KISS and Twisted Sister Singers In Bitter Feud
A new war of words has erupted between KISS star Paul Stanley and Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider, with the frontmen from the theatrical rock bands trading insults via recent interviews and an online post.
The origin of the feud began earlier this year when Snider criticized KISS for continuing to use the Space Ace and Catman personas of Ace Frehley and Peter Criss for current guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer.
Snider told Eddie Trunk (via hennemusic) "I don't see how people could accept this. Tommy Thayer? I'm sorry. It's insulting. Not only did he play with a tribute band of KISS, he's imitating Ace in his entire act! Oh, my God, that's disgraceful.
"When KISS replaced Ace and Peter, and they brought in guys (drummer Eric Carr and guitarist Vinnie Vincent) who had their own makeup and their own thing, that was acceptable. That was awesome. They were their own characters."
Paul Stanley fired back in a new interview on Podcast One's Talk Is Jericho with Chris Jericho. Stanley told Jericho, "Let me put it in the simplest terms. In this case, this guy is a wannabe, has always been a wannabe and desperately wants attention and to be taken seriously and that will never happen because he's obviously clueless that he and his whole band are a bunch of buffoons."
Snider then responded to Stanley's criticism in an open letter posted on Facebook on Wednesday where he challenged the KISS star to an old-school sing-off without any props costumes, or pyro. He wrote, "First off, thanks for giving me the attention I-as you noted-- so desperately wanted.
"Now, I've always had nothing but respect for your band, and you as a performer, but it really comes as no surprise that the feeling isn't mutual. For some reason you are oddly threatened by me. This said, your recent comments about my band and I on Chris Jericho's podcast was a typical diversionary tactic used in an attempt to change the subject, rather than answer the actual accusation or question. It's the oldest interviewing trick in the book.
"As far as my 'whole band being a bunch of buffoons' goes, that's a pretty ironic statement coming from you. The argument could easily be made that Kiss is the 'king of the buffoons', so in an odd way you've paid Twisted Sister quite a compliment. It takes one to know one.
"Lastly, on the subject of me being a 'wannabe'? Do you really think so? Well then…any time, any stage. But let's do this old school -no costumes, no pyro, no bullsh*t - let's just get up there and rock. I will bury you, son.
"Sincerely, the attention getting, wannabe, lead buffoon of Twisted Sister, Dee Snider".
He also added the following postscript: "Did I mention that I'm clean, sober, razor sharp and fully capable of defending myself from any kind of lame attack? Just ask Al Gore."
Iron Maiden Singer Regrets Not Punching Axl Rose
Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson says that he regrets not punching Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose over an incident that occurred at a 1988 concert in Quebec City.
Guns N' Roses were opening the show for Iron Maiden at the Coliseum in the Canadian city in May of that year and Dickinson says in an interview with Le Journal de Montreal (via UCR) that he was angered over remarks Rose made about the French-Canadian fans speaking French to him.
Dickinson says of his reaction to Rose's comments, "I should have come on stage and give it a punch," he said. "How could he dare to speak to my audience in this way? I always regretted not having done so."
Motorhead Resume Tour Following Lemmy's Illness(hennemusic)
Motorhead resumed their North American tour on Tuesday following a recent series of shortened and cancelled shows due to health issues faced by frontman Lemmy Kilmister.
The concert at the Pageant Theatre in St. Louis marked the group's first full concert on their 40th anniversary tour in support of "Bad Magic" since August 24th.
"St.Louis!!!! St.Louis St.Louis SAINT LOOOOUUUIIISSSS!!!!!!," posted the band. "How LOVELY it was for Motörhead to kick every single one of your asses tonight eh?!!!!!!!"
Lemmy's return to the stage followed shortened shows in Salt Lake City, UT (Aug 27)and Austin, TX (Sep 1) after the singer experienced difficulty breathing at high altitudes.
Motorhead also cancelled shows in Denver (Aug 28), San Antonio (Sep 2), Dallas (Sep 4) and Houston (Sep 5) before it was learned that Lemmy was dealing with a lung infection. Read more here.
Rick Wakeman Cancels Wakemanfest Due To Health Concerns(Classic Rock)
Rick Wakeman has called off his Wakemanfest event over health concerns. He's also dropped a piano tour from his 2015 schedule, while a Christmas performance of Journey To The Centre Of The Earth is in doubt, and plans for next year will be curtailed.
