Best of Both Worlds

Ex-Van Halen & Chickenfoot bassist Michael Anthony says there’s no competition between the bands as both prepare to release new albums

Reported by Bruce Henne

Published: June 27, 2011. © Rock AAA.

Runnin' with the Devil

Michael Anthony has lived in both worlds, so he’s probably more curious than most when it comes to the new VH album – the band’s first with David Lee Roth in 27 years, and first with his replacement, new bassist Wolfgang Van Halen.
“Yeah, I’m curious to see what they come out with, but there’s no type of competitive type thing,” the bassist tells Ultimate Classic Rock.
“It’s funny, I go online, and see what the fans are saying, you know, ‘Oh my God, it’s gonna be Van Halen against Chickenfoot this year, both things coming out, and what’s going to be better?’ and blah blah blah. If they out put out a great album, that’s great. I just know that ours is great, and I’m really proud of it.”
Anthony was unceremoniously dumped as VH bassist for reasons, he believes, have nothing to do with music.
“Some Van Halen fans say I left the band to hook up with Sammy, but I never said, ‘I quit’,” Michael told Mojo last year.
“There was nothing going on in the Van Halen camp, but Eddie kinda backed me up against a wall. . . Eddie felt that I was a traitor. I helped hook Sammy back up with them for the 2004 reunion tour, but Eddie didn’t want me to be a part of that originally, so I took a big pay cut.
“I’m not crying, I didn’t need the money. I did that because I wanted to play for the fans. I signed away any legal rights I had with the name, the trademark or whatever. I did it because if that was the last time Van Halen would ever be on stage, I wanted to be part of it.”
“The major reason why I’m not in Van Halen (now) is because I became friends with Sammy again. The Van Halen brothers never got over that. If they hold a grudge, they hold it forever.”
For Anthony, it’s all old news as the past is best left in the past.
“Well, you know what?! As far as people saying, ‘Do you miss Van Halen?’ or any of that kind of stuff, I’ve totally moved on. Man, I am just in my total happy place right now.”
Anthony celebrated his 57th birthday last week and let Chickenfoot fans know what’s up with their new record.
“Thanks to everyone for all the birthday wishes!,” wrote Anthony on Facebook. “The only thing that makes my day better is that mixing on the new Chickenfoot CD is done! It’s a lot heavier than the first record and I can’t wait to get it out there!”

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Stephen Pearcy "It's too bad Bobby Blotzer had to say what he said in his book."

Stephen Pearcy "It's too bad Bobby Blotzer had to say what he said in his book Classic RATT line up - 1983 Blozer, DeMartini, Pearcy, Crousier & Crosby Ratt guitarist Robbin Crosby passed away nine years ago this month from a heroin overdose. Prior to his death, the 42-year old had battled addiction for many years, contracting HIV and eventually full-blown AIDS as a result of his drug use. During Ratt's episode of VH1's 'Behind the Music,' Crosby talked candidly about his addiction. "It's cost me my career, my fortune, basically, my sex life when I found out I was HIV positive," he said during the taping. Noisecreep is on the phone with Ratt vocalist Stephen Pearcy, talking about his upcoming Metal in America tour, when the subject of his late bandmate comes up. "I miss him so much and think about him every day," Pearcy says. Although he was often overshadowed in the press by Ratt lead guitarist Warren DeMartini, Crosby co-wrote hard rock classics like 'Round and Round' and 'Lay it Down.' Noisecreep asked Pearcy how he first met his former Ratt partner. "I knew Robbin from our teenage years in San Diego. When the band was still called Mickey Ratt," Pearcy says. "We still had Jake E. Lee [later of Ozzy Osbourne's band and Badlands] on guitar, and Robbin would come in and jam with us from time to time. Once Jake left the band, I brought Robbin into the lineup. Together we laid down the foundation for what everyone knows as the Ratt sound. In those early years, Robbin was pretty much the main guy, but Warren was progressing so phenomenally that it was hard to ignore. You see, Robbin didn't have an ego about it and was actually brave enough to say, 'I think we should showcase this kid.' Not a lot of guitar players would have done that," Pearcy fondly remembers. Crosby and DeMartini made for a deadly twin-guitar duo. "Robbin had his own style, but he was definitely influenced by Billy Gibbons [ZZ Top] and Jimi Hendrix. He played with great feel. Warren was more of a noodler, a guitar hero type of player. They complimented each other so well," says Pearcy. In addition to his musical style, Robbin Crosby also knew how to dress. If there was a look that captured the essence of an international rock star, Crosby nailed it. "He looked so cool standing on stage with his guitar," says Pearcy. "The guy was 6' 5" [laughs]. They loved Robbin in Japan. He would walk around the streets there looking like some kind of heavy metal god [laughs]. He was a great-looking dude and the ladies loved him." Besides his Metal in America tour and upcoming 'Sucker Punch' solo album, Pearcy will also be releasing his very own hot sauce line. "I can't sit around waiting for stuff to happen. I like to keep busy. While Ratt is on hiatus, I figured I would do all of these other cool projects. Ratt has another album on our Roadrunner Records contract so I'm excited to do that at some point. I just hope it doesn't take another 10 years to get the s--- out," he laughs. Ratt's latest album, 2010's 'Infestation,' was one of the group's finest efforts. Unfortunately, the band went through some internal issues within their ranks and never got to fully support the record. Around the time of the album's release, Ratt drummer Bobby Blotzer released a book called 'Tales of a Ratt,' which contained some harsh words about his bandmates. "It's a shame that things happened the way they did," Pearcy says. "I love what we did on that album. It sold well, doing somewhere in the 150K range. It charted great here and abroad. I was very happy about the album. "It's too bad Bobby had to say what he said in his book. I think of Ratt as our baby and treat it with love. It's sad when you have someone from within the band beating you down, it makes no sense whatsoever. But that's why we're on hiatus and taking care of some business stuff. Once that's done, we could move ahead."

