DevilDriver Member Hospitalized
DevilDriver bassist Aaron Patrick has reportedly been hospitalized with pneumonia and will be forced to sit out at least the first few shows on the Metal Alliance Tour, according to media reports.
Gun Shy Assassin reports that Patrick's former Bury Your Dead bandmate Chris Towning will be filling in for him on the dates.
The Metal Alliance Tour kicks off on Thursday in Austin and Devildriver is being supported by The Faceless, Dying Fetus, Job For A Cowboy, 3 Inches of Blood, Impending Doom, and Wretch. more on this story
Guns N' Roses Rock Hall Tweet Was Bogus
(hennemusic) There's been an interesting development in the story of Paul Shaffer, Guns N' Roses and the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.
On Thursday, many music news sites (incl. hennemusic) reported a tweet by Rock Hall induction ceremony musical director Paul Shaffer that said GNR "will not be performing" at the April 14 event.
Shaffer has served as musical director and producer for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony since its inception in 1986. Now, a spokesperson for Shaffer says that, although the post came from his account, Paul did not send the tweet himself. "Please know this tweet did not come from Mr. Shaffer, as his Twitter account is in conjunction with his syndicated radio feature with our network, and all tweets are handled by one of our staff members. No one is exactly sure what will happen at the induction ceremony, and we apologize for the inadvertent tweet." more on this story
Cotton Mather Reunion Shows
Cotton Mather are reuniting for a series of home town shows this week in Austin, Texas.
The band will play the shows in celebration of the deluxe re-issue of the their influential 1997 album Kontiki, starting with a headlining spot at the yearly Art Disaster event at Beauty Bar on Tuesday, March 13th.
NME recently named Kontiki as #2 on it's list of "100 Great Albums You Never Heard," and NPR's "All Things Considered" will air a story today (Tuesday) all about the history of the influential album. more on this story
Dee Snider Changing His Tune For New Album
Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider will release his new solo album Dee Does Broadway on May 8th on Razor & Tie.
The album features Dee's take on several Broadway classics. The new album will coincide with the release of his first ever autobiography, Shut Up and Give Me The Mic (Gallery Books) on May 8th.
The label sent over these details: Dee Does Broadway features several special guest stars, including Broadway and television icon Bebe Neuwirth on the Damn Yankees song "Whatever Lola Wants," Broadway legend Patti LuPone on a West Side Story Medley "Tonight/Somewhere," pop icon Cyndi Lauper on Sweet Charity's "Big Spender," Clay Aiken of American Idol on the Guys and Dolls classic "Luck Be a Lady Tonight," the stars of the Broadway hit musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Will Swenson, Tony Sheldon, and Nick Adams) on South Pacific's "There Is Nothin' Like A Dame," Mark Wood of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra playing violin on the Phantom of the Opera ballad "Music Of The Night," as well a special rendition of "The Joint Is Jumpin" from Ain't Misbehavin' with Dee's oldest son, Jesse "Blaze" Snider. Songs are also featured from classic Broadway shows including Cabaret, Chicago, The Threepenny Opera, Anything Goes, and Sweeney Todd. more on this story
Van Halen Keep Surprising Fans
(hennemusic) The Van Halen tour continues to surprise long time fans with the addition of rare songs being switched in and out of the band's set.
Sunday night in Boston, Van Halen rocked "Hang 'Em High," from the band's 1982 album, "Diver Down."
Fan reports suggest the band actually soundchecked the track last week in Philadelphia, along with the 1979 classic, "Bottoms Up!" which has yet to make an appearance in the show. Check out video here.
The Day The Sex Pistol's Snubbed The Rock Hall of Fame
(Gibson) On this day in 2006, The Sex Pistols refused to attend their own induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Blondie, Herb Alpert, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Miles Davis and Black Sabbath were also inducted. Gibson takes a look back: It was another big music night at the annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Awards. The 21st annual induction ceremony took place at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.
First up was a show opening tribute to Wilson Pickett, featuring Solomon Burke, Leela James, Marc Broussard and the E Street Band's Clarence Clemons. Then it was time for the awards. Honorees in 2006 included Black Sabbath, Blondie, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Sex Pistols and jazz legend Miles Davis, while A&M Records founders Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss were given Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Thirty years had passed since punk kicked down the doors of the rock and roll establishment, and both Blondie and The Sex Pistols rolled back the years for some punk attitude and awkward controversy.