It follows what he calls a "serious health scare" that took place earlier this year, after he finally began listening to warnings from his family and management.
Wakeman says on his website: "Although my health has improved, and blood pressure heading the right way, it's meant that, on advice, I have had to take a really close look at what is currently in for the rest of this year.
"Apart from Wakemanfest, piano dates in Scandinavia currently pencilled for November and December have had to go, and the proposed Journey To The Centre Of The Earth in Tenerife at Christmas is under review." Read more here.
Ritchie Blackmore Provides More Details About Rock Show Plans(Classic Rock)
Ritchie Blackmore insists his upcoming return to the rock scene is about much more than just nostalgia. The former Deep Purple and Rainbow guitarist is planning European shows for June 2016 where he will play a set consisting of the best of his work with those two bands. It'll be his first rock shows since splitting Rainbow in 1997 to focus on Blackmore's Night.
The guitarist says the passing of Deep Purple keyboard hero Jon Lord in 2012 and the 2010 death of Ronnie James Dio - coupled with the early stages of arthritis - made him want to play rock music again.
Blackmore tells Noisey: "I turned 70 and arthritis is starting to set in. Jon's not around. So many others aren't around. You start to see your friends pass and just feel it's time to play some of the old songs. Nostalgia is a big reason to do it, but not the only reason."
He insists the 2016 shows will be limited to a run of four. He says: "I am doing four dates in June, which will be all rock. I have the band basically together and it will be Rainbow and Deep Purple. It's just having fun but it's only four dates in Europe. I don't want to do anymore because I take what I'm doing now much more seriously." Read his view of the current rock scene here.
Bon Jovi Recruit New Guitarist(Classic Rock)
Bon Jovi have added New Jersey native Matt O'Ree to their live lineup. Radio station WRAT FM confirmed the news that he'd been brought in to replace Bobby Bandiera for the band's upcoming shows in the Far East - but Phil X, who plays on Bon Jovi's "fan" album Burning Bridges, will remain the group's main axeman.
The blues-based guitarist formed the Matt O'Ree Band in 1994 and last month joined Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan on stage at the Rock The Farm benefit gig in the US.
And while the majority of Bon Jovi's gigs will take place over the coming weeks, their two scheduled shows at Macao's Cotai Arena in China later this month have been cancelled by authorities. Read more here.
Police Have Fun Promoting Foo Fighters Concert(Classic Rock)
Pun-happy coppers in Edinburgh hit the right note with Foo Fighters fans during the band's show in the Scottish capital on Tuesday night. Police Scotland's Edinburgh Division sent out a series of tweets and Facebook posts in the lead up to and during Dave Grohl and co's sold-out performance at Murrayfield Stadium, using many of the group's song titles and a mention of Grohl's previous band to lighten the tone.
The first message posted read: "Murrayfield will be a musical Nirvana tonight when Foo Fighters and their special guests Royal Blood and Honeyblood take to the stage."
That was followed by: "Gates open from 4pm and Times Like These are likely to result in traffic congestion, so don't throw a Monkey Wrench into your evening and please make sure you plan your journey in advance and leave in plenty of time. It's unlikely you will Learn To Fly, so you won't want to be stuck in traffic before the show begins." Read more and see some of the posts here.
Eric Clapton Releases 'Cocaine' Performance From New Concert Film(Classic Rock)
Eric Clapton has released a video clip from his Slowhand At 70 concert movie, featuring a performance of classic track Cocaine at London's Royal Albert Hall.
The birthday show celebrated Clapton's 50-year career and also his return to the iconic venue, where he's played more than 200 times. Screenings take place across the world from September 14.
Slowhand At 70 includes material from throughout his career, including Robert Johnson tracks that originally inspired him, work with Cream and Derek And The Dominoes, and his solo catalogue. Watch the video clip here.
Glenn Hughes Side Project Voodoo Hill Streaming New Song(Classic Rock)
Voodoo Hill have released a lyric video for their song Waterfall. It's the title track from the group's upcoming third album, due out on October 16 via Frontiers Music Srl. Voodoo Hill is a collaboration between Italian guitarist and producer Dario Mollo and former Deep Purple singer Glenn Hughes.
Mollo says: "Waterfall came about as a result of the most prolific and creative period I had in my entire career. I wrote and recorded more than 35 song ideas in a very limited amount of time, leveraging from all the experiences I gathered as a guitar player, writer and producer.