'A Dangerous Method' Trailer Pits Freud Vs. Jung

6/23/2011 3:55 PM ET

(RTTNews) - "A Dangerous Method," release unknown:

Coming off the critically lauded gangster films "A History of Violence" and "Eastern Promises," director David Cronenberg is back with "A Dangerous Method," a psychological drama that has already gathered a considerable amount of internet buzz.
The movie looks to dissect the relationship between Sigmund Freud and Karl Jung, the two researchers responsible for revolutionizing the study of psychology. With an all-star cast that includes Viggo Mortensen as Freud and Michael Fassbender as Jung, "A Dangerous Method" promises some intense drama and off-kilter views on sexuality, which would be fitting considering the subject.
Also included in the cast is Keira Knightley, who plays a Russian test subject who begins to complicate matters for Jung. Knightley is a good fit in period dramas without zombie pirates (see "Atonement" and "Pride and Prejudice"), and Vincent Cassel ("Black Swan") appears as another potential influence on the famous psychologists.
"A Dangerous Method" doesn't have a U.S. release date yet but is scheduled to make its debut at the Venice Film Festival in late August/early September.
Box office potential:
Though Cronenberg is a respected director, his movies are often too dark to reach mainstream audiences; something seen with both "A History of Violence" and "Eastern Promises."
A lot will depend on how much critical support "A Dangerous Method" can gather and whether or not distributor Sony Classics can successfully market it as an awards contender.
"A Dangerous Method" will likely launch at the end of 2011 in the U.S. on a limited basis and look to expand slowly to attract its intended adult demographic through positive word-of-mouth.

Nikki Sixx Takes Over Planet Rock

Nikki Sixx Takes Over Planet Rock

Nikki Sixx is to have his own hour on Planet Rock.
The Motley Crue bassist will take over the airwaves from 7pm BST on Sunday, June 26. This is part of the station’s ongoing My Planet Rocks series.

June 24, 2011

Iommi’s surprise at metal label

Tony says he thought Sabbath were hard rock band until he returned from States to discover term had been invented

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Proud: Iommi

Black Sabbath icon Tony Iommi says he was surprised when he first heard the band referred to as a heavy metal act – because he always thought they were a hard rock outfit.
But he’s proud of the label after having lived with it for 40 years.
Iommi tells the BBC: “I wasn’t familiar with the term for quite a few years. I always looked at what we did as heavy rock.
“It was first mentioned to me by a journalist from a well-known magazine. He said, ‘Oh, you play heavy metal.’ I said, ‘What? What’s that?’ He said, ‘Well, that’s what you play.’
“I’d been in America for quite a while and I’d never heard the term. But ever since that it’s been non-stop. I still think we’re heavy rock, but you are put in a bag. I’m quite proud of it now.”
Iommi has been involved in the creation of an exhibition in Birmingham Museum which celebrates the genre’s roots in the midlands area.
He says: “Since we’re so-called inventors of this music, it’s really great for Birmingham and it’s really great for us all.”
The Home of Metal exhibition runs until September 25.