The Blondie eruption was unexpected. When the band reformed in '99, Debbie Harry and Chris Stein did not include former members Frank Infante, Nigel Harrison and Gary Valentine. After their induction, Infante asked to join the current line up on stage. more on this story
Rush To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award
(hennemusic) Rush will be honored with The Ronnie James Dio Lifetime Achievement Award at the 4th annual Revolver Golden God Awards in April.
Prog-rock pioneers Rush, who will release their 19th studio album, "Clockwork Angels," in May, join a list of past honorees that includes Motley Crue, Lemmy Kilmister of MOTÖRHEAD and Ozzy Osbourne.
The award will be presented by Jack Black and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D, whose new record, "Rize of the Fenix," hits stores on May 15. more on this story
All Star Rolling Stones Tribute Concert
(Gibson) An all-star cast of music stars, past and present, will tip their caps to the musical legacy of The Rolling Stones in concert at New York City's Carnegie Hall. The show takes place on Tuesday, March 13th.
Jackson Browne, Taj Mahal, Ronnie Spector, members of TV on the Radio, Marianne Faithful, the Mountain Goats, Ian Hunter and many others will recreate every single track on the Stones' hits compilation Hot Rocks: 1964-1971.
It's mostly a mystery as to which artists will play which songs. A few have tipped their hands: Rosanne Cash hinted that she will sing "Gimme Shelter" with John Sebastian and Earle told Billboard that he's playing "Mother's Little Helper," because it's the first song he learned on guitar. more on this story
Pennywise Announce First Album With New Singer
(Gibson) Pennywise will release their 10th studio album, All or Nothing, on April 27 via Epitaph Records.
All or Nothing is the veteran punk band's first release with new singer Zoli Téglás (Ignite), who stepped in for already-booked live dates in 2009 when longtime vocalist Jim Lindberg was unable to make the shows due to documentary-making commitments. A few months later Lindberg announced his resignation and Téglás was brought on board permanently.
This writer spoke to guitarist Fletcher Dragge last week, who said the All or Nothing recording sessions were not without their dramas and arguments, but that things are far more amiable than they were when Lindberg was around. more on this story
Eddie Vedder Solo Tour
(hennemusic) Eddie Vedder has announced summer dates for a solo tour of Europe and the UK.
Supporting his "Ukelele Songs" release, the Pearl Jam frontman's first solo shows in the region make up a limited four-city run.
Dates kick off in Amsterdam on July 25th and wrap up with a performance at Sudoeste Festival in Portugal on August 3rd. more on this story
Lacuna Coil Tap Otherwise For Dark Legacy Tour
Otherwise are hitting the road with Lacuna Coil on their 2012 North American Dark Legacy Tour.
Otherwise has been confirmed as direct support for the tour, which will feature Lacuna Coil playing over two hours of material spanning their entire catalog.
Otherwise are currently wrapping up a month on the road with Pop Evil, and following the "Dark Legacy" tour will play a number of radio festivals including Rock On The Range, Carolina Rebellion and Welcome To Rockville. more on this story
Prince's Purple Rain Focus of New Book
Hal Leonard have set an April 10th release for John Kenneth Muir's new book 'Purple Rain: Music on Film'. The publisher sent over this background:
The opening scene of Oscar-winning Purple Rain marks the exact moment movie and music fans first encountered and likely fell in love with the inscrutable, ultimately unknowable Prince.
This low-budget film unexpectedly debuted at the number-one slot in the box office and went on to win multiple awards. Now, 25 years after this beginning of the "Purple Age of Prince" (as Tavis Smiley put it), Prince remains that same inscrutable Kid standing semi-obscured in the mist, and Purple Rain is still recognized prominently on critical top-ten lists. more on this story
Bruce Springsteen's Wrecking Ball Debuts At No 1 in UK
(hennemusic) Bruce Springsteen's new release, "Wrecking Ball," debuts at no. 1 on the UK album charts.
The Official Charts Company reports Springsteen secured his 9th UK #1 album with sales of 74,000 copies.
