've put out in our career. Hopefully, the new album will connect with people in the same way," Cantrell told Guitar World.
DuVall told The Pulse Of Radio while the band was touring behind that album that he was seeing a new generation of ALICE fans at the shows. "There's a lot of young people showing up, so that this thing has become a generational band now," he said. "So you've got people, 15, 16, 17 years old, that are coming of their own volition. I mean, they're not being brought there by their parents or anything. They're coming on their own. They're bringing their friends. So that's one thing that's a real sign that perhaps you're onto something."
ALICE IN CHAINS began working on new material in 2011, but the sessions for the album were delayed when Cantrell had to undergo shoulder surgery.
Source: Blabbermouth.net
Kings of Leon, The Shins, The Black Crowes to Perform at Alabama's Hangout Music Fest
The producers of the Hangout Music Fest have scored some of the biggest names in rock to perform at their event, which is scheduled to take place May 17-19 on the beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama. Headlining the festival will be Kings of Leon, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and a third artist that will be announced soon.
Among the other acts set to perform at the three-day event include The Shins, The Black Crowes, Trey Anastasio Band, Passion Pit, Jim James, Grouplove, Bloc Party andSlightly Stoopid.
Tickets go on sale on Friday at 11 a.m. ET, with three-day passes starting at $209. To see the complete artist roster and purchase tickets, head over to HangoutMusicFest.com.
Coheed and Cambria Debuts at #9; Mumford & Sons Get Grammy Boost on Billboard 200
The second installment of Coheed and Cambria’s concept double album, The Afterman, scored a space in the top 10 on the Billboard 200 albums chart this week. The Afterman: Descension debuted at #9 on the list with almost 41,000 copies sold its first week out, according to Nielsen SoundScan. However, the first-week sales figures for Descensionweren't as good as sales were for the first half of The Afterman. The Afterman: Ascensionscored the #5 spot on the chart, selling 49,000 copies, when it debuted in October of last year.
Perhaps thanks to their performance on last weekend’s Grammy Awards telecast,Mumford & Sons find themselves in a higher position on the top 10 on the Billboard 200 albums chart this week. Mumford’s Babel, which picked up the Album of the Year trophy, moved up from #7 to #4 this week, selling 54,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Meanwhile, the recently reunited Fall Out Boy claimed the #3 slot on the Digital Songs chart with their new single, "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)," which sold 162,000 downloads in its first week. The band’s new album, Save Rock and Roll, arrives in stores on May 7.
Guns N’ Roses, Alice in Chains and Korn to Headline Rocklahoma 2013
The producers of the annual Rocklahoma festival have assembled an impressive lineup of artists for their seventh installment. Guns N’ Roses, Alice in Chains and Korn will headline the event, which will be held May 24-26 in Pryor, Oklahoma.
Other artists appearing at the fest include Bush, Bullet for My Valentine, Papa Roach,Skillet, Hollywood Undead, Halestorm, Dokken and Disturbed frontman David Draiman’s new side project Device, plus more.
Fans who sign up online for the festival’s newsletter will get access to a ticket pre-sale starting on February 20 at 10 a.m. CT. General admission tickets for the event will go on sale starting February 22 at 10 a.m. CT. To see the full lineup and buy tickets to the musical extravaganza, visit Rocklahoma.com.
Trent Reznor’s Streaming Music Service, Beats, to Arrive This Summer
You won’t have to wait too much longer to experience Beats, a new music streaming service Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor helped create with rapper Dr. Dre’s company, Beats by Dre.
Interscope Records chairman and Beats Electronic co-founder Jimmy Iovine revealed during a conference call with reporters on Tuesday that the Beats service -- previously named Daisy -- will be available sometime this summer, Billboard reports.
Iovine added that the service will rely on hand-picked lists to recommend songs to listeners. “We are making tons and tons of curated lists,” he explained. “If you go the gym, we’ll know where you are. So when you wake up in the morning, there will be a list waiting for you.”
A firm launch date for the Beats service has yet to be announced.
Rob Zombie Reveals New Album Title, Release Date
Rob Zombie has revealed the name and the release date for his fifth solo album. Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor will hit all the usual outlets on April 23.
While a full track list has yet to be released, some song titles that will be appear on the upcoming record include “Dead City Radio and the New Gods of Super Town,” “Ging Gang Gong De Do Gong De Laga Raga,” “Lucifer Rising” and “Behold! The Pretty Filthy Creatures.” The album will also feature a cover of Grand Funk Railroad’s “We’re an American Band.”
Shortly after the album’s release, Zombie’s horror flick, The Lords of Salem, will arrive in theaters on April 26. He wrote the script for the flick, which centers around the demonic return of a 300-year-old coven of witches in modern-day Salem, Massachusetts. Zombie's other directorial efforts include the Halloween remake and its sequel, plus House of 1,000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects. In addition, an official movie tie-in book which Zombie co-wrote with multiple-award-winning horror author B.K. Evenson will be released on March 12.
Dropkick Murphys to Perform Live from Boston on Today
Dropkick Murphys are set to appear on NBC’s Today show later this week. The band will play “Rose Tattoo,” the first single from their latest album, Signed and Sealed in Blood, on the program, which will be broadcast live from Boston. The performance is part of the show’s “Friday Field Trips” series, which takes anchors Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie to different cities each Friday for the month of February. You can catch the Dropkick Murphys performance during the 8 a.m. ET hour of the program on Friday.
In other Murphys news, the band will kick off their 2013 St. Patrick’s Day Tour next week. That outing begins on February 21 at the House of Blues in Cleveland, OH. VisitDropkickMurphys.com for the full itinerary.
RANDY BLYTHE Visits Prague Prison Where He Lived For More Than A Month
LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe returned to the U.S. last week after it was announced in a Czech Republic court his trial would be delayed.
Blythe's defense team asked for the delay because a key witness was sick, according to The Prague Post reporter Jonathan Crane who is helping cover the trial for WTVR.com. The defense team wanted that witness to testify in person.
The singer is being allowed to stay in the U.S. until his trial resumes on March 4. He indicated in court that he would definitely return to Prague next month.
Blythe is facing the possibility of conviction and a long-term jail sentence after a May 2010 incident in which a fan, Daniel Nosek, who attended aLAMB OF GOD performance in Prague, died almost a month later, allegedly from injuries sustained when he was thrown off the stage.
The parents of the alleged victim, Daniel Nosek, are demanding compensation of 10 million Czech Koruna (approximately $530,000).
In a series of postings on his Instagram account earlier today (Tuesday, February 12), Blythe wrote: "I am back in Richmond, Virginia here in the U.S. of A., and I am certainly glad to see my home and friends here. But I shall return to Prague for the end of my trial, March 4 and 5. Hopefully it will finally be settled.
"The judge told me I did not have to return for the end of the trial, but my head and my heart will remain in Prague until I see this thing through.
"Prague has built a strange place for itself in my heart. It is a beautiful place, one I have gotten to know rather well, and even love to a degree. But it is a city of contrasts for me, for I see Prague's beauty through a lens of tragedy.
"The city and what brought me there will always remain with me for the rest of my life. I must pay attention to the nature of this dichotomy, and learn its lesson, no matter what happens.
"Nothing has just one side to it, and I believe it is a mistake to judge things immediately by exterior appearances alone. For example, take this clock. Prague has many, many, many towers and clocks, including the astronomical one in Old Town Square. The astronomical clock is one of the coolest clocks I have ever seen. People from all over the world gather every hour to watch it strike the hour, with all its mechanized statues popping out and spinning around. It's basically a gigantic version of the world's coolest cuckoo clock. Prague has many other cool clock towers as well.
"Someone might look at this tired old clock and say, 'Ugh! Tear that thing down! Why would you have that clock when there are so many others here that are so pretty?' But to me, this clock is beautiful. It holds a strange place in my heart, like Prague itself. The clock is beautiful to me because in there, in Pankrác Prison, it was the only way I had to tell time for a long while.
"After my last day in court recently, my wife, a friend, and I took the subway over to Pankrác. I needed to see it, to take pictures, to look at what was my home for over a month. It was a strange feeling returning there, and I think some wouldn't do it.
"I don't know. My trial is not over yet. I could return to a cell behind these walls. But I just wanted to see the place. The outside is nothing like the inside; once again, the dichotomy of my life in Prague.
"This is a beautiful row of birch trees planted alongside the outer wall of this 123-year-old prison. On the other side is another world.
"We walked the entire perimeter of the prison, through neighborhoods with nice gated houses and grim-looking apartment high rises. I kept looking for my cell until I found it. It is the tiny square you see in the middle of this picture. That was my last cell, on the top floor, where I could look out and see where I took this picture from. I used to stare at the apartment building I took this picture from and wonder what was happening in there. Most of the time, I was in the basement, though, and the view from my cell window looked something like this picture, without as much sky. Without much of a view, I had to look inside myself. Dichotomy.
"Pankrác is a grim place, but I kept my spirits up in there. If I felt sorry for myself, I quickly reminded myself that there are many in the world who would be grateful to have the food I had, to escape a war-torn homeland in exchange for three hits and a cot, even in a prison for a bit.
"Suddenly being thrown into a foreign prison wasn't fun, but it wasn't the worst thing that could happen to a man. I had food, clothes, and shelter.
"Remain grateful for what you DO have, not resentful over what you DON'T.
"We finished walking and got on a subway back to the center of Prague.
"I was glad I came to look at the prison. I would love to have a camera in there — it's amazing inside, in a really messed up way.
"I do not know what the future holds for me. Maybe I will return to behind these walls, but I do know that I have to do the right thing as my conscience dictates. For me, that is going back to finish the trial, as I said I would.
"The family of the young man who is dead is in court every day, along with mine. They have shown remarkable kindness by not attacking me in the press or anywhere else. It must be very difficult for them to look at my face, regardless of my guilt or innocence. They have behaved honorably, and so shall I. I will do my best to give them the answers they deserve.
"I ask people not to judge the family of this young man for wanting these answers. Their family has lost a son. Who would not want answers? I'm not so sure I would have displayed the class and reserve they have if the tables were turned.
"Remember, no story has just one side. Try to look at everything from different angles, to not make snap judgements. Put yourself in another's shoes for a second. Otherwise we all just remain in a prison of our own making.
"Thanks for all your support. I will put up some cheerier pictures soon, I promise."
HALESTORM Singer OK With 'Short Skirts And High Heels'
According to The Pulse Of Radio, singer and guitarist Lzzy Hale of theGrammy-winning hard rock bandHALESTORM spoke with Playboy.com about using her sex appeal to sell the band and the focus on image in the music industry. Hale remarked, "I don't mind dressing up and doing the short skirt and high heels thing . . . the only stipulation that I have about this is that you have to make sure you have something to back it up. You can't totally ride on the fact that I'm going to show my legs and people are going to show attention. If they can get past the legs, make sure you can actually sing and be good at your instruments."
Hale added, "Sex and rock 'n' roll have been going together hand-in-hand since the beginning of time. You can't get away from it."
The vocalist told The Pulse Of Radio that she believes it can be too easy sometimes for female musicians to rely solely on their looks. "Actually, I've been encouraging a lot of people to challenge us, and make sure that when you're reading these articles or you're seeing us in magazines or something, that you go and you check us out live, or you go and you sample a CD, something like that," she said. "If people start doing that and don't just look at us because we're a quote-unquote pretty face, or scantily clad — I think if more people were looking beyond that, it would make us step up a little bit."
Hale also said that she's pleased to see the percentage of females in HALESTORM's audience growing, explaining, "I see all of these girls who are not there because their boyfriends dragged them along, you know? They're very empowered, a little crazy like me, and it's wonderful to be in a room like that because when we first started out there weren't a whole lot of girls at the rock shows unless you count the girlfriends of somebody in the band."
HALESTORM won the Grammy Award for "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" on Sunday night (February 10) for the song "Love Bites (So Do I)", beating out veteran acts like IRON MAIDEN and MARILYN MANSON.
The group continues to hit the trail in support of its second album, last year's "The Strange Case Of..." They'll join headliners BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE on this year's edition of the "HardDrive Live" tour, which kicks off on April 12 in Denver and runs through late May.
BUCKCHERRY: Entire 'Confessions' Album Available For Streaming
"Confessions", the sixth studio album from Californian rockers BUCKCHERRY, is available for streaming in its entirety at this location. Due on February 13, the disc will be BUCKCHERRY's first domestic release with new label Century Media Records. The CD will be made available viaEleven Seven Music in other parts of the world.
According to the Dropping The Needle podcast, the Japanese edition of"Confessions" will include two bonus tracks: "Wherever I Go" (from"Avengers Assemble") and a live version of "Rescue Me". The domestic deluxe edition will contain the bonus cuts "Give 'Em What They Want"and "When The Fire Starts" as well as a DVD featuring the newly released "Gluttony" music video, "On The Set: Gluttony Video Shoot","The Story Behind Confessions" and the original "Gluttony" lyric video.