Give away music? Don’t be stupid, says Mustaine

Mainman Dave predicts record industry will resolve its problems – and admits he’d like Megadeth to be a bigger band

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Size matters: Megadeth

Dave Mustaine says bands who choose to give away their music for free are stupid, and predict the music industry will resolve its current problems.
And although he’s happy with his career at the moment, he admits he’d like Megadeth to be bigger than they are.
Mustaine tells the Brandon Sun: “I think the record business is just like anything else – it’s going to regulate itself. It’s going to correct itself.
“The problem is that all the pigs were in there with their hands on the steering wheel. They got what they deserved.”
He believes bands who allow free downloading of their tracks won’t be around long enough to be part of the industry once it’s repaired.
“Musicians who say they don’t care, that’s they’d give it away for free, are stupid,” he says. “They’ve never been hungry.
“If you’re going out there and being careless, and just letting your songs be downloaded for free, it’s probably going to reflect in your longevity.”
Megadeth have nearly completed the follow-up to 2009′s Endgame, with original bassist David Ellefson back in the fold, and Mustaine says he has very few regrets about the way things are going.
“We’re not as big as I’d hope to be right now,” he admits, “But there were some decisions I made while I was growing up that would probably have been better if I’d made the opposite choice.
“But I’m absolutely content with and what I am right now. I don’t wish I was in a bigger band – I’m not discontent with anything.”
He believes the subject matter of songs could help project the thrash act to a bigger audience, saying mainstream rock crowds aren’t interested in many of the things bands sing about. And he cites the two bands ahead of his own on next month’s US Mayhem tour as examples of his argument.
“The average person doesn’t want to hear about killing or savagery or brutality. The potential to play to a new audience is really interesting for me.
“The intent of Disturbed and Godsmack is to be popular and heavy at the same time – and those are two things we are.”

Guns N’ Roses Guitarist: Axl Has ‘Many Songs up His Sleeve’

Anne Erickson

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06.23.2011

Guns N’ Roses are playing a prominent gig at this year’s Rock in Rio festival in Brazil on October 2, but does this booking mean new songs are on the way?
According to Guns N’ Roses and Sixx:A.M. guitarist DJ Ashba, it’s on their minds.
“Axl has so many songs up his sleeve from the Chinese Democracy era,” said the 38-year-old, in an interview with Ultimate Classic Rock. “He has three albums of really amazing stuff. He’s played me quite a bit of it. It’s really good.”
Ashba went on to tell the site he’s been “demoing tons of stuff” in his studio and that the plan is to get together with the guys, go over the material and “put together what he [Axl] feels would be the next best thing for Guns N’ Roses…”
While no GN’R touring is planned yet, Ashba is optimistic: “It’ll be a lot of fun.”
DJ Ashba, who also owns his own graphic design agency called Ashba Media, is beyond stoked about the new Sixx:A.M. record, which he recorded with Nikki Sixx and company.
“We really dumped our heart and souls into it, as we did the last time, but this one is real special to all of us,” he said. “We really tried to step it up in terms of the whole overall message, to make a solid record from beginning to end. I think we did that, and it’s nice to see people are enjoying it!”

SuperHeavy: Mick Jagger supergroup to release debut in September

SuperHeavy: Mick Jagger supergroup to release debut in September

Mick Jagger’s new supergroup – SuperHeavy – will release its debut album this September.

The SuperHeavy lineup features Jagger, Eurythmics founder Dave Stewart, singer Joss Stone, composer A.R. Rahman and reggae artist Damian Marley.

Jagger and Stewart co-produced the album, which was recorded in various studios around the world, including those in France, Cyprus, Miami and India. The majority of the tracks were laid down over three weeks in Los Angeles earlier this year. The quartet wrote 22 songs in their first six days together.

The first single is titled "Miracle Worker" and the band will be recording a video for the track.

Jagger and Stewart had worked together on the 2004 soundtrack to the film "Alfie" and Stewart produced Stone's last album. Both wanted to bring in a Jamaican musician and Marley entered the picture with his rhythm section, bassist and composer Shiah Coore and drummer Courtney Diedrick. They met Rahman while recording in Los Angeles.