The Boss held off a new release by the Military Wives, who landed at #2 with 56,000 in sales. more on this story
Six Feet Under Summer Tour
Six Feet Under plan to return to Europe in August to play some exclusive festival gigs as well as selected club shows.
Six Feet Under will be embarking on the trek in support of their forthcoming album Undead, which is set to be released in May.
Dew-Scented are set to open for Six Feet Under on the tour which kicks off on August 12th in Berlin. more on this story
Malice To Deliver New Album in May
(Freeman) Malice have set a May 22nd North American release date for their new album "New Breed of Godz" which will be released worldwide by SPV / Steamhammer.
Original members Jay Reynolds (guitars), Mick Zane (guitars) and Mark Behn (bass) entered the Silver Cloud Studios in Los Angeles together with new singer James Rivera (Helstar) and new drummer Pete Holmes (Black N´Blue) to re-record 8 of their classics plus 4 new songs.
The producer was Joe Floyd (Warrior) who also was involved in producing records of Bruce Dickinson and Rob Halford. The album is scheduled for a May 22nd release in the US/Canada, a May 25th release in Germany and a May 28th release in Europe. more on this story
Rocklahoma Lineup Announced
Rocklahoma organizers have announced the full lineup for this year's festival which takes place over Memorial Day Weekend.
Rocklahoma will run from May 25-27 at "Catch the Fever" Festival Grounds in Pryor, OK. The Rocklahoma lineup is as follows:
Rob Zombie, Chickenfoot, Creed, Megadeth, Slash, Queensrÿche, Chevelle, Jackyl, Theory of a Deadman, Hellyeah, Puddle of Mudd, P.O.D., Volbeat, The Darkness, 10 Years, Cavo, Adelitas Way, Black Stone Cherry, Pop Evil, Trivium, Red, Redlight King, Art of Dying, Aranda, Janus, New Medicine, James Durbin, Eve to Adam, Falling In Reverse, Rival Sons, Anti Mortem, Gypsy Pistoleros, Lillian Axe, Wildstreet, Firstryke, Black Tora, Sunset Riot, The Glitter Boys, Fist of Rage, Switchblade, Scarlett, S.E.X. Department, Ragdoll, Down & Dirty, Hessler, Lynam, Diemonds, Ruff Justice, Soulicit, Rocker Lips, Mine Enemies Fall, Echo Vendetta, A Good Fight, Sweatin' Bullets, Through the Thorns, Absence of Ink, For the Broken, EchoFuzz, Shotgun Rebels, Stun, Dagger, Unwritten Rulz, Desi & Cody, David Castro Band, McCuin, We the Ghost, Tiranico, Baron Von Swagger, TwoFold, Aformatic, Delay the Day, and Jamco Industries.
Madness Announce North American Tour Dates
Madness will bring their brand of British ska rock back to North America next month with the launch of a West Coast tour.
The West Coast dates also include the highly popular Coachella Music Festival in Indio, Calif. on April 13.
This tour marks the first time the band has toured in North America in more than five years. more on this story
The Bouncing Souls New Album Details
The Bouncing Souls will release their new studio album, Comet, on June 12th in both physical and digital formats.
Comet was produced by the legendary Bill Stevenson at the Blasting Room (Rise Against, Hot Water Music, Descendents) in Ft. Collins, CO.
The Bouncing Souls are prepping worldwide tour plans for 2012, including a hometown Bamboozle appearance on May 20 in Asbury Park, NJ, with fellow Jersey band Bon Jovi, as well as U.S. and European headline runs this summer more on this story
Between the Buried and Me Offshoot Trioscapes Set Release
(MBR) Trioscapes new album, Separate Realities, will be released on May 8th in North America and on May 7th in Europe.
Trioscapes started in the summer of 2011 when bassist Dan Briggs (Between the Buried and Me) contacted Walter Fancourt (tenor saxophone/flute) and Matt Lynch (drums) about working up a rendition of the Mahavishnu Orchestra classic "Celestial Terrestrial Commuters." The group also messed around with a few original ideas with the intent of playing a one-off live show.