All configurations of the album will include the following track listing:
01. Gluttony
02. Wrath
03. Nothing Left But Tears
04. The Truth
05. Greed
06. Water
07. Seven Ways To Die
08. Air
09. Sloth
10. Pride
11. Envy
12. Lust
13. Dreamin' Of You
The "Gluttony" video can be seen below. The clip was shot in November in Los Angeles, with the band putting out an open casting call for fans to appear in the video.
"It's just about trying to control your behavior," BUCKCHERRY singerJosh Todd tells Loudwire about "Gluttony". "They always say that you have to do everything in moderation and that's never been my experience. One is okay, two is better, three is fantastic and four is the best. I want to consume everything, I want to go big or go home. I'm either on 11 or I'm asleep."
He continued: "That's my problem, that's my struggle, trying to moderate — that's what 'Gluttony' is about. It's like, 'I want it, I need it, I love it' and everything that feels good to me, I want to overdo it. It's just who I am and I don't understand why I can't do it."
"Confessions" is a loose concept album that revolves around the notion of the seven deadly sins and is inspired by events in Todd's childhood.
Todd has helped co-write a short film that will come out later in the year and expand upon the record's themes. It's not clear yet how the film will be distributed.
Todd said that "Confessions" is "definitely a heavier, musically, record than we've ever had, and more melodic. It's pretty intense, but everybody's gonna love it. It's quintessential BUCKCHERRY at the end of the day."
The band will join KID ROCK as special guests on his upcoming "Rebel Soul" tour, beginning February 2 in Kansas City, Missouri.
ROB ZOMBIE: New Album Cover Artwork Unveiled; Audio Sample Of First Single Available
The eagerly awaited new ROB ZOMBIE album, "Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor", will be released on April 23 on Zodiac Swan/T-Boy/Ume. The CD was produced by Bob Marlette, who has previously worked with everyone from BLACK SABBATH and ALICE COOPER toWILSON PHILLIPS and LYNYRD SKYNYRD.
The "Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor" cover artwork can be seen below. Also available is an audio sample of the CD's first single, "Dead City Radio And The New Gods Of Super Town".
"I think for the first time this new album perfectly merges the old days ofWHITE ZOMBIE with the future of what I am doing now," says Rob. "I think fans of both will agree that this is the perfect combo of both worlds."
A rock icon and auteur filmmaker with insight and unlimited vision, Rob Zombie has continuously challenged audiences as he stretches the boundaries of music, film, and publishing. Now, the seven-time Grammy-nominated recording artist releases his fifth solo album, "Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor", which includes "Dead City Radio And The New Gods Of Super Town", along with such tracks as "Ging Gang Gong De Do Gong De Laga Raga", "Lucifer Rising", "Behold! The Pretty Filthy Creatures" and a heavy-duty cover of GRAND FUNK RAILROAD's "We're an American Band".
"Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor" is the first release on Rob's new label, Zodiac Swan, through T-Boy Records/UMe.
Zombie told The Pulse Of Radio what goals he set for himself in making the new album. "I wanted someone to hear it and go, 'Wow, I haven't heard that before,'" he said. "I wanted it to be just different. We really went out of our way with the sounds, so every song has a very different sound, a very different guitar sound, drum sound, just everything, where the sound, the actual sound becomes very important. You know, after all these years you want to still try to feel that you can break through new, creative areas in your own mind, and that's really what we're just trying to do, you know."
T-Boy Records is veteran rock manager Andy Gould's new partnership with Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) which will serve as an umbrella label releasing new music and albums from established iconic hard-rock bands with major followings.
Gould, who currently heads his own Spectacle Entertainment Group, has managed Rob Zombie since his days in WHITE ZOMBIE. Gould's track record includes sales exceeding fifteen million worldwide and sevenGrammy nominations with Zombie, including securing deals for Zombieto become one of only a handful of people to have unprecedented success for six feature films as the writer and director.
"We have had a great deal of success in the past with Rob Zombie," explains Gould about his decision to take the new venture to UMe. "We want to sign rock bands with brand names that do good business on the road, and have been underserved by the major label system. The idea I had arose out of discussions with the other managers of major hard-rock acts who all felt their artists could benefit from an improved label experience. We're looking to super-serve this niche audience, which is tremendously loyal, and is often even larger internationally than here in the States."
As a musician, Rob Zombie has sold over fifteen million albums worldwide to date. His last studio album was "Hellbilly Deluxe 2". The CD came a decade after its predecessor, "Hellbilly Deluxe", the album that established Zombie as a solo artist after the breakup of multi-platinum group WHITE ZOMBIE. That triple-platinum album also yielded a string of successful radio singles, namely "Dragula", "Superbeast" and "Living Dead Girl", which dominated the airwaves.
The rocker-turned-film director is the only artist to experience unprecedented success in both music and film as the writer/director of five feature films, with a worldwide gross totaling more than $100 million dollars. The week of his album release, Zombie will premiere his sixth motion picture, "The Lords Of Salem", that he wrote, directed and produced in tandem with the producers of the "Paranormal Activity"franchise, on April 26, with Anchor Bay Films.
Last year, in addition to working on his film, Zombie also dominated the touring world in 2012, blowing away audiences on the road withMEGADETH, then with MARILYN MANSON for the "Twins Of Evil Tour".Zombie and his band of maniacs — John 5 on guitar, Piggy D on bass and Ginger Fish on drums — brought their elaborate, multi-media production, complete with hair-raising theatrics, animatronic robots, oversized LED screens, a non-stop collage of psychotronic monster film clips, a spectacular light show, a gigantic robot with flames shooting out of its body, pyrotechnics, insane guitar riffs and vicious beats to audiences and festivals around the world.
ANTHRAX: Video For Cover Version Of RUSH's 'Anthem' Available
"Anthems", ANTHRAX's long-awaited, eight-track EP that pays tribute to the classic songs by some of the band's favorite acts from the 1970s, will be released in North America on March 19 (MRI/Megaforce), and on March 22 in Europe (Nuclear Blast).
The video for ANTHRAX's cover of RUSH's "Anthem" can be viewed below.
Said ANTHRAX vocalist Joey Belladonna, "These are all bands I grew up with and have listened to forever. It's just great music. I had fun singing these songs and I was happy recording together with ANTHRAX, doing classic rock songs. Fun stuff!"
On BOSTON's "Smokin'", ANTHRAX brought in a special guest to play keyboards — Fred Mandel, who has played with ALICE COOPER, QUEEN,ELTON JOHN, CHEAP TRICK, SUPERTRAMP and on PINK FLOYD's "The Wall". About the track, drummer Charlie Benante said, "If ever there were a perfect first album, it's BOSTON's first album. The harmony leads they did would later be heard by IRON MAIDEN, which, of course, would lead to thrash metal."
"It was a lot of fun, especially because a lot of those [songs] aren't, I guess, normal for us or like so much of our repertoire — although they are because they're songs we all knew," guitarist Scott Ian told Billboard.com. "Maybe on paper the idea of us doing something like that seems weird, until you hear them and then it makes sense. And Joey's performance on the JOURNEY song, specifically, really blows my mind. Someone mentioned that [JOURNEY guitarist] Neal Schon better not hear this or we might lose our singer." ANTHRAX also also laid down a cover version of BLACK SABBATH's "Neon Knights" for the upcoming Ronnie James Dio tribute album which is being assembled by the singer's widow and longtime manager Wendy Dio.
Asked how the band selected which songs to cover, Ian said, "Like everything else, it's kind of like someone says a song and everyone else is like, 'Yeah, that's a good one.' It's really as simple as that. It's songs that in some shape or form we've been playing or jamming on for our whole lives. Because you really don't wanna have to work too hard on these things, although the RUSH song is a bit of a bitch; I can't say that's an easy one. But it's a song we all know and we're all familiar with, so then, of course, you take on the challenge of just really trying to nail it and do it justice."
According to ANTHRAX, they paid particular attention to the cover ofRUSH's "Anthem" in order to recreate the nuances of the original song.
"I have to get every little part of Geddy [Lee, RUSH bassist/vocalist] down, 'cause I'm a fanatic with that stuff, and I have to," bassist Frank Bello said. "It's great. I love it."
Added Scott: "Charlie [Benante, ANTHRAX drummer] bumped into [RUSH drummer] Neil Peart at the [Revolver] Golden Gods Awards a few months ago, and Neil actually said to Charlie, 'Yeah, we heard you guys are covering 'Anthem'. That's so cool. We put the clip of you playing drums [to the song] up on our web site.' And Charlie, I swear to God, he was like, the light, the glow that was coming off him after that was… I'd never seen anything quite like it."
The "Anthems" EP will be available on CD as well as digitally via iTunesand other online retailers. In addition to "Anthems"' cover art, Benanteand artist Stephen Thompson have subtly redesigned each track's original album cover art to "Anthrax" it. The "Anthems" EP will first be housed in one of the "re-imagined" digipak covers, and then inserted inside the main CD cover sleeve. The main cover sleeve has been designed in such a way so fans will be able to see which one of the six "re-imagined" covers is inside.
"Anthems" was produced by ANTHRAX, Jay Ruston and Rob Caggianoand recorded for the most part throughout 2012 literally all over the world: at Benante's home studio, in Ruston's New York studio, on the band's tour bus while on last summer's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, in hotel rooms, and backstage at their Berlin show last December.
The Grammy-nominated ANTHRAX will hit the road in support"Anthems" on February 16 with dates in India and Australia, and then return to North America to headline the Metal Alliance Tour that kicks off March 22. For all of these dates, ANTHRAX will be joined by SHADOWS FALL guitarist Jon Donais.
Source: Blabbermouth.net
Coheed and Cambria’s Claudio Sanchez Talks “Darker” Songs on The Afterman: Descension
Last week, Coheed and Cambria released the second installment of their concept double album, The Afterman. Frontman Claudio Sanchez says that the music from The Afterman: Descension, the latest chapter of their continuing Amory Wars sci-fi saga, is a bit different from the first installment, The Afterman: Ascension.
“Descension is the descent of Sirius [Amory],” he tells ABC News Radio. “He goes back to the planet side and he finds that in his absence his life is kinda falling apart. Sonically, it’s a bit darker but there is a great resolution when Sirius realizes at the end that there’s something he can do. I’m anxious to see what the Coheed fans think of it because I think that one’s just as special as Ascension.”
Sanchez adds that he enjoys writing music within the context of TheAmory Wars and he has no plans to make any Coheed and Cambria albums without it. “I can’t envision Coheed and Cambria without a concept,” he reveals. “It’s just kind of what I’ve become comfortable with, it’s like that’s what I do now. For me, it’s not hard and I just love to use my imagination. I spend most of my time daydreaming and it’s just natural for me.”
Coheed and Cambria is currently trekking across North America promoting The Afterman: Descension. Visit CoheedAndCambria.com to view the full itinerary.
Green Day Schedules West Coast Tour Dates, Movie Premieres
Green Day has added a few new West Coast dates to their 2013 tour, and announced premiere plans for two movies connected with the band.
The newly-added stops will be in Berkley, CA, at the Greek Theatre on April 16, and in Los Angeles at the LA Sports Arena on April 18. The band is back out on the road after they were forced to postpone tour dates last year after frontman Billie Joe Armstrongentered rehab.
Tickets for the Berkley show go on sale Friday, February 15 at noon PT; tickets for the L.A. show go on sale Friday, February 22 at 10 a.m. PT. Green Day fan club members will get first crack at seats to the Berkley show on Thursday, February 13 at noon PT.
The band also has some big film events planned. ¡Cuatro! -- the documentary chronicling the making of Green Day's latest trilogy of albums -- will be featured at the 20th Anniversary South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival, which runs March 8-16 in Austin, TX. The SXSW Film Festival will also be the venue for the premiere of Broadway Idiot, director Doug Hamilton's documentary about the making of the Broadway musicalAmerican Idiot.
For the complete list of Green Day tour dates, visit GreenDay.com.
Muse to Stream Shepherd’s Bush Empire Concert Live on YouTube
Muse has announced that the band's February 18 performance at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in London will be streamed live on YouTube. The show begins at 9:30 p.m. in London, 4:30 p.m. ET in the U.S., and you'll be able to watch it at www.YouTube.com/warchildmuse.
The show is a benefit for the War Child charity that is celebrating its 20th anniversary of aiding children in need. Muse will also perform on February 20 at the BRIT Awards. The band is nominated for Best British Group and Best Live Act at the Brits, which are the U.K. equivalent to the Grammys.
In other Muse news, the band has also made history as the single “Madness” has remained at number one for 19 weeks on the Billboard Alternative Songs radio airplay chart, according to the magazine, breaking the record of 18 weeks set by Foo Fighters' “The Pretender” in 2007.
HALESTORM Singer: Winning A GRAMMY 'Is Such A Huge Milestone For Us'
HALESTORM was honored with a Grammy in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 55th annual Grammy Awards, which was held last night (Sunday, February 10) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. HALESTORM was nominated for the track"Love Bites (So Do I)" , from the band's 2012 album "The Strange Case Of…"
Writing on her Instagram, HALESTORMsingerLzzy Hale said: "Last night was an incredible moment...
"I want to say a few words now that my head is together.