According to the band's bio, SuperHeavy came together after Jagger and Stewart wondered what a band of musicians from different genres would sound like. Jagger had his doubts it would come together.

One of the first on the album is Jagger singing in Urdu. He takes lead on Rahman's song "Satyameva Jayate," which translates to "the truth alone triumphs."

"It's different from anything else I've ever been involved in," Jagger told Rolling Stone last month. "The music is very wide-ranging – from reggae to ballads to Indian songs in Urdu."

"We didn't know what the hell we were doing," added Stewart. "We were just jamming and making a noise. It was like when a band first starts up in your garage. Sometimes Damien would kick it off and then Joss would sing something on top of it. We might have a 22 minute jam, and it would become a six minute song."

SuperHeavy – An Introduction (2011)

Tesla & Soulmotor to Release New CD's

Tesla & Soulmotor to Release New CD's

Posted on Jun 22, 2011

Tesla will be releasing 'Twisted Wires & The Acoustic Sessions' on July 12th.
The album will feature 6 tracks that were recorded back in 2005 at bassist Brian Wheat's J Street Recorders studio (which are the last recordings with original member Tommy Skeoch), 6 newly recorded tracks which include acoustic remakes of songs from their entire catalog, and two brand new songs called "Second Street" and "Better Off Without You." 'Twisted Wires & The Acoustic Sessions' is the follow up to 2008's 'Forever More'.
2011 also marks the 25th anniversary of the band! To stay updated on everything Tesla visit their Official Site at www.teslatheband.com and the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/teslatheband.
In related Tesla news, you can now pre-order SoulMotor's album 'Wrong Place At The Right Time' on iTunes. The project with Tesla's bassist Brian Wheat, the new SoulMotor album will be officially released on June 28th.

Warren Beatty Readies Howard Hughes Movie at Paramount

Warren Beatty Readies Howard Hughes Movie at Paramount

 

 

Big news today but under-reported: Warren Beatty has indeed signed to make a movie at Paramount Pictures. He’ll write, direct and star. But what hasn’t been said: Beatty will finally deliver his Howard Hughes biopic, in the works for at least 25 years. Beatty first got involved with a Hughes project in the mid 1980s. He even had a script back then, written with Elaine May–with whom he’d endured the interminable “Ishtar.”
But Beatty, the perfectionist, moved on to other things–like “Bullworth,” “Love Affair,” and “Town and Country.” Now he’s ready. I had even heard a story recently that he was offered a chance to act in a romantic comedy that sounded very promising. But Beatty declined, saying he was embarking at last on “Hughes.”
At least two studios were interested. But I do think Warren made a great choice with Paramount–he’ll need a big, organized studio to pull off this ambitious film. He could have another “Reds” on his hands–one of the great films of all time, and one for which he won an Oscar.
PS The casting for “Hughes” should be pretty competitive. The script would call for a younger Hughes to be cast at least for flashbacks, if nothing else. A young Warren Beatty–that’s a tall order for any actor!

Ron Howard will be directing the true-life Formula 1 racing pic "Rush."

(RTTNews) - Ron Howard will be directing the true-life Formula 1 racing pic "Rush."

The director—who was slated to begin working on his planned "Dark Tower" film trilogy and television adaptation—will direct the film (based on "Frost/Nixon" and "The Queen" scriptwriter Peter Morgan's script) on the rivalry between drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda in the 1970s. The film will cover Lauda's horrific crash and return to the track six weeks later.
Howard is expected to produce the film with partner Brian Grazer, with the film's material reminiscent of his first film, 1977's "Grand Theft Auto." Shooting is expected to begin this fall.
Howard's representative, Missy Davy at CAA, has noted that Howard will still be working on "The Dark Tower" project, with shooting slated to start early next year.

Billy Gibbons: New ZZ Top Album is ‘Loud, Fast’

Michael Leonard

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06.22.2011

ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons says the Texan trio plan to release their first studio album since 2003’s Mescalero before the end of 2011.
“This year’s going to be a banner year on a number of levels, but we’re throwing our hat in the ring,” Gibbons told Houston’s Fox 26, shortly before leaving for the band’s summer European tour.
Gibbons confirmed that producer Rick Rubin was on board for the as-yet-untitled album, which has now “finished tracking” and awaits mixing.
“Rick has successfully brought in his particular piece of magic in offering a few suggestions,” Gibbons said. “Basically he stepped back and said, ‘You don’t have to get much better, just do what you do.’ So that’s what we’ve been up to.” Gibbons also mentioned that tracks so far recorded are “loud and fast” and “a return to the roots.”
“There’s always that Tex-Mex accompaniment,” Gibbons added. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we lean that direction again.”