"I also wanted the songs to sound as fresh as possible, trying my best to preserve the feeling of the overall performances, so I used very old school recording methods, including recording acoustic drums in rooms with natural reverb."
Mollo adds that he wanted Hughes to be more involved in the process on this record. He says: "I sent him the songs before the final mixes in order to have his advice on the final result. That was a precious process that brought substantial changes." Read more and check out the song here.
Slayer Frontman's Cameo Featured In Horror Movie Trailer(Classic Rock)
Slayer frontman Tom Araya makes a cameo appearance in a clip from horror metal movie Hairmetal Shotgun Zombie Massacre, which recently completed shooting.
Lamb Of God's Randy Blythe and Morbid Angel's David Vincent also make cameos in the film, based on the adventures of a band called Witches' Lips, whose music has been written and performed by ex Judas Priest frontman Tim 'Ripper' Owens and Phil Anselmo collaborator Marzi Montazeri.
Creators Joshua Allan Vargas and Jvstin Whitney - who spent 11 years on the project - recently explained: "A hair metal band, while struggling to find its own identity, decides to record its first full-length album in a notorious cemetery.
"Chock full of weed, coke and booze, the band unwittingly open a gate that allows demons to possess corpses. With the odds getting slimmer, the band must battle hordes of the undead - and hope to get a record deal somewhere in the process." Watch the trailer here.
Keith Richards Releases Trailer For 'Under The Influence' Documentary(hennemusic)
Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has issued the trailer for the documentary, "Under The Influence", ahead of its September 17 premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The project will then see its broadcast debut on Netflix on September 18 - the same day Richards' first solo album in more than three decades, "Crosseyed Heart", hits stores.
Directed by Morgan Neville (20 Feet From Stardom, Best Of Enemies), the film is billed as "an unprecedented look into the sounds and influences of rock and roll icon Keith Richards."
"If there's a Mount Rushmore of Rock 'n' Roll, Keith's face is surely on it," says Neville. "He has always represented the soul of rock music-for all of the light and dark shades that implies. To my relief, Keith Richards turned out to be a real man-full of humor, knowledge and wisdom. That's the real Keith we've worked to capture in our film and I'm honored to bring it to a global audience via Netflix."
"Under The Influence" visits many of the places that have inspired the Rolling Stones guitarist, including Chicago, Nashville and New York, with guest appearances from fellow artists like Tom Waits. Watch the trailer here.
Scale The Summit Release 'Blue Sun' Video(Prog)
Scale The Summit have premiered their video for Blue Sun with Prog. It's taken from the US prog metal outfit's fifth album V, out on September 18 via Prosthetic Records.
Guitarist Chris Letchford had the following to say: "People have always wanted STS to go crazy with shredding - and we finally catered to that demand on this song.
"I consider this the album's epic song. It has some of my favorite parts of the whole record. We're really tapping into prog metal goodness on this one." Watch the video here.
The Aristocrats Star Not Happy With Fans Filming Concerts(Prog)
Guthrie Govan says his performances with supergroup The Aristocrats can be compromised when people in the audience are recording the show. His main issue with fans using phones to shoot video is that the results will be seen and heard out of context.
And that makes the guitarist think twice about improvising when he's playing with bassist Bryan Beller and drummer Marco Minnemann. Govan tells MusicRadar: "I don't like the whole filming thing at all. Improvising in front of an audience carries a certain element of risk.
"I've always liked the idea of trying to create a unique moment. I find it can be disruptive to that mindset to think that whatever I'm trying to do - regardless of whether it works - could end up on YouTube hours later, without any sense of context." Read more here.
Napalm Death Release 'How The Years Condemn' Video(TeamRock Radio)
Napalm Death have released a video for their track How The Years Condemn. It's taken from their latest album Apex Predator - Easy Meat, released earlier this year via Century Media.
Bassist Shane Embury says that the self-reflective lyrics of the track were inspired by a stay in hospital several years ago, when he was forced to confront his mortality.
He says: "I thought about how lucky I was to be doing what I had always dreamed of doing, and in doing so, the awesome people, friends and loved ones that I had met and who now accompany me on this strange journey called life.
"To my loved ones I realized I had been selfish and it was time for a change, a realization that we are not invincible nor are we indestructible." Watch the video here.
David Bowie Albums Being Released On Limited Edition Colored Vinyl(stache)
A special reissue campaign has been launched for selected David Bowie albums, which sees three of his classic albums released on high-quality, colored vinyl. We were sent the following details:
A limited edition colored version of Heathen was just released, while its successor, Reality, will be released 9/25. Heathen's predecessor, Hours..., will be out 11/20.