"This is such a huge milestone for us. I've been in this silly band HALESTORM since I was 13. That's 16 years I've been working at this.
"We've been playing an average of 260 dates a year since I was a teenager. So after dedicating my life to rock, receiving a Grammy for 'Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance' last night is such an amazing honor!
"I'm so proud to represent for my genre, which, by the way, is the beating heart and inspiration for so many other genres (even all the pop kids want to be rock stars). I'm also so proud to represent for all my femme freaks out there; I am the first female to win a Grammy in this category. I hope to use this gift as a weapon of empowerment.
"Nothing great comes without hard work and patience. It's a huge combo of luck and tunnel vision.
"I'm living proof that you can achieve your goals in life.
"Thank you to everyone who gave us a chance and has supported us throughout the years. Most of all, thanks you to our families and our freaks for enabling us to do what we love every day. We love you!"
"Love Bites" hit No. 1, making HALESTORM the first female-fronted act in history to top the Active Rock chart.
The nominees in this year's "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category were as follows:
HALESTORM - "Love Bites (So Do I)"
Track from: "The Strange Case Of..."
(Atlantic)
IRON MAIDEN - "Blood Brothers"
Track from: "En Vivo!"
(Ume)
LAMB OF GOD - "Ghost Walking"
Track from: "Resolution"
(Epic)
MARILYN MANSON – "No Reflection"
Track from: "Born Villain"
(Cooking Vinyl)
MEGADETH - "Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)"
Track from: "TH1RT3EN"
(Roadrunner)
COREY TAYLOR Talks About Upcoming Book In Video Interview
Cinema Assassin conducted an interview with SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor last month during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. You can now watch the chat below.
Taylor performed with FOO FIGHTERS mainman Dave Grohl as part of a new band called the SOUND CITY PLAYERS on January 18 at a concert in Park City during Sundance. The show featured what a publicist described as "core musicians" as well as "special guests" who appear inGrohl's new documentary, "Sound City: Real To Reel".
Taylor's second book, a follow-up to his 2011 memoir "Seven Deadly Sins", will be published this coming summer. The tentative title is "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Heaven". He explained what it's about, "It's basically my experiences with the paranormal, and ghost sightings and occurrences, and I've had a lot, enough that I'm writing a damn book about it. But it's actually . . . it's about how can I believe in ghosts, and not in God? So it's a very interesting conversation. And that's kind of what I wanted to do with 'Seven Deadly Sins', was start a conversation and get people thinking about it."
"Seven Deadly Sins" made the New York Times hardcover non-fiction best sellers list after it came out in July 2011, debuting at No. 26. The paperback edition, issued last year, features a bonus chapter.
Taylor promoted the book by doing a solo tour in which he combined readings, songs and discussion with the audience.
Source: Blabbermouth.net
The Black Keys' Patrick Carney Says Justin Bieber Doesn't Need Grammys Because "He's Rich"
Patrick Carney doesn’t think that teen pop star Justin Bieber deserves to win any Grammy Awards. The Black Keys drummer, whose band took home three Grammys on Sunday for their El Camino album, says that Bieber shouldn’t get any Grammys for his music because his tremendous wealth should be enough of a reward.
“He's rich," Carney tells TMZ.com. "Grammys are for, like, music, not for money. And he's making a lot of money. He should be happy."
The big winner of the Grammys, technically, was Keys singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach. In addition to the three awards the band picked up, Auerbach won an additional trophy for Producer of the Year, bringing his total to four.
Stone Sour Posts Lyric Video for “Do Me a Favor”
Stone Sour has released a lyric video for their new single, "Do Me a Favor," which is included on the upcoming, second installment of their House of Gold & Bones concept album. In the four-minute clip, the song's lyrics flash against walls of a rundown, empty house, and pieces of broken glass. In addition to checking out the song online, you can purchase it at all digital retailers on Tuesday. House of Gold & Bones Part 2 is set to arrive in stores on April 9. Shortly after that, you’ll be able to get your hands on the first issue of a comic book mini-series based on the double album starting April 17.
Jack White Working on “20 to 25 Tracks” for Second Solo Album
Jack White may not have taken home any trophies for his debut solo album during the Grammy Awards on Sunday, but the singer will hopefully get another shot in the near future as he’s already in the studio making the follow-up to Blunderbuss.
"I've got about 20 to 25 tracks I'm working on right now -- a lot of songs," White tellsRolling Stone. "It's a good time for writing for me."
The ex-White Stripes singer adds that he has been recording the new tracks with his all-female backing band, the Peacocks, and his all-male backing band, the Buzzards. “I just want to write and bring the Buzzards and Peacocks in and work on some things and work on the things with no intention of what it's going to be,” he reveals. “No competition between the bands -– just keep writing and recording until I decide what it's going to be."
White notes that the upcoming album will feature a variety of different musical styles. "It's definitely not one sound," he explains. "It's all over the place. After going out on the road with two bands, that a gigantic new family, my influences have just spread out even more."
A release date for the album has yet to be announced.
Report: The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach Splits from Wife
The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach has split from his wife Stephanie Gonis, reports Us Weekly.
Sources tell the magazine that the guitarist’s wife was absent at the Grammy Awards over the weekend because Auerbach is “going through a divorce.” The report also mentions that Auerbach’s wedding ring was “noticeably absent” as he walked the red carpet at the event.
Auerbach and Gonis have one child together, a 4-year-old daughter named Sadie Little Auerbach.
Auerbach won a total of four Grammy Awards on Sunday, including a trophy for Producer of the Year for his work on Dr. John’s album, Locked Down, as well as on the Black Keys' own album El Camino and an album by Hacienda.
Kings of Leon Drummer Tweets Photo of Newborn Daughter
Kings of Leon’s Nathan Followill wants to give you a first look at his newborn daughter,Violet Marlowe Followill. The drummer recently tweeted a picture of his little girl wrapped in a blanket, along with the caption, “Hello world, my name is Violet, nice to meet you.”
Violet was born on December 26, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee and is the first baby for Nathan and his wife, singer-songwriter Jessie Baylin, who were married in 2009.
It is the third child for the family band. Nathan’s brother, lead vocalist Caleb Followill, and Caleb's wife, Lily Aldridge, welcomed their first child, daughter Dixie Pearl, in June. His cousin, guitarist Matthew Followill, and Matthew's wife, Johanna Bennett, became parents in 2011 with the birth of their son Knox.
Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda to Select Artists for Recording Academy’s Centerstage Program
Linkin Park multi-instrumentalist Mike Shinoda has signed on to participate in the Recording Academy’s new initiative to help emerging artists. Shinoda will be part of a panel for the Centerstage Powered by Grammy Amplifier program, which will select three undiscovered artists to receive prizes that will help them on their journey to become Grammy winners.
Bands who submit their music to GrammyAmplifier.com will be eligible to win a recording session with a Grammy-winning producer or the chance to work with a noted producer or director on a music video. In addition, the winners will also get the chance to be the opening act on a major tour or music festival.
“The line between professional musician and amateur has completely vanished,” Shinoda tells Billboard.biz. “People at any level can now have a successful career as musicians. This project is the Academy’s way of adapting to those changes.”
The three winners of the program will be announced at this year’s South by Southwest music festival, which runs March 12-17 in Austin, Texas.
Device Posts Trailer for Debut Album Online
Device -- Disturbed frontman David Draiman’s new side project with former Filterguitarist Geno Lenardo, Evanescence drummer Will Hunt and Dope guitarist Virus -- wants to remind you that they’ve got a new album headed our way.
On Monday, the band posted a trailer online for their self-titled debut album. The 43-second clip features footage of the band performing in a white room, accompanied by what may be a snippet of a track from the album.
Device’s self-titled debut album will arrive at all the usual outlets on April 9, and will include appearances by Avenged Sevenfold frontman M. Shadows, System of a Downsinger Serj Tankian, Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, Halestormfrontwoman Lzzy Hale, Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler and former Deep Purplebassist Glenn Hughes.
We’ll get our first taste of the new music when the album’s first single, “Vilify,” arrives at radio on February 19.
VOLBEAT Frontman: New Album Contains 'Some Of The Heaviest Songs We Have Ever Recorded'
Former ANTHRAX guitarist Rob Caggiano earlier in the month joined Danish metal rock 'n' rollers VOLBEAT. Caggiano served as producer onVOLBEAT's latest album, "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies", alongside longtime production partner Jacob Hansen, who produced and mixed the band's prior four albums. Caggiano's other producer credits include THE DAMNED THINGS, BLEEDING THROUGH and ANTHRAX, and he was a member of ANTHRAX for two tenures — from 2001 to 2005 and again from 2007 to 2013.
Speaking to U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, VOLBEAT singer and guitaristMichael Poulsen stated about Caggiano's addition to the band and the upcoming CD: "When you get to the point in your career where you're making a number of albums, I don't really see the point in putting out the same record twice. So I felt it was time to change some of our habits, because in the past we've tended to work in the same way, at producerJacob Hansen's studio… So this time around, we've come to PUK studios in Denmark and Rob Caggiano has become involved, working alongsideJacob. The result is a new sound for VOLBEAT, a new vibe, although that's not to say the songs aren't still typical of what we are known for; it's still 100 percent VOLBEAT, but everything has been taken to a higher degree, and I can honestly say I've never heard the band playing so well. Everyone has been truly inspired by the new surroundings and the new team — so much so that I've even re-written some of the songs in the studio; there were so many great ideas flying around, that it made me want to push myself even harder… and the recordings are sounding great. Nothing is mixed yet, but it's really strong already, so my main concern is that whoever mixes the record doesn't fuck it up! Having said that, we just heard a test mix from Chris Lord-Alge — it was amazing, so he's now confirmed to mix the whole thing."
He continued: "I know everyone says this, but this IS the best albumVOLBEAT has recorded — at least until the next one! I set myself a number of goals for this record, and all of them have been achieved, so I couldn't be happier, and having Rob on board has really worked out well.
"You know, I was really impressed with the sound of the new ANTHRAXalbum, which he worked on, so we discussed maybe working together in the studio on a couple of songs, but it's now gone way further than that!Rob really knows what he's doing…
"One of the things I'm most happy about this time is the contrast in the material, the range of the music; on the one side, you have the western motifs, the rockabilly/country songs, and the real emotional melodies, and on the other, some of the heaviest — actually, THE heaviest — songs we have ever recorded. There was a record company guy in the studio the other day, and he was absolutely blown away by the ultra-heavy stuff. He said he wasn't even sure he was listening to VOLBEAT! [laughs]"
VOLBEAT's fifth album, "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies", will be released on April 9 (one day earlier internationally) viaSpinefarm/Universal Music.
VOLBEAT will embark on a North American headlining tour in the spring. The trek, which will feature support from DANKO JONES, will kick off on March 6 in Dallas, Texas.
Former KORN Drummer Pleads Guilty In Sleeping Pill DUI Case
According to TMZ.com, former KORN drummer David Silveria pleaded guilty to a charge of allegedly driving under the influence. In exchange, prosecutors dropped the hit-and-run charge in connection with the March 2012 incident in which the 40-year-old musician — who played with KORNfor 13 years — rear-ended another car on his way to breakfast in Huntington Beach, California.
Silveria was sentenced to three years of informal probation, a three-month first offender program, and he must attend a M.A.D.D. victim impact panel.
Silveria told TMZ.com that he had no alcohol in his system when he was arrested for DUI on March 25, 2012, claiming that he was taken into custody over a sleeping pill he took the night before. Hr said that he took a sleeping pill the night before his arrest to help him with insomnia. When he woke up the following morning, he accidentally rear-ended the other car.
Although Silveria says he blew a 0.0 on the breathalyzer at the scene of the accident, the cops decided to arrest him for DUI after being told about the sleeping pill.
Silveria told TMZ.com at the time that he planned to take responsibility for his actions, insisting, "It was an honest mistake."
Silveria last year joined forces with ANYONE members Riz Story and Miki Black in a brand new project called INFINIKA.
David left KORN in late 2006 in order to focus on family life along with running his steak house and sushi restaurant.
OZZY OSBOURNE Says New BLACK SABBATH Album Sounds Like 'Satanic Blues'
Legendary heavy metal band BLACK SABBATH will release its much-anticipated new album, "13", in June via Vertigo/Universal Republic in the U.S. and Vertigo in all other territories. The drum tracks on the group's first LP with Ozzy Osbourne since 1978 were laid down by RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE sticksman Brad Wilk following original drummerBill Ward's decision to bow out of the reunion.
Osbourne, Tony Iommi (guitar) and Geezer Butler (bass) recorded the album primarily in Los Angeles with producer Rick Rubin. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "God Is Dead", "End Of The Beginning" and"Age Of Reason", the latter two of which stretch out to as long as eight minutes.
"I wanted to make an album that stood alongside their first four albums,"Rubin tells RollingStone.com. "The first album wasn't a straightforward heavy metal record. You could hear the jazz influence, so that was the goal, and to capture that live interaction."