However, after rehearsing the material and playing the show, the group decided the music was so demanding and fun to perform that there should be more of a future for the project. A few more songs were written near the end of the summer and a full length album was recorded the first week of October with Jamie King in Winston-Salem, NC. Trioscapes combines elements of 70s fusion with progressive rock, dark syncopated grooves, a flare for the psychedelic, and an unabashed love for both quirky Zappa-ish melodies and thunderous abrasive trade-off lines. more on this story
Michael Stanley Releases New Album
(Glass Onyon) 70s rocker Michael Stanley has released his new studio album 'The Hang' on ItsAboutMusic.com.
From the mid '70s to the mid '80s, the Michael Stanley Band enjoyed a strong and fiercely loyal following, touring with some of the superstar bands of that period including Bruce Springsteen, The Eagles, Foreigner and The Doobie Brothers.
With over 70 minutes of music, the latest CD from Michael Stanley features twelve new original compositions and covers of songs written by Dire Strait's Mark Knopfler and songwriter extraordinaire Patty Griffin. Once again the album was mixed by legendary Bill Szymczyk and features the talents of Michael's road band, The Resonators throughout. more on this story
Black Cobra Join Corrosion Of Conformity, Torche and Gaza Tour
Black Cobra will be hitting the North American road this June with Corrosion Of Conformity, Torche and Gaza.
The trek will begin June 1st in Charlotte, NC with 18 dates confirmed through June 23rd at press time.
This stateside trek will follow Black Cobra's scheduled European tour also supporting COC along with Zoroaster, which kicks off on April 4th and leading up to the band's performance at the annual Roadburn Festival in Tilburg, Holland. more on this story
Scissormen Walking and Talking the Blues Next Week
(Gibson) Nashville-based blues duo Scissormen have a reputation for bridging the oldest traditions of recorded blues and modernist sonic invention. A great example from their new CD+DVD set BIG SHOES: Walking and Talking the Blues – available on Tuesday, March 20 – is the original song "Tupelo."
BIG SHOES embraces a 90-minute feature film by the acclaimed roots music documentarian Robert Mugge, about the band and its leader Ted Drozdowski, who also writes for Gibson.com. The recording of "Tupelo" is from the 72-minute live concert CD that's part of the set, and the song is also performed on stage at the Key Palace Theater in Redkey, Indiana, in the film.
To achieve the song's unusual sound, Drozdowski started with a variation on open G tuning (D-G-D-G-B-D) with the two high strings both tuned to D to achieve a chorusing effect. He also employed a vintage '80s Digitech DDS-1000 digital delay and played .10 gauge strings with a steel pinky slide and employed all five bare fingers of his right hand for picking, using the nail of his index finger for downstrokes. more on this story
Singled Out: Dark Empire's A Plague in the Throne Room
Today Matt Moliti from Dark Empire tells us about the song "A Plague in the Throne Room" from their brand new album "From Refuge to Ruin". Here is the story:
Believe it or not, the main guitar theme for "Plague" started as a gentle acoustic guitar/piano interlude, with the melody played in the lower notes of the guitar part, and performed much slower as well, more like a ballad. It sounded nice, but then idea struck me "what would happen if I took this piano part, sped it up, and played it as a guitar lead?" The result was badass, and I instantly knew this was going to be the first track of the album.
Since it was to be the album opener, I decided for "Plague" to serve as a meeting ground between the familiar elements of our previous album, Humanity Dethroned, and the darker, more progressive elements that are found throughout the rest of FRTR. To that end, though, there are still some 70's progressive rock influences here, in some subtle and not so subtle ways. The use of mellotron choir in the chorus and violins in the bridge melody should be obvious, but a less apparent influence lies in that the bridge melody is found later on in the album, during the chorus of "Black Hearts Demise." This idea comes from Genesis, who would reprise melodies from the front of the album in songs at the end of the album to create a "bookend" feel. Speaking of the bridge, that is also the oldest riff on the album, dating back to around 2007.
Lyrically, the song lends itself to the concept of deterioration (in society, government, personal relationships, etc), which is the prevalent theme throughout FRTR. In this case, it speaks of the deterioration of government, and of the corruption within it. It's obvious that most people these days are dissatisfied with the way things are being run, and I wrote the lyrics to express that dissatisfaction in a way that people could relate regardless of where their personal beliefs lie.
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