2002's Heathen marked a reunion with producer Tony Visconti, who was at the helm for most of Bowie's classic '70s albums. It wound up achieving the highest U.S. chart position of any Bowie album since 1984's Tonight. Guest performers on Heathen include icons Pete Townshend and Dave Grohl. The new reissue of Heathen is pressed on blue vinyl.
Reality was released barely a year after Heathen. The Bowie/Visconti partnership was once again active for this critically acclaimed album. The BBC took notice, placing Reality"among (Bowie)'s very best works." The album contains nine original tracks as well as covers of Jonathan Richman's "Pablo Picasso" and George Harrison's "Try Some, Buy Some." Reality is being reissued on clear vinyl.
Hours... was released right before the turn of the millennium, and was groundbreaking at the time for its utilization of then-new internet technology. It was the first album to be made available as a digital download before being released in stores, underscoring Bowie's cutting-edge persona. The single "Thursday's Child" received airplay on alternative radio, and Bowie performed it on Saturday Night Live. This new, limited version of Hours...was pressed on translucent blue vinyl. A remastered CD version of Hours... is currently available, enhanced with 5 bonus tracks and an elaborate 10-panel digipak.
All three albums are being pressed on 180-gram vinyl, and contain tri-fold covers, spotlighting each album's incredible artwork.
Heathen, Reality, and Hours... have all been mastered by Joe Reagoso (Jeff Beck/Deep Purple) and will be available at your favorite physical and online retailers. Additionally, they are available via Friday Music's David Bowie store, which you can find here.
Bon Jovi's Chinese Tour Dates Canceled By Authorities(Radio.com)
Bon Jovi is huge in China, and Chinese fans were looking forward to the band's first dates in the country, which were supposed to have taken place next week. However, the shows have been canceled without explanation.
CBSN reports that it is believed that the shows were cancelled because the group has used the Dalai Lama's image on the band's video screens on a past tour.
Bon Jovi's 2009 video "We Weren't Born to Follow" featured imagery from the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests against the Chinese government, which probably didn't help Bon Jovi's case. Read more here.
Ringo Uncovers Motherload of Beatles Negatives(Radio.com)
Ringo just hit the motherload of Beatles memorabilia. The former Beatle was recently forced to move some of his things in storage when he came across thousands of undeveloped negatives.
The majority of the negatives contained images of Starr's former band mates, George, Paul and John, including their first visit to the United States in 1964.
Sure, early photos of The Beatles aren't hard to find, but the ones available to the public were mostly taken by the media. Ringo's photos obviously come from a different perspective.
Never to be duplicated, the drummer's photos were taken while the band was living in their natural habitat, and Ringo's convinced that his former band mates have or had similar personal collections of their own. Read more here.
Foo Fighters Rock Cover Of 'Molly's Lips' In Scotland(Radio.com)
Although he was the drummer in one of the biggest rock bands of the past quarter century, Dave Grohl has mostly steered clear of the Nirvana catalog at Foo Fighters concerts. Other than "Marigold," a Nirvana B-side that he wrote and sung (and which didn't feature Kurt Cobain), Grohl has never played any Nirvana material in his current band.
That changed for a few seconds on Tuesday night, as the Foo Fighters played in Edinburgh, Scotland, the hometown of legendary punk band the Vaselines.
Nirvana covered that band's classic "Molly's Lips," and on Tuesday night the Foo Fighters played it as well, adding it to the long list of covers they've done on this tour, along with Queen and David Bowie's "Under Pressure," and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' "Breakdown." Read more here.
Bring Me The Horizon Streaming New Song 'Avalanche'(Radio.com)
Bring Me The Horizon have debuted yet another track from their forthcoming album, That's The Spirit, which hits stores this Friday, Sept. 11. Earlier this week, BBC Radio 1 host Annie Mac premiered the new track, titled "Avalanche."
"Avalanche" serves as the fourth track BMTH released from the album after "Happy Song," "That's The Spirit" and "'Throne." Earlier this year the band parted ways Epitaph for a move to Colombia Records here in the U.S.
So, the band is finally represented by the same company (Sony) on both sides of the pond. This, coupled with their more refined sound could lead to wider audiences. The Sheffield band's labelmates now include AC/DC, One Direction and System Of A Down.