Ward in May 2012 announced again that he was declining to join his former bandmates for its scheduled 2012 dates, as well as the recording of the new album, due to a contractual dispute. After SABBATH shot downRubin's suggestion to replace Ward with Ginger Baker (CREAM) ("I thought, 'Bloody hell?'" Iommi tells the magazine. "I just couldn't see that."), Rick suggested Wilk.
Iommi tells RollingStone.com that Ward's demands came out of the blue. "I didn't know Bill was having these issues when we got together — he never even mentioned it to us," he says. "It was quite confusing. We wanted him involved, but it was just getting too hard." Adds Osbourne: "You can't go, 'Well, I don't like it.' You get off your ass and get your shit together. The life of a bohemian rock star is fucking long over."
Iommi was diagnosed with cancer at the end of 2011, and his treatments forced BLACK SABBATH to cancel all but three tour dates in 2012 after announcing their reunion in November 2011.
"Things are fairly good, dare I say, at the moment," Iommi tellsRollingStone.com. "I'm still here and it's okay. We had to do this album now. Christ, if it happened in another 10 years, I don't know if we'd be around."
Osbourne, who describes the new SABBATH album as "Satanic blues," also spoke about one of the band's new tracks, the provocatively titled"God Is Dead". "It starts off, 'God is dead,'" Osbourne says, "but at the end it says, 'I don't believe that God is dead.'"
COREY TAYLOR Says GRAMMYS 'Don't Respect' Heavy Metal Genre At All
SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor has accused The Recording Academy of disrespecting the heavy metal genre by not including it in the televised portion of the Grammy Awards.
HALESTORM was honored with a Grammy in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 55th annual Grammy Awards, which were held last night (Sunday, February 10) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. HALESTORM was nominated for the track "Love Bites (So Do I)" , from the band's 2012 album "The Strange Case Of…"
Writing on his Twitter profile shortly after the "Hard Rock/Metal" winner was announced, Taylor said: "I'm happy for HALESTORM, but sad because the Grammys don't respect our genre AT ALL. We get one category and it's not even televised."
In an effort to continuously evolve its Grammy Awards process, The Recording Academy announced in April 2011 that it had restructured theGrammy categories across all genres and fields, bringing the total number of categories to be recognized at the 54th Grammy Awards in 2012 to 78 from 109. As a result, instead of separate "Best Metal" and "Best Hard Rock" performance prizes, there is now a single "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" award.
Source: Blabbermouth.net
Grammy Winners List
Here are the winners of the 55th Grammy Awards, held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday night: Album of the Year
Mumford & Sons, Babel
Record of the Year
Gotye featuring Kimbra, "Somebody That I Used to Know"
Song Of The Year [awarded to songwriter]
"We Are Young," Jack Antonoff, Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dost & Nate Ruess, songwriters (fun. featuring Janelle Monae)
Best New Artist
fun. Best Pop Vocal Album
Kelly Clarkson, Stronger
Best Pop Solo Performance
"Set Fire To The Rain (Live)," Adele
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
"Somebody That I Used To Know," Gotye featuring Kimbra
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album Kisses On The Bottom, Paul McCartney
Best Rock Performance
"Lonely Boy," The Black Keys
Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance
"Love Bites (So Do I)," Halestorm
Best Rock Song
"Lonely Boy," The Black Keys
Best Rock Album El Camino, The Black Keys
Best Alternative Music Album Making Mirrors, Gotye
Best R&B Performance
"Climax," Usher
Best Traditional R&B Performance
"Love On Top," Beyoncé
Best R&B Song
"Adorn," Miguel
Best Urban Contemporary Album ChannelOrange, Frank Ocean
Best R&B Album Black Radio, Robert Glasper Experiment
Best Rap Performance
"N****s In Paris," Jay-Z & Kanye West
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
"No Church In The Wild," Jay-Z & Kanye West featuring Frank Ocean & The-Dream
Best Rap Song
"N****s In Paris," Jay-Z & Kanye West Best Rap Album Take Care, Drake
Best Country Solo Performance
Carrie Underwood, "Blown Away"
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
"Pontoon," Little Big Town Best Country Song
"Blown Away," Carrie Underwood
Best Country Album Uncaged, Zac Brown Band Song Written For Visual Media
"Safe & Sound" (From The Hunger Games), Taylor Swift, John Paul White, Joy Williams Short-Form Music Video
"We Found Love," Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris Long-Form Music Video
"Big Easy Express," Mumford & Sons Best Spoken Word Society's Child: My Autobiography, Janis Ian
Metallica to Sing National Anthem, Throw Out First Pitch at San Francisco Giants Game in May
Metallica may have formed in Los Angeles, but for many years they have been based in San Francisco's Bay Area. Now, the hard-rock legends will help support their local baseball team, the world champion San Francisco Giants, during the first 2013 home game it will be playing against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers.
The band has just announced that they will be on hand to celebrate the first-ever Metallica Night at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California on May 3. Frontman James Hetfield and the guys will sing the national anthem at the start of the game, and will also throw out the first pitch.
Tickets for the event are on sale now. In addition, everyone who picks up a ticket will receive a collector's-edition Metallica Giants hat.
Black Keys, fun., Jack White & More Offer Items for Grammy Charity Auction
Looking for that perfect gift for the music lover in your life? The Grammy Foundation and MusiCares are offering up some sweet deals over at eBay in an auction that got under way on Friday.
The sale features guitars autographed by The Black Keys as well as music memorabilia from the likes of Aerosmith, fun. and Jack White, among others. In addition, the auction will include official merchandise from the 55th Annual Grammy Awards signed by artists who participated in the rehearsals and telecast.
The auction, which ends February 21, will benefit the Grammy Foundation and MusiCares, which offers assistance to musicians in need.
Coheed and Cambria Unveils Video for “Dark Side of Me”
Coheed and Cambria is celebrating the recent release of the second installment of theirAfterman concept album, The Afterman: Descension, by dropping a video for their new single, “Dark Side of Me."
The clip features the band performing the track in a dimly lit room where a shadowy, sharply-clawed female figure hovers around frontman Claudio Sanchez, occasionally embracing him and stroking his hair.
"'Dark Side of Me' is a song about the duality of human nature,” said Sanchez in a statement. “It's natural to try to hide the more sinister facets of ourselves from the people we care about, but to ever truly share a life with another person, that dark side needs to make its way out into the open."
Coheed and Cambria is currently trekking across North America promoting The Afterman: Descension. Visit CoheedAndCambria.com to view the full itinerary.
Former KORN Guitarist BRIAN 'HEAD' WELCH Has No Regrets
James Wood of GuitarWorld.com recently conducted an interview with former KORN guitarist and current LOVE & DEATH frontman Brian "Head" Welch. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
GuitarWorld.com: How did LOVE & DEATH get started?
Welch: When I left KORN, I did a solo record, which was very personal and experimental. I hired a few guys and went on the road, and a few of them have stayed with me over the years. We've all become good friends.LOVE & DEATH is really a group effort that shows you what can happen when you let other people in to distribute their gifts on a project.
GuitarWorld.com: You were able to reach the pinnacle of success and the rock-star dream with KORN.
Welch: True. But if you have all of that and you're still empty inside, what does it matter? It all means nothing. Everywhere we went, we were able to take whatever we wanted; getting the free alcohol and sometimes free drugs. Wherever we went, there were no laws, and it was killing us. You can call it "fun" — that is, until you realize it's tearing you down, and it tore all of us down.
GuitarWorld.com: Do you have any regrets?
Welch: Never. Everything is meant to be in life, and I love the person I've become. I'm still growing into the person I really want to be in the future. Now that I've found myself, it means a lot. I know it's a gift.
GuitarWorld.com: You were recently asked to perform on stage withKORN again. What was it like performing with them as the "new" Brian?
Welch: It was exciting. I appreciated just being there, but for different reasons. I could also breathe easier, because I'm so much healthier now.
GuitarWorld.com: What brings you fulfillment?
Welch: My spiritual life and raising my daughter and steering her in the right direction. I also know that the music itself is a gift that I have to give.
TOOL Drummer Hopeful New Album Will Drop This Year
Even though singer Maynard James Keenantold a Chilean radio stationearlier in the week that TOOL will not be releasing a new album in 2013, the band's drummer Danny Carey is hopeful that TOOL's next CD could still arrive in the next few months. "Sometime this year … that's all I can say," Carey told New Zealand's The Rock FM regarding a possible release date for the record. "The sooner the better for us. We're working every day but you can never predict it, honestly. We're really excited about it, so I hope all the fans will be too."
Carey also revealed that TOOL has amassed a significant amount of live material for possible future release on CD or DVD. "We have tons of stuff recorded," he said. "I hope we do make that happen one of these days. We have lots of video stuff too, we could do a DVD or two whenever we get around to it. We're kind of trying to focus on the new thing now, so we'll go back at some point and do it."
In a separate interview with David Farrier, Carey spoke about "a big'Lateralus'-type song" that is being pieced for TOOL's next album. "We're still — believe it or not! — still working on it," he laughed. "It's like an ever-evolving thing. It's probably going to turn into a thing that's, like, a big trilogy type of feel to it, sort of like 'Disposition' and 'Intension'and 'Triad', like on the 'Lateralus' record or something. It will probably be over a 20-minute piece when it's all finished, so it will be a good part of the record. We're dealing with it in sections, but it's coming together really well. We're having lots of fun working on it, that's for sure."
Carey also confirmed that he was the previously unidentified member ofTOOL who was recently injured in a scooter crash, pushing back the band's writing and rehearsal sessions. "It's been tough lately because I cracked four ribs, broke three of them on a motorcycle the other day, so I am kinda laid up at this point," he said. "It's making it really painful to play. It's not an easy thing to do. [laughs] It was just over in the San Fernando Valley, I was just turning to go on the freeway, and I think I hit some antifreeze or oil or something, and the wheels just slipped right out from under me, and I just hit the pavement really hard. [laughs] Yeah, I'm still in one piece anyway, but I don't know how lucky I was the way I feel right now. [laughs] It's pretty painful, but some painkillers and some scotch will get you through it."
TOOL hasn't released a new album since 2006's "10,000 Days", although the group has toured intermittently since then.
Keenan and his side act PUSCIFER will release their new EP, "Donkey Punch The Night", on February 19, with some touring to follow.
Source: Blabbermouth.net
Guns N’ Roses Named Third Headliner for Governors Ball Music Festival
The lineup for this year’s Governors Ball Music Festival is now complete. Event producers have just announced that Guns N’ Roses will be the third headliner for the upcoming fest. The band joins previously-announced headliners Kings of Leon and Kanye West at the event, which will be held June 7-9 on New York City's Randall’s Island.
Other artists appearing at the Governors Ball Music Festival include Young the Giant, The Lumineers, Grizzly Bear, The xx, Animal Collective, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Feist and Beach House, plus more. To see the complete festival artist roster, head over to GovernorsBallMusicFestival.com.
Dave Grohl Schedules TV Appearances, Sound City Players Performance on Letterman
Dave Grohl will be making a couple of TV appearances while he’s in New York City next week to promote his recently-released documentary, Sound City. The Foo Fightersfrontman will drop by Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report on Wednesday, which is the same day he’ll be putting on a concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom with the Sound City Players, a band comprised of some of the artists who appear in the movie.
Accompanying Grohl for the concert will be all the members of the Foo Fighters, formerNirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, Queens of the Stone Age multi-instrumentalist Alain Johannes, Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen, Fear frontman Lee Ving, Rage Against the Machine drummer Brad Wilk, John Fogerty, Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks, Rick Springfield and producer Chris Goss.
The next day, Grohl will bring his Sound City Players to CBS’ The Late Show with David Letterman to perform on the program.
Grohl has said that he plans on staging Sound City Players concerts all over the world in the coming months. More dates for the supergroup are expected to be announced soon.
Jack White Previews Collaboration with Butthole Surfers’ Gibby Haynes, “Paul’s Not Home”
Jack White is giving us a taste of his new collaboration with Butthole Surfers frontmanGibby Haynes for his Third Man Records labels' Blues Series.
The ex-White Stripes frontman has posted online a stream of their cover of Adrenalin OD's "Paul's Not Home," which is one of the tracks set to be released on Valentine’s Day. The upcoming three-track release also includes new songs, "You Don't Have to Be Smart" and "Horse Named George."
While the digital downloads of the songs are set to be released on February 14, a 100-copy, limited edition vinyl version -- which will be pressed on old medical x-rays -- will be available exclusively at the Third Man Records' Rolling Record Store during next month’s South by Southwest music festival in Austin, TX.
Muse Spends a Day at the Beach in “Supremacy” Video
Muse provides the soundtrack to a day at the beach for an unusual group of skaters/surfers in the new video for “Supremacy,” the next single from their Grammy-nominated album, The 2nd Law.
The video’s storyline focuses on a gang of young people in gothic-style makeup who spend the day at the beach skateboarding and surfing before attending a wedding. The clip also features footage of the band performing the song on a platform overlooking the ocean.
Muse is currently on tour overseas, but they’ll return to kick off a North American tour on February 22 at the BB&T Center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Visit Muse.mu to view the full itinerary.