Blink-182 Almost Done with New Album

Bryan Wawzenek

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06.23.2011

Blink-182 bassist/vocalist Mark Hoppus has issued an update on the status of his band’s new album, according to NME.com.
Hoppus posted on Facebook: “I’m very excited. We’re getting to the point of the album where we talk about mixers and finishing up the songs.”
He said that fans can expect the new album before year’s end. “We deliver the album to the label on July 31, so it will be coming out during the tour,” he wrote. “The most recent batch of songs are some of the best of the entire record. Very happy it’s all coming together.”
The tour that Hoppus is referring to is an upcoming U.S. trek with My Chemical Romance. The reunited pop-punk group, which also includes Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker, postponed their summer U.K. dates in order to complete the new album. It will be the first Blink-182 album since 2003’s self-titled release.

Glen Campbell Has Alzheimer’s

Andrew Vaughan

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06.23.2011

Guitar great and country music legend Glen Campbell has revealed that he is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
The Country Music Hall of Famer, who has scored more than 80 top 10 hits and sold more than 45 million albums, just recorded his final CD, Ghost on the Canvas, with help from rock luminaries like Jakob Dylan, Billy Corgan, Dick Dale, Chris Isaak and Rick Nielsen.
But with a final tour also being planned, Glen and his wife Kim decided to go public with news of Campbell’s condition.
Kim told People magazine,“Glen is still an awesome guitar player and singer. But if he flubs a lyric or gets confused on stage, I wouldn’t want people to think, ‘What’s the matter with him? Is he drunk?’”
Glen Campbell has dealt with short-term memory loss for some time, but was only diagnosed with Alzheimer’s six months ago.
“I still love making music,” said the seventh son of a seventh son. “And I still love performing for my fans. I’d like to thank them for sticking with me through thick and thin.”

Poison Tossing Ideas Around For New Album Says Rikki Rockett

Poison Tossing Ideas Around For New Album Says Rikki Rockett

June 22, 2011

"Twenty-five years is a long time for any relationship, but especially a rock 'n' roll band," Poison drummer Rikki Rockett tells BND.com's Scott Keifer.

"We've been through a lot together, but honestly, I think we are all playing better than we ever have."

It has been two years since the group (still with all original members, guitarist C.C. Deville, bassist Bobby Dahl and front man Bret Michaels) have toured together, but Rockett feels fans are in for a treat.

"We were in rehearsals for this 25th Anniversary Tour, and we sound really, really good," Rockett said. "I know that I am playing better, and I think every one of us is getting better as we go along."

Rockett had hoped the band would have some new music by the time this tour came along, but that never happened for many reasons.

"When you take a band like us, we all live separate lives when we're not together. Getting it all together to record an album is a daunting task," Rockett said. "It's just a hard thing to do. We finished our last tour after nearly a year and a half on the road, and we needed a break."

New music is still in the offing.

"We are going to finish this tour, take a little time off and then, hopefully, we can begin writing and recording new material," Rockett said. "We have been tossing things around, for sure."

The two-year hiatus of the band does not mean that they have been relaxing on a beach somewhere. Michaels has been busy with the "Rock of Love" and "Life As We Know It" television series and touring solo with the Bret Michaels band. Rockett has been busy with his own small company, Rockett Drum Works, and collobarting with his wife, Melanie Martel,and her music.

"Oh yeah, I haven't been lounging around being a bum, that's for sure," Rockett said. "My drum company, which I am not striving to be a huge company to begin with, is taking off at the speed I want. We make custom drum kits designed by myself, specifically tailored to the person who orders them. I mean from the wood type, drum type and paint design. They are custom, and not cheap, as you won't be finding them in stores across the country. We deal directly with the person who orders them, and each set is a one-of-a-kind. So, actually, I get my creative release out of that when I am off the band thing."

Read the entire interview with Rikki Rockett at www.bnd.com/2011/06/22/1757993/poison-gets-more-potent-over-time.html#ixzz1Q4hw38Tt.