Supporting BMTH on all headlining dates will be Atlanta metalcore band, Issues. The 18-city tour will crescendo with three festival performances ending with San Bernardino, California's Knotfest on October 25. Check out the new song here.
Diatessaron's New Album 'Sunshine' Streaming Online(Prog)
Diatessaron have streamed their second album Sunshine exclusively with Prog. The 11-track album will be released tomorrow, September 11 and follows the launch of lead track All The Way in July.
They say: "Sunshine has been an absolute thrill to create - it's a personal, poetic, beautiful record with a depth of sound we'd never been able to capture properly with our previous recordings."
The Canadian outfit describe their work as classic prog, influenced by iconic groups of the genre including Genesis, Rush, King Crimson and others. Stream the full album here.
Iron Maiden Billboard Censored In Germany(hennemusic)
A billboard promoting Iron Maiden's newly-released album, "The Book Of Souls", has been covered up by a group of angry parents in the Kreuzberg district of Berlin, Germany.
Stern.de reports the cover artwork from the band's first-ever double album - designed by Mark Wilkinson and featuring the group's mascot Eddie - has been censored by concerned parents who say the image has no business being advertised close to schools in the area.
The group hung a handwritten sign over the billboard with the message (roughly translated): "In the immediate vicinity are several kindergartens and a primary school. This poster here has nothing to FIND!" Read more and see a photo of the billboard here.
Joe Louis Walker Streaming New Song 'One Sunny Day'(Classic Rock)
Joe Louis Walker has debuted his lyric video for One Sunny Day with TeamRock. It's taken from upcoming album Everybody Wants A Piece, to be launched on October 9 via Provogue.
Walker says: "I'd like to be known for the credibility of a lifetime. Sometimes I feel I've learned more from my failures than from my success. But that's made me stronger and more adventurous, and helped me create my own style.
"I'd like to think that when someone puts on one of my records they would know from the first notes, 'That's Joe Louis Walker.'" Walker is currently touring North America, with European dates in October. Check out the new song here.
Tommy Castro and The Painkillers Announce New Album(The Blues)
Tommy Castro and the Painkillers will release second album Method To My Madness on October 23, the mainman has confirmed. And he describes the follow-up to 2014's The Devil You Know as a return to his "basic ingredients" of blues and soul, while still presenting something different from his past works.
Six-time Blues Music Awards winner Castro says: "I've always been a blues guy - it's what I'm meant to do. But I'm always listening and reacting to what's going on in the outside world, experimenting with my guitar tone and my songwriting to keep my music fresh.
"With the new album I went for the energy of connecting with my band. We kept everything raw, capturing the feeling of playing live." Read more including the tracklisting here.
Primal Fear Release Preview Of New Album 'Rulebreaker'(TeamRock Radio)
Primal Fear have issued a teaser for their 11th album. Titled Rulebreaker, it's due for release on January 29, 2016, via Frontiers Music. It's the follow-up to 2014's Delivering The Black.
The German outfit announced a number of lineup changes earlier this year, with the band recruiting former UDO drummer Francesco Jovino to replace Aquiles Priester. Founding guitarist Tom Naumann also rejoined as a full-time member.
The lineup is completed by singer Ralf Scheepers, bassist Mat Sinner and guitarists Magnus Karlsson and Alex Beyrodt. Watch the new album teaser video here.
Tremonti Announce UK Leg Of European Tour(TeamRock Radio)
Tremonti have added five UK dates to their European tour. Mark Tremonti and co will play Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol and London in December, supporting second album Cauterize, which was launched in June.
Alter Bridge guitarist Tremonti recently said of the work: "It's mostly influenced by a mix of being in the back of mum's car, listening to 70s soft rock and then growing up, then being a Slayer fan and Celtic Frost fan.
"I love black metal, speed metal, the thrash movement. You mix that with 70s soft rock so you've got the melody combined with the thrash - that's what I love." See the dates here.
Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! Announce UK Winter Tour(TeamRock Radio)
Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! have announced a winter UK tour. The seven-date December run has been set up in support of their third album Get Lost, Find Yourself, released in May via Fearless Records.
The band say: "We're super stoked to announce that we're finally getting back to the UK. This is gonna be our first time headlining in two years over here and we'll be playing a lot of old and new songs for you guys. We hope you're ready to party hard and have a good time because we are!"
Prior to the new UK dates, the French outfit will play in Japan and Australia before heading to Europe in October, which includes an appearance at London's Alexandria Palace on October 18.
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