Marilyn Manson Collapses During Canadian Concert Due to Flu Symptoms
Marilyn Manson fans have the flu to blame for the singer collapsing on stage on Wednesday night during a concert in Saskatchewan's TCU Place in Saskatoon. TMZ.com is reporting that Manson was suffering from various flu symptoms and “vomit[ed] on stage several times” before he “passed out” while performing the show’s encore, “The Beautiful People.” The gossip site adds that Manson had been “feeling like crap all day long” but didn’t want to disappoint fans by canceling the concert.
Sources tell TMZ that the singer didn’t go to the hospital following the incident, but that he headed back to his hotel room to recuperate. Manson is expected to continue his tour dates as scheduled. Fan-filmed footage of event has been posted on YouTube, and you can see the singer going down at around one minute and 13 seconds into the clip.
LIMP BIZKIT's WES BORLAND Talks BLACK LIGHT BURNS In New Video Interview
Austria's Mulatschag TV recently conducted an interview with LIMP BIZKIT guitarist and BLACK LIGHT BURNS frontman Wes Borland. You can now watch the chat below.
BLACK LIGHT BURNS released a new album, "Lotus Island", on January 21 through digital retailers such as Amazon or iTunes, as well as via the band's official web site. The 40-minute effort includes seven instrumental tracks, three brand new songs, and a complete remix and remaster of the"It Rapes All In Its Path" tune.
Wes recently hinted that "Lotus Island" can be listened to on its own or experienced along with the 1973 Alejandro Jodorowsky film "The Holy Mountain" as an alternative soundtrack during the first 40 minutes, "before and up to the point where the movie launches into the individual stories of the most powerful people in the world."
"Lotus Island" track listing:
01. The Alchemist
02. The Thief
03. The City
04. It's Good To Be Gold
05. The Opportunists
06. The Hate Of My Life
07. The Dancers
08. It Rapes All In Its Path
09. The Parasite
10. My Love Is Coming For You
11. The Master
Check out audio samples of the entire album at Amazon.com.
"Lotus Island" was mixed by Borland and follows last year's "The Moment You Realize You're Going To Fall", which sold around 900 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 20 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"The Moment You Realize You're Going To Fall" was issued on August 14, 2012 via Rocket Science Ventures/THC: Music.
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE: 'Temper Temper' Track-By-Track Breakdown Parts 2 And 3
Welsh metallers BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE will release their fourth studio album, "Temper Temper", on February 12. The LP will be available in both standard and deluxe editions on RCA Records.
A video breakdown of the last seven tracks from the album can be seen in two parts below.
"Temper Temper" was once again produced by Don Gilmore (LINKIN PARK, GOOD CHARLOTTE), who worked on the group's last LP, 2010's"Fever", and was mixed by noted engineer Chris Lord-Alge (DEFTONES,NICKELBACK, AVENGED SEVENFOLD).
Speaking to Cameron Edney of Australia's Scene magazine, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE frontman Matt Tuck stated about the lyrical themes covered on the new CD: "'Temper Temper' is about losing touch with each other and losing touch with reality in the band, taking things for granted.
"There was a part of the last touring cycle where, for the first time in the 20 years that we've known each other, we started to dislike each other a little bit and weren't hanging out together. That's why the album is called'Temper Temper'. That's why a lot of the songs are called what they are, and the lyrical content reflects those times. This album is the most personal album I've ever written. It was a weird time for us."
As personal as the album is, there are some songs Tuck connects with more than others. "'Breaking Point' is an important one; it's the first one we wrote for the album," he said. "I think the first song you write is the most important 'cause it really sets the tone for where the album is going. Lyrically, I think 'Living Life (On The Edge Of A Knife)' and 'Truth Hurts'are the most personal. They are delving into the darker side of being inBULLET, the rough times... drinking too much, experimenting with drugs, being a bit too rock 'n' roll. It's letting people know that it is an amazing lifestyle, but at times it can be a dark, lonely place, especially if you're not enjoying yourself. It's a shitty place to be when things get tough."
"Temper Temper" track listing:
01. Breaking Point
02. Truth Hurts
03. Temper Temper
04. P.O.W.
05. Dirty Little Secret
06. Leech
07. Dead To The World
08. Riot
09. Saints n Sinners
10. Tears Don't Fall (Part 2)
11. Livin Life (On The Edge of A Knife)
Deluxe-edition bonus tracks:
12. Not Invincible
13. Whole Lotta Rosie (from the "Live Lounge" show on BBC Radio 1)
14. Scream Aim Fire (from the "Live Lounge" show on BBC Radio)
The "Temper Temper" title track was released on November 25 across all digital providers.
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE's video for the song "Riot" can be seen below. The clip was filmed in November in New York City with renowned director P.R. Brown, who has previously worked with such artists as MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, John Mayer, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood,Prince, AUDIOSLAVE, MÖTLEY CRÜE and SIXX: A.M.
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE will embark on a U.K. tour in March. Support on all dates will come from HALESTORM.
"Temper Temper" track by track - part 3:
"Temper Temper" track by track - part 2:
"Temper Temper" track by track - part 1:
SOUNDGARDEN: Los Angeles Concert To Be Filmed By 'Live From The Artists Den'
"Live From The Artists Den", the three-time New YorkEmmy-nominated television series which pairs world-class musicians with unique venues to create intimate, once-in-a-lifetime concerts, will film SOUNDGARDEN's February 17 concert at Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, California. They will also be giving away round-trip airfare and tickets for one fan and a guest to attend the show. Enter the contest at this location.
SOUNDGARDEN released the music video on January 29 for "By Crooked Steps", the second single from the quartet's new album, "King Animal". Singer Chris Cornell told The Pulse Of Radio a little about the tune: "It's one of the earlier songs that we started working on, but I also felt like it, to me, is like definitely sort of a new chapter for us. If you wanted to take one example of SOUNDGARDEN progressing, that's a good one for me."
The "By Crooked Steps" clip was directed by FOO FIGHTERS frontmanDave Grohl, who submitted a treatment for the video on his own initiative after hearing the song.
"King Animal" came out last November and was SOUNDGARDEN's first set of all-new material in 16 years.
SOUNDGARDEN kicked off a winter North American tour last month.
COREY TAYLOR Says New SLIPKNOT Album Is Two Years Away
Although he's still deeply immersed in the promotion and touring cycle forSTONE SOUR's double album, "House Of Gold And Bones", singer Corey Taylor has a rough timeline worked out in his head for the next SLIPKNOTalbum — and he told The Pulse Of Radio it's still quite far off. "Essentially, I want to start looking at putting demos together for SLIPKNOT fall of 2014, to go in the studio in 2015 and start making an album. So it's gonna be a while," he said.
Taylor told Loudwire that SLIPKNOT will play five festival shows this year, all overseas, and that other, unnamed members of the band are "getting healthy and trying to stay healthy," although he did not go into detail.
He mentioned a similar timeline in that interview as well, saying that the band would begin demoing material in late 2014.
SLIPKNOT's last U.S. performances were its own Knotfest shows, which took place last August in Council Bluffs, Iowa and Somerset, Wisconsin.
SLIPKNOT bassist Paul Gray died in May 2010 from an overdose of drugs — a devastating tragedy which brought the other members of the band closer together and helped them reconnect after they grew apart through years of touring and success.
"We had all stretched ourselves into different lives for the most part, and then we lost Paul," Taylor told DesMoinesRegister.com in August. "It was such a shock to us that it made us sit up and look at what we were doing with our lives and how we were toward each other. We were so close in the beginning, then for whatever reason we all drifted apart here and there.
"Losing someone like that, a great friend and an amazing brother — someone who is so important to the band in so many ways — you start to look at what you take for granted."
Gray made his final recorded appearance on SLIPKNOT's 2008 album, "All Hope Is Gone", which was certified platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) in August 2010 for shipments in excess of one million copes in the United States — the band's fourth consecutive full-length release to achieve the milestone.
IN THIS MOMENT Guitarist: 'In The Grand Scheme Of Things, We're A Blip On The Radar'
Alison Richter of Examiner.com recently conducted an interview with guitarist Chris Howorth of Southern California'sIN THIS MOMENT. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Examiner.com: ["Blood"] is your third album with [producer] Kevin Churko. How has the working relationship grown?
Chris: We met Kevin after our first album. We went to Vegas and did one song with him to see how it would go. We were there for two days and we hit it off with him instantly. He was so talented and such a great guy.Maria [Brink, vocals] and I have always historically butted heads when writing because we each want our way, and back then, especially, it could be much more of a painful process to write songs. Kevin had a way of getting through all that and getting the best out of us. We both trusted him and his decisions, so we let him be the final word on things we disagreed about. We loved that album ["The Dream"] so much that there was no question in our minds that we would go with Kevin again for the next album ["A Star-Crossed Wasteland"] for the same reason: we felt that he was a great talent. With this one, Maria and I were adamant that we wanted to work with Kevin again. We felt that there's always been magic and chemistry between us when we all write, and Kevin thinks that we're a band that hasn't gotten its due yet. He believes in us and has always made it work for us and that's why we're still with him. It was the right decision, because once we switched management and the members left, we were scared. "What are we going to do?" "Do people not believe in us anymore?" Are we done?" — these are questions we were asking in our heads. Kevin said, "You don't need anyone else. The three of us can make this happen and make the best record you've ever made. It's just a matter of time for you." He's a part of the team, and from the beginning we've said that. He's integral to this process. He's like a band member.
Examiner.com: What is different about this album?
Chris: First, we lost our rhythm section, guys who were partners with us since the beginning and so they all had a say in everything. Even thoughMaria and I were always the leaders and the final word, we always respected everyone else and took their opinions into consideration. This time, writing and recording, it was just Maria and I and Kevin that needed to be happy. It opened a whole new realm for us. Everything is our choice and it makes it different in that way. We're also feeling a lot freer to experiment and try new things. We've added new elements to our sound. People hear it and know that it's us, but it's fresh and new and more modern and it's taking us to a whole new level.
Examiner.com: Do you ever step back from the band and grasp the breadth of what you have accomplished so far?
Chris: When you're in it so deeply, like we are, sometimes you lose track of that stuff. The only way to do it is to step outside of it, if you can do that, and look at the whole thing. When we're touring, if we have a bad show or we feel it's not the right tour for us, it can feel like, "What are we doing? Are we falling apart?" You're so deep inside of it. But when you step outside of it, you meet a new fan who tells you how much you mean to them, or how big the band is, or other bands tell you that. Otherwise, you don't really know. So it kind of depends on where we are in our heads as to how we view the whole thing. We know we've been very blessed to do a lot of amazing things. Our band is established to a point where a lot of people in the metal and hard rock worlds know our name, but in the grand scheme of things, we're a blip on the radar. We want to break through that. So it's hard to gauge. It depends on who we talk to and how we view ourselves.
Rad the entire interview from Examiner.com.
"Blood"video:
Source: Blabbermouth.net
Dave Grohl and Elton John Reveal Collaboration on Queens of the Stone Age Track
On his third go-round as guest host for Chelsea Handler on her E! show Chelsea Lately, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl on Wednesday revealed during an interview with Elton John that the Rocket Man played on a Queens of the Stone Agetrack that was recorded last fall.
The interview was something of a gush-fest between the pair, beginning with the two recalling how they first met.
Grohl explained he was in London with his wife and a friend several years ago when they spotted Elton hurrying into his car. The starstruck friend wanted Grohl to introduce them, but the superstar's car drove off: only to stop and, to Grohl's surprise, drop Elton off so he could introduce himself as a fan of the Foo Fighters frontman.
Elton explained his decision to appear on the E! show by saying, "I do respect this guy so much, I think he's probably the most respected guy from his generation in the business, and I couldn't say no. And I love him dearly.”
The pair then discussed their until-now secret collaboration on a Queens of the Stone Age track, which Elton apparently recorded right after his duet with Engelbert Humperdinck. "I went from Engelbert Humperdinck to Queens of the Stone Age, which was a bit of a mindfu**," John joked.
No word on when or if the track will be released, but Queens of the Stone Age have said they plan to release a new album sometime in the first half of this year.
Elton also revealed that he's willing to play with a lot of bands, but hardly any ask him because they assume he'll say no.
Elton expressed his admiration for Grohl, saying, "I love him because he's still a fan of music. He's got so many different projects he plays on, he's got so many bands he's a part of, and he has the time, he takes the time to champion people, and that's where I'm at, still, and I love people like this, so you know, he's a good guy."
When Elton told Grohl, "And one day, I'll play on stage with you, maybe," Grohl replied, "Promise?" Elton said yes.
Jack White Talks Plans to Reissue Over 25,000 Rare and Vintage Blues Recordings on Vinyl
Jack White has revealed more details about his new vinyl reissue series, Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order. The ex-White Stripes singer says that he plans to reissue the entire catalog of rare and vintage blues recordings that are owned by Scottish independent Blues label, Document Records.
"There's over 25,000 recordings [to release]," he tells BBC 6 Music. "[I’ll be] releasing the full recorded works [in] chronological order. It's not a project for the faint-hearted."
White adds that releasing the recordings through his label, Third Man Records, is a labor of love and has nothing to do with turning a profit. “We just want to create things that we want to see exist and if it breaks even, we're lucky -- if not, it doesn't really matter,” he explains. “[These recordings are] very important to American history and also to the history of the world.”
The first installment of White's reissue series was released on January 29 and featured recordings by Charley Patton, Blind Willie McTell and The Mississippi Sheiks.
Baroness' Driver to Face Criminal Charges for Tour Bus Crash
On August 15 of last year, Baroness’ tour bus fell 30 feet from a viaduct outside of Bath, England, injuring the four band members and their five crew members, some seriously. Now, BBC News is reporting that the tour bus driver, Norman Markus, will appear in court in April.
Markus will be facing a number of criminal charges including “using a vehicle with defective brakes,” “not having the correct license entitlement to drive the coach involved in the crash,” “insufficient daily and weekly rest periods” and “using a vehicle in a condition likely to cause danger of injury.”
Within a few weeks of the accident, frontman John Baizley posted an open letter to fans on the band’s website to give his account of what happened the night of the crash.
"When the bus hit the ground, I flew like a missile into the windshield,” wrote the singer. “My left leg was very obviously and badly broken. My left arm was crushed beyond belief, broken in the middle…and hanging 90 degrees backwards, with many spurs of bone poking through muscles and sinew at the surface of my skin. There was blood, glass and diesel fuel everywhere.”
As a result of the crash, the band was forced to cancel the reminder of its 2012 tour dates.
Beck to Unveil Cover of David’s Bowie’s ”Sound and Vision” on Sunday
While you won’t see Beck on stage at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, the singer will be offering up a unique performance for his fans on the day of the big show.
Beck has revealed that he’ll will be releasing a video of his cover version of David Bowie’s song, “Sound and Vision,” as part of the Lincoln motor company's online "Hello, Again" series, which features musicians reinterpreting classic tracks from iconic artists.
According to Billboard.com, the song was recorded with a “167-piece ensemble” on Tuesday night on a soundstage on the 20th Century Fox lot in front of 300 audience members. Beck's father, David Campbell, helped shape the performance by conducting the ensemble. While the original 1977 track was only three minutes long, Beck’s version reportedly timed out at a whopping eight minutes.
Beck’s performance of “Sound and Vision” will be available on Lincoln.com on Sunday at 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET.
"Anastasia", the new video from legendary guitarist Slash's (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES), can be seen below. The song comes off his second solo album, "Apocalyptic Love", which sold around 38,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 4 on The Billboard 200 chart.
Slash's self-titled debut album scored the highest new entry on The Billboard 200 chart in April 2010, with first-week U.S. sales of around 60,000 copies.
The former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist is now releasing his music through his own label, Dik Hayd Records, and The Pulse Of Radio asked him how that compares to working with major labels in the past. "It's really enabling me to make records and be able to put them out myself so I don't have to do the gamble with the big record companies," he said. "Now as far as like the glory days of the record business, that's something — yeah, I mean, you can miss it, but it's changed so much and most of the companies have turned into such conglomerates, it's pointless to really sort of miss the old days 'cause they're long gone."
Unlike Slash's solo debut, which featured different vocalists on each track and a number of guest musicians, Slash has recorded all of the new CD with his touring band, MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS.
Kennedy also sang with Slash and other former members of GUNS N' ROSES when the band was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Famein April 2012.
"Apocalyptic Love" track listing:
01. Apocalyptic Love
02. One Last Thrill
03. Standing In The Sun
04. You're A Lie
05. No More Heroes
06. Halo
07. We Will Roam
08. Anastasia
09. Not For Me
10. Bad Rain
11. Hard & Fast
12. Far And Away
13. Shots Fired
RANDY BLYTHE: 'I Am An Innocent Man, But I Am Also A Very Sad Man Right Now'
LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe, who is on trial on manslaughter charges in the Czech Republic, has written an open letter to his fans on his Instagram account.
In the message, posted earlier today (Tuesday, February 5), Blythedismissed many of the news reports covering the trial as "incorrect" and condemned fans for verbally attacking the people of the Czech Republic over the circumstances that led to his arrest.
Randy's complete letter reads as follows:
"I have read a few news reports of the progress of my case, and trust me — many things are incorrect. But this is the Internet, and, of course, things are half-baked anyway. Keep in mind that translation is difficult, and many things can be lost, for Czech is a VERY DIFFICULT language. So wait and see, as I am. It is all I can do, except be honest and fight for my freedom in my own way.
"I also have heard of some people (not on here) talking smack about the Czech Republic, saying, 'Fuck the Czech Republic,' etc. This [is] not how it should be. This is a very sad case, not something to rage at people you do not know over.
"I am not angry with the Czechs at all. A fan of my band is dead — what do I have to be angry about? I am an INNOCENT man, but I am also a very sad man right now. To not be sad in this instance would be inhuman. But mad at the Czech people? Why would I be mad at them?
"Here, look at this picture — a mother watches her baby. The child reaches out for something new, laughing and chasing a pretty picture in the air. It is the same here as everywhere else. Do you see?!?!?
"Life is beautiful.
"I hope to see y'all soon."
Blythe is facing the possibility of conviction and a long-term jail sentence after a 2010 incident in which a fan, Daniel Nosek, attending a LAMB OF GOD show died almost a month later, allegedly from injuries sustained when he was thrown off the stage.
The trial is expected to last until the end of the week.
The parents of Daniel Nosek are demanding compensation of 10 million Czech Koruna (approximately $530,000).
Blythe was imprisoned for five weeks in the Czech Republic after being detained on June 27, 2012 when the Grammy-nominated, Richmond, Virginia-based band arrived there for a show.
The singer was freed without charge in August but had to post $400,000 bail, then left the country, vowing to return for the trial.
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE: 'In Due Time' Lyric Video Released
The official lyric video for "In Due Time", the new single from Massachusetts metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE — singer Jesse Leach, guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, bassist Mike D'Antonio, guitarist Joel Stroetzel and drummer Justin Foley — can be seen below. The song comes off the band's forthcoming album, "Disarm The Descent", which will be released on April 2 via Roadrunner Records. The follow-up toKILLSWITCH ENGAGE's 2009's self-titled release is the band's first album with original singer Leach at the vocal helm since 2002's now-classic, genre-defining "Alive or Just Breathing". Leach returned to the band in January 2012 after a decade-long absence. The artwork for the new CD was created by D'Antonio.
"Disarm The Descent" was selected by Alternative Press magazine for its "Most Anticipated Albums of 2013" issue, and the band was profiled in Guitar World as one to watch in 2013. Clearly, buzz from fans and the metal and hard rock community regarding new KILLSWITCH ENGAGEremains deafening.
"It is with a grateful spirit that we prepare for this record's release,"Leach said. "From the music, to the lyrics, to the artwork, we are all proud of what we have accomplished. To me, this is by far my best vocal performance, much thanks to Adam's guidance and faith in my abilities. I am very grateful to be where I am in life, back in an amazing band with a record we are all excited for the world to hear. Thanks to all the fans for their warm welcome back and their undying love for KILLSWITCH ENGAGE."
2012 marked a busy year for KILLSWITCH ENGAGE.
With Leach firmly installed as the frontman for the last 12 months, the band spent its summer on the road. KILLSWITCH ENGAGE shook the bedrock of venues across the country as part of the first-ever Trespass America tour alongside FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH.
The band recently embarked on a tour that celebrated the 10th anniversary of "Alive Or Just Breathing". They performed the album in full, with a few fan favorites and hits from their gold-selling albums, 2004's"The End Of Heartache" and 2006's "As Daylight Dies", sprinkled into the setlist. KILLSWITCH ENGAGE were also profiled by Decibel in the magazine's highly respected "Hall of Fame" feature for "Alive Or Just Breathing".
In between tours, the band put its nose to the grindstone to work on what would become "Disarm The Descent", with Dutkiewicz producing. The wheels have been turning for the past year, as the band supplemented recording with touring. The time is upon us for the next chapter of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, who were at the forefront of the New Wave Of American Heavy Metal resurgence that defined the '00s and have remained vital into the new decade.
"Disarm The Descent" track listing:
01. The Hell In Me
02. Beyond The Flames
03. New Awakening
04. In Due Time
05. A Tribute To The Fallen
06. The Turning Point
07. All That We Have
08. You Don't Bleed For Me
09. The Call
10. No End In Sight
11. Always
12. Time Will Not Remain
"Disarm The Descent" was mixed by veteran British producer Andy Sneap, who has previously worked with MEGADETH, TESTAMENT,EXODUS, ACCEPT, ARCH ENEMY and NEVERMORE.
"[The recording process] was great," Leach told Loudwire. "I came off tour I was filled with energy, ready to go, we knocked out a bunch of stuff. I had joined the band, the record was there, we're on tour so I really didn't have time to write. I took the past two months not only recording but writing so I'm there with an idea, being in the other room writing and going to Adam saying, 'Here's my idea I just wrote, what do you think?' So there's real spontaneity some of the songs that we just finished up. I had maybe five or six solid ideas when I came off tour and the rest had to be developed as we were recording it. It was exciting but at the same time tough because for me I'm digging deep down into my emotions and my psyche trying to come up with stuff that is honest and emotive and relevant, hopefully for the listener. It's tiring but well worth, anything that's worth achieving you got to suffer a little bit for it. I think mentally and spiritually and a little bit physically we were suffering but all of that made for an amazing record that I'm really proud of."
He added, "The music is definitely the fastest KILLSWITCH record ever. It's very heavy but still maintains the signature KILLSWITCH hooky, melodic stuff there, too. There's definitely melody attached, but I pulled out some new styles vocally, yelling and screaming and growling and layers and it sounds massive."
Asked what the vibe has been working on the new record with the other members, Leach said, "These guys have welcomed me back with open arms and just very encouraging and digging the stuff that I'm doing and these guys were just like, 'Wow! We're really excited. We feel like it's been a long time since we've been this excited about music,' and that just makes me feel amazing. It makes me feel like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing."
Source: Blabbermouth.net
Dave Grohl Serves as Guest Host for Chelsea Lately
Two months ago, Dave Grohl filled-in as guest host of Chelsea Handler’s E! talk show,Chelsea Lately. It appears that the Foo Fighters frontman enjoyed the experience, because he’s now spending most of the week sitting in Handler’s chair.
Grohl kicked things off on Monday night by interviewing Rick Springfield, who appeared in his recently released Sound City documentary. For the rest of the week, he'll be chatting with rapper Nas on Tuesday, pop icon Elton John on Wednesday and Tenacious D on Thursday.
In other Grohl news, the singer has scheduled a New York City concert for his Sound City Players, a band comprised of some of the artists who appear in his Sound Citydocumentary. That show will take place on February 13 at the Hammerstein Ballroom.
Accompanying Grohl will be all the members of the Foo Fighters, former Nirvana bassistKrist Novoselic, Queens of the Stone Age multi-instrumentalist Alain Johannes, Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen, Fear frontman Lee Ving, Rage Against the Machinedrummer Brad Wilk, John Fogerty, Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks, Rick Springfield and producer Chris Goss.
More dates for Grohl’s Sound City Players will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Tenacious D to Release 12th Anniversary Edition of Debut Album in March
Twelve years ago, Tenacious D burst onto the scene with their self-titled debut album. Now, the dynamic duo of actor/rocker Jack Black and Kyle Gass have revealed that they’ll be celebrating the milestone with a deluxe reissue of the album, Tenacious D: 12th Anniversary Edition. The 2-LP vinyl set will include the original album as well as a brand-new song, “Pat Reilly.” In addition, it will come with a coupon for a high-quality MP3 download of the release. Tenacious D: 12th Anniversary Edition will arrive in stores on March 5. You can pre-order the vinyl set now at Amazon.com.
COREY TAYLOR Talks STONE SOUR, SLIPKNOT And Working With DAVE GROHL
Sami Jarroush of the Rock It Out! Blog recently conducted an interview with SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor. You can now watch the chat below.
STONE SOUR has confirmed April 9 as the release date for "House Of Gold & Bones - Part 2", the second half of the band's two-disc concept album. The first single, "Do Me A Favor", will be available digitally on February 12, with a video to arrive around that time as well. Other tracks on the album include "Red City", "Black John", "Sadist","Peckinpah", "Stalemate", "The Uncanny Valley" and the title track.
Although a single storyline weaves through the complete two-record set, frontman Corey Taylor told The Pulse Of Radio that the music doesn't have to be listened to that way. "It's essentially music that you can listen to different songs and whatnot, you don't have to have it top to bottom," he said. "But it is an album that you can listen to top to bottom. So I think we did it right, you know. I mean, we did it in a way where it was interesting enough and challenging enough that we really embraced it, and it's accessible enough that the fans didn't feel like they were taking science class or something weird like that."
Taylor told This Is Not A Scene what fans can expect from Part 2, explaining, "Part 2 is much darker, if I'm honest. Aside from it being a completely different album, it feels more like a soundtrack to a movie in a lot of ways."
"House Of Gold & Bones - Part 1" came out last October and featured the chart-topping rock single "Absolute Zero".
The sci-fi short story that Taylor wrote as the basis of the album is also the inspiration for a four-issue comic book adaptation that is coming soon from Dark Horse Comics, with the first chapter due out April 17.
STONE SOUR is currently on the road through February 17 with PAPA ROACH, with the tour stopping in Midland, Texas on Monday night (February 4). After a trip overseas, STONE SOUR will return to the U.S. in late March to appear on the Road To The Golden Gods tour, which will run through May 2.
Former PANTERA Bassist's Memoir Due In March
Former PANTERA and current KILL DEVIL HILL bassist Rex Brown will publish his memoir, "Official Truth, 101 Proof: The Inside Story Of Pantera", on March 12 via Da Capo Press. The 320-page book is described as a "starkly honest and revealing" book about Rex's time in one of the most influential and enduringly popular bands in heavy metal history, offering Brown's shocking personal insight into a band that had swapped the grimy clubs of Texas for arenas around the world but whose story would ultimately be touched by tragedy.
In a 2012 interview with SkullsNBones.com, Brown stated about his upcoming memoir: "It's basically my tale of the PANTERA years from my point of view. I was always the silent guy in the band. I never did interviews, so I was approached with this idea and I was down for it. I didn't realize how much work would be involved. [laughs] But it's going to be cool, man. It's just my inside story of what was going on. It leads up to the breakup, Dime's [former PANTERA guitarist 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott] death, and to now. There is only four people in that band that knew what was going on, so this will just be my interpretation oo those years. I'll say this, it probably won't be my last book either. It's a lot of work, though. We went through a thousand photos, stories, memories — everything, dude — so it's an insightful view that most fans would never know of if it weren't for the book. I think it's got a lot of things that people don't know and should know, and I hope the people enjoy it. It's a good read, for sure."
World rights for "Official Truth, 101 Proof: The Inside Story Of Pantera"were acquired by executive editor Ben Schafer at Da Capo Press fromMatthew Elblonk at DeFiore & Company with Matthew Hamilton atAitken Alexander.
"Official Truth, 101 Proof: The Inside Story Of Pantera" co-authorMark Eglinton is an author, journalist and film-producer currently based in Edinburgh, Scotland. His first book entitled "James Hetfield: The Wolf At Metallica's Door" was published in April 2010 to considerable critical acclaim, fueled by regular radio appearances across the U.S and Europe to promote it. He also writes regularly for Outburn magazine and various music web sites and has co-produced a series of rock interview documentaries entitled "The Greatest Music Ever Created, And How It Ruined Our Lives", which is co-hosted in conjunction with Metal Hammer magazine. Eglinton's role in Brown's life has become one of friend and confidant, mostly during time spent on the road with DOWN in Europe.
De Capo is the publisher of BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi's book "Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven And Hell With Black Sabbath" and SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor's New York Times best seller "Seven Deadly Sins - Settling The Argument Between Born Bad And Damaged Good".
Former PANTERA frontman Philip Anselmo in early 2010 announced plans to write his own autobiography, to be co-authored byBloodyDisgusting.com writer Corey Mitchell.
RANDY BLYTHE On Trial In Czech Republic: New TV Report Posted Online
A Czech-language report from TV Nova on the start of LAMB OF GODfrontman Randy Blythe's trial on charges of manslaughter in the death of a fan at a Prague concert can be seen below.
Blythe is facing the possibility of conviction and a long-term jail sentence after a 2010 incident in which a fan, Daniel Nosek, attending a LAMB OF GOD show died almost a month later, allegedly from injuries sustained when he was thrown off the stage.
Blythe arrived in court this morning (Monday, February 4) about a quarter hour before the scheduled start time and was described by Blesk.cz as "unrecognizable" — sporting slick short hair and a "humble" expression. He did not address reporters before the court session and spoke only with his lawyer.
"And so it begins. I am calm and prepared," Randy wrote on hisInstagram account. "Everyone, thanks for your good thoughts and prayers. Have a nice day, y'all!"
According to WTVR, Blythe gave a statement today in front of the three presiding judges (there are no jury trials in the Czech Republic), telling the court that he was a man of his word and had returned to face his charge, just as he promised he would.
"The death of a fan is heartbreaking," he said. "I'm not a man who runs from his problems, but I do not wish to be punished and suffer the consequences of an act I did not commit.
"I never saw Daniel and I never came in contact with him," he added in court.
Also testifying in court today were LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adlerand the band's manager, Larry Mazer, both of whom described Blythe as quiet and well read. They also explained that Blythe's aggressive stage persona was merely a part of the show.
The trial is expected to last until the end of the week. Tomorrow the court will hear from 12 witnesses who attended the concert.
The parents of Daniel Nosek are demanding compensation of 10 million Czech Koruna (approximately $530,000).
ROB ZOMBIE's 'The Lords Of Salem': New Trailer Released
A new trailer for "The Lords Of Salem", Rob Zombie's long-awaited new film, can be seen below. The horror movie, Zombie's fifth live-action feature, stars his wife Sheri Moon Zombie as a Massachusetts DJ who discovers that playing a mysterious record somehow activates a curse placed on her town by a coven of witches 300 years ago.
The film premiered in September 2012 at the Toronto International Film Festival and will hit theaters in the U.S. on April 26. On top of that, the rocker-turned-director has teamed up with multiple-award-winning horror author B.K. Evenson to pen the official movie tie-in book for the film. The book will be released in March and promises to plunge readers into a nightmarish world where the sins of Salem are paid for in today’s blood. Zombie says: "The book offers a different experience from the film since it can obviously go into much more detail. The book and the film really complement each other."
The book will be published by Grand Central Publishing and their executive editor Ben Greenberg is excited about the release too. "As a horror junkie and a fan of Rob's work, I am thrilled that GCP will be publishing this novel," said Greenberg. "'The Lords Of Salem' is Rob's first original horror story since the great 'The Devil's Rejects', and it delivers exactly what his fans have been waiting for."
Zombie told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that this is the first time he's made a movie with explicitly supernatural overtones. "Yeah, the other ones aren't at all, I don't think," he said. "' [House Of 1000] Corpses'was just this crazy, bloody, you know, 'Rocky Horror Picture Show'thing, and 'Devil's Rejects' was always meant to be sort of like a post-modern Western, and the 'Halloween' films, I tried to make them not supernatural on purpose. So yeah, this will be the first one that's sort of about supernatural things coming back to life. It's good. I'm excited. It's gonna be very different than the other films."
"The Lords Of Salem" trailer:
CLUTCH: 'Earth Rocker' Lyric Video Released
The official lyric video for "Earth Rocker", the title track of the new album from Maryland rockers CLUTCH, can be seen below.
Produced by Machine (LAMB OF GOD, FOUR YEAR STRONG, FALL OUT BOY) at the Machine Shop studio in Belleville, New Jersey, "Earth Rocker" will be released on March 19 via CLUTCH's own Weathermaker Music label. The CD was described by CLUTCH vocalist Neil Fallon in a recent interview with DCHeavyMetal.com as "probably faster than most of our recent albums. Maybe compared to some other bands, it's not the fastest thing on planet Earth. For us it was definitely a step up in the tempo. And I think the other thing that kind of stands out about this one is the blues influences that we've been flirting with over the past couple records is more or less absent in this record, which didn't really happen intentionally until we looked back at it. As a whole, it's just much more of a straight-up rock and roll record."
The artwork for "Earth Rocker" was created by Nick Lakiotes, longtime CLUTCH art director, who has worked on previous efforts, including"Robot Hive/Exodus" and "Strange Cousins From The West".
CLUTCH's North American dates kick off March 8 in Cincinnati, Ohio and are currently slated to run through April 20 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Source: Blabbermouth.net
Former Anthrax Guitarist Rob Caggiano Joins Volbeat,Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies Due in April
Volbeat has just announced that former Anthrax guitarist Rob Caggiano has officially joined the band as its second guitarist. The news comes less than a month after the group announced that Caggiano had signed on to produce the group's upcoming fifth studio album, Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies.
"The collaboration with Rob in the studio was so inspiring and in good spirit that we the decided to keep him,” said frontman Michael Poulsen in a statement. “Basically we went into the studio as a three piece and came out as a whole band!” Caggiano adds, “After weeks of collaboration between Michael and I it became quite clear that we had an amazing creative chemistry together. It really isn't the way I envisioned the rest of my year to play out but at the same time, THIS feels more ‘right’ to me than anything I could have possibly imagined and I'm going for it!”
In addition, the group revealed that Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies will be released on April 8. Poulsen says that the new album, which was inspired by “classic spaghetti western movies,” will feature “more old school heavy riffs” than the band's previous albums.
Stream Coheed and Cambria’s New Album, The Afterman: Descension, in Its Entirety
Can't wait to hear the second part of Coheed and Cambria’s double-CD, The Afterman? No worries. The guys have posted a stream of every song from the second installment,The Afterman: Descension, at RollingStone.com.
In a press statement, the band said that the new album will "continue the conceptual storyline from volume one, where Sirius Amory, i.e., 'The Afterman,' is a scientist/cosmonaut who goes on celestial mission and makes what is arguably the most important discovery ever known to mankind. But upon his return, he discovers his ambitiousness may have brought him fleeting fame, but also tragic repercussions." The Afterman: Descension arrives in stores on Tuesday.
Jack White Teams Up with Butthole Surfers Frontman Gibby Haynes
Jack White has a very special gift for his fans this Valentine’s Day. The ex-White Stripessinger has just announced that he’ll drop a new collaboration with Butthole Surfersfrontman Gibby Haynes for his Third Man Records labels' Blues Series.
The upcoming three-track release will feature two new songs, "You Don't Have to Be Smart" and "Horse Named George," as well as a cover of Adrenalin OD's "Paul's Not Home." While the digital downloads of the songs are set to be released on February 14, a 100-copy, limited edition vinyl version -- which will be pressed on old medical x-rays -- will be available exclusively at the Third Man Records' Rolling Record Store during next month’s South by Southwest music festival in Austin, TX.
Previous installments of Third Man Records' Blues Series have featured an eclectic list of celebrities, including Beck, talk-show host Stephen Colbert, actor John C. Reilly and hip-hop duo Insane Clown Posse.
Muse Ties Foo Fighters for Single with Longest Run at #1 on Billboard Alternative Songs Chart
Muse has something in common with the Foo Fighters. Muse’s single, “Madness,” has held the top spot on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart for 18 straight weeks, tying the current record held by the Foos' 2007 single “The Pretender,” according to Nielsen BDS. Dominating the #1 slot on the tally is nothing new for Muse -- their single “Uprising” spent 17 weeks in the top slot when it was released in 2009.
Other singles that have managed to linger at #1 on the chart for extended periods of time include Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams," Staind’s "It's Been Awhile" andRed Hot Chili Peppers’ "Scar Tissue," which each sat atop the list for 16 weeks. In addition, the Chili Peppers singles “Dani California" and "By the Way" each held the top spot on the tally for 14 weeks.
Radiohead Frontman Thom Yorke to Bring “Two Turntables & a Microphone” to New York, London, & Berlin
Thom Yorke has just scheduled a few concerts where he’ll be accompanied by longtimeRadiohead producer/engineer Nigel Godrich. The Radiohead frontman revealed viaTwitter that he'd be performing with "two turntables & a microphone" in London on February 22, Berlin on March 8 and in New York on March 14. He also noted that "special guests" and the location of the shows will soon follow.
In other Yorke news, Atoms for Peace -- the all-star collaboration that includes Yorke, Godrich and bassist Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers -- will drop their debut album,Amok, on February 26. In addition, a cut from the album, “Judge Jury and Executioner,” will be released on 12” vinyl along with the exclusive, non-album B-side “S.A.D,” on March 19.
STATIC-X To Play Entire 'Wisconsin Death Trip' Album On Upcoming Tour
STATIC-X will embark on the "Wisconsin Death Tour" later this year during which the band will perform its 1999 debut album, "Wisconsin Death Trip", in its entirety.
Speaking to Brian Engelman of The New American Media at this year's NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show, which was held January 24-27 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, STATIC-X mainman — and sole remaining original member —Wayne Static (guitar, vocals) said (see video below): "This year I'm doing the 'Wisconsin Death Tour'. We're gonna play 'Wisconsin Death Trip'front to back, and then we're gonna play a whole bunch of different songs after that for the encore… We don't have dates yet; we're just putting it together right now. But that's the big plan for this year — the'Wisconsin Death Tour'."
"Wisconsin Death Trip" was released in March 1999 via Warner Bros.and was officially certified platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association Of America) for shipments in excess of a million copies on June 8, 2011. The CD was produced by Ulrich Wild.
Original STATIC-X bassist Tony Campos — who is currently a member ofSOULFLY — issued a statement in July 2012 indicating that he had "no interest in working with Wayne Static, now, or anytime in the foreseeable future."
Regarding his decision to resurrect STATIC-X, Wayne said, "I really just wanted to go back to old-school STATIC-X since the band has been gone for a few years. The last tour I was on I did a lot of my solo stuff, and I'm ready to get back to old-school STATIC-X stuff, which is actually new again."
STATIC-X's 2012 trek marked the band's first outing since they announced a hiatus in 2009.
LAMB OF GOD Frontman's Manslaughter Trial Begins
LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe has returned to the Czech Republic to stand trial on charges of manslaughter in the death of a fan at a Prague concert more than two years ago.
The court originally had three months to set a trial date after announcing on December 3, 2012 that Blythe was officially indicted on manslaughter charges.
Blythe is facing the possibility of conviction and a long-term jail sentence after a 2010 incident in which a fan, Daniel Nosek, attending a LAMB OF GOD show died almost a month later, allegedly from injuries sustained when he was thrown off the stage. Blythe's predicament has galvanized the heavy rock community, with artists across the hard rock genre pledging their support.
Blythe arrived in court this morning (Monday, February 4) about a quarter hour before the scheduled start time and was described by Blesk.cz as "unrecognizable" — sporting slick short hair and a "humble" expression. He did not address reporters before the court session and spoke only with his lawyer.
"And so it begins. I am calm and prepared," Randy wrote on hisInstagram account. "Everyone, thanks for your good thoughts and prayers. Have a nice day, y'all!"
Speaking in court, Randy said: "I've kept my word. I said that I would come back to court today and I did. I do not shy away from responsibility. I'm not a person who runs away from problems. But I do not want to be punished for something I did not do."
Randy explained that fans are normally prohibited from jumping on stage, but the Prague show was different. People climbed up on stage and found themselves standing next to bandmembers.
"The fan's death breaks my heart," Randy said.
"I never saw Daniel and I never came in contact with him," he added in court.
According to the singer, LAMB OF GOD never encouraged anyone to get up on stage and has security guards and barriers around the stage to prevent fans from getting up on stage and possibly bumping into the musicians.
The club Abaton where the LAMB OF GOD concert on May 24, 2010 took place was had inadequate security, according to Blythe, and there was general chaos on stage during the performance.
The parents of Daniel Nosek are demanding compensation of 10 million Czech Koruna (approximately $530,000).
"I'm not rich, and if I had to pay for something, I would have to earn it first," said Blythe, who makes about $200,000 a year. Most of the earnings reportedly come from the sale of T-shirts and other merchandise.
Jonathan Crane, a reporter from the Prague Post, told WTVR-TV that a legal expert believes the Blythe's defense team should have quite a strong case. "Even if Randy was responsible for the alleged attack, the expert said that who is to say that he wasn't accidentally kicked or trodden on or left without help by fans below the stage," Crane said.
Check out video footage from today's court session at this location. Photos can be found at Blesk.cz.
Source: Blabbermouth.net
Dave Grohl’s Sound City Players Schedule New York City Concert
Dave Grohl has scheduled another performance for his Sound City Players, a band comprised of some of the artists who appear in his Sound City documentary. The concert will take place on February 13 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.
Accompanying Grohl will be all the members of the Foo Fighters, former Nirvana bassistKrist Novoselic, Queens of the Stone Age multi-instrumentalist Alain Johannes, Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen, Fear frontman Lee Ving, Rage Against the Machinedrummer Brad Wilk, John Fogerty, Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks, Rick Springfield, and producer Chris Goss. Tickets for the concert will go on sale on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET via Ticketmaster. Sound City is now available at all digital retailers. The film’s soundtrack, Sound City -- Real to Reel, will arrive at all the usual outlets on March 12.
More dates for Grohl’s Sound City Players will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Stone Sour Reveals Release Date, Track List for House of Gold & Bones Part 2
Stone Sour has announced that they’ll release the second installment of their double concept album, House of Gold & Bones Part 2, on April 9.
The band also revealed the track list for the upcoming release, which will feature 12 new songs. The first single from Part 2 will be “Do Me a Favor,” which will be available at all digital retailers on February 12. In addition, fans will be able to get their hands on the first issue of a comic book mini-series based on the album starting April 17.
Here's the track list for House of Gold & Bones Part 2:
“Red City”
“Black John”
“Sadist”
“Peckinpah”
“Stalemate”
“Gravesend”
“‘82”
“The Uncanny Valley”
“Blue Smoke”
“Do Me a Favor”
“The Conflagration”
“The House of Gold & Bones”
Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder Writing New Solo Track for Upcoming Film, Out of the Furnace
Eddie Vedder will be once again contributing his talents to the silver screen. The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the Pearl Jam frontman, who has previously created tracks for films including Dead Man Walking, Eat Pray Love and Into the Wild, has signed on to create a new solo track for an upcoming film, Out of the Furnace.
In addition to writing a new song, a source close to the production tells the newspaper that it’s possible that a number of “previously recorded Vedder songs” will appear in the upcoming flick. Out of the Furnace, which stars Christian Bale, Woody Harrelson and Casey Affleck, is a dark thriller about “two brothers in a down-and-out Pennsylvania town who get caught up in the web of violent crime,” according to producers. While the film doesn't yet have a firm release date, it's expected to arrive in theaters sometime this year.
Kings of Leon, The Black Crowes, Jane’s Addiction Added to Inaugural Bottle Rock Music & Arts Festival
After recently revealing The Black Keys as a headliner for the Bottle Rock Music & Arts Festival, event producers have now announced the full lineup for the first edition of the fest. Kings of Leon, The Black Crowes, Jane’s Addiction, Primus, Iron and Wine, Andrew Bird, The Wallflowers, Bad Religion, Grouplove and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros have all been added to the roster for the musical extravaganza, which runs May 9-12 in Napa Valley, California.
Other bands set to perform include Alabama Shakes, CAKE, The Flaming Lips, The Shins and Blues Traveler, among others.
Tickets for the fest are available now at BottleRockNapaValley.com.
RHCP Offers Preview of I'm With You Session Track, “In Love Dying”
Red Hot Chili Peppers fans can now listen to another bonus track left over from the sessions for their latest album, I'm With You. The band has released a video for "In Love Dying” which features a stream of the full-length track, along with the visual of a 7” vinyl single spinning on a record player.
The song, which clocks in at eight minutes, takes up both sides of the vinyl version and is the sixth installment released as part of RHCP's 18-track singles series, which began last year.
In addition to checking out "In Love Dying” online, you can now purchase the song on the band's official webstore, on iTunes and on Amazon.com.
The release dates for the final three releases of the collection’s tracks will be announced soon.
Black Keys Drummer Patrick Carney Invests in Sock Company
The Black Keys’ Patrick Carney is now a part of the fashion world. The drummer has revealed he recently became an investor in Los Angeles-based sock company Richer Poorer.
“I’d never invested in anything outside of stocks and real estate,” Carney tellsWWD.com. “Something as wholesome as socks sounded like a great idea to me.” Richer Poorer socks are available at Nordstrom, Kitson Men, Saturdays Surf and can be purchased online at Richer-Poorer.com.
In other Black Keys news, the band will be performing at the 55th annual Grammy Awards, which airs live on February 10 on CBS. The Keys have five nominations this year, including Album of the Year and Best Rock Album for El Camino, and Record of the Year for "Lonely Boy."
Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Limp Bizkit, Rise Against to Perform at Carolina Rebellion Festival
Music festival season is almost upon us and the producers of the Carolina Rebellion festival have gathered a star-studded lineup for this year’s event. Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Limp Bizkit and Rise Against are set to perform at the fest, which will be held May 4-5 at the Rock City Campgrounds at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC.
"After wrapping up our last U.S. tour, we were planning on recharging our batteries for a while, but we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play with the mighty Soundgarden in what will be one of the only shows we'll play in the U.S. this year," said Rise Against frontman Tim Mcllrath in a statement.
Other artists appearing at the Carolina Rebellion festival include Bush, Deftones, 3 Doors Down, Three Days Grace, Papa Roach, Volbeat and Hollywood Undead, plus more. To see the complete festival artist roster, head over to CarolinaRebellion.com.
Sevendust's Lajon Witherspoon Reveals Spontaneous Recording Process for Black Out the Sun; Says Debut Solo Album Coming
When Sevendust headed into the studio to record their ninth studio album, Black Out the Sun, the band decided to try something they had never done before. Frontman Lajon Witherspoon says that the band experimented with a new songwriting process for the forthcoming release, which is due on March 26.
“We entered the studio with no music really and no lyrics for any songs,” he tellsAlternative Addiction. “We wrote the whole album in 28 days and it was a really fresh outlook. I think after being away for a year and to get back together, it was easy for us to come up with ideas and hone in on something we’ve been doing our entire lives.”
The singer also reveals that he plans on make a solo album after Sevendust finishes its current tour. “Once this album has taken its course and Sevendust slows down again, I’ll start working on my solo stuff,” he explains. “I think it will always have that Sevendust sound to it…but I think my stuff will definitely have rock and a lot more soul. And I plan on not shutting the door to anyone who would want to work with me.”
Muse’s Dominic Howard Says “It'll Be a Couple of Years” Until Next Album
Even though it’s only been about three months since Muse released their Grammy-nominated sixth studio album, The 2nd Law, the band is already in talks to create their seventh. Drummer Dominic Howard says while he and frontman Matt Bellamy have begun discussing concepts for the next album, fans shouldn’t expect to get their hands on it anytime soon.
"We've been kind of having those conversations, but really we've just literally started touring,” he tells Billboard. “We tend to feel like we need to finish touring one album before we start anything else rather than starting an album on the road. We like to finish a chapter and start afresh, so it'll be a couple of years, probably."
Howard adds that while Muse has scored nominations at next weekend’s Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album for The 2nd Law and Best Rock Song for "Madness," he’s not expecting the guys to take home any trophies.
"It's amazing to be nominated again and certainly a surprise,” he notes. “But it's stiff competition this year in our categories. Fingers crossed, but I've got no idea, really."
The Grammy telecast, which will feature performances from The Black Keys, fun., The Lumineers and Mumford & Sons, airs February 10 on CBS.
Dave Grohl Recounts Recording “Cut Me Some Slack" with Paul McCartney for Sound City
In his new documentary, Sound City, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl created an environment where a wide variety of musicians could get together and spontaneously create new music. Speaking to movie critic Peter Travers on ABC’sPopcorn, Grohl says that one of the biggest highlights of that process was getting legendary singer/songwriter Paul McCartney to jam with the surviving members ofNirvana.
“The day that Paul McCartney came to the studio, [bassist] Krist Novoselic and [guitarist] Pat [Smear] who played with me in Nirvana, they didn't know Paul and we didn't have a song,” he explains. “By the end of the day, we had this thing that, had no one ever heard it, it still would have been the coolest f**king song I'd ever recorded because it was that moment. Capturing those moments, whether it's just to tape or whether it's on film, that's the challenge.”
Grohl notes he feels that the film’s message is best explained in the opening monologue, because it’s one that every artist in the film can identify with. “The intro where I say, ‘We were just kids but we had these songs and we had these dreams and we just threw it into the back of an old van and started driving,'” he explains. “That can apply to every single musician in the film and it's exactly that that ties all of us together in the story ofSound City; that we're just kids that grew up loving music and, you know, look at us now.” Sound City is now available at all digital retailers. The film’s soundtrack, Sound City -- Real to Reel, will arrive at all the usual outlets on March 12.
Pearl Jam Bassist Ament Hopes New Album Will Be Released This Year
Bassist Jeff Ament is hopeful that Pearl Jam will deliver their follow-up to 2009’sBackspacer this year.
"There's a lot of ideas kind of floating around right now," Ament tells Rolling Stone. "I mean, the cool thing about taking a year away from [Pearl Jam] is, you know, we could almost start from scratch and it wouldn't really be that big of a deal.”
Ament adds that he has a back-up plan to stay busy making new music with his side project, RNDM, if things with Pearl Jam’s new album don’t work out. “I hope [the new PJ album] comes out this year at some point,” he notes. “But, if it doesn't, we have another RNDM record ready. If RNDM's my band for the next year, I'm stoked."
Pearl Jam recently announced that they'll be playing concerts at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario, Canada on July 16 and at Wrigley Field -- the home of the Chicago Cubs -- on July 19. Tickets for both events will go on sale on February 9 at 10 a.m. local time.
Shinedown's Brent Smith Promises "Absolute Rock Fury" on Tour with Three Days Grace; Talks New Material
Shinedown returns to the road on Friday when they kick off the next leg of their co-headlining tour with Three Days Grace. Frontman Brent Smith says that while the band has added some spectacular surprises to their stage show, his first priority is still the music.
“We always go above and beyond, because we want it to be electrifying and exciting, and we want it to be intense and have fire and it be absolute rock fury, because that’s what we do,’’ Smith tells the Green Bay Press Gazette. “But at the end of the day, with all the bells and whistles, that’s all fine and good to have, but if the songs have no substance and no one cares, then it doesn’t matter.’’
Smith adds that while the guys have about two albums worth of material written up and ready to be recorded, fans shouldn’t expect the band to hit the studio any time in the near future. “We really do consider ourselves a living, breathing piece of art, so we take our time when we’re writing songs, and ultimately, when we’re putting that together to produce a record and make an album.
